The Loafer 77

HELLO SPRING

423-930-7319

www.theloafer.net

theloaferonlineprint@gmail.com

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

Founder: Bill Williams

Hello Friends!

Everyone reading this has a woman in their life. Wife, mom, grandma, aunt, sister or friend. I think we could celebrate women every day. I grew up with a wonderful woman in my life and I called her Nannie. She was always

Tree Giveaway: Arbor Day Observance Scheduled

Citizens are invited to a tree giveaway on Saturday, April 1 at Metro-Kiwanis Park, 817 Guaranda Drive. The event will begin at 9 a.m., when 2,700 tree seedlings will be handed out on a firstcome, first-served basis while supplies last. Varieties offered will include Tonto (red) Crape Myrtle, Redbud, White Dogwood, Bald Cypress, Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum, Paw Paw, and River Birch. Please note, a limited number of seedlings will be offered to each person attending.

This Arbor Day marks the 23nd consecutive year that Johnson City has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Since 2010,

for April 1

the City’s Public Works department has celebrated Arbor Day by distributing 32,450 trees to local residents for planting. Maintaining the Tree City USA designation requires the City to have an Arbor Day observance, a tree ordinance, a tree board, and to meet the minimum funding requirements for tree maintenance and planting.

“By participation in the Tree City USA program, Johnson City is able to highlight its commitment to the urban forest for the benefit of citizens and visitors alike,” said City Forester Patrick Walding. “The annual recognition helps draw attention to the fact that trees are an important part of our community.”

Bristol TN/Va

WEDNESDAY Mar 29th

Chris Long 6:00pm at Delta Blues BBQ

Benjamin Weimer 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

THURSDAY Mar 30th

Bluesman Unplugged 6:00pm at Delta Blues BBQ

Lowdown Revival 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

Julie and Willie 8:00pm at The Corner

Kayla McKinney 10:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar

FRIDAY Mar 31st

Tell Ripley 6:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar

2HL 6:00pm at Stateline Bar and Grille

Ella Folk 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

The Troubadours 8:00pm at Quaker Steak & Lube

Reppertons 8:30pm at Bristol Casino Bar

Savage Outlaws 11:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar

SATURDAY Apr 1st

Some Old Friends 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

Club Rewind 8:00pm at Quaker Steak & Lube

MONDAY Apr 3rd

Anthony Childress 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

Johnson City

TUESDAY Mar 28th

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

WEDNESDAY Mar 29th

HB Beverly 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza

THURSDAY Mar 30th

Justin Mychals 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza

Gman Blues and Dr. Ron 7:00pm at Mulligan’s Gaming Pub

The ETSU Jazz Ensemble 8:00pm at The Carnegie Hotel

Slackjaw | ParrisBridge |

Fractured Fram 9:00pm at Capone’s

Johnson City Jazz Collective

9:30pm at The Carnegie Hotel

FRIDAY Mar 31st

Jeff Lane 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza

Jason Edwards 7:00pm at VFW Post 2108

Stone Fire Band 7:00pm at Mulligan’s Gaming Pub

Zak Salts Band 8:00pm at Tulips Grub & Pub

Stone Fire Band 8:00pm at Mulligan’s Gaming Pub

Ed Snodderly

W The Shoestring Two 8:00pm at The Down Home

Elijah Wise 9:30 at Wild Wing Cafe

Hearts Gone South | Wild Leek River | Morgans Mill 10:00pm at Capone’s

SATURDAY Apr 1st

David Peterson’s Old Time Country 9:00pm at The Down Home

Asylum Suite 9:30 at Wild Wing Cafe

Daniel Byrd’s Boogie Machine | Marigold Thieves | BrownLow

10:00pm at Capone’s

Kingsport

FRIDAY Mar 31st

AllSkate 7:00pm at Gypsy Circus Cider Co.

Southbound 9:00pm at CJ’s Sports Bar

SATURDAY Apr 1st

Jusfine 7:00pm at Gypsy Circus Cider Co.

Full Sirkle 9:00pm at CJ’s Sports Bar

Bluff City

SATURDAY Apr 1st

Cory Smith 7pm at Riverside Taphouse at South Fork

Elizabethton

FRIDAY March 31st

The Shooter Band 8pm at Bonnie Kate Theatre

Derby Day is Back in the Saddle

On Saturday, May 6, at 4:00 p.m., Derby Day is returning to Main Street in Greeneville after a 4-year respite to benefit the children of Greeneville and Greene County. Held annually on the day of the Kentucky Derby, the fundraiser provides attendees with the authentic feel of the derby right here in Northeast Tennessee.

Derby Day will be held at the General Morgan Inn’s Rooftop Terrace, 111 N. Main Street, downtown Greeneville, Tennessee. Attendees are encouraged to wear traditional Kentucky Derby Day attire, such as elaborate hats, colorful dresses, seersucker suits, and bow ties, just as if they were going to the actual Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

“We are thrilled for the return of Derby Day,” says Betty Weemes, Derby Day Planning Committee Chair and Board Member of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee. Betty stated, “This wellloved and well-attended event was last held in May 2019 before COVID. After a long hiatus due to the pandemic - I am honored to share that our

return to Derby Day will be held in memory of Cecil L. Easterly. Cecil was a well-known philanthropist and former Laughlin Health Care Foundation board member. Laughlin sponsored Derby Day for many years. Cecil enjoyed volunteering for and

dressed couple. The fun will continue through the evening with Derby-themed games hosted by a live emcee, the popular Bill Brown. Heavy hors d’oeuvres are included, as well as one complimentary drink. Choose a mint julep, beer, or wine to enjoy before the race.

