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

Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2015 Vol. 16 Iss. 35

Ghost Town promises big announcement Page 11 Haywood Arts Council turns a corner Page 26

CONTENTS

STAFF

On the Cover: A GOP activist whose email habits have earned the ire of many who follow politics and work in local government has been charged with cyberstalking a former Republican Party volunteer. (Page 8-12) Becky Johnson photo

News Maggie Valley looks forward to 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Counties lay out legislative goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Ghost Town officials say big news coming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Macon man detects hazardous lead in wells, earns state honor . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Swain educators focus on science, technology, engineering and math. . . . . 14 No Name Pub, critics square off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Judge says Jackson officials need to invest in courthouse security . . . . . . . . 16 Cherokee has hard time spinning off broadband initiative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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CONTACT WAYNESVILLE | 144 Montgomery, Waynesville, NC 28786 P: 828.452.4251 | F: 828.452.3585

Opinion Pub owners, neighbors and town need to find common ground . . . . . . . . . . 22

SYLVA | 629 West Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779 828.631.4829 | F: 828.631.0789

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INFO & BILLING | P.O. Box 629, Waynesville, NC 28786

A&E The state of the arts in Haywood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

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Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

Smoky Mountain Blueways initiative nearly complete. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

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JANUARY

24 - 31

Come join us in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for the

25th Anniversary Wilderness Wildlife Week!

Smoky Mountain News

This special free event features more than 400 educational seminars, 65 hikes and field trips into Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the local area, as well as more than 70 onsite exhibitors!

Featured sessions include presentations by: Lee Stetson & Alan Sutterfield Ken Jenkins • Dr. Bill Bass • The Talk is Cheap Tour featuring Bill Landry, Sam Venable, Jim Claborn & Elizabeth Rose

...and many other exciting programs!

The LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge 2986 Teaster Lane Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 For more information, visit MyPigeonForge.com or telephone the Pigeon Forge Office of Special Events at (865) 429-7350

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Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

Smoky Mountain News

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news

Maggie Valley: ‘It’s been a good year’

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR aggie Valley officials are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel after experiencing several tumultuous years.

Town officials took time to revel in their 2014 accomplishments while setting goals for 2015 during a recent retreat. While 2013 marked a tough year for the town with a divided board of aldermen, some big staff changes, unhappy residents and businesses and a struggling local economy, 2014 was far more productive.

“The board is now able to come to consensus with or without being in complete agreement,” said Alderman Saralyn Price. “We have positive attitudes and we’re moving forward.”

She then read off a long list of accomplishments that included hiring a new town manager and a new town attorney, not raising taxes while providing excellent services, treating businesses and residents equally and keeping a full festival grounds schedule without a director in place.

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Maggie Valley has updated its festival grounds policies. Max Cooper photo

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LEGISLATIVE GOALS

Smoky Mountain News

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

A majority of decisions that came before the board ended in a 2-to-2 deadlock because the three members and the mayor couldn’t agree on a vacancy appointment for more than a year. It wasn’t until the November 2013 elections that the board was able to fill the position and move forward.

Mayor Ron DeSimone said during the planning meeting that he wanted to put a safeguard in place to prevent that from happening again. It would require an update to the town’s charter, which would have to get legislative approval.

“The board would be given an amount of time to fill a vacancy, and if they can’t agree on one, we’ll kick it to the county commissioners and let them appoint someone,” DeSimone said. “In my mind it’s better than the position we were in with the stalemate.”

DeSimone said he spoke to several commissioners who seemed receptive to the idea, but his real hope is that with the safeguard in place, the board would be more inclined to agree on an appointment before it ever reached that point. He said the UNC School of Government said another option was to let the Superior Court make the appointment because it is nonpartisan.

“But a local board seat isn’t partisan anyway, and I think the commissioners have more insight into the dynamic of the town and board,” he said.

The board will work on drafting language for the charter amendment to present to legislators.

The other legislative priority the town wants to pursue is getting the Legislature to allow municipal employees to be eligible for the state insurance plan. DeSimone said he spoke to Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, about it 4 and he said there had already been some dis-

cussion about such a move.

“That would be a huge budget saver if we can do it,” said Alderman Janet Banks.

Alderman Mike Eveland agreed that being able to offer the state plan to the town’s employees would make the annual budgeting process a lot easier. With new health care guidelines and increasing premium cots each year, small municipalities like Maggie Valley have a hard time maintaining the same level of coverage each year. Last year, the town switched from Blue Cross Blue Shield to a plan with Coventry Health Care to avoid a 26 percent increase in health care costs.

“It would allow us to offer a good benefit package without the budget stress every single year,” he said.

FESTIVAL GROUNDS PROGRESS Another challenge in late 2013 occurred when the town board fired festival grounds director Audrey Hager and accepted the resignation of Town Manager Tim Barth following financial misconduct with an event at the festival grounds.

The board chose not to replace the festival grounds director position, and Town Clerk Vickie Best has taken over booking. To avoid similar problems at the festival grounds, the board updated its festival grounds policies.

The board also has started cutting back on festival ground expenses and set stricter rental fees in an effort to make the grounds more self-sustaining.

more focus on promoting Maggie’s history and heritage, creating a master plan for the town, remodeling the town hall board room and completing the second phase of leveling out the festival grounds.

Banks agreed that creating a master plan is a major priority for 2015. The board approved a $25,000 contract with J.M. Teague Engineering in November to develop a town “I think the board has led this center master plan. A community project team will collect data community as well as Haywood and start putting together proCounty into thinking more posals before holding public positively … and as a result we’ve meetings to collect feedback.

“I think the board has led gotten a whole lot better press.” this community as well as Haywood County into thinking — Alderman Janet Banks more positively … and as a result we’ve gotten a whole lot dates are being held for some signature better press,” she said. “The year before we events, but Best is still waiting on applica- were on the front page every day, but not tions from several promoters, including any more.”

Hillbilly Woodstock, Thunder in the As for long-term planning, Banks said she Smokies, PlottFest and Oktoberfest. would like to see the town establish a histori“We still have them penciled in and we’re cal museum to help preserve the valley’s herwilling to work with them — they just need to itage. She said residents would probably have get their applications in,” said Town Manager plenty of items to donate.

Nathan Clark.

Alderman Phillip Wight said he would like to open up committee seats to business instead of limiting appointments to UTURE GOALS owners town residents only.

Clark said that is a possibility except for The board also is looking toward the future by setting more goals for 2015. Price the planning and zoning board. The zoning said she was looking forward to continuing board has to follow state statutes, which beautification projects in the valley, putting require members to live in the town.

While the town is still responsible for the maintenance and booking of events, it will no longer act as a promoter of any events other than its Fourth of July celebration. Board members seem pleased with how things ran at the festival grounds in 2014.

Best said she was still working to finalize the 2015 festival grounds schedule. A few

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BY J ESSI STONE N EWS EDITOR fter wading through more than 300 legislative goals presented by more than 500 commissioners throughout the state, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners has agreed on five top priorities to present to legislators during the 2015 General Assembly.

Macon County Commissioner Ronnie Beale, president of the NCACC, gave his fellow commissioners an update on the recent Legislative Goals Conference during the board’s retreat last week.

He said priorities Ronnie Beale were submitted by commissioners from all over the state and narrowed down to 45 before the NCACC met and cut that down to the top five goals for this session. Beale said he is hopeful that their goals will be met as the NCAC has had an 85 to 90 percent success rate in the past.

Swain County Commissioners David Monteith and Philip Carson also attended the conference. Monteith serves as vice chairmen for NCACC’s Health and Human Service committee.

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UNFUNDED MANDATES

The NCACC is also asking the legislators for no unfunded mandates. Monteith said there have been several instances of the state or federal government passing laws that must be carried out by local govern-

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MEDICAID EXPANSION Medicaid is another hot topic throughout the state right now, one that many commissioners are torn over. Since it is a very political issue, Beale said constructing language was difficult for the association.

“The language says we support the state’s efforts — in whatever they come up with — in an effort to provide coverage to all citizens,” he said.

The NCACC has agreed on five top priorities that will be presented to legislators during the 2015 General Assembly.

According to a new study from George Washington University in Virginia, North Carolina will miss out on $21 billion in federal matching funds between 2016 and 2020 if the state does not expand Medicaid by 2016.

“Everyone realized we needed to make that happen,” Monteith said about the discussion at NCACC.

TRANSPORTATION The NCACC also voted to oppose the shift of state transportation funding responsibilities such as secondary road construction and maintenance to the counties.

SCHOOL BOARD LAWSUITS Another goal was to repeal local school boards’ ability to file suit against a board of commissioners over county appropriations for education. While he said it hadn’t been an issue for Macon County, Union County School Board was recently awarded $90 million after it filed a lawsuit against county commissioners.

“We have an abnormal relationship with our school board,” Beale said. “A good abnormal relationship because we can sit down and talk through problems.”

The NCACC also approved 45 proposals in areas such as environment, public education, tax and finance and health and human services. Monteith said mental health services were still a big priority in North Carolina even though the issue didn’t make the top five list.

QUESTION: How much fiber should I be eating a day and which foods have fiber?

Answer: According to the Institute of Medicine women should be consuming 25 grams of fiber per day and men should be aiming for 38 grams of fiber per day. Most Americans don’t get the amount of fiber that they need.

Fiber is found in plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and grains.

There is NO fiber in milk, yogurt, meat, chicken, fish or oils – unless it has been added to these items by a manufacturer.

Some ways to increase your fiber intake: • Look for cereals that have at least 5 grams of fiber per serving.

• Choose breads that are made with whole wheat or whole grain flour.

• Eat fruit and vegetables rather than drinking fruit or vegetable juices which may have little or no fiber.

• Add beans to salads, soups, casseroles or have them as a side dish.

• Choose pasta that is whole wheat or whole grain.

(Remember, when you increase your fiber intake you also need to increase your fluid intake so you don’t become constipated!)

Smoky Mountain News

One of the top goals is to have the Legislature return more North Carolina Lottery funds to the local school systems.

“They sold it to the public as 40 percent of it would be returned to school systems, but that’s not happening,” Beale said. “And that hurts everyone.”

Currently, Macon County Schools are receiving only about 17 David Monteith percent back from the lottery funds, according to County Manager Derek Roland.

Monteith said that additional funding was especially important to more rural communities in North Carolina, including Swain County, because it has such a small tax base. “”Years ago I would have been opposed to it but since it’s there, it needs to come back to the counties,” he said. “It’s hard to come up with those dollars — we’ve got to have it.”

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — If you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid you could be eligible for a program to receive extra benefits such as Dental, Vision, Hearing, Fitness and Transportation all at no cost to you. Call us toll free to see if you qualify at 1-855-976-3998.

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

RETURN LOTTO FUNDS

ments while providing only a year’s worth of funding before the responsibility switched to the county.

“It needs to be fair,” he said. “I preach our 14 percent tax base — that’s all we’ve got and it’s hard to divide it up.”

Beale echoed the same sentiments.

“If we have to do it, we want to see a check from Raleigh to pay for it,” he said.

Attention Medicare Beneficiaries news

NC commissioners set legislative priorities

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Haywood GOP members draw the line over inflammatory emails Monroe Miller has been a critic of Haywood County government for several years, appearing at county meetings and being a regular addition to county employees’ email inboxes.

Donated photo

Smoky Mountain News

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER Monroe Miller is no stranger to the inbox.

Hundreds of emails from Miller have peppered the email accounts of people in Haywood County over the past five years, targeting those he believes have misstepped.

His targets are accused of being inept or under-handed — and sometimes both. Miller summons large audiences to the email chain, roping in spectators through the cc line to witness the latest attack.

Some have been bombarded with critical emails from Miller for years. Others may land in the crosshairs for a few weeks or months before he moves on to a new target. County workers — from the election office to the community college to the finance department — are among the most common targets, accused of incompetence at best and outright fraud at worst.

Miller’s other main email arena is the Haywood County Republican Party, where a struggle has been playing out for two years between long-time mainstream party members and a faction of Miller supporters trying to take control of the party.

The issues that invoke the ire of Miller’s mass email are varied, ranging from petty paperwork mistakes to allegations of widespread government cover-up.

They are too numerous and too varied to highlight in this article — since doing so would require long explanations of how Miller arrived at his allegation and equally long explanations by those being targeted deflecting the allegations. But five years’ 6

FLAME ON worth can be found on Miller’s website, www.haywoodtp.net.

Miller’s supporters portray him as a crusader for truth and righteousness, but Miller’s critics say the allegations and criticisms are meritless, intended only to humiliate and embarrass people.

“In my opinion Mr. Miller is a bully who tries to intimidate and harass people — primarily females — by filling their inboxes with a voluminous number of emails, addressing them in derogatory and condescending language and generally making a pest of himself,” said Haywood GOP Chair Pat Carr, who has been the subject of more than critical emails from Miller and his faction over the past two years. “This is Mr. Miller’s standard modus operandi. “ Carr is among many who have spoken up about their own experience on the receiving end of Miller’s emails following misdemeanor cyber stalking charges filed against him last week.

Savannah Tedesco, a 24-year-old volunteer for the local Republican party, claims Miller would not stop sending her intimidating and embarrassing emails after she asked him to quit.

“Apparently Ms. Tedesco has no patience or sympathy for his tactics,” Carr said.

Miller maintains that he is innocent. He declined to participate in an interview for this article, which is his long-standing practice when it comes to interview requests from the The Smoky Mountain News.

ENOUGH ALREADY The cyber stalking charges are playing out against the larger backdrop of a rift in the Haywood GOP that has been brewing for nearly three years. A wedge has been driven through the party, with Miller’s faction on one side and mainline Republicans on the other.

Despite being lambasted often by fellow party members in Miller’s faction, Carr said it goes against her grain to speak out publicly.

“It is not my habit to publicly criticize fellow Republicans who are all striving for common goals, even when we disagree on strategies. However some principles are more important than party loyalty,” Carr said.

Several mainline party members have joined Carr in support of Tedesco since she filed the charges.

K.G. Watson, who became active with the local GOP about a year ago after retiring to Maggie Valley, said he hopes Miller’s negative email dialogues will diminish now.

“Anyone that does that needs to be reined in,” said Watson, who’s on the mainline side of the party and serves as the Haywood GOP finance chair. “If they are a little irritating that is one thing, but if you start calling people names and saying things that aren’t true, they would be open to legal action. If they do that to me, I can assure you that is what I would do.”

Others in Miller’s faction occasionally join in the email criticism of mainline party members, cheering Miller on and chiming in with criticism of their own.

Matthew Hebb, a long-time friend of Tedesco, sent a parting email before he and Tedesco moved away this month, urging the party to unite and root out the animosity that is pulling it down.

“I will add that it is a sad state of affairs when people who volunteer their time to help the party are treated in such a manner,” Matthew Hebb wrote in an email to Miller this month. “I sincerely hope that those in Haywood county that are reasonable reject the behavior of a misguided man such as Monroe Miller and realize that harassment is no way to help Republicans get elected in either Haywood County or North Carolina as a whole.”

Tedesco is not the first person to ask

“In my opinion Mr. Miller is a bully who tries to intimidate and harass people — primarily females — by filling their inboxes with a voluminous number of emails, addressing them in derogatory and condescending language and generally making a pest of himself.”

— Pat Carr, Haywood GOP chair

Miller to stop emailing her.

Brian Strum, secretary of the local party, is routinely chastised by Miller in emails — dozens and dozens of them over the last year.

Strum said he asked Miller to stop more than once, but to no avail.

“I have repeatedly asked that you do not address me like you do. Do not email me ever again. We are done. This is the only notice I will give you,” Strum wrote in an email to Miller on Nov. 15 at 7:40 p.m.

Eight minutes later Miller replied and told Strum he would not stop.

Miller followed up with another email that simply said: “Brian Strum Meltdown #2?”

Strum finally decided to change his email address, which he has thus far kept a secret from Miller.

“I have told him I do not appreciate the politics of personal destruction and have repeatedly asked him to stop,” Strum said. “I feel like he has sent me emails that are abusive, annoying, threatening, harassing and embarrassing.”

Miller said since he is a precinct chair, he is entitled to email Strum, who is an officer in the party. Strum told Miller he was welcome to call him or write him, just not to email him.

“I am not saying you cannot communicate with me. I am saying you can’t email me,” Strum said.

But Miller hasn’t called or written since Strum changed his email address two months ago. Strum said it seems like Miller was more interested in attacking Strum in front of an audience than actually communicating with him.

“He is using email to grandstand. He plays on the email popularity chain. He wants to look big,” Strum said.

Miller’s email criticisms of Strum were routinely copied to about 20 people on the Haywood GOP governing committee — comprised of precinct chairs and the officers.

But some of the email chains eventually end up on Miller’s website, Haywood County Toe Prints, with accompanying commentary.

His website is a repository of years of his email dialogues, which remain open to public viewing indefinitely.

Sometimes active party members who are not on the official GOP governing committee get roped in to email conversation as well, and likewise have mixed results when they ask to be left off the chain.

“This is my second or third request to be left off the emails,” Lynda Bennett, a party volunteer, wrote in 2013. “And when bantering back and forth there is no need to ‘REPLY ALL’ since most of us are not involved in these personal conversations between only a few people.”

“I will make sure your e-mail address is removed if and when this current dialogue continues,” Miller replied.

A few who have asked Miller to stop emailing them have been successful. But those who have any sort of official capacity in the party — like precinct chairs and vice chairs — have had less luck, as Miller believes he has a right to email them about anything he thinks relevant to party affairs.

S EE M ILLER, PAGE 8

GOP insider charged with cyberstalking party volunteer

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But this wasn’t enough to get her name expunged from his emails, Miller replied. Tedesco would keep getting the emails until Miller got a copy of a formal letter from Haywood GOP Chair Pat Carr saying she had resigned.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Tedesco, verbal does not cut it. For me to remove you from my e-mail list, I will need to see a written letter of resignation, from you, to Pat Carr,” Miller wrote as a reply to Tedesco’s cease and “Thankfully, for myself, you will legally not be desist letter.

Even then, Miller said he may continue to able to speak to me in a very short period of email her about party affairs, since she planned to remain on the statewide GOP time. I recommend you comply when you executive committee as a Young Republican. receive what will be sent. Goodbye Monroe And if she stayed involved with the state party’s executive committee, that would make Miller. Do not contact me again.” her fair game to email in the future about party matters, Miller said.

— Savannah Tedesco in an email to Monroe Miller “I may need to contact you relating to any state matters. So under any circumstances, Yet Miller addressed her as Blue-Haired Girl in emails, so you are likely to remain in my e-mail address book,” Miller the myriad people copied on his email traffic to her would wrote. Miller also told Tedesco in his email reply that people associate her with the nickname, she said. who threatened him didn’t fare very well.

Hebb and Tedesco both resigned from the local GOP gov“Why don’t we do this. Why don’t you have your lawyer erning committee because they moved to Greensboro in send me a threatening letter?” Miller wrote to Tedesco.

Miller proceeded to send Tedesco six additional emails — January. Tedesco actually swore out a warrant against Miller for cyberstalking in Greensboro, since she was already living including five in one day alone — after she had sent him the there by then. cease and desist letter. And many of them were copied to a Miller must appear in court in Greensboro as a result, larger group email list. with an initial court date scheduled for Feb. 23. He is barred In his emails, Miller began asking how Tedesco became a precinct chair in the first place, questioning the legitimacy of from having any contact with Tedesco while awaiting a court 7 hearing.

Tedesco’s role as precinct chair.

Smoky Mountain News

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER onroe Miller, a watchdog and critic of county government and member of the so-called “patriot faction” of the Haywood County Republican Party, was charged with the misdemeanor of cyberstalking last week.

The charges were taken out by Savannah Tedesco, a 24year-old woman. She was a volunteer precinct chair in the Haywood GOP but was in the mainstream of the party and not part of Miller’s faction.

Miller has not been convicted. His first court date is Feb. 23. Miller declined to comment for this article, but has posted his take on the charges on his own website, Haywood tCounty Toeprints, as well as a catalog of his email communications with Tedesco. d Miller is a precinct chair in the local GOP and routinely tsends pointed, critical, questioning emails — often laced with personal criticisms against those not in his faction — to a group audience, most of them fellow party members.

Tedesco claims Miller continued to send her these emails after asking him to stop two times, including sending him a cease and desist letter Jan. 16.

“I don’t appreciate your e-mail threat,” Miller replied to her cease and desist letter on Jan. 18.

Miller maintained that he had a right to email her since they were both precinct chairs and it was necessary to communicate about party business.

Tedesco had resigned as precinct chair, however, something that she had announced at the January GOP meeting — a meeting Miller attended, recorded and wrote about in detail in his online newsletter.

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

Savannah Tedesco, a 24-year-old party volunteer, has filed cyber stalking charges against fellow precinct chair Monroe Miller for failing to comply with requests to stop emailing her. Here, Tedesco poses for a photo on the campaign trail with Thom Tillis, now a U.S. senator from North Carolina. Donated photo

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Tedesco replied a few days later sharing how the emails had made her feel.

“Your pedantic and truculent nature make me quite irritated, but in truth I feel sorry for you. I hope you will seek some professional counseling,” she wrote to him. “Regardless of my pity for you, I will not stand for being stalked and harassed or intimidated. Thankfully, for myself, you will legally not be able to speak to me in a very short period of time. I recommend you comply when you receive what will be sent. Goodbye Monroe Miller. Do not contact me again.”

Three days later, Miller was arrested for cyberstalking after turning himself in to authorities.

Miller did not email Tedesco again but did continue to write about her on his website and send those writings out in group emails to others.

“Every single time someone tells him to leave them alone it is like you are kicking an ant hill,” said Matthew Hebb, a longtime friend of Tedesco who was also serving on the Haywood GOP governing committee. “He attempts to make issues out of things that are not issues for the purposes of harassment.”

Miller disputed Hebb’s characterization of his emails on his website haywoodtp.net, saying he is innocent.

Cyberstalking is defined by state statute as emails or other electronic communication to someone “for the purpose of abusing, annoying, threatening, terrifying, harassing, or embarrassing any person.”

But Miller noted an exemption in the law for “peaceable, nonviolent, or nonthreatening activity intended to express political views or to provide lawful information to others.”

That exemption “provides the protection for me to have sent e-mails to SAVANNAH SIMONE TEDESCO and covers me like a blanket,” Miller wrote in his defense on his website.

Miller even posted his own arrest warrant, court notice and a personal account of his booking process on his site.

Tedesco said the emails Miller sent were not limited to political speech, however. For example, he included her in a group email to other party members calling her cease and desist letter “hilarious.”

“I felt publicly humiliated by him forwarding around my cease and desist letter telling people it was hilarious,” Tedesco said.

She also said his nickname for her was derogatory and designed to humiliate her. Miller bestowed her with the nickname “Blue Haired Girl,” and in one email wrote that she looked like she was coming from a Halloween Party. Her hair was only blue for a short period of time and for a specific personal reason.

Smoky Mountain News

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

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M ILLER, CONTINUED FROM 6 Miller sent out an email Monday putting them on notice he would no longer comply with requests from party committee members to be removed from his emails.

“I will make no attempt to redact anyone’s name or email address as I have done in the past.

Exec committee members can thank Savannah Tedesco for that,” Miller wrote.

Susan Brown, the treasurer for the local GOP, asked Miller last fall to stop emailing her, but to no avail.

“This is the only notice you will receive from me. Do not ever send an email to either of my accounts again. If I receive emails from you I will consider it to be harassment and act appropriately,” Brown wrote in a reply email to Miller on Oct. 12 at 5:03 p.m.

Brown said she was tired of being “bombarded by trash emails” from Miller and the handful in his faction.

Miller promptly replied that he wouldn’t stop emailing her.

Brown said Miller and his faction defend their copious emails laced with criticisms as merely asking questions to get the bottom of things. But from her perspective, the intent is to “belittle” people, she said.

