The Loafer May 24th

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Christmas In July Hoot And Holler Spring Tour

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Memorial Musical Tribute

Garden Gala Celebrates 20 Years

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SUMMER GUIDE 2016

Volume 30 • Issue #25

happenings

Publisher Luci Tate Editor Graphic Arts Director Don Sprinkle Cover Design Bill May

Distribution Jerry Hanger Teresa Hanger 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)

Summer Guide JUNE

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Summer Guide JULY

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Summer Guide AUGUST

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“Gathering At The Gap”

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Advertising Dave Carter Terry Patterson Lori Howell Beth Jinks-Ashbrook Patti Barr Sam Jones Contributing Staff Jim Kelly Andy Ross Ken Silvers Mark Marquette Brian McManus Joshua Hicks Brian Bishop Daniel Worley Jason Worley

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Soda Fest Family Festival

11 Two Day Train Show 12

Momma Mia Comes To Barter

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Crooked Road Announces Schedule

15 Breast Cancer Survivors & Fighters “Celebration Luau” 17

columns & reviews 16

Batteries Not Included - DASH!!!!

22 Stargazer - Mars Closest To Earth This Week 23 Skies This Week 24 Pop Life - DC’s Legends of Tomorow 27 The Trivial Traveler - The Hallway of Fame 28 Appalachian Wanderers - Appalachian Trail: Laurel Falls 31 Lock, Stock & Barrell - The Talk 39 Kelly’s Place - Holy Batman!

A Recommendation for your Beach Reading

Indie Singer/Songwriter Comes To JC

25 PUSH! Film Festival Accepting Submissions 26 Elegant Elephant Fundraiser 29 Memorial Day Fast Pitch Classic 30

Garden Gala Celebrates 20 Years

25 Willy Claflin to Host Storytelling Live!

36 Things To Do 37

Pets Of The Week

38 Classifieds

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

ASYLUM SUITE at Marker “2” Grille Saturday, May 28th

music & fun 20

Spotlight - Great Music & Fun Times

34 Puzzle Page

infringement.

Founder: Bill Williams

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Clinch River Days Festival June 2nd – 4th, 2016 Saint Paul, VA www.clinchriverfest.com First Friday Fish Fry June 3rd 5pm Heartwood – Abgindon VA www.virginia .org Blue Plum Festival June 3-5, 2016 Johnson City, TN. www.blueplum.org Synchronus Fireflies at Norton Creek June 3 – 5, 206 Gatlinburg, TN. www.dlia.org Woofstock 2016 June 4th Sugar Hollow Park Park 3600 Lee Hwy, Bristol VA www.mbmspayneuterclinic.org Let’s Go Green! Outdoor Flea Market June 4th 8am-3pm Green Valley Baptist Church 695 Green Valley Rd. Lebanon, VA

Meet Us By The River/Ceremony Festival June 11th Damascus Town Park 208 W. Laurel Ave. Damascus VA www.thelivingtree.com AMB Float Fest 2016 June 12th Wahoo’s Adventures 3380 Big Hill Rod. Boone, NC www.appalachianmountainbrewery.com Who: Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Wahoo Adventures What: AMB and Wahoo are working together to raise awareness and money for the High Country Pathways organization by hosting a fun filled river day event in which people may get together to float down the river and enjoy the sunshine with a local craft beer in hand.

When: Sunday June 12 starting at 12 p.m. Last shuttle at 4:30 p.m.

Last call 8 p.m.

Where: 3380 Big Hill road, Todd, NC 28694. Park at Wahoo’s Take Out, overflow parking at Green Valley School with shuttle to Wahoo’s Take out.

Tickets available call Wahoo’s at (828) 262-5774 Tickets are $15 and cover the cost of renting a tube and the shuttle to the river. Camping available with reservation for $10. Float Fest includes access to live music, AMB beer, Farm to Flame pizza, and Wahoo’s disc golf course among other games and activities.

NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals June 17th – 19th Bristol Dragway Bristol TN Hops & Howlers Craft Brew Fest June 18th 4-9pm Abingdon Farmer’s Market Pavillion 100 Remsburg Dr. Abingdon VA www.hopsandhowlers.com Featuring over 30 craft beers and ciders, with a focus on regional brews, Hops & Howlers is a unique festival, aimed at engaging and educating, and providing the highest quality beer experience for our audience. We limit tickets so that your lines stay short, and we’ve crafted a great music lineup and delicious food trucks to make your experience top notch. Our Homebrew Showcase features an extensive variety of home brew beers, ciders & meade for our attendees to taste and vote on. Our VIP tent gets better every year, and 2016 will offer the most exclusive experience yet, with specialty beers, high-quality snacks and 30 minute head start into the festival. Appalachia has always been known for it’s brewing ingenuity, join us as we celebrate that culture!

Bristol Jam Fest!

June 16 – 18th Holston River Brewing Company – 2623 Volunteer Pkwy. TN. 70th Rhododendron Festival Beginning June 16th and partying all weekend long!

June 18th – 19th, 2016 June 16, Hailey Whitters Roan Mountain State Park June 17, Big Smo Bakersville, NC June 18, Luke Combs 50th Annual Covered Bridge Celebration w/ special guests...Calamity Jones, Wyldeheart, Moonlite Run Band, Avery County Wine & Beer Festival June 8th – 11th, 2016 Southern Rebellion, the Gentlemen & Liars, and more!!

June 25th 12-5pm Elizabethton, TN Ticket prices: Linville Falls Winery www.elizabethtonchamber.com/pages/ $15 - Thursday 9557 Linville Falls Hwy, Linville Falls, NC. covered-bridge-celebration $25- Friday www.averycounty.com/avery-county-wine-a$25 - Saturday beer-festival Mountains of the Music Homecoming $45- weekend pass June 10th – June 18th, 2016 $75- weekend VIP pass 2016 Red Bull Tennessee National www.Mtnsofmusic.com tickets available: June 25th www.eventbee.com/event?eid=173843092 SBKs 2nd Annual Mardigrowl Muddy Creek Raceway June 11th, 2015 www.muddycreekraceway.com/site/ Holston River Brewing Company – 2623 Volunteer Pkwy. TN. Ladies and Gents, it’s the official kickoff to SBK Animal Center’s 2nd Annual MardiGrowl on June 11, we are Summer Art Show at Sycamore Shoals currently seeking sponsors for our event. Tickets on sale now! This year’s lineup is BIGGER & BETTER! Back June 26 – July 31 by popular demand, The Benny Wilson Band & this year Special guest HB Beverly! And the party is once again Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area hosted by Holston River Brewing Co. The prizes are also BIGGER & BETTER! Not only are we giving away a www.sycamoreshoalstn.org week in Hilton Head Island, we are also giving away a condo for a week in Destin, FL!!! We are on the road to a This multi-media exhibit is two art shows in one: brand new animal shelter and having a party to help us get there! Tickets are only $20 and you do not have to be “14th Annual Judged show” and the “22nd Anpresent to win the Florida or HH grand prizes. As seen in the poster, the ticket has a stub which you fill out and nual Watauga Valley Art League Member show”. will be entered in the drawings. Tickets are available at both Blountville and Kingsport Shelters, through the SBK Public is invited to the June 28 Reception and to website via PayPal at http://www.sbkanimals.org/ , and through our volunteers and at events. enjoy the art exhibit all month.

Native American Festival June 4th – 5th 2016 Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area Elizabethton TN www.sycamoreshoalstn.org

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First Friday Fish Fry July 1st 5pm Heartwood – Abgindon VA www.virginia .org Summer Jam Concert July 2nd, 2016 Asheville, NC. Share the Farm Family Bluegrass Festival July 2nd 1380 Bernard Road Baileyton, TN. Elizabethton Independence Day Celebration July 4th, 8:30pm Covered Bridge Park

American Downtown 2016 July 4th Downtown Greenville www.greenevilletn.gov Pepsi Independence Day Fireworks July 4th Freedom Hall Civic Center Johnson City www.johnsoncitytn.com/freedomhall Thursday Jams July 7th & 14th Abingdon Market Pavilion Abingdon VA Wild Goose Festival July 7th – 10th 310 Bridge St. Hot Springs, NC. www.wildgoosefestival.org 4th Annual Fairy Day in the Gardens July 9th 10am-2pm Daniel Boone Native Gardens 651 Horn in the West Dr. Boone NC http://danielboonenativegardens.org/ Kingsport Fun Fest July 15th – 23rd Kingsport TN www.funfest.net 43rd Annual Hungry Mother Festival July 15th – 17th Hungry Mother State Park www.hungrymotherfestival.com Spruce Pine BBQ & Bluegrass Festival July 15th – 16th Spruce Pine, NC Riverside Park www.sprucepinebbqbluegrass.org Paleorific Kid’s Fest Event July 16th, 2016 Kingsport Town Center Busker Fest July 16 Downtown Kingsport www.downtownkingsport.org

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FUN FEST Craft Beer Tasting and Food Pairing July 19th Kingsport, TN www.thebeerrunkingsport.com

festival

First Friday Fish Fry August 5th 5pm Heartwood – Abgindon VA www.virginia .org

The Little Chicago Downtown Music & Arts Festival August 12-13 Downtown Johnson City

August Art Exhibit Friday, August 5 – Tuesday, August 30 Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area www.sycamoreshoalstn.org

14th Annual Elizabethton Butterfly Count Saturday, August 6 Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area www.sycamoreshoalstn.org

Food City 300 August 19th Bristol Motor Speedway www.bristolmotorspeedway.com

Downtown Kingsport Wine Festival August 6 Main Street, Kingsport www.downtownkingsport.org/events/ downtown-kingsport-wine-festival/

Appalachian Fair August 22nd – 27th Gray TN www.appalachianfair.com

Green County Fair 2016 August 8 410 Fairgrounds Rd. Greeneville www.greenecountyfair.com

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Bass Pro Shop NRA Night Race August 20th Bristol Motor Speedway www.bristolmotorspeedway.com

19th Annual Fort Watauga Knap-In Saturday & Sunday, August 27 & 28 Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area www.sycamoreshoalstn.org

Christmas in july festival

istoric Downtown West Jefferson, located in Ashe County, NC, invites you to their annual street festivals! The Christmas in July Festival is a free-admission event which will be held on Saturday, July 2nd from 9am-7pm. Celebrating its 30th year in 2016, Christmas in July features the very best in traditional mountain music, handmade arts & crafts vendors throughout the region and celebrates the Ashe County Christmas Tree industry. Numerous food vendors feature a variety of delicious festival foods. Also, you don’t want to miss the annual Civil War re-enactments held throughout the day of the festival at the West Jefferson Municipal Park. Children’s activities, roving performers, fun competitions, non-profits and the Farmers’ Market are also part of the festival. A Community Stage representing talent from local community groups & individuals include dancing, clogging, singing and music!

Nowhere else will you find such an excellent array of local & regional music, food vendors, fun and festivities for the entire family than at Christmas in July in Downtown West Jefferson! Visit the festival website, www.ChristmasinJuly.info, for more information!

If Antiques are more your style, you definitely will want to check out the 5th Annual West Jefferson Olde Time Antiques Fair which will be held on Friday, September 16th from 1-8pm and Saturday, September 17th from 8am-5pm. Vendors of classic and modern antiques, primitives, collectibles and furniture will be set up in the middle of West Jefferson. Special music and festival food vendors will also be part of the Antiques Fair. This is a free admission event. For more information, visit www.WJAntiquesFair.com. Come visit us and be sure to check out the many unique businesses that Downtown West Jefferson has to offer as well as the fine dining options. You won’t be disappointed & we guarantee you’ll be back. We look forward to your visit!

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Diverse Offerings at

“Gathering in the Gap”

Music Festival Offers Performances, Workshops, Competitions, Crafts, and More!

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he “Gathering in the Gap” Music Festival, scheduled for May 28 at the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park, is a music festival celebrating the rich tradition of old-time, Americana, and bluegrass music found in Southwest Virginia. Featuring performances, workshops, competitions, crafts, a children’s inflatables area, an annual quilt show, and more, “Gathering in the Gap” captures the best of Southwest Virginia history and culture.

