Carter County Living - Winter Edition

Carter County Living Arts H Shopping

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Living

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Food

winter 2021

Fiddlin’ Carson Peters...

An All-American boy with a God-given talent

Oden Parlier A Young Davy Crockett

Scott Morgan Calling it like he sees it

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Carter County Living As we were planning the winter edition of Carter County Living, I started thinking.

This time four years ago we were planning our first Carter County Living Magazine.

My mind went quickly recalling all my thoughts from that time: you don’t know anything about putting out a magazine; how do you plan if you have never done one before?; what stories do you choose?; will the photography be good enough? I have been known to overthink things.

We finally launched the first Carter County Living in December 2017. One thing that I have learned from launching the magazine is that you don’t have to wait until everything is perfect; you can keep improving with every issue. I believe we have done that and feel this issue is the best magazine that we have done. Excitement filled the air after our staff meeting to discuss story ideas for this edition of Carter County Living. We believe you will understand our excitement when you read this edition.

On the cover of our winter issue of Carter County Living, we have Carson Peters, a normal high school kid who paints himself in 30-degree weather to watch an EHS football game. But Peters isn’t just a normal teenager. The Elizabethton High senior performs around the region with his band, Iron Mountain. He has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry stage with Ricky Skaggs — where he explained the difference between a fiddle and a violin by saying that a fiddle has “strangs” and a violin, “strings.” Peters has shared the stage with Betty White on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. And, most recently the up-and-coming country and bluegrass musician competed in NBC’s “The Voice” competition, showcasing his talents on a national stage.

Thanks to his love of the outdoors and an affinity for making videos, a 10-yearold in Stoney Creek is making a name for himself around the country.

Hunter Elementary student Oden Parlier has developed a robust following for his YouTube channel, “Oden on the Trail,” in which he highlights his daily adventures in the beautiful area he calls home.

Parlier created his YouTube channel

Staff General Manager Delaney Scalf delaney.scalf@elizabethton.com Editorial Director rozella Hardin rozella.hardin@elizabethton.com Human Resources brandy trivett brandy.trivett@elizabethton.com Customer Service Kathy Scalf kathy.scalf@elizabethton.com Operations Manager Scott Scalf scott.scalf@elizabethton.com Marketing Consultant joyce bartlett joyce.bartlett@elizabethton.com linda jenkins linda jenkins@elizabethton.com Copy Editor janie mckinney janie.mckinney@elizabethton.com Composing robin johnson robin.johnson@elizabethton.com Sports ivan sanders ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com News Nic Miller nic.miller@elizabethton.com Star Correspondents Cara McCloud

late last year and has amassed hundreds of subscribers, an impressive statistic for such a short time.

Another feature in this issue is Alex Campbell crafting the unwanted into family heirlooms.

When you visit Campbell’s shop you will see a spray of hot metal chips fly behind the grinder as Campbell works to create the perfect edge on a new knife he has been creating for a couple of days.

So how did an educator in the Elizabethton School System learn to turn raw steel and deer antler into knives that can be passed down for generations to come?

It was a deep love of history and wanting to participate in the frontier day activities at Sycamore Shoals State Park. To date, Campbell has completed 300 in his five years of knife-making.

As football season gets underway in Roan Mountain, one tradition is as familiar as the sight of players in helmets and pads: the voice of Scott Morgan streaming across the PA system on Friday nights.

Morgan, a graduate of Cloudland High’s Class of 1989, has been the Voice of the Highlanders for 33 years.

Carter County and the surrounding areas of the Appalachian Region are home to many different rhythms: country, bluegrass and folk music among the most popular. But local dance instructor Kimberly Mullinex wants to bring a bit of Ireland to the rhythm of the county.

Mullinex, who is originally from Hampton, moved to Boston earlier in life but eventually made her way back home where she teaches Irish dancing classes for Appalachian Irish Dance Company at Watts Dance Studio where she teaches approximately 40 students, split between children and adults.

These are just a few amazing stories in this issue that remind us what makes Carter County what it is today, the greatest place on earth to live.

We hope you enjoy this issue, and if you know of anyone that would make a great story, please let me know at delaney. scalf@elizabethton.com.

Contributing Photographers randall bennett brandon hyde 4

ARTS & CULTURE FEATURES

16 Scott Morgan

6 Kim Mullinex Local dance instructor looks to share what she loves in the art of Irish dancing.

8 Have You Been Spotted

Enjoys being the voice behind the mic for Cloudland Athletics.

Food

28 Americano Steakhouse Learning from every position, style, and people leads to opportunities

19 Why I Love Carter County

Check out these photos from area events

10 Upcoming Events Plan ahead for these favorite events.

12 Why Carter County Dugger Family Monuments

LIVING

20 Fiddlin’ Carson Peters An All-American boy with a God-given talent.

33 Cheesecake Makes a decadent Valentine’s Day treat.

34 French Silk Celebrate chocolate with a rich, homemade cake.

14 A young Davy Crockett Oden Parlier creates adventuring content on YouTube while also giving back.

24 Alex Campbell Crafting the unwanted into family heirlooms.

Carter County Livin ART S H SHO PPI NG

On the Cover

It’s Friday night at Citizens Bank Stadium and football fans are gathering to watch the Elizabethton Cyclones. The Cyclone Boys gather in the front row of the students’ section as they do for every home football game, and in their midst is a young man whose talents have taken him from the Grand Ol’ Opry to national television.

But on this fall Friday night, Carson Peters is just a member of the Cyclone Boys, here to cheer on his classmates.

“I am just a normal high school kid that will paint himself in 30-degree weather and go watch a ballgame,” Peters said. “It’s that type of dumb stuff teenagers do.”

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Fiddlin’ Carson Peters...

An

All-American boy with a God-given tal ent

Oden Parli

er

A Young Da vy Crockett

Scott Mor

gan

Calling it lik e he sees it

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Irish Dance teacher Kim Mullinex looks on as students in the children’s class perform skips during warm-ups.

Local dance instructor looks to share what she loves in the art of Irish dancing

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arter County and the surrounding areas of the Appalachian Region are home to many different rhythms: country, bluegrass and folk music among the most popular. But local dance instructor Kimberly Mullinex wants to bring a bit of Ireland to the rhythm of the county.

Mullinex, who is originally from Hampton, moved to Boston earlier in life but eventually made her way back home where she teaches Irish dancing classes for Appalachian Irish Dance Com-

Story and Photos by Nic Miller

history and traditions that bring life to the dances.

“What our dance company is working towards is being a fullout performance company, but also adhering to the traditional ideals of Irish dancing. Those who take the class learn all of the appropriate dances they are supposed to know as well as the history of the dance, but they also learn about the history of the people and the Gaelic language.

It’s really an immersion into the culture,” said Mullinex.

Mullinex currently teaches

pany at Watts Dance Studio.

“I am originally from this area, and I moved to Boston where I took up Irish dancing and was apparently pretty good at it,” said Mullinex. “What I do at Watts Dance Studio now is basically bring that same idea of traditional Irish dancing to this area. Our region has such a rich heritage of Scotch-Irish anyway, so I offer those classes to kids and adults both; it’s such a great introduction into an incredible dance form.”

To Mullinex, Irish dancing is not just about the dance, but the 6

approximately 40 students, split between children and adults.

“Adults have so much more on their plate,” Mullinex said about the distinction between the adults and the children she teaches.

“They are parents, they work, and this is their thing that they can come to and turn everything else off. It is something that is just as much about your brain as it is your muscles, and it allows them to step out and learn something new and to learn how to work together with one another.”

Mullinex has collected some

Appalachian Irish Dance Company dance teacher instructs her students during her Friday class.

Irish dance teacher Kim Mullinex poses with her children’s dance class during their Friday class.

“It works your brain and your body and it is great at building self-esteem and self-confidence as well as a great work ethic.You get what you put into it, and the hard work pays off. I am very individualized when I teach because we should all have the ability to learn how to do Irish dancing.”

—Kimberly Mullinex well-deserved hardware on her Irish dancing journey.

