Volunteers Needed for the Wall Raising of the Almost Heaven Habitat For Humanity Earth Day Build House


Almost Heaven Habitat For Humanity has started building another home in White Sulphur Springs, WV. On February 1, 2012, Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity broke ground for the house in partnership with Colette Godfrey and her family. On February 18th, team members at Lewis Nissan in Beckley, WV, and some community volunteers helped frame the walls. On March 3 Habitat will be raising the walls and needs volunteers.

At least 20 volunteers are needed for the wall raising event - men, women, youth, folks of any skill leers evel.

When: Saturday, March 3rd from 9:00 to 4:00
Where: 102 Barton Rd., White Sulphur Springs, WV
Dress: Wear your work clothes, gloves, boots, etc. (Dress warm if necessary)

Habitat is working during the week also, so call if you'd like to come over and help or just come by if you are in the area.

Directions from points East to White Sulphur Springs: I-64 West to Exit 181. Turn RIGHT onto US 60 West and go to the third stop light. Turn left onto Dry Creek Rd. and then right on Church St. Go to the end of Church St. and the road turns left to become Barton Rd. Site is on the left at the top of the hill on the corner with Cato St. Watch for the sign.

Directions from points West to White Sulphur Springs: I-64 East to Exit 175. Turn LEFT onto Co Route 60/14 Harts Run Road for 0.2 mile. Turn RIGHT onto US 60 East for about 3 miles into downtown. Turn RIGHT onto Dry Creek Rd. and then right on Church St. Go to the end of Church St. and the road turns left to become Barton Rd. Site is on the left at the top of the hill on the corner with Cato St. Watch for the sign.

Lunch will be provided for all the volunteers.

Colette Godfrey was born and raised in Greenbrier County and works at a convenience store as a cashier. She is the mother of three children: two grown children and an 8-year-old son, Deshaunte. A few years ago, they had to move out of their home due to circumstances beyond their control. She couldn’t afford to rent a new place, so they had to move in with her sister in a small 2-bedroom apartment in which Colette and Deshaunte share a bedroom.

The completion date and dedication is scheduled for the week of April 23rd, in celebration of Earth Day. Hope to see you Saturday, March 3 to help raise the walls on another Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity house.

Previous Posts:

• Another Milestone Met for Almost Heaven Habitat's Earth Day Build House With the Help of Lewis Nissan in Beckley, WV; and a new truck for Habitat

• Almost Heaven Habitat For Humanity Breaks Ground for the New Earth Day Build House and Celebrates Nissan’s Partnership

The Greenbrier’s Executive Chef Richard Rosendale won the prestigious Bocuse d'Or USA Finals, held January 28-29 at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.

Chef Rosendale, a Certified Master Chef (CMC) who has competed in more than 40 international culinary competitions, bested three other finalists: Chef Jeffrey Lizotte (On20, Hartford, CT) who took the silver; Chef William Bradley (Le Cordon Bleu, Cambridge, MA) who took the bronze; and Chef Danny Cerqueda (Carolina Country Club, Raleigh, NC) who placed fourth. Chef Rosendale's winning dishes were a Celebration of River & Glen Hookers Cod and D'Artagnan Winter Chicken Preparations.

Chef Rosendale will now represent the United States at the 2013 Bocuse d'Or in Lyon, France (January 29-30, 2013), where he will be joined by his commis (assistant) Corey Siegel.

Each chef had five-and-a-half hours to prepare two protein platters - one using River & Glen Hookers cod, one using D'Artagnan chicken - each with three intricate garnishes. The platters were presented for judging to select members of the Foundation's Culinary Council, comprised of some of the most respected chefs in America, including: Grant Achatz, Scott Boswell, William Bradley, Michael Cimarusti, Shaun Hergatt, Gabriel Kreuther, Barbara Lynch, George Mendes, Roland Passot, Michael White, and Alan Wong.

