SMN 03 01 17

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

March 1-7, 2017 Vol. 18 Iss. 40

Bryson City ConMet plant to close permanently Page 11 Webster author David Joy releases second book Page 24

CONTENTS

STAFF

On the Cover: Canton native William McDowell and his celebrity singer wife Gladys Knight traveled from Las Vegas to the dilapidated Reynolds High School in Canton on Tuesday to announce their fundraising plans to develop the segregation-era high school into a community center. (Page 9) Cory Vaillancourt photo

News Clampitt’s constituents walk away without answers ................................................ 4 National Register possible for Pigeon Street ............................................................ 6 Former SMHS principal will lead Catamount School .......................................... 10 ConMet plant in Bryson City to close ........................................................................ 11 Redesign unveiled for Sylva’s main commercial drag .......................................... 12 Chief vetoes impeachment legislation ........................................................................13 Franklin considers room tax hike ..................................................................................14 Haywood school board settles Central lawsuit ...................................................... 15 Jackson leaders debate cost of utility hookup fees ................................................16 Health News ...................................................................................................................... 19

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Opinion Let’s keep a little separation between God and politics........................................20

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David Joy releases second book ................................................................................ 24

Outdoors Assault on Blackrock sees record registration despite trail spiking ................ 34

The Naturalist’s Corner

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Q: What is an "AGvocate"

Smoky Mountain News

March 1-7, 2017

Answer: An "agvocate" is someone who advocates for agriculture. I didn't grow up on a farm, perhaps like some of you, I had been caught up in myths and inaccuracies, some romantic and some just negative, about farming. This was thanks in part to clever marketing by brands, watching fearmongering documentaries, and reading books and articles that perpetuated either romantic or needlessly negative and inaccurate views about agriculture.

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Clampitt’s constituents walk away without answers

My own journey to learn more about agriculture started about 4 years ago when I started reading about agricultural techniques and visiting farms and talking to farmers like William Shelton of Whittier. I found myself asking lots of questions and then began writing about my experiences and observations that turned into articles and blog posts.

Along the way I stopped trying to classify farming methods as good versus bad and learned about the gray areas: - that many conventional farmers were using organic methods - that many organic and conventional farmers were using the same pesticides - that some organic farmers were also growing conventional crops and planting GMO seeds, depending on what their markets required - that many farmers had adopted GAPs (Good Agricultural Practices) to protect soil health, water quality and workers and ultimately consumers.

I also began to see that often those that were the most dogmatic and negative about our food system were not the farmers but the "eaters", and even more so the marketers whose motive was often to try and sell me a particular product or brand.

I quickly discovered how much farmers of all sorts care for their land and natural resources and how hard they work to bring us safe and affordable food.

I am pro-farming...I am an "AGvocate" and I want to say thank you to the farmers in our region and across our nation who grow the food that nourishes us.

Rep. Mike Clampitt, R-Bryson City, listens to constituent concerns on Feb. 24 during his first town hall meeting in Haywood County. Jessi Stone photo

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR ewly elected Rep. Mike Clampitt was asked some tough questions during his first constituent meeting in Haywood County last Friday, and the crowd was not satisfied with his answers — or lack thereof.

The Bryson City Republican faced a crowd of more than 60 people at the Haywood County Historic Courthouse Friday afternoon. A majority of attendees were part of the WNC Progressive group that formed following the November election. Many of them came with “Disagree” signs to quietly express their differences of opinion with Clampitt while others were disruptive with hissing sounds, banging loudly on the wooden pews.

Several law enforcement officers were on standby and had to ask some people to quiet down or they would be asked to leave.

Several speakers gave Clampitt praise for holding a town hall meeting at a time when other North Carolina congressmen are being accused of avoiding any public appearances during their first session break. However, they also didn’t shy away from putting him on the spot and repeating questions when his reply did not answer the question that was asked.

“Clampitt refused to answer any of the questions. He has not considered any current issue before the legislature, even when he has co-sponsored the bill,” said Katherine Bartel after the meeting. “He will ‘do his research and consider it’ once the bill is before him, but not in time to speak to his constituents about it.”

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PROGRESSIVE CONCERNS Retired Naval officer Bob Maples questioned Clampitt’s stance on gun rights. He wants to see more regulation and controls over who can carry weapons and where.

“People should not conceal carry in church or school,” he said.

Clampitt responded by telling an anec-

dote about a time when he was fire captain of a station in Charlotte that got robbed at gunpoint in the middle of the night. When the gunman was asked why he chose to rob a fire station, Clampitt said the man replied that he knew fire stations were gun-free zones.

“You couldn’t have guns at the station — that just advertises to criminals that it’s OK to rob,” Clampitt said.

Kenneth Weaver was overcome with emotion as he took to the microphone to talk about racism, immigration and the discrimination that he has faced throughout his life.

As he struggled to continue speaking through tears, Clampitt joined him at the mic to encourage him to continue.

“I was raised by a racist but I’m not a racist. I was bullied in high school because I’m gay — and I’m no longer afraid to say that,” Weaver said as the crowd cheered for him.

He went on to say undocumented workers were a crucial part of the community and shouldn’t live in fear of being deported and separated from their families.

“They came to this country to make a better life for themselves and they’re being treated like garbage and it disgusts me,” Weaver said. “How is North Carolina going to help and not hurt these people?”

After asking the audience if they would ever drive without a license, Clampitt maintained that deportation was up to federal agencies and not in his legislative purview.

“ICE is federal — I’m focused on Haywood, Jackson and Swain counties,” he said.

Natasha Bright circled back around to the immigration issue toward the end of the meeting. While deportation isn’t within his control, Bright reminded Clampitt that the effects filter down to a local level.

“Eventually these issues will be in your purview and we feel strongly about immigration,” she said. “We’re in your district and we will hold you accountable for protecting these people.”

Clampitt was quick to dismiss any federal related issues stating it was out of his pay grade, but he also wouldn’t clearly state a position on several local issues.

Myrna Campbell, chairwoman of the Haywood County Democrats, said Haywood commissioners recently approved a resolution asking its local legislative delegation to introduce a bill to make the tax collector an appointed position instead of an elected one.

Campbell said she understood Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, was willing to introduce

the bill, but Presnell and Clampitt wanted the question to be placed on the ballot for residents to decide. Because Haywood County is the last county in the state that still elects a tax collector, Campbell asked why Haywood needed to have a referendum to make the change.

Clampitt said he doesn’t put words in other legislators’ mouths and they shouldn’t speak for him. He said he hasn’t had any official communication from the county commissioners or county manager about the tax collector position and wouldn’t comment on his position until it comes up in the General Assembly.

On Monday, County Manager Ira Dove said the resolution and the official request for the legislators to act on the resolution would go out this week to the legislative delegation.

Moving on to another controversial statewide issue, Pat Robbins asked Clampitt about his stance on HB2 and whether he would support Gov. Roy Cooper's request for a full repeal of the so-called “bathroom bill” that requires transgender people to use the bathroom that corresponds with the gender on their birth certificate.

Clampitt replied by saying he understood Rep. Chuck McGrady, R-Hendersonville, recently introduced a bill to repeal HB2 but he hasn’t read or studied it yet. He would not elaborate on his position on the controversial bill.

“He did not answer my question or anyone’s questions directly,” Robbins said after

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March 1-7, 2017

ADDRESSING LOCAL ISSUES

Students from Western Carolina University hold up ‘Disagree’ signs during Rep. Mike Clampitt’s constituent meeting held in Haywood County last week. Jessi Stone photo

As Clampitt started to tell Curry there are plenty of reasons to be proud of being a North Carolinian, the crowd cut him off with loud chants of, “Answer the question!”

Clampitt replied by saying the state is now home to more than 100 solar farms and the number continues to grow.

“North Carolina has been a leader in renewable energy,” he said.

He was later asked about whether he supported fracking, to which he replied that he didn’t support it for his Western North Carolina counties, but didn’t say he was opposed to it in the rest of the state.

Jennifer Brown of Bryson City asked Clampitt if he would ever support transferring any public lands back to private ownership.

As someone who lives a mile from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, she said protecting those federal lands from encroachment was important to her and many others in the community. “[Clampitt] has not considered “Let me ask you something,” Clampitt said. “Are you familiar with any current issue before the the Road to Nowhere?” legislature, even when he has He went on to tell the audience about how the federal government co-sponsored the bill. He will seized thousands of acres of land from Swain County in the 1940s to create the ‘do his research and consider national park and flooded local comit’ once the bill is before him, munities and roads to create Fontana Dam. The federal government signed but not in time to speak to his an agreement to pay Swain County a $56 million settlement for not rebuildconstituents about it.” ing the North Shore Road — or the — Katherine Bartel “Road to Nowhere” — but has only made one $12 million payment since the meeting. “He said he hadn't seen the settlement was made in 2010.

Swain County commissioners filed a lawHB2.0/HB186 put forth last Wednesday as a compromise to full repeal. I told him I had suit against the U.S. Department of Interior read it online and it did not sufficiently last year in a last-ditch effort to get the settleremove discriminatory parts of the bill. Still, ment money. Even though it is a federal matter, Clampitt said he is “working passionately he gave no direct answers.”

Elise Curry of Waynesville told Clampitt to get that money for Swain County.”

Clampitt also said he is against adding she couldn’t say that she was currently proud to be a resident of Waynesville or North more designated wilderness areas within the Carolina because of the direction the state is national forests of Western North Carolina.

“I don’t want wilderness — it devastates going. She said she was mostly concerned about the environment — specifically the air, local economies,” he said. “It should be a park water and soil quality in North Carolina — for all to use, not just a select few.”

Clampitt wrapped up the two-hour meetand wants to see more priority for renewable ing by thanking everyone for attending and energies instead of fossil fuels.

“Very few residents can afford renewable encouraged them to call and email him with energy in their homes,” Curry said. “What concerns. Constituents can sign up for his newsletter by emailing will you do to support renewable energy in weekly clampittla@ncleg.net. our town, county and country?”

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Western Carolina University student Zack Daniels questioned Clampitt on climate change and asked him to elaborate on an earlier statement he made about the issue.

“You said ‘God controls the weather.’ Does that mean it’s not necessary to take steps to prevent climate change?” Daniels asked.

Clampitt said he does believe God controls the weather but also said he was a proponent of clean water and clean air quality.

“We all have a responsibility to the environment,” he said.

Clampitt was repeatedly asked about the impending repeal of the Affordable Healthcare Act and the Republican-led legislature’s unwillingness to expand Medicaid, but once again the new representative said he couldn’t control what Congress does or what happened in the N.C. legislature before he was elected.

Rhonda Schandevel of Canton — a Democrat who was unsuccessful in unseating Rep. Michelle Presnell, R-Burnsville, for the 118th District in the 2016 election — asked Clampitt what improvements he would make to the Medicaid system since Republicans have been quick to call the program “broken.”

“I won’t make promises I can’t keep,” Clampitt said. “But whatever comes to the Appropriations Committee, I will look at it.

The money is out there and I hope we can capitalize on that.”

Schandevel followed up by saying even though Clampitt can’t vote on the repeal of the ACA, a repeal without a replacement would affect the people in his district and could leave millions of people without the coverage they need.

“Speaking as a parent of a person with a disability, when you vote on these bills, just remember all these people who need this system,” she said.

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“Back then, you didn’t know if you were isolated or not. You grew up in an environment and learned to accept that environment. I didn’t know I was isolated because I didn’t know what isolation felt like — what you never have, you never miss.”

Faces and places from Pigeon Street’s past

— Phillip Gibbs

Smoky Mountain News

March 1-7, 2017

At the heart of the Pigeon Street community sits Jones Temple. Cory Vaillancourt photo

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER tanding in the parking lot of the Jones Temple AME Zion Church on Pigeon Street in Waynesville, Phillip Gibbs doesn’t look 71 years old.

Like much of the historically AfricanAmerican neighborhood that surrounds him, Gibbs’ appearance belies decades of experiences central to the culture of an oft-overlooked people.

That culture and those experiences are rapidly disappearing as the Pigeon Street community braces for change, both from within and without; yet the struggle to remember the faces and places from Pigeon Street’s past has only just begun — and not a moment too soon.

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Phillip Gibbs inside Jones Temple.

Cory Vaillancourt photo

THE OLD SPIDER

Pigeon Street begins at South Main Street and runs southeast, sloping downhill away from town and curving gently between rolling hills just east of the bustling tourism district, tracing a path across the county and back through time.

Gibbs was born and raised in the area — as were his parents — when segregation conspired with geography to keep the residents of Pigeon Street separate from the whites who populated the rest of town.

“Back then, you didn’t know if you were isolated or not. You grew up in an environment and learned to accept that environment,” said Gibbs. “I didn’t know I was isolat6 ed because I didn’t know what isolation felt

Americans dating back more than a century and where, according to legend, a spectral figure prowls late at night.

But that ghost story isn’t the only legend floating around Pigeon; in fact, much of the community’s history is shrouded in myth.

Little has been written about the area, and as older generations pass on and older buildings crumble, irreplaceable links to days gone by are vanishing like the ghost up on Dix Hill.

Gibbs — perched atop a wooden bench at one of several organs inside Jones Temple, sunlight streaming through stained glass — remembers a far more vibrant neighborhood than exists today.

“We had a little place down here when I was pre-teen, it was called the Old Spider,” he laughed. “It was a building across the street from where the Pigeon Community Center is now. That was our club. They would have music and they sold hot dogs and hamburgers and other stuff — bootleggers were rampant around here. That was our only actual club at that particular time. After it went away, we had a place moved in that was called Gentry’s Drive In and then it changed to June’s Drive In. And in that little strip on Pigeon Street, there were two or three clubs down there where the blacks used to gather.”

The 1954 Mullin-Kille city directory lists a “Blue Bird Café” at 513 Pigeon Street; a similar directory published in 1959 by the Hill Directory Company lists “Abe’s Drive In” at 517 Pigeon Street; and a 1962 version shows “Clark’s Drive In” at 515 Pigeon Street.

Those cafes are long gone.

SEPARATE, UNEQUAL like — what you never have, you never miss.”

Everybody in the small community known to some as “Scuffle” worked together, prayed together and stayed together, said Gibbs.

“We had our own schools, our own churches, our own little clubs. We were selfsupporting and self-sufficient,” he said. “The white people stayed in their neighborhood and we basically stayed in our neighborhood.”

That neighborhood, which runs along Pigeon Street, has been anchored by Jones Temple for as long as anyone can remember.

“Worship is a big part of who we were

and still are today. Black people like to come to the church together to not only listen and talk about who is in charge — which is our Heavenly Father — but we come here to pass information on to each other. It’s like a social gathering here. We not only come here to praise, we also come here to socialize, one to another.”

The church, which was moved from nearby Greenhill Cemetery, sits in the shadow of segregated Dix Hill Cemetery where weathered fieldstone markers high atop a mossy bald denote the nameless graves of African-

Sitting in a green velour recliner in her tiny, tidy home on the west side of town, Georgia Haley Forney will soon be 87 years of age, and likewise remembers the Old Spider, as well as growing up with her brother Phillip Gibbs in a Waynesville far different than that of today.

“We knew that we weren’t as welcome with them [whites] as with our own color,” Forney said. “Even going to the theater, I’d go to the westerns every Saturday — I love westerns — all the whites would be down below but we could see better than them because we were in the balcony.”

Gibbs added that they were

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March 1-7, 2017 Smoky Mountain News

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER pecial recognition could be coming to an overlooked quarter of Waynesville if a recently submitted grant application receives funding.

“This is an area that we haven’t done much research on yet,” said Waynesville Development Services Director Elizabeth Teague of the town’s traditionally AfricanAmerican Pigeon Street community.

One of the pillars of that community is Jones Temple AME Zion Church, located at the corner of Thomas Park yDrive and Pigeon Street for more than a century. Before that, -it stood in Greenhill Cemetery but was sold or donated to the congregation sometime in the late 1800s, and rolled or ddragged half a mile to where it sits today. e Verifiable details about the building — including rumors it may have served as a field hospital during Civil War skirdmishes around Waynesville — are hard to come by, some-thing Teague and town officials seek to remedy. e On Feb. 14, aldermen committed $4,000 in matching .funds toward a $10,000 grant request from the State Historic tPreservation office. , If funded, a study will be undertaken to identify other —structures and locations that were and are important to dWaynesville’s African-American community.

“What we’re hoping to do is bring in a historian or Iethnographer who can come and do documentation on ethis area and some of the architectural and cultural tresources of this neighborhood,” Teague said. “What we sfind may lead us to pursue National Register nominations Town Development Services Director Elizabeth Teague in front eof some structures.” of Jones Temple’s steeple. Cory Vaillancourt photo - The survey is just the first step in the process and will -give a preliminary indication as to the likelihood of National lRegister nomination; the area as a whole could also be contsidered as a historic district similar to Waynesville’s existing “What we’re hoping to do is bring in a historian or ethnographer who can dSpread Out Historic District along Walnut Street, and the come and do documentation on this area and some of the architectural and oMain Street Historic District downtown. n “If they do feel like it could qualify, then the next step cultural resources of this neighborhood.” swould be to do an actual National Register nomination, and — Elizabeth Teague, Waynesville Development Services Director that requires an even better level of detail and photography a l tforbidden to use the front entrance of the the- hamburgers and drinks and all this stuff, and sater and had to climb a fire escape to sit up the man went in and when he came back out top, where a man would eventually come with a big box in his arms, we pulled off. So he was stuck there with all that food.” around and collect their money.

Forney, too, remembers crossing the line He also recalls being bused to segregated Reynolds High School (see page 9) in the that divided black and white at the theater.

Learly 1960s, just as the civil rights movement “I had been in the front with some of the white kids. I had a friend and she’d grab my rbegan picking up steam. , “I remember even when I was in high hand and say, ‘Let’s go inside together’ and fschool, it came to the point that blacks start- she’d sit on my side, with me. So we broke ,ed rebelling for more equality, and the sit-ins that line a long time ago. Yes we did.”

Such personal acts of civil disobedience pand all these things happened,” he said. t Tired of having to order and receive food were about the extent of protest in segregated through a small cubbyhole in the back of a Waynesville; while the African-American popeMain Street restaurant called Charlie’s, Gibbs ulation of the town and Haywood County has ”and his high football team rebelled in the always been quite small, it continues to shrink.

“There wasn’t as much going on here as oonly way they could.

- “We had a little activity bus and we’d there was in larger places,” Forney said of activwswing through Charlie’s to get something to ity during the civil rights movement, “because eeat. The man would have to come out to the we didn’t have enough blacks to stand up.”

Gibbs (left) and Teague in Dix Hill bus to take our orders,” he said. “So one time we ordered hot dogs and french fries and cemetery. Cory Vaillancourt photo S EE PIGEON, PAGE 8

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National Register possible for Pigeon Street

and documentation,” she said.

From there, the nomination moves to a state committee, and then a federal committee, which makes the final decision.

Teague said that although property owners can realize a tax benefit if their homes become landmarks, the bigger picture is the benefit to the community as a whole.

“Waynesville, in particular, stays on people’s radar throughout the country because of its historic significance.

Historic preservation as a tourism tool is very important,” she said. “This has a tourism benefit, and an economic development benefit to the town as well.”

But none of that can begin until the grant awards are announced in May. “It’s a very competitive process, so we want to put together the best application possible,” Teague said. “Their interest was high, but of course these grants compete statewide.”

In the event Waynesville doesn’t receive the grant, it’s possible the study will be funded anyway; Teague said the town’s application to conduct a similar study of the Greenhill Cemetery was rejected in 2015 but the town ponied up the full amount — $5,700 — to complete it.

The study resulted in a nomination that passed the state committee and awaits the national committee, which should meet to review it sometime in March.

And even if the $10,000 Pigeon Street survey doesn’t ultimately result in any National Register listings, the information gained during the process will be more than worth the cost.

Primary sources of information on the segregation-era history of African-Americans in Waynesville are dwindling rapidly, and formal resources are hard to come by.

Capturing the history of the area in a systematic, academic manner would greatly bolster existing resources and serve as the basis for interpretive signage or public art that would most likely be placed in a proposed park just yards from Jones Temple on Cavalry Street.

“I appreciate greatly the Town of Waynesville’s commitment to historic preservation,” Teague said. “Our Mayor [Gavin Brown] said it best at the meeting when he said ‘I think it’s important that we include all of Waynesville.’ We don’t want to overlook this area, because it’s an important part of Waynesville.”

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“With our present president — I don’t really know because it shocks me, some of the things he says. I don’t hardly watch it anymore, it just bothers me so much,” she said. “It really does. I watched some of it last night and I just got so vexed that I don’t watch it no more.”

