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Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019 Vol. 20 Iss. 36

SBI investigating another Jackson County jail death Page 4 Shutdown ends, park impact likely to linger Page 28

CONTENTS On the Cover: Now in its third year, the national Women’s March is still going strong while trying to overcome criticism that it’s still missing the mark when it comes to representing all marginalized women, including women of color and women in the LGBTQ community. (Page 6) Cuinn Zdrojowy waves flags at the 2019 Asheville Women’s March. Joe Pellegrino photo

News Plan presented for Green Energy Park makeover ....................................................3 SBI investigating Jackson jail death ..............................................................................4 Jackson will not buy Pepsi property ..............................................................................5 Author with Bryson City roots publishes RBG bio ..................................................8 Downtown Waynesville Association plans for 2019 ............................................10 EBT funds for March still up in the air ........................................................................11 Tuscola battles over reclassification ............................................................................12 Ice rink in Maggie Valley opens next week ..............................................................13 Dan Forest declares race for governor ......................................................................15

Opinion The tide is turning on marijuana ..................................................................................16

A&E Pigeons Playing Ping Pong coming to Asheville ....................................................20

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Shutdown ends, impact likely to linger in 2019 ......................................................28

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Lake Junaluska eagles – do over?................................................................................39

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Plan presented for Green Energy Park makeover Cost estimates expected in February

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ackson County got its first glimpse at what a reinvigorated Green Energy Park campus might look like when a preliminary master plan was presented during a county commission meeting Tuesday, Jan. 22.

“It’s a beautiful concept,” said Chairman Brian McMahan as Gary Warner, landscape architect and Parks and Recreation Director for the firm WithersRavenel, wrapped up his presentation.

The master plan proposes developing the 19-acre property in two sections. The northern section, located atop the old county landfill, would be redeveloped into a walking path with a dog park, art installations and a pollinator garden. The southern section, where the Green Energy Park artist studios are now located, would be transformed into a multi-purpose campus featuring an animal shelter, innovation center and event space, in addition to existing artisan facilities.

The plan has a substantial amount of engineering work behind it, with crews analyzing soil borings from 10 sites on the property. While test sites on the uphill portion of the property yielded the typical result of hitting rock after 15 to 20 feet, five sites further downhill had more unusual results.

“We drilled and we drilled and we drilled, and we stopped drilling at 50 feet, and we had nothing but dirt and sand, which was really surprising,” said Warner.

That provides some solid opportunity for the landfill portion of the project, which is capped with a layer of dirt about 4 feet deep.

Any opportunity to increase that cap would improve the safety and flexibility of the site — when topsoil is excavated for development on the Green Energy Park side of the property, said Warner, it can be relocated to the old landfill to provide additional cover.

“There is lots of excess topsoil, which we could put on top of the landfill,” he said.

“Solid Waste was very happy about that idea.”

Despite the good news from the soil borings, the site would be a challenging one to develop. In addition to the environmental constraints created by the old landfill, the property’s slope could cause issues. There’s an elevation difference of roughly 80 feet between the road and the recycling center at the top of the property.

“We have some topographic challenges out here in terms of how we get people out there, how we move vehicles around, how we build buildings,” said Warner.

The old landfill is currently a grass-covered meadow offering “tremendous” mountain views, said Warner. The plan would be to tie in the art-focused mission of the Green Energy Park — which fuels glassblowing, pottery and blacksmithing studios in part using methane from the landfill — to the

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Read more online To see the preliminary master plan, find this story online at www.smokymountainnews.com.

house a 13,000-square-foot innovation center to be operated through a partnership with Western Carolina University. The center would feature a “maker’s space” where students and community members could combine art with engineering and design to develop new creations, and it would also be used for college classes, community outreach and K-12 education.

The whole endeavor came about from a study a pair of WCU professors completed last year at the behest of the county and the university. Interim Chancellor Alison Morrison-Shetlar had been interested in using the Green Energy Park property as a joint campus of WCU and the county, and the two organizations partnered to have Wendy Cagle, director of WCU’s Small Business and Technology Center, and Yue Hillon, associate professor in the College of Business, explore the possibilities there.

In a joint meeting between Jackson County and Dillsboro elected officials last year, Hillon and Cagle presented their findings, which pointed to the innovation center concept. It would serve a need in the university and in the community, they said, and if a new animal shelter were built on the same campus that facility could benefit from college students in need of service learning opportunities.

Under the concept, the partnership

would operate in much the same way as Jackson County’s relationship with its K-12 and community college organizations — the county would fund buildings and capital improvements, while the university would pay for staff, supplies, equipment, programming and other operational expenses for the innovation center.

WCU, Jackson County and Dillsboro officials alike were in favor of the initial concept, with commissioners voting unanimously in June 2018 to spend $45,000 for the master plan from WithersRavenel.

“There is a lot of engineering data that’s behind the plan itself,” said County Manager Don Adams Jan. 22. “As stated at the beginning, this is a challenging site. We have multiple levels, they have the quantities of earth that need to be moved. From the borings they know what kind of earth they need to be moved, so at this point we’re formulating an estimated cost.”

Those estimates were not available for the master plan presentation Jan. 22, but Adams expects to present them to commissioners at their next work session, slated for 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, at the Jackson County Justice and Administration Center.

Once those numbers are known, commissioners can start breaking down the costs, gathering input from the public and making concrete decisions about how to proceed.

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Smoky Mountain News

walking path by having artists display a rotating roster of pieces along the way. The area could also hold a dog park that would be substantially larger than the tiny one currently in place at Mark Watson Park. Due to the danger of roots penetrating the landfill cap, no trees could be planted, but wildflowers would be fair game.

Redeveloping the south side of the property would aim to accomplish multiple goals.

The county has long needed a new animal shelter to replace the decrepit building on Airport Road, and the existing 17,000square-foot concrete pad on the property could easily house such a facility, said Warner. The shelter would also have a nearby open space to walk and run the animals.

The plan includes a new event plaza as well as a grassy area that could serve as event space or overflow parking. The existing recycling center at the top of the hill would be relocated to a separate entrance right off Haywood Road so that traffic would not have to pass through campus.

Perhaps most notably, the campus would

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

The preliminary plan would include a walking path and dog park atop the old landfill and a new animal shelter and innovation center alongside the existing artisan studios. WithersRavenel graphic

news

SBI investigating Jackson jail death Sheriff’s office declines to provide public records

including two charges of breaking and entering, domestic criminal trespass, simple assault, larceny of a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, burning personal property, resisting a public officer, assault on

BY HOLLY KAYS a government official and assault on a law STAFF WRITER he recent death of a Jackson County enforcement animal.

It was not the first time Rice had been Detention Center inmate has spurred a probe from the N.C. State Bureau of arrested. A simple Google search turns up various police blotter entries in Jackson and Investigation.

Melissa Middleton Rice, 49, was found Macon counties, with past charges including unresponsive after she was admitted to the larceny of a horse, harassing telephone calls detention center Jan. 16, according to a Jan. and possession of counterfeit currency. Just 17 press release from the Jackson County nine days before her final arrest, on Jan. 7, Jackson County deputies Sheriff ’s Office. Detention staff charged Rice with violation of a provided medical attention post-release order, domestic while waiting for Harris criminal trespassing, interfering Regional Hospital EMS workers with emergency communication and Sylva first responders to and simple assault. arrive, and Rice was taken to The circumstances leading Mission Hospital in Asheville. up to her arrest Jan. 16 and subShe died two days later, sequent collapse in the detenaccording to an obituary. tion center are unknown, howMiddleton was the mother of ever. In response to a request for three and the grandmother of the incident report accompanytwo, and she loved horses, motorcycles, music, the outJackson County ing Rice’s Jan. 16 arrest and the doors and trips to Montana, the Detention Center inmate log of jailers’ rounds from that day, Maj. Shannon Queen said, obituary said.

Melissa Middleton Rice “I have been told to refer all Jackson County Sheriff Chip Hall requested the SBI investi- died at Mission Hospital inquiries to the NCSBI” and did in Asheville two days not reply to follow-up requests gation, according to the press release, something that SBI after her Jan. 16 arrest. for clarification on why the File photo records were being withheld.

Special Investigator Kelly Oaks There is no basis in state law said is typical in such situations.

She could not speak to whether or not any for withholding records that would otherwise wrongdoing is suspected on the part of deten- be public due to the presence of an investigation, said Amanda Martin, attorney for the tion center staff.

“If somebody sustains injuries or dies in N.C. Press Association.

“Public records do not disappear from pubcustody, they usually ask for an independent lic view because an investigation is undertakinvestigation,” she said.

Oaks expects the investigation to be com- en,” she said. “So if the city budget is a public plete at some point in the first week of record (which it is), it doesn’t matter if it gets February. Once the report is final she’ll turn it used in the investigation of the county manager over to District Attorney Ashley Hornsby for having stolen money from the city. It’s still a Welch, who will decide whether the report public record. That premise is embodied in the points to any criminal wrongdoing worthy of very language of the public records law.”

According to G.S. 132-1.4(f ), “The use of prosecution. Oaks said she’s seen such decisions take as little as a day or as long as six a public record in connection with a criminal investigation or the gathering of criminal months. SBI reports are not public record.

Rice was admitted to the detention center intelligence shall not affect its status as a pubon the afternoon of Jan. 16 on 11 charges, lic record.”

Smoky Mountain News

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

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The 72-bed Jackson County Detention Center was built in 2003. File photo Four years ago, two suicides occurred in the Jackson County Detention Center within months of each other, and in those cases records showed that jailers had failed to comply with state law requiring that they check on inmates a certain number of times per hour.

State statute requires that detention officers visually check on all inmates at least twice per hour, with four checks per hour required for inmates who are suicidal, mentally ill, intoxicated, violent or displaying erratic behavior.

In the case of Steve Ross, who was found hanging from his cell on March 13, 2015, there was a gap of 85 minutes between the last check and the one that resulted in the discovery of his body, with intervals for the rest of the day ranging from 20 to 106 minutes. Ross’s death came just months after the Nov. 21, 2014, suicide of Charles “Chuckie” Moose, when logs showed a 33-minute gap between the last visual check of Moose and the discovery of his body. Intervals for the remainder of that day had been as large as 53

minutes, records showed.

The same two jailers were on duty in both instances and as discipline received five days’ leave without pay. The SBI investigated Ross’ death but not Moose’s. Welch declined to file charges in either circumstance.

The 2014 and 2015 suicides occurred during a transition in leadership. On Nov. 21, 2014, Hall had just won his first election as sheriff but had not yet been sworn into office.

At the time of Ross’s death, Hall was just over three months into his new job, taking over from a sheriff who had held the position for 12 years.

Following Ross’ death, Hall made some changes.

He created a new jail captain position and entered into a contract with Georgia-based Transform Health Correctional Services to provide improved medical care for inmates.

He also completed an updated policy and procedure manual and made some upgrades to the jail facility itself.

In November 2018, Hall was elected to a second four-year term, which began Dec. 3.

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BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ollowing a series of closed session discussions, Jackson County has opted to cancel its $500,000 contract to buy a 5.61-acre tract in Whittier containing the old Pepsi-Cola plant, but it could still pursue the purchase at some point in the future.

“We’re under such a time constraint right now, it’s not feasible to try to do all the research that we need,” said County Commission Chairman Brian McMahan. “We’re running out of time, so we’re asking to cancel the contract and continue to explore options, maybe even help them find people to use it. We just could not legitiThe property that became a Pepsi-Cola plant was originally mately find any use for it at this point.” developed as an industrial plant by the now-defunct Jackson Commissioners County Economic Development Commission. Holly Kays photo voted unanimously to cancel the contract following a closed session Jan. 22. This repreend up purchasing the property. sented a shift from the 3-2 vote Nov. 9 that “At first we thought we had to do someallowed Jackson to enter into the contract, thing in a hurry, but then that deal disapwhich included a Feb. 1 deadline. peared and I don’t know if there’s anybody During the Nov. 9 vote, the two rushing to buy something within a floodDemocrats on the board — McMahan and way,” he said.

Commissioner Boyce Deitz — voted against The property is adjacent to the old the purchase while the three Republicans — Drexel Furniture Plant, which the county Commissioners Ron Mau, Mickey Luker also owns and several years ago had considand Charles Elders — voted in favor. In the ered redeveloping as an agricultural and intervening months, the board has flipped community center. Those plans fell apart, to a 3-2 Democratic majority with partly due to the cost of renovating the Commissioner Gayle Woody’s November aging building but also due to the restricvictory over Elders. tions imposed by the property’s location in Following the November vote, Mau had the floodplain of the Tuckaseigee River. The said that he believed the purchase would Pepsi property is also in the floodplain. “provide the county with some opportuniMcMahan said that the Pepsi facility is a ties to pursue some projects that would “great building” and agreed that the county benefit the county and accomplish goals or could be interested in buying it at a later address issues that have been ongoing in date if the property remains for sale — the Jackson County for some time,” though he $500,000 price tag is a steal, considering added that it would be “premature” to list that the property’s tax value is $1.9 million. what those opportunities might be.

“If somebody else comes forward and In a phone interview Jan. 25, Mau needs it and can help create jobs and put added that he thought the Pepsi property people to work or whatever the arrangecould be the solution to ongoing issues at ment was, we would support that as well,” the Southwestern Community College said McMahan. shooting range. A 2014 discovery that use While the county will not be paying the over the years had resulted in 60 tons of $500,000 purchase price, it did spend lead embedded in the range’s soil spurred a $1,250 on survey and title work before canseries of remediation efforts totaling celing the contract. However, that amount $465,000 over a period of several years. is far less than $50,000 approved for due Commissioners have also received comdiligence costs Nov. 9.

Congratulations to NAI Beverly-H Hanks’ news

Jackson will not buy Pepsi property

plaints about the noise emanating from the range and have engaged a firm to explore strategies for sound abatement. Options range from the simple, such as planting more vegetation to absorb the sound, to the complex, such as building a roof or installing baffling over the range.

Mau sees the Pepsi building as a possible solution to that issue.

“We could potentially convert the Pepsi plant into an indoor shooting range, eliminate the sound and the environmental concerns of pumping lead into the ground,” said Mau. However, he said, there are too many “outstanding questions” on such a plan to make any kind of decision before the Feb. 1 contract deadline. Jackson County originally went under contract for the property because another party had offered to buy it, and due to a previous agreement the county had the right of first refusal. But that other buyer is no longer interested, said Mau, so down the road Jackson County could still

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news

Women’s March embarks on third year Organizers strive for inclusivity for all women

“As long as we’re unified for social justice and change that should be all that matters.”

— Lori Horvitz, planning committee member

“Groups in Asheville from the transgender community and the Black Lives Matter community felt very excluded from the women’s march — they felt it was too rich, too white, and they didn’t feel there was a place for them,” Morris said. “So we wanted to provide not just a place to put forth our politics but also a safe space for people who otherwise didn’t feel comfortable.”

Responses to the split have been mixed — some agree the main march is made up of privileged white women who aren’t supportive of the real issues facing minority women while many participants in the Women’s

The 2019 Asheville Women’s March participants gather at Pack Square.

Joe Pellegrino/Smoky Mountain News photo

March say they’ve marched alongside a wide variety of women of different colors, sexual orientations, backgrounds and religions.

Morris said some of the imagery people have seen from the Women’s March — including the infamous “pussy hats” — represent a narrow view of what it means to be female, especially within the LGBTQ community.

“We’ve also heard from Black Lives Matter organizers that these people come out for their one day to take their cute Instagram pictures and put on their pussy hat but when they have a Black Lives Matter rally, those thousands of people don’t show up for anything else,” Morris said.

Women of color and women in the LGBTQ community want to know their unique struggles are also being recognized

within the women’s movement. When white feminists speak about unequal pay, Morris said, you hear that women make 75 cents for every dollar a man makes. However, you don’t hear as much about black women making 61 cents on the dollar and Latina women only earning 54 cents on the dollar to what a man is paid.

“The march seems centered on an idea of women that’s not reality for many undocumented, working class or indigent women in the United States,” he said. “None of these groups were saying they don’t support the women’s march, they just want to hear feminists who also understand the need for black feminism as well.”

Whether the Radical March will return next year, Morris said, will depend

Smoky Mountain News

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

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BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR his year marked the third annual Women’s March on Asheville — part of a national movement to rally for equal rights and social change for women.

The first march was held less than 24 hours after President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2017 as tensions were high. Women were angry about Trump’s attitude and actions toward women and also feared for the erosion of their rights, safety, health and families.

Despite backlash from Trump, conservatives, pro-life activists and anti-feminist groups, the marches held in cities all across the nation have continued for another two years.

Following criticism that the national Women’s March is not inclusive enough of women of color, LGBTQ women and other marginalized groups, Asheville march planning committee member Lori Horvitz said the Asheville organizers discussed ways to bring all communities together for this year’s march.

“We did a lot of reaching out to different communities who have been underrepresented at the march and our list of speakers definitely included underrepresented groups,” she said.

Speakers included Chelsea White, a young community activist and Western Carolina University student from Jackson County, Mandy Carter, a Durham-based social justice activist with a 51-year movement history of social, racial and LGBTQ justice organizing since 1967 and Allison Scott, an Asheville native who identifies as a trans woman and serves as the director of policy and programs at the Campaign for Southern

Equality.

“If we do the march again we hope more people of marginalized communities will join our organizational committee,” Horvitz said.

“As long as we’re unified for social justice and change that should be all that matters.”

Even with their efforts to be more inclusive, the Asheville chapter of the International Socialist Organization decided to hold its own “Radical March” for women at the same time as the national march in downtown Asheville.

Stephen Morris, a member of the ISO, said the Radical March was put together just weeks before the Asheville Women’s March in response to and out of support for the marginalized groups that didn’t feel welcome at the main march.

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Willa Hill, 2, and Bettie McKemie-Hill of Boone march down Market Street together (left) during the 2019 Asheville Women’s March on Jan. 20. Attendees hold signs (right) at the radical contingent of the 2019 Asheville Women’s March. Joe Pellegrino/The Smoky Mountain News photos

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER little over two years ago, I woke up in Alexandria, Virginia, less than 24 hours after the inauguration of the nation’s 45th president.

The day before, I’d stood on the west front of the capitol building and watched Donald Trump take the oath of office in the presence of four former presidents and thousands of red-hat clad supporters who were all grateful that it was their guy, their agenda, their time.

That next morning, after about two hours sleep — there was an urgency, an electricity in the air that made it hard to unwind — and a foggy drive through Foggy Bottom, I encountered energy of a different sort as I joined half a million people massing to march in opposition.

It was there that I met three women with vastly different backgrounds who’d come from afar and shared with me their hopes for and concerns about the new administration; they worried about the rights of women, the safety of the LGBT community and the dignity of people of color.

A year later, in January 2018, I checked in with them again to find that although little had changed legislatively, the fear over what might come to be hadn’t changed much, either.

Now, halfway through his first term, President Trump has finally made some halting progress on that agenda, passing a substantial tax cut, neutering Obamacare and forcing a government shutdown over border wall funding. And he’s still got at least two years to go.

“I couldn’t have imagined how bad it was going to be. I really couldn’t have,” said Omkari Williams, a life coach who travelled with a group from Savannah, Georgia, for the 2017 Women’s March in D.C. Williams effectively speaks for Amie Tyner, a veterinary technician from Asheville, and Jane Pickett, a filmmaker and

professor who splits her time between Los Angeles, Atlanta and Lake Junaluska.

“It's been a rocky ride,” said Pickett. “I feel simultaneously grateful that it hasn't been worse and yet horrified by all that has transpired — sweeping tax reform that benefits the super-rich at the expense of working families, a spiraling national debt, slashed regulations with full disregard for the science of climate change, conservative lifetime appointments to the high and lower courts, an enforced anti-immigration policy that separated children from parents … America seems to be surviving, but not thriving.”

Tyner, who identifies as a member of the LGBT community, said that she remains wary of how Trump might affect the hardearned rights of that community.

“Everybody’s always afraid that rights are going to be taken away, marriage rights, things like that, or that it gives more of these groups the OK to bash us,” she said. “There’s just a little more fear, especially coming from the previous administration, which was supportive and proactive in trying to make everybody feel equal. Now, they’re making nobody feel equal.”

