Places and Special Notices By Laura Nelle Mallett

Frequently Visited Places In West Virginia

Oglebay Park is in Wheeling, West Virginia. It is beautiful anytime of the year, but especially at Christmas time. The lights at Christmas are breath taking. The shops are delightful and it’s a must to see.

The New River Bridge shows you why its Almost Heaven in West Virginia. Every year in October they close the bridge and let the people walk across . The sky jumpers jump off the bridge. Hand made items are also sold. This is another must to see.

The Greenbrier Resort is a thrill one never forgets. It is so peaceful, the food is out of this world, shops are quaint and unique and “Gulf” is the game. I’ve stayed there many times and can imagine how it must have been to live that way of life. When I was there in the spring one year, the potted spring bulbs were everywhere inside. It made you feel so good to see the beauty and the tea at 4 PM with the tiny cookies was so special. I was sure brought down to size when I got home and had to spend time at Walmart in a long check out line. I was brought back to reality real quick.

All the Shops at Coridor G, just 10 min. out of Charleston, have really changed this area. Everytime I go there is another new store that has moved in. Sometimes I wonder where all the people are coming from. Did all these people do their shopping at the town center just 5 years ago?

Nitro Market Place, off I-64 is a great place to stop, also. Plenty of eating, sleeping and shopping spots. I'm always at the Wal-Mart, Lowes or Staples. They have a new Movie Theatre also. How did we ever get by without this mall. It sure has saved on my gas bill. You can also visit the Tri-State Dog Track at Nitro. They have fine food and plenty of parking. I've lived in Nitro for 40 years. I also love shopping at the Antic shops in the main town area. I've found many of my pieces of Hull pottery and old coins there.

Great Places To Eat Are Everywhere. I love the Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Soup and the Tucson Chicken sandwich at Panera’s at Corodor G, I also enjoy that Lamb dinner at Scarlett Oaks, WOW. Cracker Barrell is a great place to eat and shop, and there is a good pork chop dinner at Bob Evans that I really go for. Diehl’s in Nitro, has homemade cooking and a great pinto beans and cornbread dinner. I'm there quite often. Be sure to let me know if you have a special eating place you'd like like for me to add.

The Capitol Market in Charleston is a place I really enjoy. I get my fresh vegetables there every week and pick up garden plants, herbs and flowers as the seasons change.

Have you ever been out to Gritts Farm in the Spring to purchase flowers and see the tomatoes? I have to make the trip every year. I also get flowers at Stadlers in Nitro, Green's Feed and Seed in Charleston and TerraSalis in Rand and Milton. We have so many great garden shops all around the Charleston area to choose from.

By The River Creations , is a neat shop at Elkview that I like. Carolyn sent me these updates to share. I can't live without their Rain Shower Gel.
1.We try to keep as many of our products handmade as possible.
2.Our lye soap is one of five WV handmade soaps being featured in the "Wonderful West Virginia" magazine's December issue. We consider this a really big honor.
3.We make everything from lip balms to lotions and gels; from tarts to candles and handmade gift baskets and boxes. Our specialty items, the baby cakes and baby bassinets are really popular items.
4.We take special orders for baby showers and wedding showers for table decorations (baby cake or wedding cake) and small gifts for each person attending. The pictures on the web don't do them justice. They are much prettier and everything in them is usable.

The Factory Outlet, at Flatwood is expanding. They have added a few new stores and have started clearing more land for futures stores. I checked out the New Bulk Store during my fall week-end trip viewing the trees. I picked up a few well needed items and I will go back.

Don't forget to attend your City Council Meetings. Your opinions are always welcome and can be heard. You can make a difference.

Items of Interest Requested

January 2, 2008 West Virginia Mountaineers won the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at Glendale, Arizona. 48-28

WV University 2009 Football SEASON GAMES

To be announced

My granddaughter Ashley is attending WVU this year starting her 5th year.

My Great-Grandpa, John Wesley Wiley, graduated from WVU.

"Let's Go Mountaineers"

Marshall Football Schedule 2009

To Be announced

Don't forget to attend your City Council Meetings. Your opinions are always welcome and can be heard. You can make a difference.

Voting is how you tell the world just what you want. It is free, so be sure to VOTE this year.

If you have a favorite place to visit let me know at LNMallett@aol.com I’ll be happy to share your favorite spot with everyone next month and mention your name.