The Loafer 137

ETSU MARTIN CENTER

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NOTE

Volume 03 Issue 137 Publisher Lisa Durbin Creative Director Jon Bill Forrester Managing Editor Peggy Gale Distribution Herbie Durbin Jon Bill Forrester Entertainment Coordinator Andreax Jarre Public Relations Correspondent Lee Lee Williams Contributing Staff Andy Ross

your week’s line-up

04 Spotlight 05 Sycamore Shoals October Events

08

Grammy Nominated Professor Helps Restore Appalachian Recordings

08 Beezwax 09 Pets of the Week 10

Pro-Art Announces Field Trip to Italy

11 Things To Do 12 Tri-Cities Faces and Places 14 Fall Colors Arrive in Appalachia's Highest Elevations

Ken Silvers

22 WQUT Concert Schedule

Kenny Chesney Book Tour

Ann Hartley

The Loafer Telford, Tn 37690 423-930-7319

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

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Hello Friends!

Happy Fall!!!! I miss Summer already but this is a beautiful time of the year. The crisp in the air is a nice relief to the 90 degree temperatures. I am sure you have noticed you have not seen your Loafer on the stands every week. The sad truth is that printing costs are not always affordable to put out the paper each week. We love bringing you all of the great information but we do need some ads to keep printing. We would love to chat with you about advertising with us. Our costs are very affordable as we are not looking to get rich but only to keep The Loafer on the stands for everyone to enjoy.

We hope that everyone has a safe and fun Halloween and also remember this is breast cancer awareness month so wear your pink!

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PUBLISHER

07 Tri-Cities Nightlife

18

Wendy Hayden

FROM THE

06 Puzzle Page

Kathie Scalf

columns & reviews

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Social Sentiments:

Evolve Your Brand 19 Tea Time with Appalachian Barbie:

Fall Favorites 21 Pop Life Jaws Revisited 23 Batteries Not Included: The Thud

Love,

Lisa Durbin

Publisher

3

PRESENTED BY

2025-2026 SEASON 2025 ENCORE

ADD-ON

JANUARY 26-28

FEBRUARY 17-18

FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 1

MAY 5-7

MAY 26-28

Sponsored by Food City

Sponsored by Bravissima!

Sponsored by Tri-Cities Airport

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SEASON TICKETS AT ETSUMARTINCENTER.ORG

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ETSU MARTIN CENTER

Spotlight

theloafer.net |October 7th, 2025

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Friday, October 17 | 7:00PM Travis Reigh Friday, October 17 | 9:30PM Clay Page

BristolThe TN/Va Down Home Wednesday, October 9 | 7:30PM The Arcadian Wild Saturday, November 8 | 8:00pm Ketch Secor Sunday, November9 | 3:00pm Ketch Secor Johnson CityRock Casino Hard Thursday, October 9 | 8:00PM Samantha Gray & Jukebox Jam Friday, October 10 | 6:00PM Victor Lawson and Boogie Chillen Friday, October 10 | 7:00PM Appalachian Trail Bluegrass Band Friday, October 10 | 9:30PM The Warman Trio Saturday, October 11 | 10:00AM Courtney Logan Saturday, October 11 | 7:00PM Bella Lam Saturday, October 11 | 8:00PM Cody Glenn Cox Saturday, October 11 | 10:00PM Flannel Sunday, October 12 | 10:00AM Sandra Parker

Saturday, October 18 | 10:00AM Clay Page Saturday, October 18 | 7:00PM The Jazz Favorites Saturday, October 18 | 8:00PM Bill Dotson Saturday, October 18 | 10:00PM Travis Reigh Band Sunday, October 19 | 10:00AM Alli Epperson Thursday, October 23 | 7:00PM NGXB Thursday, October 23 | 8:00PM From the Edge Friday, October 24 | 6:00PM Cody Glenn Cox Friday, October 24 | 7:00PM NGXB Friday, October 24 | 9:30PM Jon Stickley Trio Saturday, October 25 | 10:00AM TJ Darnell Saturday, October 25 | 7:00PM NGXB Saturday, October 25 | 8:00PM If Birds Could Fly

Thursday, October 16 | 8:00PM Lauren Cole Band

Sunday, October 26 | 10:00AM Corey Snowden

Friday, October 17 | 7:00PM The Cory Stevenson Band

Thursday, October 30 | 8:00PM Aaron Walker

Submit Your Live Shows to: theloaferonlineprint@gmail.com or call 423-930-7319 to be Featured in the Loafer Spotlight

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SODOKU

DROP QUOTE

CRYPTOG RAM

WJAS JK C TFWLJGCDJIG IA DXS BCKD, CG CNCPSGSKK IA DXS BPSKSGD, CG JGYJTCDJIG IA C AFDFPS USMIGY HGINWSYQS - DXS ZFCWJDM DXCD QJOSK C DIFTX IA YJOJGJDM DI LCDDSP.

