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Apple Festival expecting over 100,000 visitors next month Erwin, TN. It won’t be long before the smell of everything apples will a hometown community event has grown into an award winning anpermeate all over the Valley Beautiful. You see its Unicoi County’s time nual destination for tourists from all over the United States. GENERAL INFORMATION: to shine as it plays host to over 100,000 people for the 33rd. annual + Additional Information, directions, etc. call 423-743-3000 or visit Apple Festival. This year’s festival is set for Friday and Saturday Oct 1st and 2nd www.unicoicounty.org. + Directions: From I26 take Exit 37 into downtown Erwin. from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. each day. Folks at the Unicoi County Chamber + Please, no pets! of Commerce have been busy getting ready for the annual party and + Bicycles and skateboards not permitted. Chamber Executive Director Amanda Delp says work (much like the + Free to the General public. Rain (hopefully not) or Shine come NASCAR races in Bristol and the Appalachian Fair in Gray) on the event on out and bring the family for one of the most recognized and award is on-going throughout the year. “We’re really excited this year because for the first time we will have winning festivals in the South. four stages with some really great music and a variety offered for everyone’s taste,” she said with a smile. “We have experience tremendous growth over the past couple of years and have expanded around all the other streets that border the downtown district. We have a couple of first as well. We are having our first ever golf tournament and we are for the first time promoting the Senior Miss The cooking contests Apple Festival pageant for ladies 65 years of age and up. are very popular. We’ve also added an additional 100 booths and all our musically entertainment remains free to the public.” Delp has led the festival organization on behalf of the More than 110,000 festival-goers are expected. Chamber of Commerce for ten years. What started out as
There will be plenty of activities for the kids
Over 350 vendors will display their wares.
Entertainment Main Stage: Gospel Music Sponsored by Toyota, Main Avenue & Love Street; Top Gospel groups from around the country including: The Primative Quartet, The Foundations, The American Quartet and the Carolina Crossmen. Daily beginning at 10 a.m. The AFCCU and Toyota Stage: Gathering Place Park; Bluegrass and Country music featuring local and regional talent. The Chamber Stage” Gay Street near the Nolichucky Street intersection. Featuring local talent including dancers, cloggers, contest winners, and festival announcements. Nuclear Fuel Services Stage: Erwin Town Hall; Entertainment for children of all ages by the Unicoi County High School Drama Department, Hands On Museum and NFS.
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NFS will again sponsor the popular road race.
The Bluegrass stage is one of four stages for free music
Top sponsor Toyota plays host to top Gospel singers from around the nation
Other Activities: Something For Everyone! • Cooking Contests for adults and youth. • 6th Annual Miss Unicoi County Apple Festival Pageants (9 divisions). • Annual Apple Festival Photography Contest. • 31st Annual Blue Ridge Pottery Show & Sale at the Unicoi County Middle School. • Tennis tournament sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance at Fishery Park. • First ever Apple Festival Golf Tournament to be Held on Sept. 25th. • NFS 4-mile footrace and two mile walk (Oct 2)
Out ‘ N About Magazine
Wilbur Dam
Tucked Away in Carter County It’s Well Worth a Visit Elizabethton, TN. — Perhaps one of the most overlooked marvels of our region is Wilbur Dam nestled in the Horse Shoe Community of Carter County some ten miles or so from Elizabethton’s other famous landmark, the Covered Bridge. Situated on the Watauga River, Wilbur Dam is a hydroelectric dam operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Completed in 1912, Wilbur Dam was one of the first major hydroelectric projects in Tennessee and is the second oldest dam in the TVA system; only the Ocoee Dam #1 is older. Wilbur Dam is a concrete gravity overflow dam 77 feet high and 375 feet long with a generating capacity of 10,700 kilowatts. The dam’s spillway has four radical gates with a combined discharge of 34,000 cubic feet per second. Located 34 miles above the mouth of the Watauga River, the opening of the dam’s mighty spillway is certainly a sight to see. In 1907, the Doe River Light & Power Company began purchasing land rights for construction of Wilbur Dam, although the company struggled with finances and sold the project to the Watauga Power Company in 1910. Watauga Power Company completed the dam in just two years, and found a ready market for the dam’s electricity in nearby Elizabethton. In 1927, the dam was purchased by the Tennessee Central Service Company, which changed its name to East Tennessee Light & Power Company two years later. The flood of August 1940 overtopped the dam and destroyed its powerhouse, and five years later, East Tennessee Light & Power sold its assets, including Wilbur Dam to TVA. Today, a bevy of fishermen can be seen on the banks of the Watauga a short distance from the dam. And, a little further up the road, picnicking and camping are popular activities with locals and visitors alike. — Wikipedia
September 2010
Website: www.outnaboutmagazine.com Volume 1, Issue 4 Composition and Printing by Star Printing, a Divison of the Elizabethton STAR Send news and photo items to: news@outnaboutmagazine.com Send advertising to: advertising@outnaboutmagazine.com Ron Scalf, Editor & Publisher Jon Ruetz, Contributing Writer James Sherrill, Graphic Editor Eileen Rush, Contributing Writer Pam Johnson, Advertising Sales Manager Amanda Carr, Contributing Writer Pam Rhymer, Advertising Sales Associate Tyler Blake, Contributing Writer Graham Bannister, Advertising Sales Associate Jeri George, WQUT Music & Concert Information Gina Hagaman, Advertising Sales Representative Phil Scharfstein, Columnist, One Stop Jim Sherrill, Advertising Sales Representative Dustin Jackson, Columnist, Edward Jones All free-lance material submitted becomes the property of Out ‘N About Magazine Out ‘N About Magazine is not affiliated with any other newspaper or magazine published in the USA
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September 2010
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Head To Bristol’s Rhythm & Roots Reunion Over the past decade, Bristol’s Rhythm & Roots Reunion has always been a delightful buffet of music to appeal to a wide range of music junkies. However, it takes a particular kind of artist to captivate the fickle hearts and ADHD minds of the “Me” generation. Headliners like the “Drive-By Truckers” and “Cutthroat Shamrock” might be guaranteed crowd pleasers, but this list contains many independent artists who might not garner as much attention, but who are sure to thrill. Here’s the top seven shows where you’re likely to find the young, or the young at heart. Dr. Dog Most likely to rock your face off. Genre: Indie-Rock
why crowds of all ages keep coming back for more. He’ll woo Bristol crowds with his lonely rock-and-roller melodies, and he’ll do it all in a bejeweled tuxedo. Web: http://unknownhinson.com When: Saturday Shake it Like a Caveman Most likely to make you move. Genre: Primeval Rock’n’Blues
This one-man blues-band manages to stomp his feet to a steady drum rhythm, pick and slide on an electric guitar, and spout freewheelin’ lyris, all without tying back his long curling hair. Shake it Like a Caveman has drawn crowds at Halo and Stir Fry Café in Johnson City, and has toured across America – and across much of France. His sets are sure to make you move like it’s 10,000 B.C.E. If only somewhere in Bristol served Mammoth burgers…
Last year this troupe of fedora-wearing piano-rocking boys from Philadelphia provided several face-meltingly awesome sets. In 2009 they rode into Bristol on waves of acclaim for their concept album “Fate.” Fans love the way they mix 1960s psychedelic influences with a polished pop sound, and in the end hundreds of people stumbled out of the Paramount Theatre with a dazed, goofy grin on their faces. Their newest release, “Shame, Shame” might still be in the shadow of “Fate,” but it’s still an impressive album on the whole. Web: http:// I always delight in seeing great musicians do what they do best, and Dr. Dog is almost www.myspace. a guarantee for a stellar performance. com/shakeitWith their near-decade of experience and likeacaveman their magnetic energy, I hope the Bristol When: crowd is ready to be blown away for the Saturday and Sunday second year in a row. The Felice Brothers Web: http://www.drdogmusic.com/ When: Friday Unknown Hinson Most likely to have the best side burns in Bristol. Genre: Country/Psychobilly
You wouldn’t want to meet Unknown Hinson in a dark alley after he’d had a few drinks, but you won’t want to miss him on stage Saturday. The dark twang in his voice blends with skilled guitar riffs and a good ol’ white trash attitude. Hinson’s songs croon from the heart of a dark American hero, of love gone terribly wrong and life on the road, which is
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Most likely to incite a riot with just an accordion and a pair of thick boots. Genre:
When The Felice Brothers take the stage, the foot-stomping madness that incites might just create a rift down State Street. This flannel-sporting set of country boys from the Catskills look like they could change the oil in your car before a show, and just might if the right lady asked. They bring energy and charisma reminiscent of the peak performances of Old Crow Medicine Show and the Avett Brothers, but their music is more than
old-time-turned-new. Their songs are laced with steady rhythms, nostalgia and unexpected maturity. “Run, Chicken Run” is a rockabilly wonder of a song, while “Whiskey in My Whiskey” might just rip your heart out. Just, please, if you attend, don’t shout “Wagon Wheel.” Web: When: Saturday Carolina Chocolate Drops Most likely to blow the “Gin & Juice” bluegrass covers out of the water for good. It’s about time. Genre: String Band, Blues and Roots with a Modern Groove
The Carolina Chocolate Drops are an experience all their own, and hordes of fans across the world – from North Carolina to the British Isles – would agree. Not only are they reclaiming the traditions of black string bands and the legacy of fiddler Joe Thompson, but they’re making great music in the process. Their newest album “Genuine Negro Jig” might be the best yet and it’s hard not to grin while listening to their string cover of “Hit ‘Em Up Style.” Web: http://www.carolin chocolatedrops.com/ When: Sunday Christabel & the Jons Best local pick. Genre: Jazz,
“Going local” is a movement that’s boosted farmer’s markets and thrift stores across the nation, and for local flavor it’s hard to beat Christa DeCicco’s voice, which at times feels like it’s com-
ing straight out of a vintage RCA radio. Leading lady and songwriter DeCicco has managed to capture a sound that feels as smooth and sweet as East Tennessee blueberries on an Indian summer afternoon. This Knoxville-based band offers a sophisticated vibe in their shows, complete with adorable vintage clothing (Christa, can I PLEASE raid your closet?) but their talents rise above the crisp visuals. The Jons harmonize beautifully, creating a soothing background that floats over top of the occasional fiddle or horn solo, and it’s hard to beat the groovy feel of tunes like “Florida.” Songs like “Closer to You” and “Back to Tennessee” from their newest album, “Custom Made for You” are sure to get the crowd swaying. On the web: http://cristabelmusic.com When: Saturday and Sunday Holy Ghost Tent Revival Most likely to “get an Amen.” Genre: The ADD Lovechild of Brass, Bluegrass and Swing
Don’t let the name fool you: Holy Ghost Tent Revival’s shows always puts on a riproaring good time, even if most people don’t end up speaking in tongues. Their music does have a feeling of salvation and freedom, but the six-piece ensemble is a group of talented men who work hard to mesh their sounds and styles into almost-pop proportions. Another tip of the hat to North Carolina for producing another genre-bending, incredibly talented and solidly fun group. (Is it something in the water?) Go see Holy Ghost Tent Revival, and feel the spirit. Web: http://www. holyghosttentrevival.com/ When: Saturday and Sunday
This year’s festival promises three days of fun and great music, and seems to be the perfect fit to a ten-year anniversary celebration. These groups are merely a recommendation, and I’m certain that there will be some surprises this year. My only question is, why aren’t Bombadil and Chatham County Line coming back to Bristol?
