Carter County Living Fall Edition

Carter County Living Arts H Shopping H Living H Features H Food

Marching to a new beat...

Valentine continues leadership excellence in leading ‘Betsy Band

Madison McClelland Born to be on stage

Lyndie Ramsey A natural athlete

FALL 2021

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Carter County Living As I was preparing to write this column, I couldn’t help but think about Fall, my second favorite season and all the things that go along with it. One of the most noticeable is that the leaves start to change colors;. How could we miss this with the beautiful mountains surrounding us?

However, it is not the cooler temperatures and changing of the leaves that excites me; it is the sound coming from the football stadiums.

Football season is upon us, and who wouldn’t get excited about the sound of bands playing, cheerleaders cheering and all the thousands of fans? But, my favorite part is the sounds coming from the game. There is nothing like standing on the sideline listening to the sounds of hitting and tackling.

We know football is big in Carter County.

But, I think we seem to forget that it brings a renewed sense of pride and unites our communities together.

Fall has finally shown up and just like the change that fall represents, Carter County has had some changes of its own.

On the cover of our Fall issue of Carter County Living, we have Jonathan Valentine.

When former band director Perry Elliott announced his decision to retire after more than 30 years, people wondered who would fill his shoes. But since taking the baton in hand, Valentine hasn’t missed a beat.

In addition to leading the marching band programs, Valentine also is preparing band students for competition season – a first for the freshmen and sophomores who couldn’t compete last year due to COVID-19. He wants the students to compete well and win, but Valentine also said winning is not the only reward.

Staying with the theme of change, we have new Elizabethton/Carter County EMA Director Billy Harrell. Just like Valentine, Harrell had big shoes to fill with the retirement of former director Gary Smith. As director of the Elizabethton/Carter County Emergency Management Agency, Harrell plans and leads responses to events such as natural disasters or other emergencies within the county.

When an emergency event happens in Carter County, fire, EMS, and law enforcement officers are the first ones on the scene.

However, when a crisis arises, Harrell and his team are called.

For our sports feature, we have Lyndie Ramsey a typical high school girl who enjoys hanging out with her friends, but she has a Clark Kent persona, hiding away her skills until it’s time to hit the basketball court either as part of her travel team or the Unaka High School Lady Rangers.

A junior, Ramsey has scored 1,200 points in two seasons and has pulled down over 300 rebounds while picking the pocket of her opponents for 200 steals. Those are the type of numbers that some female basketball players only dream about in a four-year career.

For her efforts, she has been recognized on the local, regional, and state levels and was named an All-State player in Class 1-A in her first two seasons in high school.

In life, opportunities either are stumbled upon or come by hard work.

For Elizabethton High School student Madison McClelland, the latter has opened a door that many singers only dream about and that is to get the opportunity to audition for the popular television show American Idol where contestants compete to win a recording contract while gaining worldwide attention.

Singing has come naturally for the outgoing McClelland whose first big shot came at the age of six when she was asked to sing in her church ‘Happy Birthday Jesus’ and from that point the love to perform has continued to grow more every year.

She started a year later taking voice lessons from Sabrina Hess and found that singing brings her peace and loves to use the talent that God gave her to uplift Him. 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.

Delaney Scalf General Manager

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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 nic.miller@elizabethton.com

Contributing Photographers Larry N. Souders Jenny Jones CY Peters

ARTS & CULTURE

17 Why Carter County?

TLC Massage

FEATURES

6 Madison McClelland McClelland’s voal talents shining brightly.

10 Have You Been Spotted

26 Billy Harrell

Check out these photos from area events

18 Lyndie Ramsey

12 Upcoming Events Plan ahead for these favorite events.

LIVING

Ramsey utilizes God-given talent on the court and in life.

Harrell serves community as Carter County EMA director.

Food

23 Why I Love Carter County Abby Morris-Frye

28 Kimbo’s Restaurant 24 Jonathan Valentine

14 Carrie Carden Hampton’s Carden wears many differnt hats within the community.

Valentine continues leadership in excellence in leading “Betsy Band.

Kimbo’s Restaurant in Stoney Creek places an emphasis on customers first.

Carter County Livin ARTS H SHOPPING

On the Cover

Whenever Elizabethton is mentioned, one of two things are often the first to come to mind: the Cyclone football team or the ‘Betsy Band.

So when former band director Perry Elliott announced his decision to retire after more than 30 years, people wondered who would fill his shoes. But since taking the baton in hand, Jonathan Valentine hasn’t missed a beat.

Valentine, who has ties to the Tri-Cities area, had been sharing his knowledge of music in South Carolina before applying to take over the successful band program at Elizabethton. While he was familiar with the exceptional support the program receives from the community, Valentine said he has been most surprised by the students work ethic and willingness to work hard in maintaining the band’s traditions and reputation.

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H

LIVING H FEATUR ES

Marching to a new beat

...

Valentine con tinues leader excellence in shi leading ‘Betsy p Band

Madison M Born to be

cClelland

on stage

Lyndie Ra

msey

A natural ath

lete

H

FOOD

FALL 2021

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Born to be on stage...

Elizabethton High School student Madison McClelland is looking forward to auditioning for the 2021 American Idol show as well as traveling to Australia to try out for the Australian Women’s Choir.

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McClelland’s vocal talents shining brightly n life, opportunities either are stumbled upon or come by hard work.

For Elizabethton High School student Madison McClelland, the latter has opened a door that many singers only dream about.

