Smoky Mountain News | January 24, 2024

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Western North Carolina’s Source for Weekly News, Entertainment, Arts, and Outdoor Information

January 24-30, 2024 Vol. 25 Iss. 35

Elder abuse criminal law strengthened in Cherokee Page 5 Smoky Mountain football coach heads to Pisgah Page 12

CONTENTS On the Cover: Lead pipes and their negative health effects have been plastered on front pages across the country for a decade following the 2014 Flint Michigan, water crisis. Now, President Joe Biden has allocated billions of dollars for water districts across the country to inspect their pipes, but not everyone will get an equal slice of the pie. (Page 6)

News Swain secures funding for library expansion................................................................4 Elder abuse criminal law strengthened in Cherokee ................................................5 Public input wanted for Bryson Park upgrades ..........................................................8 Haywood County Schools recognizes academic success ....................................9 WCU sees record-high interest from female job applicants ................................10 New head coach for Pisgah football............................................................................12 SCC teams up with Franklin High School to train new EMTs ............................13

Opinion Humans are entirely unworthy of our dogs ................................................................14

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Tyler Ramsey to play Highlander Mountain House..................................................16 Celebrate Robert Burns ..................................................................................................19

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Outdoors Strange species make ‘accidental’ appearances in the Smokies ......................24 Appreciation Days coming at Cataloochee ..............................................................26

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news

Swain secures funding for library expansion

BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER arianna Black Library is set for a major expansion and renovation thanks to funding from several parties, including a large allotment in the state budget.

“Swain County and Bryson City are certainly deserving of this money,” said Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Macon). “This is a great, great project.”

On Tuesday, Jan. 16, Corbin and Rep. Mike Clampitt (R-Swain) attended a meeting of the Marianna Black Library Board of Trustees to present the county with $3.2 million for the library project.

“Our leadership [in Raleigh] has been very responsive to us as far as our requests out here and this was a huge one. This is a big deal. You guys should be very proud of it,” Corbin said in his address to library board members.

“We’re glad we can do this, we’re glad this project’s moving forward, but had you guys not had the vision, had the plan, you are an example of how this should be done.”

Corbin and Clampitt began working with library staff more than a year ago on funding needs for the library expansion. Typically, the state does not fund capital projects like this because counties are in charge of providing

In addition to money from the state, Swain County is allocating $500,000 to the project.

“We appreciate you guys doing what you can for us and working with us, working for us. We do honor this endeavor, and we’re looking forward to getting this project going, getting started,” said Swain County Commission Chairman Kevin Seagle.

Dogwood Health Foundation awarded a grant of $414,000 for the expansion project and the library has raised almost $700,000 from individuals and businesses in the area.

This puts the total current funding level for the project at approximately $4.8 million. Efforts

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at securing funding are still ongoing.

“Another good thing about this is the cooperation between the library folks, public money, private donations, etcetera, [which] shows us with the state that there’s a willingness of working together on getting these projects done,” said Clampitt. “Handouts are great, but money runs out. With this particular project, we saw a lot of work that was done with the friends of the library raising money, the county’s endeavors … the joint venture across the board helps us sail a project like this.”

The total budget for the project currently stands at about $6.2 million.

Senator Kevin Corbin (left) and Representative Mike Clampitt (third from right) present members of the Mariana Black Library Board and the Swain County Commission with $3.2 million in state funding for the library expansion project. Hannah McLeod photo

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January 24-30, 2024

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funds for public libraries. However, both Corbin and Clampitt made money for the library a priority in their budget requests.

“I want to commend Mike,” said Corbin.

“He works very hard, and this was a process of us working together for this.”

The money will come in two appropriations from the state — $1.6 million in this year’s budget, and $1.6 million in the next.

“Mike and I both agreed we were going to make it a budget priority for us,” said Corbin.

“We’re able to put things in our list of priorities. And Mike and I both listed this as a priority for us.”

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The Mariana Black Library building was originally constructed in 1970. Today, the needs for space, technology and other community resources have outgrown that original footprint.

The building is L-shaped and the general plan for the library expansion involves filling in the grassy area in the front of the building to make it rectangular, thereby maximizing building space on the plot.

Additionally, plans show another wing added to the building that will be two stories.

“This is my hometown, I grew up here

and the library has been very important to me and my education and growth over the years and it’s the same for the students and folks here and not only that, the older generation,” said Clampitt. “You might be through school, but a lot of folks that are self-employed and do projects come in here to have internet or communication, they don’t have any other place to go.”

The expansion will also entail a renovation of the entire building in order to expand available services. A separate Career and Technology Center will be added for informal computer use and software instruction. The building will be updated to meet ADA accessibility requirements on the site and in the interior. There will be small group rooms for meetings, collaborative projects, tutoring and other activities.

A large, adaptable multi-purpose room to provide for a variety of programming will be incorporated into the new space, as well as a bigger community room that people will have access to during and after library hours. There will be outdoor spaces for free, after-hours internet access and a Carolina Room for reference and study about the area. The expanded library will include a children’s area for reading, a designated space for teens, more computers, more parking spaces and a drive-up book drop.

“The plan was very extensive,” said Clampitt. “It was, we’re going to show you what we’re going to do when we get the money. That makes a big difference.”

On Tuesday, Jan. 23, Swain County Commissioners were set to vote on a proposal from ARCA Design, an Ashevillebased design firm, for final design work.

According to the current proposal, the project is expected to get under way in early Fall 2024 and may take 12-18 months to complete.

Library staff hope to remain open throughout the construction process with limited services available.

“Let’s get started with it and I look forward to coming back for a ribbon cutting,” said Corbin. “That’s the good thing, when we can do that, and you can see where this money is being spent — let people know what is happening with their tax money.”

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BY HOLLY KAYS release hearing.” Victims can offer a stateSTAFF WRITER ment in person, in writing or via telephone. n a unanimous vote, the Cherokee Tribal During that hearing, the magistrate or Council has approved an ordinance judge will review the probable cause supchange aimed at protecting victims of porting the charges and determine whether elder abuse while their alleged abuser’s legal the person poses “a credible threat of vioprocess plays out. lence, repeated harassment or bodily injury “The way that it was written from the to the alleged victim or to the victim’s famibeginning was there wasn’t a hold time on ly or household,” as well as whether the them or whatnot, so they could end up getdefendant is a threat to public safety and is ting out and going back out and doing the “reasonably likely” to appear in court. same thing, which was something that was Following the hearing, the court can happening at that point in time,” said order that the defendant be released immeCherokee Police Commission Chairman diately, be released after the 72-hour hold Gene “Tunney” Crowe during the commisexpires or remain in custody until trial. sion’s Jan. 11 meeting. “We asked that they change that, The new law will result and they did that, so now in most elder abuse lthey have a little more strindefendants being held gent code to protect the eldfor at least 72 hours ers.” after arrest. Holly Kays photo Under the new ordinance, which was submitted by the , Police Commission, anybody charged with “abuse of an elderly or vulnerable adult” will be automatically jailed for 72 hours after their arrest unless a magistrate or Cherokee Court judge decides to release them after a formal release hearing, which will be held immediately upon the defendant’s first court appearance following arrest. This new process would align with that already used for alleged - domestic abusers. l “The defendant can present evidence as to why he or she should not be held for the entirety of that 72 hours,” Tribal Prosecutor Shelley Buckner told the Police Commission during its Jan. 11 meeting, detailing how the process has played out in domestic violence “In making the determination … the cases. “It does happen from time to time, court will consider whether the arrested although for the overwhelming majority of person’s pattern of violent or threatening those cases, defendants are held at least for behavior towards a victim or victim’s family those 72 hours, and there may be those that or household member is chronic, and the hold and custody may continue beyond whether the seriousness of the behavior has that.” been escalating, indicating a heightened Under the new law, the court will danger of severe or lethal injury to the assume — unless evidence is presented to alleged victim,” the new law says. the contrary — that the defendant poses a Abuse of an elder or vulnerable adult is risk of violence or intimidation to the a crime punishable in tribal court by a fine alleged victim. While the law does give the of up to $5,000, one year in prison and bancourt discretion to release the defendant ishment for two to five years. However, the prior to the 72-hour hold should the evisame crime perpetrated by someone in a dence lead in that direction, it states that caretaker role carries an even greater poten“in no case” shall a defendant be released tial punishment — a fine of up to $15,000, earlier than 72 hours after the arrest three years in prison and banishment for “unless the Court has made all reasonable two to 10 years. efforts to inform the alleged victim that the Tribal Council passed the ordinance defendant’s release is imminent and has change unanimously with little discussion, been given [sic] the alleged victim an and Principal Chief Michell Hicks has opportunity to be heard at the formal signed it into law.

news

Elder abuse criminal law strengthened in Cherokee

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In 2014, the Michigan town of nearly 100,000 switched water sources, which ultimately resulted in lead leaching from old pipes. Michigan’s governor as well as President Barack Obama each declared states of emergency. As many as 12,000 children were exposed to lead in their drinking water, 12 people died from an outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease, 79 lawsuits were filed, 15 people were indicted and one person was sentenced to probation, community service and a fine for willful neglect of duty. Victims received a $641 million settlement, and more than $400 million in state and federal funding poured into the town for lead service line replacement.

As a response, the EPA worked on tightening loopholes in the RLDWA in 2021.

news

Coming down the pipe

Smoky Mountain News

January 24-30, 2024

EPA mandate could soak local utility customers

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT POLITICS E DITOR recent update to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule directs nearly all of the nation’s water systems to conduct an inventory of service lines by October, checking for the presence of lead pipes due to their well-established health risks.

The inventory is the first step in the Biden-Harris administration’s plan to get rid of an EPA-estimated 9.2 million lead pipes across the country within 10 years, including nearly 370,000 in North Carolina’s 6,000 regulated water systems.

President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will provide $15 billion to communities specifically for lead service line inventory and replacement through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, but the state funding stream is competitive, complicated and may not fully fund the work.

The cost of the inventory, which for some systems will be a mammoth undertaking requiring time, money and eventually digging up water connections on private property, could end up soaking local taxpayers.

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urable yet malleable and relatively easy to work with, lead has been used as a building material for thousands of years, from Europe to Turkey to China.

Historically, glass, gutters, paint, roofing and pipes all utilized the dense heavy metal to improve quality and resist corrosion.

Although it is relatively benign if left 6 undisturbed in its natural state, once it’s

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he EPA-mandated inventory, which was first formally rolled out to local governments in December 2022, must be completed by Oct. 16.

In Waynesville, that task falls to Public Services Director Jeff Stines, who’s been with the town for 28 years. Stines thinks his town of 10,000 people has around 8,000 municipal water service connections.

“It’s a big task,” said Stines. “I mean, it’s doable. It’s just something we have to do. We just deal with it, get it done and move on.”

Each service line under 2 inches in diameter must be identified by location and then categorized in one of four ways — lead, galvanized requiring replacement, non-lead or other. Galvanized lines that are downstream from lead lines or lines of unknown composition are to be considered lead service lines and need to be replaced because they can contribute to lead showing up in water at the customer’s tap.

Water systems must use any available information at hand when conducting the inventory, including construction and plumbing codes, historical records, permits, surveys or system maps, however the recommended methods are visual inspection, water sampling or excavation.

The inventory will concentrate on service lines installed before lead pipes were banned in the late 1980s.

When each service line is identified, the information has to be entered into a 32-column spreadsheet template and submitted to the Public Water Section of the state’s Department of Environmental Quality.

Waynesville, which has more than 140 miles of water lines, plans to engage a thirdparty contractor to help with the initial survey. Stines said the contractor will use data in the form of property tax cards and other records to conduct predictive modeling and identify locations of concern to help automate spreadsheet population.

Once the spreadsheet is formally accepted by DEQ, it must be made available to the public and updated every three years, but that acceptance also kicks off a verification and replacement process to be completed over a 10-year period, per a pending update to the Lead and Copper Rule.

Like many small municipalities, Waynesville has a tight budget and limited number of public works employees available to complete

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been worked, small particles can begin to spread throughout the environment and then enter living organisms, not so much through the skin as through aspiration or ingestion.

