BLOOD DRIVES
American Red Cross
t Tuesday, 12:15-4:45 p.m., Mountain City Care Center, 919 Medical Park Drive;
t Tuesday, 2:30-7 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 818 Sunset Drive, Johnson City;
t Wednesday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 818 Sunset Drive, Johnson City; and
t Wednesday, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., NN Inc, Suntrust Bank/NN Building, 207 Mockingbird Lane, Johnson City.

FUNDRAISERS
Fourth Annual SkillsUSA
Benefit Golf Tournament
1 p.m. June 26
The golf tournament will be held at Elizabethton Golf Course with a shotgun start at 1 p.m.Fees are $25 for cart sponsors, $50 for tee sponsors, $100 for hole sponsors, $50 entry fee per player or $200 per four-person team. Proceeds will be used to defray travel expenses for students at TCAT Elizabethton to participate in SkillsUSA competition.

WORKSHOPS
& CLASSES
Walk With Ease
10:30 a.m.-noon today
423-434-6237
Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St., Johnson City
In cooperation with the Arthritis Foundation, MPCC will present Walk With Ease, a six-week doctor-recommended exercise program that can reduce pain and improve overall health for anyone with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. Open to adults. Register by phone or at the Senior Services front desk. Cost: $1 per session; free for people with Silver Sneakers.

Atlatl and Dart
9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 18-19
Sycamore Shoals
State Historic Site
Make an atlatl and dart, a tool used for hunting and warfare by prehistoric cultures worldwide. Bring any wood working tools you have especially a good knife. All materials will be supplied. Adults only. Instructor: Bob Estep. Class minimum: 2. Class maximum: 6. Cost: $65.

The Life of a Long Hunter
10:30 a.m. Friday
Sycamore Shoals
State Historic Site
Think you have what it takes to be a long hunter like on the early frontier? Children and even parents who want to tag along are welcome to meet Gillian inside the fort as we learn about these early frontiersmen.

Tomahawk Throw
3:30 p.m. Friday & June 26
Sycamore Shoals
State Historic Site
Come and learn about the versatile tomahawk. Parents and children both are welcome to join Gillian in the courtyard of the fort to learn about a favorite pastime of the frontiersmen, the tomahawk throw.

Cornhusk Dolls
10:30 a.m. Saturday
Sycamore Shoals
State Historic Site
Children of the frontier enjoyed making dolls out of corn husks. Gillian will be on the back porch of the visitor’s center for those who want to join her in making these dolls kids enjoyed playing with hundreds of years ago.

Musket Demonstration
3:30 p.m. Saturday
Sycamore Shoals
State Historic Site
Fire in the hole! Join Gillian at the visitor’s center and see how the British, frontiersmen and even the Native Americans loaded the so-called “Brown Bess.” It’s history with a bang!

Colonial Kids
3:30 p.m. Sunday
Sycamore Shoals
State Historic Site
Ever wonder what the children of the frontier did to have fun? Meet Gillian at the doors of Fort Watauga and learn to play some of the games the children of the Watauga settlement enjoyed in the 18th century.

Colonial Clothing
10:30 a.m. Thursday
Sycamore Shoals
State Historic Site
Want to know how the first settlers of our native Tennessee dressed? Gillian will be on the back porch of the visitors center to show some examples of men’s, women’s and even children’s clothing from the 18th century. You might even get to try some things on!

Critter Creek Walk
10:30 a.m. June 26
Sycamore Shoals
State Historic Site
Bring your water shoes and clothes that you do not mind getting dirty or wet. Join Gillian in the Visitors Center and take a stroll down to the banks of the Watauga. We will meet some critters along the way!

Wataugan Footsteps
10:30 a.m. June 27
Sycamore Shoals
State Historic Site
Join Gillian in the Visitors Center and learn about an important woman on the frontier, Anne Robertson, who played a crucial role in the siege of the fort in 1776.

