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January 22-28, 2014 Vol. 15 Iss. 34

Hunters infuriated over poaching sting tactics Page 12

Study to look at potential for fracking in WNC Page 28

CONTENTS

STAFF

On the Cover: A plan to turn the old state prison in Hazelwood into a transitional home for recently released inmates and a shelter for the homeless is quickly picking up momentum, thanks to the support of government officials and the dedication of a group of Haywood’s church leaders. (Page 6)

News Canton citizens help forge vision for town’s future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Swain soccer supporters reach new level with tryouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Lawyers jockey to replace retiring Judge Richie Holt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Waynesville replacing water, electric meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Hunters say poaching busts were flawed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Jackson TDA contracts with three marketing firms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Alice Aumen steps down after almost 30 years on Haywood TDA board 14

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Opinion Teacher pay raise plan infuriates many . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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January 22-28, 2014

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news

“The town of Canton doesn’t stop between our corporate signs,” said Mayor Mike Ray at the public forum. “We all have the same zip code, and we all would like to make our town better, better in the way it should be.”

The current search has attracted more than 80 applicants. That massive pool of candidates ultimately provoked the forum, where local residents could air their opinions and voice their concerns about the future of their town.

“With your input and thoughts, we can sit down with our thoughts and know who and what is the best for our town,” Ray said.

A former town board member and former president of the Canton Downtown Merchants Association, Juanita Dixon approached the microphone and spoke of her past experience in being involved deeply in the community. The most important thing, she said, would be to make sure there was From left: Canton town board aldermen Carol Edwards, Dr. Ralph Hamlett, Mayor Mike Ray, Gail Mull and Zeb complete transparency Smathers at a Jan. 18 public forum. Garret K. Woodward photo between the current board and new manager.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD about this county and the town of Canton.

“The board sets the policies and the town STAFF WRITER This is my home.” manager carries them out. I would ask this hen Heidi Dunkelberg first entered Dunkelberg’s story was just one of many board to sit down with the town manager to the town of Canton, she couldn’t told in front of the Canton town board at a talk about things and don’t let it get into any imagine ever living there. public forum held Jan. 18 at the Colonial dissension,” she said. “[Canton] is not going “When I came here to play basketball Theatre. The open floor was given to the to be anymore like it was, we know that, but against y’all in the 1970s, our bus seats were community in an effort for the aldermen to this is a good town. We have good people slashed and we needed a police escort out of hear the public’s comments on what they here and we can all work together.” the county,” she said. “It was a rough game.” love about their community, what needs to Co-owner of the Coffee Cup Café in Clyde, change, and what to look for when heading OWN PRIDE Dunkelberg avoided Haywood County for into their current hiring process of a new many years after graduating high school. town manager.

Throughout the forum, numerous faces Eventually, she found herself at a crossroads. emerged from the crowd, each with a fond She couldn’t find an affordable home in of the past, each with a hopeful vision HE NEXT STEP tale Buncombe County, with Haywood seemingly for a once storied town. The past is the past, the only option. Then, her dream house The hiring process for the new town many felt, but all could still see the potential popped up, but with one problem — it was manager began a year ago, when former of their beloved community. right outside of Canton, in Beaverdam. town manager Al Matthews put in his notice “My father worked here for 47 years,” “I’ll tell you, as soon as we drove up that that he would retire at the end of 2013. The said resident Pam Ledford. “I was raised in gravel driveway, before we even got inside town board had been able to weed through this mill town, and I’ve smelled every smell the house, we knew we were home,” she applicants and reach a final cut of potentials, in this mill town. It’s a smell, but it’s also smiled. “Now, 18 years later, I care deeply only to reopen the search last August. employment for our town’s past and its

Forum aims to create new vision for Canton

T

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— Deborah Reed, ‘Mater Festival focus group president

property. He also pointed out the importance of seeing the promise of any and all business that may approach the town for possible development.

“You need to form an alliance with the town manager and pick a leader that can see our advantages with the Interstate 40 corridor,” O’Neil said. “Open your mind or at least open yourself to talking to folks that want to bring business here.”

Bringing the forum to a close, the town board members felt the meeting has been beneficial for both sides of the microphone.

They mentioned perhaps more forums in the future, all in an effort to keep the lines of communication open between town officials and its residents.

For now, the search is still on for a new manager. The board will take the public comments and soon dive into the pool of applicants.

“I’m a product of Canton, everyone of this board is a product of Canton, and everyone of you out there is a product of Canton,” said alderman Zeb Smathers. “We are here on a Saturday afternoon because we care.

We have to be out there. We have to acknowledge the past, appreciate it, but also build towards the future.”

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January 22-28, 2014

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future. If the new town manager has pride, they will pass it down.”

“First and foremost the manager needs a vision, a heart and care for this town like the people sitting in this room,” added Deborah Reed, president of the focus group for the ‘Mater Festival. “That someone needs to also be creative, needs to network, and find other ways to get resources and grants.”

Canton resident and member of the Friends of Camp Hope, Tracy O’Neil came forth with optimism about the work being done at the camp and the avenues that could be explored with the town-owned

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The new Olympic Development Program in Bryson City will give young soccer players the chance to shine on the regional, state and national stages. Donated photo

And, goal WNC soccer players train with Olympics in mind

W

January 22-28, 2014 Smoky Mountain News

JACOB FLANNICK & HOLLY KAYS CORRESPONDENT/STAFF WRITER hen Scott Cline graduated from Swain High School in the mid1990s, the community had barely begun talking about forming a school soccer team. And while the sport is gaining popularity in Swain County, football is still the highest platform available to student athletes.

So when Cline and other parents who have watched their children grow up playing soccer learned about North Carolina Youth Soccer’s Olympic Development Program, a path leading to regional and national soccer training, they got excited.

“We feel like it’s a big deal,” said Cline, who is president of the Swain Youth Soccer Association. The training camp in Bryson City, which kicked off in December, now gives players the chance to improve their game with guidance from college coaches.

It’s a new opportunity for soccer players in Western North Carolina, but in the state — and nation — as a whole, it’s nothing new. U.S. Youth Soccer started the national program to give talented teenage players the exposure they need to rise through the ranks. The ultimate goal? Ascending to the national spotlight for a chance to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

And bringing the camp to Bryson City could also heighten enthusiasm for soccer, allowing its appeal to compare to that of football.

The organization runs training camps in cities in central and eastern North Carolina every year; before December, the closest one was held in Statesville.

“The whole big thing about this is one word, really — the Olympics,” Cline said. “There’s a lot of excitement over it.”

That statement rang true at tryouts.

At the Dec. 15 event, 41 players showed up to the Parks and Recreation Department to display their best moves before an audience of local and regional college soccer coaches.

“It went well,” Cline said. “We had a variety of age groups.”

Students ranged in age from 9 to 17, and all 41 of them spent the day training with local coaches during the first of six sessions scheduled between December and April. Players who demonstrate exceptional skills there could earn the chance to train with even higher-level coaches and players at state, regional and national trainings.

“Either way they’re going to have college-level coaches, but it could be national-level coaches if they make it to the very end,” Cline said.

Having the potential for that kind of experience is huge for young players, Cline said.

“The biggest benefit is (other participating) players will be high-caliber and have that exposure to college coaches,” he said.

It is impossible to predict whether any soccer player here will ascend to the highest tiers, of course. But regardless of the final outcome, the training camp grants opportunity by gathering what local soccer coaches and enthusiasts say is a notable amount of young talent scattered across the mountains.

“Around here, you don’t have that much opportunity to play against really good players,” said Jack Gray, whose 9year-old son, Matthew, earned a recommendation from his coach to try out for the training camp.

The camp provides that opportunity, as well as the distant possibility of fame and fortune that some young players — and their parents — find appealing.

“No one imagined that something like this was possible,” Gray said.

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news

Sold! How the old state prison was unloaded for just $1

Smoky Mountain News

January 22-28, 2014

At first blush, the shuttered state prison in Waynesville looks more like a military barracks or summer camp bunkhouse than a prison — except perhaps for the concertina wire around the perimeter and guardhouse at the entrance.

But for decades, the tiny, minimumsecurity prison went largely unnoticed, tucked down a dead-end side street smack in the heart of a working-class Waynesville neighborhood. With many of its inmates on work release, it seemed more like a hybrid prison and probation office than a traditional detention center.

These small, down-home prisons were once found in nearly every county in the state, making it easier for low-level offenders to do their time close to home while also providing local governments a labor pool for road and maintenance work.

But over the past decade, the state has consolidated these smaller prisons into fewer bigger ones, citing efficiency. The one in Haywood was a relic, among the last hold outs of its kind when it was finally closed in 2011.

County leaders promptly began eyeing the 128-bed prison and its two-acre campus. It abutted the county jail and sheriff’s office and would surely be useful for something, perhaps even an extension of the county’s own jail one day.

So the county struck a deal with the state to buy it for just $1. The state was happy to unload it, and the county was happy to get it.

But the idea of using it as an extension of county’s current jail quickly fell flat. The cost of upgrading the old prison to meet modern jail regulations would cost upwards of $1 million. One thought was leasing beds to overflow inmates from other counties. But at $30 a night per inmate, it would be a mighty slow rate of return for the upfront cost.

“At $30 a day it would take you a long time to get your money back,” Haywood Sheriff Greg Christopher said.

And that’s assuming there is even a demand for housing overflow inmates from other counties — which there isn’t.

Most counties in the region have replacde their undersized, antiquated jails with new ones in the past decade, with plenty of space of their own.

Now, the old prison is deteriorating and will eventually be a financial drain on the county in terms of maintenance and upkeep.

“If we don’t do something with the facility pretty quick, it will end up being a big cost to the county to haul it all off,” Christopher said.

Along came the idea of converting the old prison dorms into a homeless shelter and halfway house, run by faith-based groups that would in turn foot the cost of 6 maintenance and upkeep.

Caroline Bass (from left), Lason Ledford and Jim Haynes are excited to see the ministry they’ve helped lead grow beyond the jailhouse walls. Holly Kays photo

Reforming lives on a wing and a prayer Faith-based groups forge bold plan for abandoned prison dorms

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER proposal to convert a closed-down state prison into a halfway house and homeless shelter in Haywood County is gaining steam.

The old prison was given to the county two years ago after the state shut it down, but the county has no real use for it. So it’s been sitting there empty, just beyond the backdoor of the county’s own jailhouse.

Faith-based groups that regularly counsel and minister to inmates in the jail have come up with a plan to convert a section of the old prison into a halfway house — a place where recently released inmates can be reformed and remade upon release from jail.

“Most people who leave our jail have absolutely no where to go. Even if they do have somewhere to go, it is right back into the same environment they were in when they got arrested,” Haywood Sheriff Greg Christopher said.

The recidivism rate among inmates is high, with the same people landing back in jail again and again.

“This is the only thing I have seen that I would put faith in whatsoever that could help us start turning the tide,” Christopher said.

The proposal has three moving parts.

Each is separate in a sense — three separate religious groups would have their own sepa-

A

rate leases for different buildings on the prison campus. Yet their efforts are interconnected.

• A halfway house in one of the old prison dorms would help people trying to turn their lives around. The program would be run by Next Steps Ministry, but would get financial and volunteer support from partnering churches countywide.

• A homeless shelter in another one of the old prison dorms would replace an existing shelter that operates out of a summer camp. Moving to the old prison site would allow the Haywood Christian Emergency Shelter to operate year-round instead of during winter months only. The shelter is a joint mission of several partnering churches in the county.

• The kitchen at the old prison is considered an ideal site for a soup kitchen, providing the meals that the homeless shelter and half-way house would certainly need. There’s a chance the Open Door Soup Kitchen in Waynesville, an outreach ministry of Long’s Chapel, could relocate at the site.

COUNTY SUPPORT NEEDED Proposals for the homeless shelter and halfway house were made to county commissioners last week by the respective church groups.

County leaders must decide whether to grant them free use of the old prison buildings for the noble cause. The initial response from commissioners was positive.

“I think this is something that will pay back for our society,” said Commissioner Kevin Ensley.

Assuming the county signs off, the only

hurdle will be funding. The faith-based groups behind the proposal would need a chunk of change upfront to renovate the old prison dorms. They would also need a sustained revenue stream for operations.

Estimates of what it will take are still being calculated. But the visionaries who made the proposal believe churches throughout the county will support the mission.

“The churches seem truly interested in providing funds,” said Jason Ledford, the president of Next Steps.

Churches will also provide an army of volunteers to counsel and support the people trying to turn their lives around.

“They are interested in volunteering, coming in and helping them and propagating the things they need to change in their life,” Ledford said.

Next Steps Ministry has amassed a broad support network already for its current outreach efforts with the jail population, from giving people rides to job interviews to holding donation drives for toiletry items.

THE HALFWAY HOUSE

Ledford believes a halfway house could be a game changer for people who want to turn their lives around but simply don’t know how.

“They are getting out of the jail, coming out to the curb, the same people pick them up and it is the same old endless cycle,” said Patrick McClure, who works with jail inmates through Next Steps ministry. “We are trying to reach those people and help them make a life change so they can be a contributing member of society.”

Next Steps Ministry began a counseling program with willing inmates in the jail last summer. The group started small, by simply holding church services for the jail inmates.

“The next thing we noticed was people asking us for help, long-term help. Finding a job or whatever it was. There are people in there who say ‘Help me,”” McClure said.

Ledford emphasized that the halfway house would not be a permanent living arrangement for people.

“We can say, ‘If you want to stay here for six months while we get the things in your life changed, you can,’” Ledford said.

“Next Step means the next step to reenter society,” McClure added.

The county certainly stands to gain if the program is successful. Each person who gets reformed instead of returning to jail will save the county money — about $30 per person per night for an inmate’s room and board, not to mention medical care of inmates.

“If we can stop that, that is a direct savings — dollars that can be spent somewhere else,” McClure said.

THE HOMELESS SHELTER

A 20-bed homeless shelter housed at a summer camp on the outskirts of Waynesville has been in operation for five

S EE R EFORMING, PAGE 8

Local churches lift the lives of homeless, incarcerated

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For the leaders of Hands Up, helping people like Clontz is a driving passion with roots more than 30 years old. When Jim Haynes joined Gideons International — an evangelical Christian group probably best known for placing Bibles in hotel rooms — in 1987, the organization’s Haywood West fCamp already had a ministry leading Bible studies in the Haywood County Jail. Haynes had no interest in that particular facet of the group’s activities, but when his friend Guy Angel invited him along one evening in 1994, that all

Personal investment is a big part of what Next Step and Haywood Christian Emergency Center do, but monetary investment is essential as well. Consider making a donation to help one of these groups serve those who need it most.

To donate to the shelter, send a check to Haywood Christian Emergency center at P.O. Box 1272, Waynesville, N.C. 28786 or give online at www.haywoodchristianshelter.org.

To donate to Next Steps, contact Patrick McClure at 226.1090, Jim Haynes at 828.734.9346 or Jason Ledford at 828.734.1215.

changed.

“I did not want to go, but I couldn’t tell him no, so I said, ‘OK,’” Hanes said, explaining that he figured he’d be able to come up with a good excuse before it was time to go. “I came up with no excuse and I started, so that was in May of 1994.

I’ve been going ever since.”

Since then, the Tuesday evening Gideon studies have grown into a full-blown ministry. Hands Up now offers Bible studies on multiple nights of the week, and since Mother’s Day weekend this year, they’ve been inviting a rotation of pastors from area churches to give a worship service every Sunday morning. It’s hard to count everyone involved, Haynes said, but roughly 100 volunteers from 17 area churches are involved in the studies and Sunday services. In a jail that typically holds about 120 people, as many as 80 attend on a given Sunday.

At the tent revival, held Aug. 8-10, 85 inmates chose to come. Of those, 46 were baptized, an act that symbolizes one’s commitment to following Christ.

“Just to see some of those who were shackled raising their hands, and to see men and women who were baptized while they were shackled, knowing that even though they had physical bonds, they were set free … that was heavy,” said Jason Ledford, one of the group’s leaders.

It was a seminal moment for the Hands Up crew, but they had already realized that further growth would require moving beyond the jailhouse walls.

Ledford and his wife Kristin were relative newcomers to the ministry, joining after their ministry to homeless people, Potter’s House Rescue Mission, morphed into an effort to minister to incarcerated people. They gave the organizational

INTO HOUSE AND HOME Next Steps jumped at the opportunity to headquarter their fledgling organization in the old prison, but they weren’t the only ones. If all goes as planned, the prison will also become the new site of Haywood Christian Emergency Center, a shelter for homeless people that was born out of the recession of 2008. Temperatures dropped in sync with the economy, and a group of Christians from area churches became concerned when they realized there was nowhere for

Smoky Mountain News

ROCKING THE JAILHOUSE

Be a partner

January 22-28, 2014

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER n Sept. 12, Jeff Clontz walked out of Haywood County Jail a free man. It wasn’t his first time, though. Jail, release and failing to pay child support comprised a cycle he knew well, but this time was different. When Clontz left the jail, he left behind more than just physical bonds. His spiritual bonds were gone, too.

“It’s a transfer of life, period,” he said. “I had been not so good for so many years. A whole new life started over.”

The 45-year-old has been in and out of jail for the past 15 years, with a seven-year period of homelessness in Hickory thrown in also. He wanted more, but didn’t have the people in his life — or the God — to show him how to get it.

That’s when he became involved with Hands Up Restoration Transformation, a group of Christians from various area congregations who make regular visits to the Haywood County Jail. Before long, the Bible studies they led were the highlights of Clontz’ week, and he listened hungrily to every word. When Hands Up held a tent revival for the inmates in August, Clontz was rebaptized, recommitting himself to the faith his grandmother had tried so hard to instill in him as a child.

“Used to, I wasn’t really going to sit down and try to talk to the good Lord. I didn’t have him in my life at all.” But now, Clontz said, “I read my Bible all the time. I’m trying to find a church over here. I wouldn’t have thought about this a year ago.”

Since his release, Clontz has been working at T&S Hardwood in Sylva, making enough to rent his own two-bedroom apartment and pay his bills. He’s trying hard to live a changed life, but he freely admits that he wouldn’t have been able to do it on his own.

“If it wasn’t for (Hands Up), I wouldn’t be where I am, fand I wouldn’t have what I have right now,” he said.

structure of Potter’s House to the leaders of jailhouse ministries in Haywood County, the goal being to create a new organization, Next Steps, to help incarcerated people make a healthy transition from jail to the outside community.

Because no matter how strong a person’s desire for change, they sometimes need help to make it last. That’s especially true for people who have been incarcerated, Ledford said, because when you’re out on the curb with nowhere to go and nothing to eat, you go back to the people you know. For people who have been incarcerated, what they know is often the thing that got them in trouble to begin with.

That was the case for David, a young man who had once been a child in a church Ledford pastured. As an inmate, he ended up getting saved at the revival before his release.

“His words to me [after his release],” Ledford said, “were this: ‘Can you help me find some work? I’m straddling the fence. I don’t want to go back to my old life, but I’m tired of being hungry.’”

That could easily have been the case for Clontz, because when he got out of jail, he had nothing. He couldn’t activate his phone, put a security deposit down on an apartment or get a hotel room. He had no idea where to start looking for a job and knew no one willing to hire somebody with a record. Hands Up helped on all those counts, gaining a lasting involvement in Clontz’s life and a lasting impression on his heart.

“It makes you “It showed me there are people out there like realize how them that really do want fragile life is, how to help somebody like me that was locked up,” he any of us can be said.

For Clontz, support in the same from the Heads Up crew place these was key, but he still had to handle much of the transiinmates are.” tion on his own, coming home each evening to an — Jason Ledford, empty apartment and the Hands Up ministries choice to continue pursuing his new life or to give it up for something seemingly easier. Without hesitation, he agrees that living in a transitional home first, where he could meet with other Christians daily and get the training he would need to succeed on his own, would have helped him immensely.

“We want to be a clearinghouse, a place where they can get food, a place where they can be safe and have shelter,” Haynes said. “Then we will have resources and match it with the person.”

Because, Ledford said, circumstances are really the only thing separating him from the people his ministry serves. As a Christian, he believes he has a duty to do whatever he can to love them through to the other side of those circumstances.

“It makes you realize how fragile life is, how any of us can be in the same place these inmates are,” Ledford said. “I hope it makes us more Christ-like, more loving and more representative of his grace and compassion.”

Jail isn’t the only place where that fragility of life crops up.

news

Nick Honerkamp talks with other members of the Haywood Christian Emergency Shelter board at their Jan. 16 meeting. Holly Kays photo

S EE CHURCHES, PAGE 8 7

January 22-28, 2014

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R EFORMING, CONTINUED FROM 6 years, funded and run in partnership by several area churches. But the Haywood Christian Emergency Shelter is only open during the fall and winter, since the camp is used during the warm months.

