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CONTENTS On the Cover While it’s hard to dispute the results of publicly-funded preschool for low-income children, state lawmakers are torn on whether an expansion of the program is economically and philosophically sound. (Page 6)

News Unique sport hits WCU campus ............................................................................4 Jackson looks to adopt assembly ordinance ......................................................5 Flood maps crafted from afar cause headaches ..............................................10 New building honors longtime community college trustee ............................10 Jackson to wield threat of misdemeanors in code enforcement ..................10 Task force to study liquor store prospects in Jackson ....................................11 Maggie board delays alderman appointment again..........................................12 Steam engine to roll into Swain County..............................................................13 U.S. House candidates face off at Macon forum ............................................15 Lake J narrows possibilities for its future ..........................................................17 Emergency response times worrisome for remote areas ..............................18 Macon won’t get stoplight for busy school intersection ................................18 State lawmakers set limits on early school start dates ..................................20

Opinion Clinton essential to Obama’s campaign ............................................................22

A&E Troupe breathes life into Waynesville comedy scene ......................................28

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September 19-25, 2012

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BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER ith a steady flow of noisy cars and chatty pedestrians zooming through the Western Carolina University campus, Kyle Coleman straddles a tiny rope, ignoring the commotion and focusing on the task at hand.

Not to fall.

“To be honest, it can sometimes be difficult to focus being next to the road,” the 20year-old biology major said, wobbling slightly. “If anything though, it can help your focus because you have to tune all of these things out. If you start taking notice of the cars and people, you’ll fall off.”

Situated between two tree trunks in his front yard, Coleman has set up a slacklining rig a couple feet above the ground. Made from flat one-inch webbing used in rock

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Where it started

September 19-25, 2012

Slacklining was started in Oregon in 1979 by two college students. Instead of a tightrope that requires steel cable, a flat webbing of synthetic materials allows enthusiasts to set up slacklines almost anywhere very quickly and easily.

climbing and other outdoor gear (carabineers, ratchet, etc), the rig is used not only to practice balance and focus, but also has become a hobby and competitive sport stretching across the country.

“It’s similar to tightrope walking. Last year, my buddy was a campus representative for this hammock company based out of Asheville,” Coleman said. “He had one that was thicker, with a hand crank. He brought it over one day and we all started trying it.”

Bounding along the line, Coleman stares straight ahead, never once taking his gaze from a specific point he focuses on, one way down the line, a lichen patch on a tree.

Turning around the other way, a point is located on a cluster of cactuses sitting atop a nearby tree trunk.

“Basically, the idea is to keep your balance and walk across it. People do back flips and land back on the line, others walk across canyons,” he said. “You see how far you can go at first and then see if you can get a little further next time. We have competitions to see who can go the furthest. Eventually, you get that down and try walking backwards or do 180 degree turns.”

Started by two college students in Oregon in 1979, the leisure sport of slacklining has taken off, with a bevy of styles, techniques and challenges emerging. Unlike tightrope walking, which consists of a steel cable, slacklining’s flat webbing provides for a different experience. One can set up a rig in a park or city, over a river or canyon, a foot off the ground or 10 stories in the air.

Like the geographical variations, the avenues of creativity are endless, something that Coleman finds appealing.

“I want to get better and do tricks,” he said. “I want to eventually be able to work at Yellowstone National Park and there you’re surrounded by all these enormous rock and tree formations, which all turns into possibilities.”

Seemingly the first group delving into the sport on the WCU campus, Coleman and his friends would find a spot and perform certain tricks. Soon, curious onlookers would stop and want to “test the ropes” for themselves. Eventually, a few other lines sprung up, with others finding great entertainment in what slacklining can offer.

“We’ll go down and set up between some trees. People are always asking about it and want to try it out. We tell them to not look at their feet and stare straight ahead,” he said. “Most people, when they start to do this, want to look straight down at their feet. It’s like walking with a cup of coffee, if you look down you’re going to spill it.”

“People are always asking about it and want to try it out. We tell them to not look at their feet and stare straight ahead.”

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Sitting on the line, Coleman looks out onto the campus, where a blazing sun is now falling behind the Great Smoky Mountains.

He said slacklining is a relatively inexpensive hobby to get into and the benefits from it can be both physical and spiritual.

“Before I started doing this, I was really into rock climbing. And doing that, I already had all the gear,” he said. “It definitely helps in your balance for rock climbing, it all translates.

It’s the same kind of conWestern Carolina University junior Kyle Coleman walks down his slacklining cept, except rig in his front yard in Cullowhee. Although similar to tightrope walking, this is a lot slacklining involves flat webbing used in rock climbing instead of steel more intense cables. Garret K. Woodward photo because you really have to focus.” daily toils of life.

And though the state of affairs between “Once you can master the shortline, you social life and academic responsibilities in keep moving up. Rock climbing is a lot of college can be a tough balancing act in itself, fun, but you can’t get out there everyday,” he Coleman is thankful he’s found a potential said. “But, with this, I can set it up in my lifelong passion in slacklining. To him, it’s backyard and jump on it for a few minutes something to keep the mind clear amid the and just zone out. It’s addicting.”

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The ordinance also prohibits people linking together to block sidewalks or roads, or attaching themselves to buildings. It prohibits guns — unless held by National Guardsmen or police — fires, vicious animals, throwing objects, use of noxious substances, camping — the staple of many recent Occupy movement protests — among other activities.

At the recent county meeting where the model ordinance was discussed, the idea got the nod from several commissioners. When Debnam questioned how often an assembly ordinance would actually be utilized in Jackson County, Wooten replied that in the future, if the commissioners ever had to tackle a controversial issue spawning public outcry, it may come in handy.

“We’d already have the bridle and part of the harness on the horse,” agreed Commissioner Doug Cody.

County Attorney Jay Coward suggested several changes to Catawba’s ordinance, including lowering the 25-person threshold for requiring a permit and making it a misdemeanor for anyone violating the ordinance.

At least one local activist has taken issue with the idea of a local assembly ordinance — and with the idea of relegating a demonstration to a specific area or zone.

“Protests are something that are part of the American tradition and any attempt to curtail protesting is unconstitutional, unless a safety issue or something is involved,” said Avram Friedman, executive director of the Canary Coalition, an organization which advocates for clean air. “I thought from the Atlantic to the Pacific was a free speech zone.”

Friedman has been involved in numerous protests in support of clean air around the state and country and has been even been arrested for civil disobedience as part of large protests against corporate energy giants.

He said if it were a large protest requiring the closure of a road or the need for police protection, an application and permit were understandable, but he said 25 people may be too low of a number to necessitate government permission.

Friedman also expressed concern about the clause of Catawba’s ordinance that forces someone to put down his or her contact information when applying for the permit — especially when coming from a group that may be sensitive to divulging their personal information, such as an illegal immigrant.

Although the draft for the potential ordinance seems innocuous, sometimes complications arise when different officials take office and interpret the rules differently, said Friedman, who is also affiliated with the local Occupy movement.

“At first glance, I don’t see anything too extraordinary about this ordinance,” Friedman wrote in a statement. “But, just as a matter of principle, I’m wary of any law that attempts to restrict protest and impinge on First Amendment rights.”

September 19-25, 2012

BY ANDREW KASPER STAFF WRITER f you want to protest, you have to protest by the rules — that’s the message the Jackson County commissioners are poised to send to unruly social dissidents.

For the first time in Jackson County, the commissioners may pass an ordinance limiting the scope of how groups may protest on county property. County officials are using an ordinance from Catawba County for the basis of drafting their own.

The sudden need for an ordinance reining in protestors follows a peaceful sit-in by illegal immigrants in the lobby of the Jackson County Sherriff ’s Office earlier this month. The group dubbed “No Papers, No Fear” made a swing through Jackson County on a national protest circuit. Jackson County landed on the protesters’ itinerary due to allegations that Sheriff Jimmy Ashe engaged in racial profiling and targeted the Hispanic population with strategically placed traffic checkpoints.

County Manager Chuck Wooten felt that the protestors had too much free rein to obstruct entrances to county facilities and occupy rooms, while the authorities stood by without an ordinance in place to control the protestors. The group members also used drums.

“What they did last week was perfectly fine because there is no policy keeping them from doing it,” Wooten said. “That’s why we need a policy because we didn’t have grounds to ask them to stop.”

It was the first such protest in a county building that either Wooten or commissioners could recall.

“How many times have we had something like this?” County Chairman Jack Debnam posed during a discussion of the possible ordinance at a county meeting this week.

Under Catawba County’s ordinance, the protestors would have had to check in with the county manager and receive permission for the assembly, Wooten said. He would have granted them permission to assemble but not in front of the entranceway, rather on a grassy spot across the parking lot, Wooten said.

“You have to make sure it’s a visible site so that the people they’re trying to convey their message to will see the message,” Wooten said, “But not that they obstruct the sidewalk or entranceway.”

Catawba County’s ordinance says any demonstration of more than 25 people must receive government permission to assemble on county property.

The definition of an assembly in the ordinance includes, for example, people passing out leaflets or trying to influence other people with speech. Also, in the Catawba County ordinance, the protestors are limited to signs no bigger than 36 inches and are prohibited from speaking “fighting words or threats that would tend to provoke a reasonable person to a breach of the peace.”

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Fate of early childhood programs could rest with next legislature Economics, philosophy come into play over pre-K

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER rmed with a stack of folded construction paper, Charlotte Rogers ushered a fouryear-old child to sit down at a pint-sized writing desk, take up a pencil and scratch out the words “I love you” in crooked letters on the inside.

With Grandparent’s Day just around the corner, Rogers’ mission for the morning was getting each of the 18 children in her preschool class to make two cards — one for each set of grandparents. It was no small feat, given most children are brand-new to a classroom setting and have just begun to learn to write.

By the time Kindergarten rolls around next year, however, the children enrolled in state-funded Pre-K classrooms like this one on the campus of Haywood Community College will have a distinct edge over other children from similar low-income backgrounds.

“The challenge is getting those who don’t know their ABCs and aren’t used to routine or working in a group ready to go to Kindergarten,” said Rita Wilson, the director of Haywood Community College But many of the children who qualify for NC Pre-K haven’t been able to get in. State lawmakers have failed to fully fund the program. Thousands of children statewide are parked on waiting lists — waiting lists that have grown even longer following a 20 percent budget cut to the program this year.

The fate of state subsidized preschool for low-income children now hangs in the balance.

The next set of legislators elected to the General Assembly this fall will face a critical decision: whether to continue limiting the program or expand it to serve all those who qualify.

A lawsuit has challenged whether the state can legally deny children who meet the criteria for NC Pre-K. The North Carolina Court of Appeals unanimously ruled this summer that the state’s current policy — one that arbitrarily caps enrollment and as a result turns away children who technically qualify for the program — is unconstitutional.

The ruling appears to leave state legislators with few choices: increase funding to serve every child that is eligible or eliminate the program completely.

At its core, the debate is a philosophical one. How early in a child’s life should the state intervene to get them off to a good start academically? Should the state be in the preschool business for low-income children at all? If so, how poor does a family have to be to qualify?

Some critics of a broad-based state-funded preschool fear it is a slippery slope, one that could eventually lead to all 4-year-olds 6 being sucked into the state’s public school

Smoky Mountain News

September 19-25, 2012

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Early childhood education is shown to lay the groundwork for success in school for years to come. Charlotte Rogers, an assistant preschool teacher at Haywood Community College Child Development Center, helps four-year-olds learn to write their letters. Becky Johnson photo

This week, The Smoky Mountain News is launching the first of an ongoing series on state issues leading up to the fall election. system. To N.C. Senator Jim Davis, RFranklin, expanding NC Pre-K to serve every eligible child begs the question: just what is government’s responsibility to make up for poor parenting?

“Where does it begin and end? Does it start at birth?” Davis asked.

State-funded preschool bears an uncomfortable resemblance to a welfare state model of government, said Mike Clampitt, a Republican running for a N.C. House of Representatives seat representing Jackson, Swain and part of Haywood counties.

“It is government control of a child’s life and education from cradle to grave,” Clampitt said. “The question is do we want to start public education at four years of age instead of age six?”

Davis believes in personal responsibility, and that government can’t solve all of society’s ills.

“I think the greatest gift a father can give his kids is their mother at home,” Davis said.

Unfortunately, that’s not the reality for many children growing up in low-income families, said John Snow, D-Murphy, a former state senator hoping to win back the seat he lost to Davis two years ago. As a former judge, Snow witnessed the plight of at-risk

children, those born to single, teen mothers or whose parents were on drugs.

“They are going to love that little baby, but are they going to do the things to make sure it learns the ABCs before they get into kindergarten?” Snow asked.

State-funded preschool for at-risk children is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty, Snow said.

“I believe some of those kids, if we don’t take care of them, they will end up being dropouts,” Snow said. “To try to get them back on line is expensive.”

WHAT’S IT WORTH? State Republican leaders say there is another issue at play: economics. Essentially, it comes down to what the state can afford.

“Everybody wants something, but nobody wants to pay for it,” Clampitt added.

Clampitt differs from his opponent Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, who believes the state should play a role in early childhood education for at-risk children. He sees NC Pre-K as an investment, not a cost.

“It is a lot easier to get a child on a positive path early and move them forward than it is to have them fall off a path of progress and try

to get them back on track,” said Queen, a former state senator who lost the election two years ago.

The state budget for NC Pre K was cut by 20 percent — or $32 million — this year.

“That was a significant cut to a globally recognized program that was helping to ensure the success of our young people in elementary school and as they proceeded through their academic years,” said N.C. Rep. Ray Rapp, D-Mars Hill, who voted against the cuts.

The cuts mean 6,000 fewer children are being served by the program this year. There are 26,000 children enrolled in NC Pre-K — down from a high of 34,000 children in 2009.

The state estimates 67,000 children are technically eligible for the program, yet the state provides enough funding for less than half those that meet the criteria.

In the seven western counties — which includes Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain — 525 children are enrolled in NC Pre-K, with 130 children on the waiting list.

State Superintendent of Public Schools, June Atkinson, credits NC Pre-K with some of the state’s advancements in education during the past decade.

Rapp likewise pointed to improvements in the high school graduation rate, which is currently the highest it’s been in the state’s history. It’s no coincidence, he said. Rather, the state’s efforts dating back to the 1990s with early child education programs like Smart Start — a precursor to More at Four which was renamed again this year as NC PreK — are making a noticeable difference as those children now reach graduation age.

“That didn’t happen because we sprinkled some magic powder on things the past couple of years. We laid the groundwork and now are seeing the results,” Rapp said.

The total budget for NC Pre-K this year is $128 million. It would take an estimated $300 million more to serve all 67,000 who are eligible. But not all who are eligible would apply, so the cost of fully funding the program would be some amount less than the roughly $428 million needed to serve all who are eligible.

Fully funded for all eligible children, NC Pre-K would have taken up 2.2 percent of this year’s $19.7 billion state budget. Republican lawmakers, however, claim the state can’t only cut unpopular programs if it wants to reduce spending.

“You can go broke doing good things, and that’s assuming it is a good thing,” Davis said.

North Carolina is not alone in its cuts to subsidized preschool for low-income children. Nationally, many states reduced funding for publicly funded preschool programs as the recession has lingered. However, North Carolina’s cuts are among the largest of any state except for

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Where state candidates stand on preschool for low-income children

N.C. House of Representatives, District 119

Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville “What researchers have shown through the past several decades is the earlier you invest in a child, particularly a child at risk, the better your outcomes are. It is money where it makes a real difference in real lives, the future prospects of a generation. It is just smart.”

The cuts, on the other hand, were “not smart,” Queen said.

“It is not good government. It is not good education policy to cut the most effective investment first. It is just politics. They didn’t like it for ideological reasons, but it is

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

Republican lawmakers claim cuts were primarily aimed at administrative costs. However at the state level, the cost of NC Pre-K administration was only $2 million, so it is unclear how cuts of $32 million could have come primarily from the administrative side.

Ray Rapp, D-Mars Hill

Jim Davis, R-Franklin

“I strongly opposed the cuts to More at Four. We are trying to make sure we get these children off on the right foot. To me, this is a no-brainer.

“We are in cutting mode and eating our seed corn. Either we will be turning our back on the fundamental values of this state, or we are going to have a Democratic majority and Democratic governor to push to restore our children’s future.

“We need to set about trying to find the money to make sure this globally recognized program continues to be supported.”

Davis questioned the philosophy of state-subsidized preschool for 4-yearolds and instead believes in personal responsibility.

“I think the greatest gift a father can give his kids is their mother at home.

Why is it the government’s responsibility to lay the foundation for these kids to be prepared? Is the state then not incentivizing the parents who aren’t getting the job done to have kids?

We are dealing with real problems in society and government can’t fix them all. You can go broke doing good things, and that’s assuming it is a good thing.”

Davis defended the recent cuts as eliminating fat, including high administrative salaries, from the program.

“I want the money to go to the kids where it is needed, not to a bloated bureaucracy.”

Michele Presnell, R-Burnsville “Education at all ages is very important. We hope they will be able to put their right foot forward in an early school environment.

I am aware of all the opportunities it provides. But right now, it is very expensive, and we have very little money. When the economy

There are also administration costs at the local level, but they are capped at 4 percent of the total budget. In the seven western counties, the total budget for NC Pre-K is $2.45 million, with $99,000 spent on administration. The vast majority of funding goes directly to classroom costs to serve the 525 children who are enrolled in the seven-county area.

Combining administration across seven counties under the umbrella of the regional Partnership for Children helps keep costs down, but the agency still has to put in other money to cover the true costs of managing the program.

“It’s just not enough to run the program,” said Janice Edgerton, director of Partnership for Children, which is based in Sylva but works throughout the seven western counties.

In most cases, children in NC Pre-K are enrolled in private preschools, with the cost of serving that child paid out of state funds.

Rather than creating NC Pre-K classrooms, the state pays $650 a month to buy a child a slot in an existing private preschool that meets the state’s standards for the program. In Haywood County, for example, there are 11 preschools that have NC Pre-K slots, serving a total of 125 students among them.

As part of the budget cuts to NC Pre-K, the state has reduced what it pays for each child.

Edgerton hopes that the preschools currently making slots available to NC Pre-K children won’t drop out of the program given the lower per-child allocation.

Preschool sites accepting NC Pre-K children must meet certain state standards. The pro-

gram must be at least 6.5 hours a day, have certified teachers, and have a four or five star childcare license rating.

“In some ways every child is benefiting from NC Pre-K. It raises the bar for all the children in those classrooms,” Edgerton said.

RIGHT FOOT FORWARD The impact of early childhood education for low-income children is hard to dispute.

Volumes of academic research during the past decade have documented the benefits. One such study carried out by the UNC-Chapel Hill Child Development Institute in 2010 compared test scores of low-income children in third

Smoky Mountain News

Arizona, which eliminated its program entirely last year.

Currently, 40 states have some form of subsidized preschool for at-risk children, according to the National Institute of Early Education Research.

Since its inception, North Carolina’s program has been heralded as a national model.

That status is slipping, however.

“They end up being dropouts, and the dropouts end up in our court system. To try to get them back on line is expensive.”

September 19-25, 2012

This seat includes all of Jackson and Swain counties and half of Haywood County (namely the Waynesville and Lake Junaluska area, including Iron Duff).

This seat includes Madison and Yancey counties, and half of Haywood County (namely Maggie Valley, Canton, Clyde, Bethel, Cruso, Crabtree and Fines Creek).

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improves, and I am sure it will, maybe we not good public policy. I am in favor of investing more early. We The fate of state-subsidized preschool for can afford it a little bit better.” need to make it a priority. And it will be a priority of mine.” at-risk, low-income 4-year-olds rests in the Presnell said the state cannot afford to add any more children to the program and hands of the next General Assembly. The state Mike Clampitt, R-Bryson City “I think we are getting into something questioned whether some families are takcurrently does not provide enough funding to where the schools are being used as a ing advantage of it. serve the estimated 67,000 children who meet babysitting service, and parents are shirk“A lot of if falls back on because we ing their responsibilities.

Parents need to have so many single parents, they are just the definition of at-risk. accept responsibility that they had that using it as free babysitting.”

This year, a 20 percent budget cut to NC child and need to have that child interacting in the community.”

Pre-K (formerly known as More at Four) furClampitt said that he personally N.C. Senate, District 50 ther reduced capacity of the program — doesn’t believe the state should undertake The seat includes the seven western counties, including Haywood, a massive expansion of state-funded prewhich currently serves only 26,000 children Jackson, Macon and Swain. school, from both a philosophical and economical perspective, — and has lengthened waiting lists. but would ultimately obey the wishes of people in his district.

A recent N.C. Court of Appeals ruling “Before a decision would be made on my part in any direction, John Snow, D-Murphy Snow believes it’s penny-wise and I would want to find out what the constituents in my community unanimously held that it is unconstitutional pound foolish to cut to state-funded prewant. If you want it, tell me how you want to pay for it. Do you to deny children who meet the eligibility school for at-risk children. want to pay for it with more taxes or do you want to cut some“That is absurd in my mind. When you thing somewhere?

Everybody wants something, but nobody wants requirements, a ruling that could force the take a 4-year-old and increase their opporto pay for it.” state’s hand in deciding whether to expand tunity to get an education so they can make a living and contribute to our econothe program, cut it or change eligibility my, you think that is big government? I requirements.

N.C. House of Representatives, don’t think so. That is smart government.

Here’s what the candidates had to say on Academically, it builds a child up.”

District 118 Failure to offer early childhood education for at-risk children the issue. costs society in the long run.

S EE PRESCHOOL, PAGE 9 7

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Smoky Mountain News September 19-25, 2012

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median income are eligible for NC Pre-K. Currently, that comes out to about $50,000 a year for a family of four.

State lawmakers debated this year whether to lower that threshold. Some Republican legislators believed the income level was too high and instead should be capped at poverty level — an income of only $22,000 for a family of four. Dropping the income criteria to poverty level would have reduced the number of eligible children from 67,000 to 37,000, according to state estimates. Ultimately, the income criteria remained unchanged.

“After a storm of protest — and I was one of the ones protesting it — they moved it back to where it was,” said Rep. Ray Rapp, D-Mars Hill.

But John Hood, head of the John Locke Foundation, a conservative think-tank based in Raleigh, has questioned whether a family of four with an annual income of $50,000 truly qualifies as “at-risk.” The income eligibility is too high, he argues.

“Meanwhile, thousands of truly needy children are on the waiting list. That never made any sense,” Locke wrote in an article urging NC Pre-K reforms earlier this year.

Locke, surprisingly perhaps, given his conservative leanings, made a case for early childhood education for those who are truly at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder.

“Children who lack support at home tend to perform poorly in school, fail grades, and fail to graduate. Some of them, in turn, have children out-of-wedlock, become drug or alcohol abusers, become welfare recipients rather than workers, and enter the criminal justice system,” Locke wrote in an article published during the legislative debate on NC Pre-K last spring.

State-funded intervention early in life is proven to help head off the costs to society later, Locke said. While Locke agrees with proponents of the program on those merits, however, he disagrees with the more liberal income eligibility.

“By all means, let’s focus tax dollars on poor children. Pre-K should be a targeted program aimed at saving money in the long run, not laying the foundations for universal, tax-funded preschool,” Locke wrote.

If expanding the program to serve all those who are eligible under the current income criteria is politically unpalatable, lowering the income eligibility may ultimately prove the compromise that allows the program to survive in some form or fashion.

While the N.C. Court of Appeals has declared the state’s arbitrary enrollment cap for NC Pre-K — one that serves only a portion of those eligible — unconstitutional, it has been appealed to the N.C. Supreme Court.

“I don’t know what the choices are going to be. It is conjecture to predict what is going happen,” said N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin.

However, John Pruette with the state Office of Early Learning and an early architect of the program, said the income criteria was initially designed not only to capture those living in poverty, but also those families living below the median income level who likely couldn’t afford any sort of preschool on their own.

“What we were concerned about was sort of that place where families exist and their children need help but they might not qualify for assistance,” Pruette said.

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Children attending preschool at Haywood Community College proudly show off cards they made for their grandparents during circle time last week. Becky Johnson photo PRESCHOOL, CONTINUED FROM 7

LAYING THE GROUNDWORK

WHO’S ELIGIBLE? There could be a fall back solution for legislators torn over whether the additional funding to serve all qualified children is worth it. The state could change the criteria so not as many children qualify — namely by lowering the income level — thus allowing the state to serve all who are eligible without increasing the number of children being served.

In addition to low-income children, those from non-English speaking families or with disabilities also qualify for NC Pre-K. But coming from a low-income household is seen as the strongest predicator of which children are likely to be at-risk academically in later years, and indeed account for the majority of children served by the program.

Families making 75 percent of the state

Smoky Mountain News

More at Four, the precursor to what’s now called NC Pre-K, grew from serving just more than 7,000 children when it started 12 years ago to a peak of 34,000 in 2009. The growth in popularity is largely due to the program simply becoming established and well-known.

“There was some challenge filling the slots those first years, going out and finding underserved kids,” said John Pruette, the director of the Office of Early Learning within the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. “There was sort of a ramp up that needed to occur. When the program got established and we perfected mechanisms for identifying children, more and more parents started showing up to apply.”

To reach families those first couple of years, the state got creative. Off-duty police officers were hired to knock on doors at public housing projects to hand out brochures. Flyers were

posted at laundry mats, the health department and food stamp office — places that lowincome families frequent. To reach non-English speaking families, the Governor’s Director of Hispanic Affairs toured the state speaking in Latino churches, Pruette said.

The seven western counties jumped on board the first year the program launched, serving 125 children in 1999. Now, 525 children are served by the program in the seven western counties.

“NC Pre-K has been a wonderful resource for many children who would otherwise not have had access to kindergarten preparation,” said Janice Edgerton, director of the regional Partnership for Children, which administers the program in the seven western counties.

“We are very grateful to have had the program here in the region since its beginning.”

There are 130 children currently on waiting list in the seven western counties — 130 children who are technically eligible but simply don’t have a slot because the state doesn’t provide enough funding.

September 19-25, 2012

grade. Those who had been through More at Four as 4-year-olds outpaced their peers from similar economic backgrounds.

“Since then they’ve had kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade — a lot of intervening experiences — yet despite that, the impact of More at Four is still present,” said Ellen Peisner-Feinberg, a researcher at UNCChapel Hill who has studied More at Four, now known as NC Pre-K, for more than a decade.

That impact of NC Pre-K on a child’s academic performance several years later is a “strong test” of the program’s merit, PeisnerFeinberg said.

“As a researcher, I would look at the data and say ‘If we know this was more beneficial, why wouldn’t we want to support that?’”

Peisner-Feinberg said.

The same study showed that NC Pre K was helping to close the achievement gap between low-income and middle-income students. That gap in test scores was reduced by 25 to 40 percent for low-income students who went through NC Pre-K, according to the study.

John Snow, a Democrat running for state senate, cited another telling study, also conducted by the Frank Porter Graham Development Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill, during three decades. Known as the Carolina Abecedarian Project, researchers followed 111 at-risk children from birth through adulthood, half of whom were enrolled in an early childhood development program, with the other half serving as a control group. By age 30, those in the program were four times more likely to have earned a college degree, more likely to hold down a steady job and less likely to be on public assistance.

Snow said the upfront cost of preschool for at-risk children pays off by producing productive members of society, while cuts to the program will actually cost more in the long run.

“If you got a person who cannot get a job and can’t take care of themselves, they get into drugs, then they end up in jail and that costs $30,000 a year to take care of them,” Snow said.

Peisner-Feinberg has also studied and measured children entering and leaving the program. They typically came out knowing their letters, numbers, basic math concepts, and so on.

But equally beneficial, in some ways, were the social skills children developed. They knew how to operate in a structured environment, from sitting quietly during story time to standing in line to getting along with other children, Peisner-Feinberg said.

Indeed, children who have been in a preschool setting are far better equipped to navigate kindergarten, according to CeCe Hayes, a NC Pre-K teacher at Haywood Community College’s Childhood Development Center.

“Most of it is so they are ready to take off and learn come Kindergarten,” Hayes said.

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How about a misdemeanor with that code violation?

BY ANDREWS KASPER STAFF WRITER ackson County officials are mulling over several ways to improve compliance with the county’s ordinances, especially those which are enforced by the Planning Department.

County Attorney Jay Coward said currently the county’s legal language is inconsistent in its book of codes as to whether it can use criminal misdemeanors to charge violators.

He said the county lacks a general provision to charge code violators with a misdemeanor penalty — even though state statute grants counties that power should they chose to exercise it.

Rather each set of county rules, from fire safety enforcement, to health, planning and animal services have their own language on whether violations carry a misdemeanor charge.

Coward said that leaves the county susceptible to legal argument. Where misdemeanors are levied, those charged could complain the county doesn’t have consistent standards. And where misdemeanors aren’t levied, the county has little recourse to enforce their codes.

For example, the planning code violations carry a maximum fine of $500 per day, but the county has to file a civil lawsuit to collect the fine, Coward said.

If violations carried a misdemeanor, the county could rely on the legal and justice system to get the job done.

Code Enforcement Officer Tony Elders said he once arrived at a person’s house in a deputy’s car as a bluff because that person had been ignoring his enforcement letters.

Coward said he is drafting a general provision so that any and all code violations carry the potential of a misdemeanor.

County Manager Chuck Wooten said another area the county is looking to improve enforcement is requiring some sort of business license through the county, even if it is free of charge, so officials are aware of the type of businesses opening within the county.

Towns require business licenses, but counties do not. Recently, two sweepstakes businesses on U.S. 441 near Cherokee went nearly a year undetected even though that type of operation isn’t permitted in that area under the county’s local ordinances.

“For the most part, our ordinances are almost self-enforced,” Wooten said.

