Carter County Living
ARTS H SHOPPING H LIVING H FEATURES H FOOD
SPRING 2023
Chad Bogart: The Storyteller of Sycamore Shoals
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Angela Walsh
Local artist molds jewelry into life
Cadon Buckles
Dream season ends with title
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ARTS H SHOPPING H LIVING H FEATURES H FOOD
Angela Walsh
Local artist molds jewelry into life
Cadon Buckles
Dream season ends with title
Carter County Living’s spring edition is finally here and I couldn’t be more excited about it. Spring is my favorite time of the year, with the smell of fresh-cut grass, flowers blooming, baseball and softball fields, and parks full of people. I was raised in a close nit family and can remember the picnics at the parks, lake and the Laurels, playing baseball, riding our bikes and playing outside until dark with my friends and family. I was very blessed to experience this and when I see families together, it reminds me of my childhood. That was the most memorable time of my life. All my life I heard people say there is nothing to do in this town, but I beg to differ; Carter County has plenty to do. We have the Bonnie Kate, Tweetsie Trail, Downtown Shopping with some of the best restaurants that you have ever eaten at, beautiful parks and Roan Mountain State Park; we also have the Downtown Car Show, First Fridays and Covered Bridge Jams coming up. Sycamore Shoals State Park, Sabine Hill and the Carter Mansion also have many events for a family. You will likely see this person at all three when enjoying one of these events. His name is Chad Bogart and we are excited to have him as our cover story. The native Carter Countian married his wife, Anna, whom he met while both were part of Sycamore Shoals State Park’s outdoor drama cast.
He organizes several special events, including Old Christmas at Fort Watauga, The Carter Mansion Celebration, The Siege of Fort Watauga, Independence on the Frontier, the Overmountain Militia Muster, Scary Stories at Fort Watauga, Death Comes to Sabine Hill, The Colonial Harvest Celebration and Christmas at the Carter Mansion. He also serves as the Colonel of the Washington County Regiment of NC Militia, the host living history organization at Sycamore Shoals.
“I am very thankful for the opportunities afforded to me at Sycamore Shoals which have allowed me to share my passion with people from all over the world,” Bogart said, “and as a part of that, preserving the history for future generations should always be at the forefront. It’s left up to good old-fashioned storytelling to get the word out that we have a proud, rich heritage that encompasses many cultures.
“We live in a remarkable area that has an amazing story to tell. There just must be voices to tell it and I am both proud and humbled at the same time to be one of those
voices.”
Our second feature story is Kevin Hayworth, who on work days, drives 60 miles round trip from Mountain City to Elizabethton to run his business. “I may live in Mountain City, but I reside in Elizabethton,” Hayworth said of his shop, Hayworth Tire & Auto Service, at 4074 US-19E.
It’s a family affair: Brother Jeff and his son Mason run a Johnson City location, while another brother, Brian, and son Austin run a shop in Kingsport. If you have lived in Carter County any length of time I am sure you had come in contact with Kevin. The strength of the Hayworth name can be found in a promise to treat others as they would want to be treated. “Dad always said that if you treat your customers like friends, they become friends, and then their families become friends,” Kevin said.
To keep on the theme of family, we have Nanny’s Kitchen for our restaurant story. When you visit Nanny’s Kitchen, you’ll not only be pleased with the delicious home-cooked meal; you’ll be blessed to find neighbors and friends at the next table, happy to see you. That’s how Nanny’s Kitchen works: The restaurant is Kim Scalf’s ministry. “We’re Christians,” Kim said of herself and her family, many of whom work at the restaurant. “The Lord is No. 1 in front. We are family oriented and we want our customers to enjoy each others’ company. That’s why we don’t have televisions here –even when a table has people looking at their phones, I’ll walk by and say, ‘hey, y’all visit with each other!’ We don’t want anything that takes away from family time.”
When Kim opened her standalone restaurant that sits at 112 E. Elk Ave., she named it after her grandmother. “I wasn’t sure what to name it, but I thought when the Lord tells me, I’ll know,” she said. Apparently, the Lord thought Nanny’s cooking was superior and that’s the name Kim found fit the place best.
These are just a few amazing stories in this issue that remind us what makes Carter County what it is today, the greatest place on earth to live.
We hope you enjoy this issue, and if you know of anyone that would make a great story, please let me know at delaney.scalf@ elizabethton.com.
General Manager
DELANEY SCALF
delaney.scalf@elizabethton.com
Editorial Director
ROZELLA HARDIN
rozella.hardin@elizabethton.com
Human Resources
BRANDY TRIVETT
brandy.trivett@elizabethton.com
Customer Service
KATHY SCALF
kathy.scalf@elizabethton.com
Operations Manager
SCOTT SCALF
scott.scalf@elizabethton.com
Marketing Consultant
JOYCE BARTLETT
joyce.bartlett@elizabethton.com
LINDA JENKINS
linda jenkins@elizabethton.com
Copy Editor
JANIE MCKINNEY
janie.mckinney@elizabethton.com
Composing
ROBIN JOHNSON
robin.johnson@elizabethton.com
Star Correspondents
ANGELA CUTRER
ALLEN LAMOUNTAIN
LYNN J. RICHARDSON
Contributing Photographers
LARRY N. SOUDERS
DELANEY SCALF
BOB LILES
BAILEY MARVEL
6
Local artist molds jewerly into life.
10
Check out these photos from area events
12
Plan ahead for these favorite events.
18
Michael Simerly
14
Feels blessed to be a part of Elizabethton.
19
The Storyteller of Sycamore
24
Brings sunshine to the table.
25
Dream season ends with title.
There is a saying, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Certainly, for Chad Bogart, Museum Curatorial Assistant at Sycamore Shoals State Park in Elizabethton, that appears to be the case.
With 21 years of experience as a historic interpreter, guide and now as an interpretive ranger, Bogart couldn’t be happier in his professional life.
“I have always loved old things, old tools, old houses, visiting historic sites, doing things the old way or the traditional way,” he said. “I guess I just have an appreciation for the way people lived and what they had to overcome in order to survive. That grounds my passion for history.
Cook up a classic philly sandwich.
