The Helpers
20 Great Things About West Virginia
In honor of West Virginia Day, twenty cool, weird, great things relating to West Virginia, in no particular order. (photo)
1. FAIRNESS IN THURMOND
In February of 2015, the small town of Thurmond in southern West Virginia became the smallest town in American to pass an ordinance banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, when the proposed ordinance was unanimously passed by the town's five residents. (photo)
2. FISHBOWL, MOST ICONIC BAR IN WEST VIRGINIA
In April of 2015, in a list of the most iconic bars in every state, Mario's Fishbowl in Morgantown was named "The Most Iconic Bar in West Virginia" by thrillist.com.
“Plenty of bars in America try to achieve a retro feel by buying a bunch of bar stools that look like they’re from the ‘50s. And then there’s Mario’s, where “everything from the floor to ceiling” has been there since 1949 — before it was a bar, back when it was an ice cream shop. For modern-day drinkers, there’s plenty about the bar that’s unlike anywhere else, from the wall full of bizarre “world records” like “seven people shared a single piece of gum passed around the table.” World records probably are broken easier when you’re drinking beer from “subzero frosty fishbowls” that are definitely more than your average pint. And despite the world records, oversized beers, and the fact that it’s in a college town, it’s not an 18+ bar. Families bring their kids to commingle with WVU alums and locals in the tiny space on a nightly basis.”
3. BEST NATIONAL PARK HIKE
Endless Wall Trail, located inside of the New River Gorge National River and managed by the National Park Service, was named Best National Park Hike in a vote by USA Today and 10best. Way to go! (photo)
4. WEST VIRGINIA LOVES CHRISTMAS
West Virginia came in first place in a list ranking "States Who Love Christmas the Most". The list determined its rankings by calculating the number of Facebook likes for Christmas-related terms like "Santa" and for Google searches for "Christmas" and "Christmas lights". Maybe not the most scientific list, but it confirms that West Virginians love A Christmas Story. (photo)
5. KEVIN NOREEN'S LETTER TO WEST VIRGINIA
In April, fan favorite WVU basketball player, Kevin Noreen, wrote an open letter to Mountaineer fans, reflecting on his college career at WVU and what it means to be a Mountaineer:
Dear Mountaineer Fans,
After a whirlwind spring tour around the country, and weighing dozens of schools offering scholarships, my last visit was to West Virginia University on June 28, 2010. Impressed with my first glimpses of the campus and the state, I was sold on how special West Virginia really is after conferring with Coach Huggs and Athletic Director, Oliver Luck – who took the time to talk with me, even though he hadn’t even officially begun his duties. It didn’t take me long to sign with the West Virginia basketball team and began summer school soon after. I remember asking Huggs, if he thought I could play here. He said, “I don’t know. That’s on you. But the opportunity is there if you work for it.” True to his word, nothing was given - except opportunities to succeed. From the first day, it was evident that this program prided itself on toughness and hard work. Early on, Joe Mazzulla shared with me,
“It takes a certain kind of person to play here.”
(photo)
6. HUGGS NAMED COACH OF THE YEAR
For the sixth time in his 33-year head coaching career, WVU Basketball Coach Bob Huggins was named National Coach of the Year. He coached the Mountaineers to 25 victories and a run to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Finals. Way to go!
7. BRIDGE DAY
Bridge Day is an annual event held the third Saturday in October on the New River Gorge Bridge. This is the only day of the year for which traffic is shut down completely on the world's second longest single arch bridge. Bridge Day is also an extreme sporting event where safe BASE jumps take place. If walking across the bridge or jumping off of it are too much for you, you can join one of the 80,000 spectators who watch the event each year. (photo)
8. BRIDGE DAY 2014 BASE JUMPERS
To get a feel of just how awesome Bridge Day is, here is video of BASE jumpers from 2014 jumping 876 feet off the New River Gorge Bridge. Amazing! (video)
9. WEST VIRGINIA BREEDS FOOTBALL COACHES
A Bleacher Report article examines an impressive connection between north central West Virginia and current, successful college football coaches:
It is this place that molded four men who have won 15 national championships in college football.
Michigan coach Fielding Yost (six titles), Southern Cal coach John McKay (four), Alabama's Nick Saban (four) and Florida State's Jimbo Fisher (one) all call this place home.