“Unless we hear about a violation, it can go undetected. The ordinances lose their credibility if we can’t enforce them.”

Wooten also suggested reviewing newly opened electrical accounts at Duke energy to keep a tab on newly opened businesses.

Smoky Mountain News

September 19-25, 2012

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Redrawn flood maps render Jackson’s industrial park suddenly worthless

BY ANDREW KASPER STAFF WRITER he redrawing of flood maps for North Carolina has made one of Jackson County’s million-dollar properties a tough sell.

The Jackson County Industrial Park, which was formerly the Drexel furniture factory in Whittier, sits along the Tuckasegee River. But starting in 2010, when the new flood maps were drawn largely based on aerial photography, the property was flagged as being in a floodway — the most severe of floodwater classifications.

On previous versions of the state flood maps made in 1974 and 1988, which were drawn by a person on-site as opposed to off-site reliance on aerial photos, the property wasn’t even in the floodplain, according to Tony Elders with the Jackson County Planning Department.

Elders said the new maps, which were made as a joint venture between the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state’s own emergency management flood mapping agency, neglected to indicate that the property is protected from the river by levies.

The error most likely occurred because of the new methodology for surveying the maps.

Now that the county is looking to sell the property, which was assessed at $1.1 million dollars, the buyers are wary of the floodway classification.

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County Manager Chuck Wooten said one of the interested parties, the Sequoyah Fund, had been in talks with the county in 2009 and 2010. Then the company re-contacted the county with renewed interest after the new maps were drawn but backed out because of concerns over the new designations.

Wooten said as it stands, nothing new can be built, the existing building can’t be modified, and the property may not qualify for federal flood insurance.

However, the county is going to challenge the classification of the property. With an engineering report they could petition for a change, though the cost would have to be covered by the county, Elders said.

The year the maps were made, Jackson County commissioners had the opportunity to contest them before approving them.

Haywood County delayed the approval of its maps for about a year while making modifications, Elders said. But now that Jackson’s maps have been approved, in order to make a change the current maps must be disproven.

Jackson County isn’t the only entity affect by the new maps. Elders said he has dealt with hundreds of private landowners who found their properties in a new flood zone after 2010.

“Other areas where we noticed problems are on smaller streams in mountainous areas,” Elders said.

New building crowns SCC campus in Sylva Southwestern Community College officially dedicated a new $8.8 million building on its main campus in Sylva last week. The building was built with a majority of state money but also a large contribution

by Jackson County.

The building includes 10 new classrooms, a new home for the campus bookstore, a conference center with a 400-person seating capacity and administrative offices.

The second and third floors will serve as the hub for SCC’s English and Business programs as well as a variety of Arts and Sciences courses. Student lounges and learning areas are located throughout the structure.

Enrollment at all of SCC’s campuses have increased about 50 percent since 2000.

The building was named after Conrad Burrell for his service on the college’s board of trustees since 1996. Burrell has also served as a Jackson County Commissioner, on the state Transportation Board and as the county’s register of deeds.

Burrell was honored at the dedication ceremony last week attended by many local education and government officials.

When asked how it felt to have a building named after him, Burrell replied, “It’s great. I’m not worthy of it probably, but it’s a great honor.”

The building has been under construction since 2011, and this fall is the first semester it has been open for use.

The building also includes a geothermal heating and cooling system that consists of 48 wells dug under the building’s parking lot to a depth of 450 feet to take advantage of the constant temperature of underground water. Energy efficient and lighting are also integrated into the buildings design.

He said Jackson County’s Planning Department has had to work with property owners who were pushed into the new classification, or encountered problems, when the maps were published. When their properties were suddenly flagged as vulnerable to floods under the new maps, the banks that hold a loan for the property have demanded the owner buy flood insurance.

Also, because the new maps are digital, banks can cross reference flood zones with properties for which they hold mortgages.

Sometimes, only a corner of the property is in the flood plain, and it doesn’t come near any structures, but the bank will automatically notify the owner they must purchase flood insurance.

Elders said the county has had to step in, or an engineer, to try to convince the bank that the classification was wrong.

“We’ve dealt with numbers in the hundreds whose banks have received the new flood maps and now were required to receive flood insurance when they had never had it before,” Elders said.

Ken Peck, personalized manager with Stanberry Insurance in Sylva, said that flood insurance for one of the lighter classifications of flood zones could cost a residential homeowner upwards of $1,000 per year, while flood insurance for a commercial property could cost much more.

Conrad Burrell stands in front of the new Southwestern Community College building dedicated to him for his service to the college.

Andrew Kasper photo

Under state statute, each ABC board members make $150 a meeting. So a bona fide ABC board would be more expensive than a task force.

But County Attorney Jay Coward also cautioned commissioners that a bona fide ABC board would then own the decision making process over new liquor stores rather than the decision resting with commissioners themselves.

“It may function in a way you don’t want it to function once you set it up. It has a life of its

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER ackson County commissioners will appoint a task force soon to study whether — and if so where — the county should open its own liquor stores.

When voters overwhelmingly approved a countywide alcohol measure in May, it opened the door for the possibility of county-run liquor stores. Currently, the only liquor store in Jackson County is run by the town of Sylva.

Commissioners last month talked about creating a Jackson County ABC County Manager Chuck Wooten and Commssioner Joe Cowan. board to study the Andrew Kasper photo issue. But that could own,” Coward said. “They could decide to be putting the cart before the horse. establish a store and start selling booze.”

Simply appointing a task force rather than That got commissioners attention. creating a full-fledged ABC board would be a “We need a committee then,” better route for now, County Manager Chuck Commissioner Chairman Jack Debnam said.

Wooten told commissioners this week.

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Decision now imminent Old Town Bank building on South Main on future of Old Town Bank will mark its new headWestCare partnership quarters with a groundbreaking ceremony at The board of directors for MedWest-Harris and MedWest-Swain hospitals met Tuesday night (Sept. 18) to discuss whether to dissolve ties with MedWest-Haywood.

The board has met twice on the subject in the past six weeks. But each time the board decided to continue studying the issue before coming to a more conclusive decision.

This time, however, a decision seems imminent. The WestCare board, which oversees Harris and Swain hospitals, announced prior to Tuesday night’s meeting that it would hold a press conference first thing the next morning, at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Harris and Swain partnered with Haywood Regional Medical Center two-and-a-half years ago under the MedWest banner. However, many doctors and hospital staff in Jackson and Swain Counties have been unhappy with the affiliation.

Hospital leadership has been listening to their concerns with an open mind and this summer also began questioning whether WestCare would be better off pulling out of MedWest.

Rather than severing ties completely with neighboring Haywood, another option could be a more loosely-knit affiliation rather than the pseudo-merger they are operating under now.

Check www.smokymountainnews.com for any news coming out of the meeting.

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Task force to study liquor store options in Jackson

11 a.m. Sept. 24 in Waynesville across from Super Walmart on South Main St. The event is free and open to the public. It will mark the first site along South Main to be redeveloped since Super Walmart moved in and since the town passed its master plan for the corridor.

Grant funds citizenship classes at SCC North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges awarded Southwestern Community College a grant of $29,000 for an English Literacy and Civics Education project.

To become American and work successfully, adults must be able to read, write, speak and listen to English.

The civics class is offered on the Jackson campus from 8:30-11:30 a.m. every Monday and citizenship class is offered from 8:3011:30 a.m. every Wednesday. The classes run until mid-December.

The college also offers free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes through their Educational Opportunities Department. These non-credit courses are free for students.

828.339.4262 or visit www.southwesterncc.edu.

September 19-25, 2012 Smoky Mountain News 11

Smoky Mountain News

September 19-25, 2012

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Maggie leaders in stalemate over board seat

BY CAITLIN BOWLING STAFF WRITER The Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen is at an impasse.

Town leaders met Monday in hopes of appointing someone to fill an open seat on the board, which was vacated last month by an alderman who moved away. But, the four remaining board members could not agree on a replacement, meaning the controversyladen process will continue for at least another three weeks.

Aldermen Mike Matthews and Phillip Wight named Steve Hurley and Charlie Meadows as their top two candidates, while Alderwoman Saralyn Price and Mayor Ron DeSimone found themselves agreeing on either Danya Vanhook or June Johnson.

Neither pair could convince a third to join their side.

“I am kind of where I am at,” Matthews said.

The only thing the group could agree on is that they could not agree. Board members said they would review the applicants again, but the likelihood of anyone changing his or her mind before the board’s next meeting on Oct. 9, when they plan to revisit the topic, could be nil.

eral minutes before saying he would prefer to talk about the candidates’ individual merits or pitfalls behind closed doors.

With several of those who put their name in the hat sitting in the audience that day, Matthews said he “didn’t feel comfortable,” talking about them when they could hear what was being said.

DeSimone reminded everyone that the decision is not personal nor is it a popularity contest.

“I think we owe it to these people to give an open discussion,” DeSimone said.

Besides, it would be against the law for the town board to have the discussion behind closed doors, per the N.C. Open Meetings Law. DeSimone then offered to list his top three — Vanhook, Johnson and Billy Case — as a way to get the conversation started.

“Those three people brought the most to the table in a way of ideas. They seemed most balanced,” DeSimone said. “They weren’t in alignment with any one of us.”

Wight asserted that the description could apply to other candidates as well.

“But, everything you just said I could apply to Steve Hurley and think he is the best neutral candidate in the group,” Wight said.

“Or, Charlie Meadows,” Matthews chimed in.

DeSimone did not agree and later said he does not support Hurley or Meadows.

“That’s your Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen. position. That’s fine.

It’s not mine,” “I don’t really feel like I am going to DeSimone said. change my mind,” Price said.

After several seconds, a seemingly long Unlike the usually verbose nature of pause, Wight asked that the board vote and Maggie meetings, Monday’s was rife with try to weed out some of the applicants. cold, heavy silences, broken either by quesDeSimone shot back that none of the tions posed by Price in hopes of jump startother board members had mentioned whom ing a dialogue. The meeting was also laced their favorite candidates were or why they with some snide remarks. preferred someone over another.

Matthews, who is typically vocal about “I thought we were having an open decihis opinion, remained quiet for the first sevsion, but so far, the only one having that dis-

The Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen’s stalemate on who will fill the empty seat at their table could affect other decision in the future.

The fifth alderman ensures that there is never a tie when the board votes on a matter.

However, since the board of aldermen currently has four members and is deadlocked on who to appoint, the board could find itself deadlocked on other topics as well until the stalemate on a new appointee is broken and a fifth member joins their ranks.

“It will probably come up time-to-time, but I don’t think it will happen as often as people think,” said Mayor Ron DeSimone.

In fact, Alderman Phillip Wight said the four-member board could be a good thing and help the aldermen get to know each other even better.

“If you have a four-member board, I think it will promote more discussion,” Wight said.

More time may have to be spent persuading each other to vote a specific way.

cussion is me,” DeSimone said.

Hesitantly, and only after direct questioning by Price and DeSimone, Matthews divulged his top two — Meadows and Hurley — and explained his reasoning.

“I think Charlie Meadows has been extremely involved in everything that we do.

He has been very successful and helped out a lot on the festival board,” Matthews said. “I think he has some good ideas about where he wants to see things go.”

As for Hurley, Matthews said the local restaurant and bar owner would be a neutral voice on the board and is someone who cares deeply about the valley.

Wight then piped up with his preference for Hurley as well, and although he admitted that June Johnson has one of the best interviews, he did not place her among his favorites. Wight said he was “stuck on” Hurley.

Price concluded the go-around of who likes whom with her favored candidates — Johnson and Vanhook.

“I don’t think you could find anyone who

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cares more about Maggie Valley than her,” Price said of Johnson.

Price called Vanhook, who has served on the board previously, intelligent and noted her law degree. Vanhook was appointed to the board in 2011 and ran for alderman last November but lost by 31 votes.

Price went on to list problems she had with appointing Hurley, some of which DeSimone concurred with, including that he didn’t have a realistic vision of what Maggie Valley is or its future. During his interview a week prior, Hurley had spoken out in strong support of the once-troubled amusement park Ghost Town in the Sky. “He felt like Ghost Town was the answer to our problems. I don’t feel like that’s so,” Price said. And “he doesn’t want to live in a retired community, and that’s what we are in. So, that was a biggie for me.”

During the meeting, Vanhook made a case for appointing the runner-up from the last election, which would be herself.

“Something to think about,” Vanhook said.

Vanhook had been next highest vote getter in last year’s town election. DeSimone expressed his support for the idea, and Price, who also liked Vanhook, did not disagree.

“There was a strong case for that before,” DeSimone said. “It would not hurt my feelings at all.”

Wight at one time had been an advocate of using the runner-up system to fill town board vacancies. In fact, when Wight himself applied to a vacant seat on the board last year, he used the runner-up argument to advocate for his own appointment, as Wight happened to be the runner-up himself in the previous election.

But, Wight was passed over for the seat at that time, and now no longer subscribes to the runner-up system. He said the town shouldn’t flip-flop on rules and procedures when it’s convenient for their side.

Vanhook was the only applicant for the vacancy who ran in the last election.

After about 30 minutes of discussion, the Board of Aldermen decided to wait until their next regularly scheduled meeting, which is almost three weeks away, to give the alderman candidates more thought.

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BY CAITLIN BOWLING STAFF WRITER wain County leaders have pledged $700,000 to help the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad expand its already bustling operations in Bryson City.

Specifically, the monetary pledge will allow the privately run scenic railroad to rehabilitate an old steam engine to add to its all-diesel fleet. The steam engine would be major new selling point and further boost the tourism draw of the railroad in Swain County.

The sizeable grant would come entirely from tourism tax dollars and could also help build a turntable, a rotating track, needed to operate the steam engine.

“That is a big deal,” said County Commissioner Steve Moon.

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cial aid package for the train.

“I am most impressed,” Harper said. “I have never had anybody reach out like that with a good concept.”

The engine being refurbished is the American-made Steam Engine #1702, which was built in the 1940s and once transported travelers throughout Western North Carolina. In fact, King said his grandmother remembers traveling to Asheville on that very train.

JACKSON A DAY LATE AND DOLLAR SHORT

Wooten added that the addition of the steam engine will benefit the region and noted that train will continue to bring visitors from Bryson City to Dillsboro for layovers, even if the trips don’t originate there.

Dillsboro town board member David Gates, who led the effort to bring the steam engine to Dillsboro, was surprisingly supportive of the agreement between the railroad and Swain County.

“Dillsboro is 100 percent behind the project,” Gates said. “The only thing I can say is, it’s a wonderful opportunity for Jackson County and Swain County.”

He said it was generous of Swain not to demand that all steam engine trips originate in Bryson City.

“I highly respect Swain County only wanting 50 percent. That is very neighborly,” Gates said.

The details are not final, but Harper said he hopes the steam engine will run once a day, five days a week. And, given the rarity of steam engines nowadays, the railroad might charge a premium for rides, though how much more is unknown.

Until the steam engine is up and running, which Harper estimates will take 18 to 24 months, the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad will offer short rides on a smaller steam engine that was operating during last weekend’s Railfest in Bryson City.

Although the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad will definitely have a steam engine running up and down its tracks, whether the turntables will be constructed is still up in the air. Steam trains cannot move in reverse like the current diesel trains that travel along that line so turntables are needed to get the engine pointed in the right direction.

“The turntable itself will be quite an attraction,” said Commissioner Robert White.

However, if the railroad decides to forgo the turntables, it could simply attach a diesel engine to the caboose. The diesel engine would pull the train back to its starting point.

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Smoky Mountain News

Before the deal with Swain was even on the table, Harper had been in communication with Jackson County about a similar financial incentive to restore a steam engine and base it out of Dillsboro.

A small steam engine will operate during the summers Negotiations until the large steam engine is rehabilitated. The small never advanced engine was featured last week at Railfest in Bryson City. beyond informal talks, however.

For years, the train was headquartered in Dillsboro but moved to Bryson City in 2005, and ever since, Dillsboro has wanted it back — leading to an occasionally strained relationship between Jackson and Swain counties.

At one point last January, Dillsboro officials approached Swain commissioners about and fill local hotels, generating thousands, if possibly partnering on a grant for the railnot millions, of dollars in tourism revenue road. Jackson County lost its seat at the that benefits the county as a whole. table, however, after getting mired down in a “I think the train is very important to political dispute among tourism interests this area, this region,” Moon said. “If the over whether to increase the county’s room train left this area, it would be a bad thing.” tax rate and how to restructure its tourism The steam engine is estimated to increase agency. railroad ridership by 15 or 20 percent, equalSo Swain ultimately pulled the deal off ing between 27,000 and 36,000 addition visi- on its own. All is not lost for Dillsboro, howtors a year. ever. The grant from Swain only requires “That’s huge,” said Al Harper, the owner half of the steam engine’s trips to originate of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. “To in Bryson City — which means some could get 20,000 riders is literally $1 million of originate from Dillsboro. The depot in business.”

Dillsboro still exists, although is rarely in Profits made from the steam engine will use. be reinvested in the railroad to build a sec“We are still interested in trying to see if ond steam engine, Harper said. there is a way to return the steam engine According to Harper, Swain County was into Dillsboro,” said Jackson County the one who approached him with a finanManager Chuck Wooten.

Swain County has included several stipulations as part of a $700,000 deal to help the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad put a steam engine in service in Bryson City. Here’s what the county is requiring in exchange for the financial assistance to the scenic railroad.

■ The steam engine must be up and running within 36 months.

■ All the funds will go toward rehabilitating the steam engine, and any leftover money will help pay for the construction of turntables.

■ The railroad must create six new full-time jobs and keep them for at least 15 years. It currently employs about 100 to 150 people.

■ Trips from steam engine must run out of Bryson City at least 50 percent of the time for 15 years.

If the railroad fails to meet any of those terms, it will be required to pay back at least a portion of the grant. Each year, as long as the terms are met, Swain County will forgive $40,000 of the grant.

September 19-25, 2012

The deal, which has been in negotiations for several months, was approved by commissioners during a special meeting last Friday. County Manager Kevin King emphasized that all of the money would come from the tourism tax on overnight lodging.

Specifically, the county will take out a low-interest $700,000 loan to provide the assistance. The county will pay itself back over 15 years with tourism tax dollars.

The county set the stage for financial assistance to the railroad earlier this year by increasing its tax on overnight lodging from 3 cents to 4 cents per dollar.

The room tax brought in $350,000 last year. The one-cent increase will amount to an additional $110,000 a year. A portion of that one-cent increase will cover the cost of the railroad project. A portion is also going

to pay for renovation the historic courthouse into a museum and visitor center.

The county will actually own the steam engine and the turntable and lease them to the railroad, which will maintain them.

Unlike a typical leasing agreement, the county will not receive a monthly fee but rather will benefit from the increased jobs and train ridership that a steam engine promises.

They county will also have the first right to purchase the railroad should the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad be sold.

“That is basically what we are getting out of it,” King said.

Although the railroad is privately owned, Swain County — Bryson City in particular — benefit from the crowds that it draws each year. The visitors ride the train but also shop in area stores, eat at area restaurants

Sealing the deal news

Swain seals deal to bring steam engine to Great Smoky Mountain Railroad lines

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Smoky Mountain News September 19-25, 2012

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Caitlin Bowling photo

MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY

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Republican garb, tended to agree, preferring Meadows but not disliking Rogers.

“It was refreshing to hear a Democrat who sounded like a Republican,” Hal Chapman said, adding that “the only bad thing” about Rogers is that he worked for current Congressman Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville.

HEALTH OF THE ECONOMY The economy has yet to rebound from the recent recession, both candidates confirmed, but how to remedy it was a point of dispute.

Meadows said he would support a 20 percent decline in regulations and a moratorium on new regulatory laws until that decrease was achieved.

“There is a definite correlation between regulation and job growth,” Meadows said, adding that reducing corporate taxes to 20 percent would also help create jobs, thereby growing the economy.

Meadows said the federal government has placed too many restrictions on where people can drill for natural gas, for example.

“We could be the Saudi Arabia of natural gas, but it’s off limits,” Meadows said, eliciting a positive response from the crowd.

Meadows said he would support a 20 percent decline in regulations and a moratorium on new regulatory laws until that decrease was achieved. debate where Rogers said that tax increases were part of his plan.

“We can’t tax our way into it,” Meadows said, later adding that everyday Americans should be more cognizant of how much health services cost.

WOMEN’S ISSUES When asked about the government’s role in reproductive rights and access to birth control, Meadows, who is pro-life, was quick to deride the Affordable Health Care Act, saying it requires health care providers to cover the cost of birth control.

“It is an attack on our religious liberties,” Meadows said, pointing out that many insurance plans already pay for birth control.

Both Meadows and Rogers took a few shots at each other during the forum.

Rogers harped on the fact that Meadows is not originally from Western North Carolina but transplanted here from Florida.

In the past, Meadows has referred to Rogers as a Washington insider because of his

Speaking specifically about Western North Carolina, Rogers said the government needs to “invest heavily in our infrastructure,” including roads, broadband Internet and airport improvements.

time as chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, whose seat both are trying to fill. Shuler has decided not to run for another term.

“I’m a Western North Carolina insider,” retorted Rogers, a Robbinsville native, at the forum.

In response to an earlier comment by Rogers that sometimes people need to compromise for the greater good, Meadows responded that sometimes that is not possible.

“Sometimes, you have values you can’t compromise on,” Meadows said.

At one point, Meadows elicited groans from some audience members when he implied that Rogers was responsible for the high unemployment rates in his hometown of Graham County. The county had 15.2 percent unemployment in June.

“If that is how he treats his own county, how will he treat the rest of us?” Meadows said.

The comment did not sit well with at least one Republican attendee. Gail Kent, a registered Republican from Franklin, said her first impression of Meadows was positive. “What a respectable, well-spoken guy,” she said.

However, that image was spoiled by Meadows’ attempt to lay blame for Graham County’s unemployment rate at Rogers’ feet.

“That was so completely unfair,” said Kent, who describes herself as a Republican grown disillusioned by the far right’s fear mongering. 15

Smoky Mountain News

BY CAITLIN BOWLING STAFF WRITER lthough the candidates running for U.S. Congress remained cordial on the surface, neither passed up the opportunity to get in jabs here and there during a Macon County League of Women Voters forum last week.

Following a contentious debate in Brevard the previous night, conservative Republican Mark Meadows of Cashiers and Blue Dog Democrat Hayden Rogers of Robbinsville squared off again, less than 24 hours later, to answer questions about the health of the economy, Medicare, Social Security and women’s issues.

Meadows received several rounds of applause from what appeared to be a largely Republican audience throughout his talking points. However, Rogers also faired well with the crowd.

Despite wearing a red shirt with Meadows’ name on it — a uniform donned by dozens of audience members — Gail Chapman said Rogers would probably do a good job in Washington.

“Either one will be good, but Mark Meadows will be the best.”

Her husband Hal, who also wore

CLOSING ARGUMENTS

September 19-25, 2012

Congressional candidates up the ante on campaign forum circuit

Rogers wants to preserve Medicare and Social Security, but said the government should look for ways to streamline the programs and cut ineffective or redundant operations.

“We have to make some tough decisions,” Rogers said. “If programs aren’t working, we are going to have to eliminate them.”

Heath care also needs to focus more on prevention, which will save in the long run, he said.

“Preventative care is not a sexy thing, but it’s an effective thing,” Rogers said.

Throughout his collective speaking time, Rogers repeatedly stated that a mixture of cuts, tax increases and economic growth would allow the government to maintain services such as Medicare and Social Security.

Meadows touted Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan’s plan as one that would help fix problems with Medicare and Social Security while keeping the federal government’s promise to seniors 55 and older.

“We have to honor our commitment to seniors,” Meadows said. But, “We can’t keep kicking the can down the road.”

And, the U.S. cannot raise taxes to cure its ills, said Meadows, citing the previous night’s

Meadows also repeated his oft-made claim that the health care act could use federal dollars to pay for abortions. However, specific language written into the bill stipulates that no federal dollars can go toward abortions for women.

A conservative Democrat, Rogers is also pro-life but supports making birth control and family planning available to women who want it.

“I believe these are things that help unwanted pregnancies,” Rogers said. “It is unChristian not to” offer such things.

Religious organizations should not be required to provide birth control or family planning but insurance companies should include them in their plans, Rogers said, prompting Meadows to shake his head in disagreement.

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Rogers agreed that the government needs to cut some of its current regulations, but said the first thing to do is to grow factory jobs.

Rogers said he wants to get rid of “bad policies” in U.S. free trade agreements, which he said are sending jobs overseas. Speaking specifically about Western North Carolina, Rogers said the government needs to “invest heavily in our infrastructure,” including not only roads, citing Corridor K, but also broadband Internet and airport improvements.

Top-notch infrastructure will attract business to WNC, he said.

U.S. House candidates Mark Meadows (R-Cashiers) and Hayden Rogers (D-Robbinsville, seated), spoke at a League of Women Voters forum last week.

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Donate warm clothes for kids

The 4th Annual

“Coats for Kids” is hosting a coat drive in Jackson County through the end of September.

Cullowhee United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church of Sylva, Walmart in Sylva and Pathways Thrift Store are accepting goodcondition used, as well as new, children’s fall and winter items. New socks and underwear should be in its original packaging.

Sizes of donations can range from baby sizes all the way up to items that would fit an 18-year-old adult.

Distribution day will be from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 6 in the fellowship hall at First Presbyterian Church of Sylva, for any parents or guardians who would like items for their children.

Monetary or clothing donations can also be mailed or made out to Cullowhee United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1267, Cullowhee, NC 28723. Please be sure to write “Coats for Kids” on the memo line. gsmautumn@yahoo.com.

Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival October 5, 6, & 7 Cashiers Village Green Cashiers, Glenville & Sapphire

WCU to host ‘Take Back the Night’ march

Fine Arts & Crafts

September 19-25, 2012

Gourmet Food

leaf festival Cashiers Valley

Smoky Mountain News

Live Music Friday, Saturday, Sunday Rain or Shine, No Coolers Children’s Area & Activities Free Boat Rides on Lake Glenville Reservations Only: 828.743.2143 Purchase tickets online at: www.visitcashiersvalley.com 828.743.5858 | 828.482.2525 16

Greater Cashiers Area Merchants Association

Presented by:

Concert Sponsored by:

2012

Concert Featuring:

The Lovin’ Spoonful

A sexual assault survivor who founded a national organization centered on shattering the silence of sexual violence will be the featured speaker at Western Carolina University’s annual “Take Back the Night” event on Sept. 26.

Angela Rose, executive director of Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment, will speak at 7 p.m. in the Grandroom of A.K. Hinds University Center. After her remarks, attendees will march across campus. sacarter@wcu.edu or 828.227.2617.

MemoryCare satellite clinic opening Dr. Lisa Verges, a geriatric psychiatrist and head of the new MemoryCare satellite clinic, will host a grand opening reception from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center on Elmwood Way in Waynesville.

MemoryCare is a nonprofit organization aimed at serving individuals with memory impairment and their families.

Presentations will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Refreshments will be served. RSVP. www.memorycare.org or 828.771.2219.

with the Jackson Taylor Band & von Grey at The Slopes at Sapphire Valley General Admission: $25/$30 Day of Event VIP: $50 (Meet & Greet with The Lovin’ Spoonful, Valet Parking, Hors d’Oeuvres, Beer & Wine, VIP seating) Friday October 5 | Gates Open at 5pm

Walk to remember Trail of Tears The Trail of Tears Memorial Walk will take place 9:30 a.m. Oct. 6 beginning at the Cherokee Historical Association building and ending at the Oconaluftee Indian Village.

Registration forms are available at the main office of the Cherokee Historical Association. Pre-registration fee is $10, while participants 12 and younger are free.

Parking will be available at the Oconaluftee Indian Village and the Cherokee Transit will provide shuttle service to the start of the event. Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided.

828.497.2111

Waynesville and Lake Junaluska talk merger A

several informal “coffee cup conversations” with constituents, including business owners. Those he has spoken with have many of the same questions as the town board and find the possibility interesting, he said.

GOING INTO STUDY MODE Now that Lake Junaluska has indicated its interest in moving forward with talks of annexation, the next step will be to hire a firm to study what the merger would look like and how it would affect both areas.

Although it has not been decided exactly what the study will entail, the consultant would look at things like what roads are eligible for state maintenance funds and what upgrades the sewer system would need in coming years.

Ultimately, town leaders will want to know how much it will cost the town to provide services to the newly annexed area versus how much it would get in property taxes.

Waynesville will play a role.

“The end result will be some kind of marriage, but all we are doing now is talking on the phone or holding hands,” Brown said.

If the Lake Junaluska community instead decides to become its own town, legislators will want to know that the town of Waynesville is OK with the idea, given the close proximity of the neighboring town limits.

“Waynesville’s support is so critical on either one of these issues,” Young said.

Although its incorporation doesn’t seem like a bad thing for Waynesville on the surface, it could mean less state funding for the town. The more towns North Carolina has, the less money each town receives from the state.

Incorporation could also prevent the town from growing in the future.

Waynesville would only be able to expand up to Lake Junaluska’s town limits, which would not give the town much room for

UP TO THE RESIDENTS For annexation to go through, state law requires a vote to be held of property owners in the area targeted for annexation. A majority must support annexation for it to go through.

No matter what Lake Junaluska decides,

expansion on that end of town.

“You have just limited your own town’s ability to grow in that direction,” Onieal said of the possibility of Lake Junaluska becoming its own town.

Brown said he doesn’t think town leaders would actively fight Lake Junaluska becoming its own town if that is what the community decides is the best option.

“I don’t know that we would publicly oppose it in some fashion,” Brown said. “I might think they are being foolish. But, never tell a man he has an ugly wife.”

HOW TO DECIDE? Brown said that the decision for Waynesville regarding a possible merger will largely revolve around the answer to one question — is it rational? Do the numbers show that annexing Lake Junaluska will benefit Waynesville?

