The Loafer 125

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!

Wow! This Summer sure came in hot didn’t it?! I am not complaining because I do hate the cold weather but it definitely is a hot one. Are you remembering to stay hydrated? I am not one of those people that love water but I am doing my best to stay on top of it too. If you suffer some any medical conditions or a little older you should try to plan your outdoor activities during the evening hours when it cools off some.

I hope you have been able to attend Liberty at Sycamore Shoals Park in Elizabethton. Great way to enjoy some time while learning some history. Thank you so much for supporting our local paper and contact us if you would like to advertise with us. Spend

Road Tripping This Summer? Keep These Tips in Mind

StatePoint) Whether you’re day tripping with family, taking a week-long vacation with pals, or doing a cross-country solo drive, summer road trips of all kinds can be long and exhausting. The good news? There are plenty of ways to improve the experience.

Great Snacks

Road trip snacks are nonnegotiable! They make car rides of any length brighter and keep drivers and passengers happy and fueled for the miles ahead. It’s best to have a mix of snack options that are easy to eat in the car or at roadside stops. Carrot sticks, pretzels and nuts make great savory choices. For an easy, on-the-go, fruity and juicy snack, try Black Forest Gummy Bears and Gummy Worms. Now juicier, Black Forest Gummy Bears and Gummy Worms are made in six delicious fruity flavors making them a great road trip snack. Crafted with care, they are made with real fruit juice, as well as colors and flavors from real sources.

Before hitting the road, find Black Forest at a nearby retailer by visiting blackforestusa.com.

Refreshing Breaks

Making great time shouldn’t come at the expense of you or your traveling companions’ comfort. Beyond typical bathroom breaks and pit stops, consider visiting points of interest along the route. Ideally, these detours shouldn’t add too much additional mileage to your odometer or time on the road, but instead, be designed to break up the trip in manageable chunks. From a natural landmark to a beautiful view, the experiences will emotionally and physically rejuvenate your party for the next leg of the journey.

Games and Music

Entertainment can help the miles pass more quickly. If you’re driving alone, prep a great playlist or download some audiobooks or podcasts in advance of the trip so you aren’t distracted by flipping through your device while driving. Try giving each hour of the journey a different theme – such as songs of a specific genre or from a particular decade, or by letting passengers take turns being the DJ. You can also pass the time playing classic road trip games like “I Spy” and “Twenty Questions.” Keep passengers in the

backseat occupied, particularly little ones, by supplying them with portable versions of their favorite board games.

Sustainable

Tweaks

It’s easy to reduce your impact on the environment on road trips, and doing so will make you and your travel companions feel better and more energized about your journey!

Try turning off the AC and feeling the fresh breeze from open windows to reduce your fuel use. When it comes to hydration, bring

your own reusable water bottles and refill them at rest station water fountains. You can also select snacks wisely. Black Forest Gummy Bears and Gummy Worms, for example, are now available in store dropoff recycle-ready packaging. Help protect the planet by participating in the Store Drop Off program, conveniently located at retail stores along your route.

With delicious snacks, and fun games and detours, a road trip doesn’t just have to be a means to an end, it can also be a relaxing and fun part of your vacation.

Bristol TN/Va

WEDNESDAY June 19th

Jazz & Jam: Sam West w/ Will Outlaw, Tom Peterson, and Neal

Reid 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

THURSDAY June 20th

Rusty Steel 7:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar

Sounds of Summer:

Club Rewind

7:00pm at Downtown Center

FRIDAY June 21st

Black Wolf 7:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar

Tim Husk from the Awen Family Band 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

