Longest of the WV Covered Bridges
May 15, 2010:
Come see some history. Start off with the Revolutionary War era with a tour of the Levi Shinn 2-story log house (circa 1778) – it is right here in Shinnston (free-will donation)! Then move up the history time-line and visit the Anna Jarvis House a place of history itself. Anna Jarvis was the founder of Mother’s Day and during the Battle of Philippi, General George McClellan made his headquarters at the Jarvis house. Travel on to the reason for the Battle of Philippi, the covered bridge that spans the Tygart Valley River. Just south of the bridge is a small park where the battle standard of every unit that fought in the Battle of Philippi is flown. Take a picnic lunch and dine at the picnic table there or cross the bridge and lunch at The Medallion, a very nice little restaurant up the main street beyond the Courthouse. The food is good and the prices are quite reasonable. If it is open, one should also visit the Depot Museum. Adaland, a lovely historic house is also nearby.
Battle Flags of all units at the Battle of Philippi
May 13, 2010: The news is still full of the “bad economy”. Let us help you to have a wonderful vacation, enjoying lots of things, while spending little. Gillum House Bed & Breakfast has turn-by-turn routings to many things (can be customized – no longer turn-by-turn but will get you to your particular interests) to see and do that will not break the budget. Come explore West Virginia – a land of scenery, history, culture, and activity.
Covered bridges – West Virginia has 17 remaining covered bridges and 9 of them are within 60 miles or less of the Gillum House. Shinnston’s circa 1778-log house is a free-will donation. If visiting Shinnston on a weekend the museum is open (free) and the drive-in shows a double feature (current movies) for $6 per adult. There are antique shops, West Virginia crafts, the State Wildlife Center, many rail-trails, historic sites, fishing, museums….. The rail-trails are free. The bridges are free. Visit any of our several State Parks in the area. They are also free.
Make Gillum House your base with the hearty breakfasts (we have been told lunch was not necessary), and Kathleen can route you to places of interest that cost little or nothing.
May 8, 2010: Happy Mother’s Day tomorrow to all you Mothers. I had my Mother’s Day early and it was wonderful! Our youngest daughter and her friend came in from Chicago for my daughter’s birthday. She took us to a baseball game – the three of them went to a CUB game and I went to a Pirate game (and we won!) – and we had a great time. Today was departure day – but first…..
Today was also the day of the Mother/Daughter Celebration at the First United Methodist Church and for the first time, I had a daughter who would be here. It is usually in the evening and a week before Mother’s Day and this year it was a brunch and the day before. Sheryl & Linda were not too sure about this, but they humored the old girl. We met up with “Mama” Lucille Anderson. The theme this year was The Price is Right! Sheryl won the prize for the most dangerous job (a box of colored band-aids) and Linda won the prize for coming the longest distance (WV travel info which was wonderful because Linda cannot get enough of WV and has seen more of WV than most locals) and they had a wonderful time. We got back to the house in time for them to pack up and head out for the airport.
I am pleased to report both girls worked very hard to improve the economy of north-central West Virginia. They were so good at it there will be a box shipped out Monday of things that would not fit in their suitcases (and that does not count the books Linda shipped to her home already).
It is windy, bright, and sunny today (although we are a bit sad since they left) but I am toasty as I sit here wearing my new Chicago Police fleece jacket, looking at the lovely silk flower arrangement sent by Shannon, the card from Martin, the text message from John, and remembering the phone calls from Shelly and Ron.
Mother's Day flowers
April 29, 2010: I had planned to tell everyone about how awesome the US Air Force Band Concert was at Lincoln High School (there were over 1000 people there!) on April 25 – also our 35th wedding anniversary, but a phone call we received this afternoon changed that.
Our oldest grandson is in the Navy. Last time we had talked, he told me he had put in for an assignment that would have him assigned to an Army Unit and he really wanted this assignment. So being a good Granny, I told him we were hoping he would get it. And meant every word of it! Today he called to say he got it! He will soon start the rotation of bases he will be sent to for training before he will be deployed to Afghanistan.
