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January 10-16, 2018 Vol. 19 Iss. 33

Tribal Council to investigate settlement payouts Page 4 Waynesville mayor indicted on forgery charges Page 12

CONTENTS On the Cover: Smoky Mountain News reporter Holly Kays ventured out in freezing temperatures to capture the rare winter beauty witnessed when waterfalls freeze in Western North Carolina. (Page 34)

News Cherokee chief under investigation ................................................................................4 SRCA hiring process not kept private ..........................................................................6 Haywood school board names interim superintendent ..........................................8 School superintendent search progresses in Jackson ............................................9 Brunch Bill fails in Dillsboro ..............................................................................................9 Bryson City to expand hours for alcohol sales ........................................................10 Mashburn to fill late husband’s seat in Franklin ......................................................11 Waynesville mayor indicted for forgery ......................................................................12 ‘Warrior Chief’ Youngdeer named Beloved Man ....................................................15 Community Almanac ........................................................................................................19

Opinion The future for this region is bright ................................................................................20

A&E Waynesville woodworker carves into passion ........................................................24

Books Book study group: ‘Daring Democracy’......................................................................32

Back Then

January 10-16, 2018

Whiteside Mountain is both spectacular and interesting ......................................47

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Cherokee chief under investigation Tribal Council wants answers on settlement payouts

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER rincipal Chief Richard Sneed is now under investigation following the Cherokee Tribal Council’s unanimous vote Jan. 4 to look into a settlement agreement he signed off on to pay seven former tribal employees a total of $698,000.

“I want to get an investigation to determine if what was done was legal or not, because we’re all getting calls, which the people, I don’t blame them. If I wasn’t sitting in this chair I’d be calling one of you also,” said Councilmember Richard French, of Big Cove, who submitted the resolution.

“I know that the people that got the settlement are being looked at or talked about, and it’s not fair to them because, whether they believe it or not, I’m representing them too,” French continued. “I just want to make sure if what was done is legal, that these employees can go on with their lives and do their jobs. The chief can go on and do his job. We can go on and do our jobs.”

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ROAD TO A SETTLEMENT

Smoky Mountain News

January 10-16, 2018

The settlement in question stems from actions former Principal Chief Patrick Lambert took in October 2015, just hours into his term. Upon taking office, Lambert sent letters out to 14 people, telling them that they’d either been let go from the tribe or transferred to a position with much less pay and responsibility than their current job.

Seven of those people eventually filed suit in the Cherokee Tribal Court, claiming that the firings and demotions violated the Indian Civil Rights Act, the Cherokee Code and the tribe’s Charter and Governing Document. The suit charged Lambert with slander and defamation for making “false and defamatory statements” about the plaintiffs and alleged that Lambert intentionally inflicted emotional distress on them.

Lambert filed a motion to dismiss the charges, arguing that sovereign immunity protected him from suit in his official capacity and that there was no basis for a claim against him in his individual capacity. The court granted some of Lambert’s motions to dismiss but denied others, keeping the suit alive. Both sides appealed portions of the ruling to the Cherokee Supreme Court. By the time the case made it that far, the 20152017 Tribal Council had voted to remove Lambert by impeachment, and Sneed was the new principal chief.

The court heard the case — Attorney General Mike McConnell said the three-hour length of the oral arguments was “out of the ordinary” — but did not issue a ruling.

4 Before making a decision, McConnell said,

the court advised the parties involved that it would be in their best interest to work out an agreement.

“They admonished the participants, ‘Your lawyers need to get together and talk, because everyone’s not going to like what we’re going to do,’” McConnell said. “I’ve heard that from judges and justices. That sends a strong signal to the litigants that we’ve got to get together and get this finished.”

A signed settlement document dated Oct. 9 outlines the terms of just such an agreement. It states that the seven plaintiffs will receive a total of $525,000 — subject to Tribal Council’s approval during its Nov. 2 meeting, with each party responsible for his or her attorney fees.

However, the proposed agreement was never presented to Tribal Council, and two business days after the meeting where the body should have considered it for approval, a new settlement document was completed.

Taylor, a nondisclosure agreement in the settlement prevented him from saying more.

Sneed changed his tune on that point during the January Tribal Council session.

“Yes, the payout is public record — the dollar amount is,” he said in January. “The confidentiality piece was on the suit itself and the negotiations.”

Documents pertaining to the court case are public record, but the exact back-andforth that occurred during the settlement negotiations will remain confidential.

News of the settlement has prompted tribal members to ask some tough questions.

Was a settlement necessary in the first place, or was the tribe likely to win the court battle? Why was the initial settlement amended to reflect a much higher dollar amount than the plaintiffs originally agreed to? Is it legal for the principal chief to settle a suit without the signature of the vice chief or approval by Tribal Council? The Oct. 9 document didn’t

before this council, and there is a line item for settlements. And the amount is $0.”

Sneed, meanwhile, has continuously maintained that the settlement was legal and that he had kept it out of Tribal Council only in an attempt to avoid what was happening now — that is, commencement of “the court of public opinion.”

“There is nothing in the tribal code that says settlements have to come to Tribal Council,” McConnell said. “It doesn’t say anything about Tribal Council’s ability to enter a settlement. It doesn’t say anything about the chief ’s ability to settle. My position is this is where we really need a constitution.”

RESOLUTION REQUIRED

Within the first minutes of the Jan. 4 meeting, French moved that Tribal Council launch an investigation into these questions.

“I’ve been asked by several of our enrolled members of this tribe about this payout, and I wasn’t aware of it when it happened and I’m not sure of everything that went on, but they want transparency for this tribe,” he said. “We ran on that, that we was going to do that.”

Councilmember Bo Crowe, of Wolfetown, seconded the move and Councilmember Tommye Saunooke, of Painttown, called the question.

However, before a vote could be taken Chairman Adam Wachacha, of Snowbird, said that Councilmember Richard French (center), looks on while former Principal Chief Patrick Lambert gives his opinion on French should first the investigation and current Principal Chief Richard Sneed sits in the front row. Holly Kays photo draw up a written resolution, spelling out who This document, dated Nov. 6, lists a seteven include Sneed’s signature, with Chief of is in charge of conducting the investigation tlement amount 33 percent higher than Staff Paxton Myers instead signing on his and reporting the results to Tribal Council. what was originally agreed upon, stating behalf — is that allowed?

French said that he’d work with Legislative that the plaintiffs should receive a combined And, where did the money come from to Counsel Carolyn West to get one together $698,000. The agreement states that the pay the settlement? The tribe’s liability by the end of the day. terms are not confidential but does not stipinsurance covered only a portion of the While a written resolution may or may ulate that Tribal Council approve it, as the amount, and some cast serious doubt on not be the more correct way to handle such Oct. 9 document did. whether the line item Sneed referenced things, a written resolution was not required exists and, if it does, whether it holds when Tribal Council decided to launch its enough money to pay such a settlement. investigation into Lambert’s administration, UESTIONED LEGALITY “Never before have I seen a line item in back in August 2016. the budget general fund that would include On that occasion, Sneed — who was The issue was first discussed publicly that,” said Lambert, who left office before then the vice chief — spoke at the beginduring the Dec. 7 Tribal Council meeting, the current budget was approved. ning of the meeting about some concerns when Councilmember Lisa Taylor, of Ashley Sessions, a Birdtown resident and he had regarding Lambert’s hire-fire deciPainttown, asked Sneed to “squelch pub2017 candidate for Tribal Council, said that sions. When Sneed finished speaking, licly” rumors she’d been hearing that the she was given a 2018 budget book after a then-Councilmember Travis Smith, of employees had received payouts somewhere recount of votes determined that she had Birdtown, immediately moved that council on the order of $75,000. won. However, the Board of Elections later hire an investigator to look into the Sneed replied that a settlement had been decided that a runoff election should be “wrongdoings” surrounding these decimade and that it was paid partially by the held, which Sessions then lost. sions. No written document was attached tribe’s liability insurance and partially “I was given a budget book, and I’ve been to the move, and when Lambert through a line item the tribe has budgeted looking at that,” she said. “It was passed later asked Tribal Council to for lawsuit settlements. However, he told

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INVESTIGATION APPROVED

Sneed has continuously maintained that the settlement was legal and that he had kept it out of Tribal Council only in an attempt to avoid “the court of public opinion.”

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Smoky Mountain News

“One thing I’m hoping, Richard (French), is that you could include in that investigation to take it all the way back to the day 14 employees received their letters by a police officer,” said Mollie Grant, who was manager of the Emergency Management Program when Lambert took office. “We had to stand there, read those letters in front of a police officer before he would leave us.”

Sneed maintained that public discussion of the settlement is doing more harm than good.

“When there is a legal settlement, I don’t know that anybody who is a party to a lawsuit wants that to be something that is public fodder,” he said Jan. 4. “Everybody’s entitled to their opinion, but at the end of the day when there is a lawsuit and there is a settlement, that’s not something that we in my opinion open up the floor for everybody to come and have their opinion on.”

Tribal member Becky Walker, of Birdtown, blasted Sneed for that statement.

“We are an indigenous community. We have a history that goes back longer than 500 years and white man’s law,” she said.

“We are a community that operated off of consensus and the opinion of the people.

That’s who we are.”

She reminded Tribal Council that there’s a reason so many new faces are sitting around the horseshoe this year.

“We’re in a different time for our tribe,” she said. “The reason you have people hounding you and calling you is because they’re awake and they’re involved and they want to know what’s going on. That’s what you’re hearing.”

The next step in the investigation process will be publication of a request for proposals. Councilmembers will then look through the bids that come in to determine which company should do the investigation.

“Was it illegal, or was it not illegal?” said Councilmember Boyd Owle, of Birdtown, Jan. 5. “Once that question is answered we can move forward, or we can look at an impeachment.”

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Councilmembers went back and forth for more than an hour before voting unanimously to hear the resolution.

“I hate to see this stuff brewing. I could see it brewing for another month,” said Councilmember Perry Shell, of Big Cove. “I think it would be beneficial to those employees that were terminated and also to the court, to the chief, to the executive if we went ahead and investigated this thing now so we can go ahead with the work of the tribe.”

Sneed was adamant that he’d done nothing wrong, maintaining that it was inappropriate to discuss the settlement in an open forum. Many of the councilmembers with questions, he said, would have had those questions answered had they attended a closed-door meeting held the previous day.

“The (attorney general) got up and gave a detailed explanation as to how and why it was legal to settle this case, but you weren’t here for that,” he said.

French took offense to that criticism, explaining that he’d been out of town on a pre-planned anniversary trip with his wife.

Announcement of the Wednesday meeting had been delivered Monday or Tuesday, when he’d already left Cherokee.

“I can’t plan on being here for a meeting that wasn’t scheduled,” he said.

The resolution to investigate still requires the principal chief ’s signature to become effective, but Sneed said in a Jan. 5 work session on the issue that he would ratify the resolution council passed to launch the investigation. The investigation, according to the resolution, will be conducted by an inde-

pendent third party with the results available to the public, subject to public records laws.

Two of the plaintiffs in the case addressed Tribal Council to say that they supported the investigation, as well.

“Please investigate so all of those details can be placed on the table and this community can have the answers that they seek.

They are there. It’s in black and white,” said Secretary of Finance Corey Blankenship, who held a similar position under the Hicks administration but was let go when Lambert took office.

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reduce its decision to writing so that he could veto it, he was told no.

“After a discussion and reviewing the Legislative Counsel’s legal memorandum on this issue, the Tribal Council’s investigation authority does not require the Principal Chief ’s approval … In light of this, the Tribal Operations Program will not reduce the investigation vote to writing,” then-Vice Chairman Brandon Jones, of Snowbird, wrote in an Aug. 9, 2016, memo to Lambert’s office.

Wachacha did not reference this precedent during his comments Jan. 4. He told French he felt that the investigation would have more “teeth” to it if outlined in writing.

However, when French brought his resolution in at the end of the day there was a long discussion as to whether or not Tribal Council could even vote on it that day, or whether it would have to wait for the February agenda.

Tribal law says that each councilmember should get a written agenda with copies of all proposed legislation five business days before the meeting. It doesn’t expressly prohibit items from being added the day of, but council’s bylaws include hard deadlines for legislation to be submitted and specific criteria for situations in which the principal chief can bring something in as an emergency resolution. These include situations in which a program is in financial jeopardy or in the case of emergency health situations. However, the 2016 vote to investigate Lambert took place absent any advance notice.

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Meet the candidates

Smoky Mountain News

January 10-16, 2018

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• Timothy Bobay — With a master’s in education from Indiana Wesleyan University’s Principal Licensure Program, Bobay has served as a [sic] elementary school principal for 10 years [in the Fort Wayne, Indiana, area], as an assistant principal for facebook.com one year, and as a teacher and technical assistant for seven years. He is licensed in Public School Administration and in Middle School Social Studies and Language Arts.

• Gardner Bridges — Currently working on a doctorate in leadership from Western Carolina University, Bridges has served as a principal for 10 years, as an assistant principal for 11 years, and as a teacher in Buncombe County Schools for nine years. He LinkedIn currently serves as the Special Services Administrator for Weaverville Primary School.

He is licensed in Public School Administration and Elementary Education and has two master’s degrees.

• Bonnie Brown — With a master’s in administration from Grand Canyon University, Brown has served as a Kindergarten teacher, the Director of Operations and Compliance, and the Interim School Director at SRCA. She has also served as an Assistant Shining Rock Principal for seven years, Classical Academy K-5 ESL teacher, an adjunct instructor at Salem College, and a group home manager and program coordinator in Winston-Salem. She is licensed in Public School Administration, English as a Second Language, Early Childhood Education, and Elementary Education.

• Nathaniel Duncan — With a master’s in educational leadership from Queens University and a master’s in International Relations from Boston University, Duncan has served as the founder, academic director and head of school for the Academy at Trails Carolina in trailsacademy.com Hendersonville for five years, as a principal intern for two years, as American and World History teacher for three years, a member of the Peace Corps Togo for one and one-half years, and a member of the Peace Corps Guinea for two years. He served as a wilderness therapy guide for two summers and attended the Aspiring Principals Institute held by WRESA [Western Region Education Service Alliance] in Enka, the AP summer Institute in Asheville, and Expeditionary Learning Institutes in Boston and Richmond.

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Charter school narrows down school director choices

Shining Rock Classical Academy continues its search for Ben Butler’s replacement. A Shot Above photo

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER fter receiving 20 applications from candidates hoping to succeed founding School Director Ben Butler at Shining Rock Classical Academy, the Waynesville public charter school’s board has narrowed its options down to four people.

SRCA held a meet and greet event Jan. 3 that allowed parents to meet the top four candidates to ask them questions and provide feedback to the board about which candidate they liked best.

Anna Eason, school board chairperson at SRCA, said the board’s Governance Committee would then take the votes and feedback from teachers, parents, and students, as well as “review the project they were assigned to narrow down the candidates that will be interviewed by the full board at the January meeting.”

While Shining Rock and its Leaders Building Leaders consultants would not provide the candidates’ names or biography information to the newspaper, an anonymously delivered flyer was left in SMN’s mailbox Jan. 4, revealing the names and biographies of the candidates.

Although the flyer’s provenance can’t be confirmed with certainty due to the anonymous nature of its delivery, biographical details contained therein were checked against publicly available records (Facebook, Linkedin, websites of current and former employers) and found to be accurate.

Some parents, however, have expressed concerns about Bonnie Brown’s background before becoming SCRA’s assistant principal.

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Brown was suspended in connection with the incident; Brown was in charge of the school at the time while its principal was on leave, much as she is now, at Shining Rock.

Shining Rock’s Oct. 23 statement announcing the departure of Butler — whose contract had just been renewed by the board July 17 — designated Brown, Shining Rock’s assistant principal since July 31, 2017, as the “main point of contact for all teachers and staff ” movWhile Shining Rock and its ing forward, and subsequent meeting minutes refer to Leaders Building Leaders Brown as “assistant director.” consultants would not provide the Brown is also one of the four candidates for Butler’s candidates’ names or biography old job. information to the newspaper, an WS/FCS Chief Communications Officer Brent anonymously delivered flyer was Campbell confirmed Jan. 8 that Brown was employed in the left in SMN’s mailbox Jan. 4, position stated, and said that if revealing the names and any discipline was rendered he’d have to disclose it by law; biographies of the candidates. further, he said he couldn’t comment on if a subsequent Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools investigation of the matter took place, but Superintendent Beverly Emory said at the he did say that Brown resigned her position time she was deeply troubled by the inci- with WS/FCS two months after her suspendent, which after investigation by WS/FCS sion, on Dec. 1, 2014.

An email to Brown regarding her suspenwas found to be true.

As reported by the Winston-Salem sion was returned by Eason, who refused to Journal, district spokesperson Theo Helm comment on the Piney Grove incident other said that the district has “a policy that pro- than to say that Brown had disclosed the hibits staff from using corporal punish- events during the hiring process on July 31, ment” and that there is no policy “that 2015. The SRCA board deemed her “qualiallows parents or family members to use fied for the position she was hired for which was a kindergarten teacher.” corporal punishment at a school.”

SMN was made aware of several news articles from the Winston-Salem Journal and High Point-based WGHP-TV written Sept. 24, 2014, detailing how the parent of a child at Piney Grove Elementary School in Kernersville — of which Brown was assistant principal —was allowed to enter a classroom and spank their child in front of the child’s entire class.

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will you ensure that our school report card improves from a C to a B to an A?” and “How will you communicate with families and larger community?”

One candidate agreed to an interview with the SMN reporter but the second candidate seemed startled the media was present at the meeting and refused to be interviewed.

When asked for his name, that candidate remained tight-lipped and instead waved his right hand over his head, summoning Ridnour over to the table.

“It’s their choice if they’d like to be recorded or not,” she said to the reporter.

Because it’s a public entity and receives public dollars, Shining Rock Classical Academy must follow the state’s public records and open meetings laws.

Ridnour then refused to provide the candidate’s name, or the name of any other candidate in attendance, including one who’d already been interviewed and freely given his name.

“If he doesn’t choose to share, then we can’t,” she said.

Timothy Bobay’s name, however, was listed along with those of the other three candidates on the handout Ridnour was distributing to attendees at the door.

When asked why SMN was refused biographical information from the candidates, and why candidates were presented to the

SRCA students take advantage of a little sunshine during a 2017 class. File photo public but given the option of not revealing their names despite those names already appearing on Shining Rock materials, Ridnour said, “If there’s nothing else, then you need to leave.”

As Ridnour walked back in to the meetand-greet, she was again approached by the reporter and asked for her name, for the record.

“You don’t need my name,” she said.

A quick glance at her jacket revealed a nametag with both her name and that of her firm. Ridnour quickly attempted to cover the nametag with her right hand.

SUNSHINE STRUGGLES This is not the first time the new charter school has struggled with North Carolina’s Open Meeting and Open Record laws.

When Shining Rock first opened in 2015 the public charter school promising a comprehensive and rigorous college preparatory curriculum was welcomed by proponents of school choice as an alternative to Haywood County Schools, which since the 2015-16 school year has been ranked in the top 10 percent of North Carolina’s 115 school districts. Prior to that, HCS had been ranked in the top third of the state for more than a decade.

Shining Rock was not, however, welcomed by proponents of public education, who concurrent with Shining Rock’s christening foresaw Waynesville’s Central Elementary School’s closing; Central served about the same amount of students as Shining Rock does.

S EE S HINING ROCK, PAGE 8

January 10-16, 2018

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER ast week, Shining Rock Classical Academy held an event for “parents and community supporters” to meet the top four candidates in the running to be the charter school’s new director, but there seemed to be some confusion over whether the hiring process would be public or private.

Public school boards — such as Shining Rock — are completely within their right to keep the hiring process private until an employee is hired, but SRCA’s hiring process has been on the fence.

When SRCA announced on its Facebook page that the school would be holding a meet and greet for parents to meet the top candidates and ask them questions, The Smoky Mountain News sent an email to Shining Rock Board Chairwoman Anna Eason asking for the candidates’ contact information in order to interview each of them.

Eason said she was working on getting the information but then said the charter school’s consultants, Leaders Building Leaders, advised her not to release the information because it was a personnel matter.

“You are more than welcome to come to the meet the candidates,” Eason said in her email. “During that time you can ask them for their info if you like and follow up afterward.”

A SMN reporter attended the afternoon meet and greet session, which drew a few dozen parents as well. Leaders Building Leaders consultants Geoff Gorski and Katy Ridnour were overseeing the event.

When asked, the consultants refused to provide the candidates’ resumes to the reporter. Ridnour, however, supplied all attendees with a handout that said, “Welcome to Shining Rock’s Meet and Greet with School Director Candidates,” and suggested 10 “conversation starters” like, “How

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SRCA hiring process not kept private

Academic performance of schools in Haywood County, 2016-17

o matter who takes the helm at SRCA, the new director will no doubt have his or her hands full with a number of issues. The school is struggling with low test scores, debt from building a modular campus and deciding whether it’s the right time to expand into high school grades for its students.

According to data released by the North Carolina Department

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of Public Instruction for the 2016-17 school year, Shining Rock finished dead last in nine of 17 major performance benchmarks compared to Haywood’s other public schools. The most last-place finishes by any other Haywood County school was four.

Additionally, Shining Rock’s overall School Performance Grade (SPG) as reported by the NCDPI declined from 70 in its

Smoky Mountain News

Source: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

first year to 65 for the 2016-17 school year, placing it exactly in the middle of all 163 charter schools in North Carolina.

By contrast, the lowest SPG of any school in Haywood County – other than Shining Rock – was a 67.

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S HINING ROCK, CONTINUED FROM 7

Shining Rock’s board unanimously accepted Butler’s resignation at a hastily arranged special called meeting set for 6 p.m. on the evening of Sunday, Oct. 22.

Notices for the meeting were, as in 2015, sent to the media less than 48 hours prior to the start of the meeting – in this case, at 8:38 p.m. on the evening of Friday, Oct. 20.

“I apologize for being a little late,” Eason said in the notice.

At that Oct. 22 meeting, Shining Rock’s board also approved a contract with Leaders Building Leaders that had been prepared almost a month prior and dated Sept. 29.

That contract was for “organizational support.” The firm, founded by a man Eason’s Oct. 23 statement called “a longtime partner and advisor” to Shining Rock, Dr. Tom Miller, to “act as an Executive Director to the Shining Rock Board” and to “Facilitate the school’s search for its next leader” at a cost of $6,750 per month.

“We help charter schools solve problems,” reads the home page of Raleighbased Leaders Building Leaders, a consul-

Smoky Mountain News

January 10-16, 2018

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The school also fumbled right out of the gate with transparency. Because it’s a public entity and receives public dollars, Shining Rock Classical Academy must follow the state’s public records and open meetings laws.

But on July 3, 2015, Shining Rock’s board held a closed session meeting to discuss property acquisition. Upon returning to open session, an affirmative vote authorized then-board chair Tara Keilberg, who is now the school’s business manager, to purchase real estate on behalf of the school.

Problem is, the school refused to disclose the location of the property to the public, which according to Mike Tadych, a media law expert and attorney for the N.C. Press Association at the time, is a violation of state open meetings laws.

Keilberg protested, opining that disclosure could induce another buyer to come along and purchase the property out from under SRCA. However, a long list of experienced local government officials — used to operating under the very same laws Shining Rock is subject to — decried the move.

On multiple occasions the school “You have to identify what you are voting on, perihas also failed to provide the od,” said then-Chairman of the Haywood Board of required 48-hour notice to media County Commissioners outlets of special called meetings Mark Swanger, a former FBI agent who worked on cases when those media outlets have of public corruption.

Swanger is also a former requested to be notified. chairman of the Haywood County School Board.

Chip Killian, Haywood County’s’ attortancy that seeks to “teach school leaders ney for more than 40 years, concurred with and boards to identify the cause of probSwanger in that same July 29, 2015, SMN lems and execute a sustainable solution story. for lasting success.”

“If I was their lawyer I would tell them The Sept. 29 proposal also states that they should reveal the name of the owners the contract would be modified “once the and property that they were making an new HOS [head of school] is in place,” offer to buy,” Killian said. “I don’t know indicating that Butler’s departure was far that [Keilberg’s protestation] gives them from unexpected. the right to conceal the property they are The hiring process appears to be proproposing to buy.” ceeding on schedule according to Eason’s University of North Carolina-Chapel Oct. 23 statement. On Jan. 5, she told Hill Public Law and Government SMN that in the aftermath of the Jan. 3 Professor Frayda Bluestein said at the meet-and-greet, “Governance will now time that it certainly doesn’t, citing the take the votes and feedback from teach2002 case of Boney Publishers v. ers, parents, and students, as well as Burlington City Council which in part review the project they were assigned to found that “if requested, the board must narrow down the candidates that will be disclose the property’s current owner, the interviewed by the full board at the location of the property, and the use to January meeting.” which the board intends to put on the Shining Rock’s next regular board property before they meet in closed sesmeeting is scheduled for Jan. 17. As of sion.” press time it was unclear whether or not On multiple occasions the school has a special called meeting set for 12:30 also failed to provide the required 48-hour p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10 — again, notice to media outlets of special called improperly noticed less than 48 hours meetings when those media outlets have prior to the start of the meeting — was requested to be notified. related to the search for Butler’s replaceOn Oct. 18 of this year, Shining Rock’s ment; the only item on the agenda is a School Director Ben Butler submitted closed session pursuant to N.C. General without comment to the Shining Rock Statute 143-318.11(a)(6), which relates to board his resignation, with a proposed terpersonnel. mination date at the end of the 2017-18 SMN News Editor Jessi Stone contributed to this report.

