Page 2 | The Loafer | November 24, 2015
www.theloaferonline.com
November 24, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 3
Volume 29 • Issue #51
Happy Thanksgiving!
Publisher Luci Tate
Editor Graphic Arts Director Don Sprinkle Office Manager Luci Tate Cover Design Bill May Advertising Dave Carter Terry Patterson Lori Howell Beth Jinks-Ashbrook Contributing Staff Jim Kelly Andy Ross Ken Silvers Mark Marquette Brian McManus Joshua Hicks Brian Bishop Nathan Cox 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) All advertisements are accepted and published by the publisher upon the representation that the agency and/or advertiser is authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The agency and/or advertiser will indemnify and save the publisher harmless from any loss of expense resulting from claims or suits based upon contents of any advertisement, including claims or suits for defamation, libel, right of privacy, plagiarism, and copyright infringement.
Founder: Bill Williams
happenings 4
How to Cook a Turkey
5
Tickets on sale for “Scrooge! The Musical”
6
Santa Claus Is Coming
7
Spirit of the Season Bazaar
8
Emi Sunshine at Carter Family Fold
9
Fall Jazz at the Culp
10
‘Frosty’ at Barter Theatre
11
‘A Christmas Carol’ at Barter Stage II
13
Inaugural Fundraiser in Jonesborough
21
Christmas Tree Lighting
23
Carter Railroad Museum honors its namesake
14
Spotlight - Great Music & Fun Times
24
Crossword & Sudoku
12
Batteries Not Included - Something About Nuggets
16
Stargazer - Many Moons Make Up Calendar
17
Skies This Week
18
Screen Scenes - Bridge of Spies
music & fun
columns & reviews
20 The Trivial Traveler - Harlem Sights 22
Pets Of The Week
25
Lock, Stock & Barrel - Muzzle Break Breakdown
26
Kelly’s Place - Give Thanks for “Mad Men”
Page 4 | The Loafer | November 24, 2015
www.theloaferonline.com
November 24, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 5
Theatre Bristol Announces Tickets on Sale for “Scrooge! The Musical”
Following 2014 sold-out run, new evenings and matinees added to the 10-performance run of this uplifting classic holiday tradition! Theatre Bristol announces tickets are on sale now for Scrooge! The Musical at the ARTspace Theatre. Bring the whole family for this timeless tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge, hope, and redemption. Scrooge! The Musical opens December 4, and runs for two weekends of matinee and evening performances, closing with a matinee on December 13. Reservations for this ARTspace production (506 State Street), can be made by calling 423-212-3625. Scrooge! is the timeless tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge, a lonely miser who is visited on Christmas Eve by three spirits who teach him lessons of love and giving. Don’t miss Ebeneezer, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future and a whole host of Dickensian characters in this award-winning, international smash hit musical by Leslie Bricusse. In Bristol, Scrooge! is a holiday tradition, popular by audiences over the years, featuring memorable songs “Thank You Very Much,” “A Better Life” and “A Christmas Carol.” Directing the show will be highly respected and talented actor/ director, Theatre Bristol veteran
Glenn Patterson (Les Misérables, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Miracle on 34th Street). “It is a pleasure to work with this timeless classic. Scrooge! The Musical reminds us that it is never too late to embrace the joy of living,” said Patterson. This year’s production features Theatre Bristol’s new lighting system, as well as a re-imagined set by Patterson and crew, choreography, beautiful costumes, and more! Steve Baskett in the title role of Ebeneezer “Scrooge,” is joined by a cast of 34. Scrooge experiences other-worldly nightly visits by Jacob Marley played by Mike Bishop, The Ghost of Christmas Past by Camille Gray, The Ghost of Christmas Present by Coy Owens, and The Ghost of Christmas Future by Anthony Underwood. Scrooge is taken back to his youth where he is played as a child by Xander Harris and his sister Jenny is played by Emma Bishop. Christmas Past then escorts Scrooge to the holiday celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig portrayed by Theatre Bristol veterans Dan Gray and Hyacynth Barbera. There, young Ebenezer, Ben Fitton, meets Isabel, Jessica Hughes.
Christmas Present soon appears and he and Scrooge attend the holiday party of Scrooge’s nephew Harry, also played by Ben Fitton,
Scrooge ....
Contiuned on page 23
Theatre Bristol Scrooge 2015 Scrooge & Tiny Tim: Steve Baskett as Scrooge and Lucy Tester as Tiny Tim
Page 6 | The Loafer | November 24, 2015
Santa Claus Is Coming to Tennessee’s Oldest Town, Dec. 3- 20
Give a Friend a Lift Natural Tunne State Park Nov. 27, 2016 Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
event. On Fri. Nov. 27, 2015 only, if you bring in two or more non-perishable food items per person you will receive a free chairlift ride. The food collected, on this one day, This program is part of the will go to a local food bank. Last Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel year, the park raised over 450 non-
perishable food items. Help us exceed 450 food items this year by coming out and supporting your local food bank. This one simple act of giving may change one family’s Christmas. Parking is $4 per vehicle.
There is no need to pout this holiday season. Jonesborough Repertory Theatre is bringing the holiday classic, Miracle on 34th Street to the stage. Based on the beloved 1947 film, this play tells the story of Kris Kringle in a modern setting. Kringle, believing he is Santa Claus, goes on trial to have his sanity judged and have decided if he is indeed the one and only Santa Claus. The play takes place in New York City and begins at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Doris Walker is a manager at Macy’s and a single mother to her daughter Susan. Doris is logical and levelheaded, and does not believe in the magic of the Christmas season. Susan is quickly following in her footsteps. Can Kris Kringle with assistance from his friend Fred Gayley help Doris Walker? Can Kris Kringle bring the magic of Christmas back to New York City? The play is directed by Pam Johnson who previously directed Pride and Prejudice and The Jungle Book and has appeared on stage in Cinderella at the JRT. “I am excited to bring Miracle on 34th Street to our stage because it’s a precious show that delivers such a special message: It’s okay to believe in the magic of Christmas. And it’s a wonderful thing to
allow happiness and joy and love to permeate our lives during this blessed season,” says Johnson. The cast includes several children, and even more special, several parents and their kids working on stage together. Miracle on 34th Street is appropriate for all ages. The cast includes Dave Carter, Lorianne Carver, Ella Carver, Brian Moore, Angus Walton, Kylie Green, Andy Cobble, Kari Tuthill, Adam Honeycutt, Natalie Justice, Michael Smith, Dennis Brooks, Charlotte Allen, Heather Allen, Grayson Allen, Rhett Carver, Stephen Cradic, Brooklynn DeFreece, Christina Fulcher, Stephen Goodman, Samuel Harrod, Aislin O’Hagan, Selena Hayes, Christopher Heldman, Katrina Johnson, Abby Moore, Jessica Moore, Julia Moore, Meaghan Rodgers, Corey Smith. Performance dates are December 3- 20. Shows are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. with Saturday and Sunday matinee performances at 2 p.m. Tickets are $16 general admission, $14 for students and seniors. To purchase tickets, call the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423.753.1010 or go online to www.jonesboroughtheatre.com.
www.theloaferonline.com
Country Christmas Show
Now Offers Community Discounts The Country Christmas Show is in its 33rd year at Viking Hall. The show focuses on bringing regional artists and crafters the opportunity to sell directly to the public. To thank the public for their long time support of the artists and crafters for the first time in the shows more than 3 decade history will be offering discounted admission to the public. Any group of eight or more may request discounted admission on Friday or Saturday. Any group may receive their discount by sim-
ply asking at the ticket window for group pricing, and purchasing at least 8 entrance tickets. The Country Christmas Show wants to thank the public for their support through the discounts offered this year and looks forward to new patrons attending this year as well. The 33rd Annual Country Christmas Show will be held at Viking Hall on Thanksgiving weekend, November 27-29, 2015. The show hours are Friday and Saturday from 9:00am until 6:00pm
and from Noon until 5:00pm on Sunday. Admission is $5, but children 12 and under are free. More information can be found on the Country Christmas Show website www.countrychristmasshow.com. For more information on crafters or the show, please contact Angie Rutherford, at 423-764-4171 or arutherford@bristoltn.org or Daisy Carroll, Show Director at (423) 247-6760 or email daisycarroll@ countrychristmasshow.com
6th Annual Spirit of the Season Bazaar
Broadmore Senior Living in Bristol Tennessee will be hosting their sixth annual “Spirit of the Season Bazaar” Friday December 4 and Saturday December 5. It will be held in the Broadmore community from 9am – 5pm on Friday and 9am – 2pm on Saturday. This popular event will bring your favorite craft, civic and at-home vendors into one location for a wonderful great gift-buying opportunity for the Christmas holiday. About 30 vendors attend each year, including, BeautiControl, Paparazzi Jewelry, Origami Owl Jewelry, Watkins, Tupperware and many local craft vendors. The annual bazaar is one of the most popular and well attended events held at Broadmore. According to event organizer Tim Buchanan “we have a regular crowd of faithful supporters that attend this event each year. This launches the Christmas spirit at Broadmore and many in the community”. There will be handmade seasonal and craft decora-
tions that will be unique to this bazaar; wreaths, herbs, candles, soaps, pottery, to name a few. A few vendor spaces are available on a first come, first served basis. For further details on the “Spirit of the Season Bazaar” or any Broadmore event please con-
tact Tim Buchanan at 423-7644622, by mobile 423-943-8192 or by e-mail info@broadmore-bristol. com. Broadmore Senior Living is located adjacent to Bristol Regional Medical Center at 826 Meadowview Road, Bristol Tennessee.
