The Loafer May 12th

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Appalachian Spring Festival

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19

Seige of Fort Watauga

...plus so much more

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May 12, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 3

Volume 29 • Issue #23

THURSDAY JAMS Kicks off May 21!

Publisher Luci Tate

Editor Graphic Arts Director Don Sprinkle Office Manager Luci Tate Cover Design Bill May Advertising Dave Carter Elaine Farris Terry Patterson Lori Hughes Contributing Staff Jim Kelly Andy Ross Ken Silvers Mark Marquette Brian McManus Joshua Hicks Jeff Ginther, M.D. Karie Grace Duncan Nathan Cox Published by Pulse Publishing, LLC., P.O. Box 3238, Johnson City, TN 37602 Phone: 423/283-4324 FAX - 423/283-4369 www.theloaferonline.com info@theloaferonline.com e-mail: editorial@theloaferonline.com (editorial) adcopy@theloaferonline.com (advertising) 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 loss of 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

in this issue ....

4 6 7 8 9 11 12 15 23 27

Thursday Jams atThe Abingdon Market Pavilion Suzy Bogguss & The SteelDrivers performs at NPAC Hot Nights, Cool Music Border Bash Celebrates its “Sweet 16” “Mary’s Wedding” at Barter Natural Health & Wellness Experience Lágbájá - World Music at its Finest Ken Silvers chats with local actor/singer/songwriter Brian Bishop Rack by the Tracks Jonesborough Welcomes Elizabeth Ellis

music & fun 16 28

Spotlight - Great Music & Fun Times Crossword & Sudoku

columns & reviews

14 Batteries Not Included - “The Lists Project” 18 She Does It Herself - “Creating A Succulent Terrarium” 20 Stargazer - “Everybody Knows Ursa Major’s Big Dipper” 21 Skies This Week 22 House Calls - “Ask Dr. Jeff” 24 Screen Sceens - “Avengers: Age of Ultron” 26 The Trivial Traveler - “The OTHER Statue of Liberty” 29 Lock, Stock & Barrel - “Cleaning Your Guh” 30 Kelly’s Place - “Farewell to Richard Corliss”

Page 4, The Loafer • May 12, 2015 ied under Yo-Yo Ma, but has become known as a virtuoso of rock, pop, folk and world music, as well as classical. He has performed and recorded with Coldplay, Evanescence, David Bowie and American Idol winner Phillip Phillips. The New York Times says, “Eggar’s work is breathtaking.”

June 4th-Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line With opener Time Sawyer

THURSDAY JAMS

Bring Free Concerts To Downtown Abingdon The Town of Abingdon has big plans for its summer concert series, now in its third year. The Thursday Jams series showcases a wide range of nationally recognized bands at the Abingdon Market Pavilion each Thursday evening, May 21 through July 23.

Presented by Abingdon Music Experience, the concerts are free and open to the public; a beer garden will be provided by Abingdon Main Street, and local food vendors will be on hand.

Beginning May 21st with keeneyed young singer-songwriter Caroline Rose, the series includes well-known musical acts such as The Apache Relay, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Mandolin Orange and many others. For a full listing of musical acts and dates, visit www.abingdonmusicexperience.com.

This summer will mark the 3rd annual Thursday Jams series,

which drew thousands of locals and visitors last year. The series is sponsored in part by Eastman Credit Union, Walling Distributing, Ecological Energy Systems and Universal Fibers.

Music will begin 7:00 pm each Thursday at the Abingdon Market Pavilion, with a beer garden benefitting Abingdon Main Street opening at 6:30 pm. A variety of food truck vendors will be on hand, offering concessions. The events are family-friendly, and attendees are encouraged to bring their chairs and or blankets to enjoy the shows. No outside alcohol is allowed.

The series will host a variety of musical genres ranging from Americana, meta-modern country, indie folk, traditional and roots.

Bands performing during Thursday Jams have also appeared at internationally-recognized festivals like Rhythm and Roots Reunion,

Floyd Fest, Bonnaroo as well as Jimmy Kimmel Live and Music City Roots. Local talent will open each Thursday for the headliners, who will start their sets at 8pm.

Abingdon Music Experience is now in its third year of presenting live music in Abingdon. Other programs include January Jams at Barter Theatre, Music on the Lawn (running now through May 17 on the front lawn of The Martha Washington Inn & Spa), Thursday Jams, Hops & Howlers Craft Brew Fest June 220th, and the brand new Main Street Busker Fest September 5th, a one-day festival that will fill downtown Abingdon with street performers.

For a full listing of musical acts and dates, visit www.abingdonmusicexperience.com. For more information, call 276-676-2282 or email ssaavedra@abingdon-va. gov.

May 21st – Caroline Rose with opener Logan Fritz

With the release of her new album I Will Not Be Afraid, keeneyed young singer-songwriter Caroline Rose has a sound that draws on her roots in rockabilly, vintage country and blues to capture her unique and personal vision. Fresh off tour with Shovels & Rope and Pokey LaFarge, Caroline Rose is thrilling audiences all over the nation. A driving snare drum with brushes and psychedelic folk fiddle underpin the cool waterfall of her peaches and molasses voice as she sings about the open skies and the storm clouds inside the American heart.

May 28th-Dave Eggar & Deoro

Dave Eggar, the acclaimed and versatile cellist, is known for bringing an eclectic array of talent with him, including spoken word artists, tap dancers, hula hoopers and even martial arts dancers. Seen at last fall’s Atypical Arts event at the MOSH Planetarium, Eggar stud-

Born in Virginia and raised in New Jersey, Nora Jane Struthers began playing as a pre-teen, attending festivals and fiddlers’ conventions around the south with her banjo-playing father. After graduating from NYU, she put her music career on the back burner, but a visit to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in the early 2000s changed her mind, and she moved to Nashville, where she worked with bluegrass stars like Tim O’Brien, Stuart Duncan and Bryan Sutton, and released two critically-acclaimed albums. But it was in 2012, when Struthers formed the Party Line, that everything started to come into sharper focus. Electric guitar combines with open backed banjo, resonator banjo, fiddle and pedal steel guitar for a perfect tension between roots and rock.

June 11th-Humming House With opener Annabelle’s Curse

No band embodies what’s right about 21st century Nashville more completely than the quintet known as Humming House.

It’s the way they weave together threads of Music City’s folk, soul, and bluegrass legacies. It’s in the inspirational and revealing songwriting. It’s in their acoustic instrumentation, presenting mandolin, fiddle, acoustic guitar and bass in fresh roles. It’s in the pleasant tension between rousing energy and nuanced arrangements. And it’s in the voices, with two complementary stylists up front and backed by the full band’s rapturous harmonies.

Humming House works out careful hand-offs and big harmonies, including frequent passages that are just vocalizing, chanting beautiful music on top of their robust instrumental attack.

Thursday Jams .......

Continued on next page

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Thursday Jams ...... Continued from previous page July 2nd- Shook Twins With opener Amythyst Kiah & Her Chest of Glass

Shook Twins are an indie folk-pop band made up of identical twins Katelyn and Laurie Shook, joined by Kyle Volkman and Niko Daoussis. Beautiful twin harmonies, layered upon acoustic and electric instrumentation coupled with Laurie’s inventive use of percussive and ambient vocal loops, and Katelyn’s repurposed telephone microphone, set their sound apart, creating a unique and eccentric blend of folk, roots, groove and soul. Central elements of the Shook Twins’ sound are a wide range of instrumentation, including banjo, guitar, electric and upright bass, mandolin, electric guitar, electronic drums, face drum (beatbox), glockenspiel, ukulele, banjo drumming and their signature golden EGG.

June 18th – The Apache Relay With opener The Ordinary Bitters

NPR Music recently premiered the official music video for Apache Relay’s single “Katie Queen of Tennessee.” Of the song NPR Music’s Bob Boilen says, “…easily one of the catchiest tunes I’ve heard this year.” Formed by chance in a college dorm, The Apache Relay has opened for Grammy award-winning Mumford & Sons and performed at multiple festivals including Bonnaroo, the Newport Folk Festival, Firefly Music Festival, Voodoo Music Experience, Bristol Rhythm and Roots and Gentlemen of the Road.

This date is part of the Mountains of Music Homecoming event, which includes over 200 Cultural Experiences and concerts along the Crooked Road. For more information see: http://www.mtnsofmusic. com.

July 9th-Mandolin Orange with The Deer Run Drifters

Mandolin Orange makes music that has been described as “laced with bluegrass, country and folk…often wistful and contemplative without being somber, and always firmly grounded in the South.” The duo, comprised of Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz, have just announced the May 5 release of Such Jubilee, their second studio album for Yep Roc Records. The group’s 2013 debut for Yep Roc, This Side of Jordan, was released to critical acclaim which included coverage from American Songwriter, Magnet and a coveted year-end spot on NPR’s list of Top 10 Folk & Americana Releases. In 2014 the duo played sold-out shows across the country alongside many festivals, including Merlefest, Newport Folk Festival and Pickathon.

July 16th – The Last Bison With opener this mountain June 25th-Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors

Drew Holocomb is a Tennessee-born, duck hunting, French speaking, bourbon drinking, 1st edition book collecting, golf playing Eagle Scout with a Masters degree in Divinity from Scotland’s University of St Andrews (he wrote his dissertation on “Springsteen and American Redemptive Imagination”) who has spent the better part of the past decade as a professional musician. Since releasing their first album, 2005’s “Washed In Blue,” Drew & The Neighbors have established themselves as a formidable indie act, selling more than 75,000 records, playing more than 1,500 live dates, selling-out headline shows, and touring alongside such varied acts as The Avett Brothers, Ryan Adams, Los Lobos, NEEDTOBREATHE, Susan Tedeschi, North Mississippi Allstars, Marc Broussard, and more. Their songs have been used in countless television shows and commercials. One thing Holcomb – who follows Bruce Springsteen’s motto that the audience is like an extra member of the band – hopes for those in attendance is the ability to relate to what they’re witnessing, no matter the emotion.

In 2012 The Last Bison seemingly rose from the marshes of southeastern Virginia to captivate the national music scene with a rare blend of music that NPR dubbed, “Classical influenced southern folk rock.” Having drawn comparisons in the past to indie superstars the likes of Mumford & Sons, The Decemberists, and Fleet Foxes, their most recent project harvests a more dynamic, and anthemic sound from the soil of their folk roots. The addition of electric bass and keyboards to their extensive collection of acoustic instruments has been compared to Bob Dylan going electric at Newport in 1965. After a performance at Norfolk, Virginia’s Harborfest, the The Daily Press commented on the new musical direction saying, “The result is a more rocking sound, though the band still remains true to its folkie roots.”

