My very first Connect-Bridgeport blog was written two years ago and featured the debut of spring 2012 and the grand opening of the Bridgeport Recreation Complex.

 

That particular piece was titled “It’s Happening” because – well, it was happening: The recreation facility that city staff, officials and contractors had worked so hard to bring resident sports enthusiasts was opening – with a world of possibilities ahead. 

 

The name of the blog stuck. But more importantly, the Rec Complex was embraced with open arms – not only by the thousands who gathered for opening festivities on April 15, 2012, but also by teams around the region who have traveled to Bridgeport, thereafter reporting a homerun experience with the facility.

 

Last year alone, activity included nine tournaments – 249 teams and 446 games – and a total of 1500 combined games and practices.

 

For baseball season 2014, 15 tournaments are scheduled, including the 3rd Annual Bridgeport Bracket Bash May 30 through June 1. And this year, Bridgeport Recreation Complex is also home to the Fighting Falcon baseball team of Fairmont State University. (See complex schedule here.) 

 

So two years after the original “It’s Happening” ran on Connect-Bridgeport – the debut of Bridgeport’s news and information website coinciding with the opening of the Rec Complex – the focus is what’s happening in our city during the spring/summer seasons.

 

Perhaps those utilizing our state-of-the-art facility would like some highlights regarding eateries, retailers and entertainment while they’re visiting our fine city.

 

There’s much to include. I’ll try to cover all the bases.

 

Let’s talk food – choices to please everyone. I’m sure you will eat your share of hot-dogs and snacks at Rec Complex concessions, efforts overseen, by the way, by our city’s own Little League organization. But if you decide to venture off-site, there are a number of options. Located in our Charles Pointe area – in close proximity of the ballfields (upon exiting Rec Complex, take left off Forrester Blvd. onto Rt. 131 and exit right onto Rt. 279) – is Subway and Dairy Queen, not to mention local sports hot spot Buffalo Wild Wings, offering both indoor and outdoor dining options. Newest to the area is Mia Margherita, a locally owned coal fired pizzeria which also serves up insalata, menesha and everything in between. See lunch and dinner menus here: http://miamargherita.com/Lunch.aspx. Soon to open in April or May is Meagher’s Irish Pub – featuring traditional Irish fare and New Celtic cuisine.

 

In downtown Bridgeport (from Forrester Blvd./Recreation Complex entrance, take right to East Main Street),  we have choices ranging from T&L Hotdog, a very team-friendly Dairy Queen with outdoor dining and China One offering dining in and take-out options. If it is mom and dad’s turn to pick, might I recommend Oliverio’s Ristorante (just off Rt. 131 on E. Main) or Provence Market (from Main St., take Virginia Ave.), quality Italian and French eateries, respectively. And by all means, do not miss Almost Heaven Desserts and Coffee Shop, smack in the middle of our downtown corridor. Bridgeport is home to North Central West Virginia Airport; where Roberto's Restaurant is located, offering not only quality Italian foods, but also a bird's eye view of arriving and departing flights. 

 

If you want to venture to Meadowbrook Mall (Exit 212, I-79), there are various food court options, as well as full-service Outback and Garfield’s restaurants.

 

Speaking of the mall, your ball players might want to kill some between game time at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Finish Line, Game Stop or Tilt arcade haven. Little sister will enjoy Justice, Crazy 8, Claire’s and Icing. And certainly a great pastime for the whole family is Cinemark Theatres. (Complete listing of Meadowbrook Mall stores HERE.)

 

There are also quality retailers located in our downtown area; some unique ones, at that. Embellishments Too offers a full line of Brighton jewelry, clothing, accessories luggage, bath and body products. Also located on Main Street, Country Peddler and Mustard Seed Primitive specialize in country-style décor; the former also carrying Vera Bradley products. On Virginia Ave. are the Shoppes of Averil Place, including Artworks original prints, custom framing and gifts, The Barkery dog boutique and The Nest, featuring fine yarns and knitting lessons. Just minutes away, east on U.S. Rt. 50 is the locally-owned, sports-based Reep Graphics.Travel west on Rt. 50 and you'll run into a plethora of stores at East Pointe, NewPointe and Gabriel plazas. 

 

Visiting in the summer? Enjoy some down time at Bridgeport City Pool, complete with "sprayground" (West Main Street, next to Benedum Civic Center). The pool opens May 24 with free "Splash Day" noon-6 p.m. Featuring "LEGO Movie," facility also hosts the July 18 "Dive In Movie, Family Fun and Float Night." Movies on the big screen at Bridgeport City Park are slated for June 6 and Aug. 1. More info here. 

 

Do you love roller skating? Check out activities at Bridgeport Skate World (705 Masonic Dr., just off Rt. 131, 304-842-4426). Though not in Bridgeport, Compton (Bowling) Lanes is just a few miles away. If you’re an angler, you’re in luck, Bridgeport’s own Hinkle & Deegan Lakes were recently stocked with 4,000 pounds of trout and you can obtain a guest fishing permit by calling Bridgeport Parks and Recreation, 304-842-8240.