“A lot of this is going to be driven by the facts,” Brown said.

For Lake Junaluskans, the answer will be more complex. From the get-go, the task force has made it clear that incorporating is

the pricey and more difficult option.

In the beginning, Clauser said he thought the idea of becoming a town was an untouchable dream, given the standards and legal hurdles that it must jump through.

However, after some more investigation, he is slightly more optimistic.

“Now, I think it has gone from impossible to rather difficult,” Clauser said.

The overarching question with incorporation is: how much is preserving their identity worth? Not only would incorporation include legal fees needed to get the measure passed through the legislature, but residents and property owners would also need to pay the new town start-up costs and ongoing overhead of a town. Lake Junaluska would need a town hall, a police chief and a town manager, among other employees; it would need to dedicate time, effort and money toward creating the groundwork of its town from nearly scratch.

“Incorporation is a bit of a long shot even if that is what the task force decides,” Young said. “Annexation is much more realistic.”

However, some are concerned that Lake Junaluska will lose its unique identity, which has developed during the past 100 years as the lake grew from a summer retreat for Methodists from across the South into a fullfledged community.

Years down the road, people could say they are glad Lake Junaluskans decided to pay more money to preserve their identity, Young said. Then again, they could not.

“There are just so many questions that have got to be answered,” Young said.

Waynesville leaders have assured residents that the merger would not mean the death of Lake Junaluska as people know it today.

There is no deadline for when the task force will make a recommendation. The group will meet with the Lake Junaluska Community Council and then present its findings and discussions thus far to the lake’s board of directors at its October meeting.

“We have never been under any time pressure,” Clauser said. “I have been very pleased with the process.”

Both Clauser and Young said the process has moved more quickly than they thought it would.

“The process has moved a lot quicker than I anticipated,” Young said. “I think it shows a lot of enthusiasm.”

Smoky Mountain News

The study, which could take anywhere from four weeks to six months, depending on its depth, will help “determine whether it is a financially feasible opportunity,” said Waynesville Town Manager Marcy Onieal.

The report will cost somewhere between $40,000 and $50,000. Waynesville has already budgeted $25,000 for the study and hopes to receive some grant funding. It is unclear if and how much Lake Junaluska will contribute.

Last month, Onieal presented some estimated numbers and projections to the task force at a public meeting attended by about 100 Lake Junaluska residents and property owners. However, she said more work would need to be done in order to find out if annexation is a good option for Waynesville and Lake Junaluska.

Lake Junaluska is now weighing two options: annexation into Waynesville or becoming a town itself. Here’s the cost for each to Lake residents.

■ Current tax rate for the town of Waynesville: 40.82 cents per $100 property value.

■ Possible tax rate if creating its own town: 36-43 cents per $100 property value.

September 19-25, 2012

Lake Junaluska will likely become its own town or merge with Waynesville.

Options on the table

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BY CAITLIN BOWLING STAFF WRITER s Lake Junaluska residents chart a future course for their community, two options now remain on the table: become its own town or merge with the town of Waynesville.

For decades, Lake Junaluska has operated as a well-oiled homeowners association — with its own security force, trash pick-up, water and sewer service and other amenities normally only found in actual towns.

That model is no longer feasible for a residential community of more than 800 homes, and Lake Junaluska needs to form its own town or merge with Waynesville, according to a task force that has spent the past several months examining the community’s future.

How the community plans to deal with its aging infrastructure has been one of the chief concerns. The task force originally presented four options — including remaining as it was and asking Waynesville to take on its sewer and water systems.

However, the task force decided that it was not feasible to remain as a loosely-organized homeowners association. As for getting Waynesville to take on its infrastructure problems, that wasn’t going to happen unless Lake Junaluska went all in and officially became part of the town, including paying town property taxes.

Otherwise, “There is nothing in it for Waynesville,” said Buddy Young, a member of the task force and director of public works at the Lake. “It was clear that it was not a viable option. That was not a realistic option.”

Updating the sewer and water system would cost about $1.77 million. In exchange for taking on ownership and maintenance of the lake’s water and sewer lines, Waynesville could bill customers an additional service fee to help cover the cost, but not enough to make the deal attractive to the town.

“If we’d have asked them, they would have said ‘no, they are not interested in doing that,” said Ron Clauser, chair of the task force. “I did not feel it was the right thing to do to ask someone to take over your liabilities.”

Clauser and Young addressed the Waynesville Board of Aldermen last week to talk about one of the leading options still on the table: being annexed by the town of Waynesville.

“We’ve got to make sure Waynesville is interested in annexation,” Young said.

Although Waynesville leaders have not held any official public meetings to discuss the possible merger with its own current residents, town leaders and the task force at Lake Junaluska have talked openly and willingly about the idea.

“The public has been engaged,” said Waynesville Mayor Gavin Brown. “The public has the option at any time to come talk to us.”

Brown added that he personally has had

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Sheriffs grapple with best way to serve growing populations in remote areas

BY ANDREW KASPER STAFF WRITER t’s a long wait for residents of Nantahala in Macon County when they dial the Sheriff ’s Office.

Deputy response time to the small community of Nantahala from the sheriff ’s office in Franklin can take up to 30 minutes, which is why Sheriff Robbie Holland wants to expand his force and station someone in Nantahala fulltime, but that too has been a long time coming.

“I’ve been sheriff for 10 years, and I’ve always said I feel that every citizen in Macon County deserves the same services,” Holland said. “But because of distance between Nantahala and Franklin and Highlands, I feel there is a need to be able to provide additional officers to be able to put someone in Nantahala.”

For each of his first five years in office, Holland requested funding for enough extra deputies to station one fulltime in the Nantahala area of Macon County. Holland’s office was denied each of those years because of the added burden on the budget those deputies would cause.

The extra cost of adding four deputies, one for each of the four shifts, would be more than $250,000. The cost of each deputy would be about $60,000 per year, including salary, training, benefits, employment taxes and equipment. One-time equipment and training expenditures would significantly raise that first year’s price tag.

After denying Holland’s request the first five times, county commissioners finally agreed to a compromise in 2007: to add one deputy each year until there were four additional deputies.

After the first year, however, the economic downturn hit. The county tightened its belt and denied the promised increase for the past three years.

September 19-25, 2012

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Instead, Holland said the commissioners instructed him to apply for federal grants. This year, Holland landed a federal grant to subsidize the cost of one additional deputy and his equipment. The help from the federal government would cover 85 percent of the $120,000 startup cost of hiring and equipping a new deputy, and a portion of the salary and personnel costs for two more years.

Last week, the commissioners approved $70,000 in matching funds over three years that were needed to land the assistance.

Although Holland said the extra deputy will help, he’s still short-staffed for what he believes is adequate coverage for Macon County.

Fortunately for residents in Nantahala, response times for medical and fire emergencies is only a few minutes, thanks to the volunteer fire department and an ambulance based in the area, but the long response for law enforcement has caused problems for both deputies and residents.

Holland said he has had officers who have had to struggle with an aggressive person they’ve pulled over on a traffic stop for 20 or more minutes while waiting for backup to arrive. One officer had to manage a suspect with a gun while he awaited assistance, he said.

“Sitting there for 20 minutes talking to an individual with a gun in their hand is pretty dangerous,” Holland said.

A UNIVERSAL PROBLEM The situation in Nantahala is not unique to Macon County. Nearby Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran said his office struggles with a similar situation in one of his remote areas — Deals Gap. Response time can take 45 minutes for his officers — in fact officers from Graham County or Tennessee can get there quicker than Swain

can, prompting the neighboring counties to have a mutual arrangement to respond to emergencies in each other’s territories if they can get there quicker than the home county.

The challenge is nearly universal for law enforcement in rural, mountainous counties.

In Jackson County, deputy response times and patrol coverage of the outlying Cashiers area emerged as one of the top issues in the most recent sheriff ’s race there.

Haywood County has several remote, outlying areas that would take a deputy up to 30 minutes to reach — barring one happening to

Macon County emergency calls in 2011, only about 250 came from Nantahala. Holland said the office can go up to a week without receiving a call from the area, particularly in the winter when the many vacation homes there are empty, but when they do come in those calls can be just as urgent as those received from the Franklin or Highlands area, ranging from robbery to domestic abuse. The deputies simply have to classify the most urgent emergency calls and respond to those first.

The shortage of law enforcement could also be exacerbated by the retirement of several state troopers in the area. Aside from the 23 or so deputies in the county, The challenge is nearly universal another seven state troopers are for law enforcement in rural, dedicated to traffic enforcement in County. Yet, one already mountainous counties. In Jackson Macon retired in August and two others are expected to retire by August 2013.

County, deputy response times It may be more than a year after and patrol coverage of the their departures before those positions are replaced, said Sergeant outlying Cashiers area emerged Todd Norville of the State Highway Patrol, who is based in Bryson City as one of the top issues in the and oversees the state troopers in most recent sheriff’s race there. several counties in the region, including Macon and Swain. be on patrol in a nearby area at the time a call Furthermore, he said the state troopers in came in.

Jackson County, who are also down two offiAs population in remote mountain areas cers, will have first priority over cadets graduatincreases, more calls are likely to come in from ing from the state trooper school because of the those areas, heightening the need for quicker county’s coverage of Western Carolina response times.

University.

Holland said although he makes it mandaAlthough, state troopers focus their efforts tory that at least one trip be made to Nantahala on traffic enforcement and car wrecks, if there per shift, based on the call volume received aren’t enough troopers to respond to trafficfrom Nantahala, he can’t justify stationing one related incidents, sheriff ’s deputies would have of his five officers per shift to stay there around to fill in the gaps. And if there is a something the clock if it meant leaving more populated more pressing to address, Holland said a trip to areas of the county uncovered.

Nantahala per shift by a deputy gets put on the According to 911 call center data, of 13,000 backburner.

Smoky Mountain News

Catch 22 for Macon Middle intersection

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BY ANDREW KASPER STAFF WRITER acon County leaders are at odds with the N.C. Department of Transportation over the placement, or lack thereof, of a stoplight at an intersection near Macon Middle School.

For two years, Macon County Sheriff ’s Office deputies have been stationed at the intersection of Wells Grove and Clarks Chapel during peak traffic times when school is in session. Sheriff Robbie Holland said two deputies each day direct traffic in the morning as cars pour into and out of the school’s parking lot.

Holland said he thought the arrangement would only last a year while the DOT went through the process of placing a stoplight at

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the intersection. Recently, DOT announced they would not put a traffic light there, but rather are considering a right-turn lane to relive congestion among cars turning to go to the school.

Holland was not happy with the decision and claimed many others in the community agree with him.

“You can talk to anybody who comes through that intersection, and nobody will tell you there is no need for traffic signal of some sort,” Holland said.

His deputies spend a total of 15 manhours per week at that intersection directing traffic when they could be doing other duties, he said. And now, he said his agency may be in a predicament because if they withdraw

the extra deputies used to direct traffic and a major accident occurs at that intersection, he and his office may be held liable.

But adding a stoplight may actually make the intersection more dangerous, according to Scott Cook, the state’s traffic engineer for DOT’s Division 14, which covers the state’s ten far western counties. Rear-end crashes increase at intersections where traffic lights are added, he said.

“A traffic signal can create a liability issue — if they are not warranted,” Cook said.

“Then if a crash happened, there may be questions asked as to why one was put there.”

A traffic light can also cause unnecessary delays and cost more than $100,000 to install, he said.

About a year ago, Macon County asked the DOT to assess the situation at that intersection, Cook said. His division sent a person, on two separate occasions, to monitor the intersection for 12 to 16 hours and count all traffic turns made. He said the observations were made during the school year, but the traffic volume calculated did not warrant placement of a traffic light.

The assessment also looked at five years of crash history at the intersection and analyzed whether they would have been remediated by the presence of a traffic light — though Holland contends his agency’s efforts to station deputies at the intersection has prevented that number from being much higher.

Cook said the results pushed his division toward finding a different solution than a traffic light, and it’s now in the preliminary stages of implementing the right turn lane.

news September 19-25, 2012

Smoky Mountain News

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N.C. lawmakers micromanage school calendars from afar

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER tate legislators have once again tinkered with school calendars, reining in when early school districts — even those prone to excessive snow days — can start back in August.

State law mandates that school can’t start back sooner than the last week in August.

However, counties with lots of missed school due to snow have been exempt in the past.

Now even counties that have a so-called “weather waiver” can’t start back sooner than the third week in August.

“For those who do receive waiver, it is only for basically a week,” said Fred Trantham, the policy director for Haywood County Schools.

Haywood is one of 25 counties that currently qualifies for the weather waiver, which was once a free pass to start school back however early they wanted.

The policy change was apparently intended to stop school systems from taking advantage of the weather waiver.

But, limiting how early school can start back in August could also tie a school district’s hands when a severe winter strikes.

Haywood County students twice in recent years have missed 13 days of school. Starting one week earlier than the rest of the state would only make a partial dent in the needed make-up days.

There are four options for making up missed snow days: start earlier in August, whittle away at winter and spring breaks, add days with Saturday school, or tack them on to the end of the school year in June.

None are particularly popular with students or parents, and each comes with a good dose of opposition.

There is now a fifth option under the state’s latest school calendar rules: cut into teacher workdays. Previously, school districts were required to have a minimum of 15 teacher workdays. Now, the minimum is 10.

Schools could build in the full 15 workdays but take them away if necessitated by snow days.

There are four options for making up missed snow days: start earlier in August, whittle away at winter and spring breaks, add days with Saturday school, or tack them on to the end of the school year in June. None are particularly popular with students or parents, and each comes with a good dose of opposition.

Smoky Mountain News

September 19-25, 2012

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The school start date saga: a short history The latest school calendar move is part of a decades-long push and pull between lawmakers and local school districts over school start and end dates.

School systems once had autonomy over their own back-to-school dates, but that changed in 2004 with a state decree ordering how soon school could start back in August.

School start dates had been creeping ever earlier, trespassing more and more into the precious days of summer vacation.

A group called Save Our Summers lobbied state lawmakers to do something about it, prompting a bill limiting how early school could start.

What a difference a word makes

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER t first blush, an obscure change to state law stipulating how many days students have to go to school each year seems like semantics.

But in fact, it could give local school districts flexibility to cut the number of school days in a year and instead go for longer hours — a schedule that could help cashstrapped school systems save money.

Until this year, state law mandated the 20 school year had to be at least 185 days and

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1,025 hours of instruction.

Lawmakers changed it to 185 days or 1,025 hours of instruction.

Schools can now go fewer days and get in the same number of hours, explained Fred Trantham, policy director for Haywood County Schools.

“That ‘or’ means you could really shrink the school year down quite a bit,” Trantham said.

Increasing the school day by just 30 minutes,could trim nearly three weeks off the school year. Going longer hours for fewer

While students and the tourism industry might be celebrating the clampdown on weather waiver flexibility, Haywood Schools now face a tough decision, Trantham said.

If they can’t start early enough in August to get a full semester finished by winter break — including end-of-semester exams — then it might be best to just wait until the end of August.

If school starts back the third week of August, end-of-semester exams coincide with the first week students come back to school in January after winter break. Students would be better off taking exams in mid-January after being back from winter break for a couple of weeks, which would mean waiting to start school until late August.

“Basically what our rule of thumb is, especially for schools operating on a semester basis, if you can’t start early enough in August to get your first semester in before Christmas, then it could be better to wait,” Trantham said.

A PARTICULARLY LONG SUMMER

Haywood County students and parents could be dealt a rare three-month summer in 2013. A series of odd circumstances have set the stage for this unusually long summer.

One factor is the new rules laid out by state legislators that would keep Haywood County Schools from going back any earlier than Aug. 19 next school year despite their weather waiver.

Meanwhile, a particularly early back-toschool date this year — Aug. 8 to be exact — could lead to a particularly early end to the school year. School in

F

The group’s motives weren’t solely about preserving the magic of summer days for youth. It was largely backed by tourism interests, which were being hurt by a loss of August vacationers due to early school start dates.

The state initially failed to take into account the special circumstances of mountain counties that racked up lots of snow days.

The state went back to the drawing board the next year and came up with the “weather waiver.” School districts prone to excessive snow days were exempt from the mandatory start date and could start earlier in August, providing a cushion for snow days without having to extend the school year To qualify for the waiver, school districts had to miss more than eight days due to snow in at least four of the past 10 years. The waiver applied to about 25 counties this year. Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain all qualified for weather waivers this year.

days saves on the overhead of running a school, from school bus drivers to utility costs to janitors.

Hours of instruction don’t include class changes, lunch, recess and the like. So, despite the seven-hour-day at most schools, students come away with something less than that — probably around six hours — of actual instruction time.

Technically, a school district could now go to school for only three hours a day for 185 days, though it is hard to imagine anyone would do this.

“As long as they meet one or another they are fine,” said Linda Fuller, a spokesperson for the Department of Public Instruction.

The more likely scenario is some school districts may go longer hours for fewer days.

“We have been pushing for a longer school calendar but with this ‘or’ in here, districts could go way less than 185 days,” Fuller said. “They figured it out that some districts could go to school for only 160 some days.”

Andrew Cox, also with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh who specializes in school calendar issues, said he does not know of any school districts yet that are planning to trim days off the school year, but some have been discussing the option.

Etiquette dinner to impart manners, decorum for kids

news

Haywood County could get out as early as paying teachers a full month of pay for May 20 if there are zero snow days this winter. August if they hadn’t actually worked a full In the zero snow day scenario, students in month. Teachers counting on a full check the Haywood could enjoy a protracted three- month of August would only get partial one, month-long break from May 20 until Aug. 19. with the pay instead redisbtributed in other Of course, it is extremely unlikely there months of the year. will be no snow days. Haywood County Haywood County Schools feared that the always sees at least some, logging no fewer sudden change by the state would leave teachthan five during the milder winters and as ers in a bind who were expecting a paycheck fmany as 13 during harsher winters during the in August. past decade. Seven or eight snow days seems “They had mortgage payments set up and to be average. car payments set up,” Trantham said.

Even then, the summer is on par to be at least a couple State law mandates that school can’t of weeks longer than usual. start back sooner than the last week Haywood County Schools started back abnormally early in August. However, counties with this year due to a glitch in state laws that stipulate how lots of missed school due to snow and when teachers are paid. have been exempt. Now even Typically, teachers get one paycheck a month, with their counties that have a so-called annual salary spread across “weather waiver” can’t start back either 10 or 12 months, depending on the pay schedsooner than the third week in August. ule they chose. The first check for teachers on the 10-month schedule comes in August, and historically So in an 11th-hour change of its own, August’s check would be for a full month Haywood Schools took advantage of its regardless of when school actually starts weather waiver to bump up the school start back. Even if teachers don’t come back date by one week to Aug. 8. That meant promptly at the beginning of August, they teachers would come back at the beginning of still get a full check that month, as their salary August, and thus could get a full paycheck in is simply spread out in 10 equal payments August after all. The legislature has already throughout the year. undone the problematic policy so schools can A new state law went into effect this year, return to paying teachers in evenly divided however, that prevented school systems from paychecks over 10 months.

An etiquette dinner for children will be held at the Lambeth Inn at Lake Junaluska at 6 p.m. Sept. 24. The event is sponsored by the local 4-H club.

Youth participants will learn to use proper table manners and utensils correctly, navigate a formal place setting and go through a buffet properly. The cost is $20 and attendees will need to dress business casual. Sign-up by Sept. 21. 828.456.3575.

Deb Teitelbaum. Donated photo

Speaker to discuss the history of cameras

Sylva woman goes on Jeopardy Deb Teitelbaum of Sylva, a former public school teacher and longtime show fan, will appear as a contestant on “Jeopardy!” during the program’s upcoming broadcast at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24 on WLOS-TV. Her advice for other constestants: “It’s all about the buzzer,” Teitelbaum said.

“Everybody on the show is knowledgeable.

Whoever gets a jump on the buzzer has the advantage. To win one game is difficult, to do what Ken Jennings did and win 74 consecutive games is remarkable.”

Haywood County Historical and Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m.

Sept. 25 at the First Methodist Church on Haywood Street in Waynesville.

There will be a short business meeting, followed by a program presented by Roland Osbourne. Osbourne will trace the history of cameras from the pre-Civil War years through the early twentieth century.

He will display a functioning large-format camera for anyone interested in taking a picture. The meeting is free and open to the public.

828.627.0385 or 828.627.9828.

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Guest Ap pre cia ti o

Sep te

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Nantaha la O ut do or

September 19-25, 2012

30 8 2 r e b m e t Sep

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

In Democratic convention’s wake, 44 owes 42 – big time Savannah Bell

him with enthusiasm in 2008. The condition and mood of the country do not favor his chances of serving another four years in the White House.

The economy has not yet recovered from the Great Recession that spawned Guest Columnist so much hardship, anxiety and misfortune across the land. Far too many Americans remain out of work and many have even abandoned their efforts to find jobs. People are struggling to pay their mortgages, pay their bills, and even put food on the table.

For far too many Americans it is getting harder to make ends meet. The American dream appears out of reach for too many families. And President Obama, as most presidents do, is receiving more blame than he deserves for the pain and uncertainty gripping the nation.

Obama, being the incumbent, has to defend his record, make a convincing argument why he should be returned to office, and create doubt in the minds of the voters about his Republican opponent, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, in order to win a second term. He has his work cut out for him.

Obama faces a tougher opponent in Romney this time around. Obama’s charisma and rhetoric that charmed many voters four years ago have lost their appeal. Obama has disappointed many of his staunchest supporters. Many Democrats in Congress are dissatisfied with the quality of the leadership he has provided. Big donors who helped bankroll his 2008

Get the facts about state education funding

To the Editor: The Macon County Democrat Headquarters got my attention with their sign. For those that haven’t seen it, it reads the “Republicans have cut $926 million from the budget for schools.”

As a parent of school age children, I noticed this and did a little more digging. In my search I also saw an article by the NC Public Schools that said: “State Graduation Rate is Highest in NC History; Sixth Consecutive Year of Improvement,” and one in the Asheville Citizen-Times with the headline “Schools do well despite budget ills.”

Upon further investigation by viewing several of the past and current state budgets it was shown that the “cut” was actually the end of federal stimulus dollars not a cut of state funding. By going to the N.C. Legislative website and viewing the budget one can see that the number of state dollars increased not decreased. According to the www.newsobserver.com web site’s article from Aug. 12, the Republican-written state budget adds more than $250 million to K-12 education spending.

This increase doesn’t cover cuts in state funding done during the Democrat controlled legislature of 2008-2010 when temporary federal stimulus dollars were used to replace state

campaign feel that he has not given them the time of day since his election.

As a candidate in 2008, Obama promised much more than he could possibly deliver and raised expectations to such a high level that he could not possibly meet them.

Obama inherited a mess from his Republican predecessor, George W. Guest Columnist Bush. Two unpopular foreign wars, an economy in free fall, an impending housing crash, Wall Street and financial institutions in crisis, an American automobile industry in serious trouble, and a big national deficit and debt awaited his attention when he entered the Oval Office. Running for re-election, Obama cannot blame Bush for the state of the union four years after he left office. Sure, Obama was dealt a bad hand.

There is indeed enough blame to go around in Washington and to be shared by both political parties, but it is the president that the people hold accountable when he runs for a second term.

Obama belittled President Bill Clinton’s record during the Democratic primaries in 2008 and after taking office. He alleged that Clinton squandered opportunities to make real differences in the lives of the American people. He averred that Clinton’s accomplishments were small and mostly insignificant. He declared Clinton guilty of settling for less than he could have accomplished.

His criticisms were, of course, fueled at least in part by Clinton’s efforts to secure the party’s nomination for his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton. Clinton, jarred and baffled by Obama’s

Don Livingston

n his re-election campaign, President Isupport Barack Obama cannot count on the of many of those who voted for

dollars.

During these tight times we all need to tighten our belts, not just the taxpayers but the tax spenders as well.

I commend the education system for continuing to work hard for the future generations, they should not be doing it alone. It is my responsibility as a parent to do all within my power to make sure that my children get the most out of their schooling. I am the one that needs to make sure they do their homework and study. We as parents need to make the effort and step up to be the parents our children need not expect the teachers and government to raise them for us. I personally don’t desire to give any government that much control.

Tearle J. Conner Jr. Franklin

PetSmart will help animal rescue groups To the Editor: PetSmart, which is known for not carrying puppy mill dogs or cats, also holds on-site adoptions for rescue groups to find homes for homeless dogs and cats. This new facility is state of the art and includes a “cat room” designed to reduce stress and maintain healthy animals waiting for adoption. So the opening of the new Haywood County

success in the primaries, attacked him in order to salvage Hillary’s campaign, going so far as to suggest that Obama was not ready to be president. Animosity and resentment defined Obama’s and Mr. Clinton’s relationship thereafter.

Obama has since changed his tune because he desperately needs the support of the wildly popular Bill Clinton, the only Democratic president to win a second term since Franklin Roosevelt, to get re-elected. Obama now touts Clinton’s accomplishments. In return, Clinton has assumed a major presence in Obama’s re-election campaign as a key adviser and strategist.

Clinton’s prime-time speech at the party’s convention in Charlotte, in which he expounded on the reasons Obama deserves a second term, was extremely persuasive and his delivery was superb. One network team covering the convention opined that Clinton in 40-some-odd minutes had done a better job of making the case for re-election than Obama himself and his people had ever thought about doing since the campaign got under way.

Pundits and political operatives agree that Clinton’s resounding endorsement of the vulnerable Obama has already affected the race. Clinton’s embrace of Obama has brought renewed energy and excitement to the campaign. His passionate defense of Obama’s record is convincing. If re-elected, Obama, our 44th president, will owe Clinton, our 42nd president, big time.

Don Livingston is a professor of political science and public affairs at Western Carolina University. His field of expertise is the American presidency. Savannah Bell, a Franklin resident who earned an undergraduate degree at WCU, is studying in WCU’s master’s degree program in public affairs.

LOOKING FOR OPINIONS The Smoky Mountain News encourages readers to express their opinions through letters to the editor or guest columns. All viewpoints are welcome. Send to Scott McLeod at info@smokymountainnews.com., fax to 828.452.3585, or mail to PO Box 629, Waynesville, NC, 28786.

PetSmart was more than welcome by local rescue groups. But everyone got a surprise a few days before the scheduled opening. PetSmart was informed that the facility needed an inspection by the Department of Agriculture inspector before animals could be on the premises. PetSmart’s two store openings in Buncombe County had not required an — occupancy (my word) — inspection and they were dismayed to learn at the last minute that they would not be able to have the planned cats and dogs on the premises (inside or outside) for adoption. They rushed to get the paperwork completed so the adoptions could take place. Ironically, an inspector was able to drop by to check for pythons in the building but did not have time to check out the cat room. The grand opening took place Sept. 8-9 with rescue groups but no dogs or cats.

Because of this unexpected delay, the ani-

mals pulled from the shelter in anticipation of the event by a local rescue group did not get adopted. This meant no new spaces for adoptable animals were available; this meant that the county shelter did not have enough space for incoming pets. So, 20 cats were euthanized during the week of Sept. 10.

Making the grand opening a non-event because of a bureaucratic schedule is shortsighted. PetSmart has employees, pays taxes and works within the community on behalf of animal welfare. The lack of collaborative thinking by the state inspector has led to loss of income, for PetSmart, the rescue group and the community, not to mention the needless loss of life of shelter animals.

Haywood County taxpayers, indeed North Carolina taxpayers, should be angry enough to let their local and state representatives know that we deserve better.

Penny Wallace, Exececutive Director Haywood Spay/Neuter Waynesville

Proposals could harm bear, deer populations To the Editor: According to David Whitmire’s recent letters sent to the media in WNC, two pending bills for 2013-14 could have

F

Carden’s play about Kephart should be embraced

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ASHEVILLE 828-298-0125 September 19-25, 2012

Is journalism dead or just very biased?

To the Editor: Mark Twain once said “If you don’t read the newspaper, you are uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you are misinformed.”

Unfortunately, it appears there is too much truth in this statement of humor. When the New York Times sends unpublished columns to the Obama Administration to be vetted, or when CNN’s Peter Hanby has a “donate to Obama” link on his Twitter account, you know objectivity has gone out the window.

Gone too is individual creativity. It has been squelched in favor of collective thought as witnessed by the open mic at the press pool where reporters engaged in collusion around a single question to ask candidate Mitt Romney regarding our embassy breach and murder of our fellow citizens. Away from any responsibility in analysis of our current foreign policy, they chose instead to deflect and distract from performing their due diligence.

The failures do not stop at the national level. All too often the local papers, which should represent broadly and fairly the community they serve, routinely dismiss any OpEd or press release from local residents who do not share their point of view or back up the narrative they are charged with putting

S EE LETTERS, N EXT PAGE

Smoky Mountain News

a damaging effect on bear and deer management in Western North Carolina. Whitmire, a hunter from Lake Toxaway and program chairman for the N.C. Bow Hunters Association District 9, states: “Although some changes have good points, by loosening the established management on permit and non-permit depredation we could easily witness over harvest and questionable moral and ethical techniques.” He goes on to say, “It is the responsibility of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission to manage depredation harvest of deer and bear in a controlled managed process that will be acceptable to the majority of N.C. citizens.”

To many of us, including Whitmire, it is clear that H-19 and H-20 as written could have a major impact on wildlife and undermine the efforts of overworked law enforcement officers, judges and courts who manage and prosecute unlawful practices such as poaching, out of season hunting and spotlighting. These very important areas of wildlife management need to be strengthened, not made more difficult. (Full details of H-19 and H-20 can be read by going to N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission home page. Go to 2013-14 proposed regulations and click on public hearing booklet. Scroll down to page 19 to find H-19 and H-20) Wildlife in North Carolina belong to all of us, not just a few. Those who value wildlife in WNC, including hunters and wildlife advocates, need to express our concerns and stand up for what is best for our wildlife. Both the NCWRC and our N.C. legislators will hopefully recognize that H-19 and H-20 are unacceptable.