The deleterious effects of lead were first noted by the ancient Greeks and Romans, who used the versatile metal for everything from aqueduct linings to bowls, forks and spoons. The science, however, wasn’t there even through the Middle Ages, when lead use became much more extensive.

Later, Benjamin Franklin recognized adverse health consequences both for painters as well as printing press operators who routinely handled lead typesets. Charles Dickens chronicled the use of lead during the Industrial Revolution and the ghastly toll prolonged exposure took on workers — especially poor urban women, who had trouble bearing children and experienced high infant mortality rates when they did.

It wasn’t until the early 1900s that a modern understanding of lead and its health risks became more widespread. Australia banned its use in paint in 1914, just before the American automobile industry began to learn about the benefits of adding lead-based chemicals to gasoline.

Workers at the DuPont Deep Water Works facility in New Jersey, where the tetraethyl lead fuel additive was synthesized, quickly began experiencing terrifying symptoms after working with the additive.

Dozens died. Some may have become “violently insane.”

All had worked in a building later named “The House of Butterflies,” because halluci-

nating workers were seen compulsively brushing imaginary insects from their bodies.

Acute lead poisoning can be survivable, especially for adults, but it wasn’t until the 1940s that connections between lead poisoning and lasting damage became apparent — most notably in young children and their developing brains.

Leaded gasoline for automobiles was banned in the United States beginning with the 1975 model year and was completely phased out for on-road use in 1996. Lead paint was outlawed for residential applications in the United States in 1978, although some U.S. cities and states had banned it years earlier.

Lead pipes, however, remained acceptable for use until amendments to the Safe Water Drinking Act of 1974 were passed by Congress in 1986 — but they didn’t eliminate the use of lead in drinking water systems altogether. Solders and flux could still contain small amounts of lead, while pipes and fittings could have no more than 8% lead.

In 1991, the Environmental Protection Agency issued its first Lead and Copper Rule to reduce concentrations in drinking water.

Copper piping, while less toxic than lead, can often be found in conjunction with lead solder.

Almost 20 years later, in 2011, the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act was passed and enacted by Congress, tightening the allowable levels of lead in pipes.

Then came Flint, which changed everything.

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news January 24-30, 2024 Smoky Mountain News

tary effort in Shiloh, a historically disadvan- Environmental Quality has since mid-July the task. Stines supervises around 90, not all staffing and funding.

2023 accepted competitive applications for taged community of about 1,200 house“We serve around 1.1 million people, of them specifically involved in field work. funding lead-related projects through loans holds, to expedite the inventory and and we have to the tune of about 330,000 In most every case, verification of pipes and continues to accept applications on an replacement process. service lines and connections around our of unknown composition will involve those ongoing basis with upcoming deadlines in Franklin’s Town Manager, Amie Owens, region,” said Veronica Horvath, senior pubcrews attempting to enter private property said she’s had two employees chipping away March, June and August. lic information specialist with Charlotte and begin digging on the customer side of Eligible projects fall under two basic catat it eight hours a week, for months.

Water, which also operates in Mecklenburg the water meter. egories — find and replace, or inventory “The project is progressing well because County. “We are very large utility.”

Waynesville Town Manager Rob Hites, only. who has worked in municipal Find-and-replace projects administration for decades, are eligible for up to $2 milput the task in perspective; lion per application round if Hites said the town’s water no more than $1 million is crews are currently tied up needed for inventory. with leaks, an inevitability of Inventory-only projects are eliwinter in the mountains. Once gible for up to $1 million per the leaks are fixed and winter round. turns to spring, those crews In September 2023, the 44 will go back to addressing a water systems that made $17.3 state mandate to correct million in funding requests inflow and infiltration in the specifically for inventory-only system while simultaneously projects were awarded a total working to comply with the of $16.6 million in loans by mandate. the State Water Infrastructure “We’d have to buy vehicles, Authority (SWIA). have to buy testing equipOf that, $9.9 million was ment, hire the employees, I Public works employees will use a spreadsheet to catalog pipe locations and materials. File photo designated for principal formean, you could look at $150 giveness, leaving those 44 systems to repay Like in Waynesville, Charlotte Water will we are actually doing a few things at one to $200 per household,” Hites said. “Some of use predictive modeling to narrow the focus time. Not only are we meeting standards for the remaining $6.7 million balance on their our meters are two to three feet deep, so it’s loans — as little as $3,803 for the Town of the lead and copper inventory, but also leak not just a matter of sticking the shovel in the of its war on lead pipes, which Horvath said Princeton to as much as $600,000 for detection on the system as a whole and utihas been an ongoing effort for decades. ground and hitting a pipe. They may be digSanford and several other systems. lizing GPS to precisely locate our meters for Over the past year or so, crews have been ging for a while to get to that pipe.”

Some of the systems that applied for upload to our GIS system,” Owens said. “So conducting test digs to verify a 95% confiStines agrees it will take a lot of extra inventory-only funding received no princiit’s been a very beneficial exercise for us on dence level in the predictive models. resources to complete the task. pal forgiveness whatsoever. Lenoir and multiple fronts. It’s our hope to have everyCharlotte is the 15th-largest municipali“We’re going to have to dedicate a crew Fuquay-Varina, for example, will have to thing finished for submittal and review not or crews to do this, along with other mainte- ty in the country by population and grew repay their respective $500,000 loans entirelater than the first week in September.” rapidly just after the turn of the 21st centunance,” he said. “I mean, you’re talking at ly.

In Haywood County, the Lake Junaluska ry, so many service lines were installed well least four, maybe even eight people working Others, like tiny Pittsboro, were left Conference and Retreat Center is a small after the lead ban in the late 1980s. Still, on this verification process. There’ll be quite with nothing to repay at all. unincorporated community founded in the Horvath doesn’t know exactly what the a bit [of digging] and one of the issues that I Asheville asked for and received just early 1900s. Today, there are about 3,200 know not only Waynesville but other munic- inventory and verification/replacement under $2 million in loans solely for its residents. process will cost Charlotte Water and its ipalities face is gaining access to private Shiloh find-and-replace project, with nearly “Lake J,” as it’s called, isn’t a municipalicustomers. property.” $1.4 million of that forgiven. Cook said she ty but does operate its own water system “It’s not going to be cheap,” she said.

The EPA requires water systems to docuexpects the town will make several more and is likewise subject to the EPA mandate.

Asheville has roughly 60,000 connecment at least four attempts to contact proploan applications and despite its relatively Executive Director Ken Howle said that tions, which translates to well over 100,000 erty owners about access to their service there are 820 water customers at Lake J, and large staff will have to contract out for some customers, says Asheville Water Resources lines. or all of the remaining work. that his public works people have already Department Compliance Manager Brenna “Locally, we have to look at it two ways,” In December 2023, SWIA made another been working on the inventory. To streamCook, who told The Hites said. “How are round of $13.1 million in awards to 18 line the process somewhat, a customer surSmoky Mountain we going to staff it, “We’d have to buy applicants, 16 of them specifically for News on Jan. 22 that vey like Asheville’s will also be distributed. and how are we inventory-only projects.

“We are almost 50% through the inventhey’re “slowly but going to afford it?” vehicles, have to buy testMore than half of the $9.1 million in tory and are absorbing the cost of the invensurely” making Another kink in ing equipment, hire the principal for inventory-only projects was tory in our operating budget,” Howle said. progress on their the process has to do forgiven, but a small town like Burnsville “We will not know the estimated cost of inventory and with how the town is employees, I mean, you — even smaller than Pittsboro — will still repairs or replacement until after the invenreplacement manallowed to pay for have to repay $234,000 of its $360,000 tory.” date. the inventory. could look at $150 to loan.

Loans from the state are available, but To help cut down In North $200 per household.”

Notably, six of the awards were to DEQthey’re not guaranteed and they’re not free. on the final scope of Carolina, municipal designated “distressed” communities like The DWSRF is a federal-state partnerthe inventory, workenterprise funds, like — Rob Hites, Waynesville.

Those communities on avership.

Congress appropriates money to the ers have been incorwater and sewer Waynesville Town Manager age saw 90% principal forgiveness.

EPA, which awards the money to states as porating the manfunds, must be selfHites said he’s got the town’s new grants grants to capitalize a revolving loan fund, so date into any calls sufficient. Monies administrator looking into the loans, but long as the state agrees to provide a 20% from other funds, like the general fund, can’t for service they receive, classifying service unless and until the loans are awarded, the match. The fiscal year 2023 appropriation lines whenever they encounter them. usually be intermingled with enterprise revtown will have to come out of pocket. After to North Carolina was almost $180 million.

They’re also encouraging customers to enues that rely on fund balance for emergenthe loans are awarded, they still may not States then use the funds to provide complete a survey, self-identifying their cies. cover the full cost of the EPA mandate. zero-interest loans with extended repayservice lines. The completed surveys must Waynesville’s water fund operates on an “If it looks like we have to spend $150 or ment terms to community water systems for include a picture, but the city needs at least annual budget of around $3.9 million. Fund $200 per household to pay for trucks and long-term infrastructure projects, but states one more piece of additional evidence to balance may not be enough to cover the full testing equipment and software and mancan also designate a percentage of the funds verify the pipe’s composition to the EPA’s cost of the inventory. power,” Hites said, “then we may have to for set-asides, which provide flexibility and satisfaction.

Of course, Waynesville isn’t the only look at a [water] rate increase at least to pay the ability to fund technical assistance and Clay Chandler, Asheville’s Water water system affected by the nationwide for this particular program and then we training activities.

Resources Communications Specialist, said mandate. Systems large and small from back it off once the program is over.”

The North Carolina Department of the town has already embarked on a voluncoast to coast all face unique challenges in

7

Smoky Mountain News

January 24-30, 2024

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Public input wanted for Bryson Park upgrades

8

BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER ith Allen Street now operational, the Town of Sylva is set to begin work on renovations to Bryson Park. But before any decisions are made about what that work will entail, the town is soliciting input from members of the public about what they would like to see at the upgraded park.

“Hopefully we can get a lot of responses, that way we can make sure we meet the wants and needs of the people in our community,” said Town Council Member Natalie Newman.

The town is conducting an online survey to garner input from the public. The survey is brief, just five questions, centered on what equipment people would most like to see at the park and can be found on the town’s website.

“Citizens will be able to go to the [town’s] website to find the Bryson Park survey, and this is basically to give the board some ideas of what the community wants to see at Bryson Park,” said Newman.

Back in 2022, the town received $3 million from the State Capital Infrastructure Fund, direct appropriations in the state budget, for “Town of Sylva Playground Equipment.” This

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allowed the town to expand the scope of work for the Allen Street repair project to include improvements to Bryson Park.

“I’m super excited about this because I think when it’s done it’s going to be the nicest park in Sylva,” said Newman.

The survey will be live until Feb. 8, which is also the date that the town will hold a public hearing on the Bryson Park project. Input from both the survey and the public hearing

This mock-up shows possible design features for Bryson Park upgrades.

Town of Sylva photo

will be taken into consideration when the town decides how to move forward with park renovations.

“I would love to see some handicapped accessible equipment as well,” Newman said.

NCDOT Provides Free Bicycle Helmets Applications are open to receive free bicycle helmets from the N.C. Department of Transportation.

The annual giveaway by NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division is meant to encourage more children to wear helmets.

Organizations across the state can participate in the Bicycle Helmet Initiative to distribute to children in need.

Organizations can apply online at NCDOT’s Bicycle Helmet Initiative webpage to receive free helmets. The deadline for applications is Feb. 9. Applicants may request 25, 50, 75 or 100 helmets and are encouraged to partner with a local law enforcement agency, parks and recreation department, school, churche, or other organization to host bike safety events. The helmets will be distributed in the spring in advance of National Bike/Walk to School Day in May. To learn more about IMD, its projects and safety initiatives, visit NCDOT.gov and follow Integrated Mobility on Twitter/X @NCDOT_IMD and LinkedIn at NCDOT Integrated Mobility Division.

