Thursday, October 31, 2019
Take a glimpse into the rich heritage of Carter County through contributed photographs, maps, postcards and other historical memorabilia.
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Cole Farm dates back to 1919
leading to the farm with a gravel road. Another federal initiative, In August 1919, 33-year-old Walter J. Cole, along with his wife, Sallie, bought a 5.7-acre tract in the Stoney Creek commu- the Rural Electrification Administration, helped bring electricity nity of Carter County and began farming his own land. It was no to the farm in 1947. Not long after receiving electrical service, Mae and Walter purchased an electric butter churn. doubt the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for a young man who Walter died in 1967, and ownership of the farm was transhad eked out a living as a farm laborer on the land of others. He ferred to Mae and Walter’s only child, Carroll Reece Cole, and his bought from W.F. Hinkle for $6,000. Farming, iron-ore mining, and logging were then the main- two sons, Michael and Patrick. Mae lived on the farm until her death in 1975. In 2002, Reece deeded his interest in the farm to stays of the local economy. For Walter, owning his own farm his sons. meant he might achieve a measure of economic secuIn 2018, Brett Cole, Michael’s son, bought over rity. A few other paths to this status were available to one-half interest in the farm from Patrick, who Walter. Like most of his contemporaries in Carter now lives in Louisville, Ky. Michael lives County, Walter was unable to advance his on the farm in a house built in education behind the eighth grade, 1975. Reece makes his home in the and large-scale industrialization house that was on the farm when would not arrive in Carter County his father bought the property. until 1926. Brett and his wife, Rachel, began Walter and Sallie grew corn, living on the farm in 1926, having wheat, and hay and raised cattle, built a home on a one-acre tract hogs, and chickens. Sadly, Sallie was that was deeded to them by Patrick diagnosed with breast cancer shortly and Michael. Brett and Rachel after they purchased the farm, and not purchased 3.5 adjoining acres from even a visit to the prestigious Johns Richard Lewis, who owns a nearby Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore could Tennessee Century Farm. save her life. Sallie died in 1920. She Today, under Michael’s leaderand Walter had no children. ship, the farm produces beef cattle, In 1923, Walter married Mae Isbel hay, and corn. New fencing and a Reese of Beaver Dam, N.C. Mae was hay barn have been built in recent instrumental in developing a large years and Michael has become customer base for the farm’s eggs and Photo Contributed/Tammie Cole an Advanced Tennessee Master Beef dairy products. Walter delivered the The 2019 W.J. Cole Farm sign. Producer. The tradition of Walter J. goods in a Model Ford. This chore Cole continues. was made easier in the 1930s when Also today, four generations still live on the farm. The the Works Progress Administration replaced the dirt wagon trail
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Photo Contributed/Tammie Cole
Walter J. and Sallie Cole
founder’s son, Reece Cole; the founder’s grandson and his wife, Michael and Tammie Cole; the founder’s great-grandchildren and his family, Brett and Rachel Cole, and Maggie, Aubrey and Aiden Cole.
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Cole Farm
Photo Contributed/Tammie Cole
Carroll Reece Cole and Maxine Kelly Cole
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Photo Contributed/Tammie Cole
Walter J. Cole Photo Contributed/Tammie Cole
Pictured left to right: Mae I. Cole, Carroll Reece Cole and Walter J. Cole.
Photo Contributed/Tammie Cole
Carroll Reece Cole, W.J. Cole and Mae Isabella Cole
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Cole Farm
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Photo Contributed/Tammie Cole
Michael Cole, Carroll Reece Cole and Patrick Cole.
Photo Contributed/Tammie Cole
W.J. Cole, Michael Cole, Mae I. Cole and Patrick Cole. Photo Contributed/Tammie Cole
Mae I. Cole, Kelly the dog and W.J. Cole.
Photo Contributed/ Tammie Cole
W.J. and Mae Cole’s original cook stove by Home Comfort and is still inside the homeplace. Mae Cole used this stove until they obtained electricity in 1947.
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Photo Contributed/ Tammie Cole
W.J. Cole Farm original spring house where they kept their dairy products and is still standing today.
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Photo Contributed/ Tammie Cole
W.J. Cole Farm original smokehouse and is still standing today.
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Photo Contributed/Tammie Cole
(Left) Wood frame barn built in 1976; (center) Corn Crib built in 1976; and (right) new barn that was built in 2017.
