CCL Summer 2019

Carter County Living ARTS

SHOPPING

LIVING

FEATURES

FOOD

Summer 2019

Madeline Isaacs: A Family of Endurance

Fly Fishing

Jason Reep, living the life with a fly, a rod and a boat

Shirley’s HOme Cooking

East Tennessee’s original family style restaurant for over 30 years

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Carter County Living Now that summer has officially arrived and with most minds on vacations and the outdoors, we decided to dedicate most of our content of the summer edition of Carter County Living to the outdoors.

We are very blessed to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth with our mountains, lakes and rivers. Carter County is an outdoorsman’s paradise and hopefully, we captured a glimpse for our readers to enjoy.

As I look back at my childhood, it seems that what I remember the most are the cookouts with my family at Watauga Lake. It was a time that we all could come together and just enjoy the moment.

Summer has a way of doing that for the families in our community. With that being said, have you tried to find a spot for a cookout on the weekends? You have to show up at dawn just to save a table.

Family is important and it is great to see so many families taking advantage of the outdoors using all the beautiful parks and facilities that we have in Carter County.

On the cover of this issue, you will find Madeline Isaacs, who with her father and mother, Thomas and Karen Isaacs, have seen in the sport of Equine Endurance Racing that they can compete together and enjoy their time as a family.

Our artist Spotlight is a very talented group of musicians out of Roan Mountain that makes up Mountain Rose.

According to the group’s spokesperson and banjo player, Tammy Perry, the group has been together for over 20 years and the underlying mission statement is the group’s ability to have fun and enjoy each other. When asked what kind of music would you expect from Mountain Rose, lead guitarist Ricky Holtsclaw commented, “We play everything from the Beatles to Bill Monroe to Guns-N-Roses, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard — you name it.”

Elizabethton’s Jason Reep, the owner

of East Tennessee Fly Fishing, finds there is no place like being on the fisheries of the Watauga and South Holston Rivers where an ample supply of Rainbow and Brown trout lie waiting for the perfect fly to land in their feeding space.

When Wahoo’s Adventures first opened, the Watauga River had largely been untapped for its tourism potential. Now, over four decades later, the river rafting company has become one of the premier river tourism businesses in the region, bringing hundreds of river rafters a year down three different rivers across the Appalachian. Owner Jeff Stanley said he fell in love with the region thanks to his love of the outdoors.

For our restaurant this month we have Shirley’s Home Cooking, which bills itself as “East Tennessee’s original family-style restaurant” and has been serving homecooked meals such as fried chicken, roast beef, meatloaf and country fried steak for so long now that it has become a national — and perhaps international — icon.

Shirley’s Home Cooking is nestled behind its sign just as you turn a corner on Highway 321 just like it has been for nearly 30 years now. The building that Shirley’s is housed in has been around for 70 years, just about when they closed the gate on Watauga Dam. These are just a few of the 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.

Delaney Scalf General Manager 4

Staff General Manager DELANEY SCALF delaney.scalf@elizabethton.com Editorial Director Rozella Hardin rozella.hardin@elizabethton.com Human Resources Kristina Cruz kristina.cruz@elizabethton.com Customer Service Kathy Scalf kathy.scalf@elizabethton.com Operations Manager Scott SCALF scott.scalf@elizabethton.com Marketing Consultants BRANDY TRIVETT brandy.trivett@elizabethton.com JOYCE BARTLETT joyce.bartlett@elizabethton.com

SHIRLEY NAVE shirley.nave@elizabethton.com

Copy Editor JANIE MCKINNEY janie.mckinney@elizabethton.com

News AMBER WADOVICK amber.wadovick@elizabethton.com Sports IVAN SANDERS ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com Composing ROBIN JOHNSON robin.johnson@elizabethton.com

ARTS & CULTURE

FEATURE

30 A Family of Endurance

For the Isaacs, riding the trails creates a deep family bond with daughter, Madeline

20 Fly Fishing

6 Mountain Rose

Provides a soothing balm to listeners

10 Have You Been Spotted Check out these photos from area events

14 Upcoming events

Plan ahead for these favorite events

Living the life with a fly, a rod and a boat.

24 Charity Greene

36 Mills Greenhouse

Provides an avenue to showcase the beauty of Carter County

Happy Valley’s hidden gem

LIVING

26 Wahoo’s Adventure

16 Glow Herbal

Provides river tourism, and appreciation for natural beauty

Food

SHOPPING

East Tennessee’s original family style restaurant for over 30 years

35 Business

Provides personal dining options anyone can enjoy

Area Shopping, Dining, Entertainment services

38 Shirley’s Home Cooking

Carter County Living ARTS

On the Cover While many families find their family time consisting of playing in weekend sporting events like baseball and softball or possibly catching a movie, a Stoney Creek family has found a sport that allows them to compete together and it is as simple as putting one foot, or more specifically hoof, in front of the other.

Photo: Ivan Sanders 5

SHOPPING

LIVING

Madeline Isaacs: A Family of Endurance

FEATURES

FOOD

Summer 2019

FLY FISHING

Jason Reep, living the life with a fly, a rod and a boat

SHIRLEY’S HOME COOKING

East Tennessee’s orig family style resta inal urant for over 30 year s

Mountain Rose has been playing music for a long time as each member brings something different to the group. The group is composed of (L-R) David Johnson, acoustic guitar, Randy Grindstaff, upright bass, Tammy Perry, banjo, Jerome Webb, mandolin, and Ricky Holtsclaw, acoustic guitar. All members also perform the vocals during their concerts.

A rose that carries a tune, not thorns…

Roan Mountain’s Mountain Rose provides a soothing balm to listeners

R

* Story & Photos by Ivan Sanders and contributed *

OAN MOUNTAIN — Nestled in the hills and valleys of East Tennessee one can readily find a blooming variety of roses that provide an eloquent appearance and a sweet aroma to the sense of smell.

When traveling up 19-E toward Roan Mountain, however, there is another rose that got its start at a tender age and over time has sprouted out and blossomed to become recognized not for its floral smell.

However, one can’t miss the sweet, melodic tunes that rise from the strings of instruments as they are plucked by a very talented group of musicians that make up the musical group, Mountain Rose.

The group, which has played pretty much from the time they were able to walk, includes Ricky Holtsclaw on lead guitar, Tammy Perry on banjo, Jerome Webb on fiddle, Randy Grindstaff on the bass, and David Johnson playing guitar.

There is a different mix of vocals from one song to the next as all five take their

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varying backgrounds and weave it into a fun-filled concert where the ultimate measuring stick for success is if they had a good time playing the music and their audience leaves with a bigger smile than when they came.

According to Perry, the group’s ability to have fun and enjoy each other is the underlying mission statement carried by the group.

“David, Jerome, and myself are family and Rick and Randy might as well be family,” said the group’s spokesperson Perry. “We have known Rick forever. They went to school with Rick and Randy is one of Rick’s neighbors so we met that way.

“Gosh, we have played going on 20 years. Just that kind of goof-off playing, then in 2010 Randy came over and we began to take it a little more serious and we sort of went from there.

“I think Jerome came up with the name,” continued Perry. “Jerome is the brains and the comedian part of the group. I think we have a good mix of everything from everybody.

“I think that we do a very good job of translating what’s in our heart when we are playing and singing to who is listening. That is the connection. If you are not feeling it and enjoying it, then they won’t.”

“We put on more of a relaxed-type show because we just get up there and have fun because if we are not having fun up there, you can be sure that the people aren’t having much fun either,” Webb chimed in.

While many may come expecting to find a concert filled with bluegrass, they will

Ricky Holtsclaw can play all kinds of stringed instruments preferring the guitar as he picks and sings during a recent practice.

David Johnson listens to the words of a song while playing an acoustic guitar for Mountain Rose.

Randy Grindstaff gives his upright bass a run through during practice.

soon discover when they walk away that a Mountain Rose concert is filled with one musical surprise after another.

Most of the reasoning for that is because of the diverse background that each has brought to the group.

“We think that’s one of the biggest things we have to offer and that is you never know what we are going to sing whether it’s rock, country, gospel, folk and what mix of vocals that are going to be next whether it’s Rick and David and Jerome’s or mine, Rick, and Jerome’s or Randy and Jerome’s,” Perry stated with a big grin.

“We kind of know that when we get going so we just jump right in there.”

Holtsclaw went on to add, “We play everything from the Beatles to Bill Monroe to Guns-N-Roses, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard — you name it.”

Perry also went on to add, “We think that we have a good chemistry and we have a lot of fun. That’s the main thing — if it’s not fun we shouldn’t do it and that’s the rule. That’s the first thing Jerome says when we hit the stage is let’s have some fun.

“That’s it I guess is that we bring a little of everything to the table and it makes it so good for everyone that’s listening. We have seen little ones singing the words to the songs we play to 90-year-old folks. Wagon Wheel is one that little kids enjoy.”

Mountain Rose just finished up their latest CD project not too long ago and was asked how hard is it to come up with the songs that they select to put on their new projects.

“When we get to that point, we tell

everyone to write down three or four songs and come to a practice and then we see what each person’s got and what everyone feels strongly about and take it from there,” Perry said.

“And we will usually do really well because some of us will have two or three of the same songs.

“I think that’s a big part as well is that we trust each other’s input and instincts and I think that’s a large part of why we do so well.”

“Except for the last recording session, we surprised each other with a song that we hadn’t thought about doing and it was a Styx song that we did,” Holtsclaw went on to add. “That was a song we had worked on for six months.”

The bond that has grown between the group over the years is one of the strengths possessed by Mountain Rose and that relationship allows them to spend countless hours riding and staying at different places for shows that they perform in.

“We all get along pretty good,” Johnson stated with a chuckle. “We went down to Pawley’s Island and we had to stay in a beach house spending four days there together. The four of us together and in a hurricane.”

Every member of the group chimed in when asked about the people that attend their shows and why having a sound following makes it easier for the group to perform at all the events they book to play.

“We are very blessed — the fans are everything,” Perry said. “They love what we do so we can do what we do.

We call them our Rosebuds. Without the

Rosebuds, there would be no Mountain Rose.

“When we played the last show at Down Home, there were people that drove two, three, and four hours to be there. That’s very important to us — those folks mean everything to us.”

After pondering the question, Holtsclaw responded by saying, “If it weren’t for people following us and supporting us, we wouldn’t do it. There wouldn’t be any point to it.

“We have people from six years old to 80 years old. Half the people at Pawley’s Island was from up here.”

Grindstaff also had a couple of examples about the Rosebuds and their loyalty to the group.

“That’s like Butch and Jean Johnson when we played at Pawley’s Island, they were there,” stated Grindstaff. “I mean they drove from here to Pawley’s Island in horrible weather.

“I also remember one time playing the Down Home, there were so many things going on up here so a lot of our normal people didn’t come down and we were like there probably wasn’t going to be anybody here.

“We got down there and it was packed,” continued Grindstaff. “We were talking to the crowd during one of our breaks and they had come from ETSU and everywhere and it was so good to have these people come that we didn’t even know.”

The group was asked if there was ever a time that they may have messed up on a set and how it affected the rest of their concert.

“We make mistakes and most of the

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Tammy Perry is focused in on her finger work on the banjo as Mountain Rose gets in a little practice time.