November 24, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 7
Page 8 | The Loafer | November 24, 2015
Emi Sunshine set to perform at Carter Family Fold
Saturday, November 28, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, will present a concert of Appalachian music by Emi Sunshine. Admission to the concert is $10 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 11, under age 6 free. It’s impossible to explain the exceptional talents of Emi Sunshine, a 10-year old east Tennessee prodigy who has captured the nation’s attention as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Steeped in Appalachian music, she is a true vocal stylist, one who instinctively knows how to interpret the nuances of a song with her impressive range, even though she has yet to gain the life experience and empathy seemingly necessary to fully comprehend the words she sings. Despite a given name that reflects optimism, she is drawn to dark themes in music – like that of the Louvin Brothers. The Tennessean is just the latest to describe her as an old soul – noting Onstage, this soul’s presence is commanding and her singing voice authentic and folksy. While
her youth might remind many of Taylor Swift, a more apt comparison would be to artists such as Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss, or members of the Carter Family. Whether she’s performing on the Today show or the Grand Ole Opry – or taking the stage at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium – she is fearless, confident, and firm in her musicial direction. As she says, she sings old time music, but it’s her own unique blend of roots music that is equal parts Americana, bluegrass, gospel, and country – with a little bit of blues thrown in for good measure. Her talent is indescribable and quite inexplicable; but fortunately, it doesn’t have to be understood to be appreciated. What makes me want to do this is I just love it, she says. I just really, really love it. I wouldn’t trade anything not to do this. I love how I get to sing to people and make them happy, she says. I’m really blessed that I get to do this. It makes me feel amazing, like I’m touching somebody’s life. Offstage, Emilie Sunshine
Hamilton is a typical 10-year old girl who loves video games, pets, and colorful clothes. She’s had a normal upbringing in Madisonville, Tennessee, where her mother worked as a nurse and her father is a recording engineer. But when she begins singing, playing, or writing, something else takes over, a phenomenon that began before she could talk. Before she spoke, at around 10 months old, she began singing pure tones and humming melodies from Tom Petty songs. She harmonized with her grandmothers and great-grandmothers, continuing a musical heritage to a third generation. Great-grandmother Wanda Matthews sang on the Tennessee Barn Dance and gave Emi the same advide that June Carter Cash gave her – Don’t let anybody walk all over you, and don’t think nothin’ about what they say. As soon as Emi was old enough to walk down the aisle, she began
Sunshine .... Contiuned on page 19
www.theloaferonline.com
November 24, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 9
Sax artists Frank Grosso, Joe Riposo to perform in ‘Fall Jazz at the Culp’ Saxophonists Joe Riposo and Frank Grosso will headline the “Fall Jazz at the Culp: OCC-Tech” concert at East Tennessee State University on Friday, Dec. 4. This concert, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the D.P. Culp University Center’s Martha Street Culp Auditorium, is presented by the Jazz Program in ETSU’s Department of Music. Onondaga Community College, part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, is called “OCC-Tech” by many and has a reputation for producing worldcaliber performers and educators. Riposo, internationally recognized as an educator, composer/ arranger and saxophonist, is a retired director of jazz studies at “OCC-Tech.” He has also taught as the chief instructor in the Syracuse University School of Music and served as director of music education in the Liverpool (New York) School District for over 30 years. He has performed with such notable jazz artists as The Woody Herman Orchestra, Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett,
Harry Connick Jr., Sammy Davis Jr., Diane Schuur, Ella Fitzgerald and the McGuire Sisters. The multi-woodwind instrumentalist is a veteran of the U.S. Army Band Program and has conducted numerous jazz ensembles, “backing up” many jazz legends. He currently plays in the Salt City Jazz Collective and freelances in the central New York region. Riposo is the former president of the New York state unit and coordinator of the North Eastern Division of the International Association of Jazz Educators, as well as jazz coordinator and judge for the New York State School Music Association. He has published over 50 books on developing the jazz technique and jazz language. Appearing with Riposo in the “Fall Jazz at the Culp” concert are two of his successful former students from “OCC-Tech,” Grosso and Dr. David Champouillon, along with the ETSU Jazz Ensemble. Grosso has been a music educator in public schools for over 26 years at the elementary, middle and high school levels, and his
ensembles have won numerous awards and honors. He has given master classes on jazz performance and improvisation and has been a guest conductor and adjudicator in the Central New York area. Grosso has appeared with such artists as Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra Jr., Bob Hope, Lena Horne, The Spinners, The Temptations, Manhattan Transfer, Liberace, Johnny Mathes, Wayne Newton and others. He also performs regularly with a variety of ensembles, including the Central New York Jazz Orchestra, Walter White’s Small Medium At Large, the Salt City Jazz Collective and the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. Equally at home in the blues idiom, he has played in jazz and blues festivals across the eastern United States, Canada and Belgium. Champouillon, a Bach Trumpets Artist/Clinician, is professor of trumpet and director of the Jazz Studies Program in the ETSU Department of Music, which now offers a bachelor of music degree with a concentration in jazz studies. He is the bandleader of The Jazz Doctors, a straight-ahead jazz
group comprised of area musicians that appears regularly at festivals, special events and a variety of venues throughout the region. The U.S. Air Force Band Program veteran has performed with major artists as well as various orchestras, wind ensembles, jazz ensembles and brass groups throughout the country. The ETSU Jazz Ensemble is comprised of student musicians in the Jazz Studies Program. Under the direction of Champouillon, the group has performed in numerous area festivals and venues, and its members have had the opportu-
nity to appear on stage with such artists as Maynard Ferguson, Rufus Reid, Al Hood, Vaughn Nark, Ed Shaughnessy and many others. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors and $5 for students. Advance tickets are available by visiting www.etsu. edu/cas/music or calling the Department of Music at 423-4394276; tickets will also be sold at the door. For more information, call the number above. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423439-8346.
Page 10 | The Loafer | November 24, 2015
Demand For Popular Christmas Show
Requires Two Acting Companies
Frosty (Jeff Sundheim) and Billy (Angie Fisher) are excited to explore New York City. Watch Frosty the Snowman come to life with The Barter Players’ two performance companies. Demand for “Frosty” has created a need for more performances, in response, The Barter Players are hosting two companies, one touring and one at Barter Theatre’s Main Stage this Christmas season. “This show is truly for all ages, I’ve had 75-year-old sisters tell me how much they loved coming to see the show, as well as toddlers dancing in the aisles during some of the songs,” said Terrance Jackson, who plays Frosty in the touring company performance, “It’s a play that should not be missed!” “Frosty is one of the funniest characters I have ever had the privilege of playing onstage,” said Jackson, “The fact that Frosty is experiencing everything for the first time is a constant reminder to me that everyday I have the potential to experience something new and to have unlimited joy just like Frosty.” Made of six performers apiece, The Barter Players (appearing at Barter Theatre) and The Barter Players Encore Company (appearing on tour) are each presenting an exciting new musical production
of “Frosty,” based on the classic tale of “Frosty the Snowman.” “We’ve made the script even better by making it a musical,” said Katy Brown, the Artistic Director of The Barter Players, “Dax Dupuy’s music gives such a magical feeling to the whole play— you understand how a snowman could come to life when this music plays.” “It’s really exciting to have two wings of The Barter Players sharing this with audiences here at home and as far away as Manhattan, Chicago and Ontario,” said Brown, who is also directing both shows, “They use the same script and music, but the actors’ take on the characters make them feel so different.” The Barter Players production of “Frosty” at Barter Theatre will begin December 1. The Barter Players Encore Company is touring now. The Barter Players productions of “Frosty” are made possible by season sponsor Alpha Natural Resources and Corporate Sponsors BVU, Bristol Office Supply, James and Laura Rogers Foundation and Eastman Credit Union.
www.theloaferonline.com
Ghostly Christmas Carol presents New Perspective on Age-Old Tale
Finally, we get to hear the tale of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” from Jacob Marley’s perspective. “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” brings ghostly Christmas fun to Barter Stage II beginning November 24. Most are familiar with Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and its heartwarming story of redemption for an ancient, bitter miser named Ebenezer Scrooge.
