Tri-State Living • November/December 2021

November/December 2021

Charm HISTORIC

Ironton's historic Rankin district home to Tower House

from the editor EDITORIAL Sarah Simmons, General Manager Heath Harrison, Staff Writer Mark Shaffer, Staff Writer Dawn Nolan, Contributor Mark Williams, Contributor news@tristateliving.com ADVERTISING Christie Coleman, Sales Consultant advertising@tristateliving.com PRODUCTION Kandi Thompson, Creative Director PHOTOGRAPHY Mark Williams, Contributor Rachael Layne, Contributor Jeremy Holtzapfel, Contributor

tter healthcare?

we ing ur .

November/December 2021

Charm HISTORIC

Ironton's historic Rankin district home to Tower House

OMC provider, right through your nvenient app, you can use your afely from just about anywhere.

al visit is right for you ck patient portal.

on the cover Ironton’s Tower House, owned by Jake and Shelby Cogan, has become a sensation on social media.

Celebrate the holiday season by shopping local

I

t’s that time of year. The halls are decked, the fires are crackling and the cash registers are ringing. If you choose to shop for friends and family this year, consider visiting your local merchants first.

Not only can they provide you with unique and personalized gifts and services, but their service cannot be matched by national chains. Our small business owners are personally invested and it shows.

While online giants such as Amazon make it easy to click the “Buy Now” button, they aren’t the ones answering the call when your local Little League needs support.

On top of that, the U.S. Small Business Administration found that 75 percent of small business owners donate an average of 6 percent of their profits to charity. It’s likely that these charities are ones that serve the very community that you live in. And it’s said that every dollar spent at a local business recirculates in our own community seven times!

Our small businesses are part

SARAH SIMMONS is the general manager of Ironton Publications, Inc. She is a native of Ironton and a life-long resident of the Tri-State.

of our community identity. If we support our local businesses, we are supporting downtowns that show growth and progress.

Your holiday shopping isn’t just shopping. It’s an investment. And what better gift is there to give than a strengthened community?

Tri-State Living (ISSN 02795124) is published every other month by Ironton Publications, Inc., 2903 South Fifth St., Ironton, OH 45638.

Periodicals postage paid at Ironton, OH. Copyright 2021 Ironton Publications, Inc. Reprint of any part of contents without permission is forbidden. Titles registered in the U.S. Patent Office. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Tri-State Living, P.O. Box 647, Ironton, OH 45638-0647.

Tri-StateLiving | 3

801 Pleasant St. Ironton, Ohio 740-532-5471 x1

“The PC, phone and tablet store” CUSTOM PCs • PHONE REPAIR • DATA RECOVERY • WIRELESS

Great locally made gift ideas.

Voted Best Computer Repair in the Tr-State 2016-2021

Over 1.3 Million Virus’s removed with CBPC AV

HOURS: MONDAY-FRIDAY 10 AM- 5:30 PM, - SATURDAY 10 AM-2 PM

IT’S NOT JUST A FLIGHT

NATIONAL HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE MONTH – NOVEMBER 2018 Providing compassionate N AT I O N A L H O S P I C E A N D PA L L I AT I V Ecare C A R E Mfor O N T H40 – N Oyears VEMBER 2018

N AT I O N A L H O S P I C E A N D PA L L I AT I V E C A R E M O N T H – N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 8

A Program that Works. A Benefit that Matters.

Living life to the fullest is what

A Program thatcare Works.

Benefit that Matters. hospice is Aall about.

It’s a chance to make memories

a cure possible, Community Living life to the fullest is When what Living life toisn’tthe fullest is Hospice whatoffers a person-centered approach to treatment thatWorks. includes expert medical care, A Program that A Benefit thatcomprehensive Matters. pain management, hospice care is all about.

hospice care is all about.

and emotional and spiritual support – most often provided in your home. Living life When a cure isn’t possible, CommunitytoHospice offers person-centered the fullest, up toa the final moment isapproach what hospice care is all about.

When a cure isn’t possible, Community Livingto life tothat the fullest is what treatment includes expert medical care, comprehensive pain management, Hospice a person-centered approach and emotional andall spiritual support – mostoffers often provided in your home. Living life hospice care is about. to the fullest, up to the final moment is what hospice is all about. to treatment thatcare includes medical care, #MyHospice

Whether it’s for business or leisure, Huntington Tri-State Airport can help you get where you need to be.

When a cure isn’t possible, Community Hospice offers a person-centered comprehensive pain management, and approach and spiritual support — management, most to treatment that includes expert emotional medical care, comprehensive pain Learn more at: www.chospice.org #MyHospice often provided your home.

Living life Living to and emotional and spiritual support – most ofteninprovided in your home. life the is fullest, up to the fi nal moment is what to the fullest, up to the final moment what hospice care is all about.

Ashland Care Center Ironton Paintsville Learn more at: 606-329-1890 606-329-0767 740-532-8841 606-297-1095 hospice care is all about. www.chospice.org Ashland 606-329-1890

#MyHospice

Care Center 606-329-0767

Ironton 740-532-8841

Paintsville 606-297-1095

Toll-free 800-926-6184

Toll-free 800-926-6184

Learn more at: www.chospice.org Ashland 606-329-1890 IRONTON

Care Center Ironton Paintsville Toll-free 606-329-0767 606-297-1095 800-926-6184 ASHLAND 740-532-8841 CARE CENTER PAINTSVILLE

2029 S. 3rd Street Ironton, OH 45638 740-532-8841

1480 Carter Avenue Ashland, KY 41101 606-329-1890

2330 Pollard Road Ashland, KY 41101 606-329-0767

Paintsville, KY 41240 606-297-1095

tristateairport.com

Nov./Dec. 2021 Contents

8

arts & culture 8

ON DISPLAY Embroidery artist creates three-dimensional designs

living 16

16

28

COUNTER CULTURE Ashland fitness studio specializes in aerial skills

shopping 22

IN THE BIZ Wheelersburg boutique brings current trends to Tri-State

feature 28

KOUNS KREATIVE DESIGN Ironton couple creates hand-crafted decor

homes 40 SHOWCASE

Ironton tower houses historic charm

in the spotlight

food 52

IN THE KITCHEN Sky 37 serves up specialty Brazilian roasts

58

FROM THE COOKBOOK Sweet and savory holiday fare

in every issue

22

4

FROM THE EDITOR Shop local this holiday season

66

THE LAST WORD Jodi Rowe Collins looks back on career

Joint deterioration can make the simplest, most routine activities painful. That’s why you want a team with the skill and expertise to get you back on your feet in less time and with less pain. At Kingsbrook, an outstanding team of therapists and nurses provide joint replacement patients with innovative care that gets them active faster and keeps them active longer.