8 school year.

Haywood school board discusses hiring a new superintendent

Dr. Anne Garrett will retire after 13 years on March 1. File photo

Dr. Nolte named interim superintendent

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER y coincidence, Haywood County Schools has, since about the same time as Shining Rock Classical Academy been readying itself to hire a new key employee as well, but the circumstances couldn’t be more dissimilar.

On Monday, Nov. 13, 2017, a districtissued press release announced that Superintendent Dr. Anne Garrett would retire March 1 after 13 years of service.

Garrett’s tenure saw Dr. Bill Nolte district performance scores rise from 40th to 11th and also saw Garrett named Haywood County’s Person of the Year and North Carolina Superintendent of the Year.

At the time Garrett said that she’d probably devote more effort to writing children’s books, and wouldn’t be part of the search process that will identify her replacement.

That process is now more important than ever; inheriting a high-performing district also means inheriting high expectations, and Garrett’s replacement will have to manage both in an environment where even scoring better than 100 of the state’s 115 school districts would be a disappointment.

When reached for comment, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Bill Nolte deferred to board chairman Chuck Francis, because Nolte said he’s interested in the job and felt that commenting on the process as both a potential candidate and an administrator

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would be inappropriate.

Francis in turn said he’d deliberately excluded Nolte from conversations regarding the process, for that very reason.

“We may just list the job and see who comes, although I know in the past we’ve used our [board] attorney to take applications at his office,” Francis said.

Alternatively, HCS could engage the North Carolina School Board to perform the search.

“I’ve talked to several other districts, and they said that the NCSB was very effective,” he said.

On Jan. 9, Francis convened a closed session during the board meeting to discuss the selection of an interim superintendent; upon returning to open session, board attorney Pat Smathers read a statement.

“Haywood County Schools over the course of the last 15 years has emerged as one of the premier school systems in the state of North Carolina. Much of our success has been on the back of Dr. Anne Garrett,” Smathers said. “In building this remarkable system, she has also created and incredible leadership team around her.

Given the performance and results, a departure from proven success would be a fool’s errand. We know that performance is driven by passion and consistency, so it’s only logical that we appoint Dr. Bill Nolte as the interim superintendent.”

Nolte will assume the position March 1.

Moving forward, the board will soon begin considering how to choose a permanent replacement for Garrett — a process that Smathers said will be completely public.

“The process is public — the process is completely public but some of the information may be private,” he said. “The biggest drawback to doing everything public is that the people who apply may not want their employer to know, that’s the big thing.”

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER n ordinance that would have allowed Sunday morning alcohol sales to begin in Dillsboro died for lack of a motion during the Jan. 8 town meeting.

The proposed ordinance was the result of a 2017 state law, known as the Brunch Bill, that gave counties and municipalities the right to choose whether their individual communities would allow alcohol sales to start at 10 a.m. on Sundays, rather than the current start time of noon.

A public hearing held before Dillsboro’s regular meeting brought in two speakers, both in support of the Brunch Bill.

“We believe it will generate positive additional revenue for the town, and small towns across the state have seen boosts in tourism spending and local sales tax revenue as a result of its passage,” said Nick Breedlove, director of the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority.

Cullowhee resident Joel Sowers, who recently purchased the restaurant Lee’s at the Depot with his wife Jeannine, also spoke in support of the ordinance. They’re going through a “pretty significant remodel” of the restaurant, he told aldermen, and the decision on the Brunch Bill will inform whether Lee’s offers brunch or not.

“If they do, we’ll have brunch. If they don’t, we probably won’t,” he said. “We think it will be a good idea. It will help create a lot

The Festival of Lights & Luminaries is one of Dillsboro’s signature events.

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Brunch Bill stymied in Dillsboro

Nick Breedlove photo

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a word after Mayor Mike Fitzgerald called for a motion.

However, follow-up interviews with some of the aldermen indicated that there might be a possibility for the board to revisit the issue in the future. The 2017 elections resulted in two new aldermen on the board, one of whom — Tim Hall — was sworn in mere minutes before the Brunch Bill vote. Hall said he felt like he didn’t know enough about constituents’ opinions on the matter to make a motion that day.

“I’m still very open. I’m not by any means ‘turn everything down just because it has to do with alcohol,’” said Hall, who owns Bogart’s Restaurant and Tavern in Sylva. “I serve alcohol in my restaurant. I wouldn’t serve it as a brunch because that’s just not our menu, but if people want to do it with their

menu that’s fine.”

David Jones, meanwhile, said he didn’t feel that passing the Brunch Bill would harm the town but at this point didn’t see that it would necessarily benefit it, either.

“I couldn’t think of anybody else (besides Lee’s) that would even be willing to offer alcohol before 12 o’clock, but (I didn’t support it) out of respect for the churches and some of the community members, that the old-timers they just don’t feel comfortable with it,” Jones said. “I’m still thinking about it.”

So far, Sylva, Waynesville, Franklin, Canton and Bryson City have adopted the ordinance, with Jackson County and Maggie Valley still in the process of deciding. The subject has not yet been brought up in Haywood, Swain or Macon county government.

School superintendent search progresses in Jackson

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about Elliott’s performance, Henke said that she is doing an “excellent job.”

The board is in the process of scheduling two days of interviews for Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 24 and 25. Henke said they hope to be able to make a final decision based on those interviews but might travel to talk in person with top choices’ references, should they find themselves with additional questions or concerns.

According to the advertisement for the position, the new superintendent must have strong leadership, communication, planning, management, budgeting and community partnership abilities. Candidates with prior experience or a doctoral degree are preferred, with the chosen candidate required to live in Jackson County upon assuming the position.

“We want most of all to be able to show leadership in terms of helping our students to move forward,” Henke said. “We don’t want to go backward — we want to move forward.

The board will likely announce the new superintendent at its Feb. 27 meeting, though depending on how the process goes selection could be delayed until the March 27 meeting.

We want the best fit that we can find for our staff and for our faculty and sort of an allaround person. We want them to fit well within our community, because we are a community-oriented educational institution.”

Henke said the board will likely announce the new superintendent at its Feb. 27 meeting, though depending on how the process

goes selection could be delayed until the March 27 meeting. The school board would then want the new superintendent to start the job as soon as possible, with July 1 being the latest possible start date.

“We want the individual to come on board so they can really familiarize themselves with Jackson County,” Henke said.

“They’re also having to come into the county to have residence in the county, so they’ll have to be house hunting and then it all depends on their contract that they have, how much notice they have to give to their board.”

The superintendent search has been underway since Murray announced in May of last year that he’d be leaving the Jackson school system after six years as its leader to take the superintendent’s job at Cherokee Central School. The plan was to keep Elliott as acting superintendent for six months to a year so the board could complete a thorough and unhurried search process for Murray’s permanent replacement.

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Smoky Mountain News

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ackson County is getting closer to choosing a replacement for former school superintendent Mike Murray after school board members held a four-hour meeting last week to sort through resumés.

A call for applications turned up 18 candidates, with about five of those from inside North Carolina and the remainder from out of state. The board held a closed meeting Jan. 3 to look through those applications, choosing the top five to invite for an interview.

“You can read what’s on paper, but until you actually have a one-on-one with them, it’s hard to really tell the quality,” said Ken Henke, chairman of the Jackson County School Board.

Acting Superintendent Kim Elliott, Ph.D., who served as assistant superintendent under Murray, applied for the job and progressed to the interview phase. When asked

January 10-16, 2018

of jobs. It helps support a lot of the businesses here because most of us rely on tourism in order to make a living, so I’m here to speak in favor of it.”

Aldermen didn’t have much to say on the issue during the work session that followed the public hearing, or during the meeting itself, when the Brunch Bill was listed as an agenda item.

Newly elected Alderman John Chinners, owner of the wine and food store Country Traditions, was the only one to publicly express an opinion.

“I don’t think we need it,” he said, though later adding, “I’m only one vote and I’m not dead set.”

When the ordinance came up for a vote at the end of the meeting, there was no discussion at all, with none of the aldermen saying

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Bryson City manager moving to Murphy

Smoky Mountain News

January 10-16, 2018

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR

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After serving as Bryson City’s town manager for more than a year, Chad Simons will be moving on to Murphy to take on the same position.

“I’ve lived in Cherokee County since 2012, so I’m going home,” Simons said when asked about his departure. “It wasn’t an easy decision because I love Bryson City so much, but it was the right move.”

Moving closer to home will cut down on his commute time and also let him spend more time with his wife and children.

As for how his job in Murphy may differ from the manager post in Bryson City, Simons said the two municipalities have a lot on common. He said Murphy’s town board was also stable and cohesive like Bryson’s. “That’s very important as well. I know most people don’t see that because of certain issues where disagreements emerge, like alcohol sales and Fry Street, but Bryson City’s board works very well together for the most part.”

During his short time in Bryson City, Simons said he along with the staff and board made Chad Simons progress on many fronts, including efforts to improve the town’s aging water and sewer system. The town eliminated a $40,000 annual water/sewer contract and used that funding to purchase equipment that gives the staff the ability to clean out the sewer system in-house.

“Before, we spent $40,000 to get contractors to do this work for us, but we only got them for 10 days. Now, we will have the same capability 365 days out of the year,” Simons said. “It’s money well spent in my view, and I’m glad we were able to do it.” The town is also in the process of completing a rate study to implement a pay-as-you-go type plan for the water and sewer system. In the past, the town has relied on grant funding to make major improvements to the system. If no grant funding was available not much got done, but Simons hopes that changes.

He also worked hard toward the town purchasing the Bryson Yard property along the Tuckasegee River that will give the town maintenance staff the space its needs to store equipment and supplies. The town was able to purchase the property outright using money from its fund balance instead of financing it and paying interest. However, the town had a difficult time negotiating with the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad for an easement needed to cross over railroad tracks to access the property.

“As you know, the property transaction did not come without some drama and stress, but our board was able to stick with it and get something positive out of it,” Simons said. “I was glad to help them do it.”

Simons has also worked toward making sure town employees receive competitive pay to improve retention and attract quality employees to Bryson City by implementing a new pay plan schedule. He’s seen the town through several in-house street improvement projects and delivered a more thorough, transparent budgeting process, which is similar to the budgeting process he was accustomed to while working as the town clerk for Franklin.

Simons knows he is leaving the town in a better state than when he came. He knows the town’s capable staff will continue on with the progress they’ve made in the last year.

“We’ve tried to empower employees who possess the cognitive ability and the desire to improve the town, and while it takes time to see the results, it will pay off,” he said. “The town will not move backwards. The board and employees won’t allow it. The town is also in great financial condition because of the actions of previous boards and managers, and an improving economy.”

Simons will stay in Bryson City through the middle of January and said he will do whatever he can to ensure a smooth transition.

“I will help the board in any way I can, even if that means remaining on speed dial in Murphy for a few months,” he said.

The board is in the process of searching for Simons’ replacement. The board went into a closed session to discuss personnel during a Jan. 8 meeting, but no decision came out of it.

Bryson City to expand hours for alcohol sales

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR fter voting down the measure just a couple of months ago, the Bryson City Board of Aldermen is now on its way to reversing its decision on the controversial Brunch Bill.

A 3-2 vote from the board on Monday night will move the ordinance forward, but since it didn’t pass with a two-thirds vote, the board will have to have a second reading of it at its February meeting before it will become law.

The Brunch Bill is a piece of state legislation that allows local governments to expand alcohol sales on Sunday if they so choose. Many municipalities have already passed the measure locally, allowing grocers and retailers to begin selling alcohol at 10 a.m.

Sundays instead of having to wait until noon.

Bryson City was one of the few towns in Western North Carolina to vote against the measure when it came up for discussion in September. Despite overwhelming support from local merchants and restaurants, the majority of the board was against expanding alcohol sales out of respect for the religious com-

pointed that nothing was sacred anymore and said the decision would be to the detriment of the community.

“The people of this community that don’t want any alcohol sales on Sunday have made all the compromise … but it’s still not enough,” she said. “Since it’s apparent the pleas to respect the convictions of those people won’t make a difference, consider the dangers of alcohol. Surely increased availability will have increased consequences.”

Crisp pleaded with the board to not just look at the financial benefits but to also look at the social impact it could have on the community. With more than 80,000 people a year dying from alcohol-related causes, she said she couldn’t vote to expand alcohol sales.

“I ask you to stand with me against this decision.

If not, the accountability of your decision will lay squarely at your feet,” she said. “Will this improve life for everyone? If not, you must oppose this.”

Woodard-Ramsey said she respected Crisp’s opinion on the subject but was still leaning toward supporting the new Sunday sales hours.

“I’ve been considering those “It’s not a decision that’s going to make everyone topics but also listening to people happy, but I think as a whole it’s the right thing to do.” who’ve come to — Tom Sutton me as workers,” she said. “It’s munity. It died with a 3-1 vote — Alderman Heidi their livelihoods affected for those who have to work Woodard-Ramsey was the only board member to on Sunday. It does make a difference in their world.” vote in favor of passing it.

King also respectfully disagreed that the alderHowever, one of the aldermen opposed to passing men were responsible for the actions of others who the ordinance — Rick Bryson — did not reclaim his may choose to abuse alcohol. seat during the November election. He was replaced “It’s up to people in this world to make decisions

by Alderman Ben King, a young merchant in Bryson for themselves — if someone chooses to abuse alcoCity who has expressed support for the Brunch Bill, hol I don’t feel like the blame should be laid at the saying it would help local businesses as well as the aldermen’s feet,” he said. “We’re here to make decilocal tourism industry. sions for everyone in this community. I can’t tell you The item got placed on the town board’s agenda one decision you can make that everyone in this once again after the owner of the Everett Hotel & town would agree upon. That’s why there’s an array Bistro sent another request letter to the town. The of people at this table representing the community.” board presented a draft ordinance that would not Knowing he’d have to be the tiebreaker on the only allow Sunday sales to begin at 10 a.m. but issue, Mayor Tom Sutton also weighed in with his would also allow Sunday sales to continue until 2 opinion for the first time. In talking to many differa.m. Monday mornings. The extension would align ent groups of people in the community, Sutton said the town’s ordinance with the state law, since the he’d definitely heard more people in favor of the bill town’s current ordinance restricts Sunday sales from than against. noon to 6 p.m.

“It’s not a decision that’s going to make everyone Alderman Jim Gribble asked that the early sales happy, but I think as a whole it’s the right thing to and later sales be considered in separate motions do,” he said. since he was in favor of extending sales past 6 p.m.

Gribble said he wasn’t happy that the issue was but not in favor of beginning sales at 10 a.m. brought up again after the board already voted on it King and Mayor Tom Sutton agreed the issue months ago. couldn’t be separated since the ordinance was to “It’s almost a slap in the face to this board when establish new hours for alcohol sales. this was voted on and one man writes a letter and “I don’t feel that way — my concern was for the y’all reconsider,” he said. retailers and their employees who caught flack from King pointed out that the decision to reconsider people wanting to buy after 6 p.m.,” Gribble said. was based on more requests than the one letter.

“I’m trying to help with that but I’m still opposed to The ordinance passed with a 3-2 vote. Since it alcohol sales on Sunday morning.” didn’t pass with a two-thirds majority, Town Before taking a vote, Alderman Janine Crisp Attorney Fred Moody said the board would need to made her strong objections clear once again by readhave a second reading of the ordinance in February ing a prepared statement. She said she was disapbefore it could be officially passed.

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Mashburn to fill late husband’s seat on Franklin board

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Franklin passes noise ordinance

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of service to the town and a resolution from Gov. Roy Cooper awarding Billy with the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award, the highest honor in North Carolina.

Dinah fought back tears as she thanked the mayor and the board for the dedications to her late husband.

The entire Franklin Council meeting can be viewed at www.maconmedia.com.

Smoky Mountain News

festivals and parades is allowed.

Construction operations between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends is also allowed for projects with a proper building permit.

The ordinance also allows for lawful noise that accompanies holidays or religious ceremonies, which can include fireworks on the Fourth of July, firearm discharge for military ceremonies and church bells ringing.

Homeowners will be allowed to operate their lawnmowers, agricultural equipment and other landscape maintenance equipment between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

To address the late-night parties that were happening in town limits and disturbing nearby residences, the ordinance makes it unlawful for any person or group of people to willfully make or continue any “loud, raucous and disturbing noise.”

The “loud, raucous and disturbing noise” is defined as any sound that because of its volume level, duration and character annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, health, peace or safety of reasonable people of ordinary sensibilities within the town limits.

The ordinance will be enforced on a complaint-driven basis, meaning law enforcement won’t be out searching for violations. If someone makes a complaint to the police department, an officer will come out to investigate the complaint.

Anyone found in violation of the ordinance can be charged with either a civil fine or with a criminal misdemeanor.

Residents can be issued a warning citation, followed by a monetary fine for violating any provision of the ordinance. A criminal misdemeanor may be charged if the violator doesn’t pay the fine.

The entire ordinance can be read at www.franklinnc.com.

Franklin Mayor Bob Scott swears in Dinah Mashburn to fill the seat left vacant by her late husband Billy Mashburn, who served on the town board since 1992.

January 10-16, 2018

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR fter months of trying to figure out the best way to address late-night partying that was disturbing residents, the Franklin Town Council unanimously passed a noise ordinance.

The ordinance makes it unlawful to create, cause or allow the continuance of any “unreasonably loud, disturbing or frightening noise,” particularly during the nighttime, since it interferes with residents’ reasonable use and enjoyment of their properties.

While the ordinance does not establish any kind of decibel restrictions like many governmental ordinances, it does prohibit a number of loud noises that could be considered a nuisance if the sound is continuous or happening during nighttime hours.

Specifically prohibited are horns and signaling devices; operating a motor vehicle without a muffler or other device that prevents loud or explosive noises; exterior loud speakers; operating power equipment at night; the use of explosives like firearms and fireworks; security alarms sounding for more than 20 minutes after law enforcement is notified; motor vehicle speakers exceeding a certain sound level and musical instruments or sound amplification equipment that can be heard from an adjoining property at a distance of 20 feet or more from the source.

The ordinance also includes a number of exceptions to the long list of rules.

Sound coming from a regularly scheduled outdoor athletic event on school campuses within the town limits and sound from

has always had the best intentions for the town of Franklin. She’s always been active in the community and I feel honored myself to place her name for consideration.”

Collins motion passed 4-1 with Councilmember Adam Kimsey opposed.

“I’d be remiss not to bring forth Angela Moore’s name — she’s shown interest and has the public backing and experience,” he said.

Kimsey’s motion to appoint Moore died for lack of a second. Moore ran for the town board for the fourth time this year and fell a few votes behind Mashburn on the ballot.

While Mayor Bob Scott was ready to swear Dinah Mashburn in immediately, Collins said it might not be fair to have her vote on issues she may not be familiar with yet.

Dinah agreed she wasn’t up to speed on some of the agenda items — specifically she said she wasn’t ready to vote on the proposed noise ordinance.

The board decided to swear her in at the end of the meeting, and she will begin voting on issues at the Feb. 5 board meeting.

The board also presented Dinah with a plaque recognizing Billy for his many years

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BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR hen longtime councilmember Billy Mashburn passed away just days before the 2017 municipal election, the Franklin Town Council was prepared to have a new face on the board.

However, Mashburn was still the third highest voter-getter on the ballot and won reelection to a seat he’s held since 1992. Instead of the victory going to the next highest votegetter, state law allows municipal governing boards to appoint someone to fill the seat until the next election.

During Franklin’s Jan. 2 meeting, the town council approved the appointment of Dinah Mashburn, Billy Mashburn’s widow, to fill the seat until the 2019 municipal election.

Councilmember Joe Collins made the motion to appoint Dinah based on her knowledge of town affairs and her good standing in the community.

“It’s not just a coincidence at all that we suggest the name of Dinah Mashburn,” Collins said. “We grew up together … she’s always been a good citizen of Franklin and

@SmokyMtnNews 11

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Waynesville mayor indicted for forgery Charges stem from state Bar complaint

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER North Carolina State Bar complaint filed against Waynesville attorney and Mayor Gavin Brown Oct. 11, 2017, that had accused him of violating the organization’s rules of professional conduct has now generated a pair of indictments from District Attorney Ashley Welch.

The bar complaint, filed with the North Carolina State Bar Disciplinary Hearing Commission, isn’t related to Brown’s duties as Waynesville mayor but does accuse him of common law forgery and the unauthorized use of someone else’s notary seal.

N.C. General Statute 10B-60(f ) states that “Any person who without authority obtains, uses, conceals, defaces or destroys

Smoky Mountain News

January 10-16, 2018

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the seal or notarial records of a notary is guilty of a Class I felony.”

Allegations outlined in the bar complaint arose out of a 1998 transfer of real property from Bennett-Piper Enterprises to Kathleen Curl.

When the property was about to be sold

by Curl in 2016, the buyer’s attorney noticed an error in the deed, and contacted Brown, who had prepared the deed back in 1998.

According to the bar complaint, Brown then prepared a corrective deed and allegedly forged the signature of his law partner’s notary public, Kendra M. Smathers, on it, also allegedly utilizing her notary seal without her knowledge.

Normally, that seal would have asserted that President of Bennett-Piper Enterprises James P. Bennett had “personally appeared before Smathers and executed the deed,” the complaint states.

The bar complaint also alleges

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that Bennett wasn’t aware of the problem until several months after the corrective deed was prepared in 2016, and that Brown had used one of several deeds — pre-signed

by Bennett for unrelated transactions — to make the correction.

That corrective deed was then used for Curl’s transaction.

Bar association Deputy Counsel Mary D. Winstead states in the complaint that by allegedly forging Smathers’ signature, Brown violated the bar’s Rules of Professional Gavin Brown Conduct and should be subject to discipline for misconduct.

“Brown committed a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness or fitness in other respects … involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit and misrepresentation,” the complaint reads.

A second, similar charge is directed at Brown for his alleged use of the notary’s seal.

Brown answered the complaint Nov. 3, admitting some — but not all — of the allegations contained therein.

According to Katherine Jean, general counsel of the N.C. Bar Association, parties then conferred to ascertain the scope of the issues and the extent of the discovery process, and then set a hearing date for April 12, 2018.

The website also shows that Brown, who has been a member of the N.C. Bar since August, 1972, has never been the subject of a disciplinary order by the bar’s Grievance Committee, Disciplinary Hearing Commission or any state or federal court.

Attorneys judged to have committed misconduct can face varying levels of punishment, from a written admonition, reprimand or censure on up to suspension or disbarment.

When reached by phone about the bar complaint on Oct. 24, Brown declined to comment; Brown also declined to comment on the two indictments, handed down by a grand jury on Jan. 9.

Welch also did not return calls seeking comments as of press time.

Those indictments mirror charges contained in the bar complaint, namely felony forgery of a deed, and felony use of a notary seal/stamp without authority.

Brown has no prior criminal record. A hearing on the matter has been scheduled in the Haywood County justice Center for 10 a.m. on March 5, 2018.

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“SITTING UP ON COLD CONCRETE WHILE HOLDING YOUR KNEES TO YOUR CHEST AND SHIVERING IS NOT SLEEP.”

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January 10-16, 2018

Homeless in Haywood:

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A community conversation Cory Vaillancourt, Smoky Mountain News Chris Westmoreland, Long’s Chapel UMC 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 18 Long’s Chapel, 175 Old Clyde Rd., Room 505, Waynesville Free and open to the public

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Former chief named Beloved Man

‘Warrior Chief’ Youngdeer honored for military heroism and public service

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Above: Principal Chief Richard Sneed shakes hands with members of the Steve Youngdeer Cherokee American Legion Post 143. Left: Robert Youngdeer and his wife Alene.

Holly Kays photo • Memoirs of Robert Youngdeer photo

months-long recovery, he returned to duty on Okinawa, remaining there through the war’s end.

After the war, Youngdeer became an army paratrooper and then a policeman, working on Lakota, Choctaw, Apache, Anishinabe and Inuit lands, among others.

However, he eventually returned home to Cherokee and served as principal chief from 1983 to 1987. His autobiography, The Memoirs of Robert Youngdeer: Marine Chief and Proud American, was published by the Museum of the Cherokee Indian Press in 2012.

“Those who enjoy the freedom for which this brother paid such a high price, as he laid face-down in the dirt, a bullet through his

head, his life’s blood draining from his body on a faraway Pacific island, wish to honor his sacrifice as a Warrior Chief who has dedicated his life in service to his people and to his country,” reads the resolution declaring him a Beloved Man. “Beloved Man” is a title worn only by a select few throughout Cherokee history. It was traditionally bestowed upon warriors who were too old to go to war but were valued for their integrity, good character and service to the tribe. Jerry Wolfe, also a WWII veteran, was given the title in 2013, but before that the last recorded instance of a Beloved Man was Little Turkey in the early 1800s.

