Janet O. Maddix of Olive Hill, Kentucky felt she wasdestined to be in the afghan business.

"The idea was being thrown at me because everywhere I went, I saw one of these afghans," said Maddix, "I saw one done whilevisiting my daughter in Pikeville, and also the Black
GoldFestival in Hazard displayed one. Then I read an article lastMarch in the Daily Living Column in The Ashland Daily Independentabout one that was made about Boyd County so I went to Ashland tovisit the lady who made it. After the visit I decided this wassome unfinished business for Carter County. So I decided topreserve some of the history with an afghan of my own."

Maddix called Riddle Mfg. Company, the company mentioned in thearticle, and they set her up with J&L Marketing, who gave herSales Rep Jim Williams who worked with her in the beginningstages of the designing of her afghan. Maddix had to sign acontract with the company and invest capital so they would knowshe was serious about the business.

"I was to try to depict the most historical places inCarter County," said Maddix.

Taking camera in hand Maddix started out to look forhistory. She decided on Carter County Courthouse, then old OliveHill High School, which has become a landmark with Ninety stepsleading up to it and people come from everywhere just to look atit. Prichard High School where most of Carter County studentsattended and Olive Hill Depot where travelers once came to thelargest brick plant in the world, General Refractories. Then shedecided on Governor William Fields Home.

So she would be representing all areas of the County, Maddixincluded Natural Bridge at Carter Caves because people used tocome to Carter Caves just to see the bridge. Hitchins Brick Yardat Hitchens and Lusby Center at Kentucky Christian College

in Grayson, Kentucky. Maddix listed the names of all thecommunities around the border so that everyone is represented.

Maddix then called George Wolford, author of "Carter County, APictorial History." Wolford told her she could use photos orinformation she needed from his book and wished her good luck.She used Wolfords photos of Mt Savage Iron Furnace and HitchensBrick Yard, Natural Bridge at Carter Caves and Prichard HighSchool.

With permission slips for all photographs; art work assembled andlaid out on layout sheets the package was sent back and forthuntil Maddix and the J & M Marketing artist agreed on thefinished product.

Maddix then received a copy of the development schedule and arough draft. Maddix started the business in April 1995 andreceived the finished product in October 1995. The official maneof Maddix business is C & C Afghans.

Maddix was born and raised in Olive Hill, Kentucky and as shegrew up her sisters and brothers all moved away as theygraduated, but Maddix did not want to leave Carter County so whenshe graduated from Olive Hill High School she went to Morehead College and got a teaching degree. Maddix started teaching thefirst grade at the age of nineteen at Upper Tygert and taughtthere for 27 years.

Maddix met and married Amos Maddix from Carter County who justretired from operating his own Dry Wall business for thirty fouryears. They have three children, Kim, who followed in her mothersfootsteps and is a teacher at West Carter Middle School andstayed in Carter County. Mark who is a minister in Ephrata,PA, Kristie who is manager of Maurices in Prestonsburg, KY. and theyalso have five grandchildren.

"My husband is a great support to me in the business," saidMaddix. "He hopes to work in it even more now that he is retired.He helps me set up at Festivals, Heritage Days and we makedeliveries together."

Writing poetry is one of Maddix hobbies, she has published twobooks of poetry. Another hobby is playing the piano, which shetaught herself to play and now plays for the services at theGlobe Christian Church where she attends regularly. Maddix isalso President of the Carter County Retired Teachers Associationand travels for them when the need arises.

"My husband is active in the Guideons, so I help him with placingBibles in hotel rooms and Doctors offices. I also work part timeat The Country Home Craft Shop in Globe." said Maddix.

Maddix has never really helped anyone start a business yet, buthas had a lot people look at her afghans and comment how theyneed to make one for their County.

"When your kids start growing up you start thinking of things youcan save for them," said Maddix, "I'm just so glad I preservedthis much history of Carter County. That's the whole reason forthe start of this business."

One of the nicest things that happened to Maddix since the startof the business was a telephone call from Frankfort, Kentucky.The call turned out to be the daughterÀÀinÀÀlaw of Dr. Fortune aformer Doctor who had practiced in Olive Hill and was MaddixDoctor as a child. Mrs. Fortune called one week before Christmasand wanted to get an Afghan for her husband for christmas becauseof his being from Carter County. Maddix mailed one right out toher and got it there in time. It was the first time she had heardabout her doctor since she was a child.

Maddix afghans come in hunter green, blue and cranberry, they are100% cotton and are 50"X 65". They are sold at Joan Hall's TheCountry Home in Globe, Kentucky, Lee Hammond's Creative Designsin Grayson, Kentucky, Susie's collectibles, Carter Cave Road or
call Maddix at her home at (606) 286-4149. The price of theafghan is $50.00 which includes tax.