That automatically makes everyone attending this event part of the winners’ circle.”

According to Feeding America, one in five Greene County children is considered food insecure, meaning they don’t always know where or when to get their next meal. These children depend on their school to obtain meals and snacks, but when school is closed during summer and holiday breaks, the food has to come from elsewhere. Funds raised for Derby Day help make sure no child goes hungry in Northeast Tennessee. Tickets to the event are $125 per person. To buy tickets, become an event sponsor, or for more information, email Specialevents@ netfoodbank.org

attending this special event that helps feed the children of Greeneville and Greene County. Please help honor Cecil and come join us for Derby Day 2023!”

The evening includes music by David Price and his band, contests for the best hat, best-dressed man and woman, and best-

“If you can’t attend the Kentucky Derby in person, this social event is the next best thing to being at the track,” said Rhonda Chafin, Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee. “Derby Day helps to provide food to the children in our region that need it most.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee’s mission is to feed the hungry in Northeast Tennessee by securing and distributing food and engaging our community in the fight to end hunger. The Food Bank provides services in Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington Counties. For more information, visit netfoodbank.org.

Robin & Linda Williams to Play The Lyric

Robin and Linda Williams are closing in on a five decade-long career of performing the music that they love—a robust blend of bluegrass, folk, old-time, and acoustic country that combines wryly observant lyrics with wide-ranging melodicism. The duo will take the Lyric Theater stage in St. Paul on Friday, March 31st at 7 p.m. With songs recorded by well-known artists such as Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tom T. Hall, Tim and Mollie O’Brien, Mary Black, The Seldom Scene, and Emmylou Harris, these gifted songwriters have earned the respect of their musical peers.

“In 1971, a young schoolteacher named Linda Hill was visiting her parents in Myrtle Beach, S.C., when she met a musician named Robin Williams. She was a singer and played guitar. He was a regular on the coffeehouse circuit. The two hit it off immediately. Two years later, they were married and touring the country in a VW Bug. They’ve been on the road ever since. The couple tour and play constantly, sharpening their chops

and blending their voices together in lush Appalachian harmonies. They [were] mainstays on Garrison Keillor’s ‘A Prairie Home Companion’ and have influenced subsequent generations of roots musicians,” writes Stephen Deusner of the pair’s beginnings for CMT Edge.

Adult tickets are $10 at the door. All children and students admitted free. This performance is brought to you in conjunction with Pro-Art’s 46th season and the W. Campbell Edmonds Concert Series. For more information and to make reservations please visit proartva.org.

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 up-to-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.

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

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

Trivia at The Corner Bar Bristol, VA 8pm

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

To have your events added to this list email:

SODOKU CROSSWORD

Down

1. SALT concern

2. Siamese, today

3. Indiana city

4. Like a station in a power outage?

5. Cul-de-sacs

6. Hell, to Henri

7. Greek cheese

8. "The Kids ___ All Right" (2010 film)

9. Shoulders-to-hips areas

10. Often furrowed facial feature

11. "Whoops"

12. Singer Horne

13. Make it to the end

19. Request in a Chinese restaurant

24. "... but for the grace of God ___"

25. Moth-___: worn out

26. Show's host

ACROSS

1. "Gotta hand ___ ya..."

5. Trim, as meat

10. Torero's foe

14. Restaurant employee

15. Month after diciembre

16. Cousin of the emu

17. Spew

18. Post-lunch periods

20. "Look!" to Luis

21. Narc's org.

22. I couldn't care less!

23. "The ___ Sanction" (Eastwood film)

25. Abbr. in a super-short email

26. "Sleepless in Seattle" director Nora

28. Like a mortarboard

33. Lamb's cry

34. "___ recommend it!"

36. Garbo born Gustafsson

37. Caked deposit

39. Basted

41. Gray of song

42. James and Jones of jazz

44. Wish grantor

46. Mortgage org.

47. Like pigs, camels and giraffes

49. Take a ___ (try)

51. Store's stock (abbr.)

52. ___ alcohol (biofuel)

53. Mustachioed Don of classic films

57. Prefix with politics or centric

58. Geologic periods

61. One who does library work

63. Gone

64. Small hotels

65. Not happy

66. Strong urges

67. Geneticist's studies

68. Rainwear brand

69. Latin I verb

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

27. Miniseries segment

28. Pulled, as a broken-down car

29. Hesitant non-fluency

30. Gardener's device

31. ____ Sketch (toy for budding artists)

32. "A ___ the Races"

35. Desert region of southern Israel

38. Steely ___

40. Warps

43. Chainsaw brand

45. Ken. neighbor

48. Baseball situation

50. Shipboard "Understood"

52. Very wide shoe size

53. Etcher's supply

54. "Death in Venice"

author Thomas

55. Sicilian peak

56. Sinclair Lewis hero

57. Big breeze

59. Nursemaid dog of literature

60. Pt. of GPS

62. Agcy. of the legislative branch

OF THE WEEK PETS

Addy

Meet 2 yr old Addy! She is a sweet panther that enjoys being petted and LOVES wet food. Addy also likes helping us when we clean the floorby chasing the mop !!! She is playful, and gets along with most cats. Addy can be an independent girl when

she wants, but can also be a big cuddle bug! She has been spayed, current on vaccinations, will be microchipped when you come to adopt her. Addy qualifies for the Spring Fling adoption fee of $20.23 through April.

