The Loafer 10

Christmas 2021 Special Christmas Shopping Guide Pull-Out Included All December Long!

The Nashville Sound wants to wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season!

Publisher Lisa Durbin Creative DIrector Jon Bill Forrester Managing Editor Peggy Gale DIstribution Elizabeth Armstrong Entertainment Coordinator Andreax Jarre

your week’s line-up

Volume 03 Issue 10

08 Spotlight 11 Karaoke 11 Trivia

30 Hands On! Discovery Center December Events

The Loafer Po Box 39

34 Connctions Between Music and Work

Telford, Tn 37690 423-930-7319

38 Mars Hill Theatre Arts and SART Present Two Holiday Productions

www.theloaferonline.com theloaferonlineprint@gmail.com

Let’s Get Social!

07 Theatre-at-Tusculum Holding Auditions for Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons

29 WQUT Concert Schedule

Tim SImpson

LBD

06 Cekebrate the Holidays with A Radio Bristol Christmas Show!

27 Things To Do

Wendy Hayden

FAMILY MEDIA

05 Theater Bristol Announces Perfectly Matched Christmas Classics

15 Christmas Shopping Guide

Ken Silvers

Founder: Bill Williams

04 ETSU Presenting "We Need a Little Christmas"

13 Pets of the Week

Andy Ross Kathie Scalf

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.

03 Kingsport Ballet's Nutcracker Returns to Live Audiences at Wellmont Performing Arts Center

12 Puzzle Page

Contributing Staff

columns & reviews

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31 Ponderings to Ponder Who Rescued Who? 33 Social Sentiments: What Do Your Brand Colors Imply About You? 35 Tea Time with Appalachian Barbie: Hairy Holidays 37 Pop Life: The Claus Family 39 Batteries Not Included: The Thin Man Goes Shelia

NOTE

FROM THE

PUBLISHER Hello Loafer Readers!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and was able to spend time with family and friends.

It’s the time of year that every child dreams about! Well most of us adults too. It’s officially the Christmas season. I love seeing the decorations in yards and in the stores. I hope you enjoy our Christmas Shopping Guide and it will be in The Loafer for the next month. I hope you will shop local as much as possible and help keep these great people in business. For those of us who are blessed with a home, food on our table and warm clothing I think it would be a great time to look around your community and find a way to pay it forward during this holiday season.

Thank you for your continued support!

Love, Lisa Durbin Publisher

3

Kingsport Ballet returns to the stage with full-capacity audiences for Nutcracker 2021, scheduled for December 17th, 18th and 19th at Wellmont Performing Arts Center.

The classical production based on the traditional Russian version has been staged in our region by Kingsport Ballet under the direction of Valeria Sinyavskaya for the past 20 years. Ms Sinyavskaya first staged the production with Kingsport Ballet just months after her arrival in Kingsport in 2002. That year, through Ms Sinyavskaya’s connections with her former colleagues in Russia, the company commissioned several sets of professional tutus, which are still in use today following several restorations and reconstructions.

“We were very proud and happy to have livestreamed The Nutcracker to over 4800 school children last year, free of charge.

But we are also really excited to have full audiences back in the theater this December!” said Ms Sinyavskaya. The company still plans to livestream the production to schools in the region, in addition to hosting live audiences for its public performances. Kingsport Ballet staged The Nutcracker at NPAC in December 2020 mid-pandemic, to limited capacity and distanced audiences, after having grown its shows from 3 to 5 at Wellmont Performing Arts Center in 2019 and years prior.

Since 2019 Ms Sinyavskaya has worked closely with Master Ballet Artist Leonid Flegmatov, who has also performed lead roles in productions, in addition to rehearsing and teaching company dancers. Mr. Flegmatov is a former principal dancer with New Jersey Ballet and a graduate of the Bolshoi Academy of Ballet in Russia.

This year’s production will feature some familiar faces. Mr. Flegmatov will once again perfom the role of Herr Drosselmeyer, the kindly and eccentric uncle. The company will be collaborating with Artistic Motion of Greensboro, North Carolina, under the direction of Natalya Davison. Some of Kingsport Ballet’s production solos will be performed by Kingsport Ballet dancers as well as those with Artistic Motion, who will be returning after previous performances of The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty with Kingsport Ballet. In addition, Kingsport Ballet will be sending several dancers from its own Company to join Artistic Motion’s production of The Nutcracker in Greensboro.

Tickets are sold online through Kingsport Ballet’s Facebook page and website: kingsportballet. org or by calling 423-378-3967.

The Kingsport Ballet is funded in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission under an agreement with the General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. Outreach programs are supported in part by the City of Kingsport. For a full roster of business and individual sponsors visit: kingsportballet. org. Kingsport Ballet encourages the purchase of specialty license plates in order to support funding for the arts in the state of Tennessee. Visit: tn4arts.org

theloaferonline.com | November 30, 2021

Kingsport Ballet’s Nutcracker Returns to Live Audiences at Wellmont Performing Arts Center

theloaferonline.com November 30, 2021

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ETSU Presenting ‘We Need A Little Christmas’ Annual holiday concert is Dec. 4 want to miss this annual ETSU tradition.”

Need some motivation to get in the festive spirit this Performing will be the ETSU holiday season?

Chorale, BucsWorth, East Make plans to attend East Tennessee Belles, the ETSU Tennessee State University’s Student Orchestra and the Holiday Choral Concert, an Percussion Ensemble. annual tradition for more than Tickets are available via the 50 years.

Martin Center Box Office. Order Two performances are happening tickets online or call the Martin on Saturday, Dec. 4, in the ETSU Center at 423-439-2787. Tickets Foundation Grand Hall of the are $12 for general admission and ETSU Martin Center for the Arts. $6 for ETSU students.

Times for the “We Need A Little Christmas” concert are 4 p.m.

Located as 1320 W. State of and 7:30 p.m.

Franklin, the Martin Center sits “This is such a special concert with many familiar holiday favorites, as well as exciting new pieces,” said Dr. Alan Stevens, co-director of Choral Activities and an associate professor in the Department of Music. “You won’t

across from the main campus of ETSU.

For additional information, contact the Department of Music at 423-439-4270 or music@etsu.edu.

Theatre Bristol presents “Christmas Classics: O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” and Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Match Girl” Coming December 3-19 to the Theatre Bristol ARTspace Tickets on sale now for these heartfelt holiday stories from classic literature

in the world, kindle compassion in us that serves year round in “The Little Match Girl” short story by Hans Christian Anderson. Adapted by Dottie Havlik for the stage, the little match girl draws closer with each strike to the warmth she once knew.