By Gene Nichol

HCS principals were recognized for academic success at a recent school board meeting. HCS photo

Haywood County Schools recognizes academic success

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January 24-30, 2024

BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER fter the last school year, Haywood County Schools held onto its seventhplace ranking in the state, out of 115 school districts, in academic performance.

The school system first attained this historic high-water mark during the 2021-22 school year, prior to which it was ranked 10th.

At its Jan. 16 meeting, the Haywood County School Board recognized principals and schools for their academic performance last year, specifically in regard to academic student growth and graduation rates, both of which go into the high state ranking HCS has achieved.

“I think we need to remember we’re still in very difficult times. Public schools in general post-COVID, it’s been really hard on our teachers,” said Assistant Superintendent Jill Barker. “We did our very best in Haywood County; I’m proud of that, but it’s been a journey. And for our principals and our schools and our teachers to hang in there with our kids and have the type of academic success we’ve had in Haywood County that we’re seventh in the state out of 115 districts, I think sometimes we don’t let that soak in — the power of the education we’re giving kids.”

Haywood Early College achieved an “outstanding” graduation rate with 98% of students graduating following the 2022-23 school year. This score is well above the district-wide graduation rate of 90.7% and even higher above the state average of 86.4%.

“To have a graduation rate of 98%, to be recognized by the state of North Carolina is a huge undertaking,” said Barker. “We’re very proud of [Ms. Fox, principal at Haywood Early College].”

Three schools in the district exceeded academic growth. Student growth is classified as the amount of academic progress that students make over the course of a grade or a

class. This will vary widely for students depending on the level at which they enter a grade. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction measures growth based on end-of-grade and end-of-course assessments, career and technical education state assessments, North Carolina final exams and K-3 checkpoints.

“To make growth, you are doing really, really well. You are doing what the state has asked you to do,” Barker said. “When you are exceeding growth, your school is fundamentally doing something very different.”

In order to meet academic growth, schools must attain a score between negative two and positive two on the state scoring system. Meadowbrook Elementary School exceeded growth standards with a score of 3.14, Canton Middle School with 4.48 and Pisgah High School with 7.81.

“Congratulations to them,” said Barker, addressing the school principals. “I just want you guys to know that I know that that is hard work.”

Seven other schools in the district met academic growth standards, meaning they scored within the four-point range — Bethel Elementary, Haywood Early College, Hazelwood Elementary, Jonathan Valley, Riverbend and Tuscola.

“To make growth in challenging times, I’m very, very proud of these schools,” said Barker. “Every school has a story, and every school has different situations and levels of experience. So these schools are to be commended too and I’m very proud of them.”

Among the 14 counties in the western region of North Carolina, Pisgah was the highest-performing high school, Haywood Early College was the highest performing early college, Bethel Middle was the highestperforming middle school and Riverbend Elementary was the highest-performing elementary school. What’s more, the county had no low-performing schools.

“That’s taken a lot of work,” said Barker.

Haywood County Schools also had a composite performance grade that was well above the state average. While 53.6% of students in the state were proficient on state exams, more than 64% of Haywood students were proficient.

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How can two-thirds of N.C. Republicans UWRRQTV C OCP WPƂV HQT QHƂEG!

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BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER iversity within the Western Carolina University workforce has been inching up, with the latest report showing that the last year’s worth of staffing changes held steady the proportion of racial and ethnic minorities on the university’s payroll while strengthening the existing majority of female WCU employees and resulting in a sharp increase in the percentage of employees with a disability.

Between Oct. 1, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023, the university hired 303 new employees, of whom 57.4% were female. Adding in promotions and internal hires, a total of 406 hiring actions took place at WCU within that timeframe, with 53.9% of those positions going to women. These changes drove the university’s total workforce of 1,627 from 50.4% female in October 2022 to 51% female as of the latest data in October 2023.

Cory Causby, WCU’s associate vice chancellor for human resources, pointed to the gender ratios within the University of North Carolina System’s student bodies as a possible explanation for the high share of new female hires. In fall 2023, 59.3% of WCU’s undergraduate students were female, on par with the system-wide level of 59.2%. Female enrollment has outpaced male enrollment at WCU for at least the past two decades.

“Of the positions we filled last year, nearly 70% would be what we would classify as

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didates weren’t there. And that seems to roadblocks that had long faced women who professional-level positions that require at pursued higher education and a convergence have turned around over particularly the last least a bachelor’s degree,” Causby said. of factors that now result in lower education- 12-18 months.”

“Based on those [college enrollment] numThe rate of staff turnover began to come al achievement for boys and men, from bers, it would lead me to believe there are down over the past year, with 2023 also more females coming out with those creden- kindergarten through college. bringing an increase in qualified applicants The past year’s hiring took place amid a tials versus males. And so I think that seeking to fill vacancies. surge in qualified applicants following a reflects what’s happening in the educational “That’s really helped us not only find post-pandemic drought in 2022. WCU’s hirenvironment. Those are the folks that highly qualified candidates but find diverse ing report shows an increase of 38 positions become our workforce.” pools, which have allowed us to further between 2022 and 2023 — not because the The differing gender ratio in faculty and diversify our staff,” Causby said. university created that many more jobs, staff hires strengthens that argument.

Of the 6,687 qualified applicants who WCU’s data shows that 59.2% of recent facul- Causby said, but rather because it was finally ty hires were female, compared to 56.8% of staff hires.

Females form an even larger majority in the Over the past year, roughly one-quarter of Western Carolina University’s workforce is new to the university or serving it in a graduate new role. New recruits are more likely to be female, have a disability or be part of a racial or ethnic minority than the degree prouniversity’s overall workforce. WCU table grams required applied for one of WCU’s 406 positions, 53% able to fill some standing vacancies. for most faculty positions than they do in were female — the first time that number The so-called “Great Resignation” that undergraduate programs. In fall 2023 at has risen above 50%. In 2022, only 44.3% of followed the Coronavirus Pandemic hit WCU, for example, 69.5% of graduate stuqualified applicants were female, and 36.9% WCU hard, with the university seeing 202 dents were female, significantly higher than in 2021. Prior to 2023, the largest share of people voluntarily leave a position between the 57.6% of female undergraduate students. female applicants was in 2019, at 46.6%.

July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022 — more The majority status of females in college The number of qualified applicants is a than double the previous four-year average. and university student bodies is an estabuseful metric to look at when considering “The qualified candidate pools were just lished trend that has been strengthening in diversity in the workplace, but alone it’s not really small,” Causby said. “We struggled local, state and national data over recent enough to tell the story. A person who is and had quite a few instances where certain decades. The causes are complex and multilogged as a “qualified candidate” positions, we would have failed searches faceted, including a concerted effort since meets the minimum qualificathe passage of Title IX in 1972 to remove the after multiple attempts just because the can-

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the rush as you slide down the ice slide and test your skills in ice games like cornhole and ice hockey. ($5 in advance, $8 day of and cash only) • 5-8 p.m., January 26, downtown Waynesville — Stroll through a winter wonderland at Downtown Waynesville’s Ice Stroll.

Waynesville will come alive with enchanting ice sculptures lining the streets. As you wander, you will find local businesses keeping their doors open late, offering cozy treats to keep you fueled as you admire the frozen masterpieces.

• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 26-27, noon-4 p.m.

January 28 — Metzger’s Burl Wood Gallery on Old Balsam Road will host a Winter Arts Show Festival filled with Scandinavian delights.

Indulge in Nordic cookies, traditional dishes like lefse and lutefisk, and sip on some glogg while enjoying live music in the cozy afternoons. Don’t miss out on this celebration of art and culture.

For a full listing of events and participating businesses, visit visitncsmokies.com/things-todo/nc-smokies-ice-fest-weekend/.

Get ready to chill out at the NC Smokies Ice Festival on January 26-28 at locations throughout the county.

Haywood County will be transformed into a winter wanderland as the festival goes countywide. See jaw-dropping ice sculptures, thrilling interactive ice games, and the chance to peruse local artisans’ work. But that’s not all — you can lace up your skates and glide across an ice skating rink, indulge in delicious dining specials, and snag some incredible deals while you shop.

This weekend-long event is guaranteed to make your heart melt – in the best way possible.

Here’s a selection of the some of the events: • 4-9 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds — Marvel at the live ice carving demos as artists transform frozen blocks into jaw-dropping works of art. Feel

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January 24-30, 2024

importance of not only making sure we’re hiring the most qualified candidates but making sure we have the broadest and most diverse applicant pool to choose from as possible as we look to fill positions,” he said.

However, the share of racial and ethnic minorities employed at WCU is still less than half the calculated “expected availability” of such employees. Causby said that’s because federal guidelines calculate “expected availability” based on the pool from which the university recruits a specific job.

Faculty positions, for example, are recruited nationwide, so the expected availability number is based on national census data.

Mirroring that national data at WCU, which sits in a county that as of the most recent census was 85.1% White, will always be a challenge.

“Our goal would be to always continue to move the needle forward,” Causby said.

Another significant shift catalogued in the report is a four-fold increase in the percentage of WCU employees with a disability. The figure shot up from 1.8% in 2022 to 8.1% in 2023, with 15.8% of new hires disclosing a disability. There are some known drivers behind this increase.

“The increase in current and new hires disclosing their disabilities were both due to intentional recruitment to fill new/vacant positions and to potentially new disabilities acquired or previously not disclosed by current employees since their original hire,” Causby said.

WCU surveys its workforce approximately once every five years, with the most recent survey taking place over the past year. This was a “significant” factor in the heightened number of employees with disabilities. Additionally, over the past few years WCU has worked with Vocational Rehabilitation Services and promoted job postings with various disability organizations and resources to increase representation from that population.

“We believe WCU is a great place to work (chosen as one of America’s best midsized employers for 2023 by Forbes),” Causby said, “and are encouraged by the increased representation in this area.”

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tions for the job but may not have all the preferred qualifications that result in further consideration. Though 53% of qualified candidates were female in the 2023 report, females constituted 50.88% of “seriously considered” candidates and 52.75% of those who received an interview.

The gradation among candidates who represented a racial or ethnic minority was even more significant. Of qualified candidates, 26.05% represented a racial or ethnic minority. However, only 13.12% of interviewed candidates and 11.6% of hires belonged to one of those groups. Overall, 10.7% of WCU’s workforce belongs to a racial or ethnic minority, the same as in 2022.

That winnowing effect is not always the result of human resources decisions at WCU, Causby said. For example, those numbers don’t account for the people who have been offered a position or an interview and turned it down. That happens particularly with faculty jobs, which do not post salary ranges on the listing. Often, candidates will self-select out of the pool after learning more about potential compensation.

“We may offer a position, and someone decides the salary is not where they want it, so they turn it down,” Causby said. “Or after visiting, they decide that they’ve lived in Chicago all their life, and the change to Cullowhee is just a little more than their family is ready to make, so they turned us down. All things being equal, you’d think percentages should play out, but there’s a lot of factors that go into that.”

Since 2016, racial and ethnic minorities have grown from 8.3% of WCU’s workforce to 10.7%, an increase of about 50 employees. The 13.8% share of racial and ethnic minorities among faculty leads the 9.1% share among staff.

That’s a vast improvement from the early 2000s, when those numbers sat below 5%, Causby said. Intentional efforts to advertise and recruit in locations more likely to reach diverse applicants have been a big part of the upward shift.

“That starts at the top … from the Board of Trustees on down, just stressing the

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New head coach for Pisgah football

BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER n a rare split vote, the Haywood County School Board approved the hiring of a new head football coach for the Pisgah Bears — Rick Brindley.

“We believe his commitment to excellence will not only elevate our football program, but also contribute to the overall spirit of unity within the Canton community,” said Pisgah High School Principal Clint Conner.

Brindley graduated from Pisgah in 2001 and comes to Pisgah most recently from his position as head football coach for Smoky Mountain High School in Sylva. He has been coaching the Mustangs for six seasons, and just became the school’s athletic director in August.

“I want to thank Mr. Conner and the entire advisory group for selecting me to be the new head football coach at Pisgah High School,” Brindley said in his address to the school board. “It is a humbling honor and one that I do not take lightly.”

Prior to his work at Smoky Mountain, Brindley worked as assistant football coach at Pisgah.