“Rehab at its Finest” 2500 STATE ROUTE 5, ASHLAND, KENTUCKY 606-324-1414 Call today or come by for a tour and see what Kingsbrook has to offer.

Back on the road to good health.

At HIMG Physical Therapy, patients have access to the latest in therapy equipment and techniques. Our trained and experienced staff of professionals will assist you in getting back on the road to good health.

Find out how we can help you get back to good health.

HOURS Monday / Wednesday / Friday 7 am – 7 pm Tuesday / Thursday 7 am – 6 pm Saturday 7:30 am – 12:30 pm by appt only

Visit us on Facebook for the latest information on upcoming summer festivals and events! www.facebook.com/bctcb

Boyd County Tourism & Convention Bureau 606-585-4770

HIMGWV.COM (304) 399-2200 | 5170 US ROUTE 60 E

arts & culture Tri-State Living

up close Artist’s proceses lead to three dimensional embroidery works

p. 8

8 | Tri-StateLiving

On Display | arts & culture

EXPERIMENTAL EMBROIDERY Story Dawn Nolan | Photography Shannon Shank

U

sing warm, natural materials like cotton, linen, wood and ceramics, Christine Natalie White creates hand-embroidered textile pieces that are “dimensional, modern, botanical.”

“It’s a delicate art, and I love that delicateness,” White said.

The stay-at-home mom of three (Sophia, 8; Olivia, 6; Jude, 3) started her business, Christine Natalie Art, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. White released her first collection of embroidery hoops, which was made up of eight pieces, in July. Her second collection was released in September and featured 15 pieces.

“It started as a creative outlet for me, which I really needed at the time,” she said.

White was motivated to try her hand at embroidery art after following a Russian textile artist (@irenelovestextiles) on Instagram.

“I just thought, ‘I want to do that,’” White said. She told her husband, and then one day, when she was with her kids, she decided to make a trip to the craft store.

“I picked up some linen, hoops and thread, and I just started doing it,” White said.

White’s new art business was a bit of a switch from what she’d been doing in her previous career. Prior to moving to

Tri-StateLiving | 9

arts & culture | On Display

10 | Tri-StateLiving

On Display | arts & culture

Huntington, where her husband Brandon (a surgical technician and her biggest supporter) is from, eight years ago, White was pursuing a doctorate in neuroscience.

She is a graduate of University of Michigan and worked at the famed Kinsey Institute in Indiana as a research assistant.

“I find how people think and the brain interesting,” she said. “I’m the type of person that dives deeply into a topic, and that was something I enjoyed for a long time.”

Science might have been her path for a while, but White has always been an artist — sketching, painting, sewing, etc. — at heart.

“I’ve been sewing since I was a small child; my mom taught me,” White said. “I always liked that medium and the softness — the yarn thread has different texture but there is this soft and warm feel to it. I’ve also sketched and painted for many years, and it’s something I want to start incorporating into my work. I have multimedia ideas that I’m excited about.”

During her middle school years, White’s family lived in Switzerland. The time abroad had a profound experience on her.

“I had an amazing art education,” she said. “These were the best art teachers.

They had students explore different mediums, and we had opportunities to travel. We went to Paris and visited the Monet museum — one of my favorite no longer living artists — and it was incredible.

We had a big project where we had to create a special art book that compiled sketches and things from our travels.”

White has converted one of the rooms in her home into a space where she can “experiment” with her embroidery and other art.

Tri-StateLiving | 11

arts & culture | On Display

“I use a lot of different materials and techniques and have spent a lot of time experimenting,” she said. “I have a basket full of ‘experiments’ — I try not to call them failures because it’s all part of the learning process even if they didn’t work out.”

Each of White’s pieces are individual works.

“Generally when I’m making things my process is very freeform, and I just design them as I go,” she said. “I like for that piece that I’m working on to be the only one. I might make something in a similar motif, but it isn’t ever going to be exactly the same.

Her creations range in size. The smallest one she’s done has been about 2 inches, and the largest was 23. Most,

12 | Tri-StateLiving

however, are between 6-10 inches. The time it takes to complete a piece can also vary, but White thinks it’s usually around 50-60 hours.

“A lot of time is spent thinking about where I want to go with it, ” White said. “Actual work time can range from weeks to months, because I have other things going on with my kids and family.”

As evident in her work, flowers and nature are White’s biggest source of inspiration.

“I would definitely say the outdoors is my greatest influence,” White said. “We’re a super outdoorsy family. We love hiking and foraging and just spending time outside.”

She also has a deep love for the ocean.

On Display | arts & culture

“I have a piece I’m working on that’s inspired by green coral and echoes the shape of sand dunes. I just love the area where the ocean and land meet.”

White uses a lot of neutral tones in her pieces, but isn’t against using pops of color.

“I love that coziness and calmness of having neutrals in my own home, and when we’re stuck inside all the time, especially as it gets colder, I just kind of crave that comfort. But it’s also energizing to have some bright color.”

White has a few small pieces for sale at The Red Caboose, though most are listed on her website — christinenatalieart.com.

Prices range from $39-379. Many are sold out, but a few are still available for purchase.

So, after releasing two collections in a matter of months, what does she plan on doing next?

“I’m going to be finishing some commissions, and there are some big ideas I want to explore,” White said. I’ve already started working on some reforms. I want to continue making things but not put the pressure on myself to meet a deadline.”

See more of White’s work on Instagram @christinenatalieart. a

Tri-StateLiving | 13

living | Outdoors

Rick Lee 606-584-5114 leer@lindsey.edu

SUPERIOR LIGHT BEER 2.6 CARBS

95 CALS

Helping You or a Love One

Tri-State LifeCare is a new home-based program that focuses on improving the quality of life for those dealing with a serious illness such as COPD, congestive heart failure, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and more. We are at your service. Call today to see how we can help you or a loved one.

