Community Calendar

UPCOMING Northeast Tennessee MASTER GARDENER CLASS
We all want to share our love of gardening.

The Northeast Master Gardener Association (NETMGA) membership includes volunteers from Hawkins, Sullivan, Washington, Carter, Johnson, and Unicoi Counties. Their many activities include information booths at various home and farm shows, answering Ask-a-Master Gardener questions, teaching classes in the community, and organizing new Master Gardener classes. Their presence can be seen in many local historic site gardens, demonstration gardens and community vegetable gardens.

A new Master Gardener class will begin January 28, 2025, and go through April 29, 2025. Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Classes are available for the surrounding communities' participants and are held at the Sullivan County, Ron Ramsey Agricultural Center located at 140 Spurgeon Lane, Blountville, TN.

The cost for the class is $200 and applications are available online at the NETMGA website or UT website: https://www.netmga.net/ OR Call 423-574-1919 and press "0"

**Guiding Good Choices Parenting Workshops - for Parents and Caregivers of Pre-Teens and Teens!**

Live on Zoom |  Free to Attend

**Thursdays at 7:30 PM EST, starting May 14**

Join us for this six-week program! Register at https://appalachianpromisealliance.org/parenting/#ggc

Parenting a pre-teen or teen can be tough—but you don’t have to do it alone! Guiding Good Choices is a 6-week evidence-based workshop designed to help parents of 4th - 9th graders build stronger connections, improve communication, and navigate challenges together.

What You’ll Learn:

- How to help your child problem-solve and make healthy choices
- Skills for managing frustration, anger, and conflict
- How to support your child’s friendships and social development
- Strategies to strengthen your family bond
- Plus, a new session on technology and screen time

For one special session, pre-teens and teens join in to practice the skills learned—and have fun!

Join a trusted community of parents, ask questions, and gain practical tools to support your child’s growth.  Thanks to generous grant support, this class is completely free!

*Sign up today and feel more confident in guiding your child’s future!*

Attached at the Heart Parenting Program Registration Open for Spring 2026 Series

Register now for free weekly sessions beginning in May by the Parenting Sweet, based on 70 years of evidenced-informed research for child and family wellbeing

Appalachian Promise Alliance wants to help make parenting sweet--whether you're looking for more cooperation, less stress and conflict, easier mealtimes, getting sleep, navigating technology use, finding community, addressing child care and development questions, or creating a lasting loving environment and connection in your family. The Parenting Sweet at Appalachian Promise Alliance announces registration for the Attached at the Heart Parenting Program for parents of children up to age 5 or expectant parents starting May 2026. Register now at www.ParentingSweet.org/#ahpp for live online Mondays at 7:30 pm, or live online and in-person options Fridays at 9:00 am.

Join to access all of the sessions and address your parenting concerns. Provided free of charge with grant support, this is an incredible opportunity to take advantage of valuable parenting information and support by educators with more than 25 years of experience and training:

Two weekly options to choose between, Mondays or Fridays, are provided for attending the 1-hour online sessions, or in-person on Fridays. Follow weekly session topics on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ParentingSweet/events

Attached at the Heart parenting sessions help improve pregnancy and birth outcomes and parent knowledge about child development; increase parent confidence and positive parenting skills, increase levels of empathy toward children, ensure healthy secure attachment, increase family connection, protect against trauma, and help make parenting sweeter. are also a great way to connect with other parents and find support, encouragement, and friends.

For more information, visit www.ParentingSweet.org or email parentingsweet@appalachianpromise.org.

Punch Brothers, formed in 2006, are a virtuosic quintet featuring mandolinist Chris Thile, guitarist Chris Eldridge, bassist Paul Kowert, banjoist Noam Pikelny, and violinist Brittany Haas. Known for pushing the boundaries of acoustic music, the band has garnered critical acclaim, including a Grammy for Best Folk Album for All Ashore (2018). The Washington Post applauded them for taking “bluegrass to its next evolutionary stage, drawing equal inspiration from the brain and the heart.” Over the years, they’ve become pioneers in modern string music, with albums like Antifogmatic (2010), Who’s Feeling Young Now (2012) and The Phosphorescent Blues (2015) showcasing their genre-defying sound. Rolling Stone praised their work as “wild virtuosity used for more than just virtuosity,” cementing their reputation as trailblazers in contemporary acoustic music. Most Recently, Punch Brothers have been focused on their new musical variety show, The Energy Curfew Music Hour, with seasons one and two available on Audible and all podcasting platforms.

Open Mic Stand-up comedy is at Crossroads Craftworks every Monday!

This weekly workshop provides a free performance venue for aspiring stand-up comics.

Signup: 6:30 pm
Show: 7ish pm
$5 cash at the door / performers get in free
Age 18 and up only.

Here's how it works:
Wanna get behind the mic? The sign up sheet goes out at 6:30.
Wanna sit back and laugh? Bring $5 cash for the cover. The show starts around 7ish. BYOwhatever.

This is unfiltered, uncensored comedy. So adults only, please.

