Carter County Living Fall Edition

Carter County Living ARTS

SHOPPING

LIVING

FEATURES

FOOD

Fall 2019

Ashley Grindstaff From the runway to the president’s chair

KIDS LIKE US

When the world is focused on disability, we focus on the possibilty

WAYNE AND NANCY’S RESTAURANT Delicious southern specialties and boundless hospitality

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Carter County Living

With the changing of seasons, we have a constant reminder that Carter County is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is a place that you can truly enjoy all four seasons.

I know we all have our favorite and just like you, I have mine. The beautiful colors and cooler temperatures are the reasons that spring and fall are my favorite.

There is nothing like looking around and seeing the vibrant hues of fall in the mountains that surround us.

I would recommend taking a drive from Elizabethton to Watauga Lake and see why fall could be a favorite season for everyone, especially where we live. It seems that life is flying by and we are just along for the ride, so I have tried to make it a point to slow down and enjoy life.

I think just because we live in Carter County that we take for granted the beauty that surrounds us. The cooler nights and the leaves changing colors are a reminder that fall is upon us. So get out, slow down and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us.

Just like the excitement of the fall season, I am just as excited about the fall issue of Carter County Living.

On the cover of this issue, you will find Ashley Grindstaff, whose face for the last 15 years has been one of the most recognized in the Tri-Cities region and beyond.

Grindstaff has come into the homes of thousands of residents, talking about the great deals and service available from the Grindstaff Automotive Group family of dealerships.

Recently Grindstaff was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer by her husband, Steve, who owns the Grindstaff Automotive Group.

Our artist Spotlight is the Julie Williams Band. The band is named after its main vocalist, Julie Williams, who credits her mom as being her biggest fan, supporter and influence.

Billed as a trio, the group consists of

Julie and her husband, John “Gabe” Gabel, who works as a cabinet maker when he is not pushing out bass lines on a “doghouse” stand up. Jim Madigan (who is tongue in cheek introduced as hailing from “north of Roanoke”), provides a beat for the band.

The trio is the house talent for Riverside Taphouse and has a solid spot there every first Friday of the month. They get out of the house often and provide regional entertainment mostly within a two-hour circle around Carter County.

We have Southside Christian Church minister Michael Koruschak, who searched for a way he could be more involved in the community when he came to the church 25 years ago. He soon discovered a new field of ministry, a football field to be precise, where he serves as a team chaplain for the Elizabethton Cyclones.

For our restaurant this month we have Wayne & Nancy’s Family Restaurant.

The restaurant started as a gas station and convenience store called Valley View Market and progressively evolved into the eatery that it is now.

The focus has always been to serve delicious home-style food.

With the constant flow of regulars who visit the restaurant, some daily for over 20 years, it is safe to say Wayne & Nancy’s have hit that mark.

These are just a few of the amazing stories in this issue.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Carter County Living, 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 4

Staff General Manager DELANEY SCALF delaney.scalf@elizabethton.com Editorial Director ROZELLA HARDIN rozella.hardin@elizabethton.com Human Resources KRISTINA CRUZ kristina.cruz@elizabethton.com Customer Service KATHY SCALF kathy.scalf@elizabethton.com Operations Manager SCOTT SCALF scott.scalf@elizabethton.com Marketing Consultants BRANDY TRIVETT brandy.trivett@elizabethton.com JOYCE BARTLETT joyce.bartlett@elizabethton.com Copy Editor JANIE MCKINNEY janie.mckinney@elizabethton.com

News AMBER WADOVICK amber.wadovick@elizabethton.com Sports IVAN SANDERS ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com Composing ROBIN JOHNSON robin.johnson@elizabethton.com Correspondent KEVIN GREEN kevin.green@correspondents.com

ARTS & CULTURE

FEATURES

20 Under Valley Raceway 6 Julie Williams Band

The thrill of the competition

32 Ashley Grindstaff From the runway to the president’s chair of Grindstaff Automotive

Americana niched but unbound

10 Have You Been Spotted Check out these photos from area events

14 Upcoming events

Plan ahead for these favorite events

38 Charles VonCannon

LIVING

A man on a mission

24 Kids Like Us

When the world is focused on the disability, we focus on the possibilty.

FOOD 40 Wayne and Nancy’s Family Restaurant Delicious southern specialties and boundless hospitality

43 Get creative with apples 16 Simply Elegant

Provides desserts in downtown Elizabethton.

26 Preacher Mike Koruschak Taking his ministry to the football field.

Elsie’s Stewed Apples

Carter County Living ARTS

On the Cover Her face for the last 15 years has been one of the most recognized faces in the Tri-Cities region and beyond as Ashley Grindstaff has come into the homes of thousands of residents talking about the great deals and service available from the Grindstaff Automotive Group family of dealerships.

Photo: Ivan Sanders 5

SHOPPING

LIVING

FEATURES

FOOD

Fall 2019

Ashley Grindsta From the runway to the president’s chair

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KIDS LIKE US

When the world is focused on disa bility, we focus on the possibilty

WAYNE AND NAN CY’S RESTAURANT Delicious sout hern specialties and boundless hosp itality

Julie and her husband Gabe practicing soon to be released original material at the Covered Bridge.

Julie Williams Band Americana niched but unbound

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* Story by and Photos by Kevin Green * when he is not pushing out bass lines on a “doghouse” stand up.

Jim Madigan (who is tongue in cheek introduced as hailing from “north of Roanoke”), provides a beat for the band.

The trio is the house talent for Riverside Taphouse and has a solid spot there every first Friday of the month, but they get out of the house often and provide regional entertainment mostly within a two-hour circle around Carter County.

Music is often described as what art would sound like. Julie and company’s sound runs the gamut of Americana with a unique style. Although predominantly a cover band, their take on hits like the spirited “Wagon Wheel,” the proud and rousing “Rocky Top,” and the forlorn “Midnight Rider” are never tired and dull clones.

She has not received any formal training in music except a few lessons in banjo by E.C. Miller, yet before branching out on her own she played with her uncle Jerry White, Terry Barnes, and Grady

arter County is not short on talent for music lovers. A fair amount of it can be seen when winter gives it a rest and warm weather sets in; this is when the acts start lining up at the world famous Covered Bridge.

One such string ensemble that offers a plethora of unpretentious Americana is the Julie Williams Band.

The band is named after its main vocalist, Julie Williams, the only child of Walter Williams and Peggy White Chambers and a Carter County native to her core. Julie credits her mom as being her biggest fan, supporter and influence.

When she is not performing, Julie works as a substitute teacher, and at an even harder job as a mother to a young son named Jonah.

Billed as a trio, the group always consists of Julie and her husband, John “Gabe” Gabel, who works as a cabinet maker 6

“I can be by myself, and as long as I have a guitar, I can still perform.”

— Julie Williams - Gable

Julie echoing her guitar chords off the inside of the Covered Bridge.

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Julie practicing at the Elizabethton Covered Bridge.

Johnson in a bluegrass band. She says they were some of her strongest mentors.

Since she was young enough to remember there has always been music and tools to play it in her life.“There were always string instruments around me,” she says.

There is a strong hesitation when she was asked to name her favorite one. When pressed she

add on vocalist and musician Joe Booher was a reflection of many years of honed talent, and pulled a strong reaction by the attending crowd to prove it. Some of the covers included a song by the late but great Tom Petty and a gentle rendition of “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac. Covers are great but Julie is a songwriter too, and this means

gives in to the guitar because of its versatility.

Most instruments, such as the mandolin, are great but their sound is so specific, Julie said. “I can be by myself, and as long as I have a guitar, I can still perform,” she explained.

And perform she does. A recent gig by her band at Bristol’s Stateline Bar and Grill with occasional 8

original music. A performer’s own work is an equal measure of trust and vulnerability. An audience with ear for music must allow for this creativity for any song that begins its maiden voyage into the ethos of Appalachian, Americana or any culture. The artist that created it must have faith and deliver the song. In no other way can new works be nothing more than an unintended musical soliloquy.

Julie said her first release tentatively titled The Journey should be out in November. Her description of the self titled track “A Fistful of Daisies” and the lyrics alone to each are sure to raise some goosebumps.

Julie says she found an 1800s fiddle in a pawnshop for $100, and after some fidgeting bought it. The purchase became the muse behind the song “The Journey.”

“In my mind, this fiddle came across the sea from Ireland with an immigrant… What have you done? Where have you played?

Who’s played you, if you are that old,” Julie said. “The songwriter went crazy with the concept of this song. The first verse goes, ‘I have traveled across the ocean, rested my neck on a tapestry bag after I played for a sailor as he waved his hand in the wind; I’ll never see home again…’

“The third verse is probably my favorite. ‘I have played “soldiers joy.” I fell alongside a young southern boy. I bear the scars from the battle that night as I lay there to rest by his side. Strapped to the saddle for my last ride, the journey ends on a mountain so high. Now I play the old tunes that were hidden within, it feels like I am back home again.”

