U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, left, R-W.Va., joined Metro News Talkline host Hoppy Kercheval and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., on stage at the Frank Center on Sept. 5, to discuss all things West Virginia. Toni Milbourne

SHEPHERDSTOWN — On Sept. 5, a packed house filled the Frank Arts Center in Shepherdstown to enjoy the final program in the American Conservation Series presented by the Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications.

The forum welcomed U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., to share the stage with moderator Hoppy Kercheval, MetroNews Talkline host. The three were there to discuss “Beyond Pepperoni Rolls: Who We Are as West Virginians.”

The event was delayed for a short while due to the arrival of some protestors there to lash out against Manchin for some of his political activities, but the group was soon removed, and the discussion of what it means to the senators to be West Virginians began.

Capito mentioned first and foremost that she believes a deep faith is something that defines West Virginians, as well as their deep strength in times of adversity. She spoke to the founding of the state and how its creation came about at one of the most difficult, if not the most difficult time, in the state’s history.

“I think it’s sort of in us. We know we are fighting for what we consider is good,” she said. “There is a toughness about us that I see and I’m very proud of.”

Both Capito and Manchin told tales of growing up in West Virginia — she in the Northern Panhandle and he in mid-central West Virginia. Discussions of family played a big part in the conversation, especially as the trio looked at how family dynamics have changed over time. In the past, it was, for the most part, two parents raising children, and now, it is much different, not only with single-parent households but with many children being raised by grandparents.

Discussion of family led to reminiscences of both Manchin and Capito’s youths, where they shared stories of how their families interacted and what they did during their younger years.

Topics moved on to things that help define West Virginia, with a discussion of fairs and festivals bringing memories and laughter, as Manchin enacted a pose similar to one he said he struck when posing at the Mothman Festival, one festival Capito said she has not yet attended.

Talk of festivals brought forth the importance of arts and crafts, as well as music in the Mountain State, where created artifacts are so important and musical talent reigns. The group mentioned such famous West Virginia musicians as Brad Paisley and Kathy Mattea when speaking of talented artists.

Kercheval rolled the discussion along asking about various things dealing with West Virginia, including how those from outside the state perceive those who hail from here.

“Criticism comes from out of state,” Kercheval began. “You all travel around the country, so let’s speak to that, the image of West Virginia and how you react.”

“Some perceptions are because of articles written or movies or TV shows. I’m a little bit defensive about it. I get offended by it,” she said, as she told of a recent experience of someone who had visited Mingo County, who then said he didn’t know why people just didn’t get out of there. “It’s their home.”

The talk of “home” then led to the iconic “Take Me Home, Country Roads” phenomenon that definitely defines West Virginia.

“So many people know that song,” Capito said. “That, to me, is very touching.”

“Everyone around the world knows the song,” Kercheval added, as the group spoke of experiences even outside of the United States, where, when saying they were from West Virginia, individuals would break out in song with the John Denver tune.

“That song — it’s a sense of home,” Capito said.

That was the predominant sentiment of the evening, that West Virginia is one big “home” and a unique and wonderful place both to those where were born there and to those who have chosen to make it their home.