Tuesday, Jan. 12
The Johnson City United Auto Workers Retirees will hold their monthly meeting at 10 a.m. at the Pipefitters Union Hall, 655 Watauga Road, Watauga. All UAW retirees are invited to attend. All UAW retirees are invited to attend, bring their spouses or friends and join the group for this meeting. For local information, call 727-7393, 772-4777 or 743-8778.
The Watauga Association of Genealogists will host a genealogy help night in the Tennessee Room at the Johnson City Public Library, 100 West Millard St., at 6:30 p.m. Betty Jane Hylton and Donna Briggs, WAGS members, will be there to assist persons in their search. For additional information, please visit the organization’s website at http://www.wagsnetn.org/.
Thursday, Jan. 14
The Lions Club of Elizabethton will meet at noon at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s on Hudson Drive. There will be a speaker from Sycamore Shoals Hospital on help available in the area for those with cancer. The public is invited to attend.
Saturday, Jan. 16
Watercolor Painting – Fort Watuaga — Join instructor Barbara Jernigan for a workshop in watercolor painting at Sycamore Shoals State Park. Learn and practice watercolor techniques and style. The historic re-creation of Fort Watauga will be the subject matter for this class. All levels of experience are welcome! The class will be held from 9 a.m. until Noon with a cost of $12 (when participants bring their own supplies) or $20 (supplies provided by instructor).
Sunday, Jan. 17
Know Your Sewing Machine — Have a sewing machine but don’t know how to use it? This class will teach you basic machine operations. (Embroidery machines and sergers are not included). Please bring: sewing machine, sewing machine manual and accessories, small scissors. Instructor brings fabric & thread. The instructor for this workshop is Donna Horowitz and the class will be held at Sycamore Shoals State Park from 1-4 p.m. with a cost of $25.
Saturday, Jan. 23
Watercolor Painting – Landscapes: Bare Trees and Snow Join instructor Barbara Jernigan for a workshop in watercolor painting at Sycamore Shoals State Park. Learn and practice watercolor techniques and style. Landscapes featuring bare trees and snow will be the subject matter for this class. All levels of experience are welcome! The class will be held from 9 a.m. until Noon with a cost of $12 (when participants bring their own supplies) or $20 (supplies provided by instructor).
Saturday, Jan. 30
Beginning Chair Bottoming — Come learn the traditional art of chair bottoming and caning from Cathy Broyles. Discover a great way to repair an old favorite or brush up an antique! Find out how to weave the life back into your old cane furniture.
Materials: chair to cane, bucket or dishpan suitable for hot water, scissors, butter knife, 2 old towels. The cost of the class is $30 plus cost of materials — reed and string — and you can pay the instructor at the start of class for the materials. The class will be held from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Sycamore Shoals State Park.
Saturday, Feb. 6
Winter Militia Muster at Fort Watauga — Visit Sycamore Shoals State Park and Fort Watauga to step back in time into a colorful Revolutionary world. Reenactors portray a variety of characters, from hunters and farmers to land speculators and backcountry gentry. Walk among colonists and native people who share their past through talks, mini-dramas, and demonstrations of 18th century life. Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Raised Bed Gardening —It’s not too early to be planning & building your spring garden. Gardener extraordinaire, Ben Hunter, will be joining us to share his experiences & techniques for growing the garden of your dreams! Sponsored by the Northeast Tennessee Master Gardeners, of which Hunter is a member. The class will be held at Sycamore Shoals State Park from 9 a.m. until Noon. The workshop is free and advance registration is not necessary.
Beginning Sewing — Learn to sew an easy starter project! Class is designed for true beginners. Topics covered: pattern layout, importance of grain line / seam allowances, pattern terminology and many much more. Instructor Donna Horowitz will teach students to sew a bathrobe as their project. Please bring: sewing machine and manual, basic sewing supplies, fabric & pattern. Instructor will provide a supply list at the first class. Bring your machine to the first class. This is a 4-part class series with classes being held on Feb. 6, 20, 27 and March 5 from 1-4 p.m. each class day at Sycamore Shoals State Park. Cost for all four classes is $80 plus supplies.