Festival Main Stage

The 2016 Main Stage lineup features The Black Lillies at 8 p.m., Dave Eggar & Deoro with Amber Rubarth at 7 p.m. and the Whitetop Mountain Band at 6 p.m.

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind lineup of artists at this year’s “Gathering in the Gap.”

Acoustic Arbor Stage

In addition to the Main Stage performances, “Gathering in the Gap” will feature regional performing artists on the Acoustic Arbor stage, including Sycamore Hollow, Poplar Hill Reunion, Ron Short & Willie Dodson, Rich Kirby & Nate Polly, the WiseJAMS Music Program and the Bluegrass and Old-Time Band Competition winners. Offering live music from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., the Acoustic Arbor stage celebrates the music of Southwest Virginia as well as the musicians who make that music.

Instrument/Band Competitions

The 2016 “Gathering in the Gap” Music Festival offers an opportunity for area musicians to test their skills in a variety of musical competitions. Performers can

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The Black Lillies - Photo by: Joseph Llanes

compete in old-time and bluegrass divisions and on multiple instruments. Competition categories include banjo, fiddle, bluegrass guitar, bluegrass mandolin,

GATHERING ... continued on next page

ban, Coldplay, Beyonce, Pearl Jam, Fall Out Boy, Dave Sanborn, Kathleen Battle, Ray Lamontagne, Roberta Flack, The Spin Doctors, Dianne Reeves, Brandy, Carly Simon, Phil Ramone, Phillip Phillips, Duncan Sheik, Sinead O’Connor, Bon Jovi, bluegrass band, and old-time band. Two age groups will compete in all categories Manhattan Transfer, Corinne Bailey Ray, and many more. except bluegrass band and old-time band: 17 and under and 18 and over. Cash The youth workshop is free with paid festival admission, but spaces are limited. prizes and certificates will be presented to winners in each category with a top prize of $500 for first place in the old-time band and bluegrass band categories.

Each contestant must fill out a registration form and pay admission to the festival. “Stitch in Time” Quilt Show The 19th Annual “A Stitch in Time” Quilt Show will be on display in the museum There is no additional cost for the competitions. until May 31 with nearly 100 quilts on display. This annual exhibit honors both past and present and features quilts not only from the museum’s collection, but Songwriting Contest also from members of the community who display quilts from their own collecA crowd favorite is the annual Songwriting Contest, which showcases outstand- tions. Attendees of the quilt show may vote for their favorite quilt on display ing, but under-recognized, performing songwriters who represent the spirit and by members of the community. Museum admission is included with a ticket to traditions of Appalachian culture. Finalists are chosen by panelists from mailed “Gathering in the Gap,” so visit the exhibit to experience the artistry and creativentries, and they will compete for the grand prize on the Main Stage at 2 p.m. The ity of the region. top three winners will receive cash prizes and plaques.

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Children’s Inflatables Area

Workshops

Master cellist Dave Eggar will hold a youth music workshop (17 and under only) at 11:30 a.m. in the Victorian Parlor that younger festival attendees won’t want to miss. Eggar records in diverse genres and performs live in multiple musical categories, seamlessly moving between each, be it Pop, Rock, Jazz, R&B, New Age, World, or Classical music. A musical prodigy as a child, Dave Eggar began playing the cello and piano at age three. By the age of seven, Dave had performed on Broadway and with the Metropolitan Opera. He debuted at Carnegie Hall at the age of 15. Dave is a graduate of Harvard University and the Julliard School’s Doctoral Program. Eggar has appeared worldwide as a solo cellist and pianist. A virtuoso of many musical styles, Dave has performed and recorded with artists in numerous genres including Evanescence, The Who, Michael Brecker, Josh Gro-

For the kids, visit the Children’s Area from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. “Rufus’ Tree House,” a giant slide, will provide hours of exciting fun. Kids 12 and under are admitted free to the festival with a paying adult.

Antique, craft, and food vendors will be on hand as well. For additional event information, ticket information, and a full schedule of events, please visit the festival website at www.gatheringinthegapmusicfestival.com or call the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park at 276-523-1322.

The award-winning Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

For more information about Virginia State Parks’ activities and amenities or to make reservations in one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-PARK or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.

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Soda Fest Family Festival

Plans Underway in Jonesborough

here’s a new event coming to Tennessee’s Oldest Town June 4 and it’s guaranteed to spark the interest of both young and old.

Soda Fest is designed to expand your taste buds with exposure to flavorful soda pop while providing a different festival style experience bringing generations together while sampling a variety of different sodas, some you’ve heard of and some that will make your taste buds ask for more.

“The idea is simple and we will incorporate an initiative for business to be open later downtown,” Jeff Gurley said. “Alive after 5 is an organized effort to promote Historic Jonesborough on Saturday evenings during the summer months. Most downtown businesses and restaurants will be open later on Saturday evenings June through August.”

Jonesborough’s downtown is already Alive after 5 on Saturday evenings with food, outdoor movies and theatre performances, and the Jonesborough Area Merchants & Services Association wanted to make an effort to give the community somewhere to eat, shop and be entertained in their hometown during the summer months.

“There are wine tastings and beer festivals. I thought Soda Fest would be something different and fun for the entire family to enjoy.” Gurley said.

Soda Fest will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. with soda stop tastings all along Main Street and Jonesborough’s Historic District.

Each soda stop will include a soda jerk who will be pouring the samples in 2 oz. cups for festival goers to enjoy. Beginning at 7 p.m. there will be live music and a sock hop. At 8 p.m., Bottle Cap Bingo will take place in front of The Lollipop Shop, followed by the popular Movies on Main featuring a family friendly outdoor movie at 8:45 p.m.

Soda Fest will also feature a separate “Root Beer Garden” with more than 30 flavors of Root Beer to sample from vendors all over the United States. The Root Beer Garden will be available 5 to 7 p.m. and will require a separate ticket that will be available for purchase during Soda Fest at 4 p.m.

“One of the most talked about soda stops has been the totally gross sodas from Avery’s Beverages including Bug Barf, Zombie Brain Juice, Toxic Slime, Monster Mucas, Kitty Piddle and Dog

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Drool,” Gurley said.

Those who enjoy nostalgic candies from the past will savor the Astro Pop Pineapple, Cherry and Passion Fruit flavors. Mexican Pepsi and Coke will also be available with classics like Cheerwine, Nehi Peach, Orange Crush and NuGrape. Green River Snappy Lime has the sweet taste of a lollipop and its bright green color has been around since 1919.

“While many people have enjoyed Orange Crush, did you know there is a Strawberry Crush and Grape Crush too?

We’ll have those classic sodas, as others might be tempted to try our bizarre flavors too,” Gurley said.

If sampling rare sodas is your goal, the Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate Chip, Bacon, Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Corn, Buffalo Wing and Ranch Dressing flavors will also be on site for tasting.

Soda Fest will take place on June 4 and will be similar to the popular Chocolate Fest event held in Jonesborough this past February, with each soda tasting requiring one ticket. Ticket packs are available in increments of 15 tickets for $11.50.

Each ticket pack purchase will include a commemorative 2016 Soda Fest bottle and each child attending Soda Fest will get their own soda jerk hat while supplies last.

For more information on Soda Fest visit their event on Facebook or call 423-913-2663.

Tickets will be available May 11 by visiting jonesboroughtn. org or calling the Jonesborough Visitor Center Box Office 423-753-1010.

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Carter Railroad Museum to hold Heritage Day and a two-day train show

n Saturday, May 28, East Te n n e s s e e State University’s George L. Carter Railroad Museum’s monthly Heritage Day will feature a “Modern Railroading Celebration” with displays of currently functioning railroad systems, including Amtrak and local CSX and Norfolk Southern lines.

The following weekend, Friday, June 3, and Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. the museum will host its first-ever train show, sale and demonstration at the ETSU/Mountain States Health Alliance Athletic Center (the Minidome). Admission is $5 per day.

The show will encompass 150 tables of new and pre-owned railroad-related items and displays of operating model railroads, including a live steam exhibit. Exhibitors from around the nation will be participating in the event.

Members of the George L. Carter Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and the Mountain Empire Model Railroaders (MEMRR) club will coordinate both events.

Visit www.memrr.org to learn more about MEMRR, which helps demonstrate and maintain the model layouts, museum exhibits and other projects.

The Carter Railroad Museum is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed. The museum can be identified by a flashing railroad crossing signal at the back entrance to the Campus Center Building. Visitors should enter ETSU’s campus from State of Franklin Road onto Jack Vest Drive and continue east to 176 Ross Drive, adjacent to the

flashing RR crossing sign.

To learn more about the museum, visit http://johnsonsdepot. com/glcarter/cartermuseum.

For more information about Heritage Day, contact Alsop at 423-439-6838 or alsopf@etsu.edu. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423-439-8346.

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FIRST-EVER POST BROADWAY MAMMA MIA!

AT BARTER THEATRE Nation’s First Regional Production of Hit ABBA Musical Comes to Barter

arter Theatre presents the world-famous musical “Mamma Mia!” as first-ever U.S. regional production with noteworthy cast and designers beginning May 27.

Featuring more than 20 hit ABBA songs, the musical “Mamma Mia!” has become a worldwide phenomenon boasting a 14-year run on Broadway and countless touring productions, but it has never before been performed at a U.S. regional theatre anywhere in the country. On May 27, Barter Theatre will become the first theatre to ever host a U. S. regional production of this fun-filled sensation.

Naturally, such a landmark production has attracted the attention of nationally known artists and designers including Paul Russell who will direct Barter’s production; Howard Tsvi Kaplan, Costume Designer; and Richard Finkelstein, Set Designer.

Russell sees “Mamma Mia!” as a great family production that lets “parent share and relive the fabulous songs of ABBA by bringing sons and daughters to “Mamma Mia!” Russell said, “At a tour performance of Mamma Mia! I sat aside a father whose six-year old daughter bounced in her daddy’s lap to the beat of the songs. I’ll never forget her smile, or her singing ABBA tunes during intermission. That girl’s joy is Mamma Mia’s heart.”

Kaplan said, “The costumes have lots of vivid color, fun reminiscent prints and will be garnished with sequins and sparkles,” a design which serves to compliment the bright, sparkling themes of this over-the-top musical.

This fun-filled story follows a mother, a daughter and three possible fathers. Sophie, Donna’s daughter, has just one wish, to have her father walk her down the aisle on her wedding day. Now she just has to find out who he is!

Hope Quinn will be playing Sophie Sheridan. Quinn said, “The music is nonstop fun. I love looking around the room during music rehearsals to see members of our cast tapping their feet or even dancing along as we sing.”

Quinn will be joined on stage by a cast of well-known Barter favorites including Tricia Mat-

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thews as Donna Sheridan and Nicholas Piper, Rick McVey and Nick Koesters as Harry Bright, Bill Austin and Sam Carmichael.

“Mamma Mia!” is made possible by the corporate sponsorship of Food City and Strongwell. Barter Theatre is funded in part by The Virginia Commission for the Arts and The National Endowment for the Arts.

Sophie Sheridan and her three potential fathers.

Crooked Road Announces Schedule

for All Concerts at Mountains of Music Homecoming this June

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irginia’s Crooked Road has announced the full line-up of old time, bluegrass, gospel and heritage music concerts at the 2016 Mountains of Music Homecoming, with tickets on sale now at www.mtnsofmusic.com. This extraordinary music and cultural event will light up stages across the entire region for nine magical days, June 10 – 18.

Over 200 of Southwest Virginia’s finest traditional music artists will perform concerts in over 20 different communities where traditional music has been kept for many generations.

“This is nine days when all our traditional music finery is on display,” said Jack Hinshelwood, executive director of The Crooked Road. “People will gather in concert halls, in town squares and on porches to celebrate the rich musical heritage that they share in common.”