July 23rd-Cereus Bright With opener Earth By Train

Cereus Bright finds its muse—and its name—from the Cereus: a white desert flower that blooms only at night. This flower, blossoming in the most desolate of places, is a symbol of art and story, which draw their beauty from brokenness and heartache. In their lyrics and melodies, Cereus Bright aims to embrace life as both messy and beautiful. Their songs showcase strong, passionate harmonies singing stories of real life— hope and heartbreak, adventure and stillness. Ideologically, Cereus Bright makes a strong case for Folk music. Recently the genre of folk has come to mean “acoustic pop”, blending together into a sea of kick drums, hand claps, and escalating banjo riffs. This is Cereus Bright’s goal—drawing you in with beautiful melodies so they can move you with poetic yet direct lyrics.

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The SteelDrivers & Suzy Bogguss at Niswonger Performing Arts Center

The SteelDrivers and Suzy Bogguss- Saturday, May 16th at Niswonger Performing Arts Center The SteelDrivers are a group of seasoned veterans, each distinguished in his or her own right, who are seizing an opportunity to follow their hearts to their souls’ reward. The band threads their bluegrass roots with new methods of their own design. Traditional, yet fresh, the SteelDrivers combine country, soul, and other modern influences to create new music with an old feeling.

The group has been nominated for three Grammys, four IBMA awards and the Americana Music Association’s New Artist of the Year. In 2009, they were presented the International Bluegrass Music Association’s award for Emerging Artist of the Year.

From the Grand Ole Opry to Conan O’Brien, The SteelDrivers have performed on various radio and television programs. They were also featured in the film “Get Low,” starring Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, and Bill Murray. The SteelDrivers have also developed quite a following among other musicians. English pop star Adele often includes one of their tunes in her live show. Adele says of the SteelDrivers, “They’re a blues, country, bluegrass, swagger band and they are brilliant.” Country star Vince Gill, also a SteelDrivers fan, describes the band’s fusion simply as “an incredible combination.”

The SteelDrivers will share the stage with Suzy Bogguss. Bogguss is described as one of country music’s most pristine and evocative vocalists. With the release of her debut album, Suzy quickly became one of the key artists that defined 90’s country. Bogguss scored a string of Top 10 singles with hits like “Outbound Plane,” “Drive

South,” “Hey Cinderella,” “Letting Go,” and “Aces.” Bogguss has scored a trio of gold albums and notched more than 3 million sales, picking up a collection of ACM, CMA, and Grammy awards along the way.

Her latest project, entitled Lucky, is a collection of Merle Haggard tunes. “Merle Haggard is a hell of a storyteller,” says Suzy.

“When I hear his songs, I feel like I’m listening in on someone’s life.”

Bogguss has successfully reinterpreted the classic Haggard songbook, performing his songs from a female perspective.

The SteelDrivers and Suzy Bogguss will perform at Niswonger Performing Arts Center (NPAC) in historic downtown Greenev-

ille, TN on Saturday, May 16th at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $30 for orchestra level seating, $25 for mezzanine level seating, and $20 for balcony level seating. Tickets may be purchased online at www. npacgreeneville.com, in person at the NPAC box office, or by calling 423.638.1679.

NPAC offers online seat selection and no-fee ticketing.

The box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 AM until 5 PM. The 1130 seat performing arts center is located adjacent to the campus of Greeneville High School in Greeneville, TN. For venue information, and to purchase tickets, please visit www.npacgreeneville. com.

Parks and Rec seeking seasonal workers

The Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting applications for tennis instructors, camp counselors, umpires/scorekeepers, maintenance workers, lifeguards, and recreation workers for Carver Recreation Center, Memorial Park Community Center, and Princeton Arts Center.

Applications may be downloaded at www.johnsoncitytn.org/HR/ and are available in the Human Resources Office at the Municipal and Safety Building, 601 E. Main St. All applications must be returned to Human Resources.

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Summer brings Hot Nights, Cool Music to Northeast State

Summer is coming and what better way to spend a few warm evenings than enjoying Northeast State’s “Hot Nights, Cool Music” summer concert series. The series begins May 14 and includes local, regional, and nationally known musical artists taking the stage at the College’s main campus.

All shows are free and open to the public. All performances scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Wellmont Regional Center for the Performing Arts Theater on the College’s Blountville campus next to Tri-Cities Regional Airport.

The concert series features diverse shows from opera to folk to big bad performances.

“Hansel and Gretel” May 14 – Presented by University of Virginia’s College at Wise and the Southwest Virginia Opera Company, Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera tells the frightening story of a young brother and sister in the forest, captured by a witch who plans to eat them. The siblings must outwit their captor before dinner is served.

The Vaneese Thomas Group, June 9 – Vaneese carries the rich heritage of Memphis soul and R&B, a music that has touched generations and crossed divides.

At the same time she has combined all the influences of her background and experience – R&B, gospel, blues, and jazz – to cultivate a soul-stirring style that’s

all her own. She has worked with an astonishing array of internationally known performers including Luciano Pavarotti, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Eric Clapton, Dr. John and others.

The Model City Wrecking Crew, June 18 – The Model City Wrecking Crew is a five-piece band from Kingsport, TN performing classic rock music. The Crew performs material from artists including Creedence Clearwater Revival, Eric Clapton, The Eagles, James Taylor, The Rolling Stones, Steely Dan, The Steve Miller Band, REM, and The Atlanta Rhythm Section among others.

The Vicki Genfan Trio, June 23 – Drawing from folk, jazz, pop, soul and world music, Vicki is redefining ‘singer/songwriter culture.’

With a mastery of the acoustic guitar that borders on pure alchemy, audiences are mesmerized by the waves of sound Vicki creates with just two hands and her voice. Using 29 alternate tunings and the percussive technique she calls ‘slap-tap’, Genfan’s pure, expressive vocals dig deep and stir the heart to be the perfect accompaniment on many of her songs.

The Johnson City Community Band, July 11 – The band is made up of approximately 60 members and associate members who have a diverse background in music.

While lineups have changed over

Introducing Taoism

The Appalachian Dharma & Meditation Center (ADMC) is offering a free presentation Saturday, May 16, introducing Taoism, an ancient philosophical and religious tradition of China that has some historic affinities with Buddhism. The event is free and open to anyone interested in or just curious about Taoism.

Popular Western understandings of Taoism are frequently limited to tai chi exercise classes, associating the “Tao” with “the force” from the Star Wars movies, that “yin-yang” symbol, or a casual “go with the flow” approach to life.

the years, one thing has stayed the same – the band has grown and improved each year in the quality of members and quality of performances. This concert is also a Kingsport FunFest sanctioned event.

Caravan of Thieves, July 18 – Driving gypsy jazz rhythms, acoustic guitars, upright bass and violin lay the foundation for the band’s mesmerizing vocal harmonies and fantastic stories. Caravan of Thieves are musical and intense. They entertain, dazzle and defy musical classification while welcoming the spectator to join the band throughout the performance in momentary fits of claps, snaps and sing-alongs.

Tri-Cities Gospel Music Camp Annual Concert, July 30 – Fans of the style, as well as newcomers to the method, will be treated to a concert and workshop by singers from Kingsport’s Tri-City Gospel Music Camp. Shaped-notes allow for a simplified way to read music.

Based on geometric shapes like squares, ovals, diamonds, and triangles – the distinctive shapes of the notes instantly tell what pitch to sing. The style gained a great following in colonial times when many singers were musically untrained.

For more information about the summer concerts visit www. northeaststate.edu or contact 423.279.7669.

May 16, 2015

Are these adequate understandings? Does Taoism have anything more meaningful to say to us? This presentation will introduce major Taoist principles utilizing three ancient philosophical texts: the Tao Te Ching by Laozi (Lao Tzu), the Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu), and the Liezi (Lieh Tzu). The goal of this presentation is to argue that regardless of one’s religious or philosophical affiliation, ancient Taoism offers a unique perspective and valuable insights that can be relevantly applied to life today.

The presenter is Gary F. Daught, an academic librarian and former

• 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Mennonite Church minister who lives in Johnson City. He has been studying Taoist philosophy for about three years. As an interested novice student, Gary is reaching out to others to consider joining him in starting a regular study group to explore these texts more thoroughly. This introductory presentation serves as the invitation.

The session is free of charge.

ADMC is located at 108 West 10th Avenue, Johnson City, TN on the basement level. All events at ADMC are open to “danas” or donations but it is not required. For additional information, please email dharma4et@gmail.com.

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Border Bash Celebrates the Summer of “Sweet 16” Bristol, VA/TN’s Premier Summer Concert Series Kicks Off May 15

Birthplace of Country Music and community partners Believe in Bristol are proud to announce the kick-off of Border Bash, May 15, in Historic Downtown Bristol, TN/VA. Border Bash, a free summer concert series held annually May through August, celebrates its “Sweet 16” anniversary year with children’s activities, arts, crafts, and food vendors, great live music, and much more. All the events will be in the 400 and 500 blocks of State Street this year, except for July 4th which will be held in Cumberland Square Park.

“We are always excited when it’s time for Border Bash. It is an opportunity for Birthplace of Country Music and Believe in Bristol to work together to bring great music to our downtown.

We are proud of the growth of the event and the community support that we receive for all that we do,” stated Leah Ross, Executive Direc-

tor, Birthplace of Country Music.

“Celebrate Bristol is proud to partner with Border Bash on Friday, July 4th to celebrate Independence Day, “ states Vicie Dotson, Believe in Bristol Promotions Committee Chairwoman and Celebrate Bristol organizer. “As a small community, our resources are limited, community partnerships are key in allowing us to offer quality, free family-oriented activities including music, children’s activities, and fireworks!”

“Border Bash has definitely been a boom to the downtown Bristol experience,” said Christina Blevins, Executive Director of Believe in Bristol. “Since Border Bash started 16 years ago, there’s been a significant increase in the number of people who come into town for our live music. And these aren’t just locals, they’re people from outside the area too so it’s played a key role in increasing visitor expenditures, particularly in down-

town Bristol.”

For more information about Believe in Bristol and for a full calendar of events in the twin cities’ Historic Downtown, visit www.

BelieveInBristol.org.

The band line-up for each event consists of artists slated to play Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion in September. The Border Bash line-up for 2015 is: May 15 - 7:00 pm,

May 15 - 7:00 pm, C2 and Brothers Reed 8:30 pm, Los Colognes June 5 - 7:00 pm, The Banditos 8:30 pm, Andrew Scotchie & the River Rats June 19 - 7:00 pm, Margo Price and the Pricetags 8:30 pm, Cale Tyson

July 4 (Saturday) 7:00 pm, Bill and the Belles 8:30 pm, Ian Thomas: Band of Drifters July 17 - 7:00 pm, The Appleseed Collective 8:30 pm, Blank Range August 7 - 7:00 pm, Desert Noises 8:30 pm, Fly Golden Eagle

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Duty and Love Collide in “Mary’s Wedding” “Mary’s Wedding,” makes its regional debut at Barter Stage II on May 16. It is the first production of Barter’s ambitious summer season.

