Today I am  thankful that Adventure Mendota placed in the My Southwest Virginia Opportunity Cup.  I’m so happy with the whole way the evening went except that I wanted everyone to win.  Everyone.

I heard some awesome people speak of small businesses and of Southwest Virginia, and I realized we are kindred spirits.  It’s not just about small business; it’s about Southwest Virginia.  We love it.

One speaker, and oh my… I do not know his name, spoke of the rise and now the fall of coal which has been Southwest Virginia’s economic engine.  He recalled when there was no need for entrepreneurs.  The “company” took care of everything from painting the house to fixing the roof.   Today,  I realized how different things must seem to this gentleman as Alpha announced they did not feel that they could pay their retired employees benefits.   Everything has changed so much.  The folks at Alpha are good people; I know they do not want to do this.

But there is hope.   There are seeds of vitality.  We must reinvent ourselves, and endeavors such as the My Southwest Virginia Cup Challenge reward  efforts.     Southwest Virginia must have the most pristine and beautiful natural resources.  Our food must be better than food anywhere else.  We must be nicer.  We must be better!  And you know what…I think we are!

I was so sure that we did not place that I didn’t want to go to the event.  Mike made me go.  If you do not believe that I was surprised that Adventure Mendota placed, look at the crazy look on my face!  Yes, I’m holding a big gold cup in my left hand and a big ol’ check for $10,000.00 in this picture, and I have an insane expression on my face.  However, do notice the grip on that check.  It wasn’t going anywhere.

Here’s a picture of a few of the contestants.   This is the second entrepreneur’s challenge I’ve been in.  The first one was early in the spring, and Adventure Mendota came in second in that one as well.  We didn’t win money but we were happy with the Chamber of Commerce Membership we received.   The winner was a hot dog place called the Political Dog.  We were beat by a wiener the first time.

In the picture above, to my right stands the first place winners.  They are the Wolfes of Wolfe’s Barbecue.   Do you know what this means? This year, I got beat by pork!  What is this conspiracy???

As day 5 winds down, I am thankful that Mike and I took Adventure Mendota to the “Cup” and came in second.

I took a picture of both the check and the cup together on the kitchen counter.  Then, the three of us (the check, the cup and me) went to bed.

Another funny thing  happened in an interview following the presentation.  Hannah, an intern from UVA Wise, was assigned to interview the contestants.  She keep looking at me and finally said…”do I know you or your husband?”    I told her I didn’t think so, but she added, “do you like Pal’s tea a whole lot and does your husband drive a gray truck with a black dog in it?     Turns out, she occasionally works at Pals in Gate City.    Note to self…cut back on the tea or wear a disguise.

Or…better yet.  I’ll start drinking my tea in my new, gold cup.

As day five winds down, I feel very happy.   I’m grateful for that.