MARCH | APRIL 2021 COVERING MOUNTAIN TOWNS OF EAST TN, SOUTHWEST VA & WESTERN NC
Saddle Up
Preparing lunch begins long before breakfast at the Pigeon Forge Chuck Wagon Cookoff competition March 26-28.
Authentic chuck wagons, the original food trucks, will gather for the familyfriendly competition on Saturday, March 27, at Clabough’s Campground (405 Wears Valley Road). Chuck wagon cookoffs aid in the preservation of cattle drive trail days as well as ensuring the authentic reproduction of the mobile kitchens.
The competition includes cash prizes for most authentic wagon and awards in various food categories, including meat, beans, potatoes, bread and dessert. All food items must be prepared onsite and using ingredients provided to the cooking teams.
Lunch is served at high noon, featuring food prepared by each wagon. Tickets are $15 (tax included) each and can be purchased in advance at MyPigeonForge.com/events/cookoff. A limited number of tickets will be
available onsite.
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., guests can enjoy free entertainment for the family, including old-time Western activities with Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch; Western music and poetry; and roving cowboy lookalikes.
Andy Nelson and Wylie & the Wild West headline two concerts during the event.
An Intimate Evening dinner concert is set for 6 p.m. on Friday, March 26, at Mama’s Farmhouse (208 Pickel Street).
Tickets are $50 each (tax included).
Wylie & the Wild West join Nelson for a Saturday evening concert at 6 p.m. at Clabough’s Campground. Tickets are $20 (tax included) per person. Seating is general admission.
The weekend continues on Sunday, March 28, with the Chuck Wagon Breakfast and Cowboy Church at Stages West (2765 Parkway). The cowboy-style breakfast will be served 8:30 to 10 a.m. for $5 per person (tax included). Cowboy Church follows at 10:30 a.m., and admission is free.
Tickets to all events can be purchased onsite or in advance at MyPigeonForge. com.
Another exceptional Pigeon Forge event is A Mountain Quiltfest May 5-8. While this year’s scaled-down event will be different, it aims to commemorate the time-honored craft of quilting.
Quilters of all skill levels can take advantage of classes, seminars and workshops during the event. Topics cover everything from specific quilt patterns to both old and new techniques for machine and hand-quilting. Those who are interested may register at MyPigeonForge.com/event/quiltfest.
Located at the LeConte Center at Pigeon
Forge, A Mountain Quiltfest will utilize the 232,000-square-foot event center to provide required physical distancing guidelines per Tennessee Pledge protocols and COVID-19 protocols.
The free quilt exhibit and vendor hall are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 5-7 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 8. Free onsite quilting demonstrations occur daily, in the Greenbrier rooms. Free parking is available at the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge.
A Mountain Quiltfest was named a Top 20 Event in 2020 by the Southeast Tourism Society. The International Festivals and Events Association awarded the event a silver Grand Pinnacle Award in 2019.
APRIL 16-17, 2021
TENNESSEE
Pigeon Forge, TN
SMOKY MOUNTAIN CUP
April 9th-11th 11am-8pm
Rocky Top Sports Complex
The Smoky Mountain Cup Presented by Adidas is the Spring and Fall Southeast Regional of The High School Cup - a series of regional tournaments that correspond to Topdrawersoccer.com Regions. Regional champions greatly enhance their résumé in the quest to be awarded The High School Cup.
WOMEN’S SMOKY MOUNTAIN HIKING & GLAMPING BY EXPLORER
CHICK ADVENTURE
April 29th - May 2nd
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Spend a long weekend hiking the best trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including parts of the Appalachian Trail and enjoy nightly glamping near Gatlinburg, TN on this 4 day women’s hiking tour to the Smoky Mountains.
For Full Details and to book, visit the website! www. explorerchick.com
Maryville, TN
DRIVE-IN MOVIE AND JEEP SHOW
March13th 3pm
Parkway Drive-In
2909 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy Maryville, TN 37804
ADMISSION for event: $15 per Jeep for movie. $20 for movie & Jeep Show registration. JEEPS ONLY!! No other vehicles will be admitted.