Sunday, Feb. 7
Winter Militia Muster at Fort Watauga — Visit Fort Watauga and step into a colorful Revolutionary world. Reenactors portray a variety of characters, from hunters and farmers to land speculators and backcountry gentry. Walk among colonists and native people who share their past through talks, mini-dramas, and demonstrations of 18th century life. Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Introduction to Bee Keeping — Curious about bees? Learn about the benefits of back yard beekeeping, the critical necessity of their function of pollination, and local resources that would aid a beginning beekeeper. The instructor for this workshop is Joe Schultz. The class will be held from 2-3 p.m. at Sycamore Shoals State Park and is free and open to the public.
Saturday, Feb. 13
Watercolor Painting – Floral Still Life — Join instructor Barbara Jernigan for a workshop in watercolor painting at Sycamore Shoals State Park. Learn and practice watercolor techniques and style. Floral Still Life will be the subject matter for this class. All levels of experience are welcome! The class will be held from 9 a.m. until Noon with a cost of $12 (when participants bring their own supplies) or $20 (supplies provided by instructor).
Inkle Weaving — Learn how to weave wide sashes, narrow bands, and shoelaces on a loom that is light-weight and easy to carry around! Instructor Ronnie Lail teaches participants to create wonderful patterns through varied placement of colorful thread. Bring scissors. The class will be held from 1-4 p.m. at Sycamore Shoals State Park. Cost for the program is $60 for class and all supplies (this includes a loom for you to keep; or $20 for class and thread only; or $10 for class only.
Saturday, Feb. 20
Beginning Sewing — Learn to sew an easy starter project! Class is designed for true beginners. Topics covered : pattern layout, importance of grain line / seam allowances, pattern terminology and many much more. Instructor Donna Horowitz will teach students to sew a bathrobe as their project. Please bring: sewing machine and manual, basic sewing supplies, fabric & pattern. Instructor will provide a supply list at the first class. Bring your machine to the first class. This is a 4-part class series with classes being held on Feb. 6, 20, 27 and March 5 from 1-4 p.m. each class day at Sycamore Shoals State Park. Cost for all four classes is $80 plus supplies.
Watercolor Painting – Florals: Close Up — Join instructor Barbara Jernigan for a workshop in watercolor painting at Sycamore Shoals State Park. Learn and practice watercolor techniques and style. Florals: Close Up will be the subject matter for this class. All levels of experience are welcome! The class will be held from 9 a.m. until Noon with a cost of $12 (when participants bring their own supplies) or $20 (supplies provided by instructor).
Saturday, Feb. 27
Beginning Sewing — Learn to sew an easy starter project! Class is designed for true beginners. Topics covered : pattern layout, importance of grain line / seam allowances, pattern terminology and many much more. Instructor Donna Horowitz will teach students to sew a bathrobe as their project. Please bring: sewing machine and manual, basic sewing supplies, fabric & pattern. Instructor will provide a supply list at the first class. Bring your machine to the first class. This is a 4-part class series with classes being held on Feb. 6, 20, 27 and March 5 from 1-4 p.m. each class day at Sycamore Shoals State Park. Cost for all four classes is $80 plus supplies.
Saturday, March 5
Vegetable Gardening — Gardener extraordinaire, Ben Hunter, will be joining us to share his experiences & techniques for growing the garden of your dreams! Sponsored by the Northeast Tennessee Master Gardeners, of which Hunter is a member. The workshop will be held at Sycamore Shoals State Park from 9 a.m. until noon. The workshop is free and advanced registration is not required.
Beginning Sewing — Learn to sew an easy starter project! Class is designed for true beginners. Topics covered: pattern layout, importance of grain line / seam allowances, pattern terminology and many much more. Instructor Donna Horowitz will teach students to sew a bathrobe as their project. Please bring: sewing machine and manual, basic sewing supplies, fabric & pattern. Instructor will provide a supply list at the first class. Bring your machine to the first class. This is a 4-part class series with classes being held on Feb. 6, 20, 27 and March 5 from 1-4 p.m. each class day at Sycamore Shoals State Park. Cost for all four classes is $80 plus supplies.
