Smoky Mountain News

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

January 8-14, 2014 Vol. 15 Iss. 32

Keys to Folkmoot Center a turning point for festival Page 5

Meeting to combat poaching allegations Page 8

CONTENTS

STAFF

On the Cover: Thousands of teens from across the South come to the mountains every winter as part of a Lake Junaluska Assembly program that focuses on growing their faith while also providing them an opportunity to learn to ski or snowboard at Cataloochee Ski Area. Church youth directors laud the program, crediting the Lake Junaluska programming and the fun to be had up on the ski mountain. (Page 20) Donated photo

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News WNC counties hoping annual payments for federal land isn’t axed. . . . . . . 4 Folkmoot USA finally to own its own home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 SCC has grand plans for Macon campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Waynesville bets new ABC store will pay off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Sheriff’s office deals with travails of pill counting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Background checks don’t sit well with some volunteers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Cherokee tries to encourage entrepreneurship in youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Estate sales mix business and emotion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

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Business of the Month!

January 8-14, 2014

219-78

BearWaters Brewing Co. The Business & Economic Development Committee of the Haywood Chamber presented the October Business of the Month to Bearwaters Brewing Company. The committee reviewed the nominations and selected Bearwaters based upon the following criteria:

Smoky Mountain News

· · · ·

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Must be a Haywood Chamber member for 1 year In Business at least two years Considered successful by peers Sales growth/profit growth/ and expansion of employees · Outstanding public service contribution · Implementation of sustainability and green practices

Artfully uniting extraordinary homes with extraordinary lives.

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Serving Southwest Florida and Western North Carolina.

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Bearwaters either met or exceeded requirements in all areas.

BearWaters was the recipient of the Chamber business plan competition award in 2010 and began construction on the brewery in March of 2011, opening to the public in May of 2012. In 2013 the Brewery was awarded a record 10 medals in it’s first year of competition at the Carolina’s Championship of Beers in Hickory NC. BearWaters was invited to and featured at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver Colorado two years running, a major coup for a start-up brand and a primary industry event.

They have also been featured in two of Asheville North Carolina “Beer City” signature venues. It will soon add 3000 square feet of additional manufacturing area to its current location.

In 2012 BearWaters donated or participated in multiple charities including; Habitat for humanity, Haywood Christine Ministries, Women of Waynesville, Ride for the Cure, Haywood County Foster kids, Folkmoot, Main Street Mile for Shriners Hospital, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The American Legion post 47 and the knights of Columbus. In 2013 BearWaters was asked to create the signature beer in honor of the Folkmoot festival and hosted the first Craft beer festival in downtown Waynesville, raising money for local veterans here in Haywood County.

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January 8-14, 2014 Smoky Mountain News

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WNC counties hope for continued PILT funding

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER rom Clingmans Dome to Juneywank Falls to the winding Blue Ridge Parkway, Swain County is rich in natural beauty. But all that public land can make the budget tight for county government, which depends on property tax for much of its revenue.

In Swain County, 87 percent of the land is in federal ownership, primarily under the national park and national forest system.

Since the federal government doesn’t pay property taxes on its land, only 55,000 acres out Swain’s total of 350,000 acres are taxable.

And that means PILT payments — or payment in lieu of taxes — that the county

Smoky Mountain News

January 8-14, 2014

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receives from the federal government are important to maintaining its services. But those dollars might not materialize this year if the U.S. Senate joins the House of Representatives in passing a budget proposal that leaves PILT out.

“If it was cut this year, in a budget our size that would be significant,” said Kevin King, Swain County manager. “Four-pointfive percent is not something that can be easily absorbed.”

Swain County, which has the fourth highest amount of federal land of any county east of the Mississippi, currently receives $570,000 per year from the program, down from $593,000 before the federal sequester cuts took effect in March 2013. In a general

Micah McClure photo

A brief history of the PILT program ■ Oct. 1976 — President Gerald Ford signs the Payment in Lieu of Taxes Act into law. The act appropriates $100 million for distribution to counties in which federal land exists.

■ 1994 — Amendments to the PILT Act tie payments to the Consumer Price Index to adjust the population limitation and per acre rate as opposed to appropriating a blanket amount.

■ Oct. 3, 2008 — The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, also known as the bailout bill, provides mandatory funding for PILT from fiscal year 2008 until fiscal year 2012.

■ Dec. 12, 2013 — The U.S. House of Representatives passes the Ryan-Murry Budget Deal, which does not include al agreement for PILT funding.

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By the numbers Counties get annual compensation from the federal government based on the amount of national park and forest land within the county. Since counties can’t collect property taxes on national park and forest lands, the “payments in lieu of taxes” help offset the impact of federal land holdings in a county.

Here’s what each county gets in PILT payments annually and the acres of federallyowned land they include.

Swain $577,301 239,725 acres Macon $338,741 153,078 acres Haywood $306,409 130,522 acres Graham $231,898 113,391 acres Transylvania $201,529 89,310 acres Cherokee $199,245 93,222 acres Jackson $193,316 80,289 acres Clay $158,836 65,969 acres Madison $119,721 55,140 acres Total: 43 counties in North Carolina received $3.997 million Source: U.S. Department of the Interior

tative (Meadows) and organizations like the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners is going to pay off,” said Roland, “and I think you will see those dollars included in the budget.”

And for PILT advocates like King, who has lobbied with the National Association of Counties for 15 years as the only representative to D.C. from an eastern state, the current situation is just another obstacle on a typically bumpy road.

“We’ve had to fight for it every year,” said King. “It’s not something new to here. It happens a lot.”

Though King has seen instances in which one house of Congress or another votes to exclude PILT funding from the preliminary budget, the program has never gone completely unfunded. However, it has dipped as low as 70 cents per acre as opposed to the current funding level of $1.78 per acre or the full amount of $2.17 per acre.

So, while King isn’t too worried yet, he and other local government representatives are anxiously awaiting Congress’ final decision. King traveled to D.C. in September to lobby for PILT funding.

“Everyone we talked to was very aware of the economic impact PILT would have if we did not fund it,” King said. “Some counties would basically have to shut their doors.”

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A waiting game

budget of $13 million, those numbers account for 4.5 percent of the county’s funding.

“It’s very important to us,” King said.

King estimates that if federally-owned land in Swain County were left undeveloped but in private hands, the county would net about $10 million in property taxes from it.

That’s about 17 times more than the county currently receives from PILT. Still, the program allows counties like Swain, Macon, Haywood, Cherokee and Jackson — which constitute five of the six North Carolina counties that receive the most PILT money — to reap the benefits of public land while recouping some of the lost revenue potential.

“Anytime you take that (money) out of there, you’re forced to find somewhere to make that difference,” said Derek Roland, manager of Macon County, which receives $332,000 from PILT. “That’s an often arduous task.”

National parks and forests contribute significantly to the lifestyle and economy of Western North Carolina, but their presence also puts the surrounding communities in a quandary.

“On the one hand the parks are a draw. On the other hand, they also increase the services counties have to provide without the ability to draw down property taxes, their primary sources of revenue,” said Ira Dove, interim manager of Haywood County. Dove said the county is entitled to some form of compensation to make up for its inability to draw property taxes from federally owned land.

But Roland and King are hopeful that the money will come through, and local representatives are pushing to make that happen.

“The senator is certainly supportive of full PILT funding for counties in North Carolina,” said Chris Moyer, press secretary to Senator Kay Hagan, D-N.C. Hagan joined 16 other senators representing both parties and a diversity of states in signing a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee to support continuing the payments. Though Republican North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr did not sign the letter, his office said that he is also in favor of full PILT funding.

These developments, in addition to efforts by U.S. Congressman Mark Meadows, R-Cashiers, and lobbying organizations leave local government hopeful for continued funding.

“I think that hard work by our represen-

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bunk that many people — let alone a facility with a commercial cafeteria and kitchen, showers, laundry, gym and auditorium.

“We have done research to try to find alternatives, but all the alternatives we looked at were cost-prohibitive,” said Babcock.

“The only realistic option came down to somehow staying in this building,” Stallings added.

But each year that went by, critical repairs were being neglected due to the ownership uncertainty, and the building was falling into more and more disrepair.

A capital campaign to fix the building would be a tough fundraising pitch unless it was in Folkmoot’s name, Stallings said.

“There are bricks and mortar grants if you own the building, but it is hard to get that if you say you want to fix up somebody else’s property,” Stallings said.

Weatherizing the building is one of the top priorities. It has antiquated boilers, leaky single-pane windows and no insulation. The building costs a fortune to heat — even though the thermostat is turned down to 45 degrees and staff works from home most of the winter.

The most pressing issue — one that couldn’t wait another year — is the dire condition of the roof. It is so pocked with chron-

with a new, bigger school.

The timing was perfect for Folkmoot.

Folkmoot had worn out its welcome at Waynesville Middle School, which had grown weary of hordes of performers being bunked at the school every summer. Babcock said Folkmoot is grateful to the school system for offering the use the old Hazelwood School building for free all these years.

But eventually, the writing was on the wall.

The options for the school system were

ic leaks that the building would soon begin to see structural damage.

A roofer who patches the roof every summer on a pro bono basis in exchange for free tickets to performances counted 40 leaks last year.

Since the school system got no money from Folkmoot as a tenant, it made no sense for the school system to bear the cost of fixing it, however.

“There was no reason for them to patch a roof they aren’t going to use,” Stallings admitted.

Likewise, Folkmoot wasn’t going to patch the roof on a building it merely leased. So it kept on leaking.

This was the last year it could be put off, however, and was likely an extra shot of motivation for the school system to finally give up its title to the building.

The old Hazelwood school was vacated in the 1990s. It was too small, antiquated and a maintenance nightmare, so it was replaced

simple: tear it down, give it away or start doing some maintenance on it to keep it from falling down.

“At minimum for us right now it would be a quarter of a million to put a roof on that building,” said Pat Smathers, attorney for the school board.

And it would cost as much as $500,000 to tear down the old school, according to Smathers. So giving it to Folkmoot was certainly the best option.

Folkmoot has been losing money in recent years and propped itself up by dipping into its endowment fund. The amount brought in through ticket sales, donations and sponsorships isn’t enough to cover festival costs.

“It is a tough time for nonprofits right now and has been for the past five years,” Babcock said.

Folkmoot leaders began a strategic planning process to dust off and polish up the best of what Folkmoot is, but also reinvigorate it with new elements.

The mission of Folkmoot is to encourage and promote global cultural exchange and awareness. That could be through crafts, arts, language and food — anything that defines a culture — in addition to the international dance and music Folkmoot is best known for, Babcock said.

“How people think, how they live, what they eat, their crafts and their art — all those things go into a culture,” said Dave Stallings, a Folkmoot board member.

It could come in the form of international cuisine tastings, global craft bazaars and educational programs on foreign cultures.

Babcock sees lots of opportunity to engage students and put on programs for local schools.

The most basic and critical component, however — a facility to run the festival out of — remained a huge wildcard.

Now, after 30 years of in existence, Folkmoot will finally own its own home.

“Folkmoot is defining its presence as a leading organization to provide international cultural events. Having a facility we can renovate will bring Folkmoot into that realm,” Johnson said.

But the repairs and renovations the building needs, and the price tag those will carry, are daunting. Folkmoot will launch a capital campaign this year focused on building improvements, which in turn will put Folkmoot back on stable financial footing.

“Folkmoot recognizes that the building is a tremendous opportunity that brings with it challenges. The way we as a board address those challenges is what we are going to be all about,” said Johnson.

Talks of transferring the old school to Folkmoot have been percolating for several months. It needed approval from both the school system and county leaders to bring to fruition.

The school system agreed to part with the building, realizing it would never have a use for it again and that trying to sell it would be a fruitless endeavor. The county commissioners agreed to act as a conduit, a pass-through of sorts for the building to be deeded from the school to the county and the county in turn to Folkmoot.

The school system legally couldn’t gift the building to Folkmoot outright. But the county could, as long as it was to a nonprofit and would be used for public benefit.

The property transfer will have a reverter clause that stipulates the building be used in 5 perpetuity for public purposes.

January 8-14, 2014

FOLKMOOT’S EVOLUTION County Commissioner Mark Swanger called it a win-win to give the building to Folkmoot.

“Folkmoot is a very important part of our county’s fabric, both from a reputation standpoint and the economic impact that it has,” Swanger said. Folkmoot is an asset for Haywood County, and it behooves the county to ensure it stays around.

Smoky Mountain News

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER n old elementary school in Waynesville that serves as a giant bunkhouse for troupes of international performers during the signature Folkmoot festival each summer is being relinquished by the Haywood County school system and turned over to Folkmoot for good.

Owning its own headquarters is seen as a critical turning point for Folkmoot as it tries to both reinvent itself and reclaim its iconic status.

“We would move beyond a once-a-year major event that brings people from across the world to Western North Carolina,” said Rose Johnson, president of the Folkmoot board.

Folkmoot hopes to increase its presence with a lineup of events and activities promoting international cultures throughout the year.

“The festival is Folkmoot’s flagship, as everyone knows,” said Karen Babcock, Folkmoot executive director. “We are now working on a strategic plan to expand Folkmoot programs for the community yearround.”

But Folkmoot was unable to focus on these more lofty goals when saddled with the year-to-year uncertainty of whether it would have a functional facility to operate out of.

Folkmoot has leased the old Hazelwood school for 10 years, but the building is falling apart and in desperate need of repairs and modernization. Folkmoot officials were hesitant to plow money into fixing up a building they didn’t in fact own, however.

“Without having ownership, donors aren’t going to be willing to give us the kind of capital to put into the building,” Babcock said.

The Haywood County school system has no use for the old school anymore, and so it wasn’t going to spend money making repairs either.

But once the building is formally deeded to Folkmoot, a capital campaign to fix up the building can hopefully make some headway, Babcock said.

To Haywood County leaders, unloading a run-down building that had become a liability — and had no other takers anyway — is a smart move for taxpayers.

“The only practical use of that building is for Folkmoot,” said County Commissioner Mark Swanger.

Indeed, the old school fits the bill perfectly for Folkmoot.

“We have to have a place to feed and house 300 people every summer,” said Dave Stallings, a Folkmoot executive board member.

And there simply aren’t any other facilities in Haywood County large enough to

news

Folkmoot to finally get title to old school

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NCDOT awards contract to improve Haywood roads The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a $4.8 million contract to Watson Contracting Inc. of Franklin to install guardrails in place of concrete barriers along five miles of U.S. 74 in Haywood County. Work is scheduled for completion by Sept. 15.

The NCDOT also awarded a contract to widen and improve Howell Mill Road from U.S. 276 to U.S. 23 Business in Waynesville. The $11.7 million contract was awarded to Mountain Creek Contractors of Catawba. Work is scheduled for completion by Oct. 15.

These projects were part of 22 contracts worth $76.5 million awarded by NCDOT on the latest list of projects for roads and bridges across the state. www.ncdot.gov.

Smoky Mountain News

January 8-14, 2014

Half-price sale at Jackson used bookstore The Friends of the Jackson County Library used bookstore will hold its annual storewide winter half-price sale from Thursday, Jan. 16, through Sunday, Jan.19.

Everything in the store will be priced at 50 percent off the regular low prices.

The sale offers bargains on books of all genres, including history, biography, classic literature, religion, self-help, gardening, crafts, cooking, art, music, science, nature, travel, education, reference and more. There is also a large selection of paperback and hardcover popular fiction featuring many bestselling and awardwinning authors.

All four sale days will be open to the general public. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. This is the bookstore’s annual pre-inventory and precleaning sale. The store will be closed for cleaning on Monday, Jan. 20.

Hydrofracking discussion in Macon

A discussion about hydrofracking and the possibility that it might take place in Macon County and other parts of Western North Carolina will be held at the monthly meeting of the Macon County League of Women voters at noon on Jan. 9 in the Tartan Hall of the First Presbyterian Church in Franklin.

Hydrofracking is a controversial method of natural gas extraction. The state is studying whether hyrdrofacking should be allowed in Macon County and other parts of WNC. The public is invited and attendees are welcome to bring a bag lunch.

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pus master plan.

“If the county agrees, then we go back and ask ourselves that same question. We have been so focused on the master plan. I don’t get ahead of myself until I know what direction I’m going in,” Tomas said.

LAND SWAP

In exchange for getting 20 acres of land from the county for its campus expansion, SCC will relinquish satellite classrooms it occupies in the county courthouse and government building in downtown.

It would help solve a space crunch in the county’s government complex.

A campus master plan for Southwestern Community College in Macon County was unveiled last month after being “The county needs in development for more than a year. Expansion is contingent on funding. Several future phases are shown here. that building back,” said Donated illustration Mike Watson, an architect with Bowers, Ellis & education courses.

Watson who drew up the expansion plans • A 72 percent increase in law enforcefor SCC, referring to the extension in downment training center courses. town Franklin. “At the same time, the college As a whole, SCC expects enrollment has outgrown its facilities.” across all its campuses and course offerings And SCC would also relinquish its buildto increase by 50 percent over the next ing in the county industrial park that houses decade. the law enforcement and public safety trainThe plan asks the county to cede land it ing center. owns to the college for the expansion — FROM STAFF REPORTS More than 90 percent of emergency servnamely land adjacent to the existing SCC outhwestern Community College leadice personnel in the region — including law campus on Siler Road campus. ers unveiled a master plan last month enforcement, emergency medics, fire fighters The proposal now before the county is outlining a major expansion of its camand the like — do their training at the SCC simply asking for its approval to acquire the pus in Macon County. center. land necessary for the expansion. No funds The campus would double in size from It has run out of room, with the campus would change hands.

20 to 40 acres. The master plan has several master plan calling for a relocation of the If the commissioners agree, the college phases, but the first phase calls for a 38,000training center from the industrial park to the would then need to square-foot science building with 15 classmain SCC campus. rooms and a lab. The first phase also calls for find funding to The plan also make the plan a a new law enforcement training center and calls for building an Macon campus enrollment reality. A workshop indoor firing range. indoor firing range In curriculum courses: with the commisFuture phases of the long-range master for officers to pracFall 2007..................................................297 sioners and college plan call for three more classroom buildtice and train at.