Mary’s wedding is tomorrow, but tonight she is dreaming, not of her fiancé, but when she took shelter in a barn and met Charlie. As she dreams of the past, Mary remembers The Great War, her love for Charlie and how he changed her life. Mary and Charlie are filled with the passion and impulsiveness of youth, but Charlie also feels a sense of duty to go to war and protect his country.

Katy Brown, who is directing “Mary’s Wedding,” said, “It’s something incredibly personal that sends Charlie to war: the poem ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade.’ It captures his heart, and he is willing to die for the kind of service and glory it depicts.”

Actors Holly Williams and Andrew Hampton Livingston will be

featured in “Mary’s Wedding.”

Playwright Stephen Massicotte authored “Mary’s Wedding” in the early 2000s. Since then, the play has won the Alberta Playwriting Competition, the Betty Mitchell Award for Outstanding New Play and the Alberta Book Award for Drama. “Mary’s Wedding” has been produced at more than 80 theatres across the United States and Canada.

“Mary’s Wedding” kicks off the summer performance schedule at Barter Theatre; “Mary Poppins,” opens on May 23, “Southern Fried Nuptials,” “Keep on the Sunny Side,” “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” and “The Understudy” will follow to complete the exciting summer schedule.

“Mary’s Wedding” is made possible by corporate sponsor Reynolds American. Barter Theatre is sponsored in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Mary (Holly Williams) and Charlie (Andrew Hampton Livingston) wait for a thunderstorm to pass in the shelter of a nearby barn.

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Appalachian Spring Festival May 16-18, 2015

The Rogersville Arts Council is hosting for the public, an Appalachian Spring Festival on Saturday, 16th and Sunday, 17th of May at the American Legion grounds. On Monday, May 18th, students from local schools and home school students are invited to a private showing a play, music and dance.

The Festival is celebrating our local traditions and creativity through crafts, storytelling, music, drama, and dance, all from local talent. The event is located in the Rogersville Playhouse, the lower floor and on the grounds of the American Legion Building at 1924 East Main Street.

The Arts Council is always grateful to the Town of Rogersville, US Bank, Tennessee Arts Commission, WRGS Radio, The Rogersville Review, our major annual supporters; and to the local businesses who invest in their community by donating financially, in-kind materials and volunteer hours.

We invite you to browse, free of admission fee, among the lower level indoor and outdoor craft booths where demonstrations add to the festivities.

Indoor play and performance tickets can be purchased at the door: Saturday, 10am-3pm = $10; Saturday, 6-9:30pm = $10; and Sunday, 1-7pm = $10. Groups of more than 5 should reserve ahead of time. A prepaid weekend pass is $25 covering all performances.

On Saturday at 2:45pm, the Corn Shuck Doll Making workshop, taught by Joanne Gilliam, requires a fee of $10 covering lessons & materials, payable at the room in the lower level.

In the Playhouse level, you find all of the performances. “Tales of Electric Mountain”, written by Dr. John Lee Welton and directed

by Kyle Biery of Carson Newman College, is a humorous play with musical breaks, depicting the culture during the time when electricity came to Appalachia. It runs first thing Saturday morning at 10:15am and Sunday afternoon at 1:15pm. The musical breaks are provided by dulcimer player and ballad singer, Retha Ferrell; and The Maray Brothers performing traditional tunes from the 1930s to today. The audience is then treated to a demonstration of English Country Dance by Winnie Seals.

The performances in the Playhouse by the Rogersville City School Band, directed by Patricia Rhoton; and a dulcimer jam with

Retha Ferrell round out the daytime program.

The evening entertainment, an alcohol free event, starts at 6:00pm with the “Liars & Tall Telling” competition, open to ticket holders, on a first come-first serve basis. The music starts with the winner of 2015 “Young Bluegrass Musicians Contest” Senior Division, Hunter Patterson, and the young people of “Fire Escape Christian Ministries” followed by The Maray Brothers and The Kevin Buttry Band.

On Sunday, “Tales of Electric Mountain” is followed by a gospel sing featuring the “Hasson Street Church Choir”,” Charlie Wilder Gospel Singers”, “Reverend Paul and The Circuit Riders”, and topped off with regional popular,“The Country Classics”.

For more information and to purchase the weekend passes, please contact the Rogersville Arts Council at 423-293-0882, online at www.rogartscouncil.org, or emailrogersvilleartscouncil@gmail.com.

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2015 Tri~Cities Natural Health & Wellness Experience

Discover Natural Options for A Healthier and Happier Life The 2015 Tri~Cities Natural Health & Wellness Experience will be held in the D.P. Culp Ballroom on the campus of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City on Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17, 2015. The event is sponsored by The National Society Of Leadership And Success (Sigma Alpha Pi) Chapter of ETSU. The event will showcase a variety of local, regional and national natural health and wellness practitioners and providers. It is designed to educate and inform the public on the benefits and availability of natural health and wellness options. The modalities presented at the event will include: Chiropractic, Massage Therapy, Essential Oils, Herbal Remedies, Energy Therapy, Nutritional Counseling, Natural Supplements, Handmade Jewelry and Accessories, Biofeedback, Various methods of Health Screening, Natural Pet Care, Natural Baby/Child Care, Men’s and Women’s Natural Health, Recycling, Green Living, Organic Gardening, Yoga Instruction and much more.

Vendors will be on hand to

answer questions and supply information about their products and services. Attendees may preschedule mini-appointments with participating vendors. Mini- appointments offer attendees the opportunity to actually experience a variety of natural products and services provided by the vendors... all in one convenient location.

Vendor applications and miniappointments are now being accepted. Door prizes will be given away on the hour. Face painting, games and other activities will be available for the children. Additional information is available by visiting: www.HealthAndWellnessExperience.com, by calling Event Coordinator, Dr. Mitzi Collins at 423-943-4307 (leave a message), or by emailing expo@op-publishing. com. Exhibition hours are Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Tickets are $4.00 in advance and $5.00 at the door (ages 15 & up) and may be purchased by visiting the event website. ETSU Students and faculty admitted free by showing current ID at the door.

Snow White coming to Princess Ball

Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St., invites girls of all ages to meet Snow White on Saturday, May 16. The Disney princess will make an appearance at the Princess Ball and will be available for photos from 1-1:45 p.m. The Ball will carry on until 3 p.m. while the girls enjoy light refreshments and the movie “Snow White.” Princesses in attendance will be able to have their hair and makeup done.

This is an opportunity for mothers, grandmothers, and guardians to enjoy a day with their special girls. Cost is $5 per child and $2 per adult. Ages 3 and younger are free. Tickets can be purchased at ter. For more information, contact Memorial Park Community Cen- Sarah Jennings at (423)434-5749.

Historic Jonesborough Gears Up for May 16 Town-Wide Yard Sale Jonesborough welcomes the public to its annual spring town-wide yard sale on Sat., May 16 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The yard sale is a fundraising effort to assist with the Jonesborough Area Merchants & Services Assoc.

Spaces are 10x10 and will cost $15 for a single, $25 for two and $30 for three. Reservations are required.

The sale will take place along the sidewalks

throughout the Historic District. Other shops and restaurants along Jonesborough’s Main Street will be participating in the event with a variety of bargains, as well as surrounding community resident yard sales.

For more information on the yard sale or to participate, contact Jeff Gurley at 423-913-2663 or visit www.visitjonesborough.com.

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World Music At Its Finest On May 14th, The William King Museum of Art in Abingdon, Va will be the place to experience world music at its finest. Internationally acclaimed Nigerian musician will be taking the stage at 7pm that evening for a free concert on the lawn in front of the museum. Lagbaja is recognized around the world for his original blend of Africano and his unique head garb. The first question that is often asked when Lágbájá is encountered is, “Why the mask”?

Basically, Lágbájá wears his mask as an iconic symbol of man’s face-

lessness Lágbájá is a Yoruba word that means somebody, nobody, anybody or everybody. It perfectly depicts the anonymity of the so called “common man”. The mask and the name symbolize the faceless, the voiceless in the society, particularly in Africa. Once you see Lágbájá’s mask you are reminded of your own facelessness.

Though the concept was developed much earlier, his first album was released to National acclaim in 1993. Over the years and more albums later, his music has continued to fascinate with its interplay of traditional African drums and Western instruments which create a unique and enchanting soundscape. His music is a product of various influences ranging from traditional Yoruba music to Jazz.

Often, it is purely instrumental but when there are lyrics, they are primarily sung in Yoruba, English or a blend of the two as is colloquially spoken in Nigeria. Lágbájá has christened his music Africano, alluding mostly to the central role

of African drums and rhythms in his groovy fusion.

While many of his songs simply entertain, most are about serious social issues. He passes impactful serious messages in humorous ways and continues to use his music as a catalyst for the emergence of a better society. Lágbájá’s Africano is driving a resurgence of interest in sophisticated African music, rich in the traditions of the continent while cosmopolitan in attitude. In a bid to share his African grooves with the rest of the world and make African rhythms understandable and accessible to everyone, Lágbájá has developed and produced the first ever comprehensive digital library of “drag and drop” Yoruba grooves he calls “Africano Manchine”. An artistic marriage of man and machine, Africano Manchine works seamlessly with popular Digital Audio Workstations such as Ableton Live and Pro Tools and plays a major role in his newly pioneered Elektro Groove Music (EGM).

Lágbájá has taken his music beyond the shores of Nigeria, performing in festivals and venues around the world. Now he brings this exciting show to Southwest Virginia’s William King Museum of Art while on tour performing

at such notable festivals as Asheville’s LEAF and the New Orleans Jazz Festival. The show is free and is considered a must see for any fan of original music. Show time is 7pm and admission is free.

www.theloaferonline.com

May 12, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 13

Duty Free at Carter Family Fold Saturday, May 16th, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, will present a concert of bluegrass music by the Duty Free Band. Admission to the concert is $10 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 11, under age 6 free.

Duty Free is a bluegrass band based in Bristol, Tennessee. Members of the band are Bobby Love, Charlie Powers, Rick Powers, Hal Boyd, and Tim Laughlin. Bobby plays mandiolin and demonstrates his versatility as a musician by singing both lead and harmony.

He’s a songwriter as well who has written several tunes performed by the group. Charlie plays both lead and rhythm guitar and sings lead and harmony. Rick plays banjo in the traditional Scruggs style and also lends his vocal talent to the band.

Hal Boyd anchors the group’s rhythm with his double bass playing and provides the baritone harmony - as well as lead and bass vocals - on many of Duty Free’s

tunes. Tim Laughlin, long noted in bluegrass circles for his musical talent, plays fiddle for the band.