The Music That Made America
7 p.m. June 27
Sycamore Shoals
State Historic Site
There are so many important tunes that we sing and instruments that we play today that were also used on the early frontier. Swing by the fort for a campfire and learn about these tunes and instruments that have been a part of our culture for centuries. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the evening. The program will be canceled if inclement weather occurs.

Flint and Steel Fire Starting
3:30 p.m. June 28
Sycamore Shoals
State Historic Site
We all enjoy a nice cozy fire now and then. Meet Gillian inside Fort Watauga to learn how the early settlers of Tennessee made fire with only a few simple items.

MUSIC & THE ARTS
Thursday Night Boys
7-9 p.m. Saturday
Covered Bridge Park Stage
Covered Bridge Jams continue with the Thursday Night Boys. Bring a chair or a blanket, sit back and enjoy.

Bullseye Band
7-9 p.m. June 27
Covered Bridge Park Stage
Covered Bridge Jams continue with the Thursday Night Boys. Bring a chair or a blanket, sit back and enjoy.

Old Time Music Jam
1:30-4 p.m. July 26
Enjoy the rich musical traditions of our region each month. Old-time musicians of all levels are welcome. Don’t play and instrument? Come on over, kick back, and enjoy the tunes! Led by Art Lang.

EXHIBITS & DISPLAYS
Carter Mansion Spring Tours
noon-3 p.m. Tuesdays
Carter Mansion
1013 Broad St.
423-543-5808
Join historic interpreter Ramona Invidiato for a tour of Tennessee’s oldest frame house. Admission: FREE.

Summer Art Show
June 28-July 26
Sycamore Shoals
State Historic Site
Meet-the-Artist Awards Reception, 1:30-4 p.m. June 28
This multimedia exhibit is two art shows in one: “13th Annual Judged Show” and the “21st Annual Watauga Valley Art League Member Show.” Public is invited to the June 28 Reception and to enjoy the art exhibit all month.

MEETINGS
Watauga Valley Fife & Drum Corps
10 a.m.-noon Saturdays
Sycamore Shoals
State Historic Site
423-543-5808
The Fife & Drum Corps performs at historical events, dedications and parades. It is open to anyone 13 or older. Musical experience welcome but not required. Lessons are free. Just call and let them know you’re coming.

The Liberty Spinners
Tuesday, July 14 9:30 am – 11:30 am
This gathering of spinners and fiber artists is open to anyone interested in the art of spinning. Join us at 9:30 am on the 2nd Tuesday of each month (April to November).

REUNIONS
65th VonCannon/
VonCanon/VunCannon
Family Reunion
noon July 11
Watauga Pointe
Recreation Area
The VonCannons will caravan from Watauga Pointe Recreation Area to the Elk Mills Family Cemetery and Elk Mills Christian Church for group pictures.

FESTIVALS & EVENTS
69th annual
Rhododendron Festival
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday
Roan Mountain State Park
Thousands of visitors will converge on Roan Mountain State Park this weekend for the annual Rhododendron Festival feature nearly 100 arts and crafts and food vendors and rhododendron blossoms galore!

“Liberty! The Saga
of Sycamore Shoals”
7:30 p.m. July 9-11, 16-18 & 23-25
Sycamore Shoals
State Historic Site
friendsofsycamoreshoals.org
Tennessee’s official outdoor drama, presented by local performers against the backdrop of Fort Watauga.
See the Revolution as told by the Overmountain Men: colonists who defied British law and settled on Cherokee lands. These settlers formed an independent government, made treaties with the Cherokee, defended their homes and fought a British army at the epic battle of King’s Mountain. Bleacher seating is available in the Amphitheater. Sponsored by Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area. Admission Charge.

ON THE HORIZON
Tour of Historic
Washington County
Sept. 26
The Jonesborough Genealogical Society will host a tour of Washington County. Lunch will be provided. Cost: $35 for guild members, $40 for nonmembers. More information pending.

Annual Cranberry Festival
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 10
Shady Valley
Elementary School
423-727-5800
Parade, quilt show, crafts, exhibits, music, demonstrations and food. Book signing by Darrell Brinkley, Mr. Shady Valley. Admission: FREE.