— Charles Augustus Lindbergh

CROSSWORD

Down

1. Actor Alan 2. St. Pauli ____ (beer brand) 3. Chug-____ (guzzle) 4. Horn of Africa resident 5. "Girl on TV" boy band 6. Dot-com addresses 7. German name of Cologne 8. Promise 9. Trendy nightclub 10. Org. with top 100 movie lists 11. Relax, informally 12. Adam's mate 13. ___ tamid (synagogue lamp) 18. Superman player 22. "Gosh!"

24. Gen-____ 26. God of love 27. Deft 28. Milieu for skiers: var.

29. Take responsibility for ACROSS 30. Boundaries 39. Pooch that says "Arf!" 1. Turkish bigshots 31. Govt. health watchdog 42. Santa soiler 5. Suzanne Vega hit 32. Landlords' income 43. Nile city 9. Sort of port 33. Medieval weapons 45. Prefix meaning "bull" 14. 2002's "___ and Stitch" 34. Make ___ for (justify) 47. UN workers' agcy.

15. Poofy ‘dos 38. Latin I verb 16. "The Three Faces ___" 48. Business's building 40. "Well, lah-di-___!"

(1957 film) 52. Stanzas of six lines 41. Colorado River city 17. Dramatic percussion intros 53. Kwik-E-Mart operator, on TV 44. Following orders 19. Bengal cat 54. Shows fatigue 46. Transplant a plant 20. Aquatic organisms 57. Alpha's opposite 49. Like zeppelins (abbr.)

21. Makes secure 61. Collector's violin 50. "No kidding!"

23. ____ Luthor of "Superman" 65. Billiards game 51. Show song 25. Does again 55. Enjoyable 67. It may be intended 30. Motto of New Hampshire 56. Superiors of cpls.

68. X-____ (tool brand) 33. Printemps month 58. Projecting edge on a roof 69. Daredevil Knievel 35. "Das Lied von der ___" 59. Singer Campbell 70. Playground favorite (Mahler) 60. Everybody, to Erich 71. Breathing-related, briefly 36. Yanks' manager 61. Response (abbr.)

37. Wile E.'s mail order company 72. Glassmaker Lalique 62. Do a yard job 63. Bee-related (prefix) Answers to this week’s 64. Wine container puzzles can be found 66. Move like a rabbit on page 09.

NIGHTLIFE

WEDNESDAY Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at The Pub Out Back (The Italian Pizza Pub) - Johnson City 7pm Karaoke w/ Eric Huskins VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm Karaoke Night at Wonderland Lounge and Bar - Johnson City, TN 9pm Karaoke with Ron at Kingsport Moose Lodge 6:30pm Loudmouth Karaoke at Michael Waltrip Brewing Company - Bristol, VA on Wednesday, April 5th at 7pm THURSDAY Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Tulips Grub & Pub - Johnson City, TN 8pm Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at Wild Wings Cafe - Johnson City, TN 9pm Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City, TN 10pm Karaoke at Jiggy Rays Pizzeria - Johnson City, TN Karaoke at Tipsy Toad Tavern - Jonesborough, TN FRIDAY Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at Rainbow Asian Cuisine - Johnson City, TN 9pm Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at The Sports Mill - Kingsport, TN 8pm Karaoke w/ Eric Huskins VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City, TN 10pm Karaoke with Handsome Hodge Entertainment at O’Mainnin’s Pub and Grille - Bristol, TN 10pm SATURDAY Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at Tulips Grub & Pub Johnson City, TN 8pm Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City, TN 10pm Karaoke w/ Eric Huskins VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City, TN 10pm Karaoke with DJ Clyde and Prestige Entertainment at Macado’s -Kingsport, TN 9pm Karaoke with Handsome Hodge Entertainment at O’Mainnin’s Pub and Grille - Bristol, TN 10pm

TRIVIA

TUESDAY Team Trivia at Wild Wing Café Johnson City TN DJ Trivia at Union Street Taproom Erwin, TN 5pm Trivia at The Corner Bar Bristol, VA 8pm Trivia at Aubrey’s Johnson City 7pm WEDNESDAY Trivia at Tipsy Toad Jonesborough, TN 7pm Trivia Night Mellow Mushroom Bristol, VA 7pm Trivia at Aubrey’s Bristol 7pm THURSDAY Mellow Trivia at Mellow Mushroom Johnson City, TN- 7pm Trivia at Riverside Taphouse at South Fork Bluff City, TN 7pm

BINGO

TUESDAY Singo at Riverside Taphouse at South Fork Bluff City, TN 6:30pm

DJ NIGHT THURSDAY DJ B-Digital at O’Mainnin’s Pub and Grille Bristol, TN 10pm

WEDNESDAY Bingo at Tipton Street Pub Johnson City, TN 9pm Singo at Holy Taco & Cantina Boones Creek, TN 8pm Blazin’ Bingo at Mellow Mushroom Johnson City, TN 6pm

