Carter County Living Winter Edition 2019

Carter County Living ARTS

SHOPPING

LIVING

SHAWN WITTEN On the other side of the whistle....

DEACON BOWERS Always on the front line for Veterans

FEATURES

FOOD

WINTER 2019

PROUD PRIN OF CARTER C TER O U LIVING MAG NTY AZINE. 884 Lagoon Commercial Boulevard Montgomery, AL | 334.244.0436

w w w.public ationspress.com

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Carter County Living

This edition of Carter County Living marks the start of our third year.

Over the last two years, we have been excited to bring you stories of the people, organizations and places that have helped shape our community, and this edition is no different.

On the cover of this issue is Shawn Witten, coach of the Elizabethton High School Cyclone football team. Witten has roamed the sidelines as head coach for 13 seasons and just completed his most memorable season, guiding the Cyclones to a perfect 15-0 record and a State Championship.

Our Artist Spotlight, John Paul Mathes II ( JP Mathes) and Fiddling Leona, is a duo that came into the bluegrass/country industry from opposite perspectives to create a new expression of bluegrass music.

A Roan Mountain physician, Dr. Wes Hanson, finds the mission field rewarding in his recent trip to Guatemala with his church and grandchildren, Krisi and Kali.

These are just a few of the amazing stories in this issue that remind us of the people and businesses that make Carter County one of the greatest places 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

Stay informed and receive ALL EDITIONS at home AND on the go!

SUBSCRIPTION INCLUDES: 52 weeks of the Elizabethton Star AND 52 weeks of the Elizabethton Star E-Edition

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 Copy Editor JANIE MCKINNEY janie.mckinney@elizabethton.com

News AMBER WADOVICK amber.wadovick@elizabethton.com Sports IVAN SANDERS ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com

Call 423-542-4151 Today for more information!

Elizabethton Star

YOUR STORIES ¡ YOUR COMMUNITY ¡ YOUR STAR

300 N. Sycamore Street Elizabethton, TN 37643

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Composing ROBIN JOHNSON robin.johnson@elizabethton.com

ARTS & CULTURE

18 Deacon Bowers Always on the front line for Veterans.

6 JP Mathes & Leona

34 Dr.Hanson

Roan Mountain physician finds mission field rewarding.

FOOD

Different perspectives meld to create new expression of Bluegrass Music.

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

14 Upcoming events

Plan ahead for these favorite events

LIVING

22 Andrew Smith

Pushes ahead despite loss of mother.

FEATURES

38 Big Dan’s

Provides decade of American tradition.

41 Tiramisu 16 Stillwater

Brings financial expertise to Carter County.

28 Shawn Witten On the other side of the whistle.

Show your love through dessert this Valentine’s Day.

Carter County Living ARTS

On the Cover

SHOPPING

LIVING

SHAWN WITT

EN

At the mention of the name Witten, it’s obvious that most people recognize the name instantly especially if they are familiar with the Northeast Tennessee area.

The first name that comes to mind is that of Jason Witten, a pro-bowl and Hall of Fame-bound tight end for the Dallas Cowboys. But quickly after that the name Shawn Witten soon follows.

Photo: Ivan Sanders 5

On the other side of the whistle... .

DEACON BOW ERS Always on the front line for Veterans

FEATURES

FOOD

WINTER 2019

The duo said they have been performing together for years. Each of them came into bluegrass and country music from vastly different angles.

Different perspectives meld to create new expression of bluegrass music

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* Story by Amber Wadovick and Contributed Photos * dad played had a fiddle sound,” she said.

She said Japan lacks many fiddle instructors, so two years later, she attended a five-day fiddle camp in San Diego, Calif. There, she learned a wide spectrum of music she had little exposure to before, including classical, bluegrass, country and more.

“I got to hear a Mexican sound of music, and Middle Eastern,” she said. “That was much more than I was expecting.”

For Mathes, learning the banjo was less formal than that. For him and his family, learning music was part of the culture.

“For Leona, it is something fun,” he said. “For me, it is cultural.”

That fun and passion for the genre led Leona to pursue her academics in a program at ETSU. The duo officially met when Mathes, who also went to ETSU, was touring in Japan and a friend recommended they meet up.

“We met in a British pub,” Mathes said. “We toured together after

he two of them came into the bluegrass/country industry from opposite perspectives, but that did not stop their shared passion for the craft from blending into a unique sound that is distinctly East Tennessee.

John Paul Mathes II ( JP Mathes) and “Fiddling Leona” both have had a love of music since they were little.

“I am from Elizabethton, born and raised,” Mathes said.

“Two of my uncles played guitar.”

When his family needed another instrument in their group, someone suggested he pick up the banjo, eventually getting to use his great-great-grandfather’s banjo from the 1920s. From there, he started lessons.

Leona’s journey started from a more classical angle. Born and raised in Japan, she said she started playing the violin when she was four years old.

“When I was 13, I started to notice some of the music my 6

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Leona said she likes to maintain a structure to their performances and their music, while Mathes said he is perfectly willing to change their itinerary on the fly if it means keeping the rhythm of the audience going strong.

Both methods play off each other.

The duo said bluegrass and country music help capture the culture of the local communities they play in. It also helps forge connections with other cultures who may have little exposure to it when they play overseas.

“It is interesting how if you play the music for someone who has never heard of it, they go ‘Oh. It sounds familiar. It sounds like Disneyland.”

The duo has toured all over the world, including many parts of the

— JP Mathes U.S. and Canada, Japan and Europe.

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we graduated.”

While they started out as a full band, today they are most wellknown as the “JP and Fiddling Leona” duo, touring all over the world.

“You do not see many fiddle/ banjo duos,” Mathes said. “We now do a majority of our stuff together.”

Their near opposite backgrounds in music can lead their music to interesting destinations more traditional bands might not have the chance to see. Leona said she grew up around and prefers a form of structure and consistency to their music, while Mathes typically likes going freeform and is willing to change the program of

a given concert on the fly.

“I am always wanting to know what is going on,” Leona said.

“Through doing this, it made me realize I had more potential than I realized.”

On the flipside, Mathes said he prefers seeing what the night brings, changing their routine if he feels the crowd needs something faster or slower at the moment. However, he said having Leona there helps keep him grounded.

“Sometimes I just pick the song at the stage,” he said. “It is part of reading the crowd. [...] She keeps me in some sort of order.”

Since their initial meeting, the duo have been touring for roughly nine years, and their performances have taken them across the globe, from different parts of the U.S. to Europe and even Japan.

They said bluegrass and country have so much of a local context to them that they often need to clarify some of the refer-

said. “I am playing the rhythm for the dance.”

To those interested in taking up the banjo or fiddle and strumming along to some tunes, they both had some lessons they wanted to impart.

“Do not forget, when you are performing, your job is to entertain the audience and take their minds off any problems they have,” Mathes said. “It is a service industry.”

ences when they play abroad.

“If you are in Carter County, everyone is exposed to bluegrass,” Leona said. “Any of the popular songs, they get it. Anywhere else, you have to explain what the song is about. It becomes a lot more educational.”

Mathes said a curious pattern emerged when they play abroad.

“It is interesting how if you play the music for someone who has never heard of it, they go ‘Oh. It sounds familiar. It sounds like Disneyland,’” Mathes said.

Their backgrounds also means they view their music in different lights, and they get something different out of each performance.

“It is more about the connections I get to make,” she said.

“Music is a literally universal language.”

Mathes said the experience of playing itself is part of what drives him.

“It is about the dance,” he

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Leona said anyone can succeed if they have the passion and the drive to do so.

“I always tell people who are interested, [...] See, I was 15, did not speak English and I have done it,” she said. “Anybody can do it.”

Those interested in learning about future concerts or events can find them online, either on their website or on their Facebook page, both found by searching for johnpaulusa.

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You’ve Been

TTED! Charity and Ryan Gray

Madison and Tytan Ray

Tylee Murphey

Carol Roberts

Millie Kimbrough and Abbie Collins

Micky Seals and Nike

Photos by Ivan Sanders, Larry N. Souders, Brandon Hyde and Amber Wadovick 10

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You’ve Been

TTED!

Dan Mills

Gabe Sturgill

Jason Witten

Will Bowers

Leah Neumann

Members of the 1960 Hampton Bulldog Basketball State Championship team (from left to right) teacher and assistant coach James Stevens, player Wes Forbes and his wife Linda Forbes.

Madison Fox

Photos by Ivan Sanders, Larry N. Souders, Brandon Hyde and Amber Wadovick 11

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You’ve Been

TTED! Cierra Bunten

More than 6,000 people from Elizabethton and Carter County were spotted in Tucker Stadium on the campus of Tennessee Tech University cheering on the Elizabethton Cyclones to victory in the Class 4A Blue Cross Bowl championship game.