AAngela Walsh of the Biltmore community cruised online to Etsy one day, searching for just the right gift to give her “hippy,” unique-loving daughter. Walsh and her husband, Sam Maney, have two girls between them –Abigail and Samantha – and Samantha is the mother to their grandchild, Samira.
Anyway, back to Etsy.
Walsh’s eyes engaged with all the earrings she saw on the site, especially those made with something called polymer clay. As Walsh scanned Etsy’s offerings, it occurred to her that she could do this herself.
“I’m kind of crafty,” she said. “I’ve always been sewing and crocheting and such. I thought to myself – I could do this jewelry making, too.”
She headed out to a local craft store and brought home her first batch of clay blocks. And then she got to work.
“It looks similar to Play Doh,” Walsh explained about this particular clay. “But you have to condition it. After cutting it and baking it, it becomes hard yet still flexible to manipulate.”
After it is molded, polymer clay is heated in an oven for a minimum of 20 minutes per onefourth inch of thickness measured at the thickest spot, so said Sarah Sarah Stearns of sarahmaker.com, a craft website. The clay is somewhat flexible when it comes out of the oven and has not yet cooled, which is how the piece is cured. The time before curing is when the artist can make special bends and connections between pieces to make a one-of-a-kind product.
The clay can also be made with different textures thanks to various “cutters,” which are used to create patterns in the clay.
*STORY BY ANGELA CUTRER AND PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED*Walsh first sits with her clay and cutters and quietly thinks as she looks at both. “I get my inspiration by looking and thinking of how they will work together,” she
said. This can lead to earrings that are Art Deco styled, are shaped like pastel-colored Easter eggs or are jewelry pieces with markings that mimic water droplets, just as
examples.
The final product is water resistant and super lightweight.
“Once you wear earrings made of this, it’s really hard to go back to
Walsh, 52, uses her creative spirit to keep herself grounded. “I’ve always found things to do,” she said. “It’s a good outlet for my anxiety. I’ve always done something with my hands so that I keep busy and don’t dwell on things. It has always helped to not let things bother me and [making crafts] is a good outlet.”
The name of Walsh’s business came about because she has always wanted an otter and a llama, but “having an otter is kinda illegal, so one day I’ll have a couple of llamas,” she said with a laugh. One day she saw a photo of a smiling llama and “it looked so happy, so I became ‘The Happy Llama.’ It’s kinda dorky, but my dream is to have a llama one day.”
A member of the camel family, llamas are native to South America, where they are used mainly as pack animals, but also as a source of food, wool, hides and tallow candles.
These social beasts are slenderbodied animals with long legs, necks and pointed ears, and have small heads and short tails.
Llamas are happy in a group, but when annoyed, they spit. They
just can’t help themselves in that regard. (They also are prone to hissy fits with a lot of kicking when you are unkind to them, so, you know, you should learn to be especially patient when dealing with them.)
Luckily, Walsh is a pretty patient woman. She had her first sale on Feb. 1, 2021, (she remembers it vividly) through her Facebook page, The Happy Llama by Angie. “We now have 427 members and I have sales every two weeks on Facebook Live,” she said.
Currently, Walsh is working on Easter items such as bunnies and carrots. Her favorites to work on are earrings, but she also makes bracelets and necklaces.
Her styles tend to run toward pastels, but she branches out to darker hues when working on southwestern- and Aztec-inspired items.
“I like to blend colors, too,” she said. “If you are working with polymer clay and don’t like how it’s working out, you can ball it up and start again. However, you can’t ever get that color combination again – it was just random that you had multiple colors to ball up that day.”
In her lighter colors, Walsh makes birds and shapes. In the
darker colors, she creates moons and stars. “I like to use resin on those,” she said. “It makes them super shiny. But I like matte as well. When I make tulip flowers with a cutter that makes it look like organic pebbles, it’s so pretty.”
Walsh said she’s seen a lot of other artists who bring their own unique aesthetic to their work. “I’ve seen polymer clay jewelry in a Spanish style with a lot of contrast and terra cotta colors,” she said. “Sometimes I just like to do simple designs in a matte pastel color myself.”
Walsh will be at a women’s civic craft show March 24-25 and in Johnson County later at a fundraiser for one of the schools, where popular bluegrass musician Carson Peters will perform. She’s looking forward to selling her wares there and meeting new people.
In addition to her clay crafts, Walsh makes soothing eye pillows, bowl coozies, fabric key chains and cast iron pot handle protectors.
She also has her eyes on the future, which she hopes will include creating “junk journals” and teaching others how to make them. She even plans to make her
“I write everything down,” Walsh said of her journaling tendencies. “But junk journals don’t include writings or photos; instead, they include little items others might see as ‘junk.’ For example, in your junk journal you could add a saved receipt with the name of the coffee place you and your best friend visited. Or something else that is just a small little thing that would help you remember how you felt that day during that visit.”
However, expanding her craft work into other directions will have to come later for Walsh. She spends 42 hours a week at her job at East Tennessee ATV, which her aunt, uncle and cousin own. She’s been doing that since 2014 and enjoyed it so much, she invited her husband to join after he left his position as a supervisor for the city’s waste management department. He’s been there for four years.
That means only after work and weekends does Walsh get the time to be creative. “I would like to think that one day this could be my full-time job,” she said.
No doubt, her llama will be peering through her window at her. Hope she doesn’t make it mad.
April 21
Tech in Nature – 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Meet at the picnic area beside the Visitor’s Center. Price: $0 / 6 and under; $5 per person. Register for the event.
Today, most people are inseparable from their smart phones and mobile devices. We want to embrace this cultural change and show you how you can better use technology on a day to day bases in nature. Using tools such as GPS locating, plant identification, and other easily accessible resources and apps, we will show you how to enhance your experience rather than take away from it. Join Ranger Cory Franklin for a walk around the park to better understand the tools you carry with you daily. The program will meet and begin at the picnic area beside the Visitor Center.
April 22
2nd Spring Open House/Annual Plant Auction – Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. Join us for the 2nd annual Spring Open House here at the park. Also, take in a variety of outdoor organizations and groups that will be set up in the Visitor Center and outside the park. Represented will be Master Gardeners, our very own in-house butterfly/ bird expert, other neighboring State Parks and sites, and many more. So plan on joining us for a fun-filled day of indoor and outdoor activities to kick off your spring! Annual Plant Auction: Doors open at 8:15 a.m. to view plants and register. Auction begins at 9 a.m.