As last year’s attendees know, the Homecoming is about way more than just concerts. What makes the Homecoming truly special are the more than 100 cultural experiences that organizations, businesses, and individuals are presenting in communities throughout the region that provide a taste of Appalachia’s unique and inviting culture. Whether storytelling, barn dances, blacksmithing, night hikes, canoe floats, banjo making demonstrations, community meals or evening jam sessions, a myriad of remarkable events color each day and provide a host of rich activities for visitors and residents of the region to enjoy. Many of the events are free and open to the public.

On Wednesday, May 5, The Crooked Road unveiled its new 2016 Homecoming website,mtnsofmusic.com, which features a complete schedule of concerts, cultural events, artists bios and general information. The homepage offers easy access for buying tickets to all concerts.

The Homecoming website design was drawn from the tradition of The Crooked Road region’s quilts, appliques and “crankies,” a story-telling art form where stories on fabric and music scroll together to capture the sense of place and culture in a region.

“We’re excited about several new aspects of this year’s Homecoming,” said Hinshelwood. “Five of the finest bluegrass artists Southwest Virginia has ever produced are coming together for three

performances just for the 2016 Homecoming as The Crooked Road All Star Bluegrass Band – Sammy Shelor of the Lonesome River Band, Junior Sisk of Ramblers Choice, Shawn Lane and Wayne Taylor of Blue Highway, and Bill Monroe fiddler Billy Baker. We’re talking epic concerts when these All Stars take the stage.”

This year also features a signature culinary and cultural event called the Homecoming Feastival, with former Southern Living food editor Sheri Castle as keynote speaker for a gala celebration of Appalachian cuisine, art, music and artisanship in Abingdon.

This event will showcase the ways in which Appalachia inspires innovation and creativity in people. Whether they are a chef, an artisan, or a musician, their work all reflects the influence of this remarkable region.

Another big addition to the Homecoming this year is HoustonFest, a truly stellar music festival featuring over 50 of the best old time and bluegrass artists such as Ricky Skaggs, Blue Highway, and Wayne Henderson, as well as workshops, exhibits, demonstrations and more on June 10-11. HoustonFest takes place in Felts Park in Galax, site of the historic Old Fiddlers Convention presented there annually by the Moose Lodge since 1935.

“We even have a community this year that is closing down

CROOKED ROAD ... continued on page 18

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BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS AND FIGHTERS TO CELEBRATE AT

SUSAN G. KOMEN® TRI-CITIES “CELEBRATION LUAU” LUNCHEON IN JOHNSON CITY, TN

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he “Survivors and Fighters Celebration Luau,” an honoring of Breast Cancer Survivors and Fighters, will be held at the Holiday Inn in Johnson City, TN on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 11:30 am. The affair will include lunch, door prizes, a photo booth, a lavish pink candy table, and a special gift for all survivors. Kim Harris a 22-year veteran in the humor business will be the event’s key entertainment.

Kim Harrison has appeared on “The Last of the Red Hot Mommas”, The Family Channel, NBCs ET Tonight Show, XM Satellite Radio’s Comedy Channel, Nick@ Nite’s Search for the Funniest Mom in America. Kim has appears with Norm McDonald & Jim Breuer on “Saturday Night Live”, Bobby Collins, Travis Tritt and Bill Maher of “Politically Incorrect”. Her 6-year-old daughter, who thinks she is 36, her 34-year-old husband, who acts like he is 5, and her own 39 years of life experiences give her an endless supply of outrageous comedy stories. Spice it all up with a beautiful singing voice, a few parodies, and several lobster impressions and “Presto!” you get the Kim Harrison experience along with a few aching “laughter muscles” from the side splitting comedy she delivers.

In addition to the headlining entertainment, the Affiliate has some special surprises for their Survivors and Fighters. Dr. Wayne Dornan, a Susan G. Komen Advocate in Science, a breast cancer survivor, and a published author will speak about his journey—which he wrote about in his book, titled “How I survived Breast Cancer: An Inspirational Journey of Hope and Fact. Our emcee for the luncheon will be Miss Sullivan County, Whitney Shelton, who just recently graduated from the University of Tennessee where she majored in Journalism and Electronic Media.

Thank you to our sponsors for helping us to recognize and honor the survivors and fighters in the Tri-Cities area.

Blue Ridge Radiology • Johnson City OB/GYN Associates Surgical Associates of Kingsport • T.R. Dunn Photography Advance tickets are $15 each and are available for purchase now through May 30, by calling the Susan G. Komen Tri-Cities Affiliate office at 423-765-9313 or by visiting their website at www.komentricities.org. A limited number of tickets will be available for $20 each at the door the day of the event.

For more information on the “Survivors & Fighters Celebration Luau” or The Komen Tri-Cities Affiliate, please visit www.komentricities.org.

About Susan G. Komen® and the Komen Tri-Cities Affiliate Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen® and launched a global breast cancer movement. The Tri-Cities Affiliate of Susan G. Komen is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in the local community joining millions breast cancer survivors and activists around the globe as part of the world’s largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting breast cancer. Since 2005, events and fundraisers, such as the Komen Tri-Cities Race for the Cure®, have enabled the Tri-Cities Affiliate to invest more than $2.7 million dollars in community breast health programs across their 17-county service area of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. 75 percent of the net proceeds generated by the Affiliate stay in the Tri-Cities Affiliate’s 17-county footprint.

The remaining income—more than $900,000 since 2005—funds the Susan G. Komen Scientific Research & Training Grants Program, which strives to identify and support the best science around the world.

Next to the Federal Government, Susan G. Komen is the second largest funder of breast cancer research in the United States. At Susan G. Komen, our mission is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering others, ensuring quality care for all, and energizing science to find the cures.

theloaferonline.com | May 24, 2016 | 15

DASH!!!!

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here’s a soup and sandwich place not too far from the house. I like to pop in there from time to time and grab lunch. The food is tasty and it’s reasonably priced, but there is one minor hiccup to the whole thing.

You have to watch your table like a hawk. It’s one of those places where you bus your own table after you finish. If you’re not on your guard, your table will be cleared away by a judicious manager when you go to refill your drink.

I first learned of this phenomena one day when I walked to get more tea, only to return to see my table was empty. I wasn’t gone any long amount of time either, maybe 30 seconds top. I’m not the only person this has happened to. Numerous friends have reported food disappearing after they went to refill a drink too. First I thought I was going crazy, and that the manager had a personal vendetta out for me.

I would imagine the manager sitting in his office, stroking a white cat and saying “I don’t want Andy Ross to finish his soup. I want his money, but he can’t have his soup.” I would picture there was a WANTED style poster located in the back with my face on it that said “KNOW YOUR ENEMY.” That would explain why this one cashier always got really sweaty she I would order, but I later learned it

16 | May 24, 2016 | theloaferonline.com

was a condition.

Right when I was on the brink of checking myself in, is when friend reported the same thing happened to them. It just must be a select group of people that get targeted, as no one has mentioned this on their Facebook page in the review section.

Each time I’ve mentioned it to the manager, or the staff behind the counter, they laugh and say “You must be crazy! We would NEVER do that!” Then they wink at me with a wink that usually comes from the person who turns out to be the killer at the end of a slasher movie.

The food being so good and being so cheap is the prime reason my friends and I would return. Eventually, we would only attend as a group, as it was safest to ensure someone could watch our table while other members were away from it. If one had to refill a drink, or go to the bathroom, at least one of us would stay behind.

Eyes locked with any employees eyeing our table--a fork held in hand in case things got messy.

This method worked for a while, but we soon realized that quality of food can’t trump the inconvenience of having to eat lunch like you’re playing a game of Risk.

We gave up on the place, and eventually found a new spot where we didn’t feel like we were under risk of attack at every given second. See you next week.

Becky Pine to Play

The Acoustic CoffeeHouse on May 29th

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ome people’s lives bring them full circle. Mine goes in circles,” Becky Pine jokes. Ten years ago, the singer­ songwriter packed big dreams into her little blue pick­ up truck and moved to Nashville. Until then, she’d lived down a long dirt road in the foothills of upstate New York’s Catskill Mountains, spending as much of her childhood baking pies with her Mom as she did working on antique cars with her Dad. Pine was always drawn to music and fell in love with Country Music in the late ‘90s, an era when female voices like The Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain, Martina McBride, and Lee Ann Womack had a strong hold on the genre. She remembers seeing Carolyn Dawn Johnson open for Kenny Chesney at an arena show when she was 15, and recognizing a feeling she’d never had before.

She knew in that moment exactly what she wanted to do with her life.

From there, one might think her path would be clearly marked, but it was not. Upon arriving in Music City, 18 years old and on her own for the first time, Becky quickly found the exorbitant magnitude of talent to be overwhelming ­ “little fish in the big sea” syndrome, if you will. She set aside her desires to perform and refocused her energy on the business side of things, where she excelled. After several years of working in the world of management, labels and touring, feeling unfulfilled, Pine decided to take a step back from the music industry, move home and explore other career options.

Indie Singer­Songwriter brings her songs to Johnson City

“As much as I tried to fight it, the longing to sing and write never left me alone. I’d see my old Belmont classmates signing publishing deals, debuting their videos on CMT, or going on tour and have a sinking feeling that I was missing the boat. I finally gave in and starting picking up the guitar everyday and the songs started coming,” Pine says. The more she wrote, the more she wanted it. Now she’s made the move a second time to Music City, exactly 10 years, nearly to the day, from the first time.

“I’m ready this time,” she says confidently. “I know I haven’t taken a traditional path in this industry, but that’s what makes me who I am, and I’m proud of it. It’s about the journey, not the destination.” The highs and lows between her initial move to Music City and now provided the adversity and growth needed for Pine to emerge as a genuine and emotive songwriter on her debut release, Perfect Timing. The EP is filled with poignant lyrics and melodies that have more than a few Nashville insiders predicting the girl who fell in love with country all those years ago will be experiencing her own “full circle” moments in no time.

Becky Pine will play a solo acoustic set at The Acoustic Coffee House in Johnson City at 8pm on Sunday May 29th.

For more information on Becky Pine, visit b eckypinemusic.com and f acebook.com/beckypinemusic . Perfect Timing is available at i Tunes a nd other digital music retailers now.

theloaferonline.com | May 24, 2016 | 17

HOOT AND HOLLER SPRING TOUR

May 27th 8pm: Johnson City, TN @ Acoustic Coffeehouse

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oston’s favorite old time duo Hoot and Holler are now a full time road show. For their most extensive tour of the midwest and south to date, they will share the stage with Ricky Skaggs, Red Tail Ring, join Jerry Springer on his podcast “Tunes, Tales and Tomfoolery”, and record their first Daytrotter Session.

Amy Alvey (fiddle, vocals) and Mark Kilianski (guitar, vocals) present a hearty dose of traditional songs and tunes on fiddle, guitar and banjo as well as original songs and compositions. Their songwriting evokes a cross country road trip, sometimes drawing from the sound scape of the dirgy Louisiana swamp to the stark and sparse beauty of a Southwestern desert.

The past year was spent gigging extensively in the Northeast, booking a summer tour with Toronto based Hannah Shira Naiman, earning a scholarship last fall to study Cajun music at the Blackpot Camp, and releasing two singles in November 2015.

Amy and Mark, Berklee College of Music grads, are promoting these singles, as well as debuting brand new material in addition to songs from their album released last fall, “Nothing If Not Young”. Whether they share the stage or by themselves, the performance will be spring-loaded with rare energy and exceptional musicality as they unleash their best, and freshest works.

