The Loafer 121

BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER AT THE WETLANDS WATERPARK

Publisher

Lisa Durbin

Creative Director

Jon Bill Forrester

Managing Editor

Peggy Gale

Distribution

Herbie Durbin

Jon Bill Forrester

Entertainment Coordinator

Andreax Jarre

Public Relations Correspondent

Lee Lee Williams

Contributing Staff

Andy Ross

Kathie Scalf

Ken Silvers

Wendy Hayden

Ann Hartley

Po Box 39

Telford, Tn 37690

423-930-7319

www.theloafer.net

theloaferonlineprint@gmail.com

All advertisements are accepted and published by the publisher upon the representation that the agency and/or advertiser is authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The agency and/or advertiser will indemnify and save the publisher harmless from any lossof expense resulting from claims or suits based upon contents of any advertisement, including claims or suits for defamation, libel, right of privacy, plagiarism, and copyright infringement.

Founder: Bill Williams

Hello Friends!

We are so excited to have Wetlands on our cover again this year! It is amazing that we have this wonderful water park right here in Jonesborough. I hope you will make plans to take your family to visit this historical town and water park.

ETSU Martin Center has a presentation of Stomp coming up and Theatre Bristol is planning to entertain us with Adam and Eve and The Little Mermaid. So many fun things to do! If you would like to add some education to the fun head on over to Elizabethton for Sycamore Shoals presentation of Liberty.

Whatever you are doing this summer I hope that you will be happy healthy and ……hydrated

Thank you for your continued support of our little family paper! We love all of you!

MARTIN CENTER

Presented by June 4-5, 2024

Bristol TN/Va

WEDNESDAY May 22nd

Vaden Landers 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

Stone Fire Band 7pm at The Mountain at Thunder Valley

THURSDAY May 23rd

Jaru and The Soulamanders

7:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar

FRIDAY May 24th

Brandon Maddox 6:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar

Chris Long 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

From The Edge Band 7:00pm at Observation Knob Park

Brandon Maddox 7:00pm at the Sessions Hotel

Jaru & The Soulamanders

8:00pm at The Corner

Kayla McKinney 9:30pm at Bristol Casino Bar

SATURDAY May 25th

Lauren Cole Band

6:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar

Hannah Rae 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

Spotlight

Noah Spencer 8:00pm at The Corner

If Birds Could Fly 9:30pm at Bristol Casino Bar

MONDAY May 27th

Anthony Childress 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

Johnson City

TUESDAY May 21st

Old Time Jam 5:00pm at Yee-Haw Brewing Company

Brim & Marci Leal 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza

WEDNESDAY May 22nd

Rheva & Keegan’s

Irish Fiddle Tunes 5:30pm at Mulligan’s Gaming Pub

HB Beverly 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza

THURSDAY May 23rd

Justin Mychaels 6:30pm at Rocks Wood FIred Pizza

FRIDAY May 24th

Jeff Lane 6:30pm at Rocks Wood FIred Pizza

Cliff B. Worsham | Jon Charles

Dwyer | Jacob Danielsen-Moore 10:00pm at Capone’s

SATURDAY May 25th

Seppuku | Failure 2 Conform | Weight Shift 10:00pm at Capone’s

SUNDAY May 26th

Rheva & Keegan’s

Irish Fiddle Tunes 5:30pm at Mulligan’s Gaming Pub

Kingsport

THURSDAY May 23rd

Sarah Beth Lovell 7:00pm at The Reserve

Cash Crop 7:30pm at Lakeview Marina

FRIDAY May 24th

Holly & Dirt Road Rising 7:30pm at Lakeview Marina

Justin Mychals Music

7:00pmat Model City Tap House

Benny Wilson & Quentin Horton 7:00pm at Gypsy Circus Cider Company

Clayton Potter 7:00pm at High Voltage

Little Black Mountain Band 9:00pm at CJ’s Sports Bar

SATURDAY May 25th

Jeff Lane & Buffalo Down! 7:00pm at High Voltage

Dan Signor 7:00pm at Gypsy Circus Cider Company

Harmony & Grit 7:30pm at Model City Taphouse

Lawless Band 9:00pm at CJ’s Sports Bar

SUNDAY May 26th

Jason Lloyd 7:00pm at Lakeview Marina

MONDAY May 27th

Gents & Liars 5:00pm at Lakeview Marina

Elizabethton

SATURDAY May 25th

James Roberts 7:00pm at Jiggy Ray’s Abingdon, VA

SATURDAY May 25th

Robirohi 5:00pm at Nicewonder Vineyards

SUNDAY May 26th

Josh Bowles & Tom Zeske III 2:00pm at Abingdon Vineyards

Butler, TN

SATURDAY May 25th

Stone Fire Band 6:00pm at Cove Ridge Marina

OPENING NIGHT CONCERT

FRIDAY JUNE 7TH 2024

Jeff Little Trio

Tusculum University, Greeneville Lions Club Partner to Enhance Space Outside Pioneer

Tusculum University and the Greeneville Lions Club have teamed to further beautify the campus with the planting of gorgeous flowers outside Pioneer Park.

Three club members joined representatives of the Tusculum Facilities Management Department and the general manager of the Greeneville Flyboys Monday, May 13, to plant red and white vinca flowers in the elevated circular grass by the ticket booth and gates. The park is the home for the university’s baseball team and the Flyboys, a member of the Appalachian League.