“They aren’t exactly emailing you a question, they are emailing each other a question and sending it to God and everybody,” Brown said.

When responding to Tedesco’s demand that he stop sending her unsolicited mass emails, Miller replied, “I don’t do unsolicited mass emails.”

In the same email, however, Miller added a litany of people to the cc line, including the Waynesville police chief and Haywood sheriff.

It is unclear what Miller’s interpretation of “unsolicited mass emails” is.

But here’s what the record shows: a review of more than 300 emails sent by Miller over the past four years shows a pattern of emails being sent to six or more people at a time who had not initiated or invited contact from him.

He also encourages those in his faction to further disseminate the emails to an even wider audience.

“Jonnie, please e-blast,” Miller tags on to the bottom of emails.

The phrase also puts those on notice who were criticized in the email that it is being broadcast to a larger audience in the digital sphere.

FRIENDS OF MILLER

Miller is not without supporters.

Windy McKinney, a Libertarian who ran for Haywood County commissioner, was championed by Miller. Miller promoted her candidacy and publicly supported her run for office, including distributing criticism of her political opponents on the ballot.

McKinney said she appreciated Miller’s support, and said he has been a friend to her.

However, she said she understands why people find him abrasive.

“I don’t prefer that method of getting your point across,” McKinney said.

McKinney said despite his tactics, 8

Haywood Republican Party Chair Pat Carr stands her ground at a GOP meeting last year, as a faction led by Monroe Miller attempts to remove her from her leadership role. Becky Johnson photo

Miller is able to bring issues to the forefront that would otherwise slide under the radar.

“He is effective and he does make things happen. He really does,” McKinney said.

Denny King, an active member of the Republican Party and a three-time candidate for county commissioner, said Miller stands up against the powers that be to defend those who otherwise don’t have the wherewithal or know-how to speak up — whether it is an individual or all county taxpayers as a whole.

“What I have noticed with Monroe is the things he gets involved in are instances when other people are being abused,” King said. “I think he does a good service to the county and he thinks he makes a difference.”

King said it was not his place to judge how Miller goes about it.

“I don’t like to tell people what they should say or shouldn’t say,” King said.

Jeremy Davis, a Republican who recently became active in the party, said, “I appreciate the fact people like Monroe are out there looking at things. He looks at things through a different lens and thinks to ask things I would never think to ask.”

“I am thankful to God we have people in this country who ask questions. Where would we be if everybody said, ‘Ah well, just business as usual?’” said Davis.

Eddie Cabe, a Republican precinct chair in Miller’s faction, said Miller’s critics are trying to silence him.

“Their goal is to keep people silent and stop people from sending emails and stop people from asking questions,” Cabe said.

Cabe said GOP officers at the regional level of the party have recently demanded that he stop sending them emails.

Cabe said Miller is a “true patriot.” Cabe also said he has never known Miller to use

FLAME ON email as a tool to harass, intimidate or embarrass people.

“I have probably seen 1,000 of his emails and I have never seen that,” Cabe said.

In one recent email, Miller wrote to Carr, “Have you gone daft?”

Miller also called Carr a “piece of work,” in another email. Miller has also referred to Carr’s time as the party chair as her “reign of shame.”

Cabe added that it is not illegal to call people names.

“Those are all adjectives. We use those in the English language. I am pretty sure the First Amendment covers the use of adjectives,” Cabe said.

“Free speech is free speech,” he said.

Davis said Miller is not guilty of cyber stalking, citing an exemption for political expression.

“If you are doing this as a form of political expression, it is not cyber stalking,” Davis said.

TO BLOCK OR NOT TO BLOCK County Commissioner Kevin Ensley blocked incoming emails from Miller a few years ago after feeling like they had become abusive. County Commissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick followed suit.

Cabe said commissioners were violating the Constitution by blocking Miller’s emails.

“The Constitution says I have the right to redress my government for grievances,” Cabe said. “Have you ever read the Constitution? It is a beautiful document.”

But the Constitution doesn’t say anything about the right to email elected officials.

There are other mediums, like the public

comment period at meetings, snail mail and hand-delivered papers, Ensley said.

To Ensley, Miller’s emails aren’t really attempts to redress his government anyway, but are designed to browbeat and silence those who may disagree with him for fear of being blasted in mass emails.

“If they disagree with you, they want to hurt you,” Ensley said.

Ensley, a devout Christian, has said in the past that he was also offended by Miller’s use of the phrase “God-damned” in emails.

Miller has since taken to using the phrase “expletive deleted” as a substitute. It frequently appears as an adjective in his emails to denote a higher level of incredulity than normal over some perceived transgression by the person on the receiving end.

“Quit trying to [expletive deleted] this up,” Miller wrote to Haywood County Tax Administrator David Francis last month, after Francis refused to hold a sit-down meeting with him.

“What the [expletive deleted]!” Miller wrote in an email to GOP Chair Pat Carr asking about party finances.

“Commissioners [Expletive Deleted] up,” Miller wrote in the subject line of an email last month regarding the bond they set for the new tax collector.

“Someone must have kicked her in the [expletive deleted] to finally respond to me,” Miller wrote in an email last year to Buncombe County school officials over a contract bid he found questionable.

Occasionally, when someone blocks Miller’s emails, he attempts to circumvent their block by getting someone else to send it to them.

“P.S. Can someone on this copy list forward this link to Kirkpatrick and Ensley? They don’t accept my e-mails,” or “Please forward this email to Kevin Ensley, as he deletes e-mail that I send to him,” Miller adds at the end of emails criticizing county officials.

He has also tried to get emails to Strum since Strum changed his email address.

“To Brian Strum’s Mother, Aunt Susan or wife Hannah…It would appear that Brian Strum has childishly attempted to block my e-mails (kind of like an ostrich sticking his head in a hole in the ground). Can I please prevail upon any of you three to forward this e-mail to him?” Miller wrote in an email last November, copied to around 20 people.

Miller habitually uses the self-designated nickname “Brian’s Aunt,” “Brian’s wife” and “Brian’s mother,” rather than their own name, whether addressing them directly in emails or at party meetings or referring to them in mass emails.

Strum said that was derogatory and intended as an insult. Susan Brown, known

by Miller as “Brian Strum’s Aunt,” said she was proud to be Brian’s aunt, however, and took the nickname as a compliment.

Miller’s emails are known to include derogatory characterizations.

“The Carrs are a piece of work,” he wrote in one email.

In a recount of the January GOP meeting, Miller characterized Brown as having a meltdown. He wrote on his website that she “went postal” and “began shaking so badly, I expect that Cal Tech’s seismology equipment could

POLITICAL GAMESMANSHIP

GOP DIVISION

S EE M ILLER, PAGE 10

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER or most Americans, the Internet has moved from novelty to normal, but translating that shift in norms into law has required some innovation of its own. Since California became the first state to pass a law specifically addressing cyberstalking in 1999, a growing number of states have followed suit, including — just one year after California — North Carolina.

“Even 2000 is relatively new for a statute, and particularly this kind of new technology that the Todd Collins law hasn’t had to deal with before, so we haven’t seen a ton of Supreme Court cases that have told us what these words mean, which makes it somewhat difficult to say what the rules are sometimes,” said Todd Collins, director of Western Carolina University’s Public Policy Institute and a former prosecutor.

A law that’s been on the books since 1913 addresses harassment via telephone, but the 2000 cyberstalking law specifically makes it illegal to use email or any “electronic communication” to threaten someone or to repeatedly contact someone “for the purpose of abusing, annoying, threatening, terrifying, harassing, or embarrassing.” A cyberbullying law was later passed in 2009 to focus on protecting minors from online harassment and intimidation.

Basically, Collins said, conviction requires “intent to cause discomfort.”

But that’s often hard to prove in court. There’s no objective number of emails at which the switch flips from mere annoyance to harassment. If someone is using a false name or anonymous email address, it can be difficult to trace the IP address and prove its relationship to a specific person. And sometimes, as in the case of debt collectors who repeatedly contact someone to pay up, there is a legitimate reason for repeated, fearinducing communication.

“We had cyberstalking on the books,” Collins said of his time as a prosecutor between 2000 and 2003. “We didn’t have that many prosecutions on it because it’s difficult to show the intent that was there.”

The litmus test is “reasonable fear,” which refers to the volume and type of communications that would cause a “reasonable” person to be afraid. It might be a bit of a misnomer to call that a litmus test, though, because it’s really a pretty subjective call.

“It’s going to be kind of different in each case,” Collins said.

F

Intent is often hard to prove in court. There’s no objective number of emails at which the switch flips from mere annoyance to harassment. ing in the first place, and it provides a legal tool to stop intimidating behavior before it becomes something more serious.

“Part of the purpose is if you can stop it at this level, you may keep it from becoming more physical,” he said.

Because of the difficulty of proving intent, Collins said, most cases that end up in court culminate with the two parties trying to work out some agreement. But even that isn’t a futile outcome.

“Sometimes being brought to court and hearing that this is conduct society doesn’t approve of and that there are consequences for it, that can be a deterrent,” Collins said.

But technology is still evolving, and the law is still evolving with it. As more cases make it to the N.C. Supreme Court and more judges interpret what the legalese means in real life, the rules will likely get a little clearer. At least, that is, until the next big technological revolution comes around.

“It’s a neat area of law,” Collins said.

Smoky Mountain News

The negativity and animosity brewing within the Haywood GOP has caused some once-active volunteers to abandon the Republican Party altogether and change their registration to unaffiliated, citing the unpleasant emails from Miller as a factor.

“They have beaten people out by personally embarrassing and harassing them,” Strum said.

Others have quit participating.

“There are at least 12 really, really good workers who were just fed up with it and don’t want anything to do with the party,” said Don Kelly, a precinct chair.

Kelly recalled the first party meeting Miller ever showed up to in 2010. Kelly was the Haywood GOP chair at the time, Miller wasn’t a registered Republican at the time — he was unaffiliated — and there was some debate whether Miller should be allowed in.

“Several people said ‘Let’s take the high road and let him sit in the corner with his recorder,’” Kelly said.

To snag a cyberstalker

And to complicate things further, it’s all tied up with free speech and First Amendment rights. The law contains an exemption for “peaceable, nonviolent, or nonthreatening activity intended to express political views” or provide information.

“Any time we are trying to put a law on any kind of speech, the court’s going to have to balance the fears of the individual, the harassment of the individual, with First Amendment protection folks have,” he explained.

Those considerations can add up to equal limited prosecution of cyberstalking cases.

“For a prosecutor that is dealing with murders and rapes and burglaries and so many other crimes, on the scale of criminal activity this may not rise to the level that they give it, the level of time that the victim thinks it deserves,” Collins said.

Even with a successful prosecution, punishment maxes out at 60 days in prison and a $1,000 fine, and that’s only for people with a significant prior record. In most cases, Collins said, those convicted just receive some kind of parole.

Still, the law has its place and is there for a reason.

“I think of laws as institutionalized norms of behavior,” he said. “What we do by passing this law is we say this is a standard of conduct that we as society think is or is not appropriate.”

Having that standard in place can deter some people from committing cyberstalk-

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

Miller claimed on his website that emails to fellow members of the local GOP governing committee are immune from the cyberstalking charge because they are political in nature, which is expressly exempted.

Haywood GOP Pat Carr has asked Miller to stop lacing his emails with personal attacks, however.

“In the future it would be more helpful if your emails concerned only the topic referenced in the subject line and not personal attacks on other members,” Carr wrote to Miller last fall.

Others have also drawn a distinction between party business and hurtful personal attacks.

“Mr. Miller, I volunteered to be treasurer, not your whipping boy,” Brown replied.

Miller, however, replied that he was standing up to injustice and going after those who abuse their power. He specifically cited his mother’s treatment by the Haywood County GOP 25 years ago as a reason for his approach now.

“You see, my mom loved politics and was heavily involved. That was about the time when the GOP told my parents, ‘You are not from here. We don’t want you. Leave,’” Miller replied when Carr asked him to back off. “Every time I think of that, it strengthens my resolve to do something about that here and now.”

But the mainstream of the party — those Miller is at odds with in his emails — are primarily from somewhere else originally, not born and raised in Haywood.

Miller soon changed his registration to Republican, however, automatically ensuring access to party meetings, and there has been trouble in the party ever since, Kelly said.

“He has been doing this for years and years and years,” Kelly said.

And each time someone from the mainstream of the party gets fed up and walks, the activist faction gains ground, getting closer to holding the majority sway on the governing board and gaining full control of the party.

The mainstream, of course, tries to recruit new members to step into precinct chair rolls, to fill the ones being run off with new ones who will stand with them. But Strum said it is difficult to find anyone willing to put up with the harassment.

But some in the party aren’t budging, and have been holding off a full takeover by the faction until a critical mass of mainline Republicans can be convinced to return to the table and regain control.

Hannah Strum, one of those who refused to be run off, said the past year has been trying. She was pregnant most it, expecting her first child with her husband Brian, the party secretary.

The barrage of email attacks they endured put an emotional damper on what should have been an exciting time for them as they started a new family.

But Hannah said they couldn’t risk skipping meetings, even as her due date closed in.

The mainstream barely had a majority to stave off maneuvers from the Miller faction, and every warm body counted, she said.

Just days before her baby was due last November, Hannah attended the monthly meeting of the governing committee along with her husband, Brian, and his aunt, Susan Brown, who are also on the governing committee.

The three of them stayed for nearly three hours, but Hannah eventually had to leave.

Miller portrayed their exit from the meeting as an attempt by Brown to dodge a discussion of financial records, one of many items yet to go on the night’s agenda — which was four pages long.

“Brian’s Aunt Susan, Hannah Strum and Brian Strum got up and left en masse, like a scattering flock of birds,” Miller wrote in his account of the meeting, which ended when they exited since there was no longer a quorum.

He repeated the line in his recount of the January meeting.

“We started where we last left off at the last meeting, when Brian’s Aunt Susan, Brian Strum and Hannah Strum scattered like a flock of birds at the last meeting,” Miller wrote on his website.

Hannah said Miller mischaracterized the situation in a hurtful way. He failed to mention the prevailing condition that prompted them to leave.

“I was nine months pregnant, hadn’t eaten, worked all day, and it was 9:30 at night. I was 2 centimeters dilated, and those were metal chairs, and they had no support whatsoever,” Hannah Strum said. “It got to the point where we had to leave. Then he sent out a horrible email saying we left like a flock of birds because we wanted to avoid something.”

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have picked up the tremors. I thought we might have to call EMS. It was a classic meltdown. She gathered up her belongings and stormed out of the room, shaking.”

Brown is not the first to be characterized as having a “melt-down” by Miller. He has used the term against at least three other people, who at some point have had enough and display signs of irritation. He often coins them “The Great –so-and-so Melt Down” and alludes to them repeatedly in emails.

9

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M ILLER, CONTINUED FROM 9

CHILLING EFFECT Several people interviewed for this article said they were afraid of speaking out against Miller and refused to talk. They include five people from the mainstream faction of the party who said they disagreed with Miller’s tactics, including the tone, tenor and volume of emails he sends out criticizing people and name calling.

But they said they were afraid of Miller turning his crosshairs on them if they were quoted in the newspaper.

Miller frequently tells those he has disagreements with that he will be informing “city, county, state and federal law enforcement authorities” of whatever his issue is with them. Miller regularly includes Waynesville Police Chief Bill Hollingsed, Haywood Sheriff Greg Christopher, and N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper in his email chains.

He also visits the police and sheriff ’s office in person to make complaints, and widely broadcasts it via email whenever he has paid law enforcement a visit.

“By the way, I spent the afternoon with the Waynesville Police Chief, and he indicated the DA’s office is already all over this GOP Donation/PayPal website fiasco,” Miller wrote in an email this month, directed to mainstream party members, later adding that he had given the police an audio recording of the January GOP meeting where website donations were discussed.

Miller has indeed met with the sheriff several times to air grievances against individuals he has had disputes with.

“Mr. Miller has scheduled appointments to meet with me at the Sheriff ’s Office on several occasions over the past two years,” Christopher said in a written response.

Those on the receiving end said they feel like Miller is trying to intimidate them by copying law enforcement and flaunting his meetings with them, insinuating that he has the ear of cops.

Christopher said while he agrees to sit down and hear what Miller has to say, he would do that for anyone who asks to share concerns with him.

“Mr. Miller has never been afforded any special privileges, nor have I made any exceptions for Mr. Miller. I have always maintained an open door policy through scheduled appointments for citizens I serve,” Christopher said.

Only one of Miller’s complaints to the sheriff ’s office has actually resulted in a formal report being taken.

Miller accused Haywood County Tax Administrator David Francis of intentionally bumping him in the elbow when passing him in the hall of the justice center.

While the sheriff ’s office wrote up a report outlining Miller’s accusation of assault, charges were never filed against Francis. The sheriff ’s office found the complaint to be unsubstantiated after reviewing video footage from justice center surveillance cameras of the two passing in the hallway.

“The only things we would take down are

FLAME ON

things that have a criminal aspect to them; if there is a criminal allegation, we take a report,” explained Heidi Warren, public information officer for the sheriff ’s office.

“We listen to them and make a determination whether there was a possible criminal act involved.”

Miller makes note of the “who’s-who” in the cc line of his emails. In an email to Buncombe School Superintendent last fall, Miller suggested he had the ear of the N.C. Attorney General simply by copying him on the email.

“Have you taken a look at the copy distribution list, after you did what you just did?” Miller wrote in an email last fall, asking for public records from the Buncombe School system.

“Don’t forget, our State Attorney General, Roy Cooper, is listening in on this party line.

On another occasion, Miller played the cc card by looping the mother of his opponent du’ jour into the email chain.

“By the way, there is a new person on this copy list — Debora Strum. This is Brian Strum’s mother…I am including her on this e-mail so that she is aware of what is going on and might be able to exert some positive influence on Brian’s behavior,” Miller said.

Another higher power Miller invokes in the cc line of emails is state Republican Party leaders in Raleigh.

But Miller also warns those in his email dialogues that he will subpoena them or swear out affidavits on them.

“Brian’s Aunt Susan, how many times will it be necessary to say you still don’t get it?” Monroe wrote in an email on Nov. 8 at 11:52 a.m., demanding for the umpteenth time she turn over the party’s bank account number.

“Brian’s Aunt Susan, maybe here is something you will understand. I will not have any qualms about adding your name to the subpoena,” Miller wrote eight minutes later, after not getting a response the first time.

Brown said she felt like Miller was trying to intimidate her.

“Especially when he says ‘I am adding you to the subpoena,’” Brown said. “Then he threatened to turn us over to the FBI over the PayPal account.”

Party Chair Pat Carr said the threats of subpoena are worthless, since subpoenas can only be issued by attorneys or law enforcement when there is an active court case or criminal investigation.

As for the affidavits Miller threatens to file, Carr was the subject of one but called it “worthless.” Anyone can take any statement they please to the courthouse and ask to file it, but it doesn’t actually do anything other than sit there in a deep-storage filing cabinet.

Carr said Miller includes these techniques in his repertoire to bully people. She said Tedesco is a “very brave young lady.”

Miller is unrelenting, but that’s what it takes to be successful, according to his supporters.

“How many times do I have to say ‘Don’t mess with Monroe!’ I have never seen anyone as persistent as he is,” said an email from Jonnie Cure, who is in Miller’s faction of the Republican Party.

Ghost Town not for sale G

A LONG JOURNEY In its heyday from the 1960s into the 1990s, Ghost Town attracted hundreds of thousands of tourists each year to Maggie Valley and Haywood County. It eventually fell into disrepair, however, and its original owner R.B Coburn closed it in 2002.

Presley, 91, purchased Ghost Town for $2.5 million on the Haywood County Courthouse steps in 2012 after it went into foreclosure. Her hope was to leave a legacy she could be proud of by restoring the mountain, increasing tourism in the valley and building Resurrection Mountain.

She has since put millions more into the mountain to make much-needed repairs. A majority of the park had to be rewired and the process of getting city water up the moun-

277-11

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR host Town owner Alaska Presley was willing to sacrifice a piece of the theme park property to generate some cash for her Resurrection Mountain project, but a new opportunity has come along that will hopefully allow her to redevelop the entire park.

After being on the market for several months, a portion of Ghost Town in the Sky in Maggie Valley is no longer for sale.

Chris Chagnon, a Realtor with Action Creek Reality in Maggie Valley, said Presley had asked his company to market the western theme park property only — not the upper property where she plans to construct a Holy Land replica theme park. However, the listing was pulled on Jan. 24.

“Ghost Town is no longer for sale. It has been removed from the market,” Chagnon said. “Over the past weeks (Presley) has had major breaks on her redevelopment of some of the property and good things are in the works.”

Action Creek had 98 acres of the Ghost Town property listed with an asking price of $3 million. The listing stated that Ghost Town now has city water and that it was profitable in 2014.

Chagnon said Presley listed the property during the 2014 season to see if it would spark any interest and if any investors would come forward. While the property got several bites, he said Presley turned them down.

“At the same time, she was also working on other avenues and there’s one that has come through,” he said. “Now the park is going to be developed into something …

Resurrection Mountain with the cross, that’s

moving forward, but that’s only a portion of what’s being done with the property.”

Chagnon said key people have come on board to help with redeveloping the entire park, but he wouldn’t release any more details at this time. He and Presley are meeting with a public relations firm next week, and if all goes as planned, he said, a press release would be sent out in the coming weeks with a big announcement.

While there have been several proposed plans for Ghost Town that haven’t come to fruition, Chagnon said this one is different because it’s being put together properly.

“Alaska’s vision has become very realistic now,” he said. “She has a team of people taking it to the next level and she’s more excited than ever.”

Presley established the Alaska Presley Faith Foundation as a nonprofit corporation in 2013, and Resurrection Mountain will operate under the foundation.

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Redevelopment plan in works, Realtor says

While the original plan was to open Memorial Day weekend, the failed inspections forced Ghost Town to wait until July 4 to open for business.

The 2014 Ghost Town season was postponed until July 4 as well because of issues with getting the water pumped up the mountain and because several of the kiddie rides and the chairlift failed inspections.

Despite many negative reviews on TripAdvisor from unhappy Ghost Town goers, Chagnon Alaska Presley, owner of Ghost Town in the Sky, strolls said 2014 was a good year for through the Western-themed park’s Main Street. Presley is the park, “Ghost Town turned a profit still working on improvement plans for the park after tak- for the 2014 season, the water ing the property off the market. File photo project has been completed finally and it is time to take the property to the next level,” “Ghost Town turned a profit for the Chagnon said. “Alaska is excited about the future of the proper2014 season, the water project ty, and we look forward to lethas been completed finally and it ting you know as soon as final details are worked out.” is time to take the property to the Since purchasing the park, next level.”

Presley has had a vision of restoring the park before start— Chris Chagnon, Action Creek Realty ing phase 3 — Resurrection Mountain. She wants to tain was an expensive struggle. remove many of the dilapidated amusement Before Ghost Town could open for the park rides located on the upper level of the 2013 season, the North Carolina Department mountain and construct a replica of the of Labor told Presley the chairlift wouldn’t Holy Land. pass its inspection unless she had an emerVisitors will walk through the life of Jesus gency evacuation route.

Christ from his birth to his resurrection, Snaking a road up the mountain directly from the nativity scene in Bethlehem to the under the chairlift was not an easy task — the empty tomb. With the plan all mapped out, slope was steep, large rocks had to be excavat- Presley and her team of supporters have ed and it had to meet all the county’s environ- been looking at fundraising options and trymental standards. The road took longer than ing to bring investors on board before startexpected to complete and cost Presley an ing construction. additional $500,000 when everything was Presley did not return a phone call seeking said and done. comment.

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Participating in the grant ceremony were (from left) Janet Thacker, REACH Board Secretary; Laura Lang, REACH Board member, George Ivey, Fund for Haywood County Board Chairman; Julia Freeman, REACH Executive Director; and Pat Janke, Board President. Donated photo

Fund for Haywood awards grants

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

The Fund for Haywood County has awarded grants under the People in Need program to REACH of Haywood County, Circles of Hope and the Haywood Pathways Center.