“I have been privileged to serve the veterans community here on our boundary for over 25 years, and I have known and grown to love and appreciate so many of our men

and women who have served,” Steve Youngdeer Cherokee American Legion Post 134 Commander Lew Harding told Council, when presenting the post’s request that Youngdeer receive the title. “This dear brother, to me, is the most inspirational of all.”

Councilmembers expressed enthusiastic support for granting the honor, with Chairman Adam Wachacha, of Snowbird, requesting that the resolution be read in Cherokee as well before taking the vote.

“Being in the military, a lot of awards are given out after death, so this will be something extraordinary for himself and the family and you as an American Legion, for him to be presented with this title of Beloved Man,” Wachacha said.

The resolution will become effective once Principal Chief Richard Sneed ratifies it, which he plans to do soon.

January 10-16, 2018

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ar hero and former Principal Chief Robert Youngdeer received the highest honor available in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians when Tribal Council voted unanimously during its Jan. 4 meeting to name him a Beloved Man. “I’m very thankful for the American Legion proposing this and bringing it up. It made me very happy,” Youngdeer’s son Merritt Youngdeer told Tribal Council after the vote. “He’s not able to get around that well anymore, and your days seem kind of long when you’re in your easy chair, and it’s cold. And you hear some news like this, and it makes him feel good. We appreciate this council. He’s a proud American. He’s a proud member of this tribe. This is a very wonderful honor to be bestowed upon him.”

Youngdeer was born April 13, 1922, in the Ravensford area of the Qualla Boundary, attending the Cherokee Boarding School and enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 18 to fight in World War II. As a 1st Marine Raider, he deployed to the Pacific Theater, where he fought on Tulagi and was shot in the face by a sniper during the Battle of Bloody Ridge on Guadalcanal. After a

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news January 10-16, 2018

Jane Elliott headlines MLK events at WCU Western Carolina University will celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a variety of events throughout January, highlighted by the university’s annual MLK speaker.

At 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, the annual MLK Unity March will begin at WCU’s Central Plaza fountain near the alumni tower. A reception will be held at the A.K. Hinds University Center’s Illusions Club at 3 p.m. It is sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and WCU’s Intercultural Affairs department.

The WCU Fine Arts Museum at the Bardo Arts Center will open an exhibition Tuesday, Jan. 16, by Willie Cole titled “Soles and Boards from Highpoint Editions.” Cole draws from his own African-American heritage and celebrates African art and culture while confronting viewers with the painful history of slavery in America, utilizing imagery of clothing irons and ironing boards. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

On Wednesday, Jan. 17, “Unity, Not Uniformity” will take place in the U.C. Grandroom at 7 p.m. The performance-based event allows for creative expression of King’s legacy of cooperation, brotherhood, peace and respect. It is sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., WCU’s Inspirational Gospel Choir and the Black Student Union.

Jane Elliott, renowned teacher, lecturer and diversity trainer, will be the 2018 MLK speaker at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 29, at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center. Elliott is the creator of “Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes.”

WCU’s Department of Intercultural Affairs will hold a Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity Education session titled “I’m Not A Racist” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, in the U.C.’s Raleigh Room. Intercultural Affairs Director Dana Patterson will facilitate the interactive session.

Wastewater discharged Equipment to cause at Lake Junaluska traffic delays Lake Junaluska Assembly Public Works had a discharge of untreated wastewater on Jan. 8 of an estimated 5,000 gallons at the sewer line that runs along the Lake Junaluska dam.

The untreated wastewater was discharged into Lake Junaluska and Richland Creek in the Pigeon River Basin. The Division of Water Resources was notified on Jan. 8 and is reviewing the matter.

Lake Junaluska received notification of the break at 10:10 a.m., and the staff immediately assessed the situation and addressed the leak by plugging the nearest manhole. As a result, the sewer discharge into the lake was stopped by 11:15 a.m. The pipe was repaired and functional by 4:20 p.m. that day. The break was caused by a tree landing on the sewer line and severing the pipe.

For more information, contact Lake Junaluska Assembly Public Works at 828.452.5911.

Starting Jan. 11, Duke Energy will manage the movement of three 700,000-pound transformers to the Bad Creek Hydroelectric Station from West Union, S.C., to Bad Creek in Salem, S.C. During these heavy equipment moves, traffic on N.C. 107 and 28 to Cashiers will encounter lengthy delays. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes on the scheduled move dates.

It will take two days to move each transformer along the 30-mile route. The moves are tentatively scheduled to occur on Jan. 11-12; Jan. 18-19; and Jan. 25-26, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. The schedule and duration of each move could change depending on weather and other conditions.

Duke Energy asking for rate hike

Lake Junaluska has opened its dam to draw down the lake. The lake drawdown, which happens every few years, allows for removal of silt from the lake’s floor as well as repairs, maintenance and litter cleanup. The lake will be filled again by Easter.

Currently, there is no water going over the spillway in the dam; however, the gates under the dam will continue to allow water to flow below the dam. Richland Creek will continue to flow freely throughout the entire process.

The estimated time frame for the lake drawdown is weather-dependent and may be adjusted if it rains or snows. The lake is lowered slowly, in accordance with wildlife regulations, so that the animals that live in and around the lake can adjust accordingly to the smaller amount of water that will remain. Fish, ducks and other wildlife manage well in the shallow waters until the lake refills.

The silt is emptied into a permitted site at

Residents of Western North Carolina will have the opportunity to gather at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, at the Macon County Courthouse in Franklin to voice their opinions about Duke Energy’s proposed rate hike.

Duke Energy Carolinas, which serves 2.2 million customers across the state and much of western North Carolina, has requested approval to raise residential energy rates by 16.7 percent and to increase its revenue by approximately $647 million. The rate hike is being requested soon after the company rose energy rates by 5 percent in 2013.

The North Carolina Utilities Commission, the body that decides whether or not to approve Duke’s request, will receive the public testimony. Those who plan to speak should arrive at 6:30 p.m.

Water drawn down at Lake Junaluska

the northwest portion of the Lake Junaluska Assembly property. Beyond silt removal, the lake drawdown offers a window of time in which other repair and maintenance can occur.

Haywood Arts Council hold annual meeting The Haywood County Arts Council will hold its annual meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at The Strand at 38 Main.

The event will then move to a wine and cheese reception at the Haywood County Arts Council immediately following the presentation.

Attendees will be asked to provide input on fresh goals as the Haywood County Arts Council continues its strategic planning initiatives.

Both reception and meeting are open to the public. Though not required, an RSVP is encouraged. Email info@haywoodarts.org or call 828.452.0593. In case of inclement weather, the meeting will be postponed until Jan. 25.

Waynesville accepting grant applications The Town of Waynesville is now accepting applications from nonprofit organizations for consideration of special appropriations in the upcoming 2018-19 budget.

Waynesville appropriates funding to those organizations that provide services and programs to the citizens of Waynesville. Funds shall be appropriated for public purposes only. Any nonprofit organization requesting funding from the town is required to submit a completed application, no later than March 31.

The request for funding should be made using the application form found at www.waynesvillenc.gov/government or may be picked up at the Municipal Building. Questions about the requirements or the application process may be directed to Amie Owens, Assistant Town Manager at 828.452.2491 or aowens@waynesvillenc.gov.

Diane E. Sherrill, Attorney

Is a Will Enough?

Smoky Mountain News

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BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER years-long effort to find some use for the Historic Haywood County Hospital on Waynesville’s North Main Street appears to be moving forward with renewed vigor, as the building continues to deteriorate.

“It would be our hope that we could revitalize the hospital and continue to use it since it’s a historic hospital, however, it’s costing the county $67,000 a month to maintain that property,” said Haywood County Board of Commissioners Chairman Kirk Kirkpatrick.

“We can’t just continue to do that.”

Commissioners approved an agreement to sell the property, again, to Landmark Asset Services, the same firm that had tried to redevelop the property two years ago.

“We worked with Landmark back in 2016 for the low-income tax credits,” said Haywood County Program Administrator David Francis of the ultimately unsuccessful effort. “This is in the same channel that we worked with them before except we are in the adaptive reuse pool as opposed to the larger pool for just LITEC [Low Income Housing Tax Credits] credits.”

Francis said that competing for adaptive reuse tax credits as well as for LITEC credits in essence gives the county “two bites at the apple.”

A

The county advertised for adaptive reuse bids back in November, and received two offers. Landmark’s offer was better and after negotiations Francis and Interim County Manager Joel Mashburn talked Landmark’s bid up $25,000 from the $200,000 Landmark had originally offered.

“If we don’t succeed in adaptive reuse, then we have a chance to go back in the larger pool as well,” he told commissioners Jan. 2.

Landmark’s plan calls for approximately 51 units, a mixture of one bedroom and twobedroom units.

Awards will be announced by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency in September. If successful, Landmark would have to put another $7,000 down at that time, and then would have until March 15, 2019, to close the deal. Landmark can extend that closing date twice, for 90 days each, at a cost of $7,000 per occurrence up to Sept. 15, 2019.

The flexibility and lead time would allow Landmark to convert those tax credits to cash in a secondary market, as well as to arrange for construction financing.

That would also allow the Haywood County Schools offices that currently occupy a portion of the building to be relocated.

But as in 2016, the purchase agreement approved by commissioners Jan. 2 “will be

The Historic Haywood Hospital could finally be sold. File photo news

Commissioners hopeful about future of historic hospital

null and void” if the NCHFA doesn’t approve tax credits.

Given the project’s history of not being awarded the credits, Francis said other options are also being pursued.

“We are simultaneously going to be looking at different projects for the hospital. One is that we would potentially look at demolishing the 1952 and 1956 portions of the building,” he said, adding that he and Mashburn have a meeting scheduled with a demolition contractor later this month.

Francis said he’d been in the building last month for the first time since spring. “It’s deteriorating,” he said. “Nothing’s worse than an empty building.”

He’s also exploring partnerships with the Town of Waynesville Housing Authority, and said that a local nonprofit had also called, expressing interest in utilizing part of the building.

“So if something happens or doesn’t in September 2018, we have other ways to move forward with the building,” he said.

A

Richard French, of Big Cove; and Lisa Taylor, of Painttown. Voting to pass the resolution were Chairman Adam Wachacha, of Snowbird; Vice Chairman David Wolfe, of Yellowhill; and Councilmembers Jeremy Wilson, of Wolfetown; Bo Crowe, of Wolfetown; Albert Rose, of Birdtown; and Boyd Owle, of Birdtown. Councilmember Tommye Saunooke, of Painttown, was absent.

During the Jan. 4 Council meeting, meanwhile, the vote was unanimous to pass Bird’s resolution stating that a hearing date should be set to give Bird the chance to address the allegations against him.

In a letter attached to the protest resolution, Bird included a list of witnesses he would plan to call during the protest hearing and requested that Tribal Council subpoena those individuals to appear. These witnesses include former Principal Chief Patrick Lambert; Stacy Cowan of RGL forensics, which conducted the investigation that Lambert ultimately turned over to the FBI; former Attorney General Danny Davis; Councilmember Bo Crowe; Alcohol Law Enforcement Officer Justin Wade; ABC Commission manager Amanda Younce; Justin Eason; Daniel Iadonsie and Gerald Ball.

The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 24. Chairman Adam Wachacha, of Snowbird, said he would issue any subpoenas necessary.

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BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER n alcohol commissioner who was removed from his post last month will get a hearing following the Cherokee Tribal Council’s unanimous decision to grant A.J. Bird’s request to protest the decision.

Bird was removed in December following a split decision to pass a resolution submitted by the Tribal Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. The resolution included numerous claims against Bird, including that he’d expanded the scope of a forensic audit to cost nearly $50,000 more than what the ABC Commission had previously approved, refused to share the results of the audit with other commission members and refused to share information he claimed to have regarding somebody delivering alcohol to the casino without ABC approval.

Bird had requested that Council grant him a substantial amount of time — up to two hours — to defend against the accusations.

“I’m prepared right now to refute every allegation made to Tribal Council in this legislation,” he said Dec. 7.

However, he was ultimately given only five minutes to speak before Council voted.

Voting to table the resolution for further discussion were Councilmembers Tom Wahnetah, of Yellowhill; Bucky Brown, of Snowbird; Perry Shell, of Big Cove;

January 10-16, 2018

Hearing granted for former alcohol commissioner

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Community Almanac SCC team wins chamber award Southwestern Community College’s educational opportunities coordinator Kay Wolf and the English Language Learners Team was awarded the Arts & Culture Advocate Award that is part of the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce’s Spirit of Our Community Awards given each year.

Recipients of this award demonstrate how their work promotes artistic enhancement or cultural awareness in the community.

SCC collaborates with the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd and the United Methodist Church of Cashiers to offer English classes for adults in the community needing to learn the language by providing the instructors and the free curriculum through the college’s educational opportunities department.

Smoky Mountain News

Jackson Counties that helps individuals and families work toward self-sufficiency to permanently move out of poverty and thrive.

Donations to The Fund for Haywood County can be made at www.fundforhaywoodcounty.org or by mail to The Fund for Haywood County, P.O. Box 627, Waynesville, NC 28786. Checks should be made out to CFWNC, noting The Fund for Haywood County in the memo line. www.fundforhaywoodcounty.org.

Harris welcomes first 2018 baby Harris Regional Hospital is ringing in 2018 with the year’s first bundle of joy. Weighing 6 pounds and 10 ounces and measuring 19 inches, Adeline was born to Kimberly and Robert Reed of Highlands at 10:20 a.m. Monday, Jan. 1.

“This is definitely an exciting way for our family to ring in the New Year,” said Kimberly. “The physicians and especially the nurses at Harris took such great care of us and we are so grateful to them for making us feel so comfortable.”

Judi Layton, CNM, women’s care provider at Harris, delivered Adeline who will now join her big brother completing the happy family of four.

Soup & Cornbread Day returns

Cat museum needs donations to stay open

Nonprofit help available through Evergreen

The Waynesville Altrusa chapter will host its 21st annual Soup & Cornbread Day from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, at the First Methodist Church in Waynesville.

Lunch includes vegetable and/or potato soup, cornbread, a beverage and your choice of homemade dessert. Tickets are available at the door or from an Altrusa member. All proceeds benefit the Haywood County Schools Foundation for Altrusa’s scholarship fund.

Call 828.646.0785 or visit www.waynesvillealtrusa.org.

The American Museum of the House Cat needs donations to continue operating.

Despite having income from 5,200 who visited the museum last year, Harold Sims said the museum’s first year cost a lot of money.

“This is not to say we are giving up. We need a little more help from the community,” he said.

He added that the Cat Museum has become a valuable attraction and asset to this area. Had the museum not been here, a large group from Georgia who recently visited the museum wouldn’t have gone on to shop and eat lunch in Dillsboro.

“The Cat Museum made them stop, interrupt their plans that day, a take the time to see the museum and then do other things here in Sylva and in Jackson County.”

Sims built the Catman2 Shelter and the Cat Museum with his own money. Donors helped keep the shelter open since 2002. It has saved and found homes for more than 4,000 cats.

To make a donation, call 828.476.9376

The Evergreen Foundation not only provides grant funding to nonprofit agencies providing services for individuals with mental health, substance use and developmental disabilities, it also supports fundraising efforts of agencies who previously had a project funded through the foundation. An agency can request up to $1,000 in a fiscal year to offset the costs of a major fund raising event.

Funds can be used for things like publicity, food, venue rental and more. This year funds have been granted to The Arc of Haywood County, The Clean Slate Coalition and Macon Traks. Funds are still available for the 2017-18 funding cycle.

For more information on support for fund raising events or to request an application, contact Coleman at dcoleman@evergreennc.org.

Haywood Habitat accepting applications Haywood Habitat for Humanity is seeking qualified homeowners for homes located in Haywood County.

Applicants must attend one mandatory information session prior to application. Information sessions are scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church; 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Haywood County Public Library-Waynesville; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21 at Haywood County Library-Canton.

The home ownership program is not a giveaway program. Houses are sold at the organization’s cost with an affordable mortgage. Families are required to invest 300-400 hours of volunteer “sweat equity” into the construction of their home and complete homebuyer education classes.

For more information, visit www.haywoodhabitat.org or call 828.452.7960.

Fund for Haywood gives $34,900 in grants The Fund for Haywood County has awarded $34,900 in grants to local nonprofits providing services for economically disadvantaged people.

The grants were made in partnership with The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.

Haywood Pathways Center received $14,900 to support hunger relief for the homeless through bulk food purchases.

Mountain Projects was awarded $20,000 for the Circles of Hope program serving Haywood and

FUR to hold special adoption day In the spirit of Valentine’s Day and love, Feline Urgent Rescue of WNC volunteers will be opening the sanctuary from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, for a special adoption day for cats that are one year old and older.

Refreshments will be served and there will be door prize drawings for people who adopt a cat.

The adoption fee is $35 on this day only. There are also kittens that deserve a home and will be available to adopt for only $20.

All cats have been spayed/neutered, are current on shots, have been tested for feline leukemia and have microchips.

For more information, call 844.888.2287 or visit www.furofwnc.org.

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• The Jackson County Department on Aging was able to deliver a record number of 744 Christmas boxes and remembrances to seniors in need this year. These boxes included needed items for the elderly who would have had very little over the holidays.

• The Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce will be holding its Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at Rendezvous Restaurant. Social hour will be from 5 to 6 p.m. and dinner and the awards presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m. $30 a person, RSVP by Jan. 19. 828.926.1686 or teresa@maggievalley.org.

ALSO:

• REACH of Macon County will hold its annual Mardi Gras Party on Feb. 20. To reserve a table or to become a sponsor, call Andrea or Jennifer at 828.369.5544.

Tai Chi workshop comes to Haywood Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center in Clyde will be hosting the 2018 TaijiFit International Teacher Training Workshop on March 3 and 4.

The workshop will be led by International Tai Chi Champion David-Dorian Ross who has had a long career in competitive tai chi, winning seven U.S. gold medals, two world bronze medals, and a world silver medal.

To learn more about the workshop, contact Matt Jeffs at 904.377.1527 or mattjeffsdpt@outlook.com.

Grant writing workshop offered Funding for Good is partnering with the Franklin Chamber of Commerce to bring its oneday Grant Writing & Research Workshop to Franklin on Feb. 13 to help nonprofits and churches navigate the complexities of the process.

The eight-hour workshop will cover the basic do’s and don’ts of grant writing, the seven elements of almost every proposal and how to customize proposals for better success. Participants will also learn the process for successful grant research and how to better develop and manage donor relationships.

Real stories from the nonprofit world will serve as case studies for the group and participants will also be able to review successfully funded proposals.

The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Franklin Chamber of Commerce and Welcome Center, 98 Hyatt Road.

To register, visit https://fundingforgood.org/grantwritingfl2018.

20

Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

The future for this region is bright I

Implore leaders to protect environment To the Editor: I recently read Boyd Holliday’s letter to the editor about the environmental damage our senators are doing to Western North Carolina. I know that Sens. Richard Burr, and Thom Tillis, are choosing to deny support to legislation that will improve the environment because they think doing so is more likely to improve the economy, but I’m not sure they recognize the repercussions of making those choices. But, I do know for certain that they will never act differently if we, as constituents, don’t tell them to.

As Holliday stated, WNC is founded on its environment’s health — it helps feed the tourism industry (which supports the economy that our senators care so deeply about) and it helps keeps WNC citizens happy and healthy.

We’ve all heard about how economically strong places like China are, and how environmentally unhealthy they are. The key to creating the best possible situations for N.C. citizens lies not in focusing on one aspect of a healthy state, but finding a good balance between all aspects. And if our senators are not putting in enough effort into supporting the environment, then our state as a whole,

lishments opening in our downtowns and elsewhere.

Of course, tourism and attracting retirees is the big business in this region.

“Baby boomers are retiring and are more mobile now than they have ever been. Economic development is anything that brings in money. Retirees bring their pensions and social security,” Walden said. He sees the same opportunity to “drive tourism as an economic boost.”

This newspaper and all the others in the region treat tourism and efforts to attract visitors as part of our regular coverage. Millions of dollars of room tax revenue is spent each year to get people to Western North Carolina, and Editor the success of those efforts puts money in the pocket of each taxpayer living here. More sales tax revenue collected from those tourists allows county commissioners and municipal leaders to keep property taxes low.

Though they are all diverse and multi-faceted in their ways, there’s also a unique advantage to each of the communities we cover. Swain and Cherokee — and also Jackson and Haywood — benefit from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. Make no mistake, there are entire small businesses who live off this behemoth, not to mention the more than 2,000 people who work directly for the company.

Jackson, also, can tout education as an industry. Between Western Carolina University and Southwestern Community College and the local public school system, there are more than a thousand great jobs, a lot of economic development activity, and a unique quality of life component that those associated with the colleges — employees and students —

Scott McLeod

n last week’s edition of The Smoky Mountain News we published articles about positive political and economic signs in two towns in our coverage area. Sylva and Canton both have a lot of momentum right now and were the towns we wrote about.

But for the most part, the entire coverage area of The Smoky Mountain News — Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, along with Cherokee — is actually doing pretty well and beating the odds versus a lot of places in North Carolina. Unemployment is low, population is growing modestly, and the small businesses we deal with on a weekly basis remain optimistic about the future.

You couldn’t pick up one of the state’s newspapers at yearend without coming across some article or expert delving into North Carolina’s urban-rural divide. Basically, when you look at traditional economic development markers the rural counties — which includes of our coverage area — are losing mightily to the urban centers.

In 2017, according to N.C. State University Economist Mike Walden, the state’s major metro areas added 64,000 jobs while small towns and rural areas gained less than 1,000. Since the Great Recession of 10 years ago, the already declining job market among what used to be the state’s big three industries — textiles, tobacco and furniture making — lost another 36,000 jobs.

So how are our smaller towns and rural counties hanging on? Well from my anecdotal observations it’s a combination of factors, but it seems to be working. The first is the effort in each of our communities to attract entrepreneurs. Small businesses are our backbone, and I know town leaders and economic development officials in each of our counties recognize this reality. Small communities are great places to live and raise families. One just has to look around this region and you can see that there are many new retail, food and other estab-

and especially WNC, will suffer.

I implore readers to take action and ask Sens. Burr and Tillis to take action and protect Western North Carolina by supporting the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Climate, Air, and Energy Research, refusing the major cuts proposed by President Trump.

Call them at 202.224.3121 and ensure that our communities have a better future!

Jordanna Swartz Swannanoa

A $4 million thank you To the Editor: As a member of the Swain County community, I believe there is a long overdue amount of gratitude that the citizens of my beloved county owe to our Sen. Thom Tillis and U.S. Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke for helping us receive a partial payment on the, also, long overdue North Shore (1943) Agreement, or the idiom referred to by locals as “the Road to Nowhere.”

This agreement, which was initially made in 1943, was more on the lines of a promise by the federal government to build a 30-mile road back to the home places, graveyards, and property of many Swain County citizens, whose homes were flooded in the making of Fontana Dam. Granted, with much respect to

bring to the region.

Macon’s ties to the Nantahala National Forest, the Appalachian Trail and other outdoor locations and its location along the corridor leading to Atlanta affect its economy greatly. All of us in this region benefit from the national park and national forests and the natural beauty of this area, but Macon seems to have played this up more — and perhaps for a longer time — than most.

Haywood, more than others in our coverage area, is benefitting from Asheville’s reputation as one of the most popular places in the U.S. to visit or live. It’s part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area — which comprises Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Haywood counties.

Right now, thousands of people living in Haywood commute to Buncombe each day to work. The exact figure is difficult to find, but varying census reports put the number of workers commuting out of Haywood at as high as 10,000 to 11,000. With a workforce of about 26,000, that’s as many as 40 percent commuting to somewhere else . Most think those workers are going to Buncombe County or else to Harrah’s, WCU or SCC. And Haywood just inked a formal economic development contract with Buncombe County’s EDC, which has a multi-million dollar budget and recognizes the value of growth and partnership with its surrounding counties. This is the first formal economic development contract in North Carolina between an urban, high-growth county and its rural, suburban neighbor.

With the cost of housing in Haywood substantially less and bedroom communities like Canton with lots of nice homes, this partnership could prove lucrative for companies wanting to be near Asheville but offer the amenities of small-town living to its employees.

We have challenges aplenty: broadband access, suitable land for development, and workforce development. But, 10 years after the Great Recession, WNC seems to have weathered the storm. I’m a glass half full kind of person, and I think the next 10 will be good ones for our region.

(Reach Scott McLeod at info@smokymountainnews.com.)

LETTERS those citizens, Fontana Dam was a huge facilitator in the United States victory in World War II. Regardless, over a half a century later many Swain County citizens who were promised this agreement, some who are now passed on, are still fighting for at least the mildest compensation of the lost homes.

