Vip novfnl

NOVEMBER 2013

“What can I give you for pain?”

Ask for personalized pain gels.

NOVEMBER

Superior compounding pharmacy.

Superior answer for pain relief.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THROUGHOUT THE TRI-CITIES SCENE

Johnson City 701 N State of Franklin Rd #9 Johnson City, TN 37604 (423) 207-4290

Custom Pain Relief Gel

by CCCA

Only PCAB Accredited pharmacy in the Tri-Cities.

Drive Now. Pay Later.

Enjoy great low rates on new and used autos.

You can postpone your payment for 90 days*. *Loans subject to credit approval. Payment deferral is available for a limited time only.

Be part of the extraordinary difference.

800.999.2328 www.ecu.org Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency.

MAKE YOUR WEB SITE WORK FOR YOU 90 % o f a l l s m a l l b u s i n e s s w e b s i t e s a r e o u t d a t e d .

There's nothing more powerful than a first impression...

Call us today! or Visit us on the Web! WEB SITE DESIGN & RE-DESIGN

SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING

In Business for over 14 years

info@wiredwebdev.com

731.215.0064 OFFICE

731.616.5121 MOBILE

wiredwebdev.com

CONTENTS

NOVEMBER 2013

FEATURES 20 30-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK AT BEIRUT:

“OUR FIRST DUTY IS TO REMEMBER” 32 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 36 DOWNTOWN DESTINATION

36 Downtown Bristol

54 Downtown Johnson City

67 Downtown Kingsport

81

48

DEPARTMENTS

EVENTS

7 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

72 CANTU’S CORNER

13 VIP PROFILE Bob Robinson

89 NEW ON THE SCENE

22 HAPPY

29 SERVE IT UP SASSY

94 ARTIST PROFILE Writing Can be an Art Too:

38 BUSINESS PROFILE Wm King Clothiers

20

48 MUSIC PROFILE Annabelle’s Curse

8

Red Panda Day at Gray Fossil Site Natural History Museum

86

Allandale Car Show

10

A Traditional Fall ETSU Homecoming at Emeritus at Remington House

92

March of Dimes Wine Tasting

11

Northeast State After Hours

96

Heritage Days

17

The Farmer and The Chef

18

CASA Rooftop Party

25

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

27

Performance Medicine Ladies Night Out

42

Bristol’s 13th Annual Rhythm and Roots Reunion

46

The Great Gatsby

51

Blakley Mitchell Trunk Show

56

Johnson City Sessions

62

Down Home features Documentary to highlight American, Czech Bluegrass

63

Johnson City Standdown

68

Oktoberfest

74

Kingsport Newcomer Bus Tour

79

Kingsport Cardboard Challenge

81

41st Annual Fall Folk Art Festival at Exchange Place

82

Speedway Charities Exotic Car Show

85

Bowman Jeweler’s After Hours

4 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

46

90 NONPROFIT PROFILE

Girls on the Run

Let Me Show You the Way

PUBLISHER Angela Striligas Baker

Letter from the Publisher

CO-PUBLISHER Brian Hullette DESIGN NINJA Angelica Ares HAPPINESS COORDINATOR Savanna Smith SALES MANAGER April Taylor 423.646.4626 april@vipseenmag.com ACCOUNT MANAGERS Edward Abdelmessih edabdel@vipseenmag.com 276.494.4342

I

t wasn’t until recently that it really hit me how fragile life can be, how uncertain it is and how temporary it is when all things considered.

Tomorrow isn’t promised, and we are only given one chance to make the most out of who were are and what we have been given during our time on this earth. If we live our lives right, parts of who we are will continue to live on through others long after we have left.

A couple weeks ago, two members of our VIPSEEN family (Brian and Rita) lost someone very dear and treasured in their family. Bruce Hullette lived his life serving the Lord and loving his family. The very first time Brian and I met to sit and discuss the magazine, he told me about his grandfather, how much he meant to him and the love and respect he held for both his grandparents. And sweet Rita, many of you may not have met Rita in person but she has been writing for VIPSEEN since the very beginning. One thing that has always been completely evident to me is that Rita loves her family tremendously.

She has been known to write last minute stories for us, even when we

weren’t paying her, when she was on vacation, and in the wee hours of the night. She loves her nephew Brian and he loves her just as much in return.

Rita was also a daddy’s girl. She took care of dad and never left his side. It was clearly apparent that Bruce Hullette must have been an extraordinary, loving father and grandfather by the way his family loved him in return.

When trying to decide on a cover for the month of November, a month that automatically makes me think of family and reasons we should be thankful, I decided that I wanted to honor Brian and Rita’s family. They lost a Very Important Person here on earth, but in turn, gained an angel to watch over and care for them. Bruce Hullette lived his life loving, serving and honoring God and his family. We, at VIPSEEN have been witness to the love that has cultivated and spread because of the love that he freely gave.

Susan Couch 423.483.5591 susan@vipseenmag.com Danielle Hahne 404.483.6926 danielle@vipseenmag.com

Angela Striligas, Publisher angela@vipseenmag.com

COPY EDITOR Lucy Honeychurch CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Liz Bushong Kris Cantu Rita Dykes Lynda Fontaine Lucy Honeychurch Chelsea Rae Savanna Smith PHOTOGRAPHY Mickey J. Baker Liz Bushong Susan Couch Rita Dykes Lynda Fontaine Danielle Hahne Chelsea Rae Savanna Smith April Taylor DISTRIBUTION Susan Couch Bobby Flowers Lynda Fontaine Logan Hullette Juanita Roberts Savanna Smith WEBMASTER Robert Neilson Wired Web Development VIPSEEN, Inc., Tri-Cities 247 Broad Street, Suite 205 Kingsport, TN 37660 423.398.5321 info@vipseenmag.com WWW.VIPSEENMAG.COM

ON THE COVER

RITA DYKES AND REV. BRUCE HULLETTE

THIS PAGE

REV. BRUCE HULLETTE’S 90TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND FAMILY REUNION

6 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

Calendar

| November 2013

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Beer Tasting at Inari Wines 4pm – 7pm

Wine Tasting 4-7 pm @ Inari Wines

1 An Evening with CS Lewis @ the Paramount Center for the Arts 7:30-10 pm

3

First Annual Luminary Celebration for Prematurity Awareness Month @ Cumberland Square Park 6-7 pm

4 11

10 Featured Artists Virginia Hiss and June Henry @ 606 State Street Gallery

Tri- Cities Signature Chef’s Auction @ Meadowview Marriot Conference Resort and Convention Center 5:30- 9 pm Luncheon with NBC News Chief Medical Editor, Dr. Nancy Snyderman @ The Millennium Centre 11:30-2 pm

5

6

Make It & Take IT Book Project @ Johnson City Public Library

Downtown Holiday Open House @ Downtown Kingsport 5-8 pm

Veteran’s Appreciation Luncheon @ Johnson City Seniors’ Center 12 pm

Johnson City Chamber Business Before Hours @ Chili’s 7:30-9 am

Beer tasting @ Inari Wines 4 pm

7

The Four Freshman @ the Paramount Center for the Arts 7:30-10:30 pm

12 Children’s Storytime @ Bristol Public Library Bristol Public Library 11:30am – 12:00pm

90th Anniversary Rotary Club Celebration @ Food City Press Room 12-1 pm

13

8 Best Practices or Nonprofits with Boyd Bailey @ Holiday Inn, Johnson City 8-10 am

Night of Smiles @ Bristol Motor Speedway 6-7 pm

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Concert @ Niswonger Performing Arts Center 7:30-9 pm

14

Rainforest Adventure @ Hands On! Museum

18

19

25

20

Beer tasting @ Inari Wines 4 pm

15

Fourth Friday Breakfast @ Meadowview Marriott Conference Resort and Convention Center 7:30-9 am

Rainforest Adventure @ Hands On! Museum

26

27

21

Jeremy Camp Concert @ Niswonger Performing Arts Center 7:30-9 pm Inari Wine Tasting @ inari Wines 4-7 pm Charles Goodwin Orchestra with Symphony of the Mountains @ Meadowview Conference Resort and Convention Center 8 pm 8th Annual Veterans Day Classic @ Holston Army Plant 10-11 am

9

Beer tasting @ Inari Wines, 4 pm

Historic Downtown Bristol Christmas Open House @ Downtown Bristol 5-9 pm

24

Tobymac Hits Deep Tour @ Freedom Hall 7 pm

Amy Grant Concert @ Niswonger Performing Arts Center 7:30-9 pm

2013 magical Night of Giving @ The Mall at Johnson City 6-9 pm

17

2

About Face Early Black Friday 10 am- 6 pm

22

Dodge Ball Tournament @ VO Dobbins 1-7 pm

Honoring Our Heroes Dinner @ Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kingsport 6-8:30 pm Inari Wine Tasting @ inari Wines 4-7 pm Kids “R” Our Future Festival @ Cumberland Square Park 10 am-2 pm Spirits of the Season @ JC Country Club 6 pm Friends In Need’s Annual Community Dinner @ Meadowview Conference Resort and Convention Center 6 pm

16

2013 St. Jude Give Thanks Walk @ Kingsport Town Center Santa Train and Parade @ Downtown Kingsport 3 pm Inari Wine Tasting @ inari Wines 4-7 pm Guy Penrod @ the Paramount Center for the Arts 7-10 pm

23

Beer Tasting @ Inari Wines 4pm – 7pm

Wine Tasting @ Inari Wines 4-7 pm

“Miracle on 34th Street” @ Theatre Bristol 8-10:30 pm

“Miracle on 34th Street” @ Theatre Bristol 8-10:30 pm

Performance Medicine Black Friday Sale 9am- 2 pm

Christmas Jonesborough Begins 11am- 3 pm

28

29

30

SEEN IN GRAY Gray Fossil Site Natural History Museum in Gray

4th Annual

International Red Panda Day

Cody Davis

Ashley Baird

T

he fourth annual International Red Panda Day was held recently at East Tennessee State University and General Shale Natural History and Visitors Center at the Gray Fossil Site.

The museum teamed up with the Red Panda Network to raise awareness of the endangered modern red panda, native to Asia and to educate the public about red pandas found on site.

Sam Greer, Walt Bryant, and Chase Sisak

Children were invited to learn about the elusive red panda by participating in activities and earn the title of Red Panda Ranger.

Each educational activity taught about the uniqueness of the endangered red panda.

The Gray Fossil Site enjoys teaching about the red panda in particular because the site is producing the most complete red panda fossils in the world. The Gray Fossil Site panda is a species known only from Gray, and its closest living relative lives in Asia.

April Nye

John McPhil and William Gregory

Fun was had by all and learning was an excellent by-product of the experience. For more information about upcoming programs and offerings at the Gray Natural History Museum and Fossil Site you can access their website at www.grayfossilmuseum.com Carolyn and Bill McConnell

Anglea Smith and Skip Davis

Scott Beeninga and Caleb Rascoe

Joe Parker and Rachel Thomasson

Avery and Ryan Black

PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY LYNDA FONTAINE

Laura Gilmore and Sarah Mullersman

Scott and Julia Jeffress

8 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

David Moscato and Will Harris

Topher, Cannon, Megan, and Mela Oaks

Dwight Garrison and Nick Kiser

Brad, Cindy and Anna Hood and Nina Alexander

SEEN IN KINGSPORT Remington House

Carl Torbush and Hubert Martin

Suzy Cloyd and Jerry Jones

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAVANNA SMITH | STORY SUBMITTED

Suzy Cloyd, Vicky- a resident friend

Misty Shiley, RCD., Gary Tremblay, Ashley Mead

Sherry King, ED., David Tilson, Carl Torbush, and Jerry Jones

10 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

Remington House Staff

I

t was a traditional Fall Homecoming at Emeritus at Remington House on Thursday, September 19th.

Carl Torbush, head coach of the ETSU Football team visited Remington House to talk about the new football program. Over half of the residents and staff from Remington House are attending or did attend ETSU and were delighted to get an update from Coach Torbush.

barriers. He talked about future plans to accommodate fans of all types, allowing easier access to campus and stadium in order to get every fan in the stands. To show their appreciation for Coach Torbush’s visit, the residents of Remington House presented a 1990’s “retro-style” original Bucs flag to Coach whom gladly took time to visit and update residents on current events at ETSU.

Coach Torbush shared details about the recruiting class of 2015, his passion and commitment to strong leadership and mentoring to this newly appointed team and the new stadium that is expected to be designed to better accommodate seniors by limiting and reducing

For more information about Remington House, a premier senior living community or to schedule a tour please contact Suzy Cloyd, Community Relations Director at 423-278-6347 or remingtonhouse-crd@emeritus.com.

SEEN IN BRISTOL Bristol Campus

Northeast State Business After Hours

N

ortheast State Community College held an after hours Tuesday September 24th.

The after hours was held at the new campus in downtown Bristol. The event was mainly to show off the new facility and get everyone familiar with the new staff. Attendees gathered and socialized over a light dinner and drinks. Many people came out to show support for the new campus that started classes this fall.

Everyone in the Tri-Cities community is excited about Northeast’s newest campus,

especially since it is in downtown Bristol.

The new addition will be sure to populate the area with students and boost the downtown commerce as well as culture.

Although the facility just recently opened, it has already made a huge impact. The faculty of Northeast State would like to thank everyone who attended the after hours in support of the new location and look forward to serving the downtown Bristol community for years to come.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY APRIL TAYLOR STORY BY SAVANNA SMITH

1.31

% APY*

FREE CHECKING THAT PAYS YOU INTEREST.

Chad Keene and Lee Shillito

Jon Cookson and Catherine Brillhart

HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO.

Jack Woolley

Bo Dudney and Cindy Tauscher

Eric Morritt and Mr. Charlton

Jack Young and Karen Witcher

www.trisummitbank.com

Beth Ross and Janice Gilliam

Lori Worley, Amanda Adams, Matt Bolas, and Chelsea Gammon

* Annual percentage yield (APY) of 1.31% is accurate as of 10/1/2013 and is subject to change. Account balances up to $25,000 earn 1.31% APY, and account balances greater than $25,000 earn .30% APY, when requirements are met. Each statement cycle, simply make 10 debit card transactions; use bill pay twice or receive direct deposit; and receive estatements. All ATM fee refunds will be credited back to the account per statement cycle provided requirements are met. When requirements are not met, a base rate of 0.15% is earned and a maximum of 8 ATM fees will be refunded per statement cycle. Minimum to open the account is $100.

“The warm embrace of fine dining.”

-Inquiries regarding Social Memberships are welcome.theoldefarm.com | 16639 Old Jonesboro Road • Bristol, Virginia 24202 | 276.669.1042

VIP PROFILE: Pastor Bob Robinson

“Keeping it Real ” 50 YEARS OF

PASTOR BOB ROBINSON SHARES HIS VISION OF ACCEPTANCE we spread the gospel, and above all I believe God has blessed everything we’ve done.