Singing has come naturally for the outgoing McClelland, whose first big shot came at the age of 6 when she was asked to sing in her church “Happy Birthday Jesus” program. From that point her love of performing has grown.

McClelland said singing brings her peace, and she loves to use the talent that God gave her to uplift Him. She began training with Sabrina Hess.

Then, during a performance of “Broadway Comes to Greeneville,” she heard about Ivy Blair, who continues as her vocal coach today.

During her time with Blair, McClelland has expanded her talent to be able to sing not only in English but also in Latin, French, Italian, and German.

“I had been taking Latin for about seven years before I came to T.A. Dugger in my eighth-grade year,” reflected McClelland on her extensive language training. “Some languages are harder than others. I thought it was difficult at first for me to transition to singing in a different language because you have to make sure your tempos are right then you have to make sure are saying the right words in those different languages.

“After I had done a couple of songs and had memorized them, the other languages came faster for me to learn because I had sung in a different language. German was the hardest.”

McClelland has put in time in intensive

study as she has participated in the Royal Conservatory Music study beginning at Level 2 Lin Marsh’s Butterfly and Clark Gesner’s Happiness and now is the Level 5-8 studies concentrating on Vocalise in Major and Minor Keys.

She described RCM as scoring based much like auditions. The challenge has been doing those on Zoom due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic as it creates an issue of both hearing her music as well as her singing.

The scoring is based on how well she does and also takes time to point out what she needs Madiso n McC pating lelland to work on. in mus enjo ic a ls McClelland says it is important that she as well ys particias sing continues to do these types of auditions so that ing. she can be coached on areas to improve.

The connection with her vocal coach also led to McClelland’s biggest opportunity yet – a chance to audition for the American Idol television show.

During a conversation about upcoming auditions, Blair said she had received a call from the television show’s producers wanting to know if the vocal teacher had any mature students who knew how to audition and have participated in auditions.

“I was like,’ please tell me you put my name down’ and she said that she did,” McClelland said with a wide grin. “I started jumping for joy because that was so big for me.

I have some songs that I am working on for that. I am really excited.”

She said that American Idol will contact her Madiso a week before the audition which once again n ing is w McClelland sa hat brin will be conducted via Zoom and a couple of gs her ys that singpeace weeks later she should receive another email if and joy . she has made it to the next round.

WE THRIVE

Together

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145239

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Story by Ivan Sanders • Photos by Ivan Sanders & Contributed

Madison McClelland hopes to one day become an educator and teach music or possibly go into the law profession.

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The show will whittle the numbers from approximately 50 contests down to 10 who will be invited to fly to California to compete.

Although the Idol show is a big event, it’s not the first time that McClelland has been on a big stage. She appeared at the famous Carnegie Hall in 2020 as part of the Honors Performance Choir and is scheduled to travel to Australia to audition for Australia’s All Women’s Choir as part of another Carnegie production.

McClelland said the Carnegie Hall performance was one of the greatest experiences she has had. It took a lot of hard work as all of the music had to be memorized before arriving in New York.

She also was able to go on tours with the group while in New York and made lasting relationships with those she met - including the three random girls that she roomed with during her stay.

It was also during this trip that she endured her most challenging time as a performer because she had lost her voice before the trip.

“I was trying to sing and make sure I was doing the right things to not lose my voice even more,” McClelland said. “I wasn’t getting much sleep because of the times we had to get up and go to practices. I felt like that was most challenging.

I had to stay hydrated and make sure that I was eating because I was going to all these practices.

“I had to manage my time and I hadn’t had to do that before with other performances that I had done.”

McClelland plans to study music, participating in a traveling choir while completing her schoolwork online in college. Although it’s too early to make final plans right now for that day, she said she will continue to pursue her training and auditions and listen to advice from her parents Chad and Tena McClelland along the way. She is also the granddaughter of Charlie and Kathy Gouge and Haymond and Judy Thompson.

And who knows, soon McClelland may hear those famous words spoken, “Madison McClelland, you are the new American Idol”.

Madison McClelland said she has always belonged on stage. She was part of the Barter Youth Academy in 2016’s production of The Sound of Music where she played Liesel.

“I was like, please tell me you put my name down and she said that she did. I started jumping for joy because that was so big for me. I have some songs that I am working on for that. I am really excited.”

Madison McClelland enjoys singing in church to uplift the name of the Lord.

—Madison McClelland

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SPOTTED You’ve Been

Photos by: Ivan Sanders

Piper Kate Bennett (L) and Abby Gwinn.

Chelsea Jenkins Maria (right) and Emma Trundle

Whitney Oliver

Marie Hill

Shae Taylor

Amber Orndorff

Mark Orndorff

Antonia Walker

Mark Ferguson

Whitney Turner

Austin Jenkins

Nola Greenwell and Topaz

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SPOTTED You’ve Been

Cathy Carey

Photos by: Ivan Sanders

Makaylah Crowe

Nate Wetzel

Chloe Force

George Carey

Kaylee Hollifield

Morgan Guinn and Tuffy

Judd Howser

Patsy Bowers

Madisun Pritchard and Kenneth Hardin Cagney Bennett

Kayden Williams

Maggie Booher

SRO Josh Baggett

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Carson Peters

UPCOMING EVENTS

Plan ahead with fun happenings across Carter County *** All 2021 special events may be affected by Covid-19 related changes to program schedules, along with visitor safety considerations. Please contact the park for updated information ***

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park

Friday, October 1 26th Annual Sycamore Shoals Quilt Show - 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Meet at: Park Visitor Center. This three-day exhibition, sponsored by the Sycamore Shoals Stitchers, features a show and demonstrations by local quilters. Bed quilts, wall hangings, holiday and baby quilts, miniatures and antique quilts will be on display.