“The Circles Program is one of the greatest programs that I have seen in 20 years focused on breaking the cycle of poverty. This grant will allow us to move people to self-efficien-

WNC students to gather for Feb. 10-11 science fair at WCU

Smoky Mountain News

Students from elementary, junior high and high schools throughout Western North Carolina will gather at Western Carolina University on Tuesday, Feb. 10, and Wednesday, Feb. 11, as the university hosts the Western Regional Science and Engineering Fair.

Activities take place at WCU’s Ramsey Regional Activity Center. Science projects created for the fair by area students will be available for viewing by the public from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day. Admission is free.

The fair typically attracts 250 to 300 projects created by students from more than 25 schools across the 16-county region. It is the largest STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) event held in Western North Carolina, said Kefyn Catley, fair director and professor of biology at WCU. The 2015 fair theme is “Our State, Our Time, Our Science” in keeping with WCU’s

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Wishing You the Best of Everything in 2015!

cy,” said Patsy Dowling, executive director of Mountain Projects.

“We are grateful for winning the $20,000 grant from the Fund for Haywood County, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. It will allow us to change lives,” said Nick Honerkamp, board chairman for the Haywood Pathways Center.

REACH of Haywood County will use its grant to create a program to assist victims of domestic violence in regaining control of their financial lives in order to build a better future for themselves and their children.

yearlong look at North Carolina’s history, present and future. Exhibits will feature some of the great contributions to science made by North Carolina scientists and engineers. “Attendees at this year’s fair will also get a glimpse into the future by sharing exciting innovations and projects presented by faculty and students from WCU’s Department of Engineering and Technology,” Catley said. Area teachers are encouraged to bring entire classes to engage and excite their students about a future in science and the relevance of what they are learning, Catley said.

Students from the 16 westernmost counties of Western North Carolina who have placed at their schools’ science fair competitions are eligible to compete in the WCU fair.

The deadline for project submission is Friday, Feb. 6.

Students do not have to submit a project to attend the morning presentation or participate in activities, which will include a scavenger hunt. All students and teachers attending are eligible for prizes. For more information, go to the event website or call WCU’s Office of Continuing and Professional Education at 828.227.7397.

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Getting the lead out Faircloth’s lead finding lands him state award

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR arold Faircloth was recently named Environmental Specialist of the Year in North Carolina after uncovering widespread lead contamination in private wells throughout Macon County.

“I had been so busy with my duties and responsibilities in my position in addition to my research and analysis of the lead in private drinking water wells that I didn’t expect anything,” he said about his award. “I feel as though I have been admitted to a special fraternity of achievers and scholars involved with environmental health.”

H

Symptoms of lead exposure

inants and the length of exposure, Patterson said lead has been found to have a negative impact on IQs in young children and can cause a number of problems in elderly adults.

The Macon County Health Department is still looking to locate private drinking water wells that have lead leaching. Since the investigation was made known to the public in 2012, the health department has had 600 to 700 people come in to have their water supply tested.

“And we don’t know how many are out there because so many were installed before the state well program was in place,” Faircloth said. “Anecdotally, contractors have put in miles of this pipe.”

The health department inspects about 350 new wells a year and has 2,400 wells in its database right now. Faircloth and Patterson continue to encourage people to educate themselves about their well system and to call if they suspect they might have metal pipes.

A majority of wells nowadays use PVC pipe, but Patterson said the deeper the well, the more likely metal pipe was used for more torque. Mountainous regions are going to have deeper wells. Patterson said wells that are 500-plus feet deep would most likely use metal piping.

If a property owner doesn’t know

“People assume if they have a private well there’s nothing to worry about. North Carolina has some of the best water in the country, but there’s always potential issues when it’s not treated water.”

— Barry Patterson, Macon County Environmental Health administrator

whether their well has metal pipes, they can either find out who drilled the well or they can simply get their water tested. Faircloth said water from a well with metal pipes typically has a detectible level of zinc in the sample.

Patterson said people should call the health department for specific instructions on how to collect a water sample before bringing it in for testing.

“You can’t just bring in a mason jar of your water,” he said.

The health department is responsible for permitting, inspecting and testing private drinking water wells, but homeowners are responsible for their own water quality. The health department can educate and guide homeowners through the process, but homeowners will have to pay to replace the piping in their well if contamination is found.

“My objective and responsibility as an environmental health specialist is to inform and educate the public as far out from Franklin as possible after understanding the scope of the lead contamination problem in private drinking water wells,” Faircloth said.

The state is now involved in the investigation, but Patterson said he thinks the contamination is more far-reaching that just Macon County.

“We’re convinced this is happening in other counties because it’s so widespread,” he said. “I think they just aren’t aware of it.”

Faircloth said he would continue to speak publicly to educate his environmental health specialist colleagues, medical professionals, realtors, property owners and government officials about this issue.

For more information about how to test private well water, call the health department at 828.349.2081.

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Smoky Mountain News

The discovery of lead contamination in private drinking water wells began in 2012 when Faircloth was performing routine inspections on newly permitted wells in Macon County. The first several findings of contamination led to a larger investigation, and now more than 240 wells have been identified with lead levels exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency’s allowable contaminate levels.

The investigation, which is still ongoing, revealed that the source of the contamination is from galvanized pipe imported from certain foreign countries. However, the investigation has been unsuccessful in identifying a specific source yet because the type of pipes used where contamination was found is not limited to one area, one subdivision, one driller or one contractor.

Barry Patterson, Macon County Environmental Health administrator, nominated Faircloth for the prestigious “Stacy Covil Award” through the North Carolina Public Health Association.

Faircloth was cited for his dedication in understanding the complex chemistry of lead in groundwater and his sense of responsibility to the health of the public.

“They don’t give the award every year,”

Macon County Public Health Environmental Health Specialist, Harold Faircloth, left, receives the 2014 Environmental Specialist of the Year by the North Carolina Public Health Association from Jesse Dail, environmental section past NCPHA president. Donated photo

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

■ Persistent fatigue ■ Irritability ■ Loss of appetite ■ Stomach discomfort and/or constipation ■ Reduced attention span ■ Insomnia Failure to treat lead poisoning in the early stages can cause long-term or permanent health damage, but because of the general nature of symptoms at early stages, lead poisoning is often not suspected.

Source: www.epa.gov

Patterson said. “It’s a big deal… he’s the lead guru around here.”

Faircloth has worked with the Macon County Health Department for nine years after moving to the area from Florida. Before moving to North Carolina, Faircloth worked in water quality in Florida. He graduated from Florida State University focusing in biology and chemistry.

“FSU is known for its tough chemistry department,” Faircloth said.

Patterson said Faircloth was a tremendous asset to the environmental health department even before the lead investigation began. Faircloth started with the department three years before the statewide well program was started in 2008.

“He came in at a very busy time and we were behind. He helped us catch up,” Patterson said. “At that time, we were in the dark ages working on paper files. Harold helped us in the transition to full electronic and paperless files. He also helped us with GPS and starting databases for the wells.”

Just as Faircloth was coming on board, North Carolina had started the Private Water Supply Well Program, which requires local health departments to permit, inspect and test private drinking wells that were constructed, repaired or abandoned after July 1, 2008. Before that time, there were no records of private drinking wells in the county.

“I knew the well program would be a good thing for the state though I knew it would also be contentious,” Faircloth said.

Residents would like to keep their wells private, but the truth is that wells, which provide untreated water, can cause a public health risk. And without the program, this contamination would have never been discovered.

“People assume if they have a private well there’s nothing to worry about,” Patterson said. “North Carolina has some of the best water in the country, but there’s always potential issues when it’s not treated water.”

For example, if Faircloth had not found the lead leaching in these wells, children, adults with compromised immune systems and senior citizens could have been at risk for lead poisoning.

While the consequences of lead in the water supply depend on the level of contam-

news

Swain schools crack the code STEM projects prepare students for success

Smoky Mountain News

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR “When will I ever use this in real life?” is often the question students have when faced with difficult subjects in math and science.

Swain County educators have tried to answer that question by introducing STEM projects into every classroom.

STEM — Science Technology, Engineering and Math: Education for Global Leadership — is a growing initiative in school systems throughout the nation as educational leaders realize the country’s economic future depends on filling these industry needs.

All students at Swain East and West Elementary schools, as well as some classes at Swain County middle and high schools, are learning age and grade appropriate computer coding.

“We truly believe that in the near future coding will just be another subject,” said Jodi Marr, an instructional coach at Swain Middle. “The workplace is so digital now and you have to learn to work together and problem solve.”

IN THE CLASSROOM Computer coding may seem like a foreign language to many people, but for children who grew up with technology, it’s like a second language. MIT’s Scratch program teaches students basic coding while making them feel like they’re playing a video game.

Marr works with teachers to implement STEM projects in the classroom. Because the technology is just as new to teachers as it is for students, she works to make sure they have the training and tools needed to make the project successful.

While these coding projects are typically used in math and science classes, middle school social studies teacher Tim Kurr found a way to incorporate the Scratch program into his history curriculum.

“This is the second year I’ve been incorporating STEM technology into my lesson plans as a way to engage the kids, but I’ve always believed in project based learning,” he said.

Instead of using his go-to PowerPoint presentation for a lesson in government this year, Kurr’s students used the Scratch program to create “sprites” — animated icons

that move around based on the coding constructed. The icons had word bubbles containing government vocabulary and their meanings.

He was amazed at how his students took to the Scratch program. The projects only took two days to complete and they were more engaged than ever.

Kurr said they were more motivated because he told them he would select the top four projects to be presented to a special guest — U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows, RCashiers.

“So here they were talking about Republicans and the House of Representatives — they didn’t know who he was — and they taught him all about it,” Kurr said. “And then he told them, ‘Well, I’m your representative.’”

Regina Ash, Swain’s STEM director, said one parent indicated that her son was asking to take her laptop everywhere so that he could continue to work on his social studies project, which was not like him.

“Students learned not only tremendous amounts of history and our governmental process, but loads of math while doing the coding for the projects,” she said.

Some of the schools are also starting Robotics Clubs, which utilize STEM applications.

Anne Watkins, Vex Robotics teacher and STEM club faculty sponsor at Swain High School, said the Vex Robotics class was offered at the high school for the first time last fall. The class had 24 students enrolled from freshmen to seniors of all different ability levels.

“They learned to work together, communicate effectively and positively with one another and all gained far more experience than they thought possible,” she said.

“Several of them are also working on C++ programming certification, which will afford them college credit and help them tremendously in their future.”

Watkins said one student became so excited about the class that he enrolled in one of the mechatronics classes at the training center through Southwestern Community College. Another student plans to continue by going into music/computer engineering and a couple others plan to major in web design and graphics upon

graduation from high school.

“Our hope is, since interest was so high, that we will also be able to offer an Advanced Robotics class in the future,” Watkins said.

PRESIDENTIAL PUSH In his proposed 2015 budget, President Obama is pushing for more funding for STEM programs in school systems to train future generations for these professions.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, only 16 percent of American high school seniors are proficient in mathematics and interested in a STEM career.

The U.S. ranks 25th in mathematics and 17th in science among industrialized

STEM jobs will be needed in the U.S. in 2018.

“Although our students are interested, they aren’t taking the courses they need to learn what they need to know to do those jobs,” Ash said. “Part of that is because we have not been doing as good a job at awareness and educating parents and students as we should have been — but we are trying to ameliorate that.”

As STEM director, Ash coordinates with Southwestern Community College and Western Carolina University to recruit and coordinate between the faculties to provide opportunities for students in the STEM fields — particularly leading to mechatronics and engineering.

In addition to working with parents, teachers and students to make sure they get

Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, talks to Swain County students about their STEM projects. nations, which means the U.S. will not be able to compete in a competitive global economy. The goal of integrating STEM projects at a young age is to encourage more students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Ash said the courses and classes in STEM benefit students whether they are STEM inclined or not because they learn critical thinking and creativity in a way that allows students to explore a number of topics. She said STEM jobs pay more both for four year or higher degrees and for two-year degree positions. It is projected that more than 8.5 million

the training and programs they need to implement STEM in the classroom, she writes STEM grants so the schools can continue offering innovative programs.

Swain has received a large Golden Leaf Foundation grant to provide one-on-one devices to all students in grades 4 to 8, a Cherokee Preservation Foundation grant that is for increasing student STEM competitions in the WNC region (like robotics) and a People in Need grant from Community Foundation of WNC for completing the purchase of robotics classroom materials and some classroom sets of iPads.

Forum topic is U.S. militarism 14

“Does the United States have a cult of militarism?” will be the topic for the Franklin Open Forum at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at the Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub in Franklin.

The Franklin Open Forum is a moderated discussion group meeting on the first Wednesday of the month at the Rathskeller. Those interested in an open exchange of ideas (dialogue not debate) are invited to attend.

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BY HOLLY KAYS how No Name distinguishes itself, vital Name has never gotten a noise complaint STAFF WRITER assets to staying in business. on a Tuesday. pair of dueling petitions dealing Fuller is backing off from his initial plan “They [the town aldermen] would tell with the question of noise at No to cancel all music, instead cutting back you that ordinance is business-friendly. I Name Sports Pub will likely spar at the upcoming Sylva Town Board meeting Feb. 5.

Owner Gregg Fuller had approached the board earlier this month asking that it forgive the pile of noise citations he’d accumulated — unjustly, he says — over the past year and that the noise ordinance be revised to specify what decibel level is too much.

But he was countered by a group of three neighbors bearing a petition 51 signatures strong alleging that “there is no advantage to this community by having this bar here, only trouble, noise and health problems and drugs.” The board seemed to side with the neighbors, giving Fuller a verbal tongue-lashing and instructing him to start Right on the edge of town, No Name Sports Bar is just downhill from Harris Regional Hospital, next to a being a better neighbor. As a church and near a smattering of homes. Holly Kays photo result, Fuller announced that he was cancelling his music acts 277-94 indefinitely and ordered a soundproofing would say it is not business-friendly,” Fuller curtain for the patio. said. “It’s being used as a tool to do hit us No music won’t work as the status quo with whether we’re doing something wrong for No Name, though, and plenty of people or not.” disagree with the commissioners’ reaction Drew Hooper, the neighbor who created to the issue. the petition opposing No Name, never had A Facebook page called “Save Sylva a sit-down conversation with Fuller or Night Life and Music Scene, No Name Harper about the noise before calling the Sports Pub,” launched Jan. 26 and received police or writing the petition. He said that’s more than 500 likes in the first day. And a because he doesn’t believe it would make a petition housed at the bar calling for “a difference — “he’s just an arrogant person,” more specifically written sound ordinance” Hooper said of Fuller — but Fuller says that would “require a specific decibel level that’s not true at all.

For all your vaping needs and time of duration for sound before a vio“I’ve spent my life doing the right things E cigs, E liquids, Mods, lation [can be] given” garnered 100 signafor the right reasons, and I’m not guilty of & vaporizers tures in the same timeframe, with multiple what I’m accused of,” he said. “That’s all Facebook commenters saying they’d sign if there is to it.” the petition went online.

Hooper also isn’t in favor of Harper’s “What we would like to see happen is if proposed change to the sound ordinance. the neighbors complain, when the police He’s pretty sure that by the time police Ukuleles, show up they would have discretion but responded to a call, the sound level would Banjos, & they would also have a tool that specifically be down again and no consequences would measures the volume and then know if we ensue.

Mandolins were in violation or not,” said Mary Harper, “They might holler and scream one music booker and bar manager for No minute and then you run out there and E-CIG • VAPES Name. check it and everybody gets quiet,” he said.

Sylva police have been instructed to CROSLEY RECORD PLAYERS “That wouldn’t work because it goes up and MUSIC issue noise citations based on neighbors’ down at different times.”

HOOKAHS • SHISHA LOVERS reporting. Harper doesn’t believe that the The only way he would support such a POSTERS • INCENSE • GLASS noise complaints line up with the days change would be if a continuous noise LOVE US! HATS • T-SHIRTS • STICKERS when the sound is actually the loudest. meter were installed on No Name’s properBODY JEWELRY • HAIR DYE WE CAN REPAIR YOUR SCRATCHED CDS/DVDS/GAMES Tuesday night tends to be the loudest of all, ty to monitor fluctuations in sound levels.

5 7 3 W. M a i n S t . S y l v a • 8 2 8 . 5 8 6 . 6 4 0 4 she said, because that’s open mic night and Whatever the solution, Harper said, it’s M O N . 1 2 - 6 T U E . - S AT. 1 1 - 7 C L O S E D S U N D AY people who don’t have much experience unreasonable to force the bar to stop hostfacebook.com/inyourearmusic with using a microphone or adjusting for ing live music altogether or to ditch its latesound volume are on the stage. But No night hours. Music and extended hours are RECORD STORE DAY CELEBRATION APRIL 18TH

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Sylva pub launches petition to amend town noise ordinance

from four or five concerts per week to one, on a weekend night. The late-night hours will stay in place.

“Eighty percent of our customers are service industry people that work all over town and get off at 10 or 11 or 1,” Harper said. “They deserve a place to come and relax after work, just like people who get off at 5. If we lose our late-night hours, it’s going to be very hard to survive, because that’s when our people come in.”

Anyway, if someone is upset about the bar’s presence in the community, Harper said, they should be mad at the town, not at No Name. The pub operates in an area that’s zoned for uses including nightclubs, so a certain level of noise should be expected with that designation. If residents didn’t want to see that kind of business come into their neighborhood, she said, they should have made a fuss when the zoning first came about.

“It’s a classic case of people bought property on the edge of town because they didn’t want to be in town but they didn’t want to be too far out, but town grew,” Harper said. “That put those people inside city limits and put them dealing with businesses like us.”

To make it work, both sides will have to compromise, Harper said.

Hooper, however, stands by his position that the noise is too much and the bar a blight on the neighborhood. He’s planning to have many more than 50 signatures in hand when he returns to town hall next week.

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Smoky Mountain News 15

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Get ‘er done Judge tells Jackson County to get moving with courthouse security

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he exploration of inadequacies at the Jackson County Justice Center has been years in the making, but it’s looking like — for now, at least — the solution will focus on ramping up security and leave the issue of space for another time.

“There’s two issues I want to bring to your attention, issues I’ve been bringing to your attention for the last 10 years,” Superior Court Judge Bradley Letts told Bradley Letts commissioners at their annual planning retreat last week.

Those issues? Security and space.

“They could be solved together, but the most pressing issue to me is the issue of security,” Letts said.

Pressing enough that he was quite clear to commissioners that moving forward is not a choice.

“We will be moving forward on this front, and I want to do it together in a con-

Smoky Mountain News

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

T

The Jackson County Administration building — which also houses the courts — is in for a security overhaul. Mona Gersky photo structive way, but the time has come to do that,” Letts said.

The county has been exploring solutions to the courthouse conundrum since at least 2006, when a task force of local stakeholders issued a report. Some improvements were made in 2007, but since then reports from the U.S. Marshalls and N.C. Sheriffs Association have listed deficiencies, and last year commissioners had a $34,000 study done by Heery International, the same firm that planned the new courthouse in Haywood County. The study found that security upgrades, as well as an additional 35,800 square feet of space, were overdue.

In August 2014, Letts issued a letter giving

the county a deadline of Jan. 1 to address building security, which he later extended to allow time for the Sheriffs Association report to come back.

SECURING THE ENTRANCE Restricting the courthouse to a single entrance will be the first and most important step in increasing security. Right now, pretty much anyone can come in just about any door, a set-up that Letts said makes him rather uncomfortable. The only security people in the building are at the courtroom doors.

“We have about five, six entrances that people can come and go in that particular

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building without any obstruction or anyone checking to see what they’re there for,” said County Manager Chuck Wooten. “We all recognize that there are activities ongoing in that building that a lot of times people don’t come in with a smile on their faces.”

Commissioners took a look at some preliminary drawings from architect Odell Thompson, estimated to cost about $75,000 to construct, with the total for costs including staffing, equipment and upgrades to parking and technology to exceed $435,000.

Odell’s drawing shows a single entrance, manned by two sheriff ’s deputies, at the main entrance of the courthouse side of the county administration building. Anyone coming in the building would have to pass through a metal detector and put his or her bags through a scanner. Officers would also monitor visitors as they leave the building through the same doors they entered it by.

The finished product will likely also include an expanded lobby. The addition was not part of Thompson’s original drawing or cost estimate, but Letts said he wanted to see some more space in the next go-around.

“It would basically be an atrium or holding area, because even if the weather’s good, you’re going to have a backup at high volume times,” Letts said, telling commissioners that just the other day a young woman was late to court because she couldn’t find a parking space.

Letts said he would not be comfortable with employees using a separate entrance during business hours — many non-courtrelated departments are housed in the same building — but that

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“We have about five, six entrances that people can come and go in that particular building without any obstruction or anyone checking to see what they’re there for.”

— Chuck Wooten, Jackson County manager

Smoky Mountain News

ties in the whole state that have no security in the courthouse,” said Letts, who has held court in more than 20 of the state’s 100 counties.

The security upgrade will also likely include some ramped-up surveillance equipment. The stuff that’s there now is old, and it also isn’t comprehensive. It doesn’t cover all of the grounds and parking lot, and there aren’t any cameras in the building. There also isn’t a dedicated space for security personnel to observe the footage.

The tentative plan includes $20,000 for camera equipment and another $15,000 for video arraignment equipment, which would allow a judge to issue standard rulings such as setting bail via video monitor, saving staff from transferring inmates from their cell to the courtroom for their five minutes with the judge.

“One thing that we are discussing — with cameras also comes the need to have a monitoring location,” Wooten said.

The 911 call center will soon be relocated as a new hub is built, hopefully by midMarch, so Wooten said the camera equipment could occupy one of those rooms.

Though for now the discussion centers only around the immediate need for more security at the courthouse, Wooten told Letts that the county is still very much aware of the need for more space.

“We do appreciate there’s not enough space there to do what needs to be done. Part of our security issues there are related to space,” Wooten said. However, in the immediate future, “We’ll be challenged to be able to do very much with the building.”

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

some system could be worked out so they didn’t have to get screened each time they entered the building. For example, employees could carry an ID badge with them to show officers before continuing onto their destination, and an after-hours entrance could be arranged.

“In a way, during working hours, Monday to Friday, there is a dedicated employee entrance,” Letts said. “It just happens to be co-located with the public and observed by our sheriff or security.”

Hopefully, the plans will be approved and renovations finished by July 1.

But the security upgrade will involve more than a more secure entrance. In fact, the bulk of the upgrade cost would be recurring expenses — a.k.a., salaries.

Increasing security would require hiring a detention center captain, two deputy sheriffs, a detention court officer and upping the bailiff ’s position, currently at 32 hours, to full time. All that would Chip Hall cost the county an extra $198,000 per year, plus another $79,000 to outfit the new staff with vehicles and personal equipment.

“Our current security starts and consists only of the courtrooms themselves,” Sheriff Chip Hall explained. “We do not do the entire facility.”

That was one of the biggest security shortcomings addressed in a December report the N.C. Sheriff ’s Association issued to the Jackson Sheriff ’s Office. But it was far from the only one. The report listed 30 areas in which security in the building was lacking, spanning everything from parking to communications to courtrooms.

After the report was issued, the Sheriff ’s Department formed the Courthouse Security Committee, a group of 18 legal and law enforcement leaders in Jackson County tasked with meeting quarterly to develop needed policies and procedures for the courthouse and to generally identify and advocate for any security changes needed.

“We’re one of only approximately 15 coun-

news

In December, the N.C. Sheriff’s Association released a report detailing a list of 30 areas in which the Jackson courthouse falls short on security. The county’s planned fixes — subject to final design plans and a vote — include: • Restricting the building to a single point of entry. During business hours, anyone coming into the building will have to enter and exit through the same door, and security personnel will be on hand to screen bags and monitor the doors. County employees working in the building — save those in the sheriff’s department, who will have a separate entrance, will also have to pass through that door but would likely be given a badge to flash to security, exempting them from screening.