CARS, COFFEE AND CYCLES
March 6th 7am-11am
Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson
1820 W Lamar Alexander Pkwy Maryville, TN 37801
1st Saturday of the month from March through October cruise in for free coffee and donuts, stay for lunch at the shed or the nightly concert series!
Knoxville, TN
ADAPTIVE MOUNTAIN BIKING
March 27th-28th 9am-5pm
Catalyst Sports - Knoxville
302 Tiberius Rd Knoxville, TN 37918
This is an awesome opportunity to try mountain biking on the new accessible trails Legacy Parks created at Sharps Ridge. Catalyst has a range of adaptive mountain bikes for riders to use including e-assist and tandem options. Register here: www.catalystsports.org/adventures/knoxville
SMOKIES
AUTOCROSS EVENT
March 21st 8am-5pm
Smokies Stadium
3540 Line Dr, Kodak, TN 37764
Come join us for our first Autocross event in 2021. Drifting on Sat the 20th as well so come on by and watch the action or catch a ride along.
Elizabethton, TN
UNDERVALLEY DRAGWAYS 15TH
ANNUAL NEW YEARS BRACKET CHAMPIONSHIP.
March 19th-20th 12pm-9pm
Undervalley Dragway
516 E Elk Ave, Elizabethton, TN 37643 15th Annual New Years Bracket Championship. 1/8 mile 1/24 scale drag slot car race. All races paired by bracket masters pairing software.
EVENING BREEZE BULLS & BARRELS BY A&J RODEO CO
April 24th 7pm-10pm
239 C Grindstaff Rd, Elizabethton, TN 37643
Admission and entry prices TBA. Vendor spots and sponsorship spots available. Bullriding, barrel racing, and more! Contact LeeAnn Johnson at 865-765-6396 for more information
Burnsville, NC
TRUE GRIST BREW FEST
April 24th 12pm-4pm
Homeplace Beer Company
321 West Main Street Burnsville, NC 28714
Homeplace Beer Company presents the inaugural True Grist Brew Fest, featuring 15 regional craft breweries creating unique small batches with NC grown and malted grains. Tickets are $25 and include a custom 7 oz. festival glass with five beer tokens for sampling. Purchase tickets at www.homeplacebeer.com.
BEE NATIVE PLANT SHOP OPENS FOR SEASON
April 5th 9am
Carolina Native Nursery 1639 Price Creek Rd Burnsville, NC 28714
Carolina Native Nursery is very excited to open for the season. Plan on coming out soon to load up with native azaleas, shrubs, perennials, and more for your spring gardening. We all look forward to seeing you soon.
Hot Springs, NC
APPALACHIAN TRAIL BACKPACKING TRIP
March 19th--21st 9am-5pm
Blue Ridge Hiking Company
70 College St Asheville, NC 28801
Enjoy one of our favorite sections of the Appalachian Trail on this 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip! The goal of this trip is provide a supportive environment for people to experience backpacking, whether it is your first trip or your 100th! Participants will learn all necessary skills to complete a backpacking trip, and will leave empowered to hit the trail again soon. For more information, visit: www.blueridgehikingco.com
SMOKIES WILDFLOWERS AND WATERFALLS BACKPACKING TRIP
April 20th-22nd 9am-5pm
Blue Ridge Hiking Company
70 College St Asheville, NC 28801
Celebrate Earth Day by learning to identify the wildflowers you see on the trail! You’ll spend 3 days backpacking in one of the most wildflower diverse areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, taking time to stop and learn to identify the wildflowers you see along the way. For more information, visit: www. blueridgehikingco.com
Spruce Pine, NC
REACHGATHERING
April 13th-15th 12pm-3pm
REACHgathering
1 ridgecrest drive Ridgecrest, NC 28770
Equipping You For Impact
The hope fueling these efforts is that each attendee would leave the REACHgathering inspired, affirmed, connected, and equipped.
Over the course of three days, you will have access to choose from dozens of breakout track sessions and be a part of three large group main sessions.