Gucci

Gucci is a very loving senior dog that is sweet, a cuddler and just wants affection. He’s quite the lap dog, knows basic commands, will take treats gently and likes to go on walks. He doesn’t care for small children,

cats, or most dogs. Gucci is leash trained, housebroken and loves to be brushed !!! Birthday 4/16/13. He qualifies for the Spring Fling adoption rate of $20.23.

If you are interested in adopting :

The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Shelter

423-239-5237 • 2061 Highway 75 Blountville, TN

Facebook: bridgehome

bridgehome.org

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

Last Week's Puzzle Answers

Sudoku Crossword

Cryptogram:

"In matters of religion and matrimony I never give any advice because I will not have anybody's torments in this world or the next laid to my charge."

Dropquote:

"You are responsible, forever, for what you have tamed. You are responsible for your rose."

Northeast Tennessee Tourism Now Accepting Entries for 2023 Pinnacle Awards

The Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association is currently accepting entries for the 26th Annual Pinnacle Awards, honoring the industry’s top individuals, events, and projects contributing to tourist related community and economic development in the Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia region.

Presented by Bristol Motor Speedway and produced in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, entries will be accepted in the following categories:

Events and Attractions

Best Festival or Event

Best New Event

Best Sports Event

Best Virtual Event

Best Virtual Series

Attraction of the Year

Projects

Roll With It Award

Best Marketing Campaign

Advertising & Promotions –various categories

Best Public Relations Campaign

Supporting Businesses

Best High School Campaign

Individuals and Businesses

Agency of the Year

Vendor of the Year

Partnership of the Year

Rising Star

Adventure Tourism

Adventure Tourism Leader

Sustainability

Frontline Employee Volunteer

Hospitality Leader of the Year presented by ETSU Office of Professional Development

Tourism Leader of the Year presented by Tennessee Dept. of Tourist Development

The deadline to submit entries is April 27. The cost to submit nominations ranges from $16$42 and is open to the public. An awards luncheon hosted by Visit Johnson City will take place on June 13 at The Heritage.

To nominate or purchase luncheon tickets, visit pinnacleawards.net. For additional information or questions, contact pinnacleawards@ northeasttennessee.org or 423-262-0238.

About the Pinnacle Awards

The Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association’s annual Pinnacle Awards program first began in 1997, and pays tribute to the industry’s top performers, projects, and individuals. Nominations are reviewed by a panel of unbiased judges, and exemplary projects are selected as Pinnacle Awards winners. The winners are announced at an awards luncheon during the summer each year. Additional information can be found at pinnacleawards.net.

About Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association

The Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association, chartered in 1977, is a non-profit tourism agency that serves and supports Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties, as well as portions of Southwest Virginia. The organization was named Tennessee’s Destination Marketing Organization of the year in 2019, and also serves as one of nine statewide regional tourism organizations recognized by Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

JOHNSON CITY

SATURDAYS

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

TUESDAY MARCH 28TH

White Rabbit Canvas Class

6:00pm at Into the Fire

FRIDAY MAR 31ST

Johnson City Love & Hiking

Date For Couples (Self-Guided)

7:00am at Willow Springs Park

Weekly YuGiOh Duel Night

6:00pm at CardFox

SATURDAY APR 1ST

Johnson City Love & Hiking

Date For Couples (Self-Guided)

7:00am at Willow Springs Park

State of Franklin Robot Rumble

8:00am at ETSU's the James and Nellie Brinkley Center

ETSU-Con 2023 10:00am at The DP Culp Center

Easter Market 10:00am at Stella & Cooper Co

SLA: Spring Plant Walk 10:00am at Shakti in the Mountains

Forsythia Festival 10:30am at Evergreen of JC

Miss Washington County 12:00pm at Carver Park

Teen Night Glow Egg Hunt 5:30 at Johnson City Public Library

THINGS TO DO THINGS TO DO

Salsa Dance Social 7:00pm at Cafetos Coffee

SUNDAY APR 2ND

Johnson City Love & Hiking

Date For Couples (Self-Guided)

7:00am at Willow Springs Park

ETSU-Con 2023 10:00am at The DP Culp Center

BRISTOL

WEDNESDAY MAR 29TH

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

THURSDAY MAR 30TH

Vaccine Clinic 3:00pm at Sullivan County Animal Shelter

Get Lucky Canvas Class

6:00pm at Kil'n Time Studio

Date Night Mixology Class & Latin Dance Lesson 6:30pm at AR Workshop Bristol

FRIDAY MAR 31ST

Brian Longwell, Jeff Greenspan, Andrew Ledbetter 8:00pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club

SATURDAY APR 1ST

Board Game Night 5:00pm at Bristol Public Library

Celebration of the Arts at King

7:30pm at The Bristol Hotel

Brian Longwell, Jeff Greenspan, Andrew Ledbetter 8:00pm, 10:00pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club

KINGSPORT

FRIDAY MAR 31ST

Final Friday Food Truck Rally

5:00pm at High Voltage KPT

SATURDAY APR 1ST

Nature: Wolf Howling

10:00am at Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium

JONESBOROUGH

TUESDAYS

Jonesborough Storytelling

Guild “Stories n’More” Show

7:00pm at The International Storytelling Center

SATURDAY APR 1ST

Historic Jonesborough

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

ABINGDON, VA

WEDNESDAY MAR 29TH

Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon Community Center

FRIDAY MAR 31ST

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

SUNDAY APR 2ND

Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon Community Center

‘Mr. December’ Exhibit Highlights

Life of Artist, Author and Adventurer William Nealy

The life and experiences of artist, author and part-time adventurer William Nealy are highlighted in a new exhibit on display through June 9 at the Reece Museum on the campus of ETSU.

