ArtBeat of the Mountains

01/07/2026

Soon to be adopted!
PIANO + ADJUSTABLE CUSHIONED STOOL – in Alderson, WV - FREE!

This is an Acrosonic Piano. Acrosonic pianos were made by Baldwin, which is known for its great quality. It’s a sweet little piano and comes with a super comfortable, cushioned stool that is adjustable height-wise. I am moving and can't take my piano with me. I’d love to give it away to someone who has wanted one or would like to have one for their kiddos, school, church, classroom, or venue. I was planning to paint it and make it cool and artsy! Maybe you’ll do that! Anyway, it would be easy to get this piano out of my house and onto whatever you’d haul it with. I have the piano in my music room, which exits onto the low back porch that connects to the sidewalk and right to the driveway, which is close by. Want a piano? Here’s one for ya!

12/18/2025

The shirts celebrating French the Alderson lion are available at the Alderson Artisans Gallery, which is open daily for the holiday season right now! T-shirts are only $15, and the super comfy sweatshirts are $25. These would make really nice Christmas gifts! I had fun creating the design, and I'm happy to see that folks are liking the shirts. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Go get your shirt! 🙂

Get your lion t-shirts and sweat shirts at the Alderson Artisans Gallery! Great new design, created by Cheryl Mansley, to celebrate the Alderson Lion! $15 for t-shirts and $25 for sweat shirts. Great quality from Allegheny Tees.
Great for Christmas Gifts and stocking stuffers! Colors below and adult sizes up to 3X.

12/05/2025

What a time it will be at the hatchery during the winter solstice celebration on December 21 with people walking along the luminary trail, consuming the goodies, and enjoying the company of the other revelers around the bonfire in the amphitheater. The displays in the Visitors Center will also attract attention. T-shirts and hoodies with rainbow trout, crayfish, and freshwater mussel images will be for sale.

11/14/2025

WRITERS STATION - TOMORROW!

Join us this Saturday, November 15th, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the Train Depot, located at #1 Railroad St. in Alderson, WV, for the Writers Station - an open mic for writers. Bring your original work or something by another author that you would like to share. Poetry, prose, memoirs, fiction, and essays - all are welcome. Storytellers are invited to bring their favorite short tales. The Writers Station is free, open to all readers as well as those who would like to listen. It is sponsored by Alderson Main Street and is produced and hosted by Reni Fulton and Cheryl Mansley. This is the last Writers Station for the year, so on behalf of Alderson Main Street, Cheryl Mansley, and Reni Fulton, we wish you a wonderful holiday season, and we will see you in the spring of 2026. For more info, text Reni at 304-994-1703 or contact Cheryl at 304-702-0554 or [email protected].

11/13/2025

Happening tonight! Thanks, Craig Mohler and the The Monroe Watchman for featuring my press release on the front page! French's story is such a unique one. I'm glad we have started celebrating him over the last couple of years with an annual event - Lion Days, a song, a play, two books, a t-shirt (which I had the pleasure of designing with my lion image that accompanied the article,) and soon, a third book by Hartman!

The Alderson Town Council meeting will start at 7:30 PM and take place in the Council Room at Alderson City Hall, 311 Monroe Street South, Alderson, WV. The meeting is open to the public.

11/08/2025

Author of UPCOMING BOOK about FRENCH, the Alderson Lion, to PRESENT PLAQUE to TOWN of ALDERSON

On Thursday, November 13th, at the Alderson Town Council meeting, author and history professor Richard Hartman will present a framed plaque featuring an actual photo of French, the Alderson lion, and a quote that was published in the Washington Post on April 3rd, 1893.

The quote is from William Blackburn, who was the Head Zoo Keeper at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., when French was there. He described French as “a magnificent specimen in fine coat and splendidly muscled. One particularity of his marking is a spot like a three-leaf clover in the hair on his forehead.”

