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Category Archives: arts and crafts

Visit to Morristown, Tennessee

American Press travel News–July 9th, Bob & Barb “On The Road Again”-Once in the city of Morristown, we had visited with Anne G. Ross, Director of Tourism at the Area Chamber of Commerce Office. Anne sent us on a very informative itinerary that covered just a bit of the great things Morristown is all about.

We checked out part of the Lake way Area that included a visit to Cherokee Lake. The fishy lake has over 700-miles of shoreline. The ubiquitous largemouth and smallmouth bass are king here. We visited with shoreline angler’s cat fishing, and looking for brim and crappie. Everyone was having a great time, as the water was clean and clear and the temperatures were warm, but mitigated by a nice shore side breeze. We visited with Sam & Delores Phillips owners of Morristown Marine. Sam discussed the seven bass tournaments he runs each year on Lake Norris, Cherokee, South Holston, Watts Bar and Douglas Lake. He has 910 members of his invitational only events. They draw 220-230 boats for each event. Winners take home big bucks per event, ongoing for over 11-years. https://www.morristownmarine.com

Always interested in history, we headed over to the General Longstreet Museum. The historic home was used by General James Longstreet as his Civil War Confederate headquarters in the winter of 1863-64. The site includes a replica of an 1860’s tailor shop where Director Kelly Ford makes period military uniforms. We met up with “Dewey” a very serious Civil War buff, and he regaled us with a blow-by-blow of various Civil War skirmishes, dressed in a Confederate military outfit, he laid out everything he knew about General Longstreet’s life and times. Dewey is a very serious historian and really knows the full history of “everything” Civil war https://facebook.com/generallongstreetmuseum

We spent some time at the Rose Center of the Arts with Executive Director Beccy Hamm. The arts center is housed in an 1890’s Victorian school house. The center is the cultural arts hub of the Lake way Area. Gallery exhibits, performance spaces, meeting places and a sales gallery. We also met up with representatives from the Morristown Theatre Guild and Theatrical Company where we learned of the many shows slated for the coming months. Go:  https//:www.rosecenter.org

Panther Creek State Park was quite spectacular, Jason Chadwell, Park Manager showed us the incredible sites including an overlook of Lake Cherokee. We also met Craig Price who discussed the newest and most challenging 18-hole Disc golf course. No clubs, just special Frisbee discs thrown into basket-catch hoops.

Hillbilly’s Cabin Restaurant was a fine breakfast spot. We enjoyed Spanish Omelets’ and real coffee! Then we were off to the Meeting Place Country Store & Antiques, and did some shopping for fun oldies but goodies!

Yes, Davey Crockett grew up here and since that time so long ago, so did generations of other families and pioneers in business, industry, medicine, the arts and sports!  For more info go: facebook:Visit Morristown or facebook: retire Hamblen County, TN.

Next week take a peek at The Whitestone Inn on Watts Bar Lake!

 

 

Pictures of the Week! On The Road Again in KY.

Boone Tavern is a great hotel and restaurant in the theme of Daniel Boone’s time.
The herb lady on campus!

American Press Travel News–March 15th, Bob and Barb “On The Road Again” and Stopping to Smell the Daffodils and roses (when they come up) as we visited Berea College in Kentucky!! My favorite college to visit. Students at Berea are motivated and delightful young men and women to talk to. Their commitment to excellence is absolutely felt and visible in all the many things they do and learn about!

On The Road Again! Just in case we run into some great roadkill-or whatever looks good enough to eat!
The muffin, nothing but the muffin!!!
A clean sweep! Broom making on campus at crafts shop.
At Berea College!

Tony Romano-Wood Carver Extraordinary

American Press Travel News-Florida-Feb. 25th,-Bob and Barb “On The Road Again“-When I met Tony Romano, I had no idea until I saw a large showcase filled with some of his over 600-various carvings, in genre’s that include birds, fish and other wild creatures, of how creative and talented he is.

He is a fine soft-spoken fellow who moved from Orient, NY, to Florida in 2010. His previous life revolved around a quality taxidermy business for 6-years, and then spent twenty years in the wine and liquor business before retiring to warm, and comfy Florida.

Residing in Port St Lucie, FL, his favorite relax time where we met, is a hot tub where we both jiggle our back, arms and legs against the powerful jets of a fabulous and large hot tub system. “Carving takes my mind off of mine, and the worlds issues, I totally immerse myself into creating something out of 3X6 inch rectangular block of wood, creating a pretty, lifelike Cardinal bird, that once I paint it, people can enjoy the look of a nearly real bird. My sense of satisfaction is beyond words. My favorite piece (all of them really are) is my Redhead Duck. I won a ribbon my first time I entered into a jury’d carvers contest” said Tony Romano. 

Food Glorious Food, Travel Writers “Roll” on Their Stomachs

Golden Girls Restaurant in Clinton famous for “Broasted Chicken.”
Our deck overlooking Norris Lake at Pinnacle Point. What a view!
Deans Restaurant & Bakery in Oak Ridge. Ribs, steaks, chickens.

AmericanPressTravelNews-May 20th,-Bob & Barb “On the Road Again”-Anderson County, Clinton, & Oak Ridge, TN.-Besides enjoying a great condo experience on Norris Lake, at Pinnacle Point with “Vacations on the Water” , we also had to eat didn’t we? So Our first day in Clinton we we headed for dinner at Golden Girls Restaurant (Barbs favorite sitcom)  with the rooster outside. Great veggies, chopped steak with grilled onions the way we like them and plenty of good rolls, as opposed to nasty rolls just out of the micro. Before dinner I fished the morning with Guide Scott Manning described in a previous post as very professional and a great big catfish finder. Then it was home to lunch at Hoskins 1940’s Soda Fountain (as previously reported in last weeks post) for a malted and a tuna sandwich, um, um good. A bit later we visited the Appalachian Arts and Crafts Center. We love crafts; talented people who learned by trial and error to make all manner of wood, ceramic and woven items that just plain fit as gifts and as home-ware.  The next evening we drove over to Oak Ridge and met Mark De Rose & Ray Smith from Oakridge Visitors and Explore Oak Ridge.  We had dinner at Dean’s Restaurant & Bakery for some ribs and specials. Oak Ridge as we posted a few days back is a terrific place to visit. Museums and a true more modern America will be your host here. You know, and feel that history was made here that changed the course of human destiny. This is the place the nuclear age was born! Go: www.exploreoakridge.com and check out dean’s at: www.deansrestaurantand bakery.com

NOTE* Stay tuned more coming about Anderson County.

Hoskins 1940’s Soda Fountain after lunch time!

 

 

 

Catfish-big ones hang in the current bottoms of the Clinch River.