April 23
Earth Day Celebration – 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. – SHSS celebrates Earth Day with a fun day of outdoor activities. We will be meeting outside at the park for an afternoon of shuttlecock and 9 pins. Look for us near the fort. Period attire is preferred but not necessary. Please bring your own refreshments,
chair/ground cover. In the event of inclement weather, this event will be rescheduled.
April 23
Old Time Music Jam - Led by Art Lang – 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Meet at: Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center
Enjoy the rich musical traditions of our region each month. Old-time musicians of all levels are welcome. Don’t play an instrument? Come on over, kick back, and enjoy the tunes!
April 27
Sabine Hill Guided Tour – 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Meet at Sabine Hill Historic Site. Price: children 6 and under is free, $5/ages 7-17, $9/adults. Register for the event. Join Park Ranger Cory Franklin for a guided tour of this stately home built by Mary Patton Taylor, widow of Brigadier General Nathaniel Taylor. The site has been described as one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in the State of Tennessee. During your tour you will have the opportunity to take in the colorful and architecturally detailed interior while learning about the influential Taylor family who called Sabine Hill home in the early 19th century.
Sabine Hill is located at 2328 West G St., Elizabethton, TN 37643. Please note, only portable toilet facilities are available at this time. Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.
May 6
Bird Walk with the Lee & Lois Herndon TOS Chapter – 8 a.m. Meet at the Visitor Center parking area. Meet other birders and naturalists at Sycamore Shoals for a morning of birding during the migratory season.
Fellowship English Country Dancing – 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Meet at the Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center.
Beginners and seasoned dancers alike are all welcome! The afternoon
will include the opportunity to learn dances from the early 19th century. No cost to attend. Open to anyone, with or without experience or a partner. Meet in the Visitor Center. Sponsored by the Sabine Hill Social Society.
May 7
Watauga Valley Art League Meeting with Guest Speaker –1:30 p.m. Meet at the Park Visitor Center. All are welcome to join our area artists for their monthly meeting, highlighted by an art related presentation.
May 20
Siege of Fort Watauga – 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free admission. It is 1776 and the frontier is ablaze with war. Join us as 200 Colonial and Native reenactors present this dramatic retelling of the Cherokee attack brought on the settlers of the Watauga Valley. Visit the living history camps, shop with period vendors, and witness battle reenactments both days. Hear the rattle of muskets, smell the campfire smoke and see history come to life at the Siege of Fort Watauga. Contact the park for a detailed schedule.
May 21
Siege of Fort Watauga – 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free admission. It is 1776 and the frontier is ablaze with war. Join us as 200 Colonial and Native reenactors present this dramatic retelling of the Cherokee attack brought on the settlers of the Watauga Valley. Visit the living history camps, shop with period vendors, and witness battle reenactments both days. Hear the rattle of muskets, smell the campfire smoke and see history come to life at the Siege of Fort Watauga. Contact the park for a detailed schedule.
May 26
Sabine Hill Guided Tour – 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Meet at Sabine Hill Historic Site. Price: children 6 and under is free, $5/ages 7-17, $9/adults. Register for the event. Join Park Ranger Cory Franklin for a guided tour of this stately home built by Mary Patton Taylor, widow of Brigadier General Nathaniel Taylor. The site has been
described as one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in the State of Tennessee. During your tour you will have the opportunity to take in the colorful and architecturally detailed interior while learning about the influential Taylor family who called Sabine Hill home in the early 19th century.
Sabine Hill is located at 2328 West G St., Elizabethton, TN 37643.
Please note, only portable toilet facilities are available at this time. Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.
May 27
Spring Knap-In at Fort Watauga - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Knapping – with a “K” – has nothing to do with sleep! Knapping is the art of making stone tools. Watch primitive skills craftsmen make arrowheads, spear points, and other survival tools. There will be demonstrations of primitive tools such as the bow, arrow, and atlatl throughout the day.
May 28
Old Time Music Jam - Led by Art Lang - 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Meet at: Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center
Enjoy the rich musical traditions of our region each month led by Art Lang. Old time musicians of all levels are welcome. Don’t play and instrument? Come on over, kick back, and enjoy the tunes!
May 29
Never Forget - Memorial Day Concert - Meet at: Fort Watauga. Join us on Memorial Day as The Johnson City Community Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Christian Zembower, presents “Never Forget” a special concert to remember and honor those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. In addition to the concert a special ceremony will recognize those, from the American War of Independence to the present day, who have fallen in the service of our country.
Presented in the Fort Watauga Amphitheater.
April 22, 2023
Culture & Coffee: Whodunnit? with Detective Ralph Mayercik — 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Meet at the Conference Center. Price is $0//person, $5/attendee + donation ($5). Register for the event. Detective Mayercik will present real-world cases, providing us with an in-depth insider’s view on the process of murder investigation. If you’ve ever wondered if you’ve got the mind for detective work, this will be an opportunity to learn about the level of thinking that solves cases.
Due to the graphic nature of this subject and the imagery, this program is not suitable for children. Parents should use caution when deciding whether to bring teenagers.
Culture & Coffee is a new speaker series at Roan Mountain State Park in 2023. Each engagement features a presentation from a subject matter expert on a different topic, and takes place at the Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center. Coffee and light refreshments are provided. The series is free, although donations are appreciated and will be used to fund refreshments.
Nocturnal Animology - 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Meet at the Conference Center. This FREE “Nocturnal” program will look at the animals adapted to finding and surviving during the night.Exhibits plan to include (but no guarantee):African Pygmy Hedgehog (Charlie), CA King Snake (Buddy), Straw-colored Fruit Bat (Billie), Raccoon (Bradley), Burmese Python (Mitch), and our Eurasian Eagle Owl (Elle).
Wildlife programs feature at least five live animal exhibits, subject to availability!
May 5
Spring Céilí at Roan Mountain State Park- 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Meet at the Conference Center. Price is $2 ages 17 and under, $5 Adults. Register for the event. An Irish céilí (or cèilidh if you’re Scottish!) is a traditional social gathering that often includes traditional dance, music,
storytelling and all kinds of good fun. In honor of our region’s Scots-Irish heritage we’ll be hosting a Spring Céilí in the Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center. Highlights include:
• Ceili Dances: No previous dance experience is required! These dances are meant for regular people and anyone who can walk comfortable can enjoy learning them.
