Your Connection to Mountain Splendor

If you have eaten at The Greenbrier, you know just how great the food is at ALL of the restaurants.  Well, if you thought it couldn't  get any better.....think again......

The Greenbrier has named Jeremy Critchfield, a leader in luxury resort culinary operations, as vice presidient of food and beverage and corporate chef.  “Jeremy’s passion and commitment for creating the very best culinary experience will add a new level to our food and beverage operations.

 "His experience in the luxury resort market, as well as his successes in attaining the Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond awards, will complement our ongoing initiatives to be the leader of luxury resorts around the world,” said Jeff Kmiec, vice president and managing director of  The Greenbrier.  His responsibilities includes overseeing all dining venues, room service and culinary events, in addition to improving the resort's renowned culniary offerings.

For the past seven years, Critchfield served as executive chef and director of food and beverage operations for Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. While there, he was responsible for five full-service restaurants, a 50,000 sq. ft. entertainment center and twelve seasonal food and beverage outlets as well as all banquet and catering operations. Under his leadership, the Lautrec Restaurant at Nemacolin received the AAA Five Diamond and Forbes (Mobil) Five Star award for 2009 and 2010. Critchfield also brings a wealth of knowledge from his culinary leadership for four PGA TOUR events, the 84 Lumber Classic.  His responsibilities included full food service catering, concessions and logistics for an average of 200,000 spectators, corporate sponsors, media and players.

Critchfield brings to The Greenbrier his passion for sustainable agriculture.  During his tenure at Nemacolin, he transformed underveloped portions of the property into vegetable gardens which provided products for use in the resort's restaurants, as well as enhancing the appearance of the grounds.  Prior to joining Nemacolin, Critchfield was the executive chef for The Lodge at Sea Island, a facility that earned the AAA Five Diamond award in 18 months and Mobil Five Star designation in 22 months.

Each of The Greenbrier's  restaurants features a signature menu and its own unique dining experience. 

Prime 44 West, is a premier steakhouse and The Greenbrier’s newest restaurant.

The iconic Main Dining Room is the epitome of Greenbrier cuisine in an elegant setting. 

Sam Snead’s at the Golf Club, which offers spectacular views of our three championship courses, specializes in West Virginia favorites and regional favorites. 

For luncheon and dessert specialties, Draper’s Café provides a casual and convenient settting.

Evenings also offer entertaining options, like the fun-filled sports bar Slammin' Sammy's and the conveniently located Lobby Bar, in addition to the resort's newest addition, The Tavern Casino.

Gateway Industries Inc. Presents:

The 16^th Annual Derby Day Party

Mark your calendar for the Greenbrier Valley's "Run for the Roses" 16th Annual Derby Day Party....presented by the Gateway Industries, Inc., in Ronceverte, WV.

When:   Saturday, May 1, 2010.

Time:    3:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Location:  State Fair Event Center, Underwood Youth Center, Fairlea, WV

Cost:   $25 a ticket and a chance to win some great prizes

For this event there will be

• FREE cocktail party,
  
• Hors D'oeuvres
  
• 50" plasma flat screen viewing,
  
• Music by Richard Mefner and the Black Mt. Bluegrass Boys
• Fabulous Silent Auction (Download Silent Auction Donation Sheet)
  
• Most Spectacular Hat Contest
• Chance to win great prizes

Proceeds for this event benefit Gateway Industries Building Fund

For more information or if you want to advertise for this event contact:

Gateway Industries, Inc.
299 E. Edgar Avenue   
Ronceverte, WV 24970
Phone:  304-645-3165
Email: Phyllis@@gatewayind.com or Becky@gatewayind.com

Tentative deadline for ads is Monday, April 19, 2010

Don't forget to mark your calendar for Derby Day, May 1, 2010

Has Your Car Taken a lot of abuse this Winter, if so take it to Grillz-N-Wheelz ....the Auto Spa, located in Lewisburg, West Virginia.