VIP: HOW DID YOUR POSITION COME ABOUT AND DEVELOP INTO SUCH AN INSPIRATIONAL CAREER? PBR: Well I grew up in a Lutheran church in Elizabethton and at that time there were no youth ministers, so the young kids met by ourselves in our LFJ (live for Jesus) club. After that I knew I had a calling and decided to go to seminary. They told us when we got there if we could do anything else to do it instead. I knew I couldn’t do anything else so I stayed.

I have stayed here so long because of one reason: the people.

The congregation has been so good to my family and me. They just love my wife and children and they tolerate me. Once they even gave us a house to live in. I always told everyone it was so they knew my wife and children wouldn’t be homeless if they ever fired me. All jokes aside though, this group of people is some of the nicest around. I don’t know where I would be without them.

A

Christian Church has been in Bristol for almost 60 years and is still going strong today. Embracing change 20 years ahead of most other area churches, Avoca has been on the cutting edge for decades. Pastor Bob Robinson has lead the way and always worked for the best interest of the church. Now, celebrating his 50 year anniversary with Avoca, Bob tells us what has made his church and himself so successful and shares some memories he has made along the way. voca

“We believe the Bible is the word of God. Our emphasis is not on Hell, fire, and damnation, or what happens if a person does not accept God but what happens to a person who does. It is a positive message, grace is a positive thing. There is no other religion in the world like Christianity. In all other religions, getting to heaven depends on deeds of a person. In Christianity though, it is not by doing good that we are saved but by faith and the grace of God, which in turn makes us want to do good.” – Pastor Bob Robinson VIP: IN A COMMUNITY THAT IS FILLED WITH CHURCHES AVOCA HAS AN EVER GROWING CONGREGATION, WHAT MAKES AVOCA SO UNIQUE THAT PEOPLE CONTINUE TO BE DRAWN IN? PASTOR BOB ROBINSON: We are different in a lot of ways than other churches. When we began in the late 50s we were the traditional East Tennessee church singing out of the little blue hymn book; but in the 60s we decided to begin doing things a little differently. Times were changing and the church was growing, it didn’t take us long to fill up our small fellowship hall. One big issue we faced in the late 60s and early 70s was worship style and music of course. The more we introduced new music and worship styles the more people responded. Something needed to come from this.

One idea that was tossed around was to have two services, one traditional and the other contemporary. Now the older people and leaders of the church at that time did not like the idea at all, it took two years to convince them. I finally pestered them enough to talk them into it. We set a date and from then on we have had two services. The second service brought fifty new people in the first time and has never failed to fill up; so after that we knew we had did what God intended. In a time when having two services was unheard of, Avoca started being different and has been ever since. I believe that is why our congregation has always risen in number.

The way we do what we do is different from most other churches. We are laid back, we like to laugh and have a good time; that’s who I am and I think this church is the same.

I heard a person say once they liked Avoca so much because they never knew what to expect. We like to change up services and do off the wall things that will get people’s attention and keep their interest. We are and always have been creative in the way

I try to keep things relevant. This book (the Bible) was written in a different culture and in three different languages; so to learn it requires history lessons. Who wants to do word study on Sunday morning, it’s boring. So one of the things I like to do is tell stories and parables, some of my favorites are from the Old Testament. Most people don’t know that Jesus was a funny man, but he was and there were times when he preached and the crowd would roll in laughter. Who doesn’t like a funny story? All of these stories apply to our lives today because even though cultures have changed human nature has not; the morals are still the same.

VIP: OUR CULTURE HAS CHANGED SO MUCH FROM THE TIME YOU BEGAN, WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN IN THE CONGREGATION OVER THE PAST 5 DECADES? PBR: Oh there are great changes in the world. It is amazing really. When I first came to Avoca we were here Sundays and Wednesdays and that is just how it was. It was easier to get people in church then because everyone had less to do. Peoples views of right and wrong have changed and the relativism of those views. Truths have changed greatly; there used to be a time when a person could say, “Do sayeth the Lord” and that was it. Now though, people question that truth and believe what they want as true. What we are teaching in our schools has changed and so our children are growing up with different morals.

VIP: YOU MUST HAVE DEVELOPED MANY FAVORITE VERSES AND PASSAGES OVER THE YEARS, IS THERE ONE THAT COMES TO MIND AS YOUR “GO TO” VERSE OR PASSAGE WHEN YOU NEED INSPIRATION? PBR: My favorite passage at this moment is in the book of Luke. It is a parable about a father and a son. The son left his father’s home and had to shamefully return after spending all of his inheritance. Instead of receiving a lashing from his father as he expected, his father sees him and drops everything. The father runs to the boy and smothers him with kisses while the boy apologizes and confesses his wrongs. Now in those times a father would not have ran to his son, it was unheard of. The father is God and the son is me. I am shameful when I return to confess to God, but still yet He runs to me and smothers me with kisses. That is what grace and forgiveness is all about; this story to me captures the whole concept of God’s love for us. – Luke 17: 15-24 VIP: AFTER PUTTING SO MUCH TIME INTO YOUR CAREER HELPING OTHERS, YOU MUST HAVE SOMETHING YOU ENJOY YOURSELF SUCH AS HOBBIES? PBR: I am a drummer in a Dixieland band. That is really the only thing I do for myself. I love it; I used to play in high school. In fact, I was a professional musician playing in a band that traveled around to VFWs and lodge clubs in the tri-cities. I could make more money in a four hour gig than my friends could make working all week at a retail store.

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 13

VIP PROFILE: Pastor Bob Robinson

I hadn’t played drums for forty years when one of my friends approached me and asked to play in his band. I practiced with them once and that’s all it took. It is just a bunch of old geezers who like to get together. We play wedding receptions, parties, some events, and nursing homes. It’s fun, these guys are fun and we all have a good time when we get together.

I

VIP: WHEN YOU THINK BACK OVER THE PAST 50 YEARS, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT STICKS OUT IN YOUR MIND, A CERTAIN INCIDENT, MEMORY, OR STORY? PBR: I remember one time we were at a camp during the summer, 4th of July I think, so we had fireworks. Now we always spent a lot of time planning our camps and programs but one thing we never really planned was the firework show. There were people from all over attending this camp and everyone brought some kind of fireworks. When all were gathered, we had a lot more than we realized. Never the less we started that firework show and it lasted a long time and was very loud. Our neighbors nearby didn’t appreciate us very much for that, they called the police. So the police came down to camp, one approached me and said “I understand you all are having a little fireworks show” I looked at him and said no sir we’re having a big fireworks show. He just laughed and thought that was the funniest thing; I did too at the time. He didn’t do a thing but tell us to continue and have fun.

am the same way with the people we bring in now. I do not watch their every move, when I hire someone to take a position it is theirs. I told our recent youth minister to take the program, make it his, and run with it. That’s not to say we all don’t help each other because that is also a big part of our congregation, we love to help each other and others.

We always spent a lot of time planning things, for example our VBS in the 80s were always something spectacular. What is now the youth sanctuary used to be our main worship hall where we had VBS. We would take ideas from things that were going on in the kids’ world at the time and make a spin off. One year we built the magic kingdom, we literally put a forest in the worship hall. Everyone loved it, even the adults; that setting stayed up for six weeks because the congregation thought it was so peaceful. One year we used the popular Pigs in Space and turned the sanctuary into space. We had a lot of creative people working on this and it was so much fun. The work was hard but the children’s interests were worth all of it.

VIP: WHAT DOES AVOCA DO TO ASSIST THE COMMUNITY? PBR: One thing we do every year is our Raceway Ministry. We are only a mile from the track so we love to host campers and other guests on those two weekends. We literally open our doors and let as many people who want stay with us. We provide parking for as many as we can and any amenity. All we ask for is donations, we want to send God’s message that grace and love are free. The donations do add up, and we give those to the youth group because they work so hard during those weekends. They turn right around and put it back into the community. That has been a big hit and we have made some great friends from all over the U.S.

I have many, many memories over the years, but it is things like this that sticks out. The creativity and bonding of everyone involved was just incredible. We were doing things so differently than most other places and we embraced it and the congregation loved it. What other church in the whole area would allow us to turn the sanctuary into such places? Knowing the freedom we have is relieving and has made this church what it is.

We participate in the soup kitchen, a program that houses families who have nowhere to go with about twelve other churches in the area, and we also have a program called the dollar offering. The concept of the dollar offering is to do without something like a tea during the week and give that dollar to the church on Sunday. Our dollar offering came to 20,000 dollars last year and it is all given away in the community. We love to send shoe boxes through Samaritan’s Purse and do that at least once a year. This congregation is always doing something to help someone, these people are so generous.

VIP: HOW DO YOU THINK THIS CAREER HAS MADE YOU THE PERSON YOU ARE? PBR: I think, again the freedom I have here, is rewarding. I have no one looking over my shoulder watching what I do. I think it is foolish for churches to hire pastors because of their talent and ability and the skills they can bring, but then the church ties their hands. I am blessed to be where I am. A lot of people have said to me “you don’t act like a preacher” well how is a preacher supposed to act? I don’t know, I am just myself and I think that is the true meaning of Christianity, to truly be you.

14 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

We are currently working on plans for Trunk or Treat. We have a party here on Halloween night and invite the whole community. When the weather is bad we have our gym so children are not in the cold. It can be like a circus and the kids love it.

The parents love it as well because it is safer for their children and it comes with a better message.

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 15

SEEN IN JONESBOROUGH The Ridges

The Farmer and The Chef PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSIE RAE | STORY SUBMITTED

S

econd Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee teamed up with local farmers and chefs to present the annual The Farmer & The Chef, a fundraiser for Second Harvest with proceeds going directly to help feed the individuals and families that would go hungry due to lack of access to food in our region. Local farmers and local chefs came together to create a unique culinary experience using available seasonal products. While raising money for Second Harvest, this event also helps establish sustainable relationships between local farmers and chef, which strengthen the well being of the community. The evening began with a silent auction while guests were networking over cocktails. After the fabulous dinner a live auction took place with a wide range of items for bid.

The Food Bank always encourages the community to get involved in helping feed the hungry in Northeast Tennessee. Ways to help include making a monetary donation, supporting a Food Bank event, becoming a Food Bank agency to distribute food, volunteering or holding a food drive to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.

For more information please visit the Food Bank’s website www.netfoodbank.org.

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 17

SEEN IN BRISTOL Bristol Motor Speedway

Rooftop Party A

s the sun went down at The Bristol Motor Speedway on August 30th, The CASA Rooftop Party began. And what an awesome summer evening it was! With several governmental and foundation grants no longer even available, the CASA for Kids, Inc. board of directors decided another fundraising special event was desperately needed. They decided to go The Extra Mile for the ever increasing number of neglected & abused children coming to the attention of Sullivan & Hawkins County juvenile courts in need of protection and better futures.

Sponsors stepped up and with Bristol Speedway’s blessing, GO THE EXTRA MILE FOR CASA was formulated - a party right on the rooftop bar at Gate 4 in the pits of Bristol Speedway.

Guests thoroughly enjoyed food and beverages provided, with The Borderline Band and soloist Brad Blackwell providing great musical entertainment. The hit of the night was watching the brave guests who took laps on the steep BMS track in their own cars, gingerly or speedily following BMS’s pace car.

Round and round they went, all so more Court Appointed Special Advocates could be assigned to help more neglected children make the ‘finish’ they so desperately need – a safe, permanent home. CASA for Kids advocated for 590 children this past fiscal year. Thanks to BMS and CASA going the extra mile, more children will ‘finish’ in 2013.

Be looking for the second annual CASA Rooftop Party in August, 2014! And on any day, do check out www.casa4kidsinc.org

Debbie Waggoner and Jo Zimmerman

Barbara and Rod Gardner

Wes and Cary Boggs

Kingsport Armature Electric Company (Event Sponsors)

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICKEY BAKER AND LINDA COFFEY STORY COURTESY OF CASA

Cindy Pulitzer and Davis Williamson

Brad Blackwell and Hannah Marcum

18 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

Connie Steere, Barbara Haslun, and Candy Crigger

Susan Couch and Ron Vaughn

Brian Fanning, Kelli Beilharz, Charles and Selina Hall

Barbara Fields and Jan Hagy

Hayley Dietrich, Penny Gray, and Mary Glenn Lively

Lydia Williams and Judy Graybell

The Korean Hillbillies!

Craig Marquette and Carol Spurgeon

Connie Steere turning over the board leadership to Mary Kilpatrick

Tammy Taylor, Christy Lloyd, and Leslie Cassidy

Casey Barnes and April Taylor

Rochelle and Brian Trent

CASA ROOFTOP PARTY SPONSORS: Champion Chevrolet • The Wray Law Firm • Keith & Connie Steere HVAC • Kingsport Armature & Electric Kristy Baggarly - State Farm-Bristol • David Pond Dentistry Virginia Electric Supply • Xcellerated Fitness Don & Fran Perry • Tina Wilson Photography Wayne & Janice Jones • Southeastern Property Management

Exclusive

MARINES PREPARING TO STAND POST AT THE AMERICAN EMBASSY

FIRST LIEUTENANT MILES BURDINE

The Third Saturday in October

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MILES BURDINE STORY BY LUCY HONEYCHURCH

VILLAGE IN BEIRUT

20 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

LT. COL. LARRY GERLACH, COMMANDING OFFICER OF BATTALION LANDING TEAM 1/8 (WOUNDED); SGT. MAJOR DOUGLAS, BATTALION SEREANT MAJOR KILLED IN ATTACK

T

he third Saturday in October in the state of Tennessee, and prior to 1995, was always known as the day that the University of Tennessee and Alabama played each other in football. No one in either state needed anyone outside of college football, or the local area, reminding them of what a momentous day the third Saturday in October was. October 22, 1983 was just another day for college football to everyone here in the states and anyone who loved the game was watching the rivalry play out on the field that day. The University of Tennessee won, beating Alabama 41 to 34 and it was an event worth celebrating for UT fans by any means possible and that is exactly what several friends did that very night. There celebration, and inebriation, was so intense that the guys decided that they had to call a friend of theirs to tell him the news. One man asked the others, “Does anyone know where Miles is at these days?” They thought for a moment and then another said, “he’s in Beirut, Lebanon.” A plan was hatched and the raucous friends dialed up the Embassy in Lebanon to tell their friend the results of the game that day.

On the other side of the world First Lieutenant Miles Burdine was sleeping on the roof of the American Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon. He was trying to catch a little shut-eye, while another Marine stood lookout, when an explosion woke him from his sleep. He and the other Marine looked at each other a bit puzzled and Lt. Burdine headed downstairs to see if he could figure out what was going on so early on a Sunday morning. When the Marine arrived downstairs there were frenzied voices talking back and forth on radios and it was quickly apparent that something awful had happened. Another Marine in dress blues called out to First Lieutenant Burdine, “sir, there is a phone call for you.” Lieutenant Burdine walked over and took the phone and when he said hello he heard the voice of a familiar friend call out, “Miles. UT won today. We kicked Alabama’s butt!” All Lt. Burdine could say was, “Tell my parents that I am okay,” and with that he hung up the phone and got to work.