“One of the things Lions International focuses on is the environment and helping in the community,” said Nancy Southerland, the club’s secretary. “We felt we could conduct a beautification project. Plus, we wanted to find ways we could partner with Tusculum.”

Southerland comes to ballgames at the park, and her husband works during the Flyboys’ season. She

Park With More Than 400 Flowers

said they noticed that part of the campus has not had flowers of late.

“We thought the flower planting would be a good project to get us and Tusculum working together as well as fulfill some of our club’s principles and support the Flyboys,” Southerland said. “We just figured it would be a good community thing to do. It makes the space look as if it is finished. This has gone so smoothly with everybody helping.”

Joining Southerland from the club were Susan Price, vice president, and Garrett Hensley, a director.

In all, the group planted about 400 flowers, which came from Sunnyhill Greenhouse, a local business. Some of the nice attributes about the vincas are their hardiness and ability to bloom until the fall, she said. Southerland said the flowers outside the park will grow and add to the campus’ ambience for visitors to that area, including potential new students.

“We are extremely grateful to the Lions Club for its thoughtfulness in including the university in its outreach efforts,” said Carrie Maggert, Tusculum’s vice president of operations. “This project provided some beautiful color to that part of campus and will delight our guests at the park. We value our connections with the community and are thrilled we were able to collaborate with the Lions Club on this initiative.”

The planting is timely because the Flyboys’ season will take off Tuesday, June 4, at Pioneer Park. Brandon Bouschart, the team’s general manager, appreciated what everyone accomplished at the facility.

“We are extremely excited and thankful for Tusculum University and the Greeneville Lions Club for coming together and making the place the Greeneville

Flyboys call home even more special,” he said.

In addition to this initiative, the Lions Club is assisting the university with the Pioneer Exchange, a food pantry and clothing closet on campus. It provides groceries, residence hall supplies, textbooks, school supplies hygiene products and clothing for students needing assistance.

To learn more about the local Lions Club, please visit greenevillelions.org/. Information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu. Details about the Flyboys can be accessed at: www.appyleague.com/greeneville/

Representatives of Tusculum University, the Greeneville Lions Club and the Greeneville Flyboys planted the flowers outside Pioneer Park. Left to right are Susan Price, Nancy Southerland, Garrett Hensley, Todd Hertel, Carrie Maggert, Chad Grindstaff, Matt Bible and Brandon Bouschart

Chad Grindstaff, left, and Garrett Hensley plant flowers.

TRI-CITIES NIGHTLIFE

WEDNESDAY

Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at The Pub Out Back (The Italian Pizza Pub) - Johnson City 7pm

Karaoke w/ Eric Huskins VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm

Karaoke Night at Wonderland Lounge and Bar - Johnson City, TN 9pm

Karaoke with Ron at Kingsport Moose Lodge 6:30pm

Loudmouth Karaoke at Michael Waltrip Brewing Company - Bristol, VA on Wednesday, April 5th at 7pm

THURSDAY

Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Tulips Grub & Pub - Johnson City, TN 8pm

Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at Wild Wings Cafe - Johnson City, TN 9pm

Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City, TN 10pm

Karaoke at Jiggy Rays Pizzeria - Johnson City, TN

Karaoke at Tipsy Toad Tavern - Jonesborough, TN

FRIDAY

Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at Rainbow Asian Cuisine - Johnson City, TN 9pm

Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at The Sports Mill - Kingsport, TN 8pm

Karaoke w/ Eric Huskins VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm

Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City, TN 10pm

Karaoke with Handsome Hodge Entertainment at O’Mainnin’s Pub and Grille - Bristol, TN 10pm

SATURDAY

Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at Tulips Grub & Pub Johnson City, TN 8pm

Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City, TN 10pm

Karaoke w/ Eric Huskins VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm

Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City, TN 10pm

Karaoke with DJ Clyde and Prestige Entertainment at Macado’s -Kingsport, TN 9pm

Karaoke with Handsome Hodge Entertainment at O’Mainnin’s Pub and Grille - Bristol, TN 10pm

TRIVIA BINGO DJ NIGHT

TUESDAY

Team Trivia at Wild Wing Café Johnson City TN

DJ Trivia at Union Street Taproom Erwin, TN 5pm

Trivia at The Corner Bar Bristol, VA 8pm

Trivia at Aubrey’s Johnson City 7pm

WEDNESDAY

Trivia at Tipsy Toad Jonesborough, TN 7pm

Trivia Night Mellow Mushroom

Bristol, VA 7pm

Trivia at Aubrey’s Bristol 7pm

THURSDAY

Mellow Trivia at Mellow Mushroom

Johnson City, TN- 7pm

Trivia at Riverside Taphouse at South Fork

Bluff City, TN 7pm

TUESDAY

Singo at Riverside Taphouse at South Fork Bluff City, TN 6:30pm

WEDNESDAY

Bingo at Tipton Street Pub

Johnson City, TN 9pm

Singo at Holy Taco & Cantina

Boones Creek, TN 8pm

Blazin’ Bingo at Mellow Mushroom Johnson City, TN 6pm

THURSDAY

Bingo at Mellow Mushroom Bristol VA 6pm

Singo at Aubrey’s Bristol 7:00 PM

THURSDAY

DJ B-Digital at O’Mainnin’s Pub and GrilleBristol, TN 10pm

FRIDAY

Handsome Hodge Entertainment at O’Mainnin’s Pub - Bristol, TN 10pm

SATURDAY

Handsome Hodge Entertainment at O’Mainnin’s Pub - Bristol, TN 10pm

SUNDAY

DJ B-Digital at O’Mainnin’s Pub and GrilleBristol, TN 10pm

SODOKU CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. "Dark Angel" actress