Out ‘ N About Magazine
WQUT Concert Schedule Freedom Hall in Johnson City: Oct 8 Jeff Dunham Viking Hall in Bristol: Oct 17 Gordon Lightfoot Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville: Aug 31 Natalie Merchant Sept 15 Black Crowes Sept 20 Crosby, Stills and Nash Oct 14 Temptations & Four Tops Jan 10-12 Blue Man Group Knoxville Civic Coliseum: Sept 30 Slayer, Anthrax and Megadeth Smokies Stadium in Sevierville: Sept 3 Styx and Kansas Foothills Fall Festival in Maryville, TN: Oct 8-10 Lynyrd Skynyrd, 38 Special and many others Bridgestone Arena in Nashville: Sept 14 Nickelback/Three Days Grace/Buckcherry Sept 24 Chelsea Handler Oct 13 Carrie Underwood Ryman Auditorium in Nashville: Sept 12 The Black Crowes Oct 1 Sheryl Crow Nov 3 John Mellencamp
Nashville Municipal Auditorium: Oct 20 Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie Asheville Civic Center in Asheville, N.C.: Sept 19 The Black Crowes Oct 28 Band of Horses Nov 11 Jeff Dunham Dec 3 Third Day Biltmore in Asheville, N.C.: Sept 24 Christopher Cross Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.: Sept 18 Lady Gaga Oct 16 Chelsea Handler Oct 30 Carrie Underwood Dec 2 Trans-Siberian Orchestra Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Charlotte, N.C.: Aug 28 Kiss Sept 10 Kings of Leon Sept 19 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with ZZ Top Oct 1 Sugarland with Little Big Town & Randy Montana Time Warner Cable Pavillion at Walnut Creek in Raleigh, N.C.: Aug 29 Kiss Sept 18 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with ZZ Top
Regional Happenings THEATRE Barter Theatre, Abingdon VA. Playing during the month of August: Shake, Rattle and Roll, A Rockin’ Tribute to the King Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie The Woman in Black The Full Monty The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily SCHEDULE/TICKET INFO: 276628-3991 www.bartertheatre.com
September 2010
Jonesborough (TN.) Repertory Theatre Mye & the Sand People Sept. 16-19; Sept. 23-26 Fall 2010 Drama Class Registration Sept. 3rd. & 4th. 423-753-4440 www.jonesboroughtheatre.com Johnson City (TN.) Community Theatre World Premier: The Red Velvet Cake War Begins Oct. 8th. www.jcct.us
Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte: Sept 25 Ron White The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Atlanta: Oct 1 Slayer, Anthrax and Megadeth Oct 27 Carrie Underwood Dec 10 Trans-Siberian Orchestra Bi-lo Center in Greenville, S.C.: Dec 16 Justin Bieber Philips Arena in Atlanta: Nov 18 Roger Waters Dec 23 Justin Bieber
House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, S.C.: Sept 14 Black Crowes Chastain Park in Atlanta: Aug 29 Billy Idol and Joan Jett Verizon Wireless at Encore Park in Alpharetta, Ga: Sept 29 Rush For more concert details visit our website, www.wqut.com
Down Home Concert Schedule September 10: Chuck Brodsky September 16: Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion September 24: Dan Tyminski & Ronnie Bowman
OPEN HOOT: Wednesdays www.downhome.com More info: 423-929-9822 300 West Main Street Johnson City, TN.
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Bart Long takes over as Sullivan County Register of Deeds Bristol, TN — For the first time in 35 years there is a new Register of Deeds in Sullivan County. Former County Commissioner Bart Long, 33, took the reins this month after defeating long-time Register of Deeds Mary Lou Duncan by 1,100 votes in the hotly contested race. Amazingly, Long held onto a slim eight vote lead after the early voting ballots had been tabulated. He ended up garnering 53% of the vote with over 23,000 votes cast. “I knew the day of the race that those who would vote would be the raw public and I had done non-stop campaigning so I felt pretty good after the early voting number came out. . . believe it or not,” he said with a smile. Indeed. It was hard not seeing all the Long political signs throughout Sullivan County pretty must everywhere the day after he announced. Long deflects questions about the $48,000 he spent to capture the assessor’s seat. “To campaign against an incumbent that had been in the office for 50 years (35 years at the Bart Long register’s post and 15 years as deputy director) required a certain commitment both in time and adequate funding,” Long said matter-of-factly over coffee at Partner’s Restaurant in Piney Flats recently. “We live in most different times in the last 100 years. We have 11 new (County) Commissioners and the way things have been done in the past. . .has seen a shift in conservative leadership. And, I’m proud to be a part of that change.” With a budget “a little of $800,000” Long said he has a plan to bring the assessor’s office up to speed in an ever changing technology world. He also wants to open a satellite office in Kingsport. “We’re (really) behind the times technology speaking,” he added. “I plan to bring the office up in line with other counties throughout the state by scanning documents and making them available on line.” Long, owner of Bart Long Realty & Associates for ten years says the office in Kingsport is a cost effective move. “There is no reason we shouldn’t be the best office in the state,” he declared. “I’m going to make sure the staff is utilized and the taxpayers are getting their money’s worth. The staff needs to know that we are a Citizen’s Service office. We are here to serve.” Long said he noticed when he went to the Bristol office one day during lunch the office was closed from Noon until 1 p.m. “It’s also lunchtime for most everyone else and many people conduct BART LONG FACTS business during that time. I suspect the hours will be changed somewhat to accommodate the general public who expect service during the lunch • Proud to be a veteran. hour.” • Avid collector of local history. Long’s background is rather diverse to say the least. He is a U.S. Navy • Enjoys fishing. veteran having served as a Presidential Guard in Washington D.C. for five years during the Bill Clinton administration. • He and his wife Heather have He hired on at Bill Gatton’s family of car dealerships for a few years and one son, Gant. did rather well as a salesman. “But, I have always had an interest in real estate and I decided to start my own business. We developed into several divisions but now most of the business. . .95% is centered on the real estate auction business.” While he begins a new chapter in his life, Bart Long Real Estate & Auction Company will continue. “I could do anything without my wife, Heather, Long quickly admits. “She really runs that business.”