National Public Lands Day TN Serves - Trail Cleanup - 9 a.m.

- 12 p.m. - Price is Free. Register for the event. Join Park Ranger Cory Franklin for a day on the banks of the Watauga River at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. For this years Tennessee Serves event we will celebrate National Public Lands Day and give back by cleaning up trash along the Patriots Path Trail.

Gloves and trash bags will be provided. This is a three hour event so if you plan to stay the whole time it may be a good idea to bring food and water. Registration and Waiver required at the link below. https://tnstateparksvolunteer.galaxydigital.com/need/ detail/?need_id=614423 Saturday, October 2 Bird Walk - 8 a.m. - Meet at Visitor Center parking lot. Meet other birders and naturalists at Sycamore Shoals for a morning of birding during the migratory season.

26th Annual Sycamore Shoals Quilt Show - 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Meet

at: Park Visitor Center This three-day exhibition, sponsored by the Sycamore Shoals Stitchers, features a show and demonstrations by local quilters. Bed quilts, wall hangings, holiday and baby quilts, miniatures and antique quilts will be on display.

Sunday, October 3 26th Annual Sycamore Shoals Quilt Show - 1p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Meet at: Park Visitor Center. This three-day exhibition, sponsored by the Sycamore Shoals Stitchers, features a show and demonstrations by local quilters. Bed quilts, wall hangings, holiday and baby quilts, miniatures and antique quilts will be on display.

Saturday, October 9 Bird Walk - 8 a.m. - Meet at Visitor Center parking lot. Meet other birders and naturalists at Sycamore Shoals for a morning of birding during the migratory season.

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

Sabine Hill Guided Tour - 11 a.m. - 12 Noon. Meet at Sabine Hill Historic Site. Register for the event.

Price is 6 and under Free. $5.00 Ages 7 to 17 Years, $9.00 for Adult. Join Seasonal Interpreter Matthew Simerly 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.

Saturday, October 16 Bird Walk - 8 a.m. - Meet at Visitor Center parking lot. Meet other birders and naturalists at Sycamore Shoals for a morning of birding during the migratory season.

Carter Mansion Guided Tour - 11 a.m. - 12 Noon. Meet at Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion 1301 Broad Street - Elizabethton, TN 37643. Register for the event. Price is 6 and under Free. $5.00 Ages 7 to 17 Years, $9.00 for Adult. Join park Interpreter Slade Nakoff 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.

The John and Landon Carter Mansion is located at 1031 Broad Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Accessibility

Sabine Hill Guided Tour - 11 a.m. - 12 Noon. Meet at Sabine Hill Historic Site. Register for the event.

Price is 6 and under Free. $5.00 Ages 7 to 17 Years, $9.00 for Adult. Join Seasonal Interpreter Matthew Simerly 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

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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.

Sunday, October 17 October 31 Small Works Art Show - Visitor Center operating hours. Meet at Park Visitor Center.

Reception: Sunday, October 17th @ 1:30 p.m. Displays of 8 x 10 or smaller works by members of the Watauga Valley Art League are featured during this art event.

Saturday, October 23 Bird Walk - 8 a.m. - Meet at Visitor Center parking lot. Meet other birders and naturalists at Sycamore Shoals for a morning of birding during the migratory season.

Carter Mansion Guided Tour - 11 a.m. - 12 Noon. Meet at Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion 1301 Broad Street - Elizabethton, TN 37643. Register for the event. Price is 6 and under Free. $5.00 Ages 7 to 17 Years, $9.00 for Adult. Join park Interpreter Slade Nakoff 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.

The John and Landon Carter Mansion is located at 1031 Broad Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject

UPCOMING EVENTS

Plan ahead with fun happenings across Carter County to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.

Thursday, October 28 Scary Stories at Fort Watauga - 7:30 p.m. - Meet at Fort Watauga. Strange things happen around All Hallows Eve, especially at an old fort by the river. But don’t be afraid, Fort Watauga at Sycamore Shoals isn’t haunted… Or Is It?!?! Join us for an evening of family friendly stories, songs, and tales that are sure to send a shiver down your spine and tickle your funny bone.

Saturday, October 30 Sabine Hill Guided Tour - 11 a.m. - 12 Noon. Meet at Sabine Hill Historic Site. Register for the event.

Price is 6 and under Free. $5.00 Ages 7 to 17 Years, $9.00 for Adult. Join Seasonal Interpreter Matthew Simerly 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.

Saturday - Sunday, November 13- 14 Autumn Heritage Celebration - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Colonial Harvest

Celebration Saturday, November 13th Roan Mountain State 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Park Events & Sunday, November 14th 10:00 Friday, October 1a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 3 Join the festivities at Fort Watauga Women’s Rock Climbing as the Washington County Militia Workshop - 7 p.m. - 3 p.m. Meet at gather to celebrate recent victories in Cumberland Mountain State Park the War for Independence and give Restaurant Conference Room C. Price thanks for a bountiful harvest. Enjoy is $60.00. Register for the event. demonstrations of 18th century life and ***NOTE*** THIS PROGRAM IS living history presentations. BASED OUT OF CUMBERLAND MOUNFall Fibers Fair TAIN STATE PARK, CROSSVILLE, TN. Saturday, November 13th 10:00 ALL TIMES ARE CENTRAL TIME. a.m. – 4:00 p.m. & Sunday, November Event Description: 14th 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

- Friday we will start with a meet Fall is the time we plan our winter and greet in Conference Room C downprojects and our handmade holiday stairs of the park restaurant around gifts! Spend a day visiting our regions 7:00 pm CST. We will cover outdoor finest fiber producers and artists! The climbing basics, including knot tying day will include workshops, vendors and belay technique. with handmade items for sale, raw - Saturday we will meet at the Rec fibers, and demonstrations of spinning, Lodge parking lot at 8:30 am CST weaving, and more! to carpool to the Black Mountain climbing area. Once we get to Black Mountain, there is a short hike to the climbing location from the trailhead (1/2 mile). A number of top rope climbs and a 40 ft. rappel will be set up for the day. Climbs range in difficulty from beginner to intermediate/ advanced.

