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If you’re traveling through West Virginia along Route 219, you’re tracing the Mountain Music Trail. Stop off for an exploration of old-time Appalachian sound. The trail runs from the remote towns in the Northern counties down to our Southern hills, where you can foray into a bygone era. “I guess we as a culture are more rooted, more connected to our heritage, than most any other region in the country,” said Ned Savage, an Americorps VISTA volunteer for the Mountain Music Trail “Appalachian bands are building on that foundation, and creating some really beautiful music in all sorts of genres, a lot of it harkening to country music to varying degrees and in surprising ways.” And enjoying the trail is more than just a stroll through a museum or catching a concert. You experience mountain music firsthand. “At the American Heritage Music Hall in Ronceverte, don't expect to go and not dance,” Savage said. “A succession of old ladies all but dragged me out on the dance floor. They will not take 'no' for an answer. And I'm glad they didn’t! I ended up having a blast, despite the fact that I'm a totally incompetent dancer.” The mountainous terrain separates the various communities along the Trail, so each small town has its own distinct feel. Here’s what you can discover in our neck of the woods: The Wild Bean in Lewisburg “Lewisburg is probably the most lively town along the Mountain Music Trail,” Savage said. “The downtown is always bustling with folks ducking in and out of the many cafes, shops, and galleries. But the town does maintain a sense of connectedness to the past, tangible in the beautiful architecture downtown.” The Wild Bean is embedded in the center of the downtown scene, a quirky community cafe and hangout that encourages live music and local sound. Guests can curl up with a cup of coffee or a locally-sourced meal as they enjoy the entertainment. Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg Also along the downtown streets of Lewisburg is the historic Carnegie Hall, one of only 4 operating Carnegie Halls left in the world. “If I were putting together a trip, I would try to plan it around a performance at Carnegie Hall,” Savage said. “Not all their programming is traditional, but that building and auditorium are just so beautiful. In my mind, it's really a highlight.” In addition to their regular season of performers, the Carnegie Hall offers casual lunchtime shows, and “pay what you can concerts,” making music more accessible to the community. They also host several old-time square dances each year, where you can try out the traditions for yourself. The American Heritage Music Hall in Ronceverte Informal “jam and dance” nights every Friday, as well as a live band every 4th Saturday of the month, all center around homegrown country and Southern sound. It’s not the music itself that’s most memorable here, but the experience, and the people. “The folks at the American Heritage Music Hall will immediately make you feel at home,” Savage said. “Charlie and the men and women who come out for the informal weekly pot-luck/dance/jam are what makes this region so wonderful. Just some of the friendliest folks anywhere.” Unofficial Stops in Monroe County “The pace of life in Monroe County is so refreshing,” Savage said. “To most visitors, it feels like they've stepped through a time machine in bygone era. Everyone will proudly tell you there's no traffic light or chain restaurant anywhere in the county. Not only do folks not miss the development that seemingly passed them by, they actively resist the influences which have changed most communities over the years, not always for the better.” The small town, old-time values shine bright in the musical tradition across the county, too. “Go check out the weekly morning jam in Union or Greenville, and leave with a new appreciation for traditional music, plus some new friends,” Savage said. These off-the-beaten-path stops aren’t listed on the Trail, but their events show up on their calendar: Pickin’ circle before lunch every Tuesday in Greenville, at the renovated “Time Out” building (now home to the Council on Aging) Potluck dance every 4th Saturday (in the same Greenville location) Friday morning jams at the Senior Center in Union Concert series every other Saturday in Union during the summer in the field behind the library Which Mountain Music Trail stop do you want to explore?