Chris and Monica Hollifield chat with Vicki Johnson (holding bell).

Little five-month-old Kaylana Rodiffer, cradled on Nana Jane Rodiffer’s shoulder,.

Zoey Porter

Photos by Ivan Sanders, Larry N. Souders, Brandon Hyde and Amber Wadovick 12

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You’ve Been

TTED!

Charles Peters

Bill Broome (sitting) and Ladarian Avery

Bill Weddle holding greatgrandson William Judd Howser

Jessica Locklear and her son Buddy

Elizabethton High School Band

Photos by Ivan Sanders, Larry N. Souders, Brandon Hyde and Amber Wadovick 13

UPCOMING EVENTS Plan ahead with fun happenings across Carter County

Saturday, Jan. 11 Meet an Overmountain Man 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. — On Saturday, Jan. 11, at 3 p.m., meet at Picnic Shelter #3 in the Roan Mountain State Park Campground to meet an Overmountain Man as he prepares for the multi-day march to Kings Mountain in South Carolina.

Participants will learn the history of Carter County’s most historic group of men who risked their lives to bring security to their newfound settlement. Many call the Battle of Kings Mountain the “beginning of the end” of the American Revolutionary War. Participants will also experience a live black powder demonstration and explore the gear and equipment used by these men in the late 1700s. No registration is required, just show up at Picnic Shelter 3.

Meet at Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground.

Hiking Staff 1 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. — Join Ranger Holland as we express our creative abilities while making a hiking staff from natural materials. Participants will be provided with the materials needed to construct and personalize the hiking staffs before taking them home for their next hike. Meet at the main park office at 1 p.m., prior to going to the program area.

Preregistration is required prior to attending the program.

Cost: $10 per person; $5 children 12 and under.

Wednesday, Jan. 15 Carter Mansion Guided Tour 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. — Join Rang-

er Davis for a tour of Tennessee’s oldest frame house! Discover the secrets of this elegant frontier home and learn the history of the family who built it between 1775 and 1780. Tour will be given in 18th century period clothing.

Meet at Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion, 1031 Broad St., Elizabethton, TN 37643 Saturday, Jan. 18 Roan Mountain GeoVenture 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. — On Saturday, Jan. 18, at 1 p.m., join Ranger Phil Hylen at the Visitor Center to set off on a 2-mile geology expedition around the park. Participants will visit and learn about the iron mines and pits found across the park as well as learn how Roan Mountain was formed. Participants will also learn how to read topography maps and compass. Before concluding, each participant will have the chance to break open their very own geode to discover their contents! This program is limited to 20 people and costs $10 to register. Be sure to dress warm and bring hiking essentials!

Meet at the Visitor Center Porch.

registration. Please do not bring dogs to this program unless they are service animals.

Meet at Park Headquarters.

An Afternoon of Early 19th Century Dance 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. — Beginners and seasoned dancers alike are all welcome! The afternoon will include English Country Dance and early Appalachian dance techniques.

Meet at Park Visitor Center.

Wednesday, Jan. 22 Sabine Hill Historic Site Guided Tour 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. — Join Museum Curatorial Assistant Chad Bogart for a guided tour of this stately home built by Mary Patton Taylor, widow of Brigadier General Nathaniel Taylor. Restored by the Tennessee Historical Commission and operated by Tennessee State Parks, the house has been returned to its 1818 splendor. During your tour, you will have the opportunity to take in the colorful and architecturally detailed interior while learning about the influential Taylor family who called Sabine Hill home in the early 19th century. *Please Note: Only portable toilet facilities are available at this time.

Sunday, Jan. 19 Meet at Sabine Hill State Raptor Force Owl Program 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. — Meet Rang- Historic Site, 2328 West G. Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643 er Phil Hylen at 2 p.m. at the Park Headquarters on Sunday, Workshop: Basic Sewing Jan. 19, for a live owl experience – Potholder/Oven Mitt at the park aviary! Learn what 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. makes these amazing birds of Cost: $25; Min: 2; Max: 6 prey unique and how people Learn the basic skills to make have used them as a model for an oven mitt and potholder. technology for ages. This program is free and does not require Course covers working with 14

batting, basic quilting, sewing curves and working with bias binding. Student needs to bring: sewing machine (with power cords and manual), scissors, pins. Instructor provides project supplies, iron, and board.

Register and pre-pay by calling the park at 423-543-5808.

Meet at Park Visitor Center Friday, Jan. 24 Orion the Hunter 9 p.m. - 10 p.m. — Join Park Ranger Phil Hylen at Picnic Shelter 3, starting at 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24. We will be viewing Orion the Hunter, one of the most recognizable characters of our winter nights. Enjoy some S’mores around a campfire as we discover the legends of this demigod as well as a few celestial secrets he is hiding. Dress warm and bring some binoculars and any seating you would like.

Registration is not required and attendance is free.

Meet at Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground.

Saturday, Jan. 25 Outdoor Survival for Beginners 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. — Join Ranger Holland as we learn about the basics of outdoor wilderness survival. Topics will include water, food, fire, shelter and signaling for help. This is a beginner program for persons wishing to gain an understanding of the basic skills and knowledge needed to survive in an outdoor wilderness environment.

Meet at the main park office at 1 p.m. prior to going to the program area.

Program is free and no regis-

UPCOMING EVENTS Plan ahead with fun happenings across Carter County

tration is required.

Sunday, Jan. 26 Old-Time Music Jam 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. — Enjoy the rich musical traditions of our region each month. Old-time musicians of all levels are welcome. Don’t play an instrument?

Come on over, kick back, and enjoy the tunes!

Meet at Park Visitor Center.

Wednesday, Jan. 29 Carter Mansion Guided Tour 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. — Join Ranger Davis for a tour of Tennessee’s oldest frame house! Discover the secrets of this elegant frontier home and learn the history of the family who built it between 1775 and 1780. Tour will be given in 18th century period clothing.

Meet at Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion, 1031 Broad St., Elizabethton, TN 37643.

Naturalist Rally on Saturday, Feb. 8, at Roan Mountain State Park.

Celebrate the beauty of nature in winter while learning about the unique natural features that make this mountain such a unique place.

Stay tuned for a schedule of events that will include guided nature hikes, guest speakers, wildlife viewing experiences and more! To keep up to date with the Winter Rally and to learn more about this awesome group of naturalists, visit the Friends of Roan Mountain website at http:// www.friendsofroanmtn.org/default.htm.

Meet at: See rally schedule for meeting locations.

Saturday, March 7 Weed Wrangle 2020 To Be Determined.

Roan Mountain State Park once again joins in the state-wide Weed Wrangle event on Saturday, March 7, to combat non-native species of plants and restore our Saturday, Feb. 1 beautiful mountain landscape.

Gardening Seminar Series: Join us for a day of volunteering Raised Bed Gardening as we remove various unwanted 9 a.m. - noon — The first session in our gardening seminar vegetation and replace it with beautiful native plants. Times series will focus on raised bed and details will soon be available, gardening. Gardener extraordinaire, Ben Hunter, will be joining so be sure to check back!

Volunteers must register us to share his experiences and online at: https://stateoftentechniques for growing the nessee.formstack.com/forms/ garden of your dreams! Free weed_wrangle_2020_rsvp_form admission! and meet at the Park Visitor Meet at Park Visitor Center.

Center the morning of Saturday, March 7.

Saturday, Feb. 8 Weed Wrangle® is a one-day, 2020 Winter Naturalist area-wide, volunteer effort to Rally help rescue our public parks and See schedule for program green spaces from non-native times. invasive species through handsJoin the Friends of Roan Mountain for their annual Winter on removal of especially harm-

ful trees, vines, and flowering plants. Supervised by an expert in invasive weed management, Weed Wrangle® volunteers learn, practice and begin a habit of maintaining an area free of non-native invasive plants and encourage replanting with natives in removal areas. By engaging our neighbors and challenging them to take action in their own spaces, we hope to create a movement that will have the greatest impact on the invasive plant population.

Meet at Visitor Center Porch.

Saturday, March 14 Overmountain Weavers Guild Fibers Show & Sale 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Don’t miss this great opportunity to visit with some of the best fiber artists of our region! If you love fibers, this is the place for you!

Demonstrations include weaving, spinning, knitting, natural dyeing, and more. A variety of handmade items will be offered for sale.

Meet at Park Visitor Center.

Sunday, March 15 Overmountain Weavers Guild Fibers Show & Sale 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Don’t miss this great opportunity to visit with some of the best fiber artists of our region! If you love fibers, this is the place for you!

