The Loafer 73

your week’s line-up

Ann

The

423-930-7319

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Founder: Bill Williams Let’s

NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER

Hello Friends!

This week we are thrilled to feature the amazing Dr. Seuss on our cover! How many of you and your children learned to read with one of his famous books? I absolutely loved reading those books to my kids!

Reading is such a great habit to teach your children at a young age and Dr. Seuss made it so fun to read. What is your favorite book?

It is only 24 days to Spring! I am so excited for nicer weather every day and not just random days. Right now we have to check the weather every morning to see if a jacket is needed. The nice weather this past week has me so spoiled!

Dr Seuss, Read Across America, and Reading Tips Too

By [https://EzineArticles.com/ expert/Carol_Josel/308241]Carol Josel

Calling himself Dr. Seuss, Theodor Seuss Geisel took 236 vocabulary words, rhymed them and repeated them for a grand total of 1,629 words, and called it The Cat in the Hatabout two kids home alone on a rainy dayand their one-of-a-kind visit from the Cat, Thing One and Thing Two. Kids loved it right from the start, vaulting him to fame.

Like the 45 books that followed, the language is spirited and fun. Simple, too. Indeed, in the whole story, only one word, another, has three syllables; fourteen have two, while the remaining 221 are all monosyllabic. Just right for young readers-older ones, too.

In all, more than 200 million copies of his books have been sold-and in 15 languages, including Latin. And no wonder. Dr. Seuss’s whacky, laughout-loud rhyming stories have gifted children everywhere with a love for reading. As he says in I Can Read with My Eyes Shut, “I can read in red; I can read in blue; I can read in pickle color, too.” It’s what we all do when we’re in his company.

Along with the fun, come lessons, too. Take, for example, what the Grinch learned that night he stole Christmas: “Maybe Christmas,” he thought,” doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more.” That’s, of course, when his heart grows three sizes, he returns all the toys and food he’s taken, and ends up carving the roast himself.

Or consider the advice in Oh, Beyond Zebra: “Oh, the things you find if you don’t stay behind.”

Then there’s everyone’s favorite graduation gift, Oh, The Places You’ll Go, which reminds readers that “Life’s a Great Balancing Act” and ends with: “Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way!”

The festivities celebrating Dr. Seuss’s 106th birthday begin on March 2nd

with Read Across America, now in its twelfth year. Everywhere, teachers, parents, and kids will be honoring this masterful writer and illustrator and the joy of reading.

For local events, check your local library, school, and bookstore. Meanwhile, celebrate at home, too, by rereading all those favorite Dr. Seuss books and make some placemats based on them, too. Talk about a dinnertime conversation starter! And then keep books and reading uppermost in your family life every day.

1. Read to your child from infancy on-

for a book talk and snacks.

6. Talk about what you’re reading, sharing your thoughts about the author’s writing style, the characters, story line, etc.

7. With your preschooler, point out and sound out words on everything from cereal and pizza boxes to milk and egg cartons, stop signs, billboards, labels, headlines, and so on.

8. Make up stories for one another.

9. Be seen reading.

10. Turn off the cell phone, TV, computer, and video game players and read together.

Meanwhile, all around the house keep within easy reach such items as:

• Cookbooks

• Travel brochures

• Magazines and newspapers

• Restaurant menus

• Catalogs

• Comic books

• Maps

• Manuals

• Phone books

And then share these words from the mother of Dr. Benjamin Carson, director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital: “Bennie, if you can read, honey, you can learn just about anything you want to know. The doors of the world are open to people who can read.”

Theodor Seuss Geisel would second that.

-even older kids love hearing a good story-and read expressively, perhaps altering your voice for each character.

2. As you read, stop every so often asking for a prediction of what might happen next.

3. After a book is finished, ask for your child’s opinion about the plot, characters, ending, etc., and do it conversationally. Dr. Seuss knew that reading should be an enjoyable, relaxing experience and not one that ends in an interrogation.

4. Ask your child to recommend a book and/or author to you, and do the same for her.

5. Start a book club for your child, gathering his friends once a month

11. Make reading a bedtime ritual-but read at other times, too.

12. Present your child with her own library card.

13. Together, visit your local library and bookstore often and remember that self-selection ensures interest.

14. Make sure that books, either borrowed or purchased, are written below his grade level to avoid frustration.

15. Give books as gifts-based on interests and reading level.

16. Subscribe to such kid-friendly publications as Kids Discover and Time for Kids.

17. Maintain a home library for both you and your child

Carol is a learning specialist who worked with middle school children and their parents at the Methacton School District in Pennsylvania for more than 25 years and now supervises student teachers at Gwynedd-Mercy College. Along with the booklet, 149 Parenting School-Wise Tips: Intermediate Grades & Up, and numerous articles in such publications as Teaching Pre-K-8 and Curious Parents, she has authored three successful learning guidebooks: Getting School-Wise: A Student Guidebook, Other-Wise and School-Wise: A Parent Guidebook, and ESL Activities for Every Month of the School Year. Carol also writes for examiner.com; find her articles at http://www.examiner.com/x-6261Montgomery-County-Wise-ParentingExaminer For more information, go to http://www.schoolwisebooks.com or contact Carol at [mailto:carol@ schoolwisebooks.com]carol@ schoolwisebooks.com.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles. com/?Dr-Seuss,-Read-AcrossAmerica,-and-Reading-TipsToo&id=3854168] Dr Seuss, Read Across America, and Reading Tips Too

Bristol TN/Va

WEDNESDAY Mar 1st

Ed Snodderly w/ Brandon Story & Guests! 6:30pm at Machiavelli’s

Ashton Brown and Ashton Davison 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

