HUNTINGTON -- Started by Highlawn resident Bill Rawlinson, WhyHuntington is a project designed to highlight all that is great about the Huntington metro area.

Available on the Web at www.whyhuntington.com, the site is collecting personal stories about what people love about Huntington.

Rawlinson also is collecting other info about Huntington including photo essays, original art, poetry, videos, as well as interesting businesses and things to do.

"This site isn't about what I like about Huntington but about what everyone does," Rawlinson said. "Therefore, I really need other people to contribute."

Here's a look at a recent short essay from Rawlinson about why he loves living by the Ohio River in Huntington.

"This was the view that greeted me as I stepped out of my house in the Highlawn neighborhood and into the 27th Street Park. This gem of a park overlooks the Ohio River (as does my house) and it is always a beautiful sight to wake up to.

"My daily routine begins with a couple laps around this park as I walk my dog, and this morning the river was particularly beautiful. The barge pictured was working its way upstream at a slow but steady pace. The fog that provided a soft edge to the water seemed to flee as the barge approached, leaving patches of clear water amongst the mist-sheathed river.

"I've lived in a few different cities that boast a river, but I've never been so lucky as to live right along the shores. However, thanks to the affordable nature of real estate in Huntington, I am truly lucky to be able to enjoy not only the amenities city living has to offer but I also get to enjoy a more personal relationship with the natural beauty that fills this region. It's really an amazing experience waking up and looking out over the river every day."

To contribute, go online at www.whyhuntington.com or stop by the Frederick Hotel lobby at 5:30 p.m. for the weekly Chat 'n' Chew that is sponsored by the Create Huntington group and attended by Rawlinson and WhyHuntington.