- Sunday morning we will meet back at the Rec Lodge parking lot at 8:30 am CST to carpool to the Black Mountain for another day of climbing.

The day ends around 3:00 pm CST, but you are free to leave earlier as needed (please let one of the staff know if you plan to leave early). **The Black Mountain Climbing area does not have restroom facilities, Friday, December 3 please be prepared for each day. We will Saturday, December 4 be practicing Leave No Trace.

Christmas at the Carter Mansion - 6 Age restrictions:18 Years of Age and p.m. - 9:45 p.m. - Meet at Historic John Older and Landon Carter Mansion, 1031 Price: $60 - instruction and gear Broad Street, Elizabethan, TN 37643. for the weekend Spend a candlelit evening in the Accommodations for Cumberland oldest frame house in Tennessee, Mountain State Park: decorated with bright greenery for the Camping/Cabin reservations holidays. Enjoy music, refreshments - make them online at https:// and historic interpreters re-creating an tnstateparks.com/parks/cumberland18th century Christmas celebration. mountain Tours are by reservation only and space Please make your camping/cabin is limited. Registration opens on Noreservations ahead of time. vember. 1st. Contact the park at regular Food will not be provided during operating hours for more information. the course of this workshop. Pack your

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breakfast, lunch, and snacks for each day. For dinner, we encourage you to bring your own or plan to eat at the Homestead Harvest Restaurant on the park.

Cancellation Deadline/Refund Policy: Participants may cancel no later than Thursday, Sept. 30th, 5:00 PM with a 50% refund. After Sept. 30th, 5:00 PM there will be no refunds for participant cancellation.

Weather Cancellation: In the event the workshop is cancelled the alternate rain date is October 8th-10th.

Saturday, October 2 Roan Mountain National Public Lands Celebration - 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Meet at Visitor Center Porch. Register for the event. Join Roan Mountain State Park on Saturday, October 2nd from 1-4 p.m. at the Roan Mountain State Park Visitor Center for a very exciting celebration of the 2021 National Public Lands Day and state-wide TN Serves initiative. In this combined event, Roan Mountain will reveal our brand new expansion of 150 acres located in the area east of the Visitor Center. After a brief presentation of the new property, we will hold a brief plan sharing event in the Visitor Center before working on the existing Peg Leg Mine and Cloudland Nature Trails in an effort to rehabilitate and connect these two trails.

This volunteer event and trail work day is limited to 20 participants.

A Volunteer Waiver will be required to fill out upon arrival. Volunteers will be assisting park rangers in the rerouting of current trails to be safer and flow better in a beautiful section of our park. These two trails will also be designed to connect in preparation for future trails on the new property.

Volunteers will be provided with tools and protective gear, but are welcome to bring their own gloves and eye protection. Be sure to wear good hiking shoes and bring plenty of water and snacks. We look forward to celebrating the future and working towards a fun new opportunity with you. Register today on our Galaxy Digital Volunteer Page.

Carrie Carden, a member of the Hampton community, has recently opened a boutique in the town known as Carried Away.

Hampton’s Carrie Carden wears many different hats within the community

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Story & Photos by Nic Miller

prayed really hard about finding a storefront and this he communities within the areas of “I get to be a lined up perfectly. This is really a way for me to Carter County and Elizabethton are part of a kid’s life building reach out to the community, plus I love clothes so things filled with friendly people and smiling who may not have worked out the best that they could.” faces, making most days great for so Owning a business helps you connect with those in the many citizens. things as good at area, that message is amplified in such a tight knit One of these friendly people with a smiling face is home as my kids place and such as Hampton. Carden expanded on this, saying, Carrie Carden of Hampton, who juggles many hats do, which is just an- “I absolutely love having a business here. I grew up in within her community.

First, Carden is the proud owner of a local other great aspect Hampton, went to Hampton High School, so I am familiar boutique, one by the name of Carried Away, where of my job working with the people here.”

“And I knew that I could have opened this shop in members of the community can find great clothing at the high school.” Elizabethton, but I have so many friends here as well as items at an affordable price on either Facebook or in store.

—Carrie Carden the fact that clothing stores are not that common here in Hampton. I knew that I wanted my business in Hampton When asked about why she started the boutique, because I wanted to be able to interact with my friends Carden explained, “I have had a custom T-shirt and the community that I love.” business for almost seven years, and after some Carden says that the in store numbers are very well, but a large unfortunate circumstances I needed to switch it up so I took the last 500 amount of her customer base comes from the online portion of her dollars in my bank account and started this boutique.” business.

“Everything was originally online up until July of this year, so I 14

Along with her local business, Carden is also involved in other aspects of the Hampton community such as the high school, where she works as an aid and is an assistant girls basketball coach for the Bulldogs.