I told him about our Thank You Veterans Project and he was “blown away” when I told him we now have bed & breakfasts in 20 States who will be providing a minimum of one room FREE OF CHARGE to anyone with a valid Military ID on November 10, 2010 so they are on-site for any Veterans Day activities. (Shinnston has a parade and a program at the Museum). We expect to have B & Bs participating in all 50 States by September. Gillum House is making two rooms available for November 10 – the third room will not be rented that night. GOD Bless our Veterans!
April 24, 2010: We have had a very interesting couple here for 5 nights to celebrate their anniversary. They had read my blog about the ramps ad wanted to try them. So their second breakfast was potatoes and ramps, sour cream scrambled eggs, toast, and venison brats and bacon. They liked them so much they are taking some home with them. Ramps do need to be refrigerated but will keep for several days I am told.
The first day here, they took the Anna Jarvis house, covered bridges, and West Virginia Wildlife Center tour. We removed the winery since they were not interested in that. They seem to have enjoyed exploring the area. Last night they went to the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum for a paranormal tour from 10 PM to Midnight (reservations required). I asked this morning if they thought it was worth the price of $40 per person. They said it was. In fact, they found it so interesting that instead of going to a festival as planned, they went back and did the tour of the Asylum during the daylight. They said it was a totally different experience to actually see it in the daylight (there are no lights at night other than flashlights). The daytime tour is $30 per person and again they felt it was worth it. Just thought I would pass on an experience and feedback from guests about one of our most recent attractions. After 4 days of site-seeing my guests have run out of time but have not run out of things to see and do.
We gave them some ideas of things to see on the way home. West Virginia has so much to offer and just not enough time to see it all! They only saw 3 of our 9 covered bridges. Guess they will just have to come back to see the rest!
Why don’t you come visit Shinnston? Call soon so you will not be like the folks we had to turn away tonight. All rooms are filled tonight so they had to go elsewhere…..888-592-0177 for reservations.
April 16, 2010: Mother’s Day is coming very soon. Gillum House Bed & Breakfast is just 22 miles from both the Anna Jarvis House and the Mother’s Day Shrine (same distance, slightly different route). In 2009, the West Virginia Association of Museums visited the Anna Jarvis House in Webster and the Mother’s Day Shrine in Grafton.
Stained glass windows and paintings adorn the walls
WVAm hears about the Mother's Day Shrine
April 13, 2010: I have been having a great time baking. A friend asked for a bagel recipe recently – “I have one and I even know where it is!” Wrong! The recipe I could envision was for pretzels. Soft pretzels. Yes, I went through a bagel phase after finding a very easy bagel recipe for her, but I wanted pretzels! Pretzels with honey mustard or pretzels with spicy brown mustard. They really are best with mustard.
I am waiting for some guests to arrive. They phoned earlier to say they had been involved in an accident (minor I hope since they are hauling horses!) and were delayed. What shall I do as I wait? I did finally do my taxes so I do not have to do that. All is ready for the guests. Aha! Pretzels!
The guests may be a bit hungry when they arrive, so I made pretzels. Each room has a plate of pretzels with a container of honey mustard for dipping waiting for them on the dresser. What so you think? Would you like to find a plate of freshly made, homemade pretzels waiting for you on arrival? A plate like this?
Kathleen's Homemade Pretzels
Go to Gillum House reservations and reserve your room or call 888-592-0177 for your plate of pretzels.
April 11, 2010: Mother’s Day is just around the corner! Winter seemed as if it would never end and here we are, Easter has come and gone and Mother’s Day is less than a month away! The Gillum House Bed & Breakast is located just 22 miles from the Anna Jarvis House – Birthplace of Mother’s Day in the town of Webster (not to be confused with Webster County or Webster Springs which are way south of here) and 22 miles from Grafton, home of the Mother’s Day Shrine.
During the Battle of Philippi, the first land battle of the Civil War, General George McClellan had his headquarters in 2 rooms of the Jarvis house. Those rooms were restored as his headquarters when the house was restored. Philippi is 11 miles from the Jarvis House on US Rte. 250 (Rte 250 crosses the bridge).
