Discover Hancock County | February 2023

Serving Hancock County and Surrounding Areas

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SKYLER CANTRELL Affiliate Broker 828-380-0327 skylercantrell22@gmail.com

SUE KING Affiliate Broker 423-736-8640 sking505@hotmail .com

REGINA BRAZEAL Affiliate Broker 865-445-9884 realtorginabrazeal@gmail.com

NICOLE BRICKHOUSE Affiliate Broker 865-640-5373 brickhousenicolerealtor@gmail.com

JOEY HAUN

LISA MCBRIDE Principal Broker &Auctioneer Graduate Realtor Representative ABR 423-748-1081 clinchmtnrealty@gmail.com

WILBER HITE Affiliate Broker 423-923-1097 wilberhite@yahoo.com

JOEY HAUN Affiliate Broker/Apprentice Auctioneer 423-748-7181 josephhaunrealtor@gmail.com

TIM RUTHERFORD Affiliate Broker 423-231-3176 trutherford1272@gmail.com

KIM YOUNG Affiliate Broker 727-542-9733 clinchmtnrealtykim@gmail.com

MISSY SEAL Affi liate Broker 423-300-2201 missyseal@yahoo.com

MISSY SEAL

PHYLLIS REED

PHYLLIS REED Affiliate Broker 865-7 48-3325 phyllisreedrealestate@gmail.com

ANGEL LAWSON Affiliate Broker 423-258-1146 angellawsonrealtor@gmail.coms

AMANDA CUTSHALL Affiliate Broker 423-620-8110 amandacutshal1@gmail.com1

www.ucclinchmountainrealty.com

A Gathering Place of Sneedville Making A Difference In Hancock County

By Rita Dykes Discover Hancock County Contributor

Shelley Clark who has a passion for coffee and ministry had always dreamed of starting a business that would combine her passions and make a difference in the world. On February 17, 2022, Shelley and Chandra Greene, her business partner at the time, established “A Gathering Place” in the quaint town of Sneedville. The establishment is more than a coffee shop, the large space also allows local craftspeople and artists display and sell their beautiful works of art.

Shelley is originally from a rural area of Montana, so moving to Sneedville brought her much joy. Shelley said, “It became a second home to me and I embraced the culture and community of this precious small town. I’m a nurse and a stubborn hard worker that loves a challenge and I will find a solution in the face of adversity. Above all I love people. I love talking to them, hearing their story, caring for them and being a support in their life. Hospitality is my love language, I show my heart through caring and serving people and nothing brings me greater joy. Being a faithful servant is my ultimate goal in life and I live my life as such.”

Shelley was moved by the teachings of Radical’s

David Platt and his concept of the “secret church”, an intense once a year 6-hour Bible study done via live-stream. She was particularly moved by the ministry’s goal of reaching the 3.5 billion people in the world who had never heard the name of Jesus. With this in mind, Shelley decided that a coffee shop would serve as a means to support the ministry and the soldiers on the ground who were sharing the name and hope of Jesus Christ globally.

Custom roasts were created with the help of Snowbird Coffee, which is used exclusively in all of their coffee drinks. Custom-made plant-based energy drinks that have several health benefits are also prepared. Coffee and beverages isn’t all that is served,

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Madison, Shelley and Greg Clark

A Gathering Place of Sneedville

the menu also features gourmet sandwiches, soups, deserts, seasonal specials, and more.

“Shelley added, the vendor lineup is just incredible at A Gathering Place. There are so many talented individuals in our small town and they showcase their gifts and talents through their products in the store. They bring many people joy by sharing their handmade crafts.”

A Gathering Place quickly became a beloved community spot. They host monthly events that

feature their vendors, special groups that meet in their shop, book readings, children’s Bible story time, and other intimate events. They also participated in the “The Blessing Box Through Sneedville Mercy” which was a local ministry that provided meals, coats, toiletries, space heaters, and other essentials to people in need.

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Poet Danita Dodson held a book launching and reading of her new poetry collection, “The Medicine Woods” at A Gathering Place. Danita couldn’t stop singing the praises of the staff and atmosphere there. She said, “It’s easy to feel like you’re home there. A Gathering Place is a warm and welcoming place to gather with friends over flavorful creations of coffee. Immediately upon walking into the shop, visitors are greeted by the wonderfully friendly baristas and cooks. I love the place and it was an amazing experience to gather with the community for a celebration of art and local culture.”