“Mr. December: The Life, Art and Experience of William Nealy … Illustrator and Outdoor Sports Cult Hero” is presented in association with the Nantahala Outdoor Center and may be viewed Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Two special events are planned in conjunction with the exhibit.

On Saturday, April 1, from 1-3 p.m., ETSU’s Dr. Scott Honeycutt, who curated the exhibit along with Reece Museum staff, will provide guided tours of the exhibit and Blue Ridge Paddling will be on hand to talk about river paddling. This event is part of the museum’s First Saturday hours, which are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month through May.

Also, Daniel Wallace, author of “Big Fish,” will visit the Reece Museum on Wednesday, April 12, as part of the ETSU Spring Literary Festival. He will participate in a 3:30 p.m. conversation about his new Nealy memoir titled “This Isn’t Going to End Well,” followed by a premiere reading and book-signing at 7 p.m.

During the late 1970s, Nealy began creating a series of hand-drawn river maps and guidebooks that became popular among rafters and other outdoor enthusiasts. The “Mr. December” exhibition features his work and celebrates his lifestyle of adventure through an installation of various outdoor

Biker Events

sponsored by biker wear

adventure equipment.

“The rivers of the southeastern United States are some of the most important waterways in the entire country,” said Honeycutt, an associate professor in the ETSU Department of Literature and Language. “They are our national treasures, and those of us who love America’s wild heart have a responsibility to share that love.

“I hope people will come to the exhibit and marvel at the way that Nealy was able to capture in pen and ink the vibrancy of our landscape, and I hope that visitors are inspired to spend more time in the outdoors, exploring its rough wonder and advocating for its protection.”

“Mr. December” features over 100 original William Nealy artworks on loan from the Nantahala Outdoor Center, including maps, cartoons, comics, books and sketches. Also on display are large-scale reproductions of Nealy’s art, including an 8-foot-tall map of the Nolichucky River. Visitors are invited to navigate the display using a custom Exhibition Guide that includes a map of the gallery and to participate in a scavenger hunt for a chance to win a unique prize. The exhibit and associated events are free and open to the public.

The Reece Museum is a unit of the Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services, which is housed in the ETSU Department of Appalachian Studies. For more information, visit etsu.edu/ reece or call (423) 439-4392. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at (423) 439-8346.

Local Events:

1. Beauty & The Beast Boxing & Dinner Weekend

April 7th – 8th Pigeon Forge

2. TN Hill Brewstillery Bike Bash 10am – 1pm April 8th

3. WJ’s Spring Bike Show 11am April 8th

4. Truck Race on Dirt – Bristol April 8th

5. Food City Dirt Race April 9th – Bristol

6. Bluegrass in the Blue Ridge April 14th – 16th Meadowview Conference Center

7. Music on the Hill with Car & Bike Show April 29th Happy Valley High School

8. 11th Annual Thirsty Orange Extravaganza April 29th

Bike Night:

1. Wednesday – 19E Pit Stop

2. Wednesday – Jonesboro VFW – Dog Tags

3. Thursday - Quaker Steak & Lube

4. Friday - Tulips

Rides:

1. Benefit for Mini Miracles April 1st at Indian Dealership KSU 11am

2. WesMann’s Ride For The Ramp April 22nd Black Wolf

Harley Davidson 11am KSU 12

Rallies:

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

2. Tallahassee Bike Fest April 14th – 16th Tallahassee, FLA

3. Thunder on Tobacco Road April 20th – 23rd Seven Spring NC

Beanz Biker Corner Beanz Biker Corner

Hello everyone, well Spring is here. Since everybody is going to want to get out and about I thought it would be nice to start telling folks about things to go do in our local area. (Backyard Terrors and Dinosaur Park 1065 Walnut Grove Rd, Bluff City, TN 37618) Phone: (423)391-7017 or (423)534-4429

Backyard Terrors started in 2007 with their first dinosaur sculpture in their backyard... where else? Since then, they have created and put together a plethora of things for all themes, pirates, monsters, dinosaurs, aliens, you name it! They do set design and can make an entire display or just make one unique piece. They also do some rentals. Backyard Terrors also operates The Funhouse Haunted Attraction, Monsters, Myths, and Legends and the Dinosaur Park, a nonprofit free admission attraction for all ages.

Chris Kastner – Owner - These are Chris’s Words:

The dinosaur park is a dream of mine that started out with

me wanting a life size dinosaur. I couldn't afford one so through much trial and error I built myself one in 2007. We received a lot of cars stopping to take pictures of our first one, the Jurassic Parklike Raptor that now stands just outside the entrance. After that one we built another and another, finally deciding to make a park of it for all to enjoy. We currently have over 60 prehistoric creatures with more coming soon as we grow. We have a picnic area and the local Pizza Plus delivers here. We also have a small gift shop. We're a donation-based attraction, which means we don't currently charge any admission to get in. We want children of all ages to able to afford to come here and experience life-sized creatures from our wonderful prehistoric past. All donations and gift shop purchases will aid us in expanding and becoming a better attraction for our patrons. We're open every day from 9AM to Dark. Tours are self-guided; photos and videos are permitted. We ask that no one touch the dinosaurs or exhibits except where intended. There are maps available for free at the entrance with information on the animals in the park and informational signs on each animal. Thank you so much for allowing us to do what we are good at and being able to serve the public while doing it. Our mission as always is to Entertain, Educate, and Impress!