FRIDAY Handsome Hodge Entertainment at O’Mainnin’s Pub - Bristol, TN 10pm

THURSDAY Bingo at Mellow Mushroom Bristol VA 6pm Singo at Aubrey’s Bristol 7:00 PM

SUNDAY DJ B-Digital at O’Mainnin’s Pub and Grille Bristol, TN 10pm

SATURDAY Handsome Hodge Entertainment at O’Mainnin’s Pub - Bristol, TN 10pm

To have your events added to this list email: theloaferonlineprint@gmail.com or call: 423-930-7319

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TRI-CITIES

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Grammy-Nominated Professor Helps Restore Appalachian Recordings A century after pioneering music producer Ralph Peer set up recording equipment in Asheville, North Carolina, an East Tennessee State University professor is helping bring those groundbreaking sessions back to life.

Dr. Ted Olson, Grammy-nominated professor in ETSU’s Department of Appalachian Studies, has contributed research, production and writing expertise to “Music from the Land of the Sky: The 1925 Asheville Sessions,” a new album featuring 28 restored and remastered tracks from the historic recording sessions.

The original recordings represent some of the earliest commercial recording sessions conducted on location in the American South – and the first-ever commercial recordings of any music genre made in Appalachia or the Carolinas.

“Reissuing the Asheville recordings from 1925 a century after they were made will help expand our collective understanding of the origins of country music,” Olson said.

Rewriting music history The 1925 sessions captured influential Appalachian musicians including Ernest Stoneman, Kelly Harrell, Henry Whitter, Wade Ward and Bascom Lamar Lunsford. Vaudeville musician Emmett Miller also recorded his first version of “Lovesick Blues,” a song later made famous by Hank Williams Sr. “This new project highlights the central role of the Asheville recordings in country music’s origin story,” Olson said.

Released on Rivermont Records with Grammy-nominated sound engineer Bryan Wright handling restoration, the album continues Olson’s extensive work documenting 1920s-era location recording sessions. He again teamed with veteran oldtime music scholar Tony Russell to produce detailed liner notes.

The collaboration has proven successful before. The pair received Grammy nominations and other music industry recognition for their work with Bear Family Records documenting the 1927-28 Bristol sessions, the 1928-29 Johnson City sessions and the 1929-30 Knoxville sessions.

Leading Appalachian music research As professor of Appalachian studies and bluegrass, old-time, and roots music, Olson represents the kind of specialized expertise that makes ETSU’s Department of Appalachian Studies a leading program in traditional Appalachian music study.

His work exemplifies the premier scholarship that contributes to ETSU’s reputation as the flagship university of Appalachia.

To mark the centennial, Asheville will host four days of concerts and community celebrations from Nov. 6-9. The program includes talks by Olson and other album contributors. More information is available at exploreasheville.com/ historic-asheville-sessions.

theloafer.net | October 7th, 2025

PETS

OF THE WEEK

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P IG G Y She is an 8 yr old tabby and a another low energy chilled out beautiful round bundle of love cat that wouldn’t steal her food and purrs. Piggy has a calm and !!! She doesn’t get in a rush for kind personality, would prefer anything and does the slow blink of affection!!! to be the only cat or at least

There are 5 Happy Ghosts hidden in this issue of The Loafer.

Can you find them all?

This Week's Puzzle Answers

LE

Crossword

Cryptogram:

Dropquote:

O

Sudoku

He is a Pit Bull Terrier and is VERY lovable, weighs 58 lbs, loves to lay in your lap and nap in the sunshine. He is good with kids, somewhat dog selective, knows

basic commands, loves to go on walks and is great on a leash. Let’s get him a home before his bday 9/30/18. He has been at the rescue way too long.

If you are interested in adopting : The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Shelter 423-239-5237 • 2061 Highway 75 Blountville, TN Facebook: bridgehome

bridgehome.org

"Life is a culmination of the past, an "Most vegetarians look so much like awareness of the present, an indication of the food they eat that they can be a future beyond knowledge - the quality classified as cannibals." that gives a touch of divinity to matter."

Pro-Art Announces Field Trip to Italy

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Pro-Art is organizing an arts-themed group field trip to Italy from May 13th – 27th, 2026. This educational and immersive experience will take participants through the heart of Milan, Venice, and Florence, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and adventure.

Travelers will have the opportunity to engage with the art, music, theater, and architectural landscapes of Italy while enjoying the many benefits of group travel, like cost savings, safety and security, organized logistics, and a flexible itinerary allowing for solo/ smaller group travel over the course of the two-week-long cultural adventure.

The estimated cost for the trip is $3975 per person for a double-occupancy hotel room. The price includes roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations, a fourday rail pass for train transportation between cities, and admission to select museums, exhibits, and performances.

There are limited spots available on a first come, first served basis. A nonrefundable deposit of $1325 secures your spot. We will accept applications and deposits beginning Oct. 1st until the trip is full, or by Nov. 1st at the latest.