Carden loves what she does at the school saying, “I have coached on and off for a while, but I recently came into an assistant coach role at the high school last year. There is nothing that I love more than being a coach, that is where my heart is.”

And it is not only about the hoops for Carden, as she explained it is really about the kids.

“The kids at school cheer me up every day, and being with my girls on the basketball team is so special because we are just one huge family. I love that I get to spend my days watching them grow up and mature, and I treat those kids like they are my own.”

“I get to be a part of a kid’s life who may not have things as good at home as my kids do, which is just another great aspect of my job working at the high school.”

A true supporter of the community, Carden enjoys what she does within the school system as well as at her business. For anyone interested in Carried Away Boutique, the business is located at 503 First Avenue in Hampton, and is open from 2 to 6 pm on Thursday and Friday, as well as 11 am until 3 pm on Saturday.

Carden commu says that her nity an d know favorite aspe ct ing you r custo of owning a mers. local b usiness in Ham pton

Carried on Thu Away Boutiq rs ue is o pen fro on Satu day and Frida m y, with rday. hours fr 2 pm until 6 om 11 pm am to 3 pm

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is the s ense o f

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Taylor Collins is pictured in front of TLC Massage.

New in town - TLC Massage 1. What made you choose Carter County and Elizabethton for your services and business?

I am a native to Carter County, my family is here and my heart is here. I’ve always loved this small community and always wanted to be an asset to our town.

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

My purpose as a business is to help promote healthy living, body, mind and spirit. It’s to promote healing to the body through different modalities we offer through massage and cryotherapy. Then also to promote healthy skin through our top of the line aesthetics we offer at TLC! We like to think of TLC as a little getaway for just a couple of hours! If you don’t take care of your body no one else will!

3. How long have you been in business?

TLC has been in business for 7 years!

4. How long have you, personally, been working in the industry?

I have been personally working in the industry for 7 years. I opened up my business as soon as I graduated from massage school at 21 and got right to work. I love the industry, I love the people. I’ve always wanted to help people and the reward of that is far more than I could have ever imagined.

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

I’m independent, not part of a franchise, maybe one day! You always have to dream!

6. What impact do you think your services/business will have on the Carter County community?

My hope is that our services offer something unique to each individual that comes into our Medical Day Spa. Whether you are coming in 17

for stress relief, arthritis, body scrubs, cellulite reduction, chemical peels or eyelashes, we just hope our little safe haven helps heal and make each individual feel better each time they leave, and always feel like TLC is their family!

A natural athlete...

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Ramsey utilizes God-given talent on the court and in life

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Story by Ivan Sanders & Photos by Ivan Sanders and Contributed

yndie Ramsey is a typical high school girl who enjoys hanging out with her friends, but she has a Clark Kent persona, hiding away her skills until it’s time to hit the basketball court either as part of her travel team or the Unaka High School Lady Rangers.

A junior, Ramsey has scored 1,200 points in two seasons and has pulled down over 300 rebounds while picking the pocket of her opponents for 200 steals. Those are the type of numbers that some female basketball players only dream about in a four-year career.

For her efforts, she has been recognized on the local, regional, and state levels and was named an All-State player in Class 1-A in her first two seasons in high school.

It doesn’t hurt that she comes from a house full of athletic brothers who make daily life a competition as her brothers John Boy, Devin, and Landon are all accomplished athletes in their own right also being recognized on the local, regional, and state tiers playing football, basketball, and baseball at Unaka High School.

The little sister of the group admits that it has been hard but that if anything she has been taught to go hard at every point and not give up because growing up in a house full of brothers meant that she was always going to come out as the toughest person out there no matter what because she had to fight for everything Ramsey knew at a young age that she was destined to be an athlete saying, “Ever since I started playing when I was four at the Sports Complex showed me that God has given me enough ability to play this sport and He put it in my life for a reason.”

Last season, Ramsey came out of the gym and picked up her glove to play a role with the Lady Ranger softball team. She had played coach pitch softball when she was younger along with her brothers who played coach pitch baseball with their dad, John, as their head coach.

The decision came because she just wanted to play another sport that helped to get her mind off of basketball briefly as she knows that her ultimate destination is to one day play collegiately and didn’t want to get burnt out by constantly focusing on the game.

She was looking to have a little fun with the game but by the season’s end, she had excelled in that field of play as well. It didn’t hurt that her high school basketball coach, Kenneth Chambers, was also her softball coach and already knew the type of athlete Ramsey was and likewise she knew what the coach demanded.

Ramsey gives a lot of credit to Coach Chambers for not only helping her on the court but also teaching her life lessons that she never imagined that she would have the opportunity to learn from her head coach.

That is one of the reasons that Ramsey loves being a Lady Ranger to go along with the environment that has been created within her team as she related how the girls have bonded as a family and work to not point each other out for mistakes but work to overcome them.

She pointed out there was only one speed on the team saying, “We always go 110 percent every time that we do something and Coach Chambers has always taught us that if we want to go far in something, we have to keep working. Lyndie with her biggest fan, Conner her 14-year-old brother who gives Ramsey the drive as she plays for him.

We have to work harder than anyone else.”

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Even with her personal accomplishments on the court, there is one thing that has eluded Ramsey and her teammates during her high school career and that is earning the right to go and participate in the state basketball tournament which currently is held in Murfreesboro.

Ramsey feels that the Lady Rangers have a good shot in the upcoming season to mark that off her bucket list.

It will come down to the team coming together and having several people step up where Ramsey is just not the focal point of the opposing team’s defensive scheme.