Scrooge’s transformation is only possible after his long-dead business partner, Jacob Marley, returns from the afterlife. While “A Christmas Carol” tells how Scrooge found a new lease on life, it conveniently omits any further explanation of Jacob Marley’s side of the story. “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” tells how Marley is offered a last chance at redemption by saving Scrooge. This journey of laughter, haunting and renewal is a funny and deeply moving story of Marley’s life after death. Hannah Ingram, a long-time member of the Barter Theatre Resident Acting Company, will be directing “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol,” and describes it as perfect for anyone looking for a Christmas story with a twist. “People will leave feeling moved by the Christmas spirit and Marley’s journey,”
Free Thanksgiving Meal FREE Thanksgiving Meal at Fairview United Methodist Church on Thanksgiving Day, November 26th, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to enjoy
a traditional Thanksgiving meal with us!!! Located 5 miles from downtown Jonesborough going towards Fall Branch at 878 Highway 81 North.
Traffic advisory: Turkey Trot
road closures Thanksgiving morning The 10th Anniversary Turkey Trot will be held from 8:30-10 a.m. Thanksgiving morning. Citizens are reminded to be mindful of race participants and related road closures. The race course is as follows: Participants will start at the corner of East Main and Legion streets, travel west on East State of Franklin Road, take West Watauga Avenue to Boyd Street to West Locust Street, turn left onto Southwest Avenue and immediately take another right onto West Pine Street. They will then turn left onto South Roan Street, right onto West Maple Street, left onto Alabama Street, and will continue on Legion Street
to the finish line inside Cardinal Park. Road closures will include: • East Main Street – from Bert Street to State of Franklin Road. This section will re-open once the race has cleared Legion Street/ East Main Street/State of Franklin Road intersection. • State of Franklin Road – from East Main Street/Legion Street intersection to Watauga Avenue intersection from approximately 8-9 a.m. • Legion Street – from East Main Street/State of Franklin Road to Orleans Street from 7:30 a.m. to approximately 10 a.m.
said Ingram, “But they may get a few scares along the way, as well. It is a Christmas ghost story, after all!” Starring in “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” are Michael Poisson who will appear as Jacob Marley and Tricia Matthews as Scrooge. Other Barter favorites, Mary Lucy Bivins and Carrie
November 24, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 11
Smith Lewis will also appear in the production in various roles. “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” will be playing alongside Barter Theatre’s Christmas show, “Miracle on 34th Street” and The Barter Players production of “Frosty.” For tickets contact the Barter Theatre Box Office at 276628-3991 or visit bartertheatre.
com. This production is made possible by corporate sponsorships from Universal Fiber Systems and Big Weenie Productions. Barter Theatre, the nation’s longest running professional theatre, is funded in part by The National Endowment for the Arts and the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Page 12 | The Loafer | November 24, 2015
Something About Nuggets
I was in a record store the other night, being Andy Ross, this is not a shocking statement. It was a post dinner pop in to a favorite shop in Knoxville. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, so I decided to just flip around through the bins of 45s at this shop. As I was flipping through the records, one 45 caught me eye. This shop places the prices in the upper right corner, and sometimes a little note as to what the 45 is--it’s easier to see the little note than pull out the record and look at the label when the 45 bins are full. The little note on this 45 said “Nobody But Me--60s Nuggets.” This was code, I knew what the code meant. I lifted the single out of the bin to look at it closer. It was beautiful. An original yellow/ orange swirl Capitol label single of “Nobody But Me” by The Human Beinz. You may know the song, even if you don’t know the name. It’s the song with the lead singer saying “no” over and over. You might know it from when it
was featured in the opening to an episode of The Office. I claimed the record as mine, and I bought two other singles that night. An original 45 of “Psychotic Reaction” by Count Five, and another original beauty of “Black is Black” by Los Bravos. The latter could have been on a Nuggets set, the former was. I was thrilled with the discovery of these 45s, all prime examples of the most scared and purest form of rock and roll, that beautiful genre known as garage rock AKA the original punk rock. But what’s with all this “nuggets” talk you’re wondering? “Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965-1968” is a 1972 compilation double album released on Elektra records. The set was compiled by Elektra’s founder Jac Holzman, and future Patti Smith guitarist Lenny Kaye. In a not overblown at all use of the term, it was a groundbreaking collection, Kaye’s liner notes being one of the first cited uses of the term “punk rock.” It was, more or less, the very
first historical rock document. Taking a serious look at music from the then not too distant past. Record stores didn’t know what to make of it, rock fans didn’t know what to make of it. Rock music had by 1972 evolved beyond “cheap” three minute long singles, it was “serious” now. Critics however, loved it, and the album’s praise in the top rock publications of the day caused many a suburban music junkee to seek it out, often asking their local shops to special order it. More on this later, back to my record acquisitions. Once home, I turned on my stereo and placed the 45 of “Nobody But Me” on the turntable. I pressed the start button then took a moment to enjoy the hypnotic swirl of that Capitol label. Taking the tone arm ever so gently, I placed the needle down on the record. Noise, a lot of noise. “I guess the record isn’t as clean as it looks” I thought to myself, but once the opening chord of the song hit, the noise went away, and my speakers were filled with
the powerful sound of the song’s pulsating bass line. I was hit with this electric feeling, the same electric feeling that I first felt when I heard the Nuggets box set for the first time when I was 20 (more on that in a moment). The record wasn’t in perfect shape, but still it was perfect. The single had aged like a fine wine, a tiny bit of surface noise, but none that damped the fidelity, clarity, and punch of “Nobody But Me.” The song ended, it’s only two minutes and seventeen seconds. I did what anyone else would do when they feel this feeling that reminds them why music is a part of their soul. I turned up the volume, and played the record again. It’s not that I had forgotten how great the Nuggets tunes are, or that I had neglected them. It’s the fact that the feeling was a sort of re-discovery for something I had never forgotten was there. In 1998, back when they were really a powerhouse, Rhino Records issued Nuggets on CD, only they went one further. They got everyone involved in the original release, along with the those whose lives had been changed by it, and they expanded the original double record into a four disc box set. This box set is what entered my life ten years ago, and it’s been a big part of it ever since. I bought the set for a friend, for Christmas. I had only the vagest idea of what the set was. I knew it was a kind of “important rock document” and that my friend for months had been saying how desperately he wanted it in his life. I gave him the gift, and as he took
the wrapping off, his face exploded with glee. After thanking me, his first words were “I’m putting this on your computer.” Those of us who loved music with a passion beyond words were still getting used to, in 2005, to these new MP3 player things. He loaded all four discs onto my hard drive, and I sent him home in a state of joy. Later that night, I had insomnia. I walked into the living room and grabbed my iRiver MP3 Player--not even an iPod for this boy then. I had synced it before I went to bed, so Nuggets was on there. All four discs, disc one being the original double album, with the other three containing the new “Nuggets: Vol. 2, 3, and 4” respectively. It was an amazing experience hearing the songs that box set contained. Some songs I knew from hearing them on the radio late at night, usually with no DJ to tell me what they were. As the sounds filled my ears, my heart and soul was filled with that electric energy, glee, and joy. A shakes-you-to-thecore reaction that made me want to yell “This! This is what rock is supposed to sound like!” I listen to Nuggets often, not always in order, but regularly do I cherry pick my favorites and play them--and when this is a collection of no filler--cherry picking is hard to do. For years I only had the box set as those digital files, then one day I knew that simply was not enough, I nabbed a copy when I came across a used one in great condition in a record store for $30. It was overdue, considering that I had also bought the two follow up box sets Rhino made, “Nuggets 2” which covered the same time frame as the first set, but outside of the US, and “Children of Nuggets” another four disc set that looked at the influence the set had on the garage revival bands of 1980s and early ‘90s. Nuggets one of those musical sets I tell anyone who is young and exploring the newly opened up world of beyond the top 40 to listen to. Point of all of this is with the festive season around--my re-kindled love affair with Nuggets going on right now--if there’s a young person in your life who loves music get them a copy of Nuggets. One day they’ll thank you for changing their lives.