Duty Free was formed a few years ago to provide music for a local restaurant. From that humble beginning, friendships and a bluegrass band resulted. Duty Free has opened for Seldom Scene, Barry Scott and Second Wind, the Warrior River Boys, and the John Cowan Band. They have performed at worship services throughout the Tri-Cities area, local festivals, Rhythm and Roots, and the Barter Theatre. Known for their traditional bluegrass style, they always include bluegrass gospel in their shows. They have also come to be known for their tight harmony and versatile style. For more information, check out the Duty Free Band on the internet.

If traditional bluegrass is your favorite, don’t miss Duty Free at the Carter Family Fold! Bring along your friends and your danc-

ing shoes and get ready for an evening of fun-filled, family entertainment. The Fold is one of the few places where folks of every age group come together to celebrate our region’s musical heritage.

Carter Family Memorial Music Center, Incorporated, is a nonprofit, rural arts organization established to preserve traditional, acoustic, mountain music. For further information on the center, go to www.carterfamilyfold. org. Shows from the Carter Family Fold can be accessed on the internet at www.carterfoldshow. com. Carter Music Center is part of the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. You can visit the Crooked Road Music Trail site at http://thecrookedroad.org.

Partial funding for programs at the center is provided by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. For recorded information on shows coming up at the Fold, call 276-386-6054. The Fold is on Facebook – page Carter Fold – and Twitter – @carterfoldinfo. To speak to a Fold staff member, call 276-594-0676.

Page 14, The Loafer • May 12, 2015

The Lists Project

An innocent facebook post over the weekend has resulted in a project. A friend posted that they had an idea that filled them with great joy. Three lists in three departments: movies, songs, and TV episodes. Lists I am to create and curate, of 100 of each I think everyone should see or hear before they die. At first I thought “there’s no way I can do this.” As soon as that thought was in my head, other people began to like the post, and then it seemed people thought it was an idea I should really do.

As I discussed the concept with friends over dinner Sunday evening, they all said I should do

it, then they also told me that it would make for great fodder for this here column. That is when I really became excited about the idea. The project began yesterday when I sat down to make the master list of 100 songs. I did songs first, as I figured that would be the easiest to put together—movies and TV episodes may cost me my sanity. I’m also not going to bombard you all with massive pages of my notes on these things, the full lists—when finished—will be posted online (Either on my blog, or The Loafer’s webpage). But over the next few months, at least once a month, I will devote one

column to 25 items from one list— with notes about each item.

Music may come first, or it may be movies. Not sure which one yet, and only one of those lists is complete (and still undergoing a slight change here and there). I’m putting a few rules on myself for the music list, only one song per artist. That rule will not apply for the movies list, as there will be multiple films by Hitchcock and Billy Wilder on that list. Whatever will be shared first in these here pages, I’ll share with you via Twitter. This will be ongoing, and I suspect everything won’t be finished and shared with you till sometime next year.

After seeing my friend Caitlin getting super happy over the idea of the song lists, I knew I had to do something to make it available for all to listen to, I decided to bite the bullet and get myself a presence on Spotify. Caitlin wants the music list first as, in her words on Facebook, “that’s the only one I can enjoy on the interstate.” She asked “please” three times for the list to be on Spotify, and so it came to pass. The entire list will be public as a playlist by the time this is published. However, due to Spotify’s limitations, two songs will be missing from that version of the list. If you want to follow me on there, LeWriterBoy is the username to search for (Ever clever Ross, with an ever clever name).

So dear readers, citizens of the tri-cities, I hope you’re ready to see what I have for you. Some of you seem to think I have taste in these departments worth my weighing in on. I hope you’ll be amused, amazed, shocked, and bewildered by what all I have to share on these lists. It should make for some good reading, if anything, and perhaps some interesting discussion. See you next week.

www.theloaferonline.com

May 12, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 15

The Brian Bishop Interview

By Ken Silvers

Ken chats with local actor/singer/songwriter If you think living in the cities of Los Angeles, New York, or even Nashville, is a requirement to be part of the television or film industry, you are wrong. Johnson City resident Brian S. Bishop is proof you can strive to be part of the industry and live in the Tri-Cities area. I recently sat down with the East Tennessee State University graduate to discuss his foray into the entertainment industry.

So tell me Brian, how did your interest in the entertainment industry begin?

First, let me say thanks to you, Ken, for asking me to answer some questions about all of this. It never crosses my mind that I am doing anything out of the ordinary, much less extraordinary. God has always lead me in the direction he wants me to go so it just seems natural.

My first live performance was taking first place in the baby contest at the local fair when I was three. Apparently, according to the article from the Kingsport Times News, I was talking to the judges while they were deciding as the other kids clung to their moms. Guess I talked my way in to it. After that I clearly remember being that kid who would not shut up or stop with the Mr. Microphone at family gatherings.

The first real performance I ever took part in was the Fourth of July celebration “Kid’s In America” at Holy Mountain Baptist Church in my home town of Kingsport. God bless you to Wayne Bledsoe who produced that with great patience all those years ago. It had to be the equivalent of herding cats for him.

I believe we were about six years old. Mostly singing and dancing as a group and that sort of thing.

But that is when God really put it in my heart that I was most at home performing.

Tell us about some of your past endeavors in the industry.

Oh my, if we are talking professionally, that begins back in about 1992. I was blessed to travel in a short stint with the traveling production of “Risque Business” produced by Danny Richani out of ETSU’s theater department. It

was a drug and sex education play.

The play opened with me sliding onto the stage like a familiar movie scene with the sunglasses and button down blue oxford. I laugh when I think about that now, but it was a great thing to bring that sort of awareness to the college age crowds we played to. It was my first paid job as an actor.

To be brief about the rest. I picked up the phone book in 1998 and called a radio station looking for work. I was willing to clean toilets for free to put the station group on my resume but the kindly Dick Morris set me to work doing voice over work and then quickly convinced Leigh Hornsby and Bob Gordon to let me anchor news for all of the stations. Leigh and I went on to win multiple AP news awards for our work during the two years that followed. It was

a great run.

I was on to WYCB after that thanks to Steve Hawkins giving me the chance to work for his news department. I got the chance to work closely with Merrill Moore, Johnny Wood and Karen Cole Jenkins among others. It was a time when I learned as much about lighting, sound, scripting, editing, videography and all of the other parts of the business as humanly possible.

Shortly after I left WCYB I opened Bishop Production Company and began to produce local commercials and Industrial Videos. That lasted about seven years with me at the helm but eventually I opted for a steady paycheck once

Bishop .......

Continued on page 23

Page 16, The Loafer • May 12, 2015

Spotlight D

TUESDAY - May 12 JASON LLOYD & FRIENDS at Biggie’s Clam Bar

THE MUDBUGS CARLINE COTTER at Acoustic Coffeehouse

WEDNESDAY - May 13 OPEN MIC

ACOUSTIFRIED (Country)

9pm at Woodstone Deli

HONEY BADGERS

(Country) 7pm at Holston River Brewing Company

Jb5NDIME

at Country Club Bar & Grill

8pm at Bone Fire Smokehouse 7pm at Marker “2” Grill

SOUTHERN SOUND

(Classic Country & Southern Rock) 8pm at Silver Spur

PLAN Z (Rock)

10pm at O’Mainnin’s Pub

7pm at The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room

THE LAST WORD

6pm at Sonny’s Cafe

BORDERLINE

JOSH ARNOLD OPEN MIC

at Acoustic Coffeehouse

at Triple B Brewery

9pm at Biggie’s Clam Bar

SOUTHERN COUNTRYMEN BAND (Country)

THURSDAY - May 14

at The Outdoorsman

JAZZ

8:30pm at Wash. Co. Moose Lodge

at Wellington’s - Carnegie Hotel

DJ LILLEY

7pm at Sonny’s Cafe

NIGHTSHIFT

WHISKEY OUTLAWS at Country Club Bar & Grill

MARK LARKINS

SATURDAY - May 16

JOHNSON DEPOT

at Biggie’s Clam Bar

6:30pm at Uncorked Sony Recording Artist

7pm at Marker “2” Grill

SHOOTER

(Country, Classic Rock, Oldies) 6pm at Quaker Steak & Lube

LIVE MUSIC

LANCE STINSON

FRIDAY - May 15

SOUTHERN REBELLION

(Rockin’ Boogie Blues) 7pm at Sonny’s Marina & Cafe

ANNABELLE’S CURSE (Alternative Folk Band) 12pm

DEMON WAFFLE

(Fun, Horns-led Ska) 2pm

TAYLOR RAY HOLBROOK (Country) 4pm

JUNIOR BROWN

(American Original) 6pm

TRICK PONY

(Country) 8pm at Racks by the Tracks

MICK KYTE

at Triple B Brewery

POWELL VALLEY H.S. “THROWBACK” / DAVID PEREZ at Acoustic Coffeehouse

JEFF SHAYNE

(Classic Country & Southern Rock) 7pm at Ma & Pa’s Restaurant

at The Acoustic Coffeehouse

CATFISH FRYE BAND

(Country, Classic Rock, Oldies) 8pm at Silver Spur

SOUTHERN SOUND

DUTY FREE

at Acoustic Coffeehouse

SHOOTER

SUNDAY - May 17

7pm at Sonny’s Marina & Cafe

at Bone Fire Smokehouse

JOE CAT KENDRA WARREN w/ RANDOM TANGENT

LEON THOMAS BAND

FAIRVIEW UNION

CHAMOMILE & WHISKEY

RANDY & THE LUGNUTS

ACOUSTIFRIED

(Folk) 9pm at O’Mainnin’s Pub

at Carter Family Fold

at Kingsport Relay for Life

4pm at Sonny’s Marina & Cafe

IVY ROAD

at Marker “2” Grill

LOGAN FRITZ

at Bone Fire Smokehouse

RYAN DISHEN

at Acoustic Coffeehouse

WYLDE HEART

MONDAY - May 18

SOUTHERN COUNTRYMEN BAND (Country)

SHERMAN LEE DILLON & DENNIS CASH

LIVE MUSIC

OPEN MIC

7pm at Marker “2” Grill

7pm at David Thompson’s Produce at Bone Fire Smokehouse

at Bristol’s Pickin’ Porch at Acoustic Coffeehouse

Acoustic Coffeehouse 415 W Walnut St. Johnson City 423/434.9872 Biggies Clam Bar 417 W Stone Dr Kingsport 423/765-9633 Bone Fire Smokehouse at the Hardware 260 W Main St Abingdon Va 276/623-0037 Bristol’s Pickin’ Porch 620 State St Bristol 423/573-2262 Carter Family Fold 3449 A. P. Carter Hwy Hiltons Va 276/594-0676