“Before the group I was with finally won the North American Championship, we had been multiple times and placed but had never won,” said Mullinex.

“When we eventually won, I was 43 years old and was not the oldest person on that team. The group of women that I won the North American Championship with became some of my best friends because of our love for Irish dancing.”

Mullinex looks at the opportunity to teach the people of Carter County an art form that is so special to her as a dream come true.

performing in Johnson City around Saint Patrick’s Day, but at this point we are trying to take on more bookings and performance opportunities. We just performed at the Christmas Parade but before that we have performed at Covered Bridge Days and the Bonnie Kate,” she said.

Mullinex encourages anyone interested to come give the class a try. “The first class is always free because I want the dancer to know if it is something they would like to try more often, and I encourage people to give it a try.

“It works your brain and your body and it is great at building self-esteem and self-confidence

“It has been my lifelong dream to come back home and teach, and I am getting that opportunity now. I am just trying to introduce something that took my heart. It is my passion and I love to teach and I love Irish dancing.

“We are actually bringing in someone form Great Britain who is going to do an Irish dance workshop in March,” she said. “We are already booking our first Saint Patrick’s Day performances, and are going to see ‘Rhythm of the Dance’ at Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Greeneville, where the group will get to meet the cast and crew as well as be backstage.

“As of right now, we will be

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as well as a great work ethic. You get what you put into it, and the hard work pays off. I am very individualized when I teach because we should all have the ability to learn how to do Irish dancing,” said Mullinex.

Mullinex teaches classes twice a week, with adult classes taking place on Thursdays and children’s classes on Fridays.

For more information, visit @ irishdanceco on instagram or Appalachian Irish Dance Company on Facebook. Classes are ongoing and new beginner sessions will begin in January. Those interested in learning more can contact Mullinex at (912) 429-6762.

SPOTTED You’ve Been

Caleb Kent

Fred Ost

Benny Whittemore

Rev. Jody Bewley Bradley Carpenter

Photos by: Randall Bennett & Brandon Hyde

Ornel Burker

Trond Shepard

Jamie Carpenter

Sue Tinker and David Carpenter

Steve Vanzant

Cameron Schaffner

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Jonah Calhoun

SPOTTED You’ve Been

Mark Dotson

Debbie Dotson

Angela Hurst

Photos by: Randall Bennett & Brandon Hyde

Teresa Rodriguez

Bailee VanHuss and Lillie Vest

Michelle Taylor

Karen Norman

Gabe Taylor

Kathryn Taylor

Eli Baker and Landon Hughes

Cagney Bennett and Debbie Gouge

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Adam and Carter Copeland

UPCOMING EVENTS

Plan ahead with fun happenings across Carter County Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park January 6 Carter Mansion Guided Tour - 1 - 2 p.m. - Price is $0.00 6 and under, $5.00 Ages 7 to 17 and $9.00 for adults. Register for the event. Meet at Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion 1031 Broad Street, Elizabethan, TN. 37643.

Join Park Ranger Cory Franklin for a tour of Tennessee’s oldest frame house! Enjoy the detailed 18th century interiors, hand carved moldings, and overmantle paintings as you visit this elegant frontier home built by Col. John Carter between 1775 and 1780. Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.

January 7 Sabine Hill Guided Tour - 1 - 2 p.m. - Price is $0.00 6 and under, $5.00 Ages 7 to 17 and $9.00 for adults. Register for the event. Meet at Sabine Hill Historic Site.

Join Park Ranger Cory Franklin for a guided tour of this stately home built by Mary Patton Taylor, widow of Brigadier General Nathaniel Taylor. The site has been described as one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in the State of Tennessee.

During your tour you will have the opportunity to take in the colorful and architecturally detailed interior while learning about the influential Taylor family who called Sabine Hill home in the early 19th century. Sabine Hill is located at 2328 West G Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643 Please note, only portable toilet facilities are available at this time.

Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.

January 8 Old Christmas at Fort Watauga - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Meet

at Fort Watauga. Christmas isn’t over yet! Christmas in Colonial America was a twelve day celebration ending on January 5th, or “Twelfth Night”. European migrants brought Old World holiday traditions to America, from the Dutch Sinterklaas to the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Discover the European roots of our modern holiday celebrations. Contact the park for detailed schedule.

January 9 Old Christmas at Fort Watauga - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Meet at Fort Watauga. Christmas isn’t over yet! Christmas in Colonial America was a twelve day celebration ending on January 5th, or “Twelfth Night”. European migrants brought Old World holiday traditions to America, from the Dutch Sinterklaas to the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Discover the European roots of our modern holiday celebrations. Contact the park for detailed schedule.

Wattage Valley Art League Meeting and Guest Speaker - 1:30 p.m. Meet at Park Visitor Center. All are welcome to join our area artists for their monthly meeting, highlighted by an art related presentation. This month Mr. Travis Graves, Chairman of the ETSU Art Department, will be presenting on sculptures.

January 13 Sabine Hill Guided Tour - 1 - 2 p.m. - Price is $0.00 6 and under, $5.00 Ages 7 to 17 and $9.00 for adults. Register for the event. Meet at Sabine Hill Historic Site.

Join Park Ranger Jason Davis for

a guided tour of this stately home built by Mary Patton Taylor, widow of Brigadier General Nathaniel Taylor.

The site has been described as one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in the State of Tennessee.

During your tour you will have the opportunity to take in the colorful and architecturally detailed interior while learning about the influential Taylor family who called Sabine Hill home in the early 19th century. Sabine Hill is located at 2328 West G Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643 Please note, only portable toilet facilities are available at this time.

Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.

January 15

Audition for Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals - 1 -5 p.m. Register for the event.

Meet at Park Visitor Center. Interested in performing in Tennessee’s official outdoor drama? We invite you to audition for this fun and unique interpretation of the American Revolution as told by the Overmountain Men: colonists who defied British law and settled on Cherokee lands. Our 2022 performances will be held in June this year, so mark your calendars now!

2022 Performance Dates: Friday & Saturday: June 3rd & 4th; and June 10th & 11th Thursday, Friday & Saturday: June 16th, 17th, & 18th; and June 23rd, 24th, & 25th Please call park office for more details.

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January 16

Fellowship English Country Dancing - 1:30 - 4 p.m. Meet at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center. Beginners and seasoned dancers alike are all welcome!

The afternoon will include the opportunity to learn dances from the early 19th century. No cost to attend. Open to anyone, with or without experience or a partner. Meet in the Visitor Center. Sponsored by the Sabine Hill Social Society.

January 17

Carter Mansion Guided Tour - 1 - 2 p.m. - Price is $0.00 6 and under, $5.00 Ages 7 to 17 and $9.00 for adults. Register for the event. Meet at Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion 1031 Broad Street, Elizabethan, TN. 37643.

Join Park Ranger Jason Davis for a tour of Tennessee’s oldest frame house! Enjoy the detailed 18th century interiors, hand carved moldings, and overmantle paintings as you visit this elegant frontier home built

by Col. John Carter between 1775 and 1780. Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase.

Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.

January 22

Sabine Hill Guided Tour - 11 a.m. - 12 Noon. - Price is $0.00 6 and under, $5.00 Ages 7 to 17 and $9.00 for adults. Register for the event. Meet at Sabine Hill Historic Site.

Join Museum Curator Chad Bogart for a guided tour of this stately home built by Mary Patton Taylor, widow of Brigadier General Nathaniel Taylor. The site has been described as one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in the State of Tennessee.

During your tour you will have the opportunity to take in the colorful and architecturally detailed interior while learning about the influential Taylor family who called Sabine Hill home in the early 19th century. Sa-

UPCOMING EVENTS

Plan ahead with fun happenings across Carter County bine Hill is located at 2328 West G Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643 Please note, only portable toilet facilities are available at this time.

Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.

January 23

Audition for Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals - 1 -5 p.m. Register for the event. Meet at Park Visitor Center. Interested in performing in Tennessee’s official outdoor drama? We invite you to audition for this fun and unique interpretation of the American Revolution as told by the Overmountain Men: colonists who defied British law and settled on Cherokee lands. Our 2022 performances will be held in June this year, so mark your calendars now!

