West Virginia - Wild and Wonderful

About West Virginia

West Virginia is noted for its mountains and diverse topography, its historically significant logging and coal mining industries, and its political and labor history. It is one of the most densely karstic areas in the world, making it a choice area for recreational caving and scientific research.

Business

West Virginia is full of opportunity for any business with a growing economy and a highly dedicated workforce. Whether you are running an existing business or thinking of starting a new business you can find all of the information you need throughout this business section.

Education

West Virginia is fortunate to have a tremendous education system with a high standard of excellence. Please use the information provided here to learn more about the wealth of educational opportunities in our great state.

Employment

West Virginia is home to one of the finest workforces in the country based on our hard work and commitment to quality. Whether you are looking for new job opportunities, enhancing your job skills or researching future employment trends you can find all of the information you need throughout this employment section.

Family

West Virginia offers the perfect balance of a rural and urban setting that suits a variety of lifestyles. This is a state where you can go whitewater rafting in the morning, go to an art exhibit in the afternoon and attend a concert in the evening. Whether you just moved to the Mountain State or your family has been here since it was founded, you are part of our community.

Health

Maintaining proper health is vital to ensuring the highest quality of life possible. West Virginia strives to provide one of the best health care systems in the country that is affordable and available to all residents of the state. This section contains numerous resources to assist you in accessing the health care services provided in the state.

Tourism

Exhilarate in the lasting beauty and natural wonder scattered throughout West Virginia. From unmatched outdoor recreation to world-class resorts, breathtaking scenery and a variety of cultural and historic attractions, West Virginia is an ideal spot to plan your next adventure. Discover for yourself what makes West Virginia wild and wonderful.

 Tygart Lake State Park is open for events and parties through New Year's Day 

10/28/2011 
GRAFTON, W.Va. – Tygart Lake State Park is open through the end of the year and provides many reasons to visit. “Some people believe the park slows to a crawl after fall foliage season, but it isn’t the case,” said event coordinator Stephanie Bailey. “We offer special events every weekend in November, then concentrate on hosting holiday parties in December, and our New Year’s Eve celebration tops off another year.”

November 4 - 6, 2011
Scrapbooking at Tygart Lake

Pack up your photos, glue, cutters, papers and ideas and join Eva M. Connor of Creative Memories for a scrapbooking weekend. The Tygart Lodge location, accommodations and restaurant offer scrapbookers a relaxed opportunity to catch up on scrapping projects. Overnight package is available. The two-night package includes: two-night, three-day workshop, with Friday and Saturday evening snack, three meals Saturday and Sunday brunch; instruction and presentations. Food services include beverage and all taxes and gratuities. Pre-registration is required. For two people sharing accommodations, the total fee is $363.36. Single occupancy and day only rates are available. Contact: 304-265-6144

November 11 - 13, 2011
A Quilting Workshop

Instruction by the Quilting Bee of Grafton creates a Friday-through-Sunday workshop about quilting. The weekend packages include three meals Saturday, snacks on Friday and Saturday, Brunch on Sunday and taxes and gratuities. Staying two nights at Tygart Lodge, meals, and quilting instruction and presentation cost is $190 per person, double occupancy.

"Quilting weekends are scheduled throughout the year at North Bend, Blennerhassett Island, Cacapon and Tygart Lake state parks. It is a popular hobby for women and men. The end result is heirloom treasures passed through generations," said Bailey.

November 18-19, 2011
Women’s Writing Weekend at Tygart Lake

Writer Colleen Anderson leads this affordably priced weekend session. “It’s an annual event for women to develop or encourage writing skills,” said Bailey. “It’s one of the most personal, relaxing weekends you’ll find anywhere that includes wonderful food, space and instruction.”

The workshop begins at 7:30 on Friday evening, Nov. 18, and ends on Sunday morning. This workshop is appropriate for beginners as well as practiced writers. “With gentle guidance, you’ll learn that your own memories and experience are the raw material for art — and you’ll practice with the tools that can make your writing, in any form, more vivid. Bring a notebook, a sense of adventure, and open mind,” said guest instructor Colleen Anderson. The weekend cost for double occupancy is $233.70 and includes lodging, meals, snacks, and. Tuition only with no lodging or meals is $157.40. Pre-registration is required.

About Colleen Anderson
Colleen Anderson is a writer, performer, and owner of Mother Wit Writing and Design, a creative studio in Charleston. Her fiction, poetry, songs, and essays have been published and broadcast widely. She has won two literature fellowships from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts and a residency fellowship from the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation. She has conducted hundreds of creative writing and songwriting workshops for students, teachers, and adults. Contact: 304-265-6144

November 24, 2011
Thanksgiving Day Buffet

The Boston Beanery will serve its Thanksgiving Day Buffet at Tygart Lodge. “The restaurant is popular and this will be our first Thanksgiving with the Beanery at Tygart Lake,” said Bailey. Thanksgiving rates for lodge rooms on Thursday and throughout the weekend are available. Contact: 304-265-6144

December 31, 2011
"Having a Ball"

Holiday gatherings and parties are part of the weekend makeup at many West Virginia state park lodges. Like other parks, Tygart Lake hosts family events as well as corporate outings to celebrate the holidays. “Having a Ball” is the one exception to private functions scheduled at Tygart Lake.

“New Year’s Eve party promises to be a year-end and year-beginning celebration that anyone can enjoy,” says Bailey. “Having a Ball” will feature live music with “Streetwise” from the Clarksburg area playing Southern and Classic Rock, dinner, dance, snacks, party favors, champagne toast, and prizes.

Reservations are required and the overnight package cost is $249 per couple. The package includes Saturday dinner-Prime rib, roasted turkey, seafood; evening snacks and champagne toast; and Sunday brunch. Beverages with meals are non-alcoholic; alcoholic drinks may be purchased. Package components include taxes and gratuities. For reservations, call 304-265-6144.

Tygart Lake State Park is in Taylor County near Grafton. The park features a 20-room lodge, vacation cabins, Boston Beanery at Tygart Lake Restaurant, Tygart lake boating, fishing and kayaking, campground, hiking trails, activities and special events. The park is open from mid-April through January 1. Call 304-265-6144 or visit www.tygartlake.com for park and event information.

Contact Information

Stephanie Bailey, Events Coordinator or Colleen Anderson, Instructor, Writers Workshop 
304-265-6144 
Stephanie.L.Bailey@wv.gov or www.colleenanderson.com