Verhovayak Lapja, 1941. július-december (24. évfolyam, 27-52. szám)

1941-09-11 / 37. szám

September ii, i94t__________________V erhovayak Lapja SEE WEST VIRGINIA’S SCENIC SPOTS Shortly after the publica­tion of my first article on West Virginia, I received a nice letter from John Sabo, president of Branch 395, McKeesport, Pennsylvania. His letter was written in be­half of the members of his branch who, he says, en­joyed the initial article and appreciated the fact that McKeesport was mentioned. The letter was appreciated and—it’s nice knowing that f ime persons were interest­ed in reading about West Virginia (even if there was an extra incentive—the men­tion of their town). But there’s really no scar­city of people upon whom I can rely to read about West Virginia. For I know someone else who always reads the entire article I write. We’ll just forget thát he “must” read them, and I’ll cut this article shorter this time in order that the seemingly unlimited amount of patience which Albert Jozik has will not be tried, for then even he no longer would be a reader. This time I’m going to try to sell to the readers the idea that West Virginia is an ideal recreational and vacational land. West Vir­ginia is the state whose su­perb beauty attracts tour­ists the year round. Parti­cularly does AUTUMN, who has already begun her work,, bedeck these hills of ours with the most gorgeous colors which beckon to all travelers. West Virginia is truly Nature’s favorite daughter. The forces of nature, after centuries of upheaval, when the ice had been removed from the face of the earth and the seas had been given their alloted space, paused, and in a mood of generosity, gave to one small section of the universe, mountain ranges, not majestic or bar­ren, but beautiful, friendly and green clad; rivers clear and sparkling; blue grass valleys, fertile and flower dotted, a climate not too hot nor too cold. Nature spent ages in making West Vir­ginia the beautiful vacation land, unadorned yet undis­turbed in its simplicity and natural loveliness, THIS is the West Virginia which beckons to you. People who once lived in West Virginia will vouch for the fact that the enhancing charm attracts them back again. I can cite the example of two young Verhovayans. once West Virginians, who returned from their present city homes to enjoy the marvels of the Mountain State’s scenic wonders. Joe Gall of Niagara Falls, New York, could not resist the call of the scenery and spent his vacation a couple of summers ago visiting in West Virginia. He is not only a former West Virginian but he spent his childhood days here at Idamay. (Incidental­ly, Joe, accept my belated thanks for your card from Bermuda. Why don’t you write something about Ber­muda for the Journal so that those of us less fortunate than yourself can enjoy, at least vicariously, a trip to Bermuda?) Albert Sipp of Cleveland is the other Verhovayan I know who each year spends his vacation seeing and en­joying the “scenes of his childhood.” (I appreciated toe card you sent me on your return, Albert.) Speaking of persons visit­ing their childhood homes reminds me that I should tell you about two other recent visitors I had—for­mer playmates: Margaret Toth of Perryopolis, Pa., and Irene Chookie of Kent, Pa. (both loyal and staunch \erhovay members). Marga­ret was the little playmate from across the street when my family lived in Perry­opolis, and Irene would then, as now, visit her frequently. It was a wonderful pleasure seeing the girls again. I have seen Margaret quite often during the years, but aside from seeing Irene’s picture in the “Verhovayak Lapja” last spring, lined up there with the winners of the membership drive who went to Detroit to receive their awards, I had had no op­portunity to see what a • charming, good-looking and interesting young lady she’d turned out to be. I say in­teresting because she has taken two trips to Europe (Hungary, in particular), holds an important position as a private secretary, drives her auto around even these West Virginia curves like a whiz, and, in short, is the personification of: ACCOM­PLISHMENT. I might add that these two girls were impressed with our scenery. West Virginia has many scenic wonders but I’ll tell you about just a few of them this time. I have chosen the Monon­­gahela National Forest area which covers a large moun­tain acreage within central West Virginia, extending from near the Maryland border into Virginia. This national forest even with its ragged and broken borders spreads out its protective arms to include practically all of this state’s Appala­chian highlands. More than 800,000 acres of native for­ests have been taken over by the National Forest Ser­vice for its preservation and care. The