www.theloaferonline.com
Jonesborough’s Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts is pleased to announce their first fundraiser, Hand-Made Bowls and Heartfelt Songs: Story of The Carols, November 30. The fifth annual Story of the Carols, sing-along and performance with the Jonesborough Yarn Exchange and the Jonesborough Novelty Band, comes back to the McKinney Center for an evening perfect for kicking off the holiday season. This year, the show has a wonderful new addition. The evening begins at 6 p.m., when audience members have the opportunity to browse the beautiful bowls on display, each one hand-made by local potters and community members. Featured professional potters include, Jessica Parks of Little Gray Studios, Tim Roberts, Pam Daniels, Janet Browning and Don Burger, to name a few. Audience members
November 24, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 13
Jonesborough Celebrates the Arts and Holidays with Inaugural Fundraiser will then choose their favorite bowl to keep. It will be on a firstcome basis, so for those who like lots of choices, it is best to arrive early—although each bowl is a beautiful original. Once a bowl is chosen, it will be filled with one of several delicious soups, complimented with a variety of breads. At 7 p.m. the cast of the Jonesborough Yarn Exchange and the Jonesborough Novelty Band will take the stage to present The Story of the Carols, a performance and sing-along based on the most popular Christmas Carols, sprinkled with origin stories about the carols, as well as local Christmas stories from Alfred Greenlee, Shirley Meade, and many others. Audience members also get a Christmas Carol song-book to sing-along with the band, and take home to enjoy for the rest of the Christmas season. This event also kicks off the
annual membership campaign of Jonesborough’s Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts. Ticket proceeds and donations from the evening’s event will directly go to the scholarships and art supplies. “We want to ensure that arts related education and activities are accessible to everyone in our community,” says director, Theresa Hammons, who also goes on to say, “The arts changes lives.” “Seeing our students come in to our classes as shy or unsure of themselves and then bloom into stars on stage or in the classroom is a wonderful and rewarding aspect of what we do here,” Hammons said. The event is $25 and includes the hand-made soup bowl, dinner, and songbook. Tickets can be purchased by calling 423-753-1010 or online at jonesboroughtn.org. that have been made, so purchas- resa Hammons at theresah@jonesSeating is limited to 125, which is ing in advance is recommended. borougtn.org or call 423-753-0562. the number of original soup bowls For more information, email The-
Page 14 | The Loafer | November 24, 2015
THISTLE DEW - TUESDAY - Nov. 24th OPEN MIC at Acoustic Coffeehouse
- WEDNESDAY - Nov. 25th OPEN MIC
at Natural Tunnel State Park
THE BOYS
at Bone Fire Smokehouse
BILLY CRAWFORD BAND at Quaker Steak & Lube
EMI SUNSHINE
at Carter Family Fold PEA PICKIN’ HEARTS at Natural Tunnel State Park
JERRY PIERCE & THE NIGHTLIFE BAND at The Dispensary
at WoodStone Deli
THOMAS TAYLOR & THE HIGH RIZE BAND
at Down Home
ROBINELLA
at Bone Fire Smokehouse
ADAM CATES BENEFIT SHOW
at Country Club Bar & Grill
KATE RHUDY & JESSE LEWIS
at The Down Home
WISE OLD RIVER w/ JAMEN DENTON
at Capone’s
OPEN MIC
APPLE BUTTER BLUES BAND
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
- THURSDAY - Nov. 26th HAPPY THANKSGIVING JAZZ at Wellington’s - Carnegie Hotel 8pm
OPEN MIC
at The Acoustic Coffeehouse 8pm
- FRIDAY - Nov. 27th UNCLE MICK KYTE
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
DEMON WAFFLE (Fun, Horns-led Ska) at Capone’s
BLAKE RIBOT
at The Down Home
NIGHTSHIFT BAND
at Bone Fire Smokehouse
- SATURDAY - Nov. 28th THE NEW FAMILIARS
CYGNE MATT HALL QUINTET
OPEN JAM
- SUNDAY - Nov. 29th CIRCUS MUTT
A Tribute to Levon Helm at Paramount Center for the Arts at Kosher Pickle
MARK LARKINS at Bristol VFW
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
at Bone Fire Smokehouse
SHOOTER
(Country, Classic Rock, Oldies) at Elizabethton Moose Lodge 9pm
NIGHTSHIFT BAND
(Country, Southern Rock, Oldies) at The Family Barn 7:30pm
(Country, Southern Rock, Oldies) at Lion’s Club 7pm
RED FACE w/ THE WHISKEY STICKS at Holston River Brewing Co.
BONEHART FLANNIGAN
at 50Fifty Sports Tavern
- MONDAY - Nov. 30th CAROLINA EXPRESS
PIANO’S ROCK DUELING PIANO’S
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
MARK LARKINS
at State Line Bar & Grill
VILLANOVA
at O’Mainnin’s Pub 10pm
RAILWAY EXPRESS
at Country Club Bar & Grill 8pm
SOUTHERN 76
at The Family Barn 7:30pm
SOUTHERN COUNTRYMEN BAND (Country) at Buffalo Ruritan
PIANO’S ROCK DUELING PIANO’s at 50Fifty Sports Tavern
at Bristol’s Pickin’ Porch
ETSU COUNTRY BANDS at Down Home
OPEN MIC / SARA SYMS at Acoustic Coffeehouse
BLUEGRASS JAM
at Hardee’s (Boones Creek)
KARAOKE TUESDAY
Karaoke At Numan’s - JCTN ***********************
WEDNESDAY
Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at American Legion 8pm Karaoke At Bristol VFW - BTN Turn the Page Karaoke At VFW Post 2108 - JCTN ***********************
THURSDAY
Karaoke At Numan’s - JCTN Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at Macadoo’s 8pm Karaoke At Holiday Inn - JCTN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment At Everette’s Bar & Grille - JCTN ***********************
FRIDAY
KaraokeAt Bristol VFW - BTN 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 - JCTN Karaoke At Elizabethton VFW Karaoke w/ DJ Marques At Holiday Inn (Exit 7) - BVA Karaoke At Numan’s - JCTN ***********************
SATURDAY
Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - JCTN Karaoke At Numan’s - JCTN Karaoke at Bristol VFW ***********************
SUNDAY
Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment At Everette’s Bar & Grille - JCTN ***********************
www.theloaferonline.com
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’s Pickin’ Porch 620 State St Bristol 423/573-2262 Bristol VFW Post 6975 14 16th St. Bristol TN 423/ 764-0381 Buffalo Ruritan 200 Willowbrook Dr. Bluff City 423/391-7382 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 1718 US Highway 19 Hansonville VA Holiday Inn (Exit 7) 3005 Linden Dr Bristol Va 276/466-4100
Holston River Brewing Company 2621 Volunteer Pkwy Bristol TN Jiggy Ray’s 610 E. Elk Ave Elizabethton 423/ 518-1500 Kosher Pickle 3900 Bristol Hwy Johnson City 423/ 979-7000 The Lions Club 116 Industrial Park Rd. Chilhowie VA 276/646-3916 Natural Tunnel State Park 1420 Natural Tunnel Parkway Duffield, VA • 276/ 940-2674 O’Mainnin’s Pub 712 State St Bristol 423/844-0049 Paramount Center for the Arts 516 State St. Bristol TN 423/ 274-8920 Quaker Steak & Lube 629 State St Bristol VA 276/644-9647 State Line Bar & Grill 644 State Street Bristol 423/652-0792 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 Woodstone Deli 3500 Fort Henry Dr Kingsport 423/245-5424
Emi Sunshine Carter Family Fold Saturday, Nov. 28th 7:30 p.m.