• Installing new security cameras and designating a person to monitor them and a space in which to do so.

• Designating parking for judges and jurors, and moving judge parking to a more protected area than its current site at the front of the building.

• Protecting the building from being run into with a vehicle, using tools such as barriers, bollards or walls.

• Conducting safety drills for events such as fires, medical emergencies or active shooters.

• Limiting access to judges’ chambers through minor hallway renovations. Renovations would also be needed to better segregate inmates from the general public.

17

news

Getting connected Cherokee navigate the business side of Internet for all

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER t’s been more than eight years since the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians made its first move toward creating a business to bring Internet to the Qualla Boundary, but the issue has proven a good bit more complicated than first expected.

Much of the reservation is still without Internet or even reliable phone service, and a tribal enterprise intended to make a business out of bringing those services to people living in the most isolated pockets of tribal land is still looking at an uncertain future.

“One of the greatest assets they have there, being the beautiful mountains and the

I

foliage that goes with it, is the hardest thing to overcome with wireless communication,” said Jim Ingram, operations manager at Cherokee Broadband.

Ingram has been working with Cherokee Broadband ever since the tribe hired his company, Trificient Technologies, to plan and set up the operation. The task was supposed to take one year to complete. That was four years ago.

“The problem that has to be covered is that we have got to find the people who can replace myself as operations manger and who can replace my senior technology manager to take over those positions,” Ingram told tribal council earlier this month. “It’s

been very difficult for us to keep people.”

Fully training someone to know everything they’d need to know about wireless, fiber, networking and Internet — and to be familiar with all the ins and outs of Cherokee Broadband’s particular network — would take 12 to 18 months, Ingram told council, so the transition won’t be an overnight task.

But it needs to happen if Cherokee Broadband is to ever go fully under tribal control rather than being run by — and paying — a consulting team.

“It should go back to the tribe at some point in time, but we’ve got to get those individuals. We’ve got to get them trained,” Ingram said.

“Is this the time to make that transition?” asked Council Chairwoman Terri Henry.

“We need to do it,” Ingram said.

Money is a big part of that. Cherokee Broadband lost $410,000 in 2014, Finance Director Kim Peone told council.

“If we can bring that entity within the tribe, it will stop the bleeding,” she said.

As a tribal entity, Cherokee Broadband

would be eligible for grants and low-cost capital. Its employees would be tribal employees, able to get the benefits and payroll deductions they can’t as contract workers, and the tribe would have full control over Cherokee Broadband’s future, rather than paying a consulting company to take that responsibility.

PUBLIC SERVICE OR FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS? The question, though, is how it should be brought under the tribe. Should Cherokee Broadband be a tribal enterprise, like the casino, or a public utility, like running water?

The 2009 resolution that created Cherokee Broadband envisioned it as a moneymaking enterprise. But an ordinance that the tribe’s finance office introduced in January sought to shift it to a public utility.

“If you sell a bundle — Internet, television and telephone service — that business model doesn’t work if we confine ourselves to the boundary,” said

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The history

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

In 2004, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians went in 50-50 with Drake Enterprises to form Balsam West, a company that installed 280 miles of fiberoptic cable in a ring through Western North Carolina, into Tennessee and Georgia and back into North Carolina. The cable was meant to be a superhighway of Internet access that companies would then plug into, flooding the mountains’ most remote regions with service.

But it didn’t quite work out that way, because connecting that fiberoptic ring to individual homes and businesses proved an expensive undertaking. That’s why the tribe created Cherokee Broadband.

“Cherokee Broadband was formed in order to provide connectivity around the reservation to businesses and homes,” said Jim Ingram, operations manager of Cherokee Broadband.

Cherokee Broadband buys Internet connectivity from Balsam West and then finds ways to deliver it to all the many small pockets of population on the Qualla Boundary.

It’s been almost six years since the resolution instituting Cherokee Broadband was adopted, and four since Ingram was hired as a consultant to get the entity started. But the tribe is still trying to figure out the best way to organize it, and Ingram is still far from finished routing connectivity everywhere it needs to go.

“We may not get to everybody,” he said. “If you have driven through Cherokee, you can see how the terrain is very difficult to get to. There’s thousands hidden away you’ll never see.”

A relay device on Harrah’s Cherokee Casino sends out a high-speed signal. Donated photo

Smoky Mountain News

Broadband survey needs more rural responses

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BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR Haywood County leaders are still in the process of collecting data on broadband Internet service, but they need help from residents living in rural parts of the county.

Maggie Valley Mayor Ron DeSimone sits on the Haywood County Economic Development Commission and is heading up the effort to bring better broadband service to the county.

He estimates most of Haywood County currently receives between three and six megabytes of service, while many other places get up to 50 megabytes and large cities can get up to 100.

The broadband committee began seeking responses to a survey in November that will assess the community’s broadband needs and identify underserved business and residential areas. The committee will use the information to create a map of potential demand and service assets with the goal

of attracting providers who will offer higher speed options.

About 400 have completed the survey, but DeSimone would like thousands of responses so the committee can have an accurate picture of where better service is needed.

Responses from residents in more rural areas like Fines Creek, Crabtree, White Oak and Cruso are particularly vital.

“There are a lot of rural areas where we’re not seeing a strong response yet I know they are not served at all, so we’re still trying to get the word out,” he said.

Having better broadband capabilities will not only make Haywood County more attractive to prospective businesses that rely on fast Internet, it will make it easier for people who work from home here in the mountains.

DeSimone said there are many semi-retired professionals who would like to move to their second home in Haywood County permanently if they could telecommute — but they need more bandwidth to make it happen.

‘The biggest thing is we need addresses to plot on the

map to show pockets of need so we can start to see what assets we can get in those directions,” DeSimone said.

“Then we can attract more providers — the more options we have, the less expensive it will be and the more bandwidth we’ll be able to get.”

The broadband committee is in discussions with several providers who may be interested in installing new equipment and offering better service if they see that the need and the customers are there.

Completing the survey doesn’t mean residents are committing to anything. The questions only ask if residents have a home-based business, whether they have sufficient Internet service and whether they would be willing to pay for better service.

The survey can be found online on the Haywood County website, www.haywoodnc.net/broadband, and the libraries also have paper surveys for residents to fill out.

DeSimone said the survey would be available for a while until the committee gets a larger response rate, but the sooner the better. The broadband committee will start compiling the data on Feb. 28.

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Cory Blankenship, director of finance and management. “There is just not enough population to make that a successful business venture.”

But finance’s resolution was just one of five on the agenda that day pertaining to broadband. Councilmembers spent a hefty chunk of the afternoon discussing the first two before deciding to table the lot and schedule a meeting the following week with all the elected officials and department heads involved to figure out what to do next.

Because whatever the outcome, everyone agreed, it’s important that it be a good one.

“Our kids are going to need this to be able to do their homework,” Henry said.

Right now, there are a lot of kids that can’t. No areas on the boundary are completely covered by Internet access, and while access is best in Wolftown, Painttown and U.S. 19 up to Big Cove, there’s basically no coverage in Snowbird, Wright’s Creek, Big Witch, Old Soco Road and much of Big Cove.

The topography is much of the challenge, but then there’s also the fact that, from a business perspective, there’s significant cost associated with extending coverage to a relatively small amount of people.

“We have to be comfortable to erect a tower that’s going to cost $250,000 to reach 15 costumers,” Blankenship said. “That’s not a business decision.”

Hence why, after hearing from department heads and experts on the matter, many councilmembers are leaning toward making broadband a public utility.

“I think it’s important to get all our members of all our tribes to have Internet access for a lot of different reasons,” said Perry Shell, councilmember from Big Cove.

“I think that I’m going to lean toward utility at this point, making it a tribal utility like water and sewer. Right now the market isn’t going to make it a viable business enterprise.”

Council will likely make a decision at an upcoming council meeting, allowing the tribe to start moving forward on a plan that’s been treading water for years.

Smoky Mountain News

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CCC honors groups, individuals for community work

We’re having fun — Come join us!

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SILVER SNEAKERS FITNESS CLASSES DAILY 277-90

WAYNESVILLE

RECREATION CENTER 550 Vance St. • Waynesville • 828.456.2030

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

www.waynesvillenc.gov

JOIN US FOR ARTS EVENTS AT WCU JAN. 31 | SAT. SAT. 7:30PM | BARDO ARTS CENTER | $

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FFaculty aculty Recital Recital:: I. Jeffress (Saxophone) JAN. 22 – MAR. 27 | FINE ART MUSEUM | FREE

Exhibit Exhibit:: Anna Jensen & KKaren aren Ann Myers

SAVE THE DATE: FEB. 17 | TUE. 7:30PM | BARDO ARTS CENTER | $

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he Commission for a Clean County (CCC) has announced the 2014 winners of its annual Community Pride Awards program. This program honors businesses, community groups, civic clubs, schools and individuals (both adults and children) for exceptional efforts in the categories of litter pick-up and control, recycling, beautification of public areas and environmental stewardship in Haywood County. Awards will be made at a luncheon at the Waynesville Inn on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Community Pride winners always are chosen based on quality of effort, quantity of work done, consistency in good practices and commitment of all those involved in the project.

The 2014 winners are: • Allens Creek Baptist Youth. Led by Seth and Heather Early, the youth group adopted a portion of Allens Creek. They conducted cleanups which resulted in the removal of 950 pounds of trash.

• Bethel Middle School sixth grade.

Under the supervision of “lead teacher” Shawn Sampson, the sixthgrade teachers and students developed a unit on soil testing and conservation. They carried this project to farmers in the Bethel community, helping them to improve their crops and their environmental stewardship.

• Derek Littlejohn. As fire Chief and Code officer of Canton, Chief Littlejohn has ushered in a new ethic of cleanliness and environmental stewardship in Canton’s neighborhoods. These neighborhoods have greatly improved under his leadership.

• Garden Club of Waynesville. This group has funded, participated in and completed projects beautifying not only Waynesville, but other areas in Haywood County.

• Haywood County Public Library system. Several volunteers worked with local gardeners, farmers markets, the Master Gardeners and the county Extension Office to create a “Giving Garden” at the Canton branch and a seed library located at the Waynesville branch.

• June Johnson. June developed the

Maggie Valley Community Garden project to provide locally grown fruits and vegetables to soup kitchens and food pantries.

• Marita Pina. This teenage girl created a habitat for butterflies at Haywood Community College to help save threatened butterfly habitats and to create an environmental learning center for children.

• Public Art Commission of Waynesville and Tuscola High School Masonry Program.

Working together, these two winners provided a beautiful aesthetic art piece in the Frog Level area of Waynesville. The sculpture is called “Chasing Tadpoles” and greatly enhances a previously barren section of landscape.

• Shannon Rabby. Rabby has coordinated the HCC Wildlife Club stream cleanups for six years. Under his leadership, the Wildlife Club has removed over eight tons of trash.

• Ronnie Mills of Riverview Farm and Garden. Mills has both cleaned trash from the banks of the Pigeon River and has also helped beautify the area with flower plantings, natural landscaping and animal display feeders.

Besides its litter cleanups in each town and on a county road and its “Community Pride” Awards program, the CCC holds numerous programs in the elementary schools to teach good environmental stewardship, litter control and recycling. One of the most popular programs presented has been on litter control and recycling, featuring the appearance of the “Litter Troll.”

Last year the CCC sponsored and paid for a coloring book contest among all county kindergarten and first graders, with the theme being keeping our streets and roads clean. School personnel picked winners and 18 children had their drawings featured in the printed coloring book.

In existence since the year 2000, the CCC believes that a litter-free, environmentally conscious clean county is highly beneficial for the financial and physical health of its residents.

For information about the work of the CCC, call Chairman Dr. Bill Skelton at 828.456.3575 or Secretary JoAnna Swanson at 828.452.1550.

Macon League to hold visioning meeting Have any ideas about what role the Macon County League of Women Voters should play in the future?

The organization will meet at noon on Feb. 12 in the Tartan Hall of the First Presbyterian Church in Franklin to talk about what the League does in the community and to generate new ideas about how it can be most effective in the future.

The League meets once a month, usually the second Thursday of each month, and hosts candidate forums and other informative programs on all sorts of topics of community interest — education, law enforcement, social services, non-profits, environment, planning, local government, and many current issues such as fracking, state educational funding, election reform, etc.

Anyone interested is invited. RSVP to lwvmacon@wild-dog-mountain.info or call 828.524.8369.

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

FOR MORE INFO – 828.227.7028 | ARTS.WCU.EDU 20

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Education

Smoky Mountain News

Schools establish criminal justice articulation agreement Southwestern Community College students who earn an associate’s degree in criminal justice technology have a new transfer option thanks to SCC’s recent articulation agreement with Lees McRae College in Banner Elk. The agreement allows SCC criminal justice technology graduates to earn a bachelor’s degree within two years by completing 51 credit hours online through Lees-McRae. Tuition for each semester is $2,750.

Southwesterncc.edu/transfer.

Tim Coffey (left), coordinator for SCC’s criminal justice and latent evidence programs, shows students the technique for recording a legible fingerprint. With Coffey are (from left) Debbie Payne Smith of Waynesville, Felicia Guy of Sylva and Matt Sims-Bilcliffe of Hickory. Donated photo

Project SEARCH co-founder visits SCC

Susie Rutkowski, co-founder of Project SEARCH visited recently with Southwestern Community College interns who are working at Harris Regional Hospital in a program to teach f them transferrable employability skills.

The yearlong program features a series of three different internships as well as employability classes taught on-site at the hospital.

For information on WestCare’s Project SEARCH program, contact Heather Allen at 828.586.7886.

SCC students place fourth in national quiz competition A fourth place finish is what second-year students in Southwestern Community College’s respiratory therapy program brought home from the American Association for Respiratory Care’s annual “Sputum Bowl” held in Las Vegas.

It was the highest finish ever for a team representing North Carolina at the quiz-style con-

test, which this year included 40 teams from across the country.

Team members are Noah Jones of Candler, Benjamin Lackey of Franklin and Zac Short and Justin Wilson, both of Asheville. Team advisors are program coordinator Samantha Campbell of Clyde and clinical coordinator Brent Holland of Asheville.

Students win award at regional Model United Nations Conference Two Western Carolina University students received the Outstanding Delegation Award while participating in the fall 2014 Southern Regional Model United Nations Conference held in Atlanta.

WCU students served as delegates representing the United Kingdom, Spain and Peru. They prepared for the competition in a Model United Nations course at WCU in which they simulate action at the actual United Nations by playing roles as foreign diplomats, researching countries and their related international issues, giving ambassadorial speeches and writing detailed position papers and resolutions.

828.227.3860 or jsschiff@wcu.edu.

Riverbend Elementary receives $115,000 Riverbend Elementary School recently received $115,693 as a Title I “Reward School” in North Carolina following the school’s previous recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2012.

The top 10 percent of Title I schools are designated as reward schools when there is sustained high academic performance in schools with an economic disadvantage rate of more than 50 percent among the students.

WCU open forum Jan. 29 An open forum will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Jan. 29, at the theater of A.K. Hinds University Center at Western Carolina University to discuss the university’s next Quality Enhancement Plan — a plan centered around a single theme to improve the institution and enhance student learning.

Ideas for topics that could drive WCU’s next QEP can be submitted through Monday, March 16. In April, the QEP topic selection committee will consider the submissions and identify several ideas to develop further.

Then this fall, members of the campus community will vote for the idea they believe would most benefit student learning at WCU. strategicplan.wcu.edu. 828.227.3825.

Baker to lead SCC information technology

Southwestern Community College’s Respiratory Therapy students who placed fourth at a recent national competition in Las Vegas are pictured with their advisors, (from left) program coordinator Samantha Campbell of Clyde, Zac Short of Asheville, Justin Wilson of Asheville, Noah Jones of Candler, Benjamin Lackey of Franklin and clinical coordinator Brent Holland of Asheville. Donated photo

Scott Baker has been named Southwestern Community College’s vice president for information technology.

Baker has been the dean of career technologies for four years, and he’s led the information technology department since August. Baker earned his bachelor’s of science degree from UNC Charlotte (1992) and his master’s of science from East Carolina (2007). He was a fulltime faculty member at SCC from 2004-2010.

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Cliff Stalter joins SCC Cliff Stalter is joining Southwestern Community College as its new vice president for financial and administrative services. He succeeds Janet Burnette, who retired in October. Prior to joining SCC, Stalter worked for Athene Cliff Stalter Annuity & Life Assurance Co., Experis Financial, served as director of administrative services at Blue Ridge Community College and taught part-time at Chattanooga State Community College.

He is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in North Carolina and Virginia.

Womansong scholarships available Scholarships to assist with the cost of the High School Equivalency Diploma are available for female students in Haywood Community College’s College and Career Readiness Department through the Womansong’s New Start Program.

828.565.4182.

HCC students presented Arnold Howell Award Haywood Community College students Jeannie Ball, John Mark Evans, Angelia Jones, Ronald Pelkey and Farrah Rodriguez were awarded the Arnold Howell Award presented

by HCC’s Learning Support Services Team.

The award recognizes students who embody the mission of the LSS Center and provides them with gift cards in appreciation for their hard work and dedication.

Revised gifted program begins this spring Western Carolina University’s newly restructured online master’s degree in gifted education will be offered this spring as a crossdisciplinary, 30-hour program with a oneweek field experience and will focus on helping educators promote students’ creativity and innovation.

The revised program is designed to take a student-centered approach and cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration and self-directed learning skills.

To apply visit graduate.wcu.edu or email dole@wcu.edu.

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

Surely there is a solution for noise dispute

H

U.S. youth need unifying experience

To the Editor: Historical injustices, real and perceived, create seeds of terrorism. Today’s policies create a fertile environment for the seeds of terrorism to flourish.

The first environmental factor is overpopulation. Where there is cultural pressure and/or lack of access to birth control, high birth rates lead to overpopulation.

The second factor is finite local resources to sustain that population, including food, healthcare, education, housing, and employment that results in sustainable income for families.

During the Great Depression, millions of young men and their families were saved by government-created employment in the CCC and other programs. Now with underemployment and low wages, millions of Americans are working themselves sick with little hope of progress. Illegitimate forms of income entice.

A further factor is lack of social cohesion. Today there is little to unify us. It is time to reinstate the draft. For those who do not wish to serve militarily, they may serve domestically working in troubled areas of our nation through AmeriCorps. Young Americans need a sense of belonging, responsibility, discipline, and citizenship.

When we address the environmental factors, we can prevent significant amounts of

families with children.

There are clubs all over this region and all over this country that feature live music. This is not a problem unique to Sylva and is not a problem of such magnitude that it should end up shutting down a viable business. Surely a solution can’t be that difficult to find.

Scott McLeod

ere’s hoping No Name Sports Pub and the town of Sylva can work out their differences on noise so that both get what they need.

As it stands now, the establishment has stopped booking live music because neighbors have complained that the bands and traffic are making too much racket late at night. According to town commissioners, they believe the bar and its owner are not complying with the town’s noise ordinance.

Bar owner Gregg Fuller says he’s quit having bands outside and built a vegetative buffer to try and satisfy neighbors. Fuller also contends the ordinance is too vague and does not offer him a fair method of responding to complaints.

I’ve never been to the pub at 1:30 a.m. and listened to the noise from bands or the motorcycles. But if town zoning allows a nightclub at this location, then it seems certain allowances for what typically goes on at clubs should be allowed.

I think some stereotypes needs to be vanquished to the dustbin of history if this problem is to be solved. This isn’t the 1930s or even the 1960s, when taverns and nightspots were almost universally generally looked down upon by the good citizens of small-town America.

No, this is 2015, a time when establishments that sell Western North Carolina-made beer — heck, even Sylva-made beer — and feature live music are celebrated as a unique and culturally significant part of this region. Check any tourist magazine that tries to attract people to the Smokies and local spirits and music are prominently featured. Go inside such places and you’ll find patrons from 21 to 71, and you’ll often encounter

••• The Wall Street Journal late Monday (Jan. 26) reported that [Google] was preparing to announce that it’s bringing its high-speed Internet service to Editor Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, Atlanta and Nashville in “coming days,” citing sources familiar with the situation. … Google Fiber features speeds up to 100 times faster than broadband. Time Warner Cable and AT&T also have announced plans for similar services in Charlotte.

— The Charlotte Observer, Jan. 27 An announcement like that expected in Charlotte this week isn’t likely to happen anytime soon in the counties west of Asheville. In all likelihood we don’t have enough population and users to attract a new fiber network from companies like Google, AT&T or Time Warner Cable.

But there are companies that do serve rural areas, and the information currently being gathered by economic develop-

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. terrorism and gang-related violence. We owe it to ourselves and our children to address these issues effectively.

Dan Kowal Franklin

Facts and beliefs are different animals To the Editor: Vic Drummond’s recent letter about “The Economic and Employment Costs of Not Expanding Medicaid in NC.” was just opinion and left-wing propaganda and not fact at all.

It seemed apparent that Drummond has not read the detailed 35-page economic analyses by Leighton Ku, PhD. Dr. Ku has conducted research and analysis regarding heath care at national and state levels for more than 20 years. He has a PhD in health policy from Boston University and a masters in public health from University of California at

ment officials about Internet service in our region is extremely important. Knowing what people need and what they would be willing to pay for high-speed connectivity is a key first step.

A committee of the Haywood County Economic Development Commission has developed a short survey that can be accessed at www.haywoodnc.net/broadband. The information gathered from the survey will be used when EDC officials are in discussion with Internet service providers. Getting faster service throughout the county and in underserved areas is the goal. Getting survey results from those in Haywood’s rural areas is especially important.

“The biggest thing is we need addresses to plot on the map to show pockets of need so we can start to see what assets we can get in those directions. Then we can attract more providers — the more options we have, the less expensive it will be and the more bandwidth we’ll be able to get,” said Maggie Valley Mayor Ron DeSimone, who heads up the broadband committee.

The benefits of attracting Internet service providers is pretty obvious these days. One, most businesses want super-fast Internet and many require it. Secondly, getting Internet service in rural areas means those who work from home can live in Fines Creek or White Oak and still earn a living. Finally, families and school-age children who need service can be more connected to the community in which they live and the schools their children attend.

Take the short survey and do your part.

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

Berkley.

All of the factual information used in his analyses (like number of uninsured, or number presently enrolled in Medicaid in N.C.) are from multiple public sources that are readily confirmable. He and his economic experts used scientifically verified economic software developed by Regional Economic Model Inc. (REMI) to arrive at the total economic impact of Medicaid expansion on the state.

Of course all scientists and economists use computers to assist in their analyses, but Drummond feels just because they use computer analysis their results are not “factual.”

This particular software has been used in thousands of national economic studies including fiscal analyses for the N.C. General Assembly (hardly a left-wing propaganda machine). Articles about REMI’s model equations and research findings have been published in scholarly journals such as the American Economic Review, Review of Economic Statistics, Journal of Regional Science, and International Regional Science Review.

This state can still pass Medicaid expansion in 2015 to begin in 2016. If it does not, the economic impact from 2016 to 2020 will be devastating: lost federal funding will total $21 billion; total jobs lost will be 43,000; business activity lost $21.5 billion; N.C. state revenue lost will be $862 million; and county tax revenue lost will be $161 million.

Drummond claims these analyses and factual information are not accurate and true, but I have not heard a single analysis by other

economists that contradict the factual information or the economic projections presented in this study. If you still reject this information, look at what has already happened in a Republican-controlled state, Arkansas, that actually expanded Medicaid in 2014. Their uninsured rate dropped from 22.5 percent to 12.4 percent, uncompensated care at hospitals decreased by $69 million in just the first 6 months of 2014, and the number of uninsured patients hospitalized fell by 47 percent.