2022 Performance Dates: Friday & Saturday: June 3rd & 4th; and June 10th & 11th Thursday, Friday & Saturday: June 16th, 17th, & 18th; and June 23rd, 24th, & 25th Please call park office for more details.

Old Time Music Jam - Led by Art Lang - 1:30 - 4 p.m. - Meet at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center. Enjoy the rich musical traditions of our region each month.

Old time musicians of all levels are welcome. Don’t play and instrument? Come on over, kick back, and enjoy the tunes!

Carter Mansion Guided Tour - 2 - 3 p.m. - Price is $0.00 6 and under, $5.00 Ages 7 to 17 and $9.00

for adults. Register for the event.

Meet at Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion 1031 Broad Street, Elizabethan, TN. 37643.

Join Museum Curator Chad Bogart for a tour of Tennessee’s oldest frame house! Enjoy the detailed 18th century interiors, hand carved moldings, and overmantle paintings as you visit this elegant frontier home built by Col. John Carter between 1775 and 1780. Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.

Roan Mountain State Park Friday, January 7

Craft Night - 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Price is Free. Register for the event. Meet at the Conference Center. Whether you’re into needlework, fiber arts, hot glue, or something completely original, we’d love to meet you! We’ll be gathering in the conference center to socialize & work on our various craft projects. The timeline of the gathering is loose, so don’t worry if you can’t come right at 5pm, just stop by anytime after 5pm.

Bring your latest project to work on and a treat to share! The park will provide tables, chairs, a fire & hot coffee.

Saturday, January 8

Historic Weapon Range: The Atlatl - 3 - 4:30 p.m. - Price is $8.00 and register for the event.

Meet at Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground. Learn the art of science of the historical ranged hunting weapon, the atlatl, with Park Ranger Phil Hylen starting at 3:00PM on Saturday, January 8th at Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground. Participants will step onto our histori weapons range to try their hand at hunting the prehistoric way.

This program is limited to 15 participants with a registration fee

of $8.00 per person. This is an out- earning your very own ore and geodes to break open. door program, so be sure to dress This program is limited to 10 for cold and possible rainy weather. individuals with a registration cost of $10.00 per person. Guests are Friday, January 14, encouraged to wear good hiking Saturday January 15, shoes and dress for cold and posSunday, January 16 sible wet weather.

Logan with Wendy: Building a Winter Fire - 7 p.m. - Price Saturday, January 29 is $12.00 and register for the event.

Winter Tree Finding - 10 Meet at the Conference Center. Join - 11:30 a.m. Price is $10.00/Particiyoga instructor Wendy Smith for pant + Book. Register for the event. a relaxing fireside yoga & guided Meet at Camper Check-In. It can be meditation experience. Each tricky to identify tree species after workshop is suitable for yogis of the leaves have fallen, but there all levels and hosted in the Roan are other clues we can use to help Mountain State Park Conference us. Join Ranger O’Day for a winter Center. walk in the woods and learn how Yoga sessions will be offered 4 to identify common trees in winter times over the weekend: by looking at twigs, bark, and other • Friday, January 14th at 7pm features. We’ll travel along the • Saturday, January 15th at Fred Behrend trail for less than two 10am - 11:20 am miles, stopping along the way to • Saturday, January 15th at discuss what we find.

7pm Dress for the weather with • Sunday, January 16th at 10am sturdy shoes & bring a daypack • Bring an open mind, a water with water and a snack. Registrants bottle & your favorite yoga mat will also receive a copy of “Winter (if you have one, we’ll also have Tree Finder” by May Theilgaard loaners). Class size is limited Watts & Tom Watts. to 12 participants. Current CDC recommendations regarding social Saturday, February 12 distancing will be followed.

Winter Tree Finding - 2 Each workshop is $12 per per- 3:30 p.m. - Price is $10.00/Parson.Really need to get away? Make ticipant + Book and register for a weekend of it and enjoy staythe event. Meet at Camper Check ing in one of our cabins: https:// - In. It can be tricky to identify tree reserve.tnstateparks.com/roanspecies after the leaves have fallen, mountain/cabins but there are other clues we can use to help us. Join Ranger O’Day Saturday, January 22 for a winter walk in the woods and Peg Leg Mine GeoVenture learn how to identify common trees - 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Price is in winter by looking at twigs, bark, $10.00 and register for the event. and other features. We’ll travel Register for the event. Join us on Saturday, January 22nd from 10:00 along the Fred Behrend trail for less than two miles, stopping along - 11:30AM at the Visitor Center the way to discuss what we find. porch to explore the iron mining Dress for the weather with history of Roan Mountain while sturdy shoes & bring a daypack exploring the old Peg Leg Mine on a 0.5 mile hike led by Park Ranger with water and a snack. Registrants will also receive a copy of “Winter Phil Hylen. Guests will see what makes Roan Mountain so attractive Tree Finder” by May Theilgaard Watts & Tom Watts. to explorers across the world while

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Dustin Dugger, owner of Dugger Family Monuments, has opened up shop in Elizabethton to better serve families within the community.

Why Carter County - Dugger Family Monuments 1. What made you choose Carter County and Elizabethton for your services and business?

We chose Carter County because of customer feedback of wanting us to open another location closer to Elizabethton and Stoney Creek. Plus, Elizabethton is the hometown of our owner, Dustin, and his wife, Katie Dugger. Katie teaches Health Science at Elizabethton High School.

2. What is your purpose as a business? What do you do?

Our goal is to help families keep the memory of their departed loved ones alive in their hearts and honor their lives with beautiful monuments from Dugger Family Monuments. We offer custom monument design services that include personalization of the monument. Our skillful design team has over 30 years of experience and can custom-design your monument exactly to your specifications. Our experienced and skilled staff will repair your damaged monument with great care. We can also restore the beauty of bronze monuments that have lost their original luster over time. We

also can engrave the date of death on monuments.

Stop by our showroom at 501 Broad Street, Suite #2 in Elizabethton, to discuss your needs with our friendly staff. Or call 423-518-1650 for more information. You can also get a monument design for FREE. 3. How long have you been in business? We have three locations that have been in the monument business for a combined 70 years. Dugger Family Monuments opened their doors in September of 2021.

4. How long have you, personally, been working in the industry? I have been a part of the funeral and monument business for over 17 years. I have worked in the funeral service industry for most of my life, as many of my family members have been in the industry as well.

So, monument design has always been a part of my background as I had to assist families with monument design and purchases. I joined with my cousin, Travis Dugger, and we together purchased Smith and

Dugger Monuments, Telford, Porter’s Monument, Kingsport, and started Dugger Family Monuments, and have operated those businesses for several years.

5. Are you part of a franchise or are you independent?

We are family owned and operated

by Dustin Dugger and Travis Dugger.

We are not affiliated with any funeral homes.

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6. What impact do you think your services/business will have on the Carter County community? I am excited about the impact Dugger Family Monuments will have on Carter County. We have the ability to serve families in Bristol, Tenn., Johnson City, Stoney Creek, Hampton, and even into Roan Mountain and North Carolina. This location helps us reach more families which has always been our goal.

Together

145239

WE THRIVE

Skilled nursing care for higher quality of life.

423.542.4133 • LifeCareCenterofElizabethton.com 1641 Hwy. 19 E. • Elizabethton, TN 37643

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A young Davy Crockett...

Living near the Stoney Creek is an ideal setting for Oden Parlier, whose Youtube channel “Oden on the Trail” focuses on his adventures around the area.

Stoney Creek’s Oden Parlier creates adventuring content on YouTube while also giving back

T

hanks to his love of the outdoors and an affinity for making videos, a 10-year-old in Stoney Creek is making a name for himself around the country.

Hunter Elementary student Oden Parlier has developed a robust following for his YouTube channel, “Oden on the Trail,” in which he highlights his daily adventures in the beautiful area he calls home.