“Hoot and Holler delivers on their debut EP Nothing If Not Young. Grads of the Berklee College of Music, Mark Kilianski and Amy Alvey not only have top-notch chops, they’ve crafted a top-notch sound that’s pleasantly refreshing...The soundscapes are rooted in OldTime music but with a contemporary feel that keeps the songs fresh and exciting. In short, this is happy music played by happy people with feeling.” -Brad Kolodner WAMU’s Bluegrass Country Recommend if you like: Gillian Welch, Abigail Washburn, Foghorn Stringband, Cahalan Morrison and Eli West - any old time or bluegrass music, or banjos in general. Hoot and Holler Official Website: www.hootandhollermusic.com

CROOKED ROAD ... continued from page 13

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main street for their Homecoming celebration with a full day of bluegrass music and a performance by the iconic Seldom Scene, a group that has converted thousands of urbanites into bluegrass music fans. That event takes place in Christiansburg on June 18, and really captures the full spirit of the Homecoming because two members of the Seldom Scene, Ronnie and Rickie Simpkins are Christiansburg High School graduates,” said Hinshelwood.

Tickets for Crooked Road Concerts are available online at www.mtnsofmusic. com, at the door of each performance (unless sold out), and at local ticket outlets across Southwest Virginia. The full list of local ticket outlets is available on the Homecoming website.

For complete concert and event schedules, updates and more information about the Mountains of Music Homecoming, visitwww.mtnsofmusic.com. Like us on facebook.com/mtnsofmusichomecoming, follow us on Twitter.com/mtnsofmusic, and on Instagram @mtnsofmusic.

theloaferonline.com | May 24, 2016 | 19

S O LG T P

T I

- TUESDAY - May 24th -

AVATAR at Capone’s MY BROTHER THE BEAR

at Bone Fire Smokehouse 7pm SUNDOWN BAND (Country) at Warriors Path State Park 11:30 am

JOHNSON CITY JAMS

at The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room 5pm OPEN MIC at Acoustic Coffeehouse

GUIDO AUSOME & THE OPEN MIC PLAYERS at O’Mainnin’s Pub

SHANE MAUSS at Sleepy Owl Brewery 9pm DOWNTOWN COUNTRY at Jiggy Ray’s 6:30pm - WEDNESDAY - May 25th DANA GILLIAN at Down Home INDIGHOST at The Hideaway 10pm THE BLACK FEATHERS at Down Home 7pm MARCUS BOYD at O’Mainnin’s Pub OPEN MIC at Jiggy Ray’s SCOTTY MELTON at Hungry I at the Apex 6pm OPEN MIC 5pm WISE OLD RIVER 8pm at The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room

CHRIS LONG / MY BROTHER THE BEAR at Acoustic Coffeehouse

- THURSDAY - May 26th CAMERON TATE / JAKE MOORE CHASE BUCHANAN at Capone’s BENNY WILSON at Sonny’s Marina & Cafe 7pm EC FRAZIER at Marker “2” Grill SHOOTER at Lakeview Marina 7pm TOMMY WOMACK at Down Home ADAM LAWSON at Yee Haw Brewing Company 8pm BANDITOS at Abingdon Market Pavillion 7pm TROY BURNS FAMILY at Branch House 7pm CHRIS LONG at O’Mainnin’s Pub BECKY HOBBS / EG KIGHT LUCY BILLINGS at The Kingsport Renaissance Center 7pm 5IVE MOR at 50/Fifty Sports Tavern 7pm ALLIE AIKEN at Acoustic Coffeehouse 8pm

- FRIDAY - May 27th ACOUSTIFRIED (Rock n Roll) at Sonny’s Marina & Cafe 7pm

THUNDERCOCK SPACE JUNK at Capone’s CHRIS LONG at Johnson City Brewery 7pm SHOOTER (Country, Classic Rock, Oldies) at Marker “2” Grill

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- FRIDAY - May 27th -

SCOTT MILLER

at Twilight Alive - Kingsport

THE HOWLING KICK OFF PARTY

at Wolf Hills Brewing Company DREAMCATCHER at Down Home STACY FOX at Jiggy Ray’s 8pm AARON “FROST” FOSTER at Down Home 4pm DAN DEEL at Horseshoe Lounge 8pm HIDDEN VALLEY BOYS at The Family Barn 6pm BAND OF DRIFTERS at Founders Park 6pm BELOW 7 (Rock) at Just One More Bar & Grill

THE LOW COUNTS / CAPTAIN IVORY

at Sleepy Owl Brewery 9pm SCOTT MILLER at Twilight Alive 7pm JACKDAW’S 7 at Our House Restaurant 7pm FOLK SOUL REVIVAL at Wellmont Center 7pm SHADES OF GREY at O’Mainnin’s Pub

IAN FEATHERS BAND

at Yee Haw Brewing Company 8pm CATFISH FRYE BAND (Rockin’ Boogie Blues) at Quaker Steak & Lube 7pm

JANGLING SPARROWS

at Bone Fire Smokehouse 9pm NIGHTSHIFT (Country, Southern Rock, Oldies) at Chilhowie Lion’s Club 7pm

CALAMITY JONES

at Holston River Brewing Company 8pm

BLUESMAN AND THE BLUE ESSENTIALS

Biggie’s 8pm

MAURICE BUTLER at 50Fifty Sports Tavern 9pm WHISKEY OUTLAWS at Country Club Bar & Grill HOOT AND HOLLER at Acoustic Coffeehouse 8pm

- SATURDAY - May 28th CATFISH FRYE BAND (Rockin’ Boogie Blues) at Sonny’s Marina & Cafe 7pm ASYLUM SUITE at Marker “2” Grille 7pm MAGONLIA MOTEL at Capone’s THE HOWLING at 4H Center - Abingdon VA SUNDOWN BAND (Country) at Wilderness Trail Car Show 6pm

JERRY PIERCE & THE NIGHTLIFE BAND

at The Dispensary 8pm NIGHTSHIFT (Country, Southern Rock, Oldies) at The Family Barn 7:30 JOE LASHER JR. at 50Fifty Sports Tavern 9pm

JAMES MEADOWS BAND

at Painter Creek Marine 7pm A GREAT DISASTER at Sleepy Owl Brewery 9pm

If you or your band are playing in the upcoming week and would like to be in The Spotlight, call in advance to (423) 283-4324 or go online to: theloaferonline.com. Due to last minute cancellations or changes, please call the location to confirm.

- SATURDAY - May 28th -

EDGAR LOUDERMILK BAND

at Down Home 7pm BELOW 7 (Rock) at The Country Club Bar & Grill 9pm SACRED HARMONY at Covered Bridge Jams 7pm DAN DEEL at Jiggy Rays 8pm

BRANDON RENFRO AND FRIENDS at Down Home

BLUEGRASS SWEETHEARTS LIVE at Bone Fire Smokehouse 9pm

ZINGER’S COMEDY

at Holston River Brewing Company

INANIMATE EXISTENCE at The Hideaway 7pm

BLACK LILLIES / DAVE EGGAR / AMBER RUBARTH at SW VA Museum

ACOUSTIFRIED (Rock n Roll) at O’Mainnin’s Pub

5IVE MOR

at The Mecca Lounge 8pm

WYLDEHEART at Bristol Brewery

SUREFIRE

at Carter Fold

BLUEGRASS SWEETHEARTS at Bone Fire Smokehouse

ZACHARY MILES / ERIN HARKES at Acoustic Coffeehouse 10 pm

- SUNDAY - May 29th HEIDI HOLTON

at Yee Haw Brewing Company 9pm IVY ROAD at Marker “2” Grille

BRANDON ROHR

at Sonny’s Marina & Cafe 4pm

FIELDS OF GRACE

at Limestone Cove 10am JAM SESSION at The Family Barn 1pm

CONTRAPTION XIX

at Serenity Knoll Farm 11am ROY & CORBIN at Bone Fire Smokehouse BECKY PINE at Acoustic Coffeehouse 8pm

- MONDAY - May 30th THE FIDDLE SCENE & MATT LEADBETTER & FRIENDS at Bristol’s Pickin’ Porch BLUEGRASS JAM Hardee’s (Boones Creek) 6:30pm

SOUTHERN REBELLION MUSIC at Jiggy Ray’s 6pm OPEN MIC at Acoustic Coffeehouse

Spotlight Directory

50 Fifty Sports Tavern 2102 N. Roan Street Johnson City Acoustic Coffeehouse 415 W Walnut St. Johnson City 423/434.9872 Bone Fire Smokehouse at the Hardware 260 W Main St Abingdon Va 276/623-0037 Bristol Brewery 41 Piedmont Ave Bristol VA 276/ 608-1220 Bristol’s Pickin’ Porch 620 State St Bristol 423/573-2262 Capone’s 227 E Main St Johnson City 423/928-2295 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 The Dispensary 271 Oak Avenue, Spruce Pine NC 828/765-0050 Down Home 300 W. Main St. Johnson City 423/929-9822 Family Barn 15559 Lee Hwy Bristol VA The Hideaway 235 E. Main St Johnson City 423/ 926-3896 Holiday Inn (Exit 7) 3005 Linden Dr Bristol Va 276/466-4100

Holston River Brewing Company 2621 Volunteer Pkwy Bristol TN Horseshoe Lounge 908 W. Market St. Johnson Ciy 423/ 928-8992 Hungry I at the Apex 604 W. Market St. Johnson City Jiggy Ray’s 610 E. Elk Ave Elizabethton Johnson City Brewing Company 300 E. Main St. Johnson City 423/ 930-4186 Just One More Bar AJ Hwy Mosheim Kingsport Renaissance Center 1200 E Center St Kingsport 423/392-8415 The Lions Club 116 Industrial Park Rd. Chilhowie VA 276/646-3916 Marker “2’ Grill at Lakeview Marina 474 Lakeside Dock, Kingsport 423/323-4665 The Mecca Lounge 117 Spring St Johnson City 423/928-9360 O’Mainnin’s Pub 712 State St Bristol 423/844-0049 Painter Creek Marina 766 Painter Creek Rd Bristol TN 423/878-5775

KARAOKE TUESDAY Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Boomershine’s Pizza Karaoke at 50Fifty Sports Tavern Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City TN *********************** WEDNESDAY Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at American Legion 8pm Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Smokey Bones - Johnson City TN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Marker “2” Grille Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City TN *********************** THURSDAY Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City TN Karaoke at Holiday Inn - Johnson City TN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Mellow Mushroom Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Poor Richard’s Campus ***********************

Quaker Steak & Lube 629 State St Bristol VA 276/644-9647 Sleepy Owl Brewery 151 E. Main St. Kingsport 423/390-8476 Sonny’s Marina & Café 109 One St. Gray TN 423/283-4014 SW VA Museum Big Stone Gap VA Wellington’s Restaurant Carnegie Hotel 1216 W State of Franklin Rd Johnson City 423/979-6400 The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room 216 E Main St Johnson City Wolf Hills Brewing Company 350 Park St. SE Abingdon VA 276/451-5470 Yee Haw Brewing Company 126 Buffalo St. Johnson City

FRIDAY Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at Sportsman’s Bar & Grill 9pm Karaoke w/ Reverb Karaoke at The Cottage 8:30 pm Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City TN Karaoke at Elizabethton VFW - Elizabethton TN Karaoke w/ DJ Marques at Holiday Inn (Exit 7) - Bristol VA Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City TN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Greeneville VFW *********************** SATURDAY Karaoke at The Horseshoe Lounge Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City TN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Macado’s - Kingsport Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City TN *********************** SUNDAY Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Everette’s Bar & Grille -JC TN ***********************

theloaferonline.com | May 24, 2016 | 21

MARS CLOSEST TO EARTH THIS WEEK

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Photos by MarQ

his is the week when every two years or so Mars and Earth are closest to each other in their solar orbits.

Get ready for the alien invasion!

Several things that people are usually surprised to know about Mars: • It is half the size of Earth and just twice the size of our Moon (7,928 miles diameter Earth; 4,217 miles, Mars; 2,160 miles, Moon) • Mars’ atmosphere is very thin, only one-hundredth that of Earth, about the density of where commercial airliners fly at 30,000 feet.

• Mars is very cold, average global temperature colder than Antarctica. Even if it is 50 F. degrees at your feet, the atmosphere is so thin that it might be freezing at your waist and -20 below at the top of your head!