To reply and express your feelings: Send emails to regulations@ncwildlife.org along with your comments to David Hoyle

NEW & USED

opinion

To the Editor: As a native of Swain County who has researched and written about Horace Kephart over the course of several decades, I am frustrated and ashamed that a cadre of local officials and The Kephart Foundation have not availed themselves of the grand opportunity to present Gary Carden’s “Outlander” during the annual Kephart Days.

The first year of the event, I personally approached local figures suggesting that the play could be perfect for the event. That suggestion was studiously ignored, and obviously the same mindset has continued to the present. I think much of the real opposition to inclusion of the play comes from Kephart’s descendants. As I learned in all-too-pointed fashion after a series of columns giving my perspective, as well as that of scholars and individuals who actually knew him appeared in the local newspaper, there seems to be a pronounced penchant to “manage” Kep’s image and reshape history. Carden’s play does not fit this hagiographical mold.

Kephart was a man of great talent and many flaws. His role in creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was a significant one, although Ken Burns overplayed his influence in his national parks series. I personally do not see eye-to-eye with Carden on certain aspects of Kephart’s character, most notably how locals viewed him in the decades after his death. Specifically, Kephart’s representations of mountain people in portions of Our Southern Highlanders rankled (and continues to do so) with those whose roots ran deep in the mountain soil and who cherished mountain days and ways. The book was at once a treasure and a travesty. Pretty much can be said of the man.

That being said, Carden’s play is wonderfully crafted, presents a moving depiction of the interaction and bond between Kephart and the “Sage of Hazel Creek,” Granville Calhoun, and will prove entertaining and informative, and I hope it draws the audience it merits in its inaugural production in Swain County.

Jim Casada (Casada is a Bryson City native, retired college professor and avid outdoorsman who has written on the outdoors for many national and regional publications.)

70859

facebook.com/smnews 23

LETTERS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 opinion

forward. When was the last time you were able to read about a local Tea Party event or hear an opinion expressed by a resident Libertarian? If you were the gullible sort, you would believe only the Occupy Movement existed. Educated persons seek multiple opinions and sources in order to obtain the truth. Why does the media fear that so? Is it a personal interest they wish to protect?

There is no shortage of news or reporters, only a desperate lack of journalism.

Ginny Jahrmarkt Sapphire

History has been altered by victors

Obama’s record needs closer look

To the Editor: Carol Adams in her Letter to the Editor (SMN, Sept. 12) asserts that Obama’s record is “not a record he can be proud of.” What she sees as a record, others would see as a legacy of the Bush administration.

In January 2009, the job loss was the worst in 34 years, and by the next month, scarcely a month after Obama took office, unemployment was at 8.1 percent.

According to her, it was “7.8 percent then,” but she does not say when “then” was.

When Romney was governor of Massachusetts, job growth in that state rose 1.5 percent compared to a national average of 5.3 percent, placing Massachusetts 47th of 50 states in new job creation during Romney’s term.

Not exactly a “record he can be proud of.”

As to Obama’s private sector work experience, he was an associate at two different law firms, and he was employed by the university of Chicago (a private university) as a lecturer from 1992-96 and a senior lecturer from 1996-2004. This seems a rather trivial argument, though.

Lynda Self retired public sector teacher Waynesville

Smoky Mountain News

September 19-25, 2012

To the Editor: Mr. McLeod, instead of being upset over a Confederate flag flying in the South, perhaps you should actually be more upset about the following.

Slavery is not an exclusive club for blacks.

Whites were slaves (not indentured servants) for a good 200 hundred years in America before blacks picked the first boll of cotton or planted or harvested tobacco. Why? Perhaps further research of the king’s records in the U.K. (or start with the state of Virginia) will explain why populating the colonies so quickly was important to the king. A hint for you: tax revenue for England?

If the Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence and wrote the U.S. Constitution for themselves and their descendents meant for the slaves in the southern states or northern states to be free, they would have freed them at this time.

Why didn’t they ?

Why did all slaveships fly the flag of the United States? Why were the three largest ports for slaveships in 1860 in Philidelphia, New York City and Boston if this war was

about slavery?

Why was the Morill Tarrif imposed on the South if the war was just about slavery?

Why did the North pass the Corwin Amendment which would have allowed the seceding states to keep their slaves if they re-entered the Union and avoid war if the war was about slavery?

Lastly, why do public schools and colleges only teach half the truth today, that of the victors? This alone would make a thinking person suspicious and ask questions.

Billy E. Price Ashville, Alabama

ASHEVILLE INTERNAL MEDICINE

some artists travel the world for inspiration others

don’t need to.

Fixed to this place like strings to a guitar, our music is as loyal as its fans. It stays near the people and the venues that helped bring it to life. Jazz, country, rock, folk, bluegrass, newgrass and more ~ all live here. They were born in artists who call this state home. And the same places that inspired greats like John Coltrane, Nina Simone, James Taylor and The Avett Brothers ~ may also inspire you.

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opinion

Old Town Bank is pleased to welcome

as South Main Street grows!

The arrival of these new retail businesses is another indicator of the long term vitality of our community.

Welcome!

Follow us on

2045 South Main Street Waynesville, NC 28786 828-456-3006 www.oldtownbanking.com

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Please jo in us for our n ew Head quarters Groundb reaking C eremony Monday, Septemb er 24th at 11:00 AM.

September 19-25, 2012

Old Town Bank, the only bank headquartered in Haywood County, welcomes our new neighbors right across the street, adjacent to the Super Wal-Mart.

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Taste the Mountains is an ever-evolving paid section of places to dine in Western North Carolina. If you would like to be included in the listing please contact our advertising department at 828.452.4251 AMMONS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANT & DAIRY BAR 1451 Dellwwod Rd., Waynesville.

828.926.0734. Open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Celebrating our 25th year. Enjoy world famous hot dogs as well as burgers, seafood, hushpuppies, hot wings and chicken. Be sure to save room for dessert. The cobbler, pie and cake selections are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

ANTHONY WAYNE’S 37 Church St, Waynesville. 828.456.6789.

Open for lunch Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; open for dinner Thursday-Saturday 5 to 9 p.m.; and Sunday brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Exceptional, new-American cuisine, offering several gluten free items.

BLUE ROOSTER SOUTHERN GRILL 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, Lakeside Plaza at the old Wal-Mart. 828.456.1997.

Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Now offering a full homemade breakfast menu. Also fresh-cut salads; slowsimmered soups; flame grilled burgers and steaks, and homemade signature desserts.

Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily.

Brown bagging is permitted. Private parties, catering, and take-out available.

BRIDGET’S BISTRO AT THE HERREN HOUSE 94 East St., Waynesville. 828.452.7837 Lunch Tuesday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday Brunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy fresh local products, created daily. Enjoy dining in our beautiful patio garden. Let us host or cater your next special event; weddings, rehearsal dinners,showers or office parties. Private parties & catering are available 7 days a week by reservation only.

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. Mile-high mountaintop dining with a spectacular view. Join us for cookouts on the terrace on weekends and Wednesdays (weather permitting) and family-style dinners on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Social hour starts at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. Our bountiful family-style meals include prime rib, baked ham, and herb-baked chicken; cookouts feature steaks, ribs, chicken and pork chops, to name a few. Every dinner is complemented with an assortment of seasonal vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts, and we offer a fine selection of wine and beer.

Breakfast is also served daily from 8 to 9:30 a.m., and lunch from 12 to 2 p.m.

Please call for reservations.

CHEF’S TABLE 30 Church St., Waynesville.

828.452.6210. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tuesday through Saturday dinner starting at 5 p.m. “Best of” Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine. Set in a distinguished atmosphere with an exceptional menu. Extensive selection of wine and beer.

Reservations honored.

CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

828.587.2233. Open Monday-Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tasty, healthy and quick. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, espresso, beer and wine.

Come taste the savory and sweet crepes, grilled paninis, fresh, organic salads, soups and more. Outside patio seating. Free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly. Live music and lots of events.

Check the web calendar at citylightscafe.com.

COPPER LEAF CAFÉ & COFFEE 3232 Dellwood Rd., Waynesville.

828.926.4486. Open Monday thru Saturday 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Enjoy the atmosphere and charm of the Copper Leaf Café’s signature sandwiches and salads featuring Boar’s Head meats & cheeses. Homemade soups served daily as well as “made from scratch” desserts. Full service Espresso Bar and a unique selection of gifts. Located next to High Country Furniture and Design.

CORK AND BEAN 16 Everett St., Bryson City. 828.488.1934.

Open Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy organic, fair-trade, gourmet espresso and coffees, a select, eclectic list of wines, and locally prepared treats to go with every thing. Come by early and enjoy a breakfast crepe with a latte, grab a grilled chicken pesto crepe for lunch, or wind down with a nice glass of red wine. Visit us on Facebook!

CORK & CLEAVER 176 Country Club Drive, Waynesville.

800.627.6250. Open nightly from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy fine a la carte dining in a nice, relaxed setting. Extensive menu features natural Niman Ranch steaks and fresh seafood flown in from American waters. Full bar and wine cellar. thecorkandcleaver.com.

CORNERSTONE CAFÉ 1092 N. Main Street, Waynesville.

828.452.4252. Open Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fresh meats purchased daily, great homemade breakfast, burgers made to order. Comfortable and friendly atmosphere, with curb service available.

Make lunch easy and call ahead for to go orders.

FRANKIE’S ITALIAN TRATTORIA 1037 Soco Rd. Maggie Valley.

828.926.6216 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Tuesday-Saturday. Father and son team Frank and Louis Perrone cook up dinners steeped in Italian tradition. With recipies passed down from generations gone by, the Perrones have brought a bit of Italy to Maggie Valley. frankiestrattoria.com FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St. Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Sunday lunch and dinner

tasteTHEmountains from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed Mondays.

Frogs Leap is a farm to table restaurant focused on local, sustainable, natural and organic products prepared in modern regional dishes. Seasonal menu focuses on Southern comfort foods with upscale flavors. Come for the restaurant’s 4 @ 4 when you can choose a center and three sides at special prices.

Offered Wed- Fri. from 4 to 6. frogsleappublichouse.org.

GUADALUPE CAFÉ 606 W. Main Street, Sylva. 828.586.9877.

Open 7 days a week at 5 p.m. Located in the historic Hooper’s Drugstore, Guadalupe Café is a chef-owned and operated restaurant serving Caribbean inspired fare complimented by a quirky selection of wines and microbrews. Supporting local farmers of organic produce, livestock, hand-crafted cheese, and using sustainably harvested seafood.

J. ARTHUR’S RESTAURANT AT MAGGIE VALLEY U.S. 19 in Maggie Valley. 828.926.1817.

Lunch Sunday noon to 2:30 p.m., dinner nightly starting at 4:30 p.m. World-famous prime rib, steaks, fresh seafood, gorgonzola cheese and salads. All ABC permits and open year-round. Children always welcome.

Take-out menu. Excellent service and hospitality. Reservations appreciated.

JUKEBOX JUNCTION U.S. 276 and N.C. 110 intersection, Bethel.

828.648.4193. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Serving breakfast, lunch, nd dinner. The restaurant has a 1950s & 60s theme decorated with memorabilia from that era.

MAD BATTER BAKERY & CAFÉ Located on the WCU Campus in Cullowhee.

828.293.3096. Open Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Earth-friendly foods at people-friendly prices.

Daily specials, wraps, salads, pastries, breads, soups and more. Unique fare, friendly service, casual atmosphere and wireless Internet. Organic ingredients, local produce, gourmet fair trade and organic coffees.

MILL & MAIN 462 W. Main St., Sylva. 828.586.6799.

Serving lunch and dinner. 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Tuesday-Saturday. Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Pizza, pasta, outstanding homemade desserts, plus full lunch and dinner menus.

All ABC permits. Take-out menus available.

MOONSHINE GRILL 2550 Soco Road, Maggie Valley loacted in the Smoky Falls Lodge. 828.926.7440. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 4:30 to 9 p.m.; lunch Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Sunday buffet 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Cooking up mouth-watering, wood-fired Angus steaks, prime rib and scrumptious fresh seafood dishes. The wood-fired grill gives amazing flavor to every meal that comes off of it. Enjoy creative dishes made using moonshine. Stop by and simmer for a while and soak up the atmosphere. The best kept secret in Maggie Valley. themoonshinegrill.com

OLD STONE INN 109 Dolan Road, off Love Lane.

828.456.3333. Classic fireside dining in an historic mountain lodge with cozy, intimate bar. Dinner served nightly except Sunday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Signature dinner choices include our 8oz. filet of beef in a brandied peppercorn sauce and a garlic and herb crusted lamb rack. Carefully selected fine wines and beers plus full bar available. Open year round. Call for reservations.

THE SWAG COUNTRY INN Hemphill Road off of Hwy 276.

828.926.0430. Serving a 4-course gourmet dinner seven nights a week at 7:00, with a social hour and hors d'oeuvres on the dog trot beginning at 6. Also offering the chef's gourmet picnic at noon every Wednesdays on Gooseberry Knob, BBQ Cookout every Thursday night and Sunday brunch each week. Daily backpack lunches are also available for hiking. Bring your own wine and spirits. Reservations required.

PASQUALE’S 1863 South Main Street, Waynesville. Off exit 98, 828.454.5002. Opend for lunch and dinner seven day a week. Classic Italian dishes, exceptional steaks and seafood (available in full and lighter sizes), thin crust pizza, homemade soups, salads hand tossed at your table. Fine wine and beer selection. Casual atmosphere, dine indoor, outside on the patio or at the bar. Reservations appreciated.

Bring your own wine and spirits.

LOCATED OFF JONATHAN CREEK RD/HWY 276 & HEMPHILL RD 70464

Choice of 2 soups, salads or hummus apps.

Choice of 2 entrees and sides.

Shared dessert in house only. Sun.-Thurs.

MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED ~ ALL ABC PERMITS

828-926-1817

Highway 19 v Maggie Valley HOURS: Lunch: Sunday 12-2:30pm Open Nightly For Dinner at 4:30pm

70467

Hand crafted in Asheville since 1999

THE TIKI HOUSE SEAFOOD & OYSTER BAR 2723 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.944.0445. Fresh seafood made to order. Oysters raw, steamed, or fried. Handcut steaks. Live music, cocktails, pet-friendly patio dining with a nice fountain. Friday patio music starts at 7 p.m. and Saturday night after dinner. Live bands and a dance floor.

Now in WAYNESVILLE! BREAKFAST • LUNCH

TAKE-OUT • EAT-IN • CATERING

Scratch-Made Fresh Daily Breads • Biscuits • Bagels Cakes • Pies • Pastries Soups • Salads • Sandwiches Fair Trade Coffees & Espresso

Nutrition Facts serving size : ab out 50 p ag es Am ount per Serving Calories 0 % Daily Value * Tot al Fat 0g

0%

Reg ional New s

100%

Op inion

100%

Outd oors

100%

Art s

100%

Entert ainm ent

100%

Classified s

100%

18 North Main Street Waynesville • 452.3881

* Percent Weekly values b ased on Hayw ood, Jackson, M acon, Sw ain and Buncom b e d iet s.

ASHEVILLE: 60 Biltmore Ave. 252.4426

Smoky Mountain News

2 Meals for $25

SOUL INFUSION TEA HOUSE & BISTRO 628 E. Main St. (between Sylva Tire & UPS).

828.586.1717. Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday noon -until. Scrumptious, natural, fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps and desserts. 60+ teas served hot or cold, black, chai, herbal. Seasonal and rotating draft beers, good selection of wine. HomeGrown Music Network Venue with live music most weekends. Pet friendly and kid ready.

TAP ROOM SPORTS BAR & GRILL 176 Country Club Dr. Waynesville 828.456.5988. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Enjoy soups, sandwiches, salads and hearty appetizers along with a full bar menu in our casual, smoke-free neighborhood grill.

Award-winning mountaintop inn at 5,000 feet Reservations required

828.926.0430 • TheSwag.com

RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT AND BAR Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center 828.926.0201 Bar open Monday thru Saturday; dining room open Tuesday thru Saturday at 5 p.m. Full service restaurant serving steaks, prime rib, seafood and dinner specials. Live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday. TIki Bar open (weather permitting) Friday, Saturday & Sunday beginning April.

NEWFOUND LODGE RESTAURANT 1303 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee (Located on 441 North at entrance to GSMNP).

828.497.4590. Open 7 a.m. daily.

Established in 1946 and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Family style dining for adults and children.

• Hors d'oeuvre Hour Nightly • 4-Course Dinner Nightly • Wednesday Gourmet Picnic Lunch • Thursday Night Cookout • Sunday Brunch • Backpack Lunches for Hiking

2300 SWAG ROAD WAYNESVILLE

PATIO BISTRO 30 Church Street, Waynesville.

828.454.0070. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Breakfast bagels and sandwiches, gourmet coffee, deli sandwiches for lunch with homemade soups, quiches, and desserts. Wide selection of wine and beer.

Outdoor and indoor dining.

September 19-25, 2012

LOS AMIGOS 366 Russ Ave. in the Bi-Lo Plaza.

828.456.7870. Open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner Monday through Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy the lunch prices Monday through Sunday, also enjoy our outdoor patio.

MAGGIE VALLEY CLUB 1819 Country Club Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Fine and casual fireside dining in welcoming atmosphere. Full bar. Reservations accepted.

70421

& 88 Charlotte St. 254.4289 27

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A&E

Smoky Mountain News

Stand-up comedian Josh Merrell performs onstage at the Water’n Hole last month. The newly formed Waynesville Comedy Showcase will return to the venue on Sept. 26. Garret K. Woodward photo

Funny

Comedy group finds footing in Waynesville

guise

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER What could’ve been a lifelong haunting moment for most turned out to be an epiphany for Josh Merrell.

“I farted in front of my fourth-grade class. The teacher asked who did it and instead of sheepishly hiding at my desk, I raised my hand,” he said. “The room erupted with laughter; I even made a few friends. That’s when I got a taste for comedy, although I took the fart bit out of my routine just recently.”

Molding that childhood incident into a dream he won’t let go of, Merrell and a handful of Haywood County’s funniest have created the Waynesville Comedy Showcase, a rag-tag ensemble who’ll be taking the stage at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the Water’n Hole on North Main Street. The event is free and open to the public (over the age of 21).

“The comedy scene in Waynesville is almost non-existent. The HART Theatre has for sometime been the only place for comedy in Waynesville, and that’s assuming they aren’t performing a serious drama or musical that particular month,” Merrell said. “That being said, the local crowd seems to respond very well to our comics. I think there is a hunger with the locals for something different as far as seeking entertainment in general.”

With a successful test run last month at the Water’n Hole, the group — which includes a few noted Asheville comics — looks at the upcoming showcase as a more confident performance, one that will hopefully become a monthly thing.

“Our crew is a reasonably sized network of comics mainly built through Asheville, and I think we share the mentality that a room to work is a room to work,” Merrell said. “Although Waynesville may not be an ideal place to put on a comedy show, we’re all surprised at

“The first thing I notice is the room, how does it feel in how well the crowd has responded to us. The forward direction for here? Then, I focus on my performance, figuring out what will Waynesville comedy is to keep putting these shows together as work, how much inflection or body movement should go into long as people are interested.” it,” he said. “And finally, I throw all of that away and just do the Emerging from the same vein of thirst and laughter, Carlos jokes, and see where I go. Sometimes I follow my set list, other Canales knows that though starting a scene from scratch is hard, times I don’t. I do change up my joke order or certain lines or it’s that exact effort which separates the boos from the cheers. tags in the material.”

“The more important question is how do you keep that With more seasoned comics (Jayson Webb, Cody Hughes, Tom scene alive?” he said. “The only way that there’s going to be a Scheve) rounding out the up-and-coming Haywood locals (Tyler comedy scene [in Waynesville] is for the public to come out Green, Vince Prickette, Joey Meeker), Merrell said the group is and support us. Comedy needs an audience. Please keep in expanding and always looking for new people to jump onstage or listen mind this is a show and please respect the performers. The in the crowd. greatest fear that most people have is speaking in public, “People can get involved just by showing up. Open mics are for any and stand-up comedy is that times 10.” performer willing to do put themselves out there, and we leave the beginHitting the stage and leaving yourself vulnerable to ning minutes of the show open to give newcomers that opportunity,” an audience can be a jarring and traumatic experience Merrell said. “It’s very challenging to come up with 15 new minutes of for a new comic, but Canales said to take the experimaterial for the same crowd that saw you last month. Either we’ll need a ence in stride, to breathe and clear your head, focusing higher number of seasoned comics to rotate into here or we’ll need larger, on the task at hand – to make them laugh. more diverse numbers in the audience to alternate shows and keep the mate“Don’t trip or wet yourself, and make sure you rial fresh, if not for the performers, but for the crowd.” grab the microphone with confidence. As for anyIn a modern world filled with more noise and distraction everyday, thing else about the actual performance, I couldn’t stand-up comedy continues to remain a voice of reason, a breath of fresh air tell you,” he said. “I don’t remember what went when life gets too hectic, when sometimes you feel your mind is empty or runthrough my head [the first time]. I remember ning on auto-pilot. being so nervous my hands were shaking and “It’s one of the only places left where honesty and truth shine. There is no more how my breath was trapped in my chest.” an honest person than a comedian. On the other side of the coin, we are the biggest Now, with numerous live shows under his liars — we really didn’t go cross-country with Bigfoot and Cher,” Canales said. belt, Canales and his cronies are moving fur“Onstage you can sometimes manage to get a certain idea or belief across by wrapther into their craft, honing their skills and ping it in funny words and taking somebody off guard, or you can talk about farts. taking note of each audience they may find Both are important.” themselves facing like a firing squad.

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arts & entertainment

Waynesville art commission issues Call for Artists

Lonny Crawford Owner

392 Jones Cove Rd. • Clyde 828-627-9009 • www.PinkRegalia.com

it’s time to celebrate!

“Mountain Music,” one of Waynesville’s downtown public art pieces. File photo Blue Ridge National Heritage Area: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin and Yancey.

The selected artist will receive $12,500 for proposal development, fabrication and installation. Funds for public art are raised entirely through private donations and grants. www.TownofWaynesville.org or 828.452.2491.

Canton to host BBQ and bluegrass festival

Cornhole tournament to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters

Headwaters Brewing Company will host a Cornhole Tournament to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Haywood County from 2-4:30 p.m. Sept. 29 in Waynesville.

Kevin Sandefur, owner of Headwaters Brewing, was a Big Brother and spent years matched one-on-one with a child. The child is now grown up and will be at the

fundraising event.

Cost is $40 for a two-person team and must be at least 18 years of age to enter. A $100 grand prize will be given to the winner.

There will also be a second and third place team prize, door prizes, free food donated by Coffee Cup Cafe, along with a 50/50 drawing, live entertainment and loads of fun. Big Brothers Big Sisters is also seeking local business sponsorship to help with the cause.

Nathan Lowe of Waynesville is helping facilitate the event.

828.273.3601 or visithaywood@bbbswnc.org.

That means you’re getting top-quality care for your bones at the MedWest-Haywood Osteoporosis Center.

The program is led by Kate Queen, MD, a rheumatologist with Mountain Medical Associates. Dr. Queen and the staff at the osteoporosis center are dedicated to the prevention, detection, and treatment of osteoporosis. For more information call 452-8850 or visit www.medwesthealth.org

Smoky Mountain News

The second annual Smokin’ BBQ and Bluegrass Festival will take place at 10 a.m. Sept. 29 at the Cold Mountain Corn Maize in Canton.

Activities include venturing through the corn maze, bluegrass music, clogging, and eating award-winning barbeque.

There will more than $800 in awards and cash prizes given to winners for the “Most Smokin’ Creation.” Everyone is encouraged to compete. Vendors are also needed. Admission is $10. Proceeds benefit the Good Samaritan Clinic of Haywood County. The event is sponsored by Rogers Express Lube and Tire, Seasonal Produce Farm, Haywood County Tourism Development Authority, Lowe’s, Ingles, Barkclad and 99.9 Kiss Country. www.VisitNCSmokies or 828.279.6458.

Congratulations to the MedWestHaywood Osteoporosis Center for achieving re-accreditation by the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD).

September 19-25, 2012

The Waynesville Public Art Commission (WPAC) is currently seeking an artist for its fourth outdoor public art project.

The theme of the piece is “Wildflowers of the Smokies,” and it will be located in the Mini Park at the corner of Main and Depot Streets. The work of art will honor the historic connection between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Waynesville.

The call is open to all professional artists, or teams of artists, over the age of 18, residing in the 25 North Carolina counties that comprise the

excellence. our passion.

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arts & entertainment

Kennel club to hold agility trial

Smoky Mountain News

Craft demonstrations at Dogwood Crafters in Dillsboro this week include Anthony Cariveau, Linda Parrish, Jeri Buek and Joyce Lantz.

• 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 20 — Anthony Cariveau will demonstrate the medieval art of chain mail, used here in making jewelry instead of armor. Byzantine weave, box chain, Celtic knot are among the various types of weave used in making this wearable art.

• 1-3 p.m. Sept. 22 — Linda Parrish will demonstrate how to embellish notepads using a variety of paper art techniques.

• 1-2 p.m. Sept. 23 — Jeri Buek’s rescheduled date to demonstrate punch needlework.

Her miniature punch needle embroidery captures the look of antique hooked rugs on a small scale, creating unique works of art.

Buek will have materials available and will offer instruction and assistance and will be available for questions until 6 p.m.

• 2-4 p.m. Sept. 25 — Joyce Lantz will demonstrate the ancient art of pine needle basket weaving. Agile and deft hands are required to control the pine needles as the basket takes shape in this deceptively simple looking ancient craft.

Crafters will demonstrate their work and discuss their craft in the Gallery Room. These Dogwood Crafters have their works for sale at the shop. Dogwood Crafters is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with evening hours until 9 p.m. in October.

828.586.2248.

September 19-25, 2012

Demonstrations at Dogwood Crafters

30

The Western Carolina Dog Fanciers Association, an area kennel club, will host a three-day AKC Dog Agility Trial in the Great Smokies Arena at the Haywood County Fairgrounds on Sept. 21-23, 2012.

Classes will begin at 8 a.m. each day and will conclude at 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Food concessions will be available for breakfast and lunch. Vendors will be on hand. No un-entered dogs. crecomfort@bellsouth.net or 828.734.3184.

Colorfest coming to Dillsboro Oct. 6 More than 30 artisans will demonstrate their craft at the upcoming Colorfest: Art & Taste of Appalachia from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Oct. 6 in Dillsboro.

In addition to the art demonstrations, local musicians/singers Ron Smith, Henry Queen, Pam Dengler, Keith Shuler, The Ross Brothers, Robin Whitley and Teresa Davis will perform.

There will also be food vendors along with beer and wine tastings. Vendors will include the Heinzelmannchen Brewery, Lake James Wineries, Cherokee Cellers, Carolina Pig Polish, Tarters Tasty Treats and Smoky Mountain Kettlecorn, among others.

800.962.1911 or www.visitdillsboro.org.

Smithsonian exhibit opens at WCU Bookstore The Coffee with the Poet Series with special guest Katherine Soniat

Thursday, Sept. 20th at 10:30 a.m.

Macon resident Jim Staggers will present his book, Messages To My Descendents:

arts & entertainment

Please Fix Our Government Saturday Sept. 22nd at 3 p.m.

3 EAST JACKSON STREET • SYLVA

828/586-9499 • citylightsnc.com

SINGLES WORSHIP

This image from the “Journey Stories” exhibit illustrates the sentiments of a South Dakota family on their way to Oregon in 1936. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

journeys of Africans and Native Americans who were forced to move. It also includes stories of fun and frolic on the open road.

“Journey Stories” is composed of seven freestanding kiosks, with audio stations, a digital slideshow, a selection of artifacts and other interactive components. The exhibit’s showing in Cullowhee is made possible by the North Carolina Humanities Council and is part of the Museum on Main Street program, a collaboration between the Smithsonian and

state humanities councils nationwide.

Support for the exhibit is provided through Congress and its showing at WCU is part of a six-stop tour of North Carolina.

Regular operating hours for Mountain Heritage Center, located on the ground floor of H.F. Robinson Administration Building, are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Thursday; and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

828.227.7129.

Friday Night Bible Study Sept. 21, 6:30 p.m. | In The Venue

Singles Event — Sun., Sept. 23 12:30 p.m. | Canelo's Mexican Restaurant in Canton call 926-4430 for reservations Study Groups • Activities • Service Projects • Outings

Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church 828.550.4650 | www.LongsChapel.com

Cullowhee STUDIO TOUR An American Craft Week Event

Art show, sale & free demonstrations

September 19-25, 2012

“Journey Stories,” an exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution, will be on display at Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning on “Mountain Heritage Day” Sept.

29 and continuing through Nov. 9.

The traveling exhibit tells the story of migration and mobility throughout American history, ranging from the tales of immigrants who came to America in search of promise in a new country to the harrowing

70054

Youth arts festival to be held in Dillsboro

A glassblower demonstrates his craft at the Youth Arts Festival in Dillsboro. This year’s event will be held on Sept. 22 at the Green Energy Park in Dillsboro.

Neal Howard, Weaver George Rector, Potter William Rogers, Blacksmith

Pick up a map at Caney Fork General Store 7032 Highway 107 Next to East Laport Park Or follow the signs.

Fri, Oct. 5 • 4 to 7 p.m.

Sat, Oct. 6 • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Smoky Mountain News

The fifth annual Youth Arts Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 22 at the Green Energy Park in Dillsboro.

