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Smyth Chamber of Commerce hosts 23rd annual Older Americans Day
On May 21, the Smyth County Chamber of Commerce hosted the 23rd annual Older Americans Day at Chilhowie Town Park. The annual celebration honored local seniors and welcomed approximately 500 Smyth County residents.
The event featured fellowship, numerous vendors providing resources, information, and giveaways, along with entertainment, door prizes, and a free lunch for all in attendance.
Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip “Bucky” Blevins and TRIAD partners presented a special program on healthy living and smart choices. Representatives from Ballad Health and the Lifetime Wellness Center shared tips and strategies for improving overall health and wellness.
In addition to the day’s activities, the bloodmobile with Marsh Regional Blood Center hosted a blood drive, helping to address the critical blood shortage in the region.
The Smyth County Chamber of Commerce extended its gratitude to all who helped make this year’s Older Americans Day a success. Event sponsors included Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, Anthem Medicare, Ballad Health Smyth County Community Hospital, Bradley’s Funeral Home, Complete Plumbing, District Three Governmental Cooperative, D.R. Henderson Funeral Home, Mount Rogers Community Services, Smyth County, the Town of Chilhowie, the Town of Marion, and the Town of Saltville. Volunteers who made the event possible include representatives from the Blue Ridge Job Corps and District Three Governmental Cooperative.
Lunch was sponsored by Food City of Chilhowie, Sam’s Club of Bristol, and Papa’s Café - Ronnie Corvin.
The Smyth County Chamber of Commerce gave special recognition and thanks to the Town of Chilhowie Public Works Department for their assistance with event setup, breakdown, and food preparation.
49 Winchester finds a home in the Birthplace of Country Music Museum
In May of 2026, a new exhibit related to regional favorite 49 Winchester was unveiled at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.
Purchased and first played by band member Chase Chafin, the Squier Thinline Telecaster with a custom Tennessee-Virginia plate embedded into the pickup cover was later used by Bus Shelton during the band’s formative years. It was donated to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum's permanent collection after their 2024 performance at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion. On May 26, members of 49 Winchester and staff from the Birthplace of Country Music came together to celebrate its new display.
“I remember our first time coming to Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion,” said Chase Chafin (49 Winchester, bass). “Isaac’s dad got us tickets. We were seeing bands from Knoxville, Abingdon, and Bristol. Before we even started, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion was a big part of inspiring us. That shaped our early days and our first albums, all different influences of folk music and country music.”
“We were on State Street, watching local bands absolutely crush at the festival,” said Bus Shelton (49 Winchester, lead guitar). “[We thought] this would be so insanely fun to make it to one of these stages.”
In 2013, Isaac Gibson, Chase Chafin, and Bus Shelton - high school students from Castlewood - formed the band 49 Winchester, which now includes Chilhowie native Tim Hall. They soon started playing gigs within the region, including Downtown Bristol.
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion booked 49 Winchester for the first time in 2017, and they played during the day at one of the smaller stages. As they steadily grew as artists and in popularity within the region, they graduated to bigger stages at the festival, culminating in their headline turn on the State Street Stage in 2024. A lasting staple of both the festival and regional music scene, 49 Winchester now tours nationally and internationally.
49 Winchester has steadily built a reputation as one of the most compelling acts in modern country music, rising from their humble beginnings in Russell County to selling out venues and earning a devoted international following. The band has spent years honing a sound rooted in Appalachian storytelling, blending country, rock, and folk influences into something distinctly their own. That relentless work ethic and commitment to authenticity has propelled them from front porch jam sessions to major stages around the world, marking them as a band whose breakthrough has been hard-earned and long overdue.
Their latest album, Change of Plans, represents a defining moment in that journey. Recorded in just eight days with Grammy-winning producer Dave Cobb, the record captures the band at a creative peak—seasoned, self-assured, and unafraid to push their sound further than ever before. Balancing grit with refinement, the album reflects both personal growth and artistic evolution, weaving together themes of change, maturity, and perseverance. From high-octane, genre-blurring tracks to deeply introspective songwriting, Change of Plans showcases a band stepping fully into its moment while staying true to the roots that got them there. Change of Plans, along with many other albums by 49 Winchester, is now available for purchase at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum Store.
“We are unbelievably emotional and grateful to have a place in the Birthplace of Country Music Museum,” said Bus. “We’re beyond honored.”
In 2026, 49 Winchester received their first-ever Academy of Country Music Award nomination for "Group of the Year." This summer, the Virginia-based band will hit the road with Tim McGraw for the Tim McGraw Pawn Shop Guitar Tour, a 33-date summer tour running from July to September 2026.
"It is exciting to have this new display in the museum's permanent exhibits, and the placement of the 49 Winchester guitar near the Unbroken Circle theater is particularly meaningful as it connects to the story of how this region's music made an impact in the past and is carried forward by today's musicians," says Museum Director Dr. Rene Rodgers. "We are grateful to the band for sharing the guitar with us - and our visitors! - and their support of the display."
Get hooked during free fishing days
Whether it’s stripers on the coast, trout in the mountains, or anything in between, it’s time to experience the fun of fishing in Virginia. Take advantage of free fishing days that include this weekend, June 6-7.
No fishing license of any kind will be required for recreational rod and reel fishing during free fishing days in both fresh and saltwater. DWR access permits will also not be required during these dates. To increase angling opportunities, DWR has removed the restriction to fishing designated stocked trout waters for free fishing weekend. This will open over 2,900 miles of trout streams, in addition to numerous ponds, small lakes and reservoirs for this special weekend. Virginia’s diversified trout habitat offers a wide range of trout fishing prospects. All fishing regulations including size, season, catch limits, and gear restrictions will remain in effect.
DWR fee fishing areas still require a fee for Free Fishing Days weekend.
The 2026 Freshwater Fishing and Boating Regulations can be found online. Printed regulations are also available at most major outdoor retailers throughout the state that sell hunting and fishing licenses. In addition, the Marine Resources Commission’s website has extensive information on Virginia’s recreational fishing size, season, and creel limits.
DWR also has a way to recognize a trophy freshwater catch, called the Online Virginia Angler Recognition Program. Annually, anglers go online to measure over 6,000 trophy size fish. Since 1963, when the program began, over a quarter-million trophy fish awards have been issued.
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