3 DAYS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD
March 28th 11am-12pm
Grassy Creek Baptist Church
793 Old NC-226 Spruce Pine, NC 28777
You are invited to look at the greatest story ever told about three amazing days in the story of redemption through Jesus Christ. We will examine the events that make up Easter weekend beginning with Christ in Gethsemane and culminating with His resurrection on Easter morning.
West Jefferson, TN
YOGA / HIKE / MEDITATION
April 7th 10am-12pm
Ridgetop Yoga Retreat & Cabins 2161 Boggs Road West Jefferson, NC 28694
This is a great opportunity to get out in nature and enjoy some of the beautiful sites in the mountains. The Yoga portion will be very gentle and appropriate for all levels. Our hike will be slow paced and focuses on being present. At the end of our journey we will stop for some light snacks. Please bring something to drink and wear comfortable clothing. Price is $20.00 per person.
FEATURE EXHIBIT
Open 10am to 2pm Wed to Sat
The Yancey History Association’s mission is to preserve, protect and display our culture, history and heritage through archival collections, promotion of education, oral history, genealogical record and living history.
The YHA’s feature exhibit for 2021 is a tribute to the patriotic effort, service and sacrifice made by the residents of Yancey County during World War II ( 1941 -1945). Men and women who had never ventured far from home were now serving their country in the military and medical services around the globe. Jobs that were once thought of as men's work were being performed competently by an all-women labor force. Allied victories became dependent on the knowledge and skill of women trained to thwart the enemy. War production found its way onto the farms and into the mines as essential products needed for military use became critical to the war effort. These occupations were deemed so important that men who worked as mica miners and tobacco growers were exempt from military service. Many young men and women left the county to work in factories across the state. Everyone faced the rationing of gasoline and supplies. Small town life would change forever. This feature exhibit recognizes local men and women in its display of information and memorabilia as well as links the other permanent exhibits to the wartime effort.
Yancey History Association Lloyd Bailey Building 3 Academy Street Burnsville, NC 28714 828-678-9587
The common element in making all of this work is YOU and your membership. You can make a huge difference in our community, working with the town of Burnsville, the County and the school system as we move forward into the future. http://www. yanceyhistoryassociation.org/
Handcrafted Beauty with a Purpose
The opportunity quilt, made by members of Mountain Piecemakers Quilt Guild, is called "The Garden Club Redux" by Smith Street Designs. This beautiful quilt is a combination of machine embroidered applique, machine embroidery, and traditionally pieced blocks. There are 17 embroidery designs within the quilt. The finished size is 82 by 102 inches. The entire quilt is custom quilted by a member of the Guild. True colors are best represented in photo taken on fence due to lighting. Additional photos can be viewed on our website.
You can purchase tickets at https:// mountainpiecemakersquiltguild. org/ticket-purchase/ or visit our website, mountainpiecemakersquiltguild. org.
Proceeds go to purchase fabric and batting to make Hero Quilts for local veterans and to create Project Linus quilts for children in need. Each year we award 5060 quilts to local veterans from Yancey, Mitchell and Madison counties. This year's ceremony will be on Veterans Day at the Town Square in Burnsville . The drawing will be held at end of Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 11, 2021 in Burnsville NC. The quilt will be shipped if needed to the winner. Funds raised also support making quilts for Project Linus. In 2020 we donated approximately 40 quilts to Project Linus quilts for children in need in Western North Carolina.
Mountain Piecemakers is a non-profit quilt guild and offers educational opportunities for those interested in quilting as well as community service projects.
The Nu Wray Inn is a great place for meetings with family, coworkers, or friends. It’s a great destination hub for your Western North Carolina adventures. History surrounds you from the moment that you enter this landmark house. They have provided hospitality in its comfortable rooms for generations of travelers, including Thomas Wolfe, Elvis Presley, and Christopher Reeves.
Relax on the front porch in a rocking chair or enjoy the gardens, located within walking distance of restaurants, shops, live theater, and many other activities. During your stay, enjoy nearby fishing, hiking, horseback riding, tubing, and swimming in the famous Toe and Cane Rivers. We’ll work to make your stay in our historic inn both memorable and pleasurable.