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Out ‘ N About Magazine
Award Winning City Manager Loves His Job Johnson City, TN. --- Denis “Pete” Peterson, the most recent recipient of Tennessee’s City Manager of the Year award would rather talk about the city’s progress than himself. Peterson, a veteran city employee who toiled for years as an assistant city manager paying his dues before landing the top job, has enjoyed substantial success over the last several years. His break came when the former city manager, as many do, clashed with the establishment and decided being closer to his home some 500 miles south was probably a better fit. “It’s always very special to be recognized by your peers and to be presented an award like that,” he said of the recent state recognition as the best city manager. “God has blessed me with good opportunities and parents who instilled within me a good work ethic and an understanding family who knows being city manager is no 8-5 job. It’s more like 50-60 hours a week and often times there is work to be done on weekends.” Peterson credits past City Commission members who were influential as he honed his skills. “I’ve had good bosses from the present city commission to former mayors and commissioners like Dan Mahoney, P.C. Snapp, and Jeff Anderson,” he said. “I look forward to coming to work every day. I love what I do and I think I have the greatest job in the world.” We asked Peterson how Johnson City has grown so quickly in such a short period of time when the economic times are some of the worst in U.S. history. “In the early part of the decade and Congressman (Phil) Roe was on the board and several others I mentioned, the decision was made to put money away in a Rainy Day Fund or saving account if you will,” he explained. “By 2007 our fund balance had grown from $2 million to over $20 million. We very purposely preplanned a balanced budget and still maintained a high quality of service to the general public. I credit the board and our hundreds of dedicated employees working together that brought that to fruition.” Peterson also points out that the recent deluge of city projects being started revolves around the economy. “We have taken the opportunity to take advantage of historically low interest rates (for funding) and historically low construction prices because of a depressed economy. All of our projects have come in under budget.” While the rebuilding of Science Hill High School gets the bulk of publicity linked to the demolition and somewhat controversial move of Memorial Stadium and the building of a new
September 2010
football facility, Peterson is quick to point out that $70 million is being spent to renovate and modernize all the city’s schools. From the building of the new Fairmont Elementary School to rehabbing and retro-fitting all the schools with state-of-the-art lighting and HVA electrical systems, schools have been a priority at Johnson City Commission meetings. Add to that the fact that Johnson City is spending $20 million on the expansion of its wastewater plant that will be able to serve Indian Trails School all the way to Kingsport. “That plan has been a foresight with the present City Commission,” Peterson said. “They are looking toward the future when the economy rebounds and the area in question is the fastest growing area in our city.” Peterson added that companies will be looking for cities ready to offer the infrastructure necessary to meet their needs when the economy turns around. “Our investment of maintaining a safe community, our quality of life with beautiful parks, roadways and water and sewer capabilities and enhanced infrastructure will be what companies and others will be looking for. And, when the economy picks back up we’ll be ready for that kind of growth and opportunity.” Peterson says he’s also excited about the pending construction of the $15 million 67,000-square-foot community center that will be built across from City Hall at the corner of Bert Street and Lonnie Lowe Way. He deflects criticism about the decision to include a new Senior Citizens Center within the “Community Campus” versus building the seniors a stand along building. When you consider the fact that the city owns the land and 400 existing parking spaces Peterson said the city would be spending much more on land acquisition and site preparation for a stand alone senior center versus including it in the master plan of the Community Campus. The money saved, he said, will be spent toward more building space. “We are re-investing in the central city and Johnson City presently doesn’t have a true Community Center. We will be able to provide space, activities and programs for all age groups in a central location and I think that’s important,” he said. Peterson added that the area adjoining the planned construction area could be expanded to the NTWC terminal and the old Burley Tobacco warehouse site eventually taking up over 40 acres. He also pointed out that expanding the city’s walking trails from the VA Center through the downtown business district and perhaps all
Johnson City City Manager Pete Peterson stands next to one of his many pieces of memorabilia from the NASA Space Program
the way to Elizabethton would spark growth and new interest of the city’s downtown and they would pick ETSU up as a partner along the way. In reference to recent and previous massive floods in the downtown area and the Keystone and Carver public housing communities, Peterson said the city has a plan and will get a handle on the problem. “We’re dealing with flooding when two creeks merge (King Creek & Brush Creek) and they both merge to a single culvert and the system can’t handle that much water at one time. It’s not an easy solution and it will take some time but we will (eventually) be able to control the flooding by separating the two creeks. But, we’re talking about a cost of $25-$30 mil-
lion and it will be an ongoing project for the next 10-12 years.” Peterson said years of work downtown and investment by business entrepreneurs is starting to pay off. “The appearance of downtown is changing with the construction of the new baseball field on State of Franklin Road and the new student housing. Also, the new trail section from ETSU and the VA will be a link to downtown and it will become more beautiful and inviting.” Peterson said he expects more business and restaurants to locate to the downtown area and mentioned the Mast General Store owners in Asheville, North Carolina had visited downtown Johnson City and liked what they saw.
Pete Peterson FACtoID
• Married to Stacy. Two children, Oliver, 3 and one half years old and Ashley 8 months. • Avid snow skier for 30 years. Lived in Colorado previously for four years. • Collects space memorabilia and loves to read anything space related. • Toured the Kennedy Space Center and got to go behind the scenes handling Moon Rocks and driving the Space Shuttle simulator. • Friends with several astronauts; two of which have walked on the Moon.
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Carmen Deedy
The National Storytelling Festival:
Storytelling at its Most Magical
E
ach October, thousands of visitors from across the United States and globe descend on Historic Jonesborough, Tenn. with one purpose: to hear stories, and to tell them, at the National Storytelling Festival—a celebration of America’s rich and varied storytelling tradition.
“
the weekend, attendees experience a wealth of cultures, traditions, and styles as they hear tellers deliver traditional tales, multicultural folklore, contemporary legends, and even bewitching ghost stories. Whether you’re an avid fan who has attended for years or a firsttimer, the family-friendly Festival offers a broad range of artists and stories that enchant all ages and speak to people of all backgrounds.
Hailed “the leading event of its kind” by USA Today, the National Storytelling Festival is the largest and most prestigious storytelling A variety of admission options are available. Take in the Festival festival in the world. The three-day experience by attending for the weekend or Some stories seem to be made out celebration, held in the storytelling capital simply get a taste by visiting for a day. For of the world, features performances by more information and ticket prices, visit of whole cloth. Others are like internationally-known storytellers and is the www.storytellingcenter.net or call the Tennessee quilts on sale in premier platform for professional tellers. 800-952-8392, ext. 221.
Jonesborough’s many craft shops.
Produced by the International Storytelling They weave together past, present, Center, the Festival is now in its 38th year. fact and fiction in a tight design This year’s event will be held the weekend both dazzling and unforgettable. of October 1–3 and showcases featured performers including audience-favorites —Smithsonian Donald Davis and Kathryn Windham, regional voices like Carmen Deedy and Bil Lepp, and international perspectives from Eth-Noh-Tec and Abbi Patrix.
”
Storytelling concerts, which take place beneath big festival tents scattered throughout the quaint town, begin at 10 a.m. on October 1, and continue until 4:30 p.m. on October 3. During
Eth-Noh-Tec
The National Storytelling Festival is sponsored in part by Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Tennessee Arts Commission.
FRESH AIR PHOTO
Donald Davis
800-952-8392 x221 • www.storytellingcenter.net • 116 West Main Street • Jonesborough, Tennessee 37659
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September 2010
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Bloodhounds: Searching Searching for for the the lost lost & & wanted wanted ERWIN, TN. --- When Unicoi County Sheriff Kent Harris was looking for someone to take care and sponsor a bloodhound rescue dog, named “Big Tom” that the sheriff’s department adopted, he looked no further than to close friends Tom and Lynn Colbaugh. He didn’t have much convincing to do either. “When the sheriff brought the puppy to us to see he would fit in your hands,” Lynn Colbaugh remembers, that was June 15, 2004. “And, he was the cutest little thing with rows of wrinkles. . .we couldn’t let him down,” added Tom who is a Special Deputy at the Unicoi County Sheriff’s Department. It wasn’t long before Harris brought along another “playmate” for “Big Tom” and before you knew it, the Colbaughs added Maggie to the family. “(Pastor) Earl Ragland and chief deputy Mike Hensley each had one of the dogs for a time but they needed a permanent home
and Tom and Lynn provided for them and filled the void,” Harris reported. Nowadays, the “little wrinkled things” are full-grown and weigh-in at around 130140 pounds each and stand nearly six foot on their hind quarters. Since adopting “Big Tom” and Maggie, the Colbaughs’ added yet another bloodhound by the name of Buford (yes, named after the other famous sheriff) to the group. “Without Tom and Lynn looking after them we wouldn’t be able to keep them,” Harris said. “Not only is their food and care expensive you really have to dedicate a lot of time with them. . .they are very needy dogs and want to be loved on all the time.” Besides providing food and a new trailer for the dogs to be transported in, the Colbaughs spend quality time with the brood. On a recent trip to the bloodhounds spacious lot it was evident they knew Tom had come for his daily visit and Lynn couldn’t get away from
Unicoi County Sheriff Kent Harris along with with Tom and Lynn Colbaugh is shown with one of the bloodhounds.
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Unicoi County Sheriff Kent Harris along with with Tom and Lynn Colbaugh are shown standing next to the trailer that hauls the dogs.
the slobbery kisses from an excited Maggie. Their tails were spinning a mile a minute. “It literally takes two people to handle each one of them,” Tom observed. “So, we generally have two people handling each one when we take them anywhere. They are really popular with kids. The kids go nuts when they see them. We also take them to church social events, parades, schools, nursing homes and local businesses. They love people and we get them out as much as possible; it’s good exercise for them and us,” he said with a laugh. On a more serious note, Harris said the dogs have been used all over the region and into North Carolina searching for lost people and on occasions, criminals. “For example, a juvenile had escaped from the Johnson City Juvenile Detention Center and they called us to bring the dogs over there,” Harris said. “They found the boy in thirty minutes.” Another elderly person suffering from Alzheimer’s disease had
gotten lost in the woods near his home and the bloodhounds tracked him down in less than an hour. Last winter, a homeless disabled veteran living under a bridge in Unicoi County was taken in by Harris and some of his friends. A clean, abet small, donated travel trailer was converted into a home for the man and he looks after the dogs on a daily basis in an effort to assist the Colbaughs. “He’ll feed them, mow the lot and bathe them which is a big help to Tom and Lynn,” Harris said. “The dogs are for the benefit of any law enforcement agency in the area. You just never know, especially in our mountainous terrain, when and where the bloodhounds might be needed.” By the way, “Big Tom’s” grandfather was the last dog used on the Hee Haw comedy television program. But unlike his grandfather, “Big Tom,” Maggie and Buford aren’t exactly lying around all day on a country store porch.