Fall 2013..................................................488 leaders is planned in ings of about 30,000 square feet and addiThe architecturIn continuing education courses: January. tional parking. There is no cost estimate al firm commisFall 2007 ..............................................1,011 “We’re really for the expansion, which is purely concepsioned an archaeoFall 2013 ..............................................1,321 excited that SCC is tual right now. logical study of the The expansion plan is contingent on sup- growing in Macon site SCC hopes to County like it is,” said Macon Commissioner build on. Macon County was heavily occuport from the Macon County commissionRonnie Beale. “I’m certain SCC will continue ers, both with an in-kind land donation and pied by the Cherokee and their ancestors, to grow in Macon County. It’s vital to stulikely financial support for construction. and it is not uncommon to find human President Don Tomas gave a presentation dents, but also as far as the county recruiting remains or archaeological sites which can businesses. SCC has been a great partner to county commissioners last month. cause roadblocks or additional costs for “I thought they were very engaged in the and will continue to be a great partner.” construction projects.

“There are so many variables that are presentation,” he said. “I thought they were But this site appears to have that all clear. unknown at this point,” he said. “We’re just very receptive to it. I feel very positive “We’re still awaiting the formal docukind of stair stepping and planning that about it.” ments for approval,” Watson said. “But all The Macon campus master plan has been process out. I can’t give it a time frame, but our verbal signs from the state and the tribe in development for 18 months and responds from an educator’s standpoint, we would love have been positive.” to see it happen sooner rather than later.” to the college’s quickly expanding enrollBeale said he likes the idea of the county The cost of the expansion — and how it ment. getting its hands on the space SCC now will be paid for — is a discussion for another occupies in the courthouse and government While SCC’s main campus is in Jackson day, Tomas said, County, the Macon campus has seen complex.

“We are taking it one step at a time,” he astounding growth since 2007: “We certainly need the area for the counsaid.

• A 74 percent increase in students takty,” Beale said.

The first step is seeking support from ing curriculum courses.

Tomas said the college has not yet conMacon County commissioners for the cam• A 34 percent increase in continuing sidered a timetable for the expansion.

SCC charts course for major Macon campus expansion

S

Time will tell if Waynesville reaps profit from new ABC store

T

The new Waynesville ABC store came at a cost of $1.2 million for land and construction, but could pay off if sales increase thanks to the bigger, better store. Holly Kays photo

Retail liquor sales compared to same month, previous year Waynesville ABC store October....................................down $12,000 November ..................................down $4,000 December.......................................up $7,000 Canton ABC store October ..........................................up $7,000 November.....................................up $14,000 Maggie ABC stores October ........................................up $34,000 November.....................................up $32,000 monthly payment. The monthly rent on the old store was $2,600. The mortgage on the new store is $6,600. That’s $4,000 a month more the new store must bring in to make the move a wash, let alone reap a benefit.

One reason the payments are so high is

“Somebody speaks to you and you have to start over, or you lose track,” Warren said.

Not all the tedious counting is for pills confiscated from drug dealers or users. Anytime law enforcement responds to a death, even of natural causes, any pill bottles and prescriptions in the deceased person’s name are removed from the home.

“If someone had died of cancer and they have a lot of pain medication in the home, we take custody of those medications so nobody else can have access to them,” Warren said.

“And those all get counted and get admitted into evidence.”

The goal is to keep those prescription meds from ending up in circulation. Taking pills prescribed to another person is illegal and can lead to an unintended addiction.

At times, the sheriff ’s office has aided with “pill take backs,” a collection drive that encourages the public to turn in old, no-longer-needed pills from their medicine cabinets.

With a pill counter, the sheriff ’s office could document the number and type of prescription pills being turned in to the pill drop-boxes or during pill take-back campaigns, Warren said.

Haywood County commissioners approved a request from Sheriff Greg Christopher this week to purchase a pill counter for $2,500.

“The pill counter eliminates a lot of human contact with pills,” said Commissioner Mark The sheriff’s office Swanger. Even though officers wear gloves counts hundreds when counting the pills, it’s wise to limit of pounds of the handling of what prescription pills can be mystery substances. Pills that every year. come in through the pill drives or that are no longer needed in evidence are incinerated by the county.

The pill counter will be bought with drug seizure money, which is earmarked specifically for drug enforcement and prevention initiatives. Neither Jackson nor Macon county sheriff ’s office have pill counters.

Smoky Mountain News

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER mid the epidemic of prescription pill abuse, the Haywood County Sheriff ’s Office is buying a niche device more common to pharmacies than police stations — a pill counting machine.

The sheriff ’s office counts hundreds of pounds of prescription pills every year.

“There is a lot of pill counting, and we count them now by hand,” said Deputy Heidi Warren, a public information officer with the Haywood Sheriff ’s Office.

Not only is the task time-consuming and inefficient, but there’s room for human error when hand counting hundreds of tiny pills.

By the numbers

the aggressive time line to pay off the construction debt. The mortgage payments are compressed into a 10-year payoff period.

After that, the store will no longer be saddled with mortgage payments taking a bite out of its profits every month.

“The town will see a great increase after that,” said Clark. “I think it is going to be an asset to the town in the long run.”

Of the $1.2 million price tag for the new store, the site beside Walmart cost $500,000.

Construction was another $660,000. There were also some incidental expenses to ready the new store — like fleshing out the inventory of liquor.

The roomier store sports more shelf space, but stocking those additional shelves carried an upfront cost. The store ordered an extra $60,000 or so in inventory from the state’s liquor warehouse to round out the merchandise when moving from the old to the new location.

“We didn’t have room at the old store. We about had to get rid of something to add something on,” Rasmus said.

January 8-14, 2014

after Waynesville’s new store opened. Liquor sales had been up all year in Maggie and Canton, but the increase was even bigger in October and November.

It’s unclear whether Maggie’s bump is due to the Waynesville move, said Joe Moody, chair of Maggie’s ABC board.

“Certainly the new store they have opened is a really nice store,” Moody said.

But shoppers may have been thrown off their routine, or some might find the new Walmart location less convenient than the old one on the outskirts of downtown, and instead revert to shopping at the stores closer to their own neck of the woods in Maggie or Canton, Moody said.

Profits from the liquor store business go back into town coffers, totalling about $120,000 last year for Waynesville.

The new store will have to do considerably more in sales to offset the higher overhead, however. The new store added two additional part-time employees.

But the biggest additional cost is the

Sheriff’s office to buy pill counter to save time

A

news

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER he attractive, even swanky new liquor store in Waynesville got off to a sluggish start the first two months after popping the cork on its new location, but it had posted slight gains by the month of December.

Waynesville’s new $1.2 million ABC store Popened in October. The bigger store and prime location beside Super Walmart should translate into a boost in sales, according to Earl Clark, chair of Waynesville’s ABC board.

Eventually anyway. For the first two months after making the move, sales were slightly down.

“We knew it wasn’t going to happen instantly. It takes people a little bit of time to g find you,” said Joy Rasmus, general manager of the Waynesville ABC store. “Hopefully in six months we will see the difference.”

In fact, sales had already picked back up by December — only its third month in the new location — with $246,200 in total sales compared to $239,480 during December a year ago.

Waynesville’s new stand-alone ABC store sports rock work on the façade, nice landscaping, lots of big windows and a light, airy interior — a polar opposite from the cramped, lowslung, strip-mall quarters of the old location.

“It’s a place you feel comfortable going into,” Clark said.

But Rasmus believes the ace in the hole for the new store will be its location next door to Super Walmart.

“Everybody comes to Walmart,” Rasmus said. s It’s too soon to tell whether December’s increase compared to the previous year was a holiday-related bump. The humdrum winter months of January through March should be telling in whether the new location will indeed attract new clientele from other areas of the county.

So far, however, it doesn’t seem the liquor stores in Canton or Maggie Valley have suffered from the new Waynesville store. Just the opposite, in fact.

The Maggie Valley and Canton ABC stores actually saw an increase in their liquor sales

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Tribe encourages youth to use windfall to become entrepreneurs

BY COLBY DUNN CORRESPONDENT ince Harrah’s Cherokee Casino opened and started bringing an influx of steady cash to the Eastern Band of Cherokee, it’s been a boost to both the tribe and its more than 13,000 members. Annually, individual members benefit to the tune of several thousand dollars a year, and the Cherokee Enterprise Development Center is hoping they’ll turn that money into much more with their own small businesses.

The development center offers a range of services to members looking to become entrepreneurs, but it is also eyeing a younger demographic, hoping to convince some younger members to turn their per capita earnings into new businesses.

Every tribal member has his or her share of the casino earnings held in trust by the tribe until they turn 18. Several years ago, the tribe put in place a financial education system to help young members make good decisions with their windfall, which can be in the tens of thousands range.

But the development staff wants them to go beyond that, to help diversify the business offerings in Cherokee and simultane-

January 8-14, 2014

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Hunters claim they were unfairly targeted in undercover poaching operation

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER ome hunters in Western North Carolina are speaking out against the tactics used by undercover wildlife officers in a multi-year bear poaching investigation.

More than 80 arrests were made last February in Operation Something Bruin, which was touted by state and federal agencies as a takedown of bear poaching circles.

But many of the hunters caught up in the sting were in fact law-abiding hunters who became victims of entrapment or trumped-up charges by wildlife agents — and even accused of things they did not do, according to Linda Crisp, a resident of Graham County whose son and husband were charged in the poaching roundup.

“It is time the hunters and their families had a chance to tell what happened to them in Operation Something Bruin,” Crisp said.

“We just want the truth to come out on how these men were treated.”

Crisp has organized a public meeting for hunters who were targeted in Operation Something Bruin to speak out about their experience. She hopes that the greater hunt8 ing community in the mountains will come

Smoky Mountain News

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ously gain success in their own right.

“We’re trying to tell these kids with the money they’ve got coming in when they graduate, you could actually start a business by yourself,” said Gloria Griffin, director of the Cherokee Enterprise Development Center.

In 2012, the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, in concert with the development center, ran a business competition at Cherokee High School, giving $1,000 to the winner, who proposed an ice cream truck in the Cherokee area.

From there, Griffin said that they’ve offered the same services to students as they do to adult members — credit counseling, marketing, an eight-week crash course in owning your own business — and though the kids haven’t jumped on those opportunities just yet, Griffin and her team are hoping they will, for their own future and for a more diverse, financially successfully Cherokee in the future.

“There are so many people wanting to go into the same business, like mowing, we had a lot of people wanting to go into mowing. There’s just a lot of people that want to do that and that’s only seasonal,” said Griffin. “And then restaurants are just really hard to get into as a startup. They demand 100 percent of your time and you have to build a reputation. We need to diversify our businesses here on the Qualla boundary.”

Perhaps with encouragement from Griffin and her staff, the next generation of Cherokee will be the ones to make it happen.

to the meeting to hear the stories, as well as local- and state-elected leaders.

It will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, in the auditorium of Swain County High School.

Over the course of a four-year investigation, undercover agents posing as hunters befriended and infiltrated the bear hunting community in the mountains of North Carolina and North Georgia. More than 80 hunters were charged with various wildlife violations, from bear poaching to lesser offenses like bear baiting, illegal use of bear dogs, trapping bears, selling bear parts and guiding hunts on national forest lands without permits.

But according to some of the hunters arrested in Operation Something Bruin, the wildlife agents were on a fishing expedition and some hunters were unfairly set up or tricked.

“They were trying to manipulate and entice these hunters to break the laws,” Crisp said. “In some cases they may have succeeded, but in other cases they did not, and the hunters didn’t go along with it. To me the whole thing is entrapment.”

For example, Crisp said in one case an undercover agent bought bear bait and convinced hunters to let him put the bait on their property, but if left to their own devices the hunters never would have done that.

At least a dozen of those charged have had their charges dropped or dismissed in court by judges and prosecutors.

For more information about the meeting, or to become a speaker, contact somethingbrewing2013@yahoo.com.

Course steady for Jackson Meals on Wheels Program healthy despite dispute over new volunteer background checks

county commissioners questioned the program’s waiting list, Meals on Wheels now has a waiting list of zero. Commissioners had allocated extra funds last winter so Meals on Wheels could expand and serve everyone on its waiting list.

But five months later, the waiting list still had 32 people on it, only down somewhat from the previous number of 43, much to commissioners’ disappointment.

The Jackson Department of Aging Director Eddie Wells explained at the time that the challenge wasn’t just the money to provide the meals, but also a volunteer force to deliver them.

Now, the program is serving more peo-

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ackson County’s new volunteer policy, enacted in November, is taking a bite out of the Meals on Wheels volunteer force.

The policy, intended to vet anyone volunteering in any capacity through a county department or program, upset two people enough to drive them to resign. A married couple who has volunteered with Meals on Wheels for more than 20 years will leave their “[Recipients] put a lot of faith and a lot posts after being offended by the new of trust in that person. We just want to policy requiring background checks. make sure that the person we send “I think the interinto that home has nothing to cause pretation is they are being treated the same us alarm.” as a county employee, and that wasn’t their — Chuck Wooten, Jackson County manager intent when they started the program,” said Karen Davis, Jackson County nutrition program coordinator.

The new policy Try your hand at Meals on Wheels. The program is always lookrequires anybody who ing for volunteers to donate their time and gasoline to deliver volunteers with a counmeals to homebound seniors. To volunteer with the Jackson ty-run program such as County program, call 828.631.8044; to volunteer in Haywood Meals on Wheels to fill County, call 828.356.2442; to volunteer in Macon County, call out an application that 828.349.2058; to volunteer in Swain County call 828.488.3047. includes a background check. While the new policy has elicited grumbling — and, in the case of Meals on ple than one year ago, and its volunteer roll Wheels, resignations — from some longhas seen a boost. time volunteers, it’s a needed protection for In January 2013, the program served 78 the county’s most vulnerable citizens, clients using 70 volunteers. This year, it according to county administrators, includ- serves 89 people with 74 volunteers. New ing Jackson County Department of Aging clients are now added to routes as they Director Eddie Wells and Jackson County apply, rather than waiting weeks or months Manager Chuck Wooten. to be added.

Volunteers who deliver Meals on While an increase of four drivers might Wheels go into the homes of the elderly, not sound like a lot, that extra handful of and may be that person’s only human convolunteers makes all the difference, Davis tact all week. said.

“They put a lot of faith and a lot of trust “It makes a huge difference because in that person,” Wooten said. “We just each meal delivery route feeds around 10 want to make sure that the person we send clients, so one person feeds 10 people,” she into that home has nothing to cause us said. “One volunteer does a lot of good for alarm.” the community.”

So far, the background checks have Conversely, the resignation of two drivers unveiled no unsavory pasts, and the human responsible for five routes can pose a chalresource department holds the results confi- lenge, so Meals on Wheels is looking for voldentially as personnel records, Wooten said. unteers to fill the void. Wells, however, is optiBut while the resignation of two stalwart mistic about the program’s future and the volunteers is upsetting — the pair was safeguards the new volunteer policy provides. responsible for five routes between them — “I think it’s a good thing,” he said. “Even things are looking up for the Meals on though we trust them, we never really know Wheels program overall. until you do your due diligence and check After an August kerfuffle during which everyone.”

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West Haywood’s Relay For Life kicks off 2014

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Relay For Life of West Haywood will launch its 2014 season at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Lake Junaluska Bethea Welcome Center.

The 24-hour event will honor those fighting cancer with a survivor lap and honor those we have lost to cancer with the luminaria dedication while raising money for a cure.

With only 124 more days to go, this year’s event will begin at 6 p.m. May 9 at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Individuals, businesses, schools, churches and civic organizations are encouraged to sign up your team today and begin fundraising at www.relayforlife.org.

For more information about how you can get involved, contact Randi Smith at the American Cancer Society at 828.253.2893 or 828.230.7757 or randi.smith@cancer.org. www.facebook.com/relayforlifeofwesthaywoodnc.

Fisher honored for hospice and palliative care in WNC

January 8-14, 2014

Respected physician and Western North Carolina hospice and palliative care pioneer Ron Fisher, M.D., is retiring as medical director of Med-West Health Systems, Sylva, after 27 years of distinguished service.

An informal reception will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, at Mountain Trace Nursing Center in Sylva. An award presentation is slated for 5:30 p.m. in appreciation of Fisher’s commitment to quality hospice and palliative care.

Individuals who would like to recognize Fisher’s contributions are asked to make a donation in his honor to the Hospice House Foundation, Franklin.

For about 20 years, he remained in family practice, gradually evolving into geriatric and elder care. By 1989, he increasingly focused on patients who needed long term care. Impressed by the work of Dame Cicely Sanders, known as the “mother of hospice care,” Fisher became certified in palliative care as soon as soon as the option became available. Eventually, Fisher’s practice became fully focused on patients with serious, life limiting illnesses or at end of life.

In the future, Fisher plans to fulfill community roles, practicing in Sylva’s free Good Samaritan Clinic, and remaining in his part-time position as medical director for the Jackson County Department of Public Health. www.hhfwnc.org.

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Putting a price on memories now changed or gone. And therein lies the heartache part of Wadham’s job, when she must call up the skills she once used to calm skittish colts and comfort young riders.

“When people ask us to come in and to evaluate an estate, we can pretty well sense the meanings of different possessions. But because we aren’t personally involved with the sale, because we haven’t lived with the merchandise our whole life, it makes it easier for us to do a liquidation or a cleanout. But what happens with the family, they can remember sitting down at a dinner and using a piece of china or their Nanna’s favorite bowl.”

And that’s hard, she said, because many times the memories are just too much.

“When we go in, we see the bowl, we love the bowl, we cherish the bowl, but we’re not emotionally attached, because we never knew Nanna. I desensitize myself to a point,” Wadham said. “But because the families are often so sensitive about the possessions, we try to go in and give them dignity.

Co-owner of Frog Pond Estates and Downsizing, Yvonne Wadham looks to help her clients not We listen to them, when they emotionally only sell their posessions, but also ease the emotional loss as well. Melanie Threlkeld McConnell photo break down we sit there, we talk to them and we try to understand what

BY M ELANIE THRELKELD MCCONNELL they’re going through.”

CORRESPONDENT Not all treasures are or most of Yvonne Wadham’s 64 years, immediately obvious, horses were her life, on a big scale, a Wadham noted.

22-acre California ranch kind of scale, “When we come across where she raised and showed horses, brojewelry or money or things kered high-priced horses, and taught chilthat are very important to dren how to ride — lots and lots of children. the family, we call them and Along the way she learned a little someask them what they want us thing about the human condition: “You learn to do with it. These posseshow to read people, and you try to bring the sions are not ours. We are positive out of somebody, not the negative.” working for our clients. It’s While those days are mostly gone — the really important that you are horses, the 70 stalls, the ranch — the skills that honest and you have integrigot her there are not, and she’s using them in a ty in this business,” she said. new arena: helping people to downsize.