But in the basement of Jones Temple, it’s a different story; even as Western Carolina University Professor Dr. Benjamin FrancisFallon winds up his discussion by taking questions about U.S. immigration policy from the Asian Exclusion Act of 1924 through President Trump’s recent immigration ban, the Town of Waynesville is investing significant resources that could soon transform the neighborhood, starting right up the street from the church.

‘THE WATER WAS THE SAME’ At 86, Georgia Forney still remembers the segregated Waynesville of the 1950s.

Cory Vaillancourt photo

“I think our younger people don’t realize just how bad it was,” Forney said. “I tell my grandson and great-grandson, but they don’t believe that, because they haven’t been through what I’ve been through.”

— Georgia Haley Forney

March 1-7, 2017

PIGEON, CONTINUED FROM 7 The 1954 Supreme Court case Brown v.

Board of Education marked the beginning of the end for “separate but equal.” However, it took 20 years or more for the full implementation thereof to pervade the segregated South, during which time the Pigeon Street Community declined further, largely due to economic opportunity calling to poor Appalachian African-Americans — and whites — from the east and from the north.

“Most of our young people have had to move out of back here in Western North Carolina,” Forney said. “They had to go somewhere else to get a good job.”

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 3.3 percent of Waynesville residents identified as African-American in 2000. The 2010 census reports just 2.4 percent, or about 235 people.

Smoky Mountain News

VEXATION Chuck Dickson is the president of the local NAACP chapter, which sometimes meets in the cramped fellowship hall beneath Jones Temple.

Dickson is white, like 80 percent of those attending the Feb. 25 meeting and like every national president of the NAACP from its establishment in 1909 until 1975.

A projector connected to a laptop paints images and graphs on a heavily plastered basement wall just below the unnaturally low ceiling as a visiting professor talks to the group about Asian and Middle Eastern immigration.

Africans were among the first immigrants to North Carolina — albeit unwillingly — long before England jabbed her flag into the 8 sandy shores of Roanoke Island in the 1580s.

A collection of ramshackle lots astride nearby Calvary Street host the decaying husk of a former church.

Just yards from Jones Temple, the building’s doors have been ripped from their hinges and shattered windowpanes make walking a hazardous affair. Inside, an empty plastic bottle of rum lies gingerly near a faded bouquet of blue and white plastic flowers not far from where a pristine lectern still stands as though ready to address the rows of empty green seats.

The county acquired the lots through foreclosure a few years ago, and has entered into negotiations with the town regarding their future. The first order of business is the demolition of the structure, which has been a neighborhood problem for years.

Although the town’s plan to convert the lots to a park is not yet final, Gibbs — who sits on the town’s planning board — said he hopes it will be called “Obama-King Park.”

In a separate-yet-related effort, town officials recently authorized a grant application that would help fund a study of historically significant structures and resources in the

Pigeon Street community, perhaps shedding light on the facts surrounding Jones Temple, Dix Hill, the Old Spider and the other ghosts of Pigeon Street’s legacy.

“I think our younger people don’t realize just how bad it was,” Forney said. “I tell my grandson and great-grandson, but they don’t believe that, because they haven’t been through what I’ve been through.”

Forney speaks with the wisdom of a woman who’s lived through 70 percent of the 20th century — plus 17 percent of the 21st — and sipped from the colored fountains at Belk on Main Street.

“And the water was the same! I just never did understand all that,” she said.

Counterintuitive as it may sound, shedding tempered light on a painful past may reveal those forgotten, faithful memories of a place and a time that for better or for worse are gone but not quite yet forgotten.

“You’re not my white friend, and I’m not your black friend,” she said, remembering her young playmates. “You’re just my friend.

That’s just me. Am I wrong? I don’t know, but that’s just me.”

Her brother Phillip, locking up the doors at Jones Temple with Waynesville Director of Development Services Elizabeth Teague in tow, reflected on how those faces and those places from Pigeon Street’s past might coexist with the ever-bearing internal and external loads on Appalachian African-Americans.

“Blacks, whites, everybody needs to know that this was a very integral part of Waynesville, the black community,” Gibbs said. “Everybody knew where the black community was. They didn’t come here much except for the people that were looking to find bootleg whiskey or something, and that’s what used to happen. But this is all blacks that lived here, worked here, died here and are buried here up in our cemetery — buried on that hill right up there, because we couldn’t use the white cemeteries. That’s a part of history that everybody needs to know.”

A 1526 expedition by Spanish slaver Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon to the mouth of Cape Fear included several West Indian slaves.

Although America’s own peculiar brand of chattel slavery took hold in the eastern lowlands of North Carolina, the lack of largescale agriculture — and large populations — left the mountainous highlands of Western North Carolina with little need for labor and resulted in relatively substantial pro-Union sentiment compared to other parts of the state and the South.

The 1860 census listed 313 slaves and 61 slave owners in Haywood County, out of more than 5,800 residents. Likewise every county in North Carolina west of Burke had less than 25 percent of its population enslaved that year.

As Reconstruction gave way to Jim Crow and segregation, most African-Americans in Waynesville lived in the Pigeon Street Community, and mainly kept to themselves.

When the civil rights era dawned in the late 1950s, it was spurred on largely by organizations like the NAACP. “The mission of the NAACP is to put itself out of work,” Dickson said. “When we have a racially just society, then we won’t have any more concerns.

But unfortunately in this day and age racism is as abundant as it’s ever been.”

Georgia Forney also admits to being troubled by the current The interior of a soon-to-be demolished church on Calvary Street that has fallen prey to drugs and crime.

Cory Vaillancourt photo state of affairs.

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER dilapidated segregation-era high school in Canton purchased by a former stu— dent will become a $5 million community center by 2019 if the Reynolds High School Community Foundation meets its fundraising goals.

Entrepreneur and Canton native William McDowell — married to Motown legend Gladys Knight since 2001 — purchased the 20,000 square-foot building and adjoining 6.5 acres at auction for $80,000 in 2013, and judging from what they want to do with it, they’ll need every inch.

Through a spokesperson, the RHSCF announced in mid-February that the proposed Reynolds Community Center would provide childcare, exercise and performing f arts facilities, a food pantry, substance abuse counseling and, of course, musical instruction — no surprise given Knight’s multiple Grammy Awards and longstanding reign as “The Empress of Soul.”

The foundation’s articles of incorporation cite the historical restoration of the building f and establishment of a community center as chief goals, but the articles also state that the foundation intends to be active in “support-

A

A rendering of what the proposed Reynolds Community Center might look like. Donated photo. ing, granting money to, encouraging, financing or funding religious, scientific, charitable or educational institutions, or programs of superior merit.”

Although a similar effort went nowhere in 2014, Knight and McDowell appeared at a “kickoff ” event at the 87 year-old building on Feb. 28, where they further explained the goals of the foundation and charted a finan-

cial path forward.

Fundraising will be critical to achieving these ambitious goals; the county’s property record card lists the condition of the building — which since 1930 has sat on Reynolds School Road in the Gibsontown community southeast of downtown Canton — as “very poor.”

The foundation says that there will be

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER anton native William McDowell and his wife, celebrity songstress Gladys Knight, have big plans for McDowell’s old alma mater, Reynolds High School.

While they revealed those plans at a Feb. 28 press conference, The Smoky Mountain News sat down with Knight and McDowell for a deeper discussion about the past, present and future of their proposed $5 million community center.

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SMN: And once it’s complete, what do you want someone’s first impression of Reynolds Community Center to be?

Gladys Knight: I would like for it to be a safe haven, so to speak. You can get educated, taken care of. If you’re hungry you’ll get fed. You can learn here.

SMN: There are two storylines here I want to explore — one is of the young stu-

leave your community. Now, you get to have people come to your community, so you have pride in yourself. It builds pride in this community, that people are coming to your community to take part in something that’s in your community.

SMN: Your plans for the center are ambitious, but the building needs major work. I heard it through the grapevine that there may be some upcoming performances in support of the center.

BM: We’re going to look at Reynolds High School is in an advanced state of disrepair.

Cory Vaillancourt photo dates for the Civic Center in Asheville, and I want to do one out SMN: The other storyline is gated school as well, English Avenue School here at the football field as well. Wouldn’t about a dilapidated segregation-era school in Atlanta, but we want all cultures to come that be cool? I’d like to do one this summer reborn as a place meant to draw people here. All races of people. And it will be on a if we can. together. level that they will respectfully want to come.

BM: I never thought that the school was BM: To add to that, consolidation was SMN: Your press release also says you a divisive thing. I’ve always thought that was not voluntary. This will be. may involve some of your show business a societal thing we had no control over. So I family in efforts connected to the center. think when in 1966 they consolidated everySMN: We’ve come a long way since segWho are some people you are both close to thing, the hardest thing was for the older regation, but it’s clear we still have a ways to in that regard? people because those were the ones, like my go. How do you think the center will lead the GK: Everybody. For real. I have been so sister in the first graduating class of Pisgah, people of this community and bring them blessed. I’ve been in this industry for 68 she wanted to graduate here but couldn’t. I years, so I’ve had the greatest — from Ella got to start out in the third grade, so integra- together?

GK: By example.

Fitzgerald to Nat “King” Cole — they were tion was no big deal to me.

BM: What happens is, from this commu- my mentors. Bonnie Raitt is a good friend GK: This is an opportunity to re-meld all nity, for anyone to do anything you have to of mine. of those different cultures. I went to a segre9

Smoky Mountain News

Smoky Mountain News: What was your first impression of Reynolds High School?

Billy McDowell: I went to school here, first through the third grade, and it was bigger than life because I always looked up to all the people around here — the football players, we used to bring apples and sell them to them for a nickel. So to be able to go to school here was huge for me.

dent who eventually becomes the owner of an institution of his segregation. What do you think that says about how people can overcome challenges?

BM: That’s a hard question.

First of all, my wife mentioned in her talk that it starts with the parents. My grandparents raised me, and they always told me that I wouldn’t be here. For some reason, they know the children that are going to leave. And so, in my mind I loved this place but I knew that to get what I needed, I had to go and find it, and then come back here.

March 1-7, 2017

Reynolds Community Center to be a ‘safe haven’

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Gladys Knight, husband announce Canton community center

opportunities for community members to contribute to the renovation of the site by purchasing inscribed pavers or even naming rights to parts of the facility.

“Working with Gladys’ celebrity will add to the potential,” said RHSCF Executive Director Mike Finton. “If we were pursuing grants or federal funding, I think it would be very difficult and take quite some time.”

Although details are still scarce, Finton said he expected Knight would perform what he called “charity concerts” that would likely be held in the Asheville area, but could possibly be national in scope.

Finton, who comes to the position from Colorado, brings a project management and engineering background with experience in grant writing.

Architectural firm McMillan, Pazdan and Smith has been selected by the foundation to conduct needed renovations to the school, has worked on projects like the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota and Lee Hall at Clemson University.

Carleton Collins, an Asheville native, is expected to take the lead.

“This would mean so much in bringing our communities together,” said Canton Mayor Mike Ray. “Of course we’ve always been together in restoring history here in Canton and promoting it for all people.

History’s important, because we’re all moving forward as one community here in Canton, we’ve got a unique little town and neighborhood, so it’s very important.”

For more information on the Reynolds Community High School Foundation, visit www.rhs-foundation.com.

news

Former assistant principal will lead Sylva school

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he newly hired principal of the newly formed Catamount School in Sylva won’t be new to the environment at Smoky Mountain High School, where the Catamount School is to be located.

Bob Dinsdale’s last day as assistant principal at Asheville High School was March 1, but he spent the previous two school years as assistant principal at Smoky Mountain High School. When he heard about the job opening at the Catamount School, he lost no time in applying.

“It’s really one of those once-in-a-career chances to be there from the beginning to start things up,” said Dinsdale.

Dinsdale, 43, lives in Brevard with his wife and two kids, ages 8 and 11. He originally moved from Smoky Mountain to Asheville in order to lessen his commute, but said the job at Catamount School is so unique that they’re considering a move to Jackson County. He starts the new job March 2.

“I think that was a very good move on Western’s part, putting him in there,” said Mike Murray, superintendent of Jackson County Schools.

Before his hire as assistant principal at Smoky Mountain High in 2014, Dinsdale

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taught at Pisgah Forest and Brevard elementary schools in Transylvania County for 11 years. From 1997 through 2003, he taught at Northwest Elementary School in Davidson County.

Dinsdale’s experi-

required to open this August, with the second wave to open next August. The legislation gives a good deal of latitude as to how, exactly, the schools are set up but charges the university’s board of trustees with overseeing them and states that funding will

“It’s really one of those once-in-acareer chances to be there from the beginning to start things up.”

— Bob

ence includes teaching academically and intelBob Dinsdale. Donated photo lectually gifted classes, and coaching Science Olympiad, Battle of the Books and middle school basketball. He is a 1996 graduate of Bowling Green State University and earned a master’s degree in school administration from WCU in 2008.

The Catamount School is one of eight lab schools that the state legislature required the University of North Carolina system to start up in counties where at least 25 percent of the schools are designated as low performing. WCU is in the first wave of four schools

Dinsdale

come from the per-pupil payments the state gives to public schools.

WCU has pinned down some of the more important details of how the school will operate. It will be located in an unused wing of Smoky Mountain High School and serve students in grades six through eight, with a maximum of 25 students per grade. At maximum enrollment, three teachers and one principal will be hired, with WCU bringing the resources of its faculty and students to bear in order to enrich the classroom experience. Individualized teaching methods will be emphasized.

That last part is a big chunk of what attracted Dinsdale to the job.

“This is a chance to bring together the best that Jackson County Schools has in terms of resources and the best that Western Carolina has,” he said. “Not too many schools are going to be able to have an endless supply of people involved in education and training in education to find a way to get in touch with these kids, whatever they may be struggling with.”

Dale Carpenter, dean of WCU’s College of Education and Allied Professions, has been excited about that as well.

“We’re having a ball just thinking about all the possibilities of the things we can do,” he told university trustees during a committee meeting Feb. 23.

That doesn’t mean that there’s no uncertainty in the undertaking. There’s no blueprint to follow for this sort of thing, and there’s not a lot of time to figure it out.

“There are two concerns we really have,” Carpenter told trustees. “One, we would have liked to have had another year to plan for this. The second is we don’t know the timing of the funding and the amount of the funding.”

However, he said, with some of the big decisions made they’re now down to hashing out the “nitty gritty details.”

“We feel pretty good about it so far,” he said.

Smoky Mountain News

March 1-7, 2017

Jackson homeless shelter receives $23,400 in emergency funding

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER The population of folks in need of overnight housing has been increasing in Jackson County, prompting Jackson Neighbors in Need to ask commissioners for $23,400 to help them shelter higher-than-expected numbers of people through the end of March.

So far this winter Neighbors in Need has sheltered 67 people, 24 of who were children, Marilyn Chamberlain of the Southwestern Child Development Commission told commissioners Feb. 20. Last year, Neighbors in Need ended March with a count of 60 people sheltered that winter, 19 of who were children.

“You can see we are over,” she said. “I have made calls to other counties, and that is consistent across counties.”

Issues with getting into affordable housing have been the culprit, she said. The process has become slower in recent

years.

Commissioners voted unanimously to grant the money, but the decision was just one more chapter in Neighbors in Need’s ongoing struggle to remain solvent while meeting the need that’s out there.

For years, the organization has grappled with the idea of establishing a permanent location, with multiple attempts to purchase property falling through. Currently, Neighbors in Need shelters its clients at a local motel, a costly undertaking. Rates run $70 to $75 per night.

As this winter began, Neighbors in Need board members made it clear to commissioners that, while they expected their funds would carry them through the winter, they couldn’t continue to operate under the current arrangement.

Commissioners then resolved to appoint a task force that would study the issue and determine how the county could best partner with Neighbors in Need. However, no such task

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force has yet been appointed.

The Neighbors in Need board is not unanimous as to whether it should establish a brick-and-mortar shelter but agrees that the five-months-a-year endeavor needs to be yearround, with a permanently employed case manager.

Currently, the case management position is funded on a yearto-year basis through grants. This winter, it was December before Neighbors in Need was able to get someone hired and on the job.

This is not the first time that Neighbors in Need has needed a late winter bailout from commissioners. In February 2016, the organization requested $15,000 to get it through the year. But this year’s ask — $23,400 — was substantially larger.

Chamberlain told commissioners she based the request on a gradual decrease from current demand as spring approached.

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ConMet closes in Bryson City

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Smoky Mountain News

the Beaverdam Industrial Park near Exit 33 off Interstate 40, has more than 400 employees and is one of Haywood County’s remaining manufacturing industries.

ConMet broke ground in 2013 on a $5.9 million expansion to the Canton facility to consolidate some operations out of Arden and add another 80-plus jobs.

While Haywood County has been able to offer ConMet some economic incentives for expansion in Canton, Swain County isn’t in a financial position to offer any assistance to ConMet. On the other hand, Mills said ConMet never asked the county for anything either.

“Knowing we don’t have any local incentives, they’ve never asked anything from us,” he said. “On a positive note, ConMet has been instrumental in helping us develop our mechatronics program in the schools, which has been a great asset for us.”

Mills said he now has a year before ConMet shuts down to begin the process of figuring out how to best market the building to other potential industries. Swain doesn’t have any existing industries looking for 300,000 square feet of expansion space and finding a good match for the aging building will be a challenge. Mills said upgrades to the building are needed, but would need to wait until a promising tenant comes along with particular specifications.

BUY 1 YEAR OF CONTACTS

March 1-7, 2017

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR onsolidated Metco, a designer and manufacturer of commercial vehicle truck components, has announced that it will close its Bryson City plant permanently by Feb. 1, 2018.

The Bryson City plant, which began operation in 1995, currently employs about 230 hourly workers and 40 salaried workers. According to a press release sent out Monday, Bryson City’s plastics facility operations will be transferred to ConMet’s Canton plant and about 125 Bryson City employees will be given the opportunity to transfer to Canton, 50 miles away.

“It certainly is a hit for our economy and for our workforce,” said Ken Mills, economic development director for Swain County. “With employees from Graham County and Swain County, it’s going to be 260 jobs we’re losing, but for the 20 years they’ve been here, they’ve been a great asset for us and we’ve been lucky to have them.”

The Bryson City facility opened more than two decades ago in a former textile warehouse, which according to the press release has an outdated physical plant that has limited modernization and expansion options.

Mills said he understands ConMet’s need to consolidate in a central location where it has room to expand. The 300,000square-foot facility in Bryson City was maxed out with no room to expand, which forced ConMet to have several warehouse rentals in Swain and Jackson counties to meet its needs.

“That’s just not an optimal environment for them,” Mills said. “We can feel deflated about it, but I’m just glad they’re staying in Western North Carolina.”

The Bryson City plant closure was announced along with the company's plans to invest $32 million into modernizing its facilities and support more economic growth and jobs in the state. The investment will include development of a state-ofthe-art, hub-assembly facility in Monroe and will enable ConMet to meet growing market demand for air disc brake hubs and other products from area customers, and is expected to create about 80 new jobs.

“While local customer demand will support only one plastics facility in North Carolina, we believe that our in-state investments will increase both our manufacturing footprint and jobs in North Carolina because the Canton facility is newer and much better positioned for future growth,”

said ConMet President Mike Swiderski in the press release.

All hourly and many salaried employees at Bryson City whose positions are affected will be offered the opportunity to transfer to other ConMet locations in North Carolina. Those transfers are expected to start by this June. Additionally, ConMet will provide a comprehensive package of severance and benefits to those employees who are laid off as a result of the company’s reorganization of production in North Carolina.

“This was a difficult decision. We are proud of our hard-working Bryson City employees and we appreciate their contributions,” Swinderski said. “We are providing significant advance notice to try to help make this transition as easy as possible. Our highest priority will be working with all affected employees to assist them in any way possible during this transition.”

The Canton plant, which is located in

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Canton plant to absorb many employees

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A new day for N.C. 107 Redesign unveiled for Sylva’s main commercial drag

Smoky Mountain News

March 1-7, 2017

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER The congested, five-lane drag through Sylva will soon meet its maker.

A $36 million project to re-do the commercial thoroughfare of N.C. 107 is officially in the planning stages, and last week the N.C. Department of Transportation unveiled the long-awaited schematic designs of what the new road might look like.

More than 175 people cycled through a public input meeting held at Southwestern Community College Thursday night to see what the road planners have come up with.

Crowds perused massive maps, pondered the sundry lane configurations, studied the width of cross-sections, mused over bike lanes and sidewalks and generally tried to puzzle their way through the four designs the DOT has proffered for a new-andimproved 107.