After two successful trips—to Montreal and Quebec City in 2023, and to New York City last spring, Pro-Art’s thirdannual field trip is a unique opportunity for participants to delve into the vibrant culture and history of Italy while enjoying the stunning landscapes and experiences the country has to offer.

The trip includes admission to the Uffizi Gallery and the Gallery of the Academy of Florence (home to Michelangelo’s “David”), the Basilica of Santa Croce, Saint Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Milan Cathedral, select music and theater productions, two group dinners, and more. Embark on an incredible journey with Pro-Art through Italy this spring!

For more information and to sign up for the field trip, please visit proartva. org/field-trips. Please note that there will be substantial walking each day.

Please communicate with Pro-Art staff any accessibility needs that you may have regarding the trip. Contact: (276) 376-4520 or contact@proartva.org. ProArt will hold a general interest meeting for the trip on Tuesday, October 7th at 7 p.m. in classroom 114 of the Gilliam

Center for the Arts at UVA Wise. All are welcome to attend to meet other travelers and ask questions. Meeting attendance is not required to participate in the trip.

Pro-Art is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which

receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the C. Bascom Slemp Foundation, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, and Mountain Empire Community College. For more information, please visit proartva.org.

ROAN MOUNTAIN FALL-O-DENDRON FESTIVAL October 11 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Roan Mountain State Park 1015 Highway 143 Roan Mountain, TN 423-547-3900 TRIPRIDE PARADE AND FESTIVAL October 11 11:00 am - 7:00 pm Founders Park 225 Commerce St Johnson City, TN STORIES FROM THE PUMPKIN PATCH October 11 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site 2620 S. Roan St Johnson City, TN 423-926-3631 NFL SUNDAY, BRUNCH, & BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS October 12 (Weekly Event) 11:00 am - 6:00 pm Off Leash Social 234 Denny Mill Rd Johnson City, TN

HAUNTING TALES AT HANDS ON! MADE AROUND HERE MARKET October 18 October 24 November 7 11:00 am - 7:00 pm 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Main Street Hands On! Discovery Center at November 8 300 Main Street Gray Fossil Site 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Johnson City, TN 1212 Suncrest Drive Gray TN Jonesborough Visitor Center and (423) 434-4263 Emporium 117 Boone St BOO!SEUM Jonesborough, TN October 23 DOWNTOWN 423-753-1010 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm TRICK-OR-TREAT HOLIDAY MARKET 2025 Hands On! Discovery Center at October 31 Gray Fossil Site November 15 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm 1212 Suncrest Drive Gray TN 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Downtown Johnson City (423) 434-4263 Pavilion at Founder’s Park 300 E. Main St 105 W Main St Johnson City, TN Johnson City, TN MACABRE: TALES OF POE & WOE – PUBLIC READING MAIN STREET DAYS

October 23 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Fischman Gallery 133 N Commerce St Johnson City, TN 423-430-8441 BLUE RIDGE ARTISAN DAYS: AUTUMN MARKET & CRAFT FAIR October 24 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm October 25 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Appalachian Fairgrounds 100 Lakeview St Gray, TN

To be featured in The Loafer's Things to Do email us at: theloaferonlineprint@gmail.com or call 423-930-7319

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THINGS TO DO

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Fall Color Arriving in Appalachia’s Highest Elevations The highest peaks of Appalachia are approaching their moment, with color rapidly developing above 5,000 feet and peak displays expected through the end of September.

That’s according to East Tennessee State University’s latest fall foliage report.

Weather Impact Recent rainfall should help reduce early leaf drop, though Watson cautioned that heavy rains and winds can bring down leaves from trees already in transition. Most mountain ranges in Northeast Tennessee have high points in the 3,000- to 4,000-foot range, meaning their peak displays will arrive slightly later than the upper slopes.

Travis Watson, ETSU’s campus arborist, hiked along the Tennessee/North Carolina border Views from Round Bald into North over the weekend, walking from Carolina and Tennessee remain primarily green with emerging Round Bald to Carvers Gap. patches of color. It’s a sign that the “I am seeing a lot of color progression is unfolding naturally development in places basically across different elevations. over 5,000 feet in elevation,” Regional Variability Continues Watson said. “Lots of yellows as the hickories, poplars, birches The season’s development reflects and walnuts are turning and the geographic diversity that beginning to drop leaves.” makes Appalachian fall color so dynamic, and local conditions Where to Find Peak Color Now create significant variability. That For those ready to start leaf means spectacular displays may be peeping this weekend, Watson just around the corner from areas recommends heading to the still showing predominantly green. upper reaches of the mountains.

“If it isn’t pretty enough where you are standing, just start walking or The newly reopened sections of driving and you will probably find the Blue Ridge Parkway on the North Carolina side and the Great something beautiful around the Smoky Mountains should provide corner or over the hill,” Watson said. excellent viewing opportunities and photo-worthy scenery.