gateway to the Mo­­nongahela National Forest is located near Elkins, where this year for the twelfth consecutive year will be held tne annual Mountain State Forest Festival. The festival this year will be held on October 2, 3 and 4. Among those who’ve attended the annual festivals have been a president of the United States, senators, congress­men, governors and diplo­mats. And it would be well worth your while to visit Likins this year and see the festival which features a magnificent program. You will see a parade of approx­imately half a hundred floats and many bands—a parade which will really thrill you. You will see the coronation ceremonies when stately and sedate Queen Sylvia XII receives her crown from Governor M. M. Neely —her court being made up of maidens fair and graceful, princesses beautiful in gowns of all the different hues of autumn leaves. All these are a part of a great equation equalling the glöry that is pageantry. All this will be done in faultless style—the actors of the pageant play­ing a part for her majesty Queen Sylvia and for the audience. Pag« 5 THE INEVITABLE I leaned against the tall grey rocks And gazed far out to sea. The rush of waves against the stones Seemed to play a melody, Now sweet, now sad, Now bitter, now glad, Played for no one else, just for we three— For God and I and the mysterious sea. I thought then of life, its start—its end. A wave is born on a distant shore. It rises fierce and black, it skips small and weak, Merrily it runs to land, and lo! it is no more. It was great and high, It leaped to the sky— It reached the land and life closed its door, But many new waves wait on the ocean floor. I leaned close to the water and softly asked, “Restless water, before thou passeth by, Knewest thou that thou hadst journeyed to death?” I heard what seemed to me a sigh, A sad low tone, A weary moan, And out of the churning I heard a voice cry, “Yea, but thou, too mortal, wast born to die!” —MEV. Also, in the Monogahela Forest, although each quite a distance from Elkins, are located Seneca Rocks, Black­­water Falls and the strange upheaval of rocks south of Petersburg where the back­bone of a long, rolling range of mountains juts through its forest-cloaked crest to appear not unlike the Great Wall of China. Seneca Rocks are located near the mouth of Seneca (in Pendleton County) where the Seneca creek breaks through a high rocky con­fine to join the North Fork. This castle-like stand of rocks overlooks the surround­ing mountain land from the majestic height of 900 feet. A trail to the top invites the curious to enjoy the view. Also in Pendleton County can be seen the state’s high­est point, Spruce Knob, with an elevation of 4,860 feet, and Smoke Hole, which is a canoe-shaped valley extend­ing into Grant County. In Grant County may be seen Regurgiatcry Springs. It is a spring that ebbs and flows with the tides of the sea. In Tucker County, south of Davis, is located Black­­water Falls, which is a scenic spot you will long remember and one which you will prob­ably return to again at the first opportunity. Here the Blackwater River, imprisoned in a deep gorge, plunges 63 feet into the. deeper gorge below. Only a part of the fall is sheer drop, the great­er portion of the falling water is broken by the step­like formations of the rock strata, causing the water to clash itself into white foam before tumbling to another level on its way tó the bot­tom. The Falls was made famous by Porte Crayon in “Blackwater Chronicles.” The best time to take a trip to this celebrated scenic spot is in early June when the laurel is in bloom or in the fall when it is time for— AUTUMN’S VISIT Swashbuckling oaks take russet shades, Sumac dons crimson in the glades, Maples do up their golden hair, Each tree chooses its finest to wear, When the woods play host to its charming guest, For when autumn visits, the brightest is best. —Vera Golden. But you will find a jaunt to this famous falls entirely satisfactory at any time during any month of the year. Wherev.er you travel in West Virginia you won’t miss knowing the historical or scenic importance of places you see, for everywhere along the highways are markers giving ample data on what you are passing on your journey. If you care to secure a good highway map with plenty of beautiful il­lustrations on the back, you may do so simply by writing to the West Virginia State Road Commission, Charles­ton, W. Va., asking them to piacé your name on their mailing list for the State Road Map. You will receive gratis the maps which are published bi-monthly. Whatever else you “hit or miss,” you “must” see West Virginia—WHERE each day YANKEE DOODLE SAYS GOOD MORNING TO DIXIE.

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