Tri-State Living - Winter 2011

vol. 1, no. 2 | winter 2011

Nick Gampp An artist as unique as his work

A cut above

Studio 21 specializes in pampering BEHIND THE LENS: Photographer captures life

All Dressed Up, Ready to Ride Not your typical motorcycle enthusiasts

Tri-State Living Health Care

Giving Back to the Community

St. Mary’s hosts a free health fair for tri-state residents at the recent Lion’s Club Arts & Crafts Fair in Huntington.

St. Mary’s and CAO partner to provide a free flu-shot drive-thru at the Kemp Family Medical Center in Coal Grove, Ohio.

Health Information Management employees at St. Mary’s delivered backpacks with socks, gloves, food items, and water bottles to homeless residents who attended a recent breakfast at Harris Riverfront Park in Huntington.

Physicians, nurses and staff of the Family Medical Centers in Lawrence County, Ohio, gather on a cold December morning for the free flu shot drive-thru at Kemp Family Medical Center.

St. Mary’s Cardiac Rehab department and Santa recently served Christmas lunch to former cardiac patients.

Students Help Make a Difference

St. Mary’s Auxiliary and students from the Center for Education packaged items donated by St. Mary’s employees to deliver to Guyandotte Riverview East apartments in Huntington. Gifts were delivered to each resident with an invitation to a Thanksgiving dinner provided by the auxiliary.

Students from Mountwest Community and Technical College’s School of Culinary Arts provided appetizers and dinner for those attending St. Mary’s Women’s Health Discussion with Dr. Paulette Wehner.

Nursing students from St. Mary’s Center for Education at their recent pinning ceremony.

Students from St. Joseph High School in Huntington volunteered to decorate the Sisters’ Infirmary at St. Mary’s.

Students and educators from St. Mary’s School of Nursing recently provided blood pressure checks at a health fair at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena.

A Lifetime of Service Sister Celeste Lynch congratulates Linda Clifford at her retirement reception at St. Mary’s. Linda worked for St. Mary’s for more than 41 years. Linda served patients as the clinical resource coordinator for the surgery department at St. Mary’s.

Doug Allan recently retired after working for 30 years at St. Mary’s Radiation Oncology department.

Allan played a key role in establishing the CyberKnife treatment center.

Sister Madeleine Lopez celebrated her 100th birthday with the Pallottine Sisters at St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Binnie Howard, RN, is congratulated by Sister Diane Bushee at Binnie’s retirement reception. Binnie worked at St. Mary’s for more than 40 years, most recently as director of St. Mary’s Regional Heart Institute, the region’s leader in heart care.

Outstanding Leaders Jamie Kellar, MS, CRA, at St. Mary’s Medical Center has been awarded Certified Radiology Administrator credentials through the Radiology Administration Certification Commission. Kellar is only one of five people in West Virginia and 719 in the nation to have earned this distinction. The St. Mary’s Radiology Department leads the region in technology and service.

Monica Setser, RN, CNOR, of Proctorville is now a cardiovascular and thoracic specialty leader in surgical services at St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Steve D. Nelson, CHFM, Director of Facility Operations, St. Mary’s Medical Center, is recognized as an Emerging Regional Leader Award recipient by the American Society for Healthcare Engineering.

Debbie Parsons, RN, director of emergency and trauma services at St. Mary’s, has been selected by the WV Center for Nursing as a recipient of the 2010 Excellence in Nursing Awards in the leadership category. Debbie will also direct the emergency services for St. Mary’s new emergency department at the Ironton site (currently under construction).

Community Partnerships Provide New Services Artist rendering of the new St. Mary’s Medical Campus currently under construction in Ironton. The center will have a 24/7 emergency department to provide advanced emergency care for patients in Lawrence County.

St. Mary’s recently partnered with United Way of the River Cities’ Success by Six, Brain Under Construction Zone initiative. The program provides parents with the tools to encourage early childhood development.

from the publisher

What makes our Tri-State different?

Trust me. I’ve lived it.

Born in Huntington, I moved to a family farm in Gallipolis, Ohio. I spent much of my childhood there before relocating to Ashland, Ky., for my formative years.

I then returned to West

MICHAEL CALDWELL is the publisher and president of Ironton Publications, Inc. A lifelong resident of the Tri-State, he grew up in Ashland, Ky., went to college in Huntington, W.Va., and has worked in Ironton for the past decade.

T

here may be several TriStates across the country but I would wager that none are quite like ours.

What sets our Tri-State — Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia — apart are the people themselves and the way all three states become woven into the tapestry of our lives.

Some places are a Tri-State in name only with very little intermingling of residents.

That couldn’t be more opposite of life here along the Ohio River.

Virginia to attend college at Marshall University, while I began work in Ohio.

I was in all three states every day, something that continues even today more days than not.

Why am I sharing this? Because I think my experiences are the rule rather than the exception.

Most of us don’t even notice how much we bounce between states.

The end result is that, in many ways, we get the best of both worlds. We have the appeal of a metropolitan area without losing the appeal of small-town life.

That dichotomy is exactly what we’ve tried to capture in the overall mission of Tri-State Living and with this second issue.

Hope you enjoy, regardless of which state you call home. We are all still neighbors.

Tri-StateLiving winter 2011 | vol. 1, no. 2

Editorial

Michael Caldwell, Publisher Benita Heath, Staff Writer Lori Kersey, Staff Writer Michelle Goodman, Staff Writer Jennifer Chapman, Staff Writer Tammie Hetzer-Womack, Contributor news@tri-stateliving.com

adv er tising

Shawn Randolph, Advertising Director Gina Milum, Sales Consultant Chad Bellomy, Sales Consultant Doug Pinkerton, Sales Consultant advertising@tri-stateliving.com

production

Kandi Thompson, Creative Director Kelli Jameson, Composing

photography

Jessica St. James, Photographer Mike Adkins, Photographer

Tri-State Living is published four times per year by Ironton Publications, Inc. P.O. Box 647, Ironton, Ohio 45638 www.tristateliving.com (740) 532-1441

Advertising rates and information available upon request. Subscriptions are $20 annually; $40 for international subscriptions. Please make checks payable to Ironton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 647, Ironton, OH 45638

4 | Tri-StateLiving

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Thanks for making us the most preferred hospital in the Tri-State!

Cabell Huntington Hospital has received the 2010/2011 Consumer Choice Award from National Research Corporation (NRC), recognizing it as the “Most Preferred Hospital in the Huntington/Ashland/Ironton Area.”

The Consumer Choice Award is based on monthly surveys of local health care consumers who assessed hospitals across the region based on four metrics: best overall quality, best image and reputation, best doctors and best nurses.

In addition to the “Most Preferred Hospital” distinction, Cabell Huntington Hospital ranked #1 in consumer preference in the Tri-State in the following services: • • • • • • • • • • •

Cancer Treatment Emergency Care Maternity/OB Services Neuroscience Care Orthopedic Care Women’s Care Pediatric Services Imaging Services Outpatient Testing Outpatient Surgery Plastic Surgery

This recognition is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our physicians, nurses, employees and volunteers to provide the best possible care and service to our patients and visitors. Thank you for noticing!

www.cabellhuntington.org

Contents | winter 2011

38

arts & culture TRI-STATE SCENE ◗ Tri-Staters are out and about

24

OUT ON THE TOWN ◗ Experience art, antiques and authors

26

ON DISPLAY ◗ Nick Gampp: An artist as unique as his work

29

IN PRINT ◗ Area authors capture region’s culture

living

24 52 probably do as many charitable “ Ievents as I do regular ones. It’s not

62

14

that I don’t like money. I do. But I also like helping people out. And lately a lot of our local charities have been hit hard by the economy.

— Kim Young ‘Difference Makers’ | Page 52

”

32

THE PULSE ◗ Know your cancer risk

34

LIFE 101 ◗ How to pick the perfect vino

36

HEALTHY LIFE ◗ No dieting allowed!

38

TAMARACK ◗ One-of-a-kind destination offers taste of West Virginia

46

RIVERVIEW B&B ◗ B&B thriving because of style and charm

52

DIFFERENCE MAKERS ◗ Gate City woman afloat with balloon biz

shopping on the cover Portsmouth, Ohio, resident Nick Gampp is an artist as unique as the work he creates.

Specializing in collages and abstract art, Gampp has showcased his work across the Tri-State.

60

TREASURES ◗ Out of the ordinary gifts from across the Tri-State

62

FASHIONISTAS ◗ New styles for the season

67

IN THE BIZ ◗ Studio 21 focuses on personal pampering Tri-StateLiving | 7

Contents | winter 2011

92

features 76

mike adkins w Go behind the lens with one of the region’s most talented shutterbugs

82 Ready to ride w Motorcycle enthusiasts seeing

shift toward female demographic 86 Dianne Clement w Marathon mainstay

calls it a career

homes

102

98

92 home showcase w Judd family matriarch

showcases home 98 diy w Trend setter urges

personal style

food 102 on the stove w Chef Ross’ home kitchen

simmers with love 110

from the cookbook w Warm up with cheese soup and top it off with tasty pastries

in every issue 10 your letters w Community feedback on

our first issue 11 off the air w Have you broken your

New Year’s resolutions yet?

14 The last word 1 w Former TV personality turns

into a Tri-State cheerleader 8 | Tri-StateLiving

111 86

Most Preferred for Cancer Treatment in the Huntington/Ashland/Ironton Area

www.edwardsccc.org

your letters

“

A good read

Send us your feedback:

Snail mail: Tri-State Living, P.O. Box 647, Ironton, OH 45638 E-mail: feedback@tri-stateliving.com

�

I just picked up my free issue of Tri-State Living. It is great! I loved seeing people I know in the Tri-State Scene and the magazine included really good features on Carter Taylor Seaton and Billie Smith.

I am planning on doing the 20-minute workout.

I have been to Journey's End many times and there couldn't be a nicer person than Kay. The recipes look good and I hope to try them soon.

I will send my subscription in soon.

Thanks.

Sue King, Proctorville

The new quarterly magazine The Tribune is producing looks great! The photos, layout, design and articles make for a good read.

It casts a much-needed positive light on our area. In comparison to other like products in the area, this one shines.

Congratulations!

Mary James, Ironton

10 | Tri-StateLiving

Need a break?

Have you tossed all your New Year’s resolutions yet?

W

ho decided New Year’s resolutions were a good idea? Think about it. You start your year saying, “I’m going to lose weight, save money, exercise more.” What you’re really saying is “I’m fat, poor

and lazy.”

Is that any way to start a new year? I think not!

Instead, I propose a new tradition: The New Year’s Breaks.

For example, one day a month, promise to give yourself a break from foods you dislike, no matter how good they are for you. You know how it is: You make yourself take the broccoli with the chicken. You skip the blue cheese for low-fat Italian. How about picking one day where potato chips are an acceptable side dish? Ice cream as an entrée? One day won’t kill you.

Or how about this? Promise yourself that one day a month you’ll only do things you enjoy. Spend the day in your pajamas. Let the kids spend the day in theirs. Play in the yard in your pajamas and laugh at the staring neighbors. Let the dishes stack up and leave the answering machine on. Keep this day sacred and kick guilt to the curb.

It’ll keep, trust me.

Sheila Redling is the host of “Sheila and Jim” on 100.5 WKEE. A graduate of Georgetown University, Sheila lived in New York and California before returning to Huntington, W.Va. She is also a novelist and an avid traveler.

You can reach her at sheila.redling@yahoo.com.

Here’s a real toughie. Pick one day to give yourself a break from that person who drives you crazy. For one 24 hour period, ignore all calls/texts/emails from that toxic friend, annoying co-worker or even, yes, that bullying boss. Pretend the communication grid has failed; pretend you’ve been kidnapped; pretend you’ve taken a vow of silence. This one really irks people but just maybe your absence will make that annoying person appreciate you more.

So that’s my plan. In 2011 I’m scheduling opportunities to enjoy myself. Do we really need to add to the list of pressures heaped upon us?

Gimme a break.

Tri-StateLiving | 11

Your newest Chevy dealer just rolled into the Tri-State.

904 South Third Street, Ironton, Ohio 1-800-334-3643 • (740) 532-4011 www.bobclyse.com

arts & culture Tri-StateLiving

up close It has been said that every work of art is unique. The same can be said of the artists who create them.

Portsmouth, Ohio’s Nick Gampp fits that bill.

p. 26

tri-state www.tri-statescene.com

SCENE

The Tri-State offers a wide variety of activities that run the spectrum.

From parades to social dinners to style shows and Civil War re-enactments, there is something for just about everyone.

Marshall Homecoming Parade October 30 (ABOVE) One-year-old Shayna Hughes dances in the streets of Huntington on Oct. 30 during the Marshall Homecoming Parade. (RIGHT) Members of the Marshall University marching band make their way down the street.

14 | Tri-StateLiving

(ABOVE) Participants in the Marshall Homecoming Parade throw beads to eventgoers while riding the No. 71 charter bus.

Tri-State Scene

Marcie Uhl, 2010 Barboursville Fall Fest Queen, above, and Ava Warner, 2010 Little Miss Riverfest, below, wave to eventgoers during the Marshall Homecoming Parade in downtown Huntington, W.Va.

(ABOVE) Tiny Miss Cabell County Piper Gould makes her way down the streets of Huntington during the annual Marshall Homecoming Parade.