“We see those who come into the shelter for the six months we are open and they have quit drinking and quit using the drugs, but when the shelter closes they fall back into their old ways,” said Russ McLamb, the director of the shelter.

The shelter has a zero tolerance policy.

The first time someone stays at the shelter, they have to pass a drug test and take a breathalyzer. Any trace of drugs or alcohol, and they can’t stay. Once they’re in, drug and alcohol testing is done on a random basis or if use is suspected.

McLamb said the desire for a warm, safe bed has helped some give up their substance abuse, however. One man trying to stay there earlier this year failed the breathalyzer three nights in a row. That third night, the temperatures had dropped dramatically and he pleaded to be let in. But McLamb didn’t budge.

“I told him, ‘Tomorrow when you are down there on that river bank and your buddies hand you a bottle, you have a choice to make,’” McLamb recalled.

The next day, the man showed up sober and hasn’t had a drop since.

Its first couple of years, the shelter had no drug or alcohol testing. It served 80 to 90 people those years.

The number dropped by half when the no-tolerance policy was put in place. The shelter has a security guard on duty all night, but it rarely has trouble.

“They actually become like a little family.

CHURCHES, CONTINUED FROM 7

Smoky Mountain News

the newly homeless to find shelter at night.

“About a dozen of us, we had one meeting,” said Nick Honerkamp, pastor of New Covenant Church in Clyde. “We said, ‘We can make something happen.’ At that meeting $7,000 was thrown on the table, and we said, ‘Let’s start this week.’”

They began planning right away, and three weeks later they hosted their first group of five guests in a house on Covenant’s property. Within a few weeks, the shelter had moved to the Haywood Baptist Association’s Camp New Life in Waynesville, capable of housing 21 people per night. The group made a five-year agreement to operate there during the six coldest months of the year, and they began shuttling guests to the camp each night from the Community Kitchen in Canton and Open Door in Waynesville, bringing them back in time for breakfast in the morning.

“We don’t duplicate any services,” Honerkamp said. “We just fill the gap.”

But the shelter provides more than just warm beds. For many, it’s a springboard to a new life.

“It’s not just a traditional shelter where we’re giving them shelter,” Honerkamp said.

8 “We’re trying to communicate, trying to

They become very, very possessive of the shelter. If anybody comes in trying to cause problems, they will come tell security,” McLamb said.

The hope is that a year-round shelter will allow for more lasting rehabilitation.

“We are hoping to get more of the perpetual homeless to buy into the idea of rehabilitation. They will have food, have shelter, have

community, have assistance,” said Nick Honerkamp, the founder and president of Haywood Christian Emergency Shelter. “We have no desire to create a safety net that exists forever.”

But Honerkamp is under no illusion that the plight of homelessness can be wiped out entirely.

“There are some we are never going to

help. They are in a lifestyle where they are comfortable and that’s what they are going to do,” said Honerkamp, who is also the pastor at New Covenant Church.

The old prison would also be more accessible to the homeless population than the current shelter site. Now, churches run nightly shuttles to the shelter from the Open Door Soup Kitchen in Waynesville and Community Kitchen in Canton. Anyone wanting to stay at the shelter knows when and where to show up for a ride. More than three dozen churches volunteer in the rotation to run the shuttles using their church vans.

THE SOUP KITCHEN

Sheriff Greg Christopher points to one of the dorms at the old Hazelwood prison that would become part of the homeless shelter and transitional home. Holly Kays photo

“Most people who leave our jail have absolutely no where to go. Even if they do have somewhere to go, it is right back into the same environment they were in when they got arrested.”

— Haywood Sheriff Greg Christopher

engage with them.”

In effect, they’re trying to show guests at the homeless shelter what Hands Up showed Clontz: that there are people who care, that differences in people’s circumstances don’t translate to differences in their value. As many as 40 different area churches are involved in any given season, taking turns transporting guests to and from the shelter and providing a nightly worship and devotional time.

With so many churches involved, the organization multiplies its ability to connect individuals with the resources they need to become self-sufficient.

“When you have fresh people every week, you have fresh excitement every week to want to help them,” Honerkamp said. “I think one of our biggest strengths [is] when you’re partnering with this many partners you have more resources than when one organization takes over and says, ‘We’re going to run this.’ We just have so many more resources because nobody is trying to take credit for it.”

Case in point: Of the 442 different people the shelter has helped since it opened, 210 found a home by the end of the season in April.

“It’s all about how we view people as being created by God,” said Wilson Strickhausen, a member of the shelter’s board. “We try to surround them with God and tell them that

they’re worthwhile people.”

“They’ve fallen into that expectation [of not having worth],” said Russ McLamb, shelter director. “Through God’s grace they see [that] no, I’m not that person. They start to believe in themselves again. They start on that path to taking the steps needed to become a different person.”

The shelter workers have seen a lot of people start walking on that path over the past five years. They’ve seen people give up pills, alcohol and drugs for a relationship with Jesus. They’ve seen them find jobs and their own places to live. They’ve even watched some guests come full circle to become volunteers at the shelter.

“The Open Door and the Shelter were like Noah’s Ark to me, God’s way of sparing my life and helping me through tough times,” one such guest named Chris wrote for the shelter’s webpage. “That’s where He taught me to fully trust Him and know that He is working. I would like to give back to the people who helped me by joining them in their efforts to help others. Like Peter said, ‘Silver and gold have I none but such as I have I give.’”

The shelter also provides accountability and consistency. Guests have to show up to catch the shuttle, attend devotional and worship, put their lights out by 10 p.m. and do their chores in the morning. They also have

An unknown variable in the plan is whether the Open Door Soup Kitchen would relocate from its current location in the Frog Level district of downtown Waynesville to the old prison in Hazelwood.

Moving to the kitchen at the old prison would mean a lot more space for the Open Door, which is pushing capacity currently. It would also provide needed meals for those at the shelter and halfway house.

“Having the support of the Open Door would be huge.

I believe there is a lot of interest on their board,” Christopher said.

The faith-based groups have no desire to duplicate the soup kitchen role the Open Door now serves in the community. So if the Open Door doesn’t move, they would shuttle people staying at the halfway house and homeless shelter back and forth to the Open Door for meals.

The main concern for Open Door leaders is whether they would be abandoning the homeless population that live along the railroad tracks and sleep

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to take a breathalyzer test to prove they haven’t been drinking. Shelter volunteers often see guests make dramatic lifestyle changes in response.

When the shelter closes at the end of April, though, that structure disappears, and some shelter guests regress back to where they were to begin with. So while the shelter has done a world of good in its five years of existence, Honerkamp is looking forward to becoming a 12-month presence in the community and working synergistically with Next Steps.

“This has truly been one of the easier projects I’ve ever been part of,” he said. “It was truly birthed by God. It was truly graced

by God.” And the hope is that with a better venue to show that grace, all three organizations— Haywood Christian Emergency Center, Next Step and Open Door, which is deciding whether to move its food services to be near the other two ministries — will be better able to serve people like Clontz, who have the will to change but need the tools. Fully equipped by his friends at Hands Up, Clontz is a changed man, four months out of jail with his life on a track headed far away from the jailhouse.

“Now that they’ve helped me out,” Clontz said, “I look forward to going to work and coming back here to my place.”

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January 22-28, 2014

Open Door Ministries provides food, meals, professional clothing and Bible studies for people in need.

Holly Kays photo

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Smoky Mountain News

would also make it more accessible to the poor and needy people on the other side of town who can’t get to it now.

“We would be helping a whole new set of people who live around that area,” said Alice Ensley.

Some Frog Level merchants are likely rooting for the Open Door to move. The homeless population that congregates around the Open Door has been a source of controversy over the years. The town has periodically fielded complaints from Frog Level business owners about the homeless population that’s taken up residence in the area.

The idea has some early buy-in among Waynesville’s town leaders — but not because they want to relocate the homeless to a less prominent side of town.

“We want to make sure we are not just kicking the can down the road. This is trying to solve a problem, to close a revolving door — not just keep pushing the same rock up the mountain,” said Waynesville Mayor Gavin Brown.

Waynesville Alderwoman Julia Freeman voiced her support for the proposal at a town meeting last week, calling it a win-win for Waynesville.

“That’s the whole goal of this, to move them into a temporary housing situation and get them off the streets,” Freeman said.

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under bridges in the vicinity of the soup kitchen now.

But if the Open Door moved, the homeless population would likely follow.

“I believe the homeless will follow food. They can do without shelter, but not without food,” Nick Honerkamp.

Commissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick agreed.

“I suspect if the Open Door is in a different location, they are probably going to find a different place to spend most of their time,” Kirkpatrick said.

The Open Door is an outreach ministry under the umbrella of Long’s Chapel Methodist Church. The board of directors for the Open Door and Long’s Chapel are still in discussions about whether to move.

The Open Door serves more than just the homeless and transient population.

“We do serve other people. We have people who live in downtown assisted living who walk to come get food.

“We also have people who drive to come get food,” said Alice Ensley.

Moving to Hazelwood could put the Open Door out of reach for some who utilize it currently. But it

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news

McCrory to appoint Holt’s successor, but could ignore bar’s counsel

Breastfeeding support group to meet in Sylva A breastfeeding mothers support group will meet at 10:30 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month at the MedWest Harris Hospital annex in Sylva. The first meeting is Feb. 1.

The primary purpose of the meetings is to provide information about and support for breastfeeding.

Refreshments will be served, all are welcome and there is no cost.

The annex building is located just across the parking lot from the Emergency Room entrance. It is a yellow, metal building beside the maintenance shop. Breastfeeding families, children, family members, moms-to-be and healthcare providers are all welcome.

Brandi Nations at 770.519.2903, Teresa Bryant at 828.587.8214, or Jennifer Luker at 828.587.8242.

January 22-28, 2014

Jackson library offers free homework help The Jackson County Public Library in Sylva is offering free homework help and tutoring from 3 to 5 p.m. every Monday through Thursday in the Friends of the Library Room.

This free service is meant for any students of any age, from kindergarten to college. No sign-up is necessary.

People who are interested can just show up at the designated time.

828.586.2016.

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER ttorneys in the seven western counties will to be called on in the coming weeks to weigh in on their top pick to fill a vacancy on the judicial bench.

Chief District Court Judge Richie Holt is retiring in April. The seat won’t come up for election until 2016, so in the meantime a new judge will be appointed.

The appointment is ultimately up to Republican Gov. Pat McCrory. But first, the roughly 200 practicing attorneys in the seven western counties will vote on a slate of candidates. Their top picks will then be sent up the chain to Gov. McCrory for a final selection.

It’s been five years since attorneys in the seven western counties last went through a District Court judge appointment. There’s a subtle yet potentially major difference this time, said Diane Sherrill, a Sylva attorney who serves as the N.C. Bar Association president for the 30th judicial district.

“The governor is no longer mandated to choose one of the nominees from the bar,” Sherrill said. “He can choose whoever he wants.”

The rules for making appointments to District Court vacancies were changed by the General Assembly last year. Before, the bar forwarded only its top three choices to the governor, who was obligated to pick one of those three.

Now the top five candidates from the bar vote are sent to the governor, but he doesn’t have to pick one of those five.

McCrory may indeed stick with one of the bar’s recommendations in order not to alienate the legal community, but that remains to be seen.

A

“We haven’t seen it in practice yet,” Sherrill said of the new law.

Since McCrory is a Republican, it’s unlikely that any Democrats will bother putting their name in the ring. In the end, there may not even be five attorneys vying for the appointment.

“If we don’t have five to nominate, we nominate as many as we have,” Sherrill said.

The vote tally among bar members will be submitted to the governor with the list of nominees.

Before voting, the bar members will convene in a forum to hear from everyone seeking the seat. But there’s no timeline yet for when that might happen.

As of last week, Holt had not sent his official retirement notice to Raleigh. Until then, the ball won’t get rolling. Holt is one of only six District Court judges serving the seven western counties. Sherrill hopes there won’t be much of a lag between his retirement and a new appointment by the governor.

With word of Holt’s retirement already circulating publicly, some attorneys have gone ahead and announced their intentions.

Here’s who The Smoky Mountain News knows about so far: • Kristy Parton, 37, solo family law attorney in Sylva.

Parton primarily practices family law, such as divorce, child custody, equitable distribution and separation agreements.

“It would be helpful to have a judge on the bench whose primary familiarity is family law. Family law is very subjective and there are a lot of nuances to it,” Parton said.

Parton grew up in Bryson City. She worked for a publishing company in

Greensboro after college for a few years before returning to law school. She’s been practicing since 2009. Parton is not married and does not have children.

• Tessa Sellers, 36, all-around solo practice in Murphy.

Sellers, who worked as an assistant district attorney for five years, does a full gamut of criminal, civil and family law cases.

“I have a very good sense of what it takes to be on the bench. I am level-headed and easy-going and feel I have the appropriate temperament for the bench,” Sellers said.

Sellers grew up in Hayesville, where she lives now. She said the far western counties are under-represented on the District Court bench. Five of the six District Court judges are based in Haywood County.

Sellers is married with two kids, ages 3 and 5.

• Hunter Murphy, 33, all-around solo practice in Waynesville.

Murphy practices both criminal and civil cases, but with a higher concentration of criminal. In District Court, where the judge and jury are one and the same, fairness on the bench is paramount, he said.

“District Court is where most people who ever come in contact with the court system are going to be. Knowing that you are going to be listened to no matter what the situation, and you can respect the result that you get,” Murphy said.

Murphy practiced in Sylva for six years with a partner before opening his own practice in Waynesville, where he lives. Murphy has lived in Waynesville since he was 14.

His family moved to the area when his father bought Jackson Paper plant in Sylva.

Murphy is married and has twin 3-yearolds. His wife works part-time as an office manager for his practice.

• Sean Johnson. Johnson has sent a letter to members of the N.C. Bar Association in the judicial district announcing his candidacy but did not return messages.

Smoky Mountain News

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JAKE FLANNICK SMN CORRESPONDENT ome homeowners in Waynesville might have started wondering why a certain visitor who had routinely appeared in their yard is no longer coming around: town public works employees, pen and paper in hand, jotting down readings on their water and power meters.

The number of such monthly visits has decreased over the past couple of years as public works employees have replaced thousands of residential and commercial meters with wireless transmitters. Its roving employees, or meter readers, still are gathering data on home energy and water consumption, only now with a handheld remote from the street.

The investment is not expected to lead to rate increases or layoffs, said Fred Baker, the town public works director. He noted that the department plans to assign new responsibilities to its three meter readers.

It is seen as a way to help the town save money, not only by trimming labor costs, albeit slightly, but also by enabling more accurate readings. As a result, the town could end up collecting more from cus-

Over the same period, the town has replaced between 1,300 and 1,500 electric meters, which are not underground and thus do not involve as much labor. That is more than half of the total number run by the town, said James Reinhardt, the superintendent of the town electrical system.

Waynesville is the only municipality in at least the far western part of the state that still operates its own electric utility, he said.

The rest, about two-thirds of the town, is covered by Duke Energy Progress, the main utility in Haywood County and the wholesale supplier of electricity to the town.

It is unclear exactly how much the upgrades will end up costing the town, which expects to continue buying large shipments of meters on a pay-as-you-go basis with money set aside in its electric and water funds. Residential electric meters cost the town about $55 each, according to financial records; residential water meters, nearly $180 each. Commercial meters are more expensive.

It had turned to the state for a loan, totaling $300,000, to buy the handheld remotes and some 1,600 new water meters that were delivered in December. The town plans to repay the interest-free loan over “If you use a lot of water, you’re going to the next 20 years, said Eddie Caldwell, get billed for using a lot of water.” the town finance — Fred Baker, Waynesville public works director. Some of that money also went tomers whose meters might have given toward repairs to water lines and extending lower readings in the past as a result of wear the water system to Maggie Valley, he and tear, particularly on underground water noted. meters.

Public works officials have said they “If you use a lot of water, you’re going to plan to continue increasing water and sewer get billed for using a lot of water,” Baker rates in coming years to help pay for the said, describing the meters as the “cash reg$20 to $25 million in capital improvements isters” of the town water and sewer system. the town faces in the long-term. The annual And while the new devices will not slow increases have amounted to 5 percent over or prevent water leaks or help improve the the years. town’s aging water and sewer system — “We’re trying to make a dent,” Caldwell some of its pipes date back to when the syssaid. The town also expects more water and tem was built in the mid-1920s — the sewer fees, adding about new 100 cusupgrades are designed to help better detect tomers every year. them, with a computer system monitoring The upgrades are the result of long distheir condition. cussions among town leaders about better The replacement of the devices has managing its infrastructure. In 2010, the drawn little, if any, attention around town. town used federal stimulus money for subThe department has not encountered any stantial improvements to its water and concerns or inquiries from homeowners, sewer system.

Baker said, despite workers digging holes in “I think that we were falling behind,” their yards to reach the underground water Baker, the public works director who took meters. his post in the mid-1980s, said of the invest“As long as they get their water and pay ments. their bills,” he said, “there’s nothing to Nonetheless, officials acknowledge that worry about.” such repairs are unending.

Of the 6,300 to 6,500 residential and “It’s like painting the Golden Gate commercial water meters in town, public Bridge,” Baker said. “Once they get it done, works employees have replaced more than they start again.”

900 over the past two years, averaging Wireless meters are nothing new. about 40 per month. With shovels and a In Asheville this past summer, a contracbackhoe, workers spend only a short time tor hired by the city finished installing on each job. about 57,000 wireless residential and com-

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In Waynesville, meter readers going the way of milkmen

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Wireless transmitters are slowly taking over commercial and residential meter readers, as seen being installed here in Waynesville. Jake Flannick photo The town has largely ruled out the possibility of smart meters as a result of their cost, Baker said.

As for the meter readers themselves, it is unclear how much residents here might notice their absence. Similar to door-todoor milkmen, stories of them building relationships with homeowners over time, or even intervening in life-threatening circumstances, are not uncommon.

Whatever the significance, homeowners still might catch a glimpse of them in town — only from a distance.

“They’ll still be on the street,” Baker said of the meter readers. “They’ll be in the neighborhood.”

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January 22-28, 2014

mercial water meters. It took about four years, costing the city roughly $5 million which it had set aside money in a reserve fund, said Steve Shoaf, the director of the city’s Water Resources Department.

The change did not result in any layoffs or rate increases, he said.

The new devices are different from what are known as smart meters, which transmit real-time data on electricity and water consumption directly to utilities. They have emerged in cities and towns across the country over the years, though they have raised alarm among opponents who claim negative health effects from electromagnetic radiation.

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Hunters upset about ‘Something Bruin’ tactics A public forum in Swain County last Saturday was attended by 200 people with ties to the mountain hunting community.

Hunters complained about the tactics used in a multi-year investigation by undercover wildlife officers posing as fellow hunters.

Becky Johnson photo

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER unters from all over the mountains came together last weekend to speak out against the tactics used by undercover wildlife officers in a multi-year investigation — one that presumably targeted bear poachers.

But in reality, wildlife agents went on a fishing expedition, using entrapment and other underhanded tactics to trick hunters into violating wildlife rules, according to dozens of hunters who have come forward to protest the undercover operation.

Known as Operation Something Bruin, the undercover operation netted a several hundred charges against more than 80 hunters. A large number have since had their cases dismissed in court, however, due to lack of evidence.

A public forum was staged at Swain County High School on Saturday, Jan. 18, and was billed as a chance for hunters and their families to talk about their experience as a target in Operation Something Bruin.

Hunters spanning a 15-county area of

Smoky Mountain News

January 22-28, 2014

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WNC and North Georgia shared similar stories of trumped up charges and even outright lies from the agents.

The biggest complaint was that the agents set up the hunters and used deceitful methods to trick them into breaking the law.

Kenneth Adams said an undercover agent called him over and over, asking to go on a guided hunting trip outside of hunting season.

“I kept telling him there wasn’t nothing to hunt that time of year,” said Adams, a hunting guide in Graham County.

It seemed the undercover agent had no reasonable suspicion against Adams, but had simply picked his name up as a hunting guide and then tried to drum something up against him.

When hunting season finally opened, Adams took the undercover agent on a hunting trip. But the agent ultimately turned up empty-handed. The only charge Adams got was acting as a guide on forest service land without the right kind of commercial permit.

Brent Thomas, a hunter from Northern Georgia, said he was goaded into trying to sell

the gall bladder of a bear on the black market, which is illegal.

“I said, ‘Dude I don’t know what a bear gall bladder is,’” Thomas recalled. “They kept on and they kept on. They said ‘We know somewhere in Atlanta you can get $5,000 or $10,000 for a bear gall bladder.’ I said, ‘I ain’t going to mess with no gall bladders. That’s a felony.’”

