The Loafer 62

EAT • SHOP • PLAY THE LOAFER’S LOCAL CHRISTMAS

Tis the Season for Giving.

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

your week’s line-up

Volume 03 Issue 62

03

Rocky Mount Celebrates the Holidays with Christmas Tours

04 Spotlight 07 Karaoke 07 Trivia 08 Puzzle Page 09 Pets of the Week 11 Things To Do 12. The ABC's of Chhristmas 14 Bike Events 22 WQUT Concert Schedule

Contributing Staff Andy Ross Kathie Scalf Ken Silvers Wendy Hayden Ann Hartley

The Loafer Po Box 39 Telford, Tn 37690 423-930-7319 www.theloafer.net theloaferonlineprint@gmail.com 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.

Founder: Bill Williams

LBD FAMILY MEDIA Let’s Get Social!

NOTE

FROM THE

PUBLISHER Hello Friends!

December is here and the count down to the big guy sliding down our chimney is on! How many of you believe in Santa? Call me crazy but I do! All of my adult children will tell you the same.

Pastors Victor and Matthew Young from Fountain of Life Bible Church give a wonderful sermon on the origin of Santa and it has kept me a believer for all of my years. If you ever have the opportunity to hear them speak about Christmas, I would encourage you to attend. I would love to hear about your Christmas traditions. My kids are making hot chocolate nonstop, decorating trees and counting the down the days with their advent calendars.

What are your traditions?

Have a great week and stay warm!

columns & reviews

theloafer.net |December 6, 2022

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15 Beanz Biker Corner Hot Chocolate 17

Social Sentiments: Cringe Worthy Social Media Mistakes

19 Tea Time with Appalachian Barbie:

Time Traveling for my Sanity 21 Pop Life: A Christmas Story Christmas 23 Batteries Not Included: Attack of the 50 ft. Woman

Take Care, Lisa Durbin Publisher

3

your tour of the historic property, you will get to know the Cobb family, the Governor, and many of their friends and neighbors.

The Rocky Mount State Historic Site in Piney Flats, Tennessee, is holding its annual Christmas tours.

Visit the home that hosted Tennessee’s first frontier families and learn about the Christmas Traditions of 1791.

Christmas celebrations stretching from the colonial era to the present day have been witnessed by the Historic Cobb House at Rocky Mount for hundreds of years.

The historic homestead is decorated for Christmas with traditional decorations from the 1700s, and tours are available to the public throughout the season. During

We offer three different tour types during the holiday season: our Behindthe-Scenes and Colonial Christmas tours, which take place during the day, and our annual Candlelight Christmas tours, which take place at night. You will be able to witness how we prepare for Christmas and discover historical holiday customs.

This is a unique opportunity to see how Christmas was celebrated in the eighteenth century.

Our Candlelight Christmas tours are popular among visitors during this time of year. During the tour, you’ll be transported back to Christmas Eve 1791, when the Cobb home is decked out in fresh greenery, lighted by candles, and full of cheer.

As the evening draws in and

by phone in order to attend.

Our Candlelight Christmas tours will take place on the 9th, and 10th of December.

Adults are $15, while children and seniors are $12. Rocky Mount provides discounts for groups of ten or more, as well as Rocky Mount Historical Association members.

the rooms are filled with the flickering glow of candles, experience the wonderful hospitality of the Cobb family and their esteemed guests, Governor Blount and his wife. Our evening tours will conclude with an indoor reception that will include photos with Santa, local merchants, crafts, hot cocoa, and tasty treats.

Our daylight Christmas tours are currently underway, with limited tickets available.

Tickets must be purchased in advance on our website or

Rocky Mount is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Rocky Mount Historical Association operates the site under a contract with the Tennessee Historical Commission. For more information, please call 423-538-7396 or email rockymountmuseum@gmail. com. Find us on Facebook at www.faceboook.com/ rockymountmuseum and @ RockyMount TN on Twitter and Instagram.

The Rocky Mount State Historic Site is located at 200 Hyder Hill Road in Piney Flats, Tennessee- just off Highway 11-E, midway between Johnson City and Piney Flats.

theloafer.net | December 6, 2022

Rocky Mount Celebrates the Holidays with Christmas Tours

Spotlight

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Jeff Woods Band 6:00pm at Delta Blues BBQ MONDAY Dec 13th Anthony Childress 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

Johnson City, Tn Johnson City, TN

Bristol TN/Va Bristol, TN/VA WEDNESDAY Dec 7th Scotty Melton 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House THURSDAY Dec 8th Trevor Meade 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House FRIDAY Dec 9th Duo Trevor Meade and Ashlyn Mullins | JP Parsons 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House SATURDAY Dec 10th Monthly Community Jam 2:00pm at Birthplace of Country Music Museum Lil John Chrisley followed by the Dirty Hippies 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House Bobby Clay & The Hillbilly Borrachos 7:00pm at State Street Brewing

TUESDAY Dec 6th Brim & Marci Leal 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza WEDNESDAY Dec 7th HB Beverly 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza THURSDAY Dec 8th Bob Dylan Tribute Show w/ Julie and Willie 4:00pm at Mulligan’s Gaming Pub Justin Mychals 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza Scott Miller 7:00pm at the Down Home FRIDAY Dec 9th Dang Gina 7:00 at Wild Wing Cafe Scott Miller 7:00pm at the Down Home Ugly Sweater Party w/ J.r. & The Big Guns 8:00pm at Tulip’s Grub and Pub Sonic Weapon | MoonScar | Mindset 10:00pm at Capones SATURDAY Dec 10th Wyldeheart 7:00 at Wild Wing Cafe

Some Old Friends 7:00pm at Mulligans Gaming & Pub Scott Miller 7:00pm at the Down Home Giovannie and the Hired Guns 10:00pm at Capone’s Kingsport Kingsport, TN

Abingdon Abingdon, VA FRIDAY Dec 9th Teni Rane 7:00pm at Tumbling Creek Cider Company SATURDAY Dec 10th

FRIDAY Dec 9th Big Son 7:00pm at Gypsy Circus Cider Company Stone Creek Four 8:00pm at CJ’s Sports Bar

Denim on Denim Disco Party 6:00pm at Wolf Hills Brewing

SATURDAY Dec 10th Tequila Mockingbird 9:00pm at CJ’s Sports Bar

Carson Peters Christmas Concert 8:00pm at Bonnie Kate Theatre

lizabethton Elizabethton, TN SATURDAY Dec 10th

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

5

theloafer.net | December 6, 2022

2106 E Main St. Johnson City TN • 423.262.8161

ARE YOU LOOKING TO SELL YOUR VEHICLE? LOOK NO FURTHER! We are now accepting vehicles to our auto auction from the public, it costs NOTHING to run the vehicle through our auction, you will only pay a fee if your vehicle is sold!

