Mike and Diane Barr, from Ocala, Florida, wanted to get out of the congestion and chaos that had devoured their town where local horse farms were being sold to developers, dwindling what openness was left. They began to hear their call to the mountains.

The couple dreamt of five acres, with a creek and newer home. The properties they saw in North Carolina and Virginia were too costly, so further north they came, to West Virginia. Their base camp in their search for property was made in Elkview.

Searching a Charleston newspaper they came across a listing that was exactly what they were looking for. The property in Calhoun County had a newer home on five acres with a creek. Mike investigated, liked what he saw, and Diane accompanied him the next day to have a look.

As Diane stepped onto the front porch, she saw a milk crate sporting the words, "McCateer Dairy - Ocala, FL."

"That was our sign," Diane said. "We had found home!"

Diane, a retired hairdresser and Mike, a forester, found that work was scarce. Diane's bright idea (after talking Mike into it) was to open a deli-style lunch shop in Spencer.

The Church Street Deli offers home made soups, salads and deli sliced sandwiches and wraps. Soups are made fresh daily, and sandwiches and salads are made fresh, to each order. The deli is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 to 4.

What does the couple like most of West Virginia? Both agreed, "It's the people."

Their only dislike is the inconvenience of living out in the country. "Winter is a drawback," Mike says. "But we are getting used to it."

Though they moved from Florida, they still vacation there where their old home was purchased by their daughter Candice and her husband. Really, their move has given them the best of both worlds. The couple enjoys tent-camping, and have spent time in several of the area’s parks and campgrounds.

The Barrs have been here now just over a year. So, when in Spencer, stop in at the Church Street Deli to the right of the court house, to welcome two new West Virginians, and enjoy a fresh-cut deli meal.