Keith Shaver

West Virginia is full of things to see and visit. The Graham House is located just outside of Pence Springs West Virginia. It is in the little community of Lowell on the banks of the Greenbrier River. The home is on the National Register of Historical Places and is said to be one of the oldest log homes still on the original foundation in West Virginia.

The home was built by Colonel Graham in 1770 to 1772, it has served as a fortress for early settlers. In 1777 the Shawnee Indians attacked in early spring. In that attack the Colonel Graham's ten year old son and a close family friend were killed. Colonel Graham's seven year old daughter was taken captive. Colonel Graham spent the next eight years looking for his daughter. He found her after many years of searching in Kentucky, currently near Maysville. He traded blankets and other items to the Indians to get his daughter back from the Indian. Some stories say he turned the shoes of the horses around to confuse the Indians and keep them from following them back to the property.

The Graham House is being preserved by the Graham House Preservation Society. They are trying to make the property are authentic as possible. While maintaining the property and keeping the property accessible to the public. The home can be toured for $2.00 per adult and $.50 for children. They also offer tours for groups by appointment. And can also offer the dining facility for groups, parties, weddings or family reunions. The times for the home are Memorial Day to Labor Day Saturday 11:00 to 5:00/ Sunday 1:00 to 5:00 P.M. weekends only.

If you're a big log cabin buff, like me. It is so worth the trip to visit this great log home which is over 200 years old. You can really get a feeling of just how hard things were before power tools and electricity. And you can appreciate just how things were done and the quality of true craftsman ship. If you're planning a family reunion or a spring wedding next year. Take a closer look at the Graham House, Log cabin it may be exactly what you have been searching for your next event.

Don't forget to ask about the Chirstmas Holiday Event!

The Graham House Preservation Society

P.O. Box 218

Pence Springs, WV 24962

Phone: 304-466-3334

Phone: 304-446-3321

I don't know about you but food always seems to make everyone excited. When you talk to someone about somewhere that has got great food and service to boot, you can't help but get excited! I was so glad to hear that there was a contest to see what the "unique places to dine" in West Virginia. It seems that we have a few local establishments that have made the list.

Everyone in Lewisburg has experienced "Jims Drive-In" on Rt. 60, just out of downtown Lewisburg. With curb service you get to eat right in your car. If you are lucky enough to be there on a good day you can use the tables placed outside the parking area. They offer great subs, barbecue sandwiches, and don't forget the incredible English hot dogs! Jims Drive-In was #48 on the list for 101 unique places to dine in West Virginia!

The "Kalico Kitchen" in Monroe County, located in Union. They offer a great menu, from ribs to daily specials and cobbler. The food is always great and you can ask anyone in Union, they will tell you it is the place to eat. They were rated #51 for unique places to dine in West Virginia!

"Kirks" in Hinton is a well know estabilishment in the heart of Summers County. They offer a great sports bar and hangout feel to the community. They are just right on the banks of the New River Gorge National River. It is great to see the river just outside and watching the water, birds, ducks, and people enjoy the river. Don't forget to work in a game of pool with your friends, looser buys! They were rated #53 for unique places to dine in West Virginia!

In White Sulphur Springs is the "Mason Jar Restaurant", right on main street.This great place to eat just opened over a year ago. They offer daily specials, weekend specials, and great variety of food for everyone. They even do catering and let me tell you I have used them and they are excellent! They made it on the list at #88 of unique places to eat in West Virginia!

Congratulations to all who made the list! Great job guys! Now everyone you know where to send you family, friends, and clients! Support our local vendors! After all they support us!

Check out this link for more exciting places to dine in the state!

http://www.wvtourism.com/101uniquedining/index.html

If you are looking for something different for your garden or landscape? A short ride to Summers County may be the fix for that ultimate plant shopping experience. Groundworks Nursery is a great little place to shop and explore. The location on the Greenbrier River banks is a perfect setting. Seeing the plants in all their splendor is truly breath taking. You can find a full array of plants, shrubs and trees for sale to fit your every need. They offer a great variety of plants from annuals to perennials to their customers. The Nursery has a great array of items that add character to the setting. From old plows and gardening tools to even recycled tire planters and even a toilet! Pay close attention to the floor inside the building where you check out, it is original for sure.

