Saturday, Nov. 7, brought the area’s first train excursion in 12 years to downtown Bluefield.
On behalf of the Mercer County Convention & Visitors Bureau I would like to thank the wonderful volunteers who helped make this event possible: Bluefield Mayor Linda Whalen, Bluefield City Manager Andy Merriman, members of the Bluefield Board of Directors (Pete Sternloff, Mike Vinciguerra, Mary Frances Brammer, Tom Blevins), Angie Foley, the city of Bluefield, the Bluefield Public Works Department, Bluefield Police Department, Bluefield Fire Department, Bluefield Transit Authority, Superintendent Gary Shepard, Norfolk Southern/Pocahontas Division, Norfolk Southern Safety Department, Norfolk Southern Railroad Police, Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce (Marc Meachum, Debbie Maynard), the Bluefield Fine Arts Commission (Skip Crane, Mary Jo Babbitt, Gerri Culler, Judy Lambert, Becky Sowers), the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, the media, Cameron Burton, Jeri Ball, Kathy Nelson, Debbie Majors, Bluefield State College volunteers, Mary Frances Williams, Bonnie Patterson, Thelma Shumate, Frances Wayland, George McGonagle, Janet Mabe, Community Connections (Greg Puckett), photographer Steve Coleman, local artist Larry Akers for his generous offering of artwork displayed in downtown buildings and the Mercer County CVB staff (Beverly Wellman, Melanie Farmer and Courtney Neese). Whether you were behind the scenes, or in the forefront of the event, you made a tremendous difference. Thank you for your support and selfless contribution.
I would like to recognize and thank Gary Bowling’s House of Art, Tamarack, The Landmark Antique Mall, Bluefield Florist, Kammer’s, Warlick’s, Craft Memorial Library, Bluefield State College Research & Development Center, Bluefield News & Brew, Bohemian Bakery, Heritage Café, The Internet Café, The Manor Market, David’s at the Club, Slick & Slew’s BBQ, Key Ingredients, Sacred Heart, artisans/vendors and entertainers,George Robertson and Ed Trotta.
In closing I’d like to thank the community for embracing our visitors and making them feel welcome.
Marie Blackwell
interim executive director
Mercer County CVB
