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!
It is one of race fans favorite time of the year. The night race at Bristol Motor Speedway! There is just something about sitting in those stands listening to the roar of the engines while smelling the race fuel and hearing all of the cheers of the other fans. Are you going to the race or will you be staying at home to avoid the crowds of traffic on the road and in the restaurants? Even if you aren’t a fan we can appreciate the revenue the race brings into our area.
How are you enjoying these fall mornings? It sure is chilly when I take my daughter to school? Afternoons are still hot but I wonder how long that will last. We better embrace Fall because it is sure here! Enjoy your week friends!
Bristol TN/Va
WEDNESDAY Sept 18th
Every Other Wednesday
All-Star Jazz and Jam
7:30pm at Cascade Draft House
THURSDAY Sept 19th
Adrian Bundy & His Honky Tonk Hearts 7:00pm at Bristol Casino
FRIDAY Sept 20th
Julie Williams and The Hired Guns 6:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar
Mike Preslar 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House
Alli Epperson 8:00pm at The Corner
Marques Puckett & 8 Second Ride 9:30pm at Bristol Casino Bar
SATURDAY Sept 21st
Boombox All 80s Band 6:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar
Some Old Friends 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House
Damon Heath 8:00pm at The Corner
Stonefire 9:00pm at O’Mainnin’s Pub
Cash Crop 9:30pm at Bristol Casino Bar
MONDAY Sep 23rd
Anthony Childress 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House
Spotlight
Johnson City
Johnson
WEDNESDAY Sept 18th
Rheva & Keegan’s
Irish Fiddle Tunes 5:30pm at Mulligan’s Gaming Pub
HB Beverly 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza
THURSDAY Sept 19th
Justin Mychaels 6:30pm at Rocks Wood FIred Pizza
Rocky Horror Music Show Live 8:00pm at Capone’s
FRIDAY Sept 20th
Jeff Lane 6:30pm at Rocks Wood FIred Pizza
Bike Night w/ Asylum Suite 8:00pm at Tulip’s Grub & Pub
Filter 8:00pm at Capone’s
SATURDAY Sept 21st
Victor Lawson & Boogie Chillen Band 8:00pm at Tulip’s Grub & Pub
Seppuku | The Buzzards | Epistaxis 10:00pm at Capone’s
Brim & Marci Leal 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza
Kingsport
THURSDAY Sept 19th
Midnight Gypsys 7:00pm at Lakeview Marina
FRIDAY Sept 20th
Tequila Mockingbird 7:00pm at Lakeview Marina
Dead Flowers 7:00 at Gypsy Circus Cider Company
SATURDAY Sept 21st
Dan Herrell & The Troubadours 7:00pm at Lakeview Marina
The Color 7 9:00pm at CJ’s Sports Bar
SUNDAY Sept 22nd
Jason Lloyd 7:00pm at Lakeview Marina
Elizabethton
SATURDAY Sept 21st
Powershift 8:00pm at Jiggy Ray’s Abingdon, VA
SATURDAY Sept 21st
Joey’s Van 5:00pm at Abingdon Vineyards
SUNDAY Sep Sept 22nd
Josh Bowles & Tom Zeske III 5:00pm at Abingdon Vineyards
The History of Bristol Motor Speedway
Known as The Last Great Colosseum, Bristol Motor Speedway’s stadium-like structure serves as a versatile multiuse venue that hosts major auto races, football games, concerts and many other captivating events.
Initial plans for the track were drawn up by track founders Larry Carrier and Carl Moore on napkins during dinner. Those were given to an architect and revealed publicly at a press conference on January 17, 1961, with working starting on Jan. 23, 1961. The track was completed in about six months, with the first race scheduled July 30. Finishing touches were being applied as the gates were first opened to fans on July 28, 1961.
Purchase of the land on which BMS now sits, as well as construction of the track, cost approximately $600,000. The entire layout for BMS covered a little more than 100 acres.
The very first NASCAR race at BMS, held on July 30, 1961, was won by Jack Smith with relief help from Johnny Allen.
The facility was held by several
different owners in the early days, but eventually found its way back to Carrier ownership in 1985. On Jan. 22, 1996, Carrier sold the speedway to O. Bruton Smith and Speedway Motorsports, Inc., at a purchase price of $26 million.
The sprawling facility has come a long way from its early roots. Today the Colosseum offers guests a wide range of accommodations, from luxurious man cave suites to bar stools in the Busch Banks and Brews Deck to a relaxing environment high atop the track at the Turn One Tavern to a flexible space inside the infield called The Garage Bar. The BMS footprint now includes more than 500 acres of the surrounding area.
The short track is a (0.533-mile) concrete oval with corner banking ranging from 24 to 28 degrees and a pair of 650-feet straightaways. Also part of the complex, the adjacent quarter-mile dragstrip, Bristol Dragway, offers more than 50 events annually, including the marquee Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley
Nationals in early June. The Thunder Valley Amphitheatre transforms the dragway into a premier concert venue on select dates to host some of the world’s best music acts.
While enjoying racing at the iconic oval, fans are offered a unique viewing experience courtesy of Colossus TV, the world’s largest outdoor center-hung foursided video screen with a 540,000-watt audio system.