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Kentucky Butter Cake

Delicious coffee creations

Breakfast burrito with chipotle aioli

An assortment of sandwiches

Classic caramel macchiato

Lotus, plant-based energy drink customizable to excite any flavor preference

Later in the year, Shelley decided to move from her beloved Hancock County to be closer to family. But Shelley remained dedicated to her passion and was committed to finding someone who she knew would take the business over and continue to fulfill her dreams. After Shelley got to know Christina Quattrocki, she knew was that person. Shelley and Christina partnered for a brief time before Shelley moved and the Quattrockis took over the business locally in December.

In January, Christina and her husband Anthony,

took a leap of faith and purchased the building where A Gathering Place is located. Christina said, “Our journey to find the next chapter of our lives led my family to the small town of Sneedville, where we found exactly what we were praying for, a safe place for our 4 boys to grow up with strong moral ethics. We fell in love with this town and wouldn’t change a thing.

Anthony and I are chefs and pastry chefs, food has always been our passion, and we were thrilled to take

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Anthony, Valentino, Christina, Salvatore, Domenico, and Anthony Quattrocki

The Italian - ham, salami, pepperoni, and provolone with cherry peppers, garlic aioli, chipotle aioli

The Bill - biscuits and gravy with a fried egg on top

Italian wedding soup with cheesy garlic bread

Greek yogurt parfait with vanilla bean, mixed berry compote and almond granola

The Rooster Biscuit

over for Shelley at A Gathering Place. We are also bringing our Italian heritage to the shop by adding some Italian inspired foods to the menu. The love and genuine connection we’ve felt from our neighbors, friends, and employees is truly unexplainable.”

Shelley and Christina have both always had a passion for hospitality, serving people and feel like it is their calling in life. Christina added, “During our trips to Sneedville we met Shelley and instantly had a connection as if we’d been friends for years. We joined her efforts at A gathering place and couldn’t be happier to be a part of the community.”

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A group gathering

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Shelley and Christina’s long-term goal is to take A Gathering Place nationally, giving every state a place where people could come in, have a great beverage and dining experience and leave feeling better than when they walked in.

You can find A Gathering Place of Sneedville on Facebook to take a look at what they have to offer and keep up with current events held there.

Hours:

“ I love going to A Gathering Place. You feel right at home. You can relax with a friend and have one of their amazing hand-made drinks/ coffee. Shop from all of the artisans and their hand-made goods while you are there. If you like great coffee and local artisans, please stop in.”

Kim Ward

Stan Cody… Model-builder of the Little Guy

By Randy Ball Discover Hancock County Contributor

Sneedville’s Stan Cody is a lifelong automobile enthusiast who pursues a hobby that pays tribute to a largely forgotten group; independent Nascar drivers from the 1960s and 1970s. Born in Kingsport, Stan’s family moved near Sneedville in the late 1950s. After graduation and a hitch in the U.S. Army, Stan worked in the automotive field at TRW in Rogersville. The company manufactured power rack-and-pinion steering gears. For a period of time, he lived in the Rogersville area, but returned to Hancock County near Sneedville in 2004. After working at TRW for almost 31 years, he retired.

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Richard Petty’s 43

Stan Cody at work on a new model

The car bug…

Stan has always been a Ford man, owning several Mustangs throughout his life. He remembers “My first vehicle was a 1961 Ford pickup. My first car was a 1968 Fairlane.” Today he is the owner of a beautiful red Shelby GT Mustang.

Interest in racing…

Stan remembers the first Nascar (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) race that he listened to on the radio; the 1967 Atlanta 500, won by Cale Yarborough driving the Wood Brothers Ford Fairlane. At that time few races were broadcast on

television and fans were glued to the radio listening to MRN (the Motor Racing Network).

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We are proud of Hancock County!

Compliments of Bill Seal, Assessor of Property; Micah Wallen, Circuit Court Clerk; Sue Greer, Election Commission; Janie Lamb, Register of Deeds; Chuck Johnson, Trustee

Four different Jody Ridley cars

He says he didn’t attend a life race until the early 1970s. He saw the full spectrum of stock car racing in a short time. Stan attended a dirt track race at Tazewell Speedway. He remembers it was “fast”. The next week he attended a Nascar race at Bristol and says “It was faster.” He then went to the Talladega; Alabama Superspeedway and he says “It was bad-off fast.”

Stan became a huge stock car racing fan. He remembers going to Darlington and hearing the driver introductions over the p.a. system. A friend, Mike Gordon, bought a motorhome and Stan traveled to races with him, He remembers “We’d go to Darlington, Talladega, Charlotte, Atlanta, Bristol… I was ready to go!”

