For publisher Josh Baldwin, the Greenbrier Valley Quarterly is acelebration of the artists who make southern West Virginia special.
The magazine made its debut in June and focuses on art, culture,and the heritage of the Greenbrier River Valley.
"We've created a forum to celebrate our cultural heritage in thearts, from painters, to musicians to bakers," said the 28-year-oldBaldwin. "These are the people who make this part of the country sospecial."
The Huntington native relocated to Greenbrier County seven monthsago to pursue his vision of a fresh, new publication that would toutwhat southeastern West Virginia has to offer. It was an extension ofthe master's thesis he was completing at the University of NorthCarolina at Wilmington.
"My thesis was about the attachments West Virginians have to ourstate," he said. "Although many of us are forced to leave foreconomic reasons, we still yearn to come back home to West Virginia.
"The magazine is an extension of my thesis: It constructs apositive image of southern West Virginia."
His West Virginia roots brought Baldwin home again after one yearabroad and three in North Carolina. In 2001, he and his wife lived inPrague, Czechoslovakia, where the Marshall University graduate usedhis just-earned bachelor's degree in English to teach English in theCzech Republic.
"I taught negotiating skills and business presentations toemployees of Levi Jeans, Wrigley Gum and the Czech Department ofDefense," said Baldwin. "In 2002, we returned to Wilmington where Ipursued my master's degree."
While living in North Carolina, the 1850s farmhouse his parentshad purchased in Greenbrier County in 1995 became Baldwin's "homeaway from home."
It's what finally brought him home again.
"The Greenbrier Valley area is a sleeping giant," said Baldwin."The baby boomers made a mass exodus from West Virginia, but as theybegin to retire, they're coming back home. They may keep a home inFlorida, but they want one here, too."
For his first issue, Baldwin relied on old friends from college tosupply much of the editorial content, along with a few local writers.The infancy of the publication requires Baldwin to wear all of themany hats associated with the endeavor.
"In addition to being the publisher and a contributing writer, Ido the business end of selling advertising, putting all the storiestogether as managing editor, and acquiring the photos, which I see asa key component to the magazine," he said.
To ease the burden, Baldwin has enlisted the assistance of hiswife, Mary, to handle subscriptions, edit and write.
In the summer edition, Mary submitted a piece on the Moxie Cafe inUnion. There, diners from France to Florida enjoy the flair of aformer chef from The Greenbrier in a moxie - or daring - atmospherewhere patrons may wear overalls or their Sunday best.
"We're not the New York Times where we do reviews that butcher ourrestaurants and businesses," said Baldwin. "Yet it's not fluff,either. We're here to help our businesses, showcasing them in a full-color format with eloquent, passionate writing."
For the fall issue, Baldwin said he was inundated with writers andphotographers wanting to contribute their skills.
"I'm fortunate to have a pool of talented folks," said Baldwin."I'm not worried about having a lack of stories for future editions.Although some of the stories may have been told in other mediaoutlets, we look at them with a fresh angle."
J. Preston Smith, a Harley-Davidson enthusiast and author of twonovels, wrote a travelogue of his Harley ride from Charleston withGov. Joe Manchin to the kickoff for the West Virginia HOG (HarleyOwners Group) rally at Snowshoe Mountain Resort.
"Preston's first-person narrative of his ride with the governorand his trek through the Greenbrier Valley drew readers into hisworld and into the world of motorcycles," said Baldwin.
Graphic design artist Erica Bell also brings a unique flavor tothe magazine.
"She uses a very colorful palette rather than your standard blacktext on a white background," said Baldwin. "The pictures explode offthe pages yet the text sinks into the page without an unpleasantbrightness. The layouts themselves are a form of art."
The Greenbrier Valley Quarterly enjoys an audience of localresidents along with readers who have migrated elsewhere but stillhave an attachment to the Mountain State.
"We have subscribers from California, to Boston, Florida andTexas," said Baldwin. "The response to the first two issues has beenoverwhelmingly positive. It's a unique product; one I believe ranksright up there with other top-quality West Virginia publications."
The 5,000-copy winter edition of the GVQ will be released in earlyDecember. It features the art of Jonathan Jessup, a little-knownphotographer who has been snapping shots of West Virginia mountainsfor more than 15 years. "All Things Coffee," by Bev Pauley, offersreaders a look at three cafes and the emergence of a coffee culture.
The spring issue will encourage outdoor enthusiasts to explorebirding in the Mountain State, and visitors to enjoy dining in ahistorical setting at The Tavern 1785 in Lewisburg.
"We appeal to tourists as well as the local residents," saidBaldwin. "Greenbrier Valley Quarterly portrays the area as itcontinues to evolve in a way that protects our environment and thesocial and historical aspects that make this area special."
The Greenbrier Valley Quarterly may be purchased at Taylor Booksin Charleston.
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