Undercover agents would buy bear bait and spotlights, and then try to get other hunters to go along with illegal hunting techniques, according to the hunters and court evidence.

Ironically, the undercover agents shot more wildlife illegally than the people they were investigating. Undercover officers pulled the trigger in the majority of cases involving bears and deer being shot, and then charged the other hunters who were along with them, including bystanders who didn’t have a direct role, according to the evidence in the cases.

“If any of these men wanted to be poachers — and I say ‘wanted’ to be — they would have had slim chance around the undercover

agents because they killed all the bears,” said Linda Crisp, who had family members charged in the operation.

In one case, they charged a woman with hunting violations who was along for the ride in the back seat of the truck, according to her claims at the forum. In some cases, undercover officers shot wildlife illegally, put the dead animal in the truck driven by another hunter, and proceeded to charge that hunter with “possession of illegally taken wildlife.”

While there was indeed some wrongdoing by some hunters, there was very little actual poaching exposed, say the hunters. In most cases, the hunters were hunting properly, in season, with permits, on legal game lands, and using proper techniques.

Many of the charges the officers came up with were technicalities, like registering a bear tag improperly — although some would argue these various hunting regulations are in place for a reason, namely to ensure game isn’t overhunted and hunting is done in a sustainable way to protect wildlife for future generations.

Walter Hooper, a hunter from Murphy, said the undercover agents must have gotten desperate when they couldn’t find evidence of a bear-poaching ring in the mountains after all.

“If I was given $2 million and four years, I could come up with more than 10 bear charges that I didn’t have to go out and shoot myself to get the charges,” Murphy said. “That is piss poor investigation or there is not much of a poaching ring out here to start with.”

Speaker after speaker at the three-hour forum last Saturday called on the state to hold an inquiry into the undercover officers’ behavior.

N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, and N.C. Rep Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, came to the forum. Both pledged to look into the concerns and complaints that they had heard from people.

Cherokee Chief Michell Hicks attended the forum as well and said he would take the concerns to the board of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, which he serves on.

“There are some serious issues,” Hicks said. “The processes that were utilized should have been more thought through.”

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Call Jeff Kuhlman at 828-646-0907.

The Jackson TDA recently hired three marketing firms for a trial run in an effort to expand its brand. Mark Haskett photo could not do.

The amendment was defeated 4 to 6, with Julie Stockton and Ken Fernandez joining Teasley and Luker, while Clifford Meads, Brien Peterkin, Ashley Faulkner, Mary Lanning, Debra Watson and Jumper voted against it.

That vote was soon followed by a vote on Jumper’s original motion to hire all three companies. The board passed his motion 6 to 4, split along the same lines.

“We do want to make sure we take the right steps, and that is the whole purpose of having these agencies,” Jumper said. “We need more information than what we’ve got to make this decision.”

That’s part of the reason that Jumper favored the five-month trial period. The three companies will have until the beginning of the next fiscal year to show the TDA how well they

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“One overall plan would be far better than all these little pieces.”

January 22-28, 2014

— Merrily Teasley, board member

are able to coordinate to meet the county’s marketing needs. The contracts have a 30-day clause written into them, which means that either the TDA or the agency can terminate the agreement with 30 days of notice, yet another measure, Jumper said, that makes this decision decidedly nonpermanent.

“Talking about this is a bridge,” Jumper said.

In the interim, the board will have the opportunity to consider other firms in addition to evaluating the performance of the three it just hired. The goal, Jumper said, is to find the firms that offer the best combination of local knowledge and marketing expertise for furthering Jackson County’s tourism industry and kicking off its new slogan, “Play On.” “We’re all trying to do the same thing,” he said.

Smoky Mountain News

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER fter a split vote that followed nearly an hour of discussion, the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority hired three different marketing companies for a five-month period ending when the new fiscal year begins in June.

Over the next five months, the TDA will pay Myrtle Beach, S.C.-based Brandon Agency $100,000 to place ads and manage Jackson County’s overall branding while coordinating with Mary Ann Baker of Sylva-based INNsight Internet Marketing for a $10,000 social media contract and Atlanta-based Pineapple Advertising for a $12,000 contract to pitch articles to publications for non-paid advertising. In June, when the TDA looks to adopt a more permanent solution, it will be working with a year-long marketing budget of between $200,000 and $300,000. “(I’m) super excited,” said Robert Jumper, TDA chairman, in a follow-up interview. “It will give us the people who have experience with Jackson County and people who have experience with marketing who can move the ball forward.”

Of the board’s 16 voting members, 10 were present. While six of them favored hiring all three agencies, the other four were not so enthusiastic.

“It just seems like we worked all year trying to get this [marketing contract] through, and now all of a sudden we started backtracking on that,” said Mickey Luker, a TDA board member. “We had said at our last meetings that we were trying to get away from the piecemeals of it and come up with one plan.”

“One overall plan would be far better than all these little pieces,” said board member Merrily Teasley.

Teasley then moved to amend Jumper’s motion to hire all three companies to instead hire Brandon for all responsibilities except for social media, which she said should stay with INNsights. Because INNsights is local, it would be able to take photos for instant online posting, something non-local firms

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news

Jackson TDA hires trio of marketing firms for trial period

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news January 22-28, 2014

Changing of the guard in store for Haywood tourism board The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority will see unprecedented turnover on its board this month, with five of the 12 seats being filled by newcomers.

Haywood County commissioners will make the appointments this week. That part isn’t unusual. Every January in fact, four seats on the board come up for appointment. But the person in the seat sometimes seeks reappointment and remains on for another term.

But this time, term limits have caught up with three board members, forcing them off. A fourth has decided to step down despite being eligible for reappointment.

The fifth seat, held by Canton Town Manager Al Matthews, wasn’t technically up for appointment this year. But Matthews retired this month, creating a vacancy for that seat as well.

Two of the board members stepping down helped found the tourism authority 30 years ago — Matthews, who was Maggie Valley town manager at the time, and Cataloochee Ranch operator Alice Aumen.

“The complexion of the board will definitely change,” said Lynn Collins, executive director of the tourism authority.

The Haywood tourism board controls $1 million earmarked for tourism marketing and initiatives. The money is raised through a 4 percent tax on overnight lodging.

The commissioners will make the appointment Tuesday evening. Check www.smokymountainnews.com and click on this story to see who was named.

One applicant from each category will get picked.

Lodging business, with 20 units or more • Twinkle Patel, works in family business managing five large hotels in Haywood with a combined gross of $5 million.

• Ken Howle, Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center.

Smoky Mountain News

Lodging business, with 20 units or less • Angie Leatherwood, assistant manager of The Swag Country Inn in Jonathan Creek.

• Tammy Wight, owner of The Clarketon Motel in Maggie Valley.

Tourism industry, non-lodging • Michael Graham, owner of Juke Box Junction restaurant in Bethel • Gene Monson, owner of a purchasing coop for restaurants.

• Vicki Hyatt, editor of The Mountaineer.

• Scott McLeod, publisher of The Smoky Mountain News.

Canton and Clyde • Town of Clyde representative: pending recommendation from Clyde town board • Town of Canton representative: pending 14 recommendation from Canton town board

Stepping down Aumen’s departure marks end of an era for Haywood TDA

BY THE BOOT STRAPS

If Aumen had to point to a single turning point in the rise of prominence by the Haywood’s tourism industry, it would be the creation of the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority 30 years ago.

The idea was novel but simple. A self-imposed tax on overnight lodging would raise money for tourism marketing, and

Editor’s note: Alice Aumen has been a major voice in Haywood’s tourism landscape for more than half a century — as a founder of Cataloochee Ski Area, operator of the third-generation family-run Cataloochee Ranch and a leader in the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Longtime TDA board member But one of Aumen’s biggest marks has been with the Haywood County Alice Aumen is stepping down Tourism Development Authority. She after serving for nearly 30 years. helped start the county’s official Becky Johnson photo tourism arm 30 years ago and has served on its board for much of the past three decades.

As Aumen steps down from her long tenure on the tourism authority this month, The Smoky Mountain News asked her to reflect on the trials and triumphs she’s witnessed in the tourism industry.

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER t’s on the top rung of the mountain’s economy now, but not too long ago, tourism was on the outside looking in, relegated to the fringes of the mainstream power circles.

“If you mentioned tourism, they would pooh-pooh it as some kind of backwoods thing,” said Alice Aumen, who has been plying the tourist trade in Haywood County for more than 50 years. “That is the single largest difference that I have seen — that tourism is a major industry and is recognized as that.”

In reality, tourism has been a major industry in the mountains for decades. But it didn’t have the same respect or recognition. It was a red-headed step child, a second-class citizen, the low man on the totem pole.

The larger business community just didn’t grasp the true footprint of tourism. It goes beyond the standard multiplier effect.

Today’s tourist is tomorrow’s entrepreneur or home buyer, Aumen explained.

“People who come here on vacation first will then come back and invest in a home or start a business. They always visited here first,” Aumen said. “That was a hard message to get across.”

It’s a widely-understood paradigm now, but not always.

“Sometimes you really had to drag them kicking and screaming to that realization,” Aumen said.

Aumen was born into tourism, raised by one of the region’s earliest pioneers in the vacation trade. Her parents owned and ran Cataloochee Ranch, a rustic mountain-top dude ranch in Maggie Valley. She grew up watching well-heeled travelers from New York to Savannah make the journey to her parent’s Smoky Mountain retreat.

Aumen entered the front lines of tourism herself in 1961, lured by the new-fangled venture known as Cataloochee Ski Area.

Snowmaking was brand-new technology, and the family’s highelevation land seemed like a perfect candidate for a ski mountain — the first in North Carolina, in fact.

“That was so exciting and so new. It was hard, hard work but so much fun,” said Aumen. By the 1970s, she had picked up the reins of Cataloochee Ranch.

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in turn, hopefully, be used to lure more tourists.

The tourism magnates of Haywood championed the idea together, lobbying in Raleigh for the authority to impose a socalled “bed tax” on motels, hotels, resorts, inns and the like.

Haywood jumped on the same train as Buncombe and Mecklenburg counties—which were also seeking state approval for their own tourism authorities — and became one of the first three counties in the state to get into the game.

“It was really uncharted territory,” Aumen said. “We had some really forward-looking people.”

There was surprisingly little controversy or opposition to the tax, Aumen recalls.

“We just recognized the value of having any funds to do promotion with,” Aumen said.

When leaders in the tourism industry agreed to start taxing their own businesses, buying clout wasn’t the goal. They just wanted a revenue stream to help promote Haywood County as a destination — and in turn bolster their trade. But it seemed to help tourism claim its rightful seat at the table.

“The occupancy tax had a lot to do with it because all of a sudden there were dollars,” Aumen said. “Look at all the people lining up now to get a share of it.”

MASTERS OF THEIR OWN DESTINY

The tax tacked on to tourists’ hotel bill was seen as the ticket to self-determination. Deciding what to do with the money was another story, however.

“Whenever you have money, there is going to be friction. And all of a sudden you had this money coming in,” Aumen said.

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“Tom Raby Night,” a fundraiser and remembrance of a beloved coach who died of pancreatic cancer, will be held at the Franklin High School basketball games on Jan. 28 at the FHS gym.

Raby was a member of the first FHS Hall of Fame Class, inducted posthumously in 2012. A presentation by the FHS Athletic Boosters Club recognizing Raby’s accomplishments will be held between the girls’ and boys’ varsity game. All former players of Coach Raby (basketball and baseball; girls’ and boys’ teams) are encouraged to attend.

All fans are encouraged to wear purple, the color for pancreatic cancer, in memory of Raby. There will be drawings, “Slam

Dunk Cancer” shoot-outs, a “Crazy for a Cure Quarter Contests” and many other activities between games and at halftimes to raise money for and awareness of pancreatic cancer.

The majority of funds collected during “Tom Raby Night” will be designated for pancreatic cancer research, with a portion also being given locally to the Angel Cancer Center.

Checks should be made payable to the FHS Athletic Boosters Club, a tax-exempt organization.

Pre-K registration in Haywood Haywood County Schools is now registering students for the district’s pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) program.

Interested parents should call Jennifer Welch at

828.456.2400 and ask for the child’s name to be placed on the callback roster for the 2014–15 school year. This first step lets the school system know that the family is interested in Pre-K. Haywood County Schools has 72 Pre-K slots at four elementary schools available for the 2014-2015 school year. Having a child’s name on the callback roster does not guarantee placement in the program. Rather, it places the child on a list of students to be screened.

Parents will be called to register children for a specific screening time and date. Registration packets will be available at the central office located at 1230 North Main Street in Waynesville beginning March 17.

Children must be 4 years old on or before Aug. 31 to qualify for enrollment.

Smoky Mountain News

‘Tom Raby Night’ is Jan. 28 at FHS

January 22-28, 2014

“Hiring a director was a major turning Visitor demographics — what appeals to An attempt to raise the room tax again — from 4 to 6 percent — didn’t go over quite as point,” Aumen said. “The money had gotten them, why they visit Haywood and where well last year, however. The extra stream of significant enough, and the approach to adver- they come here from — have been studied extensively. revenue was going to be earmarked for tising and promotion was shifting so fast.”

Now, the tourism tax brings in almost $1 And the tourism authority learned sometourism attractions and venues.

Despite wide support among the tourism million. The TDA has a staff of four, plus a thing.

“The number one draw is industry and local government scenery. I don’t think we recogleaders, some mom-and-pop nized it until we did the motel owners in Maggie with research. You have a responsianti-tax sentiments bent the bility and challenge to preserve ear of Republican state legislathat and enhance it wherever tors and derailed the bill. possible,” Aumen said.

Aumen said it didn’t make In hindsight, it should sense. The mom-and-pop have been obvious that the motels in Maggie are strugmountains themselves are the gling due to shuttered or number one attraction — just severely dated tourist attraclike the beach is the top draw tions. They stood to gain the when visiting the beach. But most, yet defeated it. that asset wasn’t always at the “That’s why this extra 2 forefront in the early years of percent is just crucial to the the tourism authority. economic scene. They really “We were focused more on need product development,” things to do, not just coming Aumen said. to sit and enjoy the natural The state legislators told beauty,” Aumen said. the tourism board to find a Aumen credits Lynn way to get the naysayers on “I really think we need to renew the Collins, the executive director board before they’d support enticement for families. That’s your future of the tourism authority for it. Aumen thought back to the much of the past decade, with movement 30 years ago when generation of customers.” bringing a research-based the initial tax was proposed. approach to everything the Despite being a new concept, — Alice Aumen tourism authority now does. it wasn’t all that hard to get “Where you are getting through.

“I don’t remember us having to trot host of contracts with specialized firms in var- the bang for your buck?” Aumen said.

The research has revealed a major challenge around and do this major campaign,” Aumen ious advertising and marketing fields.

Today’s tourism strategy still includes that ahead, one the tourism industry suspected said. “There wasn’t all this concern about stalwart of any tourism arm — the visitors anecdotally that has now been crystallized. every constituent having to agree.” guide. And magazine ads are still ubiquitous, Retirees and empty-nesters comprise a disproshare of travelers to the mountains.

ONEY WHERE THEIR MOUTH IS too.But the comprehensive portfolio goes to portionate “I really think we need to renew the The aspirations of Aumen and others who creative branding campaigns, promotional enticement for families. That’s your future founded the tourism authority in 1983 were videos, visitor center operations, festival and generation of customers,” Aumen said. event underwriting, online marketing. The Kids who come to the mountains on fammodest to say the least.

“We thought ‘Gosh if it would raise tourism authority has an official to bill ily vacations today will come back with their Haywood as a movie filming location. own kids one day — something Aumen sees $20,000, wow,’” Aumen recalled.

The newest branding campaign by the play out at Cataloochee Ranch.

And their wish list wasn’t very deep: a “We have fourth generations coming vacation guide magazine and an ad in tourism authority promotes Haywood as an authentic travel destination. Homegrown in now,” Aumen said.

Southern Living.

Despite Aumen’s tenure on the tourism The tourism authority had no staff in Haywood plays up traditional music, crafts, authority — 30 years minus a short hiatus here those early years — figuring out what ads food, drink, culture and outdoor recreation.

Compared to those early years, when mar- and there — she was never stuck in the past. with what messages to run in what magazines “She was definitely an agent for change,” was up to an all-volunteer board made up of keting had more of a scatter-gun approach, advertising messages and campaigns today said Lynn Collins, the executive director of people in the local tourism industry.

“At first advertising was by the seat of rely heavily on studies and polling to ensure the tourism authority. “She was always at the effectiveness. forefront whenever we talked about wanting your pants,” Aumen said.

“Research is absolutely crucial,” Aumen to do something new or different.”

But by the mid-1990s, the TDA board real“That’s just in my nature,” Aumen said. ized it was time to hire an executive director. said.

news

The tug of war over the tourism dollars has waxed and waned over the past 30 years, but it has always been there — one of the constants through the decades.

Should marketing promote skiing, motorcycling, shopping, festivals or golfing? Should it tout bed and breakfasts, resorts, roadside motels or rental cabins?

But the most relentless quarrel in fHaywood County has been geographic: namely Maggie Valley versus Waynesville, with Canton making noise around the edges.

Thirty years ago, Maggie Valley was solidly in the driver’s seat of the tourism authority.

When Ghost Town was in its heyday and Cataloochee Ski Area bringing in winter visitors, it raked in a huge percentage of the room tax. But the playing field has slowly been evening out. Waynesville has become a tourist typhoon thanks primarily to its downtown renaissance, while Maggie’s appeal has declined with the closing of Ghost Town.

Still, the philosophical underpinning of the tourism tax was that a rising tide would lift all boats. Rather than competing against each other, the industry joined forces, collectively marketing the area as a destination in hopes of benefiting all.

Occasionally though, people would seek a seat on the tourism board out of self-interest and attempt to steer the tourism dollars for their own gain or pet project.

Some had a tit-for-tat obsession, exacerbating the inevitable turf skirmishes into outright battles.

“Only a few had the mindset, ‘Well, someone is going to get more than me,’” Aumen said.

And some were simply disruptive.

“You had grandstanders,” Aumen said.

But the past five years have been a period of relative calm and cooperation on the board. That’s not to say everyone in the tourism industry has been completely happy with how the tourism board divvies up the money — for example, the tourism authority caught flack for cutting chamber of commerce visitors centers and opening its own visitor centers instead.

But among the board itself, the factionalism and infighting that marked the previous decade, often landing the tourism authority in an unflattering media spotlight, has subsided. But that’s not a coincidence.

The tug of war over tourism dollars was placated by increasing the tax from 3 to 4 percent several years ago. As hoped, a bigger pot of money to go around miraculously abated some of the money fights.

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Business

Smoky Mountain News

HRMC labor and delivery unit to be remodeled The Haywood Regional Medical Foundation has donated $400,000 to MedWest Haywood for a remodel of the fourth floor, which includes the Women’s Care Unit and Progressive Care Unit.

Work is underway “We are so grateon the fourth floor ful to the HRMC of Haywood Foundation for makRegional Medical ing this remodel posCenter. Donated photo sible,” said Janie Sinacore-Jaberg, President and CEO of MedWest Haywood. “We know our patients and visitors, as well as our staff, physicians and volunteers will really enjoy being in the new units when they are complete. As we move through the exciting transition that lies ahead of us, this is one more indication that our community supports their hospital.”

Recent sizeable donations by the Haywood Regional Medical Center Foundation included $3 million to fund The Homestead Hospice Center and $265,000 to help build the new Outpatient Care Center on the campus of MedWest Haywood.

“The board’s mission and function is to promote fundraising in support of the hospital,” said Laura Leatherwood, Chair of the HRMC Foundation. “It’s mutually beneficial and helps our community in so many ways.”

WCU grant to bolster industrial engineering Western Carolina University is the recipient of a $500,000 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation to help expand engineering education across Western North Carolina through a partnership with regional community colleges.

The funding will support WCU’s efforts to ensure a seamless transition for community college students who want to earn four-year degrees in engineering through the implementation of engineering pathway courses at community colleges.

“These funds also will greatly assist us in our work with our community college partners to develop short-term training courses to meet the immediate needs of industry in the region,” said James Zhang, dean of WCU’s Kimmel School of Construction Management and Technology.

Funds from the foundation also will enable the acquisition of a new piece of equipment – a selective laser melting apparatus – that will enable students to gain hands-on experience working with 3-D printers that are capable of creating metal prototypes of objects, adding to WCU’s current inventory of 3-D printers that create prototypes in plastic and resins.