It’s perhaps that feeling, that fear, that has been Trump’s most concrete legacy to date — it certainly isn’t his list of accomplishments, which as yet are few. Aside from the transgender military ban, actual actions against women and minorities have been mostly nonexistent.

“What he has done is unleash forces that are so destructive and so damaging in ways big and small that they’re going to be hard to put back in the bottle,” Williams said. “I don’t think there wasn’t racism before Trump, because obviously there was, but it wasn’t socially acceptable. People had to curb, at least in public, their most revolting instincts, but now they’ve been given free license and that’s really dangerous.”

Last year, all three women marched in one of the dozens of commemorative Women’s Marches nationwide, like the one held in Asheville on Jan. 19, but this year, only Pickett did.

“From the inside, it’s really good to know that you’re not alone in a fight,” said Williams. “From the outside it’s really good for the people on the other side to understand that there are huge numbers of women who are interested in these things and passionate about these causes, and they are not going to stop. But you can’t only march. You have to go home and do something.”

Williams said that over the past year,

she’s more been active in her community on a grassroots level, championing Planned Parenthood and warning of the threat posed to Roe v. Wade by a Supreme Court now stacked with staunch conservatives. Pickett, meanwhile, has begun donating her time and professional expertise by producing campaign spots for candidates and centristoriented third parties.

Democrats have already started lining up for the right to oppose Trump’s presumed reelection bid in 2020, and there’s great hope among Pickett, Tyner and Williams that he’s limited to a sole term. While it is still early in the process, all three seem to agree that the best chance to accomplish that doesn’t rest with Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders.

“I just think we’d be repeating 2016,” said Tyner. “I think [Sanders] was hurtful. I mean, take it back to Gore, Bush and Nader.

It’s the same issue.”

Sanders is expected to announce his candidacy any day now, and Clinton’s said she’s “keeping the door open” to what would be her third attempt at becoming the first female president. Even if she doesn’t run though, there’s still a chance that glass ceiling could be shattered this time around.

“I’m kind of excited about Kamala Harris,” said Williams of the former attorney general and current senator representing California. “She’s very smart, she’s tough, which I really appreciate, and she is someone who is compelling. I think that’s really going

to be important.”

Harris seems to be an early favorite in a crowded field that looks like it will be perhaps the most diverse ever offered to voters.

“I'm curious about Pete Buttigieg,” Pickett said. “I'm intrigued by his experience as mayor of a struggling small city and how part of his success has been about admitting that old factories are not going to reopen and how he transformed his economic model to focus on higher education, technology and health care.”

Buttigieg is also the first openly gay candidate to run for president, and joins New York Senator Kristen Gillibrand, Kansas Senator Elizabeth Warren and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker as 2020 hopefuls, possibly along with former Vice President Joe Biden, Clinton and Sanders.

Pickett, though, remains hopeful that the very object of Trump’s affection — publicity — could prove to be his undoing, regardless of who the Democratic nominee might be.

“Public engagement in politics feels more alive than ever,” she said. “The reckoning we've seen through the #metoo movement as women have spoken up about their experiences with sexual assault led to some corrosive predators being brought to justice, and a record number of female candidates stepping up to run for office. The Democrats have taken back the House, and new developments in the Mueller investigation have restored some faith in our system.”

on the conversations being had within the national Women’s March movement.

“They were addressing a lot of the concerns we were talking about so maybe it won’t be needed next year, but if there’s interest we’d consider it,” he said. “We don’t see ourselves as enemies to the national women’s march, but if it isn’t as radical as we want to be, we want to show up to change it.”

Morris said the “Radical March” contingent had broad interest on social media, but only about 40 people attended the event.

“But it was so bitterly cold I think it affected attendance at both marches,” he said.

Horvitz said the cold and snowy weather definitely impacted attendance this year, yet still thousands of people showed up to listen to the speakers and march as long as they could.

“There’s been discussions about whether we want to do it this time of year again because of the weather — we might do a survey and see if there’s a better time to have it.”

Horvitz also pointed out that organizing the march is no easy or cheap task — it takes a lot of people and a lot of money to pull off.

The organizers had to raise over $6,000 to cover the cost of a sound system, security to keep all marchers safe, permits, insurance

(which has tripled in cost since 2017) and equipment required by the city. All extra proceeds — $1,892 — were donated to Planned Parenthood South Atlantic.

Marie-Line Germain, lead organizer of the Women’s March on Asheville, said the momentum of the march and the movement has not been lost. In fact, RSVPs to this year’s march was almost 14,000 — about 4,000 more than in 2017. She said she’s seen an increasing number of men and Millennials show their support for women’s rights, human rights and for justice, which she sees as a sign that democracy is well and that more

people are becoming civically engaged as the 2020 election approaches.

“It is not by chance that Western North Carolinians and folks from out of state left their cozy homes to attend the Women’s March on Asheville this year despite the arctic temperatures,” Germain said. “They clearly see the impact marches and other movements such as MeToo have had. There are more women in Congress than ever before, hundreds of companies have created or strengthened their sexual harassment policies and there are already four women in the 2020 presidential election race.”

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Halfway home: pink hat marchers soldier on

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Omkari Williams marches during the 2017 Women’s March on Washington.

Cory Vaillancourt photo

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019 Smoky Mountain News

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Author with Bryson City roots publishes RBG biography

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR orn of the same generation but in different parts of the country, Jane Sherron De Hart and Ruth Bader Ginsburg traveled on oddly similar parallel paths. Those paths would eventually cross as De Hart’s 15 years worth of research on the Supreme Court Justice recently became the most comprehensive biography of Ginsburg’s life and law career.

Based on research into Ginsburg’s groundbreaking litigation for the ACLU, her time on the highest court and De Hart’s nine personal interviews with her, the book gives great insight into a side of the icon the public has never seen.

De Hart, only three years younger than Ginsburg, grew up in Bryson City during the 1940s while Ginsburg was coming of age in Brooklyn, New York. As different as those places are — and were at the time — both women were raised by strong, independent women who instilled those same qualities in their daughters at an early age.

While Ginsburg went on to teach and practice law and would ultimately become the 107th Supreme Court Justice as well as a pop icon, De Hart would go on to be a history professor, author and a pioneer in the emerging field of women’s history and gender issues, retiring from teaching at the University of California at Santa Barbara.

More importantly, both women were able to find success in their fields while navigating a male-dominated world and building strong legacies. Ginsburg’s legacy is now well-documented in De Hart’s 723-page book, Ruth Bader Ginsburg — A Life.

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

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GROWING UP

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De Hart was born in Asheville in 1936.

Her mother, Ruby De Hart, originally from Durham, had been a public school teacher when she married Horace De Hart of Bryson City in the midst of the Great Depression.

Ruby attended Trinity College at Duke University and Horace had plans to be a doctor when he went to Vanderbilt University.

“He wore what I called Coca Cola bottle lenses and when he went to Vanderbilt he discovered he wasn’t able to do the lab work he needed to do,” De Hart recalled.

Horace ended up attending Chapel Hill instead, but De Hart said her father’s real interest was in the stock market and investments. Back in that day, it was legal to take out a loan from the bank to buy stocks, which is what Horace did.

“He could remember what stocks he bought until day he died,” De Hart said.

“And I remember he read the Wall Street Journal every day because at that time he didn’t think the Asheville paper was a terri8 bly good paper.”

Horace and Ruby eventually moved back to Bryson City so Horace could take over his father’s mercantile business.

“This was during the Depression when jobs were scarce — married women were no longer allowed to teach on the grounds that the jobs needed to be spread around to the men, but my mother was a very intelligent and enterprising woman and belonged to community organizations,” she said. “I had always thought she was perfectly contented

Even though her family was better off than many others at the time, De Hart said her mother always tried to make her see things from others’ perspectives. The first time De Hart watched “Gone with the Wind” she commented on how wonderful it would be to live on a plantation like Tara where she could ride her horse around all day.

“My mother said, ‘why do you think you’d be the daughter of a plantation owner?

What makes you think you wouldn’t be the

“[Ginsburg] couldn’t have gotten as far as she did if the climate hadn’t been changed by the large protests that had built up over the ‘60s on feminist issues, and she understands social movements are really essential for initiating change.”

— Jane Sherron De Hart

with her life until one point after I published a book on women’s history, she and my father read it and we were together one day and I said, ‘Was there anything outside the home you wanted to do?’ She said, ‘Yes, I wanted to go to Raleigh — I thought I’d be a much more effective legislator than the ones there.’ But she knew she would have difficulty getting elected because my father’s family were Republicans as were many people in eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina in the wake of the Civil War.” De Hart said her childhood in Bryson City was a happy and thriving one. Her mother read books to her and taught her to read even before she was old enough to enter first grade. She and her younger sister spent a lot of time with their grandfather, who owned horses and stables in town.

“We rode horses a lot together up in the (national) park area when Fontana Dam was built to deal with the floods sweeping through,” she said. “I do remember my grandfather would complain about the combination of the park being created and the dam, it took a lot of land away from the county that was previously used for timber and that sort of thing. I felt the county ultimately benefited as a result of it, but he felt it had set back the economy at the time. It was really a poor area.”

child of the undertaker or a slave?’ She had a very firm grasp of history and class and was not into the Old South beliefs,” De Hart recalled. “She was a very matter-of-fact kind of woman.”

EDUCATION By the time De Hart was ready to enter high school, her mother was serving as the chairwoman of the school board in Swain County, which made it somewhat controversial that she chose to send her daughter to an all-girls private prep school in Virginia.

Her parents had hopes their daughter would go on to one of the seven sister women’s colleges in the Northeast, but De Hart said she grew tired of the all-female environment and decided to attend Duke University like her mother and study history.

When it came time for graduate school, she received two fellowships — one that would pay her tuition for one year anywhere she wanted to go and one that would pay her tuition for the entire program but with the condition she study at the southern university. She was accepted to Harvard but decided to take the Carnegie fellowship and continue her studies at Duke. De Hart would eventually become a history professor at Chapel Hill as well as director of women’s studies.

“When I first started out out as a historian, there was no such thing as women’s history or gender studies — I became an American political history professor and wrote my first book on one of the New Deal WPA (Works Progress Administration) projects,” she said.

WPA wasn’t just for blue-collar jobs — there were also WPA art projects — which is what De Hart decided to focus on for her Ph.D. thesis work. She researched the federal theater project and the difficulties of producing first-rate theater within a government bureaucracy, especially during a time when most people in the fine arts world were suspected of being part of the Communist Party.

“The theater project was directed by an extraordinary and interesting woman Hallie Flanagan — she was a real force and also the mother of a grown son and also a stepmother. Her husband was a professor at Vassar College, where she had been a theater director,” De Hart said. “I had access to her correspondence with her husband and was really fascinated with how a woman with a fulltime public job was able to combine her private life and her work life. While that was something I couldn’t really talk about in the book — I would have been told it was not appropriate — I was really fascinated by the public/private interface and it’s something I explored more fully in the Ginsburg book.”

RESEARCHING GINSBURG Chronicling the breadth of work of an 86year-old feminist pioneer who is still a sitting Supreme Court Justice is a tall order — the project took De Hart 15 years to complete.

Her research into Ginsburg’s work started while she was still living in North Carolina — long before the idea for a book came up. The U.S. Senate had passed the Equal Rights Amendment in 1972. It was designed to get rid of gender-based discrimination against women, and had to be passed by 38 states in order to become a part of the Constitution.

So there were ERA battles throughout the nation, including North Carolina.

“It was clear ratification in North Carolina was going to be significant fight. I decided I wanted to look at that both as a historian and as a participating observer, so I decided to write that book,” she said.

As she examined the politics behind passing the ERA, De Hart also saw firsthand the inequality women were facing during the time and had to find ways to work around it. She wrote an article about the difference gender made in the political process by interviewing different politicians. She interviewed members of the General Assembly as well as women who were against the amendment.

“I went to the lieutenant governor to help me divide the legislature into people who would talk to me honestly and those who wouldn’t because I’m a woman and because they would clearly assume I’m a feminist,” she said. “My husband at the time was an American religious history professor, so we asked ourselves who in the legislature should we inter-

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ly to Ginsburg herself to get access — and embarked on what would be 15 years worth of research. “When I finally got a hold of those and went through all the case files, I thought, ‘I have to know more about the forces that shape this woman,’� De Hart said. “How she acquired the strategic skills and her vision of what feminism involved and the absolute perfectionism and unwavering persistence that enabled her to carry out this litigation.�

She then began to examine Ginsburg’s formative years, a part of her life that has remained somewhat of a mystery because of Ginsburg’s private nature and because of the painful memories of her mother’s death.

Every time De Hart thought she was nearing completion of the book, her editor told her to keep going. “We wanted the full arc of her life, but at one point I had to say, ‘Look, Ruth is going to outlive me if I don’t publish this book soon,� De Hart said.

When the book was finally released in

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Ruth Bader Ginsburg — A Life Written by Jane Sherron De Hart. Published by Penguin Random House. Order at www.amazon.com/Ruth-Bader-GinsburgJane-Sherron/dp/1400040485

October 2018, De Hart couldn’t have imagined how Ginsburg’s popularity would grow over the 15 years. Now there is a major motion picture about her — “On the Basis of Sex� — and numerous books based on her work, including “Notorious RBG.� “It turned out the book came out at such a good time. It’s so unusual for Supreme Court justices to become pop icons or celebrities — and Ruth certainly was not a likely personality to become that because initially she was a rather private, reserved person,� De Hart said. “She was a workaholic devoted to her family and it just didn’t fit the image.�

So what changed? De Hart said as the makeup of the court changed throughout the years and as Ginsburg issued more and more dissents from the bench, her reputation to stand firm on issues garnered more attention from the public, especially with a younger generation of progressives and feminists.

When examining Ginsburg’s legacy and contributions to society, De Hart said her impact has been immense. “Her most important dissents are certainly part of her legacy — she was really speaking to the future and to encourage public debate about the issues that were being litigated,� she said. “And I would certainly say her early litigation on behalf of gender equality under the Equal Protection clause has literally changed the law and legal doctrine, which has been an enormous contribution.�

Aside from her own legal work, De Hart said Ginsburg has been an amazing mentor to her own law students and clerks and a role model for men and women alike. Even in her bold line of work, Ginsburg was able to work with people on both sides of an issue. She believes in equal rights and feminism, but never did try to disguise her femininity. “She was not a protestor who chose the streets as her venue for climbing her leaps — she was a pioneer — but she certainly subscribed to a lot of beliefs more radical feminists held,� De Hart said. “In my chapter about her feminism, I talk about how she used her anger and demonstrated her sense of injustice in a different way.�

However, she said Ginsburg’s way of leading change isn’t the only way. She still sees marching in the streets as a necessary way to have public opinion be heard. “She couldn’t have gotten as far as she did if the climate hadn’t been changed by the large protests that had built up over the ‘60s on feminist issues, and she understands social movements are really essential for initiating change,� De Hart said.

It’s those changes in public opinion and the demands of people who have been marginalized that create the atmosphere in which Supreme Court justices make their rulings. Even though society makes progress, De Hart said, each generation still has to fight to hold on to that progress. “We thought in 1973 we had won on reproductive rights, but if you look at it now you can see how badly those rights have been eroded,� she said. “In spite of huge gains, there’s still not gender parity in Congress or in the high levels of business so there’s still a lot to do. Ginsburg strongly believes you can’t take your rights for granted.�

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view together and who should he interview alone — it was a very helpful strategy.�

Ultimately, the ERA failed in North Carolina by two votes. At that time, De Hart knew passing an ERA amendment was just one part of a two-pronged approach to ending gender-based discrimination — the other approach was finding a test case that could be litigated and that could convince the Supreme Court justices that discrimination violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution. “And it turned out Ginsburg, under the ACLU, was the person who did that successfully,� she said. “So I moved on and began looking at the ACLU litigation.�

De Hart got her hands on the case files for Ginsburg’s ACLU litigation — though it included a wild goose chase from the ACLU library, Princeton’s law library and eventual-

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Downtown Waynesville Association sets ambitious plan

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT municipal service district pay an extra 20 STAFF WRITER cents per $100 in assessed property value, he organization charged with mainwhich largely funds the DWA. taining and revitalizing Waynesville’s This year, Phillips said she’s looking fordowntown core is setting an ambitious ward to a renewed focus on one of downplan of work for 2019, to an extent not seen town’s most overlooked features — the since the major streetscaping projects of the miniature park on the corner of Depot and late 1980s-early 1990s.

Main streets.

“It’s definitely a larger endeavor,” said “We encourage people to use that,” she Buffy Phillips, executive director of the said. “There are several tables and chairs. I Downtown Waynesville Association. know we’ve talked about a chess table, and Phillips’ comment came after a Jan. 22 that’s one of the things that might happen strategic planning retreat during which sooner rater than later.”

DWA board members took a hard look at Phillips said there’s one more accent, weaknesses in and potential threats to just off Main Street, that she’d like to see Waynesville’s prosperous Main Street corricome to pass — better utilization of the dor.

Limited Sunrise over Waynesville. A Shot Above photo overnight lodging and a perceived lack of parking — along with a growing homeless population — add to what’s been called a negative view of downtown by locals, who see it as too crowded and don’t want what merchants are selling there, anyway.

But low vacancy rates and lots of cooperation from town staff still make Waynesville an appealing place to live, work and play, and green space between the Justice Center and if the DWA has its way, more significant the Historic Courthouse. projects could be on the horizon, not just “When the Justice Center was built, the upgrade of trash cans and floral there was discussion about trying to add planters. that feature,” she said. “It certainly would “It’s three parts — it’s downtown, it’s be a nice area for a speaker series, or for Wall Street and it’s Frog Level,” said Phillips. more musical opportunities.”

During the retreat, North Carolina Main The bowl-shaped grassy area slopes Street Coordinator and meeting facilitator down gradually to a drainage grate, but Sherry Adams said that most visitors to could play host to a small amphitheater or Waynesville, including herself, don’t see other such performance space; the breezeFrog Level as a separate entity — to most, way behind the space is already used for it’s Waynesville. Building a proverbial Fourth of July performances, but bringing bridge to and from the block-long district is the music out closer to the action on Main a natural direction for growth, according to Street would remind people that there is, in Adams. fact, a substantial green space in the heart “We have always worked together, and of downtown. as we grow they continue to grow as well,” “I don’t think this will happen quickly,” Phillips said. she said. “We’ve discussed it for the past Many businesses on the east side of couple of years, but maybe with some grant Main Street have rear entrances on Wall options and maybe some people working Street, which has languished as a somewhat toward that on our committee, we’ll be sucrun-down, underutilized commercial thorcessful.” oughfare, but Phillips cited forthcoming Phillips is one of just two full-time improvements to pedestrian area landscapemployees at the DWA; of the organizaing, as necessary for further development. tion’s $190,000 in annual expenditures, “I think it’s already improving some,” salaries, including Phillips’ $54,000, she said. “From the Wells Events Center on account for almost half. Aside from properthat end, to The Strand and Boojum ty tax revenue that amounts to about (Brewing) on this end, I see more and more $86,000, the rest of the DWA’s budget happening.” comes from vendor fees and events along The main focus, however, has always with donations, like its donated office in been Main Street; property owners in the Waynesville’s Town Hall.

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EBT funds for March still up in the air

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Haywood County’s HHS has $17,970,124 budgeted for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019. Of that, $10,741,355 was projected to come from grants, the state and the federal government, with the majority of it — about 55 percent — coming from the feds.

“Even with the length it lasted, it has not affected operations,” said Dove. “Because we have such a mix, and such a heavy reliance on county funding, we were able to proceed.”

Dove said that if the situation had lasted much longer, that might have been a different story.

“When we look at some of our core and state-mandated business, we would have to figure out how to adapt because although federal funding is part of it, [the lack thereof] doesn’t release us from obligations to do child welfare and adult protective services,” said Dove. “We have to make sure we can continue to work through some of those.”

A major concern was — and is — the availability of food and nutrition benefits on EBT cards. Benefits for the month of February were distributed early, on Jan. 20, but both federal and state agencies warned recipients to use the money wisely, as there was no assurance any benefits at all would

come during March.

“Families should budget their benefits so they will be able to purchase food until additional resources are made available by the federal government,” reads a memo from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, issued Jan. 21 — just days before the tentative deal to reopen the federal government was reached.

A similar message greeted callers to HHS’ phones last week as well.

