American Doomsday Plans on National Geographic Tonight at 10 PM view the former U.S. Government Relocation Facility, commonly known as The Bunker located at the Greenbrier   The National Geographic Channel program, “American Doomsday,” which airs tonight at 10:00 pm, will take viewers inside America’s Doomsday plans, including The Bunker at The Greenbrier resort.   Follow the cameras as they venture inside the President’s Doomsday plane, Mount Weather and other facilities. Historians, security experts and the US Air Force explain how some of these plans were used on 9/11 and the critical role they would play in a future cataclysm.       Yes, the secret is out! The declassified Bunker at The Greenbrier is a must-see experience that takes you behind the scenes and walks you throug... 11/08/2010

   The President's Cottage Museum and Alabama Row at the GreenbrierI have been living in Lewisburg, WV, for five years and I finally visited the museum at The Greenbrier. The following is some history and photos of the museum called the President's Cottage. This cottage was built in 1835 as the private summer residence of Mr. Stephen Henderson, a wealthy Louisiana merchant.  After his death this remained the finest cottage on the resort property.  Five U.S. presidents stayed there between 1838 and 1860: Martin VanBuren, John Tyler, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan.  During those years, White Sulphur Springs was the premier summer gathering place for influential members of southern society.  The cottage was restored and opened as a museum in 1932.        The Alabama ... 11/01/2010

    The Greenbrier Annual Antique Show starts today and continues through October 31, 2010. Access to the floor exhibits and sale for the next few days are: Daily pass:  $10 per person 3-day pass (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)  $15 per person   Opening Night Welcome and Preview Party was last night.... Thursday, October 28, and was a big success. I attended this event, and had a great time visiting each of the booths, taking photos, enjoying the Greenbrier's delicious food, and meeting folks from Pennsylvania, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, and New York.   The photo to the left are children toys - French Bulldogs called Growlers.  Made in Paris, France in 1900; made of papier-mâché, with glass eyes and are on wooden wheels.  Their heads move and they growl.  All I can say is that children ... 10/29/2010

    The Greenbrier Antiques Weekend Opening Night Welcome and Preview Party is on Thursday, October 28 and will honor the late Barry Weber, renowned antique jewelry appraiser.  Proceeds from the event will benefit the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, West Virginia’s most comprehensive cancer treatment, research and education facility.    The Antique Weekend starts October 28 and goes through October 31, 2010   The Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center offers a multidisciplinary team approach and state-of-the-art technologies and treatments, the latest clinical trials, and a variety of education and prevention outreach programs. Operated by WVU Hospitals, the Cancer Center houses the Betty Puskar Breast Care Center, the Bonnie's Bus Mobile Mammography Program and the Osborn Hematopoietic Mal... 10/27/2010

  A Unique Shopping Experience at the Greenbrier's Art Colony, Part 8, Christie's Signature Art   At Christie's Signature Art, you will find Michael Christie, an artist in residence, at the Greenbrier's Art Colony.  Michael's studio has been at the Greenbrier since 2007.  His ability to capture the essence of his subjects offers a gift that is twofold; it sparks an emotional connection to the viewer and is what drives Michael to create.  His unguarded perspectives accentuate the spirituality he sees in everyday life.  Michael aspires to translate the eloquence of language into the visual poetry of painting.  He finds comfort in the solitude that painting allows.  "In creating art, I feel both lost and peaceful. The stark  contrast of these emotions  is one unique to the introspective of... 10/14/2010

   A Unique Shopping Experience at the Greenbrier's Art Colony, Part 7, The Pottery   While exploring the Arts Colony at the Greenbrier you will have the pleasure of seeing the work of master potter, Tracy Brent Howard at the Pottery.  Terri Howard's welcoming demeanor and desire to share Tracy's art with you will add an education about pottery to an already enjoyable experience. The Pottery opened in 2005 at The Greenbrier. The Howard's also have a studio in White Sulphur Springs were the pottery is made.  When Tracy Brent Howard was three and four years old his mother would watch him go down to the pond and dig up clay and make animals, and dry the clay on his swing set....Today Tracy's personal techniques and expertise in pottery have evolved from a life-long love of the craft.  From... 10/11/2010

   A Unique Shopping Experience at the Greenbrier's Art Colony, Part 6, Studio 40, Art-to-Wear and Fine American Crafts    Mary Chappell, a textiles artist from Virginia, moved to West Virginia in 1980 to open a gallery at the Greenbrier's Art Colony.  She now resides in Lewisburg, WV and has been at the Greenbrier for 30 years.  "My mission has always been to link talented artists with an educated and admiring public.  I have been involved with the retail sale of handcrafted goods since 1976, when a friend and I opened a weaving supply shop and gallery in Harrisonburg, VA.  I was a producing artist at the time, and, in 1979, I was given the opportunity to open a weaving studio at The Greenbrier’s Artist Colony." Studio 40, West Virginia’s premier wearable art gallery, opened April 1, 1... 10/07/2010

