Why Carter County

Lisa Fletcher

Star Photo/Joyce Bartlett

Why Carter County? - Fletcher’s Homemade

1. What made you choose Carter County and Elizabethton?

I grew up in this area, attended Little Milligan in Butler and graduated from Hampton High. After college I moved to Washington State. It was a wonderful adventure but I always felt a tug to come back home. When I decided I wanted to open my own business, it was an easy decision that this was the only place to do it. I grew up loving the old downtown in Elizabethton and the covered bridge; it was a childhood dream to be part of it somehow. If by chance my hard work brings me any success, I want that to be a benefit to my home in East Tennessee. Quilting is a proud tradition in Appalachia and I’m honored to be a small part of this heritage. I think of this every day working in my shop. My mamaw’s quilts hang within sight to keep me grounded and focused.

2. What is the purpose of your business?

Quilting is an artform. It can be old timey or modern depending on your choice of fabric and pattern. I am obsessed with the art of quilting in all its variations and it is an honor sharing that with my community. I am very fortunate to have talented instructors like Glenda

Kuelper, who teaches quilting projects; as well as Donna Horowitz, who leads classes focusing on handmade clothing and accessories. Also, I am a lifelong fabric snob, so having a shop with high quality quilting cottons and hand dyed batiks is essential for producing our artistic creations. If it’s worth our time, it’s worth using the best fabrics to bring our imagination to life. Our quilts will be around long after we are gone.

3. How long in you been in business?

Fletcher’s Homemade opened up August 1, 2017.

4. What makes you different?

Small independent quilt shops have a soul that is lacking in large chain fabric stores. Fletcher’s Homemade strives to be a friendly, encouraging and welcoming space for those who sew or would like to learn. No one person knows it all and everyone has something special to offer the group. We learn, we sew, we laugh and we have a good time here.

5. Franchise or independent?

Fletcher’s Homemade is proud to be an independent quilt shop.

6. Impact on Carter County?

It is the mission of Fletcher’s Homemade to enhance the appreciation of sewing arts in the community. Along with various sewing classes, we offer long arm quilting service. Unfinished quilt tops (whether made recently or many years ago) can be professionally quilted as a piece of functional art to be cherished for generations to come.

Let’s keep sewing going!

— Lisa Fletcher from Fletcher’s Homemade 510 East Elk Ave., Elizabethton TN www.FletchersHomemade.com

Amber Clawson gives her daughter a ride around the ring.

Just a girl and her horse...

Clawson realizing a childhood dream of barrel racing

* Story by Ivan Sanders & Photos Contributed

The closest most people want to come to mounting a galloping horse is those horses that are found outside of grocery stores where one can drop a quarter into the slot and get a good two-minute ride without the fear of being bucked off.

Then there are those individuals who live to mount a steed and take a relaxing ride over numerous trails that can be found throughout Carter County enjoying a beautiful day with the sun cutting through the thick foliage that graces the trees during the spring and summer months.

However, there is one final breed of people who love the heart-pounding exhilaration that comes from gathering with a group of competitors challenging not only each other but pushing one’s self and their horse harder and faster than ever before.

One such person is Carter County’s Amber Clawson who turned a dream of barrel

racing that she had since she was a very young girl into a reality once she turned 24-years-old thanks to her husband who encouraged her to chase that dream and turn it into a reality by searching for a barrel horse.

Proclaiming to be a late bloomer to the sport with a chuckle thrown in, Clawson turned to a dear friend of hers, Diana Blevins Hilton, who owns Double C Western Wear, and the two went to work searching for that perfect horse to help Clawson fulfill her dreams.

That day came when the pair came across an 18-year-old gelding that went by the name of “Jackie’s Little Gem.” “Gem” as he would be called for short soon turned the spark that Clawson had as a young child into a blazing flame and gave her the confidence that she needed to begin running barrels.

Now that Clawson had found her ride, she soon discovered that to be the best barrel rider took extensive training not only for the horse but the rider.

“Goodness, I feel that the training never truly stops,” Clawson said. “If it isn’t an exercise to better yourself, then it is an exercise to better your horse. Barrel racing is one of those sports where the time that you put in is returned to you 10 fold in competition.”

Clawson rides a few times a week just to keep her horse in his best shape but further added that if someone had a young horse, much more attention to detail is required.

Aside from riding the horses, they must have daily attention such as feeding, grooming and cleaning their stalls.