THURSDAY Mar 2nd

Jace Smith 6:00pm at Delta Blues BBQ

RJ Smith 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

FRIDAY Mar 3rd

Hospital State followed by Scotty Melton 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

TJ Darnell 8:00pm at Quaker Steak & Lube

SATURDAY Mar 4th

Matt Byrd Band 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

Noah Spencer 8:00pm at Quaker Steak & Lube

MONDAY Mar 6th

Anthony Childress 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

Kingsport

FRIDAY Mar 3rd

Banjo Bar-Bee & the Buzz

7:00pm at Gypsy Circus Cider Company

The Color 7

9:00pm at CJ’s Sports Bar

SATURDAY Mar 4th

Dan Herrell & The Troubadours

9:00pm at CJ’s Sports Bar

Johnson City

TUESDAY Feb 28th

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

WEDNESDAY Mar 1st

HB Beverly 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza

THURSDAY Mar 2nd

Justin Mychals 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza

Thomm Jutz & Tim Stafford

7:30pm at The Down Home

FRIDAY Mar 3rd

Jeff Lane 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza

Tannahill Weavers 8:00pm at The Down Home

No Filter 8:00pm at Tulips Grub & Pub

Flannel- Ultimate 90’s Grunge Tribute 9:30pm at Wild Wing Cafe

Weekend Vertigo | Basement Days | The Ruminations

SATURDAY Mar 4th

Kayla McKinney and Twisted Trail 9:30pm at Wild Wing Cafe

Savage Outlaws

10:00pm at Capone’s

Abingdon

FRIDAY Mar 3rd

Victor Lawson and Boogie Chillen

6:00pm at Wolf Hills Brewing Bluff City

SATURDAY Mar 4th

The Fitzgeralds 9:00pm at Riverside Taphouse at South Fork

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park

March 2023- Programs and Tours

Come Share in the Glorious Cause of Liberty!

Carter Mansion Guided Tour

Wednesday, March 1 1:00 pm

Wednesday, March 2 1:00 pm

Thursday, March 9 1:00 pm

Thursday, March 22 1:00 pm

Adults - $9.00; Ages 7 to 17 years$5.00; 6 and under free Tax included Registration requiredwww.tnstateparks.com/parks/ events/sycamore-shoals

Join Park staff for a tour of Tennessee’s oldest frame house! Discover the secrets of this elegant frontier home and learn the history of the family who built it between 1775 and 1780.

The John and Landon Carter Mansion is located at 1031 Broad Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643

Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.

Sabine Hill Guided Tour

Friday, March 10 1:00 pm

Friday, March 23 1:00 pm

Adults - $9.00; Ages 7 to 17 years$5.00; 6 and under free Tax included Max: 15 Registration requiredwww.tnstateparks.com/parks/ events/sycamore-shoals

Join Park staff for a guided tour of this stately home built by Mary Patton Taylor, widow of Brigadier General Nathaniel Taylor. The site has been described as one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in the State of Tennessee. During your tour you will have the opportunity to take in the colorful and architecturally detailed interior while learning about the influential Taylor family who called

Sabine Hill home in the early 19th century. Sabine Hill is located at 2328 West G Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643 Please note, only portable toilet facilities are available at this time. Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.

Weed Wrangle 2023

Saturday, March 4 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Admission: Free! Max: 20

Registration required

www.tnstateparks.com/parks/ events/sycamore-shoals

Have you ever wanted to get involved with your favorite state park? On March 4th we will be hosting a weed wrangle event, removing the invasive English ivy along our historic riverfront trail. The event will last for 3 hours and we will provide gloves and bags for removal. Please call park visitor center if you have further questions at 423-543-5808.

Workshop: Traditional Irish Dance

Sunday, March 5 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Class Fee: $6.00 Max: 30 (Friends of Sycamore Shoals Members - Free)

Registration Required

www.tnstateparks.com/parks/ events/sycamore-shoals

Have you ever wanted to learn how to Irish Step Dance? If so, join Irish Dance instructor, Kimberly Mullinex, Appalachian Irish Dance Co., for an afternoon of learning basic Irish Dance steps. Mullinex is originally from the Hampton area. After becoming familiar with traditional Irish Dance as an adult in Boston, MA, competing on performance teams and then teaching in other states; Mullinex hopes to bring Irish dancing back to the hills of

Tennessee. Class is open for all ages 5+ - adults. Wear comfortable shoes! Provided in conjunction with Sabine Hill Social Society.

Overmountain Weavers Guild Fibers Show and Sale

Saturday, March 11 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Sunday, March 12 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Don’t miss this great opportunity to visit with some of the best fiber artists of our region! If you love fibers, this is the place for you! Demonstrations include weaving, spinning, knitting, natural dyeing, and more. A variety of handmade items will be offered for sale.

Transylvania Purchase Celebration

Friday, March 17 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Join Park staff at Sycamore Shoals State Park for various demonstrations of trade goods, tools, and currency to celebrate the 248th anniversary of the Transylvania Purchase.

Vegetable Gardening with Ben Hunter

Saturday, March 18 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Free! Max: 50 Registration required www.tnstateparks.com/parks/ events/sycamore-shoals

The second session in our gardening seminar series will focus on vegetable gardening. Gardener extraordinaire, Ben Hunter, will be joining us to share his experiences & techniques for growing the garden of your dreams!

Watauga Valley Art League Meeting

Sunday, March 19 1:30 pm

All are welcome to join our area

artists for their monthly meeting, highlighted by an art related presentation.