So while there is a lot of talk about humans going to Mars, well, the dangerous journey is filled with unknowns. If you saw the Hollywood movie “The Martian,” most of the science was accurate—if you keep remembering how cold it is and how dangerous the solar and cosmic radiation will be to humans. It is developing the support teams and logistics of supplies that is the daunting task of conquering the hostile environment of Mars.

The Red Planet’s distance on Sunday will be 46.8 million miles, a far cry from the close, 34 million miles in 2003, the closest on record. With Earth orbiting the Sun every 365.25 days and Mars every 687 days, we are exactly opposite each other about every 26 as we make our laps around our favorite star. And that’s when things get interesting as not only does the size of Mars increase in a telescope, but it gets noticeably brighter to the naked eye.

Mars rises at sunset and pierces through the eastern twilight around 9 pm. It is outside the claws of Scorpius making a triangle with bright red star Antares below and yellowish Saturn to the left. Just a month ago Mars was inside the Scorpion’s claws of three vertical stars much closer to Saturn and right above its literal rival, Antares.

Mars was known as “Nergal” to the Babylonians, and the Greeks called it Ares after the god of war. The brightest star of Scorpius is literally named “Not Ares.” It is a magnitude of 1.5, which is a normal brightness of Mars when it is 50 million miles or so away from Earth. But this week Mars reaches a very bright minus -2 mag., which is about 20 times brighter than Antares. Saturn is in between the two at 0 magnitude. An arbitrary, logarithmic scale, each number in magnitude is 2.5 times brighter or dimmer than the next number.

We know a lot about Mars thanks to the unmanned invasion by American robots the past 50 years. Planetary scientists believe that Mars once could have supported earth-like life when it was a water planet maybe one billion years after the Solar System formed. But so far we have found no direct evidence that life ever was or is present now on Mars.

It was right after the invention and the telescope and up to just a half century ago that astronomers looked forward to the oppositions of Mars so they could get their best look at the only planet whose surface we can see from Earth.

The primitive sketches and images show distinct dark areas that are in contrast against the reddish deserts. Yet they are not continents and are only brightness differences in global areas of rock. In fact, the familiar dark areas seen even in a backyard telescope are hard to distinguish from orbit.

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No matter what size your telescope, if you are diligent in observing Mars night after night you will begin to see the surface markings that the astronomy pioneers first sketched in the 18th and 19th Centuries.

Making your own sketches of the planets and deep sky objects like galaxies might not have much scientific merit these days, but the reward is you making your own impression the cosmos.

The features that we have seen from Earth that corresponds to the actual spacecraft imagery are the largest volcano in the Solar System and one of the longest canyons.

For many years backyard astronomers watching Mars would see a bright, white dot above the plains of Tharsis. Sometimes there were two or three bright dots. Today we know these are the huge volcanoes that once belched gas, lava and ash. Olympus Mons, as the white spot was called for years, is 13 miles high and spread out over the size of a state like Wyoming.

And it is the long, 3,000-mile long chasm discovered by the interplanetary probe Mariner 9 (that bears the name Valles Marineris) which Mars watchers had sketched as a possible canal.

But it is the canals of Mars seen by astronomers that spawned an entire century of misconceptions that living creatures were trying to water their planet.

A Boston aristocrat named Percival Lowell is responsible for the canal craze a 100 years ago as he promoted that Mars was a dying planet of intelligent beings, trying to build waterways to keep their world alive.

Lowell built a cutting-edge observatory in the dark skies of Flagstaff, Arizona, and there he pursued Mars. He became a famous popularizer of the Red Planet, writing three best-selling books that were the talk of all society at the turn of the 20th Century. “Mars,” Mars and Its Canals,” and “Mars as an Abode for Life” were the culmination of Lowell’s observations of the oppositions from 1886-1902.

Percival Lowell linked the mind of man and Mars like no other person. His books and theories spawned some of the classic works of science fiction, including H.G. Well’s “War of the Worlds.”

The notion of living creatures on Mars was thought of as a real possibility until NASA’s Mariner IV in 1965 sent back 22 photos that showed a cold, cratered world. It was a crushing blow to those who hoped to see vegetation while others wanted to see ancient cities.

With 50 years of America’s unmanned Mars invasion yielding nearly 20 successful robots, we have discovered the planet to be a dynamic world with land erosion from wind, dust devils, snow and even water that occasionally flows on the surface.

However, we know that the Martian surface was once very different, a lot more earth-like with salty oceans and rivers flowing out of mountains. But that was maybe 3 billion years ago in the early days of our Solar System’s infancy.

Today as you look up at Mars in the night sky there are two rovers and four orbiters from Earth probing the world for its secrets.

Mars is not just a brilliant garnet in our night, it is a real world that once had belching volcanoes and global oceans. All the ingredients for life.

And maybe in the next 50 years we will discover life on Mars—and finally the realization that we are not alone.

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he lingering evening daylight extends to nearly 9:30 pm, but the reward is three planets visible through the night. Jupiter is overhead while Mars and Saturn are rising. And with the Moon in the morning sky, it’s a good time to learn the spring constellations of Leo, Bootes, Virgo and more.

Tues. May 24 On this 1962 date in space history, Scott Carpenter, deceased, became the second American to orbit the Earth, duplicating the three orbits of John Glenn the previous February. Carpenter landed 250 miles off course in the Atlantic Ocean, taking 45 minutes to find in his life raft next to his Mercury capsule. He never flew in space again, but in 1965, for Sealab II, he spent 28 days living on the ocean floor off the coast of California.

Wed. May 25 On this date in 2008 when NASA’s spacecraft Phoenix landed on the North Pole, right on top of ice just inches beneath the red soil. Phoenix wasn’t mobile, and completed its successful 90-day mission with discoveries of ice melting in front of its cameras and snow falling high up in the atmosphere.

Thurs. May 26 At 10 pm Jupiter is high overhead in Leo the Lion while rising in the east is Scorpius with brilliant red Mars and yellowish Saturn. As the night wears on, Scorpius rises like a

Celestial events in the skies for the week of May 24-30, 2016, as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette. giant fishhook with the two planets an easy target for any backyard telescope.

Fri. May 27 The Big Dipper is in all its glory, easy to see in the north as it empties it celestial goodies out of its bowl onto the landscape. The outside stars of the bowl point to the North Star, Polaris, in the Little Dipper.

Sat. May 28 On this 1959 date in space history, the US Air Force under the direction of Werner von Braun launched two monkeys on a suborbital rocket flight. A squirrel monkey named Baker and a rhesus monkey named Able survived the 16-minute flight. But the first man, Alan Shepard, wouldn’t repeat the suborbital flight until May 1961. The Eisenhower Administration underestimated the worldwide attention of orbiting a human around the Earth, and Russia claimed that historic first in April 1961.

Sun. May 29 The Moon is at Last Quarter at exactly 8:12 am. You’ll see the Moon in the mid-morning blue skies directly south. Over the next seven days it gets closer to the rising Sun, becoming a crescent.

Mon. May 30 Memorial Day. Mars is closest to Earth this opposition, at 47 million miles away. No, Mars will not—or ever—be as big as the Full Moon in a telescope. But you can see the south Polar Cap and some dark markings against the salmon deserts no matter what size your backyard telescope.

theloaferonline.com | May 24, 2016 | 23

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DC’s Legends of Tomorrow **** (Out of 4)

he new show “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” kicked off on January 21st of this year on the CW Network and so far the show has been quite a ride. The superhero adventure is a spin-off from fellow network shows “Arrow” and “The Flash”, and includes characters featured on both shows. The adventure shows main characters are as follows: Firestorm (Victor Garber, Franz Drameh), Atom (Brandon Routh), White Canary (Caity Lotz), Rip Hunter (Arhur Darvill), Hawkgirl (Ciara Renee), Hawkman (Falk Hentschel), Heat Wave (Dominic Purcell), and Captain Cold (Wentworth Miller). The premise of the show involves time traveler Rip Hunter assembling a team to travel to various periods in time in order to prevent immortal conqueror Vandal Savage (Casper Crump) from destroying the world among other things. Once Rip assembles his team, they being their weekly trek through time aboard a ship called the Waverider, which has an artificial intelligence called Gideon (voiced by Amy Pemberton) helping to guide them. The teams adventures have taken them to various times in history, including 1975, 1986, and forward to 2046. In the 2046 episode , they ran across an older Oliver Queen/ Green Arrow (Stephen Amell), and in the episode “The Magnificent Eight”, the team traveled back to 1871 where they ran across DC character Jonah Hex (Johnathon Schaech). So as you can sumise, with the team traveling in time, the possibilities for creative story lines are endless. I was skeptical of the time travel premise when I first started watching the show, but the traveling in time aspect of the show sets it apart from fellow CW shows “Arrow”, “The Flash”, and “Supergirl” (which is moving to the CW from CBS for its second season). The actors all have great chemistry with each other, and it’s really awesome to see former Superman Routh portraying another DC hero in the form of the underused Atom. In addition to their chemistry, the actors are all superb in their respective roles, even though at times Wentworth Millers Captain Cold seems like a one trick pony, with his snarky bon mots. My favorite characters in the show are Hawkman and Hawkgirl, who are making their first live action appearance.

Runner up favorite for me is the aforementioned Atom. The spe-

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cial effects for the show are wonderful, and are of theatrical quality. Every time Atom shrinks, or in a recent episode, grows, the effects are just as impressive as when Hawkman or Hawkgirl sprout their wings and fly. The team assembled by Rip Hunter developed into a family during the series, albeit a dysfunctional one. The show has just been renewed for a second season, and according to press reports will feature new heroes, new villains, and new stakes. Will the existing heroes return? I certainly hope some of them will, and you can bet I will be tuning in for season two of the fun show “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” to find out.

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PUSH! Film Festival Has New Dates and Website;

Currently Accepting Submissions

USH! Film Festival has set new dates, unveiled a new website, and is currently accepting film submissions. PUSH! Film Festival’s committees have been working hard since the inaugural festival ended in June 2015 to make the 2016 festival a follow-up success. With the months of planning came the idea of moving the festival weekend to October 21–23, 2016.

“When our Lead Committee discussed the idea of moving PUSH! from June to October, we revisited our mission and our goal for PUSH! to be a filmmakers’ festival,” said Festival Chair, Jessica Barnett. “Changing the festival’s timing to October provided a longer lead time for filmmakers to submit their films, and it also makes it easier for college and university students to attend. We really want to foster the talents of our local student filmmakers – by giving them an opportunity to showcase their work, meet other professional filmmakers, and attend an established film festival in their local community, we hope that they will be inspired and motivated to keep telling their stories through film.”

Another change the festival is excited to share is their new website, www. pushfilmfest.com. Camellia Digital worked with PUSH!’s Marketing Committee to design a new website that would reflect PUSH!’s brand, but also be filmmaker and audience friendly.

“We are so happy with our new website design! We cannot thank Camellia Digital enough for their help and hard work on this project. They have done a phenomenal job – they were great to work with, and we look forward to working with them on future projects,” said Briana Morris, PUSH!’s Marketing Chair.

PUSH! is currently accepting film submissions for the October festival. Please visit www.pushfilmfest.com to make your submission by the deadline of June 5.

PUSH! Film Festival is also looking for contributors. For more information about contributing to PUSH! Film Festival, please visit www.pushfilmfest.com, or contact Christina Blevins or Maggie Bishop at 276-644-9700, pushfilm@believeinbristol.org.

PUSH! Film Festival, held in Historic Downtown Bristol, TN/VA, hosts a variety of curated movies, workshops and presentations about film, along with screenings of juried shorts, features, and films focused on Tennessee and Virginia.

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ABINGDON ARTS DEPOT TO HOLD

14th ANNUAL ELEGANT ELEPHANT FUNDRAISER & GARAGE SALE

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he “Elegant Elephant” will make its annual appearance on Plum Alley Day in Abingdon, Saturday, May 28th from 10 AM until 4 PM. The fundraiser will be

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held at the Arts Depot on Abingdon’s historic Depot Square. This is more than your ordinary garage sale, featuring unique items for sale such as art and art supplies, vintage collectables, furniture, china, crystal, silver, jewelry, antiques, books, CD’s/DVD’s, household items, and much more. Two galleries and seven resident artists’ studios will also be open.

