Socialization in Tri-Cities? (Kingsport, Bristol, Colonial Heights: home, colleges, living)

[vrybicki]

Is the Tri-Cities area a good place for joining social groups?

Are most Church religious denominations represented? Are there Garden Clubs? Quilting Clubs? Model Train Clubs? Archery Clubs? RC Flying Clubs? Do the local colleges put on plays for the public to attend? Are there any Outdoor Oriented clubs such as a Hiking or Canoing/Kayaking clubs? Nature Conservacy? Volunteer groups?

Bottom Line: What kind of social groups are available in the area?

[rccrain]

Is the Tri-Cities area a good place for joining social groups? This is somewhat subjective. There are opportunities, like a newcomers club, but often I find them not well publicized.
Are most Church religious denominations represented? Definitely.
Do the local colleges put on plays for the public to attend? Yes, usually at a very reasonable cost to non-students. King College, Milligan College, NE State, and ETSU do for sure.
Are there any Outdoor Oriented clubs such as a Hiking or Canoing/Kayaking clubs? Probably.
Nature Conservacy? Probably at the city parks, Friends of Steele Creek Park in Bristol is one I've heard of.
Volunteer groups? Several - Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Boys & Girls, many more.

[jabogitlu]

There are lots of outdoors-oriented groups. A few maintain the Appalachian Trail; then there's several hiking clubs sprinkled through the area as well.

I dunno if there's any kayaking clubs, even though whitewater rafting is big in the area, especially in Unicoi County.

Clubs like quilting and gardening tend to be administered through various churches in the area.

I would say almost all Christian denominations are represented. All mainline Protestant (and even more independent), Catholic, UU. Looks like there's some sort of Quaker presence still in the area, too. Not sure if we have LDS, though. And I'm pretty sure we don't have any temples or mosques...

Oops, just kidding. http://theculturebeat.com/2008/09/21...ld-bible-belt/

[rccrain]

There are at least 3 Jewish Temples. Didn't know JC had a mosque.

[rccrain]

There is an LDS in Colonial Heights I believe.

[ljay42]

When I look for a network to tap into for my laptop, about 8 different networks show up. All are secured except a network called AllahReigns

[jabogitlu]

Well, there ya go.

And ljay, do you use it? Equal opportunity thief?

[ljay42]

I was going to but since it was the only unsecured network i felt like I was walking into a trap...kinda like the bible verses on the 21 bags.

Next thing you know where all wearing nikes and looking up for hale bopp while enjoying a last glass of Do's favorite beverage.

[NorthernLights]

good ideas on things to do outdoors-wise in the Tri.
Living Here > Rivers, lakes, public lands surround area (http://www.gotricities.com/content/lharticle.dna?idNumber=030603144500 - broken link)

I use my sea kayaks on the lakes around here and there are a lot of mountain bike trails. They whitewater kayak/raft up in the Nolichucky Gorge.

There is an R/C model aircraft club in JC with a field they use in Kingsport and one off of 107 [I think]
http://www.flyjcrc.com/

Mountain Empire Model RR club has a lot of members and a cool train layout on the campus of ETSU open free to the public on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
http://www.memrr.org/

Northeast TN Mountain Bike Association:
Northeast Tennessee Mountain Bike Association › News

Supposedly a very good Home Brewers club in the Tri:
http://www.franklinbrew.org/

Miata Club:
http://www.tri-citiesmiataclub.com/


Several Hiking Social/active and garden club listings from the public library:
http://www.jcpl.net/index.asp?speed=...&pos=1&recs=10

There's as much here to get involved in as you're willing to look for.