A cooperative effort between the Green Energy Park and Western Carolina University’s School of Art and Design, this year’s Youth Arts festival will feature painting, weaving and chalk art projects.

Participants can also throw pots, do printmaking, clay hand-building, craft-making from recycled materials and parade with the famous GEP Trash Dragon. On the performance stage, there will be at least two bands and three dance troupes starting at 10 a.m. www.jcgep.org/youth-arts.html, www.facebook.com/JCGEP, www.facebook.com/JCGEP or call 828.631.0271.

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arts & entertainment

WCU presents faculty brass recital Western Carolina University’s School of Music will present a free faculty brass recital at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 in the recital hall of Coulter Building.

The event, part of the Catamount Concert Series, will feature solo performances by Daniel Cherry (euphonium), Travis Bennett (horn), Michael Schallock (tuba) and Bradley Ulrich and Larry Black (trumpet). Cherry will be featured in Friedebald Grafe’s “Grand Concerto,” a Romantic-style piece originally written for trombone but

suited for the tone quality, technical abilities and character of the euphonium.

Bennett will solo in Emmanuel Chabrier’s “Larghetto,” which was first performed in 1878 and originally written for horn and orchestra. Cast as the French horn equivalent of an operatic aria, “Larghetto” was discovered among the selftaught composer’s effects after his death.

Schallock will be featured in Robert Jager’s “Concerto for Bass Tuba,” Ulrich in Paul Hindemith’s “Sonate” and Black in Johann Fasch’s “Concerto in D.” Bradley Martin, associate professor, will accompany the musicians on piano.

828.227.7242.

Darryl Worley to perform in Franklin Acclaimed country artist Darryl Worley will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Worley is known as one of country music’s stars. He is a traditionalist, true to his sound no matter where the country music pendulum is swinging.

In 2002, he visited Afghanistan, Kuwait and Uzbekistan, which helped inspire his hit, “Have You Forgotten?”

He’s been back nine times since then, playing both full band concerts and special acoustic sets at remote Forward Operating Bases for troops. Worley has been honored with the VFW’s Americanism Award, the USO Merit Award and the U.S. Army Appreciation Award. He has also been cited by the Tennessee House of Representatives for his contributions to country music.

Tickets range from $22 to $25. www.GreatMountainMusic.com or 866.273.4615.

Acclaimed country singer Darryl Worley will be hitting the stage at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin on Sept. 28.

September 19-25, 2012

Concerts to hit Franklin

SINGING THE ALT-COUNTRY GOSPEL

Smoky Mountain News

The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band overtook a raucous audience on Sept. 11 at the Jack of the Wood in Asheville. The blues/alt-country trio hails from rural southern Indiana with a unique blend of old-time sounds reminiscent of Charlie Patton, Muddy Waters and Hank Williams. Garret K. Woodward photo

“Rock the Square,” a vintage rock concert and street dance, will be held at 7 p.m. Sept.

21 on the Town Square gazebo in downtown Franklin.

Multi-talented musician Dave Stewart will open the show with pop and folk tunes. At 7:30 p.m., C-Square & Company, with keyboardist Lionel Caynon, vocalists Bobbie and Mike Contino and saxophonist Chris Corbin join Stewart on the gazebo stage to perform pop and Motown hits from Elvis to The Everly Brothers, The Beatles to Billy Joel.

At 4 p.m Sept. 23, a double-bill concert will feature humorist/vocalist Cindy Miles and The McChoir Sisters. Versatile musician and laughter therapist Cindy Miles blends rib-tickling commentary and lighthearted music to engage, involve and delight audience members. The award-winning McChoir Sisters Trio, comprised of Margie Kellam, Kathy Kuhlman and Cathy Sill, perform Big Band era and classic pop standards.

Bring a lawn chair, family and friends.

828.524.7683 or visit www.artscouncilofmacon.org.

Library to host community jam Bryson City will host a community music jam from 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Marianna Black Library. Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle or dulcimer (anything unplugged) is invited to join. Singers are also welcomed. The jam is facilitated by Larry Barnett of Grampa’s Music in Bryson City. Normally, he starts by calling out a tune and its key signature and the group plays it together. Then everyone in the circle gets a chance to choose a song for the group to play together. The community jams offer a chance for musicians of all ages and levels of ability to share music they have learned over the years or learn old-time mountain songs.

The music jams are offered to the public each first and third Thursday of the month.

Where everyone is treated like family.

BRAND NEW FRAME SHOP Over 500 Frames to Fit the Whole Family!

New Sunglasses and Shmir Free Form Lenes 70773

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1078 N. Main Street • Waynesville • 828.456.3211 www.smokymtneye.com

N

BE BOLD, HIKE WITH YOUNG & OLD Saturday, Sept. 29 • Registration: 9:30-10:30

Standing Indian Campground Family Pavilion

arts & entertainment

FAMILY HIKING DAY

Hiking Lecture • Organized Hikes Cookout • All ages www.nantahalahikingclub.com

OUTLAW COUNTRY ROCKS THE WATER’N HOLE Humps and the Blackouts cruised into the Water’n Hole in Waynesville on Sept. 15 with their chaotic style of “outlaw country�. The eastern Tennessee group, fronted by Matt Humphries, is currently touring in support of their debut album. Garret K. Woodward photo Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With music by Frank Lee, storytelling and humor, Gary Carden weaves details about life and customs in the mountains of Western North Carolina from 1912 to 1930. Admission is $5 at the door. www.swain.k12.nc.us/cfta.

Horace Kephart

Kephart play comes to Bryson City

$10/WCU Students $15/advance • $25/day of race All participants receive a free Mountain Heritage Day 5K T-Shirt Other Prizes awarded!

claws.wcu.edu/sma/5k

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Western North Carolina writer Gary Carden will present his play â&#x20AC;&#x153;Outlanderâ&#x20AC;? at 7 p.m., Sept. 25, at the Swain County Center for the Arts in Bryson City. Earlier in the day, this historical play about the work of Horace Kephart and the mountains of Western North Carolina will be performed in a school assembly for students of Swain County High School. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Outlanderâ&#x20AC;? is about the work of Kephart, who was a librarian, academic, author of Our Southern Highlanders and founder of the

The musical â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pump Boys and Dinettesâ&#x20AC;? will start off the 2012-13 mainstage season, presented by the students and faculty of Western Carolina Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School of Stage and Screen. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Sept.

26 through Sept. 29, plus a 3 p.m. matinee on Sept. 29, at Hoey Auditorium.

The fun takes place at a roadside filling station and diner along N.C. 57, where the Pump Boys sell gasoline and across the road Prudie and Rhetta Cupp run the Double Cupp Diner. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pump Boys and Dinettesâ&#x20AC;? will feature direction by Brenda Lilly, School of Stage and Screen faculty member; choreography by Karyn Tomczak, director of the dance program; and musical direction by guest artist Jan Powell. Â Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and WCU faculty and staff, and $7 (in advance) and $10 (day of show) for students.

For more information, 828.227.7491. For tickets, 828.227.2479 or www.bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

Register Now!

September 19-25, 2012

Mainstage season kicks off with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pump Boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Saturday, Sept. 29 â&#x20AC;˘ 8 a.m.

McKee Building â&#x20AC;˘ WCU Campus

33

So much to do, you may need to take the entire week off. And your shirt.

September 19-25, 2012

arts & entertainment

It's the 100th Cherokee Indian Fair.

TH

CHEROKEE INDIAN FAIR ANNUAL O C T O B E R 2- 6

100

Smoky Mountain News

$10 Daily

To celebrate our 100th year, we've found hundreds of ways to entertain you. From authentic stickball to amazing music to parades and fireworks and dancing and zip lines and genuine fair rides â&#x20AC;&#x201C; well, you get the picture. Here's just a sampling: R 3rd Annual Chief's Challenge (a very fun run) R Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall R Walker Calhoun Remembrance R Cherokee Idol R A visit from Chief Hicks R Youth archery R Magicians R Teen Miss Cherokee Pageant R Authentic storytelling R Plus all the games, cotton candy, and traditional fair fun you've come to expect for a century.

Get your tickets online or at the box office.

800.438.16015 R5 VisitCherokeeNC.com

34

Books

Smoky Mountain News

35

Real stories and lessons on how to tell them ere is a book about storytelling that strikes a responsive chord in my own heart. Not only is Mary Hamilton a gifted storyteller who is in demand throughout Appalachia (and beyond); she has built a career based on identifying and preserving the folklore of our region. She is not content to merely tell the stories — she wants you to know where the tales originated and why they are significant. In addition, she often gives you a half dozen variations of a tale and makes specific recommendations to storytellers (parents, teachers and librarians) about the subtle factors that make an audience (or a child) responsive.

I was especially pleased to discover that Hamilton is an advocate of “spontaneous storytelling.”

She does not memorize stories, but relies Writer on her audience and the details of the story to prompt her telling. “I never tell a story the same way twice,” she says, “not even to the same audience.”

She frequently repeats that “Storytelling is an interactive and ephemeral art composed of three essential elements — story, teller and audience.” She also has a great deal to say about the difference between stories that are “frozen” (written down) and stories that are “liquid” (spoken and therefore constantly subject to change).

However, the heart of Kentucky Folktales is an impressive collection of vintage Appalachian stories. Any reader who has childhood memories of stories will find themselves filled with nostalgic delight when they read Mary’s versions of “The Gingerbread Boy” (about a kid with a gingerbread cookie: when he bites the arms and legs off, his abusive father experiences the same amputation;

Gary Carden

H

“The Open Grave” was a Halloween favorite about a man who takes a nocturnal stroll through a graveyard and falls into an open grave. After hours of failed attempts to climb out of the grave, he gives up and sits down. Then, a second man falls into the grave and begins struggling to get out. The first man

a daunting journey with gold and silver; the “bad girl” treats everyone with disrespect and returns from her trip with worms and snails and maggots in her hair. And that isn’t all ....

I remember hearing these stories in elementary school. Reading Mary’s versions of them now, almost 70 years later, I am alarmed at how bloody and frightening many of them are. However, I can’t remember experiencing any nightmares or distress after hearing how the three sisters were cut up with an axe in “The Blue Light,” which I remember as “Mr. Fox” and/or “Bluebeard” and “The Robber Bridegroom” with barrels of severed arms, legs and heads ... or revenge of the murdered child in “Little Ripen Pear” (which I heard with a different title, and it definitely resembles the classic folktale, “The Juniper Tree.”)

For me, all of this brings to mind Bruno Bettelheim’s famous book, The Uses of Enchantment in which the author developed his theory that when children hear stories of bloodshed and violence, they experience a kind of therapeutic purging of violent emotions. In other words, stories in which anger and violence were depicted actually gave children a means cleansing themselves of negative emotions. Of course, anyone who remembers the controversy attending this theory knows that parent organizations often spoke out against Bettleheim’s conclusions. Some schools actually ended up Kentucky Folktales by Mary Hamilton. University of censoring and/or editing works such as Kentucky Press, 2012. 219 pages the Grimm Fairy Tales. The debate is still very much alive today. sits up and says, “It is pointless. You can’t get Yet, here are these traditional tales as vitalout of here,” … but the second man did. Then, ly alive as they were a century ago, and still there is “Raw Head and Bloody Bones” with a filled with violence and mutilation. Some are half-dozen variations. Many of Mary’s tradidelightfully inventive (“The Fortune Teller”) tional stories such as this one illustrate a and many are unabashedly comical (“The moral — stories in which the “good girl” is Enormous Bear”). Probably the most appealkind and considerate and returns home from ing section of Kentucky Folk Tales is “Tall

Celebrate Bilbo Baggins’ birthday City Lights Bookstore will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the publication of The Hobbit and character Bilbo’s birthday on Saturday, Sept. 22, in Sylva.

In anticipation of the December film release of the literary classic, City Lights Bookstore will have birthday cake and hobbit trivia.

The audio edition of The Hobbit will also play in the store.

828.586.9499.

of these dogs survived the passage to America from Germany in 1750 with Bob’s ancestor, Johannes Plott, and in the ensuing years have become a breed that is now sought worldwide. This is a remarkable segment of canine history that has unfolded in our own backyard and that has resulted in the Plott hound’s being named as the state dog of North Carolina.

800.222.4930

Author comes to Lake Junaluska

New book motivated by Washington, D.C.

Author Bob Plott will be the speaker for the Lake Junaluska Live and Learn Committee at 2 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Bethea Welcome Center.

The Story of the Plott Hound: Strike & Stay was published in 2007 and awarded the 2008 Willie Parker Peace N.C. Historical Literary Award. Plott will present a program that chronicles how five

City Lights bookstore will host Macon County resident Jim Staggers reading from his book, Messages To My Descendents: Please Fix Our Government, at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, in Sylva.

A retired business CEO motivated by the Washington, D.C., gridlock, Staggers has been writing his “food for thought” solutions for seven years. He’s a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and

Tales and Outright Lies.” I readily recognized some vintage favorites such as “Some Dog” which ended up in the best-selling Laughter in Appalachia by Loyal Jones and Billy Edd Wheeler. The protagonist in this tale, Some Dog, has numerous adventures including the one about the fact that he survived being cut into, from nose to tail tip and then put together in a botched surgery that gave him two legs on top and two legs on the bottom. He was also trained to find and bring home muskrats that were the same size of the pelt board his owner left on the back porch. Things went well until the owner mistakenly left an ironing board on the back porch. The dog is still out there, looking...

Hamilton does a marvelous job of providing a comprehensive guide to telling stories including a section on “Family Tales and Personal Narrative.” This section pays homage to what I have discovered is a major theme in my own storytelling: self-effacement.

Audiences love stories about how the storyteller made a fool of himself.

I only have one serious objection to Mary Hamilton’s marvelous book. She repeatedly refers to all of the stories as “Kentucky Folktales.” Ah, no. Anyone with a smidgen of gumption knows that the majority of these tales came from Western North Carolina! I have known that for many years, and I have also known that North Carolina folks moved to Kentucky and took these stories with them. Of course, Mary honors her state by making frequent references to Kentucky sources like the Leonard Roberts Collection at Berea. Over here in North Carolina, we would probably refer you to the Richard Chase Collection or the Frank C. Brown Collection of North Carolina Folklore.

I heartily recommend Kentucky Folktales for everyone — teachers, storytellers and children. Better yet, if the opportunity presents itself, why not just get Mary Hamilton to come and tell stories in your school or library?

attended Syracuse University.

To reserve a copy, call 828.586.9499.

Coffee with poet Katherine Soniat Katherine Soniat will discuss her new collection, A Raft, A Boat, A Bridge, at City Lights Bookstore’s Coffee with the Poet Series continues at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20.

This collection marks Soniat’s sixth book of poetry. Originally from New Orleans, Soniat has taught at the University of New Orleans, Hollins University and for 20 years was on the faculty at Virginia Tech.

Soniat now lives on in Asheville and teaches in the Great Smokies Writers’ Program at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. The series is co-sponsored by the NetWest chapter of the North Carolina Writers’ Network and meets every third Thursday of each month.

828.586.9499.

36

Forest service ignites firestorm over proposed burn

BY ANDREW KASPER STAFF WRITER he U.S. Forest Service is proposing a controlled burn in Panthertown Valley, a popular recreation area in Jackson County dissected with hiking and biking trails, abundant waterfalls and camping sites.

Officials with the Nantahala Ranger District say a controlled fire could be beneficial to vegetation and promote habitat for certain wildlife. But, some Panthertown enthusiasts are worried about the potential consequences to the high-elevation valley, sometimes called the Yosemite of the East for its picturesque cliffs. The largest public outcry over the proposed burns has come from those concerned about the destruction of the valley’s landscape, but opponents have also questioned whether it is ecologically sound for the area.

The forest service has targeted two tracts totaling 815 acres for a controlled burn, but fire would likely only affect 25 to 50 percent of the total acreage by burning only the drier areas within the perimeters, according to Nantahala District Ranger Michael Wilkins.

The U.S. Forest Service routinely uses controlled burns to manage forest ecosystems, intending to replicate the role of natural forest fires in the landscape.

Currently about 1 percent of the 260,000-acre ranger district is burned each year. In any given year, the Nantahala Ranger District may burn 2,500 acres, though Wilkins said that may not be enough.

“I would like to burn more than I’m burning each year,” Wilkins said. “I would like to do 3,000 to 4,000 acres.”

The Panthertown Valley tracts are part of a larger list of eight tracts totaling nearly 5,000 acres recommended by the Forest Service for prescribed burns in Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, which comprise the Nantahala Ranger District.

T

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

A view of Pantertown Valley.

Friends of Panthertown photo

But at least for Panthertown Valley, Wilkins said fires haven’t touched the landscape since the 1980s, when the once privately owned valley was taken over by the Forest Service.

Although some biologists question the historical frequency of fire in the East, Wilkins points to the presence of pines in Panthertown as evidence that fire was historically part of the ecology there, whether ignited by lightening strikes or American Indians.

The natural frequency however may be less than out West.

If all goes according to the forest service’s timeline, the burns could begin as soon as 2014, and possibly revisited every four to eight years for subsequent burns. But first, park officials must complete the public comment period.

It is rare to get many comments during the comment period, Wilkins said, and for this proposal he’d only received two phone

calls as of last week.

But those two phone calls came from members of the Friends of Panthertown, an important forest service partner and advocate for Panthertown. The group and its cadre of volunteers holds a formal agreement with the forest service to perform trail work and other related work in the recreation area.

For the record, the organization has not take a formal stance on the controlled burn yet and is still in the process of researching and gathering opinions on the issue.

“Friends of Panthertown represents many stakeholders with diverse opinions. We are in support of whatever is best for Panthertown Valley,” said Jason Kimenker, executive director of Friends of Panthertown.

One of its board members, Dan Pittillo, who also happens to be an expert botanist, has studied or worked in the valley since the early 1970s. He is skeptical about any benefit to burning and more concerned about the

Hear the pros and cons for yourself Friends of Panthertown is hosting a public meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Cashiers Community Center to share information about a controlled burn proposed by the U.S. Forest Service in Panthertown Valley Recreation Area.

Ecology, recreation and forestry experts from several organizations, including the U.S. Forest Service, will be on hand to answer questions and take comments related to the proposed burn.

It will also serve as the annual meeting of Friends of Panthertown, which will reflect on accomplishments from the past year and recognize its volunteers and partners.

During the meeting, anyone from the public will have an opportunity join Friends of Panthertown. Members of the organization will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed burn in Panthertown until Oct. 6, an extended deadline offered by Ranger Mike Wilkins.

Cashiers Community Center is off N.C. 64 in Cashiers, near the public library and new recreation center. www.panthertown.org or friends@panthertown.org or call 828.269.4453.

Proposed burn info: Two separate plots in Panthertown Valley would be added to the U.S. Forest Service’s list of proposed burn areas. One is the Blackrock area, a 485-acre section on the west side of the valley, and the other is a 330-acre section of Little Green Mountain on the east side of the valley.

The official public comment period on the proposed burn is technically over, but the U.S. Forest Service has extended the comment period for Friends of Panthertown members until Oct. 6, due to a glitch over whether the organization had received proper notice of the proposal. The Forest Service uses public input to help guide its management.

Friends of Panthertown has compiled links to all the forest service documents, maps and comment forms on the proposed burn at its web site www.panthertown.org.

detrimental effects.

In an area packed with visitors, the burn scars left by fire may outweigh any purported benefits.

In the proposal the Forest Service released to the public, the goal of the burns is to restore Table Mountain pine, a squat type of pine tree found in sunny spots of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Saplings of the Table Mountain pine easily die out if they are shaded, and a controlled burn would get rid of shrubs and other small vegetation that are the Table Mountain pine’s main competitors for sunlight.

Wilkins said in an interview that another goal of the burn is to knock down that vegetation to clear the understory of shrubs, which may help create forage for animals such as turkeys.

Pittillo questioned the value of clearing out the low-growing vegetation beneath the trees, however.

“The value of opening the understory up and discouraging some of the growth may not be worth that much to the hikers, horseback riders and bikers,” Pittillo said. “If I were hiking I wouldn’t like to necessarily hike along a burnt scar when I could be walking through regular forest.”

As a retired professor and biologist at Western Carolina University, Pittillo added he has yet to be convinced that Table Mountain pine had a strong presence in the habitat or would benefit from a prescribed burn, or, that the soil’s recovery from the burn would be rapid.

He expressed fears that native plants such as the rare pinkshell azalea would be adversely affected. He said he hoped to have more of his concerns, and those of his colleagues affiliated with the Friends of Panthertown, answered during the upcoming meeting with forest service representatives.

“It may affect vegetation in a negative way as well,” Pittillo said. “They claim it will be positive, but I have yet to be convinced.

They’re working on me.”

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

A clear path

linked together, add thousands of acres of public land to an area brimming not only in scenic beauty and recreational opportunities but also in important ecological ecotones.

High-elevation northern hardwoods give way to spruce fir and balds and rock outcroppings and all are home to common and rare plants and animals. The ubiquitous black bear and common coyote traverse the

Pete Bates (left) and Megan Sutton (right) discuss strategy during trail maintenance at Yellow Face. Don Hendershot photo

Hummingbird expert to give talk A free program titled “Hummingbirds: Delicate Gems or Sky Kings?” will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the Cashiers Library as part of the Village Nature Series.

The presenter, Romney Bathurst, has traveled extensively throughout Central and South America and has personally seen more than 5,800 species of birds, 220 of them hummingbirds. The talk will cover the Ruby-throated Hummingbird and other species found in countries across the world. The Village Nature Series, now in its fifth year, is a collaboration of the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust and Village Green. 828.526.1111. Julie.hitrust@earthlink.net.

Smoky Mountain News

region under yellow birch and witch-hobble while nervous golden-crowned kinglets and loud red-breasted nuthatches cavort in the canopy. But the area also provides a precarious toehold for endangered Carolina flying squirrels and endangered rock-gnome lichen plus uncommon species like pinkshell azalea and northern saw-whet owls.

I also embrace the scope of volunteers — students and faculty from WCU, program managers from TNC and Americorps volunteers that value conservation and the environment enough to sweat their way to Blackrock rather than just strapping on a backpack and enjoying the hike.

These volunteers were intent on their mission, creating a clear path to Blackrock.

But as I watched and mused about all the different players in this mosaic, from the different groups invested in the protection of these parcels to the eclectic group of volunteers generating the sweat, I couldn’t help but think that in these days of partisan politics and budgetary cutbacks what I was seeing was a clear path to conservation in the 21st century – the collaboration of different like-minded groups and individuals with a clear, over-arching goal of protecting the environment that sustains us.

(Don Hendershot is a writer and naturalist. He can be reached a ddihen1@bellsouth.net.)

September 19-25, 2012

Last Saturday, Sept. 15, was surely a gorgeous day to be ridge running high in the Plott Balsams — clear blue skies dotted with white puff-clouds; temperatures in the low to mid 60s; a great day for a hike. Not even the weight of chainsaws, brush cutters, loppers and/or swing blades could dampen the spirit or curb the enthusiasm of the dedicated crew of trail-keepers that set out from Waterrock Knob to Yellow Face and on to Blackrock.

Eleven volunteers representing The Nature Conservancy (TNC,) Western Carolina University’s (WCU) Wildlife and Forestry Club and staff and Americorps’ Project Conserve set out from Waterrock around 9:30 a.m. on their annual task of maintaining and enhancing between two and three miles of trail between Waterrock and Blackrock. According to the outing’s coordinators, Pete Bates, natural resources professor at WCU, and Megan Sutton, mountains stewardship program manager for TNC, this joint effort has been ongoing for the last five years.

There has always been a trail or “manway” of sorts tight-roping the ridgeline from Waterrock to Blackrock. I imagine it dates back to the Cherokee, but I know locals who talk about bushwhacking their way to Yellow Face and points beyond on weekend camping trips. But, a recent series of events helped link the area between Waterrock and Blackrock.

Hopefully, I have the timeline right.

The Nature Conservancy purchased the Krauss/Stansbury Tract in 1997, securing about 1,600 acres in the Plott Balsams adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then, around 2001-2002, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians donated the Yellow Face Tract (about 218 acres) to the National Park Service in exchange for the Ravensford Tract where their new school is. Sylva’s old watershed was placed in a conservation easement around 2006, securing another 1,000 acres of public lands in what is now known as Pinnacle Park. The latest link in the chain is the 60-acre Blackrock Ridge, which I believe was secured in 2010 by the Southern Appalachians Highlands Conservancy.

I really enjoy the range of agencies, organizations and citizens involved in protecting these separate parcels that, when

outdoors

The Naturalist’s Corner

37

outdoors

Monarchs migrate through WNC A program called “Bring Back the Monarchs” will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Cradle of Forestry Discovery Center in the Pisgah National Forest.

The program, given by conservation specialists with the Monarch Watch program, will cover biology basics of the monarch’s life cycle and annual migration. The event offers information on threats these butterflies face in central Mexico in the winter as well as in their summer breeding habitat in the United States. Additionally, the program will cover the importance of their sole larval food source, milkweeds. Discussions will include the technique of tagging monarchs, sharing ideas for raising monarchs in the classroom and at home, and ways to grow native milkweeds and other native nectar-rich plant species for establishing Monarch way stations vital to monarch survival. Free samples of native milkweed seeds will be provided.

Admission to the Cradle of Forestry is $5 for adults; free under the age of 16 and for America the Beautiful and Golden Age passes. Located on U.S. 276 in the Pisgah National Forest four miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway. 828.877.3130 or www.cradleofforestry.org

Visitors to Western North Carolina’s mountains can look forward to a good display of color this autumn, although some areas will enjoy brighter hues than others, predicts Kathy Mathews, Western Carolina University’s fall foliage forecaster and biology professor.

The intensity of the color show will vary depending on fluctuations in the amount of rainfall received across the region this spring and summer, said Mathews.

“Many areas of Western North Carolina have experienced a lot of rainfall throughout the year, while Asheville and points north have been drier. The drier areas should have the best fall color, while the wetter areas will be less vibrant, Mathews said.”

Mathews believes that the formation of higher levels of yellow, orange and red pigments in the leaves correlates with dry weather throughout the year. The drier the climate, the more brilliant the fall leaves tend to be, she said.

“This has been an unusually rainy spring and summer for much of Western North Carolina, which, if it continues through September and October it could mean less color, especially in the red range,” she said.

Cooler temperatures and fewer hours of daylight in the autumn contribute to the decomposition of chlorophyll, the chemical that gives leaves their green color in spring and summer. As chlorophyll breaks down, yellow and orange pigments – always present in the

leaves, but masked by the green of chlorophyll – are revealed, and new red pigments are produced.

Depending upon the timing of the first frost, the peak of fall color should arrive dur-

Regardless of when the peak is and how intense the hues are, visitors can always find good fall color somewhere in the WNC mountains, Mathews said.

“We have more than 100 tree species in the Southern Appalachians, which means not only many different colors of leaves in the fall, but also a lengthy fall color season.

Some trees change and drop leaves very early, such as tulip poplar and yellow buckeye, while Kathy Mathews, Western Carolina University’s fall foliage forecaster and others linger biology professor. WCU photo and change later, such as ing the second week of October in the higher oaks and hickories.” elevations, and during the third week of The U.S. Northeast and Midwest have October in the mid-elevations, Mathews fewer tree species with good fall color, mainsaid. Because freezing temperatures quickly ly sugar maples, leading to a short burst of degrade chlorophyll, leaves predictably peak brilliant colors, she said. “The same is true in color a few days after a frost, she said. in the Western states, with color mainly The color change should begin at the coming from quaking aspens,” she said. “In higher mountain elevations in late Europe, again, there are many fewer tree September and continue through midspecies, meaning shorter, less diverse fall November in the lower levels of WNC. color than in the Southern Appalachians.”

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September 19-25, 2012

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38

Blairsville Model Center

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In an unprecedented move, the North Carolina Wildlife Federation has declined to honor a Legislator of the Year for the first time in the history of the organization’s 49year-old Conservation Achievement Awards program.

These awards are the highest conservation honors in North Carolina, yet in the wake of one of the most wildlife and environmentally hostile General Assembly sessions of the last half-century, no legislator was singled out for heroic effort.

Politicians rolled back or severely weakened protections, and undertook policies that ran counter to science and economics, according to Tim Gestwicki, executive director of the Wildlife Commission.

“Under the cloak of a recession, many

lawmakers gutted conservation protections that hunters, anglers and other citizens value and treasure,” Gestwicki said. “This is a very poor, short-sighted subterfuge that is a dark blight on our state’s history.”

The indictment is not a reflection of all state legislators, however.

“While there are certainly some elected officials trying to make intelligent decisions as to how our natural resources are best managed for the citizenry, it is undeniable that, as a whole, the N.C. Legislature took many steps backwards in conservation matters,” said awards committee chairman Edward Nickens.

At its awards banquet last week, the N.C. Wildlife Federation honored conservation accomplishments in other categories, including individuals, businesses, nonprofits, scientists, journalists, volunteers, teachers and government agencies.

As for a conservation hero in the lawmaker category, there was a missing spot on the award program with the words “keeping fingers crossed for 2013.”

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Nantahala Hiking Club hosts family hiking day The Nantahala Hiking Club, along with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, is holding a free “Family Hiking Day” on Saturday, Sept. 29, in the Nantahala National Forest outside Franklin.

The event will introduce families to the outdoors and the fun of hiking together. There will be a hiking lecture, organized hikes from one to four miles and a cookout lunch.

Registration will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Standing Indian Campground family pavilion. Standing Indian is located off N.C. 64 west of Franklin. From N.C. 64 past Winding Stair Gap, take a left on West Old Murphy Road on the left, go 1.9 miles and turn right at the Standing Indian Campground sign.

Bring appropriate shoes and clothing, including rain gear. www.nantahalahikingclub.org.