“I think that we do a very good job of translating what’s in our heart when we are playing and singing to who is listening. That is the connection. If you are not feeling it and enjoying it, then they won’t.”

—Tammy Perry

Jerome Webb plays along with Mountain Rose during a garage practice session.

Star Photo/Joe Sluder

Mountain Rose entertains a large crowd at the Down Home which has had many big name performers take the stage.

time we are the only ones that know it,” Johnson said. “I usually play beside Tammy and if I hit something wrong, she will normally look over at me and she will like grin and I try to do her the same way.”

Grindstaff added, “It makes for some interesting gigs because I am like, ‘Oh Lord, what am I supposed to do — have I forgotten something on the next song?’”

Mountain Rose has played several different venues and was asked what the largest stage they have had the opportunity to play on was and if there were one, they would love to play.

“We were so honored to open for Blue Highway at the Covered Bridge Days and just to be able to play for the folks over at Elizabethton and the folks that drove down from Roan Mountain,” Perry said about one of the largest ones with close to 5,000 or better in attendance. “That was a huge thing for us.

We were so humbled and so excited.

“And we always enjoy the Down Home. So many great artists have played that stage and it always feels really cool to walk on that stage.

“We just follow wherever God leads us,” continued Perry. “We have put out there for some of the festivals. The main thing for us is that we enjoy each other’s company and we enjoy the music and

we take it one day at a time.

“We are not looking to get big and famous but if that happens, that’s great.

We just enjoy what we are doing. If we play right here in the garage or at the Grand Ole Opry, we just enjoy each other. No pressure and no stress that’s the bottom line.”

Holtsclaw had a couple of venues on his bucket list as well.

“Who wouldn’t want to play at the Grand Ole Opry, and I would love to go over and play Rhythm and Roots,” said Holtsclaw.

And Johnson said sometimes it was just being able to play for folks that couldn’t otherwise come out to their concerts.

“We sometimes go over to the Red Barn and play for people from up here in Roan Mountain that are elderly people who can’t come to places that we normally play at but they can come up where they don’t have to pay nothing,” said Johnson.

“A lot of them are there every time we go over there to play. They love what we do so we can do what we love.”

The group has made every effort possible to make sure that music as they know it will go on far beyond their lifetime as they have made sure to include their children in their music endeavors passing down the tradition and culture

just as their parents and other family members did with them as they were growing up.

“We really encourage the young people. That’s what is going to carry on the cultural tradition.

“It will be carried on. The young people get it. And we are going to do our part. They are a group that gets it,” Perry continued.

“We have confidence in the young people to carry on the tradition. That’s what is so exciting to us is to see the next generation coming on.”

Holtsclaw shared about the discovery that his son, Wes, could even sing saying, “Actually, with Wesley, I didn’t know the boy could sing until he was a senior in high school at his own graduation. He got up in front of the whole class and everybody that was there and did a song.

“It blew my mind. I am so proud of him,” continued Holtsclaw. “I am just tickled to death with him. He can go from Johnson City to anywhere and I don’t think he has gone anywhere that somebody didn’t know him.

“I know that Dave is the same way with Noah and J.J. “Everybody in Jerome’s family plays.

I know his daddy was one of the best fiddle players ever to be in this country.

He was a championship fiddle player

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and Jerome got it honestly.

“Jerome would set down and pick up anything that’s got strings.”

Johnson shared a touching story about how his son, Noah, got started playing music.

“I know with Noah, when dad died in 2005 and Noah was eight years old, dad would come down and get him, and that’s before he came to church, and I would go on to church and dad would take him on up to mom’s and feed him and then I would get there and eat dinner and bring him back to the house,” Johnson shared.

“All the time Noah was with him, dad had an old green truck and hauled him around in it and just played bluegrass — that was all he ever played.

“I went up there one day and he had Noah sitting over on one side of the couch and he was on the other side of the couch and dad would be there playing the banjo and Noah would just be pulling the strings like that,” continued Johnson.

“I came up there one Sunday and I picked one of the banjos up and tried to play it a little bit there and Noah came over to me and he said, ‘Dad, Papaw said I could have that banjo’ and I said, ‘Noah I don’t know about that’ because it was like a $4,000 banjo.

“Dad looked at me and he told me

Jerome Webb came up with the group’s name, Mountain Rose, and the group has been providing sweet melodies to eager listeners for several years.

Jerome Webb (mandolin), Randy Grindstaff (upright bass) and Tammy Perry (banjo) work on a tune during practice.

that I told that young’un when he could play the first tune, he could have that banjo.

“Dad died, and he always wanted Noah to take banjo lessons so I talked to EC and said when he got to 11, we would start him out,” said Johnson.

“When he was about 11, we were going down there to get a part for something and I had Noah with me and I stopped and said, ‘EC, let’s see if this young’un can play.’

“He said he’s a Johnson ain’t he, and I told him that didn’t make no difference. I have seen kids that didn’t have any rhythm and if you don’t have rhythm and stuff, you aren’t going to be able to play.

Johnson continued, “I told EC to try him for a month and if you don’t think he can play and I don’t think he can play, then let’s just forget it.

“So, I took Noah and in a month’s time, he was playing songs but I made him borrow one of

when he got old enough to play, he started playing for the church,” Grindstaff said.

“He’s really a good guitar player and the music has gotten him involved in church more. He’s kind of slowed down here lately because he has a two-year-old that has taken a lot of his time.

“He is a really good musician. They all three are good boys. We are blessed — all three of us. I think bluegrass is more popular now than what it’s ever been.”

With the group being together so long, it was interesting to see what each one’s favorite song was as they have performed well into the hundreds of various songs over the years.

“I like Tammy’s vocals on ‘There is a Time.’ There are two things that we don’t do at concerts is requests and the other is Rocky Top,” said Webb with a belly laugh.

“One of my favorites that we don’t

Tammy’s banjos — I wouldn’t let him go get that banjo. Tammy had two and he borrowed one of hers.

“He played it for about a year and he kept getting better and better and better. He asked me after about a year of doing that if he could go get that banjo. I told him I would ask Tammy and Grady and they said to let him have it.

“It’s like we have Easter and Christmas here and they will get to playing and we have a bunch of nephews and kids that play,” Johnson added. “My brother asked me why I wasn’t playing and I told him I wanted to listen to them play.

“I have played for years and it’s their turn.”

Grindstaff’s son came to love the music from just listening to him play around the house.

“It’s like my son, Andrew, when he was growing up, he saw me play around the house and stuff and so

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do all the time but has been one of my favorite songs is ‘Old Hometown Revisited,’” added Perry.

For Holtsclaw, the favorite song had to be “Madam Blue” by Styx while Grindstaff said it was “Stripes” by Johnny Cash.

And when Johnson was asked, the response was a surprise, especially for a band that plays more bluegrass acoustical instruments.

“I think that the song that we do that the crowd really gets into is ‘Sweet Child of Mine’ by Guns-NRoses. We get into it when they get into it.”

Holtsclaw summed up how the group feels about those who make it possible for Mountain Rose to continue on their performance journey.

“We appreciate everybody that follows us and everybody that supports our music because again without that there would be no need to do it,” stated Holtsclaw.

SP

You’ve Been

TTED!

Nathan Hyde, Elizabethton, TN

Photos by Brandon Hyde and Ivan Sanders

Gannon Orfield.

Mark and Nancy Milbourne, Elizabethton, TN

Nichole Denton and her baby Jayden Denton

Jonah Calhoun, Hampton, TN

Ted and Ramona Taylor, Elizabethton, TN

Doug and Monica Calhoun, Hampton, TN

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SP

You’ve Been

TTED!

Photos by Brandon Hyde and Ivan Sanders

Tina Callahan, Elizabethton and Warren Price, Hampton, TN

Michael Bahn, Elizabethton, TN

Ben and Hannah Campbell (newlyweds), Elizabethton, TN

Christopher Lamb, Elizabethton, TN

Taylor Shanks, Stoney Creek, TN

Ted Canter, with his grandson Peyton Proffitt

Eli Murray (right) and his Dad

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Andrew Essex of Elizabethton and “Corbin”

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You’ve Been

TTED!

Jason Shaw and Kenny Lowe

Debra Mehaffey

Photos by Brandon Hyde and Ivan Sanders

Emush Lamb and Cameron Schaffner

Kevin Fridley

Matt and Tracy Kellerman

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Adam and Erin Wiles

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You’ve Been

TTED!

Photos by Brandon Hyde and Ivan Sanders

Danielle Shepherd and Holly Ellison

Nash and Nova

Mike Pyles and grandson Rowan

Terri Shipley and Jeff Lucas

Shelby and Creola Miller

Harley and Phyllis Campbell

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UPCOMING EVENTS Plan ahead with fun happenings across Carter County

Friday, July 5th SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: The Corklickers This local Beech Mountain, NC bluegrass group has been entertaining folks in the Southern Appalachian Highlands area for decades!

7:30–8:30 PM at the Park Amphitheater FREE ADMISSION! Donations accepted.

Meet at: Park Amphitheater.

Saturday, July 6th Covered Bridge Jams: Victor Lawson n Boogie Chillen w/Catfish Frye Covered Bridge Jams is a FREE concert series that takes place on Saturday nights at Covered Bridge stage during the summer months from 7 PM - 9 PM. Saturday, July 6th SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: TrailBlazer Cloggers This high-energy dance team will keep you moving to the beat! Come enjoy this showcase of an Appalachian tradition with a modern twist.

7:30–8:30 PM at the Park Amphitheater FREE ADMISSION! Donations accepted.

Meet at: Park Amphitheater.

Thursday - Saturday, July 11th - July 13th Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals Thursday through Saturday on July 11-13, July 18-20 and July 25-27. Tennessee’s official outdoor drama is presented by local performers against the backdrop of Fort Watauga. See the Revolution as told by the Overmountain Men. Bleacher seating is available in the Amphitheater.

Doors open at 6:00 PM. The concession stand opens at 6:30 PM. For ticket pricing, purchasing, and discount information, please visit www.thelibertydrama.com Meet at: Fort Watauga Amphitheater.

July 12th - July 28th Summer Art Show & Sale Regular Visitor Center Hours This multi-media exhibit is two art shows in one: “16th Annual Judged show” and the “24th Annual Watauga Valley Art League Member show”. The public is invited to the July 14th Reception.

Meet-the-Artist Awards Reception: Sunday,

The Roan Crows Rock out with The Roan Crows as they dish out crowd-pleasing favorites from the ’60s, ’70s, 80’s, and 90’s rock and roll classics.

These guys are loads of fun, don’t miss ‘em!

7:30–8:30 PM at the Park Amphitheater FREE ADMISSION! Donations accepted.

Meet at: Park Amphitheater.

July 14th 1:30 - 4:00 PM Meet at: Visitor Center Gathering Place.

Saturday, July 13th Covered Bridge Jams: Hollow Ground Covered Bridge Jams is a FREE concert series that takes place on Saturday nights at Covered Bridge stage during the summer months from 7 PM - 9 PM.

Saturday, July 20th Covered Bridge Jams: Bullseye Band Covered Bridge Jams is a FREE concert series that takes place on Saturday nights at Covered Bridge stage during the summer months from 7 PM - 9 PM.

