Special
Features /December 2008-January 2009
Christmas with West Virginia's First Lady
The holidays have always been important to West Virginia's 34th Governor, Joe Manchin III, and First Lady, Gayle Manchin.
"When Joe was elected into office four years ago, we wanted to continue our family traditions as part of the 'our one big family' which includes all the residents of West Virginia", said Gayle Manchin. Joe and Gayle set out on a journey to make the Governor's Mansion a place for all the families of West Virginia. They have many holiday events planned throughout December that are open to the public and begin as soon as the decorations are up in the Governor's Mansion, the Capitol Complex and the Cultural Center. "Joyful Night," which is the annual kickoff event of holiday festivities at the Capitol, provides the venue for several lasting traditions. This year, "Joyful Night" is scheduled for December 1, 2008 Four years ago; Gayle began a tradition that each year the tree decorations should be based on a theme which involves children and the arts. The first year the theme was a star, the second year a snowflake, the third year a bell, and this year it is a stocking. This idea has been a huge hit over the years with children all over West Virginia providing creative and innovative ornaments.
The large tree located in the Rotunda of the Capital has the art work of kindergarteners and 12th-grade art students. There are two grand prizes awarded each year ; One is awarded to the Kindergarten class for the best ornament and the second is awarded to one 12th-grade art student for his/her winning design. The winners, their teachers and families are invited to a reception in the mansion prior to the beginning of "Joyful Night". The winning ornaments will be displayed in the Grand Foyer, and in January 2009 will be donated to the West Virginia State Museum as part of the permanent collection. Since all of the ornaments submitted are very artistic and special, they are proudly displayed on the trees in the Cultural Center.
Initially the trees are lit to kick off the holiday season. Each year, the live trees that adorn both sides of the Capitol are donated by families in West Virginia. Additionally, there is a live tree, 15 feet tall, which graces the foyer between the two staircases of the mansion. Also during a "Joyful Night", Gayle and Joe invite various bands, vocal groups and dance troupes to perform.
Another tradition started by the Manchin family is the State Christmas Ornament. Gayle commissioned New Martinsville juried artisan Doug Coleman to etch a drawing of the Mansion on glass to begin a series of four ornaments, one for each year of the Manchin's administration.. "The first year we did the front of the house, the second year shows the corner of the Mansion and the dome of the Capitol, the third year was the back of the Mansion and East Porch, and this year, the etching will be the east corner that looks west and onto the American Cancer Garden of Hope. The American Cancer Society planted this garden with daffodils that spell "H O P E" in the early spring, and we have continued the "H O P E" outline with other types of flowers during the summer and fall months," she smiled. The ornaments can be purchased individually or as an entire set from Tamarack for $24 each.
Gayle also noted that each glass piece is individually hand cut and sandblasted in Coleman's studio, making each a unique, one-of-a-kind decoration. A portion of the proceeds from the ornament sales benefits the West Virginia Governor's Mansion Preservation Foundation to ensure future generations will be able to enjoy the mansion's rich history.
Christmas with the Manchin family is a series of traditions which have grown over the years. Gayle and other family members prepare a large selection of traditional recipes including oyster dressing, fresh cranberry salad, pumpkin cheesecake squares and of course, the traditional turkey and pumpkin pie. Gayle says that the girls in the family usually add one or two new recipes to the menu each year.
Gayle and Joe Manchin have been married for 41years and have three children; Heather Manchin Bresch, Joseph Manchin IV, and Brooke Conelly Manchin and six grandchildren - Joey V, Kelsey, Madeline, Sophie, Chloe, and Jack. Last year, for the first time, the Manchins celebrated Christmas at the Mansion. Gayle said as the young ones woke up Christmas morning, they all ran downstairs into the ballroom where under a very large Christmas tree a very special guest had left presents- Santa Claus!!! "These are special memories with our family," she said.
"One thing Joe and I do every year is try to impart to our grandchildren the importance of Christmas and family. We want them to understand how blessed we are as a family. One of each of the grandchildren's big gifts is a donation made in their name to the Children's Home Society. The Children's Home Society provides a description of the family that each child's donation helps. We always tell the children about the special family that they are helping by providing the donation. The children are very touched about the special gift made in their name from 'Dadoo' and 'Nana'. We don't want our family to lose sight of the real reason for this season. We are so blessed in our lives, and we make a special effort to celebrate and reflect on our blessings, she said. "All of West Virginia's children are so important this time of the year, and we want them to know how very special they are.
"I can't begin to express how humbled and appreciative it is to serve the State of West Virginia. I have always said that it is a 'great adventure' everyday. Joe and I get to meet so many wonderful people. We get to go places and do things across the State with the families of West Virginia," commented Gayle. "Joe and I hope that by sharing these types of traditions that it will create some beautiful memories for all West Virginians," she added.
The First Lady grew up in Beckley, West Virginia, and graduated with high honors from Woodrow Wilson High School. Gayle attended West Virginia University (WVU), received a bachelor's degree in language arts and education, and a master's degree in reading. She completed a second master's degree, specializing in educational technology leadership from Salem International University. While at WVU, she met and married Joe Manchin III.
Gayle has worked in the Marion County School system and has served as a faculty member of Fairmont State University and director of the college's first community servicelearning program. Gayle has always and continues to be actively involved in children's issues and community advocacy.
As First Lady, Gayle serves by appointment from the Governor on the WV State Board of Education, chair of the Healthy Lifestyles Coalition, a Commissioner on the Partnership to Promote Community Success, and a Commissioner on the WV State Commission for National and Community Service, and co-chair of the 21st Century P-20 Jobs Cabinet. She is a past president of the Vandalia Rotary Club of Charleston, and Nominating Chair of The Education Alliance.
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