• Traditional Music: The Roan Mountain Céilí Band will play a variety of dance tunes to accompany the dances, and a few other tunes in between (traditional Scottish and Irish musicians are welcome to join us, contact Ranger O’Day for details).
• Light Refreshments: Coffee & light refreshmens will be provided.
Dress comfortably, in festive attire, with good shoes and come well-hydrated!
This is a ticketed event! Adults 18 and older $5 each, kids 17 and younger $2. Volunteers attend free (contact Ranger O’Day for volunteer opportunities).
May 6
Culture & Coffee: Tech N Nature w/Cory Franklin — 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Meet at the Conference Center. Price is free, $5/attendee + donation. Register for the event.
Today, most people are inseparable from their smart phones and other mobile devices. Opinions are divided on whether these technological advances enhance or detract from the enjoyment of outdoor experiences. Embrace this cultural change and learn how to use technology on a day-to-day basis in nature. We’ll examine easily-accessible resources and apps to explore geolocaion, plant identification, and more.
Culture & Coffee is a new speaker series at Roan Mountain State Park in 2023. Each engagement features a presentation from a subject matter expert on a different topic, and takes place at the Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center. Coffee and light refreshments are provided. The series is free, although donations are appreciated and will be used to fund refreshments.
May 13
Elks Lodge 2023 Youth Trout Tournament - Meet at Roan Mountain
State Park Amphitheater. Price is $0/Youth Fisherman, $10 /Attendee + $10 Park Donation, $20 /Attendee + $20 Park Donation. Register for the event.
Join Roan Mountain State Park and the Elizabethton Elks Lodge for the 40th annual Elks Lodge Youth Trout Tournament on Saturday, May 13th (Mother’s Day Weekend). This year’s trout tournament is strictly for youth ages 4-14 with youth competing in 3 age groups: 4-7, 8-11, and 12-14. Families interested in their youth participating must register their youth participants online on this page by May 13th. The event times and details are as follows:
Trout Tourney Schedule:
•7-9 a.m. – Mandatory Participant Check-in & Last Minute Registration @ Amphitheater
• 9 a.m.-noon – Trout Fishing Tournament within the boundaries of the Doe River (see rules)
• Noon-12:30 p.m. – Fish judging and prize preparations @ Amphitheater
•12:30PM-2:00PM – Prize Award Ceremony @ Amphitheater Tournament Rules
• Tournament is limited to 300 participating youth fishermen/women.
• Youth participants must provide their own fishing gear and bait/tackle.
• Family members may assist youth, but may not fish for them –remember, this is for the kids!
• Fishing laws are per TN State Law: 7 trout/day (all species) may be kept to present for turn-in for measurements. Keep your best 7!
• Youth ages 12+ must have a
valid TN Fishing License and Trout Stamp to participate. Youth under the age of 12 may fish without license.
• Judging of fish is by total lengths and weights of all trout presented to the judging table.– A tie winner will be decided by total species caught.
• 1st-3rd place prizes will be awarded in each age category as well as door prizes awarded to participating youth.
• Park Rules and Laws - Rangers will be enforcing fishing regulations, state laws, and parking throughout the park grounds – remember, no parking on grass or sides of roads. You must park in a designated parking area.
• Food is welcome to be packed by families or participants can claim a lunch from the Elks Lodge Staff at the Amphitheater (drinks, chips, and sandwiches will be available).
June 2
Friday Night Concert Series: The Bog Blossoms. 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Meet at the Amphitheater. Join us Friday night at the park amphitheater for an evening of Irish Traditional Fiddle Music with the Bog Blossoms. Amanda and Marcianne work here at the park, and both play fiddle with regional Irish band Sigean. They’ll be presenting an assortment of their favorite jigs & reels!
Artists who participate in our series are not paid by the park, and tips are appreciated. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be canceled and the artist will be rebooked for a future date.
Hayworth Tire Center owner and operator Kevin Hayworth (front center) and his crew at the Elizabethton location. Each member is a certified tire service technician, and are trained in alignment and brake services also.
Pictured with Hayworth are (second row) Zach Hayworth and Mike Reagan. Back row are Josh Holly, Jim Maine and DJ Helmick.
On work days, Kevin Hayworth, 58, drives 60 miles round trip from Mountain City to Elizabethton to run his business. “I may live in Mountain City, but I reside in Elizabethton,” Hayworth said of his shop, Hayworth Tire & Auto Service, at 4074 US-19E.
It’s a family affair: Brother Jeff and his son Mason run a Johnson City location, while another brother, Brian, and son Austin run a shop in Kingsport.
All the Hayworths of the region are well known for several things: the services they provide and the individuals behind the name.
That’s just how the Hayworths’ dad wanted it. ‘“You can spend money on advertising and such, but word of mouth is the best advertising,’ is what he always
told us,” Kevin said of his dad, Offie, who passed away in 2013. Mom Betty is still going strong in support of her children.
In keeping with tradition, Kevin runs the Elizabethton location with his own son. “He has himself a nice little family with three kids and if he wants to take over this business, that’s what we’ll do [when the time comes],” Kevin said. He also wanted to give thanks to his assistant manager, D.J. Helmick.
Kevin and his wife, Kim, have the support of their children, Zack and wife, Brittany, and kids Knox, Behr and Sumitt; as well as daughter Megan and her husband, Matt, along with their children Cash and Caroline.
The strength of the Hayworth
name can be found in a promise to treat others as they would want to be treated. “Dad always said that if you treat your customers like friends, they become friends, and then their families become friends,” Kevin said.
“And it means so much to us when a customer is happy. Especially widows, who rely on us and trust us to take care of them. So many have told me ‘my husband always took care of this,’ and we understand that they worry about these things now with their husbands gone. Many people say ‘take it to the Hayworths’ because they know we will do our best to make them happy and keep them safe.”
When their father retired in the 2000s, he gave each son the shop he was running. Beforehand, when Kevin started in the business under his father’s guidance, Kevin mainly delivered tires and “didn’t know anything about the retail part.”