The Marine Barracks bombing in Beirut was something that both shocked and surprised the nation when it happened in 1983. Not many who were living in the United States at the time expected anything like that to happen at all and the toll that it took was even more horrible.

Sleeping late, for a Marine, is anything past 5am and all of the Marines killed that day were still asleep at 6:22 when the bomb went off in the lobby of the hotel that had been converted to barracks. The blast was so strong that it lifted the entire four-story building off of the concrete pylons it was built on. The story of that day has been told again and again and those who were there do not want to relive the horrors: they, instead, want to remember the good and the positive.

Finding anything positive out of the deaths of 241 young men serving abroad is a hard thing to do, impossible for some, and necessary for others. Why dwell on the bad when there is so much good? Those men all had an impact on someone along the way and a person somewhere today has a story to tell about his fellow Marine or son or brother that is positive and happy. There is a ceremony every year at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina where those who live on, gather to exchange pleasantries, tell stories, catch up and to remember the lives of those young men: not to mourn their deaths. October 23rd of this year marks thirtyyears since that incident and much has happened since 1983 in the world, in cinema, in literature, in technology, in medicine, and in life. Small children are now grown and young strapping men are older, if not slower, with kids or grandkids of their own. One constant in all of this change is the face of those Marines looking back at us from photographs: smiling, young, and full of life.

The Marines in Beirut were a peacekeeping unit. The monument to those men reads, “They came in peace” because that is exactly what the Marines were there for: keeping the peace. They had been broken down as young recruits and then built back up as killing machines: efficient, steady, and single-minded. Yet, here many of them were being told not to shoot unless shot at and not to scare the local population. They were required to go out into the surrounding towns in order to patrol and to give a friendly face to the US military, yet they were instructed not to get too close to children, to elders, and to women; especially the women, but the heart wants what the heart wants.

Hospitalman E-3 Bryan L. Earle followed his heart and fell in love despite his government’s rules against it and despite the other barriers between him and his Lebanese sweetheart.

He married her while in Beirut and was even allowed to have a three-day honeymoon at a non-descript hotel. He was young and happy and in love. Marines stood outside of their sandbag bunkers to pose for pictures and stood up in trucks popping their heads above the windshield and posed on the street with children and families and dogs, because they were there to keep the peace and keep the peace is exactly what they were working hard to do.

It is so easy, in instances of war and terrorism, to forget the good and the positive and the ethereal light that we carry in ourselves. It is so simple to allow the darkness to overtake us and to make everything black. The hard part of surviving any horrible act is to keep that light burning.

The remembrance that happens every year on October 23rd is not a reunion nor is it an opportunity for these Marines and their families to get together and cry: it is an opportunity to get together to remember the men who died that day in the name of peace. The list is long and each man has his own unique story and each man has someone somewhere still today who stops and remembers him and the good that he was doing in Beirut that year. In a small section of Arlington Cemetery, there is a section designated for the graves of several of the men who died that day in the Marine barracks bombing. Shading those graves is a Lebanese Cedar tree that grows strong and tall and beautiful to show that from tragedy can come something worth carrying on. Smiling photographs, funny stories, grown children, remembrance by friends and families, and a Lebanese widow living successfully in Ohio are the beautiful things that are worth carrying on from the tragedy that was October 23, 1983.

CONCERTINA WIRE AND OBSTACLES IN FRONT OF THE AMERICAN EMBASSY

OCTOBER 23, 1983 TERRORIST ATTACK OF BATTALION LANDING TEAM (BLT) 1/8 HEADQUARTERS THAT KILLED 241 SOLDIERS, SAILORS AND MARINES

BLT 1/8 HEADQUARTERS BEFORE THE ATTACK

BLT 1/8 HEADQUARTERS AFTER THE ATTACK

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 21

Happy Birthday, Linda! VIP loves you!

Happy Birthday, April Taylor! Your VIPSEEN family loves you!

Happy Birthday, Kristen Reedy!

Happy Birthday, Joe Waters!

Happy Birthday to the extremely talented, Mark Ray!

Happy 4th, Sweet Ella! Love, Mom Happy Birthday to my favorite young man in the universe!

I love you Chase!

Happy Birthday, Theresa and Dad! We love you both! Savanna, Lyndsay, Roger, Shane, Trevor, and Broday

Happy Birthday, Kelli Egan!

Happy Birthday, Patty!

Happy Birthday, Joni Ray!

Happy Birthday, Andy!

Happy Birthday, Jack Dempsey!

Happy Birthday, Cathy Buskell!

Happy Birthday, Brandy McKinney!

Happy Birthday, Rebecca Hamilton!

Happy Birthday, Cara!

Happy Birthday, Reid Burton!

Happy Birthday, Jody Strycharz!

Happy Birthday, Beth Street!

Happy Birthday, Jonathan!

Happy Birthday, Jo Zimmerman!

Happy Birthday, Christie!

Happy Birthday, Vanessa!

Happy Birthday, Aunt Michelle!

Happy Birthday, Bob Cantler!

Happy Birthday, Brian Trent!

Happy Birthday, Kathy Gentry!

Happy Birthday, Bill!

22 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

Happy Birthday, Tom Segelhorst!

Happy Birthday, Gary Stevens!

Happy Birthday, James Phillips!

Happy Birthday, Tracy Feathers!

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K

SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY Millennium Centre

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN HULLETTE AND LOGAN HULLETTE | STORY BY SAVANNA SMITH

Beauties and the Breast

O Woman to Woman

Natlie Whitlock (TN Volunteer Award)

ne hundred years ago, the American Cancer Society began the fight against cancer. Today there are millions of people still fighting that fight, including the TriCities area. The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K was held in Johnson City on Sunday, October 13th.

Thousands of people from all over the East Tennessee area attended to walk or run for this amazing cause. These walkers, along with all others across the nation, raise more than $60 million for the American Cancer society each year; every dollar is dedicated to saving lives.

U.S. Air Force

The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation; nearly 300 communities unite and walk to finish the fight against the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. Thanks to all these supporters, the dollars raised are making sure the American Cancer Society is doing the most for people facing breast cancer while coming ever closer to ending the disease.

The Notorious PNK

For more information about the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events call 1-800-227-2345 or visit MakingStridesWalk.org

Riders for the Cure

Food City

ETSU Buccaneers Dance Team

Smith Brothers

Fight Like A Girl

LakeBridge Warriors

Amanda BIrchfield and Amy Hopson

Team Cumc

Candy’s Crusaders/WJHL

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 25

BLACK FRIDAY SALE at PERFORMANCE MEDICINE Stock Up & Save

FRIDAY, NOV. 29 • 9AM -2:00PM Facial or Microderm Buy One Gift One

Life Extension Vitamins

Botox Radiesse Juvederm

Johnson City Office Only

Buy 1 Get 1 Vitatrim All Skin Care Products

30% OFF

Nutrition Lifestyle Program

1 DAY ONLY Gift Cards

Available

Kingsport

109 Jack White Drive

423.245.2078 Johnson City

3135 Peoples St. • Suite 400

423.854.9200

Like us on Facebook

performancemedicine.net

SEEN IN KINGSPORT Performance Medicine

Ladies Night Out Event

P

erformance Medicine in Kingsport pulled the blinds and turned up the music September 24th to host a Ladies Night Out. Women everywhere were excited to have an evening to themselves to socialize with friends old and new. Wine and hors d’oeuvres were served throughout the evening while the room filled with laughter and good conversation. The evening was not only for socializing, women were able to shop items offered at Performance Medicine as well as receive information about each item and product.

There were specials on services such as cosmetic procedures, weight management programs, skin care procedures, and an array of health and beauty products.

Each woman had the opportunity to be pampered by the ladies at Performance Medicine, because what woman doesn’t love to be pampered. All ladies were also entered in drawings for great prizes including various services and products. Many women also won door prizes that were being given away. Everyone really enjoyed themselves, Performance Medicine know how to throw a Ladies Night Out. PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIELLE HAHNE | STORY BY SAVANNA SMITH

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 27

Serve it up Sassy

Give thanks. . .

Thanksgiving

Cranberry-Ch

... relish all the good things this season brings!

I

f the vision of a Currier & Ives perfectly glazed and roasted large turkey in the center of your dining room table overwhelms your soul, then this Thanksgiving menu is for you. The mouth-watering aromas of grandma’s turkey and dressing, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie are the traditional and cherished memories for Thanksgiving. In keeping with the time-honored dinner tradition but with a sassy flair, this stuffed turkey recipe will not ruffle your feathers but rather impress your family and friends.

Menu

erry Cashew Salad with M ango Chutney Vina igrette Spinach, Mu shroom, Cran berry Stuffed Brea st of Turkey* Stacked Sw eet Potatoes with Praline Topping* Warm Dinner Rolls Bartlett Pea r and Gorgo nzola Tart * Drizzled with Honey and T oasted Walnu ts Pumpkin Pie in Spice Nu t Crust Southern Ice Tea Coffee

*recipes inc es are availab luded le online at liz bushong.

All other recip

com

Serve it up Sassy

The four-pound boneless turkey breast is butterflied* and filled with a spinach, dried cranberry and mushroom stuffing, then tightly rolled into a log. After baking the roll, it is served with pan juices and sliced into twelve servings.

The presentation of this stuffed turkey is lovely. Sweet potatoes are baked in individual ramekins or common custard cups. The sweet potatoes are peeled and sliced thinly, then stacked and smothered with a delicious praline topping.

The pumpkin pie isn’t really pumpkin at all but rather a Bartlett Pear and Gorgonzola Tart with a buttery graham cracker crust. The tart is filled with pears and Gorgonzola cheese crumbles, then baked, and served with a drizzle of honey and toasted walnuts. Other menu items include a Cranberry-Cherry Cashew Salad with Mango Chutney Vinaigrette, warm dinner rolls, southern ice tea and coffee.

This Thanksgiving, enhance your traditional memories by serving it up sassy outside. If the weather is permitting, bring your family table outside in the midst of the falling multi-colored autumn leaves for this season’s Thanksgiving fare. Surprise your family and friends with a beautifully set table featuring a unique twist on these autumn colors: cobalt blue and orange. This sassyscape ® blends the rustic with the refined beginning with a navy tablecloth neatly tucked under a cobalt blue and cream paisley table scarf. Skip the paper plates and folding chairs, and bring the good stuff outside for all to enjoy. Make a warm inviting statement at each place setting with the classic white plate, a blue floral salad plate and an orange-glazed charger. Assorted pumpkins with sprigs of bittersweet are wrapped gently around the cobalt blue centerpiece.

Orange twigs, fall flowers and mini pumpkins burst forth like a sprouting

branch from the base of the cobalt blue vase. This tall and airy centerpiece is simple but elegant, easy to put together, and stunning to gaze at. When entertaining outside, the centerpieces can go large and branchy. If sitting down at a table, be sure the vase does not block the view of the person across the table. To complete the beautifully set fall table, mini pumpkins are used as place cards that beckon loved ones to gather around the table.

As you are gathered together with your family and friends this holiday season, embrace the beauty of the moment, cherish the memories of the past while making new ones, and remember that you are blessed and greatly loved. This is the season to relish every moment by being full of gratitude and giving thanks.

For important Turkey Tips check the attached website for turkey food safety. www.foodsafety.gov/keep/types/turkey/

Timetable for Boneless Roasts/Turkey Roll

3-5 pounds - bake 2 ½ to 3 hours with an internal temperature of 170 F. 5-7 pounds - bake 3 to 3 ½ hours with an internal temperature of 170 F. 7-9 pounds - bake 3 ½ to 4 hours with an internal temperature of 170 F.

*To butterfly and roll a boneless turkey breast, turn the breast on its side and slice down the center, cutting almost but not completely through. (You can ask your butcher to do it for you.) Open the breast out flat; cover with plastic wrap and pound the turkey to an even thickness with a meat mallet. Season with salt and pepper, add filling, and starting at one end of flattened filled turkey, roll up like a jellyroll. Using baking twine, tie with string at 2- inch intervals. Bake as recipe directs.

Spinach, Mushroom Stuffed Turkey Breast Yield: 6-8 servings

Stacked Sweet Potatoes with Praline Topping

Yield: 6 (6 ounce) servings

6 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced to 1/8” 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 tablespoon brown sugar 6 tablespoons butter, divided into 1 teaspoon per dish PRALINE TOPPING: 1 cup all purpose flour 1-cup oatmeal 1 cup light or dark brown sugar, packed

1-cup butter, soft ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg and cinnamon ½ cup chopped toasted walnuts ¼ cup coconut, toasted, optional

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 325 F.

• Lightly grease 6 (6-ounce) ramekins/custard cups with vegetable oil.

Place on a baking sheet. Set aside.

• In medium bowl, combine all ingredients for praline topping, mix into a crumble. Set aside.

• Slice peeled sweet potatoes into 1/8-inch slices. Discard ends and small pieces.

In zip lock bag, combine sugars and potato slices. Shake to coat.

• Divide slices evenly among ramekins, overlapping slices to make a round shape.

Layer 4 layers, add teaspoon of butter, then continue to layer slices extending ½ inch above the top of ramekin. Top with foil.

• Bake for 30 minutes covered with foil. Potatoes will shrink allowing room for topping.

• After 35 minutes add praline topping, bake additional 25 minutes. (Total baking time-60 minutes.) Cover with foil if topping begins to overbrown.

• To serve, invert onto individual plates. Invert to make sure praline is on top of slices.

30 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, without stem, minced 3 tablespoons garlic, minced 8 ounces mushrooms, stems removed and chopped ¼ cup sliced green onions, bulb and stems

¼ cup dried chopped cranberries 1-cup corn bread crumbs-tested Pepperidge Farms 4 teaspoons salt and pepper-divided 1-cup chicken stock 1/2 cup butter, melted and divided 1 1/2 cups apple juice or apple cider 1 (3-4 pound) boneless turkey breast or center pork loin 2 yards of baking cotton string to tie breast

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Preheat oven to broil to brown roast, then preheat oven to 325.

• Prepare roasting pan with cooking spray or line with aluminum foil.

• Prepare stuffing- Heat 1-tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add green onion and rosemary sauté for 5 minutes. Add garlic, mushrooms, spinach and nutmeg, sauté 6 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons apple juice and corn bread crumbs.

Add salt and pepper. Set aside.

• Butterfly turkey breast, * or ask butcher.

• Sprinkle flattened breast with 1½ teaspoons salt and pepper.