Saturday, July 13th SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: Bandwagon Fallacy This groovy band hails from just over the mountain in Buladean, NC. Bandwagon Fallacy rocks the house with old-time favorites and touching originals from classic rock, country, folk and soul.

7:30–8:30 PM at the Park Amphitheater FREE ADMISSION! Donations accepted.

Meet at: Park Amphitheater.

Saturday, July 13th Junior Bigfoot Hike 9:00PM - 10:00PM Attention Junior Bigfoot Hunters!

Join Park Ranger Keifer Helle at the Camper Check-In Station to go on a short hike on the Tom Gray trail in search of the infamous Bigfoot. This program costs $10.00 per kid and is limited to only 20 spots! You can register online or by contacting the Park Headquarters. There is no charge for Parent’s / Guardians accompanying their Junior Bigfoot Hiker.

Meet at: Park Headquarters.

Thursday - Saturday, July 18th - July 20th Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals Performances begin at 7:30 PM, Thursday through Saturday on July 18-20. Tennessee’s official outdoor drama is presented by local performers against the backdrop of Fort Watauga. See the Revolution as told by the Overmountain Men. Bleacher seating is available in the Amphitheater.

Doors open at 6:00 PM. The concession stand opens at 6:30 PM. For ticket pricing, purchasing, and discount information, please visit www.thelibertydrama.com Meet at: Fort Watauga Amphitheater.

Friday, July 19th SUMMER CONCERT SERIES:

Saturday, July 20th SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: The Blairs This family gospel group hails from Nebo, NC. Troy and Linda Blair perform both standard hymns and original praise songs sure to make you smile.

7:30–8:30 PM at the Park Amphitheater FREE ADMISSION! Donations accepted.

Meet at: Park Amphitheater.

Thursday - Saturday, July 25th-July 27th Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals Performances begin at 7:30 PM, Thursday through Saturday on July 25-27.

Tennessee’s official outdoor drama is presented by local performers against the backdrop of Fort Watauga. See the Revolution as told by the Overmountain Men. Bleacher seating is available in the Amphitheater.

Doors open at 6:00 PM. The concession stand opens at 6:30 PM. For ticket pricing, purchasing, and discount information, please visit www.thelibertydrama.com Meet at: Fort Watauga Amphitheater Friday - Saturday, July 26th - July 27th Xtreme Roan Adventures Youth Rally The Friends of Roan Mountain will be hosting an adventurous weekend for youth ages 4+. On July 26th and 27th, Junior Naturalists will take part in outdoor nature classes, hikes, and adventures. Friday night classes will begin at 6:00 PM and Saturday events will take place from –8 AM–4:30 PM. For event details and registration informa-

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tion, keep an eye on the Friends of Roan Mountain Website at http://www.friendsofroanmtn.org/. Lunch will be provided on Saturday for registered individuals. Meet at: Park Amphitheater.

Saturday, July 27th Covered Bridge Jams: Hunter First Baptist Praise Band Covered Bridge Jams is a FREE concert series that takes place on Saturday nights at Covered Bridge stage during the summer months from 7 PM - 9 PM. Friday, August 2nd SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: The Free Rangers Jam out with this awesome Park Ranger trio from across the state as they play classic bluegrass, rock, and other styles of music.

7:30–8:30 PM at the Park Amphitheater FREE ADMISSION! Donations accepted.

Meet at: Park Amphitheater.

Saturday, August 3rd Covered Bridge Jams: Carson Peters & Iron Mountain Covered Bridge Jams is a FREE concert series that takes place on Saturday nights at Covered Bridge stage during the summer months from 7 PM - 9 PM. Saturday, August 3rd 16th Annual Elizabethton Butterfly Count Meet naturalist Don Holt at 9:00 AM at Sycamore Shoals for this day-long winged adventure across town. Come for all or part of the day. Sponsored by the North American Butterfly Association & Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. (Rain Date to be announced). Meet at: Front Parking Lot. Saturday, August 3rd SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: Marshall Ballew This solo artist from Piney Flats, TN, is a true talent. Marshall never fails to wow audiences with his eclectic mix of blues, soul, folk, old-time, rock and more… both originals and covers.

7:30–8:30 PM at the Park Amphitheater FREE ADMISSION! Donations accepted.

Meet at: Park Amphitheater.

Saturday, August 3rd Fall Gardening Seminar

UPCOMING EVENTS Plan ahead with fun happenings across Carter County

9:00am - 12:00pm Gardener extraordinaire, Ben Hunter, joins us in this exciting and informative series to share his experiences & techniques for growing the garden of your dreams!

Free Admission! No reservations necessary!

Meet at: Visitor Center Gathering Place.

August 4th — August 25th NE Tennessee Water Media Innovations Art Show Regular Visitor Center Hours Reception and Demonstration: Saturday, August 10th Water Media Demonstration 10 AM - 1 PM Reception 2 PM – 4 PM This new art event is sponsored by the Watauga Valley Art League and focuses on watercolor and other water media on paper. Entries are open to members of the TN Watercolor Society, the Kingsport Arts Guild, and the Watauga Valley Art League.

For information, please contact Barbara Jernigan – bbjernigan@gmail.com Meet at: Visitor Center Gathering Place.

Friday, August 9th SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: Thistle Dew This Roan Mountain group plays a unique blend of traditional Appalachian and Celtic music which they have dubbed “CELTA-LACHIAN.” This performance is sure to add some local flavor to your visit!

7:30–8:30 PM at the Park Amphitheater FREE ADMISSION! Donations accepted.

Meet at: Park Amphitheater.

Saturday, August 10th Covered Bridge Jams: Lauren Cole Band Covered Bridge Jams is a FREE concert series that takes place on Saturday nights at Covered Bridge stage during the summer months from 7 PM - 9 PM. Saturday, August 10th SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: Stemwinder From right here in Northeast Tennessee, Stemwinder is a quartet of musicians playing guitar, mandolin, bass, and banjo.

They sing and perform bluegrass, folk, and then some.

7:00–8:30 PM at the Park Amphitheater FREE ADMISSION! Donations accepted.

Meet at: Park Amphitheater.

Friday, August 16th SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: Art Lang and Friends Traditional old-time music played by Art Lang on fiddle, banjo, and guitar will provide the soundtrack for your mountain memories.

7:30–8:30 PM at the Park Amphitheater FREE ADMISSION! Donations accepted.

Meet at: Park Amphitheater.

Saturday, August 17th Covered Bridge Jams: First Baptist Church Covered Bridge Jams is a FREE concert series that takes place on Saturday nights at Covered Bridge stage during the summer months from 7 PM - 9 PM. Saturday, August 17th SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: The Roan Crows Rock out with The Roan Crows as they dish out crowd-pleasing favorites from the ’60s, ’70s, 80’s, and 90’s rock and roll classics. These guys are loads of fun, don’t miss ‘em!

7:30–8:30 PM at the Park Amphitheater FREE ADMISSION! Donations accepted.

Meet at: Park Amphitheater.

Friday, August 23rd SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: Mountain Rose Join these local talents for a bluegrass/ folk-rock experience like no other!

Experience the music and energy of Roan Mountain.

7:30–8:30 PM at the Park Amphitheater FREE ADMISSION! Donations accepted.

Meet at: Park Amphitheater.

Saturday, August 24th Covered Bridge Jams: Tennessee Champagne Covered Bridge Jams is a FREE concert series that takes place on Saturday nights at Covered Bridge stage during the summer months from 7 PM - 9 PM. Saturday, August 24th SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: Bandwagon Fallacy This groovy band hails from just over the mountain in Buladean, NC. Bandwagon Fallacy rocks the house with old-time favorites and touching originals from classic rock, country, folk and soul.

7:30–8:30 PM at the Park Amphitheater FREE ADMISSION! Donations accepted.

Meet at: Park Amphitheater.

be demonstrations of primitive tools such as the bow, arrow and atlatl throughout the day.

Friday - Sunday, August 30th September 1st 2019 Fall Naturalists’ Rally Celebrating their 57th Fall Naturalists Rally, the Friends of Roan Mountain will be offering a weekend full of outdoor classes on varying subjects. Take part in hikes, biotic surveys, naturalist lectures, and outdoor adventures that the whole family can enjoy. This event will take place within Roan Mountain State Park on the weekend of August 30th September 1st, 2019.

A list of activities and registration information will be available closer to the date on the Friends of Roan Mountain Website.

Visit them at http://www.friendsofroanmtn.org/ Meet at: RMSP Conference Center.

Saturday, September 21st Covered Bridge Jams: Sacred Journey Covered Bridge Jams is a FREE concert series that takes place on Saturday nights at Covered Bridge stage during the summer months from 7 PM - 9 PM.

Friday, August 30th SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: The Corklickers This local Beech Mountain, NC bluegrass group has been entertaining folks in the Southern Appalachian Highlands area for decades!

7:30–8:30 PM at the Park Amphitheater FREE ADMISSION! Donations accepted.

Meet at: Park Amphitheater.

Saturday - Sunday, September 21st - September 22nd Overmountain Victory Trail Celebration Saturday: 10-4, Sunday: 10-3 Fort Watauga will be bustling with activity as the Washington Co. Regiment of NC Militia portray the Overmountain Men and their historic gathering at Sycamore Shoals before their epic journey in search of British Maj. Patrick Ferguson. The Overmountain Men’s victory at King’s Mountain has been called the turning point of the Revolution. Take a step back in time and relive some of the most crucial days of our nation’s birth. Living history programs, demonstrations, and displays will bring life on the 18th-century frontier to new light.

Meet at: Fort Watauga.

Saturday, August 31st SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: Roan Mountain Moonshiners These local favorites from right here in Roan Mountain always provide a toe-tappin’ good time with their old-time music and rousing fiddle tunes.

7:30–8:30 PM at the Park Amphitheater FREE ADMISSION! Donations accepted.

Meet at: Park Amphitheater.

Wednesday, September 25th OVTA Watauga River Crossing At 2:00 PM Members of the Overmountain Victory Trail Association have recreated the historic march to King’s Mountain since 1975. On September 25th, marchers will cross the Watauga River at Sycamore Shoals, just as the Overmountain militia crossed 239 years ago.

Meet at: Historic River Crossing Site on the Walking Trail.

Saturday - Sunday, September 14th - September 15th 22nd Annual Fort Watauga Knap-In 10:00am - 4:00pm Knapping—with a “K”—has nothing to do with sleep! Knapping is the art of making stone tools, and the Knap-In at Fort Watauga is our celebration of Tennessee Archaeology Week. Watch primitive skills craftsmen make arrowheads, spear points and other survival tools. There will

Friday-Sunday, October 4th - October 6th 24th Annual Sycamore Shoals Quilt Show Fri. & Sat. 9 - 4, Sun. 1 - 4:30 This three-day exhibition, sponsored by the Sycamore Shoals Stitchers, features a show and demonstrations by local quilters. Bed quilts, wall hangings, holiday and baby quilts, miniatures and antique quilts will be on display.

Meet at: Visitor Center Gathering Place

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Glow Herbal provides personal dining options anyone can enjoy

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low Herbal opened late November, early December of last year, and in the roughly six months since that day, the herb and bakery shop has already shown its proof of concept, providing customers healthy alternatives to popular foods, alternatives just about anyone can enjoy.

