TRR Discover Hancock Spring 2026

Hancock County DISCOVER

Hancock County DISCOVER

Discover Hancock County is published by Hawkins County Publishers, Inc. P.O. Box 100 | Rogersville, TN 37857 www.therogersvillereview.com 423-272-7422

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EDITORIAL

Randy Ball

Discover Hancock County Contributor

Rita Dykes

Discover Hancock County Contributor

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w Ravenshire Farm an old-school farmer’s store 4

w Sundown In Sneedville Hancock County seat’s cruise in has become a big attraction 7

Hancock County Woodcarving Master Renee Stewart and her apprentice Christi Fleenor, create timeless art 11

w Keepers Of An Old Appalachian Tradition

w Beautiful Hancock A photo gallery 15

w Serving Hancock County For More Than 70 Years Sneedville Furniture Company is a third-generation locally owned business 19 w M. Rae Events Making dreams come true 22

w The Beauty of Elrod Falls in the spring 26

BY

Elrod Falls, located in Hancock County about seven miles from downtown Sneedville, is a popular and easily accessible attraction in the county, and considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the southeastern United States.

AN OLD-SCHOOL FARMER’S STORE Ravenshire Farm

Farm stand brings nostalgia back, with local flavor in a welcoming space

BY RITA DYKES

Review Correspondent

Bill Lavalette grew up on a small family farm in New England before joining the US Coast Guard. After serving in the military, he chose a career path in IT that led him into the cybersecurity path.

After his years spent in the corporate world, Bill wanted to get back to his roots. Although he didn’t choose a career in farming at an earlier time in life, he said that he always loved to raise a garden, then later found a therapeutic love for beekeeping.

In October 2024, Bill purchased a farm in Hancock County and moved to the mountains of East Tennessee. The farm, located just off of Highway 70 in Kyles Ford, used to be home to a doctor’s office in the early 1900’s. Many of the townsfolk recall going to the doctor inside of the old farmhouse where Bill and his son Sam now live.

Bill said, “Since then, it had gone downhill as a farm, which was a part of the inspiration to revive and breathe new life into the old farm. It’s also fun to hear our

customer’s stories about going to the doctor at our house!”

After Bill and Sam got settled in, they began to revitalize the farm to get ready for their personally run farm-to-gate stand. Bill enthusiastically said, “I’m teaching my son all levels of farmsteading, and building a legacy for him and

daughter once she moves down to Tennessee. Currently, we are a registered apiary, and our hive-to-bottle wildflower honey is a favorite with our local customer base, as well as our farm fresh eggs, and locally grown produce.”

In February 2025, they purchased a shell building. The father and son duo hand built the interior space of their 1970’s inspired farm stand to resemble the farm store where Bill’s mother worked during his childhood. He recalled, “The smells, the conversations, and the sense of community never left me. I wanted to recreate that specific, authentic experience for Kyles Ford.”

The vintage inspired interior invites customers inside to enjoy a cozy atmosphere, where they find vintage farm artifacts that allow them to take a step back into simpler days. Among things on display are vintage beekeeping items, old signs, soda crates that hold the produce for sale, and vintage tables displaying other items. The home-made jams, jellies and the fresh-made bread are an added attraction in the nostalgic branding of Ravenshire Farm Stand.

Ravenshire also takes you back to a day where stands were manned and customers were welcomed by the farmers themselves. Bill said, “We are not focused on hustle, but rather on neighbors and community while offering a personal, friendly, and local connection. In a world that’s increasingly automated, there is something powerful about a hand-built counter, a friendly face, and a jar of honey that hasn’t traveled more than a few hundred yards to reach you.

“We want to be there to greet our neighbors, swap recipes with

travelers on Highway 70, and truly engage with the people who support us. When we opened our doors in June 2025, the community didn’t just show up, they embraced us! They fell in love with the little store that felt like it had been there for decades.”

The folks at Ravenshire Farm Stand provide more that just fresh, local foods, they give back to their community in other ways. They support Sneedville Angels, a Hancock County non-profit that help families with heating, cooling, and food support through blessing boxes. They also provide support to the Clinch Mountain Animal Rescue.

Beginning Thursday, May 1, Thursday – Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Sunday noon to 4 p.m., you are invited to stop in, visit, and get some delicious local flavors at Ravenshire Farm Stand. The stand is open through Nov. 15 and is located at 2483 Highway 70 in Kyle’s Ford. You can reach them at 423-748-6500 or look them up on Facebook.

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IN SNEEDVILLE Sundown

Hancock County seat’s cruise in has become a big attraction

BY RANDY BALL

Review Correspondent

Each year in late April, custom cars of all types converge on Sneedville for the “Sundown in Sneedville” cruise in. This year will be the sixth year for the event. The cruise in has grown every year. In 2025, there were over 400 cars at the event.