Bristol hosts races in several NASCAR touring series, highlighted by two major NASCAR Cup Series weekends. The biggest names in NASCAR, including Dale Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip, Cale Yarborough, Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, Rusty Wallace, Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Bobby Allison have earned victories at the legendary track.
For 33 years Food City has sponsored the Spring Cup race at Bristol. Food City is NASCAR’s second longest running race entitlement sponsor in the sport. Food City has been involved in the event since 1987 through their hosting of one of the most popular fan events on the NASCAR circuit, Food City Family Race Night.
Food City first sponsored the Cup entitlement in 1992.
The historic facility, forged amid the scenic mountains of Northeast Tennessee near the Virginia state line, earned its reputation for producing incredible finishes during its most storied event, referred to as “America’s Night Race.”
The first Night Race at Bristol was held in 1978, and stands today as one of the first on the Cup circuit to illuminate NASCAR’s marquee touring series under bright stadium lights. In 2024, BMS will celebrate its 46th anniversary of conducting major auto races after dark.
In 2024, the iconic Night Race will continue to be the elimination race in the Round of 16 Playoffs for the Cup Series. As always, the drama is sure to be intense as four Cup drivers seasons will end at Bristol after the 500 grueling laps in playoff mode.
In 2016, Bristol enjoyed its “Biggest Year Yet” hosting the Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol, where border rivals Virginia Tech and the University of Tennessee played a college football game in front of an NCAA-record crowd of 156,990.
Prior to the game, a special country music concert was held, featuring a trio of successful local acts. The Honda Ridgeline Bristol Tailgate featured Kenny Chesney, The Band Perry and Old Dominion in front of a crowd of more than 40,000.
Interestingly, two other football games have been held inside the BMS oval. In 1961, the NFL’s Washington Redskins took on the Philadelphia Eagles in a pre-season game. The Eagles won, 17-10. The week following the Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol, BMS held a second game in 2016, the Food City Bucs at Bristol presented by Food City. The local favorite East Tennessee State University Buccaneers upset rival Western Carolina University 34-31 in a thrilling come-from-behind victory.
One thing is for certain, Bristol Motor Speedway will continue to showcase itself as a facility widely regarded as a major sports and entertainment destination.
SODOKU CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1. Religious pilgrimage
5. Storage medium
10. Game played on a world map
14. Another: Spanish
15. Bath sponge
16. Mother goddess on Pandora
17. Insignificance
19. Popular street name
20. Much ballyhooed
21. Type of ray
22. Mark Twain play not published until it was rediscovered in 2002
26. Beatrix of "Kill Bill"
30. Set aside
34. "You're ___!" (compliment to a comedian)
35. Dresden denial
36. Morn's opposite, to Tennyson
37. Send into exile
39. Marine animal
42. Congo center?
43. Düsseldorf donkey
47. Skyscraper support
48. It's full of life
51. Paperboy
52. "Once upon a midnight dreary..." poem
54. Flea market item, perhaps
57. Dusk
62. Idle
63. Dylan hit originally written for "Midnight Cowboy"
66. ____ nitrate (stimulant)
67. Collie or Yorkie
68. "____ sure you're aware... "
69. Pry
70. Gape
71. Dutch master Frans
Answers to last week’s puzzles can be found on page 09.
Down
1. "The Empire Strikes Back" setting
2. Give it ____ (make an attempt)
3. Faucet flaw
4. Jupiter
5. He wears a red suit
6. Flipper
7. French king
8. Frequently, to Frost
9. Has permission
10. Filmed again
11. Popeye's first words?
12. Pool exercise
13. Japanese writing form
18. Numbskulls
21. Stove fuel
23. Denver to Chicago dir.
24. Soft & ___ (anti-perspirant brand)
25. Smither enders
26. Skewered dish
27. Modern Persian
28. Wild dog of the Outback
29. "How ___ love thee? Let me..."
31. Go for another 12 issues, say
32. Home of Bally's and the Venetian
33. Antagonist
38. Sound of a giggle
40. Beat, in wrestling
41. Royal order, briefly
44. To be, in Toledo
45. Historic time
46. Tool for evening
49. Muffle
50. Soup in Hanoi
53. Steer clear of
54. Scottish family
55. Man in Milan
56. Sunbeams
58. Taunting syllable
59. ____ Lund of "Casablanca"
60. Catch redhanded
61. Y features
63. Amt. on a dumbbell
64. Actor Carney
65. Affirmative vote
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
Aug. 31 vs. Chattanooga
Sept. 7 vs. NC State (Charlotte)
2024 Football Schedule
Sept. 14 vs. Kent State
Sept. 21 at Oklahoma
Sept. 28 Idle
Oct. 5 at Arkansas
Oct. 12 vs. Florida
Oct. 19 vs. Alabama
Nov. 2 vs. Kentucky
Nov. 9 vs. Mississippi State
Nov. 16 at Georgia
Nov. 23 vs. UTEP
Oct. 26 Idle
Nov. 30 at Vanderbilt
Dec. 7 SEC Championship
OF THE WEEK PETS
THOR
Meet Thor, the sweetest, most down-to-earth 4 yr old tabby who is all about lounging and snuggling. Thor’s gentle demeanor and loving nature make him the heart of any home. Whether he’s napping in a
sunny spot or offering his services as a professional cuddler, Thor brings a sense of calm and warmth to everyone he meets. He is up to date on all vaccinations, microchipped, FeLV/FIV negative, and neutered!