“On my YouTube channel, I like to go hiking, interview hostel owners, and interview people who hike the Appalachian Trail,” said Parlier. “Unlike a lot of YouTubers, I do not script anything and I just wing the entire thing. I was going to do that with

Story and Photos by Nic Miller

this interview, but my Nann told me I should practice.”

Parlier created his YouTube channel late last year and has amassed hundreds of subscribers, an impressive statistic for such a short time.

“Last time I checked my YouTube, I had 444 subscribers, and I have just about every social media you can think of. I have a YouTube channel, TikTok page, Facebook page, and Instagram,” said Parlier.

“I have interviewed some really cool people who have hiked the Appalachian Trail,” Parlier said, “including ‘The Hawk’, who has done the trail six times; the oldest person to hike the Appalachian Trail; and one of the youngest kids to hike the trail,

Oden Parlier hopes to donate over 100 meals to families in need by the end of 2021.

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‘Supergirl’, who hiked it with her mom.

“I also do gear reviews for children’s hiking gear,” said Parlier.

When asked why he enjoys making content for the world to see, Parlier’s answer was short and sweet: “My favorite part about making YouTube videos is mainly that I get to have fun doing what I love.”

The 10-year-old also hopes to use his reach and influence to make positive changes in the lives of others.

“Right now we are doing our second ‘Oden on the Trail Food Drive,’” said Parlier. “Our first one just wrapped up and we did our first food box drop-off and donated 20 meals.

“All together, we hope to donate more than 100 meals by the end of 2021. Some boxes have meals for six, some for four, and some for two. Last year we fed around 30 people and this year’s goal is 100 which we will beat.”

And this plan of giving back to the community is not short-term. “I plan to keep doing food drives and donating food for as long as I can. I love doing it because it means that there are less people that end up hungry.”

Parlier raises money on his Facebook page, “Oden on the Trail” and also highlights it in some YouTube videos, raising awareness for the cause. “We had a Facebook fundraiser and were able to raise about $1,200, and all of the donations together were around $2,000.”

In the future, Parlier plans to expand his platform by finding more areas to hike for his audience.

“So far, we have hiked a few sections of the Appalachian Trail, and around the area we hiked a part of Little Stoney to a natural swimming hole,” said Parlier. “We have some more goals. We are hoping to get to the Smokies and do Mount Leconte in the spring.”

And down the road, Parlier has even bigger aspirations. “We were thinking about hiking the entirety of the Appalachian Trail when I turn 18, so I have got to start training for that.”

Oden Parlier, star of the YouTube Channel “Oden on the Trail,” loves to document his outdoor adventures.

Oden Parlier’s Youtube channel “Oden on the Trail” is not only about his adventures, as he also highlights information about his continuing food drive.

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Scott Morgan is flexible in his role as the “Voice of the Highlanders” as he is as comfortable doing baseball as football.

Morgan enjoys being the voice behind the mic for Cloudland athletics

A

s football season gets underway in Roan Mountain, one tradition is as familiar as the sight of players in helmets and pads: the voice of Scott Morgan streaming across the PA system on Friday nights.

Morgan, a graduate of Cloudland High’s Class of 1989, has been the Voice of the Highlanders for 33 years.

“It’s kind of a strange story,” he said. “The guy that normally did it, something happened and he got mad and left and I was just coming to the game. I got my ticket and walked to the gate and Danny Winters met me at the gate and said, ‘Scott I need

Story by Ivan Sanders and Photos Contributed & by Ivan Sanders

somebody to announce the game.’

I asked him what I needed to do and he told me just to introduce the players and the numbers ... I did it that night and for the next few weeks, Coach Oaks always saw me at the store and asked me if I was going to do the games. It evolved from that to today.”

That was in 1990 and admittedly Morgan couldn’t even remember the team that had come to Roan Mountain — only the meeting at the gate with Winters.

Being behind the mic for all those years, Morgan has witnessed some of the most memorable games for Roan

Mountain fans.

One of those games was the South Pittsburg game in 2001, a state semifinal contest with the winner advancing to the state championship.

The second to come to mind was in 2000 when the Highlanders were in TSSAA Class 2-A. The game was with the Oliver Springs Bobcats and the Highlanders were trailing 22-8 late in the contest.

Cloudland quarterback Mark Byrd went to work and led his team back to an astonishing 24-22 victory.

Although many games have been played at Orr Field, those two were the two which stuck out the most to

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Morgan.

Morgan hasn’t limited his work to football. Shortly after starting, Rik Anderson approached Morgan and asked if he would be willing to help with basketball. That was in 1990 and Morgan called games for seven years before going back to school.

He has been back now for the last four years and also did a stint with Cloudland baseball when Coach Cory Rhodes was coaching.

The last couple of years have been challenging as Morgan’s oldest son, Colin, transferred to Hampton to play baseball when Cloudland’s baseball team got shuttered. Colin also was an

a with ment pen in e l e his nk is in d and an i porting n a g s r n Mo e ha land Scott one in on ng Cloud hlanders”. ig ph uci micro her anno e of the H c t i the o as the “Vo s event

Scott Morgan giving a thumbs up from his perch at Orr Field.

Scott Morgan is recognized for his years of service by Cloudland Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Amy Horney.

instrumental part of the 2021 Hampton Bulldogs team that advanced to the Class 2-A State Championship.

With his son being at one school and he at another as the announcer, Morgan called the first five or six games of the 2021 season before a new teacher from Florida that came to Cloudland High took over for Morgan to allow him to be with his son for the remainder of his senior football campaign.

“Colin told me to continue doing the announcing at Cloudland

because I had done it for so long,” Morgan said. “I told him this was his last year and I wanted to be there for him.”

The Cloudland community has a special place in the heart of those who grow up as a Highlander.

Morgan said that the kids and the community are what keep him coming back year after year.

“The excitement on Friday nights is unreal,” Morgan said. “The only thing you talk about on Fridays is football. All the sports up here have

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Whe n Cloud n land a o t ann Morg t an en hletic eve o u n c i n g joy nt of his boat s being th s, Scott on W e cap t ataug a Lak ain e.

brought the community together. I just started and I thought it wouldn’t last long. I enjoy doing it. Since I do live feed on my page now, it helps to generate a lot more excitement.”

Morgan also serves as the youth leader at Lower Shell Creek Christian Church. He had left the church for a 15-year span to work at Valley Forge Christian Church before returning in 2016 to Lower Shell Creek.

Currently, he ministers to approximately 35 young people and is always trying to do fun things with

Scott Morgan feels like his announcing sports and being a youth minister go hand in hand as he connects with young people. Morgan currently is the youth minister at Lower Shell Creek Christian Church in Roan Mountain.

Scott Morgan says his children keep him and his wife, Aleta, hopping. Pictured are Scott, Aleta, Colin, Eli, and Kaylin Morgan.

the youth, who range in age from preschool to college. He said that the church is blessed to have that many young people as many youth groups disappeared when COVID-19 struck.

“I think it really helps because they know me and my wife, Aleta, works in the school. Being there on Friday nights and then on Sunday they see you at church. I think it makes an impact and I think that’s

what got Danny to ask me was because I started leading singing in church with my grandfather in the third grade. Kids are always looking for that connection with their youth leader.”

The Voice of the Highlanders has two other children — 15-year-old Eli and 13-year-old Kaylin. Eli plays basketball for Cloudland and Kaylin is a cheerleader and dancer at Watts Dance Studio.

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M

aster Sergeant Andrew C. Wetzel III was born on July 14, 1970 in Elizabethton, Tenn. He grew up in Northeast Tennessee. After graduating from Elizabethton High School in 1989, he enrolled at East Tennessee State University. After two years at ETSU he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and attended boot camp in 1992 at Parris Island, S.C. After boot camp he attended Marine Combat Training & School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune, N.C. After graduating from SOI, Master Sergeant Wetzel reported to Hotel Company, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines in Johnson City, Tenn. He completed his education at ETSU and received a Bachelor Degree in Education in 1995.