304-399-0225 | tristatelifecare.org

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY © 2019 Anheuser-Busch, Michelob Ultra® Light Beer, St. Louis, MO 95 calories, 2.6g carbs, 0.6g protein and 0.0g fat, per 12 oz.

Live Life to the Fullest

Tri-State LifeCare is a non-hospice program of Hospice of Huntington, Inc. Anheuser-Busch: Michelob ULTRA

Production Job# 308924

Project Name: Trim Size: Bleed Size: Live Area: Scale/Final Size:

Item Number: Date/Round: Operator: Closing Date: Publication:

MU - Iconic - SLB - Bottle/Glass 3.55" x 4.8" 3.8" x 5.05" 3.3" x 4.55" 100%

PMU2019012 cs 4.26.19 Ironton Tribune

Creative Job# XXXXXX

Tri-StateLiving

up close Ashland studio features ‘strange fitness’

p. 16

16 | Tri-StateLiving

Counter Culture | living

High-flying FITNESS Counter Culture a unique and wide variety of workout classes Story Heath Harrison | Photography Rachael Layne

A

SHLAND, Ky. — An excited and happy shriek comes from the next room.

“I think she just pulled off a trick for the first time,” Katie Savage says upon hearing it from a class participant.

A group is practicing in the adjacent space at Counter Culture, which features an aerial cube, mounted from the ceiling, upon which participants perform aerobics on the rigging.

Savage, who opened the business in May on Roberts Drive in Ashland, said it was a delayed start, following closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She began work on constructing the space, located in the rear of the building, which also hosts BloodMoon Goddesses Apothecary & Spiritual Services, shortly after Valentine’s Day in 2020.

“We are a pole and circus fitness studio,” she said, stating they offer classes in “anything and everything” having to do with what she calls “strange fitness.”

A unique business and studio for the region, Counter

Culture offers courses in aerial silks, in which aerobics are performed from a hanging fabric, aerial yoga, aerial hoop, pole dancing and regular dance, as well as conditioning and strength building.

This fall, they also offered five-week courses in burlesque.

Savage is a member of Cosmadolls, a local burlesque troupe, founded in 2013, which has performed at events such as Ironton Wizardfest and the Road Hawk Magazine Tattoo Show at the Ro-Na Theater.

She said she first got into circus arts when she was taking a pole fitness classes at age 18 in Lexington, Kentucky.

“I took a class and fell in love and bought one and trained,” Savage said.

Savage said, from there, she shadowed her instructor and taught her self through videos.

“It was kind of a combination of both,” she said of her learning.

She said business has been strong and most classes have booked.

Tri-StateLiving | 17

They are offered in six-week sessions, with about 3-4 people each, so that each person has access to one of the space’s devices. Altogether, she says they teach about 10 classes a week.

She said the classes are open to those ages 18 and up and that they are body-positive and open to all types and skills levels, from beginners to advanced. Those wanting to sign up can do so online at https://bookwhen.com/counterculture.

Savage said, in addition to learning “really cool tricks,” one of the biggest benefits of aerial fitness is a full body workout that engages all the muscles.

“It is a really fun workout, but it doesn’t feel like a workout,” she said.

Over the last year, Savage says business has been steady.

“More people have been taking courses and then their friends want to try,” she said.

They have since added more poles to the studio and have increased the size of their of pole classes, she said. In addition, they have started offering aerial hammock classes.

Tri-StateLiving | 19

living | Counter Culture With this growth, the number of instructors has also increased.

“We have five now, including myself, and one from Lexington, who comes in to teach,” she said. “We have several new classes and several new faces. It’s been going great and everyone is welcome.”

Counter Culture has also performed at several events, along with Cosmadolls, including their Halloween party, a Halloween extravaganza in Huntington and are set to be at Ironton’s Wizardfest in November.

Savage said one of her favorite things to see is the confidence it builds in those who enroll in the classes.

“People come in and, at first, they don’t feel so good,” she said. “But then you see their face light up when they try it.”

Counter Culture is located at 5405 Roberts Drive, Suite 5 in Ashland. More information can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/countercultureashland. a

CENTURY 21

SUZANNE TRIPLETT 740.550.0853 Masters Emerald & Quality Service Pinnacle

LOIS JOHNSON 740.534.8067 Masters Ruby & Quality Service

GINA GRIFFITH 606.922.7118 Silver Award & Centurion Honor Society

ROBIN KIRTLAND 606.922.0822 Silver Award & Quality Service Pinnacle

STEPHANI BRANHAM 606.232.6697 Silver Award & Quality Service

SHERRY ROBINETTE 606.571.1413 Bronze Award & Quality Service Pinnacle

JOHN GOATS 606.225.0259 Horizon Award & Quality Service

CATHY GALLOWAY 606.571.2376 Million Dollar Producer

Brooks Wells Enterprises

www.c21bwe.com Serving Kentucky, Ohio & West Virginia Ashland, KY 41101 Huntington, WV 25701

606.329.8000

Ironton, OH 45638

740.532.5200

CINDY WILSON 859.912.4848 Bronze Award

JENNIFER WURTS 606.371.7048 Bronze Award & Quality Service Pinnacle

We strive to be “the” local real estate experts clients trust, respect and never hesitate to refer.

Grayson, KY 41143

606.474.0021

Joyce “Jody” Goats

CRYSTAL BURKE 606.922.4864

BARBARA CREECH 606.836.6994

MAYE HAMMONDS 606.547.2941

P.D. HARRIS II 606.922.5767

MELISSA JACKSON 606.465.5228

MICHAEL MCDANIELS 740.533.1513

MELISSA STONE 606.922.5160

VIRGINIA WHITT 606.922.2347

CHRISTY UTLEY OFFICE MANAGER 606.922.5866

PRINCIPAL BROKER

606.922.6717 Member of 5 MLS’s To Serve You Better

LELA MUSIC 606.498.9075

CATHY STEPHENS 606.615.1582

shopping Tri-State Living

up close Wheelersburg boutique brings trends to the Tri-State

p. 22

22 | Tri-StateLiving

In the Biz | shopping

For the love of Online boutique shifts to brick and mortar operation Story, Photography Mark Williams

P

aris. Milan. Franklin Furnace? While the small southern Ohio town might not be a fashion mecca just yet, one entrepreneur is doing her part to make the Tri-State trendy again.

