March 23, 2011: Spring must be here! I saw my first RAMPS FOR SALE sign yesterday!! Robins are around any time, but ramps are only in the Spring.
March 18:2011: Spring is here at last! Or at least is raising its sleepy head. We expect to be seeing roadside signs proclaiming ramps for sale very soon.
GOD married green onions with garlic
The Ramp Festivals and Ramp Dinners will be starting around West Virginia soon—usually April and May. Gillum House has been known to include ramps in a breakfast during ramp season by request of guests who had never had them.
A La Carte Chocolate at 410 East Main Street, Bridgeport, WV (10 miles from Shinnston) is having an event on April 9. This event will have cooking demonstrations all day from 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. There will be several premiere foods vendors from central West Virginia showcasing their products as well as flower shops, jewelry and more. A La Carte Chocolate makes
Chocolate to warm a Heart
wonderful creams, truffles, cordials, etc—all hand-dipped chocolate that makes a perfect gift for the person you love most—YOU!
The following week (April 16), Shinnston is holding its first Arts & Crafts Festival. This is a City that is small but mighty! Do not think it is going to be too small to bother with! This is SHINNSTON!! Already a variety of artisans and crafters have signed up to participate. April 16, 2011 will see a steady stream of people coming to the Festival starting at 9 A.M. in the parking lot behind the Bice-Ferguson Museum. In addition, the Shops of Shinnston plan to participate with sidewalk sales so their shops can also be open for our visitors. Melissa Aldridge, owner of Home Style stated, ”We want to show support for the Festival, so we will have a Sidewalk Sale since we are so close to the event site.”
These coffees may be available.
Gillum House Bed & Breakfast will be there with Shinnston cups being sold by the Shinnston ON TRAC Team (precursor to Main Street Program) and freshly-roasted coffees from the Gillum House from our selection of green coffee beans from around the world.
The ON TRAC Shinnston cup
Guests of the Gillum House for this weekend will receive the coupon book, Shop Shinnston, with coupons from many of the shops in Shinnston. Book your room now!
Tags: A La Carte Chocolate, Art & Crafts, coffee, Gillum House, Home Style, museum, Shinnston
64 oz. in 15 minutes!
Reuben is also very into the community. The half hour prior to his talk show is devoted to interviews of local charities or events. None of the pain that follows is part of his job. He just used his job and celebrity (plus the esteem and respect people hold him in) for the good of struggling charities. Of course, Gillum House Bed & Breakfast pledged each time.
In July, 2009, the Harrison County United Way did a fundraiser called Dawg Day featuring hot dogs from local hot dog restaurants. Reuben did a sidebar event that day – CHUGGING FOR CHARITY! He was challenged for how much root beer he could drink in 15 minutes. His listeners called in pledges and an insurance man pledged an extra $150 if Reuben “ralphed”.
The inevitable "ralph" brought an extra $150
64 ounces of root beer – and the extra $150 was a guarantee! Reuben raised over $2500 for the United Way that day.
Fast forward to November 10, 2010 and the United Way is struggling to meet their fundraising goal for the year. Once again Reuben steps up to the plate – literally! This time, one of his “friends?” challenged him to how many of the hottest wings served at Buffalo Wings could he eat in 15 minutes. We do not have any photos of that event as it took place the same night as the B & Bs For Vets. Once again, he raised about $2500 for the United Way of Harrison County.
Last week, Chris Mullins from the Clarksburg Mission was on the program to tell folks in the area about the annual Polar Plunge started by 2 doctors in the area as a fundraiser for the Mission. Reuben took a directive from a few of his callers over the years – and said he would “Jump in the Lake”. In one week he had $710 in pledges. In 2010, chain saws had to cut through the 4 inches of ice on Maple Lake in Bridgeport.
Fire Department Rescue Team gets Read
Today, February 19, 2011, Maple Lake was clear of ice. It was a balmy 40 degrees – until you factored in the 20 mph wind! Bridgeport Fire Department had 2 divers suited up and in the water when the first wave jumped (in groups of 5).