Tri-StateLiving | 15

Tri-State Scene

Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Awards October 14 The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual awards dinner Oct. 14 at Ohio University Southern with the goal of recognizing business leaders from the Tri-State. Andrew Doehrel, president and CEO of the Ohio State Chamber of Commerce, was the keynote speaker. (ABOVE) Beth Walbright, Becky Cremeens and Cheryl Willis. (RIGHT) Debbie and Ed Webb enjoy the event.

16 | Tri-StateLiving

Tri-State Scene

(ABOVE) The Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards banquet honored a variety of businesses and organizations including the Lawrence-Scioto County Solid Waste District as Public Servant of the Year. Pictured are, from the left, Steve Hileman and Dan Palmer, of the LSCSWD; Billie Smith, a member of the civic organization Operation TLC and wife of Chamber director Bob Smith; and Stephanie Helms, also of the LSCSWD.

Business professionals and their guests enjoy the food and fellowship at the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards banquet that showcased some of the region’s best and brightest.

Tri-StateLiving | 17

Tri-State Scene

Dress for Success River Cities September 24 Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP presented “Among Friends,” an intimate wine tasting raising funds for Dress for Success River Cities. “Among Friends” was hosted by Savannah’s Restaurant in Huntington, W.Va.

(TOP LEFT) Wine tasting guests Nikki Ward, left, Jack Wise, right, Nathan Ward and Sarah Walling sat at the table of sponsor Jenkins Fenstermaker.

(ABOVE) A sample suit from the Dress for Success River Cities boutique. All outfits are provided free of charge to women in need who have secured an interview or a new job. (LEFT) Guests Andrew Miller, left, and Marc Sprouse of HADCO, right.

18 | Tri-StateLiving

Tri-State Scene

Guests at the table of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, presenting sponsor of “Among Friends.” (Around the table left to right) Jennifer Holley, Buffy Hammers, Cassey Bowden, Emily Hodges, Nancy Williams, Dayna Massie, Shonda Young, Melissa Foster Bird, Valerie Sellards and Joslyn Jasko.

(FAR LEFT) Savannah’s staff member Michelle Marcum pours a wine sample for Ed Morrison of table sponsor C.I. Thornburg & Co. (LEFT) Dr. Joye Martin Lamp, president of the Board of directors of Dress for Success River Cities, speaks to assembled guests about 2010’s successes: 160 disadvantaged women provided with much-needed professional attire and preparation for their upcoming job interviews or new employment.

Tri-StateLiving | 19

Tri-State Scene

(ABOVE) Peggy Johnston plays bass for The Huntington Symphony Orchestra. (BELOW) The Huntington Symphony Orchestra’s winter home is the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center in Huntington, W.Va.

Huntington Symphony Orchestra October 16 (ABOVE) Maestro Kimo Furmoto, opens The Huntington Symphony Orchestra Winter Season 2010-2011 on Oct. 16.

20 | Tri-StateLiving

Tri-State Scene

(ABOVE) Dr. Maury Mufson, vice president of the Board of Trustees for the HSO, and Jennifer Wheeler enjoy an after party.

(LEFT) Masestro Kimo Furmoto, music director and Conductor of The Huntington Symphony Orchestra

(ABOVE) Leland Moore HSO board of trustees member and Leah Brown enjoy an after party.

A view of the famous Keith Albee Performing Arts Center and the nationally noted Huntington Symphony Orchestra.

Tri-StateLiving | 21

Tri-State Scene

French Shoppe Style Show and Coffee November 5 The Nashville-based French Shoppe showcased fall and holiday fashions that were available to be purchased at the event. More than 50 women attended the fundraiser sponsored by the Paramount Woman’s Association.

Elle Berry, of Ashland, Ky., attends the style show. The event was hosted by the Paramount Woman’s Association, which is a volunteer group dedicated to support the Paramount Arts Center and its activities.

Get ‘scene’

Send us photographs of you, your friends and your neighbors out and about in the Tri-State.

E-mail 300 dpi JPG files to news@tri-stateliving.com.

22 | Tri-StateLiving

Tri-State Scene

Guyandotte Civil War Days November 6-7 The Guyandotte Civil War days draws re-enactors and people interested in history and the Civil War from all over the country.

(ABOVE) Jeff Clagg, a local re-enactor, participates in the Guyandotte Civil War Days. This is the 150th year since the raid on Guyandotte.

Tri-StateLiving | 23

arts & culture | Out on the Town

Here are a few great places you can beat the winter blues

Gallery 842

842 Fourth Ave., Huntington, W.Va. 25701 304-696-3296 • galleries@marshall.edu

Gallery 842, which opened in April of 2009, is a community art gallery featuring student work as well as Tri-State artists.

“Gallery 842 is a community art gallery managed by Marshall University. The idea grew from a community art project spawned from the weekly Chat ‘N’ Chew sessions of Create Huntington,” said Jaye Ike, Special Projects Coordinator of Marshall’s College of Fine Arts. “The idea was shepherded by Lynn Clercx, a local realtor and Huntington resident. Gallery 842 is a collaboration between Liza Caldwell and Dingess Rum Properties, Marshall University, and the Huntington community.”

Ike said that the goal of the gallery is to offer Marshall’s art students a place to exhibit art publicly as well as to engage the Tri-State community in art.

The gallery rotates exhibits every four to six weeks.

Paintings, photography and 3-D art are among some the works that have been displayed.

A new exhibit by students from the University of Georgia will be featured beginning in mid-January, called Art + Spirituality. It will include drawings, paintings, photography, video and sculpture. The goal of the exhibition will be to show how spirituality affects the artistic process.

“Gallery 842 has an opportunity to bring art to the community,” Ike said. “It’s the kind of venue that encourages creative thinking; the kind of energy that could help fuel a revitalization.”

Gallery 842 is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 4 to 9 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.

Jesse Stuart Foundation

1645 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. 41105 • 606-326-1667 • wwwjsfbooks.com

When the Jesse Stuart Foundation moved to its current location on Winchester Avenue in the former Ashland, Ky., Post Office in 2000, the organization added a bookstore that serves as a one-stop shop for almost every kind of Appalachian literature.

The bookstore features titles by Kentucky and other Appalachian authors about a variety of topics. You can find volumes of books by Jesse Stuart himself, including “The Best-loved Short Stories of Jesse Stuart.” Another popular author, Allan W. Eckhart, has many volumes on display, including recent releases “Dark Journey” and “Johnny Logan.” One of Eckhart’s most popular titles, “The Frontiersman,”

Historic Boneyfiddle District Second Street, Market Street, Sixth Street, Front Street Portsmouth, Ohio 45662

The Historic Boneyfiddle District is one of Portsmouth, Ohio’s oldest neighborhoods, settled around the turn of the 19th century. As Portsmouth began to grow and envelop Boneyfiddle, the small community began to decline as businesses moved to northern portions of Portsmouth.

In recent years, the Boneyfiddle District has seen revitalization. Homes and business have been repaired and restaurants, retail shops and antique stores have moved into the area. Also as a part of the revitalization, a more than 2,000-foot section of floodwall has been painted with murals depicting area history. It is one of the largest outdoor murals in the country.

If you are looking for hidden treasures, try visiting one of Boneyfiddle’s many antique shops, including Primitive Corner, Ghosts in the Attic Antique Mall, Tootsie’s Attic Treasures and Remember When: Antiques Collectable and Gifts, all located on Second Street.

For a bite to eat, there are several restaurants and snack shops to choose from. Market Street Café, Boneyfiddle Tearoom, Helen’s Bakery and B-Sweet Chocolaterie are a few local favorites. For a heftier meal, try Ye Olde Lantern Restaurant or The Portsmouth Brewing Company, which offers its own microbrews, such as the Portsmouth Pilsner, Red Bird Ale and Real American Pale Ale.

about the settling of Kentucky, can also be found in the bookstore.

Whether you are interested in Appalachian ghost stories, quilting and crafts, Appalachian religion, or regional cookbooks, the Jesse Stuart Foundation has something for every kind of reader.

Non-fiction and fiction, reference books, coal studies, children’s books and histories on various regions of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia are in abundance.

There is also a large collection of the “Images in America

Collection” books. Some of the available titles cover topics such as bluegrass music, Mammoth Cave, the Ohio railroads, the 1937 Ohio River flood and various counties and cities around the Tri-State and Appalachia.

The Jesse Stuart Foundation also accepts book donations, which can be found in the used book room. These volumes are not limited to Appalachian authors or topics and can be purchased for bargain prices.

Hours for the Jesse Stuart Foundation and its bookstore are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Monday-Friday.

Tri-StateLiving | 25

Nick Gampp An artist as unique as his work Story Jennifer Chapman Photography Jessica St. James

26 | Tri-StateLiving

“

... I have never exactly done things like everyone else.

N

ick Gampp lives on a farm in Southern Ohio, down a country road inhabited by many members of his family. This love of farm life is reflected in his art.

Gampp, a Portsmouth area resident, is an artist and also teaches art at Ohio University Southern and Shawnee State University.

He dabbles in just about every medium but has a preference for collages and abstract art.

Gampp waited until he was 50 to finish his degree in studio art; his passion for art is something he has had since he was a small child.

His father was a farmer and his mother was a housewife, but Gampp credits his parents for his love and understanding of art.

“My mom would take time to show us how to draw things or do things,” Gampp said. While farming, his father would spend the day outdoors and observe things.

“They both really set me up to have a really observant eye and to really appreciate looking at things and I constantly do that,” Gampp said.

Though Gampp’s parents could only afford to send one of their children, his sister, to college, he never lost his appreciation for art.

Gampp’s father talked to him about his going to college so late in life.

“He said, ‘Nick, you are going to be 50 when you graduate.’ And I said, ‘If I don’t graduate, how old will I

”

be?’” Gampp said.

Gampp describes his art as “Jackson Pollock-like.”

“A lot of my work is very much about action and process,” Gampp said. “I work on big canvases in the yard, throw paint on them, I hose them down. I mist them. I let the colors run together. I set them up, let them down, move them around. I work all the way around the canvas. It is so exciting to me. I love the spontaneity of throwing that paint and having it happen.”

One of his collage pieces, which he titled RG146, has a theme of the county fair, complete with chickens and flags, and seemingly everything but the farm’s kitchen sink.

He included a postmark from an envelope because he loves to get packages in the mail.

Another part of this particular piece is the arrangement of the chickens in the collage. All the chickens, except for one, are lined up exactly the same, with that one chicken not following the directions or copying anyone else.

“That is an example of my belief that I have never exactly done things like everyone

On Display | arts & culture

else. If they said go right, I would go left. That’s kind of my admonishing to other people. It’s OK to make your own choices, and if it is not the way you want to go, you don’t have to go that way. Your own way could be the best way.”

Gampp said this piece is the one that best sums up his personality.

The artist has won awards for his work and also sells some of it from his studio.

“I’ve done all right with it, in that I have been able to partially support myself, with working part-time too. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

He said he plans on teaching for as long as he can.

“I have to go somewhere to be with my own kind,” he said. “People who understand the importance of the correct shade of blue.

“I like to think about my art,” he said. “If I finish a painting, I might

Tri-StateLiving | 27

arts & culture | On Display

“

It is very personal for me and private. I think it reveals a great deal about me.

”

sit on the living room floor and look at it for four or five days, every hour, looking at how the lighting is on it, how it needs changed, and seeing if it is saying what I want it to say. My work is mostly abstract and so we’re not looking at concrete shapes, but ideas. I want to be sure, that from the color and brush stroke, they can fully fall into what I am wanting them to see in that.”

Gampp said he never hung any of his own work at home until a few years ago, when his wife hung it while he was out of the house that day. It took him awhile to adjust to it.

“It is very personal for me and private,” he said. “I think it reveals a great deal about me.”

Gampp collects everything he can, and is crazy about a good bargain. He loves to be on the go and adores reading and cooking. He is a big fan of fun, conversation and laughing.

“I love to go any place I can see anything new and different, so we are constantly on the road,” Gampp said.

“I think, maybe, my whole life is just a quest for information.” a 28 | Tri-StateLiving

In Print | arts & culture

Appalachian Childhood

by Marilyn Thomton Schra˜

In the non-fiction book, “Appalachian Childhood,” Marilyn Thornton Schraff, author and publisher, relates her life experiences of growing up in a small, rural Appalachian community in Ohio’s southernmost county of Lawrence.

You will visit grandparents, help with chores and attend school with her as she makes her way through the countryside to the streets of the county seat and continues her journey into young adulthood.

The writer affectionately describes her grandparents and other relatives and recalls their encounters with shootin’, bootleggin’ and home brew.

The reader will follow wooded paths, pick flowers, taste food and drinks, hear crickets and waterfalls, visualize the beauty of the land and wildlife, cuddle pets and smell aromas of the kitchen and countryside, all with a smile. The stories arouse the senses and tenderly touch every emotion.

The book celebrates family, friendship, and the special bonds of the residents of Southern Ohio.

Days of Darkness

by John Ed Pearce

It wasn’t just the Hatfields and the McCoys. Between 1875 and 1920, feud violence defined Appalachian Kentucky in the American mind.

From the best known of the “wars” to those that have been long forgotten, the pervasive violence of the time captured the attention of the nation. What resulted was far from factual, intensifying the negative image of Kentucky. Yet some truth lay behind exaggerated words: it was a violent time, spectacular feuds did take place, and cold-blooded murders occurred.

