There is a new face at the Lawrence County Courthouse, but this one is behind the lunch counter.

Monday, August 21, 2000

There is a new face at the Lawrence County Courthouse, but this one is behind the lunch counter.

Karen Redoutey took over the lunch counter, which is located on the second floor of the courthouse, three weeks ago. The counter had been empty since the previous operators retired.

Visitors to the courthouse and workers alike say that they are happy to see the counter operational again.

"People complained when no one was in here. They’re really glad that Karen is here now," said Lois Herrell, a clerk in the fourth floor law library.

Ms. Redoutey, who is from Franklin Furnace, got into cooking at her previous job at the River Bend Nursing Home. There, she was working as a personal care giver. In the course of her day on the job at the nursing home, she would assist in the kitchen and sometimes help with the housekeeping. Eventually, a cooking position came open, and she was asked to apply.

"If you’ve heard the phrase jack of all trades, that’s me," Ms. Redoutey said.

Her fiance, Chuck Morrow, said the pair heard about the opening at the lunch counter while they were visting the courthouse on business one afternoon.

Morrow, who is only able to visit the lunch counter on his days off, says that Ms. Redoutey brings him leftovers on days that he can’t come in.

"She’s my favorite cook," He said of his fiancee.

Ms. Redouty said that her interest in the lunch counter was based on the desire to be her own boss.

"I wanted to venture out on my own. I liked that the lunch counter was independent. "

But even though she now cooks for a courthouse for a living, she still finds time for other duties. Ms. Redoutey still works part time at River Bend.

Some of the customers who eat at the counter said its appeal was that the food was different from any resturaunt around.

"Until I went on a diet I came in every day to eat here," constable Mark Hopper said. "I like the home cooking. It’s a lot fresher and better variety than what you get over at Wendy’s."