Out ‘ N About Magazine
Web or Print:
GHartstudios: Digital Design Professionals Can Meet Your Needs
Johnson City, TN. — They are young, brash and full of enthusiasm that will rub off on you when you meet them. Gina Hagaman and James Sherrill use their God-given talent as designers for businesses seeking to help clients with everything from a new web designed built from scratch site, to a new logo or other creative design. “I’ve been freelancing for over ten years,” says Gina. “And, I got started designing tee shirts when I was 14,” James added. “I enjoy drawing and my interest evolved into using the talent digitally.” The duo seemed destined to work together as digital design professionals having “hit it off over 10 years ago,” when they worked together as teenagers at a local call center. They’ve been together ever since. “The difference with GHartstudios is that when you hire us we deal with you on a personal level versus charging you some money for the work and move on,” Gina said with a smile. “You’ll have a face-to-face relationship with us and we personally deliver the product. We make it a point for our customers to be satisfied and that’s a priority with us. You should get the professional service you deserve knowing that you can go anywhere you want.” “My passion since I was a child is to create, draw and design,” James said matter-of-factly. I love to create through vision and creativity. Gina and I can literally transform your business visually into the message you want to convey to your customers and the general public.” In addition to web site development from scratch, GHartstudios also offers the following laundry list of services: • E Commerce, Maintaining and hosting • Web Trafficking • Graphic Design • An artist on staff 24/7 • Comprehensive printing services including: business cards, flyers, letter head and wedding invitations • Photography • Fine art painting from photos including porcelain If you’re looking for hard working professionals to help you launch your business or expand it through a variety of mediums, give Gina and James a call today. Contact Information: Gina Hagaman & James Sherrill GHartstudios Digital Design Professionals Web* Print * New Designs * Logos www.GHartstudios.com Phone: 423-534-2683 Email: GHartstudios@gmail.com
September 2010
GH ArtStudios Digital Design Professionals 423.534.2683•ghartstudios@gmail.com www.ghartstudios.com
Page 15
Turn to Page 25 for answers to the Crossword, Sudoku and Enigma puzzles
H TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
Sept. 4 @ Tennessee Martin Sept. 11 @ Oregon Sept. 18 @ Florida Sept. 25 @ UAB Oct. 2 @ LSU Oct. 9 @ Georgia Oct. 23 @ Alabama Oct. 30 @ South Carolina Nov. 6 @ Memphis Nov. 13 @ Mississippi Nov. 20 @ Vanderbilt Nov. 27 @ Kentucky Dec. 4 SEC Championship in Atlanta
ELIZABETHTON CYCLONES
Aug. 20 @ Volunteer Aug. 27 @Science Hill Sept. 3 @ Happy Valley Sept. 10 @ Greeneville Sept. 17 @ Sullivan North Sept. 24 @ Asheville, N.C. Oct. 1 @ Unicoi County Oct. 15 @ Johnson County Oct. 22 @ Christian Academy Oct. 29 @ Sullivan East
HAMPTON BULLDOGS
Aug. 27 @ Johnson County Sept. 3 @ Cosby Sept. 10 @ Unicoi County Sept. 17 @ North Greene Sept. 24 @ Johnson County Oct. 1 @ Hancock County Oct. 15 @ Unaka Oct. 22 @ Happy Valley Oct. 29 @ Cloudland
CLOUDLAND HIGHLANDERS
Aug. 20 @ Haynesville, N.C. Aug. 27 @ West Greene Sept. 3 @ North Greene Sept. 10 @ Avery Co., N.C. Sept. 17 @ Unaka Sept. 24 @ Happy Valley Oct. 1 @Cosby Oct. 15 @ Johnson County Oct. 29 @ Hampton
UNAKA RANGERS
Aug. 19 @ Chuckey-Doak Aug. 27 @ Happy Valley Sept. 3 @ Hancock County Sept. 10 @ West Greene Sept. 17 @ Cloudland Oct. 1 @ North Greene Oct. 8 @ King’s Academy Oct. 15 @ Hampton Oct. 22 @ Unicoi County Oct. 29 @ Cosby
HV
DOBYNS-BENNETT INDIANS
Aug. 19 @ Farragut Aug. 27 @ linton Sept. 3 @ Sullivan Central Sept. 17 @ Sevier Ccounty Oct. 1 @ Sullivan South Oct. 8 @ Tennessee High Oct. 15 @ David Crockett Oct. 22 @ Science Hill Oct. 29 @ Volunteer
SULLIVAN SOUTH REBELS
Aug. 20 Knox West Aug. 27 @ Greeneville Sept. 3 @ Daniel Boone Sept. 10 @ Gate City, VA Sept. 17 @ Tennessee High Oct. 1 @ Dobyns-Bennett Oct. 8 @ Volunteer Oct. 15 @ Science Hill Oct. 22 @ David Crockett Oct. 29 @ Tennessee High
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Page 28
HAPPY VALLEY WARRIORS
Aug. 27 @ Unaka Sept. 3 @ Elizabethton Sept. 10 @ Clintwood, VA Sept. 17 @ Unicoi County Sept. 24 @ Cloudland Oct. 1 @ Sullivan East Oct. 15 @ Sullivan Nouth Oct. 22 @ Hampton Oct. 29 @ Johnson County
UNICOI COUNTY BLUE DEVILS
Aug. 20 @South Greene Aug. 27 @ Chuckey Doak Sept. 3 @ Johnson County Sept. 10 @ Hampton Sept. 17 @ Happy Valley Sept. 24 @ Gatlinburg-Pitt Oct. 1 @ Elizabethton Oct. 15 @ Sullivan East Oct. 22 @ Unaka Oct. 29 @ Sullivan North
GREENEVILLE GREEN DEVILS
Aug. 20 @ Jefferson Co. Aug. 27 @ Sullivan South Sept. 10 @ Elizabethton Sept. 17 @ South Greene Sept. 24 @ Tennessee High Oct. 1 @ West Greene Oct. 15 @ Cumberland Gap Oct. 22 @ Grainger Oct. 29 @ Claiborne
TENNESSEE HIGH VIKINGS
Aug. 27 @ Sullivan East Sept. 3 @ David Crockett Sept. 10 @ Virginia High Sept. 17 @ Science Hill Sept. 24 @ Greeneville Oct. 1 @ Volunteer Oct. 8 @ Dobyns-Bennett Oct. 15 @ Sullivan Central Oct. 22 @ Daniel Boone Oct. 29 @ Sullivan South
DANIEL BOONE TRAILBLAZERS
Aug. 20 @ Seymour Aug. 27 @ Cherokee Sept. 3 @ Sullivan South Sept. 17 @ Dobyns-Bennett Sept. 24 @ Sullivan North Oct. 1 @ Sullivan Central Oct. 8 @ Science Hill Oct. 15 @ Volunteer Oct. 22 @ Tennessee Oct. 28 @ David Crockett
SCIENCE HILL HILLTOPPERS
Aug. 20 @ Soddy Daisy Aug. 27 @ Elizabethton Sept. 3 @ Volunteer Sept. 10 @ Morristown West Sept. 17 @ Tennessee High Oct. 1 @ David Crockett Oct. 8 @ Daniel Boone Oct. 15 @ Sullivan South Oct. 22 @ Dobyns-Bennett Oct. 29 @ Sullivan Central
DAVID CROCKETT PIONEERS
Aug. 27 @ Sullivan East Sept. 3 @ David Crockett Sept. 10 @ Virginia High Sept. 17 @ Science Hill Sept. 24 @ Greeneville Oct. 1 @ Volunteer Oct. 8 @ Dobyns-Bennett Oct. 15 @ Sullivan Central Oct. 22 @ Daniel Boone Oct. 29 @ Sullivan South
Out ‘ N About Magazine
Out ‘ N About Magazine
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Page 17
September Music Line-Up at Machiavelli’s
September 3rd: Brim Leal Band September 4th: Ras Alan September 9th: Brim Leal + Wine/Tequila Tasting September 10th: Whiskey Bent Valley Boys & The Tillers September 11th: The Hey Boys 2010 Rhythm & Roots Festival September 17th: Boss Hawg: 6 p.m.; Miss Tess & The Bon Ton Parade, 7:45 p.m.; The Deep Dark Woods, 9:30 p.m.; Eliza Lynn Band, 11:15 p.m. ----September 18th: The Honey Dew Drops, 12:30 p.m.; Dave Dykes & The Grateful Hearts 2 p.m; Lost Ridge Band, 3:30 p.m; The Cornlickers, 5 p.m; Christabel & The Jons, 6:30 p.m; Ian Gilliam & The Firekings, 8 p.m.; The Woes, 9:30 p.m.; Brian McGee & The Hollow Speed, 11 p.m. ----September 19th: Blue Mother Tupelo, Noon; Ben Gilmer & Sam Lamont Band, 1:45 p.m; Slow Motion Trio, 3:15 p.m.; The Defibulators, 4:45 p.m. ----September 25th: Folk Soul Revival
Pam’s Real Estate Watch Each Office Independently Owned and Operated
Foreclosures are on the rise!! Mortgages; these were loans availBut not to worry! Prices are level- able before; but to a very restricted ing themselves out from the rapidly amount of buyers. Banks used to growing increase we experienced in be pretty restricted; and then all of the early 2000’s. Yes it is difficult to a sudden; loans became readily availunderstand how this is good; but if able to just about anyone!! This also this didn’t happen when it did; we opened up the opportunity for Loan could have been in a greater hurt and bank fraud opportunities. How down the road. It was an obvious do you stay away from foreclosure? that was going to happen!! However; most people were just so eager to “own a home”; that they would do anything to do so. Banks started allowing 80/20 Loans; Adjustable 00 RICH VALLEY ROAD Rate Mortgages; Bristol, VA 24201 MLS #287406 and Stated Income
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904 Sunset Drive Ste 1, Johnson City, TN 37604 (423) 282-0432
1) Make your payments on time. Never pay your loan payment past 30 days. The lenders start seriously looking at your loan to start foreclosure if you become 60 days late; and at 90 days late; it is too late. You are there for sure. They don’t want to foreclose on you!! They have too much cost involved and will cost
216 LAKEFRONT LANE Bluff City, TN 37618 MLS #293751
them more to foreclose on you than you think. 2) When getting a loan; put money down. If you can; at least 20%. This keeps you from having a PMI added to your payment; which is a Mortgage Insurance to help protect the bank in case of a foreclosure. 3)When getting a loan; don’t get any loan that isn’t an FHA, VA, or Conven-
Pam Rhymer
tional type “Fixed” Loan….NO “Variable Rate Loans” …80/20 loans; Adjustable Rate Mortgages, Stated Income Loans. Never speculate that your income will increase down the road; buy your homing looking into the “What can I do now” attitude; as we never know what the future holds; as we all have seen from the last 3 years of 3 NORTHVALE COURT Johnson City, TN 37604 home prices MLS #288724 falling.