DROP QUOTE

5. Shortened version, for short

9. Macchio of "The Karate Kid"

14. Shopping place

15. Highlands hillside

16. Pet info source

17. Gets too warm

19. Sit, like a wren

20. Proportional relationship

21. Change positions

23. George Lucas's alma mater

25. Nods off

30. Subject of 1937 tragedy

33. Baseball heads, for short

35. Actress Conn

36. Button material

37. Parental threat

39. Restaurant group

42. Oates novel of 1969

Mark Twain

43. Spread units

45. NASA "walks"

47. Norton and Harris

48. Nicely terse

52. In slapdash fashion

53. Superman's nemesis Luthor

54. Early action figure

57. Red-headed comic Anne

61. Witch's transport

65. "Les ___" (The United States, in France)

67. Sicily neighbor

68. Day of the wk.

69. Actor Nolte

70. What the pyramids are

71. Risqué

72. Some toll rds.

Answers to last week’s puzzles can be found on page 09.

Down

1. Spanish love

2. Volcanic overflow

3. "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" author Harte

4. Courtyard with a skylight

5. White House nickname

6. Lingerie buys

7. Relaxing soak

8. Dwell permanently

9. "Men in Black" actor

10. Punch type

11. USPS item

12. ____-Man (arcade game)

13. Banned substance in baseball

18. Washed outdoors, perhaps

22. Parisian's IOC code

24. Film excerpt

26. One of the five W's

27. Perfumed pad

28. Slipped up

29. Arises (from)

30. Houston baseball team

31. Western st.

32. Made public

33. Grind (teeth)

34. Coffee-and-chocolate flavor

38. Opposite of horiz.

40. Family-room appliances: Abbr.

41. Ketch kin

44. Stains on one's reputation

46. Comes across as

49. "Rumble in the Jungle" champ

50. Green team

51. Stage direction

55. "Top ___ mornin' to you"

56. Waters, in Oise

58. Had ____ (partook of potent potables)

59. "Casablanca" cafe owner

60. Solicits

61. NYC subway line

62. Indian novelist Raja ___

63. Blind European salamander

64. Gambling spot, in brief

66. Give it a go

OF THE WEEK PETS

bubbles

Ted is a 2 yr old Cane Corso/Heeler mix looking for an experienced adopter who can provide him with the mental stimulation and physical activity he craves. Ted is an extremely intelligent and high energy boy that needs long walks, runs, structured training and engaging play sessions. Given the proper outlet, this special boy is truly

Bubbles is a 2 yr old black panther cat and sweeter than honey. He’s had a tough life so far and tested positive for FIV, but he doesn’t let that get him down. Bubbles is good with other cats, dogs and kids and is always up for a good brushing - his favorite thing along with treats and getting lots If you are interested in adopting

of pets!!! He would love to be your purr-fect companion. Bubbles has been neutered, current on all shots and microchipped. If you’re ready for a lifetime of snuggles and purrs with a dash of manly charm, look no further than yours truly, Bubbles. a cuddle bug looking for approval from his trusted humans. Building a relationship with Ted is extremely rewarding and he deserves a loving forever home. Ted is good with most other dogs, knows a lot of commands, weighs 65 lbs, housetrained, has been neutered, current on vaccinations, microchipped. Bday 8/3/21

There are Five Willy the Water Otters hidden in this issue of The Loafer. Can you find them all?

Last Week's Puzzle Answers

Cryptogram:

"It is part of the American character to consider nothing as desperate - to surmount every difficulty by resolution and contrivance."

Dropquote:

"He who wishes to revenge injuries by reciprocal hatred will live in misery."

Admission

Children (3 and under) Free

Children (4 - 12 years) $10

Adults (13 years and up) $12

Seniors (55 + years) $10

Sunday Funday $10

Family Four Pack

FEATURES

Tumble Buckets

Lazy River Zero Depth Wading Area

Children's Otter Slide

Pavilions for Shade

Lounge/ Deck Chairs

Full Service Café

Covered Dining Area

THINGS TO DO THINGS TO DO

JOHNSON CITY

SATURDAYS

ACOA (adult children of alcoholics) 1:30-3:00pm. Call for info Bill 423-444-6107 or Cheryl 423-262-6149

THURSDAY MAY 23RD

Tri-Cities Turtles Run Club

12:45pm at Yee-Haw Brewing Co.