I challenge Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin; Rep. Roger West, R-Marble; and Vic Drummond to do two things: • Read the actual study (http://www.wral.com/asset/news/state/ncc apitol/2014/12/17/14288878/158632Expanding_Medicaid_in_North_Carolina_12 -15-14_EMB_r.pdf ) and report to readers of this newspaper the precise, actual factual information that is wrong in the study and give us the correct information.

• Spend two hours per month for the next six months volunteering at the Franklin Community Care Clinic and talk to real, hardworking people who can only afford the very limited medical services offered by this volunteer run clinic rather than the comprehensive medical care provided by Medicaid. Then tell us readers whether or not you believe these people deserve adequate health care for their families.

Ed Morris, MD, PhD Volunteer and Board Member Franklin Community Care Clinic since 2010

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A TASTE OF NEW ORLEANS 67 Branner Ave., Waynesville, 828.246.0885. 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week. Curtis Henry opened A Taste of New Orleans to cater to the locals and become the place that’s always open that you can rely on for different, flavorful dishes every day. Serving Cajun, French and Creole Cuisine in a lovingly restored space, Curtis looks forward to serving you up a delicious dish soon.

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.

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

Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily.

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

BOGART’S 303 S. Main St., Waynesville.

828.452.1313. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Carry out available. Located in downtown Waynesville, Bogart’s has been long-time noted for great steaks, soups, and salads. Casual family atmosphere in a rustic old-time setting with a menu noted for its practical value. Live Bluegrass/String Band music every Thursday. Walking distance of Waynesville’s unique shops and seasonal festival activities and within one mile of Waynesville Country Club.

BOURBON BARREL BEEF & ALE 454 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, 828.452.9191. Lunch served 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 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

SUPER BOWL XLIX

SUNDAY, FEB. 1

JOIN US IN THE TAP ROOM FROM 5:30PM TO 10:30PM

FOR THE BEST FRIED CHICKEN IN TOWN PLUS SMALL PLATES!

Smoky Mountain News

let the dogs loose when they come across a bear” then why are there so many bear hunters observed driving the Blue Ridge Parkway and National Forest roads during bear hunting season with dogs standing on carpeted cages in the back of their trucks and then released when the dogs pick up the scent of a bear along the road? Mr. Messer’s description sounds pretty benign, but those who spend any time in the woods know how it really works. Maybe what the public should be thinking about is what these free running, napping dogs do when they corner and attack a cub separated from its mother.

Ms. Anderson could probably describe pretty accurately what it is like to be on the receiving end.

Mr. Messer says hunters “should also be allowed the freedom to practice their hobby during the scant days of the year when they’re allowed to do so.” That statement sounds like he feels the forests should belong to bear hunters for the “scant” seven weeks of the year they are open to hunting bears.

What he fails to mention is that two to three of those weeks are during the prime fall color season when everyone else wants to be in the forests enjoying their natural beauty.

It is also important to remember, bear hunting dogs have the run of the woods chasing bears for seven months of the year. Should the public refrain from using their forests during that time too?

The bottom line is the public using national forests or enjoying the outdoors are susceptible to an attack by bear dogs for seven months of the year!

Kadie Anderson’s experience on the Nantahala National Forest undeniably proves an attack by bear hunting dogs is more than possible. And the subsequent lack of anyone coming forward proves that bear hunters will not always be responsible as claimed. What about the known fact that these bear hunters failed to help a bleeding, injured Ms. Anderson with two critically injured dogs find medical assistance? She was obviously from out of town and unfamiliar with the area.Where is the moral obligation to help a suffering fellow human being?

The truth of the matter is that if anybody’s dog attacks, the dog owner should be liable, plain and simple. No special interest group should receive exemption and special treatment from the rest of the population.

The law needs to be changed.

(Bill Lea is a wildlife photographer who lives in Franklin.)

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

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

BY B ILL LEA G UEST COLUMNIST n the article about the bear dogs attacking a camper’s dogs (www.smokymountainnews.com/outdoors/item/14952), Wallace Messer (a bear hunter whose dogs were not involved in the attack) begins by suggesting the blame for the attack should perhaps be placed on the victims — a strategy used time after time by defense attorneys and their defendants pleading innocence. Even if Kadie Anderson’s dogs had growled as a natural reaction to protect their owner — which Kadie vehemently denies happened — that does not justify being attacked by a pack of a dozen dogs. A forest user and her pets’ wellbeing were still jeopardized. The bear hunting dog owners should be held accountable just like any other dog owner would be in the exact same situation. Why should any small group of dog owners be given special status with a law that protects only them when every other dog owner in the state would be held liable?

I find it most interesting that Messer goes on to say, “Changing the law might not be the best thing to do.” Why not change the law? If Mr. Messer believes his own words when he suggests how seldom an attack would happen, “… one out of 10,000,” then why would it matter if the law changed?

Could it be that maybe it does happen and it would not be in his personal best interest or in the best interest of other bear hunters to change the law? And by the way, why is there a law currently in place to provide bear hunters and their dogs special protection from any liability coming forth from such attacks?

“Changing the law might not be the best thing to do” for bear hunters, but it sure would be the best thing to do for the rest of the people residing in or visiting North Carolina. Think about something — what if Kadie had had a young child with her amidst the pack mentality of a dozen attacking dogs? Who protects the child’s rights? The law as it is currently written certainly does not!

The article says: “Bear hunting is more than just turning your dogs loose in the woods and jumping on anything you come across,” said Messer.

Hunters walk the woods and let the dogs loose when they come across a bear, then the dogs get to doing the thing that they love to do. When they’re done doing it, they’re ready to go home and take a nap.

If bear hunters just “walk the woods and

tasteTHEmountains opinion

Hunters and their dogs don’t deserve special protections

176 Country Club Dr. 828.456.3551 277-53

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tasteTHEmountains

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MEDITERRANEAN

ITALIAN CUISINE

STEAKS • PIZZA SEAFOOD CHICKEN & SANDWICHES 1863 S. Main Street • Waynesville 828.454.5002 Hwy. 19/23 Exit 98 SERVING LUNCH & DINNER CLOSED WEDNESDAYS

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

Live Music

SID’S ——————————————————

ON MAIN

117 Main Street, Canton NC

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

828.492.0618 • SidsOnMain.com Serving Lunch & Dinner

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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.

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.

BREAKING BREAD CAFÉ 6147 Hwy 276 S. Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station) 828.648.3838 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Sat. & Sun. Chef owned and operated. Our salads are made in house using local seasonal vegetables. Fresh roasted ham, turkey and roast beef used in our hoagies. We hand make our own eggplant and chicken parmesan, pork meatballs and hamburgers. We use 1st quality fresh not pre-prepared products to make sure you get the best food for a reasonable price. We make vegetarian, gluten free and sugar free items. Call or go to Facebook (Breaking Bread Café NC) to find out what our specials are.

CITY BAKERY 18 N. Main St. Waynesville 828.452.3881.

Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 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.

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.

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. It’s winter, but we still serve three meals a day on Friday, Saturday and long holiday weekends. Join us for Breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m.; Lunch from 12 to 2 p.m.; and Dinner buffet from 6 to 7:30 p.m., with entrees that include pot roast, Virginia ham and herb-baked chicken, complemented by seasonal vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer a fine selection of wine and beer. And a roaring fire in the fireplace. So come enjoy mile-high mountaintop dining with a spectacular view.

Reservations are required.

Smoky Mountain News

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

THE CLASSIC WINESELLER 20 Church Street, Waynesville.

828.452.6000. Underground retail wine and craft beer shop, restaurant, and intimate live music venue. Kitchen opens at 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday serving freshly prepared small plate and tapas-style fare. Enjoy local, regional, or national talent live each Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. www.classicwineseller.com. Also on facebook and twitter.

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

FILLING STATION DELI 145 Everett St., Bryson City, 828.488.1919.

Open Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays (in October) 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Locals always know best, and this is one place they know well. From the highquality hot pressed sandwiches and the huge portions of hand-cut fries to the specialty frozen sandwiches and homemade Southern desserts, you will not leave this top-rated deli hungry.

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

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

Monday-Saturday. Father and son team Frank and Louis Perrone cook up dinners steeped in Italian tradition. With recipies passed down from generations gone by, the Perrones have brought a bit of Italy to Maggie Valley. frankiestrattoria.com FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St. Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; Dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Frogs Leap is a farm to table restaurant focused on local, sustainable, natural and organic products prepared in modern regional dishes. Seasonal menu focuses on Southern comfort foods with upscale flavors. www.frogsleappublichouse.com.

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

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

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.

We’ll feed your spirit, too.

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

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CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

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

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

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

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.

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

tasteTHEmountains

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.

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

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

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

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

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

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

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

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

Bagels, wraps, soups, sandwiches, salads

PASQUALE’S 1863 South Main Street, Waynesville. Off exit 98, 828.454.5002. Open for lunch and dinner, closed Wednesdays. 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 indoors, outside on the patio or at the bar.

Reservations appreciated.

RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT AND BAR Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center 828.926.0201 Open Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m and Sunday 7:30 a.m to 9 p.m. Full service restaurant serving steaks, prime rib, seafood and dinner specials.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN SUB SHOP 29 Miller Street Waynesville 828.456.3400.

Open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. A Waynesville tradition, the Smoky Mountain Sub Shop has been serving great food for over 20 years. Come in and enjoy the relaxed, casual atmosphere. Sub breads are baked fresh every morning in Waynesville. Using only the freshest ingredients in home-made soups, salads and sandwiches. Come in and see for yourself why Smoky Mountain Sub Shop was voted # 1 in Haywood County. Locally owned and operated.

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.

THAI SPICE 128 N. Main St., Waynesville.

828.454.5400. Lunch: Tuesday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday noon to 3 p.m. Dinner Tuesday-Saturday 4:30 to 9 p.m. Closed Monday. Thai Spice, an authentic Thai restaurant, warmly welcomes you to experience a superb dinning experience. Don’t be timid, the food comes mild, medium, hot and Thai Hot. You choose.

Joseph Catanese

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94 East St. Waynesville

828.586.1985•OPEN WED.-SAT.

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Sunday Brunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Located in beautiful downtown Sylva: 617 W. Main St. Sylva NC 828.586.3555

Check out upcoming movies at:

www.MadBatterFoodandFilm.com

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Winter Hours:

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Wed. - Sat. 7:30 A.M. - 7:00 P.M. Sun. 8 A.M. - 3 P.M. Closed Mon. and Tues.

Smoky Mountain News

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

Open Wednesday through Saturday 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Cooking up mouth-watering, wood-fired Angus steaks, prime rib and scrumptious fresh seafood dishes. The wood-fired grill gives amazing flavor to every meal that comes off of it. Enjoy creative dishes made using moonshine. Stop by and simmer for a while and soak up the atmosphere. The best kept secret in Maggie Valley. themoonshinegrill.com

ORGANIC BEANS COFFEE COMPANY 1110 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.668.2326. Open 7 days a week 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Happily committed to brewing and serving innovative, uniquely delicious coffees — and making the world a better place. 100% of our coffee is Fair Trade, Shade Grown, and Organic, all slow-roasted to bring out every note of indigenous flavor.

Bakery offerings include cakes, muffins, cookies and more. Each one is made from scratch in Asheville using only the freshest, all natural ingredients available. We are proud to offer gluten-free and vegan options.

LIVE MUSIC: FRIDAY, 1/31 •7 P.M.

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

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

828.586.3555. Open Tuesday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Hand-tossed pizza, steak sandwiches, wraps, salads and desserts. All made from scratch. Beer and wine. Free movies with showtimes at 6:30 and 9 p.m. with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Visit madbatterfoodandfilm.com for this week’s shows.

www.CityLightsCafe.com

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.

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JOEY'S PANCAKE HOUSE 4309 Soco Rd Maggie Valley.

828.926.0212.

Winter hours; Friday through Sunday and Mondays, 7 a.m. to noon. Joey’s is a family style restaurant that has been serving breakfast to the locals and visitors of Western North Carolina since 1966.

Featuring a large variety of tempting pancakes, golden waffles, country style cured ham and seasonal specials spiked with flavor, Joey's is sure to please all appetites.

Joey & Brenda O’Keefe invite you to join what has become a tradition in these parts, breakfast at Joey’s.

and quiche with a variety of specialty coffees, teas and smoothies. Various desserts.

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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.

Featuring a Full Menu with Daily Specials BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER

3589 SOCO RD. MAGGIE VALLEY

828.926.1820

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Smoky Mountain News

State of the Arts — Haywood

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER

HCAC programs

As the crowd found their seats and got settled, all eyes were on Marty Sohovich.

“I really believe 2014 was one of our best years,” he said. “And we’re turning a corner.”

President of the Board for the Haywood County Arts Council, Sohovich addressed the curious and inquisitive audience at the organization’s annual meeting on Jan. 22 at their Gallery 86 headquarters in downtown Waynesville. Coming into its 38th year, the nonprofit, an affiliate of the NC Arts Council, is gearing up for a revitalization of its brand.

“We have found stable ground with our Marty Sohovich finances and membership,” Sohovich said. “And now we want to bring in more artists, more members, more collaborations, more corporate sponsorships, and do a better job of letting people know what it is we do in the community.”

AN OPEN DOOR

The day before the meeting, HCAC Interim Executive Director Dr. Elizabeth Haynes is milling about Galley 86, putting the final touches on the event setup and her slideshow showcasing the achievements of 2014 and hopes for the coming year.

“This annual meeting is a format we’re using for the first time — a presentation and community forum,” she said. “We want to have open communication between the arts council and our community, which is one of our biggest goals for 2015.”

What made 2014 a watermark year for the HCAC came from the mere fact of the organization overhauling itself. From straightening out its finances to improving its gallery revenue (up 35 percent last year), the council has made great strides in not only reinventing itself, but also simply making itself known as a viable and vital entity within the arts community of Haywood County and greater Western North Carolina.

“If we didn’t have the arts, could you imagine how boring our lives would be?” Haynes said.

From sponsoring the Friends of the Library Concert Series, gallery exhibits and receptions, Haywood County All-County Chorus, Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM), Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival and Young Artist Series, to getting grassroots

The Haywood County Arts Council sponsors the following community programs: • Events with the Downtown Waynesville Association • Friends of the Library Concert Series • Gallery exhibits and receptions • Gift shop representing local artisans • Haywood County All-County Chorus • Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) • Resource and promotion for other local art events • Student Honors Recital • Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival • Young Artist Series Through grassroots funding, the HCAC also support an array of community activities, which includes: • Fines Creek Community Association • Haywood Arts Regional Theater • Haywood Community Band • Haywood Community Chorus • Haywood County Schools Foundation • Voices in the Laurel

funding for the Fines Creek Community Association, Haywood Arts Regional Theater (HART), Haywood Community Band, Haywood Community Chorus, Haywood County Schools Foundation, Voices in the Laurel, and more, the HCAC is involved in seemingly every aspect of the community.

Pointing to the council’s artisan membership (more than 50), business sponsorships (15) and community members (over 300), Haynes said the arts council has a solid foundation to build upon.

“A lot of people are interested in supporting Dr. Elizabeth us, but they just don’t know how to get Haynes involved,” she said. “We want people, anyone, to come forward with new ideas — our door has never been closed, though it does need to be open more.”

Another question aimed at the council is about the position of executive director. With the job somewhat in limbo over the last few years, and the organization pretty much run by volunteers, a light at the end of the tunnel appeared when Jodi John Pippin was hired as a part-time executive director a year ago. The hiring brought more accountability and stability to the council, a move that set into motion an array of positive change of the who, what, where, when and why of the HCAC. But, as of Jan. 16, Pippin left the position for an opportunity at the Asheville Area Arts

“A lot of people are interested in supporting us, but they just don’t know how to get involved.”

— Dr. Elizabeth Haynes, HCAC Interim Executive Director

Want to know more?

If you’d like more information on the Haywood County Arts Council, upcoming events, how to become a member or volunteer, or to make a donation, click on www.haywoodarts.org, email info@haywoodarts.org or call 828.452.0593.

Council, a move that was more suitable for her family and career seeing as she currently resides in Buncombe County.

“Jodi was offered a wonderful opportunity in Asheville. She was a perfect fit for us, did very well, got everyone excited, was very talented and creative,” Haynes said. “But, this was an opportunity she couldn’t refuse and we support her 100 percent.”

And so Haynes, a volunteer at the HCAC for over a year and program manager for a third of that time, stepped up to the plate and became the interim executive director.

“The executive director here is not a

revolving door, it’s an evolving door,” she said.

“My strength is in administration, and my job is to keep things in order, moving along, give the board time to develop their strategic plan and give the organization continuity.”

So what is the HCAC focusing on for 2015?

“Well, we want to create partnerships with Western Carolina University and their art programs, expand our current partnerships with Haywood Community College, more emphasis on community outreach and children’s programs,” she said. “And to also stick to our mission of building partnerships through all different areas in the community. One of the many reasons people come visit our area is the arts, and we’re going to highlight these artists.”

TAKE A SEAT, LEND AN EARN The annual meeting in Gallery 86 was attended by dozens of members representing numerous social circles in Haywood County.

To them, the HCAC remains an important and influential organization.

“The council has a history of being an incubator for artists in the community, to get them on their feet and on their way,” said Board Member Frank Queen. “Supporting an arts council lets it act as a force for grants and contributions, and as a focal point in the community, a springboard for cool ideas. That in itself can be a hard job, to constantly be reinventing yourself, but that’s also the vigor of what we’re trying to do.”

S EE COUNCIL, PAGE 28

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

Garret K. Woodward, many years ago with his little sister, when having braces meant no smiling, and sporting a Grateful Dead shirt was a testament to their timeless music and world message. Family photo

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dyes around my Catholic elementary school and singing their songs to myself in the hallways (to the dismay of the nuns). It was finding out others knew about this band in middle school, where I first established and felt comfortable about sharing my opinions about music. It was shooting out of the high school parking lot, in some beat up Chevy, passing around a joint and blasting one of their thousands of live bootlegs. It was everything, to me and to countless folks I still cross paths with on a daily basis these many years later.

What it comes down to is the mere fact that the Dead represent the essence of mankind — acceptance, passion and community. Their music is the soundtrack of freedom, where a nerdy, scrawny teenager like myself discovered there was a whole

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other world beyond the horizon of one’s youth. I wasn’t that four-eyed dork anymore, I was Garret, lover of all things beautiful and true. The Dead put the notion in my head that everything would be OK, as long as you never forgot what it means to be a positive participant in life, always open to the endless possibilities of today, tomorrow and every day thereafter.

And since the passing of Garcia in 1995, I’ve followed the surviving members around the country, whether as The Dead or in the other numerous side projects that emerged in the last two decades. Now, some 21 years since I first heard them, the Dead’s songs ring as loudly as ever. The wisdom shared between the notes played and the lyrics sung are as important to our troubled, and often haphazard, modern world as they were to the counterculture of the tumultuous 1960s.

Their music is timeless, and will be played, shared and enjoyed for eternity.

Dozens of shows witnessed, hundreds of towns in between concerts and thousands of people surrounding me, many of which strangers at first, now lifelong friends. The dots of when and where are innumerable on the map of my life, all connected by one ensemble of rock-n-roll outlaws formed in 1965, who seized my heart, mind and soul like pirates swooping into my once black and white world and splashing it with the colors of the rainbow.

Editor’s Note: In honor of the band’s 50th anniversary, the surviving members of the Grateful Dead — Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir — will perform a special three-night celebration July 3-5 at Soldier’s Field in Chicago. They will be joined by Trey Anastasio (of Phish), Jeff Chimenti and Bruce Hornsby. For more information about the show and purchasing tickets, click on www.dead50.net.

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

It is the single greatest influence on my life.

The people, music and culture that encompasses the Grateful Dead is the exact reason I find myself typing this right now. The The film “The Big Lebowski” will be screened sights and sounds associated with at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Mad Batter this melodic ocean liner sailing Food & Film in Sylva. the high and often rough seas of Porch 40 (rock/funk) will perform at 9 p.m. society set the course for my entire Jan. 29 at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva. existence.

In 1994, I was 9 years old.

Curious and inquisitive since A Celtic music concert featuring harpist/singer birth, I was already headlong into Ann-Adèle Lloyd and flutist Milissa Ellison will my obsession with music. My be held at 3 p.m. Feb. 8 at Swain County father was a football jock of the Center for the Arts in Bryson City.

1950s, a country and jazz aficionado, so I was exposed to as much Joseph Catanese (singer-songwriter) will George Jones as I was Nat King perform at 7 p.m. Jan. 31 at City Lights Café Cole. My mother was a flowerin Sylva. child of the 1960s, a rock-n-roll and folk freak, which led me to Will Harlan will read from his new biography The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Willie “Untamed: The Wildest Woman in America Nelson and America. and the Fight for Cumberland Island” at 6:30 I remember it like it was yesp.m. Feb. 6 at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. terday. Summer 1994. Sitting at the table at my grandparent’s before? As soon as I entered Ames camp on Lake Champlain, awaiting a plate Department Store the following week, I of barbecue chicken, mashed potatoes and picked up a copy of their album “Skeletons corn on the cob. Across from me was my In The Closet,” a collection of some of the aunt’s long-time boyfriend, Al. On his hat Dead’s best selections, a great place to start was this neon dancing bear, on the back a skull with a lightning bolt. I asked him about for a novice listener.

And that album remained in my stereo for the symbols. the rest of that summer. I’ve never looked “It’s the symbols for the Grateful Dead,” back ever since. Sure, a year later, lead he smiled. “Have you ever heard them?” singer/guitarist Jerry Garcia, the centerpiece No, I hadn’t. But, I wanted to know of the group, passed away, and yes, I was more. He went to his car and played me a heartbroken, but I was only at the start of my couple songs. I was hooked. Who were these journey down the rabbit hole that is the Dead. guys? What were these symbols? Why did It was wearing brightly colored Dead tiethey sound like nothing else I’d ever heard

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arts & entertainment

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And though the HCAC has 50 artist members, that number alone seems a drop in the bucket when placed against the countless number of artisans around Haywood County and beyond. Sitting in on the meeting was artist member Teri Siewert. Owner of The Mahogany House Art Galley & Studios in Frog Level, Siewert’s business is N home to 80 artists, many of which aren’t involved with the HCAC. With the upcoming “Local Flavors” exhibit on Feb. 4 at the HCAC, showcasing members’ work, she hopes to increase the community outreach to emerging artists, new and established.

“With the members’ exhibit, people are seeing artists that they may have never heard of, but there’s also a whole other community of artists out there that aren’t members, and there are so many resources not being tapped into,” Siewert said. “There are lots of things the arts council needs to do better, but they are starting to make those changes, The Junior Appalachian Musician program is one of the many community avenues of creativity and are really trying to make better connection in the community.” supported by the Haywood County Arts Council. File photo As the round robin discussion ricocheted around Gallery 86, some wondered why the HCAC didn’t supSTORY, CONTINUED FROM 26 “I would also encourage all artists port the recent Studio Art Tour A board member for the last four years, (with 19 locations involved), in town to participate — you can Queen sees the hiring of a paid executive while numerous others quesreally get a handle on what’s director as a testament to the foundation tioned the council’s separation established by the HCAC. from Folkmoot USA. The going on in the community, and “With the grants and contributions we HCAC distanced itself from receive, they must be accounted for and the annual international make great connections.” administered appropriately, which can be diffidance and music festival last — Dominick DePaolo, artist cult to do if you don’t have someone who sees summer to create its own the process from beginning to end,” he said. event, ArtShare. For many During the meeting, several student years, International Festival Day was the musicians from the Junior Appalachian arts council’s largest fundraiser, but was Musician (JAM) program took center stage held in conjunction with Folkmoot USA to perform a couple of Southern and its international dancers and musiShowcasing the work of the artisan memAppalachian melodies. Run by Program cians. Many in the audience thought the bers at the Haywood County Arts Council, Director Sally Mackert, there are currently collaboration with Folkmoot USA should the “Local Flavors” exhibit will run Feb. 4 more than 40 students (grades 4-8) enrolled have been nurtured and cultivated. through March 28 at Gallery 86 in downin JAM, which meet weekly at Haywood “We aren’t trying to separate ourselves town Waynesville. An artist reception will Community College and perform throughfrom all the great things Folkmoot USA does, be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, out the year at regional events. or what HART does, or anything like that,” where discussions will be held about the Standing to the side, Rep. Joe Sam Queen, Sohovich assured the crowd. “What we’re pieces displayed. The event is free and D-Waynesville, observes the young musicians trying to do is identify ourselves to the comopen to the public. with a hearty smile as he listens to the future munity as something that is not funded or of the region’s rich musical heritage. tied to other organizations. We support all “Watching JAM, you how important as you can make all year in your community.” of these cultural entities in our community, music is to Haywood and our region’s identiIn his presentation, Sohovich asked the and will continue to maintain these relationty. We all need to work together for contincrowd three questions: What are we doing ships, but we’d also like to establish ourued arts in the schools as arts in our state are well? What do we need to do more of? What selves more thoroughly.” being unfunded — we’ve got to pick up the should we be doing differently?