David Pearson, a three-time Nascar champion from Spartanburg, South Carolina, became Stan’s favorite driver. Dirt track legend Jody Ridley, from Chatsworth, Georgia, was another favorite. Pearson had most of his success in Holman-Moody Fords and

the Wood Brothers Mercury. Ridley tore up dirt tracks all over the southeast in Ford Falcons. Ridley also made some noise in Nascar, winning the 1980 rookie of the year and winning a race on the big series the next season.

Back in the 1960s, 70s. and 80s there were many “independent” drivers in Nascar’s top division. Independents were drivers who weren’t backed by manufacturers and didn’t have a lot of sponsor money behind them. These competitors were teams who often ran used equipment on a shoestring budget, all for their love of racing. Today the independent team has almost become extinct. Stan was one of the fans who took notice of the independents. Among the independents he followed were John Sears, Darrell Deringer, Charlie Roberts, Elmo Langley, Dean Dalton

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J.D. McDuffie

Jim Vandiver

Jeff Silvers dirt track Maverick Benny Parsons

and Jimmy Means. Stan also pulled for local drivers, including G. C. Spencer (Bluff City), and Mike Potter, Connie Saylor and Brad Teague (all from Johnson City). Stan says that two drivers he would have likes to have seen drive were Chattanooga’s Friday Hassler (killed at Daytona in 1972) and Dr. Don Tarr (a Miami doctor who raced and moved to Johnson City late in his career, and passed away in 2022).

The model cars…

Stan remembers “I built some model cars as a kid, they were all white, there was no paint on them.” After his retirement from TRW, his friend Jim Davis invited him to a model car show in Morristown around 2007. Stan says “I was amazed at what some people were doing.” Stan became friends with model builder Tony Gordon. Tony has built and sold models to several former drivers and their fans. Stan credits Jim and Tony for helping him get into the hobby.

Once he started his new hobby, Stan knew what he wanted to build; models of old Nascar race cars. The

detail on these models is astounding. Tony makes tires for the model race cars. Decal sets are available exactly matching the ones on the race cars back in the day.

Stan has since built dozens of models, almost all are older Nascar race cars. He is a member of the Appalachian Scale Modelers Association which meets at Model Town in Johnson City. Stan says there are usually around fifteen members in the club.

Meeting the legends…

In addition to model car shows and club meetings, Stan has gotten to meet several of his stock car racing heroes. Tony, Jim, and Stan went to visit retired driver Melvin Corum, a Maynardville dirt track legend. Tony had built models of Corum’s cars brought them to show him and Corum signed the models. Stan remembers that Corum was pleased that someone had built models of his racecars. Corum has since passed away.

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Mike Potter (autographed, model by Tony Gordon)

Jody Ridley NASCAR racecar

Ned Jarrett Charlie Roberts (autographed)

They have visited other drivers, including Johnson City’s Brad Teague and Newport’s L. D. Ottinger.

Stan and his friends have also attended events with former drivers, sometimes setting up displays at the events. One such event is “Stocks for Tots”, a charity event in Mooresville, North Carolina. Stan remembers meeting Ricky Rudd at the Mooresville event, and telling him that he saw him drive his first-ever top 10 Nascar finish at Bristol in 1975. Stan has also met

family members of many drivers at these events, including Curtis Turner’s daughter.

Personal involvement…

At TRW Stan met dirt-track driver Jeff Silvers. Stan gave Silvers some sponsorship money to help with his car. The words “Stan Cody, the Ultimate Racer’s Friend” were painted on the car.

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Stan Cody with his Shelby GT Mustang

Today…

Stan continues to build models and most of them are of vintage Nascar racers. His collection of models include two David Pearson cars (Holman-Moody and Wood Brothers, and five different Jody Ridley cars (several Ford Falcons and his Junie Donlavey Nascar entry). There are some famous familiar models like Richard Petty and Bobby Allison, and beside them are lesser-known cars driven by Wendell Scott and Charlie Roberts. There are also cars of locals Brad Teague and Mike Potter.

Stan continuous to hone his skills as a model builder and says “I want to thank Tony and Jim for all their help.” His passion for the racing he loves is displayed in the detailed models he builds.

Stan Cody at home with Richard Petty model

Travis Tiller autograph

Travis Tiller

David Pearson’s 17

Photography by Kelsey

By Rita Dykes Discover Hancock County Contributor

Kelsey Ramsey is a single mother, full-time college student, and a passionate photographer.

Kelsey realized her love for photography while in middle school after she completed a 4-H project.

Kelsey said, “I realized that I enjoyed it, so my mother and father enrolled me in a photography class and bought me my first camera. I would spend hours taking pictures of my younger sister, her friends, and items I found in nature.”