The owner, Patrice Heinz, said the inspiration came from her son, whose dietary issues lead to an inability to enjoy the same kinds of foods as the rest of his family.

“It has been a struggle to keep him happy,” Heinz said, pointing to his physical need to avoid gluten.

When the family goes out, they either have to specifically find restaurants that serve gluten-free products well in advance, or they have to prepare their own meal for him, which she said forms a divide in the family’s enjoyment.

“We talked about how you find food that will not cause problems,” she said.

In Carter County especially, Heinz said there was simply a lack of options for her son, and as she continued her search for a solution, she ended up deciding on a differKeli Bailey said she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen in order to create new recipes.

Some work out well while others do not, but she said she is serving her community by providing options people simply cannot find elsewhere.

* Story & Photos by Amber Wadovick * ent plan entirely: open up her own shop.

“I graduated from the school of Natural Healing last June,” she said. “I did not know what to do with the certification.”

She said the idea for a shop came from her love of herbs and how difficult it was to acquire them for her recipes, and she was not the only one actively seeking them. She said she has friends and family asking her for herbs on a regular basis.

“It was frustrating,” she said.

“This way, I can help people right away. [...] We wanted to offer something we could not find

anywhere else.”

When the shop first opened, however, she said she had pretty much no idea what she was doing from the business side of things.

“We had no idea what we were doing,” Heinz said. “We are not business people.”

She even said she was not sure how the other downtown Elizabethton businesses would accept them.

As it turned out, they met success on both fronts. Customers walk by and enter the shop on a regular basis, and she said customers regularly tell them other businesses recommended them.

“People told us our prices were

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good,” Heinz said. “They are in the ballpark with everyone else.”

The store does not just sell herbs, however. Glow Herbal is a small restaurant, offering deli sandwiches, smoothies and even pastries, the latter of which Heinz said was her daughter’s idea.

“I love to bake and experiment in the kitchen,” daughter Keli Bailey said. “It is a blessing to be able to serve others with their needs.”

Bailey said the toughest part of her job is the negative aspect of experimenting: the failures.

“There does happen to be failures,” she said, pointing to a broccoli soup incident.

Patrice Heinz said she originally got the idea to create Glow Herbal after realizing she could get people the herbs they were asking for if she created a business unique to the area.

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Heinz said they have expanded their selection ever since they opened, and everything they sell is glutenfree, with further options for those with more dietary restrictions, like dairy and sugar.

Heinz (left) and Bailey (right) have been running Glow Herbal since it opened late 2018. They said customers regularly visit the store, either out their own volition or because other business owners near them have recommended the shop to them.

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Another difficulty, however, is their level of perfection.

“We are both artists,” Bailey said. She said both of them like to cater to aesthetics just as much as they do the health benefits of the food itself.

Out of the various options Glow Herbal has succeeded in creating, however, Heinz said her favorite is the turkey and coleslaw sandwich, a menu item she said she never heard of until a customer asked for the turkey with coleslaw on the side.

“We never thought of putting slaw on a sandwich,” she said.

The duo said they are constantly working on new, healthy recipes, some successful and some not so much.

“People have no idea how much science goes on back here,” Heinz said.

This tough dedication to the craft also manifests in Glow Herbal’s interactions with their customers themselves. Heinz said she has memorized many of her regulars and what they order.

“One lady needs gluten-, dairy- and sugar-free products,” Heinz said. “We want to put a face on what we are making.”

She said customers regularly come back just to thank them for what they provide for the community, something she said she did not anticipate.

“I do not know of any place where you go to thank them,” she said. “It feels like we belong.”

The shop might be successful now, but Heinz said they are not yet finished.

“We are looking to expand the front,” she said, saying their current residence in a former pharmacy only accommodates 16 people. She said they are hoping to allow more seating at the front, as well as ever expanding their inventory.

“Once we expand, we would like to get bathrooms,” Heinz said.

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Photo Contributed

Jason Reep’s East Tennessee Fly Fishing boat is seen often on the water of the Watauga as Reep shows off the great trout fisheries available here in Carter County.

To catch the trophy trout that live in the waters of the Watauga and South Holston Rivers, you have to have the right fly for the day’s conditions.

Jason Reep is a master fly tyer and knows what will and won’t work based on what’s happening on the water.

Jason Reep, owner of East Tennessee Fly Fishing, prepares to launch his boat for a trout floating trip. Reep has been doing fly fishing guides for over 20 years.

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Living the life with a fly, a rod, and a boat…

Jason Reep feels right at home teaching others how to catch trout

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* Story by Ivan Sanders & Photos by Ivan Sanders and Contributed *

hile others find their peace of mind sitting behind a desk or working on the floor of a manufacturing facility, Elizabethton’s Jason Reep, owner of East Tennessee Fly Fishing, finds there is no place like being on the fisheries of the Watauga and South Holston Rivers where an ample supply of Rainbow and Brown trout lie waiting for the perfect fly to land in their feeding space.

Reep, a professional fly fishing guide, is originally from Hickory, N.C., and has been fishing streams in North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee for over 20 years where, he has become an expert fly tyer as well.

It wasn’t until he parlayed a love for fishing into a business venture where he feels right at home.

“I had several jobs,” Reep said. “The first one was being a mechanic at my father’s garage. I also worked for a grocery wholesaler for a while and ran a printing press for a little while.

“I was always fishing every time I got a minute off of school or work,” continued Reep.

“I never really imagined I could fish for a job.

“It just kind of happened when I was asked to buy a fly shop and to make some guided trips after always hanging out at the shop and showing them pictures of my latest fishing trip.

“It didn’t take long to make a move full time after that.”

Reep’s business has flourished. The two rivers that he guides are well known for the trout that the waters hold and people come from far and wide in search of his services throughout the year.

“Most of our clients come from the larger cities on the east coast,” Reep said of where he gets a large percentage of his clients. “I have taken people fishing from Hawaii to as far away as England and South Africa.

“We fish pretty much all year — December, January and February slow down as far as clients willing to fish but on warmer days can be the best bet to catch a trophy size trout.

“Rain doesn’t slow us down because the fish are wet and they don’t mind. As long as the weather is safe, we go fishing. Fly fishing for trout is a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors.”

Many don’t realize the impact that Reep

According to Jason Reep, he enjoys taking young fishermen out and showing them the fine art of fly fishing.

Another nice trophy brown trout from the waters of the Watauga River.

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and his fellow guides have on the economy of the area in guiding their clientele through the cold currents that hold a bevy of trophy fish for the taking.

Reep was asked if he felt that the area does a good enough job of marketing what the local waters can provide for the surrounding area dollar wise.

“We do two persons per guide,” Reep stated.

“There are a lot of guides in the area, and I am sure there is a fairly significant impact on the local economy.

“We do get some local advertising but the guides do most of the advertising and bringing people to the area. Also, magazines and publications help a lot.

“The rivers and fishing in this area add more to the local economy than many people realize,” continued Reep. “There has been a bunch of cabins and other rentals that have popped up because of the fishing here. Also, there is a considerable amount of money spent on licensing, food, gas, and equipment in the area.

Women have become a large part of Reep’s customers as they are taking advantage of the great trout fishing offered in the area.

“I feel like it has grown every year, but sometimes I think it would be nice to go back to when there were only three or four guides on the river like it was when I started,” Reep added. “But it’s good to see everyone making a living and enjoying what they do.”

In regards to his statement that maybe there has been an influx of guides, Reep was asked how a client could distinguish between a good fly fishing guide to a great fly fishing guide.

“There are a lot of guides out there,” Reep said. “A great guide knows what to do in any situation. There is a plan A, B, C, and so on.

“Also, you have to have patience and like to work with people. You need to be able to listen and learn what your clients want because every trip is different.

“You have to make many decisions and be right most of the time,” continued Reep. “You are not going to get rich guiding but you can pay the bills and make a decent living.

“You are a fishing guide because you want to be and enjoy it. If you are getting into it just for a job, you are in the wrong business.”

With Reep’s experience on the local rivers for the last 20 years, one could only imagine that there have been some changes in the fishing Smiles abound on the face of clients who take advantage of East when taking in all the factors that affect the rivers and the fish.

“The fishing is as good or better than it has ever been on the upper Tennessee Fly Fishing guided services and who wouldn’t after a catch Watauga,” Reep said in reviewing the changes. “Unfortunately, the lower like this.

Watauga that we use to float more than the upper has seen a decline in the number of trout.

“Stripers were stocked in Boone Lake and now come way up into the river and eat large numbers of trout. I don’t know if it will ever be as good as long as there are stripers there.

“It really is unfortunate as we have a world class trout fishery here,” continued Reep. “I hope something will change with that. It would be great to have the whole river as good as it used to be to help spread everyone out instead of almost everyone being on one section.”

Reep was asked what his most memorable trips have been over the years.

“I enjoy trips with beginners more than any other trips,” Reep stated.

“I really enjoy seeing a kid or a person that has never caught a fish catching their first one on a fly rod. I also enjoy teaching how to fly fish.”

There are a lot of trophy-sized trout that live in the perfect temperaOne of East Tennessee Fly Fishing’s satisfied customers beams after tures of the Watauga and South Holston Rivers. Reep has been able to hauling in a nice rainbow trout. enjoy his share of these oversized beauties.

“There are some large trout in the Watauga and South Holston Rivers,” stated Reep. “Trout 20 inches and over are there to be caught.

“The biggest trout I have ever landed was on the Watauga — a really nice brown trout that was over 10 pounds. Yes, it was released to be caught again sometime later as all our catches are.”

Where fishing once was an all-male sport, for the most part, Reep said that things have changed as women are now hitting the water as much as their male counterparts as they have discovered how fun and Jason Reep relaxing fly fishing really is. is shown with “We seem to get more ladies out fishing every year,” said Reep. “They a beautiful seem to pick it up faster than the guys do as far as learning. I have had Watauga river many days that the ladies have out-fished the guys. brown trout “Fly fishing is a great way to relax and get out and enjoy the outcaught on a doors. I think women, in general, are getting out to do outdoor activities Syndicate 10’ more. I am happy to see them and enjoy teaching and taking them 3wt. fishing.”

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Although Reep said that over 90 percent of his guided trips are floating for trout because the waters hold some of the best trout fishing in the Southeast, he also occasionally likes to take off and chase smallmouth in the rivers as well.

“When guiding, I prefer trout fishing,” Reep added. “When I have a day off, I sometimes go chasing smallmouth bass, but I always like to fish the rivers for them.

“I personally like moving water because I am not much of a lake fisherman.”

When taking advantage of a guided trip with East Tennessee Fly Fishing, meals are provided on full-day trips. On floating trips there is a shore lunch provided with soft drinks, and all efforts are made if a client has a special dietary need.

On wade trips, meals are enjoyed at local restaurants. Again, half day trips do not have lunch provided.

As far as gear and fishing licenses, the clients should provide their own waders, raincoats, and sunglasses.

Reep provides his clients with fly rods, reels, and flies while clients can also bring their own. Fishing license along with a trout stamp can be purchased the morning of the trip or online at the TWRA website.

There will be a $100 booking fee to reserve a date and the $100 will be deducted from the amount due on the day of service.