No one can say if the album, which was cut and mixed in Bristol’s Stephen Shonacker’s private studio, will propel the Julie Williams Band into the mainstream, but if it does fans do not have to worry about her changing to suit a new landscape, and this

is helped along by Mountain Folk Publishing, which is owned by the gifted crooner. Yet, change is good and if that change does away with the incessant need to box and niche every sound artists make, then change is good indeed.

Albeit, Julie says that she is just being herself when she sings and not really putting on a performance, to others that is the show, that is what they came for.

Julie and her band are on a journey that is sure to lead them beyond Carter County. It is to be expected because talent such as theirs should be shared far and wide.

Julie Williams Band performing with guest Joe Booher of the Booher family.

Julie showing her vocal acumen while crooning Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.”

Julie belting out a seat jumping version of Rocky Top during a gig at Bristol’s Stateline Bar and Grill.

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SP

You’ve Been

TTED!

Star Photos by Ivan Sanders and Kevin Green

Ray Amos and Olivia Duncan

Misty and Maddie Keller

Nicole, Selah, Jayden and Kelsey Denton

Cheanna Blevins and Sadie Jones

Chris, Tiffany, Reece and Pippa Rainey

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SP

You’ve Been

TTED!

Star Photos by Ivan Sanders and Kevin Green

Jordan and Luna Hodge Rudi and Arlene Angelmaier

Thomas Weston, Andrew Fairchild, Latasha Presley and Lynna Weston

Jarred Jones, Bobbye Carothers and Shelbye Jones

April Proffitt

Cathy Cassell and Allie the Dog

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SP

You’ve Been

TTED!

Greg Bowers, Margaret Moses, Angi Bradnan, Brice Ballentine and Joe Alexander

Star Photos by Ivan Sanders and Kevin Green

Rick Hines, Ella Bailey, Jack Hines and Matthew Hines

Curtis, Amanda, Kelley and Koda Sapp Jason Gordon, Kenzie Dugger, Luke Osborne and Kayla Osborne

Cindy, Emily and Austin Howard

Bradley Jenkins

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Rider Witten

SP

You’ve Been

TTED!

Star Photos by Ivan Sanders and Kevin Green

Cora and Kovi Cardin Hayley Hood, Olivia Oakley, and Lauren Mallusch

Ian Thompson

Natalie and Brooke Witten

Evan Carter and Nico Ashley

Tennessee Athletic Director Phillip Fulmer

Forrest Holt

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Smokey

UPCOMING EVENTS Plan ahead with fun happenings across Carter County

Saturday, Oct. 5 Fall Chili Cook-Off 8 a.m. - noon — Cook up a pot of your secret recipe and compete for prizes, or just come sample the chefs’ creations!

Everyone is welcome to kick off the fall season with food, fun, and fellowship. Register prior to October 5 at the Park Headquarters or Campground Check-in Station. Prizes will be awarded to the judges’ favorite chili, public favorite chili, best decorated chili booth, and overall best use of heat to flavor ratio (no burning off taste-buds!).

Meet at Picnic Shelter #3 in Campground.

Saturday, October 5 — Saturday, October 26 Fall Bird Walks 8 a.m.

Meet other birders and naturalists at Sycamore Shoals for a morning of birding during the migratory season. Sponsored by the Lee and Lois Herndon Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society.

Saturdays, October 5, 12, 19 and 26 Meet at Front Parking Lot Wednesday, October 9 Fire Starting Basics 9 - 10 a.m.

Pre-registration required www.tnstateparks.com/parks/ sycamore-shoals Interested in learning the art of building a fire? Develop your outdoor skills by joining Ranger Jason Davis for a hands-on tutorial about basic fire starting tips and techniques. We will be using both colonial era flint and steel

as well as modern tools. Topics include: how to make char cloth, good and bad natural fuel sources, fire building strategies, and improvising with everyday items. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Bring your own gloves and water, all other supplies will be provided.

Meet at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center Ranger Led Bike Ride 11 a.m. - noon Join Ranger Davis for a ranger led bike ride up the Tweetsie Trail to the Elizabethton Covered Bridge, then back to the park via the Elizabethton Linear Trail.

Total loop will be about 6 miles and take approximately one hour depending on the average ability level of the attending participants.

Portions of the route will not be suitable for pull behind child carriers. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring your own water. Program will be cancelled/rescheduled in the event of severely inclement weather.

Meet at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center Thursday, October 10 Carter Mansion Mysterious Candlelight Tour 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

It’s that time of year again when the air turns cool, leaves change color, ghosts stories are told, and certain old houses take on an ominous appearance.

If you have ever wondered what goes on at night in a house that’s over 200 years old, and are willing to brave the darkness and shadows, these tours may be for you! Join Carter Mansion curator Chad Bogart

for a tantalizing tour of this old estate built by John and Landon Carter in 1775. Hear tales of ghostly appearances, unexplained happenings, mysterious past events, strange superstitions and other unusual goings-on with a bit of history and humor thrown in for good measure.

Meet at Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion 1031 Broad St. Elizabethton.

Saturday, Oct. 12 2019 Autumn Harvest Festival Noon - 3 p.m. — Step back in time with us at the Miller Farmstead. Our Autumn Harvest Festival brings guests back into the mid 1800s with historical tours of the farm, house, and land surrounding the area.

The farmstead will be packed with historical demonstrations, games, traditional music, food, crafts, and more! Come out and support these local artists and re-enactors, or join in the fun by calling us to sign up as a vendor or re-enactor today.

In case of bad weather, the festival will be moved to the Visitor’s Center. If the festival will be moved, we will post it on our park Facebook page and have a sign re-directing guests from the Farmstead entrance. Meet at: Miller Farmstead.

goes on at night in a house that’s over 200 years old, and are willing to brave the darkness and shadows, these tours may be for you! Join Carter Mansion curator Chad Bogart for a tantalizing tour of this old estate built by John and Landon Carter in 1775. Hear tales of ghostly appearances, unexplained happenings, mysterious past events, strange superstitions and other unusual goings-on with a bit of history and humor thrown in for good measure.

Meet at: Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion 1031 Broad St., Elizabethton.

Saturday, October 19 Winterizing Your Garden Getting Ready for Spring 9 a.m. - noon Gardener extraordinaire, Ben Hunter, joins us in this exciting and informative series to share his experiences and techniques for growing the garden of your dreams! Free Admission! No reservations necessary!

Meet at Visitor Center Gathering Place

Thursday, October 17 Carter Mansion Mysterious Candlelight Tour 7:30 p.m.

It’s that time of year again when the air turns cool, leaves change color, ghosts stories are told, and certain old houses take on an ominous appearance. If you have ever wondered what

Thursday, October 24 Scary Stories at Fort Watauga 7:30 p.m.

Strange things happen around All Hallows Eve, especially at an old fort by the river. Bring the family and join us for tales that will send a shiver down your spine and tickle your funny bone, with a touch of wit thrown in for good

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Sunday, October 20 — Sunday, October 27 Small Works Art Show Regular Visitor Center Hours Displays of 8 x 10 or smaller works by members of the Watauga Valley Art League are featured during this art event.

UPCOMING EVENTS Plan ahead with fun happenings across Carter County

measure. Don’t be afraid, Fort Watauga at Sycamore Shoals isn’t haunted . . . or is it?!?! *** Dress warmly and bring a seat *** Meet at: Fort Watauga Meet at Visitor Center Gathering Place Saturday, Oct. 26 Halloween Fun Day Events offered 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Enjoy a wide variety of program offerings from Roan Mountain State Park Ranger staff throughout the day as part of Halloween Fall Fun Day! Activity schedule is as follows 9 a.m. — Fall on the Balds guided hike 10:30 a.m. — Creepy Crawly Ones snake program 12:30 p.m. — Corn Husk Halloween!

1:30 p.m. — Pumpkin Carving on the Mountain 3 p.m. — Hoo-lloween owl program 4 p.m. — Campfire Stories and S’mores All programs conclude by sunset and do not involve after-dark activities.

All programs will be canceled in case of rain/inclement weather.

Sunday, October 27 Old Time Music Jam 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Enjoy the rich musical traditions of our region. Old-time musicians of all levels are welcome.

Don’t play an instrument? Come on over, kick back, and enjoy the tunes!

Meet at Park Visitor Center

A Day of Dance – An English Country Dance Workshop 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

9 a.m. - noon – Basic Beginner 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. – Intermediate Cost: $6 for 1 session; $10 for both (includes refreshments throughout the day) Dance was a very popular social pastime during the early 19th century. This workshop is planned for beginners and intermediate level dancers – you make take 1 or both sessions! We welcome our guest instructors, Emily and Marie Smith! Please register by calling 423-543-5808.