“For me, the main concern if this would have continued, would have been for the general public,” Dove said. “As far as food and nutrition, we’d have to refocus our business and as a community try and assist people.”

The shutdown may be over, but it does come with a caveat — Trump warned Congress that if his wall isn’t funded by Feb. 15, he’ll shut the government down again, but as families on EBT continue stretching those benefits they received on Jan. 20, they may have to stretch them further than originally anticipated.

“As I’m sitting here right now,” Dove said Jan. 29, “I do not have any official word on March [EBT benefits]. The state, I’m sure, will be putting out another bulletin once they’ve cleared it with the USDA.”

The Haywood County Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Task Force is sponsoring a Poster Contest for all seventh and eighth grade students in Haywood County as an awareness project for Teen Dating Abuse Awareness Month in February.

The theme is “Healthy Relationships…

Better Than (fill in the blank).” There will be three prizes (gift cards) awarded: $50 for first, $40 for second and $25 for third, with three winners from each middle school, (home schooled teens also) and certificates for all entrants. Free poster paper (white, 14” X 22”) and a copy of the rules may be picked up at the REACH of Haywood office, 627 N. Main St., Waynesville between the hours of 9:15 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The contest ends at 3 p.m.

Feb. 8. Finished posters, along with a parental permission slip, can be turned in at the REACH office. Winners will be announced on Feb. 14. The posters will then be displayed in schools or other public venues, with permission of the artist.

For more information, contact Buffy Queen, 828.456.7898, or bqreach@aol.com.

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BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER he federal shutdown didn’t have as much of an effect on Haywood County’s social services as one might think, but with another shutdown looming, the belt-tightening may not be over — especially for recipients of food aid.

“This has been a very long shutdown, by historical standards. The longest. But we’ve been able to go on with business as normal, and we’ve kept all services open,” said Ira Dove, director of the Haywood Health and Human Services Agency. “As this thing proceeded, the main question was food and nutrition services and how that would be impacted.”

The federal government endured a 35-day partial shutdown that began in December 2018, when President Donald Trump made clear he wanted more than $5 billion for his proposed southern border wall — a demand Democrats weren’t willing to meet.

After a series of meetings through December and some political brinksmanship on the part of congressional Democrats, no progress was made until Jan. 25, when a tentative deal to fund and reopen government was reached.

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Tuscola sports classification not all fun and games

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER rumblings about Tuscola High School’s athletic reclassification from 2A to 3A seem to have fallen on deaf ears, but administrators at Haywood County Schools say they’re not yet done trying to bring attention to what they say is the school’s unfair plight. “We have a 2A-sized high school, Tuscola High School, and we have asked for fair play in conference play for a couple of years and that initial review by the state High School Athletic Association was denied,� said Bill Nolte, superintendent of Haywood County Schools. “We’ve asked for a grievance to talk about their rules, but that’s been denied or not responded to by the state association.�

There are several rules and procedures that Nolte says he’d like to talk to the association about; in the past, schools were divided into four classifications, and 25 percent of schools would fall into each class, with the largest schools designated as 4A, and the smallest as 1A. “A couple years ago, they decided — against much objection from lots of member schools across the state — to make the biggest schools only 20 percent of the schools in that big 4A classification, and the smallest schools only 20 percent,� said Nolte. “Then they loaded up the middle classes, 2A and 3A with 30 percent each.�

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

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The result is a confusing list rife with overlap where larger schools — often, much larger — end up playing much smaller schools. In high school sports, the larger the student body, generally the higher the caliber of its student athletes. It stands to reason that there would be more star players at the state’s largest high school than there would be among the 23 students who attend state’s smallest school.

The smallest 4A school has about 1,480 students, but the largest 3A school has more than 1,890. The smallest 3A school, Morehead, has 960 students. Tuscola, with 974 students, was also assigned to class 3A. The largest 2A school has 1,140 students, and the smallest 580, while the largest 1A school has 730 students. “That’s a result of not reclassifying very often and people not appealing because they feel they can’t win,� Nolte said. “There’s really a discrepancy between some schools, and we’re forced to play in a conference with them.�

Associate Superintendent of Haywood County Schools Dr. Trevor Putnam — himself a college football player at Clemson — said his disappointment lies not only in the classification result, but also in the process itself. “I think that’s really one of the frustrating things,� said Putnam. “As any organization forms rules, you hope to have some input into that process, especially when

“It’s inherently unfair for one of our running backs or wrestlers or anyone else because they’re competing against huge schools.� — Bill Nolte, Haywood County Schools superintendent

you’re a member of that association. They’re supposed to compose rules that protect us and promote fair play. We’ve had no input into this process, developing rules and regulations that govern us.�

But it’s not all about bringing home a trophy or getting one’s photo of the winning touchdown on the front page of the local paper, especially in a county where poverty rates run higher than the national average. “It’s inherently unfair for one of our running backs or wrestlers or anyone else because they’re competing against huge schools,� Nolte said. “That’s tough on our kids. They’re not afforded the opportunity to compete for things that matter, and there are colleges and universities that look for successful students at certain levels.�

For example, smaller colleges competing

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Smoky Mountain News

in the NCAA’s Division II or III don’t often have much recruiting success against the likes of sports powerhouses like Alabama or Michigan, so they target players unlikely to be afforded scholarship opportunities at those big schools. “They may not go to a Division I school, but there may be an NAIA school or a Division II or III school that would love to have them,� said Nolte. “We’ve been asking for appeals and changes since April 2016. We’re just committed enough and care enough about our kids enough to make this right.�

Nolte noted that the current splash of media coverage was yet another attempt by district officials to get the attention of the association. “What we’ve asked them to do is put themselves in our shoes,� he said. “Wouldn’t you want your kids treated fairly? Wouldn’t you want a level playing field?�

Despite substantial local outcry over Tuscola’s classification, nothing’s changed — yet. “We feel like this is going to be a long haul process,� Nolte said. “Dr. Putnam pointed out to me that there’s a petition online put out by a local businessperson, I think an alumnus of the school. We’ll do things like this until we’ve exhausted every reasonable and legal thing that we can do.�

As of Tuesday, the petition had about 2,300 signatures.

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Free tax prep available

“It looks just like a regular ice skating rink.

You use the same skates you use for regular ice skating, and it actually cuts the surface.”

Bookstore

The Way I See It

by David Gates

Saturday, February 2nd at 3 p.m. in the Community Room of the Jackson County Public Library 3 EAST JACKSON STREET • SYLVA

828/586-9499 • citylightsnc.com

COMPLETELASERCLINIC.COM [828] 482-5030 ASHEVILLE & MURPHY OFFICES

— Nathan Clark, Maggie Valley town manager

“Our biggest hurdle is that it’s not going to be covered, so last Saturday when it rained two inches, that would be a situation where we wouldn’t be able to skate,” he said. “But if it was just a mist or steady drizzle, you could still skate on it. Temperature-wise, as long as it’s free and clear then the weather conditions have no bearing on it.”

Clark said the TDA’s funding, which is revenue from the county’s occupancy tax, pretty much covered the entire cost of the rink and the activity zone, but that its operation wouldn’t be possible without assistance from the Maggie Valley Chamber.

Weather permitting, the rink will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday though Friday and from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Admission is $8 for adults, and $5 for children under 12. In addition to the kids activity zone, concessions will also be available on site. For more information on hours, dates and activities, visit www.maggievalleync.gov. ture identification, their own and their dependents’ Social Security cards or a statement from the government that includes their Social Security numbers, copies of their 2017 tax return, and any W2s, 1099s, 1098s, interest and dividend statements for 2018 and other documents necessary to complete their returns.

Everyone needs to bring information about their health insurance coverage throughout 2018, including any 1095-B and/or 1095-C they have received.

The program is sponsored by the Jackson County Department on Aging, Jackson County Public Library, AARP Foundation and the Internal Revenue Service. All volunteers are trained and certified. For other tax preparation sites in other counties and nationwide go to the website www.aarp.org for locations and times of operation.

Smoky Mountain News

Volunteers will be available to assist with federal and state income tax preparation and filing every Monday and Friday from Feb. 1 through April 12 at the Jackson County Department on Aging and every Tuesday at the Jackson County Public Library, unless those facilities are closed for holidays or weather.

Assistance is provided to people of all ages on a first-come, first-served basis at the Department on Aging, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays.

Library hours on Tuesdays will be from 2:30 to 6:45 p.m. by appointment, with appointments available through the Library’s reference desk at 828.586.2016.

There is no charge for the service at either location.

Taxpayers are requested to bring pic-

putt-putt course, bounce houses and fullsized yard games.

Although both Cataloochee and Tony’s take advantage of whatever snowfall occurs in the region, they also have to manufacture their own snow to supplement that because Haywood County doesn’t usually remain frozen for months at a time. Minor warm spells won’t affect the rink, according to Clark.

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER t’s a perplexing dichotomy. Maggie Valley has been portrayed as a town that rolls up the sidewalks once the leaf-lookers leave each fall, even though it’s home to two popur lar winter attractions — Cataloochee Ski Resort and Tony’s Tube World draw thousands each year to the western end of Haywood County — but now a third reason to visit the Valley will further test tourists’ appetite for winter wanderings.

“It’s just one of those things over the last few years that people have said, ‘I wish we had an ice skating rink, I wish we had something more to offer in the winter time, what can that be?’” said Nathan Clark, Maggie Valley’s town manager.

Months ago, the town’s board of aldermen decided it would be an outdoor skating rink when it chose to use $35,000 in funding from the Tourism Development Authority to rent a synthetic ice surface.

“It looks just like a regular ice skating rink,” said Clark. “You use the same skates you use for regular ice skating, and it actually cuts the surface.”

Clark said that he and Teresa Smith, executive director of the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce, visited a synthetic rink in Hendersonville just before Christmas.

“If you’re a true ice skater, you’ll notice the difference, but if you’re not a pro ice skater, which most people in the region are not, and you’re looking for a chance to try something out you’ve seen on television your entire life, we’re going to give you that opportunity,” said Clark. “Hopefully, this will make people fans of ice skating forever more.”

That opportunity begins Friday, Feb. 8, and runs through Feb. 17 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. A $20 family skate will be held on Feb. 13, and a free skate for kids will be held Feb. 11, but there will also be an official “fun zone” for kids including a nine-hole

news

Ice rink in Maggie Valley opens next week

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Smoky Mountain News Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

news

Run, Forest, run: Lt. Dan declares for governor These food manufacturing jobs are high tech, highpaying manufacturing jobs now.

A

According to the District Attorney's Office, it’s gotten quieter in the Dutch Cove community near Canton since Matthew Dillon Smathers, 34, was recently sentenced to 86 to 134 months in prison by Judge Alan Thornburg in Haywood County Superior Court.

Smathers pled guilty to methamphetamine and fentanyl charges and also admitted having attained habitual felon status.

In North Carolina, three prior felony convictions enhance the punishment on a fourth felony convictions, and Smathers had three

separate prior felony convictions at the time of his new offenses.

His new charges came out of a probation search at his home May 10, 2018. The plea deal also included the revocation of that probationary sentence.

With reports about drugs, guns and multiple offenders staying at 4500 Dutch Cove Road, probation officers and members of the Haywood County Crime Suppression Unit converged for an unannounced probation search. Smathers and four other known drug users were located and charged. Meth, fentanyl, paraphernalia and cash were seized from several locations around the home.

“The house at 4500 Dutch Cove Road has been a problem for Dutch Cove residents for quite some time,” said District Attorney

SMN: That’s a good segue, to media and social media – how do these Forrest Gump jokes sit with you?

DF: Oh I love Forrest Gump jokes, are you kidding me? The first campaign there were a bunch of people that said, “Run, Forrest, run,” and we named our bus Bubba, that was all us. We brought it all on. The whole point of politics is name recognition.

I’ve been traveling around the state for six years and people will say, “Oh you’re the run Forrest run guy,” and people call you “Lieutenant Dan” when you’re the lieutenant governor and all that kind of stuff, so it’s great. If that’s what helps people remember my name, then go for it.

Smoky Mountain News

Habitual felons convicted in Haywood

SMN: What do you feel like Gov. Cooper is going to come at you with if you indeed end up becoming the Republican nominee?

DF: Everything except the kitchen sink.

I mean I don’t know, but that’s kind of how politics works these days. You’ll see every false narrative out there about who you hate and what groups you don’t support in what things you don’t stand for, but it’s all built on a bunch of lies. What we’ve seen so far, taking partial quotes out of context, reorganizing them and then creating some narrative about what I said. That’s the game. That’s the way politics works, so I’m assuming that’s going to be done, but our message is about bringing people together.

I think people not just in North Carolina but all across America are tired of all this divisiveness. They’re tired of the hatred they see on social media, they’re tired of being flamed by family and friends over a political belief.

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

Smoky Mountain News: Western North Carolinians seem to have a bit of an inferiority complex – they feel overlooked and underappreciated by Raleigh. How does a governor like you bridge that gap?

Dan Forest: I think generally what happens is if you are west of Interstate 77 or east of Interstate 95 you feel that way, but from a legislative perspective I would say the majority of legislation is focused on rural North Carolina, believe it or not, as is the majority of conversation. A lot of people just wouldn’t know that.

With that being said, how I would bridge that is that you get out there, you go there.

When I first campaigned I think I went to Yancey County seven times and they told me they had never seen a candidate for governor or lieutenant governor ever show up there.

We hit all of Western North Carolina and Eastern North Carolina multiple times, and you just have to show people that you care, and not just ask for money and leave.

SMN: Conservativism is a spectrum. Where do you fall on that spectrum, or what would you call your core beliefs as a conservative?

DF: I think I fall on the line of traditional American family values. I believe in the importance of family, the importance of keeping families together and kids being raised in a family. I The breakdown of families is a tragedy in think statistically across the board, America right now. I have a conservative every study that’s ever been done Christian worldview, so things get filtered will tell you that a through that lens for me. child being raised by mother and — Dan Forest father in a loving home goes a long way to success of that child down the road, keeping them out SMN: Similarly, North Carolina is of poverty and off drugs and having babies unique in that there’s a marked difference in too early and all those kinds of things. The poverty as seen in urban versus rural setbreakdown of families is a tragedy in tings. What does economic prosperity look America right now. I have a conservative like in rural NC? Christian worldview, so things get filtered DF: That’s been the million-dollar questhrough that lens for me. tion for decades all across America, not just So I’d say I’m fiscally and socially conserNorth Carolina – how do you allow the vative across-the-board. I want to make sure urban populations to continue to grow? that the people know that I know that it’s Because they’re going to as big corporations their money. There’s no “government move there. But how do you connect these rural populations to the urban core? Because money” out there. Anything that comes into the government that they’re spending is that’s where the jobs are generally going to coming out of your pocket, and we need to be. be very fiscally conservative as to how we One of my focuses will be growing agrispend your money, because people are givculture in our state, but I also think we need ing up the fruits of their labor to support more food manufacturing in production in government activity. I think the government our state. About 85 percent of our state is should be limited in what they do. That’s rural now, and the majority of those comgotten out of hand over the last couple of munities are agricultural communities, so I years, but we’ve done a good job in North say, “Dance with the one that brung ya.”

Carolina keeping it all reigned in.

Let’s not act like we need to have high tech Government shouldn’t do everything. internet jobs in every rural community.

SMN: Is health care one of those things?

DF: That’s obviously going to get debated. There’s no way you can talk about Medicaid in the sound bite, and I don’t think people should say, “Hey, Medicaid for all, let’s march forward!” What is the cost of that? Is it a dollar or a trillion dollars?

What’s the criteria for Medicaid recipients?

What services are being provided? Are those services actually any good? There have been many studies that say Medicaid health care services are far inferior to other health care services. Why would we tolerate that?

We need to make sure that people have good reliable health care, and you really can’t talk about Medicaid or health care in the abstract. I think you need to talk about it with real specifics.

news

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER n architect by training, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest became only the second Republican in the last 120 years to be elected to the post when he defeated Democrat Linda Coleman by less that twotenths of a percent in 2012. Four years later, in 2016, his victory over Coleman was much more decisive, but Gov. Pat McCrory’s narrow loss to Rocky Mount Democrat Roy Cooper created an unexpected opportunity for the state’s highest-ranking Republican.

On Jan. 28, Forest announced he was forming an exploratory committee, which he called a “soft declaration” of his intentions to seek the Republican nomination for governor in 2020, but he already has some solid backing.

“Dan Forest has served the people of North Carolina admirably and fought for pro-growth, pro-family policies that make North Carolina one of the best states in the country,” said Rep. Mark Meadows, RAsheville. “He’s no stranger to the people of the Eleventh District and understands that Western North Carolina is not Charlotte or Hickory. He’d be an outstanding choice for governor.”

Forest called The Smoky Mountain News Jan. 29 to explain why he’d be an outstanding governor, giving his thoughts on economic development, health care and the whole “Forrest Gump” connection.

Ashley Hornsby Welch. “And with the help of Sheriff Greg Christopher, his deputies and the Haywood County Probation Office, we’re sending a message to the community with the sentencing of Matthew Smathers that we hear you and will pursue justice for you to the best of our abilities.”

In a separate incident, William Dillian Thomas Plemmons, 28, of Canton, pled guilty last week to firearm, drug and habitual felon charges. He received 84 to 113 months in prison. He was arrested in a traffic stop on Nov. 29 in Haywood County.

Anthony Keith Hampton, 59, of Waynesville, also pled guilty last week to firearm, drug and habitual felon charges and received 15 26 to 44 months in prison.

16

Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

The tide is turning on marijuana T

Stricter laws will solve problem To the Editor: For the last 19 years I’ve been reading (frequently) how semi-trucks are a hazard on Highlands Road between Highlands and Franklin. Like other persistent knotty problems (drug use, drunk driving, various criminal activities and the like), why is everything so complicated? It ain’t rocket science, why is it made to seem so?

The reason these problems exist and persist is there’s insufficient deterrents. And yes, “stricter law enforcement” (as stated in the January 16 Smoky Mountain News article) is the solution to keeping tractor trailers off Highlands Road.

A few signs cannot be that expensive. But of course it helps if they’re the right signs. For example: “Tractor Trailers Prohibited, Fine (first offense) $1,000, (second offense) $5,000 plus 30 days in jail, last available turn-around, 500 feet.”

Write, and enforce, laws similar to these I have suggested and one hazard will be eliminated...

David L. Snell Franklin

We need the wall for our security To the Editor: Cannot the “Resisters of the Wall” and Democrats who suggest we don’t need a wall because it’s possible to build a tunnel or ladder understand that deterring illegal immigrants at a barrier with good roads to speed interception would allow more patrol and

teachers I guess did not know the kinds of games we were playing.

I’ve been around marijuana since then, though I’ve never been what some would call a “pothead.” But it’s just never been a big deal at parties or get-togethers when some choose to use pot where I’d usually prefer a beer. Again, to each their own.

Of course, the illegality of pot means it still has a stench not associated with alcohol. Those guys puffing the loaded vapes are breaking the law in North Carolina, and the guy they bought their stash from could be holding enough that if caught he’d go to prison.

Editor But the tide is turning. As we reported last week, 10 states with a population of 73 million U.S. citizens have legalized recreational use. That makes it available to 23 percent of the country’s population, not to mention border states where it’s easy enough to cross the state line — remember when the lottery was illegal in North Carolina — and get their supplies.

Scott McLeod

he libertarian in me believes in the “live and let live” mantra, which when it comes to legalizing pot means I think it’s way past time for it. No adult should ever be fined or arrested simply for possession of small amounts. It’s ridiculous, in my opinion.

But last week’s Smoky Mountain News cover story on marijuana legalization and the growing of hemp created some heavy-duty social media back and forth, so much so that it’s clear Americans are still divided on the issue.

Perhaps divided is not the right word, at least not equally divided. Several 2018 polls reveal that somewhere around 60 to 64 percent of Americans now support making weed legal, and over 90 percent support making it available for medicinal purposes. More Democrats than Republicans support legalization, but the percent supporting legalization has been steadily rising in both parties. In 2000, according to one poll, just 30 percent of Americans supported legalization.

