FUNDRAISERS
Back-To-School Rummage Sale
8 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday
and Saturday
Upper Gap Creek
Freewill Baptist Church, 1380 Dry Creek Road
725-3847
Four Prices only: 25 cents, 50 cents, 75 cents and $1. All proceeds go to the Ladies Aide to fund our projects. All items must go!

Spaghetti Supper
4-6 p.m. Saturday
Stoney Creek Baptist Church, 1843 Tenn. Highway 91
Women of Faith at Stoney Creek Baptist will hold this fundraiser. Carry-outs are available. Cost: $7

Concert for Josh Wandell
6 p.m. Sunday
Valley Forge
Free Will Baptist Church,
1503 Riverview Drive
Featured musicians will include Loren Harris, Jeff Snyder, Kayla Story, the Valley Forge Praise Choir and the Valley Forge Praise Band. Admission is free, but a love offering will be received. Wandell, former principal at East Side Elementary School has ALS.

GAMES & ADVENTURES
Backyard Bass
10 a.m. today
Roan Mountain State Park
Want to try your hand out at fishing, but haven’t wanted to invest in any equipment? Join Nathan for Fishing 101 at the Campground Playing Field. Note: we will not actually be fishing in the water. Cost: FREE.

Ultimate Frisbee
2 p.m. today
Roan Mountain State Park
Beginners and professionals welcome. Meet Nathan at Picnic Shelter 3 to learn how to play. Bring appropriate running shoes, and water! This program is weather dependent. Cost: FREE.

Edible and Medicinal Plant Hike
3 p.m. today
Roan Mountain State Park
Join Amanda at the Tom Gray Trailhead for a short hike to learn the interesting historic and present uses of our forest plants. Please wear shoes appropriate for hiking. This program is weather dependent. Cost: FREE.

Snakes
5 p.m. today
Roan Mountain State Park
Meet and greet our resident reptiles up close and personal at the Park Amphitheater with Amanda. This program is weather dependent. Cost: FREE.

Owl Prowl
8:45 tonight
Roan Mountain State Park
Learn all about night fliers here at Roan Mountain State Park. You might just learn “who cooks for you”. Meet Amanda at Park Headquarters. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: FREE.
Park Scavenger Hunt
10 a.m. Saturday
Roan Mountain State Park
Come explore the scenic Tom Gray Trail with a nature scavenger hunt! Meet Nathan at the Camp Store. For kids or the kid at heart. This program is weather dependent. Cost: FREE.

Salamander Hunt
10-11:30 a.m. Saturday
Buffalo Mountain Park,
Johnson City
423-283-5821
We live in the salamander capital of the world – not of Tennessee, not of the southeast or the United States, but of the world! Join Nature Program Coordinator Connie Deegan on a hunt for some of these fascinating creatures. Participants will meet at the Harris Pavilion. After a brief discussion, everyone will head to the cool Catbird Creek to do some sleuthing and see what can be found. Cost: $1.

Rocks Rock
2 p.m. Saturday
Roan Mountain State Park
Just how did these mountains form? Come explore the Cloudland Trail for a better understanding of the geology at Roan Mountain State Park. This trail is easy to moderate in difficulty. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes. Cost: FREE.

Junior Scientist Program
11-11:30 a.m. Monday
Memorial Park Community Center, 520 Bert St., Johnson City
434-5749
Children ages 3-5 will explore the fascinating world of science. The program will encourage critical thinking for fun experiments and science-themed crafts and games. Cost: $5. Pre-register at Memorial Park Community Center 7 a.m.-9 p.m. today.

Campground Campfire
9 p.m. Saturday
Roan Mountain State Park
Meet Amanda at the Campground Campfire Ring (just beyond the Tom Gray Trailhead) for stories, s’mores and games. This program is weather dependent. Cost: FREE.
Checkers Tournament
10 a.m. Sunday
Roan Mountain State Park
Meet Nathan at the Camp Store to see if you have what it takes to become Roan Mountain’s next Checkers champ. Cost: FREE.

Hampton Creek Cove Hike
1 p.m. Sunday
Roan Mountain State Park
Join Amanda for a guided nature walk around our nearest state natural area, Hampton Creek Cove. Meet Amanda at Park Headquarters promptly, and we’ll caravan out to the trailhead together (~8mi.). Please wear a hat/sunscreen, bring water, and a light snack. This program is weather dependent. Cost: FREE.

