Sunny Given
Staff Writer
      They say everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day and there’s no better place test the theory than the Brazen Head Inn. The Brazen Head is a traditional Irish Inn, run by an authentic Irishman, Will Fanning, and his sons. Entertainment slated for St. Patrick’s weekend is Appalachian Celtic Consort, from Charleston, featuring an open jam session Friday night, and a performance on Saturday.
      Named in honor of Dublin’s oldest pub, which dates back to 1198, Fanning began construction of his inn in October 1998, 700 hundred years later. The impressive log structure is built on the site of Fanning’s former home, which was destroyed in late 1997 by a fire that also claimed the life of his father. By March, 1999, the tin was on the roof, and the Brazen Head had become a reality.
      With the help of sons Bryan and Stuart, a few friends, and local contractors for the tricky stuff – from electrical, to the sprinkler system – the inn was open for business in mid-October, 2000. At 9,000 square feet, Brazen Head is the second largest log structure in the state. Additionally, there are 4,000 square feet in covered porches and back deck dining area.

The Walking Tour

      The pub is located adjacent to the dining area. It’s a long room that runs the rest of the length of the inn, and can be entered from the gift shop, as well. It’s an inviting room of dark greens and reds, a wormy chestnut bar, and a piano and guitar stand. The bar is well stocked, and even though you get the impression it’s a well-used gathering place, there’s no lingering smokiness.
      Windows along the back wall give the room openness. At the far end of the pub is a public sitting room, with tv, dart board and phone for in-house guests. “There’s no TV or phones in the rooms,” Fanning explained. “This area opens up a sharing aspect for our guests.” Photos line the walls, many of friends and musical associates.
      Including the Fannings, who live in or adjacent to the Brazen Head property, there is a staff of eight, allowing more personal contact with guests. The environment is hospitality based – they want you to be comfortable. And they’re family-and-kid oriented.
      With about six acres of backyard, there’s plenty of room for the kids to release excess energy - and parents can keep an eye on them from the porches or dining areas.
      The Brazen Head boasts 20 guest rooms, eight downstairs and a dozen more on the upper level. Comfortably furnished with double beds and private baths, they provide the basic creature comforts for a good night’s sleep. The rooms are not large, but Fanning explained, “When people come here, they don’t spend the day in their room. There’s so much to do and see in the area. I don’t know of a lot of folks who go on vacation and spend it in their room.”
      All the guest rooms are painted in earth tones for a welcoming feel, with the exception of what Fanning calls “the beach room.” These walls are a bright turquoise, and the motifs are only slightly modified to match - the light switch is a carved wooden fish. You’ll find beautiful quilts on every bed, and the furnishings come from all over. Fanning shopped second hand stores and auctions to fill the Brazen Head. Antique bedsteads, chests and tables give the rooms a lived-in character you won’t find at any motel. Water for all the rooms is boiler-heated and pumped in from an adjacent building to reduce the risk of fire, and a state-of the-art sprinkler system is installed throughout.
      Upstairs, the guest rooms take advantage of the 12-foot ceilings with an additional sleeping loft, accessible by cleverly contrived staircases. These rooms accommodate up to four people. If you’ve got kids, they’re going to love these rooms.
      The last six rooms, including a honeymoon suite, should be completed before May, and will feature furnishings from Cherry Valley Furniture, of Richwood. Fanning likes to promote West Virginia craftsmen and artists, and this is another way he can accomplish that.

Coming to American

Back to business

It's all about

Personality Profile Jo Debra Galford Gandee Age: 49 and holding Born: Marlinton Husband: David Children: Rachel Sheets, 24; Jason Long, 18 Education: Marlinton High School, West Virginia University Occupation: Entrepreneaur Philosophy of Life: Recognize the myth! Know the myths of the world because a lot of truths are covered up by myths. Have an open mind.       When Jo Debra Galford grew up at Slaty Fork, it was a quiet, almost forgotten section of Pocahontas County tht people passed through on their way to Elkins on U. S. 219.       But just at the time this woman came of age, a man with a vision came up with the idea that Cheat Mountain would be the perfect spot for a ski resort. And the quiet area bustled and people came to a place called Snowshoe Mountain Resort for an unforgettable vacation.       Jo Debra went to work at the resort right out of college and assumed the persona of “Peggy Snow” who gave the weather updates and snow reports. “Peggy” had to answer her own phone, so Jo Debra learned to change her voice for the update, and ran the reservations department at Snowshoe before there was lodging on the mountain.       Jo Debra left the area for two years and came back at the request of Doc Brigham because “working for him was a pleasure.” After another two years as the first female manager in what was then a very male world, she stopped working outside her home to become a mother.       In another few years, she set out for life in the Carolinas; but she didn’t stay away all that long. Snowshoe was headed for some big changes.       The hometown girl knew for sure she was coming home to stay shortly after Intrawest bought the now four-season resort. “I felt like they had enough knowledge that they could run the resort the way it should be run,” she said.       The little gas station her family opened in 1978 has become Elihu’s Restaurant, home of the simple, quick, and delicious menu. The gas station has moved further up Rt. 66 and The Market at Big Spring is now a full-scale grocery store with everything you’ve left home without and everything you might want for delightful snacking or cooking a complete meal.       “We didn’t do any studies,” she laughed. “No surveys. We just went into it. You can see the business is here from the traffic patterns.”       The grocery store is a fine complement to the resort and doesn’t compete with any product on the mountain, but Jo Debra is looking for local business, both at the store and the restaurant. “Skiers are the icing on the cake,” she said.       “For me it’s been exciting,” she said of growing up and living in the hamlet-turned-resort. “Growth is continuous. It’s the most beautiful part of the county and Snowshoe takes care of it.”