FRIDAY MAY 24TH

Johnson City Love & Hiking

Date For Couples (Self-Guided)

7:00am at Willow Springs Park

SATURDAY MAY 25TH

Johnson City Love & Hiking

Date For Couples (Self-Guided)

7:00am at Willow Springs Park

Johnson City Farmers Market

8:00am at the Pavilion in Downtown Johnson City

Tri-Cities Comedy All Stars 8:00pm at Wallace Theatre

BRISTOL

THURSDAY MAY 23RD

“May Day Blooms” Canvas Class 6:00 PM at Kil'n Time

Contemporary Ceramics

FRIDAY MAY 24TH

“May Flower Kitty” Canvas Class 6:00 PM at Kil'n Time Contemporary Ceramics

Tanyalee Davis 7:30pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club

SATURDAY MAY 11TH

A Dark Carnival Enchanted

Encampment 4:00pm at Lake Shawnee Haunted Amusement Park

Board Game Night 5:00pm at Bristol Public Library

Tanyalee Davis 7:30pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club

KINGSPORT

THURSDAY MAY 23RD

Comedian Mickey Bell & Jason

Crabb & Rhett Walker 6:00pm at Allendale Mansion

SATURDAY MAY 25TH

Farmer's Market 7:00am at Kingsport Farmers Market

Nature: Wolf Howling 10:00am at Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium

Brunch 11:30am at Gypsy Circus Cider Company

JONESBOROUGH

TUESDAYS

Jonesborough Storytelling Guild

“Stories n’More” Show 7:00pm at The Intl. Storytelling Center

SATURDAY MAY 25TH

Jonesborough Farmers Market 8:00am at Downtown Jonesborough

Historic Jonesborough Town Tour 1:00pm at Chester Inn State Historic Site

ABINGDON, VA

WEDNESDAY MAY 22ND

Game Night 5:00pm at Abingdon Commons

Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon Community Center

FRIDAY MAY 24TH

Movies for Adults 2:00pm at Washington County Public Library

SATURDAY MAY 25TH

42nd Annual Kiwanis Plumb Alley Day 8:00am at Plumb Alley

SUNDAY MAY 26TH

Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon Community Center

GATE CITY, VA

SATURDAY MAY 25TH

Gate City Jeep Jamboree 2024 10:00am at Downtown Gate City

Hotels with Heart Spring Campaign Exceeds Expectations!

Six Johnson City hotels have partnered once again to make a difference in our community. Visit Johnson City, hotel partners, and guests filled 3 barrels, 1 plastic tote, and multiple boxes of nonperishable canned and dried food items, all within a week. All donations will benefit local non-profit Good Samaritan Ministries and their Summer Food Box Program.

Participating hotels included Hampton Inn Johnson City, Carnegie Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott, Holiday Inn Express, DoubleTree by Hilton, and Home2 Suites.

The spring campaign concluded with a presentation of all donated items to Aaron Murphy and Brooke Shepherd of Good

Samaritan. The presentation took place at Courtyard by Marriott where Visit Johnson City staff, tourism and hospitality partners, and Good Samaritan gathered to celebrate the campaign’s success.

The mission of Good Samaritan Ministries is to combat poverty and change lives.

To learn more about Good Samaritan Ministries of Johnson City, go to GoodSamJC.org.

Visit Johnson City strives to showcase the uniqueness of the community by promoting its distinctive resources, events, and attractions to both visitors and citizens.

TUES. May 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th

BRIM & MARCI LEAL

WED. May 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th

HB BEVERLY

THUR. May 9th 16th, 23rd & 30th

JUSTIN MYCHALS

WOOD FIRED PIZZA. BURGERS. DRINKS. & FUN.

PIG OUT MENU

Available for a Limited Time

ULTIMATE

PIG

PIG

PIG

Local Events:

1. Copperhead Road Landmark unveiling Watauga Winery May 24th 12-3p

2. 4th Annual Bugtussle Bash May 31st – June 1st

3. Twilight Alive May 31st Kingsport, TN 7pm

4. Thunder Valley National Drags June 7th – 9th

5. Twilight Alive June 14th Kingsport, TN 7pm

6. 3rd Annual Fiddler’s Convention June 21st – 23rd

Washington County VA Fairgrounds

7. Twilight Alive June 21st Kingsport, TN 7pm

8. Twilight Alive June 28th Kingsport, TN

Bike Nights:

Wednesday: 19E Pit Stop

Wednesday: Jonesborough VFW

Thursday: Darrell Waltrip

Thursday: Old Town Tavern

Friday: Tulips

June 22nd Biker Wear Bike Night at Wild Wings Café 7pm

Rides:

1. 4th Annual Bryan K. Loan June 1st 9am KSU 10am at Botetourt Funeral Home

2. Puppy Poker Run May 11th Bike Rallies:

1. True Sons Pow Wow May 31st – June 2nd

2. Boone Bike Rally May 31st – June 2nd

3. 22nd Junebug Boogie Bike Rally June 20th – 23rd Telco, TN

4. Thunder in The Smokies June 28th – 30th

Beanz Biker Corner Beanz Biker Corner

Hello friends, hope all is well with you. Every time I write this article I try my very best to provide my readers with something they will enjoy reading. This time I am going to write about the little community my man Pork and I live in with our two dogs Whiskey and Ozzy.

Shady Valley is an unincorporated community in Johnson County, in the northeastern corner in the state of Tennessee. It is just outside Cherokee National Forest. After the Pleistocene ice ages, species and ecosystems that had shifted southward often survived in local refugee. As a result, cold-adapted ecosystems, such as cranberry bogs, remain in Shady Valley, far south of their usual range. Shady Valley once contained an estimated 10,000 acres of boreal cranberry bogs. Shady Valley is also the name of the valley in which the town is located, between Holston Mountain, "the twin city of

By Anne Hartley

Mountain City, Tennessee, on the northwest, and the Iron Mountains to the southeast. At 2,785 feet, it is the second-highest community in Tennessee. Shady Valley has one small general store that is a must, a U.S. Post Office. The town holds its annual Cranberry Festival the second weekend in October with food, a parade, and auctions. There are several Bed and Breakfast places to rent in you want to just stay the weekend to ride the roads, go fishing, hunting, or go to the Drags or Nascar Races or Rhythm and Roots music festival.