Franklin Furnace native Amanda Staton founded Eighth and Darling as an online retail shop almost three years ago in her dining room. After years of virtual success, Staton made the move to a physical store in March of 2020. Located on Gallia Pike just a stone’s throw from Green High School, the new boutique stocks the newest casual women’s fashion trends, customized school spirit shirts and accessories, and a whole lot more.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to have my own little clothing store. When I opened last year, I had three racks of clothing,” Staton said. “Now, the whole store is full and I need more room.”

The shift from online-only to brick-and-mortar was a risky one for Staton, but the rewards that come with inperson retail were too plentiful to pass up.

“A lot of boutiques don’t have a storefront right now,”

she said. “They’re strictly online or on Facebook. On my website, I try to give very detailed descriptions of the sizes, the fabrics and the designs. But with a storefront, people can come in and actually shop and try things on, as opposed to just ordering it online, praying that it fits and worrying about having to return it. Typically, people come in for one thing, like a tee shirt, and leave with multiple things like a tee shirt and a pair of jeans and another boutique outfit.”

One such instance was taken to the extreme last holiday season.

“A mother and daughter came in last Small Business Saturday and fell in love with some shirts I made based on the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Tri-StateLiving | 23

In the Biz | shopping

They started calling family members, gathering their sizes. They ordered more than 20 different shirts on the spot for Christmas presents.”

Armed with 16 years of retail experience, a large network of friends and customers and a lifelong passion for fashion, Staton turned her dream into reality.

By continuously reinvesting her early online profits, Staton slowly increased her inventory and production equipment.

Now outfitted with vinyl, heat transfer and sublimation printing capabilities, Eighth and Darling is adding new designs, products and customers every day.

“I strive to make really unique graphics, and I design my own original ideas and images,” she said. And recently I’ve shipped to Florida, Texas, northern Ohio.

I’m branching out. My friends share my Facebook posts and they get seen by people all over the country and sure enough I will get a message from someone who lives nowhere near here asking me to design something for them.”

Though she does sometimes purchase designs from other designers, the bulk of the work is done by Staton herself and her husband Tyler. Some graphics are centered on icons like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. Others are holiday-based designs playfully paired with popular memes and pop culture nostalgia. But Staton’s true bread and butter comes from unique school spirit graphics. By blending familiar pop culture imagery with local high schools’ mascots and colors, Staton’s designs can be spotted in football bleachers all over the Tri-State.

Tri-StateLiving | 25

shopping | In the Biz

26 | Tri-StateLiving

“Right now, ‘70s and ‘80s band tees are extremely popular, even though some of the kids don’t even know who these bands are,” Staton said with a laugh. “My most popular design right now is a Def Leppard design I created. It’s got the school spirit mascot and colors but uses the Def Leppard font. I’ve sold a ton of these.”

Admittedly, Staton spends most of her time tucked away with her printers in her on-site workshop, creating new graphics and filling bulk custom orders. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t think outside the box on occasion.

“The bleached, distressed look is really popular at the moment. Holes, acid wash, anything distressed. The ‘90s grunge style is in right now. So some days you might drive by the shop and see me with a ton of tee shirts or hoodies

lined up on the sidewalk bleaching them outside. It’s really fun because they’re all so unique. You cannot copy a bleach pattern.”

With possible expansion, new product lines, and more production capabilities on the horizon, the future looks bright for Eighth and Darlin, despite the economic uncertainties that have surrounded retail during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Thankfully, my tee shirt business was already established before the pandemic started,” she said. But it and the shop have done nothing but grow since I opened. If anything, I feel like the pandemic has made people more aware and made them want to support small businesses. A lot of them have unfortunately gone under, but luckily, mine has just continued to grow.” a

Tri-StateLiving | 27

shopping feature | Kouns | In the Kreative Biz Designs

A CREATIVE COUPLE Hand-crafted Ironton decor business thrives Story, Photos Mark Williams

F

rom seasonal door hangers and decorative wooden sports jerseys to tee shirts and tier sets, Kouns Kreative Designs is a new onestop-shop for unique custom decor in downtown Ironton.

“If they want to decorate with it, we can probably do it,” says owner Aimee Kouns with a laugh. “Sports are really big for us.

We do all kinds of seasonal stuff. We’ve done Wizard of Oz, The Adams Family, Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas and we are working on a Scooby Doo-themed set right now.”

Founded by lifelong crafters Kevin and Aimee Kouns and located in a small storefront at 303 Park Avenue in Ironton, Kouns Kreative Designs is growing at a remarkable rate. What originally began as a birthday gift idea for a friend in the fall of 2019 has quickly ballooned into a thriving 28 | Tri-StateLiving

In the Biz | shopping

Tri-StateLiving | 29

shopping feature | Kouns | In the Kreative Biz Designs

small business with expansion on the horizon.

“We would take custom orders and schedule meet-ups in different places with customers, whether it be in Huntington, Ironton, Hurricane, wherever,” says Kevin Kouns. As orders poured in, the logistics of the meetup system were soon unrealistic. “It became really hard to coordinate and meet with 60 or 70 different people, so we opened up this store as a centralized pick-up location, and it has developed from there.”

Now, with over 200 custom orders awaiting production, Kouns Kreative Design is preparing to move into a bigger location on Center Street. “It’s three times bigger than this place, and we are redoing everything in it,” Kevin said.

“I think once the new store is ready, that’s when we will do our official grand opening,” Aimee added. “We haven’t really even announced that we are really here yet other than on Facebook,” she said with a laugh. “No advertising or anything like that.”

Almost every item in the current shop is hand-crafted by the Kouns’ themselves in their home workshop. Large wooden Ironton Tiger paws hang from the wall while Ohio State and Marshall “leaner boards” line the corners and Halloween porch setters fill out the floors.

Several unique “tier sets,” or collections of handmade items based on central themes, fill multiple shelves.

“This entire corner was full of leaner boards for every school last week, and now they’re almost all gone.” Aimee said. “Looks like we are going to have to make more.”

As for production, Aimee designs and paints each item while Kevin crafts the handmade creations out of raw materials using industrial-grade machinery. Working 30 | Tri-StateLiving

In the Biz | shopping

together, the couple can crank out almost 40 door hangers in a single day. Aside from the brick-and-mortar store, Kouns Kreative Designs also offers wholesale items to other retailers in the area, a “Door Hanger of the Month” club on Facebook and even occasionally hosts “paint parties” in a neighboring storefront.