Come by and see us or message us on Facebook for more information!

Here is what you will need: 1: Clean title to vehicle in your name 2: Set a reserve price on your vehicle (what does it take to sell it) 3: Form of ID That’s it! Bring your vehicles by and we will get them checked in for the upcoming sales!

Buyer/Seller Fees: $1-$5000 = $100 $5,001-$10,000 = $175 $10,001-$20,000 = $200 $20,001 or more = $225

NO SALE = NO CHARGE

facebook.com/HammerTimeAutoAuction

1ST DEALER AUCTION: DECEMBER 8TH AT 6:00 PM

theloafer.net |December 6, 2022

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Get Your Home Ready for Winter!

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TUESDAY TUESDAY

Karaoke at Numan’s - JohnsonEntertainment City Karaoke with Absolute at The Pub Out Back Karaoke with Bert & L.A. at Kingsport Moose Lodge 7pm (The Italian Pizza Pub) - Johnson City 7pm

WEDNESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City Karaoke Night at Eric Wonderland Karaoke w/ HuskinsLounge VFW and PostBar 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm Karaoke at Quaker Steak and Lube (Bristol, VA) 7pm Karaoke Night at Wonderland Lounge and Bar Karaoke at- Kingsport Lodge Johnson Moose City, TN 9pm6pm Karaoke at Thunder Tavern 8pm Karaoke with RonValley at Kingsport Moose Lodge 6:30pm

THURSDAY THURSDAY

Karaoke at Zachary’s Steakhouse Karaoke with Karaoke with Open Mic Entertainment Michael’s Krazy Karaoke at Stateline Bar & Grill at Wild Wing Café Johnson City,atTN Karaoke w/ DJ Marquez Top Shelf Entertainment Wild8pm Wings Café JC Karaoke at Numan’s Johnson City, TN 10pm Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City Karaoke at Jiggy Rays Pizzeria - Johnson City, TN Karaoke at Jiggy Rays Pizzeria Abby’s Hell Yeah at CJ’s Sports Bar - Kingsport, TN 8pm Karaoke w/Tony & Rod Karaoke at CJ’s Sports Bar 8pm Karaoke at Tipsy Toad Tavern JonesboroughTN Karaoke at Tipsy Toad (Jonesborough) Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Tulips Grub & Pub 8pm 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 FrenchPost Quarter Restaurant Karaoke w/ Eric Huskins VFW 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City, TN 10pm Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment Rainbow Asian Karaoke w/ ShaneatRouse at Bear’s Bar Cuisine 9pm 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 w/ Eric Huskins VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm Karaoke at Elizabethton VFW Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Tulips Grub & Pub 8-11 Karaoke w/ Michael Hawkins at Holiday Inn (Exit 7) – Bristol, VA Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City, TN 10pm 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

FRIDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

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 Gypsy Circus Cider Company - Trivia 7:00pm

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

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.**

theloafer.net | December 6, 2022

KARAOKE Kara ke

7

theloafer.net |December 6, 2022

8

SODOKU

CROSWORD

DROP QUOTE

ACROSS 1. "O" lead-in, in song 5. Diuretic's target 10. Remini of "The King of Queens" 14. Prehistoric stone implement 15. 1983 comedy about a stayat-home dad 16. Car bar 17. Dance in a ring 19. Fraternal org. letters 20. Furthermore 21. Oversalivate 22. Steven Bochco series 26. Take in new tenants 30. New York waterway 34. African virus 35. Canadian senator Lillian 36. Longoria or Peron 37. Corrupt

C RYPTO G RA M RK RA KIF LQRMRPFBF EC KIEAF SIE CFWQ PEMF KE ODQGFQ KIEAF SIE GE TEK CFWQ RK! —May Sarton

39. Lost speed 42. Rapper Dr. ___ 43. Freshwater fish 47. "What ___ mood I'm in..."

48. Undecided answer 51. Power units 52. Place known for its fried chicken 54. Mile High Center architect 57. Before 62. Manhattan neighborhood 63. Look for the best deal 66. Hindustani language 67. Actress Bo 68. Foe in the first Indiana Jones movie 69. Irritant 70. King Abdullah subject 71. Part of GE

Answers to last week’s puzzles can be found on page 09.

DOWN 1. German "genuine" 2. Architect Pei 3. Actress Sommer of "The Money Trap" 4. Passage through old Rome 5. Clear out 6. Sagged 7. RFK's brother 8. Brother of Curly 9. Actress Adams or Poehler 10. ___ tar pits 11. ___ 67 (Montreal fair) 12. Potatoes, in Pondicherry 13. Ne'er-do-well 18. Gossipy sorts 21. French nobleman 23. Not sweet, as wine 24. Razor brand 25. Albanian dough 26. ___-wip topping 27. TV movie critic of note 28. Like ears 29. She, in Lisbon 31. Inexperienced in 32. Circumvent 33. Hauls aboard 38. Garden with forbidden fruit 40. Perry Mason, e.g.

41. Time, in Torino 44. Industrious critter 45. Angela Merkel's party (abbr.)

46. Broke loose 49. Barely make do 50. Eastern Canadian prov.

53. Sturdy twilled fabric 54. "The jig ____!"

55. Less is ____ 56. Some grads 58. Primo 59. In two parts 60. Eleven to an eleve 61. Money guarantor, for short 63. '60s sit-in org.

64. "Is ___ Keeper?"

(Cosmo headline, maybe) 65. Sch. named for an evangelist

3107 W. Market Street Suite 1 Johnson City, TN (423) 328-7991

La dy

ERIN MCARDLE LAW CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR LEGAL NEEDS. • Criminal Defense • Juvenile/Family Law

Lady is the sweetest thing! She is a 12 yr old domestic long haired beauty that loves sitting on your lap, loves being brushed, is very easy to handle and calm natured and look at those whiskers !!! Lady is pretty healthy for an FIV+ cat. She gets stressed around

other cats although maybe with just one, in a calm environment, she might do just fine. Lady would be a great couch buddy for these cold days! She has been spayed, current on vaccinations and microchipped.

Let the experience work for you.

ERIN MCARDLE LAW erinmcardlelaw@gmail.com

www.erinmcardlelaw.com

Get unparelled legal representation from a former prosecutor who has handled thousands of criminal matters and has tried difficult jury trials.

S

Last Week's Puzzle Answers

ha

Crossword

Cryptogram:

Dropquote:

"A man could spend the rest of his life trying to remember what he shouldn't have said."

"Wit has truth in it; wisecracking is simply calisthenics with words."

de

Sudoku

Hi!! My name is Shade! My owner is needing to rehome me as her living situation has changed. I am a Walker Hound and just turned 3 years old in October. I have been neutered, current on

vaccinations and I’m house trained. I am very active and have no health issues. I get along with other dogs, with kids and am curious about cats.