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Cole Farm
Photo Contributed/Tammie Cole
W.J. Cole original homeplace in 2019. Pictured are Michael, Reece, Patrick, Brett and Aiden Cole.
Photo Contributed/ Tammie Cole
Michael Cole - 2017 Advanced Master Beef Producer
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Cole Farm
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Star Photo/Tammie Cole
Four generations still living on W.J. Cole Farm. Pictured are Michael and Tammie Cole, Reece Cole, Brett and Rachel Cole, Maggie, Aubrey and Aiden Cole.
Photo Contributed/Tammie Cole
Four generations of W.J. Cole at the homeplace. Pictured are top 1st generation, Reece Cole, 2nd generation, Michael and Patrick Cole, 3rd generation, Brett Cole,and 4th generation is Aiden Cole.
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The Poor House
Photo Contributed/Judy Richardson Photo Contributed/Judy Richardson
The Poor House is where people could stay who needed a place to stay. The Poor House sat where Unaka High School now is. This photo was taken in January 1959.
Judy Richardson and her dad, Donald Collins, stand on the porch of the Poor House, where people could stay if they needed a place to stay. This photo was taken in January 1959.
Upgrade your banking experience. Carter County Bank’s DRIVE THRU plus offers most of the services you can get in the lobby, plus extended hours. With a live teller available to assist you 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, you can use our DRIVE THRU plus ITMs (Interactive Teller Machines) to deposit or withdraw money, make loan payments, check balances, transfer money, order and cash checks, and more!
MORE HOURS, MORE SERVICES Try DRIVE THRU plus today at all Carter County Bank locations. Visit www.DriveThru.plus for more information.
Hours of Operation: Monday–Saturday, 7am–7pm
Proudly Serving Carter County for 80 Years
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Star Photo/Amber Wadovick
CEO Christine Bartz has been in the position since 1988. Her time with the credit union has seen her give members a chance to buy homes and cars they would never have been able to afford without the credit union’s help.
Star Photo/Amber Wadovick
Happy Valley Credit Union has sat on East C Street in Elizabethton since 1991. Though the location has changed frequently over its 86-year history, its name and values have not.
Happy Valley Credit Union helps almost a century of members finance their lives
By AMBER WADOVICK Star Staff amber.wadovick@elizabethton.com
When a credit union has been around for almost a century, it becomes as much a part of the community as the air it breathes. In much the same way, Happy Valley Credit Union has ridden the waves of history since it was founded, and though many of its operations and members have changed, its core values will always be constant. The credit union was chartered in September of 1933 as the Bemberg-Glanzstoff
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Credit Union for the employees who worked at the plant. “Our first office was in the Personnel Building at the North American Rayon building,” CEO Christine Bartz said. They changed the name just a year later to Happy Valley Credit Union. The credit union has seen many different locations and names over the 86 years they have been in operation, but the non-profit’s goal has always been the same no matter the clientèle: to provide competitive rates on loans of all varieties, so more people can
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have access to homes, cars and much more. Currently, the credit union sits at 210 East C Street in Elizabethton, where it has stood since they purchased the property in 1996. Bartz said she started working there as a teller in 1965 and became CEO in 1988. “I like helping people,” she said. “This is what credit unions do.” She described the difference in credit unions compared to banks as the difference between being for-profit or non-profit. Any net income the credit union receives after
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paying expenses goes right back to their 4,100 members, while a bank’s goal, in the end, is to gain money for their investors. “Not for profit, not for charity, but for service,” Bartz said. The credit union’s 86-year history has seen the industry undergo many changes over the years. Bartz said the increase in regulations over the years has caused them to use more scrutiny in who they can issue loans to, in spite of their goal. An example of n See UNION, 9
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UNION n Continued from 8
this is after the housing market bubble popped in the late 2000s, leading the government to find ways to reduce unreasonable loans from being issued. “Now, you have to show you have the ability to repay,” Bartz said. This can be difficult, she said, because many people in the region have unlisted income either because of their professions as farmers or other reasons. In spite of the changing times, one thing that has not changed is the credit union’s desire to help people who need the assistance. “It is worth it when you see the appreciation your members show,” Bartz said. “In years past, we have helped people buy houses who never would have been able to.”
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Working on the Railroad Contributed Photo
Pictured here are Felix Palmer, Carl Fields, Bruce Palmer, Dave Golden and Wheeler Fields, working on the Tweetsie Railroad around 1940.