Country Club Bar & Grill 3080 W State St Bristol 423/844-0400 David Thompson’s Produce 251 Highway 107 Jonesborough 423/913-8123

Holiday Inn (Exit 7) 3005 Linden Dr Bristol Va 276/466-4100

Holston River Brewing Company 2621 Volunteer Pkwy Bristol TN Ma & Pa’s Restaurant 18928 US Highway 58 Castlewood VA 276/762-7533

Marker “2’ Grill at Lakeview Marina 474 Lakeside Dock, Kingsport 423/323-4665 O’Mainnin’s Pub 712 State St Bristol 423/844-0049 The Outdoorsman 4535 Highway 11W Kingsport Quaker Steak & Lube 629 State St Bristol VA 276/644-9647 Racks by the Tracks Farmers Market Building Kingsport TN Silver Spur Gate City VA

www.theloaferonline.com

Directory Sonny’s Marina & Café 109 One St. Gray TN 423/283-4014 Triple B Brewery 935 Wilcox Ct. #105 Kingsport 423/963-3609 Uncorked Kingsport TN Wellington’s Restaurant Carnegie Hotel 1216 W State of Franklin Rd Johnson City • 423/979-6400 Woodstone Deli 3500 Fort Henry Dr Kingsport 423/245-5424

May 12, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 17

Caroline Cotter The Acoustic Coffeehouse Tuesday, May 12th | 10pm

Caroline Cotter, Portland, Maine based singer-songwriter’s debut album, Dreaming as I Do has already received national recognition reaching #5 on the Folk DJ charts in February, with the second most played song of the month, Bella Blue. With stories about love, adventure, and searching for home, Dreaming as I Do offers an eclectic mix of melodic honesty. With a captivating soprano voice and award-winning songwriting, Caroline’s songs take you from an intimate Parisian salon to the mountains of Colorado and into the depths of the human heart.

Along with a love of music, Caroline has an insatiable passion for travel and in the past ten years has lived in and traveled to 27 countries on five continents.

While writing and recording Dreaming as I Do, she worked for the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) in Portland, Maine.

Prior to working at CIEE, Caroline spent time working in France, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, studying yoga in India, and traveling in South America. In addition to writing songs in English, she sings in Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, and Sanskrit, bringing the world to her audience, connecting across cultures through her music.

Dreaming as I Do features two original songs in French; Il est jaune (It is yellow), a playful and light love song about all things yellow, and La Marionette, a haunting ballad depicting a lonely string puppet’s search for love. Other tracks, such as My Evergreen and This Place, reflect the songwriter’s love for her home in Maine, while Bella Blue and Journey in C share the sentiments of a traveler on the move.

The album was produced by Caroline and fellow singer-songwriter Putnam Smith at The Studio in Portland, ME, with features by some of the Maine’s finest musicians including Joe Walsh, Lauren Rioux, Adam Frederick, Mark Tipton, Chas Lester, and Sara Hallie-Richardson.

Catfish Frye Band @ Sonny’s • Fri, May 15

Page 18, The Loafer • May 12, 2015

Creating A Succulent Terrarium By the middle of May, most have already begun springing forward. Driveways are lined with daisies and pansies bloom by front doors. But I’ve got the opposite of a green thumb.

I promise, even Gardening for Dummies couldn’t help me. Plants are like children; they require water, sunlight, and nurturing. I am also like a child, and require a lot of reminders in order to get anything done. Plants don’t cry when they’re thirsty. Thus, plants never stay alive in my possession.

So, this spring, I decided to add a little plant life to my life in the simplest way possible: succulents.

Succulents are fleshy, desert plants

that retain water in order to live in dry environments. In other words, plants that no one has to take care of.

Creating a succulent terrarium seems easy enough. There’s dirt, plants, and a bowl. Most of the tools you need are already lying around your house.

To get started, I cleaned up an old fish bowl. Obviously, I was not a great fish owner either.

The rest of my supplies, I bought at the local Home Depot. The succulents and cactus were all less than $4.00 a piece and a worker let me pick up rocks from busted bags for free. In all, this project cost me about 12 dollars.

First, I put a layer of stones at the bottom of my bowl. The layer is about an inch thick and will help to pull water from the soil so that the succulents don’t drown.

Then, I placed my aloe vera plant in the bowl. Because it is the biggest of the plants I bought, I thought it would be easiest to place the other plants around it.

Placing the next two plants was the hardest part. The opening of the bowl is too small to fit my hand and the plant together. So, I dropped each plant in and used my hand to move them around.

If you’re using a cactus, like I

did, then it’s a good idea to wear gloves. I, of course, didn’t have any gloves and have the scratches to prove it. After about 5 minutes of getting my fingers pricked, I decided to use a spoon to move the cactus into place. After all of my pants were in place, I used the same spoon to place a mixture of sand and soil around the plants.

Once the bottom of your bowl is full of dirt and you can see no holes, you’re done, unless your plants don’t root. But if you have to start all over, it will only cost you a few bucks and about an hour of time.

www.theloaferonline.com

May 12, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 19

Siege of Fort Watauga

colonial culture. Take advantage of colonial merchants selling period wares in “Sutler’s Row”. See the clash of two cultures as the attack on fort Watauga is recreated both days at 1:00 pm. Also, attend our auction of 18th century reproductions on Saturday.

For more information on this and other exciting events at Sycamore Shoals please contact the park at 423-543-5808 or visit the park’s website at www.sycamoreshoalstn.org. Bring the entire family and see how your ancestors played a crucial role in our region’s history and in the formation of our nation.

Hear the rattle of muskets, smell the campfire smoke, and see the 18th century come to life at the Siege of Fort Watauga. This event lasts from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on is sponsored by The Washington Saturday, May 16th and 10:00 am County Regiment of North Carolito 3:00 pm on Sunday, May 17th. na Militia and The Friends of SycaStep back in time as you visit the more Shoals State Historic Area. fort, militia camps, British en- Sycamore Shoals State Historic campment, and Native camp. Be Area, 1651 W. Elk Ave. Elizabethimmersed in 18th century frontier ton, TN 37643 life as you witness daily aspects of

May 16 - 17, 2015

On Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th, Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area will host 150 living history re-enactors for the annual Siege of Fort Watauga. Colonial, British, and Native re-enactors will converge at the re-created Fort Watauga at Sycamore Shoals to relive the days when America’s first frontier was the land beyond the blue ridge.

The Siege of Fort Watauga is a live retelling of the Cherokee attack brought on the settlers of the Watauga valley in the summer of 1776. At Sycamore Shoals, Fort Watauga offered protection to nearly 200 settlers during a twoweek siege led by Cherokee War Chief, Old Abram, and 300 warriors.

Sycamore Shoals will once again be the scene of war during the Siege of Fort Watauga. The event

Unplug To Play

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Tri-Cities, in partnership with Holston Medical Group, is excited to present Unplug to Play!

This brand new, family friendly fundraiser should offer something for everyone.

This technology free event will offer a unique twist on the usual non-profit fundraiser. Participants will have the opportunity to socialize, have dinner, participate in an agency tour, and play a variety of board games that they have NEVER played before. There will also be on going contests, prizes, and a silent auction.

This event will take place in the Douglas Room of the V.O. Dobbins Building located at 301 Louis St., Kingsport, TN 37660 on Saturday, May 16th from 5-8pm. Interested participants should RSVP before May 15th by calling 423-247-3240.

There is a $5 suggested donation with all proceeds benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater TriCities.

Other event partners include Chefs Pizza and the newly formed non-profit group Unplug to Play.

Unplug to Play focuses on bringing analog gaming to deserving communities in the Tri-Cities.

With over 120 different games in their library, they are passionate about introducing anybody who needs a fun distraction without reliance on electronics.

For more information, or to learn about the great work Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Tri-Cities is doing, like them on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ TriCitiesBBBS, or follow them on Twitter, twitter.com/BBBSTriCities. If you would like to support their efforts there are a variety of ways to get involved so give them a call and put your talents to work for a great cause.

Page 20, The Loafer • May 12, 2015

Everybody Knows Ursa Major’s Big Dipper

You know them as the seven stars of the Big Dipper.

Yet they’re just the hindquarters of the 3rd largest constellation in the sky—Ursa Major, the Big Bear.

Rivaled only by winter’s Orion the Hunter, the Big Dipper is the most recognized star pattern around the world by stargazing boys and girl, men and women.

Everybody knows about the Big Dipper. It frequently appears in cartoons, advertising campaigns and even in pop culture.

An obscure bit of professional basketball trivia is: What was the early nickname of the late, great Wilt Chamberlain? Why, the answer is “The Big Dipper!” In the 1960s Wilt easily dipped balls into the hoop (he once scored 100 points in a game), and, wow, at 7-foot plus, he was big!

So you owe it to yourself to look up at the Big Dipper one of these clear, blossoming spring nights and see the seven most famous stars in the night sky. Just face north and look up and there it is! The entire constellation of the Big Bear spans

most of the north skies as the “Dipper” is pouring its contents over the northern horizon.

To amateur astronomers the stars of the Big Dipper have some distinct Arabic names—Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, Megrez, Alioth, Mizar and Alkaid. They all translate to a part of a bear, like the loins, tail and thigh, their exact meaning lost in the unrecorded antiquity.

The stars of the Big Dipper and some fainter ones are thought by astronomers to be part of an ancient star cluster like The Pleiades of the winter skies. Indeed, all these stars we see are from 60 to 100 Light Years distant and possibly were born out of the same cosmic cloud.

Like a lot of the brightest star patterns, they can be used as a guidepost to find other stars in the sky. Like the North Star, Polaris.

For centuries, merchant sailors, land travelers or anybody lost at night have used the Big Dipper to locate the North Star. Surprising to most people is that Polaris isn’t a very bright star; it’s just an average 2nd magnitude star like the ones in

the Dipper.

Just follow the outside two stars of the Dipper’s bowl, Dubhe on the top and Merak on the bottom, and imagine a line running into Polaris, the North Star. Dubhe and Merak are 5 degrees apart, and it is 30 degrees from Dubhe to Polaris—convenient measurements for finding objects in the sky.

Follow the curve of the three stars of the handle of the Big Dipper (Alioth, Mizar and Alkaid) to the third brightest star of the entire sky, Arcturus, in the ancient constellation of Bootes the Herdsman.

Keep following that curve of the handle from Arcturus across the sky and you’ll run into another bright star, Spica, a 1st magnitude star in Virgo the Virgin.

The old astronomy saying is: Take the Handle and arc to Arcturus and speed on to Spica!

The night sky is always full of mythical stories and folklore. And you’d be hard pressed to find any ancient civilization that didn’t recognize the Big Dipper. Surprisingly, many legends, call the pattern and the stars around it a bear.

Greek and Roman mythology heavily involve the Greater and Lesser Bears in their stories. And Native American tribes also had their celestial bear stories.