“I’m trying to decipher it,” said Jim Montsinger, pressing closer to the giant poster boards to peer at the diagrams.

As Jennifer Cooper dove into a crowd hovering over flat maps unfurled on long tables, she said she appreciated DOT’s outreach to share options with the public.

“Looking at the diagrams, it’s a little hard to decipher,” admitted Cooper, who drives the road daily on her way to work at Western Carolina University.

But there was one overarching take-away that rose above the melee. Under every design option, the dreaded middle-turn lane will be dug up and replaced with medians and islands.

“The five-lane did work at one time, but with the increase in traffic it gets to a point where it starts to fail,” explained Brian Burch, DOT project development engineer based in Sylva.

A cacophony of left turns is the culprit of 107’s woes. Drivers darting back and forth from one side of the road to the other not only creates congestion, but also causes wrecks, Burch said.

Stop the hair-raising mad dash across lanes of oncoming traffic, and the traffic will flow better and more safely, according to Jack Debnam, a former county commissioner who sits on the state DOT board.

“Everybody I know has had a wreck on 107, more people than not,” Debnam said.

“There’s driveway after driveway, people dashing out, making left turns, and there’s the murder lane.”

Medians and islands down the center of 107 will force drivers wanting to get to the other side of the road to do a U-turn and double back instead of cutting across.

“It takes some time to get folks used to it,” said Michael Reese, a congestion man12 agement expert with N.C. DOT.

But the result works.

“By redirecting movements we are minimizing conflict points and reducing congestion and improving traffic flow,” Reese said.

It seems worth a try to Johnny Buchanan, who showed up to see what last week’s meeting would reveal about 107’s future. He remembers riding his bike along 107 as a boy.

“You’d go down the street and throw your hand up to everybody coming and going,” Buchanan said, recalling the 1950s and ‘60s. Seeing it so commercialized has been “disheartening in a way,” Buchanan said.

“It’s like a lot of small towns here in the mountains. They’ve outgrown themselves,” he said.

Like Buchanan, Harold Hensley has had a bird’s-eye view of 107’s growth over the past five decades.

“You could about play ball out in the middle of the road,” Hensley said of days gone by.

Hensley, a long time Sylva town board member, lives a stone’s throw from 107, and like so many Jackson County residents he has to drive it to get just about anywhere.

Therein lies 107’s great conundrum. It’s the commercial artery people use when buying their groceries, filling prescriptions, cashing checks and wheeling through fastfood windows. But it’s also a main commuter route, forcing the helpless masses to slog through the congestion just to get to work and home again.

“I don’t have to tell anybody in this room it’s a heavily traveled corridor,” said Steve Brown, an engineering consultant with HDR, a firm commissioned by DOT to develop the 107 redesign.

But the irritation of 107 traffic hasn’t been enough to convince Hensley or the community at large to buy into the DOT’s long-proffered solution to build a brandnew, cross-country highway bypassing 107.

“I think we need something done to 107.

It needs an upgrade, but we don’t need a bypass,” Hensley said.

Last week’s unveiling of an N.C. 107 redesign finally made it clear that the controversial Southern Loop is dead for the foreseeable future.

For 15 years, the DOT had pursued the idea of building a bypass around 107.

Community activists lobbied tirelessly to ditch the Southern Loop and instead redesign 107 in a way that moves traffic more pleasantly. Eventually public perception won out.

Jason Kimenker, an instrumental voice behind the grassroots Smart Roads Coalition, commended the public for its staying power during the 107 debate.

“We have the room as packed tonight as we did at day one. People are still excited to be part of the process,” Kimenker said, pausing from the maps for a moment of reflection. “This is a 100-year project. The results of which will effect not only ourselves, but our children and grandchildren will be enjoying the fruits of the labor we have put in.”

A public input meeting on a redesign of N.C. 107 in Jackson County last week drew throngs of local residents wanting to get a glimpse of the plans and weigh on the options. Becky Johnson photo

Coming next week The Smoky Mountain News will dive into the details of the coming redesign of N.C. 107 in next week’s issue, along with the history of the infamous Southern Loop and an overview of commercial corridor makeovers elsewhere in the region. Here’s a preview of the coverage:

Over and out The journey to a redesign of Sylva’s commercial artery has been more than two decades in the making. It’s been a bitter battle at times, pitting the competing visions of a cross-country bypass around N.C. 107 against improvements to the existing road. The players over the past 20 years will weigh in where we now and how we got here.

Death of the five-lane, birth of the boulevard Sylva isn’t the only mountain town getting a redesign of its major commercial thoroughfare. Franklin and Waynesville are also getting a makeover of their main arteries. In all three towns, the five-lane drags clogged with fast-food joints, big-box stores and stop lights will jettison the middle suicide lane for the latest trend in road design: the up-and-coming boulevard concept.

Devil’s in the details Four design options for a new N.C. 107 in Sylva were unveiled by the N.C. DOT last week.

The ball is now in the public’s court to weigh in on what they want. Intersection patterns, Uturn placement, sidewalks and bike lanes, and landscaping plans will make or break how well the redesign is executed. Check out our guide on the road plans to maximize your community input.

Chief vetoes impeachment resolution Lambert alleges vice chief’s ratification of impeachment resolution was illegal

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Haywood County GOP will hold its annual convention Saturday, March 11, at the Haywood County Historic Courthouse, 215 N. Main St., Waynesville.

Registration will begin at 1 p.m. and the convention will convene at 2 p.m. The convention agenda includes the adoption of a County Plan of Organization and the election of delegates and alternates for the district and state conventions. Voters must have registered as a Republican by Jan. 31 to participate

solid waste disposal, wasn’t a contract at all, he said. It was a continuation of an agreement with the Cherokee Boys Club that was carried out in the way it has been carried out “for eons.” A $628,000 contract to expand and renovate the executive offices actually did have Business Committee approval so shouldn’t be on the list. Contracts with the company that conducted the forensic audit did not meet the $50,000 threshold to require Business Committee approval, he said, and the reason actual costs had totaled $318,000 as of Sept. 30 is that the additional costs were invoices for services, not contracts. Similarly, he said, the tribe entered into a contract with a company that studied the feasibility of installing time clocks in tribal offices — $18,000 — but actual expenditures totaled $182,000 because the tribe then went out and made an equipment purchase of the time clocks themselves. Such purchases are not contracts, Lambert told council.

He averred that he had documentation to back up every one of these claims.

“Each one of those contracts that you all seem to be hanging your hats on is easily explained,” he said. “Quite frankly I’m getting tired of this kind of attitude and comments toward me as though I’ve done something wrong.”

The matter will likely be discussed further at the March 2 Tribal Council meeting that begins at 8:30 a.m. Meetings are broadcast online at https://livestream.com/accounts/10717024.

in the convention.

For more information, call GOP Chairman Kenneth Henson at 828.506.0205.

who live in Bryson City 1 are urged to attend.

You are in Precinct 1 if your voting place is the Chamber of Commerce office at 210 Main St.

Swain Democrats hold precinct meeting

Jackson Republicans to hold annual convention

The Bryson City 1 Precinct of the Swain County Democratic Party will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, at Democratic Headquarters at 122 Everett Street in Bryson City.

Officers will be chosen for the coming year. All registered Swain County Democrats

Jackson County Republican Party Precinct Meetings and Annual County Convention will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 17, at the Jackson County Department on Aging (The Heritage Room) located at 100 County Services Park, Sylva.

Precinct meetings will be open for registration and check in by 5 p.m. The meetings will start by 5:30 p.m. and end by 6 pm.

The County Convention will follow the precinct meetings. The business agenda for the convention includes the election of eligible delegates and alternates to the District and State Conventions, and the election of Jackson County Republican Party officers who will serve two-year terms.

A buffet dinner and speakers will follow the business agenda and the Convention will adjourn by 8:30 p.m. To reserve and for additional information, call 828.743.6491 or email jacksonctygop@yahoo.com.

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Smoky Mountain News

Haywood Republicans to hold annual convention

The comment could have been a barb toward Lambert, who has consistently said he did not break any laws and that the greater weight of wrongdoing is on the side of council. During the Feb. 2 meeting, his supporters packed the chambers and delivered comments in his defense to council before the vote took place.

“All of this is about one thing and one thing only — the Internal Audit findings,” Sneed said. “Nothing more, nothing less. It’s not personal for me.”

Lambert responded by repeating his claim that he’s done nothing warranting impeachment and that Tribal Council has not given him a fair chance to respond to the allegations against him. In the past, he’s repeatedly invited council to have him investigated by the FBI or U.S. Department of Justice if they feel he’s violated the law.

“It’s been asked several times by certain members of this body to listen to give me a chance to respond, and this body has chosen not to,” Lambert said. “And then there was a rush to judgment to pass a resolution that was meant for nothing more than to try to damage my reputation.”

Lambert gave a rundown of his justifications for four of the five contracts the OIA report called into question, saying that while he’d been advised not to discuss them outside of a formal legal setting, he felt the people had the right to know.

One of the items, a $353,000 contract for

Principal Chief Patrick Lambert speaks with his supporters following the Feb. 2 Tribal Council meeting that ended with a vote to begin impeachment proceedings against him. Holly Kays photo

March 1-7, 2017

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER rincipal Chief Patrick Lambert has issued a veto against Tribal Council’s Feb. 2 resolution to begin impeachment proceedings against him.

Council passed the resolution in a 9-3 vote, which translates to an 80-20 weighted vote, after an emotional session during which Lambert supporters packed the chambers to denounce the impending action. If no councilmembers change sides, then council will have the twothirds majority it needs to overturn the veto.

The resolution had included a provision allowing Vice Chief Richie Sneed — not Lambert — to sign and ratify it, stating that the measure was necessary because “Patrick H. Lambert has a conflict of interest in this matter.” Sneed signed the resolution the day it was passed, but according to Lambert there is no legal basis for him to do so.

“I have not delegated my right to veto any act of Council pursuant to the Charter, and the Tribal Council may not, by resolution or ordinance contravene the Charter,” he wrote in a Feb. 21 veto letter sent to council.

Tribal Council voted to begin impeachment proceedings following completion of a report from the Tribal Office of Internal Audit’s investigation into contract awards and human resources decisions under Lambert’s administration. f According to the report, five contracts had been executed that didn’t have approval from o the Business Committee or that exceeded the contract value. The report also found several areas of deviation from tribal code or tribal policies in the human resources department, but many of the explanations of how those policies were violated were redacted in the publicly released version of the report. Lambert, meanwhile, has stated that he has explanations for all the supposed violations but that those explanations were not included in the report.

At the same moment Tribal Council was deliberating impeachment last month, 26 FBI

agents were at the Qualla Housing Authority removing two U-Hauls full of hard drives and documents as part of an ongoing investigation into dealings there. Qualla Housing administers about $3.2 million each year in federal grants and is overseen by a sevenmember board. Six of those members also sit on Tribal Council.

Lambert believes the impeachment efforts are simply retaliation for his role in alerting the FBI to possible corruption.

“They want to accomplish this merely because they are in a retaliatory mode of thinking, and cannot stand the fact that I fully intend to follow through with my promise to you to work as hard as I can to clean up the ‘past culture of corruption’ that existed prior to my election,” Lambert wrote in a Facebook post accompanying the veto letter.

If anybody should be removed from office, Lambert said during the Feb. 2 meeting, it is corrupt members of Tribal Council. He repeated the assertion in his Feb. 21 Facebook post.

“I work for the people, the people of this Tribe,” he wrote. “Perhaps I should return the favor and sign an executive order and ‘suspend’ a few of them. Do they think that would work?

“Or perhaps a certain individual thought he was about to become Chief … I say that if you want to be Principal Chief then sign up and run next election, if you win then I will politely and professionally work for a smooth and steady transition and hand over the reins.”

Sneed addressed the insinuation headon during Tribal Council’s Feb. 28 budget meeting.

“It’s been alleged that I want to be chief, and that’s why all this is happening. Ladies and gentlemen, if I wanted to be chief I would have run for that office,” he told council. “I’m not so selfish that I would somehow try to orchestrate an impeachment knowing the anguish it would cause to everyone involved.”

Sneed also touched on Lambert’s allegation that he violated tribal law by signing the impeachment resolution. He did not comment on the legality of his actions but said that he would accept whatever consequences came his way for them, “up to and including impeachment.”

“I will not divert attention from my actions or point fingers. I will not ask supporters to fill the chamber to defend me,” he said. “I will stand.”

news

Franklin prioritizes 2017 projects Infrastructure tops the list

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR Every year before budget time, the Franklin Board of Aldermen likes to get together and figure out what the town’s priorities should be for the coming year.

The town definitely has its hands full with a number of worthy projects it wants to get done, but there’s only so much money in the budget each year to make it happen.

The board is currently looking at several different streetscaping and parking proposals for the downtown corridor, planning to adopt a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian improvement plan, and looking to put together a long-term sidewalk improvement plan.

Town Manager Summer Woodward said the board decided last October to accept proposals for streetscaping and parking changes on Main Street, which is currently a two-lane, one-way thoroughfare. The board has three options to consider — Vaughn and Melton Engineering’s proposal to study making Main Street one lane, McGill Engineering’s streetscaping proposal to look at several different options for increasing Main Street parking and a comprehensive parking study completed by JM Teague Engineering in 2013.

Vaughn and Melton’s proposal to study making Main Street a one-lane street in

there’s no better way to find out,” said Alderman Barbara McRae. The town board is also still in limbo about how to best utilize the Whitmire property — a 13-acre tract on the corner of East Main Street and Highlands Road. The town purchased the land in 2004 for $1.6 million with the intention of building a new government building, “We should get something moving, whether we but the put it up for sale or do a study for the best use.” value of the land — Brandon McMahan, Alderman and the desire to tions, has already been paid for but the proj- keep town offices downtown essentially killed the plan. ects just haven’t been implemented.

Different groups have come before the Before making any final decisions, Scott suggested a test run of some of the proposed town board with ideas of how to turn the property into an outdoor adventure park or changes to see how it would work in realty. to create some type of public and private “Summer and I met with three DOT engineers — they were quite OK with us try- partnership to keep the land available for public use but no action has been taken. ing the one lane idea,” Scott said.

“The real issue the board has to consider With DOT’s assistance, the town can use is do we sell it and let the purchaser make the traffic cones and temporary paint to redraw call on what it is used for or do we — in the lanes on Main Street to simulate what it some degree or fashion — have some control would be like to have one lane of traffic with over what we want it to be used for?” asked angled parking on one side of the street and Alderman Joe Collins during the retreat. parallel spots on the other side.

Collins and Alderman Billy Mashburn The board was in agreement to try out have fallen more on the side of selling it to a the changes on Main Street soon — before private developer, but the rest of the board the tourism season gets underway. isn’t convinced that’s the best option.

“Well you don’t know unless you try — order to add additional angled and parallel parking spots would cost $11,000. The proposal also includes a phase 2 and phase 3 for streetscaping improvements that would cost more than $50,000.

McGill’s proposal would cost $15,000 and the Teague proposal, which includes many of the same kinds of recommenda-

Smoky Mountain News

March 1-7, 2017

Franklin considers room tax hike

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All of Franklin’s big plans for improving the appearance and infrastructure around town won’t be possible without some additional revenue.

But where is the additional revenue going to come from? Property values are down slightly, commercial growth is still stagnant and federal and state grant opportunities are drying up quickly.

During a recent board of aldermen planning retreat, Franklin Mayor Bob Scott asked board members what they thought about proposing an increase to the town’s occupancy tax.

By state law, local governments have been able to levy an occupancy tax since 1983 up to 6 percent and use the revenue for tourism marketing and advertising purposes. Macon County levies a 3 percent tax and Franklin charges an additional 3 percent for lodging within the town limits.

Scott said the law has been loosened in recent years to allow local governments to use a portion of the tax revenue for tourism-related infrastructure needs.

“We need to be spending money on the amenities tourists use when they come here,” Scott said.

Alderman Billy Mashburn said he’d want to have the Franklin Tourism Development Authority weigh in on whether the tax should be increased. The Franklin TDA board is the entity tasked with allocating the occupancy tax rev-

Since commercial property hasn’t been moving that well in Franklin recently, McRae said she would like to see the town determine the best use of the property — whether it’s a park, land for a civic center or another structure beneficial to the town.

“My mind isn’t going toward park,” Collins said. “If we built a civic center it would have to have substantial support from the private industry because it can become very costly.”

Alderman Adam Kimsey suggested reaching out to the county to see if the commissioners have any interest in the property or interest in working with the town to develop something on the property.

“I don’t think it would be a bad idea to talk to the county or the EDC about it,” he said.

If she had a million dollars to do whatever she wanted with the property, McRae said, she would like to see the property developed as mixed commercial and residential with some parking and other aesthetically pleasing elements to spruce up that side of town.

“We should get something moving, whether we put it up for sale or do a study for the best use,” said Alderman Brandon McMahan.

McRae said there was an agency set up by the UNC School of Government to do exactly that — a study on what the best use would be and how the town can partner with private entities to fund it.

The board agreed to contact the School of Government to come make a presentation before the town gets into the 2017-18 budget process.

enue for tourism advertising.

“At this point, I’m not sure if the request shouldn’t come from the TDA,” Mashburn said.

“And it would have to go through the legislature.”

If and when the town board and TDA decide to ask for an increase to the occupancy tax, the local legislative delegation — Sen. Jim Davis and Rep. Kevin Corbin — would have to introduce a local bill in the General Assembly.

If all stakeholders are in agreement regarding the increase, it’s usually not a difficult thing to accomplish in the legislature, but any controversy over the issue could keep it in limbo.

Haywood County has tried unsuccessfully since 2013 to increase its occupancy tax from 4 percent to 6 percent. County commissioners and every town board in the county passed a resolution supporting the proposal and Rep. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, and Sen. Davis were willing to introduce the bill, but Rep. Michele Presnell, R-Burnsville, — whose district includes part of Haywood County — was the holdout.

Presnell is adamantly opposed to any kind of tax increase and is unwilling to introduce any tax increase even if her constituency wants it.

Since Presnell does not represent Macon County, Franklin could have a shot at getting legislation introduced.

While Haywood County TDA brings in more than $1 million in occupancy tax a year, Franklin’s TDA budget is about $110,000 a year.

Scott received consensus from the board to discuss a proposal for increasing the occupancy tax with the TDA board.

— By Jessi Stone, News Editor

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER he Haywood County Board of Education and local attorney Mark R. Melrose have agreed to a settlement that brings an end to his lawsuit over the shuttering of a Waynesville school that left parents shocked and some students in tears.

Terms of the agreement seem to indicate a desire on the part of both parties to move on quickly and quietly.

Melrose’s suit was dismissed with prejudice, preventing any future claims from him on the same issue, and neither Melrose nor the school board are allowed to talk about “the action between the parties, nor the facts and circumstances giving rise to said action” other than in a 57-word statement attached to the settlement agreement.

That statement says that the board “does not admit it violated the law or its own policies, but agrees it would have been preferable if circumstances had permitted to have provided more advanced public notice of its intention to vote on January 11, 2016 to study the possible closure of Central Elementary School.”

Melrose filed suit in May 2016 after the school board’s February decision to close Central Elementary School amid budget cuts and declining enrollment. He alleged open meeting laws and school board policy were violated, supposedly so the board could hide its intentions of using Central for new administrative office space.

The school board’s attorney Pat Smathers responded June 24, countering Melrose’s allegations and further seeking dismissal of his suit over the misuse of the proper name of the board.

When the two met in court July 19, Melrose suffered a small setback when his request to stop the closing of the school — which closed June 14 — was denied.

Melrose originally said that he’d filed the lawsuit to draw attention to the case.

Facing a protracted and costly battle that would likely produce no true “winner,” the school board unanimously approved the proposed settlement during a meeting that took place on the campus of the Haywood Community College Feb. 25.

Both the board and Melrose will pay their own attorney’s fees and costs.

Smathers earns $600 a month from the board for general duties like attending meetings or work sessions as well as for what Assistant Superintendent Bill Nolte called “frequent” verbal counsel, but additional costs are billed when Smathers performs additional tasks like contract work, written communication or court interactions.

During its 2015-16 fiscal year, Haywood County Schools paid Smathers $1,925 for services related to the lawsuit; in the current fiscal year, that number is $962.50, for a total of $2,887.50.

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Haywood school board settles Central lawsuit

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March 1-7, 2017 Smoky Mountain News

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Water, sewer and economic development Jackson leaders debate whether utility hookup fees are too high

TO APPLES

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER n unusual number of building vacancies has peppered downtown Sylva this winter, and as town leaders have scratched their heads to figure out why, the fee structure of the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority has come under fire as a possible culprit. And that’s led to a larger discussion about whether that fee structure is inhibiting the area’s overall economic development.

