December 18, 2012

, The Loafer • December 18, 2012

www.theloaferonline.com December 18, 2012 • The Loafer,

Volume 27

Issue #2

Published by Creative Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 3596, Johnson City, TN 37602

Phone: 423/283-4324 FAX - 423/283-4369

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Thank you to our advertisers, readers and community members for supporting The Loafer. Your commitment enables us to offer the best Arts and Entertainment publication in the Tri‐Cities and surrounding regions.

Merry Christmas fromThe Loafer MagazineWishing you a Joyful and Peaceful Holiday!

Publisher Bill Williams • Editor Sandi Williams • Layout & Design Christy Leach • Office Manager Luci Tate

Cover Design Bill May • Graphic Arts Director Don Sprinkle • Photography Mark Marquette

Contributing Staff Jim Kelly, Andy Ross, Ken Silvers, Mark Marquette, Pat Bussard

Advertising Dave Carter, Akey Kincaid, Mark Marquette, Lisa Lyons, Tabitha Lambert, Brian Still


The Appalachian Cultural Music Association announced that they will be relocating their Mountain Music Museum and Pickin’ Porch to State Street in Bristol, Tennessee !"#$%&#'$&()%*#&+"&#'$&,$!%-With the backdrop of

ACMA banners and music from the East Tennessee State University Bluegrass Band, co‐founder of the ACMA, Tim White stated that the non‐.%+()#& +%/!0)1!#)+0&has been talking with the Foundation Event Facility owner and businessman Allen Hurley for approximately nine months working out details for the move. “We cannot express enough how much we appreciate the Bristol Mall for

/)2)0/& 3*& !& '+4$& "+%& ()"#$$0&years,” said White. “Back in 1998 Harry Esenwine who was the Bristol Mall manager at the

time, let us establish a museum there. Harry passed away this year but without his support and the support of the Bristol Mall ownership and management we could not have achieved the success we have enjoyed through our non‐.%+()#& +%/!0)1!#)+0&over the years,” said White. White added, “We

also want to thank our wonderful friends and benefactors, James and Barbara Bryant who have operated the gift shop at the

Mountain Music Museum since the museum opened in 1998 at the mall. The Bryants have

done more for the music in our %$/)+0&#'!0&4+*#&.$+.5$&%$!5)1$-&Not only helping and supporting the ACMA but also the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, Song of the Mountains in Marion, Virginia as well as the BCMA in years past.” James Bryant is also the co‐founder of the ACMA with White.Allen Hurley approached the

ACMA early in 2012 and offered ')*&!**)*#!06$&#+&#'$&+%/!0)1!#)+0&with a proposal for a new home at his building at 626 State Street (the former location of “Sassy Bags”). Hurley owns the building and has been in the process of gutting and remodeling the structure for the ACMA’s museum to move to there by early spring of 2013. The Mountain Music Museum will move next door to the Foundation Event Facility. Hurly stated, “We know that having the ACMA, the Mountain Music Museum and their Pickin’ Porch downtown will add to the momentum that Bristol has now as being a ‘magnet’ for music and music lovers. This will be a big plus for downtown Bristol and the businesses located in the Country Music Birthplace.”The Pickin’ Porch will also be

relocating to downtown Bristol in 2013. The Pickin’ Porch will

be moving from Thursday nights to Monday nights and will be 5+6!#$7& +0& #'$& *$6+07& (5++%& +"&the Foundation Event Facility in their concert theater. “We have a state‐of‐the‐art sound system and lighting system at our concert facility,” says Hurley. “We are pleased to have the Pickin’ Porch move to our venue on Monday evenings and with our resources I know that we will provide professional musical presentations working with the ACMA.”Pickin Porch concerts will

begin at 7:00 pm on Monday evenings starting Monday, January 14, 2013. The Foundation Event Facility is a “handicap accessible” venue with access from State Street and Shelby Street with elevators to #'$&*$6+07&(5++%-&8*&!59!,*&)#&9)55&be free admission to the ACMA Pickin’ Porch and the Mountain Music Museum and Gift Shop.Plans are also developed to

broadcast the “live” Pickin’ Porch concerts in 2013 over the 10,000 watt 870am/100.7fm “Tri‐Cities Top Gun Radio” station which is located in Bristol, Tennessee as well. “ We are excited to be part of this event and are pleased to announce that we

ACMA’s Mountain Music Museum

and Pickin’ Porch will Relocate to State

Street in Downtown Bristol

Pickin’ Porch concert

December 20th

Continued on page 7


plan to broadcast the “live” Pickin Porch concerts on our station on Monday evenings and re‐broadcast the shows on Saturdays as well,” stated Dr. Kenneth Hill of WPWT Radio. “Tri‐Cities Top Gun Radio” features bluegrass, classic country, old time and Americana forms of music in their broadcast format. The station also streams live at www.topgunradio.com.The public is invited to attend

the Pickin’ Porch concerts at the Bristol Mall on Thursday evenings until December 20. Pickin’ Porch shows will take place on the lower level of the mall near the old Piccadilly location and will be free to the public on Thursday evenings until the end of 2012.“The ACMA welcomes any

and all support you can lend +3%& !55& 2+530#$$%& 0+0:.%+()#&+%/!0)1!#)+0;<& *#!#$*& =+'0&Necessary. During the relocation process information can be found at the following websites:www.mountainmusicmuseum.orgwww.pickinporch.orgwww.appalachianculturalmusic.org

Continued from page 6


Bark Walker Band winner of the 2012 Blues International contest returns to Biggies. Bluesman George Ferrell opens the show at >.4-&?.$6)!5&!..$!%!06$*&@,&A3!0$&BC!#()*'<&

Frye, Kristen Witt and Randy Broyles. Main show begins at 9pm.

Biggies Blue ChristmasDecember 14 & 15


Written by Justin Williams, Joel Sears and Ed Howard, A Tuna Christmas is the second in a series of two‐man shows set in #'$&()6#)+0!5&#+90&+"&D30!;&D$E!*-In this installment, the Tuna,

Texas annual Christmas Yard Display Contest has been thrown a curve by a mysterious van‐dal who sabotages the displays! Meanwhile, the townsfolk try to 4!0!/$&#'$)%&+90&6%!1,&'+5)7!,&turmoil, including family woes, probation problems, and an ill‐fated production of A Christmas Carol. Veteran Johnson City actor

Tod C. Riddle will be repris‐ing his role as Arles Struvey, et al., for this production. Riddle has been a regular on the local theater scene for over 23 years, beginning his career at the Old

West Dinner Theater. He was in‐strumental in the construction of the Highlander Dinner The‐ater which later became the Blue Moon Dinner Theater.“The Tuna shows are unique

because only two actors play over twenty different characters with lightning fast costume changes,” says co‐star Adrian Thomas. “It is a real challenge as an actor to completely change your per‐sona in a matter of seconds. I am grateful that I am getting to do this show with Tod Riddle. He has guided me through this pro‐cess every step of the way. “ Dinner is also included with

the ticket price and will consist of a four course meal provided by the Bonnie Kate cafe. After the meal, the audience is es‐corted into the theater which has

been transformed into a beauti‐ful space for live productions. Show dates are December 21st and 22nd at 6:00pm (Dinner is at 6:00 pm / Show at 7:00pm). There will also be a matinee performance on Sunday, De‐cember 23rd at 2:30 pm (Lunch is 2:30pm / Show is 3:30pm). Ticket prices are $40.00 for the evening shows and $30.00 for the Sunday matinee. Show Only price is $20 for all three pro‐ductions. A Tuna Christmas, for Show Only ticket holders, will begin at 7:00pm for the evening shows and 3:30pm for the Sun‐day Matinee. For questions or reservations

please call the Bonnie Kate at (423) 543‐1933.