10. HAUNTING PATIENT ART AT TRANS-ALLEGHENY ASYLUM
Former mental hospital/current historical site and tourist attraction, Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, in Weston, features an art gallery of work made by patients of the former asylum. With eerie pieces dating from 1903 to the final years before the hospital was condemned in 1994, the gallery is a creepy must-see for people who aren't into run-of-the-mill attractions. (photo - hallway of ward in Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum)
11. OUR FALL IS BETTER THAN YOUR FALL
It's beautiful. Here: Indian Creek Covered Bridge in Monroe County. (photo)
13. BILL WITHERS INDUCTED INTO 2015 ROCK AND ROLL HOF
Slab Fork, WV native, Bill Withers was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. Some of the acclaimed soul singer's hits include "Lean On Me" and "Ain't No Sunshine". In addition to his major musical talent, Withers had a unique rise to success: growing up the poor son of a coal miner, overcoming a stutter, and reluctantly entering the music industry in his 30s.
Inspiring his genre-crossing music, Withers notes: "We lived right on the border of the black and white neighborhood," he says. "I heard guys playing country music, and in church I heard gospel. There was music everywhere." (photo quote)
15. A NEW WAY TO EXPERIENCE SENECA
Starting this weekend, newly refurbished Thorny Mountain Fire Tower that sits atop Seneca State Forest, is available for overnight stays. The Fire Tower was built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps to provide better coverage of the Greenbrier River Valley. Rates begin at $75/night. What a cool new way to see Seneca! (photo)
16. HARPERS FERRY A BEST HISTORIC SOUTHERN ATTRACTION
Another reason to add a West Virginia park to your travel list: website 10best.com ranked West Virginia's Harpers Ferry National Historic Park the second best Historic Southern Attraction in American. (photo)
“This nearly 4,000-acre national park is home to the town Harpers Ferry, a historically noteworthy town of the 19th century. Visitors enjoy both history and outdoor recreation here, in a region that feels like you’ve traveled back in time. Harpers Ferry is a National Historic Park and National Monument where you can learn about John Brown’s attempt to overthrow slavery, see historic battlefields and hike through nature along the river. With the unique combination of attractions — cultural, educational, active and relaxing — it’s no wonder nearly 500,000 people visit Harpers Ferry every year.”
17. KEVIN WHITE DRAFTED TO CHICAGO BEARS
WVU standout Kevin White was drafted as the seventh pick in the first round on the 2015 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears. White only needed two seasons with the Mountaineers to make an impact with NFL scouts, but he is nowhere near an overnight sensation. Three years before getting a start at WVU, White was playing at Lackawanna College in Scranton, PA and had all but given up on pursuing Division I football dreams when he was emailed by WVU's wide receiver's coach. Hopefully White makes his mark in the NFL this season, but he won't forget how he got there or stop being a good person.
“As White continued his borderline rant, there were smiles all around him — eventually, he paused to exchange a playful fist bump with his great uncle, Gregory Eure, who suffers from Down Syndrome. Watching the two of them interact was illuminating: There is an effortless authenticity to their connection which, at the very least, suggests that Kevin is someone who understands that his struggles should be placed in their proper perspective. And even when he’s dripping swag, Kevin exudes an endearing earnestness that provides a refreshing counterbalance. He comes off not as a diva, but as a young man whose jolting journey has fortified his faith in his own abilities and hardened his focus.”
Update: I've been informed Kevin White comes from a talented football family and WVU has signed both his brothers. No pressure, guys!
18. ALL TOGETHER NOW
Speaking of WVU football, check out this video (after a WVU home win versus Oklahoma State) highlighting the Mountaineer tradition of singing "Country Roads" after a football game. Impressive!
19. WEST VIRGINIA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS
"Open for Business" may have not been the best state slogan for Wild and Wonderful West Virginia, but thanks to current Governor, Earl Ray Tomblin, the state is showing positive signs that should lead to increased business opportunities in the state and greater investor confidence. Governor Tomblin received high marks on the Cato Institute's 2014's "Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors" for eliminating the sales tax on food and reducing business taxes. In addition, West Virginia has received stellar ratings from Fitch Ratings, Standard & Poor's Rating Service, and Moody's Investor Service, three agencies that rank states in financial management.
20. NEW BASEBALL FIELD FOR WVU AND MINOR LEAGUE TEAM FOR MORGANTOWN
Adding to a good year for WVU sport's, the WVU baseball team started playing on an impressive new field this season. Construction on the $21 million ballpark began in 2013 and was finished this Spring. The stadium's 3,500 capacity will come in handy when it will become the home field for Morgantown's new minor league baseball team, The West Virginia Black Bears, who begin their inaugural season June 19.
BONUS: 21. FLASHY PLAYS ON A NEW FIELD
In their first season in a new ballpark, WVU's baseball team managed to make SportCenter's top plays twice. Not bad. (Munden play, Huth play)