When she is not engaged in high school basketball or softball, Ramsey is never far from the court as she plays an extensive travel ball schedule against competition that she admits is much better and older than her but that is the whole purpose in playing the tough schedule.

She has identified weaknesses that she works on daily with one of them being her ball-handling skills such as dribbling between her legs and behind her back. This is one of the things that travel ball has allowed her to use

Not only is Ramsey a star on the basketball court but she is a hit with the junior class who selected her as their Junior Princess for Homecoming 2021. Ramsey is second from the left.

as a teaching tool watching as other girls who have mastered the skill work against her during games.

Just like other young people, Ramsey stays in front of the television but it’s not

Ramsey came out for softball in the 2021 season for the first time since playing youth league coach pitch.

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when ll, even fear a b l e v a o ying tr e has n sey pla r schools sh m a R With st large p again r opponents. u g in o g he enging in chall

to watch shows that her friends do.

“If anything I am watching a film,” Ramsey shared about her television habit. “I watch films all the time. I look at our weaknesses in our team and what could have helped us win a ball game.

I look at the weaknesses in the other teams at what we could do to make them not play as well.

“I have been watching films a lot to see what we can do to help us get to the state tournament and what we didn’t have last year that we could have had.”

One might ask why a teenager would engage in a sport so deeply.

Ramsey said most of that comes from the stress she places on herself to

take care of the things that she needs to be doing to help her team win. She studies on ways to help get other teammates open so they score and take pressure off her to be the scorer admitting that she was not the only one that has to score.

She was asked of all the games that she has played as a member of the Lady Rangers, which one stands out the most in her mind.

The Hampton game the Lady Rangers played at home in the 2020 season came to mind instantly as she recalled how the outcome of the game decided whether the Lady Rangers had to travel to Cosby or North Greene.

Ramsey shared how she wanted the

opportunity to play North Greene and show them how the Lady Rangers could compete. She got her wish but the Lady Rangers still lost the game.

Contests against teams from Carter County are high on Ramsey’s list because she enjoys competing against friends on teams from the other schools and display her talents up close and personal. It doesn’t hurt that these teams are conference foes either which puts a little more adrenaline through the veins.

Her play has attracted the attention of several colleges even though she is just a rising junior. Many of these contacts have come as a result of Ramsey attending several camps during her

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summer break.

She said a dream opportunity was to play for the East Tennessee State University Lady Bucs should that invite ever come because of the school being a Division 1 basketball school as well as the close proximity to her home.

A 4.0 student, Ramsey is involved in several extracurricular activities at Unaka attending several club meetings.

She loves math and said that her favorite teacher was Ms. Burton who Ramsey said was the best teacher who would do anything possible for any of her students.

Family means a lot to Ramsey saying that her parents often drop whatever they are doing to make sure that she

Ramsey’s love for basketball is evident each time she takes the floor for the Unaka Lady Rangers.

Ramsey’s ability to use both hands is something that can’t be taught in basketball.

and her brothers have what they need to succeed. Her father spends a lot of time with her as they go to the gym to shoot and John also creates game highlights for his daughter.

And it doesn’t matter where the family goes, one can also count on the competitive spirit between the siblings making the journey as well.

“We are very competitive,” Ramsey reiterated. “When we went

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putt-putting at the beach this summer, John-Boy was always hitting the ball so hard because he was mad.”

Lyndie has one other brother, Conner, who just turned 14 that has down syndrome and cannot participate in competitive sports like Lyndie and the other brothers but that doesn’t stop Conner from being the inspiration that pushes his sister to become a better basketball player.

“Conner is definitely my biggest fan,” Ramsey said with a twinkle in her eye. “God has put him here for a reason and everytime that I am down and things are not going my way, he has shown me that everything is going to be good. He can always put a smile on my face and show me what life is all about.

“Every game I always go to Conner and on my basketball shoes I have Conner’s name and the date my papaw passed away.”

Ramsey also has an older sister Layton.

Abby Morris-Frye was born in Elizabethton and has lived most of her life in the Stoney Creek community. She is the daughter of Brady Joe and Deborah Morris, and is married to Stephen Frye. A graduate of Unaka High School in 1997, she went on to East Tennessee State University where she majored in Journalism. While working at the Elizabethton Star she won awards from the Tennessee Press Association for her reporting, photography, and a prestigious Edward J. Meeman Foundation Award for Public Service Journalism. Abby left the Star in 2018 to accept a position in the Carter County Mayor’s Office, where she now works as the assistant to Mayor Patty Woodby.

1. What do you think makes Carter County unique by comparison to other places?

Our community has been blessed in a number of ways. We have an abundance of beautiful natural resources like the rivers and lake. We have not one, but two gorgeous State Parks. But, I feel what truly makes us unique when compared to other places is the sense of community here. We live in an area where people are respectful and still stop their cars and pull over to the side of the road when a funeral procession passes by, even if they do not know the person who passed. We live in a community where if your car breaks down on the side of the road, folks will still stop to offer to help. Not only that, we live in an area where if you do break down on the side of the road you don’t have to worry that the person in the car pulling in behind you has bad intentions.

When a need arises, the people of our community step up to help out.

2. What is your favorite place to visit in Carter County?

As anyone who knows me can attest, I am actually a great big nerd. I enjoy learning things and I am fascinated by our local history. My favorite place to visit in Carter County would have to be Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. I have learned so many things about our community from the wonderful staff and the dedicated host of volunteers and reenactors who work hard to keep our history alive. I love attending the militia musters and other special events at the park as they always represent an opportunity to learn something new.