In “Days of Darkness: The Feuds of Eastern Kentucky” John Ed Pearce studies six major feuds and how they influenced outside perception of the state. A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Pearce weaves these stories from a perspective informed by years of reporting in Kentucky.

Late Season

by Noah Copley

In Late Season, hell has come to Jalagee, W.Va. The dead work alongside the living to fill the demands of an energy-starved population.

Greed and desperation summon evil forces and the devil no longer waits to walk upon the world.

Available through Empire Books at Huntington, W.Va.’s Pullman Square; at Barboursville, W.Va.’s Border’s Books, BJ’s Bookstore in Ashland, Ky. and Taylor Books in Charleston, W.Va. This work can also be purchased by contacting the author at copley_noah@yahoo.com Late Season is now available on Kindle on Amazon.

Tri-StateLiving | 29

HQ 71 HQ Autumn 71 Autumn 2010.qxd:HQ58 2010.qxd:HQ58 Summer06 Summer06 Final Final 1/11/11 1/11/11 9:599:59 AM AM PagePage 8 8

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Tri-StateLiving

up close Perhaps better than any other collection in the world, the arts and crafts at Tamarack personify the culture of the region. Touted as the “Best of West Virginia,� the stop features a variety of work from renowned artisans.

p. 38

living | The Pulse

Knowing your hereditary risk for cancer can help save your life

A

m I at increased risk for cancer?

What is my family medical history?

If you knew you had a greater chance of developing certain cancers, you might make some changes today to lessen those chances.

Approximately 5 percent of cancers are hereditary, meaning there is a specific gene within a person’s DNA that has been altered or mutated, increasing a person’s risk of developing certain cancers. Gene alterations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 have shown an increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer. Colon cancer, other gastrointestinal cancers, melanoma, and pancreatic cancers are additional cancers that have identified gene mutations increasing an individual’s risk.

Knowing your family history plays a key role in clarifying risks. In addition to knowing one’s family history, knowing the age of diagnosis of their cancer is also important. Prime candidates for genetic testing are people who are diagnosed with cancer at an early age, typically under the age of 50, or whose relatives had cancer at a young age or had multiple or rare tumors.

What happens if I am a carrier of a gene that increases my cancer risk?

Detailed discussions regarding changes in an individual’s medical management would take place, including increased screenings and preventive surgery. In addition to changes in an individual’s medical management, identifying additional

Aynessa Mondlak, RN, MSN, FNP-BC is a family nurse practitioner in the Hereditary Cancer Risk Assessment Program and the administrative director of oncology services at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, W.Va.

32 | Tri-StateLiving

family members who may also be at increased risk is extremely important.

While there are many who find comfort in knowing whether or not they are genetically predisposed to cancer, there are those who prefer the uncertainty. They don’t want to be tested because they think it will change how they think about themselves or their family. Others rather hope that they are negative than learn that they are positive.

Although we do not know all the causes of hereditary cancer, and there are still many unidentified genes, identifying individuals at increased risk can have a significant impact on their ability to live longer, healthier lives through prevention and increased screenings.

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living | Life 101

How to...

pick the right vino Story Benita Heath

From the luscious deep ruby of a Chateau Margaux to the golden sunrise of a Chardonnay, wine can make strangers convivial, enemies tolerant and acquaintances into lifelong friends depending, of course, on the vintage.

Ernest Hemingway called wine the most civilized thing in the world. Benjamin Franklin said it takes the tension out of a hurried world. And if history isn’t lying, both men ought to know of what they drank.

Yet such a companionable part of life can turn the most secure into a wobbly teenager at a first dance.

What to choose? How much to spend? Is this glass the right shape?

According to James Todd, those questions are keeping you from getting a bottle open. So forget them.

Todd, who lives in Chesapeake, is vice president of Standard Distributing Inc., based in Charleston, W.Va., a company that supplies to restaurants and retail outlets across the state.

“People think you have to drink white wine with white meat and red wine with red meat,” Todd said. “It used to be you had to have white wine if you were having chicken, fish or pork.”

Those days are as past as a dried up cork.

“I drink red wine with chicken all the time,” Todd said. “The lighter red wines, the pinot noir, syrah and lighter-bodied red wines go well with fish.”

Fragile!

34| Tri-StateLiving

A bottle of Château Margaux 1787 holds the record as the most expensive bottle of wine ever broken, insured at $225,000.

Life 101 | living

First step when dining out, if you don’t want to ask for advice, pick something you are familiar with. But understand nowadays maitre d’s and wait staff are well-trained to offer the wine novice a list of suggestions.

“They are extremely knowledgeable,” Todd said. “We have a fine wine person on board (at SDI). We do a lot of server training. We go into the Savannahs and the Huntington Primes and we let them taste the wines and choose what menu items pair well with the wines.”

What about those funny-sounding foreign names? Merlot. Cabernet.

Sauvignon Blanc. Pinot Grigio. Those names refer to the kind of grape that went into the bottle.

That’s why champagne isn’t champagne unless the grape actually comes from that region of France.

Otherwise an American champagne is accurately termed a sparkling or effervescent wine.

Here’s another myth exposed: Top dollar doesn’t always bring top wines.

Some of the well-known California labels are good and won’t break the wallet.

“Kendall Jackson’s Chardonnay is the number one seller in Chardonnays,” Todd said. “It outsells all Chardonnays and is a reasonable price for the quality of line. Murphy Goode’s California appellation is an extremely good wine for the money. There is Smoking Loon at $8.99. You can get a good wine for eight dollars a bottle.”

Restaurants are also becoming the place to discover the unique as they try to stock their cellars with what customers can’t find on their own.

“Restaurants are now starting to look for wines not readily available on the retail segment,” he said. “They are more interested in wines that people can’t go out and buy. A lot of producers are making wines exclusively for the restaurant.”

Vineyards from regions and countries not considered typical locales are getting noticed. Like Malbec, a red from Argentina. Torrontes, a white, also from Argentina and Sauvignon Blanc from Australia are pleasing palates.

“It’s the in thing,” he said. “It’s different climates. Grapes take on the different characteristics that are in the soil.

Washington state wines have the characteristics of the fruits that grow around the vineyard.

The soil takes on those characteristics.”

Educating the palete can bring more enjoyment to drinking wine. Getting a nose for bouquet. Gaining an understanding of the grape.

But for, Todd, the bottom line is still the simplest.

“Drink whatever you like.” 

Tri-StateLiving | 35

living | Healthy Life

nutrition No dieting allowed!

Eating right isn’t about dieting. In fact, the word diet, which comes from the Greek diaita, means “way of life.”

If your diaita is out of whack, follow these tips and find your way back to healthy eating. There will be no mention of “diet” products because this isn’t a diet. It is a way to become a healthier you.

101 1. Eat a variety of nutrient rich foods “There is no single food that provides all of the nutrients you need,” says St. Mary’s Medical Center clinical nutritional manager Brenda Hawthorne.

Emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains such as brown rice, wheat pasta and whole grain bread, low-fat milk and other milk products, lean meats, skinless poultry, oily fish like salmon and tuna, beans, nuts and eggs.

Hawthorne recommends five a day of fruits and vegetables to increase fiber. Foods should be low in saturated fats, sodium, cholesterol and added sugars.

Also, don’t forget to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and natural juices and stay away from the sodas, even the diet ones.

36 | Tri-StateLiving

Healthy Life | living

4. Taste the rainbow Everyone knows fruits and veggies are important, but adding a variety of colors on your plate can really pump up your vitamin and mineral intake. Think red, green, yellow/ orange, white, blue/purple.

Hawthorne says that these bright colors have unique health benefits.

“Phytochemicals are beneficial to overall health and cancer fighting,” she says.

She also says they help with immune function. For example, the lycopene found in red produce is a cancer fighter and suncolored produce is loaded with vitamin C.

5. Eat regular meals 2. Eat moderate portions “The primary reason there is a high degree of obesity is portion control,” Hawthorne says. The amount of foods from each food group depends on age, sex, and physical activity level. For women age 30 and up, the daily recommended serving for meat and protein is 5 ounces. Two-to-3 ounce servings would be roughly the size of a deck of cards. To find charts on daily recommendations go to MyPyramid.gov.

Also, listen to your body. It will tell you when it’s full. Try putting your fork down between bites. This gives your body a chance to tell your brain that it has had enough.

Do not skip meals, ever. Happy, healthy eaters can feel full all day by eating three balanced meals and healthy snacks in between, while not overeating.

“Skipping meals just creates a greater hunger,” says Hawthorne. Start off with a breakfast of 300 to 350 calories. Lunch should be around 500 calories and dinner 600 calories. Have a snack around 11 a.m. if you want, but make it healthy. Of course fruits or mixed nuts will do and keep it down to around 100 to 200 calories.

3. Set yourself up for success.

Pack lunches for work so you won’t have to shuffle through take-out menus with co-workers. Keep a stocked pantry at home. Don’t wait until dinnertime to try to rummage for a meal. You will inevitably find yourself at a drive-thru window.

Also, plan out your meals for the week so you can shop accordingly. For a helpful and healthy shopping list to stock your pantry, visit NutrientRichFoods.org.

Tri-StateLiving | 37

A few examples of glass work at Tamarack in West Virginia.

A true taste of West Virginia Tamarack showcases some of the best art and crafts of the region Story Michelle Goodman Photography Jessica St. James

38 | Tri-StateLiving

If your travels take you southbound through West Virginia, you will most undoubtedly pass one of the Mountain State’s most popular roadside attractions.

Interstate travel through West Virginia means spending time on the West Virginia Turnpike. The 88-mile stretch of interstate runs from Charleston to Princeton. About 60 miles from the state capital is where you will find the nation’s first statewide collection of handmade crafts, art and cuisine.

Tamarack: The Best of West Virginia, with its multi-pointed rooftop, is like a crown atop Beckley, W.Va., impossible to miss.

From an aerial view, it resembles a starburst quilt pattern.

It will be well worth your time to take exit 45 off of the

On the Road | living

turnpike to stretch your legs and experience the largest collection of regional art in the state.

“People who visit for the first time are surprised and impressed,” said Cheryl Hartley, general manager of Tamarack. “People don’t always know what to expect when they see the signs for Tamarack along the turnpike.”

Hartley, who has been with Tamarack for 10 years, said people who fail to stop to experience Tamarack are missing out.

“We have customer comment cards and people stop and engage us in conversation and they say, ‘I’ve been driving by for years and this isn’t what I thought it was at all. I’m so glad I stopped.’”

Taking a stroll through Tamarack, visitors can feast their eyes on thousands of craft items in the 12,000 square-foot retail space. From 5-cent hand-blown glass marbles to a $17,000 bronze and glass coffee table, there is something for anyone seeking an authentic piece of artisan work.

According to Hartley, there are 10,000 unique items for sale at any given time. Each artisan featured at Tamarack is juried in, meaning a panel of peers views his or her work.

The Tamarack Foundation finds the artists from all over West Virginia, with each county represented, to go through the jury process.

“It’s judged for quality and uniqueness,” said Sally Barton, executive director of the Tamarack Foundation. “The foundation partners with communities, colleges, schools and

Leslie Lambert, of Roanoke, Va., browses through the pottery.

The entrance walkway to Tamarack.

artists to help continue to find new work and bring them to Tamarack for jurying.”

Once the artisans have been juried in, their work is bought by Tamarack and placed in the retail location among the largest collection of items made by West Virginia natives.

The walls around the circular design of Tamarack are adorned with artwork of all kinds by numerous artists. An art collector could find paintings in acrylic, oil or pastels.

There is even a large collection of 3-D paintings and photography that can be viewed with special glasses. Some artists choose to paint their masterpieces on feathers and tree leaves. Stained glass pieces come in all shapes and sizes. Handmade quilts are hung from the ceilings and walls to display one of West Virginia’s oldest craft pastimes.

Woodwork is abundant. From end tables to coffee tables and rocking chairs to dining room chairs, there are plenty of carefully crafted items to furnish any cozy living space.

There are copious amounts of pottery items, no two alike.

Ed Klimek from Shinnston, W.Va., has a display of mugs and jugs, each in the shape of a face. Each one is completely unique and even has its own name.

Tamarack also houses several studios with resident artisans. The pottery studio is where you will find married couple Rod and Paula Queen crafting their original designs.

Rod, who said he became interested in pottery during Tri-StateLiving | 39

West Virginia artisan Rod Queen creates a porcelain piece in his workshop located at Tamarack.

40 | Tri-StateLiving

Face jugs and a cat food bowl are just some of the creative pieces found at Tamarack.

the mid-seventies, said he was inspired to take up the craft when a friend gave him a clay vase as a gift.

“I thought, ‘I can do this,’” he said.

“And months later, I was.”

When he tired of his day job as an engineer in the coal industry, Rod began to turn his hobby into a career.

Since then, Rod has spun thousands of pieces of clay into works of art. Rod has been calling the Tamarack studio his pottery home since 2001. When he married his wife, Paula, about two years ago, the two became a team in the studio.

Paula, a native of England, said her background was in textiles and she hadn’t worked with pottery. She now excels in making flat pottery art and jewelry. The two even collaborate on projects, such as dog and cat food bowls. Rod creates the bowl and Paula creates the flat art that adorns the inside of the bowls.

“I just like to make things that make people smile,” Paula said.

Another resident artisan who calls Tamarack home is Doug Coleman.

On most days, Coleman can be found in the glass studio, etching glass ornaments and sun catchers. Like a lot of the other artisans featured at Tamarack, Coleman, 53, began his craft as a hobby about 30 years ago.