Reuben answers - Are you ready?
Last one in! First wave of 5 "Plungers"
Each group of 5 “Plungers” went in with a different style. There were many bystanders cheering them on. Dr. Chris Kennedy, one of the founders of the Polar Plunge For the Mission went in with Reuben’s group. He is easy to pick out of the group as he wore a Bridgeport High School Cheerleader costume.
Notice the style of the second wave
Several ladies made the thrid plunge
Reuben jumps - Dr. Kennedy goes in cheering
- Even the Leprechaun plunges for charity!
Mom plunged - is Dad a fireman?
One of the bystanders was the son of a “Plunger” and at a guess of one of the firemen. I was able to catch a shot of their photo session. Here it is – permission granted by his Mom.
Reuben, we salute you for your dedication to the charities of this County.
Tags: Chugging for Charity, Clarksburg Mission, Gillum House Bed & Breakfast, Maple Lake, Polar Plunge, Reuben Perdue, United Way of Harrison County
February 19, 2011: As our web site states Gillum House Bed & Breakfast offers guests over 100 varieties of tea. This afternoon, I was in Bridgeport, West Virginia looking for a chocolate “fix” so I popped in to A La Carte Chocolate at 410 East Main Street. This is THE place to go for homemade, hand-dipped really FINE chocolates. Owner Diane Wickland had a nice surprise for me. A La Carte Chocolate now also is a tea rom.
Shall I pour?
It was really nice to relax with a pot of coconut chai tea and a brown sugar scone that “was to die for” good! The hours at the shop are Tuesday thru Friday 11 A.M. to 6 P.M. and Saturday 10 A.M. to 3 P,M. The price for a pot of tea and scone is $5.25. However, she does a 3-course Tea Time by appointment with tea times available for 11:30; 1:30; or 4 P.M. Tuesday thru Friday or Saturday 11:30 or 1:30 for $13.95 per person.
Tea Time sounds so wonderful I am going to have to schedule a tea with some of my friends. The first course s 5 tea sandwiches (chicken salad, salmon, tuna salad, egg salad, and cucumber/cheese). The second course is a scone, and quiche. The third course is 2 tartlets and a small chocolate bowl with ice cream and a fruit topping. What a wonderful way to spend some time relaxing with friends!
As we chatted, Diane told me she is going to have a Gourmet Food & Artisans Show at A La Carte on April 9. There will be food and cooking demonstrations all day. I am looking forward to it.
An assortment of teapots add to the decor.
She has lovely displays of teapots and tea time foods but the Easter chocolate items she had today were just too cute! I loved the bunny sucker poking his head up from one of her teapots.
Bunny in a teapot
Having recharged my “batteries” with the tea and chat, had to get some chocolate to take home. It was a tough choice as everything is absolutely wonderful but I settled on taking home a box of roses.
Double treat - Roses! and they are chocolate
You can order her chocolates and specialty items on the web from her web site A La Chocolate and call 304-842-4047 to schedule a Tea Time. Tell her Gillum House sent you.
Tags: A La Carte Chocolate, Bridgeport, chocolate, Gillum House Bed & Breakfast, scones, tea, tea room, tearoom
February 8, 2011: On February 3, 2011 we at the Gillum House Bed & Breakfast had the honor of hosting the owners of Tucked Inn the Harbour Bed & Breakfast in Victoria, Ontario, Canada. They gave us an Inuksuk that has been given a place of honor in one of our dining room display cases housing the doll collections. I did some research about Inuksuk because I did not know what they were. This Inuksuk is from Maple Leaf Studio, Ottawa, Canada.