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

theloafer.net | December 6, 2022

PETS

OF THE WEEK

9

theloafer.net |December 6, 2022

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Become Our Next Tennessee Talent Office, Remote and Hybrid work available | $17 per hour We Want You Opportunities for promotion Tremendous bonus opportunities Employee Ownership Program Healthcare and other benefits Locations in Johnson City, Boones Creek, Kingsport, & Blountville ACT is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To Apply Now Text ACTTODAY to 51893 | careers.acttoday.com

JOHNSON CITY

KINGSPORT

JONESBOROUGH

SATURDAYS

WEDNESDAY DEC 7TH

TUESDAY DEC 6TH

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

Call for info Bill 423-444-6107 or Cheryl 423-262-6149

IBN Biz Lunch 11:30am at Pratt's BBQ

Jonesborough Storytelling Guild “Stories n’More” Show 7:00pm at The International Storytelling Center

FRIDAY DEC 9TH

Fresh Pine Christmas Wreath SATURDAY DEC 10TH 5:30pm at The Inventor Center Santa’s Christmas Village 11:00am SATURDAY DEC 10TH at Downtown Jonesborough Blue Ridge Artisan Days – Christmas Edition 10:00am at Historic Jonesborough Town Tour 1:00pm at Chester Inn Kingsport Farmers Market State Historic Site Winter Wonderland Swim Christmas Parade 6:00pm 12:00pm at Kingsport at Downtown Jonesborough Aquatic Center SUNDAY DEC 11TH SUNDAY DEC 11TH A Christmas Carol:

Johnson City Love & Hiking Date For Couples (Self-Guided) 7:00am at Willow Springs Park Winter Wonderland 4:00pm at Johnson CIty Public Library Nocturnal Art Market 6:00pm at Little Animals Brewery Photos with Santa 6:15 at Founders Park SATURDAY DEC 10TH Johnson City Love & Hiking Date For Couples (Self-Guided) 7:00am at Willow Springs Park Storytime & Paint: How to Catch the Gingerbread Man 10:00am at Into the Fire Candy Land Christmas Holiday Market 10:00am at Founders Park SUNDAY DEC 11TH Jingle 5K 6:00am at King Commons Park Johnson City Love & Hiking Date For Couples (Self-Guided) 7:00am at Willow Springs Park

FRIDAY DEC 9TH

1818 Christmas 2:00pm at the Netherland Inn

BRISTOL FRIDAY DECEMBER 9TH

To Kill a Mockingbird Auditions

December 5,6,7 Theatre Bristol Art Space

Important audition information including times, rehearsal and performance dates, and additional details are at www.TheatreBristol.org/audition.

SUNDAY DEC 11TH Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon Community Center

PINEY FLATS FRIDAY DEC 10TH Candlelight Christmas Tours 5:00pm at Rocky Mount State Historic Site SATURDAY DEC 11TH Candlelight Christmas Tours 5:00pm at Rocky Mount State Historic Site

ELIZABETHTON SATURDAY DEC 11TH Christmas Parade 6:00pm at Downtown Elizabethton

A Live Radio Play 2:00pm at Jonesborough Repertory Theatre

ABINGDON, VA

WEDNESDAY DEC 7TH Blue Ridge's Funniest 8:00pm Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon at Blue Ridge Comedy Club Community Center SATURDAY DEC 10TH FRIDAY DEC 9TH Brunch with Santa 11:00am Movies for Grown-Ups at Black Wolf Harley-Davidson 2:00pm at Washington Board Game Night! 5:00pm at Bristol Public Library

County Public Library

SATURDAY DEC 10TH

Blue Ridge's Funniest 8:00pm Holiday Market 10:00am at at Blue Ridge Comedy Club Abingdon Farmers Market

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

theloafer.net | December 6, 2022

THINGS TO DO

CASTING CALL

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EAT • S A TM

LOAFE HE R ’ -T

P • PLAY O SH

S

theloafer.net |December 6, 2022

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Christmas! My favorite time of the year.

The time to enjoy family and friends and remember the reason for the season…….

Jesus! We are so excited to bring you the ABCs of Christmas again this year on a Santa train. This year our theme is Shop, Eat and Play local. I would really like to encourage everyone to spend your holiday budget locally as much as possible. We need to work hard to keep these local businesses going. Online shopping so convenient and sometimes we need it but please don’t forget the local stores. I hope that you will take the time to look through the ads and make plans to visit some of them. We will focus on Christmas the next 3 weeks.

-Lisa Durbin, Publisher

Eat, Shop and Play Local!

CAL CHR LO I S

13

When: By Dec. 21. Also includes the final day of snow in Glen Bruce Park from 6-7 p.m. until Mother Nature takes over.

Johnson City

Kingsport

What: Those 16 years and under can send a letter to Santa. Place the letters in a special mailbox at the Memorial Park Community Center without any postage. Santa’s helpers will ensure the letters make it to the North Pole before Christmas Eve. 510 Bert St., Johnson City Dec. 1-19, Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. through 8 p.m.

More information: 423-434-5749

What: Free carousel rides with Santa.

Includes reindeer games with Parks and Recreation. Plus, more snow!

When: Friday, Dec. 16. Carousel is 1-3 p.m. Snow is at 1 p.m.

Old Fashioned Christmas Fair Where: Kingsport Senior Center When: Saturday, Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m.

Santa’s Mailbox

Blountville

Kingsport Carousel Christmas

Polar Express Christmas

What: A special holiday viewing at the Kingsport Public Library When: Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m.

Candyland Christmas More: This day also includes snow in What: Two Johnson City parks Kingsport at 4 and 6 p.m. decked out with decorated and lit at Glen Bruce Park Christmas trees Snow in Bruce Park/ Professional Where: Founders and King Christmas Photos Commons parks What: Eric Donahue Photography will When: Nov. 26-Jan.8 be in the park snapping pics of you and www.downtownjc.com/candyland your loved ones When: Saturday, Dec. 10 from 6-8 p.m.

Bristol The snow begins at 7 p.m.

Winter Wonderland

What: First-ever Christmas tree display Where: Cumberland Square and Downtown Center When: Nov. 28 through Jan. 2 Mountain Empire Children’s Choral Academy Christmas Conert Blackbird Bakery in Bristol, Virginia, on Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Snow in Centennial Park

theloafer.net | December 6, 2022

Local Christmas Events

What: Kingsport is bringing snow to the park. Will also include Santa, caroling, and the Grinch.

When: Saturday, Dec. 9 from 6:30-8 p.m.

Snow and hot chocolate begin at 7 p.m.

More: Click here for further information.

Vote for Your Favorite Tree What: Cast your vote for Kingsport’s best Christmas tree

Blountville Christmas Market

Where: Blountville Christian Church located at 1680 Blountville Blvd.

When: Dec. 10 -10 a.m through 3 p.m.