She’s been touched by Wadham and her husband, Jack, own other finds — such as wed“Because the families are often so and operate Frog Pond Estates and ding dresses and love letters sensitive about the possessions, we Downsizing, an estate liquidation service in — because they were things Waynesville’s Frog Level, where she holds the that were cherished. But the try to go in and give them dignity. We reins to guide people through one of the biggest lesson she has most emotional transitions of their lives: learned is that people don’t listen to them, when they emotionally clearing their home or a relative’s of a lifealways realize what is valubreak down we sit there, we talk to time of living. The business, she said, able and what isn’t. requires understanding the emotional “We tell people to please them and we try to understand what impact of separating people from their posnot throw out anything until they’re going through.” sessions, some of which may be the last conwe can get there to see it,” she nection to a long-gone family member. said. “The reason is, what they — Yvonne Wadham, Frog Pond Estates “We are like psychiatrists,” Wadham think is valuable, nine times and Downsizing added. out of 10, it is mediocre. What “Often, there is so much stress and pain they think is garbage is not.” gallery, where the items are sorted and coming out of this home, it’s like a big stone Wadham is a long way from her native priced individually based on a fair market around their neck,” Wadham says. “So you California and her former horse ranch, but value. Wadham takes a percentage of everycome in and say, ‘I’m here to help you, I’m you wouldn’t know it. Friendly and eager to thing that sells. your life saver. I’m going to help you up out help, she greets customers and works the “We are not an auction,” Wadham clariof the water. And I’m going to make this easgallery like it was another arena. fies emphatically. “We do not sell box lots. ier for you.’”

“I like to see people happy. And when We sell everything individually.”

This is how it works: First, the customer you go into a situation, you’re trying to help And it shows. The gallery is a mélange of decides what, if any, of the possessions he or them, you’re not trying to harm them, and furniture, glassware, China, kitchen utensils, people can sense that when you go into talk she wants to keep. The rest, Wadham will records, books, artwork, odds and ends, and to a family member,” she said. “It makes a either buy out or sell for the family at a tag other items that at one time were treasured sale at her gallery at 255 Depot St. in difference. I was always taught to treat someby or just plain useful to their former ownWaynesville. Her crew will do the inventory body like you want to be treated and I try to ers; tangible proof of a life lived, but a life and pack and move the contents to the remember that.”

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Opinion

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Lots of problems with ‘Something Bruin’

In numerous newspapers in late November 2013, it was reported that six U.S. Forest Service (USFS) employees from Western North Carolina were awarded “Law Enforcement and Investigations Awards” by the USFS for their roles in “Operation Something Bruin,” a four-year, multi-agency investigation targeting bear poachers in Western North Carolina and surrounding states, resulting in arrests in February 2013.

It had also been reported earlier that the National Wildlife Federation bestowed "prestigious conservation honors" on Sgt. Chad Arnold, an officer from Charlotte with the Special Investigations Unit of the N.C. Wildlife Commission. Arnold was named "Wildlife Enforcement Officer of the Year", and the Commission was named the "Natural Resources Agency of the Year," according to a press release from the N.C. Wildlife Commission.

The Wildlife Federation, United States Forest Service, state and federal officials have been too hasty handing out awards and congratulating each other.

After state and federal wildlife officials arrested these so-called poachers in February 2013, the state dismissed all charges on some of them in April 2013. Some hunters were arrested again in June 2013 by U.S. Forest Service officials.

In 2009, Arnold (undercover alias "Chad Ryan") and Davey Webb (alias “Davey Williams”), a wildlife agent from Georgia, visited a gun shop in Bryson City. According to the shop owner, they stated that they wanted

Lake J annexation issue not fairly represented To the Editor: While I recognize that The Smoky Mountain News’ annual year in review awards are meant to be tongue-in-cheek, the “Longwinded Award,” which reflects on the proposed annexation of Lake Junaluska by the town of Waynesville, misses the mark and, in my belief, misleads readers into the key issue on why the proposal which was presented to the N.C. General Assembly failed to pass.

Lake Junaluska went out of its way to ensure a full and transparent discussion of the issue of annexation. Yes, everyone was given multiple chances to have a voice in the discussion, and all were provided on-line access to minutes of the formal discussions. Those results were also fully reported on in the local print news media.

To even “tongue-in-cheek” call it longwinded does not fairly represent the process, the persons who were involved, or the question of whether or not a consensus was reached. In fact, the comprehensive survey

to get involved in bear hunting and asked for recommendations of hunting guides in the area. However, according to subsequent reports, they were supposed to be infiltrating known poaching circles. The gun shop owner told them about some hunters whom he knew in Graham County. Arnold and Webb hunted with the men in Graham County and also with men from Swain, Jackson, Haywood and other counties from 2009-2012.

In late 2010 through 2011, under time constraints, Arnold and Webb resorted to various measures to try to entice the hunters to break laws. Apparently, in some cases these officers were law-breakers, not the hunters. In fact, in a recent case in Haywood County, an agent admitted to breaking 39 wildlife laws.

State and federal agents employed Gestapo-like techniques in search and seizure of so-called evidence, including improper service of search-warrants. In one house, screaming 3- and 4-year old children were left unsupervised for a period of time while the parents were in handcuffs outside the home.

“Operation Something Bruin” was not cheap. The State and Federal Wildlife spent more than $2 million of their budget — taxpayer dollars — to execute the investigation.

To date, hunters who have had jury trials have not been convicted because Arnold and Webb could not provide any evidence.

Enticements by agents and/or prosecutors were made, including offers to drop charges if one hunter allegedly involved would plead to one charge and lose his license for only one day. The hunter refused and requested a jury

LETTERS done of all the homeowners resulted in a clear preference for annexation by a 2 to 1 margin.

When a select few of the opposition to annexation — people who had more than ample opportunity (and did) voice their concerns during the public discussions — lost their argument when viewed in the results of the survey, they went to the legislature and found what certainly appeared to be an ideologically driven General Assembly House of Representative to take up and effectively stop even a vote on annexation in the House (after a fully supportive vote to approve annexation had passed in the Senate).

This now leaves Lake Junaluska homeowners with higher out-of-pocket infrastructure costs (with even higher costs potentially coming, as the SMN noted in the closing words of the “Longwinded Award” article).

For Lake Junaluska to be fiscally sustainable and to be able to meet current and future needs, the annexation was, and remains, a critical issue.

I would urge all those persons who see the need for change to speak out and support the

trial. In this case, all charges were dropped due to lack of evidence.

Although various new releases by the N.C. Wildlife Commission, as well as various media sources, have already labeled all the hunters as poachers, many of these men have not had their day in court. Whatever happened to due process of law and innocent until proven guilty?

Something IS brewing in WNC; that something would be tempers. The hunters, many who are upstanding citizens in our communities, are tired of being falsely accused, their rights ignored, and their reputations ruined by state and federal agencies, as well as the media.

Chad Arnold and the N.C. Wildlife Commission were honored at the annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards banquet, held in October at Embassy Suites RTP in Cary.

The fact that Arnold and the Commission were given such honors makes a mockery of the governor’s banquet and its purposes, as stated in a press release: “The ceremony recognizes those who have an unwavering commitment to conservation and an uncommon determination to safeguard the state’s natural resources. By publicizing and honoring these conservation leaders — young and old, professional and volunteer — the Wildlife Federation hopes to inspire everyone to take a more active role in protecting natural resources.”

Also from the press release: “I must acknowledge the teamwork behind Operation

Something Bruin and recognize those who contributed to its success,” said Col. Dale Caveny, chief of the Division of Law Enforcement, who accepted on behalf of Arnold and the Wildlife Commission. “The cohesive efforts of the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service on the federal level; and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at the state level, made this investigation work.

Here at home, I have to thank North Carolina’s wildlife commissioners for their personal support and the entire Wildlife Commission, especially the Division of Wildlife Management, for their assistance.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the sportsmen and public.”

The citizens of WNC and north Georgia are now organizing to get some answers from these agencies on why their constitutional rights have been ignored and proper due process of law not given.

Public meetings involving elected officials at all levels are currently being planned. One will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 18 in the Swain County Center for the Arts in Bryson City. It is being hosted by the Southeastern Hunters and Sportsmen Alliance. If you have information you would like to share or have friends or family members victimized by this operation, please send an e-mail to somethingrewing2013@yahoo.com, or a letter to P.O. Box 948, Bryson City, N.C., 28713.

Linda Crisp Graham County

bill for annexation in the upcoming short session of the General Assembly.

It is truly not a laughing matter but a very serious one with lasting economic consequences hanging in the balance.

James Ryer Lake Junaluska Homeowner

wildlife habitats are under attack. In recent years our duck hunting has suffered because ducks are just not coming down from the north like they use too. We are finding trout streams that are warming to a point that cold water fish can’t survive. We have witnessed damage from saltwater incursion in national wildlife refuges that kills fresh water marshes as sea levels rise.

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) just completed four reports on the impact of a warming world on wildlife habitats: • Swimming Upstream: Freshwater Fish in a Warming World.

• Shifting Skies: Migratory Birds in a Warming World.

• Nowhere to Run: Big Game in a Warming World.

• Wildlife in a Warming World.

You can find all four reports at the on the NWF website at www.nwf.org/sportsmen/climate-change.aspx Whether you are a hunter, fisherman, birder, or simply enjoy kicking around outdoors, I believe you will find these reports compelling.

G. Richard Mode Morganton

Natural areas under assault from warming To the Editor: I love this time of year. Cold, crisp days remind me of the days I spent with my dad and our beagles chasing rabbits. Now it means it’s time to share a blind with a wet retriever or float a river when no one else is on it to see if any wood ducks are still here or if mallards have come down from up north.

Now my 40-year-old son hunts and fishes with me. I love the time I get to spend with my son afield. We hunt and fish on the public lands and public waters that we are blessed to own with other Americans.

Unfortunately these resources and all

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

828.926.0734. Open 7 days a week 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Celebrating over 25 years.

Enjoy world famous hot dogs as well as burgers, seafood, hushpuppies, hot wings and chicken. Be sure to save room for dessert.

The cobbler, pie and cake selections are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Burgers to Salads Southern Favorites & Classics -Local beers now on draft-

Live Music on the Patio Tues.-Fri. Call to see who’s playing.

117 Main Street, Canton NC 828.492.0618 • SidsOnMain.com Serving Lunch & Dinner

MON.-THURS. 11 A.M.-9 P.M. • FRI. & SAT. 11 A.M.-10 P.M. SUNDAY BRUNCH 11 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M.

January 8-14, 2014

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ARTISAN BREADS & PASTRIES

WINTER HOURS Smoky Mountain News

SUN-THURS: 8 AM - 3 PM FRI & SAT: 8AM - 5 PM

BREAKFAST • LUNCH TAKE-OUT • EAT-IN • CATERING

Scratch-Made Fresh Daily Breads • Biscuits Bagels • Cakes • Pies Pastries • Soups Salads • Sandwiches 222-05

Fair Trade Coffee & Espresso

18 North Main Street Waynesville • 452.3881 SUN-THR: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

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ASHEVILLE: 60 Biltmore Ave. 252.4426 & 88 Charlotte St. 254.4289

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

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

BLUE ROOSTER SOUTHERN GRILL 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, Lakeside Plaza at the old Wal-Mart. 828.456.1997. Open Monday through Friday. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Fresh-cut salads; slow-simmered soups; flame grilled burgers and steaks, and homemade signature desserts.

Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily.

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

BOURBON BARREL BEEF & ALE 454 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, 828.452.9191. Dinner nightly from 4 p.m.

Closed on Sunday. We specialize in hand-cut, all natural steaks, fresh fish, and other classic American comfort foods that are made using only the finest local and sustainable ingredients available. We also feature a great selection of craft beers from local artisan brewers, and of course an extensive selection of small batch bourbons and whiskey. The Barrel is a friendly and casual neighborhood dining experience where our guests enjoy a great meal without breaking the bank.

BREAKING BREAD CAFÉ 6147 Hwy 276 S. Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station) 828.648.3838 Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (takeout only 5 to 6 p.m.) Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Serving Mediterranean style foods; join us for weekly specials. We roast our own ham, turkey and roast beef just like you get on Thanksgiving to use in our sandwiches. Try our chicken, tuna, egg and pasta salads made with gluten free mayo. Enjoy our variety of baked goods made daily: muffins, donuts, cinnamon buns and desserts.

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. Mile-high mountaintop dining with a spectacular view. Join us for plentiful buffet-style dinners on Fridays and Saturdays, and long winter holiday weekends.

Dinner is served from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in winter and includes pot roast, Virginia ham or herb-baked chicken, complemented with

an assortment of seasonal vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer a fine selection of wine and beer. Lunch is served on the same days from 12 to 2 p.m.

CHEF’S TABLE 30 Church St., Waynesville. 828.452.6210.

From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday dinner starting at 5 p.m. “Best of” Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine. Set in a distinguished atmosphere with an exceptional menu. Extensive selection of wine and beer. Reservations honored.

CITY BAKERY 18 N. Main St. Waynesville 828.452.3881.

Winter hours: Sunday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday & Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Join us in our historic location for scratch made soups and daily specials. Breakfast is made to order daily: Gourmet cheddar & scallion biscuits served with bacon, sausage and eggs; smoked trout bagel plate; quiche and fresh fruit parfait. We bake a wide variety of breads daily, specializing in traditional french breads. All of our breads are hand shaped. Lunch: Fresh salads, panini sandwiches. Enjoy outdoor dinning on the deck.

Private room available for meetings.

CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

828.587.2233. Open Monday-Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tasty, healthy and quick. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, espresso, beer and wine. Come taste the savory and sweet crepes, grilled paninis, fresh, organic salads, soups and more.

Outside patio seating. Free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly. Live music and lots of events. Check the web calendar at citylightscafe.com.

BRYSON CITY CORK & BEAN A MOUNTAIN SOCIAL HOUSE 16 Everett St.,Bryson City. 828.488.1934.

Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday brunch 9 a.m. to 3p.m., Full Menu 3 to 9 p.m. Serving fresh and delicious weekday morning lite fare, lunch, dinner, and brunch. Freshly prepared menu offerings range from house-made soups & salads, lite fare & tapas, crepes, specialty sandwiches and burgers. Be sure not to miss the bold flavors and creative combinations that make up the daily Chef Supper Specials starting at 5pm every day.

Followed by a tempting selection of desserts prepared daily by our chefs and other local bakers. Enjoy craft beers on tap, as well as our full bar and eclectic wine list.

CORK & CLEAVER 176 Country Club Drive, Waynesville.

828.456.7179. Reservations recommended.

4:30-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Tucked away inside Waynesville Inn, Cork & Cleaver has an approachable menu designed around locally sourced, sustainable, farm-to-table ingredients. Executive Chef Corey Green prepares innovative and unique Southern fare from local, organic vegetables grown in Western North Carolina. Full bar and wine cellar. www.waynesvilleinn.com.

COUNTRY VITTLES: FAMILY STYLE RESTAURANT 3589 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley.

828.926.1820 Open Daily 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., closed Tuesday. Family Style at Country Vittles is not a buffet. Instead our waitresses will bring your food piping hot from the kitchen right to your table and as many

refills as you want. So if you have a big appetite, but sure to ask your waitress about our family style service.

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

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

Tuesday-Saturday. Father and son team Frank and Louis Perrone cook up dinners steeped in Italian tradition. With recipies passed down from generations gone by, the Perrones have brought a bit of Italy to Maggie Valley. frankiestrattoria.com FRYDAY’S & SUNDAES 24 & 26 Fry St., Bryson City (Next To The Train Depot). 828.488.5379. Frydays is open; but closed on Wednesdays. Sundaes is open 7 days a week. Fryday’s is known for its Traditional English Beer Battered Fish & Chips, but also has burgers, deep fried dogs, gyro, shrimp, bangers, Chip Butty, chicken, sandwiches & a great kids menu. Price friendly, $3-$10, Everything available to go or call ahead takeout. Sundaes has 24 rotating flavors of Hershey's Ice Cream making them into floats, splits, sundaes, shakes. Private seating inside & out for both locations right across from the train station & pet friendly.

FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St. Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Sunday lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed Mondays. Frogs Leap is a farm to table restaurant focused on local, sustainable, natural and organic products prepared in modern regional dishes.

Seasonal menu focuses on Southern comfort foods with upscale flavors. Come for the restaurant’s 4 @ 4 when you can choose a center and three sides at special prices.

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

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

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

HERREN HOUSE 94 East St., Waynesville 828.452.7837.

Lunch: Wednesday - Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday Brunch 11 a. m. to 2 p.m.

Enjoy fresh local products, created daily. Join us in our beautiful patio garden. We are your local neighborhood host for special events: business party’s, luncheons, weddings, showers and more. Private parties & catering are available 7 days a week by reservation only.

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

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

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

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

828.648.4193. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday

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

828.456.7870. Open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner Monday through Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Enjoy the lunch prices Monday through Sunday, also enjoy our outdoor patio.

LUCIO'S RESTAURANT 313 Highlands Road, Franklin.

828.369.6670. Serving Macon County since 1984. Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday.

Lunch Wednesday-Friday 11:30 a.m. until.Dinner Wednesday-Saturday 5 p.m. until. Owned and operated by Tanya and Dorothy Gamboni. Serving authentic Italian and continental cuisine including appetizers, pastas, poultry, veal, seafood, steaks and homemade deserts. Selection of wine and beer. Lunch and Dinner menus. Wednesday and Thursday nights only. 1 appetizer and 2 selected entrées with unlimited salad and Lucio’s famous garlic rolls for $24.95.

Winter Special: half-off house wines, Friday and Saturday only. luciosnc.com

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

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

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

MOUNTAIN PERKS ESPRESSO BAR & CAFÉ 9 Depot St., Bryson City. 828.488.9561.

Open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. With music at the Depot. Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Life is too short for bad coffee. We feature wonderful breakfast and lunch selections.

Bagels, wraps, soups, sandwiches, salads and quiche with a variety of specialty coffees, teas and smoothies. Various desserts.

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

828.497.4590. Open 7 a.m. daily.

Enjoy readings of Scotland’s most famous poet, Robert Burns

5-course dinner w/beers from Tipping Point

Saturday, Jan. 25 • 6 pm $40/person + tax & gratuity

94 East St. • Waynesville 828-452-7837 www.herrenhouse.com

PASQUALINO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT 25 Everett Street, Bryson City.

828.488.9555. Open for lunch and dinner everyday 11:30 a.m.-late. A taste of Italy in beautiful Bryson City. Exceptional pasta, pizza, homemade soups, salads. Fine wine, mixed drinks and beer selection. Casual atmosphere, reservations appreciated.

PATIO BISTRO 30 Church Street, Waynesville.

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

RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT AND BAR Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center 828.926.0201 Bar open Monday thru Saturday; dining room open Tuesday thru Saturday at 5 p.m. Full service restaurant serving steaks, prime rib, seafood and dinner specials.