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1. A Resort State Park Getaway Step into the beauty of nature for some scenery, solace and celebration. Pipestem Resort State Park and Twin Falls Resort State Park both have Sweetheart Weekend packages. Or head to Twin Falls for a Friday night dance-off mixer. Then enjoy the beauty of nature and the park’s signature waterfalls on a guided nature hike. Saturday, you can dine on a special Valentine’s Day selection, accompanied by cocktails from the cash bar. After dinner, dance or use “funny money” in the Dazed by Love Auction. At Pipestem, check in to indulge in the dessert & more evening. Then, cozy up in the McKeever Lodge for 2 nights, and enjoy a fine buffet as you dance to the tunes of The Beach Nite Band. 2. A Sweet Spa Stay While you’re at Pipestem, make time to visit Pipestem Spa for Valentine’s Day specials. Every day in February, you can enjoy romance specials, including: A couple’s massage with chocolates and champagne. A hot stone and sugar scrub foot massage with Godiva Chocolate Liqueur-spiked hot chocolate. A full half-day package of pampering with relaxing treatments an a milk bubble bath. Or, head to The Resort at Glade Springs for a rejuvenating day at their Spa Orange. Choose from a variety of massages, body treatments, facials, or a salon service. 3. A Cabin Retreat Sometimes, the best gift is some calm alone time to spend together. Enjoy charming rustic lodges or elegant, upscale cabins with all the amenities to help you both escape your stresses. You can find a secluded, cozy cabin anywhere in Southern WV. 4. Heart-Pumping Adventure Spend a day in the outdoors. Local outfitters have amazing adventures all year long, from ziplining through the snowy canopy to riding horseback along the hills at sunset.If you’re looking to slide the slopes, take a 3-day weekend at Winterplace for skiing, snowboarding and tubing. Because Valentine’s Day is also Presidents’ Day Weekend, you can stay with your beloved over the heart-themed holiday, and extend your day end even ski free on Monday! Cuddle up like snow bunnies in the lodge after a long day, and serenade your sweetheart in the karaoke contest Saturday night. You can enjoy adventures and a party at Adventures on the Gorge, where you can book a guide to explore, then come back to a lavish “Monte Carlo” casino night at their award-winning restaurant, Smokey’s on the Gorge. Dine on a gourmet Cajun and Creole-inspired dinner, then sip a martini looking snazzy as you throw down your chips to win tickets for the end-of-evening auction. 5. Explore Small Town Charm Princeton has one of its Valentine’s events a week early, so if you want a real surprise your significant other won’t see coming, sweep them away to La Rouge: A Red Dress Event on Feb. 7. Wear the color of passion, and meet and greet some of this budding arts town’s most passionate crafters at the RiffRaff Arts Collective, chatting over wine, cheese and other refreshments. Then, pop over to neighboring Bluefield for an upscale dinner at David’s at the Club. How about a weekend in one of “America’s Coolest Small Towns” in Lewisburg? Friday night, delight in the versatile classic, jazz, folk and blues sounds of Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play at one of America’s few Carnegie Halls still in regular use today. Saturday, get a reservation at Food and Friends or the General Lewis Inn for a delicious meal. Top it off with something sweet from The Bakery. Of course, if you really want a simple, special date, try exploring quaint Monroe County. Or, nothing beats a nice, slow-paced dinner together, sharing bites of your meal and enjoying each other’s company. How will you be spending your Valentine’s Day?

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We love our Appalachian recipes around the holidays, but sometimes prepping a whole feast is more hassle than it's worth. Some of us just don't have the touch to measure out a 'pinch,' or the focus for juggling the cooking of all the sides and sweets and meats a good Thanksgiving deserves. And people who cook for a living? They know their stuff! Plus, the huge pile of dishes is daunting. Is that enough excuses to wriggle out of cooking up your family feast all by yourself? If not, here are a few great dinner alternatives that will get your family salivating: Buffet in Bramwell  Stuff in as much as you can handle of all the classics and all the fixin's from the Bramwell Main Street Eatery & Catering. Succulent turkey, hearty ham, creamy pumpkin pie… all rolling out continually, steaming warm from the kitchens from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Just walk on in and fill up your plate! In the spirit of the season, you can also bring along some unwrapped toys for children in need, since the restaurant is also a Toys for Tots drop-off! Tamarack Eat in or carry out! Tamarack will be serving Thanksgiving lunch and dinner. With all of our 'normal' Thanksgiving Day favorites of Turkey and old fashioned cornbread dressing and some of our local favorites added as well: WV Rainbow Trout and Pork Ribeye with Red Eye Gravy. Serving from 11am to 5pm. Bring home some of the Best of West Virginia with take-home dinner from Tamarack. Order up bulk helpings of all the staple dishes, from the slow-roasted turkey all the way down to the old-fashioned gravy to drizzle over your dish.  