While TWSA also charges monthly usage-based fees to its customers, nearly 30 percent of its budget for capital improvements comes from impact fees — hefty fees levied when new users tie onto the system.

Fees are calculated based on how much water could possibly flow through a building at any one time, and they can total in the tens of thousands of dollars. For example, a 54-bedroom residential development would incur $38,400 in water and sewer impact fees, while a 120-seat restaurant with retail space would incur $44,900 in impact fees.

Sylva’s town board has been taking concern about the impact fees seriously and held a two-hour meeting last week with TWSA Director Dan Harbaugh to get a handle on why the fees are charged and whether there’s a better way to go.

“It’s a complicated issue, and that really makes it a difficult issue to tackle because to get a good grasp on what’s really going on with it you need a whole lot of background information,” said Sylva Commissioner David Nestler, who has been on the TWSA board for two-and-a-half years. “So even in a two-hour meeting it’s difficult for other board members who aren’t on the TWSA

Compared to other utilities in the region, TWSA’s fees for first-time users are abnormally high. For a commercial property producing 160 gallons per minute each for sewer and water, TWSA would charge a combined impact fee of $78,600, according to a comparison chart Harbaugh compiled.

For Waynesville, the number would be $44,267; for Franklin, $14,400; and for Bryson City — which is not included on the chart — just a $2,200 tap fee.

The real figures may actually be even farther apart, because TWSA’s impact fees are calculated based on something called instantaneous peak flow. Basically, the number measures how much water and sewer could be required at any one time if all the taps were flowing and all the toilets were flushing simultaneously. Other entities use different metrics. Waynesville’s is calculated based on gallons per day used as calculated by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality.

Franklin’s is calculated based on meter size.

But comparing TWSA’s fees with those of surrounding municipalities isn’t an applesto-apples comparison, either. TWSA is an authority, not a municipality. And that means it’s not allowed to use tax dollars to fund its operations.

“Municipalities typically have more diverse revenue sources and interests,” Harbaugh told Sylva’s board.

Municipal service areas also tend to be more constrained than that of TWSA, with people living relatively close together so the cost of new connections is less than in rural areas, where there’s more space between the various houses and businesses.

Municipalities can pick and choose whether to let users tap on from outside city limits

March 1-7, 2017

A

board to understand what’s really going on with impact fees.”

NOT ALWAYS APPLES

Dan Harbaugh sits down with Sylva commissioners to explain why the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority charges impact fees. Holly Kays photo and can charge higher fees to those customers.

That’s not how TWSA operates, and Harbaugh made it clear to the board that future infrastructure demands will make it critical that TWSA’s revenues stay up as time marches on.

Over the next 20 years, he said, there will be $17 billion to $26 billion of water and sewer infrastructure needs statewide, but opportunities for grants are drying up.

Future grant funds will meet only an estimated 7 percent of those infrastructure needs, Harbaugh said, and state grants are usually aimed at projects to sustain existing

Smoky Mountain News

TWSA members speak out TWSA was formed back in 1992, when issues plaguing the various water and sewer utilities in Jackson County caused the municipalities to band together, consolidating their various systems under the umbrella of TWSA. Today, TWSA operates 79 miles of water lines and 40 miles of sewer lines, with a combined capacity of 5.7 million gallons per day.

The authority is governed by an eight-member board with representation from Sylva, Jackson County, Webster, Dillsboro and Western Carolina University. The Smoky Mountain News asked each member for their take on TWSA’s fee structure and whether impact fees should be revisited.

“The system works. It’s been working. It’s a good system, we tweaked it and I don’t see any reason to raise folks’ monthly rates so someone else doesn’t have to pay an impact fee.”

— Mike Fitzgerald, TWSA chairman and Dillsboro mayor

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“If we lower the impact fee, my fear is that all our customers would pay for that lowered fee, and a lot of people are on fixed

incomes and it would become a burden, for some of our elderly in particular, to keep shelling out dollars for a major increase. I really feel like it would have to be a major increase rate-wise to be able to afford that, and I’m open to suggestions otherwise.”

— Brenda Oliver, TWSA vice chair, former Sylva mayor “I’ve heard a lot of stories, a lot of anecdotal evidence that yes, they (impact fees) are (impeding economic development). I think a lot of that is just people’s perception too. I’ve heard enough stories that I think there’s probably some truth to it but I don’t think that’s all of it by any means.”

— Ron Mau, Jackson County commissioner “If you cut impact fees, you have to pass that along to somebody else. If we have a business here that’s just paid $40,000 for an impact fee and we decide to cut them out, what are we going to do — reimburse people who paid their impact fees? I’m against cutting impact fees.”

— Harold Hensley, Sylva commissioner

infrastructure, not at expansion projects.

“Either local governments like us are going to be borrowing money from community banks, or we’ll have to take money from whatever reserves we’ve got,” Harbaugh said, adding that the reserves are modest at best.

There’s plenty of work to be done. Pipes as old as 100 years are still in service in Jackson County, creating issues due to the materials they’re made of, their size or just sheer wear and tear. Add to that the need to expand services as the county grows, and it’s clear why TWSA needs to guard its income stream carefully.

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“I think it (the impact fee) came out of a time when there was unprecedented growth in the county and it was an easy source to take advantage of. I don’t think that model works anymore. I think it’s really hurting businesses and residences in the county.”

— David Nestler, Sylva commissioner “No one particularly likes the impact fees, but TWSA has shown flexibility in the past in helping provide rentals for impact fees. It’s a constantly evolving process in how to serve better and more fairly. I’m just hesitant to consider any drastic changes, mainly because my loyalties lie in protecting regular paying customers of TWSA.” — Tracy Rhodes, Webster mayor “TWSA has got to figure out how it can provide future capacity for the demands that are going to be required. What may end up being unfair to a few now would be extremely unfair for everybody if there’s no (water/sewer) system in place to do that.”

— Tom Sawyer, Jackson commissioners TWSA appointment Mike Byers, vice chancellor for administration and finance at Western Carolina University, is also on the board but was not available for interview by press time.

ISSUES WITH IMPACT FEES

REASONS TO STAY

PONDERING A TRANSITION TWSA keeps two separate budgets — an operating fund and a capital fund. The operating fund, budgeted at $4.35 million for fiscal year 2016-17, draws from sources such as connection fees and user fees to cover TWSA’s cost of operations.

The capital fund, budgeted at $1.14 million for fiscal year 2016-17, is where impact fees come in. The fund pays for the cost of maintaining and improving capital assets, and 27.8 percent of its revenue comes from impact fees. The rest comes from system improvement fees, a monthly charge that existing users pay based on their use.

Nestler feels that it makes a lot more sense for capital improvements to be funded through a monthly usage-based fee like the system improvement charge rather than through the impact fee, which is not based on actual use but rather on what he calls a “wild guess number” as to what the maximum possible flow could be. While Nestler acknowledges that changing the fee structure would cause some problems in transition, he feels it would ultimately result in a fairer system. He also thinks it would be more sustainable, as the new development that spurs impact fees isn’t always easy to predict going into the future.

And he’s not deterred by the possibility that people who have already paid their impact fees might be upset by their elimination.

“If you paid the impact fee already, that was wrong,” he said. “I think that was a bad policy on TWSA’s part, but fixing it going forward shouldn’t be what makes you mad.

What should make you mad is that you had to pay it in the first place.”

However, eliminating the impact fee would require a significant increase in the system improvement charge, if that’s how TWSA decided to make up the difference.

The charge would have to increase from $1.03 to $1.43 per 100 gallons, Harbaugh said — a 38.9 percent increase.

TWSA could also make up the difference by enacting new fees.

For example, it’s within TWSA’s authority to make connection to the system mandatory for people who have access to a water or sewer line. TWSA can also charge an availability fee to people who live within a certain distance of the water and sewer line but choose not to connect.

Those are not fees that TWSA currently charges. But, Harbaugh said, if the board were to get serious about doing away with impact fees, they should be considered.

Because no matter what, TWSA must have enough money to provide the capacity that Jackson County needs to grow.

“We don’t want to get into a situation where we’re curtailing growth because we don’t have a baseline capacity in the area,” he said.

March 1-7, 2017 Smoky Mountain News

Most TWSA members can see the issues associated with impact fees, but while several members have said they’re open to having the discussion, Nestler is the only one who’s actively advocating to do away with impact fees.

But the money has to come from somewhere. Impact fees have been an important part of TWSA’s business model since its early days in the 1990s, allowing usagebased fees for existing customers to remain substantially lower than they would be if impact fees vanished.

“I don’t think it’s fair to have all the ratepayers pay an increased bill,” said Dillsboro Mayor Mike Fitzgerald, who chairs the TWSA board. “I wouldn’t want everyone that’s on the system to pay an increased fee so someone else could have a business venture that could or could not fail.”

And what about the people who have just paid their $40,000 impact fee? How would they feel if they learned that, not only would nobody else have to pay such a fee in the future, but they’d now be paying a higher monthly rate as a result?

“People over the years, including myself, that has paid impact fees; what we’re going to wind up doing is paying the impact fees for someone else that doesn’t want to pay one,” said Sylva Commissioner Harold Hensley, in his seventh year on the TWSA board.

Both Hensley and Fitzgerald see the challenge posed by requiring new businesses to pay such high upfront fees, especially when that business is a tenant in a building and not its owner. Who would want to sink in $40,000 for an asset that the landlord will get to keep when the lease ends?

But the two board members feel that TWSA has already solved that problem by its rollout of the allocation rental option in 2015. The policy gave users the option to pay a monthly allocation rental fee — say, $40 or $50, depending on the property — rather than forking over a huge sum up front.

“Instead of being prohibitive, I think it’s very feasible to make a monthly rental payment,” Fitzgerald said. “I think it works together real well right now.”

The flip side of that is that the rental option means that the user will have to make those monthly payments in perpetuity. There’s no rent-to-own option. Nestler compares the deal to paying a mortgage on a house rather than up-front cash, except that the mortgage never gets paid off. In his opinion, the rental option isn’t a solution at all, but it is proof that conversion to a

monthly usage fee that cuts out impact fees is feasible.

“If you’re going to collect it that way, by the month, why don’t you just change the system?” he said.

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But are impact fees the answer?

Nestler, one of the newest members of the town board after his election in 2015, has been the strongest voice in opposition to the impact fees.

Yes, TWSA faces unique challenges compared to the municipal systems it neighbors. But it competes with those areas for business, so being too out of line with their fees is risky.

“If it turns out that the other water and sewer authorities across the state are in line with us, it doesn’t really mean much,” said Nestler, who is on the TWSA board. “If we’re competing for businesses and restaurants in our area, we have to be in line with the counties around us. And when we do that, it’s shocking.”

Nestler believes there’s a better way to collect revenue than the system that’s in place now.

Currently, businesses pay the same impact fee regardless of whether they fold in a year or blossom into a decades-old institution. If a business closes, it doesn’t get any part of the impact fee back, even though it never wound up needing the future system improvements that the fee was designed to cover.

However, the next business that moves into that location can reap the benefits of an already-paid impact fee — sort of.

The next tenant can use the allocation purchased by the previous occupant without paying any additional impact fee, but only if the owner has kept on paying a monthly charge, called a system assurance fee, while the building was vacant. The building is allowed to sit empty for a while — up to a year — without any payment made, but if it goes to five years with no payment, the allocation is lost. When someone new moves in, they have to pay the impact fee all over again.

“I guess the root of the problem is the allocation can be taken from you — it’s never anything you truly own,” Nestler said in the meeting.

He also noted other problems with the location-based impact fee. What if, for instance, a start-up restaurant is so successful it decides to move to a bigger space? The allocation wouldn’t follow the business during the move, and, depending on the allocation status of the new space, the owner could be hit with a massive impact fee yet again. Or what if the business simply decided to expand? It would have to pay an impact fee based on the potential water and sewer the additional space might require.

New TWSA customers can also lose their allocation if they miss out on the performance period aspect of the deal. After allocation is purchased for a new project, there’s a deadline to finish the project without losing the allocation. That timeline has loosened some, Harbaugh said. In the past, there was a set amount of time to finish with no consideration for the complexity of the project. Now, project size and complexity are factored in, so the performance period can be as long as 400 days for larger commercial or institutional developments.

All these stipulations and complex formulas, Nestler said, make the policy just plain confusing. It could be challenging for a newcomer to Jackson County’s business world to understand how the various charges are calculated and what to expect when working with TWSA. “I’m just surprised that this policy is so complicated and not easily available to someone who’s trying to navigate it,” Nestler said during the meeting.

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Diane E. Sherrill, Attorney

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Health

Smoky Mountain News

Swain Specialty Clinic opens new space Swain Specialty Clinic, the longstanding group of specialty physician practices at Swain Community Hospital, has expanded to a new space in the medical office building on the hospital campus on Hospital Hill.

Swain Specialty Clinic is located next to Senior Life Solutions and the outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation office and Swain Pain Center. To complement primary care provided at Swain Family Care, Swain Specialty Clinic houses those practices providing specialty healthcare and currently includes Harris GI Associates, Harris Women’s Care, and Harris Surgical Associates, which is the newest addition to the group. The physicians and providers of Swain Specialty Clinic see patients on the campus of Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva on a regular basis and visit Swain Specialty Clinic on a rotating schedule.

828.488.4240 or www.myswaincommunity.com.

Exhibitors wanted for Healthy Living Festival The Healthy for Life Action Team of Healthy Carolinians of Jackson County is seeking exhibitors for the sixth annual Healthy Living Festival, which will take place on Saturday, April 8, at the Recreation Center in Cullowhee.

Applications will be accepted on a first come basis and are due by Friday, March 3. For applications or more information, contact Liz Cochran at 828.587.8292 or lizcochran@jacksonnc.org.

Highlands hospital gets new president Jacqueline Medland, Ph.D., RN, will be joining Mission Health on March 1 as President/Chief Nursing Officer of Highlands-Cashiers Hospital.

Medland has enjoyed a career as a health care leader for over 30 years, including positions in direct patient care, advanced practice nursing, nursing management and hospital administration.

Based in the Chicago-metro area for most of her career, Medland has served at the University of Chicago Hospitals, Hinsdale Hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital and most recently, at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center and Presence St. Mary’s Hospital as the Chief Nurse Executive.

Harris Surgical Associates expands Harris Surgical Associates, a Duke LifePoint physician practice owned and operated by Harris Regional Hospital, has announced an expansion to Harris Regional Hospital Medical Park of Franklin and Swain Community Hospital.

The expansion will provide patients access to preoperative and post-operative appointments close to home.

Dr. Billy Noell will see patients in Franklin on Mondays and in Bryson City on Wednesdays. The Franklin office is located at 55 Holly Springs Rd., and the Bryson City office is located at 45 Plateau St., in the Swain Specialty Clinic at Swain Community Hospital on Hospital Hill.

828.586.3976 or visit www.myharrisregional.com.

Become a hospital volunteer Haywood Regional Medical Center is currently seeking volunteers of all ages for ongoing support at the hospital, outpatient care center and The Homestead.

Volunteers can choose to work in the Emergency Department, at the information desk- main lobby, as a patient escort, outpatient surgery or The Homestead (hospice center).

Volunteers receive discounts in some areas of the health system including the café, inclusion in hospitalsponsored activities and celebrations, annual flu shot and annual appreciation luncheon sponsored by the hospital.

Call 828.452.8301, stop in at the information desk in the hospital lobby, or send an email to volunteer@haymed.org.

Meridian launches new addiction service Meridian Behavioral Health Services based in Sylva has announced a new program recently added to its continuum of services.

The “Early Recovery Team” or ERT is an alternative community-based team approach that specializes in working with individuals in the early stages of addiction recovery who have had difficulty engaging in treatment.

ERT hopes to reduce the number of individuals going to

a local ER for substance abuse treatment through community-based, stage wise treatment.

This service is funded through a generous grant from the Evergreen Foundation, in the amount of $82,500, with additional investment from Meridian. This service is available in Jackson and Haywood counties.

828.631.3973.

Hospitals achieve Chest Pain Center accreditation Haywood Regional Medical Center in Clyde, Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva and Swain Community Hospital in Bryson City have received Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care, the accrediting arm of the American College of Cardiology.

Hospitals that have received SCPC accreditation have achieved a higher level of expertise in dealing with patients who arrive with symptoms of a heart attack.

Haywood, Harris and Swain engaged in rigorous evaluation by SCPC for its ability to assess, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.

Snack Master competition seeks participants Participants are needed for the seventh annual Healthy Snack Master Competition sponsored by the Jackson County School Health Advisory Council and the Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Action Team of the Healthy Carolinians Partnership.

This competition is open to all individuals or groups in kindergarten through 12th grade in Jackson County Public Schools. Students are encouraged to create an original recipe and turn it in to their school’s cafeteria manager.

Submitted recipes will be reviewed by members of SHAC. The top student and group entries will go on to compete in the Healthy Snack Master Competition on the evening of March 16 at Smoky Mountain High School.

828.586.2311 ext. 1936.

Jackson Health prioritizes drug abuse The 2015 Community Health Assessment indicated that substance abuse was a top health priority in Jackson County.

The Injury and Substance Abuse Prevention Action Team of the Healthy Carolinians Partnership works diligently to address substance abuse in all forms — alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

Community survey data collected in 2015 indicated that 22 percent of adults smoke cigarettes and 4 percent of adults use smokeless tobacco. Further data from the North Carolina Center for Health Statistics, the unintentional poisoning mortality rate for Jackson County is 17.7 per 100,000 — this rate is higher than the state rate and also the rate of Western North Carolina.

ISAP invites all community members interested in addressing this issue to join the Action Team. Team priorities include developing prevention campaigns, promoting tobacco free policies, implementing Project Lazarus, and more.

828.587.8238.

19

• “Winter Warm-Ups” will be held from 10 to 11:15 a.m. starting Monday, March 16, at Sylva First Baptist Church Fellowship Center.

Participants will enjoy fun movement exercises designed to increase flexibility, build strength, and encourage more activity during the winter months.

Free program.

828.369.6909.

• A blood drive in conjunction with the American Red Cross will be held from 10:3 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, March 10, in the Asbury Room of the First United Methodist Church in Sylva.

828.586.2358.

ALSO:

• A new weekly meeting of the Food Addicts Anonymous Twelve-Step fellowship group meets 5:30 p.m. every Monday at Grace Church in the Mountains, 394 N. Haywood St., Waynesville. www.foodaddictsanonymous.org.

• A free acupuncture clinic for veterans dealing with PTSD and other related issues will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 1 and March 8 at Waynesville Wellness Center. First come, first served.

• Canton’s Walk-n-Talk series will continue at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, at the Canton Armory. Meet Caitlyn Lance, a WCU dietetic intern working with Leah McGrath of Ingles Markets. Email parks@cantonnc.com.

• The Jackson County Department of Public Health is seeking input from both residents who have used our services and residents who have thoughts on the health needs of Jackson County.

Complete a survey by visiting http://health.jacksonnc.org/surveys.

828.587.8288.

20

Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

Let’s keep a little separation between God and politics

Protecting privacy in two steps To the Editor: North Carolina state Sen. Jim Davis, Franklin, in a recent newspaper interview indicated he opposes the repeal of our state's notorious Bathroom Bill since he would never sacrifice our privacy.

I had thought that the rationale behind this law was the oppression and demeaning of transgender persons, so I was very glad to learn that Sen. Davis’ main concern is the privacy issue.

I'm glad because there is a simple, surefire, two-step method for ensuring privacy in public restrooms that does not require any government interference: • If the bathroom has a stall, go into the stall, close the door and latch it.

• If there is no stall, lock the door to the bathroom.

Privacy ensured. Problem solved. And, almost certainly, Sen. Davis’ support for a full and unconditional repeal secured.

Bill Spencer Cullowhee

How the mountain towns died To the Editor: Once there was once a busy, thriving community nestled in beautiful mountains that surrounded the town on all sides. Residents

profits from maintaining a tax-exempt status if they endorse candidates, contribute to political campaigns, or otherwise work for or against candidates.

The law is both straightforward and nuanced. It doesn’t bar churches or nonprofits from political activities; however, they lose their nonprofit status with the IRS if they partake in such activities. So those who call this a freedom of religion issue are wrong; your church can do as it pleases, but once it gets involved in politics it’s no longer tax-exempt, and that means those who donate money to the church won’t be able to write off those Editor donations, and church will have to pay real estate and property taxes.