What a Gem
ROCKS AND THINGS
WE BUY OLD ROCK COLLECTIONS
Spring is on the way and it is a great time to come in and see all the wonderful gifts you can get for your family and friends or just YOU. We have over 1,500 rings for you to choose from including 200 Native American turquoise rings, 4 Squash Blossom necklace/earring signed sets, 6 silver and turquoise necklaces, 20 turquoise and gemstone necklaces, 50 earring sets, 300 gemstone pendants and much more silver and gemstone jewelry. We carry a large number of authentic Native American items. We have thousands of crystals from tiny single points to 90-pound single points and clusters up to 80 pounds. We also carry many metaphysical items like crystal balls, pendants, pendulums, and a nice supply of crystal skulls. We carry some paintings, antiques, and vintage glassware. We have thousands of mineral and gemstone specimens from all over the world and also many local specimens. We are open 7 days a week from 9 to 5. Call in advance to be sure.
A vibrant local creative community makes downtown Spruce Pine the perfect place for the art lover to explore, from quaint shops that offer local hand-crafted items to the working studios of nationally known artists.
Art co-ops, craft classes, glass blowers, and more are tucked away in unique spaces across town. With over four hundred artists and artisans in the area, whether you’re looking for metalwork, jewelry, glass, or gifts, you will find it downtown.
Since the early 1950’s Spruce Pine, North Carolina has been the host of the North Carolina Mineral and Gem Festival, welcoming visitors from around the world to shop for beautiful jewelry, gemstones, minerals, beads, crystals, fossils and more!
Even celebrities have been spotted
& Vapes • Certified Organic Herbs •
Foods • Locally Handcrafted Jewelry •
& Herbal Consultations • Crystals & Gemstones • Crystal Healing Therapy
All-Natural Personal Care Products • Premium Incense & Smudging Supplies
Gifts, & More
at the Festival selecting
The Festival features gem, jewelry and mineral dealers from across the country showcasing their merchandise to fit
Whether you are shopping for an engagement ring, a special stone for your own setting, a custom designed piece of jewelry or a special crystal display for your home, you can’t miss the NC Mineral and Gem Festival.
61st NC Mineral and Gem Festival is tentatively scheduled for July 29th -August 1st, 2021.
The NC Mineral & Gem Show is among the oldest gem shows in the country, and draws visitors from around the world to purchase jewelry, precious stones, and crystals from an impressive array of dealers. Choose from four days of shopping and exhibits, or register to tour a local mine and dig for treasure.
Festival Admission Tickets
Festival Admission tickets are sold
at the door on the day of the event. Admission is $4 for adults, Children 10 and under are Free.
To find out more information Contact: NC Mineral & Gem Festival Mitchell County Chamber PO Box 858 Spruce Pine, NC 28777 (828) 765-9033 www.ncgemfest.com
This event is very important to our community, but so is the health of our community and our visitors. We care about both. Visit our Safety Precautions Page to learn more about the steps we are taking to have a safe event.
Virginia Creeper Tail
The Virginia Creeper Trail stretches 34 miles from Abingdon Virginia to the North Carolina state line near Whitetop Va. Every year more than 250,000 visitors from all over the world travel to Southwest Va. to experience the most beautiful bike
trail in the country, winding gently downhill from the trailhead at Whitetop train station, bikers travel through the Jefferson National Forest over dozens of trestles & bridges and alongside the breathtaking views of the Whitetop
Laurel Creek. About midway through the first 17 mile stretch you will come across the Creeper Trail Café where many cyclist stop to enjoy lunch or a piece of their world famous chocolate cake, with interpretive signs and historical sites along the way such as Whitetop, and Green Cove train stations where O, Winston Link captured some of his most famous photographs during the 1950’s the Virginia Creeper Trail has something for everyone. Actually crossing over the Appalachian trail and Running through the
tiny mountain town of Damascus & continuing on for another 17 mile stretch to the Historic town of Abingdon where you will find a huge selection of restaurants, antique shops, and of course the world famous barter theatre.
