Meetings and Events Archives - Opossum Creek Retreat

The Short list: Bridge Day 2016 (a how to)

WEAR SENSIBLE SHOES! Sorry for yelling but this alone can save the day. I see a lot of unhappy people each year because they did not heed this grandmotherly advice.

Friday

Food is a big part of Bridge Day and it starts Friday night with the Taste of Bridge Day. It’s sponsored by the rotary clubs and really a good time. And if you can get to town before the Taste event starts to play around in the escape rooms of New River Gorge Escape Rooms, you will thank me.

Saturday

Burn some calories so you can eat all day! This is the first year for the Active SWV Bridge Day 5k and it is going to be OSSUM! Way to go Mel!

I like my funnel cakes first thing in the morning, while the grease is fresh and clear (and I just drooled a little bit.)

This is a short Bridge Day funnel cake video we made just a few years ago to honor this food tradition.

Those boys are now young men whom I am very proud of.

You better share that funnel cake, because you need to save room for the other great stuff like gyros and sandwiches so big it takes a team to eat them, and kettle corn. I missed it last year. Thought I could wait till the end and take a fresh bag home to share with the homebodies, and they were sold out! Not letting that happen again. The food list goes on and on. Hmm, that give me an idea… I’ll get back to you on that.

Now the bridge closes at 3 p.m., so heading into Fayetteville is the ticket. Book your group early for New River Gorge Escape Rooms to ensure you get in on this really fun new attraction. (Yes, worth mentioning twice.) Bridge Day Chili Cook-off in Fayetteville starts after the bridge closes and there will be the music of Bridge JAM to round out the evening.

Wow! That’s a busy day but you still have:

Sunday

May I suggest breakfast at one of our great local spots like Cathedral Cafe or Vandal’s Kitchen, both in downtown Fayetteville. Then taking a hike on one of the 70 miles of trails in our National Parks— yes we have several, and you own them, so go use them!

I will be out there in the dark setting up the Chamber of Commerce tents on either end of the bridge, and secretly taste testing my way across the bridge and back.

A big shout out to The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce and CVB staff for pulling this monumental task off each year. Thank you Sharon and Mandy, and everyone else who helps make this great event happen.

See you out there wearing my sensible shoes! And enjoying the amazing day.

I am BANANAS for this guy (and his farm-to-table food!)

I am BANANAS for this guy: Farm-to-table Chef Dale Hawkins of Fish Hawk Acres.

Fish Hawk Acres has catered a few events at Opossum Creek Retreat, but I had never met the chef, until now.

Geoff with Chef Dale Hawkins of Fish Hawk Acres

WV's Fish Hawk Acres chef — Geoff with Chef Dale Hawkins of Fish Hawk Acres

This was a fancy wedding for a dear friend’s daughter, and was it Ossum! I loved the arch leading everyone down the path to the ceremony. We were not the only ones stopping for the photo op.

The wedding arch added an elegant touch to this gorgeous outdoor ceremony.

It had been a while since I sat at a table with a place setting like this. Lets see, what one to use first?

A table is set for the fine farm-to-table flavors of Chef Hawkins.

The only thing that upstaged the food was the bride of course, and maybe the preacher.

I understand that the idea of farm-to-table is to eat food grown and raised close to your home as often as possible. I like eating fresh, unprocessed meals and the more that is available, the more we do it. But come on who doesn’t like BANANAS? Pineapple? Even rice?

Glad to have finally met the man, the myth, the legend. Love this food, but I am not giving up BANANAS!

Bird Watcher’s Digest brought the Rendezvous to the Gorge

Bird Watcher’s Digest hosts Reader Rendezvous around the country, a fun-filled weekend of birding, music and friends. Last week, they were in West Virginia at North Bend State Park, and took a side trip to visit us. Not to stay, but to look for birds. (Something we are always doing, even while writing blogs.

They brought 18 people from all over the USA, and as far away as the west coast, all hoping to see a Swainson’s Warbler. We showed them a whole lot more.

Meeting a group at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center is always a great kick-off. The NPS does an amazing job telling the story of our area. Plus, it has knockout views of the bridge and New River Gorge and Peregrine Falcon chicks. Mom and Dad did not show up.

They had been in the cars for 3 hours so once they stretched their legs, we headed out on some back roads along the Rhododendron-covered creek beds in search of the shy warbler.

Before the morning was over, all 18 guests and guides had seen the little bird. Many had long close-up looks, allowing them to study his subtleties in coloration and mannerisms. To say he is shy is an understatement. Many say he is skulky. He lives in the thickest of cover, and hates to peek his rather large beak out of it for any reason. The coolest thing about this bird is his song. Listen for it in the background of the video. Loud and clear, in part because of that honking beak he has.

