Friday in Lewisburg

LEWISBURG, W.Va. -- First Fridays After Five is going to the dogs -- and cats -- Nov. 2 when downtown businesses team up with the Greenbrier Humane Society. Many stores are collecting pet food and other items to give to the animal shelter, which is filled to capacity.

For donors, Plaid Eagle is offering 15 percent discounts on any item, and Harmony Ridge is offering a 20 percent discount on any animal-themed item.

Edith's Store is offering tastings of Crio Bru, made from roasted and ground cocoa beans. Plants Etc. presents an art exhibit of Jessica Levine's indoor and outdoor tabletop sculptures and photography by Michelle Kelly. Wolf Creek Gallery features a trunk show by Tokyo Bay Watches.

There will be live music at Plants Etc. and The Irish Pub.

First Fridays After Five run from 5 to 9 p.m. in downtown Lewisburg on the first Friday of each month.

Snow days

SNOWSHOE, W.Va. -- Snowshoe Mountain Resort is offering bonus lodging with its four-night Winter Getaway package. Book a four-night stay, with lift tickets, before Oct. 31 and get four free additional nights' lodging. The free nights can be taken all at once or spread out during the 2012-13 winter season.

Holiday and other restrictions apply. For more information or to book by phone, call 877-441-4386 or visit www.snowshoemtn.com.

Tygart Lake for hunters

GRAFTON, W.Va. -- Hunting is not allowed in state parks, but with two wildlife management areas nearby, hunters often turn to Tygart Lake State Park for accommodations because of its proximity to Pruntytown State Farm and Pleasant Creek wildlife management areas.

Guests presenting a West Virginia hunting license at Tygart Lake will receive 50 percent off each consecutive night's stay after their second night at regular rates in a four- or six-person cottage through Dec. 27. Hunters should consult www.wvdnr.gov for hunting dates for deer, turkey and other game, regulations and sportsman laws.

"Good Mornin' Glory" is a three-consecutive-night lodging package at Tygart Lake Lodge. "Good Mornin' Glory" includes breakfast, a gift voucher of $15 for use in the Tygart Gift Shop and all applicable taxes and gratuities. Total price is $273 and is available through Dec. 29.

Tygart Lake State Park is located near Grafton, and is about a 45-minute drive from Clarksburg, Fairmont or Morgantown.

Del McCoury Band

ELKINS, W.Va. -- Bluegrass entertainers the Del McCoury Band will give two shows Nov. 4 at the American Mountain Theater. "Del McCoury is truly a living legend," theater owner Kenny Sexton says.

The band perform at 3:30 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $40. Packages are available including show, dinner and options for lodging and other recreational activities. Call 800-943-3670 or visit www.americanmountaintheater.com.

American Mountain Theater also offers its "Premier 2-Hour Show" and "History of American Music Show" retrospective, in addition to its regular Southern Gospel Concert Series. Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, the Christmas Spectacular will be performed until the week before Christmas.

Pioneer portrayal

HINTON, W.Va. -- Actress Karen Vuranch will portray pioneer Mary Draper Ingles in a performance at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 in the Ritz Theatre in downtown Hinton.

This event is presented by REACHH-Family Resource Center. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for students. For information and reservations, call 304-466-2226.

Shawnee Indians captured Mary Draper Ingles in 1755. Taken from her home, near what is now Roanoke, Va., she ended up in a Shawnee settlement near what is now Portsmouth, Ohio. After living in captivity for several months, she escaped and walked nearly 800 miles in 40 days to freedom. This walk took her through what is now Summers County.

Thanksgiving in the parks

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Restaurants at 10 West Virginia state parks will feature Thanksgiving meals or buffets on Nov. 22.

Holiday dining will be offered at Tygart Lake Lodge, Blackwater Falls, Cacapon Resort, Canaan Valley Resort, Chief Logan Lodge, Hawks Nest, North Bend, Pipestem Resort, Stonewall Resort and Twin Falls Resort. Visit www.wvstateparks.com.

Winter in the state parks

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Blackwater Falls State Park will offer midweek lodging at 50 percent off for two or more nights cabin or room rentals Mondays to Thursdays Dec. 1-20.

Blackwater also has a Ski Stay and Play package -- visit the getaways and deals page at www.blackwaterfalls.com. This offer is a 20 percent savings.

North Bend State Park features a Country Christmas Dec. 24 and 25. For $99 total, two people can stay overnight at the lodge on either date and enjoy a Christmas Day buffet in the restaurant. The price includes all taxes and gratuities associated with the package. Additional nights are available at a reduced rate. Find more information at www.northbendsp.com or call 304-643-2931.

Watoga State Park offers 50 percent off midweek cabin rentals of three or more nights from January through March. Visit www.watoga.com or call 304-799-4087.

Twelve parks feature cabins that are open for winter rentals. Visit www.wvstateparks.com for more information or call for a state park guide at 304-558-2764.