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Kelsey Ramsey photo by her 8-year-old daughter Ivy-Jayde

Kelsey began taking pictures professionally five years ago. Her journey has been challenging, as she also works full-time as a receptionist and part-time as a waitress but her love of photography keeps her going. She said, “My children are the reason that I strive to provide families with memories. It is the best feeling to look back at photographs that I have taken of my children and be able to remember them at that time of their lives.” Kelsey also loves to take photos with a tripod of herself with her family. Her children know that when they see her tripod set up, it means that it’s time for a family photo.

Kelsey has had several interesting experiences while taking pictures. Laughing she confessed, “While taking photos at a senior session on a client’s property, we had to crawl under an electric fence. While crawling under, I raised up too soon and got my shirt tangled in the fence. I was getting shocked, threw my camera, and my client couldn’t help but laugh at me.”

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Shop

Another photo using the tripod Brock Smith, Kelsey, Maverick and Ivy-Jayde

Another experience and one that touched her heart was when friend and co-worker, Rita, found out that her husband had cancer. Kelsey felt inspired to take photos of the couple for her friend to cherish forever. Rita said,“It was great the way she captured the love we had for each other. Kelsey is awesome and I treasure the photos. I will always be thankful to her for doing that for us.”

Photography By Kelsey, is run through her

Facebook page. After she completes a session and finishes her editing, she provides her clients with digital downloads of their photographs. Kelsey’s goal is to keep providing clients with affordable photo sessions for as long as she can, keeping all of her sessions under $100.

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Alex, Allison and Caitlin

Ethan and Dharma

Ethan

Jessup

which made me even more comfortable. She was also very helpful by telling me and my boyfriend Ethan how to pose for the pictures.”

For a photo, there is no shortage of beautiful and interesting places to explore in Tennessee. Whether you’re looking for natural wonders or charming rural landscapes, Hancock County has a wealth of scenic destinations to choose from. From the Clinch River, endless rolling hills, and Elrod Falls to an aged barn or fence, Kelsey has captivating backdrops at her fingertips to deliver amazing photographs.

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Senior session KayLynn

Kelsey’s daughter Ivy-Jayde

Kelsey’s son Maverick

“Kelsey is truly one of the best photographers I could have ever picked! I had not met her before the shoot, but immediately felt so comfortable. She kept the conversation going to get to know me and my interests

– Dharma Mullins

“Kelsey has an eye for detail and is very patient and flexible to work with. She always makes sure we have all of the photos we have envisioned as well as her own creative ideas. She always does great work!”

– Allison Hopkins

Photo using the tripod – Kelsey and her family

Show your support for Kelsey by visiting her Facebook page, “Photography by Kelsey”, where you can view her stunning work and think about preserving your cherished memories through her lens.

Kelsey’s meticulous eye, commitment, enthusiastic spirit, and contributions to her community establish her as a valuable contributor to the art scene in Hancock County.

Rita and her husband

A DRIVE THROUGH Hancock County

RiveR Place on the ClinCh

The Last Great Place on Earth

By Randy Ball Discover Hancock County Contributor

After visiting the Kyles Ford for around ten years, Telia Markham Otto and her husband Kraig bought the River Place property in May of 2022. Telia says, “We owned some property across the river and spent a lot of weekends here.” The store/restaurant building has been renovated and the rental cabins are also being updated. The restaurant has been leased and the River Place is already becoming a popular east Tennessee destination. A Nature Conservancy writer recently said that Kyles Ford is “the last great place on earth.”

Telia is a Hawkins County native. She runs Ted’s Supply, an industrial supply company. Kraig moved to Rogersville from New York as a child. He is the director of Camp Hope near Church Hill.

Taking on the River Place was a huge task, but Telia and Kraig saw the potential of the property. Telia says, “It was on the market for six or seven months when we bought it. The first thing we

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River Place...The Last Great Place on Earth

Courtesy Photo by Emily Southern

River Place owner Telia Markham Otto

Cathy Lumpkin at the general store

Kraig says, “Johnny Hageman did the carpenter work, refinished the floors and built cabinets.”

There are four rental cabins at River Place. There is also a small farmhouse and a fishing cabin. They are available year-round. The cabins have been updated. Telia says that they have new light fixtures, mattresses and furniture.

100 Bearing Way|Rogersville, TN 37857 423-235-1550 |www.dodgeindustrial

We are proud to liveand work in the Rogersville community.