The time and attention must be weighed before tackling riding to the level that Clawson is involved in because as in Clawson’s own words, “These are all things that are a revolving door and they happen every single day — it’s a true commitment in making a couple of 15-ish second runs on a weekend.”

So one might ask what exactly is barrel racing?

According to Clawson, the sport is simply you and your horse racing against the clock.

The rider said she always tries to do something better with each run that she makes down the alleyway whether that is leaving the second barrel standing after knocking on her last two runs or riding in hard asking her horse for more speed.

Clawson measures her success more by how the run makes her feel which is usually pretty darn good!

She said one of the fun facts about her competing is that she has never won a buckle and that truly is something that her heart longs for. One day she knows that will come having placed many times and her current ride is showing more promise every time she mounts up.

The competition arenas for Clawson are found anywhere from Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina as she stays pretty close to home since her family owns a business and raises cattle as well as being parents to a two-year-old little gal with these making up a large portion of her priorities currently.

From a perspective of finding the right horse to compete in barrel racing, Clawson said that was a broad subject that many hours could be spent on explaining bloodlines, confirmation, athletic ability, and so much more.

However, with the fact that all these help, some of the smallest horses may be the fastest or perhaps a world champion could come from that long shot that

Amber Clawson and her horse give it their best effort in circling a barrel.

Say Cheese! Amber Clawson and her horse take a moment to show off for the camera.

was saved from a kill pen.

Clawson gave her assessment on what she thought made the right horse for barrel racing saying, “To be honest, I think while we strive to find that one that is really going to be something special, but if we don’t give them 100% of our time to prepare them for competition, and then 150% of our trust when we send them out on the pattern then we aren’t giving that horse a chance to reach its full potential.

“A great barrel horse is one that you can fully trust.”

Just like other sports, barrel racing presents challenges and the opportunity for injury and Clawson admits that she has not been shielded from scary moments while in the saddle saying, “If you are gonna ride, eventually you are going to fall.”

Consider riding a horse as fast as it can possibly go and then asking that horse to make 180 degree turns as quickly as it possibly can.

Clawson said there are a lot of things that can go wrong which also makes up part of the thrill of the ride.

A handful of falls have graced Clawson’s career, but probably one of the worse ones that she experienced that really rattled her cage a little more than the others was on a practice run at the Walters State Ag Center in White Pine, Tenn.

She had a great run going however she was running a different bit and saddle and when she tried to stop her mare at the end of the run, the mare zigged but Clawson didn’t zag causing her to impact the ground hard.

Not long afterward her accident, she came across an article about a lady her age that suffered a frontal lobe injury while barrel racing and lost her life.

Since that time, Clawson started to wear a helmet and has ever since seeing the article.

When asked if she could give some important advice to possibly another young lady that had an interest in following in her footsteps, her response was that she would tell them that barrel racing is the most rewarding and humbling sport all at the same time. She also added that probably her best advice would be to never be afraid or embarrassed to ask a question.

Clawson clarified the advice by stating that she had wasted a lot of time trying the “fake it until you make it” method but when that comes to this sport it just doesn’t work.

“When I’m helping gals that are younger or less experienced I always tell them to ASK ME QUESTIONS,” Clawson said emphatically. “If I had it to do over I would have asked way more questions in those first few years. I probably would have won that buckle by now!”

She added that she would also help others by telling them not to let the hard days define them and to trust their horse.

Clawson also wanted to remind others that decide to follow in her path that chores seem like an opportunity instead of an obligation and what one puts in is exactly what they will get out of it when it comes to horses. If a horse is given the best, they will in return give you their best.

When it comes to challenges in the sport, most of Clawson’s are definitely within her own head because she admits that she has a tendency to second guess herself and her horse.

To offset that she makes sure to pray each time before she makes a run — praying for safety for herself and her

Amber Clawson doing two things that bring her much joy — spending time with her daughter and riding a horse.

Amber Clawson rounds the last barrel during a competition.

horse which helps to calm and steady her as well as keeping her from becoming a nervous mess before her run stating, “These animals have so much power and so much can go wrong, but if we trust them fully, so much can go right!”

Another event that Clawson dabbles in is roping. She said if she could choose to start competing in another it would be in reined cowhorse or cutting, which amazes her.

When asked who provides her support and backing, the answer was a firm “Family, family, family!!”

“My mom and my husband have been my long-time biggest fans,” Clawson said. “They have spent many nights in a horse trailer with me celebrating or helping me through disappointment.

“Now that I have a little girl, the bog shows are a little harder to navigate, but everyone is so willing to help!”

