Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.
Today is Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026.
…and now for the rest of the stories…on today’s daily304.com!
#1 – From THE REAL WV – Helping Putnam County tell its story
For Kelli Steele, tourism is about more than attracting visitors. It’s about helping people appreciate the communities they call home.
Steele, executive director of Putnam County Tourism, is The Real WV’s latest Real West Virginian of the Week. A Logan County native and Marshall University graduate, she brought 15 years of marketing experience to tourism when she began her role in 2016. Today, she helps promote Putnam County’s restaurants, shops, events, outdoor recreation and family attractions.
One of her favorite success stories is Meeks Mountain Trails. More than 600 volunteers contributed over 35,000 hours to create more than 36 miles of trails through a public-private partnership. Steele says the project has strengthened community pride, encouraged recreation and helped businesses around the trailhead.
She also points to Putnam County’s growing sports tourism, improvements at Valley Park and its convenient location between Charleston and Huntington. But what makes the biggest impression on visitors? Steele says it’s often the people.
Her advice to young West Virginians is simple. Build relationships, get involved and recognize that meaningful careers are possible right here at home.
#2 – From WV FOOD GUY – Capital Cocktail Classic serves up food, drinks and support for the arts
Four downtown Charleston restaurants are getting creative for a good cause.
The Capital Cocktail Classic returns Saturday, Oct. 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. Presented by the West Virginia Fund for the Arts, the seventh annual event features a downtown restaurant crawl with special food and drink pairings benefiting 12 local arts organizations.
This year’s lineup includes two newcomers. Ursus Brew Works is pairing a blackberry margarita with a brisket-and-cheese-stuffed poblano pepper. Prime 101 is serving a French 75-inspired cocktail alongside a miniature crab cake over street corn salad.
Returning participants Sam’s Uptown Café and Fife Street Brewing have their own creative combinations. Sam’s is preparing a Bloody Mary-inspired cocktail with potato-encrusted cod, while Fife Street is pairing a pomegranate whiskey maple smash with a bacon, bleu cheese and apple butter grilled cheese.
Guests visit all four restaurants and vote for Best Cocktail, Best Tapas and Best Pairing. Tickets are $60 and include all four tastings.
Read more: https://www.wvfoodguy.com/post/capital-cocktail-classic-toasts-newcomers
#3 – From WV SBDC – Charleston bridal boutique puts the bride first
Shopping for a wedding dress should be memorable. Karley Morris wants to make sure it’s memorable for the right reasons.
Morris opened Zylvie Bridal in Charleston in February after spending five years in the bridal industry. Named for her children, Zeke and Sylvia, the boutique offers a welcoming, personalized experience where brides can explore dresses without pressure, rushed appointments or restrictions on size, budget or style.
Her goal is to make every customer feel comfortable and celebrated. Appointments are preferred but not required, and the boutique emphasizes individual attention rather than a traditional high-volume shopping experience.
Morris also had help turning her idea into a business. Through the West Virginia Small Business Development Center, she connected with Business Coach Julia Moran, who helped with financial projections, budgeting, vendor relationships and marketing strategies.
Since opening, Zylvie Bridal has attracted customers from across West Virginia and neighboring states. Some brides have traveled three hours or more after hearing about the boutique through friends or social media.
Read more: https://wvsbdc.com/zylvie-bridal-reimagines-wedding-dress-shopping/
Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.
The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.
That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.