“We will strive for greatness on the field, and off the field we will build relationships that transcend football, that bring these young men into their adult life to face any adversity they may see,” said Brindley. “With great appreciation I thank you and I look forward to doing the absolute best that we can to make our town and our community proud.”

Conner worked together with an advisory committee to find the right person for the job.

“I’d like to give a special thanks, first of all, to my advisory group for their countless

time and dedication throughout this process.

I hope as Pisgah High principal I never have to go through this again,” said Conner. “It’s very interesting to hire a football coach at Pisgah.”

Conner also thanked Pisgah students and the broader Pisgah community for their patience throughout the whole process.

“Get ready for an exciting chapter in Canton football under the guidance of our new coach,” Conner said. “I support you 100%.”

Brindley is replacing Brett Chappell, who resigned from his position as head coach in November after 10 years with the Bears.

At the Jan. 16 school board meeting, Superintendent Trevor Putnam presented his usual personnel report and recommendation to the board. However, at the board’s request, two items were pulled out of the rest of the group to be voted on separately. Generally, the school board votes on the personnel report, which includes several hirings and separations from employment, with one vote for the entire report.

“We pulled as requested employment item number 22 and staff coach item number two,” said Putnam in his report to the board. “So those will be pulled to be voted on separately.”

The board approved the personnel package unanimously. However, when it came time to vote on hiring Pisgah’s new football coach, the vote was five to three with Marla Morris (Crabtree/ Iron Duff ), Stephen Kirkpatrick (Fines Creek) and Logan Nesbitt (Waynesville) voting against. Board members did not discuss their reasoning.

“Congratulations Coach Brindley and go Pisgah nation, though it pains me,” said School Board Chairman Chuck Francis, a Tuscola alum.

Macon firefighters battle multiple blazes in one day

Road at 6:03 p.m. They were assisted by Franklin and Otto Fire and Rescue Departments and Macon County EMS. Two deceased victims were located inside the structure. An investigation is currently underway conducted by the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, N.C. State Bureau of Investigation and the Macon County Fire Marshal’s Office. The names of the deceased have not been released. The structure and two vehicles were completely destroyed.

Crews from Cullasaja Fire and Rescue responded to a reported chimney fire at 147 Dills Knob Road at 4:42 a.m. on Jan. 5. First arriving crews found a fully involved residential structure fire. They were assisted by Franklin and Clarks Chapel Fire and Rescue Departments. The structure was a total loss and there were no injuries.

The Macon County Fire Marshal’s Office is conducting an investigation.

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Fire crews responded to three structure fires in Macon County over a 24-hour period.

On Thursday, Jan. 4, at 1:39 p.m., crews responded to a reported structure fire at 269 Green St. with smoke reported inside the structure. Franklin Fire and Rescue responded and was assisted by Clarks Chapel and West Macon Fire and Rescue departments and Macon County Fire Services. The source of the smoke was quickly located, damage was minimal and there were no injuries.

Clarks Chapel Fire and Rescue responded to a fully involved structure fire on Prentiss Bridge

BY KYLE PERROTTI N EWS E DITOR t a time when emergency services agencies across the country are facing a dire staffing shortage, here in Western North Carolina, Southwestern Community College has revamped an innovative program that can take a bite out of the problem here at home.

That program allows seniors at Franklin High School in Macon County to take classes during their regular high school hours that put them on a path to earn their EMT certification. In a press release sent out by SCC, student Sarah Rondel said she had a close-up view of life as an EMT by watching her father, Paul, who served with the Macon County EMS for more than 20 years before passing away in 2022 after a grueling bout with liver cancer.

“I was around him all the time, and he always came home in that paramedic uniform,” she said. “The family they had at that base as a team of paramedics was always awesome. I always thought that was something special. They treated me like I was one of their own as well. It was always heartfelt for him, saving lives and making a difference. People come up to me all the time and say, ‘Your dad saved my life.’”

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Another student, Lillian Whitesides, said she had long wanted an opportunity to get into the medical field.

“We’ve learned a lot,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed being in clinicals and feeling like I’m making a difference.”

Along with 10 of their schoolmates, Rondel and Whitesides spent third and fourth periods on Mondays through Fridays studying about emergency medicine at Franklin High throughout the fall semester.

To enroll in the EMT program, students need to turn 17 by the last day of class and also possess a reading comprehension score of at least the 11th grade level.

Students receive a minimum of 192 hours of didactic training and 48 hours of clinical training, and they’re eligible to sit for the North Carolina Office of EMS EMT Certification exam.

Cabe. Overseeing and organizing the class has been Eric Hester, Emergency Medical Services Program director at SCC. Hester has been in that role for 23 years and has 36 years of experience in the field. He said there was a similar program about 20 years ago that was successful, and with the lack of new EMTs, they decided to start it back up.

He said the Franklin High students he taught over the last few months have been ready to learn.

“I’ve been extremely pleased with these students’ enthusiasm,” Hester said. “A lot of these young men and women will one day soon be riding in ambulances and saving lives in the communities we serve. I’m very proud of all of them, and I hope we can expand this program into some of the other public schools in Jackson, Macon, Swain counties and the Qualla Boundary.”

news

SCC teams up with Franklin High School to train new EMTs

nity to assess who may be ready to crew up an ambulance upon graduation.

“Several of them are already getting hired with Macon County EMS and are interviewing before they even have their certification,” Hester said.

This is important amid a well-documented nationwide shortage of EMTs. “I don’t know of a service out there that is not begging for emergency services personnel,” Hester said, adding that the EMT program at SCC is also a pipeline for people to pursue their advanced EMT and paramedic certifications.

Chandler Ellenburg with Macon County EMS said in a written statement that EMS has had trouble finding “passionate people who care about serving their community.”

“I strongly believe offering this program in our high schools and letting these kids do field internships at our local EMS agencies and local emergency rooms will be a huge deciding factor for their career path,” he said.

“Throughout the semester, I watched these students find a love and passion for Emergency Medical Services, and that’s what it takes. Several of the students had conversations with me about getting a job working on the ambulance as an EMT to gain field experi-

January 24-30, 2024

“I strongly believe offering this program in our high schools and letting these kids do field internships at our local EMS agencies and local emergency rooms will be a huge deciding factor for their career path.”

— Eric Hester, SCC EMS Program director

Franklin High School students who will soon complete their Emergency Medical Technician classes include, front row (from left): Alyssa Staples, Emma Worley, Hannah Montney, Lillian Whitesides, Britney Cross and Adrian McKinley. Back row: Eric Hester (SCC’s EMS Program Director), Trenton Kirchman, Josh Mason, Chris Tejki, Zach Styles, Maggie Collins and Sarah Rondel. SCC photo “It’s been a pretty cool experience, honestly,” Rondel said. “I love the learning, the teamwork, the efforts we get to put in.

Being able to have this as a senior in high school is awesome because it gives you a step forward in order to come to college and continue your courses. It also gives you a good foundation if you want to be a firefighter or go into a different public safety field.”

The class is primarily taught by Diana

Perhaps the greatest advantage for students is the fact that they are able to pursue their certification at no out-of-pocket expense. For a 17- or 18-year-old to move into a career with no debt is a tremendous opportunity.

“It’s basically free for them since they’re in high school,” Hester said. “The state pays for them to participate.”

Because Macon County EMS was involved in some of the classes, they had the opportu-

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“My mom (Tammy Nichols) is also in the medical field as an RN, so I thought about following in my parents’ footsteps and making a difference in the world if I can somehow,” she added. “Saving lives really gives me that heartfelt fulfillment.”

Rondel talked about how thrilled she was once she learned SCC would offer an EMT pathway right there at her school in Franklin.

“I was like a little kid in a candy store, excited,” she recalled. “It was offered not too long after my father died. I was like, ‘Wow, this is really awesome, an opportunity to follow in his footsteps.’ I was just ready to get started. I was excited for clinicals and what the class had to offer.”

ence, while also going to college to further their education in Emergency Medical Science and obtaining their Paramedic. That’s exactly the mindset and growth we want to see.”

While younger high school students weren’t eligible to participate in the program, Hester said there should be plenty of opportunities in the future for them to land a spot.

“It went so well this time that this is going to be an annual event,” he said.

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

Humans are entirely unworthy of our dogs W

Reflections in an election year To the Editor: Beginning a new year during a cold winter, and an election year, I find myself soulful and introspective.

Thinking about my life I realize how it was defined by war. I was born during the Korean War, where my father spent over a year once again engaged in war, leaving my mother to struggle with three young children, two of whom were babies. Much research, and criticism, has emerged around the negative impact of single parenting without remembering how many of us were so parented during various wars.

Being an Army “brat,” I spent five years of my early school age living first in Paris, France, and then Tokyo, Japan, two cities still recovering from WWII. My family returned to the U.S. during the civil rights struggle, marked by frightening news images, especially for someone who had been living in apolitical, diverse communities for years without the benefit of television news. I came of age in the sixties, the sexual revolution and the Vietnam

In his youth, he would make two quick leaps and stretch out on my shoulders, almost like an airplane pillow with ribs, where he could sleep for hours while I wrote or graded papers. Later on, as he thickened out some, he was more comfortable attached firmly to my side, clicking into place and settling with a heavy contented sigh.

That connection — the specific weight and shape of him, his measured breathing and fluttery heartbeat — was reassuring to me in a way that I cannot quite articulate. Contentment?

Columnist Security? Love?

When I was a kid and my dad came home late at night after a long time on the road driving an eighteen-wheeler, I would be in bed just on the edge of sleep. When I could hear his key slide into the lock to open the door, I could allow myself to fall into the deep sleep that comes when you feel to your core that everything is OK, that everything is just as it should be, when the pieces have all fallen into the right place.

It felt like that, Frody’s body joined to mine. Everything was just as it should be. We could let go of everything else and be this one thing together. We could be safe. We could relax.

The love between a pet and its owner is not like anything else. Human beings are entirely unworthy of dogs, but unfortunately, we’re all they’ve got. When we’re smart enough to let one in, we are confronted with a love that is absolutely pure and uncomplicated.

Human relationships are fraught by comparison. Try as we may and proclaim as we will, our relations with one another are constantly threatened and complicated by all kinds of things. Envy. Jealousy. Irritation. Doubt. Frailty. Weakness.

Too much compromise, or not enough. The feeling of some secret agenda, or some expected transaction.

Chris Cox

e hoped he’d die in his sleep, that we’d find him curled up in the bed in that old, familiar way, having slipped as comfortably and naturally from this dimension to the next as a river flows into the sea.

Then we hoped we’d just know, the way you sometimes do, the way we did with Walter, our beagle, who one day just couldn’t get up anymore, who looked at us with those eyes, telling us it was time.

Fifteen years is a good run for a pet, especially one that’s had cancer for half that time, especially one with footballsized tumors and a lightning-fork of scars from two previous surgeries.

It got bad with Frody. He became incontinent. He became deaf. Even though his body weight doubled with the cancer, he could still walk well enough, could still ascend and descend a ramp. If he was in pain, he never let on.

He played his favorite horn, a fuzzy snake with a squeaker inside. He wagged his tail when we came home. He played with the other dogs, tolerating their smothering love and obsessive licking of his face and eyes with equanimity and grace.

But there was intermittent trembling. More and more often, there was blood in his stool. Finally, we made the call, and five days later, two kind and solemn women appeared at our door with a plastic container carrying syringes for two shots.

How did we bear those hours between the call and their arrival? How could we comprehend his final night in our bed after 15 years of his tunneling into exactly the correct position, deep underneath the covers and into the nooks and crannies of our bodies, like puzzle pieces fitting together of their own accord?

One perfect thing in my life was the feeling of Frody settling in next to my left leg when I was in bed watching television at night, or in the living room listening to music and working away on my laptop in the recliner.

LETTERS War. Amid violent protests, friends talked about the draft and escaping to Canada, and Army brats had divided loyalties. As my father went to war in Vietnam, I struggled to find common ground.

As a young mother, my children grew up during the Iran hostage crisis, the Middle East hot spot that has only grown hotter with time.