Demonstrations include weaving, spinning, knitting, natural dyeing, and more. A variety of handmade items will be offered for sale.

Meet at Park Visitor Center.

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Saturday, March 21 Gardening Seminar Series:

Vegetable Gardening 9 a.m. - Noon — The second session in our gardening seminar series will focus on vegetable gardening. Gardener extraordinaire, Ben Hunter, will be joining us to share his experiences and techniques for growing the garden of your dreams! Free admission!

Meet at Park Visitor Center.

Saturday, April 4 Easter Egg Field Day Noon - 3 p.m. — Roan Mountain State Park hosts our annual Easter Egg Hunt and Field Game Day on Saturday, April 4, from noon to 3 p.m. at the park amphitheater. Youth in various age groups will enjoy challenging outdoor egg hunts that showcase the beauty of spring in the Mountains. After our hunt and prize ceremony, the whole family is invited to join us for several field games and a photo op with the Easter Bunny!

Hunt and Field Game details will be available soon!

Meet at Park Amphitheater.

Carter Mansion Celebration & Militia Muster 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Join us for a day of history, traditional arts and family fun as we celebrate the oldest frame house in Tennessee, and the historically prominent Carter family. Travel back to the 1780s and tour the Carter Mansion. Witness living history re-enactors demonstrating aspects of 18th-century life, and see local craftsmen showcasing traditional skills.

Meet at Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion, 1031 Broad St., Elizabethton, TN 37643

Stillwater brings financial expertise to Carter County * Story and photos by Amber Wadovick *

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tillwater Financial has been a part of the Carter County community for only a few months, having previously lived in Illinois, but owner Kurt Berry said he was in love with the natural landscape of the region and the community that resided within it.

He said he is looking to provide support for his current and future customers, helping them achieve their dreams with financial security to back them throughout the journey.

What made you choose Carter County and Elizabethton for your services and business?

We moved here in June 2019 because my family had been looking at the eastern TN area for about three years as a place to “retire” (I would say live financial free). After our last visit in March 2019, we decided it was time to make the move. We love the mountains, the weather, the people, the lower taxes and the smaller town feel. I am expanding my business from the Rockford, IL area into the Carter County area in historic downtown Elizabethton.

What is your purpose as a business?

What do you do?

Our focus is on helping families reach financial independence/freedom as soon as possible, not just hoping to retire by age 65 to 70. Our definition of financial independence/freedom is when a family can create passive monthly income that is equal to or greater than their monthly expenses. Imagine waking up tomorrow and choosing to work today because you love it, not just because you need a paycheck. If you received several income checks a month that covered all your monthly bills, you have freedom to do what you were created to do!

It is a wonderful feeling. I am expanding into this area to teach more families and businesses to do the same. It is what I love and was created to do.

Come be part of the movement!

Families come meet with us because they realize that they are not on track for financial freedom, but just hoping to make it to retirement. Their assets are not liquid and accessible, they are not in control. After hearing about our process, they come looking for a better way. We show them how to build tools to allow them to use every dollar more than one time in their personal financial lives to reach financial freedom ASAP. Small businesses come meet with us because cash flow is always the battle, whether it is a good month or a bad month.

Their business is usually their best investment,

Kurt Berry said he is excited to bring Stillwater Financial to the Carter County area, bringing his expertise to serve more communities in East Tennessee.

besides themselves, so rather than distract them with market based tools, we keep them focused on growing their businesses. We teach them to build tools that give them a financial reserve they control to help with cash flow on their own terms.

How long have you been in business?

I have been in the financial and insurance industry for over 17 years, starting in June 2002 at the end of the tech bubble crash in the markets. I have worked with several major companies such as Edward Jones, Prudential, Mass Mutual and Ohio National. I did not like having to offer and sell certain products to meet weekly or monthly quotas, which most larger companies require. I wanted to find strategies for each client that are best for them, not just for the companies I represented. About eight years ago, I started Stillwater Financial, LLC and have been on my own since then. I love being able to discuss with a client how money works and how to best apply it to their unique situation to optimize their cash flow now, their protection from bad life events and their future wealth potential.

How long have you, personally, been working in the industry?

See above answer.

Are you part of a franchise or are you independent?

I am an independent financial and insurance advisor. I have relationships as a broker with many

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companies in almost every product area from life and disability insurance, to investments in managed money, mutual funds, alternative investments outside the markets and annuities. I can also work with individual stocks and bonds, but it is not my specialty. I have decided to work primarily with third party managers that watch the markets all day with their large teams of analysts when a client wants a market based tool. That way the client is getting the best managers in the world, rather than just me. I feel I am very knowledgeable and capable, but I also know my limits. Our job is to make sure we develop strategies for each client so they win the financial game of life no matter what may come their way.

What impact do you think your services/business will have on the Carter County community?

We love helping people win the financial game of life! We feel the game is stacked against the average person in America and we have been teaching ourselves first and now our clients how to use products and tools in a way that gives the client the most chance for success regardless of how the markets perform, regardless if life throws them a “curve ball,” like a major financial setback i.e. car breaks down, roof gets a leak, lose your job, get sued, etc. It is about equipping families and small businesses to be flexible, in control and have access to capital if and when they need it on their own terms.

I love celebrating with my clients on their little and big successes, especially when they reach financial freedom in their own personal lives!

How do you plan to work towards achieving this impact on the community?

Currently I am out networking with people in the community. I am working on setting up some workshops on a monthly basis for anyone that wants to take back control of their financial lives and begin learning concepts to help them win the financial game no matter what comes their way. Stay tuned! Or, just contact us for a free visit and get started on your own journey right away.

What has the public’s interaction with you been like since you opened in Carter County, and can you provide an example?

So far, everyone has been very friendly and welcoming. I have had the chance to help several families already in my short time here and what typically happens is they start to tell their friends, family and co-workers about what we were able to accomplish for them and they introduce others to us. It is the best compliment we can receive for doing something we love. An example of the help we have received so far, is finding the office space we are in now. We met some families in a fellowship group over our March 2019 visit to the area. One of the families introduced us to Tawnya Davenport who owns Salon Revelations and the building our office is in. We hit it off immediately with Tawnya and her husband Tony and feel like part of the family. Everywhere we go, that seems to be the response we have received here. It has been a great blessing to experience and be a part of. I must add that we were challenged twice not to bring our “big city” ways into this smaller community.

I will state it very clearly, we are here to get away from the “big city” thinking and problems to learn from and invest in your ways down here!

What kinds of challenges have you encountered since opening, and how have you worked to overcome them?

The main challenges we have faced have just been getting acclimated to the new area. The hardest things are finding new experts that I can build a referral team with. I have all of that still in Illinois for my existing clients, but still

working on it here. It takes time to find the right people that you can connect with, we have similar beliefs and goals for working with mutual clients and that you can trust will do everything in their power to help the clients succeed without going against the advice we have already given the client. That is something that just takes time to develop. I am working on meeting people in the areas of auto/home insurance, estate planning attorneys, bankers, mortgage brokers, real estate agents and others to begin to develop that team of trusted advisors for the benefit of our clients.

If you would like to meet and see if we can be a good fit in these areas, contact me to set up a meeting so we can get to know each other. I am always looking to meet great people that want to make a difference in clients lives in the right way.

What are your future goals as a company? Where do you see yourselves in five or 10 years?

Our goal is to help as many people in the Carter County area to build a strong financial position that will stand the test of time in both their personal lives and their businesses. We can only work with 40-60 new families/businesses each year based on our current capacity. I have an office manager in my Rockford, IL office that handles all of the client service issues and I also have another associate in Madison, WI that helps with marketing and case prep. We all work together virtually and I meet with most of my existing clients online as well. In five years, we would like to have a clientele of 200+ families/businesses in the Carter County area as well as adding an additional staff person and 1-2 other junior advisors that would like to learn how to improve the financial lives of families in this area. In 10 years, we would like to have our clientele grow to 500+ families/businesses in this local area and possibly 1-2 more advisors. We are not looking to build a large company, but a smaller, local, efficient organization that can impact the most people for the good.

What is one thing about your business you really want our readers to know?

The first thing I think that sets us apart is that

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we do not charge fees for our time or services.