Stone Fire Band

8:00pm at The Patio

Blue Mountain Saints

8:00pm at Delta Blues BBQ

Noah Spencer

8:00pm at The Corner

Marques Puckett & 8 Second Ride

10:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar

Sugar Lime Blue Band

10:00pm at O’Mainnin’s Pub

Spotlight

SATURDAY Jun 22nd

Zak Saltz Band 7:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar

TB Bailey 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

Natalie Grace

8:00pm at The Corner

Summer Slam

8:00pm at Delta Blues BBQ

If Birds Could Fly 10:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar

Below 7 10:00pm at O’Mainnin’s Pub

MONDAY Jun 24th

Anthony Childress 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

TUESDAY June 25th

Sounds of Summer: Duty Free 7:00pm at Downtown Center

Johnson City

WEDNESDAY June 19th

Rheva & Keegan’s

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

HB Beverly 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza

THURSDAY June 20th

Justin Mychaels 6:30pm at Rocks Wood FIred Pizza

FRIDAY June 21st

Jeff Lane 6:30pm at Rocks Wood FIred Pizza

Adeem the Artist 7:00pm at The Down Home

Cash Crop 8:00pm at Tulip’s Grub & Pub

Rusty Steel with Paul & Laken 10:00pm at Capone’s

SATURDAY Jun 22nd

Club Rewind 9:00pm at Tulip”s Grub & Pub

Horseburner | Howling Giant | MonaKopsis 10:00pm at Capone’s

SUNDAY Jun 23rd

Rheva & Keegan’s

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

TUESDAY June 25th

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

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

Kingsport

THURSDAY June 20th

Tumbling River Band 7:00pm at Lakeview Marina

FRIDAY June 21st

Victor Lawson and Boogie Chillen 7:00pm at Lakeview Marina

Donnie and the Dry Heavers 7:00pm at Gypsy Circus Cider Company

Adrian Bundy & His Honky Tonk Hearts 9:00pm at CJ’s Sports Bar

SATURDAY June 22nd

Logan Fritz & McKenna Blevins 7:00pm at Model City Tap House

Ali Randolph Band

7:00pm at Lakeview Marina

Matt Roberts and the Magi 7:30 at High Voltage

The Big Dog Howlers 9:00pm at CJ’s Sports Bar

SUNDAY June 23rd

Jason Lloyd 7:00pm at Lakeview Marina

Elizabethton

FRIDAY June 21st

Travis David 7:00pm at Jiggy Ray’s

SATURDAY Jun 22nd

Richard Banks and Guest 8:00pm at Jiggy Ray’s Abingdon, VA

THURSDAY June 20th

The Wilder Flower 5:00pm at Abingdon Vineyards

SATURDAY June 22nd

Rebecca Porter & Will Payne

Harrison 5:00pm at Abingdon Vineyards

Matt Foster 5:00pm at Nicewonder Vineyards

Pro-Art Thanks Community for Record-Breaking 47th Season

The Pro-Art Association concluded its 47th season with record-breaking attendance for the third consecutive year. The nonprofit served over 11,000 patrons across Wise, Lee, and Dickenson Counties and the City of Norton—including over 7,300 students. “I’m really proud of the variety and diversity of this past season’s programming,” Executive Director Michael McNulty said, “and feel encouraged by our audiences’ agreement with that, as evidenced by the 30 percent increased attendance across the season.”

Pro-Art infused more jazz into its season, with performances from Boilermaker Jazz Band,

Good Shot Judy, the Jason Cale Band, and South Korean band SE:UM’s recent residency at UVA Wise. Audiences got a taste of cultures from around the world as the organization featured performances from Afro-Puerto Rican comparsa Kadencia, Swiss-born Kruger Brothers, Mexilachian ensemble Lua Project, Tokyo native violinist Meg Okura, and another stunning performance from Chinese classical hammered dulcimer player Chao Tian—this time performing with Grammy award-winning American roots artists Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer in their group From China to Appalachia.

This season, Pro-Art began a partnership with Mid Atlantic Arts and was invited to join their Jazz Touring Network to help facilitate artist travel to our region. Pro-Art also organized its first field trip—taking a group to Quebec and Montreal for a 10-day trip this spring. Other highlights of the 47th season included a

touching performance from Richmond Ballet dedicated to founding member Lona Roberts, two beautiful adaptations of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” one by Bristol Ballet and the other by the UVA Wise Theater Division, and an evening of Celtic music at the Jettie Baker Center with Poor Man’s Gambit. Traditions continued with the 52nd annual Home Craft Days opening night concert at Mountain Empire Community College and a heartwarming holiday performance of “Frosty” from The Barter Players.

Pro-Art would like to thank the community for the generous outpouring of support throughout the season and during their 47 years in service to the region. The nonprofit is asking for feedback on the 2023-2024 season and calling for suggestions for those to come. Pro-Art invites the community to fill out the end of season survey at proartva.org (approximately 3 minutes of your time). They also welcome your phone call or email

at (276) 376-4520 or pro-art@ uvawise.edu.

Join Pro-Art’s mailing list to receive email reminders about upcoming performances. Sign up at proartva. org and follow the nonprofit on social media at @proartva.

Pro-Art is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the C. Bascom Slemp Foundation, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Mountain Empire Community College, the Columbus Phipps Foundation, and the Lee County Community Foundation.

Improve Your Backyard, Deck or Patio by Hanging String Lights

(StatePoint) Outdoor lighting can extend the time you can spend enjoying your backyard with your friends and family. While there are a host of involved and expensive outdoor lighting solutions, there’s one easy DIY alternative that offers a lot of charm.

“String lights are a beautiful, inexpensive and fun way to add personality and ambience to your yard and patio,” says expert landscape designer, Doug Scott.

In a recent Exmark Done-In-A-Weekend Projects video, Scott demonstrates how to hang simple, cost-effective backyard lighting. With the best part of the summer still on tap, he is offering his steps for this two-day project for improving your outdoor living space:

1. Determine where you’ll hang your lights. You can hang them from fence posts, on trees, off porch railings, or even purchase light stakes that do the hard work for you.

2. Research the style of backyard lights that you want to use.

3. Sketch an outline or design of how you want the lights to look. You may want to crisscross the lights or string them just around the perimeter of the patio. Knowing your design will help you determine how many strands of lights you need. Just be sure your design represents you and how you want to live outside.

4. Determine what installation equipment you need. You may need extra equipment such as an extension cord or hardware to hang the lights. Make sure that all hardware is weatherproof and outdoor-grade.

5. Measure the area where you’ll hang your lights,

being sure to leave room for slack and to reach the outlet.

6. When you begin hanging the lights, try to have the light strand connections be as discrete as possible.

7. Install light hooks.

8. Hang outdoor string lights. To avoid breakage, remove all of the bulbs from the light strings before hanging them. Once the strings are hung, install one bulb in each strand and test it to make sure it works. Then add the remaining bulbs.

9. Reveal your space. Now it’s time to light up your backyard living space and kick back and enjoy!

To view the tutorial and get inspired, visit Exmark’s Backyard Life, a multimedia destination that provides everything from lawn care tips to gardening and outdoor hosting advice, at exmark. com/backyard.