Meet at Park Visitor Center Saturday, Nov. 2 Roan Mountain 10K Road Race 11 a.m. — Compete with runners from across the state as part of the Tennessee State Parks Running Tour. This certified 6.2 mile course is an all road (no trail!) race starting at 11 a.m. at Picnic Shelter 3. For more info/advance registration: (423) 547-3900, www.reg2run.com, or visit the Tennessee State Parks Running Tour website at www.tennesseerunningtour.com.

Meet at Picnic Shelter #3 in Campground.

Saturday, Nov. 9 Old Time Yule Celebration 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. — Celebrate Christmas with Roan Mountain State Park at the historic Miller Farmstead. This 1800s Christmas celebration will feature old-time traditional Christmas music, cookies and refreshments, a campfire, tours of the historic farmstead, and an old-timey letter writing station to Santa. In case of bad weather, this event may be moved to the Conference Center. If the

event will be moved, notice will be given on our Facebook Page and a sign redirecting traffic from the Farmstead entrance will be posted.

Meet at: Miller Farmstead Saturday, November 9 — Sunday, November 10 Colonial Harvest Celebration Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Join the festivities at Fort Watauga as the Washington County Militia gather to celebrate recent victories in the War for Independence and give thanks for a bountiful harvest. Enjoy demonstrations of 18th century life and living history presentations.

Meet at Fort Watauga Fall Fibers Fair Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Fall is the time we plan our winter projects and our handmade holiday gifts! Spend a day visiting our regions finest fiber producers and artists! The day will include workshops, vendors with handmade items for sale, raw fibers, and demonstrations of spinning, weaving, and more!

Meet at Visitor Center Gathering Place

Monday, November 25 Roan Mountain Community Christmas Tree Lighting 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Free Come help celebrate this wonderful time of year with a community Christmas tree lighting. We will have live entertainment by local school groups. Light refreshments

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will be provided while we await the arrival of Santa. A special community guest will flip the switch and the Roan Mountain Community will be aglow with Christmas spirit for the upcoming holiday season. Come out and enjoy an evening of community fellowship and excitement. Hosted by the Roan Mountain Citizens Club.

Friday, December 6 — Saturday, December 7 Christmas at the Carter Mansion 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Spend a candlelit evening in the oldest frame house in Tennessee, decorated with bright greenery for the holidays. Enjoy music, refreshments and historic interpreters sharing scenes from an 18th century Christmastide celebration.

Fee and pre-registration are required to attend. Registration will open later in the year as the event draws closer.

Contact the park at regular operating hours for more information.

Meet at Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion, 1031 Broad St., Elizabethton.

Sunday, December 8 — Wednesday, December 18 Winterfest Art Show Regular Visitor Center Hours Opening Reception: Sunday, December 8 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Kick off the holidays at Sycamore Shoals! The Watauga Valley Art League exhibition and sale begins with a reception on December 8 with great opportunities for holiday shopping! Artwork from the Watauga Valley Art League will remain on display during regular park hours through December 18.

Meet at Visitor Center Gathering Place

Betty Barnes (left) said Simply Elegant has been open for little more than a month in downtown Elizabethton, and already the bakery has become involved with many different local businesses near them.

Simply elegant desserts in downtown Elizabethton

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* Story by and Photos by Amber Wadovick *

owntown Elizabethton now has a full-fledged bakery in its midst, and the owners are looking to involve themselves with the community as much as they possibly can with the chance they have received.

Owners Betty and Robert Barnes started Simply Elegant several years ago.

“I have had a background in food since I was 15,” Betty Barnes said.

She said she has always had a passion for baking and wanted to create her own business for a while. Three years ago, she finally had her chance.

Simply Elegant filled a void left in downtown Elizabethton when Blue River Studios moved from 527 East Elk Avenue, providing a physical storefront to what started out as simply a catering service.

Part of the reason she waited before opening the physical store, she said, was due to cost.

“There is a lot of overhead in a business,” she said. “It adds up.”

She said her goal was to open her business without having to go into debt in order to do so.

When that chance finally happened, she set up shop in Hampton, providing catering to just about all of Carter County.

“We go all the way to Boone, North Carolina,” she said. “We have two girls who do our deliveries.”

This kind of start was easier, she said, due to the cost.

“There is less overhead with catering,” Barnes said. “We built that from nothing.”

All the while, however, the Downtown Business Association in Elizabethton kept contacting her, saying it would be great if she could open a storefront in downtown. As first, she refused due to the cost, but eventually, she said the public interest convinced her.

“I was concerned about parking, but it worked out,” Barnes said.

She said as soon as they announced their opening, they had immediate public interest.

“Before we opened, we had people coming in every day,” she said. “The community was excited.”

The bakery had their grand opening celebration Saturday, Aug. 24, and already she said business has been steady.

“We have had people all over the tri-cities,” she said.

She said part of their success so far comes from the quality of their products, which she described as being a step above a grocery store.

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“Ninety-nine percent of it is homemade,” Barnes said. “Our reputation has followed us. We are providing a product people want.”

She said downtown Elizabethton has lacked a full-fledged bakery for a while, adding to their unique appeal.

The bakery serves cookies, cake slices, cupcakes and more.

Beyond the food itself, however, Barnes said she prides the business on its cooperation with other business in the area.

“We encourage and support local merchants,” she said. “We have the Coffee Company right down the street and Glow Herbal.”

She said this kind of support is also the goal of the other businesses as well.

“We have gotten positive reception from both establishments,” she said. “That is what makes this community unique.”

Simply Elegant does not just do sweets, however. They do have

The bakery uses a large kitchen in the back of the complex on Elk Avenue to make their products. The catering side of the business reaches out as far as North Carolina.

other, full meals on their menu on the catering side. She said the most popular of these is the grilled chick-

en cordon bleu. On the bakery side, that would be the creme brulee.

“We would like to see our menu

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expand to lunch, like soup or sandwiches,” Barnes said. “We are looking at more dine-in options.”

The bakery makes dozens of different kinds of sweets, from oreo cheesecake to key lime pie to much more.

These are just single items on a list of improvements and expansions the bakery is hoping to make now that they have made a name for themselves.

“We would like to see our business expand locally,” she said. “We may rent out other areas inside.”

One of the bigger ideas she talked about was the possibility of adding a cream soda bar just outside the bakery itself.

“I am a go-getter,” she said. “I do what it takes to get it done.”

When all the entrepreneurship is said and done, however, she said Simply Elegant’s relationship with its customers is most important.

“If we do not get excellent customer service, you will not have a business,” Barnes said.

She said she also wanted to thank her dedicated team of workers who make it all possible.

“I have a really good staff,” she said.

Barnes said they are always working on new ideas to expand their menu, including potential lunch items like soup or sandwiches.

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It’s Just Like Drag Racing

The model cars in question offer quite a bit of customizability, from the types of tires, the chassis, paint job and even the suspension. The raceway sells full model kits as well as individual parts.

The thrill of the competition: Under Valley Raceway

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* Story by and Photos by Amber Wadovick *

hen someone thinks about model cars, often they may think of little kids making “vroom” noises as they push a Hot Wheels car up and down the kitchen counter or with Cub Scouts and their Pinewood Derby cars. For Albert Allen and his friends, however, their model cars are not just a game.

It is a serious competition.

Allen is the owner of the Under Valley Raceway, a storefront in downtown Elizabethton that only opens early in the evening, so

passersby sometimes think the store is either abandoned or about to close down.

The 15-year hobby started when a friend introduced him to it in the ’90s.

“I had a friend doing it in the Antiques on Elk’s basement,” Allen said.

From there, the hobby turned into a favorite pastime of him and his friends, though they eventually had to move out of their original location.

For Allen, racing the 1/24 or 1/25 model cars is not just a “small” hobby.

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“I have built around 200 [model cars] for myself,” he said. “I only have about 25 of them right now.”

Each car has the same attention to detail as a 1,000-piece Lego set. Even though the kits themselves come from places like Michael’s or Ebay, the Raceway sells custom parts such as tires or frames to customize the car completely to the owner’s liking.

“We have someone who will paint the car for you,” Allen said. “We all get the four guys to do it. It depends on how much detail you

Albert Allen is the owner of the Under Valley Raceway, a place in downtown Elizabethton where model car enthusiasts can put their competitive spirit to the test.

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Allen said he only owns about 25 model cars personally, though he has owned roughly 200 in the past. His absolute favorite, however, is a 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix that used to belong to his dad.

want.”

All this attention to detail comes together once the car hits the 27.5 feet of electric track.

Contrary to what the term raceway may imply, the speed of the car is less important than the reaction time of the driver.