Since I’m in the news business, I obviously support the First Amendment and the protections it provides. But just as the free press is fundamental to what this country stands for, so is the constitutional guaranteed right to worship as one pleases. And anyone who has attended church regularly certainly knows that religious beliefs and political ideology don’t necessarily go hand in hand. Trump may think he is building a stronger coalition of supporters by trying to “destroy” the Johnson Amendment, but there are likely a majority of church leaders who would disagree.

“I think [the Johnson Amendment] protects the separa-

Scott McLeod

He’s a respected member of the community, a physician, and we ran into each other unexpectedly.

“I really have to say I like your opinion pieces. I think we’re on different sides as far as politics, but I like what you say about civil discourse and talking to each other. Besides, for me, politics is way down here,” he said, holding his hand down close to his knee, palm downward. “There are so many other more important things in life.”

That comment came just last night, but knowing the man to be religious, his comment struck a chord. To most of us, matters of the spirit and the soul always transcend politics.

And sometimes it does us all good to just step back from the abyss of information overload that marks today’s politics and take stock of what’s really important.

Right now we have a president who is, in my opinion, contributing to the problem people of different political persuasions encounter when trying to talk politics. The last two presidents — Bush and Obama — at least came into office promising to try and heal political divisions. Trump would rather pour salt into the festering wounds left from the campaign than build a big tent with room for those who think differently.

With that in mind, I remembered that in early February at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, the president said he wanted to “destroy” the Johnson Amendment. It’s also a position he supported during his campaign.

This amendment is a 1954 law — authored by future president Lyndon B. Johnson — that bars churches and all non-

LETTERS and tourists had the luxury of waking up each day to the majestic sight of the sun coming up over the mountains and the unspoiled beauty of their surroundings. Hikers came into town for meals and lodging and to participate in many celebrations. Tourists by the thousands came to enjoy the peace and tranquility this area had to offer.

What happened to cause this beautiful little town to die?

The end started when the federal government lifted the restrictions on oil well drilling, fracking, forest cutting and pipeline use in and around the national parks.

Lumber companies began cutting down trees at an alarming rate, stripping the mountains of their green beauty. The once pristine landscape was now dominated by ugly oil rigs as oil companies cleared thousands of acres for drilling. Fracking companies dug huge holes in the ground to catch their toxic waste water, the seepage from which eventually poisoned the town's water system. Companies were allowed to run gas and oil pipelines through the mountains where ever they saw an easy path and the entire area was shrouded in thick brown smog.

The mountains were now nothing more than bare ugly rocks, without trees or wildlife and only oil wells and pipelines as the view.

The tourists stopped coming, for there was no beauty to see. Without the tourists the town's income fell to almost nothing, downtown businesses went bankrupt, stores closed and jobs disappeared. The end came very

tion of church and state, and I think that’s an important concept,” Waynesville First United Methodist Church pastor Rev. Sandy Boone told the Asheville Citizen-Times in a recent article.

When that separation becomes muddled, there are consequences. Many may remember the controversy from 2004-05 in Waynesville when the pastor of the East Waynesville Baptist Church threatened to expel members unless they supported George Bush over John Kerry. Yeah, that really happened. The Rev. Chan Chandler was accused by members of preaching from the pulpit in support of Bush, and told his flock that if they voted for Democratic nominee John Kerry they needed to “repent or resign.”

This incident received national attention and was reported on by everyone from the television networks to the New York Times. A preacher who leads a national organization advocating the separation of church and state said at the time that the church should lose its IRS tax-exempt status.

Look, this country is in some kind of age of anger when it comes to politics, and I’ve professed before that I believe — maybe it’s more of a hope — that these times are just a blip on the radar. But please, let’s don’t drag our religious institutions into this quagmire. The spiritual life is — to turn around the phrase my doctor friend used — way up here (I’m reaching over my head). Leave the Johnson Amendment in place, for God’s sake.

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

quickly for this small town and most of the residents had to move away to seek jobs elsewhere.

The little community is now one of those ghost towns that cause people passing through to ask, “what happened to this town?”

Do you think this is just a fantasy story or fairy tale? Well, you couldn't be more wrong.

Congress is now proposing legislation which could allow companies to do all those things in our national parks and the EPA is slashing environmental protections. If this happens, our beautiful little mountain towns could end up just like the town in the story.

Call your congressional representatives and demand that they not pass bills that would permit any of this in our national parks. These mountains are our home, our income and the future for our children; don't let them be destroyed. Call now and demand that they be saved.

Bob Schroeder Franklin

Rep. Mark Meadows has gone missing To the Editor: As a constituent of Rep. Mark Meadows, R-Asheville, I am disappointed that he did not use this congressional recess to hold a town hall meeting in his district. Instead, he visited a company in Fletcher that builds ultra-light pedal electric trikes and read stories to preschoolers. These activities are not inher-

ently bad, but if he has the time to do these things, why can’t he find the time to hold a town hall? It’s true that he was interviewed by WHKP 1450 AM, but that does not qualify as a town hall. He has Facebook posts but neither does that qualify as a town hall.

As a member of the House Freedom Caucus, a group that has spearheaded the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), it seems like he would want to discuss his repeal plan with us, because the repeal of the ACA affects many of his constituents directly and indirectly. We want to know what kind of health insurance we’re going to have next year. Will it cover preexisting conditions?

Allow children to stay on their parents’ insurance plan till age 26? Cover prescription medications, and provide subsidies to make it more affordable? These questions deserve answers. I want to know if my mom, a cancer survivor, will still be covered and if she will receive subsidies to help pay for her premiums. He should meet with his constituents to answer questions like these.

Last Tuesday I was among a group of around 100 of his constituents who visited his office in Waynesville to demand he hold a town hall meeting. His aide made us fill out papers with our concerns. Mr. Meadows’ constituents simply want an opportunity to air their concerns. That is how democracy is supposed to work.

Nilofer Couture Cullowhee

S EE LETTERS, PAGE 21

For me, there is real joy in solitude M

Susanna Barbee

To the Editor: People do not appear to understand how important it is that Obamacare be repealed with no replacement. Here is how it works.

As a senior I live on Social Security with no raises for several years because 94 million people are not working enough, that is half time or not at all. That means the tax receipts are down and less money for government to spend.

When these working age people get a job, then money from payroll taxes will begin to refill federal and state coffers. But that will not happen because small businesses, the backbone of all business, will not hire due to this confiscatory and unreliable health care provisions.

So, people are still not working and small businesses are still not hiring. Elders still do not have an adequate income.

School systems do not have enough working resources, newspapers reduce the number of pages because ads are off, and we who depend on vacationers are looking at empty motel rooms, and on and on.

Therefore, entirely eliminate all Obamacare and the 18,000 IRS brownshirts hired to enforce it and give the country a chance to go back to work, and junior can get out of his parents’ basement.

After total repeal they can start with a clean slate and figure out about the people who were unlucky enough to subscribe to Obamacare. They can always have a voucher for Medicare in the interim.

Sure, I’d like to see America great again, but for now let’s just get our mountain people back to work.

Cornelia Cree Waynesville

The big lie about immigration To the Editor: Everyone wants to feel safe. We want to protect our lives, our property and our jobs.

When we see a threat to our safety, we react. Politicians know this and have used it to get elected since Roman times. Donald Trump has said immigrants are a threat, they are criminals, they steal our welfare and take our jobs. I promise you I will send them all home and build a great wall to keep them out, and America will be great again. This works on a gut level, no proof needed, “Everyone” knows it’s true.

But of course it is not true. What follows are facts. If you don't believe in facts just skip to the last paragraph. “With few exceptions, immigrants are less crime prone than natives or have no effect on crime rates.”

This is the conclusion of the Cato Institute, which was founded by Charles Koch — the same Charles Koch that liberals love to hate. You don’t need a think tank to know

Time to solve problems

To the Editor: Obviously, the GOP has won control of government for a brief while. The use of such language as “Obamacare has been a disaster from the beginning, and Americans can no longer sustain the crushing weight of its failures” just makes you look worse than you need to. Many people have benefited tremendously from Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), so it's too bad the GOP has an entrenched dogma that won't let them work to improve it. Let's try and move beyond haranguing and do what's best for the country.

Having said that, we will continue to broadcast the Trump Organization's most egregious lies and gaffes, as well as his general lack of knowledge, skills, and abilities, given that he provides them in video format for us all to enjoy.

The Trump Organization's allegations of voter fraud should be investigated. They should not be allowed to make those allegations unchallenged, for it has a chilling effect on our democracy. Maybe that's their intent?

Bil Aylor Swain County 21

Smoky Mountain News

true quiet time, which consists of journaling, thinking, short bouts of writing and reading scripture and other inspirational/spiritual material. Once I feel relaxed and grounded, I just sit in the quiet for a while and breathe deeply, trying to be mindful of the smells and sounds around me as well as anything going on in my body.

I then fold a blanket into a rectangle and place it on the floor. I use the same blanket every day, one from the Middle East my sister gave me as a gift. I kneel on the blanket and pray for a long time, always beginning my prayer in gratitude.

No matter what’s going on, I am always thankful for something or someone. At the end of the prayer, I bow down and touch my forehead to the ground (as one would do in a Hindu temple) and say the Lord’s Prayer aloud in a whisper. I then cross myself, put away the blanket and end by blowing out the candle.

And that’s it. I’ve added to it over the months, but the basic ritual remains the same every day. Occasionally, on weekends, I’ll sleep in a little, and I won’t get the opportunity to be totally alone for my alone time. It affects me all day. It’s something I now crave, so if I have to, I get up early even on the weekends.

There’s simply too much noise in this world, both from external stimuli and from our own thoughts. If we don’t consciously turn down the volume, we could become more and more desensitized, even completely losing the ability to connect with ourselves, with others and the natural flow and beauty of life.

The Lenten season begins this Wednesday. I’ve known folks who instead of giving up something for Lent, they add something beneficial to their lives. The season is meant to be one of repentance and fasting, so it makes sense to give up something that’s negative. But the season is also about reflection and reverence, so perhaps you can add something to your life that will help you reflect and reconnect.

I love travel and adventure, and I hope to see much more of the world during my lifetime. But I know wherever I am, I will make my ritual of solitude a priority.

When I was young, I wasn’t sure what to do in the absence of others, so I filled my time with TV or other external noise. I confused being alone with being lonely. It seems the older I get, the more I enjoy and appreciate being alone and embracing the heightened awareness it offers.

As Albert Einstein mused, “Solitude is painful when one is young but delightful when one is mature.”

I couldn’t agree more.

(Susanna Barbee can be reached at susanna.barbee@gmial.com.)

Let’s just get people back to work

that this is true. If you are here illegally the last thing you want is any contact with any authorities.

Undocumented immigrants do not qualify for welfare, food stamps, Medicaid, and most other public benefits. These programs require proof of legal immigration status.

They do send their children to school, they do use the emergency room, and access other local services, so there is a cost to the taxpayer.

But they also pay lots of taxes; in 2010 they paid over $10.6 billion in state and local taxes. They are also paying over $15 billion a year in Social Security taxes with no intention of ever collecting any benefits.

In fact, without that $15 billion a year Social Security would already be facing a shortfall to cover existing payouts.

My parents used to run motels, and their biggest problem was always finding women to clean the rooms every morning.

If you grow vegetables, run a packing plant, need apples pickers, or kitchen help, most of the people willing to do this kind of work are here illegally. Why? Because they will work for less.

If you got laid off from your dry wall job because some Mexican will do it for less, whose fault is that? They are taking advantage of a system we created. As long as business want cheap labor and we want cheap apples, there will be a demand for undocumented labors who can be exploited.

Threatening to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants and build a beautiful wall will not solve any of these problems. In fact it will drive these workers deeper underground. That will inevitably increase crime and social unrest. It appears that Donald Trump does not really want to solve this problem, he is happy to let the big lie fester and keep his base happy.

Louis Vitale Franklin

March 1-7, 2017

y favorite time of day is quiet time.

Every morning before the hustle and bustle of the day begins, before I turn on my laptop or check social media on my phone, I spend at least 30 to 45 minutes in stillness with my thoughts, with God, with the whispers of the universe. It’s become a daily ritual for me, and one that’s a lifeline.

My quiet time began in earnest when my mom passed away last August. After saying good-bye to her, I realized the only way to truly grieve was to be alone. While I appreciated and still do appreciate encouragement from friends and advice from those Columnist who’ve had the same experience, true healing began once I embraced solitude. Only then were the memories clear, my new reality processed and the tears raw.

I recently read a passage about “ritual” that resonated with me. When I came upon it, I’d already started benefitting from this ancient practice. This excerpt is from a goal-setting book called Rituals for Living: Dreambook and Planner by Peter and Briana Borten. It says, “Historically, we had rituals for everything that mattered. But ritual is gradually disappearing as people find they’re too busy for it or can’t see the value in it. Even a ritual as simple as enjoying the peace of a new morning is so often sacrificed for whatever new alerts our phone might have for us. There’s more depression and anxiety than ever before, more uncertainty about where we fit in, and yet, the opportunity to reconnect is always available.

Ritual brings order, specialness, context, and focus to our lives.”

My quiet time has a clear ritualistic rhythm. I thought about not sharing it here in the column because it’s such an intimate time for me. I changed my mind because I think sometimes it helps to hear someone else’s example.

Each day before I begin my quiet time, I turn off my phone and take off my shoes. I pour a cup of coffee and fill a Mason jar with water. I put one drop of Lemon essential oil and a straw into my water. I put my beverages beside my books so I don’t have to get up for anything once I begin reading and journaling. I then light a candle, add essential oils to my diffuser and turn it on. I put a couple drops of Frankincense on one palm, rub my hands together and inhale deeply three times.

After these initial steps, I begin my

LETTERS, CONTINUED FROM 20

tasteTHEmountains

128 N. Main St., Waynesville

Mild, Sweet or Spicy

Introducing our New Fusion Menu

featuring

THE BLOSSOM BURGER

WINE • BEER • SAKE Hours 11:30-9:00 Closed Wednesdays

(828) 454-5400

March 1-7, 2017

BlossomOnMain.com

Real New Yorkers.

Real Italians. Real Pizza.

Smoky Mountain News

Dine-In ~ Take Out ~ Delivery

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

Just to serve you!

Featuring: Calzones · Stromboli Subs · Pasta and More NOW OPEN SUNDAYS NOON to 8 P.M.

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

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

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

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

BLOSSOM ON MAIN 128 N. Main Street, Waynesville.

828.454.5400. Open for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Mild, medium, to hot and spicy, our food is cooked to your like-able temperature.

Forget the myth that all Thai food is spicy.

Traditional Thai food is known to be quite healthy, making use of natural and fresh ingredients, paired with lots of spices, herbs, and vegetables. Vegetarians and health conscious individuals will not be disappointed as fresh vegetables and tofu are available in most of our menu as well as wines and saki chosen to compliment the unique flavors of Thai cuisine.

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

Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily.

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

BOURBON BARREL BEEF & ALE 454 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, 828.452.9191. Lunch served 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Monday through Saturday. Dinner 5 to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Closed on Sunday. We specialize in hand-cut, 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.

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

BREAKING BREAD CAFÉ 6147 Hwy 276 S. Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station) 828.648.3838 Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Chef owned and operated. Our salads are made in house using local seasonal vegetables. Fresh roasted ham, turkey and roast beef used in our hoagies. We hand make our own eggplant and chicken parmesan, pork meatballs and hamburgers. We use 1st quality fresh not preprepared products to make sure you get the best food for a reasonable price. We make vegetarian, gluten free and sugar free items.

Call or go to Facebook (Breaking Bread Café NC) to find out what our specials are.

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.

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

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

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

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. It’s winter, but we still serve three meals a day on Friday and Saturday.

Join us for Breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m.; Lunch from 12 to 2 p.m.; and Dinner buffet from 6 to 7:30 p.m., with entrees that include pot roast, Virginia ham and herbbaked chicken, complemented by seasonal vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer a fine selection of wine and beer. And a roaring fire in the fireplace. So come enjoy mile-high mountaintop dining with a spectacular view. Reservations are required.

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

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. 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.

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

0%

Reg ional New s

100%

Op inion

100%

Outd oors

100%

Art s

100%

Entert ainm ent

100%

Classified s

100%

Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

243 Paragon Parkway | Clyde 22

828-476-5058

* Percent Weekly values b ased on Hayw ood, Jackson, M acon, Sw ain and Buncom b e d iet s.

tasteTHEmountains FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St., Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; Dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Frogs Leap is a farm to table restaurant focused on local, sustainable, natural and organic products prepared in modern regional dishes. Seasonal menu focuses on Southern comfort foods with upscale flavors. www.frogsleappublichouse.com.

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

Open for dinner at 4 p.m., Thursday through Saturday; noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Worldfamous prime rib, steaks, fresh seafood, gorgonzola cheese and salads. All ABC permits and open year-round. Children always welcome. Take-out menu. Excellent service and hospitality. Reservations appreciated.

JOEY'S PANCAKE HOUSE 4309 Soco Rd Maggie Valley.

828.926.0212. Winter hours: 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Joey’s is a family style restaurant that has been serving breakfast to the locals and visitors of Western North Carolina since 1966. Featuring a large variety of tempting pancakes, golden waffles, country style cured ham and seasonal specials spiked with flavor, Joey's is sure to please all appetites.

Join us for what has become a tradition in these parts, breakfast at Joey’s.

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

828.586.3555. Open Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Handtossed pizza, steak sandwiches, wraps, salads and desserts. All made from scratch.

Beer and wine. Free movies with showtimes at 6:30 and 9 p.m. with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Visit madbatterfoodandfilm.com for this week’s shows.

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

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

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

Open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. With music at the Depot. Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Life is too short for bad coffee. We feature wonderful breakfast and lunch selections. Bagels, wraps, soups, sandwiches, salads and quiche with a variety of specialty coffees, teas and smoothies. Various desserts.

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

Reservations appreciated.

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

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

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

Check out our events and menu at rendezvousmaggievalley.com 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Located across from the Fire Station.

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

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

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

VITO’S PIZZA 607 Highlands Rd., Franklin.

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

WAYNESVILLE PIZZA COMPANY 32 Felmet Street, Waynesville.

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

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

34 CHURCH ST. WAYNESVILLE 828.246.6505 Mtwitter.com/ChurchStDepot C facebook.com/ChurchStreetDepot

SATURDAY, MARCH 4 7 P.M.

Andy Sneed Live Music

3 E JACKSON ST. • SYLVA, NC

www.CityLightsCafe.com

DINING ROOM NOW OPEN! Challenge: Weigh-in Maggie Valley We’ve got your sports needs covered

COME WATCH THE GAME WITH US 3567 Soco Rd. Maggie Valley 828-926-9105 11-11 Sun. – Thurs.

11 – Midnight Fri. & Sat.

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

Closed Tues.

Sun. 12-9 p.m.

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

Smoky Mountain News

APPÉTIT Y’AL N L BO

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

March 1-7, 2017

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.

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

WAYNESVILLE’S BEST BURGERS

207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde

828-456-1997 blueroostersoutherngrill.com Monday-Friday Open at 11am

Real Local Families, Real Local Farms, Real Local Food 23

24

A&E

Smoky Mountain News

The weight of desire David Joy releases second book

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER What would you do?

A pile of drugs. A stack of cash. More money than you’ve ever seen in your life, and more illegal fun and chaos than you ever thought possible. And yet, while standing at this crossroads there’s a dead body on the floor, bullet hole through the head, blood spilling across the floor, ever closer to your shoes, and also your link to the situation.

In his sophomore novel, Jackson County author David Joy kicks the doors wide open with The Weight Of This World (out March 7 on Putnam Books), a rollicking, methamphetamine fueled drug-deal-gone-bad odyssey through the backwoods and back roads of Western North Carolina. It’s that line between what is right under the eyes of God and what is rightfully your — perhaps — one and only chance for something more. It’s a line as blurry as your eyes and thoughts while trapped in the confines of hard drugs and a social system where you were as forgotten or disregarded as quickly as you were born.

This second offering from Joy doesn’t stray far from the darkness and peril of his highly acclaimed debut work, Where All Light Tends to Go. But, what sets Joy apart from others in his field, is the mere fact he knows the rugged landscape and gritty characters he writes about. He knows the infinite circulatory system of dirt roads and dark depths of those hiding in the coves and hollers most folks ‘round these parts either avoid or simply are unaware of — under the radar and out of sight.

And yet, Joy himself is one that also flies around Jackson County unnoticed. In person, if you can track him down, he’s friendly and engaging. But, you also get the sense, if we all just left him alone to simply write and fish in Southern Appalachia, never to be bothered by another unfamiliar soul or deadline obligation, then, maybe, he finally found his own Shangri-La. But, for now, the spotlight grows brighter, hotter on Joy, a man on a mission, and a far cry from his early days as a writer for a small local paper, now touted as one of the bright flames of this next generation of southern noir novelists.