Another service that Reep is proud to offer is personalized classes for all skill levels. He also provides packages for large corporate groups and can provide an excellent initiative weekend for a client’s firm while arrangements can also be made for private lodges with meeting facilities on the river in a package deal.

Groups large or small can be accommodated.

Reep can be contacted at 423-213-8129 while rates and more information can be found on his website, easttennesseeflyfishing.com.

No matter what the conditions, Jason Reep of East Tennessee Fly Fishing, knows what it takes to make sure his customers get the opportunity to make quality catches during their trip.

Jason Reep says that women tend to outfish men when they are on the water searching for nice trout with a fly rod.

East Tennessee Fly Fishing provides fishing year round as the trout are already wet according to Jason Reep.

For those clients who sign up for full day trips, lunch is provided on the banks of the river by East Tennessee Fly Fishing. Special dietary needs can be accommodated if the customer lets owner Jason Reep know in advance.

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Happy Valley’s hidden gem

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* Story and Photos by Kevin Green * “help out with the little ones like takor 12 years both Happy ing the kids to the car, getting them Valley Elementary and snacks or filling up their bottles, so I the high school had a hidden gem of a student. always have had a love for children; and I am pretty sure ever since kinThis year they had to pass it off to dergarten, I was like I going to grow another school. up and be a teacher.”

It is not often that there is one Greene began kindergarten at student that stands out above the Happy Valley, which started her long din of so many talented learners. journey to graduating from the high It is also equally unusual to get to write about them in such a way that school “up the hill.” Greene does not brings them to life for readers, so they remember much about her elementary school years; however, it was too can understand why they were when she began eighth grade that chosen above so many.

Happy Valley’s secret gem is Char- she really began to stand out.

Greene’s academic acumen while ity Greene. It is not known if her parin high school was only matched by ents, Scott Greene and Melissa Hall, her athletic skill. She ran track for may have had an epiphany when the Warriors, and as a junior was they named their child, however, no name would or could better describe selected along with five more of her team members for the TSSAA Spring her better than “charity.”

Fling Championships in 2018 where Greene is a bright 17-year-old who just graduated from Happy Val- they placed 10th.

For Greene running for the ley High School, where she excelled Warriors track and field team began not only academically but also in as just an exciting activity she did many extracurricular activities that with her father. “When I was little, I ranged from running track and would go running with my dad, and homecoming queen to taking on a he would time me just for fun on a job at Bojangles.

She plans to go to Tusculum Col- track,” she said. Greene said it was lege and major in elementary educa- not until her sophomore year that she felt ready to run competitively. tion starting in August. Greene said Most would think that Charity as long as she can remember she has was full of confidence, but it turned always wanted to be an elementary out that she was actually surprised educator, but this is not surprising at how well she did on the team. She considering her achievement in the Upward Bound program at East Ten- knew she could run, just not on a level to make a state bid. nessee State University.

“Going to state my junior year “I was in Upward Bound all four is something I thought would never years [of high school], and was in the top 10 percent in my junior year,” happen,” she said. “If you would have told me going in my second Greene said. year of ever doing a sport at all that I As far as Greene was concerned would be going to the state chamher future goals were sealed at a younger age than some. Greene said pionship, I would have probably laughed just because I honestly that when she was growing up in didn’t think my sophomore year that church, she was always seeking to 24

Happy Valley Homecoming Queen

I would one of the starting runners on the relay because the fastest people are on the relays...”

When Greene had entered her junior year, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) was trying to get more people interested in their program, so they asked her to become a student leader. Greene took this opportunity and helped plan events such as the Field of Faith, which is a FCA sponsored event where members of the organization get together to talk, sing and play music, usually with the help of invited churches and semi-professional Christian musicians. Greene would continue as a student leader for FCA into her senior year.

Next up for Greene during her last year at Happy Valley as a student was being voted 2018 Homecoming Queen by the entire student body. During her sophomore year, she made the court and was chosen to represent the sophomore class, but when she became a senior she won the crown.

Greene said that out of all of her accomplishments, this is the one she was the most proud of. She attributes her win to her refusing to follow the standard pecking order that is the norm in most high schools where seniors only hang with other seniors. She said she would talk with a person from any grade.

The entire school votes for a queen from a four-person shortlist that was voted on by seniors, and because she had been kind to everyone at the school, they knew her better and would vote for her.

Another point in her favor was her fervent team spirit. “I really love football games and I was the loudest on the sideline…a lot of times I was yelling louder than the coaches,” said Greene, adding, “I would yell at the guys when I thought they were not yelling loud enough when we scored.”

Greene with a plate so full still finds time to work part time at Bojangles, where she is trying to save money to buy a car and pay off some pending college expenses.

She was asked to share a memorable experience from working there, and relayed the story of the pregnant woman who did not get honey mustard with her order that she had sent her husband to get at the chicken restaurant.

Even though it was not her fault, she said she felt bad for the mistake and even worse for the husband that failed to bring his pregnant wife something she was craving.

Happy Valley had to give away its prize student to Tusculum College during graduation this year, but the school knew it would not be able to keep her hidden forever. One thing is for sure though: Greene will be a gem wherever she goes.

Charity Greene, ready to take your order at Bojangles.

Happy Valley Warrior Charity Greene is pictured here with her teammates from last year’s TSSAA state track meet.

Tusculum bound Charity Greene standing next to Happy Valley’s Warrior statue.

Charity Greene at Happy Valley High School’s graduation commencement.

Charity Greene at Happy Valley High School.

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“I like showing people the area and inspiring them to take better care of the environment.

If you take care of it, you can still experience it.”

—Sam Johnson River Guide

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Wahoo’s Adventures provides river tourism, appreciation for natural beauty

River Guide Sam Johnson prepares to head out on the Watauga River. Johnson said he enjoys providing tourists a chance to enjoy nature’s beauty while inspiring them to hopefully work towards preserving it.

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* Story and Photos by Amber Wadovick *

I

t had been raining on and off the day of, but the family of six was still excited when they arrived at the river outpost. They met with their guide, got saddled up with life jackets and the raft they were going to ride in and hopped in the van that would take them to where their river adventure would begin. Ten minutes later, they were off, exploring the natural beauty of the Watauga River without a care in the world.

When Wahoo’s Adventures first opened, the Watauga River had largely been untapped for its tourism potential. Now, over four decades later, the river rafting company has become one of the premier river tourism businesses in the region, bringing hundreds of river rafters a year down three different rivers across the Appalachian.

Owner Jeff Stanley said he fell in love with the region thanks to his love of the outdoors.

“I wanted to make the area my home,” Stanley said. “I love the mountains, the rivers and forests and especially the great people.”

The community in particular sticks out to him as being uniquely friendly and welcoming.

“When you are driving down a side road, everybody waves,” he said.

Stanley started his business in Boone, N.C., after learning about the lack of activities on the New River.

“We basically started outdoor adventure in the region,” he said.

River Guide Sam Johnson shares Stanley’s vision for the Appalachian region, saying he enjoys showing people the beauty of the region.

“I like showing people the area and inspiring them to take better care of the environment,” Johnson said. “If you take care of it, you can still experience it.”

Wahoo’s Adventures has been in the area for roughly 41 years, now featuring three different outposts: one on the Watauga River, one on

the New River in North Carolina, and one on the Nolichucky River, which runs west of Johnson City.

Each outpost has a different kind of river rafting, from the lazy floats to aggressive whitewater, and Stanley said it is always surprising what kinds of people enjoy which levels of aggressive.

“The Nolichucky is one of our most aggressive experiences,” he said. “We had a family with a 93-year-old grandpa, and he fell asleep during it. I will get big, burly football players who prefer the gentle floats, and I get the meek, elderly women who want the most aggresWhen Wahoo’s Adventures started, owner Jeff Stanley said the region was largely untapped. Now, more sive experience we have.” than four decades later, hundreds of families a year come to their three locations in order to experience Having these kind of memothe natural beauty of the Appalachian region. rable experiences, Johnson said, is example, is roughly an hour and special because not everyone has the equipment to go down the rivers a half long. The ride itself actually starts roughly 10 minutes of driving themselves. from the outpost itself, beginning at “Not everyone has access to the the bottom of the Wilbur Dam. equipment,” he said.

Stanley said he trains many of the One of the biggest challenges Wariver guides they employ. hoo’s faces, however, is coordination.

“It can be challenging to work The company only has one phone number, their headquarters in North with different kinds of people,” Stanley said. “You have to work out Carolina, and river guides have to make the trip to their outposts when communication.”

Wahoo’s Adventures takes pride it comes time to go on the river. in the efforts it has made in bringing “A lot of times, you are talking over the phone setting it up,” Stanley tourism to the region, saying it was Johnson assists one woman with her life jacket before they make said. “It is not until the day of the trip a major inspiration for many other their way to the river itself. Johnson said they take safety seriously rafting outfitters in the region. that you see them.” while on the raft.

“All other outfitters either work Johnson said it can be difficult to the three rivers themselves can do so range at around $40 a person over for us or learned from us,” Stanley coordinate trips because it is unlike by contacting their headquarters at the age of three. said.

“The only one who did not is other forms of recreation.

800-444-7238 or on their website at “[Wahoo’s Adventures] provides a USA Raft. [...] We were the catalyst.

“It is not like an amusement www.wahoosadventures.com. Their whole other kind of tourism that has Nobody did it before we did.” park,” Johnson said. grown in popularity,” Stanley said.

Those interested in riding any of Watauga River rides, specifically, The Watauga River ride, for

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Why I Love Carter County

Cathy Shoun was born in Rhode Island and moved to Carter County at the age of 13. Her parents are Martha Shell and the late Charles Shell of the Siam Community. Her father was born in Roan Mountain and her mother is from West Warwick, Rhode Island. Cathy’s father retired from the Navy and moved the family to the beautiful city of Elizabethton.

Cathy graduated from Elizabethton High School in 1978 and graduated ETSU in 1980 with a degree in dental assistant. She worked in the dental field for a total of 18 years, with experience ranging from general dentistry to orthodontics, and in oral surgery dentistry.

Cathy and Randy Shoun, a lifetime resident of Elizabethton, have been married for 27 years. They have five children: three girls, Olivia, Brittany and Jessica and son-in-law Josh, and two sons, Lucas and daughter-in-law Brittany and her late son Blake. She has seven grandchildren, Mason, Maddox, Karson, Gigi, Jace, Adrianna and Gavin.

After 18 years in the dental field, Cathy then decided it was time for a career change and chose to purchase the Dressing Room, a specialty boutique for women located in downtown Elizabethton that has been in business for 21 years.

Cathy has developed great friendships throughout the years of being in business and is involved in business and community organizations such as the Elizabethton Chamber, Downtown Business Association, Main Street Committee, Elizabethton Woman’s Civic Club, Hunter United Methodist Woman’s

Why Do You Love Carter County?

group and Elizabethton Art Walk Committee.

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

We have a beautiful city and county. We are blessed to have four seasons, natural resources, a lake, mountains and our historic downtown and a tremendous amount of history in our area.

What is your favorite place to visit in Carter County?