Two cars at a time sit on electric tracks while each driver has a “gun” whose trigger will shoot the car forward. When the light turns green, the driver pulls the trigger and the car shoots across the track towards the finish line less than 30

feet away. The cars move so fast, most races are done in less than a second.

“It is just like real drag racing,” Allen said. “We have a lot of fun racing them.”

Sophisticated computer equipment keeps track of the racers’ starting, ending and reaction times. Some of the more frequent racers are able to pull off reaction times of less than a tenth of a second.

For Allen, the model cars themselves are just as fun as the races.

“My favorite is the 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix,” he said. “It is a silver model of my dad’s.”

He said the model used to be moldy and an ugly gray, but he put in a lot of work to polish it up and make it look good as new.

Just about every aspect of the car can be customized, from the color of the windows, the tires and recently the suspension itself.

In fact, some of the models are not really cars at all. Some model trucks are the right size to fit on the raceway, too, and they compete

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head-to-head with the sports cars.

As for the races, their competitive spirit does not stop at racing for fun. Frequently, they will race for a cash prize, and more than a few sign up to compete.

“We get up to 100 entries in the winter,” Allen said. “We had a big race in January with about 300 cars, and we paid out about $2,000.”

If all of the above seems extremely complex, Allen said not to worry. Despite the competitive spirit of the racers, he said every-

one is more than eager to help each other out.

“The chassis are not that hard to build,” he said. “There is someone here who can show you how to do it.”

In fact, those interested in participating can do so with no prior experience in the sport.

“You do not have to have a car to race,” Allen said. “I rent a few out.”

Those who find an interest after that can buy complete kits at the raceway to start working on their own car, and on Tuesdays, they race for parts to customize their cars.

The raceway’s hours during the summer can be a bit scattered, but starting November he said they plan to be open more often, starting around 2 p.m. most days, except weekends, and closing whenever they are finished with the races for the day.

Allen said being able to turn a hobby into his job is a great thing.

“It is great being able to do it,” he said.

Racers use a trigger gun to propel their model cars along the track.

Some participants are skilled enough to get their reaction times down to less than a tenth of a second.

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Kids Like Us founder Lisa Lyons and Malachi working on a project.

Kids Like Us

‘When the world is focused on the disability, we focus on the possibility.’

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* Story by and Photos by Kevin Green *

he old Range Elementary School in the Watauga community is very rich in history. So much so that when you stand in its halls, you can almost smell the chalk dust, and you think about the thousands of children that learned there over the years. The school closed in 2013 and remained shuttered until a community learning center with a grab-you-name Kids Like Us (KLU) moved in.

The current all-volunteer staff at KLU immediately began to transform the old school into a warm place where kids and kids at heart all feel welcome.

Lisa Lyons, a longtime resident of Carter County and a mother to an adopted autistic child, started KLU in 2017 because she saw that more needed to be done with kids with special abilities than what could be provided at the often overworked and populated public schools mired down with bureaucratic red tape and other complications.

KLU’s mission statement reads: “All children and young adults

should have the same opportunity to connect with others, be able to learn and socially connect with new friends and have a sense of belonging. That is what Kids Like Us is all about!”

Lisa also provided details of how the center goes about carrying out this mission.

“Kids Like Us is a community learning center for everyone. We are very family centered. We believe that if we focus on the family as a whole, we can create a better place for the children. Especially, when there are different abilities in the home,” she said.

Kids Like Us is not limited to just kids with disabilities. They accept any person from 0 to adult. They do not refer to those they help as having a disability, but rather they prefer to say every one has a “different ability.”

Some of the programs offered at the center are classes in literacy, computer coding and art. Lifestyle skills include cooking, laundry, selfhelp, and financial management.

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The scope does not just stop at a show and tell perspective, but also included are a workforce development project and teaming up with a LiiNA to bring individualized focus for those students with different abilities. ETSU and Frontier Health are also on board.

The center that the staff and kids use is now located at Range, but that has not always the case. KLU used to be located right across from Elizabethton High School in a much smaller building.

When Malachi Morefield met Lisa after he started attending the high school, he was invited by her to become a student member of the then budding supplemental learning center.

Malachi was diagnosed with autism when was around five years old, but this would not stop him from not only benefitting but also helping the transition of KLU from an idea to the bristling success that it is now.

What he picked up at the center he would use at a job with a national restaurant chain, where he has excelled. While maintaining a job in fast food is a fantastic achievement for Malachi, he has more long terms goals such as being a teacher’s assistant and help “Ms. Lisa” with the kids at the center to serving as pastor with the church he attend.

Malachi had done so well with the kids in the past that he was named a student mentor, yet you can tell titles are no interest to him, as he would continue to work great with the children there without one.

The fact that Malachi excels at working with kids may have been overlooked in the past, which would have been a loss, especially when youth desperately need role models now more than ever. Kids Like Us did not disregard it.

“Malachi will become our first official employee where he will assist with working with kids as soon as our workforce development grant is approved,” Lisa said.

The old Range School has provided a foothold for Kids Like Us, and both are worthy of preserving. Malachi and any other person from “0 to adult” is a testament to the idea that when you spend the time needed and are free from tunnel vision policies that only focus on disabilities, people’s true talents can be discovered.

Those interested in becoming a member, volunteering, or more information can reach the center for more information by calling 423-4703410 or by e-mail at kidslikeuscommunity@gmail.com. Their website is http://www.kidslikeuscommunity.org.

Members at Kids Like Us completing a learning assignment with Malachi. Malachi will be the center’s first employee when the organization is approved for a workforce development grant.

Kids Like Us member Malachi experiencing state of the art VR equipment.

Malachi and the adoring kids he helps mentor at the Kids Like Us learning center.

Lisa Lyons getting a hug from her grandson, Jason. Jason is also a member of Kids Like Us.

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Taking his ministry to the football field…

Preacher Mike relishes the role as team chaplain for Elizabethton * Story by and Photos by Ivan Sanders *

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or many pastors, the field of ministry extends to the inside of the four walls of the churches where they serve, but for others, there is a burning desire to go beyond the walls and reach out further in their communities.

Southside Christian Church minister Michael Koruschak searched for a way that he could be more involved in the community when he came to the church 25 years ago and discovered a new field of ministry – a football field to be precise.

“I am in my 25th year at Southside and I just believe that has really helped my ministry at Southside,” said Koruschak about being involved as a team chaplain for the Elizabethton Cyclones.

“When I came to Southside they wanted someone that would be involved in the community and I tried a few other things before I got involved in football.”

That desire led to a meeting with then Cyclone head coach Dave Rider and his wife, Deanna, who happened to come to Southside one Sunday.

Even though Koruschak didn’t know Rider that well, their love for golf led to developing more of a friendship that led

Pastor Michael Koruschak has been the team chaplain of the Elizabethton Cyclones for 22 years and has pastored Southside Christian Church for 25 years.

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to Rider inviting Koruschak to be a part of the Cyclones even though he wasn’t a football coach but felt he had qualities that could help the young men and coaching staff.

Rider told Preacher Mike that he could do what he wanted and if he felt that it was out of place, he would let him know. Koruschak realized that everything happening was a God thing because someone needed him.

Koruschak admits that the first few times he came and tried to find a place that he could fit in to help the team in any way possible.

“My first year was difficult because I just didn’t know what I could and couldn’t do,” Koruschak admits. “And now, for me, the sky is the limit for me.

I am deeply involved with the quarterbacks and the kickers.

“I feel those two groups of men change the football game and I always try to get to know them.”

One of his responsibilities that he takes deep pride in is when players and families come and seek him out for prayer before the contests kicks off.

“The first Friday night this year I had 15 players that I prayed with individually and that’s about twice as normal for

Preacher Mike gathers the junior varsity teams of Elizabethton and Mitchell County, N.C., together after a recent game for the Lord’s Prayer.

me,” stated Koruschak. “So before the football game, they will seek me out or I will seek them out and we will pray together.

“Over the years I have had dozen of parents that have asked me to pray that we would win the football game and I always tell them that I can’t do that. I can pray that their son will do his best on that football team and I think that is important.”

One thing that Koruschak is especially proud of is being around a coaching staff that truly cares and loves the players on the team – just not for their football talents but as young people in general.

“I hear those coaches tell those boys, “I love you,” all the time and I don’t know how strongly we always mean that but I do want to believe that we do mean that – that we are there for those kids,” Koruschak commented.

Koruschak shared how that the Cyclone head coach is out checking on his players at all the local eateries to make sure that

they aren’t out when they should be home He attributes Witten’s willingness to go above what is required shows he really cares about his team and especially since he is taking away time from his own family to do so.

In 2018, Koruschak experienced something personally in his health that has forever changed his outlook on life and the importance of making every day count in a positive manner going to show that a minister is not above any other human being.

2019 marks his 22nd year with the team but year 21 didn’t play out like what Koruschak anticipated as he suffered a heart attack while preaching a sermon in the pulpit at Southside.