We’ve lived through the invasions of Iraq, the 9/11 horror and the Afghanistan War. I prayed my sons would never have to go to war.

I watch the news interrupted by another school shooting, and I am aware of how many stories like this I have watched. Beginning with Columbine over 20 years ago I continually try to make sense of it. Trying to make sense as our country becomes divided over the right to own weapons of war, a woman’s right to own her body, and everyone’s right to marry the one they love. I am aware of how our children, and our grandchildren, are living through the threat of terror attacks in their own schools, once a place of safety.

Last fall a new speaker of the house was elected after much chaos in the Republican Party. Matt Gaetz calls him “MAGA Mike”

Frody gave us everything he had, defying every prognosis and stubbornly clinging not just to life, but to the joy in it. We tried to give everything back, even when it got hard and, yes, expensive.

Tammy became his hospice nurse when the cancer got to a certain point and a lot of care and sacrifice became necessary. It was more intensive and emotionally draining than you can imagine. There were hard discussions, bad days, close calls.

We almost lost him once. He had a seizure, collapsed in the bed, became inert for nearly 15 minutes as we held him on either side, whispering our goodbyes, all of our hands on him. Just as we were letting go and moving toward acceptance, he suddenly bolted upright, eyes wide and alarmed as if he had seen a vision too horrible or wonderful to describe. In a few minutes, he sauntered down the ramp to get some water as we watched in utter disbelief.

Then he lived for 617 more days, which included two “farewell, Frody” beach vacations and two more Christmas celebrations. It included carriage rides and golf cart rides, spontaneous trips to Dairy Queen, gnawing on new bones, playing his horn, playing tug of war with chew toys, jockeying for position with his siblings for cheese slices in the kitchen, and countless more hours glued to our sides in perfect contentment.

Everything is different now. The women came and went.

Then the other dogs came in to join us, as we all tried to comprehend his body and our lives and a future without him in it.

I think the love we have for our pets is about one ounce heavier than the pain of losing them. So we sign up willingly for pain that doubles us over, knowing that every love story ends in heartbreak.

That alone makes us barely worthy of our dogs.

(Chris Cox is a writer and teacher who lives in Haywood County. jchriscox@live.com.)

and while Mr. Johnson’s demeanor is pleasant, his loyalty to Donald Trump is without question. Meanwhile Ukraine continues

defending itself in a war perpetrated by Russia and once again terror emerges in Israel.

Terror and fear surround us and the Republican Party turns a blind eye, using it for leverage.

Almost 20 years ago Donald Trump emerged and began using the country’s divide

to amass control. His power continues to grow even as we have become aware of his desire to overthrow the Constitution and lead the country out of a personal need for loyalty. For those who can’t, or won’t, pledge their loyalty he vows revenge. Trump’s words are beyond disturbing.

So, another year, and I continue trying to make sense of it all. Wondering how we will come together as a country before we all become numb to, and worse uncaring of, the terror in our own United States.

War has defined much of human history. It has defined much of my history. I don’t wish this for my grandchildren, and I especially don’t wish this for my country. Praying for peace in 2024. Peaceful candidates, peaceful elections, peaceful outcomes.

Margaret Pickett Highlands

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Tyler Ramsey to play Highlander Mountain House

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD ARTS & E NTERTAINMENT E DITOR t the core of any great singer-songwriter lies this inherent trait of stage presence, one where an entire room, no matter the size, is pulled in by this lyrical tractor beam — all eyes, emotions and energies aimed in one direction at a single voice.

For Tyler Ramsey, it’s being able to honestly connect with the listener, whether it be a packed room amid a live show or just someone throwing on his melodies in their own time and space.

“Writing is simply a release for me,” Ramsey said. “It’s a way for me to process my own path through this life. Some of the time I get it right — my aim is always honesty in writing.”

Albeit a genuinely humble soul, don’t let Ramsey’s words fool you. When it comes to the modern-day singer-songwriter, Ramsey remains a bastion of musical talent and lyrical aptitude — a melodic voice of reason and safe haven amid a 21st-century world seemingly gone mad.

The former lead guitarist of Band of Horses, Ramsey has also released four acclaimed solo albums, including “For the Morning” in 2019.

“What I’m after is still trying to make myself a better guitarist, a better writer, and a better human,” Ramsey noted.

Ramsey’s latest album “New Lost Ages” (out Feb. 9) was captured at the legendary Avast! Recording Co. in Seattle, Washington,

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A&E

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by storied producer Phil Ek (Fleet Foxes, Father John Misty, The Shins, Built to Spill). The 10-song LP is an ongoing sonic quest — meticulously wandering across the musical landscape, this undulating tone of indie, rock, and folk stylings.

The new album is about peeling back the layers of oneself, to locate and open up the dusty boxes of your past from the back of the closet of your mind. It’s memories and mistakes, lessons and lifelines bringing the present moment into focus — the future bright with possibility and purpose, so long as you never forget the road to the here and now.

Alongside bassist Morgan Henderson (Fleet Foxes) and drummer Sean Lane (Ann Wilson), Ramsey found himself fronting a full-on rock outfit in the studio, a scenario that conjured fresh inspiration and straightforward determination within the recording process — something genuinely heard and felt in the hauntingly poignant number “These Ghosts.”

“This song is for anyone who has left a bad situation behind them only to look down and realize they are still carrying it with them somehow,” Ramsey reflected. “Letting go — even letting go of something that’s no good — can take time. The pain in your head is just the smoke from a fire that burned out a long time ago.”

In 2017, Ramsey left the mainstage and the bright spotlight of Band of Horses after a decade tenure in the group, all in an effort to, perhaps, find solid footing in his own person-

Tyler Ramsey will perform in Highlands Jan. 25. Parker J. Pfister photo

“I feel secure in what I do musically and I believe in what I’m writing.”

— Tyler Ramsey

al life and musical endeavors — creatively and spiritually.

“Every day, I’m trying to slow down the wheels, so I can just watch and be with my family and absorb all the moments I get with them,” Ramsey said.

Based in Western North Carolina, it’s been that continued trek for Ramsey that’s brought about a renewed intent in what it is he ultimately wants to create, onstage and in the studio.

Pushing further and farther down the rabbit hole of “New Lost Ages,” the melodies are aimed at sincere connectivity through honesty and vulnerability — symbiotic realms that nurture the genuine splendor and lore of Ramsey’s recordings and stoic stage presence in a live setting. “[The album title track] is about letting go of innocence and facing the reality of a society that is in decline — one that is refusing to change course or even pause itself,” Ramsey said. “It’s searching for hope in all of this. It’s wanting my children to be able to experience this world with wonder and joy and not have to carry the weight of our mistakes.”

“I feel secure in what I do musically and I

believe in what I’m writing,” Ramsey said. “I try to write songs that I believe every word of.

I don’t want to ever dance around something or have to sing lyrics that don’t feel like truth to me.”

If anything, everything Ramsey has absorbed in his travels — onstage and on the road — is continually channeled through the unique lens of his words, unique tunings and guitar chords. It’s a whirlwind of sound and scope, all radiating from one human being with guitar in-hand, a silent room of curious souls awaiting the next number of beauty and grace conjured

by Ramsey with such ease.

“I’m more and more drawn to playing intimate shows for people,” Ramsey said.

“Stripping away smoke and mirrors, being in a room with people and trying to create a moment — one person with a guitar and a room full of people that want to listen.”

Want to go?

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Tyler Ramsey will hit the stage at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, at the Highlander Mountain House in Highlands.

Tickets are $25 per person. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to highlandermountainhouse.com and click on the “Offers & Events” tab.

HOT PICKS

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

Ode to Wild Kathy, ode to never slowing down, never growing old

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Kathy Woodward had a special birthday this week. Garret K. Woodward photo

Unplugged Pub (Bryson City) will host Outlaw Whiskey (rock/country) at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27.

The Scotsman (Waynesville) will host Nick Mac Duo at 8 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 26.

Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host an Mountain Gypsy (Americana) at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26.

A special stage production of “Fantasia on Mysterium: The Epic Immersive Theatrical Recital” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25-27 at the Bardo Arts Center on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.

But, when all is said and done, our excursion to New Orleans, Louisiana, will be held closest to my heart of hearts. Back then, I was in college in Connecticut and rarely, if ever, home. My mom suggested we take a trip together to catchup and rekindle our friendship. I asked what place she wanted to visit the most. She said NOLA. Next thing you know, we’re on a plane to The Big Easy.

Anyhow, one afternoon, several drinks in, her and I roll into the now-defunct Old Opera House on Bourbon Street. Beverages inhand as renowned NOLA accordion player/singer Dwayne Dopsie poured through a sweat-filled set. Kathy dancing away any care in the world in front of the stage, all while encouraging others to get up and follow suit, to live their best lives in real time.

When his set ended, Dwayne came over to our table. This NOLA musical legend wanted to thank my mom for setting the tone of fun during his set. “What’s your name?” he asked her. “Kathy,” she said.

“Nah, you ‘Wild Kathy,’” he shot back. He then signed a promotional photo of himself for her with “To Wild Kathy ….” on it. It hung on my parents’ fridge for years. The name stuck, too.

Wild Kathy. A beacon of light and love in this universe. She’s never turned down an opportunity to dance, to listen to music and enjoy a margarita while doing so. A beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother. She’s the bee’s knees. She remains one of my biggest inspirations for pursuing a life well-lived. Happy birthday.

Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.

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And all the while, she’s been a wife of almost 52 years to my father, Frank Woodward, a mother to my little sister, Kate, and myself and a grandmother to three (two nieces and a nephew). A loyal friend and a person you could call in your time of need morning, noon or night. She’s always answered the call, whether literally or figuratively, especially for her haphazard son and his ramblings amid the realm of the written word, in pursuit of dreams held high.

Why the name “Wild Kathy”? To preface, there are innumerable stories my mom and I will cherish and rehash over a glass of wine at Bosu’s or The Classic Wineseller. I think of our trips together. The Pacific Northwest (as I scouted out a place to possibly live after college). Hawaii (to visit my sister). Grand Teton Mountains (when I was a rookie reporter for the Teton Valley News). Ireland (while I was on semester abroad).

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January 24-30, 2024

y best girl (aka: my mother Kathy) turns 75 years young today (Jan. 21).

Currently, it’s a cold, frigid Sunday here in the mountains of Western North Carolina, same goes for my hometown of Plattsburgh, New York. Way up in the wintry depths of the North Country, right where my parents have resided most of their lives.

It was mid-morning Sunday when my mom called, wondering, as per usual, what I was up to and where I had hung my hat on Saturday night. My girlfriend, Sarah, and I were in Greensboro Friday evening for some shenanigans, onward to Asheville the next night to catch dinner and a concert for Sarah’s early birthday celebration, seeing as her special day (Jan. 22) falls on a Monday.

Beyond the basic nature of catching up, the “this, that and the other” of the past week or so, I told my mom how bummed we were not being able to head to the North Country for her birthday. But, we were looking forward to seeing her and my father when they roll on down below the MasonDixon Line to Saint Augustine, Florida, in March for their yearly spring jaunt to thaw out after another frozen winter.

And that’s been kind of the routine since I left the north for Western North Carolina to start work at this publication in August 2012. I see my folks a few times a year, whether it be down in Florida in the spring, when they pass through Waynesville either en route to Florida or during the fall foliage in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

I don’t get up to the North Country as much as I’d like, either. I try to make it up for either Thanksgiving or Christmas, but it’s hit or miss on that front. Normally, or at least the last few years since the 2020 shutdown, I’ve found myself jumping in the pickup truck and chipping away at the 16- to 18hour trek along I-40/26/81/88/87 for my niece’s birthday in June.

No matter, for I aim my best to keep an open channel of communication with my parents, especially my mom. We talk on the phone most days, even if I’m bouncing from coast-to-coast on assignments. Mostly because she harbors the same zest and urge for unknown adventure and happenstance interaction as I do and wants to hear all about it.

Truth be told, I get that restless sense of freedom of the open road from her. And neither one of us has ever met a stranger. I can’t tell you how many times my mom will simply just start talking to someone out of nowhere — in line at the grocery store or waiting at the DMV — just to make a connection with another human being for the

mere joy of, perhaps, making a friend (which will inevitably happen).