I have found that is the main issue that keeps families away from seeking the help that would get them on the right track to financial independence/freedom. I used to charge a fee, but found that hindered people from contacting us when they needed us the most, like when they have a big financial decision to make. By not charging for our time, we are available to answer the questions clients have and give them the best opportunity to win when they need it. So how do we get paid? Well, when we discover a strategy with our clients that makes sense to them and puts them in a better position, sometimes that calls for a new product or tweaking a product. We find the right company with the best product for this situation and we get paid by the company for using their product. Sometimes it is a fee and sometimes it is a commission. That makes us a fee-based advisor. The client pays the same whether they worked directly with the company or through us. So if we cannot find a solution in which to improve our clients situation, then we don’t get paid. So the pressure is all on us to find helpful solutions the client likes and is willing to implement. So far it is working really well. Clients are better off and moving in the direction they want to go and we get paid to help them get there. Win-Win. Where are you guys located in Carter County? How can potential customers contact you?

We are located at 707 E. Elk Ave., Ste 2. in Elizabethton. Our office looks out over the covered bridge park stage area. If you are traveling through the historic downtown area on E. Elk Ave. cross the bridge and we are the second building on the left. The Stillwater Financial, LLC sign is on the front window. If you go past the Veteran’s Memorial you went too far. We only meet with clients via an appointment due to confidentially concerns, but we have very flexible hours to meet working folk’s and professional’s schedules. My email is kurt@ stillwaterfinancial.net and my phone number is 815-222-8465. Let us know if you want to come in for a visit.

Deacon Bowers

Deacon Bowers always on the front line for veterans

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* Story by Rozella Hardin and Contributed Photos *

rthur “Deacon” Bowers has been a fighter all his life — if not for himself, then for someone else.

Born and raised at Hunter, Bowers, who is now retired and in his 80s, has been a lot of places and done a lot of things. On that list is amateur boxer; a youngster who deceived a lot of people about his age to get into the military; a founding member of the Veterans War Memorial and Veterans Walk of Honor downtown; and through his employment with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development has assisted thousands of veterans. In the meantime, he has taken a lot of jabs and punches, both in and out of the ring, that have left him unscarred and more determined than ever to serve on the front line, especially for veterans.

Bowers was 19 or 20 years old before he began boxing at the urging of

trainer Don Marshall. “I’d go to the old Teen Town every day and spar for 10 or 15 minutes and then run to the old box factory and back. I was in boxing about three years and had about 56 or 57 bouts,” Bowers shared.

His most memorable bout was with Jack Snader at the Bristol VFW. “Jack had knocked out everyone up there. He was really tough, but I knocked him out,” Bowers shared with a grin.

Bowers went on to win the Upper East Tennessee Heavyweight title (he won twice, the first time in 1958, and again in 1959.) He also won the Southern Golden Gloves Heavyweight title in Nashville in 1958 and 1959, and went to the quarterfinals of the National Golden Gloves Championship in Chicago in 1959.

“That same year — 1959 — I was scheduled to fight Cassius Clay in Elizabethton, but he came down with the flu and reneged,” Bowers shared.

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Deacon Bowers after he came home from the military got involved in boxing and became a Golden Glove winner. He later became a referee for boxing. He is pictured above as he throws some punches in a bout with an unidentified boxer.

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In 1960 Bowers began refereeing boxing bouts and continued as a referee until 2005. In 1999 he was inducted into the National Golden Gloves Officials of America Hall of Fame.

Bowers speaks fondly of his time in boxing. “I liked the conditioning and preparing for a bout. Everything I accomplished in boxing was because of Don Marshall. He was the best and taught me a lot about the sport. He became a life-long friend. Also, many of the things I learned in boxing were fundamentals that helped me in life,” Bowers said.

However, long before he became a boxer, Bowers was a fighter with a lot of grit. Big for his age, Bowers at 12-1/2 years of age served with the Tennessee National Guard in Elizabethton. Bowers explained that Jack Carrouth, local commander, lived next door to him. “He let me hang out with them, and later talked to my parents about joining the Guards. At that time, the Guards met in the old A&P building on Elk Avenue. I trained with them. Every time they met, I was there,” said Bowers.

When the local unit — the 278th Regiment — was activated in 1950, Carrouth put Bowers out because of his age. “You talk about disappointed, I was,” Bowers said.

“I was out six months when I enlisted in the Marines at the age of 14. I went to basic training, and my mom called and told them how old I was, and they sent me home,” Bowers explained.

However, determined to be a soldier, Bowers six months later enlisted in the Army and went through basic training. He then went to California, and from there to Japan, and on to Korea. “I stayed there about eight months. They never found out about my age. I sort of wished they had because it was rough. I spent my 16th birthday on the front lines in Korea,” Bowers said.

By the time he was 17, Bowers was back home and a short time later went to Detroit, where he worked for a couple of years before coming home and taking up boxing.

“I was in the Army long enough to appreciate the men and women who serve. They don’t have it easy.

They deserve every thing this country can do for them.”

—Deacon Bowers

A young Deacon Bowers, when he served in the U.S. Army.

“I was in the Army long enough to appreciate the men and women who serve. They don’t have it easy.

They deserve every thing this country can do for them,” he said.

In 1959 Bowers married the love of his life, Carol Morgan. The couple was married 56 years when she died in 2015. “Half of me died that day,” said Bowers.

Bowers for 36 years was employed by the Tennessee Depart-

ment of Labor and Workforce Development. From 1974 to 2004 he served as Regional Veterans Employment Representative. By the time he retired, he had assisted thousands of military veterans. In retirement he continues to build on his volunteer legacy by visiting veterans and their families in the VA Hospital at Mountain Home.

However, the work he is most proud of is his involvement and

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leadership in helping create the Veterans War Memorial and the Walk of Honor in Elizabethton. “It was a labor of love for me,” Bowers said.

“It’s a wonderful tribute to the men and women of Elizabethton who served their country in the military. Some gave their lives fighting for this country and their names are engraved on the memorials at the War Memorial. It’s a sacred place for me and a great way to recognize the

Deacon Bowers was honored as a Hometown Hero by the Carter County Commission.

men and women who served, and I feel honored to have been a part of it,� said Bowers.

Bowers is the father of two daughters, Julie Presnell and Donna Stanton, and a son, the late Paul Bowers. He has four grandchildren

and five great-grandchildren.

He now spends a good part of his days reflecting on the past and visiting with friends, but if there is a need, Bowers is there, ready for the bout at hand and anxious to throw a punch.

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Swing away...

It’s hard to lose a loved one, especially a mother.

Hampton’s Andrew Smith had to experience that recently and instead of hanging his head, Smith chose to do what a good baseball coach would tell his player to do in a slump — keep your head up and keep swinging. Smith has done just that and is touching those around him to offer encouragement and be a role model to follow.

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Hampton’s Andrew Smith pushes ahead despite loss of mother

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

ny baseball player at any level will tell you that a slump will eventually happen — sometimes it may be for only a few games and sometimes it could mean the end of a career if the problem can’t be identified as to what is causing the problem.

The first thing many players will do is lower their heads and try to overthink everything that is happening but with no end result to the slump they face.

Then there are those who close out the naysayers and listen closely to the words of the coach when they keep encouraging their player to keep swinging away.

Therein lies the key is when those bleak times come in the career of a baseball player is not to give up and hang one’s head and stop swinging but keep swinging until the bat starts making solid contact with the ball, not just a time or two but on a consistent and steady basis.

Much can be said about the game of life as it is often difficult when dark times come and it seems easier to hang the bat up and quit swinging.

But there are those who find out at an early age that when tragedy comes is not the time to stop swinging for the fences but to keep your head up and your eyes focused on the things that lie ahead.

Such can be said for Hampton High School senior Andrew Smith. Smith is much like any other young man his age as he is preparing for his final year of high school baseball as an outfielder and is making preparations to attend the University of Tennessee after making a 27 on his ACT. The only difference is that unlike many his age, Smith is completing his senior year with someone special missing out of the equation.

His mother, Kristi, recently passed away leaving a void for Smith and his father, Todd.

“She had been feeling kind of sick for a little while,” Smith said. “We didn’t know exactly what it was because she had some health issues in the past. It turned out to be cardiac arrest and she ended up passing a couple of days later.

“It was definitely a rough period of time, very sudden and unexpected. It was a really tough time for my dad and me.”

Losing a mother for anyone at any age is a hard lick to swallow but especially for a teenager who is getting ready to make the first steps into making adult decisions.

Fortunately for Smith, he has been able to rely on his faith and people that have surrounded him and nurtured him 23

Andrew Smith would be the first one to tell someone that although there are days that may be overcast and dreary, the best thing anyone can do is to keep your head up and keep swinging for better days.

Andrew Smith and his mother, Kristi, enjoyed watching sporting events together. In this photo, they are at a Tampa Bay Rays game at Tropicana Field in Tampa, Fla.

Andrew Smith and his father, Todd, enjoy a Tennessee Titans game together. Smith said with the passing of his mother that he and his father have developed a closer relationship.

through the days following the loss of his mother.