Tennessee Tree Day 2023

Saturday, March 18 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Reserve Trees Herewww.flipcause.com/secure/cause_ pdetails/MTcwMjAy

This year Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park has partnered with the Tennessee Environmental Council to participate in the 2023 Tennessee Tree Day. There will be 40 trees of various species to choose from, 1 tree per person, while trees last. However, participants can go to the link above and reserve their own trees for this year. Pick up times are listed above, for further information please call the park visitor center at 423-543-5808.

First Day of Spring Hike

Monday, March 20 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Admission: Free! Max: 10 Registration requiredwww.tnstateparks.com/parks/events/ sycamore-shoals

Join Park Ranger Cory Franklin on the first day of spring hike! This guided hike will feature native tree identifications and a guided walk along the Watauga River. Learn how to recognize a tree with or without leaves, how our ancestors used the trees, and other unique facts. If you want to learn something new or enjoy an easy hike, the 1st day of spring hike has something for everyone.

Old Time Music Jam –

Led by Art Lang

Sunday, March 26 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Enjoy the rich musical traditions of our region each month. Old time musicians of all levels are welcome. Don’t play an instrument? Come on over, kick back, and enjoy the tunes!

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

THURSDAY

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

Sing Your Heart Out Karaoke 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 with Absolute Entertainment at Union Street Taproom - Erwin, TN 8pm Jan 28, Feb 18 & Mar 4

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

WEDNESDAY

Trivia at Tipsy Toad Jonesborough, TN 7pm

Trivia Night Mellow Mushroom Bristol, VA 7pm

THURSDAY

Mellow Trivia at Mellow Mushroom

Johnson City, TN- 7pm

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

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

DROP QUOTE

ACROSS

1. Small armed warship

8. Oblong eatery

13. Undeterred

14. Idolizes

16. Lifts

17. Square dance call

18. Respected church leaders

19. Waste container

21. "___ Call You Sweetheart"

22. Oxfords

23. Tulsa's st.

24. Application abbr.

25. H.S. subj.

26. Beginning phase

CRYPTOGRAM

O'U KYR ZYKZXLKXC WVYFR WBB NXBB

VLXWEOKM BYYHX, VFR RNWR W

JWLR YI NXBB GOBB VLXWE BYYHX... OR'BB

VX UFZN NWLCXL RY

CXRXZR.

—George Carlin

27. Bazaar

30. ___ pro nobis

31. Pianist Chick with 14 Grammys

33. Emulate Gauguin

35. Sailor

36. Person with a goal

40. Came to a close

42. Music boosters

43. Weep

46. Oklahoma city

47. Prime time rating, often

48. Prodded, with "on"

50. Spinning firework

52. Steep-roofed house

53. Online seller or bidder

54. Rather than

56. One bringing home the bacon

57. Name on a 1945 bomber

58. Paul of "Bye Bye Birdie"

59. Make more attractive, as a deal

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

Down

1. Set

2. Familiar with

3. Thanksgiving's month

4. Be loud, as a radio

5. On the ___

6. Consumed

7. More snappy

8. Bits of baby talk

9. Vow phrases

10. Have a nibble of

11. Actor Leif

12. State of readiness

13. Rod attachment

15. Musical composition

20. Do-fa link

22. Le Duc ___ (1973 Peace Prize winner)

25. Auditors

26. Muscat is its capital

28. Honey-based liquor

29. Dress ____ (wear a costume of)

31. Anthropophagite

32. Commonplace

34. "I love this!"

35. Conical domicile

37. Make a driveway

38. Hints at

39. Anti-tank weapon, for short

41. 1949 Emmy winner for Most Outstanding Live Personality

44. Model-railroad scale

45. Lament

47. Lyon land

48. Send tax returns via the Internet

49. "____ Gravity" ("Wicked" merchandise slogan)

51. Listen to

52. Lotion additive

55. L.A.-to-Seattle dir.

OF THE WEEK PETS

Hi! My name is Mink! I am 2 yrs old, like to give hugs, like to be held, love to hide under my blankets, will give love nibbles but not too hard, older kids, please. I

Minx Redford

am litter box trained, up to date on my vaccinations, neutered and will be microchipped when you come to adopt me !!!

Last Week's Puzzle Answers

Hi! My name is Redford. I am a 2 yr old Husky mix. I was a stray for a long time until someone was able to catch me. The people that caught me, held me for a week or so and were going to keep me, but I messed up and killed 2 of their chickens. They said I was good around other dogs and cats, but we are not sure how I get along with kids. I know basic commands like sit, lay, stay but until I get to know

you, I would probably be a flight risk, so keep me on a leash. I do attach quickly and might have some separation anxiety. The people that caught me did take me on a couple hikes and I enjoyed that, they also took me to a restaurant, and I had very good manners. I’ve been neutered, current on vaccinations and microchipped.

Cryptogram:

"Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks.."

Dropquote:

"Journalists do not live by words alone, although sometimes they have to eat them."

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

World-Folk Fusion Ensemble Comes to Big Stone Gap

Project Locrea will perform compositions and contemporary arrangements inspired by folk music from around the world on Wednesday, March 1st at 7 p.m. in the Goodloe Center on the Mountain Empire Community College campus in Big Stone Gap. Combining sound and instrumentation of world folk traditions with classical, jazz, and contemporary music conventions, Project Locrea’s focus is to foster better understanding and deeper connection between cultures. The world-folk fusion ensemble blends traditional musical instruments including the Chinese Hammered Dulcimer, Andean Pan Flutes, and Argentinian Bombo, with modern western instruments, namely the flute, guitar, drums, and percussion.