Meet Duke, the sweet senior who loves car rides and is ready for his forever home! Just like a charming dating profile, here’s why Duke is a perfect catch:
• Born on 05/08/2017, a delightful Boxer mix companion
• Loves car rides and is always up for
Last Week's Puzzle Answers
Sudoku Crossword
•
• House-trained and a total sweetie. If you’re looking for a loving buddy to join you on road trips and cozy evenings, Duke is the perfect match!
Cryptogram:
Dropquote:
"One characteristic of winners is they always look upon themselves as a do it yourself project."
ETSU’s Dr. Ted Olson Helps Create Appalachian Hip-Hop Album
Earlier this month, Appalshop’s record label June Appal Recordings released “No Options: Hip-Hop in Appalachia.” Organizers timed the release to coincide with two important historical observations: Aug. 8, which many Black communities celebrate as Emancipation Day, and Aug. 11, National Hip-Hop Day.
“During the pandemic, Dr. William Turner (a noted scholar on African American communities in Appalachia) and I co-hosted the podcast series ‘Sepia Tones: Exploring Black Appalachian Music,’ and we produced an episode celebrating hip-hop in Appalachia. It was obvious that a number of talented hip-hop artists lived in the region, yet few of those artists were known beyond their home communities,” said Dr. Ted Olson, a professor of Appalachian Studies and Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music Studies at East Tennessee State University.
Part of the album was recorded in the ETSU Recording Lab, and Olson served as co-producer and co-curator.
“Dr. Turner and I applied for a grant from the nonprofit organization Appalshop allowing us to produce an album to showcase the music of many of the region’s hip-hop artists,” he said. “Taking two years to complete, with several of the recordings being made in the ETSU Recording Lab, ‘No Options’ is the first album to document the diversity of hip-hop music from Appalachia.”
Previous compilations of historical and contemporary American hip-hop have tended to ignore recordings by Appalachian artists, organizers said, choosing instead to focus on more urban areas of the American South.
“No Options,” meanwhile, purposefully celebrates the unique perspectives of small-town and rural hip-hop artists. Artists hail from throughout the region, including Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee and New York. One of the artists, Stunna T, has a track called “Show Up” that was recorded via phone in Wallens Ridge State Prison in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. The album is available for preorder now through June Appal’s Bandcamp.
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 SEPT 19TH
Tri-Cities Turtles Run Club 12:45pm at Yee-Haw Brewing Co.
FRIDAY SEPT 20TH
Johnson City Love & Hiking Date For Couples (Self-Guided) 7:00am at Willow Springs Park
SATURDAY SEPT 21ST
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
BRISTOL
WEDNESDAY SEPT 18TH
Bristol Bloom Collective | All Local Flower Market 9:00am at West State Studio
Comedy Open Mic 8:00pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club
THURSDAY SEPT 19TH
Weekly Trunk Show 5:00pm at LUMAC Rooftop Bar
“Pumpkin Season” Canvas Class 6:00pm at Kil’n Time
FRIDAY SEPT 20TH
Weekly Trunk Show 5:00pm at LUMAC Rooftop Bar
“Fall Birch Tree” Canvas Class
6:00pmat Kil’n Time
Comedy Open Mic 8:00pm at Andrew Yang & Kenny Stempien: Double Feature
SATURDAY SEPT 21ST
Board Game Night 5:00pm at Bristol Public Library
Seeing Spots Canvas Class 6:00pm at Kil’n Time
KINGSPORT
SATURDAY SEPT 21ST
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 International Storytelling Center
SATURDAY SEPT 21ST
Jonesborough Farmers Market 8:00am at Downtown Jonesborough
Historic Jonesborough Town Tour 1:00pm at Chester
Inn State Historic Site
BLUFF CITY
SATURDAY SEPT 19TH
Bluff City Farmers Market 9:00pm at Bluff City Ball Field 2024
ABINGDON, VA
TUESDAY SEPT 17TH
Farmers Market 8:00pm at Abingdon Farmer's Market
WEDNESDAY SEPT 18TH
Game Night 5:00pm at Abingdon Commons
Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon Community Center
SATURDAY SEPT 21ST
Farmers Market 8:00pm at Abingdon Farmer's Market
SUNDAY SEP 22ND
Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon Community Center
Tri-Cities Faces and Places
Celebrating the people and places of our community!
Those who qualify may receive:
• Payment up to $1,295, which varies by study
• Study-related care from local doctors at no cost
• Study medication at no cost
Participating in research studies helps contribute to the advancement of future medicine and treatment options.