In preparation for this fundraiser the Depot Artists Association asks the community to please bring items to be donated to the Arts Depot at 314 Depot Square, Abingdon, VA any Wednesday through Saturday prior to the sale between 10am and 4pm. Receipts for goods contributed will be available.

The Arts Depot is operated by a non-profit 501(c) (3) volunteer organization that is dedicated to promoting the arts in the community and features the region’s artists. The Arts Depot is located in the historic Depot Square area of downtown Abingdon, VA. The gallery and resident working artists studios are open Wednesday thru Saturday, 10-4 pm, until 8pm on the first Thursday of each month and by appointment. There is no admission charge.

Classes in the visual arts are offered periodically. For further information, please contact the Arts Depot at (276) 628-9091, or e-mail at abingdonartsdepot@eva.org or visit their web site at www.abingdonartsdepot.org.

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Hallway of Fame

esley W. Posvar Hall, a formidable building at the University of Pittsburgh in western Pennsylvania is the largest academic building on campus. While students may be seen there, scurrying about with their backpacks, iThings, and pitiful dreams of future employment, a casual visitor might notice something unusual embedded in the floor of the lower-level hallway – a baseball field’s home plate. Such a double-take inducing sight is more than a mere architectural quirk though.

This particular home plate once belonged to Forbes Field - a baseball cathedral dating back to the game’s golden age.

If you’ve read many of my columns, you can probably guess where I’m going with this, but here goes: Forbes Field was home turf for the National League’s Pittsburgh Pirates from its dedication in 1909 until well into the Nixon administration, and in its sixty-plus years played host to plenty of history. Mazeroski’s moment of glory, Babe Ruth’s final homerun, and the first baseball game broadcast live over the radio, all happened there (not to mention numerous Steeler and Pitt Panther games). Locals called the park, The House of Thrills.

By the late sixties though, the house was showing its age, so the Pirates abandoned Forbes Field, moving to the multipurpose abomination known as Three Rivers Stadium. Forbes Field was demolished in 1971, but its story doesn’t end there. The parcel of land on which the park sat was scooped up by the nearby University of Pittsburgh, and the space was used to construct the

above-mentioned, Posvar Hall. The trustees must have been Pirate fans though, because the building plan was tweaked so as to include the actual home plate from Forbes Field, set approximately in its original location. I say approximately because, as the story goes, the exact spot is located in the fifth stall of the women’s restroom!

Today, those who don’t mind looking silly are free to swing invisible bats at the dish where Hall of Famers from Honus Wagner to Roberto Clemente earned their paychecks. In fact, you can also see a large chunk of the center field wall, the wall over which Bill Mazeroski hit the walk-off homer that ended the 1960 Series (as well as the park’s in-play flagpole) in its original location. It’s there, that every October 13th, hundreds of Pirate fans gather to remember that special moment, and to remember the House of Thrills.

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Appalachian Trail:

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Laurel Falls

Photo and article by

ow that the school year is coming to a close and summer is upon us, millions of Americans will be hitting the road to visit the iconic and beautiful landscapes that stretch across this great country. Indeed, America is blessed to have some of the most inspiring and wild landscapes in the world, from the towering redwoods along the California coast, to the soaring cliffs of the Grand Canyon. Even so, from the moment the first European settlers arrived on this vast continent, the wheels of progress have deemed the wilderness a valuable resource to be harnessed, mined, logged, and otherwise abused with no regard for its preservation. Some even considered the wilderness a menace to society, an impassible barrier that needed to be eliminated.

It is therefore no surprise that much of the wildlands throughout the states were efficiently eliminated throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Some citizens, however, realized the value of wilderness preservation and worked tirelessly to save what was left. Many areas were afforded a degree of protection by their designation as national parks and forests. Still, many campaigned for an even stricter protected class. This came about in 1964, when the United States Congress passed the Wilderness Act. Most of the wilderness areas in the U.S. today call the mountainous western states home, where broads swaths of the Rockies and Sierra Nevada lie preserved for future generations. The other stronghold can be found here in the Appalachians, although on a much smaller scale. Tennessee is now home to eleven official wilderness areas found throughout the Cherokee National Forest, with six wilderness study areas giving hope that even more land will be protected.

Last week we featured a walk along Appalachian Trail as it traversed the rugged peaks of the Smokies. This week we wanted to take a look at a much different portion of the trail found about a hundred miles north as it winds its way along Laurel Fork in the lush Pond Mountain Wilderness. This is a fairly popular section as it leads to Laurel Falls, undoubtedly one of the most spectacular waterfalls found in the state. We hiked the trail northbound, beginning off Dennis Cove Road in Dennis Cove, as this provides the shortest route to the falls. Parking is available on both sides of the road here, but you’ll want to arrive early to ensure you snag a spot.

Deceptively level and broad at first, the trail immediately plunges into the dark confines of the forest. Laurel Creek can be heard-and soon seen-on the right, and will remain with you for the rest of the trip. The official wilderness boundary comes shortly after. From this point on, no motorized vehicles or equipment (bikes for example) are allowed to preserve the quiet and serenity of the area. Any type of road or paved trails are also prohibited. This area will remain a rugged and wild for centuries to come.

You’ll drop down to cross Laurel Fork on a sturdy bridge beneath an impressive cliff before you make an extremely steep but short climb back up. Soon the river will swing away to make a detour around the ridge you’re climbing. The gap over the ridge is one of several rocky cuts the trail passes through, allowing the observation of the different layers of rock that make up these ancient mountains; the layers were formed from sediment deposits on the floor of an ancient sea. Today, they lie tilted, bent, and twisted as a testament to the forces of nature.

The roar of Laurel Creek can once again be heard far below, and here is where the most difficult portion of the hike lies as it tumbles down the steep gorge to meet the river’s level. While the descent may not be hard, remember that you will have to climb back up the steps (we counted over three hundred total!). When you finally reach somewhat level ground, follow the blue blazed side trail to the left,

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although there will be no doubt as to where the main attraction of the trail might be.

Laurel Falls is indeed a magnificent sight to behold, as the entire river plunges off a series of drops over forty feet in height. During times of heavy rain, the roar can be deafening. A huge splash pool looks inviting, but beware, as several hikers have drowned here in the past. There is plenty of room to observe the falls from the boulders strewn along the riverbank at the trail’s terminus.

Once you are done gazing at the falls, you have one of two choices. The Appalachian Trail continues along Laurel Creek for another 1.5 miles to a junction with the Hampton Blueline Trail, offering much more seclusion and a thrilling journey as it traverses the cliffs that jut out into the river. This will put your total round trip distance at approximately 5.6 miles. If you don’t feel like putting off that return climb to the top of the gorge, you may want to start the hike back for a round trip of 2.6 miles. Just be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to rest on the way up.

Directions: From I-26, take exit 24 and follow U.S. 321 to Elizabethton. Turn right to continue on U.S. 321 and U.S. 19E and follow it 4.9 miles to the town of Hampton. Turn left to stay on U.S. 321 and then after 0.8 mile, make a slight right turn onto Dennis Cove Road. After 3.9 curvy miles, the Appalachian Trail parking area will be seen on both sides of the road.

Laurel Falls in the Laurel Fork Gorge

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Jonesborough to Host Veterans Memorial Musical Tribute May 29

onesborough’s Board of Mayor & Alderman and Veteran’s Affairs Committee will host the town’s tribute to veterans on Sunday, May 29 at 2:30 p.m. at the Visitors Center.

In honor of both living and deceased veterans Jonesborough’s Memorial Day celebration will include a musical tribute featuring songs performed by the Johnson City Community Concert Band, under the direction Dr. Christian Zembower. Presenters will also include Jonesborough Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Marion Light, Heritage Alliance Special Projects Coordinator Anne Mason, Town of Jonesborough Operations Manager Craig Ford with presentation of colors by Tennessee Highway Patrol Honor Guard and Daniel Boone Marine JROTC and taps by Jim Culp.

Marking the 34th event Jonesborough has hosted in honor of veterans, the tribute will take place on Sunday, May 29 at 2:30 p.m. at the Jonesborough Visitors Center, followed by a reception that is open to the public. For additional information, call 423-753-1010 or visitjonesborough.com.

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Horton Sports Memorial Day

Fast Pitch Classic slated for Winged Deer Park

he Parks and Recreation Foundation has teamed up once again with Horton Sports to bring Johnson City an action-packed fun-filled weekend of fast-pitch softball. In its first three years, the Memorial Day Classic had more than 50 teams from four states participating. This year’s event, set for May 27-28, is expected to be one of East Tennessee’s premier competitions with openings in the 8/U Coach-Pitch, 10-12, 14-16, and 18/U divisions. Organizers have assembled a tremendous prize package that will award players on the top three teams in every age group.

The tournament format will be two pool games followed by a double-elimination bracket to determine the champions. Berths to the Tennessee ASA state tournaments will be awarded to the top three teams in each division. All teams are required to show proof of ASA registration or must register on site. All bats must be ASA approved, and tournament softballs will be furnished. Coaches are reminded that proof of age (as determined by ASA Code) must be provided. Due to the anticipated number of entries, Friday night starts may be required. Entry fee is $75 for 8/U Coach-Pitch and $200 for all other age groups. Entry forms are available at the Winged Deer Park Athletic Office. All proceeds will go to the Johnson City Parks and Recreation Foundation, a non-profit 501C3 organization established to assist the department in program offerings, materials, supplies, equipment, etc. For more information, please call (423)747-9883 or email ellisjmha@charter.net.

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Jonesborough Garden Gala Celebrates 20 Years with Live Before and After Project

lower lovers from across the region will venture to Jonesborough for the 20th Annual Garden Gala on Saturday, May 28. This year’s event brings back several private gardens featured during the first annual Garden Gala in 1997, as well as a live before-and-after project on the grounds of a home located within the Historic District of Jonesborough.

This day-long charity event is hosted by members of the Schubert Club and the Tuesday Garden Club, and supported by the Northeast Tennessee Master Gardeners and the Southern Appalachian Plant Society. The Annual Garden Gala is considered the official welcoming of spring in Tennessee’s Oldest Town and has been recognized nationally as an award-winning event.

An added attraction to this year’s event includes a special ticketed seminar and lunch featuring a com-

“DIY Landscaping: Before-and-After” Seminar and lunch with local expert Jonathan Adams.

plete do-it-yourself landscaping project. Led by extraordinary outdoor visionary Jonathan Adams, the audience will witness a live transformation with a complete before-and-after reveal at a location within the Historic District of Jonesborough. Adams will demonstrate ways folks can renovate dated landscaping into a work of art, while working within the guidelines of a historic district. The seminar begins at 9 a.m. and will be followed by lunch.

After the seminar and lunch, attendees can enjoy the many unique items that are available from various Garden Gala vendors on the International Storytelling Center Plaza from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or they can purchase a ticket to the self-guided walking tour that begins at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 5 p.m.

The self-guided walking tour will be bringing back some of the most popular private gardens from the Garden Gala’s first year in 1997. The tour will focus on the rewards of gardening and inspire even the most reluctant gardener. Master Gardeners and Southern Appalachian Plant Society members will be at each location to answer gardening questions; a variety of local artists and storybook characters will be at several gardens. Shuttle transportation and water stations will be available throughout the self-guided tour as needed.

A separate ticket for the morning seminar and lunch is $25 in addition to the garden tour which includes the afternoon tea. A limited quantity of morning seminar and lunch tickets are available and can only be purchased at the Jonesborough Visitors Center. Tickets for the afternoon garden tour and tea are $13.50 in advance and $16.50 on the day of the event. Tickets may be purchased online atjonesboroughtn.org or by calling the Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423-753-1010. Tickets are also available from a Schubert Club or Garden Club member.