Sixty-four years post agreement, and the promise of a 30-mile road was changed via memorandum to a cash settlement of $52 million. Personally, to our economical benefit, the road would have probably had a much more of a detrimental impact on the developing tourism, that now influxes our local economy. It’s quite doubtful that we would have as many visitors, hikers, fisherman, etc. come see our breathtaking views in the Great Smoky Mountains if it there was highway cutting right through the middle of it. So the cash agreement was a much more beneficial and practical settlement on the issue, especially for a land-locked town that hosts nearly forty-percent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s half-million acres. A blessing and curse; the blessed fact that over 10 million visitors come the Great Smoky Mountains National Park every year and that it supplies quite a few jobs for this area, and the curse that most revenue for this park does

not go back into Swain County, directly.

The progress that you have made by helping receive a partial payment on the North Shore agreement, is the light at the end of the tunnel for the relationship between Swain County and our federal government. I hope that the leaves of history continue to change in a positive aspect for my home, and that we all continue to work together in unity, undivided by opposing politics, and brought together by fostering the economic growth of Swain County by continuing to make sure that the appropriated funds issued with be used respectively and beneficially to our town. Hopefully, by Swain County doing their due-diligence with the funds, the remaining $35.2 million can be released, satisfying the long-lived agreement.

Afton Darnell Roberts Bryson City

A rising tide floats all boats To the Editor: The column written by Martin Dyckman in the Jan. 3 issue of The Smoky Mountain News attacking President Trump appeals only to the lowest animal instincts of jealousy and

S EE LETTERS, PAGE 21

Chris Cox

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

I support our state’s treasures To the Editor: In light of Mr. Holliday’s letter to the editor on Jan. 3, I’d like to take this opportunity to respond to some of his claims.

Regardless of the fact that the League of Conservation Voters spent more than $3

Smoky Mountain News

tribe as a bunch of naïve Pollyanna’s who will not see the truth when it is right there in front of them, waving a flag.

Another familiar type is the Poor Mouther Sad Sacks. These fans seem to enjoy a masochistic relationship with the teams that they follow. No matter how promising the season might appear to be for their team, Poor Mouther Sad Sacks can imagine only disaster lurking around every corner. If their team gets off to a good start, it only means that they are being set up for a crushing disappointment later in the game, or in the seaColumnist son, or at some point in the future just when it seemed things were going really well. Even if their team goes on a big winning streak, it just means that the fall is that much more precipitous and painful when it comes, as it must.

This type of fan will always find several reasons why their team cannot or should not win. The coach is an idiot. The offensive line is porous. The point guard cannot make a free throw. The clean-up hitter cannot lay off the slider. Or the team is cursed.

God doesn’t want them to win, for reasons no mortal can comprehend. Regardless of how rosy their fortunes may appear to be at any given time, the Sword of Damocles is ever ready to fall, piercing their hearts once and for all. Go ahead and pull for their team if you wish. But good luck with collecting all the tiny fragments of your broken hearts when your hopes and dreams are blown to smithereens.

All of these types are irritating enough, but perhaps the worst and most irritating type of all would be the Godawful Referee Gang. These fans believe that poor officiating is always — and I mean ALWAYS — the reason that their team lost. The score could be 51-6 at halftime, but this type of fan can be relied on to say something along these lines: “Well, it is hard to play five against seven, since the refs are clearly playing for their side.”

If you encounter these fans at a live game, I recommend moving to another quadrant in the gym or the arena, because they are going to spend the entire game yelling at the refs, questioning their eyesight, their objectivity, their citizenship, and their sanity. Every call against their team will be perceived as a personal affront, every call an utter disgrace, and even the ones they get right just a matter of dumb luck.

I could go on and on and on about these types. On and on and on and on. I guess I’m just that type of guy.

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

January 10-16, 2018

rom the time I was about 10 years old, I have been a rabid sports fan. In the beginning, I chose my allegiances whimsically. I liked the Cowboys because they had stars on their helmets and were called “America’s Team” and I lived in America, and because I liked Coach Tom Landry’s fedora. I chose to pull for the Lakers because they had an actual giant on their team, a man named Wilt Chamberlain who wore a cool bright yellow headband.

And I picked the Dodgers because my dad liked them and I wanted to be like him or least have something in common with him.

Many years later, when North Carolina was granted professional basketball and football teams, my allegiances shifted to the “local” teams, but otherwise, I have always been a faithful fan and a lover of sports in general. In fact, before I settled on teaching as a profession, I did two one-year tours of duty as a sportwriter for two different newspapers, which I enjoyed immensely, even if my annual salary was roughly equal to Michael Jordan’s average lunch tab. I didn’t get paid much, but I did get paid something to play the “expert,” which was thrilling, but came at a cost.

I’m afraid that when I talk sports with my friends, relatives, or even strangers who wander inadvertently into my orbit, I still assume that role, the armchair analyst that could tell these commentators, coaches, and general managers a thing a two about the mistakes they sometimes make, the choices they should have made.

I can easily imagine how insufferable this can be, but I have also come to the conclusion that I am just a type. There are many of us out there, just waiting to set you straight on why Cam Newton is not the problem (or why he is) with the Panthers, why Tiger Woods lost his mojo when it seemed he would lap Jack Nicklaus in winning major golf tournaments, why the Dodgers lost the World Series, and so on. If you need answers, we’ve got them! If it happened, we have a viewpoint on it.

There are other types, of course. One of these is what I would call the Conspiracy True Believer. This type of fan is convinced that the outcome of the Super Bowl, the big race, even the order of the NBA draft of college players, is controlled by some dark, external force. It might be the mafia controlling the point spread in the Super Bowl, or the NBA itself controlling the draft order so that the big market teams get the best players. The point is that the whole thing is rigged from the start, and the Conspiracy True Believers knew it all along. If the Patriots win the Super Bowl, they’ll nod knowingly and say, “It couldn’t have happened any other way. Don’t you know that the owner is big friends with President Trump?” This type of fan looks upon the other types with a mixture of scorn and pity, seeing everyone who is not in their

envy of others. Therein lies the reason I left either political party and am now amongst the growing Independent movement of people who think for themselves and don’t need a political ideology. And certainly not the sick ideology espoused by Mr. Dyckman.

Mr. Dyckman may be intelligent and I must assume he is, but nowhere do I see any evidence of wisdom on his part, nor do I see he is a student of anthropology or has a degree in psychology. His inferred criticism of the 149 million Americans who are happy to see their savings grow under President Trump is disheartening to say the least. Or, his criticism of the rich who already pay 80 percent of all federal taxes while he only pays a paltry 3 percent is outrageous.

President Trump knows a rising tide will float all boats, and that’s what his ideology is all about.

Bob Wilson Franklin

million in 2016 against me, more than nearly any other group, his claims about my record simply don’t align with reality.

The truth is that I have long supported not only the protection of North Carolina’s unique and beautiful environmental landmarks, but also the tourism economy that accompanies it.

For years, I have pushed to fully and permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a program widely considered one of the most successful conservation programs in our nation’s history.

Using royalties from offshore oil and gas sales, the Land and Water Conservation Fund maintains hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands so that the American people, like Mr. Holliday, can enjoy them for generations to come.

Some of North Carolina’s most beloved monuments including Chimney Rock, Catawba Falls and the Blue Ridge Parkway were made possible by this important conservation fund.

I also recently introduced a bill to reauthorize the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area (reported on by the Smoky Mountain News), which while providing several million dollars to 25 counties in Western North Carolina, supported 30,000 jobs and stimulated nearly $2.4 billion in tourism and economic activity.

If this isn’t supporting conservation and North Carolina tourism, then I don’t know what is.

Sen. Richard Burr

opinion

I’m just that kind of fan F

LETTERS, CONTINUED FROM 20

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Smoky Mountain News

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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 BOURBON BARREL BEEF & ALE 454 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, 828.452.9191. Lunch daily 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; dinner nightly at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Wine Down Wednesday’s: ½ off wine by the bottle. We specialize in handcut, all natural steaks from local farms, incredible burgers, and other classic american comfort foods that are made using only the finest local and sustainable ingredients available.

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. Family-style breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m. – with eggs, bacon, sausage, grits and oatmeal, fresh fruit, sometimes French toast or pancakes, and always all-youcan-eat. Lunch menu from 12 to 2 p.m. with fresh salads, homemade soups and sandwiches. In the evening, social hour begins at 6 p.m.; dinner is served at 7 p.m., with entrees such as seared salmon, oven-roasted chicken and cast-iron skillet pork chops, complemented by locally-sourced vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer fine wines and local craft beer.

Please call for reservations and join us for mile-high mountaintop dining with a spectacular view.

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.

CHURCH STREET DEPOT 34 Church Street, downtown Waynesville.

828.246.6505. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Mouthwatering all beef burgers and dogs, hand-dipped, hand-spun real ice cream shakes and floats, fresh handcut fries. Locally sourced beef. Indoor and

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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.

THE CLASSIC WINESELLER 20 Church Street, Waynesville.

828.452.6000. Underground retail wine and craft beer shop, restaurant, and intimate live music venue. Kitchen opens at 4 p.m.

Wednesday through Saturday serving freshly prepared small plates, tapas, charcuterie, desserts. Enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday night at 7pm. www.classicwineseller.com. Also on facebook and twitter.

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

828.926.1820 Winter hours: Wednesday through Sunday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. 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.

EVERETT HOTEL & BISTRO 16 Everett St.,Bryson City. 828.488.1934.

Open daily for dinner at 4:30 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday Brunch from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; dinner from 4:30-9:30 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. 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.

FERRARA PIZZA & PASTA 243 Paragon Parkway, Clyde.

828.476.5058. Open Monday-Saturday 11

a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 12 to 8 p.m. Real New Yorkers. Real Italians. Real Pizza. A full service authentic Italian pizzeria and restaurant from New York to the Blue Ridge. Dine in, take out, and delivery. Check out our daily lunch specials plus customer appreciation nights on Monday and Tuesday 5 to 9 p.m. with large cheese pizzas for $9.95.

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

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

Monday-Saturday. Father and son team Frank and Louis Perrone cook up dinners steeped in Italian tradition. With recipies passed down from generations gone by, the Perrones have brought a bit of Italy to Maggie Valley. frankiestrattoria.com FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St., Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; Dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. 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. www.frogsleappublichouse.com.

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

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

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

Open for dinner at 4:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. 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 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Serving breakfast, lunch, nd dinner.

The restaurant has a 1950s & 60s theme decorated with memorabilia from that era.

We e’ll fe eed your sp pirit, too. t

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243 Paragon Parkway | Clyde Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Open Sundays Noon to 8p.m.

Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m • Closed Sundays

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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.

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.

MAD BATTER FOOD & FILM 617 W. Main Street Downtown Sylva.

828.586.3555. Open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sunday brunch 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Handtossed pizza, steak sandwiches, wraps, salads and desserts. All made from scratch.

Beer and wine. Free movies Thursday trought Saturday. Visit madbatterfoodfilm.com for this week’s shows.

RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT AND BAR Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center 70 Soco Road, Maggie Valley 828.926.0201 Home of the Maggie Valley Pizzeria. We deliver after 4 p.m. daily to all of Maggie Valley, J-Creek area, and Lake Junaluska.

Monday through Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. country buffet and salad bar from 5 to 9 p.m. $11.95 with Steve Whiddon on piano.

Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 11:30 to 8 p.m. 11:30 to 3 p.m. family style, fried chicken, ham, fried fish, salad bar, along with all the fixings, $11.95.

Check out our events and menu at rendezvousmaggievalley.com

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

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

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

MAGGIE VALLEY RESTAURANT 2804 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.926.0425. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Daily specials including soups, sandwiches and southern dishes along with featured dishes such as fresh fried chicken, rainbow trout, country ham, pork chops and more.

Breakfast all day including omelets, pancakes, biscuits & gravy. facebook.com/carversmvr; instagram @carvers_mvr.

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

828.497.4590. Open 7 a.m. daily.

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

SALTY DOG’S SEAFOOD & GRILL 3567 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.926.9105. Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. Full service bar and restaurant located in the center of Maggie Valley.

Featuring daily $6 lunch specials and daily dinner specials such as $1 Taco Tuesdays and 45¢ Wednesday Wings. Backyard Bar is open every weekend thru October. Join us for every NFL game.

SMOKEY SHADOWS LODGE 323 Smoky Shadows Lane, Maggie Valley 828.926.0001. Check Facebook page for hours, which vary. Call early when serving because restaurant fills up fast. Remember when families joined each other at the table for a delicious homemade meal and shared stories about their day? That time is now at

Smokey Shadows. The menus are customizable for your special event. Group of eight or more can schedule their own dinner.

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 BAR & GRILL 176 Country Club Drive, Waynesville.

828.456.3551. Open seven days a week serving lunch and dinner. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Tucked away inside Waynesville Inn, the Tap Room Bar & Grill has an approachable menu designed around locally sourced, sustainable, farm-to-table ingredients. Full bar and wine cellar. www.thewaynesvilleinn.com.

TRAILHEAD CAFE & BAKERY 18 N Main Street, Waynesville.

828.452.3881 Open 7 days a week. You will find a delicious selection of pastries & donuts, breakfast & lunch along with a fresh coffee & barista selection. Happy Trails!

VITO’S PIZZA 607 Highlands Rd., Franklin.

828.369.9890. Established here in in 1998. Come to Franklin and enjoy our laid back place, a place you can sit back, relax and enjoy our 62” HDTV. Our Pizza dough, sauce, meatballs, and sausage are all made from scratch by Vito. The recipes have been in the family for 50 years (don’t ask for the recipes cuz’ you won’t get it!) Each Pizza is hand tossed and made with TLC. You’re welcome to watch your pizza being created.

WAYNESVILLE PIZZA COMPANY 32 Felmet Street, Waynesville.

828.246.0927. Open Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday noon to 9 p.m.; closed Tuesdays. Opened in May 2016, The Waynesville Pizza Company has earned a reputation for having the best hand-tossed pizza in the area. Featuring a custom bar with more than 20 beers and a rustic, family friendly dining room. Menu includes salads, burgers, wraps, hot and cold sandwiches, gourmet pizza, homemade desserts, and a loaded salad bar. The Cuban sandwich is considered by most to be the best in town.

MON.-SAT. 11 A.M.-8 P.M.

34 CHURCH ST. WAYNESVILLE 828.246.6505 twitter.com/ChurchStDepot

facebook.com/ChurchStreetDepot

Live Music starts at 7:15pm every Friday and Saturday FRIDAY, JANUARY 12 Joe Cruz (piano, vocals) Beatles, Elton John, James Taylor + More

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13 Kevin Williams (piano, vocals) Old Soul Rock and Roll

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19 Daniel Shearin (guitar, vocals) Folk, Rock, World Music, Originals

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20 Joe Cruz (piano, vocals) Beatles, Elton John, James Taylor + More

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25

Annual Robert Burns Supper Address to the Haggis, Four-Course Traditional Scottish Dinner, $39.99++ (Includes Wine or Beer tasting) Guest Master Chef Michelle Briggs Reserve at 828-452-6000

We’re open every evening for dinner until 9 p.m.

Join us for tasty burritos, tacos, quesadillas or crepes!

3 E JACKSON ST. • SYLVA, NC

www.CityLightsCafe.com

Daily Specials: Soups, Sandwiches & Southern Dishes

Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Saturday 12 p.m.-10 p.m.

Closed Tues.

Sun. 12-9 p.m.

Featured Dishes: Fresh Fried Chicken, Rainbow Trout, Country Ham, Pork-chops & more

Breakfast Served All Day! Omelets, Pancakes, Biscuits & Gravy!

AT BEARWATERS BREWING

Sandwiches • Burgers • Wraps 32 Felmet Street (828) 246-0927

Monday: Closed Tue-Thurs 3pm-8pm Fri-Sat: 12pm-9pm Sunday: 12pm-6pm

Smoky Mountain News

MAGGIE VALLEY RESTAURANT

January 10-16, 2018

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.

SAGEBRUSH STEAKHOUSE 1941 Champion Drive, Canton 828.646.3750 895 Russ Ave., Waynesville 828.452.5822. Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Carry out available.

Sagebrush features hand carved steaks, chicken and award winning BBQ ribs. We have fresh salads, seasonal vegetables and scrumptious deserts. Extensive selection of local craft beers and a full bar. Catering special events is one of our specialties.

WAYNESVILLE’S BEST BURGERS

2804 SOCO RD. • MAGGIE VALLEY 828.926.0425 • Facebook.com/carversmvr Instagram- @carvers_mvr

101 PARK ST. CANTON 828.492.1422 PIGEONRIVERGRILLE.COM MON-THUR 3-8 • FRI, SAT, SUN 12-8

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Smoky Mountain News

Between the lines tells the story

Waynesville woodworker carves into passion

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER hen you are in the presence of the woodwork by Ben Grant, you find yourself captivated by the contours of his pieces.

Each creation is intricate in nature, but with the same kind of smoothness you might see in a high-end car design, where there’s a sense of style, innovation and sharpness, but not one line or space is wasted — a complete creative statement.

“You can make anything out of wood, from a functional piece of furniture to an elaborate sculptural vessel,” Grant said. “It’s a very strong and versatile material that can be carved, shaped, or bent into any form or design you could imagine.”

Hailing from Rock Hill, South Carolina, the 33-year-old has made Western North Carolina his home for the better part of the last five years. Originally a construction worker, he became enthralled with the idea of building something from nothing.

“I got a job working construction about 12 years ago. It was my first experience working with my hands. I loved everything about it,” Grant said. “[But], it wasn’t until four years later that I started taking some woodworking classes and learning a finer aspect of the craft.”

W

“I didn’t know where woodworking would take me exactly, but I knew it was what I was going to be doing for the rest of my life.”

— Ben Grant

From 2009 to 2012, Grant found himself enrolled in workshops at the legendary Penland School of Crafts, about an hour north of Asheville.

Past exhibitions While there, he took several courses, • Best of WNC: Emerging Craft Artist Showcase including “Alternative Methods of • IWF Design Emphasis Showcase Carving,” “Exploring Chair Design,” • “Of The Earth” Exhibition, Arts Council of York County “Not Your Grandad’s Ball & Claw” and • Fall Festival, John C. Campbell Folk School “The Potential of Cabinets.”

• Crafty Feast, Columbia Museum of Art “I fell in love with the hands-on • Juried Competition, Arts Council of York County aspect of woodworking immediately, • 30 Small Works, Gallery Up but my craftsmanship was terrible. It • Contemporaries’ Artist of the Year Exhibit, Columbia took a while to get the hang of it, but I Museum of Art stuck with it and the results became very fulfilling,” Grant said. “I didn’t know where woodworking would take Awards received me exactly, but, at that point, I knew it • “Best in Show,” IWF Design Emphasis Showcase was what I was going to be doing for • “Design/Creativity Merit Award,” IWF Design Emphasis the rest of my life.”

Showcase Grant’s ongoing academic and artistic journey also included additional Want to know more? instruction at the Arrowmont School of Visit www.bengrantwoodwork.com or email Arts & Crafts (Gatlinburg, Tennessee). bengrantwoodwork@gmail.com.

The years of classes and growing passion for woodworking eventually led to a degree in “Professional Crafts-Wood” from “I also found it beneficial to be in a small group of like-minded students who supported each Haywood Community College (Clyde) in 2016. “[The HCC woodworking] program was other through the entire process. Before I went extremely beneficial. Students are given the to HCC, I had a basic understanding of woodfreedom to explore design ideas and techniques working and focused mostly on making simple while being skillfully guided. We learned how bowls and vessels. Today, I feel confident that I to problem solve and take ideas from original can create any design I dream up.”

When scouting out wood for his projects, concept to finished project, no matter what skill level we started the program with,” Grant said. Grant’s approach is case-by-case, where each

Woodworker Ben Grant

piece of wood picked is specifically tailored to what’s needed at that time and place.

“It really just depends on the project. Each species of wood has different characteristics from the next,” Grant said. “Some are better for carving, and some for bending, some have exquisite grain, and some just look better painted. Any piece of wood can be made to work for any application, but sometimes it helps the process to pick woods that are more agreeable for certain tasks.”

In recent months, Grant has put the finishing touches on his work studio at his home in Waynesville. It’s been a long road to this point, where now the woodworker can spread his craft out into the endless depths of Southern Appalachia.

“I’ve been most surprised by the reality that my passions have become my career. I could never have imagined the enormous amounts of support I have received from family, friends, teachers, customers, and the community,” Grant said. “When I am working with wood, one idea will lead to the next. Each new piece of furniture is an improvement on a previous design. Sometimes working on one aspect of a certain piece will lead to an idea for an entirely new concept — it’s a constantly evolving process of exploration.”

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

‘It ain’t me you’re lookin’ for, babe’

The Haywood County Martin Luther King Jr. Committee will celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during a weekend of events Jan. 13-15.

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JANUARY SCHEDULE MONDAY 9- 10 AM: Slow Flow Yoga w/ Sara • 10:30-11:30: Gentle Yin Yoga w/ Sara • 4:30- 5:30: Barre + Flow w/ Jay• 5:456:45: Mixed Level Flow Yoga w/ Candra • 6- 7: Yoga Basics w/ Shelby • 7- 8: Interval Jump, Flow and Sweat w/Jay TUESDAY 9- 10 AM: Restorative Yoga w/ Jay•10:30-11:30: Mixed Level Flow w/ Jay • 2- 3: Tai Chi w/ Bill •5:30-6:15: Barre Above* w/ Jay 6:30-7:30: Fluid Unwind w/ Shelby WEDNESDAY 9- 10 AM: Flow + Deep Stretch w/ Sara • 10:30-11:30: Gentle Yin Yoga w/ Sara • 5:45-6:45: Mixed Level Flow Yoga w/ Kendall • 6- 7: Hot Stone Restorative w/Amber • 7- 8: Intro to Flow + Restorative w/ Maura THURSDAY 6- 7AM: Sunrise Flow w/ Michael • 910: Restorative (Chair) Yoga w/ Jay •10:30-11:30: Mixed Level Flow w/ Jay • 12- 1: Yoga Basics w/ Amber • 2- 3: Qi Gong w/ Bill • 5:30-6:15: Barre Above* w/ Jay • 6:30-7:30 PM: Yoga Basics w/ Shelby • 6:30-7:30 PM: Candlelight Flow w/ Kendall FRIDAY 9-10: Gentle Restorative w/ Amber • 10:30-11:30: Barre + Flow w/ Jay • 45:15: Flow and Sweat w/ Shelby Saturday: 9- 10: Mixed Level Flow Yoga w/ Michael or Amber • 10:30-11:30: Beginner Flow Yoga w/ Maura Sunday: 11:30-12:30: Mixed Level Flow Yoga w/ Kendall • 4- 5: Beginner Flow w/ Maura

CALL OR REGISTER ONLINE AT WaynesvilleYogaCenter.com

Smoky Mountain News

So, what do you make of it all?

Throughout this recent holiday season, that question kept getting posed in my direction. It was tossed at me at by my girlAndrews Brewing Company (Andrews) will friend’s father and uncles, by my host the “Lounge Series” with “The Story Teller own father and uncles, by from Bryson City” at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. cousins and old friends that I ”Paint Nite Waynesville” will be held at 7 p.m. made time to meet up with while Thursday, Jan. 18, at Frog Level Brewing. back home in Upstate New York.

Part of me just wanted to avoid the question. I mean, A community jam will be held from 6 to 7:30 where in the hell do you even p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at the Marianna start to bring yourself to the disBlack Library in Bryson City. cussion table to attempt to make some sensible remark on the past Soul Infusion Tea House & Bistro (Sylva) will year, past decade, past generation host Nicholas Prestia (singer-songwriter) at 7 in this country and its place in p.m. Friday, Jan. 12. the grand scheme of things?

But, then again, part of me What’s funny, and not in a humorous wants to truly take advantage of any and all way, is how there seems to be so many opportunities to have an open, honest and things (issues) on our plate, we tend to foreducated conversation on where we were, get they’re even there. While I was driving where we’re at, and where to from here? down the interstate back to Waynesville, I Everyone has an opinion, and that opinion was struck by a statement, seemingly mattershould be welcomed, and valued in a true of-fact, where the radio broadcaster read a democracy, where differences need to be recent news headline from the war in seen as chances for new ideas and common Afghanistan stating, “… and the war, now in ground a cherished property for positive its sixteenth year.” change and compromise.

Sixteen years? Has it really been that For myself, I view everything from the long? I’m 32 years old, which means for bigger picture. As in, we’ve been in these sitexactly half of my existence the United uations and conflicts before, and probably States has been fighting in the treacherous will be again sometime down the road. But, physical, political and religious battlewhat’s different is the rules of engagement, where the gloves are off, to a degree in which ground that is Afghanistan. And I can vividly recall when we invaded that country we haven’t experienced, as mutual respect those many years ago, sitting in my friend for your opponent amid disagreement is Sean’s basement at his parents’ house, tossed away like yesterday’s garbage.

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January 10-16, 2018

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watching the breaking news and wondering just what will that mean for the future of our country moving forward?

And I remember when America invaded Iraq in the spring of 2003. A senior in high school, it’s all we talked about that day we heard what had happened. What does this mean for all of us heading to college? Would the draft be reinstated? Would the planet find itself at war if the Middle East decided to push back against the Western World?

