By Katherine Reasons-Pyles
HQ 72 | WINTER 2010
A few months ago, we had an editorial meeting to discuss what was going to be in our Winter edition, and the weeks since then have been filled with hours upon hours of writing and rewriting. Choosing the cover story is always an assiduous process, but this one required even more deliberation. Tackling the lofty endeavor of naming our 50 favorite things about Huntington requires that we get it right. This isn’t a matter of pleasing people or being politically correct; this is a matter of honoring Huntington, of acknowledging our city as the treasure that it is.
Refining the list became a collective effort. We leafed through past issues of the magazine from the last 20 years, taking note of some of our favorite articles. We polled some of our readers and fans on Facebook and received an abundance of solid suggestions. We took inventory of our own experiences, interests and memories and tried to incorporate those as well. So many people love Huntington, but for so many different reasons along the spectrum, and we wanted to make sure we didn’t miss anything. Of course we weren’t able to include every great thing about our city, and this list is in no particular order; but we are pleased to name at least a few of our favorite things – 50 to be exact – that make Huntington such a special place to be.
Reader responses, especially by those from out of town, revealed that Huntington has just too many good eateries. Perhaps this is one of the contributing factors to why our region has become known for having a bit of a weight problem. However, if I had to choose between a super-fit reputation and a slice of homemade pie at Jim’s every now and then, the pie would take the cake. Sorry, Jamie Oliver! One reader commented that although she misses Huntington’s food, she knows she’d gain weight if she still lived here because there are just too many restaurants to love.
Granted, Huntington has its share of problems. But it’s still a great place to call home, as evidenced by the 50 things you’ll find on our list. One obvious example is Huntington’s relationship with Marshall University. The Huntington community benefits both directly and indirectly from the university’s promising academic programs, thousands of college students and a proud tradition of sports entertainment. Another example is Ritter Park, where many of our readers have fond memories ranging from childhood to present day. And when it comes to mouthwatering eateries, Huntington is home to some of the best. From Chili Willi’s to Rocco’s, Frostop to Stewart’s, Jim’s to Gino’s, these local establishments leave Huntingtonians longing for more.
Whether your favorite things about Huntington revolve around the university, the parks, the food or the history, everyone seems to agree that one of the most extraordinary things about Huntington is its people – how genuine and friendly they are and how different they are from the people you are likely to meet in a larger metropolitan area.
In future years, we hope to keep adding to this list as Huntington, Marshall and the Tri-State continue to thrive. And you can always count on the Huntington Quarterly to be there every step of the way, showcasing the great things about this city. If you feel like there is something we overlooked, remember that we’re just an e-mail away at [email protected].