More: Sponsored by the Friends of the Blountville Library

Blountville Christmas Tree Lighting Where: Historic Sullivan County Courthouse located at 3425 TN-126 When: Dec. 8 at 6 p.m.

More: The lighting of a 30-foot Douglas fir on the courthouse lawn and a second tree lighting by the Hope for Victims Support and Advocacy Group in remembrance of victims of violence.

West Ridge High School’s choral ensemble will sing Christmas carols.

Blountville Festival of Trees

What: The first-ever festival with over a dozen trees that are decorated by area businesses and organizations Where: The Old Deery Inn located at 3397 TN-126 in Blountville When: Dec. 16 from 6-8 p.m., Dec. 10 from 1-3 p.m. and Dec. 11 and 18 f rom 2-4 p.m.

Bluff City

Bluff City Christmas Parade Where: Main Street When: Dec. 10 at 5 p.m.

JOHNSON CITY 127 Spring Street Johnson City, TN 423.926.9260 KINGSPORT 217 Broad Street Kingsport, TN 423.392.4777 BRISTOL 514 State Street Bristol, TN

A

is for Abingdon Olive Oil

B

boomtownandco.com

is for Boomtown

C

is for Co-Op

theloafer.net |December 6, 2022

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]

Create Festive Trees for Less Hosts and hostesses celebrating Christmas often find that Christmas trees are the focal point of a well-decorated home.

And it’s easy to create a beautiful and fun Christmas tree, while saving enough money for presents.

For kids, decorate with their favorite color.

Make tissue-paper flowers to place on your tree. All you need is tissue paper and pipe cleaners. Instructions can be found online at www.craftjr.com.

First, you’ll need a Christmas tree. To get more tree for your money, consider an artificial tree. They are available in all shapes, sizes and materials, and they can easily be stored after the holidays for use year after year. Once you have your tree up, make it sparkle with lights. Choose between a variety of colors or white lights.

Check discount stores such as Dollar General for inexpensive lights that will make your tree beautiful and bright.

For a tree that will help you remember the good times, hang mementos that you’ve collected throughout the year instead of traditional, often expensive ornaments. Choose knick-knacks from family vacations, party pictures, favors from weddings or showers, or kids’ arts and crafts projects. Hang holiday greeting cards from family and friends on your tree.

To turn these trinkets into ornaments, glue or attach ornament hangers to each item.

Your tree will be a reminder of the fun shared throughout the year.

For a sophisticated look, decorate your tree according to a theme, such as a food or candy motif. Hang candy canes, popcorn and candy garlands, which can be made by stringing hard candies like Life Savers on fishing wire. Or focus on special interests such as sports, traveling or gardening. Decorate a tree with your favorite sports team’s memorabilia and colors. Keep your tree simple by choosing one or two colors for the tree’s décor.

D

is for Drums

For a more international feel, use inexpensive wrapping paper to make origami cranes — symbols of peace. Paper birds of all sizes will look beautiful on your tree and can be a fun project for the whole family.

E

is for East Tennessee Distillery

F

is for Family

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THE LOAFER’S LOCAL CHRISTMAS

123 W. Millard Street Johnson City TN 423.929.0616 3507 E Andrew Johnson Hwy Greeneville TN 711 Asheville Hwy Greeneville TN 423-946-1500

G

is for Granite & Quartz Design

H

is for Haven of Mercy

I

is for Ice Skating

theloafer.net | December 6, 2022

EAT • SHOP • PLAY

theloafer.net |December 6, 2022

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The Benefits of Shopping Small This Holiday Season (NewsUSA) – Small Business Saturday casts a national spotlight each year on independently-owned businesses, which includes a wide variety of shopping options, from the mom-and-pop storefronts in your local community to home-based e-commerce businesses. Since its inception in 2010, Small Business Saturday spending has reached an estimated $103 billion, according to American Express.

Motivated by the potential for growth, small businesses across the country are taking advantage of this movement with more enthusiasm year after year, given strong consumer response. GS1 US, an information standards organization that helps small brands identify their products for commerce, recently spoke with small business owners who have run successful Small Business Saturday campaigns. They discussed three big benefits to buying from small businesses this holiday season.

feel good. It allows people to discover interesting products, and feel like they are helping a real person, as opposed to a big corporation,” says Andrew Jacobs, CEO of JAM Paper and Envelope, an e-commerce paper company.

According to a study by the NFIB and American Express last year, nearly twothirds of online shoppers (65 percent) are likely to seek out small, independently-owned retailers. This helps unique products from small brands compete right alongside products from larger, wellknown brands.

“It’s so important for small businesses to be recognized in order to compete with big businesses,” says Lisa Burginger, founder of Qubits Toy, Inc., a company that makes colorful building sets for kids. “For our company, it’s our busiest time of the year.”

Unique Products

For many consumers, shopping small is driven by the desire to support their local communities. When consumers spend $100 at a local business, roughly $68 stays in their local economy, according to a recent Civics Economy study. The local impact, which helps benefit food, service

Consumers are hungry for a wide variety of unique products, which provides prime motivation for shoppers to support small businesses.

“People shop small because it makes them

Community Support

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True Connections Small businesses can use the extra consumer attention to nurture brand loyalty beyond just one day. According to the 2018 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, 96 percent of consumers who reported shopping on Small Business Saturday say the day makes them want to shop “small” all year long, not just during the holiday season.

“Small businesses can give you special services, discounts, and one-to-one customer service that big businesses can’t always offer,” says Burginger.

Increasingly, shopping is about a shared experience – the small businesses that create memorable moments for consumers will likely experience growth.

“The next generation is looking for more

M

is for Mistletoe

than just a product, they want an experience,” says Travis Wayne, product manager, TEKLYNX, a barcode software company that is certified as a GS1 US Solution Partner, a program that helps small businesses find qualified partners to help them reach more consumers.

“When you walk into a hardware store, for example, or if you shop online, it’s more about personalizing that experience and ensuring that the consumers get what they need. Some businesses teach instructional courses on a product, or supply some kind of educational information. It’s about going above and beyond consumer expectations

N

is for Now Hiring

with the hopes of increasing the sale and maintaining a customer for life.”

Taking advantage of Small Business Saturday is ultimately just one way small brands are setting themselves up for growth.

Beyond the holiday season, businesses of all sizes need to think strategically to succeed in a competitive retail landscape. Visit www.gs1us.org/small-business to access research from GS1 US on the ambitions and challenges of small businesses, watch videos featuring entrepreneurs, and learn more about their growth journeys.

O

is for Oil Change

theloafer.net | December 6, 2022

and civic organizations within the community, could be 50 percent larger than a similar purchase from a regional or national retailer.