Open for Sunday Brunch 11-2 • Private parties only in January

UPCOMING EVENTS

FRIDAY JANUARY 10TH

Impostors

SATURDAY JANUARY 11TH

Sharkadelics 83 Asheville Hwy. Sylva Music Starts @ 9 • 631.0554

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SOUL INFUSION TEA HOUSE & BISTRO 628 E. Main St. (between Sylva Tire & UPS). 828.586.1717. Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday noon -until.

Scrumptious, natural, fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps and desserts. 60+ teas served hot or cold, black, chai, herbal.

Seasonal and rotating draft beers, good selection of wine. Home-Grown Music Network Venue with live music most weekends. Pet friendly and kid ready.

SPEEDY’S PIZZA 285 Main Street, Sylva. 828.586.3800.

Open seven days a week. Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 3 p.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Family-owned for 30 years. Serving hand-tossed pizza made to order, pasta, subs, gourmet salads, calzones and seafood. Also serving excellent prime rib on Thursdays. Dine in or take out available. Located across from the Fire Station.

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

THE WINE BAR 20 Church Street, downtown Waynesville.

828.452.6000. Underground cellar for wine and beer, served by the glass all day.

Cheese and tapas served Wednesday through Saturday 4 p.m.-9 p.m. or later. info@classicwineseller.com. Also on facebook and twitter.

CITY LIGHTS

TO-GO MUGS

Café

Mediterranean Style Foods 6147 Hwy 276 S. • Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station)

bbcafenc.com • 828.648.3838 Tu-F 8-6 (takeout only 5-6) • Sat 8-3

$10 – INCLUDES FREE 16 OZ. LATTE! 15% OFF ALL LATTES IN THIS CUP FOREVER! $1 DRIP COFFEE!

OFFER ENDS 1/31/14

S PRING S TREET, D OWNTOWN S YLVA CREPES, PANINIS, SOUPS, SALADS, GOURMET PASTAS WINE & BEER

CityLightsCafe.com

We’ll feed your spirit, too.

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Smoky Mountain News

MOONSHINE GRILL 2550 Soco Road, Maggie Valley loacted in the Smoky Falls Lodge. 828.926.7440.

Open Thursday through Saturday, 4:30 to 9 p.m. Cooking up mouth-watering, woodfired Angus steaks, prime rib and scrumptious fresh seafood dishes. The wood-fired grill gives amazing flavor to every meal that comes off of it. Enjoy creative dishes made using moonshine. Stop by and simmer for a while and soak up the atmosphere. The best kept secret in Maggie Valley. themoonshinegrill.com

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

Reservations appreciated.

Bed & Breakfast and Restaurant

January 8-14, 2014

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

828.293.3096. Open Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Earth-friendly foods at people-friendly prices. Daily specials, wraps, salads, pastries, breads, soups and more. Unique fare, friendly service, casual atmosphere and wireless Internet. Organic ingredients, local produce, gourmet fair trade and organic coffees.

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

68585

through Saturday. Serving breakfast, lunch, nd dinner. The restaurant has a 1950s & 60s theme decorated with memorabilia from that era.

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Cataloochee Ranch 13

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A&E

Smoky Mountain News

f someone asked you to describe the world of competitive, non-electronic gaming, your first thought might be poker, perhaps followed closely by chess. Dungeons and Dragons might get a mention in there somewhere, but cribbage probably wouldn’t be the first thing that popped into your mind.

But this centuries-old game — which dates back to the 17thcentury English balladeer Sir John Suckling — is still enjoyed by thousands around the country and the world, including Western North Carolina’s Reservation Peggers, or Res Peggers for short.

With the distinction of being the only cribbage club on an Indian reservation, they are a group of anywhere from just a handful of committed players to 14, 15 or more who get together weekly to battle it out in this fast-paced card game.

The rules, if you care to try your hand at the game, aren’t so tricky, and the pegging part comes from the small, notched board used to keep score. Points are accrued so quickly, especially among veteran players, that it’s more efficient to move pegs along the rows to count points than stop game play to write them down.

“The reason that you have the cribbage board is because you point consistently, and if you had to keep adding two points or three points, you’d go crazy trying to add it,” explains Keith Miller, who leads the group.

But, as fellow Res Pegger Steve McAllister-Pell points out, once you get the hang of it, the game can be as relaxed or as challenging as you make it.

“I think the thing with any card game is that every game you’re dealt a different hand, so it’s not like checkers where there’s preset moves and you pretty much know the first 10 moves people are going to make. With every card game, each hand is a different game to play,” explains McAllister-Pell.

But, he notes, playing cribbage is also a social experience, as opposed to the intellectual solitude of chess or the bluffing and posturing of poker. In that respect, it’s more akin to speed dating, actually. In tournament play particularly, each game lasts only around 15 minutes. Then it’s on to the next opponent, and watching footage of the dozens of tournaments played around the country, it’s easy to see that this is a central component of the game.

It’s competitive, sure, but it’s also very genial. Players talk to one another, banter back and forth, even take input from

I

Welcome to the crib Game of cribbage mixes competition, congeniality

BY COLBY DUNN • CORRESPONDENT

observers, and that adds an element of fun but also is part of the challenge. Unlike a single-minded strategist you may find in other games, playing against an unfriendly opponent in cribbage just isn’t overly fun. So to really rack up the points and enjoy yourself requires both a social and strategic mind.

At its essence, cribbage is a numbers game. McAllister-Pell learned it at an early age and then left the board for a number of years. But that early introduction, he says, has stayed with him, not only now that he’s returned to recreational play, but professionally as well.

“My father taught me the game when I was about 10, and it’s used as a learning tool a lot, math skills,” says McAllister-Pell. “I became a banker, and in some ways, I think it helped with my profession. I’m able to see numbers.”

Even those who aren’t naturally numerically inclined, however, can find a place in the cribbage world. It’s such an unusual mix of laid-back camaraderie and competition that both skilled competitors and complete novices can sidle up to the same table and walk away from the game satisfied. For example, the Reservation Peggers meet each week to play, and the scores from those games are then sent into the official-sounding American Cribbage Congress, something of a governing body with more than 6,000 members in the United States and Canada. Those numbers are then tallied against the other 350 clubs and rankings are created, so each club can see where it stands against the others. For cribbage players, competition happens at tournaments, sure, but it also happens weekly across the continent, which is a somewhat more competitive setup than you’d find “My father taught me at your local bridge club. the game when I was But in their actual meetings, it’s not nearabout 10, and it’s used ly as cutthroat as it as a learning tool a lot, seems, explains Miller.

“Well, it takes a math skills. I became a while to become good banker, and in some at it,” he says, “but we have one of the memways, I think it helped bers in our club who’s very new to playing. with my profession. I’m She’s new to the game able to see numbers.” in its fundamentals, but our club’s very — Steve McAllister-Pell, informal; she has Reservation Peggers questions, somebody gives her advice.”

Both Miller and McAllister-Pell said that newbies are often helped along by more experienced members, who will point out mistakes that cost them points or help them see holes in their strategy. Even in CandyLand it’s not customary to clue your adversary in to the fact that they missed the Gumdrop Path shortcut.

Advantage is what winning is about.

In the cribbage world, however, the end goal might be winning, but the underlying theme, it seems, is that winning is more fun when everyone is becoming a better player in the process. For the Res Peggers, at least, the formula of challenging but fun has worked. They’ve been playing for seven years so far and show no signs of slowing up, and the ACC has tournaments constantly at different locations around the country, the annual mother of all tournaments held in Reno, Nev. It may not be the most wellknown game in the world, but if you’d like to sharpen your math skills and make a new friend or two, a friendlier bunch you’ll never meet.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

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Smoky Mountain News

HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5

They say you can never go home again, that things are different when you return.

But the memories remain. They always do, with new ones ready to found around the corner or around the world. The sun will rise tomorrow, only to once again fall behind the western horizon. It is the way things are, and always have been.

And I wouldn’t change it for the world.

January 8-14, 2014

he train came to a halt.

Looking out the foggy window, a cold, snowy landscape awaited me.

“The current temperature is 10 below zero. Make sure you all bundle up. It’s like Siberia out there,” the conductor said over the loudspeaker.

I arrived at the station in Albany, N.Y. Finally heading home — almost. After a drive from Waynesville to Charlotte, it was a plane flight from there to New York City, a train to Albany, and finally another car ride with my parents for a few hours north to Plattsburgh.

During the Jan. 2 blizzard, the vehicle motored through the ancient Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. Dropping my bags on the floor of my parent’s home, it was surreal to be Reporter Garret K. back. The fireplace was roaring, Woodward after a my old dog lying next to it. The recent frozen run in house smelled the same, looked his hometown. the same, and felt the same.

Garret K. Woodward photo But, I wasn’t the same.

For the last decade, I’m been a wanderer. Growing up on the Canadian border, I took off for college in Connecticut, lived in Ireland, headed for Idaho after graduation, then around the The DuPont Brothers play The Classic country pursuing my dream of Wineseller in Waynesville on Jan. 16. becoming a writer. And for the last year and half, I’ve called Western North Carolina home.

Acclaimed outdoor photographer and WNC And being so far below the waterfall guru Kevin Adams will speak at the Mason-Dixon Line, I rarely, if Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center ever, get home. When I do, the at 7 p.m. on Jan. 13. people, places and things I adore from my youth seem to The WNC Civil War round table meets Jan. 13 always age more, as expected. at the Jackson Country Criminal Justice Center Bars and restaurants I used to in Sylva. frequent are gone — usually replaced by new and “exciting” “Pickin’ in the Armory” will be Jan. 17 at the establishments filled with faces Canton Armory.

I don’t remember or recognize.

Old friends whose weddings I attended years ago are going Poet Keith Flynn reads his work Jan. 16 at City through divorces, parenthood, Lights Bookstore in Sylva. financial troubles or health issues. Their voices over the phone or in person sound downtrodden. They speak of dreams lost and names immediately slowed down the gas pedal, provoking deep reflection of where I am in either forgotten or six feet under. Plenty are my life and where to from here. doing well, though, with blossoming careers I think we all go through these motions and goals they still grasp for. It’s a hefty mix of upon returning home, wherever that may be. folks, many of which I miss dearly.

You find yourself amid a physical and emoThat first night back home, I cruised tional reality you remember being part of, around in my father’s truck, alone with just but can’t seem to pinpoint anymore what it my thoughts. The roads were silent, frozen felt like to actually be there. You pick up picunderneath the roaming tires. Bob Seger’s “Against The Wind” floated out of the stereo. ture frames and see yourself, a kid with all the time in the world — all of that wonder It was an eerily poignant melody, one that

I think we all go through these motions upon returning home, wherever that may be. You find yourself amid a physical and emotional reality you remember being part of, but can’t seem to pinpoint anymore what it felt like to actually be there.

arts & entertainment

This must be the place

and unknown future of middle school, high school, college and adulthood. That unknown future has now become the past, with even more questions arising than were asked in the beginning. It’s truly a bittersweet sentiment.

My reality nowadays revolves around Southern Appalachia. The friends I’ve made and people I write about have filled my existence with curious and positive energy. I came here for a reason, which was to bring stories to life. It is a passion of mine that only burns hotter and stronger with each passing year. Being outside of that bubble of humanity, back home, I can really make sense of why I’m here in Western North Carolina, why I continue to work and play in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

But, what does remain is my sentimentality for my hometown in the North Country. I think between my Irish background, being a writer, and just a hopeless romantic at heart, I will always hold tight to my time up there.

Maybe someday, I’ll make my triumphant return there. Maybe I’ll even replant roots in the native soils of my youth. Maybe.

Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News 828 | 452 | 4251 15

arts & entertainment

On the street Bartending class offered at SCC A bartending class will be offered from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday from Jan. 28 to March 11 at Southwestern Community College in Sylva.

The class helps students become professional bartenders by teaching Alcoholic Beverage Control requirements, drink recipes, information on Training for Intervention Procedures certification and more.

The course includes lecture, demonstration and hands-on participation. Students must be at least 21. Cost for the class is $125, with the textbook $9. scotts@southwesterncc.edu or 828.306.7034.

Community dance in Sylva Jan. 12 Out of the Woodwork will perform at the community dance at 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 12, in the Jackson County Library Complex in Sylva. Dancing will include circle and square dances as well as contra dances. All

dances will be taught and walked through before dancing. No previous experience is necessary and no partner is required. Ron Arps will call the dance to the live music of Out of the Woodwork, a band composed of local musicians, which invites other musicians to sit in with the band, to jam and learn how to play music for dancing. There will also be a potluck dinner following the dance at 5 p.m. Please bring a covered dish, plate, cup and cutlery and a water bottle. Suggested donation of $5. ronandcathy71@frontier.com or www. dancewnc.com.

• A wine tasting will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Jan. 11 and Jan. 18, at Papou’s Wine Shop and Bar in Sylva. Discounts will be offered on wines tasted. 828.586.6300. • “Fitness and Wine Pairingâ€? will be at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 11, at Papou’s Wine Shop and Bar in Sylva. “Mike Knows Fitnessâ€? will be a discussion of the healthy benefits of wine with a demonstration of fitness equipment and free body composition assessment.

919.272.8628 or 828.586.6300.

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Smoky Mountain News

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Western Carolina University has several speakers and programs as part of its annual Martin Luther King celebration, which is themed “Beloved Community: Peace and Unity,â€? running from Jan. 20 to Jan. 25. • TV show host, political science professor and writer Melissa V. Harris-Perry will be the keynote speaker at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, in the Grandroom of A.K. Hinds University Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Harris-Perry, host of the weekend news and opinion show “Melissa Harris-Perryâ€? on MSNBC, also is a professor of political science at Tulane University. Her publications include the recently released book Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes and Black Women in America and the award-winning “Barbershops, Bibles and BET: Everyday Talk and Black Political Thought.â€? In addition, she writes for The Nation magazine, which features her monthly column titled “Sister Citizen.â€? • A unity march on campus begins at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Melissa V. Harris-Perry will be the keynote speaker Illusions in the University Center. for Western Carolina University’s annual celebration Hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha fraterniin honor of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther ty, the march will be followed by a King Jr. Harris-Perry will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, birthday party for King.

Jan. 22, in Cullowhee. Donated photo • The screening of Part 1 of “King: From Montgomery to Memphisâ€? will be at 6 p.m. Jan. 20 Kappa Alpha sorority and Last Minute in the theater of the University Center. Part Productions at 6 p.m. Jan. 24 at Illusions in II is at 6 p.m. Jan. 22 followed by a discusthe University Center. sion.

University administrative offices will be • A student will reenact King’s 1963 “I closed Jan. 20 in observance of the Martin Have a Dreamâ€? speech at noon Jan. 22 from Luther King Jr. holiday. the University Center balcony. ftbrown@wcu.edu or 828.227.2276 or • “Open Mic Nightâ€? will be hosted by www.wcu.edu.

Haywood celebrates MLK weekend

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WCU events commemorate the life of Martin Luther King Jr.

Haywood County will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a pride march and a weekend full of services, including the 24th annual MLK prayer breakfast at Lake Junaluska. • A pride march will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 18 in Waynesville. It will begin at the Haywood County Justice Center in downtown and end at the Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center, where there will be a time to share historical reflections, and refreshments will be served. • A commemorative service will be at 3 p.m. Jan. 19 at Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church near Lake Junaluska. Speaker will be Rev. Reginald Eldridge, pastor of Harris Chapel AME Zion Church in Canton. • A prayer breakfast will take place at 8 a.m. Jan. 20 at the Lambuth Inn at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. The speaker will be Dr. Dudley E. Flood, a retired school sdministrator from Raleigh, with live music by Chuck Beatie (aka Dr. Blues). Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for students and children. Children ages 8 and under are admitted free.

828.215.0296 or 828.246.2588 or 828.648.3363 or 828.648.5471.

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On the beat Wikimedia Commons

arts & entertainment

Earl Scruggs when he was with Bill Monroe.

Earl Scruggs Center documents the life of a premier musician

• Bohemian Jean, Paul Cataldo, The DuPont Brothers, Leo Johnson and Joe Cruz will perform at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Bohemian Jean plays Jan. 10, with Cataldo performing Jan. 11, The DuPont Brothers Jan. 16, Johnson Jan. 17 and Cruz Jan. 18.

All shows begin at 7 p.m. $10 minimum food, drink or merchandise purchase.

828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

ALSO:

• The “Winter Pickin’ in the Armory” will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, at the Canton Armory. Performance includes mountain music, vintage country, clogging and dancing. The pickin’ is every first and third Friday of the month. www.cantonnc.com.

• Chris Titchner and Matthew Townsend will play City Lights Café in Sylva. Titchner performs Jan. 17, with Townsend performing Jan. 18. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m.

828.587.2233 or www.citylightscafe.com.

• Caleb Crawford, Arrogant Americans, The Love Medicated, Wade Baker & Kyle Bledsoe, PMA and Porch 40 will perform at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva. Crawford plays Jan. 9, with Arrogant Americans performing Jan. 10, The Love Medicated Jan. 11, Baker & Bledsoe Jan. 16, PMA Jan. 17 and Porch 40 Jan. 18.

All shows are free and begin at 9 p.m.

828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

Smoky Mountain News

Cleveland County native with the story of the history and cultural traditions of the region. It was in the Flint Hill community of Cleveland County where Scruggs learned to play banjo and began the three-finger playing style that has come to be known around the world as “Scruggs Style.”

The Center will explore Scruggs’ innovative career and celebrate how he crossed musical boundaries and defined the voice of the banjo to the world. Scruggs was known to embrace tradition while also adapting to the changing times and looking toward the future.

For admission rates and more information, visit www.earlscruggscenter.org.

January 8-14, 2014

The new Earl Scruggs Center, honoring one of the nation’s premier banjo artists, will celebrate its grand opening at 11 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 11, in the Cleveland County Court Square in Shelby.

The center, which is housed in the historic courthouse, features exhibits of the life and music of Earl Scruggs, many of which are interactive. The “Common Threads” exhibit allows visitors to “play” the instruments used in bluegrass music in an interactive display or learn more about the icons of American folk music.

The Center combines the life story of the legendary five-string banjo master and

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On the stage

arts & entertainment

On the wall

The Cherokee touring exhibit “Understanding our Past, Shaping our Future” will be on view through Feb. 9 at the Jackson County Library in Sylva.

