THE GREENBRIER: A PRESIDENTIAL RESORT

THE GREENBRIER: A PRESIDENTIAL RESORT

Spring Break is an unofficial time to relax and regroup.  Often as a young person, one ventures to beaches and college-laden places to drink and party.  Yet, if you are a working professional in the world of higher education, to relax, one rarely selects the same locations as the people from which you are escaping. 

Hearing from a new colleague a few years back that her family vacations and breaks were primarily done in West Virginia, I was taken aback as to why.  Why would anyone choose to relax, regroup, drink and party in West Virginia?  No offense to the state, but few adults list West Virginia as one of their top 10 rejuvenation spots.

What was I missing?  Was there a secret destination in West Virginia held close to the vest by insiders?  Actually, yes.   There was.

It’s called The Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Living in Pennsylvania at the time, I asked how far away this insider place was from campus.  Being told it was a fairly long drive, but doable, I invited my mother to join me.  Inquiring more about The Greenbrier, I learned of its distinctive history as a resort of presidential portion.  My mother having the same taste, or I having the same taste level as she, was perfect as a partner for my first trip to this highly respected resort. 

Oh, did I mention that they had a casino?

Yes, the casino was our draw.  We didn’t know of the scale to which this resort was noted or recorded.  We didn’t know to expect to see the legendary interior designs of Dorothy Draper or the rare presidential portraits lining the walls of the vast lounges, cozy parlors, reading rooms, expansive hallways, staircases or ballroom. 

We had no idea of the magnitude or importance of this luxurious resort.  

And when I say luxurious, I don’t mean overly golden done-up plaza like a Trump Tower suite.  I mean luxurious as in old money chic.  Mahogany wood-lined studies and marble floors chic.  I mean velvet upholstered chairs and gilt-framed artwork and mirrors.  I mean presidential, as in the White House.

    

We were headed into the halls of history.  We were driving to The Greenbrier.

Entering the resort, maneuvering the long driveway then pulling into the entrance is an eye-pooping vision.  Looking like the White House, you adjust yourself, preparing for the opposite of a Las Vegas visit.  Valet takes your car and the bellman takes your luggage.  The front desk atrium is an understated small area for the resort is undergoing a massive renovation.  We are grateful for the renovation because the cost of a normal night’s stay was completely out of the question.  The renovation dropped the price to my comfort level.  (Mind you, we did return a few times to enjoy the newly-designed complex, complete with its new, larger casino.)

This visit was my first.

Prior to walking to our room, we were presented with the “Daily Activities” list. Learning from the read, there was at least five separate occasions for eating; a movie at the in-house theater; sports-oriented events; spa and indoor pool; tours and shopping—all at the resort.  

Although I love to walk the promenade just to window-shop, a particular listing caught my eye.

What?  What?  A tour of the Presidential Bunker.  What??

Yes, indeed.  Apparently, The Greenbrier once housed the well-hidden Presidential Bunker.  Hidden in plain sight and far below ground encased in concrete, steel and various solid structures lies a highly concealed and protected semi-White House.  It was built in case of a threat to our country and government.  And yes indeed, I toured it.  UNBELIEVABLE!  It is a MUST-SEE.  Period. 

During the tour, you are reminded and challenged, for there is another bunker in existence now—hidden in plain sight.  You leave the tour pondering its location.  I’m exhausted from thinking of the thousands of possibilities.

Thinking brings hunger. 

You eat breakfast in the main dining room with its turquoise columns and palace style chandeliers.  You are offered hors d’oeuvres for a noonday snack and a midday snack in the expansive main salon; and later as a night-time snack down in the casino.  Of course, you can also have lunch then dinner in the main dining room or in the onsite restaurants and eateries.  Jackets please after 5 p.m.  There is no starving at The Greenbrier, just as there is no shortage of beverages and opportunities to have a drink, or two.  You are spoiled with culinary wizardry and the finest of liquid delights.

From morning to night, you are encouraged to indulge.

In our first visit to the old casino, we were not short changed in food or beverage service.  The little casino had a center bar and an outside bar.  The inside bar had every drink imaginable.  Even the outside bar was really a finger food buffet.  Continuous assortments of tastings were place there hours into the night.  Everything was free at this tiny casino. It was the test casino for what was being built (below). 

We had found where luck resided.  The food and drinks were loose and free, and the slots were even looser.

Oh, The Greenbrier, why didn’t I know of your secrets?  Why hadn’t I heard of you?  I had fallen in love with a distinctive resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. 

In my four return visits, I learned of the golf course, the outdoor swimming pool area, the private bungalows, the small town and its restaurants, and the spectacular new casino.  

      

                                             

The nightly rate had soared and people like Tiger Woods and Hollywood elite frequented now, pushing people like myself to remember the window when regular folks were able to stroll the grounds. 

I know I will return to The Greenbrier again.  I know I will.  I must.

*Vanessa Brantley  Style395.blogspot.com, December 18, 2017, “The Greenbrier: A Presidential Resort”, Volume 11, Blog 1b [vol. 11, 1a-1c].

AROUND THE WORLD WITH ANTHONY BOURDAIN

AROUND THE WORLD WITH ANTHONY BOURDAIN

If you are a fan of my blog, you have realized how important travel is to me.  A dream job for me is having to travel the world to eat and drink cultural delights; dance to ethnic music; shop for exquisite clothing; and see and experience contemporary landmarks and historical artifacts.  Why if such a job existed, you would find me in line waiting to be interviewed.

Remarkably so, there is one person who gets to live my fancy and enjoy such a phenomenal job on the world stage.  He is Anthony Bourdain, the CNN correspondent, who has spent his life on the road on every continent, visiting every country and enjoying every city. 