Peggy Russell, long-time Theatre Bristol veteran and director, leads the pair Theatre Bristol announces a couple of of productions. “The Gift of the Magi” perfectly matched Christmas Classics: features Faith Vance as Della, Mason O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi and Hans White as Jim, Amy Reid as Fran, and Tony Christian Andersen’s The Little Match DeVault as Peter. The cast of “The Little Girl.” These beloved Christmas stories Match Girl” includes Chloe Campbell as come to the ARTspace Stage December the Match Girl, Cooper Knapp as a Street 3-19. Performances are Fridays at 7:30 Boy, Amy Reid as the Grandmother, and PM, Saturdays at 5:30 PM, and Sundays at Dan Gray as the Father.

2:30 PM. Please visit Opening December 3 at 7:30 pm, the www.TheatreBristol.org production runs for three weekends, for tickets and to learn more.

Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 5:30 In the timeless O. Henry story of Della pm, and Sundays at 2:30 pm, closing on and Jim adapted by Mindy Starns Clark, December 19. Tickets are $12 for adults “The Gift of the Magi,” a struggling young and $10 for students and seniors, with couple seeks to give one another the processing fees, and can be purchased ideal Christmas gift. Each endeavoring at TheatreBristol.org. Tickets can also to express their love with thoughtful be purchased at the door, subject to surprises results in a Christmas with gifts availability. Performances are at the more valuable than treasure.

ARTspace Theare, at 506 State Street, The Christmas visions of a young girl Bristol, Tennessee. COVID-19 guidelines who encounters coldness at home and are subject to change based on current

ARTSPACE THEATRE TICKETS: ADULTS | $12 SENIORS | $10 STUDENTS | $10 PLUS PROCESSING FEES

information so please follow www.

TheatreBristol.org and Facebook for updates. At this time, distancing will be practiced, vaccinations are encouraged, and masks are available to stem the spread of COVID-19.

Theatre Bristol’s “The Little Match Girl” and “The Gift of the Magi” is sponsored by Stephanie Snelson, DDS, with additional support by The Optimist Club, as well as the Tennessee Arts Commission, The United Company, HVAC, Inc., Summit BSR Roofing, Leticia Peltzer and ANT & Allergy Consultants, Celebrate Rentals, Citizens Bank, The Loafer, and WCYB. Founded in 1965 by Cathy DeCaterina, Theatre Bristol is a community theatre

serving all ages that also has the distinction as the oldest continually running children’s theatre in northeast Tennessee. Located on historic State Street in Bristol, it also serves southwest Virginia. Its Main Stage season consists of drama, comedy, and musical productions that take place in the ARTspace, a multi-purpose, black box theatre which seats up to 120, and at the Paramount Center for the Arts. Theatre Bristol is a volunteer-operated community organization and we invite you 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.

WITH STEPHANIE SNELSON, D.D.S. PRESENTS

Christmas Classics

O. HENRY'S

THE GIFT OF THE MAGI ADAPTED BY MINDY STARNS CLARK

HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN'S

THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL ADAPTED BY DOTTIE HAVLIK

FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS

DECEMBER 3-19 THEATREBRISTOL.ORG

DIRECTED BY

PEGGY RUSSELL

5

theloaferonline.com | November 30, 2021

Theatre Bristol Announces Perfectly Matched Christmas Classics

Celebrate the Holidays with A Radio Bristol Christmas Show!

Date: Friday, December 17, 2021 Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Performance Theater at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum Tickets: $35 plus tax/fees birthplaceofcountrymusic.org

org. Be sure and download Radio Bristol’s free mobile app and take us with you wherever you go! **COVID-19 Policy

Join us for a night of merriment and seasonal delight with a very special Radio Bristol Christmas at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, hosted by Radio Bristol Program Director Kris Trueslen and his house band Bill and the Belles, with special guests The Kody Norris Show and Martha Spencer and Larry Sigmon!

Most performers whose livelihoods depend on not contracting Covid-19 will currently not perform indoors, at least not in small venues where the audience is close. Since we want to continue to have Farm and Fun Time in the intimate confines of the Museum Performance Theater for recording for PBS telecast, audience members, staff, musicians, and artists in attendance will be required to show proof of vaccination or proof of negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours” for entry.

A Radio Bristol Christmas will broadcast live before a studio audience from the Performance Theater at the museum and can be accessed in its entirety on WBCM Radio Bristol’s Facebook page live.

You may also tune into the program For more information visit our webste: on the air at 100.1 FM in the Bristol area or online at ListenRadioBristol. birthplaceofcountrymusic.org

149 N. Lincoln Avenue Jonesborough, TN We will meet you Anywhere for:

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TUESDAY December 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th

BRIM & MARCI LEAL WEDNESDAY December 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd &29th

H.B. BEVERLY

THURSDAY December 2nd, 9th, 16th. 23rd & 30th

JUSTIN MYCHALS

7

theloaferonline.com | November 30, 2021

Year End Inventory Reduction: Up to 75% Off

Spotlight

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Johnson City, Tn Johnson City, TN TUESDAY NOV 30th Brim & Marci Leal 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza

FRIDAY DEC 3rd

SATURDAY DEC 4th

Kingsport Kingsport, TN

Florencia Rusiñol and Momma Molasses 10:00pm at Capones

Cruz Contreras of The Black Lillies 3:00pm at Abingdon Vineyards

FRIDAY NOV 26th

SATURDAY DEC 4th

Bristol Bristol, TN/Va TN/VA

Amanda Anne Platt & the Honeycutters Holiday Show 8:00pm at The Down Home

TUESDAY NOV 30th

The Tan and Sober Gentlemen with Daniel Byrd’s Boogie Machine 10:00pm at Capones

Borderline Band 9:00pm at CJs Sports Bar SATURDAY NOV 28th

The Guido Awesome Show Jet Black Audio 9:00pm 10:00pm at O’Mainnin’s Pub at CJ’s Sports Bar WEDNESDAY DEC 1st

Elizabethton Elizabethton, TN

Daniel Davis 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

TUESDAYS

Zak Saltz 8:00pm at Sidetracks

Downtown Country 6:30pm at Jiggy Ray’s

WEDNESDAY DEC 1st

SUNDAY DEC 5th

HB Beverly 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza

Evening in the Round with Linda Davis, Lang Scott, and Bill Whyte 8:00pm at The Down Home

FRIDAY DEC 3rd

Justin Mychals 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza

Abingdon, VA Abingdon, VA

SATURDAY NOV 28th

Mel’s Birthday Bash with Rusty Steel 8:30pm at Mel’s Riverside

FRIDAY DEC 3rd

Toys for Tots Benefit with 1134, Strange Gods and HAAL 9:00pm at Capones

Tray Wellington Band 6:00pm at Wolf Hills Brewing

Jared Bentley 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

SATURDAY NOV 28th

Throwdown Jones 9:00 PM at Sidetracks

Will Shepherd 6:00pm at Mel’s Riverside

THURSDAY DEC 2nd

Moose Roberts 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

Rogersville, TN Rogersville, TN FRIDAY NOV 27th

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

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703 State Street Bristol, VA Historic Downtown Bristol thecameotheater.com

Christone "KINGFISH" Ingram 1.13.22

12.3.21

12.4.21

The Fab Four 12.7.21

Come Experience Epic Entertainment at the newly renovated Cameo Theater!