Almost everyone my age — 59 — and younger has been around pot since they were teenagers. I was 13-years-old and in the seventh grade on the playground at College Lakes Elementary School in Fayetteville the first time someone passed me a joint. It was supposed to be our PE time, but the

What happens to society when pot is legal? Different studies show different outcomes. One widely circulated report says deaths from opiates and other stronger drugs decreased in states where marijuana was legal. Another report, however, says marijuana use among minors was up dramatically in states where it has been legalized.

The current opioid crisis has many just not wanting to talk at all about making any more drugs easily available. But to my thinking, legalization changes everything, and I’m not referring to the tax revenues local governments would reap. I’m talking about getting marijuana out of the hands of the guys who might also be dealing crystal meth or acid or stolen pharmaceutical opioids. I’m talking about reducing the power of the cartels and the gun runners who make a living off of them and help make violence all-too-common in drug-infested parts of the country. Drug dealing is a nasty business, and forcing those who want to smoke pot to deal with that element is senseless.

The arguments run strong on both sides of this debate, and I can respect those on the other side. To me, though, it’s time to legalize it, control it, and use our law enforcement, judicial, and heath care resources for more serious problems.

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

LETTERS money for drug detection a ports of entry where allegedly most contraband enters? If Israel can detect tunnels 180-feet deep, so also could the United States.

I strongly support President Trump and Congressman Mark Meadow during the government shutdown tied to their border security plan for the protection of our citizens country and sovereignty.

If Meadows/Trump started a legitimate fund that would go to a physical barrier, etc., there are multitudes that would donate. I have little confidence in these unknown “go fund me sites.” That along with a little over $5 billion of our taxes would greatly enhance our security.

I also point out that in 2013 Senate Democrats almost unanimously supported a bill that funded 350 miles of border wall. The $5.7 billion only funds about 240 miles. They supported a bill funding 350 miles and now shut the government down over 240. This seems not a display of wisdom but of hateful ignorance.

Sue Long Waynesville

Rational conclusion: shutdown was all Trump To the Editor: In last week’s guest opinion column, Isaac Herrin invited us to think rationally about the government shutdown and the President’s wall. OK, challenge accepted. And what better things to ponder than the President’s own words. Let’s take a look at those, then come to rational conclusions, shall we?

Regarding Trump’s border wall, Mr.

Herrin states “what he is fighting for is exactly what he campaigned on,” yet he doesn’t state exactly what Trump’s campaign promise was.

We’ll let candidate Trump speak for himself.

From a campaign memo, April 2016, “It’s an easy decision for Mexico: make a one-time payment of $5 to $10 billion.” From a campaign rally, April 2016, Trump: “Who’s going to pay for the wall?” crowd: “Mexico!” Trump: “A hundred percent!”

Rational conclusion: the President should not be demanding that we and future generations pay billions of dollars for his wall when he repeatedly said during his campaign that Mexico will pay for it.

Mr. Herrin states “Democrats are unwilling to sit down with the President to discuss border security” yet he offers no proof of that.

On January 10, Congressional Democrats did indeed sit down with the President for the sole purpose of discussing the shutdown and border security, but the President chose to walk out abruptly. Although there are differ-

ing accounts of exactly how the President left the meeting, no one, not even the President, disputes that he did leave on his own accord.

Trump’s Twitter words about his departure: “I said bye-bye” (the equivalent of a sixyear-old taking his ball and going home just because he isn’t winning the game). Rational conclusion: it is not Democrats who are unwilling to sit down and talk about border security.

In his last sentence, Mr. Herrin blames Democrats for the shutdown yet he doesn’t offer even as much as a suggestion as to how he came to that conclusion. In a televised meeting with Congressional Democrats on December 11, the President said “I am proud to shut down the government ... I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down. I’m not going to blame you for it.” Rational conclusion: the President alone owns the shutdown.

Although the word “rational” is a part of the word “rationalizing,” the two words can have nearly opposite meanings. Rationalizing can mean using plausible but untrue reasons in an attempt to justify a false conclusion. In that sense of the word, Mr. Herrin did a bang up job of rationalizing, but if he has any real interest in the truly rational, he will start listening to the words that come from the person he seems so desperate to defend.

Bruce Buchanan Sylva

Smoky Mountain News

Susanna Barbee

quiet, I can get a direction for my day and practice true reflection.

• Envisioning my day and week: I’m routinely envisioning what my day and week will look like. In my mind, I play it all out fitting in everything that needs to get done so everyone’s needs are met and I feel productive.

• List making and time chunking: I have a creative mind, which translates to a scattered mind, so to accomplish everything, I make short lists and long lists. I also time chunk where I set timers for 10, 20 or 30 minutes with specific goals or tasks to accomplish within that time frame. I don’t check email, get on social media or do anything else that’s reactive. I hone in on what needs to get done.

• Mindfulness: The worst thing is lying in bed at night and feeling like I was not mindful of being with those I love. I’m an extreme multi-tasker, which is the thief of mindfulness. I often have to force myself to stop, sit down and focus on the people in my world and when I do, the reward is so sweet.

If I concentrate on these four practices, it’s easier to take care of myself. I feel more in control of my day, week, month, life. In 2019, I’m also emphasizing one key concept each month. January’s concept has been wellness. During this month, I’ve abstained from any alcohol whatsoever, tried new healthy recipes and shakes, drank a lot of hot tea and dedicated myself to a 10K training plan. Within the past week, I made a massage appointment, found a new therapist, and got my hair highlighted and eyebrows waxed, both of which were highly overdue.

Sometimes it feels a bit self-indulgent to take care of your own needs but as they say, how can you breathe oxygen into those you love if life is suffocating you?

Divorce is a transition that may be easier in a big city where one doesn’t feel like she’s in a fish bowl. I’m not really sure.

Emotionally, I think the strife is the same no matter where you live. All mothers want to give their children a beautiful childhood with a perfect family and when that path fails, it’s very hard to straighten it and nearly impossible to re-create it.

Yet, the alternative is to do nothing, and I’ve never been one to sit around and do nothing.

There’s still a lot of healing, growing and adapting to take place, but the future feels hopeful and exciting. It’s been a long, challenging road, and I’m sure more crossroads are still to come.

My boots may be different than before but, the good news is, I no longer feel bootless.

(Susanna Barbee is a digital media specialist, editor and writer for Mountain South Media, The Smoky Mountain News and Smoky Mountain Living. susanna.b@smokymountainnews.com)

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

“It is a cruel jest to say to a bootless man that he ought to lift himself by his own bootstraps.”

I recently stumbled upon this quote by Martin Luther King Jr. It was from a video interview he did years ago. Dr. King, of course, was talking about AfricanAmericans and how it was simply wrong and unfair to free them from slavery yet give them no land, no money, no food and no boots and still expect them to create a life for themselves.

While this quote was originally specifColumnist ic to segregation, it can be metaphorically interpreted in other ways. When a mom is divorced in a small town, she can feel bootless. That’s how I’ve felt numerous times over the past two years.

The American world is tailored to middle or upper class women who follow the status quo, who get married, take the family name, have babies, either work a good job or stay at home and raise those babies, nurture her loved ones and so on. Meanwhile, for women who buck the system, the road gets jagged. A rough path coupled with no boots can be a tricky place to find oneself.

I could go on about what it feels like to be judged in a small town after divorce, but that’s not particularly inspiring or helpful to anyone. When I found myself on that bumpy road with no boots, I realized my boys were bootless as well. They had no schema or experience to prepare them or assist them in finding a new normal once they were left in a broken home with parents living in two different houses.

So for a while now, I’ve been solely focused on finding them new boots and lacing them up snug and tight. Until they had solid footing, I couldn’t focus too much on my own stability.

But now that my boys seem to be finding their way and adjusting better than I could have ever imagined, I’ve turned some attention toward myself. I focused on internal forgiveness first. The self-loathing and guilt that occurs after divorce is so extreme, you can only understand if you’ve experienced it, especially when little hearts are entangled in the mess.

Once I became gentler with myself, I could take outward action in regard to selfcare. Some of the things that make me very happy are time with loved ones, time to myself, exercise, eating healthy, learning and feeling productive. Over the past several months, I’ve prioritized my life so these things come first. I’ve developed several skills that help ensure this happens.

• Morning quiet time: This part of my day is essential. There’s no music or noise, only thoughts, reading and writing. In the

opinion

First the boots, then the heavy lifting

17

tasteTHE mountains

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

101 PARK ST. CANTON 828.492.1422

PIGEONRIVERGRILLE.COM

Wine • Port • Champagne Cigars • Gifts

828-452-6000

20 Church Street Downtown Waynesville

classicwineseller.com MONDAY - SATURDAY

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

10:00AM - 6:00PM

828-246-6996 429 Hazelwood Ave Waynesville

Smoky Mountain News

Monday, Tuesday Wednesday Thursday, Friday Saturday, Sunday

7:30am-8 pm Closed 7:30am-8 pm 8 am-8 pm

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

Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily.

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

BOOJUM BREWING COMPANY 50 N Main Street, Waynesville.

828.246.0350. Taproom Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday & Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Gem Bar Open Tuesday through Sunday 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Enjoy lunch, dinner or drinks at Boojum’s Downtown Waynesville restaurant & bar. Choose from 16 taps of our fresh, delicious & ever rotating Boojum Beer plus cider, wine & craft cocktails. The taproom features seasonal pub faire including tasty burgers, sandwiches, shareables and daily specials that pair perfectly with our beer. Cozy up inside or take in the mountain air on our back deck."

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

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

From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday dinner starting at 5 p.m. “Best of” Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator

WAYNESVILLE’S BEST BURGERS

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

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Magazine. Set in a distinguished atmosphere with an exceptional menu. Extensive selection of wine and beer. Reservations honored.

CHURCH STREET DEPOT 34 Church Street, downtown Waynesville.

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

CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

828.587.2233. Open Monday-Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tasty, healthy and quick. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, espresso, beer and wine.

Come taste the savory and sweet crepes, grilled paninis, fresh, organic salads, soups and more. Outside patio seating. Free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly. Live music and lots of events.

Check the web calendar at citylightscafe.com.

THE CLASSIC WINESELLER 20 Church Street, Waynesville.

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

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

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

828.926.1820 Winter hours: Wednesday through Sunday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Family Style at Country Vittles is not a buffet.

Instead our waitresses will bring your food piping hot from the kitchen right to your table and as many refills as you want. So if you have a big appetite, but sure to ask your waitress about our family style service.

FERRARA PIZZA & PASTA 243 Paragon Parkway, Clyde.

828.476.5058. Open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 12 to 8 p.m. Real New Yorkers. Real Italians. Real Pizza. A full service authentic Italian pizzeria and restaurant from New York to the Blue Ridge. Dine in, take out, and delivery. Check out our daily lunch specials plus customer appreciation nights on Monday and Tuesday 5 to 9 p.m. with large cheese pizzas for $9.95.

FIREFLY TAPS & GRILL 128 N. Main St., Waynesville 828.454.5400. Simple, delicious food. A must experience in WNC. Located in downtown Waynesville with an atmosphere that will warm your heart and your belly! Local and regional beers on tap. Full bar, vegetarian options, kids menu, and more.

Reservations accepted. Daily specials. Live music every Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m.

Open Mon.-Sat. 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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.

FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St., Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving dinner 5 to 9 p.m.

Tuesday through Thursday. 5 to 9:30 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.

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.

HARMON’S DEN BISTRO 250 Pigeon St., Waynesville 828.456.6322. Harmon’s Den is located in the Fangmeyer Theater at HART. Open 5:309 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday (Bistro closes at 7:30 p.m. on nights when there is a show in the Fangmeyer Theater) with Sunday brunch at 11 a.m. that includes breakfast and lunch items. Harmon’s Den offers a complete menu with cocktails, wine list, and area beers on tap. Enjoy casual dining with the guarantee of making it to the performance in time, then rub shoulders with the cast afterward with post-show food and beverage service. Reservations recommended. www.harmonsden.harttheatre.org

MAGGIE VALLEY RESTAURANT

Nikki Forbes

34 CHURCH ST. WAYNESVILLE 828.246.6505 18

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

February 2 7pm 3 E JACKSON ST. • SYLVA, NC

www.CityLightsCafe.com

Daily Specials: Soups, Sandwiches & Southern Dishes

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

Breakfast : Omelets, Pancakes, Biscuits & Gravy!

Breakfast served all day!

NEW WINTER HOURS CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION 2804 SOCO RD. • MAGGIE VALLEY 828.926.0425 • Facebook.com/carversmvr Instagram- @carvers_mvr

Mon/Wed/Thurs 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Friday/Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Closed Tuesday

Sunday 12-9 p.m.

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

tasteTHE mountains HAZELWOOD FARMACY & SODA FOUNTAIN 429 Hazelwood Avenue, Waynesville.

828.246.6996. Open six days a week, closed Wednesday. 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday. Breakfast until noon, old-fashioned luncheonette and diner comfort food. Historic full service soda fountain.

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

Open for dinner at 4:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. World-famous prime rib, steaks, fresh seafood, gorgonzola cheese and salads. All ABC permits and open year-round. Children always welcome. Takeout menu. Excellent service and hospitality.

JOEY’S PANCAKE HOUSE 4309 Soco Rd Maggie Valley.

828.926.0212. Open seven days a week! 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Joey’s is a family-friendly restaurant that has been serving breakfast to locals and visitors of Western North Carolina for decades. 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. Join us for what has become a tradition in these parts, breakfast at Joey’s.

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

828.648.4193. 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Serving breakfast, lunch, nd dinner. The restaurant has a 1950s & 60s theme decorated with memorabilia from that era.

KANINI’S 1196 N. Main St., Waynesville.

828.452.5187. Lunch Monday-Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., eat in or carry out. Closed Sunday. A made-from-scratch kitchen using fresh ingredients and supporting the local food and local farm-to-table program. Offering a variety of meals to go from frozen meals to be stored and cooked later to “Dinners to Go” that are made fresh and ready to enjoyed that day. We also specialize in catering any event from from corporate lunches to weddings. Menus created to fit your special event. kaninis.com MAD BATTER FOOD & FILM 617 W. Main Street Downtown Sylva.

828.586.3555. Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with Sunday Brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Handtossed pizza, house-ground burgers, steak sandwiches & fresh salmon all from scratch.

Casual family friendly atmosphere. Craft beer and interesting wine. Free movies Thursday through Saturday. Visit madbatterfoodfilm.com for this week’s shows & events.

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

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

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

MAGGIE VALLEY RESTAURANT 2804 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.926.0425. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Daily specials including soups, sandwiches and

southern dishes along with featured dishes such as fresh fried chicken, rainbow trout, country ham, pork chops and more. Breakfast all day including omelets, pancakes, biscuits & gravy. facebook.com/carversmvr; instagram @carvers_mvr.

PIGEON RIVER GRILLE 101 Park St., Canton.

828.492.1422. Open Tuesday through Thursday 3 to 8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday noon to 9 p.m.; Sunday noon to 6 p.m. Southerninspired restaurant serving simply prepared, fresh food sourced from top purveyors.

Located riverside at Bearwaters Brewing, enjoy daily specials, sandwiches, wings, fish and chips, flatbreads, soups, salads, and more. Be sure to save room for a slice of the delicious house made cake. Relaxing inside/outside dining and spacious gathering areas for large groups.

RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT AND BAR Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center 70 Soco Road, Maggie Valley 828.926.0201 Home of the Maggie Valley Pizzeria. We deliver after 4 p.m. daily to all of Maggie Valley, JCreek area, and Lake Junaluska. Monday through Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. country buffet and salad bar from 5 to 9 p.m. $11.95 with Steve Whiddon on piano. Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 11:30 to 8 p.m. 11:30 to 3 p.m. family style, fried chicken, ham, fried fish, salad bar, along with all the fixings, $11.95.

Check out our events and menu at rendezvousmaggievalley.com

Dine-In ~ Take Out ~ Delivery

perfect for all walks of life, from families to golf groups to ladies who lunch. We pride ourselves on using fresh ingredients from our gardens and supporting local farmers. The details are priority.

Daily hours: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Winter Menu Includes Hot Soups & Snacks

Sun.–Thurs. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Call 828-926-4848 for reservations.

An Authentic Italian Pizzeria & Restaurant from New York to the Blue Ridge.

Just to serve you!

243 Paragon Parkway | Clyde

828-476-5058 172 Sylva Plaza | Sylva

Smoky Mountain News

Open to the Public, 7 Days A Week!

1941 Champion Dr. • Canton 828−646−3750 895 Russ Ave. • Waynesville 828−452−5822

WAYNESVILLE PIZZA COMPANY 32 Felmet Street, Waynesville.

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

Real New Yorkers.

Real Italians. Real Pizza.

Experience a casual, relaxing atmosphere

Meetings, Events, Parties & More

TAP ROOM BAR & GRILL 176 Country Club Drive, Waynesville.

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

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

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

Whatever the Occasion, Let Us Do the Cooking!

SAGEBRUSH STEAKHOUSE 1941 Champion Drive, Canton 828.646.3750 895 Russ Ave., Waynesville 828.452.5822. Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Carry out available. Sagebrush features hand carved steaks, chicken and award winning BBQ ribs. We have fresh salads, seasonal vegetables and scrumptious deserts. Extensive selection of local craft beers and a full bar. Catering special events is one of our specialties.

828-492-0641 1819 Country Club Drive Maggie Valley, NC

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A&E

Smoky Mountain News

IN PURSUIT OF THE MOMENT

Greg Ormont of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER n a day and age where everything that glistens and captures society’s short attention span is seemingly a smoke screen blurring the lines between appearance and reality, one of the most intricate and sacred of human experiences remains pure and untouched — live music.

At the core of the art of musical performance is the idea of improvisation. It’s a moment in the heat of a show where the energy on both sides of the microphone — between the artist and its audience — pulsates in this ebb and flow that circulates and swirls around the event itself.

The notes radiating from the stage are sparked by the feeling of a genuine, unbreakable connection between performer and listener, a subconscious collaboration where the heart and soul of those present dictates the singular rarity of what will ultimately transpire. It’s a flash of splendor like a shooting star if you’re lucky enough to have been present.

Approaching a decade together, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong is at the forefront of what it means to be a jam band in the 21st century.

Following in the improvisation footsteps and devil-may-care attitudes of jam-rock pillars like The Grateful Dead, Phish and The String Cheese Incident, the rapidly rising Maryland group adheres to the time-tested formula of the genre: unknown depths of talent + keen improvisation skill set + sense of humor/playful nature + devoted fan base + anything goes stage mentality = jam band.

I

Smoky Mountain News: Y’all met and formed at the University of Maryland. Can you tell me about those first interactions?

Greg Ormont (guitarist): The first day of college I walked down the hall my freshman year to make friends with my guitar in hand. I had just started playing, and had been singing my whole life, so I figured that was a pretty easy way to break the ice and meet people.

And sure enough, within a couple stops in the dorm rooms, I met our guitarist Jeremy Schon who, so many years later, is still the guy I jam with. We just sat down, two freshmen in college, who didn’t really know a ton of people. We were all trying to make friends and fortunately had our guitars, and enjoyed it.

That spread to playing coffee shops together, duet gigs with two acoustic guitars, and eventually we found a drum kit on campus. The home the drums were set up in, that

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong.

Want to go?

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong will perform at 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at The Orange Peel in Asheville.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day-ofshow. Asheville-based funk/rock act The Fritz will open the show. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit www.theorangepeel.net. house contained our bassist who just walked downstairs and we started jamming. When we added that bass element, all of a sudden, we stumbled ourselves into being a band.

SMN: For being so well-known as a live act, how do you approach the studio and harness that energy away from a live audience?

GO: Well, I’ve been joking around that we should bring in some oculus virtual reality goggles into the studio and put ourselves in that wild, high-energy live setting. But, it would be hard to see your guitar, so I decided against that.

It’s an interesting balance between keeping everything polished, while replicating that live energy that we love so much, that’s our bread and butter. That’s the thing about playing live, there’s nothing like it. When you’re recording in the studio, it’s not going

“That’s why you go to the concerts instead of listening to the tapes, because it happened there. And being there is that one spontaneous moment that comes and goes.”

— Greg Ormont, guitarist, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong

to be as genuine as the adrenaline you’re receiving from a live show. Each album [of ours] is a little more energetic and more similar to our live setting.

SMN: What is the place of jam-rock act in the digital age?

