The West Virginia Show:
Wild Fun, Wonderful Art, West Virginia!
(Barboursville) - The Huntington Mall's first annual celebration of the WV show held Saturday, June 18th from noon until 6 p.m. in the mall's gazebo has proven to be a fun-filled and eventful day. This event was made possible thanks to the collective efforts of Barbara Lynn Smith, Marketing Administrative Assistant, Margi MacDuff, Marketing Director, and Caroline Brown, Promotional Assistant, all of the Huntington Mall Marketing Team.
“ Of all my travels, I find the natural beauty of West Virginia unparalleled to that of any place I've been. The hospitality extended to visitors from all over by our fun-loving citizens is second-to-none”, Smith said.
Eddie Riffe, one half of the local duo ETA provided music for the show with Roger Smith. Eddie (ETA) of Ashland, KY is a former resident of Weston, WV for eight years expressed, “ I believe in promoting local talent”. Riffe has been with country station WTCR, in Cattlettsburg, KY with associate Judy Jennings for four years. Their goal to provide the area's best music and community service has earned them the State Governor's Award. Fans of ETA can expect a new CD including 14 original hits to be released later this month. ETA's web site is WWW.ETAmusic.com.
Roger Smith, a renowned musician with over 20 years of dedication to bringing pleasure to his audiences with his music and outgoing personality expressed, “ West Virginia; beautiful state, beautiful people”. Smith who also plays the harmonica and is an experienced trombonist has a string of musical hits including “Beanie Baby Bop”, and I've Got a Name”.
Eddie and Roger backed by members of the Thunder Tones Chorus achieved their goal to get members of the Huntington Mall's shoppers and guests to sing “Country Roads” together at 1:00.
Jeff Wamsley, a native of Point Pleasant, WV, renowned for his interviews with eyewitnesses to the Mothman phenomenon was present during the show to autograph copies of his latest book release. Mothman, Behind the Red Eyes is the follow-up to Jeff's 2003 release Mothman; The Facts Behind the Legend, which reached # 27 on the Amazon 100 best sellers list, and is published by Point Pleasant's Mothman Press and includes graphic design by Mark S. Phillips of Proctorville, OH. (WWW.marksphillips.com). Wamsley, an accomplished musician and guitarist, in addition to being a best selling author, is both a performer and teacher. He is Co-founder, along with Carolyn Harris, of the annual Mothman Festival a landmark occasion in Point Pleasant. This year's Festival will be held from September 18-19th.
Representatives from the WV Power Baseball team were available to distribute color 8X10 photos of the stadium and provide information about the team and upcoming games. The Huntington Mall's welcome table handed out free tickets to the upcoming Milton/Barboursville Community Day Game to happy WV Power fans. Margi MacDuff, Marketing Director, explained that “The Milton/Barboursville Community Day Game will take place on July 10th in Charleston”.
John Gillispie PR Director for the Huntington Museum of Art, Mindy Snodgrass, Marshall University Student, Anne Csernica, and Lee Ward were on hand to extend warm hospitality and information about the HMA to those attending the WV Show. The Huntington Museum of Art is a fine arts museum situated on fifty-two acres of scenic land that includes two nature trails and a subtropical plant conservatory and is located at 2033 McCoy Road. Permanent art exhibits display collections of Americana and European contemporary prints, sculptures, and folk art. World-class traveling art exhibits are also displayed by the HMA where such displays as British silver and portraits and Near Eastern Prayer Rugs can be seen. The museum's glass collection includes over 4,000 objects and constitutes the richest collection of, feasibly, any museum in representing the variety and history of glass made in West Virginia and the Ohio Valley. HMA offers something for everyone from antique firearm displays to family fun and free activities for children
ages 5- 12, and so much more. Art, Theatre, and Nature Camps are also very popular events. The museum shop, open during regular operating hours offers regional artwork, unique gifts, art books, jewelry, as well as other popular items. Tours of ten or more may be arranged by contacting the Education Department. While at the HMA check out the Café Bauhaus, which serves elegant desserts and beverages, and offers a full lunch menu. Admission to the HMA is free but donations are greatly appreciated. For more information please call 304-522-2243 or visit their web site at WWW.HMOA.COM.
WV State Parks and Forests was represented by Clisby Jennelle of Cabwaylingo State Park, Sissie Summers, and Dillard Rice, who greeted visitors while providing them with an abundance of interesting information, maps, and brochures. Further information and reservations may be obtained by phoning
1-800-CALL-WVA, or by visiting the official web site: WWW.WVSTATEPARKS.COM.
Southern WV CVB, Mercer County CVB, Cabell-Huntington CVB, and Mason County CVB extended warm hospitality to all in attendance by answering all of their questions, and distributing informational handouts and beautiful brochures. Representatives from each of the Convention and Visitors Bureaus were more than happy to display and explain what makes their part of this magnificent state so remarkable.
The enchanting melodies and harmony of the Thunder Tones Chorus entertained numerous enthusiastic mall goers with a selection of time-honored classics and by serenading a delighted Barbara Lynn Smith with “Let Me Call You Sweetheart”. The Thunder Tones style is that of a Barbershop Quartet. However, their numbers far exceed that of a quartet, as there are over forty members of the Thunder Tones Chorus. Appearing at the Huntington Mall were Tom Bias, Scotty Frazier, Ray Moore, Mike Simpson, Bill Gorden, Steve Patrick, Dick King, Bob Majleck, and Rick Jackson. “Retirees started this, just trying to do our part”, they said.
West Virginia's military was represented by the United State's Air Force. TSGT Kevin Stefanovsky manned the booth, conducted drawings for Air Force
T-shirts and freely distributed other Air Force memorabilia including mugs, pencils, and key chains. Informational brochures and pamphlets were available, and questions were answered about the Air Force as well as enlistment opportunities such as that of the Community College of the Air Force, which allows an enlistee to earn college credits while serving in the Air Force.
Cabin Candles is a family affair. Tina Kinser, Kimberly Ellen, Lisa Dempsey, and Taylor and Kelsea Ellis set up a beautiful display of candles they manufacture. These candles are available in a large variety of shapes sizes, colors, and scents. Also available were aromatic soft scent candles and scented tarts and a collection of tin tart warmers. There are over 100 fragrances to choose from and special scents can be made especially for you. Clean cotton is one of my favorites. There are many more unique and beautiful gifts, baskets, and much more. Cabin Candles can be contacted by phoning 304-752-8462.
The tremendous success of the WV Show is the result of many working behind the scenes. The Huntington Mall Marketing Team would like to express their sincere appreciation to Tom eaves and Mall Security and Jack Adkins and the entire maintenance crew who helped by setting up and removing tables and chairs, and to everyone else involved. A special thank you is extended to WV Wireless in the Huntington Mall for their donation of the bottled water that was distributed to participants and entertainers during the WV Show.
“The WV Show is a huge success thanks to the large turn out and positive feedback generated from those in attendance”, said Caroline Brown.
When all is said and done, she summed up the outcomes of the WV Show as the goal set by the Huntington Mall Marketing Team.
Barbara J Smith
Guest Contributor
Barbara J Smith can be reached for further details at 304-412-7727.