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 r... 02/07/2012

  Almost Heaven Habitat For Humanity Breaks Ground for the new Earth Day Build House and Celebrates Nissan’s PartnershipOn 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 whic... 02/04/2012

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 Direc... 01/24/2012

  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 s... 01/15/2012

  Market Report for White Sulphur Springs, WV White Sulphur Springs is a small southern town located in the southeastern region known as the New River/Greenbrier Valley.  Like most of West Virginia, the region is mountainous, with rivers and streams that together embrace towns nestled in the valleys that have witnessed history from the earliest days of the American frontier. As of the 2000 census, the population was 2,315.  White Sulphur Springs is home of the world renowned Greenbrier Resort and Spa, Greenbrier Sporting Club, and home of the soon to be Greenbrier Medical Institute. If you like living in small towns, with a low crime rate, and love to golf you may want to check out White Sulphur Springs, WV. This all-brick 1819 historical house located in White Sulphur Springs, WV, can ... 01/12/2012

The Greenbrier’s 2nd Annual Winterfest Weekend, January 6-8, will feature nationally recognized ice carvers vying in individual and team carving competitions. As an added treat, the state’s only synchronized skating team, West Virginia Synchro, will perform on Saturday and Sunday. The competitions and performances are free and open to the public.     The National Ice Carving Association sanctioned event will be held on the front lawn.  Sixteen of the country’s best ice carvers, including several Olympic medal winners, will compete for individual and team honors. On Friday from 1:00-5:00 pm, five talented carvers will each transform a block of ice into their own creation as a thank you to our sponsors. The team competition will be held on Saturday from 9:00 am-2:00 pm, as six, two-man t... 01/05/2012

The Greenbrier has added more dates to the Popular Tribute to the Virginias Package for the months of January and February.     If you missed The Greenbrier in 2011......more dates have been added to the popular Tribute to the Virginias package for January and February 2012! Available dates now include January 6-19, 22-26, 29-31 and February 1-9, 15-16 and 19-29. The Tribute package, with rates as low as $59 per room, per night, must be booked online and a two-night minimum stay is required. A limited number of rooms are available at these rates, with resort fee and taxes additional. West Virginia or Virginia residency is not required to book this package. Luxurious accommodations, morning coffee service, historic interior tours, wireless internet, fitness center, indoor pool, afternoo... 01/04/2012

While at the Greenbrier on Christmas Eve, my guests and I happened to park at the North Entrance....and so glad we did!  We found this beautiful ice sculpture of a sleigh and reindeer.  I was informed that the members of the Culinary Brigade at the Greenbrier carved the ice sculpture on December 24th and it took them four hours.   If you like to watch the art of ice sculpturing or ice carving, here's your chance......be sure to attend the National Ice Carving Association's event at the Greenbrier on January 6-8, 2012 on the front drive.  Check out the two different competitions that will take place during this event at the above link.   Check out last year’s Ice Sculpting Displays and more at The Greenbrier's Winterfest Celebration   Hope to see you at the NICA ice carving competition a... 12/28/2011

On Wednesday, December 14, the Greenbrier distributed approximately 30,000 gifts among the 98 charities who requested assistance from their Create a Dream Tree. The Greenbrier donated $1 million in toys and clothing to charities this holiday season.  That translates to approximately 30,000 gifts, including: 1,000 ride-on toys 1,400 dolls 1,000 stuffed animals 600 remote-control helicopters 1,000 educational toys (such as talking globes) 20% of the gifts were clothing items for adults Below are photos of some of the charities collecting their gifts: Approximately 400 volunteers from the region assisted in wrapping gifts. Gifts were wrapped by resort employees and volunteers from as far away as Oak Hill and Beckley, WV and Lynchburg and Roanoke, VA. Volunteers included kids too – church ... 12/21/2011

Are you ready for singing, dancing and holiday cheer?   If so, check out The Greenbrier’s Musical Merry Christmas…. a live, musical revue featuring a medley of modern favorites along with classic songs from Christmas past.     My husband, Claude, and I attended the musical on Friday night and we were delighted in hearing holiday favorites like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "White Christmas" and "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" along with some fun twists on the holiday theme. The Musical Merry Christmas is held in The Greenbrier Theatre starring the talented Greenbrier Entertainers.  The production staff include: Cathy Sawyer, Director Lori Evans, Musical Director Corey Warlick, Cameron Altizer and Roger Altizer, Sound Engineering/Lighting Lori Evans and Tim Pyne, Musicians T... 11/22/2011

I  have never seen so many Christmas presents in one place.  A few weeks ago I wrote a post on the The Greenbrier’s Create a Dream Tree for Kids and Jim Justice, owner of The Greenbrier, is making this a reality.   When I went to the Greenbrier tonight for dinner and to see the Christmas Musical,  I was so surprised to see thousands of wrapped gifts of toys and apparel stacked high and going up both staircases to the next floor.  It was a sight to behold.  The Greenbrier volunteers have been busy wrapping these gifts and it is estimated that they will wrap between 25,000 to 50,000 toys and apparel before December 14. There will be a 19 foot tall Christmas tree and one million dollars in toys and apparel for families in need this Christmas.  Check out the below video see ALL the present... 11/18/2011

An Attitude of Gratitude ~ Meet Jim Justice Jim Justice, sometimes called Big Jim stands 6-foot-7 and weighs …. well lets just say he is trying to lose weight!   He is a 59-year-old billionaire, one of the wealthiest people in America, a West Virginia native who makes his money from corn, timber and coal.  When you see Jim Justice  he is an enormous down to earth person, and loves West Virginia.  He is owner and proprietor of The Greenbrier resort, in White Sulphur Springs.  Jim Justice knew nothing about running a resort....so why did he buy the Greenbrier?Justice grew up in nearby Raleigh County and had lived his entire life within 50 miles of the Greenbrier.  Everyone new that the Greenbrier, owned by the CSX,  was in bad shape and was going into bankruptcy.  The Marriott Corporatio... 11/14/2011

