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MATTERS OF THE HEART ON TAP IN BEVERLY

By Cindy Karelis, Beverly ON TRAC VISTA

When former resident Joanne Glaser reflects on her time spent in the small town of Beverly, her thoughts turn to the meaning of love and the way it inspires a community of individuals to celebrate “within the context of their relationships with one another.”  As pastor of the Beverly Presbyterian Church until 2015, Reverend Glaser knows that acknowledging Valentine’s Day as a community can be as meaningful as any romantic interlude.

For nearly ten years, Historic Beverly Preservation, Inc. has encouraged the Valentine’s Day spirit by sponsoring its annual Heritage of a Heart benefit dinner on the second Saturday in February. Primarily a fund-raiser, the festive feast slated for February 13 targets the taste buds as much as it does the heart, as diners enjoy a full-course menu that includes appetizers and West Virginia wine and beer.

Hosted by the Beverly Heritage Center, the event promotes awareness of the museum complex that operates in the middle of town. The funds generated by ticket sales support programming and exhibit improvements on a continuing basis at the building located on Court Street.

Known as a landmark in Beverly, the four-building Center encompasses the 1900 Bank Building, the 1808 Randolph County Courthouse, the 1907 Hill Building, and the c1850 Bushrod Crawford House. Seating for the dinner will be throughout the museum complex, and will feature clothed tables, floral centerpieces, and intimate tables for two, as well as group seating.

Glaser, currently serving as minister at Sweetwater Presbyterian Church in Hickory, North Carolina, remembers Beverly as a town that has “a real sense of connection and caring for one another.” She credits “being able to live among the buildings and other remembrances of the past” as the reason Beverly residents feel “confident in who they are in this vast world.”

Linda Peterson, Historic Beverly Preservation Board Member and Beverly resident, insists that even though the organization’s annual dinner is not about romance, “it is still about love.” “We love the Heritage Center,” Peterson explains. “We love our heritage, our buildings, our history,” she added.

And people love the seasoned grilled beef tenderloin cooked to reputed mouth-watering perfection by local businessman Arden Swecker. Complimenting the succulent choice of meat will be baked brie, spring salad, tomato bisque soup, homemade bread, scalloped potatoes, glazed carrots, sweet and savory kale, and a delicious assortment of desserts featuring cheesecake and chocolate.

“Beverly has a real sense of connection and caring for one another,” Glaser said. She credits the town with carrying out the edict “love one another” and recalls the way she has seen it exemplified by residents during recent historic storms like Hurricane Sandy. Glaser considers it only “natural” that the Beverly Heritage Center invites those interested to gather on Valentine’s Day with “those who are surrounded by that love in their small but vital town”

Individual tickets for the Heart of the Heritage event are $45 and $85 for a couple. Open house at the Center begins at 6:00pm with dinner to follow. Reservations can be made by calling 304-637-7424 or by emailing info@beverlyheritagecenter.org.