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Locations WeberCity: 2834 US Hwy23N WeberCity, VA 24290 Tel: 276-885-0190

BullsGap: 273 Hwy. 11E SuiteE BullsGap,TN37711 Tel: 423-393-4146

JohnsonCity: 1730 OldGrayStation Rd. JohnsonCity, TN 37165 Tel: 423-202-3008

Kraig and Telia Markham Otto and their four kids. In the background is the historic Edward Talley Bridge near River Place.

Courtesy Photo by Emily Southern

Fishing, floating the river, kayaking and canoeing are some of the activities available. Kraig says, “There is TWRA land close by on which the public can hunt.” Rentals of the cabins and equipment are handled at the general store at River Place.

The general store has a variety of items that one would expect to find in a country store. There is candy (including Goo-Goo clusters, one of Telia’s favorites), sodas, chips, picnic supplies, fishing supplies and even a small automotive section. There are even River Place and Kyles Ford souvenirs. Part of the Bull Babies restaurant is in the same room with the general store. Two important members of the River Place team can be found at the store. Cathy Lumpkin has worked there for 13 years, through several changes in owners. She says, “The place had been neglected but Telia breathes love and atmosphere. It’s not like coming to work, I don’t know which place is home. I love the community and the people we serve.” Telia says, “She came with the property.” Cassie Seal hasn’t worked at the River Place as long as Cathy, but Telia says, “She is

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River Place and Kyles Ford items in the general store

Some items available in the general store

The automotive department

The fishing department

the face of River Place.” Cassie says, “I like working with the community. I tried to leave once, I worked three other jobs and hated them all, so I came back. It’s close to home.” Telia says, “Cassie is a hard worker and is a local legend.” Cathy says that Cassie is great to work with. Telia adds that Cathy and Cassie are “the heart of the operation, they do everything.”

Even though the River Place was open last year, they didn’t advertise. Telia says, “We were a constant construction zone.” Even though the Ottos’ had not imagined themselves owning an outdoor-activities venue, their passion and vision for River Place is seen in the direction the business is taking. Kraig says, “We want in to be a destination, not just a place people happen to pass by.” He adds, “We had some experience with construction and outdoor activities. I’m the maintenance man!” Telia says, “We’re hospitable people and we had a lot of experience with ten years at Camp Hope.”

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Local flour sacks have been reproduced

Cassie Seal working in the store

One of the four cabins at River Place

The living area of a cabin

Bull BaBies

The Bull Babies at River Place restaurant is an essential part of the River Place experience. It has already proven to be a popular dining spot. Owner Amanda Wilmoth moved back home four years ago to open the original Bull Babies in Rogersville. She says, “I found a different Rogersville and a different Hawkins County.” When Telia became interested

in buying the River Place, she approached Amanda, asking if she had thought about a second location. Amanda says that she knew the Kyles Ford area, and drove over to the River Place in a Jeep and sat on the deck for three hours. She remembers thinking, “I’ve got to be part of this. It’s a completely different vibe and feel from the Rogersville Bull Babies.”

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A cozy cabin bedroom

Bull Babies at River Place

Amanda Wilmoth, owner of the Bull Babies Restaurant

The farmhouse is available to rent

The rustic fisherman’s cabin

With the new commercial kitchen in place, Amanda decided to have a “soft opening” on September 30, 2022, to coincide with the Hancock County Fall Festival. The restaurant was open three days that weekend. Amanda felt that it was important for restaurant to be present and visible during the festival weekend. She closed the Rogersville location down that weekend in order to run the River Place location wide open. This was about two years to the day that the Rogersville Bull Babies opened. After that weekend she closed the River Place location to train the staff and it reopened on November 2.

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Bull Babies employees, Mason Whitney, Teke Russell, Dahlia Poole and Elizabeth LaBlue

Dahlia Poole

Elizabeth LaPoole Teke Russell

30

Discover Hancock County • 2023

Historically, the restaurants at River Place closed during the winter months. Amanda says, “I made the call to stay open in the winter, people eat in the winter, too.” The winter days are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The upstairs of the building had been used for living quarters. It has been renovated to a dining area. Now the capacity is 120 people, with 60 seated outside. Fans of the Rogersville Bull Babies will find their favorite menu items at River Place. The River Place Bull Babies also offers up some different touches. Amanda says, “I was excited to come over here, the location dictates the kind of food. We put a twist on tradition, put my own touch on it.” The food is held to the same standard as the Rogersville Bull Babies. Everything is made from scratch. There are Friday night fish fries, Saturday night supper specials and an after-church comfort food special. Amanda says, “Some people come in for two or three meals per weekend. Our food is like what comes from mom’s house or mamaw’s house.” Amanda adds, that “It still feels like a general store. The food pulls people into the River Place.”