Originally an accountant, he said the hobby soon began to take over and claim domain over his real job.

“Now it’s in my DNA,” he said.

Coleman said he makes thousands of etchings each year. He creates his own stencils, from West Virginia mountains to animals and everything in between, and sandblasts the design onto the ornaments and sun catchers.

“Most of the time it doesn’t feel like work,” he said. “I like it here. It’s a great place to be.”

In the glass department, you can find Coleman’s handiwork, as well as original pieces from other West Virginia artisans. Items range from small glass marbles of all colors to elegant wine glasses to majestic handblown vases of all shapes and sizes.

Other resident artisans include Elaine Bliss in the textiles studio and Tish and Greg Westman crafting bowed psalteries and other folk instruments in the woodworking studio.

One of the more popular Tri-StateLiving | 41

From spaghetti sauce to spices and wine, various food items can be found at Tamarack.

departments at Tamarack, according to Hartley, is the specialty food department. While perusing the aisles, you will find something to please even the pickiest palate.

There is a vast collection of wines, something to suit any occasion. The candy is plentiful, from homemade fudge to rock candy of every color in the rainbow. There are jams, jellies and preserves made from every fruit from A to Z. The honey aisle alone boasts nectar from Parsons, Hamilton, Proctor and more.

The food items are not relegated to sweets. Tamarack offers homemade salsas of every heat variety, spaghetti sauces, dry pasta, dip mixes, pickles and marinades galore.

There are even homemade dog treats to take home to Fido.

Speaking of food, if all the shopping makes you hungry, A Taste of West Virginia food court, managed by none other than The Greenbrier, offers Appalachian specialties and mouthwatering comfort food.

Popular favorites include grilled West Virginia rainbow trout, fried green tomato sandwiches and chicken potpie.

42 | Tri-StateLiving

The deli offers lighter options and the grill showcases juicy specialty burgers. Salads with homemade dressing and fresh fruit are also available. And don’t forget dessert. Fresh cookies, brownies, cakes and cobblers are a must have.

Even though Tamarack is a Mecca for handmade and homemade goods, Hartley said it is not just about crafts, but all art forms.

Tamarack is currently home to the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame’s first permanent exhibit. The walls in the foyer of the Gov. Hulett C. Smith Theater are covered with LPs and 45s from some of the state’s great musicians, from Hazil Adkins to Bill Withers. The exhibit also features memorabilia like an early 1960s era Wurlitzer jukebox and a 1930s era Victrola, Hazel Dickens’ 1942 upright bass and Homer Bailes’ fiddle.

The West Virginia Music Hall of Fame has been inducting honorees each year since 2007. The 2011 inductees will be honored in October and include “Diamond Teeth” Mary McClain of Huntington, Tommy Thompson of St.

On the Road | living

Albans, Kathy Mattea of Cross Lanes and Charles J. “Butch” Miles of Hinton, to name a few.

The 178-seat Gov. Hulett C. Smith Theater at Tamarack offers free live performances every Sunday. The series, called Sunday@Two, features musical performances, plays, movies and various kinds of readings, from poetry to story telling.

Not only has Tamarack given West Virginia artisans a place to sell, exhibit and even perform their work, but also it has given the state a huge economic boost.

The Tamarack Foundation commissioned an economic impact study by Marshall University in 2008. The results showed that since Tamarack opened in 1996, the retail center has generated gross sales revenue in excess of $89 million, state sales tax revenue exceeding $4.5 million and attracted nearly 6 million visitors. “(That’s) nearly $19 million a year to the state of West Virginia,” said Barton.

Barton also said in the report of the study, “It is vital

that our state’s government and business leaders know how much artisans contribute to our economic development as West Virginia moves toward establishing a creative workforce where entrepreneurs in every field, including the arts, are as important as traditional businesses to West Virginia’s economic success.”

With all that Tamarack has to offer, Hartley said it stands true to its namesake. Named for the tamarack tree, the facility shows the people of West Virginia, she said, as being strong and hard, with roots that go deep into the earth.

Hartley also said that Tamarack helps to convey a positive image of West Virginia that people often do not have.

“They often have stereotypes in mind and after they’ve visited Tamarack, they realize that West Virginia is just like any other place,” Hartley said. “Talented people with lots of creativity and energy and some surprising sophistication as well.”

A view of the 178-seat Gov. Hulett C. Smith Theatre.

Tri-StateLiving Tri-StateLiving||XX 43

Visitors to Tamarack can take part in a day of shopping for a unique host of items.

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44 | Tri-StateLiving

The Riverview Bed & Breakfast Inn is a California-style home that sits on the Ohio River in Franklin Furnace, Ohio.

Rooms with a view Franklin Furnace B&B thriving because of style and charm Story Jennifer Chapman Photography Jessica St. James

46 | Tri-StateLiving

A sprawling, green lawn with a well-manicured landscape, an open view of the Ohio River, a California-style house painted colonial blue and an opportunity for business.

That’s what George and Bobbie Sich saw when they moved into their neighborhood in Franklin Furnace, Ohio, in 1996.

Within two years, the house beside theirs went on the market.

They thought it over and jumped at the opportunity. After two years of renovations, the Riverview Bed and Breakfast was born.

George quit his position at AK Steel after 21 years with them and put his MBA to work in his own business, running the bed and breakfast. Bobbie works as a speech pathologist for the school stystem and is able to help when the season is busiest, during the summer. They have a full-time housekeeper and a part-time administrative employee to help them as well.

On the Road | living

“It’s a good, steady business for us,” George said. “It’s not a boring lifestyle.”

The house was built in 1993. When the Sichs bought it, they added on the deck, leveled out the lawn, installed bigger windows and made many other changes.

The house rests on five acres of property, and on the back of the house is a 2,600 square-foot deck made of treated wood and stained blue, complementing the color of the house. On the deck are tables, chairs and footstools and a hot tub open year-round.

With a stay at the bed and breakfast also comes access to the boat dock with no extra charge to the guests.

“Folks will bring their boats and keep them on the dock and play on the river all day,” George said.

Stepping into the bed and breakfast, to the left is the great room area, with the kitchen and living room facilities all open to the guests, complete with complementary snacks and drinks at all times. The great room has plenty of seating and a spacious view of the river. There is entertainment as well, including a television complete with Dish Network, movies, books, board games and even a checkers table.

The great room opens up to the dining area, which provides seating for up to 20, windows all around and, consistent with the rest of the house, a view of the river.

The decorating in the rooms is a clean look with white walls and a blue carpet, along with kitchen floor tile that is a white and blue marble look. Throughout the house, the style

An open kitchen area features an island that is available to guests.

The inn features an open living and sitting room on the main floor. Stained glass hangs in the stairwell window.

is consistent. Quilts decorate many of the walls all made by Bobbie’s family.

“Bobbie’s parents made quilts all of their lives,” George said. Her father pieced them and her mother quilted them. The focal point as visitors head upstairs is an enourmous quilt decorating the hallway, fitting the wall perfectly, as if it was made for it.

It is a postage-stamp style of quilting, with 7,600 individual small squares.

A stained glass window meets you at the turn of the staircase. The Sichs worked with a local artist to have it custom made, including the quilt designs around the outside and a picture of the Ohio River and a riverboat.

Three of the four rooms at the bed and breakfast are upstairs. All of the bedrooms are painted white, with the matching blue carpet and each has a private dual-sink bath with toiletries. The largest is the Riverview room, with a king-sized bed and a turret ceiling, a small sofa, a chaise lounge, a small table with two chairs and a workspace. The attached bath features a corner jacuzzi tub.

The Creek View vies with the Riverview room for the most desired room. The Creek View room has a private deck Tri-StateLiving | 47

A spacious deck complex features a hot tub and faces the Ohio River.

48 | Tri-StateLiving

The largest of all the guest rooms, the Riverview room, gives the best panoramic view of the Ohio River.

and a view of the whole property and the room can boast of sunlight all year round. The bath features a walk-in shower.

The Marina View room has a view of the Holiday Point Marina and has extra seating and a private bath just across the hallway.

Downstairs in the lower level of the house is the fourth bedroom, the Health View Suite. This room offers a private gym, with a stationary bike, ski machine, weight-lifting station and a treadmill. The bathroom features a whirlpool tub.

George credits his wife for the decorating of the house.

“Bobbi did all the decorating. She’s got quite an eye, and did a great job,” he said.

Also in the downstairs is the meeting room available for use. It can accommodate up to 20 people, and comes complete with office equipment, like a computer system, copiers, overheads, a television, white boards, four conference tables and much more. There is also wireless Internet connection throughout the house.

The safety of the guests and house is something the

The bathroom included in the Riverview room. Riverview features a two person whirlpool tub/shower combo.

Tri-StateLiving | 49

A view of the meeting room at the Riverview Bed & Breakfast.

Sichs have not forgotten. A security system and cameras on all of the outdoor property helps keep everyone safe and feeling secure.

Guests receive a complimentary breakfast, ranging from a continental to a full-scale homecooked breakfast, depending on the desires of the guests. They talk to guests from the beginning, finding out if there are any allergy or dietary constraints, what their schedule is, and what they would like to eat.

“We talk it over with guests and create the meal for them,” George said.

The guests staying at the bed and breakfast range from business travelers to leisure travelers, some passing through and some using it as their destination for peace and relaxation.

“It is also a good halfway point for folks traveling to the Carolinas.” George said.

The rooms are guaranteed and there is a cancellation policy. Reservations are recommended, especially if a 50 | Tri-StateLiving

particular room is desired.

The bed and breakfast is also used for events and special occasions, including anniversaries, birthdays, surprise weekends and weddings.

“You name it,” George said.

George said the Riverview Bed and Breakfast isn’t like a lot of the places people think of when they hear the term.

“We’re not a normal Bed and Breakfast,” he said. “It’s a modern facility. We provide all the services a four-star hotel would provide, but on a smaller scale. We have always strived to provide a top-shelf service, all the way. Yes, this is a bed and breakfast, but not your grandma’s bed and breakfast.” a

Riverview Bed & Breakfast 91 Riverview Drive, Franklin Furnace, Ohio 45629 740-355-4004 • www.riverhost.com Owners/Innkeepers: George and Bobby Sich

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Buoyant business Story Tammie Hetzer-Womack | Photography Jessica St. James

xx | Tri-StateLiving

Difference Makers | living

Gate City woman afloat with small balloon decorating biz CATLETTSBURG, Ky. — It can be thorny working as a substance abuse care manager. But Kim Young never lets her nerve-racking career burst her balloon.

The Gate City woman needed a lift-me-up, a sideline to stay afloat through job stress and frenzied workloads of offering helping hands to struggling area addicts.

“I needed an outlet, especially in my line of work. If you don’t have some form of creative outlet, you’ll burn out quickly,” the 36-year-old pointed out.

Thumbing through a magazine, she saw a story about balloon bouquets.

“I thought, ‘Hey, I can do that,’” Young said. “So, I sent off for some training materials, studied, took some certification tests, and, voila. …Some people paint, write, or even fish. I create art with balloons.”

Her inflating Tri-State biz doesn’t really have a name, so Young is affectionately christened “balloon lady” around these parts. But she’s taking off, into the blue.

Resourceful and original, she works with large-scale décor, like colorful balloon-topped columns, canopies teeming with balloons to cascade onto guests, spiraling arches; bouquets, fashionable centerpieces, strands of bright garland, lovely hearts, tropical, lush balloon palm trees and ceiling treatments.

Young also coordinates balloon drops and outdoor releases; imprints balloons for gala celebrations; ties ribbons to massive Megaloons; makes days special with outdoor adornments; shares the spirit with Christmas trees

constructed from holiday-hued helium; and blows up hot air balloon bouquets to send spirits soaring.

You’ll find her pumping up the balloon volume at birthday parties, corporate and charitable revelry, pasteldipped baby and wedding showers, weddings and banquets.

“You name it. If you want to celebrate it, I’ll be there,” the upbeat Young said.

Knowing her day job’s cases continue to go through the roof, Young keeps it small and simple, only committing to weekend and holiday fetes, focusing on what she does well, not spreading herself too thin. She never wants to lose her fluttering spark.

When she finds free time — something she has little of — Young enjoys reading, canoeing with her boys, and is a sports fan.

She’s also pursuing her master’s degree in social work at University of Kentucky, so it’s a family effort keeping it all balanced.

Her husband Roger is the logistics guy, building arced bases and framing for balloon porticos, hauling hardware to venues. Her son, Hank, 10, assists with set-up and tear-down, and is the “idea guy” for his mommy.

“He can dream up the biggest, over-the-top designs,” she continued. “My youngest son, Townes, who is 5, likes to try to do the heavy lifting at the jobs. That, and sneak away some balloons to play with during the jobs.”

It’s all new for Young, so she’s fresh and optimistic. “Party, karamu, fiesta, forever.”

“I don’t have a formal event planner background, but ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you I throw one mean party. I am very detail-oriented, a trait well-suited for this line of work.”

At her home, she stores hundreds of different balloon shades and can even make custom tints to fit just about any party palette. She keeps basic complementary staple colors

Tri-StateLiving | 53

living | Difference Makers

on-hand and orders the rest from a trusted supplier. She can have whatever colors a client requests within two days.

Young loves special requests, launching her imagination.