• Spread stuffing mixture evenly over the breast, sprinkle with cranberries. On long end of meat, roll tightly into a log. Tie meat with string at 2-inch intervals. Brush meat with remaining olive oil and ¼ cup butter. Place roll in roasting pan. Broil roll until browned.

Watch closely not to burn.

• Combine stock and apple juice together, pour over roll cover with foil.

• Bake for 90 minutes, basting occasionally. Remove from oven and let stand, covered loosely with foil for 20 minutes. Transfer to serving platter, remove string and slice into ½ -1 inch slices. Serve with pan juices if desired. * To butterfly the breast, turn breast on its side and slice down the center, cutting almost but not through. Open breast out flat, and pound turkey to an even thickness with a meat mallet. Season and fill as recipe directs.

Bartlett Pear and Gorgonzola Tart 1 (9”) Graham Cracker baked tart shell 5 ripe Bartlett pears- peeled and diced into ½ inch pieces 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 4 tablespoons butter, softened 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour 4 tablespoons sugar ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ cup crumbled Gorgonzola or Blue Cheese

Yield: 1- 9 inch tart

Garnish: ½ cup honey for drizzle and chopped toasted walnuts INSTRUCTIONS: • Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

• Prepare Butter Cracker Tart Shell and bake. Set aside.

• Peel pears and dice into ½ inch pieces. Toss lightly with lemon juice.

• Place pear mixture in the pre-baked tart shell.

• In a small bowl, combine butter, flour, sugar & salt forming a thick paste.

• Divide the butter mixture into pieces and scatter randomly over the pears.

• Sprinkle tart with cheese crumbles.

• Bake until pears are soft and cheese is lightly browned for 15 minutes.

• Garnish with a drizzle of honey and toasted chopped walnuts.

• Best served the day it is made.

Graham Cracker Tart Shell 1-½ cups crushed graham crackers 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/3 cup melted butter

INSTRUCTIONS: Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Using cooking spray, lightly mist the 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom.

Mix crumbs, sugar and butter. Press mixture firmly against bottom and sides of tart pan. Bake until golden brown about 7 minutes. Let cool prior to filling.

Make a Statement, Make it Sassy and Make it Yours!

Liz Bushong is an expert in the three-dimensional art ofentertaining. She transforms simple dining occasions into beautiful and memorable moments by adding a touch of her own “sassy” style. She makes elegance easy for her audience and encourages them to add their own Sassy touch to make it unique .Liz is famous for creating her own version of a beautifully presented tablescape – which she calls a Sassyscape ™ .

In 2009 and 2010, Liz was selected from thousands nationwide to be part of an elite team of 100 professionals entrusted with decorating the White House for the holiday. In 2011, she was part of seven-person team selected to decorate the Tennessee governor’s mansion for the holiday.

Liz has been featured as the monthly guest chef on Daytime Tri-cities, television show on WJHL, the CBS affiliate for the Tri-cities area of Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. She is also the creator and host of her own one-hour seasonal television show called “Serve it up Sassy!” for the same market, which aired in 2011.

She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Consumer and Family Sciences from Purdue University and an Associate in Applied Science degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. She is also certified in Decorative Finishes and has been trained as a master gardener. Liz is the author of Just Desserts and Sweets & Savories cookbook. Liz makes her home in Johnson City, Tennessee. She continues to perfect her sassy approach to turning simple dining occasions into beautiful and memorable moments.

To purchase cookbooks, see recipes, cooking, and decorating ideas go to www.lizbushong.com.

Abingdon Olive Oil Company

Handmade chocolates. One-of-a-kind serving dishes. Fine French linen napkins & tableclothes. 53 Varieties of Oils & Vinegars. Endless combinations.

Open 11-6/Monday-Saturday and 2-6/Sunday Come in and sample THE TASTE OF GOOD HEALTH. 152 E. Main St., 2W Abingdon 276-525-1524

About Face

Give the gift of Healthy Skin this Holiday Season.

BRISTOL, TN 615 Volunteer Parkway 423-989-3223 ABINGDON, VA 966 West Main Street 276-525-1693 CEDAR BLUFF, VA 677 Steelsburg Highway 276-385-1111

Blakely Mitchell

The Fairway Green Collection would make the perfect Holiday gift for the special man in your life. Available at Blakely Mitchell.

Avon - Paula Dukes

Genuine Smoky Quartz set in marcasite-accented sterling silver.

To sell Avon www.start.youravon.com enter the reference code pauladukes.

716 North Hills Dr. Johnson City TN. 423-895-2545 Cell 423-328-0231 Order Line To buy Avon www.youravon.com/pauladukes

517 State Street Bristol, VA 24201 276.669.0116 240 Broad Street Kingsport, TN 37660 423-245-8351

Box Works Bring your gifts to Boxworks for professional gift wrapping. Large variety of papers to choose from.

50 Euclid Avenue Bristol, VA 276-466-2269

32 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

Bristol Mall

A gift certificate from the Bristol Mall makes the perfect Holiday gift.

500 Gate City Highway Bristol, VA 276-466-8331

Cindy Saadeh Fine Art Gallery

Erda bags are unique and distinctive, using vivid, texture-rich fabrics, exotic deerskin and sculptural shapes. The first bags were designed for friends in 1971. Today Erda has added structure, zippers, pockets and functionality.

These beautiful bags are available exclusively at Cindy Saadeh Fine Art Gallery and make wonderful gifts.

Cosmetic Laser Skin Care

SkinPen: A medical precision tool to address ANY skin care concern. Microtherapy allows topical products to penetrate deeper and stimulate new collagen while creating healthier skin for all.

110 Med Tech Park Johnson City, TN 423-926-2200 Find us on Facebook

128 East Market Street Kingsport, TN 423-245-2800 www.cindysaadeh.com

Cranberry Lane

The Candle Warmer lamp is a revolutionary new concept to the candle warming industry.

This patented warmer lamp melts the top of a candle in a jar creating the ambience of a burning candle while releasing the candle’s fragrance into a room within minutes. These make great gifts and they start at $29.95.

Shop Cranberry Lane in Historic Downtown Bristol, Monday-Saturday 10-5.

623 State Street Bristol, VA 276-669-9899 www.cranberrylanehome.com

Goodman Jewelers

“Fine Colored Gemstones For Any Occasion” Goodman Jewelers of Abingdon, Inc Custom Jewelers

By Appointment 324 Towne Centre Dr Abingdon, VA 24210 276-676-3110 mark@goodmanjewelers.biz www.goodmanjewelers.biz

Johnson City Mall

Give it all, give the Mall. Give a gift card, and you give it all...just about any store, any restaurant, any time.

2011 N Roan St Johnson City, TN 37601 423-282-5312

Kil’n Time

Whether you’re a professional artist or have never picked up a paintbrush, Kil’n Time can help you create personalized, affordable gifts this holiday season. Choose your project from over 1,000 styles of ceramics, fused glass, and mosaics--their friendly, knowledgeable staff is on hand to help!

818 State Street Bristol, TN 423-573-9950 Kilntimeceramics.com

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 33

Magnolia

This Viburmum “Snoball” Bouquet would make the perfect Holiday gift! It is featured in a 7” glass bucket vase. Available only at Magnolia.

Magnolia also features Home Decor, Lighting, Pillows, Jewelry, Art and Design Services.

180 Main Street E. Abingdon, VA 24210 276-206-8134 www.magnoliafurnishings.com

Medtrim Spa Vanity

A one hour massage for only $60 would make the pefect Holiday gift this season. Available now at Medtrim Spa Vanity.

3101 Lee Highway, Suite #1 Bristol, VA 24202 276-466-5100

Nail Care Clinic

Treat yourself as well as gifts for your love ones this holiday season.

One of A Kind Gallery

Little Mountain Soap Company Handmade organic soaps, hand & body balm, therapeutic oils, spring waters mist sprays & soaking salts Available at One of A Kind Gallery.

604 State Street Bristol, TN 37620 423-652-2648 www.oneofakindgallery.org

Owner Cathy Wells and the staff at Natural Nail Care Clinic are ready to assistance you with your holiday list. If the need is an elegant manicure, Shellac for the corporate day to day or a beautiful pedicure to finish off that New Year’s look, Natural Nail Care can craft it.

Our services cover all ages and gender, where we believe caring for your nails is the most important thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones. Gift certificates are available.

Wishing you the happiest holiday season!

409 W. Oakland Ave., Ste #5 Johnson City 423-915-0073 USATrendsInc@aol.com

Pens Floral Thomas Kinkade Starry Night Chapel available at Pens Floral. Bristol’s only Downtown Florist.

32 Moore Street Bristol, VA www.pensfloral.net 855-339-2460 276-644-4600

Persnickity

Andrea Hamilton Crawford bangles made in the USA out of New York City. They are made of stainless steele and resin. Available at Persnickty in Abingdon, VA. 104 Court Street Abingdon, VA 24210 276-623-0303

34 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

Pretty Girl Station Bring in the Holiday Season with gorgeous Italian leather boots and shoes from everybody shoes! Available at Pretty Girl Station in Downtown Bristol.

500 Gate City Hwy Bristol, VA 24201 276-644-4701

Little Mountain Soap Company Handmade organic soaps, hand & body balm, therapeutic oils, spring waters mist sprays & soaking salts Available at One of A Kind Gallery Make 604 StateShoozies Street your one stop shop for the perfect Holiday choose from shoes, handbags and Bristol, TNgift, 37620 accessories!

Shop Local, Shop Shoozies!

423-652-2648

Shoozies

www.oneofakindgallery.org 527 State St Bristol, VA 24201 276-644-3274

Shady Business Luminara fireless candles, Ivory vanilla scented and beeswax covered. Luminara is a candle for everywhere.

An attractive realistic, flame-effect candle which can be placed anywhere without worry or risk associated with real candles.

221 East Main Street Abingdon, VA 24210 276-356-1674 www.shadybusiness.net

The Spa Difference

Antique Cyrstal Punch Set, Vintage China - Lenox, Rosenthal, Havaland, Jewelry, Books, Sterling Silver Drinking Horns are a few of the unique treasures you can find.

Blackbird Bakery Blackbird cakes made from scratch.

The Spa Difference 1601 Center Street.

Kingsport TN 37664 423-578-4051 www.thespadifference.com

Great for any Holiday or special occasion.

56 Piedmont Avenue Bristol, VA 276-645-5734 www.blackbirdbakerybristol.com

Threads An eclectic blend of female fashions exclusively from the young to the sophisticated woman. Come enjoy a unique shopping experience with the ladies at Threads.

1880 N. Eastman Road, Ste. 300 Kingsport, TN 37664 423-245-1493 www.threadsofkingsport.com

TRISUP Protect your iPhone or iPad from spills and thrills with a Lifeproof or Otterbox case. Also, our waterproof headphones would be great stocking stuffers!

Tri Cities Stand Up Paddleboard Company 514 State Street Bristol, TN 37620 423-652-0220 www.TriSup.net NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 35

Downtown

38 41 42

Business Profile: WM King Bristol 2014 Bristol’s 13th Annual Rhythm & Roots Reunion

36 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

44 46 48 51

Bristol Loft Living The Great Gatsby Party Music Profile: Annabelle’s Curse Blakley Mitchell Trunk Show

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICKEY BAKER STORY BY LUCY HONEYCHURCH

Haberdashery! Clothing with a personal touch!

W

hen William King graduated from college he knew that he wanted to work with his father. His father was willing to let William work with him too, but there was one catch, the elder Bill King told his son that he had to have one year of retail experience. Bill King founded a retail consulting firm and was the first to develop a software system to help retailers manage and control their inventory. William, fresh out of college, went to Atlanta to look for work and out of all of the nine job interviews he had, he left with nine job offers and with tons of questions for his father. Standing on a busy street in Atlanta he called his father up on a payphone and asked him what to do. Bill King told his son to accept the job offer from Mr. Ham Stockton of the venerable H. Stockton – Atlanta, “You will be the youngest member of the Stockton team, but you will learn every aspect of running a store – from vacuuming the store each morning, being the stock boy, learning customer service, selling custom clothing and everything in between. If you want to learn this business then the knowledge that you will gain with the legendary Ham Stockton will be an experience that you will never forget.” William King took his father’s advice and the job with H. Stockton in Atlanta beginning his journey in the world of menswear and haberdasheries.

work with his father. It only took William a couple of days in his new job to realize that his true passion and goal was to sell men’s clothing and to create the finest haberdashery in East Tennessee. He went to his parents and received their blessing and was now ready to begin his new career. He opened William King Clothiers in 1981 and has been at his same Downtown Bristol location ever since.

Ham Stockton worked out a deal with William that involved two weeks of trial employment. King would work for H. Stockton for two weeks and after that time, if things did not work out then the men would go their separate ways and remain friends. If, however, William wanted to stay on then the two would work together and Ham would teach the young William King everything he needed to learn about the menswear business. The two weeks quickly turned into a year and William was learning everything he possibly could about the retail business. After his year of being educated in one of the finest stores in the country, William returned to his hometown of Bristol, Tennessee to begin

So many patrons had entered his store with complaints that the clothing in their closets just weren’t quite right or they had questions about how to pair the items to feel confident about the way they looked and felt in their clothes. They wanted their wardrobe to not only fit them properly but also express their personality. One afternoon William asked a gentleman to try on a few things in order to help this man with his clothing needs.

The man walked around the store and he saw a coat that he liked. “I’ll take this. I love it.” William knew that the coat was wrong for the gentleman at this particular time, and he could have sold it to him anyway, but that

38 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

I don’t know what the old store looked like, but the new store is warm and inviting and full of photographs of old Hollywood and of men dressed the way people should dress: like they have places to go and people to see.

There are just a few mannequins adorned with classic suits and gorgeous sweaters and beautifully arranged outfits. William is clear when he says that his business is not about him. His goal is to make his customers shopping experience special and unforgettable. William King Clothiers is about the customer and finding the right clothing that defines his client’s taste and personality. Anyone coming in to look at clothes can mosey up to the bar for a drink, listen to the music, relax and then let the associates at William King take care of them.

is not the way Mr. King creates loyal clientele. The coat was plaid with a windowpane pattern and the gentleman would have been very limited in his ability to wear the jacket, so William had him try something else on: a classic blazer that was casual, but that could be worn with more outfits. “You can wear this with jeans for a casual look, but you could pair it with a crisp white shirt, dress trousers and a tie for dressier events. It is more versatile and if you are starting over with your wardrobe then you need versatility.