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Downtown Elizabethton Pictured during construction of Carter County Bank and Lingerfelt
Photos Contributed
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Photo Contributed/Glenna Bullock
Pictured are John and Alice Morton Hodge, from the Gap Creek area, with their six daughters, Wilma, Johnnie, Glenna, Carol, Geraldean and Lois.
Photo Contributed/ Glenna Bullock
Pictured are the four daughters of John and Alice Morton-Hodge, all dressed up in their Crepe dresses made by their mother Alice.
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Citizens Bank, Celebrating 85 years of service to Northeast Tennessee CONTRIBUTED — The year was 1934. The Great Depression had shuttered the previously established financial institutions in Carter County three years earlier. This didn’t stop the vision of eight civic-minded businessmen and their aspirations to once again have a bank in Elizabethton. Under the leadership of Dr. E.L. Caudill Sr. and Attorney Raymond C. Campbell, the founders raised the necessary capital mandated by the State Banking Commission to receive a charter. November 5, 1934, Citizens Bank opened its doors in the former First National Bank building at 601 E. Elk Ave. in downtown Elizabethton. The original Board of Directors consisted of Dr. E.L. Caudill as president and Chairman of the Board along with the directors, Attorney Raymond C. Campbell, James B. Deal, D.L. Maugans, Allen F. Taylor, Judge Ben Allen, Joe E. Godsey and R.C. Turrentine. Turrentine was also responsible for the day to day operations and management of the branch alongside his three associates, Ann Felty, B.R. Cantrell and Chris Ritts. Over the next three decades, Citizens Bank continued to grow and prosper under the leadership of Dr. Caudill, Turrentine and Campbell. Their decisions on bank operations and practices were based on the founding principles: (1) assurance of safety to depositors; (2) a high standard of service to customers; and (3) a genuine desire to serve the community. Their dedication to Carter County and Elizabethton were instrumental in the economic growth of the area. In 1956,Campbell and Caudill decided to bring on Joe LaPorte Jr., as a loan officer. Joe grew up in the local community of Stoney Creek. After earning his B.S. in Accounting in 1950, he went to work for the FDIC as a bank examiner, then to Fountain
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Star Photo/Amber Wadovick
One of the tallest buildings in Elizabethton, Citizens Bank has stood in downtown Elizabethton since the 1930s.
City Bank located near Knoxville to sharpen his skills as a banker. LaPorte brought new vision and energy to the bank as well as the area. His love for his home community and incredible work ethic made it apparent he would be the next leader of Citizens Bank. Joe LaPorte took the reins in 1962 and started a period of growth and expansion. First by building a new main office on the site where the present-day Citizens Bank corporate office is located. Then he led the expansion of offices throughout the county. As the bank grew along with Carter County, others took notice. In 1973, Tennessee Valley Bancorp
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purchased Citizens Bank’s assets under the premise that having greater financial resources would be beneficial to the communities and customers located in the smaller bank’s footprint. The conglomerate maintained the Citizens Bank brand and the local leadership with Joe at the helm. However, the management directives from Nashville didn’t always align with the principles that had brought such success to Citizens Bank over the previous four decades. In the early 1980’s LaPorte set into motion a valiant strategy that would reshape the future of Citizens Bank. The first phase was the establish-
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ment of a family owned and operated company, Citco Community Bancshares Inc., the holding company that continues to own Citizens Bank today. From there, Joe made the tactical play to reacquire full control of Citizens Bank and successfully returned the company he loved to a local, community centered, financial institution. Joe’s dedication to the community and his family garnered him the name “Papa Joe.” That same enthusiasm fostered a reputation of great leadership and innovation that propelled Citizens Bank to become nationally recognized for its extraordinary performance. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, Joe LaPorte III joined the bank in 1979. He excelled at learning the inner workings of banking and displayed the same resolve for Citizens Bank and the community that Papa Joe had fashioned. In 1985, at the age of 29, Joe III stepped into his father’s shoes and became the fifth president poised to continue the success synonymous with the LaPorte name. He did just that. Joe successfully led the bank though multiple advancements and acquisitions that expanded Citizens Bank throughout all the Tri-Cities and into Knoxville, established Citizens Investment Services Inc. (a brokerage subsidiary affiliated with Raymond James Financial Advisors), and assembled a leadership team that remained focused on the core values on which the foundation of the organization was built. Today, Joe LaPorte III still leads Citizens Bank as the Chairman of the Board and CEO. In a recent opportunity to discuss the anniversary with LaPorte and the current bank president, Larry Estepp, Joe was asked about his 40-year career with n See CITIZENS BANK, 13
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CITIZENS BANK
Bible Cards
Photo Contributed
A Bible Card was given for Sunday School attendance.