“That heart attack made me think that maybe I am wasting some time here and there but then on the positive side I didn’t die.

“I could have died and I didn’t so obvious to me just as a Christian there is more for me

to do and I am not done,” added Koruschak.

Preacher Mike said that Sunday morning was like all others except he wasn’t feeling himself and even told his wife, Eleanor, the same marking it off as just one of those feel-bad days like so many people experience.

About 10 minutes into his sermon, Koruschak felt like someone had taken a sledgehammer and hit him squarely in the chest so hard that he had to turn away from the congregation to get a breath.

But as he has done over the last 24-plus year, he plowed on through the remainder of his sermon.

With people waiting to speak to him in the foyer, Koruschak admitted he had to turn them away due to how he was feeling.

“I finally had to say I don’t want to sound rude to you but I think that I am dying right here and I felt like I was,” added Koruschak. “I made it to the porch

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and I thought if I could cough or throw up I would feel better which I could not do either.

“I finally sat down on the porch at church and before you know it, I was laying down. I didn’t fall down, but I was lying down.”

God had his own human Angels there that morning for Preacher Mike as Danny Smith of Physical Therapy Services along with his daughter Tracy Collake who is a nurse was close by.

Not only were they present, but there were four other nurses in attendance at the church and they all jumped into action to help their pastor.

Koruschak went on to say, “I will tell you that I don’t know if I believe in that light at the end of the tunnel, I don’t know about that, but I will tell you twice I remember my eyes rolling back and Tracy Collake was holding my hand, my eyes rolled back and twice for just a fraction of a second there was no sound and there were

about 50 people around me.

“And then I heard both times Tracy saying, “Stay with us Preacher Mike, stay with us”.

With the help of Rusty Barnett, the ambulance arrived with eight minutes to whisk Preacher Mike to the hospital where he spent a few days having three stints put into place and put on a regiment of medicine after his release.

Koruschak opening admits that he like others are approaching a final destination that he speaks of with passion, hope, and faith and the urgency that he is approaching life with now has changed not only him but Southside Christian Church.

“I just turned 68 and I realize that my time is shorter in front of me than it is behind me,” added Koruschak. “I will tell you that since that I have had my heart attack, that we have had 37 additions at Southside. I have really just gotten serious even more serious than I was before.”

Koruschak said that having his role with the football team has meant a lot to him and it has opened the doors to meet the players and their families and to gain them as church members if they haven’t found a church home.

“It’s exciting for me. I am a Type A kind of guy and I like to be noticed in a good, humble way that I am the preacher at Southside Christian Church and I just think that’s a good witness for me,” Koruschak stated.

Southside Christian Church minister Michael Koruschak stands outside the entrance to the church. Koruschak has been the pastor of the church for 25 years and also has served as Elizabethton Cyclone football team chaplain for 22 years.

“Not everybody can accomplish what I have been doing out there or being involved like that, but I think it’s a good witness.

“I actually had a football player last Thursday night at the junior varsity game who was a ninth-grader and I didn’t know him and he said we are new in the community from Kingsport and I was told if we went to church somewhere that I should speak to you, Preacher Mike.

“And on Sunday, he and his family were at church. You can’t put a value on that. It’s so important that anybody would seek out any Christian and say hey I want to go to church with you,” said Koruschak.

Koruschak has been an inspiration part of the Cyclone teams over the years and his service is

much appreciated by the many parents that have witnessed as Preacher Mike has run onto the field to check on their fallen son due to injury and for being there as a sounding board for the kids.

“I have never met a parent that didn’t appreciate in my case, me, with my arm around their child praying with them or if I have the opportunity to be the first one out there if their child should go down, I always make it a point to go out there and check on their kids.

“I don’t live my life in compartments. I have had dozen of parents over the years thank me for being there for their child.

I am not a coach but I lend something else to their children,” continued Koruschak. “A lot of times those parents don’t go to church and they will tell me they

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don’t want to go to church, but they tell me they appreciate what I am doing.”

In his time as the team chaplain, Koruschak said that he has not come across too many others who have filled a role on the opposing team as chaplains.

And while many may not see a need for the role, it is something that Koruschak feels is critical to a team. The only other chaplain that came to mind was one at Science Hill.

In his role, many doors have been opened to speak at the middle school and high school as Koruschak feels it is important to always share your faith.

One of the extensions of that is keeping a tight lip on the sidelines and on the field when other coaches and players might get angry, Koruschak feels it crucial to maintain who he is.

He admits that he does get angry but as the Bible states, “Be angry and sin not,” especially after seeing cheap shots taken on kids that you minister to on a daily basis.

One other thing that Preacher Mike feels is important is gathering players from both teams after the game and leave the field with prayer.

“Praying with both teams is tremendously important to me,” Koruschak stated. “I always try to speak to the head coach before the game and say hey I like to do this can we do this.

“It is important to me whether we win or lose that we take a knee and mix it up. This ball game is over the result has happened and now its time to move on.”

Elizabethton’s football team is composed of over 70 boys and counting coaches there are about 80 plus members that compose the entire team.

There are many churches that do not have that type of attendance and just like churches there are things that happen within the makeup of a team that requires special love and understanding.

Koruschak sees his interaction with the team as a second church that he ministers to.

“It has opened a lot of doors as people will stop me in town and talk football and anytime they do, I try to steer them in some way to a faith issue,” added Koruschak. “I will say to them something to the effect, hey your son wanted me to pray for you over something and I wanted to check and see how things were going. I want them to know that their kids are in tune with what I am trying to do.

“I tend to get closer to some kids than others but I don’t try to shun anybody. I do see football as another full ministry for me – another church.”

“I think you have to live your faith. You have to walk your walk and talk your talk. You have to do that. I make sure that I don’t say any ugly words out there. I make sure they don’t come out of my mouth,” said Koruschak.

Preacher Mike has been long known for something else and that is wearing shorts even in games where the cold was so bitter that one couldn’t even feel their hands or feet.

“The opportunities have just been unbelievable for me for people to know me,” Koruschak stated. “I am also known because I wear shorts all the time and I don’t do that to stand out.

“Coach Rider said I could wear

shorts and when Shawn came I asked him the same thing.

Koruschak feels that his involvement with the team has not only blessed him but has been a blessing to Southside Christian as the attendance has grown to well over 200 from the time he took over the pastorate at the church.

He noted that just in the last four and a half years the church has seen 119 additions to Southside and have already seen 26 new additions in 2019.

Preacher Mike believes that reaching children is essential.

Many think that young children simply don’t understand the Christian faith, but Koruschak says that if the church is doing things the way they are suppose to and parents are sharing their faith at home, then the age is not that much of an issue.

“I baptized my seven-year-old granddaughter Sunday morning and the three baptisms before her were two seven-year-olds and two nine-year-olds,” Koruschak said.

“I realize that parents always are concerned that’s too young but my feelings are that all these girls have grown up in church and they know what is going on.

“They have been taught. When I talked to them about the plan of salvation, they all said they have been taught that downstairs or mom and daddy told me that scripture.”

With his age and the recent health issue, Koruschak admits that he doesn’t know how many years that may be left for him in the ministry but just knows that he loves the church and being a part of the Southside family.

His family has been greatly blessed while ministering to others at the church.

Meanwhile, Preacher Mike is optimistic about the upcoming season on the football field for the Cyclones.

“I think that we have another wonderful football team and we

Team chaplain Michael Koruschak appears to be looking heavenward, but in fact he is watching a punt soar overhead. Koruschak has a lot to look toward the heavens for especially after surviving a heart attack in 2018 that could have taken his life.

Preacher Mike can be seen before games having prayer with players that both seek him out and that he looks for as well.

Although not a coach, team chaplain Michael Koruschak is constantly encouraging the Cyclone players and coaches.

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Preacher Mike always walks around during pre-game workouts to encourage the team.

Being around the program for 22 years, players are always seeking Preacher Mike for advice and assistance from football to spiritual.

During team warmups, Preacher Mike, as he is commonly called by the team, works with quarterbacks.

have some talent in that ninth-grade team,� Koruschak added. “I see some boys that are already playing and playing a very important part and not just on Mondays or Thursdays but on Friday night as well. I think that we have this belief that if we work hard and perform well that things will fall in place for us this year.�

Preacher Mike and his wife, Eleanor, will celebrate 48 years of marriage in October and he has two sons - Randy and Eric.

Preacher Mike tosses the football back to a quarterback to toss to a receiver.

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Why I Love Carter County

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

Downtown Elizabethton is undergoing an interesting revitalization and I LOVE IT! I also enjoy Roan Mountain State Park.

Tyler Hyder was born in Carter County. His parents are Lonnie and Jackie Hyder, also both of Carter County.