“We’ve done bridal showers, girls-night-out parties, even a big group of teachers had a big back-to-school get together,” Aimee said.

“They have to schedule these with us in advance,” Kevin added. “What we do is bring in the raw materials. It comes in blank. And we provide the paint, and they’ll assemble and paint their own door hangers. Aimee is there as kind of a

guide or a coach. We don’t serve food or drinks, but if they want to bring in snacks or beverages, they’re allowed to.”

With so much going on, and so much more on the horizon, Kouns Kreative Designs is rapidly establishing itself as a creative name in the area’s business landscape. Not bad for a side-hustle.

“I’m a mail carrier, he works full-time at Marathon, and we have kids,” Aimee said with a laugh. “It seems like we work 12-16 hours a day, seven days a week. But the outpour of support from the community has been amazing,” Aimee said. “And not just Ironton, but all over. Greenup, Russell, Ashland, Huntington, Wheelersburg, everywhere has just been so supportive.” a Tri-StateLiving | 31

32 | Tri-StateLiving

Kouns Kreative In the Designs Biz | shopping | feature SCHOOL SPIRIT Personalized graduation hanger

FRIENDSHIP ORNAMENTS The Light of Friendship bulb ornament

FUNNY ORNAMENTS Commemorative Facebook jail ornament

Tri-StateLiving | 33

feature | Kouns Kreative Designs

FOR THE CLASSROOM Personalized classroom door hanger

NAME TAGS DIY Christmas gift tag kits

Kouns Kreative Designs | feature

THEMED SIGNS 3D Peanuts themed sign

KITCHEN DECOR Marine Corps cutting board

SERVING TRAY DIY Santa serving tray to be colored with markers or paint

Tri-StateLiving | 35

feature | Kouns Kreative Designs

3D DECOR 3D wooden Tiger design

JERSEY Custom football jersey design

UNIFORM Custom cheerleader design ranging from 16” to 4 feet

36 | Tri-StateLiving

Kouns Kreative Designs | feature

FOR THE KITCHEN Custom kitchen decor

FAMILY NAME Customized family name wooden items

Tri-StateLiving | 37

feature | Kouns Kreative Designs

PERSONALIZED SIGNS 3D shiplap signs.

10x16, 12x24, 18x32

PEANUTS themed ornament

HOLIDAY WREATH Handcrafted wreaths available

38 | Tri-StateLiving

homes Tri-StateLiving

up close Tower House has been landmark in Ironton for generations

p. 40

homes | Showcase

Towering.4

HEIGHTS

40 | Tri-StateLiving

Showcase | homes

Ironton home boasts charm, history and character Story Dawn Nolan | Photography Jeremy Holtzapfel

B

uilt in the mid-19th century by iron mill owner Frederick Norton, the Tower House — as it has become known — located at 709 S. Fourth St. (part of the Rankin Historic District) in Ironton has caught the attention of many over the centuries. Two admirers include Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein, the couple behind HGTV’s ‘Cheap Old Houses.’ The home was featured as part of the season one finale that aired earlier this summer. On the show and social media, the couple fawned over this “quirky Victorian,” with its “stunning details” including “exquisite hardware everywhere, Mercury glass doorknobs, interior and exterior doors that are more than twice my [Elizabeth’s] height, and a black walnut

staircase to end all staircases.”

Heather Williams, of Bunch Real Estate Associates, was responsible for posting the listing on several website and social media pages. That is how the show’s producers learned about it. Current owners Jake and Shelby Cogan closed on the house just a day before filming took place.

The original “Save this House” post featuring the residence on the @cheapoldhouses Instagram was made in May 2020 and garnered more than 36,000 likes — making it one of the most popular posts on the page. Another post congratulating the Cogans — and including the words “I’ve been Saved!” on it — went up in September and received 90,000 likes.

Tri-StateLiving | 41

42 | Tri-StateLiving

Showcase | homes

“We learned while visiting Ironton how much this house means to the community,” the post said. “It’s wonderfully heartwarming to see it land in good hands.”

The Cogans, a young, married couple from the area, bought the house in April.

Shelby moved in, but it would be a few months before Jake would be able.

“Jake didn’t get here until July because he was in Missouri at the time for the military,” Shelby said.

Shelby, who is from Ironton originally, is the director of nursing at Trinity Station Retirement Community. Jake, a South Point native, is a nurse at Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center and part of the Kentucky Army National Guard. The couple also manage a few rental properties.

“If there’s one thing I could pass on, it’s that we’re not spilling money,” Jake said.

“We’re just two normal people trying to fix this place.”

Prior to purchasing the home in Ironton, the couple lived in South Point. They weren’t specifically looking to move when they got wind that the property was for sale.

“We saw it when it first popped up for around $180,000,” Shelby said. But, she added, the exterior was looking a little worse for wear — clearly in need of a paint job.

When it went back on the market after the previous family moved to Kentucky, some noticeable work had been done to it (along with the paint job, the roof was replaced with slate tile), and the price had dropped to less than $150,000. So, the Cogans called their realtor to take a look.

Tri-StateLiving | 43

homes | Showcase

Shelby was struck by the 11-foot tall doors “They are completely original as far as we know,” Jake said), 12-foot high ceilings, many windows and of course, the tower.

“When will we ever have a chance to buy a mini mansion, in Ironton, at this price,” she thought.

The Cogans purchased the home for around $145,000, and though they are renovating it, it is their primary residence.

“It was livable when we moved in,” Jake said. “There was a lot of plumbing and electrical work that the owner before us did.”

The home spans more than 4,400 square feet, and the four-story tower, which is actually three rooms stacked on top of each other with entrances off each floor and a ladder extending from the third floor to the fourth level, is the most prominent feature.

“There are a lot of cool, historic houses around here, but none of them have a 40-foot-tall tower,” Shelby said.

“There’s a lot of theories, but it’s been said that Frederick Norton used the view from the top of the tower so that he could see the boats coming down the river. He relied on them for his business,” Jake said. “His family would also look out to see when he’d be on a boat coming home.”

Unfortunately, over the years, the tower has started to develop a slight lean, which has led some to refer to it as the “Leaning Tower House.” Though it is structurally sound for the time being, it would require restoration to combat further issues.