    The Greenbrier’s Restaurant, Prime 44 West, Unveils Private Label Trefethen NBA legend and West Virginia native Jerry West today unveiled the Prime 44 West private label wine selection, a Trefethen Cabernet Sauvignon produced in California 's Napa Valley for The Greenbrier. The wine was selected by the West family in a blind tasting and is now featured on the Prime 44 West wine list and available for purchase at the resort.   “We love Trefethen wines and think this Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect compliment to the Snake River Wagyu Tenderloin, Milk Fed Veal Chop, Colorado Double Lamb Chops and many of the other entrees on the menu,” said West. “Karen and I have been personally involved in the restaurant design and menu creation and we take pride in being a part of this incredible ... 10/06/2010

      Puzzle Maker, Bill Thompson, at the Gibson's Gallery at the Greenbrier's Art Colony                        When you enter Gibson's Gallery and go upstairs to the production area, in the corner you will find Bill Thompson, the Puzzle Maker, busy making a new and different puzzle.     Bill Thompson is 87 years old and has been making puzzles for 18 years at the Greenbrier.  The puzzles are made out of copper and soldered with silver.  He has ten puzzles in his collection.  His best-seller, The Heart Puzzle, is relatively simple but will amaze and mystify any audience.  His most difficult puzzle, The Devil’s Needle, requires 36 calculated moves and confounds everyone.    Bill makes four or five puzzles each day.  He says "When I make a puzzle, I sell it quickly.  I have no inventory ... 10/02/2010

    Fine Jewelry Studio at the Gibson's Gallery located at the Greenbrier's  Art Colony   This is a continuation of a previous post on the Gibson's Gallery, one of the shops at the Greenbrier's Art Colony.  The Fine Jewelry Studio is located in the production area in the back of the main showroom of Gibson's.     Marty Schaerer has been making jewelry for over forty years and has been a rock and gem lover her whole life.  She started picking up Petoskey stones in Michigan with her grandmother when she was just a child.  She knew she always wanted to be a part of the rock and gem world. Now she resides in the West Virginia Mountains of Greenbrier County where she has worked from her studio at The Greenbrier Resort  for over 25 years.         Sarah Glotfelty joined Marty in 2006.  Sarah h... 10/01/2010

 A Unique Shopping Experience at the Greenbrier's Art Colony Retail Shops - Part 5, Gibson's Gallery, an Innovative line of heirloom-quality accessories of solid brass and precision-inlaid stone. For the past 30 years, a single compelling theme has been the focus of David and Suzanne Gibson's designs - the beauty of stone.  Often working in collaboration with other American master craftsmen, including blacksmiths, stone cutters, woodworkers and graphic artists, the Gibson's have over seen the creation of furniture, jewelry, original boardgames, and mineral presentations seen in no other galleries in the world.  Special - and unexpected - projects in petrified wood, agate and other fine exotic stones are always in production in their expansive art colony studios.  David is a gemologist a... 09/29/2010

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- The Greenbrier resort says it will bring back its "Tribute to the Virginias'' discounted room rate package this winter.  During December, January, February and March, guests can book a midweek stay starting at $59 a night. Weekend stays start at $109. Rooms at the four-star southeastern West Virginia resort normally start at around $275. Greenbrier owner Jim Justice says the package was brought back as a way of saying thanks for making his first year of ownership a success.  Jim Justice purchased the historic resort out of bankruptcy in May of 2009. Since then he won approval for and built a casino on the grounds, and hosted a PGA-tour event in July. Click on the link below to find out more. http://www.keithsshaver.com/bin/web/real_estate?acnt=AR247998&Z... 09/29/2010

    A Unique Shopping Experience at the Greenbrier's Art Colony Retail Shops - Part 4, Atlantis Leather, Unusual Collection of Handcrafted Leather Goods  Atlantis Leather was founded in 1972 and opened at the Greenbrier Hotel in 1995. Tom and Kathy Eure, owners of this unique shop, have collaborated on the design and production of quality leather work for over a quarter of a century.  Before opening their shop, they sold their work at juried craft shows on the East Coast.  Atlantis Leather's specialty is the unusual. The comment most often heard is "That's made out of leather"?  And, that is exactly what I said when I saw some of the leather items, i.e., a leaf, fruit, flowers, masks, and so much more.   Tom Eure first started doing leatherwork while traveling with three friends from Ri... 09/25/2010