To see if you qualify, visit www.MyCoughTrial.com or call 1-866-488-8088
Local Events:
1.. Twilight Alive July 19th Kingsport, TN
2. Hillbilly & Vet Pre-Party July 20th
7pm Wild Wings Café
3. Hillbilly & Vet Car & Bike July 20th
3pm – 7pm Wild Wings Café
4. 3rd Annual Tri-Cities Takeover August 25th
Bike Nights:
Wednesday: 19E Pit Stop
Wednesday: Jonesborough VFW
Thursday: Darrell Waltrip
Thursday: Old Town Tavern
Friday: Tulips
August 3rd Peacemakers Greenville, TN
Bike Night and Bike Show
Rides:
1. Hillbilly Shine Ride to Maggie Valley NC Meet 8am KSU
8:30am Jonesboro VFW
2. Bear Barnes Memorial Ride August 17th
Bike Rallies:
1. 15th Annual Hillbilly Show & Shine July 26th – 27th
2. 85th Annual Sturgis Bike Rally August 2nd – 11th
Rides & Rallies sponsored by biker wear
Beanz Biker Corner Beanz Biker Corner
Hello again everyone, it’s a HOT summer so lets go camping in the mountains, by the river, or at the lake. I love to go camping. I tent camp. Today, it seems like most people enjoy camping. Heck, I know I sure do! And who’s to blame them – camping is an amazing outdoor activity. But everybody has their own way of camping. Some like tents, or RV or a pull behind. No matter how you camp, you are making memories with family and friends. It’s a great way to get back to nature and get away from the noise of the city and the everyday rush. Stress just seems to melt away.
Recreational camping has a long history, with origins traced back to ancient times when early humans built temporary structures in the wilderness for shelter and survival during hunting and gathering expeditions. However, modern recreational camping as we know it today was popularized in the late Victorian era Thomas Hiram Holding, who wrote the first edition of "The Camper’s Handbook" in 1908, is considered the founder of modern recreational camping. For the overwhelming majority of human
By Anne Hartley
history, people have “camped” as a way of life. We humans lived a nomadic existence out of necessity, moving with the seasons, following food sources and avoiding inclement weather. A roving lifestyle in nature was all we knew for millennia. That, however, is far removed from the type of camping we’re talking about today. We’re interested in modern camping; the campground, sleeping bag and tent, kind of camping.
Here are some camping safety tips:
1. Choose the right shelter and site for your camping trip. 2. Stay upto-date with the weather and be prepared for any changes. 3. Pack and store food safely to avoid spoilage and contamination. 4. Practice campfire safety and never leave a fire unattended. 5. Use insect protection and avoid areas with high infestation. 6. Be aware of allergies and bring any necessary medication. 7. Protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen, hats, and clothing. 8. Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. 9. Learn about local wildlife and keep a safe distance from them. 10. Be careful near water and follow the rules for swimming and boating. 11. Avoid poisonous plants and learn how to identify them.
Back when I was a kid, camping trips consisted of a leaky tent pitched on a rocky piece of earth and some marshmallows burnt to a crisp over the campfire. Don’t get me wrong, I loved camping then and I still love it now, but there’s no denying that camping has evolved in ways that were unimaginable a few decades ago. Today, modern campgrounds boast everything from waterparks to coffee carts, and they appeal to a larger number of people than ever before. With the amenities offered at some American campgrounds these days, there’s nothing rough about roughing it.
Useless Facts:
1. The total number of campers each year was constantly growing, but the boom was quite noticeable after the pandemic. In 2021, there were 93.8 million active camping households in the United States alone, from which 9.1 million households were camping for the first time in their life.
2. The majority of campers live in urban areas, so going camping for them is also escaping the busy city life. In a survey held in 2021, more than half of all campers (56%) were coming from urban living areas.
3. Camping is for everyone, regardless of their income. In fact, about 41% of first-time campers in 2020 came from higher-income households.
4. The average number of nights campers spend on a campground is between 7 and 9 nights.
5. You don’t need to travel long distances to enjoy nature. In 2021, 56% of campers traveled less than 100 miles for their trip. In fact, one third of them stay within just 50 miles of their homes.
Full Moons of 2024
1. Buck Moon on Sunday, July 21 - 6:19 am
2. Sturgeon Moon on Monday, August 19 - 2:28 pm
3. Harvest Moon on Wednesday September 18 - 10:36 pm
4. Hunters Moon on Thursday October 17 -7:27 am
5. Beaver Moon on Friday November 15 - 4:29 pm
6. Cold Moon on Sunday December 15 - 4:02 am
Authenticity and Transparency Social Sentiments
By Wendy Hayden socialsentiments
Authentic and transparent brands garner respect from audiences by proving that they have their best interests at heart.
Authenticity draws audiences in because they know they are dealing with a trustworthy brand. Social media is full of misinformation, which attracts people to the truth. Being authentic shows your audience that you are true to yourself and your word and will deliver on your promises.
Transparency in all aspects of your business helps your audience see the humanity behind your brand. Allowing your audience to
see behind the scenes gives them a better understanding of why you are passionate about your brand. A mutual understanding that your passion for your brand will lead to passionate results for your clients increases your brand reach, and ultimately, your sales.
Staying true to your character and allowing that to show through your social media posts brings your audience closer and builds a bond that will lead to an increase in brand awareness and sales.