January 8-14, 2014

Cherokee exhibit at Jackson County library The touring exhibit “Understanding our Past, Shaping our Future,” will be on view through Feb. 9 at the Jackson County Library in Sylva. The exhibit focuses on Cherokee language and culture, using sound recordings as the basis for presenting a coherent story in words and text Rather than translating from English into Cherokee, as is often done, much of the exhibit text was excerpted from conversations originally recorded in Cherokee. A Cherokee speakers group, organized in cooperation with the Cherokee Language Program at Western Carolina University, met weekly at the Kituwah Academy, the language emersion school. There, members were shown historic photographs and asked to comment on them. Their conversations were transcribed, translated, and included on the fifteen panels that make up the exhibit.

Rerecorded by language instructor Tom Belt, these conversations are archived in Hunter Library’s online digital collections at Western Carolina University. The exhibit panels use smart phone technology and QR codes to link to conversations in the archive. By hitting the onscreen play button, an exhibit visitor can listen to the Cherokee syllabary as it is spoken.

Slated to travel to ten sites in the region, the exhibit places cultural interpretation in locations frequented by the public.

“Understanding our Past, Shaping our Future” will later be on view at the Swain County Center for the Arts in Bryson City, Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center in Asheville, Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Cashiers Symposium and Historical Society in Cashiers.

The touring exhibit is sponsored by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in partnership with Cherokee Central Schools, Southwestern Community College, and Western Carolina University. Funding was provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. curatorial.insight@gmail.com

Photo club meeting in Sylva The Jackson Photo Club will hold its monthly meeting from 2 to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 11, at the Open Door for Spiritual Living in Sylva.

The club is open to photo enthusiasts of all levels of photographic experience.

Visitors are welcome.

828.226.3840.

‘Galaxy of Stars’ presents ‘50s rock revue “Smokey Joe’s Café,” a song and dance revue of hit tunes from the rock ’n’ roll era before the Beatles, will hit the stage as part of the Galaxy of the Stars series at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

The show features nine cast members performing some of the best-known songs of the 1950s and 1960s. “Stand By Me,” “Love Potion No. 9,” “Yakety Yak,” “Hound Dog,” “Spanish Harlem,” “On Broadway” and “Jailhouse” are among the several dozen standards on the program.

The original production of “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” was a successful Broadway musical that had a five-year run and was nominated for eight Tony awards. The soundtrack for the musical won a Grammy Award in 1996.

Tickets for the Jan. 26 show are $20 for

Civil War round table tackles Gettysburg The Western North Carolina Civil War Round Table will meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 13, at Jackson County Criminal Justice Center in Sylva.

Phil Brown of Greensboro will tell a different side of the struggle on Little Round Top in the Battle of Gettysburg. Brown will use a multi-media presentation to question the impact of that fighting on the outcome of the battle. Films and the literature have the engagements between the 20th Massachusetts and elements of the 15th and 4th Alabama on Gettysburg’s second day as integral to the bat-

Smokey Joe’s Café will hit the stage at WCU on Jan. 26. Donated photo

adults, $15 for WCU faculty and staff and $5 for students and children. For tickets and additional information, contact the Bardo Arts Center box office at 828.227.2479 or www.bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

tle’s outcome. Brown will give an alternate view of the effect of the fighting within the battle’s context.

Brown majored in history at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and participated in an exchange program at Gettysburg College, which led to opportunities with the National Park Service when he applied for an internship.

He was hired as a seasonal employee at the Gettysburg National Military Park, a position he still holds during the summers.

Brown and WNCCWRT members will meet at 5 p.m. before the presentation at Bogart’s in Sylva, followed by a social hour at the Justice Center at 6:30 p.m.

828.293.9314 or 828.456.4212.

Smoky Mountain News

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Books

Smoky Mountain News

O’Brien’s fiction uniquely relevant to our current issues n Voyage To Alpha Centauri (Ignatius Press, ISBN 978-1-58617-832-1), Michael O’Brien, Canadian writer and painter, gives us a grand tale of a space voyage to Alpha Centauri, the star closest to our own solar system. Voyage puts us on board the Kosmos, an enorWriter mous space vessel carrying more than 600 people: scientists, technicians, pilots, workers in the ship’s restaurants, janitors.

The round trip to this next solar system takes 19 years, with one of those years given over to exploration of one of the planets. The physicist whose ideas helped make the journey possible is Neil de Hoyos, who is the narrator and central character of the story. Both De Hoyos and the other passengers aboard the ship are leaving behind an earth governed by a strong central government which spies continually on its citizens through a variety of electronic devices, including insect-sized drones.

While on the flight to Alpha Centauri, de Hoyos and a few others, including a heroic young hacker from maintenance, discover that the security officers of the ship are also monitoring all members of the crew. This spying — think National Security Agency, 2013 — angers de Hoyos to the extent that, when invited to give a speech at one of the ship’s cultural forums, he instead reveals the spying. Punished by being forced to take medication for his supposed “mental breakdown” — the doctor instead gives him a placebo — de Hoyos eventually becomes a hero to the rebels aboard the ship.

Like all of O’Brien’s novels, Voyage to Alpha Centauri is a hefty tome capable of serving as a doorstop or weapon, and like those other books, Voyage also carries with it a cargo of ideas. Topics ranging from God to marriage and the family, from genetics to physics, fill the book and will entertain and instruct the reader who enjoys philosophy in the guise of fiction. Because the other travelers are from all parts of the earth, O’Brien is free to look at other ideas and religions as well: the concept of freedom versus security, for example, or the contrasts between Eastern and Western thought. History and literature are also given heavy play in these conversations, so that the novel makes in many respects for mediation on the meaning of human personhood.

The esoteric parts of the story, however,

Jeff Minick

I

never impede the story itself or diminish the many details regarding the Kosmos and its journey. O’Brien describes the ship so well, from its lounges and cabins to the working of its engines, that readers quickly come to see how much time and effort he put into his futuristic creation. Some of the gadgetry — the computers, the doors that open at the sound of a voice, the medical treatments — are not the stuff of Start Trek, but instead

to explore this old technology they unleash upon themselves and on part of the planet a horror of blood, fire, and death. (To say anything more specific here would damage the plot of the book).

This overarching theme of Voyage To Alpha Centauri — the clash of world views — has long played a part in O’Brien’s novels and should be of vital concern to any reader interested in today’s issues of individual privacy, religious freedom, and the threat of Big Brother.

For those looking for a lengthy book filled with big ideas for a winter’s read, Michael O’Brien’s Voyage To Alpha Centauri entertains and casts a light on the idea of truth.

••• Writing the above sketch of O’Brien’s novel brought to mind an older novel with some similar themes, Walter M. Miller Jr.’s A Canticle For Leibowtiz. First published in 1959, and on a first reading seemingly concerned with the nuclear age and the possibility of nuclear holocaust, A Canticle For Leibowitz also presents a profound meditation on the dark side of the union of science and politics, on repetitions of history, and on mankind’s arrogance in terms of technology. This dark and densely written narrative, centered on a monastery founded after a nuclear war, warns readers against the shortcomings Voyage To Alpha Centauri by Michael O’Brien. Ignatius Press, — Miller would have used 2013. 700 pages the word sin — of pride in technological development, seem very real extensions of the electronics particularly when moral development lags available today. behind.

Like many other works of science fiction, Stuffed full of erudite commentary — Voyage to Alpha Centauri also contains a Miller employs everything from Church meditation and a warning on science itself.

Latin to ancient Hebrew — and peopled The explorers who come to the new planet, a with great characters (Brother Francis and veritable Eden, find there the vestiges of an the Poet alone make the book worth readold civilization, a cruel and barbarous socieing), A Canticle For Leibowtiz is regarded by ty of conquerors and conquered, of masters some as a modern classic and has rightly and slaves. The slave-masters who came eons remained in print since its publication. ago from another planet left behind a device Given our own increasingly dangerous world which the new visiting scientists cannot of nuclear weapons, this novel too is worthy resist tinkering with, and in their eagerness of your attention.

19

Coffee with the Poet welcomes Flynn The Coffee with the Poet series continues with Keith Flynn at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

Flynn is the author of six books, including five collections of poetry. From 1984-1999, he was the lyricist and lead singer for the nationally acclaimed rock band, The Crystal Zoo. He is currently touring with a supporting combo The Holy Men, whose album, Live at the Diana Wortham Theatre, was released in 2011. His poetry has been featured in numerous journals, and he has twice been named the GilbertChappell Distinguished Poet for North Carolina.

Flynn is the founder and managing editor of the Asheville Poetry Review, which began publishing in 1994.

The Coffee with the Poet series gathers every third Thursday and is co-sponsored by the NetWest chapter of the North Carolina Writer’s Network.

828.586.9499.

Revere releases new poem collection Writer Michael Revere will present his newest collection, Popcorn Poems, at 3 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 11, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

Revere is a writer, musician and laborer. He is a Vietnam War-era veteran, who lives in Sylva.

He has conducted poetry readings and workshops in colleges, high-school classrooms and public venues throughout America. The author of several collections of poetry in print and on CD, his work has also been published in many periodicals, newspapers and magazines, including Images, Lunatic Fringe, The Sun, Hyperion, Waters, The Raleigh News & Observer, The Village Voice, Hard Times, The Western Carolinian and Milestone. His letters are archived at the Wilson Library at the UNC Chapel Hill, where his personal papers have been collected since 1974.

828.586.9499.

Wine, Appalachian love ripen in Ezzard book Author Lisa Ezzard will read from her book, Vintage, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

Returning to her roots on a six-generation family farm, Ezzard comes home to Tiger Mountain to become a wine maker and grower.

Humbled and ruled by an ancestral love of the land and its seasons, she prunes in the winter, trains in the spring and summer, and harvests in the fall. Through Ezzard’s heart and hands Dionysus comes alive in the Southeastern Appalachians of Georgia. Readers can follow the year’s vintage and taste the wine, for Vintage brings to the farming life a whole new palette.

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

20

Youth from St. Marks United Methodist Church of Melbourne, Fla., were at Cataloochee Ski Mountain while participating in a popular program at Lake Junaluska Assembly that combines faith programs with skiing and snowboarding.

Ski Junaluska Weekends pair Christian fellowship with downhill fun Lake Junaluska photo

BY COLBY DUNN SMN CORRESPONDENT erched atop the crest of a mountain, with two slim pieces of fiberglass strapped to your feet, that last big push to send you careening down the slope is a leap of faith — with nothing but your own skills, a couple aluminum poles and perhaps the assistance of The Almighty to guide you.

Maybe that’s why the ubiquitous youth group ski trip has long been a staple of churches across the country. Perhaps it’s just because teenage bravado and youthful agility are particularly well-suited to chucking yourself down a mountain at high speeds in unusual contortions.

Either way, in the church calendar of the 11to 18-year-old set, the winter-retreat-slash-skiouting is often a much-anticipated annual tradition, one that both Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center and Cataloochee Ski Area play host to each winter for hordes of youth from churches all over the Southeast.

The two organizations have teamed up to provide a seamless experience for youth groups and their leaders in an effort that’s proven to be a win-win for both.

As a Christian retreat center on the doorstep of a ski resort, Lake Junaluska offers a weekend package that combines skiing, fellowship, Christian youth speakers and a teenfriendly concert by a Christian band.

“It is a turn-key package for youth groups, lodging, meals instruction, programming. All they need to do is just show up and be ready to have fun,” said Ken Howle, director of advancement for Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat.

Cataloochee and Junaluska team up on six

P

winter ski-and-worship weekends especially for youth, starting with New Year’s Day and running through February. Each weekend hosts anywhere from 200 to 700 teenagers, thousands over the six-week period.

“We’ve done ski trips in Boone and West Virginia, but really I like the Lake J arrangement best by far,” said Ken MacDonald, a volunteer youth leader at Raeford Presbyterian Church in Raeford, N.C. “The Lake does a great job of working with the ski resort to iron out the usual problems like lost tickets.”

Groups even have a separate room at Cataloochee from the general public to suit up and gear up in, which anyone who’s ever tried to herd a group of teenagers knows is vital.

But it’s the Christian programming that happens when kids are off the slopes that seals the deal.

“For youth it’s a chance to experience skiing, but the emphasis in all we do is growing in faith, and so the lake’s programming is really important,” MacDonald said.

It’s that balance and integration that keeps groups coming back year on year, and it’s what makes this particular partnership a successful one.

Though the ski portion is a huge selling point, the bands and the speakers that headline the weekend are vital to making the package enticing and impactful for groups who

often travel a good stretch to get there.

“We bring in all kinds of people,” said Jennifer Martin, the director of program ministries at Lake Junaluska. “This year we have a New York Times award-winning author and blogger, Rachel Held Evans. Andy Lambert comes every year, and people love him. Duffy Robbins has been here.” And the list continues.

Martin and her team try to come up with interesting speakers each year from a range of perspectives to keep it fresh for groups who make have been to the Lake before.

The rocking music probably doesn’t hurt either. While rocking may not be the adjective that has historically been used to describe worship tunes, the bands on the roster this year aren’t your grandma’s worship band.

Second Hand City, who have found fans in MacDonald’s group, is a 75 percent-bearded outfit out of Hickory whose sound is more Top 40 than traditional hymnal. The Texas-based Wayne Kerr Band also occupies the light show, mosh pit, electric guitar space in the Christian music scene, and they’ll be making an appearance at the lake this year, as well.

For the ski area, partnering with Lake Junaluska brings in a lot of skiers who perhaps wouldn’t have come otherwise. Youth groups travel from as far as Florida and Alabama for these retreats, and many of those kids probably wouldn’t have just headed out

Logistically and spiritually, Ski Junaluska weekends are a mid-winter escape for both youth and their church leaders.

As everyone gears up for a weekend of sending up praises and sliding down slopes, it’s hard to see a downside.

on the hours-long journey for a weekend of skiing on their own.

“We have people from all over the region that come to this area,” said Martin. “It’s a real win-win.”

Cataloochee and Lake Junaluska have been working together for a long time in different avenues, said Cataloochee’s Tammy Brown, marketing jointly to churches and working trade shows side by side. These six youth weekends in the winter are just taking that partnership to the next level.

It’s good for Cataloochee, which brings in business it might not otherwise. Cataloochee even contributes to the cost of bringing in the bands and speakers, which in turn help draw the youth groups.

And for Lake Junaluska, “We are accomplishing our goal of Christian education and renewal,” Howle said.

Many youth groups come back to do the package again and again.

“We get church groups that repeat every year, and some that repeat every two to three years,” Howle said.

For youth groups, especially smaller ones like MacDonald’s, who are mainly volunteerrun, it’s a great opportunity to get young people into nature, into worship and into a sports experience they don’t often get to have.

“Practically speaking, because we don’t have many adults working with our youth, the Lake J. events are great because we can bring our middle and high school students on one trip, and for programming they’re divided to age-appropriate programs,” said MacDonald.

“I like the family feel of Lake J’s programming.

It’s great for young people to grow in their faith around loving and gentle people.”

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

CBC gods smile on Lake Junaluska

Learn about hydrofracking, a controversial method of gas extraction, at noon Thursday, Jan. 9, at the First Presbyterian Church in Franklin.

The program is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Macon County.

A study of the potential for hydrofracking in Western North Carolina is being considered by the

North Carolina. The flock contained around 400 each of common grackle and redwinged blackbirds and 100 or so brownheaded cowbirds.

We almost dipped on owls, but not quite. I got tapes and struck out around 5 a.m. in the predawn darkness to try and call up an owl or two. After an hour and a half and about 14 miles, stopping to play tapes at spots where owls have been recorded in the past, I came home owl-less. However, as we were standing around in the late afternoon stillness in the watershed I hooted out “I cook at my house, who cooks for you allllll.” And from the darkening woods, I was rejoined by “Tom, Dick and Harry and I don’t know who allll.” We got a barred owl.

The surf scoter was a new bird for the Balsam CBC. While they have been recorded occasionally from the lake, this is the first one on count day. We ended up with 72 species for count day, which is about middle of the road — our high count total is 77 and our low count total is 69. So, thanks to the CBC gods, we had a very successful count.

(Don Hendershot is a writer and naturalist. He can be reached a ddihen1@bellsouth.net.) state. The program will bring the public up to speed on the state study and legislative action on fracking and promote public participation in the state process going forward. Bring a bag lunch.

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan, national organization with a focus on citizen participation in government and community.

Monthly information meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at noon at Tartan Hall. lwvmacon@wild-dog-mountain.info

“The Living Soil” is this year’s theme for a student poster, essay, Power Point and speech contest hosted by the Haywood Soil and Water Conservation District. First place winners will advance to a regional and then statewide contest.

There is a poster contest for third, fourth and fifth graders; essay contest for sixth graders; slide show (Power Point) contest for sixth graders; public speaking contest for seventh and eighth graders and computerdesigned poster contest for ninth graders.

The deadline is Friday, Jan. 31.

Each contest has a separate panel of judges.

One of the region’s premier garden and landscape designers will give a talk at 2 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 16, at Lake Junaluska Clara Curtis as part of the monthly “Live and Learn” series.

Clara Curtis, the director for design and exhibits at the N.C. Arboretum, has over 30 years of experience in public horticulture. She has designed many of the Arboretum’s gardens and landscapes, including the signature Quilt Garden and container gardens.

She has also worked as a horticulturist at Tryon Palace, where she still provides contract services each year as a holiday floral designer.

And she happens to be a native of Haywood County.

Free. Held at the Bethea Welcome Center at Lake Junaluska. 828.452.7802.

Smoky Mountain News

State launches study on fracking, learn more

Female surf scoter. wikimedia photo

Soil and water district sponsors contests for students

Garden and landscape designer to give talk

January 8-14, 2014

The annual Balsam Christmas Bird Count (CBC) took place Saturday, Jan. 4. In the weeks prior to the count many regular Balsam CBC participants, like me, had been crying in our eggnog. Bob Olthoff, longtime compiler for the count, was calling Lake Junaluska a “liquid desert” due to the lack of waterfowl. And it was sparse; about all you could count on were a few coots, the feral ducks and geese, ruddy ducks and buffleheads. We had pretty much resigned ourselves to the fact that we would most likely have a new low count record after last Saturday.

But then, that howling storm hit the East Coast Thursday night. We missed most of the heavy snowfall, but temperatures plummeted.

Friday was raw and windy.

Saturday morning came, and while it was still chilly, low 20s, it was clear. When CBC counters got to the lake — there were ducks! Not huge rafts, but several small groups of different species. Besides the common Canada geese, mallards, coots, piedbilled grebes, ruddy ducks and buffleheads that have been hanging all winter, counters spotted red-breasted mergansers, hooded mergansers, ring-necked ducks, lesser scaup and a surf scoter. Counters at the lake also recorded ring-billed gull, double-crested cormorant, belted kingfisher and great blue heron, keeping us from the low-count doldrums.