Her favorite design is a 12-foot-tall Christmas tree she gave rise to at the Festival of Trees a few years back. It took her team two days to complete it, an enormous balloon-crafted, super-glued spruce.

“I was shocked that someone was able to fit it in their home,” she giggled.

Young’s biggest annual event is Ashland’s Summer Motion festival.

“Every year Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital asks me to create something spectacular for their booth to grab people’s attention. I think this year’s was my best,” she said.

“OLBH actually was kind enough to give me my start in this business. I offered my services free for a charity golf tournament they were hosting a few years ago and they seemed to really like them.

“They’ve always been a gracious ally.”

Charity is important to Young. She stays busy offering service, giving to the community.

“I probably do as many charitable events as I do regular ones. It’s not that I don’t like money. I do,” the woman chuckled. “But, I also like helping people out. And, lately, a lot of our local charities have been hit hard by the economy.

My favorite charity event was the Casino Night for the Highlands Museum. They’re such a great organization and my boys just love that place.”

Young describes her small business simply: “Unique, creative, personalized.” She’s increasingly assertive as a businesswoman taking wing.

“You have to be or you’ll drown.”

Young would love to see more women starting businesses.

“We represent a huge untapped creative force. Imagine the things we can do.”

From experience, she has tips for start-ups – be both an idea and numbers person and make sure you have one of both on your team to ensure success. Secondly, don’t

”

54 | Tri-StateLiving

file a business plan right away. Revisit it-often to make adjustments, remembering when you created the plan you did so with emotions involved in owning a business. Stay focused.

With that, Young sticks to the Tri-State so she’s familiar with its venues, knocking out any unexpected problems.

When she books a job, she heads there first for a look-over, checking out electrical outlets, ceiling height and room dimensions. With an idea in mind of what her customer wants, she offers pricing estimates, depending on job hurdles.

Balloon bouquets start around $15, while the sky’s the limit for décor needs.

“I can accommodate any budget though. I’m quite adept at figuring out ways to obtain the feel the client is trying to capture without them feeling it in the wallet.”

To get the word out and save a few bucks on advertising, Young networks with caterers, party planners and florists she meets at bashes and shows and is on Facebook, asking her friends for shout-outs when folks are planning celebrations, painting the town red with balloons.

Difference Makers | living

him so proud,” Young said. “He passed away last year.

I’m glad to have that memory.”

When it comes to balloons, Young knows her stuff.

She says grocery store balloons are typically over-priced and over-inflated. Balloons aren’t supposed to look like light bulbs.

“Invariably, these types of balloons will pop before you get home. Some before you even make it out of the store’s doors. This may seem trivial, but I hate to see people waste money on shoddy work.”

As for the eco-friendliness of balloons, Young

She tries to lighten the load of anxious merrymakers.

Like a bride in the midst of an all-out breakdown the night before her nuptials. Young was setting up a balloon canopy over her ballroom dance floor.

“She told me seeing the canopy made everything better. That’s a wonderful feeling, to be able to touch people that way. … I think by really listening and grasping what a bride or mom wants takes a lot of stress off them. Sometimes people just want to be heard.”

As with any business, there are ups and downs.

Her worst moment came early on. A high school friend hosting a beauty contest asked Young to construct palm trees on stage. A newbie, she trusted incompetent staffers to get it done and it didn’t get completed on time. She still feels bad, but did her darndest to make it up to her classmate.

But there are awesome jobs she recollects too.

“I delivered a get-well bouquet to my grandfather when he was in the hospital. He really liked it, but what made it special was when the nurses asked about it, he got to brag that his granddaughter made it. That made

recommends latex, which is 100 percent biodegradable and decomposes as fast as a backyard oak leaf. Latex is harvested from rubber trees, which produce for up to 40 years. However, Mylar or foil balloons won’t degrade and should never be released into the air, she said.

“In addition to the environmental impact, these types of balloons can also get caught in power lines and cause widespread outages. California lawmakers actually contemplated banning them altogether, but came to an agreement with manufacturers, asking them to label the balloons instead,” she went on. “So, if you notice a sticker on your next birthday balloon bouquet, you’ll know what that means.”

Young’s gusto and love of people make her perfect for this sunny, ballooning business.

“It takes no special skill to inflate a balloon. Beauty comes from listening to people and understanding what they’re trying to convey. That’s the magic. To really create a feeling, that’s art.” a

Balloon lovers can reach Kim Young at (606) 694-5386 or kimkiaria@hotmail.com

Tri-StateLiving | 55

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shopping Tri-StateLiving

up close Huntington, W.Va.’s clothing boutiques work hard to keep racks filled with the latest fashions.

Take a look at some of the hottest styles this winter.

p. 62

O

shopping | Tri-State Treasures

ut of the ordinary Five unique items that could spark conversation or set o˜ your home décor

Collar box in blue. Antique container for shirt collars from the early 1900s. $45 at Ghosts in the Attic, Portsmouth

60 | Tri-StateLiving

Handbag made of acacia wood by Timmy Woods Beverly Hills. $275 at It’s in the Bag, Wheelersburg

Tri-State Treasures | shopping

Wooden “barn style” birdhouse made by a local Kentucky craftsman. $40 at the Hillbilly Flea Market, Russell, Ky.

Ice box by Miller & Co. $599 at Family Ties Country Store, South Shore, Ky.

Wine caddies

by H&K Sculptures.

Made from recycled steel with copper accents.

Prices range from $80 to $110. Found at Mug and Pia, Huntington, W.Va.

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shopping | Fashionistas

Style for the seasons Huntington boutiques have the latest fashions to keep Tri-Staters in vogue

Wright’s Huntington Clothing Co. 952 Fourth Ave., Huntington, W.Va. 25701 304-781-5602 • Owned by Bill Moore

Top • Orange, cotton turtleneck in Tuscan sun, by Parkhurst, $65 Ves t • Leopard-print fur vest, “Outdoor Edition,”

by Parkhurst, $115 Pan t • Straight-leg, blend “Paris” pants in chocolate,

by Renuar, $75 Purse • Taupe, tassel hand and shoulder bag with weave design,

by Melie Bianco, $85 Model Myranda Davis

62 | Tri-StateLiving

Jacket

• Black and cobalt boiled wool jacket, by Spanner, $289 T op • Cobalt turtleneck sweater,

by Spanner, $89 Pant • Form-fitting blend black pants,

by Lynn Ritchie, $125 Purse • Black, two-compartment ruffle bag, by Melie Bianco, $85

Model Jennifer Hatten

(left) Dress • Black and taupe straight, knee-length dress with beaded accents, by Muse, $195 Jewelr y • Earrings Audrey Kate, $45 Flower stretch ring by Audrey Kate, $35 (right) Dress • Black and gold, ruffled knee-length dress with sheer overlay,

by Muse, $225 Jewelr y • Bracelet, by Audrey Kate, $38 Earrings, by Audrey Kate, $37.50

Models Jennifer Hatten & Myranda Davis

Tri-StateLiving | 63

shopping | Fashionistas

The Village Collection 900 Fourth Ave.

Photography Jessica St. James | Model Melissa Foster-Bird

Huntington, W.Va. 25701 Owned by Vicki Rosenberg

Dress • Navy and cream floral shirtdress with grosgrain belt and bronze buttons, by Tracy Reese, $268 Jewelr y • Bronze drop earrings,

by Jan Michael, $46

Gloves • Long, black leather gloves,

by I.L.I., $48 Purse • Black leather snap-close, “retro” handbag, by Hobo, $248 S hoes • Taupe, suede pumps with silver trim,

by Yellow Box, $76

Top • Cotton/acrylic blend sweater with butterfly sleeves and side slit, by R.D. Style, $68 Pan t • Silky, polyester cargo pants in gray, by R.D. Style, $82 Scarf • Gray and blue tie-dyed cotton scarf with silver studs and chains, by Tolani, $125 Pur se • Silver, snakeskin printed tote, by Sondra Roberts, $75 Jewelr y • Liquid silver necklace, by Moda, $90 Silver earrings with rhinestone swirls, by Brighton, $44 Silver charm bracelet,

by Brighton, assorted prices.

Shoe s • Pewter, patent-leather crocodile print boots,

by Brighton, $230

Model Mary Lee Daugherty

Dre ss • Silky, back-interest dress in oyster pearl, by French Connection, $248 Jewelr y • Pearl and crystal stretch cuff bracelet, by Liza Kim, $36 Pur se • Silver, reptile-print vinyl bag with chain detail, by Sondra Roberts, $65

Model Melissa Foster-Bird

Tri-StateLiving | 65

shopping | Fashionistas

Top • Silky, sheer viscose tunic blouse with bell sleeves, print, trimmed and jewels and metallic studs, by Kay Celine, $179 Tank • Stretchy, layering tank, by Martini, $20 Jeans • Straight-leg, “Jody Classic” jean, by True Religion, $218

66 | Tri-StateLiving

Jewelr y • Silver and rhinestone dangle earrings,

by R.J. Graziano, $44 Silver statement ring with green stone, by Uno de 50, $143 S hoes • Green, canvas stacked heel boots with leather trim, by Matisse, $130

Photography Jessica St. James | Model Holli Withrow

In the Biz | living

Studio 21 Salon and Spa owner Lisa Donalson works on the hair of Nannette Stevens, of Flatwoods, Ky.

A cut above the rest Studio 21 Salon and Spa continues to thrive because of focus on personal pampering Story Michelle Goodman | Photography Jessica St. James

For nearly 15 years, Lisa and Gary Donalson have provided their clients at Studio 21 Salon and Spa with a way to feel and look their best.

As a business that began out of the Ashland, Ky., couple’s basement, Studio 21 has grown into a family salon and spa where young and old can come to relax from the stresses of their everyday lives.

When the Donalsons were married in 1991, Lisa, a hair stylist, moved from North Carolina to Ashland, Gary’s hometown.

Lisa had been a hair stylist since 1984 but couldn’t find a job in her new hometown.

“Nobody would hire me, and I was like, ‘OK, I’ll put a little shop in my basement,’” Lisa said. “And that’s what I did.” She called it Headlines Hair Studio.

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living | In the Biz

For the next five years, Lisa’s clientele began to grow to such an extent the couple had no choice but to find a permanent location.

“It was so busy in our house, people were coming at 7 or 8 in the morning before work,” Gary said. The evenings were booked with people wanting appointments before they would go out. “We had no personal time. So that’s when we knew it was time to move it out of there.”

In 1996, Headlines Hair Studio moved to 2048 Winchester Ave. in Ashland. The couple bought and totally remodeled a historic building that was built in 1932. They also added an antique shop, Finders Keepers, that Gary ran while Lisa operated the salon. The couple added another stylist and a massage therapist.

Tiffany Church performs a pedicure on Carol Barker, of Ashland, Ky.

Studio 21 Salon and Spa, owned by Lisa and Gary Donaldson, is located at 2048 Winchester Ave. in Ashland, Ky.

68 | Tri-StateLiving

In the Biz | living

Samantha Carter receives a massage from therapist Jill Lewis.

The salon’s business continued to grow, while the antique business began to taper off. By 1998, the Donalsons decided to turn their simple salon into a full-fledged, upscale day spa.

“It was just meant to be, is all I can say,” Lisa said.

“We decided just to go for broke and just do the whole spa thing.”

The couple renovated the upstairs of their business and began to add spa features such as a hydrotherapy tub, body wraps and scrubs, facials and skin care, waxing, sauna, manicures and pedicures. And of course, they changed their name to Studio 21 Salon and Spa. They were the first day spa in Eastern Kentucky, this side of Lexington.

“A lot of the salons in the area call themselves a day spa, but technically, you’re not a day spa unless you offer water therapies. You’re just a full service salon,” said Lisa.

The hydrotherapy that makes Studio 21 a day spa provides pain relief from arthritis, sports injuries and other chronic conditions, said the couple.

“We’ve had people with muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis both say that that would be the only time they would be pain free is when they got in that thing and would soak for about a half hour,” said Gary.

The body wraps help with a variety of skin conditions, Lisa said.

“We have the sea weed body wraps. That helps with cellulite. The mud wrap, it helps to detox and exfoliate. And the salt glow helps to exfoliate and the herbal wraps helps to detox,” she said.

The massage packages at Studio 21 range from 30 minutes at $35 to 90 minutes at $90. They also offer maternity massages and a couples massage.

“At first it was just a pampering thing,” Gary said about the massage service. “Now people realize that massage is good for you. It’s not just a Christmas present or birthday present.”

Skin care is also something that the couple feels is important to maintain on a regular basis.

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70 | Tri-StateLiving

In the Biz | living

From hair to nails to your feet, Studio 21 Salon and Spa offers just about every type of self indulgence.

“We have a big business in facials,” Gary said. “A lot of the teen market, kids with acne problems, they come in and they realize that they don’t need to have constant breakouts.”

There are facials for men, women and teens and range from $45 to $75.

A cut and style in the salon at Studio 21 is a different experience from many typical salons. There are no long rows of sinks, as the stations are more private with one or two stylists per room.

“You don’t have to sit with hair color in your hair in front of everybody,” Lisa said. “It is more private.”

Despite the poor economic climate in the United States, the Donalsons said they believe being a family salon and spa has worked well for them. They also said they stay up-to-date with current styles, trends and services.

“There were 45,000 salons that closed last year in the nation,” said Gary. “That says a lot, I think. You’ve got to be on top of what’s going on.”