n Continued from 12 Citizens Bank and the 85 years of service to our community. “When I started banking it was the business of taking care of people and we have worked diligently to keep the bank focused on people.” He discussed how times have changed and the effects of technology in our industry. “Everything moves at a faster pace now; we want to keep up with today’s needs but at the same time ensure the focus stays on the business of taking care of people. We want to be different; we want to keep it personal.” Estepp’s thoughts centered on the same concept. “Citizens Bank has been involved in helping people’s dreams come true.” Either of these gentlemen can tell story after story of the impact Citizens Bank has made in our community. One such story was from a local family in Elizabethton whose father came to town in the ’40s to look at an opportunity to purchase a business. As he was leaving town the bank president asked why he was leaving and if he didn’t have the money to make the purchase? When the gentleman said no, the banker loaned
him the money and the business is still thriving and serving our communities. “Citizens Bank has a history of supporting the communities that we serve. It may be monetary, being an advocate or lending a helping hand. This is what makes community banks so valuable to our region,” says Estepp. The future for Citizens Bank is bright. Both LaPorte and Estepp speak highly of the strength of the management team and knowledgeable staff. The three founding principles have steered the organization into a sound financial institution that is poised for the future. Estepp added, “We will continue to seek opportunities for growth by expanding our geographical boundaries, provide innovative products and services like our SBA lending program, and deliver new technologies to our customers for improved service and convenience.” Citizens Bank truly is a LOCAL financial organization dedicated to their customers, their employees and the communities they serve. For more information about Citizens Bank visit citizensbank24.com or stop by one of their convenient locations and meet a member of the friendly staff.
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Old Photo Album Photo Contributed
next to the Branson Events Center
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Back in the Day Roan Mountain Classroom Photo Contributed
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Old Coins
Items From the Past
1568 Old Coin
Photos Contributed
Pictured are a set of keys and a glass that was used at the old Lynwood Hotel in Elizabethton. Photos Contributed
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Sossner Steel Stamp manufactures marking tools for products nationwide Sossner Steel Stamps has been in business since 1910 and was organized by A.J. Sossner. The company was under original management until 1955, when illness caused A.J. to retire. The company was bought by Jerry Friedman in 1955 and remained under his management until his retirement in 1991, when company president Neil Friedman took the reins. Friedman explains, “What Sossner does is we manufacture marking tools to identify a company’s products. What does that mean? On the top of a lid, Anheuser Busch, with an all metal container, or other can companies. It says things like, dispose of properly, five cent, ten cent refund, so we manufacture the tool. We have engineers that design the tool or we make it off the plate, so we make the stamp that marks the top of the can or a soda lid. We just manufacture the stamp and sell it to Anheuser Busch, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and they do (their own) the stamping. We don’t do any stamping. We design the tool, we make the tool for them to print. ” In earlier times, all engraving was done by hand or by simple machines. Today, Sossner’s 47,000 square foot facility ensures the best in quality engineered marking products. Friedman continued, “Sossner is a very diversified company, a strong company for one reason, we’re so diversified it’s not funny. The post that goes through your ear that says 10k or 14k — that’s our stamp on it. A Marlboro cigarette, the logo that says Marlboro on it, we make that stamp. We make stamps for Phillip Morrow, RJ Reynolds, Lorillard Tobacco. Every piece of plumbing in your
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house has a name on it or a number — a Master Lock, a Yale Lock. Look at the hinges on your door; we make those stamps. Bearing, ball bearings, used by General Motors in cars. There are stamps on everything. Our average order is $500. I’m not saying we don’t get larger orders, that’s just our average. We’ve just taken an order from a very large gun manufacturer, I can’t release the name just yet, for over $135,000. They just announced they are opening a new facility in Alabama and they have to gear up that new facility and that is not a normal order.” Ongoing improvements and upgrades are the norm at Sossner. “We have over 5000 customers and they are ordering every 30 to 60 days. This is our only facility. There was a factory in Asheville, N.C., but it closed and we moved everything here in 1989. There are over 125 different steel stamp companies in the country and this business is more competitive than McDonald’s vs. Burger King. Unfortunately, nobody takes care of you the way you take care of you. People like our reputation and our quality.” Sossner takes pride in the manufacture of superior quality, precision engineered marking and decoration stamps. Their 109 years of proud tradition and expertise go into the processing, engineering, engraving and heat-treating of your order. Sossner stocks 17 different alloy steels to assure you of the correct marking tool for your job. For more information on Sossner Steel Stamps or if you are interested in their marking products, call 1-800-828-9515, or visit their website, www.sossnerstamps.com.
