Mrs. America Pageant, an Upcoming Event at the Greenbrier   The history of the Mrs. America Pageant may not be well known.  So for a short history lesson, check out the Mrs. America Pageant history and the past winners. The 35th annual Mrs. America Pageant will be held at The Greenbrier, April 12-14, 2011.  Preliminary competition is on April 12, and the final competition will be April 14 both will be held in the Colonial Hall at The Greenbrier. The competition brings together the most accomplished married women from all 50 states and the District of Columbia (ranging in age from 20 to 50), to compete for the title.  Florence Henderson and her daughter, Barbara Chase, will co-hosts this event.   Dress code:  Ladies, cocktail attire and men, jacket and tie required.  Tickets:  Availa... 04/11/2011

  Take the kids to The Greenbrier for the biggest and best Easter Fun Fest and Egg Hunt     Children, ages 3-10, will have a great time at The Greenbrier's second annual Community Children's  Easter Fun Fest and Egg Hunt.  This grand event, hosted by Greenious H. Brier, The Greenbrier’s Holiday Hare, will be held from 2:00-4:00 pm on the North Lawn with advance reservations required.    There is no fee to participate in the Fun Fest, however reservations are required.  For reservations, call (304) 536-1110, ext, 7282.  Reservations MUST BE made by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, April 13.        Guests are asked to bring a donation of two or more canned food items which will be distributed to area food banks.  The Greenbrier's first annual Community Children's Easter Fun Fest received over 4,000 ... 04/08/2011

    Part 7, Paying It Forward on a Snowy, Rainy and Windy Day! Saturday, April 2nd, was a very cold day for working outside.  Young ladies, teens, girl scouts, dance troops, mother-daughter combos were invited to come out and help build this house for the Blevins family.  Despite the snow, wind and rain, over 20 volunteers showed up to help this family who are desperately in need of a house.  Laura Blevins and her four children have been living in a shelter since August.   Read about Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity's Women Build Project building a house for the Blevins' family….. pay it forward and come out and help us build.....with only five weeks to go we really could use more volunteers.  Check out the slide show and take a glimpse of the young women paying it forward by supporti... 04/04/2011

This is Part 6 of the Women Build 2011 Project, a joint venture between Habitat for Humanity of West Virginia and Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity, and is the first Habitat home in Greenbrier County being built by all women.   With only six weeks to go, there is still a lot of work to do before the house dedication on May 7th.  Last week, March 21, college students from Ohio State University and Eastern Connecticut University traded swimsuits for hammers, the beach for construction sites, hotel rooms for a bunk room during their spring break vacations.  They gave up a week of relaxation to help families in need to build simple, decent homes during Habitat for Humanity's "Collegiate Challenge." I volunteered on Saturday, March 26, with three other women volunteers:  Lora Pierce, Jocely... 03/31/2011

        Part 5, Paying It Forward - An Opportunity to Change Lives       Volunteering gives you an opportunity to change lives, including your own.  The Women Build volunteers for Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity are having a blast helping build a house for the Blevins family.      The two volunteer groups spent their Spring break volunteering last week for the Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity Women Build house in White Sulphur Springs were Cardinal Stritch University and Hamilton College. They helped to install windows and roofing, framed in the bathtub and attic access hatch, and set the stage to hang siding.   Saturday, March 19, the roof was officially completed. With five other volunteers, I was on the roof hammering the last few rows of shingles. It was a laborious job...I tor... 03/20/2011

    Part 4, Paying It Forward - The Women Build Project is Moving Along!    The walls and trusses are up, thanks to volunteers at Cedar Crest College, a private liberal arts women's college in Allentown, PA; and to Hiram College, a coeducational liberal arts school in Hiram, OH. I volunteered on Saturday, March 12th, with three other women volunteers working on the roof.   Lora Pierce, Jocelyn Hanna, Mickie Hughes, and me completed 1/4 of the roof with the help and guidance of Jerry Walls one of the construction managers. For the first time, I learned how to use the electric saw, with guidance from the other women.   Work continues rain or shine, and Saturday was a nice sunny day, but very windy.  At one time, the wind was blowing so hard that Jocelyn and I were trying to hand a 4x8 boa... 03/15/2011

      Paying It Forward – Get Involved with Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity – the excitement is building, Part 3   If you haven’t read about Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity building a house for the Blevins family…check out the previous posts listed below.   On Saturday, March 5th, over 150 people came out to the Habitat for Humanity “Wall Raising Ceremony” located on Tuckahoe Road in White Sulphur Springs, WV.   Attendees included business representatives from Lowes, Wal-Mart, Mattress Warehouse, and Dogwood Realty; members of the Daisy (2205) and Junior (8157) Girl Scout troops; White Sulphur Springs City Recorder, Thomas Taylor;  two alumni of the 2007 Women Build in Pendleton County, and two of the WV republican candidates for Governor, Senator Clarke Barnes and Betty Ireland. ... 03/10/2011