Overall conditions suggest the region remains on track for a “I suspect that these highest stunning season. peaks will be at or approaching peak color through the end of About ETSU Fall Color Reports September, and more consistent ETSU publishes weekly fall color color will be visible in our more local mountains by the first week reports each Friday throughout the season, combining scientific of October,” Watson said. expertise with deep regional The Tennessee State Parks knowledge to help residents system has highlighted excellent and visitors experience the viewing locations throughout the best of Appalachian autumn. state, including Roan Mountain As the flagship university of State Park and Rocky Fork State Appalachia, ETSU is uniquely Park, both offering stunning positioned to share both the vistas as autumn transforms science and beauty of the region’s the landscape. spectacular fall displays.

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NOVEMBER 3-4 | ETSU MARTIN CENTER SPONSORED BY

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Acoustic Autumn Series Returns with Full Lineup Mark your calendars for this year’s perfect evening outing for families, Acoustic Autumn series, happening friends, and neighbors.” on Thursdays in October from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Founders Park The concert schedule is as follows: Amphitheater, located at 225 Thursday, Oct. 2 — Thomas Cassell Commerce St. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or folding chairs to settle into the amphitheater’s comfortable, tiered lawn seating.

While you are downtown, take the opportunity to enjoy dinner at one of the many local restaurants or browse the unique selection of shops before the music starts.

Thursday, Oct. 9 — Madi Foster Thursday, Oct. 16 — Dan Trull Thursday, Oct. 23 — Trevin Sluss Thursday, Oct. 30 — Seth Thomas

This music series is sponsored by East Tennessee State University, “Grab a to-go bite from your TownView Senior Living, favorite downtown spot, and then head over to Founders Park for our Brightspeed, and Johnson City favorite fall tradition,” said Special Eye Clinic.

Events Manager Sara DelBene.

“Acoustic Autumn concerts are free For information, visit: and open to all ages, making it the www.downtownjctn.com/acoustic

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Learning is a constant process. If you feel as if you already know everything there is to know about your field, how can your followers expect to learn from you?

Refusal to grow hinders your ability to be seen as a leader because you are showing your followers that you are not open to varying opinions. The world is full of lessons to learn and if you are unwilling to pursue continuous education, your brand will suffer.

Learning about your customer base will help you interact with them in a way that makes them feel important.

Feeling heard is an important step in gaining and retaining customers. Learning about what they like about your company and what can be

Social Sentiments

By Wendy Hayden socialsentiments @outlook.com

socialsentiments.net

changed helps them feel heard and brings confidence to your brand.

Digging into your company can provide insight that you never thought of. Knowing what makes your brand successful opens a world of possibilities.

Are you successful at creating happy employees? They can champion your brand. Dive deep into your brand, learn the ins and outs, and change the way the world sees your business.

Evolving with your brand can help you connect with your customer base and bring a positive experience to your brand. A willingness to continue learning will bring your brand into a whole new light.

theloafer.net | October 7th, 2025

Evolve Your Brand

theloafer.net |October 7th, 2025

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NOVEMBER 16

ETSU MARTIN CENTER ETSUMARTINCENTER.ORG

Gather your flannels and prepare your harvests, fall is finally upon us!

Saturday, September 23 at 2:50a is the official date and time for this year’s autumnal equinox, and following a summer of record-setting heat I am beyond ready for longer nights and cooler temperatures.

Beyond the fact that cold weather months are my preferred time to thrive in general, there are certain things about this time of year that bring me immense joy that you may or may not already know about. For that reason and to avoid gatekeeping, I am going to share with you my list of Fall Favorite Things – look out Oprah!

This wouldn’t be a Kathie Scalf certified list without starting at food and beverage. While it’s hard to beat the farm-fresh produce of summer, I must admit I’m a fan of the heartier fare that accompanies cozy nights indoors. Root veggies and roasts, red wines and whiskeys, these are

definitely a few of my favorite things! guest participation; choose a topic like “charcuterie,” “Italian,” “soups,” All your fine dining and boutique or “Friendsgiving” and go potluck restaurants will be switching their style. Create an online group invite menus in the surrounding weeks where everyone can list 1 food and to reflect the season; make your reservations now to be first in line to 1 beverage item they’re bringing to prevent duplicates, then fill in the sample hearty soups, slow roasted gaps as needed. No cold-weather meats and spiced desserts. These get-together would be complete changes extend far beyond the without a fire, so invest in a firepit for kitchen and into the lounge as well.