The roads that run in and around the town are popular among motorcyclists since nearby mountains provide nearly 500 pigtail curves to navigate. The most popular road for motorcyclists is US-421 The Snake, which offers many challenging curves. Shady Valley is well known for The Snake US 421. Whether you’re looking for heart-pumping curves, or breathtaking scenery. This is the road you want to ride over.

The Snake will make you want to slow down and soak up the scenery before you twist the throttle, gliding through banked turns, roller-coaster dips and cool mountain air before roaring into the valley to rolling farms lands and roar your way up to the extraordinary Backbone Rock outcroppings, hiking trails, and beautiful photo ops and Holston Lake for photos ops and the Shady Valley Country Store for some good home cooking and fellowship. Continue into Damascus, home of the Virginia Creeper Trail, and return through peaceful Mountain City, beside beautiful Watauga Lake.

Useless Facts:

1. Did you know the first European person to set foot in the area known as Tennessee was Hernando de Soto? His expedition landed at Tampa Bay in 1540.

2. Before the arrival of the Europeans in the state, the land was settled by the Cherokee and Chickasaw Native American tribes.

3. Due to poor living standards in Tennessee from 1915 to 1930, many people migrated to other areas of the country. In history, this time was known as the Great Migration.

4. According to some sources, Tennessee was named after the Tennessee River, which was named for the Indian word “Tanasie,” the name of a Cherokee village.

5. Did you know Nashville, the largest city in Tennessee, was founded on Christmas Eve in 1779?

Full Moons of 2024

1. Pink Moon on Tuesday, April 23 - 7:51 pm

2. Flower Moon on Thursday, May 23 - 9:55 am

3. Strawberry Moon on Friday, June 21 - 9:10 pm

4. Buck Moon on Sunday, July 21 - 6:19 am

5. Sturgeon Moon on Monday, August 19 - 2:28 pm

6. Harvest Moon on Wednesday September 18 - 10:36 pm

7. Hunters Moon on Thursday October 17 -7:27 am

8. Beaver Moon on Friday November 15 - 4:29 pm

9. Cold Moon on Sunday December 15 - 4:02 am

Social Sentiments

By Wendy Hayden socialsentiments

What Motivates You?

How do you feel when you use your product or service?

Your potential customers could experience the same feelings. Would you be happy to see your users' reactions to your product or service? If you are not happy with the end result, your target audience may pass on it.

Start thinking of your product or service from the user's point of view. What should the user gain from the experience? Which part of the intended experience is missing? Thinking as a user allows you to see strengths and weaknesses before they are pointed out by the audience you are

trying to reach.

The same mentality should be used on social media. Think about how your audience sees your content. Would you be proud to share it on your personal page?

Sharing your content on your personal pages boosts visibility, so if you are uneasy sharing it on your page, engagement will be low, at best.

Motivation is the key to engagement. Motivating yourself to see things from the perspective of your audience will motivate your audience to engage with you, your product, or your service.

Saturday May 11

Saturday June 22

Adapted for stage by David Birney

Directed by Chris McVey

Knowing Your Worth

I was recently talking with a friend who is going through some relationship issues; matters of which I tend to tread lightly. As they divulged some of the details of their discord, I found myself repeatedly stating, “you know you’re WORTH more than this.” The more I reiterated this short statement, the more they kept excusing and defending the other person’s behavior, and I suddenly realized that my friend did not in fact know they were worth more than what they were getting. And worst of all, I saw in them the same behavior I myself have routinely exhibited. One of the most underrated skillsets as a human being is being able to find - and subsequently KNOW - your worth. Whether it’s in regards to relationships, job salaries, or simply personal standards, how does one “set their going rate?”

The worth of an item is only determined by the value assigned to it. I’ve never really thought about why items cost what they cost, but as I’m writing this article I began considering why it is that 2 purses can have the exact same functionality, style, size, and features, but will cost $9.99 at Walmart and $3,799 at Gucci; more importantly, why is one so much more highly coveted? That is because someone, whether it’s the designer, the media, or the consumer, have decided that the word ‘Gucci’ carries more value than ‘Walmart.’ Knowing that it truly is that simple, that you only must believe with your mind that something is valuable to make it so, why don’t we do the same thing to ourselves?

People will put themselves through incredible agonies because they don’t see the value they add to the

world. I’m speaking from experience on this matter as someone who struggles a great deal with imposter syndrome every single day. I never really knew what that phrase meant; I assumed it meant you were someone who constantly tried to “fake it til you make it” and were a con or something. It’s not that at all, and in the simplest definition, ‘imposter syndrome’ means you never feel like you deserve good things when you get them, that you’re a fraud for receiving them, or you’re not worthy. A lot of my issues stem from growing up in the way I did and how that impacted the core person I am today; for that reason I don’t think I’ll ever fully conquer those demons. While I grew up thankfully with two amazing, loving parents who did the best they could and worked hard to ensure I never wanted for a thing, financially I had less assets than my friends. I lived in a trailer; the first 6 years of my life in a trailer park, the rest on 3 acres of land in the country until I moved out to my own apartment. My parents held down multiple blue collar jobs to keep us going, but there were times I definitely remember payday hitting on Friday and having $20 left on Monday that would last the rest of the week. I feel like I’ve lived my life in survival mode, from paycheck-topaycheck, navigating catastrophes as they arise and never fully feeling like I’m able to get ahead. I struggle with seeing the progress I’ve made, whether it’s in my career or health or whatever because I don’t know how to feel comfortable with or worthy of the wins; it’s a mindset of scarcity, that the promotion, the weight loss, the move was a fluke and shouldn’t have happened to me so I don’t need to get too comfortable enjoying it because it won’t last.