The Jonesborough Garden Gala has become a tradition for attendees from surrounding areas including East Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia. Repeat guests will discover what homeowners have changed with their properties since previous garden gala tours.

In addition to the 20th Annual Garden Gala on Saturday, May 28, featured storyteller Delores Hydock will be the teller-in-residence onFriday, May 27 at 2 p.m. at the International Storytelling Center. Storyteller and actress Dolores Hydock fills the stage with a swirl of characters in her funny, affectionate stories about family fireworks, true love, turnip greens, and other peculiarities of everyday life. Her concert on May 27 is entitled “Digging Dirt: Stories from the Garden.” Tickets are $12 for adults and $11 for seniors and may be purchased at the International Storytelling Center by calling 423-753-2171.

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“THE TALK”

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ast week I was talking to a man about firearms and the topic turned to safety, at which point he confessed that his young son had gotten into his guns. The man was obviously embarrassed by this and went on to say “I don’t get it, we had the talk” I knew immediately he was talking about having the gun talk with his son.

That conversation got me thinking about the gun talk my dad had with me when I was about 12 years old. He took me to a local turkey shoot and paid for me to shoot a round. He then handed me his massive over and under 12 gauge shotgun and gave me a quick lesson on how it worked. I still remember the way it kicked and the thunderous noise it made.

Although thrilling he satiated my curiosity and took away the mystery, from that day on he never had to worry about me getting into his guns. I tell that story because often it isn’t enough to simply tell your kids what guns are and how dangerous they can be, because I’m sure you can recall, childlike curiosity is relentless. No matter how adamant you are or even how intimidating you are that curiosity must be quenched.

Another important aspect of “the talk” is that it not be just one conversation. Had that one lesson been the only one my dad gave me I would not be half the shooter I am today. He taught me how to hold a gun safely, how to hand it to someone else, how to load and unload while keeping the gun pointed in a safe direction. All these things should be part of your kid’s introduction to firearms. I say this because all it takes is your teenager inviting their friends over and falling prey to peer pressure to show them where you keep your guns. Even if they get into them, if your son or daughter knows how to safely handle a firearm the likelihood of an accidental discharge is greatly reduced. Now obviously if this scenario does happen two things will need to happed, first some disciplinary action will be necessary, and second child safety devices might need to be placed

on your firearms.

Now you might be thinking that it was just a one-time thing and it won’t happen again, well let me say this if it does it is 100% on you.

I’ll never forget the day I got a call at work about 7 years ago from my roommate, he frantically informed me that he and my neighbor had loaded and hammered my New England single shot 12 gauge. He couldn’t figure out how to get the trigger down and asked if he should pull the trigger. I told him in the calmest voice I could muster to lay the gun gently on my bed and leave it there. I got home a few hours later and sure enough the gun was chambered and hammered. That night I bought child safety locks for all my guns, because I couldn’t trust my roommate, who was the same age as me, with my guns. So don’t feel embarrassed if you have to do the same for your kids, it is much better than the alternative.

The talk is an integral part of firearms ownership, you should be proud as people have been talking to their kids about guns since guns were invented. I’m sure before that they were talking to their kids about the dangers of swords. Don’t worry I’m not going to sit here and tell you how to have the talk, it is very personal and every kid is different.

That being said if you’re unsure how to have the talk with your son or daughter please don’t hesitate to email me, I’ll help any way I can. The making of informed citizens starts during childhood.

As always I hope you enjoyed this article, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email me, I look forward to your feedback.

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Answers found on page 36

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Willy Claflin to Host Storytelling Live!

aster storyteller Willy Claflin, a longtime fan favorite at the National Storytelling Festival, will soon serve as Jonesborough’s next teller in residence.

Celebrated for a wildly diverse catalog that includes everything from traditional ballads to whimsical puppetry, Claflin’s appearance will be sponsored by the International Storytelling Center, which kicked off its live performance season in May. Claflin will be the official storyteller in Tennessee’s oldest town for just one week before he passes the baton to Anne Rutherford, who hails from the Pacific Northwest. His packed performance schedule includes daily matinees from May 31 – June 4, Tuesday through Saturday. All performances begin at 2:00 p.m.

Throughout the week, Claflin plans to share a wide variety of stories from his vast catalog. A given performance might include anything from a haunting ballad to a tale from Maynard Moose, the mush-mouthed character that made Claflin famous.

“I grew up in a household where my father was always reading stuff, telling me stories, and playing old ballads,” he says. “Sometimes he’d make parodies by twisting the lyrics around or saying the wrong names. I think that just became part of me as time went on.”

In addition to old standbys, the storyteller will weave in personal stories and the Norwegian folk tales that have captured his imagination as an adult.

“I’ve always been equally interested in all forms of storytelling,” he says. “I think I’m the most wildly eclectic of anyone in the business, but it’s not by design. I’m sort of omnivorous. If I come across a really good story, it doesn’t make any difference to me what form it’s in.”

In addition to his matinee performances, Claflin will host a special children’s concert on Saturday, June 4, at 10:30 a.m. The show, which is geared towards ages six through ten, will focus on the teller’s puppets, who are also quite popular with adults. Tickets are just $5 for all ages, and ticket holders will receive coupons for 15 percent off at The Lollipop Shop, a popular Main Street store that sells old-fashioned sweets and toys.

The children’s show and all matinees will take place in the International Storytelling Center’s intimate Mary B. Martin Storytelling Hall.

Storytelling Live! tickets for all regular matinee performances are just $12 for adults and $11 for seniors, students, and children under 18. Walk-in seating is available, but advance purchase is recommended. All ticketholders can present their ticket stubs for a 10 percent discount on same-day dining at JJ’s Eatery and Ice Cream or Main Street Café, two popular eateries in Jonesborough.

Information about all performers, as well as a detailed schedule for 2016, is available www.storytellingcenter.net. The premier sponsor of Storytelling Live! is the Mountain States’ Heart & Soul program. Media sponsors include News 5-WCYB, FOX Tri-Cities, Tri-Cities CW, Johnson City Press, Kingsport Times-News, Herald & Tribune, Cumulus Media, The Laurel of Asheville, Plough to Pantry and Foster Signs. Additional funding comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Tennessee Arts Commission, the East Tennessee Foundation, Eastman Credit Union, the Mooneyhan Family Foundation 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.

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things to do

LAST CALL for Christmas Connection– Arts & Crafts Fair- Vendor applications!

Deadline is JUNE 1st, 2016.

Seeking ARTISTS, ARTISANS, & CRAFTSMEN of all trades… Now accepting applications from those interested in exhibiting at the 37th Annual Christmas Connection– Arts & Crafts Fair. Christmas Connection--Arts & Crafts Fair: Nov. 11 – 13, 2016. Calling all artists, artisans, and craftspeople of all trades! Kingsport’s Christmas Connection, an event sponsored by the City of Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts, is celebrating 37 years of arts and crafts in 2016! Applications are now being taken for those wishing to exhibit in this 3-day event, which is by invitation only.

Application deadline: June 1st, 2016.

Christmas Connection has been a staple in the community for over 30 years. It is a very well established cultural event in Kingsport, hosting the region’s best arts and crafts vendors.

DATES/HOURS: FREE Admission to the public!

Fri. Nov. 11: 12Noon - 6PM Sat. Nov. 12: 10AM - 6PM Sun. Nov. 13: 12Noon - 5PM Applications will be accepted thru June 1st, 2016. To access the vendor application from the city website, and for more information visit: http://arts.kingsporttn.gov/cc or call 423-392-8415

PAC to offer Pallet Art Project

Princeton Arts Center, 2516 E. Oakland Ave., invites artisans ages 15 and older to participate in a Pallet Art Project. Entry fee is $10 per pallet. Participants will have two weeks to complete their project, which will be on display at PAC through July. Schedule is as follows: • June 6-10: Wooden pallets may be picked between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

• June 27-July 1: Pallets must be returned to Princeton Arts Center.

• July 8: Artisan reception and unveiling of Pallet Art Projects from 6-8 p.m.

• Aug. 1: Pallets may be picked up from PAC. For more information, please call (423)283-5800.

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Art in the Heart Gallery Pet Portrait Class with Michelle Howe

Friday June 24, 2016 In this class you will wood burn a picture of your favorite pet and finish it with colored pencils. Bring colored pencils and a picture of the pet you want to work on. All other supplies will be furnished. Email a picture of your pet to Michelle Howe (heart8151@aol.com) one week in advance. She will create a line drawing to make it easy for you to get a likeness of your pet. 11am - 5pm 246 Broad Street (at corner of Center Street) Kingsport, TN 37660 423-480-9702

Mindful Recovery Group Open To the Public

Anyone recovering from any type of addiction, including alcoholism and drug addiction, is invited to attend the Mindful Recovery Group. The group can serve as an alternative or addition to traditional 12-step recovery meetings and does not require any particular belief or spiritual practice.

Mindful Recovery meets every Thursday from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Appalachian Dharma & Meditation Center (ADMC), 108 W. 10th Ave., Suite 3, Johnson City, TN. The meeting is free and confidential. For more information, contact mindfulrecovery4et@ gmail.com.

ADMC offers opportunities to explore Buddhism, meditation of various forms, mindfulness and much more.

For more information about ADMC, visit the website www.dharma4et.org or contact dharma4et@gmail.com.

Mountain Makins Festival Invitation to Musicians

Rose Center is preparing for the 41st Annual Mountain Makins Festival on October 22 and 23, 2016 in Morristown, TN. Once again, there will be continuous musical entertainment during both days of the Festival, and a Preview show on Friday night, Oct. 21.

The festival features bluegrass and old time music, but also “new grass,” rockabilly, and other types of roots music. Musicians interested in performing at this year’s Mountain Makins Festi-

val will need to contact Rose Center by May 30, 2016. Bands should send audio samples of their music, information about their group, photos, and contact information.

Mountain Makins Festival, a celebration of Appalachian culture, is the largest event in Hamblen County, drawing 7000 visitors from throughout the region. This year it was named the Best Festival in the Southeast by the Southeast Festivals and Events Association. It has been designated a “Top 20 Event in the Southeast” four times by the Southeast Tourism Society; and was also voted “Best Festival in East Tennessee” by readers of Tennessee Magazine.

The festival is a fundraiser for historic Rose Center, an 1892 school building, now a museum and cultural center.

Musicians may contact Rose Center at: PO Box 1976, Morristown, TN 37816; beccy@rosecenter.org; or 423-581-4330.

Summer’s coming and so are Steele Creek nature camps

PAre your kids counting down the days until the end of the school year and getting excited about summer?

Are you beginning to stress over what to do to keep them occupied during summer break? The City of Bristol’s Department of Parks and Recreation may have just the plan for you.

Several Summer Nature Camps are being held from June 6 to July 22 at the

Steele Creek Nature Center. Some of the camps being offered are Feathered Flyers Camp, Ecological Awareness and Discovery Camp, Young Scientists Camp, Geology Rocks Camp, Nature Photography, and an Aquatic Ecology Camp. The Registration fee is $60.00 per camp, which includes a t-shirt and all materials needed. For more information, and to register, visit http:// bristoltn.org/959/Summer-NatureCamps, or contact Jeremy Stout at the Nature Center at 423-989-5616.

Rooted in Appalachia Roadshow

In northeast Tennessee & southwest Virginia folks are interested in their neighbors, their towns and the farmers growing their food. You could say, folks are ‘rooted’ in local traditions.

This summer, you can get rooted too!

Just visit your local farmers market and have fun at the free, Rooted in Appalachia roadshows! There will be games, cooking demos, prizes and more. Visit www.rootedinappalachia.com for more info.

Martial arts instructor needed

Memorial Park Community Center is in search of a certified black belt martial arts instructor to teach ages 6-12. Anyone interested should call center supervisor Kelly Finney at 434-5758

DROP QUOTE: “Where quality is the thing sought after, the thing of supreme quality is cheap, whatever the price one has to pay for it.”