“It’s been an ongoing issue. The tower roof is a little too heavy for the structure,” Jake said. “There’s not a lot of support in there, and for years, it just kept going. More windows were added, and didn’t help it and most likely caused it to turn out. We’re trying to take care of it for good so that the community can see we’re trying to make this a better spot.”

Tri-StateLiving | 45

homes | Showcase

46 | Tri-StateLiving

Tri-StateLiving | 47

homes | Showcase

48 | Tri-StateLiving

Showcase | homes Jake said that quotes for renovating the tower have ranged from tens of thousands of dollars to upwards of $100,000. “So, it’s not going to be cheap,” he said. “We’re looking into a number of options including things like historical grants, but there’s a lot that those entail.”

T-shirts made by Custom Ink are being sold and a GoFundMe account has been set up to help with restoration expenses.

Links can be found on @towerhouseironton on Instagram.

Some of the other renovations, such as painting, restoring the original yellow poplar hardwood floors on the first level, and modernizing the kitchen appliances are already in progress.

“Some things we can either YouTube or have people that can show us how to get started,” Shelby said. “The first floor has been our priority since everyone sees it.”

In addition to the tower, the house also boasts a number of fireplaces (two marble ones that were imported from Italy), a mantle painted to look like marble, fretwork molding and many other intricate details. It is made up of five bedrooms, four bathrooms, two kitchens (one being the original placement with service doors and stairwell), a parlor, several living spaces — equaling a total of 19 rooms — and porch.

As they go through the renovation process, the Cogans are doing quite a bit of research on the house’s history with the help of the Lawrence County Historical Society and the Briggs Lawrence County Public Library.

“They are a wealth of knowledge,” Jake said.

And though they are trying to be as historically accurate as possible, Jake

Tri-StateLiving | 49

homes | Showcase

admits “it can be hard to find period appropriate pieces.”

A complete renovation is still a long time coming, but the couple hopes to one day invite the public to see some of the home by holding events.

“It will be kept as our primary residence, but at the same time, I think there’s a lot of historical value, and we’re going to find a way to incorporate that and let other people come in and see it,” Jake said. “It’s definitely a huge project, but we’re super excited to be a part of it.”

As for whether we’ll see the Tower House on HGTV again, “They expressed interest in wanting to come back when it’s done, and we hope that they do,” Shelby said. a

50 | Tri-StateLiving

Tri-StateLiving

food

up close Sky 37 Bistro makes coffee far from ordinary.

p. 52

Making coffee on the next level

52 | Tri-StateLiving

In the Kitchen | food

Sky 37 uses pour over kits, specialty beans for premium cup of coffee

M

ost of us drink our coffee to wake up and get moving, never really taking time to enjoy it. Jason Crum, owner of the brand new Sky 37 Bistro in Ashland, Kentucky, thinks about his coffee a little differently. Using handcrafted pour-over kits designed by the owners themselves, Sky 37 creates a unique coffee experience much more inviting than most shops in the area.

“We could probably do the drive-thru thing if we wanted to,” says Crum, while slowly pouring a customer’s first cup. “But I prefer to see the customers, to have them come in, sit down, relax and converse. The pour over method slows people down a bit.”

And this is no ordinary cup of joe. At Sky 37, Crum and company import coffee straight from Brazilian farmers. The results are more than just smooth and flavorful.

They’re certified “special.”

“We only use specialty coffee here, which has to be scored between 80 and 100 on the coffee grading scale,” explains Crum. “Each bean is graded on size, color, formation and other qualities. The higher you go on the scale, the fewer defects are allowed. There are three basic levels; specialty, gourmet and commodity. Gourmet is more like Starbucks, commodity is your Folger’s and Tri-StateLiving | 53

food | In the Kitchen

54 | Tri-StateLiving

Maxwell House, and then there’s Specialty. Everything we do is Specialty Brazilian, just because of our contacts.”

Those contacts originated during Crum’s tenure at SunCoke Energy. There he traveled the globe, helping to set up and build coke plants. He spent over 10 years traveling back and forth from his home in Greenup, Kentucky to Brazil, making lifelong friends and connections with every trip. While in Brazil, Crum fell in love with the handcrafted wooden furniture he would see in shops and roadside stores. Crum eventually decided that he wanted to bring this furniture, and the opportunity to buy it, back to the Tri-State.

“I knew nothing about importing anything,” Crum said with a laugh. “I would think to myself, ‘How does one even go about this?’

But just like anything else, it was all about finding the right people.”

Finding those connections led Crum and his wife, Carma, to start JC Mercantile, a furniture, home goods and coffee store in Lloyd, Kentucky. The shop’s success would quickly create a buzz in the area, leading to more business ventures within and beyond the Greenup County community. Using their imported coffee, the Crum’s helped establish the Warrior Cafe at Wurtland Elementary School. There, fifth grade students sell coffee to teachers and parents before and after school, using the profits to fund class field trips. Shortly after word of the cafe got out, bigger opportunities came knocking.

Tri-StateLiving | 55

Allison Christie, developer of The Lofts at The Skytower in downtown Ashland, was seeking a new business to occupy the first floor of the newly renovated building. In Sky 37, she found what she was looking for.

“They wanted something in here that was different and unique,” Crum said. “It has been a perfect fit for us.”

Aside from offering world-class specialty coffee, Sky 37 also serves breakfast and lunch, both crafted by chef Carma Crum. Though there are plenty of American options like biscuits and gravy, homemade muffins and pizzas, the most alluring menu items are the Brazilian “Pastels.’’

These widely popular Brazilian treats are fried, flour-based pastries filled with various meats and cheese. As for the cafe itself, the room is beautifully outfitted in wooden decor,

giving the entire Sky 37 experience a “modern primitive” feel. Though it has a decidedly vintage aesthetic, the cafe still offers all the modern amenities of a 21st century coffee shop, like free wifi, a couch lounge and hi-def television.

But even more noticeable than the stunning decor is the sense of community within the walls of the Sky 37 Bistro.