In 1995, Master Sergeant Wetzel was meritoriously promoted to Corporal and that same year he attended Jungle Warfare School at Fort Sherman, Panama as a squad leader. From 1996 to 1998 he served as a Platoon Sergeant/Commander for 1st Platoon Lima Co. 3/24. In 1998, Master Sergeant Wetzel attended Career Planners School in Quantico, Va., and served as Lima Co. Career Planner from 1998 to 2001. In 2000, he attended the Reserve Sergeants Course in Camp Crowder, Mo. From 2001 to 2004 Master Sergeant Wetzel was the Weapons Platoon Sergeant/Commander. During this time in 2003 he attended the Army Air Assault Course in Fort Campbell, Ky. In January of 2004, Master Sergeant Wetzel was deployed to Iraq in support of OIF II in Al Asad, Iraq where he served as Weapons Platoon Commander for Lima Co. During this tour, Lima Co. conducted combat operations providing convoy security and perimeter security for Al Asad Air Base. He remained Weapons Platoon Commander until 2005. Master Sergeant Wetzel attended the Reserve Staff NCO Career Course in 2006. From 2005 to 2008, he served as Platoon Commander for 1st Platoon at Lima Co. In 2008, he attended the Reserve Staff NCO Advance Course and also in that year became the Company Gunnery Sergeant for Lima Co. 3/24.

In May of 2009, Master Sergeant Wetzel was deployed to Iraq in support of OIF 09.2 in Al Asad, Iraq as Company Gunnery Sergeant for Lima Co. 3/24.

During this tour, Lima Co. conducted combat operations providing convoy security for Al Asad Air Base. In 2011, Master Sergeant Wetzel participated in Operation Sea Breeze 11 in the Ukraine where he served as the Company Gunnery Sergeant. Master Sergeant Wetzel was promoted to his current rank in December 2012 and attended the E-8 Seminar in May of 2013.

In July of 2013, Master Sergeant Wetzel joined Reserve Affairs in Quantico, Va. He became a Reserve Transition Coordinator for the Reserve Transition and Retention

Why Do You Love Carter County?

Program (RTRP). As a Reserve Transition Coordinator, Master Sergeant Wetzel performed over 110 Reserve Opportunities and Obligation Briefs (ROOB), educating over 3,300 Marines and Sailors on the Reserves. He also assisted in joining over 500 Active Component Marines into the Reserve Component.

In July of 2018, Master Sergeant Wetzel joined the Deployment Processing Command East in Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he worked as the Reserve Transition Coordinator until his retirement on September 1, 2019.

His personal awards include The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold stars in lieu of three awards, and The Combat Action Ribbon.

As a civilian, Master Sergeant Wetzel serves as a 23-year firefighter at Elizabethton Fire Department. His current position is Green Shift Battalion Chief. He also owns Stateline Drive-In Movie Theatre in Elizabethton, Tenn.

Master Sergeant Wetzel currently resides in Elizabethton, Tenn., with his wife of 28 years, Jenny Wetzel. They have three Marine sons, 2nd Lt. Drew Wetzel, Cpl. Ryan Wetzel (0311 Reserve), and LCpl. Nate Wetzel (0341 Reserve).

1. What do you think makes Carter County unique by comparison to other places? “Carter County is beautiful and unique because of our mountains and natural beauty. I have been all over the world and there is no place like Carter County!”

2. What is your favorite place to visit in Carter County? “My favorite place to visit is the War Memorial and Walk of Honor. The pride I feel is overwhelming when I am there. It is an honor to view all the great men and women of this county that have proudly served this great nation! And it is truly humbling to be able to pay respect to those who made the ultimate sacrifice!”

3. Do you think living in Carter County has changed you in any way? “Yes, living here has given me true sense of community that you can’t find many other places. People are polite and always willing to help!”

4. What is your favorite time of year? “I enjoy the summer here. With the mountains and the lake and the rivers there is always something to do!”

5. If you were to meet someone planning a visit to the Carter County area for the first time, what places would you tell him or her not to miss? “Anyone coming here needs to spend some time here. It is impossible to see it all in a couple of days. I would recommend they start at Sycamore Shoals and make their way to Roan Mountain. Also making sure they catch a movie at the Stateline Drive-In Theater!”

Is it the wonderful natural resources? How about the historic downtown district? Perhaps it’s the people who make up our community?

Whatever the reason, we want to know why you love it here.

Tell us why you love Carter County and you could be featured in an upcoming edition of Carter County Living. Just send us a message telling us why you love Carter County. You can reach us by email at news@elizabethton.com or you can mail it to 300 N. Sycamore Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643.

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Carson Peters performs at a concert for his hometown family and friends.

Fiddlin’ Carson Peters...

An All-American boy with a God-given talent

I

Story by Ivan Sanders and Photos Contributed & by Ivan Sanders

t’s Friday night at Citizens Bank Stadium and football fans are gathering to watch the Elizabethton Cyclones. The Cyclone Boys gather in the front row of the students’ section as they do for every home football game, and in their midst is a young man whose talents have taken him from the Grand Ol’ Opry to national television.

But on this fall Friday night, Carson Peters is just a member of the Cyclone Boys, here to cheer on his classmates.

“I am just a normal high school kid that will paint himself in 30-degree weather and go watch a ballgame,” Peters said. “It’s that type of dumb stuff teenagers do.”

But Peters isn’t just a normal teenager. The Elizabethton High senior performs around the region with his band, Iron Mountain. He has appeared on the Grand Ol’ Opry stage with Ricky Skaggs — where he explained the difference between a fiddle and a violin by saying that a fiddle has “strangs” and a violin, “strings.” Peters has shared the stage with Betty White on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. And, most recently the up-andcoming country and bluegrass musician competed in NBC’s “The Voice” competition, showcasing his talents on a national stage.

Just getting on the show was a challenge as Peters had to audition virtually and then compete through seven more auditions just to make it on the stage with a hope of getting a chair to turn. The judges for “The Voice” included Blake Shelton, John Legend, Arianna Grande, and Kelly Clarkson.

Peters was hoping that just one would turn for him when he initially took

the stage but was staggered when not one, not two, not three, but all four chairs turned after his performance.

Ultimately Peters choose Shelton to be his coach. Peters said that although Shelton tries to present a vibe that he doesn’t know as much about music theory as he acts, for Peters’ experience he said Shelton definitely does.

“It might not be as technical as the other coaches but he knows what needs to happen in a song. That was good working with Blake because I don’t know those fancy terms either so it was good. That information in a more simple way was good for me. The biggest thing that surprised me about any of the coaches was how hands on Arianna is with her team. The people that were still on the show at Thanksgiving, she had them over to her house with her family. She really did a really good job in her first season with her team,” Peters said.

“Those tears that she cries are real. We knew they were real when they were filming it. We would sneak into the wardrobe room where there was a television and every time she would cry for 20 minutes. She was having trouble keeping it together. She is a kind-hearted person and it was hard for her, especially for

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her first year.”

Peters and his mother, Robin, had to spend three months in Los Angeles for the taping and he missed the entire summer with his friends, leaving when school was out and returning just as school started back.

Meanwhile, his father didn’t get to have much interaction with his wife and son until Peters appeared on the show and his father, Jamie, became a big hit at his work.

“It was different for mom and dad because mom was with me and dad was at home,” Peters said. “With COVID, you could only take one parent. Me and mom had a good time. Most of our time was spent in the hotel room.

Being able to walk around LA together was pretty cool. When the show started airing dad got to enjoy it. We are all still in shock about it.”

And although he didn’t make it as far in the show as he wanted to, just having the experience opened his eyes after seeing all the talent that is out there fighting for record deals and a lifetime career in the music industry.

“The biggest takeaway for me is how hard I am going to have to work to establish a long-time career in music. I think being around that concentrated amount of talent just opened my eyes to how there are this many people and millions more that want it just as bad as I do and I have to start wanting it more than they do. It really gave my work ethic a kick in the butt and now I am trying to establish more connections,” Peters said.

