Magazine gets statewide news coverage

WBOY's Courtney Dunn sat down with WV LIVING Editor Nikki Bowman to talk about the mission of the magazine. 

Sensational Small Towns

When I first visited Lewisburg, I hadn’t even parked my car before I called my husband and said, “Pack our bags!  We are moving to Lewisburg!” I found myself slowly driving down the quaint streets looking for houses for sale. The town has a way of wrapping its arms around you. And then I visited Berkeley Springs…then Shepherdstown...then Elkins—the dilemma! I could have easily landed in any of those charming places. West Virginia is truly blessed with many incredible small towns, and with each issue of WV LIVING we will give you an inside look into these wonderful places and hopefully inspire you to visit.  You never know, you may even decide to call one of them "home."

Celebrating Life in the Mountain State

I am so excited to welcome you to the inaugural issue of WV LIVING—West Virginia’s first and only statewide lifestyle magazine!

WV LIVING is more than just a magazine. It’s a way of life. It’s walking barefoot through the grass. Chasing fireflies beneath a night sky, thick with stars. It’s a family reunion replete with every casserole known to man. It’s a leisurely stroll down Main Street. And it’s the thrill of snow on your face as you race a sled down a frozen hillside.

WV LIVING is a celebration of who we are—and who we are becoming.  A celebration of our people. People like glassblower Ron Hinkle (see page 22), who beautifully breathes life into a dying art. Or Kim Parrish (see page 8), who uses her story to inspire and mentor young women. Or Katie Lee Joel (see page 33), who instead of hiding her West Virginian roots when she married rock legend Billy Joel, celebrates it in her new cookbook.

WV LIVING is a call to wear our Appalachian heritage like a badge of honor. It is a call to live intentionally, to wrap our arms around each day and savor it. It is a call to take the time to discover the hidden treasures in our backyard—wonderful towns, charming shops, and unique restaurants that are right around the corner.

So in every issue, we will showcase the best that West Virginia has to offer with positive stories reflecting our unique heritage. Our articles cover the entire state—not just one geographical location—and capture modern day life in West Virginia while remembering our roots and treasuring our traditions. Simply put: WV LIVING takes us home.