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Knots
4 p.m. today
Roan Mountain State Park
Pull together with Nathan at the Conference Center to learn the basics of knot tying. Cost: FREE.

At the Farmstead: Spinning With Ellie
noon-2 p.m. Saturday
Roan Mountain State Park
Learn traditional spinning techniques with local artisan Ellie Hjemmit at the Miller Farmstead. Cost: FREE.

The 10 Hiking Essentials
3 p.m. Saturday
Roan Mountain State Park
There are 10 things you should always bring with you on a hike. What are they? Meet Amanda at the Park Amphitheater, across from the Camp Store to find out. Cost: FREE.

Map and Compass
4 p.m. Saturday
Roan Mountain State Park
People have used a map and compass throughout history to help them find their way. Come out to this program to learn the parts of a map and compass and how you can use them together! Meet Nathan at the Camp Store. Cost: FREE.

Animal Athletes
5 p.m. Saturday
Roan Mountain State Park
Get your fitness on with Amanda as we try out some animal-inspired moves. This program is geared for kids under age 12. Meet Amanda at the Park Amphitheater. This program is weather dependent. Cost: FREE.

To Build a Fire
8 p.m. Saturday
Roan Mountain State Park
Meet Josh at the Campground Campfire Ring for a few hot tips and tricks on building a fire in an emergency situation, or just for a fun evening here at the park. This program is weather dependent. Cost: FREE.

Grief Share
2-4 p.m. Sundays
through Nov. 8
Sycamore Shoals Hospital
542-5551
Grace Baptist Church’s grief recovery seminar and support group will meet weekly in Classroom B at Sycamore Shoals Hospital. Grief Share video sessions feature nationally recognized experts on grief recovery topics. Seminar sessions include “Living With Grief,” “The Journey of Grief,” “The Effects of Grief,” “Why?” and “Stuck in Grief.” Grief Share is co-sponsored by Sycamore Shoals Hospital Spiritual Care Department. The sessions are led by Grace Baptist Pastor Travis Tyler.

Positively Pillows
1-4 p.m. Sunday
and Aug. 16
Sycamore Shoals
State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
Class will focus on how to create and insert piping, cording and zippers in pillows, types of pillow forms, covered buttons, envelope closure. A different pillow will be sewn at each session. Check at the park Visitors Center for examples and supply list. Student needs to be familiar with the use of their sewing machines. Instructor: Donna Horowitz. Minimum class size, 3; maximum, 6. Cost: $45.00 plus supplies.

Natural Dyeing
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 15
Sycamore Shoals
State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
Make beautiful color with all the bounty of nature. Learn to dye thread as Colonial settlers might have during the 18th century. Create stunning colors with the herbs and flowers of the field. Wear old clothes, and bring your lunch. Instructor: Carolyn DeWitt. Class minimum, 2; maximum, 10. Cost: $25.

Basketry — Cottage Hearth
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 15
Sycamore Shoals
State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
Hearth baskets were used to hold kindling for the fireplace. This mini (8.5 inches by 12 inches by 10 inches) can hold anything from magazines to muffins. Students will learn how to make a slanted rim. If you want to line the bottom with an acrylic cutting board (wood is too heavy), bring it with you to class. We will adjust the size of the basket to fit it. Instructor: Candy Alexander. Class minimum, 4; maximum, 12. Cost: $30.

MUSIC & THE ARTS
At the Amphitheater: The Blairs
7 tonight
Roan Mountain
State Park Amphitheater
sweet gospel tunes courtesy of the Blair family from Nebo, NC. Meet at the Park Amphitheater, or Picnic Shelter 3 (across from the Camp Store) in case of inclement weather. Cost: FREE.

Covered Bridge Jams
7-9 p.m. Saturdays
Covered Bridge Park,
downtown Elizabethton
t Sacred Harmony, Saturday
t Hollow Ground Bluegrass, Aug. 15
t ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band, Aug. 29

At the Amphitheater: The Brotherhood Quartet
7 p.m. Saturday
Roan Mountain
State Park Amphitheater
Southern gospel tunes by these talented fellas here at at the Park Amphitheater, or Picnic Shelter 3 in case of inclement weather. Cost: FREE.