You need clothing to build on.” He understood what Mr. King was talking about and the two men spent nearly four hours that day picking out clothes, assembling a wardrobe and being measured so that he left with clothes that actually fit his frame. This gentleman’s shopping experience was the best he had ever had and he valued the knowledge, service and expertise of a clothing professional. William King has always liked the small town charm of Bristol and never considered any other location for his haberdashery other than downtown. “By being located in downtown we can really express who we are with our windows and our displays. It allows us a chance to show our vision on dressing relevant for today. We support shopping in downtown Bristol and I feel like our store is in the perfect location. “ William King Clothiers was closed for seventy-three days earlier this fall while he

did a total renovation to the store, but his work didn’t stop just because the store was in the midst of such drastic changes. William gives out his phone number and he checks his emails religiously and his customers know how to reach him when they need to. “I get dozens of texts from our customers every day with concerns about the proper dress and their clothing emergencies.” This store is all about taking care of the customer: “it is about helping our customers look good because the right clothes make all the difference in how they feel.” In a day and age where quantity is favored over quality and customer service is all but an idea from a bygone era, William King Clothiers makes sure that their customers are taken care of. This is the cornerstone of what the staff believes and what they have done since 1981. Sure, he could just sell customers what they want or what they think they need, but then that would not be doing the job that he loves so much. Selling someone unnecessary clothes would be short-changing that person but, more importantly, it would be going against King’s own conscience.

Why in the world would he sell anyone something that did not fit properly or that did not make him or her look good? He wouldn’t and that is just the philosophy that keeps his customers singing his praises and coming back week after week. William King wouldn’t want it any other way.

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 39

“My name is Amanda Broome.

I’m in Mass Communications.

I got my start at Northeast State.”

Smart Careers. Start Here.

“My name is Brad Ketron.

I’m a registered nurse.

I got my start at Northeast State.”

423.323.3191

www.NortheastState.edu

BELIEVE IN BRISTOL DOWNTOWN SHOWCASE Foundation Event Facility March 6, 2014

Annual fundraiser with “tastes” of downtown, focus on artisans and artists, live music, and silent and live auction

ART D’VINE GALLERY HOP AND WINE TASTING Historic Downtown Bristol March 14, June 13, September 12, and December 12, 2014 After-hours access to galleries for art demos, book signings, new art releases, and wine tastings

BORDER BASH: BECAUSE IT’S GREAT ON STATE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Historic Downtown Bristol May 2 and 16, June 6 and 20, July 4 and 18, and August 1 and 15, 2014 (1st and 3rd Friday of these months)

Concert series on State Street featuring a variety of music acts, children’s activities, and food and craft vendors. The July 4th Border Bash will be in partnership with Celebrate Bristol as a 4th of July celebration including fireworks and parade.

FULL MOON JAM CONCERT SERIES Country Music Mural Stage, Downtown Center, State Street May through September 2014, usually every Tuesday and Thursday Free concert series hosted by the City of Bristol, TN

STATE STREET FARMERS’ MARKET Downtown Center, State Street May through October 2014, Saturdays and Wednesdays

Regular market of local produce, homemade baked goods, and crafts

AACA ANTIQUE CAR SHOW TriSummit Bank parking lot, State Street May through October 2014, every Friday night

A regular event for antique car enthusiasts, including Hot Bristol Night in August

STATE OF THE ARTS WEEKEND Historic Downtown Bristol June 13–15, 2014

WHO ART YOU? SUMMER KIDS’ CAMP Historic Downtown Bristol June 23–27 and July 21–25, 2014

A week-long camp focused on the arts downtown with activities ranging from the visual arts, journaling, and pottery to yoga, culinary arts, and dance.

BIRTHPLACE OF COUNTRY MUSIC MUSEUM Birthplace of Country Music Way Opening August 2014

Various events will accompany the opening of BCM; the museum focuses on the 1927 Bristol Sessions and their impact

BRISTOL RHYTHM & ROOTS REUNION Historic Downtown Bristol September 19–21, 2014

Three-day music festival, including over 150 music acts, food and craft vendors, a chili cook-off, a 5K, Kids’ Day, Rockin’ Stroll window contest, and much more!

PUMPKIN PALOOZA Farmers’ Market, Downtown Center, State Street October 25, 2014

Pumpkin decorating, costume parade, and trick-or-treating on State Street for the whole family

DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE Historic Downtown Bristol November 24, 2014

Late-night opening of downtown shops for a customer appreciation night with snacks, hot drinks, and great promotions

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING Cumberland Square Park December 1, 2014

Community Christmas tree lighting with carols, candles, hot cocoa and cookies

CHRISTMAS PARADE State Street December 4, 2014

Community Christmas parade with floats, bands, and lots of fun

A weekend celebration of the arts including Kids’ Art Day, Artist Power Hour, Movies in the Park, Art Swap, music, art shows and classes, and much more

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 41

SEEN IN BRISTOL Downtown

3

days. 21 stages. More than 150 of the finest roots musicians you’ll ever see in one place, performing on 5 blocks of Historic Downtown Bristol, VA/TN. There’s no doubt that if it’s happening in music, it’s happening here—in the place where country music was born.

Old Line Skiffle Combo

More than 55,000 artists, fans, volunteers and vendors from 42 states and 4 foreign countries gathered for the 13th annual Reunion. Collectively, Lucinda Williams, Masters of Bluegrass, Keller Williams, Deer Tick, Blitzen Trapper, Colin Hay, James McMurtry, and Paul Thorn, to name a few, added up to one of heckuva line-up.

Debbie Hamilton, Nancy Reid and Joyce Brogden

Fans gather in Bristol for the music and the hospitality served up by the twin cities. Festival organizers tell us that of the ticket buyers polled more than half of them say good lip service got them there, but it’s the warmth of a hometown festival atmosphere that provides a great experience for artists and fans.

“Research tells us that if we get them through the gates once, they’ll be back,” says Leah Ross, Executive Director of Birthplace of Country Music®, the parent organization of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion.

Police Patrol

Dates for next year’s Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion are set for September 19-21, 2014 with discount Weekend Passes going on sale December 1st of this year. Visit www.BristolRhythm.com for more information.

Artist at Work

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDA COFFEY | STORY SUBMITTED

This Mountain

Chalk Art

Fun For All

Under the Umbrella

Charles Fontaine and Laken Booher

Ceil and Karen

42 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

Ken Williams and Aaron Smith

Tony and Lynne Peaks, Sharon Browder and Henry Gonzalez

Casey Cockrum of “If Birds Could Fly”

Brittany Ashley of “If Birds Could Fly”

Mike and Karen Todd

Leah Ross

Dancing in the Rain

Cowgirl up!

Family Ties

Let a smile be your umbrella

Burning Bridget Cleary

Jonathan Odom and Beth Snapp

Tyler Clinch and Kathy Moore Richards

Ponchos in Demand

Joy Scruggs and Dennis Sutherland

Trisha Gene Brady

Book your Holiday Party now at 14 Bank Street “1928 Sessions Room”

Venue ∞ Catering Weddings ∞ Luncheons Bridal Showers Corporate Gatherings KP Cafe & Bar • 520 State St. • Bristol, TN 423.764.3889 • www.kpduty.net

Sol Driven Train

If Birds Could Fly

Happy UT Fans

Robin and Leigh

“Living downtown is a choice for the more adventurous type...and of course for those who never want to mow a lawn again!

- Eric Blevins”

Loft Living in Historic Downtown Bristol

Living downtown is all about convenience and a carefree lifestyle! Diane and I generally walk to and from work every day! Since we’re official y empty nesters our lifestyle is perfect for this type of living--- several great restaurants and night spots are within easy walking distance and of course there are many other amenities like great retail shops, entertainment and galleries that round out this very smooth, laid back style of living. Of course it helps that Diane is such a great decorator and walking into the loft in the evening is always comforting due to the warm charm of modern fixtures and appliances blended in with strong brick walls that are over 100 years old!

- Jack D. Dempsey”

44 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

“There’s an energy or an electricity that has sparked in the Downtown and I love that we get to live right in the middle of it! We are living the dream! How awesome is it to live right above your business, 20 steps and we are at work every morning. Just out our front door we have numerous restaurants, galleries, shoppes, music and entertainment. Who could ask for anything else? The future is uncertain, the past is writ en in stone, but the present is where they meet in a Downtown Loft on State Street. Live, Work and Play. We want to make sure that we leave something behind - something beautiful like these buildings to better the community. We hope these buildings wil be here for another 100 years!

- Karen Hester”

“The best part about living in Historic and Hip Downtown Bristol is experiencing its rebirth first hand. The combined efforts of fellow property and business owners are literally changing our town; I can see it in my business by day and enjoy those fruits when I go a show, grab a coffee, do my shopping, and entertain my guests. Together we have created a great place to live, work, shop, and play!! - and we’re not done yet!”

-Benjamin Walls NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 45

SEEN IN BRISTOL Matney Residence

PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY SUBMITTED

O

n Sunday, September 8, partygoers at the Paramount’s Great Gatsby gala stepped back into the Roaring ‘20s for an evening of flappers, high-energy music, fine food, and an game of crochet on the lawn. The party celebrated the producers’ guild whose financial support keeps the lights shining on the marquee and the doors always open for new and exciting shows. Partygoers came dressed to impress in their 1920s-style suits and cocktail dresses, and enjoyed cigar-rolling demonstrations from Sidetrack Tobacco and a bourbon tasting. Music was performed by Barlow Gin & The Hatchetmen, one of Bristol’s up-and-coming new bands.

To find out more about the Paramount Center for the Arts and the upcoming season of shows and volunteer opportunities, please call 423-274-8920 or visit www.theparamountcenter. com. A special thank you to John and Becky Matney for hosting this extravaganza event!

46 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

s ’ e l l e b a n n A

MUSIC PROFILE: Annabelle’s Curse

48 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

MUSIC PROFILE: Annabelle’s Curse

The

origins of Annabelle’s Curse are tied to something beautiful and tragic. The original three members, Tim Kilbourne, Zack Edwards, and John Warren Watson chose to scrape their money together to buy an upright base to use as they played on the porch of their farmhouse.

They decided to name the bass Annabelle because of its inherent beauty and lady-like curves. That woman got them off to a rough start.

The night of their first show, Annabelle cracked her head in the middle of State Street due to a case malfunction. The neck split vertically leaving only the bottom two strings playable, but the show went on. Immediately after that, the bass was propped up against a wall after practice one night and she rolled over crashing through the front window of the house. Two shows later, the back separated off the body due to some serious playing.

Echoing the physical tribulations of the instruments, several bad things started happened in the founding member’s personal lives. Girlfriends left, struggles came, but everyone could see that something special was starting to happen. They had to rely on each other and the music they were creating to get through the hard times. The fact that Annabelle was cursed became a joke… that this thing of beauty was causing so many problems, but also became what got them through the problems, together. That idea fit with the themes the guys were writing about in their music, and ultimately it became the name of the group as well as a reiteration of what the band is about.

After releasing their debut album “Monsters,” cultivating a following and growing the name for several years, the band found a new start in November of 2012 when they were blessed to be joined by Carly Booher, and Travis Goyette. With the addition of these members, they set out to record the new sound they had developed together. Taking up an offer from David Mayfield to act as producer, the now full band headed to SUMA studios in Ohio to record their second full length album “Hollow Creature.” This record was 100% fan funded by the amazing support that they had generated. Fans, friends, family, and lovers believed in the musical project and offered care and support to push it forward.

The album was released on June 18, 2013.

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 49

MUSIC PROFILE: Annabelle’s Curse The hardest thing about the sound is trying to describe it. Alternative Folk would probably be the best genre, but the songs and sounds challenge it as something original. The music is lyrically based with an obvious attention to the highs and lows of the human condition. Shows almost always have acoustic and electric guitar, banjo (often electric banjo instead of regular), bass (they have moved on from their first love of upright), an army of effects pedals, and drums with mandolin and the occasional keyboard. The dynamics of many of the songs incorporate soft and sweet melodies that build and compliment the danceable, fast, and fun energy. Audience participation is often asked and always well received.

THE MOST IMPRESSIVE PART OF THIS COLLECTION OF TALENTS IS THAT THE FULL LINE UP HAS BEEN TOGETHER ABOUT A YEAR AND IN THAT TIME; THEY HAVE CRAFTED A SEAMLESS SOUND THAT CUTS BOUNDARIES AND BLURS THE LINES OF TRADITIONAL GENRES. Micheal Doherty of the Music Log was on point when he said, “These songs also make truly interesting use of traditional folk instruments. Though this album fits somewhat under the general category of folk, it is often surprising when some of the traditional folk instruments come in. Perhaps that’s because there is nothing really traditional about these songs, nothing really ordinary. This band has its own distinct sound, so that you almost expect new instruments to have been invented to perform these tracks.”

Slim- just to name a few. We stand on the shoulders of giants, it is our hope to create something that expands on the work they have put in to push the art even further and make it our own.”

When asked about the musical influences, the diversity is quite astounding.

“We all come from very diverse backgrounds including bluegrass, hardcore, folk, experimental, and even electronic music,” Guitarist Zack Edwards says.

“We try and take what we all love individually about music and fit it into our own unique sound. We have some favorite artists that we look up; Dr. Dog, Bon Iver, Macklemore, LCD Soundsystem, Josh Ritter, Edward Sharpe, and Langhorne

The most impressive part of this collection of talents is that the full line up has been together about a year and in that time; they have crafted a seamless sound that cuts boundaries and blurs the lines of traditional genres. To see them play is a pleasure and the energy is infectious. They are best friends, they are a family, and to watch them pour their hearts out only proves that they are doing exactly what they were meant to do.

Blakley-Mitchell

SEEN IN BRISTOL & KINGSPORT Downtown

w o h S k Trun T

he Annual Fall Trunk Show at Blakley Mitchell in Downtown Bristol and Downtown Kingsport were held throughout the past month. Blakley-Mitchell has burnished its reputation by clothing the local businessmen and political elite, from congressman to NASCAR executives and anyone who won’t settle for a genericfitting suit. Representatives from Measure Up Shirts, Hart Schaffner Marx and Allen Edmonds Shoes were on hand to help tailor to the needs of the loyal customers who attended this years two day trunk show. Both stores were full with repeat and new customers trying out Blakley Mitchell. The trunk show, as it is every year, was a great success and both store locations drew in customers who will definitely be back after receiving such hands on service and trying on such good quality suits. Blakley Mitchell would like to thank everyone in the Tri-Cities who helped make the show a success.

Marty McCloud

Dr. Nelson Link

PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY APRIL TAYLOR

Jim Norwood and Sonny Porterfield

Jay Myers-Measure Up Shirts, Jim Norwood-Allen Edmond Shoes, and Ed Ringley-Hart Schaffner Marx Hugh Testerman, Jr. and Rodger Williams

Hugh Testerman, Steve Willinger, and Hugh Testerman, Jr.

