Focusing on the resort and tourist community of Slaty Fork, Snowshoe Mountain, Cass and Green Bank

Vol. 5 No. 3
March 2006

Serving SnowShoe Mountain, Slaty Fork, Green Bank and Cass
"News you can resort to"

Second Section of
The Pocahontas Times
Post Office No. 436-640
ISSN No. 07388373

Upcoming Events Around the Mountain Resort

If it's going on in the county, you'll find it here
March
AROUND THE COUNTY
Star Lab Thursdays € National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Green Bank, 304-456-2150. Gather at the planetarium balloon every Thursday for a unique look at the sky. There is a $3 charge per person and reservations are suggested.
March 3 € Film Fest at NRAO € National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Green Bank, 304-456-2150. Screening "The Magic School Bus Space Adventures" and "Origins part II - How Life Began." Come out and enjoy this free movie event at 7 p.m. NRAO staff will be on hand for questions and discussion.
March 8 € High-Tech Wednesday € National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Green Bank, 304-456-2150. Join us for a guided tour through parts of NRAO normally off-limits to visitors, like lab areas where sensitive receivers are deigned and built. Space is limited to 15 per tour, cost is $3 per person and takes about an hour.
March 18 € Poteen at the Opera House € Pocahontas County Opera House, 818 Third Avenue, Marlinton 304-799-6645. Join us for a (belated) St. Patrick's Day celebration with a return engagement by Poteen, the Greenbrier Valley's own "Appal-Irish" band. Poteen got its start in 1978 in Monroe County under the leadership of legendary Roane County musician Frank George and his wife Jane. Dr. Tim Pence leads his share of sets playing fiddle, bouzouki and cittern; Don Dransfield handles the Irish bag pipes, Highland bag pipes, whistles, guitar and vocals; Tim Payton plays rhythm guitar and is lead singer; and Elizabeth Destiny plays keyboards and the Irish drum, known as the bodhran. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. with a $5.00 admission charge.
March 18 € Wolf Creek Session € Brazen Head Inn, Mingo 339-6917. An energetic blend of traditional Celtic and Appalachian music. Call for time and details.
March 24 - 27 € Folk Music Weekend € Brazen Head Inn, Mingo 339-6917. Call for schedule and details.
March 25 € Star Party € NRAO, Green Bank, 304-456-2150. Free. NRAO staff will orient you to the star-filled sky and then view the night sky on the Star Party Patio. Bring optical telescopes and binoculars - you won't believe your eyes. Dress appropriately! Begins at dusk.

On The Mountain

For more info about any events at Snowshoe, call 877-441-4FUN or visit online at www.snowshoemtn.com
Begins March 6 € Almost Heaven Spring Value Season € There's a reason we call it Almost Heaven - sunny days, milder temps and plenty of great snow! Plus, starting on March 6, you can enjoy some of the best skiing and riding conditions of the season at some of the best prices of the year.
March 11 € John McCabe Adaptive Ski Race.
March 12 € WV Youth Ski Free Day € Young people 18 and under can enjoy a complete day of skiing and riding for less than $30. With proof of West Virginia residency, any youth 18 years of age or younger can ski the most open terrain in the region, as well as receive 50% off rentals and 50% off an afternoon group lesson. This is the last ski free day in the season.
March 5-8 and 12-15 € Spring Break Snow Bash € Take your party to the mountains this Spring Break! For the 8th straight winter, Snowshoe Mountain brings you Spring Break 2006. Live entertainment, happy hours all week long, wild bar games, crazy events on the slopes and huge savings for college students.
March 17-19 € The Snowshoe 24 € The third annual Race Around the Clock - the Snowshoe 24. Skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels are invited to race around the clock in the only 24-hour ski and snowboard race in the country. This year's event promises to be bigger and better with two different courses, new categories and more great prizes including over $7,500 in cash money to the top finishers. Start making your plans because this event is limited to the first 100 teams.
March 24-25 € Beach Party and Music Festival € The 7th Annual Mountaintop Beach Party and Music festival returns to the mountain for two days packed full of fun. Enjoy games and activities in the Village and on the slopes combined with great live entertainment from some of the legends in Beach Music. The finale to the weekend is our spectacular mountaintop Fireworks display on Saturday night.
March 26-April 9 € End of the Season Ski FREE € You skied and rode for free to kick off the season, so it's only fitting to finish off the 2005 / 2006 winter season with more FREE* lift tickets. During our End of the Season Celebration, when you book three or more nights lodging, you'll receive your lift tickets for FREE (*free lift tickets are only for the minimum occupancy of the lodging unit you occupy).