Any bar worth their margarita salt will after-dinner drinks, discussions and roll out fresh features that incorporate s’mores. Everyone will save money seasonal herbs and flavors into their and be able to avoid crowded, noisy bars full of people they don’t like signature cocktails and update their and bad music they don’t want to wine lists to compliment the new cuisine. Summer-centric flavors like listen to. melon, lime, basil, and mint will take Autumn is also the best time of year a backseat to ginger, sage, cinnamon, for festivals. I hate nothing more than apples, oranges and nuts, while wines suffering through outdoor events in featured by-the-glass will swap light, summer months; during September crisp whites and rose’s for earthy and and October the weather is much robust reds. I haven’t confirmed, but more agreeable and predictable.

I would imagine Juniper, Gourmet, From Oktoberfests to Pumpkinfests and Timber will be leading the pack to harvest grape stomps, it’s time to in the Tri-Cities when it comes to get your butts outside this Fall. The exceptional seasonal menus.

Tri-Cities is centrally situated for Long, cold nights are also the perfect enjoying all of autumn’s splendor and everywhere you turn, folks are time for staying home, which is celebrating within a 1 hour radius. why another one of my fall favorite A quick Google search of “festivals things is hosting house parties. Not in Tri-Cities TN/western NC” will the kind we all snuck out to in high school of course, but elevated home return more options than you’ll ever have time to commit to and fill your experiences that are intimate and weekends with outdoor family fun. relaxed and perfect bonding with close family and friends. Start by Finally, there’s never a bad time to making custom simmer pots for focus on mental health matters, but natural air infusions that will greet October being Depression Awareness your guests from the time they step Month shines an extra bright light on through the door and create an an issue that affects most everyone aroma illusion that sets the tone for I know at some time or the other. a warm, cozy evening. Simply toss I’m someone who has lived with orange peels, apple slices, cinnamon bouts of depression for as long as I sticks and cloves into a pot of boiling can remember, so I will probably do water and let it simmer all day, adding a more in-depth feature article in fresh water as needed. These pots the coming weeks in honor of this will not only perfume the air inside dedicated awareness holiday. In your home, it will also add muchthe meantime, we can all use the needed humidity that is stripped changing of the seasons to really look away from constantly running the inward and work toward improving heat during winter months. Theme our headspace. For me, I always nights are always fun and encourage have better mental clarity when my

by Kathie Scalf living spaces are less cluttered and organized, so it’s nice to use the longer evenings stuck indoors to do some housekeeping. Remove things that no longer serve a purpose to make room for the new- that advice can go for your home OR your head.

Also use the extra time at home to get in the habit of journaling and reading; sometimes just getting intangible thing out of your brain and making them tangible on paper is enough to clear the muck. Align your mind with the seasons and remember that like leaves on trees, there is beauty in letting go of dying things and that new growth will soon be right around the corner.

These are a just a handful of my favorite fall things, but the list could go on. Create your own list and start ticking things off, because before we know it we will be in full holiday chaos!

XO - Kathie

theloafer.net | October 7th, 2025

Fall Favorites

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The classic film "Jaws" is considered by film historians to be the first summer blockbuster in the history of cinema.

Translation: sold out showings, massive merchandising, uber fans and sequels. The film was based on the 1974 Peter Benchely novel of the same name, and hit theatres in the summer of 1975.

I was one of the many curious and excited fans who saw the movie that summer, which is quite amazing since I am only 30 (LOL!). The impact of this film on Hollywood was amazing, and summer became the time when "event" movies became as much a part of summer as did vacations, as "Star Wars" was soon to follow. So it was with much excitement that I learned the film was being re-released to theaters in the 3D format. I was able to attend the film with some friends one of whom had never seen the film on the big screen, and one who had never SEEN it before. Needless to say, one friend loved the big screen experience and the other really enjoyed the film in general. Of course most of us know the movie follows Amity Island police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) as he attempts to prepare the island for the invading tourists coming to celebrate the 4th of July. Of

Pop Life

By Ken Silvers theloaferonlineprint @gmail.com

course something else is invading the island after a girl is attacked while swimming one night while attending a beach party. When Brody discovers the remains of the unfortunate swimmer, he realizes the beach must be closed, but is met with strong resistance by local business owners and the town's unscruplious mayor. In a moment of utter stupidity the mayor attempts to convince Brody and the coroner the girl was killed in a boating accident. Brody is still extremely worried and frightened for the vacationers, and his concerns come to fruition when a boy is attacked and killed in the view of a crowded beach. This leads to a bounty being placed on the shark, and the first appearance of professional shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw). Also showing up to investigate is marine biologist Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), who often clashes with Quint. The local fishermen and other reckless men set out to sea in an attempt

to catch the shark for the huge bounty. When one fisherman catches a tiger shark, the locals feel the killer shark is now dead.