Inuksuk given to Gillum House by Tucked Inn the Harbour B & B
From what I have found, Inuksuit (the plural of Inuksuk) are across the Canadian Arctic. They are stone structures – piles of stones and rock slabs built by the Inuit (an Eskimo people) – that resemble a human with arms outstretched. The longer arm would be pointing in the direction the traveler should go. Along the coast it would mark an open channel and on the treeless tundra, would mark the way through the mountains. Traditionally, multiple inukshuk structures are used to guide or channel caribou into areas where Inuit hunters could easily harvest them. The hunters would often hide behind the larger inuksuit. It is said that Inuksuk are built with a peephole and if one looked through that peephole another Inuksuk would be seen in the distance,
From the Inukshuk Gallery: The Inuit make inuksuit in different forms for a variety of purposes: as navigation or directional aids, to mark a place of respect or memorial for a beloved person, or to indicate migration routes or places where fish can be found. Other similar stone structures were objects of veneration, signifying places of power or the abode of spirits. Although most inuksuit appear singly, sometimes they are arranged in sequences spanning great distances or are grouped to mark a specific place.
Come to the Gillum House and your hosts will be happy to guide you to the places you want to see and the things you want to do.
Tags: Gillum House, Inuit, Inuksuk, Maple Leaf Studio, Tucked Inn the Harbour
February 4, 2011: We had some VERY interesting guests last night. They arrived about 4 P. M. and were shown to their room so they could get settled in. Our guests were innkeepers from Canada. Harry was able to use our WiFi to take care of his business on his laptop. They were the first B & B in Canada to ask if they could be part of the B & Bs For Vets. Harry told me at the time, “I was in the Canadian Air Force for 36 years. If is OK, we would like to participate in the free rooms for Veterans.”
The "Functional and Dysfunctional" hosts of Tucked in the Harbour Bed & Breakfast
Their B & B is in Victoria Harbour, Ontario on Georgian Bay. On their web site, Harry and Carol introduce themselves by saying “your Functional or Dysfunctional hosts would like to welcome you to Tucked Inn the Harbour Bed & Breakfast.” With an introduction like that, you know you will have a wonderful and fun visit.
We all went to dinner at Jimmy’s Diner (it was Thursday – spaghetti night at Jimmy’s). When I told Harry about Jimmy’s signature sandwich – the Rosi – he had to try it. He ordered the large Rosi! Few people can handle a large Rosi. The Rosi is a sausage sandwich made with Jimmy’s own slightly hot sausage and it comes with cheese, onions, and peppers (your choice of sweet, mild, or HOT!) and if served on a dinner plate, you would not see the plate for the bun. Harry had HOT peppers. (Psst – don’t tell anyone, but Carol had to help Harry finish the Rosi.) The rest of us had spaghetti!
After a stop to see our Chapel (St Margaret Y Castillo Chapel of Perpetual Adoration is the only 24/7 Chapel in West Virginia), we returned to the Gillum House for a wonderful evening of conversation. They told us about Victoria Harbour and told us about the Inuksuk they brought us.
Inuksuk represents strength, leadership and motivation
We told them about Shinnston and its history and then we talked about ourselves and our families.
This morning, Harry and Carol had our signature Gillum House breakfast. He chose Ethiopia for his morning coffee and Carol chose Sicilian Sunset tea. Juices were orange juice and a blueberry/pomegranate blend for the non-citric. The fruit was a compote of watermelon, papaya, kiwi, and mango with vanilla yogurt on the side. The entrée was our sour cream and chives with three cheeses egg bake served with bacon and Kathleen’s English muffin bread hot from the oven. We presented Harry with a roast of Sumatra coffee beans “for the road”. He likes “bold” coffees.
Harry and Carol breakfast at the Gillum House
After breakfast we said goodbye to our new friends as they continued on to Kentucky and points south visiting old friends as they would wend their way to a cruise out of Florida. Bon voyage, new friends!