With the USA Finals complete, the training for next year's Bocuse d'Or in Lyon now begins. Chef Rosendale will be mentored by the Foundation's Board of Directors, Chefs Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, and Jerome Bocuse, and Team USA coaches Chefs Gavin Kaysen (head coach), Grant Achatz and Gabriel Kreuther.

The 2013 Bocuse d'Or, the 26th edition of the competition, will feature competitors from 24 countries.

Almost Heaven Habitat For Humanity Breaks Ground for the new Earth Day Build House and Celebrates Nissan’s Partnership



On Friday, February 1, 2012, Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity broke ground on a new house in partnership with Colette Godfrey and her family.

Joining in the celebration were over 30 Habitat for Humanity volunteers and supporters from the community and around the state.

Colette Godfrey was born and raised in Greenbrier County and works at a convenience store as a cashier. She is the mother of three children: two grown children and an 8-year-old son, Deshaunte. A few years ago, they had to move out of their home due to circumstances beyond their control. She couldn’t afford to rent a new place, so they had to move in with her sister in a small 2-bedroom apartment in which Colette and Deshaunte share a bedroom.

“You hear, see and read about people being homeless, and during those times you never ever think you would be in that position. This was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to go through and to see how it affected my son is even worse,” confessed Colette. “Now I have true hope for a brighter future for me and my family. It is wonderful to break ground on my new home!”

The event kicked off Almost Heaven Habitat’s Earth Day Build, with construction of the home scheduled to be completed in time for a dedication the week of April 23rd, in celebration of Earth Day. A major sponsor of the house is Nissan, who provided grant funding towards the construction of the new home, as well as the means for Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity to purchase a new vehicle from a dealership. Almost Heaven HFH selected Lewis Automotive, located in Beckley, WV, as their partner dealership, and Sarah Abrams of Lewis Automotive was on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony.

In the ground breaking line up from left to right: Donna DeHart, Development Director of HFHWV;
Sarah Abrams, PR Manager at Lewis Automotive; Llodyd Haynes, Mayor of White Sulphur Spirings;
Colette Godfrey and her son Deshaunte future Habitat Homeowners; Katie Ickles, Executive Director Greenbrier County Chamber of Commerce; and Michelle L. Connor, CEO of Almost Heaven H4H.

“Nissan Foundation has a history of supporting Habitat for Humanity, as well as green and environmentally-friendly initiatives. Our Nissan dealership, Lewis Automotive, is no exception. “This will be our first Habitat for Humanity build, and we are very excited about the opportunity to frame the interior walls for this house in the coming weeks,” reported Sarah Abrams, who serves as Public Relations Manager in her family’s 4th-generation dealership.


This past fall, Nissan Americas announced a significant expansion of its longstanding partnership with Habitat for Humanity International with a $2.5 million donation. Nissan’s vision is to invite all its stakeholders to participate in the partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Point-of-sale materials in dealerships and communications to consumers will convey information about Habitat activities. Consumers who visit the Nissanusa.com website can click through to Habitat’s site to make a donation or find volunteer opportunities across the country.

Nissan is funding grants and providing Nissan vehicles to 10 Habitat affiliates that make commitments to sustainable construction practices; Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity is one of those 10 affiliates selected to receive a grant and a vehicle to support its operations.

“Nissan’s financial support enables us to help serve the Godfrey family, and we are extremely grateful to have a partner like Nissan that shares our commitment to building sustainable communities,” said Michelle Connor, CEO of the Almost Heaven Habitat affiliate that serves Greenbrier, Pendleton, and Pocahontas Counties.

Throughout this partnership Nissan and Habitat for Humanity will share a common goal: to build affordable, sustainable homes in partnership with families in need of decent housing.

Nissan-sponsored Habitat homes will be equipped with many “green living” features, including low-flowing plumbing fixtures, programmable thermostats, energy-efficient fluorescent lighting, high-performance windows and ENERGY STAR® appliances. These eco-friendly amenities align with Nissan’s Green Program, which supports efforts to reduce the Habitat for Humanity’s Earth Day House.