As the meeting winded down, Sohovich steam,” he said. “Haywood is strong in the Acclaimed painter Dominick DePaolo thanked all in attendance for coming to arts and we need to help support it, because spoke up. As someone who leads art classes learn about and discuss the future of the the arts matter, to business, to the growth in the snug upstairs of Gallery 86, he’d like HCAC. All suggestions and comments would and development of our community, to eduto see bigger spaces used and more folks be taken into consideration when the board cation, to health care — the quality of the involved in getting more workshops offered puts together their strategic plan in the comarts in Haywood distinguishes itself.” to the public. ing weeks.

Joe Sam said the investment in communi“It would be wonderful if we could get a “We appreciate all of the donors and ty arts being made by arts council supportbigger facility to sponsor our classes,” he sponsorships, and the volunteers are the ers is vital. said. “I would also encourage all artists in lifeblood of the arts council,” he said. “If you “The arts need our help, in the schools and town to participate — you can really get a love the arts, if you want to do something and in the streets,” he said. “That annual giving handle on what’s going on in the communigive back to your community, become a memgoes a long way. It’s as good of an investment ty, and make great connections.” ber, become a volunteer — get involved.”

N

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John Lane will read from his new poetry collection, The Old Rob Poems 3 EAST JACKSON STREET • SYLVA

828/586-9499 • citylightsnc.com

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

Local Flavors

Smoky Mountain News

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On the beat

Award-winning mandolinist Darren Nicholson of Balsam Range will perform with his solo band as part of the First Thursday concert series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University.

Nicholson is a musician from Jackson County.

A Grammy nominee, he is also a recipient of two International Bluegrass Music Association awards with Balsam Range, including Album of the Year (2013) and Entertainer of the Year (2014). He has appeared countless times on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry, CMT and GAC. The Darren Nicholson Band also consists of three-time Grammy nominee Steve Sutton (banjo), Kevin Sluder (bass), Jeff Smith (percussion) and Griff Martin (guitar).

The concert will last an hour and will be followed by an open jam session during which The Darren Nicholson Band will play Feb. 5 at Western Carolina University. traditional musicians of all skill levels are across WCU that explore historical, social and cultural impacts that invited to participate.

The First Thursday series of concerts and open jams include some have shaped the state.

Free. of the region’s best old-time and bluegrass musicians. The events www.wcu.edu. align with “North Carolina: Our State, Our Time” programs given

PMA offers a unique style of music that aims to lift your spirits.

The event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library.

Free.

828.586.2016 or www.fontanalib.org.

PMA brings rock, roots to Sylva

• BearWaters Brewing (Waynesville) will have Max Gross Weight (rock) at 7 p.m. Jan. 30 and Joshua Dean Acoustically at 8 p.m.

Feb. 7. www.bwbrewing.com or 828.246.0602.

ALSO:

• City Lights Café (Sylva) will have Joseph Catanese (singer-songwriter) at 7 p.m. Jan. 31. www.citylightscafe.com.

• Classic Wine Seller (Waynesville) will have James Hammel (jazz/pop) Jan. 30 and Joe Cruz (piano/pop) Jan. 31. All shows begin at

7 p.m. $10 minimum purchase.

828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have ‘Round The Fire (Grateful Dead tribute) at 6 p.m. Jan. 29, Craig Summers & Lee Kram 6 p.m. Feb. 5 and Bobby Sullivan Band 7 p.m. Feb. 6. Free. 828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night on Jan. 28 and Feb. 4, and a jazz night Jan. 29 and Feb. 5. Events begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

Sponsored by the NC Arts Council, Swain County Center for the Arts and Swain County Schools. This program received support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.

Free.

828.488.7843 or www.swain.k12.nc.us/cfta.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will have Porch 40 (funk/rock) at 9 p.m. Jan. 29. Free.

828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub (Franklin) will have John Phillip Brooks Jan. 30, Nick Prestia Jan. 31, David Spangler Feb. 6 and South Ridge Feb. 7. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.rathskellerfranklin.com or 828.369.6796.

• Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will

Renowned bluegrass/gospel group Balsam Range “Winter Concert Series” will continue with The Harris Brothers at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Colonial Theatre in Canton.

Balsam Range, winner of the 2014 International Bluegrass Music Association award for “Entertainer of the Year,” will perform, with The Harris Brothers opening the show. The Harris Brothers’ infinite live repertoire consists of any number of genres, including traditional roots music, rock & roll, jazz, blues, Appalachian mountain music, to vintage country and bluegrass. A typical live show effortlessly shifts from original tunes to their own arrangements of songs from all sides of the Americana musical spectrum.

“We try to get our own musical heroes and influences to the shows,” said Balsam Range mandolinist Darren Nicholson. “We want our hometown folks to enjoy the artists that we admire and who inspire us.

Plus, these are guest artists who don’t get to play in this area very often.”

The Balsam Range Winter Concert Series is sponsored by Amy Spivey of ERA Sunburst Realty, The Waynesville Inn Golf Resort & Spa and Smoky Mountain Roasters Coffee Shop.

Tickets cost $22.

828.235.2760 or www.balsamnation.com. have Dave Desmelik (singer-songwriter) at 8 p.m. Jan. 30 and Red Led Huskey 9 p.m.

Feb. 6. Free.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grille (Waynesville) will have Eyes Set To Kill and Die So Fluid at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6.

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will present M. Schallock & W. Peebles (tuba/bassoon) Feb. 3, Ian Jeffress (saxophone) Feb. 5. Both performances are at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in the Coulter Building. www.wcu.edu.

Smoky Mountain News

Local rock/roots group Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) will perform at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Community Room at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

PMA was formed in Charlotte during the summer of 2008 by long time friends Kyle Coleman, Matthew Yelen and Phil Thomas and were later joined by Miller Watson.

Gathering influences from dub reggae, roots reggae, and alternative/psychedelic sounds,

A Celtic music concert featuring harpist/singer Ann-Adèle Lloyd and flutist Milissa Ellison will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, at Swain County Center for the Arts in Bryson City.

Lloyd will be performing on Celtic harps, while Ellison will perform on various modern and historical instruments, including a flute made in London in the early 1800’s.

Immediately following the concert there will be a meet and greet reception for the musicians and also for oil and watercolor painter Elizabeth Ellison and papermaker Ann Smith, whose artwork will be on display at the Center for the Arts through midMarch.

Balsam Range welcomes The Harris Brothers

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

Celtic concert in Bryson City

arts & entertainment

Nicholson to bring bluegrass, Americana to WCU

29

On the stage

arts & entertainment

On the street • An open call for contestants for the Miss Franklin Scholarship Pageant is now under way. The registration deadline is Jan. 31. The pageant will be held on Saturday, May 16, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. Judging categories include personal interview, swimsuit, evening gown and talent. Entry fee is $100 and applications can be picked up at the Franklin Chamber of Commerce. 828.524.3161.

Irish psych-mystery stages at HART

• The next Drink-N-Think will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 3 at Soul Infusion Tea House & Bistro in Sylva. The topic will be “The Collective Disempowerment of American Citizens.”

DNT begins with a specific topic in a TEDx format and then moves into an “Open Mic for Thought” where people can take the topic anywhere they’d like. Anyone is welcome to sign up in advance to start DNT by presenting a topic of their choice, and Soul Infusion will give $20 in house credit. drinknthinknc@gmail.com.

• A LEGO club meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Legos and duplos will be provided for kids ages 3 and up. The club will meet every fourth Thursday.

828.488.3030.

• A wine tasting will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Jan. 31 at Papou’s Wine Shop & Bar in Sylva. 828.586.6300.

• Western Style Square Dancing Lessons will be offered from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Mondays through April 20 at the Recreation Center in Cullowhee. $65 per person. Register at the center.

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

The play “Shining City” will debut at HART on Jan. 30. Donated photo

The winter theater season continues with the Tony nominated Broadway play “Shining City” that will run at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30-31 and at 3 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

Written by Irish playwright Conor McPherson, the production is a quiet psychological mystery, which opened on Broadway in 2006, where it received two Tony Award nominations, including Best Play. Set in present-day Dublin, a man seeks help from a counselor, claiming to have seen the ghost of his recently deceased wife. However, what begins as just an unusual encounter becomes a struggle between the living and dead-a struggle that will shape and define both men for the rest of their lives.

In this contemporary ghost story, McPherson explores what it means to lose faith-in God, in relationships and in one’s self.

The Feichter Studio is part of the backstage of the Performing Arts Center at the Shelton House, seats only 65, with reservations highly recommended.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for students.

Possible holdover dates are Feb. 6-8.

828.456.6322 or www.harttheatre.org.

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Smoky Mountain News

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On the wall

A Division of The Print Haus Inc. Group

A new showcase of work by artist Clint Hardin will be on display for the month of February at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

Hardin was born and raised in Canton. He received a degree in studio art from the University of North Carolina and has worked as a graphic designer and press operator at Western Carolina University for the past decade. Hardin is currently a board member for the Jackson County Arts Council. His artwork has appeared in galleries across North Carolina and has been used in television programs, for book covers, and as interior book illustrations. He lives in Clyde with his wife and two children. www.clinthardin.blogspot.com.

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‘Winter Craft’ series in Bryson City

• “The Boxtrolls” (through Feb. 4) and “Gone Girl” (Feb. 6-18) will be screened at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. Saturday morning cartoons will also be shown at 11 a.m. For screening times, click on www.38main.com or call 828.283.0079.

ALSO:

• The animated children’s film “RIO 2” will be screened at 3 and 7 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Colonial Theatre in Canton. The movie will be the first in a new series of screenings at the theatre. Admission is $3.

• The “Come Paint with Charles Kidz Program” will be at 4 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Charles Heath Gallery in Bryson City. $18 per child. Materials and snacks included.

828.538.2054.

• “The Big Lebowski” (Jan. 29), “The Matrix” (Jan. 30) and “The Book of Life” (Jan. 31) will be screened at the Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Screenings are free and begin at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com.

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Smoky Mountain News

• A ceramics class will be held 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24 at The Bascom in Highlands. The focus will be on making unique ceramic rattles inspired by modern and ancient ceremonial rattles. Simple hand techniques will also be used in this project. There will also be some carving, coil building and basic bead making. To register, go to www.thebascom.org or call 828.526.4949.

• The Contemporary Craft Series exhibit featuring the work of Mike Sluder will be on display through Feb. 22 at The Bascom in Highlands. As one of the country’s most notable metal artist, Sluder has made a name for himself creating breathtaking and sophisticated metal art, moving beyond his gritty and industrial beginnings. Sluder’s works have been featured in the Museum of Design, Atlanta, as well as in national and international exhibitions and publications. www.thebascom.org or 828.526.4949.

CALEB JOHNSON

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

Crafter/owner of Taylor’s Greenhouse, Karen Taylor, will be the instructor for the “Winter Craft” series at Wild Fern Studios in Bryson City.

• A handmade salves and oil workshop will be held Jan. 31. Class will discuss and demonstrate how to extract and utilize the materials.

• A pressed flowers workshop will be held Feb. 7. Students will learn to harvest, press, preserve and make cards and photo frames for keepsakes.

Each series date runs from 10 a.m. to noon. Class fee is $20.

828.736.1605.

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Books

Smoky Mountain News

33

Advice for becoming a body ‘gardener’ n French Women Don’t Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure, Mirielle Guiliano produced a No. 1 New York Times bestseller and became an international sensation, with her book translated into 37 languages.

Now Guiliano is back with another book regarding les femmes francaises. In French Women Don’t Get Facelifts: The Secret of Aging with Style & Attitude (Grand Central Publishing, ISBN 978-1-45552411-2, 259 pages, $25), Guiliano takes Writer her readers into the secrets of dieting, nutritional supplements, exercise, makeup, rest, and fashion that can help women (and men) fight the effects of aging.

Guiliano begins her look at aging by quoting Coco Chanel — “No one is young after 40, but one can be irresistible at any age” — and then tells readers in her “Overture” that she has designed her book so that they may “devise their own formula for life that enhances their looks, health, and pleasures, and helps them to be comfortable in their skin at any age.” To do so, she contends, demands not “aging gracefully,” but “aging with attitude.”

What Guiliano means by attitude is the mental and spiritual state we bring to aging.

According to her, joie de vivre, joy, engagement, an eagerness to embrace life, make us attractive no matter how old we are. Guiliano then goes on to give specifics that can highlight this spirit, this zest for life. She writes of the importance of fashion and dress, skin

Facelifts is its infectious spirit. Guiliano comes across as both optimistic and practical, a philosophy she lauds in the final chapter. Here she tells us that the French (and Americans) can be divided into three groups in terms of how they treat their bodies and their attitudes. (For evidence, she cites the work of Olivier de Ladoucette, a French gerontologist and psychiatrist).

First up are the gamblers. These are the people who roll the dice with various addictions, tobacco, alcohol, and so on, contending that they might as well live it up since they will die someday anyway.

In the second and largest group we find the mechanics, those who believe “their bodies can be fixed like a car.” These are the people who want magic potions, who fight high blood pressure with pills but no lifestyle changes, who replace their knees with surgery without first trying weight loss and exercise.

Finally, there are the gardeners, those who fed their bodies and souls the right way, who “listen to their bodies, anticipate, and act.”

Read Mirielle Guiliano, and odds are you’ll want to become a gardener.

Better” and lists her top 10 foods for health.

Guiliano’s advice on exercise is not unusual, but she does stress the importance of nonstress activities like walking, swimming, and yoga. As she points out, these exercises are easiest on joints and muscles. She reminds readers that walking in particular is the “very best non-exercise exercise” and is also the “best weight-loss program.” Guiliano practices the tenets of her homilies, walking to work, avoiding the subway, taking the stairs rather than the elevator when possible.

The best part of French Women Don’t Get

••• In By The Book: Writers on Literature and the Literary Life from The New York Times Book Review (Henry Holt and Company, ISBN 978-1-62779-145-8, 315 pages, $28), editor Pamela Paul has brought together 65 authors who have appeared in the popular column “By The Book.” Lee Child, Francine Prose, E.L. Doctorow, Christopher Buckley, Elizabeth Gilbert, and even Sting: these are just a few of the notable authors who appear here and who share their thoughts on literature and writing with Pamela Paul.

Jeff Minick

I

care, grooming, diet, and exercise. The author of three books on food, she also includes a section of recipes titled “Foods For Feeling

Book sale needs donations The Haywood Friends of the Library Book Sale Committee need your books. During these cold January days when you are surveying the clutter, consider donating books from your personal library to the Book Sale, which is scheduled for July 23-25. Last year, people were especially interested in books from the academic and scientific collections. Members of the Book Sale Committee can pick up books at your home.

Call Sandy Denman, chair of the committee, at 828.627.2370 to arrange a pickup.

Lane to present poetry collection Poet John Lane will read from his new collection The Old Rob Poems at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

From New Native Press, the collection features a character loosely based on a mountain neighbor of Lane’s. It is the poetic telling of a man transitioning from old mountain ways into the modern world.

Lane is the author of over a dozen books of poetry and prose.

His Abandoned Quarry: New & Selected Poems was released by

Mercer University Press in 2012. The book includes much of Lane’s published poetry over the past 30 years, plus a selection of new poems. Abandoned Quarry won the SIBA (Southeastern Independent Booksellers Alliance) Poetry Book of the Year prize.

828.586.9499.

McDonald reading to honor Black History Month In celebration of Black History Month, there will be a reading of Victoria A. Casey McDonald’s last novel Living in the Shadow of Slavery by her daughter Faustine McDonald at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, in the Community Room of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

In this posthumous publication, Casey continues the story of her great grandmother Amanda who is freed from slavery after the Civil War and has many choices to make as a free woman.

“This is a powerful book, written from the heart of one who cared about her African American history in Western North Carolina to the point of saving it with the written word for all eternity,” said Amy Ammons Garza from Catch the Spirit of Appalachia.

This event is sponsored by the Jackson County Arts Council with

One enjoyable feature of this book is the question and answer format. Pamela Paul — I keep writing the full name because I like the alliteration, and Paul just looks too empty by itself on the page — asks the authors many of the same questions. “If you could meet any writer, dead or alive, who would it be?” was a question to which a large number of the authors replied “Shakespeare.” (Somehow this answer, though expected, strangely gratifies).

In addition, the authors reply to these questions in writing. This approach rather than a verbal interview allows them to shape and hone thoughtful replies, telling us in detail, for example, what books influenced them as children or what book they might urge the president to read. (In answer to the latter question, Dave Barry wrote: The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky. I was required to read this book in English class during my freshman year at Haverford College, but I never finished it. I seriously doubt that Dostoyevsky ever finished it.

So I figure if the president read it, he could tell me what happens.”)

One negative point: though they have published something, celebrities Emma Thompson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Sting seem misplaced alongside writers like Isabel Allende, Scott Turow, and Amy Tan. Bryan Cranston, star of “Breaking Bad” and “Malcolm in the Middle,” is included here, but has never published anything. These performers might appear more suitably in a collection of the reading habits of celebrities.

But this is quibbling. By The Book offers a light, pleasurable look at writers and literature.

Jeff Minick is a writer and teacher. His novel, Amanda Bell, and a book of essays, Learning As I Go, are available at local bookstores and online.

He can be reached at minick0301@gmail.com.

support from the NC Arts Council Grassroots Grant program.

828.507.9820 or info@jacksoncountyarts.org or www.jacksoncountyarts.org.

New work about Cumberland Island Journalist Will Harlan will read from his new biography Untamed: The Wildest Woman in America and the Fight for Cumberland Island at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

The book looks at the life of Carol Ruckdeschel, a self-taught scientist, who for 40 years studied and defended the sea turtles and the surrounding wilderness of Cumberland Island. This national park on the Georgia coast is the country’s largest and most biologically diverse barrier island. Untamed reveals the determined efforts of a woman to protect a wilderness she loves.

Harlan is the editor-in-chief of Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine and an award-winning journalist. He has written for National Geographic Adventure and appeared in Sports Illustrated and on Oprah. He lives on a farm in the mountains of North Carolina.

828.586.9499

34

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

The open water Improved access, mapping set to spur water recreation in WNC

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER It’s shaping up to be an exciting year for water-lovers in Western North Carolina.

After more than a decade of hydropower relicensing negotiations and years more of permitting and construction, Duke Energy is finishing a slate of river accesses that will make the Tuckasegee one of the most accessible rivers in the Southeast. At the same time, a collective effort to create an interactive map showing where and how to recreate on Western North Carolina waterways — using a tool called Smoky Mountain Blueways — is wrapping up, further boosting WNC’s future as a Mecca for outdoors lovers of all skill levels.

“I’m quite excited. It will be great for Jackson County, but it will also be great for the region,” said Lisa Leatherman, district

Western North Carolina is already a paddler’s paradise, and opportunities to get out on the water are only increasing. File photo

manager for Duke Energy and a Macon County native. “The Tuck is now going that be one of the most accessible rivers in the Southeast. That’s huge.”

The lion’s share of the Tuck is in Jackson County, but the new focus on accessibility also encompasses waterways such as the Little Tennessee, Oconaluftee, Hiawassee and Nantahala rivers, as well as the reservoirs they connect with.

“At the most basic level, that builds the quality of life that the region has to offer,” said Mark Singleton, executive director of Sylvabased American Whitewater, one of the groups collaborating in the Blueways project.

“At another level, it’s the appreciation of the outdoors that allows people to value them and think that rivers are important. If rivers are important to them, they care about them, they take care of them.”

OPENING UP THE RIVER Before Duke’s relicensing agreement spurred the development of more access points along the waterways from which it generates its power, there were only four places along the entire reach of the Tuckasegee which were built specifically to put in a canoe, kayak or raft. That number will soon reach 17, including reservoirs on the Tuckasegee, but that number doesn’t count the new accesses along the other rivers in the region.

Most of these river access points are now complete, though a few projects are ongoing.

Duke is still waiting on permits from the state and the Tennessee Valley Authority to start work at the Lena Davis access, commonly called Cullowhee Dam, so that project isn’t expected to finish up until late autumn.

But besides that, there are just a few projects to finish up as spring approaches.

Probably the most notable is the Pine Creek Access at Lake Glenville. There’s going to be a swimming area there — Duke drew down the reservoir so that crews could reconstruct the reservoir bottom to a more gradual slope — as well as a pump and haul toilet, picnic area, dock and handicapped-accessible walkway.

There’s also going to be a hiking trail, 0.8 miles of steep downhill into the canyon that houses 120-foot High Falls. By all accounts, it’s incredible, especially during wildflower season.

“You need to go to the High Falls Trail in March and April,” Leatherman said.

“It’s drop dead spectacular,” Singleton agreed, calling the trail construction of harvested rocks “incredible.”

Other than that, there’s just the paving job to finish at Bear Creek Lake once the weather warms up.

BLUEWAYS But even before those touches are all in place, WNC will have the info at its fingertips as the Blueways project launches in the coming weeks.

Blueways is related to Duke’s recent ramping up of access points, but it’s about more than just Duke. Rather, it’s about collating all the accesses and recreation opportunities springing up along the waterways of WNC into one easy-to-use place.

“When the World Freestyle Games were here in September of 2013, it brought in an international audience,” said Leatherman. “It

Beach construction is well under way at Pine Creek on Lake Glenville. Donated photo

was a great way to bring attention to Western North Carolina, and my predecessor realized that.”

So, Duke awarded a $75,000 grant to develop Blueways, an effort spearheaded by Smoky Mountain Host and involving a diversity of other government, non-profit, and business groups on the Blueways Advisory Council, “We have done massive research on access points on the rivers and will have in-depth info, including photos of the major public access points,” said Betty Huskins, executive director of Smoky Mountain Host. “This info will include type of fish in the stream, marina access, whether it is suited for tubing, kayaking, rafting, etc., and all other amenities in the area.”

Get the info Check www.smokymountainblueways.com over the coming weeks to explore all the ways to get out on — and around — the water in Western North Carolina. The online mapping tool will include in-depth information about all the water access points in the region, including photos, types of facilities and the kinds of recreation — and types of fish — each area best supports.

For now, information about each area of the region is available at www.visitsmokies.org/smoky-mountain-blueways.html.

A brochure detailing Duke Energy’s relicensing agreement and subsequently developed access points is available at www.dukeenergy.com/pdfs/nantahala-area-rec-and-environ-enhancements-brochure.pdf.

In short, Blueways will be a compendium of all the places you can get out on the water, all the things you can do at each location, all the facilities you can use and what kind of environment you can expect to find there.

That includes a lot more than just Duke access points. For example, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has installed accesses on its land, including at Needmore Game Lands in Macon and Swain counties, and the Macon County Greenway has access points of its own.