Tickets are $15 at the door and all children and students are free to attend. This performance is brought to you by the Pro-Art Association and Mountain Empire Community College in conjunction with Pro-Art’s 46th season and the W. Campbell Edmonds

Concert Series. More information and reservations at proartva.org.

Founded by Bulgarian-born flutist Yana Nikol in 2018, the project introduces audiences to different musical traditions through the lens of artistic creativity. The instrumentation at the group’s inception included flute, Chinese dulcimer, Azeri tar, guitar, bass, and drums. Since then, Project Locrea has expanded and welcomed many new members and instruments including a Peruvian pipes player, a Bulgarian kaval player, and an Ethiopian vocalist. The ensemble has performed at Blues Alley (DC), Creative Cauldron (Falls Church, VA), Atlas Performing Arts Center (DC), Levine School of Music, Casa Phoenix (DC), Culture Center at the Opera House (Havre de Grace, MD) and internationally at the MACAO Youth Music Festival in Macao, China.

Pro-Art partners with a variety of venues, therefore individuals with mobility issues are encouraged to call (276) 376-4520 or email the Pro-Art office at pro-art@uvawise.edu to

make arrangements for parking. For evolving conditions related to the global pandemic, inclement weather, or similar unforeseen circumstances, patrons are encouraged to check proartva.org for upto-date information.

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 Slemp Foundation, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Mountain Empire Community College, and the Columbus Phipps Foundation. For more information about Pro-Art, please visit proartva.org, call the office at (276) 376-4520, or send an email to pro-art@uvawise.edu.

JOHNSON CITY

SATURDAYS

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

WEDNESDAY MAR 1ST

Festival of Ideas: David Brooks

7:00pm at ETSU Martin Center for the Arts

FRIDAY MAR 3RD

Johnson City Love & Hiking

Date For Couples (Self-Guided)

7:00am at Willow Springs Park

Second Annual 52 Film Fest

8:00am at Wallace Theater

St. Patty's Gnome Door Hanger

6:00pm at Into the Fire

Weekly YuGiOh Duel Night

6:00pm at CardFox

SATURDAY MAR 4TH

Cat Adoption Event for Humane Society of Washington County at The Mall at Johnson City

Johnson City Love & Hiking

Date For Couples (Self-Guided)

7:00am at Willow Springs Park

Bike and Beans 8:00am at Trek Bicycle JC

Reception: Old Deery

Inn & Museum 1:00pm at Reese Museum

THINGS TO DO THINGS TO DO

SUNDAY MAR 5TH

Johnson City Love & Hiking

Date For Couples (Self-Guided)

7:00am at Willow Springs Park

Guest Artist: Dawn Kalis

5:00pm at ETSU Martin Center

BRISTOL

WEDNESDAY MAR 1ST

Comedy Open Mic 7:30pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club

THURSDAY MAR 2ND

Swing into Spring

Canvas Class 6:00pm at Kil'n Time Contemporary Ceramic Studio

Improv 101 Graduation Show

8:00pm at Blue Ridge

Comedy Club

FRIDAY MAR 3RD

Brian Bates 8:00pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club

SATURDAY MAR 4TH

Board Game Night 5:00pm at Bristol Public Library

Brian Bates 8:00pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club

KINGSPORT

THURSDAY MAR 2ND

First Thursday Shop and Hop 5:00pm at Downtown Kingsport

SATURDAY MAR 4TH

Jericho Shriners

Gun and Knife Show

9:00am at Jericho Temple

Nature: Wolf Howling

10:00am at Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium

Innovate Wrestling

Homecoming 2023 7:30 at Kingsport Civic Auditorium

SUNDAY MAR 5TH

Jericho Shriners

Gun and Knife Show

9:00am at Jericho Temple

JONESBOROUGH

TUESDAYS

Jonesborough Storytelling Guild “Stories n’More” Show

7:00pm at The International Storytelling Center

WEDNESDAY MAR 1ST

IBN Biz Lunch 11:30am at The Black Olive

SATURDAY MAR 4TH

Historic Jonesborough

Town Tour 1:00pm at Chester Inn State Historic Site Music on the Square

Fundraising Event

6:00pm at McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School

SUNDAY MAR 5TH

Simple Elegance Bridal Show 1:00pm at Historic Jonesborough

ABINGDON, VA

WEDNESDAY MAR 1ST

Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon

Community Center

FRIDAY MAR 3RD

Movies for Adults 2:00pm at Washington County

Public Library

SUNDAY MAR 4TH

Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon

Community Center

Useless Facts

sponsored by biker wear

1. The reason the taste of artificial banana flavoring and artificial banana flavored products doesn’t taste like bananas is that it is based on a type of banana that was wiped out by a plague in the 1950s.

2. Australia has over 10,000 beaches. You could visit a new beach every day for over 27 years!

3. It was Nicholas Cage who first advised Johnny Depp to pursue a career in acting, during the mid-1980s.

4. The national animal of Scotland is the Unicorn.

5. The directors of the film Despicable Me actually wrote their own language for the Minions called Minionise.

6. Viagra, when dissolved in water, can make cut-flowers stay erect for up to a week longer than they usually would. Try it!