My mother and I are “cut from the same cloth” as she’s stated to me countless times over the decades. And I count myself among the truly lucky ones to call their mother one of their best friends, beyond all the undying love and support she’s shown me since the first moment I emerged into this whirlwind called life.

To those who’ve yet to meet and befriend my mom, here’s the lowdown on her life (thus far). Born and raised in Rouses Point, New York, Kathy Kavanaugh grew up in a “Leave It To Beaver” household (as she puts it), worked hard at school and was obsessed with music, with whatever hit was echoing from the radio at any given time (she’s eternally a rock-n-soul freak, cue the likes of Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears and Sly & The Family Stone).

She went to school at Adirondack Community College, then got her teaching degrees at SUNY Plattsburgh. This all parlayed into a 34-year career as a special education teacher at Northeastern Clinton Central School. Upon retirement, she spent another decade as a social worker in the Clinton County, New York, system, aiding families in need through a bevy of trials and tribulations.

Highlander Mountain House (Highlands) will host Tyler Ramsey (singer-songwriter) at 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 25.

arts & entertainment

This must be the place

Jessey Adams 8pm to 10pm

ScotsmanPublic.ccom • 37 CHURCH STREET • DOWNTOWN WAYNESVILLEE @thescotsmanwaynesville h lle

M-Th:4PM-12AM Fri-Sat:12PM-12AM Sun:11 1 AM-12AM

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arts & entertainment

On the beat • Angry Elk Brewing (Whittier) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends.

All shows are free and open to the public.

828.497.1015 or facebook.com/angryelkbrewingco.

• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host an open mic from 8-10 p.m. every Thursday.

Free and open to the public. 828.631.1987 or balsamfallsbrewing.com.

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host a semi-regular acoustic jam with the Main Street NoTones from 7-9 p.m. every first and third Thursday of the month. Free and open to the public. For more information, go to blueridgebeerhub.com.

ALSO:

• Blue Stage (Andrews) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends.

828.361.2534 or gm@thebluestage.com.

Smoky Mountain News

January 24-30, 2024

• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host music bingo 7 p.m. Mondays, karaoke 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, trivia 7 p.m. Thursdays, open mic night 10 p.m. Thursdays and Rossdafareye (rock/soul) Jan. 27. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

828.246.0350 or boojumbrewing.com.

Outlaw Whiskey will play Bryson City Jan. 27.

Garret K. Woodward photo

• Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to coweeschool.org/music.

Rock rolls into Unplugged Pub

• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host “Music Bingo” 7 p.m. Thursdays and Rachel Belevance (singer-songwriter) Jan. 27. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.634.0078 or curraheebrew.com.

Haywood County rock/country act Outlaw Whiskey will hit the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Unplugged Pub in Bryson City.

Formed in Haywood County seven years ago, Outlaw Whiskey has emerged as a popular band in Western North Carolina and greater Southern Appalachia. A blend of original country and rock songwriting amid a bevy of cover tunes from the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and other marquee acts,

the essence of the group is musicianship and fellowship.

In March, Outlaw Whiskey was recognized as “Band of the Year” (New Country: 50 & Over Category) by the North America Country Music Association, Int’l (NACMAI). The ensemble accepted its honor at the NACMAI award show at the Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Last year, Scott took home the NACMAI award for “Songwriter of the Year.”

Admission is $5 at the door. 828.538.2488.

• Farm At Old Edwards (Highlands) will host the “Fireside at the Farm” sessions on select weekends. For more information, go to oldedwardshospitality.com.

• Folkmoot Friendship Center (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. For a full schedule of events and/or to purchase tickets, go to folkmoot.org.

• Fontana Village Resort Wildwood Grill will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public.

800.849.2258 or fontanavillage.com.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host its weekly “Tuesday Jazz Series” at 5:30 p.m., Keven Dolan & Paul Koptak Jan. 26 and Ben & The Borrowed Band Jan. 27. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public.

828.454.5664 or froglevelbrewing.com.

• Frog Quarters (Franklin) will host live music from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

Free and open to the public. Located at 573 18

East Main Street. littletennessee.org or 828.369.8488.

and/or to purchase tickets, go to highlandermountainhouse.com.

• Happ’s Place (Glenville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. happsplace.com or 828.742.5700.

• Highlands Performing Arts Center will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. For tickets, go to highlandsperformingarts.com.

• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. For a full schedule of events and/or to buy tickets, caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee.

• High Dive (Highlands) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. highlandsdive.com or 828.526.2200.

• Highlander Mountain House (Highlands) will host a Sunday Bluegrass Residency noon to 2:30 p.m. and Tyler Ramsey (singersongwriter) 8:30 p.m. Jan. 25 (admission is $25 per person). For more information

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host “Trivia Night w/Kirk” from 7-9 p.m. every Monday and Sam Underwood (singer-songwriter) Jan. 27. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com.

• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host “Music Bingo” on Wednesdays and semiregular live music on the weekends. All events begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host Karaoke on the second/fourth Friday of the

month and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host “Music Bingo” 6:30 p.m. Mondays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Meadowlark Motel (Maggie Valley) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends.

All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to meadowlarkmotel.com or call 828.926.1717.

• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host an “Open Mic w/Frank Lee” Wednesdays, Mountain Gypsy (Americana) Jan. 26 and Frank Lee (Americana/old-time)

On the beat

• Orchard Coffee (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends.

828.246.9264 or orchardcoffeeroasters.com.

• Quirky Birds Treehouse & Bistro (Dillsboro) will host Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public.

828.586.1717 or facebook.com/quirkybirdstreehouse.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.369.6796.

• Salty Dog’s Seafood & Grill (Maggie Valley) will host “Karaoke w/Russell” every Monday and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public.

828.926.9105.

• Santé Wine Bar (Sylva) will host semi-regular live music on Sundays. Free and open to the public. 828.631.3075 or

facebook.com/thewinebarandcellar.

• Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.482.9794 or satulahmountainbrewing.com.

• Sauced (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.246.9585 or saucedwnc.com.

• The Scotsman (Waynesville) will host a “Celtic Jam” 2-5 p.m., Sylva Soul Jan. 25, Nick Mac Duo Jan. 26, Celtic Road Jam 4 p.m. Jan. 27 and Jessey Adams Feb. 1. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Free and open to the public. 828.246.6292 or scotsmanpublic.com.

ALSO:

• SlopeSide Tavern (Sapphire) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends.

All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public.

828.743.8655 or slopesidetavern.com.

• Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will semi-regular live music

on the weekends. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to smokymountainarts.com or 866.273.4615.

• Stecoah Valley Center (Robbinsville) will host a Community Jam 5:30-7:30 p.m. every third Thursday of the month and semi-regular live music on the weekends.

All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, call 828.479.3364 or go to stecoahvalleycenter.com.

828.538.2488.

• Valley Cigar & Wine Co. (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public.

828.944.0686 or valleycigarandwineco.com.

• Valley Tavern (Maggie Valley) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends.

All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public.

828.926.7440 or valley-tavern.com.

arts & entertainment

Jan. 27. All shows begin at 6 p.m unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 or mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 9:30 p.m.

828.456.4750 or facebook.com/waternhole.bar.

• The Ugly Dog Pub (Cashiers) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends.

828.743.3000 or theuglydogpub.com.

• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host “Bluegrass Wednesday” at 6:30 p.m. each week. 828.526.8364 or theuglydogpub.com.

• Unplugged Pub (Bryson City) will host Mountain Gypsy (Americana) Jan. 25, Blackwater Station Jan. 26, Outlaw Whiskey (rock/country) Jan. 27, Caribbean Cowboys (free) Feb. 1, Ricky Gunter Feb. 2 and Carolina Freighshakers (rock/country) Feb. 3. All shows are $5 at the door and begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

• Whiteside Brewing (Cashiers) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends.

All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.743.6000 or whitesidebrewing.com.

• Yonder Community Market (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to eatrealfoodinc.com.

On the table

• “Burns Night Supper” will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, at The Scotsman in Waynesville. A private, fourcourse Scottish meal alongside Scotch, ale, wine, pipe tunes, poetry recital and more. Tickets are $69 per person and available for purchase at the pub. scotsmanpublic.com.

• “Flights & Bites” will be held starting at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in downtown Waynesville. For

Smoky Mountain News

The Taste of Scotland Society will host its annual celebration of Robert Burns on Saturday, Jan. 27, at the First Presbyterian Church in Franklin.

The event will be part of a worldwide celebration of the 265th birthday of Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland.

The evening will consist of a Scottish meal, live music, poetry readings and traditional parts of any tribute to Burns. The gathering will start at 5 p.m. and run until 8 p.m.

Although Scottish attire is welcome, it is not required. This is just an opportunity to have fun, good food, entertaining music and fellowship.

The cost of the dinner will be $30 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Cash and checks accepted.

Tickets can be obtained from any TOSS member, the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce or at the church.

January 24-30, 2024

Celebrate Robert Burns

Robert Burns was a beloved Scottish poet. File photo

ALSO:

more information on upcoming events, wine tastings and special dinners, go to waynesvillewine.com.

• “Take A Flight” with four new wines every Friday and Saturdays at the Bryson City Wine Market. Select from a gourmet selection of charcuterie to enjoy with your wines.

Educational classes and other events are also available. For

more information, call 828.538.0420.

• “Uncorked: Wine & Rail Pairing Experience” will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on select dates at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. Full service all-adult first class car. Wine pairings with a meal, and more. There will also be a special “Beer Train” on select dates. For more information and/or to register, call 800.872.4681 or go to gsmr.com.

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Smoky Mountain News January 24-30, 2024

arts & entertainment

On the stage File photo

Ready to try theater?

The Haywood Arts Regional Theater in Waynesville is currently offering a wide variety of classes in the theater arts for all ages, young and old. Whether you are just starting out or want to hone your skills, HART has opportunities for you.

Sign up your youngest one or grandkid who has a ton of creative energy but doesn’t know how to focus it yet. Or sign up that young theatre enthusiast who is looking to learn more and find a group of like-minded friends that will last a lifetime. Or maybe this is the sign you have been waiting for to finally gain the courage to step onstage. Whatever the desire, HART has a class that is waiting for you.

Classes run through March 25. HART prides itself on offering reasonably priced classes so that they can keep the arts alive in Haywood County. Browse the selection of spring classes at harttheatre.org and sign up today for a chance to change your life and discover your hidden talents and passions.

For more information and a full schedule of classes offered, go to harttheatre.org/kidsat-hart-classes-and-camps.

January 24-30, 2024

• Overlook Theatre Company will present “Fifteen Years of Favorites: A Dessert Cabaret” at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 1-2 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. The OTC invites friends, family and patrons to join them in a wonderful retrospect evening of songs, stories and fun from the last 15 years of musicals and memories, all served on stage with a decadent dessert. Tables seat six people and are open by general admission the evening of the show. Reserved seating is not available. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to smokymountainarts.com or 866.273.4615.

arts & entertainment

HART is a premier theatre company in the Southeast.

ALSO:

• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee) will host comedian Mike Epps 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27. For a full schedule of events and/or to buy tickets, caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee.

WCU presents ‘Fantasia on Mysterium’ weaves into an “epic” play that is, at varying times, hilarious, deeply moving, hair-raising, but, ultimately, fully life-changing and life-affirming.

Seating will be on the Bardo Arts Center stage. Capacity is limited for each performance. Box Office is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To learn more Michael Yannette. about the event Joshua Norman photo and/or to purchase tickets, go to arts.wcu.edu/fantasia. All of Bardo Arts Center’s 2023-2024 Performance Hall tickets are available at arts.wcu.edu/tickets.

Join us as we write the next chapter.

The Cataloochee Ranch is set to open for it’s 90th year on March 14, 2024. If you are looking for a career in hospitality, please join us at one of our Career Fair events.

January 31, 2024 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

February 3, 2024 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Smoky Mountain News

A special stage production of “Fantasia on Mysterium: The Epic Immersive Theatrical Recital” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25-27 at the Bardo Arts Center on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.