It all began when Jeff Mullins had the idea for a cruise in at Hardee’s in Sneedville. To his surprise, there were about 50 cars registered. His high school friend, Mike Gibson, became interested and they arranged to “block off the streets, hire a deejay, and arrange for some food vendors.” Jeff said “It’s amazing

how fast it’s grown!”

Sundown in Sneedville soon became a popular event, usually held on the last Saturday in April. Today, the Sneedville/Hancock Chamber of Commerce hosts the event. There is always a deejay. There are some food trucks, and several church groups, clubs and sports teams set up and sell food. A specially designed event t-shirt is available.

These days, Jeff said the he is “the marketing guy” for the cruise in. The spring cruise in is a nice

complimentary event for the town’s annual fall festival. It brings a lot of people to Sneedville. Jeff added that “It’s like a cruise in/homecoming. It’s free to enter your classic car. It helps the local businesses, clubs and teams, and brings money into the community.” It has come a long way from its beginnings. Jeff added “I thought we would have an old-fashioned cruise in, where people would park their car and talk. I never would have thought that it would be as big as it is! It’s crowded; that’s the way we like it!

KEEPERS OF AN OLD Appalachian Tradition

Hancock County Woodcarving Master

Renee Stewart and her apprentice

Christi Fleenor create timeless art

BY RITA DYKES

Review Correspondent

Renee Stewart began woodcarving at the young age of thirteen. Coming from a family of talented artists, she recalls watching in amazement as her grandfather took a chunk of wood and turned it into something spectacular.

Renee said, “My father, Sam Stewart, grandfather,

Alex Stewart and a special Cherokee Indian, Freeman Owl, were my greatest influences. My father taught me how to create puzzles, games, bowls and trays; the rest came from my grandpa and Freeman Owl.”

These men led her on a journey that has lasted more than 50 years.

Renee’s artistic journey doesn’t stop at traditional woodcarving. She can also transform large chunks of wood into a magnificent art pieces by using a chainsaw. Among other artistic skills, Renee enjoys creating art with a paintbrush, pencil, and ink. She is definitely a master of her crafts, and is always willing to learn to create new masterpieces.

Apprentice, fellow artist, and newcomer to wood carving, Christi Fleenor spends time with a knife and other carving tools in hand as she learns from the master woodcarver. Christi also comes from a long line of artistic family members. Her mother was skilled in sewing, quilting, drawing, and painting. Her father is a talented woodworker and musician, and her grandfather was also a gifted woodworker.

Until July 2025, Christi spent her time creating art by pencil drawing, crocheting, quilting, sewing, and wood burning.

Renee and Christi submitted a detailed grant application that included a structured schedule, lesson plans outlining skills that would be taught, and a written explanation of their goals and reasons why they

were seeking the grant. Last year, they were awarded a Tennessee Apprenticeship Arts Project grant. The award was one of eight in the state, and it provides twelve months of one-on-one training to preserve traditional art forms. Christi is learning to identify suitable carving wood, properly use carving tools and knives, and carve recognizable objects independently.

Tony L. Seal,Mayor JanetCollins, Vice Mayor James “Sage” Trent, Office Manager PennyGreene, Finance Director y Alderpersons: JanetCose • Terr yCollins • MichaelGibson ShaydenGibson• JanetCollins www.harrisonfarmandh@bellsouth.net

P.O.Box377 |Sneedville,TN37869

423-733-2254|Fax423-733-4112

Email: sneedvillecitygov@outlook.com

One way Renee has given back to her community was by teaching 4-H members to carve. She and her brother, Rick are founding board members of the Hancock County Fall Festival, and have supported it since its beginning. Renee’s goals are to continue to teach Christi, while helping to preserve the art of traditional woodcarving for many years to come.

Renee accepts commissioned work and sells her carvings at the Museum of Appalachia and numerous festivals. Festivals include, but are not limited to, the Hancock County Fall Festival, White Lighting Trail Festival, and Folk Fest. The festivals have given her the opportunity to meet famous folks such as Alex Haley, Bill Landry, Grandpa Jones, and many others.

To learn more about woodcarving and Renee’s

artwork, visit the Tennessee State Museum, the Museum of Appalachia, and go to Tennessee Folklife Program’s page on Facebook. For a good read about Renee’s grandfather Alex Stewart, turn to the pages of the book. Portrait of a Pioneer or dive into a piece of history with Tradition – Tennessee Lives and Legacies.