EAST TENNESSEE STATE 2024 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Sat, Aug 31 @ App State 3:30 PM
Sat, Sep 7 vs UVA Wise 5:30 PM
Sat, Sep 14 vs N. Dakota State 5:30 PM
Sat, Sep 21 @ Elon 6:00 PM
Sat, Sep 28 @ The Citadel 2:00 PM Sat, Oct 5 vs Chattanooga 3:30 PM Sat, Oct 12 vs Samford 3:30 PM Sat, Oct 26 @ Wofford 2:00 PM Sat, Nov 2 @ Mercer 3:00 PM Sat, Nov 9 vs Western Carolina 12:00 PM Sat, Nov 16 vs Furman 12:00 PM
Sat, Nov 2 @ VMI 12:00 PM
Time Traveling for my Sanity
I don’t think I’m alone in being at a breaking point with the state of the world today.
Aside from finally hitting the “these kids today” age, I concurrently have the misfortune of living in one of the most bizarrely chaotic and exhausting times in history, and thanks to technology, there’s hardly an escape from the nonstop coverage of globally divisive negativity, short of barricading yourself in a bunker with no electricity. Quite frankly, that scenario is sounding most appealing to me versus the alternative at the moment.
Since I still have parents, pets and taxes I can’t abandon for a life of peace and seclusion, I’ve decided to construct an alternative reality for myself that brings me a great deal of joy without going completely off the grid and out of my mind. The one good thing about living in this day and age is that you can literally decide to be anything you want to be, and that is why I have decided to live my life like it is 1950 as much as humanly possible.
Please hear me out and don’t have me committed.
This idea came about innocently enough. I think we all have periods in history that we feel drawn to; for my friend Robbie it’s the antebellum south, for my mother it’s her hayday in the 70s and for me it’s the idyllic Baby Boomer years between WWII and Vietnam. Maybe it’s from growing up in less than perfect settings with parents who both worked a lot, but even as a kid I adored classic TV shows and movies that depicted the perfectly groomed nuclear family in friendly neighborhoods with wellappointed lawns. As I grew into womanhood, I idolized the smoky
eyes and tiny waists of the “Hitchcock Blondes,” and searched in vain for the brawn of classically dark and handsome leading men like Paul Newman, Marlon Brando and Cary Grant in my fellow slack-jawed Y2K collegemates. Even my house in Elizabethton was a 1948 cottage, which I took a great deal of pleasure in decorating by scouring local antique stores for periodappropriate furnishings.
Lately I’ve been having some health issues, which is particularly troubling for me because I’m a lucky individual who’s never had to give a second thought to illness beyond an annual sinus infection. As I was lying around one day, scrolling through Instagram, I stumbled upon an account dedicated to vintage historical photos, and many of them were of the era I adore so much. As I thumbed my way through the photos of people living their lives in 1950s America, I began to notice how few overweight people there were. In fact, there were none. If you snapped a candid photo on any beach right now, the average weight would easily run 40lbs heavier than the vacationers 70 years ago. What were they doing that we’re not now?
This led to making my way down a Google rabbithole, researching the day-to-day lives of the 50s housewife. Surprisingly they devoted little time to exercise in spite of their figures, and it’s of course due to the fact that women were naturally more active then. They started their day 30 minutes before the rest of the family, prepared 3 nutritious meals, maintained spotless households and ran daily errands by foot. Most families only had one car, which meant women walked to the grocery store, bank or clothier during the day while their husband was gone to work. In their little free time, they read books, took up hobbies like tennis or golf or took classes to learn new skills-all geared toward making
themselves more well-rounded individuals. I then dove into old recipes and diet plans to see how and what they were eating differed from myself, and it’s of no surprise they ate very little processed foods and portion sizes were far smaller. They baked their own breads, emphasized milk and fruits at each meal and always left room for a pinch of dessert. This is all stuff I can get behind!
So back to my decision to time travel for my own health and sanity. I do not enjoy the direction the world is heading, and that is not geared toward any one political or religious opinion; in general and in short, I think we’re going to hell in a handbasket. And even though I’m a modern woman and can recognize there were numerous faults with 1950s/1960s America, I think we’re losing a lot by doing away with many of these values. Lying on our backs, eating fast food and scrolling through useless memes, while working sedentary jobs is turning us into monsters. I feel empty from wasting my life away in this manner day after day, comparing myself to filtered, vapid people who care only about what designer label on their silicone filled butt will receive the most likes from strangers for validation. I crave intellectually stimulating people who are active and motivated and strong in their own beliefs, regardless of whether they differ from mine.
In an attempt to be the change I want to see, I’m adopting as many of these lifestyle habits of yesteryear as I can make feasible. I’ve begun following a diet that more closely resembles what was eaten then, and while I’m not baking my own bread, I did go buy some from the farmers market that was made in the simplest and most organic way. I’ve started reading books again and in the car, switched from my normal true crime podcasts to informative and educational ones like Civil War history and alcohol-
by Kathie Scalf
industry news for my career. I’ve started caring more about my appearance before leaving the house, and just for fun I’m avoiding news and current events in favor of classic films of the era I’ve not seen.
