Oh wow , Im on tv.... And don't I look just grand. My owner is talking about me. I know she likes me so much. Please check me out..
http://www.wchstv.com/traveling/2009/twv090709.shtml

Good morning everybody.

Its a rainy sorta day. I always feel a bit sad when I see the rain a commin. Ya see, I don't have a good cover over my bones. My people are working to restore me and working hard and fast to get this roof of mine water tight. I'm a big guy, and it does take time.. So I try to be patient.



Yesterday the fireworks were popping and lighting up the sky all around me. Such a beautiful site.

I have had quite a number of visitors this week. Several have come to enjoy the coal mining experience. Some have come for tea(mmmmmmm I love tea time!) We have had several that just come to see me. I work hard to be on my best behavior when I have visitors. I try not to pop or creak to badly and I like to stand nice and tall so they can get a good picture.
My owners tell stories
about me and my life to the visitors taking the tour. I enjoy hearing about my past.

Well the world outside is starting to wake up, and the pigeons on my eaves are moving around to start there day. more later,

just me

Whipple

Justin trying his fingers

Tim is trying his "touching ever so lightly" technique.

Ben's fingers are squeaky clean, and ready to play

Dave sharing his Glass Armonica.

It was a wonderful addition to an already fabulous evening.

I am looking spiffy!

I am very proud of the way I am starting to look. My people are working everyday to make me weather tight and clean. Of course my roof is still leaking and my exterior walls have lots of problems. I'm not to pretty in the paint area as my paint in most places is original, and starting to flake. I'm not complaining mind you. I am starting to smell a bit better, and I feel great!Funny as that may sound, 119 years of musty coal dirt and pigeons in my tower start to smell a little bad, and wear and tear on the old bones.

I had some interesting people come through to look at me today and Joy, one of the people that care for me took them on a tour. She always tells tourist how happy she is with the way I am starting to shape up.
Today she was telling the folks from Kentucky what a special place I really am.. These folks were quite interested about the days of the coal miner and the old coal camp life. They asked a lot of question about my large arched porch and my elevator. The ballroom is always so much fun for people to see. I like folks to come up here on the 3rd floor for a couple reasons, I have a very unique structure that Joy tells people about, and the other reason its at the top of my structure and of course I can here the comments better!"GRIN". I'm pretty sure these Kentuckians liked me. They stayed a good while and visited all my little nooks and crannies. I was very pleased they had a good time.. I hope they come back soon.

We had a grand Gala here a couple weeks back. I enjoy parties and festive times here. Lots of people attended, and we had delicious food and lots to drink. A very nice man, Dave had brought his Glass Armonica..Now I must say that was most unique,and almost as original as I am.. It was very nice sounding and made my store space sound so special. Dave was very thoughtful about his musical instrument and allowed others at the gala to enjoy playing it. I had such a wonderful time listening to the people chat and wander through my rooms.. I did over hear that there are more parties planned.. I can't wait..
Well till next time ....
Just me,
WHIPPLE

Spring is in the air..Admire my beautiful apple blossoms. My Siding don't match,my window sills are almost all gone, my roof is having issues.. But the sun shines bright and I am fine! Please come for a visit. Whipple

Spring is in the Air. YAY! I am looking real run down after the long cold winter. But I am going to be magnificent once again, as many people are looking at me and wanting me to be handsome.

My old bones have been creaking and I believe the water is running in my basement. I am potty trained, and have been for about 95 years so I can only think that a water pipe may have sprung a leak. It happens!

It is looking more and more like my owners are looking toward a black tin roof to place upon my head. WOW won't I look smart. Now you have to admit that it will be better to place a black tin roof on me to keep me safe for 50 more years, than a rolled roof that will have to be replaced every 8 years. I am preservations biggest fan, but I must admit those nails and hammers beating on me every day is getting to be a bit painful.
My people say they need more help to be able to afford the tin roof. Money is the factor. I can't understand what all the fuss is about. Everybody likes me, they can see how sad and sickly I'm becoming. People also are very generous, So I've decide to just ask everybody to help me out a little. I am old, but have many years left if I can keep the wind and rain from wearing me down. Won't you please help out a little by sending me a check or money order for any amount to,
Whipple Company Store P.O.Box 150, Scarbro, WV. 25917
Now if your a little shy about sending money to help me out just look at me on my website and you will get a better idea of how uncomfortable I am with all the holes in my roof.

I don't chat to much off this blog, but you can come a hear me moan and groan from years of neglect. My people will be happy to answer any questions and write you a tax deductible receipt for your generosity. 304 465-0331

Well enough for now. I want to share my apple blossoms in spring with you They smell so nice
with the aroma coming through my siding. Well till next time... Enjoy the Sun.
Just me, Whipple

Spring is in the air.. Although the weather around me is quite cool and a bit dreary, i know that the sun and the summer are right around the corner.. My people are coming to open my doors soon, May 1st to be exact, and I will be brimming with laughter, voices, children's smiles and people telling there coal related stories.. I love to hear the stories told by the people who once lived here and visited my place. Alot of people mention about the 'ol company store being the Walmart of yesterday. True, we did sell alot of things back in the coal camp days.. Can you name anything you can recall that would have been sold in the company store before 1954?


I can remember Bononmo Turkish Taffy. Funny it was neither turkish or taffy. But yummmmmmmmmmmmmm it was good! They no longer make that
"smack it" and "crack it "candy. It was a great invention by Victor Bonomo who past away at age 100 yrs in 1999. Recent update is that a new company has acquired the brand and is working to recreate the recipe . Perhaps I will once again hear the sound of the "smack" and the candy cracking into many little pieces to shared with one another.


Well, till next time

just me,WHIPPLE

Its been a beautiful day here in Florida where we are spending some winter days looking forward to our return to West Virginia the company store and museum. Plans are in the works to re-due the ceiling in the 3rd floor ballroom, and to inventory and clean the print room in the basement. Lots of events are scheduled for the store and museum. The gift shop will get some much needed inventory, as well as a tea room added. The museum has a quilt show challenge in the works and Our annual Gala is sure to be a Hit. Our Victory garden will be mapped out and planted. This should be alot of fun.

This twilight photo was taken by a West Virginia local, George Bragg. A very talented, and gifted photographer. We have some very nice photos done in the evening light. All of them beautiful. I especially like how the light reflects on this photo, highlighting what has come to be known as Ellie's room. More on Ellie's room next time .............