The equipment will be housed in the universi-

Grant to bring advanced manufacturing training to Swain The Golden LEAF Foundation and Duke Energy recently funded a trio of advanced manufacturing training grants, totaling $1.3 million, to Southwestern Community College and several partners.

The funding has ensured that ConMet and other manufacturers throughout Western North Carolina can locally train their employees on the latest technology.

Community partners throughout Swain, Jackson and Macon counties include ConMet, DuoTech Services, TekTone, Franklin Tubular, Jackson Paper, Caterpillar, Hometex and Shaw Industries.

Don Tomas, president of SCC, said the three grants mark the first three phases in an effort to close skills gaps identified by area industries.

“We’re excited about the partnerships we’ve created and communication lines we’ve opened,” Tomas said. “Receiving these grants is a gamechanger for SCC and our service area.”

Elements of the grants include: • $860,000 from Golden LEAF to install the equipment at the Swain County Regional Education and Training Center for workers and students to learn advanced manufacturing skills such as electronics and robotics.

• $220,000 from Golden LEAF for advanced manufacturing training equipment to be housed in the Swain County

ty’s Center for Rapid Product Realization, which provides technical assistance to companies, organizations and entrepreneurs through faculty expertise and hands-on learning activities for students.

Haywood Chamber series to tackle common business challenges A Small Business Development Series offered through the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce will offer five workshops between now and May to assist business owners with the challenges of sustaining and growing a business.

Participants will gain knowledge from expert presenters, local business owners, and most importantly, each other.

A survey of new and experienced business owners by the chamber revealed that most businesses have similar challenges: the need for capital, cash flow, marketing, human resources and technology, to name a few. The Business Development Series was created as a means of addressing these needs, using resources from the Chamber’s membership base and other local business owners in Western North Carolina.

The series is free for chamber members.

Golden LEAF and Duke Energy recently gave out grants for manufacturing training. Donated photo

Regional Business Education and Training Center.

• $250,000 from Duke Energy to help equip SCC’s Jackson Campus for certificate, diploma and degree programs in computer engineering technology, electronics/electrical technology and robotics.

• A STEM (science-technology-engineering-math) education coordinator will be hired by Swain County Schools to help high school students enter this education and training pathway.

The first session was held Tuesday. For future sessions, see www.haywoodchamber.com or 828.456.3021.

tional $89,000 in Haywood County. The economic activity generated from Folkmoot USA supports 101 jobs in Haywood as well as $1 million in additional tax revenues. www.folkmootusa.org or 877.365.5872.

Study finds Folkmoot has big financial footprint KARE gets grant for A recent economic impact study revealed medical evaluations that $9.2 million was spent in Western North Carolina last year during Folkmoot USA, North of abused children Carolina’s official international festival based in Waynesville. Tom Tveidt of SYNEVA Economics assessed Folkmoot’s impact by tracking festival spending “as it moved through the local economy,” Tveidt said. The study, which tracked overnight and outside day-trip visitors, measured the role Folkmoot had in supporting jobs, adding income and generating tax revenues.

“We are thrilled that our efforts to bring the world’s cultures to Western North Carolina have a positive economic impact on communities,” said Folkmoot Executive Director Karen Babcock. “The $9.2 million impact has far exceeded all expectations.”

The economic study included the Western North Carolina region but focused on Haywood County, showing that Folkmoot’s overnight visitors spent $6.6 million during their visit. Outside day-trippers spent an addi-

The Evergreen Foundation has awarded a grant to KARE (Kids Advocacy and Resource Effort) that will allow victims of child abuse to have a medical evaluation at the KARE house in Waynesville, a more child-friendly setting than a hospital.

“Providing the forensic interviews and child medical evaluations at KARE means less time, less travel and less traumatic impact on the child victim of abuse,” said Julie Schroer, KARE director.

Evergreen funding will provide the funds for an examination room, training of the medical practitioner and for the evaluations. KARE provides critical crisis intervention for child victims of abuse, neglect and sexual abuse in Haywood County. Last year, KARE served about 200 children.

828.456.8995.

Business notes • A retirement reception for Becky Olson, the executive director of the Good Samaritan Clinic of Jackson County, will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at the old Sylva Medical Center in Harris Medical Park. She spent more than 40 years in healthcare in North Carolina and has been affiliated with The Good Samaritan Clinic since its inception in 2001. 828.631.8716.

• “Best Practices for Motivating Employees” will be held at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Laurel Ridge Country Club as part of the Haywood Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Issues and Eggs series. Guest speaker will be David Jones, Ph. D of Lenoir-Rhyne University. Pre-register at 828.456.3021, www.haywoodchamber.com.

• Elizabeth Wark has joined Western Carolina University’s College of Health and Human Sciences as the director of clinical affairs.

Wark will cultivate, develop and oversee academic and clinical collaboration with private health care companies and practices, providing training and instruction for students and cross-employment for faculty. etwark@wcu.edu.

• Drake Enterprises of Franklin has donated a laptop to be given away to a Southwestern Community College student who attends three or more of the 11 career seminars the college hosts throughout the school year.

828.339.4212 or p_kirkley@southwesterncc.edu.

• General surgeon Bill Sims and Amy Sims, N.P., of Mountain Valley Surgery in Sylva, are now seeing patients on the second and fourth Fridays of every month at WestCare Medical Park of Franklin. 828.586.3976.

• Adam Ray, a Western Carolina University senior from Cullowhee, was given the university’s first Lily Community Engagement Award for his service to his community.

• Champion Credit Union in Canton is adding a new Member Solutions Center with five employees dedicated to handling telephone customer service inquiries, which have seen an increase in volume as a result of overall growth for the financial institution in the past few years.

• The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority has a series of promotional videos featuring Big John and his favorite spots to relax and have fun. The videos are at www.visitncsmokies.com/galleries.

• Dr. Ron Fisher, a physician and Western North Carolina hospice and palliative care pioneer, was honored at a recent retirement party by his peers and colleagues for his 27 years of distinguished service.

• The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority has officially revived the Haywood County Film Commission in an effort to promote TV, film and movie production in Haywood County. www.haywoodcountytourismdevelopment.com/haywood-county-filmcommission

• The Folk, Round and Square Dance Federation of North Carolina has donated $1,000 to Angel Hospice.

• Cellular Sales, the nation’s largest premium Verizon Wireless retailer, opened a new store at 1409 E. Main Street in Sylva. “We recognize the process of selecting a new wireless plan, choosing a new phone and activating

• Dean Trader, assistant finance director, and Police Chief Bill Hollingshead were named employees of the year by the Town of Waynesville.

• Kostas Restaurant donated 10 percent of its sales from Saturday, Jan. 18, to the Hope Fund, which provides financial assistance to students in Southwestern Community College’s service area, who want to improve literacy skills while developing career and employability skills.

• Town of Waynesville employees held a “Firemen’s Boot Drive” in the parking lots of Ingles and Walmart last month to collect food and money to help replenish the food pantry at Haywood Christian Ministry. The drive netted $2,687.66 and one truckload of food items.

Smoky Mountain News

• Applications to enter the Macon County Business Plan competition are due Monday, Feb. 3. The competition, with a grand prize of $5,000, is open to anyone who wants to start a business or who wants to expand a business into a new area. A series of free workshops will walk entrepreneurs through the ins and outs of starting a business. www.maconedc.com.

January 22-28, 2014

• Timberwolf Creek Bed and Breakfast in Maggie Valley was named a Guest Favorite for 2013 by BnBFinder, a worldwide online search guide for B&Bs and inns. It’s the inn’s second consecutive Guest Favorite Award, having also received the honor last year. www.bnbfinder.com/timberwolf.

service on a new device is intimidating to some people,” said Scott Love, regional director for Cellular Sales. www.cellularsales.com.

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

Plan for teacher raises a bone of contention

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Education is alternative to killing more bears

To the Editor: The changes in the five-year black bear management plan currently being proposed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission puts major emphasis on killing and relaxed hunting regulations of our valued bears with little or no options dedicated to bear education as a viable alternative. Killing continues to be the preferred wildlife management route pursued by NCWRC officials with little emphasis on addressing the public’s role in creating wildlife issues. I, along with many other North Carolina wildlife advocates, oppose the “killing of more black bears management philosophy” and feel major consideration should also be given to alternatives such as educating the public regarding their role in living safely with black bears.

The American Bear Association is dedicated to promoting the welfare of the black bear through education. It would be prudent to examine their philosophy, which many black bear advocates would like to see emphasized in North Carolina. They state, “We need to live with our wildlife neighbors as more people move into their habitat. A tolerant attitude is particularly critical for those living in bear country. Careless human behavior can create so-called ‘nuisance bears’ and too often bears are shot unnecessarily.”

Despite the strong “kill more bears” recommendations by NCWRC officials, regarding management, many wildlife advocates

Indeed. The collaborative atmosphere that is such a vital part of public education — whether it’s working together on school-wide projects or developing a plan to help an individual student — is in danger of going up in smoke.

As an exclamation point to a pay raise deal that nearly every educator of any political stripe thinks is garbage, lawmakers inserted a little extra dose of public indignity — if you’re lucky enough to get chosen to receive the money, your name gets put in the public record for all to see and, if you take the money, you sign away the job protection rights commonly called tenure. Instead, you must agree to annual employment contracts.

Editor Imagine how this could play out.

Teacher Jane Doe, married to factory worker making $60,000 a year, is close to retirement and not really putting much into her job. In fact, she’s gotten lazy.

However, she doesn’t need the money but wants to protect her job. She says no thank you, I’m not signing away my tenure rights. However, 26-year-old Jane Smith, single and paying back college loans, needs the money. She signs away her tenure rights for the money, but as everyone in her school knows she is a teaching superstar who does more for her students than anyone would have thought possible.

Under this scenario, the school system just got the right the

Scott McLeod

he ramifications of one particularly disturbing directive passed in the last session of the General Assembly is unfolding right now in every county in North Carolina, and it promises to provide some spirited political drama that just about no one saw coming when it passed.

Legislative leaders decided they would provide meager pay raises of $2,000 over four years — yes, a whopping $500 a year — to 25 percent of teachers in each of the state’s school systems. The lawmakers decided it was best to leave it up to each school system to decide how to conjure up a fair formula to decide which teachers would get a raise and which wouldn’t.

Never mind that comparing elementary school counselors to high school AP history teachers might prove difficult, just as it might be to compare exceptional children’s teachers to those who teach low-level ninth-grade English. Who deserves to get a raise? And, if the criteria a school system sets means that just 20 percent of teachers make the grade, how do you choose which other 5 percent get a raise? Pull names out of a hat?

Superintendents and school boards are struggling right now to figure out how to do this without getting most of their staff pissed off. So far, the task is proving difficult.

“It is impacting teachers, so we want them to be part of this process. We want to develop a sound, reasonable process and then implement it,” said Bill Nolte, assistant superintendent in Haywood County.

“This has the potential of having people working against each other,” he added.

LOOKING FOR OPINIONS The Smoky Mountain News encourages readers to express their opinions through letters to the editor or guest columns. All viewpoints are welcome. Send to Scott McLeod at info@smokymountainnews.com., fax to 828.452.3585, or mail to PO Box 629, Waynesville, NC, 28786. specifically oppose extending the bear hunting season and increasing bag limits. This proposal fails to address positive education factors that could also have an impact on undesirable bear-human contact. The majorities of the general public feel bears are an important part of our mountain landscape and enrich our quality of life.

Where employed, black bear education has proved to drastically decrease black bear incidences. Organizations already exist in North Carolina which are qualified to assist communities and individuals regarding how to follow “bear safe” practices that have successfully reduced incidences and contact with our black bear neighbors. By educating the public regarding food sources, pets and behavior of black bears, issues can be dramatically reduced.

As a concerned full-time resident who lives in black bear country, I see far less black bear activity and few incidences that call for such a radical killing of more bears. I would like to urge NCWRC management officials and our

fire Jane — the superstar — on a whim if it so chooses.

Perhaps she gave the school board chairman’s child an “F” in a class he needed to pass in order to keep playing on the football team. Each school board now gets to approve the raises, and they also get to approve the contracts. Sounds like a potential to the return to the days of good ol’ boy politics to me, where those elected to political office get final approval on contracts.

And, under this scenario, the best teachers sign away job protections while the marginal educators not offered raises still keep tenure. Hmmm, that’s a little bass-ackwards.

The more lawmakers try to make schools like a business, the more problems they create. Over the next few months, I’ll be watching closely to see how administrators handle this, how teachers deal with the fallout, and how the public and politicians react.

Some are already letting their thoughts be known. Lynn Milner, a former Haywood County principal and now a school board member whom I’ve admired for years, said the newspaper couldn’t quote what she had to say about these raises. I’d still like to hear those thoughts.

Jackson County Superintendent Mike Murray, however, came up with a fitting analogy we can print.

It’s “‘The Hunger Games’ of incentive packages,” he told a reporter.

Step up. Who wants to be chosen for the games?

(Scott McLeod can be reached at info@smokymountainnews.com.)

legislators to seriously consider education opportunities rather than just more killing as an option. Many feel the black bear is a highly valued symbol of the wildness and is a fascinating part of mountain living. In a variety of positive ways, bears touch the lives of residents, visitors and part-time homeowners in Western North Carolina. For many, educating the public regarding how to live safely in bear country is certainly an alternative that should be considered in the NCWRC five-year black bear management plan.

John Edwards Director of Mountain Wildlife Days Cashiers

Awards deserve a little more comment To the Editor: I always look forward to the “Awards” issue of The Smoky Mountain News. May I make three short observations?

The “It’s all fun and games until ...” award had one oversight. The unfortunate elk did not “have” to be euthanized, it was just the easiest way out for park officials. There is a behind-the-scenes effort currently under way to prevent a repeat of the unnecessary killing of an elk whose only sin is being friendly.

The “One Size Fits All” award (this year) would have been more appropriately named “There’s a fool born every minute” award. To hire and pay a “branding firm” $50,000 to come up with an inane phrase like “Play On”

says a lot about Jackson County’s Tourism Authority ... basically that their breads not fully baked. Any third- or fourth-grade class could have done better, and for a lot less largess.

And once again I failed to make the awards list. How about the “Most unwelcome lettersto-the-editor” award?

David L. Snell Dillsboro

Weaker slope law could lead to lawsuits To the Editor: After reading the Jan. 15 edition and seeing continued plans to weaken the present Steep Slope Ordinance in Jackson County (www.smokymountainnews.com/news/item/ 12322), I am reminded of the letter below that I wrote last year. The facts and issues appear unchanged. So that everyone understands possible consequences, it cost me $25,000 to clear and repair the mudslide damage on my property.

Here’s the earlier letter:

This is an open letter to our planning committee and county commissioners.

Things to consider: 1) We have an existing Steep Slope Ordinance.

2) Mudslides are not covered by insurance in N.C. 3) Changes being considered to make the

On the way to an imperial presidency

Keystone Pipeline could help economy To the Editor: Are you concerned if you are in your 50s or late 40s that the Social Security fund could run out of money too soon?

In December, only 74,000 people found jobs, and some of those may have been parttime jobs. The U.S. is going into the sixth year of high unemployment. Millions have left the workforce, which means they have not been putting money into the fund.

Employers only pay into the fund when people are employed.

Yet thousands of people could have been working building the Keystone Pipeline and drilling for oil and natural gas. We could have been well on our way to being energy self-sufficient. Instead of putting millions on welfare and food stamps, we could have hired people to build roads and bridges. We will never be able to recover all of the lost money that could have gone into the Social Security fund had we put people to work.

In November, let’s elect people who believe in putting people to work. Keeping Social Security solvent should be a high priority, especially if you are counting on it.

Jim Mueller Glenville

GOP leaders should provide emails

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

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

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

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

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

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

Open Monday through Friday. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Fresh-cut salads; slow-

simmered soups; flame grilled burgers and steaks, and homemade signature desserts.

Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily.

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

BOGART’S 35 East Main St., Sylva. 828.586.6532.

Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Serving classic American food and drink in a casual environment. Daily lunch and dinner specials. Children’s menu available. Call for catering quotes. Private room available for large parties. Accepts MC/Visa, Discover and American Express.

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

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

BREAKING BREAD CAFÉ 6147 Hwy 276 S. Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station) 828.648.3838 Tuesday through

SUPER BOWL XLVIII

SUNDAY, FEB. 2 JOIN US IN THE TAP ROOM FROM 5:30PM TO 10:30PM FOR THE BEST WINGS AND PIZZA IN TOWN

Smoky Mountain News

To the Editor: Everybody wants transparency in government — everybody except our Republican legislators in Raleigh. Last year, they passed the most repressive voter suppression law in the nation, arguing that it would eliminate the almost-nonexistent voter fraud in North Carolina. Now they don’t want us to know how they came to the conclusion that suppressing voters is a good idea.

The state is being sued simultaneously by a civil rights group and the federal Justice Department to negate the law on the basis that it discriminates against young people and non-white people. To establish this intent, both plaintiffs want copies of the emails that the legislators sent back and forth to each other prior to enacting the law.

However, Republican legislators are resisting turning over their emails.

Correspondence — including emails, letters, notes, and recordings — between public officials conducting public business is a public record, subject to public scrutiny.

So, the question now is what do the Republican legislators have to hide? Like Nixon guarding his Watergate tapes, are they afraid that their candid remarks will reveal their true nature?

Rick Bryson Bryson City

tasteTHEmountains

January 22-28, 2014

To the Editor: This is what President Barack Obama said this week: “Where I can act on my own without Congress, I’m going to do so.”

“I’ve got a pen, and I’ve got a phone. And I can use that pen to sign executive orders and take executive actions ... and I’ve got a phone that allows me to convene Americans from every walk of life.”

What in-your-face remarks those are!

Imagine that! Barack Obama will act to make or change laws without Congress!

Maybe he thinks we like that? Not so, Mr. President. These are arrogant, disgraceful statements made by a president of the United States.

Barack Obama is saying he will do what is not allowed by the U.S. Constitution to further his own agenda. He is saying that the officials we elected to the United States Congress are of no matter to him. He is disdainful and demeaning to every member of Congress and therefore to we the people.

Congress makes laws, the President signs or does not sign the bills into law. That is how it works, according to the U.S Constitution. We the people elect our senators and representatives to participate in congressional lawmaking according, we hope, to our wishes and direction. The President works with Congress to make compromises or to convince the majority of members of Congress to see the issue his way.

The President of the United States does not change laws on his own, as Obama has done repeatedly, especially regarding Obamacare. Allowing businesses to delay their participation for a year, granting different rules for different groups of people, and changing the rules for insurance company allowed policies are only a few of the changes Obama has made to the Obamacare law.

I urge readers to contact members of Congress and ask: “Does Congress have what it takes to face up to tyrant Barack Obama?”

If the answer is “Yes,” what is the action the House and Senate will and can take to reverse the results of the unconstitutional and unlawful actions by President Obama? If the answer is “No” and Congress cannot or will not stop a President from actions that

make and change our laws, then we are doomed to imperial presidencies and Congress should go on permanent recess.

Carol Adams Glenville

opinion

present ordinance more “user friendly” could weaken it.

4) We live in an increasingly litigious society.

My question is as follows: if someone loses his/her home to a mudslide in Jackson County that might not have occurred except for a weakened Steep Slope Ordinance, will our county tax dollars be used to defend present Planning Board members and County Commissioners or will these individuals be responsible for their own defense?

This issue has become even more personal to me as I pay thousands of dollars to clean up a mudslide on my property that is not covered by homeowner’s insurance.

Craig N. Green Sylva

176 Country Club Dr. 828.456.3551 224-37

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Café

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

bbcafenc.com • 828.648.3838 Mon.-Fri. 8-5 • Closed: Sat. & Sun.

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tasteTHEmountains Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (takeout only 5 to 6 p.m.) Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Serving Mediterranean style foods; join us for weekly specials. We roast our own ham, turkey and roast beef just like you get on Thanksgiving to use in our sandwiches. Try our chicken, tuna, egg and pasta salads made with gluten free mayo. Enjoy our variety of baked goods made daily: muffins, donuts, cinnamon buns and desserts.

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

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

Dinner is served from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in winter and includes pot roast, Virginia ham or herb-baked chicken, complemented with an assortment of seasonal vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer a fine selection of wine and beer. Lunch is served on the same days from 12 to 2 p.m.

Smoky Mountain News

January 22-28, 2014

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

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

CITY BAKERY 18 N. Main St. Waynesville 828.452.3881.

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

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

Private room available for meetings.

CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

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

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

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

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

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

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

CORK & CLEAVER 176 Country Club Drive, Waynesville.