There are times I look around the room when I’m eating in nice

restaurants or walking around my neighborhood and think, “this isn’t my life. I’m that girl in the trailer and I’m going to wake up and none of this is real.” Or when I’m doing a private presentation to a group of high end clients in one of their multi-million dollar homes and they’re all listening to what I have to say, I feel like a fraud, like they’re all staring at me and they know I don’t belong there. This same inner voice is what has led me to accept less in relationships, to pursue people who were less attractive, less successful, had smaller goals and ambitions than I wanted, simply because I felt someone of a higher caliber would see right through me and not want me, so why try? It’s the same voice that silenced me into accepting first offers on salaries without negotiation, because I never believed I was smart enough or added enough value to the company to deserve more.

Navigating the last few years on my own has helped me begin to see my own worth and enforce it. On a personal level most recently by valuing my health as my most precious asset and treating it as such. I’m worthy of nourishing foods and clean ingredients versus boxed cheap crap full of toxins and chemicals. I’m worthy of fresh air and exercising my body and enjoying every inch of freedom and mobility it affords me. After back-to-back life altering heartbreaks, I’ve stayed single since 2018, refusing to allow another human being that much control over my life again and knowing I’m worth more than being lied to, lied about, and deserve someone who will treat me at LEAST as good as I treat myself because it’s not asking too much. I’ve put the work into building my career, learning as much as I can and becoming as much of an asset to the workforce as possible so when I climb those rungs on the ladder I have

by Kathie Scalf

ammo for salary negotiations. I know now that my work ethic is stronger than most, that I always rise to meet a challenge and that I deserve every penny I earn because I worked hard for it.

People can subconsciously see the value you’ve assigned to yourself. It’s the way you speak, the way you carry yourself, the things you accept; all those things are how you “set your going rate.” People will treat you with the same respect you treat yourself, so you must believe you’re a very rare, high-dollar item. Think of yourself as that one-of-a-kind Gucci bag and not the Walmart purse that’s been produced for mass consumption at the lowest dollar. Make a physical list of all your wins, the things you’ve done that were no small feat and review them regularly. It truly is as simple as believing you deserve these things to make other people start to see it too.

XO - Kathie

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

The new film "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" is based on the 2014 book "Churchill's Secret Warriors: The Explosive True Story of the Special Forces Desperadoes of WWII" by author Damien Lewis. Whew, we are dealing with some long titles here movie fans. The film, directed, co-written and co-produced by Guy Ritchie ("Sherlock Holmes"), plays fast and loose with Operation Postmaster. The aforementioned special operation was a off-the-books black-ops sabotage mission to disrupt Nazis' U-boat resupply operation on the island Fernando Po, an island off Central Africa, which was Spanish controlled. The film is set in late 1941, at the height of World War II, before the United States entered the war. During this period the United Kingdom is having difficulties halting Nazi Germany's attempts to take over Europe, as London is suffering regular bombing attacks and the UK's supply and aid ships are being constantly sunk by German

By Ken Silvers theloaferonlineprint @gmail.com

submarines. Brigadier Gubbins (Cary Elwes), also known as "M", is ordered by Churchill to prepare Operation Postmaster, and keep the mission offthe-books. The team is put together and includes Gus March-Phillips (Henry Cavill), Anders Lassen (Alan Ritchson), Freddy Alvarez (Henry Golding) and Henry Hayes (Hero Fiennes Tiffin). Two recruits, Majorie Stewart (Elza Gonzalesz) and Mr. Heron (Babs Olusanmokun) are sent ahead by train, with the others departing for Fernando Po on the Danish fishing trawler "Maid of Honor." Marjorie and Mr. Heron encounter Nazis on the train, but deal with them effectively, and arrive at the island before Gus and his crew, who have their own encounter with a ship of Nazis.The mission also includes rescuing Appleyard, who has been captured by the Nazis, and his rescue is quite explosive in several ways. Once all are on the island, the plan begins to unfold, but not without the villain of the film, the very nasty Nazi Heinrich Luhrx (Til Schweiger), causing all manner of problems. Gus and his crew carry out their mission, but not without a few twists and turns along the way. Each of the crew have their own special talents, which they use to perfection on the secret mission. I will not say how the story ends, other than to say the crew is victorious, which should come as no surprise. As for the actors, Cavill is having a blast in the role, and despite being "out muscled" by co-star

Lassen, steals the film with his frequent laughter, presence, and witty remarks. I know Cavill, and I'm sure the rest of the cast has a blast making this film, which is described as a spy/action comedy, and this film lives up to said description. As I mentioned earlier, the filmmakers take many liberties with the subject matter, and it is definitely a Guy Ritchie film, so expect lots of blood to spill. The film also features Ian Fleming (Freddie Fox), who used Operation Postmaster as the inspiration

for his James Bond novels. The real-life gentlemen who are the subject of this mission and film, are shown just before the closing credits, and we see what happened to the brave men and the courageous lady Stewart. Overall, "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" is extremely entertaining, and led by the wonderful cast, is a must-see film for fans of director Ritchie, Cavill, and war films with a twist. (Rated R)