Though those sentiments and moments in history have both gathered layers of dust over the last decade and a half, the disputes, paranoia, anger and military involvement tends to remain the same. We’re still in Afghanistan, and Iraq to an extent, now sending in more and more “advisors” (once again) like we did in the early years of the Vietnam War. That line, “and the war, now in its sixteenth year,” keep ricocheting around my mind when I headed into our newsroom this past Sunday, amid freezing cold temperatures and an office not heated since Friday afternoon.

The newsroom was silent. I laid out my work on the table. Flicking on the light of the kitchen, I got my coffee pot ready to brew. Standing there, I noticed a new addition to the bulletin board near me. It was an editorial by Smoky Mountain News Publisher Scott McLeod.

Coming into the New Year, he cleaned out his office, changing things around. Of which, he took the old Smoky Mountain News archive books and relocated them from his office to the shelves of the conference room. And, apparently, in transition, he or someone flipped through the back issues, coming across his editorial from Sept.

11, 2001, that was scanned and posted on the bulletin board.

The editorial, titled “Terrorism leaves us confused, angry,” was written in real time as the World Trade Center was attacked and collapsed. Our newspaper goes to press on Tuesdays, so he and the news staff were watching the events unfold in New York City and Washington D.C., as we all were, while our daily lives, routines and thought processes were forever changed.

Some 16 years later, McLeod’s words still ring true, “I begin to wonder how many are going to die, and wonder if those people on those planes know what is happening. There is no way they could, except they do likely know that have been hijacked. The rest of the terror, perhaps, is unknown to them. And as we watch and hear, I begin to dislike being able do so … Like a viewer of some reality show gone awry, I can’t stop, can’t pull the plug on the web. The horror of it all has me addicted in some way I don’t know how to explain … The truth is that using terrorism is an admission of helplessness. Those who are victims of it will, after the sadness and shock wear off, be filled with a new hatred.”

And yet, 16 years later, the final words of the editorial still provide the hope I feel when asked what I think of it all, “Finally, I have an intense desire to see my kids and wife.

For today there are perhaps thousands of good people — both living and dead — who will never have that opportunity.”

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

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828.246.6570

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arts & entertainment

On the beat • Andrews Brewing Company (Andrews) will host the “Lounge Series” with Twelfth Fret (Americana) Jan. 16, Blue Revue (Americana) Jan. 27 and The Trailer Hippies Feb. 3. All shows are free and begin at 5 p.m. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host an acoustic jam with Main St. NoTones from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 11 and 18.

Free and open to the public. www.blueridgebeerhub.com.

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Joe Cruz (piano/pop) Jan. 12 and 20.

All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. There will also be a special “O, Brother, Where Art Thou?” four-course dinner with Dulci Ellenberger & Kevin Williams (Americana/folk) at 7 p.m. Jan. 13, call for dinner prices and reservations.

828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

ALSO:

• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host James Poe (singer-songwriter) Jan. 13, Blue Revue (Americana) Jan. 20 and Eric Hendrix & Dr. Todd Davis (singer-songwriter) Jan. 27. All shows are free and begin at 7:30 p.m. www.curraheebrew.com.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night Jan. 10 and 17, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo Jan. 11 and 18. All events are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Isis Music Hall (Asheville) will host Dennis Warner 7 p.m. Jan. 10, Ryanhood 7 p.m.

Jan. 11, “Italian Night” with Mike Guggino & Barrett Smith 8:30 p.m. Jan. 11, Mountain Soul Party 7 and 9 p.m. Jan. 12, Cliff Eberhardt & Louise Mosrie 7 p.m. Jan. 13, Jesse Barry & Daniel Iannucci 5:30 p.m. Jan. 14, Alien Music Club 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 14, Tuesday Bluegrass Sessions w/Rob

• The Oconaluftee Visitor Center (Cherokee) will host a back porch old-time music jam from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 20. All are welcome to come play or simply sit and listen to sounds of Southern Appalachia.

• Pub 319 (Waynesville) will host an open mic night from 8 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday with Mike Farrington of Post Hole Diggers.

Free and open to the public.

• Salty Dog’s (Maggie Valley) will have Karaoke with Jason Wyatt at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, Mile High (classic rock) 8 p.m. Wednesdays, and an Open Jam with Rick 8 p.m. Thursdays.

• Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands) will host “Hoppy Hour” and an open mic with Susan at 6 p.m. on Thursdays and live music on Friday evenings. 828.482.9794 or www.satulahmountainbrewing.com.

• Sneak E Squirrel Brewing (Sylva) will host line dancing every Friday at 7 p.m. and contra dancing every other Friday at 8 p.m.

828.586.6440.

• Soul Infusion Tea House & Bistro (Sylva) will host Nicholas Prestia (singer-songwriter) Jan. 12 and Jonathan Breedlove (singer-songwriter) Jan. 27. Both shows begin at 7 p.m. 828.586.1717 or www.soulinfusion.com.

• The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic” night from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays. 828.283.0079 or www.38main.com.

Trey Hensley and Rob Ickes.

Dobro legend to play Asheville Bluegrass act Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at Isis Restaurant & Music Hall in West Asheville.

Fifteen-time “Dobro Player of the Year” by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), Ickes was a founding member of Blue Highway, a group as innovative to the genre as they were successful.

“Well, the slide is pretty special. It allows a very vocal, soulful sound to happen,” Ickes told The Smoky Mountain News last summer about his dobro. “It’s all I’ve ever played, so it always made sense to me, but playing with a slide makes it quite different from most instruments. I think it’s the versatility that I enjoy. The dobro can work well in lots of different styles. I also love backing up a great

singer. There is a conversation that happens — [and] it’s pretty deep.”

After departing Blue Highway in 2015, Ickes has been crisscrossing the country with singer/guitarist Trey Hensley. The duo’s album, “Before the Sun Goes Down, earned them a 2016 Grammy nomination for “Best Bluegrass Album.”

Where Ickes’ instrument bears the fingerprints of collaborations with Merle Haggard, Alison Krauss and Patty Loveless (to name a few), Hensley’s performance background is a redwood forest of giants (Marty Stuart, Earl Scruggs, Johnny & June Carter Cash, Ricky Skaggs, etc.)

And yet, accolades aside, what remains between the two highly-acclaimed musicians is a sense of not only passion and pride in their work, but also of musical history and honoring the past in their tone.

Tickets for the performance are $15 per person. To purchase tickets, click on www.isisasheville.com or call 828.575.2727.

Bryson City community jam A community jam will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer, anything unplugged, are invited to join. The music jams are offered to the public each first and third Thursday of the month. This program received support from the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment of the Arts.

828.488.3030.

I Show You Step by Step What to Do

Smoky Mountain News

January 10-16, 2018

• Derailed Bar & Lounge (Bryson City) will have music at 7 p.m. on Saturdays.

828.488.8898.

Parks & Friends 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16, The Honey Dewdrops 7 p.m. Jan. 17, Willie Nile 8:30 p.m. Jan. 17, Noah Zacharin 7 p.m.

Jan. 18, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley 7 p.m.

Jan. 19, Juice 9 p.m. Jan. 19, Charles Walker Band 7 p.m. Jan. 20, Andrew Scotchie Birthday Bash 9 p.m. Jan. 20, Brandon Lee Adams 5:30 p.m. Jan. 21 and Native Harrow & The High Top Boys 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21. For more information about the performances and/or to purchase tickets, visit www.isisasheville.com.

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On the street Open call for Greening Up

The Haywood County Martin Luther King Jr. Committee invites all to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by participating in a weekend of events Jan. 13-15.

The Haywood County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend Celebration will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, with a Pride March beginning at the Haywood County Justice Center in Waynesville. The march will end at the Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center with refreshments and a time of sharing.

The Commemorative Service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, hosted by Jones Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in Waynesville.

Rev. Robert C. Williams, pastor at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Canton, will be the speaker. The Mars Hill Gospel Choir will provide music.

The weekend will culminate with a Prayer Breakfast at 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at the Harrell Center Auditorium in Lake Junaluska. The speaker will be Judge Michael R. Morgan, N.C. Supreme Court Justice. Music will be performed by Lance Allen from Forest City.

Breakfast tickets are $17 adults; $8 stu-

There is an open call currently underway for artisans, vendors and environmentally-themed booths at the 21st annual Greening Up the Mountains, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, April 28, in downtown Sylva.

Celebrating the new spring in the mountains, the festival has become a beloved regional event. Applications can be downloaded at www.greeningupthemountains.com and will be accepted through April 1.

828.554.1035 or email greeningupthemountains@gmail.com.

Old Edwards wine dinner dents and children; children ages 8 and under are free. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Eggleston-Osborne Scholarship fund in memory of two AfricanAmerican educators of Haywood County, Wilbur Eggleston and Elsie J. Osborne.

For tickets or more information contact: Tammy McDowell at 828.215.0296, Rocky Tucker at 828.246.2588, Ann McAdams at 828.648.3363, Lunia Williams at 828.648.5471, Christiana Gibson at 828.648.1233 or Lin Forney at 828.734.5251.

TO SPIN YARNS Andrews Brewing Company (Andrews) will host the “Lounge Series” with Tim Hall (aka: The Storyteller) at 5 p.m. Jan. 20.

The performance is free and open to the public. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

There will be a special wine dinner on Saturday, Jan. 13, at The Farm at Old Edwards in Highlands.

Aside from an evening of tastings and wine discussions, there will also be live music from Wirewood.

Tickets are $155 per person. RSVP at 828.787.2635 or 828.787.2620. www.oldedwardsinn.com/schugwinedinner.

• The Academy at SOAR students (7-12 graders) are holding their annual “Student Cook-Off” on Jan. 12 at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville. Each student prepares a dish from a different culture from around the world. Those students each get one adult to act as their “sous chef.” They will present their dish to a panel of judges. There will be a few volunteer chefs from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort coming to help the students and act as guest judges. www.folkmoot.org.

ALSO:

There will be a free wine tasting from 1 to 5 p.m. Jan. 13 and 20 at Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville. www.waynesvillewine.com or 828.452.0120.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Jan. 13 and 20 at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. www.papouswineshop.com or 828.631.3075.

• Free cooking demonstrations will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturdays at Country Traditions in Dillsboro. Eat samples and taste house wines for $3 a glass. All recipes posted online. www.countrytraditionsnc.com.

Smoky Mountain News

• “Laughing Balsam Sangha,” a meeting for Mindfullness in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, meets will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays at 318 Skyland Drive in Sylva. Included are sitting and walking meditation, and Dharma discussion. Free admission. 828.335.8210, or “Like” them on Facebook.

January 10-16, 2018

STORY TELLER

WAYNESVILLE WINE TASTING

arts & entertainment

Haywood County celebrates MLK

27

arts & entertainment

On the wall Fine Art Museum new acquisitions The Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at the Bardo Arts Center is pleased to present the exhibition “WCU Collects: Recent Acquisitions” through Jan. 26 in Cullowhee.

This WCU Collects exhibition showcases a selection of artworks recently given to the museum and includes a number of artists not previously represented in the collection. The WCU Fine Art Museum stewards a collection of more than 1,500 art objects in all media — from painting and printmaking to book arts, sculpture, ceram• Mad Batter Food & Film (Sylva) will host a free movie night at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For the full schedule of screenings, visit www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com.

January 10-16, 2018

• The Waynesville Fiber Friends will meet from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday of the month at the Panacea Coffee House in Waynesville. All crafters and beginners interested in learning are invited. You can keep up with them through their Facebook group or by calling 828.276.6226 for more information.

• “Paint Nite Waynesville” will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursdays (Jan. 18) at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. Sign up for either event on the Paint Night Waynesville Facebook page or call Robin Arramae at 828.400.9560. paintnitewaynesville@gmail.com.

• There will be a “Thursday Painters Open

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Smoky Mountain News

Pre-concealed carry & post-concealed carry classes also available

ics, and contemporary craft. As the museum continues to research and interpret the collection, purchases and gifts expand and strengthen its holdings. New acquisitions find their way into the collection through a variety of routes and particularly through the generosity of donors.

All WCU Fine Art Museum exhibitions are free and open to the public. For further information, visit go.wcu.edu/wcucollects or call 828.227.3591.

The WCU Fine Art Museum boasts four art galleries with exhibitions year-round.

The Museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. www.wcu.edu.

Studio” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at the Franklin Uptown Gallery. Bring a bag lunch, project and supplies.

Free to the public. Membership not required. For information, call 828.349.4607.

• A “Youth Art Class” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday at the Appalachian Art Farm on 22 Morris Street in Sylva. All ages welcome. $10 includes instruction, materials and snack. For more information, email appalachianartfarm@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.

ALSO:

• There will an advanced pottery class offered from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at Rabbit Creek Pottery in Dillsboro.

Cost is $45, which includes all materials.

Class limited to four people. To register, call Annie Burrell at 828.371.3808.

There will be a new art showcase for painter Milly Honeycutt that will run through Jan. 31 at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Free and open to the public.

“I started oil painting 10 years ago. A friend talked me into taking classes with Jon Houglum at the art gallery downtown,” Honeycutt said. “I’ve always been interested in all kinds of the arts. Ceramics, China painting, making China painted dolls and making all the clothes. I’m always doing some kind of crafts. [I’ve also] been doing mixed media at the Macon County Senior Center, and that’s real fun to do.”

@SmokyMtnNews

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Franklin art showcase

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WINTER ARTS SMOKIES STYLE Saturdays · 4-7pm 2018 February 17 - HeART Warming Fundraiser for people who need help with heating costs March 17 - “Luck of the Art” WAYNESVILLEGALLERYASSOCIATION.COM Funded in part by Haywood County Tourism Development Authority • 1.800.334.9036 • visitNCsmokies.com

On the wall

Haywood Arts to discuss 2018 The Haywood County Arts Council will hold its annual meeting at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 18, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville.

The event will then move to a wine and cheese reception at the Haywood County Arts Council immediately following the

Susan continues her family tradition, both as an artist and as a supporter of and advocate for the arts. She is a lifetime member and former president of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, and with her husband Bob owns and operates Riverwood’s Oaks Gallery. In 2013, Susan received the North Carolina Heritage Award, the state’s highest honor for folk artists.

For more information, please call the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva at 828.586.2016. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library.

The Jackson County Public Library is a member of Fontana Regional Library (www.fontanalib.org). presentation. Attendees will be asked to provide input on fresh goals as the Haywood County Arts Council continues its strategic planning initiatives.

Both reception and meeting are open to the public. An RSVP is encouraged. Please let email info@haywoodarts.org or call 828.452.0593. In case of inclement weather, the meeting will be postponed until Jan. 25 (and announcements made on HCAC social channels and website).

Smoky Mountain News

The next Creating Community Workshop will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, in the Atrium of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

In this workshop, Susan Morgan Leveille will be sharing with participants her many years of weaving expertise. All supplies will be provided. The workshop is limited to 10 participants. Please call the Library to register. This program is free of charge.

Leveille’s family has had a great deal to do with the resurgence and modern vitality of the craft movement in Western North Carolina. Her aunt, Lucy Morgan, was the founder of the Penland School, and her parents, Ralph and Ruth, were the founders of Dillsboro’s famous Riverwood studios.

January 10-16, 2018

Weaver Susan Morgan Leveille.

arts & entertainment

Handwoven bookmarks with Leveille

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On the stage arts & entertainment

‘The Bald Soprano’ kicks off HART winter season

HART annual meeting

Smoky Mountain News

January 10-16, 2018

The Haywood Arts Regional Theatre will hold its annual meeting at 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 16, in Waynesville.

The public is invited as well as HART’s many volunteers and actors. Wine and cheese will be served.

The meeting will highlight the changes at HART this past year and feature highlights from the 2017 season. Volunteers and actors will be recognized for their hours of help that made the past year so successful.

HART Executive Director Steve Lloyd will also be providing details of the exciting upcoming 2018 season.

{Celebrating the Southern Appalachians}

Smoky Mountain Living celebrates the mountain region’s culture, music, art, and special places. We tell our stories for those who are lucky enough to live here and those who want to stay in touch with the place they love.

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One of the bright spots of the winter is the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre Studio Season.

Each year, HART in Waynesville presents a festival of plays in its intimate 60-seat Feichter Studio. The space is located backstage in the Performing Arts Center at the Shelton House and for many it is where the region’s most exciting theatre happens.

Beginning Jan. 12 with Eugène Ionesco’s “The Bald Soprano” and continuing through mid-April, HART will present six different productions, a new one every two weeks.

Tickets are only $10 with general admission seating, but reservations are recommended as many shows regularly sell out. Another cautionary note, don’t arrive late. Once the show begins, no one can be admitted.

The first production is considered a masterpiece of the Theatre of the Absurd movement of the 1950s. The idea for “The Bald Soprano” came to Ionesco while he was trying to learn English with the Assimil method. This begins with a passive period of reading and listening to a foreign language with translations. Ionesco was impressed by the contents of the dialogues, often very sober and strange, so he decided to write an absurd play named “English without Toil.” The current title was set only after a verbal slip-up was made by one of the actors during rehearsals. The other shows coming this winter include: “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare” (abridged), “Twelfth Night,” “Women and War,” “Mass Appeal,” and “In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play).”

A complete schedule is available at

‘Live via Satellite’ presents Sondheim classic The Highlands Performing Arts Center will screen “Live via Satellite” the National Theatre of London’s production of Stephan Sondheim’s “Follies” at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20.

Set in New York, 1971. There’s a party on the stage of the Weismann

www.harttheatre.org. Season tickets are also available for the winter season. Most shows traditionally run two weekends, but reservations are only taken one week at a time due to possible weather cancellations. Those attending can also dine at Harmons’ Den Bistro at HART prior to the show.

To make reservations or for more information call the HART box office at 828.456.6322. HART is located at 250 Pigeon Street in downtown Waynesville.

Theatre. Tomorrow the iconic building will be demolished. Thirty years after their final performance, the Follies girls gather to have a few drinks, sing a few songs and lie about themselves. Tracie Bennett, Janie Dee and Imelda Staunton play the magnificent Follies in this dazzling new production. Featuring a cast of 37 and an orchestra of 21, it’s directed

by Dominic Cooke.

Tickets are available online at www.highlandspac.org, at the door or by calling 828.526.9047.

349-39

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Bill Morris will be talking about bioidentical hormone replacement for men and women Oct. 15, 7 p.m. at Kim’s Pharmacy.

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January 10-16, 2018 Smoky Mountain News 31

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Books

Smoky Mountain News

The devil is all over this dark tale ince Luke Bauserman is a folklorist, it is safe to say that many of his characters already exist; some have existed since the beginning. Certainly, someone has told us tales of how death and the devil have communicated with mortals before. We remember Daniel Webster, for example, who, according to a fellow named Stephen Vincent Benet, took the devil to court before a “memorable jury,” since it was one picked by the devil; and there is Jack, who tricked death into remaining in an old apple tree for a long period of time ... a time during which no Writer mortals would or could die. Ah, but this time, we have a likable, young protagonist: a fellow named Ephraim. The setting is a shortly after the Civil War (but the wounds still rankle) in Some Dark Holler.

Ephraim is modest, shy and handsome. In addition, he excels at all of the “manly arts,” including hunting and trapping. In fact, Ephraim is the apple of God’s eye, so to speak.

He is obedient, loyal and sworn to take care of his aging mother ... exactly the kind of fellow whose soul the devil wants to acquire. Any tempter can get the average mortal who is usually flawed in a number of ways, but Ephraim, now that would be a memorable victory for Old Scratch, who sees something special in this young man’s dedication.

The devil knows that often a young boy’s virtues can be turned to vices. Let’s consider two. Ephraim loves his mother, but his mother bears a burning need to avenge her husband’s death in the Civil War. Some Yankee killed Ephraim’s father and the mother wants “an eye for an eye.”

She grows to hate Silas Henson, a local fellow who fought for the Union. He did not killed her husband, but in her vengeful mind he can serve for the man who did. She has kept her husband’s pistol loaded until the day she can get her revenge by ordering her son to

Gary Carden

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kill Silas.

Now, when Ephraim is virtually a grown man, she has taken to keeping the pistol in her lap along with a cup of deadly fox glove

tea which she threatens to drink if she doesn’t get her way.

And then there is Ephraim’s secret love for Isabel, who is innocent, beautiful and totally devoted to the bashful Ephraim (although he

Book study group: ‘Daring Democracy’ A new book group will hold a discussion on the work Daring Democracy: Igniting Power, Meaning, and Connection for the America We Want by Francis Lappe and Adam Eichen.

Discussions will be on three Sunday afternoons: Jan. 21, Feb. 4 and Feb 18. This free community program will begin at 1 p.m. at the UU Fellowship on 85 Sierra Lane in Franklin.

Democracy is not just a description of our government, it is a way of life we all can and must participate in to be effective.

Complaining does not foster change. Voicing our opinions in con-

isn’t aware of it). Could it be that Ephraim’s love could be his downfall? Jealously can wreck anyone, and it wrecks Ephraim when the man who is interested in Isabel is no other than Silas Henson, the man Ephraim’s mother asked him to kill.

What else is needed? A chance meeting at night, an angry conversation, an aimed pistol and a frightened horse that rears, causing Ephraim to fire his pistol.

He has killed the man his mother wanted dead. In no time at all, Ephraim is forced to flee for his life. Is he guilty of killing Silas Henson?

That is a question that will plague this tormented young man for years, but on this fatal night he turns to Isabel, who believes he is innocent and aids him in his flight to Barefoot Nancy. Nancy is the local “granny woman,” who heals wounds, tends the sick and practices a bit of magic on the side.

So Ephraim’s flight begins. There is a lynch mob led by Silas Henson’s brother, Peyton, and not far behind him is the devil himself. Poor Ephraim quickly learns that

structive ways, selecting leaders who represent our interests, and participating in decision making processes are all part of the democratic process.

All are welcome. Register in case they need to reschedule for weather: 828.524.3691 or sandidonn2@yahoo.com.

Kids essay contest Camp Hobbit Hill is currently offering an essay contest to future campers. Winners of the essay contest have a chance to win a free session of camp.

Camp Hobbit Hill is a girls’ overnight camp, with a focus on horsemanship and arts, located in Alexander. Future campers are

among those who wish him ill is a man he had trusted, the Rev. Boggs. In fact, Boggs is a sworn enemy of Barefoot Nancy whom he has named “a witch” and cast her out of the church, ordering his congregation to shun her. And then there are the stories about “the book” that Boggs has ... a book once owned by Barefoot Nancy.

However, poor Ephraim’s most dangerous tracker is not “of this world.” It is the devil’s own hellhound named Samson, a tormented creature driven into madness by the devil and doomed to do his bidding. Samson’s “resurrection” and the narrative describing the cursed hound’s pursuit of Ephraim are among the most frightening in this novel.

Now, what more could you ask for? Here is a tale of the supernatural set in the world of Appalachian folklore in the years following the Civil War. Some Dark Holler is packed with the characters (good and bad) that inhabit Ephraim’s world. It is a world of bootleggers and thieves, but there is Manson, the blacksmith, who not only provides shoes for the animals of the community (including Barefoot Nancy’s goat, Amos269) but he can also shape an iron ball that can do considerable damage to dark forces such as demons and devils. He is also a gifted storyteller who remembers the deed of the cursed “Alice Skinner witch that was driven out of Six Mile Creek by Barefoot Nancy.”

Finally, consider the fact that Some Dark Holler is just beginning. As this tale draws to an end, the reader will discover that there is no conclusion. Instead, we find that when Ephraim comes face to face with his pursuers, it is only to learn that his journey has just begun. He has proclaimed his love for Isabel and she announces her eternal love for Ephraim, but his travails have just begun.

Ephraim is still doomed to fulfill a contract with the Devil that is binding for 150 years!

Can their love survive?

(The next novel, November Spring, will be out in the spring. For those who may not know, Luke Bauserman is a storyteller and folklorist of considerable skill. Visit his blog at wwwlukebauserman.com.)

invited to participate in the essay contest to win a free session of camp, current campers may win additional sessions.

The essay must answer one of the following questions, be written by the potential camper, and be submitted to camp@CampHobbitHill.com no later than March 1. Explain what leadership and community mean to you (200-250 words). How could attending and experiencing camp help you become more actively involved in your community? (200-250 words). Tell us how you can be a good role model to other students in school (300 words or less).

Further instructions will be available at www.camphobbithill.com. Contestants may enter all sections of the contest, but are only entitled to win one first prize. All entries must include name, age, parental contact and return email.

books January 10-16, 2018

Smoky Mountain News

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Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

Deep freeze Frozen waterfalls offer rare winter spectacle Ice patches litter the trail to Cullowhee Falls.

Holly Kays photos

Only the fastest-moving water escaped transformation into ice at Cullowhee Falls.

Fallen leaves lie frozen in place on the trail.

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER t was cold, but I was prepared. Leggings and Underarmour, sweatpants and sweatshirt, parka and hiking pants, an array of hats, gloves and scarves — it was safe to say I’d dressed for the forecasted high of 27 degrees.

I’d spent much of the past week indoors, wrapped in blankets against the single-digit chill that assaulted my apartment and dreaming of warmer days. But as the weekend drew near, a realization dawned — all this cold had surely created some beauty out of Western North Carolina’s abundant waterways. I made a decision: I would brave the cold, and I would go find a frozen waterfall.