“A Tuna Christmas”

Enthusiastic singers, talented musicians, com‐$7,;&$2$0&!&*'+%#&()54&9)55&@$&#'$&$0#$%#!)04$0#&that guests will enjoy on Thursday, Dec. 20, at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center. Dugger Band is presenting a special Christmas show ‐ “The Gift” ‐ at NPAC at 7:30 p.m. Performers of the live music that night will include Jordan and Seth Dugger, James Smith (the Duggers’ uncle), Chris Payne, Nate Willis, Angela Willis, and Kasie Willis. Instruments will include guitar, drums, F$,@+!%7;&@!**;&()775$;&!07&4!07+5)0-&&& In talking about their upcoming performance,

Jordan Dugger explains, “Each of us has been of‐fered the most precious gift of Christ, but, it goes beyond that. We each have been given unique talents and passions ‐ gifts that we can use to help others. Even if we don’t receive all of the gifts we are hoping for this Christmas, we have already received something very special.” The Singing Duggers were familiar to church

audiences in the 1980s. Included in that group were David Dugger (father of Jordan and Seth Dugger), his brothers and sisters. David Dug‐ger then became pastor at Brittontown Church. From 2003 to 2008, David and wife Kathy be‐came evangelists and traveled and sang. Join‐ing them to sing were sons Jordan and Seth. In 2008 David and Kathy Dugger planted

Crossroads Church which began by meeting at the Comfort Inn. Because of growth, the church now meets at the Greene County Fairgrounds. In 2008 Jordan and Seth were put in charge of music. They also began working with Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU at the University of Tennessee) and The Point at Tusculum College. In addition to playing several instruments, they also began writing music. Jordan and Seth grew up around music and

are very versatile in singing and playing of in‐struments. Jordan graduated from Greeneville High School in 2006 and Seth in 2009. Jordan graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in architecture, and Seth will be graduating from U. T. in May with a degree in @3*)0$**& ()0!06$-& D'$,& %$5$!*$7& #'$)%& ()%*#& !5‐bum, “The Journey” in 2011. Tickets are available from Dugger Band

4$4@$%*& +%& @,& 6!55)0/& #'$& GH8C& I+E& J"()6$&!#& KL>:MKNO-& D'$& I+E& J"()6$& )*& +.$0&P+07!,&through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Niswonger Performing Arts Center is located at 212 Tusculum Blvd., adjacent to Greeneville High School.


Dugger Band will perform at Niswonger Performing Arts Center on Thursday, Dec. 20. Shown in photo, left to right, are Seth Dugger, Chris Payne, James Smith, and Jordan Dugger.

Not pictured but performing are Angela Willis, Nate Willis, and Kasie Willis.

Singers, Musicians, Comedy, & Film

Niswonger Performing Arts Center

December 20th


Virginia State Parks, managed by the Department of Conserva‐tion and Recreation, will offer special hiking opportunities in all 35 state parks on New Year’s Day as part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes initiative. On Jan. 1, 2012, more than

14,000 people hiked more than 30,000 miles in state parks across the country. In Virginia, 3,708 people hiked 5,583 miles during First Day Hikes. “We are excited to host First

Day Hikes as part of this national effort to get people outdoors and into our parks,” said State Parks Director Joe Elton. “First Day Hikes are a great way to cure cabin fever and burn off those extra holiday calories by starting off the New Year with an invigo‐rating walk or hike in one of our beautiful state parks. “All Virginia State Parks will

offer guided hikes led by rangers

and volunteers as well as self‐guided hikes that allow partici‐pants to set their own pace and explore new trails,” Elton said. “Some parks offer scavenger hunts, and others have refresh‐ments.” For a complete list of Virginia State Park hikes, visit http://1.usa.gov/UcEJPd. Hikers are encouraged to

bring cameras and share their photos using social media sites. A weekend cabin stay will be awarded for every 200 photo‐graphs entered. Winning photos will be determined by the most votes on Facebook. For more in‐formation on the contest, visit http://bit.ly/V1gmVp. Represented by regional

board members of the National Association of State Park Direc‐tors, America’s State Parks is an alliance of state park systems in all 50 states working to strength‐en the importance of more than

6,000 state parks across the nation. For more information about Virginia State Parks activi‐ties and amenities or to make a reservation for one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 cli‐mate‐controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800‐933‐PARK or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.

All day Jan. 1, self-guided hikes will be available at Gray‐son Highlands State Park, Mouth of Wilson, VA; Hungry Mother State Park, Marion, VA; Natural D300$5& ?#!#$& H!%F;& A3"()$57;& Q8R&and the Southwest Virginia Mu‐seum Historical State Park, Big Stone Gap, VA. Ranger‐led hikes will be available at New River

Trail State Park, Foster Falls, VA and Wilderness Road State Park, Ewing, VA. New River Trail State Park‐

Railway History Walk‐1 p.m. – 3 p.m.Wilderness Road State Park‐

Winter‐themed Hike‐2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Virginia State Parks to Celebrate the New Year

with First Day Hikes


On Tuesday, Decem‐ber 18th (inclement weather date is Thurs‐day, December 20th) at 6:30 PM, Journey’s End will again take place in Historic Downtown Bristol! Starting at the Downtown Cen‐ter and ending at the Paramount Center for the Arts, Journey’s End is Bristol’s local inter‐pretation of the Latino tradition of Las Posadas (The Inns). Mary and Jo‐seph’s journey to Bethle‐hem is recreated as they go from inn to inn seek‐)0/&5+7/)0/-&D'$&()0!5&)00&welcomes them in and celebrates their arrival.Our inns are the res‐

taurants on State Street and our innkeepers are various choirs and choral groups. We will begin at the Downtown Center (hot chocolate will be provided) then process by candlelight with Mary and Jo‐seph down State Street. Singing the traditional song and various carols accompanied by instru‐mentalists, we will arrive at the Paramount Center for the Arts, where we will have gingerbread and hot cider. This year Mary will be Sarah

Ruhlen and Joseph will be Adam Gambrell. Along the way, choirs from Redeemer Lutheran Church will be at Shanghai, Emmanuel Episcopal Church at the State Line Bar & Grill, and First Pres‐byterian Church at Manna Ba‐gel Café and State Street United Methodist Church & Central Pres‐byterian at K P Duty, Emmanuel Episcopal at The Bristol Grind

House and State Street United Methodist and Central Presbyterian at The Paramount Center. A special thank you to Southeast Culinary & Hospitality College for providing gingerbread, The Bristol Grind House for providing hot cider, the Bristol TN Depart‐ment of Community Relations for providing hot chocolate and song books at the Downtown Center, Eric Vance for providing the donkeys, Bob Greene for heading up our processional and working with Joseph & Mary and the Ladies of the Evening of Emman‐uel Episcopal Church for cookies and volunteer‐ing.The Believe in Bris‐

tol event lasts a little more than an hour. Restaurants will be

taking dinner reservations, several of the downtown shops will be open and The Para‐mount will be host to an event. Come and celebrate Christmas in the heart of our community!Believe in Bristol is a non‐

