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The mission of the West Virginia State Society is to encourage and promote good fellowship among West Virginian's of the Nation's Capitol and to serve the best interests of our Nation and the State of West Virginia.
The WVSS is a member of the National Conference of State Societies.
By Chris Greaver, Vice President
June 10, 2009
Dear Fellow Supports of the Mountain State,
Greetings and a hearty welcome back to our website! On June 16th the West Virginia State Society (WVSS) held a birthday celebration for the state of West Virginia (number 146, but who’s counting?). The officers would like to take this opportunity to thank Congressman Rahall, Congresswoman Capito, and West Virginia’s first lady Mrs. Gayle Manchin for attending the event. We really appreciate their continued support of the State Society. The surprise of the evening was when the First Lady presented WVSS President Theresa Phipps with a West Virginia flag.
In addition, we would like to thank the principal sponsor of the event, West Virginia Tourism for orchestrating the reception and for sponsoring one of the most successful events of the WVSS. We would also like to thank all the event’s other sponsors--Chesapeake Energy, The Greenbrier, West Virginia Department of Agriculture, West Virginia State Parks, West Virginia Professional Rafting Organization and West Virginia Living Magazine. The Department of Tourism was gracious enough to bring all the travel materials and gift bags. The Department of Agriculture did a spectacular job of serving delicious West Virginia food and water. WV Living magazine provided West Virginia wine and cider. It was a fantastic event and we cannot thank our sponsors enough.
While the economy is still in a recession, many families are planning “staycations” instead of vacations. A staycation involves doing some tourist activities in your own area, or, “a vacation in which you stay home.” I recommend instead of fighting the overwhelming heat and humidity and large tourists groups in Washington D.C., that you take a short trip to West Virginia for a mini vacation. This year marks the 150th anniversary of John Brown’s raid at Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. There are plenty of events planned to mark the occasion. You could cool off whitewater rafting; the Professional Rafters Association has been a constant supporter of the WVSS. For more tourism information, please visit the Department of Tourism website at www.wvtourism.com.
For a more relaxed trip and to get more of the delicious food from our party, visit the Greenbrier resort for more of those little chocolates, or the town of Renick for some great baked goods, or the Stonewall Resort to visit our favorite chef! Along the way you could pick up some bottles of wine from the West Virginia wineries which are located in Morgantown, Moorefield, Summersville, Weston, and many other locations. For more information on West Virginia-produced food and drink, please visit the Department of Agriculture’s Food Directory at http://www.wvagriculture.org/Foods_and_Things.htm.
As I previously stated, my fellow officers and I are organizing a fall fundraising event. The reception will feature a silent auction. This summer we are contacting businesses throughout West Virginia for donations of items to auction off. If you have any contact information for a business that would donate goods or services, please let us know by emailing wvstatesociety@gmail.com.
Finally, I would like to remind you to join the state society. The State Society appreciates your continued support. If you are a business owner or manager, please consider sponsoring one of our events. We have various sponsor packages to accommodate everyone. Have a great summer and check our website frequently for event updates and photo uploads. See you in the fall!
We'd like to thank our sponsors for their continued support of the West Virginia State Society. Please view our complete list of sponsors.