String or strand outdoor lighting will add afterdark pizzazz to your outdoor living space. And though this improvement makes a big atmospheric impact, it’s one that won’t break the bank.

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. William of Hopalong Cassidy fame

5. Unfamiliar with

10. Profit's opposite

14. Home furnishings chain

15. Turgenev heroine

16. Passage out

17. Part of CD-ROM

18. Greek salad ingredient

20. Eve's youngest

21. Home healthcare worker (abbr.)

22. Rutabaga, for one

23. " ___ Was a Lady" (1930s tune)

25. Publicize

26. High-____ (on edge)

28. Special praise

33. "The Thin Man" co-star

34. Empire, to Germans

36. U.S.-Canada mil. acronym

37. Brought into play

39. Come in

41. 1,901, to Caesar

42. "Totally cool!"

44. Flogged

46. Cooperstown bldg.

47. "Oh, Lady, Be Good" writer

49. Like some sheets

51. Texas school initials

52. Kind of friend

53. Account of events

57. Saloon

58. Mae of film

61. Teenager

63. Dame of comedy

64. Like much fine wine

65. Legally old enough

66. Shakespearean king

67. Storage unit

68. One who roams about

69. Fort Bliss VIP

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

Down

1. Auction offers

2. Tom Joad, for example

3. Time not long past

4. Infamous site near Munich

5. Nightgown

6. Marry in a hurry

7. Accustom to solid food, e.g.

8. Tiny colonist

9. Maneuver

10. Lascivious look

11. Plow-pullers

12. Acapulco affirmative

13. Short distance

19. Another name for the Wyandot

24. Patient request (abbr.)

25. Was sore

26. Threw

27. "The better ____ you with, my dear!"

28. Be a part of, as a play

29. Herbert of the "Pink Panther" movies

30. Early calculator of pi

31. Pythias's pal

32. Impart knowledge to

35. "I didn't know he had it ___!"

38. The shakes (abbr.)

40. Turned (to)

43. Frequent site for flight layovers

45. "___ Rheingold" (Wagner opera)

48. Golfer Tom

50. Bathroom hangers

52. "___ Gong (Get It On)"

53. Broccoli ___

54. Innovative and daring

55. Keats, for one

56. Like some shoppes

57. Ceiling support

59. Stumbling block

60. Sour

62. Corp. exec

OF THE WEEK PETS

LIAM

Liam is a beautiful 4 yr old long haired BIG boy. He is a 13.8 lb gentle soul and takes a bit to warm up, but when he does, he’s a very loving kitty who just wants a home and human of his very own. He LOVES treats and enjoys watching cat TV. Liam

FRANKIE

Frankie is a 2 yr old female German Shepard/Husky mix with gorgeous blue eyes and look at those ears!!! She loves to go on walks and is good on a leash, pretty much house trained, is dog selective,

needs to be the only fur baby in the house since we have been told he doesn’t really get along well with other animals. He has been neutered, current on vaccinations and microchipped. Bday 11/28/19 good with kids age 12 and up and probably no cats. Frankie weighs 38 lbs, current on vaccines, spayed and microchipped. Come and meet this beautiful girl !!!

If you are interested in adopting : The Bridge Home No Kill

There are 5 Summer Suns hidden in this issue of The Loafer. Can you find them all?

Last Week's Puzzle Answers

Sudoku

Crossword

Cryptogram: "There are two times in a man's life when he should not speculate - when he can't afford it, and when he can.."

Dropquote: "I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train."

ETSU: Expect a Particularly Toasty Summer

The latest weather outlook is a sweltering one: Almost all of the Appalachian Highlands should expect warmer-than-normal conditions this summer.

“While we aren’t projected to be as far above average as the Southwest and Northeast, June, July and August could be quite toasty in Tennessee and Southern Appalachia,” said Dr. Andrew Joyner, Tennessee’s official climatologist and a member of the Department of Geosciences at East Tennessee State University. More rain is likely, too, especially in East Tennessee.

More extreme weather

Potentially blistering temperatures this summer follow a hot 2023 –Earth’s warmest year on record and a time when highs across the region and state were rivaled and, sometimes, shattered.

Earlier this year, experts at ETSU

outlined three troubling takeaways for a warming Appalachia. That includes a spike in heat-related illness.

“A lot of our construction and farm workers and others who work outside during the summer may be at increased risk for heat-related health issues going forward,” Joyner said.

Per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2024 is already likely to be among the 10 warmest years ever recorded.

Eye on the seas

Don’t worry – there aren’t any hurricanes forecast for Tennessee.

But Joyner, who plays a key role in managing statewide weather-related issues alongside Assistant State Climatologist and Geosciences lecturer William Tollefson, is monitoring tropical weather.

“There is a possibility of increased

tropical systems coming through our area from the Gulf Coast,” he said. “That means the potential for an increase in rain and storms.”

Because the university houses the state’s climate office, ETSU plays an outsized role in climate research.

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 JUN 20TH

Tri-Cities Turtles Run Club

12:45pm at Yee-Haw Brewing Co.