.%+()#& +%/!0)1!#)+0& 6+4.+*$7&+"& 7$7)6!#$7& 6)#)1$0*;& @3*)0$**&+90$%*;& /+2$%04$0#& +"()6)!5*&and other friends of Bristol 9'+& %$6+/0)1$& #'$& %+5$& !& 2)#!5&downtown plays in preserv‐ing and furthering our com‐munity’s identity, spirit and economy. By donating to, volunteer‐

ing with and/or becoming in‐volved in Believe in Bristol, you can become an active part of Bristol’s ongoing success story. Thanks to the participation of +3%&6)#)1$0*;&A+90#+90&I%)*#+5&has been, and will continue to be, a source of pride and de‐light for the people of Tennes‐see and Virginia—because we BELIEVE IN BRISTOL! Please visit www.believeinbristol.org or call 276‐644‐9700 for more information.

How does Bristol Celebrate Journey’s End?

December 18th


Entries are being sought for the 28th annual “Positive/Negative” National Juried Art Exhibition at East Tennessee State University, which will be held from Feb. 18‐March 8, 2013, at ETSU’s Slocumb Galleries.“Minority Rule” is the theme for the

2013 exhibition, and the deadline for entry is Friday, Dec. 21. The juror will be acclaimed artist

Michael Ray Charles, an African American painter based in Texas and +0$&+"&#'$&()%*#&/%+3.&+"&!%#)*#*&"$!#3%$7&)0&B8%#SM;<&#'$&')/':.%+()5$&HI?&*$%)$*&+0&contemporary art.The theme of “Minority Rule,”

according to Charles, “is a concept inspired by evolving forces integral to life in America during what I refer to as the ‘threshold years’ of the 21st century. Cultural norms, traditions and values are in a constant state of negotiation. In an attempt to accommodate non‐traditional norms that are shaped by technology, 5!@+%;& $6+0+4)6*& !07& /5+@!5)1!#)+0;&established customs and beliefs are re‐$E!4)0$7;&4+7)()$7;&!07;&)0&*+4$&6!*$*;&rendered obsolete.“As Americans take measure

of complexities associated with accommodating non‐normative perspectives,” he continued, “they also seek to understand our society’s shared triumphs and failures. This exhibition *$$F*&03!06$7&!%#9+%F*&#'!#&%$(5$6#&#'$&complexities artists confront today.”Charles is a graduate of McNeese State

University, Lake Charles, La., and holds !& 4!*#$%& +"& ()0$& !%#*& 7$/%$$& "%+4& #'$&University of Houston. According to ')*& .%+()5$& +0& HI?T& B8%#SM<&9$@*)#$;& ')*&paintings “investigate racial stereotypes drawn from a history of American advertising, product packaging, billboards, radio jingles and television commercials.” His works are held in numerous distinguished public and private collections, and he currently $E')@)#*& !#& #'$& D+0,& ?'!"%!1)& U!55$%,& )0&New York and the Cotthem Galleries in both Belgium and Spain.Artists wishing to learn more may

visit www.etsu.edu/cas/art/slocumb/posneg/prospectus.aspx to download the prospectus, or call Slocumb Galleries Director Karlota I. Contreras‐Koterbay at (423) 483‐3179 or [email protected].

Entry deadline Dec 2128th annual ‘Positive/Negative’ National Juried Art Exhibition

Dance the night away to the music of Kids Our Age on Friday, December 28th at the Jonesbor‐ough Visitors Center. Music of the 50’s, 60’s & 70’s.

)*&"$!#3%$7;&)06537)0/&9!5#1$*;&5)0$&dancing, cha‐chas, rumbas, sam‐bas and of course, good ole rock ‘n roll! The fun begins at 7:00 p.m. so join us as we ring OUT the last dance of the year to the music of this great band! Cost $6.00/for additional information call 423‐952‐0882.Kids Our age has provided

music for all occasions for over twenty years in the Northeast Tn. region and beyond. James Lane, keyboards, vocals. Jim Philyaw, drums. David Riggs, bass,vocals.http://kidsourageband.com/

Kids Our AgeJonesborough Visitors Center

December 28th


Renowned artist P. Buckley Moss is back in the Tri‐Cities to 302$)5&'$%&#')%7&!07&()0!5&%$07$%‐ing in the Bristol Rhythm & Roots V$30)+0&()0$&!%#&*$%)$*-&&8&4$7)!&event in her honor took place at the Birthplace of Country Music/Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion in Historic Downtown Bristol. The media and number of Moss collectors were in attendance, anx‐ious to purchase their Music on the Mural prints. “We think she

has truly cap‐tured the essence of the Mural Stage,” says BCM/BRRR Executive Director Leah Ross, “which has more of a traditional blue‐grass and old‐time music feel.” “You’re going to be surprised,” said Moss as she began to unveil

her work, “because this has a little bit more of my tradition in it too.” Moss drew from a memory of a music family she knew with !&5)##5$&@+,&9'+&.5!,$7&()775$;&*'$&said she thought he was so cute she incorporated him into her art. “But these are my Amish peo‐ple that I brought,” Moss says of

the tree‐climbing, guitar‐picking children depicted in Music on the Mural, “I want you to know that I didn’t just bring them to you, I brought them to New York and Rockefeller Center too, and you can see them in my gallery.”Music at The Mural completes

the Bristol Rhythm trifecta in true P. Buckley Moss style, follow‐ing 2010’s Music on State Street and last year’s Jammin’ on Pied‐mont. Giclee prints are being sold "+%&WOX;& ()0$&!%#&.+*#$%*& "+%&WKY-&For the past three years P. Buck‐ley Moss has graciously donated her talent to Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion as a fundraiser, proceeds on the sale of each print !%$& /)2$0& @!6F& #+& #'$& +%/!0)1!‐tion. Music at The Mural should not be confused with the festi‐val’s annual poster artwork.

“Music on the Mural” Moss Artwork Unveiled

P. Buckley Moss at Up Against

the Wall Gallery

For more than 20 years Mike

and Lisa Milhorn have been

dealers of Moss’ work at the

!"##$%&'(()*(+",(*-$.%(%$#"/01ship with P. Buckley Moss

that led to the Bristol Rhythm

& Roots Reunion series being

made. “He is the one who

has made these projects

happen for us...we’re very ap

2%$3."/4$56(,".7(89:;8<<<(=>$3?/4$(@.%$3*0%(A$"-(<0,,'


Abingdon Muster Grounds Holiday

Open HouseDecember 14

How were the holidays spent during the Revolutionary War and Civil War eras? Visit the Muster Grounds to learn about holiday traditions from the past, get a rare glimpse into the rooms of “Retirement” (circa M>MLZ;&*)#&@,&!&@!6F6+30#%,&()%$;&and enjoy refreshments. His‐torical interpreters will guide visitors through the holiday traditions of years gone by and will tell the story of Stoneman’s Raid and Kate Fulkerson’s wed‐ding feast, December 14, 1864. The Keller Interpretive Cen‐ter will be open for extended hours. Guided tours of new exhibits will be available. The Holiday Open House will take place on Sunday, December 16, 2012 from 3:00‐7:00 pm. If you would like more infor‐mation about this topic, please call 276‐525‐1050 or email lhunter@abingdon‐va.gov.