September 19-25, 2012

Spotlight hunting of coyotes challenged State wildlife officials have gone too far in their goal of putting a dent in the coyote population, particularly when it comes to allowing the practice of nighttime spotlight hunting, according to a federal lawsuit filed by several environmental groups.

The lawsuit alleges that hunters could mistake the endangered red wolf for a coyote when night hunting, and thus could

behalf of the Red Wolf Coalition, Defenders of Wildlife and the Animal Welfare Institute.

To prevent wolves interbreeding with coyotes — another threat to the wolf population — the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sterilizes coyotes that have territories within red wolf habitat. Shooting sterilized coyotes will undo effective coyote population control efforts, as

Smoky Mountain News

A red wolf (left) and a coyote. jeopardize the already fragile population of red wolves in the state. Eastern North Carolina is home to the only wild population of red wolves, one of the world’s most endangered animals.

The Southern Environmental Law Center filed the court challenge against the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission on

new coyotes that aren’t sterilized will simply move into the unoccupied territory.

In public comments on the proposed permanent rule to allow spotlight hunting, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service echoed these concerns, stating that spotlight hunting “will impact and potentially threaten the recovery of the endangered red wolf.”

GREEN’S AUTO SERVICE 125 ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY • SYLVA 828-586-9220 • 828-586-6629

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Smoky Mountain News September 19-25, 2012

outdoors

Celebrating 35 years of the Bartram Trail

thriving Cherokee township that William Bartram described in detail in his journals.

Jim Kautz of Franklin, who has published Footprints Across the South: Bartram’s Trail Revisited, a book on Bartram’s journeys across the southern colonies, will provide a brief discussion of America’s first nativeborn naturalist and his visit to Cowee in 1775.

Box lunches may be reserved for $6 through the North Carolina Bartram Trail Society. Deadline for lunch reservations is Sept. 27. ncbartramtrail.org or 828.371.0633.

‘Beauty Beneath the Dirt’ to be screened at REI

grams by authors, musicians, and educators on topics designed for enjoyment and learning. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. www.leannajoyner.com.

The Macon County Public Library will present “Hiking Through History” with Leanna Joyner at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 27, in the library’s meeting room.

The presentation will cover the history of Civil War events in the mountains of Western North Carolina, and along the Appalachian Trail. Hear stories of tenuous mountain battles, the division of families and learn where to hike through history along the Appalachian Trail.

The program is part of the Thursdays at the Library series, an eclectic mix of pro-

Library to host local herbalist Discover the world of herbs, from cooking to healing to the best ways to grow them, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the Jackson County Library in downtown Sylva.

At this “make and take” workshop, local herbalist Becky Lipkin will share fresh herbs, seeds, cuttings and handouts on growing tips and herb recipes. Participants will learn which herbs grow best in their own backyards and what to do with them.

Lipkin is a certified aroma therapist and is known as the “Herb Lady of Cedar Creek Farms.” She is a graduate of Western Carolina University with a degree in Environmental Health Science and travels throughout the Southeast conducting seminars about how herbs can be used for medicinal purposes, in cooking and in aromatic products. 828.586.2016.

The Highlands-Cashiers Hospital Foundation will hold a breast cancer benefit 5K run/walk at 9 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 6, in Highlands.

The event will begin and end on the hospital campus. Pour Le Pink 5k will provide support for maintaining the hospital’s breast imaging equipment as well as financial aid for patients. The race is being organized with assistance by Highlands Roadrunners Club.

Registration is $20 by Sept. 21, and $30 thereafter. To register, become a sponsor, or for additional race details visit www.highlandscashiershospital.org or call 828.526.1313.

Smoky Mountain News

Discover where Civil War history intersects with hiking trails

Pour Le Pink 5K to raise money for breast cancer services

September 19-25, 2012

A film about three Appalachian Trail thru-hikers will be shown 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the REI in Asheville.

The movie “Beauty Beneath the Dirt” follows the story of three young urbanites as they attempt to balance family, friendship, and personal happiness while hiking from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail. Thru-hiker Katherine Imp, the director, executive producer and cast member, will be present for a post-screening question and answer. $5. Registration is required. www.rei.com/event/43769/session/56473 or 828.687.0918.

The annual Smoky Streak run will be held Saturday, Oct. 6, along the Tuckasegee River in Sylva to raise money for mammograms for women who otherwise couldn’t afford them.

Both the 5K and 10K run will start and finish at Webster Baptist Church. Both races are out-and-back courses, starting and finishing at the church. A short, sharp ascent and then descent will begin and end the race course. The middle section is a gentle, rolling course along the river. The bridge over the Tuckasegee River near the start line provides a great view of the race for spectators.

This race will raise funds to pay for mammograms for underserved, qualifying women. It is put on by MedWest-Harris, MedWest-Swain, the MedWest-Harris & Swain Foundation, and the Jackson County Department of Public Health. The funds the 2011 Smoky Streak run generated helped pay for 86 mammograms for local women in need, but those funds ran out in February. The Jackson County Department of Public Health has since then been able to help more than 80 additional women

get mammograms.

The 5K will begin at 9 a.m. and the 10K will begin at 9:30 a.m. 828.586.8994 or www.haymed.org/smoky_streak.aspx.

outdoors

The North Carolina Bartram Trail Society will celebrate its 35th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 29, in Franklin with a program on “The Natural History of the Southern Appalachians” and a guided hike to the Cowee Mound.

William Bartram was a naturalist, explorer and plant collector who explored the Southeast between 1773 and 1777. He chronicled his early journey through Western North Carolina in his famous diary, Bartram’s Travels, and a long-distance footpath in the region now traces his route.

As part of the annual Bartram Trail celebration, Dan Pittillo, Professor Emeritus in botany at Western Carolina University, will present an illustrated presentation on how the plants and animals of the mountains developed from the earliest ages of the continent to the present, at 10 a.m. Sept. 29 in the Macon County Library in Franklin.

Pittillo has been involved in the planning, building, and maintenance of the trail since its beginning in 1977; he is the only remaining member of the original board and the only one surviving who participated in the creation of the trail.

After the program, the group will take a guided hike and tour of Cowee Mound, a

Streak along the Tuck for a good cause

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WNC Calendar

Smoky Mountain News

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • A free 90-minute computer class on basic email will be held at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, at the Jackson County Public Library. Register at 586.2016.

• The Highlands Chamber of Commerce will host its Business After Hours and Members Appreciation cookout from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, 269 Oak St., Highlands. The Macon county Economic Development committee will present a video spotlighting the Macon County section of the Advantage West Certified Entrepreneurial Community Website. RSVP at 526.2112.

• A Western North Carolina Career Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at the National Guard Armory, 1824 Jones Cove Road, Clyde (adjacent to Haywood Community College).

Veteran and civilian job seekers invited. Bring plenty of resumes. 456.6061.

• The annual fall banquet for Western Carolina University’s accountancy program will be held at 6 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 21, at the Gateway Club in Waynesville.

Featured speaker will be Brian Fox, founder of Capital Confirmation Inc., which created Confirmation.com. The banquet is free for WCU master of accountancy students and members of the WCU chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, and $35 per person for all others.

• Haywood Community College will hold a Sawmill Operation Auction at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 at the college. The auction will include the sale of a complete band sawmill, circular sawmill, and planer operation.

Thad Woods Auction is handling the sale. Pictures available at http://thadwoodsauction.com/. Preview day to view available equipment will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday Sept. 21. 421.4174.

• The Smoky Mountain Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association will meet at noon, Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Jarrett House in Sylva.

Story teller Jane Shipman will present the program. For more information, Ed Fox, 456.5251, Haywood County; Betty Brintnall, 586.9292, Jackson County; Don Bunn, 497.7839, Swain County; and Luci Swanson, 369.8922, Macon County.

• Mountain BizWorks will offer a foundations business planning course from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, for eight weeks, starting Sept. 27, at the Community Service Center, Cooperative Extension Conference Room 234, 538 Scotts Creek Road, Sylva. Preregistration required.

253.2834 or Ashley@mountainbizworks.org.

• The annual Break by the Lake Conference for student support services personnel will be held Friday, Sept. 28, at Lake Logan. Sponsored by Western Carolina University counseling programs within the Department of Human Services. Registration is $35 through Sept.

20, $25 for students and retirees, and $45 on the day of the event. For more information, visit breakbythelake.wcu.edu or contact Phyllis Robertson at probertson@wcu.edu or 227.2635.

• Mountain Biz Works will offer a business planning course for small business entrepreneurs, food, Ag and rural focus from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27 through Thursday, Nov. 15, at the Jackson County Community Service Center, 538 Scotts Creek Road, Suite 234, Sylva.

253.2834 x 27, Ashley@mountainbizworks.org • Cosmetic Arts Color 101 will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1, in the Cosmetic Arts Building at Haywood Community College, Clyde. To register in person, stop by the Student Services Building from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday. $140 includes tuition and supplies. Mailed registration forms must be received by Sept. 26. Fees must be paid to be registered. For details, call 627.4500.

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

COMMUNITY & EVENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS • MedWest-Haywood is hosting a reception to welcome new physicians from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept.

20, in the classroom at the MedWest Health & Fitness Center on the MedWest-Haywood campus in Clyde. medwest@westcare.org.

• Western Carolina Dog Fanciers Association will host a three-day AKC Dog Agility Trial from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sept 21-23, in the Great Smokies Arena at the Haywood County Fairgrounds. Free admission. Breakfast, lunch concessions available. Vendors available. No unentered dogs. 734.3184 or crecomfort@bellsouth.net.

• Haywood Community College will hold a Sawmill Operation Auction at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 at the college. The auction will include the sale of a complete band sawmill, circular sawmill, and planer operation.

Thad Woods Auction is handling the sale. Pictures are available at http://thadwoodsauction.com/. 421.4174.

• The Macon Aero Modelers will hold its third annual Charity Fly-In at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, and at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, at the club’s flying field, about eight miles south of Franklin on Tessentee Road in Otto. Admission is 10 cans of non-perishable food or $5 donation per car for parking. All profits and food will be donated to CareNet, a non-profit organization which collects food for the needy. The Fly-In will feature all manner of radio controlled air planes and helicopters. Hot dog and barbecue lunches available.

• Haywood County’s 2012 North Carolina Big Sweep is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22. Volunteers willing to help clean Richland Creek are to meet in the Bi-Lo grocery store parking lot off Russ Ave., Waynesville. Haywood Community College students in the Natural Resource Department and the Haywood Waterways Association will lead the cleanup efforts.

Shannon Rabby, 627.4564.

• Saturday September 29th, from 2 p.m. till 4:30 p.m., Headwaters Brewing Company of Waynesville will host a Corn Hole Tournament to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Haywood County from 2 to 4:30 p.m. $40 for a 2-person team; you must be at least 18 years of age. A $100 grand prize plus prizes for second and third place. 273.3601 or visithaywood@bbbswnc.org.

• A Haywood County Rabies Clinic will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24-28 at various locations in the county. The schedule is Monday, Sept. 24 – Jonathan Valley School and Old Fines Creek School; Tuesday, Sept. 25 – Canton Middle School bus parking lot; Wednesday, Sept. 26 – Hazelwood Elementary School; Thursday, Sept. 27 – Riverbend Elementary School; and Friday, Sept. 28 – Bethel Middle School. Cost is $6 per vaccine.

Animal Services, 456.5338 or county Environmental Health Department, 452.6682.

• Angela Rose, executive director of Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment, will speak at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 26, in the Grand room of A.K. Hinds University Center at Western Carolina University. Rose’s presentation is part of the university’s annual Take Back the Night campaign to help educate and empower students to protect themselves and others from sexual assault. sacarter@wcu.edu or 227.2617.

• Claudio Saunt will give a public talk called Beyond the Revolution: North America in 1774 at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 27, in Room 130 of the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University. Saunt is a historian and author from the

University of Georgia who specializes in Native American history. 227.3867 or denson@wcu.edu.

• The Canada Volunteer Fire Department will hold its 22nd annual barbecue fundraiser at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29. Bluegrass, gospel singing, cake walk and raffles.

• Bark in the Park will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Mark Watson Park in Sylva. Western Carolina Dog Fanciers Association and the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department are sponsoring this event in conjunction with the American Kennel Club’s “Responsible Dog Ownership Day.” Admission is free. Bleacher seating is available, or bring your lawn chair. Bring your well-behaved dog on a leash (no flexies,) Just make sure your dog is up-to-date on vaccines.

• Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation Adoptions will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays at the new adoption center at the Waynesville Industrial Park, off Old Asheville Highway. Pet photos are available online at www.sargeandfriends.org or www.petfinder.com or 246.9050.

• P.A.W.S. Adoption Days are held the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the front lawn at Charleston Station in Bryson City.

• Coats for Kids of Jackson County is accepting donations of good condition used and new children’s clothing and items (tops, pants, dresses, sweaters, shoes, coats, hats, gloves) starting in September. Drop off locations will include Cullowhee United Methodist Church and Sylva Wal-Mart.

Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: ■ Complete listings of local music scene ■ Regional festivals ■ Art gallery events and openings ■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fintness centers ■ Civic and social club gatherings shop, the Elk Bugle Corps for the National Park and many more. 356.2833.

• The Bascom in Highlands seeks volunteers to help at arts center. Volunteer opportunities include office, gallery docent, benefit events, hospitality, flowers, installation, studio, library, landscaping, parking, recycling and building. No prior knowledge of art or museum experience is necessary. 526.4949, mshambaugh@thebascom.org, or www.thebascom.org/volunteer.

• The Haywood County Historical and Genealogical Society maintains a museum located in the historical courthouse in room 308. The HCHGS is seeking articles and objects of historical value to Haywood County that anyone would like to share. 456.3923.

• Haywood Volunteer Center needs respite work, domestic violence hotline volunteers, meal delivery drivers, mediators, craft instruction, house building, foster grandparenting and office work. 356.2833

VOLUNTEERING • The Haywood Volunteer Center has many openings for volunteers. The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program: If you are over 55 years of age, you can receive a limited amount of mileage coverage and supplementary insurance while you are volunteering. 356.2833. www.hjvc.org.

BLOOD DRIVES • The American Red Cross will host the Bethel Elementary School Blood Drive from 7:30 a.m. to noon Friday, Sept. 21, at 4700 Old River Road, Canton.

646.3448. All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing to win a $3,000 gift card.

• The Haywood County Meals on Wheels program is in need of volunteer drivers to deliver meals to Haywood County residents who cannot fix meals for themselves.

Drivers are needed in the following areas: Mondays, Wednesdays and/or Fridays – Saunook – Route #21.

Wednesdays and/or Fridays – Waynesville – Route #14.

Fridays – Canton/Center Pigeon – Route #18. Jeanne Naber at 356.2442 or jnaber@haywoodnc.net.

• The American Red Cross will host the North Hominy Community Blood Drive from 2 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, at North Hominy Community Center, 2670 Newfound Road, Canton. Call Janice Liner at 648.3220 for more information or to schedule an appointment. All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing to win a $,3000 gift card.

• Community Care Clinic of Franklin needs volunteers for a variety of tasks including nursing/clinical, clerical and administrative and communications and marketing. The clinic will provide volunteer orientation and training for all individuals. 349.2085.

• The American Red Cross will host the Ratcliff Cove Baptist Church Blood Drive from 2:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, at 1300 Ratcliff Cove Road, Waynesville. Call Shirley Edwards at 456.7558 for more information or to schedule an appointment. All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $3,000 gift card.

• Meals on Wheels currently seeks volunteers to deliver meals in Haywood County. The routes include: Allens Creek (Thursdays), Jonathan Creek (Mondays), Hyatt and Plott Creek (Wednesdays & Fridays), Saunook (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Volunteers should expect to spend one and a half to two hours delivering. 356.2442 or jnaber@haywoodnc.net.

• Catman2 Shelter needs volunteers for morning feeding and general shelter chores, especially from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

293.0892 or hsims@catman2.org.

• The Volunteer Water Inventory Network (VWIN) is looking for people to work one to two hours every second weekend of the month at Hyatt Creek, Raccoon Creek and Jonathan Creek. Supplies provided. Volunteers pick up empty bottles, collect water samples, and return full bottles. 926.1308 or haywoodwaterways.org. Early evenings are the best time to call.

• Agencies throughout Haywood County are seeking volunteers for many different jobs, including helping with Haywood Christian Ministries, REACH hotline and thrift

• The American Red Cross will host the Lowe’s of Waynesville Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 24, at 100 Liner Cove Road, Waynesville.

Call 456.9999 for more information or to schedule an appointment. All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $3,000 gift card.

• The American Red Cross will host the Clyde Elementary School Blood Drive from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Friday Sept. 28, at 4182 Old Clyde Road, Clyde. Call the school office to schedule an appointment. All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $3,000 gift card.

HEALTH MATTERS • A Health Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to1 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Cecil L. Groves Center, 44 Siler Farm Road in Franklin. Hosted by Southwestern Community College’s Macon Campus. Pulse and blood pressure screenings, carotid ultrasound screenings, information tables featuring tobacco cessation, breast

until Thursday, Dec. 6, in the Reid Gymnasium pool.

Registration is ongoing. 227.7397 or go online to http://learn.wcu.edu and click on Conferences and Community Classes.

• A free hour-long balance improvement exercise class will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, in room 134 of the Jackson County Senior Center. 586.4944 to sign up.

• The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department offers walking program for those with arthritis from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Free to members. 456.2030 or recprograms@townofwaynesville.org.

• Western North Carolina Out of the Darkness Community Walk will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Jackson County Recreation Complex in Cullowhee. The goal of the event is to raise awareness about suicide, honor those that have been loved and lost, and raise funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The walk will be a three-mile circuit, but shorter routes are possible. Pre-registration requested. 314.703.8611.

• Ladies Night Out will be held at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 25, in the cafeteria of Angel Medical Center in Franklin. The topic at both meetings will be cardiovascular disease. 349.2426.

• Free balance and knee pain screenings will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 24, and from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, at MedWest-Swain Rehabilitation Services on the MedWest-Swain campus in Bryson City. Licensed physical therapists will conduct screenings. 488.4009.

• Look Good, Feel Better workshops supporting women with cancer will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 1 and Dec. 3 in the Conference Room of Harris Medical Park, 98 Doctors Drive. 631.8100 or www.medwesthealth.org.

RECREATION & FITNESS • The Walk with Ease beginning exercise program will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. every Tuesday for six weeks at the MedWest Health & Fitness Center on the MedWestHaywood campus in Clyde. Walk with Ease is for people with and without arthritis who would like to begin a regular walking routine. For people who can be on their feet for 10 minutes without pain. Reservations required; $20 per person. 452.8089.

• Register for Church Co-Rec Volleyball between Sept.

4 and Oct. 2. Entry fee: $175. League play begins Tuesday, Oct. 9, at Cullowhee Recreation Center.

Mandatory coaches meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, at the Recreation Center in Cullowhee. 293.3053 or www.jacksonnc.org/parks-and-recreation.

• Registration for 4-on-4 Flag Football ends Tuesday, Sept. 25. League play starts Tuesday, Oct. 2. Mandatory coaches meeting 6:30 p.m. Sept. 25. 293.3053 or www.jacksonnc.org/parks-and-recreation.

• Western Carolina University’s Office of Continuing Education is offering an aqua fitness class that will run from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday

• Cardio Dance Fusion will be offered from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays at the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department. Free to members or daily admission for nonmembers.

456.2030 or recprograms@townofwaynesville.org.

• The Smoky Mountain Roller Girls, Bryson City’s Roller derby team, practices from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sundays at the Swain County Recreation Center on West Deep Creek Road. Open to women 18 and older. smokymountainrollergirls@gmail.com • The Creative Thought Center will offer meditation classes every other Saturday at 449D Pigeon St., Waynesville. 648.8816.

• E-Z Stretching and Chair Exercise classes will be held from 2 to 3:15 p.m. Tuesdays at the Waynesville Towers, 65 Church St., Waynesville. 456.3952.

• The Waynesville Kodokan Judo Club will host Judo classes from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Judo Club members must purchase an annual membership at the Waynesville Recreation Center plus, $20 per month for club dues. Ages 4 and up. Jimmy Riggs, 506.0327.

• Exercise and Movement for Middle Eastern Dance is held Thursdays at 9 a.m. at the Creative Thought Center, Waynesville. $40/monthly or $12/class.

926.3544.

• AccessDance WNC, a mobile dance instruction company committed to making dance and exercise accessible to under-served communities, offers instruction in numerous settings. 276.6458.

Saturday, Sept. 22nd 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Rain or Shine!

Music • Dance • Art Demonstrations 828.631-0271

www.jcgep.org

LOCATED AT THE GREEN ENERGY PARK , NEAR THE HUDDLE HOUSE IN DILLSBORO.

• Qi Gong/Yoga/Pilates classes are from noon to 1 p.m.

Mondays and Thursdays at The Creative Thought Center of Waynesville. Love offering. 456.9697 or email waynesvillectc@aol.com.

• Waynesville disc golf club. GLOW Singles play at 6 p.m. Mondays at the Waynesville Recreation Park.

Random draw doubles at 10 a.m. Saturdays. $5, $4 for club members. Meet at the picnic shelter beside the softball field below the Waynesville Recreation Center. www.waynesvillediscgolf.org.

THE SPIRITUAL SIDE • A yard sale will be held from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 22, at West Canton Baptist Church, 75 Lowe St, off Old Clyde Road, near the old Patton School.

Fundraiser for a new church building. 648.5561.

Smoky Mountain News

• Registration is open until Monday, Sept. 24, for Church 4-on-4 Flag Football. League play starts Oct. 1 at the Cullowhee Recreation Park. Entry fee: $130.

Mandatory coaches meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept.

24. 293.3053 or www.jacksonnc.org/parks-and-recreation.

• The Waynesville Kodokan Judo Club practices from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Children participate from 4 to 5:30 p.m., adults 5:30 to 7 p.m. Open to boys and girls of all ages. Sensei Jimmy Riggs, 506.0327 or the Waynesville Recreation Center at 456.2030.

September 19-25, 2012

• The Haywood County Health Department will offer a one-day drive-through flu clinic for adults, ages 16 and up, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Health Department’s new location (the old Wal-Mart Building) 157 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, in the parking lot. Children under the age of 16 may get the flu vaccine by calling Haywood County Health Department at 452.6675 and scheduling an appointment. The cost for the drive-through flu clinic vaccine will be $28. Flu mist, $36. 452.6675.

• WNC Fit Club is offering free workouts every Monday.

Level 1 workouts begin at 5:15 p.m., Level 2 workouts begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Services Building in Sylva. xfit.org or 506.4726.

70601

• A fall risk screening clinic will be offered at the Cashiers-Glenville Fire Department station from 8:45 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 27. Call 587.8279 to schedule an appointment.

• Aikido Class will be offered from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Mondays and Wednesdays at the White Dragon Academy, Sylva. 269.8144 or 507.1800.

Youth Art Festival

wnc calendar

cancer awareness, osteoporosis prevention, chronic pain management, stroke prevention, HIV awareness, flu shots, and chair massages. Disk golf and door prizes. Gerri Lee Bunn, 306.7001.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES • The Senior Resource Center Brain Gym offers many activities throughout the day, most free of charge.

Activities include Basic Computer Classes, iPad classes, coupon club, dominoes and much more. 452.2370.

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wnc calendar

• “Senior and Fit,” a 12-week program will be offered from 11 a.m. to noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays beginning at the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department. 456.2030.

SciGirls program Sept. 25 at the Transylvania Country 4-H center in Brevard. Details are at www.pari.edu/about_pari/news/girls-ages-9-14-invited-to-pari-scigirls-program-on-saving-forests.

• Happy Wanderers senior group holds several events coordinated through Haywood County Parks and Recreation. 452.6789.

• The Blue Ridge Parkway’s Kids on Parks program lets kids borrow an explorer’s backpack stuffed with things like binoculars, field guides, a bug discovery kit, magnifying glasses, a nature journal and a first aid kit to turn an ordinary hike into a discovery-filled adventure.

Free. Located at the visitor center on the Parkway outside Asheville at milepost 384. 271.4779 ext. 246.

• For information on resources for older adults in Haywood County, call 2-1-1, or by cell phone 1.888.892.1162; www.nc211.org or www.haywoodconnections.org. 452.2370.

KIDS & FAMILIES • A balloon twisting party with Professor WhizzPop will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, at the Jackson County Public Library, Sylva, in story time room.

Appropriate for all ages. 586.2016.

• The Bascom in Highlands is offering a variety of youth art classes from Sept. 1 through Oct. 27. Jessica Hauser presents monthly themes with different projects every week. September: American Crafts. October: Art and Music. All materials provided. Make and take your own masterpiece. No pre-registration required. $5 per class. For details visit www.TheBascom.org or call 828.526.4949.

• New Kindermusik Baby Classes called Cock-a-Doodle Moo for children newborn to 18 months will be held weekly in Cullowhee, Waynesville and Cashiers. Day and evening times available. 293.5600 or www.themusicvillage-nc.com.

• Claymates Pottery will host kids night from 6 to 8 p.m. the first Friday of every month. Create art, eat pizza and play games. 631.3133.

September 19-25, 2012

• The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department offers after school opportunities for kids from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Free to members or $12 per student per week for nonmembers. Registration required. 456.2030 or youthprogramsupervisor@townofwaynesville.org.

• The Macon County Public Library will host family story times at 10 a.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays and at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Kids are invited to wear PJs and bring stuffed animals during the Wednesday evening programs. Home School Book Talk is held from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays. 524.3600.

• Love and Logic is a seven-week class for parents with children of any age. The class topics include discipline, bickering and fighting, power struggles, how to have fun and feel relaxed as a parent, plus any topics that parents bring. Amber Clayton, program coordinator, 586.2845 ext. 25.

• Young Warrior Jiu Jitsu Classes will be held from 5 to 5:45 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays at Basulto Academy of Defense in Waynesville. Classes are open to boys and girls ages 6 and older. 230.5056 or BasultoBJJ@yahoo.com.

Smoky Mountain News

• Avril Bowens presents “perfect pushing class” for moms-to-be. 342.8128 or www.healyourdiastasis.com

Get Active • Swain’s newest 4-H Club, the Outdoor Adventurers, is accepting fall registrations for youth ages 5-19.

488.3848.

Arts • Celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Youth Arts Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. Enjoy glass blowing and metal forging demos, face painting, drawing, throwing pots, recycled craft making, live entertainment and more. Parking limited. 631.0271 or jcgep.org.

Science & Nature 44

• Girls ages nine through 14 are invited to a PARI

Literary (children) • Story time (talk like a pirate theme) will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, at the Jackson County Public Library. 586.2016.

• Family night (PAWS to read with a four-footed friend) will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Jackson County Public Library. 586.2016.

• Story time (changing seasons) will be held at 11 a.m.

Friday, Sept. 21, at the Jackson County Public Library.

586.2016.

• Story time with Miss Sally (autumn leaves) will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at the Jackson County Public Library. 586.2016.

• Story time with the Rotary Readers (harvest theme) will be held at 11 a.m. Monday Sept. 24, at the Jackson County Public Library. 586.2016.

• Story time (apples) will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the Jackson County Public Library.

586.2016.

• Story time (seeds) will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the Jackson County Public Library.

586.2016.

• Family Night with Professor WhizzPop (balloon twisting) will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, at the Jackson County Public Library. 586.2016.

FOOD & DRINK • Visit five regions of France during the French Wine Dinner at Fontana Village Resort on Friday, Sept. 28.

Reservations required. $89 per person. To make dinner reservations only, call the Mountview Restaurant at 498.2115. For lodging and Wine Dinner reservations call 498.2211. www.fontanavillage.com/events.

POLITICAL GROUP EVENTS & LOCAL GOVERNMENT Dems • The Haywood County Democratic Executive Committee meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, at Democratic Headquarters, 286 Haywood Square, Waynesville. 452.9607 or visit haywooddemocrats.org.

• Meet and greet Joe Sam Queen, candidate for NC House of Representatives District 119, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the Whittier Community Center, exit 72, U.S. 74. 488.3196.

• The Haywood County Democrats will hold their annual fall rally at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 in the cafeteria at Pisgah High School, 1 Black Bear Drive, Canton.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12.They may be purchased at Democratic Headquarters, 286 Haywood Square, in Waynesville. The office is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

452.9607 or visit haywooddemocrats.org.

• Haywood County Democratic Party Headquarters at 286 Haywood Square, Waynesville, is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. 452.9607 or www.haywooddemocrats.org.

• The Haywood County Democratic Executive Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Monday of

each month at Democratic Headquarters, 286 Haywood Square, Waynesville. 452.9607 or www.haywooddemocrats.org • The Jackson County Democratic Party meets the third Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at Democratic Headquarters, 500 Mill St., Sylva. Brian McMahan, 508.1466.

• Jackson County Democratic Party executive committee members meet at 6:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Democratic Headquarters, 500 Mill St., Sylva. 631.1475 or jacksondems.com.

• Jackson County Democratic Women meet at 6 p.m. the third Thursday of every month at Democratic Headquarters 500 Mill St., Sylva. 631.1475 or jacksondems.com.

• The Swain County Democratic Party will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at Democratic Headquarters, 147 E. Main St., Bryson City. Ginger Gaither, 736.3470.

GOP • Jackson County Republicans will host a fundraising dinner Sept. 20 to honor Senator Jim Davis’s re-election campaign, at the Jarrett House in Dillsboro. $35.

743.6491 for reservations.

• Jackson County Republicans will host a BBQ ‘n Banjo Bash from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, at Cullowhee Park on Cullowhee Mountain Road. Organized by Mike Clampitt’s campaign, candidate for NC House of Representatives District 119. $20 per person or $50 for a family of any size. 736.6222.

