daily304 - Episode 02.17.2024

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Saturday, Feb. 17  

#1 – From WV EXPLORER – Spring ramp festivals are drawing more attention than ever, thanks to a renewed interest in West Virginia and Appalachia, says the publisher of West Virginia Explorer Magazine.

David Sibray says ramp festivals witnessed a leap in attendance in 2023 and he’s expecting the number to grow due to increased interest in the state as a destination for vacations and residency.

In January 2024, National Geographic named whitewater rafting in the New River Gorge in West Virginia among its “Best of the World” Top 20 Travel Experiences. This designation follows a series of recent significant announcements in other high-profile travel publications.

A seasonal staple of Appalachian cuisine, ramps or rampion, a wild leek native to eastern North America, are among the first edible plants to appear in the mountains in spring. WV Explorer’s Ramp Dinners and Festivals guide will be updated soon with 2024 dates.

Read more:

https://wvexplorer.com/2024/02/06/spring-ramp-festivals-west-virginia-david-sibray/

 #2 – From WMYW –  In the latest episode of the Daily304’s “What Makes You Wonderful” podcast, we climb into the intriguing world of geological wonders with special guest David Sibray, publisher and editor-in-chief of West Virginia Explorer Magazine. 

This week’s spotlight shines on Castle Rock, nestled in the quaint town of Pineville, West Virginia. While other geological formations may steal the limelight, Castle Rock emerges as a captivating underdog, ready for adventurers and nature enthusiasts.

With a passion for uncovering the lesser-known treasures of the region, David Sibray offers invaluable insights into the unique charm of Castle Rock. Sibray says it stands as a testament to the beauty and storied history.

Listen now:

https://daily304.libsyn.com/wmyw-unveils-castle-rocks-charm-with-david-sibray?es_id=5656116a01

#3 – From WBOY-TV –  Most West Virginians know that Hurricane is pronounced HUR-uh-kun and Canaan is pronounced kuh-NANE, but here are a few places in West Virginia that unless you live there, you will probably say wrong the first try.

12 News referenced the book “A Guide to Pronunciation of Place Names in West Virginia” for this story, which was published by West Virginia University in 1981.

If you travel to Rio in Hampshire County, you’d better pronounce it RY-oh, like the locals do. Meanwhile, Iaeger, the vowel-heavy town in McDowell County, is pronounced YAY-gur--similar to Jägermeister, the German liquor.

Read on for more place names you might be mispronouncing, and be sure to check out Part 1 of the story. 

Read more:

https://www.wboy.com/only-on-wboy-com/west-virginia-place-names-you-might-be-pronouncing-wrong/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.