CRYPTOGRAM: One’s friends are that part of the human race with which one can be human.

pets of the week

Krissy and Missy are 5 month old sisters that need to find their forever home together. Very sweet kitties! They are spayed and up to date on all vaccines.

TJ is a one year old male who is neutered and up to date on all vaccines. He is a friendly and well socialized cat!

The Bridge Home has an ongoing aluminum can can collection in front of the shelter at 2061 Hwy 75 in Blountville,TN 37617. The cans are collected by a volunteer and the money from the aluminum goes towards badly needed food and supplies for the animals The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Rescue has started a pet food pantry for people that have had financial hardships because of job loss or medical problems and are struggling to feed their pet. They can come by the shelter and get cat or dog food to get through the tough time.

Donations can be sent to The Bridge Home Shelter PO Box 654 Blountville, TN 37617 Every animal in their care is spayed or neutered and fully vaccinated before being adopted. Being a non profit the shelter is funded entirely by membership dues and private donations. They always need volunteers or monetary donations.

Other always needed items:pet food, cat litter & cat toys dog treats & dog toys,paper towels, cleaners, office supplies,Purina weight circles. Phone: 423.239.5237 Hours are Mon-Fri 12pm-6pm Sat 12pm3pm and Sun 2pm-4pm. Website is www.bridgehomerescue@gmail. com or like them on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/bridgehome theloaferonline.com | May 24, 2016 | 37

PLACING A CLASSIFED LINE AD:

Go to: www.theloaferonline.com, create an account, and enter your classified. Call 423282-1907 or email: classifieds@theloaferonline.com if you have any questions.

01 General Items 49 Electronics

Nikon D3200 Camera, Lens, Various Accessories

Phone: 423-408-0424 Price: $ 600.00 Nikon D3200 camera body, Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D, speed light flash, fisheye/ macro lens attachment, ND filters, a strap, sync cable, camera battery charger and grip , camera sync cable, 16 GB SD card, lg and sm camera bags, lg and sm tripods and camera/flash mounts. Very good condition, well cared for. If interested in an individual item, will consider. For more information, call or text Elijah.

73 Real Estate 72 For Sale

***Condo for sale ***

Price: $ 94,900.00 Woodstone Condos - 2 bedroom / 1.5 bath. Listing by Wayne and Debi Bartley, Remax Checkmate Johnson City. For more information contact them at 423-282-0432 (office) or 423-676-6180 (cell) Wayne & Debi Bartley, RealtorsRe/max Checkmate, Inc. KINGSPORT LOT for sale by owner 423-247-7959 • $8,500.00

85 Jobs

103 Sales/Marketing

Account Representative Phone: 423-283-4324. The Loafer is seeking motivated account representatives to service various territories throughout Tri-Cities. Must be enthusiastic, hardworking, positive, successful. Part time Full time. Flexible hours. Must have reliable transportation, smart phone & self-motivated.

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Email resumes to info@theloafeornline.com

107 Services

110 Beauty / Salon

Affordable Haircuts at

38 | May 24, 2016 | theloaferonline.com

107 Services A Style 4 U We are a full service salon owned and operated by by Sandi Smith, with hair stylist Renee Gibson on board, that offers professional cuts, styles, colors, and perms at affordable prices. The best prices in the Tri-Cities area. Men’s haircuts are $10. Women’s are $12. We have over 32 year’s experience in the business and we want to help you get your style on!

We are located at 943 Volunteer Parkway in Bristol, Tennessee, near Auto Zone. Call us at 423534-9825. Walk ins welcome!

121 General Services

Affordable Professional Wedding & Event Photography N&N Photography is a husband and wife photography team dedicated to capturing the most important and precious moments in your life! We provide High Quality Photography at an Affordable Price.

We photograph Events, Engagements, Weddings, Prom, Senior, Sports, Newborn, Graduation, Family, Sweetheart, Individual Portrait Shoots (male or female), & more. See our website at: www.nandnphotoshoot.com and our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/nandnphotoshoot for more information. 423-9560820

121 General Services

NOTHING MAKES A PROPERTY LOOK BETTER THAN A NICE SLATE-BLACK PARKING LOT OR DRIVEWAY!! Asphalt

Sealing • Crack Repai • Line Striping! Book your appointment today for a free quote!

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128 Lawn & Garden

107 Services

145 Mind, Body & Spirit

chained to the deadly habit of smoking? Are you motivated to stop smoking without using chemicals or chewing gum or wearing patches? I can help motivate you to stop this expensive, negative, unhealthy habit. Call us today at A New Path Hypnosis, 423-341-8898 or visit www.anewpathhypnosis.com to get started living 129 Legal a healthier life today. Free inSOCIAL SECURITY DIS- formation session for all new ABILITY BENEFITS. Unable clients. to work? Denied benefits? We Can Help! WIN or Pay Noth- 148 Health & Fitness ing! Contact Bill Gordon & As- LOSE WEIGHT! NOW ASK sociates at 1-800-864-9032 to ME HOW! 3-Day Trial Pack, Only $20.00! With Free Shipstart your application today! ping. Plus Your Own Personal 133 Painting Weight Loss Coach. Lets Get NOTHING INCREASES Started On A New You Today!

HOMES VALUE LIKE IN- Call or Text Lisa 315-761-2324 TERIOR PAINT. Let’s paint or Email TrialPack20@Yahoo. the interior of your house and com make your house a home.

143 Announcements Beautiful colors, including white, and multi-color or geo- 144 Announcements metric design accent walls Travel, photography blog add that special flair. Anywhere from one bedroom to the whole house. Call David at 315.725.0562 to set up appointment for free estimate. also offer general landscaping such as mulching, small tree/bush removal, sprucing up flowerbeds, general yard cleanup. For a free estimate contact us at 423-268-7319 or majesticlawnserivces@yahoo. com Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/majesticmowing.

133 Painting

INTERIOR PAINTING. NOTHING INCREASES A HOMES RESALE APPEAL, OR MAKES IT FEEL LIKE “HOME” - MORE THAN NEW INTERIOR PAINTING From A Single Bedroom To The Entire Home, Beautiful Warm Colors, Multi-Color or Geometric “Accent Walls”, Call David at Creative Interiors Painting to book your appointment today for free quote, 315-725-0562

145 Mind, Body & Spirit

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143 Announcements Learn about interesting places near and far while getting tips to improve your photography at:www.thetravelingbabe.com.

138 Transportation 141 Motorcycle/Scooters 2004 Honda XR50 Phone: 423-383-3553 Price: $ 600.00 Great running bike

143 Announcements 144 Announcements

QUILT DEDICATION AND SALE June 5th, Sunday, St. John Lutheran Church. 807 E Main St, Abingdon VA. 11:00Worship/ Quilt dedication 12:30- Lunch/ tied quilt auction and sale Quilts will be displayed all around the church as we recognize St John Quilters for their service. Please join us as we celebrate this ministry of making “comfort quilts” for those in need. 276-644-1228

Holy, Batman!!

A Recommendation For Your Beach Reading

F

rom time to time during this summer, I plan on recommending some interesting (at least to me) books you should take with you to the beach. People still read books on the beach, don’t they? I am not concerned with what form these books might take—paper or digital—but I hope this tradition is not about to go the way of the floppy disk or the eight-track tape. In hopes that it hasn’t, I offer you my first recommendation, hot off the press—Glen Weldon’s THE CAPED CRUSADE: BATMAN AND THE RISE OF NERD CULTURE (Simon and Schuster, 2016).

No, this isn’t the latest pulp fiction from James Patterson, Danielle Steele, or Nicholas Sparks, but a work of nonfiction. A work of nonfiction that should have wide appeal, and just the thing for those long, hot days on the beach. Especially if you happen to be a Batman fan. Or a nerd. Or, most appropriately, both.

The recent furor over the “Batman vs. Superman” movie illustrates a fundamental fact about the history of Batman—you can’t please everyone, and the engine that has driven this history is controversy and conflict over exactly what constitutes the true nature of the Caped Crusader.

With this controversial history in mind, let’s take a look at Weldon’s opening paragraph, which sets the stage for the book’s remaining 304 pages: “Over his seven decades of fictive life, the elastic concept of ‘Batman’ has taken on a host of shapes.

He started off simply enough, as a murderous, gun-wielding rip-off of the Shadow. Since then he’s clocked field time as a time-and-space-hopping gadabout, a Pop Art scoutmaster, a globe-trotting master spy, a gadget-happy criminologist, and a grim, remorseless ninja of the urban night.” From his origins as a comic book hero to the star of a series of controversial and much-disputed movies and animated series, Bruce Wayne and his alter-ego has assumed many roles. According to Weldon, Batman has served as a type of Rorschach test for his many devoted readers and viewers in that they can see what they want to see in his many transformations.

Weldon goes on to state why it is so important to understand from the outset that Batman exists primarily in the eye of the beholder: “No single image defines Batman, because any single image is too small to contain the various layered and at times contradictory meaning we’ve installed in him. Since his first appearance, we have projected onto the character our own fears, our preoccupations, our moral imperatives, and have seen in him what we wish to.” As Weldon points out many times, there are two fundamental versions of Batman—Batman the Idea and Batman the Character. Although he has served many masters and gone through countless reimaginings, one thing has remained constant since the 1930s when the character was born—Bruce

Wayne is a man whose mission (call it revenge or merely justice) has been shaped by the violent death of his parents when he was a boy, and the bedside oath he took then to seek justice/revenge on behalf of his dead parents. As Weldon points out, although Batman is “an idea that’s been freed of its grim ‘n’ gritty moorings to absorb a host of meanings and resonances across the emotional spectrum . . . at the core of every iteration, whether brightly comic or darkly serious, lies that childhood oath.”

Of course, as the book’s title implies, the history of Batman has been intertwined with the history of the American Nerd, a being whose lineage has been so cleverly traced in another book I can recommend as a perfect beach companion—Benjamin Nugent’s AMERICAN NERD: THE STORY OF MY PEOPLE (Scribner, 2008). While nerds emerged as a cultural force in the postVietnam era, their ancestors were there when the first Batman comic rolled off the presses during the Depression years (the same decade that witnessed the arrival of the Man of Steel). And nerds have driven the Batman dialogue and have been there to keep us true to the gospel and to chastise those who would deviate from the sacred scripture. For instance, the faithful have emerged to express their total displeasure at what William Dozier did to desecrate the legend in his mid-Sixties Adam West—Burt Ward series, or what Joel Schumacher did to interpret the Caped One and his sidekick as kinky denizens of the night in his midNineties offerings, “Batman Forever” and “Batman and Robin.” Just for the record, I must say I love the Sixties series. The jury is still out, however, on Schumacher’s take on the legend. And I will have to side with the nerds and voice my approval of Tim Burton’s delicious cinematic versions.

Weldon’s book treats us to comprehensive surveys of the ways Batman (sometimes accompanied by Robin, the Boy Wonder) has made his journey through several comic book, film, and animated series treatments. While he has many good things to say about these often-contradictory versions, he concludes that the best Batmen have been portrayed by Adam West and Christian Bale (I can hear the chorus of nerd disapproval now, although Christopher Nolan’s Batman has received generally rave reviews). Of course, West and Bale stand on two opposite ends of the Batman canon. Call it the light and the dark—yin and yang—of Batman portrayals if you will. Both necessary and both so irreconcilable.

Needless to say, I really like this book for many reasons. It not only feeds my obsessions with pop culture, but it also gives Batman aficionados occasion to consider how American history can be understood in part as the history of the Caped Crusader (particularly in Weldon’s absorbing account of the anti-comic-book crusade waged by the unsavory Frederic Wertham in the 1950s, a reminder that someone, perhaps Tim Burton, needs to make a movie about the career of this mean-spirited man who unfortunately sounds so contemporary today).

Stay tuned for more beach recommendations. In the meantime, find ways to release your own inner Caped Crusader.

See you next week, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel. theloaferonline.com | May 24, 2016 | 39

40 | May 24, 2016 | theloaferonline.com