“It’s been a lot of praying and I have had a great support group around me,” Smith stated. “My family, friends, and staff here at Hampton High School along with teammates that I have had have been there for me. They have all really been good to me and encouraged me to stay up on myself and continue to be positive throughout the entire experience.”

In the days following his mother’s passing, Smith relayed that the toughest part of dealing with his loss was just finding someone else to lean on. Admittedly he followed by saying that it has been good for his father and his relationship that has grown closer. That relationship wasn’t bad before, but Kristi’s death brought a bond that has made the two stronger as a unit.

Smith’s high school baseball coach, Nicholas Perkins, knew that his player needed something to keep his mind stimulated and off the things swirling around him so as part of Smith’s community service for his Tennessee Promise hours, Perkins invited him to help coach a girl’s youth league softball team during the fall.

It was just what Smith needed at the time.

“It was a really cool experience. It started out a day after practice and Coach (Nicholas) Perkins approached me and asked if I could help out with the softball team and I figured why not,” stated Smith.

“I had actually no clue as to what to expect but as the season went on I got to know some of the girls on the team a little bit better and they were a ball of personality and it was a really good way for me to keep my mind off everything and to see some good, positive energy out of everything.”

Smith has continued to keep his head up and has even been reaching out to others to try and help others that may not be going through a loss of a family member but just difficult life experiences.

“I have kind of encouraged people to stay positive because if I can

Andrew Smith and his mother, Kristi, enjoyed a visit with Phillip Fulmer and Jason Witten.

make it through this tragic event, and there is something that may not be as bad as what happened to me, then you can battle through yourself.

It may not have been as bad as me losing mom but it’s something that can always be battled through,” commented Smith.

“I guess I would say to stay positive. Trust in God that everything is going to be OK and that he has a plan for everything and trust in his plan and stay positive.”

One of the best lessons that Smith said that his mother left with him in their short time together was not to always be the first to look at the bad or negative in a person but look more deeper into their hearts and find the good that may not always be easily seen from first impressions.

“Something that I learned from my mom that’s helped me through this is that she always saw the positive in everybody,” Smith said with a big grin. “She was a substitute teacher for a good bit of my childhood growing up so she got to see a lot of kids. Some of them were rough around the edges but she was able to see the best in them.”

Smith had nothing but high praise for his baseball family at Hampton and especially his head coach. During the darkest hour, his teammates and

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coaches were present at the funeral home to support and love Smith and his father through the trying time.

The game also has afforded Smith the opportunity to help keep his mind off things and surround himself with good people.

When speaking with Coach Perkins, the Bulldog skipper used words such as first-class, selfless, considerate, hard-working, and loyal to describe his senior outfielder.

“Andrew Smith does so much behind the scenes for Hampton baseball, things that don’t show up in the boxscore or newspaper, but things that go toward running and building a program,” stated Perkins.

“He is both a player in our program and also a trusted friend.”

Smith said that he will forever keep swinging at whatever life may throw his way because his mom ingrained in him the need to keep facing adversity with your chin up and a determination to overcome whatever adversity that one may face.

“It’s just channeling my mom,” Smith stated. “She went through a lot of adversity with her health issues throughout most of my life.

“Unfortunately, I got to see some of the ugly parts of that. It has allowed me to see that you can keep battling no matter what life throws at you. I just never thought it would get to the point where she would be gone so suddenly.”

With Smith having such a level head on his shoulders and having lessons logged in his heart and mind from Kristi’s short 41 years of life on this earth, there is no doubt that Smith won’t stop swinging and no matter what life may pitch, the young man is sure to knock it out of the park.

After his mother’s passing, Andrew decided to keep his head up and move forward as he helped his high school baseball coach with a youth league softball team. Here, Andrew helps to warm up the team before a game.

Todd, Kristi, and Andrew Smith enjoyed a relative’s wedding together.

Andrew Smith joined his head baseball coach, Hampton’s Nicholas Perkins, to coach a girls softball team during the recent youth league season.

Andrew Smith had one of two choices to make after his mother Kristi passed away.

Either move forward or give up. Smith elected to move forward as it would have been what his mother would have desired.

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Why I Love Carter County After being adopted from Germany at two and a half years old and becoming a citizen of the USA Ed Jordan grew up in Southport of North Carolina. He spent 26-1/2 years in the U.S. Army and retired as First Sergeant.

Jordan spent 19 years as a Mountain Custom Home Builder in Leadville, Colo. He relocated to Carter County in the winter of 2015.

Early spring 2016, he founded and started Carter County Proud, a grassroots volunteer organization to help combat litter and illegal dumping in Northeast Tennessee specifically Carter County and Elizabethton.

In September 2018 with the help of both Carter County and the City of Elizabethton governments along with volunteers,Carter County Proud became an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful (KAB), becoming Keep Carter County Beautiful (KCCB).

KCCB has a nine-member board consisting of two County Commissioners, one Elizabethton Parks and Recreation representative, one Carter County School representative, one City of Elizabethton Council member, one Graphics Art Designer, one Technical Expert (Electrical Engineer), and one volunteer citizen along with a secretary and Jordan as chairman.

Jordan is a member of Elizabethton Lions Club and an active member of St John’s Episcopal.

ful hiking trails, whitewater sports and our own Tweetsie Trail. We also have our beloved Covered Bridge along with Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, Carter Mansion, Tennessee State Parks, Roan Mountain Community Park and Cherokee National Forest.

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

Roan Mountain summit, waterfalls and Watauga Lake.

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

It has reaffirmed me of the abundance of the natural beauty all around us that no one has anywhere else! This prodded me to want to take care of our natural beauty and environment. We have to educate others as to what we have and not trash such a God-given beautiful spot in the world! This inspired me several years ago to start a grassroots volunteer citizens program for education, cleanup, beautification projects, enforcement and awareness campaign to respect our natural beauty by not trashing it. Since then our grassroots volunteer citizens previously called “Carter County Proud” has become an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, a national organization, and became “Keep Carter County Beautiful” to continue to inspire folks not to trash our lovely community and natural beauty.

4. What is your favorite time of year?

Springtime in the mountains!

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

It has natural beauty that no one else has nor can they manufacture: scenic mountains and the second highest mountain east of the Mississippi, Roan Mountain, two rivers, a world class lake, Watauga Lake, many beautiful natural waterfalls, many wonder-

Why Do You Love Carter County?

5. If you were to meet someone planning a visit to the Carter County area for the first time, what places would you tell him or her not to miss?

This is a very hard question to answer as we have so many outdoor things to do and natural beauty to offer that they will just have to come back many times to see all of our natural beauty and what our community has to offer!

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

Brandy Trivett @ 423-297-9068 or Joyce Bartlett @ 417-294-5763

Inpatient & Outpatient Therapy & Rehabilitation Services Superior Long & Short-term Care

Call or stop by today for a visit!

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On the other side of the whistle...

File Photo/Larry N. Souders

Elizabethton Cyclone Head Coach Shawn Witten holds the Coaches State Champion plaque after the Cyclones win the 2019 Class 4A Blue Cross Bowl championship game in Cookeville.

Elizabethton’s Witten self-motivated to be successful in life * Story by Ivans Sanders and Photos by Ivan Sanders and Larry N. Souders* t the mention of the name Witten, it’s obvious that most people team few may know much about the man behind the whistle. recognize the name instantly especially if they are familiar with Witten would be the first to tell anyone that he didn’t need too much the Northeast Tennessee area. prodding to reach the success level that he has but he would quickly folThe first name that comes to mind is that of Jason Witten, a low that up by bragging on his grandfather, a local football legend and pro-bowl and Hall of Fame-bound tight end for the Dallas Cowboys.

Hall of Fame coach in Coach Dave Rider.

But quickly after that the name Shawn Witten soon follows.

“I have a lot of characteristics from my grandfather,” said WitShawn, the middle brother of three Wittens — Ryan, Shawn, ten. “I have always been a very organized and detailed person — and Jason — has made a name for himself in Tennessee on the like an obsessive-compulsive disorder kind of trait. gridiron as the head coach of the Elizabethton Cyclones where he “I have always been somewhat of a perfectionist that has that has roamed the sidelines for 13 seasons at the helm of the football internal drive — extremely high self-motivated. A lot of the same program at the school. characteristics you might say of a military background withWith no doubt, he just completed his most memorable out having any military experience.” season in 2019 when he guided the Cyclones to a perfect While most young people, and some older folks, need 15-0 slate and the 2019 BlueCross Bowl Class 4-A State someone to keep everyday activities and details to be Championship. provided by someone else, Witten found that early in life that Witten followed that up with regional Coach of the Year structure would be the foundation of what makes him tick. honors as well as being named the Tennessee Titans Coach And if he seems to do things the same way all the time, of the Year. He also led his West FCA All-Star team to a 24it may just lead back to that structured format.