 

If you’re looking for some free outdoor play, Bridgeport hosts a number of parks and walking trails. Besides the mile-long trail at Bridgeport Recreation Complex, trails are located at Hinkle & Deegan Lakes, Compton Park and Bridgeport City Park. The latter location includes some brand new extreme biking trails and the latter two locations feature playground facilities. Basketball courts are located at both those parks, as well as adjacent to Bridgeport City Pool and tennis courts. Tennis Courts are also located at Hinkle & Deegan Lakes, as are picnic shelters, playground equipment and Bridgeport’s very own puppy playground, “Bark Park." From extreme science to karate and pilates, our Parks and Rec department hosts and/or facilitates a number of classes for both kiddos and adults. (Check out summer 2014 activity guide here.) 

 

And, of course, there will be a full season of local Little League, Babe Ruth and WV Patriot League action; games collectively being played at Bridgeport Recreation Complex and fields located at Bridgeport City Park and just across the walking bridge; areas surrounding Wayne Jamison football field. Bridgeport High School baseball, as well as Lady Indians (high school) and Lady Braves (middle school) softball will also be in progress. The gals play their games behind Bridgeport Middle School. If possible, attend one of Bridgeport Little League's Challenger games, during which players with disabilities pair up with local kids who serve as their team buddies. It's a win-win, believe me. Also, leagues of all age levels will be kicking up plenty of soccer action at fields located at Bridgeport City Park and Hinkle & Deegan Lakes. 

 

Enthusiasts of the local food movement will not want to miss our weekly summertime Bridgeport Farmers Market, located at the marketplace at Charles Pointe. Featuring fresh in-season vegetables and root crops, farm-raised meats, handcrafted items and natural health and beauty products, the airy outdoor market - complete with live music, made-to-order brunch and hometown atmosphere - is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays May through October.  Located inside Bridgeport Conference Center, the last indoor winter market is April 6. 

 

Bridgeport Arts Council has a few tricks up its organizational sleeve for this summer, too. Live concerts in the park are slated for the third week of June through mid-August. That entertainment will take place right at Bridgeport Recreation Complex. Also in the works for the July 21 weekend is a city-wide event featuring live jazz at our local restaurants. As part of the collaboration with Bridgeport Farmers Market and the WV Jazz Society, participating eateries will be serving up locally-grown and raised foods. Stay up to date on that event - still in preliminary stages as of late-March - here. 

 

Moms, if you care to slip away for a Zumba class, we have local instructors (Ashley Wilson McClain, Cool Fitness) willing to accommodate you or perhaps take advantage of a day pass at one of our Harrison County YMCA facilities, located on Lodgeville Road, just off West Main Street or Lowndes Hill in nearby Clarksburg. By appointment, prospective members are also welcome to tour Bridgeport Country Club while in town. Also by appointment, groups can take advantage of our area's newest hobbyist gem, A Mountain Clays skeet shooting retreat. The facility is located just out of city limits, near Pete Dye Golf Club. 

 

Our city is home to churches of all denominations. Along Main Street, between the Third and Fourth St. blocks is All Saints Catholic Church. From there, take Philadelphia Ave., along which you will pass both Bridgeport United Methodist Church and Simpson Creek Baptist Church, the latter the oldest protestant church west of the Allegheny Mountains, by the way. Just blocks away are Bridgeport Presbyterian Church and Saint Barnabus Episcopal Church. Browse a pictorial tour of those and other churches here. 

 

If you're a history buff, you might want to check out the covered bridge near the Meadowbrook Mall, circa 1881, and the newly-restored Bow String Bridge, located adjacent to the city pool. That concrete arch bridge was built by Bridgeport Lamp Chimney Company in 1924, providing a way to get products from the glass plant across Simpson Creek to the warehouse. And if you look along the creek bank, especially after a heavy rain, you might just find remnants of that century-old colored glass. 

 

Bridgeport is host to a couple of quality spring/summertime festivals. Will you be in town May 3? Stop by the Scottish Heritage Festival and Celtic Gathering at Bridgeport City Park. The event features bagpipes, drumming, Highland dancing, clan displays, heavy athletics and more. If your tournament time is the weekend of July 11-12, you can hit our Benedum Festival, which celebrates our city's own benefactor, the late Michael Benedum. Also held at Bridgeport City Park, that festival features carnival rides and games, live music, inflatable attractions and oil and gas expo. Sat., July 12 will also include a fishing derby, pet parade - fireworks finale - and 5K run to benefit Bridgeport Little League's Challenger division. Another popular Bridgeport 5K run is the May 31 Derek Hotsinpiller Fallen Star Memorial 5K, which kicks off 8:30 a.m. at Bridgeport track and field. 

 

As the baseball season progresses, so will this blog be a work in progress. 

 

As I ended my April 12, 2012, original “It’s Happening” blog … “The words ‘Let’s play ball’ are indeed music to everyone’s ears. So have a Coke and a smile – and enjoy.”

 

Thank you for visiting our fine city. Download a street map here. 

 

Julie Perine can be reached at 304-848-7200, julie@connect-bridgeport.com or follow @JuliePerine on Twitter. 

 

More "It's Happening" HERE.