Some ancient cultures even tested the eyesight of potential warriors by making them look at the Big Dipper. How’s that?

Well, when you’re looking at the Big Dipper this spring, pay particular notice to the middle star of the handle, Mizar.

There is a very close star to Mizar, and it has had its own name, Alcor, for centuries. This middle

star of the handle is rich in history because of its fainter companion.

Many cultures, including American Indian, Aztec and Arab used the stars as a test of eyesight for hunters and scouts.

This double star Mizar and Alcor do not actually orbit each other but are coincidentally close as seen from our earthly line-of-sight.

That’s called and “optical double star” as opposed to real gravitationally locked double and multiple star systems (which make up nearly two-thirds of all stars we see at night!).

The Mizar-Alcor double stars are an excellent test of good eyesight from bad—so, how’s yours? If you don’t see them at first, put a pair of binoculars on them, then go back

North Americans call the Big Dipper has been called for centuries The Plough in Europe, as it also looks like the farm implement.

The ancient Egyptians called it The Chariot. And the seven stars were depicted carrying “Celestial Royalty” on a rickshaw by the Chinese on a wall relief dating back to 147 AD. The fainter stars of Ursa Major are easy to outline with a star map, and they make up the third largest constellation of the 88 behind Hydra the Snake and Virgo the Virgin.

These two are also visible in the Spring, Hydra’s faint stars stretching across the southern horizon from east to west, while Virgo take up most of the sky in the south, accentuated by bright star Spica.

with the naked eyes and you’ll probably see Alcor.

The three stars of the Big Dipper’s handle are actually the tail of the Great Bear—but who’s ever seen a bear with a long tail? Nobody.

That’s another of many celestial mysteries...why do so many diverse cultures see this star pattern as a bear with a long tail? There is no species of bear—prehistoric or modern—that have a long tail. So where does that tail come from?

There is no good answer, so far.

Some American Indians knew there wasn’t a bear with a long tail, so their Great Bear was being chased by three hunters and the cook with the frying pan, Alcor!

The distinct seven stars of what

Ursa Major is a treasure trove of thousands of galaxies seen by powerful telescopes, a dozen of which can be seen with a modest backyard telescope. Looking in this direction of the night sky, we are seeing into the distance Universe, away from our own Milky Way. Between the horizon and Dipper is the Little Dipper with North Star Polaris the last star of the handle.

Unlike its big brother, Ursa Minor is much smaller and most of the stars of the Little Dipper make up its boundaries.

Ursa Major is just one of many ancient constellations that can entertain without the use of anything but a good pair of eyes. Put yours to use the next clear night!

www.theloaferonline.com

May 12, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 21

Celestial events in the skies for the week of May 12 - May 18, 2015 as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.

This week we remember a number of human space flights that were launched this week in May— three Space Shuttles, one Apollo and the last Mercury mission blasted 21 humans into space this week. Looking up at the night sky you can’t miss Venus blazing high above the early night western horizon and Jupiter nearly overhead.

Watch these planetary pair closely over the next six week as they get closer together and actually will nearly merge together the evening of June 30th…details to follow.

Tues. May 12 After midnight, the Milky Way begins to rise in the east, bringing with it the constellations of Summer. Leading the way is the bright star Vega, which will be the Pole Star in about 6,000 years, due to the wobble of the Earth’s axis, completing one complete circle every 26,000 years. That’s why the faint star Thuben in Draco was the Pole Star when the Egyptian pyramids were built.

Wed. May 13 Yesterday, the Sun entered the constellation Taurus the Bull, though astrology has that event happening more than a week later—wrong! Astronomy always tells the truth, not astrology.

Thurs. May 14 On this 1973 date in space history, America launched their first space station, Skylab. In 2010, Atlantis was launched for a resupply mission to the International Space Station, its next to last flight. Atlantis is now on display at the entrance to the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Fri. May 15 On this 1963 date in space history, NASA launched the sixth and last Mercury mission, Faith 7 with astronaut Gordon Cooper, deceased. Cooper spent 34 hours in space, and was the first American to sleep and last American to fly solo in space. Shuttle Atlantis was blasted into space in 1997 on the sixth docking mission with

Russia’s space station Mir, delivering American Mike Foale for a six month stay.

Sat. May 16 Space Shuttle Endeavour was launched on this 2011 date in space history, the next to last mission of the 30 year program. Loaded with extra supplies and hardware like replacement motors, computers, fresh clothes and disposable products, Endeavour is now on display at the California Science Museum, south of Downtown Los Angeles.

Sun. May 17 Around 10 pm you’ll find Virgo high in the South with star Spica shining brightly. Directly overhead is Leo the Lion, beginning to nose down in the west from its high perch overhead. Ahead of the lion is the bright planet Jupiter.

And the Big Dipper is easy to see

directly north. After midnight, the Milky Way begins climbing above the eastern horizon.

Mon. May 18 New Moon is today with our celestial neighbor invisible below the Sun. On this 1969 date in space history, Apollo 10 was launched toward the Moon for a full dress rehearsal of the landing to be attempted by Apollo 11. Astronauts Gene Cernan and Tom Stafford flew their moonship “Snoopy” to within 10 miles of the target in Mare Tranquility. Two months later Apollo 11 would land there. Orbiting the Moon alone and driving the Command Module nicknamed “Charlie Brown” was John Young.

He walked on the Moon on Apollo 16 in April 1972, and Cernan was the last man on the Moon with Apollo 17 in December 1972.

Page 22, The Loafer • May 12, 2015

Dr. Jeff is a native rural New Yorker, obtained his B.S. in chemistry at Union College in Schenectady, N. Y., and M.D. at MCV in Richmond. He met his future, and eternal, wife, Becky, at the ETSU Family Medicine Clinic in Bristol and they have been a Bristol fixture since 1981; Dr. Jeff retired in 2014. His two daughters, Katie and Hilary, are the other magnificent parts of his life.

Autoimmune Problems

Question: I have rheumatoid arthritis and when I asked my doctor what the cause of it was he said something about it being autoimmune. But my friend has an underactive thyroid and she was also told it was autoimmune. How can they be the same thing?

Answer: The word autoimmune is derived from the Greek aut meaning ‘self’ or ‘same’ and the Latin immune and French immun meaning ‘not susceptible’ or ‘protected’. The process of immunity in the human is present on several levels; the skin and mucous membrane (the covering of the inside of the mouth and nose, for instance), the lymphatic tissue (tonsils and lymph nodes, for instance), a variety of white blood cells and the immunoglobulin proteins. Most people are familiar with immunity from vaccinations or ‘shots’ (some can be given orally such as the vaccine to polio and typhoid) to a variety of serious infections and because of the tremendous press coverage of the HIV or AIDS epidemic in the world. In the first in-

stance, medical science has discovered a way to stimulate the human body’s immune system to protect against a particular disease as it is exposed. In the second instance, a virus has damaged the immune system so it cannot protect against even relatively minor infections.

In autoimmune problems the body’s immune system is mistakenly triggered to ‘protect’ against and ‘destroy’ tissues that are an essential part of the human body.

In RA the immune system attacks primarily the synovial (tissue found between the joint capsule and the cavity of the joint...think turkey leg at Thanksgiving) tissue and other ‘connective’ tissue within the body and destroys joints, and sometimes other tissues within the body, including blood vessels, lungs, heart, etc. In thyroiditis the offending tissues are the thyroid producing cells of the gland and the ‘lock’ or receptor sites on the cells that need a ‘key’ protein (thyroid stimulating hormone) to stimulate them to produce the essential hormone thyroxine.

In thyroid underactivity the most common disorder is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (many ideas in medicine are identified with a person or place that was key to it’s discovery or development). Fortunately there is an easy treatment for the underactive thyroid, but not so for RA, as I am sure your doctor has said. Research efforts have uncovered several ways to overcome the immune system, but they all come with a significant price in side effects and financial cost.

There are many more autoimmune disorders that patients and doctors encounter, such as attack the liver, the adrenal gland, blood vessels, pancreas, muscles, red blood cells, and skin. Each disorder comes with it’s own characteristics and set of significant problems for the patient and doctor.

Ref: National Institute of Health Medline; Medscape; HealthCoach; Webster’s 3rd New International Dictionary; Wikipedia

MPCC invites citizens to Walk with Ease

Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St., in cooperation with the Arthritis Foundation, will present Walk with Ease from 10:30 a.m. until noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, May 11-June 19.

Walk with Ease is a six-week doctor-recommended exercise program that can reduce pain and improve overall health for anyone with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.

This program is open to participants ages 18 and older who can be on their feet for 10 minutes without increased pain. Cost is $1 per one-hour session and free for those with Silver Sneakers. Space is limited. Please register by phone or at the Senior Services front desk. For more information, call (423)434-6237.

Senior Services hosting train ride, vintage baseball excursion

On Saturday, May 16, Senior Services will host a day trip to Knoxville, where participants will catch the Three Rivers Rambler Vintage Baseball Express. A $30 fee includes transportation, train ride and a vintage baseball game between the Lightfoot Baseball Club of Chattanooga and Knoxville Holstons. The game will be played at the Ramsey House. Seats are limited, and there will be no refunds.

The bus will depart from Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St., at 8 a.m. Please register in person at MPCC. For more information, call (423)434-6237.

www.theloaferonline.com

May 12, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 23

Bishop ...... Continued from page 15 again and re-entered the radio world.

Tom Taylor and I had a great run with our morning show for a little over three years and were actually named the number two morning talk show in the state of Tennessee by the Associated Press. That was one of the most fun and creative times of my career in a live performance environment. That show was lightning in a bottle and we both knew it.

During those three years, I signed with Talent Trek agency out of Knoxville and the rest is pretty much on the books. I have done everything through my agents from modeling to voice over work and, of course, acting.

I have had roles in everything from DIY Network spots on quick home improvements to television shows like Homicide Hunter and Snapped.

I recently finished an episode of Snapped set to air in a couple of months titled, “The Millers.”

I can’t give away the show, but I played a detective. The other most recent role for me that was just announced is on a show being produced by Lusid Productions called, “Murder Comes to Town.”

A huge thank you goes to Brock Cooley and the rest of the casting department for working with Charlotte and Juanelle at Talent Trek to select me.

What do you tend to enjoy the most of the various things you have done in the industry?

I am sure you are looking for some particular mode of performance here like the live Showtime performances in Kingsport’s Funfest or traveling for shoots in Louisiana the time I realized I was on the Leer Jet sitting with the actual little Debbie, only to be too intimidated to speak. That one makes me laugh every time I think about it. There is no competition with real star power!

All of that is great, but in the end I enjoy just doing what God has built me to do. And I don’t believe that it is live performance for the sake of building my own ego.