For Clawson, a family doesn’t just stop with one’s real family when it comes to barrel racing.

People are met along the way that one can trust to provide a helping hand. In the process, those turn into friends and eventually become more like family.

Clawson closed by saying, “It is a community really of a bunch of precious people with the same goal and the same deep love for a really special animal.”

Just horsing around! Amber Clawson knows that both horse and rider have to have complete trust in each other to be successful in barrel racing.

Wesley Johnson and his father Gary Johnson inspect the motor of their 400 small block 1966 Chevy Chevelle SS dragster.

Like father, like son...

Father-son duo use drag racing to build relationships between themselves and others

If you’ve ever been to Thunder Valley right beside Bristol Motor Speedway, you’ve experienced the thrill that comes with watching a good old-fashioned drag race.

However, spectating and actually participating in a quartermile, straight-line race are two different animals.

Wesley Johnson, a native of Elizabethton, is someone who knows exactly what both feelings are. Growing up and being around classic cars as well as having a father who was a car enthusiast, Johnson began to fall in love with the sport.

“Dad was a hot-rodder from years ago and we used to go to the track a lot, so I grew up around cars my whole life and just decided to pursue a hobby that I very much enjoy.”

But it’s not just about the racing for Johnson, it’s also about the relationships and memories that are made at the track.

“When we go to the track, it’s always a family trip. But it’s not just my family, there’s a ‘track family’, people you’ve gotten to know and always see when you’re there.

“Everyone goes to win, but we go to win as well as to see some folks that we maybe haven’t seen in a while and to make memories.”

But don’t be fooled. Being on the strip isn’t just something that Johnson does on a whim. It’s a hobby that he has put a ton of time and effort into.

“So we started off by taking part in the bracket series at Bristol which is home to both automatic and straight drive cars, and after our series would finish up, we would go watch a group of guys who strictly drive stick cars known as the ‘Classic Gear Jammers’.

* Story by Nic Miller & Photos by Larry N. Souders

“One day the car we used broke down and I decided to get a stick shift, and eventually joined the Gear Jammers. It’s something that I do not regret at all and should have done many years prior.”

When asked about the vehicle that he uses on the track, Johnson said, “I usually run with a ’55 Chevrolet or my ’79 Malibu, but I started out in a yellow Chevelle back in 2002.”

Throughout the years, Johnson has had many memorable experiences, but one that he holds the dearest is the time that he faced off against his father Gary.

When Wesley Johnson (back row right) heads to the drag strip it’s a family affair. The entire Johnson family makes most of the trips to the track with him. Pictured in front of the ’55 Chevy are (L-R) Josie Johnson, Nola Greenwell, Crosby Greenwell and Hayden Johnson. Standing from left are Adrian Johnson, Stephen Brickey, Patsy Johnson, Gary Johnson, Alison Johnson and Wesley Johnson.

“I pulled up to the line and looked over and saw dad sitting in the lane to the left of me. The car that was supposed to square off against him wouldn’t start and I was next in line so we went at it.

“It was a great moment. We got a few pictures of us on the line and actually racing beside each other. It’s one of those things that you don’t get to experience much so it meant a lot.”

But just like almost everything else this past year, there were not many good times to experience on the track due to the global pandemic that shut down many activities in 2020.

“We weren’t able to go race because of COVID, which not only meant that we couldn’t race, it also meant that all the great times we usually had and all the fun we had off of the strip with our track family wouldn’t get to happen.

“But gladly things are starting to get better and we’re excited to get back to the track whenever we’re able to.”

Johnson, along with his father, has found their niche with

Wesley Johnson (left) and his father Gary Johnson pull the hood off their 1955 Chevy, the newest car in the Johnson Racing stable.

WE THRIVE Together

Skilled nursing care for higher quality of life.

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drag racing, and in their closing statements, they both shared one thing they have learned over the years being involved with the sport.

“If I could say one thing to recap, it would be that it’s not all about winning, but about doing what you love and making the most of every opportunity you’re given while enjoying your time with those around you.”

Three of the cars that make up the Johnson Racing team. From the left Stephen Brickey and the yellow Chevy Chevelle SS, Wesley Johnson with the orange ’55 Chevy, and Gary Johnson with the blue ’79 Chevrolet Malibu.

A street-level view of the 1955 Chevy, with a 447 small block engine, in the driveway of Johnson Racing.

Wesley Johnson and his father Gary Johnson work on the Holly carburetor in their 400 small block 1966 Chevy Chevelle SS dragster. Wesley has owned and been racing this car since 2004.