We got really good looks and many birds we call “common,” and may not normally take a second glance at. But when you have a bunch of people who have never seen a Cardinal, well, it’s easy to get excited about the local birds all over again.

We ended up rewarding ourselves at with a wonderful lunch at Pies and Pints, along with spotting a few more birds while stuffing pizza in our faces.

Bird Fest, Best Fest

“The Festival.”

Thats what we call it. The official name is “The New River Birding and Nature Festival.”

I have to say, it is as fun for me to help organize the event as it is to go birding all week. We love doing it. Even the week-long frenzy of chores, like putting the tent up, shopping and gardening, and cooking for 80-90 people per night.

We even have our own version of “Chopped,” without all the stress. Our version involves bringing new recipes/dishes in to share at lunch, then deciding which are selected to be prepared during the festival. This year’s surprise winner was the homemade vegan ice cream! Yep, I just said that. We knew we had a winner when, while staring at 4 great flavors, the kids picked IT for seconds, and thirds, and is it all gone? We saw the same thing happen during the festival, and ended up making it several nights. It was soooo good!

The funny thing: I am not the only one who finds joy in the event as much as or more than the birds. You want to know how I know this?

Enjoying the Birding Festival with small, intimate outings.

There were no birds this year. Yet it was “the best one yet,” according to a long-time repeat guest.

We saw birds. It was not really NO birds, just not what we are used to. The Migration was late. Heck, the whole spring was late. The Amazing Jim McCormac put it at a full 2 weeks delayed. So while we saw some birds and some cool plants, everyone had a great time. A really great time. I was reluctant to mention it, fearing I would jinx something. But by the weekend, it was clear we had just pulled off another amazing week with wonderful guides and guests, and we can’t wait to do it again next year.

Dang! How are we going to top that one?

Want to Know More about the Birding and Nature Festival?

The New River Birding & Nature Festival in West Virginia

Hello,

Birding and nature festivals have boomed over the past decade here in the USA. I co-founded the New River Birding and Nature Festival 13 years ago to help boost tourism in our off-season, and raise money for nature-based, hands-on school-age education.

While some events boast up to 5,000 participants, like the biggest day in birding and the Space Coast festival, ours is small and intimate with a back-porch feel. We provide guided trips with no more than 20 guests and 4 guides per trip. We are famous for finding wood warblers singing on-territory.

Get an up-close look at the New River Gorge’s wildlife.

Each day after our field trips, we have 2 presentations: the “popcorn talk,” which is a casual, short program by one of our guides/authors, and the evening keynote after a home-cooked dinner. All of the guides are well-known stars of the birding world, and most of them are authors. We pay a lot of attention to the ecosystem and our area’s rich coal mining history. Most of our trips are in and around the New River National River in Southern West Virginia. This area is under the protection of the National Parks System.

The proceeds from this event are used to fund a 501c3 non-profit organization called the Fayette County Education Fund. This organization sponsors the Fayette County Leadership Program for high school juniors. This is a competitive admission program, and only 12 students are accepted from across the county to take part in the year-long curriculum. All graduates receive a $1,000 scholarship. We also provide hands-on field trips, studying our local environment for hundreds of elementary and middle school-aged children, plus weekend programing for the public.

All of this is made possible because people love spending time together enjoying nature in a fun and informative setting.

You can learn more on our homepage at www.birding-wv.com. Or, feel free to contact me.

Enjoy!

Geoff
(888) 488-4836
Managing Partner, Opossum Creek Retreat www.opossumcreek.com
President, Fayette County Education Fund
Co-founder, New River Birding and Nature Festival

What Niche are You?

We hosted a beginner bird banding class last week, limited to 8 people, and sold out early. These folks spent an intensive week learning how to net, identify, band and release birds safely.

Some birds are well-named. This is one. Many have names that have nothing to do with the bird, but that is its own rant I will save till later. This is a yellow-throated vireo. To hear his song, click here.

When I saw this sticker, I knew it was going to be a good week. This is the organization the oversees and provides the training for banders. Edye Kornegaywas the banding instructor that made it come true. She was amazing.

Keith in the hot seat learning the Tools of the trade. Serious work. Big heavy books not only identify, but collect a lot of information on these tiny little birds.

Opossum Creek Retreat provided lodging, meals and a great family feel for the whole group for the whole week. We love hosting our fellow bird lovers.

Quilting bee? Book club? Yoga? Bible study? Writers’ workshop?