Lilly Hiatt 1.14.22

Robert Earl Keen 1.26.22

Night Ranger 1.28.22

Gin Blossoms 2.22.22

Last Week's Puzzle Answers Sudoku

Crossword

Cryptogram:

Dropquote:

"I wouldn't have turned out the way I was if I didn't have all those oldfashioned values to rebel against."

"So far as regards their moral character, the Finns have as little cause for reproach as any other people."

There are Five Christmas Trees Hidden in this issue of The Loafer.

Can you find them all?

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theloaferonline.com | November 30, 2021

The Wizards of Winter The Milk Carton Kids

theloaferonline.com November 30, 2021

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GILLIAM STAGE

NOV 18 TO DEC 29 Based on the motion picture A Christmas Story, ©1983 Turner Entertainment Co., distributed by Warner Bros., written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark; and on the book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd.

CALL VISIT 276.628.3991 BarterTheatre.com A Christmas Story Production Sponors R

R

Barter Theatre is partially funded by

FOLLOW US

TUESDAY

Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City Karaoke with Bert & L.A. at Kingsport Moose Lodge 7pm

WEDNESDAY

Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City Karaoke Night at Wonderland Lounge and Bar Karaoke at Quaker Steak and Lube (Bristol, VA) 7pm Karaoke at Kingsport Moose Lodge 6pm Karaoke at Thunder Valley Tavern 8pm

THURSDAY

Karaoke at Zachary’s Steakhouse Michael’s Krazy Karaoke at Stateline Bar & Grill Karaoke w/ DJ Marquez Top Shelf Entertainment at Wild Wings Café JC Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City Karaoke at Jiggy Rays Pizzeria Karaoke w/Tony & Rod at CJ’s Sports Bar 8pm Karaoke at Tipsy Toad (Jonesborough) Open Mic & Karaoke at Wonderland Lounge/Bar N Grill Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Tulips Grub & Pub 7-10 Karaoke at Midnight Oasis - Brtistol, TN Karaoke at Sonny's Marina/The French Quarter Restaurant

FRIDAY

Karaoke w/ Shane Rouse at Bear’s Bar Karaoke at Kingsport Moose Lodge Karaoke w/ Reverb Karaoke at The Cottage 8:30pm Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City Karaoke at Elizabethton VFW Karaoke w/ Michael Hawkins at Holiday Inn (Exit 7) – Bristol, VA Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City Karaoke at 27 Lions (Marion, VA) 9:00pm Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at Rainbow Asian Cuisine 9pm Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at Laurel Marina on South Holsten 9pm

Trivia TUESDAY

Wild Wing Café JC- Team Trivia Tuesdays 8:30pm Johnson City Brewing Company- Trivia Tuesdays 7pm Aubrey’s Johnson City- Trivia Night 7pm 27 Lions - Trivia Night 7pm Union Street Taproom - DJ Trivia 6pm

WEDNESDAY

Tipton Street Pub- Trivia Wednesdays 9pm Aubrey’s Bristol- Trivia Night 7pm Johnson City Moose Lodge 1831 - DJ Trivia 7pm Tipsy Toad (Jonesborough) - Trivia 7pm

THURSDAY

Holy Taco & Cantina Trivia Night 9pm JRH Brewing - Trivia Night 7pm Mellow Mushroom Johnson City - Mellow Trivia 7pm Gypsy Circus Cider Company - Trivia 6:30pm

MONDAY

Barley Waters- Trivia Night 7pm Yee-Haw Brewing- Trivia Mondays 7pm Woodstone Deli - DJ Trivia 7pm Model City Tap House - Live Team Trivia Night 7pm

SATURDAY

Karaoke at Kingsport Moose Lodge Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Tulips Grub & Pub 8-11 Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City Karaoke w/ Tony & Rod at CJ’s Sports Bar

SUNDAY 7pm Open Mic with Karaoke at Go Burrito Johnson City Karaoke at Kingsport Moose Lodge 6pm

MONDAY

Karaoke at Thunder Valley Tavern 8pm

**The schedule is subject to change due to the request for social distancing at this time.**

theloaferonline.com | November 30, 2021

Kara ke

11

PUZZLE

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SUDOKU

CROSSWORD

ACROSS

DROP QUOTE

DROP QUOTE

C RY PTOG RAM

CRYPTOGRAM JMG FGLJ PRI JE VGJ BELJ MYLFRDZL JE ZE

1. New car sticker letters 5. Coarse particles 9. What Jack Sprat ate 14. Button below TUV 15. Columnist Barrett 16. Having good posture 17. Clothing-optional site 19. Direct-marketing company 20. Swiss Army ____ 21. Go with the tide 23. "___ luck?"

25. Clipper's target 30. Offensive 33. Brynner of Broadway 35. In an unwell way 36. Prim and proper 37. Administers the coup de grace

LEBGJMQDV QL JE LYVVGLJJMRJ CGAMRCL JMGI'AG JEE EXZ JE ZE QJ.

— Ann Bancroft

39. Pharmacy supply 42. Alone 43. Old-fashioned tie 45. Corrodes 47. Netherlands commune 48. Upside down 52. Geologic layer 53. Montreal Mrs. 54. Vowel sequence 57. Certain belly button 61. Angled cut 65. Requisite 67. Waters or Merman 68. Start of Massachusetts' motto 69. Util. bill item 70. Full of idle talk 71. Depeche ____ 72. Can. province

Answers to last week’s puzzles can be found on page 9.

Down

1. Thelonious of jazz 2. Like spider webs 3. 17th-century physician Francesco 4. Like some homes 5. Coll. test 6. Street 7. Elevate (abbr.)

8. South Pacific island where Gauguin lived 9. Straightens up 10. End for ref or inf 11. Not many 12. Here, in Hidalgo 13. Communication syst. for the deaf 18. Good Charlotte guitarist Madden 22. "To Wong ___..." (start of a movie title) 24. Pound sound 26. D.C. baseball team 27. Falls off 28. Epic poem 29. Climber's respite 30. Trade-in, often 31. 151 to Caesar 32. Aerosmith lead 33. Slangy affirmatives 34. Not established 38. Fountain order 40. "Well, ___-di-dah!"