And his shop had started out as a little service station that had opened, closed, reopened and closed again as it was run by different people. “People were wary at first,” Kevin said of the atmosphere when they first opened. “They’d seen the openings and closing and wondered if we were going to stick around.” With only one other employee, even Kevin worried they’d not make it 10 years, much less 37.
However, the shop thrived as it focuses on tires, brakes, alignments and other small auto service offerings. But it didn’t start that way: The Hayworths’ wholesale tire business expanded only after larger tire companies came in and undercut prices. It’s all thanks to that action that started the Hayworths making their shops personal and friendly.
“It’s been such a blessing,” Kevin said. “We always make sure [we are involved with the Elizabethton community]; we sponsor schools and ball teams and so on. We’re proud we have so many friends here.”
Great care is given to each customer’s car at Hayworth Tire Center to ensure that no damage is done during a tire change. Tire technician Josh Holly collects the cover for the lug nuts on a Volvo prior to pulling off the tire to be replaced.
Bio: Michael Simerly grew up in Carter County and is a graduate of Happy Valley High School and East Tennessee State University. His father Norman “Wormy” worked at North American Rayon and his mother Phyllis worked for the Tennessee Department of Employment Security. He began his career in sales and marketing in Charlotte, N.C. His corporate and food brokerage positions provided work and travel to 48 of the states. In November 2018 he won his first election to the Elizabethton City Council and is currently serving his second term. Additionally, he serves on numerous local boards within Carter County: Keep Carter County Beautiful-Treasurer, Carter Compassion CenterVP, Liaison to Elizabethton City School Board of Education, Elizabethton/ Carter County Animal Shelter Board, Past Director Sycamore Shoals State Park Friends Group Board and the Elizabethton Alcohol and Beer Board.
1. What do you think makes Carter County unique by comparison to other places?
It’s all about the people of Northeast Tennessee from my church family, immediate family, friends and neighbors. Folks look out for one another, with phone calls to check on you and a warm smile and hug just to say hello! I always tell everyone I meet that I live in God’s country and if you don’t believe me, give me a couple of days and let me show you around Carter County and you will fully understand. We are surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountains and streams that you will ever see! I’ve spent most of my life fishing and Carter County has the best fishing anywhere on the East Coast period!!! Ask all of the fly guides why they drive over from North Carolina every day to fish the Watauga River!
2. What is your favorite place to visit in Carter County?
An early summer morning on the Watauga River with your fly rod is hard to beat or spending a summer afternoon on top of Roan Mountain just taking in the beauty and freshness of the air! Also, a summer evening at the local baseball game watching the Elizabethton River Riders playing baseball is hard to beat with the air conditioning from the Watauga River making for a cool wonderful evening! Saturday nights downtown Elizabethton are my favorites for the car shows and visiting with old friends and new
visitors to East Tennessee. Of course, Saturday night would not be complete without a hotdog or an ice cream from Simple Blessings General Store!
3. Do you think living in Carter County has changed you in anyway?
I was gone for 25 years with my work life but always came home to visit family all those years and always missed home! When working in the corporate world I always told my colleagues and clients about the small town of eastern Tennessee that I called home. For over 25 years I brought many of those folks to my East Tennessee home for fly fishing trips or just to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains. Moving back to my East Tennessee home has really changed my attitude on life and my love for the area thru my political work and wanting to give back helping others within our area.
4. What is your favorite time of year?
Without a question spring is my favorite time of year. I just don’t care for the cold days of winter and I always get excited once the calendar gets close to March and knowing the warms days of spring are around the corner with all of the beauty of the flowers and trees starting to wake up from their winter rest.
5. If you were to meet someone planning a visit to the Carter County area for the first time, what places would you tell him or her not to miss?
I really believe I could be a tour guide for Carter County. First stop would be downtown Elizabethton to browse in our many wonderful shops and show the visitors our Covered Bridge Park! Then we would take a trip over to Sycamore Shoals State Park to explain our local history and of course a lunch stop downtown at City Market for one of Jennifer Hughes’ daily specials!After lunch we would make a trip up to the Watauga Lake and rent a boat for a ride on the beautiful mountain lake. By the end of the day we would spend the night in one of our numerous river rental cabins on the Watauga River. Our second day would be a guided fly fishing trip down the Watauga River launching from the Little Wilbur Dam and finish day number two at the Ridgewood BBQ having some delicious dinner. Then we would have to make a drive up to Stoney Creek to see the Blue Hole and then onto Roan Mountain State Park with a picnic lunch on top of Roan Mountain. Of course you would have to hike up to the balds on top of Roan Mountain to fully understand why I call my East Tennessee home “God’s Country”!
TThere is a saying, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Certainly, for Chad Bogart, Museum Curatorial Assistant at Sycamore Shoals State Park in Elizabethton, that appears to be the case.
With 21 years of experience as a historic interpreter, guide and now as an interpretive ranger, Bogart couldn’t be happier in his professional life.
“I have always loved old things, old tools, old houses, visiting historic sites, doing things the old way or the traditional way,” he said. “I guess I just have an appreciation for the way people lived and what they had to overcome in order to survive. That grounds my passion for history. What we as modern people see as hardships and difficulties was simply everyday life for our ancestors, so just honoring them for the strong people they were is a huge part of it.”
The native Carter Countian married his wife, Anna, whom he met while both were part of the cast of Sycamore Shoals State Park’s outdoor drama. Their home is a 1920 farmhouse, complete with a graveyard and a ghost.
“My first real job was at Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site in Johnson City, where I worked as a tour guide and historic interpreter from 2002 to 2004,” Bogart said. “While in college I began at Sycamore Shoals as a Seasonal Interpretive Ranger (SIR) — a summer job giving tours of the Carter Mansion and doing historical programs at the park.
“I flipped back and forth between the SIR position in the summer and a student intern position in the off season. This allowed me to gain a lot of knowledge about local history especially the history pertaining to the early settlement and the stories we tell at the park.”
In 2010, Bogart was hired into a full-time laborer position at Sycamore Shoals where he continued to offer mainly historical programming and tours of the Carter Mansion. But in In 2015, a new position was created in Tennessee State Parks called the Museum Curatorial Assistant. This position was mainly geared toward parks with museums and historic houses, and for people who
wanted to work as an interpretive ranger but did not have the desire to be a law enforcement officer. Bogart was the first Museum Curatorial Assistant hired in the TSP system. There are only five such positions in the state.