828.456.7179. Reservations recommended.

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

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

828.926.1820 Open Daily 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., closed Tuesday. Family Style at Country Vittles is not a buffet. Instead our waitresses will bring your food piping hot from the kitchen right to your table and as many refills as you want. So if you have a big appetite, but sure to ask your waitress about our family style service.

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

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

Tuesday-Saturday. Father and son team Frank and Louis Perrone cook up dinners steeped in Italian tradition. With recipies passed down from generations gone by, the Perrones have brought a bit of Italy to Maggie Valley. frankiestrattoria.com FRYDAY’S & SUNDAES 24 & 26 Fry St., Bryson City (Next To The

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

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

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

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

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

HERREN HOUSE 94 East St., Waynesville 828.452.7837.

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

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

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

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

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Smoky Mountain News 828.452.4251 www.smokymountainnews.com 20

Train Depot). 828.488.5379. Frydays is open; but closed on Wednesdays. Sundaes is open 7 days a week. Fryday’s is known for its Traditional English Beer Battered Fish & Chips, but also has burgers, deep fried dogs, gyro, shrimp, bangers, Chip Butty, chicken, sandwiches & a great kids menu. Price friendly, $3-$10, Everything available to go or call ahead takeout. Sundaes has 24 rotating flavors of Hershey's Ice Cream making them into floats, splits, sundaes, shakes. Private seating inside & out for both locations right across from the train station & pet friendly.

5-course dinner w/beers from Tipping Point

Saturday, Jan. 25 • 6 pm $40/person + tax & gratuity 15% off this week

94 East St. • Waynesville

828-452-7837 www.herrenhouse.com

68585

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

tasteTHEmountains open year-round. Children always welcome.

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

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

JUKEBOX JUNCTION U.S. 276 and N.C. 110 intersection, Bethel. 828.648.4193. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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

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.

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

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

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

LUCIO'S RESTAURANT 313 Highlands Road, Franklin.

828.369.6670. Serving Macon County since 1984. Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. Lunch Wednesday-Friday 11:30 a.m. until.Dinner Wednesday-Saturday 5 p.m. until. Owned and operated by Tanya and Dorothy Gamboni. Serving authentic Italian and continental cuisine including appetizers, pastas, poultry, veal, seafood, steaks and homemade deserts. Selection of wine and beer. Lunch and Dinner menus.

Wednesday and Thursday nights only. 1 appetizer and 2 selected entrées with unlimited salad and Lucio’s famous garlic rolls for $24.95. Winter Special: half-off house wines, Friday and Saturday only. luciosnc.com

PATIO BISTRO 30 Church Street, Waynesville.

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

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

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.

MOVIE NIGHT!

JAN 23: “CRAIG’S LIST JOE” ITALIAN

JANUARY. 24: MUSIC 7PM

MEDITERRANEAN

STEAKS • PIZZA CHICKEN • SEAFOOD SANDWICHES OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER 7 DAYS A WEEK 1863 S. MAIN ST. WAYNESVILLE 828.454.5002 HWY. 19/23 EXIT 98

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.

THE WINE BAR 20 Church Street, downtown Waynesville.

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

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

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.

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

CityLightsCafe.com

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ARTISAN BREADS & PASTRIES

OUR SANDWICHES

FRIDAY JANUARY 24TH

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SATURDAY JANUARY 25TH

Bobby Sullivan 83 Asheville Hwy. Sylva Music Starts @ 9 • 631.0554

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Burgers to Salads Southern Favorites & Classics Live Music on the Patio Tues.-Fri. Call to see who’s playing.

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

MON.-THURS. 11 A.M.-9 P.M. • FRI. & SAT. 11 A.M.-10 P.M. SUNDAY BRUNCH 11 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M. 224-44

FRESH BAKED BREAD DAILY BREAKFAST • LUNCH TAKE-OUT • EAT-IN CATERING FEATURING: Scratch-Made Fresh Daily Breads • Biscuits Bagels • Cakes • Pies Pastries • Soups Salads • Sandwiches

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Fair Trade Coffee & Espresso

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

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

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

We’ll feed your spirit, too.

Smoky Mountain News

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

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

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

DIVERGENT

UPCOMING EVENTS

-Local beers now on draftMAGGIE VALLEY CLUB 1819 Country Club Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

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

THURSDAYS: SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS

January 22-28, 2014

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

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

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

Reservations appreciated.

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Cataloochee Ranch 119 Ranch Drive, Maggie Valley, NC 28751 | CataloocheeRanch.com | (828)926-1401

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A&E

Smoky Mountain News

Native art

Bill Eleazer bronze comes home to Waynesville 30 years later

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER early 30 years after Bill Eleazer put the finishing touches on “Chasing Tadpoles,” a multi-piece bronze sculpture of three children playing in a pond, the former Tuscola High School art teacher’s work has come home to Waynesville. The only question is, where in town should it go?

“This is the cart before the horse for us now,” said David Blevins, a Waynesville Public Art Commission member who is spearheading the project.

Usually, the commission, which since its formation in 2006 has raised private donations to purchase and install five pieces of public art around town, first identifies artappropriate sites and then searches for the pieces to match.

“Now,” Blevins said, “we have the actual pieces and we have to work backwards to find the location.”

The reversal of the norm stems from a remodeling project at Asheville’s Biltmore Square Mall. As part of the building’s conversion from an indoor mall to an outdoor one, it’s getting rid of the sculptures that decorate its halls. The mall offered Eleazer’s work to the art commission, and last week Blevins traveled with members of Waynesville’s Public Services Department to extract the statue.

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“It was a little bit surrealistic for some of the mallwalkers as we came rolling in with an excavator,” Blevins told the town board at their Jan. 14 meeting.

With the weight of the bronze and the stones they are attached to combined, the three sculptures, named Kristin, Luke and Brian, weighed between 300 and 400 pounds each. The crew got them to Waynesville, but now they’re waiting in the The search is currently underway in Waynesville for a permabasement of the old town nent location for the “Chasing Tadpoles” sculpture recently hall until the art commission acquired by the Waynesville Public Art Commission. Donated photos can find a place to put them.

That’s not as simple a place the sculptures, and those results will task as it sounds, Blevins said. Preferably, they’ll find a suitable place on town property also influence the final decision.

“Based on the amount of space (Eleazer’s rather than on private, but the right location idea) takes, we’ll get into the details of must be somewhere people are unlikely to where,” Blevins said. stumble and hurt themselves on it, contain But “Chasing Tadpoles” will not be the enough space and visibility to display the only sculpture that the mall’s remodeling three 4- to 5-foot statues in an aesthetically effort will bring to Waynesville. After the appealing way, and be in the public eye to crew removed Eleazer’s work, the mall keep the risk of vandalism to a minimum. offered the town a marble sculpture called “The price of metal is so high there have “La Femme,” a 6.5-foot-tall piece by Myron been events where pieces were hauled off Gauger that depicts a contemporary-style and sold as scrap metal,” Blevins said.

Eleazer is sketching some ideas of how to version of a woman’s head. At its Jan. 14

Get artistic with your dollars Though the town of Waynesville collaborates with the art commission — and sometimes, as when excavating “Chasing Tadpoles,” provides labor for the commission’s projects — private donations pay to purchase and install the pieces. “Chasing Tadpoles” and “La Femme” were donated, but the commission will still have to come up with the money to install them.

To donate to the commission, drop off a check made out to the Waynesville Public Art Commission at Waynesville Town Hall. For more information or to donate a piece of art, contact chairwoman Ann Melton at 828.452.2500.

meeting, the town board reached a consensus to accept this statue and any others as they come available.

Moving that statue will be even more difficult than it was to retrieve “Chasing Tadpoles” — 6.5 feet of Tennessee marble and 2.5 feet of granite pedestal combine to make La Femme “one heavy babe,” Blevins said — but he believes the effort of transporting, locating and raising funds to install the two sculptures will be well worth it.

“I don’t believe there are any other mountain communities around that have five pieces of monument-size public art,” he said, adding that the strong presence of art in the community is just one more contributor to making Waynesville a such pleasant place to live.

And, hopefully, to visit.

“Every time somebody takes a picture in front of one of these sculptures, they take it home and show their friends and neighbors,” he said. “That message just goes out like ripples in a pond.”

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

Drive-By Truckers play Asheville Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

David McClister photo

I

WCU music department returns to HART The opera “The Secret Marriage” will be performed at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 26, at the Haywood Arts Regional Theater in Waynesville. The performance will be presented by the Music Department of Western Carolina University.

The young couple Carolina and Paulino have fallen in love and secretly married. But Carolina’s father, a wealthy merchant, in a scheme to raise their social standing, has promised her to Count

SMN: What does it means to be a rock-nroll band in the modern music industry?

MC: I think the music industry has changed for the better. Not as many people are getting rich but more people are making a living. Now, if playing honest rock and roll is what you are all about, all the middle men that created a rich or nothing environment are out of the way and your “artistic thing” can actually be your day job. If only more industries could collapse with those kinds of results.

TAMI RASMUSSEN

will present her new mystery, Murmur, on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 3 p.m.

3 EAST JACKSON STREET • SYLVA

828/586-9499 • citylightsnc.com

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SMN: The Truckers are celebrating 18 years together in 2014. What does that number mean to you?

MC: It doesn’t seem like 18 years, but longevity was one of our goals from the beginning, so I guess in rock-n-roll years, it’s a goal accomplished. But I hope to keep celebrating for a lot longer.

Editor’s Note: Drive-By Truckers will be performing at The Orange Peel in Asheville on Jan. 31 with T. Hardy Morris and Feb. 1 with Promise Land Sound. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door for each show. www.drivebytruckers.com.

Robinson. The plot is further complicated by Carolina’s aunt who loves Paulino herself. The production will feature WCU students on stage and in the orchestra.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. www.harttheatre.com.

• “Smokey Joe’s Café,” a song and dance revue of hit tunes from the rock ’n’ roll era before The Beatles, will take the stage at 5 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 26, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University. Tickets for the show are $20 for adults, $15 for WCU faculty and staff and $5 for students and children. 828.227.2479 or www.bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

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Smoky Mountain News

On the stage

SMN: A lot of Truckers songs spin tales about those either at a crossroads in their sometimes-messed up lives or simply forgotten by society. What is the importancc of using your music to tell these tales, rather than about the usual industry topics like sex, drugs and rock-n-roll?

MC: There is actually a lot of sex, drugs and rock and roll in our material. We just put them in the context of lives that I think are more interesting than ours.

Bookstore

January 22-28, 2014

HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5

f Keith Richards had been born below the Mason-Dixon Line, his name might have been Mike Cooley.

Indigo will be performing at 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at Lead guitarist for the Drive-By Tipping Point Brewing in Waynesville.

Truckers, Cooley has more in common with The Rolling Stones legend than just both being sixThe Cullowhee fire victims fundraiser will take string aces. Cooley is the coplace during the WCU men’s basketball game founder of the Truckers, a at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Ramsey Regional snarling rock-n-roll quintet that Activity Center. has slowly and steadily overtaken Brad Boulet & Friends will play at 7 p.m. Jan. the American music scene with 25 at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. its own brand of Southern hospitality. It is a tone that includes grab-you-by-the-throat guitar Red June hits the stage at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at riffs, hard-as-nails lyrical subjects the Highlands Performing Arts Center. and a stage presence that feels like you’re in the middle of a thunderstorm in the Southern The Burns Night Beer Dinner with Tipping Appalachian backcountry.

Point Brewing will be at 6 p.m. Jan. 25 at the And with that full throttle Herren House in Waynesville. urgency of the Truckers comes and why 18 years together is only the begintheir latest release, “English Oceans.” The first single off the album, “Pauline Hawkins,” ning for the Truckers. carries the torch nicely from their previous Smoky Mountain News: “English recordings. Named after a fictional female character in Willy Vlautin’s novel “The Free,” Oceans” took two weeks to record. What about that “pound it out” recording style the melody is a stripped down, seductive lends itself to the creative process? piano, drums and guitar number — perfectMike Cooley: I think two weeks is actually capturing the hardships and day-to-day ly plenty of time if the songs are already pretlife of a woman that won’t be defeated. ty well developed. However, it depends on Cooley recently spoke with The Smoky the type of project and what your goals are. I Mountain News about “English Oceans,” just think there’s a point with anything being a band in a modern music industry,

SMN: I look at the Truckers as much as storytellers as musicians. Where do you find that line where the words and tone balance out?

MC: The balance between the story and the song is more about knowing where to quit. What you want to say can’t become more important than the result, which is still sounding like a song. If it’s in fact going to be a song, then it still has to fit into a musical framework. I focus more on what the story looks like than the narrative and start by describing what I see.

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arts & entertainment

This must be the place

where you’re dragging it out too long and beating it to death. It yields a more polished album, but removes all the life and inspiration: Exhibit A — The Eagles.

828.452.3848

www.sunburstmarket.com www.facebook.com/sunburstmarket

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Altrusa Soup & Cornbread scholarship fundraiser

A fundraiser for victims of the recent WCU fire will be Jan. 23 in Cullowhee.

Mark Haskett photo

The Altrusa Club will host its 17th annual Soup & Cornbread Benefit Scholarship Fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville.

The lunch or dinner will include homemade soup (vegetable or potato), fresh cornbread, a beverage and a choice of homemade dessert. Altrusa International of Waynesville is part of an international organization. Founded in 1917, Altrusa is a volunteer service organization of business and professional leaders, dedicated to improving their communities by personal service.

Since 1991, more than $100,000 in scholarship funds have been raised by the Waynesville Altrusa organization, primarily through its annual Soup & Cornbread Scholarship Fundraiser held each January and where more than 1,000 meals are served for lunch and dinner.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 12 and under. The meals are available for take out or eat in at the church located at 566 South Haywood St. in Waynesville. Individuals or businesses may preorder to-go meals for a scheduled time by faxing in a preorder form to www.waynesvillealtrusa.org.

January 22-28, 2014

Explore the art of clowning Mountain Merry Makers clown troop will present an “Introduction to Clowning” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sylva.

Using skits, games, meditation and fun, attendees will learn the history of clowning and character development, clown attitude, and ethics. There will discussion on the four different clown types, followed by makeup demonstration. Participants will have the opportunity to find their character and apply makeup.

For those who wish to continue in the art of clowning, other classes will be offered. The Mountain Merry Makers meet once a month, rotating locations between South Hendersonville, Fletcher and Sylva, offering opportunities to perform in nursing homes, hospitals, churches, birthday parties, balloon twisting, and face painting.

Cost is $30 per person, which includes lunch, makeup and supplies. Registration deadline is Jan. 26.

828.684.1743.

• Gloria Steinem tickets are currently available for her upcoming presentation at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. The award-winning writer and activist will give an address that will follow the Gender Research Conference, which will be held on campus. $15 for the general public, $5 for students. 828.227.2479 or www.bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

Smoky Mountain News

ALSO:

Cullowhee fire victims fundraiser at WCU Donations for people affected by a November fire in Cullowhee will be collected at Western Carolina University’s men’s basketball game at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at the Ramsey Regional Activity Center. The funds

The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority has announced its “Homegrown Picks” for 2014.

Buy Haywood, is the only county-specific agritourism initiative in Western North Carolina and works diligently to introduce high-quality farm products to community-minded consumers. Each year Buy Haywood creates and distributes a free Agritourism Guide of working farms, produce stands, markets, and activities. www.buyhaywood.com.

A growing project of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, the Blue Ridge Music Trails guide travelers to the many public settings in which original mountain folk music and dance thrive today. The trail makes it easy to find authentic regional folk music, meet musicians, see traditional dancing, and in many cases take part in the festivities for a firsthand experience of the area’s rich music heritage. www.blueridgemusic.org.

After much planning and developing, the Haywood County Film Commission has officially been revived, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Haywood County TDA and Advantage West. The TDA is currently working with Advantage West in Asheville, who has been supplying information on Haywood County when presented with location requests for TV and film. www.haywoodcountytourismdevelopment.com.

The Haywood County Quilt Trails project helps the area tell its history by featuring colorful and meaningful quilt squares installed on barns, public buildings, and shops. Quilts represent a much-loved symbol of comfort, family, and heritage, which make the squares a perfect way to tell the story of Haywood County. www.haywoodquilttrails.org. www.visitncsmokies.com or 800.334.9036.

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will help those employees who lost their jobs at three Cullowhee businesses forced to close after a Nov. 21 fire damaged the building that housed the businesses. The three businesses, Subway of Cullowhee, Rolling Stone Burrito and the Mad Batter Bakery and Café, employed more than two dozen people collectively. No one was injured in the fire. Volunteers from WCU’s Center for Service Learning in partnership with Cullowhee United Methodist Church will collect cash and check donations before and during the first half of WCU’s game against Davidson. Doors open at 6 p.m., with tipoff at 7 p.m.

Donations collected at the game will be dispersed by Cullowhee United Methodist Church to assist people who lost their jobs as a result of the fire.

For those who wish to give but cannot attend the basketball game, donations will be accepted by the WCU Wesley Foundation at CUMC through Thursday, Jan. 30.

To make a donation via PayPal, go to www.wcuwesley.com, click “donate” and put “Cullowhee Fire” in the message section. To donate by mail, send a check with “Cullowhee Fire” in the memo line to CUMC, P.O. Box, 1267, Cullowhee, N.C. 28723. lanegravesperry@gmail.com or 828.246.5171.

Haywood County’s ‘Homegrown Picks’ for 2014

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Smoky Mountain News

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Waynesville Office 74 North Main Street (828) 452-5809 224-39

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25

On the wall

On the beat arts & entertainment

Jackson County Arts Council awards grants

Red June performs in Highlands on Feb. 1. Donated photo

Red June kicks off Highlands series

January 22-28, 2014

Red June will perform as part of a “new artists” series beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Highlands Performing Arts Center.

With a dynamic yet refined sound featuring three-part harmonies, electrifying instrumental work, and honest, soulful songwriting, the band has been capturing the hearts of audiences all across the country. The power trio seamlessly blends country, bluegrass, and American roots music, with a dash of indie-rock sensibility.

Tickets are $20 per person. www.highlandspac.org.

• Ben Wilson and Stuart McNair will perform at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Wilson plays Jan. 24, with McNair, Jan. 25. All shows begin at 7 p.m. $10 minimum food, drink or merchandise purchase. 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Divergent and Wyatt Espalin will play City Lights Café in Sylva. Divergent performs Jan. 25, with Espalin, Jan. 31. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. 828.587.2233 or www.citylightscafe.com.

• Bohemian Jean and Brad Waldrop & Friends tap into Frog Level Brewing Company in Waynesville.

Bohemian Jean performs Jan. 24, with Waldrop, Jan. 25. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m.

828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

Smoky Mountain News

ALSO:

26

• Humps & The Blackouts, The Hooten Hallers, and Ethan & Chuck will perform at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva. Humps & The Blackouts play Jan. 23, and again with The Hooten Hallers on Jan. 24. Ethan & Chuck hit the stage Jan. 25. All shows are free and begin at 9 p.m.

828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• A music documentary about legendary singer/songwriter Sixto Rodriquez will be screened at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, at the Macon County Public Library in Sylva. Free. www.fontanalib.org.

• The Hooten Hallers hit the stage at 9 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Water’n Hole Bar and Grill in Waynesville. There will be a $4 cover charge.

828.456.4750.

Six Western North Carolina artists have received funding from the Jackson County Arts Council to support their artistic endeavors. Regional Artist Project grants support professional artists at any stage in their careers to pursue projects that further their artistic development. The grant awards are funded by the North Carolina Arts Council and by a regional consortium of local arts councils. Jackson County Arts Council took the lead in this year’s Regional Artist Project Grant consortium that included Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood and Jackson counties.

Grant recipients include Frank Brannon, art studio equipment and supplies for SpeakEasy Press; Joseph Fortner, recording studio session for his band, Soldier’s Heart; Kjelsty Hanson, marketing materials for the performing group Whimzik; Jon Jicha, art studio supplies for a new series of paintings; Amy Putansu, specialized hand-weaving equipment; and Myriah Strivelli, print studio equipment and supplies. Appalachian folk/rock group Soldier’s Heart was recently awarded a grant from the Jackson County Arts Council. Garret K. Woodward photo The Jackson County Arts Council is the designated county partner of the North Carolina Arts Council. The JCAC aims to promote individual artists, foster appreciation of the arts, provide art education and inspire creativity throughout Jackson County. www.jacksoncountyarts.org.

Watercolor, loom classes in Bryson City A watercolor and loom class will be offered at the Nantahala School for the Arts in Bryson City.

“Watercolor Winterscapes” will run from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays from Jan. 28 to March 4. Instructor Pat Mikula introduces her winter art series with a study on clouds, pine branches and landscapes. This class includes fun with techniques for creating textured snow. Topics include brush strokes, washes and simple landscapes, monochromatic painting and still life, color theory and mixing colors, and layering colors and “negative” painting. The class is for beginners, but all are welcome.

