Use it or lose it. Your brain is like a muscle. Exercise it and it develops. Don't, and your brain functions will degrade even if you lead a normal, healthy life.
Poetry Book of the Year Announced
Rita Quillen's collection of poetry, Her Secret Dream, has been named the 2008 Poetry Book of the Year by the Appalachian Writer's Association.
Age, The Arts & Education: Ceramics & Photography
Alma Rigby proudly admits she's 73 years old, but she looks much younger, perhaps because she "feels" young and stays active. She travels, sews, and works in her yard.
Age, The Arts & Education: Improvisation & Creative Movement
Anne Armentrout, 60, loves playing with words, and inspiring others to do so. She has a graduate degree in English from Georgetown University and a career spanning three decades as a writer, editor, teacher, director, dramaturge, artist, and entreprene
Participants are usually retirees, but classes are open to anyone age 50 or older. Programs offer courses across a wide spectrum of subjects, ranging from historical and cultural topics to the practical and contemporary.
The art world offers prime examples of continuing creativity:
11-Year-Old Fiddle Player & His Band Will Perform During Rhythm & Roots
Adam Larkey, 11, lives in Erwin, Tenn. with his parents, Eric and Tammy Larkey, and little sister Sarah Grace. A sixth-grader at Unicoi County Middle School, he is the bluegrass fiddle player for the Adam Larkey and Mountain Time band.
Transitions: Symphony Names Executive Director
Zane Myers has been named Executive Director of Symphony of the Mountains, which serves Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. It is a fully-professional orchestra of more than 65 musicians, drawn from our region as well as symphony orchestras
Age, The Arts & Education: The Barter (Theatre) Experience
Rebecca Harrington, 64, began participating in The Barter Experience at SVHEC shortly after moving to Abingdon less than two years ago.
Age, The Arts & Education: Women Writers in Appalachia & the South
Carol Bell, 67, taught English at Bristol Virginia High School and at schools in other school systems. She has continued her interest in reading novels and enjoys discussing participation in the Women Writers discussions at SVHEC was an obvious choice.
Age, The Arts & Education: Poetry, Films & More
Sean O'Sullivan, 87, describes himself as "another Abingdon refugee from Yankeeland." He moved to our area in 1990, after 34 years in television production and direction at ABC's national headquarters in Manhattan, NY.
Winners of Virginia Governor's Awards for the Arts Announced
A legendary bluegrass musician and a regional arts center are among 10 recipients of the Virginia Governor's Awards for the Arts.
Arts All Around...Napa Valley Art Among the Vineyards
When my daughter chose Napa Valley as the destination for our annual mother-daughter adventure, she was surprised I had no immediate list of art venues to put on our must-do list. The arts are hardly the BIG draw of the Valley known for vineyards and wine
Opera Rocks His World
If one could peek inside Bill Campbell's home one would see thousands of CDs and records. Chances are nary a rock album rolls within Campbell's collection. Instead, opera rocks Campbell's world.
Barter's 'Batboy' is Brain-Battering Bedlam
It could be ripped right out of this morning's headlines: "Cave explorers in West Virginia's deepest cavern discover, introduce to media, creature that is part human, part vampire bat."
Tennessee Congressman Receives 'A+' In The Arts
On Sept. 16, the Americans for the Arts Action Fund PAC issued its Congressional Report Card, covering the 110th Congress (2007-2009). Congressman Steve Cohen (TN, District 09-Memphis) led the Tennessee delegation with a 100 percent voting record and a
Creating A Good Theatrical Play ... Overnight
Writing a play is a daunting task that could take most people months or even years to complete. But acclaimed local playwright Don LaPlant had only one night.
The Tennessee Arts Commission has announced grants awarded to local organizations for Fiscal Year 2009 (July 1, 2008 -June 30, 2009).
Dancer David Ingram in Recent Issue of 'POINTE' Magazine
A full-page photo of a male dancer from Kingsport, Tenn. appeared in the August/September 2008 edition of POINTE magazine. David Ingram is shown dancing with the North Carolina Dance Theatre in Romeo and Juliet.
Joan Manross Takes 'Choice' Celebration in Stitches Award
The Cave House Crafts Shop in Abingdon was host for the Celebration in Stitches quilted wall hanging challenge during the Virginia Highland's Festival.
Actors Awarded Scholarships at Barter Theatre
Five members of The Barter Players, the young actors company at Barter Theatre, have been awarded scholarships to help fund their training at the historic theaterin Abingdon, Va.
Local Girl Band Doesn't Shy From Spotlight
Before the green flag dropped last weekend (Aug. 21, 2008) , girl-duo Rock Angel electrified the audience at the Food City Family Race Night when they opened for national act Firehouse.
'Ocean Gems' Calendar Funds Field Trips to Local Museum
Field trips are a great way to enhance students' learning experiences, but because of fewer resources, some school groups are missing an important part of East Tennessee's history.