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Star Photo/Amber Wadovick
Sitting on Judge Don Lewis Blvd. in Elizabethton, Sossner has provided the tools necessary for engraving for many years.
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Carter County native Isaac Lincoln, great-uncle of Abraham Lincoln Isaac Lincoln was born on March 5, 1750 in Berks County, Pa. He was the son of John Lincoln and Rebecca Flowers. He was the great-uncle of President Abraham Lincoln. He married Mary Ward in Carter County, Tenn., on August 29, 1780. Isaac and Mary’s only son died. They brought up Phoebe Williams and William Stover. William was Mary’s sister, Livica Ward Stover’s son. Phoebe was the daughter of Mordecai Williams and Elizabeth Stover. Isaac Lincoln appeared on the 1792 tax list and the 1794 tax list for Washington County, Va. On November 7, 1796, Isaac bought 94-3/4 acres from Landon Carter. Isaac died on June 10, 1816. ———— Isaac Lincoln, grand-uncle of Abraham Lincoln, lived in Carter County, on the Watauga River, about four miles east of Elizabethton, Tenn. Lincoln’s wife was Miss Mary Ward, who came of a splendid family. There was born to them one child, a son, who was drowned when only a few years old. Isaac Lincoln maintained a sugar camp on his farm, not far from his home. The little boy started to the camp and was lost. A rain storm came up, and when the child was found, he was lying face down in a pool of water, dead! He had fallen into the water and drowned! Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln then took William Stover, son of Phoebe Ward (sister of Mrs. Lincoln), who had married Daniel Stover, and reared William as their own child. They also reared Phoebe Williams, daughter of Mordecai Williams and Elizabeth Stover.
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William Stover inherited most of their property. Phoebe Williams and her husband, Campbell Crowe, also inherited a goodly share. Mrs. Mary Ward Lincoln also remembered her brother-in-law, Christian Carriger, who had married her sister Levisa Ward, quite generously by willing him some slaves. She also remembered her namesake, Mary Lincoln Carriger, daughter of Christian Carriger and Levisa (Ward) Carriger, giving her several slaves. Mrs. William Stover nursed Mrs. Mary Ward
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Lincoln during her last illness. Mrs. Lincoln died of a cancer of the breast. Mrs. Stover said Isaac Lincoln was pretty “close,” and used to dress in home-made flax suits, with a hat band of old tow string. He used to keep his money in a secret drawer under the bottom of a large chest. He never seemed to count his money, but just packed it away. Mrs. Stover gave the old chest to a girl who lived with her. Mrs. Mary Ward Lincoln was a widow when
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she married Isaac Lincoln and was considered wealthy. Most of the money came by her. Some say her first husband was a Mr. Beshears. It is stated that Isaac Lincoln owned land in Mitchell County, N.C., known as “Old Fields of Tow.” Col. Dan Stover and Dr. Murray Stover, sons of William Stover, used to go to that section to look after the lands inherited from their great-uncle, Isaac Lincoln. Also, Isaac Lincoln n See CARTER COUNTY, 19
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CARTER COUNTY n Continued from 18 owned land near Flag Pond Station, and in Carter County. There are traditions that Thomas Lincoln lived on the Isaac Lincoln farm, and some believe that Abraham (later president of the United States) was born here, but that cannot be established. All of the older Carrigers believed that Thomas Lincoln lived here. The Carrigers were in a position to know a great deal about the Lincolns, because the two families were on very intimate terms, owned land joining each other, and Christian Carriger and Isaac Lincoln married sisters. After Isaac Lincoln’s death, the negroes dug all around over the old place, looking for money, and some was found. Isaac Lincoln seems to have been a modest man who attended strictly to his own business, and stayed near his own home, and only went on business trips to his various farms and lands. Isaac Lincoln was of a retiring disposition, and did not mix much in politics, and that is the reason we know so little of his life and works. He met with congenial companions in his brothers-in-law, the Carrigers, as they were of the same modest retiring disposition, shunning the limelight, and giving their attention to agriculture and the manufacture of iron, and not mixing in politics, although Isaac Lincoln’s brother-in-law. Christian Carriger, represented Carter County for many years in the State Legislature, and his brother Godfrey Carriger, Jr., was County Register from 1796 to 1827, the year of his death. The Carrigers had grants for land. I do not know how Isaac Lincoln obtained his lands,