Steve Willinger and Brad Baker

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 51

Visit Historic Downtown • Furniture • Candleberry Candles • Framed Art • Quilts, Curtains • Silk Floral

• Gourmet Foods • Byers’ Choice • Willow Tree Figurines • Old Fashioned Candy

15,000 square feet of showroom space Follow us on Facebook Historic Downtown Bristol Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-5 623 State Street • Bristol, VA 276.669.9899 www.cranberrylanehome.com CranberryLaneRandRAd.indd 1

our . ee s Come dge Truck o 1949 D 8/7/13 7:26 AM

Bristol, Va/Tn Shop. Eat. Play.

Downtown

56 58

60

Johnson City Sessions The Future of ETSU with Jeremy Ross Residential and Commercial Growth in 2014 with Greg Cox

54 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

62

64

Johnson City Down Home features Documentary to highlight American, Czech Bluegrass The Future of Downtown with Shannon Castillo

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 55

SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY Downtown

Johnson City Sessions WEEKEND

I

n October East Tennessee State University and Birthplace of Country Music® hosted an event-packed, weekend-long celebration honoring the 1928-29 Johnson City Sessions.

“Many recognize Ralph Peer’s work with the Bristol Sessions as the ‘Big Bang’ of country music,” says Birthplace of Country Music Executive Director Leah Ross, “the continuation of that work by Frank B. Walker in Johnson City is just as significant to our Appalachian music heritage.”

The weekend started off with a reception and presentation for Tony Russell, co-producer of Johnson City Sessions 1928-1929: “Can You Sing or Play Old-Time Music” CD Box Set, at ETSU’s Carroll Reece Museum. Vintage sounds of The Roane County Ramblers hit a high note among guests.

Ted Olsen, Richard Weize (CEO of Bear Family Records), and Tony Russell

Jerry and Mary Lou Bowman Weibel

Families of musicians that performed on the original Johnson City Sessions were honored at the Johnson City Sessions Box Set Release Party, located at legendary music mecca The Down Home. The Bowman Family received a key to the city for their contributions to our Appalachian music heritage. 1920s-era Appalachian music was brought to life by Helloxxwx Stranger featuring Dale Jett (grandson of A.P. and Sara Carter), The Corklickers, The ETSU Blues and Old-Time Pride Bands, and The Bowman Family during the event.

The ETSU Blues Band got heels and toes tappin’ at the Boots, Blues & BBQ VIP Gala, located inside Venue at The King Center. The cocktail party was the pre-show to the main event, Mountain Stage with Larry Groce, at the Martha Street Culp Auditorium inside ETSU’s DP Culp University Center. Tim O’Brien & Darrell Scott, Sarah Jarosz, Old Man Luedecke, The Deadly Gentlemen and the ETSU Old-Time Pride Band performed on the radio show heard internationally on NPR and Voice of America. The concert marked the first Mountain Stage performance in Johnson City.

The Bowman Family

Ted Olsen and Ed Hill

PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY SAVANNA SMITH

Wayne Lester, Matt Wright, and Tall Paul

Old Time Pride Band

Johnson City Mayor Ralph Van Brocklin, Bob Cox, and Jim Bowman

56 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

Mike Milhorn and Dr. Jessica Turner

Keylan Roberts, Shannon Bielski, and Brooke Renfro

Mary Alice and Will Fryar

Mary Lynn and H. D. Satterwhite

Shannon and Jose Castillo

James and Rebekah Hunt, Tony Kay, and Donald Woods

Tony Kay Woods, Richard Weize, and Rebekah Hunt

Mike Milhorn and Linda Good

Charlie Bowman and Richard Weize

Jeremy Ross on ETSU and

Downtown Johnson City INTERVIEW BY DANIELLE HAHNE AND SAVANNA SMITH

E

ast Tennessee State University has a vision for a master plan called “125,” this is where the university would like to be in twenty-five years from now. Making the connection between downtown Johnson City and ETSU only makes sense, after all, the two are very close together. The completion of the baseball field closed that gap. Of course ETSU will be playing baseball there, but the facility will also be open to outdoor events for ETSU and the city. One of the most significant facilities to connect the campus and Downtown cultures will be the Fine Arts facility, which is already in the works and will hopefully be finished within the next two years. The exact location of the Fine Arts building has not been confirmed, but we know it will be around the Downtown campus area. This facility will not only be significant for ETSU but it will benefit the whole region by bringing cultural

58 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

arts in the form of shows, events, and festivals to the Downtown region. There will be class space of course, but the building will be open for public use.

There are approximately three thousand students that live on campus, and with the new residential areas coming to Downtown there could be possibly five thousand residents in this small radius. We want these students and other residents to have things to do on the weekends and stay connected to our culture; so having things like a baseball game, outdoor concert or event, Broadway style plays, art shows, and great places to eat will draw others to the area. We want to draw from all recourses involved and bring the city, ETSU, and private investors together on one page to enhance the lives of this area’s population.

SHANE

Abraham

on Residential Growth in Downtown Johnson City

I

n order to grow a downtown area, there must be residential space available. Right now, there is not much to offer someone interested in living downtown Johnson City; that is about to change. The Paxton Place is one residential building that is underway and is projected to be complete in the beginning of 2014. With this building comes a small commercial space on the bottom floor, and twenty-five apartment style homes in one and two bedrooms. There will also be more residential buildings appearing around Downtown this year and in the next few years. With residential growth comes the need for commercial growth.

These Downtown homes are the key and the first step toward a thriving downtown population.

60 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

The people we are hoping to attract are of course students and young professionals. Many graduate students are looking for trendy areas away from campus to reside in and that is a big target. The biggest target we have already seen as being interested in our spaces are the young professionals that have just graduated and want to be part of the urban scene. These young adults are not yet ready to buy a home or make a permanent commitment but still want a home that is worth showing off. The focus is on that thought and to design these apartment style homes to be as modern, urban, and sleek as any that could be found in larger cities.

INTERVIEW BY DANIELLE HAHNE AND SAVANNA SMITH

GREG

cox on Commercial Growth in Downtown Johnson City INTERVIEW BY DANIELLE HAHNE AND SAVANNA SMITH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIELLE HAHNE

D

owntown Johnson City is about to experience a larger commercial boom that will continue to build on what has already began to happen. In the past few months or so there have been three eateries open and all three are doing well. Now the thing to do is build on top of this success and bring in even more projects to the area. Tupelo Honey Cafe will be opening in April which a lot of people are looking forward to. There is also another restaurant set to open in the next year. Northeast State Community College will be moving in to the old city courthouse and turning it into a Johnson City campus; with that will come an even larger wave of students who will need places to eat and hang out between classes. This campus will bring more business with it in the coming years.

Another big project the city is working on to improve the area is the park, where the old White’s warehouse was, which will lead into an open pavilion. The park is to help keep the flooding issue under control as well as add a little charm. The pavilion, connecting the park and Downtown, will be used for the Farmer’s Market as well as for concerts, parties, reunions, and things like that. This project will add value to the area not only commercially, but residentially as well. More businesses will want to be a part of such a blooming Downtown and residents will have places to walk their dogs or run, or even be able to walk to a concert or event. The goal is to program Downtown in such a way that gives people a reason to keep coming back every day.

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 61

SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY Down Home

Down Home features Documentary to Highlight American, Czech Bluegrass PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY LYNDA FONTAINE

A

sneak peek of the documentary “Banjo Romanika: American Bluegrass Music and The Czech Imagination” was presented September 23 at the Johnson City music venue Down Home. The evening also included a concert by Druha Trava, a band featured in the film. Trava is a premier Czech band whose members have also worked in top level American bluegrass circles, performing and recording with artists like Peter Rowan, Tony Trischka and Charlie McCoy. Down Home was packed with aficionados of good music and who were not disappointed.

The documentary, which is the work of ETSU faculty members Dr. Lee Bidgood and Shara Lange, spotlights musicians who play this unique bluegrass hybrid. According to the

documentary, Czechs first heard bluegrass during World War II when the Armed Forces Network broadcast American music for soldiers. The music represented freedom to Czechs living in a communist state. The Czechs’ love for the music was solidified when Pete Seeger visited and performed in 1964.

After the documentary viewing, guest enjoyed a live concert by featured band Druha Trava.

The event was an opportunity to showcase both the documentary and the music behind the film and is also a way of thanking local and international stakeholders who have supported the project.

The event was supported by the Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies program at ETSU.

Randy Coapstick and Lamar Dean

Bob Riser and Cynthia Burnley

Wendy Crowe and Jonathan Maness

Laura Power, Marilyn Duncan, and Bill Duncan

Christine Murdock and Ed Snodderly

Daniel and Debbie Santiago

Emma Forster and Alexandra Frank Shara Lange and Madalyn

Tyler Hughes and Hasee Ciaccio

Willa Johnson

The Band Druha Trava

62 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

Ben Bateson and Daniel Boner

Richard Cifensky and Lee Bidgood

2013

SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church

Johnson City Veterans Stand Down T

he James H. Quillen VA Medical Center at Mountain Home joined the community in holding a Veterans Stand Down on Friday, October 11 at Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church in Johnson City. Veterans of all kinds were in attendance to learn about services available to them; and there was an array of services offered to Veterans including counseling and substance abuse referrals, housing resources, legal resources, healthcare screening, flu shots and many others. There were plenty of volunteers on site as well to answer questions and assist in any way thanks to the support from the community.

The term Stand Down originates from the military itself. In times of war, exhausted soldiers were allotted reprieve from battle at secure base camp areas where they would take care of personal hygiene, get clean clothes, receive needed medical care, and enjoy the fellowship of friends. Today, Stand Down refers to a community effort with the task of helping the nation’s estimated 75,000 homeless veterans replenish their spirit and health through the provision of medical care, meals, clothes, and community resources that can help them rebuild their lives.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY SAVANNA SMITH

Les and Angelina Nelson

Edward Feldner and Michael Horvath

Sarah Fine, Deanna Cole and Missie McCoy

Ken Satppard, Raymond Risden

David Shields and Patty Muse

Lee Smith and Leah Mosley

Ron Smith

Bill Duncan

Raymond Risden

Sherry Trent and Mindy Bowman

Jerry Allen, John Pollak Vietnam Veterans Chapter 979, Kingsport

Kay Coehler, Vickie Ellet and Margo Love

Mike Gordon, Larry Nelson and Diane Henderson

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 63

Shannon Castillo

on an oversight of the Downtown Renovation INTERVIEW BY DANIELLE HAHNE AND SAVANNA SMITH

T

here are so many public projects going on right now to improve the downtown Johnson City area. The city is working on the park and the pavilion and branding those as a place for outdoor fun and activities. Recently The Lady in the Fountain, which was and still is a large part of the history, has been remodeled. The beautiful structure just adds a bit of culture to the area. There are new sidewalks being built all around downtown, the goal is really to try making the area about walking again and focus on moving the pedestrians around town instead of the cars. Art is another piece of the puzzle that will be incorporated into downtown. There will be twelve pieces of art that will trail from the ETSU campus along the walkway adjacent to State of Franklin road and will lead into Downtown with the last piece ending in the middle of town. This structure walk will be a big help in closing the gap between ETSU’s campus and the Downtown area.

This renovation is almost like a perfect storm. There are many residential buildings opening up to house people. There are also more commercial businesses coming in with the new year; as well as the educational component with Northeast State Community College opening a campus Downtown. These three forces will drive this renovation and with them will come many more retailers and private owned businesses. The key is to get people to invest and we believe within the next five years Downtown Johnson City will be a thriving area in all aspects.

64 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 65

Downtown

68 Oktoberfest 72 Kingsport Loft Living 74 Newcomer Bus Tour 74 Cantu’s Car Corner

76

79 81

Commercial Growth in 2014 with Jeff Fleming Cardboard Challenge 41st Annual Fall Folk Art Festival at Exchange Place

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 67

Oktoberfest

SEEN IN KINGSPORT Downtown

Tami Nitcznski and David Knopp

Ty DeVaultand and Danny Campbell

Tyler Cathey and Laurel Farrell

Geri and Phillip Nuckols

Dustin Freeman and Jon Ferguson

S

ay Oompah! Tennessee’s Oktoberfest – the Kingsport Oktoberfest – took place under sunny skies and with “over the top” entertainment and beer. This year’s 3rd Annual Event drew an estimated 16,000 people to downtown Kingsport on September 28th.

Dozens of craft brewers were in attendance to showcase their innovative and unique beers.

This year the festival had some “star power” when Ben Bailey of Cash Cab made an appearance with a team 30 production staff.

The Kingsport Oktoberfest and its newest add-on event, the Tennessee Idiotarod, will be featured on an upcoming episode of Bailey’s new series on the Game Show Network, Ben Bailey’s America.

Dennis DeVinney, Stephanie Walker, and Fred Renfro

In addition to incredible beers, this year’s event featured an expanded Das Kidzone, the beloved “Brat Trot”, Football and Beer Haus, Cornhole Tournament, Artisan Crafts, and great food.

Two stages of entertainment featured local musicians Hundred Acres, Beth Snapp, Ryan Ward, Demon Waffle, Travis O’Quinn, Wise Old River and the Mountain Top Polka Band.

Organizers say they have already started planning for the 2014 Tennessee Oktoberfest as well as their sister event - the Thirsty Orange Brew Extravaganza (www.thirstyorange.com) taking place in April 2014 in Johnson City.

Bryan Mullins and Paige Reed

“We are working to create a new standard for events in the Tricities and beyond,” said spokesperson Stephanie Carson.

Friend us on Facebook - Facebook Follow us on Twitter - Twitter www.kingsportoktoberfest.com

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ? | STORY SUBMITTED

68 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

Chris Peart and Tim “The Maniac” Berrigan

Kitty Hollins

Wayne Armbrister and Andy Armbrister

Ellie Anne, Kelli Trent, Christy Perry, and Hannah Cox

Clark Pelphrey, John Pelphrey, Kelly Dew Pelphrey, and Brian Hullette

Justin Rodda and Ross Chandler

Rene Jones, Eddie Abdelmessih, and Chris Hurley

Live.

Shop.

Dine.

Play.

Downtown Kingsport

Loft Living

STORY BY SAVANNA SMITH

John Vachon T

here are a few different options when it comes to living Downtown Kingsport. One of the most popular buildings is Sterchi’s lofts. There are nine units ranging from 950-1500 sq. ft. with concrete counters, original hardwood floors, cathedral ceilings, and massive eight and nine foot French doors. A lot of these lofts are customized in order to fit the many different personalities that fill them. These lofts are never empty; once one becomes vacant it is rented quickly.

Another really cool thing that has been requested is a large loft; there is now a space that is being renovated to about 6,000 sq. ft. The loft is huge, but compared to a 10,000 sq. ft. home a smaller loft is much more cozy and is packaged with much less maintenance. Some stand-alone buildings are also being renovated into very nice condo/loft style homes.

Some of these could potentially have decks and things like hot tubs and garages included. This is to get people thinking differently about urban living. It is possible to live downtown and not feel so cramped or restricted; the options could be endless.

