Kyle Lovern/Williamson Daily News

Wendy Baisden, left, is pictured as she talks about the recent Geocaching event held in the Tug Valley. She was presented a beautiful hand-made stained glass display from a tourist from Georgia. Her husband Mike Baisden is shown at right. The couple owns the Linkous House Bed & Breakfast in Williamson.

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Kyle Lovern

Sports Editor

GOODY, Ky. – The recent Geocaching event held in Williamson brought in 517 tourists from as far away as Utah.

Wendy and Mike Baisden, the newest members of the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce (TVCC), addressed the chamber’s board members at a luncheon meeting Monday held at the Thoroughbred Steakhouse. The Baisden’s own and operate the Linkous House Bed & Breakfast in Williamson.

Geocaching is a free real-world outdoor treasure hunt. Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using a smartphone or GPS and can then share their experiences online.

Baisden is an active participant in the club and has traveled to many locations to partake in events. Geocaching enthusiasts from 18 states came to the area, which brought in tourist money to the Tug Valley.

Baisden said this was a big event and can only get better in the future with more planning. She also brought a stained glass gift that a lady from Georgia presented to her. It read “The Hatfield and McCoy Feud,” which was the theme of the Geocaching event.

Baisden said the local event received “global attention” and was a success, even though there are some wrinkles to be ironed out before holding a similar event next year. She estimates the Geocaching event connected with the Hatfield & McCoy Feud has the potential to bring in thousands of tourists.

In other chamber business, President Charley McCoy presented suggested a list of members to revise three sub-committees for the TVCC, which include Tourism, Banquet/Membership and Finance.

Chamber Director Natalie Young spoke briefly about an upcoming event called “Entrepreneurship Café,” which will be held at the Righteous Brew Coffee Shop in Williamson on Thursday, September 20, at 5:30 p.m.

Other events that were mentioned were the upcoming King Coal Festival this weekend, the Coal Dust Run early on Friday evening at the Coal House and the Tug Valley Arts Council performance of The Four Freshmen on September 20 at Mingo Central High School. The Frank O’Brien 5-K run will be held Saturday morning at 8 a.m. at the community college in West End.

Another new TVCC member attended the luncheon. Josh Cogar, who is with Modern Woodmen of America, and has an office in Chapmanville.

Cecil Hatfield also mentioned to the group that this weekend is the all-class reunion for Chattaroy High School and the WHS classes of 1955-56 reunion.

To find out more about Geocaching and the King Coal Festival you can find both events on Facebook.