Now & Then Goes GlobalWhat do Rwanda and Appalachia have in common? A native

son of the African nation answers that question in the winter issue of Now & Then: The Appalachian Magazine, published by the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services at East Tennessee State University.The theme of the new issue is “Global Appalachia.” The

4!/!1)0$& "+55+9*& !& *344$%& )**3$& #'!#& $E!4)0$7& [!#)0+& !07&\)*.!0)6&)0(53$06$*&)0&#'$&%$/)+0-In the “global” issue, Christina St. Clair describes the English

Club, a group of British expatriates that has been meeting in Ashland, Ky., since the time of World War I.James Gifford writes about Kentucky author Jesse Stuart

and how his experience abroad on a Guggenheim Fellowship shaped Stuart’s world view.Two stories tell of Irish Road Bowling, as practiced in West

Virginia and North Carolina. Centuries old, the sport was banned by law in Ireland in 1689 because of the rowdiness of the participants.Retired educator Bruce Stambaugh visits Ohio’s Amish

country to see how businesses in that area have turned to global entrepreneurship.And ETSU professor Lee Bidgood connects Appalachia

9)#'&#'$&C1$6'&V$.3@5)6;& #'%+3/'&#'$&.+.35!%)#,&+"&84$%)6!0&bluegrass and old‐time music. Now & Then is available in Johnson City at the University Bookstore on the ETSU campus and at the Shamrock on West Walnut Street; Jonesborough at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center; Gray at the ETSU and General Shale Brick Natural History Museum and Visitors Center; Kingsport at Wallace News on Broad Street; Bristol at the Mountain Music Museum and Gift Shop on State Street ]!"#$%& #'$& ()%*#& +"& #'$& ,$!%ZR& 8@)0/7+0& !#& #'$& ^)55)!4& _)0/&V$/)+0!5&8%#*&C$0#$%&!07&̀ !11,T1&+0&a!*#&P!)0&?#%$$#R&8*'$2)55$&at Downtown Books & News on N. Lexington; and Greeneville at Greenville Antique Market on W. Depot Street.


There have been plenty of big nights and weekends at Ford Speedway In Lights powered by TVA at Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway throughout the years but none can compare to this past weekend. One of the largest holiday light shows in the country had its biggest weekend in its 16‐year history, buoyed by the largest single‐night crowd ever Saturday. An esti‐mated 20,000 visitors enjoyed Speedway In Lights from Friday through Sunday with more than half that number taking the four‐mile trek through more than two million lights Saturday.Claudia Byrd, executive di‐

rector of the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, said “I can’t thank everyone who has visited or will visit over the next few weeks enough for their *3..+%#-&8*&4+*#&.$+.5$&%$!5)1$;&Speedway In Lights is our biggest fundraiser and while I know they all enjoy visiting the show with their families, I also know they truly want to support Speedway Children’s Charities and help as many kids as possible.”BMS General Manager Jerry

Caldwell said “It is so gratifying to see that after 16 years Speed‐

way In Lights continues to be such a wonderful tradition for so many people,” he said. “That’s an !4!1)0/& 034@$%& +"& 2)*)#+%*& "+%&one weekend and we couldn’t be happier. “The new route has prov‐$0& #+&@$&.+.35!%&!07& )#&'!*&7$()‐nitely helped us get cars through faster. The weekends are always a more popular time to visit but we always encourage folks to try to come Sunday through Thursday if it’s convenient for them because the wait is minimal.”In November, the Bristol Chap‐

ter of Speedway Children’s Chari‐ties presented a record $712,000 to 87 children’s agencies in Northeast Tennessee and South‐west Virginia. Over the past 15 years, SCC has raised and distrib‐uted in excess of $7 million in the region.Speedway In Lights remains

open through Jan. 5. Tickets for the show, open nightly 6‐10 p.m., are available at the BMS gate. Ticket prices for cars are $12 Sunday through Thursday, and $15 Friday and Saturday. Activ‐ity van tickets are $20 each night and tickets for buses are $85 each night.

Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities Presents

$712,000 to Charities


East Tennessee State University’s Dr. Ted Olson, a professor in ETSU’s Department of Appalachian Studies, and John Fleenor, media collections manager in the school’s Archives of Appalachia, are among those nominated in the “Best Historical Album” category of the Grammy Awards for OldTime Smoky Mountain Music. Olson was co‐

producer and liner notes writer on the project, while Fleenor served as mastering engineer. In 1939, when

the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) was being created, Joseph Hall, a graduate student from California, recorded the speech and music of the area before the people of the Great Smoky Mountains were relocated to create the park. More than 70 years later, the U?PGHT*& 0+0.%+()#&$736!#)+0!5& +%/!0)1!#)+0;&the Great Smoky Mountains 8**+6)!#)+0;& ()0!55,& %$5$!*$7&some of those recordings on a CD entitled OldTime Smoky Mountain Music, which contained 34 songs, ballads and instrumentals recorded by Hall in the Smokies in 1939. All proceeds from the sale of the CD @$0$()#&#'$&U?PGH-Among the selections in

the collection are two ballads found only in the Smokies, “Up on Big Pigeon” and “The Big Bend Killing,” as well as widely known material, including “Sourwood Mountain,” “Don’t Forget Me Little Darling,” “On Top of Old Smoky,” “John Henry” and “Mule Skinner Blues.” After the CD was initially released, the GSMA heard from two of the original musicians from

#'$& MOLO& ()$57& %$6+%7)0/&sessions and from 18 relatives of deceased musicians who recorded for Hall, and the CD was reissued to incorporate new information and photographs contributed by those people. For his work as a

music historian, Olson has received the East Tennessee Historical Society’s Regional Excellence in History

Award of Distinction as well as an award from the International Bluegrass Music Association and two previous Grammy Award nominations.D')*& )*& b5$$0+%T*& ()%*#&

Grammy nomination. He has worked on other ETSU Center

for Appalachian Studies and Services projects, including the DVD Ray Hicks and Other Beech Mountain Folk with Dr. Thomas Burton and the kiosk of the B. Carroll Reece Museum exhibit The History of Country Music in the TriCities with Roy Andrade. In addition, he did the narration for the ETSU DVD The George L. Carter Legacy.Nominated with Olson

and Fleenor for their work on OldTime Smoky Mountain Music are co‐producers Dr. Michael Montgomery, who also contributed liner notes, Kent Cave and Steve Kemp. For more information, contact Olson at (423) 439‐4379 or [email protected] or Fleenor at (423) 439‐6993 or !"##$%&'$(#)*+,#-+.

