Greenbrier Valley Quarterly

09/20/2024

"Greenbrier County, nestled in the heart of West Virginia, is known for its scenic beauty and tranquil lifestyle. For Michael and Nicole Argento, it was the perfect place to raise their children and cultivate a new, sustainable way of living. Greenbrier Valley Quarterly sat down with them to uncover the journey behind their move and the creation of their unique retreat, The Riverstead."

Greenbrier County, nestled in the heart of West Virginia, is known for its scenic beauty and tranquil lifestyle. For Michael and Nicole Argento, it was the perfect place to raise their children and cultivate a new, sustainable way of living. Greenbrier Valley Quarterly sat down with them to uncover

08/11/2024

"This February, Holly and Chris Fussell celebrated their two-year anniversary of buying the iconic Fayetteville-based shop Water Stone Outdoors. The shop has been a mecca of sorts in the New River climbing and hiking community for three decades, and the Fussells have worked diligently on expanding not only the shop’s inventory, but also its footprint, adding a small coffee and brewgarden outback. With the newly minted New River National Park status, visitors to the New River Gorge area have increased dramatically, and Water Stone intends to capitalize on all the new adventure seekers with new emphasis on hiking and other adventure gear, while staying true to the store’s climbing ethos that made it a favorite over the years for climbers from all over the world."

Photos by Trista honaker This February, Holly and Chris Fussell celebrated their two-year anniversary of buying the iconic Fayetteville-based shop Water Stone Outdoors. The shop has been a mecca of sorts in the New River climbing and hiking community for three decades, and the Fussells have worke

08/09/2024

“Would you like to tour the Summit Bechtel Reserve and write an article about it?”

"When Josh Baldwin, the Greenbrier Valley Quarterly’s publisher, posed this question, I didn’t have to think long and hard about it. Like most West Virginians, I’d heard a lot about the sprawling Boy Scouts of America compound in Fayette and Raleigh Counties, but I’d never been there. I’d believed, falsely it turns out, that only Scouts and their families were welcome to visit the facility and sample its many activities."

By Greg Johnson “Would you like to tour the Summit Bechtel Reserve and write an article about it?” When Josh Baldwin, the Greenbrier Valley Quarterly’s publisher, posed this question, I didn’t have to think long and hard about it. Like most West Virginians, I’d heard a lot about the sprawl...

08/06/2024

"A true Brit at heart, Philippa Radon can do anything with a good cup of Earl Grey in hand. “Everything works better with a cup of tea,” she says."

By Amanda Larch A true Brit at heart, Philippa Radon can do anything with a good cup of Earl Grey in hand. “Everything works better with a cup of tea,” she says. An interior designer and stylist with more than three decades of experience, Radon owns a full-service design firm, Philippa Radon Des...

11/21/2023

Check out local rock star, Cam Little in this feature by SARAH ELKINS

STORY BY SARAH ELKINS The first time Cameron Little attended mountain bike practice with the Greenbrier Valley Hellbenders Youth Mountain Bike Team, he hated it. He remembers telling his parents, “This sucks. I’m never doing it again.” Cam had tried a couple seasons of cross country and he was

11/15/2023

It was great to revisit Camp Alleghany for Girls - truly a magical place!

Greg Johnson revisits Alleghany - Greenbrier County’s beloved Girls Camp

08/04/2023

https://www.gvquarterly.com/blog/2023/7/31/ascending-in-the-mountain-state

How Ascend WV is recruiting and retaining remote workers to the Greenbrier Valley and beyond

07/31/2023

https://www.gvquarterly.com/blog/2023/7/31/the-comeback

Former Mayor Bruce Bowling looks back on six transformative years for White Sulphur Springs

06/09/2023

Greenbrier Valley Quarterly’s Josh Baldwin caught up with the photographer behind Driving Backroads, Bob Bell, and talked about his work, moving to Monroe County, and the philosophy behind his arresting photographs.

Interview by Josh Baldwin It’s hard to stumble around on social media in the Greenbrier Valley and not come across the ever-popular page Driving Backroads. With over 25,000 followers, the page has become a huge hit for many area residents. The photography’s signature blue skies, dramatic clouds,

06/02/2023

Congratulations to our dear friend, Barbara Nissman, for being inducted into the The WV Music Hall of Fame this weekend! Enjoy this article written by Greg Johnson that will appear in our upcoming issue of GVQ!

Barbara Nismann, newly inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame, sits down with Greg Johnson for an in-depth look at her career and life in Greenbrier County.

04/23/2023

"A few years ago, when my wife and I retired here to the wonderful town of Lewisburg, we enjoyed the respite from the hectic world of Washington, D.C. And while we certainly enjoyed the fresh air and laid back vibe of our new life, the travel bug came calling pretty quickly. We would occasionally get what we affectionately called “The Lewisburg Blues,” and start searching the internet for a destination to feed our vagabond needs. This last fall, after two years of restricted travel due to Covid, the Lewisburg Blues manifested as thirty days in the United Kingdom. Even though our trip included visits to nine different cities, in the interest of time and space I wanted to share some thoughts on what has become our favorite city in the entire world—Edinburgh, Scotland."

