In the Spotlight

 

 Chip is Mr. Mountain State Bear 2008-2009!

 

He is 31 years old and very happily partnered to a fellow bear. He and his husbear have been together for four years and the guy is extremely supportive of him.

 

He recently finished his degree at Marshall University and is currently looking for a job.

In his spare time, he loves to work with horses. He and his partner have a couple of show horses and they take up a lot of his time during spring, summer, and fall. He spends a lot of time at Long Fork campground. "The guys up there are so much fun and it is a great place to visit."  He is hoping to help Danny with some bear events there in the future.

 

His decision to enter the Mountain State Bear contest was one he tossed around for awhile, but never had the courage to enter before. He finally decided that this year he was going to do it and he is certainly happy that he did.

As Mr. Mountain State Bear, he says "I would really like to see the Bears of West Virginia come together and make our voices heard. I would like to see more bear events held at some of the bars in our state as well. Since the majority of the bear nights took place at the Tap Room and we all know that we no longer have that option. I am very sad to see the Tap Room closed, but maybe this will give us an opportunity to get some of the support organizations in the area to raise money for HIV/AIDS awareness, education, and prevention.

 

The Mountain State Bear Contest was so much fun to enter and I must say that the competition was tough. All the guys that entered were wonderful and I am so thrilled that they picked me to have the bear title. I was so nervous since this was the first contest that I have ever entered. What a way to start things off! I will say that the support I have received from everyone in the community has been wonderful. I plan on using my title to the fullest of my abilities to help bring the community together and to give the bears in our state a greater presence. I would also like to go to IBR next year as a representative of West Virginia, but that's just an idea for now. WOOF's to all the bears around the state  and I hope to meet you all very soon."

 

If you would like to congratulate him on his win, email him at versabear@aim.com