GO: We’re all kind of in the Spotify world, whether we like it or not. We love Spotify. It’s given us the ability to reach so many fans not only regionally, but internationally. And we’re navigating our releases, whether or not we should put live recordings on Spotify versus other platforms like Nugs.net.

You want everyone to hear your best stuff, and sometimes your live shows have a ton of great energy and natural moments, and maybe along the way there’s a tiny flub. And to a musician, it’s like nails on a chalkboard — you can hear it [even if the listener can’t].

Some of the bands are hesitant to put something like that on Spotify. So, that’s a conversation we have a quite a bit — improvising

and then doing something with that audio in this digital world. I tend to lean towards putting more music out there.

SMN: But, in the genre of music you’re in, that’s part of the risk, part of the agreement you have with the improvisational gods…

GO: Yeah, it’s part of the risk. And it’s part of the reward. You’ve got some really exciting stuff and the question becomes should that moment be encapsulated and saved through the test of time or was it a fleeting live moment? Which is part of the beauty of jam music, too. That’s why you go to the concerts instead of listening to the tapes, because it happened there. And being there is that one spontaneous moment that comes and goes.

And what you do with it is up to you, but it has to be experienced.

Editor’s Note: If you would like to stream the entire audio of this conversation, go to YouTube and search: “Greg Ormont Garret K. Woodward.”

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

Garret and Emily, high school graduation.

M

Maggie on Ice February 8-17

Kids Skate Free on Monday, February 11!

Ice Skating Plus Kids Activities

Family Skate for $20 on February 13!

Smoky Mountain News

Come Skate on Maggie’s Synthetic Ice Surface

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5

eandering down the desolate Route 8 in the southern Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New Porch 40 will launch its “Pour 40” tour with a York last weekend, my truck special performance at 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at came over a slight rise. It was The Gem, the downstairs taproom at Boojum in that moment when I realized Brewing in Waynesville. the road was covered with at least a foot or more of water.

The Women of Waynesville will host a “Manly With over two feet of snow Man Auction” fundraiser at 6 p.m. Saturday, falling during the week, the Feb. 9, at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. subsequent rain was unable to Legendary bluegrass act Balsam Range will hit drain properly from the roadthe stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at the way with the snowbanks blockSmoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts ing the ditches. The Toyota in Franklin.

Tacoma slammed into the huge puddle, a wall of water coverThe Lily Cai Dance Company will perform at ing the windshield. Tapping the 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, at the John W. brakes in that moment of Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center as part blindness, the truck swerved of Western Carolina University’s Lunar New Year and slammed into a snow bank Celebration. in the oncoming lane.

The left quarter panel was There will be combined Groundhog Day celecrunched. Bumper severely bration and Haywood Waterways Association mangled. Fog light busted out. post-Polar Plunge party from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

But, I was able to drive it out of Saturday, Feb. 2, at Balsam Ridge Gallery in there. No blown tire. No Waynesville. messed-up wheel alignment. trative ladder. Snow blanketing the backNo cracked headlight. No liquids spewing yard of her cozy house. Smile on her face out from unknown places in the engine.

I pulled over at a gas station and assessed and big bear hug when I crossed the threshthe damage. Dammit. Not my beloved truck. old of her abode.

I’ve known Emily (aka: “Emma”) since I Between thoughts about how much money (I was in seventh grade. That was 1997. Over don’t have) that it will take to repair the 20 years ago, and yet we’ve still made the damage, I had to keep reminding myself effort to keep in touch, meeting up every how lucky I was. Automobiles can be repaired. Human bodies and minds are a dif- few years or so. Each of us is from a small farming community on the Canadian ferent story.

Border. And both of us wanting to run away About 100 miles down the road, I from home after high school for fear of simarrived in at an old high school friend’s ply fading into the background landscape house in Liverpool, New York. She’s an educator now, working her way up the adminis- of the North Country like so many of our

to the point: “See you this summer.” Others absurd and quite odd. Many with inside jokes either fondly remembered to this day or forgotten and buried in the sands of time.

And then we found what I wrote to her the year we graduated, 2003.

The Catholic school cleanliness of my cursive covered two pages in the back of the yearbook. It was all about the future, and how proud I was of Emma. So much to look forward to in the face of the unknown, uncertain next chapter following high school and all that was familiar and safe during the first 18 years of our lives.

The next morning, Emma had to head out to her school. I hugged her goodbye. We made plans for a summer rendezvous. Then I was alone in her big, quiet house. Photos of us on the wall. Yearbooks on the table.

I grabbed the 2003 yearbook, opened it up to my message to her, and placed it on her kitchen counter with a new note attached: “Sixteen years later, you’re still the beautiful, vivacious and determined woman I knew those many moons ago. Love you, Emma.”

Walking outside, I was immediately reminded of the damage to my truck. But, in that moment, I didn’t care. It’s just a truck. There are so many more important things in life than just worrying about a damaged vehicle. I’m alive and in the world.

I have friends and family where love and compassion is in a constant cycle. Onward into the unknown. Onward into the future of your intent.

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

arts & entertainment

This must be the place

peers eventually did.

Regardless, it was surreal to be standing there in Emma’s kitchen catching up. One of those cosmic souls who, no matter how much time has passed, will pick up the conversation right where we left off, and always on the same page.

Friends like Emma are a rare and beautiful thing, and you must hold onto those precious connections, come hell or high water.

Because it’s when the going gets tough that you have those folks to lean on — in conversation and in life, too. They have your back, and the sentiment is sincerely reciprocated.

“I have all our old yearbooks. You want to look through them?” Emma suggested with a sly grin. “Yep. Sold. Let’s read aloud what everyone wrote you back in the day,” I shot back.

Six yearbooks with frayed edges and scratched covers. Ranging from 1997 to 2003. There was the middle school headshot where I had on my huge glasses. The ninth grade one when I bleached my hair and sported a hemp necklace. My senior photo with a preppy American Eagle shirt and long sideburns.

There were also photos of the winter formals, of cross-country races and basketball teams, of classroom shenanigans and afterschool mischief, of first cars in the student parking lot and, most importantly, of each other — young and with our entire lives ahead of us.

We fell over in bursts of laughter reading what our old friends wrote in the corners and pages of the yearbooks. Some short and

Cost: $8 - Kids 12 and under $5 Skating times listed daily at MAGGIEVALLEYNC.GOV

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arts & entertainment

On the beat Porch 40.

Jam, rock at Boojum Brewing Porch 40 will launch its “Pour 40” tour with a special performance at 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at The Gem, the downstairs taproom at Boojum Brewing in Waynesville.

The show will be sponsored by The Smoky Mountain News. Admission is $5 at the door.

Other “Pour 40” dates include 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 2, at Sierra Nevada Brewing

Co. in Mills River (free); 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, at Highland Brewing in Asheville (free); 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Franklin (free); 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, at Bold Rock Cidery in Mills River (free); 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Innovation Station (Innovation Brewing) in Dillsboro ($5 at the door); and alongside The Colby Deitz Band at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 9, at Pisgah Brewing in Black Mountain ($7 advance/$10 day of show).

For more information, visit www.porch40.com.

Balsam Range in Macon

Smoky Mountain News

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

WCU Low Brass Festival The fifth annual Western Carolina University “Low Brass Festival” will take place Feb. 2-3 at the university’s Coulter Building recital hall.

Featured guest artist will be Peter Steiner, a trombone soloist and former member of the Vienna State Opera and Vienna Philharmonic. His musical studies began at the Music Conservatory in his hometown of Bolzano, Italy, then the Mozarteum of Salzburg, Austria, before his graduation from the Juilliard School in New York City. This year, he is scheduled for a world tour with more than 100 performances throughout Europe, Asia, South America and the U.S. “We are really excited to have Peter on campus,” said Zsolt Szabo, event organizer and WCU assistant professor of trombone and euphonium. “He is an internationally recognized rising star in our low brass com-

munity, and I’m sure that his presence on campus will greatly inspire our students.”

The Feb. 2 session is a masterclass, beginning at 5 p.m. The Feb. 3 schedule has a 9:30 a.m. masterclass, a 1 p.m. presentation with question-and-answer period, followed by a 2 p.m. ensemble rehearsal. The day will be capped off with Steiner leading a recital at 3 p.m.

The festival is hosted by Michael Schallock, associate professor of tuba and music education, and Szabo. All sessions are free and open to the public. For more information, call 828.227.7242.

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Legendary bluegrass act Balsam Range will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

The band is an ensemble of multi-talented musicians who take a creative blend of bluegrass, folk, and gospel music and provide an exciting and inspiring concert experience.

Balsam Range is a group of five fantastic musicians and singers from Haywood County. They have many accolades to their claim, including over a dozen International Bluegrass Music Association awards.

Most recently, they were named the 2018 IBMA “Entertainer of the Year” for the second time. The group has had multiple national number one hits including, “Blue Collar Dreams,” “The Girl Who Invented The Wheel” and “Trains I Missed.”

Members of Balsam Range are Buddy Melton, Tim Surrett, Marc Pruett, Caleb Smith, and Darren Nicholson.

Melton was named IBMA’s “Male

Vocalist of the Year” in 2014 and 2018.

Surrett has performed with Ralph Stanley, Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, and many other notable artists. He has a place in the Southern Gospel Hall of Fame and won the IBMA “Mentor Award” for his inspiration and work with young artists. In 2018, Surrett was named IBMA “Bass Player of the Year.”

Pruett is a Grammy-winning banjo picker who played on four albums with Ricky Skaggs. He earned an honorary doctorate from Western Carolina University in 2010 for his contributions to bluegrass music.

Smith has also won “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “Guitar Player of the Year” awards. He is an accomplished luthier, building Smith Custom Guitars for clients such as Zac Brown. Nicholson has toured with many artists and is Grammy award nominee. He has also won multiple IBMA awards.

Tickets start at just $18 each and priority seating is available. To purchase tickets, visit www.GreatMountainMusic.com or call 866.273.4615.

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On the beat

• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host Jim & The Giant Jam 8 p.m. Feb. 8. All shows are free and open to the public. www.balsamfallsbrewing.com.

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host an acoustic jam with Main St. NoTones from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 31 and Feb. 7. Free and open to the public. www.blueridgebeerhub.com.

• Boojum Brewing Company (Waynesville) will host a bluegrass open mic every Wednesday, an all-genres open mic every Thursday and Porch 40 (jam/rock) 9 p.m. Feb. 1 ($5 cover). All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.boojumbrewing.com.

ALSO:

• City Lights Cafe (Sylva) will host Nikki Forbes Feb. 2. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.citylightscafe.com or 828.587.2233.

• Harmon’s Den Bistro at HART (Waynesville) will host karaoke and an open mic at 8 p.m. on Saturdays. All are welcome. www.harttheatre.org.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night Jan. 30 and Feb. 6, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo Jan. 31 and Feb. 7. All events are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Isis Music Hall (West Asheville) will host Amy McCarley (singer-songwriter) 8:30 p.m. Jan. 30, Grayson Foster w/Zach Cannella (pop/rock) 7 p.m. Jan. 30, Freddy & Francine (Americana/soul) 7 p.m. Jan. 31, The DonJuans (Americana/folk) 8:30 p.m. Jan. 31, Graham Whorley (acoustic/blues) 7 p.m. Feb. 1, “Love Me Tinder” seduction sideshow 9 p.m. Feb. 12, Courtney Hartman (singer-songwriter) 7 p.m. Feb. 2, Tuesday Bluegrass Session w/Mason Via & Hot Trail Mix 7:30 p.m. Feb.

Haywood Community Chorus rehearsals Directed by Kathy Geyer McNeil, the Haywood Community Chorus will begin rehearsals for the 2019 spring season on Monday Feb. 4, in the Wilson’s Children Complex at Lake Junaluska.

Registration at 6:15 p.m., followed by a full chorus rehearsal at 7 p.m. The main work for this season will be Haydn’s “St. Nicholas Mass in G” and will include pieces by other composers including Aaron Copland.

Membership dues are $30. The spring concert date is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 5 at the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville.

• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host the “Stone Soup” open mic night every Tuesday. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

• Pub 319 (Waynesville) will host an open mic night from 8 to 11 p.m. every Wednesday. Free and open to the public. www.pub319socialhouse.com.

• Salty Dog’s (Maggie Valley) will have Karaoke with Jason Wyatt at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, Mile High (classic rock) 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, and a Trivia w/Kelsey Jo 8 p.m.

Thursdays.

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

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

• The Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic Night” on Mondays and karaoke on Thursdays with semi-regular live music on Friday and Saturday. All events at 10 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

828.456.4750.

Smoky Mountain News

• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host Mike Yow (singer-songwriter) Feb. 2 and Rossdafareye 2 p.m. Feb. 9. All events are free and begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host an open mic night at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday, Frog & Owl (acoustic) Feb. 1 and Natty Love Joys Feb. 2. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host live music on Fridays and Saturdays.

All shows are free and begin at 7:15 p.m.

828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

5 and Lauren Anderson & Meg Williams (singer-songwriter) 7 p.m. Feb. 6. For more information about the performances and/or to purchase tickets, visit www.isisasheville.com.

arts & entertainment

• Andrews Brewing Company (Andrews) will host the “Lounge Series” at its Calaboose location with George Ausman (singer-songwriter) Feb. 1, Wyatt Espalin (singer-songwriter) Feb. 2, Scott Stambaugh (singersongwriter) Feb. 8 and Andrew Chastain (singer-songwriter) Feb. 9. All shows are free and begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

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Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019 Smoky Mountain News 24

‘Whispers in the Cemetery’ The Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society will host the presentation “Whispers in the Cemetery: The Stones Tell All” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center in Bryson City.

Grave stones are often a rich resource for genealogy research and carry messages portraying a person’s life or what someone wanted others to remember. Those messages were expressed thru epitaphs, symbols and art reflecting religious affiliation, occupation, social status, and other aspects about the deceased.

In this presentation, Karen Marcus will share some of the history and symbols of these messages from cemeteries in our area and how these can be used to solve some genealogical mysteries often encountered.

Marcus started doing genealogy in the 1980s and loves making discoveries of family connections and solving genealogical mysteries. Native of Swain County and a graduate of Swain High, her family roots come from the Enloe, Buchanan, Jones, Crisp, Marcus and other lines that have

been in Western North Carolina since the early 1800s and in North Carolina as early as 1755 having had a land grant in Eastern North Carolina.

She is a member of several genealogy societies, does the programing and publicity for our society, and is also active with the Northshore Cemetery Association. She holds three different graduate degrees with one of those being from Western Carolina University.

Written directions are on the Swain County Genealogy website www.swaingenealogy.com. Conversation and refreshments will follow the presentation. This is free and open to the public.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Feb. 2 and 9 at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. www.papouswineshop.com or 828.631.3075.

• Free cooking demonstrations will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturdays at Country Traditions in Dillsboro.

Eat samples and taste house wines for $3 a glass. All recipes posted online. www.countrytraditionsnc.com.

ALSO:

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arts & entertainment

On the street

w] o_ _ _ _ [___ h Kickoff S

Ready for the ‘Manly Man Auction’?

The Women of Waynesville will host a “Manly Man Auction” at 6 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 9, at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville.

The event will raise funds for the Haywood County Schools Foundation.

Attendees will be able to bid on a variety of professional services, handyman services and date packages offered up by highly-qualified men in the community.

Some of the bidding packages include lawn care services, firewood cutting services, a survival training camping trip for two, private ballroom dancing lessons, percussion lessons, an estate plan, and more.

WOW member Celeste Ybanez, also the chief operating officer of Frog Level Brewing, is campaigning to be crowned Queen at the school foundation’s annual Mardi Gras Ball on Feb. 23 — to win she has to raise the most funds for the foundation. All donations will benefit the foundation’s mission of providing classroom grants for teachers and

Submissions sought for SCC’s Cultural Fusion Festival

WHO:

Porch 40

(hosted by The Smoky Mountain News)

WHAT: "Pour 40 Tour" WHERE: The Gem Taproom at Boojum Brewing in Waynesville WHEN: 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1 ADMISSION: $5 at the door EMCEE: Garret K. Woodward LINK: For more information on other "Pour 40 Tour" dates, go to www.porch40.com

Smoky Mountai n News will host the first sh ow of the Pour 40 Tour at Booj um Brewing.

The popular band Porch 40 will be doing seve ral shows through February at local breweries in cele bration of all the times these spots have hosted them over the years

smokymountainnews.com

To celebrate the region’s multicultural heritage, Southwestern Community College’s diversity committee will sponsor its inaugural Cultural Fusion Festival on Wednesday, March 27, on the college’s Jackson Campus.

The event’s theme is “How We all Got Here,” and it will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In conjunction with the festival, the committee will sponsor an arts, literature and video contest. Submissions are being accepted through March 1 (postmarked or received) in the following categories: • Art (multi-media) • Literature (poetry, short stories, prose) • Performance (video) “We’re excited about celebrating all the ways that people from entirely different parts of the globe have come together to create such a unique culture in Western North Carolina,” said Susan Cain, SCC’s Communications Instructor who is helping to coordinate the

Celeste Ybanez. scholarships for graduating seniors.

In the last few years, WOW members have helped raise more than $25,000 for the schools foundation. WOW’s mission is to support the needs of women and children in Haywood County.

There is no cover charge for the “Manly Man Auction” event. If you have a service you would like to donate for the auction, call 828.550.9978.

event. “This contest is the perfect opportunity to showcase all of the wonderful talent our region has to offer. We are hoping to draw a large number of entries.”

The winner of each category will receive a $100 prize. Committee members will determine the winners, who will be announced at 12:30 p.m. during the festival.

The competition is open to residents of Jackson, Macon, Swain Counties and the Qualla Boundary as well as to SCC students and alumni.

All work must be related to WNC’s fusion of multiple cultures, such as AfricanAmerican, Latino, Native American, ScotchIrish and many others. Only previously unpublished work may be submitted.

Prose should not exceed 2,000 words. All writing must be double-spaced and submitted on paper or via email attachment. Each page must be numbered, and the author’s name, address, telephone number and email address should be included on the last page of each submission.

For more information, or to make arrangements for delivering artwork, contact Cain at 828.339.4226 or s_cain@southwesterncc.edu.

On the wall

The exhibit “Outspoken: Paintings by America Meredith” will be on display through May 3 at the Fine Art Museum Gallery B in the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

This showcase draws particular attention to the importance of language in Meredith’s work, bringing together paintings that incorporate Cherokee syllabary, reference Cherokee oral histories, and pair found-object text with visual imagery.

The WCU Fine Art Museum is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. Free parking is available on site. www.facebook.com/americameredithart.

• The Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) Campus Theme, the “Defining America” exhibit brings together artists with different perspectives on the concept of “America” and asks visitors to reflect on the values, definitions, and assumptions attached to this concept. The exhibition will be on view through May 3 at the Bardo Arts Center.

Regular museum hours at the BAC are

Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays until 7 p.m. 828.227.ARTS or visit bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

• Haywood Community College (Clyde) Continuing Education Creative Arts will host “Introduction to Bladesmithing” March 18-19, as well as the “Smoky Mountain Hammer-In” March 21-24. For more information about any of these classes, visit creativearts.haywood.edu or call 828.565.4240.

ALSO:

• Mad Batter Food & Film (Sylva) will host a free movie night at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For the full schedule of

The Jackson County Public Library in Sylva will be starting a monthly documen-

screenings, visit www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com.

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

• “Thursday Painters Open Studio” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at the Franklin Uptown Gallery. Bring a bag lunch, project and supplies. Free to the public. Membership not required. For information, call 828.349.4607.

There will several local artisans on display at the Waynesville and Canton libraries through March.

Artists at the Waynesville Library will include Patty Johnson Coulter (painter), Linda Blount (painter), Jason Woodard (painter) and Mollie Harrington-Weaver (painter). Artists at the Canton Library will include Russell Wyatt (photographer) and Ashley Calhoun (painter).

For more information, visit www.haywoodarts.org.

HCAC ‘Juried Artist Exhibit’ The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) in Waynesville will be kicking off the new year with a variety packed show filled with the original art of 28 local artists.

The “2019 Juried Artist Exhibit” will run through Feb. 23. www.haywoodarts.org.

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

Smoky Mountain News

• A “Beginner Step-By-Step” painting class will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursdays at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. Cost is $25 with all supplies provided. For more information on paint dates and/or to RSVP, contact Robin Arramae at 828.400.9560 or paintnitewaynesville@gmail.com.

