Shima's Family Restaurant, located in Nitro, serves a variety of food: from Asian-influenced to burgers.

While I love a good homestyle meal, I was intrigued by the offerings under the the Asian-inspired section. There was a teriyaki, and then a teriyaki AND fried rice under the name "Hiroshima," because of it's dome shape, I suppose.

It's a deep-fried rice ball with teriyaki sauce and chicken outside and inside. I love a good teriyaki.

And then these "crab puffs" are like giant crab rangoons that you can order singly. Have you been?

Here's my latest column in the Charleston Gazette-Mail:

You’ll see them hanging low and ripe near streams and lakes. You’ll find them in low-laying areas along fences and roadsides. You’ll find them in ditches and along rivers.

Elderberries are growing across Appalachia in these late summer weeks — many of which will be turned into ciders, wines, jellies, syrups and cold remedies.

The small dark purple-black berries have a sweet, juicy interior with a bit of an astringent aftertaste. And that lends itself to the question of whether the berries are food or poison.

The answer? Both.

“The berries are juicy and edible when mature. The cooked berries are commonly eaten in pies and jams, and berry juice can be fermented into wine. The fresh leaves, flowers, bark, young buds, and roots contain a bitter alkaloid and also a glucoside that, under certain conditions, can produce hydrocyanic acid,” according to a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report in 1984 from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The amount of acid produced is usually greatest in young leaves. There may be other toxic constituents in this plant. The root is probably the most poisonous and may be responsible for occasional pig deaths; cattle and sheep have died after eating leaves and young shoots.”

And our Appalachian ancestors took it even a step further by using the peculiar berry as medicine. It’s not uncommon to see a local cold remedy or flu treatment made with elderflower, which many people consider powerful in treating these common ailments. Some create a tincture with the berries and alcohol to consume for better health. Some research has indicated it is effective at shortening the duration of colds and flu, though more research is needed.

The elderberry also plays a role in folklore and myths — whether it’s a goddess protective of those who treated the tree well or symbolic of witches or wards off evil spirits in stories that originated in the United Kingdom and much of Europe.

This versatile berry has a varied role in Appalachian culture. Some may avoid it due to its potentially dangerous effects, while others prize it for its flavor and value in baked goods and drinks. Many others see elderberries as a medicine to help alleviate symptoms of a common cold or flu. One thing is for sure, this little potentially poisonous berry can be quite tasty.

Sweet Java Falls Coffee Shop is a little coffee shop at Adventures on the Gorge.

I was staying here for an event, so a little early morning caffeine was essential.

I made my way over to the shop to get my fill!

First things first, a cinnamon apple muffin.

Then, I ordered a caramel-vanilla frappuccino.

How cute are the names for the sizes?

And there are plenty of other options, too.

Have you been?

There is a Sam's Hot Dog Stand on the West Side attached to a gas station.

It was a quick drive from work, so it made for a great lunch.

The hot dog stand was pretty busy, but I put in my order. Then paid for it at the counter. Then returned to the stand to pick up my hot dogs.

I went with two hot dogs on English-style buns with chili, slaw, mustard and onions.

AND a pepperoni roll, because they had them!



Which location is your favorite?

In my quest to visit all of the drive-ins in West Virginia, there is always some snack time!

That includes huggies.

And hot dogs

And popcorn!