thursday, october 31, 2019 Page 19 whether by grants or whether he bought the land. Isaac Lincoln, the Wards, Stovers and Carrigers were refined and cultured people. Some of the descendants speak now of the great culture and refinement of the older members of these families. ———— From History of Western North Carolina: A History (1730-1913) by John Preston Arthur The Will of Isaac Lincoln, dated April 22, 1816, is filed in the office of the clerk of the circuit court of Carter County, Tenn., and, though yellow with age, is in a good state of preservation. By it he leaves all his property to his wife Mary: and when her will (filed in the same office) is examined, it is found to bequeath at least 28 negroes, naming each one separately, and providing for the support of two of them during life. William Stover, who got the bulk of her estate, was the son of her sister and Daniel Stover; and Phoebe Crow, wife of [Robert] Campbell Crow, to whom she left the negro girl Margaret and her four children, to wit: Lucy, Mima, Martin and Mahala, was Phoebe Williams, a niece of Mary Lincoln. Campbell Crow was left the lower plantation, it being the one on which he now lives, adjoining the land of Alfred M. Carter on the west and south and of John Carriger on the east. To Christian Carriger Sr., she bequeathed seven negroes; to Mary Lincoln Carriger, wife of Christian Carriger Sr., she left two negro girls. Christian Carriger Sr., had married a sister of Mary Lincoln. Daniel Stover, J. D. Jenkins’ great-grandfather, married another sister of Mary Lincoln. . . https://www.anamericanfamilyhistory.com/ TennesseeFamilies&Places/Lincoln%20Family. html
Photos contributed
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RiteScreen — Your total screen solution
The RiteScreen Company was established in 1947, starting out manufacturing insect screens in an airplane hangar. With passion, heart and hard work the RiteScreen Company has grown to be the largest stand-alone screen manufacturer in the United States. Fast forward to present day. The company features seven plants throughout the country, offering American Made products. Plant manager William “BJ” Gott, who came to Elizabethton just eight weeks ago from the Atlanta area said, “RiteScreen has been in Elizabethton about 25 years and we currently employ about 75 workers. We started the year at 60 so we’ve got some growth. We have some more growth plans for the end of the year and into next year, bringing on customers. Due to expectations we hope to have 100 people here by the end of the year. We are a one-shift operation right now. We have seven locations, and service the window and door screen industry nationally.” Gott continued, “We service some of the major (window) providers out there — Pella, Anderson, Ply-Gem — and we’re trying to get a couple more of
them on board.” RiteScreen’s variety of custom-built premium window screens are a testament to their commitment to performance and quality. Screens are available in a number of shapes, colors, and hardware options to suit your company’s requirements. Gott spoke about what they did here in the Elizabethton location saying, “Here in our facility we roll form, we take raw metal coils and we roll from our window and screen metal door frames. We optimize that product out on the floor. We are reducing waste, recycling and reducing landfill type stuff. We cut to length, and then we deliver it to the different cells that we are making. We do custom to stock type stuff, so a lot of our customers make their own screens and we supplement their own manufacturing that they do, at wherever they’re located. So we do a lot of common sized stock in the window industry. You have common sizes that go into homes and commercial structures, and a lot of our customers not only service residential, but also your multi-family and your light industrial. Some are even into your heavy industrial stuff.”
Star Photo/Amber Wadovick
Having started making insect screens in an airplane hangar, RiteScreen now has several plants across the country. Their Elizabethton plant has been around for about 25 years.
Nationally, RiteScreen produces 200,000 window screens and 32,000 door screens each week. Gott said, “So it’s a simple process. What we do here is not hard work, but it’s repetitive work, it’s piecemeal type manufacturing and we’ve got very good folks here. So what we’ve got going on here in the eight weeks since I arrived is we’ve hired just over a dozen people. It is manufacturing — it is for some people, it’s not for others. You know, we bring in folks, and they give it a shot.” RiteScreen is committed to continued improvement of all aspects of their business, utilizing weekly kaizen tools and 6 sigma metrics to develop and sustain improvement, as well as changing their culture. They welcome their customers’ participation in their kaizen events, or the idea
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that small improvements can provide large benefits to an organization. RiteScreen offers custom-engineered packaging options, house packs labeled specifically for your customer or sequence delivery of screens “ready for the line.” RiteScreen allows for fast, accurate electronic ordering, seamless flow into manufacturing, and rapid delivery of products. They’re confident that you’ll value their services as a way to find your best screen solutions. You can find RiteScreen products in home improvement stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot or Ace Hardware. You can find more information by calling locally at 423-547-1000 or by visiting their website, www.ritescreen.com.