Creeper Trail Bike Rental & Shuttle with two locations on the trail, ( Whitetop & Damascus ) has been in business for 7 yrs. and we provide shuttle service 7 days a week year round by reservation. We offer only quality TREK bikes in various styles and sizes and can accommodate everyone from couples to the largest groups, our employees are all native to the area and we take pride in making sure your visit to our area is one you will never forget. So load up your bike or stop in to rent one of ours and let us shuttle you and your family to the trailhead for a day of outdoor fun that can be enjoyed by all ages. You can call us at 276-475-3611, or email us at creepertrailbike@aol.com for reservations, or visit us online at www.creepertrailbikerentalshuttle.com for more info.
Located in Hot Springs, NC
35 o 53.356” N
82 o 48.711” W
Lover’s Leap Loop Trail
Hot Springs, located in the mountains of Western North Carolina and cuddled along the banks of Spring Creek and the French Broad River, is a town rich in history and beaming with natural charm.
Whether you are searching for an outdoor adventure, a relaxing soak in a natural mineral hot spring, or an evening out with friends and family
enjoying live music, craft brews and delicious food, you will find yourself refreshed and invigorated by the beauty of Hot Springs.
Be sure to take a few steps (or more!) on the legendary Appalachian Trail (A.T.), which crosses through Hot Springs and draws thousands of adventure seekers from around the world every year.
WEST JEFFERSON | HOT SPRINGS NC
Featured Trail: Lover’s Leap Loop Trail.
The Lover’s Leap Trail offers a dramatic view of the French Broad River and the town of Hot Springs. It ascends onto a rocky bluff overlooking the French Broad directly across from town. It highlights not only the rugged beauty of the valley, but also the biological diversity that the area is well known for. The trail is a short walk from downtown, so the best parking can be found right in town. As you cross the resort, then the French Broad and then ascend onto the rocky promontory, you can see most of the major features the area is known for.
This hike is easily accessible. Park in any of the convenient public parking areas in downtown Hot Springs, walk to Bridge Street and turn towards the railroad tracks. The A.T. follows Bridge Street through town as you walk past the famous naturally warm mineral waters of Hot Springs Resort and Spa.
Lover’s Leap Trail offers a dramatic view of the town and French Broad River. As it ascends onto a rocky bluff, you can view the rugged beauty of the valley and the biological diversity for which the area is well known. Look for Canada Geese on the lawn, and hawks and even eagles soaring overhead. Cardinals, Song Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, Robins, Orchard Orioles, House Finches, House Sparrows, Starlings, Pigeons, Chimney Swifts and Rough-winged Swallows also abound.
CELEBRATING THE BICENTENNIAL
2021 is the bicentennial of Sequoyah finishing the syllabary in 1821. Sequoyah had announced in 1809 in his blacksmith shop that the Cherokee could create a writing system to put their Cherokee words on paper. He spent 12 years of his life trying to create a writing system. We know he tried different types of writing systems, but these different systems would not work for him.
When Sequoyah discovered the sounds of the Cherokee language, he then realized that he could take each of the
syllables and give it a symbol. He then could sound out the Cherokee word and using his symbols, could write any Cherokee word. The Cherokee speaker could spend some time learning the symbols and then could sound out and read or sound out and write their Cherokee words on paper .
This year Sequoyah Birthplace Museum will be celebrating Sequoyah’s achievement throughout the year. Plan to visit Sequoyah Birthplace Museum and celebrate 200 years of Cherokee literacy with Sequoyah’s creation of the syllabary in 1821.
Fort Loudoun State Historic Park is 1,200-acres and is one of the earliest British fortifications on the western frontier, built in 1756. The fort was reconstructed during the Great Depression and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965.
During the French and Indian War (1754-1763) the British Colony of South Carolina felt threatened by French activities in the Mississippi Valley. To counter this threat, the Colony
sent the Independent Company of South Carolina to construct and garrison what became Fort Loudoun. This move helped to ally the Overhill Cherokee Nation in the fight against the French and guaranteed the trade would continue between the Cherokee and South Carolina.