November 24, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 15
Page 16 | The Loafer | November 24, 2015
Many Moons Make Up Calendar Many Moons ago… …a month of Sundays. Familiar sayings that sum up the beginning of how man began the reckoning of time. Often attributed as a typical Native American saying, all civilizations have noted the unwavering rhythm of the Moon’s 29.5 day cycle from full phase to the next full phase. With a vague trail of how and where the 30-day span of time originated, the very word “month” has its roots in Old English and German. The entire history of the calendar is one of an amazing odyssey of trying to keep up with the uneven days and hours that it takes for Earth to go around the Sun once. But of course, the ancient world had no idea that the Earth went around the Sun. That fact was accepted just 500 years ago. Through most of history, civilized humans believed that the Sun and everything in the sky when around the Earth. And, superficially, that appears to be what’s going on. The Sun rises in the east, sets in the west on a regular 24-hour basis— a fact that spawned the sun-worshiping cultures of the Aztecs and Egyptians. It was keenly observed that the rising and setting spot of the Sun changed with the seasons, and these points have been marked with Earth structures like Stonehenge in England and the Temple of the Sun in Mexico, each thousands of years old. But it takes some intense commitment to follow the Sun day after day and figure out the 365-day year as it moves along the horizons and in the sky. But it’s actually 365.25 days, and that quarter of a day, of course, becomes a full day every four years. We take that in
account by adding a Leap Day every four years, but even that is just a band aid as a few sloppy minutes add up for the centuries and add up to another day. Now the Moon on the other hand was much easier for ancient stargazers to follow. It went from invisible, to thin crescent, to a half illuminated to fully visible and then to half, crescent and invisible again in just less than 30 days. Hunting is also affected by the Moon, as the added light brings both animals and their prey out from under safe cover. So the monthly lunar cycle was more important than ever to the survival of many cultures dependent on the successful hunt for food. And it was a timely rhythm that was recorded and became a fixture of life. In fact, many of the first cave drawings depict the Moon in the sky and its phases as the hunters kill animals. And the repetition of those phases is what became the
first reckoning of time. Fishing by the Moon is simple. Fish bite best ninety minutes either side of sunrise/sunset and moonrise/moonset. Those four times a day are easy to figure out with an almanac-style calendar with the rising and setting times. And you don’t even have to look up. Egyptians of 5,000 years ago just called the interval of time another word for Moon. They had 12 months of 30 days and an extra five days added each year to keep the 365-day solar year in sync. The months of Moons have not always been the traditional twelve that we have become familiar. For example, September, October, November and December are all Latin number derivatives for seven, eight, nine and ten. The order got rearranged for some pretty egomaniacal world leaders: July is a month named for Emperor Julius Caesar. And not to be outdone, August is for his step-son Augustus
Caesar. January was the month of Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and of doorways. Statues show Janus with two faces, front and back. February was the last month of the year in the calendar of Rome’s founder Romulus around 750 BC. It could have from 23 to 31 days, whatever was needed to round out the calendar to 365 days. Other months had 30 or 31 days, and there was an “intercalary” month inserted with more days—all at the whim of the Roman Emperors. Manipulating the calendar was used to affect the early collection—or even double collection—of taxes, rent and utilities. March honors the Roman god Mars, chief of warfare and farming. And it was the first month of the year for centuries, as late as the 1582 calendar reform by English King Gregory. The origin of the month of April is vague even to scholars. The Latin root “aperire” means “to open,” like leaf and flower buds. The month is also identified with Venus, appropriate for the fertility month when Spring comes alive. May is another mystery month of how it was named. In Greek myth is Maia, one of the Pleiades sisters. Maia is also a name used like “mommy.” As for June, the wife of God Jupiter was Juno, and in literature (Ovid’s “Fasti”) she argues with her daughter Hebe the origin of the month of June. Juno presided over marriages, thus it became lucky to marry that month. Julius Caesar was dictator of the Roman Republic, and a reformer for modernization. He used his power to reorganize the calendar when the fifth month was called “Quintilis.” When Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, the Roman Senate renamed the month in his honor, July. The sixth month was “Sextilis,” renamed in 8 BC by Caesar’s adopted son (and great nephew) Gaius Octavius, later Augustus
Caesar. The Julian Calendar was in effect all over the world with 12 months of 30 or 31 days for 1500 years when the season, particularly Christmas and Easter, were moving away from their traditional dates. So England’s King Gregory solved things by throwing out 11 days in October 1582, which created financial chaos with landlords and bill collectors having their hands out 19 days after the last monthly payment. There are 13 Full Moons in a 12-month year, and the second full phase of a month being referred to as a Blue Moon. It’s technically four full phases in a three-month period. And thus the phrase, “Once in a Blue Moon.” And nobody needs to be reminded of the “lunacy” that comes along with a monthly Full Moon. Werewolves, vampires, psychiatric wards, hospitals and law enforcement will all testify to the effect of this crazy Moon. Finally, the full phase Moon of any month have been given names since the earliest of times. But the best names come from the North American Native Americans, as you can tell the time of year easily. November is when the Iroquois called the Full Moon “the Frosty Moon.” The Algonquin called it the “Beaver Moon,” as those critters were busy building dams for winter covered housing. And December’s Full Moons are called the Long Night Moon by many tribes for the longest day of the year. Other names are of course the Harvest Moon of September and Hunter’s Moon of October. January is the Cold Moon and February is the Snow Moon. But you could make up your own moon names…like calling July the “Vacation Moon”, or August “Back to School Moon.” When the Moon’s in the sky, it’s always a special time of the month, so look around and enjoy!
www.theloaferonline.com
November 24, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 17
Celestial events in the skies for the week of Nov. 24th - Nov. 30th, 2015 as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.
The last week of November, filled with family and friends celebrating Thanksgiving and Hanukkah. Everybody has been switching out their summer clothes for the warmer sweaters and coats—so why not give them a good work out under the chilly stars? It is also an interesting week for astrologers to explain as the Sun entered Scorpius on Sunday, Nov. 23 and remains in the scorpion until only this Sunday, Nov. 30. The Sun then enters the non-Zodiacal constellation Ophiuchus the Snake Handler, where it remains until moving into Sagittarius on Dec. 18.
Tues. Nov. 24
On this 1991 date in space history, Atlantis was rocketed to space on the STS-44 mission. Six astronauts spent seven days on a Department of Defense mission, one of a dozen top secret missions the Shuttles were used for. One astronaut aboard, Story Musgrave, is the only person to ride in all five Orbiters—the others being Columbia, Challenger, Endeavour and Discovery. Musgrave has published a very good autobiography, “Story: The Way of Water.”
Wed. Nov. 25
Full Moon is today and Colonial American and the Algonquin tribe called it the Beaver Moon while to the Cheyanne it was the Freezing Moon.
Thurs. Nov. 26
Thanksgiving Day. On this 1965 date in space history, France joined the Soviet Union and the United States as space faring nations, launching an orbiting, 92 pound satellite called Asterix from a launch site in Hammaguir, Algeria. Originally called A-1 for the French Army, once in orbit it was
renamed Asterix, a character in a popular French comic strip.
Fri. Nov. 27
On this 1983 date in space history, Space Shuttle Columbia was launched with Europe Space Agency’s Spacelab module in the 40-foot-long cargo bay, beginning a lasting partnership with ESA that continues on the International Space Station.
Sat. Nov. 28
At 6:30 pm the constellation Taurus the Bull is above the eastern horizon, with Auriga the Charioteer also rising to the bull’s left. They are marked by bright star Aldebaran, the reddish eye of the bull, and Auriga’s bright star, yellowish Capella. Ninety minutes later the great hunter Orion has cleared the eastern horizon.
Sun. Nov. 29
The morning sky features the planet Jupiter rising in Leo at 2 am, followed by Mars rising at 3 am on one side of Virgo and Venus at 4 am on the other side of Virgo. Just a month ago, all three planets were clustered together in a spectacular conjunction.
Mon. Nov. 30
On this 2000 date in space history, Endeavour was launched on the STS-97 construction mission. A veteran crew of 5 (3 men making their third spaceflight and two men on their second) flew to the growing International Space Station 230 miles high and installed the first set of solar panels during three spacewalks. Aboard the ISS was the first three-member crew, called Expedition 1, putting 8 humans in space at the same time.
Page 18 | The Loafer | November 24, 2015
IN THEATRES NOW Box Office Top 10
In Theaters Now Spectre (2015)
“Bridge of Spies” Director Steven Spielberg has released some Oscar bait to theaters in the form of “Bridge of Spies”. You can bet when nominees are announced for the various film awards, including the Academy Awards, Spielberg’s latest will be on the list. Not only is the film based on a true story, the film stars Academy Award winner Tom Hanks in the lead role of James Donovan, a lawyer who is drawn into a Cold War conflict between the United States and the old Soviet Union. The story begins in 1957 when Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance) is arrested after being accused of being a spy for the KGB (the old security agency for the former Soviet Union). Of course Abel needs to be represented in his court hearing, so Donovan is asked by his law firm to take the case even though he specializes in insurance settlements. After Donovan agrees, no one in his circle, including his family, believes he can make an adequate case for the accused spy. After much work, Donovan seeks acquittal for Abel, and this request is met with anger and shock by the American public. Despite being hit with hate mail and death threats, Donovan continues his work for Abel. Even though Donovan gave the case his all, Abel is still found guilty of all spy charges, but Donovan is able to convince the judge to sentence him to 30 years in prison instead of death because he feels Abel can be used as a bargaining chip with the USSR. Even after taking the case all the way to the Supreme Court, Donovan still loses. Meanwhile, during a mission by
A cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.
The Peanuts Movie (2015)
Snoopy embarks upon his greatest mission as he and his team take to the skies to pursue their archnemesis, while his best pal Charlie Brown begins his own epic quest back home.
