David Sibray
BEAVER, W.Va. — For those who step outside on Wednesday to look up, the full moon that rises over West Virginia will be more than a pale, familiar globe. It’s the closest and brightest full moon of the year—a supermoon popularly known as the “Beaver Moon.” Its name carries echoes of state history stretching back … Read more
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As the days grow shorter and sunlight becomes scarce, a West Virginia University clinical psychologist is reminding people not to dismiss the “winter blues.” Seasonal affective disorder, or “SAD,” affects millions of Americans each year and is a form of depression that deserves serious attention. Stephanie Cox, professor in the Department of … Read more
BRAMWELL, W.Va. — Off-road enthusiasts have even more ground to cover in central Appalachia. The Hatfield–McCoy Trail System announced this week that its Pocahontas Trail is now officially connected to Virginia’s Spearhead Trails, creating a seamless dual-state network for riders across the Appalachian Mountains. The new link between the two systems means riders can now … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia State Parks officials today announced that tickets for the sled run at Blackwater Falls State Park are now available to purchase online. The quarter-mile sled run, the longest on the East Coast, will open for the winter season on Dec. 18 and will be open, weather permitting, Thursdays through Sundays … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is now accepting applications for economic development grants to support and maintain historic properties, particularly those in historic districts across the state. Funded through the National Park Service, the funds are appropriated by the U.S. Congress to support preservation efforts vital to the economic well-being of communities. Applications must be … Read more
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — While rare “synchronous fireflies” are becoming a tourist attraction across Appalachia, a West Virginia University researcher is reminding visitors to enjoy the spectacle responsibly and without disrupting the insects’ delicate mating rituals. Synchronous fireflies (Photinus carolinus) are known for their remarkable ability to coordinate their flashes of light in unison, a natural … Read more
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Film fans across West Virginia are in for a frightfully fun weekend as Halloween-themed screenings, premieres, and film festivals take over theaters and community spaces from Huntington to Saint Albans. From cult classics to indie horror debuts, here’s a look at some of the cinematic highlights scaring up excitement across the Mountain … Read more
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — From cauldrons to candy corn, favorite Halloween traditions in the U.S. have been brewing for thousands of years, according to two West Virginia University religious scholars. Aaron Gale and Alex Snow, associate professors of religious studies in the university’s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences in Morgantown, West Virginia, say that modern … Read more
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — One of the most appealing of all Appalachian legends is that of the tale of the Lost Silver Mine of Johnathan Swift. More than 200 years after the alleged events in this story transpired, treasure hunters continue to search for the vein of silver that Swift claimed to have lost. Many believe … Read more
ELKINS, W.Va. — Historic movie theaters in West Virginia once played a vital role in isolated sections of the Mountain State, says a historian who’s helped breathe new life into these architectural treasures across the region. Now attracting visitors back to historic downtowns, the restoration of these theaters can be expensive, but financing programs and … Read more