          Paying It Forward - Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity - Get Involved and Help Build It, Part 2       In my previous post, Paying It Forward - A Family in Need of a Home and Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity Makes a Dream Come True!  Part 1,  women were asked to volunteer and businesses were asked for donations to help make this dream come true.  To date, the Women Build fundraising thermometer in Greenbrier County is half way to their goal of $100,000.       The groundbreaking ceremony was in November, 2010.  Below is a photo of two volunteers, Monica Foos and Leslie Weddle, who worked several days this past week despite the rain and wind installing and fitting the slab insulation in preparation for the pouring of the concrete slab for Wednesday, March 2.  Lynch Construction... 02/26/2011

      Meeting Shelley Carbone, Mrs. America 2011, at the Greenbrier Resort; the Greenbrier to host the 35th Pageant   The reigning Mrs. America 2011, Shelley Carbone is a guest this weekend at The Greenbrier Resort.  I had the opportunity, along with other media, to meet and chat with the current Mrs. America at The Greenbrier today.   She is from Connecticut and is a registered nurse, wife and mother of four.    I asked Shelley what made her participate in the pageant.  She said, "My mother was in the Mrs. Senior Pageant and was first runner up last year and is entering again this year.  It was my mother's idea that I should enter the Mrs. America Pageant and I had only three weeks to prepare for the contest. I was hesitant, but ultimately decided to participate for many reasons.  One ... 02/19/2011

      Pahlmeyer Wine Events at The Greenbrier, March 4th and 5th   The first weekend in March, you have an opportunity to attend a vertical wine tasting, a wine blending seminar and an elegant dinner with some superb wine.   The Greenbrier will  be featuring the renowned Pahlmeyer Wines, with Erin Green, director of wine growing and wine maker at Pahlmeyer Wines, hosting the following three events:  On Friday, March 4, Erin Green will present the vertical wine tasting featuring seven wines, including several older vintages. The intimate classroom setting will allow guests to explore many of the varieties she bottles. On Saturday, March 5, Green will teach the art of wine blending, complete with a hands-on blending trial.  The highlight of the weekend will be an elegant wine dinner. The ... 02/18/2011

        Events at the Greenbrier Include Chefs Cooking during the 6th Annual Cast Iron Cook-Off and a Chance to Win during the Lucky Seat Drawing Event at the Casino.   This weekend, January 28 and 29, the Greenbrier will host two exciting events for registered and non-registered guests. The Collaborative for 21st Century Appalachia, a non-profit organization formed to help West Virginia farmers and West Virginia chefs work together, will hold its 6th Annual Cast Iron Cook-Off at the resort.   In addition, The Casino Club is offering guests the opportunity to win big with the Lucky Seat event from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm on Saturday.   All Player's Club members in the Casino Club will be eligible to win part of a Lucky Seat drawing totaling $4,500.   Every 10 minutes one lucky seat will b... 01/26/2011

    National Ice Carving Association's (NICA) Team Winners was Announced for the Ice Carving Competition held at The Greenbrier on Saturday, January 8.1st  Place: $3,000.00         Team Winners:  Aaron Costic and Jeff MeyersSculpture Title:  “Gazelle”  Aaron Costic is from Broadview Heights, Ohio, where he is a full time ice sculptor.  As a Certified Master Ice Carver with over 20 years of experience and a certified Lead Judge, he has judged over 30 regional ice carving events.  He won the bronze medal in 1998 from the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, and a 4th place finish in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.  In 2006, he took home the goal medal from the Torino Winter Olympics.  In addition, he has won 11 World Champion medals and ten medals from the National Championships.Jef... 01/10/2011

        The Greenbrier's first annual Winterfest Celebration was held January 7-9.  The centerpiece of the Winterfest Weekend was the National Ice Carving Association's sanctioned event held on the front lawn.  Sixteen of the country’s best ice carvers, including several Olympic medal winners, competed for individual and team honors.   On Friday, the talented carvers transformed a block of ice into their own creation. On Saturday, the team competition was eight, two-man teams that created sculptures from four blocks of ice in just five hours. On Sunday,  individual competition featured 15 carvers designing their own magical masterpieces in four hours.   The below video provides some of the entries for Friday and Saturday.  Since I could not make the Sunday event, there are no photos for... 01/10/2011