Beanz Biker Corner

By Anne Hartley

423-297-5675

Dino Park in the Dark. Bring your flashlights and your courage! The powers out and the dinosaurs are on the loose! It's after hours at Backyard Terrors Dinosaur Park. And a volcanic eruption has the dinosaurs all riled up! Sneak through the park and discover the mystery of dinosaurs in the dark, hear the sounds of the T-Rex

crashing through the trees as the sirens signal a warning. See Park staff trying to recapture escaped dinosaurs! See trees alive with fireflies and escape the fire erupting volcano! We have 3 Payment Options: 1. Pay with credit or debit using PayPal: backyardterrors@gmail.com 2. CashApp $BackyardTerrors 3. Cash: Pay cash right at the gate. NOTES: 10.00 reserves your spot • If we leave 5 spots open to pay when you get here, 10 cars may show up to get them and we don't want folks driving this far for nothing. • We do also need volunteers if anyone would like to help out message here or email.

Useless Facts:

1. A dinosaur called the Pegomastax is one of the weirdest dinosaurs known. Described as a cross between a parrot and porcupine, it had a beak with teeth that sharpened

themselves against each other.

2. In the 1993 movie, Jurassic Park, there is only 15 minutes of dinosaur footage: 6 minutes of CGI and 9 minutes of animatronics.

3. One of the weirdest dinosaurs is the Suzhousaurus. Looking like a giant rat, this odd dinosaur also had a furry body, which suggests it is a distant ancestor of the giant ground sloth.

4. People have only been on Earth about 2.5 million years. Dinosaurs lived on Earth for about 160 million years, which is about 64 times longer than people been around.

5. Meat-eating dinosaurs are known as theropods, which means “beast-footed,” because they had sharp, hooked claws on their toes. In contrast, planteating dinosaurs tended to have blunt hooves or toenails.

Social Sentiments

By Wendy Hayden socialsentiments @outlook.com

No Budget? No Problem!

Social media marketing can be a daunting task, even with the proper advertising budget. But what happens when you have no budget at all?

Small businesses and nonprofit organizations are no strangers to this issue. Social media platforms operate on a “pay to play” basis, meaning that the more advertising dollars you spend, the more likely your content will get pushed to the top of the feed. Small businesses and nonprofit organizations do not have the funding to successfully take advantage of this model.

Creating authentic content that resonates with your audience can alleviate this issue. Share worthy content boosts visibility without

funding. It allows you to bypass the “pay to play” model and reach audiences that you may not know to target with advertising.

Free tools for graphics, such as Canva, and scheduling tools, such as Buffer and Hootsuite, can save time, money, and effort. (Canva even has a free pro upgrade for nonprofit organizations.) Visuals help your content stand out and scheduling tools help you stay on top of your feed. Research the tools that will benefit your marketing efforts and their pricing models. You’ll be surprised at how much you can do without a budget if you embrace your creative side.

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation to Support Black History Walking Tour in Downtown Johnson City

Visit Johnson City and Langston Education and Arts Development, Inc. (LEAD) are proud to announce that the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation is providing $5,000 to fund research to launch a Black History Walking Tour of Downtown Johnson City.

“Visitors and residents are interested in learning about Johnson City’s Black history, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to develop something to fill this need,” said Brenda Whitson, Executive Director for Visit Johnson City.

The idea of a walking tour was inspired by similar work being done in Jonesborough and in collaboration with The Heritage Alliance. Jonesborough’s Vice Mayor Adam Dickson has been a catalyst for the conversation around the possibilities in Johnson City. Dickson also serves as supervisor of partner organization The Langston Centre, a multicultural community engagement facility and

Johnson’s City’s original Black high school. LEAD encouraged Langston’s redevelopment eight years ago and continues to partner with Dickson and the City of Johnson City to bring creative programming and education to the facility.

“LEAD is pleased to partner with Visit Johnson City in helping to shape the tour and determine how a researcher can bring this work to our area,” says James Smith, a LEAD board member.

“We see that LEAD will be part of taking this research to the development of signage, flyers, web-based information and other means.”

“Diversity and inclusion is a priority at BlueCross, and supporting this partnership to preserve Black history in Johnson City is a meaningful and tangible way to put our values into action,” said Chelsea Johnson, Director of the BlueCross Foundation.

The Foundation has invested in similar initiatives to encourage connection and

healthy activities in the Tri-Cities region, including the BlueCross Healthy Place at Kiwanis Park in Johnson City. To date, the program has invested $34.8 million in BlueCross Healthy Places across the state.

Any researcher interested in applying for this opportunity can do so at: www.heritageall.org/2023/03/nowhiring-research-worker-for-blackhistory-tour-of-johnson-city-tn/

Langston Education and Arts Development, Inc. (LEAD) is committed to providing responsive educational and multi-cultural opportunities designed to bring diverse groups of people together in a safe learning environment. The organization seeks to preserve the cultural relevance and heritage of the Langston High School site and hopes to utilize the building as a multicultural community center for educational and artistic programs.