Materials list will be presented upon registration.

“Small Looms with Big Results” will run from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays from Jan. 29 to March 5. This series of classes will introduce students to many of the basics of weaving, while not requiring large pieces of equipment. Color and weave effect, tapestry, weft-faced, warp-faced and many other basic techniques will be investigated and woven. Cost of materials included. Prerequisites: none.

828.366.2000.

NC Arts Council grants open call The deadline for submitting applications for grants from the North Carolina Arts Council is Monday, March 3.

The grant programs are designed to sustain and advance the state’s arts industry, to enhance the education of the state’s children and youth, and to ensure that all North Carolina citizens have access to a wide range of high quality arts programs. Grants from the council are catalysts for public private partnerships and helping arts organizations leverage the required matching funds.

To be eligible to apply for Arts Council grants, an organization must have non-profit status, have been producing quality arts programs for at least two consecutive years, and have prioryear organization cash operating expenses of at least $20,000.

Grant awards are recommended by panels of civic leaders and arts experts based on artistic merit, benefit of the project to

the state’s citizens, and the applicant’s organizational strength and capacity. Information about grants for organizations is available at the council’s website: www.ncarts.org.

919.807.7300 or www.ncdcr.gov.

DePaolo to offer oil demos in Waynesville

Artist and instructor Dominick DePaolo will conduct oil painting demonstrations from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Jan. 23, Feb. 20, Mar. 6 and 20 at Cedar Hill Studios in Waynesville.

DePaolo shares his work in Waynesville and surrounding communities and teaches currently in Waynesville, Franklin and Bryson City. He accepts commissioned work and enjoys his passion for teaching at all levels. DePaolo makes himself available for classes, demos and lectures to create interest and promote the arts. dominickdepaolo@yahoo.com or 828.593.9317.

• An acclaimed drama will be screened at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. The film stars Matthew McConaughey as a fugitive who befriends two boys in an effort to get reunited with his true love. Free. 828.524.3600.

ALSO:

• A “DIY Tote Bag” class will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office in Sylva.

Attendees will learn how to construct a fully lined, market tote that is roomy and functional. Cost is $5 per person. For supply list, call 828.586.4009.

• The films “The Butler” and “Groundhog Day” will be screened at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. “The Butler” plays Jan. 24-25, with “Groundhog Day” Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. Screenings are at 7:45 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets are $6 per person, $4 for children. 828.283.0079 or www.38main.com.

Books

Smoky Mountain News

27

Slave narratives an insightful collection his remarkable collection of interviews with African-Americans in North Carolina who were once slaves is a fascinating discovery. Conducted by the Federal Writers Project in the 1930’s, the participating writers and researchers interviewed ex-slaves wherever they found them. All of the participants are elderly and many of them were living out their final years in “county homes.” These “slave narratives” are filled with surprises. More than 2,000 former slaves participated in this program, and of this number, 176 were North Carolinians.

The total collection — 10,000 pages of oral history — was deposited in the Writer Library of Congress, and there, with the exception of scholarly research projects, they languished until Belinda Humence found them and was immediately struck by this lost world that suddenly came alive in these narratives. There are marvelous descriptions of food, clothing and social events that has been lost except for the details in these interviews.

Hurmence left the language alone. Except for errors that were made for the interviewers, she let the former slaves speak for themselves.

The result is a world that pulses with danger, cruelty and, strangely enough, joy.

Perhaps the greatest surprise is the fact many of these African-Americans remember their “marsters” with affection. Indeed, a handful of formers slaves recall an existence that resembled an earthly Eden where every need was met and every day was joyful. How can that be? Apparently, there were several plantations on the North Carolina coast that resembled independent townships. The slaves ate with their white masters and lived in compact, comfortable homes. Many noted that they never witnessed a whipping or saw a slave auction where families were divided.

However, the violence and brutality that

Gary Carden

T

because they had lost money on her.” There are accounts of beatings so brutal that the victims did not survive. “Sometimes, they give you 39 lashes and sometimes they give you 100. You usually don’t survive 100 lashes.”

Mattie Curtis recalls a preacher who tied her mother over a barrel and beat her bloody. “He had the barrel carried into the house so he could witness the beating in the parlor.” The beatings were carried out on Sunday. Mattie also remembers that after the war was over, preachers from up North showed up and “married” many slaves, and “I seed my Mammy and Pappy married.” Mattie remembers that she gave birth to 19 children, all of which were scattered throughout the region to work on other plantations.

Many of the slaves remember historically significant events, such as the arrival of Wheeler’s Calvary, a Confederate unit that left a wake of death and destruction that was worse than the Yankees. Sarah Debro remembers that Wheeler’s Calvary murdered three of her uncles. She also My Folks Don’t Want Me to Talk About Slavery edited by recalls the “the patty rollers,” who Belinda Hurmence. John E. Blair, 1990. 103 pages. came at night and terrified slaves who were out “without a pass.” we now associate with slavery is also present.

However, one of Sarah’s quotes Josephine Smith, who was interviewed in regarding slavery and African-Americans is Raleigh, remembers the day that she stood on especially noteworthy: the auction block in Richmond. She said, “The worst thing I ever seed was a slave My folks don’t want to talk about slavery. woman who had been separated from her Theys shame niggers ever was slaves. But while three-week-old baby” and was being marched for most colored folks, freedom is the best, they’s to New Orleans. The woman was chained still some niggers that ought to be slaves now. with 20 or 30 other slaves. She had no food These niggers has done clean forgot the Lord; and when Josephine passed, she begged for those that’s always cutting and fighting and going water. “She died there on the side of the road. in white folks houses at night, they ought to be And they buried her right there, cussing slaves. They ought to have an old marse with a

Appalachian mystery comes to Sylva Franklin resident and author Tami Rasmussen will present her new book, Murmur, at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

Located in Franklin, Murmur is the narrative of a horrific murder and the shocking mystery threatening a way of life in the remote location of White Rock Mountain and Hickory Gap. Murder, mystery, fear, and great loss cloak this isolated mountain community.

The book is about the mountain folks who live there and their perseverance during the tumultuous 1970s. Without electricity, tele-

phone service, or running water, Sonny Branch is in her element.

Resisting modern amenities and lifestyle, she is a strong and capable mountain woman. Love and despair bring Branch to her knees when outsiders threaten the kinship for all of the colorful characters living in this small mountain commune.

828.586.9499.

Author of NY Times Best Seller to speak at Blue Ridge Books An author luncheon with Appalachian writer Wiley Cash will be at noon Friday, Jan. 31, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.

Cash is known for his first novel, a New York Times Best Seller,

whip to make them come when he say come and go when he say go, till they learn to live right.

Sarah’s opinions are reflected in other narratives in which the elderly ex-slaves express their disappointment with the younger generation, and ruefully note that “we need the patty rollers back.”

In addition to the numerous accounts of hardship, all of the narratives mention the fact that they were denied an education and were told repeatedly to stay away from books and guns. Although they could not own property, many mention that they were allowed to have large gardens.

It is interesting to note that many of the ex-slaves in these narratives found a way to acquire property after the war, and a large number developed a covert system of farming ... they worked at night, saved money and bought land.

These “slave narratives” contain some remarkable information about lost and obscure practices such as an intricate explanation of about the spinning of flax as related by Parker Poole, a 91-year-old man. “Most white people had flax clothes,” he said. There is also a detailed description of how ice was “harvested” in the winter and buried in pits that were 10 feet deep. The Marster’s whiskey was also stored with the ice. Betty Cofer says, “I never saw a match until I was a grown woman. We made our fire with flint and punk.”

My favorite passage in this collection is the story told by Bob Jones who was interviewed in 1937 in Raleigh. He recalls that when “young Marse Joe” went off to the war, he only came home twice. Once when his Daddy died and once when he came home dead.

“I don’t remember where he was killed, but he had been dead so long, he had turned dark. Sambo said to me, ‘I thought that I would turn white when I went to heaven, but it appears to me that the white folkes are going to turn black.’”

This is a marvelous collection and I sincerely hope that Blair Publishers will publish more “Slave Narratives” in the future.

A Land More Kind than Home. His book received positive comments in such publications as The New York Times Sunday Book Review, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Vanity Fair. A Land More Kind than Home won the Southern Independent Bookseller Alliance Book Award for Fiction of the Year and the John Creasey New Blood Dagger Award from the UK’s Crime Writers’ Association.

The luncheon will feature a discussion by Cash of his new novel, This Dark Road to Mercy, which will be released on Jan. 28.

Tickets for the event are $35 and must be purchased in advance at Blue Ridge Books. The price of the ticket includes a signed copy of Cash’s new hardback novel and the luncheon meal, which will be catered by Kanini’s in Waynesville. www.blueridgebooksnc.com or 828.456.6000.

28

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

Probing WNC’s hidden energy reserves The first step in energy exploration is figuring out what exactly lies below the earth’s surface.

North Carolina lawmakers have commissioned an energy study set to start next year that will do just that.

“If there is carbon in the rock and the rock has been heated to several thousand degrees, then potentially there will be gas in the rock,” said Kenneth Taylor, N.C. state geologist.

But “potentially” is the key word, because it all depends on how much the rock was heated back when a continental rift formed the mountains 600 million years ago, and on whether the rocks are porous enough to hold onto whatever carbon deposits were left there — if, in fact, those deposits still remain.

In 2015, scientists will begin collecting rocks from road cuts along a transect extending from Clay County to the Tennessee line. Then, a geology lab will analyze the rocks to determine the carbon content, with 1.4 percent as the magic number. If a rock’s carbon content comes in at 1.4 percent or more, that means it could be a source rock, Taylor said.

The General Assembly appropriated $11,725 from the 2015-16 budget for this phase of the study. If it turns out there’s nothing there, that’s as far as it will go.

However, if the USGS deems WNC as a potential location for fossil fuel exploration, the next phase will begin: analyzing core samples of rock in the region. In other words, geologists would take a vertical sample of earth to assess what kinds — and how much — of hydrocarbons are down there. If the deposits are significant, energy development could come to WNC. “It’s very difficult to do [and] very expensive,” said James Womack, chairman of N.C. Department of Energy and Natural Resources’ Mining and Energy Commission and county commissioner in Lee County, which currently has two completed natural gas wells. “Unless someone has a reason to believe there are deposits, they don’t bother.”

Energy on the horizon Debate on drilling still hypothetical, but groundwork is being laid

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER rom the oil fields of North Dakota to the Marcellus Shale of Pennsylvania, the U.S. oil and gas industry is booming in a way that few would have predicted 20 years ago.

Energy extraction is now possible — and financially viable — in regions it wasn’t before. Energy deposits, primarily of gas, that were once too hard or expensive to tap are being opened up with the combined technology of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, called fracking.

Now, there’s a chance that energy exploration could be coming to Western North Carolina, pending the results of a study set to begin next year. The U.S. Geological Survey will begin researching WNC’s potential for mineral development in July 2015, an effort funded by the N.C. General Assembly.

There are other signs that North Carolina could be getting in the energy game in the future. The state reconstituted its Energy Policy Council a few months ago and this month named its first-ever fulltime energy policy advisor. The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources also has a new Mining and Energy Commission.

N.C. DENR Secretary John Skvarla called energy a “neglected economic sector” in the state and said energy exploration is a priority for Gov. Pat McCrory.

F

through taxes from energy companies and economically benefits residents in the form of jobs, lease money and increased patronage of local businesses. He’s seen it done in Texas and Pennsylvania, he said, without impacting aesthetics or tourism.

“This is a tide that floats all boats,” he

Map of the Eastern United States showing the locations of the five quantitatively (volumetrically) assessed East Coast Mesozoic basins, the nine basins that were not volumetrically assessed, and the U.S. Geological Survey province boundaries.

DO WE WANT IT? Whether exploring for oil and natural gas in WNC would be a good thing depends on whom you ask.

Energy extraction would be a win-win for everybody, according to James Womack, chairman of N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mining and Energy Commission and county commissioner in Lee County, which currently has two completed natural gas wells.

It brings money to the state government

U.S. Geological Survey

said.

But Katie Hicks, assistant director of Asheville-based Clean Water for North Carolina, isn’t as enthusiastic about this new direction as people like Womack are.

Lucrative as it may be in the short-run, she

said, it’s not clear whether the long-term consequences are worth it.

“Our organization lives by the precautionary principal,” she said.” Until there is a lot more evidence on both sides, we feel like the burden should be on the industry to prove that it’s safe.”

Earlier this month, Hicks gave a presentation to the Macon County League of Women Voters in Franklin, which hosts monthly talks on local and state issues.

Hicks spent an hour detailing her concerns about horizontal drilling and fracking, concluding that the industry has yet to answer many questions the technology raises about environmental safety and cultural stability.

“It’s nerve-wracking to think this could be happening in the western part of the state,” she said.

There’s no question that horizontal

S EE E NERGY, PAGE 30

The dynamic duo of fracking and horizontal drilling

If you’re looking to extract fossil fuels from the ground, you’ve got your pick of ways to do it. But the technology that’s exponentially expanded the U.S.’s energy potential over the past decade or so it the combination of horizontal drilling with fracking, both of which technologies have been the subject of media attention and scrutiny. If energy exploration did eventually occur in Western North Carolina, that’s probably how it would be done.

Horizontal wells typically start out plunging one to two miles underground before hitting the oil- or gas-bearing formation, called the pay zone, and then turn to extend horizontally through it, sometimes as far as two miles.

During the fracking stage of the operation, explosives are injected to create fissures in the pay zone rock, and frack fluid — a combination of water, chemicals and sand — is added to prop the cracks open, allowing any oil or gas the rocks contain to flow into the wellbore and up to the surface.

But while horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have been around individually for decades — the first experimental hydraulic fracturing treatment in the U.S. took place in 1947 and the first horizontal well was completed in 1929 — it’s only been the last 10 or 15 years that two have been merged together.

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

Discovery Place

Sylva restaurant highlighted for creative use of meat

Bed of nails. Discovery Place photo

Parkway closure near Mount Mitchell updated A section of the Blue Ridge Parkway between Asheville and Boone, near the entrance to Mount Mitchell State Park, is closed as road crews stabilize a failed slope just north of Tanbark Ridge Tunnel.

The closure is from Milepost 376 to Milepost 355. The official detour detours goes from Asheville, along Interstate 40 to U.S. Route 221, back to the Parkway at Spruce Pine. Mt. Mitchell State Park will remain open and accessible from the northern approach along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The project is expected to be completed in late spring.

Grant helps buy feed for abused horses STAR Ranch Rescue, a refuge for abused and neglected horses and other animals in Haywood County, has received a $750 grant from the Haywood County Community Foundation to help purchase horse feed for the winter. Karen Owens of Star Ranch (left) shown with Gary Lance and Belva Evans (right) with the Haywood County Community Foundation. www.nccommunityfoundation.org.

JOIN US FOR ARTS EVENTS AT WCU FRIDAY, JAN. 24 | 7:30PM | BARDO ARTS CENTER STUDIO SUNDAY, JAN. 26 | 3PM | HART THEATRE

Opera: “The Secret Marriage”

SUNDAY, JAN. 26 | 5PM | BARDO ARTS CENTER | $20

Music: “Smokey Joe’s Café: The Songs of Lieber and Stoller” TUESDAY, JAN. 28 | 7:30PM | COULTER

Music: Faculty Showcase

THURSDAY, JAN. 30 | 5PM | BARDO ARTS CENTER RM 130

Artist Lecture: Buzz Spector

SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY, FEB. 9 | 5PM | BARDO ARTS CENTER | $20

“1964” The Tribute to the Beatles

Smoky Mountain News

circuits with computer generated directions where guests could build and program a robot. Other displays let guests explore magnetism, electricity, luminescence plus different forces and more.

We hit the ground running at the Discovery Place and the three plus hours rocked by like a runaway freight train. We didn’t even do the IMAX. “Hubble” follows the gripping story of the iconic spacecraft showcasing the awe-inspiring images garnered from the craft plus showing astronauts working on the giant telescope in deep space. Hubble will be showing at the Discovery Place through June 1.

The museum will present a special exhibit on Saturday, Feb. 15, entitled “101 Inventions That Changed The World.” The exhibit will use 40 high-definition projectors, multi-channel motion graphics and cinema quality surround sound, take an extraordinary journey through turning points in humankind’s history in one of the most exciting multi-screen environments in the world.

I asked Maddie what her favorite part of Discovery Place was? “All of it,” was her reply.

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

A Sylva farm-to-table restaurant is featured in the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s (ASAP) Get Local initiative for its additional sourcing this month from Appalachia Grown certified farms.

Guadalupe Café added additional meatbased items to its menu after January was designated as meat month by ASAP. The restaurant rotates specials such as queso con carne, bison chili, goat burgers and pork chops.

“For the past several years, we’ve seen

January 22-28, 2014

Looking for something fun for the kids on a cold and/or rainy winter’s day. The Discovery Place in Charlotte has got you covered. We spent three-and-a-half hours there this past weekend with our two daughters Izzy (12) and Maddie (8) and we never heard a single “I’m bored” or “I’m tired” or “Can we go now.”

Discovery Place is located in uptown Charlotte at 301 N. Tryon Street. You can access Discovery Place directly via a glass-enclosed third-floor level walkway from the museum’s parking deck across the street.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes because you’ll probably be on the move all day. Discovery place has two levels of hands-on learning activities, plus shows, exhibits and an IMAX theatre.

Some of the cool stops we hit included: Lift — where guests can launch objects and/or try and keep them airborne using air pressure, electromagnetic forces or just muscle power as in the vacuum-powered chairlift where you hoist yourself skyward.

There was also an area called “Push,” where guests can take advantage of mechanics to see wind power in action or to get a bit of advantage in a cool tug-of-war contest. One of (there were several) the short presentations we saw while we were there was “Fired Up” where the presenter displayed some colorful and occasionally loud combinations of the fire trinity — oxygen, heat and fuel. And don’t worry if all this activity makes you tired you can always get a quick rest on the museum’s bed of nails.

In the “World Alive” section there was a rainforest exhibit on two levels. A top or canopy layer allowed you access to some native rainforest birds plus species of reptiles, frogs, stingrays, palms, epiphytes and other plants. On a lower level museum staff talked about the ecology of the rainforest and guests were able to get up close to some of the creatures.

World Alive also included looks into aquatic habitats like the North Carolina

coast, a seafloor reef and an Indo-Pacific coral reef. There were also terrariums and aquariums with different fishes, reptiles and amphibians.

This month’s theme in the “Explore More Stuff Lab” was robots. There was a table with motors, blocks and integrated

Author Laura Ann Garren will discuss the natural and cultural history of the Chattooga River at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

Her book, The Chattooga River, looks at the biodiversity and cultural significance of one of the last free-flowing and nationally designated “Wild and Scenic” rivers in the Southeast, also a favorite of fishermen and paddlers.

A writer and dog trainer, Garren makes her home in Pendleton, S.C. To reserve a copy of The Chattooga River, call City Lights Bookstore at 828.586.9499.

interest in Get Local grow, with chefs whipping up intensely creative dishes around the month’s ingredient,” says Molly Nicholie, ASAP’s Local Food Campaign director. “With the initiative in 2014, we want to shine the spotlight on them as well as the featured ingredient, giving these chefs even more opportunities to get inspired by our local bounty and diners more chances to connect with the source of their food.” www.asapconnections.org or 828.236.1282.

outdoors

The Naturalist’s Corner

A history of the Chattooga River

VISIT THE FINE ART MUSEUM FOR ONGOING EXHIBITS | FINEARTMUSEUM.WCU.EDU

EVENTS ARE BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE COLLEGE OF FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS AT WCU. JOIN FRIENDS OF THE ARTS TODAY!

FOR MORE INFO – 828.227.7028 | ARTS.WCU.EDU 29

outdoors

E NERGY, CONTINUED FROM 28

WNC Nature Center reaches record attendance in 2013 A whole lot of people visited the WNC Nature Center last year. The Friends of the WNC Nature Center report that 107,949 people visited the Nature Center in 2013, a record-breaking attendance. Last year also saw the completion of several projects and developments at the Nature Center, including a new Red Wolf boardwalk and viewing areas, an improved Red Wolf habitat and the addition of a black ant exhibit in Appalachian Station.

Also, several new play features for kids were added, including an oversized bog turtle, a new “barn chores” play area in the North Carolina Farm and the Arachnid Adventure climbing playground near the wolf habitats. www.wildwnc.org.

drilling is a complicated process, a reality that causes some people to marvel at the capacity of modern technology while others see merely a large capacity for something to go wrong.