Out ‘ N About Magazine
Leanne Trivett & Lightning Vegas Show Band are Her performance on stage is unforgettable. Leanne Trivett is a pretty, wide eyed woman who can belt out a song with the best of them. The lead singer of Lightning, the Tri-Cities most popular Las Vegas style band, deflects her starring role in the upbeat ‘gotta get you on the dance floor band’ that she has fronted for the last five years. “We’re a team out there on stage, “she says of the group Lightning. “It’s the most professional group of musicians I’ve ever worked with. The dedication within all of us is easy to see when you come see us perform.” Well, that’s quite a compliment to the band because Leanne has performed in New York, Las Vegas and Europe. The New York University grad spent a semester at the University of Tennessee before she realized, “If I’m going to do this and be serious about a singing and performing career I knew I had to go to New York. Nothing against U.T. but the NYU curriculum was just a better fit.” Leanne said her parents Grant And Margaret Trivett were her inspiration along with her late grandparents (U.G. “Curley” and Violet). While at NYU, Leanne auditioned and landed parts in several stage performances but a chance audition for a show in Italy moved her quickly up the professional ladder. For five months she toured Italy and that experience, she said, changed her life. “I learned how to sing. . .really learned to sing,” she said with a grin. “It was a very dramatic African American
Electrifying!
Sax player Tony Rominger jams with Leanne.
production and I was the only Caucasian in the troop. I learned blues and rock and Negro spirituals; it was a very moving experience. Everybody in the production was somebody. Some of the members had worked with Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, and some of the biggest stars in the industry. But, everyone worked together and no one had an attitude.” New York University enabled Leanne to become what the industry calls “a triple threat.” “The learning process at NYU is intense. While most college students take 15-18 hours a semester, I had 36 hours and it was a full-time job. I trained in theatre, voice, acting, visual arts, and was involved in a conservatory studio situation,” she observed. “Yeah, the ‘triple threat’ (being well versed in acting, dance and singing) training will take you a long way in auditions.” Leanne’s experience both on stage and the classroom paid off with several opportunities in Las Vegas where she fronted a band named Curl for four years and landed the
lead singer job in the band “Dreams” as a Stevie Knicks impersonator featuring Fleetwood Mac music. “I enjoyed that so much,” Leanne said. “I am a big Stevie knicks fan and that was just an exciting time for me to be performing her songs in Las Vegas.” Nowadays, Lightning seems to be “striking again and again” as the song goes at private parties, weddings, public events and festivals. The band is made up of some of the nation’s most talented musicians who carry similar credentials as Leanne. They are: Randy Sanderpeck, percussion; Tony Rominger, saxophone; Todd Jones, bass; Joe Hoskins, guitar; Jacob Tipton, keyboards and Jonny Birchfield, the behind-the-scenes sound guy. “We love entertaining and that’s what we want to do,” Leanne observed. “We have a lot of fun but it’s still really hard work. You have to be dedicated and we strive to make every performance better than the last.” One day when she puts the mic down, Leanne said she would enjoy teaching young people the ropes of the entertaining business. She has been a private acting coach for years and loves it. Kind of like the hit show Glee? “I would like to help create a theatre or studio to maybe help kids get through auditions, and hone their singing and acting skills. We’ll see. I also love photography and dance. Entertaining just happens to be in my blood”, she said with a broad smile as she invited us out to the next performance of Lightening, a band that’s a must see for those of you who haven’t.
Leanne TriveTT FaCTOiD
• Is inspiered artistically by Tori Amos, Sting, No Doubt, Cirque de Soliel, Cindy Sherman, and of course Lady GaGa. • Loves Hello Kitty from Sanrio • Also Studied Photography and Avante Guarde Theatre at the Tisch Art School at NYU while she was in New York City.
September 2010
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Corner Nest Antique Mall:
An Unbelievable Shopping Experience Located In Our Own Backyard
Elizabethton, TN --- The over 80 vendors now make-up the offerings of thousands of “I’m all about community and I truly believe if you give Corner Nest Antique Mall will items from furniture to toys. At the time of the move however, back you will receive much more in return,” Robin said with literally have you walking many people thought Robin and Dicky “had lost their minds” her signature smile. around for hours if you’re not We urge you to visit Corner Nest Antique Mall and we bet a clock watcher. On display you’ll walk away with a treasure! is an ecletic selection of an array of antiques from Victorian to Primitive, country and home décor and collectables. The sheer volume will take your breath away. You would be hard pressed not to find a unique item for sale at a reasonable price and CORNER NEST ANTIQUE MALL it would take an entire Out ‘N 100 West Elk Avenue About Magazine issue to list Elizabethton, TN all the items for sale at the 423-547-9111 Corner Nest Antique Mall. HOURS: Robin and Dicky Blackwell have amassed a 30,000 square Monday-Thursday foot store in the heart of Elizabethton boasting over 80 ven10 am-6pm dors who literally offer something for everyone. And, if you get Friday and Saturday hungry along the way, you can stop and dine at the Apples to 10 am-8pm Oranges Café and Catering Company, located on the first floor Sunday 1-6 p.m. near the front door. Their world famous fresh pies, by the way, Oranges & Apples Café are to die for! & Catering One of Robin’s many friends tells a story about how one of Open Daily from the largest antique stores in the region came to being. It goes 11 am-3pm something like this: Friday & Saturday “After 12 years at Robin’s Nest, her nest was overflowing for taking on such a formidable task of reinventing an old car 11 am-8pm so the bird flew across the street to the once old Button Chev- dealership into a treasure house. 423-543-6378 The postscript to the story is, “Don’t tell Robin she can’t do rolet building. And, after four months of cleaning, pressure •Catering washing, painting and fixing up the old building she and five something because she will prove you wrong!” •Teas The neat thing about Corner Nest Antique Mall is the qualified dealers flew where she now is.” •Banquet Rooms That was October 27, 2007 and as previously mentioned fact if they don’t have an item you are looking for they’ll •Bridal Showers do their best to find the item and this service is free •Private Parties of charge. With dealers from all over the Tri-Cities to Mountain City, North Carolina and Virginia, their network enables them to find the hard to find items. For the Blackwells and their dealers, “Customer service is our number one priority,” Robin said who incidentally is Elizabethton born and bred and loves her community. In fact, the store is open 365 days a year and every Thanksgiving and Christmas the Blackwells and their dealers sponsor a free meal for those who can’t be with family or may be down on their luck. And, most recently the group bought 2,000 diapers for a local family with quintuplets when they heard one of the children had died and the father being out of work was facing foreclosure.
Page 20
Out ‘ N About Magazine
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Page 21
Let’s Do Lunch!
Popular Downtown Johnson City Restaurant One12 Now Offers Lunch Johnson City, TN --- After enjoying vast popularity with patrons seeking a cool place to have dinner, watch a sporting event, or meet after work for a drink, Restaurant One12 owner Rafael Zabala decided to open earlier beginning September 3rd in an effort to offer lunch to the hundreds of visitors, students and residents flowing in and out of downtown’s central business district. Zabala lined up experienced chefs Mike Henley and Joe Trott to work with General Manager Missy Heaton on bringing together a lunch plan that will feature a great variety of food at reasonable prices. “We plan to present good, solid American food including 13 specialty hamburgers, wings and many other specials during our lunch-time period from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.,” Trott said, who has worked all over the country and world, namely Australia as a personal chef. “We also will continue to be the premier place to come and sit down and enjoy an adult beverage and watch a sporting event.” With students and faculty members back in school at East Tennessee State University, Zabala thinks his timing is right. “We literally touch all demographics
Chef Mike Henley, General Manager Missy Heaton, and Chef Joe Trott.
Page 22
with our menu from steaks to fish to pasta dishes,” Zabala explained. “Our goal is to become the place of choice for people looking for a relaxing place to enjoy lunch with family or friends. And, I plan to maintain and present meals that are reasonably priced.” While the lunch menu will be an abbreviated version of One12’s two-sided menu consisting of nearly 100 possible dinner selections Zabala’s idea is to offer a great lunch at a reasonable price for people with limited time during the lunch hour. Trott is also anxious to bake popular cakes, pies and pastries with the goal of “down the road” having the tasty delectables for sale to take home. Heaton also added the fact One12 also caters something she said many people might not know. “We’ve catered some lunches and dinners to several local businesses and professionals working downtown for example,” she said. “We’re also looking into offering a takeout box lunch to groups who may be holding a meeting but can’t come over for a sit-down lunch. It’s all about service to our customers.” Recently, during race week, ESPN rented the entire restaurant for a private party complete with a band
One12’s friendly wait staff: Hayley Dykes, Sabra Warden, G.M. Missy Heaton, Paige Donaldson and Britney Eberhardt.
and food cooked by the One12 staff. “They had a blast and we put together a buffet so we are available for rent to private parties,” Zabala added. “And, since we can seat 180 people comfortably the possibilities are endless whether it is a wedding reception or retirement party.” While One12 offers 20 beer taps and 18 flat screen televisions (you can sit anywhere and see a variety of sports programming) Trott was quick to point out, “One12 is a comfortable restaurant with excellent food that just happens to also have a bar inside,” as he emphasized the staff’s particular attention is presenting excellent food at affordable prices. “More and more people are coming to the downtown area,” added Henley. “We touch all demographics from the student to business people and families. We have something for everyone on our menu and we want people who haven’t been here to give us a try.” Many people frequently call Zabala’s One12 restaurant “a one of a kind great dinning experience.” “Those comments are always welcomed,” he said with his signature smile. “I am delighting to have chosen downtown Johnson City for my business and my home. I suspect our offering a great lunch at an affordable price in a wonderful atmosphere will enable us to continue growing.”
