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03
Did you see Carrie Underwood?
Mar 31, 2008
Did you see Carrie Underwood in Johnson City Friday night?
The concert was organized by ETSU Student Government, so only students, staff, and their guests could attend.
The pictures above are from Earl Neikirk, ace photographer with the WJHL’s news partner the Bristol Herald-Courier.
I spoke with a friend as he headed to ETSU’s Culp Center. He and his wife were guests of an ETSU student, and they were very excited. No follow-up report from him yet. He’s a long-time country music fan, and he ranks Underwood in his “best ever” category.
Another friend went with her neighbor. She said the show lasted over and hour, and she left fully entertained.
Rob didn’t go. He stayed home and watched “The Mist” on DVD. His review: “It’s depressing.”
Me? Lots of family time this weekend. The 1 year old has moved from walking to a quick trot. Needless to say, it’s always entertaining at my house.
How was your weekend? Was Carrie Underwood on your calendar? What did you think?
Posted by Josh Smith I’m Headin’ to Whitetop
Mar 28, 2008
What do you have planned for the weekend?
I’m going to try my best to take my family to the Whitetop Maple Festival in Whitetop, Virginia.
It’s truly one of the most beautiful places in the Mountain South, and it’s a chance to show my kids that maple syrup doesn’t get its start at the grocery store. As farming has dwindled and country life has increasingly vanished, we’re nurturing a generation with no connection to the growing and harvesting of food. For some reason, it’s become really important to me lately that my kids KNOW how we get milk and bread and peaches and maple syrup. Not sure why this has been such a “thing” for me as of late.
As a child, my mother - a farm girl from Johnson County - didn’t get to go on vacations very often. She was an adult before she got to see the ocean. But she often talks about her happy memories of family “vacations” to Whitetop Mountain. All six kids with mom and dad would pile in the car and drive to Grayson County for a day of picnics and play.
Maybe it’s sentiment that’s fueling my plans for a trip to Whitetop this weekend. That, plus the promise of delicious food, good music, and beautiful mountain views.
I hope to see you there.
For more on this, go to http://www.graysoncountyva.com .
Posted by Josh Smith Big Belly Alert!
Mar 27, 2008
First - this photo is not of me or anyone connected to News Channel 11 Morning Edition. Just wanted to end any speculation right off the top.
Years ago, a rather disrespectful middle school classmate of mine passed a teacher in the hall and said, without flinching, “Suck it in or name it.”
The rude little twerp was referring to the teacher’s rather big belly. Whenever the teacher walked to the school cafeteria, his navel arrived before the rest of him.
I admit it; I laughed - proving I was a twerp too.
Some carry all their weight out front. Me? Let’s just say I come with my own padded cushion. (Yikes! This is getting a little T-M-I.)
Doctors have warned for years that big bellies can be a trigger for heart problems. They call it the “apple shape” we all should avoid. Now comes the news that big bellies can be a precursor for dementia.... maybe alzheimer’s.
Someone needs to alert Santa Claus.
I realize that all this medical information is meant as an alarm… a call to action… a plea to get healthy. Still, it reminds me of the dark days of medicine when lots of assumptions were made based on physical appearance. A flat forehead? You must be dumb. Long arms? You must be dumb. Fat? You must be poor or “out of control” in your personal life. Teachers used to measure kids heads for an indication of intelligence.
All, in my opinion, can be inaccurate assumptions based solely on physical appearance.
Still, if you have a big belly, you’ll be far more jolly if you lose it. We wish you the best in this challenging endeavor.
Posted by Josh Smith Twenty Years at WJHL!
Mar 25, 2008
Congratulations to News Channel 11’s Chief Videographer Chris McIntosh. Yesterday was his 20th Anniversary with WJHL-TV.
General Manager Jack Dempsey honored Chris during our morning editorial meeting and gave him a really nice gift - a brand new watch.
Most people will never spend 20 years in one job. Many will never spend 20 years doing anything. Chris has been and continues to be a true leader. When he’s with me on a story, I never worry about whether “the pictures” will turn out right.
He’s also a great dad (2 little boys), a great golfer (he got a hole in one during a tournament), and a big UT Fan (he owns LOTS of orange stuff).
I’m trying to think of something bad about Chris. He can put a hurtin’ on a buffet. Does that count?
Congratulations Chris!
Dodgin’ the deer
Mar 24, 2008
What’s up with the deer?
Saturday morning, six of them went for a stroll just up the street from my house. I live in the city; you can see the lights of Wal-Mart from my front porch. They nibbled on some landscaping in my neighbors yard. One of them got a glimpse of their audience - me and my son - and they bolted away in unison, mysteriously united in their fear.
About an hour later as a I drove across town, two more deer jumped across the road in broad daylight, unconcerned about my quickly approaching front bumper.
I told my friend about this. “Aren’t you from the country?” he asked, referring to my early years spent on the farm in Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee. “It’s THAT time of year,” he said.
I didn’t want to know what that meant, so I didn’t ask.
I hear some people talk about deer with disgust on their breath. They eat their gardens and trample through their flower beds. For some, they’re just big, brown, tick-infested vermon.
But for a 4 year old, a deer is never a problem. I confess to still being in awe of them. I’m all for hunting if that’s what you need or want to do, but I don’t think I could ever kill a deer. To me, they’re just too beautiful. Don’t get me wrong; I love deer meat.
So watch out for Bambi on the chilly Monday morning in the Tri-Cities Region. You do NOT want to meet him on the ride to work or school.
What’s on your mind today?
Posted by Josh Smith 
