Patrick County Tourism People Greet Visitors at I-77 Welcome Center
April 21, 2008
On Thursday, April 17, 2008, a group of Patrick County tourism professionals traveled to the I-77 Virginia Welcome Center at Lambsburg to promote their businesses and Patrick County.
Among those involved in this event were four Tourism Advisory Council (TAC) members, the Executive Director of the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce and five members of the J.E.B. Stuart Birthplace Trust, Inc. Also involved were members of the business community that included retail establishments and bed-and-breakfast inns.
Tom Bishop, Executive Director, of the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce and TAC talked with travelers about the many businesses involved with the Chamber and gave out brochures. Jim Keesee, President of the
J.E.B. Stuart Birthplace Trust, Inc., along with members Shirley and Marvin Keene, Ronnie Haynes, and Richard Murray, promoted the Highland Games to take place at Laurel Hill on April 26, and informed the travelers about their work with the preservation of the birthplace. Ms. Keene impressed the visitors with her period Scottish costume.
Two couples that own bed-and-breakfast establishments also traveled to the Welcome Center. Patrick and Crystal Powell, of Dutchies View in Woolwine, greeted visitors and talked about their inn and the many attractions of Patrick County. The Powells were the moving force in arranging the Welcome Center event. Gary and Cindy Hoback, of Wolf Creek Farm in Ararat, offered fresh coffee and friendly chat to everyone that came in, and talked about the beauties and historical features of their area. Cindy Hoback is also a member of the Tourism Advisory Council.
Patrick County's artisan community was also well-represented during the event. Charlotte Gardner, TAC president, represented Bull Mountain Arts with a display of artisans' work and with a quilting demonstration. Sue Shelor, of Mountain Meadow Farm and Craft Market, demonstrated gourd art and gave out brochures about her business, corn maze and festivals through the season. She also promoted the Crooked Road by giving out free demo CDs and brochures. Leslie Shelor, TAC member and owner of Greenberry House, dressed in period costume and demonstrated hand spinning to appreciative travelers and gave out Patrick County brochures and business cards.
Over 900 travelers and visitors to Virginia were greeted by the Patrick County group. Travelers from as far away as Quebec, Canada, Ohio, and Indiana, many of them frequent visitors to Virginia, were impressed with the presentations made by the Patrick Countians. One woman commented, "Of course we'll visit Patrick County! You are all so friendly!" Others left with stacks of brochures given out by the group and asked many questions about the events, businesses and scenic attractions available in the county. The tourism professionals that took advantage of this opportunity felt that their time was well-spent and that many of the people that they talked with would be visiting Patrick County in the future.
The Virginia Welcome Centers are operated by the Virginia Tourism Corporation and offer free demonstration opportunities to Virginia organizations and businesses. For more information visit http://www.vatc.org.
Article prepared by Leslie Shelor, owner of Greenberry House, Meadows of Dan, VA
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