Bogart’s love of all things historic started when he was young and spending a lot of time with his grandparents, and great-aunts and uncles growing up.
“They instilled a love for all things old and the traditional way of doing things in me, so my love of gardening, cooking, preserving, music, and storytelling all came from them.”
Bogart can often be seen dressed in period clothing, literally taking on the personna of the historic figures whose stories he tells.
“Dressing in the clothing of the period helps me connect with the past,” Bogart says. “It helps me to understand how they felt and therefor makes it a bit easier to share their stories with people today.”
Taking on the role of a historic character can be difficult. Bogart says he always hopes he is “doing them justice “ in his portrayals.
“It’s easy to let our 21st century minds take control and
begin to question everything about these people, but the truth is we will never be able to know exactly how they felt, what they thought, and what they experienced. But through research, reading their writings, and looking at what others wrote about them in that time gives us a small glimpse into their lives and we can build off that.”
Bogart’s job at Sycamore Shoals sees him working as a “jack of all trades,” tending to everything from the organization, maintenance and overall care of the museum and interpretive exhibits at the main park visitor center, to directing much of the historical programming that goes on there. He organizes several special events including Old Christmas at Fort Watauga, The Carter Mansion Celebration, The Siege of Fort Watauga, In -
dependence on the Frontier, the Overmountain Militia Muster, Scary Stories at Fort Watauga, Death Comes to Sabine Hill, The Colonial Harvest Celebration and Christmas at the Carter Mansion. He also serves as the Colonel of the Washington County Regiment of NC Militia
which is the host living history organization at Sycamore Shoals.
“We could not do what we do at the park if it were not for our volunteers, and I am extremely proud of what these dedicated individuals offer to the park and our guests. I, along with our
great interpretive staff, which includes park manager Jennifer Bauer, and park rangers Jason Davis and Cory Franklin, also get to host many students from area schools during field trips to the park.
“The most interesting thing that I do is helping preserve and
share our two historic house museums, The Carter Mansion and Sabine Hill, with the public. It is always a thrill to step through the doors of these historic houses where some of the most influential people in our local history lived and visited and share their story.
One of Bogart’s other favorite duties is talking with children in area schools where he discusses main historic local events. Sometimes he even brings period clothing of both settlers and Cherokee for the children to try on – a tangible way of helping them understand daily life on the 18th Century frontier.
“These people have always been my heroes,” Bogart said. “They probably did not think
at the time they were anything great. They were just living and surviving. But today we realize what a tremendous task they carried out in forming a new nation. We have such a rich local history. I’ve always said a movie could be made on our story and not one thing would have to be embellished. It’s that good of a story.”
Adding to his own personal story, Bogart was thrilled when
he recently learned that three individuals, who had pivotal roles in local history, are his ancestors: Mary Patton, Michael Hyder and Charles Robertson.
“I am very thankful for the opportunities afforded to me at Sycamore Shoals which have allowed me to share my passion with people from all over the world,” Bogart said, “and as a part of that, preserving the history for future genera -
tions should always be at the forefront. It’s left up to good old-fashioned storytelling to get the word out that we have a proud, rich heritage that encompasses many cultures. We live in a remarkable area that has an amazing story to tell. There just must be voices to tell it and I am both proud and humbled at the same time to be one of those voices.”
“I have always loved old things, old tools, old houses, visiting historic sites, doing things the old way or the traditional way.”
—Chad Bogart
B&C Music was created in 2021 and was created to be a resource to the community. A way to make music more accessible and affordable. My name is Hayley Jarnagin and I am the founder and owner of B&C Music. I graduated from ETSU in May of 2021 with a degree in music education. I was a member of the Betsy Band at TAD and EHS. It was under the direction or Mr. Lockhart and Mr. Elliott that I grew to love music and want to create this business as a way to pass on my knowledge and love for music that I gained from them.
1. What made you choose Carter County and Elizabethton for your services and business?
B&C Music was established in Elizabethton because this is my hometown. Having grown up in this community I felt it was only right to create something that would give back to the community that I came from.
2. What is your purpose as a business? What do you do?
B&C Music offers affordable private music lessons, as well as having retail items on site that help our musicians or music lovers. We are also in the process of starting up a scholarship program to help students from lower incomes in partaking in private lessons. We also are happy to answer questions or refer you to people that can help you if we are unable to do so. Our goal is to help make music more accessible and affordable and we try to do that in any way that we can.
3. How long have you been in business?
B&C Music opened in September of 2021 towards the end
of downtown across the bridge near the monument. In December of 2022 we had the opportunity to move further up into town and into a larger location. Since then we have been under construction building two new classrooms and we are happy to officially be open in our new location.
4. How long have you, personally, been working in the industry?
I have been involved in music since I was really young, but I only started teaching when I was either a sophomore or junior in college. That’s how I got the idea for the business. I was teaching a few students just to have some extra money for school and then when I graduated I turned it into the business that it is now. I’ve been teaching
privately for about four years now.
5. Are you part of a franchise or are you independent?
B&C Music is completely independent. We saw a need for the community and started to create something that we thought would help out.
6. What impact do you think your services/business will have on the Carter County community?
Our hope is that we help musicians of all kinds to receive the education and knowledge that they deserve even if they normally couldn’t afford it. We hope to host events for the community to bring everyone together through music. We also hope to give back to the community in any way that we
can. B&C Music was created for this community and it is there to help in any way that it can all throughout Carter County.
Contact information for B&C Music
Located at 437 East Elk Avenue, Elizabethton TN
Phone Number (423) 609-8718
Email: bcprivatemusiclessons@ gmail.com
B&C Music can be contacted through social media with Facebook and Instagram
CCadon Buckles has played for and rooted for Hampton basketball since he was a kid and his senior season ended like a fairy tale with Buckles guiding the Bulldogs to the 2022-23 TSSAA state basketball championship.
“It still hasn’t sunk in yet,” Buckles said. “It still seems unreal. Hampton has waited for this day for a long time and we did it. It took everybody’s best effort to get it done. We were down by eight when we had a TV timeout and coach said to stay disciplined and he got us refocused.”