A tourism-driven region, Western North Carolina has plen-

F

After 30 years of service, Haywood Community College’s arboretum specialist Mike Meadows — seen here with HCC President Barbara Parker — has retired. The campus’ diverse collection of trees and plants was his handiwork, and he was instrumental in taking care of the Dahlia Garden, which boasts more than 400 plants of 250 varieties. Aaron Mabry photo

T

the project. The NHD data is online at viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer, and an updated map of park streams is online at www.nps.gov/npmap/parktiles/#10/35.6032/-83.4659.

Benefit-t-t-ting Kids in the Creek & YOUTH EDUCATION Saturday, January 31st, (aka, “Super Bowl Saturday”)11:30 am Lake Junaluska Assembly Beach (next to swimming pool)

100% of proceeds benefit Youth Education Programs PRIZES AWARDED TO BEST COSTUMES, TOP INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISERS & TOP TEAM FUNDRAISER! FREE T-SHIRT FOR ALL PLUNGERS. HOT CHILI LUNCH, BONFIRE, & DOOR PRIZES AVAILABLE FOR ALL

$25 to be a Plunger, or FREE by raising sponsorships Visit www.crowdrise.com/3rdpolarplunge for complete registration information or to donate

Smoky Mountain News

and have a more united vision of not just opening it up and letting people use it, but [asking], ‘How are we going to steward this resource?’ as well as education for the general public,” he said.

Good planning will be essential to ensuring that vision leads to a favorable end, LTLT Executive Director Sharon Taylor said.

“It’s all part of raising awareness,” Taylor said. “If you do raise awareness and more people come to use the resource, how do you accomplish that and how do you plan for it?”

That said, Taylor A new fishing pier at would like to see an the Powerhouse emphasis on educaaccess area will give tion going forward. anglers a boost.

“Anyone who sees Donated photo their water resources as a resource to be protected, that will have a positive impact on our work and conservation because then people want to conserve and keep the water pure,” she said.

“No none wants to use a river that’s been degraded.” the river corridor.”

Leatherman, meanwhile, is looking forWays like the wildlife viewing platform ward to a future formed by youth who grow at Tanasee Creek Lake, the campsites at up with an improved opportunity to underBear Creek Lake and hiking trails at High stand that.

Falls and Mission Lake.

“If you are a little kid and just wanted to throw rocks in the river, you have a place to do that,” she said.

HE LARGER CONVERSATION That’s thanks to improved access points.

But thanks to improved publication of Dennis Desmond of Land Trust for the those access points, that hypothetical little Little Tennessee pointed out that Blueways kid’s parents will know where to take him to is also a chance for a larger conversation get outside. about the area’s resources and how those “It’s good for folks in the region just to who love them can come together to keep know what the region has to offer in opporthem beautiful. tunities to connect with nature and the out“I think it’s a great opportunity with this doors,” Singleton said. initiative to bring these partners together

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

ty of organizations with an interest in helping people get out into nature. And plenty of people who would like to come visit said nature — with minimal planning necessary, please.

“Any time we can get a tool that we can leverage and promote, it’s great,” said Robert Jumper, chairman of the Jackson County tourism board.

And, Singleton pointed out, Blueways isn’t only about lakes and rivers.

“They’re not just river accesses,” he said.

“They tie into other ways to interact with

277-05

Haywood’s tree caretaker retires

A three-year stream-mapping project in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is now complete, revealing new information about the park’s water resources.

Using a combination of aircraftmounted scanners and a Global Positioning System verification sysThe Middle Prong tem, scienstream along the tists deterRamsey Cascades mined that Trail in the Great the park Smoky Mountains holds 2,900 National Park. miles of NPS/Everitt photo stream, 1,073 miles of which are large enough to support fish. That’s a considerable jump from the previous estimate of 2,000 miles of stream in the park.

The new data is now part of the

National Hydrology Dataset, which allows anyone real-time access to information about streams across the nation. The information is useful to park staff and research partners to manage park water quality and aquatic ecosystem health.

Park scientists collaborated with the U.S. Geological Survey and scientists from North Carolina and Tennessee to complete

outdoors

National park wraps up three years of stream mapping

Registration packets can be requested at info@haywoodwaterways.org or 828-476-4667.

Hosted by: 35

outdoors

Fly collector shares his secrets Mike Kesselring — a professional photographer, writer, speaker and fly collector — will expound upon his love of fly collecting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, at the United Community Bank in Sylva.

Kesselring, a Bryson City resident since 1975, will bring his collection of more than 7,000 flies to his talk, which will take place during the February meeting of the Tuckaseigee Chapter of Trout Unlimited. The collection includes flies from local tiers as well as from area fly shops and crosscountry travels, featuring nearly every style, color and size possible.

The evening will begin with dinner for $5 and then include a raffle for a rod made by Whittier craftsman Jim Mills.

The raffle will take place before Kesselring’s presentation.

Grant allows kids hiking trails to expand Trail adventures for kids will expand in North Carolina over the coming years, thanks to a $921,000 grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation.

The grant, given to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Kids in Parks program, will increase TRACK Trails — the name given to a network of outdoor adventures aimed at kids — with the goal of designating at least one in every county. An app for mobile devices will also be part of the effort, guiding adventurers to hiking, canoeing, disc golf and biking paths.

Since its inception in 2008, Kids in Parks has resulted in 58 trails opening in 35 North Carolina counties, with 10 more slated to open this year. The trails are concentrated in North Carolina but open in other states as well — nationwide, more than 100 exist.

TRACKers can log their adventures at www.kidsinparks.com to earn prizes and read trail profiles to plan their next adventure. A map showing trail locations is also available on that site.

A youngster takes a look at the trailhead sign at the Pisgah Forest TRACK Trail.

Donated photo

A 10-acre tract along the Blue Ridge Parkway and a new section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail in Jackson County will likely become Blue Ridge Parkway land following its Dec. 18, 2014, purchase by the Conservation Trust for North Carolina.

Between Parkway mileposts 449 and 450 near the Forney Ridge Overlook, the land is adjacent to two more CTNC properties totaling 81 acres. Rare spruce-fir forest habitat covers the property, which rises to nearly 6,000 feet, and it’s part of a growing area of contiguous, protected land intended to one day become the Waterrock Knob/Plott-Balsams Park along the Parkway.

“The Fork Ridge Overlook tract is a key puzzle piece in the effort to create a huge swath of conserved lands near Waterrock Knob that we hope someday will become a new node of the Parkway like Doughton Park or Price Lake,” said CTNC land protection director Rusty Painter.

The property owners sold their land for well below its appraised value, with Salisbury residents Fred and Alice Stanback providing generous funding for the purchase.

The tract makes the 54th property CTNC has conserved along the Parkway, with those lands totaling more than 31,000 acres.

Yellow Face Mountain commands the view from the Fork Ridge Overlook Property. Donated photo

RESIDENTIAL HOUSECLEANING

Smoky Mountain News

277-08

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

More land conserved around Waterrock Knob

Serving Haywood County Call Tanya for a free estimate—828-734-0671

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BONDED & INSURED

With a new year comes a new lineup of hikes as the Friends of the Smokies explores some of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s most breathtaking backcountry.

The 2015 Classic Hikes of the Smokies will kick off Tuesday, March 10, with a 6.2mile hike to Smokemont. Subsequent treks will include hikes to Caldwell Fork, Lake

Shore, Hemphill Bald, an overnight at LeConte Lodge, Big Creek, Boogerman, Purchase Knob, Chimney Tops and Noland Creek.

The hikes, offered on the second Tuesday of each month, are guided and offer participants information about the stewardship projects donations to Friends of the Smokies fuel in the park — efforts as diverse as elk management, historic structure preservation, the Parks as Classrooms education program and hemlock wooly adelgid treatment.

A complete Classic Hikes itinerary is online at www.friendsofthesmokies.org/hikes.html.

outdoors

Calendar of classic Smokies hikes unveiled for 2015

A sea of clouds forms above Fontana Lake. Billy Jones photo

A strenuous excursion — part hike, part bushwhack — will reach Savannah Ridge in Jackson County and take in some spectacular views of the surrounding area on Saturday, Jan. 31. The strenuous 10-mile hike, led by Don O’Neal of the Nantahala Hiking Club, will involve about 500 feet of elevation change.

A carpool will leave from Franklin at 8 a.m. RSVP to O’Neal at 828.586.5723. No dogs.

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

Savannah Ridge to offer mountaintop view

Prepare for emergency in the backcountry of the course. During role-playing scenarios, they’ll put it all together as they evaluate and treat a “patient” pretending to be in the midst of some emergency.

Cost is $175, with a CPR course offered for an additional fee on the evening of Feb. 27. Minimum enrollment must be met by Jan. 30 for the course to be held. Participants must be at least 16, and those under 18 must have a guardian’s permission.

Jennifer Bennett, 828.293.3053 or jenniferbennett@jacksonnc.org.

SPACE AVAILABLE

Smoky Mountain News

A Wilderness First Aid course Feb. 28March 1 will prepare its participants for backcountry calamities ranging from broken legs to open wounds to hypothermia.

The fast-paced course includes two days of wilderness medicine topics presented by instructors from Cullowhee-based Landmark Learning. Participants will practice making splints, moving someone with a head injury, thinking through the appropriate response when confronted by an emergency and much more during the 16 hours

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outdoors Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015 Smoky Mountain News 38

a website to take you to places where there are no websites.

Log on. Plan a getaway. Let yourself unplug.

Outhouses hit the slopes Steering an outhouse down a mountainside may be an unconventional way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but the Ninth Annual Outhouse Race at Sapphire Valley Ski Resort Feb. 14 will allow for some warm fuzzies.

The race, which begins at 11 a.m., will benefit the pooches and kittens of the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society, a no-kill adoption center. Food and live music will be present alongside the homemade and often hilarious contraptions that compete for speed and laughs as they sled down the slopes. $100 to race your own outhouse or $125 to rent one.

RSVP to Steve Martell, 828.743.6159.

Outhouse races in 2014. Garrett Woodward photo

New museum to celebrate Fontana Dam’s 70th A community museum and learning center at Fontana Village along Fontana Lake will commemorate the 70th anniversary of power production at Fontana Dam, thanks to an alliance between Proctor Revival Organization, Fontana Village Resort, Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team and Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center.

The partnership will create exhibits and collect archives that document the region’s history, from the pioneer past through the present day.

The museum will recognize the dam’s historical significance, as it was originally built to provide power for the war effort in the 1940s, and the sacrifices the people of Western North Carolina made during World War II. The electricity generated at Fontana allowed accelerated production of nuclear material at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the secret Manhattan Project. www.proctorrevival.com

A conference diving in to the business side of farming will be held from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at University of North Carolina Asheville, offering 17 workshops and a chance to network with consultants, lawyers and buyers such as restaurant owners, grocers and distributors.

The Business of Farming Conference, organized by the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, will include new workshops such as “Accepting SNAP and EBT at your farmers market” and “Managing Risk on Your Farm.” Pre-conference workshops will allow farmers to investigate topics such as agritourism, value-added processing and food safety.

Registration is open at www.asapconnections.org/conference. Cost is $75 per participant, with a discount for multiple registrants from the same farm.

Registration for pre-conference workshops is separate.

Sponsors include the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Southern Risk Management Education Center, Farmers Market Promotions Program, The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and Golden LEAF Foundation.

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

A

bi-monthly magazine that covers the southern Appalachian mountains and celebrates the area’s environmental riches, its people, culture, music, art, crafts and special places. Each issue relies on regional writers and photographers to bring the Appalachians to life.

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Learn to farm like a business brain

In this issue:

PLUS ADVENTURE, CUISINE, READING, MUSIC, ARTS & MORE

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Author Denton Loving on one of life’s greatest questions The Chattanooga Zoo works to preserve hellbenders Historical and harrowing tales of snowstorm survival Carroll Best’s banjo legacy

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866.452.2251

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WNC Calendar

Smoky Mountain News

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • Haywood Community College will hold a 50th Anniversary Community and Student Kickoff event from 2-6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, in the campus library.

Historical video and display, free decals, refreshments and appearance by Clyde the Bobcat, HCC’s mascot.

627.4679.

• Ladies of WOW host their anniversary and open door party at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, at organization’s headquarters at the Herren House B&B in downtown Waynesville. Free. Women in Haywood and surrounding counties are invited. Heavy hors d’oeuvres, wine and non-alcoholic beverages served. Info: www.womenofwaynesville.com or for reservations: 545.6879.

• Grady’s Groundhog Day will be held from 10:30 a.m.noon on Monday, Feb. 2, at Chimney Rock Park. Free with park admission.

• A Cullowhee Revitalization Endeavor community meeting to share information and progress on projects will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Cullowhee Café. Info: cullowheerevitalization@gmail.com.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • A ribbon-cutting to celebrate Keller Williams Realty’s new Waynesville location will be held from 4-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 434 Russ Ave. (in front of Waynesville Plaza).

• A forum for everyone interested in helping shape Western Carolina University’s next Quality Enhancement Plan – centered around a single them to improve the institution and enhance student learning – will be held from 10 a.m.-noon on Thursday, Jan. 29, in the theater of the A.K. Hinds University Center in Cullowhee. Information: strategicplan.wcu.edu or 227.3825.

• A Quickbooks Basics for the Business Owner (threepart series) will be offered from 6-9 p.m. on Thursdays from Jan. 29-Feb. 12 at Haywood Community College.

Learn the tools to understand the financial health of your small business. sbc.haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• An Eric Jensen workshop entitled “Keeping Poverty in Mind” will be offered through HCLC in partnership with Communities in Schools from noon-3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, at the HCS Conference Center adjacent to Folkmoot in Waynesville.

• A seminar on the state of North Carolina’s motto (“Esse quam videri” – Latin for “To be rather than to seem”) will be presented by the Rev. Sally Beth Shore at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Franklin.

• “The Importance of writing: How it builds your platform and supports your brand” will be the topic of a luncheon presentation for the Asheville Jewish Business Forum (AJBF) from noon-1:30 p.m. on Feb. 2 at Yao’s Chinese/Sushi Buffet in Asheville. Lunch (approximately $10) is at your own expense. Author, educator and visual artist Michelle Baker will be the presenter. For info or to register, contact 561.289.4451.

• A business owner’s guide to social media: starting from scratch to online success, will be offered through Haywood Community College from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, in the auditorium at HCC’s Regional High Technology Center, 3000 Building. Computer workstation provided for each business owner; bring tablet/iPad if you have one. sbc.haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Free tax preparation by trained volunteers certified by the IRS will be offered from Feb. 3-April 14 every Tuesday at the Jackson County Public Library (3-6:45

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 p.m.) and the Jackson County Senior Center (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) - Taxpayers need to bring picture ID, Social Security numbers for themselves and dependents, copies of previous year’s tax returns, W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, interest and dividend statements for 2014 and any other necessary documents. 293.0074, 586.4944 or 586.2016.

• The Haywood Chamber of Commerce’s Issues & Eggs session will be held from 8-9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville. Topic is “Making Engagement Marketing Work for Your Business in 2015.” Guest speaker is Aaron Means from Constant Contact email services. 456.3021 or media@haywoodchamber.com.

HEALTH MATTERS • Affordable Care Act help is available from 3-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the Jackson County Public Library. 586.2016.

• The Red Cross will hold a blood drive from noon-5:30 p.m. on Jan. 28 at Western Carolina University’s Hinds Center in Cullowhee. Redcrossblood.org or 800.733.2767.

• The Red Cross will hold a blood drive from noon-5:30 p.m. on Jan. 29 at Western Carolina University’s Hinds Center in Cullowhee. Redcrossblood.org or 800.733.2767.

• The Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Jan. 30 at Harrah’s Casino Hotel in Cherokee.

Redcrossblood.org or 800.733.2767.

• Affordable Care Act representatives will be available from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays until Feb. 12 at Maggie Valley Town Hall. · Harris Regional Hospital and Swain County Hospital offering free assistance to those wishing to sign up for National Health Insurance Marketplace coverage anytime by calling at 586.7355 or www.healthcare.gov.

RECREATION AND FITNESS

• Learn how to price your product or service in a threehour seminar offered by Haywood Community College starting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, in the auditorium of 1500 Building at HCC. Speaker is Tonya Snider. sbc.haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• A course in aqua fitness will be offered on Mondays and Thursdays from Jan. 20-April 30 at Western Carolina University’s Reid Gymnasium pool in Cullowhee. Classes meet from 5:30-6:15 p.m. Cost: $65. 227.7397 or conferences.wcu.edu.

• Free GED test-preparation classes offered by Southwestern Community College, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Mondays through Thursdays and 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Wednesdays and Fridays, SCC Swain Center, Room 101.

Instruction in other college and career readiness activities including computer skills, resume writing, filling out job applications, job searches, college entrance exam prep, college applications, financial aid and more. 366.2000.

• Haywood County Recreation & Parks Department is offering adult coed indoor soccer pickup games from 68 p.m. on Wednesdays from Jan. 28 through March 25 at Old Hazelwood Gym. For ages 18 and up. $3 per session or $20 for a season pass punch card. For information, contact Daniel Taylor at 452.6789 or drtaylor@haywoodnc.net.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • The Haywood County Meals on Wheels program has two route openings for volunteer drivers: Thursdays – Route #23 – Waynesville/Shelton Street; Fridays – Route #18 – Pigeon Valley. Substitute drivers also needed.

Info: Jeanne Naber, Meals on Wheels Program Coordinator, 356.2442.

• A Polar Ice Plunge to benefit Kids in the Creek and youth education will take place on Jan. 31 at Lake Junaluska. Registration starts at 11 a.m. at the Lake Junaluska beach; festivities start at 11:30 am. Cost: $25 or free by raising sponsorships; Proceeds benefit Haywood Waterways’ youth education programs.

476.4667. Donate or register at www.crowdrise.com/3rdpolarplunge.

• ReMax Realty is hosting a “Re-Gift” Sale held by Feline Urgent Rescue (FUR) of WNC from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, in Waynesville. To donate, contact Maggie Hickle at 843.422.2704. Info on FUR: www.furofwnc.org.

• Open play volleyball and practice will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday in January and February at Waynesville Recreation Center. Free for members; $6 per non-members. Open to ages 18 and older. 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Registration for a women’s volleyball league has begun at the Recreation Center in Cullowhee. Games are Tuesday nights starting in March. $175 per team.

293.3053.

POLITICAL CORNER • Swain County Democratic Women invite members and guests to a meeting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Historic Calhoun House Hotel in Bryson City.

Registered Democrats welcome; light refreshments will be served. Info: 488.1234.

• The first meeting of the Western Carolina University Student Organization of the Libertarian Party of North Carolina will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 3 in the Rogers Room at WCU’s Hinds University Center in Cullowhee. Guest speaker, Dr. Windy McKinney (adjunct professor of history) will discuss the Libertarian platform. 246.3390 or wmckinney@lpnc.org.

• The fourth-annual Chocolate Cook-Off will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Cashiers Library Community Meeting Room. $6 admission/per person; free for children under 5. Sponsored by Friends of the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library.

Proceeds will support Cashiers Library. New members welcome; forms available at front desk.

• A creative living class on “Sugar: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 2, at the Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. Free.

Registration required. 356.2800.

• Friends of the Library Book Sale Committee needs books for its annual sale on July 23-25. Books can be picked up at your home. Call Sandy Denman at 627.2370.

• A creative living photography show and reception will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 2, at the Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. Free. Registration required. 356.2800.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

• A creative living class on “Getting the Most from Your Garden” will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. Free.

Registration required. 356.2800.

• A creative living class on “King Cake and Mardi Gras” will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. Free Registration required. 356.2800.

• A creative living class on “Hand and Foot” will be held from 10 a.m.-noon on three consecutive Mondays starting Feb. 9, at the Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. Free. Registration required. 356.2800.

KIDS & FAMILIES • The “Come Paint with Charles Kidz Program” will be at 4 p.m. on Jan. 29 at the Charles Heath Gallery in Bryson City. $18 per child. Materials and snacks included. 538.2054.

•A Lego club will meet at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Library provides Legos and Duplos for ages 3 and up. Free. Club will meet every fourth Thursday. 488.3030.

• Art classes are available for kids 10 and older from 4:155:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Bascom in Highlands. $15 per class. 787.2865 or www.thebascom.org.

• Art Adventure classes are taught for ages 5-10 from 3:30-4:45 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Bascom in Highlands. Theme: metal. Instructor: Bonnie Abbott. $20 per month. 787.2865.

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

• A Franklin Kids’ Creation Station is held from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturdays at uptown Gallery in Franklin.

Snacks provided. $20 tuition. 743.0200.

• “Nature Nuts: Animal Senses,” a program for ages 47, is scheduled for 9-11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, and Monday, Feb. 16, at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. Located on U.S. 276 in Transylvania County about 50 minutes from Waynesville. Free, but call to reserve a spot. 828.877.4423.

• “Eco Explorers: Living Downstream,” a program about environmentally friendly planning for ages 8-13, will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, and Monday, Feb. 16, at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education.

Located on U.S. 276 in Transylvania County about 50 minutes from Waynesville. Free, but call to reserve a spot. 828.877.4423.

• Paws 4 Reading, a family story time, will be held from 3:30-5:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Hudson Library in Highlands. Children (grades K-6) practice early reading skills by reading to a canine companion. Info: www.fontanalib.org, www.readingpaws.org or 526.3031.

Ongoing kids activities and clubs • Teen time 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursdays at Waynesville Library. A program for teens and tweens held each week. Each week is different, snacks provided. 3562511 • Homework Help, 3 to 5 p.m. Mondays for students in grades 2 through 6, Canton Branch Library. Former schoolteacher turned Youth Services Librarian Katy Punch offers homework help on a first-come, firstserved basis. Katy, 648.2924.

• The American Girls Club meets at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. The club meets one Saturday a month, call for details. Club is based on a book series about historical women. Club members read and do activities. Free. 586.9499.

• Teen Time, first, third, and fourth Tuesdays at 4 p.m. for ages 12 and up. Spend time with other teens talking about and sharing with each other. Jackson County Public Library. 586.2016.

• A Teen Writing Group will meet at 6 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at Jackson County Library, ages 12 and up. 586.2016 • Games for kids on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 4:30 p.m. at the Jackson County Public Library. Play a variety of games including AWE After School Edge Computers, board games and other fun activities. 586.2016.

• Projects and activities after school Fridays, 3:30 p.m. for school age kids at Jackson County Public Library. Get your hands dirty with science experiments, discovering animals and making easy recipes.

586.2016.

• Adventure Club on Tuesdays 3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. for grades K-2 at the Macon County Public Library. 524.3600.

• Book Club on Wednesdays 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Books and hands-on activities for grades 3-6. Macon County Library. 526.3600.

• Culture Club on the first Wednesday of the month, 1 to 2 p.m. Guest speakers, books, photos, crafts and food from different countries and cultures. Macon County Public Library. 524.3600.

• Children’s craft time, fourth Wednesday, 3:45 p.m. at Cashiers Community Library. 743.0215 • “Planes: Fire & Rescue” will be shown at noon and 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at The Strand in Waynesville.

Free. www.38main.com or 283.0079.

• “The Boxtrolls” will be shown at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28; Friday, Jan. 30; 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31; 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb.1; 7 p.m. on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 at The Strand in Waynesville. Runtime: 1:40. Rated: PG. Tickets $3 Sunday $4/child & $6/adult for all other showings. www.38main.com or 283.0079.

• “RIO II” will be shown as part of the kids winter movie series at 3 and 7 p.m. on Jan. 31 at the Colonial Theatre in downtown Canton. $3 per person.

648.2363 or www.cantonnc.com.

• Mountain Community Chorus will hold auditions for its fall season at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 2, with rehearsal from 7-8 p.m. at Clegg Recital Hall at Young Harris College in Young Harris, Ga. Tenors in great demand. For info, visit www. www.mountaincommunitychorus.org or call Lucy Cole Gratton at 494.2914.