Trends to End in 2023

It’s true I’m no longer a girl in her 20s; heck it’s true I’m a woman dangerously close to ending her 30s. Which means I’m at that phase in my life where the generational gaps start to become increasingly obvious and I let infuriating colloquialisms like “when I was your age,” and “these kids today” slip with a fair degree of regularity. I must be well on my way to old and curmudgeon, because some days I just wake up and seemingly everything annoys me; this happens to be one of those days. For the last few years there have been stupid things pop up that I thought “surely this is a passing phase and will be gone soon,” and nevertheless they’ve persisted and worse become the norm. I’m here today to present a list of trends that need unfollowing, and my arguments for why. As with everything else in life, this list is strictly opinion and satire and if it offends you, please make your own list and put me on it.

At the top of my list of grievances and the personal bane of my existence: filters.

It started innocently enough. We all downloaded snap chat and took kooky pics of ourselves with puppy tongues, and cat ears and exploding heart eyes. It was all just lighthearted fun! Then Instagram and Facebook got in on the action, creating new technologies to see yourself as an old person or the opposite sex. It was still caricature and no one used them with any degree of seriousness. But slowly, one at a time and with the assistance of “influencers” around the globe, face filters are now created strictly to enhance the features and go undetected, with the majority of people using them in every single photo they capture, and its gotten out of hand. It appears the reality of “real life” is too unappealing and what can a little tweaking hurt? Women in

particular are now filtering photos to create an entirely CGI generated appearance that is not even close to their real looks-in fact, that’s the number 1 grievance I hear on online dating from men. They say most women edit and filter their photos so heavily that when they show up in person they’re unrecognizable and feel catfished.

The most beautiful women I know abuse filters more than anyone, which is hardest for me to comprehend. These are knockout 10s that I could only aspire to look like, and every photo of themselves has been altered to give the same fox eye, plump pout, over-highlighted, anime-adjacent image as every other vacant social media “celebrity.” And it’s like they’re so de-sensitized to it, they are using increasingly over-the-top filters to the point they’re looking completely cartoonish and don’t even realize. It’s psychotic and I don’t understand; it truly feels like mental illness to me, and worse, it’s just plain lazy! If you can’t afford the procedures to give yourself a cat-eye or plump your lips in real life, and you don’t want to learn how to do it with makeup, then you don’t get to fake it by slapping a stupid filter on every photo, build a totally new human online and then walk around in the real world looking like Rocky Dennis in Mask. Better yet, learn to love the real you, then promote accordingly. We all want to present the best version of ourselves digitally, but at what point is it becoming a lie?

Now for my next point of grief: the extra-long beard.

Men, you’re not getting off the hook on this list. Back in 2012 or so, we saw a surge in men growing out their beards. The “Lumbersexual” look became popular and the beard oil and barbershop industry exploded. Inch by inch, their beards continued to grow, surpassing Brawny man and moving into Confederate Soldier, and finally landing in Wizard territory. I thought surely these long, disgusting beards

will become annoying and this too shall pass in a year or so. And though it’s not as popular as it was a decade ago, I still see far too many men with their over-conditioned face manes for my liking.

I’m a woman who loves a beard and really can’t say I’ve ever dated a man without one. But a neatly trimmed stubble to ½” thickness is plenty. Its masculine but shows you care about your appearance. And no matter what you say, I don’t care how much you moisturize and trim that Duck Dynasty disaster on your face, it is not sanitary. I watch you all eat and drink; I see you sucking the beer foam from your mustache that’s curled into your mouth, and I watch the crumbs fall south and disappear into the forest of wiry uncontrollable hair cascading toward your chest. And for the love of god, shave your neck beard daily. Nothing looks sloppier than a ZZ Top beard with another miniature beard that runs into your chest hair. Finally: TikTok (or as I call it IckTok.) Why, just…why?

During Covid lockdown, it was kind of understandable. Being locked in your house bored with kids and spouses or alone for weeks on end was the only feasible reasoning in my opinion that a grown adult would set up a camera and film themselves dancing and lip-syncing to other people’s words. But it continued, and then there were TikTok “trends” where multiple people were doing the same stupid dance. Again, not just teenagers-grown adults. Then Instagram created Reels to get in on the action, and now the same ridiculous content is being posted on 2 platforms. Now it’s just the norm to see people standing in front of their phones mouthing quotes and songs and playing pretend like it’s actually not completely weird. And what a time suck! There is something far more addicting about IckTock than any other social media site that has people scrolling nonstop. I have never gotten sucked in, but I have friends and

by Kathie Scalf

family who spend hours into the day and night numbing their minds with fluff content and probably killing brain cells. I’m kind of sick of social media in general, but IckTok needs to go. If you want to play make believe like a child, go outside and play in nature or get lost in a book; that seems far more constructive than fake-talking into a phone screen alone.

This list could go on for days, but in the interest of keeping a space of positivity I will end here. Once again, this is strictly a matter of opinion and luckily we live in a world where everyone has the freedom to express theirs. And while these trivial matters are very annoying to me personally, in the grand scheme of things, they mean nothing. I just wish in general we would all get back to a more organic mindset and stop the herd mentality. Maybe we can make being un-trendy the next trend!

XO - Kathie

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park April 2023- Programs and Tours

Come Share in the Glorious Cause of Liberty!