Surprise Mom with a visit to the very beginning of “Her Day”. Book now and we will have 4 oz. of the coffee of Mom’s choice, fresh-roasted just for her as a gilft of the Gillum House Bed & Breakast.
One Mom chose Zimbabwe because she once lived there.
Reserve online or call us today!
April 4, 2010: It is Spring!! I know it is SPRING!! I saw my first RAMP sign last week. I received my first notification of a Ramp Dinner. In my part of West Virginia, it is not the calendar, not the end of snow, nor the beginning of Daylight Savings time that tell one it is Spring. It is the signs at wide-spots along the roads or where one sees a table with the umbrella through it along the side of the road saying RAMPS that says Spring is here. It is the small ads in the papers and on the Public Access channel on Cable telling which charity or church is having a Ramp Dinner at what time and day and location.
For those not blessed with being from West Virginia, do not feel badly. Unless it was because I was just a kid and in MY day, kids did not know everything, but I grew up in the Northern Panhandle and I never heard of ramps until I came to north-central West Virginia. From west of here to into the mountains east of here, West Virginians are going into ecstasy because they can have ramps again. The season lasts approximately one month.
Ramps grow only in the mountains. Although many have tried to cultivate them, I am told it cannot be done. They are dug out of the hillsides by hand, which is why they are not inexpensive, but are still affordable and usually only found at roadside stands or local produce stands. Let me describe a ramp. Picture a green onion. Now instead of the straight flat green, picture a flat limp green about 3/8 to ½ inch wide and rounded at the top with an onion-like white bottom end.
Now you have seen ramps
Not being fond of green onions, I admit I have never eaten one raw, but they are eaten raw, boiled, fried and cooked with many things. I have made a ramp potato soup that was delicious. I maintain that GOD took the worst of green onions and married it to the worst of garlic and called it a ramp. They go down so deliciously – but do not breathe on anyone, nor in the vicinity thereof, for at least 3 days! The person who ate the ramps is totally unaware of this consequence if their pleasure of dining on ramps. So go ahead! Dive in and sample a ramp dinner with your partner.
March 16, 2010: The Air Force is coming! The Air Force is coming! We have a special reason for celebrating the fact the United States Air Force Band and the Singing Sergeants are coming to Shinnston on April 25 – it is our 35th wedding anniversary.
Emma Patterson, Shinnston’s Office Supervisor has been working on this for a year because of the logistics entailed in making the arrangements. It is a huge honor for Shinnston to have the Air Force Band perform here.
The Air Force Band will perform at Lincoln High School on Sunday, April 25 at 3 P.M. Admission is by ticket ONLY and the tickets are FREE. There will be an ad in the Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram April 1 or you can get the form from Shinnston City Hall after April 1 to order your tickets – maximum of 4 tickets per form. There is a possibility of the Band’s Color Guard appearing also. If they do, they will spend some time with Lincoln High School’s NJROTC.
Gillum House will secure 2 tickets for guests. Tickets ate limited. Call us now.
March 6, 2010: The Shinnston Development Authority supplied the volunteers to be the vendors for Fairmont Federal Credit Union’s presentation of Mad City Money on March 3 at Lincoln High School. We arrived at 7:30 A.M. to set up tables with our “merchandise” and receive our instructions – checks had to be filled out correctly to be accepted. If the check was incorrect, they were to be sent to the Credit Union to find out what was wrong with the check. The students arrived to begin mad City Money at 8:15. The students were assigned professions and salaries. They were told how many children they had, the ages of the children, and whether they were married or single. They were given work sheets for their budgets and a book of checks to use to pay for their purchases. The students were required to visit every vendor (needs) except the “Mall” which was an optional vendor – for the wants. They had choices to make at each vendor. They had to buy a house, a car, clothes (one girl bought her clothes but forgot to buy clothes for her “child” and had to return to the clothes vendor), food, house stuff (your host was this vendor for furniture, appliances, and décor), baby items for those with infants, and entertainment.
Emma studies her materials.
