By Stephen Smoot
Surrounded by ornate and handcrafted surroundings and the echoes of West Virginia’s political and economic history, area businesses received recognition as being among the best in West Virginia.
The event took place in Graceland, not the Memphis home of singer Elvis Presley, but someone more powerful and influential in his time. Graceland served as one of the summer retreats of United States Senator, one time vice presidential candidate, and business leader Henry Gassaway Davis. Originally from Piedmont, Davis played host to senators, captains of industry, and even presidents in his resort in Deer Park, Maryland, and his Graceland home in Elkins.
Graceland adorns the hill where Davis and Elkins College sits, positioned beside the equally famous Halliehurst, home of U.S. Senator Stephen Benton Elkins.
Surrounded by stained glass windows, hand carved wooden Doric columns, and freshly prepared victuals and state produced spirits, attendees enjoyed a reception before receiving their awards.
Nikki Bowman Mills, founder of New South Media and publisher of its media outlets, including West Virginia Living, served as master of ceremonies. She referred to Graceland, now an inn, as “a beautiful spot in a special town.”
Rosemary Thomas, a Davis and Elkins executive vice president, stated that “this didn’t need to be just a tired stone building.” The inn offers not merely lodging, but also “an experience. It is a destination we hope you will be proud of.”
This year, Mills and West Virginia Living chose to hold one event to recognize the Mountain State’s best, but multiple, each serving a region. “We wanted to do something a little bit special . . . a road show . . . to come to each of the regions.”
Mills then added, “It’s all about building community.”
“When I started this company, I had a mission . . . to change the perception of West Virginia, not just how others look at us, but how we look at ourselves.” The “best of” awards help to underscore positive changes and movements in the state. She also said, “We do that by telling our stories.” The magazine has handed out the awards for 13 years as a “statewide contest to market themselves and vote for their favorites.”
Representing Pendleton County was Amber Nesselrodt, executive director of the Pendleton County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Annie Humes from the Pendleton County Farmers Market, and Luke Taylor-Ide of Future Generations University.
The first accolade awarded to a Pendleton business went to Swilled Dog as Best Cidery. Voters in the poll selected the Upper Tract based producer of potent potables as the best cidery and second runner-up as best distillery.
Swilled Dog earned best cidery for the second year in a row. Last year they also received first runner up in both best distillery and also new libations producer.
Libations remained the theme for the next award, that of Best Libation Trail. West Virginia Living named On the Rocks Craft Beverage Trail. The trail, a partnership fostered by the Pendleton County Convention and Visitors Bureau, among other partners, encourages travelers to “discover the best craft beverage producers in the region. From hard cider to whiskey to maple moonshine, taste distinctive drinks made from locally grown and harvested ingredients.”
The trail connects Swilled Dog, Dry Run Spirits in Dahmer, Still Hollow in Harman, and Big Fish Cider in Monterey, Virginia.
“There are a lot of fantastic places to drink in Pendleton County,” Mills explained.
Recognition turned away from booze and toward banks that inspire confidence in their community. The honor in the Best Bank category went to Franklin based Pendleton Community Bank
“PCB has served communities in West Virginia since 1925, and it is an honor to be named ‘best bank’ in my home state for the second year in a row,” said William A. Loving, president and CEO in a release. “We have banked generations of West Virginians since our founding, and we owe this recognition to our loyal customers who continue to support our mission.”
Loving added that “I am also extremely proud of our team members who deliver superior customer service while showing a commitment to community service.”
This adds to other recent honors garnered by PCB, including “Best Ag Lender and Best Home Mortgage” and several Shenandoah Valley based awards.
Seneca Rocks Hiking Trail won the award for best in its category. The “moderately challenging route extends 3.6 miles with an 839-foot rise. At the trail’s terminus, one may enjoy striking views close to the rock formations or of the North Fork valley below.
Mills explained that hundreds of thousands of voters took part, but that often the winners were separated from second place by as little as 100 or even 20 votes.
