By the time we get to December, I’m downright tired and in need of something to celebrate. How about you? As we close in on the holidays, I’m hoping for a peaceful Norman Rockwell-esque Christmas. After seeing the photos from our Picture-Perfect Holiday Towns feature on page 74, I’m going to pack up my family and take a few road trips. I absolutely adore the beautiful towns of Bramwell and Bluefield. If you’ve never visited Bramwell, once the wealthiest town east of the Mississippi, it is time for you to head to Mercer County. In December, take advantage of the Holiday Home Tour. If you miss it, there’s even a spring tour. When you visit, look for the old Bramwell Bank. I fell in love with this building and almost bought it 16 years ago when I moved back to West Virginia to launch my company, New South Media. When it was built in 1888, this diminutive building was the richest bank in America. Every time I visit, I have a slight pang of regret.
And Charleston—WOW! In the last couple of years, our capital city has embraced all things Christmas. Need a little help getting into the holiday spirit? Light the Night at GoMart Ballpark is astonishing, and the transformation of downtown during Holly Jolly Brawley is magically reminiscent of days gone by. For those of you who remember the Diamond and Stone & Thomas department stores’ epic window displays, it gives me some of the same feels. If you want to step even farther back in time, visit Harpers Ferry’s Old Tyme Christmas. This historic town is a perfect backdrop for Old Man Winter.
As you can see, this issue is all about celebrating the best our state has to offer. We unveil our annual Best of West Virginia winners. Each year, the categories get more and more competitive—and we discover new and amazing places. I love seeing how folks creatively market themselves, rallying their supporters to cast votes daily. It’s a huge honor to be able to proclaim you are the BEST in the state. If you won Gold or placed Silver or Bronze (thank you, Paris Olympics, for the inspiration), shout it from the mountaintops. You deserve it!
Another person who deserves all his recent accolades is Chef Paul Smith—our West Virginian of the Year. When he was chosen as the state’s first winner of the acclaimed James Beard award, the entire state of West Virginia cheered him on. If you’ve had the pleasure of eating at his restaurant, 1010 Bridge, you know that the honor was well-deserved, but as you’ll read on page 64, Chef Paul is leaving his mark on the state in so many other ways.
Something else that has left an indelible mark on the state is the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation. Created in 1944 by Bridgeport native Michael L. Benedum and his wife, Sarah, the foundation has provided nearly $1.4 billion to making West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania a better place. This year, the foundation celebrated its 80th anniversary. I had the great fortune of researching and writing about the history of Michael, Sarah, and Claude Benedum, their son, for whom the foundation was named. I am inspired by Michael Benedum, who at one time was considered one of the wealthiest people in America. He and Sarah were committed to the promise of human potential. As a friend of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, he helped inspire parts of the New Deal. He was deeply patriotic, saying during World War II, “No man wants to give up the money he has accumulated through 50 years of hard work and sacrifice, but I am willing to give my government every penny that I have if that be necessary to win this fight for the preservation of human liberty.” He was also exceedingly proud to be a West Virginian. Under the Benedums’ guidance, the foundation’s first grants were to the United Negro College Fund, and since then, the foundation has continued to help grantees achieve bold and visionary goals. I encourage you to visit wvliving.com/michael-late-benedum to read about this extraordinary man and the family foundation he and his wife created.
As we close out 2024 and eagerly enter 2025, we are grateful to our readers, advertising partners, sponsors, and clients. Together we’ve done a lot of good for the state. From our publications that allow us to champion our towns, businesses, and people to our empowering initiatives like the Best of West Virginia, we are honored to be on this journey with you in this state that we so proudly call home.
Wishing you the best,
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM WV LIVING’S WINTER 2024 ISSUE
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