Located 338 Fort Loudoun Road Vonore, TN 37885
“To Help End Hunger in America”
The XHunger Club, A Scarecrow Foundation Initiative, is the newest and most innovative way that allows high school and college students to attain service hours and help end hunger in America. In addition the XHunger City Clubs allows individuals and businesses the opportunity to help end hunger in America as well. The XHunger Club simply locates a food pantry, understands their mission and then volunteers & supports that pantry. XHunger Clubs are student led and is how service learning is achieved. Service hours are attained on an ongoing basis. America does not need more food pantries, it needs more volunteers and supporters to help people in need of hunger solutions.
HISTORY OF SCARECROW FOUNDATION
all-volunteer charity.
We remain open minded to involve and expand our growing brand to help end hunger. Again, “we” are not going to end hunger, rather we are helping the “existing” food pantries and hunger organizations who are doing the heavy lifting helping those in need of food security. Scarecrow helps the helpers. We are excited about XHunger.com as this national program will motivate Americans to:
• Locate a Pantry • Understand their Purpose
• Volunteer and Support
Why should anyone in America be hungry? We began helping existing food pantries in Knoxville on August 27, 2010. We held national aspirations from Day 1, yet knew we needed to gain experience, trust, and credibility. Harry Wade and Jimmy Buckner made an unconventional decision not to raise money for our own needs, rather to operate on a zero budget and inspire an all-volunteer organization to help people in need of hunger solutions. Larry Perry helped us gain 501(c)3 status and CPA Dennis Overton agreed to navigate our compliance obligations with the IRS. Hence, 100% of the proceeds from all of our events and campaigns continues to go directly to the nonprofits we support. We remain to date an
With XHunger.com we look to also expand Xhunger Clubs, build a network of national leadership, expand our brand and keep enjoying the journey while helping those in need of hunger solutions. 7,455
992,545 1,000,000
Velveteen Rabbit
Adapted by James Still from the classic story by Margery Williams, “The Velveteen Rabbit” is a beloved tale faithfully told and carefully expanded for the stage. It is an emotional journey through time, as told through the eyes of a young man looking back on his childhood. By reliving the relationship between his 4-year-old self and his favorite toy, the velveteen rabbit, he rediscovers the true meaning of friendship. Central to the story is, of course, the velveteen rabbit, who is introduced to the idea of becoming real by the old rocking horse. The play explores the rewards of loyalty, the poignancy of loss, and the wonderful, surprising powers of love. Appropriate for all ages.
April 9th- April 25th
109 E. Churchwell Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917 • knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com
DIY Pom Pom Easter Egg Tree Materials
Scissors
One large knitting loom
An assortment of colorful yarn
An assortment of colorful ribbon
Large branch from outside Vase or Pitcher
As you know, we love an Easter tree and it’s becoming a tradition to try a new one every year. This year we are on a major pom pom kick! We’ve been experimenting a bunch and of course that certainly meant that we had to try our hand at an Easter egg! Yes, Easter is almost here, but this is one of those projects where you can sit with the TV on and go to town or even prep for next year.
See the full tutorials for a solid, polka dot, and stripe egg pomat www. thehousethatlarsbuilt.com
Basic Pom Creation
Using your large knitting loom, open one side of arches. Holding the two arches together, begin wrapping your chosen color of yarn around the arches all the way from one side to the other. When you begin wrapping the yarn, be sure to leave about an inch of the start of the yarn hanging down so that you are able to tie it to the end of the yarn when finished wrapping. Also, be sure to wrap the yarn so that the arches are covered densely (this will help your pom to be more full once it is opened).
Once both sides are wrapped, close the knitting loom. With your scissors, cut through the yarn down the middle of the arches on each side of the loom.
Take a 36 inch piece of ribbon and wrap it around the center of the knitting loom where you just cut the yarn. Tie the ribbon in a double knot around the knitting loom. Once the knot is tied, remove the knitting loom from around the yarn.