ETSU’s Dr. Ted Olson & John Fleenor nominated for

Grammy Awards


D'$& ?#%!,& I)%7*;& !& @311$7:about young acoustic trio will bring their rootsy sound to Johnson City on Thursday, January 24 when they play a show at Down Home ‐ www.downhome.com Drawing upon the richness of American folk music traditions, the signature power of The Stray Birds sound lies in outstanding songwriting that soars in three‐part harmony. Raised on music within a few miles of farmland from each other, The Stray Birds were born of a compelling collaboration between two unique writers and vocalists‐‐ the pure, luxurious voice of Maya de Vitry and Oliver Craven’s richness of tone and depth of delivery. Grounding their sound in the unshakeable groove of bassist Charles Muench, The Stray Birds are a trio of captivating chemistry and sensitive musicality. From

bustling street corners to silent halls, their performances speak to an uncompromising reverence for songs. With miles of music already behind them, Maya and Oliver ()%*#& *'!%$7& !& *+0/& )0& =!03!%,&2010, in their hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Maya had just returned from Europe, where she’d been traveling by bike and train, making her way !*& !& ()775)0/& *#%$$#& .$%"+%4$%-&Oliver had been criss‐crossing North America for two years !*& !& '!%4+0,& 2+6!5)*#;& ()775$%;&and guitarist for the Grammy‐nominated Americana artist Adrienne Young. His repertoire of original songs had been deepening along the way. A snowy Pennsylvania

winter welcomed collaboration between two such wanderers— and inspired the collection of seven songs found on the

Borderland EP. With their good friend Charles laying down the bass lines, The Stray Birds landed their sound. Their love of travel, however, has hardly waned. An ambitious touring *6'$735$& %$(5$6#*& #'$)%& $4@%!6$&of the experience of live music. “Music exists in a time and place, not just in a digital format,” says Charles. Reveling in the energy of each room, a connection to the audience is the essence of their show. Often singing into a single microphone, their sound is a raw resonance of wood and strings beneath three joyfully blended voices. “Supertalented acoustic trio whose virtuosity doesn’t get in the way of their soul. Rich vocal harmonies, tight acoustic arrangements, heartwrenching songs.”&c& b5,&P!/!1)0$& :& 999-thestraybirds.comMaya de Vitry: vocals, !""#$%&'()*+%&,-./(01#.2$0&30(2$)4&2+5(#6%&,-./(0%&(057/+8&,-./(0%&!""#$37(0#$6&9-$)574&2+5(#6%&-80.,7/&'(66

photo credit: Scott Bookman

lr: Charles Muench, Maya de Vitry, Oliver Craven

photo credit: Monica de Vitry

lr: Oliver Craven, Maya de Vitry, Charles Muench

The Stray BirdsDown Home

January 24


At their recent board meet‐ing, members announced the schedule of the 2013 Frontier Racing Series, a cooperative ef‐fort of several Greene County foot races. Current series chairman

Jon Reynolds stated, “Last year’s series included three races and drew registrants from thirteen cities and towns. We are pleased to announce the addition of two new races for the 2013 lineup.

The Pioneer 5 Mile Run and the Wounded Warrior 5K Cross Country Challenge bring an even greater variety of races to the se‐ries.” The 2013 series include: Pio‐

neer 5 Mile Run on December 15 (presented by the State of Frank‐lin Track Club), The Wounded Warrior 5K Cross Country Chal‐lenge on May 4 (presented by Laughlin Memorial Hospital), The Hope 4 on May 27 (pre‐sented by American Greetings), the Atmos Energy/Greeneville Astros 5K on August 10, and the Greene County YMCA 5K Run on August 17.

Joining the series is free. The series is “age‐graded” to 5$2$5&#'$&.5!,)0/&()$57&!6%+**&all age groups, and each par‐ticipant’s best four races are used for scoring.Runners that complete at

5$!*#& "+3%& +"& #'$& ()2$& *$%)$*&%!6$*& 9)55& %$6$)2$& !& 6$%#)()‐cate of accomplishment. The top three female and male winners will be awarded tro‐phies at the State of Franklin Track Club’s annual awards banquet, and the top female and male also receive free entry into all series races for

the following season. The 2012 top winners were Harriet Locke of Bristol, age 80, and David Bax‐ter of Erwin, age 29. “Running or walking in these events is a great way to be healthy and to sup‐port great charitable causes. We welcome everyone to come out and participate in the excellent races being offered in the Greene County area.” To register for the series, to view the event sched‐ule, or for more information go to FrontierRacingSeries.com, or call 636‐2141.

The 2013 Frontier Racing Series Greene County Foot Races

The Frontier Racing Series Board of Directors (left to right): Hunter Reed, Greeneville Astros; Tracy Green, Laughlin Memorial Hospital; Bob Townsend, State of Franklin Track Club; Jon Reynolds, American Greetings. Not pictured: Debbie Overacker, Greene County YMCA.


Astrophotography students to exhibit work, share enthu-siasm about VI and

BCM-hosted programDecember 14

Birthplace of Country Music partnered with two Virginia In‐termont College professors this fall to present “Youth Capture the Colorful Cosmos,” a six‐week as‐trophotography program devel‐oped by the Smithsonian Astro‐physical Observatory and aimed at engaging middle school chil‐dren. VI Physics Professor Chuck Pearson and Cultural Heritage and Public Arts Professor Jessica Turner will host a reception to honor the students and exhibit their work on Friday, December 14, 2012, at 5:00 pm in Harrison Jones auditorium at Virginia In‐termont College. The media and public are invited to attend. For the past six weeks, Drs.

Pearson and Turner, with the as‐sistance of interns at the college, have worked with students from Virginia Middle School and Vance Middle School in Bristol, Virginia and Tennessee. These students were introduced to a wide variety of resources in the Smithsonian’s Micro‐Observatory Telescope Network, including the ability to control the robotic telescopes via the Internet and use its software to capture their versions of the cosmos.“YCCC promotes increased in‐

terest, awareness, and knowledge of astronomy content, under‐standing of technology and pro‐()6)$06,&)0&%$!5&*6)$0#)()6&%$*$!%6'&skills,” said Turner. “This will be a springboard to larger educa‐tional projects that connect the arts with science.” The students’ chosen images, as well as their 6!.#)+0*;& .+$4*;& !07& %$(5$6#)+0*&on the program, will be on display during the reception. Refresh‐ments will be served. For more information on the program and its reception, please contact Dr. Jessica Turner at [email protected] or 276‐466‐7191. Youth Capture the Colorful Cos‐

mos is funded by the Smithsonian Institution’s Youth Access Grants .%+/%!4&4!0!/$7&@,&#'$&J"()6$&+"&the Assistant Secretary for Edu‐cation and Access. The project is led by the Harvard‐Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, in part‐0$%*').&9)#'&?4)#'*+0)!0&8"()5)!‐tions.

BRRR’s 2013 Holly Jolly Christmas Reveal Begins

Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion begins its daily reveal of artists playing the 2013 festival. Don’t forget to log on to www.BristolRhythm.com, and join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter, daily through December 23rd and add a bit of musical cheer to your holiday season!


A large mural being painted on the side of the Emory Mer‐cantile, also known as the Emory & Henry College bookstore, is a symbol of the College’s impact on the world through service, according to one of the two stu‐dent artists who designed it.Cat Richardson, a senior

from Colonial Heights, Va., said in designing the mural she and fellow student Brian Stanley, a junior from Fieldale, Va., wanted something that was a play on the College’s motto, “Increase in Ex‐cellence.” The two landed upon the idea of a tree growing from a depiction of the planet framed by the words “Increasing the World’s Excellence.”“At Emory we do a lot to serve

the community and the world,” Richardson said. “We do it often because it’s required of us, but we also do it because that’s the type of students we are.”Richardson and Stanley’s de‐

sign was selected for the mural from among several that were

submitted to a competition sponsored by the E&H Student Government Association. Richardson and Stanley be‐

gan painting the mural Thurs‐day, Dec. 6, and were joined by other students in the project. As they worked numerous people

stopped by to observe the work and take photographs.“People have been really ex‐

cited about it,” Richardson said. “It’s really been cool, because it’s something that I’m doing now during my senior year, but will stay here after I graduate.”