The beautiful Watauga Lake would be my favorite place. Kayaking, boating, fishing and paddle boarding are all fun things I enjoy doing. I also enjoy hiking the trails and just sitting on the bank as sunset begins, relaxing and listening to the sound of the water.

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

Yes, I feel blessed to live in a place that still cares about its community and others.

What is your favorite time of year?

Definitely fall. I love the different colors of the leaves, the purple mountains, and bonfires in the evenings.

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 would first invite them to visit our historic downtown for shopping and restaurants. Then we would go to Watauga Lake, the Tweetsie walking trail or visit a Twins baseball game but most of all I would suggest you plan to spend more than a day or plan a return visit because Carter County has a lot more to offer than most would believe.

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 St., Elizabethton, TN 37643.

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The Isaacs — Karen, Madeline and Tom — ride together in a recent endurance race.

A family of Endurance…

For the Isaacs, riding the trails creates deep family bond with daughter, Madeline

W

* Story by Ivan Sanders and Photos by Ivan Sanders and Becky Pearman *

hile many families find their family time consisting of playing in weekend sporting events like baseball and softball or possibly catching a movie, a Stoney Creek family has found a sport that allows them to compete together and it is as simple as putting one foot, or more specifically hoof, in front of the other.

Thomas, Karen, and Madeline Isaacs have found a closeness in the sport of Equine Endurance Racing — a sport whose history possibly dates back to the U.S. Cavalry days.

The U.S. Cavalry tested its horses on five-day, 300-mile (483km) tests, with each horse carrying over 200 pounds (91kg).

In 1955, Wendell Robie of Auburn, Calif., and three of his friends, took up the challenge of the historic Cavalry ride and traced a 100-mile route from the shores of Lake Tahoe to Auburn.

They completed it within 24 hours.

It was recognized that this could become a competitive sport. Soon after, this route became the home of what is now known as the Tevis Cup. The love of horses has grown on young Madeline, who is 10 years old

and just completed her fourth grade year at West Side Elementary in Ms. Tammy Markland’s class.

On the outside, Madeline looks like your regular 10-year-old girl who cheers for the Hunter Youth Club during basketball.

But put a horse under her, more specifically her 18-year-old Connemare Pony named Shasta, and all of a sudden you have a Junior National Champion in Endurance Racing.

She also has received a ton of notoriety from her riding being featured in magazine publications including

30

Endurance News and Arabian Horse World that highlights the success that Madeline has achieved since she first started competing at the age of four years old.

“I have been around them all my life, and my mom and dad like them,” said the vibrant Madeline about her love for horses. “We take training rides on different trails and we try to practice where there are hills and rocks, pretty much any type of terrain.”

Her parents, Thomas and Karen, are no strangers to the sport as Thomas has accumulated over 5,400 career endurance miles riding and

Shasta loves to pose for the camera while Madeline Isaacs sits on her back.

her mother, Karen, has covered over 12,000 endurance miles.

For Madeline’s mother, just getting out and training together is something that she looks forward to.

“I have always loved horses and I love to ride so when you do endurance riding you get to ride many, many hours,” Karen said. “But we also love being out in the mountains on the trails in the woods. We think it’s beautiful. We all enjoy that.

“And of course, we get to do it

together so the company is great too.”

Karen explained what Equine Endurance Racing is all about.

“An Endurance horse ride is basically a long distance race,” Karen said. “It’s open to any type of horse and you do get all types. It’s open to any age of riders from eight to 80, men or women.

“Everybody competes together but there are different divisions for awards. The trail is marked and everyone starts at the same time and

goes at their own pace and has a maximum time limit to finish in.

“You have 12 hours to do a 50-miler and 24 hours to do a 100-miler,” Karen continued. “Along the way, at the start and periodically through the ride, there are veterinarians that check the condition of the horses to make sure that they aren’t being stressed too much.

“The heart rates, the respirations, the temperature, their hydration status, and their soundness to make

31

sure there is no lameness.

“Some people compete to win and some just to accumulate the miles and finish. Since Madeline has been riding, we have been trying to get first place in junior which is usually the goal. And we do like the top 10 as there are usually awards for the top 10 places.

“The ride site is anywhere there are trails available so there will be a camping area for people. You come in the day before and spend the night at

the campsite and then you start early in the morning. We usually stay two nights,” added Karen.

“When you do the ride, there is no camping. Typically, the vet checks will be loops that come back to the same points. It might be a big loop with vet checks at different places where you would meet your pit crew, vets, and ride staff.

“And then, in almost every case, you return back to where you started so you don’t have to move the camp although there are a few rides where you do move.”

Thomas compared the Endurance race to a marathon that men and women compete in with the hero being first and foremost the horse.

“You can say that endurance riding is like doing marathons — like an equine marathon, because they are doing long distances and they have to be in good shape, in good soundness to pass all these parameters at the vet check for wounds, hydration, for pulse, good gut sounds — if they don’t pass the horse gets pulled which protects the horse,” Thomas said.

“That’s what we want in this sport.

We are not trying to run our horses into the ground.”

Unfortunately, there are people overseas that are running their horses into the ground and there were a lot of horse deaths over in the Middle East.

“They were getting into it big time and they just go, go, go and kill their horses,” continued Thomas. “Some of them do anyway.

“Families that participate in this sport stay together and seem to have a bond that otherwise they may not have like if she was participating in a ball sport that didn’t keep us together like this.”

Karen and Madeline recently completed a 75-mile race in Asheville at the Biltmore where it took almost an entire day to complete the ride.

“In the 75-mile race at Asheville, we started at 6:30 a.m. and we finished at 9:30 p.m.,” Karen stated.

“Throughout the day there were five vet checks and there is a mandatory hold, which the first two or three were 50 minutes.

“You have to wait, which gives your horse time to eat, and the rider can eat and rest, which rejuvenates

The Isaacs (L-R) Karen, Tom, Shasta and Madeline have drawn closer through their love of riding horses and competing together in endurance riding competitions.

the horse and the rider.

“At the Biltmore, which is one of the largest rides in the Southeast, there were over 200 competitors in the varieties of days and distances. In our 75-mile ride there were 28 horses that started. There usually is anywhere from 10 to 80 horses in a ride which usually is the range.”

Madeline added, “It’s like really long and tiring, especially at the end.”

The normal breed for competing in the sport of Endurance Racing is the Arabian horse. That is what makes Madeline’s success even more special as Shasta is a very rare breed and really not made in the image of an Endurance equine.

“The breed of horse that really excels at this sport is the Arabian Horse or any cross of Arabian Horse. Others horses do well but predominantly the Arabian is the horse people ride in the Endurance races,” Thomas added.

“We got this horse from my cousin. She had been used for eventing and jumping and we don’t know

Madeline Isaacs has transposed her love for animals into a sporting event called endurance riding where the rider covers varying distances. Madeline sits on top of her horse, Shasta.

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what all she was used for. She came from out west in Oregon so she might have been used for more western style events. We got her mainly because she was so mild mannered and Madeline needed a horse like that starting out.

“Low and behold, she can do 100-mile endurance rides,” Thomas continued. “She doesn’t look lean like some of these other horses that do the long distances. The leaner the horse to a certain degree means they are good at long distance.

“She looks pretty stocky like a quarter horse. She has done so well that it’s amazing.

“These guys can go 50 miles and have to race someone off to finish in the top 10 or whatever, so when you think about the ability they have after going 50 miles to gallop to the finish line, you think about the Kentucky Derby and they do less than two miles and get all the glory,” added Thomas.

“It’s a really neat sport. Any person that can ride can go out there and do this. Shasta is a Connemara Pony which is a breed that you don’t find a whole lot around here.”

Just as athletes have to train to participate in running events, Endurance riding requires a great amount of training to ensure that the horses are capable of handling the long and grueling rides as well as their riders.

“When you have a younger horse or an inexperienced horse, you would normally ride two to three days a week including one long ride to get them ready,” Karen said. “Once they are conditioned like ours are, you can get by with doing a competition once or twice a month and maybe one long training ride in between as the horses tend to hold their conditions pretty

third or fourth.

“And we rode on the second day and on the last loop, my horse started limping and I knew something wasn’t right. It was a short loop — something like six miles. Her horse was fine and I thought if I just got off and walked the six miles that maybe my horse was just having a muscle cramp or something, he would get better.

“I walked and Madeline got off and walked,” continued Karen. “Madeline could have gone on but there is a rule that says that a junior rider has to stay with an adult sponsor. A junior rider is 16 and younger. She was stuck on slow with me and we got to the finish line and of course she was fine but my horse was still limping.

Star Photo/IvanSanders “He turned out to have an injury Madeline Isaacs gives her horse, Shasta, a little TLC after a recent to his tendon and so I was disqualiride. fied. I did 50 miles and didn’t get any credit for it.” well. ing as well.”

Madeline quickly chimed in that “It’s a lot of work to get them Just like any sport, there are rules she had never been disqualified. ready, but once they are fit, they stay that have to be followed such as When asked where the farthest that way pretty well,” continued junior riders have to be with a parent destination for an Endurance ride has Karen. “When you are training the and if a horse suffers an injury, then been that the family has participated horse, it normally gets the rider ready the rider is disqualified as well. in, the family have been on several to.

Karen Isaacs was asked what the “And Madeline is young and toughest ride was for them and if they rides a great distance from their home in the Stoney Creek area of Carter doesn’t seem to need as much but had ever been disqualified from an County.

Thomas and I run and bicycle and event.

“Thomas and I have been from lift weights and that helps. Any kind “Unquestionably it was the of exercise helps especially with your 100-miler that we did last July,” Karen Florida to Maine to New Mexico to legs. said. “I have done a lot of 100’s in the Michigan to Arizona.

“I also was in California and Mad“It is physically hard on the rider. past but that was her first and it was eline went to Vermont was the farthest It is mentally challenging because my first in many years since before that Madeline has gone,” said Karen. you are trying to keep your horse she was born and the horses we were Madeline said that she got to in good shape because you have to on, it was their first 100-miler as well. spend some time with her grandpa think about how hard they are work“Last year we were doing a ride while riding in Vermont which was ing based on the temperature, the down in Cocke County,” Karen said special for her. humidity, the amount of hills on the in regard to the disqualification “We try to hit all of our closest ride, how well they are performing, question. “It was a two-day ride, and rides like we have several rides in whether they are eating and drinking, Madeline and I rode one day and did and all that stuff is so mentally stress- 50 miles on the first day and finished Western North Carolina and several

33

e in th lace p io t s is iv n fir nior D orse took Ju s c 8 a 1 h a the 20 ne Is n her Madeli t Region in acked up o ing. rid eas e r South mileage sh endurance in e h g titin for t compe Shasta

Madeline Isaacs competes in the Junior Division where she has received numerous plaques for her finishes.

Madeli out to ne Isaacs ad m w but alw in the end its that she u isn’t a rance a y s sh been v lways ery su oots for th events she e ccessf e South n ters Top 1 ul in e east.

0. S vents throug he has hout t he

Madeline Isaacs and Shasta take a break outside their barn.

rides in South Carolina that we like to go to,” said Thomas. “There are three in Eastern Tennessee that we like to go to and several in Virginia.

“We try to hit the most local rides that we can and haven’t been anywhere real far since Madeline came along until last year when we took a two-day trip to Vermont just getting there and we overnighted with the horses.