For Peters, all his endeavors have come with an outpouring of support from people in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia and, most important, his hometown of Elizabethton.

Yet, win or lose, Carson will always be Carson.

“I am glad I go to EHS because I don’t think it would have been that way anywhere else. It’s small enough where I know everybody and they don’t have to treat me different. I can play golf and tennis,” he said.

During the fall, he has been out on the links where he has helped lead his team to several match victories. He sings with the Men’s and Mixed En-

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Carson Peters and Iron Mountain.

Peters and his group, Iron Mountain, stay busy throughout the year.

Carson Peters gets wrapped in toilet paper

by Caleb Tipton.

Carson Peters and Caleb Tipton share a laugh at a pep rally.

semble at Elizabethton High School under the tutelage of Debbie Gouge.

And just like any typical teenager who is preparing for graduation, Peters has already set his sights on where he wants to pursue his college degree. He has been accepted into Belmont University in Nashville.

Peters will major in music business which will allow him to still be involved in music in the event that touring as a music star doesn’t work out. He added that he could find himself playing fiddle for someone in the industry or even managing music acts.

But for right now, the plan is simple. “I am going to take the publicity from ‘The Voice’ and run with it as long as I can.”

Peters is all smiles after being accepted at Belmont University in Nashville.

Carson Peters and his dad, Jamie, take in a Tennessee game.

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Elizabethton Mayor Curt Alexander prepares to present a plaque to Carson Peters for being a great ambassador for Elizabethton and Carter County.

Photo by: Elizabeth Morris/NBC Contributed by Carson Peters

Carson Peters performs during “The Voice”.

Peters and his parents, Jamie and Robin, traveled to Chattanooga to cheer on the Cyclone football team in the state championship.

Photo by: Elizabeth Morris/NBC Contributed by Carson Peters

The Cyclones’ Carson Peters lines up his golf ball for a putt attempt.

Carson Peters plays the fiddle as part of his performance on “The Voice”.

Carson Peters welcomes the visiting team and leads prayer before a football game.

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Crafting the unwanted into family heirlooms Story by Ivan Sanders and Photos Contributed

A

spray of hot metal chips flies behind the grinder as Alex Campbell works to create the perfect edge on a new knife he has been creating for a couple of days. Four more blades are in different stages of being ready for the finishing touches of grinding and sanding.

To date, Campbell has completed 300 in his five years of knife making.

So how did an educator in the Elizabethton School System learn to turn raw steel and deer antler into knives that can be passed down for generations to come? It was a deep love of history and wanting to participate in the frontier day activities at Sycamore Shoals State Park.

“I love going down to Sycamore Shoals and watching those re-enactments,” Campbell said. “They have weapons, clothes, and tools like they did a hundred years ago. And I wanted to do that. I thought it would be cool to do that. I could go and help other people learn history. I started talking to them and they told me I had to get the clothes, gun, and bag and other stuff.

“I was like, ‘how much do those things cost?’ They were all hand made because in the day they were all hand made.

You can’t go to Walmart and get this stuff. You have to make it by hand or buy it from someone who had made it by hand.

I asked how much one of those guns would cost and they said $3,500. I asked about the knives and they said $300. The shoes were $200. I thought I couldn’t afford it. That’s when I thought that I would try to make it myself.”

Campbell put out a call to his hunting buddies and told them that if they killed a deer to bring the deer hide to him so he could try tanning it to make something out of it.

The call was returned by Jay Scurry, another teacher at Elizabethton High School.

“Jay told me he had rolled into school with a deer in the back of his truck,” Campbell said. “I stuffed that deer hide into a mini-fridge that I cleaned out in my room. During my planning period, I got online and looked up how to tan a deer hide. When I got home, I tanned it and it didn’t turn out well. It was hard and stiff and it made me mad.

“I had to get another one and then another and another and finally I eventually got to where I could decently tan a deer hide. Those first ones were so tough that you could make a suit of armor and not a shirt out of them. So, I started to think what I could do with a tough deer hide. I thought that I could make a knife sheath and I didn’t even have a knife.”

Campbell had 10 deer hides in his outbuilding and realized he needed to do something with them. He decided to

Alex Campbell quenches a blade.

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This sheek knife would be perfect for butchering fresh meat for the freezer.

start making bags, knife sheaths, and other items.

But the yearning to make knives still burned deep, and he knew he needed a forge to heat the metal.

He was given a one-brick forge that could only forge a six-inch piece of metal. He soon discovered that to create a longer blade, the metal could be flipped around to forge the other end.

Pretty soon, Campbell had mastered the art.

“Getting a good edge profile on it” is the most critical part, Campbell said. “It has to be smooth and has to be one angle. If you have a lot of money you can go buy a machine that has a ‘jig’ in it that holds the blade at the exact angle and you just turn on a grinder and it will sand it perfectly. I hold it by hand and eyeball it and try not to sand my finger off. To get a really good blade profile makes it cut really good.”

And while there are varying opinions on what type of metal makes the best knives, Campbell has his own favorite.

Campbell searches for the large old circular sawmill blades from a hundred years ago which he says have amazing steel in them. He will spend $100 for one of the blades, bringing it home to cut and forge.

And to expedite the number of blades he can forge, he recently purchased a two-burner forge.

“You do not make one knife from

Alex Campbell sends a shower of hot sparks as he grinds on a blade.

With business picking up, Campbell’s wife, Brittney, helps by sanding a knife blade.

25

beginning to end; that would take forever,” Campbell said. “It has to lay in the forge for a few minutes to get hot, so I usually have something else that I am working on. Right now, I have five knives going at the same time.

“While one is in the forge, I have something else going on over here.

And while I temper that one, I am doing something over here. It usually takes three days to finish a knife.

There might be two to three knives. I am not working eight hours a day on just one knife.”

He said one of the most challenging custom knives he tackled was for a customer who wanted a three-part handle with antler, some type of metal, and then a horn, and wanted an S-shaped guard made of Damascus and a blade made of Damascus.

Damascus steel was forged steel in the blades of swords smithed in the Near East from ingots of Wootz steel either imported from Southern India or made in production centers in Sri Lanka, or Khorasan, Iran.

Besides making knives, Campbell also has learned the craft of making powder horns intended to keep gun powder dry.

“Powder horns are the hardest thing to make,” Campbell said. “Basically you take this hard thing that was on a cow’s head and turn it into something awesome. You cut the horn off and there are two ways to get the stuff out of the interior of the horn. You can either bury it or boil it out.

“Boiling it you can do in a few minutes but it stinks. Burying it takes six months but it doesn’t stink. You have to sand forever to get it where it’s smooth.

You have to make it air tight as well so I do a two-part stopper. I put a piece of wood that fits perfectly over the horn opening and then I put another piece on top of it called the cap.”

What makes the powder horn so delicate is the process it takes to put a design on the outside. The process might take a week just to put the scratches on it and then ink has to be filled into the scratches. From start to finish it takes weeks and weeks to get the powder horn ready to be sold.

Campbell uses the summer months to focus on the powder horns due to the time constraints of making them. He said it has also become harder and harder to find American cattle with white horns.

Campbell sells his products through Laurel Fork Primitives and has shipped to customers in China, Germany, Finland, Portugal and Canada.

While history pulled him into the art, being able to craft custom pieces for customers has kept Campbell engaged. Customers, such as the person who brought the antlers of a buck killed by his late grandfather, inspire Campbell, who turned those antlers into knives for the family heirlooms.

When all is said and done, Campbell said it was not about the number of knives, powder horns, bags, or shoes made; it’s about knowing that you have been able to take something that many thought was worthless and nothing more than waste and turn it into something that can be appreciated for years to come.

Putting an edge on a blade is a critical part of knife making.

A uniquely shaped knife created by Alex Campbell.

26

A knife and sheath hand made by Alex Campbell.

Two blades lie in the forge heating up to be shaped.

A powder horn hand made from a cow’s horn by Alex Campbell.

Just one of many of the powder horns created by Alex Campbell.

An elegant handle adorns this knife blade with a hand stitched sheath.