41. Blossom holder 44. Utterly 46. Truckers' rigs 49. Saturn vehicle 50. Oscar-winning rap star 51. Microscope parts 55. Winery prefix 56. Golden State sch.

58. Simba's friend 59. Enrages 60. "Portrait of a Man in a Turban" painter Jan van ___ 61. Ask for a handout 62. Seventh Greek letter 63. Kind of tape 64. Shoe widths 66. Shoe designation

B en tl ey

This striking young guy is Bentley. He’s a solid black short haired cat that almost looks like a little panther and those magical eyes!!! Sometimes they are gold and sometimes they are green - all depends on the angle you look at him.

He’s definitely not just another black

cat. Bentley is an active young cat that enjoys some love and attention once he warms up to you. He loves all kinds of cat treats and plays well with other cats.

Bentley has been neutered and is up to date on shots. Bday 5/15/20.

theloaferonline.com | November 30, 2021

PETS

OF THE WEEK

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423-239-5237 • 2061 Highway 75 Blountville, TN Facebook: bridgehome bridgehome.org

Holiday Open House and Raffle Holiday Open House and Raffle Saturday December 4th - 12 Noon to 4:00pm Buy your raffle tickets now! 1 Ticket for $5 or 3 for $10 Tickets on sale at The Bridge Home Rescue or though PayPal on our Facebook Page.

Drawings will be held at the Open House on Dec 4.

Winners need not be present.

Refreshments • Tours • Raffle • Pet Angel Tree

Holiday Pet Angel Tree Program November 22 through Dec 15th

Help a needy pet in our community or from Bridge Home.

R

The locations include:

us

The Bridge Home, 2061 Highway 75 Blountville, TN Bullpit Fitness Center, 3008 Bristol Highway, Johnson City, TN The Outpost, 701 W. Market Street Suite 2, Johnson City, TN Military Outdoor Supply, 3102 Bristol Highway C, Johnson City, TN PetSmart, 16760 Highlands Center Blvd, Bristol, VA BlackBird Bakery, 56 Piedmont Ave, Bristol, VA Pike House Coffee, 2203 McKinley Rd, Johnson City, TN

ty This sweet little boy is Rusty. Rusty has a beautiful brindle coloring Hound, Beagle, Shepherd mix. He was born on Mother’s Day of this year.

Rusty is very loving and has learned

to sit for treats. He’s just a pup, so he is not house trained, but he is very trainable. Rusty has been neutered and is up to date on shots.

Bday 5-9-21.

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

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JOHNSON CITY

FRIDAY DEC 3RD

BRISTOL

SATURDAYS

Nature: Dining With The Wolves 2:00pm at Bays Mountain Park

THURSDAY DEC 2ND Free Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic 7:00am-10:00am at Bristol Public Library

ACOA (adult children of alcoholics) 1:30-3:00pm.

Call for info Bill 423-444-6107 Natural Wreath Workshop or Cheryl 423-262-6149 6:00pm at Bays Mountain Park FRIDAY DEC 3RD 96.3 The Possum Toy SATURDAY DEC 4TH SATURDAY DEC 4TH Drive 6:00am -10:00pm at Paramount Center for Wish Kids Canvas 10:00am Natural Wreath Workshop the Arts at Into the FIre 9:00am at Bays Mountain Park ABINGDON, VA Visions of Christmas: 1862 Christmas Parade 1:00pm at 2:00pm at Tipton-Hayes WEDNESDAY DEC 1ST Downtown Kingsport Historic SIte Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon Nature: Animal SIgns 2:00pm Community Center Tree Lighting Celebration at Bays Mountain Park 4:00pm at The Mall at SATURDAY DEC 4TH Johnson City By the Fireside Symphony Family Breakfast with Santa The Jingle Bell Rock Holiday 3:00pm at MeadowView 8:00am - 1:00pm at Southwest Virginia Market 3:00pm at Capone's Conference Center Cultural Center & MONDAY DEC 6TH Nature: The Wonder of Wolves Marketplace Tennessee Hills Brews and 3:00pm at Bays Mountain Park SUNDAY DEC 5TH Brushes 6:00pm at Tennessee Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon Hills Brewstillery Community Center SUNDAY DEC 5TH

KINGSPORT THURSDAY DEC 2ND

Nature: Beaver Tales 1:00pm at Bays Mountain Park

First Thursday Shop and Hop 12:00pm at Downtown Kingsport

Nature: What Does the Fox Say? 3:00pm at Bays Mountain Park

ELIZABETHTON SATURDAY DEC 4TH Overmountain Christmas Open House 10:00am at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park

COMEDY SHOWCASE WEDNESDAY DEC 1ST Comedy Open Mic 7:30pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club THURSDAY DEC 2ND Pick a Side Stupid 7:30pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club FRIDAY DEC 3RD Stand-Up - 2 Shows 8:00pm and 10:00pm at LOL Comedy Corner Orlando Baxter 7:00pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club SATURDAY DEC 4TH Stand-Up - 2 Shows 8:00pm and 10:00pm at LOL Comedy Corner Orlando Baxter 7:00pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club SUNDAY DEC 5TH Stand-Up 7:00pm at LOL Comedy Corner

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

theloaferonline.com | November 30, 2021

THINGS TO DO

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KNOXVILLE TN

Bristol

Knoxville

PARAMOUNT Nov 16 The Robert Cray Band Dec 2 Jefferson Starship Dec 5 Sara Evans Dec 12 Ronnie Milsap Jan 7 Dailey & Vincent Jan 8 Black Jacket Symphony will perform The Beatles White Album Jan 21 Leo Kottke Jan 30 Bill Engvall Feb 6 Rodney Atkins

TENNESSEE THEATRE Nov 2 TobyMac Nov 4 Kip Moore Nov 10 Watchhouse Dec 1 Robert Earl Keen’s Christmas Show Dec 2 Home Free Dec 4 Manheim Steamroller Dec 8 The Beach Boys Dec 9 Midland Dec 28 Old Crow Medicine Show Jan 8/9 Jason Isbell Feb 19 Drew & Ellie Holcomb Feb 20 Punch Brothers

BRISTOL TN/VA

Dec 7 Jim Brickman Dec 12 Dave Barnes Dec 15 Anderson East Dec 18 Marty Stuart Mar 11 Marc Broussard Apr 6/7 The Wood Brothers Nashville NASHVILLE NASHVILLE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM Nov 6 Erykah Badu

TN

THOMAS WOLFE AUDITORIUM Nov 6 TobyMac Nov 21 Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening Dec 3 Watchhouse Dec 4 Midland Jan 19 Little Feat Feb 8 Pat Metheny Cherokee, N.C.: CHEROKEE