There is a trend-beginning nationwide of people leaving the suburban areas and moving closer to the core of cities. It is no different here in Kingsport. The convenience of being able to walk everywhere is incomparable. Also living in these spaces takes away the worry and upkeep of a large house and yard. There are so many things downtown in walking distance from these lofts; it is a free feeling to be able to walk to anywhere. Another reason people are moving toward loft living is the cool factor, a lot of tenants say they love to have people over to show off their place. The convenience of loft living is unmatchable, and each loft allows its tenants to show their individuality. There is something about urban living that is intangible.

72 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

Get Your Tickets KOSBE AWARDS THURSDAY DECEMBER 5th 6-9 PM Tickets $65 HEAVY O’DOURVES AND SPIRITS THE CLUB AT RIDGEFIELDS 2320 PENDRAGON RD. KINGSPORT, TN

To purchase tickets contact Dana Glenn - 423.392.8811 dglenn@kingsportchamber.org

Live Interview with Jack King Celebrating 100 Years 4th Generation President L.C. King Manufacturing ENTERTAINMENT BY:

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

MEDIA SPONSORS

EVENT SPONSORS

ENTERTAINMENT

SEEN IN KINGSPORT Downtown

Kingsport Newcomer Bus Tour

PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY LYNDA FONTAINE

W

elcome to Kingsport! But hey even if you’re not NEW to Kingsport the Newcomer Bus Tour is worth your time to take. I’ve lived in Kingsport over 20 years and I learned things I didn’t know and had a good time meeting new friends to boot!

The event sponsored by Move to Kingsport and Eastman Credit Union lasted two hours and hit some of the highlights offered in the Model City. The tour led

by Rack Cross was entertaining and informative. The tour touched on highlights such as history, shopping, art, restaurants and leisure with stops at the Kingsport Higher Learning Center and Reedy Creek Winery.

Mary and David Carrier

Newcomer and Marilyn Cutshall

Tammy Trent

For more information on the Newcomer Bus Tour you may call 423.392.8804

for Professional Women (and men can read it too)

Kathy Lupi and Kay Ladd

Teresa Dobbs

Lori Reed and Rack Cross

Chasity Carter and Lea Ann Rasar

Darya Crockett and Michelle Shafer

Ed and Shirley Parsons

WINTERIZE!!!

Simple Maintenance That Won’t Leave you out in the COLD!!!

W

ell, it’s November … Those nice beautiful days of fall are going on the by and by quicker than a teenager papering your yard. Beautiful warm colored trees are to be replaced by cold lonely naked pieces of wood sticking out of the ground reminiscent of the haunted forests in The Wizard of Oz. Ho Hum… But, this also means the HOLIDAYS!!! This is a time of good cheer and fellowship with our friends and family. This is a busy time for a lot of us. Driving to Grandma’s house for turkey, bouncing from department store to department store, and trying to be at every Christmas party we can make puts a great deal of stress on our vehicles. Here are a few simple tips to help keep you from missing out on some of these great events.

Check your coolant- Your coolant has two purposes. A. To take heat away from your engine so it will operate correctly. B. To take this heat through the heating system. So, from the mechanic standpoint, the first is imperative. From the person that doesn’t want chipped teeth because of chattering, I like the second. Keep an eye on the level of your coolant reservoir (see owner’s manual). If it is low add the manufacturer recommended type of coolant. Also, check for smell (a fish smell is not good), discoloration (black or brown is a no-no), and debris (broken down cooling system parts). If you run into problem’s a fluid flush maybe necessary.

Plus, none of us need additional dentist bills during the holidays.

Check your tires- The air in your tires can vary 1-2 lbs. per every 10 degree rise or fall of temperature. During low temperatures, your tire pressure will fall. This can lead to uneven wear on your tires and affect gas mileage. Also, check the tread

74 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

Kristy Lai-Harris and Monique Winkler

on your tires for proper wear. The old trick is if you stick a penny upside down in the tread, you should cover at least the top of Old Abe’s head. If not, things could get very slippery for you.

Check your belts and hoses- Not only does heat have a huge impact on your belts and hoses, so does the cold. On your belts, look for cracks or missing ribs (not the ones Uncle Frank always steals at Thanksgiving dinner). With your hoses, also look for cracks, but notice if there are signs of swelling around hose clamps or bulges from the sides. These are surefire ways of detecting ruptures.

These are just a few simple tips that should be checked BEFORE the cold hits.

Flushes and inspections are usually not too pricey. Therefore, keep in front of the cold curve and don’t get the Holiday Blues (as in skin color because your car is freezing).

As always, it was a pleasure talking to you and I look forward to seeing you next month. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

CATERI NG

d i d you know all o f the ways we ro ll? o f f i c e pa r t i e s

h o l i d ay pa r t i e s

“ b i g g a m e ” pa r t i e s & ta i l g a i t i n g weddings & much more!

Kingsport

·

300 ClinChfield st

·

( 423 ) 343- 4511

Kingsport’s Commercial Growth in 2014:

An Interview with Jeff Fleming E

xciting things are happening in Downtown Kingsport in 2014. There have currently been a few business opening up such as the Nutty Java, Hibbert-Davis Coffee Company, and Southern Smoke; there will be restaurants added to that list. The owners of Italian Village have recently purchased a building downtown and will be opening a restaurant soon. Macadoo’s has purchased the old Café Blue space and has already begun renovations; they will be under complete construction by February 2014.

Kingsport is welcoming the first microbrewery downtown; the Sleepy Owl Brewery will be opening in 2014. The focus is on filling the core of the city, there are a lot of eateries and retail stores in the area but some are so far apart it almost doesn’t feel like part of the same downtown.

The planning committee has begun a retail analysis to see which type of stores to bring in. The list is currently down to around fifteen businesses, all of which are in categories that are not already downtown.

The State Theater is a big topic right now since it is on a premier corner of town. The theater is close to being finished and will hopefully be opened soon.

STORY BY SAVANNA SMITH

76 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

The center street road diet has been approved. This will make the street more conducive for the businesses on Center. The road diet will right size the road as to move traffic in a steadier and safer way.

Foot traffic will increase with this road diet because pedestrians will feel safer walking on and across Center Street; giving the option of having things such as roadside cafes. Everyone can look for this to happen around late summer 2014.

Another project the committee is working on in downtown is finding signage. There are over 1200 off-street parking spaces in Downtown, but most people do not know that because there are no signs directing to these spaces.

This will coincide with the next phase of Academic Village, which will be announced sometime in 2014. The goal is to make downtown Kingsport a 24/7 neighborhood. The downtown area is so appealing to so many age groups and this area is the personality of Kingsport.

N

The

utcracker

Artistic Director, Valeria Sinyavsk aya

new

loCaTion!

December 5-8, 2013 School Performance Thursday, Dec 5th – 10am Public Performances Friday, Dec 6th – 7pm Saturday, Dec 7th – 7pm Sunday, Dec 8th – 2:30pm Wellmont Performing Arts Center at Northeast State Tickets $10-$20 Call: 423/378-3967

www.kingsportballet.org

Edwards, Tipton, Witt Agency

Brings your home to life.

Urban Synergy Downtown Business & loft spaces

outReacH sponsoRs

ProPerties LLC

Marvin Gurley

Scan to order your tickets! peRfoRMance sponsoRs

season sponsoRs

eXclusiVe season sponsoR

Clara’s Tea and Chocolate Saturday, Dec 7th – 5pm Prior to Saturday’s performance

Funds For At risk Youth

SEEN IN KINGSPORT Farmer’s Market

e g n e l l a h C d r a o b d r a C ’s Kingsport PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY SAVANNA SMITH

S

aturday October 5th the Kingsport Farmer’s Market was turned into a wonderland; a cardboard wonderland that is. Right in the middle of the parking lot lay a huge pile of cardboard; around a couple hundred pieces of all shapes and sizes.

The participants were to build the most awesome structure they could come up with in the time allotted and with nothing but cardboard (and maybe some tape). The results were impressive as castles, aquariums, magic booths, various games, and even rockets resulted from the pile. The cardboard crew even worked hard to build a grocery buggy while waiting to judge the contest. Even nearby shoppers of the market stopped to watch and even join in the building fun. There may have only been one contest winner, but everyone who participated won a fun day with family and friends building some of the best cardboard structures around.

Corinne and Dilyn

Sophia, Ryleigh, and Delaney’s Mystery Drop

Pack 74’s rocket ship

The Great Beardo

The Royal Castle

Emily’s Speedball

Ketron’s Zebra Golf

girls inc. cardboard carousel

The Cardboard Crew - Anthony Murray, George Price, Peggy and Mike Earles, Lucy Fleming, and Carrie Murray

Clan McMurray

Cassidy and Brooklyn

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 79

JOHNSON CITY EYE CLINIC AND SURGERY CENTER

Welcomes Dr. Oakley O

n behalf of Johnson City Eye Clinic and Surgery Center it is our great pleasure to welcome Jennifer Powell Oakley, MD to the practice. A Bristol, TN native, Dr. Oakley graduated from Tennessee High School. She holds a B.A. from the University of Tennessee and received her medical degree from the Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University. Dr. Oakley completed her ophthalmology residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and concluded a glaucoma fellowship at the University of South Florida.

Dr. Oakley is board-certified by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and a member of the Christian Medical and Dental Association, the Association for Research and Vision in Ophthalmology and the Mississippi Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons. We are very pleased to have our third glaucoma specialist on staff. Please call to schedule your appointment with Dr. Oakley.

Johnson City | Bristol 423-929-2111 | www.johnsoncityeye.com

SEEN IN KINGSPORT The Exchange Place Living History Museum

Carolyn Brooks and Alice Jewell

Ken Watson

Nancy Ward and Levi Bentley

he Exchange Place Living History Farm was bustling with vendors, demonstrators, bakers, and kettle T corn makers! The Fall Folk Arts Festival is an amazing weekend full of blacksmithing, spinning, pottery, soap making, hearth side cooking, quilting, bread making, chair making, basketmaking, and so much more that it is hard to remember everything. Period music wafting through the grounds as children and adults alike experienced life of a historic farmstead added to the aura of time gone by.

For the one dollar admission for adults and fifty cents for children one could spend the whole day enjoying activities that are not only educational but really fun too.

Whether you wanted to gander at all the amazing crafts or partake in the delicious food offerings, there was something for everyone to experience that they will enjoy.

The annual festival is a well attended popular event that gets better and better every year. It is a fun way to spend the day with your family or friends and enjoy some of what we have to offer in our own backyard that is financially friendly for everyone.

Allen Calcote

The Festival is held on a Saturday and Sunday each year.

For more information on events offered at the Exchange Place Living History Farm you can access their website at www.exchangeplace.info Jeff Zinneman

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LYNDA FONTAINE AND LINDA COFFEE STORY BY LYNDA FONTAINE

Margaret Calcote

Catherine Shook and Will Vogt

Ann Jessee, David Doan, Trudy Williams, and Cyndi Stucker

Faith Demotts, Heather Gilreath, Abbey Southerland, and Amanda Vogel

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 81

SEEN IN BRISTOL The Virginian

The Virginian 6.6K Extra Mile Run

T

he Virginian 6.6K Extra Mile Run was a great way to challenge physical ability while also helping to raise funds for a great cause - cancer care. The run was one mile more than a traditional 5K to represent the extra effort patients and caregivers have to give when battling cancer. The race, on Saturday, October 12, was at The Virginian in Bristol, VA. The event was brought to the public by Wellmont Cancer Institute.

The beautiful course offered the most spectacular scenery as runners made their way through The Virginian, a premier golfing community. Runners filled the pathways for hours as everyone finished the race and enjoyed refreshments provided by the Virginian. Professional race management and electronic tag timing was provided by State of Franklin Track Club and the course was USATF certified. The community really showed support and raised a lot of money for this great cause.

Toni Lawson and Whitney Belt

Don and Etta Nicewonder

PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY APRIL TAYLOR

Samuel Family

David Kiser, Debra Kiser, Michael Chafin, Autumn Lyon, and Andrea Dick

Team BVU

Brandie Greene and Darlene Dobbins

Kevin Nicewonder Mona Potter

Abby Maddox, Rate Maddox, and Erin Rea

Coy Richardson and Charlotte Richardson

The Foley Family

Sara Beth Mathesius and Family

Caroline and Blake Chestnut

Jenny Nickels and Katie Sikorski

Brian Sullivan and Lilly Sullivan

Michael Chafin

The Nicewonder Family

82 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

Elizabeth Mcclanahan, Stacey Pomrenke, and Rita Kiscaden

We’ll make your eyes a weapon of

Sherrie Bacon - East Tennessee's ONLY Certified Advanced Eyelash Professional and Xtreme Lashes™ Educator 129 East Springbrook Drive • Suite 2 • Johnson City www.sherextensions.com • www.facebook.com/sherextensions

SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY Bowman Jewelers

Bowman Jeweler’s ANNUAL TRUNK SHOW AND AFTER HOURS

B

owman Jewelers held an Antique Trunk Show by Singer Estate Tuesday October 1st along with an After Hours to visit with everyone. The show included some beautiful one of a kind antique jewelry as well as many celebrity owned pieces. People came from all over the Tri-Cities to view these stunning pieces of history and visit with long time friends. Delicious food and refreshments were served along with local Reedy Creek wines.

Shawn O’Dell, Linda Bowman O’Dell, and Paula Wells

The crowd began showing up early Tuesday afternoon to get first looks at the unique pieces on display. Everyone was so intrigued, most stayed until the end of the evening to be sure and learn all there was to know about the extravagant jewelry.

Bowman Jewelers would like to thank everyone who attended the Trunk Show and for making it such a success this year.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIELLE HAHNE STORY BY SAVANNA SMITH

Arie Dagon (Raymond

Weil new swiss watch

line)

Becky Jones, Rob Bowman, and Debra Hobson

Dr. George R Brown, M.D., Mickey and Tracey Trivett

Debbie England and Rob Bowman

Malina Denny, Rebecca Myers, and Tim Story

Kaitlen McBride

Jill Salyers, Regina Brizendine, Paula Wells, Rusty Little, and Debra Hobson

Amy Zaborny, Allan Ongtengco, and Ashley Grindstaff

Nancy Range, Brandy McKinney, Tim Story, Maggie Cooper, and Barbara Mentgen

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 85

SEEN IN KINGSPORT Allandale Mansion

Dan’l Boone Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America hosted its 35th annual car show at the Allandale Mansion on September 22. Magnificently restored antique cars and trucks filled the front lawn at Allandale with beautiful colors, grand motors, and proud owners as enthusiasts strolled the lawn in awe.

Many makes and models were represented on the gorgeous grounds as the sun shined upon them making them all glisten with grandeur. Inside the mansion were amazing displays of model cars, photographs, drawings, paintings, and woodcarvings for all to enjoy.