Tags: Gillum House, Inuksuk, Jimmy's, Sausage sandwich, Tucked in the Harbour, Victoria Harbour
February 02, 2011: On 11 December 2010 the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) of Lincoln High School in Shinnston competed in the 2010 NJROTC Area 3 Championship Air Rifle Match at Civilian Marksmanship Program Competition Training Center North (Electronic Air Rifle Range) in Port Clinton, Ohio. Each Area 3 unit may send maximum of two Sporter-class teams (4 shooters each team). Shooters must be NJROTC cadets in good standing, currently enrolled or cross-enrolled at the unit’s host school. There was no Precision-class competition at this event.
Lincoln High School NJROTC on Parade
There are two classes for competition and awards:
– Pneumatic Sporter (Daisy 753/853) and
– Open Sporter (Daisy XS-40, 888, 887, Crosman Challenger 2000, 2009, Air Arms S200).
The Pneumatic Sporter class is limited to athletes shooting a sporter air rifle which must be pumped by the shooter before each shot. If a team consists of rifles from both classes, it will be considered Open Sporter class. The Lincoln NJROTC Teams competed in the Pneumatic Sporter class.
The A-Team placed first in all Pneumatic Sporter competitions – Standing, Prone, and Kneeling – of the 18 teams with a team total of 1825 points. The second place team scored 1694 points Cadet Ayers scored 514 out of a possible 600 and placed first in individual in all Pneumatic categories.
The B Team, consisting of 3 Freshmen and 1 Sophomore, placed 9th of 18 teams in the Pneumatic Class.
Lincoln’s NJROTC is led by Commander Paul Kast and Master Chief Gregory Parrucci. John Panek of the Gillum House Bed & Breakfast is the Rifle Team coach.
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Tags: Lincoln High School, NJROTC, rifle team, Shinnston
January 24, 2011: MountainFest will be in Morgantown, WV July 28-31, 2011. The paintings of John Panek are part of the Vintage Motorcycle Show every year.
The "Biker Boys" with their bikes
In 2009, The Biker Boys (my fond name for them), six gentlemen who were then 67 to 88 years old stayed at the Gillum House for the 4 nights of MountainFest. Each of them rode his own bike and were so full of the joy of life! Gillum House is 45 minutes door to door (depending on traffic and routing used as there are several) of great motorcycling. The Vintage Show, vendors, other exhibits, and entertainment make it a full 4-day event.
Painting commissioned in 2008
The painting of the 1951 Indian earned a commission to paint a 1947 Indian. 2010 he was asked to do a painting of a 1952 Vincent Black Lightening (now in progress).
This 1951 Indian earned a commissioned painting.
Every year Scott Frederick of Genesis Studio photographs the bikes in the Vintage Show for a coffee table book. He has posted the 2010 photos on YouTube. In 2010 there were 186 motorcycles and 5 vehicles in the Vintage Show. They expect to have approximately 300 in 2011 as it takes over the entire exhibit building. Please go to Scott’s YouTube to have a rare glimpse at some extremely rare machines.
Book now for MountainFest call 888-592-0177 or book online at http://www.gillumhouse.com/accommodations/#reserve
Tags: Genesis Studio, Gillum House, MountainFest, Scott Frederick
January 16, 2011: On January 9, 2011 at 6:10 AM this innkeeper started off for Charleston, South Carolina to attend the PAII (Professional Association of Innkeepers International) Conference. That stretch of 4-lane on US Rt 19 from Exit 57 of I-79 to Beckley was what we say in West Virginia – Right interesting! There were 2 tracks in the slushy road the width of an axle. Thankfully, by the return Friday it was a dry 4-lane road.
Gillum House & Thomas Shepherd Inn
You may have heard of the program in November 2010 called B & Bs For Vets. It started in West Virginia, the idea right here in Shinnston and the web site in Shepherdstown at the Thomas Shepherd Inn. The three innkeepers were nominated for the 2011 Champion Award that was presented at a luncheon at the Conference. The workshops were many – all geared to make me a better innkeeper for YOU.
