THIS PRESS RELEASE IS FROM THE OFFICE OF WEST VIRGINIA FIRST LADY GAYLE MANCHIN.

As Christmas rapidly approaches, Joe and I more fully realize this year the significance of some new state traditions that recognize the many talents of our citizens, and celebrate family and West Virginia.
The first major event on the Capitol Complex is Joyful Night, when all of the Christmas lights are officially turned on for the season. In conjunction with that, many groups of students and adults come to perform throughout the evening, both inside and outside at every venue from the Capitol rotunda, the grand foyer of the mansion, to the brightly lit Culture Center – everywhere the grounds come alive with music and festivity.

This evening is also special for me as we announce our annual Christmas Tree Ornament winners. Our Kindergarten class winner this year is Eastbrook Elementary from Winfield and our 12th grade art student winner is Geoffrey Brinker from Hampshire High School in Romney. I have been amazed every year at the ingenuity of our students. We are building a wonderful collection of ornaments: 2005 was the star, 2006 was the snowflake, and this year the bell. All of the ornaments are archived at the Cultural Center and are brought out each year to decorate the Christmas trees there. Art education is fundamental for our students of all grades and ages, and this is one way to showc ase the evidence of their success.

Our Christmas card has taken on a life of its own as we have chosen to focus on different vantage points of the state mansion. From the front doors, to the west view with the dome in the background, to the east view this year with the side porch and courtyard-it is a focus on the architecture and historic integrity that defines the state’s house.

In addition, each year of this administration, Doug Coleman, a juried artisan of Tamarack has designed a handmade a glass etched ornament depicting the same vantage point of the mansion as the Christmas card. The ornaments are sold at Tamarack and each one is individually made.

Thus, we gratefully reflect on the past; we cherish the present and the opportunities it gives to us, and we eagerly anticipate the future and what it holds not only for each of us individually but also collectively as a state family. The governor, myself, and our personal family wish our extended state family a warm and glorious holiday season. Whatever your faith, your culture, your tradition, our hope is that you and yours are together to share, embrace and face this New Year with hope, health and prosperity.