Elihu's for Lunch

Mid week Skiing - the only way to go downhill

Snowshoe Million Dollar Castaway Sweepstakes drawing this month

Brokers Corner

Marty Giddings
Contributing Writer
      Welcome to Pocahontas County! We hope you get as much enjoyment out of our home as we do. There is much to see and do here, and a number of opportunities to make this area an important part of your future. Intrawest saw enough potential in Pocahontas County to make a substantial commitment and create a world-class resort. Now is the time to take a look at the real estate market, and the local real estate agencies are her to help you.
      Here is a tip to help in your search: Choose one real estate agent you are comfortable with and let them find the property that works for you. After listening to what you are interested in, a good agent will explain the current market trends, and should have a thorough knowledge of the real estate values and potential growth. Your agent will research the local cooperative information network and show you all the properties that fit your needs. We understand many of you are from out of state and we’re here to handle all the steps to make the sales process as easy as possible. Your agent should act as your eyes and ears in your absence, and keep you informed every step of the way throughout your purchase.
      Enjoy your visit to Pocahontas County. Our home is your home, and we will be glad to help make that statement a reality.
      Marty Giddings is the broker for Old Spruce Realty at Snowshoe, LLC

Snowshoe, SilverCreek entice snowboarders
Andrew Lacasse
Contributing Writer
      After layering on my jeans, snow pants, sweatshirt, Gortex-lined coat, hat and goggles, I was nearly too tired to venture out onto the slopes.
      But when I remembered the exhilarating thrill of slicing through the fresh powder with the edge of my snowboard, my spirits lifted and I was ready to tackle Snowshoe Mountain’s finest slopes. In the five years I’ve been snowboarding at the Snowshoe and Silver Creek area, the resort keeps improving, especially for snowboarders.
      The sport has been in existence for about 12 years, but snowboarding didn’t become popular until about 1995. Since then, the number of snowboarders has increased, doubling over and over again. The concept of snowboarding is based around a double-edged board that cuts into snow, allowing the rider to run by leaning back or forward while gliding down the hill.
      But many snowboarders prefer to spend less time on the ground and more time in the air performing tricks and stunts.
      At the Silver Creek area, snowboarders who enjoy doing these big air stunts are given every opportunity to perform on the Mountaineer Terrain Park where tabletop jumps are plentiful. The park was designed by skiers and snowboarders who wanted top quality terrain for executing their tricks.
      Just recently, the resort added rails to its park for an even larger variety of obstacles to be tackled by thrill-seeking snowboarders who wish to “go big.”
      The most notable aspect of the terrain park, however, is the half-pipe, measuring approximately 450 feet long and 20 feet high. This enormous structure presents a challenge for beginner and expert snowboarders alike.
      It’s one of the largest on the east coast. And, like most half-pipes, has that “No Skiers” sign at the top, not because of the natural snowboarder-skier rivalry, but because skis can demolish the design of the pipe and make it difficult for anyone to go down safely.
      The terrain park isn’t the only slope that offers snowboarders a good time.
      Most snowboarders agree that although flying through the air has its appeal, you have to carve down a “non-terrained” slope to get the full affect of a good day of snowboarding.
      The number one pick among snowboarders for the best non-terrained slope—Cascade at the Silver Creek area.
      Although Cascade isn’t the most challenging slope on the mountain, it has proven to be one of the most enjoyable. With its steep decline and wide slope, you can either reach full throttle, near-death speed or just carve gracefully down the mountain.
      But for the expert snowboarder who wants the greatest challenge on the mountain, Snowshoe has established a fierce slope called Shay’s Revenge, undoubtedly the most difficult and exciting slope Snowshoe has to offer.
      The nearly vertical slope stretches down the side of the mountain and the only thing to slow you down are the car-sized moguls that are as much a hindrance as a help.
      Over the past four years Snowshoe has expanded its slopes to accommodate the ever-growing sport of snowboarding. This fast-paced sport can be done at any ski resort.
      But if you want to experience some of the greatest snow and terrain in West Virginia or in the region, Snowshoe Mountain Resort should be your top choice for a great snowboarding vacation.
      Andrew Lacasse is a recent graduate from Pocahontas High School.