CBCs, like all one-day birding events, are always filled with easy misses and birds you don’t get every year. My group, composed of Paul Super, Joe Sam and Kate Queen, Jeanie Shaffer and me, recorded 44 species (about average) for our section of the count.

Our section includes the Waynesville watershed, where last year we had brown creeper and three or four ruffed grouse (two species we dipped on this year).

The flip side: our section also covers the area around Plott Creek Road, where we

found a huge mixed flock of blackbirds.

Species in the flock included common grackle, red-winged blackbird, rusty blackbird, brown-headed cowbird and European starling. I’m not 100 percent sure, but I believe the only one of those species we had last year was starling. We estimated the total flock to have at least 1,000 birds. It was the largest concentration of rusty blackbirds (150) I have ever seen in Western

A talk on the basics of beekeeping and the importance of honeybees will be held at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Canton Library.

Allen Blanton, president of the Haywood County Beekeepers, will discuss how to get started with beekeeping. Other members of the Haywood County Beekeepers Club will also be present. The free, informal class will also cover honeybees and their key role as pollinators.

828.648.2924.

Interested students, parents or teachers should email Gail Heathman at gheathman@haywoodnc.net or call 828.452.2741, ext. 3. or www.haywoodnc.net and find Soil and Water under “Departments.”

outdoors

The Naturalist’s Corner

Take a class on the basics of beekeeping

21

outdoors

Bear hunting changes possible

Deep Creek crossing wins photo contest

Danny Bernstein photo

January 8-14, 2014

Hiker Danny Bernstein of Asheville, author of The Mountains-to-Sea-Trail Across North Carolina, won third place in the “People on the Trail” category of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail photo competition for this shot of her hiking partner, Sharon McCarthy, while hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The competition accepts photos taken by trail hikers of people, places, wildlife and landscapes along the trail.

“I took the picture in October 2009 when I walked the first part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail for my plans to hike the whole trail,” Bernstein explained. “This was Day 1 of this project. We crossed Deep Creek to get on the Deep Creek Trail. I had already crossed the creek and had wet boots on. She always changes into Crocs to cross. She stays dry but I don’t know about negotiating the river and slippery rocks in Crocs.”

Smoky Mountain News

Neighbors caring for neighbors

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CarePartners’ Home Health professionals provide nursing, therapy, telemonitoring and personal care for patients in the comfort of their own homes.

With an office in Haywood County and a staff of professionals that live in your community, CarePartners is here for you when you need us.

To learn more about our Home Health Services in Haywood and Jackson Counties, call (828) 452-3600 carepartners.org

A public hearing on changes to the state’s hunting and fishing rules, including looser rules for black bear hunting, will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at TriCounty Community College in Murphy.

It’s one of nine public hearings held around the state by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission as part of its annual hunting and fishing regulation updates.

This year’s list includes changes to black bear hunting regulations that would increase the number of bears shot by hunters. That, in fact, is a stated goal of the Wildlife Commission.

The agency wants to bring the rising black bear population in check, and hopes hunters will step up to the plate.

“One of the goals of the new North Carolina Black Bear Management Plan is to stabilize North Carolina’s bear population.

This will not be possible without a significant increase in harvest,” according to the Wildlife Commission’s stated justification for suggested changes to the black bear hunting rules.

The official public hearing will begin at 7 p.m., but a presentation on the black bear management changes will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Proposed black bear changes include: ■ Allow still hunters on private land to set out food piles to lure bears. Still hunters could attract bears with piles of unprocessed food (like apples, corn or raw peanuts) and then hunt them when they come around looking for the food pile — except hunters can’t shoot the bear while in the process of actually eating from the food pile. It only applies during the first week of bear season.

Bear hunters using dogs on private land are already allowed to use food piles. Bears coming to the food piles leave a scent trail, which the dogs can then follow.

■ Allow bear hunting in the Piedmont zone of the state, with the goal of limiting the bear population in the state’s most populous counties by encouraging bear hunting.

There are relatively few bears in the Piedmont, so it is unlikely hunters would venture into the woods specifically to bear hunt, but bear season would mirror the dear hunting season to encourage opportunistic taking of bears by deer hunters.

The Wildlife Commission had been considering other changes to black bear hunting regulations as part of its new black bear management plan. But the other changes — which were more controversial — did not show up on this year’s list of proposed hunting changes. Those had included: ■ Making bear season longer.

■ Increasing the bag limit from one to two bears a year for an individual hunter.

These proposed changes could resurface at a future time but are not included in the current proposal.

“If the Commission were to make numerous changes at the same time, we would not be able to evaluate which regulatory change contributed to a change in bear population levels. So in order to separate the impacts of different management changes the Commission strives to make only one significant change at a time,” according to Kate Pipkin, a rules biologist with the wildlife commission.

There are a total of 42 proposed changes to hunting and fishing rules. Others include: ■ Allow daytime hunting of raccoons.

■ Create a Wildlife Poacher Reward Fund, offering up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of poachers or hunters violating wildlife rules. It would be funded with a portion of restitution proceeds and fines paid by poachers who are caught.

■ Require display of the vessel registration decal on both the starboard and port side bow of a boat.

■ Designate 0.5 mile of the West Fork of the Pigeon River in Haywood County below Lake Logan as “Public Mountain Trout Waters” limited to catch and release and artificial lures only.

■ Reclassify 0.5 mile of Skitty Creek in Macon County from Hatchery Supported Trout Waters to Wild Trout Waters not supported by trout stockings.

■ Allow the sale of mounted wild animals, or stuffed animal parts, with a permit, except for black bear, wild turkey or migratory game birds. It is illegal to sell mounted wild animal heads to discourage the commercial hunting and trafficking of animal parts. But the Wildlife Commission would like to accommodate the sale of mounts, particularly by people who have unwanted mounts they’ve inherited, through a Trophy Wildlife Sale Permit system.

The public hearing will be held in the Enloe Multi-purpose room on Campus Circle.

A booklet detailing each of the proposed wildlife management, hunting and fishing proposals is at www.ncwildlife.org/portals /0/regs/documents/2014-15-publichearingbooklet.pdf.

Those who can’t make the meeting may submit comments via email to regulations@ncwildlife.org, or comment online by going to the list of the hunting, fishing and wildlife management proposals at ncpaws.org/paws/wrc/publiccomments/pu blicentry/publiccomments.aspx.

— By Becky Johnson

Women’s volleyball league planned in Jackson

Winner of the Governor’s Award of Performance Excellence in Healthcare

Registration for a women’s volleyball league in Jackson County will run Jan. 21 through Feb. 14.

Games will be played on Tuesday nights beginning March 4 at the Recreation Center in Cullowhee, hosted by the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department.

Space is limited to the first 10 teams to register. The fee is $175 per team. 828.293.3053.

A league is also forming through the Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center. 828.631.2020.

WNC Calendar COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • Bring Your Own Lunch with the League for a program on hydrofracking in North Carolina, noon Thursday, Jan. 9, Tartan Hall, First Presbyterian Church, 26 Church St., Franklin.

• Beaverdam Community Center meeting, 7 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 13, North Canton Road. Steven Kelly from the North Canton Fire Department will speak regarding upgrading the status of the Fire Department in order to lower the insurance premium. Lowering the insurance premium will be a benefit to the entire community.

• Live and Learn session, 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, Bethea Welcome Center at Lake Junaluska. Guest speaker will be Haywood County native Clara A. Curtis, director for Design and Exhibits and interim director of Education at the North Carolina Arboretum. 452.7802.

• Adult children of alcoholic and dysfunctional families 12-step program, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sundays, Clyde Town Hall, 8437 Carolina Boulevard, Clyde. Side entrance near picnic table. Ruse’ (rue-say) Bryson, 627.6977.

• Smoky Mountain Model Railroaders work session, 7 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday and public viewing session from 2 to 4 p.m. the second Sunday of the month, 130 Frazier St., in the Industrial Park near Bearwaters Brewery, Waynesville. The group runs Lionel-type 3rail O gauge trains. http://smokymountainmodelrailroaders.wordpress.com.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • Retirement party for Marty Stamey, 4 to 6 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 9, Senior Resource Center, 81 Elmwood Way, Waynesville.

• Workforce development online course on new coding system related to ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM/PCS changes, Jan. 27 through May 2, Southwestern Community College. Registration deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 21. Scott Sutton, 306.7034.

• Drop in retirement reception for Ron Fisher, M.D., palliative care pioneer, at 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, Mountain Trace Nursing Center.

• Nominations are being accepted for The Duke Power Citizenship and Service Award, Citizen of the Year and Club/Organization of the Year. Deliver nomination letters to the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, 425 Porter St. or email to LindaH@Franklin-Chamber.com. Nomination deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan.14. Awards presented at annual Awards Banquet and Chamber annual meeting at 6:15 p.m.

• Tuesday, Jan. 21, at Tartan Hall, First Presbyterian Church in Franklin. $25. Seating limited and advanced tickets are required.

• E-Reader Workshop 10 a.m. to noon, Friday, Jan. 17, Macon County Public Library, Franklin. www.fontanalib.org.

• Bartending class, 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 28 through March 11, Southwestern Community College Jackson Campus, Sylva. Students must be at least 21. Class is $125, textbook is $9. Scott Sutton at scotts@southwesterncc.edu or 306.7034.

• Nursing Assistant I class, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays, starting Jan.17, Haywood Community College. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-nursing-assistant.htm. 565.4145 or email sfischer@haywood.edu.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • Relay For Life of West Haywood kick off, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 14. Lake Junaluska Bethea Welcome

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

Center. www.relayforlife.org. Randi Smith, American Cancer Society, 253.2893, 230.7757 or email randi.smith@cancer.org, www.facebook.com/RelayForLifeofWestHaywoodnc.

BLOOD DRIVES Jackson • MedWest Harris Sylva Blood Drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 9, 68 Hospital Drive, Sylva. www.redcrossblood.org, keyword: Harris, or call 800.RedCross.

Haywood • Longs Chapel Church Blood Drive, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 13, 175 Old Clyde Road, Waynesville. In honor of Don Merrell. 627.2808.

• Evergreen Packaging Blood Drive, noon to 4:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 13, 34 Park St., Canton. 800.733.2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code Evergreen.

Swain • Swain County Hospital Blood Drive, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 27, 48 Plateau St., Bryson City. www.redcrossblood.org, keyword: Swain.

RECREATION & FITNESS

Smoky Mountain News

Heather Gordon, 4-H Agent, at 586.4009 or heather_gordon@ncsu.edu.

• Annual Elks National “Hoop Shoot” Free Throw Contest, 5 p.m. registration, 6 p.m. contest, Friday, Jan. 17, Waynesville Recreation Center. Free hotdogs and drinks for all participants. Open to all boys and girls ages 8 to 13 as of April 1. Haywood County Recreation and Parks, 452.6789 or Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department, 456.2030. www.elks.org/hoopshoot.cfm.

Literary (children) • Write On! Children’s Creative Writing Workshop, 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, Jackson County Public Library.

586.2016.

• Culture Club: Japan, 1 to 2 p.m., Mary Ann’s Book Club, Wednesday, Jan. 8, Macon County Public Library, Franklin.

• Lego Club 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, Macon County Public Library, Franklin.

• Children’s Story time: Ten in the Bed, 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10, Jackson County Public Library, Sylva. 586.2016.

• Children’s Story time: Sleepy Time, 3:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, Jackson County Public Library, Sylva. 586.2016.

• Children’s Story time: Rotary Readers, 11 a.m.

Monday, Jan. 13, Jackson County Public Library, Sylva.

586.2016.

• Children’s Story time: Bear With Me, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, Jackson County Public Library, Sylva. 586.2016.

• Lego Club, 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, Jackson County Public Library, Sylva. 586.2016.

• The Health & Fitness Center at MedWest Haywood is offering a Holiday Wellness Special through Jan. 10. The Center will waive the initiation fee for all new members who join through Jan. 10. 452.8080.

• Family Story time: The Colorful Dog, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, Macon County Public Library, Franklin.

• Women’s Volleyball League registration Jan. 21-Feb. 14. $175 per team. League play will be held Tuesday nights beginning March 4, at Jackson County Center in Cullowhee. 293.3053, rec.jacksonnc.org.

• Mary Ann’s Book Club, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, Macon County Public Library, Franklin.

• Spring soccer registration, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 1728 and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, Jackson County Recreation Department. 293.3053 or jonathanparsons@jacksonnc.org.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES • Cooking with Linda Arnold, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, Senior Resource Center, 81 Elmwood Way, Waynesville.

Sign up at 452.2370.

• Jackson County Senior Center’s monthly wellness seminar, “The Benefits of Chiropractic Health” 1 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 29, Department of Aging/Senior Center, 100 County Services Park, Sylva. Presented by Katie Wilson of Wilson Family Chiropractic Center. Free.

586.4944 or stop by the Senior Center to RSVP. • Free certified chair yoga class for month of January, 10 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday, Activity Room, Macon County Senior Services Center. All levels of fitness and flexibility can participate. 349.0211, www.feelwellyoga.com.

KIDS & FAMILIES • The Inspired Art Ministries Children’s Art Classes for ages 5-12 will meet from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, from Jan. 7-28, second floor of the MAC building of First Baptist Church, Waynesville. Scottie Harris, 452.4106.

• Register for Jackson County Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) classes. Semester II classes will run January through May 2014, Thursdays at Cullowhee Valley School. $100 per student. Dusk Weaver, JAM director, 497.4964 or weaverdusk@gmail.com or

• Adventure Club: Fun with Braille, 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 14, Macon County Public Library, Franklin.

• Toddlers Rock, 10 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, Macon County Public Library, Franklin.

• Family Evening Story time: Paws 4 Reading, 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 16, Macon County Public Library, Franklin. Read to the lovely, four legged Murry McFurry.

• Monday, Jan. 20, library closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

ECA EVENTS • Extension and Community Association (ECA) groups meet throughout the county at various locations and times each month. NC Cooperative Extension Office, 586.4009. This month’s meetings include: • 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9 – Working on Unfinished Projects, Potpourri ECA. Conference Room of Community Service Center, Sylva.

• Noon Thursday, Jan. 9 – Computer Pinterest, Lunch and Learn ECA, Conference Room of Community Service Center, Sylva.

• 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20 – Sew Easy Girls ECA, Conference Room of Community Service Center, Sylva.

• 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 – Soup and Book Exchange, Cane Creek ECA. For location information, call the Extension Office at 586.4009.

POLITICAL GROUP EVENTS & LOCAL GOVERNMENT • Macon County GOP Executive Board meeting, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, Community Building on Highway 441 in Franklin. New location.

23

Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: ■ Complete listings of local music scene ■ Regional festivals ■ Art gallery events and openings ■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers ■ Civic and social club gatherings

A&E FESTIVALS, SPECIAL & SEASONAL EVENTS • “Understanding our Past, Shaping our Future,” exhibit on Cherokee language and culture, Jan. 6 through Feb. 9, Jackson County Public Library, Sylva. Exhibit uses sound recordings as the basis for presenting a coherent story in words and text. www.fontanalib.org.

• Jackson County Genealogical Society program, “The History of Smokemont and Luftee Baptist Church,” by Jackson County native, Dick Sellers, 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, Community Room, Jackson County Courthouse, Sylva. Sellers, whose ancestors lived in the Qualla area, is a volunteer with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 631.2646.

• 9th annual Mountain Dulcimer Winter Weekend Jan. 9-12 at the Lambuth Inn at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. Sponsored by Western Carolina University’s Office of Continuing and Professional Education. $159, does not include meals or accommodations. Lake Junaluska reservations, 800.222.4930. www.dulcimeru.wcu.edu or 828.227.7397.

• Jackson Photo Club monthly meeting, 2 to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 11, Open Door for Spiritual Living, 318 Skyland Drive, Suite 1-A, Coggins Office Park, Sylva.

Open to photo enthusiasts of all levels. https://sites.google.com/site/jacksonphotoclubn/. Tony Wu, 226.3840.

• Cold Mountain Photographic Society meeting, 7 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 13, MedWest Health and Fitness Center, Clyde. Renowned professional photographer Kevin Adams will give presentation of “Photo opportunities in North Carolina.” Free. www.cmpsnc.org or www.kadamsphoto.com.

• Western North Carolina Civil War Round Table, 7 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 13, second floor Jury Room of the Jackson County Criminal Justice Center. Guest speaker, Phil Brown of Greensboro. Topic is a different side of the struggle on Little Round Top in the Battle of Gettysburg.

Dinner at 5 p.m. at Bogart’s in Sylva, followed by a social hour at 6:30 p.m. at the Justice Center. Chris Behr, 293.9314 or Chuck Beemer, 456.4212.

• 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, Pride March in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., Haywood County Justice Center to Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center, Waynesville.

• 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, Commemorative Service in honor of MLK, Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Lake Junaluska. Chuck Wilson, senior pastor; speaker: Rev. Reginald Eldridge, pastor of Harris Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church.

• 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, MLK Prayer Breakfast, Lambuth Inn Dining Room, Lake Junaluska. Speaker: Dr. Dudley E. Flood, retired school administrator, Raleigh; entertainment by Chuck Beatie (aka Dr. Blues), blues

wnc calendar

aficionado and music historian, Asheville. Breakfast tickets: $15 adults; $8 students and children (8 and under free). Tammy McDowell, 215.0296; Rocky Tucker, 246.2588; Ann McAdams, 648.3363; Lunia Williams, 648.5471; Christiana Gibson 648.1233; or Agnes Bryson 456.6816. Tickets may also be purchased at the Administration Building at Lake Junaluska.

• Unity March, birthday party for Martin Luther King Jr, 4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, Illusions, University Center, Western Carolina University. Screening of Part 1 of “King: From Montgomery to Memphis,” 6 p.m.

University Center theater. Sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Takeshia Brown, associate director of intercultural affairs, at ftbrown@wcu.edu or 227.2276.

• TV show host, political science professor and writer Melissa V. Harris-Perry, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, Grandroom of A.K. Hinds University Center, Western Carolina University. Free. Keynote speaker for Western Carolina University’s annual celebration in honor of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Takeshia Brown, associate director of intercultural affairs, at ftbrown@wcu.edu or 227.2276.

• MLK “I Have a Dream” speech re-enactment, noon Tuesday, Jan. 22, University Center balcony, Western Carolina University. Part 2 of “King: From Montgomery to Memphis,” 6 p.m. University Center theater.

Takeshia Brown, associate director of intercultural affairs, at ftbrown@wcu.edu or 227.2276.

• Western Carolina University will host events including panel discussions this spring on social and cultural issues of the 1960s and is searching for community members to take part by sharing their experiences during that time on topics such as voting rights, abortion and the environment and energy.