Yes, it's that time of the year again....no I am not talking dieting and exercising.....it's time to treat your car to a spa treatment.  I am sure we all agree with all the harsh conditions this winter, our cars have taken a beating and deserve some tender loving care.  The place to go is Grillz-N-Wheelz Auto Spa.

Your car will get a complete makeover.  From inside and out it will be detailed.  The Grillz-N-Wheelz team will give your car a spa treatment that will make it so beautiful........The interior will be vacuumed, leather conditioned, windows cleaned, and carpet shampooed.  The exterior will receive the same kind of care....like, removing scratches by buffing, engine detailing, cleaning wheels and polishing, and a good waxing.  Keeping a good coat of wax will protect your car from the elements including sunlight and many other circumstances that you will encounter, from bug carcasses to bird droppings.  

And, as Everall Phillips, owner of Grillz-N-Wheelz, says "The best way to keep your cars looking their best is make it a habit to detail your car.  Grillz-N-Wheelz has been opened for four years and business has been very, very good",  says Phillips.

Besides improving the appearance of cars, detailing helps to preserve your car, and thus, increases resale value....isn't this what we all want?

This year I've had two cars and a Ford Explorer SUV detailed at Grillz-N-Wheelz and have been very satisfied with the detailing of the cars and the service I received.  So what are you waiting for....give your car a spa treatment today.

GRILLZ-N-WHEELZ Auto Spa is located at 729 North Jefferson Street, Lewisburg, WV.  

Call 304-645-0885 for estimates and appointments.

Opened Monday through Friday from 8:00 am til 5:00 pm and Saturday by appointments.

Concerned About Your Health? Want to Know More ... Attend the Mini-Med School at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) in Lewisburg, West Virginia. 

In just four evenings in April, you will learn about your heart, brain, GI system and lungs.  The lectures will be held at the WVSOM Main Building Classroom from 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm., on April 1, 8, 15, and 22.

Hurry Seats are limited.....call 304-647-6358 for enrollment by MARCH 26.

The cost for all four lectures is $20 and also includes dinner each night.

You can't beat this ... getting knowledge about your health and a dinner for four nights for only $20 WOW hurry and enroll now!

WVSOM is a nationally ranked, award-winning medical school located in Lewisburg, West Virginia. Committed to providing students with a quality osteopathic medical education.

Photo courtesy of WVSOM

WVSOM is located at 400 North Lee Street in Lewisburg, WV.

On March 14, 2010, the WomenSong Chorale, along with many other Charleston art groups will be singing for the Haiti Relief Benefit concert.  This event will be held at the Clay Center for Arts and Sciences in the Maier Foundation Performance Hall.. 

The Clay Center and Salvation Army in Charleston, West Virginia, are the hosting organizations that are joining together to support the Haiti Relief efforts.

The event begins at 4:00 p.m.  Tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased by calling the Clay Center Box Office at 304-561-3570.

For a donation of $15.00, you get a reserved seat at a spectacular performance of some of the most talented groups around.

I've had the pleasure of hearing the WomenSong Chorale sing at the Cooper Gallery  last year, and they have voices of angels. The group sings traditional and folk songs.   And, with all the other talented performing groups you will not be disappointed in the concert.

The performing groups include:

Call the Clay Center for tickets-- they are expecting a sell- out!

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You can also see the WomenSong Chorale performing at the "Dance with Me" Spring concert.   Remember the date...April 10, 2010, for the "Dance With Me" spring concert,  at the University of Charleston starting at 7:30 p.m, This  concert is a free public event.  This concert features an eclectic mix celebrating dance and song! Featuring musical works by Brahms, Copland, Berlin, Ellington, Porter, Gershwin, plus dance tunes from Latin America and French Canada. Guest Artists include: The Ryan Kennedy Trio, Cora Voce Girls Choir, and the University of Charleston WomenSong Chorale.  (The above photo of the WomenSong Chorale was taken at the 2009 spring concert titled "An American Quilt".)