New monthly documentary program

Waynesville, Canton Library art showcase

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

Cherokee art showcase at WCU

There will be combined Groundhog Day celebration and Haywood Waterways Association post-Polar Plunge party from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at Balsam Ridge Gallery in Waynesville.

Themed costumes are welcome and encouraged. Prizes of no real value will be given for the best and worst costumes, with judging based purely on favoritism.

Live music will be provided and light refreshments will be served.

The public is invited to this exclusive observance of ridiculous hilarity and genuine support for those brave souls who, earlier in the day, plunged into frigid waters for a good cause.

Landscape artist Richard Baker has hosted this creative event in the past at his studio and attributes it to helping to end the doldrums of winter.

“Groundhog Day is a great day to get together,” Baker said, “and collectively hope for an early spring. Plus this will be an opportunity for Polar Plungers to thaw out and for the general public to reach into their pockets to help support the great work Haywood Waterways does.”

A native of Tennessee, Baker has painted Western North Carolina for more than 30 years. Favorite subjects include the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cold Mountain, and Shining Rock Wilderness. Baker’s paintings of water and mountains are highly sought after for their remarkable realism, radiant light and evocative atmosphere reminiscent of the Old Masters and the Hudson River School painters.

A prolific painter, his gallery walls offer paintings for every taste from weathered barns to Christmas tree farms to largescale paintings of the French Broad River.

tary series called “DocuWednesday.”

It will be held at 4 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month. The movies will be shown in the beautiful movie heater in the Community Room. At the end of each movie, the staff member who selected that documentary will lead a short discussion with the public.

If you would like to know what movie will be showing each month, please email Benjamin Woody at bwoody@fontanalib.org to be placed on an email list. The first showing will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30.

They will be showing the powerful climate change documentary “Disruption.”

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

The Jackson County Public Library is a member of Fontana Regional Library (www.fontanalib.org).

arts & entertainment

Get rid of that cabin fever

‘Remaking Blue Dawn’

by America Meredit

• Free classes and open studio times are being offered at The Uptown Gallery in Franklin. Join others at a painting open studio session from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays.

For information on days open, hours and additional art classes and workshops, contact the gallery on 30 East Main Street at 828.349.4607.

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arts & entertainment

On the stage The 7th Annual Plunge

Benefit-t-t-ting Kids in the Creek & Environmental Education

Lily Cai Dance Company at WCU Lily Cai Dance Company.

“SUPER BOWL” SATURDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2019 Registration at 10 a.m. • The Plunge starts at 11:30 a.m.

Lake Junaluska Beach (11 MEMORY LANE, LAKE JUNALUSKA) $25 • $10 under 18 • FREE by raising sponsorships All plungers receive a free t-shirt, music, food, bonfires, heated changing rooms, prize packages for top fundraisers and best costumes Special entertainment activities will be available courtesy of the Waynesville Parks & Recreation Department’s Base Camp on the Go program

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

Join, donate, or sponsor: www.crowdrise.com/7thannualhwaplunge

The Lily Cai Dance Company will perform at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center as part of Western Carolina University’s Lunar New Year Celebration.

The performance, sponsored by the Department of Campus Activities, will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5. The Lily Cai Dance Company blends ancient Chinese dance forms with modern dance, led by artistic director and choreographer Lily Cai, a former principal dancer with the Shanghai Opera House.

The all-female troupe includes dances inspired by the Chinese dynasties and fan dances, the Candelas dance with lit candles, and the company’s signature work — ribbon dance Silk Cascade.

Tickets for the event are $5 for WCU stu-

MET Opera’s ‘Carmen’ The Highlands Performing Arts Center will present the MET Opera’s production of “Carmen” at 12:55 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2.

Bizet’s “Carmen” is one of the world’s most popular operas. It’s the story of an intriguing, sensual gypsy, a soldier who falls in love with her and a toreador who intervenes. It could be called “fatal attraction.”

Tickets are available at www.highlandspac.org or at the door.

Smoky Mountain News

HART’s ‘Bop and Evey’

26

dents; $10 for non-WCU students, WCU faculty and staff; and $15 for general admission.

For more information, contact the Bardo Arts Center box office at 828.227.2479 or online at bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

Also, on Monday, Feb. 4, WCU will hold its Lunar New Year Celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. in the A.K. Hinds University Center Grandroom. There will be cultural performances, crafts and samplings of Asian cuisine.

The event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Department of Campus Activities, the Office of International Programs and Services, International Faculty and Staff Council, Western Carolina Chinese Association and Asian Students Association. international@wcu.edu or 828.227.7494.

The Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville will continue its winter season with the international debut of “Bop and Evey” by Irish actor and musician Caoimhín Ó Rían. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 1-2 and 2 p.m. Feb. 3.

Two siblings find themselves back in their childhood home for the holidays. The “waster” brother, Robert, after an attempt at adulthood fell through, currently lives at home with his parents. Evelyn, the “successful” sister, returns home for the first time in years to find things have not changed all that much.

The siblings attempt to pick up where they left off, for better or worse. In this beautifully written play, watch as they reflect on their past, question their future, and explore their present “unique” family dynamics.

This is the first time “Bop and Evey” will be performed outside of Ireland. The current production is being directed by HART

Executive Director Steve Lloyd and features David Anthony Yeates as Robert/Bop, and Erin McCarson as Evelyn/Evey. The play does contain adult material so audience discretion is advised.

Though studio seating is general admission, reservations are recommended as seating is limited and performances regularly sell out. Ticket prices are $13 for adults and $7 for students.

For reservations, call 828.456.6322 or visit www.harttheatre.org.

• There is free comedy improv class from 7 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday in Maggie Valley. No experience necessary, just come to watch or join in the fun. Improv teacher Wayne Porter studied at Sak Comedy Lab in Orlando, Florida, and performed improvisation with several groups. Join Improv WNC on Facebook or just call 828.316.8761 to RSVP for directions.

ALSO:

Books

Smoky Mountain News

27

A poet offers thoughts on life and death hen someone dies, we look for words to assuage our grief and the grief of others. We deliver eulogies, we offer prayers, we console those left behind, we sing hymns or other songs beloved by the deceased, we read from various books — the Bible, poems, bits and pieces of prose — to send the departed one into the earth. Often, too, we gather after the funeral for food and drink, and recollect our dead by sharing memories of their deeds and words while they still lived.

The words of certain writers can serve as the epitaphs on their graves and on their lives. In the case Writer of Shakespeare, this is literally true. He continues to lie in his church in Stratford-OnAvon rather than in the Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abby in part because of the words he wrote and had graven on his tomb: “Good friend for Jesus sake forebeare, To dig the dust enclosed here./Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones.”

Writers leave us their lines of poetry and their stories, and those are the tokens by which we remember them.

On Jan. 17, 2019, American poet and Pulitzer Prize winner Mary Oliver died at age 83 at her home in Florida. Variously described as America’s best-selling poet, a bard of the natural world, and a near recluse, Oliver was a prolific poet who gathered her ideas and subjects for her work on her long daily walks.

Some criticized her for what they perceived to be her romanticism, others for her failure to be a “balladeer of contemporary lesbian life.”

(Photographer Molly Malone Cook was Oliver’s partner for over 40 years).

Over the years, I would now and again pick up a volume of Oliver’s poetry, and was always drawn, like so many others, into her verse.

Rather than summing up her achievements with my own duller words, it seems more fitting to give Ms. Oliver over to eternity simply by remembering a couple of her poems:

Jeff Minick

W

Mary Oliver. Donated photo

Wild Geese

When Death Comes

You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and the deep trees, the mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air, are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting over and over announcing your place in the family of things.

When death comes like the hungry bear in autumn; when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse

to buy me, and snaps the purse shut; when death comes like the measle-pox

when death comes like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,

I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering: what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?

And therefore I look upon everything as a brotherhood and a sisterhood, and I look upon time as no more than an idea, and I consider eternity as another possibility, and I think of each life as a flower, as common

as a field daisy, and as singular,

and each name a comfortable music in the mouth, tending, as all music does, toward silence,

and each body a lion of courage, and something precious to the earth.

When it’s over, I want to say all my life I was a bride married to amazement.

I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

When it’s over, I don’t want to wonder if I have made of my life something particular, and real.

I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened, or full of argument.

I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.

Thank you, Mary Oliver, for giving us “something particular and real.” R.I.P.

Being blind, overcoming hardships in Appalachia City Lights Bookstore and The Jackson County Public Library have partnered for an event featuring David Gates and Tim Osment at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, in the Community Room of the library in Sylva.

They will present Gates’ book, The Way I See It, a look at his life growing up in Appalachia, becoming blind, and the determination to succeed despite his many hardships. City Lights Bookstore will have copies of The Way I See It available on sale at the library.

Free and open to the public.

Revere’s new poetry collection Michael Revere will read from his latest poetry collection, Hey Jude, at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

This collection is an homage to his wife, Judith Revere and combines strong poems of spirituality, sociology, and love. To reserve copies of Hey Jude, please call City Lights Bookstore at 828.586.9499.

28

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

Back to work Shutdown ends, but effects likely to linger through 2019 season

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER fter 35 days of furlough, National Park Service staff are back to work at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway and more than 400 other National Park Service units nationwide.

“On behalf of the employees of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our partners and communities for their unwavering support over the last five weeks,” said Smokies Superintendent Cassius Cash in a press release. “In addition to the monetary support offered by our partners to provide basic visitor services, we were moved by the number of people and organizations who stepped up to organize litter pickups and the outpouring of generosity expressed to our employees through meals and gift cards.”

During the shutdown, only a select few “essential” employees — a bare-bones crew of law enforcement officers, mainly — were working in the 816-square-mile park. No government funds were available to operate visitor centers or bathrooms — with the exception of some recreation fee funding released later in the shutdown, money that would have otherwise gone toward the Smokies’ $215 million deferred maintenance backlog — and administrators who would normally be preparing contracts for summer roadwork, hiring seasonal employees, and collaborating with park partners to apply for grants and plan programs were out of commission.

All employees — essential and nonessential — went without pay, missing two paychecks over the course of the shutdown. With the government now reopen, they will soon receive backpay for those missed pay periods as if they had been working a normal schedule.

A

SUPPORT FROM PARK PARTNERS Thanks to support from organizations like the Great Smoky Mountains Association, Friends of the Smokies and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, some limited visitor services were offered during the busiest periods of the past month, and enthusiastic support from parkside communities helped reduce roadside litter buildup.

“We’re here for our park,” said Anna Zanetti, North Carolina director for Friends of the Smokies. “We love the Smokies.”

Just under 24 hours before President Donald Trump signed a bill ending the shutdown around 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, Friends of

the Smokies released a plan to fund visitor center operations through Feb. 18, should the shutdown continue that long. The organization, which previously gave $18,000 to maintain bathrooms at Newfound Gap and Cades Cove when human waste was found in those areas, pledged $33,000 to keep the visitor centers and associated restrooms at Sugarlands and Oconaluftee open on weekends through President’s Day. The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation made a similar pledge, Friday morning announcing that it would spend around $7,000 to open the visitor center in Asheville on weekends through Feb. 10.

Both organizations said that they would offer similar support even further into the future, should the shutdown linger past midFebruary.

“I didn’t want to make a plan for a shutdown longer than that, because that just seemed sad,” Carolyn Ward, CEO of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, said the morning of Jan. 25. “But if the shutdown does continue and we can receive support from folks in the community, we would plan to continue it. It’s too important and too critical.”

It’s possible that plan could still be called into action, as the spending bill that allowed the government to reopen is good only through Feb. 15. President Donald Trump has made it clear that he would allow the shutdown to resume if the border wall isn’t funded at that time.

“This was in no way a concession,” he posted on Twitter Jan. 25. “It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly

Despite the shutdown, visitors congregate Jan. 7 at Newfound Gap. Holly Kays photo

hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it’s off to the races!”

RETURNING TO A BACKLOG The Smokies and the Parkway fared better than many other national park units left unattended during the shutdown. Due to winter weather in the weeks leading up to the shutdown, the Parkway was closed along most of its length in Western North Carolina save the Asheville commuter section. While the Smokies continued to receive a steady stream of visitors over the past month, January is typically one of its lowest-visitation months.

Because the park had a pre-existing trash removal contract in place with a private company, overflowing trashcans were not a problem. That, coupled with volunteer cleanup efforts and funding from park partners and recreation fees to keep some restrooms open, kept the park largely clear of any massive waste issues.

But that doesn’t mean that the shutdown’s end is simply a return to business as usual.

There are myriad tasks that park staff should have been working on for the past five weeks that are now on backlog.

“They cannot instantaneously complete all the work they would have done in the last 34 days,” said Laurel Rematore, executive director for the Great Smoky Mountains Association, on Jan. 24. “We are definitely going to be seeing impacts to visitor services this summer. I am predicting the Park Service will have difficulty hiring enough interns and seasonals to provide the entire array of visitor services that are normally available.”

The Smokies has about 190 year-round employees and the Parkway about 150 — but seasonals, who typically come to work

between March and May and leave after the fall season, are essential to providing lengthened visitor center hours, increased educational programming and visitor information in the busy summer and fall months. The Smokies hires about 80 seasonal employees and the Parkway 125.

In a typical year, hiring would have already been well underway, with some positions already filled and others advertised on USAjobs.com. The shutdown has stalled that process, and Rematore expects that the other governmental offices that support Park Service hiring processes — such as the Office of Management and Budget and the Human Resources Operational Services — will be so far behind due to the shutdowninduced backlog that they’ll struggle to meet the need fast enough.

“They’re going to be absolutely inundated because all of the parks are going to be trying to get their people hired instantly,” said Rematore. “It’s going to be very interesting here once the park reopens and once it’s fully staffed. That’s not interesting in a good way.”

The high-elevation portions of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western North Carolina are often closed much of the winter, as the road is subject to ice and snow that’s absent from the lower elevations. But a parade of winter weather and wind events over the past month will likely increase that challenge as newly returned Parkway employees work to assess conditions and clear obstacles along the length of the 469-mile road.

“Employees along the entire Blue Ridge Parkway are glad to be back at work,” said Superintendent J.D. Lee. “We are so grateful to the committed Parkway staff, partners and neighbors that supported the Parkway during the lapse in appropriations. We had several weather events before and

F

Friends of Panthertown Valley is looking to hire a part-time trail crew leader to help maintain the 30 miles of trail weaving through the valley.

The crew leader will be responsible for assigning, coordinating, managing and training volunteers to complete monthly trail

Grief Support Luncheon Held monthly on the first Friday at 12 pm.

outdoors

Work for Panthertown

maintenance, special projects and conservation work. The position has flexible hours but should average 10-20 hours weekly or 4080 hours per month, with some weekends.

Physical, on-the-ground work is required and some work can be done remotely.

Hourly pay will be dependent on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Application deadline is Feb. 15. Send resume, cover letter and three professional references to Friends Director Jason Kimenker at friends@panthertown.org.

More information is online at www.panthertown.org/job.

RSVP to 452-5039

Law enforcement day coming to Cataloochee Cataloochee Ski Area will offer reduced rates for law enforcement personnel and their families on Thursday, Feb. 7, and Friday, Feb. 8.

Personnel should present a valid ID to receive the discount. Cataloochee is located on Fie Top Road in Maggie Valley. www.cataloochee.com.

A family enjoys a hike on Alum Cave Trail during the partial government shutdown.

Holly Kays photo

Rematore’s organization has a particular interest in any development that could restrict operating hours for park visitor centers. GSMA operates bookstores within each of the park’s visitor centers, with proceeds from those sales supporting park needs — GSMA’s budget, therefore, is largely dependent on visitor center hours.

During the shutdown, the organization lost about $26,000 in store sales, the profits of which would have been invested right back into the park.

However, due to lessons learned from the 16-day shutdown in 2013, GSMA established a reserve fund that allowed it to protect its planned $1.3 million in 2019 dona-

Call 452-5039 for info 43 Bowman Dr, Waynesville All services are free.

Smoky Mountain News

IMPACTS TO PARK PARTNERS

tions to the park and to continue to pay its bookstore staffers who were unable to work during the shutdown. But, those reserves have a limit. If the shutdown were to resume in February, there’s no guarantee the organization could continue to maintain its current staff and funding plans.

“Downstream we’ll have to make adjustments,” Rematore said. “We may not have the same number of staff members this time next year, or we may not be making a cash contribution commitment to the park next year that’s the same as this year, because if we don’t have the money we can’t give it to them.”

Friends of the Smokies is also expecting January’s shutdown to yield yearlong effects.

Earlier this month, Zanetti said, she had to withdraw Friends’ application for a $30,000 grant from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation that would have leveraged various other funds to yield $108,000 for the Seeking Paths in Nature Program, which teaches Cherokee children

An 8-week series designed to promote healthy grieving.

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

during the lapse that will continue to impact Parkway travel in the coming days and weeks. We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation as we prioritize work to provide access to this special resource.”

about the connections between Cherokee culture, history, the environment, plants and animals in the Smokies. The application was on track for approval, but the Preservation Foundation needed a few clarifying questions answered that required Park Service input to complete. The organization granted a three-week deadline extension, but even that wasn’t enough to outlast the shutdown.

“That really hurt because we spent so much time and energy on that, so that was unfortunate we had to do it. But we’re still in good standing with the Cherokee Preservation Foundation,” said Zanetti, adding that the Foundation has been “very cooperative” and “very understanding” of the situation.

Friends of the Smokies has pledged $2.7 million in support for the park in 2019, with projects ranging from radio system updates to road improvements to exhibit installations. Friends raises the money to fund these programs, and the park executes them — but Zanetti worries that the delay in hiring and backlog of maintenance tasks caused by the shutdown could mean that the Park Service won’t be able to execute all the projects Friends is offering to fund.

“Park staff might not be able to fulfill all the things we said we would provide money for due to the shutdown,” she said Jan. 25.

“When they get back to work, whenever that may be, they’re going to have a huge backlog of maintenance that hasn’t been attended to, just general work they have not been able to do, hiring seasonals which starts taking place now, and the park’s heavily dependent on seasonal workers. There’s just going to be a really big ripple effect.”

How big that ripple effect will be hinges on what happens when the current funding bill expires Feb. 15. A more stable funding plan is needed before things can truly return to normal, said Ward.

This short-term stop-and-go approach, she said, results in “this constant sort of terror of whether or not you can come to work and whether or not you’re actually going to get a paycheck. It’s devastating, not to mention the impacts to our park.”

Grief 101

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outdoors

Registration is now open for the 2019 Business of Farming Conference and Farmers Market Summit, to be held Feb. 23 in Asheville.

The conference will focus on the business side of farming, offering beginning and established farmers financial, legal, management and marketing tools to improve their farm businesses and make new professional connections. In addition to social media marketing, the conference will offer more than a dozen workshops led by innovative farmers and regional professionals covering community-supported agriculture, improving farmers market sales, hosting events on the farm and more.

The popular grower-buyer meeting will offer farmers the chance to meet oneon-one with local buyers who might purchase their products. New this year will be a farmers market summit and leadership training.

Registration is $75 before Feb. 1 and $95 afterward, with a discount for farm partners registering together. Organized by the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project. Register online at asapconnections.org or call 828.236.1282.

Two Waynesville businesses are partnering to offer the new Pint & Pollinator Tour, which will provide an opportunity to enjoy some of Asheville’s craft brew offerings

Get hands-on with botany One of the region’s greatest botanists will lead an excursion through a rare plant community in Macon County on Saturday, Feb. 9, through Coweebased Alarka Institute.

Ed Schwartzman will take the group to the Serpentine Barrens and then head back to Alarka, where students will learn how to identify the remains of species in winter, and in this rare plant community. $65 includes vegetarian lunch. Register at www.alarkaexpeditions.com/upcoming-events.

LAZOOM BUS TOUR! Cost: $45 Date: February 15 Departure time: 2:30 pm Ages 50 and up Call 456-2030 to sign up

WAYNESVILLE

PARKS AND RECREATION

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828.456.2030

while learning about the importance of pollinators. The tour will run from 1 to 4 p.m. every Friday in February and March.