Not so fast. After Brody and Hooper find another corpse that has been attacked by a shark, their attempts to close the beaches fail again thanks to the stubborn mayor. After another shark attack, this time in a lagoon, the mayor finally agreed to hire Quint to track down the shark, and he is joined by Hooper and Brody. Their adventures aboard a small boat are exciting and feature the classic line "we're going to need a bigger boat" after seeing the great white shark for the first time. This was director Steven Spielberg's second feature film, and he nearly backed out of the project, and movie fans everywhere should be grateful he did not, as we probably wouldn't have the classic film loved by so many. One of the best aspects of the film, is how Speilberg decided to film from the sharks pov, due to

issues with the mechanical shark used in the film. This technique actually made the shark seem even more terrifying, an unseen danger. The film has the ever familiar soundtrack composed by John Williams, who would create so many famous film soundtracks in the coming years, and who early in his career is credited as Johnny Willimas for composing the themes for the 1960's television show "Lost in Space". Many fans may not realize actor Richard Dreyfuss stated the following: "We started the film without a script, without a cast and without a shark". The aforementioned is quite shocking considering how this film became a classic of American cinema. If there is ever another opportunity to see "Jaws" on the big screen and in 3D, run to the theater, and you will feel like you are in the water and in the middle of cinema history. (Rated PG)

theloafer.net | October 7th, 2025

Jaws Revisited

theloafer.net |October 7th, 2025

22

P

CONCERT SCHEDULE Bristol

Jan 30

PARAMOUNT Oct 3 Henry Cho Oct 4 Mac McAnally Oct 9 Judy Collins Oct 17 Best of the Eagles-Tribute Oct 23 Ozark Mountain Daredevils Oct 24 Josh Blue Nov 7 Jamie Lissow

Feb 6 Feb 9 Feb 11 Mar 20

HARD ROCK LIVE Oct 3 Ron White Oct 4 Melissa Etheridge Oct 10 The Temptations & The Four Tops Oct 24 Jay Leno Nov 7 The Revivalists Nov 8 Jo Dee Messina Nov 21 Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Dec 7 Wheel of Fortune live

May 3 May 8 May 19

BRISTOL TN/VA

JOHNSON CITY TN

JOHNSON CITY

MARTIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS Nov 5 Mania-The ABBA Experience Nov 8 Matthew West Nov 16 Christmas with The Celts FREEDOM HALL Nov 7 Gary Allan with Mark MacKay Nov 8 The Awakening Tour with Skillet, Jeremy Camp and We are Messengers

GREENEVILLE TN

GREENVILLE

NISWONGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Oct 12 The Righteous Brothers Oct 18 Josh Turner Oct 25 Floyd Nation: Wish You Were Here Tour Nov 2 Straight No Chaser Nov 8 Darci Lynne & Friends Nov 9 Mark Chesnutt Nov 15 Ben Fuller Nov 20 Orleans & Atlanta Rhythm Section Dec 7 The Oak Ridge Boys Dec 12 Natalie Grant & Danny Gokey Celebrate Christmas Dec 14 Tommy Emmanuel, C.G.P. Jan 17 Twitty & Lynn: A Salute to Conway and Loretta Jan 20 STOMP

Apr 11 Apr 17 Apr 25

Thunderstruck: America’s AC/DC Tribute Wizard of Oz on Ice Dean Z: The Ultimate Elvis 38 Special The Breakers: A Tribute to Tom Petty Dailey & Vincent 1964 The Tribute Yacht Rock the Dock with Ambrosia & John Ford Coley The Texas Tenors BlackHawk Brothers of the Heart

MARION VA

MARION VA

THE LINCOLN THEATRE Oct 4 Lorrie Morgan Oct 17 Darren Knight (Southern Momma) Nov 1 Rhonda Vincent & The Rage with Suzy Boggus

BIG STONE GAP, VA

Big Stone Gap, VA:

BLUE HIGHWAY FESTIVAL Oct 8-12 Blue Highway, American Idol winner Chayce Beckham, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, The Cleverlys, Lonesome River Band, Dan Tyminski Band and many others

KNOXVILLE TN

Knoxville

BIJOU THEATRE Oct 3 Yonder Mountain String Band Oct Mary Chapin Carpenter & Brandy Clark Oct 8 Melvins Oct 12 Eric Johnson Nov 6 The Wood Brothers Nov 7 & 8 Emily Ann Roberts Nov 21 & 22 The Steeldrivers Dec 8 Squirrel Nut Zippers Mar 13 Margret Cho TENNESSEE THEATRE Oct 4 Henry Cho Oct 7 ZZ Top Oct 8 An Acoustic Evening with Rick Springfield and Richard Marx Oct 10 The Head and the Heart

Nov 23 Dec 7 Dec 10 Dec 26

Watchhouse EXPLOREASHEVILLE.COM ARENA NeedToBreathe Oct 25 Turnpike Troubadours The Allman Betts Family Revival Oct 29 Parcels Manheim Steamroller Nov 15 Dwight Yoakam & The THOMPSON BOWLING ARENA Mavericks Oct 9 Zach Top Dec 31 The Avett Brothers Oct 16 Brandon Lake THOMAS WOLFE AUDITORIUM Oct 24 Lainey Wilson Nov 4 Jonas Brothers Oct 9 Aaron Lewis & the Stateliners Dec 13 Pentatonix Oct 10 Ben Folds Jan 16 Rascal Flatts, Chris Lane and Nov 3 The Rock Orchestra By Lauren Alaina Candlelight KNOXVILLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM Nov 7 TobyMac Sep 26 The Black Jacket SymphonyNov 16 NeedToBreathe An evening of Yacht Music Feb 9 Sal Vulcano Oct 10 John Crist Oct 17 Oct 24 Nov 20 Mar 17

Steve Martin and Martin Short Jo Koy Killers of Kill Tony Joe Bonamassa

CHEROKEE, NC

Cherokee, N.C.

