Karen Carpenter Authors New Cookbook Called “The Best of Sundance”

November 16, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

For 34 years she owned and operated Sundance Restaurant & Catering, one of the most popular dining places in town but since she retired and closed the business three years ago, Karen Carpenter has been working on her first ever cookbook called “The Best of Sundance” which is expected to be available by December 1.

Karen has scheduled three local book signings next month. The first will be at F.Z. Webb and Sons Pharmacy, Gifts & Soda Foundation on Friday, December 3 from 11:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. She will also host a signing at Justin Potter Library on Tuesday, December 7 from 3-6 p.m. and at the County Complex on Thursday, December 9 from 4-8 p.m.

The cost of the cookbook is $20.

Carpenter said while she is excited about the new cookbook she is equally thrilled about the opportunity to visit with old friends and customers again during the book signings.

“I miss all the people from when I was in business. I still see them in Walmart and other places but they were like my family”.

Although its been a work in progress for quite a while, Karen said her dream of producing a cookbook has been a labor of love

“I have worked on it for a long time but I have had some help. Karen Caplinger has worked side by side with me and I could not have done it without her. We had to overcome some hurdles with things like finding a publisher but we finally worked that out,” said Carpenter.

“The Best of Sundance” includes a few stories and helpful hints but its largely filled with Karen’s famous recipes that made her restaurant entrees so popular.

“The book contains mainly my original recipes. I didn’t want to put a lot of stuff in there that they could go to any other cookbook or go online and get,” said Carpenter.

“A lot of people have asked me about my house dressing, the honey onion Sundance dressing, blue cheese dressing, honey mustard dressing, thousand island dressing and barbeque sauce. Those recipes are all in the book,” she said.

“We sold inordinate amounts of chicken and dressing at the restaurant so my dressing recipe is in there. I had a smoker so I smoked ribs, pork chops, and chicken breasts. The hickory smoked chicken breasts were one of the all time favorites and I used the chicken breast to make the Karen salad which was also one of my top sellers. On weekends we sold prime ribs, coconut shrimp, and seafood salads which were also big favorites. We had something different every day and a special menu on weekends. It was a pretty extensive menu for a small restaurant,” said Carpenter.

Of course the cookbook would not be complete without Karen’s delectable dessert recipes.

“One of the best sellers over the years has been my Jewish brownies. That recipe is in there. My chocolate and coconut pies were very popular and of course the mousse cakes including the chocolate, tropical, and strawberry along with my cheesecakes,” Carpenter continued.

Karen said her love for cooking came at an early age.

“I learned from my mother. She was a wonderful cook. Later I was a cook on a ship. My husband was the captain and I was the cook and first mate. He called me the admiral. That’s where I developed the Sundance dressing. The honey onion,” she said.

Karen opened Sundance in 1984 at the old Town and Country Shopping Center (what is now the county complex) but she relocated to downtown three years later.

“When I opened Sundance it was mostly a health food store. We sold vitamins and herbs with a little bit of food but as time went on the demand for the food grew and the vitamins went away. I later decided to be open on Friday and Saturday nights and it just grew and grew. I was having recipes and foods that were different from other restaurants in town and people loved it. I loved it too because I love cooking for people who like to eat,” said Carpenter.

November 15, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

First term Sixth District County Commissioner Matt Adcock has announced his plans to seek the Republican nomination for DeKalb County Mayor in the May 3, 2022 primary.

The GOP candidate nominated in the primary will run against the Democratic nominee and any Independents who may qualify in the August, 2022 DeKalb County General Election.

In addition to his service on the county commission, Adcock is also a Firefighter with DeKalb County Fire Department, an Advanced EMT at DeKalb EMS, a volunteer member of the DeKalb County Rescue Squad, a member of the DeKalb Swiftwater Rescue Task Force, and a former Realtor with Town and Lake Realty.

Adcock’s complete announcement is as follows:

“To the community of DeKalb County, I am pleased to announce that I will be seeking the Republican nomination for the office of DeKalb County Mayor in 2022”.

“As candidate for Mayor, it is important to me that the voices of the people are heard. Our county deserves a representative who is willing to listen to the concerns and seek the feedback of those whom live their lives in this great community. We need to have trust in our government and know that decisions will be made with the intent to be in the best interest of our community. I am confident that if elected Mayor, I will be able to exceed the expectations of the DeKalb County people”.