Randy Still

James Armstrong

The automobile club sponsors the Allandale Car Show each year to help finance the free car show during Fun Fest held in Kingsport each summer. Club members love to share their historic hobby with the community.

For more information, visit local.aaca.org/db/.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY RITA DYKES

Gary Clark

Allandale Mansion

Chuck Stone

Eileen Coltharp

Lane, Dale, Anna, Josie, Jordan and Abie

Mark Mellons

thursdays 10PM

Ballistic Hair

Ballistic Hair Company held a ribbon cutting on Thursday, September 26th to officially open their new location. Everyone was thrilled to check out their new studio, and some people even left with appointments to return later. Ballistic Hair Company has quickly become one of Kingsport’s favorite hair salon and with the opening of their new location on 1001 East Stone Drive, Suite C, the ladies are expecting even more growth. To schedule your appointment or to find out more about Ballistic Hair Company call 423-246-1533 or visit their Facebook page.

Campbell & Company Hair Studio

RCAM

Campbell and Company Hair Studio celebrated their 5-year anniversary Monday Oct 7th with a ribbon cutting and a customer appreciation party to show their love for Kingsport. Campbell and Company Hair Studio, located at 1127 North Eastman Road Suite C, have made quite a name for themselves offering all the services of a typical salon while also offering hair education and reasonable pricing.

To congratulate the Campbell’s and see what they have to offer, check out their Facebook page or call 423-247-4247 to schedule your appointment today.

National Manufacturing Day was Monday, October 14th, and RCAM celebrated all morning. The networking began at 10:00 am followed by a brief overview of RCAM and a ribbon cutting to unveil the new Process Training Unit. The 26,000 square foot training facility features the latest simulators in flexible classrooms with qualified instructors. The RCAM Process Training Unit is located at 305 W Main Street in Kingsport and can be reached at 423-354-5149. Please visit manufacturingfuture.net for more information.

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 89

NONPROFIT PROFILE: Girls on the Run

90 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

NONPROFIT PROFILE: Girls on the Run

Determined. Bold. Tenacious.

Strong. Fearless. Fun. These are all words that could easily be used to describe a Girl on the Run.

G

irls on the Run is a transformational learning program for 8 to 13 year old girls that teaches life skills through conversation based lessons and running games. The program culminates with girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K running event. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and wellness.

Girls in grades 3rd-8th from 30 different sites in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia will complete the non-competitive race. Their family, peers, and community are also asked to join. This unique program combines training for the race with a 12-week curriculum in which the girls meet twice a week, beginning in February. The curriculum weaves running with fun games that allow the girls to be themselves and just have fun. The discussion topics cover various areas, such as dealing with bullying, understanding positive and negative media images, developing self-confidence, and identifying each girl’s unique gifts.

“We want to empower the girls with a positive body image so that they can be successful in other ways,” said Northeastern Tennessee GOTR Co-Council Director Jessica Thomas.

“We believe that as girls run, their body image soars—along with their inspiration for making good decisions in life.”

Completing the 5K gives the girls a tangible understanding of the confidence that comes through accomplishment as well as setting a framework for setting and achieving life goals. Crossing the finish line is a defining moment when the girls realize that even the seemingly impossible IS possible. “Seeing the pride on a girl’s race as she realizes that she just conquered a feat many adults have yet to, is amazing” says Ani Boyd, CoCouncil Director.

Next month, Girls on the Run of Northeast Tennessee will host the annual fall Girls on the Run 5K at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at 9AM. Although the non-competitive event is designed as the culminating experience for the 465+ fall participants of the program, it is open to the public. This is a family event and everyone is encouraged to attend, whether walking or running. Boyd notes “this is the perfect race to do as a family since everyone wears the number one and the focus is more on completing the distance rather than who finishes first.”

‘Girls on the Run race events are intended to be fun and give the entire community means to celebrate and honor the dedication and commitment girls and volunteers in our program have invested over the last 12 weeks while also adding in a little exercise for themselves.’ Jessica Thomas, Co-Council Director said.

The impact of this program is best shown through the eyes of the girls, volunteers, and parents:

• “I learned I am the boss of my brain.” – GOTR girl

• “GOTR let me be myself and gave me a chance to be healthy, make responsible choices and to stand up for others. I loved the coaches because they filled my heart with positiveness and believed in me. I will always be a girl on the run for as long as I live.” – GOTR girl

• “It’s like I’m a light bulb and Girls on the Run is my power source. It’s what I need to shine bright. I feel GOTRized!” – GOTR girl

• GOTR teaches girls about nutrition and healthy living. It is so much more than just a running program.”-GOTR coach

• “This program combines physical activity with team building while teaching moral strength and compassion. I thought it was just going to be about running, but was pleasantly surprised.”-GOTR parent Launched locally in 2007, the program has grown from serving one school with 15 girls to more than 1,000 girls annually on more than 80 teams across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

To register for the race or for more information on Girls on the Run of Northeast Tennessee and how to get involved in this life-changing program please visit www.stronggirlsrun.org.

NOVEMBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 91

SEEN IN BRISTOL Bristol Motor Speedway

The March of Dimes 15th Annual Wine Tasting, Presented by Wells Fargo Advisors was a huge success this year, as over 400 folks came out for the evening to mingle and enjoy a fun festive atmosphere, high up in the Corporate suites of Bristol Motor Speedway, overlooking the World’s fastest half-mile NASCAR track.

The event featured food pairings from area restaurants along with samplings of Wines from Reedy Creek Vineyards, Chateau Morrisette and B&T Distributing all against a backdrop of music from several local area performers including The Bluesman, The Well Dogs and HB Beverly. Attendees were also able to enjoy samplings of craft beers from Holston Beverages.

The March of Dimes Wine Tasting continues to grow in popularity every year as folks come out to share laughter, fun times and enjoy one of the Tri-Cities most popular events. This year’s event was Proudly sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors, Ferguson Enterprises, Reedy Creek Vineyards, Charter, VIPSeen Magazine, Bristol Motor Speedway and 98.5 WTFM. The event included food samplings from Levy Restaurants, Food City, Executive Chef Stacey Bedingfield, Earth Fare, Chocolate Elegance, Stir Fry and Biggie’s.

The March of Dimes Foundation is a national non-profit established in 1938. Originally created by Franklin Delano Roosevelt to conquer polio, today the March of Dimes continues to protect the health of America’s Children. Their Nobel Prize-winning research offers hope of treatments and preventions for serious health problems like birth defects and premature birth. Together they are working towards a day when all babies will be born healthy and strong. For further information on the march of Dimes and our annual events including March for Babies, Signature Chefs and Wine Tasting, please contact the March of Dimes office at 423-218-0043 or email Suzzi Cocklin, Sr. Community Director at scocklin@marchofdimes.com

Wine Tasting Becky and Martin Frye

Jane Smith and Barkley Whithead

Gerald Proffitt and Bonnie Rogers

Kristie and Brian Wilhoit

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDA COFFEY | STORY SUBMITTED

Rhonda and Ben Conley

Nacny Kite, Nita Kite and Dolores Kite

Amy Conroy and Carter Sandlin

Stephanie Dickerson, David Meredith, Bernie Moseley, and Beth Larshus

Mike and Sara Powell

92 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

Elizabeth Hamilton, Tasha Eury, Joshlyn Dillow and Hollie Gagne

Jamie and Kim Thomas

Sherry Witt, Lisa Adkins and Beth Hobbs

Vera and William Bartra

Mark Dixon and Robin Cleary

Thornton Sexton and Brad Houser

Al and Vivian Crymble

Kevin Ladd and David Skelton Al and Vivian Crymble

Genae and Dale Tolley

Amy and Mike Litz Leah Bolton and Julie Mobley

Jared Fisher and Mary Rita Balogh

Andrew Sheehy and Shannon Ross-Sheehy

Donna O’Dell and Shannon Rife-Rollins

It’s time to What would you like to own?

A new automobile? A home?

Maybe your financial freedom?

As a member and owner of United Southeast Federal Credit Union you can begin to live better and own the things you’ve always wanted.

Auto Loans Personal Loans Home Loans Boat Loans Life Style Loans

Savings Account Checking Account Certificate of Deposit Online Access Mobile Access

Federal Credit Union www.usfcu.org Corporate Office: 1545 Bluff City Highway Bristol, TN 37620 (423) 989-2100 or (888) 202-1212

1 Medical Park Boulevard Bristol, TN 37620 (423) 844-3750

4100 North Roan Street, Ste 1 Johnson City, TN 37601 (423) 610-1900

2035 Lee Highway Bristol, VA 24201 (276) 466-1222

1672 East Main Street Lebanon, VA 24266 (276) 415-9130

1060 West Main Street, Ste 1 Abingdon, VA 24210 (276) 676-0515

ARTIST PROFILE: Writer’s Workshop

“Writing can be art too: Let us show you the way” STORY BY GEORGE EMERSON

A

t VIPSEEN we try to bring attention each month to a happening in the area that involves the arts and, while many may not consider writing an art, we are highlighting the craft of writing this month because it is an art of sorts. Not just anyone can take a run of the mill story or something that we may consider “formula” and turn it into a captivating yarn that spins and weaves its way into our consciousness. Creating characters on a page to seem so real that we feel we know them is a talent that only the fewest of us have.

Many of us may have wondered what it would take to become a successful writer and there is a workshop coming to the area in December that will help with just such an issue.

Kingsport will host a Writer’s Workshop on December 6th and 7th at the La Quinta Inn with seasoned authors from all genres on hand to conduct classes. The workshop intends on helping both those writer’s who are new to the industry and those who are already somewhat established. Every aspect of the writing and publishing industry will be covered; such as submitting works, marketing strategies, screenwriting, character development, and how to be a self-published author. From 2-5pm on December 7th, there will be a book signing at The Book Rack in Kingsport with cover model and actor John Antorino, from Sex and the City 2, on hand to sign books and greet fans.

Bestselling Amazon and Barnes and Noble author, Susan Smith Alvis says, “We’re excited to host this event in the Tri-Cities region. For seasoned authors or unpublished writers looking

94 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

to break into the industry, this workshop is a must. Our goal is simple. We want to teach writers how to write and sell their next manuscript. Then, we’ll show them how to market and compete in one of the toughest industries in the world. We’re armed and ready to teach writers how to become ‘selling’ authors. We’re offering step-by-step informative classes presented by seasoned professionals from fiction and nonfiction genres. Authors attending the workshop are bestselling award-winning authors who know how to nail down contracts with big name publishers.

Best of all, we’ve pulled in some huge talent who will share their knowledge with others.” Writing is an art and, as with any art, practice can only make an artist better and the craft is something that should be studied. The writer’s workshop offers everyone, regardless of writing level, the opportunity to learn more about the craft of writing.

Some of the subjects covered will be Scriptwriting 101, The Necessary Steps of Publications, presented by Sandy Sullivan, Publisher/Owner of Secret Cravings Publishing, Bringing Your Scenes Alive with Debra Parmley, Sponsored Luncheon and Presentation by Bestselling Author Shannon West, Judging a Book By Its Cover with Anya Kelley of Anya Kelley Designs, Breakfast and Presentation by Bestselling Author Jessica Lee, Making the Move From PartTime Writer to Full-Time Author, Your Unique Selling Proposition with Bestselling Author Jean Joachim, Sponsored Luncheon and Presentation by Jay Austin, Editor-in-Chief of eXtasy Books and Devine Destinies.

We at VIPSEEN hope that our readers will come to see writing as an artistic endeavor just as is painting or photography or pottery. If you still aren’t sure then consider attending the Writer’s Workshops, every class or just one, and then think about writing again in a different light. Whether you are just starting out or in the business, come to the workshop to enjoy all that these authors have to offer of themselves and their craft.

For more information, visit: http://destinyblaineworkshop.blogspot.com.

Registration is still open and limited seating is available: destinyblaine@yahoo.com. For more information, call 423-676-5564.

The book signing will take place at The Book Rack 2400 Fort Henry Drive Kingsport, TN on December 7 from 2-5 pm.

$200 off any Chair with a $50 Donation to Salvation Army $400 off Engle or Wing Chairs in select colors

101 West Main Street Jonesborough, TN 1.800.611.MAUK • 423.753.4648 www.Mauks.com • save@Mauks.com

Cherie Denis

Marla Monroe

Jessica Lee

Morgan K. Wyatt

SEEN IN ROGERSVILLE Downtown

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LYNDA FONTAINE AND RUTHANN RANKER | STORY BY LYNDA FONTAINE

T

he historic town of Rogersville with its quaint shops and treelined neighborhoods is the perfect backdrop for the towns yearly celebration. The fun began on Friday evening October 11th with the Costumed Children’s Parade, the Rogersville Main Street Antique Car Cruise-In and the Cruise-In Chili Cook-off held in the Hale Springs Inn Courtyard. The weekend continued with food, activities, parades and various entertainment until the final funnel cake crumb was consumed and the last kettle corn was popped Sunday evening.

Block after historic block was filled with vendors selling their crafty wares as festival food wafted through the downtown celebration. the festival celebrated its 35th year of welcoming visitors and town folk to the streets of Rogersville as Fall ushered in with all it’s pumpkin patch, scarecrow, fodder glory. the event is always held the second full weekend of October each year and is organized around a harvest and history theme.

Angelica Markland

Linda Helm, Isaac and Lydia Drew

People from all over travel to the Rogersville Heritage Association sponsored event to experience entertainers, artisians and craftsmen that have perpetuated and immortalized the mountain arts and way of life that is part of the rich history of East Tennessee.

For more information on Rogersville Heritage days you can access their web page at www.rogersvilleheritge.org

Mary and Terry Dodge

Noah Reed and Kelly Reed

Paschal and Dreema Ortiz

Festival Decor

Americamanta-Luis Berughchi

Michelle and Brian Fiegel

James Campbell

Dixie and Ronda Fields

David Carpenter, Pat Boyd, and Kenny Harrell

Jeremy and Rachel Vaughn

Mary a Rebekah, Kaitlin and Isaac Mayes and Terry Dodge

Xavier Totman and Autumn Mauk

96 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2013

Tom Ramey and Lloyd Snelson

Kris and Carrie Williams

Drive Now. Pay Later.

Enjoy great low rates on new and used autos.

You can postpone your payment for 90 days*. *Loans subject to credit approval. Payment deferral is available for a limited time only.

Be part of the extraordinary difference.

800.999.2328 www.ecu.org Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency.

NOVEMBER 2013

“What can I give you for pain?”

Ask for personalized pain gels.

NOVEMBER

Superior compounding pharmacy.

Superior answer for pain relief.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THROUGHOUT THE TRI-CITIES SCENE

Johnson City 701 N State of Franklin Rd #9 Johnson City, TN 37604 (423) 207-4290

Custom Pain Relief Gel

by CCCA

Only PCAB Accredited pharmacy in the Tri-Cities.