Tuesday, March 4, 2003
GETTING THERE
Helvetia, the Swiss village in West Virginia that hosts a costumed carnival called Fasnacht this month, is about 300 miles west of Washington, D.C.; 36 miles from Elkins, W.Va.; and 30 miles from Buckhannon, W.Va. Though the road from Buckhannon is easier and shorter, it is also less spectacular.
LODGING
The Beekeeper Inn Bed & amp; Breakfast, (304) 924-6435, www.bbonline.com/wv/beekeeper
Grandpa John's Hilltop Inn, (304) 924-5503.
Buckhannon and Elkins, which are both about an hour away, also have a variety of accommodations.
DINING
The Hutte restaurant, which serves Swiss fare, is owned by Eleanor Mailloux, who also runs The Beekeeper Inn.
Grandpa John's Hilltop Inn, about five minutes from the center of town, also has an Italian restaurant.
SHOPPING
The Helvetia Arts and Antique Gift Shop is an arts cooperative located across the street from The Hutte restaurant, selling local crafts, including ceramics and blankets made from the wool of Helvetia-raised sheep.
The Cheese Haus, located next door to The Beekeeper Inn, is run by Bruce Betler, who has three years' cheese-making experience in Switzerland. The Hutte may have some of his Helvetia cheese on its menu.
ON THE NET
Helvetia Fasnacht: www.msys.net/rogersm/events/fasnacht/fasnacht.htm
Unofficial home page: www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/6192/
Helvetia Community History: www.wvculture.org/history/agrext/helvetia.html
Source: Associated Press