Best West Virginia town for writers or artists? (Chapmanville, Man: for sale, chapel)

[David Kennedy]

Elk are so majestic and so intelligent...I could never shoot one and the meat is truly wonderful...Oregon had elk in the eastern mountains...and a friend is an elk hunter..would ride back on horseback and winch them out with jeeps...drum cables in the rear of the jeeps...hundreds of pounds of meat.
At Seaside several years ago, We spotted a family of Elk rising from their morning beds...misty sitka dripping with moisture...so gentle were those creatures and the eye contact as they were within 20 feet...the only sound was the birds chirping and the whirr of the video camera...shot about 5 minutes of video of them as they warily rose and silently slipped out of sight...no bulls in that family, just females and their young...
It was almost a silent communication to see their eyes and watch a gentle greatness.
Common creatures for a instant...man and beast...noble beasts for sure...
I think we need to have the Elk return to Wv...perhaps some Buffalo too...If the Fed's can stock coyotes, rattlesnakes and wolves...why not an Elk or two..We have enough natural forest to support them all..

[tbailey1138]

There's a herd of Woodland buffalo, like those that used to be here, up in Canada. Bring a few of those down here and the buffalo along with the Elk might help to give the deer some competition and come a little closer to restoring the natural balance that used to exist here. Plus I think it'd be neat to be up in the woods and see a herd of buffalo.

[David Kennedy]

Thanks, Bailey..you made my day...I thought the Woodland Buffalo were extinct...a little smaller than the Plains Buffalo...I saw a herd of about 200 in the Dakotas once...on the way to Yellowstone...and the Comptons, here, had a herd until he died and the Charles Point Project began...The Compton daughter was a Veterinarian and specialized in those critters...
It's time to bring them back...

[Threerun]

My mother in law chases the elk from her herb garden in Estes Park CO. They have become problematic in that they have overpopulated with no control measures (no hunting in the or around the park, no predation, etc).

She said one hot summer afternoon she walked out to a bull and unleashed the garden hose on him from 10 yards; He enjoyed the bath and turned around for more!

I've got tons of pictures of the elk, mulies, bobcats and coyotes that frequent their property. Truly wonderful animals.

[tbailey1138]

Carol Miller, a local delegate here, has a herd of buffalo in Milton that she raises and sells the meat to local grocery stores, etc. Not sure but I assume that they are plains buffalo given how rare the woodland buffalo are. There's a local place called the Beef Jerky Smoke House here that sells the best jerky. They have beef and buffalo regularly but during certain times of the year they have deer, elk, ostrich and even alligator. I stop in every once in a while for the buffalo jerky. It's just awesome.
Beef Jerky Smokehouse Home

Boy we've gone WAYYYY off topic with this thread huh?

[Chuck_G]

Originally Posted by LilyLaLa

Eeeeeeeeeeek!!!!

Thanks for that--I'll take it as a warning! I'm on the other end of the spectrum in commercial fiction. But writing full-time is a lonely job, and it's nice to be able to attend a conference that's not too far away, or belong to a productive writers' group (without those self-absorbed misunderstood literati *gaaack*), or be welcome at the library in spite of endless questions and research.

Contemporary Arts Theater Festival....I'd be closing the shutters and hiding under the bed.



Now the Charleston BOOK FESTIVAL in October, oh, I'm SO THERE!!

If you are feeling isolated, as I do, without a lot other writers around, you might consider checking out some on-line groups. I've been visiting writerbbs.com for many years and have found the people there very supportive.

[Chuck_G]

Originally Posted by Bobilee

I think promoting the arts in WV is a great idea for so many reasons. People don't realize just how much money can be drawn into a community, particularly if it is a year-round artists' community. It is a way to rescue some small towns and rural communities, though not everyone would want it and in many cases it would be impractical. For instance, there is the glass blowing and arts center in Millville, NJ. West Virginia is also a perfect place for painters. If the state could help get a few arts centers and arts residencies going, and I don't mean just the larger towns, it would take off on its own. WheatonArts - Winter Session Fellows

You're exactally right. I lived in Tucson for several years, and one of my mother-in-law's favorite spots was Bisbee, AZ. They were primarily a copper mining town, but after the mine closed they became well known as an artists community. They have tons of galleries all over town. I think that's where most of their income comes from these days. Of course you can still take a tour of the old mine, or stay in the haunted room at the Copper Queen Hotel.

[tbailey1138]

Did you ever find out about that job in Huntington Chuck_G?

[LilyLaLa]

Originally Posted by Chuck_G

If you are feeling isolated, as I do, without a lot other writers around, you might consider checking out some on-line groups. I've been visiting writerbbs.com for many years and have found the people there very supportive.

Thanks Chuck! I used to belong to several online writers discussion groups, then realised I was wasting HOURS socialising online when I should have been writing . I tried online critique groups too, but was never comfortable sending my work to someone I didn't know personally, and not knowing what who was on the other end really.

I *much* prefer in-person groups. But you're right: being a rural writer can be a lonely thing!

What's your genre/specialty? Mine are YA and mainstream single title; some short stories occasionally too to help pay bills.

[Chuck_G]

Originally Posted by tbailey1138

Did you ever find out about that job in Huntington Chuck_G?

Hi Tim,
I interviewed on the tenth, but so far haven't heard anything. The VA has a specific procedure they have to follow when they hire, and it cane take a few weeks. Plus, one of the people involved in the decision is on vacation for two weeks, so I don't expect to hear anything until about mid July. Still popping in to the forums to see what's going on, and still keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for all of your help.