FRIDAY JUN 21ST

Johnson City Love & Hiking

Date For Couples (Self-Guided)

7:00am at Willow Springs Park

SATURDAY JUN 22ND

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

Sundresses and Bow Ties

7:00pm at DoubleTree by Hilton

Dark Comedy

8:00pm at Wallace Theatre

BRISTOL

THURSDAY JUN 20TH

“Dreamy Fox” Canvas Class

6:00 PM at Kil'n Time Contemporary Ceramics

FRIDAY JUN 21ST

“Bejeweled Snail” Canvas Class

6:00 PM at Kil'n Time Contemporary Ceramics

SATURDAY JUN 22ND

Board Game Night 5:00pm at Bristol Public Library

KINGSPORT

SATURDAY JUN 22ND

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 JUN 22ND

Jonesborough Farmers Market 8:00am at Downtown Jonesborough

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

ABINGDON, VA

WEDNESDAY JUNE 19TH

Game Night 5:00pm at Abingdon Commons

Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon Community Center

FRIDAY JUN 21ST

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

SUNDAY JUN 23RD

Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon Community Center

ELIZABETHTON

WEDNESDAY JUNE 19TH

IBN Biz Lunch 11:30am at Applebee's

BLUFF CITY

SATURDAY JUN 22ND

Bluff City Farmers Market

9:00pm at Bluff City Ball Field

Lunch with the League of Women Voters of NE Tennessee

The League of Women Voters of Northeast Tennessee is offering a more casual opportunity to get to know your League. This month we will hold Lunch with the League in Greeneville on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Join us for our pop-up lunch which lets board members, members, and friends socialize in a relaxed atmosphere, at Aubrey’s 885 W Andrew Johnson Hwy in Greeneville from 12:00-1:30.

No program, no agenda--just conversation with League members and friends. This is a No-Host (buy your own lunch) event. We hope to see you there. Bring a friend!

Please RSVP by email to your host, Board

Member Rebecca Keeler, at: imrlk@earthlink.net if you plan on attending so that we can be sure you have a seat. But we can always squeeze in one more, so come if your schedule changes at the last minute!

We hope you can join us at all of the lunches, but especially those in your home county.

The League of Women Voters of Northeast Tennessee is a nonpartisan organization working to empower voters and defend democracy. Meetings are open to the public. Additional information is available by writing to LWV.NETN@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/lwvnetn/

TUES. June 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th

BRIM & MARCI LEAL

WED. June 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th

HB BEVERLY

THUR. June 5th 12th, 19th & 26th

JUSTIN MYCHALS

PIG OUT MENU

Available

Bike Nights

sponsored by biker wear

Local Events:

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

2. Blue Plum Festival downtown Johnson City, TN June 7th – 9th

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

4. Bike, Car Truck Show at Black Wolf June 15th

5. 3rd Annual Fiddler’s Convention June 21st – 23rd

Washington County VA Fairgrounds

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

7. Twilight Alive June 28th Kingsport, TN

8. Country Thunder at Bristol Motor Speedway

June 28th & 29th

9. Hillbilly & Vet Pre-Party and Bike show 3pm -7pm July 20th at Wild Wings Café

10. Hillbilly & Vets Show & Shine July 26th – 27th

Bike Nights:

3. Thunder in the Smokies June 28th – 30th WOOD FIRED PIZZA. BURGERS. DRINKS. & FUN.

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. Hillbilly & Vets Ride to Maggie Valley July 27th meet at Jonesborough VFW 8am KSU 8:30am

Bike Rallies:

1. Ultimate Rally Back of the Dragon June 7th – 9th

2. 22nd June bug Boogie Bike Rally June 20th – 23rd Telco, TN

Rides & Rallies sponsored by biker wear

Beanz Biker Corner Beanz Biker Corner

Hello friends, how are you today?

The Blue Plum Festival in Johnson City is coming up, so I thought it would be nice to share a little history about the city and its festival. Since 1999, the familyfriendly music festival has brought the community together for local music in downtown Johnson City. This year, they celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Blue Plum Festival! We’ve heard it over and over: Blue Plum Festival is where summer begins. Why "Blue Plum?" The history of the organization’s name. Before Johnson City was a city, this little village was home to a post office in the 19th century called the Blue Plum Post Office. The post office — along with the rest of “Johnson’s Depot” in the village — was founded by entrepreneur Henry Johnson. The Blue Plum Post Office was located near the train stop at what’s now the corner of Buffalo Street and West State of Franklin Road. Johnson was postmaster and would later become the founder and namesake of modern-day Johnson City with its incorporation by the state in 1869. The Blue Plum Gives Back program began in 2020 as the organization was seeking ways to support the arts in Downtown Johnson City. When they were unable to have the festival in 2021

By Anne Hartley

due to COVID-19, they set aside $20,000 to support public programs, events and initiatives that stimulate art, music, and culture in the area. The first Blue Plum Gives Back project was to co-sponsor a mural with Johnson City Public Art, which was completed in late 2022. They also provided funding toward the Downtown Square Breezeway project through this program in 2020. Below are other projects Blue Plum Give Back has sponsored or partnered on!