I really see every performance as a way of making people feel something. Sometimes that is happy, sad, angry, curious, fearful, humble or any one of a thousand other

emotions.

I guess in direct response to your question, I enjoy any chance to perform. It just all seems to be part of who I am.

Do you see yourself continuing your “part time” status in the industry, or would you like to make your efforts full time?

The answer to that is an honest, I don’t know. I am being blessed with role after role right now so let’s wait and see where God takes it.

The last couple of years were off time for me following the death of my brother Josh. Sometimes it is good to step back and take a look at where you are and get your head straight before moving forward.

For me that has meant a re-dedication of my life to Christ and really placing everything in his hands.

True to form, he has blessed me and my family like never before.

My wife Jess, my three boys and I have never been happier.

Since coming back into actively accepting and seeking roles with my agency there has been a steady flow of jobs that I sincerely hope never goes away. I love the Tri Cities and will always have a home here. That being said, as jobs present themselves I have always traveled wherever that took me and I will follow the work again in a heartbeat. But my boots know the way back home into these hills.

Personally I think it’s wonderful you can live in the Tri-Cities and pursue various paths in entertainment. What do you think helps with you being able to still live here and perform?

A wife who loves me and can manage the crazy school, ball, church and work schedules with a grace and strength I will never possess. The best way I can explain it is like this, to any adult, if you think keeping up with everything is crazy and drives you up a wall most days then try to leave for two weeks or a month and see how it goes from a remote location. Without a loving and capable spouse, as my grandmother would have said, it aint good.

I know you are a singer/songwriter. Any singer/s you would love to work with?

Wow, thanks for the chance to

get this one out there! And please send these guys a copy of the Loafer, never mind, I will. It would be so awesome to work with Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin or and I know I am switching genres here The Band Perry or Lightning Charlie.

Again, the question is who I would love to work with. I by no means have anything in the works with any of them. I seem to be on an acting path right now with where God is taking me. Right now I can be found playing and singing every Sunday I am available at my church. I love playing there and worshiping with a wonderful group of musicians.

Any appearances coming up on television?

Yes. I would tell anyone who is interested to watch for the episode of, “Murder Comes to Town.” That will air in coming months. I am not quite sure when that is exactly.

Unfortunately, that is how it goes.

However, this role in particular is my first national show as a “not so good” guy. I can’t say any more than that about it, but for those who know me, it is a new and exciting step to branch out into that character.

It has been a pleasure talking to you Brian, a wonderful local talent. Good luck in the future, and hopefully we will see you in more media outlets.

8th Annual Racks by the Tracks Festival

Sat, May 16th: Wine & Craft Beer Tastings, Trick Pony & Junior Brown!

www.RacksByTheTracks.com

Co-headliners Trick Pony & Junior Brown, over 40 unique craft beers, a new Wine Tasting Event, and the best barbecue in the region - that’s exactly what the 8th annual Racks by the Tracks Festival will be offer on Saturday, May 16th from noon to 10pm.

With over 12,000 people attending Racks by the Tracks last year, the popular festival is still finding ways to grow. This year, there will be two headlining artists and a brand-new Wine Tasting event.

To avoid waiting in line, attendees should buy their tickets in advance. Tickets can be purchased at www.RacksByTheTracks.com today or at any Food City store.

Stay up-to-date on the festivities by joining the Racks by the Tracks Facebook page. While entrance to the festival is free, all partakers must have a ticket to get access to the special events.

The festival has generated over $45,000 for non-profits.

This year’s proceeds benefit several non-profit organizations including Sullivan County Humane Society, Relay for Life, Keep Kingsport Beautiful, PEAK Young Professionals, and Kingsport Chamber of Commerce.

To avoid waiting in line, attendees should buy their tickets in advance. Tickets can be purchased at www.RacksByTheTracks.com today or at any Food City store.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.

RacksByTheTracks.com or contact event organizers at (423) 863-3998.

Page 24, The Loafer • May 12, 2015

In Theaters Now

Box Office Top 10 Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) mother and her daughters. Never

“Avengers: Age of Ulton” The Avengers have once again taken over local theaters in the new film “Avengers: Age of Ultron”, a follow up to the 2012 smash.

No doubt the new film will make billions, but does the film new live up to the original? Well, in my opinion, yes and no. The film lives up to the original in that the story reunites all the heroes from the first film, and places them in a harrowing situation. On the other hand, the film is just more of the same, and if that’s what you are looking for, then the sequel will make you happy. The story begins in the Eastern European country of Sokovia, with the Avengers raid a Hydra outpost where Baron Wolfgang von Strucker (Thomas Kretschmann) has been using the scepter previously in the hands of Loki to experiment on humans.

The Avengers encounter two of the Baron’s experiments, twins Pietro (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), who has superhuman speed, and Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen), who can project energy and manipulate minds.

The Avengers manager to apprehend the Baron, while Tony Stark/Ironman (Robert Downey, Jr.) retrieves the scepter. Upon leaving the outpost, Stark and Banner/Hulk(Mark Ruffalo) discover an artificial intelligence inside the scepter’s gem, and use it to complete Stark’s “Ultron” global defense program. However, the sentient Ultron (voiced by James Spader) believes he must destroy humanity to save Earth, and begins his quest by attacking The Avengers at their headquarters.

Ultron captures the scepter, and uses the resources at the Baron’s outpost to create an army of robot drones. The real challenges for The Avengers begin after the robot

When Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump-start a dormant peacekeeping program called Ultron, things go horribly wrong and it’s up to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans.

The Age of Adaline (2015)

A young woman, born at the turn of the 20th century, is rendered ageless after an accident. After many solitary years, she meets a man who complicates the eternal life she has settled into.

Furious Seven (2015)

Deckard Shaw seeks revenge against Dominic Toretto and his family for his comatose brother.

Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015)

After six years of keeping our malls safe, Paul Blart has earned a well-deserved vacation. He heads to Vegas with his teenage daughter before she heads off to college. But safety never takes a holiday and when duty calls, Blart answers.

Home (2015)

Oh, an alien on the run from his own people, lands on Earth and makes friends with the adventurous Tip, who is on a quest of her own.

Cinderella (2015)

army attacks them, coupled with a backlash from the general public. The bottom line: The Avengers battle Ultron and his army, while spouting the expected quips. The film also features the first appearance of Vision (Paul Bettany), an android created during the storyline, who wears an awesome cape.

In addition to the aforementioned

heroes, the film also features Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), War Machine (Don Cheadle), and a brief appearance by Falcon (Anthony Mackie).

The special effects, as expected, are wonderful, and while nice, the film is not overwhelming in

one to give up hope, Ella’s fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger.

Ex Machina (2015)

A young programmer is selected to participate in a breakthrough experiment in artificial intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a breathtaking female A.I.

Unfriended (2014)

A group of online chat room friends find themselves haunted by a mysterious, supernatural force using the account of their dead friend

The Longest Ride (2015)

After an automobile crash, the lives of a young couple intertwine with a much older man, as he reflects back on a past love.

Get Hard (2015)

When millionaire James King is jailed for fraud and bound for San Quentin, he turns to Darnell Lewis to prep him to go behind bars.

Woman in Gold (2015)

Maria Altmann, an octogenarian Jewish refugee, takes on the Austrian government to recover artwork she believes rightfully belongs to her family.

When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel step-

Source: imdb.com 5/9/15)

3D. The film is a bit too long, and suffers a bit due to sloppy editing. There is only one scene midclosing credits, so you don’t need to wait until the very end for a second scene, which it typical for Marvel films. The ending, of course, sets up the sequel, so fans of the series can happily expect

more adventures. Overall, I enjoyed “Avengers: Age of Ultron”, but I don’t feel the film surpassed the original.

Rated: PG-13

B

www.theloaferonline.com

May 12, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 25

Page 26, The Loafer • May 12, 2015

The OTHER Statue of Liberty

Well, I guess I should say, ANOTHER Statue of Liberty, as I’m sure to be corrected by fans of Planet of the Apes (or maybe even Spaceballs). To tell the truth, I’m not sure how many re-creations of Lady Liberty there are out there, but it’s the one out in the middle of the Susquehanna River that I’m talking about here. Huh? Yes indeed, and if you’ve ever caught sight of it, you’ll agree that it’s one of the most double-take inspiring sights a person is likely to come across.

Just north of Harrisburg, PA, US-322 follows the meandering Susquehanna River as it makes its way toward State College.

About five miles away from the capital, near the town of Dauphin, rises a 25 foot tall, lilywhite miniature Statue of Liberty – right there in the middle of the river. Now, seeing this begs a number of questions, with “What the heck?” always near the top of the list. So let me fill you in on the backstory.

Sometime around 1986, noted political activist and eccentric (I think it’s probably safe call him that) Gene Stlip constructed his statue to honor the centennial of the landmark in New York Harbor. Standing 18 feet in height, it was built out of plywood and venetian blinds and assembled in the garage

of a friend. Then, with the help of a few more buddies, he put his creation up in the spot he felt best emulated the pedestal upon which the original statue had been placed - a century-old piling from a demolished railroad bridge in the middle of the Susquehanna River. Makes sense, right?

Well, as fate would have it, Stlip’s original creation wasn’t built to last. Venetian blinds, it turns out, don’t make the most sturdy of building materials. So, after about six years of causing mass bewilderment, and probably a few car accidents, the thing blew down in a storm. Undeterred, our resolute hero rebuilt his statue, this time using metal and fiberglass, and had it lowered by helicopter to its original spot atop the stone pillar. And there it has stood for more than twenty years. Only recently, assured that the statute of limitations has expired on whatever laws he must have broken with his unsanctioned tribute, has Stlip come forward to accept responsibility. Until then, it was a total mystery how the statue came to be. Nowadays, it has become a much beloved icon of Dauphin, and southcentral Pennsylvania at large, so you can bet it’s not going anywhere.

www.theloaferonline.com

May 12, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 27

Jonesborough Welcomes Elizabeth Ellis

A few years ago storyteller Elizabeth Ellis noticed a curious change: more and more people had started referring to her as Miss Elizabeth.

“I’m Southern enough to know what that means,” she says candidly. “It means people think you are old”—she draws the word out for emphasis—“as in Driving Miss Daisy.”

Like stand-up comedy, personal storytelling is based largely in observation. Ellis has already worked her new nickname into a fully formed story, “Becoming Miss Elizabeth,” in which she reflects on all the different names she’s been called over the years.

As time passes, themes about aging have naturally worked themselves into Ellis’s repertoire.

“In our culture, we don’t talk about aging,” she says. “It makes people uncomfortable, so it’s really refreshing when someone speaks honestly and openly about it. I remember [late storytelling icon] Kathryn Windham inviting us into the experience of having her coffin made.”