Music is featured in the restaurant. They book a variety of music; bluegrass, folk, country, rock and country rock. Telia says, “We book the music so people don’t have to go to Knoxville or Johnson City to hear live music.”

Bull Babies at River Place has had a positive impact on the community. Amanda says, “We hired five people from Eidson, Kyles Ford, and Sneedville. There are two Hancock County High students working in the restaurant, and one Walters State student.”

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Telia and Amanda

The restaurant seating area in the general store

Dahlia Poole and Amanda at Bull Babies

Nancy Bonifas singing on a Saturday night at Bull Babies

One important aspect of Bull Babies is that Amanda is able to pass on her passion and knowledge to a new generation. She says, “We pass on our knowledge to these babies. We have 20-year-old kids learning and cooking. There is an investment in food, passing it on to different generations. Food is love, if I love you, I’m going to feed you.”

Amanda concludes, “I’ve never worked so hard, made so little and loved it so much,”

The fuTuRe

In spring the River Place on the Clinch will be more

crowded. Bull Babies will expand their hours. Visitors will stay in the cabins. People will float the river, either for a few hours or all day. Kraig says, “We wanted to maintain the atmosphere while making it our own.” Looking around the general store he adds, “You can do all your Christmas shopping here.” Cathy says, “Buc-ee’s doesn’t have anything on the River Place.”

Telia says, “It’s a great place for families, we want kids and dogs to come through the door. We appreciate the support of the community. It feels like home.”

Kraig says, “It’s the last great place on earth.”

BOARD MEMBERS

Jack Mullins

David Jones, Chairman

Dennis Holt

Jerry Hopkins, Vice Chairman

Adam Trent

Adam Nichols

Jamie Stanifer

Cassie, Cathy, Kraig and Telia, happy faces at River Place River Place on the Clinch

The Many Talents of Catherine Brudecki

By Rita Dykes Discover Hancock County Contributor

Catherine Brudecki is a woman of many talents. She has always been interested in designing spaces and even taught engineering and drafting in the past. But her true passion is crafting and developing her land into something special. She has dabbled in many different forms of crafting

over the years, including sewing, crochet, knitting, needlework, weaving, painting, building, corn husk dolls and flowers, and designing garments.

Catherine has been crafting and designing since she was a young girl. She began crocheting when her mother handed her a crochet hook to help her stop chewing her nails. Shortly after she started to crochet she quickly began creating granny square afghans. Catherine said, “I had my first granny square afghan

Catherine Brudecki with her student’s album cover drawings

First acrylic painting using sponges

Knitted slouchy hats

made and ready for the county fair before 4th grade. Knitting, however, wasn’t as easy for me to learn, it was slower work. My mother taught me the American style (slow in comparison to Continental) and I didn’t stick with it. At the end of her life I decided that if ever I was going to master knitting, I better get to learning. Between my mother’s memory of her mother knitting and her knowledge of American style, she and I learned how to knit with the Continental style which is much faster. I enjoy knitting now.” Catherine’s mother has been a major inspiration in her life, encouraging her to explore different art forms and teaching her anything she wanted to learn.

At one point, she worked for her family’s business, Maggie’s Mountain Crafts and at its peak, the store employed 22 people. Among the creations sold were corn husk dolls, flowers, wreaths, flower arrangements, and even potpourri. Catherine also designed and sold knitted and crocheted items in a consignment store in Kingsport, where she cleverly named her collection, “The Sexy Granny.” More recently, she designed and built a house inside of a warehouse in Sneedville. Her well-crafted house is now for sale and listed with Realtor Leslie Dabe.

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Catherine’s design and build of her firepit

Catherine has also tried many different ways to sell her creations, from craft shows and flea markets to Etsy and consignment stores. However, she’s found it difficult to make a living as a crafts-person. She hopes that as more people come to explore Hancock County’s natural beauty, there will be more opportunities for local craftspeople.

Presently, Catherine teaches Fine Arts at the local high school and is designing and building a campground on her 107 acres called Serenity Acres Ranch. She is also documenting the progress on Facebook, where it has gained over 500 followers. She plans to open six slots soon for people to come and experience the beauty of the land and learn about living a self-sustaining life.