Two staff members try out lunch.
Out ‘ N About Magazine
AT Barter Theatre:
Shake, Rattle & Roll: You’ll Be Jumping Out of Your Seat ___________ REVIEW
Abingdon, VA. --- I’m not necessary an Elvis fan but even if you’re not you’ll have a fantastic time when you visit the Barter Theatre to see Scot Bruce as Elvis in Shake, Rattle & Roll: A Rockin Tribute to the King. Bruce’s back-up band consisting of Donald Eanes (piano/vocals) Denny Presley, (electric guitar/vocals) Russell Scott (Doghouse Bass/electric bass/ vocals) and Kyle Walsh on the drums are on the mark and Mr. Bruce delivers on all cylinders: dancing, sings, guitar playing and oh, those moves! Before you know it the first set consisting of an hour and filled with a lot of toe tapping and many memories for those of us who may have followed Elvis through the 50s, 60s, and into the 70s has evaporated. A 15 minute intermission seems to last longer but the “King” comes back and puts in another solid hour much to the delight of a packed house. Bruce and his band stay around after the concert to talk with patrons and
sign as many autographs as needed which is a delight and a treat for those who still long for a connection to Elvis Presley who left this Earth way too soon. Los Angeles-based Bruce wows audiences all over the world and is a mainstay at Disneyland in California. He’s been in several music videos with Faith Hill and Sheryl Crow and has appeared on the soap, Days of Our Lives. Besides Barter, he has been featured in shows at the Ryman Auditorium and Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery. Bruce is the real deal and if you didn’t know it, you’d think the “King” is REALLY in the house. It is a delightful way to spend a couple of hours on a hot afternoon and the show will take you back to the days of simpler times and the time of the birth of Rock-n-Roll. It is a compliment to the management of the Barter Theatre to bring something different to the theatre in the form of a tasteful show that Bruce brings to town. We especially like him and his band and we feel the same way about the Patsy Cline tribute that played a year or so ago on the same spot. So, get out to the Barter Theatre and enjoy a walk down memory lane with the King of Rock-n-Roll. But, you’d better hurry because this hip shaking concert ends September 12th! www.BarterTheatre.com; Tickets: 276-628-3991.
LUCK GOOtoD all Area High School FOOTBALL & MARCHING BANDS
We Wish You Much Success and Safety This Football Season Unicoi County Sheriff’s Dept. and Investigative Division David “Kent” Harris, Sheriff & Staff of the Unicoi County Sheriff’s Department
September 2010
Page 23
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Out ‘ N About Magazine
September 2010
Page 25
Innovations in Marketing
When Mary Ellen Miller walks into a room some people recognize her from her anchor desk days at WJHL-TV or her public relations leadership roles at Nuclear Fuel Services and n-tara, a digital media company, or most recently as a key member of newly elected Washington County (TN) Mayor Dan Eldridge’s campaign staff. Some even recognize her from her high visibility on Twitter. Mary Ellen Miller is perhaps the face of a new marketing force touting a combination of innovative marketing, public relations and social media strategies. Having set out on her own with her new company MarketingMel over a year ago, she presents a completely new approach to professional promotions and marketing. After being laid off as n-tara marketing director as the economy waned in 2009, Miller, who holds a Cornell University degree in communications as well as an MBA from East Tennessee State University, immediately began writing a blog as a marketing tool and her own firm, MarketingMel, was created shortly thereafter. “As a result of strategic foresight (in a down economy) it really positioned me to start a company unlike a traditional ad agency realizing a key value was linking clients with innovative marketing, public relations Photo by Tina Wilson and social media strategies,” she said. Mary Ellen Miller So different was Miller’s fresh new idea of marketing, that her former employer, News Channel 11, featured MarketingMel her in a three-part series that earned her a lot exposure. “Professional business people are discovering Twitter, Facebook and blogging as additional tools necessary in today’s face-paced business world where communication is presented and received instantaneously,” she added while pointing out the fact any edge business clients can get in today’s business world could be the difference between success and failure. Miller, who is also a former executive editor of Marquee Magazine, said her litany of experience on the many fronts of marketing, strategic planning, and public relations landed her a surprise call from Dan Eldridge inviting her to become a member of his political campaign. She teamed up with her former business partner Tony Treadway, president of Creative Energy, and now Miller can add successful political strategist to her long list of accomplishments. Miller smiled broadly when she recalls her first conversation with Eldridge. “He wanted me to write a press release for him,” she mused. “I told him he was going to need a lot more than that! “Creating the public relations, social media, web site and special event planning for the Eldridge campaign was perhaps the most arduous task I have undertaken in my career,” she admits. “When we started the campaign there were many naysayers who told us we wouldn’t have a snowball’s chance in a very hot place of winning!” As it turned out Eldridge’s victory over former Johnson City Mayor and former State Senator Don Arnold wasn’t even close. As a consensus builder, Miller believes her company will continue its strong growth as business professionals realize the vital need to be associated with social networking to compliment traditional marketing strategies. Her family has also instilled into her the need to give back to one’s own community. Her father, who passed away in 2007, was a professional fundraiser who raised money to build hospitals and Salvation Army buildings Mary Ellen Miller Factoid and her mother was a journalist. Miller is proud of her involvement in • Met her future husband, Danny, as they rescued puppies from the NFS parking lot spearheading the creation of the local Salvation Army Souper Bowl for the th in Erwin where they both worked. Hungry annual fundraising event. Now in its highly successful 13 year, • Is an accomplished swimmer. Set an Ivy the fundraiser has brought in some of the NFL’s greatest players as keynote League record in her final meet. speakers including Archie Manning, Ron Jaworski, Bill Curry and Bill Bates, • Lifelong learner. Always has a business just to name a few. book under her chin. Miller, a former member of the Johnson City Kiwanis Club, received the • Mother to son, Skyler. 2005 - 2006 Kiwanian of the Year award for her work in helping establish a www.marketingmel.com partnership with Camelot Care Centers, an organization that assists trouble twitter: @marketingmel children.
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Out ‘ N About Magazine
Let’s go on an animal safari! Bybee, TN. (near Morristown) --- You are really not going to believe this! In case you didn’t realize it a part of Africa, South America and China has moved to a secluded farm five miles off the Lowland/ Morristown Exit on Interstate 81. Ron and Deborah Nease of Johnson City are the proprietors of the Briarwood Ranch Safari Park. The park is home to some 75 different species from Africa and other parts of the world. There are even a couple of Yaks from Tibet that have taken up residence as well as a new-born African Watusi. Opened in fall of 2006, Briarwood features animals from around the world. On your scenic four mile safari through beautiful hills and pasturelands, you will actually see animals from six continents. All the animals are friendly and walk right up to your car or one of the seven tractor driven open air trailers that takes you on a two hour journey through the meandering park. The animals love you. They really do because you have their food. Passengers are given small buckets of corn and grain to feed the friendly animals on stops
September 2010
along the way. We saw a story on Daytime Tri-Cities, and thought Morgan and Amy had so much fun on their trip that we would go down and see what all the fuss was about. It is quite amazing to be so up-front-and-close to this many different species of animals at one time. Following a brief moment of excitement for the humans, as they attempt to get to know these critters as each one attempts to be first in line for food, things settle down a bit. The trailer spends about 10 to 15 minutes at each of the four stops along the way giving tourists ample chance to take as many pictures as they like and spend a little time petting some of the more friendly animals like the Zebra and Llama. You are warned however, not to feed the animals by hand as a friendly peck by one of them might turn into a bruise or cut. If you travel through the park by automobile, “You can go through as many times as you like,” the affable Ron Nease explained. “Because, really, you cannot see all the animals in n See SAFARI, 31
A guided tour of Briarwood Ranch Safari Park.
A beautiful Llama poses for a picture.
A Zebra gets a pet from a visitor and some feed.