A steady stream of regulars come in and grab their usuals while saying hello to other customers. Many gather around their familiar tables for lively conversations before heading out on their separate ways. The owners feel more like friends as they converse with their patrons while preparing exquisite coffee drinks and breakfast plates. The morning rush at this coffee shop feels different, and it is a much welcomed change of pace. a

Marketplace

Tri-State Living

740-532-1441

Tri-State Living • 740.532.1441

C&A TREE SERVICE, INC. (740)894-1085 No tree is too dangerous! Tree trimming, removals and lot clearing! Licensed & insured. 30 years experience. Free Estimates. CHEAPER RATES! FIRST MONTH LOT RENT FREE WITH PURCHASE! Sheridan Village Mobile Home Community. MOVE IN READY!! Own, Rent or Rent to Own. Call Mary 740-412-5600 or Brenda 740-377-3070.

ElseaHomes. com MB800690/ NMLS280395. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Now Hiring!

Physical Therapist.

Competitive Compensation/Benet Package Available!

Minimum education/ Experience required: •Graduate from a PT Program that is CAPTE Approved and/or Accredited by the APTA •Licensed in Ohio as a Physical Therapist.

NEW GRADUATES WELCOME! Apply at www.holzer.org/ careers. For more information call Human Resources at 740-446-5105

Now Hiring!

Laboratory Tachnologist/ Technician. Full-time positions available; Varied shifts.

Competitive Wages with excellent benets.

•Associate degree in MLT required •BS degree in MT/ Clinical Laboratory Science Preferred •ASCP Board Certied or Board Eligible.

Apply at www.holzer. org/careers. For more information call Human Resources at 740-446-5105 New Graduates Welcome!

Positions Available in: •Critical Care Unit •Geriatric Psych •Internal Medicine •Post-Acute Care •Medical/Surgical •Home Health •Inpatient Rehabilitation •Emergency Department •Maternity & Family Center. Apply at www.holzer.org/careers For more information call Human Resources at 740-446-5105

Ridout’s Used Auto Sales. If we don’t have it, we will nd it. Will Pay Top Dollar for Junk/Unwanted Vehicles. Free Pick-Up. Bobcat Lane. Franklin Furnace (740)727-3134

GARY LEACH STATE FARM. 213 S. 5th St. 740-533-0144.

FREE QUOTES. Roong and Construction.

Jim Taylor.

740-237-6693.

Licensed. Insured.

WE DO IT ALL! TNT Heating & Cooling.

Dynamite Service!

740-867-5235

White Eagle Antique.

Estates, Liquidation, Appraisals & Auctions. www.whiteeagle antiques.com.

Elizabeth “Butch” Nichols.

606-831-2511 IRON CITY STORAGE If your garage is a pity, call Iron City!

(740) 532-8414 Black Angus Meat for Sale. Grass and grain fed. Non-GMO. No Hormones. No Antibiotics. Available in 1/4, 1/2, and full sides.

Call for pricing and ordering: 740-646-6781 Now Hiring!

Armory Smokehouse Open interviews every Tuesday & Wednesday 2pm-4pm Front of house & back of house positions available 920 Vernon Street, Ironton Southern Ohio Trenching is looking for

a Mechanic to perform repairs and general maintenance on work trucks and heavy equipment. CDL is a bonus. Call 740-533-0030 for more details or to request an application.

Crager’s Ink Solutions Quality Printing by Quality Printers.

314 Chestnut Street, Ironton, OH. 740-533-3404 email: cragersink @gmail.com D.C. Tree Service, Trimming & Removal.

Fully Insured • Free Estimates • Stump Removal • 100’ Crane • 60’ Bucket Truck • Crane Rental 740-894-2003 cell: 740-646-0392 Eastham & Associates - Ronald L. Eastham, RPS-President 3992 St. Rt. 7.

Chesapeake, OH 45619.

(740)867-8369 (800)424-5258 Fax (740)867-8146 I-Town Plumbing Installation and Repairs. Jobs done right, the rst time, on time, every time! Fully Insured. Call Kurtis at 740-547-8287 www.i-townplumbing. com

KUSTOM KOATINGS Powder Coatings & Ceramic Finishes www.kustom koatings.com 114 Bridge St Huntingdon, W.V. 304-523-5880 Parnell Painting & Home Maintenance (740) 646-2304 Complete Remodels Inside & Out. Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ parnellpaint RENTALS •Outdoor Advertising Billboard 12ftx16ft, along US 52, west of Hanging Rock,Ohio •Covered RV & Boat Storage Call MondaySaturday 8:00 am-5:00 pm 740-442-2000 SAND AND GRAVELLimestone, Washed Gravel, Fill Sand, Top Soil, Mason Sand, & Fill Dirt. Pick up or Delivery. Bulk Rates Available. On New 52, Chesapeake, OH. 740-867-4244 www.bhearthmoving. com Susan Court Apartments Studio Apartment Available $375/month, Water paid SENIOR DISCOUNTS! 740-533-3973.

Blueberry, Avocado & Banana Muffins • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour • 1 cup rolled oats • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 medium banana (about 1/3 cup), peeled • 1 large avocado (about 3/4 cup), peeled and pitted • 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce • 1 large egg • 1/4 cup milk • 1 cup blueberries 58 | Tri-StateLiving

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Prepare standard muffin tin with paper liners.

In bowl, whisk flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In separate bowl, mash banana and avocado together.

Add applesauce, egg and milk. Stir to combine then stir into flour mixture. Fold in blueberries and divide batter into prepared muffin tins.

Bake 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool completely. Store leftovers in airtight container up to 3 days.

From the Cookbook | food

Broccoli & Cauliflower Cheddar Quinoa Bites • Nonstick cooking spray • 10 large eggs • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese • 1 cup cooked quinoa • 1 cup tomatoes, quartered • 1/2 cup finely chopped broccoli florets • 1/2 cup finely chopped cauliflower florets • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil (optional)

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Lightly oil or coat 12 muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

In large bowl, crack eggs. Whisk until well combined. Stir in cheese, quinoa, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower and basil, if desired, until well combined.

Use 1/4-cup measuring cup to divide mixture evenly into prepared muffin cups.

Bake 16-18 minutes until eggs are set. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days or freeze up to 1 month.

To find more family-friendly recipes featuring eggs, search #ProteinPrepSchool on social media or visit IncredibleEgg.org.

food | From the Cookbook

Simple Egg Salad Sandwich • 6 large hard-boiled eggs, peeled • 1/4 cup mayonnaise • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1/4 teaspoon pepper • 1/2 cup finely chopped celery • 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions • 8 slices rustic wheat bread • 4 lettuce leaves

60 | Tri-StateLiving

Chop eggs. In medium bowl, mix mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper. Add chopped eggs, celery and green onions; mix well.