William Bean, traditionally recognized as Tennessee's first white settler, built his cabin along Boone's Creek near Johnson City in 1769. In the 1780s, Colonel John Tipton (1730–1813) established a farm (now the TiptonHaynes State Historic Site) just outside what is now Johnson City. During the State of Franklin movement, Tipton was a leader of the loyalist faction, residents of the region who wanted to remain part of North Carolina rather than form a separate state. In February 1788, an armed engagement took place at Tipton's farm between Tipton and his men, and the forces led by John Sevier, the leader of the Franklin faction. Founded in 1856 by Henry Johnson as a railroad station called "Johnson's Depot", Johnson City became a major rail hub for the Southeast, as three railway lines crossed in the downtown area. During the 1920s and the Prohibition era, Johnson City's ties to the bootlegging activity of the Appalachian Mountains earned the city the nickname of "Little Chicago". Stories persist that the town was one of several distribution centers for Chicago gang boss Al Capone during Prohibition. Capone had a wellorganized distribution network within the southern United States for alcohol smuggling; it shipped his products from the mountain distillers to northern cities. Capone was, according to local lore, a part-time resident of Montrose Court, a luxury apartment complex now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

There is a lot of history in our area. It’s always nice to look back into the past and get a better understanding. Never too old to learn something.

Useless Facts:

1. Cotton Candy Was Invented in TN Almost 120 Years Ago

2. The First Moon Pie Was Made in Tennessee as A Lunchtime Snack

3. Tennessee Is the Birth Place of Mountain Dew

4. Tennessee Is Landlocked by Eight States

5. The First-Ever Tow Trucks Were Made in TN

Full Moons of 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tusculum University Holds Pioneer Quest to Help New Students Prepare for the Start of Their Studies and Campus Life

Planning for the fall semester is in full swing at Tusculum University, including welcoming new students to campus to learn more about Tennessee’s first higher education institution and prepare for their coursework.

The university held Pioneer Quest Friday, June 14, and the event was filled with activities that set the stage for these students to begin their studies in August. Pioneer Quest enabled them to take care of academic needs and explore additional social, service and spiritual opportunities that will maximize their Tusculum experience.

“We thoroughly enjoyed spending this time with our new students and sharing further with them the many ways we can help them achieve their dreams and enjoy their college years,” said Paul Carney, vice president of enrollment management and financial aid. “We are excited to see students pursuing the wide variety of majors Tusculum offers and examining extracurricular activities that will enrich their lives. These new students are going to make

their mark at Tusculum and emerge as career-ready, civically engaged professionals.”

Pioneer Quest activities included an opportunity to meet with faculty members and deans to review course schedules, visit the Thomas J. Garland Library and the Doak House Museum and discover more about the Tusculum arts programs. They also met with representatives of the Office of Financial Aid and the Business Office. In addition, they were able to play cornhole with and receive autographs from the Bristol State Liners Appalachian League team.

In Pioneer Arena, students were able to meet with representatives of the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of Campus Safety, the Center for Civic Advancement, the Center for Academic Success and Tutoring as well as the Information Systems Department. All new Pioneers also had access to representatives of the music program, the Breaking Bread ministry and the esports and gaming extracurricular activities.

First-generation students, those whose parents do not hold a

bachelor’s degree, connected with Student Support Services, a program that provides that population with a robust set of services.

The event attracted local students and Pioneers from other parts of the state and the country.

Cassandra Barwick, who graduated from nearby Chuckey-Doak High School, will pursue a degree in mathematics education from Tusculum.

“Tusculum made me feel more welcome as a family,” she said. “They were always a welcoming hand. Even though I will be a commuter, they still treat me the same and not like an outcast. I feel at home at Tusculum in the mathematics program because they’re always so nice and welcoming.”

Philip and Sophee Derrick are recently married and are coming to Tusculum from Annapolis, Maryland, to study business administration and sport science, respectively. He highlighted the beauty of the area and the nice-

looking campus, and she mentioned her coming to play women’s lacrosse as reasons for choosing Tusculum. He has completed some backpacking through this area, and she had some relatives who used to live here.

“I came here and met the team, and I just loved it here,” Sophee Derrick said.

Calik Thomas is a junior from Charlotte, North Carolina, who has transferred to Tusculum and will seek a major in communication so he can learn how to connect with people more fluently, hold better conversations and enhance his work in group settings. He came here to play basketball and has a cousin, Gabby Thomas, who runs track.

“I felt like my intuition was leading me here,” Thomas said. “Everybody is friendly. It’s so welcoming here so far. All my teammates and coaches are cool, too.”

To apply to Tusculum University, please visit https://site.tusculum. edu/apply-visit/apply/. More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.

Two new Tusculum students sign the banner for the Class of 2028.

Dr. Harold Branstrator, left, and Dr. Nick Davidson, second from left, talk with a new student.

So You're In An Elevator...

Social Sentiments

By Wendy Hayden socialsentiments @outlook.com

You have one floor to explain your business. What do you say?

Attention spans have shortened over the years, but your business solves a myriad of problems that can't be explained within seconds. So how do you sell your business before a potential client reaches their floor?

A 30 second pitch works wonders to sell your business before boredom sets in. 60 words are all you need to promote the highlights of your business and how helpful they can be in solving

potential problems. With an average attention span of 10 seconds, creating a captivating pitch is necessary to avoid loss of attention.

How would you like to be approached in an elevator? Think about how you would feel listening to a boring spiel about "benefits" that don't benefit you. If you would be antsy to reach the next floor after hearing your pitch, change your approach.