Tyler graduated from Elizabethton High School and the Mercer School of Pharmacy. He has been a pharmacist for 30 years and has worked at Burgie Drug Store of Elizabethton since 1988, 31 years!

Tyler is married to Vickie Hyder, formerly of Rutledge, TN and Vickie is also a pharmacist. Tyler and Vickie are the proud parents of Shannon and Delanie Hyder.

Shannon attends the University of Tennessee School of Veterinary Medicine and Delanie is a currently a senior at Elizabethton High School.

Tyler’s hobbies include: Farming, camping and motorcycle touring.

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

For better or worse it has made me who I am and I can’t imagine growing up anywhere else.

4. What is your favorite time of year?

Definitely Fall! It is great weather for outdoor activities and motorcycle touring.

Why I Love Carter County1. What do you think makes Carter County unique by comparison to other places?

The beautiful scenery, mountains and lakes, great weather with all four seasons, so much interesting and important history and friendly, caring people that normally greet you with a smile and a wave!

Why Do You Love Carter County?

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?

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, Roan Mountain State Park, Watauga Lake, Laurel Falls and our revitalized downtown area.

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 St., Elizabethton, TN 37643.

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Ashley Grindstaff sits behind her desk. She and husband, Steve, share an office at the Elizabethton dealership.

Ashley Grindstaff…

From the runway to the president’s chair of Grindstaff Automotive * Story by and Photos by Ivan Sanders * Many people take different roads to reach their er face for the last 15 years has been “People inspire me. present status in life. Some travel the path of educaone of the most recognized faces in the tion while others work from the time they are old Tri-Cities region and beyond as Ashley Truly they do. enough to hold a job.

Grindstaff has come into the homes of I always love to learn Ashley’s road into the industry was a completely thousands of residents talking about the great deals from other people - unassuming one that utilized both her beauty and and service available from the Grindstaff Automotive Group family of dealerships. what their passions are charm that began on the runway of pageants into the seat.

And while she has been at the front promoting and what they do in president’s “Well, I married into this automotive industry the products, it has been her work in the background their life.” almost 15 years ago to my husband, Steve. Our 14th that has kept Grindstaff Automotive as one of the premier dealerships in the Elizabethton and Johnson —Ashley Grindstaff anniversary is actually coming up this month.

“He had hired me in 2005. I was actually the City areas. reigning Miss Kingsport at the time and he said Recently Grindstaff was appointed President and that he had a new Kia store in Johnson City that he Chief Operating Officer by her husband, Steve, who needed a spokesperson for and asked me if I would consider it and I said owns the Grindstaff Automotive Group.

During a recent visit, Grindstaff spoke about getting into the automo- absolutely,” Ashley said.

After going through a series of tests, Ashley was called in and offered tive industry and balancing her multiple facets of life. a fantastic opportunity.

A door opens into the automotive industry

H

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“So, he hired me on the spot to be the Kia spokesperson for Grindstaff Kia because at the time in 2005 we were the largest Kia dealer in the world.

“The prototype of what is now Grindstaff Kia on the Motor Mile was the prototype for all the new Kia stores,” stated Ashley.

A walk on the runway changed everything When first getting involved in pageants, little did Ashley realize that one day the same runway that she would be competing on for a pageant title would lead to today where she is one of only a few female presidents of large automotive groups such as the Grindstaff Automotive Group.

“I just wanted to personally meet him at the Miss Johnson City Pageant when I came as Miss Kingsport and I said, “Mr. Grindstaff, I just wanted to thank you for my scholarship – it meant a lot to me,” and just kind of reintroduced myself to him,” Ashley said about meeting Steve.

“So after the pageant was held, he came up to me and had offered me to do a test. So, I kind of got into it and to make a long story short, the rest is history.

“We developed a personal relationship after working with him and again the only thing that he said was he wanted me to be committed on Saturday’s to meet customers and I said, “Yes sir, I can do that,” and so we found a lot of common interest and developed a personal relationship outside of business,” added Ashley.

One thing that she has strived to do is to stay hidden behind the scenes of the working of Grindstaff Automotive as she inspires to see others grow behind the scenes that give the business a greater opportunity to grow as well.

She is especially motivated to see other women flourish in the automotive industry that typically is a man’s world.

Breaking barriers for women Grindstaff realizes that she is looked at by many women as a pioneer in where females can find a new identity in the automotive industry and its something that she doesn’t take light-heartedly.

“Up until this year it’s always very evolving but in today’s time and at the forefront of 2019 and pushing forward into 2020, women continue to break barriers in the automotive industry and that’s something that I really want to continue to push,” said Grindstaff.

“Over 66 percent of the buying decision is women and having a comfortable atmosphere is absolutely my number one most important thing.”

Even though Ashley Grindstaff has been promoted President and The one thing that she wants women to know that every person CEO of Grindstaff Automotive, she wants customers to know that doesn’t just start out being successful and many have to experience fail- she is always accessible with the open door policy that her husband, ures - sometimes painful ones but that shouldn’t stop one from trying Steve, began years ago.

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Ashley Grindstaff believes that women need to feel empowered and believe they can accomplish whatever they set their heart and mind to.

Pictured are Grindstaff employees (L-R) Dallas Adams, Grindstaff, and Bev Lisica.

If anyone has ever worked in the automotive industry, time is someand trying some more.

“You aren’t always going to be successful right in the beginning. You thing that there is not enough of for a man, much less a woman who is a mother, wife, housekeeper, and finally the President and CEO of the are going to fall and fail and that’s the learning curve of anybody’s life company. in whatever business that they are doing,” Ashley commented.

It takes a fine-lined balancing act that may require sacrifice on one “I think that without failing in some aspects, you can’t really appreciate people succeeding because of what they learn and that’s what I front to accommodate time for something else.

“As I take a deep breath, today is a prime example of that,” Ashley am going to continue to do is listen to the customer appeal, listen to the said. “I am still learning the balance and for any woman, mother, busiemployees too.” ness person or just a working person who has three, four, and even five The value of the frontline employees things that they are constantly multitasking, you are not alone because I If there is one thing that Ashley has learned over the course of time in the business is that no man is an island and it takes an army to run a am still trying to figure it out truly.

“And I am still trying to find that balance but for me to be able to business. work through everything that goes on in a day and time management As a business owner and manager, the worse injustice you can do being able to have some time alone sometime in the morning is a sacrito yourself is to close your communication line from the top to those fice for me to be able to sleep,” Ashley commented. who are fighting the good fight on the front line of the business – the “It’s a balancing act that today I am still trying to figure it out.” employees.

Like many other families that depend on each other to take care “They are not just employees here, they are team members and an of the needs of running a home, Ashley leans on family and friends to extension of our family,” Ashley commented. “We have daily meetings help her with her sons in picking them up at school, bringing them to and want their input into what they think works because most of them, the dealership where they complete their homework and then on to the and I call them as being on the frontline so to speak, they are with football field for practice. customers day in and day out.

“I think that most of all, nobody should ever feel like they are alone.

“They hear more than I can always hear because I am kind of doing There should be some kind of forum out there for women just to vent a lot of paperwork and trying to figure things out.” because it’s not easy – it’s really not easy.”

Balancing the job, motherhood, and personal time 34

Keep the priorities in order With so many irons in the fire, without a sense of order things could become chaotic especially for someone like Grindstaff.

For Ashley, she and Steve have a set order for their priorities and at the top are their sons and their employees.

“For us, we put our family first and our employees and team members, and just like the kids we put them first because they are the most important besides our customer,” Ashley stated.

Just like other families, the Grindstaff’s face daily battles in the game of life and try to take the lessons they have learned from their experiences over the past years to help them mold how they will face the future.

“We have dealt with our fair share of battles in the car industry and our house catching on fire in the same year and I truly feel like that’s one of the best lessons that I have learned in life is you don’t take life that seriously and you truly appreciate everything – in your relationships and what you do in your community.”

Customers come first In taking over the President position, Ashley said that one of the most important things will always be the customers who come to a Grindstaff Automotive Group dealership to purchase a vehicle.

And that relationship does not end just at the purchase of a vehicle, it extends for beyond.

“Sometimes in the automotive industry, I feel like people buy an expensive car and then they have to bring it in for service and sometimes we don’t always know what the issues are or what the recalls are but we want to change, “Oh goodness, I just bought this new car and now I have to take it in for service,” stated Ashley.

“We want to change that to saying, “Hey we are listening, we want to help you, we want to do what is most convenient for you.”

One of the things they have installed is a courtesy program to make sure if any work as far as recalls and major warranty work has to be done, that the families will still have transportation to get their children to school and the adults to work in making sure daily routines are not affected Overcoming obstacles and naysayers With a small population of females at the level where Ashley now sits, she was asked if there was any advice that she would give to a woman considering pursuing such a career.