Lastly, trim your pom so that it is in the shape of an egg.
Once wrapped enough, cut the end of the yarn and tie the beginning of the yarn to the end of yarn. Cut the excess strands after tying the knot. Close that side of the knitting loom, and open the other side of arches. Begin wrapping the same color of yarn on this side. Repeat steps 2-4.
March 16th: 6pm - 9pm
March 17th: 10am - 1pm
April 10th: 10am - 1pm
April 11th: 10am - 1pm
April 10th: 9am - 6pm
April 11th: 9am - 6pm
May 1st: 9am - 6pm
May 2nd: 9am - 6pm
East Coast to Old City
Mark paints nearly every day. “I’m so thankful, I’m so blessed to be doing what I’m doing. I want people to have my work that love it. To me paintings are like pets. You should adopt it. You should love it. You should cherish it.”
Four years ago he closed his Nashville studio and moved back to Knoxville. He has not regretted it. He’s back home with his family. Almost every month he travels to shows, galleries or delivers paintings to collectors. He finds the Knoxville airport to be much more convenient to reach most of his destinations than flying out of Nashville. Mark also enjoys the laid back vibe and much lower studio rental prices in Knoxville.
His friend and fellow painter Leigh Burch rents him the Old City studio space for a fraction of what he was paying in Nashville. Mark calls himself an East Coast artist but he’s happy to be living and working in downtown Knoxville.
If you want to stop by the gallery to see his paintings and visit you can make an appointment by calling him at 615-4797279. You can follow him and his work on Instragram@markcarsonenglish where he has several hundred thousand followers. You can also check out his website at markcarsonenglish.com or his Facebook page, Mark Carson English Studio.
What Makes Something an Antique?
By Julia Krueger
Every time you watch Antiques Roadshow, you probably wonder: Just how do we know what items are antiques?
The rule of thumb used by most antique dealers is that anything about 100 years or older is an antique.
Items that are old, but not quite that old, are called vintage. In 1930, the U.S. government put a tax law into effect stating that an item was to be considered antique if made before 1830, about the time the Era of Mass Production began. According to this law, antiques are “works of art (except
rugs and carpets made after the year 1700), collections in illustration of the progress of the arts, works in bronze, marble, Terra Cotta, Parian, pottery or porcelain, artistic antiquities and objects of ornamental character or educational value which shall have been produced prior to the year 1830.”
Antique items are not taxed, so in 1966, the 100-year standard was adopted to keep people from claiming things as antiques that actually weren’t.
In 1996, the tax law was revised to read that “if the essential character is changed, or more than 50 percent of the item has been repaired or restored, the item is no longer considered an antique and is subject to duty.” An exception to this rule is cars and other items that are subject to frequent wear—they can be called antique when they are over 25 years old.
Not all dealers use this 100-year rule. Some will call an antique anything between 80 and 100 years old, and others still use the 1830 guideline. There are also some who, for the sake of simplicity, don’t use the term antique at all and refer to everything as either vintage or collectible.
ABINGDON, VA | KINGSPORT, TN KINGSPORT BALLET
RESTAGES A CLASSIC
Kingsport, TN – After more than 25 years, Kingsport Ballet prepares to re-stage the ballet classic, Coppelia, under the artistic direction of Valeria Sinyavskaya and the assistant direction of Leonid Flegmatov. The full-length ballet is set to be performed at NPAC in Greeneville on April 16th and 17th,2021. The plan is for audiences to attend the ballet in person in limited numbers as well as virtually. Should that change in the coming months, audiences will once again be able to purchase livestream tickets.
While this ballet was originally staged in 1870 in Paris by the Imperial Theater Opera (later Paris Opera Ballet) The original choreographer was Arthur St. Leon to the music of Leo Delibes, but modern-day productions are traditionally derived from the revivals staged by Marius Petipa for the Imperial Ballet of St. Petersburg in the late 19th century.
Coppelia is a lightly comic ballet centered around a doll, Coppelia, who was lovingly created by the eccentric toy-maker Dr. Coppelius. She is so life-like that a handsome village boy is infatuated with her and determined to win her love, despite the fact that he is already engaged to be married to Swanhilda!