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will present M. Schallock & W. Peebles (tuba/bassoon) at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 3 in the Coulter Building in Cullowhee. www.wcu.edu.

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will present Ian Jeffress (saxophone) at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 5 in the Coulter Building in Cullowhee. www.wcu.edu.

• A musical concert featuring local band PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Jackson County Library in Sylva. Free. Co-sponsored by Friends of the Jackson County Public Library. Information: 586.2016.

• Award-winning mandolinist Darren Nicholson of Balsam Range will perform with his solo band as part of the First Thursday concert series at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University. Free. wcu.edu • A free Celtic music concert featuring harpist and singer Ann Adele Lloyd and flutist Milissa Ellison – both of Asheville – will be held at 3 p.m. on Feb. 8 at the Swain County Center for the Arts in Bryson City.

Meet and greet for the musicians and artists Elizabeth Ellison (oil and watercolor painter) and Ann Smith of Asheville (papermaker) will follow.

• HEARTS for SART (Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre), with a cash bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts and a silent auction, will start at 7 p.m. on Feb. 14 at the Asheville Masonic temple on Broadway.

Performance by Forte with Liz Aiello, Carol Duermit, Katherine Sandoval Taylor and Beverly Todd.

• Imago Theatre’s “FROGZ,” a family-friendly show combining Cirque du Soleil-style acrobatics with masks, mime and music, will be presented by Western Carolina University at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Bardo Center in Cullowhee. Tickets ($5 students; $10 all others) on sale now. bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or 227.2479.

NIGHTLIFE • Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have Open Mic night at 8 p.m. on Jan. 28. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have Jazz night at 8 p.m. on Jan. 29. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will have Porch 40 (funk/rock) on Jan. 29. All shows are free and begin at 9 p.m. 586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

A&E ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • The play “Shining City” will be on stage from Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at HART Theatre in Waynesville. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday’s show is at 3 p.m. harttheatre.com or 456.6322.

• Elvis impersonator Travis Ledoyt will perform the music and moves of Elvis Presley (circa 1954-1959)

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have ‘Round The Fire (Grateful Dead tribute) at 6 p.m. on Jan. 29.

Free. 828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• James Hammel (jazz/pop) plays at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, at the Classic Wine Seller. $10 minimum purchase. classicwineseller.com or 452.6000.

• BearWaters Brewing (Waynesville) will have Max and Gross Weight at 7p.m. on Jan. 30. www.bwbrewing.com or 246.0602.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub (Franklin) will have John Phillip Brooks at 8 p.m. on Jan. 30. Free.

369.6796 or www.rathskellerfranklin.com.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub (Franklin) will have Nick Prestia at 8 p.m. on Jan. 31. Free. 369.6796 or www.rathskellerfranklin.com.

• Joe Cruz plays at 7 p.m. on Jan. 31 at the Classic Wine Seller. classicwineseller.com or 452.6000.

• Joseph Catanesa an Americana musician form Athens, Ga., will be at City Lights Café at 7 p.m. on Jan. 31 in Sylva. 587.2233.

• A Super Bowl party will be held starting at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1, at the Strand in Waynesville. . www.38main.com or 283.0079.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have Open Mic night at 8 p.m. on Feb. 4. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have Craig Summers & Lee Kram at 6 p.m. on Feb. 5. Free.

454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• The Friendly Beasts (acoustic Christian pop) will play at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5 at the Strand in Waynesville. $5. www.38main.com or 283.0079.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have Jazz night at 8 p.m. on Feb. 5. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• The Moon and You, featuring cellist Melissa Hyman and finger-style guitarist Ryan Furstenberg, will perform at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Info: 452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have Bobby Sullivan Band at 7 p.m. on Feb. 6. Free. 828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will have Red Led Huskey at 9 p.m. on Feb. 6. Free.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grille (Waynesville) will have Eyes Set To Kill and Die So Fluid at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub (Franklin) will have David Spangler Feb. 6. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.rathskellerfranklin.com or 828.369.6796.

• BearWaters Brewing (Waynesville) will have Joshua Dean Acoustically at 8 p.m. on Feb. 7. www.bwbrewing.com or 246.0602.

• Joe Cruz (piano, vocals) performs the music of the Beatles, Elton John and James Taylor, on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Info: 452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub (Franklin) will have South Ridge Feb. 7. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.rathskellerfranklin.com or 828.369.6796.

BOOKS & AUTHORS • In celebration of Black History Month, The Jackson County Arts Council will present a reading of Victoria A. Casey McDonald¹s last novel “Living in the Shadow of Slavery” by her daughter, Faustine McDonald, at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, in the community room of the Jackson County Library Annex. Support provided by the N.C. Arts Council Grassroots Grant program.

Info: 507.9820, info@jacksoncountyarts.org, www.jacksoncountyarts.org or on Facebook/JacksonCountyArtsCouncil.

• John Lane will read from his new poetry collection at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. 586.9499.

from 10 a.m.-noon on Jan. 31 as part of “Winter Craft” series at Wild Fern Studios in Bryson City.

Instructor is Karen Taylor, crafter/owner of Taylor’s Greenhouse. Class will discuss and demonstrate how to extract and utilize the materials. Class fee: $20.

736.1605.

• A two-day woodcarving workshop will be offered by Dogwood Crafters from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 12-13, at the Masonic Lodge in Sylva. $44 cost is payable on first day. Instructor is local master woodcarver Ron Yount. Register at 586.2435 or junettapell@hotmail.com by Feb. 5. Watch for other classes offered by Dogwood Crafters throughout the year.

• Mountain Cooking Club’s “All About Braising” will be held from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Fines Creek Community Kitchen. $60 fee, plus $1 membership in Mountain Cooking Club. Club is operated by chef Ricardo Fernandez, former co-owner/chef de cuisine of Lomo Grill. 246.7465, chefricardos@gmail.com or www.chefricardoskitchen.com.

• A Resident Artist Series will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays in February at the Bascom in Highlands. New students must complete one rotation (four classes) in this series before registering for the Ceramics Open Studio. $25 per class/does not include clay. www.thebascom.org or 526.4949.

• A beginning quilting Extension and Community Association group, Kountry Krafters, will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Tuckasegee Wesleyan Church. For info, call the N.C. Cooperative Extension Office at 586.4009.

• A Valentine cards, potpourri Extension and Community Association group will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Conference Room of the Community Service Center in Sylva. For info, call the N.C. Cooperative Extension Office at 586.4009.

• Bring valentines for veterans to a Lunch and Learn Extension and Community Association group what will meet at noon on Thursday, Feb. 12, in the Conference Room of the Community Service Center in Sylva. For info, call the N.C. Cooperative Extension Office at 586.4009.

• A ceramics class will be held 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays, Feb. 3-24, at The Bascom in Highlands. The focus will be on making unique ceramic rattles inspired by modern and ancient ceremonial rattles.

Simple hand techniques will also be used in this project. There will also be some carving, coil building and basic bead making. To register, go to www.thebascom.org or call 526.4949.

• A pressed flowers workshop will be held from 10 a.m.-noon on Feb. 7 as part of “Winter Craft” series at Wild Fern Studios in Bryson City. Instructor is Karen Taylor, crafter/owner of Taylor’s Greenhouse. Students will learn to harvest, press, preserve and make cards and photo frames for keepsakes. Class fee: $20.

736.1605.

• The Bascom in Highlands offers Open Studio Packages to Bascom Members interested in being part of a studio community. As an Open Studio Artist you will have access to the facilities, tools and equipment in the Dave Drake Studio Barn and the Adult Education Studio at any time during Open Studio hours. Weekly classes are available to studio members, as well as discounts on workshops. For more information, call 526.4949.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES

• A figure drawing class with Knight Martorell will be offered on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at The Bascom in Highlands. aalig@thebascom.org or 787.2865.

• New art by Canton native Clint Hardin will be on display in the Meeting Room of the Macon County Public Library during the month of February. For a guide to the pieces in this display, visit http://clinthardin.blogspot.com/. 524.3600; fontanalib.org.

• A handmade salves and oil workshop will be held

• Macon County Art Association will hold a “Grand

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS

Smoky Mountain News

• “The Book of Life” will be screened on Jan. 31 at the Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Screenings are free and begin at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com.

• Café String Quartet will perform at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Tickets: $14. Classical, pop, jazz, Broadway and more as the quartet blends performance and storytelling in a salute to love songs.

866.273.4615 or www.GreatMountainMusic.com.

• Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will have David Desmelik (singer-songwriter) on Jan. 30. All shows are free and begin at 9 p.m.

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

Kids movies

as part of the Galaxy of Stars Series at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, at WCU’s Bardo Center in Cullowhee. Single-show tickets are $21/adults; $16/WCU faculty and staff; $7 students and children.

227.2479 or bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

wnc calendar

•Teen Advisory Group, first Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. For ages 13-18. Teens can enjoy snacks while discussing popular young adult books, help plan events and displays for children and teens at the library, and participate in community service projects.

Canton Library, 648.2924.

41

wnc calendar

Re-Opening” of its Uptown Gallery from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, at 30 East Main Street in Franklin. A reception with a children’s valentine activity, door prizes and refreshments will be held from 5-7 p.m.

• The Contemporary Craft Series exhibit featuring the work of metal artist Mike Sluder will be on display through Feb. 22 at The Bascom in Highlands Sluder’s works have been featured in the Museum of Design, Atlanta, as well as in national and international exhibitions and publications. www.thebascom.org or 526.4949.

• An education gallery featuring the work of Paul Farmer, a Western Carolina University Master of Fine Arts candidate, is on display through March 7 at the Bascom in Highlands. Farmer’s work is an experimentation with paint as a sculptural medium. Free.

526.4949.

• “Ends of the Earth,” a photographic display of images taken in Antarctica by Martyn Lucas, is on display through March 9 at the Bascom in Highlands.

A reception and artist talk will be held from 5-7 p.m. on March 21. Free. www.thebascom.org or 526.4949.

•An exhibition of paintings entitled “Tracking time” by Anna Jensen of Asheville and Karen Ann Myers of Charleston, S.C., is on display at Western Carolina University’s Fine Art Museum in Cullowhee through March 27. The museum is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday, with extended hours until 7 p.m. on Thursday. www.fineartmuseum.wcu.edu or 227.3591.

• A photography exhibit entitled “Seeing with New Eyes” by Sharon Mammoser will be on display through April 19 at The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville.

Parking fee. www.ncarboretum.org or sharenaturemore@gmail.com.

FILM & SCREEN • “Into The Woods” will be screened Jan. 28-29 at the Highlands Playhouse. Showtimes are at 2, 5 and 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and also 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $9. For dates and more information, call 828.526.2695. www.highlandsplayhouse.org.

• “The Big Lebowski” will be screened on Jan. 29 at the Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Screenings are free and begin at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com.

• “The Matrix” will be screened on Jan. 30 at the Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Screenings are free and begin at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com.

• “Gone Girl” will be shown at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6; 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 7; 2 p.m. on Feb. 8; 7 p.m. on Feb 10, Feb. 11 and Feb. 13; 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 14; 2 p.m. on Feb. 15; and 7 p.m. on Feb. 17 and Feb. 18 at The Strand in Waynesville. Tickets $3 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. showings; $6 for all other showings. www.38main.com or 283.0079

MUSIC JAMS AND GROUPS • Golden Aires singing group practices at 9:15 a.m. every fourth Wednesday of the month at Jackson County Department on Aging/Senior Center in Sylva.

Secular and religious music. Performances given at area nursing homes. Musical instruments also welcome. 586.5494.

• Old-time music jam from 1-3 p.m. the first and third Saturday of the month at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on U.S. 441 outside Cherokee. 497.1904.

school or call 399.0297. Info at: wncfpc@gmail.com

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

Outdoors • An NOLS Wilderness First Aid Class will be taught by instructors from Landmark Learning from Feb. 28March 1. Minimum enrollment must be met by Jan. 30. $175 per person. Must be 16; participants under 18 must have a legal guardian present at registration.

For info, contact Jennifer Bennett at the Recreation Center in Cullowhee at 293.3053 or jenniferbennett@jacksonnc.org. Facebook: www.facebook.com/jackonsrecreationandparks.

• The Global Spotlight Series sponsored by Western Carolina University’s Department of Political Science and Public Affairs starts with a 4-5:30 p.m. session on Monday, Feb. 2, featuring four presentations involving the South China Sea. The event will be held in Room 130 of the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center. Upcoming events in the series will focus on climate change (March 2) and the status of IsraelPalestine (April 13). Info: 227.3336.

• The Tuckaseigee Chapter of Trout Unlimited is hosting professional photographer, writer, speaker and fly collector Mike Kesselring, starting with a dinner at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 3 at the United Community Bank, 1640 E. Main Street in Sylva. 631.5543.

• John and Cathy Sill will lead a Franklin Bird Club trip on Feb. 7 to Lake Junaluska to look for wintering water birds and other species. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Bi-Lo parking lot in Waynesville. Sign-up at 524.5234.

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

• Two fly-tying clinics will be held by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission in February. Level I class is 9 a.m.-noon on Feb. 13; Level II is from 9 a.m.-noon on Feb. 20. Both clinics are free, require pre-registration on first-come, first-serve basis. 877.4423. www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/EducationCenters/Pisgah. aspx • Registration is open through April 10 for the Smoky Mountain Overnight Relay, which will be held April 1718. Teams comprised of six or 12 runners cover 212 miles of trails and country roads. 545.8156 or gavin.young@noc.com

• An organizational meeting to discuss the formation of a poultry club for Jackson County will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office. Free. 586.4009.

• The Sylva Garden Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at the First Presbyterian Church of Sylva. The program, a broad overview of Jackson County’s genealogy entitled “Way Back When,” will be presented by Ruth Shuler and Bill Crawford.

• The Macon County Beekeepers Association will meet at 7 p.m. on Feb. 5 at the Extension Office on Thomas Heights Road. Speaker: Greg Rogers of Haw Creek Honey Company in Asheville. Topic: getting your bees ready for spring, feeding and making splits. Members are invited to join for dinner at Thai Paradise on 441 at 5:30 p.m.

• The Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project will hold its annual Business of Farming Conference from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on Feb. 14 at UNC Asheville. 17 workshops, including “Accepting SNAP and EBT at your Farmers Market” and “Managing Risk on Your Farm.” $75 fee with discount for multiple farm registrants. Pre-conference workshops can be registered for separately. www.asapconnections.org/conference. Info: 236-1282.

• North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Macon County is taking applications for participation in its Master Gardener Program. To earn Master Gardner status, participants must receive 42 hours of training and must complete a volunteer component. Classes start in February. 349.2046 or macon.ces.ncsu.edu.

HIKING CLUBS • The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a strenuous 10-mile hike with a 500-foot elevation change on Saturday, Jan. 31, on Savannah Ridge in Jackson County. Visitors welcome. No dogs. Reservations: Don O’Neal, 586.5723.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a 4.6-mile, easy-to-moderate hike with an elevation change of 130 feet on Saturday, Feb.7, from Jones Gap to Whiterock Mountain on the Bartram Trail. Visitors welcome; no dogs. Call leaders Evy and Marty Brow, 342.9274, for reservations.

FARM & GARDEN

Smoky Mountain News

•The Appalachian Farm School, a pilot program to centralize agricultural business training in the state’s seven western counties, starts Jan. 29 and runs alternating Thursdays from 6-8:30 p.m. through April 9. $75 includes dinner during each class and all materials. Register at www.wncfpc.org/appalachian-farm-

Puzzles can be found on page 46.

These are only the answers.

a website to take you to places where there are no websites.

Log on. Plan a getaway. Let yourself unplug.

42

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Mountain Home Properties — mountaindream.com

www.smokymountainnews.com

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

• Sammie Powell — smokiesproperty.com

Main Street Realty — mainstreetrealty.net

Job Opportunity

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Do you love reading Smoky Mountain Living? Want to be a part of our family by selling advertising for the magazine? Smoky Mountain Living is seeking an independent, outgoing, self-motivated person to help grow our customer base. You may work from home.

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TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 44

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PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination� Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised on an equal opportunity basis.

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smokymountainnews.com

FINANCIAL

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FINANCIAL

2177 Russ Avenue Waynesville NC 28786

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

45

www.smokymountainnews.com

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

WNC MarketPlace

Super

46

CROSSWORD

SIX FROM THE FAB FOUR

Caesar 77 Inflicts upon ACROSS 79 Honshu sash 1 Approach intrusively 80 Small piece 7 Lamenters sound 83 Ad biz prize 11 Process of going bad 87 Collaborator 19 Attach with heat, as 88 Person in the third a patch decade of life 20 Heart sections 91 Frantic scramble 22 When shows are 94 Correct copy broadcast 95 Hitchcock classic 23 Butler or maid 96 Light blue avenue in 25 Fish also called a Monopoly largemouth 100 Neat pin 26 Mop 101 Announcer Hall 27 At that point 102 American flier with 28 CNN anchor Burnett scarlet patches 30 Chinas Mao -tung 109 Special time 31 1960s reform move- 110 Tabula ment in China 111 Postal letters 38 Sid the Science Kid 112 Get in return network 116 Person petting 41 Tracker maker, once 120 What the last words 42 Convert to the of 23-, 31-, 52-, 68-, 88Korans religion and 102-Across are 43 Chevy model 124 Unusual 45 Suffix with towel 125 1983 Streisand film 48 Korean, Thai or 126 Holy rings Chinese 127 Property of a mag52 Precipitating heavily net 57 Big Apple sch.

128 Solar output 58 Off-white 129 Fully ready 59 March composer John Philip DOWN 60 Cease 1 Bails out, e.g.

61 Lives (in) 2 Brag loudly 63 It lures fish 3 Unconscious state 65 Loss of memory 4 Final non-A.D. year 67 Posed (for) 5 Mayday!

68 Stop thinking of me 6 Blast source as so naive 7 Picchu (Peruvian site 74 recall ... of Incan ruins) 75 Headlined 8 Alternative 76 Dying words from 9 Game venue

10 Zip 11 Mouth liquid 12 Billy Joel hit 13 Planet Mork came from 14 Suffix with social 15 Ad16 Rare violin 17 Undercoat for painting on wood 18 West German city 21 People who mimic 24 Whats ya?

29 Brother or aunt: Abbr.

32 Tangelo trademark 33 Tilts ones body toward 34 Bank claim 35 Fleur-de36 Israeli arm 37 Poke fun at 38 Conduit 39 Coll. hotshot 40 Motivate 44 Island near Venezuela 45 College Web site suffix 46 Set- (sharp fights) 47 Old United rival 49 Oklahoma oil city 50 Mosaic work 51 Certain skin bulge 53 You see this!

54 Martin (cognac) 55 British queen 56 Beware the of March!

61 Coke Zero alternative 62 Witchs blemish 64 Secy., e.g.

65 Moreover

66 Vapor 68 Land in water, in Italy 69 Use, as a tool 70 Sweat of ones 71 Kill killed!

72 Hold in check 73 Small state ruled by a sovereign 74 Eves man 78 Actor Max von 80 Rocker Barrett 81 CBS drama 82 Turn rancid 84 Pet parasites 85 With a sharp picture, for short 86 Hymn start 88 Epithet for Alexander 89 Be a ratfink 90 Alexis I, e.g.

92 Jackies hubby #2 93 Offense 97 Almost 98 Six-pt. plays 99 Cry like 100 Amply skilled 102 Rundown 103 Bards Muse 104 Singer Hall 105 Oven maker 106 Spiteful 107 Passes idly, as time 108 Dryly funny 113 Slaughter of baseball 114 James with a Pulitzer 115 Discreet call 117 MPG monitor 118 Chaplins title 119 -fi flick 121 Always, poetically 122 Oldies group Na Na 123 Tonka star Mineo

answers on page 42

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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 42

Cherokee knew how to handle the chill of winter BACK THEN House, 1989) as “small, round, wattle-and daub structures. The fire constantly smoldering in the hearth made the windowless asi dark and smoky.”

Inside the winter houses were raised wooden seats or couches on which the inhabitants or visitors sat or slept. They were, as the Indian trader James Adair observed, “high enough that fleas could not reach them in one jump.”

Each seat/couch was covered with splitcane mats and animal skins. A stone- or mud-lined hole in the center of the structure was excavated as a fire pit.

It was often the duty of the elderly, who remained inside moreso than younger members of the family, to maintain the fire throughout the day and bank it back at night. Fire tending was not an onerous task for the aged but a sign of prestige.

“Europeans who visited these winter houses complained of smoke and poor ventilation, but these buildings were able to maintain heat efficiently,” Hudson noted.

“A small blaze or a few coals kept the winter house as warm as an oven. In fact, James Adair described the winter house as being like a ‘Dutch oven.’ Beneath their beds they stored pumpkins, winter squash, and other vegetables to protect them from frost.”

Cherokee winter house. Donated photo

A

George Ellison

Smoky Mountain News

s I look out my window this morning (Jan. 27) a light snow covers the ground and the temperatures are in the mid-20s. Very picturesque … not lifethreatening. Farther north in the MidAtlantic states and New England a raging blizzard is wreaking havoc.

Making it through winters here in the Smokies region isn’t that big a deal. The lower elevations where most Columnist live don’t normally get a lot of snow and the temperatures only occasionally dip below zero. However, once you get as far north as Boone or Blacksburg, Va., that scenario starts to change drastically.

The early Cherokees were no doubt very much aware of this situation and located their settlements in the southernmost areas of the Appalachians rather than farther north where the climatic stresses would be much greater.

Even so they were and are a cold-hardy people. Charles Hudson, author of The Southeastern Indians (Knoxville: Univ. of Tennessee Press, 1976), noted that, “Although the winter temperatures drop below freezing in the Southeast, the Indians wore relatively little clothing ... and when they were outside they made it a virtue to tolerate being cold and wet.”

According to Jefferson Chapman’s Tellico Archaeology (Tennessee Valley Authority, 1985), pre-historic Cherokee domestic buildings in the Smokies region were of three types: a small winter house; a rectangular (often open-sided) structures attached to the winter house, but designed for leisurely summer occupation; and a separate, rather large, rectangular (often partitioned) structure more substantial than summer houses but not as confining as winter houses.

There were also townhouses (often situated atop ceremonial mounds), sweat lodges, storage buildings, menstrual huts, and corncribs. After European contact, the most typical structure was a small, rectangular building that resembled a log cabin and was, indeed, modeled on white pioneer designs.

Theda Perdue described the winter houses (“asi”) in The Cherokees (NY: Chelsea

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

“Two or more Families join together in building a hot-house, about 30 feet Diameter, and 15 feet high, in form of a Cone, with Poles and thatched, without any air-hole, except a small door about 3 feet high and 18 Inches wide. In the Center of the hot-house they burn fire of well-seasoned dry-wood; round the inside are bedsteads sized to the studs, which support the middle of each post; these Houses they resort to with their children in the Winter Nights.”

— John DeBrahm, “Report of the General Survey in the Southern District of North America,” ed. Louis de Vorsey, Jr., (Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1971)

In “Origin and Evolution of the Cherokee Winter House,” published in the Journal of Cherokee Studies (spring 1978), Charles W. Faulkner, a long-time archaeologist at the University of Tennessee, described winter homes excavated in east Tennessee.

Several structures Faulkner labeled “double-oven” winter houses because they were “unique” in that they each contained “two earth ovens on the floor averaging 4.5 feet in diameter and 2 feet deep and filled with limestone blocks that served as a heating and cooking surface.” One of these super structures was “almost 45 feet in diameter with interior ovens 7 feet in diameter and 2.5 feet deep.”

The Cherokees clearly knew when and how to come in out of the cold.

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

In June 2005, a selection of his Back Then columns was published by The History Press in Charleston as Mountain Passages: Natural and Cultural History of Western North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Readers can contact him at P.O. Box 1262, Bryson City, N.C., 28713, or at info@georgeellison.com.

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Smoky Mountain News

Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015

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