The son of Jennifer and Justin Buckles, Cadon will graduate Hampton High School this spring and will have also accomplished a general associate degree from Northeast State. For Buckles a typical day starts with college classes on Monday and Wednesday and the other days he spends working out at the school shooting and doing cardiovascular work.
He intends to complete a degree in engineering when this year is over and he will always cherish his time at Hampton High saying, “The four of us – Levi Lyons, Brody Hicks and Dalton Nave and me – all came up through Hampton Elementary and we won a junior high championship. Dylan Trivett and Hayden Campbell did it the next year.”
A highly spiritual young man Buckles worships at Pierce’s Chapel where he has worshiped since he was very young. “I have been at Pierce’s Chapel a long time and coach (Ned) Smith has been there since I was young.”
A Mr. Basketball finalist, Buckles lost out to Rodgerick Robinson, Jr. of Middleton which is ironically the team the Bulldogs beat in the championship game. Buckles was named Most Valuable Player of the 1A tournament after scoring 29 points in back to back games. He finished as the top scorer in the tournament.
After stealing the ball at half-court, the Bulldogs Cadon Buckles (11) beats South Greene’s TJ Buckner (1) to the basket for an easy lay-up mid-way through the first quarter.
WWhen you visit Nanny’s Country Cookin’, you’ll not only be pleased with the delicious home-cooked meal, you’ll be blessed to find neighbors and friends at the next table, happy to see you. That’s how Nanny’s Country Cookin’ works: The restaurant is Kim Scalf’s ministry.
“We’re Christians,” Kim said of herself and her family, many of whom work at the restaurant. “The Lord is No. 1 in front. We are family oriented and we want our customers to enjoy each others’ company. That’s why we don’t have televisions here – even when a table has people looking at their phones, I’ll walk by and say, ‘hey, y’all visit with each other!’ We don’t want anything that takes away from family time.”
Kim said that everyone who comes to her restaurant always comes back, so she knows her efforts are worthwhile. The way she cooks means a lot to people who eat there.
“We have a lot of elderly who come here to eat,” Scalf said. “They have certain dietary issues and I home cook my meals. There isn’t all that premade stuff you might find somewhere else.”
The reason this restaurant is Kim’s ministry is because it started out as a family endeavor. Back in 2000, the Scalfs had a restaurant in another location and worked with another restaurant for about four years.
When Kim opened her standalone restaurant that sits at 112 E. Elk Ave., she named it after her grandmother. “I wasn’t sure what to name it, but I thought when the Lord tells me, I’ll know,” she said. Apparently, the Lord thought Nanny’s cooking was superior and that’s the name Kim
found fit the place best.
They’ve been open about eight years now, offering soup beans, varieties of country favorites such as fried chicken and catfish, sandwiches and dinner specials, pinto beans, chicken and dumplings and so much more.
Kim’s husband, Reggie, and their children – Joshua, Sheena and Autumn – continue or have in the past worked at the restaurant. These days, the granddaughters do, too. “It’s a good way to get prepared for the real world,” Kim said.
Kim said she wouldn’t charge a dime for the meals if she could, but
then again, food doesn’t (always) grow on trees. “I’m not rich, but God provides and we are able to pay our bills,” she said. “It’s not about any profit; it’s about the people. I love them so much and I want to show them Christ, so I smile and love them all.
“There aren’t many restaurants like this left; the family environment is harder to find. And my customers pay good money for their meal, so I make sure I cook from scratch as often as possible.”
Kim makes her own hamburgers and steaks with the best ingredients, she said. “It’s real mashed potatoes and mac and cheese here,” she added. “Cornbread is fresh-baked every day. By making things homemade, it helps those who have allergies.”
Kim said she knows there are bad people everywhere you go, but she thinks the people of the region are “the best people in the world. They are the most loving people and I thank God for letting me be born here. Nowhere is like here and we’ve been blessed by Jesus to live here.”
Kim said her children have their own lives, mainly in Christian ministry, so when Kim’s time on Earth is through, that will probably be the end of Nanny’s Kitchen. “It’ll be over when it’s over,” she said. “I already wish I didn’t have to charge for these meals – if I could just cook for everyone and not charge, well, that would be my dream for one day.”
1 Bedroom. Stove, refrigerator, water, garbage pickup. Furnished. Mini-blinds. Call 423-735-8862
A-1 WorkForce Now Hiring! Assembly, machine op, forklift, construction and clerical. Call today for appointment 765-9400
Americourt, Now Offering Weekly & Monthly Specials! 1515 Hwy 19 E, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Call for Rates! (423)542-4466
Part-Time CDL Driver Needed!!! Assistance and Resources (ARM) Food Pantry in Elizabethton needs a driver 3-5 hours per week for area food pickup using our vehicle. Contact us at 423-542-0919
BLUE MOON ESTATE SALES. Are You Looking for an Estate Sale Professional in NE Tennessee?
Call (423)431-9048
Or visit us online: Bluemoon estatesales.com
BUYING JUNK VEHICLES!Paying the best prices in the area! The Boneyard Salvage 423-791-1384
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•Excavator & Skid Steer Service 26 years experience. Call 423-431-8573
Comcare, Inc FT/PT Direct Support Staff
•18+years•Clean
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•FBI-TBI background check •DrugFree Workplace
•Excellent benefit plan Requirements:
•S.S Card•Tennessee DL •Vehicle Liability Insurance •HS Diploma/GED No Calls, Apply-online: www.comcare inc.com EOE
NOW HIRING •Direct Support Professionals
•DSP’s Supported Living (Residential)
•DSP’s Job Coaches These positions assist people with intellectual disabilities in multiple setting with supportive day to day care, explore meaningful interests, work and community integrated activities and community relationships.
