By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times
Every now and then it seems like we have themed issues. Or at the very least a theme on the front page. It’s rarely planned. It mostly just sort of happens.
Last time it stood out to me was in the lead-up to the solar eclipse. We received a UFO report the week before, that turned out to be a comet. (Or, at least, one of them did.) On the same front page with that story, we had a story about how to safely view the eclipse, with details of our library’s planned watch party and the protective eyewear they were offering for eclipse viewers.
It wasn’t planned, but I thought it was neat that, by pure coincidence and timing, our front page ended up having an accidental astronomy theme.
This week the theme seems to be art.
We’re finally getting around to running something about the Appalachian Arts Awards, or the APPYs as they’ve come to be called, which featured an author and a painter with Olive Hill roots as nominees – one of whom was presented with her award by none other than the Grayson Gallery and Art Center’s Dan and Mindy Click.
Speaking of the Gallery, we also have a piece from Dan Click in this issue about the Grayson Gallery’s upcoming Earth Day show, this Final Friday.
As painter of the year winner Michelle Ward Ciancio was quick to point out, though, art isn’t just visual arts. It includes literature and music as well.
We have plenty of music this week too. First, we have the results of the East Carter bands’ performances at district assessments (spoiler alert, they did very well). Then we have our Side Hustle Music Beat contribution, this time focusing on the benefits of music as a form of therapy.
Circling back round to literature, we also received notice this week that the Carter County Poetry Society is accepting submissions for their annual poetry contest. The group also voted to set the date for their Memory Days Poetry Slam. That competition, which will feature cash prizes for the top three poets, will take place Thursday, May 23, at the Nook & Cranny Coffeehouse on Main Street, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and hosted by yours truly. All performances at this event must be family friendly.
Speaking of Nook & Cranny, coffeehouses aren’t just venues. The drinks they make can be works of art in and of themselves. We touched on this a little when we spoke with the proprietor’s about their first year in business as they celebrated their anniversary this week. The culinary arts are also in focus in Charles Romans’ article on local celebrity chef Jason Smith, both of which we’ll be looking at in next week’s edition.
So, it’s a definite theme this week. And next. Not intentional. But apt, as we move into Spring and the greening hillsides and blossoming buds remind us that life is full of beauty, all around you, if you just take the time to slow down and take it all in. (Preferably with a cup of coffee and newspaper in hand.)
