After several failed attempts, we finally made our way to Rosie’s Restaurant on U.S. 60 near the Boyd and Carter County line for a Saturday afternoon lunch. There were two homegrown tomatoes ripening in the sun on an ice freezer in front of the restaurant when we arrived, and something told me we were going to enjoy our meal.

I had planned to follow the advice of a regular at Rosie’s and order a Rosie Burger, but changed my mind when my wife said she was buying — and I saw a T-bone steak dinner on the menu board. She ordered the Rosie Burger with nothing on it and just grinned that “I’ll-get-you” smile when I went for the steak dinner.

I know there were people working in the back of the restaurant, although it seemed one busy lady was taking care of everything up front (including the unexpected operation of a wireless phone that had quit working after it was dropped in some dish water).

When our food arrived, I did sneak a bite of the Rosie Burger. Even without the signature grilled onions and mushrooms it was quite tasty. My steak dinner was also pretty good, and topped off with a complimentary slice of Reese’s Cup Pie with two candles (it was my birthday).

The same person who advised me to try the Rosie Burger once described the place as a combination of home cooking, cigarette smoke and Bill Monroe music. Just before we paid our check and finished a Camel, I was tickled to hear a Bill Monroe song playing on the jukebox.

For more information about Rosie’s Restaurant, call (606) 928-3547.

Back in business

Martha McCormick has re-opened her shop Country Charm Flowers & Gifts at 1109 Ky. 716 (near Armco Park and Crisp’s Dairy Treat) after a 15-year break in business.

The renovated shop is stocked with candles, silk arrangements, baskets, gifts, balloons and other items, and offers delivery. McCormick said she will have only silk flower arrangements until repairs to her cooler are completed.

Country Charm Flowers & Gifts (which claimed first place at the 1994 Paramount Arts Center Festival of Trees for their door, table and hearth arrangements) will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information call (606) 928-2201.

Labor Day

The folks at Kyova Tri-State Mall & Lifestyle Center will help the area celebrate Labor Day with a fireworks show, live music, craft show, and children’s activities including inflatables.

The craft show will begin Sept. 4 in the mall’s food court and continues through the weekend. Registration for crafts vendors remains open.

Various mall stores will offer shopping discounts in addition to activities starting Saturday. R.J. Kahuna’s Sports Bar & Grill will have a hot-wing eating contest at noon that day, and live entertainment on the patio throughout the day. Webkinz activities and games will also be hosted by Angel’s Cards & Gifts. Also on Saturday, the mall will award someone a five day/four night vacation to Gatlinburg. For more information call (606) 928-3835 ext. 202.

Free pizza

It’s too late — the free pizza offer was a one-day-only deal, although I thought it was interesting.

After finding the long-lost 1971 Camaro he sold to launch his business, the founder of Papa John’s Pizza authorized every location to give a free one-topping pizza to everyone who was driving a Camaro.

Ashland Papa John’s Pizza manager Larry Pennington said roughly 20 Camaro owners had taken advantage of the deal during the lunch rush, and he expected to give away more than 100 pizzas before the day was done.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.