27

Americano Steakhouse — the Hawaiian Ribeye with a loaded baked potato.

Learning from every position, style, and people leads to opportunities

A

Story & Photos by Cara McCloud

n experience restauranteur, Troy Boane battled the challenges of a global pandemic when opening his new restaurant in Roan Mountain.

Boane developed the idea for the restaurant in June 2019, and despite the challenging landscape was able to open the doors on Aug. 2, 2021.

With more than 36 years of restaurant experience, Boane brings a unique perspective to this venture. His career began in high school, working in a fast-food chain. Over the years, he worked

with pillars of the restaurant industry, including Damian Mandola and Johnny Carrabba, who founded the eponymous restaurant chain. Boane’s contacts also include the founders of Outback Steakhouse and Chris Parker, who founded Bonefish Grill in 2000.

Boane’s resume includes operating Houston’s, part of the Hillstone Restaurant Group and Seasons 52, which is part of the Darden Restaurant Group, a Fortune 500 company. He was instrumental in the creation of Calistoga Bakery Café, which eventually drew support from John

Americano Steakhouse — a side salad as an accompaniment to any entree.

Schnatter, founder of Papa John’s Pizza.

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While Boane has cooked $5 pizzas and gourmet meals for

$5,000-per-plate wine dinners, he said he is excited to bring his experience to Carter County.

“Roan Mountain was and is a beautiful, incorporated village community with some of the nicest and caring residents I have ever known,” he said.

Boane said he believes great food comes not only from following a recipe but from the hands and hearts of those who create the cuisine, which many in this area will agree with when someone tries to replicate their grandmother’s favorite dish. Love merely adds to the flavor of the fresh ingredients Boane is insistent upon using.

At Americano Steakhouse, every detail is considered to make sure the entire experience is up to his standards, from something as simple as a chilled salad plate to a perfectly seasoned hand-cut steak or salmon filet.

He believes standards and trust are the key to providing an excellent meal and service, and he works to develop his team through intelligent dialogue and collaboration. Thus, discussions can be made, lessons can be taught and learned, and respect is cultivated for all multi-directionally.

With a menu focused on fresh, locally sourced items, Americano’s also seeks to cater to guests’ needs, including many gluten-free dishes. Highlights of the menu include a 12-ounce center-cut Hawaiian Ribeye, which is marinated in a secret sauce that includes pineapple, soy and fresh ginger; gourmet burgers with a custom blend of beef, served on brioche buns; and seasoned fries that benefit from a 24-hour preparation process.

Desserts include a popular Italian Tiramisu made with imported lady fingers doused in espresso and coffee liquor and layered with sweet mascarpone; the Carver’s Gap Chocolate Cake, of which a colossal 12-layer slice

Americano Steakhouse — Salmon topped with artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, and a house lemon-butter sauce.

Americano Steakhouse in Roan Mountain brings a different dining experience for its guests.

Americano Steakhouse — Italian Tiramisu.

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Terri Hughes prepares to serve guests their meals.

is perfect for sharing; and Key Lime Pie made with the freshest possible ingredients.

For diners seeking something other than steaks, the menu features fresh garden salads from locally sourced greens; a Mediterranean salmon dish that includes an 8-ounce hand-cut filet, fire-grilled, and topped with fresh tomatoes, mixed olive, and feta cheese; the Sunburst Trout, which is sustainably Americano Steakhouse — Italian Tiramisu. raised from waters in the Shining Rock National Wilderness; and Chicken Marsala, served in a large eightounce fire-grilled portion, topped with mushrooms and then finished with Marsala wine sauce.

Due to zoning laws, the restaurant does not serve alcohol but do invite patrons to bring their own to be enjoyed appropriately.

The Americano Steakhouse is open 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Reservations and carryout are available.

For more information, call 423-481-1201. The restaurant is located at 8362 US-19E, Roan Mountain.

Nathan Hyde carries two fresh salads to a guest’s table.

Americano Steakhouse — Key Lime Pie.

The ambience created when one walks through the door brings comfort and relaxation for an enjoyable dining experience.

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•FBI-TBI background Apply at: check www.dawnof •Drug-Free Workplace hope.com •Excellent benefit plan or in person at: Requirements: 500 East Oakland Ave •S.S Card Johnson City, TN 37601 •Tennessee DL Monday-Friday •Vehicle Liability 8am-4pm Insurance •HS Diploma/GED No NOW HIRING •Direct Calls, Apply-online: Support Professionals www.comcareinc.com •Facility & Community EOE Based Day Program •DSP’s LPN •Must be licensed •Supported Living as a Licensed Practical (Residential) DSP’s Nurse in Tennessee •Job Coaches These •Knowledge of positions assist people basic principles and with intellectual practices of nursing disabilities in •Assists Direct multiple settings Support Staff in the with supportive day support and care to day care, explore of developmental meaningful interests, disabled individuals in work and community a home environment integrated activities, or agency setting with and community particular emphasis on relationships. medical needs •Experience with •Starting pay is intellectual disabilities/ $15-$19 per hour mental health is depending on field desired but not exp •Very low stress mandatory •12 hour shifts in •Strong skills in private homes creative thinking

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and helping people discover interests are highly desired •HS Diploma or GED required •$9.75 & up to start •All Shifts Available •35-40+ hours per week •Monday-Friday and Weekend shifts available •Full benefits, •Excellent time-off package •Pre-employment drug screening required For a truly rewarding employment experience Apply at: Dawn of Hope 500 E. Oakland Ave Johnson City, TN 37601 or www.dawnof hope.com CDL CLASS A DRIVERS WANTED Full-time drivers are needed for local and over-theroad hauls. Our trucks do not require ELD’s. Located in Spruce Pine, NC. Requirements: CDL Class A license, references, and clean driving record.

Benefits: vacation pay, health, dental and vision insurance available. Contact 828-765-1733 Lions Volunteer Blind Industries Now Hiring Industrial Sewing Machine Operators in Johnson City. No experience necessary. Must be dependable. Drug Screen performed.

Candidates will

be given a sewing evaluation during the interview process.

Excellent hours and benefit package.

Application may be completed on-site at 108 Kwick Way Lane Johnson City, TN. Resumes may be emailed to: HR@ volblind.org . Or call (423)929-7008

Lynnwood Apartments Now Leasing 2 & 3 Bedrooms Utilities Included New flooring, newly renovated bathrooms Certain income restrictions apply Apply Today at: Lynnwood Apartments 1235 Bluefield Ave Elizabethton,TN or Call:423-543-2031

Hearth & Home Realty. Home Buying & Selling Made Easy.

423-543-2307 hearthnhome realty.com Robert Delozier 423-737-0871

Hillview Home Services is currently searching for passionate team members for Non-Medical In-Home Care opportunity. Please Apply at http://www. hillviewhealthcenter. com/careers or call Judy at 423-542-0417.

FRONTIER HEALTH Now Hiring •SchoolBased Case Managers & Therapists •Employment Specialists & other positions in your area! Competitive Pay & Benefits. Visit us online at www. frontierhealth.org to view openings and apply today Monthly Storage in Hampton •Inside & Outside •Located on Hwy •Cheap rates!

•Camera security •Boat and camper storage available Call 423-895-0351 for more information 1-2BR APARTMENTS Historic Elk Park School If you/ your parents’ age and income qualify, we have apartments available IMMEDIATELY! Call for Appointment: 828-733-1546 Northwestern Regional Housing Authority - Equal Housing Opportunity Agency

Needed Direct Support Professionals and Home Managers to work with individuals with intellectual disabilities in the Kingsport/Tri-City areas. Competitive pay and benefit package.

All needed training provided. Interested applicants apply at: Support Solutions Of Tennessee, 1007 W. Main Street, Greeneville, TN 423-636-8900 or online at supportsolutions ms.com.

LYON METAL ROOFING Your Trusted Local Supplier For Over 30 Years. METAL ROOFING, METAL BUILDINGS, VINYL SIDING, VINYL REPLACEMENT WINDOWS Installation Contractors Available Call 423-391-7788 www.lyonroofing.com

Hillview Health & Rehab searching for LPN’s, CNA’s, & RN’s.