“I believe people want to support their communities,” says Allison White, founder of Scout Cart, a unique personal utility cart company. “They often know the owners of local small businesses and these small businesses often provide employment opportunities for the young adults in our families.”

theloafer.net |December 6, 2022

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P

is for Pizza

Q

is for Quilt

R

is for Radio

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423-246-6801 www.bandbpackage.com

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Facebook: bridgehome bridgehome.org

S

is for Shelter

T

is for Theatre Bristol

U

is for Ugly Sweater

theloafer.net | December 6, 2022

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theloafer.net |December 6, 2022

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To Kill a Mockingbird Auditions December 5,6,7 Theatre Bristol Art Space

V

is for Veterans

W

is for Wrecking Crew Harley Davidson

X

is for X-Box

21

Lighting The Way: A Homeowner’s Guide To Hanging Holiday Lights Let there be light! Christmas lights, that is. And given the timing of when some homeowners started hanging them this year — as early as midOctober to get a jump on the season — we’re anxious for some holiday cheer.

Most will opt for understated displays. Others will try to channel their inner Clark Griswold and try to outdo neighbors by creating winter wonderland scenes so dazzlingly bright that Han Solo can see them from a galaxy far, far away.

“When I pass a suburban house festooned with twinkly-colored fairy lights, I always scream ‘Bravo’ out of the window of my car,” Simon Doonan, creative ambassador of Barney’s New York, admits.

Whatever your proclivity, here are some safety tips to keep in mind: • Never hang lights from your roof’s shingles.

“Making even the tiniest of holes in them or any roof component — even with a stapler — will let moisture or leaks in, and potentially rot the roof,” says Jason Joplin, program manager of the Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence. Instead, use clips that hang from the gutter or eaves.

• Metallic trees require special care. What could possibly go wrong by hanging electric lights on them? “The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights,” warns the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, “and any person touching a branch could be electrocuted.” Colored spotlights above or beside them are a better option.

• Embrace the buddy system. Maybe spiked egg nog is to blame, but one oft-quoted study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 6,000 people wind up in emergency rooms annually just from holiday decoratingrelated falls. As most of the injured are men and most fall from ladders, repeat this mantra: “Asking someone to hold the ladder for you, whether you’re stringing lights on a roof or a tall tree, doesn’t make you less of a man.” : Worse than being that one house on the block that never gets around to taking down decorations until spring is this: haphazardly pulling lights off your roof from the cord. “You risk damaging the gutter that way,” says Joplin, “and potentially the shingle if you didn’t clip them correctly to begin with.”

So, if you are planning elaborate displays, you might want to consider hiring a pro. ◊GAF (gaf.com)◊, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, makes it easy to find the most reputable (and insured) ones in your area by searching its website’s GAF Master Elite Contractor database.

A word of advice: if you really want the “Wow” factor beyond your immediate street, it’s best to stagger two sets of lights side by side to increase the density.

Waiting for Santa

Y

is for Yultide

Z

is for Zzzzzzz

theloafer.net | December 6, 2022

]

theloafer.net |December 6, 2022

22

BIKER EVENTS sponsored by biker wear Local Events: 1. Speedway In Lights Nov. 18th to Jan. 7th

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Useless Facts Useless Facts about Hot Chocolate/Chocolate: 1. It Dates Back Thousands Of Years.

2. It Wasn’t Always Hot—Or Sweet.

3. It Was Believed To Have Medicinal Properties.

4. It Was The Source Of Religious Controversy.

5. It Was Served In Fancy Pitchers.

6. Revolutionary War Soldiers Had It In Their Rations.

7. Thomas Jefferson Was A Big Fan. 8. There’s A Difference Between Hot Chocolate And Hot Cocoa.

9. It Fueled Polar Explorers.

10. The Ymca Served Up Hot Cocoa To Wwi Soldiers.

11. It Has Some Surprising Health Benefits.

12. Restaurants Have Gone Gourmet (And Boozy) With It. 13. The Largest Cup Ever Made Was 880 Gallons.

14. Chocolate can cause headaches and is not recommended in large doses for people who suffer from migraines or chronic headaches.

15. The smell of chocolate increases theta brain waves, which trigger relaxation.

There are 5 Christmas Bears in this issue of The Loafer.

Can you find them all?

23

Hello everyone, hope you had a great Thanksgiving and getting ready for Christmas. On warm days we can still get out and go for a ride on our bikes, but on cold days and nights it is fun to go for a drive to see Family and friends or look at all the decorations. Since it is December I thought a little history would be nice. Hot chocolate is a nice holiday drink but where did it come from?

We all know hot chocolate as the warm, rich drink we enjoy on a cold night by the fire, or after engaging in winter activities such as ice skating and skiing. But have you ever thought about where this delicious beverage came from?

Hot chocolate's history goes quite a way back, and the drink has changed over the years, evolving from cold and spicy to warm and sweet.

seeds mixed with water, cornmeal, and chili peppers as well as other ingredients, a much different version from the hot chocolate we know today. They would mix the drink by pouring it back and forth from a cup to a pot until a thick foam developed, and then enjoy the beverage cold.

Although the chocolate drink was available to all classes of people, the wealthy would drink it from large vessels with spouts, which later would be buried along with them.

Then Made its Way to Europe, in the early 1500s, the explorer Cortez brought cocoa beans and the chocolate drink-making tools to Europe. Although the drink still remained cold and bitter tasting, it gained popularity and was adopted by the court of King Charles V as well as the Spanish upper class. After its introduction in Spain, the drink began to be served hot, sweetened, Hot chocolate is a delicious drink and without the chili peppers. The Spanish were very protective of their enjoyed by people of all ages around the world. Though its exact wonderful new beverage, and it was origins are unknown, it is thought over a hundred years before news of it began to spread across Europe. to have been first created by the ancient Maya people of Central When it hit London in the 1700s, America, as early as 500 BC, the chocolate houses similar to today's Mayans were drinking chocolate coffee shops became popular and made from ground-up cocoa very trendy, even though chocolate was very expensive. In the late 1700s, the president of the Royal College of Physicians, Hans Sloane, brought from Jamaica a recipe for mixing chocolate with milk, which made the drink more palatable in his opinion. Well, others agreed, and the English started adding milk to their chocolate; it was then enjoyed as an after-dinner beverage.

Beanz Biker Corner

By Anne Hartley 423-297-5675

Hot Chocolate Today, up until the 19th century, hot chocolate was used as a treatment for stomach and liver diseases as well as a special drink.

Today, however, we simply treat this warm concoction as a beverage to sip and savor. In America, hot chocolate is somewhat thin and often made by combining hot water with packets of powder, although you can find more authentic and

theloafer.net | December 6, 2022

Beanz Biker Corner

gourmet varieties in restaurants and cafes. Other countries have their own versions—Spain's thick chocolate a la taza, spiced chocolate para mesa from Latin America, and Italy's cioccolata calda, which is very thick. Hot chocolate has become so popular in the United States that it is available in coffee vending machines. The powder is sold in packets and canisters, and coffee houses often have rich, somewhat thicker varieties on their menus.