3. Do you think living in Carter County has changed you in any way?

While I have lived here most of my life, I have lived in other cities and other states as well. But Carter County has always been “home” to me. I won’t say that living here has changed me but more that it has helped to shape me into the person I am. Growing up here I learned the “small town values” of respecting my elders, working hard, living in faith, and appreciating family ties. I grew up in a community where “family” wasn’t just those people related to you, it is also the folks who love you and want to see you succeed. As they say on one of my favorite TV shows, “Family don’t end in blood” and that is very much the experience I have had living here.

4. What is your favorite time of year?

I love seeing our community come to life at Christmas. The lights through downtown, our community Christmas Tree, the displays in the park, people shopping downtown where all the businesses decorate their display windows.

Our little town looks like the set of a Hallmark movie.

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?

Carter County has something for everyone whether you enjoy fishing, bicycling, history, or enjoying a day at the lake. But, no matter what a person is interested in, I definitely recommend they visit our downtown. You will find great food, wonderful shopping, unique gifts, and friendly people along with our small-town charm.

Why Do You Love Carter County?

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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‘Betsy Band director Jonathan Valentine stands on a step-up ladder as he leads the band during the Elizabethton and Greeneville game.

Band director Jonathan Valentine works with band students during third period band practice inside John Treadway Gymnasium.

‘Betsy Band director Jonathan Valentine has taken the baton from Perry Elliott and ran at a sprint to continue the excellence that the band has worked hard for through the years.

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Marching to a new beat...

Valentine continues leadership excellence in leading‘Betsy Band Story & Photos by Ivan Sanders

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henever Elizabethton is mentioned, one of two things are often the first to come to mind: the Cyclone football team or the ‘Betsy Band.

So when former band director Perry Elliott announced his decision to retire after more than 30 years, people wondered who would fill his shoes. But since taking the baton in hand, Jonathan Valentine hasn’t missed a beat.

Valentine, who has ties to the Tri-Cities area, had been sharing his knowledge of music in South Carolina before applying to take over the successful band program at Elizabethton. While he was familiar with the exceptional support the program receives from the community, Valentine said he has been most surprised by the students work ethic and willingness to work hard in maintaining the band’s traditions and reputation.

“They always have great attitudes and do what they are told to do, which is something for a teenager anymore you know,” Valentine said. “It’s a big deal to look at a kid and say something to them and expect them to do and then have them do it. That’s a big deal, and that is just a testament to the parents, the community, and a testament to the type of training they get in the middle school from Mr. (Chris) Lockhart.

“It’s the caliber of kid that we have here at Elizabethton High School, and so its been really awesome and exciting to know that I can trust these kids to do what they are asked to do.

I can set high expectations and they will strive to meet it and not just to allow themselves to fall short if it doesn’t work out in their way.”

Valentine also joked that the football in Elizabethton isn’t bad either, as he has become spoiled being around good football as a band director. High praise considering Valentine previously taught at Burns High School in South Carolina, with a nationally ranked football team.

“The first game that I went to was that Greeneville game, and it was nuts,” Valentine said. “It was a lot of fun with a college atmosphere. The crowd went crazy whenever we came across and trooped the field, and it was just a really cool experience. It’s been really cool to see the level of commitment and support that the community and town give to everybody. That has been pretty overwhelming for sure.”

In addition to leading the marching band programs, Valentine also is preparing band students for competition season – a first for the freshmen and sophomores who couldn’t compete last year due to COVID-19. He wants the students to compete well and win, but Valentine also said winning is not the only reward.

“The most important thing is that the kids that participate are making memories that last a lifetime as well as friendships that will last the same,” the director said. “The rewards are part of those memories along with the journey to success.”

Pacing is critical in the process, and Valentine said he tries to schedule the band so each week presents a new challenge and keeps the members engaged.

“Marching band is kind of hard and bizarre because you work for so long and you are really only active in October and the first week of November but you start in July,” he said. “I try to space out performances throughout the year. Sometimes a kid will not see a performance on the horizon and feel that they don’t need to put in that kind of effort right now.”

One of the first performances Valentine scheduled was the Friends and Family Night at the end of the first band camp. The event drew about 800 people for a first glimpse of the band under his leadership and gave Valentine a glimpse into the community’s depth of love for the band.

“Plans are in the works to make the “Meet the ‘Betsy Band” an annual tradition and to grow it to celebrate the band before competitively kicking off the band season,” Valentine stated.

Ultimately, Valentine said he is happy with his decision to come to Elizabethton and he hopes the community is equally as happy with his impact on the program.

“I have thought about that a lot and at the end of the day, you know this was one of the best decisions that I have ever made because this is exactly the type of program I was looking for in my pursuit of a high school band director job,” he said. “There are not that many of them set up for success as this program is., with the great support and the kids and the community love.

“This has been an extremely positive experience and I have not regretted it at all.”

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Carter County EMA Director Billy Harrell stands outside of his center of operations, recently acquired a few months ago.

Carter County’s Billy Harrell serves community as EMA director

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Story & Photos by Nic Miller

After graduating college, Harrell worked with the Carter County Sheriff’s Office and then alongside side former EMA Director Gary Smith as deputy for seven years.

Smith began training Harrell. “Over a year before he retired, he had began letting me work with the budget and place orders which Harrell. helped me be better prepared if I was to get the job as director,” Harrell As director of the Elizabethton/Carter County Emergency Mansaid. agement Agency, Harrell plans and leads responses to events such as When Smith retired in May, Harrell took over the agency in his role natural disasters or other emergencies within the county. as deputy director and was officially named director in June.