The wildest thing about living in 2022 versus 1955, is that you now have a choice in your own successes and failures and you can blame it on no one else. We all hold the literal key to the universe in our hands with internet powered smart phones. Any and everything you’ve ever want to know is a click away, it’s just up to you whether you use this key for good or evil. Which means if you’re ignorant, fat and poor, it’s by your own choice, just as much as if you’re educated, healthy and successful. I might seem like I’m sticking my head in the sand to the current turbulent times by mentally going backward, but I’m thinking the key to me moving forward might be taking a few steps backward. Who’s coming with me?
XO - Kathie
Unicoi County Apple Festival Expands with New Events and Celebrates 47th Year
As autumn’s vibrant hues paint the East Tennessee landscape, the Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the 47th Annual Unicoi County Apple Festival. Scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 4 and 5, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day, the festival will once again transform downtown Erwin, Tennessee, into a hub of seasonal celebration.
The Unicoi County Apple Festival, drawing more than 120,000 annual attendees, has been consistently recognized as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 events, earning accolades such as four Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association Pinnacle Awards and the Johnson City Press Readers’ Choice Best Local Event from 2018 to 2022. This year, the festival promises an enhanced experience with the introduction of two exciting new events: a Tennis Tournament and an Apple Decorating Contest.
“We are thrilled to host the 47th Annual Unicoi County Apple Festival right here in the heart of downtown Erwin and delighted to announce exciting new additions such as the return of the beloved tennis tournament and the introduction of the apple decorating contest,” said Amanda Delp, Executive Director of the Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce. “This annual festival truly showcases our community’s
spirit and provides a fantastic opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate the fall season.”
Festival-goers can expect an expanded lineup of activities over the two-day event. More than 400 artisans from across the nation will showcase their crafts, providing a diverse selection of unique gifts, home décor, and handcrafted items. Attendees will also enjoy live music performances on the festival stage, featuring a variety of musical acts.
Food enthusiasts will be delighted by an array of options available at two festival food courts, including both classic festival fare and local specialties. Apple-themed treats such as candy apples, fried apple pies, apple dumplings, and apple cider will be prominently featured.
Families will appreciate the large children’s area, located in the parking lot of Erwin Town Hall. This area will feature rides, inflatables, interactive games, and face painting, offering an interactive space for young festival-goers to explore and enjoy.
The festival will also host several competitive activities and contests.
The UT Extension’s Apple Cooking Contest will take place on Friday, October 4. Runners from across the country will compete in the Apple Festival 4-mile footrace and 2-mile race, coordinated by the
Unicoi County Family YMCA walk on Saturday, October 5.
In addition to these exciting activities, this year’s festival will include The Nursing Nook LLC, providing a dedicated space for parents to feed their babies, change diapers, or take a break. To further enhance the festival experience, sign language interpreters, provided by Northeast State Community College will be available at the stage area, making the event more inclusive and accessible for all attendees.
“Our goal is to make the Unicoi County Apple Festival a welcoming experience for everyone, which is why we are excited to introduce new features like The Nursing Nook and sign language interpreters this year,” added Delp. “These additions reflect our commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that every attendee can enjoy the festival to the fullest.”
The festival spans a 5-block area of downtown Erwin, including adjacent side streets. Attendees can easily access the event from Interstate 26, Exit 37, with several
parking areas designated for festival use. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, festival organizers request that pets, bicycles, and skateboards not be brought onto the festival grounds. In addition to the festival activities, visitors are encouraged to explore the local business community of Erwin and Unicoi County.
The area offers a range of shops, boutiques, and services, as well as stunning views of the Appalachian Mountains and opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Mark your calendars for this year’s Unicoi County Apple Festival and join us for a weekend of family fun and community celebration. For more information, please contact the Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce at (423) 743-3000, visit our website at www. unicoicountyapplefestival.org, or stop by the Chamber office at 100 South Main Avenue, Erwin.