“Madeline’s grandfather lives in Northern Vermont and he came down to Southern Vermont and helped crew,” continued Thomas. “It was these two and my cousin doing the hundred so it was a big continuous loop.

“They would go 15 miles and take a break for the vet check. Once they left, her granddad and myself would get in the truck and we would go to the next one. We were constantly moving to try and keep up with the horses.”

Karen said that one of the great awards that the Isaacs shoot for is

one that lasts throughout the year where all their miles as a family are accumulated on the Endurance rides.

They hope they have done enough to reach the Top 10 of the family awards.

“In Endurance riding there is actually an award for family. It’s a year-long thing and they accumulate the miles that at least one parent and one child start a ride and finish, then those miles count,” stated Karen.

“It’s a national award for the whole year and at the end of the year they give an award for the Top 10 placings for the families that have the most miles. We managed to get second place last year with over 1000 miles family riding.”

Karen was asked why she felt the sport has been able to fly under the radar for so long and what it meant for her to be able to participate with her family and their horses.

“It’s just the uniqueness of it,”

Karen said. “Most people that do it have such a strong bond with their horses because they spend so many hours together and you are working so hard, you depend on them to carry you safely through it and they depend on you to get them through it and take care of them.”

Thomas was also asked if there were restrictions as to why some people may or may not entertain the idea of participating in Endurance riding.

“It’s a big commitment because you have to have yourself in shape and you have to have your horse in shape to do it,” stated Thomas. “Then you have to be able to leave and have long weekends to go and do it, going to the rides and coming from the rides.

“Fuel costs and entry fees and all that adds up. Instead of spending money on things other families do, I guess this is what we spend our money

34

on. I can’t think of anybody else that does it from Carter County.

“It’s not something that everybody can do because you have to have a place to keep the horses and get them into condition to do the sport and then you have to have the money to travel to go and do it,” continued Thomas.

“It’s a very unique sport. You don’t have to have the same income as the people at the Kentucky Derby, but you have to be able to financially have the trucks, trailers, tack, the horses, the food so it all adds up.

“It makes it cost prohibitive.”

Madeline was finally asked if Endurance riding and participating in an Equine program at the collegiate level was something that she had been contemplating at her young age.

“I am going to college to become a vet because I like animals,” said Madeline with a smile. “I will probably just ride for a hobby.”

Area Shopping, Dining, Entertainment & Services If you would like to advertise your business or service, call:

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35

Mills Greenhouse and Landscape provides avenue to showcase beauty of Carter County

Hannon Howard said he holds himself and the rest of his business to a high standard, sticking to a philosophy that the outside of a business or home needs to sell the quality of the inside of said building.

T

he new Carter County Bank on Broad Street may be open, but a lot of the outside work continues to develop.

Workers have been digging and planting in the new flower beds for weeks, thanks to the work of a landscaping company who has been serving the community out of passion for the craft for decades.

Hannon Howard, owner of Mills Greenhouse and Land-

* Story and Photos by Amber Wadovick * scape, said they try hard to make runs from the edge of Elizabethton all the way into Washington their work as high-quality as County. possible.

“There are a lot of places “We try hard to make it look the way it should, and for the city, where it is eye-catching,” he said. “I think it helps overall we want things to look good,” with tourism.”

Howard said. “There is a lot of Howard said the company first beautification going on with the city right now, and I hope to be a formed with his father, Johnny Mills, in 1979. Despite how much part of that.” passion for landscaping Howard Howard’s work does not restrict itself to the city, however. shows now, he said he did not always feel that way.

Potential projects include going “It was not until my early 20’s along the Tweetsie Trail, which 36

when I figured out yes, this is what I want to do. I enjoy being outside, my work changes every day, I am not doing the same thing,” he said.

He then went out, got his horticulture degree and joined the family business.

That business has changed over the years. In April 2019, Johnny Mills announced he would be closing the greenhouse portion of his business, leaving the landscaping business to his

Hannon said his son, Holston, currently works with him on projects, continuing a family tradition of landscaping that goes as far back as 1979.

son, Hannon.

“The biggest parts of horticulture and landscape that I decided to make this my career was probably working outside. I love the outdoors, and this line of work gets me into the outdoors,” Howard said.

Beyond his love of the outdoors, however, he said he views landscaping as another form of art, akin to painting or writing.

“Visually, you can see something start with soil and blank canvas, and when you are finished, you can step back and look at what has happened,” he said.

This art is visible in many areas besides the new Carter County Bank, including Elizabethton Parks and Recreation, Kiwanis and Douglas Parks, City Hall in Elizabethton and other residential landscaping.

The job is not easy, however, demanding a significant amount of physical labor, but one of the hardest aspects he cited were the mental challenges.

“All of this work is labor-intensive,” he said. “It is designing my landscapes to live up to my standard,” Howard said. “I want to make sure it looks the way it should, so I will go through a thought process for hours, and I will move plants around until I find that sweet spot.”

He said this attention to detail is part of his overall philosophy as a landscaper: the outside of a building helps sell the inside.

“People keep strolling through our town, and they are going to see these landscapes and it is going to make them want to come back,” he said.

“They are going to know we like to take care of things.”

Out of all the various projects he has done, Howard said his recent Carter County Bank is among his favorites right now.

“It has a lot to do with the people I have worked with,” Howard said. “I already had a relationship with the bank people here. Bill Greene is a great guy, and he pretty much wanted it to look as good as we could possibly make it look.”

He said this project would, at the very least, be in his Top 5 projects he has ever worked on during his career.

It is detail like landscaping

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that he feels sets his business apart from other people who plant gardens of their own.

“You can have the nicest plants, and we have down here, but you can have a poor layout and a poor design, and it does not do your costly, beautiful plants justice,” Howard said.

“If anyone is landscaping for themselves, and they have spent the money on the plant material, think about design and layout, because if it is not laid out correctly, it is just not going to do your landscaping and your house the justice that it needs.”

Shirley’s Home Cooking

East Tennessee’s original family style restaurant for over 30 years * Story and Photos by Kevin Green *

Shirley’s famous fried chicken breast and mashed potatoes with gravy.

Shirley’s food dished up and ready to serve.

Shirley’s son Jeff Sharpe pictured here with his wife Angie Sharpe.

Shirley’s specialty hot fudge cake with ice cream.

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Shirley’s family style food ready to be served.

S

When asked hirley’s about possibly startHome Cooking another restaurant elseing, which bills where or a franchise, Shirley said that itself as “East Tennessee’s original family style restaurant” has been serving home-cooked meals you would have to depend on other people to do it, and it is best to such as fried chicken, roast beef, meatloaf and country fried steak only run one restaurant to do it well.

Her son, Jeff Sharpe, who served 10 for so long now that it has become a years in the military and operated an national — and perhaps international ambulance service, now runs Shirley’s — icon. on the day-to-day level. Something that Shirley’s Home Cooking is nestled Shirley used to do before her husband behind its sign just as you turn a corner passed away about seven years ago. on Highway 321 just like it has been for Shirley’s Home Cooking is closed nearly 30 years now. The building that from November to March each year, Shirley’s is housed in has been around and only open on the weekends the rest for 70 years, just about when they closed of the year. the gate on Watauga Dam. “This is because we used to get some Before it became the restaurant that it bad snows back then and by three you is today, Shirley’s used to be Fish Springs would have a lot of food cooked and Service Station. Shirley Sharpe ran a no one would come,” Shirley said. The small grill and her husband Grant opershort hours of operation have not hurt ated a gas station and wrecker service the business in any way. This is evident — one of few such services available in by the packed parking and loyal pathe area. tronage that have visited the restaurant “There was a big room that was not for years. being used at the time,” said Shirley.

“We have been blessed…we really That all changed in June of 1990, have,” she said. when Shirley became determined to put Shirley said that it is not only locals an all you can eat home cooking eatery Shirley’s Home Cooking sign, which is possibly the that visit. The remote location has not in and close the gas station. She had most photographed sign in the area. stopped visits from people from other many people tell her that it would not countries from visiting. Some from even work, one of them being her late husas far as Africa and other countries. band.

The experience at Shirley’s Home Cooking is simple enough “I remember them telling me not to do it, that we were too far and that is where easy ends. You get a choice of two meats, which out and no one would come,” said Shirley, who is still owner of the restaurant. However, they did come and have been coming for can be anything from fried chicken to meatloaf, which is only available on Saturdays and Sundays. The steak with gravy is only many years.

39

on the menu on Fridays. After you pick your meat, you can pick up to six vegetables and sides. Then it is “all you care to eat.”

Shirley’s has a Facebook rating of 4.8. Some of the comments read “the staff was nice and quick to bring fresh plates and refill drinks,” and “fabulous food, great service and atmosphere.”

When Shirley heard this, she smiled and said, “If you like country food, you will like our food.”

The most popular item is the country-fried chicken. Jeff says it is prepared simply with flour, salt and pepper using fresh fiveounce piece of boneless breast or legs and fried in canola oil.

“We come here often and it is excellent every time. The fried chicken, potatoes and gravy and apples are my favorites,” said former Elizabethton City Councilman Sam Shipley, who was visiting with his wife, Vickie.

Another hit item is the roast beef, which is seasoned and baked six hours or until tender.

Since most of the vegetables that are served are seasonal and fresh, they are another big favorite among the guests.

Some items are served on certain days like the meatloaf or country-fried steak and gravy. “When we are out, we are out,” said Jeff, “but we always have plenty of chicken and roast beef on hand.”

Some of the side items the restaurant offers to go along with its already delicious meats are homemade mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese, cornbread salad, cabbage (which is the owner’s favorite), soup beans, creamed corn, pineapple cheese casserole, green beans, coleslaw and fried apples.

The food is served family style, and the drinks and dessert are included. There are no private booths and special rooms. Some guests share a table, which also lends to a home like atmosphere.

Another feature of the restaurant are the friendly staff. The work they do to get ready and serve the massive crowds is not easy to say the least, but you would never know it. They have an uncanny way of making you feel right at home and seem to have never met a stranger.

Both inside and outside the restaurant are decorated by signed photographs and other memorabilia of people who have visited the eatery over the years.

The restaurant offers live music every Saturday night between 6 to 8 p.m. Some of the acts that have performed have been The Southern Kings Band, The Kaufmans and Davis Bradley from Linden, Va. The hit country singer Aaron Tippin has also put in a presence there.

Since Shirley’s Home Cooking is known world wide, it is best to arrive early. According to Jeff, the busiest times are holidays Mother’s Day and Thanksgiving so the wait time can be longer than the usual 15 to 20 minutes. “Even then the wait will not be much longer because we can sit up to 300,” he said.

For more information or to make reservations, call 423-957-1320.

Shirley’s Home Cooking is located at 3266 Hwy. 321 in Hampton.

Their hours are Friday and Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. They are also open for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday from 8 to 11 a.m.

So the next time you are in the mood for some good — and possibly famous — company and country style food, head up to Shirley’s sitting all by itself on what could have been a lonely bend on that stretch of mountain highway called 321.

(Far left) Shirley Sharpe, owner of Shirley’s Home Cooking, sitting with her customers.