When a horizontal well is drilled, the wellbore extends deep into the ground until it reaches the target formation, perhaps as deep as two miles below the surface. Then, the bore turns to continue horizontally, extending laterally as far as one or two miles. The wells are insulated with layers of tubing and casing to act as barriers, protecting the water table from infiltration.

In the fracking part of the operation, explosives are injected to create fractures in the rock along the horizontal section of the wellbore, and water bearing a mixture of chemicals and sand is injected to hold the fractures open, allowing oil or gas to flow out.

Then, of course, there is the surface part of the operation, which requires a wellpad of about five acres and a constant stream of trucks to bear construction materials, heavy machinery, frack fluid and the roughly 3 million gallons of water needed for each stage of fracking.

THE RULE-MAKING PROCESS There are a lot of variables involved, but that’s why the N.C. Mining and Energy Commission was formed, Womack said.

With the proper rules and safeguards in

January 22-28, 2014

Whether the fracking debate that has played out nationally will ever apply direct-

A hunter safety course will be offered from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 3-5 at Haywood Community College in Clyde. The course is being offered by HCC’s Natural Resources Division and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

The courses is free and open to any age. Pre-registration is required. Register at www.ncwildlife.org.

New fees tacked on to all-electric cars This year all-electric vehicles registered in North Carolina — about 1,600 of them — are required to pay a $100 annual fee in addition to normal registration fees.

State lawmakers imposed the controversial new fee last year. Their theory is that electric vehicle drivers, who don’t buy gasoline, aren’t contributing their fair share to road maintenance, which is funded out of the gas tax.

Hybrid vehicles that use a combination of gasoline and electricity do not have to pay the extra registration fee.

Saturday, February 1, 11:30 am Lake Junaluska Assembly Beach (next to swimming pool)

100% of proceeds benefit Kids in the Creek and Youth Education programs.

PRIZES AWARDED TO TOP FUNDRAISERS AND BEST COSTUMES! FREE T-SHIRT FOR ALL PLUNGERS. HOT CHILI LUNCH & BONFIRE AVAILABLE FOR ALL.

$25 to be a Plunger, or raise your own sponsorships.

Visit www.crowdrise.com/2NDPOLARPLUNGE for more information and to register. Registration packets can also be requested at info@haywoodwaterways.org or 828-476-4667.

Hosted by:

224-35

Smoky Mountain News

ENERGY POTENTIAL IN WNC

ly to WNC depends on the results of the energy reserves study.

“We don’t know for sure what might be there, but I guarantee we’ll be sure to find some mineral of one type or another,” Womack said.

Womack, whose resume includes 30 years as an engineer, believes that the oilrich Marcellus Shale could extend as far south as North Carolina’ mountains, but Taylor is nearly certain that the region’s mineral resources will be limited to natural gas, if anything.

“If [the rock has] been cooked just a little bit, it will be oil,” he said. “If it’s been cooked a little more, it will have oil and gas.

If it’s been cooked just a little bit more, it will just have gas.”

WNC’s geologic history includes too much cooking for oil deposits to be likely, he said. Hicks, too, suspects WNC would likely see the indirect, not the direct, impacts of energy development in North Carolina. Namely, increased truck traffic on the highway — and the accompanying emissions — as well as taxpayer money spent on regulating the industry. While some mineral-rich states derive the majority of their revenue from the taxes that energy companies pay, Hicks said that a similar result in North Carolina is unlikely.

“The evidence of there being significant kickbacks seems slim,” she said.

But it’s impossible to know for sure.

“All we know right now,” Womack said, “is we don’t know what’s in Western North Carolina.”

HCC hosts hunter safety courses

Benefit-t-t-ting Kids in the Creek

30

place, he said, it’s possible to build a framework that allows North Carolina to reap the economic benefit of an energy industry without sacrificing its beauty or cleanliness.

“Everyone on the board believes it can be done safely,” he said. “We believe the benefits far outweigh the cost, that the cost is measureable, and the cost can be recovered.”

Womack cites a trip he took to Bradford County, Penn., which is experiencing some of Pennsylvania’s most intense drilling.

“I had to almost get on top of the wells before I could see them,” he said.

While Womack is confident the commission can formulate rules to regulate industry effectively, the commission, formed in July 2012, is supposed to write 130 rules in time for public comment beginning in September 2014. So far only 14 are completed, 59 are in progress and others haven’t been started, according to N.C. DENR’s website.

Hicks is concerned that the September deadline for rules-writing won’t give the commission enough time to consider each rule thoroughly.

“We’re not confident that the Mining and Energy Commission, within the timeframe they have to make these rules, will be able to put the correct safeguards in place,” she said.

Indoor soccer in Waynesville Adult Coed Indoor Soccer pickup games will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 22-March 26 in Waynesville at the Old Hazelwood Gym. Players must be 18 years old or older. No teams are necessary — just show up to play. The cost is $3 per session or $20 for a season pass punch card and available for purchase at the door. Organized by the Haywood County Recreation & Parks Department.

Located at 112 Virginia Ave., next to Folkmoot USA. 828.452.6789 or email drtaylor@haywoodnc.net.

Donated photo

Good times at Tube World Tube World in Maggie Valley treated 170 students from Clyde Elementary to a fieldtrip last week as part of a creative school incentive program to encourage positive behavior.

To form the “Cardinal Club,” teachers nominate students who demonstrate good behavior, good work ethic and good attendance. Each quarter, students who make the Cardinal Club get a special program. The

ranks grew from 150 to 170 from the first to second quarter, a sign that the incentive is working, according to Joy Sollie, Clyde Elementary school counselor.

“We feel that reward is going to increase positive behavior more than punishment,” Sollie said.

Tube World opened up 10 tubing lanes just for the students.

Tracking elk in Great Smoky Mountains National Park just got a little easier, thanks to a grant from Charter Communications. The communications and technology company gave a grant for $13,720 to Friends of the Smokies for the purchase of 15 radio collars and two receivers for tracking and monitoring elk throughout the park.

“Funding the radio telemetry that park biologists use to ensure the elk’s success fits with our company’s focus,” said Joe Pell, vice president and general manager for Charter’s operations in Louisiana and Tennessee.

Radio transmitters are one of the most useful instruments to help track animal locations and survival, said Jim Hart, who accepted the money on behalf of Friends of the Smokies. “This is true, not only for elk, but other wildlife species as well.

Information gained from the use of radio telemetry equipment has been vital in making short and long-term management decisions regarding bears, elk and bats within the park and continues to be an integral part of ongoing wildlife monitoring and management efforts.”

When elk were reintroduced to the Smokies in 2001, all elk were fitted with radio collars, allowing biologists to effi-

ciently monitor the growth, survival, and movements of the population.

But the elk are no longer considered an experimental population, and the park scaled back some of its monitoring and collaring.

Park biologists work to place a radio collar on a tranquilized elk in Cataloochee Valley. Donated photo Biologists continue to monitor a subset of the herd annually to track population dynamics, particularly focusing on newborn calves and females. The donation helps provide much-needed collars to fit the calves and five adult females per year along with any nuisance animals, Hart said.

“We find it very satisfying to have a healthy elk herd. Our job is to help maintain that by giving them the supplies they need,” Hart said. www.friendsofthesmokies.org

January 22-28, 2014

Bundle up for Icycle bike race Thaw your bikes and pack up the family, it’s time for the Icycle Mountain Bike Event on Saturday, Jan. 25, at Fontana Village Resort.

The Icycle Cross Country Lemans begins at 11 a.m. in five-minute waves for Sport, Big Bike and Beginner categories. Expert- and Single-Speed categories start at 1 p.m. The seven-mile course consists of varied terrain with rocks, roots, creeks and wide open passing lanes offering some of the finest Western North Carolina single track.

The Icycle Night Downhill evening race is not for the faint of heart. All riders are required to have 10-watt or greater night-riding lights to participate. www.icyclerace.com or 828.498.2211.

Duke Energy photos

New public river access launched along Tuckasegee

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

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

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

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

Smoky Mountain News

Three new public access sites and boat put-ins have been developed along the Tuckasegee River in Jackson County: • Shook Cove access area, which features a boat ramp, vegetated rain gardens and parking.

• Tuckasegee Powerhouse access area, which features a boat ramp and parking.

• Tanasee Creek access area, which features a paved entrance, gravel boat launch and parking.

They were installed by Duke Energy as a requirement of its hydropower licenses on the Tuckasegee and will be maintained by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

“These enhancements were performed with quality, sustainability and long-term maintenance considerations in mind,” said John Crutchfield, director of public safety and recreation strategy planning services for Duke Energy.

outdoors

Keeping track in the Smokies

31

32

WNC Calendar

Smoky Mountain News

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • Retirement reception, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, old Sylva Medical Center facility, 293 Hospital Road, in Harris Medical Park, Sylva, for Rebecca “Becky” Olson, RN, MS, executive director of The Good Samaritan Clinic of Jackson County. RSVP to Debbie Baxter of the Good Samaritan Clinic of Jackson County at 631.8716.

• Forward Together Haywood People’s Assembly meeting, 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, Jones Temple A.M.E. Zion Church, 35 Thomas Park, Waynesville. www.hkonj.com/moral_march_on_raleigh.

• Three year anniversary celebration for The Women of Waynesville (WOW), 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, Herren House Bed and Breakfast, 94 East St., Waynesville.

Free. Nikki White, 545.6879 or Michelle Briggs, 452.7837. Snow date: Thursday, Jan. 30.

• Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate? Learn how to transfer non-titled property, 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, Waynesville Public Library Auditorium. Presented by the Haywood County Extension Office. Taught by Julie Sawyer, extension agent. 356.2507.

• Macon County Board of Health public forum on the continued provision of Rabies Vaccination Clinics by Macon County Public Health, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, Macon County Human Services Building, 1830 Lakeside Drive.

• Haywood TDA board meeting, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, Bethea Welcome Center, Lake Junaluska.

• Reception for residents of the Cherokee community and David Belcher, Western Carolina University chancellor, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30. Maple Room of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, as part of a series of events to keep the university connected with alumni, friends and elected officials. RSVP by Jan. 23 to Cindi Magill, Office of Alumni Affairs, 877.440.9990 or via email at magill@wcu.edu.

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

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • Register for classes at Haywood Community College for Spring Semester. Registration for short sessions is underway now by appointment. Call Student Services, 627.4500.

• Free 90-minute basic internet class, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 22, Jackson County Public Library computer lab, Sylva. Register, 586.2016.

• Smoky Mountain Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association meeting, noon Saturday, Jan. 25, Terrace Hotel, Lake Junaluska. Ed Fox, 456.5251 in Haywood County; Betty Brintnall, 586.9292 in Jackson County; and Luci Swanson, 369.8922 in Macon County.

• “Business Simulation, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, SCC-Macon Campus, Room 215. Free, part of Southwestern Community College entrepreneur workshop series. Register at 339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

• Workforce development online course on new coding system related to ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM/PCS changes, Jan. 27 through May 2, Southwestern Community College.

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

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

Scott Sutton at scotts@southwesterncc.edu or 306.7034.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • Donations will be collected during the Western Carolina University’s home men’s basketball game at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, in Ramsey Regional Activity Center, to assist more than two dozen people who lost their jobs at three Cullowhee businesses that closed after a November fire. The damaged building was home to Subway of Cullowhee, Rolling Stone Burrito and the Mad Batter Bakery and Café. lanegravesperry@gmail.com or at 246.5171.

• 17th annual Altrusa Soup & Cornbread Scholarship Fundraiser, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan.28, First United Methodist Church of Waynesville, 556 S Haywood, Waynesville. Dine-in or take-out. Soups, freshly baked cornbread, homemade desserts. $8 adults, $4 children. www.waynesvillealtrusa.org.

• Tom Raby Night, Tuesday, Jan. 28, Franklin High School gymnasium. Games, food and a parade.

• 2nd annual Polar Plunge, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 1, Lake Junaluska beach. Benefitting Kids in the Creek and Youth Education. Hosted by Haywood Waterways Association and Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. $25 or free by raising sponsorships. 476.4667 or info@haywoodwaterways.org, www.crowdrise.com/2NDPOLARPLUNGE.

VOLUNTEERING • Meals on Wheels in Haywood County needs volunteers to deliver meals to the following routes: Tuesdays, Route #18, Pigeon Valley; Wednesdays, Route #12, Lakeview; Wednesdays, Route #13, Maggie Valley; and Fridays, Route #21, Saunook. Call Jeanne Naber, 356.2442.

• Haywood Spay/Neuter desperately needs volunteers to continue providing low-cost spay neuter surgeries for pets of lower-income owners. Volunteer meeting, 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, 182 Richland St., Waynesville.

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

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

• Franklin Community Blood Drive, 12:30 to 5 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 23, First Baptist Church, 69 Iotla St., Franklin. www.redcrossblood.org keyword: Franklin or call 800.Red.Cross.

HEALTH MATTERS • Date Night, 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, A-B Tech Asheville Campus, Magnolia Building, 340 Victoria Road, Asheville. Five-month cooking class series on healthy meals for individuals who face challenges of health-related diet restrictions for Diabetes. Mission Health Professional Chef, Chris Aquilino and Dietician/Nutritionist, Mary Beth Horrell. $45 per couple.

Registration required, store.mission-health.org/innovation/date-night.html.

• Four-week Prepared Childbirth Class, 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 23 and 30, and Feb. 4 and 6, Angel Medical Center Dining Room. Stages of labor and birth of newborns.

369.4421 to schedule a class or for additional information.

• Lunch and Learn on osteoporosis care and treatment with orthopaedic surgeon Douglas Gates, MD, noon to 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 7, Harris Regional Hospital board room, Sylva. 586.5531 or visit www.sylvaortho.com.

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

• Adult Coed Indoor Soccer pickup games, 6 to 8 p.m.

Wednesdays, Jan. 22-March 26, Old Hazelwood Gym, 112 Virginia Ave., Waynesville. Players must be 18 years old & up. $3 per session or $20 for a season pass punch card and available for purchase at the door. Daniel Taylor, 452.6789 or drtaylor@haywoodnc.net.

• Spring soccer registration, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 1728 and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, Jackson County Recreation Department. Must be at least 5 years old by Aug. 1 to participate. $40 for new participants, $35 for returning 2013 Fall soccer participants. Membership and sibling discounts available.

Jonathan Parsons, Recreation Department in Cullowhee, 293.3053 or jonathanparsons@jacksonnc.org.

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

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

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

KIDS & FAMILIES • Breastfeeding Mothers’ Support Group, 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 1, MedWest Harris Hospital annex building. Meetings will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon, the first Saturday of each month. The annex building is just across the parking lot from the Emergency Room entrance. Brandi Nations, 770.519.2903, Teresa Bryant, 587.8214, or Jennifer Luker, 587.8242.

• Free homework help, 3 to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, Library Room, The Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Kindergarten to college. No sign-up is necessary.

Tutor will be library staffer David Clager. 586.2016.

• SafeKids USA/ Blue Dragon Taekwondo (TKD) School is now open in Clyde. 627.3949 or sabumnimhale@bluedragontkd.net.

• Cool Kids Do Science Club, 5:30 p.m. second Thursday of the month, Canton Branch Library. Elementary- and middle-school-aged kids are invited to perform fun and educational science experiments. 648.2924.

• Homework Help, 3 to 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays for students in grades 2 through 6, Canton Branch Library. Former schoolteacher turned Youth Services Librarian Katy Punch offers homework help on a firstcome, first-served basis. Katy, 648.2924.

• Mother Goose Time, 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Waynesville Library and 10:30 am. Wednesdays, Canton Branch Library. Special story time for babies and toddlers (ages 5 months to 2 years old) and their parents/caregivers.

• Free after school program for sixth graders, 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through the school year, First Baptist of Sylva. Enroll at 708.7792 or browkelly@gmail.com.

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 • KARE’s Parents as Teachers, 9 a.m. Thursdays, parking lot/picnic shelter, Waynesville Recreation Center.

Walk, meet other parents and help your kids get the wiggles out.

• New Kindermusik Baby Classes called Cock-a-Doodle Moo for children newborn to 18 months, weekly in Cullowhee, Waynesville and Cashiers. Day and evening times available. 293.5600 or www.themusicvillagenc.com.

• Claymates Pottery will host kids’ night from 6 to 8 p.m. the first Friday of every month. Create art, eat pizza and play games. 631.3133.

• The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department offers after school opportunities for kids from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Free to members or $12 per student per week for nonmembers. Registration required. 456.2030 or youthprogramsupervisor@townofwaynesville.org.

• The Macon County Public Library will host family story times at 10 a.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays and at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Kids are invited to wear PJs and bring stuffed animals during the Wednesday evening programs. Home School Book Talk is held from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays. 524.3600.

• Love and Logic is a seven-week class for parents with children of any age. The class topics include discipline, bickering and fighting, power struggles, how to have fun and feel relaxed as a parent, plus any topics that parents bring. Amber Clayton, program coordinator, 586.2845 ext. 25.

• Young Warrior Jiu Jitsu Classes, 5 to 5:45 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays at Basulto Academy of Defense in Waynesville. Classes are open to boys and girls ages 6 and older. 230.5056 or BasultoBJJ@yahoo.com.

• Avril Bowens presents perfect pushing class for moms-to-be. 342.8128 or www.healyourdiastasis.com

POLITICAL GROUP EVENTS & LOCAL GOVERNMENT Dems • Kick-off press conference for Ron Robinson, Democratic candidate for North Carolina State Senate District 50, 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, Sylva Library Complex, Community Room.

GOP • Macon County GOP meeting, 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, Community Building, Franklin. Please note new location. www.macongop.com.

• North and South Jackson County Republican monthly meeting, 6 p.m. (dinner), 6:30 p.m. (meeting) Monday, Jan. 27, Ryan’s in Sylva. Chairman Ralph Slaughter, 743.6491, jacksonctygop@yahoo.com or jacksoncountygop.com.

Others • OccupyWNC, General Assembly meeting, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 28, Jackson County Justice Center, Room 246.

FESTIVALS, SPECIAL & SEASONAL EVENTS • Western Carolina University 125th anniversary yearlong celebration kickoff, 12:25 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, Grandroom of A.K. Hinds University Center, WCU. Fashion show of apparel adorned with WCU’s 125th logo, and refreshments, prizes, games, giveaways, displays and birthday cake. Complete schedule at celebrate125.wcu.edu.

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

• Acclaimed artist Buzz Spector public lecture, “Buzz Spector: Material Reading,” 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, Room 130. John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center, Western Carolina University. 227.3594.

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

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

• CWCU Magical Mystery Tour, walkthrough, interactive retrospective of the 1960s, 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, concourse of Ramsey Regional Activity Center. qep.wcu.edu.

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

LITERARY (ADULTS) • The Write Ones: Adult Creative Writing Group, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 23, Jackson County Public Library, Sylva. 586.2016.

• Author Luncheon with Wiley Cash, noon Friday, Jan. 31, Blue Ridge Books, 152 S. Main St., Waynesville.

Tickets, $35, must be purchased in advance at Blue Ridge Books. Includes a signed copy of Cash’s new hardback novel, This Dark Road to Mercy and a Kanini’scatered lunch. www.blueridgebooksnc.com, 456.6000.

• Franklin resident Tami Rasmussen will present her book, Murmur, an Appalachian mystery, at 3 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 25, City Lights Bookstore, Sylva.

586.9499.

• Ready to Read, adult literacy program to help those who are illiterate or need to improve/strengthen their reading skills, 10 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Genealogy Study Room on the second floor of Jackson County Public Library. 586.2016.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • Rare opera by Domenico Cimarosa, “The Secret Marriage,” 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, in the black box theatre of the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at WCU. 227.7242. Free. 227.7242. A second performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26, Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

Tickets for that performance are $10 for adults and $5 for children. 456.6322.

• Faculty Showcase Concert, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, recital hall of the Coulter Building, WCU. Presented by faculty members from WCU’s School of Music. 227.7242.

• Auditions for the 2014 season of Unto These Hills, the long-running, outdoor drama in Cherokee, 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 22, 564 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, across from the museum. Come prepared with a monologue, a headshot and a song (if you sing). Marina Hunley-Graham, 497.3652 or Linda Squirrel, 497.1125.

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

227.2479 or visit the websitebardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

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

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

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

• Tickets on sale for Robin Thicke with special guest Jessie J, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee. Tickets start at $58. www.Ticketmaster.com.

• Series subscription tickets now on sale for The Galaxy of Stars Series at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

Single tickets also available. “Smokey Joe’s Café,” 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26.; 1964, 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9; The Squirm Burpee Circus, 5 p.m. Sunday, March 2; and “The Fantasticks,” 5 p.m. Sunday, April 27. Bardo Arts Center box office, 227.2479 or go online to bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

NIGHT LIFE • O’Malley’s in Sylva: Arnold Hill; Jan. 24, Paradise 56; Jan. 25, Bobby Sullivan; and Jan. 31, Marc Keller.