Crystal Campbell-Ford, 34, has been a stylist at Studio 21 for three years. The Ashland native said the emphasis on customer service and atmosphere gives Studio 21 its staying power.

“People feel like they get a quality service,” said Campbell-Ford. “They don’t feel rushed. And you can tell that the people who work here and own the business are passionate about the business.”

“I think the atmosphere here is nice. It’s got a home-like feel to it, but you still get the modern, high-end quality of service.”

She also said that all the stylists keep up-to-date on new Tri-StateLiving | 71

living | In the Biz

styles by going to hair shows several times a year.

“We all do continuing education and we are constantly staying up to date with the most current style, European styles and American styles.”

Cathy Jennings, 51, said she has been coming to Studio 21 for around seven years. She is a long-time customer of Lisa and drives all the way from Wheelersburg, Ohio, for Studio 21’s services. Jennings said she and Lisa are like family now.

“She goes beyond her call of duty,” said Jennings. “If you’re needing something done at the last minute she can work you in, whereas a lot of the other (salons) aren’t as apt to work you in. I think that’s why I came back.”

Jennings, who suffers from Lupus, said that Lisa has helped her with her skin, which had become dry from treatments for the disease.

Jennings also said that most of her family also makes the drive from Wheelersburg to patronize Studio 21, such as her daughter, mother, son and daughter-in-law and sister-in-law.

Another of Lisa’s customers, Gail Feinberg of Russell, has been a patron of the salon since its early beginnings when the antique shop was still in the front of the building.

Feinberg, the regional assistant dean for the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and director of medical education for Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital said she got a recommendation from a friend to try out the salon.

“When we first moved here 22 years ago my husband started wandering through looking for furniture and met Gary,” Feinberg said. “Once it became a hair salon and more of a spa, I started coming in, but not on a regular basis. I think I’ve been seeing Lisa regularly for at least six to eight years.”

Feinberg also said she likes to take advantage of the other services at Studio 21 and have had other people give her gift cards to the spa.

“I’ve given my self a gift of the spa and back massage and I have had people gift it to me because they know I come here so often,” she said.

72 | Tri-StateLiving

Tiffany Church gives a pedicure to guest Carol Barker, of Ashland, Ky.

A client receives a finger massage as part of a manicure package.

In the Biz | living

A client receives a manicure during a visit to Studio 21 Salon and Spa.

Studio 21 Salon and Spa 2048 Winchester Ave. 606-329-9648 • 606-325-0001 www.studio21spa.com

Bellefonte Pavilion location 2000 Ashland Drive 606-327-1171

Hours: Mon. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Hours: Tues.-Fri. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. or by appointment

That passion translates to employees too. “I have fallen in love with working here,” said stylist Bonnie Gabbard.

The 57-year-old from Westwood, Ky., has been in the business for 37 years and previously owned Cuttin’ Up Beauty Salon in Ashland. She now rents her own station at Studio 21.

“I love Gary and Lisa, they’re just like family to me,” Gabbard said. “They strive to run this business the best way they know how. They are really good people.”

One of Gabbard’s long-time customers, who keeps her appointments a year in advance, Sue Martin, 64, of Ironton, Ohio, said she likes the friendly atmosphere that she and her daughter and granddaughter have grown accustomed to.

“They do treat you like family and you feel like family,” Martin said. “They’re wonderful. It’s like Steel Magnolias. This place is great.”

Since its beginnings as a day spa, Studio 21 has continued to grow and expand. The Donalson’s were also approached to open a second location in the Firm Fitness Center in the Bellefonte Pavilion.

The new location opened in July of 2010 and offers waxing, massage and salon services.

Lisa said she still has many clients that have been with her from her basement beginning.

“It makes me feel good that they have been that loyal to me through out all the years and all the transitions,” she said. “It’s like you feel like family.”

The Donalsons said that they hope they will continue to grow and be able to offer the family salon experience to their customers, young and old, men and women.

“We want to be a family salon and spa. That’s what works for us,” Gary said. “We want it to be as comfortable for a high school girl to come in and have spa services and for it to be cool for her. And if her mom wants to come, we want it to be comfortable for her, too. We want it to be for your whole family.” a Tri-StateLiving | 73

Huntington

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cover story | Mike Adkins

Mike Adkins | cover story

the

man behind the lens Huntington photographer captures life with vivid digital images Story Benita Heath | Photography Jessica St. James

It starts with the imagination where fantasy runs riot and everything seems possible.

Then when Michael Adkins has an idea firmly in his mind, he grabs his digital Canon 20D and begins transforming the pieces of that fantasy into the photograph he has envisioned.

That’s how the self-taught Huntington, W.Va., photographer has approached his work ever since he mastered the basics of the camera decades ago. It’s a journey where skill or technique or whatever you want to call it amalgamates with the mind’s eye to create art. It’s a ride Adkins finds exhilarating, at times intimidating, but always satisfying.

“Some photographers go out and look around. They can see great pictures,” Adkins said. “I create a picture in my head and then go about and find it. That is far harder to do.”

Harder? So what. Adkins does it over and over, creating a portfolio that is whimsical, complicated and overwhelmingly colorful.

“I always have a predefined conception of

what the print is to look like,” he said.

It’s an approach to creating art that Adkins wants to introduce others to — both those who want to appreciate the work and those who might want to emulate. Two or three times a year Adkins passes on what he knows about the camera and how to make it a conduit to communication and creativity to classes of a dozen students at a time. His reason why is simple. That is the way his mentors long ago captured his attention and turned him into the kind of photographer he is today.

“I tell my students I am going to change the way you see the world,” he said.

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“When you start getting serious about this, I want you to see something that is more than a snapshot. Something that is a work of art. Then you will start looking at things in a whole different way.”

The robust Adkins, whose quiet demeanor belies a seemingly all-seeing eye, began his journey behind the lens of a Minolta SRT 101 35. It is a camera he still has up on a shelf, primed with film and ready to go.

Adkins was stationed in Germany at an Army base in the early 1970s when his parents kept needling him to send back snapshots. Good son that he was, he obliged and got to become friends with the first photographic influence on him, Norman Lamphrey, who ran the photo lab for the service organizations over there.

“He was a tough old dude,” Adkins recalled. “He was a very good critic. I’d show him my pictures and he would verbally tear them apart and tell me to do them over. I was bound and determine to learn it the correct way.”

Next stop on the journey to becoming an artist was an unlikely venue for creative inspiration — the national chain department store, Sears & Roebuck.

“I met a lady, Barbara Solomon, who ran the portrait studio there in Huntington,” Adkins recalled.

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cover story | Mike Adkins

“I wanted to learn portrait photography. She took me under her wing. I still consider her the best portrait photographer I ever met. She has been my inspiration. She is a master photographer, has an amazing eye for great portraits.”

Working with her sharpened Adkins’ technique to the point he felt ready to go out on his own, opening up his own studio, Classic Photography, in 1980 in Barboursville.

“I ran it for about three years, but studios are a tough way to make a living,” he said. “It is the second most failed business in the country. Restaurants are No. 1. It is no easier now.”

He found a day job as an information technology expert and reluctantly put the Minolta away. But out of sight isn’t always out of mind.

Five years ago Adkins found himself in the midst of a pleasant dilemma that led him back to his passion for the camera. He had just built a new house and wanted some art work for those freshly painted walls.

He found what he thought he wanted from a photographer based in Arizona. But when he contacted him, he found a commercial artist more interested in inspiring others than making a sale.

“He told me, ‘You live in a beautiful state. Why do you want to buy my stuff? Why don’t you shoot some yourself,’” Adkins recalled.

That sent Adkins out to buy his first digital camera.

“It was outside my comfort zone budget-wise, but when I

got the camera back in my hands, I rediscovered my love of photography,” he said.

Now rarely does Adkins venture out without his Canon, even joking that he traded in his pickup truck for a stark white Mitsubishi Outlander that makes a much better fourwheeled camera bag.

“I used to have a truck but that doesn’t work for a photographer,” he said.

When he’s not shooting photographs or teaching photography, Adkins is talking photographs as the president of the Ohio Valley Camera Club, an organization that was founded 51 years ago and claims the famed Ansel Adams as a charter member.

“I will do anything I can to promote the club and make it dynamic and educational,” he said. “There are almost 80 members and growing. More people are in to photography.

Everybody with an iPhone has a camera. We can feed on that. It is a way of sharing the passion of the members.” a

Terry Montgomery, talented and gifted teacher for Chesapeake Middle School, shows off high heels and a professional suit, courtesy of Talbot’s, with her Harley Davidson.

Ready to Ride | cover story

Dressed up,

Ready to ride Story Benita Heath | Photography Jessica St. James

Motorcycle enthusiasts seeing strong shift toward female demographic Terry Montgomery brakes her crimson red Harley Softail down the sloping drive to the Chamber of Commerce building at South Point, Ohio.

It’s way past 90 degrees on a summer dog day and Montgomery, atypically garbed in a red sweat shirt and black do-rag, is late for a photo shoot. Dripping with sweat and apologies, the effervescent red head hops off her motorcycle to hug gal pal, Bernice Bullock, who’s joining in the new demographic in biker babes.

No hanging on the back of a Jack Nicholson wannabe, these women have careers, wherewithal and commitment to their community, a combination of traits that would blow the mind fuse of anyone who chants the mantra of arbitrary rebellion, let alone thinks wearing studs and black leather is cool.

“I’ve always loved being out,” Montgomery said. “I used to have a boat. I love the feel of being out and air on your face. And horses aren’t practical like a motorcycle.”

On your own It’s freedom, plain and simple. Wind blowing in your hair. Soaring down the highways to the roar of the V-twin.

Answering to yourself. And then there’s learning how to adjust to the occasional odd sensation.

“Like the time Montgomery a la bike pulled up beside those typical road warriors, i.e., a car, at a red light. She learned quickly what it was like to play David to an automotive Golliath. I didn’t have anything to protect me and that is a big car,” Montgomery said. “But I really enjoy it.”

A mother of two 20-something sons, Montgomery, who teaches the talented and gifted students at the Chesapeake, Ohio, school district, got the biking bug after her doctor dropped a minor bombshell.

“I turned 50 and my doctor told me I had osteoporosis,” she said. “It would only get worse so now is the time to ride.”

And ride she does, heading off with a friend or two or a pack of buddies for 1,000-mile rides through the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia or up north for a week at Mackinac Island.

“Those places in Virginia, they welcomed us with open arms,” Montgomery said. “The group I ride with is very conservative. Married couples. I’m one of three single Tri-StateLiving | 83

cover story | Ready to Ride

women. It is a good experience for me as an empty nester to be around people who enjoy what I like to do.”

Bulloch, who is an administrative secretary at the Marshall University faculty senate office, bought her first bike a couple of years ago, not the least bit intimidated by the fact she was 54. But it took awhile before she got it highway-bound.

Fearless flying “A couple of years ago I started dating a gentleman who had a motorcycle and I wanted to do more than just ride

Sue Pemberton is a CPA from South Point but has become an avid motorcycle enthusiast.

on back,” she said. “I bought the bike in October but didn’t take my class until April. The bike was in the garage. I’d sit on the bike in the winter and dream about riding the next summer.”

If there’s any fear of riding for these women, it blew past the windscreen after the first couple of hours.

“If you can ride a bike, you can ride a motorcycle,” says Bulloch, a statuesque blonde with the confidence of a Las Vegas showgirl. “It’s an activity where you have to maintain your concentration. You can’t think about texting somebody or answering your cell phone. Oh gosh, it’s total freedom.”

Montgomery and Bulloch may sound like the mavericks, but according to the Motorcycle Industry Council, they’re shifting into the norm as far as today’s bike riders go. The most recent stat, collected for 2008, shows 12.3 percent of motorcycle owners are women, up from 9.6 percent in 2003.

About 15 percent of Gen X bike owners are women and it’s 14 percent for Gen Y. As far as riders, the numbers go up with 5.7 million of the 25 million Americans on bikes are women.

High pricetag However, it’s not a hobby for the penny-pincher. These bikes can get pricey real quick. A new model 48 MSRD Sportster starts out at $10,499. If that makes the pocketbook reel, run, don’t walk, past the Ultra Classic Electric Glide that checks in at $35,999. Even a used model that’s been down the highway won’t give a break. Take a 2010 Softtail Deluxe advertised online with 7,000 miles. Cost? $15,999.

Sue Pemberton, who just turned 50 this summer, lives in South Point and works as a certified public accountant in Ashland, Ky. She grew up riding passenger on a bike.

But about six years ago she decided she wanted the reins, so to speak.

Bernice Bulloch spends her days as an administrative secretary on the campus of Marshall University but enjoys hopping on her motorcycle and roaring into the sunset.

Bernice Bulloch, left, and Terry Montgomery, right, are seen on their Harley Davidson motorcycles.

“There is a lot of power in a motorcycle. I like being in control of all that power,” she said. “The best way I know to describe it, you are a whole lot more aware of what is around you. The smell of fresh cut grass, honeysuckle. That you don’t get while in the car. I’m not big on riding in the car, but I will hop on a bike and ride for hours.”

As adept and carefree as these women sound today, it took them a little practice to grasp that balance in bike riding has zilch to do with Zen. Like Montgomery’s famous “chicken wreck story” that she tells with good-humored candor.

“I was riding with a neighbor and he was riding in front of me,” she said. “There were chickens in the road and we slowed way down, but the chickens were right in my face flying everywhere.”