Former Elizabethton mayor pro tem and his wife, Sam and Vickie Shipley, are regulars at Shirley’s Home Cooking and say the yellow cake with caramel icing is to die for.

Shirley’s famous fried chicken breast being served with green beans, coleslaw, steamed cabbage and a scratch biscuit.

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Evergreen Life Services - Providing in-home services for individuals w/ intellectual disabilities, aging and elderly.

Positions Available: •Direct Care •LPN - Please apply: 130 Serral Drive, Greeneville. Email: dawn. campbell@evergreenls. org 423-638-7499 409 Brandon Street: Upstairs. 2 blocks from downtown. 2 Bedroom.

Stove, Refrigerator Furnished. W/D hook-up.

No pets. $375/month, $375/deposit. 423-7914523 RN/LPN. Full Time. 12 hour shifts. Every other weekend. Apply in person at 211 Milton Brown Heirs Road Boone, NC 28607. Or email resume to acarver@ glenbridge.org Quick Stop Markets NOW HIRING Convenience Store Cashiers. Benefits package includes 1-week paid vacation and 401k after one-year employment. Flexible hours–full-time and parttime positions available.

Drug screening required.

Apply_At: QuickStop #20 2404 W.Elk Ave Elizabethton,TN H&H Express NEEDS TRUCK DRIVERS. Guaranteed 5000 miles per week. Stops and pickups paid, mileage split between teams. To inquire please call H&H Express in Elk Park N.C. 800-367-1239

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Stoneybrook Drive Johnson City, TN. Undeveloped Property 1) 4 acres $119,000 2) .86 acres $29,900 3) .8 acres $29,900. Robert DeLozier 423-737-0871 Hearth and Home, Realty 423-5432307 Our goal is to hire long-term team members who focus on quality care and excellent employee relations. If interested, please take a moment to review our available employment opportunities. www. hillviewhealthcenter .com/employment/ EOE/M/F/D/V Joyful Care. Blountville, TN. HIRING DSPs. Starting hourly rate $9.20.

Available shifts MondayThursday 7:00a.m.3:00p.m. & 3:00p.m.11:00p.m. For more information please call 423-323-5367 Kelly Services NOW HIRING •MACHINE OPERATORS •MANUAL PRESS OPERATORS •WAREHOUSE & MAINTENANCE •ALL SHIFTS & OVERTIME 423.282.5550 www. kellyservices.com KELLY SERVICES NOW HIRING TN & VA •CUSTOMER SERVICE •MACHINE OPERATORS •ASSEMBLY. 1969 LEE HWY ST L1. BRISTOL, VA 276.466.0428 Receptionist needed for busy medical office in Elizabethton.

Applicant must enjoy working with the public and have the ability to multi-task. Job duties

will include front desk activities and working hands-on with patients.

Please email resume to 2017officeresume@gmail. com Open Mortgage NMLS#2975. Enjoy your retirement on your terms.

Many reverse mortgage borrowers are using this financial tool to: •Purchase a new home •Pay medical bills •Move closer to family members •Travel •Supplement retirement income. Contact me to discuss what option works best for you. Eileen Burke. Loan officer.

NMLS #506622 • NMLS #1602076. 356 Sycamore Drive. Bluff City, TN 37618.

423-677-2338 •423-6772338. eileenburke@ openmortgage.com. http://eileenburke. openmortgage.com. TN135652. VA-MLO-33014VA. MNMLSID #506622. www. nmlsconsumeraccess.org.

Equal Opportunity Lender.

Onin Staffing is Now Hiring 50+ Positions in Elizabethton for 2 great companies! Call now to get started tomorrow!

423-723-8755 No Experience Required!!

OUTLAND ESTATE LIQUIDATORS. PROFESSIONAL HOME ESTATE SALE • Home Estate Liquidations • Moving Liquidations • Senior Downsizing • Probate Estimates • Business Liquidations.

For More Information and Upcoming Sales...

OutlandEstate Liquidators.com 423-342-5911

Looking to Sell? Let us list it today! The difference with our company is that we truly love what we do. You can see our enthusiasm as well as professional knowledge. Our brother & sister team would like to help assist you in your property buying or selling needs. Call Judy at 423-895-0359 or Dale at 423-957-0069.

NOW HIRING! Randstad, Johnson City.

We are recruiting for: •General Warehouse •Picker/Packer •Forklift Driver •Material Handler •Machine Operator •Assembler •Inspector. Apply online randstadusa.com Or call 423-854-9265.

Realty Sales and Rentals LLC. Discount Real Estate Broker.

202 Hwy 321, Suite 1.

Hampton, TN 37658.

Office: 423-7254000. Fax: 877-5337553. Website: www. realtysalesandrentals. com Email: realtysalesandrentals@ gmail.com. FOR RENT •Commercial-2400sqft/ Retail Space/3Lrg Rooms.

8713 Highway 19E-Roan Mtn Business office for rent Great Location!

Large paved corner lot, 2 driveways 1,000 sq ft/4 rooms/ 2 baths/full kitchen Zone Permitted for: Chiropractor, CPA, Lawyer, Massage Therapist, Realtor, Audiologists, Optometrist, Lock Smith or Denture Maker 402 Mary Patton Highway Elizabethton, TN Corner of West G Street and New Highway 423-647-2012 Needed: Direct Support Professionals and Home Managers to work with individuals with intellectual disabilities

in the Kingsport/Tri-City areas. Competitive pay and benefit package.

All needed training provided. Interested applicants apply at: Support Solutions Of Tennessee 1007 W. Main Street Greeneville, TN 423-636-8900 or online at supportsolutionsms.com.

Taco John’s. $1 OFF ANY BREAKFAST COMBO *1 coupon per order.

TacoJohns.com. 601 Broad St, Elizabethton (423)543-4999 The Courtyard. 710 E. Second Street.

Elizabethton, TN 37643.

423-543-2274. Section 8. Elderly. 1 bedroom apartment. Stove, refrigerator, water & electricity provided, discounted cable TV. TDD #1-800-848-0298.

TN Relay Center. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Experienced Sewing Machine Operators Needed at Johnson City Location. Inquire at (423)929-7008 Waters of Roan Highlands. Accepting CNA’s ALL SHIFTS Apply in person or Send a resume to: Waters of Roan Highlands 146 Buck Creek Road Roan Mountain, TN 37687 Joint Commission Certified E.O.E Power Washing, Painting & Deep Cleaning (interior or exterior) Deck Sealing, Gutters, Tree Trimming. WE DO IT ALL!!! Residential or Commercial. Free Estimates. (423)342-1509 BUDGET INN SPECIAL $190 + TAX WEEKLY (Single) $600 MONTHLY (Single) ALL UTILITIES PAID 423-552-5208 423948-0553

AUCTION! Every Thursday -6pm Cheapest Rates: 10% to Sell 10% Buyer’s Premium View pictures at auctionzip. com Dixie Design Gallery 4930 Bluff City Hwy Bluff City, TN 423-957-1166 1 Item or Entire Estates GL#5569

insurance, home time, and excellent equipment.

Earn $65,000 annually.

Requirements: 2 years’ experience, No DWI’s, and clean MVR. For more information, call 1-800999-7615 or 828-765-2424

Birkner’s Auto Sales • 241 Smalling Road • Call anytime day or night: 423-542-2798 or 423-9570600 birknersautosalestn. com

ALLEN PLUMBING 24HR SERVICE No job too big or small We offer all types of plumbing repair services and also bathroom remodeling Free-Estimates SeniorDiscounts 423-578-4283

MILL RACE: 2 BB Apartments for Rent $475-$600 Plus Deposit.

No pets/smoking. Call (423)213-1550 (423)5432632 (423)543-4671

NOW HIRING Full-Time Dishwashers Starting pay at $10 Pick up application and apply in person at: 623 West Elk Ave Elizabethton

LYON METAL ROOFING Your Trusted Local Supplier For Over 30 Years. METAL ROOFING, METAL BUILDINGS, VINYL SIDING, VINYL REPLACEMENT WINDOWS Installation Contractors Available Call 423-391-7788 www. lyonroofing.com

All Types of Residential Building New CustomBuilt Homes To Decks & Porches Garages • Additions Siding • Remodeling Replacement Windows Finishing Basements Call For A Free Quote We’ll Be Glad To Discuss Your Plans and Ideas (423)444-3782

1-2BR APARTMENTS Historic Elk Park School If you/your parents’ age and income qualify, we have apartments available IMMEDIATELY! Call for Appointment: 828-733-1546 Northwestern Regional Housing Authority - Equal Housing Opportunity Agency

Need a Trusted Advisor for Comprehensive Land & Timber Services?

Comprehensive Land & Timber Services Call David Isner: 336-3416404 Or Email: david@ highlandforestryl andtimber.com www. highlandforestry landtimber.com

TRUCK DRIVERS WANTED Underwood & Weld Co. Inc. based in Spruce Pine, NC, is seeking OTR drivers to pull dry bulk pneumatic trailers. We offer an excellent pay package of $0.40 per mile to pull dry bulk trailers, and $0.41 per mile to pull vacuum pneumatic trailers. We offer load and unload pay, paid vacation after one year, company paid life insurance, health

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Monthly Storage in Hampton •Inside & Outside •Located on Hwy •Cheap rates! •Camera security •Boat and camper storage available Call 423-895-0351 for more information.

The solution to freeing up your schedule is one call away! Offering residential & commercial services •Customizable times •Reasonable prices •Friendly •Honest •Reliable Give us a call!!

423-588-6019 Richard Diehl Truck Lines Jonesborough, TN. Family business needs good drivers, 2yrs minimum OTR. Mileage, per diem, stop pay, safety bonus, year-end bonus, fuel bonus, insurance available. Home weekends. 50% dropand-hook. Good place to work; just ask our drivers.

800-343-1920 NOW HIRING SERVERS Apply in person at Ridgewood Barbecue 900 Elizabethton Hwy Bluff City, TN 423-538-7543 GOOSE’S LAWN CARE We’ll beat any price, guaranteed! Veteran Discount Call Chris: (423)213-9671 Marshall Grindstaff Discount Seamless Guttering & Roofing • Hampton, TN Free Estimates! 423-957-9298 2 Bedroom on Broad Street CH&A, Water Furnished $495 month.

No pets. Non Smoking.

(423)612-3447 JOE & JOHN PAULS TOTAL TREE SERVICE • FREE Estimates 423-9432009 -Tree Trimming/ Removal -Storm Damage -24/7 Emergency Service -Licensed & Insured- 19+ years of service Opies Transport, Inc. NOW HIRING Class A Truck Drivers. Needing to find a home? We are it. Apply today! 800-3419963 or opiestransport. com

Air Rite Free tes a Estim

632 East Elk Ave. Elizabethton 423-543-1000

111 Charlie Robinson Dr. Elizabethton 423-543-4333

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LIMITED TIME OFFER! Northeast Community Credit Union 980 Jason Witten Way 8301 Highway 19E Roan Mountain, TN Elizabethton, TN (423) 772-3115 (423) 547-1200

1321 Highway 19E 313 W Oakland Ave Johnson City, TN Elizabethton, TN (423) 722-6228 (423) 543-7777 * Few qualifications, closing costs exclude escrow/recording fee.

Serving Northeast Tennessee since 1952

www.BeMyCu.org

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