The Evolution of Chocolate, it wasn't until the middle of the 18th century that chocolate began to evolve past its drinkable form. First, cocoa powder was invented in Holland, where the Dutch controlled nearly the entire cocoa bean trade. Since the cocoa powder blends much easier with milk or water, it allowed for more creations to come. Next came chocolate as a candy by

mixing cocoa butter with sugar and in 1876, milk chocolate was developed. From then on, chocolate has become more popular as a solid treat rather than as the drink it started from.

The Difference Between Hot Chocolate and Hot Cocoa. In England, hot chocolate is referred to as hot cocoa, whereas hot cocoa is more commonly referred to as hot chocolate in the United States. Although both terms are correct, hot chocolate is more commonly found in the United Kingdom. Hot cocoa is also known as hot chocolate in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. What is the difference between ‘hot chocolate’ and ‘hot cocoa’? Hot chocolate is made from a melted chocolate base, whereas hot cocoa is made with a powdered chocolate base and flavorings.

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25

Is your social media engagement down? If so, you may be committing one of these cringe worthy fails.

Liking your own posts Liking your own posts is the most cringe worthy social media fail.

You share things you feel are funny, memorable, or valuable.

Sharing implies that you like the content, so liking your share is redundant. Focus on sharing the reason why you believe the content is worth viewing. Create a caption that tells a story about why you felt compelled to share that piece of content instead of liking it again on your own page.

Social Sentiments

By Wendy Hayden socialsentiments @outlook.com

socialsentiments.net

could boost sales. Thoroughly research your target audience to ensure that you capture the attention of the audience that can benefit from what you have to say.

Grammar mistakes

Not tailoring content

Grammar mistakes in posts are a major reason for a decrease in shares. Carefully review your content before posting to spot errors before your audience does.

Read them out loud to easily catch mistakes. Grammar issues undermine your message and focus attention on the mistakes instead of the message. Taking the time to review your post before submission will ensure that your message is received in a serious manner.

Do you sell office supplies?

Are you pushing office supply content to restaurants? Not understanding your audience will push people away who follow but would not benefit from your brand while ignoring people who

In a world where news is a constant cycle of sadness and fear, consider the timing of your posts compared to breaking news stories. If your story can wait until the breaking news loses steam, your chances of

Ill - timed posts

being seen will significantly increase and your chances of being seen as insensitive to the current situation will decrease.

Unprofessional tone When a customer comes into your store or calls in, which type of language do you use? Most likely, you use a tone that puts your customers at ease and lets them know they are in good and knowledgeable hands. The same tone should be used online. Your brand reputation still exists even if customers cannot see who is behind your posts. Treat your online accounts as you would a customer standing in front of you. Courtesy and professionalism go a long way in building a brand.

As you post online, keep in mind that if you would cringe at your post, others will as well. *Printed in Volume 02 Issue 130, June 1, 2021*

theloafer.net | December 6, 2022

Cringe Worthy Social Media Mistakes

theloafer.net |December 6, 2022 26

27

I don’t think I’m alone in being at a breaking point with the state of the world today.

Aside from finally hitting the “these kids today” age, I concurrently have the misfortune of living in one of the most bizarrely chaotic and exhausting times in history, and thanks to technology, there’s hardly an escape from the nonstop coverage of globally divisive negativity, short of barricading yourself in a bunker with no electricity. Quite frankly, that scenario is sounding most appealing to me versus the alternative at the moment.

eyes and tiny waists of the “Hitchcock Blondes,” and searched in vain for the brawn of classically dark and handsome leading men like Paul Newman, Marlon Brando and Cary Grant in my fellow slack-jawed Y2K collegemates. Even my house in Elizabethton was a 1948 cottage, which I took a great deal of pleasure in decorating by scouring local antique stores for periodappropriate furnishings.

Lately I’ve been having some health issues, which is particularly troubling for me because I’m a lucky individual who’s never had to give a second thought to illness beyond an annual sinus infection. As I was lying around one day, scrolling through Instagram, I stumbled upon an account dedicated to vintage historical photos, and many of them were of the era I adore so much. As I thumbed my way through the photos of people living their lives in 1950s America, I began to notice how few overweight people there were. In fact, there were none. If you snapped a candid photo on any beach right now, the average weight would easily run 40lbs heavier than the vacationers 70 years ago. What were they doing that we’re not now?

themselves more well-rounded individuals. I then dove into old recipes and diet plans to see how and what they were eating differed from myself, and it’s of no surprise they ate very little processed foods and portion sizes were far smaller. They baked their own breads, emphasized milk and fruits at each meal and always left room for a pinch of dessert. This is all stuff I can get behind!

So back to my decision to time travel for my own health and sanity.

I do not enjoy the direction the world is heading, and that is not geared toward any one political or Since I still have parents, pets and religious opinion; in general and in taxes I can’t abandon for a life of short, I think we’re going to hell in a peace and seclusion, I’ve decided to handbasket. And even though I’m a construct an alternative reality for modern woman and can recognize myself that brings me a great deal of there were numerous faults with joy without going completely off the 1950s/1960s America, I think we’re grid and out of my mind. The one losing a lot by doing away with many good thing about living in this day of these values. Lying on our backs, and age is that you can literally eating fast food and scrolling through decide to be anything you want to useless memes, while working be, and that is why I have decided to sedentary jobs is turning us into live my life like it is 1950 as much as monsters. I feel empty from wasting humanly possible. my life away in this manner day after Please hear me out and don’t have day, comparing myself to filtered, me committed. vapid people who care only about what designer label on their silicone This idea came about innocently filled butt will receive the most likes enough. I think we all have periods This led to making my way down a from strangers for validation. I crave in history that we feel drawn to; for Google rabbithole, researching the my friend Robbie it’s the antebellum day-to-day lives of the 50s housewife. intellectually stimulating people who are active and motivated and strong south, for my mother it’s her hayday Surprisingly they devoted little time in their own beliefs, regardless of in the 70s and for me it’s the idyllic to exercise in spite of their figures, whether they differ from mine.

Baby Boomer years between WWII and it’s of course due to the fact and Vietnam. Maybe it’s from growing that women were naturally more In an attempt to be the change I want up in less than perfect settings with active then. They started their day to see, I’m adopting as many of these parents who both worked a lot, but 30 minutes before the rest of the lifestyle habits of yesteryear as I can even as a kid I adored classic TV family, prepared 3 nutritious meals, make feasible. I’ve begun following a shows and movies that depicted the maintained spotless households diet that more closely resembles what perfectly groomed nuclear family in and ran daily errands by foot. Most was eaten then, and while I’m not friendly neighborhoods with wellfamilies only had one car, which baking my own bread, I did go buy meant women walked to the grocery some from the farmers market that appointed lawns. As I grew into store, bank or clothier during the was made in the simplest and most womanhood, I idolized the smoky day while their husband was gone organic way. I’ve started reading to work. In their little free time, they books again and in the car, switched read books, took up hobbies like from my normal true crime podcasts tennis or golf or took classes to learn to informative and educational ones new skills-all geared toward making like Civil War history and alcohol-

by Kathie Scalf

industry news for my career. I’ve started caring more about my appearance before leaving the house, and just for fun I’m avoiding news and current events in favor of classic films of the era I’ve not seen.