The Gillum House was as welcome a sight to this weary traveler Friday night as we hope it is to our guests. We hope you will go to our online reservations or call 888-592-0177 when you come to north-central West Virginia.
January 7, 2011: The New Year has arrived! We are all digging in because there is nothing to get us out. WRONG!! I am happy to report that Melissa at Home Style once again has something to bring you out to make a project, socialize (yes, you get to talk to someone other than your spouse or kids!), and get out of the house for a while!
Make a “Jack Frost” Winter Wreath – This class is offered Sunday, January 23, 2011 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM or Sunday, January 23, 2011 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Cost for each class is $35.00 payable at sign-up.
Then in February make a Primitive Valentine Mailbox. This class will be held Sunday, February 6, 2011 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM or Monday, February 7, 2011 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The cost for each class is $30.00 payable at sign-up.
March is for Stitchery! 2 design options will be available to choose from. (Sign up for both classes and do both!) On Sunday, March 27, 2011 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM learn Primitive Stitchery or Tuesday. March 29, 2011 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Cost for each class is $25.00 payable at sign-up.
All classes will be held at Home Style 411 Pike Street in Shinnston, WV. And the skill level for these classes is Beginner. Come on out for a great time.
December 29, 2010: I am a proud member of the West Virginia Bed & Breakfast Association, past-president and current Legislative Chair. We all know that a bed & breakfast is the Better Way to Stay. Member bed & breaklfasts are found on the WVBBA website
WVBBA has just come out with a new cookbook! It is a cookbook and travel guide to our bed & breakfasts around West Virginia. I am pleased to say Gillum House has several recipes in it.
Inn Our West Virginia Kitchens
This cookbook makes a wonderful gift – you can give it without insinuating the receiver needs to learn to cook. You tell them (tuck in a note if not in person) how much you enjoyed these dishes at the bed & breakfasts. You will want one for yourself also.
December 27, 2010: New Year’s Eve is approaching quickly. That means another year has gone! Where did it go? I got an e-mail cartoon a while back that I find is truer with every passing year. The picture was of a roll of toilet paper that was almost gone. The caption said: “Life is like a roll of toilet paper – the closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes!” 2010 absolutely flew by.
Our Dogwood tree in February
The year started with us being snowed in. The son of a preacher lady came over with his son and dug us out. A week later they did it again. 2 weeks later they did it again. About a week later, they did it again! The weather fairy FINALLY took pity on us and Spring arrived! Briefly!
We were able to hold the Independence Concert on schedule on July 4 – It did not rain this year!
The rail-trail was fixed after 2 seasons of having a chasm instead of a dip. We had trail users, horse people, anniversaries, honeymoons. MountainFest came and went – with John’s paintings in the Vintage Motorcycle Show. This year we had the honor of hosting a 1952 Vincent Black Lightning in our display area and hosting a biking couple from Pennsylvania at the B & B as well as the parents of the groom who were in for a wedding.
The World Equestrian Games were held in Lexington, Kentucky this year. We were thrilled that Elissa Dauberman, a 4 time National Grand Champion with her horse Craving Blue chose to stay here 3 times in 2010.
Stalls at the stable
The stable is quite popular with our horse guests. Nice sized, clean stalls for the comfort of discriminating horses.
Since I am “name-dropping” (with permission by the way), have you heard of that little musical group the Trans-Siberian Orchestra? We had the honor of hosting Chris Caffrey, a guitarist who has been with them since the beginning. Just goes to show that little Shinnston is a place folks who could stay wherever they want to know is a Better Way to Stay, bed & breakfasts!
2010 Merry-go-round seen from our driveway
We survived our annual week as an “island of isolation” during Frontier Days. We even had guests all week! One could not get closer to the action than to be at Gillum House. The Midwaywas in front of our porch, the big carnival rides were across Walnut Street in the Fire Department lot, and the kiddie rides were across Davis Court in the Orioles parking lot. We thank City Hall for providing parking spots for us and our guests.