Road, Sylva, for round table conversations with area business owners and managers regarding business concerns in Jackson County. Business owners and managers invited. Coffee and donuts provided. Clampitt can also be heard on 540 AM WRGC Tuesdays at 7 a.m. for his Mornings with Mike program. 421.4945 or email morningswithmike@yahoo.com.

• The Haywood Republicans meet at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at GOP headquarters, 303 N. Haywood St., Waynesville. 246.7921. www.haywoodncgop.org.

Others • Occupy/WNC General Assembly meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday in Room 220 of the Jackson County Administration and Justice Center in Sylva. 538.1644.

• The Jackson County Patriots meet at 6 p.m. every third Thursday at Ryan’s Steak House in Sylva.

371.0055.

• A TEA Party group meets at 2 p.m. the third Saturday of each month at the 441 Diner in Otto.

Mountainpatriotsteaparty.info.

• The League of Women Voters meets at noon the second Thursday of each month at Tartan Hall in Franklin.

Lunch available by reservation. Open to all. $6 for food.

524.5192.

SUPPORT GROUPS

• Jackson County Republicans will host their doubledown GOP monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept.

24, in Sylva, and at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, in Cashiers. 743.6491.

• A free Caregivers Unite support group meeting will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the Senior Resource Center of Haywood County in Waynesville.

Short-term and long-term caregivers are welcome; the group is open to people caring for individuals with all types of medical illnesses. 356.2816.

• The Macon County Republican Party Executive Committee will hold a special meeting at 10 a.m.

Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Boiler Room restaurant in Franklin, to elect an interim chairman and vice-chairman of the Macon County Republican Party. Chairman Chris Murray will resign at the adjournment of the Sept. 15 meeting. 421.2191.

A&E

• The North Jackson County Republican monthly meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, at Sylva Republican Headquarters Office, 58 D Sunrise Park, Sylva. For Jackson County GOP information call Ralph Slaughter, Jackson County GOP Chair at 743.6491, email jacksonctygop@yahoo.com or visit the website www.jacksoncountygop.com.

•The South Jackson County Republican will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the Cashiers Republican Headquarters Office in Laurel Terrace. For Jackson County GOP information call Ralph Slaughter, Jackson County GOP Chair at 743.6491, email jacksonctygop@yahoo.com or visit the website www.jacksoncountygop.com.

• The North Jackson County GOP monthly meetings are held at 6:30 p.m., the fourth Monday of each month, at the Sylva headquarters, 58 D Sunrise Park, a retail complex located opposite the intersection of Highway 107 and the Asheville Highway behind Rite-Aid Drugstore. Ralph Slaughter, Jackson County GOP Chair at 743.6491 or www.jacksoncountygop.com.

• The South Jackson County GOP monthly meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month at the GOP headquarters office at Laurel Terrace on N.C. 64 east in Cashiers. Ralph Slaughter, Jackson County GOP Chair at 743.6491 or www.jacksoncountygop.com.

• Sen. Jim Davis will meet with constituents at 6 p.m. before the regular monthly GOP meeting at the Haywood County headquarters, 303 N. Haywood St., Waynesville. The Haywood Republicans meet at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at the GOP headquarters. 246.7921. www.haywoodncgop.org.

• Republican NC House candidate Mike Clampitt will host Mornings with Mike from 7 to 8 a.m. every Tuesday morning at the NC Victory Office, 58 D Sunrise Park

FESTIVALS, SPECIAL & SEASONAL EVENTS • The second annual Smokin’ BBQ and Bluegrass Festival will take place at 10 a.m. Sept. 29, at the Cold Mountain Corn Maize in Canton. Admission is $10; proceeds to benefit the Good Samaritan Clinic of Haywood County. www.visitncsmokies.com.

• ColorFest, Art & Taste of Appalachia is seeking artists to participate in this year’s festival to be held Oct. 6. Open to both professional and emerging artists.

Limited to 40 artists. spiritofappalachia.org.

• The Painted Cat sale and art Auction to benefit Catman2 is looking for artists to sponsor a cat and paint a portrait to sell. catman2.org or 293.0892.

• Maggie Valley Craft Shows are looking for crafters, artisans, and food vendors for the upcoming season. www.maggievalleycraftshows.com or 497.9425.

• Canton Papertown Christmas Craft Fair is now seeking vendors for the event to be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Booth fees are $25 and $45.

648.0101 or www.mdcairnes@att.net.

• A Dada Festival will be held Sept. 18-20 at Western Carolina University, featuring music, dance, the visual arts and lectures on topics literary, artistic and filmrelated in the spirit of the early 20th-century art movement known as Dadaism. All festival events are free. bfrazier@wcu.edu or 227.2400.

• The final round of Haywood’s Got Talent will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Performing Arts Center at the Shelton House, 250 Pigeon St., Waynesville. Tickets $12 for adults and $8 for students and are available on line at www.harttheater.com.

• Whimzik will perform their mask and music show and Sarah Conarro will paint a scenic mural from 5:30

wnc calendar September 19-25, 2012

Smoky Mountain News

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wnc calendar

to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Mad Batter, Cullowhee. The mural will be raffled.

• The Pisgah Inn Craft Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, and Sunday, Sept. 23, at the Pisgah Inn, milepost 408 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Free admission.

• Bryson City Ghost Walk, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through October. One hour tour of downtown. Hear legends and ghost stories and the results of paranormal investigations. Meet at The Storytelling Center, 225-C Everett St., Bryson City. $10 adults, $5 students.

Reservations. 704.213.4232 or boo@brysoncityghosttour.com, www.brysoncityghosttour.com.

• The Liars Bench will be held at 7 p.m. Thursdays in the Living Room, Macon County Library. The Liars Bench is a live, authentic Southern Appalachian storytelling, music, poetry, drama, and folk arts presentation. 524.3600, www.fontanalib.org.

• Applications for new grants from the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership are due by Dec. 14; funding will be announced in April, 2013. Grants are available for the preservation, interpretation, development, and promotion of heritage resources in agricultural heritage, Cherokee heritage, craft heritage, music heritage and natural heritage Applicants must provide at least a one-to-one match. Further details http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/ or www.blueridgeheritage.com.

LITERARY

September 19-25, 2012

• The Jackson County Public Library in downtown Sylva will host a program devoted to the history of Transylvania County at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, featuring Jan Plemmons, author of several books about the county, and two members of the Transylvania Heritage Museum in Brevard. 586.2016.

• Women Learn will be hosting Mary J. Messer, author of the regional best-selling Appalachian memoir Moonshiner’s Daughter, for a reading and book signing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, in the meeting room at French Fryz Restaurant, 2109 Hendersonville Road, Arden. 242.5354 or www.moonshinersdaughter.com.

• Bob Plott will talk about his family’s legacy at 2 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 20, in the Bethea Welcome Center at Lake Junaluska. Plott’s book, The Story of the Plott Hound: Strike & Stay, was published in 2007 and awarded the 2008 Willie Parker Peace N.C. Historical Literary Award. 222.4930 Opt. 2.

• Hiking Through History with Leanna Joyner at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 27, in the Meeting Room of the Macon County Library, Franklin. A history of Civil War events in the mountains of Western North Carolina, and along the Appalachian Trail. Learn where to hike through history along the Appalachian Trail. www.leannajoyner.com.

Smoky Mountain News

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • Live music at 7 p.m. Thursday Sept. 20, with singer/songwriter Marti Dell, in the lobby of Balsam Mountain Inn in the Balsam area, Waynesville. Sept. 27 is Gloria McCabe with big time show tunes.456.9498.

• The Essence Lounge at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Hotel is hosting the following events: karaoke, 8 p.m. to midnight, Sept. 20; Dierks Bently, 8 p.m., Hoss Howard Band, 7 to 10 p.m., DJ D, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sept. 21; Leigh Glass, 7 to 10 p.m., DJ Moto 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sept. 22.

• Phillips, Craig, and Dean, an award-winning contemporary Christian music trio, will be in concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin. Tickets are $15 each. www.GreatMountainMusic.com or call 866.273.4615.

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• Rock the Square, a vintage rock concert and street dance, will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, on the Town Square gazebo, Main St. in downtown Franklin,

weather permitting. Dave Stewart opens the show with pop and folk tunes. At 7:30, the award-winning CSquare & Company join Stewart on the gazebo stage to perform pop and Motown hits. Bring a lawn chair.

524.7683 or visit www.artscouncilofmacon.org.

• Tickets on sale for the Dierks Bentley show set for 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee. Must be 21 years of age or older to attend. www.ticketmaster.com or 800.745.3000.

• Music at the Mill, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Sept.

22, at Francis Mill, 2.4 miles from Main Street on U.S. 276 south. Barbecue by Jeff McLeod. Bluegrass, musicians, crafts and more. $7 all day. Mill tours. Bring a chair. 456.6307.

• A double-bill concert featuring humorist and vocalist Cindy Miles and The McChoir Sisters will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, on the Town Square Gazebo in downtown Franklin. 524.7683 or www.artscouncilofmacon.org.

• Western Carolina University’s School of Music will present a free faculty brass recital at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 25, in the recital hall of Coulter Building. 227.7242.

• Season subscriptions and individual tickets are on sale for the 2012-13 Mainstage season at Western Carolina University’s School of Stage and Screen. The first performance is Pump Boys and Dinettes, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 26, through Saturday, Sept. 29, plus a 3 p.m. matinee on Sept. 29, at Hoey Auditorium. For ticket information and a complete schedule, call 227.7491, 227.2479 or visit FAPAC.wcu.edu.

• Tickets are on sale for pianist Bruce Hornsby, who will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, 777 Casino Drive Cherokee. www.ticketmaster.com or 800.745.3000. Must be 21 years of age or older to attend. www.brucehornsby.com • Tickets are now on sale for Cherokee After Dark, Saturday, Oct. 27, at Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, Cherokee, featuring celebrity DJs, Go-Go dancers and multiple bars. Headlining the event is Hip Hop superstar and producer Lil Jon. For a complete schedule, visit http://www.liljononline.com.

• Tickets are now on sale for the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker set for 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 24, at Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, Cherokee. Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com or 800.745.3000.

• The hour-long radio show Stories of Mountain Folk airs at 9 a.m. every Saturday on its home station, WRGC Jackson County Radio, 540 AM on the dial, broadcasting out of Sylva. Stories of Mountain Folk is an ongoing all-sound oral history program produced by Catch the Spirit of Appalachia (CSA), a western North Carolina not-for-profit, for local radio and online distribution.

ART/GALLERY EVENTS & OPENINGS • The Waynesville Public Art Commission seeks an artist for its fourth outdoor public art project to be located in the Mini Park at the corner of Main and Depot Streets. The theme of the piece is Wildflowers of the Smokies to honor the historic connection between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Town of Waynesville. The selected artist will receive $12,500 for proposal development, fabrication and installation. www.townofwaynesville.org or call Town of Waynesville at 452.2491.

• Haywood County Arts Council presents Piercing the Mundane: The Women of NoHa, through Saturday, Sept.

22. Piercing the Mundane attempts to bring to light that which is often overlooked. Featuring six women artists. www.haywoodarts.org.

• An exhibition at Western Carolina University’s Fine Arts Museum will be available through Oct. 5. The exhibition features work of WCU faculty members, all

teaching artists who in in a range of media, and is part of the School of Art and Design Faculty Biennial.

Museum hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday – Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. Closed weekends and university holidays. museum@wcu.edu, 828.227.3591.

CLASSES, PROGRAMS & DEMONSTRATIONS • Craft demonstrations at Dogwood Crafters in Dillsboro this week include: 10 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Sept. 20 – Anthony Cariveau making chain mail jewelry; 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 – Linda Parrish crafting notepads; 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23 – Jeri Buek demonstrates punch needle work; and 2 to 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 25 – Joyce Lantz will weave pine needle baskets. 586.2248.

• Ikebana in Abstract: Extraordinary Designs with Unusual Objects with Ichiyo master and teacher Libby Campbell will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the Folk Art Center, milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville. The Ichiyo School is a contemporary style of Japanese flower design that harmonizes with the various spaces in our living environment.

645.6633, pattiquinnhill@gmail.com or www.ikebanaasheville.org.

• Penland School of Crafts has open spaces in several eight-week classes in its fall session available at half tuition to residents of local counties. Regular room and board charges apply, but students are not required to stay on campus. The session runs from Sept. 23 through Nov. 16. Complete information is available at www.penland.org or call 765.2359, ext. 15.

• Thursday Painters meet at the Uptown Gallery in Franklin every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring your project and a bag lunch and join us for a day of creativity and fun. All artists are welcome. 349.4607.

MUSIC JAMS Haywood County • Music Jam every Thursday night from 6 to 8 p.m. at Frog Level Brewery on Commerce St.in Waynesville.

First and third Thursday are mostly Celtic; second and fourth are mostly Old Time; fifth Thursday anything goes. All acoustic instruments are welcome.

Newcomers welcome. Contact besscrider@gmail.com or aviancm@gmail.com.

• Live music on the patio from 6 to 10 p.m. every Friday at the Tiki House Seafood & Oyster Bar in Maggie Valley. Karaoke continues from 10 p.m. to close.

Saturdays feature live bands and a dance floor from 9:30 p.m. to close, and Dave plays saxophone on the patio Sunday afternoons.

Macon County • Lady and the Old Timers will perform at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 23, in the Living Room at the Macon County Library in Franklin. This performance is free, appropriate for all ages, and open to everyone.

524.3600.

• Pickin’ on the Square at 6:30 p.m. every Saturday night in downtown Franklin through Aug. 25. Open-mic, followed by main entertainment.

Swain County

FILM & SCREEN • Western Carolina University will offer a series of films on topics from local food to the life of a forgotten civil rights activist as it again hosts the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers for the 2012-13 academic year. 227.3622 or email ledavis.wcu.edu.

Also, visit ace.wcu.edu.

• A new movie starring Emily Blunt, Ewan McGregor and Kristin Scott Thomas will be shown at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, at the Macon County Public Library, Franklin. PG-13 for some violence and sexual content. Based on book by Paul Torday.

524.3600.

• A classic movie starring Cary Grant and Sophia Loren will be shown at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at the Macon County Public Library, Franklin. 524.3600 • The Haywood Arts Regional Theatre will hold auditions for the Pulitzer Prize winning drama August Osage County at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, and Monday, Sept. 24, at the Performing Arts Center at the Shelton House, 250 Pigeon St. in Waynesville. www.harttheatre.com.

• Movie night featuring a 1955 classic, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 27, at the Jackson County Public Library, Sylva. Call for title. 586.2016

DANCE • The last ballroom dance of the summer will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Franklin Community Building, highway 441 south (across from Whistle Stop Mall) in Franklin. Music by Swingtime Band. 369.9155.

ARTS GROUP MEETINGS • The Tuesday Quilters meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church on N.C. 107. Bring your machine and whatever quilt you are working on.

• The WNC Fiber Folk Group meets weekly from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursdays in the Star Atrium of the Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at WCU. 227.2553 or ddrury@wcu.edu.

• Old-time music jam from 1 to 3 p.m. the third Saturday of the month at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on U.S. 441 outside Cherokee. 452.1068 • Community music jam from 6 to 7 p.m. each first and third Thursday of the month at the Bryson City library in downtown Bryson City. 488.3030.

• Music in the Mountains from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Saturday in downtown Bryson City.

Jackson County • Old Timey Bluegrass Jams are held at 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Spring Street Cafe in Sylva.

• Music Jam at 2 p.m. Saturdays at the historic Rickman General Store in Macon County, located in the Cowed Community on Cowed Creek Road just off N.C. 28. 369.5595.

MUSIC MAKERS • Signature Brew Coffee Company holds Sylva Open Jam nights on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. Shop provides the instruments, you provide the talent. Chris Coopers’ Fusion band hosts.

• A new signing choir begins rehearsals from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Sign language used in connection with song. Open to all willing to learn. 476.4231.

• Golden Aires singing group meets at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday at the Golden Age Senior Center in Sylva.

Secular and religious music. Performances given at area nursing homes. Singers need not be seniors to join. goldenagecenter1@verizon.net.

• Haywood Community Band meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday at Grace Episcopal Church. 452.7530.

• Karaoke is held at 7 p.m. every other Friday at the American Legion Post 47 in Waynesville. Open to all members and their guests. 456.8691.

• Karaoke is held from 8:30 to12:30 p.m. every Friday at the Tap Room at the Waynesville Inn. 800.627.6250.

• Men Macon Music, canella singing, meets at 5:30 p.m. every Monday in the Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 26 Church St., Franklin. Visitors welcome.

524.9692.

• Mountain Dulcimer Players Club meets from 2 to 4 p.m. on the first and third Sundays of each month at the Bryson City United Methodist Church. Knowledge of music not required, tablature method used. 488.6697.

• The Franklin Early Music Group meets every Monday at 9 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. 369.5192 • The Nikwasi Dulcimer Players meet every Thursday afternoon from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Franklin. All are welcome.

524.1040 or 524.2294

Outdoors OUTINGS, HIKES & FIELDTRIPS • Friends of the Smokies is hosting a classic hike of the Smokies Thursday, Sept. 20 along Big Creek. Meet at 8:30 in Asheville or 9 a.m. in Waynesville. To register, call 452.0720 or email hollyd@friendsofthesmokies.org.

• John Warren and the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust will lead an eco tour to Timber Ridge, part of the Warren estate conservation easement, at 10 a.m.

Thursday, Sept. 20. $35 for new friends; includes a guided tour, lunch and a HCLT membership. www.hicashlt.org, 526.1111 or email julie.hitrust@earthlink.net.

• The Highlands Plateau Audubon Society’s final Saturday walk will be at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, along Flat Mountain Road area. Meet at Highlands Town Hall. 787.1387.

• The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee will host a bird walk with Jeremy Hyman on Wednesday, Sept. 26 in the Tilley Creek area. Meet at the Jackson County Recreation Park at 8:30 a.m. to carpool to the location, which is about 3 miles away. www.ltlt.org or 524.2711.

PROGRAMS & WORKSHOPS

• The Carolina Mountain Woodturners and the Southern Highlands Craft Guild will sponsor a woodturning demonstration by John Jordan from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville. Jordan, from Antioch, TN has been turning for over 25 years. 645.6633 or visit www.carolinamountainwoodturners.org •The Cradle of Forestry will host a “Bring Back the Monarchs” program with noted naturalist and educator Ina Warren and Master Gardner Joyce Pearsall at 2 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Forest Discovery Center. Both are official conservation specialists with the Monarch

• Free Hunter Safety courses will be offered from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 24-26 in rooms 309/310 on the Haywood Community College campus. No age limits.

Must attend three consecutive evenings to receive certification. Offered by HCC’s Natural Resources Division and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Pre-registration online is required. www.ncwildlife.org.

• The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust will present Hummingbirds: Delicate Gems or Kings of the Sky? with Romney Bathurst, 7 p.m. Sept. 25, Village Green in Cashiers. 526.1111 or julie.hitrust@earthlink.net.

• Family Hiking Day will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Standing Indian Campground Family Pavilion, just west of Franklin. Enjoy a hiking lecture, organized hikes and a cookout lunch for hikers. Bring proper hiking shoes and, including rain gear. All ages are welcome and are encouraged to attend. www.nantahalahikingclub.org.

• Hiking Through History with Leanna Joyner at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 27, in the Meeting Room of the Macon County Library, Franklin. A history of Civil War events in the mountains of Western North Carolina, and along the Appalachian Trail. Hear stories of tenuous mountain battles, the division of families, and learn where to hike through history along the Appalachian Trail. For more information, please visit www.leannajoyner.com.

• Dan Pittillo, professor emeritus in botany at Western Carolina University, will give a talk on The Natural History of the Southern Appalachians at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept.

29, at the Macon County Library in Franklin as part of the 35th anniversary of the North Carolina Bertram Trail Society. Following Pittillo’s presentation, participants will eat lunch beside the Cowee Mound. Box lunches may be reserved for $6 through the North Carolina Bartram Trail Society website http://ncbartramtrail.org. Or call Meg Petty at 371.0633. Deadline for lunch reservations is Sept. 27. Water provided.

COMPETITIVE EDGE • The Third annual Bogey Fore the Volunteer Center Golf Tournament will tee off at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, with lunch at the Maggie Valley Club, to benefit the Haywood Jackson Volunteer Center. $160 for a two man team with captain’s choice. Sheppard Insurance Group is sponsoring $10,000 for a hole in one-on-one par 3 and we’ll have door prizes as well as lunch. 356.2833.

• The second annual Mountain Tennis Doubles Tournament will be held from Friday, Sept. 21 to Sunday, Sept. 23 at the Macon County Recreation Park.

Categories are men, women and mixed doubles.

Deadline is Sept. 15; fee is $25 per player for first event, $15 for second. Under 18 years of age, fee is $15 for first event, $10 for second. Players limited to two events. Applications available at the Franklin Chamber of Commerce and at the Macon County Community Building or mail to 1281 Georgia Road, Suite 431, Franklin. 371.3280 or 349.0349.

• A 5-kilometer foot race will be held at 8 a.m.

Saturday, Sept. 29, at Western Carolina University as part of WCU’s 38th annual Mountain Heritage Day festival. The race will begin from McKee Building. Raceday registration and registered runner check-in will be held from 7 to 7:45 a.m. Entry fees $15 for runners who

register by noon Friday, Sept. 28; $25 race day; $10 for students. (WCU students must have valid ID.) Race Tshirts to first 250 registrants. Proceeds to Sport Management Association Scholarship fund to help students attend conferences and events. http://claws.wcu.edu/sma/5K/. 283.0203 or dtyler@wcu.edu.

• A few entries still remain in Southwestern Community College’s Fall Foursome 2012 set for Wednesday, Oct. 3, at Sequoyah National in Cherokee, a Robert Trent Jones II designed course. Proceeds from the annual fundraising golf tournament benefit student scholarships.

Entry fees are $100 per player or $400 per foursome.

Kathy Posey at 800.447.4091, ext. 4227.

• The Highlands-Cashiers Hospital Foundation will host Pour Le Pink 5-K Walk/Run for Breast Health and Women’s Services at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, in Highlands. Funds raised will go toward maintaining HCH’s state-of-the-art equipment as well as financial aid for HCH patients. Pre-registration is $20, if received by Sept. 21, and $30 thereafter. www.highlandscashiershosptial.org or 526.1313.

• The 14th annual Smoky Streak race will be held Saturday, Oct. 6, in Sylva, to raise funds to pay for mammograms for underserved, qualifying women. The race is part of MedWest’s month-long Fall Fight breast cancer awareness campaign. www.medwesthealth.org.

FARM & GARDEN • North Carolina State University is hosting a free workshop on organic broccoli production from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, at the Mountain Research Station, 265 Test Farm Road, Waynesville.

RSVP for a guaranteed lunch. 684.3562 or Emily_Bernstein@ncsu.edu.

• The Town of Waynesville will hold its compost and mulch sale from 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 20-22 and Sept.

27-29 at the town yard waste landfill, off Bible Baptist Drive, from Russ Ave., near the bypass. Payment must be made by cash or check. Town personnel will be available with a wheel loader to load your pickup or trailer. The sale will be canceled in the event of wet weather. 456.3706.

• Carolina Craft Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at the North Carolina Arboretum, near the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance at milepost 393 in Asheville. The show is free for Arboretum Society members or with the standard parking fee ($8 per personal motor vehicle). 665.2492 or visit www.ncarboretum.org.

• The ASAP Farm Tour is set for Sept. 22-23 and Sunburst Trout Farm in Waynesville is the only Haywood County farm to be included in the 35-farm tour. The tour runs from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22-23.

Passes are $25 in advance. www.asapconnections.org.

• Local herbalist Becky Lipkin will present a make and take workshop at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, in the Atrium of the Jackson County Public Library Complex in downtown Sylva. Lipkin is a certified aroma therapist and is known as the “Herb Lady of Cedar Creek Farms.”

586.2016. www.fontanalib.org.

Smoky Mountain News

• A boating safety course will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20 through Friday, Sept. 21, in rooms 309/310 on the Haywood Community College campus. Offered by Haywood Community College’s Natural Resources Division and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Must attend two consecutive evenings to receive certification. Free; no age limits. Pre-registration required. Register online at www.ncwildlife.org.

• The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 24-26, at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, in the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard.

The event features hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and demonstrations including archery, outdoor cooking and more. 877.4423 or www.ncwildlife.org/nhfd.aspx.

September 19-25, 2012

• Join Parkway rangers at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21, for an easy one-hour, one-mile, one-way guided hike on the Buck Springs Trail near the site of George Vanderbilt’s hunting lodge. Hike starts at the Buck Springs Gap Parking Overlook, milepost 407.7 and ends at the Pisgah Inn. Participants may wish to set up shuttles, or retrace their steps along the trail back to Buck Springs Gap. Bring water, wear good walking shoes, and be prepared for changeable weather conditions.

298.5330, ext. 304.

wnc calendar

• Pick and Play Dulcimer Group of Sylva meets at 1:30 p.m. on the first, third and fifth Saturday of every month in the fellowship hall of St. John’s Episcopal Church. 293.0074

Watch program at the University of Kansas. $5 for adults and free for youth under 16 years of age.

America the Beautiful and Golden Age passes are honored with free admission. C of F is located on Highway 276 in the Pisgah National Forest, six miles north of Looking Glass Falls and four miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 412. 877.3130 or go to www.cradleofforestry.org.

ONGOING CLUBS • The Haywood County Historical and Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, in the Faith Classroom of the First Methodist Church on Haywood St. in Waynesville. Program presented by Roland Osborne on The Significance of Large Format Cameras. Joan Routh, 627.0385 or Mary Harrah, 627.9828.

47

PRIME REAL ESTATE

INSIDE

Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

ARTS & CRAFTS

MarketPlace information:

ALLISON CREEK Iron Works & Woodworking. Crafting custom metal & woodwork in rustic, country & lodge designs with reclaimed woods! Design & consultation, Barry Downs 828.524.5763, Franklin NC

The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 every week to over 500 locations across in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties along with the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. For a link to our MarketPlace Web site, which also contains a link to all of our MarketPlace display advertisers’ Web sites, visit www.smokymountainnews.com.

AUCTION AUCTION SATURDAY 5PM Oak & Mahogany tables, Bernhardt oak bar, cedar wardrobe, cane back chairs, mirrors, oak game table, china hutch, goat cart bar, depression glass, quilt rack, fishing lures & poles, mantle clock, linens, weeping gold, pewter, box lots and more. Preview at: www.ReminisceAntiques.com Reminisce Auction, Franklin, NC 828.369.6999 Ron Raccioppi NCAL# 7866

Rates: ■ Free — Residential yard sale ads, lost or found pet ads.

■ Free — Non-business items that sell for less than $150.

■ $12 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2.

■ $12 — If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type.

■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad.

■ $35 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold.

■ $300 — Statewide classifieds run in 117 participating newspapers with 1.6 million circulation. Up to 25 words.

■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

Classified Advertising: Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 | classads@smokymountainnews.com

SAWMILL OPERATION AUCTION Sat. Sept 22, 9:00a.m.

Haywood Community College Clyde, NC. After many years of serving USA and Abroad, Haywood Community College is discontinuing the Sawmill Operation classesBand Sawmill-Circular SawmillPlaner Operation. For complete listing and pictures go to www.thadwoodsauction.com Auction Conducted by Thad Woods NCAL 988 Stacy Woods NCAL 6760 Waynesville, NC 828.421.4174

WAYNESVILLE TIRE, COO

Serving Haywood, Jackson & Surrounding Counties

DI

SCO VERE

ATR

R PE

INC.

BUILDING MATERIALS Offering:

MAJOR-BRAND TIRES FOR CARS, LIGHT & MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCKS, AND FARM TIRES.

Service truck available for on-site repairs LEE & PATTY ENSLEY, OWNERS STEVE WOODS, MANAGER

MON-FRI 7:30-5:30 • WAYNESVILLE PLAZA

456-5387

70449

HAYWOOD BUILDERS Garage Doors, New Installations Service & Repairs, 828.456.6051 100 Charles St. Waynesville Employee Owned.

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING DAVE’S CUSTOM HOMES OF WNC, INC Free Estimates & Competitive rates. References avail. upon request. Specializing in: Log Homes, remodeling, decks, new construction, repairs & additions.

Owner/Builder: Dave Donaldson.

Licensed/Insured. 828.631.0747 or 828.508.0316 SULLIVAN HARDWOOD FLOORS Installation- Finish - Refinish 828.399.1847.

WANTED 10 HOMES Needing siding, windows, room additions or roofs. We're opening a branch office & need homes for our new brochure. Save hundreds.

100% financing. Call 1.866.668.8681.

ELECTRICAL BOOTH ELECTRIC Residential & Commercial service.

Up-front pricing, emergency service. 828.734.1179. NC License #24685-U.

CARS - DOMESTIC 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT Convertible. New custom paint, style bar, Mach I rims and lots of upgrades completed. Serious inquiries only. $12,000. Please call 828.226.7461.

DONATE YOUR CAR, Truck or Boat to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 877.752.0496.

TOP CASH FOR CARS, Call Now For An Instant Offer. Top Dollar Paid, Any Car/Truck, Any Condition. Running or Not. Free Pick-up/Tow. 1.800.761.9396 SAPA

AUTO PARTS BLOWN HEAD GASKET? State of the art 2-part carbon metallic chemical process. Repair yourself. 100% guaranteed.

1.866.780.9038 www.RXHP.com.

SAPA DDI BUMPERS ETC. Quality on the Spot Repair & Painting. Don Hendershot 858.646.0871 cell 828.452.4569 office.

EMPLOYMENT APPLY NOW, 12 Drivers Needed. Top 5% Pay. Need CDL Class A Driving Exp. 877.258.8782. www.drive4melton.com AVERITT Is looking for CDL-A Drivers! Weekly Hometime and Full Benefits Package. 4 Months T/T Experience Required - Apply Now! 888.362.8608. Visit AVERITTcareers.com. Equal Opportunity Employer.