In my opinion the current film "Twisters" is a must see on the largest theater screen possible. Some films you can see at home just fine, but certain films need the extra oomph theaters provide."Twisters" is described as a standalone sequel to the 1996 classic "Twister," which featured the famous flying cow sequence. The new film once more features a group of storm chasers, one group considered the "heroes" and the other group the "villains." The film features plenty of scientific jargon and ideas, but just like the "Jurassic Park" or "King Kong and Godzilla" movies, we come to see the main attraction in action, in this case tornados. The film introduces us to Kate Carter (Daisy Edgar-Jones), who works in Oklahoma with some fellow storm chasers who, as in the first film, have a doppler named Dorothy V, they hope to launch inside a tornado for research. After a tragic accident to the team which leaves Kate devastated, she leaves Oklahoma to take a job at the NOAA (National
By Ken Silvers theloaferonlineprint @gmail.com
Twisters
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) in New York City. Of course anyone with an IQ over 50 knows her job with NOAA will be a thing of the past when one of her former chasers, Javi (Anthony Ramos), visits from Oklahoma with the hope of luring her back to Oklahoma to to help him in the new company he works for named Storm Par, a mobile tornado radar company. Kate reluctantly agrees to return for a one-week position, which we all know will lead to more. Once she is back in Oklahoma, Kate meets the other members of Javi's team, which includes new Superman David Corenswet as Scott. Just as she gets acquainted with the team, "Tornado Wrangler" and YouTube star Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), shows up in his truck, and quicker than a twister can hit, you know Kate and Tyler are destined to be a couple. As in the original film, the two groups attempt to outdo each other in storm prediction and chasing. Eventually Kate and Tyler are in the tornado wrangler truck together, and Kate discovers her old friend's organization is on the seedy side. Her discovery leads to her trusting Tyler and feelings develop between all the storms and witty banter. The film features several smaller tornados, until a massive EF5 hits the ground headed for El Reno, Oklahoma. At this point in the film, Kate becomes the Ripley (Sigourney Weaver's character in the "Alien franchise) of the film and heads straight into the tornado to release Dorothy, which contains various chemicals
which they hope will. dissipate the twister in order to save more lives. The film ends with the expected happy ending for Kate, Tyler and Javi, and we get there after several harrowing storms and forgiven misdeeds by the characters.The actors are all great, but with his arrogance and bravado, Powel nearly steals the film from the twisters. "Twisters" breaks no
new ground in story-telling, but has great special effects and is one of those films I like to call a "popcorn flick," i.e. pure Hollywood magic on the screen. So I recommend that you sit back and let "Twisters" blow you away. (Rated PG-13)
Bristol
PARAMOUNT
Sep 6 ZOSO-The Ultimate Led Zeppelin experience
Sep 26 Key West
Sep 27 Trae Crowder
Sep 28 Dusty Slay (two shows)
Oct 4 Destination Soultown featuring the Sensational Soul Cruisers
Oct 6 Sunday Funday Clean Comedy Show
Oct 11 An Evening with Todd Rundgren
Oct18 Atlanta Rhythm Section
Nov 9 Deana Carter
Nov 10 John Crist
Nov 14 Farm & Fun Time featuring Wood Brothers with Lindsay Lou
Feb 15 Vitamin String Quartet
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
Sep 28 Black Jacket Symphony will perform will perform Elton John’s Madman Across The Water
Oct 7 Ben Folds
FREEDOM HALL
Sep 20 Rocktropolis’ 24 featuring Ace Frehley, Josey Scott of Saliva, Sebastian Bach and Scotty Austin
Oct 3 Zach Williams, CAIN, Matt Maher & Ben Fuller
Oct 20 Whiskey Myers, JJ Grey & Mofro
GREENVILLE
GREENEVILLE TN
NISWONGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Aug 24 Exile
Sep 5 Arrival From Sweden-The Music of ABBA
Sep 11 Stryper-40th Anniversary Tour
CONCERT SCHEDULE CONCERT SCHEDULE
Sep 23 Wheel of Fortune Live
Oct 5 Artimus Pyle Band honoring Ronnie Van Zant’s Lynyrd Skynyrd
Oct 13 Newsboys
Oct 18 The Isaacs-Tribute to the Grand Ole Opry
Oct 27 Sara Evans
Nov 2 Grand Funk Railroad
Nov 14 Tracy Lawrence
Nov 24 Gladys Knight
Dec 1 Girl Named Tom-Christmas Tour
MARION VA
MARION VA
THE LINCOLN THEATRE
Aug 24 Landslide: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
Sep 18 The Machine performs Pink Floyd
Sep 28 Abbey Road: Tribute to The Beatles
Oct 11 Spank The 80s
Oct 19 & 20 Gene Watson
Oct 27 An Evening with Pam Tillis
Nov 8 Killer Beaz
Nov 9 On Fire: The Hottest Tribute to Van Halen
Nov 16 Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
Nov 22 The Wizards of Winter
Nov 30 Chapel Hart
Dec 31 7 Bridges: The Ultimate Eagles Experience
CHARLOTTESVILLE
CHARLOTTESVILLE VA
TING PAVILLION
Sep 9 GOOSE
Oct 2 Vampire Weekend
Oct 3 Joe Russo’s Almost Dead
Oct 9 Ray Lamontagne & Gregory Alan Isakov with Erin Rae
Oct 25 Whiskey Myers with JJ Grey & Mofro And Colby Acuff
Knoxville
KNOXVILLE TN
BIJOU THEATRE
Aug 20 PJ Morton
Sep 13 Jamie Lissow
Oct 1 Spyro Gyra
Oct 2 Shovels & Rope
Oct 3 The War and Treaty
Oct 26 Henry Cho
Nov 8 Gaelic Storm
Nov 15 Preacher Lawson
TENNESSEE THEATRE
Sep 10 Patti LaBelle
Sep 22 Keb’Mo’ & Shawn Colvin
Oct 1 My Morning Jacket
Oct 3 Teddy Swims
Oct 10 Switchfoot
Oct 28 Jesse McCartney