“Don’t listen to others,” Ashley said emphatically. “It doesn’t matter who you are or what you are doing – male or female, I always have felt like that you do what speaks to you and challenging yourself because I think a lot of people in our industry over time have thought, “She doesn’t know what she is doing.”

“But I have listened intently and I have taken notes over the years. I was involved in a lot of our customer service industry early on trying to figure out ways to make people happy.

“We know what an investment people are making who are purchasing a vehicle – new or used, it’s expensive and the last thing you want to do is come in and have whether it’s a recall, warranty work, or even an oil change – you want to be in and out but I think for me that I have always listened to that inner person that says keep going, keep doing, keep listening and any naysayers around you prove them wrong,” continued Ashley.

“For me personally, it’s a challenge that I like to accept and I accept it internally. I don’t always let people know.”

The door never closes

Ashley Grindstaff said that even with the role she currently holds, she has always been the same Ashley as she was when she was a little girl.

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One thing that has always been true at Grindstaff is that the customer is number one and if there are any problems or help needed on any issues, Ashley and Steve have always been accessible.

There has never been a sign stating that the door must remain shut as that is just not the case. The door will always be accessible to their customers.

“We want customers to be able to get in and get out and be happy and to have their vehicle serviced at a reasonable price without any comebacks and that is something that we really try to pride ourselves on,” Ashley said.

“It’s a ten-fold thing, it’s like a 360 – we are always trying to figure it out. Sometimes you can’t make people happy but we have always put ourselves out there to say if you are not happy, then our door is always open.

“Legitimately, the door is always open. Anybody can find us or call us.

We want to listen, we want to understand, and we want to work through because again without our community and customers we wouldn’t be here.”

The right upbringing For everything that Ashley has achieved to this point in her life, the foundation for her outlook on life and how to treat those she interacts with started as a child as her parents instilled in her the way to treat and respect those around her.

“You have got to get to know someone and I think that even in today’s society that social media can tarnish what people really are about with assumptions and that is one thing that I always like to put myself out there and say get to know me,” Ashley said.

She went on to say that before she was a Grindstaff, she was Ashley

Martin and everyone that knows her realizes that she hasn’t changed.

And one of those attributes that she has always possessed is the ability to treat each person the same no matter where they live, no matter their social status, and no matter their economic status in life.

“The way that my parents taught me was that you give the same respect to a janitor as you would to the President of the United States and that’s how I handle our business principles here too,” she continued.

“It doesn’t matter who is working or what pay they get. We treat everybody with respect in the same way with customers.”

There’s no ‘I’ in team Over the years, Steve has been a large supporter of athletics throughout the region and the drive and passion for that come from his own participation in football growing up.

He has brought a lot of what he learned on the football field to the floor of his dealerships over the years that has kept the Grindstaff Automotive Group at the top of local dealerships.

“In the beginning of Grindstaff with my husband, he attributes a lot of his success to the football principles that he learned from his coaches and team building and team effort and that is one thing that we have common ground is philanthropy,” Ashley noted.

“And it’s not just for face value. It’s because we care. We know with sports, music, art, pageantry – there are so many different multilayers that can touch people to build inner strength.

“The principles that team building can shape you for your future and again Steve attributes a lot of his business success all these years because of football and coaches that led him, guided him, and encouraged him.”

As a dealership family, Ashley and Steve continue that approach as they highly encourage their employees to contribute no matter what

Area Shopping, Dining, Entertainment & Services If you would like to advertise your business or service, call:

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36

their title is or what department they work in for the betterment of the company.

She went on to say that even with the new role she has been given, the only real change is her ability to make more executive decisions while Steve spends time with their boys as they grow as young men with the same interest as their father in football.

“Our hashtag is #TeamGrindstaff#Grind because it is why do you get up every day. Why is the number one thing on my mind and what we try to put forth in our team members because we all have reasons why we get up,” Ashley said.

It’s not just a job For long term Grindstaff customers, the one thing that Ashley pointed out is that people feel comfortable when they come back to buy a vehicle and the same salesperson who helped with prior purchases are still there to assist with their new purchase.

That type of customer relationship is important for not only the customer but for the dealerships as well.

“It’s the concept. Is today a job for you or is it a career because when you come to Grindstaff, you are going to find people who have been here since the day he bought the store or even a few years after,” Ashley noted.

“Then you are going to find people who have been here 10 years, 15 years, 20 years and then you will find a lot of new, younger people who want a career because a job mindset is completely different from a career mindset because you want to have a customer base and take care of people and that is what we do.”

It’s not just a 90 percent commitment to customers either as the Grindstaffs have committed to a 100 percent effort in making sure that their customers remain satisfied so much so that they have even provided their own personal cell phone numbers to their customers.

She went on to say that it is not uncommon to receive text messages way up into the night and early morning from their customers and many times they respond right away as sleep is at a minimal at their home.

Just being Ashley Many times, people see those who have climbed the ladder of success and all they see is the façade that they outwardly see whether on television or out in public.

Ashley was asked if there were small quirks or hobbies about her that maybe no one even knew.

“People inspire me. Truly they do. I always love to learn from other people – what their passions are and what they do in their life.

“And that’s something that I am very inquisitive about. I am like, “Tell me more, tell me more”.

Ashley said that growing up you would find a little girl that loved to run barefoot in church dresses and play in the family gardens. That may be the reason that she has such a love for gardens today as its not uncommon for her to throw on a little dress and dive into weeding the garden barefooted at home in her spare time.

“I think my flowers and my flower beds on my property is kind of therapeutic for me. My dad has a green thumb and I would never think that I would say that I have one. I just find a lot of natural beauty in Elizabethton in general.

When they purchased their current home in Elizabethton, Ashley had a big party but not the kind most think of. Instead, she invited a bunch of family over and they landscaped the entire area around their

Ashley Grindstaff has been with the Grindstaff Automotive Group for 15 years starting her career as a spokesperson for Kia in Johnson City.

new home.

It was just another instance where Ashley proved that she has never changed and isn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves and get dirty whether it’s in a wheelbarrow full of mulch or tackling a problem at the dealership.

That’s because she is just Ashley - the same Ashley today as she was yesterday whether it’s at the dealership, a local restaurant, movie theater, or at home knee deep in mulch.

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Charles Von Cannon has lived a life of hard work and determination, from serving as the dean of a university to sitting on the Carter County Commission.

Charles Von Cannon: A man on a mission

S

* Story by and Photos by Amber Wadovick *

ome may know Charles Von Cannon as simply the Carter County commissioner with a hearing aid. A smile on his face almost constantly and a wealth of stories to tell, however, paint a picture of a man with a wealth of experience and passion for his community.

Von Cannon’s business experience began in childhood.

“My sister and I began selling Blair products and packets of vegetable seeds as pre-teenagers,” Von Cannon said. “We walked throughout the community and eventually narrowed down our walk route to those persons who felt sorry for us and became customers.”

Raised in the Elk Mills community, Von Cannon said his parents helped build the mill in the first place.

“It had a little bit of everything,” he said.

“It was a beautiful place to live.”

From a young age, Von Cannon said he was a diligent worker, studying with help from his grandmother by the light of a kerosene lamp.

“There was no pinball playing or wasting money in my world,” Von Cannon said.

When he graduated from Happy Valley High School, he immediately went to East Tennessee State College, but he had to finance his way there first.

“My first year’s college tuition was funded by money from a tobacco allotment that I rented from a neighbor,” Von Cannon said. “I borrowed a trailer from Jim’s Motorcycle Sales and hauled the tobacco to the barn with my dad’s ’49 Plymouth.”

This sense of working hard to get by has been a staple of Von Cannon’s life. Even in scenarios where the work does not immediately 38

benefit him, it is his dedication that sees the job to completion.

“When I get involved in something, I get it done,” he said. “If I promise you something, I will make it happen.”

This hard work paid off, earning degrees in both education and engineering, the former of which landed him in both Boones Creek High School as a biology teacher and a university in South Carolina as their dean.

“You have to have a damn good education in the field you want to work in,” Von Cannon said.

All the while, he said he learned the tools of the trades from his mentor, Don Tetrick of Elizabethton.

Von Cannon has yet to stop learning and growing in his education.

“I have worked occasionally on my doctor-

ate, and I am approximately two-thirds finished,” Von Cannon said. “My goal is to be awarded the degree at age 100.”

On the business side, Von Cannon currently owns and maintains the Bemberg facility in Elizabethton, which houses dozens of workers and several small businesses next to the abandoned plant there. He said he has spent roughly $2.2 million into the facility to generate jobs in Carter County.

“I have rented the building for a few people,” he said. “Some of them have become millionaires.”

He said all this work was not for personal gain in any way; rather, he said it was because he saw what the county needed.

“I know what to do, and I have done it,” he said.

