When it’s 4 a.m., it’s as dark as darkness is advertised, and the broken silence, well, that’s what the police chase after with those blue lights. That’s because, usually, the only good thing taking place that early is a family departing for summer vacation somewhere along the East Coast.
4 a.m.?
It never matters if you snoozed well, snored a few winks, or counted just a couple of sheep, at 4 a.m., sunrise is distant and the lifeless stillness away from the cool side of your pillow makes little sense as a positive way to begin any day.
Let alone every effin’ day … well almost in a sort-of, kind-of-way, but yes, most Monday-through-Friday mornings for Olivia Litman and a number of other local ladies, it’s 4 a.m., up-and-at-em and preparing to sweat inside the vastness of an empty Highlands Sports Complex, or the YMCA, or Planet Fitness, well before the coffee’s brewing under those legendary arches.
The routine calls for healthy heart rates, deep breathing, and making movements most adults leave behind in their childhoods because that’s what makes sense right now. And when it’s NOT as early as 4 a.m., it’s close enough anyway because the early a.m. hours still contain an ornery husband, her two pretty-and-predictable daughters, and a free-spirited son who promises to be one of those incalculable offspring whose portrait always is fit for framing for the family living room and posting on the post office wall.
Litman is a strong lady who’s endured horror and enjoyed joy while marketing her hometown region she took for granted when her childhood playground was an old asylum’s front porch.
But now, at 4 a.m. when life allows, she grows even stronger than the day before.
When you first began working for the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau, did you believe the Wheeling area was attractive enough for tourism?
To be honest, I honestly never thought of Wheeling as a destination, a place for tourism. I, like many who live here, took our area for granted as I was growing up here. This was home, where I felt the most comfortable, the safest, and knew where my favorite things were housed within our city and I loved it here.
So, at 25 when I moved back here from various other locations around the state, I felt at ease again. I met Noah, now my husband, and finally knew I was going to live here. I was 28 when I discussed the job with Frank O’Brien. I was unaware the CVB existed and how wonderful of an opportunity I was being offered.
I received my dream job, and up until that moment, I had no idea it existed.
I thought I loved our city, but I loved it for different reasons than the visitors I was working with did. They saw beautiful buildings, impressive history and lots of opportunities along our river. That energy paired with the leadership of Frank, had me jumping for joy and diving into tourism.
I wanted to learn everything I could about our city, explore and live as a tourist here, any chance I could get. I also had the pleasure of creating new experiences around the city with people, like myself, that loved this city and wanted to create new energy.
Have you had any paranormal experiences since moving away from Roney’s Point?
Although I always knew Roney’s Point was creepy and full of spirits, I didn’t experience them personally there myself. My siblings did, my dad did, and many of our family friends, but me? No, I was just a scaredy-cat, sleeping with a stick to ward them off if they came near me.
A real ghost hunter, I was not. I still think I am closed off to the energy needed to experience anything paranormal and honestly, besides for perhaps a visit from my parents in my dreams, I really don’t have a desire to have one … still a scaredy-cat.
I did hear something at the Capitol Theatre in 2012, as I was bringing a Christmas tree up from the old bowling alley area of the theatre. I threw the tree and took off running and that is all I will say about that.
What do you believe the state tourism office is doing best to attract people to the state of West Virginia?
I have been with the CVB since 2008, there have been lots of changes in the state tourism office, from the people, to the branding and how we market West Virginia.
We are Wild and Wonderful and I am proud always to say that.
But as a marketer, we are the “Wonderful” part of Wild and Wonderful, a more urban destination and rich with history. But our pride in our state is the same in the Northern Panhandle and the state tourism office is doing a fine job representing that pride. Their co-op programs are bringing opportunities to us that wouldn’t be affordable if we would venture out and buy them on our own. They will also customize for your area and your partners, and we love taking advantage of that opportunity.
West Virginia tourism has invested in research of the visitors coming in and also those that potentially will be coming. Research is priceless when it comes to marketing – and very expensive – and they are providing all of that to us and training. They also are looking for ways to reach the communities and understand them better to enhance their message.
They provide pictures and also send influencers to our area to strengthen our message. Influencers are great and we love to host them and sell our city from a personal approach. Funny story, we had an influencer from Philadelphia visiting our city. She was a city girl that loved city things.
What is the funniest observation of you that your son has ever explained to you?
This is a loaded question and quite frankly could become an inappropriate situation quickly.
I have three beautiful children, they bring me so much joy, laughter, pride and frustration on a daily basis. I have two girls, Lyla 13, Cece 10, and our son, Willie, 6, and they are so different.
Raising girls vs. raising boys is like oil and water.
Lyla always with the one-liners and still to this day, she has a quick response to everything and anything. Cece proudly announces she’s “A Dressed Fancy” when asked her address, but I think some of the funniest times with Willie is when he shares his perspective.
A few examples I will share are when I was folding clothes one evening and he was basically sitting on my lap (he is a clinger), I stopped to text a friend and he looked at me so seriously and said, “Mom, do your job.”
He is a lover as well and often asks how will he have a wife when he has me? The sweetest sour patch you ever did meet.
I also seem to like the random texts I get from his teachers about his helping others in class, his ability to help others smile, and the one day he proudly proclaimed me as “Sugar Mama” when being asked what my real name was.
Kids keep you on your toes and mine are the BEST!
What do you feel is the most intriguing attraction here in the Wheeling area?
I feel the most intriguing attraction is Centre Market, this is a personal answer and not a professional one I should add. I love to shop and especially like to shop for interesting items. I have been known to be a bit extra, stand out, live in the moment, play with fashion and be an excellent gift giver.
Centre Market is the place I can do all of that. Shuggy’s is seriously one of my favorite places to go in Centre Market, Restyle and Talon and Lou/boutique 3. Just a stroll around the market gives you energy, wakes up the senses and gives you so much inspiration to create, I really love it there!
I should also give an honorable mention to the Gardens of Oglebay and the Festival of Lights! Shopping, growing beautiful flowers and Christmas decorations are my GOAT things!