Smoky Mountain News: How has your life changed since the release of the first book?

You’re a very private, low-key person, to which I wonder how you deal with the attention and such?

David Joy: I don’t know that my private life has changed all that much. I still keep a small group of close friends. I still lean toward folks that are a good bit older than me. I still spend a lot of time alone in the woods. And I’m still a whole hell of a lot better at fishing than I’ll ever be at writing. What’s changed, I guess, is that I’ve traveled a good bit now. Before all this, I’d never really left North Carolina. Until I went to New York to sign that first book contract, I’d

Want to go?

Author David Joy will present his latest book The Weight of This World at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, March 3, in the Community Room of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

Books will be available for sale at the event. Reserve a copy at www.citylightsnc.com. The event will be presented by the library and City Lights Bookstore. never been on an airplane. That first book tour was 19 cities in 21 days, and the paperback tour was another 12. At this point I’ve been all over the country and to France, and that’s something I never really anticipated. I still don’t care for the travel all that much and I still have a lot of anxiety around people, but maybe I’m getting a little better at it.

SMN: How have the expectations changed, or have they remained the same? It’s one thing to want and aspire to be a novelist, it’s another to reach that milestone and look around…

DJ: I think the expectation has always been just to tell a good story. I don’t know that I ever really expected a book to land at a “Big Five” publishing house (Putnam Books is an imprint of Penguin Random House). I guess I hoped one day something would, but I certainly didn’t expect it. The only expectation has always been the story — to tell the best story I can and to do everything in my power to get the language right. That’s still the goal. I don’t see a day coming where I don’t have that desire to create. The hope now, I guess, is that the sto-

“I think the most important job I have is to show the humanity of every character I write. When you’re telling the kinds of stories I tell about the types of people I’m writing about, you carry a tremendous obligation to get to that humanity, and that’s not an easy thing to do.”

— David Joy

Webster author David Joy’s new book, The Weight of This World, will be released March 7 on Putnam Books. The drug-fueled odyssey follows two friends amid a drug-deal-gone-bad scenario where money and illegal substances will test their will to get out of their personal hell.

Ashley T. Evans photo

ries continue to get bigger. That’s really the sign of a writer that’s worth anything — that his or her scope has expanded over the course of their career. I think with this second book I can say that it has. The hope is for that to continue. I’ve said time and time again, I’m looking forward to the book I write 20 years from now. I want to see what I write when I’m 50.

SMN: What has that experience, now as a full-time novelist, traveling and meeting folks receptive of your work, shown you about your dreams, your craft, and ultimately you as a person in general?

DJ: I think it validates what you’re doing.

When you walk down a street in Vincennes, France and someone runs up to you to tell you how much they love your work, that’s a feeling that’s hard to explain. I certainly never expected that kind of stage. I think everybody wants to be recognized for what they do, whether you’re raising a family working 60 hours a week as a housekeeper or selling insurance for a living. Everyone wants their work to be appreciated. That desire doesn’t change. So it’s nice when you get that validation, when you see that people appreciate how hard you’ve worked. It

makes all that time waking up from dreams and listening to imaginary voices a little less crazy, a little more worthwhile. Maybe.

SMN: The main characters in your books are dark and flawed, but also have this thread of redemption, and innocence lost, but they’re always chasing after it. How much of yourself do you see in your characters? Or, if not, why do you tend to create these characters? The idea that conflict is what pulls readers in, or simply you’re trying to connect with some deeper meaning in yourself and your own backyard of Southern Appalachia?

DJ: I think the most important job I have is to show the humanity of every character I write.

When you’re telling the kinds of stories I tell about the types of people I’m writing about, you carry a tremendous obligation to get to that humanity, and that’s not an easy thing to do.

We’re talking about drug addicts and thieves, people capable of committing horrifying acts of violence. We live in a world where we’re able to put a great deal of distance between “us” and “them” for the sake of comfortability. We live in

S EE DAVID JOY, PAGE 27

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

It’s midnight, do you know where you life is?

FRIDAY, MAR. 3 6:30 P.M.

—————————————————————

at the Jackson County Public Library

David Joy

will present his new novel 3 EAST JACKSON STREET • SYLVA

828/586-9499 • citylightsnc.com

Smoky Mountain News

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Bookstore

March 1-7, 2017

I finally had a moment of silence.

After a raucous Saturday night attending the Perpetual Groove show at The Salvage Station in Asheville, I found myself in the living room of my friend’s house in West Asheville.

Midnight had come and gone, and there I was, sitting on the couch, wide awake as folks were already asleep atop the air mattress on the floor and in the back bedroom.

Since I haven’t had cable or a TV in almost five years, it felt like the ideal nightcap as I reached for the last cold beer and the nearby remote control, clicking on the glowing box in the corner. As per usual, nothing was on or at least appealing. But, when I drifted into the on-demand films, I came across a familiar and beloved title — “American Beauty.”

The landmark 1999 film broke open a lot of doors for critFrog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host ics and viewers alike. It showDarren Nicholson & Caleb Burress cased the sheer beauty and utter (Americana/bluegrass) 7 p.m. Friday, March 3. chaos that can hide so silently National finger-style guitar champion Richard behind white picket fences and Smith will perform with his wife, cellist Julie well-kempt suburban homes. The Adams, at 6 p.m. Friday, March 3, at the whole “if these walls could talk” Balsam Mountain Inn. thing, where you realize that you’re not alone in your thoughts Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host The that say, “Am I the only one with Colby Deitz Band (Americana/rock) at 8 p.m. a family this crazy?”

Saturday, March 4.

When it hit theaters, “American Beauty” felt like some No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will host Dead wall had been torn down between Cat and Bob Fleming & The Drunk Girl Chorus what we see and are told is “reali(Americana/roots) at 9:30 p.m. Friday, March 3. ty,” and what the real story actuThe Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host a ally is when you finally hear the dinner evening with The Russ Wilson Duo screams from down the hall or (jazz/swing) at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 11. feel the kisses on your lonely neck. It’s “appearance vs. reality” in its purest form.

Sitting there, something inside me clicked I remember exactly where I was when I on when main character Lester Burnham first watched it. Summer 2000. I was 15 (played by Kevin Spacey) said in the opening years old at a friend’s house in the tiny scene, “My name is Lester Burnham. This is Canadian border town of Alburgh, Vermont my neighborhood. This is my street. This is (across the bridge from my hometown of my life. I am 42 years old. In less than a year I Rouses Point, New York). It was the house of will be dead. Of course I don’t know that yet, this girl I had a crush on, who was two years and in a way, I am dead already.” older than me, and liked hanging out with Nothing within my mind, body and soul me for some reason. Her house was on Main was ever really the same after seeing that Street and we walked down to the grocery film, especially when Burnham said at the store to rent a video, “American Beauty” end, “I guess I could be pretty pissed off being the choice for that evening. I sat next about what happened to me. But it’s hard to to her and her mother on the couch, her litstay mad, when there’s so much beauty in tle sister on the floor in front of the TV. the world. Sometimes I feel like I’m seeing it

arts & entertainment

This must be the place

all at once, and it’s too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that’s about to burst. And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can’t feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life. You have no idea what I’m talking about, I’m sure. But don’t worry, you will someday.”

I felt like I became “aware” of nothing and everything when I left that house that night.

Anytime something happened to me or around me, whether it was good or bad or ugly, I would (and do still to this day) think of how that moment in front of me — and emotion within me — will matter when compared to the grand scheme of things. I felt like a bird flying above the bigger picture, and it has become my viewpoint ever since.

Fast-forward to last Saturday on the couch in West Asheville. Though I had only intended to throw on “American Beauty” until I fell asleep, I stayed up and watched the whole thing. It was just as mesmerizing and vital as when I was 15.

My thoughts bounced around what life was like in 1999-2000 and where we stand today as a county and a people. What I’ve always taken away from “American Beauty” is that you can’t 100 percent believe what you see at surface level with a person, that what their essence is might be something they’re afraid or ashamed of revealing, or what they want to say from their heart isn’t necessarily what echoes out of their mouth.

And with that notion, I find that’s how I try to approach folks, especially those who might not agree or see eye-to-eye with whatever it is I bring to the table in conversation.

You need to understand where someone came from to know where they’re going, and why it is they have chosen that direction in life.

When asked about the “plastic bag” scene in “American Beauty,” screenwriter Alan Ball said, “There’s a Buddhist notion of the miraculous within the mundane, and I think we certainly live in a culture that encourages us not to look for that.”

That’s it, right there. The irony of “American Beauty” being released in 1999 is the mere fact — for me at least — that was the end of the era of taking notice of the beauty of the mundane. Think about it. Once the new millennium flipped over on the calendar, it feels as if we’ve been in hyper-drive for the last 17 years. Internet for all — instant gratification when it comes to shopping, entertainment, information and connecting with people around the globe (though I feel we’ve never been more disconnected, with face-toface communication a lost art).

With all this technological advancement, I think about all the noise, anger, picking sides and such that has come through the door with it. Everyone with a smart phone has a voice and an opinion, and will broadcast it loudly, regardless of consequence.

Take a moment this week and just think about what incredible depths reside in those you’re yelling at across “The Great Divide.”

They all have secrets, fears, desires, and most of all, a soul somewhere in there that eagerly wants to be seen, heard and, most of all, loved.

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

25

On the beat

Franklin gets ‘Nitty Gritty’

HART HAS THE BLUES Acoustic blues duo Riyen Roots & Kenny Dore will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at Harmons’ Den Bistro at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. The Jane Kramer Duo (singer-songwriter) will perform March 11. Dinner, wine and beer available for purchase. $5 cover charge. www.harttheatre.org.

Smoky Mountain News

March 1-7, 2017

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will play March 3 in Franklin.

26

DARREN NICHOLSON BAND AT THE STRAND The Darren Nicholson Band will perform at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. Nicholson is the mandolinist for Balsam Range, winners of the International Bluegrass Music Association award for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ and ‘Song of the Year.’ Tickets are $18. To purchase tickets, visit www.38main.com.

Guitar champion to showcase talents National finger-style guitar champion Richard Smith will perform with his wife, cellist Julie Adams, at 6 p.m. Friday, March 3, at the Balsam Mountain Inn. Smith, a native of Beckenham, England, now resides in the U.S. He specializes in the fingerstyle guitar tradition

of Merle Travis, Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed, and was the 2001 National Fingerstyle Guitar Champion.

Adams, of Dayton, Ohio, was classically trained at the Interlochen Center for the Arts and the Cincinnati Conservatory, has won many competitions and played in a wide variety of musical settings. In 1996, she was selected to perform the Dvorak Cello Concerto with the Cincinnati Conservatory Orchestra. Since then, she has performed with orchestras in Chicago, Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati and Vero Beach, and has branched extensively into folk music.

A buffet dinner is included in the $49 ticket price, and seating begins at 6 p.m.

For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.balsammountaininn.net or call 828.456.9498.

The iconic alt-country/bluegrass act Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will celebrate over 50 years of notable music with a performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

The band's successes include a hit single with their cover version of "Mr. Bojangles"

by Jerry Jeff Walker and a gold album, “Will the Circle be Unbroken” featuring Earl Scruggs, Roy Acuff, and Doc Watson. A follow-up album “Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two” was certified gold, won two Grammy Awards, and was named “Album of the Year” at the Country Music Association Awards.

In 2015, the group performed a sold-out 50th anniversary concert at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. They have enjoyed a career filled with many accolades including multiple Grammy, Country Music Association, and International Bluegrass Music Association awards and nominations.

“Will The Circle Be Unbroken” has been inducted in the U.S. Library of Congress as well as the Grammy Hall of Fame. “Mr. Bojangles” was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Tickets start at $24. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

‘Black and White and Blues’ program

admission is free. For more information, contact Rachel Lackey, Director at 828.488.7843 or rlackey@swainmail.org.

The Swain Arts Center will present Scott Ainslie and Reggie Harris in its program “Black and White and Blues” at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 5, in Bryson City.

In this varied program, Ainslie and Harris will tour the music of the American South where European and African musical traditions cross-pollinated to create the powerful musical hybrids that have long dominated American popular music.

With a variety of instruments, stories, and song, the duo will explore the Africanization of old-time mountain music and African musical and cultural retentions in the blues, gospel, and work songs of our African American communities.

This program received support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Admission for adults is $10. Student

Bryson City community jam

A community music jam will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer, anything unplugged, are invited to join. Singers are also welcomed to join in or you can just stop by and listen. The jam is facilitated by Larry Barnett of Grampa’s Music in Bryson City.

The music jams are offered to the public each first and third Thursday of the month — year-round. This program received support from the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment of the Arts.

828.488.3030.

On the beat Open call for student musicians The Haywood County Arts Council sponsors an annual showcase of developing talent in the community. Young pianists, instrumentalists and vocalists are invited to perform in this year’s event at 3 p.m.

Sunday, April 2, at the First United Methodist Church of Waynesville.

Through the years an impressive parade of young performers has delighted audiences. Sometimes the selections will be major classics by Beethoven or Mozart, but more often there will be clever compositions to challenge beginners. Musical skills develop gradually over several years, and part of the training is public performance.

The Student Honors Recital has provided a world-class experience, with a wonderful performance venue and a grand piano to play. Area teachers who have studios for piano, instrumental and vocal instruction are asked to contact the Haywood Arts Council at director@haywoodarts.org or call 828.452.0593 to register their students.

Application information may be found at www.haywoodarts.org/special-events.

DAVID JOY, CONTINUED FROM 24

SMN: What is the state of the novel in the 21st century, in an era of fast-priorities and instant gratification? Why it is important to have these works to sit with and ponder, now more than ever before?

DJ: The short story writer George Saunders had this idea that fiction serves as empathy’s training wheels and that’s an idea that has always stuck with me. Fiction allows you to enter the lives of people you otherwise might never take the time to know or have the chance to meet. That’s the way you start to understand another person’s life is to sit down, share a meal, and hear them out.

Fiction sets the table for that. And more than anything, it forces you to keep your mouth shut long enough to listen. That’s the cure for many a problem — sitting quiet and listening.

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SMN: What is it about the mountains and people of Western North Carolina and Southern Appalachia that have made it so appealing to readers? What do you see and feel as someone who is rooted in this rugged landscape? And how does that filter into your words?

DJ: This is a difficult question in the sense that outside of this region I always feel obligated to try and tell people how impossible it is to get any sort of singular understanding of this place. People who aren’t from Appalachia have this very narrow-minded idea. I had a woman ask me once whether people back home liked my books, to which she corrected herself by asking, “Or can they read?” My skin was crawling and I had to fight off the urge to go absolutely ape shit, but I managed to look at her calmly and say, “Yes, we can read,” glancing down at my boots and adding, “We even have shoes.” The reality is that you’re talking about a region that stretches from the hill country of Mississippi to New York, an area covering 205,000 square miles across 420 counties in 13 states. All of us in Jackson County don’t know a thing about the coal-

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March 1-7, 2017

a world where it’s easy to demonize those people, to say to ourselves, “I’m nothing like them.” The problem with that is it leaves little room for dialogue, and without conversation you can never address a problem. I was reading a review of this novel recently and a woman said, almost angrily, “He made me care about these people!” That’s about the highest compliment I could ever hope to get. I made them care. The reality is, as much as I wish it weren’t true, that’s a very hard thing to do.

fields of Kentucky and West Virginia. We don’t live with mountain top removal. The biggest issue facing our mountains is land development. What I’m getting at is that being a writer in this region carries a great burden of trying to show people how complex this place really is. The burden’s even greater when you’re writing the kinds of stories I write, stories that outsiders like to point to and say, “Yep, that’s Appalachia.” Personally, I never set out to write books about Appalachia. I set out to write the kinds of stories I like to read, and the hope has always been that the truths are broader than setting, that what’s captured on the page speaks to the universal. As for why I set my stories here, it’s because it’s the only thing I know. When I see a landscape in my mind, it’s filled with mountains and I know their names. When I hear a character speak, he’d say, “branch,” before he ever thought to say, “creek.”

WNC's Largest Selection of Granite & Quartz.

SUPPORTED BY: Haywood County Chamber of Commerce, Haywood Economic Development Council, Haywood Community College Small Business Center, Haywood Advancement Foundation.

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On the beat Could Fly (Americana) March 4, The Orange Constant (rock) March 10 and Swinging Tire Drinking Choir (bluegrass/roots) March 11.

All shows are free and begin at 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.nonamesportspub.com.

• The Canton Armory will host “Winter Pickin’ in the Armory” at 7 p.m. every first and third Friday of the month. Mountain music, vintage country, clogging and dancing. Doors open at 6 p.m. Free. www.cantonnc.com.

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Dulci Ellenberger (singer-songwriter) March 3 and Joe Cruz (piano/pop) March 4 and 10. There will also be a special dinner evening with The Russ Wilson Duo (jazz/swing) March 11, with tickets $22.99 per person. All events begin at 7 p.m. 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands) will host “Hoppy Hour” and an open mic with Jimandi at 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays, “Funky Friday” with Bud Davis at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Isaish Breedlove (Americana) at 7 p.m. on Saturdays. 828.482.9794 or www.satulahmountainbrewing.com.

ALSO:

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

828.586.6440.

• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host Limited Distance (bluegrass/gospel) at 7:30 p.m. March 4. Free. www.curraheebrew.com.

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

828.488.8898.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Darren Nicholson & Caleb Burress (Americana/bluegrass) 7 p.m. March 3 and Good Direction (classic rock) 7 p.m. March 11.

All shows are free. www.froglevelbrewing.com.

Bluegrass/folk-roots act The April Verch Band will perform at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 12, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. Tickets are $15 per person and are available at www.38main.com.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night March 1 and 8, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo March 2 and 9. All events are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host The Colby Deitz Band (Americana/rock) March 4,

Karaoke with T&J March 10 and The Get Right Band (rock/funk) March 11. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. 828.349.2337 or www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will host Dead Cat and Bob Fleming & The Drunk Girl Chorus (Americana/roots) March 3, If Birds

• Soul Infusion Tea House & Bistro (Sylva) will host Tyler Kittle & Friends (jazz/Americana) from 6 to 8 p.m. March 7.

Free. 828.586.1717.

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

• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host a weekly Appalachian music night from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesdays with Nitrograss.

828.526.8364 or www.theuglydogpub.com.

Smoky Mountain News

March 1-7, 2017

• Guadalupe Café (Sylva) will host Folks’ Songs (Americana/traditional) from 7 to 9 p.m. March 3 and 10. Free. 828.586.9877.

STRAND FINDS ITS ROOTS

mobile technology to help you get a lot less mobile.

Log on. Plan a trip.

And start kicking back.

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On the street

The future of the AWM

• Sneak E Squirrel Brewing (Sylva) will host line dancing the Society for Creative Anachronisms, with a barony dinner and fighter exhibition displaying medieval sword fighting on Sunday, March 5; and a medieval dance at 7 p.m. Friday, March 10. For more information, call 828.586.6440.

• The High Mountain Squares will host their "Pirates of the Caribbean Dance" from 6:15 to 8:45 p.m. Friday, March 3, at the Memorial United Methodist Church in Franklin. Western Style Square Dancing, main/stream and plus levels. New dancers lessons will begin in January.

Everyone is welcome. For information, call 828.342.1560, 828.332.0001 or www.highmountainsquares.com.

ALSO:

• There will be an eco forum on “Our Cherokee Heritage” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, at the UU Fellowship Hall in Franklin. Ben Steere of Western Carolina University will discuss the Nikwasi and Cowee mounds. Free community program, which starts with a potluck at 5:30 p.m.

828.524.3691.

• There will be a free wine tasting from 1

The Jackson County Genealogical Society’s “The Appalachian Women’s Museum, A Bright Future!” presentation will be on Thursday, March 9, at the Historic Jackson County Courthouse in Sylva.

AWM Board President Cathy Monteith Busick will present an overview and update of the organization’s efforts to restore the 100-year-old Monteith Farmhouse in Dillsboro and to establish on the site an interpretive museum portraying the lives and contributions of Appalachian women.

A “Meet & Greet” will open the evening at 6:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 7 p.m.

All JCGS events are free of charge and the public is welcome. For more information, visit them on Facebook or call 828.631.2646.

The Town of Waynesville Historic Preservation Commission will host a series of speakers to inform the public on the rich and fascinating stories behind some of the historic places within the community.

The goal of “Haywood Ramblings” is to entertain and inform all ages on some of the interesting aspects of Waynesville’s long his-

tory. Talks will be held at 4 p.m. in the Town Hall Board Room.

