Tucker County
I hit 50 today (Aug. 7) – well, in the number of counties I visited, that is. Tucker County welcomed me in style at Canaan Valley Resort – a mountain destination with sweeping views of the surrounding peaks. I have to say, some of the scenery on my travels takes my breath away.
And so did my hosts and hostesses – the men and women of the newspaper business in our great state. West Virginia Press Association Director Don Smith and Brandi Underwood, a WVU graduate, who just joined the WVPA team, greeted me with bow tie cookies – and a diet Dr. Pepper – two of my favorite things.
I had the ear of the journalists for a few minutes, but I was the only thing standing between the hors d’oeurve table and open bar, so I said a few words and then made my way around the room to visit with Frank and Joanne Wood from the Register Herald in Beckley, Trip Shumate from the Charleston Gazette (pictured below), Andy Kniceley and Brian Jarvis from the Exponent Telegram in Clarksburg, David Corcoran from the Glenville Democrat, Nanya Friend, formerly with the Charleston Daily Mail, Jim Spanner from the Parkersburg News and Sentinel, and so many others from the working press of our state.
These men and women are the backbone of our communities. They tell true and important stories about our state and its people, and I admire them greatly.
Now, onward to the State Fair in Lewisburg!