Riders prepare for a thrilling ride over Snowshoe's slopes with help from the resort's seasoned snowmobile guides

Photo by Drew Tanner

Over the mountain and through the woods... to heck with Grandma's house! Snowmobile tours are just the ticket if you feel

The Need for Speed

Drew Tanner
Staff Writer

Tours begin just before sunset and run through the evening, offering riders a unique view of the slopes while cruising at speeds approaching 40 miles per hour. Snowshoe Mountain Resort's guides move top-of-the-line Ski-Doos into place before the first tour of the evening.
Photo by Drew Tanner

      When the sun sets on Snowshoe Mountain Resort, the fun on the slopes is just about to begin.
      Many of Snowshoe's slopes might be closed to skiers after dark, but that doesn't mean you have to wait until sunrise to get your next adrenaline fix.
      With the resort's fleet of well-tuned Ski-Doo snowmobiles you can hit the slopes at high-speed for some heart-racing excitement in one of the resort's fastest-growing activities.

In addition to cruising the slopes, riders can also venture among the red spruce over the 2.5-mile single-track trail to the Sunrise Backcountry Hut for food and breathtaking views.
Photo courtesy Snowshoe Mtn. Resort

      One-hour guided snowmobile tours begin at 4:45 and run throughout the evening. If you catch the earliest tour this time of year, you don't have to ride in the dark; on a clear-day, the sunsets are spectacular. The mountains are bathed in light that changes from golden to red to ochre.
      The red-spruce common to the area's higher elevations whiz by in a green blur as you pass under chair lifts and your guide leads you on a circuitous route up, down and over the slopes.

A rider rushes out to the slopes from the Shavers Center, speeding past a snowcat. Before each one-hour tour, guides scout the slopes so they can plan to avoid obstacles like snowguns, the plumbing that supplies them and the lumbering yellow snow-grooming machines.
Photo by Drew Tanner

      But don't get too caught up in the scenery. Chances are, your group will be cruising at speeds approaching 40 miles per hour.
      That fact along with the realization the only things connecting you to your snowmobile are your fingers wrapped tightly around the handlebars might give you cause to hold on a little tighter as your group snakes its way along the trails.

Snowmobiles await the first tour of the evening outside the Shaver's Center.
Photo by Drew Tanner

      Riding a snowmobile, the guides are quick to tell new riders, is a whole-body experience. You can't just sit there. When you want to turn to maneuver around the tank-like groomers and snowcats, you've got to get those hips off the seat and shift your sled's center of gravity in the direction of your turn.
      As exhilarating as the ride is, the tours are beginner-friendly. It's not uncommon to see an eight-year-old sitting on the back of a snowmobile with his arms wrapped around his mother (and holding on for dear life) on a tour.
      The guides have an intimate knowledge of the trails and the equipment is well-maintained. Before each tour, the route is thoroughly scouted in order to avoid rough patches, groomers and snowguns.

During the outdoor portion of the safety briefing, A guide shows helmeted riders (above) how not to hold on to the snowmobile's handlebars. On a 500-pound vehicle moving anywhere from 20 to 40 miles per hour, control is everything, and steering is a whole-body activity. Guides brief riders on how to maneuver their snowmobiles and stay safe on the slopes. Afterwards, the groups do a few test laps near the Village. Before plunging on down the slopes, guides check with the riders to make sure they are ready to set out.
Photo by Drew Tanner

      Before you even put on your helmet, the guides take you through a safety briefing. That way, you'll know what to do if you roll your sled, get bogged down at the bottom of an incline or find yourself separated from the rest of the group.
      If, after cruising over the wide-open slopes for an hour, you haven't had enough, the resort offers extended back country tours along the 2.5 miles of the Cheat Mountain Ridge Trail.
      After getting a little more up close and personal with the red spruce that line the single-track trail, you can end your ride with a gourmet four-course dinner in a rustic setting at the Sunrise Backcountry Hut. Nestled well away from the hustle and bustle of the Village, you'll enjoy fine food and a spectacular view.
      Snowmobile tour rates are based on availability, and as with all Outdoor Adventure activities, reservations are strongly recommended. Call 877-441-4FUN or 304-572-5982 for exact pricing and availability.

The Greenbrier Valley's own Poteen bring their blend of Appalachian-Celtic music to the Opera House Saturday, March 18 at 7:30. Be sure to come early this band will pack the house!