   A Unique Shopping Experience at the Greenbrier's Art Colony Retail Shops - Part 3, Virtu Studio Gallery, featuring handmade jewelry and beautiful and unique works of glass.      Virtu means excellence in craftsmanship….and this is what you will find in this gallery, says owners Alex J. Brand, glass artist and Susan Chapman Thomas, Designer/Goldsmith.    Instead of rebuilding after a fire had destroyed their home in Corning, New York, they decided to move to West Virginia in January 2009.  Why West Virginia…..really several reasons…… Susan is from West Virginia; "we both love the climate, and wanted to be closer to family, and of course, to open a gallery at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs."   Alex, Susan, daughter Carly, and dog Mashala moved to Lewisburg in January, 2... 09/23/2010

    Joseph Mendel, Furniture Maker, at the Greenbrier’s Art Colony Shops, Part 2   You will find the skilled artisan of wood, Joseph Mendel, working on a piece of furniture in his gallery, “Joseph Mendel Furniture Maker” any day of the week.  As I listened to Joseph talk and work you could feel his excitement of being able to create and carve beautiful pieces of wood. This was indeed a unique experience for me!     A big feat for Mendel and his wife, Linda, was opening the gallery in one month.  They arrived in June and the Joseph Mendel furniture gallery opened in July at The Greenbrier’s Art Colony on Alabama Row.  In the gallery, 19 pieces of his furniture are on display, and visitors/customers can watch Mendel at work, creating and carving beautiful pieces with decorative inlay.  Me... 09/21/2010

    A Unique Shopping Experience at the Greenbrier's Art Colony Retail Shops - Part 1, Mackenzie-Dow Fine Furniture     Overlooking the Springhouse at The Greenbrier Resort atop a hill, called Alabama Row, are eight retail stores....aptly called the Art Colony Shops.  A porch stretches from one end to the other, making it easy to stop at each shop or just relax on the benches and take in the magnificent mountain views.  The view from this spot is awesome anytime of the year!    The Art Colony is an unique experience.  Skilled artisans, working in metal, leather, brass, wood, glass and pottery, are resident in these shops, many of them demonstrating their craft on-site.  I will be writing about each of the eight retail shops in no particular order.     The first shop......Mackenzie-Dow F... 09/19/2010

White Sulphur Springs, WV  Community Event and Market Report Join the White Sulphur Springs Third Thursday, September 16th in downtown White Sulphur Springs on the west end of Main Street from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The below listed businesses will remain open after hours showcasing their products and services while providing specials, refreshments and entertainment.  Balloons with a Third Thursday logo on them will be stationed outside of each participating business: Route 60 American Grill & Bar Kittens Korner Melanie’s Styles & Profiles Gillespie Flowers WSS Public Library For more information, contact Garnette Haynes, Promotions Chair of the Main Street Program, at 304-536-2025.   Check out the businesses in White Sulphur Springs         White Sulphur Springs on the Third Thursday o... 09/14/2010

    Want to visit a great resort? Then check out The Greenbrier's Winter Package   The Tribute to the Virginias, The Greenbrier’s Discounted Winter Package, returns during select dates in December 2010, January, February and March 2011. Starting Saturday, September 11 book online at www.greenbrier.com Rates:  $59 midweek and $109 weekends with resort fee and taxes additional. A two-night minimum stay as well as a non-refundable deposit equal to two nights with taxes is required.     "This has been a simply incredible year for The Greenbrier with the star-studded, red carpet opening of the Casino Club and the inaugural Greenbrier Classic which was viewed by millions of people in over 200 countries around the globe,” said Jim Justice, chairman and owner of The Greenbrier.  “We owe so much... 09/14/2010

        If you like fine antiques in fine hotels, attend The Greenbrier Annual Antique Show in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, October 28-21, 2010.  Caskey Lees and The Greenbrier resort announce the launch of an elite “weekend-in-the-country” charity antique show. Hosted by Carleton Varney, The Greenbrier’s Interior Designer & Curator, The Greenbrier Annual Antiques Show will feature 40 prominent exhibitors, a benefit preview on the evening of October 28 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, and a series of four lectures by distinguished experts.  Furniture and fixtures, both from the Americas and Europe are the foundation of an important antiques show and will be aplenty at the Greenbrier. Exhibiting their antiques will be: Antique American Wicker of Nashua, NH; Dawn Hill Antiques, Preston, C... 08/31/2010

Greenbrier Classic 2011 Badges Go on Sale Today for the PGA Tour, FedEx Cup Event.   With Stuart Appleby's historic 59, fantastic concerts and Jim Justice’s $1 million hole-in-one challenge, the inaugural Greenbrier Classic was a confirmed success.       Due to the immediate demand for access to the 2011 Greenbrier Classic, Justice announced that badges for next year’s PGA TOUR, FedExCup event will go on sale today, Friday, August 13, with an added bonus for early buyers.  The first 5,000 Grounds badges sold will be automatically upgraded to Benefactor badges The first 2,000 Benefactor badges purchased will be elevated to Alumni badge status.   The Classic is expected to be held July 25-31, 2011, however, the exact dates will be released by the PGA TOUR later this year. “We had such a ... 08/13/2010