Sabine Hill Guided Tour

Thursday, April 27 1:00 pm

Adults - $9.00; Ages 7 to 17 years$5.00; 6 and under free

Tax included

Max: 12

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.

Carter Mansion

Saturday, April 1

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Celebration

Join us for a day of history, traditional arts and family fun as we celebrate the oldest frame

house in Tennessee, and the historical prominent Carter family. Travel back to the 1780’s and tour the Carter Mansion. Witness living history reenactors demonstrating aspects of 18th century life and see local craftsman showcasing traditional skills.

1850s Trade Faire at the Carter Mansion

Saturday, April 15 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Free Admission

(Donations Appreciated)

Although built in the 1770s, Tennessee’s oldest frame house was a thriving farm and family home for nearly two centuries. Come spend the day at the Carter Mansion and visit with living history interpreters to learn about various trades, skills, and professions of the mid-19th century. Enjoy learning about occupations such as a lawyer, doctor, undertaker, and others. Also, learn about medicinal plant usage, tasks of 19th century housewives, midwifery, children’s games, and more.

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.

Watauga Valley Art League Meeting

Sunday, April 16 1:30 pm

All are welcome to join our area

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

Tech in Nature

Friday, April 21 1:00 pm

Admission - $5.00 (plus tax), 6 and under free Max: 20

Pre-Registration requiredwww.tnstateparks.com/parks/ events/sycamore-shoals

Today, most people are inseparable from their smart phones and mobile devices. We want to embrace this cultural change and show you how you can better use technology on a day-to-day bases in nature. Using tools such as GPS locating, plant identification, and other easily accessible resources and apps, we will show you how to enhance your experience rather than take away from it. Join Ranger Cory Franklin on Earth Day for a walk around the park to better understand the tools you carry with you daily. The program will meet and begin at the picnic area beside the visitor center.

Annual Plant Auction / 2nd Spring Open House

Saturday, April 22 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Doors open at 8:15 am to view plants and register.

Auction begins at 9:00 am. Join us for the Annual Plant Auction and 2nd Spring Open House here at the park. Come bid on plants,

flowers, and shrubs of all kinds. Also take in a variety of outdoor organizations and groups that will be set up in the Visitor Center and outside the park. Represented will be Master Gardeners, our very own in-house butterfly/bird expert, other neighboring State Parks and sites, and many more. So, plan on joining us for a fun-filled day of indoor and outdoor activities to kick off your Spring! Sponsored by the UT Extension Service, E. Tenn. Nursery Assoc., and Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park.

Earth Day Celebration

Sunday, April 23

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

abine Hill Social Society celebrates Earth Day with a fun day of outdoor activities. We will be meeting outside at the park for an afternoon of shuttlecock, & 9 pins. Look for us near the fort. Period attire is preferred but not necessary. Please bring your own refreshments, chair/ground cover. In the event of inclement weather, this event will be rescheduled.

Old Time Music Jam

Led by Art Lang

Sunday, April 23

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!

True Spirit

I don't know about you, but I tend to enjoy films based on true life events. One such film based on a true story is "True Spirit", now streaming on Netflix. The Australian film tells the story of Jessica Watson, an Australian sailor, who at the age of 16, attempted a solo navigation around the world. The film is set in 2009 when Jessica (Teagan Croft) is doing all she can to fulfill her dream of sailing solo around the world, which would take possibly 200 days. During the journey she must cross the equator and all meridians of longitude. One day Jessica does a test run, and while on the run her boat is hit by a freighter which has strayed off course. Had she remembered to turn on her alert system before she went to bed, the accident would have been avoided. After this harsh lesson, the media in Australia begins to doubt she is prepared for such a trip. Jessica is not deterred

Pop Life

By Ken Silvers theloaferonlineprint @gmail.com

by the skeptical media, and with the help of her support team consisting of her mom Julie (Anna Paquin), her father Roger (Josh Lawson), her three siblings, and her coach Ben Bryant (Cliff Curtis), she sets sail from Sydney to begin her journey. The journey begins smoothly until she encounters her first big storm, which is extremely violent. Instead of heading away from the storm, she decides to ride it out, but is knocked unconscious and doesn't wake up until the next morning. Jessica convinces her parents she is fine and continues the journey and continues her trip. After enduring the harsh strom, she encounters a period of no wind, which results in her sailboat being stationary for a week. The unexpected stop in her trip brings on a bit of depression and loneliness, but eventually her mom lifts her spirits by singing to her, and the wind once again returns. As Jessica is about one thousand miles from Sydney, she is alerted three storms are about to merge, and Ben tries to convince her to take an alternate route for safety. Jessica considers doing so, but if she does take the alternate route, it will ruin her completion of her circumnavigation. Jessica refuses to give up, and choses to ride the monster storm system out. At this point I will not reveal what she experiences, but I will just say

the film ends on a happy note, where Jessica is named the Young Australian of the Year. I must add Jesica has dyslexia, and despite her challenge, inspired many young people around the world during her journey, and eventually wrote two books. To this day Jessica is an avid sailor. The cast in the film is wonderful, and all are well cast, with Teagan bringing light and energy to her portrayal of Jessica. Of course Paquin is her usual excellent self, and Curtis ("Fear the Walking Dead") is

effective in his portrayal of the disgraced former competitive sailor. Director Sarah Spillane ("Around the Block") keeps the film exciting, and allows star Teagan to do all the emoting she needs in her role. "True Spirit" is a wonderful story of how you should never let anyone keep you from achieving your dreams. Now streaming on: Netflix. (Rated TV-PG) YouTube TV. (Not Rated)