Love the Coopers (2015)
when a gold and copper mine collapses, it traps 33 miners underground for 69 days.
Goosebumps (2015)
A teenager teams up with the daughter of young adult horror author R. L. Stine after the writer’s imaginary demons are set free on the town of Madison, Delaware.
Bridge of Spies (2015)
During the Cold War, an American lawyer is recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in court, and then help the CIA facilitate an exchange of the spy for the Soviet captured American U2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers.
When four generations of the Cooper clan come together for Prem Ratan Dhan their annual Christmas Eve celPayo (2015) ebration, a series of unexpected While recovering from an assasvisitors and unlikely events turn sination attempt four days before the night upside down, leading his coronation, a stern prince is rethem all toward a surprising replaced by a heartfelt lookalike. discovery of family bonds and the spirit of the holiday.
Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)
Dracula and his friends try to bring out the monster in his half During a manned mission to human, half vampire grandson in Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is order to keep Mavis from leaving presumed dead after a fierce storm the hotel. and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the The Last Witch hostile planet. With only meager Hunter (2015) The last witch hunter is all that supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist stands between humanity and the and find a way to signal to Earth combined forces of the most horrifying witches in history. that he is alive.
The Martian (2015)
The 33 (2015)
Based on the real-life event,
the United States on the USSR, a U-2 spy plane containing Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell) is shot down and the solider is captured. As expected, Powers is convicted of spying and is held for interrogation. Just after the Powers incident, a college student from the United States, Frederic Pryor (Will Rogers), studying in
once again into the international spotlight, this time however, a bit more secretive. While the CIA is only interested Berlin, is arrested in Berlin just as the Berlin Wall is being built and is in an exchange for Powers, Donoaccused of being a spy. Pryor was van has learned of the captured trying to get his girlfriend from Pryor and wants to make him East Berlin to West Berlin when part of the deal. Donovan proves the arrest occurs. The earlier ar- more than able to make his wishes rest of Abel leads the USSR to seek known to both governments, and the help of Donovan in order to is not buckling in to pressures seek an exchange of Abel for Pow- from both sides. Spielberg does a ers. This request thrusts Donovan masterful job of handling the tale
Source: IMDb.com (11/21/2015)
of an average American thrown into international intrigue, and is very respectful of the material. The actors, led by Hanks, are all wonderful, and you can bet Hanks will be part of Oscar talk. “Bridge of Spies” is a wonderful tale of overcoming objections to prove you can stand up for what you believe in despite overwhelming odds against you.
Rated: PG - 13
A
www.theloaferonline.com
Sunshine ....
November 24, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 19
Continued from page 8
singing in church. She was too little to know the words, but you could hear her harmonies over the others’. At age four, she sang You are my Sunshine at her aunt’s wedding and learned how to sing the Dixie Chicks’Traveling Soldier. When she was three and four, her mother, who is a songwriter, created songs for her. By age five, she wrote her first song My Time to Fly. At age seven, she learned how to play the ukulele – the guitar was too big for her little hands – and used it to write Little Weeping Willow Tree. That was the same year she recorded her first two albums Strong as the Tall Pine and Wide River to Cross in her father’s studio. She learned how to play guitar and mandolin at age nine. The picks are still too large for her, and she has since picked up the xylophone. By age eight, she was stripping down Hush Little Baby and rearranging the melody to sing to the pigs. Her parents filled the house with music by Buddy Miller, Johnny and June Carter Cash, and Emmylou Harris – and her musical tastes were formed. Those influences served as a foundation on which she built her own sound. It’s kind of what came out, she says of her sound. I always loved that music and I thought, that’s what I wanted to play. This is what I want to do. She performed in churches, festivals, theaters, and for a time in talent shows. One day I decided I didn’t want to do talent shows anymore because you could see the kids’s disappointment, and it didn’t make me happy, she says. She had no idea that someone captured her flea market performance of Jimmie Rodgers’ Blue Yodel No. 6 and posted it on YouTube in 2014. It went viral, she says. We started getting a bunch of likes, and we really didn’t know where it was coming from. Again, without the family’s knowledge, the Today show featured the video. We were really excited and surprised, she says. We didn’t know what to think. There was such a tremendous response to her performance that the show invited her on to perform live – a moment that changed her life because word of her talent immediately spread on Music Row. It led to performances on Marty Stuart’s Late Night Jam at the Ryman during CMA Music
Fest, and then to ongoing performances at the Grand Ole Opry. She performs about 150 shows a year, and touring is a family affair. Her mother took a leap of faith and gave up her nursing career to travel. Father Randall Hamilton plays upright bass, her brother is on mandolin, her Uncle Bobby on drums, and her Aunt Kristal sells merchandise. It’s fun, like how I get to be with my family all the time. Emi, who has 350,000 likes on Facebook, remains unaware of much of the whirlwind and demand swirling around her. We’re in Oklahoma and people recognize her. She doesn’t get why they know her, says her mother Alisha Hamilton. When they come up and say My mama was dying, and you gave her the best four weeks of her life. You comforted her and me – she doesn’t understand that she has made that impact on people’s lives. I tell her some of it, but not all of it because it’s a heavy weight. Emi Sunshine’s career moves will be dictated not by opportunities, but integrity. She knows who she is and what she wants her music to be, and her parents remain committed to ensuring that her
wishes are not compromised in any way. After coming off a year where many of her dreams came true, Emi is quickly creating new dreams and plans. But her untimate goal remains the same. I just want everybody to know who I am. For a show unlike any other, don’t miss Emi Sunshine at the Carter Family Fold. There will be family fun for all ages. Be prepared to have your heart stolen by little Emi. For more information on Emi Sunshine, go to theemisunshine.com. Shows from the Carter Family Fold can be accessed on the internet at www.carterfoldshow.com. Carter Music Center is part of theCrooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. You can visit the Crooked Road Music Trail site at thecrookedroad.org. Partial funding for programs at the center is provided by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. For recorded information on shows coming up at the Fold, call 276386-6054. To speak to a Fold staff member, call 276-594-0676. One of our volunteers will get back to you as soon as possible.
Page 20 | The Loafer | November 24, 2015
Harlem Sights Harlem has long been recognized as the heart of black culture in New York, and by extension, the United States in general. Even though the neighborhood has gotten a bit of a bad rap over the years, I’ve always found it to be a vibrant, safe, and exciting place to visit. Soul food is awesome, the Apollo Theater continues to be an important venue for artists of all colors, and it’s also home to Collyer Brothers Park, which I’ve written on before (if you misssed that story, look it up sometime - interesting stuff). However, today’s topic is another point of interest - a mostly-forgotten hybrid Art
Nouveau / Art Deco building that frankly, has seen better days. Located directly across 125th Street from the Apollo, Blumstein’s Department Store has seen its fair share of history. Opened in 1886 (the current building dates to 1923), Blumstein’s was owned and run by German immigrant Louis Blumstein as a dry goods store. If the ‘German’ part of that seems surprising, it’s worth remembering that Harlem wasn’t always a ‘black’ neighborhood. In fact, the area was originally called ‘Haarlem’ in honor of a town back in Holland that some Dutch settlers must have had a fondness for. As
Harlem’s demographics slowly shifted toward its current composition, Blumstein’s remained. At one time, it was the second largest building on 125th Street (after the Hotel Theresa) and for many decades was considered the cornerstone of commerce in that part of the city. But by the 1930’s, Blumstein’s had a problem. While the neighborhood continued to evolve around them, ownership was reluctant to change with the times. The store had held out for decades without hiring a single black employee, and when residents’ concerns over the issue were finally
addressed, it was deemed that blacks were only suitable for the positions of porter or elevator operator. Finding this incongruency unacceptable, the Citizens’ League for Fair Play began a campaign instructing blacks, “Don’t buy where you can’t work.” This tactic had an immediate impact on the store’s ledgers, such that Blumstein’s hiring practices were revamped soon after. This victory remains one of the earliest benchmark events in the budding civil rights movement. Perhaps the most interesting chapter in the history of Blumstein’s, however, is the failed attempt on the life of Martin Luther King Jr. that took place in 1958. Signing copies of his first book, Stride Toward Freedom, King was approached by a demented black woman named Izola Curry, who proceeded to stab him in the chest with a silver letter opener. Fearing that King would bleed to death if
the weapon were removed at the scene, he was taken immediately to a nearby hospital, where he recieved life-saving care and began the lengthy period of recovery. It was found that the blade had come to rest against King’s aorta, such that if he had so much as sneezed or coughed, it would likely have resulted in a perforation leading to a quick and unavoidable death. Blumstein’s Department Store is long gone now, having closed in the 1970’s. The building remains though. The ground-level sales floor has been divided to accommodate several (tacky) street-front businesses, and the upper floors are now home to Tuoro College. The fact remains though, that the building played host to not one, but two important events in the civil rights movement, either of which would have had far-reaching effects on the social development of this nation had the outcome been different.