The wildest thing about living in 2022 versus 1955, is that you now have a choice in your own successes and failures and you can blame it on no one else. We all hold the literal key to the universe in our hands with internet powered smart phones. Any and everything you’ve ever want to know is a click away, it’s just up to you whether you use this key for good or evil. Which means if you’re ignorant, fat and poor, it’s by your own choice, just as much as if you’re educated, healthy and successful. I might seem like I’m sticking my head in the sand to the current turbulent times by mentally going backward, but I’m thinking the key to me moving forward might be taking a few steps backward. Who’s coming with me?

XO - Kathie

theloafer.net | December 6, 2022

Time Traveling for my Sanity

theloafer.net |December 6, 2022 28

29

A Christmas Story Christmas "A Christmas Story" hit movie theaters back in 1983(!) and has been a holiday classic ever since. The film was set in the early 1940's, although the year is never mentioned, and follows the Parker family of Hammond, Indiana as they prepare for Christmas. Son Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) dreams of having a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle, but his Mom is not a fan of his wish as she constantly tells Ralphie "you'll shoot your eye out". When Christmas arrives, Ralphie opens presents and the rifle is not among them until his father tells him to a box hidden in the corner, and there is the rifle! Thus, Raphael's Christmas wish has come true. The film was released the week before Thanksgiving in 1983 and was considered a moderate success taking in just over $19.2 million at the box office. Of course the film has since become as much a part of the holidays as eggnog.

So it's a mystery that it has taken until the year 2022 for a sequel to be released in the form of "A Christmas Story Christmas". The film is produced by original star Billingsley and Vince Vaughn among others. The film is set in 1973, which is 33 years after the

Pop Life

By Ken Silvers theloaferonlineprint @gmail.com

original film, with Ralphie now living in Chicago with his wife Sandy (Erinn Hayes) and their two kids Julie (Julianna Layne) and Mark (River Dorsche). Ralph has taken a year off from his regular job to write his first novel, but due to being excessive in length (2,000 pages), he has been rejected by various publishers, leaving him disappointed but still hopeful. As the family is preparing for a visit from Ralphie's family for Christmas, his mom (Julie Hagerty) calls to tell her son his father has passed. The grieving family soon heads to Hammond in their beat-up 1966 Plymouth to be with Ralph's mother. I'm sorry but it's really hard to refer to Ralphie as Ralph, as despite being a grown man, he will forever be the wide eyed Ralphie to me, and I'm sure others as well. When the family arrives in Hammond, Mrs. Parker has been deluged with casseroles from friends and neighbors, which she states the family will eat all of them.

Mrs. Parker also informs Ralphie (sorry), he must take up the mantle of his late father to make Christmas special for the family.

While in Hammond, the family gets a Christmas tree too tall for the living room (ala the Griswalds), meet some obnoxious neighbors of Mrs. Parker, have reunions with Ralphie's childhood friends and rivals, go on a Christmas shopping trip that ends on a sad note, and experience two accidental family injuries. While he is in Hammond, Ralphie gives up on his dream to be a writer only to be surprised later when the obituary he had written for his father, which is actually a story, ends up in the hands of the local newspaper, and will change the direction of his life in a pleasant way. The film is filled with touching moments which may cause you to shed a tear or two, but also has time for plenty

of laughs and happy moments as one expects from a holiday film. I love the fact we get to revisit the world of "A Christmas Story" and see how Ralphie has blossomed into a sweet and caring adult who still loves Christmas. The film also features Ralphie's younger brother Randy (Ian Petrella from the original), and other actors from the original film. While some "A Christmas Story" "purists"

may scoff at the idea of a sequel, I say keep an open mind and you may be pleasantly surprised. "A Christmas Story Christmas" left me feeling nostalgic and all warm and fuzzy, which is exactly what a Christmas movie should do. Now playing on HBO Max and HBO. (Rated PG)

theloafer.net | December 6, 2022

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theloafer.net |December 6, 2022

30

CONCERT SCHEDULE Bristol

Knoxville

PARAMOUNT Dec 16 Mark Chesnut Dec 17 Morgan Wade Jan 6 Dailey & Vincent (2023) Feb 2 Ace Frehley Feb 3 Neko Case

TENNESSEE THEATRE Jan 12 Tommy Emmanuel Jan 26 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Feb 3 Kevin James Mar 3 Home Free Mar 16 Buddy Guy Apr 26 Ben Folds and a Piano Apr 28 Amy Grant

BRISTOL TN/VA

CAMEO THEATER Dec 14 Tab Benoit and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band Dec 22 The Wizards of Winter Jan 8 Geoff Tate Feb 11 Lorrie Morgan Mar 18 Bad Marriage Mar 26 Eric Gales May 10 An Evening with Roger McGuinn

KNOXVILLE TN

THOMPSON BOWLING ARENA Feb 17 Journey and Toto Feb 18 Cody Johnson featuring Randy Houser Feb 24 Blake Shelton Mar 30 Kane Brown Apr 21 Lizzo July 15 Thomas Rhett

JOHNSON CITY TN

JOHNSON CITY

KNOXVILLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM Feb 2 Scotty McCreery FREEDOM HALL Feb 17 Heather McMahan Dec 1 Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Mar 3 Zach Williams Dec 2 Little Texas Mar 22 Champions of Magic Apr 4 The Price is Right Live BIJOU THEATRE Apr 14 Nate Bargatze Dec 10 Tab Benoit & The Dirty Dozen Dec 14 & 15 Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit MARTIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS Dec 13 Michael W. Smith Christmas Show Jan 21 Drivin & Cryin Jan 27 Scott Miller and David Childers Feb 4 The Black Jacket Symphony: Feb 3 Amanda Shires Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours Feb 11 Erick Baker Dec 18 Knoxville Gay Men’s Choir Mar 17 The Mavericks Apr 30 Amy Grant Mar 23-25 Drew & Ellie Holcomb GREENVILLE Nashville