Run by Waynesville’s Leap Frog Tours,

Two long-horned bees and a bumblebee feast on a sunflower. Spriggly’s Beescaping photo

Smoky Mountain News

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

Bees and beer go on tour

Learn the business of farming

the experience begins at the Asheville Museum of Science, where Spriggly’s Beescaping, also based in Waynesville, displays its Insect Exploration Station. The exhibit features a rotating series of interactive installations focused on the fascinating world of insects, and guests will receive a special lesson in bees and pollinators, along with seed bomb making.

After the museum, guests will check out nature exhibits, a short trail and more pollinator education at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center. The final stop will be Whistle Hop Brewing Company, where guests will receive a pint of beer from a selection including drafts that use fruit flavors and honey in the brewing process. The brewery stop will include a discussion of the many ways pollinators impact the food and beverage industry. The tour will conclude with transportation back to the museum.

Open to all ages, with tickets $85 for adults and $75 for children. Discounts available for active and retired military service. Reserve tickets at www.leapfrogtours.com or call 828.246.6777.

or email rlangston@waynesvillenc.gov

guests can take part in a festive Groundhog Chimney Rock State Park will host the Day craft and enjoy a hike along the park’s region’s biggest celebration of Groundhog TRACK Trail, the Great Woodland Day Saturday, Feb. 2.

Adventure. Families will enjoy several interAt 10 a.m., Greta the Groundhog will strut her stuff at the Animal Discovery Den, where she will emerge for visitors to view whether she can see her shadow. According to folklore, if she does see it there will be six more weeks of winter, while if she doesn’t spring will come early.

Following her seasonal forecast, Greta will also choose the winner of Super Bowl LIII. Last year, Greta Guests gather to watch Greta’s predicted six more prediction. Donated photo weeks of winter and chose the New England active stations and learn animal facts about Patriots to win Super Bowl LII. She wasn’t native woodland creatures along the trail. right on either count, but her record of preFor more about TRACK Trails, visit dicting both the coming spring and winner bit.ly/2Mu1Ffb. of the Super Bowl is currently one-to-one.

Free with admission.

After Greta’s time in the spotlight,

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Go birding at Lake Junaluska Birders check out wintering avians at Lake Junaluska during a walk Thursday, Feb. 7.

John and Cathy Sill of the Franklin Bird Club will lead this quest to get better views of wintering birds. The group will carpool from Franklin at 8 a.m., arriving at the lake around 9 a.m.

Sign up at 828.524.5234.

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Smoky Mountain News

the frigid waters themselves can help the cause.

Volunteer tasks include assisting with parking, directing people to registration, handing out brochures, registration, hanging signs, selecting the best costume and cleaning up from the event.

To volunteer, contact Christine O’Brien at christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com or 828.476.4667 ext. 11. To plunge, contact info@haywoodwaterways.org, 828.476.4667 or www.crowdrise.com/7thannualhwaplunge.

We want you to take a

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

Learn how to build a bird-friendly garden from an expert birder at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, in the Fellowship Hall of the Sylva Presbyterian Church.

Tom Tribble, who was named Audubon North Carolina’s 2018 Volunteer of the Year, will give the talk. The program is offered as part of the Sylva Garden Club’s regular monthly meeting. Visitors welcome, with no green thumb required.

Volunteers are needed to help with Haywood Waterways Association’s biggest fundraiser of the year, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 2.

The Plunge invites the adventurous to jump wholesale into an icy Lake Junaluska or to simply dip a toe in the cold water while raising money for Haywood Waterways’ environmental education efforts through the year to come. But even people who aren’t interested in contacting

We are pleased to announce the opening of our third location in Haywood County at 33 Bennett Street in Waynesville. We are located just off Brown Ave below Hazelwood Tire and beside Pioneer Supply. Thanks to our customers, we are the largest self storage provider in Haywood County.

828-648-0147 • HAYWOODSECURE.COM

Garden for the birds

Help with the Plunge

outdoors

Watch Greta the Groundhog predict the future

828.634.7813

Arboretum summer camp registration open Registration is now open for Discovery Camp at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville, with weekly camps available June 10 through Aug. 16.

Open to pre-K ages through rising eighth-graders, camps are based in the philosophy that young people benefit from experiences in the outdoors. Children experience a sense of adventure and wonder in the outdoors, generate an enthusiasm for exploration and leave with a better appreciation for environmental awareness, stewardship and conservation.

Camps tend to fill up quickly. Register at www.ncarboretum.org/education-programs/discovery-camp.

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WNC Calendar

Smoky Mountain News

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • First United Methodist Church of Sylva will host an Open Door Meal & Sing featuring the Joe Deitz Family Band at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30, in the church’s Christian Life Center. 586.2358.

• Volunteers will be available to assist with federal and state income tax preparation and filing from Feb. 1 until April 12: From 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays at the Jackson County Department of Aging and from 2:30-6:45 p.m. by appointment on Tuesdays at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Outside of appointments, help is available on first-come, firstserve basis. Library appointments: 586.2016. Info: 293.0074 or 586.4944.

• Greta the Groundhog will make her Groundhog Day prediction at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, at Chimney Rock State Park. bit.ly/2Mu1Ffb. • Concerned citizens will hold a discussion about anomalies of the recent California fires at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Includes conference call interview of a survivor of the Paradise Fire. Info: 800.736.3351.

• Cataloochee Ski Area will offer reduced rates for law enforcement personnel and their families on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 7-8, in Maggie Valley. Present a valid ID to receive discount. www.cataloochee.com.

• The 12th annual Father-Daughter Dance will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, in the Christian Life Center at First United Methodist Church of Sylva.

Advance registration: $30 per couple, $5 for each additional daughter. At the door: $45 per couple and $5 for each additional daughter. 586.2358.

• Southwestern Community College is seeking nominations for the SCC Foundation’s inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award. Nomination form is available at https://tinyurl.com/ycgrb6be. Nominations due by Feb. 11. Info: k_posey@southwesterncc.edu or 339.4227.

• The WNC Nature Center will open its red panda exhibit on Feb. 14 in Asheville. Two new resident pandas are named Leafa and Phoenix. Sponsorships start at $25, and symbolic adoptions start at $25. www.wildnc.org or https://tinyurl.com/ychgs9js.

• Registration is underway for the Region 8 Western Regional Science and Engineering Fair, which will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 20-21, at the Ramsey Regional Activity Center at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. The largest STEM event held in Western North Carolina. For grades 3-12. For info and to register: http://camps.wcu.edu (click on “Science Camps and Programs”) or 227.7397.

• Registration is underway for a survival challenge entitled: “Can you survive one month in poverty?” The NC Poverty Simulation Experience is from 1-4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at First United Methodist Church in Waynesville. Register: aensley@mountainprojects.org.

• Cashiers Area Chamber is seeking feedback to improve visitors’ experiences to the area. Take the survey at: tinyurl.com/y6w4uqyo.

• Registration is underway for Marriage Enrichment Retreats that will be offered three more times over the next year at Lake Junaluska. Led by Ned Martin, an expert in marriage counseling. Price is $699 per couple. Dates are March 10-12, Aug. 18-20 of 2019 and Sept. 29-Oct. 1 in 2019. Registration and info: www.lakejunaluska.com/marriage or 800.222.4930.

• Fontana Regional Library now offers anyone with a library card free access to eMagazines, for reading on any mobile device or computer. This new service joins our popular eBooks and digital audiobook`s selection

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

— all available 24/7 from the library’s digital collection. To get started enjoying digital magazines as well as eBooks and audiobooks, visit e-inc.overdrive.com or download the Libby reading app. www.fontanalib.org.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • The Jackson County Public Library in Sylva will be starting a monthly documentary series called “DocuWednesday” at 4 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month. The movies will be shown in the beautiful movie theater in the Community Room. At the end of each movie, the staff member who selected that documentary will lead a short discussion with the public. If you would like to know what movie will be showing each month, please email Benjamin Woody at bwoody@fontanalib.org to be placed on an email list.

The first showing will be “Disruption.” 586.2016. www.fontanalib.org.

• The Jackson County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 5:55 p.m. on Feb. 5 in Room A201 of the Justice & Administration Building in Sylva.

• Western Carolina University will offer a three-part “Retirement Planning Now” course from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 5, 7, and 12 at WCU Biltmore Park in Asheville.

Offered by WCU’s Professional Growth & Enrichment.

Registration fee: $79. Register: pdp.wcu.edu or 227.7397.

• Western Carolina University’s Free Enterprise Speaker Series will host author, entrepreneur and educator Jeff Percival, who will discuss building business success at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6, in Room 101 of the Forsyth Building. csfe@wcu.edu.

• Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment is accepting registrations for a “Better Communication Through Creative Play for Marketing and Sales Professionals” that will be offered from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 15, at WCU’s Biltmore Park location in Asheville. $99 (includes lunch). Register or get more info: pdp.wcu.edu or 227.7397.

• Registration is underway for a seminar entitled “Are You Ready to Start a Business” that will be offered by Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center from noon-2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at HCC’s Regional High Technology Center in Waynesville. Part of the “Are You Ready to Start a Business series. Room 3021. Register or get more info: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Registration is underway for a seminar entitled “How To Start a Business” that will be offered by Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center from 5:308:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at HCC’s Regional High Technology Center in Waynesville. Part of the “Are You Ready to Start a Business series. Room 3021. Register or get more info: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Haywood Community College’s Workforce Continuing Education Department is offering a wide variety of courses. For a complete listing: www.haywood.edu. Info: 627.4669 or rgmassie@haywood.edu.

• A Six Sigma Whitebelt training will be offered from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday, March 1, at Western Carolina University’s Biltmore Park in Asheville. Offered by WCU’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment; instructor is Dr. Todd Creasy, DM, MBA, MSc. Learn how to apply the five-step methodology of Six Sigma in product, process or service industries. Early bird registration: $249. After Feb. 1, cost is $279. For info and to register: pdp.wcu.edu or 227.7397.

• Evening classes for anyone wanting to obtain a high school equivalency diploma are offered from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays at Haywood Community College in Clyde. 627.4648.

• The Western North Carolina Civil War Round Table meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the HF Robinson Auditorium at the Western Carolina University Campus in Cullowhee.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • The Women of Waynesville will host a “Manly Man Auction” at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville.

• The Jackson County Democrat Party is holding a Federal Shut-Down Food Drive to assist the Community Table in feeding neighbors. Food and money accepted.

Drop-off points include the Community Table (9-11 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday), Jackson County Democrat Party Headquarters (10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2) and the Webster Family Resource Center (5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31).

• The Democrat Women of Jackson County will sponsor a Chili Supper from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31, at the Webster Family Resource Center in Webster. Tickets: $10 adults; $5 children. Proceeds benefit Community Table.

• The seventh annual “Plunge Benefit-t-ting Kids in the Creek & Environmental Education” from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Lake Junaluska beach near Waynesville. Volunteers also needed. Onsite registration starts at 10 a.m. $25 or free by raising sponsorships. Register: www.crowdrise.com/7thannualhwaplunge, 476.4667 or info@haywoodwaterways.org.

Info: haywoodwaterways.org/theplunge. To volunteer: Christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com, 476.4667, ext. 11.

• Tickets are on sale for Haywood Pathways Center’s inaugural Empty Bowls event, which is scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21, at HART Theatre in Waynesville. $25 per person. Attendees select a bowl handcrafted by local WNC potters and enjoy various soup tastings. Bowls go home with guests as reminders of the empty bowls in the community and warm hearts that work to fill them.

HEALTH MATTERS • A Diabetes Empowerment Education Program meets from 2-4 p.m. on Wednesdays from Jan. 30-March 6 at Haywood County Health and Human Services in Waynesville. Designed to help seniors work with their healthcare providers and use nutrition, exercise, stress management and goal setting to take control of their diabetes. To register: 356.2272.

• The Meditation Center will host a class in Reiki, an ancient form of natural healing, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Feb. 3 and Feb. 10, in Sylva. Cost: $125 donation. Info: www.meditate-wnc.org or 356.1105.

• “Your Amazing Newborn” class will be offered from 79 p.m. on Feb. 7, April 4, July 11, Sept. 5 and Nov. 7 at Haywood Regional Medical Center in Waynesville.

Focusing on abilities, behavior, appearance and reflexes of your new baby. Pre-registration required: MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses or 452.8440.

• “Breastfeeding A-Z” class will be offered from 7-9 p.m. on Feb. 14, April 11, July 18, Sept. 12 and Nov. 14 at Haywood Regional Medical Center in Waynesville.

Focusing on techniques for proper latching and comfortable positions for a baby and mom to get started.

Pre-registration required: MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses or 452.8440.

• Registration is underway for a “Treating Pain Safely:

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 Fewer Opioids & Better Results” – a controlled substances education opportunity for prescribers that will be offered from 5:30-8:45 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 18, at Swain County Hospital in Bryson City. Registration: https://mahec.net/event/57332. Info: https://tinyurl.com/y9ddjdp5.

• A “Preparation for Childbirth” class will be offered from 7-9 p.m. on Thursdays from March 7-28, June 627, Aug. 8-29 and Oct. 3-24 at Haywood Regional Medical Center in Waynesville. Pre-registration required: MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses or 452.8440.

• Jackson County Department of Public Health is offering diabetes self-management education as well as medical nutrition therapy. Info: 587.8240 or http://health.jacksonnc.org/wic.

• The Haywood County Senior Resource Center holds a dementia caregivers support group from 4:30-6 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday each month in Waynesville.

356.2800 or www.haywoodseniors.org.

• “Riding the Waves of Cancer” meets from 2:30-4 p.m. on Thursdays at the Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center. Physician referral from an oncologist or cancer doctor is required: Myhaywoodregional.com/yogaforcancer. 452.8691.

• Codependents Anonymous (CoDA) meets at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays at the Friendship House on Academy Street, behind and adjoining the First United Methodist Church of Waynesville. Group of persons desiring healthy and fulfilling relationships. 775.2782 or www.coda.org.

• The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donors due to an emergency shortage. To schedule an appointment or donate, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800.RED.CROSS. • The Jackson County Senior Center will offer a Caregiver Education Class at 10 a.m. on the third Monday of every month in the Board Room of the Department of Aging in Sylva. 586.5494.

• The Haywood County Dementia Caregivers’ Support Group has change the location of its meetings. The group will meet at the Haywood Senior Resource Center (81 Elmwood Way, Waynesville). The meetings are scheduled from 4:30 PM until 6:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday. 926.0018.

• Community First Aid and CPR classes are offered from 6-10 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at Haywood Community College in Clyde. Info: 564.5133 or HCC-CPRraining@haywood.edu.

• A support group for persons with Multiple Sclerosis as well as family, friends and caregivers meets at 6:45 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in the conference room of the Jackson county Public Library in Sylva.

293.2503.

• Nutrition counseling and diabetes education are offered through Macon County Public Health in Franklin.

349.2455.

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

• HIV and syphilis testing will is offered during normal business hours at Jackson County Health Department.

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

• “Laughing Balsam Sangha,” a meeting for Mindfullness in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, meets will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays at 318 Skyland Drive in Sylva. Included are sitting and walking meditation, and Dharma discussion. Free admission. 335.8210, and “Like” them on Facebook.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

356.2800.

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

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

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

• A monthly grief processing support group will meet from 4-5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Homestead Hospice and Palliative Care in Clyde. 452.5039.

• A free, weekly grief support group will meet from

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

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

• The Safekids USA/Blue Dragon Taekwondo School is offering self-defense classes from 9-10 a.m. on Saturdays. $5 per class. For females 14-older.

Classes are at 93 Jones Cove Road in Clyde.

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

RECREATION AND FITNESS • The High Mountain Squares will host their “Super Bowl Dance” from 6:15-8:45 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 1, at the Robert C. Carpenter Community Building in Franklin. Western-style square dancing, mainstream and levels. 787.2324, 332.0001 or 706.746.5426.

• Waynesville Yoga Center will host a “Rock Your Resolutions Master” class from 2-3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, in Waynesville. Topic is Power Vinyasa Flow, Meditation and Crystal Bowl. Cost is $20. Register or get more info: 246.6570 or WaynesvilleYogaCenter.com.

• Registration is underway for “Dance Tonight Waynesville” upcoming classes in Waltz and fox trot.

Classes are held from 6-7:30 p.m. on Mondays throughout February at Folkmoot. Cost: $10. RSVP: 316.1344.

• Registration is underway for “Dance Tonight Waynesville” upcoming classes. Classes are held from 3-3:50 p.m. (rumba, salsa); 4-4:50 p.m. (foxtrot, single-time swing); and 6-7:30 p.m. (waltz and foxtrot) on Tuesdays throughout February at Laurel Ridge Country Club. Cost: $10. RSVP: 316.1344.

• Registration is underway for “Dance Tonight Waynesville” upcoming classes in “East Coast Swing.” Classes are held from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays throughout February at Waynesville Wellness. Cost: $10. RSVP: 316.1344.

• Tai Chi & QiGong classes are being offered at 7 p.m. on Mondays at Angie’s Dance Academy in Clyde.

450.3741 or paul@pcasper.net.

• A Tai Chi for Arthritis, Level 1, class is being offered at 11:30 p.m. on Thursdays at Angie’s Dance Academy in Clyde. 450.3741 or paul@pcasper.net.

• A Tai Chi for Arthritis, Level 2, class is being offered at 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays at Angie’s Dance Academy in Clyde. 450.3741 or paul@pcasper.net.

• Tai Chi for Beginners is offered at 1:30 p.m. on Thursdays at Angie’s Dance Academy in Clyde.

450.3741 or paul@pcasper.net.

• Karaoke is happening at 8 p.m. on Saturdays at Harmon’s Den Bistro at HART Theatre in Waynesville.

• The Maggie Valley Wellness Center is offering two yoga classes from 9-9:55 a.m. on Wednesdays through March: Gentle Flow with Candra and Gentle Vin Yin with Jamie. 944.0288 or maggievalleywellness.com.

• A wide variety of yoga classes are offered daily through the Waynesville Yoga Center. For updated, current listings, visit: http://waynesvilleyogacenter.com/class-schedule.

• Pickleball, a cross between tennis, badminton and ping-pong, will be offered from 9 a.m.-noon on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Old Hazelwood Gym in Waynesville. $3 per visit, or $20 for a 10-visit card.

452.6789 or iansmith@haywoodcountync.gov.

• Yoga classes designed specifically for those who have experienced trauma are being offered at the Fitness Connection in Waynesville. www.sonshineyoga.com.

• Tai chi is offered from 10:45-11:45 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center. It’s also offered from 1-2 p.m. on Thursdays. Taught by Bill Muerdter. For info about the classes or HRHFC memberships and offerings, call 452.8080 or visit MyHaywoodRegional.com/Fitness.

• Ultimate Frisbee games are held from 5:30-8 p.m. on Mondays at the Cullowhee Recreation Park.

Organized by Jackson County Parks & Recreation.

Pick-up style. 293.2053 or www.rec.jacksonnc.org.

• Pickleball is from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday nights at First Methodist Church in Sylva. $1 each time you play; equipment provided. 293.3053.

• The Canton Armory is open to the public for walking from 7:45-9 a.m. on Monday through Friday unless the facility is booked till spring. 648.2363. parks@cantonnc.com.

POLITICAL • Down Home Haywood holds its monthly community meetings at 2:30 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month at Canton Presbyterian Church. Tackling issues like healthcare, wages, housing and more. chelsea@downhomenc.org.

• The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department is now offering pickleball on four indoor courts from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Equipment provided; free for members or daily admission for nonmembers.

456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

• ZUMBA! Class with Monica Green, are offered from 6-7 p.m. on Monday & Wednesday, at the Canton Armory. $5 per class. 648.2363 or parks@cantonnc.com.

• ZUMBA is offered at First United Methodist Church in Waynesville on Thursdays at 6 p.m. with Patti Burke. Check Facebook page Patti Burke Zumba Students for additional information such as holiday or weather related cancelations. $5 per class.

• There will be several ballroom and Latin dance classes offered on Sundays and Mondays at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. Classes for beginners, intermediate and all levels. $10 per class. For more information, click on www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Flow + Center Yoga is offered from 9-9:55 a.m. on Wednesdays at Maggie Valley Wellness Center.

944.0288 or maggievalleywellness.com.

A&E FOOD & DRINK • Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville will host five for $5 Wine Tasting from 5 to 9 p.m. on Jan. 31 and Feb. 7.