We encourage anyone who is interested in performing to give it a chance. Bring your notes, your laptop, whatever you need to get started. This is your opportunity to workshop your material and get feedback from other comics.

UPCOMING Northeast Tennessee MASTER GARDENER CLASS
We all want to share our love of gardening.

The Northeast Master Gardener Association (NETMGA) membership includes volunteers from Hawkins, Sullivan, Washington, Carter, Johnson, and Unicoi Counties. Their many activities include information booths at various home and farm shows, answering Ask-a-Master Gardener questions, teaching classes in the community, and organizing new Master Gardener classes. Their presence can be seen in many local historic site gardens, demonstration gardens and community vegetable gardens.

A new Master Gardener class will begin January 28, 2025, and go through April 29, 2025. Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Classes are available for the surrounding communities' participants and are held at the Sullivan County, Ron Ramsey Agricultural Center located at 140 Spurgeon Lane, Blountville, TN.

The cost for the class is $200 and applications are available online at the NETMGA website or UT website: https://www.netmga.net/ OR Call 423-574-1919 and press "0"

The Rosen-Schaffel Competition for Young and Emerging Artists is a prestigious annual event dedicated to discovering and nurturing the talents of the next generation of classical musicians. Hosted in partnership with the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University, this competition invites promising young instrumentalists from across the nation to showcase their skills in a vibrant and supportive environment.

Participants compete for a chance to win generous cash prizes that support their musical careers. The competition features a panel of distinguished judges, including renowned musicians and educators, who provide invaluable feedback and mentorship to the contestants.

Named in honor of Mrs. Muriel Rosen and two of Mrs. Rosen’s family members, Nancy and Neil Schaffel, the Rosen-Schaffel Competition continues to uphold a legacy of excellence and artistic growth. This event is a cornerstone of Appalachian State University’s commitment to fostering the arts and providing exceptional opportunities for young musicians to achieve their dreams.

Join us each year in celebrating the extraordinary talent and dedication of these young artists as they embark on their musical journeys and inspire audiences with their performances.

Attached at the Heart Parenting Program Registration Open for Spring 2026 Series

Register now for free weekly sessions beginning in May by the Parenting Sweet, based on 70 years of evidenced-informed research for child and family wellbeing

Appalachian Promise Alliance wants to help make parenting sweet--whether you're looking for more cooperation, less stress and conflict, easier mealtimes, getting sleep, navigating technology use, finding community, addressing child care and development questions, or creating a lasting loving environment and connection in your family. The Parenting Sweet at Appalachian Promise Alliance announces registration for the Attached at the Heart Parenting Program for parents of children up to age 5 or expectant parents starting May 2026. Register now at www.ParentingSweet.org/#ahpp for live online Mondays at 7:30 pm, or live online and in-person options Fridays at 9:00 am.

Join to access all of the sessions and address your parenting concerns. Provided free of charge with grant support, this is an incredible opportunity to take advantage of valuable parenting information and support by educators with more than 25 years of experience and training:

Two weekly options to choose between, Mondays or Fridays, are provided for attending the 1-hour online sessions, or in-person on Fridays. Follow weekly session topics on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ParentingSweet/events

Attached at the Heart parenting sessions help improve pregnancy and birth outcomes and parent knowledge about child development; increase parent confidence and positive parenting skills, increase levels of empathy toward children, ensure healthy secure attachment, increase family connection, protect against trauma, and help make parenting sweeter. are also a great way to connect with other parents and find support, encouragement, and friends.

For more information, visit www.ParentingSweet.org or email parentingsweet@appalachianpromise.org.

Open Mic Stand-up comedy is at Crossroads Craftworks every Monday!

This weekly workshop provides a free performance venue for aspiring stand-up comics.

Signup: 6:30 pm
Show: 7ish pm
$5 cash at the door / performers get in free
Age 18 and up only.

Here's how it works:
Wanna get behind the mic? The sign up sheet goes out at 6:30.
Wanna sit back and laugh? Bring $5 cash for the cover. The show starts around 7ish. BYOwhatever.

This is unfiltered, uncensored comedy. So adults only, please.

We encourage anyone who is interested in performing to give it a chance. Bring your notes, your laptop, whatever you need to get started. This is your opportunity to workshop your material and get feedback from other comics.

UPCOMING Northeast Tennessee MASTER GARDENER CLASS
We all want to share our love of gardening.

The Northeast Master Gardener Association (NETMGA) membership includes volunteers from Hawkins, Sullivan, Washington, Carter, Johnson, and Unicoi Counties. Their many activities include information booths at various home and farm shows, answering Ask-a-Master Gardener questions, teaching classes in the community, and organizing new Master Gardener classes. Their presence can be seen in many local historic site gardens, demonstration gardens and community vegetable gardens.

A new Master Gardener class will begin January 28, 2025, and go through April 29, 2025. Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Classes are available for the surrounding communities' participants and are held at the Sullivan County, Ron Ramsey Agricultural Center located at 140 Spurgeon Lane, Blountville, TN.

The cost for the class is $200 and applications are available online at the NETMGA website or UT website: https://www.netmga.net/ OR Call 423-574-1919 and press "0"