LETTER FROM THE Publisher
I have been lucky enough to work in the publishing world for 20 years. Each year, I have had the opportunity to be involved in our annual Young Guns awards program. A special part of this program is photographing each award winner on location in different places around the state.
Spending time with each of the Young Guns is always a highlight for me. Another advantage is learning even more about this state’ s rich history when traveling for the photo shoot. Over my 20-year publishing career, I have had the chance to travel extensively across West Virginia, and it is always fun to revisit old haunts and explore new gems often with my good friend and photographer Tracy Toler.
LETTER FROM THE Publisher
Tracy Toler, Sheanna Spence and I taking a selfie after her Young Guns photo shoot.
Toler and WVWC President James Moore review images captured during a Young Guns session.
This year’ s photo shoot was sponsored by West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon. While I have spent time both downtown and on campus before, it was wonderful to get to know both places better.
While on campus, we visited the new Stone Tower Brews coffee shop and admired some of the beautiful historic details of the buildings. With my love of antiques and stained glass, I especially enjoyed exploring the iconic Wesley Chapel.
Downtown, we shopped at Artistry on Main, grabbed lunch and some tasty treats at Fish Hawk Acres and wrapped up the day with dinner at Don Patron, complete with a festive flight of mojitos!
Beyond campus and downtown, we also made time to visit the West Virginia Wildlife Center, where we caught a glimpse of French Creek Freddy, elk, black bears, bobcats and other animals that make West Virginia home. Another shoot location led us on a hike to Alum Cave and the unique boardwalk trail at Audra State Park.
I hope you enjoy getting to know the Young Guns Class of 2026 just as much as I enjoyed working with them while exploring yet another corner of Almost Heaven. •
Sampling a mojito flight at Don Patron.
Kensie Hamilton Fauber Publisher
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE