Episode 3717

- [Promoter 1] Tennessee Crossroads is made possible in part by...

- I'm Tennessee Tech President Phil Oldham. Here in Cookeville Tennessee's College Town we are bold, fearless, confident, and kind. Tech prepares students for careers by making everyone's experience personal. We call that "Living wings up." Learn more at tntech.edu.

- [Promoter 2] Averitt's Tennessee roots run deep. They've been delivering logistics solutions here for over 50 years. And though Averitt's reach now circles the globe the volunteer state will always be home. More at averitt.com.

- [Promoter 3] Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways. Discover Tennessee's adventure, cuisine, history and more made in Tennessee experiences showcased among these 16 driving trails. More at TNTrailsAndByways.com.

- [Joe] This time on Tennessee Crossroads, we discover the works of a portrait and figurative art sculptor in Nashville. Then we will take you to a magical rural retreat near Knoxville. We'll discover the lure of the Harmony Lane Farm and Creamery in Smithville. And finally, some old fashioned lunchtime fun at a popular diner in Hohenwald. That's the lineup for this edition of Tennessee Crossroads everybody. I'm Joe Elmore. Sure glad you joined us. Michelangelo once said that every block of stone has a statue inside it. It's the task of the sculptor to discover it. Well, in our first story, Miranda Cohen introduces us to a Nashville artist, one who uncovers beautiful faces and physiques hidden in blocks of clay.

- From what I understand, the drawing gene and the sculpting gene are the same. So I think a lot of people who can draw could probably sculpt but they just don't know it.

- [Miranda] They say, if you want to learn how to do something, learn from the best. And Nashville sculptor, Beth Barnard, took that advice to heart.

- Yeah, you're okay. You're okay. Just relax. Yeah.

- [Miranda] First, a trip to Italy to see Michelangelo's famous statue of David. And next, on a whim, having never sculpted anything, and in her sixties, she took an afternoon workshop with fame sculptor Alan LeQuire, the man who created Musica, Athena at the Parthenon and many other famous sculptures.

- [Beth] The minute I touched clay, it's like I just fell in love with clay. And I was 63, so I'm 69 now. So I've been doing this for six years and I had no idea that I could even do this.

- [Miranda] Beth not only could do it, but at the very best time in her life, she embarked on a second career.

- [Beth] I think those two things had an influence. I think when I found Alan's open studio it just kind of brought everything together that I probably didn't consciously understand at the time.

- [Miranda] Beth Barnard is a psychotherapist with the kind demeanor and an eye trained to notice the emotions and vulnerabilities that people often can't or won't express with words. Paying close attention to the frailty, joy, and anguish lying just beneath the surface of consciousness, and she captures it all in clay.

- It's one of those things where over the years I've just observed so much, sometimes really intense emotion and a lot of body language.

- [Miranda] Since she began her artistic journey she has developed a realistic and expressive style as a figurative and dimensional sculptor, working with the type of clay that she will coax into busts and small scale sculptures that will be formed into molds and finally cast into bronze or resin. Beth often seeks inspiration from photographs, drawings or perhaps someone from her own imagination. But she feels capturing the most realistic human essence works best when working with live models. It's an ancient technique that is helping her to render exquisite lifelike results. When you look at a piece of Beth Barnard's work you are immediately drawn to the attention to detail. Take a look at this piece. You can see the skeletal structure, the bones and muscles. That is because she not only studied art, she extensively studied anatomy.

- [Beth] Some people describe my work as expressive and lifelike and I think just, you know, 50 years of looking at bodies and faces has sort of resulted in some of this too.

- [Miranda] Beth Barnard's meticulous work and commission pieces are sought after and her calendar is full of shows and exhibits. It is a triumphant second act where she is finding the balance and harmony that she has helped so many others find along the way.

- [Beth] I almost think creativity more tends to happen when we are in the middle of action, doing something. So I have to make sure I'm using the tiny notched. I just sort of get lost in the zone. You really lose time. You are just focused on kind of more like you can't get enough. Yet it's a really contented kind of relaxed feeling. It's like anything else. It's persistence. And if you find something that you just really click with, it's not work, it's like energy.

- Thanks Miranda. You know, of all the places to stay in our great state we've rarely found one quite as unique as our next story. Laura Faber discovered Middle Earth in East Tennessee in the Ancient Lore Village.

- [Tom] I call it a place of peace and quiet where people should come.

- [Melissa] We wanna make sure that you have the most magical day.

- [Laura] On 67 acres just south of Knoxville sits a whimsical wonderland just waiting for your family to visit. The Ancient Lore Village looks like a movie set and is based on a book called Bokee's Trek: Outcasts To Inner Earth.

- [Reader] Next to the Waterfall is the perfect place for each of us to build our homes as a community. And this will be our village.

- [Laura] Author and entrepreneur, Tom Boyd, wrote this book after campaigning with his son Randy, who ran for Governor. Tom found voters across the state so divided it inspired him to do something to promote unity and kindness.

- [Tom] So I tried to come up with something unique that I could convey a message where people should be better, could live better. And only way I could see to do that was take characters from ancient world that nobody could argue with. So I created a character called Bulky, living in a particular village. So the idea was to create a group of villages with different characters in it and take a character and go through 'em and meet fantastic people no matter what it looked like.

- [Laura] Taking this idea of a fantastical village from the pages of a book and transforming it into a five star resort was a monumental task. It officially opened during the pandemic.

- [Melissa] We are a luxury event venue and boutique resort and it's really about the experiences that you have when you come here. And it doesn't matter whether you're coming here for a wedding or whether you're coming here for a corporate retreat or a family reunion or a gender reveal party where we change the color of the waterfall to pink or blue. I mean, we just are a place where people can come together and have an experience that when they leave they're going to continue to spread that goodness throughout the world.

- [Laura] CEO Melissa Blettner calls it hospitality with a purpose: a place to help people unplug from the junk. There are no TVs in the rooms. Melissa hopes people would rather gather round the bonfire at night or practice their archery skills or try axe throwing. The rooms are hard to leave though. They are stunning and unique. Melissa's favorite room, the waterfall villa.

- [Melissa] From the birch wall behind me to the Venetian plaster wall that makes you feel like you're in the middle of a birch forest. So it's suit too, which is why I like it 'cause I like to be spoiled. So it also has an adjoining living room and it's perfect for like the bride getting ready. We can bring lunch in. Everybody can be here together.

- [Laura] Every room was designed with detailed intention and no two are alike. Sales manager Micah Spicer, describes the fairy cottage.

- [Micah] You're gonna immediately see this gorgeous bed where there's a crown that hangs over the top of the bed and these beautiful linens that flow alongside it. The headboard is this really interesting antique door that we have our craftsmen fashioned into a king size headboard. And it's white and has, it's just really, really unique. And then if you turn to your left you're gonna see this really gorgeous fireplace that has a a wooden antique mantle that has golden feathers that are sitting on there. And the mantle is gonna sparkle. So if you turn around the door actually has fairy dust in it as well. So all of our outlet covers are little fairy doors that you open and it has, you know, your USB ports and your sockets there.

- [Laura] Then there is the grass covered 1600 square foot house. This is Bokee's's bungalow. It's got two private bedrooms, three full baths, four bunks and this is completely underground. The 17 foot tall fireplace in chimney is gorgeous and the cozy tile dining cove is the perfect place to share a meal. Every room is named after the characters in Tom's book and have themes like the Gremlin Den and Ork House. And though Tom loves them all, he does have a favorite. Your favorite room?

- [Tom] Oh, the leprechaun before, but that's because my grandchildren called me a leprechaun.

- [Laura] With green and gold Venetian plaster walls that swirl and flow. The bathrooms are gold with green shell tile in the shower and a hidden leprechaun in one of the custom cabinets.

- [Micah] You know, we talked about hints of characters in the rooms. The leprechauns have this magic wand that they're one of the few characters that can flow between the world of man and the ancient lore world, right? So they throw their magic wand up in the air and it creates this portal. So the fireplace mimics that portal of where it has these river stones that swirl into themselves where the leprechauns can go in and out.

- [Laura] The three tier 40 foot waterfall was made of boulders that existed on the property. Seating areas surround it along with elaborate landscaping. With customized packages and itineraries plus elevated cuisine, Ancient Lore Village offers both luxury and an experience that reminds you of simpler times.

- [Melissa] Bringing families together and going and having those special moments, we need more of that in this world. People get so busy, everyone is so plugged in to their phone and their computer that it's good to just have some real experiences.

- [Laura] Do you think you've accomplished what you wanted to accomplish with this place, Tom?

- [Tom] Absolutely. I'm overjoyed with it.

- Thank you, Laura. Our next story is custom made for animal lovers. It involves adorable four-legged creatures who provide a number of healthy benefits. Well, like keeping you fed and warming your heart. Cindy Carter takes us to the Harmony Lane Farm and Creamery in Smithville.

- [Cindy] Once upon a time, goats in America were primarily known for their presence in children's stories and fairytales. You know, like those Billy-Goats Gruff. But now, thanks to pop culture trends like goat-yoga and screaming or fainting goat videos you might say goats are getting their day in the sun.

- They're so smart, people don't give them enough credit.

- [Cindy] And at Harmony Lane Farm and Creamery in Smithville, Tennessee, you simply gotta give credit to the goats for all the cheese, milk, soap. And yes, smooches, they provide.

- [Julie] Not only do we make yummy products, we're like a destination. We make a lot of memories. A lot of families come here that are traveling. Now we are the number one attraction actually in Smithville.

- [Cindy] Every day Harmony Lane owner Julie David and her staff welcome visitors from all over, offering an informative and entertaining look at the inner workings of a working goat farm.

- All right Ms. Julie's coming out.

- [Cindy] Opening her gates to tourists was a way to earn a living while living a farmer's life. But Julie didn't start out like this. A digestive issue lead to goats milk as an alternative to medicine.

- That's really how it started. And I kind of wanted to do something for myself. So I was buying some goat milk from a man down the way and all of a sudden I said, "Why don't I just get a few goats?" And that way I have milk from my own supply. Those four goats quickly turned into 16.

- Today, Julie and her staff wrangle roughly 150 goats of various sizes, shapes and responsibilities.

- [Julie] All the way down. Pay attention. Prrr.

- [Cindy] Visitors don't just learn about milking goats, they do it.

- [Julie] You're milking a dairy goat. You're milking a dairy goat. Yes, you are.

- [Cindy] A hands-on experience that really resonates. Now this is what the farm is known for. Goat cuddling. Visitors can spend quality time with a baby goat. And health experts say there are real benefits to this. It releases endorphins that calm you down. It lowers blood pressure. And Hannah is just so doggone cute. Hannah and her friends are wrapped in blankets and placed in waiting laps where they just chill for a while. Julie says, these kids are sweet because they're bottle fed from birth. She says, if their mamas do the honors the goats are unfriendly and don't play nice with each other.

- Being a bottle baby, they're friendly, they're lovable, and they're just fun to watch. You don't even have to cuddle 'em. Just watching 'em in the field and all of their little antics is quite a joy.

- [Cindy] As fun as it is to frolic on the farm, the goats do have a job to do. The milk they make is used to make in-house cheese or chevre, seven different varieties. There's also caramels, ice cream ,fudge.

- They're milk. You can do so much with it. I mean, Cleopatra used to bathe in goats milk.

- [Cindy] Harmony Lane does that too. Bars and bags of sweet smelling goats milk soap and lotions are mixed and made here daily.

- [Julie] It is pushed me to do things I probably wouldn't normally have done. I'm a little stronger than I thought I was.

- [Cindy] The goats may get the glory, but they share these 64 acres with dozens of other farm-friendly, family-friendly animals that visitors can also feed and pet. Donkeys, llamas, emus, pigs and-

- Rrr. Ka-kaw.

- [Cindy] 18 Angus beef cattle led by-

- Here's old Ferdinand.

- Hey, Ferdinand.

- Right here.

- [Cindy] Ferdinand The Bull weighs in at 3,200 pounds and he and his friends don't mind the periodic pasture invasions as long as someone brings the snacks.

- [Julie] At the end of the day, I love what I do. I'm passionate about it. I love sharing. I love the knowledge. Children don't know where their meat comes from. You know, I can drive them into an Angus beef herd and say, "This is your hamburger and steak."

- [Cindy] Julie proudly points out. Her farm gives visitors an opportunity to learn, the opportunity to try and the opportunity to make some pretty cool memories.

- So this is our Nigerian dwarf habitat. You can actually go in here and spend time with these little dwarfs.