Bristol

BRISTOL TN/VA

PARAMOUNT

Jun 1 Mac McAnally (sold out)

Jun 20 Steve Earle

July 18 The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Aug 17 Ozark Mountain Daredevils

Sep 28 Dusty Slay (two shows)

Oct 4 Destination Soultown featuring the Sensational Soul Cruisers

COUNTRY THUNDER MUSIC FESTIVAL

Jun 28-29 Cody Johnson, Hardy, Bailey Zimmerman, Lonestar, Trace Adkins, Priscilla Block, Shenandoah, Travis Denning, Jake Worthington, Josh Ross, Emily Ann Roberts.

IN THE PINES

Jun 1 Dwight Yoakam, Elle King, Paul Cauthen and Wyatt Flores

BRISTOL RHYTHM & ROOTS REUNION

Sep 13-15 Ashley McBryde, The Wallflowers, The Red Clay Strays, Sam Bush, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, The Steeldrivers, 49 Winchester and more.

JOHNSON CITY

JOHNSON CITY TN

MARTIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS

May 17 Black Jacket Symphony will perform Purple Rain From Prince

Aug 17 The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA

FREEDOM HALL

May 16 Breaking Benjamin & Daughtry

Aug 16 Jamey Johnson

Oct 20 Whiskey Myers

GSTLINBURG

THE MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL

Aug 23-25 Joan Jett, Tesla, Night Ranger, Foghat, Aldo Nova, Slaughter, Quiet Riot, Lynch Mob, Great White, Dangerous Toys, Vixen and many more.

Kingsport

RED WHITE AND BOOM

Jul 6 The Marshall Tucker Band and The Cleverlys

CONCERT SCHEDULE CONCERT SCHEDULE

FUN FEST AT J. FRED JOHNSON STADIUM

Jul 25 Crowder

Jul 26 Tyler Hubbard, Emily Ann Roberts & Carson Peters

Jul 27 Goo Goo Dolls with Phillip Phillips

GREENEVILLE TN

NISWONGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

May 4 Anthem Lights

May 10 John Anderson Acoustic

May 14 Brothers of the Heart

MARION VA

MARION, VA

THE LINCOLN THEATRE

May 4 Junior Brown with Rick Monroe and the Hitmen

May 11 Presley Barker with Jim Lloyd & J.A.M.

Jun 1 Sam Bush with Jeff Parker & Co.

Jun 15 Mark Lowry & Friends with Endless Highway and The Sound

Jun 21 Zach Rushing with Cletus T. Judd

Jun 22 The Piano Men Tribute to Billy Joel & Elton John

Aug 24 Landslide:

A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac

Oct 19 & 20 Gene Watson

Nov 8 Killer Beaz

Nov 16 Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

Knoxville

KNOXVILLE TN

BIJOU THEATRE

May 11 Blind Boys of Alabama

May 19 Patty Griffin

May 31 Steep Canyon Rangers

Jun 14 Kevin Smith

Jun 21 Lucinda Williams

Jul 13 Rob Schneider

Jul 14 Tab Benoit & Anders Osborne

Aug 9 Sister Hazel

Aug 16 Kimberly Perry & Tanner Adell

Oct 26 Henry Cho

TENNESSEE THEATRE

May 19 Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

May 21 In This Moment, Kim Dracula, I See Stars, Mike’s Dead

Jun 8 Brad Williams

THOMPSON BOWLING ARENA

May 9 & 10 Zach Bryan

May 23 Lionel Richie with Earth Wind & Fire

July 14 The Doobie Brothers with Robert Cray

Aug 24 Heart and Cheap Trick

Sept 12 Hootie and the Blowfish with Collective Soul and Edwin McCain

Oct 5 Aerosmith and The Black Crowes

Oct 25 Jelly Roll

Oct 27 Black Keys with The Head and The Heart

Nov 19 Justin Timberlake

KNOXVILLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM:

Jun 12 Josh Gates

Jun 13 Matt Rife

Oct 10 Air Supply

Oct 26 Dusty Slay

KNOXVILLE CIVIC COLISEUM:

May 11 Kevin Gates

July 25 Jordan Davis

Nashville

NASHVILLE TN

RYMAN AUDITORIUM

May 4 Tracy Lawrence

May 8 Marshall Tucker Band

May 10 & 11 Amy Grant

May 12 Devo

May 14 Sum 41 with The Interrupters

May 16 The Steeldrivers

May 20 Todd Rundgren

May 31-Jun 1 Jim Gaffigan

Jun 6-9 Matt Rife

Jun 13 The Del McCoury Band

Jun 21 & 22 Blackberry Smoke

Jun 30 The Alan Parsons Live Project

Jul 10 Dave Barnes

Jul 17 Asia

Jul 20 Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox

Jul 24 Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks with special guests The Return o Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Jul 25 Ricky Scaggs & Kentucky Thunder