Contact Amy Cherry, assistant professor of music and chair of the 1960s theme steering committee, at 227.3725 or acherry@wcu.edu.

January 8-14, 2014

• CWCU Magical Mystery Tour, walkthrough, interac-

tive retrospective of the 1960s, 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, concourse of Ramsey Regional Activity Center. qep.wcu.edu.

• Haywood County Tourism Development Authority Big John promotional videos can be found at www.visitncsmokies.com/galleries/.

CLASSES, PROGRAMS & DEMONSTRATIONS • Painter and paper maker, Elizabeth Ellison, will demonstrate the use of collage in a landscape painting at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, Art League of the Smokies meeting, Swain County Center for the Arts in Bryson City. www.elizabethellisonwatercolors.com.

• Woodturning demonstration by Ashley Harwood, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville. 645.6633 or visit www.carolinamountainwoodturners.org, www.ashleyharwood.net/ashleyharwood/Home.html.

DANCE • Pisgah Promenaders “Snowflake” Square Dance, 6:45 to 8:45 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11, Old Armory Recreation Center, 44 Boundary St., Waynesville. Plus and Mainstream dancing with caller Ken Perkins.

586.8416 or 586.6995.

• Second Sunday Community Dance, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 12, Community Room, second floor, Jackson County Library Complex in Sylva. Ron Arps, caller. Music, Out of the Woodwork. Potluck dinner at 5 p.m. Bring a covered dish, plate, cup and cutlery and a water bottle. ronandcathy71@frontier.com.

FILM & SCREEN • Despicable Me 2, 7:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, and at 5 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, The Strand, 38

Main, Waynesville. Tickets, $4-$6.

283.0079,www.facebook.com/38main.

• Movie night, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, Jackson County Public Library, Sylva. 586.2016.

• Family movie, 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, Marianna Black Library, Bryson City. Family sci-fi adventure for dog lovers. 488.3030.

• New movie, 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, Meeting Room, Macon County Public Library, Franklin. Stars Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, and Mark Ruffalo .

• Classic movie, 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, Meeting Room, Macon County Public Library, Franklin. 1943 musical starring Ethel Waters, Eddie ‘Rochester’ Anderson, and Lena Horne.

LITERARY (ADULTS) • Adult writing group, 6 p.m. every second and fourth Thursday of the month, starting Thursday, Jan. 9, Jackson County Public Library, Genealogy Room. Led

by Stephanie Wooten, adult services assistant. Open to all, and participants can join at any time.

586.2016.

• Poetry collection release celebration, 3 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 11, City Lights Bookstore, Sylva, for Michael Revere, author of Popcorn Poems. 586.9499.

• Writer, poet Lisa Ezzard presents her new book, Vintage, at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, City Lights Bookstore, Sylva. 586.9499.

• The Friends of the Jackson County Library Used Book Store annual Store-Wide Winter Half-Price Sale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, through Sunday, Jan.19, Jackson County Public Library, 536 West Main St., Sylva. Everything priced at 50 percent off the regular low prices. 586.1221.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • Auditions for the 2014 season of Unto These Hills, the long-running, outdoor drama in Cherokee, 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11 and Saturday, March 22, 564 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, across from the museum.

Come prepared with a monologue, a headshot and a song (if you sing). Marina Hunley-Graham, 497.3652 or Linda Squirrel, 497.1125.

• Smokey Joe’s Cafe,” a song and dance revue of hit tunes from the rock ’n’ roll era before the Beatles, will take the stage at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 WCU faculty and staff and $5 students and children.

227.2479 or visit the websitebardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

Smoky Mountain News

• Red June, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, Highlands Performing Arts Center, 507 Chestnut St., Highlands.

Tickets $20, available online at www.highlandspac.org or at 526.9047.

• Auditions for Haywood Arts Regional Theatre production of To Kill a Mockingbird, 6 p.m. professional actors, 7 p.m. community theater actors, Sunday and Monday, Feb. 2-3, 250 Pigeon St., Waynesville. Show opens April 25. 456.6322 or hartthea@bellsouth.net.

NIGHT LIFE • Live music at O’Malley’s in Sylva: Imposters, Friday, Jan. 10, Sharkadelics, Saturday, Jan. 11.

• Live music at The Classic Wineseller, Church Street, Waynesville: DuPont Brothers (guitars, vocals) 7 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 16; Leo Johnson (guitar, vocals) 7 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 17, and Joe Cruz (piano, vocals) 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 18. Reservations suggested, 452.6000, www.classicwineseller.com.

MUSIC JAMS 24

Frog Level Brewery on Commerce St.in Waynesville.

First and third Thursday are mostly Celtic; second and fourth are mostly Old Time; fifth Thursday anything goes. Acoustic instruments welcome. besscrider@gmail.com or aviancm@gmail.com.

• Music Jam every Thursday night from 6 to 8 p.m. at

Outdoors OUTINGS, HIKES & FIELDTRIPS • Nantahala Hiking Club, seven-mile hike, Saturday, Jan. 11, Chasteen Creek Cascades on Bradley ForkSmokemont Loop, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Meet at 9 a.m. at Oconaluftee Visitor Center just outside Cherokee. Leader, Keith Patton, 456.8895.

Visitors welcome; no pets.

• Nantahala Hiking Club, 4.5-mile hike Saturday, Jan. 18, to Round Mountain. Meet at 10 a.m. at Cashiers Recreation Center parking lot. Leaders Mike and Susan Kettles, 743.1079.

• Nantahala Hiking Club, 2-mile easy hike, 2 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 19, Bartram Trail Loop from Wallace Branch. Meet at 2 p.m. at Westgate Plaza, Franklin.

Leader Jean Hunnicutt, 524.5234.

PROGRAMS & WORKSHOPS • National Park Service wants your thoughts on how the Appalachian Trail should be managed. Submit your feedback to www.parkplanning.nps.gov/appafoundation by Jan. 9.

• Bike Maintenance Basics, 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, REI, 31 Schenck Parkway, Asheville. 687.0918, www.rei.com/asheville.

• Winter Tree Identification Hike, 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, Montreat Wilderness. Easy to moderate hike.

Leaders, Chris Coxen, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy field ecologist and Anna Zanetti, AmeriCorps Associate. Free for SAHC members and $10 for non-members. Directions upon RSVP to Anna@appalachian.org.

• Hands-On Garmin GPS Basics, 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 25, REI, 31 Schenck Parkway, Asheville.

687.0918, www.rei.com/asheville. $30 REI members/$50 non-members.

• Hands-On Bike Maintenance: Drive Train, 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, REI, 31 Schenck Parkway, Asheville. 687.0918, www.rei.com/asheville. $20 REI members/$40 non-members.

• Hunter Safety Course, 6 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 3-5, Haywood Community College Building 3300, Room 3322. Must attend three consecutive evenings to receive certification. Free and open to all ages. Must register at www.ncwildlife.org.

FARM & GARDEN • 5th annual Group Seed order 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 11, Community Table, 23 Central St., Sylva. Seeds will be ordered from Fedco Seeds and Johnny’s Selected Seeds. www.fedcoseeds.com, www.johnnyseeds.com. Sponsored by Jackson County Farmers Market.

• Free class on the basics of beekeeping, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 14, Canton Branch Library. Speaker will be Allen Blanton, president of the Haywood County Beekeepers. 648.2924.

• Haywood County Extension is accepting applications for the 2014 Master Gardener class. Training sessions will be held Tuesday mornings through April 22.

456.3575 to reserve a spot.

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Rates: ■ Free — Residential yard sale ads, lost or found pet ads.

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DI

SC OV ER E

ATR

PE

INC.

Offering:

MAJOR-BRAND TIRES FOR CARS, LIGHT & MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCKS, AND FARM TIRES.

Service truck available for on-site repairs LEE & PATTY ENSLEY, OWNERS STEVE WOODS, MANAGER

MON-FRI 7:30-5:30 • WAYNESVILLE PLAZA

456-5387

222-45

HOME IMPROVEMENT & Tools Auction - 201 S. Central Ave., Locust, NC. Cabinet Sets, Doors, Carpet, Tile, Hardwood, Bath Vanities, Windows, Lighting, Name Brand Tools. NC Sales Tax applies. www.ClassicAuctions.com 704.507.1449.

NCAF5479

BUILDING MATERIALS HAYWOOD BUILDERS Garage Doors, New Installations Service & Repairs, 828.456.6051 100 Charles St. Waynesville Employee Owned.

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING ALL THINGS BASEMENTY! Basement Systems Inc. Call us for all of your basement needs! Waterproofing, Finishing, Structural Repairs, Humidity and Mold Control. FREE ESTIMATES! Call 1.800.698.9217 DAVE’S CUSTOM HOMES OF WNC, INC Free Estimates & Competitive rates. References avail. upon request. Specializing in: Log Homes, remodeling, decks, new construction, repairs & additions.

Owner/Builder: Dave Donaldson.

Licensed/Insured. 828.631.0747 or 828.508.0316 SULLIVAN HARDWOOD FLOORS Installation- Finish - Refinish 828.399.1847.

CARS - DOMESTIC DONATE YOUR CAR Fast Free Towing 24 hr. Response Tax Deduction United Breast Cancer Foundation Providing Free Mammograms & Breast Cancer Info 888.759.9782.

SAPA DONATE YOUR CAR Fast Free Towing. 24 hr. Response.

Tax Deduction. United Breast Cancer Foundation, Providing Free Mammograms & Breast Cancer Info 855.733.5472

LENOIR COMMUNITY COLLEGE In Kinston offers an auctioneering class on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Jan. 2. Cost is $180. To register call 252.527.6223, ext.

714.

DONATE YOUR CAR, Truck or Boat to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 800.337.9038.

REACH READERS ACROSS North Carolina for only $330. Run your 25-word classified line ad in 99 newspapers with one call to this newspaper or call NCPS 919.789.2083.

TOP CASH FOR CARS, Call Now For An Instant Offer. Top Dollar Paid, Any Car/Truck, Any Condition. Running or Not. Free Pick-up/Tow. 1.800.761.9396 SAPA

AUTO PARTS DDI BUMPERS ETC. Quality on the Spot Repair & Painting. Don Hendershot 858.646.0871 cell 828.452.4569 office.

EMPLOYMENT 1500+ RGN LOADS From Clayton, NC to multiple destinations. Accepting Contractors with their own RGN's or pull Company trailers AT NO COST. 1.800.669.6414 or go to: www.dailyrecruiting.com START THE NEW YEAR With a great career by joining our team. Class-A Professional Drivers call 866.291.2631 for more details or visit: SuperServiceLLC.com AIRLINE CAREERS BEGIN HERE Get FAA Approved Maintenance Training Financial Aid For Qualified Students - Housing Available Job Placement Assistance. Call Aviation Institute Of Maintenance 1.866.724.5403 WWW.FIXJETS.COM. SAPA TOP 1% PAY Pet & Rider Progs. Exp Pays - up to 50 cpm. Full Benefits + Quality Hometime. CDL-A Req. Call now 877.258.8782 or go to: www.ad-drivers.com HIGHLANDS-CASHIERS HOSPITAL Positions now available: ER and Med/Surg Registered Nurses, Medical Labaratory Technologist, Medical Records Manager, and Inpatient Coder.

Benefits available the first of the month following 60 days of full-time employment. PreEmployment screening required.

Call Human Resources.

828.526.1376, or apply online at: www.highlandscashiershospital. org INDEPENDENT SATELLITE Technicians Needed for Quality Home & Commercial Services.

Experience Preferred! Training Available. White Truck or Van, Tools, & 28' ladder required.

Must pass DISH background check & drug screen. tech.caotti.com/ 866.310.2336

R

WNC MarketPlace

EMPLOYMENT NEED MEDICAL OFFICE TRAINEES! Train to become a Medical Office Assistant at CTI! No Experienced Needed! Online Training gets you job ready! HS Diploma/GED & Computer needed.

Careertechnical.edu/nc.

1.888.512.7122 TANKER & FLATBED Company Drivers/Independent Contractors! Immediate Placement Available. Best Opportunities in the Trucking Business. Call Today 800.277.0212 or go to: www.driveforprime.com HELP WANTED!!

Make up to $1,000 a week mailing brochures from home! Genuine Opportunity! No experience required.

Start immediately!

Brochure-Mailers.com (Void In Arkansas) SOLO & TEAM CDL-A DRIVERS! Excellent Home Time & Pay! $3000 to $5000 Sign-on Bonus. BCBS Benefits. Join Super Service!

866.291.2631 DriveforSuperService.com

EMPLOYMENT TEACHER RECRUITMENT FAIR To fill 2014-15 Vacancies in 17 Virginia school divisions. Friday, Jan 31, 2014 - 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. & Sat, Feb 1, 2014 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon @ Salem Civic Center, 1001 Boulevard, Salem, VA 24153-5298. www.wvpec.org -Job Fair. Sponsored by the Western Virginia Public Education Consortium TOP 1% PAY & CSA Friendly Equip Full Benefits + Quality Home Time. No slip seating - Take Truck Home. CDL-A Required. 1.888.592.4752. www.ad-drivers.com SAPA DRIVERS: DEDICATED. Regional & OTR. Start up to $.44/mi. + Excellent Benefits.

401K + Bonuses. Excellent Hometime! CDL-A 6mos. exp.

877.704.3773.

REACH READERS ACROSS North Carolina for only $330. Run your 25-word classified line ad in 99 newspapers with one call to this newspaper or call NCPS 919.789.2083.

FINANCIAL $$$ACCESS LAWSUIT CASH NOW!!

Injury Lawsuit Dragging? Need fast $500-$500,000? Rates as low as 1/2% month. Call Now! 1.800.568.8321. www.lawcapital.com Not valid in North Carolina SAPA BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company.

SAPA

ALL REMAINING FURNITURE Lumber Must Go! $3,250 Cherry, Walnut & Butternut.

For more information 828.627.2342 COMPARE QUALITY & PRICE Shop Tupelo’s, 828.926.8778.

HAYWOOD BEDDING, INC. The best bedding at the best price!

533 Hazelwood Ave. Waynesville 828.456.4240

www.smokymountainnews.com

January 8-14, 2014

Class A Office/Professional space, 1850 sq. ft./ 2 floor plans

26

PETS

HEMLOCK HEALERS, INC. Dedicated to Saving Our Hemlocks. Owner/Operator Frank Varvoutis, NC Pesticide Applicator’s License #22864. 48 Spruce St. Maggie Valley, NC 828.734.7819 828.926.7883, Email: hemlockhealers@yahoo.com

PETS HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329 CHARMAINE A GORGEOUS GIRL WITH THE MOST AMAZING EMERALD GREEN EYES AND BLUE CLASSIC TABBY WITH WHITE COAT PATTERN. SHE IS SUPER SWEET, LOVING AND VERY YOUNG AND PLAYFUL..

FURNITURE

Building was a complete renovation and space was first built out for a CPA’s office and an Edward Jones office in 2005. Spaces were occupied by Lifespan & Haywood Co. Insurance Health Clinic and both outgrew their space. Units includes 2 restrooms, kitchenette and mechanical room. There is direct access to an outdoor covered patio area on the creek. The building has excellent onsite parking and is located in Waynesville only 3/10 mile North of the courthouse. Lease includes exterior maintenance, taxes, water and lighted sign. Can combine both units for 3700 s/f.

627 N. Main Street, Suite 2, Waynesville.

Shown by appointment only.

Call Jeff Kuhlman at 828-646-0907.

LAWN & GARDEN

Prevent Unwanted Litters!

The Heat Is On! Spay/Neuter For Haywood Pets As Low As $10.

Operation Pit is in Effect!

Free Spay/Neuter, Microchip & Vaccines For Haywood Pitbull Types & Mixes!

LADY IS AN ADORABLE, YOUNG AND FEMININE TRI-COLORED CHIHUAHUA. SHE IS CRATE TRAINED, HOUSEBROKEN AND GOOD ON LEASH. LADY GETS ALONG WELL WITH OTHER DOGS AND IS FINE WITH CATS.

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 12 Noon - 5pm 182 Richland Street, Waynesville

Puzzles can be found on page 29.

These are only the answers.

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT

GEORGIA INVESTMENT PROPERTYLimited Inventory Available! Renovated homes, low taxes & insurance, Low cost of living. Great for homeowners or Investors earn 15% ROI! Starting at $29,000. CALL OWNER 1.404.550.6900.

SAPA BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company.

HOMES FOR SALE BRUCE MCGOVERN A Full Service Realtor shamrock13@charter.net McGovern Property Management 828.283.2112.

HOMES FOR RENT UNFURNISHED

LOTS FOR SALE

MEDICAL GUARDIAN Top-rated medical alarm and 24/7 medical alert monitoring. For a limited time, get free equipment, no activation fees, no commitment, a 2nd waterproof alert button for free and more - only $29.95 per month. 800.983.4906 SAPA VIAGRA 100mg & CIALIS 20mg!

40 Pills + 4 FREE for only $99. #1 Male Enhancement, Discreet Shipping. Save $500! Buy The Blue Pill! Now 1.800.491.8751 SAPA

HEALTH/BEAUTY RUNNING WATERS THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE & BODYWORK Relieve stress, Increase Circulation, Remove Headaches and Back & Neck pain, Increase Energy and Feeling of Well Being. Intro offer $45. Migun Bed, Deep Tissue. Call for appointment 828.226.0413.

2590B U.S. Hwy 19 S. Bryson City.

222-38

WANTED TO BUY

WRAP UP YOUR Holiday Shopping with 100 percent guaranteed, delivered-to-the-door Omaha Steaks! SAVE 67 PERCENT - PLUS 4 FREE Burgers - Many Gourmet Favorites ONLY $49.99.ORDER Today 1.800.715.2010 Use code “4937 CFW” or visit us at: www.OmahaSteaks.com/holiday33 SAPA SOUTHWESTERN/NATIVE American- Throw Blanket. Colorful, 3’ x 9’, $30. For more info call 828.452.3832.

CASH FOR UNEXPIRED Diabetic Test Strips! Free Shipping, Friendly Service, BEST prices and 24 hour payment! Call Mandy at 1.855.578.7477, or visit www.TestStripSearch.com Espanol 1.888.440.4001 SAPA

NOTICES BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company.

SAPA

NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Offering 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $400 Section 8 Accepted - Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

OFFICE HOURS: Tues. & Wed. 10:00am - 5:00pm & Thurs. 10:00am- 12:00pm 168 E. Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779

Phone# 1.828.586.3346 TDD# 1.800.725.2962 Equal Housing Opportunity

Cleaner, Clearer and Healthier water at every tap in your home

2.819 ACRE TRACT Building Lot in great location.

Build your 2nd home log cabin here. Large 2-story building near HCC, was a Work Shop. $66,500.