Lakeside Concert Series
7-9 p.m. Thursdays
and 6-8 p.m. Sept. 13
Winged Deer Park,
Johnson City
t Model City Wrecking Crew, Thursday
t Kids Our Age, Aug. 20
t Johnson City Symphony, Sept. 13

Old Time Music Jam
Aug. 23
Sycamore Shoals
State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
Enjoy the rich musical traditions of our region each month. Old-time musicians of all levels are welcome. Don’t play an instrument? Come on over, kick back and enjoy the tunes! Led by Art Lang. Cost: FREE.

Johnson City Symphony Orchestra Auditions
Sept. 10
Milligan College,
Seeger Chapel, Room 200
423-926-8742
The Johnson City Symphony Orchestra has opened auditions for the following positions:
• Principal viola;
• Section viola;
• Section violin;
• Asst principal french horn/utility horn; and
• Second oboe/english horn.

TOURS & EXHIBITS
Carter Mansion Tours
2 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday
Carter Mansion, 1013 Broad St.
423-543-5808
Meet Gillian at the oldest frame house in Tennessee for a look inside this beautiful frontier home and hear the stories of the family that built it. Cost: FREE.

Newell Hendershot Exhibit
Saturday through Aug. 28
Opening reception
1:30-4 p.m. Saturday
Sycamore Shoals
State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
Fun exhibit of miniature masterpieces, size 6 inches by 6 inches or smaller. Cost: FREE.

MEETINGS
Watauga Valley Fife & Drum Corps
10 a.m.-noon Saturdays
Sycamore Shoals State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
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
9:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday
Sycamore Shoals State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
This gathering of spinners and fiber artists is open to anyone interested in the art of spinning. Join us at 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, April to November.

REUNIONS
Trivett Family Reunion
noon Saturday
Valley Forge Freewill Baptist Church, Riverview Drive
647-8487
The annual Trivett family reunion will be held Saturday at the Valley Forge Freewill Baptist Church picnic area next to the river. Lunch will be served at 1. Bring covered dishes, drinks and desserts to share. Table covers, plates, napkins and eating utensils will be provided. Join relatives and friends for lunch, fun and games.

Blackwell Family Reunion
2 p.m. Saturday
Jack’s Pond
543-3365 or 542-5477
The Blackwell family will hold its reunion Saturday at Jack’s Pond. Bring your favorite dish or dessert. Hamburgers and hotdogs will be served.
Andrews Family Reunion
11 a.m. Saturday
Roan Mountain State Park, Picnic Shelter 3
Descendants of Calvin and Diana Adalaide Greenwell Andrews and their children James, Mary Andrews Sheets and William Andrews will hold their annual reunion. Lunch will be served at noon. Bring a covered dish. Paper products will be furnished.

Smith White Price Family Reunion
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
Hampton Christian Church,
810 Deerfield Lane,
Hampton
Liz Street 725-3011
or Peggy Lewis 725-2453
The Smitth White Price family will hold its 32nd annual reunion in the church fellowship hall. Everyone is asked to bring a covered dish and memorabilia. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m.

Oxendine Family Reunion
12:30 p.m. Sunday
Old Oxendine Home Place
The annual Oxendine family reunion will take place at the old home place in Bud’s yard.Bring a covered dish, drinks and memorabilia. Lunch will be served when everyone gets off the mountain.

Boone Family Reunion
Sunday
440-1971
The Boone family will hold its reunion Sunday. Meet at Shed No. 3 at the Campground.

Byrd Family Reunion
1 p.m. Sunday
Lower Brummitt’s Creek Church, Relief, N.C.
828-682-9285
The annual reunion of the James Madison and Ann Bailey Byrd family will be held Sunday at the Lower Brummitt’s Creek Church on Highway 197 North near Relief in Mitchell County, N.C. Bring a covered dish. A decoration will follow at the family cemetery near where the ancestors lived.

FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Old Butler Days Festival
10 a.m.-10 p.m. today and Saturday
Babe Curtis Park,
McQueen Street, Butler
The festival will feature food, rides, games, entertainment and continuous music. Local and specialty vendors will be on hand. Auctions will be expanded to include mini-auctions, silent auctions and live auctions, the proceeds of which help fund community support projects. The price for a vendor spot for both days is $25, and security is available for tents left overnight. For more information on obtaining a vendor application, call Nioka Markland at 423-768-3177.

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.