Saturday May 11

Saturday June 22

Adapted for stage by David Birney

Directed by Chris McVey

On the Road but Falling off Track

Having spent a great deal of my life in the service industry, a lot of the clientele I serviced were traveling for business. Spending my evenings grinding away behind a bar, ankle deep in spilled drinks and growing increasingly numb to the theatrics of under-socialized and over-served patrons, I would daydream about how glamorous the lives and jobs of these on-the-go folks must be; working in a different city every day, meeting new and exciting people along the way from all over the world and bedding down every evening to the turn-down service and freshly fluffed pillows of fancy hotels. It seemed like the perfect opposite to the monotony of my own hum-drum existence, slinging the same drinks to the same faces in the same town I’d woken up in every day of my life. But the old adage of “careful what you wish for” is ringing quite true in my ears these days, as I’ve finally achieved my goal of a career in motion and it’s not exactly the globe-trotting, fast paced existence of glitz and glamour that I’d imagined. In fact, the more I’m on the road, the more I seem to be falling off track.

While I’ve never been more satisfied or motivated career-wise, I unfortunately feel like I’ve not been this physically unhealthy in almost a decade. When it comes to matters of diet and fitness, I definitely thrive in monotony, only maintaining consistency in routine. It’s far easier to get in daily workouts when I’m waking up and going to sleep at the same time every day, just as it’s far less stressful to meal plan and prep when my weekly schedule never changes. And it’s always easiest to

manage life from the comfort and convenience of your own home.

These days I’m lucky if I’m home in Franklin for more than 6 days at a time. My territory covers the entirety of Kentucky and 2/3 of the state of Tennesse (basically everything east of Jackson), which keeps me on the road at least half the month. And the reality is, instead of visiting famous landmarks and seeing the best each city has to offer, I take in a lot of ugly evergreens dotting the side of the interstate while I try not to be killed by 18 wheelers or pulled over for responding to emails while speeding. And the only siteseeing I’m doing mainly consists of observing local wildlife browsing the shelves of various liquor stores in their natural habitats across the South. Those “fancy” hotels are actually the best money can buy at a corporate rate that fits my company budget while still featuring a bar, and the “new and exciting people to meet” are few and far between. For the most part once I make it to a bar at the end of the day, famished and exhausted from 8-12 hours of selling and managing a team of 5 across a 500+ mile radius, the last thing I want to do is make small talk with a stranger, and even if I wanted to, they usually have their eyes glued to their cell phone scrolling on social media which makes it impossible. So instead I have a drink on an empty stomach, which instantly drops my inhibitions regarding dietary discipline or sticking to “just 1 cocktail,” order way too much greasy, carby food, and immediately hit the bed after, giving my body no opportunity to burn even a single calorie I just took in. I have to wake up entirely too early due to maximizing my time in the market, so instead of being able to set my alarm an hour early to get

in my usual morning cardio, I lie there hitting snooze until the last possible moment. I’m eaten up with heartburn and indigestion and trapped in a seated position the majority of the day which makes my hips, neck and lower back ache. The stress of nonstop communication with my team while simultaneously executing tastings and events keeps me in a constant elevated state of anxiety and now that is causing me to experience panic attacks. High stress increases cortisol production which leads to fat retention, making the weight thing practically impossible to combat.

But even as I’m typing all this, at the end of the day I know regardless of how busy I am it’s still just excuses. The fact of the matter is, I’m not making my health a priority and it should be the top one. I already know how chaotic the scheduling on the road is and should prepare accordingly. Instead of worrying about whether or not the hotel features a bar and restaurant, I should check to see if there are inroom refrigerators and microwaves and pre-pack as many portioned meals as I can fit in a cooler. That way I’m able to eat on the go during the day and not starve myself until 7pm. And instead of ending my evenings with a cocktail, I need to be moving my body and getting my blood flowing after a long day of sitting in the car. Every hotel has a gym, so there’s no excuse for missing cardio at the very least. And most of all, if I’m lonely at the end of the day and really feel desperate for human connection, I have to remind myself that the chances of meeting someone new and exciting are just as good on my days off or while I’m working events and opt for a good night’s sleep instead.

Life on the road isn’t all bad. It’s definitely never boring and I

by Kathie Scalf

work for an amazing company representing a product I love that practically sells itself. The connections and experiences I’m making within the industry will last a lifetime and at the end of the day, I’m selling booze not curing cancer; it’s not that serious. It’s a fun job where we reward working hard with playing even harder. I just need to ensure I’m managing myself as much as I am other people, and holding myself to the same high standards and no BS excuses. Money is great, but it means nothing when you run your health into the ground.

Here’s to looking toward a better few weeks ahead, as I’ll be trying out my new healthier road life from the 6th-16th everywhere from Louisville to Lawrenceberg to Loudon and beyond. Hope you have a healthy, happy, productive week guys!

XO - Kathie

Going Beyond for Veterans, ETSU Earns Major Recognition

Hundreds of military-affiliated students call East Tennessee State University home.

That’s in part because the university has a long and established history of assisting those who served in the United States armed forces.

Because of these efforts, U.S. Veterans Magazine has recognized ETSU as one of its top veteran-friendly schools in 2024, an honor the institution also received last year.

“We are immensely proud of all ETSU does to support the veteran community, and our student veterans on campus,” said Dan Bishop, director of Military and Veteran Services.

The announcement comes only a few months after ETSU earned the prestigious Military Friendly® School designation for the 14th consecutive year. It’s a tremendous honor that colleges and universities earn through public data analysis, as well as responses from surveys.