BALSAM MOUNTAIN INN Is now accepting applications for experienced line cook, laundry worker & waitstaff. Must be able to work weekends. Apply in person!

CITY BAKERY Is hiring for a cafe position. 6 mos experience required. Apply in person at our location: 18 N. Main St, Waynesville, after 2pm. No phone calls please!

90+ COLLEGE CREDITS? Serve one weekend a month as a National Guard Officer. 16 career fields, $50,000 student loan repayment, benefits, tuition assistance and more! rufus.steadmaniii@us.army.mil or call 910.495.7992 or 7908.

R

EMPLOYMENT

COMPANY DRIVERS: $2500 Sign-On Bonus! Super Service is hiring solo and team drivers.

Great Benefits Package. CDL-A required. CDL-A required. Call 888.691.4472 or apply online at www.superservicellc.com DRIVER- FULL OR PART-TIME. $0.01 increase per mile after 6 months. Choose your hometime: Weekly 7/ON-7/OFF, 14/ON-7/OFF. Requires 3 months recent experience. 800.414.9569. www.driveknight.com DRIVERS- CDL-A Experienced Drivers. Up to $5,000 Sign-On Bonus! 6 mos. OTR experience, starts at 0.32/mile. New student pay & lease program! USA Truck. 877.521.5775. www.usatruck.jobs

DRIVERS: Start up to $.41/mi. Home Biweekly. CDL-A 6 months OTR exp. required. Equipment you’ll be proud to drive! 888.406.9046 ESTATE PARALEGAL OR LEGAL Assistant/Secretary. Full Time.

Experience required. Experience preferred with knowledge of wills, trusts, probate court documents and accounting. Send cover letter and resume to: apply@wenzellawfirm.com or fax to: 828.452.9059

10’x20’

92

$

20’x20’

160

$

ONE MONTH

FREE WITH 12-MONTH CONTRACT

828.506.4112 or 828.507.8828 Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction

-- JOB LISTINGS -ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE MANAGER

JOB# 141193

ED & EXP EQUAL TO ASSOCIATES OR BACHELOR'S IN ACCOUNTING & A MIN OF 1-4 YRS RELEVANT EXP IN ACCOUNTING/ BOOKKEEPING.

HVAC HELPER

JOB# 141040

HVAC HELPER NEEDED. WILL TRAIN BUT MUST HAVE MIN OF 6 MONTHS IN HVAC OR ELECTRICAL OR PLUMBING. MUST HAVE VALID NCDL. MUST BE OK WITH TIGHT SPACES IN ATTICS, UNDER BUILDINGS, ETC. PREF NONSMOKER.

DELIVERER

JOB# 141010

WILL DELIVER AND INSTALL HOT TUBS. RESPONSIBLE FOR SERVICING THEM. MAY ALSO WORK IN STORE AND DO RETAIL SALES. MUST HAVE CLEAN NCDL AND SUBMIT TO A DRUG TEST. PAY DOE.

LEGAL SECRETARY

JOB# 140935

MUST HAVE 2-3 YRS LEGAL EXP. PARALEGAL IS NOT REQ, HOWEVER, MUST UNDERSTAND LEGAL JARGON AND BE FAMILIAR WITH CIVIL LITIGATION DOCUMENTS: COMPLAINTS, SUMMONS AND SUBPOENAS. ABOUT 25 HRS/WEEK TO START.

HOUSEKEEPER

Loyalty to a career starts with loyalty from your employer. We help you grow here, and you help us to be great.

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel offers great table game opportunities that include an incredible benefits package with health care and dental, 401K, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, as well as opportunities for advancement.

Harrah’s Cherokee is offering paid training for candidates wanting to become part-time

table game dealers. Salary for dealers up to $60k with tips.

JOB# 140905

HOUSE KEEPER FOR WEEKENDS ONLY 8-5, YEAR ROUND POSITION, PAY DOE, MUST HAVE VALID NCDL, NO EXP NEEDED, WILL TRAIN.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE/ GROUNDS

JOB# 140797

GENERAL MAINTENANCE WORKER/GROUNDS KEEPER. MUST HAVE BASIC ALL AROUND MAINTENANCE SKILLS OR ABILITY TO LEARN INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, POOL/HOT TUB CHEMISTRY/MAINTENANCE, PAINTING, PLUMBING, GROUNDS, AND LANDSCAPING. MUST HAVE VALID NC DL AND OWN TRANSPORTATION. WEEKEND WORK & BACKGROUND CHECK REQ. 30+ HOURS/WEEK.

DUMP TRUCK DRIVER

JOB# 140734

Find your new career at caesars.com

If you have already submitted your application, it will be considered active for 6 months from the date of application. To qualify, applicants must be 21 years or older (18-21 years eligible for non-gaming positions), must successfully pass an RIAH hair/drug test and undergo an investigation by Tribal Gaming Commission.

Preference for Tribal members. This property is owned by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, managed

by Caesars Entertainment. The Human Resources Department accepts applications Mon. thru Thur., from 10 am - 3 pm. Call 828.497.8778, or send resume to Human Resources Department, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee, NC 28719 or fax resume to 828.497.8540.

DUMP TRUCK DRIVER, IMMEDIATE NEED, MUST HAVE 4 YRS EXP.

VARIOUS RETAIL SALES POSITIONS

JOB# 140291

NEW WAYNESVILLE LOCATION HAS IMMEDIATE NEED. MUST BE COMFORTABLE DEMONSTRATING PRODUCTS, RUNNING CASH REGISTER, AND PROMOTING MERCHANDISE WHILE HELPING CUSTOMERS MAKE PRODUCT SELECTIONS.

HOW TO MAKE $1,500 This month working just 2-3 hours weekly. Free opportunity packet: 8235 Remmet Ave., Suite# AFO8207A, Canoga Park, CA 91304.

DIETARY MANAGER NEEDED FOR HEALTH CARE FACILITY. QUALIFIED CANDIDATE MUST HAVE A DIETARY MANAGER CERTIFICATION OR BE IN THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING CERTIFICATION. EXP PREF.

LIVE-WORK-PARTY-PLAY! Play in Vegas, Hang in LA, Jet to New York! Hiring 18-24 girls/guys. $400-$800 wkly. Paid expenses.

Signing Bonus. Energetic & fun?

1.866.574.7454 SAPA

If interested go to your local Employment Security Office or call 828.456.6061

DIETARY MANAGER

JOB# 140289

Puzzles can be found on page 53.

These are only the answers.

smokymountainnews.com

FOSTER PARENTS NEEDED The Bair Foundation, a Christian Foster Care Ministry, is looking for committed families willing to open their homes to local foster children & teens. Training, certification, reimbursement & support provided. Call Now 828.350.5197

Great Smokies Storage

September 19-25, 2012

DRIVERS/CLASS-A FLATBED. Get Home Weekends! Up to 39c/mi.

Late model equipment & big miles!

1 year OTR Flatbed Experience.

800.572.5489, x227. Sunbelt Transport, LLC.

70450

WNC MarketPlace

CLEAN SLATE COALITION SEEKS Mature female to fill Night Support Position at transitional housing program for women in Sylva. Must have excellent communication skills and willingness to work with women in recovery. Free rent in nice suite plus $200 stipend each month. Send resume to PO Box 455 Webster, NC 28788 by September 25. Call 828.371.6412 for more info.

EMPLOYMENT THE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY OFFICE OFFERS ADDITIONAL JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE TO ANY PERSONS RECEIVING FOOD & NUTRITION BENEFITS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS (FORMALLY ESC) AT 828.456.6061, EXT. 201 OR 203 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.*

49

WNC MarketPlace

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

OWNER OPERATORS NEEDED "Must have Own Authority" drop hook 250 mile radius, Home daily, Year round work. 1.757.FREIGHT. Call Now!

DRIVERS: Start up to $.41/mi. Home Biweekly. CDL-A 6 months OTR exp. required. Equipment you’ll be proud to drive! 888.406.9046

Elmo - Simply a delightful 10 lb. dog. He is a happy, jaunty little fellow. He is housebroken, crate trained, walks well on leash and comes when called. Elmo loves to sit on your lap and really enjoys riding in the car.

Goldie - A sweet and pretty brown tabby girl.

She had a litter of 6 kittens when she wasn't much more than a kitten herself, but they're all weaned and Goldie has been spayed. She's now ready to start her life of leisure!

EMPLOYMENT

TRUCK DRIVERS WANTEDBest Pay and Home Time! Apply Online Today over 750 Companies!

One Application, Hundreds of Offers! www.HammerLaneJobs.com.

SAPA

NOW HIRING! National Companies need workers immediately to assemble products at home. Electronics, CD stands, hair barrettes & many more. Easy work, no selling, any hours. $500/week potential. Info 1.985.646.1700 DEPT NC - 4152 (Not valid in Louisiana) SAPA

$$$ ACCESS LAWSUIT CASH NOW!!

Injury Lawsuit Dragging? Need $500-$500,000++ within 48/hours? Low rates. Apply Now By Phone! 1.800.568.8321. wwwlawcapital.com Not Valid in CO or NC. SAPA

NUCLEAR POWER HS grads ages 17-29. Good in science and math, B average. Will train with pay, benefits, money for school. Gain valued skills. No exp. needed. Go to Navy.com for more information.

TANKER & FLATBED Independent Contractors! Immediate Placement Available. Best opportunities in the trucking business. Call Today. 800.277.0212 or www.primeinc.com

SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FULL-TIME

www.smokymountainnews.com

September 19-25, 2012

Information Systems Administrator - Jackson Campus Spanish Instructor - Macon Campus

50

EMPLOYMENT

MEDICAL CAREERS BEGIN HERE Train ONLINE for Allied Health and Medical Management. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified.

SCHEV certified. Call 1.877.206.7665 www.CenturaOnline.com SAPA

PART-TIME Bartending/Wine Steward Instructor - Jackson Campus Forestry/ Wildland firefighting Assistant Instructor - Oconaluftee Job Corps Human Resource Development Instructor - Multiple Locations Instructional Content Developer - Jackson Campus Math Instructor - Multiple Locations Spanish Instructor - Jackson Campus Southwestern Community College • 447 College Drive, Sylva, NC 28779 • 828.339.4257 • E-mail: personnel@southwesterncc.edu

FINANCIAL

BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company. SAPA BUY GOLD & SILVER COINS 1 percent over dealer cost. For a limited time, Park Avenue Numismatics is selling Silver and Gold American Eagle Coins at 1 percent over dealer cost. 1.888.470.6389

LUMBER HARDWOOD LUMBER SALE All remaining lumber must go!

Best offer over $4,895. Call 828.627.2342

LAWN & GARDEN HEMLOCK HEALERS, INC. Dedicated to Saving Our Hemlocks. Owner/Operator Frank Varvoutis, NC Pesticide Applicator’s License #22864. 48 Spruce St. Maggie Valley, NC 828.734.7819 828.926.7883, Email: hemlockhealers@yahoo.com MANTIS DELUXE TILLER. NEW! FastStart engine. Ships FREE.OneYear Money-Back Guarantee when you buy DIRECT. Call for the DVD and FREE Good Soil book!

888.485.3923

PETS HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329

EVER CONSIDER A Reverse Mortgage? At least 62 years old? Stay in your home & increase cash flow! Safe & Effective! Call Now for your FREE DVD! Call Now 888.418.0117. SAPA GOLD AND SILVER Can Protect Your Hard Earned Dollars. Learn how by calling Freedom Gold Group for your free educational guide. 888.478.6991 LAWSUIT CASH Auto Accident? All Cases Qualify.

Get CASH before your case settles.

Fast Approval. Low Fees.

1.866.709.1100 or go to: www.glofin.com. SAPA

FURNITURE COMPARE QUALITY & PRICE Shop Tupelo’s, 828.926.8778.

HAYWOOD BEDDING, INC. The best bedding at the best price!

533 Hazelwood Ave. Waynesville 828.456.4240

Prevent Unwanted Litters And Improve The Health Of Your Pet Low-Cost spay and neuter services Hours: Monday-Thursday, 12 Noon - 5pm 145 Wall Street

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT EVER CONSIDER A Reverse Mortgage? At least 62 years old? Stay in your home & increase cash flow! Safe & Effective! Call Now for your FREE DVD! Call Now 888.418.0117. SAPA

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT GEORGIA LAND SALE Country Living At It’s Finest!

1.5acre-30acre homesites. Amazing weather, Augusta Area, low taxes. Starting @ $3200/acre. Financing w/low down, from$195/mo (U.S. Citizenship not required) Owner 706.364.4200 MOUNTAINS OF NCCustom built 1288sf log cabin on 1.72acs only $89,900. Paved access, pvt wooded setting, high ceilings, front & back porches, read to finish. 828.286.1666.

REACH CLASSIFIED READERS Across the state or across the country with just one call! NCPS offers placement on classified and display ad networks. Affordable rates, extensive reach! For more information, call 919.789.2083 or visit www.ncpsads.com.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN TENNESSEE Lake Property Bank Liquidation Sale! 1 Acre to 8 Acres Starting at $12,900 w/boat slip/marina/ramp access! All reasonable offers accepted. ONE WEEKEND ONLY! 9/29 & 9/30.Call for map/pricing!

1.800.574.2055 extension 101.

SAPA BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company. SAPA 20 ACRES-ONLY $99/mo. $0 Down, Owner Financing,NO Credit Checks. West Texas, Beautiful Views!FREE Color Brochure.

1.800.755.8953 or go to: www.SunsetRanches.com

HOMES FOR SALE BRUCE MCGOVERN A Full Service Realtor shamrock13@charter.net McGovern Property Management 828.283.2112.

Pet Adoption old and weighs 26 pounds.

She is making progress on being housebroken. She has a cute, permanent head tilt, but it does not affect her movements or balance in any way.

Call 828.226.4783.

JUANITA - A sweet, low-key, 2 year old smaller, Chocolate Lab mix. She is good in a car and on a leash. Call 877.ARF.JCNC. MISS THANG - A happy, loving, black, 3-year-old SharPei mix with flying-nun ears that stick straight out. She's housebroken and good with other dogs, but strong and sometimes intimidates other dogs around food. She would do well in a responsible indoor home.

877.ARF.JCNC. ARF - Has kittens and adult cats. Adorable, fixed, ready to go. Call foster home for details. 828.508.7222 VISIT ARF ON SATURDAYS 1-3 To register for October 15th low-cost spay/neuter trip. Call 1.877.ARF.JCNC for more information. Limited number so register early.

GREAT SMOKIES STORAGE Conveniently located off 19/23

by Thad Woods Auction. Available for lease now: 10’x10’ units for $55, 20’x20’ units for $160.

Get one month FREE with 12 month contract. Call 828.507.8828 or 828.506.4112 for more info.

LOTS FOR SALE MUST SELL BY OWNER 0.936 acre lot, ready to build on w/ house pad and septic for 4/BR. $29,000. Located in Ocono Lakes Estates in Whittier. For more info please call 904.997.6482

Ann Eavenson CRS, GRI, E-PRO

VACATION RENTALS

ann@mainstreetrealty.net

CAVENDER CREEK CABINS Dahlonega, GA. GAS TOO HIGH? Spend your vacation week in the North Georgia Mountains! Ask about our Weekly FREE NIGHT SPECIAL! Virtual Tour: www.CavenderCreek.com Cozy Hot Tub Cabins!

1.866.373.6307 SAPA

506-0542 CELL 70556

101 South Main St. Waynesville

MainStreet Realty

(828) 452-2227 mainstreetrealty.net

OFFICE HOURS: Tues. & Wed. 9 am - 4 pm & Thurs. 9 am - 3 pm 168 E. Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779

Phone # 1-828-586-3346 TDD # 1-800-725-2962

facebook.com/smnews

Equal Housing Opportunity

SMN

Pro/file

WE SAVE YOU MONEY

TUPELO’S

BEST PRICE EVERYDAY

INDOOR & OUTDOOR

10-5 M-SAT. 12-4 SUN.

smokymountainnews.com

ANIMAL COMPASSION NETWORK Pet Adoption Events - Every Saturday from 11a.m. to 3p.m. at Pet Harmony, Animal Compassion Network's new pet store for rescued pets. Dozens of ACN dogs, puppies, kittens and cats will be ready to find their permanent homes. The store also offers quality pet supplies where all proceeds save more homeless animals. Come see us at 803 Fairview St. (behind Province 620 off Hendersonville Rd), visit www.animalcompassionnetwork.org, or call 828.274.DOGS.

Ann knows real estate!

September 19-25, 2012

& tan. I am about 5 years old and was found on the runway at Asheville Regional Airport.

I’m very sweet and have a wonderful personality. I love affection and get along well with other dogs. $125 adoption fee, Animal Compassion Network 258.4820 or animalcompassionnetwork.org.

FREE NEUTERING! Animal Compassion Network proudly offers the donor-supported Betty Fund Spay/Neuter Project, which pays up to the full cost of surgery for anyone who cannot afford it. A co-pay is requested but not required.

For assistance or to donate to this program, please call 828.258.4820 or spay@animalcompassionnetwork.org.

2.819 ACRE TRACT Building Lot in great location.

Build your second home log cabin here. Large 2-story building.

Was a Hobby Shop. $81,000.

For more information call 828.627.2342

NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS

ARF (HUMANE SOCIETY OF JACKSON COUNTY) Holds rescued pet adoptions Saturdays from 1:00 - 3:00 (weather permitting) at 50 Railroad Avenue in Sylva. Animals are spayed/neutered and current on shots. Most cats $60, most dogs $70.

Preview available pets at www.a-r-f.org, or call foster home.

BLAKE - Welsh Corgi/Eskimo Dog Mix – black & white. I am an adult boy who is very handsome. I’m social, energetic, and love chew toys! I am good with other dogs, but really HATE cats. I would love to find an active home. $125 adoption fee, Animal Compassion Network 258.4820 or animalcompassionnetwork.org.

GRAILY - Shepherd Mix dog – black, tan, & white. I was born in spring/summer 2012 and I’m a sweet, lovable guy who loves to give hugs. I have expressive eyes that will melt your heart! $125 adoption fee, Animal Compassion Network 258.4820 or animalcompassionnetwork.org.

PILOT - Terrier Mix dog – black

LOTS FOR SALE

WNC MarketPlace

JANET - A 10 week old Boston Terrier mix. She has a slight heart murmur, but vet says that she may outgrow it. Only the stethoscope would know because she shows no problem with her behavior. She weighs 7 pounds and is black and white. 828.293.5629.

CLARA - A 2-3 year old "Whatizit?" She weighs 68 lbs., is friendly, and shaggy.

Call 877.273.5262.

SUSAN - A two year old great cat. She is very affectionate, litter box trained, and is good with other cats and dogs. She is quite talkative. Call 828.586.5647.

ROWDY - An active 10 lb. terrier mix. He is active, six years old, and needs a cat-free home. Call 877.ARF.JCNC. CUDDLES - A female, Terrier/Hound mix. She got her name because she likes to cuddle. She is very friendly with people and gets along well with other dogs as long as she can be the dominant one. She is white with brown spots. Cuddles is 2-3 years

STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT

FURNITURE

70493

ON DELLWOOD RD. (HWY. 19) AT 20 SWANGER LANE WAYNESVILLE/MAGGIE VALLEY 828.926.8778 70551

Mountain Realty

Ron Breese Broker/Owner

1904 S. Main St. Waynesville, NC 28786 Cell: 828.400.9029 ron@ronbreese.com

www.ronbreese.com Each office independently owned & operated.

New Construction ~ Renovations Serving Haywood & Jackson Counties

www.baldwin phillips.com ~ 828.586.9995 or 828.734.0783

51

WNC MarketPlace

MEDICAL

Haywood County Real Estate Agents Beverly Hanks & Associates — beverly-hanks.com • • • • • • • •

Ann McClure — beverly-hanks.com Michelle McElroy — beverly-hanks.com Marilynn Obrig — beverly-hanks.com Mike Stamey — beverly-hanks.com Ellen Sither — esither@beverly-hanks.com Jerry Smith — beverly-hanks.com Billie Green — bgreen@beverly-hanks.com Pam Braun — pambraun@beverly-hanks.com

ATTENTION SLEEP APNEA Sufferers with Medicare. Get FREE CPAP Replacement Supplies at NO COST, plus FREE home delivery!

Best of all, prevent red skin sores and bacterial infection! Call 877.763.9842.

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WEEKLY SUDOKU

Super

CROSSWORD

77 Letters before Q 79 Figure skater RELIEF FOR THE TAK- Lipinski 80 Even if, informally ING 82 - polloi ACROSS 1 Capital of Kazakhstan 83 Riddle, part 4 90 Philanthropic giver 7 Suffix with cyto12 South American cap- 91 Free-for-all 92 Attend to ital 93 Hoppy quaff 20 Bullʼs-eye 94 Persian-founded reli21 Mello - (soft drink) gion 22 Small wind instru97 Fella ments 99 Fed Eliot 23 Start of a riddle 25 Smart alecks 100 End of the riddle 26 Bailed-out insurance 106 Shorthand whiz co.

107 - Lanka 27 Cousin of -ette 108 - Paulʼs (frozen fish 28 Garment with a brand) watch pocket 109 “- pro nobis” (“pray 30 German city on the for us”) Rhein 110 Cash cache 31 Swingerʼs stat 113 Castroʼs land 32 Little fellow 115 Island of Hawaii 33 “Cry - River” 117 2007 A.L. MVP 35 Shielded 118 British lav 37 Milk, in Cádiz 119 Former Big Apple 40 Riddle, part 2 mayor La Guardia 45 Dual radio designa- 122 Riddleʼs answer tion 126 Spiritual being 47 Manfred of rock 127 Soft pillow fill 48 Final Greek letter 128 Waiting for a 49 Pal, in Cannes phone agent 50 Sub meat 129 Part of a U.S. 53 Northern French city political map 55 Spurred on 130 Very thick, as fog 58 Riddle, part 3 131 Very little 62 Hem and 63 Brewing tank DOWN 64 Reverse or neutral 1 Really battling it out 65 No, in Scotland 2 Sir, in colonial India 66 Bordenʼs cow 3 Character defects 68 Line of Swanson that cause protagonistsʼ meals downfalls 73 Signs of fatigue 4 Show biz rep: Abbr.

SUPER CROSSWORD

5 “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” director Mike 6 Lacking a key center, in music 7 Gomer of TV 8 Directed 9 Prince - Khan 10 Hungarianʼs neighbor 11 Little grimace 12 Itʼs a shore thing 13 Here, in Haiti 14 Robinʼs face wear 15 Ocular ring 16 Young oinker 17 Speak articulately 18 Bit of sunlight 19 Naval vessel abbr.

24 Stop blocking, as a river 29 Noahʼs eldest son 33 See 96-Down 34 Bored feeling 36 “Eat up!”

38 “Iliad” author 39 Sooner city 41 Amo, amas, 42 Ranch pal 43 Baboon, e.g.

44 Religious law 45 - crow flies 46 Indiaʼs Taj 51 Pack up and leave 52 - wink 54 Imprint on a hard surface 56 Colored marker brand 57 Brainchild 59 Biblical suffix 60 Golfer Snead 61 “Mad About You” cousin 67 Cuzco inhabitant

69 Hagen with three Tonys 70 Bread of India 71 Wallaceʼs canine sidekick 72 To the - power 74 Game fish of California 75 Taboo deeds 76 Autographs 78 Delve into 81 Use an ax on 83 “Rooms -” (vacancy notice) 84 “Just a moment” 85 Devilkins 86 Composer Edward 87 Is very dizzy 88 Didnʼt stay 89 Chinese dynasty 90 Poppas 95 Insulin, e.g.

96 With 33-Down, most of Turkey is in it 98 Complete, briefly 101 Accustoms 102 Poet Burns 103 “Tex” actor Estevez 104 Isaac Asimov classic 105 Novelist Gordimer 111 Hardware store buys 112 Fungus-infested 114 - mater 116 Wahinesʼ guitars 117 “Give it -” 119 Spruce kin 120 Ending for opal 121 Ovidʼs lang.

123 End of a school URL 124 Lively energy 125 The woman

answers on page 49

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER • 2012

Smoky Mountain L I V I N G

HIGH COUNTRY & GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA & TENNESSEE

Exploring faith FINDING ONESELF

FOUND ART

Creating something from nothing

FAMILY HISTORY

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bi-monthly magazine that covers the southern Appalachian mountains and celebrates the area’s environmental riches, its people, culture, music, art, crafts and special places. Each issue relies on regional writers and photographers to bring the Appalachians to life.

In this issue: Discovering art in the most unlikely places Reflecting on the life of Doc Watson How to trace mountain family history Mobile maps and hiking apps PLUS ADVENTURE, CUISINE, READING, MUSIC, ARTS & MORE

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How to trace your mountain lineage

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Music: David Holt remembers Doc Watson Recipe: The 1861 Farmhouse’s banana pudding Outdoors: Mobile maps and hiking apps

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September 19-25, 2012

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866.452.2251

Southern mountains a peninsula of northern climes

G

George Ellison

BACK THEN eastern rim of the Appalachians. Pilot Mountain, Parris Mountain, Stone Mountain, and the other small mountains in the Piedmont are remnants of what once was much higher terrain.

The Ridge and Valley extends from northwest Georgia through the valley in east Tennessee, where Knoxville is situated, into the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and on into Pennsylvania. The Plateau extends from north Georgia through Tennessee and Kentucky northward. (The portion of the Plateau south of the Cumberland Gap where Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia corner is usually called the Cumberland Plateau.)

The Blue Ridge Province is by far the most significant in regard to mountainous terrain. It extends from just south of Harrisburg, Penn., to the hills of north Georgia just north of Atlanta, encompassing mountainous portions of southwestern Virginia, Western North Carolina, East Tennessee, northwest South Carolina, and north Georgia.

The Blue Ridge can be divided into northern and southern provinces, with the Southern Blue Ridge Province (SBRP) consisting of the terrain south of Mt. Rogers in southwestern Virginia to Mt. Oglethorpe in north Georgia.

The eastern front, or escarpment, of the SBRP is clearly defined from Virginia into South Carolina. On its western front the SBRP consists of the Unaka, Great Smoky, Unicoi, and other massive ranges.

Connecting the eastern and western fronts are transverse ranges: Blacks, Great Craggies, Great Balsams, Nantahalas, and

The southern Appalachians geographic provinces. the region’s average temperature (and thereby its plant and animal life, which exhibit strong northern affinities). The principle of verticality states that for each 1,000 feet gained in elevation the mean temperature decreases about 4 degrees Fahrenheit, equivalent to a change of 250 miles in latitude. (This means that if you travel from the lowest elevations in the SBRP at about 1,000 feet to the higher elevations above

6,000 feet, it’s the equivalent of traveling more than 1,200 miles northward in regard to the habitats you will encounter.)

The SBRP is situated where winds bringing saturated air masses from the Gulf of Mexico and the southern Coastal Plain are cooled and lose much of their content. (Air cools while rising to pass over a mountain range and can hold less moisture than warm air; therefore, heavy condensation occurs where large fronts first encounter massive ranges, as is the instance along the Blue Ridge divide.)

The heaviest rainfall in the entire Appalachian region occurs along the Ga.N.C.-S.C. borders, resulting in annual rainfalls of over 90 inches in many areas. (As much as 145 inches have been recorded since 1935 along the Ga.-N.C. line by the Coweeta Hydrologic Lab located near Otto).

Taking this into consideration, some professional observers now refer to the area as a temperate rain forest.

The higher elevations of the SBRP can be thought of as a peninsula of northern terrain extending into the southeastern US where typical flora and fauna of northeastern and southeastern North America flourish. The region features approximately 1,500 vascular plants (many of which are considered to be showy wildflowers) and 125 species of trees (in all of Europe there are only about 75 species).

Seventy miles long, the Great Smokies is the largest mountain range in eastern North America. The national park, which incorporates most of the Smokies within its boundaries, consists of 520,000 acres. Even so, the range is just one of the numerous mountain ranges on the southwestern edge of the SBRP.

Smoky Mountain News

many others. The Appalachian system as a whole reaches its greatest elevation, largest mass, and most rugged topography in the SBRP where numerous peaks rise 5,000 feet or more, with 50 or so of them surpassing 6,000 feet. (From Mt. Rogers in Virginia northward to the Gaspe Peninsula, only Mt. Washington in New Hampshire exceeds 6,000 feet.) Perhaps 40 of the 6,000-foot peaks are in Western North Carolina This topography profoundly influences

September 19-25, 2012

eographically speaking, where are the Great Smoky Mountains in regard to the other mountain ranges in the southern Appalachians. Where is the line between the southern and the northern Appalachians? In other words, where are we?

One of the handouts I use during natural history workshops is headed “Southern Blue Ridge Province: Geographic Location and Influences.” It is the best “concise” approximation of the situation that I have been able to devise, as yet.

The Appalachians — created between 300 and 250 million years ago as a result of periods of mountain building brought about when the North American continental plate collided with the plates forming the European and African continents — extend some Columnist 2,000 miles from Canada’s Gaspe Peninsula to north Georgia and Alabama.

They have been described as “The most elegant mountain range in the world.”

The Southern Appalachians can be defined as the ranges south of the point in northeastern Pennsylvania to which glacial ice sheets extended at the height of the Wisconsin epoch 18,000 years ago. (Where not impeded by mountainous terrain the ice extended much farther south in the Ohio River valley to the outskirts of Cincinnatti.)

The unglaciated Southern Appalachians consist of four geographic provinces: Piedmont, Blue Ridge, Ridge and Valley, and Plateau. The Piedmont is the ancient eroded

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Smoky Mountain News September 19-25, 2012