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James Family
Photo Contributed/Joyce James
Front row: Carol James McClain; back row: Pat James Campbell, Jesse James Sr., and Barbara James Matheson Photo Contributed/Joyce James
Front row: Dow Tester and his daughter, Zora Tester James, great-grandparents of the James children.
Photo Contributed/Joyce James
Bobby Ray James Sr. served in the Navy and passed away Jan. 31, 2000.
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Photo Contributed/Joyce James
Ramona “Poni� James Gentry, daughter of Bill James.
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James Family
Photo Contributed/Joyce James
Pictured are Jesse James Sr., Margaret James Greenwell and Lahoma James.
Photo Contributed/Joyce James
Pictured are William Martin James, Zora Tester James, Jesse James Sr., Lahoma James Taylor and Margaret James Greenwell. William was former pastor of Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church.
Photo Contributed/Joyce James Photo Contributed/Joyce James
William James, grandfather of the James children.
Jesse W. James Jr. was born in 1948 and passed away Jan. 29, 2019. He served in Vietnam.
Photo Contributed/ Joyce James
William Frank “Bill� James served in the Army and passed away in 2010.
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Tri-City Plating restores the gleam on classic bumpers Tri-City Plating Company, now located at 218 E. Mill Street in Elizabethton, was founded in 1967 by C.R. Curt Campbell and Clarence “Shorty” Carrier. The shop originated on Railroad Street where the depot used to be before moving to the current location around 1970. They had been co-workers at a local factory and decided to venture out on their own. The plating process intrigued them, and the need for bumpers to be straightened and re-chromed was evident. They began by running local and regional truck routes to body shops as a weekly service throughout the Appalachia region. In 1977, Shorty passed away and his son, Clarence Jr. “Chuck,” worked to become Campbell’s new partner. They continued the local and regional service to body shops through the next two decades. In later years, Chuck turned the operation’s focus to better meet the needs of classic car enthusiasts. With Chuck Carrier as owner and his son Chip involved in the daily operations, Tri-City Plating Co. has served the classic car restoration community for three generations. With internet services, regular truck routes are no longer needed. With a crew of 18 technicians in shop now, Carrier said they are constantly looking to hire new personnel to keep up with demand. “We keep our applications wanted out all the time. This is hard work, dirty work, and it’s a struggle to get people to come in here and do the work,” Carrier said. “We look for people who have had auto shop class in high school or who love to work on cars. I’m looking for someone to come in here and take my place in the plating process and train them to do that process.” According to the company’s website, their 50 years of service have worked to create a standard of quality that reflects onto their reputation as a business.
“Our main goal at Tri-City Plating is to provide quality re-chromed bumpers to classic car enthusiasts and restoration shops,” he said. “We also provide re-chroming services on steel and brass substrates such as trim moldings and grills.” Tri-City Plating offers an extensive collection of factory original bumper cores for vintage and classic cars from as early as the 1930’s. With thousands of antique bumper cores to choose from, they may be able to replace a heavily damaged or missing bumper. Purchasing a bumper core from their collection removes the risk of buying “unrepairable” cores from other vendors. The turnaround time for the process varies throughout the year, however 4 to 6 weeks is typical. They do not chrome wheels, pot metal, or aluminum but will polish stainless steel trim. Before the rechroming process can begin, the bumper will undergo a quick visual inspection. This alerts them to any issues in the bumper that they need to be aware of during the rechroming process. Then, there are several steps they take to ensure their customers are completely satisfied with their services, including sandblasting the bumper on the back and inspecting the metal. Once the bumper passes inspection it is then sent to be straightened, removing dents and other irregularities. This process includes nickle-stripping, grinding, polishing and smoothing. If necessary or requested, they will copper-plate and buff the bumper to fill repaired areas. Once fitment is verified, the bumper is nickel plated and polished. For more information you can go to their website, wwww.tricityplating.com, call Tri-City Plating at 423542-6532, or email them at chip@tcplating.com
Star Photo/Amber Wadovick
Tri-City Plating has provided customers with car work for decades. Their booming business has evolved to meet the modern standards, including their online presence.