    

He’s spent 4 years and 10 television seasons doing exactly what I dream of doing.  Anthony Bourdain is fearless.  He has made befriending the world an art form.  His courage in meeting strangers and fitting into foreign environments is no less Herculean.  He’s untouched by the strange or the exotic.  He’s captivated by the different and the familiar.  And he’s a role model for the many cultural explorers like myself.

                 

Coming to us from around the world each week in his one-hour show, Anthony Bourdain gives us renewed breath and excitement.  Through his show entitled, Parts Unknown, you can hear him sometimes attempting to speak with locals in their native tongues.  During the Emmy award-winning show, from distant lands such as Singapore, Dubai or Cuba, you will find the Peabody award winner Bourdain globe-trotting from one crevice of the Earth to another.  He’s is no stranger to this planet. 

Some might even call him Earth’s Ambassador.  

Once, I was so mesmerized by his ability to be unnervingly relaxed, even when interviewing President Obama—not in the White House though--in a casual eatery in a popular joint in Hanoi, Vietnam.  Both gentlemen behaved as if they had such a meal regularly.  They were almost oblivious to the curious stares of residents and the flashing bulbs of tourists’ cameras.  For them, it was a friendly, engaging chat and a meal between “buds.”  Of course, one buddy was actually the President of the United States of America.  Who can stay that calm but Anthony Bourdain??

 

In fact, you never know where Anthony will end up next.  According to the Parts Unknown website on CNN, he has traveled to 50 destinations, just on the television show.  Think about it, he constantly has to pack, get on planes, trains and travel in various vehicles or on animals to arrive at his desired locales.  He has to have someone to wash, dry, dry clean and iron his clothes.  When does he shop for deodorant or toothpaste?  And where does he get the time just to go to a barber shop or hang out with family or friends for the holidays?  After all, he is a father of one daughter.  Further, he was married twice.  The first time was for 20 years.  So ironically, he is a rather grounded family man.

I simply can’t imagine how he has maintained a private life. 

What I do imagine though is the freedom he has to choose his next adventure and to decide what he’s doing and with whom.  What a magical life he must lead.

Sure, most of his show is dedicated to eating and cooking.  He is a well-known chef.  His prior much acclaimed television show on the Travel Channel was “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.”  

      

And yes, I loved that show as well.  He is so entertaining!

Anthony Bourdain is a great example of one of my lauded “Grand People.”  It has truly been an honor to witness his many episodes of life on this planet. 

During this holiday season as you and your family and friends sit to have a warm festive meal, remember all the other people on this planet who need your bright and shining spirit.  Say a prayer for us all! 

Happy Winter, World!  I wish you a wonderful 2018!!

*Vanessa Brantley  Style395.blogspot.com, December 6, 2017, “Around the World with Anthony Bourdain”, Volume 11, Blog 1a [vol. 11, 1a-1c].

  

LINDA JOHNSON RICE: BEAUTY, BRAINS AND STRENGTH

LINDA JOHNSON RICE: BEAUTY, BRAINS AND STRENGTH

Around the world, few Black women over the age of 30 have not sat under the hair dryer in a beauty salon and read the iconic miniature magazine called “Jet.”  For decades, this tiny little publication feed our quenchable thirst for African-American news, gossip and interviews.  It was the baby sister to the legendary Ebony magazine which was the official publication of the Black community established by the John H. Johnson family back in 1945.

From the photographic archives to the important profiles of celebrated people in the diaspora community, publications under Johnson Publishing will always be the cornerstone that marked the contemporary history of Black people. 

Founding and leading the charge were two heroes: John H. Johnson and his wife, Eunice Johnson.  Sure many people know the name of the publisher John, but only a select population know the civil rights story and feminist power of Eunice Johnson.  Starting with her vision and dream of running a national fashion and cosmetics corporation to expanding the company worldwide, few people understand the contributions of Eunice Johnson to the world of fashion through her relentless determination of bringing couture design to Black fashion show audiences.

YSL, Eunice Johnson and Andre Leon Talley

Eunice Johnson convinced couture masters from Europe and around the world to show their collection pieces in her travelling fashion show called, the Ebony Fashion Fair.  From that major accomplishment, she was then able to manufacture, market, and retail a line of fashionable cosmetics created to highlight the beauty of Black women from London to the Bahamas.

Eunice and John showed us, Black people, who we were and who we could be.  No one gave thought to losing these two angels.

Having a small family of a son and daughter, Eunice and John's dynasty grew and prospered for countless years until the death of these parental legacies and their only son.  Leaving a devastated community wondering what was to become of the historic company and publications, a fearless daughter rose to continue the monumental task of the great media giant.

Enter one fabulous, smart and courageous woman, Linda Johnson Rice.

Being one year older than myself, I have no idea how this woman has managed to grieve the loss of her family members; find love and marriage, not once, but twice; have time to birth a child and miraculously run and keep profitable a large media empire.  She is one astute and grand woman.  Her fashion sense and style are flawless.  Her beauty is timeless, for stress has not left its mark upon her visage.

Even through the financial ups and downs accompanied by a multitude of legal situations, Linda has managed to keep it all together.  Making a move to sell the publication a few years ago, Linda now finds herself back in the role of CEO.  Further, she has been invited to serve on the Board of Directors of the innovative motor company, Tesla. 

Linda Johnson Rice, I salute you, your family and your contributions to the African-American community.  We, the world community, owe you and your family a mound of gratitude for documenting our existence.  Without your family’s commitment to telling the stories of African-American, we would not have much proof of accomplishments throughout the African diaspora.

Thank you.  

*Vanessa Brantley  Style395.blogspot.com, September 23, 2017, “Linda Johnson Rice: Beauty, Brains and Strength”, Volume 10, Blog 1a [vol. 9, 1a-1c].