Mural Symbolizes College Commitment to Better World

In the 20 centuries since the birth of the Christian Messiah Je‐sus, little has changed in the star patterns that we see in tonight’s night skies.Bright stars abound in the

crystal clear nights with the Moon shining bright this Christ‐mas Week of 2012. As the Milky Way sets in the west, the famous hunter, Orion, leaps above the $!*#$%0& '+%)1+0;& @%)0/)0/& 9)#'&him his two dogs, Taurus the Bull and Gemini the Twins. H$/!*3*& (5)$*& 7)%$6#5,& +2$%‐

head, while in the north skies, King Cepheus and Queen Cassio‐peia watch over their troubled daughter Andromeda. Nearby, the mythological hero Perseus awaits to save Andromeda from the monster whale called Cetus,

53%F)0/&)0&#'$&*+3#'&'+%)1+0-All this mythological drama

is being played out in the stars above our Appalachia winter wonderland. The same stars that 2,000 years ago were seen by a humble couple named Joseph and Mary as they journeyed from G!1!%$#'& #+& I$#'5$'$4& #+& .!,&their taxes to the Roman Empire. And somewhere among the

winter stars of some 2,000 years ago, there was something strange in the night sky that trig‐gered a caravan of Wise Men to travel 1,000 miles to see if the Hebrew prophesy of the birth of a Messiah was true.The famous Star of Bethlehem

is a mystery that can only be explained by studying the Wise Men—the only people who ac‐

tually saw the “Star”—and the positions of the planets and con‐stellations at that Biblical time. The most famous star of his‐

tory will probably always re‐main an enigma. But the reason that Christmas season is now is 436'&$!*)$%&#+&()/3%$&+3#-First, forget that Jesus was

born Dec. 25th& )0& #'$&,$!%& 1$%+-&Jesus was probably born in a time frame of 6‐3 BC, as in Be‐fore Christ. This isn’t sacrilegious. The Bi‐

ble accounts of Jesus birth make it clear that the babe was born while King Herod was alive—then he had all males under age S&F)55$7&"+%&"$!%&+"&#'$&"35()554$0#&of the ancient Hebrew prophesy


Christmas Star and The Reason THIS is the Season

Continued on page 23

of a Messiah being born. Then King Herod died after an eclipse of the Moon, pinpointed at either March 13th 4 BC or Jan. 9th 1 BC. And, Jesus certainly wasn’t born in the cold of December. As the Bible says, shepherd were in the ()$57*&9!#6')0/&#'$)%&(5+6F*;&6$%‐tainly a spring or summertime event.And as for the Star of Bethle‐

hem itself, well, there is no re‐cord that anybody else besides the Wise Men saw it. The bible, again, says so. King Herod asked the Wise Men where the star was, so it wasn’t a bright beacon standing over the Nativity as de‐picted on Christmas cards. What the Wise Men probably

saw was a passion play of plan‐ets Jupiter, Saturn and maybe even Venus, all bright and all watched carefully by these mys‐terious travelers the Bible says paid homage to Jesus.Historians generally agree

that these Wise Men were priests of the ancient Zoroastrian faith, a religion deeply concerned with the prophesy of a Messiah coming to save the world. The ancient scriptures of the Old Tes‐tament—in their more original

form as handed down thou‐sands of years before Christ—kept ancient * # ! % / ! 1 $ % *&watching for a sign in the stars for the Hebrew savior.The move‐

ments of the brightest plan‐ets over a peri‐od from 10 BC to 1 BC would have caught the attention of any ancient *#!%/!1$%*-&&I3#&such priests of the Zoroastrian faith would interpret the deeper religious meaning behind the miraculous movements of these starry points. 807&9'$0&)#&9!*&%$!5)1$7&#'!#&

Venus and Jupiter were to over‐lap and fuse as one star in the twilight of a June evening in 2 BC, this extremely rare event might have triggered the adventure of the Wise men from somewhere in today’s Iraq to the land of to‐day’s Israel. The important fact is that Je‐

sus was born as Christian’s be‐lieve, Son of God and Man. For 33 years, Jesus lived on Earth, !07&#'$0&'$&9!*&6%36)()$7&@,&#'$&Romans sometime around 28‐30 AD. To profess the belief in the

teachings of Jesus was danger‐ous in the years and decades after His death and ascension to Heaven. Yet those who saw the miracles performed and heard the words he expounded from God, carried Jesus’ message to those who’d listen. They called themselves Christians, and many

were killed for their be‐liefs.Thus, the

1st Century believers in Jesus had to disguise their cel‐e b r a t i o n s and meet in secret. The Ch r i s t i a n s saw the Ro‐man cel‐ebration of the winter solstice as a time when they could

congregate and not be ques‐tioned. The winter solstice was an

astronomical event when the Sun seemed to stop in its far‐thest point in the sky southward. From that day, around Dec. 25 some 2,000 years ago, the Sun would creep northward and the days would get longer. Because of inexact calendar

time over hundreds of years, that day of Winter Solstice oc‐curs around Dec. 21.So, early Christians found a

time to celebrate Jesus’ birth without drawing attention to them. And as the decades after Christ’s life on Earth turned to centuries, Christians found cus‐toms and traditions to incorpo‐rate into their celebration of Je‐sus’ birth. No matter the faith of a per‐

son, the gift of giving is a univer‐sal act that brings goodwill and happiness.Maybe mankind will never

know exactly the true nature of the Star of Bethlehem, unless some book of hidden Biblical knowledge is discovered with all the answers. But that doesn’t matter. The

fact that God used the stars and planets He created to orches‐trate a celestial sign to humans, heralding the Messiah, is the un‐disputed fact. What form the Star of Beth‐

lehem takes doesn’t matter for Christian believers. The saving grace of Jesus Christ is the mes‐sage that is important to the world. The light of this special as‐

tronomical event—the Star of Bethlehem—has a meaning for humanity that will shine forever.




Saturday, Dec. 22nd

Celestial events in the skies for the week of Dec. 1824, 2012, as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.

Star of the AgesThe stillness of a winter night,

Transcends the time of old and new.And in December our mind returns

To the Christmas Star made famous from afar.d0&#'$&0)/'#&*F,&!%$&4!0,&7!115)0/&*)/'#*;&

With none more famous or in our minds so bright,As the light that shone over Bethlehem.

Whatever it was, no matter how it came to be,It signaled a new age for men to believe

That stars can shine from deep in the heartAnd bring peace and happiness to those far apart.

by MarQ

Tues. Dec. 18

The Moon begins the week in Aquarius, spends three days in Pisces, a day in Aries and ends the week in Taurus. The beautiful moonlight will only add to the festive

lights of the holiday season that are seen everywhere.