    The Greenbrier’s Create a Dream Tree for Kids For more than two centuries, families from all around the world have visited The Greenbrier, especially during the holidays. This year, resort owner Jim Justice and The Greenbrier team are making a remarkable commitment to help families in need. Today, Justice announced the resort’s “Create a Dream Tree for Kids” which will donate over $1 million in toys and clothes to charity. Of the thousands of gifts, 80% will be toys and clothing for children and the remainder will be apparel for adults. Charitable organizations can register online at www.greenbrier.com between today and December 2, 2011 to request consideration. This is where the Christmas tree will stand.  Some of the gifts wrapped awaiting for the tree! “Every child should have so... 11/03/2011

Popular Tribute to the Virginias Package Returns at The Greenbrier The Tribute to the Virginias, The Greenbrier’s overwhelmingly popular winter package, returns over select dates in November and December 2011 and January and February 2012. The Tribute offer will be available for booking beginning November 2 and can only be booked online.  A limited number of rooms are available at these rates, with resort fee and taxes additional.“I want everyone to experience this Emerald City, this incredible national treasure,” said Jim Justice, chairman and owner of The Greenbrier.  “West Virginia is the most beautiful state in the world and this is an opportunity for people to discover just how magnificent this region and this resort really are.”   Luxurious accommodations, morning coffee service,... 11/02/2011

      The Greenbrier Sporting Club is a private, residential sporting community and equity club on the 6,500 acre grounds of the legendary Greenbrier Resort.  Members enjoy access to an array of private amenities including a member’s Lodge, award-winning golf at The Snead – an 18-hole Tom Fazio designed golf course, Eastern-inspired spa (Ananda in the Alleghenies), a full-service equestrian center, sports complex with infinity pool, indoor squash courts and 25-foot climbing wall.    Members also indulge in exclusive mountaintop amenities at Greenbrier Summit Village which includes the Summit Lodge with game room, Activities Barn with basketball/volleyball courts and infinity pool, outdoor amphitheater, events glade, access to 20 miles of hiking and biking trails and so much more.  A mem... 10/31/2011

Just Reduced | 794 Montague Drive, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986 This 1912, 4BR 3BA farm house is located in a quiet, peaceful setting on 1.87 acres.   Sit out on the front porch and enjoy the views, cookout on the deck off the family room, or enjoy a glass of wine with friends on the brick patio.  For those cool, cozy evenings, enjoy the wood burning BUCK stove located in the family room. Located only three miles from the Greenbrier Resort. The house has a new metal roof installed in April, 2011.   New state of the art duct work and new windows installed throughout, September 2011. There is also a water softener/purifier; paved driveway; 2 car garage, shed and a partial fence on side of house.   The interior total square feet is 2,880 with large rooms and lots of storage throughout.... 10/21/2011

  Price Reduced| 794 Montague Drive, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986       Only three miles from The Greenbrier in a quiet, peaceful setting is this 1912, 4 bedroom, 3 bath renovated farmhouse on 3.23 acres. Property consists of half woods and half pasture.  Sit out on the front porch and enjoy the views, cookout on the deck off the family room, or enjoy a glass of wine with friends on the brick patio.  For those cool, cozy evenings, enjoy the wood burning BUCK stove located in the family room.   The house has a new metal roof installed in April, 2011.   New state of the art duct work and new windows installed throughout, September 2011. There is also a water softener/purifier; paved driveway; 2 car garage, shed and a partial fence on side of house.   The interior total square feet is 2... 10/04/2011

    White Sulphur Springs U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services National Fish Hatchery Presents the October 1, 2011 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM The 7th annual Freshwater Folk Festival is a celebration of our nation's fish, wildlife, and natural resources. This annual event is sponsored by Friends of the White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery. The theme of the festival is in keeping with the main goals of the Friends group, which are: to increase public awareness and appreciation of the Hatchery; promote understanding, appreciation, and conservation of freshwater resources; and to promote public use and enjoyment of the Hatchery. This year's festival is fast-becoming our best ever.  Featuring great music, food, crafts and fun, educational activities, this is an event for every member of the f... 09/30/2011

  Greenbrier Presidential Express from Washington DC to The Greenbrier | Debuts in 2012 The luxury train experience returns in July 2012 with the debut of The Greenbrier Presidential Express. Through this one-of-a-kind experience, The Greenbrier will bring its signature décor and service to Washington, DC’s Union Station, where guests can board for a five-hour, nonstop trip to the award-winning resort.   The 15-car train powered by two diesel-electric C39-8 locomotives will accommodate up to 240 passengers and will feature a board room car, salon car, a VIP suite car with private rooms, seven parlor cars, and of course dining, kitchen, and tavern lounge/observation cars, and even an open-air car with safety railings.  It is anticipated that the Greenbrier Express train will operate 11 m... 09/29/2011

The Greenbrier Resort has many announcements that it has made in the last several months. The West Virginia gem has taken on a whole new direction with the new ownership of Mr. Jim Justice. Among the many of the planned upcoming announcements is the Greenbier Express that will start running in 2012 from Union Station in Washington DC to the Resort. These photo's are of the new train that will be becoming one of the resorts latest features. The 250-mile train trip would cost about $650 roundtrip and he expected to market it in Europe as well as in the U.S. The train will run on the same CSX-owned tracks that Amtrak trains use in the region. The train is being decorated in the style of the resort. The train is hoped to be ready to carry guests on a five-hour-plus scenic train ride from Wa... 09/23/2011