Nov 19 Theory of a Dead Man
Dec 11 Mike Birbiglia
Dec 18 A Magical Cirque Christmas
THOMPSON BOWLING ARENA
Sep 12 Hootie and the Blowfish with Collective Soul and Edwin McCain
Oct 2 Jeff Dunham
Oct 25 Jelly Roll
Nov 19 Justin Timberlake
KNOXVILLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM
Oct 10 Air Supply
Oct 11 Chonda Pierce
Oct 18 Gary Allan
Oct 26 Dusty Slay
Nov 17 Sal Vulcano
Dec 11 Christmas with CeCe Winans and Roman Collins
KNOXVILLE CIVIC COLISEUM
Oct 3 Brantley Gilbert
NEYLAND STADIUM IN KNOXVILLE
Sep 22 Morgan Wallen and Hardy
ASHEVILLE
ASHEVILLE NC
THE ORANGE PEEL
Aug 27 The Linda Lindas
Sep 3 Soul Asylum
Sep 7 Brandy Clark
Sep 9 Buckethead
Sep 11 Bad Flower
Oct 1 The Hives
Oct 3 Mother Mother
Oct 20 Railroad Earth
Nov 7 & 8 Drive-By Truckers
Nov 10 Morgan Wade
Nov 11 GWAR
Dec 6 & 7 The Wood Brothers
Dec 12 Tommy Emmanuel
RABBIT RABBIT
Aug 30 Sublime and Rome
Aug 31 Juvenile with The 400 Degreez Band
Sep 17 Black Pumas
Sep 24 Kaleo
Oct 5 Violent Femmes
Oct 8 Lake Street Dive
Oct 13 Vampire Weekend (sold out)
EXPLOREASHEVILLE.COM ARENA
Aug 30 King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
Sep 17 Seether and Skillet
Oct 2 Ray LaMontagne & Gregory Alan Isakov
Oct 21 An Evening with Sturgill Simpson
Oct 25 & 26 GOOSE
Nov 9 Tedeschi Trucks Band
THOMAS WOLFE AUDITORIUM
Oct 1 Nurse Blake
Oct 17 Jo Koy
Oct 18 Barenaked Ladies
Oct 19 Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
Oct 23 Straight Up No Chaser
Nov 20 Bonnie Raitt
Nov 24 Mark Normand
Dec 12 Mike Birbiglia
Cherokee, N.C.
CHEROKEE, NC
HARRAH’S CHEROKEE
Sep 6 ZZ Top
Sep 20 & 21 Jamey Johnson
Oct 19 Charlie Wilson
Oct 25 Little Feat with Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel
Oct 26 Tower of Power
Nov 23 Babyface
Dec 14 Colter Wall
Dec 20 Home Free
Mill Spring, N.C.
HAMPTON VA
TRYON INTL EQUESTRIAN CENTER
Aug 30-Sept 1 Earl Scruggs Music Festival with Tanya Tucker, Old Crow Medicine Show, Yoder Mountain String Band, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, The Steeldrivers and many more.
A Tedious, but Good, Task
Those of you who are long-time readers of The Loafer, and of my column in particular, may recall that in the very early years of it I often reviewed music as well as my regular musings. I am, and pretty much always have been, a serious music lover. What I mean by that is the listening to music and the pleasure and enjoyment I get from it has been one of the great passions of my life. Even going back to when I was a kid, there exists a home video where I’m three and you can hear my mother remark “You know all he wants to do when he first gets up in the morning is listen to music.” You know I’m an advocate for physical media, and that doesn’t end with movies. I have been curating a large home library of music since I was, not joking, five years old when I was given a stereo with a CD player for my birthday. My home office is full of music on various formats. Cassette Tapes, Compact Discs, and Records.
Some 20 years ago I bought a MP3 player like many people, and as I began to rip my CDs to put on the device, I found I loved it. I used to haul a duffel bag full of CDs with me on vacations and road trips, along with my trusty portable CD player. This did all that, and in one little device that fits in my pocket!? The future is now, kids! Yet, as
Not Included
By Andy Ross
many people have moved on to being content not owning music and leaving it all up to a streaming service, I am not.
I still like having my music, and though I do subscribe to a streaming service, I still buy music. I also this year began a project to get the most out of my beloved CD collection, I’ve begun re-ripping most of them as lossless files, digital files with audio quality the same as the original CD. Now, you may be asking, why would I do this? Well, there’s several reasons. The biggest one for me is knowing that one day it is highly likely I will own a car without a CD player in it, which feels weird to me, to be honest.
If I have to rely one day on all my on the go and in the car music being on my phone, I want to be able to
listen to it in CD quality. Another is that last year I upgraded some of the speakers in my home to ones of higher quality, this is combined with the fact that I also use a home media server, made me think it be nice to dial up my CDs in their native fidelity from anywhere in the house.
But the biggest one for me is to be able to do some digital housekeeping. Some of these files began life in the mid-2000s as Window Media, then that got converted to MP3 as I changed digital players. There’s also a lot of duplicates of things. Somehow I wound up with five copies of the song “My Girl” in there, I’d like to have it all tidied up a bit to where there are less duplicates of things. I also want to be clear I’m not
doing this to get rid of the CDs, I’m keeping those. I’ve curated them for far too long to toss them and I do enjoy playing them in the office on a CD player that’s hooked into my current stereo. I also don’t believe that my CDs will one day suddenly stop playing either, but I do think maybe having a backup of them all in a lossless form is a good idea too. I don’t know when I’ll be done with this, I’m trying to tackle it all in waves to keep it from being overwhelming, I own around 700 CDs after all. I do know though that when I finish I will be pleased with the results and should, hopefully, never have to re-rip a CD again. It’s a task, but one that I’m enjoying, despite the tedium now and then. See you next week.