•Experience with intellectual disabilities/mental health is desired but not mandatory
•Strong skills in creative thinking and helping people discover interests are highly desired
•HS Diploma or GED
required •$12.50 & up to start •All Shifts Available
•35-40+ hours per week •MondayFriday and Weekend shifts available •Full benefits, •Excellent time-off package
•Pre-employment drug screening required For a truly rewarding employment experience Apply at: Dawn of Hope 500 E. Oakland Ave Johnson City, TN 37601 or www.dawnof hope.com
Facebook: Dawn of Hope
Hiring Full-Time, Part-Time & PRN LPN’s •Low stress environment •Starting Pay of $16.50-$19.50 per hour based on experience •Excellent benefits •Nurse/ patient ratio of 1:2 or less •Pre-employment drug screening & background check required Apply at: Dawn of Hope 500 East Oakland Ave Johnson City or send Resume to P.O. Box 30 Johnson City,TN 37605 Website: www.dawnof hope.com
Facebook: Dawn of Hope The Dawn of Hope is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer
Price Less Foods
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Apply in-store or online at: Houchens.com
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Hermitage Health Center currently has opening for Full Time and Part Time CNA’s. Shifts available are as follows Day Shift: 6:45a-3:00p Second Shift: 2:45p-11:00p To Apply Visit: hermitage healthcenter.com or call 423-543-2571 for more information and set up an interview.
EOE/M/F/D/V
Hillview Home Services is currently searching for passionate team members for NonMedical In-Home Care opportunity. Please Apply at http://www. hillviewhealthcenter. com/careers or call Judy at 423-542-0417.
Hillview Health & Rehab searching for LPN’s, CNA’s, & RN’s. Please Apply at http://www. hillviewhealthcenter. com/careers or Indeed or call Penny at 423-542-5061
Hillview Heath Center is currently seeking a Licensed Beautician to join our team. Day Shift (8am4p) & Full-Time. Great pay. Please apply online at www.hillview healthcenter.com/ careers or in person at 1666 Hillview Drive Elizabethton, TN 37643.
CDL CLASS A DRIVERS WANTED
Full-time drivers are needed for local and over-the-road hauls. Our trucks do not require ELD’s. Located in Spruce Pine, NC. Requirements: CDL Class A license, references, and clean driving record. Benefits: vacation pay, health, dental and vision insurance available. Contact 828-765-1733
Jiggy Ray’s Pizza Cook and Server
Needed!!! Jiggy Ray’s Pizza is looking for a cook to join our team. To apply Call 423-518-1511
LYON METAL ROOFING Your Trusted Local Supplier For Over 30 Years.
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CAREGIVER NEEDED for elderly lady in Elizabethton. Must be flexible and available to work day shifts and/or night shifts. 12 hour shifts. Call 615-498-7951.
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DRIVERS WANTED to take patients to doctors appointments (in company vehicle). Full-time & part-time Monday-Friday. Must pass drug test. Call 423-312-6222
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Food Pantry in Elizabethton needs a driver 3-5 hours per week for area food pickup using our vehicle. Contact us at 423-542-0919
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Riverfront Rental! Why have your family, friends, stay at a expensive hotel when you have a tranquil hideaway located right on the Watauga River in Elizabethton?
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METRO — Cooking at home enables anyone to customize ingredients and gain control of the foods they eat. Too often commercially processed items are contain ingredients that compromise consumers’ overall health. This recipe for “Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake” is made from pantry staples. Whether baking alone or with the family, try this recipe, courtesy of “The Pampered Chef® Stoneware Inspirations” (The Pampered Chef®, Ltd).
Pound Cake
Makes 1 cake or 6 mini pound cakes
11⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
11⁄2 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons lemon zest
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
1 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
3⁄4 cup (11⁄2 sticks) butter, softened (do not substitute margarine)
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon Pantry Double
Strength Vanilla
Powdered sugar (optional)
1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Spray Stoneware Fluted Pan with nonstick cooking spray. Combine flour, granulated sugar, lemon zest, poppy seeds, baking powder, and salt in a stainless, two-quart mixing bowl; mix well. In a stainless four-quart mixing bowl, beat butter and cream cheese on
high speed of handheld mixer for 1 minute, or until blended (mixture will form a stiff paste).
2. In a small batter bowl, whisk eggs, milk and vanilla until blended. Add egg mixture to cream cheese mixture in four additions, beating 2 minutes after each addition. (Do not undermix).
3. Pour batter into pan. Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until cake tester inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool cake in
pan 10 minutes. Loosen cake from sides of pan; carefully invert onto a stackable cooking rack, keeping pan over cake. Cool completely.
4. Place cake on serving platter. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or prepare glaze, if desired.
For glaze: Combine 11⁄2 cups powdered sugar and enough lemon juice to make a thick frosting. Spread glaze over top of cake.
Cheesesteaks are decadent sliced beef sandwiches covered in gooey cheese and served on crusty rolls. According to Philadelphia’s official tourism site, Pat Oliveri invented the cheesesteak in the 1930s. Oliveri was a hot dog vendor who decided to grill beef from the butcher and put it on an Italian roll. A cab driver smelled the creation and asked for the sandwich. Word spread about this new concoction, and soon lots of customers were coming by for their own. Oliveri opened up Pat’s King of Steaks on 9th Street soon after. Cheese was added later to the sandwiches in the 1940s after a suggestion from manager Joe Lorenza.
Cheesesteaks have become synonymous with Philadelphia. In fact, there is a fierce rivalry between Pat’s and Geno’s, which is another cheesesteak restaurant that opened across the street from Pat’s in 1966 and claims they were the first to add cheese to the steak. Fierce loyalties to both of these restaurants stand today in Philadelphia. However, a person doesn’t have to take sides when he or she makes cheesesteak at home. This recipe, courtesy of chef Robert Irvine and the Food Network®, is easy and quick.
Makes 4 sandwiches
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
2 cups thinly sliced yellow onions
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
4 9-inch sub rolls
2 pounds shaved beef, such as ribe eye or sirloin
12 thin slices provolone
In a large saute pan or griddle, heat the oil over medium-high heat for 1 minute, and then add the onions, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Cook the onions until caramelized, stirring throughout the process, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove and keep warm.
Spread the softened butter on the interiors of the rolls and cook, butter-side down, on a griddle until browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the rolls, add the raw steak to the griddle and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook briefly, shedding the meat into small pieces with two metal spatulas. Add the onions and cook for 2 minutes.
Portion the meat into 4 piles, and top each pile with 3 slices of the provolone. Continue to cook until the cheese melts (putting the lid and adding a little water to the pan can help with this step). Cover each pile with a browned roll, and slice a spatula under the meat to pick it up with the roll.