Take it Inside – Things to do for those cold winter months
If the weather outside is frightful, don’t despair. There is plenty to do indoors to keep you entertained in 2008. From culinary weekends and competitions to dance classes and indoor sporting events, this selection of activities has something for everyone.
Events
Country Western Couples Weekend: Jan. 25-27, Pipestem Resort State Park.
Scoot your boots down to Pipestem Resort State Park Jan. 25-27 for the Country Western Couples Weekend. Instructors Alice Daugherty and Tim Hand guide couples through lessons Friday and Saturday, while allowing time for everyone to test their newly acquired skills at a Country Western Dance on Saturday night. Package includes lessons, dinner, Saturday’s dance and two nights lodging for two people for $206. For more information, contact Jeff Mullens at 304-466-1800, ext. 379, or visit www.pipestemresort.com.
Basketball at the Charleston Civic Center: Jan. – Feb., Charleston.
On Jan. 23, you won’t want to miss the annual match up of Marshall and West Virginia Universities. The women’s teams take the court at 5:30 p.m. with the men following at 8 p.m. Feb. 27 through March 1, watch West Virginia’s college teams battle it out for state supremacy during the WVIAC College Basketball Tournament. For ticket information, call 304-342-5757 or visit www.charlestonwvciviccenter.com.
3 rd Cast Iron Cook-Off: Jan. 25-27, Stonewall Resort, Roanoke.
This weekend competition has it all: celebrity chefs, guest apprentices, distinguished judges and secret ingredients. Some of Appalachia's most revered chefs and culinary artisans compete in this competition hosted by Stonewall Resort and sponsored by the Collaborative for a 21 st Century Appalachia. For more information, visit www.castironcookoff.com or www.stonewallresort.com.
Great American Music Weekend: Feb. 15-18, The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs.
Celebrate Presidents’ Day Weekend with music and dance at The Greenbrier. Weekend highlights include a cabaret and ballroom dance showcase, instruction classes for all levels of students from beginning to advanced, a wine tasting seminar, the Celebration Dinner Dance featuring big band and music of the decades, and a cabaret dance finale on Sunday. Rates start at $424. For more information visit www.greenbrier.com.
Cozy up in a Cabin
Get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy peace and quiet in front of a fire in a cozy West Virginia cabin. Watch wildlife from your window or enjoy a winter snowfall.
Winter is the perfect time for state park cabins that offer off-season discounts. Cabins range from deluxe to modern to rustic and many state park cabins are close to winter ski areas.
Oglebay Resort near Wheeling, W.Va. offers cabins and more than 1,650 acres of year-round recreational opportunities. Oglebay has 49 cabins, each having a large living room, fully-equipped kitchen and either two, four or six bedrooms. While at the resort, you may golf on your choice of three championship golf courses, stroll the winding pathway through the beautiful Bissonnette Gardens, shop, visit the zoo and planetarium, and check out the indoor pool.
There are many cabin options in West Virginia including Country Road cabins near Fayetteville and Opossum Creek Retreat in the New River Gorge area. Many West Virginia ski areas feature rental units during the winter ski season.
For more information on West Virginia cabins, visit www.wvweekends.com or www.wvtourism.com.
Taste, Indulge and Enjoy Some of the best West Virginia chocolatiers
Holl’s Chocolate
Holl’s is a master of the fine art of chocolate making in the traditional Swiss methods. This Parkersburg company imports its chocolate straight from the home of the Alps and hand creates its truffles in small batches to ensure freshness. Order online or see the truffle of the month. Visit www.holls.com.
DeFluri’s Fine Chocolates
DeFluri’s Fine Chocolates of Martinsburg was named the “Best Candy and Confectionary” in 2004 at the Americas Beverage Trade and Food Show and Conference for its Gold Leaf Collection of assorted truffles as judged by a panel of top critics. Visit www.defluris.com.