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October 9, 2014 – Meeting Roundup – Capon Springs & Farms

Jonathan Bellingham represents three generations of the Austin family, which celebrates their 82nd season as stewards of Capon Springs & Farms in Hampshire County. For the last 28 years he has served as the Marketing and Recreation Manager, hosting families, groups and individuals at their historic resort getaway.

After a fire destroyed the Grand Mountain House at Capon Springs in 1911, this 19th century resort lay quiet until it was resurrected by Lou and Virginia Austin in 1932. At that time, Lou was a distributor for Capon Springs Water in Philadelphia. After the owner of the Spring and bottling facility was unable to pay his taxes, the property was seized. In an attempt to recover the taxes owed, the Spring, bottling plant and several hundred acres were put up for auction at the Courthouse in Romney.

Along with the bottling facilities and healthy spring water, Lou and Virginia acquired the remnants of a once-thriving turn-of-the-century resort. Gradually through the help of hard-working co-workers, the repair and rebuilding began. Electricity came to the Capon Springs area. Weekends saw friends coming, who then told their friends and the circle grew.

Lou and Virginia’s faith and caring laid the foundation for the welcoming atmosphere felt by both guests and co-workers. Lou eventually recorded these experiences in several books, including three for children, all of which are still in print fifty years later. The spirits of founders Lou and Virginia Austin provide a safe haven of peace and rest, which continues into the fourth generation of Austin families.

You, your family and friends can enjoy great food and outdoor fun while making lasting friendships. Capon’s 19th century architecture and town square layout, combined with its camp-like informal atmosphere, creates the feeling that you have somehow stepped back in time to a quieter, gentler era. Guests describe their visits to their all-inclusive mountain resort, situated on over 4,700 acres of WV wilderness, as coming home.

The days at Capon flow around made-from-scratch meals with ingredients fresh from their farm, which begin with the ringing of the dinner bell. In between meals, Capon offers plenty to do – golf, swimming, shuffleboard, badminton, tennis, hiking, fishing, reading, “porching”, enjoying a relaxing treatment at our spa or napping in one of our hammocks….

And nature’s gifts of woodlands and water provide the perfect setting… clean air, the night sky full of stars, the morning songs of the birds and the evening sounds of tree frogs and cicadas. The spring water, known for centuries for its healing qualities, is fed to all the guest rooms, drinking fountains, kitchens, and even to the outdoor pool and to their Hygeia Bath House and Spa.

Learn more about this Hampshire County resort at the meeting this week.

James Rumsey Technical Institute

Donna Van Metre, director and principal of the James Rumsey Technical Institute, began by thanking us for sending her to Australia as an exchange student back in the 80’s.

Rumsey has both adult and high school students working towards degrees in the trades. They can study everything from welding to surgical technology. Most of their students go immediately into jobs that pay well (truck drivers start at $45,000/year) and are satisfying.

Rumsey trains policemen, graphic designers, electricians, automobile mechanics, massage therapists, and computer technicians.

Cogwheels

Answer to last week’s question:

The Declaration for Rotarians in Businesses and Professions encourages Rotarians to uphold the highest possible ethical standards in their business and professional activities. They are urged to adhere to fairness and honesty in all business dealings and to consider their vocation as another opportunity to serve.

This week’s question:

When I joined Rotary, we met in the Peking Restaurant at the Gateway Inn (Shenandoah Hotel). When did we move to our present meeting place?