17 victory over the East in the 2019 FCA All-Star game.

“Growing up I was always a structured person. I liked While most people are familiar with his football acthings to be a certain way — just plain you might say. I colades including outstanding playing careers at his alma liked my clothes to fit a certain way, a very clean and neat mater Elizabethton and Virginia Tech as part of Frank Beamer’s Hokie kind of person.

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Elizabethton head coach Shawn Witten’s storied past and decisions made have made him more than a coach behind a whistle — they have made him a role model that any parent would want their student-athlete to emulate.

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“Everything that I am involved with I am kind of a neat freak from the house to the car, locker room, coaches office, I am just over-thetop that way. Those are kind of my characteristics. Like when we put up our equipment at the end of the year, I like my helmets to be a certain way, I like the uniforms to look a certain way. I like my closet to look a certain way and I like my house to look a certain way. A lot of those characteristics come from my grandfather and a lot from my mom as well. She is kind of a neat freak too.”

When Witten was growing up, he didn’t need a lot of prodding and poking to do the things that would make him become successful at an early age. There is a motor underneath the outward exterior that hasn’t slowed down one bit and if anything seems to be increasing with age.

A lot of that mentality is something that Witten tries to instill in young men that come into his program.

“I have been that way my entire life,” Witten stated. “I didn’t need a lot of people to be with me as I went through my process. I like to work out by myself and nobody needed to tell me to go to the weight room to work out.

“I was just kind of always selfdriven to do that. Sometimes I let things bother me longer than they really should. I am a guy that likes to have a plan. I like having a piece of paper down in front of me telling me exactly what I am going to do throughout the day.”

Witten’s youngest brother, Jason, being a highly recognized professional athlete, has been able to shine a lot of light on what the Witten brothers along with their mother, Kim, experienced in their youth that led to Kim’s divorce from Witten’s dad and the moving of the family from Northern Virginia to the hills of Northeast Tennessee where the rest has become history.

of head down with blinders on and stay focused on the task. That’s the way that I have always been. I don’t start a job if I can’t finish it.

I always leave a place better than I found it.”

Although they are brothers, the Witten boys all have become different in their own right according to Witten. Even though some similarities exist, there are still a lot of things that are completely different about the three.

Even though that’s the case, Witten said that he wouldn’t go back and change anything in regards to the path that he has chosen for his life and the journey he is on.

“I wouldn’t change the path that I grew up with — not one second of it. It has made me who I am today,” Witten said. “If you are labeled at-risk, you are always stamped that you have to be a certain way and for me, I always wanted to be different.

“I didn’t want to be like anyone else. I don’t want our football proCyclone head coach Shawn Witten is joined by his grandfather, Dave gram to be like any other program Rider, his brother and assistant coach, Ryan Witten, and Jason Witten, and I think the biggest thing for me Dallas Cowboy tight end. is it was always about hard work.” of their own ship and can make With the events that transpired It’s easy for those on the outside decisions for themselves on how to looking in to stereotype indiin his youth, Witten over the years chart the course of their life. has seen some of the same heartviduals that come from difficult “I think that we all get a chance backgrounds like Witten faced as breaking family issues even on his own football team and knows how to choose our own paths,” Witten a youth. Many will even write off added. “For me, I have never once, anyone coming out of those situthose kids feel and what they are and it’s hard to believe, but I have experiencing. ations based upon what they have “If I were growing up in today’s never once steered away from that seen from past experience. society, from what I grew up in my path. You either are going to make To some extent, it’s almost excuses and follow down those household to today’s society it’s as if outsiders pull for failure same footsteps or you can decide probably more judged or labeled rather than success. However, you are going to be different. at-risk, not from the things that I Witten would be the first to tell “Being the middle child, there did but the household I grew up anyone that the only person that were probably things that Ryan in,” Witten commented. determines your final outcome is “If you are involved with divorce (Witten-brother) seen more, knows yourself and no one else. or domestic violence or just alcohol more, and witnessed more. For me, “Just be a winner — a lot of and drug abuse, coming from that I never wanted to be that person. I times when you grow up in those wanted to be different than that. I kind of home you are labeled at situations you aren’t supposed to wanted to choose a road less differ- make it,” stated Witten. “You are risk.” ent. A lot of kids grow up in those Witten also knows that just not supposed to have success stories environments and that’s all they because one comes from that type and things, but for me, I have never see and all they know but that still of environment that life doesn’t fallen away from that path. doesn’t make things right. have to be dictated by those types “I have been fortunate to have “For me, it’s always been kind of experiences. Everyone is captain a great group of people around me 30

with support groups, but when I was in high school and college and even coming back here in 2007, I have never had any desire to steer away and choose a different path.

“I try to provide an example for people to look up to and to be the ultimate professional,” continued Witten. “I think that what you look like every day when you come to school from the clothes you wear to the way you dress that you need to set that standard from an early age.

I think that was instilled in us at an early age from the way my mom was raised.”

Witten went on to add that in the youngest part of his life that his father was the consummate father who taught his sons how to get off on the right foot.

The Witten brothers participated in multiple city and county leagues in the Boys and Girls Club as well as parks and rec leagues. The boys were super competitive and at times found themselves participating in two basketball leagues at the same

Obviously Interstate 66 was fast and so was the lifestyle according to Witten. With a large population, the school system was very competitive and of course, there was a diverse culture in its students and residents.

So one can imagine, when coming to Elizabethton to live with their grandparents, it was almost like shifting a race car from fourth to first gear as things slowed down considerably.

“The time we spent there was a difference in our childhood,” added Witten. “What we had to compete It may have taken a while but Elizabethton head football coach against daily in the classroom to Shawn Witten found out that it takes a large support staff to be the practice fields. With Fairfax successful and Witten has surrounded himself with men who have County being the largest county in like passion as the head menton. These coaches are back (L-R) Virginia if you were going to make Team Chaplain Michael Koruschak, Jeff Pierce, Brian Jenkins, Devin it, you had to survive.

Whitehead, Jordy Harrison, Michael Grindstaff, Brock Pittman, and “You couldn’t slow down at all.

Ryan Witten. Front (L-R) David Campbell, Witten, Terry Moore, and You had to keep up and I think as Terrence Turner Jr. we transitioned down here, things which was 30 minutes outside of time. slowed down where we could focus Washington, DC in Fairfax County on our goals. From day one, I think Part of that competitiveness came from the area where the Wit- which is the largest county in the that was always the plan for our state of Virginia. tens resided in Northern Virginia mom to get us back here to play for

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our grandfather.

“At the time, we didn’t know that our grandfather was a highly successful and respected football coach. The amount of lives of the people he impacted and the success he had here and the fact he was a Hall of Fame football coach — we didn’t realize that.”

Witten went on to say that to a certain extent, they knew what kind of person their grandfather was and it was proven when they arrived and instead of trying to squash their dreams, he became their number one cheerleader.

Rider constantly provided opportunities for the brothers to dream big and never threw a washpan of negativity on their dreams and goals.

As a matter of fact, Rider desired for his grandchildren to excel to the highest level no matter what field or path they chose.

“He showed us the way and we talked about it and he allowed us to accomplish those goals,” Witten went on to say about his grandfather.

Witten openly admits that the same coach that arrived on campus at Elizabethton High School is not the same coach that directs the team today. A young man that once was full of vim and vigor now realizes that one man doesn’t win a battle — it takes an army.

“As you grow older as a coach, there are a lot of things that I do differently than when I first got

here,” stated Witten. “I think the biggest thing is just to be full of energy. You have to be enthused about what you want to do and be excited about the process it’s going to take to get there.

“Sure you have to be focused and serious at times, but I think that you have to be enthused to go out there and accomplish the day. One of the mottos that I have always liked is ‘Win the Day’. Be the best that you can be every day and be the best version of yourself every day.

“Even if you are having a bad day, just be excited about the opportunity you have.”

After setting the standard for his expectations early on, Witten’s focus has transformed from being someone who could work circles around others to being someone that allows each individual player to each coach to accountability for making sure to keep those standards at a high level and even beyond.

“When I started in 2007, I thought that I could just outwork people. I thought my work ethic would be so contagious that I thought I could outwork people.

I found out quickly that you just can’t always do that,” Witten commented.

“You have to be surrounded by great people. You have to have a great support staff and players and you have to have those contagious characteristics that just rub off on Elizabethton head coach Shawn Witten led his West All-Stars to a 24-17 win in the 2019 FCA All-Star game. people.”