The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV, announces that its Executive Chef, Richard Rosendale, has been named one of four finalists for the prestigious Bocuse d’Or USA National Competition. On January 28-29, 2012, the four will vie for the chance to represent America at the 2013 Bocuse d’Or World Cuisine Contest.

But not before he makes a quick pit stop at Studio 1-A at Rockefeller Center to appear on The TODAY Show. Chef Rosendale will appear on the January 26 broadcast of the show during the 9 AM hour, featuring two of The Greenbrier’s classic dishes.

Rosendale will then travel to the Culinary Institute of America’s Hyde Park campus for the Bocuse d’Or USA competition. Star chefs Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, Jerome Bocuse and the Bocuse d’Or USA Foundation Board of Directors, selected the finalists from a group of top chefs from around the country. The winning team, which consists of one chef and one commis assistant, will go on to compete with teams from 24 countries in theBocuse d’Or World Cuisine Contest in Lyon, France.

“I am eagerly awaiting the opportunity to represent The Greenbrier and showcase my skills in the Bocuse d’ OR USA Competition taking place on Sunday January 29 at the Culinary Institute of America in New York,” says Chef Rosendale. “If I win, then I will have the opportunity to represent the United States in the Legendary Bocuse d’Or International event widely known as the “Olympics of Cooking” taking place in France in 2013. It has been my dream for many years and I am very grateful to have this opportunity. I also want to thank The Greenbrier and Mr. Justice who have supported me here at the hotel in my efforts to become the United States Candidate. It truly is a Chef’s dream.”

A native of Pennsylvania, Rosendale is a Certified Master Chef and the youngest ever member of the American Culinary Foundation (ACF) Culinary Team USA. He has represented the US at the World Culinary Olympics in both 2004 and 2008, when he was team captain of Team USA, winning three gold medals and one silver.

Also in 2008, Rosendale won the silver medal at the Bocuse d’Or USA semi-finals. Rosendale has trained in Northern Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, France, Norway and throughout the United States, including a sous vide training at TheFrench Laundry and multiple five-star restaurant stages across the country. His schooling included a six-year apprenticeship under several Certified Master Chefs and The Greenbrier’s renowned Culinary Apprenticeship Program.

The ACF has awarded Rosendale the Presidential Medallion for his contributions to the Culinary Arts and named him the 2005 Chef of the Year.

Chef Magazine featured him in “A New Breed of American Chefs.” Also a certified professional ice carver, Rosendale has carved pieces ranging from 1 to 50 blocks. During his career, he has cooked for numerous celebrities, supervised meals for U.S. Congress and The President of the United States, and appeared on Food Network specials.

The Greenbrier’s 2nd Annual Winterfest Weekend was held on January 6-8 and featured nationally recognized ice carvers competing in individual and team carving competitions.

The winner for the individual competition went to Aaron Costic winning the Gold Medal with the ice sculpture "Wild Hare". The prize was $2,000.

The team competition winners were Aaron Costic and Jeff Meyers winning the Gold Medal for the ice sculpture "Apollo's Steed". The winners received $2,000.

The temperature was in the high 40s and low 50s for this 3-day event, as compared to last year's freezing temperature. Below are the photos of the other ice scupltures in the competition:

Even though the two photos below were beginning to melt and break, you can still see the great detail in the sculptures. The below sculpture of a hand had a dragonfly on the forefinger, but with the warm weather, the ice was melting and breaking.

Part of the wing broke off of this beautiful sculpture.

The lifetime of an ice sculpture is determined primarily by the temperature of its environment and thus, an ice sculpture can last from mere minutes to possibly months.

Check out last year's ice sculptures... Ice Sculpting Displays and more at The Greenbrier's First Winterfest Celebration.