In the photo, French, who was known for being kind and gentle, was three years old and did not yet have a full mane. It isn’t until a lion is five or six years old that their mane is fully developed.

Richard Hartman is a native-born West Virginian. He holds a Master's in Political Science/Public Administration and a Master's in History. After retiring from 40 years of government service, he became an Adjunct History Professor at Marshall University, West Virginia State, the University of Charleston, and WVU Tech. He has taught American History, World History, and West Virginia History, as well as classes on the Civil War and the Great Depression. A published author of books, magazine articles, and online journals, he is currently working on his next book, which will be all about French!

Hartman plans to give a framed plaque to the Greenbrier Historic Office, as well.

The Alderson Town Council meeting will start at 7:30 PM and take place in the Council Room at Alderson City Hall, 311 Monroe Street South, Alderson, WV. The meeting is open to the public.

11/04/2025

WRITERS STATION - A WRITER'S OPEN MIC - Saturday, Nov. 15th

This month’s Writers Station is set for Saturday, November 15, 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the Train Depot, #1 Railroad St. in Alderson, WV. The Writers Station is an open mic for writers, so bring your original work or something by another author that you would like to share. Poetry, prose, memoirs, fiction, and essays - all are welcome. Storytellers are invited to bring their favorite short tales. This is the last Writers Station for the year, so on behalf of Alderson Main Street, Cheryl Mansley, and Reni Fulton, we wish you a wonderful holiday season, and we will see you in the spring of 2026.

November arrived, bringing sweater weather. All Saints Day on the 1st and Day of the Dead on the 2nd were spooky welcomes for entering winter’s realm. We honor veterans on the 11th with Veterans Day, which also happens to be Fulton’s daughter’s birthday and Mansley’s brother’s, who was a veteran. You may miss your chance to score a date if you don’t take the opportunity on the 13th, Sadie Hawkins Day, when women traditionally do the asking! Thanksgiving is ahead, and we look forward to its bounty of food, family, and friendship. This year, we meet with gratitude on the 27th.

Fortunately, we have the whole month to celebrate Native American Heritage and National Novel Writing. A number of the world’s most renowned novelists have birthdays this month, including Louisa May Alcott, Bram Stoker, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, and Robert Louis Stevenson. The birthday stars shine bright in Hollywood, too, as Leonardo DiCaprio, Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Gosling, Matthew McConaughey, Emma Stone, and Demi Moore celebrate their November birthdays. The month of November feels, in many ways, as though it belongs to writers, so we hope you find your writing inspiration this month.

The Writers Station is free, open to all readers as well as those who would like to listen. It is sponsored by Alderson Main Street and is produced and hosted by Reni Fulton and Cheryl Mansley. For more information, text Reni at 304-994-1703 or contact Cheryl at 304-702-0554 or [email protected].

11/02/2025

My sweet house - complete with an artsy Airbnb that I designed - and my amazing barn building, as I call my shop/studio, garage, and old summer kitchen, is for sale! I have loved being here the last three years, producing community events such as the Freshwater Folk Fest, Jammin' at the Hunkerdown, Cabin Fever, the Writers Station, Lion Days mural painting, and more; teaching art at Carnegie Hall and in the schools; doing theater with kiddos at Greenbrier Valley Theatre and Greenbrier Community School; and playing music with my friends, but I'm ready for a new adventure! So, here we go! ... Hugs, Cheryl 🙂

Home, sweet home 🏠

Situated on a quiet lot out of the flood zone in Alderson, this 3 bed, 2 bath home has so much to offer. This home boasts a unique setup with one side ready for Airbnb or monthly rental - perfect for generating income or hosting guests. The main living area is comfortable and bright, while the property also features a massive workshop ideal for hobbies or business use, plus a 2 stall garage for ample parking and storage. A rare find combining flexibility, function, and opportunity!

https://www.flexmls.com/share/D0qyd/163-N-Washington-St,-Alderson,-WV-24910

Tessa Mitchell, REALTOR ®️
📱 (304)667-2654
📧 [email protected]
Fathom Realty

Martha Hilton - Broker
📱(304)645-7700
📍1034 Washington St. East
Lewisburg, WV 24901

10/26/2025

The Alderson Volunteer Fire Department's and Emergency Medical Services' Fall Fling event at the park tonight ended with these great fireworks!!!