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As Witten has grown older with the program, he has focused also on making sure to allow those players that have proven themselves the ability to take ownership of the program and given them a platform to have a voice.

If the players work hard and do the right things based on the standards the coach has set, Witten wants the program to be teamcentered as another motto used quit often is ‘One Team, One Family, One Reason’.

“Our kids want to be able to do it together,” said Witten. “Relationships now are the most important part of our foundation. The more they trust you, the more they are going to do.

“It’s not so much how much you know but it’s how much you can get them to do. You just want to maximize every chance that you have with them and just try to build the relationships where it’s more than just football.”

Witten is an example of how someone can take something that looks all wrong on the outside and turn it around and make decisions that will not just impact the future of that individual, but change the lives and paths of young people that meet in the course of life at the right time when it is needed the most.

It’s about setting a course and not deviating to the right or left while eliminating all the noise that surrounds the path.

Shawn Witten runs onto the field with his team.

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No one said it was going to be easy...

Dr. Wes Hanson is pictured with his granddaughters, Kali and Krisi, and members of a Guatemalan village. Dr. Hanson visited three villages while on his mission trip.

Roan Mountain physician finds mission field rewarding

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* Story by Danny Blevins and Photos Contributed *

r. Wes Hanson has lived and worked in Roan Mountain for 30 years where he is the primary care doctor for countless members of the Roan Mountain community.

During that time, he has helped to heal their wounds, comfort their spirits, and make a difference in many households in the community.

In the summer of 2019, he decided it was time to take his act on the road and travel to Guatemala. The trip was part of a mission trip that his church had set up so Dr. Hanson decided to take his skills and medicine to the people of Guatemala where the mission trip was intended to serve.

It turns out that the trip will be one that the physician will never forget.

“My church, Roan Mountain First Baptist Church, decided to take a mission trip to one of the underdeveloped nations. We decided to go to

Guatemala because we saw a need for medical care and for medicines there.

“We took 13 people from our church including our pastor, Geren Street, and we met four people from Alabama who went along to help.

Once we got in Belize, we picked up a couple who went along to translate the language for us.”

Along with being away from home and in a location where little was to be known of what to expect, one of the greatest obstacles the group had to face was how to communicate with the people in the area that the mission group was going to.

Fortunately for the group, the decision to pick up the couple who served as interpreters was the most important pickup on the trip.

“We discovered that though most of them speak Spanish, the Mayans of Guatemala have their own dialect so the interpreters were invaluable.”

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For all that have been on a mission trip, the vision that might be formulated is one of a sight-seeing adventure in a country far from home.

Unfortunately, those same people find out sooner than later that other countries are not as blessed as the United States and this part of the country is.

Leaving the comfort zone of Roan Mountain might have been difficult for others but not for Dr. Hanson who realized that things that are worthwhile are always hard.

“I was not concerned about leaving the country but it was just a hassle to get a passport. We also had to learn the do’s and don’ts of this region and a little of their culture,” according to Hanson.

“The biggest health risk for us was the water. We were told not to drink the water, and we were given several bottles of water a day to help us.”

To make matters worse, the team selected a time of year that presented challenges of its own especially dealing with the heat of the country located in Central America.

“We really went down at a bad time of the year because of the heat,” stated Hanson. “We went the second and third week of June and Guatemala is near the equator.

“It was 95 degrees or more every day and the humidity made it miserable. I think the heat index was 105 degrees every day. We were told to drink at least four bottles of water a day.”

In his practice in Roan Mountain, Dr. Hanson is accustomed to having everything that he needs to treat his patients at arm’s length as well as having enough staff to help make sure his patients are taken good care of while they wait to see him by taking their vitals and other information.

Though Dr. Hanson took with him the skills that have served him well in his practice, he still counted on others for the day-to-day duties of having a medical clinic.

Furthermore, Dr. Hanson was the only physician on the trip.

“I was the only doctor but there was more than enough to do for everyone on the trip,” Dr. Hanson said. “We needed people to take blood pressures, check sugar levels and keep records.

“I took my grandchildren with me, Krisi and Kali, and they did things like that.”

One can imagine that there is a fear of just being on a trip such as the one Dr. Hanson elected to participate in. There have been stories in the past of people who have gone on mission trips and were kidnapped or even killed.

It could be especially challenging for a physician as countries who do not have the skills such as Dr. Hanson could look at an individual as being a valuable commodity to their villages and raise the risk of being kidnapped.

For Hanson, this fear didn’t cross his mind but having his two granddaughters along with him did make him think a little differently.

“If I feared anything on this trip, it was for my granddaughters. But I wanted to take them on this trip to expose them to other parts of the world and to other cultures,” Hanson commented.

“I know the first time I left the country it changed me, and I hoped it would make a difference for them. I think it did.”

The trip itself was filled with the opportunity to provide health services to those who may have had sickness and illnesses that hadn’t even been diagnosed.

One of the difficult parts for Dr. Hanson was the fact that even in

Krisi and Kali are pictured with members of a Guatemalan village.

The trip changed the lives of both of Dr. Hanson’s granddaughters.

Dr. Hanson’s granddaughter Krisi gives a diabetic test to one of the Guatemalan residents.

Dr. Hanson meets with a patient in his make-shift office. One of the worst problems in the villages was the presence of intestinal worms.

According to Dr. Hanson, 40 percent of his patients had this problem.

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being able to diagnose some patient’s issues, the realization that they might not even be able to afford the medicine and care needed to get better was a large consideration to be taken.

“We got to spend four days with the people, and it will change you,” Dr. Hanson said. “We would go to a village and people would come from all around the area.

“They would wait in line for hours to get treatment and they were so patient. This is one thing that was different about the people down there and here in the states.

“They would wait for hours and still have a smile on their face when you finally got to see them!

“We went to three different villages and tried to diagnosis their sickness and dispensed what medicine we had with us,” continued Dr. Hanson. “We could have helped a lot more people if we had taken different medicines but we just could not take everything.”

As a physician, it’s not uncommon to see different illnesses and have the desire to help. After all, that is why an individual should enter the field of medicine to begin with.

However, the difference in being able to diagnose and being able to actually help someone often presents barriers that a physician cannot heal.

“One man came to us who obviously had Parkinson’s. I told him what was wrong, but I could not help him. He would have to get the medicine somewhere else, and I doubt he could afford it. It was really heartbreaking,” Dr. Hanson stated.

Guatemala is no different from the United States in the fact that diseases such as diabetes and arthritis exist but there are other health issues that come with the conditions that are found in the country and especially in the various villages that are spread throughout the region.

One of the diseases that run rampant in the Central American country is intestinal worms.

“Forty percent of the villagers have intestinal worms, and we took plenty of worm medicine,” Dr. Hanson added. “They contract these from undercooked meat and through their feet. Many of them do not wear shoes, and they get them from the dirt.

“Another medical problem we encountered was scabies. Several people in every village had scabies.

“I remember one guy came to us with an itch that had lasted for five years. It was scabies, and he was very grateful when we gave him something to help it.”

While many may have a scaled vision of what the people of these villages might be like in real life, there is a stark difference to what is thought to what reality truly is.

This was quickly learned by Dr. Hanson and his group as they encountered many villagers while providing medical care to the villages.

“The people of the villages were so kind to us and sometimes even brought things for us to eat. They are very loving people,” said Dr. Hanson.

Hanson said there would be no hesitation to return and provide further medical care to the region. And while medical care was one of the reasons for going, one of the main reasons was to bring the people a different message.

A message of the gospel of Jesus Christ as the medical care opened doors for the Gospel to be shared with those who were seeking physical healing but were giving the news of a spiritual healing as well.

When I asked if he would go again, he did not hesitate.

Dr. Hanson is pictured with some of the Guatemalan people he tried to help on his recent visit.

Dr. Hanson’s granddaughter, Kali, gives aid to a Guatemalan child. Dr. Hanson was especially impressed with the patients and appreciation of the villagers.

“Absolutely. We were able to bring medical care to them and also share the gospel with them. We helped the patients medically, and then a Christian counselor talked to them. Everyone got some one-on-one time with the counselors, and I think we made a difference,” Dr. Hanson stated.

One of the big advantages of the trip for Dr. Hanson was just spending a week with other Christians and his granddaughters.

“It was so good to spend a week with other Christians, and I think the trip really helped my granddaughters, Kali and Krisi. I know they came back as different people.”

Dr. Hanson is looking forward to another mission trip.

“I hope I get to go again,” Dr. Hanson said. “We were able to help others, but it made a difference and changed who I am. I learned that things that are worthwhile are always hard.

“People should get out of their comfort zones and then they can grow as a person. They will live through it and they will make a difference.

Basically, that is why we are put on earth, to help our fellowman.”