NC

HARRAH’S CASINO Nov 5 Straight No Chaser RYMAN AUDITORIUM Nov 13 In This Moment and Black Nov 10 Crowder Veil Brides with DED and CAMEO THEATER Nov 19/20 Garth Brooks Raven Black Nov 5 Gaelic Storm Nov 24 Three Dog Night Nov 27 Christmas with the Nelsons THOMPSON BOWLING ARENA Dec 11 Dionne Warwick Nov 5 Lynyrd Skynyrd and Tesla Nov 24 ZZ Top (at the Opry House) Jan 15 Dwight Yoakam Dec 3 The Wizards of Winter Nov 11 Lil Baby & Friends w/ Lil Durk Nov 29 Billy Idol and Steve Stevens Dec 4 The Milk Carton Kids Dec 3/ 4 The Mavericks Nov 12 Eric Church Dec 7 The Fab Four CHARLOTTE NC Charlotte Dec 7 Home Free Dec 5 Chris Stapleton Dec 10 Lilly Hiatt Dec 11 Sarah Brightman Jan 29 Reba McEntire Jan 26 Robert Earl Keen Dec 13/14 Amy Grant and Vince Gill SPECTRUM CENTER Nov 20 Genesis KNOXVILLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM Dec 15 Chicago (Opry House) Johnson City JOHNSON CITY TN Nov 2 Gojira Dec 4 Kane Brown Dec 19 For King & Country Nov 10 Bob Dylan Dec 11 Trans-Siberian Orchestra (at the Opry House) FREEDOM HALL Dec 21 Josh Turner Feb 6 Billie Eilish Dec 31 Old Crow Medicine Show Dec 5 Aaron Tippin Jan 13 Jo Koy Feb 15 The Weeknd Feb 23 Dancing With The Stars Feb 26 Eric Church BRIDGESTONE ARENA Greenville GREENVILLE TN Nov 14 MercyMe KNOXVILLE CIVIC COLISEUM THE FILLMORE Nov 17 Jeff Dunham NISWONGER PERFORMING ARTS Oct 27 Kevin Gates Nov 9 Tesla Nov 19 Lauren Daigle & Johnny Swim CENTER Nov 18 Brantley Gilbert Feb 19 Steve Vai Dec 1 Trans-Siberian Orchestra Nov 6 Crowder (sold out) Dec 2 Gaither Vocal Band Feb 14 Dua Lipa Nov 13 Brian Culbertson Jan 13 Riley Green Feb 16 The Weeknd Nov 14 Tracy Byrd Feb 12 Josh Dunham GREENVILLE SC Greenville, SC Dec 5 Preacher Lawson Asheville Dec 10 The Texas Tenors BIJOU THEATRE ASHEVILLE NC BON SECOURS WELLNESS ARENA Jan 7 Russell Moore and IIIrd Nov 5 The Dirty Guvnah’s Nov 10 Foreigner THE ORANGE PEEL Tyme Out Nov 6 & 7 Leanne Morgan Nov 20 Brantley Gilbert Jan 22 Little River Band Nov 9 Crowder Nov 19 James Gregory Dec 3 Nelly Feb 4 Brass Transit-The Musical Nov 10 GWAR Dec 2 Paul Thorn Dec 10 Trans-Siberian Orchestra Legacy of Chicago Dec 3 Acoustic Syndicate Dec 3 Larkin Poe Feb 19 Home Free Dec 17 Eric Church Dec 4 Larkin Poe Dec 14 Anderson East

CALL WQUT @ 477-1015 FOR MORE CONCERT INFORMATION OR VISIT W W W.W Q U T.CO M

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CONCERT SCHEDULE

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K ingsport Ballet

December Calendar of Events New Activities and Programs for December Tuesday, November 9th - Sunday, December 5th - Table Trick Science Discovery Lab Program Bring flair and fun to your holiday meals with our fun experiments! First, try your hand at the good ole’ tablecloth trick, but without the fine china! Then, learn how to make magnetic cereal “swim” and play some musical singing water glasses.

Discovery Lab programs announced periodically throughout each day.

Tuesdays through Thursdays in December - Discovery Cart Activities Stop by our Discovery Cart to explore something new each week. All activities are self-guided. All cart program components and materials must remain on site unless otherwise noted. Each cart activity may contain small parts not suitable for children 3 and under.

November 30th-December 2nd Snap Circuits December 7th-9th - Cubelets Robotic Coding Blocks for Computer Science Education Week December 14th-16th - Paper Airplanes for Wright Brothers day (Yours to keep!)

December 21st-23rd - Legos December 28th-30th - K’nex Tuesday, November 30th - Sunday, January 2nd - Art Studio Programs Join us for a Henri Matisse-inspired collage, Georges-Pierre Seurat-inspired pointillism drawings, and crayon resist watercolor snowflake paintings. All activities are self-guided with instructions provided. Facilitated programs announced periodically throughout each day.

Tuesday, December 7th Sunday, January 9th - Break the Tension Discovery Lab Program Join us as we learn all about the seemingly “magical” bond of water molecules and discover the properties of surface tension.

Try out the Penny Drop, Swimming Fish, Magic Handkerchief, and Rainbow Milk experiments. Discovery Lab programs announced periodically throughout each day.

presents

the n u t c r ac k e r VA L E R I A S I N YAV S K AYA , A R T I S T I C D I R E C TO R

Additional Programming Tesla Experience Shows Enjoy an electrifying, Guinness recordholding experience that honors Nikola Tesla. Watch in amazement as the world’s most powerful, musical, bi-polar Tesla coil turns 240 volts of electricity into 200,000 volts. For your safety, masks are REQUIRED during Tesla shows. Seating is limited. Shows are offered at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, & 4:30 pm. Tickets are $2 per person with general admission.

Paleo Tours Learn more on an up-close tour of the Gray Fossil Site, home to an incredible paleontological operation. See what the paleontology staff has been working on in the excavation pits, in the fossil preparation lab and collections room!

Tours are offered at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, & 4:00 pm. Tickets are $2 per person with general admission.

Operating Hours During December Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm Sunday 1pm-5pm Closed Monday We will be closed Friday, December 24th and Saturday, December 25th

DECEMBER 17-19, 2021

Wellmont Performing Arts Center IN COLL ABORATION WITH ARTISTIC MOTION, GREENSBORO, NC

T I C K E T S : K I N G S P O R T B A L L E T.O R G CORPORATE SPONSORS

S E E A L L O U R G E N E R O U S S P O N S O R S AT K I N G S P O R T B A L L E T. O R G !