Everybody's Irish on St. Patrick's Day weekend
"Appal-Irish" Poteen brings
Celtic flavor to Opera House
Barbara Elliott
Contributing Writer
      The Pocahontas County Opera House will celebrate St. Patrick's Day a wee bit late with a return engagement by Poteen, the Greenbrier Valley's own "Appal-Irish" band. They will perform Saturday, March 18, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
      Poteen got its start in 1978 in Monroe County under the leadership of legendary Roane County musician Frank George and his wife, Jane. The Georges tutored the group in the old-time style of music, gradually progressing to a Celtic sound. Group members describe their music as "Appal-Irish," indicating the influence of their own Appalachian heritage on the Celtic sound.
      Each of the musicians brings an individual contribution to the band. Dr. Tim Pence leads his share of sets playing fiddle, bouzouki and cittern; Don Dransfield handles the Irish bag pipes, Highland bag pipes, whistles, guitar and vocals; Tim Payton plays rhythm guitar and is lead singer; and Elizabeth Destiny plays keyboards and the Irish drum, known as the bodhran. Members of Poteen also have traveled to Ireland to broaden their knowledge and skill in Celtic music. The band has traveled throughout the mid-Atlantic region and often is featured at such festivals as the annual Vandalia Gathering and the Stonewall Jackson Jubilee. Their performances are always high- energy audience pleasers, so wear some green and come on down!
      The Pocahontas County Opera House is located at 818 Third Avenue in Marlinton. For further information, call the Opera House at (304) 799-6645. In the event of ice or snow, please call to confirm that the performance is still scheduled. For information on other upcoming Opera House events, visit www. pocahontasoperahouse.org.
      This performance is part of the 2005-06 Performance Series sponsored by the Pocahontas County Opera House Foundation with financial assistance through a grant from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts. Financial support is also provided by Pocahontas County Drama, Fairs and Festivals.

New and improved terrain parks
a big hit this season
Drew Tanner
Staff Writer
      With the growing popularity of snowboarding, freestyle skiing and terrain parks, Snowshoe Mountain has added numerous new and exciting features to its park system for this year's winter season. The newly revamped Spruce Glades Terrain Park at Snowshoe and the Super Park at the Silver Creek area highlight the major additions.

Work on your air time or hone your rail riding at the two improved and expanded terrain parks at Snowshoe. There's still plenty of great skiing this season.
Photos courtesy Snowshoe Mtn. Resort

      "We have expanded our number of trails dedicated to park features from two to 10 and are adding six new rails to the mix this season," said Bruce Persinger, Snowshoe Mountain's Terrain Park Manager. "Of all our updates and additions, we are most excited about the Super Park at Silver Creek. It is a totally new concept, unlike any other resort in our region." Seven different trails in the Silver Creek area include numerous features, making up the area's largest terrain park. The Super Park has a variety of aerial features, rails and boxes dotted across the wide and flat parts of the Timberjack, Mountaineer, Cascade, Fox Chase, Laurel Run, Bear Claw and Buck Saw trails.
      In addition to the 400-foot long, 12-foot high Mountaineer Half Pipe, the Silver Creek area also offers a skier/boardercross course. The racecourse, similar to a motocross course, is located on the Slaymaker and Spur trails and includes gates, berms and rollers, which athletes will race around.
      The Spruces Glades Terrain Park, located near the top of the Ballhooter lift on Snowshoe Mountain, is an advanced level terrain park. The park contains numerous features including large tabletops and jumps ranging from 35 to 50 feet in distance.
      Both the Snowshoe and Silver Creek areas include terrain gardens. The Snowshoe Terrain Garden on Lower Whistlepunk, a beginner terrain park, has a few small rails, a fun box and small aerial snow features. Silver Creek's Mountaineer Terrain Garden is an introduction to riding rails and getting air for the novice.
      Most of the rails in the park are box steel, making the park very skier-friendly. With the new set-up and expansion of the park to cover more than ten trails, Snowshoe Mountain has added to the guests' overall winter mountain experience. More information on Snowshoe's terrain parks and competitions log on to www.snowshoeunderground.com or visit www.snowshoemtn.com.

The Old Prison Camp
Mother Nature reclaims a patch of Kennison Mountain
Curtis Curry
Contributing Writer
      Today, nearly 50 years after it closed in 1959, the Mill Point Federal Prison Camp remains an interesting historical site. The camp was located on Kennison Mountain seven miles from Mill Point on Rt. 39.
      Much of my information about the camp came from an excellent article appearing in an early 1980s issue of the Goldenseal Magazine. It was entitled Doing Time On Kennison Mountain and was written by Maureen Crockett, daughter of the former parole officer of the camp. She gives a vivid description of camp life and growing up in a minimum security prison. Copies may still be available at the Cranberry Visitors Center.