• “William Holland Thomas” by Gavin Brown on March 2.

• “Country Roads: Pathways to Our Artistic Heritage” by Libba Feichter on April 6.

• “Local history and The National Register” by a panel of local historians on May 4.

For more information contact the Town’s Development Services Department at 828.456.8647.

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host a wine tasting on Wednesdays and a craft beer tasting on Thursdays. Both events run from 4 to 8 p.m. There will also be tapas from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. www.classicwineseller.com.

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

Smoky Mountain News

Waynesville historical speakers series

• A wine tasting will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. March 4 and 11 at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. $5 per person. www.papouswineshop.com or 828.586.6300.

March 1-7, 2017

www.facebook.com/AppalachianWomensMuseum

to 5 p.m. March 4 and 11 at Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville. The will also be the “Best Wines You’ve Never Heard Of” at 7 p.m. March 2 ($20, which includes more than five wines, with a bread and cheese pairing), and a “BYOB Dinner” with Chef Jackie Blevins ($60 all inclusive five courses, bring your own beer or wine) 7 p.m. March 16. www.waynesvillewine.com or 828.452.0120.

@SmokyMtnNews 29

arts & entertainment

On the wall

Smoky Mountain News

March 1-7, 2017

HCAC elects new members

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The Haywood County Arts Council has elected three new members to its Board of Directors. The new members, who will serve three-year terms, are Stephen Curry, Scott Parmele and Clara Schulte.

• Stephen Curry, a retired professor of mathematics and computer science, has a long history of involvement with arts-centered organizations. He served on the board of Magic City Actors’ Theater in Birmingham, Alabama, and coordinated arts programs for Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. Curry is experienced in strategic planning, grant writing, network design, accounting and statistical analysis.

• Scott Parmele brings a depth of management expertise to the council’s board. He was a longtime business owner, and served on the board of directors of Indiana’s Prairie Arts Council. His experience embraces communications, business operations and processes, finance, fundraising, marketing and public relations. With his wife Deb,

Parmele has spearheaded HCAC’s 2016-2017 volunteer initiative.

• Clara Schulte is Coordinator of Creative Arts at Haywood Community College. She serves on the Arts Council’s Regional Artist Project Grant and Grassroots Arts Program panels. Schulte’s areas of concentration include community involvement, fundraising, marketing, operations, social media, special events, and strategic planning.

She will work to strengthen HCAC’s relationship with Haywood Community College.

“We’re excited to have Stephen, Scott and Clara join our Board of Directors,” said Lindsey Solomon, HCAC executive director. “Their experience, energy and insights will help us continue to expand our programs and extend our community involvement during our 40th Anniversary year and beyond.”

For more information, call 828.452.0593, email info@haywoodarts.org or visit www.haywoodarts.org.

HCAC seeking postcard art

1/2 inches high x 5 inches long, no larger than 4-1/4 inches high x 6 inches long) to the Haywood County Arts Council between March 1 and April 10. Please note that though the art must be postcard-sized, it does not have to be made of paper: clay, wood, metal, and other 3-D artists are welcome to participate.

This offers a unique opportunity for buyers to acquire original, postcard-sized artwork for only $40 each. Offered on a firstcome, first-served basis, and silently auctioned throughout the month, each piece is exhibited anonymously, and the identity of the artist is revealed only after the work is purchased. With the playing field leveled, all participants can take home a piece by a wellknown artist, or one who's just making their debut in the art world.

If you have any questions, email info@haywoodarts.org or call 828.452.0593.

To help celebrate Haywood County Arts Council’s 40th Anniversary, a new and exciting exhibition is being planed as part of its “A Ruby Anniversary show” in May — an HCAC benefit sale of original, postcard-sized works by established and emerging artists in our region.

Any artist can contribute to this sale. The postcard portion of this show is a fundraiser, and any postcard submitted to the event will be considered a donation to the “Ruby Celebration” of HCAC’s 40th year. There will be no commissions paid to artists for these gifts. However, you will have a great artistic impact and help support the arts in Haywood County in an original way. To enter, simply bring your postcard (at least 3-

On the wall

Through the end of March there will be a display of the Studio Alive Artist exhibition, which will feature founder Catherine Christie at the Hudson Library in Highlands.

These exhibitions will continue throughout the year displaying works of one Studio Alive artist at a time in the community room. Studio Alive is a group of artists that meet weekly at the Hudson Library. The group started meeting at the home of Catherine Christie in 1980.

The Western North Carolina Woodturners Club, Inc. will be meeting around the area: • 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, at the Alternative School in Sylva. The school is located on Skyland Drive. Drive to the back of the school to the woodworking shop.

Visitors are always welcome. The club meets the first Tuesday of every month.

• 6 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at the Blue Ridge School in Glenville. The school is located on Bobcat Drive. Drive to the back of the school to the woodworking shop.

Visitors are always welcome. The club meets the second Thursday of every month.

• There will be an art reception for Western Carolina University MFA student Donna Sepulveda for her exhibition from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 2, in the Bardo Arts Center on campus. www.wcu.edu.

ALSO:

Let Me Sell Your House

“

I am dedicated to providing you with excellent services beyond your expectations.

March 1-7, 2017

“

Do you like woodcarving?

Dogwood Crafters Co-Op kicks off a new year of instructional craft workshops with a “Chair Seat Weaving” class from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 8-9 at the Dillsboro Masonic Lodge.

Well-known craftsperson Junetta Pell will teach the workshop. Participants will replace a chair seat with a diagonal weave using flat reed or binder cane or replace a cane seat in a chair. Please note that the chair frame should be in good repair prior to the class.

Pell will be glad to talk with anyone interested in attending the class about the appropriate materials for their chair. A list of tools needed will be given when participants register. A class fee of $5 will be charged plus a fee for any materials purchased from the instructor.

Register to attend by calling 828.586.2435 or emailing junettapell@hotmail.com by March 3.

arts & entertainment

Care to weave a chair?

Studio Alive exhibit

My Customers are REAL SATISFIED

- Dr. Sherry Manburg, Waynesville, NC (Seller)

Catherine Proben

Smoky Mountain News

“I chose to work with Catherine Proben because I trusted that she had my best interests at heart. She was professional, knowledgeable, and added a personal touch to the entire process. She always was available by phone or text to inform me of the progress of the sale of my home.

I am so impressed with the professionalism, dedication, and innovative ways that she used to sell my home. I highly recommend her & the Waynesville office to all the sellers and buyers in the area.”

74 N. Main St.,Waynesville

828-734-9157

cproben@beverly-hanks.com

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On the stage arts & entertainment

HART welcomes Barter Players

Front row, left to right: Zoe Walkingstick, Mary Cooper Claire Spilliards, Zoey Glenn, (second row): Lindley Wyatt, Gracie Ruebel, Polly Tissue, Autumn Colton, Makaula Lambert, Caroline Spilliards, Sam Hudson, Lily Luopa, Olive Graham (back row): Grace Chasten, Delaney Wildcatt, Evelyn Rowan, Natalie Stuckey, Kendra Hall, Tayla Holt, Diana Keown, Abby McLeod, Reese Williamson and Haven Bryant.

March 1-7, 2017

Triple Threat wins in Asheville The Competition Teams of Triple Threat Performing Arts Academy in Sylva traveled to Asheville recently to compete in the regional event for Inspire Dance Competition.

Eight group routines, one trio, and 17 soloists competed, and brought home plat-

Dinner and a play

Smoky Mountain News

The Highlands Cashiers Players will host a dinner and a play with the production of “Middletown USA” on March 2-4 and 9-11 at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in Highlands.

The play is a new work by playwright Dan Clancy whose plays have been produced all over the U.S. and in many countries around the world. It was written to be staged as a dramatic reading and was premiered in the area last summer at the Cashiers Library.

In the play, the life stories of two couples, who have been friends for 33 years, are told with both laughter and tears as the couples share each other’s joys and sorrows. Four of HCP’s talented and experienced actors will portray the two couples: Michael Lanzilotta, Adair Simon, Ralph Stevens and Lauretta Payne. Ellen Greenwald is directing.

The audience will be seated at tables that accommodate eight. Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner served at 6:30 p.m., play presented 32 without intermission at 7:45 p.m. Dessert

inum elite, platinum, and high gold awards, several placing in the top 5 of their categories. Several groups and solos earned specialty awards including, Most Captivating, Best of Broadway, Showmanship, Precision, and People’s Choice Awards. Additionally, Triple Threat Performing Arts Academy earned the Spirit Award and several students earned $500 scholarships to dance at nationals. www.ttpaa.com.

after the play will conclude the evening.

Wine will be available at a cash bar.

The play is the third play of the season subscription series with no extra charge.

Other tickets are priced at $32 for dinner and play. For reservations, contact HCP online at www.highlandscashiersplayers.org or call the box office number at 828.526.8084.

• The Franklin High School Advanced Theatre Class will perform “Murder in the Knife Room,” their first production of the Spring 2017 season, at 7 p.m. March 3-4 at the FHS Fine Arts Center. The production is a hilarious two-act comedy involving one murder and twenty suspects. Who killed Mysterious Host? Could it be Respected General? What about Wealthy Dowager? Or maybe it was Santa Claus.

The mystery unfolds as Inexplicably Omniscient Inspector takes on the most thrilling and baffling murder case in the history of thrilling and baffling murder cases. Tickets are $5 and available at the door each night.

ALSO:

The celebrated Barter Players of the historic Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia will be presenting two productions on Saturday, March 4, at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

• “The Ugly Duckling” is suitable for all ages and will be presented at 10 a.m. The play is based on the Hans Christian Anderson tale. It’s hard being different. When a strange egg shows up in Mama Duck’s nest and hatches, a very ugly duckling is born. After many failed attempts to “fit in,” the ugly duckling sets out on a journey to find his true place in the world.

He soon realizes that he must learn to love himself before he can discover who he really is.

• The Charles Dickens classic “Great Expectations” is aimed for a bit older audience and will be presented at 2 p.m. The play tells the story of Pip who, after a chance encounter in a graveyard with an escaped convict, begins a journey that takes him from his impoverished village to life as a London gentleman. Along the way, he meets the eccentric Miss Havisham and her ward, the beautiful, haughty Estella, with whom he falls in love. Determined to prove he is worthy of her, Pip strives to meet his great expectations only to realize a downfall that teaches him the truth about himself — and life.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids.

For tickets in advance, visit www.harttheatre.org or call the HART box office and simply leave a message on the recording to reserve tickets at 828.456.6322.

Play remembers activist Rachel Corrie The controversial play “My Name is Rachel Corrie” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. March 3-4 and 2 p.m. March 5 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

The play is based on the letters and diaries of activist Rachel Corrie, who was killed by an IDF soldier when she was only 23. It was jointly edited by journalist Katharine Viner and actor Alan Rickman who also directed it.

Rachel Corrie (April 10, 1979 – March 16, 2003) was an American Evergreen State College student and member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) who traveled to the Gaza Strip during the Second Intifada. She was killed in the Gaza Strip by a Caterpillar D9R armored bulldozer operated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) while protecting the family home of local pharmacist Samir Nasrallah from demolition by the IDF. According to the Israeli authorities the

demolitions were carried out to eliminate weapons smuggling tunnels. According to human rights groups the demolitions were collective punishment. The exact nature of her death and the culpability of the bulldozer operator are disputed, with fellow ISM protesters saying that the Israeli soldier operating the bulldozer deliberately ran over Corrie, and Israeli eyewitnesses saying that it was an accident since the bulldozer operator could not see her.

All three performances at HART will be followed by discussions with the actress and director. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for students. The Harmons’ Den Bistro will be open for dining before the evening performances and for Sunday Brunch. Patrons do not have to be attending the performance to dine in the Bistro.

Though Studio productions are general admission, reservations are recommended and shows often sell out. To make reservations for the play or for dinner call the HART box office at 828.456.6322 or go online to www.harttheatre.org.

Books In rural Scotland, lessons on the power of books R Smoky Mountain News

Jeff Minick

eaders of this column know I am a sucker for books about books. Novels like The Little Paris Bookshop, collections of reviews by such notables as Michael Dirda and Nick Hornsby, books touting other books like Book Lust, memoirs like The Reading Promise: My Father And The Books We Shared, all reach out from the shelves of bookstores or libraries, grab me by Writer the shirt collar, and demand to be taken home, read, and reviewed.

Well, here we go again.

Jenny Colgan’s novel The Bookshop on the Corner (William Morrow, 2016, 333 pages, $25.99) offers readers the charming tale of Nina Redmond, a young woman in Birmingham, England, who loses her post as a librarian because of job cuts. The government is interested in libraries becoming more hightech centers than repositories for books, and the library where Nina works begins discarding boxes and boxes of books during her last weeks of employment. Nina collects these books, stores them at her apartment much to the annoyance of her friend and roommate, and finally hits on the idea of buying a van and operating a bookshop on wheels.

In looking for the appropriate van — which Americans would more likely call a bus — Nina heads for Scotland and the Highlands, a place of small villages, wide open spaces, and broad skies. Here she not only secures the van she was after — this purchase requires a great deal of dickering — but in a series of misadventures she spends far more time than planned in Kirrinfief, home of the van and soon to be Nina’s home as well.

As she slowly falls in love with Kirrinfief and the beautiful surrounding countryside, Nina discovers her neighbors and the people living in the surrounding villages are book-

erary wares, restocking her shelves from the cast-off volumes of other libraries closing their doors or consolidating their books.

In the meantime, Nina, whose recent dating history has been as empty as the Highland Hills, meets two men who attract her, each in his own way. Marek, a foreigner learning the skills of railroading, treats Nina chivalrously and is clearly in love with her, though he has secrets from his past he keeps from her.

Lennox, the bluff, hardnosed sheep man and farmer from whom Nina rents her cottage, often interacts with her rudely and bluntly, in part because of the secrets from his past as well.

In addition to these people, Colgan gives us a score or more of minor characters who add much to The Bookshop on the Corner and its portrayal of contemporary life in the Highlands. Colgan lives in England and in Scotland, and clearly has a heart for the Scots. Her descriptions of the village tavern, its sense of community, its various rituals and dances all help to bring the story alive.

The Bookshop on the The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan. William Morrow, Corner possesses other virtues as well. Colgan, for 2016. 333 pages. one, manages to blend a good amount of gentle humor into her story. When Nina takes the shelves and stock, and begins to make a go of van for her first drive, the men leave the pub her small business, traveling to farmers’ marto watch this “wee lassie” drive the enormous kets, festivals, and town squares to sell her litstarved. Local libraries have closed, and local bookshops have gone out of business. With the help of her former roommate, Surrinder, Nina paints and decorates the van, adds

N.C. State Poetry Contest Entries are currently being accepted for the 2017 North Carolina State University Poetry Contest.

The contest is open only to residents of North Carolina (including out-of-state students who are enrolled in North Carolina universities). It remains one of the largest free-entry contests in the South.

The Grand Prize winner will receive $500. The best N.C. State undergraduate entry will receive a $100 prize.

“Guest Judge” this year is Richard Garcia. At 7:30 p.m. April 13, there will be a presentation of awards and a reading from Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Sharon Olds at Titmus Theatre in Thompson Hall on N.C. State’s campus in Raleigh. n The contest is open to all North Carolina residents except tenured/tenure-track professors in the University of North Carolina

system; writing instructors teaching at N.C. State (but teaching assistants and graduate students are eligible); poets with a published book of poetry (if they can buy your book online or from a publisher or bookstore, they consider you published); and previous winners. Previous finalists must submit poems that have not been previously submitted. n You may submit as many as three poems. The poems may not have appeared elsewhere in any publication, in print or online. There is no limit as to genre or length. n All entries must be typed and titled. Do not put your name on the poem, so it may be judged anonymously. Put your name on a cover sheet along with your contact information, including phone, address, and email. n No email submissions will be accepted. Submit all entries in hard copy to: NCSU Poetry Contest Campus Box 8105 English

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van. After she has purchased the van and meets with Lennox to rent the cottage, this scene ensues:

“Lennox squinted out through the door suddenly and raised his hand to his forehead.

‘Is that your van rolling down the hill?’

‘What?’ shouted Nina. ‘No, I left the hand brake on. I did! I’m sure I definitely did.’

‘It’d better not run over any of my bloody chickens.’”

His casual reaction to the runaway van not only tells us about Lennox, but is also just plain funny. Lennox, by the way, saves the van for Nina, and his “bloody chickens” are left undamaged.

The Bookshop on the Corner also reminds us of the power of books and story, even in our age of digital frenzy. Time after time, Nina connects readers with books to help solve their problems. Ainslee, a girl from an impoverished home and a sick mother, finds solace in the books Nina suggests, while her brother Ben, accustomed to skipping school and finding trouble, becomes a reader and realizes the importance of stories. Lesley, the cold-hearted woman from the local grocer’s who resists all of Nina’s literary suggestions finally takes her up on a book about an abandoned woman and connects so deeply with the story that she returns to the shop in tears wanting to read similar books.

At the end of The Bookshop on the Corner Jenny Colgan includes a section called “Meet Jenny Colgan” and another with excerpts from her other novels: Christmas at the Cupcake Café, Little Beach Street Bakery, and Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery. The novels all appear as well-written and engaging as The Bookshop on the Corner, and in “Meet Jenny Colgan,” which she describes as “entirely solipsistic,” is a long list titled “Stuff I Like.”

Ranging from Granny Smiths and Margaritas to The Far Side and Converse low-tops, the list gives us an amusing insight into Colgan and her world.

Department NCSU Raleigh, N.C. 27695-8105.

Postmark deadline is Monday, March 13. Due to volume, they cannot contact each contestant or return your poems afterwards.

New thriller from Joy Jackson County author David Joy will present his latest book The Weight of This World at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, in the Community Room of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

Joy received wide acclaim for his previous novel, Where All Light Tends to Go, which was named an Edgar finalist for “Best First Novel.”

Books will be available for sale at the event. You can also reserve a copy at www.citylightsnc.com. The event will be presented by the library and City Lights Bookstore.

34

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

The race is on Police investigate Pinnacle trail spiking as Assault on Blackrock sees record registration

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ews spread fast last week after the Sylva Police Department removed more than 50 spikes from hiking trails at Pinnacle Park, but a drive by the trailhead two days later showed that the incident hadn’t dampened local enthusiasm for the area. Even at 1 p.m. on a Thursday, the parking area held seven cars whose owners had come to enjoy a sunny afternoon on the trail.

Sylva resident Amy Schmidt, 33, was one of them. She and her German shepherd Greta

N

Amy Schmidt and her German shepherd Greta frequent Pinnacle Park as their favorite place to go walking. Holly Kays photo

come to Pinnacle Park regularly, about three times a week, and though she’d heard about the spikes she didn’t think twice about coming back for their regular walk. But the story did give her pause.

“I’ve lived here most of my life and I live a 10-minute drive from here, so I won’t stop coming but it is kind of creepy,” Schmidt said.

“I feel really comfortable being in the woods.

I’m not really worried about animals or anything like that — it’s more like, what is some person going to do?”

It seemed “really bizarre,” she said, that

someone would intentionally do that in such a well-used, well-loved place. Especially with the Assault on Blackrock race coming up.

Nobody is more aware of how the timing lines up with the race than Brian Barwatt, race organizer. This will be the seventh year for the grueling Assault on Blackrock, which encompasses a 7-mile loop from Pinnacle Park to Blackrock and back down again — 2,770 feet of elevation gain. All proceeds benefit the Clean Slate Coalition of Sylva, a nonprofit helping women facing serious life challenges build new lives.

The spiking occurred sometime before Saturday, Feb. 11, when a runner wound up in the hospital after impaling his foot on one. It was thought to be an isolated incident, said Sylva Detective Doug Farmer, until someone else stepped on one Saturday, Feb. 18, but did not wind up with a pierced foot. That same day, Barwatt and Police Chief Davis Woodard hit the trail, removing about 30 nails from the trail system. The following Monday, a larger group comprised of town maintenance employees, police officers and volunteers returned for a more thorough sweep of the trail, finding another 10 to 15 nails. The trail, which was closed Feb. 18, reopened on Tuesday, Feb. 21.

The spikes were mostly 16-penny nails with the heads cut off to form a spike, Farmer said.

“Somebody definitely had some forethought into this,” he said.

They searched in groups of four, Barwatt said, with one person going in front with a leaf blower to expose any nails hidden under the debris and two more following to locate any overlooked nails. A fourth person brought up the rear, searching the area with a

Tell what you know The Sylva Police Department is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for planting spikes in the trails at Pinnacle Park. Call 828.586.2916.

metal detector. The whole endeavor took a full day, six to eight hours, and Barwatt feels pretty good about the results.