Or, serve 10 with a fully-cooked order of all their finest for one flat rate— and that includes 2 whole pies to top it off. Whatever you let them whip up for you, we recommend you not pass up the maple-walnut glazed sweet potatoes. In fact, you might not want to even pass them down the table! And if you don't tell your family you didn't cook it all yourself, we won't either! Desserts, Appetizers(& Giving!) If you can handle the turkey, let Cathedral Cafe take care of the rest. Dazzle your guests with sides that are a little more intricate than your typical roasted veggies: stuffed tortellini salad, spicy jalapeño crab dip, creamy spinach & artichoke dip and thick house-made hummus. And they have an assortment of sweet desserts, too. $5 of every dessert (and $1 of every appetizer) go to help local students at Fayetteville High School. And they're even on a seasonal special, so you can save and give all at the same time. Decadent cobblers and pumpkin bread pudding are just a couple of the standout selections. ---- And, if your family isn't excited about skipping the homemade holiday, distract them with a full weekend of food and fun: Getaway at Glade Turkey, prime rib, jumbo shrimp, grilled salmon, sea scallops, ham, trout… and those are just the entrees to choose from (or to taste all of, in true Thanksgiving fashion.) The Glade Springs Resort will serve it all up in the stunning Bright Ballroom. You can book your meal with a Thanksgiving package, which includes a 2-night stay, and breakfast each morning. That gives you time to relax at the spa for a massage, or go for an adventure. Enjoy biking, horseback riding, zip lining or other recreational activities. Eat & Explore Pipestem   All the most beloved holiday cuisine, plus lump crab cakes. That's what you'll find on the buffet at Pipestem Resort State Park. To work up your appetite, check the weekly activity schedule for guided nature and history hikes, visit the nature center to see some of the area's reptiles and plants, glide over the park on the aerial tramway, or challenge yourself to a round of disc golf. Turkey at Twin Falls The spread at Twin Falls Resort State Park will include all your family's favorite Thanksgiving treats. Share a spread of harvest flavors like corn, sweet potatoes, cole slaw and more. While there, be sure to check out the nature center and learn about the local wildlife and history of the area. If the weather is clear, you might even sans special rates on the golf course for the off-season. A Whole Holiday Weekend The Greenbrier stretches out the holiday cheer (and indulgence) all weekend long. Starting on Thanksgiving Thursday, if you can't wait for dinner, dig into the Thanksgiving brunch buffet. Start with artisanal breads and international cheeses, then move on to lump crab omelets, smoked trout, oven-roasted root veggies, truffle spaghetti squash, and of course, the brunch staple: mimosas & bloody mary's. (There are plenty of upscale options for turkey, gravy and the rest of the traditional tastes, too!) Or you could save your appetite till dinnertime to feast on an elegant 3-course, farm-to-table gourmet supper. Start with bourbon-roasted pears, an finish with a traditional turkey, prime rib, lobster-mousse Chilean sea bass, among other fine selections. And that's just Thursday! On black Friday, get up early to shop Black Friday deals on-site, then put on your (perhaps newly purchased?) cocktail attire and sample wines in the vineyard. Then stroll over to the Gobbler Gala for yet another full, jaw-dropping feast, this time with live entertainment, and even separate delicacies and games for the kids. Saturday, learn to make your own craft cocktails from the resort's master mixologist. Really, that's still just a highlight reel. Around the grounds, you can find culinary demonstrations, Christmas performances, ice skating, carolers, a massive tree lighting ceremony, hot chocolate and more.  Santa, Mrs. Clause, and characters from Frozen will even be around enjoying the excitement!

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The intense heat has died down, and the fall colors will soon be breaking out across Southern WV, which means we're heading outdoors for some festival fun. August is full of festivals to try. Every weekend, in fact, several gatherings will be popping up around the region. And, this month, we're even breaking out WV's best for our state fair. Which August festivals should you attend? We'd love to say "all of them," but you'd be tuckered out. Instead, we'll suggest which 10 interesting fairground and festival attractions not to miss this month. 1. Poetry Jam The Lewisburg Literary Festival will showcase some of the top authors, and Friday night, it will also give a nod to some of the state's most creative and well-known poets in the Harmony Ridge artisan gallery and gourmet coffee and wine bar. 2. Square dancing Camp out for a week-long musical immersion at the 24th Appalachian String Band Festival. In addition to a full lineup of great music and workshops, you get your Appalachian dancin' shoes on and learn some traditional folk steps. 3. Ducky Race Sponsored rubber duckies will be sent in herds down the river to the finish line. Catch the little quackers on their journey, which concludes the WV Water Festival. Arrive to the festival a little earlier, and you could get a free PFD (commonly called a life jacket) at "Safety on the Blue." 4. Jazz and Blues A new festival is being added to our August repertoire of festivals.  