Von Cannon is not just a businessman, however. He involves himself with dozens of other local organizations on a daily basis, including as a board member for the East Tennessee Christian Home and Academy and the Elizabethton/Carter County Foundation, former board member for Habitat for Humanity, a founder of the Central Community Neighborhood Watch, member of the Elizabethton/Carter County Retired Teachers Association and, perhaps more recognizably, a Carter County Commissioner, where he represents the Third District.

Despite not wishing to take the spotlight or credit for other people’s

work, he said he is proud of the work he has done in the community over the decades.

When people say only ghosts inhabit the Bemberg complex, he takes offense.

“There are more there than ghosts,” Von Cannon said.

When people criticise Von Cannon or tease him for his ideas, he admits he is not fool-proof.

“I have made a few mistakes in the past,” he said.

Despite this, Von Cannon continues to press on, continuing his education in order to improve the work he performs for the community, whether it is in government, business or helping an organization plan a dinner celebration. To him, all tie together to form his passion to make Carter County a better place.

Von Cannon currently owns the abandoned Bemberg plant in Elizabethton, and though the building may not look like much now, he said he has high hopes for what the space can provide for the county in the future.

Von Cannon regularly interacts with the community both in and out of official events. Here,Von Cannon showcases the blueprints for the county’s proposed dog park to an interested citizen.

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Wayne & Nancy’s order of biscuits and gravy. Biscuits are scratch made every morning and several pans have to be baked to keep up with the demand.

Wayne and Nancy’s Family Restaurant...

Delicious southern specialties and boundless hospitality

W

* Story by and Photos by Kevin Green *

hile Carter County seems just like any other city now, with corporate ran fast food chains taking miserable stabs at great southern staples such as biscuits and gravy, no one has to worry too hard about it, nor do they have to settle because the county continues to be blessed with fantastic cooks and kitchens that still make great homecooked style food.

If the true essence of southern hospitality and cooking could be packaged up and sold as a one out then a buyer would only have to look at a big little eatery located just off of Stateline Road in Elizabethton eponymously named Wayne & Nancy’s Family Restaurant.

The focus of the restaurant has always been to serve delicious home-style food to hungry locals. With the constant flow of regulars who visit the restaurant, some on a daily basis for over 20 years, it is safe to say Wayne & Nancy’s have hit that mark.

The restaurant started off as a gas station and convenience store

called Valley View Market and progressively evolved into the eatery that it is now. Husband and wife team Wayne and Nancy Markland started it slowly by bringing in a grill and making hotdogs and hamburgers in 1977.

“We started off as a little sandwich shop in there and we added a bit and kept adding a little bit until we made a little restaurant,” said Nancy.

Nancy said they sold the little market in the late 1980s, but returned when the new owner shuttered the favorite spot in 1987. The restaurant changed hands again in 2013, but after several requests from locals, they again took it over 15 months later. The name was changed to Nancy’s Kitchen for some time before it would take on its new name in 2014.

“It seems like we were meant to be here,” said Nancy. She said that she did not have any plans on selling the popular restaurant again.

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When Wayne passed away in September 2017, Nancy continued on with the business with the help of her friendly staff.

Nancy says the breakfast items, such as the biscuits and gravy, and the old fashioned hamburgers during lunch hours are the most popular. However breakfast items must compete against Nancy and company’s delicious plate lunches.

“We have plate lunches like meatloaf and chicken and dumplings,” she said. “Everything is made fresh like it has been since we opened the place.”

The menu reflects the treats served at Wayne & Nancy’s.

There is one for every day of the week, except Sunday when they are closed.

Patrons can enjoy a hot roast beef sandwich on Monday served with mashed potatoes,

The friendly staff at Wayne and Nancy’s (left to right) Brandy Holder,Vera Holtzclaw, Melinda Richardson, Patsy Carr, Paige Taulbee, Linda Bentley and Nancy Markland.

A made from scratch biscuit with sausage and egg with a customer requested tomato.

Hot pancakes served with margarine and syrup ready to go at Wayne & Nancy’s

Employee Paige Taulbee wrapping a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit to go for a customer.

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gravy and a side vegetable. On Tuesdays there is a selection of chicken livers or chicken casserole. The customer favorites meatloaf are served on Wednesday and chicken and dumplings on Thursday. Everything is rounded off nicely on Saturday with Hamburger Steak, which is accompanied by either gravy or grilled onions.

Wayne & Nancy’s also has seafood such as Alaskan Whitefish, shrimp and flounder, not to mention local catfish when available.

The outside of the place does not look all that large, but do not let that fool you. The dining area is spacious and the wait staff is there to make sure your cup of coffee or other beverage does not stay empty long.

The employees are quick to help out and work as a team to make sure the lovely southern food that delights the eye is being taken to the table of the person who is surely waiting eagerly.

“I have been working here for six years and I love it,” said Paige Taulbee, who studies Criminal Justice at ETSU. “We are all like family here.”

So if you are looking for a nice place that makes homecooked meals with enough space for the entire family and easy on the budget, or if you just want a place to go where everybody knows your name, then go see Nancy and her friendly staff.

Wayne and Nancy’s Family Restaurant is located at 2608 Stateline Road. They are open Monday to Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

If you have any questions or want to place a to go order, you can call the restaurant at 423-543-2454.

Bill Fraley has been coming to Wayne & Nancy’s for close to 20 years.

Dessert is no problem at Wayne and Nancy’s with these generous portions of cake and pie.

Wayne & Nancy’s customer favorite meatloaf, with sides of coleslaw and potato salad.

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Homemade pinwheels for those with a sweet tooth.

Get creative with apples this fall

A

utumn is apple-picking season, and many farmers markers, grocery stores and even roadside apple stands are chockfull of delicious apples this time of year. That makes fall the perfect time to whip up some apple-inspired foods. This recipe for “Elsie’s Stewed Apples” from Laurey Masterton’s “The Fresh Honey Cookbook” (Storey) requires a tad more effort than traditional applesauce recipes, but the extra work is well worth it in the end. When shopping for apples in advance of preparing this recipe, avoid apples that have a mealy texture as well as those that are overly sweet.

Elsie’s Stewed Apples Serves 6 to 8 2 to 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 pounds apples, peeled, cored and cut into thick slices 1⁄2 cup honey, preferably sage honey 1⁄2 cup white wine Zest of 1 lemon Juice of 1 lemon Fresh sage sprigs for garnish 1. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the apples, turn the heat to high and sauté until they begin to brown on the edges, about 5 minutes. If some are getting too well done, remove them and place on a plate while the rest continue to cook, then return them to the skillet when all are done.

2. Reduce the heat to low and add the honey, wine, lemon zest, lemon juice, and 1⁄2 cup water.

Cover and allow to cook until the apples are tender but still firm;

Elsie’s Stewed Apples

you don’t want them to turn into applesauce.

3. Serve this in a bowl, tuck in a couple sprigs of fresh sage from your garden, and tell your guests all about sage honey.

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Create the quintessential autumn meal

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utumn evokes all types of cozy images. There are the chilly evenings spent around the fire pit outdoors or nights spent by the fireplace sipping warmed cider.

Afternoons strolling through crunchy leaves or seeking out the perfect apples in the orchard also make autumn a special time of year.

Comfort foods are popular in fall, and many people have their tried-and-true recipes that they prepare when temperatures starts to dip. Perhaps no fall meal is as coveted and enjoyed as beef stew.

Simmered for hours, stew meats fall apart, and soft potatoes and carrots perfectly complement the rich beef. This recipe for “Harvest Beef Stew” from “CrockPot® 365 Year-Round Recipes” (Publications International, Ltd.) from Crock Pot® Kitchens is a make-ahead-then-forget recipe that promises all of the flavors that make beef stew so delicious.

Serve it with a fresh-baked loaf of crusty bread to soak up the mouth-watering sauce.

Harvest Beef Stew Makes 6 servings 1 tablespoon olive oil 11⁄2 pounds beef for stew 1 quart canned or stewed tomatoes, undrained 6 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces 3 medium potatoes, cut into

Rich “Harvest Beef Stew” is the perfect meal for chilly autumn nights.

1-inch pieces 3 celery stalks, chopped (about 1 cup) 1 medium onion, sliced 1 cup apple juice 2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes 1 tablespoon dried basil 2 teaspoons salt 1 garlic clove, minced 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper 2 bay leaves 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour

(optional) 1⁄2 cup warm water (optional) Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Brown stew meat on all sides. Drain excess fat.

Placed browned meat and remaining ingredients except flour and water in Crock-Pot® slow cooker. Mix well. Cover; cook on high 6 to 7 hours.

Before serving, thicken gravy, if desired. Combine flour and warm 44

water in small bowl, stirring well until all lumps are gone. Add mixture to liquid in Crock-Pot slow cooker; mix well. Cook 10 to 20 minutes, or until sauce thickens.

Remove and discard bay leaves before serving.

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