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Old Time Photo Photo by/Gus & Wanda Johnson
Jackson holding Joe Eldridge. The Jackson Pierce family picture was taken on Pierce Branch Road close to Buckles Cliff.
Making Your Dreams Come True ...A Family Tradition for 67 Years
Photos contributed
Northeast Community Credit Union Always Here When You Need Us
Voted Reader’s Choice #1 Best Credit Union
980 Jason Witten Way Elizabethton 547-1200
1321 Highway 19E Elizabethton 543-7777
8301 Highway 19E Roan Mountain 772-3115
313 W. Oakland Ave Johnson City 722-6228
1985
1988
2007
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1955 Buladeen Basketball team
1950’s Buladeen Elementary Five-County Champs Photos submitted by/Gus & Wanda Johnson
J U N E
2 0 2 0
CELEBRATING THE PAST. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE.
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Buladeen School in 1953
1953 Buladeen Basketball team
1953 Buladeen School Administration
1953 Buladeen school lunchroom Buladeen School in 1953
Photos submitted by/Gus & Wanda Johnson
Buladeen present school was built in 1908. At the time they were only two rooms. Another room was added in 1930, then in 1948 the lunchroom was added. The first teachers after the new building were Mr. Grant Ellis and Will Asher. The first lady teacher to teach was Dorothy Elliott Boles.
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Curde Family Photos Contributed
Pictured are the Curde brothers and sisters along with their dad in Watauga in the 1940’s. Pictured are left to right: Alvin, Avery, Bruce, Sam, Wesley, Verna, Stella and Ollie. Rodney not pictured.
Pictured is Samuel H. Curde, the grandfather of Leslie Curde Brockley.
Pictured is Bruce Curde in Roan Mountain in 1957.
Pictured are the Curdes’ great-grandparents, Celia Dunn and James Curd Curde. They are buried in the Old Curd Cemetery. Pictured are Sonja Curde, Bruce Curde and Ronnie Curde.
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Turkeytown Trotters Baseball Team: standing second from left: Bruce Curde; kneeling third from left: Herb Curde; kneeling first on left: Tom Curde.
Curde Family
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Curde Reunion
A reunion of the Alvin Curde family was held at the Curde home in Range. This was the first time all the family had been together in 18 years, and was marked with a delightful celebration. All the children attended church services together followed by a dinner. Mr. and Mrs. Curde have lived here all their lives, and are natives of Carter County. They have 20 grandchildren. Children attending the reunion and pictured above with Mr. and Mrs. Curde are Ted Curde from Sanger, Calif.; Mrs. Ruth DeSilvey of Birmingham, Ala.; Herbert Curde of Elizabethton; Mrs. Grace Bellot of Memphis; Clyde Curde, Frank Curde and Mrs. John Hall, all of Elizabethton. The family enjoyed a picnic every day during the visit and also enjoyed a night of bowling.
Photos Contributed
Pictured is Shirley Bowers Curde doing some shopping in Elizabethton in 1957.
Standing on the right is Heskell Oliver, cousin of Blanche Feathers Curde. Seated second from the right: Samuel Curde of Watauga.
This photo, taken in the 1900s/1920s, is the Curde Clan Reunion at the old Shell House in Gate Holler, Watauga.
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Curde Family
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Photos Contributed
Pictured here are the 1912 Brick Christian Church members of the board. Standing are J.M McIntosh, George Snodgrass, G.W. Mottern, William Jackson Feathers, M. Range, Willis Little Arthur Mottern and Preacher James Bass. Seated are James Little, M. Hendrix, Susana Mottern, (flanked by sons not board members) John and Henry.
Pictured: girl in the middle is Pearl; girls on back row standing are Mamie and Viola Blanche; child on dads’ lap is Arthur; boy on front is Luthur; boy on mom’s lap is Roy; mom’s name was Mary Elizabeth “Bet” Feathers; father’s name was William Jackson Feathers. Mom and dad are buried in the Motten Cemetery on Cripple Creek Road in Watauga.
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Ron was a charter member of Watauga Fire Department and member/officer of the Moose Club. He retired from A&P Food Store. He ran the community food/ convenience store with his brother. He also did maintenance with Appalachian Christian Village.
Curde Family
Photos Contributed
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Pictured is Ronnie Curde who played football for the Elizabethton football team.
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