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Peanut butter and chocolate: a pairing for the ages

F

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Terrine with Sugared Peanuts

ew dessert pairings are as beloved as chocolate and peanut butter.

These are strong flavors that are coveted on their own, and especially so when eaten together.

When packed in a decadent terrine, peanut butter and chocolate take indulgence to new heights.

Whether hosting a gathering at home or preparing a dessert for family, this recipe for “Chocolate-Peanut Butter Terrine with Sugared Peanuts” from “Classic Stars Desserts” (Chronicle Books)

by Emily Luchetti is sure to please.

For best results, use chocolate with 58 to 62 percent cacao, rather than a chocolate of higher percentage.

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Terrine with Sugared Peanuts Serves 8

Terrine 11 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped 1 ounce unsalted butter 6 tablespoons creamy peanut butter 4 large egg yolks 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar 13⁄4 cups whipping cream Glaze 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped 21⁄2 ounces unsalted butter 2 teaspoons light corn syrup

Sugared Peanuts 1 large egg white 6 tablespoons granulated sugar 11⁄2 cups unsalted peanuts Spray an 81⁄2-by-41⁄2-by23⁄4inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.

Line the sprayed pan with plastic wrap, allowing a 11⁄2-inch overhang on all sides.

In a stainless-steel bowl, combine the chocolate, butter, and peanut butter. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate and butter melt.

Remove from the heat and whisk until smooth.

Combine the egg yolks and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted

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with the whip attachment and whip on high speed until thick, about 1 minute. Remove the bowl from the mixer stand. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the chocolate mixture in 3 equal additions. The mixture will be quite thick.

In a separate bowl, whisk the cream until it starts to thicken.

Using a spatula, fold the cream into the chocolate mixture in 4 equal additions. Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Cover with the plastic wrap overhanging the sides and refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours.

To unmold the terrine, fold back the plastic wrap and invert the pan onto a wire rack. Pull on a corner of the plastic wrap to release the terrine from the pan. Lift off the pan and carefully remove the plastic wrap.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the rack on it. Return the terrine to the refrigerator while you make the glaze.

To make the glaze, in a stainlesssteel bowl, combine the chocolate, butter and corn syrup. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water, and heat, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate and butter melt. Remove from over the heat and whisk until smooth. The glaze should be pourable but not so thin that it will run off the terrine. If the glaze is too thin, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Slowly pour the glaze evenly over the top of the terrine, allowing it to stream evenly down the sides. With an offset spatula, spread the glaze to cover the terrine smoothly and completely. Refrigerate until the glaze is set, about 30 minutes.

To make the sugared peanuts, preheat the oven to 350 F. In a bowl, whisk the egg white until frothy.

Whisk in the sugar. Add the peanuts and mix until they are evenly coated with the mixture. Spread the peanuts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and place in the oven. Toast the nuts, stirring them every 5 minutes, until dry and golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

To serve, transfer the terrine to a serving platter and arrange the sugared peanuts on top. Cut the terrine with a hot, dry knife.

Dan Britt, otherwise known as “Big Dan,� has worked at the restaurant since it opened in 2009. He said his passion for barbecuing is what drew him to the industry in the first place.

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Britt said his main courses can take anywhere from eight to sometimes 15 hours to fully cook, since he likes to go “low and slow.” The result, however, is a menu customers flock from across the county to taste for themselves.

Big Dan’s provides decade of American tradition * Story and Photos by Amber Wadovick * move into downtown Elizabethton, next door to the Riverside Taphouse, he local barbecue joint in Carter County may have unand after months of negotiating leases and other details, the store dergone both name and location changes in the past few years, but the owner’s passion for his product and the com- reopened on Elk Avenue in early May to droves of people eager to sample his product. munity has not wavered since the restaurant first opened “We feel really comfortable here,” Britt said. “I just love downtown. I its doors. love being part of this community.”

Big Dan’s BBQ opened under the name Creeker’s BBQ roughly 10 Big Dan’s decade of good reputation in part comes from its standards. years ago on Highway 91 in Carter County, and ever since that day, Dan His immense passion for bar-be-que translates into a high bar he sets for Britt said he fell in love with the craft. his food. He, himself, for instance, does all of the smoking himself.

“I just wanted to be the pit boss,” Britt said. “The other people I “There is an art to doing it right,” Britt said. “Everyone has got their started with left after a year.” different spice rubs. It is such a versatile type of cooking.”

It was in 2015 when the restaurant’s third owner, Eddie Lewis, lost a It is not like barbecuing is a fast process, either. When a customer orkidney and had to give up the store. Rather than see his favorite place ders the smoked ham, for example, they are actually ordering something close down, Britt decided to take ownership of the place himself. that has been about eight or nine hours in the making. Pork takes about “Big Dan,” as the locals call him, said he originally worked as a civil engineer before working for Creeker’s, but once he started smoking 15 hours, and the brisket can take about 16 hours to fully cook.

Part of this is due to Britt’s “low and slow” smoking process. While meat, he just could not stop. using an oven to cook will use a temperature of about 325 to 350 “I love the whole history of bar-be-que,” he said. “It is such an degrees, Britt smokes his meat at about 225. This slower method makes American tradition. It is about as American as you can get.” sure the meat is as tender as possible. He said he sticks with the meat the Its original location on Highway 91 attracted a lot of truck drivers entire time. to the location, but in early 2019, the restaurant had the opportunity to 39

T

Britt does all the smoking himself, saying he sets high standards on how to prepare and serve his food.

“It is not rocket science, but there is definitely an art.”

Britt said his method is not the only one out there. Some cooks will wrap their meat in foil while it cooks, and others use higher heats depending on what they are looking for. That is part of what makes barbecuing so fun.

Since their food has to be as fresh as possible, however, this means Big Dan’s has to predict what the customers are going to want far in advance, which can be tricky in the food industry. For example, in the winter, barbecue is not as overwhelmingly popular like it is during summer.

It is not a perfect process, however.

“You really cannot control that,” Britt said.

Part of how they achieve this is by directly interacting with the customers and figuring out what is working and what isn’t. Some of their classics will remain on their menu year-round, while others will vary depending on the season.

He said one of his main goals as a restaurant is to keep making quality food for its customers without being too extravagant.

“We do not want to get too complicated,” he said.

Among his personal favorite items is the sliced beef and the pulled pork. When times get tough, he said his staff make the experience worth the difficulties that sometimes come their way.

“My staff is like a family,” Britt said. “The whole experience is something I am really passionate about.”

Big Dan’s involves itself with many different organizations in the area, including churches and school groups looking to do fundraisers, as well as working alongside fellow downtown businesses like Riverside Taphouse.

“We just like to work together,” he said. “You can tell how they support our own.”

At the end of the day, Britt said he works to provide the best quality product as often as they can, because that is what he loves to do.

Big Dan’s is located at 635 East Elk Avenue in Elizabethton, and they are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information about their menu, their number is 423-542-2272.

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Tiramisu

Show your love through dessert this Valentine’s Day

R

omantic sentiments are expressed in many ways come Valentine’s Day. Gifts may include sparkling jewels or personalized prose, but a homemade dessert from the kitchen can win over some hearts as well.

Even though chocolate may be expected on Valentine’s Day, tiramisu can be a welcome and delicious alternative. Tiramisu is an Italian layered dessert, and the name translates to “pick me up” or “cheer me up.” It is made from spongy cookies soaked in coffee and liqueur, nestled among dollops of rich mascarpone cheese. Requiring no baking at all, it is an easy treat to offer a sweetheart. Enjoy this recipe for “Tiramisu” courtesy of the American

Dairy Association.

Yield: 9 servings

Tiramisu

6 egg yolks 1 cup sugar 11⁄4 cup mascarpone cheese 13⁄4 cup heavy whipping cream 2 12 oz packages Savoradi Lady Fingers 1⁄2 cup cold espresso or strong coffee 1⁄4 cup coffee flavored liqueur (optional) 1 tablespoon cocoa for dusting Combine egg yolks and sugar in the top of a double boiler, over boiling water. Reduce heat to low and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly.This is your sabayon. Remove from 41

the heat and whip yolks until thick and lemon colored. Add mascarpone to whipped yolks, and beat until combined.

In a separate bowl, whip cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream in the mascarpone-sabayon mixture and set aside.

Mix the cold espresso with the coffee liquor, and dip the lady fingers into the mixture just long enough to get them wet; do not soak them! Arrange the lady fingers in the bottom of a 8 inch square baking dish (or 6X9). Spoon half the mascarpone cream filling over the lady fingers.

Repeat the process with another layer. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Dust with cocoa before serving.

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