In other hands, it might be a somber topic, but Ellis has taken a pretty lighthearted approach to her own mortality. Case in point: a tall tale she wrote about planning her own funeral. “I thought it would be fun to take the things that people think about at a time like that and see how far I could take it,” she says. “It’s not hard to make it into a tall tale. There’s so much in it that has an element of ridiculousness.”

A master of the form, Ellis knows that a good tall tale has its basis in truth. “At first it’s going along perfectly believable and you aren’t really exactly sure the moment at which they pull the rug out from under you,” she says. “If the teller stretches the truth gradually, it may take the listener some time to figure out when we left the truth behind.”

Ellis will share these new personal stories, as well as old favorites and folk tales, during her upcoming stint as teller-in-residence at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough. From

May 19 – 23, she’ll perform daily at 2:00 p.m. in the Center’s Mary B. Martin Storytelling Hall. Tickets for all shows are just $12 for adults and $11 for seniors, students, and children under 18. Season passes that offer nearly half off the price of regular admission are also available while supplies last.

In addition to her daily matinees, Ellis will host an exclusive evening concert on Thursday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are only $15. She’ll be debuting a new story, “A Stroke of Luck,” in which she talks about the stroke she had last summer and the physical therapy she’s endured ever since. “Some experiences have a real immediacy to them. They want to be told really quickly,” she says. This story, too, is surprisingly funny—Ellis’s trademark.

Advance purchase is highly recommended for both the evening concert and the afternoon shows.

Ticket holders for all performances will save 10 percent on same-day

dining at The Dining Room, Jonesborough General Store and Eatery, or Main Street Café.

Information about all TIR performers, as well as a detailed schedule for 2015, is available at www.storytellingcenter.net. Storytelling Live! is supported by program sponsors CrestPoint Health, Eastman Chemical Company and Eastman Credit Union, and media sponsors News 5-WCYB, FOX TriCities, Tri-Cities CW, Johnson City Press, Kingsport Times-News, Herald & Tribune, Cumulus Media and Foster Signs. Additional funding comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Tennessee Arts Commission, and the Niswonger Foundation.

The International Storytelling Center is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For more information about Storytelling Live! or to make a group reservation, call (800) 952-8392 ext. 222 or (423) 913-1276.

Page 28, The Loafer • May 12, 2015

www.theloaferonline.com

May 12, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 29

Cleaning Your Gun

Gun cleaning is one of those things that has no universal “right way” of doing. In fact if you were to ask ten gun owners how they clean their guns, you would probably get ten different answers.

Don’t worry, you aren’t required to use the suggestions in this article.

The first thing you should always do before handling or cleaning a gun is to Safety Check it. Remember always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction, and keep your finger off the trigger. For semi-automatics eject the magazine, lock the slide back (if you gun lacks a slide lock than manually hold the slide back), Next visually check the chamber. If no round is present in the chamber and the magazine is ejected than the gun is safe.

For double action revolvers swing out the cylinder removing all casings and cartridges. Once all the cartridges and casings have been removed, and the cylinder is open than the gun is safe. For single action revolvers carefully half cock the hammer then open the gate.

With the gate open turn the cylinder using the plunger if necessary to remove the cartridges. Inspecting the cylinder again is advised.

Once the cylinder is empty the hammer may be carefully let down and the gate closed. If your single action has a removable cylinder you will want to remove it for cleaning. For safety it is recommended that you remove all ammunition from the area where you are cleaning your gun.

Now that the firearms has been safety checked, we can proceed to clean it. Keep in mind field stripping your gun every time you shoot it is unnecessary, unless you plan to store it for a month or more. Storage cleaning is slight-

ly different from maintenance cleaning. Make sure to read the owner’s manual of your firearm.

There are not only dis-assembly instructions, but any manufacturer’s recommendations will be located there as well. For example Glock recommends using a nylon brush instead of a bronze brush, a fact possibly unknown to a first time Glock buyer. After reading the manual assemble the necessary supplies and chemicals you’ll need. Below is a list of recommendations: 1. Cleaning rods or bore snake 2. Bronze or nylon brush 3. 100% Cotton terry towels or t-shirt 4. Gun mat 5. Bore mop 6. Rem-Oil or gun oil of choice 7. Bore solvent (optional) 8. Jig and pads (optional) 9. Jersey gloves Most gun cleaning kits will contain most of the items listed above. Mops and Jigs are interchangeable, they serve the same purpose. Mops are easier to use and more effective. Bore solvent should only be utilized if unjacketed lead bullets are being used, as these build up residue in the barrel over time. Jersey gloves are a great way to keep fingerprints off

your gun, the oil in our skin causes guns to rust, especially guns with a blued finish. Most modern guns are polymer coated, parkerized, or stainless to prevent rusting. However if you find yourself cleaning an older blued gun those jersey gloves will be your best friend.

Let’s start with the barrel, put some Rem-oil or gun oil on your brush. Using your cleaning rod or snake start from the chamber if possible and pull the brush through the barrel. Repeat this two or three times as necessary. Next switch to the mop or jig, pull the mop or jig through the barrel until it comes out clean switching pads and mops as necessary. For revolvers you will need to repeat this process for each cylinder and the barrel. Next using your terry towel put some rem-oil or gun oil on the towel and use it to clean the action, mag-well, chamber etc. Next using a dry section of the towel go back over everything as to not leave too much oil in the gun. Using the same or a different towel wipe down the outside of the gun i.e. the barrel, frame, grips. Again using a dry section of towel to remove any excess oil. Now if you are storing the firearm feel free to leave that oil residue on the gun as this will help prevent rust.

Page 30, The Loafer • May 12, 2015

Farewell to Richard Corliss:

A Few Thoughts About Movie Criticism

The recent death of Richard Corliss, TIME magazine’s resident movie critic for thirty-five years, gives me occasion to write about Mr. Corliss’ profession, a topic that, much to my amazement, I have never written about in a very specific way. So, here goes. With apologies, of course, to fellow Loaferite Ken Silvers, our resident movie critic, who does an excellent job with his movie reviews each week.

This is perhaps a good time to insert a flashback to May 1989 (26 years ago last week), when I started out my stint here at the Loafer with a column I had hoped to be the first in a series of pieces devot-

ed to reviews of movies that had just been released on VHS tape!

Appropriately enough, this early plan of mine occurred in another century that now seems so very long ago and far away. And time certainly does fly when you’re having fun streaming movies instead of watching them on VHS. There are those who will argue that we no longer need professional movie critics, especially now that everybody can be a critic, thanks to user reviews on IMDB, Amazon.com, and countless other websites and social media. The question is often asked, “Why do we need this profession now that we have democratized movie criti-

cism?” I must confess I enjoy reading user reviews as much as anyone else, but I strongly advocate that professional and non-professional critics can peacefully coexist, and that we need both points of view.

There is no doubt that non-professional critics can produce some very thought-provoking and stimulating reviews, and we should be grateful that we live in a time when we can read hundreds of reviews of the same movie. However, we still can benefit from people who are paid to review and think about movies as their life’s work.

And quite frequently movie criticism belongs as much to literature

as it does to entertainment (not that literature can’t be highly entertaining, of course). On this note, I urge you to peruse one of my favorite anthologies, AMERICAN MOVIE CRITICS: AN ANTHOLOGY FROM THE SILENTS UNTIL NOW, edited by Phillip Lopate (2006). This marvelous volume is a survey of the most important film criticism, from Carl Sandburg’s 1921 review of “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” to Manohla Dargis’s 2005 review of “A History of Violence.”

Along the way we are treated to the work of our nation’s best and most thought-provoking critics, including Richard Corliss and a host of the usual suspects, including Pauline Kael, James Agee, Susan Sontag, Vincent Canby, John Simon, Richard Schickel, Geoffrey O’Brien (my favorite movie and literary critic), Roger Ebert, James Harvey, and David Thomson (whose book THE BIG SCREEN is the best one-volume meditation on movie history ever written—in my humble opinion, of course).

Let’s take a look at a few comparisons between the reviews of Richard Corliss and those of a typical IMDB user. Corliss’s 1983 review of “The Big Chill” is a good example. In it, he writes that “For them [the characters in the movie], in the voluptuous bloom of youth, the sixties was a banner you could carry aloft or wrap yourself inside. A verdant anarchy of politics, sex, drugs, and style carpeted the landscape. And each impulse was scored to the rollick of the new music: folk, rock, pop, R&B. . . . .[Now, set in the early 1980s] the entire film is a kind of sock-hop benefit for Approaching Middle Age.” A very masterful description of this movie, don’t you think? Now, compare this to an IMDB user review, written in 2000: “While channel surfing, saw this movie again tonight, for about the 35th time. . . It is the single best combination of acting, film editing, sound track, dialogue, and every other thing that does into a movie, ever put together . . . .I truly believe that this is a film that should be studied as an example of pur movie making, no less than Citizen Kane. To rate this movie as a 10 is to underrate it. Of course, that is just my opinion.” Of course, there are those who will say that to declare Corliss’ review as superior to the user contribution is very elitist and snobby. After all,

hasn’t the movie industry been influenced by these professional and pretentious critics for far too long? My answer is that we can, and should, embrace both points of view, while at the same time acknowledging that we desperately need the words of articulate and thoughtful professional critics to counterbalance those of the nonprofessionals. We can learn from both perspectives.

Another literary moment comes in Corliss’ review of Tim Burton’s 1980s version of “Batman.”

Meditating on the meaning of the movie’s ending, Corliss remarks that “At the end, Batman and the Joker realize they must destroy each other because, in a way, they have created each other. . . .But the Joker’s malignancy is neither seductive nor poignant. His power never tempts Vicki or compromises Bruce. His soul must have been stripped away with his skin, and what’s left is the spirit of anarchic violence, giggling at his own enormity.”

And consider Corliss’ advice about how we should watch Robert Altman’s 1970 movie version of “M*A*S*H”: “[This movie] deserves two viewings, or none.

At first sight, this comedy about a group of medics just behind the lines in Korea may seen cruel but very funny. The second time M*A*S*H seems funny but very cruel.” What an interesting way to think about this path-breaking movie. Corliss saw his job as more than giving his readers a simple plot outline and a few well-chosen accolades or denunciations. He wanted his readers to think about how movies can be vehicles for stimulating us to think about the entire human experience. And he, like so many other critics such as Kael and Ebert, never lost his childlike sense of wonder at what was flashing upon the screen— whether that screen was in a multiplex or on an iPhone.

I hope you will seek out some of Corliss’ reviews this week and compare them with what you can find from users on IMDB. Before I go, let me recommend another book about movie criticism and what it means to devote your life to watching movies—Brian Kellow’s excellent biography of Pauline Kael, PAULINE KAEL: A LIFE IN THE DARK (2011).

See you next week.

www.theloaferonline.com

May 12, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 31

Page 32, The Loafer • May 12, 2015