Catherine said, “I moved to Hancock County in 1976 and I absolutely love it here! My parents often told people that Hancock

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Southern cotton wrap modeled by Catherine’s daughter-in-law Holly Greene

A knee length sweater made by Catherine Acrylic painting entitled “Water”

County was paradise. Compared to Elizabeth and Linden NJ it truly is paradise. Other than a couple stints in other places, it has been my home for 46 years.” Throughout the years, Catherine has learned much about living a self-sustaining life from raising farm animals and vegetables to preserving her own food. She continued, “My latest passion is my ranch idea and taking a gorgeous piece of land and turning it into a community for people who are moving into the county looking for help to learn about living self-sufficient. Once my Serenity Acres Ranch is fully operational, there will be classes and examples for people to learn how to live off of the land efficiently.” Catherine will begin completing six camping spots and build herself a cabin. Eventually, she plans to further develop her ranch to include 21 camping spots.

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Catherine’s granddaughter Cady and Ezri. Cady is wearing one of her grandmother’s crochet designs.

A macramé window hanging

Acrylic painting entitled “Electricity”

Many members of her family are also creative, including a great niece who is very talented in art, a nephew who has created beautiful artwork, and other family members who are into music and other creative pursuits. Catherine’s family is supportive of her creative endeavors and often participates in the design process of her new projects. When she completes the first phase of her campground and has built her cabin, she plans to continue to pursue other artistic endeavors such as weaving on a floor loom and painting.

Follow Catherine’s progress on Facebook and when the campground has spots available, head out to her ranch for a family getaway while learning how to live off the land.

Catherine’s 3 sons, David, Joseph and Thomas Greene helping install the rafters in the remodel.

Clean up and recycling after a hard day’s work on the ranch

The hillside on the ranch being prepared for campsites

The original exterior of Catherine’s warehouse remodel

Utilities going in the ground on the ranch

Hancock County • 2023

Tony, Hubert and Bear

Gordon’s GaraGe, Three Generations in Treadway

By Randy Ball

Discover Hancock County Contributor

Treadway is a small community in Hancock County. Highway 31 runs through it. There is a Dollar General Store and a volunteer fire department. One of the few businesses in Treadway is Gordon’s Garage. It is located at 132 Wolf Circle. Tony Gordon and his father Hubert run the garage today. The shop today is usually busy with several projects. There are remnants of the past in the front part of the building. In winter the atmosphere is enhanced by a cast-iron coal stove. The service is quality, the history is fascinating and the stories are plentiful.

Tony is the consummate car guy. He does mostly large mechanical jobs these days, such as engine swaps and internal engine repair. He says, “I like to drive old cars, but I would really rather work on newer cars.” He is a motorcycle enthusiast, a former drag racer, has done expert auto body work and is a master model car builder. Tony’s father, Hubert, owns the garage and at 84 years old still works everyday with Tony. He has a wealth of automobile experience and has a lifetime of stories to share with customers. The third member of the team is “Bear”, Tony’s dog and Tony and Hubert’s constant companion.

History

Tony says that his great grandfather Will Gordon started the phone company in Treadway. He passed away in 1925. He says, “My grandfather, Ted, was the first mechanic in the family. He built the original shop, which was up the road. He passed away in 1977.” Tony’s dad, Hubert, built the current shop in 1971, while the original shop was still going. Hubert had been working for Oaks Motors in Morristown since 1960. He had been injured in an accident with a drunk driver in 1961. He says, “One day I had to leave the road three times to keep from getting hit. I decided it was safer to stay home.” In the 1970s and 1980s Gordon’s Garage was a busy place. Tony says,

“Me and my brother David, dad and his brothers Gaither, Jim and Keith and my cousin Bill all worked here.” Tony adds, “Everybody we went to school with changed tires here.”

The shop evolved into a body shop. They painted all kinds of vehicles. For a while they had an interesting customer base. Tony says, “Some people from up north bought a store up the road. People who visited them started bringing their cars here to paint. So, we had people from Massachusetts and New Hampshire coming down here, stay a week, and get their car painted.” The also painted a “really big” motorhome. Tony remembers it “It was so big we had to paint it outside, we had to wet the dirt road down.”

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Gordon’s Garage – Treadway, TN

The body shop not only was successful, but enjoyed some fame. Tony says “We painted five cars for (drag racing champion) Danny Shortridge.” A motorcycle they painted was featured in Iron Horse Magazine. In 1989 Tony says, “We started doing more mechanic work.”

Tony says that years of body work and painting “got hard on me.” He quit painting and went to work in a factory for a while. He did eventually come back and “painted a few motorcycles.” The shop painted their last vehicle in 2005.