Saturday, March 12
Acrylic Used as Watermedia — Join instructor Barbara Jernigan to learn some interesting ways to begin paintings and introduce texture using fluid acrylics, inks, and other water-soluble media for both abstract and realistic works. The class will be held from 9 a.m. until Noon with a cost of $20 (all supplies furnished).
Saturday, March 19
Overmountain Weavers Guild Fibers Show and Sale — Don’t miss this great opportunity to visit with some of the best fiber artists of our region! If you love fibers, this is the place for you! Demonstrations include weaving, spinning, knitting, natural dyeing, and more. A variety of handmade items will be offered for sale. The event will take place at Sycamore Shoals State Park from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 2
Acrylic Used as Watermedia — Join instructor Barbara Jernigan to learn some interesting ways to begin paintings and introduce texture using fluid acrylics, inks, and other water-soluble media for both abstract and realistic works. The class will be held from 9 a.m. until Noon with a cost of $20 (all supplies furnished).
Saturday, April 19
Carter Mansion Celebration & Militia Muster — Join us for two days of history, traditional arts and family fun as we celebrate the oldest frame house in Tennessee, and the historically prominent Carter family. Travel back to the 1780’s and tour the Carter Mansion. Witness living history reenactors demonstrating aspects of 18th century life, and see local craftsmen showcasing traditional skills. This event will be held at the Carter Mansion on Broad Street Extension from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 10
Handspinning for Beginners — Have you always wanted to learn to spin? This class is meant for those who have never used a spinning wheel before and it taught by Margaret Crouch. You’ll learn the basics of drafting wool and using the wheel to make yarn. If you have a spinning wheel, plan to bring it, along with your spare bobbins. The workshop will be held from 1:30-4 p.m. at Sycamore Shoals. Cost of the workshop is $35 which includes wool roving ready to spin. Participants who already have a spinning wheel are asked to bring it with them to class.
Carter Mansion Celebration & Militia Muster — Join us for two days of history, traditional arts and family fun as we celebrate the oldest frame house in Tennessee, and the historically prominent Carter family. Travel back to the 1780’s and tour the Carter Mansion. Witness living history reenactors demonstrating aspects of 18th century life, and see local craftsmen showcasing traditional skills. This event will be held at the Carter Mansion on Broad Street Extension from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 16
Landscape Seminar & Plant Auction — An exciting array of unusual ornamental & native perennials, trees and shrubs will be auctioned during this event. A great opportunity to add new species to your landscape! Sponsored by The UT Extension Service, East Tennessee Nursery Association, and the Elizabethton/Carter Co. Chamber of Commerce. This event will be held at Sycamore Shoals State Park from 9 a.m. until Noon.
Saturday, April 23
Community Plant Exchange — The front parking at Sycamore Shoals State Park lot will be bustling this morning! Bring cuttings and potted outdoor and indoor plants, to exchange for species you don’t have—a fun way to meet other gardeners and increase your collection. This event will be held from 9-10 a.m. in the front parking lot.
Basketry – Around the Block — This basket is easier to weave than it looks. The pattern is created by using dyed reed on one half and natural on the other for each side of the basket. Dimensions: 6” cube. Bring garden or kitchen shears, an old hand towel, pencil, small measuring tape, small spray bottle of water, and strong clothespins. The instructor for this workshop is Candy Alexander. The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Sycamore Shoals State Park and cost to attend is $22.
Saturday, April 30
Oil Painting for Beginners and Beyond: Lighthouse and Landscape — This beginner class is also open to anyone who has experience with oils and is taught by Rhonda Abbott. We will complete a seascape with focus on perspective and adding dynamic quality to your art! Please bring oil paint in white, blue, yellow, red, and dark brown; paper towels; linseed oil; a stretched canvas or canvas board; pencil and ruler; and at least 2 paint brushes (1 large and 1 small that comes to a point). The workshop will be held at Sycamore Shoals State Park from 9 a.m. until Noon. Cost to attend is $25 (supplies not included).