Allegheny Springs will offer it all
Look what's springing up now...
      It’s about to be West Virginia’s premier resort’s premier address.
      Take a look at Allegheny Springs, the latest development in Intrawest’ revolution at Snowshoe Mountain Resort.
      It’s the five-story centerpiece of the Village at Snowshoe. And those five stories rest on the highest point in the village, making it the place to view the resort’s slopes and village and the mountain sunsets that belong to every watcher.
      Allegheny Springs will be a “people place,” where at every turn your every whim can be satisfied. Intrawest Development has left nothing to chance by providing a covered drive-in/drop-off area to protect visitors from the weather, gated parking, ski-in/ski-out locations, a concierge for assistance with dinner reservations, shopping information, outdoor adventures, ski lessons and other activities, and ski lockers and mountain bike parking that are easily accessible. And to top it off, they’ve even proposed a high-performance ski shop for overnight tuning, waxing and sharpening.
      But it will also be an elegant place of color and texture where the Arts and Crafts style furniture will be comfortable and attractive and the fireplace will warm you after a cold day on the slopes or a chilly summer evening walk.

Artist's conseption of the enclosed private courtyard at the doorstep of the village

      Allegheny Springs will give visitors the most in privacy with secluded balconies or terraces and a courtyard built for solitude.
      Now Snowshoe’s motto has become “Forever Wild,” and while the resort does offer some of the most rugged territory in Pocahontas County only slightly tamed for skiing, Allegheny Springs will provide luxury at the end of the day.
      Have a massage. Soak in a hot tub or in the thermal pool. Stroll in the private courtyard at the village’s doorstep.
      But here’s the best part about Allegheny Springs—it’s nearly finished and ready for you to step into the vacation you’ve always known you deserved.
      For more information on Allegheny Sprimgs call 1-888-489-1943.

Snowshoe Mountain is a winter oasis
      Winter resorts are lost without snow.
      Snowshoe Mountain in Pocahontas County takes great pride in its ability to produce incredible amounts of the manmade fluffy white stuff. The massive state-of-the-art snowmaking system maintains 220 skiable and rideable acres on the mountain.
      Mother Nature, blessing us with an average of 180 inches during the season, chips in some fresh stuff, but there are times when you need to give her a hand.
      Snowshoe Mountain is equipped with the largest snowmaking arsenal in the Southeast Region with more than 400 snow guns at the Snowshoe and Silver Creek areas. With 100% snowmaking capabilities, the resort’s snowmaking team can cover all 57 slopes on the mountain.
      That means that even if Mother Nature is only providing the resort with sub-freezing temperatures, Snowshoe Mountain’s veteran snowmakers can produce a little magic of their own and sprinkle a piece of heaven all over the resort’s terrain.
      Recently, the Snowshoe and Silver Creek areas have undergone expansion of the main water supplies. The 40-acre Shaver’s Lake is now capable of holding 100 million gallons of water, the largest such capacity in the region. The Silver Creek area’s water supply was expanded this past summer and is now capable of holding 12 million gallons of water.
      The increased water supply allows snowmakers here to produce more snow over a larger area in less time. At full capacity, weather permitting, an area equal to more than four football fields can be covered with one foot, or 2500 tons of snow, in an hour .
      “Our snowmaking system actually is a reusable resource for the resort,” said Ed Galford, Snowshoe Mountain’s Vice President of Mountain Operations. “When the temperatures rise above freezing, our snow thaws gradually and runs directly into our water supplies where it is cycled back through the snowmaking system for future use.”
      Snowshoe Mountain is a true winter oasis, opening and remaining open longer than other resorts in our region. The resort snowmakers at the Snowshoe and Silver Creek areas have more than 350 years of combined experience, the most at any winter resort in the mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

Ski problems?     No problem! Sunny Given Staff Writer       So you’re out on the slopes, and all of a sudden you notice your skis feel hooky. Or maybe you’re coming out of a turn, but they just don’t want to let go. Perhaps you’re out of control at high speeds. What are you going to do?       You need tuned, quick!       Based on your complaint of what your board or skis do (or don’t do) any of the Snowshoe area ski shops can get you fixed and back on the slopes with minimum hassle.       For example ski bottoms that are damaged, oxidized, or incorrectly waxed won’t ski very well. You know how you see those crackerheads who walk across the road with their skis on? Their ski bottoms are going to be pretty much wasted.       On the other hand, if you take good care of your skis or snowboard, and take them to a ski shop for regular seasonal checkups, it goes to say your day on the slopes will be safer and easier.       Skis that are sharpened correctly give you the grip you need for good edge control. A slight base edge bevel makes moving from one turn to the next sweet and easy.       Ski bottoms speak volumes to a mechanic: concave skis give you those hooky turns - you’ll need to grind the bottoms flat, and maybe tune those edges. Convex bottoms give you instability at high speeds - they’ll probably need ground to flat, and maybe some edge tuning. By listening to your on-the-slope problems and examining your skis, a ski/board mechanic can take it from there.       Whether it’s a grind, a tune, a de-tune or de-burr , see the local shops for top support. It may be simple wax job that makes your visit to Snowshoe Mountain one to remember.       Get your snowboards and skis taken care of at: Elk Mountain Outfitters, The Ski Barn, Elk River Snowboards, Mountain Performance, Route 66 or the ski rental shops at Spruce, Silver Creek or Top of the World.

 

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