The show is a genre-busting reimagining of a traditional piano recital and theatrical play, blended with artistically created mindblowing immersive visuals that accompany both the storytelling and the live performances of Russian composer Alexander Scriabin’s piano works.

The audience joins the pianist/actor/playwright Michael Yannette onstage as he weaves the highly synchronistic real-life stories of both he and the composer, which, as it furthers down the rabbit hole, exposes itself to be highly revelatory to both.

The adventure that Yannette began years ago as research into his favorite composer

THERE WILL BE: O N T H E S P OT I N T E RV I EWS

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arts & entertainment

On the wall

‘Spark of the Eagle Dancer’ at WCU The exhibit “Spark of the Eagle Dancer: The Collecting Legacy of Lambert Wilson” will run through June 28 in the Fine Art Museum at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.

The showcase features work of contemporary Native American art from the collection of one of Western North Carolina’s most notable art enthusiasts, the late Lambert Wilson. This exhibition brings together a selection of baskets, pottery, carving, painting, photography and more.

To learn more about the exhibition and reception, please go to arts.wcu.edu/spark. The Fine Art Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Thursday.

• Gallery Zella (Bryson City) will be hosting an array of artist receptions, exhibits and showcases. The gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m.

Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, go to galleryzella.com or call 517.881.0959.

• Waynesville Photography Club meets at 7 p.m. every third Monday each month on the second floor of the Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center in Clyde. The club is a nonprofit organization that exists for the enjoyment of photography and the improvement of one’s skills.

They welcome photographers of all skill levels to share ideas and images at the monthly meetings. For more information, email waynesvillephotoclub@charter.net or follow them on Facebook: Waynesville Photography Club.

ALSO:

• Haywood County Arts Council (Waynesville) will offer a wide-range of classes, events and activities for artisans, locals and visitors. The HCAC gallery is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. For more information and a full schedule, go to haywoodarts.org.

• Jackson County Green Energy Park (Dillsboro) will be offering a slew of classes, events and activities for artisans, locals and visitors. For more information and a full schedule, go to jcgep.org.

‘Pueblo Houses and Deer Dancers’ by Jody Naranjo.

• Southwestern Community College Swain Arts Center (Bryson City) will host an array of workshops for adults and kids. For more information on the upcoming classes and/or to sign-up, go to southwesterncc.edu/scc-locations/swain-center.

Tim Burleson, Frontier Photography

January 24-30, 2024

• Dogwood Crafters in Dillsboro will offer a selection of upcoming art classes and workshops. For more information and a full schedule of activities, go to dogwoodcrafters.com/classes or call 828.586.2248.

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On the shelf

Anna Barren

W

in traveling through a medieval era so strange to our own; but, despite the contrast, Kristin is one of the most relatable female characters I have ever read.

Kristin is a young and passionate girl, growing up in the beautiful Gudbrandal Valley. Nearing the age of marriage, she is betrothed to a neighboring landowner’s son, Simon. While it is not an affair initiated by either Simon or Kristin, neither is it arranged entirely against their wills.

Various tragedies and deaths ensue and Kristin, unsure if she is ready and willing to marry Simon, is sent to a nunnery called Nonneseter Abbey as a sort of retreat. There she can clear her head and also confirm whether she wants the married life or the religious life.

Instead of discerning a vow of celibacy, Kristin falls in love with Erlend: a dark,

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handsome nobleman with a rocky past. He has been excommunicated by the Catholic Church for committing adultery and living

with his mistress, Eline, along with the two illegitimate children he had with her.

In Catholic Norway, excommunication was a serious matter. One couldn’t participate in the Church until absolution and forgiveness was given by a bishop. It was a very black mark on his reputation. Nevertheless, he expresses his desire to turn a new leaf so as to win Kristin. While Kristin returns the sentiment, her father, Lavrans, is naturally very opposed to the marriage.

The tension grows for years as she is pulled between her father and her lover, her faith and her desires. Kristin is just as determined to marry Erlend as Lavrans is to refuse his blessing.

Falling for the bad boy is a common theme in the romance genre. But what is less common is a raw, realistic depiction of such a relationship. This book is one of the first I have read where it does justice to the strength of such an attraction as well as the resounding repercussions on yourself and the people around you.

“The Wreath” is a romance through and through. But unlike many romance novels (which I’m not always the biggest fan of ), the obstacles the protagonist faces are not trivial. Undset doesn’t just throw hurdles in for the sake of getting to the “happily ever after.” She weaves a story where the reader is equally conflicted with what to do next. Kristin’s dilemmas are intense and hearken to a stage every person passes through in growing up.

Kristin is not your run-ofthe-mill female protagonist. She is willful, determined and stubborn but still sensitive and emotional. She is not simply blazing a new trail without looking back, nor is she entirely self-sufficient in her independence. Her individual, strong desires coexist with a deep connection and loyalty to her upbringing. Like many young women, she is embedded in a loving family and grapples with a newfound boldness. Because of the complexity of her character, when Kristin makes mistakes or rash decisions, I don’t roll my eyes at the stupidity of it. I understand her, even if I disagree.

So if you’re snowed in, or hoping to be snowed in, curl up with “Kristin Lavransdatter” and I bet after the first book, you won’t resist the rest of the trilogy.

(Anna Barren teaches fifth grade and is a lifelong lover of books. annab4376@gmail.com.)

January 24-30, 2024

ith the winter season upon me, I couldn’t help but seek out a book to fit my longing for cold snow. I settled on a reread: “Kristin Lavransdatter” (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition, 2005, 1,168 pages). The first time I read it, I loved it and the second time, my love has grown all the more.

Now this is a trilogy, but I’ll only be reviewing the first book, “The Wreath” (Penguin Classics, 1997, 336 pages). My copy includes the entire trilogy for those of you who are like me and don’t like to leave stories unfinished.

Writer Set in medieval Norway, “Kristin Lavransdatter” is the story of a young girl growing from maidenhood to motherhood. “The Wreath” covers the beginning of Kristin’s journey: her time at home as the daughter of a well-respected farmer. I guess you could say it’s a coming-of-age story, but I hesitate to call it that because it by no means is restricted to a teenage audience.

Its conflict is deep and beautiful: the interior struggle of a young girl who loves her family and who wants to follow her own path.

The next two books, “The Wife” and “The Cross,” continue following Kristin as a spouse and mother.

This story skates on the brink of magic and religion, superstition and sanctity, lust and love, in such a skillful way that I have yet to read something else like it. Sigrid Undset so beautifully throws you into the cold, Nordic landscape that I genuinely find it hard to believe this book could ever be read in the summer. But more than that, she casts you into a very different time. Her footnotes are helpful guides

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Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

Off course

Normally found only in the western U.S., an accidental rufous hummingbird was seen at Clingmans Dome and added to the park list in 2020. Jeff Bartlett photo

Strange species make ‘accidental’ appearances in the Smokies

BY FRANCES FIGART SMN CONTRIBUTOR ed-necked phalarope, Bonaparte’s gull, band-rumped storm-petrel and harlequin duck.

If you are thinking these don’t sound like names that should be included in a story about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’re right. These birds aren’t usually in the park. But they have been documented as “accidentals” — species that show up outside their normal range, often making a one-time-only appearance.

“In published bird lists generally, species which have been entered upon the basis of one occurrence only, are called ‘accidentals,’” wrote the field biologist and zoologist Joseph Grinnell in his 1922 paper “The Role of the Accidental.”

The most recent example in the Smokies is a limpkin that hung around Cades Cove much of this past fall. Florida is typically the northern edge of this tropical wetland bird’s range.

There are two conflicting theories that possibly explain its presence in the open fields, grasses and water bodies of the cove.

“Either the limpkins blew in on the coattails of a hurricane — like the flamingo sightings last fall from Alabama, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and other states,” said Smokies Science Coordinator Paul E. Super, “or this is part of a larger expansion of their range, as individuals have been seen outside of their usual U.S. range (Florida and southern Georgia) more frequently in recent years, possibly linked to expansion of invasive apple snails, a food item of choice.”

The apple snail was found in North Carolina for the first time in October, when the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission confirmed its presence along the Lumber River in Lumberton. It has not yet been found in Tennessee.

R

While ornithologists puzzle over which theory to credit, in addition to the Cades Cove bird, there were at least two limpkins documented in Western North Carolina last fall, several in the Maryville, Tennessee, area, and probably another in Knoxville.

Such accidental sightings are not limited to limpkins. Back in May 2001, Keith Watson of the Southern Appalachian Bird Conservancy remembers walking up to Purchase Knob from the entrance road with his wife, Ruth, and one of his then U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service colleagues, Chuck Hunter.

“When we exited the forest and entered into the grassy section of the Knob, Chuck exclaimed, ‘Chestnut-collared longspur!’ Not having seen one or heard one before, the chase was on,” Keith recalled. “We both ran up the hill, found the bird, confirmed the identification and made some notes on field marks so we could adequately document the observation and record.”

Fred Alsop, author of ‘Birds of the Smokies,’ found scissor-tailed flycatcher, normally a more southerly species, in Cades Cove while leading a birding tour.

Nathan Vaughn photo

A few of the other vagrant birds (some also use the term “vagrant” to describe these species) that have been added to the park list over the years include a sooty tern in 1926, whitewinged crossbills in both 1963 and 1981, a swallow-tailed kite in 2010, a rufous hummingbird in 2020 and a Townsend’s solitaire in 2021.

How do accidentals happen? Storms can blow individuals in from the coast, or low, icy clouds force traveling shorebirds down onto the park during migration. It’s also possible for individual birds of western species to make a 90 (or 270) degree shift in their migratory orientation and begin traveling east rather than south.

Fred Alsop, author of “Birds of the Smokies,” (rereleased in a new edition by Great Smoky Mountains Association in 2023), was guiding a birding tour in Cades Cove on a spring morning in 1989. He led the birders onto Sparks Lane to check the open fields.

“Just after fording Abrams Creek,” Alsop said, “we were walking south along the gravel roadway when I spotted a gray bird with a long tail perched on one of the barbed-wire fences across the field towards the wastewater settling ponds. I quicky identified it as a scissor-tailed flycatcher, much to my delight and the excitement of the group.”

These wastewater settling ponds constitute the only big bodies of still water in Cades Cove, and as such can attract bird species not commonly found in other parts of the park. On a late fall day not long after the flycatcher sighting, Alsop glimpsed a small grayish shorebird swimming on the surface of the nearest pond.

“As I watched, it would often spin slowly like at top in tight circles and pick at the materials brought to the surface in this bird-created whirlpool,” he said. “I identified it as a red phalarope, an Arctic Circle-nesting species that generally spends the winter at sea.”

“Birds tend to be the main species for accidental status, partly because they fly and partly because we know enough about their distribution that we can recognize when something is outside its expected range.”

— Paul E. Super

Another cause for accidentals is that, during the normal post-breeding dispersal, young, inexperienced birds may follow a food source or a change in climate to get away from the crowd and explore new territory — and find themselves in an unfamiliar place.

“Birds tend to be the main species for accidental status,” says Super, “partly because they fly and partly because we know enough about their distribution that we can recognize when something is outside its expected range.”

On Sept. 22, 2018, retired park ranger and volunteer Warren Bielenberg was performing a routine butterfly survey in Cades Cove when he noticed something unusual.

“I saw a very large skipper and managed to get identifiable photos of the first park record of a Brazilian skipper,” Bielenberg said. “These are usually found in southern Texas and along the Gulf Coast. The host plants are canna lilies, and I don’t know of any in Cades Cove.”

Even back in 1922, Grinnell could also “conceive of a snail in the role of an ‘accidental,’ an individual which has wandered a few feet or a few

F

outdoors Tater (left) and Yammy will share the spotlight this year during Groundhog Day at Chimney Rock State Park. Chimney Rock State Park photo

Celebrate Groundhog Day with Tater and Yammy The nine-banded armadillo has begun showing up in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in recent years, possibly after hitching a ride with humans in vehicles. Leo Lagos photo thing, to be expected. There is nothing really ‘accidental’ about it; the process is part of the ordinary evolutionary program.”