A PHOTO GALLERY Beautiful Hancock

Hancock County is one of Tennessee’s smallest counties both by land area and by population, but there’s a lot of lovely scenery packed into this small region. Whether one lives here or is just passing through, there is always something to see,

and between the scenery and the friendly folks in the town and in the countryside, there’s will also be plenty to remember.

Here is just a sample of some of what you might see on a drive through scenic Hancock County

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Serving Hancock County

FOR MORE THAN 70 YEARS

Sneedville Furniture Company is a third-generation locally owned business

BY RITA DYKES

Review Correspondent

Sneedville Furniture Company is one of the town’s oldest businesses. It was started in 1956 and has always been owned by the same family.

The current owner is Doug Garland. Doug explained, “My grandpa built the store in 1956, his name was Walt Jones and my grandma was Kitty Jones.” The store is located at 1214 Main Street in Sneedville.

The building and the business have a long and

interesting history. Doug shared, “Grandpa and grandma lived in the store. At one time, the library was in the corner of the store. Grandma ran it. It was established through the Nolichucky Regional Library. I remember taking books to people’s houses for grandma. Grandma was born in 1900 and grandpa in 1901. They were just good, old-fashioned people.”

Doug’s parents, Dean and Kay Garland, bought the business in 1966, and then purchased the building in 1971. Doug recalled, “Mom and dad married in 1964. Dad worked at Magnavox in Jefferson City. Mom had a beauty shop in the building for about 20 years. In addition to furniture, Dean sold Gray Seal paint and sold jewelry for a while. Dad was respected all over the county. He led singing and was a deacon in church for 60 years. He was a charter member of the Hancock County Rescue Squad in 1968. Mom quit the beauty shop right before dad died in 2007.”

Doug recalled, “I always worked here, helping mom and dad. I worked 16 years at Electric Motors

of Tennessee. It opened in 1969 and employed 150 people. I worked there until it shut down in February 2004.”

He has been fulltime at the furniture store for 22 years, and operated it by himself for the last 18 years.

Sneedville has changed a lot during Doug’s lifetime. He remembered that “Sneedville was a lot like Mayberry. We had the old jail and we had a Ford dealership.”

Sneedville Furniture Company is a throwback to an earlier time. Doug said “People come in and make themselves at home, they bring in food, charge their phones and plug in their laptops. It’s not quite like it used to be, but people still come in.”

Doug is old-fashioned in the way he does business.

“I work with the customers, if I know them. I try to help people. I don’t charge for delivery,” he said. “I don’t charge interest. We don’t take credit cards. They pay what they can and say ‘see you next month,’ it’s just old-fashioned business.

“We are just plain simple people. We’re a small community, and the people that move in here like being here. It’s part of my job to help them all!”

His job is all-inclusive. “I’m the manager, salesman, book-keeper and custodian!” Sneedville Furniture Company is the only furniture store in Sneedville. Some change is inevitable. It’s now more expensive to run a business. Doug added “Insurance on the building has doubled.”

Today, the store primarily relies on word-of-mouth

advertising. Doug said, “People say they like to deal with smaller businesses.” The store’s inventory includes living room furniture, solid wood bedroom furniture and mattresses. Doug explained, “Big furniture companies won’t sell to small stores anymore. I try to get quality furniture for our customers.”

A visit to Sneedville Furniture Company is like taking a quick visit to an earlier time. People stop in just to say “hi” to Doug or to just hang out and catch up on local happenings. Doug has had a recent health scare, with a heart attack and triple bypass surgery, but it doesn’t seem to have slowed him any. He lives nearby with his wife of 29 years, Amanda. They have a daughter, Madison.

If the store had a motto, it would be “I try to help people!”

You can reach them at 423-733-8174.

M.Rae Events

MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE

BY RITA DYKES

Review Correspondent

Hancock County native Marlie Holt is living her dream as an event planner with a flair for the extraordinary, to ensure each event will be unforgettable.

Marlie’s background in events began as a child, planning birthday parties and family events. Immediately following high school, she started baking as small-scale side business. Her baking business led to catering weddings and small events. From there, she began assisting wedding planners, gaining hands-on experience and working full

wedding days that consisted of setting up, vendor coordination, time management, and lastly, breaking down at the event venue.

In 2022, Marlie felt like she had enough hands-on experience to take the plunge and open her very own event planning business, M.Rae Events. When choosing the name, she wanted it to be personal and reflective of her heart. Close friends call her by her first and middle name. Marlie Rae. She took the M from her first name and added it to her middle name to come up with the perfect signature name.

Just a few short years later, she has turned her lifelong love for planning into a thriving business grounded in love, service, and joy. Marlie said, “I could not have done it without my parents, husband, family, close friends, supportive vendors, and my exceptional team of assistant planners who help me make M.Rae Events a success.”