Trying hard to see the other bike’s tail lights through the snowstorm of feathers, she went down a gravel road.

“Gravel and motorcycles don’t do well,” Montgomery said. “I pulled my front brakes and went flying down in the ditch. I cracked a rib.”

“I was lying there and he was saying ‘Are you okay?’” and I said, ‘Tell me, how’s my bike?’” a

Sue Pemberton is seen on the open road riding her motorcycle.

Tri-StateLiving | 85

cover story | Dianne Clement

Always willing to help

Dianne Clement, a longtime community activist and volunteer, is retiring from her paying job

CATLETTSBURG, Ky. — It’s a rainy early morning and Dianne Clement has settled in at her Catlettsburg Refinery office. She isn’t taking a breather. Her schedule is packed with a staff meeting, morning mixer over pastries and an evening committee get-together for Ashland’s Winter Wonderland of Lights.

It’s a day in the life of the Senior Community Relations Representative of Marathon Petroleum Company LP. The day starts at 5:30 a.m. and doesn’t end until late when she headsout of the plant. There is always a lot to do with her various charitable organization efforts.

On New Year’s Day, Clement celebrated her retirement after 44 years of consummate company service and accomplishments.

“It will be nice to relax awhile and have a cup of coffee at 9 or 10 in the morning,” laughed the gracious 62-year-old Frankin Furnace, Ohio wife, mom and grandma.

Clement said she was a “baby” when she started working there, 86 | Tri-StateLiving

Story Tammie Hetzer-Womack | Photography Jessica St. James

“

This refinery isn’t just a great machine. We are your community. We sit next to you at church, cheer on your kids at ballgames and eat in your restaurants.

”

when the company was still on 14th Street and Winchester Avenue, in Ashland, Ky. She witnessed growth, change and community espousal.

“I have loved coming to work here over the years.”

That’s because of her loyal co-workers — who became dear friends.

“I’ve enjoyed every second of it,” she said, speaking of her tight-knit human resources department. “We share laughter, cry together and support each other. This refinery isn’t just a great machine. We are your community. We sit next to you at church, cheer on your kids at ballgames, and eat in your restaurants.

“We are the people of the Tri-State. The refinery fuels all of us.”

From her first position in accounting until today, she recalls long hours and hard work. Growing up, she was told by her bosses to get involved in area causes. She heeded that advice and has a lengthy dossier of philanthropic volunteer service to prove it.

“Thank goodness for rechargeable batteries,” smiled Clement, saying she will never regret the sacrifices. “This crazy schedule keeps me young.”

Clement recommends young professionals get involved.

“You really need to find something you have the passion

Friends congratulate Dianne Clement during her retirement from Marathon at a party hosted at the Paramount Arts Center.

for and dedicate your time and resources to make a program successful,” she paused. “At the same time, don’t just put your name on a board or committee list. If you enlist yourself, bring your passion. Otherwise, it’s not fair to the agency — or you.

“Always be there. Don’t just physically participate. Bring your heart.”

Tri-StateLiving | 87

cover story | Dianne Clement

Lending a hand Dianne Clement ends her professional career but will likely continue serving these organizations: •

•

• •

• •

•

•

•

•

•

• •

•

•

Foundation for the Tri-State Community board member Paramount Arts Center Board Chairwoman Safe Harbor board member Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tri-State board member Leadership Tri-State board member King’s Daughters Health Foundation board member Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation Executive Committee Summer Motion Vice-President/Treasurer Ceredo-Kenova Business Association – immediate Past President Member of Ceredo-Kenova Rotary Club (past president; past board member, and Paul Harris Fellow) Winter Wonderland of Lights Committee Leadership Tri-State Alumni Friends of Ironton Gus Macker Basketball Committee Morehead State University Ashland Advisory Board OU Southern Coordinating Council

Stuart Webb sneaks a kiss from friend Dianne Clement at her retirement party.

Wishing her the best, friend Don Setterman goes to embrace Dianne.

Though retirement will mean Clement will cut-back on some of her advocate work, she plans to still help out. Her first priority is strong continued commitment and devotion to Ironton’s Central Christian Church, where she is a loyal parishioner.

She will keep her hand in the workings of the Paramount Arts Center, just to a lesser degree. She is currently the board chairwoman.

“We are so fortunate to have this venue. There is something for every audience,” Clement praised.

Though Clement is anticipating summer vacations by the pool and visits with family in Texas, it’s bittersweet saying goodbye to her longtime career.

“I have been so fortunate. Though we have grown, it’s still the same company we were years ago. A group

of wonderful people,” she said, emphasizing that the Catlettsburg refinery has close to 850 faithful employees and 1,500 contractors.

Clement doesn’t ask for recognition for her steadfastness and conscientiousness. She just offers guidance to young staff members. She instructs them to plan and set priorities — but also grasp your work might go out the window with a simple phone call.

Never think you’re indispensable; there is always someone to take your place. Don’t miss work. Do your best at the position you’re in. Give your colleagues space if they’re having a bad day.

“Always think the best of people.”

Clement will be remembered.

“It has been an incredible career,” she said. a Tri-StateLiving | 89

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homes Tri-StateLiving

up close Polly Judd may be a mother to a celebrity and grandmother to two more and has garnered much attention from her last name, but that doesn’t mean that her home is anything but down-to-earth style.

p. 92

homes | Showcase

Two moves. 60 years.

A home one piece at a time Judd family matriarch showcases down-home style belying her celebrity family Story Benita Heath | Photography Jessica St. James Pauline Oliver Judd stands inside her Ashland, Ky., home.

S

he’s put her head on Jack Nicholson’s shoulder at the Grammy’s. There’s photographic proof of that on a bookshelf in her study.

Chatted with Tammy Wynette in her bra. Wynette was in the undies, not Polly. There’s no picture of that.

Ask Pauline Oliver Judd, Polly to her friends, what celebrity she hasn’t met and she stumbles.

She just can’t think of one. That’s what it means to be the matriarch of the Judd clan, known for two famous singers and an actress-humanitarian.

Or in name-dropping terms, Naomi, Wynonna

92 | Tri-StateLiving

and Ashley.

Polly Judd has seen it all, almost. And that life is documented in the three-story house on a treelined street in Ashland, Ky. where she brought up her children and now welcomes them and their children home year after year.

It’s also the house she has had moved twice — once a block away from its original street. The second, which took two days and two nights to relocate, to its present site, three miles away.

“The house is built so solid it can hold up,” she said, remembering it took her at least a week to get it ready inside. And after she did, it brought a great

View of the living room inside the front of the Judd home.

deal of Ashland out watching the house lumber down some of the main streets of the city.

But mostly when Judd talks about her house, her conversation showcases her ability to hit the sales and know what is of quality, what has beauty and what will last.

“More than half of the things I have have come from estate sales or are second hand,” she said.

That’s a fact she revels in.

Off a long, wide entrance hall is the combination living room and dining room that takes up one side of the house.

There oak beams, interspersed with persimmon-colored plastered walls, flow upward into beams that cross the ceiling.

The dining area features an oblong walnut table with upholstered chairs. Nearby are a matching buffet and cabinet featuring delicate but intricate carvings. On one wall is a built-in dark oak china and linen closet, whose wood

matches the beamed ceiling.

On the far wall are triptych-like beveled glass windows above the buffet. That glass she commissioned from Ashland artist, Cathy Painter, who did all the stained or specialty glass in the house.

“I like things that have a nice flow to them, good color and enough detail to make it interesting, but not overwhelming,” Judd said.

At the other end of the living area is a Hepplewhite chest with a small oval dining table tucked away in a front alcove, ready for cozy suppers.

On the other side of the entrance hall is the only downstairs bedroom, which features the palette combination of willow green and peach in striped window coverings and matching pillows on the bed. That peach shade is picked up in the slipper chair tucked away in a corner of the room.

Down the hall is an oversized bathroom with the original Tri-StateLiving | 93

94 | Tri-StateLiving

An informal dining area located off of the kitchen.

The study/family room located in the back of the Judd home.

gray-white ceramic tile.

“It was unusual to have a bath downstairs,” Judd said.

The house was built around 1910 and had been the home of her in-laws when she moved in with three of her four children: Naomi, 4, Brian, 2 and Mark, 3 months. Daughter Margaret would round out the Judd clan.

After the last time she relocated the house, Judd renovated her kitchen and added on a wing where a study/ family room can be found.

In this room is proof that nothing is ever safe from the discriminating eye of Judd the collector.

The room’s stained oak antique fireplace came out of the 100-year-old Berger family house Judd tore down for the lot where her home now stands. On one side is an entertainment center and on the other a bookcase, both stained to match the antique mantle and duplicating the carving.

The hearth is made up of a conglomeration of fireplace

tiles she has collected.

“It comes from various houses I’ve torn down,” she said.

“I salvage the tile.”

A bath off the family room has a pink, oblong marble sink that also came from the Berger house and still is in pristine condition.

“I think these things have more character, the style is more appealing,” she said. “Maybe I was born too late.”

The kitchen showcases handmade willow green cabinets with wood faces in a herringbone texture. Inside the lighted cabinets are lazy Susans that pull out, making sure anything wanted is there at hand.

A green marble island flows down to a semi-circle table that she had specially made because, as she jokes, it is the right size for her five-foot frame.

“I don’t want stools,” she said. “Not being very tall, this is my snack table.”

Tri-StateLiving | 95

Interior lit cabinets feature designer doors.

96 | Tri-StateLiving

The front and back view of one of the upstairs bedrooms.

After the last move she pulled off the kitchen’s drop ceiling and put in recessed circular lights. She insisted that one of the gas pipes that once fueled the indoor lighting remain in the ceiling.

“That authenticates that it had gas lighting.”

On the second floor are four bedrooms and a spacious pink and black bath, including the garden room where Naomi prefers to stay when visiting Judd. There is a teallacquered bedroom suite Judd bought from an area antique shop just at the right time.

“I had lusted after it and when she went out of business, she gave me a price I could afford,” she said.

Draped over the vintage four-poster beds are bedspreads she found at Kmart.

“I like them and they suit me just fine,” she said. “And this little chest, this came from Value City.”

At 83, Judd says she is at the point where she can enjoy all the work, all those trips to estate sales and antique shops that it took to create her home.

“This has taken me 60 years,” she said. “It is better now than never. I feel blessed that it has worked out. It takes time.

So many people don’t have the time. I took the time. I just keep stuff and keep it and keep it some more.”

And just what was it like to snuggle up to Jack Nicholson?

“He was very nice, friendly. Just like you see. I just love that picture. He is just like Wy. She is just like she is on stage and like you would expect her to be.” a Tri-StateLiving | 97

home | DIY

Trend Setter

Interior designer urges personal style Story Benita Heath | Photography Jessica St. James

There may not be the question of how high a hem line should be when it comes to decorating a home. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t interior design fashionistas out there, dictating just what they think is the perfect room.

Trends. Trends. Trends. They’re everywhere. On specialty television networks. In newsstand décor magazines. At designer showrooms.

So how does a homeowner sift through the deluge of colors, fabrics and coverings and decide what’s both liveable, fresh and innovative.

Designer Tim Quade of Tim-Mar in Flatwoods, Ky., offers a game plan designed to update a room while keeping one’s sanity. First understand where all these design plans are coming from.

“The fabric companies and upholstery companies set the trends as far as color,” Quade said. “They say the interior color palette follows the runway color palette by a couple of years.”

That translates into what you’re seeing in Vogue today may be what you want on your walls in the next few years.

Right now, it’s a free-for-all colorwise, Quade says, since 98 | Tri-StateLiving

all colors are bounced around as designers’ choices.

“There is not a trendy color scheme, unless it is still chocolate brown and aqua,” he said. “That won’t seem to go away. It easily adjusts to contemporary and to traditional.”

And taking your cue from nature can’t steer you wrong.

“Green is nature’s neutral. Everything in nature works with green.”

Quade suggests the first step in making trends work for you is to get a hold of every design magazine possible. The more magazines homeowners have can mean they’re acting as fashion leaders, not followers.

“I advise clients to buy a stack of magazines,” Quade said.

“Anything that appeals to them, rip it out. Bring in the pages

and let’s look at them.”

Right now wall coverings in natural textures like grass cloth and string cloth are popular. String cloth with its simple lines and texture resembles silk.

“It makes a beautiful, soft, elegant room,” he said.

Padding under some fabrics used for wall coverings make a softer, warmer room.

“That is the extra bit of icing on the cake,” he said.

Window treatments no longer have to cover the opening now that there are drapery side hangs where a width of fabric on either end of a window substitutes for a full drape. A wooden blind or Roman shade can offer required privacy.

“Sometimes (the treatments) are not functional,” he said. “It is less expensive and not so bulky.”

Hardwood floors remain the standard along with porcelain and ceramic tile.

What’s important is to play up any architectural features.

“That will tell you what is the focal point,” he said. “In an understated room, you have to create the focal point.”

And the last piece of design advice Quade offers is to remain true to one’s own taste.

“It’s not to literally interpret what you see. Take color and adapt it to your scale and budget. I’ve never been into trends. Trends come and go very quickly.”  Tri-StateLiving | 99

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Tri-StateLiving

food

up close Even though he serves as head chef at the exclusive Bellefonte Country Club, Chris Ross enjoys whipping up specialties with his family in his own kitchen.

p. 102

food | On the Stove

Chef Chris Ross, of the Bellefonte Country Club, shows off a plate of his Sunday Morning Apple Flapjacks.