The university takes considerable steps to aid those who served in uniform.

That includes providing priority registration for classes each semester, exclusive access to social and study space at ETSU’s Military-Affiliated Student Resource Center, membership in the ETSU chapter of the Student Veterans of America and consistent personalized support from Military and Veteran Services.

Out-of-state tuition waivers, scholarships and work-study positions for those using the GI Bill® benefits are all financial-related options.

“We’ve been recognized as a Military Friendly® School for well over a decade now, with this additional veteranspecific recognition awarded following an independent review of educational institutions by U.S. Veterans Magazine,” said Bishop. “We have a very high density of veterans here in our community, and it’s a great pleasure to see more and more of these men and women, as well as their veteran dependents, here on our campus.”

For assistance, visit Military and Veteran Services or contact va@etsu.edu or (423) 439-6819

The character of Willy Wonka has appeared on the big screen in two films, one released in 1971 and the other in 2005. The character is back in "Wonka", starring the actor who has taken the box office by storm, Timothee Chalamet. The new film is described as a musical/fantasy/comedy, and it certainly fits the bill. The film is the story of Wonka's early days before his chocolate factory, and he is presented as an aspiring inventor, chocolatier and musician. Wonka arrives at the Galeries Gourmet, full of businesses selling chocolate, with the desire to start his own house of chocolate. After he arrives, Wonka and his small savings soon depart, and he is taken to Mrs. Scrubitt's (Olivia Colman) boarding house by a henchman. As he is signing a contract to stay at the boarding house, Wonka is warned by an orphan named Noodle (Calah Lane) that he should read the fine print on the papers. Wonka signs on without reading the contract, and will pay the price. When he is able to leave

By Ken Silvers theloaferonlineprint

WONKA

the boarding house, he goes to the area of city where the chocolate store are to introduce "hoverchocs", a chocolate that causes people to float. After the demonstration, Wonka sells out of the magical chocolate, but has his earnings taken by rival chocolatiers Slugworthn (Paterson Joseph), Prodnose (Matt Lucas) and Fickelgruber (Mathew Baynton). The rival chocolatiers are so jealous and threatened by Wonka they have the corrupt Chief of Police (Keagan-Michael Key) aid in the confiscation of Wonka's earnings. After all his earnings are taken, Wonka is unable to pay the high fees of staying at the boarding house, and is forced to work in Scrubbitt's laundry with Noodles and several other captives. While working in the laundry, Wonka reveals his late mother was the inspiration for his chocolate, and believes his creations are being stolen by a mysterious little orange man, which is discovered to be Lofty (Hugh Grant), an Oompa Loompa, mischievous small humans who love cocoa beans and love to play practical jokes. Meanwhile, the city's "chocolate cartel", threatened by Wonka's more affordable and better chocolate, uses the chocolate loving Chief of Police to intimidate Wonka. While in the boarding house, Noodles has been teaching the illiterate Wonka to read, and the two devise a plan to take down the cartel and the corrupt police chief. Of course the plan is successful and Wonka and his friends open the chocolate store he has always dreamed

of. However, unable to use the police to continue to intimidate Wonka, the cartel sabotages Wonka's chocolate, resulting in the destruction of Wonka's store, and his forced departure from the city. Despite being forced out of the city, Wonka and his boarding house friends devise a plan to take down the crooked cartel, which proved successful, even resulting in a reunion between Noodles and her long lost mother. After his success, Wonka is able to turn an abandoned castle into his soon to be famous chocolate factory, with Lofty as

his tasting chef. While the film does contain musical numbers, they are not overused, and add to the colorfulness of the film. The film is magical, has plenty of humor and heart in revealing Wonka's origin. While Chalamet isn't the best singer in the world, he is fine in his vocal efforts and makes the film flow with his charm and charisma. "Wonka" is a blast of eye candy the entire family can enjoy. (Rated PG)

Bristol

CONCERT SCHEDULE CONCERT SCHEDULE

GREENVILLE

BRISTOL TN/VA GREENEVILLE TN

PARAMOUNT

Jun 1 Mac McAnally (sold out)

Jun 20 Steve Earle

Jul 18 The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Aug 2 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band

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.

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

Aug 17 The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA

Spp 28 Black Jacket Symphony will perform will perform Elton John’s Madman Across The Water

Oct 7 Ben Folds

FREEDOM HALL

Aug 16 Jamey Johnson

Oct 20 Whiskey Myers

Kingsport

RED WHITE AND BOOM

Jul 6 The Marshall Tucker Band and The Cleverlys

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

NISWONGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Jul 19 Dugger Band

MARION VA

THE LINCOLN THEATRE

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

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

Oct 27 Robin Trower

Nov 8 Gaelic Storm

TENNESSEE THEATRE

Jun 8 Brad Williams

Jul 9 Brit Floyd: P.U.L.S.E.