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SPEAKING OF WINE:
Regional Flavor Presents Variety of Enjoyable Wines
By Phil Scharfstein
I don’t know about you, but the summer has nearly roasted me. I love sitting out on the patio with my wife this time of year, enjoying a glass of wine while talking about the kids, listening to the cicadas and watching those wiley raccoons try to work my bird feeders out of a little food. Unfortunately, as much as I like wine, the heat takes away most of my desire for a glass and leaves me pondering the thought of a big ole glass of sweet tea instead. Like most of us, even though I personally prefer a drier style wine, this time of year beckons for those light, sweeter style porch pounder wines. Fortunately, I have seen an increase in the distribution of regional wines here lately. These wineries are usually located within several hundred miles of Johnson City and typically offer sweeter style wines made with such grape varieties as catawba and muscadine grapes. However, I have had to extend my radius of this classification onward to the Midwest and further south towards Florida. St. James Winery, in Missouri, produces both grape and real fruit wines. Their traditional wines are called “Velvet White” and “Velvet Red”. Both of these wines are moderately sweet, with very pleasant aromas. I could guarantee these wines would please that person who always claims that they don’t like wine. Personally, I lean toward the fruit wines myself, with my favorite being the cherry followed by strawberry and peach. These wines are very true to their fruit flavor, and are very enjoyable to drink on the patio after dinner, especially if you have a little sweet tooth. I must say, I even caught my own mother in law, who usually doesn’t partake, enjoying a glass Phil Scharfstein or two of cherry wine with us this summer. Last week, I had a gentleman by the name of Matt Mullinax come by the store selling wines for Shannon Vineyards located slightly north of Savannah, Georgia. He informed me that he was raised in Erwin and was a frequent customer during his residency here. Coming from the Savannah area, he told me his wines were predominantly made from the muscadine grape, so naturally I was counting on several sweet wines to taste. How wrong was I to assume? The first wine was St. Martin White, a glistening golden hue, with that nose of fresh picked muscadines. As my wife said “it reminded her of being a child and sitting under her grandfather’s grape arbor”. With the first sip, I realized I was completely wrong about it being a sweet wine. This was the first muscadine I have tried that has that wonderful nose as a muscadine does, very rich and full bodied, yet has a dry finish to it. Another one of his white wines is called White Tara, a moderately sweet wine, with a nice crisp finish. If you are looking for a sweeter style wine, then you should try the Moon River, a true, classic white muscadine. Finishing the whites, we moved on to the reds. Once again, he poured a taste of Rouge Cache’ a blend of muscadine and norton grapes. The aroma was incredible! It was of port and cherries, quite opposite of my original thoughts. I knew this wine was destined for the house to enjoy with our grilled hamburgers that evening. For a red with just a touch of sweetness try their Poor Robin Red. I found this one very enjoyable to just sit on the screen porch and sip on. I know fall is rapidly approaching and I will soon dearly miss these dog days of summer, so before cold weather sets in, I hope you can find some time to sit out on the patio or deck and enjoy some of these lighter style, fun wines. I look forward to seeing you around the store!
New Washington County Mayor Takes Oath New Washington County Tennessee Mayor Dan Eldridge was sworn in last Wednesday morning at the Jonesborough Courthouse.
An overflow crowd attended the ceremony where Washington County officer holders and County Commissioners were sworn in following the Eldridge’s ceremony. Outgoing Mayor Mayor Eldridge presides over his first County George Jaynes received a standing ovation as he turned over the Courthouse keys to Eldridge who was elected to Commission meeting. Eldridge stands alongside his wife and family as the post over former Johnson City Mayor Don Arnold. Judge Robert Cupp administers the oath
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Out ‘ N About Magazine
OUT OF An Unforgettable UgandaAdventure Part I
Story and Photos by Eileen Rush
Susurrus. By definition it’s an almost imperceptible rustle. It’s the sound of a distant waterfall, of falling snow or of a million Monarch butterflies taking wing in a waterfall, of falling snow or of a million Monarch butterflies taking wing in a Mexican forest. (I love words, so bear with me.) Going to Africa has always been a susurrus to the ears of my heart. Two days after graduating college with a degree in Mass Communications from East Tennessee State University, I answered the call and headed for Kampala, the capitol city of Uganda in East Africa. I spent two and a half months there this summer, volunteering with a medical team and a community public health class in the Namuwongo slum.It’s hard to distill a worldview-altering experience down into little consumable stories; to bottle up memories and set them on a shelf, ready to be sampled on fine nights surrounded by friends. I share my experience in the hopes that maybe there are readers who can hear the same susurrus I did: “Go. ”My travel companions and myself arrived in Kampala around 10 p.m. after more than 24 hours of travel. We hurtled down the only highway in Uganda, speeding away from the airport with the windows down and with the rhythm of local music blasting. The first thing to strike me about Africa was the way it smelled. The air was thick with pepper, diesel, and the overpowering scent of “green” – the smell of wet spinach; of life. The air was more alive. When the road curved and we passed Lake Victoria, it was like someone had opened the refrigerator door: the air was shockingly cold as it moved off the water. My first “African massage” came on the battered red dirt road up the mountain, the SUV throwing the passengers and luggage from side to side, shaking every bone in my body. Several times I found my hand on the car’s ceiling as I tried to prevent a concussion. Even at night, I was struck by the beauty of the mission house I would call “home,” with its vibrantly blue roof, wooden columns and fragrant flowering vines spilling over every gutter. In the morning, a thick mist mingled with cooking smoke from villages in the surrounding hills, and a view of the wide waters of Lake Victoria greeted me. Most people experience culture shock in a new place, but being in Uganda was as easy as breathing. I was home. In May, I was a part of a missions team that set up a free medical clinic in the Namuwongo Slum, one of the largest slums in Kampala. I spent my first few days in Africa counting pills into tiny plastic baggies. Thousands of dollars of medication had been donated for the cause, including a life-saving malaria pill that normally runs $25 a pop – an astronomically high price for medication, and far above many people’s reach in Africa. Two days before the clinic, the trauma surgeon who led the mission came to me and asked if I would like to be in charge of distributing glasses. Nearly 600 pairs of had been donated and shipped over to Uganda in spare suitcases. I knew nothing about eyeglasses, and hadn’t needed to wear them in more than a decade. I agreed, and met the challenge of testing a largely illiterate population. The glasses, which are far too expensive for most people from the Namuwongo community to afford, turned out to be miracles. Several women brought in their Bibles and opened them up, testing out each pair we handed them with care just to make sure they could read their favorite verses. In six days, we distributed 560 pairs. In the morning, the medical team would split up and walk into the slum, making home visits to those too ill to come to the afternoon clinic at a local non-profit’s office. We would line up children and give them all de-worming medicine and a colorful stamp on their hands, to make sure kids weren’t double-dosed. It’s a hard concept for Americans to grasp, but nearly everyone in Namuwongo has parasites. The intestinal worms rob children of nutrition they need to develop mentally and physically.
Continued To Page 30
September 2010
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An Unforgettable UgandaAdventure Part I Continued From Page 29
Boiling water is a quick fix, and water only needs to boil for about 30 seconds to be clean and safe to drink. Unfortunately, a small amount of charcoal can sometimes cost more Shillings than most Ugandans make in a month. In a place where the average person is living on about $2 a day, fuel goes towards cooking rice, plantains, potatoes and, if they’re lucky, beans; not water. The medical team saw 4,000 patients in less than a week. The “eye glasses” section of the clinic shared a room with wound care. On particularly busy days, I found myself stepping out of my fear of blood and gore, gloving up and jumping in. I treated burns, enormous infections, boils and cuts. Although both my parents are in medicine, I’ve always been the kind of person who gets a little dizzy at the sight of blood. We grew up watching E.R., and when something gross would happen my mom would shout at the TV, “That’s nothing. I’ve seen that come out of somebody’s butt!” But what I learned, and what helped me to have an immense respect for my surgeon father and R.N. mother, is that medicine boils down to this: It isn’t gross when it means taking care of people. It doesn’t matter if a wound is gaping, oozing or gushing. Somehow I was given the strength to put on gloves and “dive in,” because in the end it’s a way to show someone love. At times I was the only one who could help the patients in that moment, and I found my hands working as steadily as any experienced nurse. It’s the simplest way to say, “I see you are a person. I can help you. I do not know you, but I love you.” This is where my spiritual side kicks in, but go with me on this. It’s divine, plain and simple, to take care of those in need. Many times I did not feel like it was my hands reaching out to others, but the power of the One reaching out through me. (Call that One what you will: God, Father, Great Spirit or Mystery of Mysteries. I’m not trying to offend anyone here.) On one of my first days walking through the slum, I felt like I had tunnel vision. I didn’t want to look up, to look around at the extreme poverty that surrounded me. I felt tears in my eyes, and felt like my heart had been replaced by quicksand. I was sinking into all the pain and darkness there; and Namuwongo at times really can be the Kingdom of Darkness. There is so much hurt, alcoholism, drug abuse, people cutting each other or themselves in the belief that it will summon spirits who will lift them out of the darkness. (We saw a lot of infections from this practice.) As our blue scrub-clad team moved through the labyrinth of tiny alleys, children swarmed us. They did not beg for money or sweets, as children who grow up on the streets sometimes do. Instead, I found they only wanted one thing: to hold my hand. At one point, when I looked down, I found I had a child clinging to each of my fingers, the round and radiant beauty of their faces beaming up at me. I can’t describe the feeling any other way: I suddenly felt as though I was sitting in God’s palm. I was cradled, loved. I felt stronger. I found I could look up, look around, surrounded in a cloud of children’s laughter. They would sing, “A-muzungu!” Which means, “White,” in a very affectionate “You are a complete outsider” kind of way. It’s an amazing experience for a Caucasian person to be reminded every day that we look different, and was a lesson in the white privilege I experience in America daily. We would march along, children clinging to our hands and rubbing the hair on our arms, and I found myself sometimes struggling to make sure I didn’t step on any tiny bare feet. As we made our way from house to house, they would sing to us: “A-muzunguuu!” Or, to the children from the north, we were “Mono. Monomonomono!” We might as well have been Bon Jovi, for the way that they cherished our presence. I miss the music of the language the most. In Luganda, the main language of the Muganda tribe, it sounds like every word ends in a vowel. “Oli mulalu?” became one of my favorite sayings. In a very teasing, loving way it means, “Are you crazy?” I would say this to women in the marketplace, or to motorcycle taxi drivers, when they asked for too high a price. We would laugh, and I would get a better price. A few times I even said it wrong, asking, “Oli mularo?” To the great delight of the people asked, this actually means, “Are you a herdsman?” Once or twice, passing a herd of cows that ambled their way down the middle of the road, driven by a sun-kissed young man with a stick, I was able to use this phrase properly. All these little experiences were breath-taking, invigorating, and at times I imagined myself as the new Henry Morgan Stanley, on the search for the missing Dr. David Livingstone, 139 years ago. Instead of a mission doctor lost in the jungles and in the throes of malaria, I went searching for myself. Upon meeting her, I felt as wry and as tickled as Stanley, asking, “Eileen Rush, I presume?” Editor’s Note: To be continued in the next issue of Out ‘N About Magazine
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Out ‘ N About Magazine
Safari n Continued from 27 (just) one single trip.” Nease said it took him 13 years to fence in the park that also includes a gift shop, playground, walk-through zoo, clean rest rooms, and a large picnic area. The park is understandably very popular among school groups and churches. “It is not only a pleasurable experience for the kids but it is also educational,” Nease added. “It’s fun and everybody learns something to take back home with them.” Nease said first-time visitors almost always return. “We are continually expanding the park with more and more different species of animals,” he pointed out. “So, when you return there will be even more different animals to see and learn about.”