Wed. Dec. 19

By 9 pm, the mighty constellation Orion the Hunter has jumped above the eastern '+%)1+0&)0&!55&')*&/5+%,-&&D'$&'30#$%T*&@$5#&+"&#'%$$&*#!%*&@)*$6#*&#9+&*#!%*&+"&')*&shoulders and two stars of his knees, with many celestial treasures within its

boundaries like the Great Nebula and the Horsehead Nebula.

Thurs. Dec. 20

First Quarter Moon is today at 12:19 am in the middle of Pisces the Fishes. Bin‐oculars or any small telescope at low power will astound the viewer with all the

detail of craters, mountains and ancient lava seas.

Fri. Dec. 21

Winter Solstice is today at 6:12 am, when the Sun reaches its lowest point south in the daytime sky. That will only mean the shortest day, not the end of the world, with only 10 hours of daylight—and the rest

0)/'##)4$&"+%&*#!%/!1)0/e

Sat. Dec. 22

If the apocalypse has been delayed and we are alive this morning, check in the east before dawn at 6:45 am for the bright planet Venus near the red star Antares in

Scorpius.

Sun. Dec. 23

Moonlight illuminates the night landscape in an eerie glow as families gather for the holidays. Being outside in the quite, cold night is made even more spiritual

with the Moon’s light bathing the winter scene.

Mon. Dec. 24

On this Christmas Eve of 1968, Apollo 8 with three astronauts began orbiting the Moon. Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders were the

()%*#&'34!0*&#+&+%@)#&!0+#'$%&9+%57;&!07&!*&#'$,&televised the cratered surface below to a live tele‐vision audience that holiday evening, they took turns and read from The Bible book of Genesis.


Saturday, Dec. 22nd


December 25Dear Diary,Here we are, Christmas day! My wife and I have had a wonderful Christmas! We had a marvelous meal, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. We’re doing something different, however, we’re going to roll our gifts out over the 12 days of Christmas. Should be exciting, and perhaps let that Christmas spirit last longer. Today I was given a beautiful pear tree, with a partridge on the top +"&)#-&D'$&6!#&)*&'!2)0/&!&()#&+2$%&#'$&@)%7;&!07&dT4&#%,)0/&#+&()/3%$&+3#&where in the yard to put the tree.

December 26Dear Diary,Today my wife gave me two turtle doves, they’re getting along just ()0$&9)#'&#'$&.!%#%)7/$-&d&7)70T#&%$!55,&$2$%&#')0F&dT7&'!2$&!0,&@)%7*&in my lifetime, but now I have three. They’re pretty, and they sing well. The cat drools when he walks by them. We’re keeping them as far away from him as possible, I have to run to PetSmart and buy bird feed.

December 27Dear Diary,OK, things are taking an odd turn, more birds! Today it was three French hens—though I appreciate the number thing she has going for her, I don’t know what to do with French hens. Why French ones? What was wrong with American ones? Will they lay eggs? I mean, it would be nice to have eggs on demand. Still, all this fowl is starting to be a bit foul (I’m hilarious, dairy. Hilarious).

December 28Dear Diary,Four colly birds! What the hell is up with all the damn birds? Did someone tell my wife I wanted to open up an aviary? Because whoever did is DEAD to me! I am now the owner of ten birds. The checkout people at PetSmart all know me by name at this point. Today I’m going to pick up more feed, and move the birds into a shack I’ve built out back. Wish me luck, diary.

December 29Dear Diary,Finally! NO MORE BIRDS! Instead today I was given Five Golden V)0/*-&d&'!2$&0+&)7$!&9'!#&dT4&/+)0/&#+&7+&9)#'&()2$&/+57$0&%)0/*;&I’m just glad it wasn’t more birds.

December 30Dear Dairy,d&*.+F$&#++&*++0-&?)E&U$$*$-&^'$%$&7)7&*'$&()07&!55&+"&#'$*$&#')0/*ef&^!*&gQC&'!2)0/&!&()%$&*!5$&+0&@)%7*&+%&*+4$#')0/f&d&%$!55,&9)*'&*'$&was a bit more practical in her gifting. It’s not that I dislike having these birds around, they’re lovely. The thing is, I’m just starting to feel a little like Tippi Hedren. I buy her jewelery, and she keeps giving me the bird.

The Diary of The Twelve Days of Christmas

Continued on page 27


December 31Dear Dairy,Happy New Years Eve! We’re going out to a friend’s tonight for a party, and I’m looking forward to it. As you could guess, today it was yet more birds. Seven Swans, who have all taken up residency in our pool. They just swim, peck, eat, swim, peck eat. PetSmart now sales food to me by the case. We’ve locked the cat down in the basement, he has that same gleam in his eyes that fat people have at Ryan’s.

January 1Dear Diary,Happy New Year! I’m looking forward to a fresh start for a prosperous new year. We had a great time last night at the party, and I fully admit that I overdid it. So much so, that I thought I was hallucinating this morning when I looked out on the lawn, and saw eight young ladies milking cows. It was very real, and today’s gift. I’m starting to think this whole “12 days of Christmas” thing was a horrible idea.

January 2Dear Diary,My life is becoming a circus. This ever growing menagerie now has nine ladies dancing. Birds chirp, maids milk, and now women are dancing all over the '+3*$-&dT4&*#!%#)0/&#+&"$$5&5)F$&!&*5$!1,&*#%).&653@&+90$%-&If I hear “Black Velvet” one more time, I’m gonna die.

January 3Dear Diary,I think today’s gift was more for my wife than it was for me—actually I think this whole gift thing is just her attempt to Gaslight me. Today it was nine lords a leaping. Men dancing this time. You can’t move anywhere on my property without running into a thin, leotard wearing man jumping around like his life depended on it. I think I’ve fallen into my own personal Circ Du Soleil Hell.

January 4Dear Diary,Eleven Pipers. That will not stop piping. You know how much I hate Renascence fairs? Well guess what? I’m now living in the middle of one. They won’t even stop at night! Who did I marry, what happened to that gal? She loved Apple products, not slow torturing her spouse! I think what’s far scarier, is that there was a place she could order all of this from.

January 5Dear Dairy,D+7!,&)*&#'$&()0!5&7!,;&.%!)*$&=$*3*e&I woke up this morning to what d&#'+3/'#&9!*&#'$&*+307&+"&%)(5$*&@$)0/&()%$7&#+&()0!55,&.3#&4$&+3#&+"&my misery, but was instead my last present. Twelve drummers. Just like the pipers of yesterday, they never stop drumming. They even followed me all the way down to the police station. Did I fail to mention that I was brought in for questioning this morning? It seems that having nine young ladies milking cows in your front lawn, is a border line violation of child labor laws. PETA has set up a protest outside my house as well, they are upset with the number of caged critters on my land. I was even on the news last night! To top it all off, this morning in my mail, I found a sternly worded letter from Oprah. Next year, I am not exchanging gifts with my wife. I’m just gonna get her a McDonald’s gift card...it’ll be all I can afford after the legal bills.

See you next week, follow me on Twitter @ThatAndyRoss.