Luckily, I also found a couple friends — and their three dogs — willing to hike with my pup and I in 20-degree weather, and so Saturday afternoon we set off for Cullowhee Falls.

The sky was pure blue but the sun without heat, my toes developing a chill even while in the heated car, shrouded in thick socks. But in our quest for frozen falls, the curvy mountain road seemed to say that we were on the right track as we passed seeping rockfaces transformed into walls of ice. And when we arrived at the trailhead, the line of parked cars revealed that we weren’t the only ones who’d had this idea.

A gust of wind greeted us as we tumbled out of the car, wondering just how frigid of an experience this hike would be. I zipped my coat tight around me, adjusting the combination of hat and neck scarf I’d devised to ensure only a minimal amount of skin would remain exposed to the elements.

But then we started walking, and I was surprised at how quickly warmth started to gather between my layers. Soon I was pulling off my gloves, then my hat, unzipping my parka and putting the neck scarf in my pocket.

And in the midst of all that, the ice started to appear. There’s a place not too far from the trailhead where the forest opens up to reveal a steep, steep tumble down to the river far below, and today that river was constrained by a border of ice, thicker and whiter along the banks and progressively thinner until reaching the center, where the water still ran freely.

For the next bit of trail, the river itself stayed mostly hidden, save for glimpses here and there where the path came near enough

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to the banks that the thickly growing rhododendrons couldn’t hide the water. But evidence of the deep freeze was everywhere.

Rock seeps along the path had frozen over, a beautiful combination of ice blocks and hoarfrost and glazed puddles, and on the trail itself frozen water accumulated to create sheets that resembled miniature ice skating rinks. The remains of a days-old snow dusting still appeared here and there, pockets of powder buried under leaves or in the shadows of rocks where the stingy winter sun would never shine.

It was all gorgeous, but these sights were really just low-key opening acts compared to the double headliners that would anchor the afternoon.

The first of those headliners, a waterfall that in warmer conditions cascades softly down a series of moss-covered rocks on the opposite bank, delivered its show in complete stillness.

It was all frozen, the gentle cascade stopped time and again by the cold until it formed layers of frozen water that combined into a thick, textured, icicle-laden sheet. Rocks in the river below were ringed with white discs of freeze, only a small stream of water, blueblack in shadow, remaining open.

It was dramatic, sure, but nothing compared to the grand finale.

Cullowhee Falls is impressive even on an average day. Though its volume is usually pretty low, the falls spills 150 feet over the cliffs of the Tuckasegee Gorge in a two-tier drop before crashing down into the rocky canyon below. Several days each year, the effect intensifies as Duke Energy does a special release from the falls’ source, Lake Glenville. On those days, Cullowhee Falls becomes one of the most powerful waterfalls in the region.

Today, however, that motion was more stilted, and the effect much more grand; the scene resembled some artificially created movie set rather than a natural phenomenon.

Water kept moving at the falls’ center, but it was hemmed in by a series of frosted icicles that grew ever thicker and longer, merging into each other to create a continuous covering on the rockface.

The small beach where on warmer days I’d enjoyed many a trail snack, watching the water cascade and thinking thoughts that I’d like to believe were somewhat deep, was on this winter day frozen over

F

Waynesville Rec sets attendance record The Waynesville Recreation Center logged a record attendance for the second year running, with 180,611 visits in 2017.

The record bested the previous highwater mark of 149,660 visits, set in 2016.

“We could have not have accomplished this task without the Town of Waynesville mayor and aldermen, management and all of the employees in other departments,”

said Rhett Langston, director of the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department.

The rec center is open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Monday through Friday, as well as 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 7 p.m.

Sundays. Members receive free childcare, personal training and exercise classes.

828.456.2030.

Winter road closures begin in the national forest Seasonal road closures have begun in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests.

These closures affect motorized vehicles and are intended to protect wildlife habitat, decrease wildlife disturbance, reduce road maintenance costs and protect public safety during long bouts of adverse weather. Emergency road closures due to weather or resource conditions can occur at any time. For current road conditions, contact the district ranger office.

In the Appalachian Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest, the following roads will be closed through April 2: n South Toe River/Forest Service Road 472 n Neals Creek/FSR 2074 n Flat Top/FSR 278 n Big Ivy/FSR 74 n Stony Fork/FSR 63 n Hickey Fork/FSR 465 n Hurricane Gap/FSR 467 n Mill Ridge/FSR 113 n Cataloochee/FSR 3549

In the Tusquitee Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest, the following roads will be closed through April 15.

In Cherokee County: n Beech Creek/FSR 307 n Cherokee Lake/FSR 313 n Chambers Creek/FSR 2071 n Derreberry Gap/FSR 6148 n Panther Gap/FSR 85A n Persimmon Creek/FSR 651 n Stateline Loop/FSR 420-6 n Tellico River/FSR 420-5 n Tatham Gap/FSR 423 n Powerline Cove/FSR 6020 n Bear Paw/FSR 435 n n n n

outdoors

A disc golfer makes a throw at the Waynesville Recreation Park. SMN photo

In Clay County: Deep Gap/FSR 71 Nelson Ridge/FSR 351 Perry Gap/ FSR 350 Tuni Gap/FSR 440

In the Cheoah Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest in Graham County, the following roads will close through April 15: n Big Fat/FSR 62 n Farley Cove/FSR 407 n Tatham Gap/Long Creek/FSR 423 n Long Hungry/FSR 1127 n Santeelah Creek/FSR 81

The writer’s dog Arti stands before a backdrop of ice.

glimmering on the ice surface, the magic would have been complete. But in the deep of winter — and especially in a canyon — that’s an elusive wish. The sun was already sinking, half out of sight behind the trees.

But even sunless, it was enchanting, and it’s probably good that I wasn’t there alone.

If left to my own devices, I probably would have sat, staring, until the chill was so advanced my legs refused to move.

As it was, somebody else made the suggestion that we should perhaps think about leaving, and I begrudgingly agreed.

I’m glad to see the 4-degree weather go, and when spring comes I’ll rejoice at the warm sun and blooming wildflowers just like everybody else. But the frozen world is full of beauty too and it’s a beauty I hope to see again — the next time that real winter visits Western North Carolina.

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Smoky Mountain News

completely. I took a tentative step on the edge, planting one foot there, then two, and, seeing no cracks form, tested out a jump. The ice held, and while I wasn’t quite willing to risk stepping out toward the center, the dogs had no such qualms. They ventured out, immune to admonishments to come back and stay, paws slipping haphazardly as they explored this curious new substance, the ice thankfully holding their weight.

I, meanwhile, did some exploring of my own, following my pup up and over a few dry rocks before dropping my jaw as I encountered the place where everything was ice. An inches-thick sheet covered the rocks, continuing out to the water itself and up the icicle-hung falls. A winter wonderland, if ever there was one.

If there had been just a little bit of sun

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@SmokyMtnNews 35

outdoors

Wildlife Commission to hold public hearing

Ban nking... king...

Simplified Si Checking Accounts, Credit Cards, and More all with the Community in Mind.

January 10-16, 2018

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Federally Insured by NCUA

OSHA 30-Hour Construction Industry Training g Program

CMC recognized for Parkway service

February 20-23, 2018 / 9 am a to 4 pm WCU att Bilt Biltmore Park, k A Ashe h ville, ill NC

Smoky Mountain News

Register by Januaryy 15 fo or a discounted rat a e of $300!

3 This OSHA training program is a comprehensive safety program desiggned for anyone involved in the construction industry.

Learn more at

Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment 36

A public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, at the Haywood Community College auditorium in Clyde will provide an opportunity for feedback on proposed changes to N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission regulations.

The proposed changes cover 35 different agency regulations related to wildlife management, fisheries and game lands for the 2018-2019 seasons. Wildlife Commission members will vote on the proposals during their Feb. 22 meeting, with approved proposals taking effect Aug. 1.

Proposed changes include adding two weeks to the beginning of the bear season in the western part of the state, and changes to bag limits and season lengths for deer. A listing of proposals of particular interest to Western North Carolina is online at www.smokymountainnews.com/outdoors/i tem/21455-hunting-and-fishing-changesproposed. View the complete listing of proposed changes at www.ncwildlife.org/portals/0/proposedregulations/2018-publichearings-booklet.pdf.

Anyone can come and give comment during the Jan. 16 meeting, and those unable to attend the meeting can submit written comments through Thursday, Feb. 1. Submit comments online at ncpaws.org/paws/wrc/publiccomments/pu blicentry/proposedregulations.aspx, email them with a full name and address to regulations@ncwildlife.org, or mail them to Rules Coordinator, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699.

learn.wcu.edu/ OSHA-Training jjcthompson@w p @ cu.edu • 828-2277-739 7397

The Carolina Mountain Club was awarded the Blue Ridge Parkway’s 2017 Enduring Service Award, recognizing the efforts of the club’s 150 members to build and maintain trails on Parkway land.

“The Blue Ridge Parkway is fortunate to work in partnership with organizations like the Carolina Mountain Club, which connects skilled and passionate individuals with the National Park Service, and helps to maintain a vast network of trails for the public,” reads a letter by Acting Superintendent J.D. Lee. “The Carolina Mountain Club has done extraordinary work this past year and over the 90-plus years of the club’s existence.”

In particular, the letter noted club members’ work to maintain their dedicated 146 miles of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and their response to cleaning up from Hurricane Irma’s damage along the Parkway.

“Within two weeks after the storm, your teams had cleared over 500 trees from 82 miles of trail, all while portions of Parkway were inaccessible to vehicles, making your days that much longer,” the letter reads.

“The dedication of your crew is the reason why visitors are able to hike on Parkway trails today.” www.carolinamountainclub.org.

Sink into winter skies Donated photo

Reflect on the connection between art and nature A discussion of nature’s influence on art will be offered at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, at the Bethea Welcome Center at Lake Junaluska.

Teresa Pennington, a self-taught colored pencil artist, will give the talk. Often spending as many as four months on one drawing, Pennington meticulously renders the scenery, landmarks, flora and fauna of Western North Carolina.

The presentation is offered in conjunction with the Tuscola Garden Club’s regular meeting, with members gathering at 9:30 a.m. for social time and a business meeting held at the program’s conclusion. Visitors welcome.

Teresa Brothers, 828.246.0437.

2017 ends with slim wildfire count In sharp contrast to the blazing wildfire season of fall 2016, December 2017 drew to a close with only one fire over 1 acre reported in the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest.

The Coxes Creek No. 7 Fire was reported at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, in the Pisgah National Forest north of Marion in McDowell County. Crews responded swiftly, with the fire growing to 158 acres — 30 acres on private land and 128 on national forest land — before being declared officially out Dec. 30.

The U.S. Forest Service managed the fire in coordination with the N.C. Forest Service, McDowell County Emergency Management and local volunteer fire departments.

The Forest Service also responded to the following fires in fall 2017: n Oct. 25: Cabin Trail Fire on the Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest. Final size was 0.35 acres. n Nov. 22: Tatham Gap Fire on the Tusquitee Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest. Final size was 0.1 acres. n Nov. 26: Half Timber Fire on the Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest. Final size was 1 acre. n Nov. 28: Skeenah Gap Fire on the Nantahala Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest. Final size was 1 acre.

Wildfires are common in the springtime as well as in the fall. The spring 2017 wildfire season was about average for the area.

WAYNESVILLE – The year 2017 proved to be a special year for the Waynesville Recreation Center. A new attendance record of 180,611 was established. This beat the previous mark of 149,660 in 2016.

January 10-16, 2018

Breakout Year for Waynesville Recreation Center

outdoors

Stargazers look into the night skies at PARI.

A special presentation at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute near Brevard will offer an observing session looking into the winter night sky and celestial objects visible in Western North Carolina.

The program is part of PARI’s monthly Evening at PARI series and will feature presentations by PARI astronomers. The observing session will feature the constellations Pegasus, Andromeda, Cassiopeia, Cepheus and Perseus, with a campus tour concluding the evening.

“The clear, cool nights of the winter season are a wonderful time to observe the night sky,” said PARI Director of Learning Experiences Christi Whitworth. “During this special Evening at PARI, we will explore the nighttime skies, share constellation stories and provide observing tips. This program is designed for all ages and knowledge levels, so we encourage family participation.”

An optional dinner will precede the program, 5:30 to 7 p.m., at PARI’s new restaurant Smiley’s.

Reservations required and accepted through 3 p.m. the day of. $20 adults; $15 seniors/military; $5 children 6-10. Costs with dinner are $35, $30 and $13 respectively. Children 5 and under are free.

Register online atwww.pari.edu or call 828.862.5554.

“We are very proud of this accomplishment,” Rhett Langston, director of the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department, said. “We would like to thank everyone for coming to the Waynesville Recreation Center in 2017 and hope you will continue to visit in 2018,” he added.

The Waynesville Recreation Center is open Monday through Friday from 5 am to 9 pm, Saturdays from 7 am to 9 pm and Sundays from 1 – 7 pm. Members get free child care, free personal training and free exercise classes. For admission rates, pool hours and for more information please call 456-2030.

Smoky Mountain News

This was a complete team effort from the Town of Waynesville. “We could have not have accomplished this task without the Town of Waynesville mayor and aldermen, management, and all of the employees in other departments,” Langston said.

WAYNESVILLE

PARKS AND RECREATION or email

828.456.2030 dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov

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outdoors

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Race leagues return to Cataloochee abilities to compare themselves with each other, regardless of when and where they race, using a racer handicap system. Every race can earn contenders a platinum, gold, silver or bronze medal based on which handicap the racer has.

Register at the ski resort’s A snowboarder cruises past ticket center on the lower level of the gates during a NASTAR the lodge, or online at race. Cataloochee photo nastar.com. All races subject to weather and slope conditions.

Lift ticket or season pass required. Cost is $10 for two runs or $20 for unlimited runs. n The Cataloochee Thursday Night Race League is back, with all skiers and snowboarders 18 years or older invited to participate each week from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Race dates are Jan. 11, Jan. 18, Jan. 25, Feb. 1, Feb. 8, Feb. 15 and Feb. 22. Individuals race against the clock on a modified GS or slalom course for the better of two runs. The top three challengers in men’s and women’s age divisions will win prizes. Helmets and goggles required. $15 to race or $35 for gram in the world, NASTAR Public Racing race entry and night lift ticket. comes to Cataloochee 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Find out more at Sundays through the end of February. It’s a cataloochee.com/learn-to-slide/recreationfun, competitive and easily accessible racing al-race-programs. program that allows racers of all ages and Winter is here, and skiers and snowboarders with a need for speed will have a chance to show their stuff with a pair of recreational racing programs offered at Cataloochee Ski Area. n The largest recreational ski race pro-

January 10-16, 2018

Learn to ski or snowboard January is Learn to Ski & Snowboard month at Cataloochee Ski Area, with special pricing available for those looking to learn.

A $59 package includes a beginning lesson, lift and rental for anyone 8 or older. The offer is valid for any non-holiday Monday through Friday during the month of January.

The package pricing is available only online and must be purchased before the day of the visit.

Reserve package purchases at www.isalessite.com/cataloochee-rez/Catalog/Rez. More information for first-timers is available at www.skiandsnowboardmonth.org.

You’re in the driver’s seat Adventure is your middle name, and you like to fly by the seat of your pants. But before you hit the road, you’ll want an investment strategy to support yourself – wherever life takes you – in the months and years ahead.

We can help you plan your portfolio around your life pursuits. Call today.

Get started with trail running Larry East CFP® First Vice President – Investments 52 Walnut St., Suite 6 Waynesville, NC 28786 Office: (828) 456-7407 larry.east@wellsfargoadvisors.com https://home.wellsfargoadvisors.com/larry.east

Learn the basics of trail running with a free session offered 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, at REI in Asheville.

Trail running can be a great change of pace from a jog around the neighborhood, but it requires some extra know-how. The session will cover everything needed to get on the trail, including technique, training, clothing and footwear.

Free, with space limited and registration required at www.rei/learn.

Granville Younce , CFP® Financial Advisor 52 Walnut Street, Suite 6 Waynesville, NC 28786 Office: (828) 456-7407 granville.younce@wfadvisors.com www.home.wellsfargoadvisors.com/gran

Rescue teams save a life in Linville Gorge

Granville Younce , CFP® Financial Advisor 52 Walnut Street, Suite 6 Waynesville, NC 28786 Office: (828) 456-7407 granville.younce@wfadvisors.com www.home.wellsfargoadvisors.com/granville.younce

Investment and Insurance Products: NOT FDIC Insured NO Bank Guarantee MAY Lose Value Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2016 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Smoky Mountain News

Larry East CFP® First Vice President – Investments 52 Walnut St., Suite 6 Waynesville, NC 28786 Office: (828) 456-7407 larry.east@wellsfargoadvisors.com https://home.wellsfargoadvisors.com/larry.east

A long list of rescue teams came together last weekend to rescue a 59-year-old man who encountered heart problems while camping in Linville Gorge.

The man had been winter camping with a group along the Pinch-In Trail, near the river at the bottom of the gorge. When he started experiencing chest pains, campers called 911. Local rescuers and two mountain rescue teams responded to assist. The teams hiked in to administer first aid and advanced life support, then calling for a helicopter evacuation from the N.C. HeloAquatic Rescue Team.

An N.C. National Guard UH-60 aircrew and three rescue technicians from the Charlotte Fire Department lifted off from Salisbury and arrived around 4:30 a.m., hoisting the man and the paramedics treating him to safety. The man was then delivered to an EMS vehicle and transported to a local hospital.

“We are grateful to all the rescuers who train extensively and were there to help in these cold and icy conditions,” said Governor Roy Cooper.

Responders from Burke County Rescue, McDowell Rescue, the Parkway Fire and Rescue Department and from the Parkway Fire and Linville Central Mountain Rescue Teams assisted in the rescue effort.

WNC Calendar COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • Information sessions for anyone interested in applying for Haywood Habitat for Humanity homes will be offered at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, at Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church; at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Waynesville Public Library; or at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21, at the Canton Public Library.

Applicants must attend one of these sessions. Info: haywoodhabitat.org or 452.7960.

• Academy at SOAR students (7th-12th grades) will hold their annual Student Cook-Off on Jan. 12 at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville. Students prepare dishes from different cultures around the world and present them to judges.

• The Haywood County Martin Luther King, Jr., weekend celebration starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Haywood County Justice Center in Waynesville. A commemorative service is set for 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 14, at Jones Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in Waynesville.

Speaker is Rev. Robert C. Williams, pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Canton. Mars Hill Gospel Choir provides music. Prayer breakfast set for 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 15, at the Harrell Center Auditorium at Lake Junaluska. Speaker is Judge Michael R. Morgan, N.C. Supreme Court Justice. Music by Lance Allen of Forest City. Breakfast Tickets: $17 for adults; $8 students and children; free for children 8-under. Info: 246.2588, 648.3363, 648.5471, 648.1233 or 734.5251.

• The Haywood Regional Arts Regional Theatre will hold its annual meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, in Waynesville. Wine and cheese will be served.

• Registration is underway for a grant writing and research workshop for nonprofits through the Franklin Chamber of Commerce. Workshop is from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Feb. 13 at the Franklin Chamber of Commerce and Welcome Center, 98 Hyatt Road in Franklin. https://tinyurl.com/yax5m96j. Info: 704.614.8703.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • The fourth annual Appalachian Farm School, organized by Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center and its partners, will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesdays through Feb. 27 in the Burrell Building on SCC’s Jackson Campus in Sylva. Designed for anyone in the agriculture business. Topics include business planning, farm evaluation, goal setting and more. Registration required: www.southwesterncc.edu/sbc. Info: t_henry@southwesterncc.edu or 339.4426.

• Concealed Carry Handgun Classes will be offered from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Jan. 20 and Feb. 17 at Bethel Grocery Hunting & Fishing at 5692 Pigeon Road in Waynesville. 648.5797 or bethelgrocery@gmail.com.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • The Waynesville Art Gallery Association has partnered with Clothes to Kids in Haywood County with a mission of clothing local children during this time of year. The clothing drive will receive donations through January 13th, 2018. Drop off their donated items at several storefronts in downtown Waynesville. They will collect items until January 13th, at which time, all donations will be delivered to Clothes for Kids in Lake Junaluska.

Drop off locations on Main Street are: The Jewelers Workbench, Twigs and Leaves Gallery, Affairs of the Heart, Burlwood Gallery, Cedar Hill Art Studio and the Haywood County Arts Council. 456.2260 or Carrie Keith at 456.1940.

• The 21st annual Altrusa Soup & Cornbread fundraiser is from 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at First

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

United Methodist Church of Waynesville. Proceeds go to the Haywood County Schools Foundation fund for Altrusa scholarships. Meal includes soup (vegetable beef or potato, cornbread, beverage and choice of dessert. Tickets available from Altrusa members or at the door. Info: 646.0785 or waynesvillealtrusa.org.

VOLUNTEERS & VENDORS • There is an open call currently underway for artisans, vendors and environmentally-themed booths at the 21st annual Greening Up the Mountains, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 28, in downtown Sylva. Celebrating the new spring in the mountains, the festival has become a beloved regional event.

Applications can be downloaded at www.greeningupthemountains.com and will be accepted through April 1.

For more information, call 554.1035 or email greeningupthemountains@gmail.com.

HEALTH MATTERS • HIV and syphilis testing will is offered during normal business hours at Jackson Classes to help you take control of your diabetes will be offered from 10 a.m.noon on Wednesdays from Jan. 17 -Feb. 28 (but no meeting on Feb. 7) at the Canton Library, 11 Pennsylvania Ave., in Canton. Family members, caregivers and friends also welcome to attend. Register at the Senior Resource Center or call 356.2800.

A program on the “Brain-Gut Connection” will be presented by Michelle Sanderbeck, ND, from 3-4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18, at the Waynesville Library. Explore how stomach or intestinal distress can be caused by anxiety, stress or depression. 356.2507.

• A support group for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), family, friends and caregivers will meet at 5:45 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Jackson County Public Library conference room in Sylva.

293.2503.

• A support group for anyone with MS, family & friends meets monthly at 6:45 p.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the conference room of Jackson Co. Library in Sylva. No Fee, sponsored by National MS Society. Local contact: Gordon Gaebel 828-293-2503.

• “Laughing Balsam Sangha,” a meeting for Mindfullness in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, meets will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays at 318 Skyland Drive in Sylva. Included are sitting and walking meditation, and Dharma discussion. Free admission.

335.8210, and “Like” them on Facebook.

• A “Walk With A Doc” program is scheduled for 10 a.m. each Saturday at the Lake Junaluska Kern Center or Canton Rec Park.

MyHaywoodRegional.com/WalkwithaDoc. • Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACA) meets at noon on Saturdays at the First United Methodist Church Outreach Center at 171 Main St. in Franklin. 407.758.6433 or adultchildren.org.

• Western Carolina University’s student-run, Mountain Area Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic will be open from 6-8:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. 227.3527.

• The Haywood County Health & Human Services Public Health Services Division is offering a Night Clinic from 4-6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of every month in Waynesville. Services include family planning, immunizations, pregnancy testing, STD testing and treatment. Appointments: 452.6675.

Smoky Mountain News

• The Jackson County Department of Public Health will offer a general clinic from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 587.8225.

• A Food Addicts Anonymous Twelve-Step fellowship group meets at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays at Grace Church in the Mountains in Waynesville. www.foodaddictsanonymous.org.

• Big Brother/Big Sister, a one-evening preparation class for children who are about to greet a new baby into their family, is offered for children ages 3-10 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. 452.8440 or MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses.

• Mothers Connection, an ongoing social gathering for mothers and their babies, meets from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Thursdays excluding holidays at Haywood Regional Medical Center. 452.8440 or MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses.

• A support group meeting for those with Parkinsons Disease and their caregivers will be held at 2 p.m. on the last day Wednesday of the month at the Waynesville Senior Resource Center.

• Dogwood Insight Center presents health talks at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.

• Free childbirth and breastfeeding classes are available at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva. Classes are offered bimonthly on an ongoing basis. Register or get more info: 586.7907.

• Angel Medical Center’s diabetes support group meets at 4 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the AMC dining room. 369.4166.

• A free weekly grief support group is open to the public from 12:30-2 p.m. on Thursdays at SECU Hospice House in Franklin. Hosted by Four Seasons Compassion for Life Bereavement Team. 692.6178 or mlee@fourseasonscfl.org.

• A monthly grief processing support group will meet from 4-5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Homestead Hospice and Palliative Care in Clyde.

452.5039.

• A free, weekly grief support group will meet from 12:30-2 p.m. on Thursdays at the SECU Hospice House in Franklin. 692.6178 or mlee@fourseasonscfl.org.

• “ECA on the Move!” – a walking program organized

by Jackson County Extension and Community Association – meets from 9-10 a.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. It’s an effort to meet the American Heart Association’s recommendation of 10,000 steps per day. 586.4009.

• A Tuesday Meditation Group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Franklin.