Shinnston’s Office Supervisor is shown studying her pages of choices the students had to choose from. At her table, they had to choose 2 activities for each person in the family over age 3 and could not choose more than one “free” activity per person.
The goal of this exercise was to show the students how to budget, write checks, and see what choices they are going to have to make and how easy it is to get in over their heads. To make things even more real, The Flying Fickle Finger of Fate in a jester’s hat visited each student with one of life’s surprises – possibly a good one, you had a successful garage sale and made $189 or a bummer, you got a $150 speeding ticket (and the check had to be written and taken out of the budget). This was a great (and educational) way to spend a morning.
March 4, 2010: Sorry you missed it! All you X-country skiers missed a great chance to do a wonderful rail-trail. We rarely have enough snow to X-country ski. And this was the year! Almost all gone! Even my sidewalk is almost down to cement again.
We are predicted to have temperatures in the 50s this weekend and the sun is actually scheduled to show itself!! The Covered Bridges, West Virginia craft shops, Home Style, and the winery are her, just waiting for you. And the Gillum House has the room all warm & cozy with the fruit basket on the dresser and the coffee roaster ready to roast your choice of coffees for the weekend. Give us a call or reserve your room online
February 27, 2010: Last night I looked out the kitchen window just before I headed off to bed. I left the kitchen singing – Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin’? In the lane, snow is glistenin’….. It was a most beautiful sight! The snow looked like it had diamonds scattered all over the surface. I do think it has slowed down for a while – I hope. I must admit I am tired of shoveling. Yes, I have been shoveling. We had guests last week and I shoveled out a parking place for them. I also shoveled the steps, stoop, and the sidewalk to the curb and it was showing cement!! Today it has about 6 inches of snow on it again (I shoveled the snow from Thursday night yesterday morning so my guest could get to her car comfortably). Already, my street is cleared – Shinnston has a great crew in Public Works. They once again cleared the streets quickly.
Do you like to X-country ski? Well we have a great place for you to go! The West Fork River Rail-Trail is almost 17 miles of snow with beautiful scenery along the way. The trail follows along the West Fork River, going through the town of Monongah (site of the worst mine disaster in the US in 1907), Worthington, location of Worthington Park where a dam crosses the river and the river spills over it, Hutchison, and Enterprise where the Methodist Men built a “gossip bench” for their wives to rest protected from the weather and crossing several bridges. You will see wonderful walls that are beautiful rocks except in winter when they are fantastically beautiful walls of icicles. Give yourself a mid-week get-away with a 2-night stay and get $20 in Jimmy’s Diner Dollars to have dinner on us. Jimmy’s is the restaurant version of CHEERS! The only thing missing is YOU!!
February 27, 2010: The snow has done us in again! Today’s class – The 7 Habits of Effective People was rescheduled. Call Emma at City Hall (8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday thru Friday) 304-592-5631 to get the most current information or to sign up if it will now fit into your schedule. (Don’t tell anyone, but the City serves coffee at the classes – supplied by the Gillum House, a different country of origin for each class.)
February 10, 2010: Updated Information!!! The City of Shinnston received a Flex-E grant to bring a series of training classes to Shinnston rather than Shinnston going elsewhere. These classes are excellent. All classes are on Saturdays to avoid clashing with normal work schedules. Contact Emma at Shinnston City Hall 304-592-5631 to reserve a place in one or more classes because seating is limited. You may sign up for one class or all – your choice. These training sessions are FREE. Sign up now!
Due to the snow, the first will be February 20, 2010 with Eileen Barker as trainer. This class is called True Colors. Having taken this in several situations (a Conference and in a training class) I can attest to the benefit of this. It identifies personalities and how they work together – and I was surprised to discover I was not what I thought I was!! And yes, it has helped me tremendously in all my endeavors.
The remaining classes are:
- February 13, 2010 – 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Part 1)
- February 27, 2010 - 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Part 2)
- March 13, 2010 – 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Part 3)
- March 20, 2010 - Team Leadership and Goal Setting (Part 1)
- March 27, 2010 - Team Leadership and Goal Setting (Part 2)