By Jack Houvouras
HQ 88 | WINTER 2015
This past weekend in Huntington was fairly typical for our supposedly sleepy little community. On Friday I attended the opening of a renowned Ansel Adams photo exhibit at the Huntington Museum of Art. On Saturday I attended a Marshall University football game and watched as the 18th-ranked Thundering Herd extended its undefeated season with ease. And on Sunday I got my first look at the Marshall men’s basketball team now under the direction of Coach Dan D’Antoni.
For years the common refrain in our community was, “There’s nothing to do in Huntington.” Well, those days are gone. In fact, I can’t remember a time in the last 50 years when there was more to do or so much positive change on the horizon.
This edition of HQ is a perfect example. Our cover story on Mayor Steve Williams (p. 28) captures the spirit of optimism sweeping through the region. In two short years the new mayor has amassed a long record of accomplishments, and his vision for the future of Huntington is both innovative and ambitious. During his campaign for mayor, Williams encouraged citizens to “expect an exceptional Huntington.” Thus far, he is on track to make that slogan a reality.
Our article on Marshall’s new Visual Arts Center in the former Anderson-Newcomb building on Third Avenue (p. 82) is just another example of the university’s growth and synergy with the community. Having stood empty for nearly a decade, the once-iconic department store was little more than four walls of dust, debris and dead pigeons. Today it has been transformed into an ultra-modern, state-of-the-art educational and community facility. You have to see it to believe it.
Haute couture came to town in October when nearly 200 people attended a fashion show to benefit the ALS Association at the Facing Hunger Foodbank’s warehouse on Seventh Avenue. As you can see from photos of the event sponsored by Village Collection (p. 16), it had the look and feel of a New York City affair with a large crowd, dramatic lighting, beautiful models, a catwalk and even reporters and photographers.
Looking for new dining options in Huntington? Then reference our cuisine feature on Prime on 4th (p. 22), as well as our article about Mulberry Street Meatball Co. & Deli (p. 72) that opened recently in the former Peanut Shoppe location.
If you take the time to look through a local calendar of events, you’ll find something interesting taking place every week. Throughout the year, the Marshall Artists Series offers up everything from the comedy of Jay Leno to opera to International Film Festivals. Fitness enthusiasts have a myriad of 5Ks, marathons and triathlons to choose from. And as this issue goes to print, the snow is already piling up at West Virginia’s ski resorts for what promises to be another long ski season.
Hundreds of other events take place throughout the course of a year in our community, leaving little doubt that Huntington is moving in a new and exciting direction. New businesses are opening. Opportunities abound for culture, education, recreation and entertainment. And with strong leadership, progressive initiatives, entrepreneurial growth and the ongoing partnership with Marshall University, the city can indeed be exceptional once again.