Story and Photos by Russell Williams A few years ago, when my wife and I retired here to the wonderful town of Lewisburg, we enjoyed the respite from the hectic world of Washington, D.C. And while we certainly enjoyed the fresh air and laid back vibe of our new life, the travel bug came calling pr

04/21/2023

"Mountain Meadow Hunting Preserve offers unique hunting opportunities for everyone. Owner Brandon White started the business as a teenager and now is able to watch it grow with his family at his side.

Located in Monroe County, West Virginia, the hunting preserve is 800 acres of an outdoorsman’s paradise with fishing opportunities and a variety of native and exotic animal species, ranging from fallow and whitetail deer to buffalo and elk."

Mountain-meadow Hunting Preserve

Story by Amanda Larch Mountain Meadow Hunting Preserve offers unique hunting opportunities for everyone. Owner Brandon White started the business as a teenager and now is able to watch it grow with his family at his side. Located in Monroe County, West Virginia, the hunting preserve is 800 acre

04/19/2023

"In 1923 a young man named Ken Gillespie recognized a business opportunity at the then-new Greenbrier Hotel, and he opened a small flower shop in the resort’s retail corridor. He sold flowers he grew and arranged himself, or ones he could source that arrived at the train station across the street from the hotel. When business at the hotel slacked in the winter, he took his flower business south, to Florida. His children attended school there and helped out in the shop. Eventually his success enabled him to build a store on Main Street in White Sulphur Springs, on the property next to his house."

Gillespie's Flowers & Productions, Inc.

Story by Greg Johnson Photos Courtesy of Gillespie Family Gillespie’s Flowers and Productions celebrates a century of Business In 1923 a young man named Ken Gillespie recognized a business opportunity at the then-new Greenbrier Hotel, and he opened a small flower shop in the resort’s retail cor

04/16/2023

"Local business duo Mark Trent & Dan Withrow celebrate their re-opening of one of WV’s oldest bars, ensuring it lasts another 100 years. Stepping into The Sportsman Tavern in Ronceverte is stepping into the future of Ronceverte."

The Sportsman Tavern

Story by Josh Baldwin Local business duo Mark Trent & Dan Withrow celebrate their re-opening of one of WV’s oldest bars, ensuring it lasts another 100 years. Stepping into The Sportsman Tavern in Ronceverte is stepping into the future of Ronceverte.

04/14/2023

"Local farmers Frank Ford and James Tuckwiller are shaking up the beef industry. With a new retail location in White Sulphur Springs, dinner just got a whole lot better."

Mountain Steer Meat Company

Story by Leah Tuckwiller Photos by Mary Baldwin & CJWV Photography Local farmers Frank Ford and James Tuckwiller are shaking up the beef industry. With a new retail location in White Sulphur Springs, dinner just got a whole lot better. It’s a small space, and the crowd

02/05/2023

"Aaron and Monica Maxwell get their kicks on Route...60. Learn how the couple celebrates this historic highway by collaborating with local and regional artists to create a unique Route 60-inspired brand."

Story by Amanda Larch Aaron and Monica Maxwell get their kicks on Route...60. Learn how the couple celebrates this historic highway by collaborating with local and regional artists to create a unique Route 60-inspired brand. U.S. Route 60 is more than just a well-traveled highway; it’s an icon

01/31/2023

"In January 2022, Stardust Cafe came under new ownership after more than 15 years. Co-owner Savannah Webb talks legacy and looks to the future of this Lewisburg icon."

Story by Leah Tuckwiller Photos by Josh & Mary Baldwin IN JANUARY 2022, STARDUST CAFÉ CAME UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP AFTER MORE THAN 15 YEARS. CO-OWNER SAVANNAH WEBB TALKS LEGACY AND LOOKS TO THE FUTURE OF THIS LEWISBURG ICON. As we step inside from Washington Street, the door to Stardust Ca

01/24/2023

"In January 2021 Matt Campbell arrived in Lewisburg with a challenging task: succeeding the Greenbrier Valley Theatre's longtime artistic director and guiding light, Cathey Sawyer. In her 30 years at GVT, Sawyer had turned the local theatre from a shoestring summer operation with community players working in a barn into West Virginia’s official state professional theatre, operating out of a $2.5 million downtown complex with union actors and a million-dollar annual budget. Her three-decade career at GVT was filled with hits, and while theatres around the country were closing, GVT was flourishing. In short, she was going to be a tough act to follow."