What Niche group do you want to bring?

Learn Beginner Bird Banding in the Gorge!

Birds and Opossum Creek Retreat have a long history.

A warbler from the nets at the New River Birding and Nature Festival.

For twelve years now, Opossum Creek has hosted the New River Birding and Nature Festival,which has evolved into an event that has a wonderful “back porch” kind of feel— like a family reunion with a family you would hand pick for yourself.

From the very beginning, bird banding has been a part of the festival. This year, we are taking it to another level: Opossum Creek Retreat and the Institute for Bird Populations are teaming up to offer our first ever “Beginner Bird Banding Class” Aug. 18-24 here in The New River Gorge.

Bird banding helps us learn more about the birds we love, understand their behavior and their habitat needs. With the information gleaned from banding, we are able to address environmental issues that have an impact on our feathered friends.

Now, there’s a whole lot more that we learn from the info gathered, but you can read more about that from a more accurate source, like the Institute for Bird Populations.

You too can learn more about our feathered friends! There are still a few spots left. For info on the class, call Keith at 888-488-4836.

Beginner Bird Banding Class details

August 18th- 24th at Opossum Creek Retreat $1,800.00 per person; includes all class materials, instructors’ fees, lodging and meals.

At Opossum Creek Retreat for the Birding & Nature Festival

The class will begin on the afternoon of Aug. 18 and end after banding Sunday, Aug. 24.

Each day, we will be in the field at sunrise and work the nets for 5-6 hours. Then, we will have lunch (1 hour), and a 2-3 hour classroom session, followed by a break and then dinner.

There will be some “homework.” Information and details of course materials can be found at the IBP website.

Proper field attire is necessary. (Mud boots and rain gear, too). We are in the woods. Mosquito and ticks are present.

FACILITIES & LODGING

Opossum Creek Retreat is nestled uniquely just minutes from theNew River Gorge National River in South-Central West Virginia.

Interacting with the birds at the festival

Classroom activities will be held in the 1,000 square-foot meeting /great room of the Meadows Cabin. Lodging in the Meadows Cabin is included in the registration fee. Each registrant will have his/her own private room (all linens and towels are provided). There are 3 full bathrooms to share.

There are several other private cabins available at an additional fee if you would like your own cabin.

There is a guest laundry available for your convenience during your stay.

Also included in the registration fee is a continental breakfast, lunch and a home-cooked dinner each day. Please let us know of any dietary needs or issues upon registration.

REGISTRATION

Class is Limited to 8 people, with a minimum of 6. Full payment is due upon registration. To register, contact Keith at 888-488-4836. Please do not book your flights until the class minimum is met.

Out of my comfort zone?

What is better than a costume party?

No, really, it is hard to make a party any better than starting with costumes and dressing up. It’s like Halloween in June.

But there are a few things that really made this day in one of America’s “Coolest Small Towns” even better.

Start with a town full of happy people. (Back in the day I could have used the word “gay” in place of happy, but it has been taken over to mean other things.)

Add: puppies!

Add: a WWII Biplane. A giant Sock Monkey and some dude in a tux.
Add: lots of kids, Kids are shameless when it comes to putting on a costume. When do we lose that?
Add: a skydiver.
Add: a film crew. You are going to want to share the fantastic images later.
Add: perfect weather.
Add: some bikes, trikes, roller blades, longboards, and anything else that moves

Add: more Sock Monkeys.

Next, have everyone run around a lot, laughing, smiling, screaming, and yelling. Then…

Dance! Dance in the streets while the police block traffic for you! You will have to watch the video for this part.

What a great way to spend the afternoon. It reminds me what a lucky bunch we are. Humans, that is.

Out of my comfort zone?

No not at all. You?

We’ve Got That Old-Fashioned 4th Pride

Back in the day, 4th of July was a stay-at-home holiday. Most families did not travel. That’s why we think of the hometown, American-feel Main Street parade when we think of July 4th. All those cliches are true, and give us a warm and fuzzy feeling about our nation’s birthday celebration.

Celebrate America and the values of the good old days

As well they should!

Today, our summer vacation schedule is compressed into 6 weeks: Mid-June to the end of July. That’s down from Memorial Day to Labor Day in the good old days, when there was a good solid 12 weeks of Summer.

There are lots of reasons why the summer has been smooshed, but let’s save that for another time and just say that if you still want that hometown feel while you’re traveling over the July 4th holiday…

We have all that in Fayetteville, WV.

Bring Grama and the kids and do some recreation, some relaxing and some cabining.

We have all that at Opossum Creek.