Call 828.627.2342.

An EcoWater Water System can remove

VACATION RENTALS

Lease to Own

Bad Taste & Odors Iron/Rust Sediment/ Silt Bacterias Harmful Chlorine Balance pH

STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT GREAT SMOKIES STORAGE Conveniently located off 19/23

by Thad Woods Auction. Available for lease now: 10’x10’ units for $55, 20’x20’ units for $160.

Get one month FREE with 12 month contract. Call 828.507.8828 or 828.506.4112 for more info.

828.452.3995 | www.americanwatercareinc.com

smokymountainnews.com

CAVENDER CREEK CABINS Dahlonega, North Georgia Mountains. **WINTER SPECIAL: Buy 2 nights, 3rd FREE!** 1,2 & 3 bedroom Cabins with HOT TUBS! Virtual Tour: www.CavenderCreek.com CALL NOW Toll Free 1.866.373.6307 SAPA

222-07

January 8-14, 2014

UNFURNISHED HOUSE FOR RENT In Waynesville. 3/BR 1/BA, Exc. Cond. Located on quite street, walking distance to town. Carport, W/D Hookup, Dishwasher. $685/mo + Utilities. First & Sec. Dep. Pets Negotiable. For more info call 828.347.6240 or 340.473.8617.

CANADA DRUG CENTER Is your choice for safe and affordable medications. Our licensed Canadian mail order pharmacy will provide you with savings of up to 90 percent on all your medication needs. Call Today 1.800.265.0768 for $25.00 off your first prescription and free shipping.

SAPA

FOR SALE

WNC MarketPlace

REAL ESTATE AUCTION 219.21+/-Beautiful Rolling Acres Divided into 19 Homesites, Prospect Hill, NC, Caswell Co., 1/4/14 at 10am, Auction at Prospect Hill Volunteer Fire Department. Iron Horse Auction Co., Inc., 800.997.2248. NCAL3936.

MEDICAL

find us at: facebook.com/smnews 27

WNC MarketPlace

Haywood County Real Estate Agents Beverly Hanks & Associates â&#x20AC;&#x201D; beverly-hanks.com â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘

Michelle McElroy â&#x20AC;&#x201D; beverly-hanks.com Marilynn Obrig â&#x20AC;&#x201D; beverly-hanks.com Mike Stamey â&#x20AC;&#x201D; beverly-hanks.com Ellen Sither â&#x20AC;&#x201D; esither@beverly-hanks.com Jerry Smith â&#x20AC;&#x201D; beverly-hanks.com Billie Green â&#x20AC;&#x201D; bgreen@beverly-hanks.com Pam Braun â&#x20AC;&#x201D; pambraun@beverly-hanks.com

7DNH 9LUWXDO 7RXU WR DSSUHFLDWH VKDPURFN FRP

%HDXWLIXOO\ 5HPRGHOHG +RPH LQ &DQWRQ 6T )W %' %$ %UXFH 0F*RYHUQ &HOO &DU *DUDJH /LFHQVHG 5HDO (VWDWH %URNHU 0/6 $FUH VKDPURFN FRP

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ERA Sunburst Realty â&#x20AC;&#x201D; sunburstrealty.com Haywood Properties â&#x20AC;&#x201D; haywoodproperties.com â&#x20AC;˘ Steve Cox â&#x20AC;&#x201D; info@haywoodproperties.com 222-13

Keller Williams Realty

ON DELLWOOD RD. (HWY. 19) AT 20 SWANGER LANE WAYNESVILLE/MAGGIE VALLEY 828.926.8778

kellerwilliamswaynesville.com â&#x20AC;˘ Rob Roland â&#x20AC;&#x201D; robrolandrealty.com â&#x20AC;˘ Ron Kwiatkowski â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ronk.kwrealty.com

Jerry Smith

Mountain Home Properties â&#x20AC;&#x201D; mountaindream.com

January 8-14, 2014

MEET SINGLES RIGHT NOW! No paid operators, just real people like you. Browse greetings, exchange messages and connect live. Try it free. Call now 1.888.909.9978.

SAPA

SCHOOLS/ INSTRUCTION AIRLINES ARE HIRING Train for hands on Aviation Career.

FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance. 877.300.9494.

EARN YOUR High School Diploma at home in a few short weeks. Work at your own pace. First Coast Academy. Nationally accredited. Call for free brochure. 1.800.658.1180, extension 82. www.fcahighschool.org SAPA HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA FROM Home 6-8 weeks. ACCREDITED. Get a Diploma. Get a Job! No Computer Needed. FREE BROCHURE. 1.800.264.8330. Benjamin Franklin High School www.diplomafromhome.com.

SAPA

jsmith@beverly-hanks.com

Main Street Realty â&#x20AC;&#x201D; mainstreetrealty.net McGovern Real Estate & Property Management

74 N. Main St. â&#x20AC;˘ Waynesville

â&#x20AC;˘ Bruce McGovern â&#x20AC;&#x201D; shamrock13.com

Preferred Properties

222-40

(828) 452-5809

www.Beverly-Hanks.com

â&#x20AC;˘ George Escaravage â&#x20AC;&#x201D; gke333@gmail.com

Prudential Lifestyle Realty â&#x20AC;&#x201D; vistasofwestfield.com

222-43

Realty World Heritage Realty

Mieko Thomson

realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7766/

Thomson

â&#x20AC;˘ Thomas & Christine Mallette realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7767/

ROKER/R /REALTOR EALTORÂŽÂŽ BBROKER

Cell (828) 226-2298 Cell

RE/MAX â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Mountain Realty â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘

Ann knows real estate!

MOUNTAIN REALTY

realtyworldheritage.com â&#x20AC;˘ Carolyn Lauter

www.smokymountainnews.com

PERSONAL YOUR AD COULD REACH 1.6 MILLION HOMES ACROSS NC! Your classified ad could be reaching over 1.6 Million Homes across North Carolina! Place your ad with The Smoky Mountain News on the NC Statewide Classified Ad Network- 118 NC newspapers for a low cost of $330 for 25-word ad to appear in each paper! Additional words are $10 each. The whole state at your fingertips! It's a smart advertising buy! Call Scott Collier at 828.452.4251 or for more information visit the N.C. Press Association's website at www.ncpress.com

PERSONAL ARE YOU PREGNANT? A childless married couple seeks to adopt. Will be Hands-On Mom/Devoted Dad. Financial security. Expenses PAID. Call/TEXT Jessica & Adam. 1.800.790.5260. (FL Bar #0150789) SAPA

828-734-8765

â&#x20AC;˘ Sammie Powell â&#x20AC;&#x201D; smokiesproperty.com

mthomson@remax-waynesvillenc.com mthomson@remax-waynesvillenc.com www.ncsmokies.com www.ncsmokies.com

remax-waynesvillenc.com | remax-maggievalleync.com Brian K. Noland â&#x20AC;&#x201D; brianknoland.com Connie Dennis â&#x20AC;&#x201D; remax-maggievalleync.com Mark Stevens â&#x20AC;&#x201D; remax-waynesvillenc.com Mieko Thomson â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ncsmokies.com The Morris Team â&#x20AC;&#x201D; maggievalleyproperty.com The Real Team â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the-real-team.com Ron Breese â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ronbreese.com Dan Womack â&#x20AC;&#x201D; womackdan@aol.com Catherine Proben â&#x20AC;&#x201D; cp@catherineproben.com

The Sellerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Agency â&#x20AC;&#x201D; listwithphil.com â&#x20AC;˘ Phil Ferguson â&#x20AC;&#x201D; philferguson@bellsouth.net 222-11

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 28

NOTICES REACH READERS ACROSS North Carolina for only $330. Run your 25-word classified line ad in 99 newspapers with one call to this newspaper or call NCPS 919.789.2083.

828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com

Ann Eavenson

2177 Russ Avenue Waynesville NC 28786

CRS, GRI, E-PRO 222-10

ann@mainstreetrealty.net

506-0542 CELL 222-42

101 South Main St. Waynesville

Full Service Property Management 828-456-6111 www.selecthomeswnc.com Residential and Commercial Long-Term Rentals

MainStreet Realty

(828) 452-2227 mainstreetrealty.net

SCHOOLS/ INSTRUCTION

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA FROM Home. 6-8 weeks. Accredited.

Get a Diploma. Get a Job! No Computer Needed. FREE Brochure.

1.800.264.8330. Benjamin Franklin HS. www.diplomafromhome.com

ENTERTAINMENT SCOTTISH TARTANS MUSEUM 86 East Main St., Franklin, 828.584.7472. www.scottishtartans.org. Matthew A.C. Newsome, GTS, FSA, SCOT., Curator & General Manager, Ronan B. MacGregor, Business Assistant.

SERVICES

*REDUCE YOUR CABLE BILL* Get a 4-Room All-Digital Satellite system installed for FREE! Programming starting at $19.99/MO. FREE HD/DVR upgrade for new callers. CALL NOW 1.800.795.1315 SAPA

DISH TV RETAILER - SAVE! Starting $19.99/month (for 12 months.) FREE Premium Movie Channels. FREE Equipment, Installation & Activation. CALL, COMPARE LOCAL DEALS! 1.800.351.0850. SAPA

MY COMPUTER WORKS: Computer problems? Viruses, spyware, email, printer issues, bad internet connections - FIX IT NOW! Professional, U.S.-based technicians. $25 off service. Call for immediate help. 1.888.582.8147 SAPA

ALL THINGS BASEMENTY! Basement Systems Inc. Call us for all of your basement needs! Waterproofing, Finishing, Structural Repairs, Humidity and Mold Control. FREE ESTIMATES! Call 1.800.698.9217

DISH TV RETAILER Starting at $19.99/month (for 12 mos.) & High Speed Internet starting at $14.95/month (where available.) SAVE! Ask About SAME DAY Installation! CALL Now! 1.800.405.5081 FROG POND DOWNSIZING Helping Hands In Hard Times.

Downsizing - Estate Sales - Clean Out Services. Company Transfer Divorce - We are known for Honesty & Integrity! Jack & Yvonne Wadham, Insured & Bonded.

18 Commerce Street, Waynvesville, NC. 828.734.3874 DISH TV RETAILER. Starting at $19.99/month (for 12 mos.) & High Speed Internet starting at $14.95/month (where available.) SAVE! Ask About SAME DAY Installation! CALL Now! 1.800.351.0850 SAPA

DDI BUMPERS ETC. Quality on the Spot Repair & Painting. Don Hendershot 858.646.0871 cell 828.452.4569 office.

REACH READERS ACROSS North Carolina for only $330. Run your 25-word classified line ad in 99 newspapers with one call to this newspaper or call NCPS 919.789.2083.

YARD SALES 2 NEW LIVING ESTATES Fri. & Sat. from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Lots of Good Furniture, Home Decor, Art, Tons of Great Antiques, Everything Under the Sun! We are Frog Pond Downsizing Located at 255 Depot St., Waynesville. Look for the Frog on the Brick Building and You’ve Found Treasures & Bargains from the Origianl Estate Sale Company!

WEEKLY SUDOKU

Super

CROSSWORD

(“Same thing, right?”)

72 Gillis of an old sitcom 73 El Capitan’s national park ACROSS 75 Riddle, part 4 1 Composer Bartok 80 Time of Christmas 5 Does’ mates 81 Poetic time after 10 Cellar, in ads for dusk apts.

82 Tonic go-with 14 Clean vigorously 83 Cash spitter-outers 19 Neeson of film 84 River in Switzerland 20 - a time (item by 85 Big name in PCs item) 21 San - (Riviera resort) 87 Long drink 89 Counterpart of “Sir” 22 Stop for a bit 92 End of the riddle 23 Brutish beast 99 Bible book before Job 24 Aunt’s husband, in 100 Veiled France 101 Be sore 25 Coerced 102 Metal source 27 Start of a riddle 103 Riddle’s answer 30 “- be great if ...”

109 Cities plus their 31 Filly’s feed suburbs 32 Pitching star 112 Oldsmobile of 199933 Perceived to be 2004 37 Riddle, part 2 43 Imitate a supermodel 113 Like most cupcakes 114 From Tehran or 44 Toe the mark 45 Dickens villain Uriah Tabriz 115 Post-Q run 46 That girl’s 116 More critical 47 “Horton Hears -!”

117 Suit option 50 Mr. Capote, to his 118 Was gutsy enough friends 119 Apt name for a 51 “La Cage - Folles” 52 Cogito-sum connec- herding dog 120 Simplified tor 121 Pablo’s “this” 53 Riddle, part 3 61 Part of a PA system DOWN 62 Maims 1 Totally fail 63 Ely or Paul 2 Fraction equal to .125 64 Ida. neighbor 3 Texas border city 65 Point a pistol 4 “Right on!”

66 Port city in Florida 5 Big to-dos 67 Eatery bill 6 Funicello of “Zorro” 68 Quarterback Tebow 7 Form anew, as a sen71 “What’s the -?”

TEACHING THE TABBY METHOD

tence 8 Perfumed powder 9 Editor’s “put this back in” 10 Overgrown with limbs 11 Filmmaker Eisenstein 12 Nero’s 3,100 13 Dorothy’s dog 14 Add zest to 15 Redeemed, as a check 16 Make public 17 Profit from 18 With 48-Down, Burgundy or Chianti 26 Fritter away 28 Not “for here,” in a restaurant 29 “- it up and spit it out” (“My Way” lyric) 34 India’s Jawaharlal 35 Lay - (fail miserably) 36 Old Detroit beer brewer 38 Winning by a single point 39 Honked thing 40 United Arab Emirates’ capital 41 Closes 42 Voluptuous 47 Tennis situation 48 See 18-Down 49 Many a flat-screen 50 Eliot’s Rum - Tugger 51 “- boy!”

52 Vast span 54 Hiker’s path 55 ET tales, say 56 - -pah band 57 Herb in curry powder 58 Broken chord 59 Rub off 60 Prize won by Obama

66 Tattered 67 Singer Waits 68 Color lightly 69 Tabloid tidbit 70 Disarray 71 Viña - Mar 72 John of farm equipment 73 “Round - virgin ...”

74 Port city in Florida 75 Stupefied 76 - Ark 77 Rid of some rodents 78 Fork (off) 79 Virgo, e.g.

85 Mass near a tonsil 86 Around, in a date 87 Instigates 88 Extensive 89 “Mother -” (old Irish song) 90 Olympic track star Evelyn 91 1940s film critic James 93 Actress Courtney - Smith 94 Perot running mate Pat 95 Puts H2O on 96 Utters 97 Writer Hemingway 98 Really must 104 Is incorrect 105 Netting 106 Walk across a stream 107 Kulik of figure skating 108 In the flesh 109 - -cap stock 110 Eventful time 111 Roofer’s goo

answers on page 26

Answers on Page 26

smokymountainnews.com

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

January 8-14, 2014

MEDICAL GUARDIAN Top-rated medical alarm and 24/7 medical alert monitoring. For a limited time, get free equipment, no activation fees, no commitment, a 2nd waterproof alert button for free and more - only $29.95 per month. 800.615.3868

SERVICES

WNC MarketPlace

TEACHER RECRUITMENT FAIR To fill 2014-15 Vacancies in 17 Virginia school divisions. Friday, Jan 31, 2014 - 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. & Sat, Feb 1, 2014 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon @ Salem Civic Center, 1001 Boulevard, Salem, VA 24153-5298. www.wvpec.org -Job Fair. Sponsored by the Western Virginia Public Education Consortium

SERVICES

29

Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home Place We Build Move In Ready Quality Custom Homes

Franklin Building Center 335 NP & L Loop Franklin, NC

(828) 349-0990

Smoky Mountain News

January 8-14, 2014

*Photos may show options not inculded in the base price of the home.

30

Bringing in the new year naturally

S

George Ellison

ome musings on the New Year, from one who never cared much for noisy midnight celebrations of any sort, but I have always enjoyed New Year’s ceremonials.

As usual, on New Year’s Day Elizabeth and I and family members dined on blackeyed peas, hog jowl and cooked greens.

The first two items were purchased at a grocery store. The mixed turnip greens, rape and kale, however, were harvested fresh from our garden. As every reasonColumnist able person is aware, a meal comprised of these three ingredients will guarantee sufficient luck and prosperity during 2014.

One thing I like to do on significant days like New Year’s is look up in their books or journals what various favorite writers were observing on those dates. Unsurprisingly, my favorite writers tend to be outdoor writers, especially naturalists of one sort or another.

My favorite 20th century nature writer is Edwin Way Teale (1899-1980). Teale can, in my opinion, be ranked with his great 19th century predecessors Henry David Thoreau and John Burroughs. His best known books are the series of four volumes that described his travels across the United States with:

BACK THEN Nellie Teale, his wife: North with Spring (1951), Autumn Across America (1956), Journey into Summer (1960), and Wandering Through Winter (1965), for which he won the Pulitzer Prize. But I am also fond of and can recommend to you Circle of the Seasons (1953), Springtime In Britain (1970), and A Naturalist Buys an Old Farm (1974).

Teale was a meticulous yet graceful writer. His primary interest lay in describing what he actually observed in the natural world. Unlike many of the so-called New Naturalists of our modern era, he wasn’t much interested in over-analyzing his psychological processes for the reader’s benefit.

In Wandering Through Winter, Teal described a fox he and Nellie spotted in Death Valley one New Year’s Eve: “For a minute or more, the fox remained in sight, looking intently in our direction. Then with a graceful turn, it whirled into the shadow of the nearest mound. We saw it side view for an instant … its fox-face, its bushy tail. Then it was gone. With the image of that buoyant creature vivid in our minds, we drove back to our cabin. Midnight came and, in the stillness of the desert night, the old year slipped away.”

In Circle of the Seasons, Teal described the song of a white-throated sparrow heard

one New Year’s Day: “Windless, silent, under a low ceiling of gray, this first morning of the new year is like an echoing room. Sounds carry far. In a tangle of cat-briar and shadbush, near the edge of the frozen water, a white-throated sparrow is singing a snatch of it springtime song. Again and again, I hear the pure, ethereal strain, simple, moving … no other voice among all the singers of nature affects me more deeply. The song of the white-throated sparrow — how fine a beginning for a new year!”

George Ellison wrote the biographical introductions for the reissues of two Appalachian classics: Horace Kephart’s Our Southern Highlanders and James Mooney’s History, Myths, and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees.

In June 2005, a selection of his Back Then columns was published by The History Press in Charleston as Mountain Passages: Natural and Cultural History of Western North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains. Readers can contact him at P.O. Box 1262, Bryson City, N.C., 28713, or at info@georgeellison.com.

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January 8-14, 2014

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