Come taste five magnificent wines and dine on Chef Stacy’s gourmet cuisine. 452.0120 or www.waynesvillewine.com.

•Monday TGI Monday (Thank Golly it’s Monday) Spanish Wine Sale & Tasting at Bosu Wine shop. All Spanish wine 15% off and sample of staff favorite between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. 452.0120 or www.waynesvillewine.com.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 1-5 p.m. on Feb. 2 and Feb. 9 at Bosu Wine Shop in Waynesville.

452.0120 or www.waynesvillewine.com.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Feb. 2 and Feb. 9 at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. www.papouswineshop.com or 631.3075.

• Reservations are being accepted for a Valentine’s Day Dinner and a to see “An Affair to Remember” at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 14 at The Strand in Waynesville.

454.5400.

• Leap Frog Tours and Spriggly’s Beescaping will offer the “Pint & Pollinator Tour” from 1-4 p.m. every Friday in February and March. $75 Tour starts at Asheville Museum of Science and ends at Whistle Stop Brewing Company. Cost: $85 for adults; $75 for children.

Tickets include educational talks, seed bombs, museum admission, one drink and transportation.

Leapfrogtours.com or 246.6777.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • Highlands Performing Arts Center will have dinner theater performances scheduled on March 21-23 and 28-30; and the full-length play “Calendar Girls” by Tim Firth, set for May 23-26 and May 31-June 2.

Highlandscashiersplayers.org.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host an open mic night at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday. www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• The Haywood Arts Regional Theatre will present the international debut of “Bop and Evey” by Irish actor and musician Caoimhin O Rian at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 1-2 and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 3. Tickets: $13 for adults; $7 for students. Reservations: 456.6322 or www.harttheatre.org.

• City Lights Cafe will host Nikki Forbes on Feb. 2 in Sylva. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.citylightscafe.com or 828.587.2233.

• The Highlands Performing Arts Center will present the MET Opera’s production of “Carmen” at 12:55 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, in Highlands. Tickets: www.highlandspac.org or at the door.

• Bluegrass act Balsam Range will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

• Tickets are on sale now for National Theater’s production of “Hamlet” which will • The fifth-annual Western Carolina University Low Brass Festival is set for Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 2-3, at Coulter Building recital hall in Cullowhee. Featured guest is trombone soloist Peter Steiner, former member of the Vienna State Opera and Vienna Philharmonic. 227.7242.

• “Hamlet” will be screened as part of the Bardo Arts Center’s Sunday Cinema Series at 3 p.m. on Feb. 10 in Cullowhee. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch. $15 for adults; $10 for WCU faculty/staff and seniors and $5 for students. Arts.wcu.cinema or 828.227.ARTS. • Haywood Community Chorus, directed by Kathy Geyer McNeil, begins rehearsals for its spring season Monday, Feb. 4 in the Wilson’s Children’s Complex at Lake Junaluska. Registration at 6:15 p.m.; full chorus rehearsal is at 7 p.m. Membership dues: $30. Spring concert is May 5 at Waynesville United Methodist Church.

• Western Carolina University’s traditional music series will feature Cullowheezer at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7, on the ground floor of Noble Hall in Cullowhee. mhc.wcu.edu.

• Nashville Songwriters in the Round series will launch at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Folkmoot Center in Waynesville. Cost: $25 for adults; $12 for students. Info: www.folkmoot.org or 452.2997.

• Tickets are on sale for the inaugural Kiwanis Cabaret Variety Show, which is set for 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 17, at the HART Theater in Waynesville.

Proceeds benefit children’s programs in Haywood County. Tickets: $20 for adults; $10 for students. www.harttheatre.org.

Smoky Mountain News

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

• Gentle Vin Yin Yoga is offered from 9-9:55 a.m. on Fridays through November at Maggie Valley Wellness Center. 944.0288 or maggievalleywellness.com.

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

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

12:30-2 p.m. on Thursdays at the SECU Hospice House in Franklin. 692.6178 or mlee@fourseasonscfl.org.

wnc calendar

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) holds a support group for family, friends, and those dealing with mental illness on the 1st Thursday of each month in the 2nd floor classroom at Haywood Regional Medical Center at 6:30 p.m.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • The Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin meets at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31, at the First Christian Church in Franklin. Topic: gems of Brazil.

33

wnc calendar

• “Where does hatred originate? Fear, ignorance, jealousy or something else?” will be the topic of the Franklin Open Forum at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 4, at the Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub in in Franklin.

Dialog, not debate. 371.1020.

• Mad Batter Food & Film will host an Essential Oil Perfumery party at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6.

Learn about essential oils and make your own signature perfume in a beautiful crystal perfume bottle.

Each bottle of signature perfume is $10. RSVP by calling 246.2256 or emailing Wende Goode at goodeoils@gmail.com.

• “Whispers in the Cemetery: The Stones Tell All” is the topic of presentation for the Feb. 7 meeting of the Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society.

Meeting is at 6:30 p.m. on at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center in Bryson City. Directions and info: www.swaingenealogy.com.

• Local artist Joan Doyle will offer a Valentine Wine & Paint Art Class from 4-5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Haywood County Arts Council Gallery & Gifts in Waynesville. Sip a glass of wine while painting a Valentine heart. Cost: $25 for members; $30 nomembers. Reservations: 452.0593 or info@haywoodarts.org. HaywoodArts.org.

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019

• Local artist Denise Seay is offering a Valentine Quilt Block Art class from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Haywood County Arts Council Gallery & Gifts in Waynesville. Learn the basics of hand piecing, applique and quilting. Cost: $50 for members; $55 nomembers. Reservations: 452.0593 or info@haywoodarts.org. HaywoodArts.org.

Smoky Mountain News

• Western North Carolina Woodturners Club will meet at 10 a.m. on the second Saturday every month at the Bascom in Highlands.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES • The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) in Waynesville will be kicking off the new year with a variety packed show filled with the original art of 28 local artists.

The “2019 Juried Artist Exhibit” will run through Feb. 23. Each of the exhibiting artists went through an extensive jury process and are delighted to have their work in the gallery. The HCAC believes that original art by local artisans can be both affordable and collectable. www.haywoodarts.org.

• The exhibit “Outspoken: Paintings by America Meredith” will be on display through May 3 at the Fine Art Museum Gallery B in the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University. The WCU Fine Art Museum is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. Free parking is available on site. www.facebook.com/americameredithart.

• Botanist Ed Schwartzman will lead an excursion through a rare-plant community on Saturday, Feb. 9, in Macon County. Offered through Cowee-based Alarka Institute. $65 includes vegetarian lunch. www.alarkaexpeditions.com/upcoming-events.

• The Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at Bardo Arts Center is pleased to present the School of Art and Design Faculty Biennial Exhibition 2019, on display through May 3. All WCU Fine Art Museum exhibitions and receptions are free and open to the public.

For further information, visit arts.wcu.edu/biennial or 227.3591.

• Local artist Francoise Lynch will demonstrate oilpainting techniques from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, at the HCAC Gallery & Gifts in Waynesville.

452.0593, info@haywoodarts.org or HaywoodArts.org.

• The Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at Bardo Arts Center will have a yearlong exhibition on “Defining America” through May 3 in Cullowhee. Info: 227.ARTS or bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

• The Haywood County Public Library is offering online lifelong learning courses in over 30 subject areas, many of which offer continuing education units, through Universal Class. Free for library cardholders. www.haywoodlibrary.org or 452.5169.

• One Heart Singing’s winter term is through April 10 at 89 Sierra Lane in Franklin. No audition or need to read music. Try two sessions before committing. Meets from 6:30-8 p.m. on Wednesdays. Info: 524.3691 or 360.1920.

• A “Beginner Step-By-Step” painting class will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursdays at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. Cost is $25 with all supplies provided.

For more information on paint dates and/or to RSVP, contact Robin Arramae at 400.9560 or paintnitewaynesville@gmail.com.

34

• A comedy improvisation class will be offered from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesdays in Haywood County. Led by improv teacher Wayne Porter, who studied at Sak Comedy Lab in Orlando and performed improv with several groups. To RSVP and get directions, call 316.8761.

• The Haywood County Arts Council and Haywood County Public Library are presenting works from the following artists at the following locations through March: Russell Wyatt and Ashley Calhoun at the Canton Library and Patty Coulter, Linda Blount, Jason Woodard and Molly Harrington-Weaver at the Waynesville Library.

• New artist and medium will be featured every month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

FILM & SCREEN • “The Hate U Give”, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 2 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free.

586.3555.

• “First Man”, will be shown at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 586.3555.

the United Community Bank in Sylva. Dinner costs $5 and is at 6:30 p.m.

• “Boy Erased”, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 31 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 586.3555.

• The Sylva Garden Club meets at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5, in the Fellowship Hall of Sylva Presbyterian Church. Guest speaker Tom Tribble’s topic is “Bird-Friendly Gardening.”

• “The Mule”, will be shown at 7p.m. on Feb. 1, 2 & 6 and 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. on Feb. 2 & 3 at The Strand on Main in Waynesville, 38main.com for tickets.

• A special showing of the 1993 release “Groundhog Day”, will be shown at 4 p.m. on Feb. 2 at The Strand on Main in Waynesville. $2, visit 38main.com for tickets.

• “Widows”, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 & Feb. 9 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free.

586.3555.

A special showing of the 1957 release “An Affair to Remember”, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 14 at The Strand on Main in Waynesville. $5, visit 38main.com for tickets.

• “Bohemian Rhapsody”, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 14. 6:30 p.m. Feb. 15 and 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 586.3555.

• John and Cathy Sill will lead a trip to look for wintering water birds and other species on Feb. 7 at Lake Junaluska. Sponsored by the Franklin Bird Club. Meet at Bi-Lo parking lot at 8 a.m. to carpool. Sign up: 524.5234.

• Registration is underway for the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s annual Business of Farming Conference, which is from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Feb. 23 at the AB Tech Conference Center in Asheville.

Cost: $75 before Feb. 1; $95 after. Register: https://asapconnections.org or 236.1282.

• Registration is underway for a winter-plant identification workshop that will be held on Saturday, Feb. 29, at Macon County’s Serpentine Barrens. Cost: $65 (includes lunch). www.alarkaexpeditions.com.

FARM AND GARDEN

Outdoors

• A recreational racing program for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities will run from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on non-holiday Saturdays through the end of the season. Cost: $10 for two runs or $20 for unlimited pass.

Lift ticket or season pass required. Register: www.nastar.com.

• Cataloochee Ski Area will hold night racing from 78:30 p.m. on Thursdays from through Feb. 14 in Maggie Valley. Open to ages 18-up. $15 to race; $35 for race and 6-10 p.m. lift ticket. www.cataloochee.com.

• The Asheville Winter Bike League offers rides weekly at 10 a.m. on Saturdays through Jan. 26. Structures, long winter road training rides. Bit.ly/2qS3YP8.

• A weekly fly-tying class is held from 6-8 p.m. every Wednesday at Outdoor 76 in Franklin. 349.7676.

• Registration is underway for an educational event about lichens that will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2, and offered through Alarka Institute in Cowee. Cost: $65 (includes lunch). www.alarkaexpeditions.com.

• Balsam Ridge Gallery and Haywood Waterways Association are hosting a post-Polar Plunge party and Groundhog Day celebration from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 44 N. Main Street in downtown Waynesville.

• The Tuckaseigee River Chapter No. 373 of Trout Unlimited meets at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at

• N.C. Cooperative Extension in Macon County is taking applications for participation in the 2019 Master Gardener Program. Receive 42 hours of training. Classes start in February. Info and applications: 349.2046.

• Macon County Cooperative Extension will hold a class offering five hours of continuing education landscape technical credits toward the landscape contractor’s license requirement from 8 a.m.-2:15 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31, at the Macon County Extension Center in Franklin. Preregister by Jan. 25: 349.2046.

• The annual Haywood County Extension Master Gardener plant sale is underway through Feb. 25.

Orders must be pre-paid. Pick up an order form at Cooperative Extension Office in Waynesville, call 456.3575 or mgarticles@charter.net.

HIKING CLUBS • Carolina Mountain Club will have a four-mile hike with a 750-foot ascent on Sunday, Feb. 3, at the Carl Sandburg Home in Henderson County. Info and reservations: 585.662.8047 or ron.navik@gmail.com.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have an 8.5-mile “Cantrell Lodge History Hike” with a 700-foot ascent on Saturday, Feb. 9. Info and reservations: 460.7066 or barbc129@gmail.com.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have a nine-mile hike with a 2,400-foot ascent on Sunday, Feb. 10, at Sassafras Mountain. Info and reservations: 505.2036, 408.887.3666 or daisytk@yahoo.com.

• Carolina Mountain Club will hold a 5.3-mile hike with a 1,000-foot ascent on Feb. 10 from Tanyard Gap to Hot Springs. Info and reservations: mwbromberg@yahoo.com.

Puzzles can be found on page 38 These are only the answers.

PRIME REAL ESTATE Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

LEGAL NOTICES

MarketPlace information: The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 every week to over 500 locations across in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties along with the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. For a link to our MarketPlace Web site, which also contains a link to all of our MarketPlace display advertisers’ Web sites, visit www.smokymountainnews.com.

Rates:

■ Free — Lost or found pet ads.

■ $5 — Residential yard sale ads, ■ $5 — Non-business items that sell for less than $150.

■ $15 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2.

If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type.

■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad or colored background.

■ $50 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold.

■ $375 — Statewide classifieds run in 170 participating newspapers with 1.1+ million circulation. Up to 25 words.

■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

Classified Advertising: Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 classads@smokymountainnews.com

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• Rob Roland - rroland33@gmail.com

The Smoky Mountain Retreat at Eagles Nest • Tom Johnson - tomsj7@gmail.com • Sherell Johnson - sherellwj@aol.com

smokymountainnews.com

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised on equal opportunity basis.

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TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com 37

WNC MarketPlace Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019 www.smokymountainnews.com 38

SUPER

CROSSWORD

CONTINUING ED ACROSS 1 Shred 6 To another country 12 Buster Brown’s dog 16 Mexican article 19 University of Maine’s city 20 News anchor Katie 21 Arduous task 22 Not be idle 23 Discoverer of Uranus ... and “The Office” co-star 26 Spoil 27 “Orinoco Flow” singer 28 Sea, to Luc 29 Buenos -30 Commanded 31 PCs on planes, often 33 Long-range German gun of WWI ... and “Apollo 13” Oscar nominee 37 Letter #3 38 Bern’s river 39 To the extent that 40 1975 Wimbledon winner ... and “Shape of You” singer 47 German article 48 U.S. architect I.M. 49 Pet treaters 50 Slaughter with a bat 52 Abnormal plant swelling 56 Schindler with a list 58 Deputy of an envoy ... and old CBS variety show host 63 Ballpark gate 64 Explorer Hernando de -65 Rose color 66 Klee output 67 Bistro bills 68 Olay product ... and

“My Cup Runneth Over” singer 73 Sheriff Andy Taylor’s tyke 74 Coach Parseghian 75 -- polloi 76 “T.N.T.” rock band 77 Game venue 78 Officer played by Phil Silvers ... and 1970s-’80s New York City mayor 84 2006 Sacha Baron Cohen film 85 Nobelist Arafat 86 Celine of song 87 Many a repo 89 Poetic form 90 Holiday drink 92 Left-leaning slant ... and “Lou Grant" star 97 “Hips Don’t Lie” singer 101 -- Grey 102 Special span 103 Large, hooded snake ... and “60 Minutes” reporter for 26 years 107 Cited as evidence 111 Ship sailing past sirens 112 “-- Less Ordinary” 113 Suffix with 66-Across 114 Liquefy 115 Rolodex no.

116 Money from investments ... and Reagan cabineteer 121 Previous to 122 Jib holder 123 “No clue” 124 Whoop it up 125 Berlin-to-Prague dir.

126 “-- girl!" (“All right!”)

127 Unboastful 128 Pastoral verse

DOWN 1 Disk at the end of a spur 2 “Three Sisters” sister 3 61-Down producer 4 Open, as a shutter 5 Luau paste 6 Peaks 7 Nobelist Niels 8 Long to undo 9 NHL’s Bobby 10 “-- for Alibi" 11 1983 Mr. T comedy 12 “-- is human ...”

13 Bays, e.g.

14 Detective, slangily 15 Suffix with priest 16 Hedy of film 17 National park in Maine 18 Italicize, e.g.

24 Electrical current unit 25 Move quickly 30 Soccer star Chastain 32 Body of work 33 “Harrumph!”

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44 Classic car 45 Actress Blyth 46 Turndowns 51 “Of course!”

53 1996 role for Madonna 54 Steeping sauce 55 Snacker on termites 57 Capone and Unser 59 Dupe

60 Plus more: Abbr.

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69 Caring 70 Martin Luther opponent Johann 71 Hoopla 72 Actress Mitzi 73 Gold, in Italy 75 Daring 77 On deck, say 79 Tree with fan-shaped leaves 80 Up to, in ads 81 Young male, in hip-hop 82 Having five sharps 83 Central point 88 Joined with 91 React to, as a bad pun 93 Moray, e.g.

94 “Norma --” 95 Suffix with compliment 96 Fried quickly 97 Glides on ice 98 Job opening fillers 99 He directed “Life of Pi” 100 Most adept 104 Gaucho rope 105 Mali’s cont.

106 Kin of khaki 107 Natty tie 108 ‘Vette, e.g.

109 Atelier tripod 110 Reflect (on) 113 Rural hotels 116 Thurman of “Prime" 117 Tokyo, once 118 Fizzling thing 119 Opal finish?

120 Hosp. scan

ANSWERS ON PAGE 40

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Immature and mature bald eagles at Lake Junaluska nest.

Don Hendershot photo

The naturalist’s corner

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

Lake Junaluska eagles – do over? t appears the eagles that nested unsuccessfully last year at Lake Junaluska are back for another go at it. There have been reports of a pair doing a bit of remodeling at the nest and a pair (presumably the same one) has been seen interacting at the nest and in flight — both good signs of pair bonding.

Because of the nest’s proximity to humans, the pair piqued lots of curiosity and garnered quite a number of eagle watchers last year. Their human neighbors have been keeping a watchful eye on the nest all winter and have seen a number of interesting things. The ones that have intrigued me the most are the ones at the nest.

There was one report of three adults at the nest and reports of juvenile(s) and/or juvenile-adult at nest. I witnessed an interaction between an adult and a juvenile at the nest about a month ago. I have dug around a little, researching aspects of eagle behavior, but have found nothing that specifically addresses these encounters.

All of these interactions occurred during

I

the time of year when eagles are actively on the move. Eagles are facultative migrants — meaning northern nesters will move southward in the winter to find better foraging conditions. Eagles are, also, simply wanderers — especially juveniles and young adults.

The basic thought is they are looking for prime real estate; they will soon be setting up their own territories.

So my 1+1=3 theory is, with the eagle population booming across the southeast there are likely hundreds of bald eagles in the skies across the region on any given day during this seasonal wanderlust. Think about all the great eagle habitat around — Fontana, Douglass Lake, Lake Norman, the Little Tennessee, the French Broad and Pigeon rivers, etc.

Plus eagles have great eyesight.

Researchers believe a bald eagle can spot another eagle soaring from as far as 50 miles away. And eagle nests are large — they can be 6 to 10 or more feet across and 6 to 10 or more feet deep — probably easily spotted by a soaring eagle.

In addition, eagles are apparently curious creatures, so it’s easy to come up with a myriad of hypotheses: say, curious eagle sees nest and decides to get a closer look; one of

the nesting pair sees curious onlooker and decides to drop by and let said onlooker know, uh, this nest is taken, etc., etc., etc.

But the fact that two eagles were seen housecleaning and two have been heard and seen displaying courtship behavior bodes well for another nesting attempt this

year. While North Carolina is a southeastern state, bald eagle nesting times in the mountains coincide more with the northern U.S. nest building, so refurbishing in mid- to lateJanuary fits well; egg laying and incubation most likely from February to March — 35 days of incubation — hatching in late March to early April and fledging in May. The Lake J eagles definitely have a devoted (and hopefully watchful) core of human neighbors, and if fledging is successful this year the core will grow. I have my talons crossed once again!

(Don Hendershot is a naturalist and a writer who lives in Haywood County. He can be reached at ddihen1@bellsouth.net)

Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2019 Smoky Mountain News 39

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