During my short vacation in Tampa, Florida, we visited the newest member of the family.....my great nephew, Ethan.  The proud parents, my nephew Robert and wife Nickalina, will be celebrating Ethan's first birthday party on March 12.....he is such a cutie.  Don't you agree?  This is the second time I have seen Ethan, and AHH he's growing so fast...

Their Dog, Charlie, is kissing Ethan, or whispering sweet nothings to him.

This was a great visit, but as always too short.

Some more great news.....while writing this blog, I received a text message from my nephew Joseph who informed me that this morning at 2:46 am, I became a Great Aunt again....his newborn son, Grant, weighed in at 7lbs. 15 ounces.   What a day....what a year for this PROUD AUNT!!!   If my calculations are correct I am a great aunt 21 times and a great-great aunt 17 times. 

Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, West Virginia, is one of only four Carnegie Halls still in continuous use in the world.  The other three are located in New York, Pennsylvania and Scotland.

This week Carnegie Hall presents the following events:

On March 8, 2010,  at 7:00 pm - Carnegie Hall Film Series at the Lewis Theatre presents the film, Dambé: The Mali Project.

Directed and filmed by Dearbhla Glynn, Dambé: The Mali Project follows traditional musicians Paddy Keenan and Liam O'Maonlai on a journey across the dry and dusty west African country of Mali. They're bound for a musical festival in the far north of the country, on the edge of the vast Sahara, but on the way they meet local musicians, perform for the Malian people and discover how powerfully exotic -- and endangered -- a country this is. 

This extraordinary musical journey into the heart of Africa, travelling over 3,000 miles Paddy and Liam meet and collaborate with everyone from legendary musicians (Afel Bocoum, Toumani Diabaté) to nomadic herders, culminating in a unique performance at the world's most remote musical festival; The ‘Festival au Desert'.  Check out the Dambe - The Mali Project, Mali Documentary Promo video below.

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On March 9, 2010, at noon - Welcome to the Tuesdays with Fran Series! Free concert and lecture series.

Tuesdays with Fran is presented the second Tuesday of each month, March through June. Each program begins promptly at noon in the Carnegie Hall Hamilton Auditorium and is free to the public. Bring your bag lunch and enjoy a half-hour of music and fascinating insights with Fran!

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On March 12, 2010, at 7:30 pm - Live at Carnegie Hall see Habib Koite and Bamada

Malian guitarist Habib Koité is one of Africa’s most popular and recognized musicians. Few African artists have received the sales and media exposure of Habib Koité. Called "Mali's biggest pop star" by Rolling Stone, Habib has received raves from widely-read publications such as People, Entertainment Weekly and the New York Times. Well respected among musicians, he has been compared Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

You are sure to enjoy the music of integrating rock and folk sounds with Malian roots.

Tickets are $12-$23

Order tickets online at http://www.carnegiehallwv.org or call (304) 645-7917

For more information on the above Carnegie Hall events, call (304) 645-7917.

Despite a challenging economy, The Greenbrier Sporting Club experienced a record-breaking weekend in real estate sales for January, a month typically slow in land transactions.

The private residential community, located on the grounds of The Greenbrier, contracted $4.1 million in real estate over the course of a single weekend, January 22-24.  The sale of a total of 11 properties, with an overall value of $7,685,000, are pending or have closed since January 1, 2010. The Greenbrier Sporting Club also saw a strong finish at the end of 2009 with 20 homes and/or home sites closed within a six-month time frame.

“The biggest buying factors continue to be the unparalleled value found here and the incredible excitement that continues to build at the resort,” said John Klemish, principal and broker in charge at The Greenbrier Sporting Club. “We believe lowering our membership initiation from $140,000 to $100,000 was also instrumental in achieving this level of success.”

The Greenbrier has also seen its own jump in activity for the first month in 2010 with daily calls and reservations for social visits up over 400% compared to the same time in 2009 while group room sales are on pace to more than double group reservations from last year.

