Why I Love Carter County

Abby Morris-Frye was born in Elizabethton and has lived most of her life in the Stoney Creek community. She is the daughter of Brady Joe and Deborah Morris, and is married to Stephen Frye. A graduate of Unaka High School in 1997, she went on to East Tennessee State University where she majored in Journalism. While working at the Elizabethton Star she won awards from the Tennessee Press Association for her reporting, photography, and a prestigious Edward J. Meeman Foundation Award for Public Service Journalism. Abby left the Star in 2018 to accept a position in the Carter County Mayor’s Office, where she now works as the assistant to Mayor Patty Woodby.

1. What do you think makes Carter County unique by comparison to other places?

Our community has been blessed in a number of ways. We have an abundance of beautiful natural resources like the rivers and lake. We have not one, but two gorgeous State Parks. But, I feel what truly makes us unique when compared to other places is the sense of community here. We live in an area where people are respectful and still stop their cars and pull over to the side of the road when a funeral procession passes by, even if they do not know the person who passed. We live in a community where if your car breaks down on the side of the road, folks will still stop to offer to help. Not only that, we live in an area where if you do break down on the side of the road you don’t have to worry that the person in the car pulling in behind you has bad intentions. When a need arises, the people of our community step up to help out.

2. What is your favorite place to visit in Carter County?

As anyone who knows me can attest, I am actually a great big nerd. I enjoy learning things and I am fascinated by our local history. My favorite place to visit in Carter County would have to be Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. I have learned so many things about our community from the wonderful staff and the dedicated host of volunteers and reenactors who work hard to keep our history alive. I love attending the militia musters and other special events at the park as they always represent an opportunity to learn something new.

3. Do you think living in Carter County has changed you in any way?

While I have lived here most of my life, I have lived in other cities and other states as well. But Carter County has always been “home” to me. I won’t say that living here has changed me but more that it has helped to shape me into the person I am. Growing up here I learned the “small town values” of respecting my elders, working hard, living in faith, and appreciating family ties. I grew up in a community where “family” wasn’t just those people related to you, it is also the folks who love you and want to see you succeed. As they say on one of my favorite TV shows, “Family don’t end in blood” and that is very much the experience I have had living here.

4. What is your favorite time of year?

I love seeing our community come to life at Christmas. The lights through downtown, our community Christmas Tree, the displays in the park, people shopping downtown where all the businesses decorate their display windows. Our little town looks like the set of a Hallmark movie.

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?

Carter County has something for everyone whether you enjoy fishing, bicycling, history, or enjoying a day at the lake. But, no matter what a person is interested in, I definitely recommend they visit our downtown. You will find great food, wonderful shopping, unique gifts, and friendly people along with our small-town charm.

Why Do You Love Carter County?

Is it the wonderful natural resources? How about the historic downtown district? Perhaps it’s the people who make up our community? Whatever the reason, we want to know why you love it here. Tell us why you love Carter County and you could be featured in an upcoming edition of Carter County Living. Just send us a message telling us why you love Carter County. You can reach us by email at news @elizabethton.com or you can mail it to 300 N. Sycamore Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643.