Walking around the grounds you get a true feel for the outdoors and gardening . The plants that are part of the property are absolutely beautiful. The many colors and styles and looks that can be achieved are amazing. I personally brought a couple of my clients to purchase a hard to find item while showing them property in the area. When we stopped I told them they were in for a real treat and when we left they said "we will certainly be back!".

If you looking for that perfect plant or shrub, don't forget the Groundworks Nursery. They may have exactly what you have been looking for! It is a great drive and you can explore the great Hinton area and all it has to offer. Don't miss the Bluestone Dam, Bluestone Lake, and don't forget the Sandstone falls and New River George National River! With great places to eat like the local Dairy Queen, you can sit in comfort and look right on the river!

For more information on Summers County click on the link below..

http://www.sumnercvb.com/

Starting @ 5:00 P.M. this evening downtown White Sulphur Springs was transformed to a busy and fun shared event for everyone. This Third Friday Event focused on the west end of town. Just a few of the local estabishments open for the extended evening hours event were. Free live music and storytelling on stage in the Black Bear parking lot "Old School Abbey" band and Carnegie on the Road with Cheif Cornstalk. Kitten's Korner Gift and Custom Frame Shoppe and Jeida's Wine Shoppe will have refreshments and children's author, Brittney Cassity selling and signing her book "Fiddlebug". Leisa Campbell Interiors had wine and cheese and for one evening only had a 20% showroom discount. Gillespie Flowers and Productions served dessert and having a sale. Greyson's WSS newest retail business, next door to Kitten's Korner was open late too. Rt 60 had live music by Ryan Marshall on their bar side. The weather was great and everyone enjoyed the evening with plenty of excitement in the air.

It was great to see everyone out and about and enjoying themselves. The town of White Sulphur Springs is facing a big change. As with all small towns the store fronts are no longer open for business. And to see some excitement in town it is great feeling. The town is in the shadow of the Greenbrier Resort and what will become of the property after the June Auction of the resort. Everyone hopes and wishes for the best and I think that things like this make everyone let their guard down for a little while and enjoy themselves for a evening. Not letting the worries and problems that everyone is facing in these hard times take over their lives. White Sulphur Springs is alive, were struggling as everyone else is. But we are still here and events like this prove that West Virginia Pride is ALIVE and our Mountaineer Spirit is strong as ever.

Show your local pride and support your local merchants!

With the goverment bailout package a new home owner programs, it is a perfect time to buy! This is a market for anyone looking to purchase a new home. Homes are becoming priced where you can afford a larger and more expensive home than a year ago. A first time homebuyer can get $8,000.00 as a tax credit for a purchase of a new home. This does not have to paid back to the goverment as previously stated by the homeowner. So it is like getting a $8,000.00 downpayment for a home. If you are renting and looking to someday purchase a home, now is the time to buy!

If you are a West Virginia Resident and can use the WV Housing Develpment fund. They offer a number of different programs to a home buyer. You must qualify for the programs. they even offer a help and assistance program for downpayments. Down payment and closing cost assistance loans are available to homebuyers to reduce the amount of upfront money needed to purchase a home.
Homebuyers will be able to select one of two options if they qualify:

• Option One: a 10-year loan with a maximum amount up to $5,000 that is fully amortizing, with a 4% interest rate.
• Option Two: a 10-year loan with a maximum amount up to $3,000, with a deferred period of five (5) years. During the deferred period, the interest rate would be 0% with no payment due. The remaining five years would be a fully-amortizing loan at 4% interest.

The time is now for anyone looking to buy a home! Don't let this chance pass you by!