The stairway to nowhere...or maybe stairway to the past. These steps led from the barracks area to the administration offices of the Mill Point Federal Prison Camp.
Photos courtesy Curtis Curry

      My first experience with the camp was as a teenager in the late 1940s, when the camp was still in full operation. This occurred during fishing trips with my father and uncle to the Forks of Cranberry. While I was never in the camp, we did meet and briefly talk with some of the inmates.
      After returning to the county after a 50 year absence, I went to the valley where the camp had been located. While all structures were removed when the camp closed, there were still many interesting sights concrete steps to nowhere, numerous pipes and fixtures along the small stream, and what appeared to be an old stone barbecue grill. In the spring and early summer, flowers planted 65 years ago grow and bloom along the paths and roadways. Nature is gradually reclaiming its domain. Several wooden bridges have crumbled and fallen into the stream. Shrubs and trees now grow where buildings once stood. Even the concrete foundations are being covered with grass and weeds. Some areas are now swampy and it is becoming more difficult to identify where structures were once located. In another 50 years, there may not remain any evidence where a camp of 300 inmates and workers once existed.
      I thought I knew most everything about the old camp. I had read the available materials, studied photographs and maps, and visited the site numerous times. I was wrong! An early spring hike in that area brought a new site and more questions to me.
      During early May, my wife, Evelene, and I ventured down the Cranberry Glades road for a hike on one of the numerous trails in our area. It was our first outing of the year and I had selected what I believed would be an easy hike of two or three miles. We stopped at the trailhead of the Thomas Preserve, just a short distance beyond the Charles Creek trail to the prison camp. It was a new trail for us and would connect with Cowpasture Trail back to the road and our vehicle.

The remnants of the utility water reservoir on the hilltop above the prison. The columns in the foreground supported a roof over the swimming pool-like structure, now full of leaves and natural debris.
Photos courtesy Curtis Curry

      We were enjoying a leisurely pace through the wooded area when I saw something strange about 50 yards to the right of the trail. Foliage was light and I could see a tall, straight structure glistening in the sunlight. At first I thought it might be a dead tree but it stood too straight. We had to have a closer view and left the trail.
      As we approached the object, we could see that there was more than one. There were 10 straight concrete columns reaching about eight feet into the sky. They were contained in a rectangular basin about six feet deep. The basin was about 30 feet by 50 feet and it appeared that it was once covered by a roof. Dirt and leaves now covered the floor of the basin and numerous small trees and shrubs grew from it.
      We found the basin to be situated at the edge of the hill overlooking the old prison camp site. On the camp side of the basin were two large pipes entering the basin from beneath the ground. Each had a large valve to control the flow of water into and out of the basin. It appeared this was a reservoir to store water for supply to the camp.
      The hillside down to the camp was quite steep but we decided to explore it to learn more about this reservoir. Below it was additional concrete and pipes of an undetermined use. Our continued descent down the hillside revealed nothing more.
      The discovery of the reservoir raised further questions. How did the water get up the hill to the reservoir? I knew of several ponds upstream from the camp and that they were controlled by valves with pipes leading from them. Perhaps their elevation was sufficiently high to gravity feed the water to the reservoir? The height of the reservoir above the camp should certainly supply plenty of water pressure to all parts of the camp.

This manhole provided access to part of the fresh water system of the prison.
Photos courtesy Curtis Curry

      For what purpose was the water used? I had read of a spring used to supply water to the camp and knew of pipes and a manhole on the opposite side of the valley. Perhaps this reservoir supplied water to their boiler plant and for cleaning purposes?
      During the summer of 2005, the old camp and surrounding area was occupied by 10,000 members of the Rainbow Family. That many people, regardless of their beliefs or social standing, cannot help but have a negative impact on a beautiful and historic area. I have not been back to this beautiful valley since they left and have no desire to do so. Perhaps after the winter snow has melted and new spring growth appears I will again venture out to the Mill Point Federal Prison Camp site. Then again, I may not, for fear of what I might find!
      A great history of the camp was included in the History of Pocahontas County, published in 1981 by the Pocahontas County Historical Society. It was written by Houston Simmons, an old friend and former supervisor at the camp. Houston and I often talked about his service at the camp and planned a visit to the site so that he could show the various operations of the camp. Unfortunately, we waited too long and our good friend is now gone.

24 Hours of non-stop racing - you don't have to be crazy, but it helps
24 Hours of non-stop racing
Logo courtesy SnowShoe Mtn.