A few of the animals you’ll see at the Briarwood Ranch Safari Park: Ostrich Silk Deer Sika Deer Rocky Mt. Elk Emu Nilgai Eland Fallow Deer Axis Deer Pere-David Deer Yak Llama Rhea
Mouflon Sheep Wildebeast Barbary Sheep Scimitar H orned O ryx Water Buffalo Zebra Pot B ellied Pig Patagonian Cavy Bison Watusi Mutjac Four Horned Sheep
DIRECTIONS:
From Tri-Cities: 5.2 MILES OFF I-81 Take Lowland/Morristown Exit and turn left. From the Smokies: 66 to I-40E 14 miles to I-81N 12 miles to Exit 12 Lowland/Morristown turn right on Enka Hwy. HYPERLINK “http://www.briarwoodsafari.com” www.briarwoodsafari.com; Phone: 865-919-5072; HOURS 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Daily; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Last Tour One Hour Before Closing. This affordable Daytrip right in our backyard is certainly one you’ll want to take and enjoy.
September 2010
Tour guide Tony Collins and owner Ron Nease.
A bevy of different animals trek up the hill to be fed.
A curious Ostrich follows the trailer.
A newborn African Watusi sits near its mother.
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Troutdale bistro: “From Local Farmers to Local Diners”
Bristol, TN. --- There’s a culinary diamond in the rough in downtown Bristol. Many of us discovered it some time ago while others are finding out where it is every day. Troutdale Bistro, located at 724 State Street, was purchased by Charles “Chuck” Walsh and his wife Helen several months ago. The Philadelphia natives had been visiting the area for 14 years on annual jaunts to visit their son, Chris, who just happens to be Executive Chef at Troutdale Bistro. “We absolutely just fell in love with the area and we love the people,” Chuck said with a smile. “We were always looking for property for when the day came that we would retire.” Fast-forward to last year when the economy tanked and things for the Walsh’s had them beckoning for a move to Bristol, Tennessee. Suddenly Chuck found himself laid off from his management position and even though Helen maintained her position also a manager and accountant for a retail company, the couple decided to sell their house in Philadelphia as well as other property Chuck inherited in New Jersey and move to Bristol. Amazingly, full-price offers came in within a week for their properties and “We just picked up and moved,”
Chuck said. The rest, as they say, is history. An opportunity to purchase Troutdale Bistro lock, stock and barrel appealed to them especially when they were able to keep the pristine name “Troutdale” known throughout the area and beyond as representing the finest in dining. But the family also had a different approach to what they desired the Bistro to be. Immediately they began
What people are saying about Troutdale Bistro To: Chuck and Helen Walsh: “I have just returned to my office after enjoying a fine meal at Troutdale Bistro. I have found it to be the perfect location to talk business over lunch with my clients. The food at the Bistro is consistently delicious and thoughtfully prepared and I can count on friendly attentive service. I just wrote this note to you to thank you for all the hard work and for the good work of your entire staff.”
partnerships with local farmers who daily bring in the freshest of fruits, vegetables, eggs, meats, herbs, and fish that end up on the plates of diners for lunch and dinner every day. “We strive on excellence here,” Chuck said matter-of-factly. “We don’t
After a busy lunch, the chefs take a break in front of the restaurant on State Street in downtown Bristol.
September 2010
use anything in a package. Everything is fresh from the local produce to our meats, chicken, fish and lamb.” So successful is the partnership with local farmers you’ll find their photos on the walls of the restaurant. “We’ve very proud of the food we serve,” Chris Walsh says, who also teaches cooking classes at the Bristol Farmer’s Market and elsewhere in the region. “I’m passionate about what I do and so are the other members of the kitchen staff all the way down to our servers. When you come here for a meal, you’re not only getting quality . . .you know it came from the best local sources possible. You’re not going to get anything like the food we serve here. We make everything from scratch from our breads to our deserts to our pasta and sauces.” The Walsh’s Philadelphia Italian influence resonates throughout the menu at Troutdale Bistro. Their Angus sirloin Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches that are the Friday feature are the talk of the town as well as their hot Italian sausage dishes. A recent visit to the Bistro kitchen revealed a dozen people scurrying back and forth preparing fresh dishes for business patrons and tourists who stop downtown to shop. Chris Walsh has years of experience as a chef having worked within the Troutdale organization for years and the Ridgefield’s Country Club. “The 16 people who work here are really a team and I can’t say enough about what together they offer,” Chuck Walsh said. “Great food, great wait staff in an excellent atmosphere is what you’ll find at Troutdale Bistro.” Chris added the fact that diners can request special meals. “We can accommodate customers who might want a vegetarian meal or if someone has diabetes and needs to refrain from certain dishes we can prepare what they want. We want people to come here and enjoy a great meal, tell their friends and come back. I’m very pas-
Executive Chef Chris Walsh prepares fresh vegetables from a local farm.
Chef Steve Burse cooks homemade pasta in the kitchen.
sionate about what I do and all of us who work here have set high standards and we want to give our customers a great dining experience.” Troutdale Bistro is being recommended by hotels along the interstate and visitors from all over the country are stopping in for lunch and dinner. “We’ve had people come in from Washington D.C., San Francisco, Chicago and Canada,” Chuck reports. “We even had a gentleman in her from Philadelphia that said our Philly Cheese steak was better than what he could be in Philly,” he said Steve and Chris display another with a chuckle. “That’s the ultimate delectable pasta lunch ready to compliment!” serve.
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Kingsport Mayor Has Drive & Determination in Uncertain Times Kingsport, TN. — “Being mayor, I have found, is the ability of an average person to use the office of mayor to assemble outstanding people in order to achieve amazing results regardless of who gets the credit,” Kingsport Mayor Dennis R. Phillips said matter-of-factly in a recent interview with Out ‘N About Magazine. Well, if the recent growth of the City of Kingsport is any indication of the need for Phillips’ management style the proof is in the pudding as the saying goes. In uncertain times, the mayor of five years has been at the helm of many projects on the city’s present drawing board reaching $20 million in investments. Passionate about the revitalization of downtown Kingsport, a $4 million parking garage will be built just down the road, the city in a partnership with the “Y”, and will soon result in the construction of a $15 million aquatic center. . .all done without raising taxes. In fact, the City of Kingsport saw $2 million evaporate from its sales tax revenue this past year. Still, Phillips, a former banker and cabinet member of past Gov. Ned Ray McWherter’s administration, doesn’t let a sour economy get him down. In his Welcome to Kingsport letter on the city’s web site, Phillips beats the Kingsport drum like the leader of a marching band. “We’ve seen tremendous new retail development and registered $425 million in new commercial and residential development in only three years,” he Mayor Dennis Phillips in his Kingsport City Hall office points out. “Renaissance that is the envy of the region.” Even the local newspaper seemed to agree as it ran a recent editorial lauding the mayor and his fellow board members for pouring millions of dollars into local parks with the help of local, state and federal government funds as well as local businesses partnerships to make progress happen. Phillips is a fan and attendee of the Downtown Concert Series an idea he said was admittedly stole from Greenville, South Carolina. “Hundreds and thousands of people converge on downtown Kingsport on Thursday and Friday nights,” he observed. “We’ve made a concentrated effort on supporting and reinvigorating our downtown. I credit our vice-mayor with coming up with the idea. It’s become hugely popular.” What good and bad about being mayor in a city known as the home of Tennessee Eastman? “The best part (of being mayor) is seeing the accomplishments that we’ve been able to see and the worst part is trying to operate in an economic downturn never seen before and to think what we could have accomplished in better (economic) times.” Saying the city has enough projects to “stay busy for the next year” the mayor still isn’t sitting on his laurels so-to-speak. He hopes the downtown parking garage will spark new commercial development by partnering with developers who could commit to taking some of the “extra space” to develop condos, apartments and retail businesses in conjunction with the new garage. He also has personally been courting the family owned General Mast Store of Asheville, N.C. as perhaps a retail anchor in one of the few empty downtown buildings. However, that opportunity may have to wait out the depressed economy. Still, there is much ----------------------------------------------------------------------------to celebrate in Kingsport as the downtown has seen an uptick of investment and MAYOR DENNIS PHILLIPS FACTOID activity recently and those projects Mayor Phillips talks about have been funded Big fan of Broadway. Visits New York City frequently to see through creative financing and not property tax hikes. live theatre. “I think the Board (of Mayor and Aldermen) has done a good job setting • Has seen only three movies the past (umpteen) years. directions and the city staff has done an outstanding job making cuts as See above. necessary to stay within our budget. We all thought 2010 was going to be • He and his family are University of Miami football fans. a recovery year economically but it wasn’t. So, we will continue to make the necessary adjustments until we work ourselves out of the recession. We have Although no family member ever attended the univera healthy reserve (fund) and while we have scaled back spending and not sity. At age 9, his son, James picked the team and the filled some vacant positions, we have not scaled back city services and I’m family has been fans ever since. proud of that.”
• Family: Wife, Bobbie and son James. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Out ‘ N About Magazine
September 2010
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18 SCREENS AND 20 TAPS
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Out ‘ N About Magazine