Brad Pitt is back in theaters 9)#'&#'$&0$9&()54;&B_)55)0/&D'$4&Softly”, and personally I wish he would have chosen another, ANY +#'$%;&()54&#+&.%+736$&!07&*#!%&)0-&d&0$2$%&#'+3/'#&!&4+@&()54&9+357&bore me, but this Pitt produced effort certainly did. You know it’s bad when you are constantly 6'$6F)0/& #'$& #)4$;& !07& #'$& ()54&only runs 97 minutes! Mercifully short running time aside, the plot involves three dumb guys led by Markie Trattman (Ray Li‐otta), who think they’re smart enough to rob a mob protected card game (mistake!). The rob‐bery does succeed, but causes

the local criminal economy to collapse. The success is short lived, however, when an enforc‐er, Jackie (Brad Pitt) is hired to track the robbers down. Jackie seeks help from hit man Mickey ]=!4$*&U!07+5()0)Z;&9'+&$07*&3.&being no help at all, and Jackie is on his own. There is much talk‐)0/& )0& #')*& ()54;&!07& d&F$.#&9!)#‐ing, and hoping, for something to happen.

When “action” does occur in #'$&()54;&)#T*&#++&5)##5$&!07&#++&5!#$&"+%&4$&#+&6!%$-&^')5$&#')*&()54&)*&at best lackluster, Pitt is his usual movie star self when on screen,

and I wish he had a better ve‐hicle for his performance. The supporting players are fair, and U!07+5()0)&!..$!%*&#+&@$&.5!,)0/&

a weak version of his “The So‐pranos” character. “Killing Them Softly” simply killed me with boredom. (Rated R) D

Killing Them Softly


Depending on when you are reading this, the world will or will not have come to an end as predicted on December 21 this week. No doubt some among us are delaying their Christmas shopping until after this Friday, waiting to see if there is any reason to place their still‐to‐be‐purchased presents under the tree. End of the world or not, I will delay my shopping until the very last minute, perhaps until this weekend. If the world has ended by then, and I’m one of the few left alive, I can at least avoid all those long lines.I last wrote about the end of

the world on May 31, 2011 in the wake of Rev. Howard Camp‐ing’s now‐forgotten prediction that the world was scheduled to end on May 21 of that year. This week’s column is a continuation of the dialog I started a year and a half ago with that end‐of‐the‐world piece, and I hope to shed more light on a different way to think about worlds’ end. And, as we contemplate the way Christ‐mas signals the end of the old and the arrival of the new, this is a good time to take another look at what the end of the world re‐ally means.Needless to say, I don’t expect

the world to look very much different this coming Saturday morning than it does now—as much as I’m a fan of popular cul‐ture, I am a true skeptic when it comes to any sort of predictions. The fact of the matter is that no one has ever made an accurate prediction—given that predic‐tions are very different than forecasts or wishful thinking. So,

if experience is a good (or even a quite mediocre) teacher, we shouldn’t expect anything very apocalyptic to take place this coming Friday. So don’t cancel that trip to the Mall just yet, and keep your wrapping paper close at hand.As I observed in my

May 2011 column, the world has actually end‐ed several times before and during my lifetime. Not in a literal sense, of course, but in an emo‐tional or experiential way. Let’s take a look at what this means.The end of the

world—which doesn’t have the same mean‐ing for everyone, of course—can be a turn‐ing point as well as an apocalypse. For in‐stance, I believe the world in a very real sense came to an end on a summer day in 1826, well in advance of March 21, 1844, the date that evangelist Wil‐liam Miller predicted the world would come to an end with a rapture of the faithful—when that date came and went uneventfully, Mill‐er, much like Howard Camping did last year, moved the date to Octo‐ber 22 and then retired from the prediction business when noth‐ing out of the ordinary happened on that date

either. However, on that sum‐mer day in 1826 Joseph Niepce, a Frenchman, took the world’s ()%*#& .'+#+/%!.'-& 85#'+3/'& +05,&a handful of people took notice of this unannounced event, the pre‐photographed world ceased to exist on that day, and a major experiential shift took place. To‐day, we live in a world of images and we owe that in large part to Niepce and his camera.An even more world‐ending

$2$0#&#++F&.5!6$&!&5)##5$&+2$%&()"#,&years later, again in France, when Auguste and Pierre Lumiere ar‐%!0/$7&"+%&#'$&()%*#&.3@5)6&*6%$$0‐ing of motion pictures in the Pa‐risian Salon Indien du Grand Cafc on December 28, 1895. In effect, the Lumiere brothers added mo‐tion to Niepce’s still photographs and ushered in the world of the movies—no doubt as startling and life‐changing a development the world has ever seen (no pun intended I suppose). The com‐ing of the movies has perhaps done more to change the world

than any other human invention. As I write this, I am watching an $.)*+7$& +"& ()54& ')*#+%)!0& P!%F&Cousin’s remarkable documenta‐ry The Story of Film: An Odyssey, a thought‐provoking and power‐ful statement about the impor‐#!06$&+"&()54&)0&+3%&5)2$*-&d#T*&0+#&too late to put this boxed set on your Christmas wish list as I’ve done—a real bargain at $60.00.Another experiential shift

took place on November 2, 1920 when Pittsburgh’s KDKA became #'$& 9+%57T*& ()%*#& 6+44$%6)!55,:licensed radio station. Although many private broadcasts had tak‐en place before that, the arrival of commercial radio had enormous implications for bringing about a world based on mass culture. It is perhaps no coincidence that #'+*$&()%*#&_A_8&@%+!76!*#*;&!07&the many others that were to fol‐low in its wake throughout the world, took place during the de‐cade when the US Census Bureau would announce an end to rural America and the tipping of the

scales toward urban culture.Without question, the Second

World War created a new world out of the ashes of the old, and #'$& $2$0#& #'!#& @$*#& 7%!4!#)1$*&that end‐of‐world phenomenon )*&=35,&MK;&MOhX;&#'$&7!,&#'$&()%*#&atomic bomb was exploded in the early morning light over Los Alamos, New Mexico. It was this event that created the world into which I was born, along with the December 23, 1947 (just in time for Christmas) introduction of the transistor by New Jersey’s Bell Laboratories.For me at least, other worlds

came to an end when Ed Sullivan presented us with two earth‐shattering broadcasts—the now‐infamous hip‐shaking (out of camera range, of course) TV de‐but of Elvis Presley on September 9, 1956 and the American pre‐mier of The Beatles eight years later on February 9, 1964. Believ‐ing as I do that popular culture is indeed a life‐changing force, these two events are evidence

that the world has indeed changed several times in my lifetime.Our end‐of‐the‐world

list can go on and on, in‐6537)0/& ]!*& @$()#*& #')*&Christmas season) the December 25, 1990 intro‐duction of the HTTP lan‐guage by Tim Berners‐Lee, an Englishman who had a vision of the future of on‐line experience—although to this day he admits he couldn’t imagine the pro‐found way his brainchild would totally transform our lives. And I believe it is interesting that three of the world‐ending events included in this column took place on or near Christmas.So, as many greet this

week with fear and ap‐prehension, I hope you can take some comfort in the knowledge that the end of the world is nothing new. And the much‐discussed Mayan calendar isn’t rel‐evant to any of this. I generally end my

weekly columns with the statement “See you next week,” and this week I be‐lieve I can say that with !& /%$!#$%& *$0*$& +"& 6+0()‐dence than ever before. And, in addition to my usual parting statement, I want to wish you and your loved ones the merriest of Christmases.

Has the World Ended Yet? A Seasonal Meditation

, The Loafer • December 18, 2012 www.theloaferonline.com

December 18, 2012

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