Snowshoe 24 offers more than ever this year

      It's time to bring you the third annual Race Around the Clock - the Snowshoe 24. Skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels are invited to race around the clock in the only 24-hour ski and snowboard race in the country. This year's event, held during St. Patrick's Day weekend, promises to be bigger and better with two different courses, new categories and more great prizes including more than $7,500 in cash to the top finishers. Start making your plans because this event is limited to the first 100 teams.
Schedule of Events
Friday, March 17 €
Racer / Team Check In and Day of Registration, if space allows: 4 - 7 p.m. -Silver Creek On Mountain Sales.
Pre Race Party: 6 - 9 p.m. - Misty's Sports Bar at Silver Creek.

Saturday, March 18 €
Racer / Team Check In and Day of Registration, if space allows: 7:30 -9:30 a.m. - Silver Creek On Mountain Sales.
Racer / Team Meeting: 10am - Silver Creek Lodge.
Snowshoe 24 Begins: 12 noon - Base of Mountaineer and Cascade Lifts.

Sunday, March 19 €
Snowshoe 24 ends: 12 noon - Base of Mountaineer and Cascade Lifts.
Awards Presentation: 2 p.m. - Silver Creek Lodge.

      You can register and find complete information for this event online at www.snowshoemtn.com. Registration for the Snowshoe 24 is $75 per racer / $95 per racer if registering after March 15.
      Registration is limited to the first 100 teams or 300 participants. Your entry fee into the event includes the Friday evening Pre Race party, Event T-Shirt and Race Bib, Lift access for Friday - Sunday and the Award Reception.

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Outfitters
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Burton ~ Salomon ~ Nitro ~ New and Used Demos Come talk to the resort's most
experienced snowboard outfitters.
Store Sale 20 - 50% OFF
Ski and Snowboard Rentals and Sales
1 mile south of WV 66 ~ 304 572-4173

Open Daily 7:30 am - 11 pm, Later on Friday

Largest Ski and Snowboard Rental Co. in the Southeast 304 572-1234
Located at the corner of Rt. 219 and Rt. 66
LOWER RATES ~ FRIENDLY SERVICE
All Ski & Snowboard Clothing and Equipment
ON SALE!!!
Entire 2nd Floor DISCOUNTED

SNOWBOARD & SKI RENTALS
Great Quality, Great Prices
Daily 7:30 am - 11 pm
Friday 7:30 am - 2 am    304 572-1200

Restaurant
at the Inn at SnowShoe ~ EVERY WEEKEND ~
SHOW COOKERY & BUFFET STATION
Room service available 6:30 am- 1 am
Lounge hours
Mon. - Fri. 4:30 pm - 1 am
Sat. amd Sun. 1 pm to 1 am
Menu Items available daily 'til 1 am
~ 304 572-1000 ~

Open 7 AM until 9 PM
Home of the $4 breakfast!
Located on the corner of
Rt. 219 and Rt. 66

An intimate off-mountain dining experience
Featuring an International Buffet with
live local music each Thursday nite.
5 miles south of WV 66 on US 219
Open Thursday thru Monday evenings
For reservations call:     304 572-3771
Privately owned and operated Since 1982

Douglas S. Keith, Broker
Christine Butler, Assoc. Broker
Beverly Figg, GRI ~ Matt Matthews
Raymond Godwin     304 572-5687
P.O. Box 364 Snowshoe, WV 26209
Visit our Office in Shaver's Centre, Snowshoe Mountain

Presenting the Height of Luxury
Allegheny Springs at Snowshoe Mountain
Yours to own 1-800-489-1943

Mountain Country Properties
304 572-4663      mcpinfo@sunlitsurf.com
David Curtis, Broker
Sales Associates: Jeanette Canada, Bet Curtis P.O. Box 7
Slaty Fork, WV 26291
on Rt. 219, about 1 mile south
of Rt. 66 intersection.

Glades Hardware

Marlinton WV
304 799-4912

Calhoun & Kipp
Unique Items from around the world.
Mon. thru Sat. 10 am 'til 9 pm
Sunday 9 am 'til 8 pm
304 572-5250

shgiven@pocahontastimes.com

Eight Rivers Web Designs Last update March 6, 2006
by Michael Condon omb00875@mail.wvnet.edu

	Douglas S. Keith, Broker Christine Butler, Assoc. Broker Beverly Figg, GRI ~ Matt Matthews Raymond Godwin 304 572-5687 P.O. Box 364 Snowshoe, WV 26209
Visit our Office in Shaver's Centre, Snowshoe Mountain

The Need for Speed

"Appal-Irish" Poteen brings Celtic flavor to Opera House

New and improved terrain parks a big hit this season

The Old Prison Camp

Snowshoe 24 offers more than ever this year

"Appal-Irish" Poteen brings
Celtic flavor to Opera House

New and improved terrain parks
a big hit this season