- [Cindy] Between the product production, milking, and merriment, there's a lot of moving parts and critters on this small Tennessee farm. But it's the goats, all those happy attention grabbing goats that are the reason every moving part moves in harmony at Harmony Lane.

- We hear from many viewers who use our stories as guide maps for their new adventures. And we thank you for that. If you're looking for a scenic road trip to a quaint little town with a big surprise when it comes to local dining, well, Lewis County has a deal for you. With the population of just under 4,000, Hohenwald is the county seat of Lewis County. Highway 412 runs through its quaint, peaceful downtown. Now, you might not think of Hohenwald as a destination unless you're among those who've discovered Hank's Family Diner. Hank's has a fifties diner feel and a fun family friendly ambiance. The daytime menu features everything from breakfast and brunch to burgers and wraps plus the ever popular catfish on Fridays. Desserts? Oh yeah, but more about that later.

- [Paula] It's kind of off the beaten path over here. Like, if you don't know we're here you drive right by on 412. 'Cause you, it's kind of one of these little side streets. I've been shocked at how far we've had people come who have seen it on Facebook, seen it on Instagram, seen it on some other website.

- That's Paula Sims. She's a Hohenwald native who spent many years in the food industry as an employee. Then in 2019, the previous owner convinced her to buy the place.

- [Paula] So I rolled the dice, and lo and behold, a couple weeks later, I walked into my first day here. Then five months later, COVID walked in.

- [Joe] Oh, boy.

- So, but, I'm glad I did it. It's been a journey as much as I thought I knew in all my years in food and beverage, it's completely different when it's yours.

- [Joe] Paula's recipe for success is pretty simple. A super friendly staff that shares her vision and of course, a consistently quality product that brings folks back for more.

- [Paula] I had to invest my money in my product to make it worthwhile. My mama taught us growing up that people eat with their eyes before they ever eat with their mouth. If you make it pretty and it tastes good, it gets you far. It needs to be something they want to take a picture of when we set it down in front of 'em.

- [Joe] Friday's fish is always picture perfect. Starting with fresh catfish dipped in a special batter for extra flavor.

- [Paula] I can't tell you what's in our breading but we do pond raised catfish fillets every Friday and I usually will sell two or three cases of it on Friday.

- [Joe] Hank's Diner has a well-earned reputation for irresistible desserts, especially ice cream treats whether it's on top of a brownie or part of a banana split or inside one of the diners now legendary milkshakes.

- [Paula] Well, our base flavors right now, we've got vanilla strawberry, mint chocolate chip. We can do peach, we can do malt flavors. And then we kind of just take that base and I let these girls just get as creative as they want to get for the toppings.

- [Paula] The Crazy Shake, as it's called, never fails to amaze customers of all ages. Well, this happy young lady may need some help with hers. By the way, the Diner's history goes back to the early 1930s. That's when the original owner, Mac Floyd and his brother first sold burgers out of this location. At the present site, some employees are a little skittish about visiting the upstairs stockroom for a somewhat spooky reason.

- [Paula] They say Mr. Floyd is still in the building. It's flipping a quarter who has to go upstairs and get stock 'cause they don't wanna go. I've made a pact with him. As long as he doesn't bother me, I'm not gonna bother him.

- [Joe] Don't expect any ghost sightings on your visit here. Just a friendly serving of good food and perhaps a good reason to take a scenic road trip to Hohenwald. Well, that's gonna have to do it for this edition of Tennessee Crossroads. I sure thank you for joining us. Don't forget about our website of course. tennesseecrossroads.org. And while you're there, you can download that PBS app. And you can join us next week of course. See you then.

- [Promoter 1] Tennessee Crossroads is made possible in part by-

- I'm Tennessee Tech President Phil Oldham. Here in Cookeville Tennessee's College Town, we are bold, fearless, confident, and kind. Tech prepares students for careers by making everyone's experience personal. We call that "Living wings up." Learn more at tntech.edu.

- [Promoter 2] Averitt's Tennessee roots run deep. They've been delivering logistics solutions here for over 50 years. And though Averitt's reach now circles the globe the volunteer state will always be home. More at Averitt.com.

- [Promoter 3] Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways. Discover Tennessee's adventure, cuisine, history and more made in Tennessee experiences showcased among these 16 driving trails. More at TNTrailsAndByways.com.