This inaugural event takes place on the majestic New River in Sandstone, WV on what locals lovingly refer to as "The Drift".  The Simply Jazz and Blues Festival  is just simply great music.  Check out the lineup and show this music festival some love. 5. Extreme Raptor Show Master falconers will show off the natural prowess of their eagles, falcons, hawks and owls, with a touch of comedy, choreography and special effects at the WV State Fair. Afterward, you can get your photo taken with the massive birds, whose wingspans can reach nearly 8 feet. 6. Swifty Swine Pig Races At the State Fair of WV, you can watch these little porkies racing their way to the finish line to claim a pig's version of a million dollars, the grand prize— an Oreo cookie! And, you can get your photo made with the little champions (after they've finished gobbling up their cookies.) 7. All American Stunt & Thrill Show, and Rise Above Bike Show Watch daredevils defy gravity as they balance on stacked chairs, a Spacewheel and more, sometimes blindfolded at the State Fair of WV. And, to add to the excitement: they'll be doing somersaults and tricks. That not extreme enough for you? How about mega-air BMX stunts, swinging through the air? You have to see for yourself what we're talking about, but it's intense, and awesome. 8. Ghost Tours Tour the most haunted sites in Beckley with the Appalachian Festival's ghost tour. Get a peek into the city's history, and be on the lookout for lingering spirits. If you're too scared, just head to the Raleigh County Public Library for tellings of traditional Appalachian tales instead. 9. Quilt Show See hand-stitched quilts, a state tradition, at the WV Arts and Crafts Fair, among primitives, ceramics, cookbooks, carvings and other state crafts. From the traditional geometric shape patterns to memories frozen in fabric, each of these blankets will have a story to share. 10. Taste of Appalachia Block Party Get a real Appalachian dining experience and sample all the region's most unique cuisine, like fried green tomatoes, beans and cornbread, and bar-be-que. Restaurants will be cooking up their "Tastes of Appalachia" right in the streets of Beckley. There's plenty more to see this month, and next month, too! Check out our calendar for the full list of events across Southern WV. Which August festival are you most excited about?

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Spring is near. In Southern West Virginia spring brings a number of things: Warmer temperatures, the last few turns on skis, the start of whitewater season, blooming flowers and much more. It also signals the time for  ramps. You may be familiar with the enigmatic ramp. For those of you that aren't, a ramp is a wild leek, and a local harbinger of spring. Simple enough right? Well, there is a bit more to their story. They have a very pronounced onion flavor and a strong garlic scent. I'll admit, scent may be putting it mildly. Needless to say, ramps are loved, hated yet never ignored. In the coming weeks ramp dinners and festivals will take place all across West Virginia, none more famous than Richwood's Feast of the Ramson. If you were asked to draw the epicenter of rampdom on a map, Richwood would be the X that marks the spot. I recently passed through Richwood and was happy to see Four Seasons Outfitters had fresh ramps! Needless to say, I quickly bought bag-full for dinner. Next stop? The local grocery store for fixins. Brown soup beans (pintos), homemade cornbread, fried potatoes with ramps, and some thick sliced bacon. Who's Hungry? Soup Beans: Take a bag (16 oz) of Pinto Beans, add 2 cups of water and bring to a boil.  Let beans boil for two minutes then remove from heat and let them sit covered for one hour.  Then drain, add 6 cups of hot water and simmer for approx 2 ½ hours (add more water as needed).  For flavor you will need simmer beans with either a ham bone, fat back or thick sliced country bacon (I used bacon), salt and pepper to taste. Cornbread: Last year I had the opportunity to eat at The Greenbrier’s Restaurant ‘44’ where they serve Cathy Justice’s Blue Ribbon Cornbread. If you have a cast iron skillet use it. Add just a little oil to the bottom of skillet and let it warm up in the oven prior to putting in mixture – makes the cornbread come out golden brown. If you're looking for a perfect cornbread for your ramp dinner? This is the one. Cathy Justice's "Best of Show" Blue Ribbon Cornbread 1 cup yellow cornmeal 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/16 teaspoon salt 1 cup buttermilk 1 egg, slightly beaten 1/4 cup canola oil Preheat oven to 425°. Oil an 8x8 pan. Mix all dry ingredients. Add liquids. Stir just to mix. Bake 30 minutes until golden brown. Footnote from Cathy Justice: "Please use your judgment about sugar & oil. It’s better sweet than not! Fried Potatoes, Ramps & Bacon: Dice your potatoes (I leave the skin on), put them in a skillet with a little oil, salt and pepper to taste. Cook until tender. Chop and sauté ramps in skillet then add to potatoes when they are just about done (if you fry ramps with potatoes entire time they tend to over cook). Fry thick sliced country bacon in the same pan you sautéed ramps for extra flavor. Hungry now? What would you add? Let us know how yours turns out .

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