Refrigerate, covered, to blend flavors.

Serve on wheat bread with lettuce leaves.

From the Cookbook | food

Sausage French Toast Roll-Ups • 12 sausage links • 2 eggs • 2/3 cup milk • 3 teaspoons almond extract • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 6 bread slices, crust removed, cut in half • 3 tablespoons butter • Syrup

In skillet, cook sausage links according to package directions. Set aside.

In medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk, almond extract and cinnamon.

Dip bread slice in egg mixture. Wrap bread slice around cooked sausage link, pressing seam to keep from unrolling.

Repeat with remaining bread slices and sausage links.

In large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Place roll-ups in skillet, seam-side down, and cook until all sides are browned, approximately 10 minutes.

Drizzle with syrup.

Find more breakfast recipes at Culinary.net.

Tri-StateLiving | 61

Smothered Pork Chops in Mushroom Sauce • 1 teaspoon mild chili powder • 1 teaspoon garlic powder • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1/4 teaspoon pepper • 4 pork chops • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 2 tablespoons butter MUSHROOM SAUCE: • 2 1/2 cups brown mushrooms, sliced • 5 garlic cloves, smashed • 1 tablespoon parsley • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning • 1/2 cup chicken broth • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream • Fresh parsley, for garnish 62 | Tri-StateLiving

In small bowl, whisk chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper until combined.

Pat pork chops dry. Season generously with spice mix. Set aside.

In skillet, add olive oil and butter. Add pork chops; sear 3-5 minutes per side. Transfer to plate.

To make mushroom sauce: In same skillet, add mushrooms. Stir fry until golden brown. Add garlic, parsley and Italian seasoning. Stir fry 2 minutes. Add broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine. Simmer 5 minutes until slightly thickened.

Return pork chops to sauce. Simmer 2-3 minutes until pork chops are cooked through. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

Find more savory recipes at Culinary.net.

From the Cookbook | food

Rum & Cola Holiday Ham HAM: • 1 Omaha Steaks Spiral-Sliced Ham (8 pounds) GLAZE: • 1 cup cherry fruit spread • 3/4 cup dark spiced rum • 3/4 cup cola • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

To make ham: Thaw frozen ham in refrigerator 24-48 hours. Remove from refrigerator and let ham come to room temperature, about 30-45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 325˚F. Remove ham from foil and film. Return ham to foil wrapping and place in oven-safe roasting pan. Roll foil down leaving 2 inches of foil around bottom of ham.

Place roasting pan with ham in oven on lower rack and heat uncovered 6075 minutes, until ham starts to brown.

While ham cooks, make glaze.

To make glaze: In medium saucepot, whisk fruit spread, rum, cola, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard and salt until well incorporated. Bring to boil then reduce heat to medium.

Simmer over medium heat 10 minutes then remove from heat. Cool to room temperature.

During last 15 minutes of cooking, glaze ham every 5 minutes.

Find more holiday recipe inspiration at OmahaSteaks.com/blog/recipes.

Tri-StateLiving | 63

food | From the Cookbook

Peanut Butter Saltine Candy • Nonstick cooking spray (butter flavor) • 1 sleeve (4 ounces) regular saltine crackers • 1/2 cup butter • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter • 1 cup granulated sugar • 2 cups milk chocolate chips • 1/2 cup peanut butter chips • 1/2 cup rough chopped, dry roasted peanuts

Preheat oven to 400˚F. Line 10-by-15-by-1-inch pan with aluminum foil. Spray foil with nonstick cooking spray then lay saltines flat in single layer on prepared pan. Set aside.

In heavy duty, 1-quart saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, peanut butter and sugar. Stir constantly until butter and sugar are melted, bringing mixture to boil.

Boil 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour cooked mixture over saltines and bake 5 minutes.

Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over saltines. Let cool 3 minutes then spread melted chocolate completely over saltines.

Find more holiday recipes at gapeanuts.com.

64 | Tri-StateLiving

From the Cookbook | food

Jingle Balls • Nonstick cooking spray • 12 cups popped popcorn • 6 tablespoons butter or margarine • 3 cups mini marshmallows • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract • Assorted colored sugars

Spray large mixing bowl lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

Add popcorn.

Spread plastic wrap on cookie sheet; set aside.

In medium saucepan, melt butter and marshmallows; stir until mixture is smooth. Stir in peppermint extract. Pour over popcorn, mixing until well coated. Let cool 2 minutes.

Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray and form popcorn mixture into 3-inch balls. Gently press colored sugar onto balls. Let sit on prepared cookie sheet until cool and set.

Discover more decorative dessert recipes at popcorn.org.

Tri-StateLiving | 65

the last word

Jodi Rowe Collins retired as executive vice president of Citizens Deposit Bank in Ironton, Ohio.

People make Tri-State worthy place to live, work

A

s I write “The Last Word” on the eve of my retirement, I can’t help but reflect on the last 43 years of my banking career with joy and gratitude.

I began my banking career in 1978 at First National Bank of Ironton and I have been with Citizens Deposit Bank (formerly Ohio River Bank) since 1995. While banking has changed over the years with advancements in technology and streamlined processes, one thing has remained the same, and it’s my favorite: the people. I am convinced that a satisfying 66 | Tri-StateLiving

career that brings one genuine joy hinges on the people you work with and the customers that you serve and I think that the people in our Tri-State are the cream of the crop.

Whether working with bankers who genuinely care for their customers’ wellbeing or community members joining together to work for a common cause, the citizens of the TriState make living here and working here a joy. While I will miss the roles that I have had over the years, I eagerly look forward to new roles in this next chapter. This isn’t my “last word,” but the beginning of new opportunities.

Press Room Recordings features original music and unique interpretations from local and regional artists presented live for the PRR cameras.

Contact maclean.james@irontontribune.com to get involved.

What are the keys to better healthcare?

At SOMC, we start by putting it right at your fingertips.

Now you can have a virtual visit with your SOMC provider, right through your personal online patient portal. With our convenient app, you can use your tablet or smartphone to have a virtual visit safely from just about anywhere.

Ask your SOMC provider if a virtual visit is right for you or visit www.somc.org and click patient portal.