Some facts, memories and stories…

Tony and Hubert are both natural story tellers. The stove in the main workroom of the garage invites conversation. There have been some well-known people through Gordon’s Garage. Tony says “Grandpa built a motor for A.P. Carter but they later had a

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Ted and Ilene Gordon

A young Tony Gordon in front, Robert, Hubert, Gaither Gordon, Lyle Cook, Ted Gordon’s Garage in background

Tony and ‘74 Harley Sportster that Tony built

falling out.” Hubert remembers hearing June Carter Cash being interviewed on the radio, talking about her grandma going back in the mountain to find firewood. She came back excited about the copper kettle she found back on the mountain; she could use it to make apple butter. She had unknowingly found part of someone’s moonshine still!

Hubert remembers that Ted’s shop worked on the Bailey Brothers’ (east Tennessee music group) car. He remembers that it was a big Lincoln car. Knoxville icon Cas Walker was also a frequent visitor to the Treadway area. Hubert recalls “He would come over here rabbit and ‘coon hunting.”

The garage that Ted built enjoyed the same popularity that the current garage has. Tony says “People would write to grandpa in the fall and winter about scheduling getting their cars worked on in the spring.”

Tony the car guy…

Tony Gordon has had a lifetime involvement with cars. Like many boys of his generation, he enjoyed

building model cars. He has never stopped and now builds models at the highest level. Many retired drivers have models of their racecars that Tony built in their collections. His home is filled with models and awards he has won.

In addition to riding motorcycles, Tony says in the 1970s and 1980s we did a lot of custom work on bikes. He adds that in the 1980s and 1990s he did a lot of work on racecars. Tony got into drag racing and competed as a driver from 1979-1987. He says “I came back around 91-92 and did three passes, but I ain’t raced anymore.” He also had a dirt drag bike for a while.

Tony does attend drag races these day in a supporting role; he goes with his uncle Norman Vaughn, who still competes at the age of 74.

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At Ted Gordon’s Garage, Robert, Hubert, Jim Gordon

Eddie and Jim Gordon at Ted Gordon’s Garage

Tony Gordon

Tony Gordon’s ‘74 Sportster and ‘79 Chevy Blazer at Gordon’s Garage

Tony Gordon and ‘65 Nova SS drag car, Gordon’s Garage, Treadway, TN

Tony and Hubert at work

Tony’s bike

Hubert…

Hubert Gordon is a human storehouse of automotive information, but is also a combination of a wise man who has seen it all and a mountain storyteller. He says he had an old friend who bragged that he could still drive as good as he ever could. Hubert told him, “Well, you never could drive anyway.”

Hubert remembers one customer from his Oaks Motors days. The customer bought the biggest, most expensive car they had, and kept bringing it in with complaints. Hubert says he told him that there wasn’t anything wrong with the car. The customer finally admitted that he knew there wasn’t anything wrong with it, but said “I have a right to complain, as much as I paid for it.”

Hubert also expressed his opinion of today’s car buyers; “The buy options that they don’t know how to use.”

Hubert’s stories are a big part of the Gordon’s Garage experience. Tony says that “Sometimes people will come to pick up their car and Hubert will tell them two or three stories while they try to pay us.”

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A coal stove invites visitors to get warm

A few of the parts at the garage

Hubert Gordon

Gaither Gordon’s toolbox is still in its place, though he passed away in 1986.

The past meets the present…

The front area of Gordon’s Garage is covered with hundreds of miscellaneous car parts. Outside there is a pile of old parts that have been replaced. There are a few assorted cars parked around the building. Gaither’s toolbox is still in its place, though he passed away in 1986. Keith’s is there, too. He passed in 2020. Another thing that hasn’t changed is the quality of work. Tony says “We still have customers from Kingsport to Knoxville. We just put in a motor for a man from New Market.”

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Hubert at his garage

A parts cabinet, still the same for many years

There are some customers that have been around for decades. Tony remembers that during the body shop days “I painted a lot of cars that daddy had worked on. One customer had a Fairlane GT back in the day that we worked on, now we’re working on his truck. We have several customers that were here at the beginning of this shop.”

Tony says, “We do a lot of engine work, pulling cylinder heads and motor swaps, we scan systems and replace sensors.”

Unlike the times when several of the family worked at Gordon’s Garage, today it is just the two, Tony and Hubert (well three, if you count Bear). Tony says, “It’s Hubert’s garage, we just work for ourselves.”

Hubert adds, “I hang around the garage just to keep from sitting around and seizing up.”

Tony says, “We appreciate everybody’s support, for almost a hundred years.”

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Outside Gordon’s Garage

The quiet Treadway community, home of Gordon’s Garage

Hubert and Tony Gordon

Large Selectionof

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