“We are setting new standards for both private residential communities and luxury resorts,” said Jim Justice, chairman and owner of The Greenbrier and Greenbrier Sporting Club. “With the addition of Prime 44 West, The Greenbrier Classic and the new 80,000-square-foot underground entertainment venue, featuring an elegant Monte Carlo-style casino, restaurants and upscale designer boutiques, we have created even more reasons to visit the resort. The excitement about everything happening here is simply phenomenal.”

“The Greenbrier Sporting Club is one of the few developments in the United States being infused with millions of dollars,” said Klemish. “While other residential developments are faltering, we have financial stability and this is a huge contributor to our success. Many families are rediscovering that the place to be is The Greenbrier and if someone wants to own a part of The Greenbrier legacy, the time is now.”

The Greenbrier Sporting Club is a private residential sporting community on the 6,500-acre estate of The Greenbrier, an award-winning resort in the heart of the scenic Allegheny Mountains.

For more information about real estate at The Greenbrier, contact The Greenbrier Sporting Club at 888-741-8989 or visit www.thegreenbriersportingclub.com.  

** Photos courtesy of the Greenbrier Sporting Club **

Other Links on the Greenbrier:

Be a Volunteer for the Greenbrier Classic

The Greenbrier Classic, a PGA Tour Event to be held at The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, WV

The Greenbrier's Tavern Casino Opens Today, White Sulphur Springs, WV

The Greenbrier's Prime 44 West Steakhouse honoring NBA Legend Jerry West opens on schedule. White Sulphur Springs, WV

Construction Underway for a New Casino at the Greenbrier Resort White Sulphur Springs WV

Greenbrier Resort has a New Owner

Sweet Grass Village Subdivision, 411 James River Rd, Lewisburg WV, Real Estate for Sale

Sweet Grass Village Subdivision

Sweet Grass Village is a subdivision, located less than two miles from the historical town of Lewisburg, West Virginia, you will have the feel of country living at its best.  Here you will find quality built homes with unique designs and floorplans....plus panoramic views, beautiful sunsets and sunrises.  There is only one home available now in this subdivision priced at $489,000, 4BR, 3.5 bath.  Information and video are below.

411 James River Road, Lewisburg, WV

MLS# 08-211

Enjoy the peace and quiet in this beautiful newly constructed  four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms featuring 3,300 sq. ft. of living space.  Once inside you are standing in a large opened foyer, to the left is the dining room   The house has hardwood floors throughout the first floor, fireplace with bookcases on each side, with french doors leading to a screened in back porch.  The kitchen has granite countertops, beautiful cherry cabinets, and three stainless steel ovens. Four bedrooms are upstairs with hardwood floors in the master bedroom.  Two car garage, beautiful landscaped yard, on 0.42 acres, and so much more.  Only minutes from the historical town of Lewisburg, WV, where you will have the feel of country living at its best. This house was built by McCoy Builders and listed by Mickey McCoy. Mickey's number is (304) 667-0838.

West Virginia's Snowshoe Ski Resort reports five more weeks of skiing.

Looking to get away one weekend in March.  Take the family and go to Snowshoe Ski Resort in West Virginia.  Snowshoe has had two and a half feet of snow fall since Friday, and there is more snow in the forecast for the rest of the week.  Skiing will continuie at Snowshoe until April 5....so if you haven't been skiing this year.....now is the time to hit the slopes.  Another reason, is the kids ski free during the month of March.  Check out other Snowshoe's Deals and Packages.

Plus, Snowshoe has many winter activities, something for the entire family.  As I mentioned in my last post, I tried skiing, but was terrible at this sport.  But, if you are not an avid skiier, like me, Snowshoe has many other winter activities, such as snowmobiling, tubing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, swimming, cross county skiing, and much more. 

March Events for Snowshoe Ski Resort:

Homegrown Music Festival - March 5-6

These two days, sponsored by Budweiser, are packed filled with authentic Appalachian music with a variety of bluegrass and southern rock.

Burton Women's Snowboard Camp - March 10-11

Call Snowshoe Ski Resort at 833-441-4386 and make your reservations today.