MUSIC JAMS • Music Jam every Thursday night from 6 to 8 p.m. at Frog Level Brewery on Commerce St.in Waynesville.

First and third Thursday are mostly Celtic; second and fourth are mostly Old Time; fifth Thursday anything goes. All acoustic instruments are welcome.

Newcomers welcome. Contact besscrider@gmail.com

MUSIC MAKERS

• Cellar Club, 7 to 9 p.m. first Tuesday of the month, Papou’s Wine Shop, Sylva. Membership prices, $50 per person, $75 per couple. Wine tastings, food pairings. 586.6300, papouswineshop@frontier.com.

• “Little Black Dress Night,” every first Friday of the month at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. Wine glass specials and socializing. 586.6300 or papouswineshop@frontier.com.

• Gathering Table, 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, at The Community Center, Route 64, Cashiers. Provides fresh, nutritious dinners to all members of the community regardless of ability to pay. Volunteers always needed and donations gratefully accepted. 743.9880.

ART/GALLERY EVENTS & OPENINGS • “Land Of The Crooked Water” works by artist Joshua Grant will be on display through January 2014 at Macon County Public Library, Franklin.

CLASSES, PROGRAMS & DEMONSTRATIONS • Oil painting demonstrations by Nick DePaolo 12:30 to 4 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 23, Feb. 20, March 6 and March 20, Cedar Hill Studio and Gallery at Depot St., Waynesville.

• DIY Tote Bag Making Workshop, 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office, Sylva. 586.4009 to register and get the supply list, $5.

FILM & SCREEN • The Butler, 7:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 and 5 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, The Strand, 38 Main St., Waynesville.

• Music documentary about Sixto Rodriguez, a Detroit folksinger, 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, Meeting Room, Macon County Public Library, Franklin.

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some drug references. www.fontanalib.org.

• Movie night, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, Jackson County Public Library, Sylva. Call for movie title.

586.2016.

• Family movie, 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, Marianna Black Library, Bryson City. Action-packed animated comedy adventure featuring Dusty, a plane with dreams of competing as a high-flying air racer.

488.3030.

• New movie, 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, meeting room, Macon County Public Library, Franklin. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sherida and Reese Witherspoon. Two young boys encounter a fugitive and form a pact to help him evade the bounty hunters on his trail and to reunite him with his true love. Rated PG-13 for some violence, sexual references, language, thematic elements and smoking.

• Picking at the Armory, Jan. 17, Canton, with Lisa Price Band and Southern Appalachian and Fines Creek Flatfooters.

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

Sunday, Feb. 9, Community Room, second floor, Jackson County Library Complex, Sylva. Charlotte Crittendon will call the dance to the live music of Out of the Woodwork. Potluck dinner will follow at 5 p.m.

Bring a covered dish, plate, cup and cutlery and a water bottle. Ron Arps, ronandcathy71@frontier.com.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park is operating on its winter schedule. For details, go to www.npswww.nps.gov/grsm, call 865.436.1200 and follow the prompts, or Twitter at SmokiesRoadsNPS. • Haywood County Waterways is looking for volunteers for its Volunteer Water Information Network (VWIN) program. Volunteers are needed to take water quality samples from creeks and streams in Crabtree and Jonathan Creek and send the samples to a water quality lab. haywoodwaterways.org/monitoring or contact Dave Dudek, DDudek@haywoodnc.net or phone (late afternoon), 926.1308.

• The Gorges State Park is looking for volunteers to assist in maintaining existing trails and campgrounds in the park on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., weather permitting. Bring gloves, water and tools supplied.

Participants need to be at least 16 years old and in good health. Registration not required. Meet at 17762 Rosman Highway (US-64) in Sapphire. 966.9099.

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

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

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

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

COMPETITIVE EDGE • Icycle Mountain Bike Race, Saturday, Jan. 25, Fontana Village Resort, Fontana Dam. Icycle Cross Country Lemans, 11 a.m., for Sport, Big Bike and Beginner categories, 1 p.m. for Expert and SingleSpeed categories. Seven-mile course. www.icyclerace.com/ or 498.2211.

• 4th annual Assault on Black Rock (ABR), 9 a.m.

Saturday, March 22, Jackson County. A 7-mile trail race from the parking lot of Sylva’s Pinnacle Park to the 5,810-foot Black Rock summit on the spine of the Plott Balsam Mountains. Proceeds to benefit the Community Table. Register at www.CommunityTable.org, “event calendar.” Online registration at Active.com, but an extra $3.25 fee is included. Brian Barwatt, 506.2802 or barwatt@hotmail.com.

• Online registration is open through Tuesday, April 1, for Western Carolina University’s 4th annual Valley of the Lilies Half Marathon and 5K, which will be held Saturday, April 5, on the campus in Cullowhee. Race day registration will be available at $80 for the half marathon and $30 for the 5K. www.halfmarathon.wcu.edu or race directors Shauna Sage or James Scifers at ValleyoftheLilies@wcu.edu.

FARM & GARDEN

Outdoors OUTINGS, HIKES & FIELDTRIPS • Duke Energy has completed construction of the new Shook Cove, 1665 Shook Cove Road, and Tuckasegee Powerhouse, 40 Disney Lane off Highway 107, boating

• North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Macon County is taking applications for participation in the 2014 Master Gardener Program, a short course in horticulture provided each year by North Carolina Cooperative Extension to help home gardeners gain a better understanding of gardening and plants.

Classes begin in February. 349.2046.

Smoky Mountain News

• Laura Ann Garren will present her book, A History of the Chattooga River, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, City Lights Bookstore, Sylva. 586.9499.

• Guest pianist Craig Randal Johnson concert of Finnish and American music, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, recital hall of Coulter Building, Western Carolina University. Free. 227.7242.

• The Burns Night Beer Dinner, 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Herren House, Waynesville. Five course dinner with food and beer pairings from Tipping Point Brewing and the Herren House. $40 per person.

452.7837.

access areas, and improvements to the previously unnamed Tanasee Creek access area, 14280 Canada Road (Highway 281), all in Jackson County. 369.4534.

January 22-28, 2014

• Game Day, 2 p.m. third Saturday of the month, Papou’s Wine Shop, Sylva. Bring cards, board games, etc. 586.6300.

• Americana/bluegrass group Brad Boulet & Friends, 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Frog Level Brewing, Waynesville. Free. 454.5664.

FOOD & DRINK

wnc calendar

A&E

• 16-year-old singer/songwriter sensation Indigo, 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at Tipping Point Brewing, Waynesville. Free. 246.9230.

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

456.3575 to reserve a spot.

33

PRIME REAL ESTATE

INSIDE

Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

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 — Residential yard sale ads, lost or found pet ads.

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■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad.

■ $35 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold.

■ $300 — Statewide classifieds run in 117 participating newspapers with 1.6 million circulation. Up to 25 words.

■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

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

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TEACHER RECRUITMENT FAIR To fill 2014-15 Vacancies - did you know over 475 teaching positions were filled in the 2013-14 school year? Come join our participating VA school divisions (Counties of Alleghany, Bath, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, Roanoke and Wythe; and the Cities of Martinsville, Roanoke and Salem) on Friday, Jan 31, 2014 - 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. & Saturday, Feb 1, 2014 - 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Salem Civic Center, 1001 Boulevard, Salem, VA 24153-5298.

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January 22-28, 2014

FTCC Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following positions: Associate Degree Nursing Instructor: Requirement - M.S. in Nursing with 2 yrs employment in direct patient care as an RN. Licensed as an RN in NC. Deadline: Feb 3.

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FAST PACED LAW FIRM Is seeking a Paralegal/Legal Assistant/Receptionist. Part Time and Full Time Positions. Pay Depending on Experience. Experience or Paralegal Degree a Plus. Multi-Tasking and Attention to Detail a Must.

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EMPLOYMENT

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HOMES FOR RENT UNFURNISHED CLEAN & BRIGHT 3/BR 1/BA In Waynesville. All Appliances, Wood Floors, Car-port with Storage Room, Extra Large Deck with Beautiful Views, Located on Dead End Street. $750/mo. + Deposit & Lease. No pets/Smoking. For more information call 828.734.9419 or 828.734.9409

LOTS FOR SALE 2.819 ACRE TRACT Building Lot in great location.

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

Price Reduced $65,000.

Call 828.627.2342.

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT 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. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

219-32

Great Smokies Storage

www.smokymountainnews.com

January 22-28, 2014

10’x20’

36

92

$

20’x20’

160

$

ONE MONTH

FREE WITH 12-MONTH CONTRACT

828.506.4112 or 828.507.8828 Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction

Puzzles can be found on page 38.

These are only the answers.

VACATION RENTALS

FLORIDA DISNEY AREA Hotels, Suites & Condo’s As Low As $39.00 per night! Call 1.855.303.5528 Promo Code: SAPA. OCEAN ISLE BEACH, North Carolina's #1 Family Vacation Spot! Minutes from Myrtle Beach. Reserve your Vacation Today! www.CookeRealty.com or call 1.800.NCBEACH.

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

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

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

MEDICAL

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

828.734.4822 Cell • www.carolynlauter.com

DANBY PORTABLE DEHUMIDIFIER Used only 2 months, Like New, Very Quite. $140 Call 828.369.5323.

WRAP UP YOUR Holiday Shopping with 100 percent guaranteed, delivered-to-the-door Omaha Steaks! SAVE 67 PERCENT - PLUS 4 FREE Burgers - Many Gourmet Favorites ONLY $49.99 ORDER Today 800.715.2010 Use code “4937 CFW” or go to: www.OmahaSteaks.com/holiday33

WANTED TO BUY CASH FOR Unexpired Diabetic Test Strips!

Free Shipping, Friendly Service, BEST prices and 24 hour payment!

Call Mandy at 1.855.578.7477, or visit www.TestStripSearch.com Espanol 1.888.440.4001 SAPA

Beverly Hanks & Associates — beverly-hanks.com

carolyn.lauter@realtyworldheritage.com

224-36

224-07

Full Service Property Management 828-456-6111 www.selecthomeswnc.com

Michelle McElroy — beverly-hanks.com Marilynn Obrig — beverly-hanks.com Mike Stamey — beverly-hanks.com Ellen Sither — esither@beverly-hanks.com Jerry Smith — beverly-hanks.com Billie Green — bgreen@beverly-hanks.com Pam Braun — pambraun@beverly-hanks.com

ERA Sunburst Realty — sunburstrealty.com Haywood Properties — haywoodproperties.com • Steve Cox — info@haywoodproperties.com

Residential and Commercial Long-Term Rentals

Keller Williams Realty kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • Rob Roland — robrolandrealty.com • Ron Kwiatkowski — ronk.kwrealty.com

222-43

PERSONAL WHITE MALE, NON-DRINKER, Looking for a live-in girlfriend for companionship & light housework. Any age, kids okay. 2/BR in a nice neighborhood. For more info call Donnie at 706.335.6496 or write to PO Box 411, ILA, GA 30647.

• • • • • • •

Mountain Home Properties — mountaindream.com

MOUNTAIN REALTY

Mieko Thomson

• Sammie Powell — smokiesproperty.com

Thomson

Main Street Realty — mainstreetrealty.net

ROKER/R /REALTOR EALTOR®® BBROKER

McGovern Real Estate & Property Management

Cell (828) 226-2298 Cell

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

• Bruce McGovern — shamrock13.com

2177 Russ Avenue Waynesville NC 28786

A UNIQUE ADOPTIONS, Let Us Help! Personalized adoption plans. Financial assistance, housing, relocation and more. Giving the gift of life? You deserve the best. Call us first! 888.637.8200.

24 hour HOTLINE. SAPA

Preferred Properties • George Escaravage — gke333@gmail.com

Prudential Lifestyle Realty — vistasofwestfield.com Realty World Heritage Realty realtyworldheritage.com • Carolyn Lauter

ARE YOU PREGNANT? A childless married couple seeks to adopt. Will be Hands-On Mom/ Devoted Dad. Financial security.

Expenses PAID. Call/TEXT Jessica & Adam. 1.800.790.5260.

(FL Bar #0150789) SAPA

realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7766/

• Thomas & Christine Mallette realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7767/

RE/MAX — Mountain Realty

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

Your Local Big Green Egg Dealer

BEST PRICE EVERYDAY

10-5 M-SAT. 12-4 SUN.

• • • • • • • • •

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

smokymountainnews.com

VIAGRA 100MG and CIALIS 20mg!

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

Carolyn Lauter Broker/ABR 1986 SOCO ROAD, HWY 19 • MAGGIE VALLEY, NC 28751

Haywood County Real Estate Agents

January 22-28, 2014

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

SAPA

Commitment, consistency, results.

WNC MarketPlace

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

FOR SALE CHAMPION SUPPLY Janitorial supplies. Professional cleaning products, vacuums, janitorial paper products, swimming pool chemicals, environmentally friendly chemicals, indoor & outdoor light bulbs, odor elimination products, equipment repair including household vacuums. Free delivery across WNC. 800.222.0581.

The Seller’s Agency — listwithphil.com • Phil Ferguson — philferguson@bellsouth.net 224-08

224-10

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

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com 37

Super

73 Tenor Jan 74 More piquant 76 Detroit-to-Montreal ACROSS dir.

1 Ecstatic joy 77 Some toy batteries 8 Injured 79 “An apple - ...”

15 Heart chambers 80 Summer, to the 20 Baseball’s “Hebrew French Hammer” 21 The U.S., south of the 81 AIR ...

86 Castle-circling ditch U.S. border 88 Roman 553 22 Bucking horse 23 Two words that might 89 What the Tin Woodman asked for follow BUTTER ...

90 Derek and Diddley 25 Arledge of TV 93 Sleep disorder 26 Guess as to takeoff: 95 Toss in some seasonAbbr. ing 27 Shortcoming 97 Plain as day 28 Yoga pad 99 Buddhism’s - Lama 29 Not as bright 101 POWER ...

30 The Louvre, e.g.: 105 BLUE ...

Abbr.

110 Critical hosp. ward 32 Stephen of films 111 Part of RSVP 33 SPORTS ...

112 Having disembarked 36 HARD ...

113 Pluralized -y 39 Get choked by, as 114 Becomes smelting food waste 40 Baseballer David 116 Letter before theta a.k.a. “Big Papi” 118 Hipbone part 41 Secrete milk 119 HAND ...

45 Discontinued 123 Get the suds out of 48 - Moines, Iowa 124 10th-century 49 Congo River feeder German king 53 Modify formally 55 Spain’s longest river 125 Most pointless 126 See 44-Down 56 STORM ...

127 Maximally massive 59 Winning line in tic128 Certifies (to) tac-toe 60 To be, to Jacques DOWN 63 “- in the bag!”

1 Rally or relay 64 - -pah-pah band 2 Far greater 65 Begin the cruise 3 Pieces of merchan67 - play (a simple job) 69 Country music resort dise 4 “Tik -” (2009 #1 hit city in Missouri

Smoky Mountain News

January 22-28, 2014

AFTERWORDS

38

CROSSWORD for Kesha) 5 “Catch - You Can” (Dave Clark Five song) 6 Gain back, as trust 7 Took place as a result 8 Left 9 Aged 10 Mom’s bro 11 “- Rae” (1979 film) 12 Gloomy, in poetry 13 Les - -Unis 14 Rep.’s foe 15 Abbreviate 16 Tuba’s kin 17 SCHOOL ...

18 Central 19 Computers such as the Aspire and Extensa 24 Banned apple spray 29 Gene stuff 31 Enjoy a slope 33 Offed 34 “LA Ink” channel 35 Liaisons 36 Car axle, e.g.

37 France’s Côte d’38 Gymnastics great Korbut 42 Qdoba items 43 “Take -” (office order) 44 With 126-Across, multiple-gear bicycle 46 Beethoven’s Third 47 “Tom -” (1958 #1 hit) 50 Cap. of the Gem State 51 Pantry insect 52 Fed. crash investigator 54 Far out from the coast 56 Sensed 57 Film director Stanley

58 I-90, e.g.

60 Itchy skin condition 61 Up-and-comer’s eventual goal 62 SUN ...

66 Sewing line 68 “What’s the -?” (“Who cares?”)

70 Changed the décor of 71 Writer Nin 72 Of the entire U.S., e.g.

75 Installed anew, as a carpet 78 Shape of a parenthesis 82 Hat, in slang 83 Ken and G.I. Joe, say 84 In - (unmoved) 85 Give - to (approve) 87 Coffee shop’s cousin 90 Has faith 91 Non-written exam 92 Pigs’ hangout 94 Freaked out 96 iPhone extra 98 #2 corp. execs 100 Suffix with hex102 Adorn richly 103 Maine national park 104 Guitarist Ted 105 Carnivals 106 Suffolk County town 107 Metropolis, in Milan 108 Microwaves, say 109 Ain’t right?

114 Vexed state 115 Crate piece 117 Part of A&E 119 Like kings: Abbr.

120 Vegas cube 121 “- for Alibi” (Sue Grafton book) 122 Suffix with Ernest

answers on page 36

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

SCHOOLS/ INSTRUCTION AIRLINE CAREERS BEGIN HERE Get FAA Approved Maintenance Training Financial Aid For Qualified Students - Housing Available Job Placement Assistance. Call Aviation Institute Of Maintenance 1.866.724.5403 WWW.FIXJETS.COM. SAPA EARN YOUR High School Diploma at home in a few short weeks. Work at your own pace. First Coast Academy. Nationally accredited. Call for free brochure. 1.800.658.1180, extension 82. www.fcahighschool.org SAPA HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR Training! Bulldozers, Backhoes, Excavators. 3 Week Hands On Program. Local Job Placement Assistance. National Certifications. GI Benefits Eligible. 1.866.362.6497.

SCHOOLS/ INSTRUCTION HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA FROM Home 6-8 weeks. ACCREDITED. Get a Diploma. Get a Job! No Computer Needed. FREE BROCHURE. 1.800.264.8330. Benjamin Franklin High School www.diplomafromhome.com. SAPA

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

SERVICES *REDUCE YOUR CABLE BILL* Get a 4-Room All-Digital Satellite system installed for FREE! Programming starting at $19.99/MO. FREE HD/DVR upgrade for new callers. CALL NOW 1.800.795.1315 SAPA DIRECTV $0 START COSTS! 150+ Channels $7.50/week! FREE HBO/Cinemax/Showtime/Starz!

FREE Whole Home HD/DVR! FREE Installation! Local Installers!

Hurry Ends Soon Call Now 1.800.983.2690. SAPA MY COMPUTER WORKS: Computer problems? Viruses, spyware, email, printer issues, bad internet connections - FIX IT NOW! Professional, U.S.-based technicians. $25 off service. Call for immediate help. 888.582.8147. SAPA

SERVICES DISH TV RETAILER - SAVE! Starting $19.99/month (for 12 months.) FREE Premium Movie Channels. FREE Equipment, Installation & Activation.

CALL, COMPARE LOCAL DEALS! 1.800.351.0850.

SAPA FROG POND DOWNSIZING Helping Hands In Hard Times.

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

18 Commerce Street, Waynvesville, NC. 828.734.3874 MEDICAL GUARDIAN Top-rated medical alarm and 24/7 medical alert monitoring. For a limited time, get free equipment, no activation fees, no commitment, a 2nd waterproof alert button for free and more - only $29.95 per month. 800.615.3868

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

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

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

Answers on Page 36

Defending your rights when it matters most.

Nath Na than an E rw Ea rwoo oodd

828.339 .1010

Davi Da vidd Moo M oore

EarwoodandMoore.com 559 W Main Street, Sylva

January 22-28, 2014 Smoky Mountain News 39

January 22-28, 2014

TUESDAY, JAN. 28 Smoky Mountain News

11 a.m.-7 p.m.

First United Methodist Church 566 S. Haywood St. â&#x20AC;˘ Waynesville

$8 Adults $4 Kids 12 & under

TICKETS AT THE DOOR OR THROUGH: WAYNESVILLE LOCATIONS: Haywood Economic Dev. Commission (Cheryl Meyers) Main Street Realty (Ann Eavenson or Marty Prevost) Mountain Credit Union (Tanya Haskett) Oldtown Bank (Dana Klinger) Smoky Mountain Eye Care (Patricia McCall) Tool Shed (Margaret Rathbone)

CLYDE LOCATION: Hometrust Bank (Bria Davis)

MAGGIE VALLEY LOCATION: REALTY WORLD-Heritage (Christine Mallette)

40