7. There is an uninhabited island in the Bahamas known as Pig Beach, which is populated entirely by swimming pigs.

8. Catnip is ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET, the main substance used in insect repellents.

9. Hares are born with fur and can see whilst rabbits are born ‘naked’ and blind.

Local Events:

1. 1st Annual St. Patty’s Day Party at True Sons MC Club House March 18th 2pm

Rallies:

1. Daytona Bike Week March 3rd – March 12th

2. Cave Creek Bike Rally March 24th – April 2nd Cave Creek AZ

Rides:

1. Benefit Ride for Jill Cassandra Sly Funeral Expenses March 19th The Cave KSU 1pm

2. WesMen Ride For The Ramp April 22nd

3. Annual Spring Ride Combat Vets March 18th Lexington, SC

Bike Nights:

1. Quaker Steak & Lube Thursdays starting April 13th

Beanz Biker Corner Beanz Biker Corner

Hello everyone, ready to say bye bye to February and hello to March. Don’t forget Daylight Saving Time is Sunday March 12th. Spring is just around the corner. With warmer weather coming more and more bikes are out and about. Poker Runs will be happening. If you see a large pack of bikes roaring down the road it is most likely they are riding for a cause. What is a Poker Run? Poker runs usually require a fee to enter and some for each additional hand; in some events a small part of the fee may go to funding the event, including the prizes, while the rest goes to the event's charity recipient. A poker run is a platform for motorcyclists, amateur riders, and biking enthusiasts, allowing them to take unconventional routes and explore the roads while also raising funds for events, including charity, service, or a cause for welfare held by motorcyclists or vehicle-based organizations. It is patterned based on traditional poker where the dealer hands out the players five or seven cards, and the player with the best hand is declared as the winner. Similarly, instead of being handed out the

Beanz Biker Corner

By Anne Hartley

423-297-5675

playing cards, the participants must ride to predetermined locations and acquire the poker chip card. A poker run is an organized event in which participants, usually using motorcycles, must visit five to seven checkpoints, drawing a playing card at each one. The object is to have the best poker hand at the end of the run. Having the best hand and winning is purely a matter of chance. You can opt not to play cards and roll dice instead at each stop. A dice run is one variation, where instead of collecting cards, participants roll dice at each stop. The object is to have the highest score as determined by the sum of the dice rolls. The player with the highest number and the lowest number wins a prize at the end of the ride. Each checkpoint might offer food or entertainment, either covered by the entry fee or at additional cost. Each participant is responsible to maintain the integrity of their hand during the run. Hands are usually written down or marked with punched holes on a ticket, rather than assembled from actual cards given to the riders. The only requirement is that riders arrive at the final checkpoint by the time prizes are awarded, usually near the end of the day, typically at a party with food and refreshments. It might be required that participants collect all of the requisite number of cards, five or seven. Although most events are on motorcycles, off-road vehicles, boats, or horses, events involving small aircraft, ATVs, bicycles, golf carts, snowmobiles, skateboards, running, canoeing and kayaking, and geocaching have been held. Poker runs are a great way to get people together and have some fun, usually while raising money for a good cause. They have been organized for all sorts of transportation – kayaks, speedboats, ATVs, horses – and even travelled on foot. But most commonly they tend to appeal to the biker community, and it isn’t hard to see why. Poker runs are organized over a set route with five or seven

different checkpoints. Riders are issued a map at the start and sent on their way. It isn’t a race, but rather an organized ride, often through great scenery and places you may not have been. There is usually a generous time limit, so everyone is finished by a reasonable hour. The organizers know how to make the ride enjoyable and will go out of their way to include some great roads and sights to enjoy, either riding solo or with your mates. Poker runs have been organized in cities and across open country. With rides publicized well in advance, it’s not unusual to find bikers travelling from all over the country to take part in a particular ride. After all, getting too the starting line is often part of

the adventure. Bikers turn out in the hundreds for poker runs, so they’re also a great place to meet like-minded individuals and talk all things motorcycle. You’ll see all different kinds of bikes, from revamped classics to modern muscle, and get a chance to swap maintenance tips and share ideas. It’s the socializing before and after the ride that draws people in as much as the journey itself. In fact, large poker runs can almost have a festival atmosphere. And by adding in an extra element through poker, event organizers can make the ride even more exciting.

Spring Sunshine Into Your Feed!

Social media, if used correctly, can be extremely motivational. It can motivate you to start that project you’ve been working on through groups filled with expert advice. It can also inspire you to start a business that shows the world what you are truly passionate about. Negativity runs rampant on social media, but with some tweaks, you can have the positive experience you deserve.

Ridding yourself of negative followers is a great way to add more sunshine into your feed. Content created and shared by negative people can significantly impact your mental health. Don’t be afraid to click the unfollow

button on negativity. That button is the start of your path to a positive social media experience.

Comments are able to be deleted for a reason. Negative comments can have a lasting effect on mental health, whether intended or not. You hold the power to remove comments that interfere with your ability to maintain a positive outlook.

Take control of your feed by using your settings to your advantage. Filter negative language, block harmful users, and control tagging settings along with deleting negativity through followers and comments to ensure a positive social media experience that leaves you feeling fulfilled.

Social Sentiments

By Wendy Hayden socialsentiments @outlook.com

No Waste Meal Planning

I probably don’t need to tell you that it’s getting very expensive to live. From housing to vehicles, lumber and gas, virtually everything we use in our day-to-day lives has increased exponentially in cost, and nowhere has this become more obvious than on our grocery receipts.

Being a single female I’ve always been able to budget my grocery allowances from $50-$75 a week- that was until 2020. Since then my pantry and refrigerator staples have doubled in cost, with a carton of egg whites alone now running almost $7.