As a writer and artist I love being around creative people. If I am not creating I love watching others do their thing and I watch on in amazement as their talents unfold before my eyes. I recently met someone that has the inspiration of being a writer. I have read her work and am very impressed. So impressed was I that I offered her to write her first published work here. And to say she accepted my offer would be a slight understatement.

She was not only thrilled she began working on her column straight away, ideas flowing, opinions asked, keyboard clicking away and then a wonderful story about of one of best friends was produced. Without further adieu I am pleased to introduce the first published work by Lorie MCReynolds…

Who rescued who?

What is your favorite breed of dog? Do you like Schnauzers or a Shar-pai? Or is a German Shepard, a Poodle or a Rottweiler more your style? What about an ordinary mixed dog that you have no idea what breed it is? Well, my favorite breed of dog is a rescue dog. A rescue dog in my opinion is the most special breed of dog.

My first rescue dog was a miniature Schnauzer named Sadie. Her coloring was grey and white. When she looked up at me with those large grey eyes sitting underneath the wildly unkept eyebrows, she stole my heart instantly. She was actually found on the road by a driver with a big heart and a lot of love for animals who saved Sadie from certain death. She was frightened, hungry,

Ponderings to Ponder

By Tim Simpson timsimpson2008 @gmail.com

bleeding, and suffering from what I now know was bladder stones. The very sweet lady who found her took her to a local veterinarian, Dr. Steve Dotson. A mutual friend whom I had told I was looking for a miniature Schnauzer, gave Dr Dotson my information. Poor Sadie was suffering from 5 bladder stones that were the size of a quarter each. Once he performed the surgery, I brought her home to be the newest member of our family. She was a great companion, and I was able to give her 6 more years that she probably wouldn’t have had without me. She was fat and sassy and loved to run and play in the backyard. I could stand and watch her for hours as her little legs bounced through the yard. However, in 2018 she developed cancer and I had to let her go.

To say my heart was broken was a gross understatement. She was my friend, my baby, and my companion. During her illness, Dr Dotson said I would know when

NOIR

it was time. Because she wouldn’t eat her favorite meal – scramble eggs, I knew it was getting close. Letting her go was nothing short of losing a family member.

And at times, I can still see her playing in the yard. She will always be a part of life even though she is not here.

After the heartbreak of losing Sadie, I thought I could never bring another dog into my life. But then Daisy came along.

She was a rescue from South Carolina, also a miniature Schnauzer. Her coloring is all black, she has brown eyes, and a stubby little tail that is always wagging.

A friend of mine that works with rescues sent me a picture of her and it was love at first sight. She is so different than Sadie. Sadie would try to do everything to please me. Daisy, however, just wants me to please her. She is a lot younger and without the health problems Sadie had.

She is feisty and rumbustious and actually

saved me. She came into my life when I was heartbroken, lonely, and needed someone desperately. And God sent her to me. So, my title says it all – Who Rescued Who? Daisy came into my life at a time when so many things were turned upside down. She gave me something to focus on. Something to take care of.

Something to love, and something that would return that love. So, I may have been the one that rescued her, but in all reality, she was the one that rescued me. So the next time your child or you decides on getting a dog, you might want to consider getting a dog to rescue.

Please enjoy one free audio review copy of Lady Z (M Book 8), now available on Audible. Redeem the one-time use code below at https://www.audible.com/acxpromo 4UTMZH4PJZN2M

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Who Rescued Who?

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Your brand colors tell your customers what you can offer them. Will you be packing their order in eco friendly packaging?

Offering them sales? Or maybe just wanting to put them at ease? The color you choose subtly gives a hint about your intentions.

Blue branding creates trust and a feeling of relaxation. It puts your customers into a calm state where they feel comfortable with their purchasing decisions.

If the buyer does not regret their purchase, the sale is retained instead of returned.

Excite your audience by creating red branding. Sales branding in red will attract budget conscious buyers to your store who will

Social Sentiments

By Wendy Hayden socialsentiments @outlook.com

socialsentiments.net

likely be able to purchase more due to lower pricing.

Optimism in your brand shows through yellow branding. Yellow creates a vision for a successful future with your brand.

Returning customers create a steady profit flow. Yellow branding can subtly assist customers in seeing their future through shopping with you.

A friendly environment can be created through orange branding.

Friendly service is an important factor in creating consistent sales. Customers will want to return to your store knowing they will receive friendly service, which is uncommon in our fast paced world.

A peaceful and eco friendly vibe can be created through green imagery. A focus has been placed on environmentally friendly products and services over the past few years and green branding shows that you are in tune with the path the rest of the world is taking.

Any color outside of this list that speaks to your brand should be used in conjunction with the color of the mood you are attempting to create. The ultimate goal is to create a subtle connection that resonates with your customers and your brand and creates return business.

theloaferonline.com | November 30, 2021

What Do Your Brand Colors Imply About You?

theloaferonline.com November 30, 2021

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Connections Between Work and Music Join us Tuesday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. for the next Virtual Speaker Series as the curatorial team at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum discusses how music is interwoven throughout the history of America’s workforce. The online event is free and open to the public via Zoom, but pre-registration is required. Visit the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org to register.

For this program, museum Head Curator Rene Rodgers, Curatorial Manager Erika Barker, and Digital Media, Programming & Exhibit Logistics Manager Scotty Almany will thoughtfully explore how workers’ anthems and union movement songs have been used by the workforce to propel and signal change, how music tells stories of hard labor and tragedy, and the ways that music can influence workflow and productivity.

This Virtual Speaker Series is companion programming to The Way We Worked, the current special exhibit at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum from the Smithsonian

Traveling Exhibition Service, on display through January 23, 2022.

The Way We Worked explores how work became such a central element in American culture by tracing the many changes that affected the workforce and work environments over the past 150 years. The diversity of the American workforce is one of its strengths, providing an opportunity to explore how people of all races and ethnicities identified commonalities and worked to knock down barriers in the professional world. The exhibition shows how we identify with work - as individuals and communities.

museum since it opened in 2014. He is also a musician and hosts Scotty’s Tune-Up each Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. on WBCM Radio Bristol, which broadcasts from the museum. Erika Barker earned her Master’s in Historical Administration from Eastern Illinois University and has

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, has created a supplementary display related to work in Bristol and the surrounding region from major manufacturing and resource extraction (e.g. coal, timber) to retail, food services, farming, local industry, and the local newspaper.

Scotty Almany received his Master’s in Museum Studies from John Hopkins University and has worked at the

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been with the museum since 2017 and is currently studying Korean. Dr. Rene Rodgers holds a Master’s and Ph.D. from Durham University in the U.K. and was part of the museum’s staff prior to opening as a member of the exhibit content development team.

by Kathie Scalf

If you’ve been following along, you probably know I’m the proud momma of 3 pint-sized monsters, otherwise known as my henchmen, or just dogs.