Bristol

CONCERT SCHEDULE CONCERT SCHEDULE

BRISTOL TN/VA GREENVILLE TN

PARAMOUNT

Mar 11 Free Fallin’-The Tom Petty Tribute

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 Eagles-

Tribute to The Eagles

Apr 29 Ashley McBryde (sold out)

May 11 Steep Canyon Rangers

May 19 A Brothers Revival-

Tribute 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 Road-

Tribute to Elton John

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

Oct 14 Lady Supreme-

Tribute to Diana Ross

CAMEO THEATER

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

JOHNSON CITY TN

FREEDOM HALL

Apr 4 The Price is Right Live

Apr 14 Nate Bargatze

Jun 2 Mr. Speed- Kiss Tribute

MARTIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Apr 30 Amy Grant

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

NISWONGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

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

KNOXVILLE TN

TENNESSEE THEATRE

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

May 20 Chelsea Handler

Aug 18 Kansas

THOMPSON BOWLING ARENA

Mar 30 Kane Brown

Apr 1 Eagles

Apr 21 Lizzo

May 16 Stevie Nicks

May 23 Breaking Benjamin /Bush and Another Day Dawns

Jul 15 Thomas Rhett

Sept 12 Guns n Roses

Oct 16 Shania Twain

KNOXVILLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM

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 COLISEUM

Apr 15 & 16 Leanne Morgan

Aug 24 Billy Strings

Sep 14 Parker McCollum

BIJOU THEATRE

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

NASHVILLE TN

RYMAN AUDITORIUM

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

Aug 27 Ghost

Sep 12 /13 Artic Monkeys

BRIDGESTONE ARENA

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

Jul 3 Matchbox Twenty and The Wallflowers

Jul 16 Blink 182

Jul 29 Sam Smith

Sep 12 Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie

Sep 29 Thomas Rhett

Oct 19 Depeche Mode

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

GEODIS PARK

Aug 26 Guns n Roses

Manchester

MANCHESTER TN

BONNAROO MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL

Jun 15-18 Foo Fighters, Paramore, Nil Nas X, Sheryl Crow, Kendrick Lamar, Korn, Marcus Mumford, The Revivalists, Pixies, Umphrey’s McGee and more!

Asheville

ASHEVILLE NC

THE ORANGE PEEL

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

Jun 22 Margaret Cho

EXPLOREASHEVILLE.COM ARENA

Mar 17 Koe Wetzel

Mar 25 Tedeschi Trucks Band

Apr 20 Mt Joy

May 9 Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

THOMAS WOLFE AUDITORIUM

Mar 12 MercyMe

Apr 27 Brett Young

July 3 The Smile

GREENVILLE

At the New Year, I made one resolution that I swore I was going to accomplish. I know we are just about a quarter of the way through 2023, but I still haven’t made any headway into accomplishing this grand task. It’s not a life-or-death task, and it’s not like I’m running out of time to get it done. But I resolved that I was going to give my record collection a long overdue organization.

For most people, this would be a simple task that takes a few hours over an afternoon or an evening.

For me, when your collection takes up a portion of a wall in your downstairs room, you’re gonna need a bigger boat. I think that’s why I find myself dragging my feet about getting into it. The last time I did this it took a day and a half. That was years ago and my collection has grown more than a good bit since.

There’s also that pesky factor of time. Since last Summer I swear that I end every week going “That was a busy week, I hope it quiets down a little next week.” Then

Still Unresolved

I’ll repeat that till we get to me saying “That was a busy month, I hope it quiets down a little next month.” This is the world I have lived in for a while. Somedays it’s a “drink all the coffee and hang on” and others it’s “The chaos is somewhat organized and if you’re studious you may have one cup of coffee between the time of 9:15 and 9:55 this morning.”

I know that when it comes to this round of organization, which will include some long overdue thinning out of a couple of records, will be a multi-day affair. One year ago I organized and alphabetized my CD collection— yes, I still have all of mine as I don’t trust everything to stream. That took two days to finish. I’ve said many times on these pages that I love music and I simply need to have the physical objects that contain the sounds in my life.

There are some small ways where Past Andy will have helped Current Andy when it comes time for Future Andy to finally start going through all the vinyl. Some artists are organized, and there is some genre organizing going on. One-half of the shelving is devoted to rock/pop and the other is broken down into segments by shelf. One for Christmas, Jazz, Soul/R&B, Vocal Jazz, and Soundtracks, and another for lots of random bits of whatnot that is my various section.

The day will come, before the end of this year, when I will get this done. I’m half debating seeing if I can trick some friends into coming over and helping me. It’s not so much taking the old records off the shelf that I fear will overwhelm me, as much as it is what it will look like when all these are out

on the floor in stacks being ready to be flipped through so I can alphabetize them.

I simply dread the idea of having all my records off their shelf, only to be overwhelmed to the point of not doing anything with them. Yet, I know that at some point I’ll do it. Maybe I should come up with a plan where I just go through and grab all the records out in alphabetical order. All the As, Bs, and so on, right down the line.

Still. I can’t help but like the idea of getting friends over to help. I’ll cook, it’s a good bribe. Then maybe I’ll finally get the darn things in order. Till then, I’ll just keep staring at it, putting the “pro” in “procrastination.” See you next week.

By Andy Ross theloaferonlineprint @gmail.com