I already had these inflation issues at top of mind when I decided to write this article, sharing my lighthearted hacks for stretching your dollar at the grocery store. But in the hours before I sat down at my computer a video came across my Instagram feed that really put into perspective a much deeper reason to share these tips. The video was a gut-wrenching moment captured somewhere in war and disease-ridden Africa, of a starving child being given a few slices of bread. It was only a few seconds long, but it hit me like a ton of bricks, snapping me out of my selfish mindset of “first-world problems” and reminding me there are people experiencing true unimaginable pain and suffering. This child, who due to the shocking advanced state of starvation actually could have been anywhere between 5 and 20 years old, almost seemed fearful to take the slices of white bread, his large hollow eyes darting back and forth before he shoved it in his mouth and the video ended. I’m not an emotional woman and I rarely cry, but this shook me. However, what shook me even harder was the disgusting facts I discovered when I immediately began Googling statistics on US food consumption.

We are now a nation that is 73.6% overweight, with 41.9% of those people considered obese. With 2/3 of our population ingesting so much food we are overfed to the point of disease, one would think there would be a food shortage in this country. On the contrary, we have a massive food waste problem. Each year, 119 billion pounds of food is wasted in the US, which is nearly 40% of all food in America; which equates to 130 billion meals. For the record, the entire population of Africa is 1.2 billion, with 278 million (or 20%) suffering from chronic hunger. So if I did my math correctly, that means with just the food we throw away each year in the US we could feed every person who is starving to death 467 times.

I’m truly disgusted by this data. We have got to be better people, to ourselves and to others. It’s unacceptable that we live in such a land of comfort that we’re making up reasons to hate one another that don’t even exist outside our own minds. It’s unacceptable that we are actively choosing to kill ourselves with excess food while others are dying from lack of it. And the fact that our world’s leaders have figured out how to get anything my heart desires delivered to my front door in less than 24 hours via Amazon but somehow hasn’t figured out how to freeze and ship surplus food to dying people and instead chooses to let it rot in landfills should tell you everything you need to know about how much they really care about humanity. With all that being said, I can’t stand people who complain but never act toward resolution. I Googled “how can we help starvation in Africa” and the first piece of advice I was given was to “pray for them.” While I’m not knocking the power of prayer, I would prefer a faster acting and more handson solution to this crisis, and I firmly believe charity starts at home, so the most important thing we here in the US could do would be to help ourselves first. We have to stop this madness of hoarding and disrespecting our

bodies with superfluous amounts of toxic foods. I firmly believe obesity is a mental health issue and not a physical one, and should be treated as such; there’s no shame in seeking help for compulsive over-eating just as with any other addiction having a negative impact on your life.

Now, I’ll finally get to the initial point of this article and that is some advice on how to more effectively manage your grocery purchases, which will not only reduce personal waste, but will also keep more dollars in your pocket. The most important thing you can do, like most things in life, is to make a plan and stick to it. Only make one trip to the store each week; as the week rolls on and you run out of necessities, add them to a list for the following week. But while I’m a big fan of having a strict list for necessities like toilet paper, dishwasher pods, etc, I actually don’t make a set list of meals for the week. Instead, I “hunt” at the grocery store, and build my meals around what I find. Let me explain.

I eat basically the same breakfast every single morning. When it comes to lunch and dinner however, I like to mix it up. Kroger (and most other stores) is amazing for having daily markdowns on items that are going out of date the next day. So when I go in, the first section I visit is the meat department, as that is the focus of my meals. I see what good deals I can score and build my meals around that. Last week for $3.85 I got 6lbs of seasoned chicken thighs and legs on markdown, which after cooking and pulling off the bones came out to 2.5lbs of meat, or 9 4oz servings. Then I took all those bones and tossed them in the crockpot with onion, celery, carrots, salt, pepper and water and cooked it on low for 16 hours which yielded 12 cups of homemade bone broth, saving me another $12 off my grocery bill. Each and every department in Kroger has a markdown section, filled with discounted foods that can be cooked in the next day or two or frozen for later. Breads, produce, dairy and even

by Kathie Scalf

shelf stable items that are just going out of season can be purchased at a fraction of their original cost, saving you a boatload of money and keeping them from being needlessly wasted in a dumpster. And I know this is easier for me as one person who isn’t a picky eater, but this is when we all need to reevaluate our priorities and stop being so finicky about what we eat. Get creative and make it a fun family bonding time to explore new recipes and tastes together. Remember, that broccoli you can’t stand would be the dream of that child in the video.

Finally, if you have the capacity to garden, do so. Even if you live in an apartment, you can grow your own herbs and patio plants like tomatoes and peppers in containers. Buy locally sourced and sustainable goods to the best of your budget. And again, only buy what you can reasonably consume; we are blessed to live in the land of plenty, but it’s high time we stop taking it for granted, look outside ourselves and try to give as much if not more than we take.

XO - Kathie

Your Place or Mine

I have always loved Reese Witherspoon. My favorite film from the Nashville raised actress is "Legally Blonde", and to a lesser extent its sequel. Reese is back in the new film "Your Place or Mine" with costar Ashton Kutcher ("That 70's Show") now showing on Netflix. Reece stars as Debbie Dunn, who 20 years ago hooked up with Peter Coleman (Kutcher), and even though the two never went on to pursue a romantic relationship, have remained best friends since that one night together. Debbie currently lives in L.A. and is a single mom raising her son Jack (Wesley Kimmel) while trying to pursue a career that will help with finances even though she would rather be part of the book publishing world. Meanwhile, Peter is a highly successful consultant living in New York City. The two communicate daily much to the dismay of Peter's girlfriend Minka (Zoe Chao), who begins to wonder just how serious Peter is about their relationship. When Minka discovers Debbie is coming to New York to complete an