Jul 13 1964 The Tribute

Jul 18 Ben Folds

THOMPSON BOWLING ARENA

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

Nov 19 Justin Timberlake

KNOXVILLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM:

Jun 12 Josh Gates

Jun 13 Matt Rife

Jun 29 David Spade

Oct 10 Air Supply

Oct 26 Dusty Slay

KNOXVILLE CIVIC COLISEUM:

Jul 25 Jordan Davis

Oct 3 Brantley Gilbert

GATLINBURG

GATLINBURG TN

THE MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL AT GATLINBURG CONVENTION CENTER

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

Nashville

NASHVILLE TN

RYMAN AUDITORIUM

Jun 13 The Del McCoury Band

Jun 15 Hauser

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

Aug 18 Joe Bonamassa

Aug 22 The Turtles, The Cowsills, The Association and others

Aug 28 Steve Earle

Aug 29 Terri Clark

Aug 30 Passenger

Sep 4-6 The Red Clay Strays

Sep 23 The Beach Boys

BRIDGESTONE ARENA

Jun 14 Luis Miguel

Jun 23 Alanis Morissette, Joan Jett & Morgan Wade

Jul 19 Alabama

Jul 21 Sebastian Maniscalco

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

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

Oct 26 Judah & The Lion

ASCEND AMPHITHEATRE

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

GEODIS PARK IN NASHVILLE:

Aug 30 Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid & the Linda Lindas

BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER

Jun 2 John Anderson acoustic

Jun 16 Bachman Turner Overdrive

Jun 22 Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs

Jul 27 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band

Aug 1 Night Ranger

Aug 2 Taylor Hicks

Aug 22 Cinderella’s Tom Keiger Band

Aug 24 & 25 Aaron Lewis Acoustic

Aug 30 Crowder

I’ve been trying to remember where and when I first saw Michael Powell’s 1960s horror thriller “Peeping Tom.” I think it was around 2016 or 2017, and I feel that maybe it was when it ran on Turner Classic Movies. I do remember it being an appointment viewing as I was texting with a friend who was also watching it, it was her suggestion to watch it when she found out I had never seen the film “You have to see this, it’s amazing and ruined Michael Powell’s career” she said.

Powell was best known for his collaborations with Emeric Pressburger, the two making some of not only the greatest films of all time but films also among the most cherished and revered of British Cinema. The week before I dove into the new Criterion Collection edition of “Peeping Tom” I had revisited my favorite of the pair’s films, the truly transcendent “A Matter of Life and Death.” "Peeping Tom" is wholly different than that film. The British press despised “Peeping Tom” upon its release in 1960, Powell took a raking over the coals and never directed again in his home country.

“Peeping Tom” has a certain kinship to another thriller from 1960, Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho”—but more on that later. “Peeping Tom” is about

Batteries

Not Included

By Andy Ross

Peeping Tom

a young man, Mark Lewis (played by Carl Boehm), who is a hobbyist photographer and aspiring filmmaker. Mark’s two-day jobs are working as a focus puller at a motion picture studio in London and doing pin-up photography for a man who runs a tobacco shop that also sells “specialty pictures.”

Mark struggles with the traumas of his childhood, experiments in fear his professor father forced upon him. How does our young man deal with these traumas? By engaging in his own experiments in fear, murdering women, and filming their deaths with his camera. When Mark hits it off with one of his downstairs neighbors, he struggles against his impulses.

“Peeping Tom” is a disturbing movie, and at over 60 years old it still manages to shock. Not to mention having one of the creepiest endings to a movie I’ve ever seen.

But it is fascinating to think of how this film plays along with “Psycho,” they both land in a very similar ballpark.

“Psycho” was in black and white, and one of the most successful films of Alfred Hitchcock’s storied career.

“Peeping Tom,” however was shot in color and was allegedly pulled from theaters after five days due to the reaction the public and British press had to the film.

Yet over time the reputation of "Peeping Tom" has grown to one of a classic of British cinema, and now it’s a celebrated film. I can’t help but wonder if the film being in color has something to do with that original revulsion to the movie. Hitchcock purposely chose to not film “Psycho” in color saying it would be “too gory.”

In a collaboration between The Film Foundation, The BFI National Archive, and StudioCanal, “Peeping Tom” has been restored in a new edition that has been released on 4K UHD and regular blu-ray by The Criterion Collection. The new restoration and disc are stunning. When I first saw the film I remember it looking fine, but a little dingy. Here, the colors are bright and vibrant, and at times recall the trademark type of “hyper-color” that Powell was known for in his films

with Pressburger.

The film is given plenty on room on the 4K disc, with an average of 85mbps. The original mono soundtrack comes from the 35mm optical negative. It sounds clear and sharp, with no distortion. The bonus materials, except for the two commentary tracks are all on the blu-ray disc and are a healthy mix of archival bonus features. One of the two commentary tracks comes from Criterion’s first release of the film on laserdisc in 1994.

We also have an introduction by Martin Scorsese, who is a big fan of the film, plus a documentary about the film’s writer and another about the film’s history, together they both make up a healthy running time of almost 90 minutes. We have an interview with film

editor and Powell’s widow Thelma Schoonmaker, plus a program on the film’s restoration. It’s a very healthy and nice collection of features which helps to make one of the best releases of the year.

When Criterion announced they would be releasing “Peeping Tom” on 4K there was much excitement, this disc set lives up to that excitement and after being a film that was hard to track down for a while, it’s now been released in what is easily the definitive edition of the film on home video. “Peeping Tom” is a movie that will stay with you, haunt you, and leave you asking lots of questions even after the creepy ending rolls. This disc is highly recommended by yours truly. A fantastic release all the way around. See you next week.

Sycamore Shoals

State

The Saga of Sycamore Shoals