HARRAH’S CHEROKEE Oct 10 Rick Springfield and Richard Marx KNOXVILLE CIVIC COLISEUM Oct 18 Little River Band Oct 17 Crowder and others Oct 25 Clint Black Nov 6 Warren Zeiders Nov 20 Dustin Lynch & Scotty McCreery Nov 14 Tracy Lawrence Dec 13 John Morgan MARYVILLE

MARYVILLE, TN

THE SHED Sep 12 Morgan Wade Oct 4 Jackyl Oct 10 JJ Grey & Mofro Oct 24 Gov’t Mule Oct 25 Fred Eaglesmith & The Velvet Frogs

ASHEVILLE NC

GREENVILLE, SC

Greenville sc

BON SECOURS WELLNESS ARENA Oct 4 7th Annual Greenville Blues Festival Oct 16 Keith Urban Mar 14 Joe Bonamassa

PIKEVILLE, KY

ASHEVILLE

Pikeville, Ky

THE ORANGE PEEL Oct 7 Melvins Oct 18 JohnnySwim Oct 24 Margaret Cho Oct 30 The Beths Nov 17- 19 They Might Be Giants Nov 21 & 22 Watchhouse Dec 2 All Them Witches

APPALACHIAN WIRELESS ARENA Oct 2 Red Clay Strays Oct 9 Turnpike Troubadours Oct 17 Gary Allan Nov 7 Warren Zeiders Nov 9 Seether & Daughtry Nov 14 Crowder, Zach Williams and Matt Maher

CALL WQUT @ 477-1015 FOR MORE CONCERT INFORMATION OR VISIT WWW.WQUT.COM

23

I’m a simple man. Well, not really, but in my head I like to think that I am. Sometimes all I want on a Saturday night is to sit quietly and enjoy a movie on TV. Either something that’s airing on Turner Classic Movies, or whatever fun horror movie beloved host Svengoolie might have lined up. Last Saturday night there was a double feature of movies on TCM hosted and picked by Martin Scorsese.

The first part of the double feature that night was “Blood on the Moon,” a 1948 Western starring Robert Mitchum with Noir overtones. I had always heard good things about it and decided to tune in. Being something of a B-movie, it was short, running at a zippy 88 minutes.

I was watching it downstairs in my movie room. I was in my cozy, trusty recliner. My precious and adorable cat, Lucy, was happily curled up in the armchair across from me.

I was halfway into the movie when I heard a thud. I wasn’t sure what it was. I didn’t know if something fell, if it was a car passing by, or some other random thing. I didn’t think much of this thud. Then it happened again, and I could tell it was coming from behind me, sounding like it was outside the house on the street.

Again, I didn’t think much of this.

Then when the sound happened

Batteries Not Included

By Andy Ross theloaferonlineprint @gmail.com

again, and then again with family quick succession, Lucy perked up and looked in the direction of the sound.

This is when I became concerned.

If the sound was enough to disturb my cat, that meant it was time to investigate. I got up and went towards the door to my garage, the sound kept happening repeatedly, it sounded louder too. I began to wonder if there was a crash, or an explosion, or what? I went upstairs to look out the bay window in my kitchen. There was one more thud as I reached the top of the stairs, but as I looked out towards the street the sound had stopped.

I looked out and didn’t see anything.

This led to more confusion. It was

still outside and it looked like any other average night on my block.

The thud was no more, there was no traffic, no people scurrying about. I walked to the other end of the house where there was a window to look out into the backyard. That was when I noticed something.

The motion light near the trashcans was on, and sure enough, my trashcan was overturned in the backyard. Moved an impressive six feet or so from where it usually is. The trash had been collected recently, so thankfully there was only one bag in it. That bag, however, was strewn out in the yard. “Uh, oh. A bear!” I thought to myself.

I debated going out to get the trash can and bag back to where they were, which might have been stupid. Sure enough, the next day my neighbor posted on Facebook that they had caught a bear going through the garbage on their house camera. So yes, kids, we had a bear.

The trash can was placed back in its right spot later on, and I managed to not get mangled. Despite living in a mostly residential area, it is impressive just how much wildlife comes out of the nearby forest area for a visit now and then. As long as I don’t meet them personally, I’m OK with it. See you next week.

theloafer.net | October 7th, 2025

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