www.theloaferonline.com
ChristmasTree Lighting and Christmas Band Concert set for Tuesday, Dec. 1 Get into the holiday spirit Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Tusculum College with a Christmas tree lighting and the annual holiday concert by the College’s Band Program. The local community is invited to the celebration and concert, which are both free and open to the public. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. with the lighting of the tree and caroling in front of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on campus. Wassail and cookies will be served in the lobby of the Byrd building following the lighting. The Christmas Band Concert will follow at 7 p.m., featuring the Concert Band, Jazz Band and Handbell Choir. The Concert Band and Jazz Band’s repertoire will include “Celtic Bell Carol” arranged by Robert Smith, “Christmas Pipes” arranged by Michael Brown,
“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” arranged by Larry Kerchner, “Bring a Torch” arranged by David Shipps, “Jing Jing Jingle” arranged by Chris Sharp, “Go Tell It On the Mountain” arranged by Roy Phillippe, “Let It Snow” arranged by Mike Lewis, “White Christmas” arranged by Roger Holmes, “Jingle Bells” arranged by Carl Strommen, “Baby It’s Cold Outside” arranged by Matt Amy and “A Chili Pepper Christmas” arranged by Doug Beach. The Handbell Choir will be performing “The Huron Carol” arranged by Jason Krug, “The Bells of Morgan Square” arranged by David Price, “The Twelve Days After Christmas” arranged by Tammy Waldrop and “In the Bleak Midwinter” arranged by Martha Lynn Thompson. The band program began in 2010 with the formation of a pep
band and has grown to include a Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Handbell Choir and various small ensembles. Tusculum College, the first college in Tennessee and 28th oldest in the nation, is a liberal arts institution committed to utilizing the civic arts in developing educated citizens distinguished by academic excellence, public service and qualities of Judeo-Christian character. Approximately eighteen hundred students are enrolled on the main campus in Greeneville and three off-site locations in East Tennessee. The academic programs for both traditionalaged students and working adults served through the Graduate and Professional studies program are delivered using a focused calendar.
November 24, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 21
Black Friday Season Pass Sale For the first time ever, Wetlands Water Park, located in Historic Jonesborough, Tennessee is excited to offer discounted season pass gift certificates to celebrate the holiday season. Beginning Friday, November 27, 2015 at 8 a.m., and running through Monday, November 30, 2015 at 6 p.m., Wetlands Water Park will be selling season pass gift certificates at a special rate. For this period, season pass certificates will $70 for adults, $50 for children ages 4 -12 years old and seniors 55 years and older. This is a savings of $10 per season pass purchased. This sale will be an online onlysale through their website wetlandsjonesborough.com. There will be 100 passes available at this promotional price. Once the season passes are purchased, a gift certificate for each season pass will be sent to the pur-
chaser. These certificates will be created to allow the purchaser to customize them as gifts. These gift certificates will be mailed out the week after the sale ends. Located inside beautiful Persimmon Ridge Park, Wetlands features three exciting flume water slides, two family-friendly Otter Slides, the relaxing lazy river, large sun deck, full service café, tube rentals and much more. For more information, visit wetlandsjonesborough.com or call (423)753-1553.
Page 22 | The Loafer | November 24, 2015
Pets Of The Week
Albert is a 5 year old male Great Pyrenees mix and a sweet playful boy and up to date on all vaccinations.
Bella a daschund is a 2 year old girl who loves to be the center of attention and up to date on all vaccinations. Please come and visit Albert and Bella and their friends at The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Rescue!
Christmas Lighting
Experience thousands of Christmas Lights as they light your way down the chairlift and out to the mouth of the tunnel. View movable displays of Santa, reindeer, and other critters. Enjoy the sounds and smells of Christmas by listening to local church choirs/ performers entertain as you stand by the warm fire and sip hot choc-
olate or roast a marshmallow. If children have been good, they can talk to Santa Claus at the mouth of the tunnel. Mosey your way over to the Carter Cabin to hear what Christmas was like over 200 years ago. The Daniel Boone Wilderness Trial Association will have period dressed historians telling stories about the time period of 1775 and
Natural Tunnel State Park Nov. 27 – Jan. 2 Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
talking about the history of the Carter Cabin. Check out one of the older buildings within Scott County. No programs will be held the week of Christmas. Parking is $4 per vehicle and the chairlift is $3 per person. Children 6 and younger ride free. Last ride down on the chairlift will be 9 p.m.
The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Rescue recently moved in to their new 7,300 sq foot building @ 2061 Hwy 75 Blountville, TN,37617. The Bridge Home is a non profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 2002 dedicated to the welfare of homeless or abandoned animals. They provide care and compassion for stray and unwanted cats and dogs until they can be adopted into a forever home. 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 12pm-3pm and Sun 2pm-4pm. Website is www.bridgehomerescue@gmail.com or like them on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/bridgehome?fref=ts.
www.theloaferonline.com
Scrooge ....
November 24, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 23
Continued from page 5
and Harry’s wife Helen, Ashton Bishop. The nightly tour ends with Christmas Future guiding him to the family home of Bob Cratchit played by Mark Hutton, with Mrs. Cratchit by Angie Hyche, Peter Cratchit by Xander Harris, Kathy Cratchit by Lauren Turner, Martha Cratchit by Gracie Brooks, Belinda Cratchit by Emmersyn Hardy, and Tiny Tim by Owen Phillips and Lucy Tester. The townspeople include Daniel Freeman as Tom Jenkins, Coy Owens as the Wine Merchant, Steve Kestner as Pringle, Alayna Walker as Mary, Anthony Underwood as Harty/Topper, Daniel Freeman as Dick Wilkins, John Runde as Jollygoode, Dan Gray as Miller, Anthony Underwood as Mr. Bleak, Gerri Timmons as Bess, Billy Baugher as Bissett, Shannon Dabney as Mrs. Dilber, Eden Phillips as Miss Dilber, and Alayna Walker as the Beggar woman. Hughes, Kestner, Underwood, Dabney, and Timmons will all be making their debut with Theatre Bristol in this production. Urchins returning to the Theatre Bristol stage are Carly Street, Emma Bishop, Rori Simmons, Thatcher Hutton, and Jazz Strachan. Urchins making their debut on the Theatre Bristol stage are Whitney Brooks, Ethan Riffey, and
Faith Vance. Musician Bob Greene returns as the Music Director. Lindy Ley, choreographer for past Theatre Bristol productions returns along with Technical Director and Designer David Hyde. Costume Designer is Camille Gray, assisted by Tiffany Fleenor. The Stage Manager is Suzanne Eleas, Properties Manager is James Altman assisted by Luke Gray, and the Dance Captain is Camille Gray. Eric Griffith and Brett Hatcher are Master Carpenters. Title Sponsor is Stephanie Snelson, DDS. Show performances are Fridays, December 4 and 11 at 7:30 pm; Saturdays, December 5 and 12 at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm; and Sunday, December 6 at 2:30 and 7:30 pm; Sunday December 13 at 2:30 pm; and Thursday December 10 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $12. Senior and children’s tickets are $10. Call 423-212-3625 with name, phone, performance date, and number of tickets to arrange reservations. “Perhaps one of the best-known modern adaptations of [A Christmas Carol] is the musical Scrooge! by Leslie Bricusse. The musical, made into a film in 1970… is traditional, and the stage show has enjoyed noted success in England, where it was hailed as “Sensation-
al” and “Terrific” by BBC Radio 2; and in the Unites States, where it has become an established favorite of regional playhouses nationwide,” Breaking Character. In Bristol, Scrooge! is a holiday tradition, popular with audiences over the years. Scrooge! The Musical is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. Founded in 1965, Theatre Bristol is the oldest continually running children’s theatre in northeast Tennessee and is now celebrating its 50th season. Its Main Stage season consists of up to five productions. Some of its performances take place in the ARTspace, a multipurpose, black box theatre which seats up to 120. Theatre Bristol is entirely volunteer run and the community is invited to get involved. For more information, visit the Theatre Bristol’s website or Facebook page, contact Theatre Bristol at 423-212-3625, or email info@theatrebristol.org.