GREENVILLE TN

NISWONGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Jan 21 The Isaacs Jan 27 The Doo Wop Project Feb 3 Heather Land Feb 11 I Am He Said -a Neil Diamond Tribute Feb 17 Roots & Boots Acoustic tour with Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye and Sammy Kershaw Mar 4 Resurrection- A Journey Tribute Mar 11 Jefferson Starship Mar 31 Gentri (The Gentlemen Trio) Apr 4 One Night of Queen-performed

by Gary Mullen And the Works Apr 14 Mark Lowry Apr22 Masters of Soul

NASHVILLE TN

RYMAN AUDITORIUM Dec 12-15 Amy Grant and Vince Gill Dec 16 Smokey Robinson Dec 19 Aaron Lewis Dec 30/31 Old Crow Medicine Show Jan 27 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Jan 30 Mammoth WVH and Alter Bridge Feb 14 Death Cab for Cutie Feb 23-25 Tedeschi Trucks Band Feb 26 Billy Strings Mar 4 Dawes Mar 18 Buddy Guy Apr 7 & 13 Morgan Wade Apr 14 & 15 Lady A May 8-10 John Mellencamp May 19 Crowded House

ASCEND AMPHITHEATER May 11 Koe Wetzel July 11 Foreigner and Loverboy July 18 Louis Tomlinson July 19 Yungblud BRIDGESTONE ARENA Dec 11 PentatonixA Christmas Spectacular Dec 14 Trans-Siberian Orchestra Dec 30/31 Widespread Panic Feb 19 TobyMac with Crowder Feb 24-25 Billy Strings Mar 1 Carrie Underwood Mar 31 Kane Brown Apr 7 Chris Tomlin June 25 Matchbox Twenty and The Wallflowers July 16 Blink 182 BROOKLYN BOWL Mar 7 Theory of a Dead Man

ASHEVILLE NC

Asheville

THE ORANGE PEEL Jan 20 Larkin Poe Feb 18 Elle King Cherokee, N.C.:

CHARLOTTE NC

Charlotte

SPECTRUM CENTER Feb 8

Carrie Underwood

July 14

Blink 182

PNC MUSIC PAVILION May 30 Dead and Company July 11 Matchbox Twenty Aug 9

Foreigner and Loverboy

THE FILLMORE IN CHARLOTTE: Mar 16 Static-X Apr 13

Fozzy

OVENS AUDITORIUM Dec 31

The Avett Brothers (Bojangles Coliseum)

Jan 29

Death Cab for Cuti

Feb 8

John Mellencamp e

Mar 3

Joe Bonamassa

THE FILLMORE Nov 27

W.A.S.P.

Mar 16

Static-X HARRAH’S CASINO Apr 13 Fozzy Nov 18 Mike Epps Dec 10 Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland Jan 7 Styx Myrtle Beach, S.C Jan 13-15 Jamey Johnson

MYRTLE BEACH, NC

GREENVILLE SC

Greenville, S.C.

House of Blues

BON SECOURS WELLNESS ARENA Jan 29 TobyMac, Crowder, Cochren & Company Mar 18 Kane Brown

Dec 30

Marcus King

Dec 31

Corey Smith

Mar 25

Eric Johnson

Apr 7

Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox

WINSTON-SALEM, NC

Winston Salem North Caroiina LJVM COLISEUM Mar 3-4 Billy Strings

PIKEVILLE KY

Pikeville, Ky

APPALACHIAN WIRELESS ARENS Dec 31 Noah Thompson & Chase Matthew Mar 8 Theory of a Dead Man and Skillet

RALIEGH NC

Raliegh, NC

COASTAL CREDIT UNION MUSIC PARK Jun 1

Dead & Company

Jul 12

Matchbox Twenty and The Wallflowers

Aug 8

Foreigner and Loverboy

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

31

It’s a legendary movie with a title that has become a part of Americana. It’s been remade, parodied, and referenced numerous times in pop culture. “Attack of the 50ft. Woman” is an infamous 1958 B-movie. Made for about $88,000 and making almost $500,000 at the box office, the film was a huge hit and part of a series of “humans changing size” movies of the time that included “The Amazing Colossal Man” and “The Incredible Shrinking Man.”

and there's even gaslighting to aid in Mrs. Archer’s mental breakdown.

Everyone believes she’s due for another visit to a mental ward after she claims to have seen a spaceship and a giant alien.

These are all real, the alien is after her impressive diamond to fuel his spaceship, and a chance encounter with the giant to prove to her doubting husband he is real leaves her full of strange alien energy that soon begins to transform her into our giant title “monster.” Even the “Attack of the 50ft. Woman” is about, town’s doctor doesn’t know what to do other than keep her drugged with well, a 50-foot woman. Sure, it has all the trappings of a shlock film, and morphine, or he just doesn’t really care or believe her either.

I won’t lie there are some elements of kitsch here, yet looking at the She isn’t a monster, as frankly, movie with modern eyes there is everyone she takes her revenge on some commentary going on that is deserves it. At a breezy 66 minutes deeper than its exploitive title would “Attack of the 50ft. Woman” is a have you believe. Wealthy Nancy hell of a good time, it’s a legendary Archer (Allison Hays) has a history of movie for a reason, and it’s hard to mental illness and alcohol abuse. not enjoy a giant fake hand picking up that awful husband and carrying Her husband is a pretty worthless man, who is openly cheating on her with a local bombshell (Yvette Vickers) who can’t wait to see his wife dead so she can fully move in.

The local police are corrupt and go along with whatever Mr. Archer says,

Batteries Not Included

By Andy Ross theloaferonlineprint @gmail.com

him towards his doom. A favorite of mine to watch every Halloween, I am beyond delighted that Warner Archive is giving us all a gift this festive season in a new, long waited, blu-ray edition of the film.

Warner Brothers first released “Attack of the 50ft. Woman” on DVD in 2007 as part of a collection called “Cult Camp Classics” along with “Queen of Outer Space” and “The Giant Behemoth.” Those two films have been released on blu-ray a few years ago by Warner Archive, and I’ve been anxiously awaiting the marquee title of that set to get the same treatment.

The results do not disappoint.

Mastered from the 35mm negative this new HD transfer of the film is something. The movie is very sharp, with lots of fine detail that have long been lost coming out in the image. The black and white is crisp and rich and the film has never looked better on home video.

I was particularly impressed by the “sheen” in some of the 1950s slick hairstyles that come across on this disc.

The very good extras from that 2007 disc have also been carried over, which includes a theatrical trailer, and a wonderful commentary track by historian Tom Weaver, who is joined by the now-late Yvette Vickers. It’s a very engaging track, with lots of great info on the making of the movie and Ms. Vickers is very happy to be there talking about her most famous film role.

I’ve been waiting a long time for Warner Archive to put this one out on blu-ray, and now that it’s here I’m so happy to say it lives up to the high standards we’ve come to expect from them. This disc is a must-own for the 1950s B movie film buff, and honestly, I’d say anyone should have it in their collection. See you next week.

theloafer.net | December 6, 2022

Attack of the 50ft. Woman

110222_BMS_SIL_IceRinkPrintAds_Loafer_10x9.875.indd 1

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