Two Chihuahuas and a PomeranianShih Tzu mix barely make up 1 whole regular sized dog in theory, but for 1 person living alone it’s quite the handful. These dogs dictate the majority of my days; they impact who I see, how I entertain, where I travel, for how long I’m away and even how much I sleep. I know every mother who reads this will scoff at me, but as someone who isn’t birthing another human, these dogs literally are my children and I treat them as such.

of jobs, went to school full-time and socialized way too much. Little Mouse Man was spending a lot of time lonely at home, so I decided he needed a pal. Since he was so tiny and my living quarters were tight, I obviously had to get another toy breed dog. I personally prefer to adopt as opposed to buying from breeders, so when I stumbled across Small Breed Rescue of East Tennessee (SBRET) it seemed like pretty serendipitous timing. There was my Skeletor, or as they had him named at the time ‘Wizard.’ Picked up running the mean streets of Kentucky, he was the right size and age for When I was a freshman in college, one companionship and after a successful of my courses required volunteerism home visit from the agency, he moved in making us a family of 3. in exchange for credits. So as an animal lover, I dedicated 10 hours For 10 years it was like that, until I saw a week of my time to scooping this scraggly brown bundle of joy on poop and slobbery snuggles at the my Facebook feed being given away Washington County Animal Shelter. by a former schoolmate. By that time My parents never let me have a dog it was 2015, I was married and living growing up and it was something I in a 3 bedroom house with a yard and always wanted, so it’s no surprise parents just 5 minutes away. Three within a few weeks of my time there I dogs didn’t seem overwhelming and brought my work home with me.

I had a bit of puppy fever. I asked the Mousey was this tiny little 4lb critter, girl to bring him over to see how he scared and shaking in a big concrete interacted with the other two, but cell. He looked like a fox, curled up on once she showed up without so much one sad blanket and I couldn’t fathom as a leash and told me he hadn’t how someone could have abandoned even been taken to a vet nor given a something this small and helpless on name, I knew we were keeping him skid row. Living alone in a 500 square regardless. And so came Sherman, my lovable little teddy monster with foot apartment with no parents nonstop energy and an underbite no standing in my way to say no, I ran one can resist. to the front desk and put down the money for adoption and neutering It is now 2021 and my life has done a and within a couple of days he was complete 180 from anything I could recovering from surgery in his new have imagined when I signed those home on the Tree Streets. adoption papers for Mousey back in 2005. I’ve been a dog mom for almost After about a year or so of living half my life now. These guys have just the two of us, I was your typical been with me through every major busy college kid. I worked a couple moment, from college graduation, breakups, a wedding, 3 moves and career changes. Although Mousey and Skeletor are the same age, they’re aging at different rates. Aside

from some cataracts, Skelly still acts like a dog in his prime, but Mousey is advancing pretty rapidly, especially over the last year or two. His vision and hearing are halfway gone, he has doggy alzheimers and arthritis and is more susceptible to allergies. I have to give him oral medication daily, as well as medicated baths multiple times a week. He gets confused and anxious and he can’t hold his bladder, but every time we come back from a walk he’s the first one to bound up the stairs and do the zoomies for his treat so he’s still got a lot of life left in him.

Through all these stages of life, I’ve never once considered getting rid of my dogs. As stupid as I was at 19, I knew I was signing on for a lifetime commitment and there was basically no circumstance that would require me disposing of these animals. This time of year, people get the urge to gift their loved ones with living, breathing presents. With so many animals out there in need I obviously love to see pets go to loving homes, but unfortunately many people don’t fully comprehend the scale of what they’re signing on for. Animals are not something you try on to see if it fits your lifestyle then decide to keep or discard. You should do your homework far in advance before you ever bring a pet home, regardless if it’s a dog, a cat, a bird or lizard or even a fish tank. Depending on the breed or species, some animals will outlive you! Are you prepared for the unexpected financial burden of vet bills, food, proper grooming and repair of destructed property? Are you committed to constant cleaning of hair or potty accidents? How about going outside in the freezing cold or oppressive heat multiple times a day for walks, even when you’re busy or sick? These are the factors no one considers when they’re blinded by puppy dog eyes and wet noses.

You also must be prepared for losing your pets. With the exception of some birds and reptiles who can live up to 50 years, most animals with loving care are only here for 10-20 years.

While Mousey still has his spunk, I know every day he’s getting a little

older, a little slower and having more health issues. When the time comes, I’m going to probably have to make a humane life and death decision and it weighs on me to the point of sickness. Then I realize I’m going to have to do that 3 times in my life and it’s crippling.

I love my little dogs like children and I wouldn’t trade them for the world, but it’s not easy. If you’re planning on giving the gift of unconditional love in animal form this Christmas, be aware of what a major commitment it actually is. There is no greater bond than that between a human and animal when loved properly, but if you’re not fully prepared to take on everything that goes with it, it’s cruel and irresponsible to have them. Do your research and if you’re in a good place to house another mouth to feed, go forth and prosper. I only ask that you consider adoption over breeders.

There are millions of animals filling shelters and rescues in this country.

Save a life if you can. You never know, they could be the thing saving yours. I know my dogs sure have.

XO - Kathie

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Hairy Holidays

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As Christmas is rapidly approaching I decided to take in a viewing of a holiday film currently playing on Netflix entitled "The Claus Family."

The film is a Dutch-Belgain production and features a different take on Santa Claus.

The story involves a family, headed by mom Suzanne (Bracha van Doesburgh), who move from The Netherlands to Belgium after the tragic death of her husband. Suzanne's children, Jules (Mo Bakker) and Noor (Amber Metdepenningen) have very different feelings about moving and the approaching holiday. Due to the death of his father on the previous year's Christmas Eve, Jules now has a loathing for Christmas and anything holiday related while Noor is excited about all the holiday trappings.

While dealing with the move and her children adapting to their new home and lives, Suzanne begins working at a local biscuit (cookies in the US) factory and has her father in law Noel Claus (Jan Decleir) watch after Jules and Noor while she is at work. Suzanne's father in law owns a toy shop

Pop Life

By Ken Silvers ksilvers@ theloaferonline.com

in town and the kids get to stay there during the day, which leads to an unexpected discovery

by Jules. Jules finds a magical snow globe which can transfer a person to any place in the world.

When he has the globe Jules is transported to various locations in the world eventually finding himself at Santa's workshop.