RECREATION AND FITNESS • Registration is underway for rumba, waltz and line dance lessons that will be offered in February and March. Beginning rumba is offered on Mondays from Feb. 12-March 19; intermediate waltz is available on Tuesdays from Feb. 13-March 27; and beginning line dancing is offered on Wednesdays from Feb. 14-March 21. A higher level of line dancing is scheduled for Thursdays from Feb. 15-March 22. $60 per person. All classes are from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Info: 356.7060 or 550.3170.

• Registration is underway for a TaijiFit program, which will be presented by International Tai Chi Champion David-Dorian Ross from March 3-4 at the Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center in Clyde.

TaijiFit makes Tai Chi, yoga and meditation more accessible. Info: 904.377.1527 or mattjeffsdpt@outlook.com.

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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

SPIRITUAL • Registration is underway for Lake Junaluska’s winter youth retreat with Celia Whitler (speaker and worship band), which will be held Jan. 12-15. Featuring comedian John Felts. Register or get more info: 800.222.4930 or www.lakejunaluska.com/winteryouth.

• A book study group will be starting at 1 p.m. on Jan. 21 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Franklin.

Book: “Darking Democracy: Igniting Power, Meaning and Connection for the America We Want” by Francis Lappe and Adam Eichen. 524.3691.

• Registration is underway for Lake Junaluska’s winter youth retreat featuring Cecilia Tucker (speaker) and The Advice (worship band). Retreat is from Jan. 26-28.

Register or get more info: 800.222.4930 or www.lakejunaluska.com/winteryouth.

• Registration is underway for Lake Junaluska’s winter youth retreat featuring Chris Sasser (speaker) and The Advice (worship band) Retreat is from Feb. 2-4.

Register or get more info: 800.222.4930 or www.lakejunaluska.com/winteryouth.

• Registration is underway for Lake Junaluska’s winter youth retreat featuring Eddie Willis (speaker), Abbye West Pates (worship band) and Joshua Lozoff (illusionist).

Retreat is from Feb. 16-19. Register or get more info: 800.222.4930 or www.lakejunaluska.com/winteryouth.

POLITICAL • The Swain County Democratic Party will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at the Swain County Senior Center, 125 Brendle Street, in Bryson City. 488.1118.

The Jackson County Democratic Party meets at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at party headquarters at 500 Mill St. in Sylva. Steve Woodsmall, candidate for the U.S. Congressional District 11, will present his platform.

AUTHORS AND BOOKS • The “Coffee with the Poet” series gathers at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva the third Thursday of each month and is co-sponsored by the North Carolina Writers Network. 586.9499.

• Canton Book Club meets at 3:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, at the Canton Library.

648.2924.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES • Registration is underway for a senior mystery drive trip will be offered by the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department on Jan. 22. $10 per person for members; $12 for nonmembers. For info and to register: 456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

KIDS & FAMILIES • Registration is underway for a Smart Start Sports Development Program for 4-5 year olds, which will be

• Camp Hobbit Hill is currently offering an essay contest to future campers. Winners of the essay contest have a chance to win a free session of camp.

Camp Hobbit Hill is a girls overnight camp, with a focus on horsemanship and arts, located in Alexander.

The essay must answer one of the following questions (200-250 words), be written by the potential camper, and be submitted to camp@CampHobbitHill.com no later than March 1. Please explain what leadership and community mean to you or How could attending and experiencing camp help you become more actively involved in your community or Tell us how you can be a good role model to other students in school (300 words or less). Further instructions will be available at www.camphobbithill.com. Contestants may enter all sections of the contest, but are only entitled to win one 1st prize. All entries must include name, age, parental contact and return email.

ONGOING KIDS ACTIVITIES AND CLUBS • The Canton Library offers a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) program each month. At 4 p.m. on third Tuesday. Children ages 6-12 are welcome to attend. Please call 648-2924 for more information.

• A Tuesday Library Club for ages 5-12 meets at 4 p.m. each Tuesday (except for the fifth Tuesday on months that occurs) at the Canton Library. Hands-on activities like exercise, cooking, LEGOs, science experiments and crafts. 648.2924 or kpunch@haywoodnc.net.

January 10-16, 2018 Smoky Mountain News

Highlands. Theme: metal. Instructor: Bonnie Abbott. $20 per month. 787.2865.

• Full STEAM Ahead, a program for children ages 5-12 to allow them to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics through fun hands-on activities. Program open to the first 15 participants, at 4 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month at Canton Public Library. 648.2924.

• Free, weekly, after-school enrichment classes are offered by the Bascom and MCAA from 3-5 p.m. on Thursdays at Macon Middle School through a grant from the Jim McRae Endowment for the Visual Arts. To register, contact Bonnie Abbott at 743.0200.

• Family Story Time is held on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Canton Public Library. Ages 0-6. Stories, songs, dance and crafting. 648.2924.

• Storytimes are held at 10 and 10:40 a.m. every Thursday at Hudson Library in Highlands.

• After-School Art Adventure will be on from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. on Tuesdays at The Bascom in Highlands. For ages 5 to 10, Art Adventure is a class that explores the creative process of drawing, painting, printmaking, clay, sculpture, fiber art, and crafts by utilizing a variety of media. The students will investigate some of the most popular techniques and theories in art history and will be exposed to contemporary as well as folk art traditions. Tuition is $40 for a four-class package. www.thebascom.org.

• Wednesdays in the Stacks, “WITS”, for children in grades 3-6, on the third Wednesdays of the month from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Macon County Library. WITS will include lots of fun games, prizes, and hands-on activities. This club replaces book club previous held on the third Thursdays of the month. 526.3600.

•A Lego club will meet at 4 p.m. every fourth Thursday of the month, at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Library provides Legos and Duplos for ages 3 and up.

Free. 488.3030.

•A community breastfeeding information and support group meets from 10:30 am.-noon on the first Saturday of each month in the main lobby of the Smoky Mountain OB/GYN Office in Sylva. Free; refreshments provided. For information, contact Brandi Nations (770.519.2903), Stephanie Faulkner (506.1185 or www.birthnaturalwnc), or Teresa Bryant (587-8223).

• Science Club is held at 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month for grades K-6 at the Macon County Public Library. 524.3600.

• A Franklin Kids’ Creation Station is held from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturdays at uptown Gallery in Franklin.

Snacks provided. $20 tuition. 743.0200.

• SafeKids USA Blue Dragon Tae Kwon Do School offers defense training with after-school classes Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings. 627.3949 or www.bluedragontkd.net.

• Fun Friday, everything science, is held at 4 p.m. on Fridays at Jackson County Public Library. 586.2016.

• A Lego Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 3:30-5 p.m. at Waynesville Library.

452.5169.

• Teen Coffeehouse is at 4:30 p.m. on the first, third, and fourth Tuesday at Jackson County Public Library.

Spend time with other teens talking and sharing. 12 and up. 586.2016.

• A Lego Club meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 4 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. at the Macon County Public Library. 526.3600.

• Rock and Read is at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays at Jackson County Public Library. 586-2016.

• A Lego Club meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 4:30 p.m. at Jackson County Public Library. 5862016.

• Stories, songs and a craft are offered for ages zerosix (and caregivers) at 10:30 a.m. each Tuesday at the Canton Library. 648.2924.

• WNC Martial Arts will hold karate classes from 67:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at the Old Armory in Waynesville. For more info, contact Margaret Williams at 301.0649 or mvwilliams39@gmail.com.

• A Lego Club meets at 4 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Legos and Duplos provided for ages three and up.

488.3030.

• A program called “Imagine,” an art program for children 8-12 meets at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Jackson County Public Library. Program contains art, writing, and drama. 586.2016.

• Michael’s Kids Club will be held for ages 3-and-up from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturdays at Michael’s in Waynesville. $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative crafts. 452.7680.

• Rompin’ Stompin’, an hour-long storytime with music, movement and books, is held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays at the Canton Library and at 11 a.m. on Thursdays at the Waynesville Library. For ages zero to six. 648.2924.

• A Lowe’s Build and Grow session for ages 3-and-up is scheduled from 10-11 a.m. on Saturdays at the Sylva (586.1170) and Waynesville (456.9999) Lowe’s stores. Free.

• “Art Beats for Kids” will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursdays at the Charles Heath Gallery in Bryson City.

A new project every week. $20 per child, with includes lesson, materials and snack. To register, call 828.538.2054.

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get active through relay races, bingo, mini golf.

586.2016.

• Rompin’ Stompin’, an hourlong storytime with music, movement and books, is held at 11 a.m. on Fridays at the Canton Library. For ages zero to six. 648.2924.

• Art classes are available for kids 10 and older from 4:15-5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Bascom in Highlands. $15 per class. 787.2865 or www.thebascom.org.

• Library Olympics will be held at 2 p.m. on Fridays at Jackson County Public Library. Children age 5 and up

• Art Adventure classes are taught for ages 5-10 from 3:30-4:45 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Bascom in

Puzzles can be found on page 46.

These are only the answers.

• Teen time 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursdays at Waynesville Library. A program for teens and tweens held each week. Each week is different, snacks provided. 356.2511.

•Teen Advisory Group, first Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. For ages 13-18. Teens can enjoy snacks while discussing popular young adult books, help plan events and displays for children and teens at the library, and participate in community service projects.

Canton Library, 648.2924.

• The American Girls Club meets at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. The club meets one Saturday a month, call for details. Club is based on a book series about historical women. Club members read and do activities. Free. 586.9499.

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offered through the Waynesville Recreation Center. For children who will be 4-5 as of Feb. 1. Registration deadline is Jan. 18. $50 registration fee. 456.2030, dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov or stop by the rec center.

• Crazy 8 Math Adventure Club on Tuesdays 3:30 p.m.

- 4:15 p.m. for grades K-2 at the Macon County Public Library. 524.3600.

• The Wee Naturalist program, which is for children ages 2-5 (with a parent or guardian), is held from 1011:30 a.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays at the North Carolina Arboretum. Age-appropriate activities such as nature walks, garden exploration, stories, crafts and visits from classroom animals $7 cost per child; $3 more for each additional child in a family. Register at: www.ncarboretum.org/education-programs/youth-family-programs/wee-naturalist

KIDS FILMS • “My Little Pony: the Movie” will be shown at the Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 12.

FREE. 586.3555.

• “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” will be showing at the Strand on Main in Waynesville on Jan 10-11 at 7 p.m.

Visit www.38main.com for tickets.

• “ Paddington 2” will be shown at 7 p.m. on Jan 12, 1 p.m, 4 p.m. & 7 p.m. on Jan 13-14 & Jan. 20-21, 7 p.m. Jan. 15-19 & Jan. 22-25, at The Strand on Main in Waynesville. Visit www.38main.com for tickets.

• The Highlands Biological Foundation will offer a series of nature-themed films and documentaries shown at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of January, February and March in Highlands. For info on each show, call 526.2221.

• A family movie will be shown at 10:30 a.m. every Friday at Hudson Library in Highlands.

KIDS STORY TIMES HAYWOOD • Mother Goose Time, a story time for babies and toddlers (5 months to 2 years) and their parents/caregivers, is held at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Waynesville Library. 452.5169 • Family Story Time, 11 a.m. Wednesdays at the Waynesville Public Library. Stories, songs, crafts.

452.5169.

• Movers and Shakers story time is at 11 a.m. every Thursday at the Waynesville Library. For all ages.

Movement, books, songs and more. 452.5169.

• Family storytime with crafts, second Saturday of the month at 10:30 a.m. at the Waynesville library. 452-5169.

• Family story time for ages zero to six years old is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. each Tuesday at the Canton Library. 648.2924.

JACKSON • Baby Storytime is at 11 a.m. on Thursdays at the Jackson County Public Library. Songs, fingerplays and stories for infants through toddlers. 586.2016

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# 314 - free hat

Highlands Performing Arts Center. Tickets: 526.9047, highlandspac.org or at the door. $15.

• Kids story time, Fridays 11 a.m., Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. at Jackson County Public Library. Story time includes books, puppets, finger plays, songs and crafts. 586.2016.

• The Highlands Performing Arts Center will screen “Live via Satellite” the National Theatre of London’s production of Stephan Sondheim’s “Follies” at 1 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 20. Tickets are available online at www.highlandspac.org, at the door or by calling 526.9047.

• Pre-school story time, second Wednesday, 11 a.m. at Cashiers Community Library. 743.0215.

• Rock and Read storytime, 11 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Jackson County Public Library. 586.2016

SWAIN • Preschool Story time, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Marianna Black Library. After a book or two is read, the children participate in games, songs, finger plays, puppet play and make a craft to take home. 488.3030.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • A Creating Community Workshop on Handwoven Bookmarks will be presented by Susan Morgan Leveille at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, in the Atrium of the Jackson County Public Library.

586.2016.

• An advanced pottery class, bottle birdhouse, will be offered from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 14, at Rabbit Creek Pottery on Church St. in Dillsboro. $45,

all materials included. 371.3808.

• A program on “How to Crochet” presented by “She’s Crafty AVL” is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, at Tunnel Mountain Crafts, 94 Front St., in Dillsboro. $26, all materials included. 458.5165.

• Registration is underway for “Let’s Create: Watercolor Pencil, Gouache and Ink Pen” – a program for beginners and intermediate artists that will be offered from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, at Tunnel Mountain Crafts, 94 Front St., in Dillsboro. $40, all supplies included. 850.445.4375.

• The Waynesville Photography Club meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month on the second floor of the Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center in Clyde. All skill levels welcome.

Waynesvillephotoclub@charter.net.

• Appalachian Art Farm will host a free art session from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each

month at the Community Table in Sylva. 273.9682 or MyriahStrivelli@gmail.com.

• The High Country Quilt Guild meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the First Methodist Church in Waynesville. www.highcountryquilters.wordpress.com.

• The Bryson City Lion meet at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month at the Iron Skillet in Bryson City.

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• Kid’s story time Saturdays, 11 a.m., all ages at City Lights in Sylva 586.9449.

• “Paint Nite Waynesville” will be held at 7 p.m. every other Thursday at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville.

Sign up on the Paint Night Waynesville Facebook page (www.facebook.com/paintwaynesville) or call Robin Arramae at 828.400.9560. paintnitewaynesville@gmail.com.

• There will be a “Thursday Painters Open Studio” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at the Franklin Uptown Gallery. Bring a bag lunch, project and sup-

MACON • Paws 4 Reading, a family story time, will be held from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. second Thursday of the month at Macon County Public Library. Children can read to a therapy dog. (grades K-6). 524.3600.

• Toddlers Rock, Mondays, 10 a.m., Macon Public Library. Music, movement and instruments (Designed for children 0-24 months, but all ages are welcome).

• Family Story Time is held at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

524.3600.

• Family Story Time for ages 0 to 7 years is held at 10 a.m. on Thursdays at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. 524.3600.

• Bilingual Story time – 6 to 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, Nov. 10. Program reads a children’s book in English and Spanish at the Macon County Public Library.

526.3600.

IT'S TIME TO QUIT SUFFERING AND LIVE AGAIN. If you're diagnosed with cancer you're refered to an oncologist; If you suffer a heart attack you're sent to a cardiologist. Even if you suffer from corns, calluses or ingrown toenails you're sent to a podiatrist, so ask yourself... is your type 2 diabetes any less important than someone with foot problems? Here's your answer- Type 2 Diabetes is the number one for-profit health care problem in America. Pharmaceutical companies make Billions on top of Billions each year pedaling drugs that have severe long term side effects and they depend on people not educating themselves and staying on their 'customer for life' program. yes no

Answer each question: yes or no?

Are you suffering from lack of energy and feeling tired all the time?

Are you overweight or feel like there's way too much inflammation in your body?

A&E FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

FOOD & DRINK • A Schug Wine Dinner with winemaker Micheal Cox is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Farm at Old Edwards in Highlands. Live music by Wirewood. $155 per person. Reservations: 787.2635 or 787.2620. oldedwardsinn.com/schugwinedinner.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • “The Bald Soprano” by Eugene Ionesco will be presented starting Jan. 12 at HART Theatre in Waynesville. Tickets: $10. Complete schedule and info: www.harttheatre.org. Reservations: 456.6322.

MET Opera’s documentary, “The Opera House” will be shown at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, at the

Are you starting to have symptoms of Neuropathy; the feeling of fire ants in your shoes?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you qualify to attend our free Diabetes Reversal Dinner Seminar.

Call 1-800-985-1783 to reserve seat. Seating is limited.

Location: Wells Events & Reception Center: 248 N Main St Waynesville NC 28786 Date of event: January 13, 2018 Registration starts at noon Message from Dr. Hutchins M.D., Our Senior Diabetes Remission Program Physician.

Smoky Mountain News

• An open call is underway for artisans, vendors and environmentally themed booths for the 21st annual Greening Up the Mountains, which is scheduled for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 28. Due by April 1.

Applications: www.greeningupthemountains.com. Info: 554.1035 or greeningupthemountains@gmail.com.

Do you feel like you should seek a second opinon from a doctor that only works with Type 2 Diabetics?

January 10-16, 2018

• Paws 4 Reading, a family story time, will be held from 3:30-5:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Hudson Library in Highlands. Children (grades K-6) practice early reading skills by reading to a canine companion. Info: www.fontanalib.org, www.readingpaws.org or 526.3031.

TO ANYONE SUFFERING WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES OR PRE-DIABETES

Why Our Program works When Others Fail?

Most programs are all about food and taking food away. Under our program you're alloud to eat lots of different foods everyday. We're humans and we're designed to eat while other programs are taking foods away we're adding foods back to your everyday life. You ask how can we do that? It's very simple; other programs don't fix the underlying cause of your diabetes. Once the adrenal glands, liver, kidneys, thyroid and pancreas are all functioning correctly it really opens up the menu for you to have the freedom to eat just about anything you want.

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plies. Free to the public. Membership not required. For information, call 828.349.4607.

• Cribbage is at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the Maggie Valley Inn. 410.440.7652 or 926.3978.

• Golden Aires singing group practices at 9:15 a.m. every fourth Wednesday of the month at Jackson County Department on Aging/Senior Center in Sylva. Secular and religious music. Performances given at area nursing homes. Musical instruments also welcome.

586.5494.

• An Antique, Vintage & Handcrafted Flea Market starts at 8 a.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 3029 Soco Road in Maggie Valley. Bring your own table/tent. Spaces rent for $10 a day or $25 for all three days.

• Old-time music jam from 1-3 p.m. the first and third Saturday of the month at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on U.S. 441 outside Cherokee. November through April is just the third Saturday. 497.1904.

• The Adult Coloring Group will meet at 2 p.m. on Fridays in the Living Room of the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. An afternoon of creativity and camaraderie. Supplies are provided, or bring your own.

Beginners are welcome as well as those who already enjoy this new trend. kmoe@fontanalib.org or 524.3600.

• A community music jam will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month at the Marianna Black Library in Downtown Bryson City.

Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer – anything unplugged – is invited to join. Singers and listeners are also welcome.

• Beginners Chess Club is held on Fridays at 4 p.m. at the Canton Public Library. Ages 8-108 invited to participate. 648.2924.

• Haywood County Arts Council is inviting artist members to participate in its annual Artist Member Show.

Download a show contract/inventory sheet from www.haywoodarts.org. Send completed forms to gallery@haywoodarts.org or P.O. Box 306; Waynesville, N.C. 28786.

• A community art group meets at 10 a.m. every Wednesday at the Hudson Library in Highlands.

828.526.3031.

• A writer’s group meets at 1 p.m. every Thursday at Hudson Library in Highlands. 526.3031.

• Free one-on-one technology help is offered every Tuesday and Thursday morning at Hudson Library in Highlands. Call 526.3031 to make an appointment.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES

January 10-16, 2018

An art show, “Oils and Mixed Media,” will be presented by Milly Honeycutt through Jan. 31 at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

• Linda Dickinson’s display of black-and-white photography is being displayed at the Canton Public Library Meeting Room in Canton. Show is entitled “Waynesville and Environs, a Black & White Perspective.” 648.2924.

• The Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at Bardo Arts Center will host the exhibit “WCU Collects: Recent Acquisitions” through Jan. 26. 227.3591.

• New artist and medium will be featured every month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

• The Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at the Bardo Arts Center is pleased to present the exhibition “WCU Collects: Recent Acquisitions” through Jan. 26 in Cullowhee. go.wcu.edu/wcucollects or call 828.227.3591.

Smoky Mountain News

FILM & SCREEN • Stephen King’s “IT” will be showing at the Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva at 7 p.m. on Jan. 11. FREE. 586.3555.

• “Marshall” will playing at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 13 at the Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. FREE. 586.3555.

• “Blade Runner” will be shown at the Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva at 7 p.m. on Jan 18. FREE. 586.3555.

• “Hangman” will be showing at the Strand on Main in Waynesville on Jan. 18 at 9:15 p.m. Visit www.38main.com for tickets.

• “Stratton” will be showing at the Strand on Main in Waynesville on Jan. 25 at 9:15 p.m. Visit www.38main.com for tickets.

42

MUSIC JAMS AND GROUPS

• Free movies are shown every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva.

Madbatterfoodfilm.com.

• Cruso Circle Play & Jam, 7 p.m. every Tuesday, Cruso Community Center and Friendship Club in Cruso. www.facebook.com/crusocircleplayjam.

• Listen and sing along with singers/songwriters playing guitar/mandolin from 7-9 p.m. each Thursday at Heinzelmannchen Brewery in Sylva. All skill levels and instruments welcome. 631.4466 or www.yourgnometownbrewery.com • Karaoke is held at 7 p.m. every other Friday at the American Legion Post 47 in Waynesville. Open to all members and their guests. 456.8691.

• Men Macon Music, canella singing, meets at 5:30 p.m. every Monday in the Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 26 Church St., Franklin. Visitors welcome.

524.9692.

• Mountain Dulcimer Players Club meets from 2 to 4 p.m. on the first and third Sundays of each month at the Bryson City United Methodist Church. Knowledge of music not required, tablature method used. 488.6697.

• Pick and Play Dulcimer Group of Sylva meets at 1:30 p.m. on the first, third and fifth Saturday of every month in the fellowship hall of St. John’s Episcopal Church. 293.0074.

• The Franklin Early Music Group meets every Monday at 9 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. 369.5192.

• The Nikwasi Dulcimer Players meet every Thursday afternoon from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Franklin. All are welcome.

524.1040 or 524.2294.

ARTS GROUP MEETINGS • Blue Ridge Mountain Quilt Guild, 6 to 9 p.m. fourth Thursday, January through October, and third Thursday, November and December in Canton. 316.1517 or on Facebook at Blue Ridge Mtn. Quilt Guild.

• Smoky Mountain Knitting Guild meets every Wednesday from 1-3 p.m. Blue Ridge Books, Waynesville. 246.0789.

• Nifty Needles group, which meets at First United Methodist Church in Sylva, is seeking new members to help knit and crochet warm, useful items for those in need. Supplies (yarn and needles) and lessons provided.

• The Tuesday Quilters meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church on N.C. 107. Bring your machine and whatever quilt you are working on.

• The WNC Fiber Folk Group meets weekly from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursdays in the Star Atrium of the Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at WCU. 227.2553 or ddrury@wcu.edu.

• Thursday Painters meet at the Uptown Gallery in Franklin every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring your project and a bag lunch and join us for a day of creativity and fun. All artists are welcome. 349.4607.

• Rug Hooking Group, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Jackson County Public Library. Beginners welcome. 631.2561.

• Jackson County Arts Council meets at 5:30 p.m. the first Monday of each month at the Jackson County Library Complex conference room. 293.3407.

Outdoors • REI will host a primer on hiking the Appalachian Trail from 6:30-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, in Asheville. Workshop presented by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Sign up: www.rei.com/learn.

• A program on the winter night sky and celestial objects visible in Western North Carolina will be offered at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12, at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in Rosman. Optional dinner from 5:30-7 p.m. at PARI’s new restaurant, Smiley’s. Program is $20 per adult ($35 including dinner); $15 for seniors/military ($30 including dinner) or $5 for ages 6-10 ($13 including dinner). Children under 5 get in free. Register: www.pari.edu or 862.5554. Info: cblythe@pari.edu.

• A public hearing to discuss proposed changes to rules for wildlife management, inland fisheries and game lands for the 2018-19 seasons will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at Haywood Community College’s auditorium in Clyde. Public comment accepted through Feb. 1 at: https://tinyurl.com/y7y45kek or regulations@ncwildlife.org. Complete list of proposed regulation changes and justifications: https://tinyurl.com/yckzxwf6.

• Registration is underway for a basics of trail running class that will be offered from 6:30-8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 29, at REI in Asheville. www.rei.com/learn.

• Cataloochee Ski Area is offering a $59 package in January for a beginning lesson, lift and rental to anyone 8-up. Valid for non-holidays Monday through Friday.

Only available online: www.isalessite.com/cataloocheerez/Catalog/Rez. www.skiandsnowboardmonth.org.

• The Asheville Winter Bike League offers structured group rides at 10 a.m. every Saturday through Jan. 28. https://tinyurl.com/ycgp8a4s.

• A Spay/Neuter Clinic is offered from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays at 182 Richland Street in Waynesville. As low as $10. 452.1329.

• A weekly nighttime mountain bike ride is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Mondays from the Ledford Branch Trailhead at Bent Creek in Asheville. Organized by Motion Makers Bicycles. 633.2227.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club holds a Saturday Work Hike on the fourth Saturday of each month. 369.1983.