New technologies like the apps eBird and iNaturalist have helped increase our awareness of unusual sightings. Anyone can contribute to documenting accidental sightings in the Smokies by capturing images or sound recordings and uploading them via the iNaturalist app. These submissions provide valuable data for biologists and may include species never before documented in the national park.

As Bielenberg said, “the lesson is that birds and butterflies don’t read or follow field guides, so keep your eyes open, and you may find an unusual critter in the park.”

(Frances Figart (rhymes with “tiger”) is the editor of “Smokies Life Journal” and the Creative Services Director for the 29,000-member Great Smoky Mountains Association, an educational nonprofit partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. GSMA provided this piece as part of its “Word from the Smokies” series of columns. Reach Figart at frances@gsmassoc.org.)

Limpkins are large wading birds known for their shrieking cries. Court Harding photo

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rods beyond the usual confines of the habitat of its species. Given the element of time the same processes will hold for the slower moving creatures as they seem to do for those gifted with extreme mobility.”

Super suggested that maybe some animals have been inadvertently assisted by the vehicle of a park visitor — an occurrence more common in coastal areas where birds might take a ride on a large freighter, or reptiles, amphibians or insects might be moved by cars.

“We have a couple observations of armadillos climbing out of pick-ups that were driving down the road in Western North Carolina, possibly explaining how they got to the park,” he said.

If you are getting the feeling that the term “accidental” doesn’t quite fit, kudos to you. Grinnell in his 1922 paper pointed out that “the way in which the word is used by ornithologists is really a misapplication of the term … The occurrence of individual birds a greater or less distance beyond the bounds of the plentiful existence of the species to which they belong is the regular

Groundhogs Tater and Yammy will make their meteorological debut during the 19th annual Groundhog Day Celebration Friday, Feb. 2, at Chimney Rock State Park in Rutherford County.

Guests can come meet the groundhogs or watch the livestream starting at 10 a.m., with the full video to be available on YouTube at noon. Chimney Rock Village Mayor Peter O’Leary will announce the groundhogs’ predictions regarding both frost and football. According to legend, there will be six more weeks of winter if Tater and Yammy see their shadows, or an early spring if they don’t. Immediately following their weather predictions, the groundhogs will place their bets for the winner of Super Bowl LVIII. Tater and Yammy joined the Chimney Rock ambassador team in 2023 after being brought to Appalachian Wildlife Refuge as juveniles, where they were deemed unable to be released to the wild. This is a the first time in Chimney Rock history that two groundhogs have shared the spotlight on the big day.

The event is included with regular park admission. Watch the livestream at facebook.com/chimneyrockparknc.

25

The plant doctor is in outdoors

It’s not yet time to plant for spring, but Haywood County Master Gardeners are still available to answer questions about all manner of plantrelated issues.

Email haywoodemgv@gmail.com with clear digital photos and a detailed description of the issue or call 828.456.3575 and describe your gardening problem to the receptionist. A Haywood County Master Gardener Volunteer will get back to you in a few days with research-based information.

Kesselring has been collecting flies from all over the world over the course of four decades. File photo

Fly collector to display his collection Mike Kesselring will show off his enormous fly collection and other gear gathered over 40 years of world-wide travel 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, at the United Methodist Church in Sylva, as part of Trout Unlimited Sylva’s regular monthly meeting.

Kesselring is active in brook trout restoration within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, especially in coordinating the volunteer crew for monitoring watershed water quality.

A hot meal will be provided at 6:30 p.m. Contact tu.sylva.373@gmail.com with questions.

File photo

Appreciation Days coming to Cataloochee Those who have spent their careers protecting others can enjoy Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley at a reduced rate over the next couple weeks.

Fire and Rescue Appreciation Days will be Thursday, Jan. 25, and Friday, Jan. 26.

Law Enforcement Appreciation Days will be Thursday, Feb. 1, and Friday, Feb. 2.

Military Appreciation Days will be Thursday, Feb. 29, and Friday, March 1.

Learn more at cataloochee.com.

Cataloochee Ski Area. A Shot Above photo

January 24-30, 2024

Learn bird talk

Find out how birds talk to each other during a program offered at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, at the Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center near Franklin. This talk was rescheduled from its original Jan. 15 date due to inclement weather.

Barbara Ballentine, Ph.D., an associate professor of biology at Western Carolina University, will speak on “Bird Talk: An Exploration of Avian Communication.” The beauty of birdsong is one of the joys of nature, and this talk will explore how songs are learnt and performed, why the quality of a male’s repertoire can affect his mating success, and how birds use song-matching and countersinging in territorial disputes. Birds communicate through visual signals too, such as brightcolored feathers and aggressive wing-waving. Understanding how birds produce and use signals to commuicate provides insight into their lives.

The program is offered as part of the “Where We Live: Nature, History and Culture” series. The Cowee Center is located at 51 Cowee School Road.

Help the hemlocks Keep the hemlocks of the Pisgah National Forest safe from the invasive hemlock wooly adelgid during a volunteer workday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at the Old Fort Picnic Area

Smoky Mountain News

Barbara Ballentine. Donated photo

near Old Fort.

The Waynesville-based Hemlock Restoration Initiative is partnering with Old Fort’s G5 Trail Collective to host the event. Learn more or sign up at savehemlocksnc.org/treatment-volunteerday-with-g5-trail-collective.

WAYNESVILLE TIR RE, INC. • Tires • Brakes • Alignment • Tractor Tirres Authori h ized Motor Flee l t Management Main a tenance

26

Spend Friday nights on the slopes Ski Cataloochee for less this winter, with discounted night skiing available through Jackson County Parks and Recreation Friday nights, Jan. 26 through Feb. 23.

Offered through the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department, the program offers slope passes at Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley for $40 and slope passes with rental for $50 to ride 5-10 p.m. Friday nights. Skiing may also occur March 1 depending on the weather.

Parents must accompany children ages 8-14. Sign up at jcprd.recdesk.com/community. Contact Trevor Brown with questions at trevorbrown@jacksonnc.org or 828.293.3053, ext. 9.

Puzzles can be found on page 30 These are only the answers.

Southern Highlands Reserve names outstanding volunteer for 2023

Drought continues its disappearing act Severe drought is gone from North Carolina and moderate drought barely holding on after an extraordinarily rainy first half of January.

According to the most recent drought map, based on data collected through 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, statewide only four counties remain in drought: Macon, Graham, Cherokee and Clay counties are still experiencing moderate drought.

Another 10 western counties are abnormal-

See the American chestnut story in film

of passionate citizen scientists and researchers working to restore this ecologically and economically important species. The chestnut was once a common tree throughout the Appalachians whose wood, leaves and nuts were integral to the lives of people, animals and insects. But at the turn of the 20th century, a deadly blight accidentally imported into the U.S. from Asia devastated the species. Within a span of only two generations, the American chestnut was nearly extinct.

Free. 828.586.2016.

January 24-30, 2024

Experience the story of the American chestnut, a mighty wonder that once sustained all forms of life in the Appalachian Mountains, with a film screening at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

The new documentary “Clear Day Thunder: Rescuing the American Chestnut” tells the story

ly dry. These include Haywood, Jackson, Swain, Buncombe and Madison counties.

The remaining 86 counties in North Carolina are at or above typical moisture levels. The map looked much different just two weeks earlier, when more than half of the state was still drier than normal, including five western counties in severe drought.

After a bone-dry fall, Western North Carolina is seeing a much wetter than normal January. So far this month, Asheville and Waynesville have received close to double the typical amount of rain — Holly Kays, Outdoors Editor

outdoors

The N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council publishes a new map every Thursday at ncdrought.org. N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council map

Nancy Carroll has been named Southern Highlands Reserve’s Volunteer of the Year for 2023 in recognition of the “life, laughter and bright optimism” she brings to Volunteer Day at the Reserve.

“Rain or shine, she’s up on volunteer day ready to go,” said gardener Kody Stanley. “Cleaning seeds or working in the moss beds, she’s always excited to help.”

In 2023, volunteers completed more than 800 hours potting up plants in the nursery, leading tours as docents, tracking phenology, extracting and cleaning seeds, weeding and planting.

Carroll, a Brevard resident since 2011, first visited the Reserve more than a decade ago and has been involved since the formal launch of its volunteer program in 2019. She has recruited numerous new volunteers and donors with her enthusiasm and love for the time she spends at the Reserve.

“I tell people, SHR is as close as I can get to probably the love of my life, the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York and the Green Mountains in Vermont,” Carroll said. “When I’m going up that road to SHR, I don’t listen to the radio. And when I pull in that driveway, I like to go really slow because it reminds me of my childhood, the earliest memories I have. It’s one of the best parts of my life.”

Nancy Carroll has volunteered with the Southern To join the volunteer team, apply Highlands Reserve since it first launched its volunat southernhighlandsreserve.org/volteer program in 2019. SHR photo unteer.

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Plan a garden visit

Volunteer with Mainspring Help care for conserved lands by participating in a string of upcoming stewardship volunteer workdays with Mainspring Conservation Trust, held 9 a.m. to noon every other Thursday at various locations in Macon County.

• On Thursday, Jan. 25, volunteers will gather at Tessentee Bottomland Preserve, where they will work to reroute the foot trail north of the old farmhouse.

• On Thursdays, Feb. 8 and Feb. 22, volunteers will trim vegetation along the trails at Onion Mountain Preserve.

Learn more or register at mainspringconserves.org/events.

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Smoky Mountain News

Tickets for 2024 Visitors Days at the Southern Highlands Reserve in Lake Toxaway go on sale Thursday, Feb. 1. Best suited for first-time guests, these tours are led by a garden tour docent and designed for backyard gardeners, plant enthusiasts and professionals in the horticulture, design and ecology fields.

The Reserve has significantly increased the number of visitor days this year to accommodate demand. Once tickets sell out, anyone who still hopes to buy one can be added to a waitlist. Private tours can be scheduled by contacting info@southernhighlandsreserve.org.

Visitors Day tours are $25 per person with a maximum of four people per party. Sign up starting Feb. 1 at southernhighlandsreserve.org/events-calendar.

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27

Market WNC PLACE Legals

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Visit www.wncmarketplace.com to place your ad!

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Free — Lost or found pet ads. $6 — Residential yard sale ads.* $1 — Yard Sale Rain Insurance Yard sale rained out? Call us by 10a.m.

Monday for your ad to run again FREE $375 — Statewide classifieds run in 170 participating newspapers with 1.1+ million circulation. (Limit 25 words or less) Boost Online — Have your ad featured at top of category online $4 Boost in Print Add Photo $6 Bold ad $2 Yellow, Green, Pink or Blue Highlight $4 Border $4

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STORAGE UNIT AUCTION The following units will be auctioned Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 starting at 10:00am, at 206 Willis Road, Canton, NC. 28716. BETHEL SELF STORAGE - BS 47 D. Sutton; A1 STORAGE - R134 A. Smith; R119 A Williams; W178 S. Gates; W27, W48.

D. Bulko; GREAT SMOKIES STORAGE 8/18. Revis

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January 24-30, 2024

WNC MarketPlace

31

WAYNESVILLE OF FFICE 74 North Main Street | (828) 634-7 7333 At allentate.com, enter e the address into the searcch bar for details on any pro operty.

4BR, 6 BA A, 1 HB

January 24-30, 2024

$4,500,000 | 4053785

3 BR, 3 BA

$825,000 | 4061096

4 BR, 3 BA

3 BR, 3 BA

$719,000 | 405804 49

3 BR, 3 BA, 1 HB

$550,000 | 4082432

4 BR, 3 BA, 1 HB

$949,000 | 4064973

3 BR, 3 BA

$639,000 | 4090161

3 BR, 2 BA

$490,000 | 4079655

Smoky Mountain News

$600,000 | 4099881

3 BR, 3 BA, 1 HB

$1,200,000 | 408597 72

3 BR, 1 BA A, 1 HB

$425,000 | 4094409

32

3 BR, 2 BA

$394,000 | 4088754

2 BR, 2 BA

$315,000 | 4089346

CALL TODAY (828) 634-7333 3