With this unexpected stop, Jules discovers his grandfather is Santa Claus. Even this surprising fact still doesn't warm Jules to the Christmas holiday, but he eventually has a change of heart after he discovers his grandfather has health issues which may prevent him from delivering toys to the children of the world. Thus, Jules is forced to prepare to take over for his grandfather in the role of Santa Claus. While Jules is going through life changing events, his mom Suzanne is dealing with harsh working conditions at the biscuit factory as the factory's biscuits are falling out of favor for the holiday season and bankruptcy is a real possibility.

The factory's harsh manager has even overruled Suzanne's idea to make the biscuits more colorful and tasty, until a Christmas miracle occurs (of course there must be one, or maybe two) making for a happy holiday for all involved. As Jules is preparing for his Christmas Eve adventure, he discovers he comes (*spoiler alert*) from a long line of family members who have taken on the role of Santa Claus, including his later father. After the aforementioned revelation, Jules decides to take on the role of the latest Santa Claus and is once more able to find the joy and magic of Christmas. I really enjoyed how this film takes a

completely different take on Santa other than the one we, as Americans, are accustomed to. There is not a reindeer or sleigh in sight, but there are elves on hand to help the latest Santa in his yearly effort. It was also fun to see Christmas in a different country, of course with the expected snow storm, which I believe would have a greater probability of occuring in Belgium than in most places in the United States, even though

we had snow last Christmas Eve. The actors are all wonderful, and the script is touching without being schmaltzy. I suggest you take a chance on Christmas in Belgium with "The Claus Family" for a real holiday treat. Now showing on Netflix.

(Rated TV-PG)

theloaferonline.com | November 30, 2021

The Claus Family

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Mars Hill Theatre Arts and SART Present Two Holiday Productions The Mars Hill University Department of Theatre Arts and the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre (SART) will present two co-produced events for the 2021 holiday season: “A Southern Appalachian Christmas Concert” and “A Christmas Carol.” Both productions will be presented in-person at Owen Theatre on the university campus, and “A Christmas Carol” also will be available in an on-demand online format.

virtual performances will be available on-demand from December 20-26.

Based on the classic tale by Charles Dickens, these performances are a new adaptation of the beloved classic adapted by Dwight Chiles. The productions will be directed by Dominic Michael Aquilino and will feature Michael Lilly in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

“A Southern Appalachian Christmas Concert” is Saturday, December 4, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, December 5, at 2 p.m. It will feature professional performers alongside the MHU theatre arts performance ensemble, Showstoppers. This fundraiser concert is pay-what-you-can at the door, benefiting both the theatre arts department and SART’s programming.

All patrons in Owen Theatre will be required to wear a mask upon entering the facility and for the duration of the production.

In-person performances of “A Christmas Carol’’ will be December 9-19, and

Tickets for “A Christmas Carol” are available at www.sartplays.com.

Standard seats are $28, premium seats are $32, and the virtual pass is $25. For more information, contact the SART box office at (828) 689-1232 or sart@mhu.edu.

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Warner Archive brings a pair of mysteries to blu-ray for the first time this month. For about a year now Warner Archive has slowly been releasing each film in the beloved “Thin Man” franchise on blu-ray. Though earlier this year I predicted we might get the whole series out by the end of the year, it looks like I’m going to be off a little as this month they brought us the penultimate film in the series, 1944’s “The Thin Man Goes Home.” The other mystery they released is perhaps the best murder-mystery of the 1970s, if not the best mystery film ever made, 1973’s “The Last of Sheila.”

Actor Anthony Perkins, best known for playing Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” and composer Stephen Sondheim, best known for—look if you don’t know who Stephen Sondheim is you need to get your priorities straight—were known for holding elaborate

Batteries Not Included

By Andy Ross aross@ theloaferonline.com

game parties. Clever scavenger hunts and mystery nights would send their friends all over New York City looking for clues.

Director Herbert Ross took part in one such night and was so impressed by it all he suggested that the two turn one of their games into a movie.

With an all-star cast featuring Richard Benjamin, Dyan Cannon, James Coburn, Raquel Welch, and James Mason “The Last of Sheila” is both a movie and a game at the same time. This is a movie you not just watch but play along with. A movie producer invites a group of his friends to his yacht for a week of fun and parlor games of his own invention to mark the first anniversary of the hit-and-run death of his wife. But the playful mystery soon takes a deadly turn.

“The Last of Sheila” plays fair with the clues, if you watch and pay attention, you can solve the murder. It’s a movie that rewards multiple viewings as you see what was layered in to get to the final solution. Even the title of the movie is a clue. It’s a fantastic movie and a film that doesn’t get enough attention. From start to finish, it’s absolutely wonderful entertainment. The new blu-ray from Warner Archive was sourced from a new 4K scan of the original camera negative. It looks the best the film has ever looked.

The old DVD looked fine, but this is leaps and bounds ahead of the game.

Ported over from that DVD release is the very fun audio commentary with Benjamin, Cannon, and Welch. The three offer remembrances of the film

and share anecdotes about the making. It’s a very relaxed track, but very fun to listen to as well.

Fans of mysteries should buy this movie, full stop. It’s quite influential and was cited as a huge inspiration for the recent film “Knives Out.” If you liked that movie, you must see “The Last of Sheila.”

Slowly but surely, all six films in the great “Thin Man” series starring William Powell and Myrna Loy as your favorite married detective couple and mine, Nick and Nora Charles, are making their way to blu-ray.

“The Thin Man Goes Home” is the fifth film in the six-film franchise and sees Nick and Nora going to Nick’s hometown to visit his parents. As word gets around that famed detective Nick Charles is in town, everyone wonders what he’s really doing there? It must be to investigate something going on.

This spook some people in town and next thing you know, a man is murdered on the doorstep of Nick’s childhood home.

Despite Nick getting there for a little vacation, it seems murder follows him wherever he goes.

This is one of my favorite films in the franchise, and though the latter films might not be as good as the earlier ones, the franchise never really overstayed its welcome. It’s always a delight and treasure to spend him with Nick and Nora, and this new blu-ray’s transfer from a 4K restoration made from the best surviving elements looks the best the film has ever looked.

The black and white is clear and sharp, right in line with the other Thin Man films Warner Archive has released. Extras from

the 15-year-old DVD release are ported over, A short by Robert Benchley, and a Screwball Squirrel cartoon—this time in HD as it’s appears on one of Warner Archive’s great Tex Avery blu-rays as well. A great package for a fun film that is worth your time.

That’s all for this month, hopefully, it won’t be too much longer before we get the last Thin Man film, “Song of the Thin Man” on blu-ray. I hope no later than February personally.

Both of these discs are highly recommended by yours truly.

See you next week.

theloaferonline.com | November 30, 2021

The Thin Man Goes Sheila

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