        UPDATE “Redemption in America: The Journey Back Begins Now” will be held on January 22, 2011, at the Greenbrier 7:30 p.m. - 12:00 A.M.     Below is an update on a recent post on "The Greenbrier to Host a World-Class Fight between Boxing Legend Evander Holyfield and Sherman William" Evander Holyfield will defend his World Boxing Federation heavyweight title against battled-tested veteran Sherman “The Tank” Williams in a 12-round championship fight January 22,  headlining the “Redemption In America: The Journey Begins Now” Pay-Per-View Event, live from America’s resort -- The Greenbrier’s Colonial Hall -- in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.  This event is presented by ARK Promotions in association with The Greenbrier, will be distributed in North American by Integrated Sports... 01/06/2011

January brings a flurry of activities to The Greenbrier, beginning with the inaugural Winterfest Weekend, January 7-9.  Nationally recognized ice carvers will compete in individual and team carving competitions.  Golfers of all ages can test their skills in the Snow Golf Tournament while diamond connoisseurs can appreciate the exquisite beauty of Roberto Coin’s Cento Collection.   As an added treat, the state’s only synchronized skating team, West Virginia Synchro, will perform on Saturday and Sunday.  This weekend also marks the debut of the resort’s Comedy Night and a cabaret of popular American show tunes.    Non-registered guests may purchase tickets for the Winterfest Weekend for $15 per person per day.  In addition to the ice carving events, non-registered guests will receive a $... 01/04/2011

        Jim Justice, Greenbrier owner, announced that boxing legend Evander Holyfield will take on Sherman “Tank” Williams in a world-class fight at the resort.  The fight, billed as   “Redemption in America: The Journey Back Begins Now” will be held on January 22, 2011.     The event will also include six additional professional boxing matches as well as meet-and-greet opportunities and open public workouts with all fighters.   Holyfield’s attitude toward his own redemption as a world-class boxer is clear: "My goal is to be the undisputed world champion one more time before I let it go--and until I do that, I will continue to fight."     Jim Justice said “This will be a first-class, black-time event.  We wanted to offer something new and different to our guests, something that would in... 01/04/2011

  "OH What Fun We Had" at The Greenbrier's Second Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.  This holiday extravaganza  was held on December 4th at the front entrance of The Greenbrier.  As usual, the ceremony started at 6:30 PM following the annual White Sulphur Springs Christmas Parade.    Last year's event was held at the North Entrance of the Greenbrier, because of the construction work being done at the Front Entrance for the new Casino.  As in last year's event, we enjoyed live musical performances, including an old-fashioned sing-a-long of classic Christmas carols; complimentary hot chocolate and warm apple cider.  The grand finale was when Santa Claus arrived to light The Greenbrier's 50-foot Christmas tree at the Front Entrance.  There was also a 40 foot Christmas tree at the N... 12/07/2010

              A New Retail Shop and Ice Skating Rink Opens this Weekend at The Greenbrier     On Friday, November 26, at noon, The Greenbrier’s new retail shop, Crepe Myrtle Bags and Beads makes an official debut opening.  Cathy Justice will host the ribbon cutting for the resort's newest boutique shop.   Crepe Myrtle Bags and Beads, located in the resort’s lower level shop corridor, features a several popular lines of women’s accessories. Totes, purses and accessories by Vera Bradley and Dooney and Bourke, as well as jewelry from Brighton and Pandora, highlight the shop’s offerings. Also available are Catstudio’s whimsical state pillows and glassware.     On Saturday, November 27 at 11:00 a.m. The Greenbrier will have the grand opening of their 70' by 140'  Ice Skating Rink.      To ce... 11/24/2010

  On December 4th, the Greenbrier will host its second annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony starting at 6:30 PM.  The ceremony follows the annual White Sulphur Springs Christmas Parade.  We attended the First Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Greenbrier last year.  It was an awesome sight, and we plan to go again this year.  Guess we have started a new holiday tradition!!  Mark your calendars for this special holiday event.  Enjoy live musical performances, including an old-fashioned sing-a-long of classic Christmas carols; complimentary hot chocolate and warm apple cider; and of course, the grand finale at 7:00 PM is when Santa Claus arrives to light The Greenbrier's 90-foot Christmas tree, decked out with more than 28,000 dazzling lights. The Christmas lights display i... 11/18/2010

      The Greenbrier's Charity Casino Weekend Benefits Eight Area Organizations     In keeping with The Greenbrier’s commitment to the community, the resort will host a Charity Casino Weekend November 19-20, 2010, to benefit eight area organizations. Participating non-profit associations include the   National MS Society, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (WV Chapter), Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (WV/Kentucky Chapter), American Cancer Society (WV), Alzheimer ’s Association (WV), Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences and WV Symphony Orchestra. Several activities, including receptions, board meetings and informational workshops, are planned as part of the weekend.   Friday: The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s string trio will perform in the Upper Lobby    ... 11/12/2010