“As current County Commissioner of the 6th district, I have demonstrated my abilities by spearheading the 2nd amendment resolution that told state and federal government that we as DeKalb County support our 2nd amendment rights, defending our law enforcement from being defunded or micro managed by an oversight committee, and replacing outdated and unsafe equipment and vehicles for our county agencies. This role has given me the opportunities to participate in multiple county committees and provide a lot of protection to citizens that live here. Thank you for putting your trust and support in me during this term”.

“I ask for your continued trust and support as I seek the office of DeKalb County Mayor. My candidacy is founded on Christian morals and Conservative values. In the world we live in today, these morals and values have been forgotten causing much of the turmoil that exists. The future of our county needs someone dedicated to these values with a vested interest in our community. Being a 5th generation citizen of DeKalb County I have a vision to preserve our history and create longevity of our community”.

“Currently, I serve our community as a volunteer Firefighter with DeKalb County Fire Department, an Advanced EMT at DeKalb EMS, a volunteer member of the DeKalb County Rescue Squad, a member of the DeKalb Swiftwater Rescue Task Force, and a former Realtor with Town and Lake Realty”.

“I look forward to meeting you and listening to your feedback during my campaign. I ask that you join me in praying for our community. I ask for your continued support and importantly your vote in the May primary”.

November 15, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A Liberty man was arrested last week in a burglary and theft investigation.

60 year old James Rick Ashford, Sr. is charged with aggravated burglary and theft of property. His bond totals $6,500 and he will be in court December 2.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on November 10 Ashford entered a residence on Big Woods Road without permission and stole a phone from the kitchen.

“A deputy was called to a residence on Big Woods Road due to a report of stolen property. The victim said that Ashford came to the home and entered through the back door without permission. Once inside, Ashford started screaming and approached the victim in an aggressive manner before witnesses intervened. After Ashford left the victim noticed a phone missing from the kitchen. Ashford was later arrested and he admitted to having the phone. Blood evidence was collected at the back door of the residence where Ashford entered. The value of the phone is $400,” said Sheriff Ray.

44 year old Harry Carlson McIntosh of Old Bildad Road, Smithville is charged with violation of bond conditions. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court December 2.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 11 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Old Bildad Road to conduct a welfare check on a woman. Upon arrival he spoke with the woman who said she was okay. Knowing there had been prior complaints of domestic violence there, the officer asked if anyone else was present and the woman replied “no”. The deputy was then granted permission to conduct a walk thru of the home and found McIntosh hiding behind a couch. A background computer check through central dispatch confirmed that McIntosh was under active bond conditions to have no contact with this woman.

37 year old Joshua Walter Hodges of Old Post Road, McMinnville is charged with being a fugitive from justice. His bond is $50,000 and he will make a court appearance December 2.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 10 while being incarcerated at the sheriff’s department, Hodges was found to have an active warrant for his arrest from the state of Alabama with a nationwide extradition confirmed.

53 year old Timothy Scott Bruner of Sparta is charged with driving under the influence. His bond is $1,500 and he will make a court appearance December 2.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 8 after being informed that Bruner might be driving drunk, a sheriff’s department detective spotted Bruner driving a black Ford F150 on South Congress Boulevard and noticed him cross the white line on the right side of the roadway. The registration on Bruner’s truck was also expired. The detective conducted a traffic stop and spoke with Bruner whose speech was slow and slurred and his eyes were glassy and watery. Open containers of beer were visible in the truck. Bruner refused to submit to standardized field sobriety tasks and implied consent.

36 year old Nicholas Cody Walls of Coconut Ridge Road, Smithville is charged with violation of an order of protection. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court December 2.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 8 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Coconut Ridge Road due to a domestic dispute between a mother and son. Upon arrival the officer learned that the incident grew out of a verbal argument but he further discovered through central dispatch that an active full order of protection was in place against Walls for him to keep away from his mother.

42 year old Russell Shannon Estes of Short Mountain Highway, Smithville is charged with aggravated assault. His bond is $5,000 and he will make a court appearance December 2.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 9 a deputy received a report from Estes’ girlfriend who said that on November 7 she and Estes got into an argument which led to him trying to strangle her resulting in bruises to her neck and throat.

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