Love Berkeley Springs? Let us count the ways

by Jazz Clark
Dozens gathered at Mi Ranchito to share what they love about Berkeley Springs at the Chamber of Commerce meeting on Wednesday, February 13, the day before Valentine’s Day.

Oscar Robles, Mi Ranchito owner, said before starting his Mexican restaurant, he ran into a stranger who helped him out on the road and offered him a space for rent when he said he was looking for one. The stranger turned out to be Mayor Susan Webster, who he credits with helping him get started here.

“We’re our own little island,” said Denise Bergen of BB&T Bank. “We’re kind of away from everything, and we’re free to be who we want to be.”

Marge Luca of CNB loves that after having a cool childhood here, her children get that same privilege. Her teenagers say Berkeley Springs is the best town on earth.

Connie Perry loves the generosity here. People are always willing to put their money behind a cause, and that doesn’t always happen elsewhere, she said.

To Bob Marggraf, the Cacapon river is worth loving, even though it’s not in the town proper.

While not originally from here, Chris Johnson appreciates local history. She has memories from throughout her life of visiting the Apple Butter Festival.

Born in Hawaii, Jerry Berman said the town has an “aloha spirit” of togetherness he’s very familiar with and he hasn’t regretted retiring here.

“It just feels like home,” said Jim Hoyt. “It’s great to walk down the street, and bump into people you know and see the familiar sites.”

Even when traffic is backed up to kingdom come, Beth Rowland loves that people will still stop and let you through.

Chamber secretary Beth Curtin loves living in an honest community where you can walk into a place like The Morgan Messenger and be trusted to make your own change when buying a newspaper.