A Conversation With Greenbrier Valley Theatre’s Matt Campbell Story by Greg Johnson Photos courtesy of Matt Cambell Portrait by Mary Baldwin In January 2021 Matt Campbell arrived in Lewisburg with a challenging task: succeeding the Greenbrier Valley Theatre’s longtime artistic director and

11/24/2022

Happy Thanksgiving from Greenbrier Valley Quarterly! We’re so happy to be a part of the Greenbrier Valley & beyond. We hope your day was spent with family, friends & a table full of delicious food.

11/04/2022

Filled with relics and memorabilia, The Schoolhouse Hotel is completely renovated from a historic school building in the heart of White Sulphur Springs. It’s also the world’s first fully accessible hotel, now open to any and all guests.

Story by Amanda Larch Photos by Josh Baldwin & Sheena Pendley Filled with relics and memorabilia, The Schoolhouse Hotel is completely renovated from a historic school building in the heart of White Sulphur Springs. It’s also the world’s first fully accessible hotel, now open to any and

10/31/2022

Each year, Chris Rodebaugh receives recognition and awards for his giant pumpkins. Now, he’s sharing tips and tricks on how to cultivate the perfect pumpkin..

Happy Halloween from the GVQ family! 🎃

Story by Amanda Larch Each year, Chris Rodebaugh receives recognition and awards for his giant pumpkins. Now, he’s sharing tips and tricks on how to cultivate the perfect pumpkin. A few years ago, local dentist Chris Rodebaugh attended the West Virginia State Fair and was so drawn to the larg

10/28/2022

10/27/2022

"Daniel Cannon starts each week by crafting flour, butter, water and salt into 45 pounds of pie dough. By Friday, that mountain of dough has been transformed into delicacies such as spinach feta quiches, sweet and savory hand pies and galettes oozing with fresh fruit. His time in between is spent preparing cookies, brownies, sourdough bread, pastries, homemade pop tarts, pepperoni rolls and focaccia-style pizzas that fly out the door of Good Roads Bakehouse in Frankford during its limited hours of operation on Fridays and Saturdays."

Story by Barbara Elliott Photos by Josh Baldwin Daniel Cannon starts each week by crafting flour, butter, water and salt into 45 pounds of pie dough. By Friday, that mountain of dough has been transformed into delicacies such as spinach feta quiches, sweet and savory hand pies and galettes oozing

08/19/2022

Take a trip and visit our friends at Pomona Salt Cave & Spa!

"Plucking strings and tinkling pianos waft in each room from invisible speakers, rich tastes from the café delight the taste buds, the striking color of the salt creates a faint glow in the cave, the feel of well-trained hands deliver massages, and smells of essential oils aim to relax, rejuvenate, and restore."

Story by Amanda Larch Photos by Mary Baldwin Plucking strings and tinkling pianos waft in each room from invisible speakers, rich tastes from the café delight the taste buds, the striking color of the salt creates a faint glow in the cave, the feel of well-trained hands deliver massages, and smel

08/09/2022

"Walk into Lewisburg Surf Shop in downtown Lewisburg and you’ll be greeted by a barrage of primary and neon colors, beaming from books, candles, shirts, vases, and woven baskets. No board shorts, long boards, surf wax, or Rainbow flip flops—the staples of traditional surf shops. Instead, this tongue-in-cheek named fashion boutique, planted in the middle of land locked West Virginia, was inspired by the 1980s Fiorucci stores in Milan and New York."

Story by Josh Baldwin Photos by Mary Baldwin Walk into Lewisburg Surf Shop in downtown Lewisburg and you’ll be greeted by a barrage of primary and neon colors, beaming from books, candles, shirts, vases, and woven baskets. No board shorts, long boards, surf wax, or Rainbow flip flops—the staples

08/01/2022

"It started out as class project for pre-engineering students at Greenbrier East High School. It is now a spectacular new aquatic center for the Greenbrier Valley. How it all came about is nothing short of a miracle."

"On May 1, 2022, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the Greenbrier Valley Aquatic Center, or as Galyean calls it, his “miracle project."

Story by Barbara Elliot Photos by Mary Baldwin It started out as class project for pre-engineering students at Greenbrier East High School. It is now a spectacular new aquatic center for the Greenbrier Valley. How it all came about is nothing short of a miracle. In May 2018, TAG Galyean decide

07/25/2022

"Each of the seven artists in residence brings their own style, ideas, dreams, and ambitions to their studio space, but Gum Store Studios would not be what it is without the leadership of Penny Payne Fioravante. She had big dreams for the space she purchased, which fell into disrepair over the years and was looking for the right people to call it home once again."

https://www.gvquarterly.com/blog/2022/7/18/in-fun-we-trust

Story by Amanda Larch Photos by Mary Baldwin DEDICATED ENTIRELY TO THE ARTS AND SOUL, CREATIVITY THRIVES AT GUM STORE STUDIOS. Each of the seven artists in residence brings their own style, ideas, dreams, and ambitions to their studio space, but Gum Store would not be what it is without the lea