Alderson VFD & EMS

10/16/2025

WRITERS STATION this SATURDAY!

This month’s Writers Station is set for Saturday, October 18, from 6-7:30 pm at the Train Depot, #1 Railroad St. in Alderson WV. The Writers Station is an open mic for writers, so bring your original work or something by another author that you would like to share. Poetry, prose, memoirs, fiction and essays - all are welcome. Storytellers are invited to bring their favorite short tales.

October is upon us. Leaves are falling in the mild autumn breezes, dancing a welcome for winter to come. October seems to be the month for fall festivals across the state, featuring pumpkin carving, scarecrow making, corn mazes, cider pressings and apple butter sales. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness and National Mental Illness Awareness Month. October 4th is World Animal Day and the 5th, World Teacher’s Day. October 13th is Indigenous People Day (formerly Columbus Day) while Jiffy Mix and Homemade Cookie Day are both honored on October 1st. On October 1st 1957, the motto “In God We Trust” appeared on our paper currency for the first time. A few celebrities with birthdays in October include the painter Picasso, John Lennon of Beatles fame, Julie Andrews, Eleanor Roosevelt, Pele, the soccer star and Bill Gates. If you were born between September 21 and October 22, you are in the sign of Libra and might be known for devotion to justice and balance. If you were born between October 23 and November 21, you are under the influence of Scorpio, known for passion, determination and mystery. And last, but in no way least, the night of October 31, the veil is thin, so watch out for ghosts and ghouls in all forms, including Disney princesses and Spider Men holding out buckets and bags for their treats…no tricks!

The Writers Station is free, open to all who would like to read as well as those who would like to listen. The Writers Station takes place on the third Saturday of each month except December. It is sponsored by Alderson Main Street and is produced and hosted by Reni Fulton and Cheryl Mansley. For more information, text Reni at 304-994-1703 or contact Cheryl at 304-702-0554 or [email protected]

10/04/2025

Come on down to the FALL FESTIVAL in Alderson, WV today, and be sure to stop by the Train Depot to get your LION SHIRT and listen to some live music! Vendors are on both sides of the bridge from the Farmers Market pavilion to the Train Depot! The fest runs until 3 pm.

Cheryl Mansley had fun designing our t-shirt to celebrate French, the Alderson lion. As a cub, French was raised in this small West Virginia town. At 11 months of age, he became the first African lion at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and from there moved on to become part of the greatest show on earth - the Barnum and Bailey Circus - and that's a fact!

09/15/2025

JAMMIN’ at THE HUNKERDOWN – NEXT SUNDAY, Sept. 21

On Sunday, September 21st, join us at the Hunkerdown for live music, delicious food, and a wonderful community gathering of musicians and friends. Doors open at 4:00 PM for dinner, and the jam session runs from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. As always, this event is free and open to the public.

Jammin’ at the Hunkerdown is all about community and music – everything from Old-Time, Celtic, Country, Traditional, and Originals, to Ballads, Bluegrass, Blues, and Gospel! We love it all. Acoustic instruments only, please.

If you play an instrument or sing, grab a chair in the music circle. If you prefer to listen, come enjoy the music, tap your toes, and sing along!

Chef Tammy always serves something yummy for dinner at the jams, along with assorted baked goods and signature coffee drinks. The Hunkerdown is located at 110 Fort Springs Road in Sinks Grove, WV. For more information, contact Cheryl Mansley at [email protected] or 304-702-0554, or visit ArtBeat of the Mountains on Facebook.