Last year, Marlie married the love of her life and they are now expecting their first child, but that has not slowed her down. There are many facets of event planning, especially weddings, that will allow her to continue to play a vital role in the business throughout the pregnancy. Taking a little time for her new growing family will also be possible due to her incredible planning team at M.Rae.

Services that make M.Rae Events stand out from other event planers is that it is extremely detail-driven, design-focused, and relationship-oriented. Marlie said, “I treat every event like it’s my own, down to custom signage, curated layouts, thoughtful guest experiences, and seamless timelines. Our vendor relationships and organization systems also set us apart.”

Each event varies according to the customer’s desires and what type of event is being planned. Events include weddings, baby or bridal showers, private parties, and corporate events. Services offered include floor plans, ceremony layouts, reception designs, signage, menus, escort displays, bar menus, welcome signage, guest favors, lounge sets, and full design concepts from color palettes to tabletop styling. Basically, M.Rae does it all.

Marlie said, “I love bringing people together, surprising loved ones, and creating meaningful moments for friends and family. Seeing others experience joy genuinely makes me happy, and I think that’s why weddings and events feel so natural to me. What I love most about this work is walking alongside couples from the very beginning getting to know their story, their personalities, and their vision. No two couples are ever the same, and I love blending their ideas with my creativity to design something that feels truly personal to them.

“On wedding days, it’s incredibly special to know that

my team and I are not just vendors; we’re part of the people helping them feel supported, celebrated, and cared for. I also love being the person a bride or a mom can call with the little questions, like what to wear to the shower, whether the shoes match the dress, or just to talk through details. Those in-between moments matter to me just as much as the big ones, because they help couples feel valued and confident throughout the process.

“One of my absolute favorite parts of a wedding day is sending the bride down the aisle. Standing with her behind the doors, fluffing her dress, taking a deep breath together, and asking, ‘Are you ready?’ before she walks in. It’s surreal every time. Having those few quiet seconds with her, while everything pauses, is something I never take for granted. It’s one of the most meaningful moments of the day for me, and a reminder of why I love what I do.”

Wedding volume has more than doubled in the past couple of years, allowing Marlie the opportunity to plan everything from large-scale cultural celebrations

to a destination wedding in San Diego, California. She never stops preparing to expand her business. Her goals for M.Rae Events is to stay consistent with weddings, enhancing team building experiences, and continue to build on its strong foundation ensuring growth for years to come.

Eventually, she hopes to be able to assign other planners as lead planners to different clients while she oversees the process to ensure that every event meets the M.Rae standard. By utilizing more head planners, the goal is to be equipped to serve more clients on their special days, while delivering the same special touches that make them stand out it the event planning business.

Marlie gives back to the community by participating in school-hosted career fairs, telling students about the event industry. She also offers internship opportunities to anyone interested. Marlie said, “One of my favorite parts is showing kids, teens, and adults that it’s never too late to follow your dream. If you truly love something, work hard at it, and take pride in what you

do, it can become a real career.”

M.Rae staff also donate their services, time, and sometimes money to causes and individuals in the community. As the business continues to grow, Marlie hopes to be able to do even more to support the people and organizations around it.

Join Marlie and her team to help plan your special day or event...they will make sure that you remember it for years to come. M.Rae Events... making your dreams come true.

BOOKING TIMELINE

Weddings: 12–18 months in advance

Smaller events: 6–9 months

Showers & parties: 3–6 months

Peak season dates book quickly

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: m.raedesignsandevents@gmail.com

Website: www.mraeevents.com

Instagram: @m.raeevents

Facebook: M.Rae Events

THE BEAUTY OF Elrod Falls in the spring

BY TOMMY CAMPBELL Former Review Editor

Located about seven miles from downtown Sneedville, or about 11 miles from Mooresburg, near the Treadway community, Elrod Falls are easily accessible and one of the most beautiful in East Tennessee.

From Sneedville or Mooresburg on SR 31, near Treadway, visitors should take Elrod Circle and follow it for about six-tenths of a mile, turning left onto Elrod Falls Road and follow for about half a mile or so to the first gravel road to the left, which is clearly marked with red paint on a large boulder by the side of the intersection

There is a small picnic area and parking space for several vehicles. From the parking area, its a walk of about 150 yards or so to the base of the lower falls, which have a descent of about 100 feet from the top. There is also a cascade at the upper part of the falls but getting to that can be difficult.

This article originally ran in the 2019 Discover Hancock Magazine.

BOARDMEMBERS

Jack Mullins

DavidJones, Chairman

DennisHolt

Jerr yHopkins, Vice Chairman

Adam Trent

Adam Nichols

Jamie Stanifer

BY TOMMY