Jul 29 Donnie Osmond

Aug 9 America

Aug 16 Ozark Mountain Daredevils

Aug18 Joe Bonamassa

BRIDGESTONE ARENA

May 11 Bad Bunny

May 14 Stevie Nicks

May 24 & 25 Noah Kahan

Jun 3 Niall Horan

Jun 2 James Taylor

Jun 14 Luis Miguel

Jun 23 Alanis Morissette, Joan Jett & Morgan Wade

Jul 27 Hootie and the Blowfish with Collective Soul and Edwin McCain

Aug 6 Future & Metro Bloomin

Aug 9 & 10 Chris Stapleton

Aug 14 Five Finger Death Punch with Marilyn Manson and Slaughter To Prevail

Aug 20 Earth Wind & Fire with Chicago

Aug 27 Glass Animals

Aug 28 Sammy Hagar and Loverboy

BROOKLYN BOWL

May 16 Mammoth WVH

May 21 Dark Star Orchestra

June 16 Kings X

Aug 6 10CC

NASHVILLE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM

Aug 9 Bush with Jerry Cantrell and Candlebox

Sep 28 Megadeth with Mudvayne and All That Remains

ASCEND AMPHITHEATRE

May 18 Billy Currington & Kip Moore

May 31 & Jun 1 Lainey Wilson

Jun 2 Pixies & Modest Mouse

Jun 6-8 2024 CMA Fest

Jun 22 Cypress Hill

Jun 29 Sarah McLachlan

Jul 12 Styx, Foreigner and John Waite

Jul 13 Lake Street Dive

Aug 2 Boys II Men

Aug 3 Thirty Seconds to Mars

Aug 6 Tate McRae

Aug 13 Creed with Tonic and Finger Eleven

Aug 20 Wallows

Aug 31 King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard d

GREENVILLE

Are you familiar with the 1991 movie “Dogfight?” The film, directed by Nancy Savoca, was off my radar until a few years ago when TCM ran it during their “TCM Film Festival at Home” programming in April of 2021, if I remember correctly. Film friends on Twitter were excited about the film’s airing, so I tuned in to catch it knowing nothing about it. The film very much surprised me, and I was astonished I hadn’t heard about a movie this good before.

Set in the early 1960s, “Dogfight” is a story of a young marine, Eddie Birdlace, played by River Phoenix, who is on a one-night layover in San Francisco before being shipped off to Vietnam. The Marines all plan a party the for night they’re there, a competition called a dogfight. The idea is that each marine puts in $50, then they all try to bring the ugliest date they can find to the party that evening, and whoever can bring the ugliest woman wins.

It’s a cruel and misogynistic idea, and one based on reality. This is a real thing that happened. The writer of the film, Bob Comfort, was a former marine who participated in a dogfight and later regretted it.

Batteries

Not Included

By Andy Ross

Dogfight

As Eddie looks for his date, he sees Rose, played by Lili Taylor, working in her mother’s cafe. Rose is an aspiring folk singer, in love with the music of the era, pictures of her heroes tacked up above her bed.

Eddie convinces Rose to be his date to the “dance.” Rose is beaming, but during the evening she learns from one of the other “dates” the truth of what is going on. Eddie shows remorse over it, and the two then spend the evening together genuinely enjoying one another’s company. “Dogfight”is a great film. The film is funny, sweet, sad, and moving. Director Savoca deftly mixes tones and feelings to create a truly beautiful movie.

One reason why you may have never heard of the film before is that it was neutered in its original theatrical release by Warner Brothers. Supposedly only playing in two movie theaters before being quietly shepherded onto home video and cable TV, where it eventually found an audience. Now the film makes its debut on blu-ray thanks to The Criterion Collection, this is a wonderful edition of the film made with the full participation of Nancy Savoca.

Criterion presents “Dogfight”on bluray in a new 2K digital restoration made from a 35mm interpositive. Sometimes scanning in HD from an interpositive is more desirable than the original camera negative, as it’s been color-timed and ready to make prints from. This process was supervised by Savoca. The image looks fantastic, the colors are well defined and it’s a vast improvement over the previous master of the film.

Audio on the disc comes in two options. First, we have the original theatrical Dolby Stereo/Dolby Surround track. This was remastered from the 35mm magnetic tracks and is presented as a 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio track. Accessing the surround sound can be done by activating

the Dolby Pro Logic mode on your receiver. Like some Dolby Stereo tracks from this era, the surround speakers are used sparingly mostly for the atmosphere. But the front three speakers create a fantastic, wide soundscape. The audio sounds clear and sharp.

The second audio option, which also kicks off the bonus material, is an audio commentary with director Savoca and the film’s producer, Richard Guay. This track was originally recorded for the 2003 DVD release by Warner Brothers, it’s nice to see it ported over here. New material exclusive to this release begins with a fantastic half-hour interview with Savoca and star

Taylor, conducted by director Mary Harmon. New interviews with the film’s crew are also included, in addition to a trailer and an essay by critic Christina Newland.

When it was announced Criterion was releasing “Dogfight” there was much celebrating online. The film is a gem, a little bit of an overlooked one, it deserves to be seen by a wider audience and to have it out in a wonderful edition by The Criterion Collection is the perfect chance to see it for the first time. This new disc is well worth your time, and I’m happy to have it a part of my home film library. See you next week.

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Based on the Hans hristian ndersen story and the Disney i m produced by Howard shman & ohn usker and written & directed by ohn usker and on ements Ori ina y roduced by Disney heatrica roductions

Lyrics by Howard Ashman & enn ater Music by Alan Menken

Book by Do g Wright