September, October, and the first 10 days of November were a blur as we did data entry, answered phones, and did interviews for B & Bs For Vets. Almost 900 B & Bs showed our military there is a Better Way to Stay as they “put their money where their mouth is” thanking our Veterans with free rooms on November 10 for Veterans Day November 11. Thanksgiving brought us the lovely Alexandra, a lovely 8 month old who brought her parents here for Thanksgiving – a very delightful couple who said they needed to de-stress!
Pike Street in Christmas Finery
The City was beautifully lit up for the Christmas Parade and Community Band Concert. The lights will be lit for just a few more days – giving a special beauty to saying goodbye to 2010.
Well, that is the year in review. Hang on to your hats because 2011 is waiting in the wings and oh what we have planned for 2011! We plan to savor every day and hope to give great relaxing hospitality to our guests in 2011. Come experience The Better Way to Stay!
Shabby Chic Sisters placed 3rd in Decorated Windows Contest
December 6, 2010: Shop Shinnston! December 8 through December 11 come to Shinnston! Shop Late! Shop Great! The shops of Downtown Shinnston are having special hours for your Christmas shopping for that special person. They will be open until 8 PM for your convenience. Each shop is unique and has something that will not be found anywhere else.
Aralynn”s Attic is a new addition to the Shinnston shops.
Shabby Chic Sisters Christmas
Visit the wonderful eclectic collection at Shabby Chic Sisters.
Homestyle for Christmas shopping
Homestyle has a lovely selection of gifts, crafts, and primitives.
Penny Pincher has one-of-a-kind.
The Penny Pincher has a bit of everything that is one-of-a-kind. Shinnston Used Furniture & More has furniture that will be new-to-you. Visit Portrait House Photography for that Family Portrait you have been promising everyone for years – now you do not have to leave the City to get it. And call 3041-592-0878 to schedule an appointment with one of the premier wedding consultants of north-central West Virginia right here in Shinnston at Unique Creations.
Carolers from Faith Fellowship Church
Thursday the carolers are from Faith Fellowship Church.
The Bice-Ferguson Museum will be open from 4 until 7 PM for those special remembrances of Shinnston gifts.
Why fight crowds or have to walk the length of 2 football fields to park (and pray you remember where you parked) when you can Shop Shinnston and shop the best!
December 2, 2010: This evening is the final rehearsal for the Shinnston Community Band for the 14th annual Shinnston Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 4, 2010. The Parade starts at 6:00 P.M. from the old Shinnston High School through the City (form-up is at 5:30). Santa will come to Shinnston with the Parade. Immediately after the parade, the Public is invited to gather at the Baptist Lighthouse on Rebecca Street (the First Baptist Church will be holding their Bazaar all day Saturday) for the Concert – free admission. The Northern Harrison Kiwanis Club is requesting non-perishable food items for the Lord’s Pantry Food Bank to be brought to the Concert.
The Chanticleer Children’s Choir will be the “warm-up” act for the Concert. They will begin at 7 P.M. Come to Shinnston Saturday for an evening of music and Christmas Spirit.
September 22, 2010: Frontier Days officially opened today! I met Miss Frontier Days, Gabrielle Ash from Doddridge County. She is appearing at Frontier Days and will be in the Parade Saturday.
Frontier Days opened tonight with a Gospel Sing with performances by several area churches and groups. Then Red Hat followed by The Museum performed as warm-up bands for DecembeRadio, a Grammy nominated Gospel Group. One of the band membes of DecembeRadio, Eric Miker, is from Shinnston!
There is a large crowd enjoying the food and fun (our guests from Pennsylvania said the food the First Baptist Church was serving was excellent. I will have to try some of the others in the next few days.). More will be happening Thursday thru Saturday. After the Parade, there will be a Special Olympics Bocce Tournament at the Park starting at 2 P.M. Gillum House Bed & Breakfast is sponsoring a team for the Tournament. Come join the fun!!