Pop Life

By Ken Silvers theloaferonlineprint @gmail.com

accountancy course to secure a pay raise, she decides to dump Peter after the news and his refusal to make a commitment to her. Meanwhile, back in L.A., Debbie is hit with the news her sitter for Jack has an unexpected job opportunity leaving her without a sitter. Upon hearing the news, Peter tells Debbe he would be happy to fly out to care for Jack while she takes her class in New York. Debbie, a very "smothering" parent, agrees to the arrangement and heads to New York after Peter arrives in L.A. Jack has always lived under the uber strict rules of his mom, and while he finds Jack strange at first, beings to love how his replacement sitter gives him the most freedom he has ever experienced. Jack, who has been rejected by two of his best friends, is receiving help from Peter to win them back. While she is in New York, Debbie begins her class and meets Minka who wants to see what Peters sees in his best friend. Minka actually takes Debbie under her wing, and one night while the two are out they see famous book publisher Theo Martin (Jesse Williams), strike up a conservation, and soon Theo and Debbie are crushing on each other. In a roundabout way, Peter discovers the budding romance between Theo and Debbie, and begins to realize he has feelings for Debbie and should have never let her go. As for Debbie, while she may be falling for Theo, she discovers something hidden in Peter's apartment that awakens feelings in her as well. From this point forward, one awaits

the eventual reunion between Peter and Debbie. The film has plenty of "cute" moments as one would expect from this type of film, and even provides some laughs. Reese is her usual peppy self, and this role is perfect for her. Kutcher is a fine co-star for bubbly Reese, and the two have great screen chemistry. The supporting cast is also great, with Chao perfectly cast as the ditzy "I don't read"

Minka. Steve Zahn is also on hand as Zen, Debbie's rich neighbor who is always tending to her garden while harboring a crush on his neighbor. All of the aforementioned results in an enjoyable romcom romp. If you enjoy this genre of film, and are a fan of Reese, "Your Place of Mine" is the film for you. Now playing on Netflix. (Rated PG-13)

Bristol

PARAMOUNT

Feb 23 Sierra Hull and Justin Moses

Mar 11 Free Fallin’-The Tom Petty Tribute

Apr 1 49 Winchester

Apr 15 Best of the Eagles-Tribute

CONCERT SCHEDULE CONCERT SCHEDULE

MARTIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Feb 28 Chanticleer

Apr 30 Amy Grant

May 20 The Black Jacket Symphony: Tom Petty’s Full Moon Fever

GREENVILLE

BRISTOL TN/VA GREENVILLE

Apr 29 Ashley McBryde

May 11 Steep Canyon Rangers

Mar 12 Newsboys

Mar 16 Farm and Fun Time Show with Sam Bush, Annabelle’s Curse and Bill and the Belles

Mar 31/Apr 1 49 Winchester

Apr 15 Best of the EaglesTribute to The Eagles

Apr 29 Ashley McBryde (sold out)

May 11 Steep Canyon Rangers

May 19 A Brothers RevivalTribute to The Allman Brothers

May 21 Mac Powell

Jun 17 Nightrain-Tribute to Guns n Roses

Jul 22 Head Games-Tribute to Foreigner

Jul 29 Journeyman: Tribute to Eric Clapton

Aug 12 Yellow Brick RoadTribute to Elton John

Sep 16 EW&F-Tribute to Earth, Wind and Fire

Oct 14 Lady SupremeTribute to Diana Ross

CAMEO THEATER

Feb 24 William Lee Martin

Mar 4 The Fab Four-The Ultimate Beatles Tribute

Mar 10 BoDeans

Mar 17 John Michael Montgomery

Mar 18 Bad Marriage

Mar 26 Eric Gales

Apr 8 Billy Prine and Prime Time Band

Apr 19 Trampled By Turtles

Apr 22 The Band of Heathens

Apr 29 Billy Idol and Bret Michaels (Street show)

May 10 An Evening with Roger McGuinn

Jun 17 Vixen

JOHNSON CITY

FREEDOM HALL

Apr 4 The Price is Right Live

Apr 14 Nate Bargatze

Jun 2 Mr. Speed- Kiss Tribute

NISWONGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Feb 17 Roots & Boots Acoustic tour with Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye and Sammy Kershaw

Mar 4 Resurrection- A Journey Tribute

Mar 11 Jefferson Starship

Mar 31 Gentri (The Gentlemen Trio)

Apr 4 One Night of Queen-performed by Gary Mullen And the Works

Apr 14 Mark Lowry

Apr 22 Masters of Soul

May 5 Wild World of Animals Free Community Concert Series

May 13 Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives

May 20 Get The Led OutLed Zeppelin Tribute

Knoxville

TENNESSEE THEATRE

Feb 25 Chris Rock

Mar 3 Home Free

Mar 16 Buddy Guy

Mar 18 Cheap Trick

Apr 26 Ben Folds and a Piano

Apr 27 Wilco

Apr 28 Amy Grant

May 13 Alice Cooper

THOMPSON BOWLING ARENA

Feb 17 Journey and Toto

Feb 18 Cody Johnson featuring Randy Houser

Feb 24 Blake Shelton

Mar 30 Kane Brown

Apr 1 Eagles

Apr 21 Lizzo

May 16 Stevie Nicks

Jul 15 Thomas Rhett

Oct 16 Shania Twain

KNOXVILLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM

Feb 17 Heather McMahan

Feb 21 Tedeschi Trucks Band

Mar 3 Zach Williams

Mar 14 Third Eye Blind

Mar 22 Champions of Magic

Apr 7 Rodney Carrington

Apr 13 Million Dollar Machine

Apr 20 Casting Crowns

Apr 29 Theresa Caputo

KNOXVILLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM

Feb 16 Whiskey Myers

Apr 15 & 16 Leanne Morgan

BIJOU THEATRE

Feb 17 Steep Canyon Rangers

Mar 9 BoDeans

Mar 11 Marc Brossard with Seth Walker

Mar 17 The Mavericks

Mar 23-25 Drew & Ellie Holcomb

Apr 7 David Sedaris

Nashville

RYMAN AUDITORIUM

Feb 20 Bush

Feb 23-25 Tedeschi Trucks Band

Feb 26 Billy Strings

Mar 4 Dawes

Mar 11 & 12 Bobby Weir and Wolf Bros

Mar 18 Buddy Guy

Mar 30,31 & Apr 1 GOOSE

Apr 6 The Mountain Goats

Apr 7 & 13 Morgan Wade

Apr 8 Leann Rimes

Apr 14 & 15 Lady A

Apr 19 Leann Morgan (Opry House)