Carter Railroad Museum honors its namesake
On Saturday, Nov. 28, East Tennessee State University’s George L. Carter Railroad Museum will hold its monthly Heritage Day and will dedicate the day to its namesake. The museum houses historic photos of Carter and the building of the Clinchfield as well as displays of Clinchfield Railroad historic memorabilia. Heritage Day Coordinator Geoff Stunkard says, “The museum is a memorial to George L. Carter, founder, builder and owner of the Clinchfield Railroad and the donor who provided land to the state of Tennessee for the founding of the East Tennessee Normal School, now ETSU, in 1911. Our November Heritage Day honors Carter’s own Clinchfield Railway. We feel this is especially appropriate since the museum celebrates its anniversary this month and November is National Model Railroad Month.” Members of the George L. Carter Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and the Moun-
tain Empire Model Railroaders (MEMRR) club will coordinate the exhibits. 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.
Page 24 | The Loafer | November 24, 2015
www.theloaferonline.com
November 24, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 25
Muzzle Break Breakdown Have you ever wondered what the thing on the end of your AR or AK barrel is? You might shrug and say “It’s a flash hider”, or “It’s a muzzle break” thinking they are synonymous. What you might not know is that they are two completely different things with completely different purposes. In the article we will discuss the differences between flash hiders, muzzle breaks, compensators, and silencers. I was admittedly unaware of these differences myself so I am borrowing much of this information from Nick Leghorn from allaboutguns.com. I’m a firm believer in giving credit where credit is due. First up we have flash hiders, as you might know if you’ve ever shot an AR without a flash hider there is a giant fireball that comes with each shot. As Nick Leghorn explains this is due to so much powder being burned in such a short barrel, much of the powder is burned outside the muzzle. What flash hiders do is effectively mix that burning powder with air in such a way that it hides the flash. What’s the big deal with a giant fireball at the end of the muzzle? It can obscure sights and make you very visible to enemy combatants on the battlefield. Flash hiders come standard on most AR’s. Next we have compensators, if you’ve ever shot a gun you should be quite familiar with muzzle climb due to recoil. I’m sure somewhere there is an advanced physics formula written on a blackboard explaining the dynamics of recoil, but for the sake of this article let’s just leave it to mystery. What compensators do is vent gases upward counteracting the climb caused by recoil. This is possible due to the compensator having slats cut in the top, but having a solid bottom. The “birdcage” flash hiders that come standard on most AR’s are actually combination flash hiders and compen-
sators as they serve both purposes. Muzzle breaks, have you ever noticed your AR kicks like a mule but your buddy’s AR has almost no recoil at all? Despite what he tells you it has nothing to with his being a Colt and yours being a Ruger, chances are his has a muzzle break and yours simply has a flash hider or compensator which does nothing for recoil. Muzzle breaks work because escaping gasses hit a metal wall pushing the gun forward which resists the rearward motion of the recoil. Last but not least we have silencers, silencers are the cream of the crop. Designed primarily to muffle the report of the firearm silencers also hide the flash, reduce muzzle climb, and reduce recoil. So why doesn’t everyone forgo muzzle breaks and go straight to silencers? Because the FTA regulates possession of silencers and you’ll have to jump through so many hoops you’ll think you work at Barnum and Baileys Circus. It’s not impossible to attain the proper paperwork and tax stamps etc. You just might have a few more grays hairs by the time it’s over. 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.
Sources: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/12/foghorn/ask-foghorn-whats-the-difference-between-a-muzzle-brake-a-compensator-and-a-flash-hider/
Page 26 | The Loafer | November 24, 2015
Give Thanks for “Mad Men” This week we should be thankful that the celebrated and muchawarded AMC TV series, “Mad Men” completed its seven-year run on May 17 (the series premiered on July 19, 2007), and that we now have complete access to one of the most interesting, thought-provoking, and intriguing series in the history of television. In fact, I like to refer to it as the reason why TV was invented. If you haven’t yet seen it, I urge you to plan some very serious binge watching over this holiday season. If you are already a “Mad Men” aficionado, I hope you now own the entire series on Blu-Ray. Unlike the series as it appears on popular streaming services, the “Mad Men” disc collection contains episode commentaries and several special features about the historical events of the 1960s and early 1970s. Examples include mini-histories about the civil rights movement, the space race, fashion, the trial of the Chicago 7, and sixties-era advertising. These little documentaries are worth the price of admission and will give you valuable insights into the time period of the series, which begins with the election of John F. Kennedy in 1960 and ends in the early 1970s with the creation of the iconic Coca-Cola ad, “It’s The Real Thing.” In case you have no idea what “Mad Men” is about, I urge you to look up the Wikipedia entry or the many other references you can seek out, both online and off (see below). Of course, there is no substitute for watching the series in sequential order. In its briefest form, the series is about a New York City ad agency during the 1960s, and each week we follow the exploits of agency employees as they navigate through the turbulent cultural waters of a decade
that saw political assassinations, the moon landing, the civil rights movement, and the emergence of feminism, environmentalism, and the counterculture. These public and private events are presented by the most historically accurate program that has ever appeared on television—and all without the unwelcome intrusion of nostalgia or sentimentality. As series creator Matthew Weiner tells us, “The irony is [that “Mad Men”] is about the things we know now that we didn’t know then.” This constant shifting between past (as presented in the show’s episodes) and present (our own awareness of “the things we know now”) is what gives “Mad Men” its appeal
and relevance. There won’t be any spoilers in this column. Instead, I will focus on the growing literature about the show. If you’re like me (perish the thought), you should enjoy reading what others are saying about the show and how they interpret its meaning. If this appeals to you, you are in luck, because “Mad Men” has generated an impressive bookshelf of studies, both scholarly and superficial. So, what follows is my recommended list of books you should read to learn more about why this series has become such a significant popular culture phenomenon. First up is a real treasure, the just-published MAD MEN CAR-
OUSEL: THE COMPLETE CRITICAL COMPANION, by Matt Zoller Seitz. This 462 page book contains a critical analysis of each of the show’s 92 episodes. No “Mad Men” fan should be without this very useful and important companion; at present, it is the only volume that covers all seasons and all episodes. A similar, yet much less comprehensive earlier effort to do this is THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO MAD MEN, edited by Will Dean (2010), a very useful companion to the first three seasons, and hardly worthy of the claim to be the “ultimate.” And
sons of the show, and is quite informative, featuring several entertaining and very helpful episode guides and essays about the show’s themes and topics. A very useful and imaginative addition to the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series is MAD MEN AND PHILOSOPHY: NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS, edited by Rod Carveth and James B. South (2010), which contains essays relating the show’s first three seasons to classic themes in our continual search for meaning (with a little help from Plato, Aristotle, and other classic philosophers). MAD MEN: DREAM COME TRUE TV, edited by Gary R. Edgerton (2011), collects fifteen essays covering a wide array of topics, including series origins, set design, sexual politics, and cultural memory. By far the most important anthologies about “Mad Men” are MAD MEN, MAD WORLD: SEX, POLITICS, STYLE & THE 1960s (2014), edited by Lauren M.E. Goodlad, Lilya Kaganovsky, and Robert A. Rushing, MAD MEN AND POLITICS: NOSTALGIA AND THE REMAKING OF MODERN AMERICA (2015), edited by Linda Beail and Lilly J. Goren, and ANALYZING MAD MEN: CRITICAL ESSAYS ON THE TELEVISION SERIES, edited by Scott F. Stoddart. These three volumes can easily function as textbooks about why the show matters and why it is perhaps the most closely studied TV series in history. One last book before I bring this column to a close: Dr. Stephanie Newman’s MAD MEN ON THE COUCH: ANALYZING THE MINDS OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE HIT TV SHOW a very brief but highly interest- (2012) does exactly what its title ing book by Eric San Juan, CEL- implies—makes appointments EBRATING MAD MEN: YOUR for the show’s main characters to UNOFFICIAL GUIDE TO WHAT be psychoanalyzed. According to MAKES THE SHOW AND ITS Dr. Newman, who is a practicing CHARACTERS TICK (2015) gives clinical psychologist, “Mad Men” us yet another perspective on allows us to “encounter the mindwhat the show means. sets of our parents or grandparActing as companions to the ents, and of course, ourselves.” In aforementioned books are a group other words, “Mad Men” holds up of anthologies that gather essays a mirror to our own society by takabout the show, and focus on top- ing us on a journey to the not-soics that have defined the series distant past. and continue to enrich our dialog I hope you find lots of things to about the show’s significance. The be thankful for this week. Needfirst volume of this type is Jesse less to say, I will be rewatching McLean’s KINGS OF MADISON some “Mad Men” episodes inAVENUE: THE UNOFFICIAL stead of participating in the Black GUIDE TO MAD MEN (2009), Friday madness. which covers the first three seaSee you next week.
www.theloaferonline.com
November 24, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 27
Page 28 | The Loafer | November 24, 2015