• A cycling ride leaves at 8 a.m. on Saturdays from South Macon Elementary School. Routes vary with distances typically 15-25 miles. Road bikes only. A no drop ride. Organized by Smoky Mountain Bicycles, 828.369.2881 or info@smokymtnbikes.com.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park is recruiting volunteers to assist the Trails Forever trail crew for a rehabilitation project on the Rainbow Falls Trail from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Sign up or get more info: 497.1949, Adam_Monroe@nps.gov or https://friendsofthesmokies.org/trailsforever/volunteer.

• The Cataloochee Thursday Night Race League is open to skiers and snowboarders 18 years or older from 78:30 p.m. through Feb. 22. Individuals race against the clock on a modified GS or slalom course for the better of two runs. The top three challengers in men’s and women’s age divisions will win prizes. Helmets and goggles required. $15 to race or $35 for race entry and night lift ticket. https://tinyurl.com/y9ys99hu.

FARM AND GARDEN The Tuscola Garden Club’s next meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, in Gaines Auditorium of the Bethea Welcome Center in Lake Junaluska. Featured speaker is Teresa Pennington; topic is “How Nature Influences Art.” Social time at 9:30 a.m. 246.0437.

• Local farmers can stop by the Cooperative Extension Office on Acquoni Road from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every fourth Friday to learn about USDA Farm Service Agency programs in the 2014 Farm Bill. Info: 488.2684, ext. 2 (Wednesday through Friday) or 524.3175, ext. 2 (Monday through Wednesday).

• The Macon County Poultry Club of Franklin meets at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Cooperative Extension Office on Thomas Heights Rd, Open to the public. 369.3916.

HIKING CLUBS • Carolina Mountain Club will take a seven-mile hike with a 1,100-foot ascent on Jan. 24 from Brown Gap to Max Patch. Info and reservations: 253.1626, 423.9030, rfluharty54@gmail.com, 253.1626, 231.5785 or elfluharty@gmail.com.

• Nantahala Hiking Club holds monthly trail maintenance days from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on every fourth Saturday at 173 Carl Slagle Road in Franklin. Info and to register: 369.1983.

• Hike of the Week is at 10 a.m. every Friday at varying locations along the parkway. Led by National Park Service rangers. www.nps.gov/blri or 298.5330, ext. 304.

• Friends of the Smokies hikes are offered on the second Tuesday of each month. www.friendsofthesmokies.org/hikes.html.

• Nantahala Hiking Club based in Macon County holds weekly Saturday hikes in the Nantahala National Forest and beyond. www.nantahalahikingclub.org • High Country Hikers, based out of Hendersonville but hiking throughout Western North Carolina, plans hikes every Monday and Thursday. Schedules, meeting places and more information are available on their website, www.highcountryhikers.org.

• Carolina Mountain Club hosts more than 150 hikes a year, including options for full days on weekends, full days on Wednesdays and half days on Sundays. Nonmembers contact event leaders. www.carolinamountainclub.org • Mountain High Hikers, based in Young Harris, Ga., leads several hikes per week. Guests should contact hike leader. www.mountainhighhikers.org.

• Diamond Brand’s Women’s Hiking Group meets on the third Saturday of every month. For more information, e-mail awilliams@diamondbrand.com or call 684.6262.

OUTDOOR CLUBS COMPETITIVE EDGE • The largest recreational ski race program in the world, NASTAR Public Racing is happening through the end of February from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sundays at Cataloochee Ski Area. Competitive, easily accessible racing program that allows racers of all ages and abilities to compare themselves with each other, regardless of when and where they race, using a racer handicap system. $10 for two runs or $20 for unlimited runs.

Register: nastar.com or at the ski resort’s ticket center on the lodge’s lower level.

• The Jackson County Poultry Club will hold its regular meeting on the third Thursday of each month at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office. The club is for adults and children and includes a monthly meeting with a program and a support network for those raising birds. For info, call 586.4009 or write heather_gordon@ncsu.edu.

• An RV camping club, the Vagabonds, camps one weekend per month from April through November. All ages welcome. No dues or structured activities. For details, write lilnau@aol.com or call 369.6669.

PRIME REAL ESTATE Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

AUCTION

MarketPlace information: The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 every week to over 500 locations across in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties along with the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. For a link to our MarketPlace Web site, which also contains a link to all of our MarketPlace display advertisers’ Web sites, visit www.smokymountainnews.com.

Rates:

■ Free — Lost or found pet ads.

■ $5 — Residential yard sale ads, ■ $5 — Non-business items that sell for less than $150.

■ $15 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2.

If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type.

■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad or colored background.

■ $50 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold.

■ $300 — Statewide classifieds run in 117 participating newspapers with 1.6 million circulation. Up to 25 words.

■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

Classified Advertising: Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 classads@smokymountainnews.com

CONST-TRK-FARM-AUCTION 1-27-18 at 8:00am in Lumberton, NC 10% Buyer’s Premium www.meekinsauction.com NCLN858 910.739.0547 LAND FOR SALE? Reach buyers across the state in over 100 newspapers for only $375. Call this newspaper or Wendi Ray at NC Press Services, 919.516.8009.

SOLD! ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION In over 100 newspapers across the state for only $375. Call Wendi Ray at NC Press Services, 919.516.8009

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

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING

Great Smokies Storage 10’x20’ $

92

20’x20’ $

160

ONE MONTH

FREE WITH 12-MONTH CONTRACT

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Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction

ACORN STAIRLIFTS. The affordable solution to your stairs! **Limited time -$250 Off Your Stairlift Purchase!** Buy Direct & SAVE. Please call 1.855.808.9573 for FREE DVD and brochure.

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING DAVE’S CUSTOM HOMES OF WNC, INC Free Estimates & Competitive rates. References avail. upon request. Specializing in: Log Homes, remodeling, decks, new construction, repairs & additions.

Owner/Builder: Dave Donaldson.

Licensed/Insured. 828.631.0747 or 828.508.0316 NEED A WALK IN TUB? Getting in and out of the tub can be easier than ever before. Walk in Tubs are designed to prevent slipping with textured mats and hand rails. They also have and textured pads to keep your head above water. Call Today for More info.

855.789.3291 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 GOT MOLDOr think you might have it? Mold can be hazardous to you and your family’s health! Get rid of it now!

Call our experts and get a quote today! 844.766.3858 SAPA

FROG POND ESTATE SALES HELPING IN HARD TIMES

DOWNSIZING ESTATE SALES CLEAN OUT SERVICE • COMPANY TRANSFER • DIVORCE • LOST LOVED ONE

WE ARE KNOWN FOR HONESTY & INTEGRITY 828-734-3874 18 COMMERCE STREET WAYNESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 28786 WWW.FROGLEVELDOWNSIZING.COM

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING CALL EMPIRE TODAY To schedule a Free in-home estimate on Carpeting & Flooring.

Call Today! 1.855.929.7756 SAWMILLS From only $4397.00 - Make & Save Money with your own bandmillCut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1.800.578.1363 Ext.300N SAFE STEP WALK-IN TUB Alert for Seniors. Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less Than 4 Inch Step-In. Wide Door.

Anti-Slip Floors. American Made.

Installation Included. Call for more information 800.807.7219 and for $750 Off. HAYWOOD BEDDING, INC. The best bedding at the best price!

533 Hazelwood Ave. Waynesville 828.456.4240

CARS A-1 DONATE YOUR CAR For Breast Cancer! Help United Breast Foundation Education, Prevention, & Support Programs.

Fast Free Pickup -24 Hr ResponseTax Deduction 855.701.6346 AUTO INSURANCE Starting At $49/ Month! Call for your fee rate comparison to see how much you can save! Call: 855.970.1224 CARS/TRUCKS WANTED!!!

Top Dollar Offer! Free Towing From Home, Office or Body Shop. All Makes/Models 2000-2016. Same Day Pick-Up Available! Call Now: 1.800.761.9396 DONATE YOUR CAR To Charity. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes.

Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details. 855.972.0354 GOT AN OLDER CAR, VAN OR SUV? Do the humane thing. Donate it to the Humane Society. Call 1.855.617.2024

www.smokymountainnews.com

January 10-16, 2018

WNC MarketPlace

EMPLOYMENT A PRIVATELY OWNED TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY Is seeking applications/resumes for an Installer/Technician.

The successful applicant will need the following: • Able to climb utility poles • Good driving record •The ability to operate and handle hand tools, power tools, hydraulic eqpmnt., ladders, etc.

• Some computer experience would be helpful • Self-motivated & dependable with the ability to work independently • The ability to deal with difficult customers and members of the public in a professional, courteous manner • Be able to handle multitasking and stressful situations in a professional manner • Be available for “On Call” Duty on weekends and overtime as needed with little notice • Be able to pass a drug test and background check This person will be responsible for the installation of telephone, cable, and internet service from the utility pole into a customer’s home, will install and set up modems, digital equipment, etc. in a customer’s home, and be able to detect, troubleshoot, and fix problems as they occur with the services offered to a customer.

Salary is dependent on exp.

Benefits are available Anyone interested should e-mail their resume to: sanders@ccvn.com or fax it to 828.536.4510.

Resumes/applications will be accepted through February 9, 2018.

Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans encouraged to apply BROWN TRUCKING Is looking for COMPANY DRIVERS and OWNER OPERATORS. Brown requires: CDL-A, 2 years of tractor trailer experience OTR or Regional (Multiple states) in the last 3 years, good MVR and PSP. Apply: www.driveforbrown.com.

Contact Brandon Collins.

919.291.7416.

SAPA

EMPLOYMENT SEEKING AN INDIVIDUAL To Provide Direct Client Services for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence, to Create and Support a Fundraising Plan for Jackson County Victim Services, and to Develop and Implement Education, Marketing, and Outreach Materials. If Interested, Please Submit a Resume to REACH of Macon County, PO Box 228 Franklin, NC 28744 or Send to: reach@reachofmaconcounty.org FTCC Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following positions: Respiratory Therapy Clinical Instructor (Part-time Raleigh Area).

For detailed information and to apply, please visit our employment portal at: https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.comHuman Resources Office Phone: 910.678.7342 Internet: http://www.faytechcc.edu An Equal Opportunity Employer JUVENILE MEDIATION PROGRAM Seeks Assist. Youth Coordinator for multi-county region. Community outreach for restorative justice / bullying prevention services for 20 hr./wk. in multicounty region. Bachelors in related field and experience working with youth required.

Send cover letter & resume to: PO Box 1802, Sylva, NC or to: info@mountainmediation.org

by January 18, 2018.

GOT CANDIDATES? Find your next hire in over 100 newspapers across the state for only $375. Call Wendi Ray at NC Press Services for more info 919.516.8009.

MAINTENANCE - FULL TIME Cataloochee Ranch is seeking the services of a maintenance person. Preferred skills would include some electrical, carpentry, handling of equipment such as mowers, blowers, small engines and painting experience. As a full service property, weekends and holidays, one will be expected to work. Cataloochee Ranch is an EOE Employer. 828.926.1401.

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT For Downtown Development program. Downtown Waynesville Main Street City organization seeks self-motivated individual, good customer service skills, trustworthy, dependable, team oriented, advanced computer expertise, Quick Books proficiency, innovative promotional abilities, adept in Social Media/Facebook.

Full time. Requires some nights, weekends, holidays. Involves other comprehensive job responsibilities supporting work flow of organizational director by providing administrative reinforcement.

• Applicants may inquire by email: buffy@downtownwaynesville.com Only applicants who send resume, cover letter, salary requirements will be considered.

Send to: DWA - PO Box 1409 Waynesville, NC 28786 NCCAT AT CULLOWHEE Seeks Permanent Full-Time RECEPTIONIST Salary Range: $27,000-$29,950 Job description and application are available online: www.oshr.nc.gov/jobs/index.html Application deadline: January 26, 2018, at 5 PM EST. Questions about this job?

Please call Karen Sumner at 828.293.5202.

NC State Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

FRONT DESK/OFFICE MANAGER Full Time or Part Time: Maggie Valley Cabin Resort Seeks a Versatile, Energetic & Experienced Front Desk Employee. Customer Service & Computer Exp. Req. Weekends, Nights & Holidays a Must! Call 828.926.1388 AIRLINES ARE HIRING – Get FAA approved hands on Aviation training. Financial aid for qualified students - Career placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866.441.6890 NCCAT AT CULLOWHEE Seeks Permanent Full-Time COOK II Salary Range: $24,405 - $29,000 Job description and application are available online: www.oshr.nc.gov/jobs/index.html Application Deadline: January 26. 2018 at 5 PM EST. Questions about this job? Please call Ian Talarico at 828.293.5202 NC State Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer EARN $500 A DAY: Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Wants Insurance Agents • Leads, No Cold Calls • Commissions Paid Daily • Agency Training • Life License Required.

Call Now for more information 1.888.713.6020 SAPA

CAVALIER ARMS APARTMENTS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

EMPLOYMENT NCCAT AT CULLOWHEE Seeks Permanent Full-Time Development Foundation Executive Assistant Salary Range: $29,861-$37,000 Job description and application are available online: www.oshr.nc.gov/jobs/index.html Application deadline: January 26, 2018, at 5 PM EST. Questions about this job? Please call Tina Wilson at 828.293.5202.

NC State Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS RAILROAD IN BRYSON CITY Is currently hiring for Assistant Food & Beverage Manager and Depot Supervisor.

Eligible for Medical, Dental, Paid Time Off and 401K. Earn train passes, retail & food discounts, passes to area attractions and more!

Full Job Descriptions and Applications are Available at: www.gsmr.com/jobs You may also get an application from the Bryson City Depot.

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT LEASE TO OWN 1/2 Acre Lots with Mobile Homes & Empty 1/2 Acre + Lots!

Located Next to Cherokee Indian Reservation, 2.5 Miles from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.

For More Information Please Call 828.506.0578

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised on equal opportunity basis.

NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Offering 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $420.00

We Are Offering 2 Bedroom Apartments, Starting From $465.00

Section 8 Accepted - Rental Assistance When Available Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

Section 8 Accepted - Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

OFFICE HOURS:

OFFICE HOURS:

Tuesday & Thursday 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

50 Duckett Cove Road, Waynesville, NC 28786

Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm 168E Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779

Phone# 1.828.456.6776 TDD# 1.800.725.2962

Phone# 1.828.586.3346 TDD# 1.800.735.2962

Equal Housing Opportunity

Equal Housing Opportunity

Mike Stamey

mstamey@beverly-hanks.com

828-508-9607

SFR, ECO, GREEN

147 WALNUT STREET • WAYNESVILLE 74 NORTH MAIN ST. • WAYNESVILLE, NC

www.beverly-hanks.com

44

828.506.7137

aspivey@sunburstrealty.com

www.sunburstrealty.com/amy-spivey

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT

SOUTHPORT, N.C. Limited time offering. For sale waterfront condominium hotel resort units for as low as $149,900.

Scheduled completion for summer occupancy. The River Hotel Of Southport. Deep water fishing pier.

Amazing water views! Cooke Realty. Call Stuart 910.616.1795.

HOMES FOR SALE BRUCE MCGOVERN A Full Service Realtor, Locally Owned and Operated mcgovernpropertymgt@gmail.com McGovern Property Management 828.283.2112.

SAVE YOUR HOME! Are you behind paying your MORTGAGE? Denied a Loan Modification? Is the bank threatening foreclosure? CALL Homeowner’s Relief Line now for Help 844.359.4330 SAPA

VACATION RENTALS

Steve Mauldin

828.734.4864

smauldin@beverly-hanks.com

74 N. Main St.,Waynesville

828.452.5809

beverly-hanks.com

LAWN & GARDEN BORING/CARPENTER BEE TRAPS No Chemicals, Poisons or Anything to Harm the Environment.

Handmade in Haywood County. 1 for $20, 2 or More for $15 each.

828.593.8321

Michelle McElroy RESIDENTIAL BROKER ASSOCIATE E-PRO, CNHS, RCC, SFR

PETS HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329

828.400.9463 Cell michelle@beverly-hanks.com

74 North Main St. • Waynesville 828.452.5809

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!

Hours:

Haywood County Real Estate Agents Berkshire Hathaway • • • • • • •

berkshirehathawayhs.com Ira Atkins Margie MacDonald Kaye Matthews Donna Miano Robert Sales Jay Spiro Bill Thagard

Beverly Hanks & Associates • • • • • • • • • • • • •

beverly-hanks.com Ann Eavenson - anneavenson@beverly-hanks.com George Escaravage - gescar@beverly-hanks.com Billie Green - bgreen@beverly-hanks.com Michelle McElroy - michellemcelroy@beverly-hanks.com Marilynn Obrig - mobrig@beverly-hanks.com Steve Mauldin - smauldin@beverly-hanks.com Brian K. Noland - brianknoland.com Anne Page - apage@beverly-hanks.com Brooke Parrott - bparrott@beverly-hanks.com Jerry Powell - jpowell@beverly-hanks.com Catherine Proben - cproben@beverly-hanks.com Ellen Sither - ellensither@beverly-hanks.com Mike Stamey - mikestamey@beverly-hanks.com

ERA Sunburst Realty

Tuesday-Friday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm 182 Richland Street, Waynesville

BROOKE PARROTT BROKER ASSOCIATE 828.734.2146 bparrott@beverly-hanks.com Visit beverly-hanks.com/agents/bparrott

to see what others are saying!

sunburstrealty.com • Amy Spivey - amyspivey.com • Rick Border - sunburstrealty.com

Keller Williams Realty kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • The Morris Team - www.themorristeamnc.com

January 10-16, 2018

BEACH GETAWAY SPECIAL. Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. Mention this add to receive an extra $25.00 discount on all spring reservations.

Limited time offering. Call Now 1.800.NCBeach; or visit us at: cookerealty.com

GREAT SMOKIES STORAGE Conveniently located off 19/23

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TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com 45

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FRATERNITY CHARACTERS ACROSS 1 Tuna salad ingredient 5 Remove by vaporizing, as impurities 12 Tough guy’s display 20 Holiday preludes 21 One heralding a new era, say 22 Refusing to face reality 23 Game with sticks and wheeled skates [#17] 25 Differs in opinion 26 Choke up 27 Settled up 28 Suffix with minimal 29 Flatten 30 See 16-Down 31 Public sale of seized property, maybe [#19] 37 Bother 38 Le dernier — 39 Rock music genre 40 Communist Mao — tung 41 Keyword that helps people find an online video [#2] 46 Economic divides [#24] 52 Bar, legally 53 Parcels 55 Foe of Frodo 56 Tahiti, e.g.

57 Free TV ad, for short 59 Bills or Jets 62 Started the poker pot 63 Largest city in Yemen 66 La — Jackson 68 What G-rated films are suitable for 71 Old cloth

72 What awards may be laid out on [#6] 75 Last stage [#1] 77 Despite this 78 Sommeliers’ bottles 80 Partakes of 81 Ogles 82 Self-help book 84 Shrewish 86 Pitcher’s stat 88 Potpourri 89 Old flier over the Atl. 91 K.P. veggie 93 Efface 97 Antiterrorism legislation of 2001 [#9] 101 Combat vehicles in a hobby shop [#4] 103 Felony hated by MADD 104 Road service gp.

106 Neither here — there 107 In-favor vote 108 Bell Labs, for one [#22] 116 Gen. Pershing’s conflict 117 Trebek of TV 118 Wahl of TV 119 Fuentes of baseball 120 Arthur of tennis 122 Atomic group 125 Things hidden in nine answers in this puzzle 129 Did surgery 130 Gruel base 131 Cookie often taken apart 132 Cuddled-up couples 133 Flourish 134 Couples up

DOWN 1 French sea 2 Fatty fruits 3 Shouts 4 Nobel city 5 Rough husk 6 —Kosh B’Gosh 7 “God willing!”

8 Old Renault 9 Terminix rival 10 “I need grub!”

11 Cook in fat 12 Center 13 Cartoonist 14 PC inserts 15 “— So Fine” 16 With 30-Across, neon or xenon 17 Exodus peak 18 Seder staple 19 NFL Hall of Famer Merlin 24 Holders used during breakfast 28 Privy to 30 Soul’s Marvin 32 Bard’s eye 33 Jostled (for) 34 British music co.

35 Pyle’s org.

36 So-so grade 42 November gem 43 “Taxi” cabbie played

by Danza 44 Forage crop 45 Styling goop 47 Oversaw jointly 48 Gimlet liquor 49 Errant 50 Make glad 51 Fen plants 54 RR stop 58 “— boy!”

60 Goblin, e.g.

61 Unknown by 62 Nile reptile 63 Whale’s half-rise out of the water 64 Iris ring 65 Bonehead 67 Sculling item 69 Gang gun 70 Different 73 Lead-in to friendly 74 Brain test, for short 76 “... — pin drop” 79 NCO in the 35-Down 83 Rocky top 85 “— so sorry” 87 Sanctuary 89 Acerbic 90 Unyieldingly insistent type 92 Big name in lens care 94 In whatever location 95 Like kebabs 96 Morales in movies 98 Ore- — 99 Son of Adam 100 Ecru or fawn 102 Slew 105 Stellar 108 Novarro of “BenHur” 109 Split to hitch 110 Monica of tennis 111 Apply 112 Listens to 113 Link up with 114 Agenda bits 115 Puffs 121 Tuck away 123 Ripken of baseball 124 Pickup’s kin 125 Soft lump 126 Northern Thai 127 Stately tree 128 Distress call

answers on page 40

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Answers on Page 40

Whiteside Mountain is both spectacular and interesting

L

ooking for a place to make a weekend jaunt for a little hiking and lots of breathtaking scenery? Consider the Whiteside Mountain region between Highlands and Cashiers.

Whiteside Mountain, situated between Highlands and Cashiers alongside U.S. 64, is one of the most striking landmarks in the southern Blue Ridge province. It rises 2,100feet from the valley floor to its summit at 4,930-feet along the eastern continental divide. The headwater feeder systems for rivers like the Cullasaja on one side of this massive granite outcrop eventually flow into the Mississippi and Gulf of Mexico, while waters on the opposite side flow into the Savannah and on to the Atlantic.

Retired Western Carolina University biologist Jim Horton, in his chapter on the natural aspects of the region in The History of Jackson County (1987), describes the mountain as follows: “Whiteside Mountain is a ‘pluton;’ that is, it originated as a molten intrusion probably far below what was then the surface. Its rock is Devonian in age, about 390 million years old. The fact that it is now so nearly exposed bears witness to the power of erosion, which has all but

BACK THEN washed away the soil and softer rocks which once covered it.”

Clemson University biologist Robert Zahner, a longtime Highlands resident, wrote the definitive study of the mountain.

In The Mountain at the End of the Trail: A History of Whiteside Mountain (1994). He notes that the Whiteside pluton is technically not a single mountain about one mile in length but a “massif ” extending about four miles; that is, it “includes the Devil’s Courthouse on the northwest and Wildcat Ridge on the southwest (while) the width of the massif averages only about one-half mile.” And he also notes that the south-facing cliffs are more dramatic in Columnist regard to vertical relief because the “mechanical weathering of rock is greater on the sunny side.”

Such a prominent feature of the landscape naturally attracted the attention of the early Cherokee, who called it “Unaka” — their word for white. They associated various legends with its cliffs, caves, and pinna-

George Ellison

Editor’s note: This Back Then column by George Ellison first appeared in the Jan. 16, 2002, edition of The Smoky Mountain News.

cles. It is thought to have been an early crossroads for Indian trails that crisscrossed the mountain region. The Cherokees built their villages in river bottoms for agricultural reasons. But they no doubt frequented

Devil’s Courthouse.

Whiteside while traveling and hunting.

Some have even asserted that Hernando de DeSoto and his men crossed over the mountain in the 16th century, leaving a mysterious inscription. A North Carolina state roadside marker in Highlands officially commemorates his travels “as the first tourist” (just kidding) in 1540. That improbable notion has been thoroughly debunked by T.W. Reynolds, who in his book The Southern Appalachian Region (1966) established that the “Spanish” inscription was

perpetrated as a hoax by a local Highlands youth between 1925 and 1930.

Winter is an especially good time to visit the region since views are not impeded by foliage and traffic on the backroads is not great. The panoramic view down into the Chattooga River valley and into Georgia and South Carolina is — to use an overused description that is nevertheless apt — “breathtaking.”

Farther east on U.S. 64 towards Cashiers, there are clear views of the Devil’s Courthouse area. These shaded, north-facing cliffs are dark in appearance because they are covered with mosses and lichens that thrive is such a cool, moist environment. The springs and small creeks gathering in this section form the utmost headwaters of the Chattooga.

This is the upper Chattooga region, a world apart from the macho, river-riding realm of the lower South Carolina portion of the Chattooga depicted in the 1970s movie “Deliverance” based on James Dickey’s novel. The Chattooga here is at first a meandering valley stream that becomes, as it approaches the state line, a brawling, rockstrewn watercourse passing through rugged gorges.

(George Ellison is a naturalist and writer.

He can be reached at info@georgeellison.com.)

January 10-16, 2018 Smoky Mountain News 47

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January 10-16, 2018

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Smoky Mountain News

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