Harrell started his career in emergency management as a paraBecause Harrell has been involved with the agency for so long, he medic. “I started off as an EMT, and went to EMT school back in the has been called to many incidents during his tenure, including the ‘90’s where afterwards I was accepted into paramedic school and Barnett’s Guns fire in 2018. eventually worked as a paramedic for 15 years.”

“We were up there on scene for almost 10 hours that day, and beHarrell wanted to further his education in hopes of a job in a similar field. “I decided to go back to college at ETSU for a bachelor’s cause it happened in January it was very cold and the road was freezing because of water from the fire trucks,” Harrell said. “We had every degree, where I received that degree in criminology with a minor in volunteer fire department on scene for that event, as well as some Emergency Management.”

26 hen an emergency event happens in Carter County, fire, EMS, and law enforcement officers are the first ones on the scene. However, when crisis arises, one member of the response team steps up to lead: Billy

Carter County Emergency Management Agency Director Billy Harrell is constantly checking the radar in case of inclement weather.

Director Billy Harrell stands outside of his Elizabethton office in front of one of the Emergency Management Agency vehicles.

guys from the Elizabethton Fire Department trying to extinguish things.”

Harrell also was on hand in 2019 for the plane crash involving Dale Earnhardt, Jr. at Elizabethton Municipal Airport.

“We had just about every agency around helping with that accident, and being able to see all of these groups respond quickly and work together very efficiently is something that I will remember about that day,” Harrell said.

Teamwork makes the dream work as the saying goes, and Harrell believes that same thing, saying, “being in a place like Elizabethton and Carter County and doing this job is so special because you know and have a perCarter County Emergency Management Agency Director Billy Harrell reviews a document while sitting sonal connection with everyone in his office located in Elizabethton. you are working alongside with.”

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A place that values their many customers, Kimbo’s restaurant always provides their service with a smile.

Kimbo’s Restaurant in Stoney Creek places an emphasis on customers first

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Story & Photos by Nic Miller

hat began as a way to pass the time and honor the memory of a beloved mother has grown into one of Carter County’s favorite places to enjoy good food and excellent customer service.

Kimbo’s Restaurant opened eight years ago after owner Kim Richardson lost her mother Betty. “Something I always loved to do was cook, and I also just needed something to do after she passed, so I opened the restaurant in her honor,” Richardson said. “We even have a breakfast item that is named after her, the Big Betty Breakfast.”

The restaurant first opened in Stoney Creek. “After some challenges in my life I had to close the other location, so I decided to open up here,” Richardson said. “And with the help of God, my family, and my friends and we have been here for a year.”

And the restaurant is thriving, having recently won “Best of the Best” honors for its legendary breakfasts and for the customer service provided by server Abby Dugger.

“Winning best of the best means the absolute world to me because it shows me that I am able to do this and succeed,” Richardson said.

Named after owner Kimbo Richardson’s late mother Betty, the Big Betty Breakfast offers many options for all to enjoy.

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With breakfast as their specialty, Kimbo’s offers many delicious options for the morning such as this order fo french toast.

Several Patrons sit inside of Kimbo’s Restaurant on a busy

“(To) all of my customers that voted for me, I want to thank them from Wednesday morning, either chowing down or deciding between the many great options. the bottom of my heart because they helped me get to this point.”

Dugger said she did not know she was nominated until a customer pointed it out to her.

“Honestly I had no idea that I was even nominated until a customer and asked me if I knew that I was nominated for the award,” she said. “I am still so shocked and honored that I was given this award, but this job has become a part of my life and this place is like a home to me.

“I am even more proud of (the Best Breakfast honor) because I am so happy for Kim and all the work that she has put into this place over the years.,” Dugger added. “She is like a second mom to me.”

Richardson credits her employees and the relationships they have with her and with customers with helping the restaurant succeed.

“I have been blessed beyond measure, and I have the best employees ever right by my side to help me,” she said. “I couldn’t ask for better people to help me push forward and cook good food for the people of the community.”

And that community is at the heart of what she does. “You just have so many regulars that you see day in and day out. We know their names and we know what they are going to order,” A place for everyone to enjoy, three young patrons excitedly await she said. “Everyone being so close their food at Kimbo’s on Wednesday morning. together in the community is so special.”

Dugger loves being a part of the Kimbo’s community as well. “All of my customers are considered family to me, there is no one that I just consider a customer. This place makes me so happy because of how close the community is and how people can come together and bond at a place like this.”

Kimbo’s is located at 256 TN-91 One of Kimbo’s many famous treats, the Heifer offers a savory in Elizabethton and is open from strawberry flavor to their famous 6 am until 2 pm Monday through biscuits.

Saturday.

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Carpentry skills preferred. Inside, outside and office Work required. Please submit resumé: hr@sugar hollowretreat.com The Courtyard.

710 E. Second Street.

Elizabethton, TN 37643.

423-543-2274. 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.

BOB HEFTY BRANCH MANAGER

SETH BELCHER MORTGAGE CONSULTANT

CHAD BERRY

LOAN OFFICER ASSISTANT

BRANDON BURLESON MORTGAGE CONSULTANT

JOHN HEFTY

MORTGAGE CONSULTANT

BEN LANE

LOAN OFFICER ASSISTANT

ACCURATE PRE-APPROVALS TRANSPARENT COMMUNICATIONS ON-TIME CLOSINGS

Call Team

to get moving.

Johnson City & Kingsport Locations

CHRIS NORRIS MORTGAGE CONSULTANT