Home kitchen simmers with love Executive chef relays importance of family time around table Story Tammie Hetzer-Womack | Photography Jessica St. James

BELLEFONTE, Ky. — A country boy growing up in Beattyville, Ky., young Chris Ross was already near the stovetop watching his Papaw pat out a batch of hamburgers. He could hardly wait for them to get done.

“I can still remember the way they taste,” sighed the now-executive chef, licking his lips, recalling chomping on this down-to-earth chow.

Ross, now 33, heads-up the Bellefonte Country Club kitchen, but calls upon his home team of sous chefs for a tasty recipe of support and achievement.

You might’ve recalled his Valentine’s Day foodie proposal in The Tribune to Asia Bends. The couple’s nuptials are set for July 9, 2011, a Victorian Frenchthemed event with a reception following at the club.

Though Ross won’t reveal the thoughtful menu just yet, he’s already stirring up a platter that will make guests scream, “Ooh-la-la.”

With a pinch of love and dash of organization, 27-year-old Bends blended her family with Ross’s after the engagement. Together, living in Russell, they’re enjoying their busy lifestyles raising Chris’s son, Brady, 9; and Asia’s children, Elijah, 7, and Brooklyn, 5.

Ross admits it was initially a challenge for little Brooklyn and Eli to get used to his gourmet cooking.

“They were used to foods any average single mom would have given, like fast foods and convenience foods 102 | Tri-StateLiving

Diced Granny Smith apples, lemon juice and pecans sauté in butter on the stove.

Chef Ross dices up Granny Smith apples to be used in his Sunday Morning Apple Flapjacks recipe.

that are high in fat and calories. So it took some adjusting.”

Even then, Ross doesn’t think these kid-friendly foods like chicken fingers, French fries, or pizza pie are as bad as made out to be — if eaten in moderation. He tries to make their greasy favorites healthier in his family kitchen by asking the kids to bread white meat chicken breasts. He slices fresh Idahos for deep-frying.

He also exposes his little ones to fresh fish, veggies and alternative starches like risotto and polenta.

“If it tastes good and doesn’t look too weird, kids should eat it.”

Though Ross is hard-at-it in his chef day-job, he loves the quiet time in their home’s kitchen. Sometimes he even brings Brady or Eli to work, giving them easy jobs like washing vegetables or mixing sauces.

“They’ve both also worked in the dish-tank where every aspiring chef starts out, teaching them to work from the bottom up,” laughed Ross, adding Brooklyn’s still young

for a cookery career, but helps at home scrambling eggs or stirring the pots.

It’s Ross’s mission – both at Bellefonte Country Club and at home – to see more children on food prep duty. It’s fun, educational, and leads to healthier eating. He hosted a “Kid’s Chef Camp,” and more are in the works in coming months.

It sure seems tiring, steaming and boiling at work all day, then coming home to cook again. But Ross and Bends do their best through their frenzied schedules to prepare weekly family menus and supermarket shopping lists – just as in the restaurant. Ross offers tips: “We don’t make more than what the family will eat and we freeze any leftovers to use them in the menu the next week,” he went on. “We make the menu using what’s on sale that week at the grocery stores, and don’t skimp on quality ingredients.”

The growing family’s started several traditions since they merged. There’s “fancy food Friday” where gourmet food fare

Tri-StateLiving | 103

food | On the Stove

is introduced to the children. On Soccer Saturday they stay-up late after Ross gets home from work at 9:30 p.m. He grills burgers and wedges potatoes for fries, then watches soccer matches with the kids.

Their current event is Iron Chef Sundays. Bends purchases mystery basket provisions — two proteins, and five unique fruits, vegetables and cheeses they normally wouldn’t eat. Ross has two hours to construct a menu and cook a 2-course family feast the kids gobble.

“It’s really good practice for the cooking competitions, besides the fact that I just love a challenge,” smiled award-winning Ross, who won the 2010 Summer Motion festival’s Chef’s Competition, going head-to-head with his mentor Chef Scott Sutton. He also took top billing at the Club Manager’s competition in 2008 and 2009. He was awarded the bronze at the 2010 contest.

Even though they try new ingredients, the family always asks for their most wanted meals. Having an executive chef in the house is a perk. Asia loves fried eggs and toast topped with strawberry jelly, while Eli crunches tacos, and Brooklyn enjoys “cheese eggs,” an unfussy term for a cheese omelet.

Fiancée Asia, who Chris calls “Pookie,” cooks what the family dubs a “puppy burger,” described Ross, saying she affectionately nicknamed him “Puppy” in turn, but now Eli and Brooklyn call him that too. The sandwich seemed to fit the adoring family perfectly.

His own son turned his back on dear old chef dad, choosing his soon-to-be stepmom’s homemade dinner as best in the house.

“Brady likes Asia’s spaghetti the best. It’s honestly better than mine,” Ross said with a chuckle.

Having Bends beside him is a secret ingredient to success. She stays involved with his career.

“She makes my job more fun and satisfying.

She’s supportive and pushes me to better myself.

She keeps it all together for me. I love her so much,” Ross doted.

104 | Tri-StateLiving

Chef Ross pours pancake batter into a container as he prepares to put them on the stove.

Each year as the yuletide season approaches, Ross spends more time in the workplace with varying Christmas parties and events.

He’s sure to be away from family more, but will find a way to juggle it all — with lots of coffee.

He understands the importance of family and recommends joining hand-in-hand at the dining table. He says moms and dads find kitchen flavors simple with a few purchases like a quality chef’s knife; bread and paring knives; non-stick egg skillet; two heavyduty pots; stainless steel sauté pans; 2-quart saucepans; soup pot, and cutting board.

With handy kitchen pantries and cupboards, cooks are quickly out the door and on their way to evening school events and practices.

“I always try to be a part of all of my kids’ school activities. I’ve made it to every school party and function; I help them with art projects; I coached Brady’s cross country team, and Brooklyn and Eli’s soccer teams, and I’m getting ready to start assistant coaching

Chef Chris Ross prepares a plate of Sunday Morning Apple Flapjacks.

Brady’s basketball team.

“Asia tells the kids I love and miss them when I have to work late, and helps them understand about how it’s my job and I have to be there. She’s the backbone of our family and I wouldn’t be successful without her. …It’s about finding the balance between family life and my career.

“It’s hard to be everything to everyone, and trying to be in a million places at once, but I’ve found a good balance between the two,” Ross heartened.

These family memories stir him to shake up the menu, bringing taste and joy to diners through his cuisine. He whisks the menu four times a year as new seasons awaken.

“I am a people-pleaser by nature, so seeing people enjoy my food gives me great satisfaction. I draw my inspiration from places I’ve eaten, foods I always enjoy, and current food trends.”

Ross is reaching for his goal: “To continue to grow, learn, challenge myself, and be the best chef and father that I can be.”

Ross began his career at Bellefonte Country Club in 1995 waiting tables. There, he met Sutton who served as executive chef at the time. He encouraged Ross to cook and enroll in Sullivan University in Louisville. In culinary school he worked at a Cajun eatery, hotel, and two country clubs in the area. After graduating from Sullivan in the fall of 2000,

Chef Chris Ross seen with his son, Brady, 9, center, his fiancé Asia Bends, and her children Brooklyn, 5, left, and Elijah, 7, right, at the Bellefonte Country Club.

Sutton offered Ross a sous chef position, where he remained until 2005 when he was promoted to his present top chef gastronomic post.

Ross said it’s rare for chefs to stay in one place for so long. But he loves working at Bellefonte.

“I enjoy pleasing people, so it’s an exciting challenge to constantly reinvent myself in order to stay new and exciting with the same clientele,” he paused. “I’m constantly striving for perfection and I try to stay up-to-date with current food trends. I love to cook and to teach. It keeps me motivated.”

But ask Ross what his best compliment is. It comes from three sweet kids – right after they join the clean plate club.

“They always say, ‘It’s the best dinner ever.’” a Tri-StateLiving | 105

food | On the Stove

Chef Chris Ross’ Sunday Morning Apple Flapjacks Bellefonte Country Club Executive Chef Chris Ross uses this pancake recipe for kids’ cooking classes and school demonstrations.

It’s simple, healthy, fun, and economical for family budgets.

Ingredients: 1 large Granny Smith apple 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1½ cups nonfat milk 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup cornmeal 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon sugar 2 tablespoons melted butter

Directions: Remove core and cut apples into a small dice. Place the apples in a small bowl and toss with the lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.

In another bowl, beat eggs, vanilla extract, and milk until blended. In a small bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and sugar.

Using a rubber spatula, stir the dry ingredients into the bowl with wet ingredients. Stir in melted butter XX | |Tri-StateLiving 106 Tri-StateLiving

and half of the diced apples. It will be lumpy. Don’t beat the batter – it will make pancakes tough. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before cooking.

Cook as you would any pancake recipe, controlling the heat of the pan. If the pancakes brown too much, reduce heat. If they don’t brown at all, turn up heat slightly. Use a non-stick pan or griddle. Pour the batter using a

large tablespoon. When it bubbles up and looks dry, flip it. Brown the other side slightly.

To serve, heat maple syrup and stack-up a couple pancakes. Top with syrup. Garnish with chopped apple. For a fun addition, add pecans to the maple syrup while you are heating it up and dab on whipped cream.

The recipe would also make a tasty brunch dessert.

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Anso nylon resists stains and soil and we back it up with ®

Lifetime Warranties*.

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food | From the Cookbook

Creamy Cheese Soup 1 T. butter 他 c. onion, chopped very fine 6 c. water 6 chicken bouillon cubes 8 oz. real fine noodles 6 c. milk 1 lb. Velveeta cheese 1/8 tsp. garlic powder Dash of pepper

110 | Tri-StateLiving

Saute 1 tablespoon butter with 他 cup onion, finely chopped. Mix bouillon cubes with water. Boil. Make sure cubes are thoroughly melted. Add noodles and cook three minutes. Add milk, cheese, garlic powder and pepper. Cook until cheese melts.

Submitted by St. Paul Lutheran Church, Ashland, Ky. Photography Jessica St. James

From the Cookbook | food

Tea Time Tasties 1 (6 oz.) pkg. cream cheese 1 stick margarine 1 c. flour 1 1/3 c. chopped pecans 2 eggs 1 ½ c. brown sugar 2 tsp. vanilla Blend cheese and margarine. Stir in flour.

Shape into balls and press into shape on small muffin pan, 12-muffin size. Mix eggs, sugar and vanilla. Put 1 teaspoon mixture in each pastry shell and ½ teaspoon nuts on top. Bake 25 to 30 minutes in 350 degree oven.

Submitted by Barboursville Wesleyan Church Photography Jessica St. James

Tri-StateLiving | 111

Chesapeake • 867-6687 • 717 Third Avenue Anita Wippel, Family Nurse Practitioner

Melody Cyrus, MD Pediatrics

Drew Apgar, DO Family Practice

Ironton • 532-2282 • 304 North 2nd Street Mary Beth Blankenship, Family Nurse Practitioner

Kimberly Oxley, MD Pediatrics

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Lois Weixler, MD Family Practice

South Point • 377-2712 • 55 Twp. Rd. 508 E Susan Runyon, Family Nurse Practitioner

John Ward, MD Internal Medicine

Tamela King, Family Nurse Practitioner

Kemp • 532-3048 • 223 Carlton-Davidson Lane Sue Adams, DO Family Practice

Khin Thida, MD Pediatrics

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The Last Word

Give me a ‘T’.

Give me an ‘R’...

“W

hen you’re not pleasing anybody — you know you’re pleasing somebody.” I am the author of that crazy quote and it was born out of covering the news for two area television stations over a span of 30 years. I cannot tell you how many times I would get these words after a newscast.

“How come you never give any Kentucky news,” or “How come you never give any Ohio news,” or “How come you (fill in the blank).” From those experiences, I came to the conclusion we must have been doing something right. Of course, some nights depending on the news of the day, certain areas of the Tri-State were slighted, but those were rare occasions.

During my stint as news anchor at WSAZ-TV in Huntington, one of the things the news department always prided itself in was our coverage of the entire Tri-State area, not just Huntington or Charleston.

Reporters were given specific areas to keep tabs on. The real challenge that developed from this philosophy was trying to cram that much 114 | Tri-StateLiving

material into a 30 minute newscast (actually 22 minutes if you counted the commercials).

The three area chambers of commerce face the same struggles trying to fit economic puzzle pieces into what is sometimes a tight squeeze, but on the other hand, considering the long-term downturn in the nation’s economy, the TriState appears to be flourishing quite well. Relatively low unemployment, a stable housing market and a competitive tax structure combine to create a positive business climate.

As director of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce my focus has shifted to helping small businesses market their message. Even though my primary responsibility is Lawrence County, our office reaches well beyond the Ohio border to counties in West Virginia and Kentucky. The current Lawrence County Chamber membership totals 335 with 43 from West Virginia and 25 from Kentucky.

In my relatively brief tenure with the chamber, I have become a strong cheerleader for the entire Tri-State.

The only thing missing is the uniform.

Bob Smith serves as director of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce.

A Huntington, W.Va., native, Bob and his wife Billie have called Proctorville, Ohio, home for more than 20 years. A familiar face to many because of a 35-year career in broadcasting, Bob also made a name for himself as a fundraiser extraordinaire, leading the charge on a $5 million fundraising campaign at Ohio University Southern.

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