Please Apply at http://www. hillviewhealthcenter. com/careers or Indeed or call Penny at Mayes Tools 423-542-5061 PART-TIME Maintenance/Courier Price Less Foods Stable Company, Great In Mountain City, Atmosphere, Variety Erwin and Johnson of tasks, with benefits, City, TN NOW HIRING perfect for Full/Part-Time Meat Semi-Retired, Manager & Cutters experienced Apply in-store or individual. Apply: on-line at: 713 Clairmont Road, Houchens.com Johnson City Phone: 423-727-8905 HOMEWORX EEO SERVICES Adam Stout Mark’s Handyman (423) 732-1710.

Services TN Licensed & • Specializing in all Insured *20+ things wood.

Years Experience* • 30+ Years Experience Professional • Free Estimates Craftsmanship.

• Serving Elizabethton Construction, and Surrouding areas Electrical, Finish Call Mark at Carpentry, Home 352-216-3738 Repair Maintenance.

Painting, Plumbing,

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Rental. Property Maintenance, Fall Check List, Change Smoke Detector Batteries, Door & Window Sills, Filters, Clean Out Gutters, Limb/Brush Clean Up, Caulk Doors & Windows, Chimney Sweep, General Clean Up (Indoors & Outdoors), Pressure Wash. If items are not listed above, please call. Free Estimates.

The Courtyard.

710 E. Second Street.

Elizabethton, TN 37643.

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Section 8. Elderly. 1 bedroom apartment.

Stove, refrigerator, water & electricity provided, discounted cable TV. TDD #1-800-848-0298.

TN Relay Center. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Mayflower Seafood Restaurant Now Hiring Kitchen Staff, Cooks, Prep People and a Dishwasher. Call 423-542-3667 or Apply in person after 12, Tuesday-Friday.

1733 Hwy 19E, Elizabethton.

Betsytown Shopping Center JOIN OUR CREW! Positions available: •Maintenance •Opening Crew •Day Crew •Closing Manager.

Full-time and part-time. Benefits: Flexible schedules, advancement, and scholarships. To Apply Visit: McDonald’s 461 Pineola St, Newland, NC 28657 or www.mchire.com

HOLIDAY BOOKING 15%-off SPECIAL Solution to freeing up your schedule one call away!

Offering Residential & Commercial Services •Customizable Times •Reasonable Prices •Friendly •Honest • Reliable Call Us!!

423-588-6019 OUTLAND ESTATE LIQUIDATORS. PROFESSIONAL HOME ESTATE SALE • Home Estate Liquidations • Moving Liquidations • Senior Downsizing • Probate Estimates • Business Liquidations. For More Information and Upcoming Sales... OutlandEstate Liquidators.com 423-342-5911 PHOENIX MEDICAL PRODUCTS INC Accepting applications for Manufacturing Engineer and Operators. Apply within Monday-Friday 8am-5pm: 1535 Cold Springs Rd. Mountain City, TN 37683 No phone calls please.

CURRENTLY HIRING •Dietary Aides •Cooks •CNAs •Housekeeping Aides, •LPNs and RNs. We offer Competitive Wages and Benefits.

Call us today at (423)772-0161 to JOIN our TEAM!

Cheesecake makes a decadent Valentine’s Day treat

A

cheesecake recipe can be useful on any special occasion, and especially so on Valentine’s Day. For many people, cheesecake is not cheesecake without the addition of ricotta cheese. While ricotta is included in savory dishes like lasagna or manicotti, it is at home in desserts like cheesecake as well.

Ricotta means “recooked” in Italian, and its production involves reheating the whey left over from making other cheeses, like mozzarella. Its texture is like a creamy/grainy, thick sour cream.

Ricotta is included in this recipe for “Ricotta Cheesecake With Coffee and Chocolate” Ricotta Cheesecake With Coffee and Chocolate from “Nick Stellino’s Family (Tortino al caffè e ciccolato) Kitchen” (G.P. Putnam’s Sons) Bake the cake for 1 hour and Preheat the oven to 325 F.

by Nick Stellino, but it is not the crumbs 15 minutes or until just set in Make a graham cracker crust 2 tablespoons butter, melted only flavorful ingredient in this the middle. The cake will still 2 tablespoons sugar, plus 1⁄2 by mixing together the melted decadent dish. Coffee liqueur, seem wobbly, but will be lightly butter with the crumbs, and cup sugar chocolate and lemon zest add to browned and cracked around sugar.

Press into the bottom of a 2 lbs. ricotta cheese, drained the complex profile — which the edges. Remove the cake 9-inch springform pan. of excess liquid only get more pronounced if Mix together the ricotta, sug- from the oven and cool on a 8 eggs, separated you prepare this cake a day in rack for 30 minutes. Refrigerar, egg yolks, cream, espresso, 1/2 cup cream advance. ate the cheesecake for at least coffee liqueur, lemon zest, and 1/4 cup espresso or extra 6 hours or overnight before salt until creamy.

In a separate strong coffee, cooled Ricotta Cheesecake running a sharp knife along the bowl, beat the egg whites until 1/4 cup coffee liqueur With Coffee and Chocolate edge of the cake and removthey form stiff peaks.

Care1 teaspoon finely grated (Tortino al ing the pan. Cut into wedges fully fold the egg whites into lemon zest caffè e ciccolato) to serve. Garnish with shaved the ricotta mixture.

Stir in the 1/2 teaspoon salt Serves 8 to 10 chocolate and strawberries, if chocolate morsels and pour 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate desired. onto the prepared crumb crust. morsels 1 cup graham cracker 33

Celebrate chocolate with a rich, homemade cake METRO - The dawn of a new year presents plenty of opportunities to look to the future.

Resolutions are made each January, with most centering on ways to get healthy. Not all resolutions need to be of the healthy, however. Once in a while it is fine to indulge, so a resolution to entertain more or to explore new baking opportunities can spice things up in the year ahead.

People aspiring to spend more time in the kitchen can celebrate winter baking and National Chocolate Cake Day (January 27) simultaneously. This recipe for “French Silk” from “Classic Stars Desserts” (Chronicle Books) by Emily Luchetti is for serious chocolate lovers. This fudgelike mousse cake pairs plenty of rich flavors and showcases the chocolate in this decadent cake.

French Silk Serves 12 Crust 3⁄4 cup walnuts, toasted 1 cup pecans, toasted 1⁄2 cup firmly packed brown sugar 4 ounces (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted Filling 11⁄4 pounds bittersweet chocolate, chopped 6 ounces (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar 6 large eggs (use pasteurized eggs if you are concerned about eating uncooked eggs) 1⁄4 cup heavy whipping cream 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract Topping 1 cup heavy whipping cream 2 tablespoons granulated sugar To make the crust: In a food processor, combine the walnuts, pecans, brown sugar, and cinnamon and pulse until the nuts are coarsely chopped. Pour the nuts into a bowl, add the butter, and stir until the nuts are evenly moistened.

Press the nut mixture evenly onto the bottom of a 9-inch round springform pan. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

To make the filling: Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. While the chocolate is melting, combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and add the eggs two at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, increase the speed to medium-high, and whip until well blended, about 2 minutes. The mixture will look curdled.

Remove the melted chocolate from the heat and stir until smooth and warm but not hot. With the mixer on low speed, add the chocolate to the egg

Metro Photo

French Silk

mixture. Scrape the sides and along the bottom of the bowl and then continue to mix on low speed until the chocolate is fully incorporated. Add the cream and vanilla and mix until blended. Spread the filling over the crust. Refrigerate until firm, about 3 hours.

To make the topping: In a bowl, whisk together the cream and sugar until soft peaks form. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Using a spatula, spread the topping over the top of the cake. Run a hot, dry knife around the inside edge of the pan to loosen the cake, then remove the pan sides and set the cake on a serving platter. Slice the cake with a hot, dry knife and serve chilled.

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