Set in the old-world village of Galicia, the ballet in three acts takes the audience along on an entertaining And charming ride, from the village in Act One, into Dr. Coppelius’ study in Act Two, where in the shadows all manner of life-size toys appear so realistic as be able to move and dance and play all on their own.Though at times comical, the plot gets complicated and heart-wrenching, as Swanhilda and her friends sneak into Dr. Coppelius’ study and fool him into believing Coppelia, his masterpiece, has come to life.
“We are very happy to be staging Coppelia in full this spring, after last year’s preparations were cut short due to the Covid-19 quarantine,” said artistic director Valeria Sinyavskaya. “Unlike the grand, regal ballets that we usually stage, such as Swan Lake, Giselle,
The Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia is charming and approachable, and the perfect ballet for our current company.”
The cast of Coppelia will be made up of Kingsport Ballet Company’s own dancers and in-house professionals, as well as students from the school. Dr. Coppelius will be performed by KB’s own Leonid Flegmatov. The lead ballerina and Kingsport Ballet student, Sophie Kooy, is a recent recipient of the Grand Prix, along with her partner Garrett Frierson, at the Jewels Ballet Competition in New York for their performance of the pas de deux from Coppelia. Garrett also received the “Best Boy” Grand Prix award, and their pas de deux from Coppelia was selected for a special judge’s award by Era Juravlev, director of the Joffrey Ballet Academy in New York.
Assistant Artistic Director, Leonid Flegmatov, received 2nd place Best Teacher Award at the festival, and Kingsport Ballet received the Grand Prix 2nd Place Award for Best School. Other Kingsport Ballet students, Mia Christie and Morgan Mullins also received 2nd and 3rd place awards respectively.
“We are excited to stage this ballet with our own advanced dancers and professionals in the lead roles – all Kingsport Ballet dancers. We are proud of the high level training our teachers provide to make such a production possible,” said executive director, Bertina Dew.
Area artists and designers have collaborated to create sets and re-create costumes for this production.
Kingsport Ballet is funded in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission, under an agreement with the General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. As a member of Tennesseeans for the Arts, Kingsport Ballet promotes specialty license plates, which help support the arts in the state of Tennessee: www.tnspecialtyplates.org Outreach programs are partly funded by the City of Kingsport.
Earl Duff Subaru is proud to begin a new chapter of growth at our new facility on Gallaher Road in Kingston, TN. For years, we wanted to expand our business and provide our services to more people and places. Current customers know Earl Duff Subaru as one of the friendliest and honest car dealerships in the region, and we are excited to bring our high standard of customer service to those in Oak Ridge, Lenoir City, Knoxville, and more.
The 23,000 sq. ft. dealership on Gallaher Road allows for increased inventory of new Subaru vehicles as well as pre-owned vehicles. Alongside that, our
service department has received significant upgrades, including a drive through express service lane and huge service shop staffed by certified technicians. With our new facility, we are able to offer my appointment slots as well as expanded hours for both sales and staff.
By growing our business, we hope that Earl Duff Subaru will continue to have a positive effect on the community. Through the Subaru Love Promise, we have provided assistance to local organizations that provide valuable services, and we want to increase our charitable giving in the future. Additionally, we hope that our presence will
catalyze new development and growth on Gallaher Road and eastern Roane County.
While we are proud of the new Earl Duff Subaru, it is important to us that we provide convenient service to our existing customers as well. To that end, our original location has remained open as the Earl Duff Pre-Owned Center. There we offer a selection of pre-owned vehicles, as well as a full range of vehicle service.
We’d like to thank the community for their support over the years, and we look forward to many more years of growth to come!
Earl Duff Subaru
Website: duffsubaru.com
Phone: 865-882-0113
Address: 531 Gallaher Road Kingston, TN 37763
Earl Duff Pre-Owned Center Website: duffpreowned.com Phone: 865-285-9450
Address: 1028 S Roane St. Harriman, TN 37748