Apr 21 David Spade

Apr 27-29 Nickel Creek

May 8-10 John Mellencamp

May 19 Crowded House

May 24 Rick Springfield

Jul 6 Sam Bush

Jul 13 Rhonda Vincent

Jul 27 Ricky Skaggs

Aug 19 Kansas

ASCEND AMPHITHEATER

May 6 Whiskey Myers

May 11 Koe Wetzel

Jun 23 Walker Hayes

Jul 11 Foreigner and Loverboy

Jul 18 Louis Tomlinson

Jul 19 Yungblud

Sep 12 /13 Artic Monkeys

BRIDGESTONE ARENA

Feb 17 Adam Sandler

Feb 19 TobyMac with Crowder

Feb 24-25 Billy Strings

Mar 1 Carrie Underwood

Mar 31 Kane Brown

Apr 7 Chris Tomlin

Apr 16 New Edition

May 4 Janet Jackson with Ludacris

Jun 13 Duran Duran

Jun 17 Bryan Adams and Joan Jett

NISSAN STADIUM

Apr 15 Luke Combs

May 5-7 Taylor Swift

May 19 Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks

Jun 11 CMA Fest

Jul 22 Ed Sheeran

Jul 28-29 George Strait, Chris Stapleton & Little Big Town

BROOKLYN BOWL

Mar 7 Theory of a Dead Man

Mar 9 moe.

Mar 23 They Might Be Giants

Mar 31 Larkin Poe

Apr 6 The Winery Dogs

Apr 14 Queensryche

May 20 The Steel Woods

Asheville

THE ORANGE PEEL

Feb 18 Elle King

Feb 22 Flogging Molly

Feb 25 Paul Thorn

Mar 4 Donna The Buffalo

Mar 6 The Beths

Mar 10 They Might Be Giants

Mar 23 moe.

Apr 4 The Winery Dogs

Apr 20 Judah & The Lion

May 12 & 13 Drive By Truckers

May 21 Trae Crowder

THOMAS WOLFE AUDITORIUM

Feb 22 Bobby Weir and Wolf Bros

Feb 25 Big Thief

Winston Salem North Caroiina

LJVM COLISEUM

Mar 3-4 Billy Strings

Mar 18 Koe Wetzel

A Common Gratitude

At the start of this year, I decided I wanted to take some steps toward improving my mental health. The first of which is giving mindfulness a try. It’s a tool you use to be more mindful of your thoughts and how they affect your mood. So if you feel like a failure instead of accepting the fact of your brain saying “I’m a failure” you simply say “I notice I had the thought that I think I’m a failure.”

Sometimes my brain is like a giant ball of knotted-up Christmas lights that have been in storage for 11 months. Tangled with half the lights out and three of them are blinking and you don’t know why. I told a few friends about my goal to try this and one of them, for my birthday, surprised me with a mindfulness journal. It looks like any other kind of spiralbound notepad or journal, but the pages inside are designed to help you be more aware of you

how you feel day to day. There are two pages for each day, one for the morning and one for the evening. These pages have prompts for you to fill in about your goals for that day on the morning side, and your thoughts on how the day went on the evening side. There’s even a 1-10 chart for you to circle how you felt your energy was that day. My favorite part of the evening side is where it asks you to list “thoughts to clear your mind.” This works wonders for me as I often tend to lay in bed with my brain in a loop over a variety of things. I’ve noticed an actual change there from being able to write some of those thoughts down. Now on the morning side of things, which I do when I sit with my first cup of coffee for the day, it lets you list three things you’re feeling grateful for that day.

creative type of person, and they tend to be drawn to coffee. Yes, coffee does rule all around me. I’ve talked before in these pages about how I am very much a “do not speak to me till I’ve had that first cup” kind of person. I need that time to come to terms with myself.

Yes, I am grateful for coffee. It’s what I need to get me going and sometimes I turn to it too much. I do, sadly, find that as I’m getting older I have to switch over to decaf at a

certain part of the day unless I wanna be up all night wired and ready to run a marathon. Yes, coffee. I shall keep listing it every single day when I journal, then drink it while I work, then hopefully not get the jitters and be a nervous wreck all afternoon.

Or maybe I should embrace that. As noted coffee lover Jerry Seinfeld once said “I like the anxiety” you get from coffee.” See you next week.

By Andy Ross theloaferonlineprint @gmail.com

I write the date at the top of the page each morning so I can keep track, and look back on down the road. So far, for the almost two months I’ve been filling out the journal, I’ve noticed one common thing that I list each day in the “things I’m grateful for” section. Coffee. Almost every single day I’ve listed coffee as the first thing I’m grateful for. Maybe it has to do with the fact I’m having my first cup, but really, I think it’s just a fact of my life that one of my great loves is coffee.

Let’s look at the fact. I’m a writer, writers traditionally thrive on coffee. I’m also a