“I feel pretty confident based on the method that we did, that they’re all gone,” he said.

No nails were found within 2 miles of the Pinnacle Park parking lot, Barwatt said. The spikes started at the junction of the West Fork Trail and the spur leading to the Pinnacle.

They were laid all along the spur trail and then up the West Fork Trail to its convergence with the East Fork Trail and leading down to the eastern boundary of Pinnacle Park where it meets private land along Parris Branch Road.

“In my opinion it had to be someone local who knows that area, because not many people know how to access the park up there,” Barwatt said.

As to why they did it, Barwatt said, he’s at a loss.

“It’s really boggling to try to understand what their intentions were because my first thought was, yeah, it’s for hikers, but if there’s nails going all the way out there (to Parris Branch Road) I don’t think people hike out that way,” Barwatt said.

Sometimes people illegally four-wheel up there, he said, but because the nails go all the way out to Pinnacle, that theory doesn’t completely work either.

F

In some cases, removing the spikes required cutting out sections of tree roots. Donated photo

A temporary closure at Pinnacle Park was lifted after Sylva town staff removed more than 50 spikes from the trail. Holly Kays photo

Prescribed burns planned for national forests

Run the race The 7-mile Assault on Blackrock will start at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 18, climbing 2,770 feet in elevation from Pinnacle Park and raising money for the nonprofit Clean Slate Coalition. Registration is $25 at www.raceentry.com.

on Little River Trail to remove six structures in an area known as Millionaire’s Row and from March 27 to May 26 on Jakes Creek Trail to remove 23 structures in an area known as Society Hill.

The restoration and demolition will help carry out a 2009 memorandum of agreement between the National Park Service, Tennessee State Historic Office and Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The park engaged in a series of public planning efforts from 1992 to 2008 that led to the final agreement defining the disposition of the 74 structures remaining

Work is underway to demolish some buildings and restore others in the Elkmont Historic District of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with some trail closures planned as a result.

Four structures in the area are slated for preservation in the Daisy Town area of Elkmont — Levi Trentham Cabin, Mayo Cabin, Mayo Servants’ Quarters and Creekmore Cabin. By November, park staff expect to have repointed masonry features, replaced rotted wood, painted and repaired windows, roofs and doors. The area will remain open to the public throughout the work project, but campers should expect noise during the day excepting quiet hours.

In addition, 29 structures Preservation work begins at slated for demolition are Mayo Cabin. NPS photo expected to be removed by May 26. These structures are located along Jakes Creek Trail and Little River at Elkmont. The agreement designated 19 Trail, and both trails will be closed during structures for preservation and 55 for demolidemolition to accommodate heavy equipment. tion. To date, two structures have been fully Access to the river near the structures will also restored and four have been removed. The park be restricted. The closures will be in effect continues to seek funding to complete the work.

Monday through Friday — from March 6 to 24 parkplanning.nps.gov/grsm.

Summer Day Camp Counselors Needed Ever want to be a summer camp counselor? Come try out at Waynesville Parks and Recreation’s Base Camp Counselor Combine event. th

March 19 1-5 pm

The Counselor Combine is an afternoon showcase where potential counselors find out what the summer camp is like and will go through the mental and physical hoops of a typical day!

It’s the opportunity to showcase what you can do and find out what’s expected. Come to the Waynesville Recreation Center to try out. All potential applicants must be at least age 16.

Fill out your application here when you arrive. Wear comfortable clothes and bring water!

Smoky Mountain News

vided the weather is good.

“I’m at my highest registration ever,” he said.

That’s a good thing, both because of the cause he’s raising money for and because of the pure experience of discovering Pinnacle Park. Barwatt moved to the area 12 years ago and started exploring the park in his quest to reach Blackrock, which he’d seen looming tantalizingly over Sylva. The trail became a regular feature of his training runs for mountaineering expeditions he conducts all over the world.

Then, he realized that there were actually two trails, not just one, that looped up to Blackrock.

“I went down the East Fork Trail and realized that went all the way back to Pinnacle Park and thought this would make a cool semi-loop trail,” he said. “It fit everything I thought would make a good trail race.”

The rest is history, and Barwatt hopes the spiking soon becomes an isolated incident buried somewhere in the past.

“We’ve never had anything like this happen here,” Farmer said, adding that the spiking was “pretty malicious.”

Similar instances have occurred in other places around the country, but not in the local area, at least not in recent memory.

Cathy Dowd, public information officer for the National Forests in North Carolina, said that she doesn’t know of any such thing happening in the Pisgah or Nantahala national forests for at least the last 10 years, and probably longer.

There was one report last summer of nails being scattered on the Bennett Gap Trail near Brevard, she said, but the nails weren’t installed upright in the ground like those at Pinnacle Park.

“If you were walking along and you hit it right, you could have hit your foot with it, but it wasn’t nailed,” she said.

Christine Hoyer, backcountry specialist for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and a former Sylva resident, said she’s never heard of any such thing happening in the park or anywhere else in the local area.

“I would categorize the Pinnacle Park situation of deliberately planting spikes on a trail as very unusual,” she said. “I have never heard of a similar case of this occurring on a trail.”

Barwatt hopes to see this unpleasant incident fade to the rearview quickly.

“It’s kind of tough,” he said. “I’ve just been trying to tell people that we have the problem taken care of.”

Restoration and demolition planned at Elkmont

March 1-7, 2017

“I don’t know what they were thinking,” he said.

For its part, the Sylva Police Department is still investigating the incident and hasn’t reached any conclusions as to who did it, or why. But it hopes to find out and is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

“There will be other efforts to go through and check the trail and make sure it is safe for race day, but right now we’re following every lead we can follow and checking every resource we can to come up with a suspect,” Farmer said.

Exact charges won’t be determined until a suspect is arrested and more is known about the crime itself. However, Farmer said, assault would be a likely charge because the crime involved foreign items used to inflict injury upon someone else.

North Carolina also has a statute that prohibits injury to property such as trees and crops.

“They drove those nails directly into the root system of the trees,” Farmer said. “To remove those we had to cut sections of the root system out.”

When the spikes were first discovered, Barwatt couldn’t help but wonder how the incident would impact the race. But as the story went national, registration only increased. By the end of February he had more than 50 people signed up, while usually the number is more like 40. He’s expecting more than 100 people by race day, pro-

smoke impacts.

Trails and roads may be closed the day before the prescribed burn, and the public should heed any posted closure notices.

Prescribed burns are used to improve wildlife habitat and reduce the risk of wildfire by preventing the buildup of fuels on the forest floor. Burned areas may be unsightly at first but swiftly green up to provide ample vegetation for wildlife communities.

outdoors

Over the next few months, prescribed burns will be conducted on all four of North Carolina’s national forests.

The U.S. Forest Service will notify the public when a controlled burn is planned for a specific area, but burning days are subject to change because proper weather conditions are important for safe burning. The Forest Service is required to meet state air quality requirements and will conduct smoke modeling to reduce unpleasant

WAYNESVILLE

RECREATION CENTER

550 Vance St. • Waynesville • 828.456.2030 www.waynesvillenc.gov

35

outdoors

Solar eclipse viewing tickets on sale Tickets are now on sale for the Great American Solar Eclipse in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, available on a firstcome, first-served basis for $30 apiece.

A total eclipse of the sun will occur in the region the afternoon of Monday, Aug. 21, and the park is partnering with NASA, Southwestern Community College and the

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is well within the boundary of the solar eclipse. NPS map

March 1-7, 2017

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to provide a special program with featured speakers and storytellers to help explain the scientific and cultural connections to this unique event. The ticketed event will occur at Clingmans Dome with informal viewing sites offered as well at Cades Cove and Oconaluftee.

At 6,643 feet in elevation, Clingmans

Dome is the highest point in the park and offers the unique possibility of seeing the moon’s shadow approach across the landscape. The area will be closed to public traffic with about 1,325 tickets offered. The parking area will be converted to a special event site that includes a jumbotron screen for a national NASA TV broadcast, telescopes, educational exhibits and a stage for featured speakers.

“We are thrilled that the park lies within the narrow viewing band of this spectacular, natural phenomena,” said Deputy Superintendent Clay Jordan. “I have great memories of the time I experienced a partial solar eclipse as a child and I am thrilled to view my first total eclipse from the top of the Smokies in the company of a passionate group of visitors.”

Participants will be shuttled to the site from Gatlinburg and Cherokee by coach bus. The Clingmans Dome tower itself will be reserved for the media and live broadcasting teams to share the experience with the widest audience possible. Special presentations and activities will take place during the approximately three-hour period in the afternoon when the sun will be partially and, for a brief time, totally obscured by the moon.

Buy tickets at www.recreation.gov.

The Mountain Farm Museum.

Donated photo

Hike through Smokies history A hike along Mingus Creek will kick off Friends of the Smokies’ 2017 Classic Hikes Series on Tuesday, March 14.

The 4-mile roundtrip hike will visit a historic cemetery, and hikers will get a private behind-the-scenes tour of the Mountain Farm Museum at Oconaluftee Visitor Center, providing a glimpse of what daily life was like 100 years ago.

Led by hiker and author Danny Bernstein, with donations benefiting the Friends of the Smokies Trails Forever Program, which funds trail rehabilitation in the park. $20 for members and $35 for nonmembers, with a discounted whole-series rate of $160 for 10 hikes available through March 14. www.hike.friendsofthesmokies.org.

Dive into Franklin’s Cherokee connections Explore the Cherokee history in the Franklin area with a program at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Franklin.

Ben Steere, who studies Cherokee history at Western Carolina University, will discuss Cherokee culture during the evening, including such reminders as the Nikwasi and Cowee mounds.

A meet and greet and potluck will start off the evening at 5:30 p.m. 828.524.3691.

The 3rd Gateway to the Smokies Half Marathon follows nearly the exact same course as previous years, begining on Main Street in beautiful downtown Waynesville and winding through neighborhoods & scenic farmlands to finish in Frog Level, a revitalized railroad district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A total of $201,000 has been awarded to 35 farm businesses in Western North Carolina as part of this year’s WNC Agricultural Options grant cycle.

The grants, which individually totaled $3,000 or $6,000, funded a variety of projects. Jessica and Aron Wher of Graham County’s Wehrloom Honey, for example, will use their grant to help their mead — a honey-based wine — gain a national customer base and incorporate the meadery into their retail and education center.

Eight recipients anticipate hiring additional workers due to this year’s grant, and half of the awarded farms are already full-

fledged businesses supporting at least one full-time farmer. By the end of the season, at least three additional farmers are expected to be full-time.

The awardees include the Dennis Francis Farm in Haywood County, which was awarded $6,000 for a seed drill for hay and pasture regeneration, and Breedlove Family Farms in Swain County, which was awarded $6,000 for goat handling equipment.

WNC AgOptions aims to help farmers carry out their innovative agricultural ideas through grants and has awarded 491 farm projects more than $2.3 million since 2004.

The program is funded by the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, which has pledged $239,000 for 2018 awards. www.wncagoptions.org

Smoky Mountain News

New this year is the 4-Miler, which starts and finishes at the same place as the Half Marathon.

Grant dollars will help WNC farms grow

Volunteers needed at Clingmans Dome

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A volunteer training 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will prep the public to help man the seasonal information center at Clingmans Dome.

Volunteers work alongside Great Smoky Mountains Association employees to educate visitors about the park, help them plan their visit and give directions. Volunteers are asked to work one fourhour shift per week, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with help especially needed Friday through Sunday.

RSVP for the training with Florie Takaki, 828.497.1906 or florie_takaki@nps.gov.

The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is located along U.S. 441 just north of Cherokee.

Running season is warming up along with the weather, and the coming month will feature a full menu of opportunities to stretch your legs.

Sign up for one (or more!) of these local races to get the endorphins flowing.

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March 1-7, 2017 Smoky Mountain News

n The Feeding America 5K Walk/Run will raise money for the nonprofit Feeding America 9-11 a.m. Saturday, March 18, at Western Carolina University. Runners can begin this noncompetitive 5K at any point during the two-hour window, with stopwatches available to keep time. Every $1 raised translates into 11 meals for people suffering from hunger in the United States. $15.

Organized by the WCU Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Register at www.active.com. n The Mountaineer 2-Miler will step off at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 18, at Waynesville Middle School to raise money for supplies, materials and technology at the school. The only 2-mile run in the area, the race begins and ends at WMS campus and sticks to road running. $25 through March 4. Organized by the WMS PTA. www.runsignup.com. n The Assault on Blackrock will begin at 9 a.m.

Saturday, March 18, at Pinnacle Park in Sylva.

The grueling 7-mile trail race involves 2,770 feet of elevation gain and will raise money for the Clean Slate Coalition, a Sylva nonprofit that helps women in need rebuild their lives. $25 pre-registration. www.raceentry.com. n The Macon Your Heart Beat 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 25, at Angel Medical Center in Franklin.

Proceeds will benefit the hospital’s cardiac rehab department. $15-$35. www.active.com. n The Valley of the Lilies Half Marathon and 5K will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 1, at Western Carolina University. It’s a scenic course, with the half marathon route winding through campus and along the Tuckasegee River. Proceeds will help WCU students with expenses associated with professional presentations and conference travel. Prices through March 5 are $40 for the half marathon and $20 for the 5K. Hosted by the School of Health Sciences and the Department of Campus Recreation and Wellness. www.active.com. n The South Macon Wildcats ROARING! 5K Run/Walk will take off at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 1, at South Macon Elementary School in Franklin. Proceeds will benefit the school’s parent-teacher organization. $20. www.active.com.

S Banking... Simplified

outdoors

Race into springtime

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outdoors

Farmers markets now weekly in Sylva The Jackson County Farmers Market will return from winter hibernation to hold weekly markets once more starting Saturday, March 4.

Markets will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Table on Central Street in Sylva, with outdoor markets at Bridge Park resuming in April with longer hours.

Updates are at the “Glorious Jackson County Farmers Market” page on Facebook.

Get a jump on gardening If you’re pining for growing season, head over to one of these free programs offering expert advice to green and brown thumbs alike. n A workshop on caring for houseplants will be offered 4-5 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at the Canton Public Library. June Jolley, greenhouse manager for the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville, will demonstrate how to groom, divide and repot houseplants. Free. 828.648.2924. n Expert advice on planning a high-yield garden with a small space and little labor will be available 2-3 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at the Waynesville Public Library. Master Gardener Volunteer Hughes Roberts will present on the square gardening approach, which allows gardeners to grow a lot of food in a little bit of space. Free. Sponsored by Friends of the Library and N.C. Cooperative Extension.

828.452.5169. n Learn how to create a monarch garden 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at the Canton Public Library with a presentation from Master Gardener Volunteer Marcia Tate.

Children are welcome, with a separate kids program available for those 3 and older. Free.

828.648.2924.

Become a wildflower expert A six-week course to get acquainted with the plethora of wildflowers in the Southern Appalachians is starting soon, with sessions offered on Mondays, March 20 to April 24, and on Tuesdays, March 21 to April 25. All classes will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at various locations in the woods.

Taught by horticulturist Adam Bigelow, the class will use basic identification techniques with ID guides and keys and put the knowledge to work in the field.

The course will also cover the stories behind the plants — their uses, benefits and relationships to each other. $150 for the series, with single-day rates available. Space is limited. Sign up with Adam Bigelow, bigelownc@gmail.com. www.facebook.com/BigelowsBotanicalExcu rsions.

Help stock the Pigeon River Trout fans are invited to help the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and Trout Unlimited Cataloochee chapter stock the West Fork of the Pigeon River at 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday, March 7.

Volunteers are invited to bring a clean 5gallon bucket, trash bags and friends to help stock at least 1,200 pounds of fish.

Waders are also recommended. The job will take about three hours to complete.

It’s the N.C. Wildlife Resources

Commission’s responsibility to stock the river, but having a volunteer force to help allows the fish to be dispersed more evenly along the river, resulting in a more enjoyable fishing experience.

The group will meet at a parking lot that’s past Lake Logan and before Sunburst Campground off of N.C. 215, across from the shooting range.

Ron Gaddy, tucataloochee427@gmail.com.

WNC bike shops get national recognition March 1-7, 2017

Of 4,000 U.S. bike shops, Motion Makers Bicycles and Bryson City Bicycles were selected as two of the 253 listed as America’s Best Bike Shops by the National Bicycle Dealers Association in 2016.

This is the fourth year running that Motion Makers has held the distinction, and the third year for Bryson City Bicycles.

“This award is one of the few that I look at and know that it comes from actual facts. It’s not just a popularity contest,” said Kent Cranford of Motion Makers. “It indicates that we are doing the right things to be the best shop that we can be, and that is more satisfying because we work harder to earn it.”

Award recipients are expected to offer quality shopping experiences, expert staff, support for their communities and bicycle advocacy nationally and locally. www.nbda.com.

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Smoky Mountain News

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Learn more when you visit our website: mountaincu.org

289-80

Drought is creeping back into the area, with the number of counties designated as experiencing severe drought growing from four on Feb. 14 to 11 on Feb. 21, the most recent map available.

Drought had been on a steady retreat ever since rain began to fall in the final days of November following an autumn of historic dryness. However, things have gotten a little drier recently, with the number of abnormally dry counties growing from 20 on Feb. 7 to 62 on Feb. 14. The most recent map showed the trend continuing, with all counties from Buncombe and Polk west in severe drought and 10 more western counties in moderate drought. Another 56 counties are abnormally dry.

Drought maps are updated every

Thursday with data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. www.ncdrought.org.

Drought loans available The March 21 deadline is approaching for economic injury disaster loans in Macon, Jackson and Clay counties.

The loans are available from the U.S. Small Business Administration as a result of the drought that took hold this summer and are open to farm-related and non-farm entities that suffered financial loss as a direct result of the disaster. Except for aquaculture enterprises, the SBA can’t give loans to agricultural producers, farmers or ranchers.

Loans provide working capital of up to $2 million with interest rates of 2.625 percent for nonprofits and 4 percent for small businesses, and terms up to 30 years.

Apply at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

WNC Calendar COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • Haywood Ramblings will feature a presentation entitled “William Holland Thomas” by Gavin Brown from 45 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, at the Waynesville Town Hall Board Room. Brown began his career as an attorney in Waynesville in 1972, served on the Board of Aldermen from 1999-2007 and has served as mayor since 2008. Presented by the Town of Waynesville Historic Preservation Commission.

• Haywood Regional Medical Center will have representatives recruiting talent at an upcoming regional job fair from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on March 2 at Southwestern Community College in Sylva. Apply online or search opportunities: MyHaywoodRegional.com/careers or 452.8290.

• Applications are being accepted for the Haywood County Farm Bureau Scholarship. Students must be graduating seniors, currently enrolled in a Haywood County school or enrolled in a two- or four-year school and a resident of Haywood County. 2.5 GPA or better.

452.1425 or Karen_greene@ncfbssc.com.

• The Jackson County Department of Public Health is seeking input from residents who have used its services or who have thoughts on the health needs of Jackson County. http://health.jacksonnc.org/surveys.

• Volunteers will be available to assist area residents of all ages with federal and state income tax preparation and filing through April 14. Hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. every Friday and Monday at the Jackson County Senior Center in Sylva and from 3-6:45 p.m. on Tuesdays or by appointment at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. For appointments: 586.2016. For tax preparation assistance in other counties, visit: www.aarp.org.

• Progressive Nation WNC meetup is held from 5:30-8 p.m. each Monday at the Folkmoot Friendship Center on Virginia Avenue in Hazelwood. For like-minded progressive and Democratic activists wanting to share ideas and action steps. Questions: Amber.Kevlin@aol.com.

• The 2017 grant application season has launched and guidelines and applications for the North Carolina Arts Council’s seven grant programs for organizations are now available. The deadline for receiving 2017-18 grant applications is Wednesday, March 1 and applications must be completed electronically through the North Carolina Arts Council’s online portal. For more information, visit www.ncarts.org/resources/grants/grantsorganizations.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • Southwestern Community College’s Career Services will host a job and networking fair from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, in the Burrell Conference Center on the SCC Jackson Campus in Sylva. Employers wishing to recruit at the event can register by writing to m_despeaux@southwesterncc.edu.

• “The Stones Cry Out: Stories of the People and History of the Bryson City Cemetery” is the title of the program for the Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society meeting at 6:30 p.m. on March 2 at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center in Bryson City.

• “Our Cherokee Heritage” – an eco-forum – is set for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 3, at the UU Fellowship Hall at 89 Sierra Drive in Franklin. Bring a covered dish to share at 6 p.m. 524.3691 or SandiDonn2@yahoo.com.

• The Southwestern Commission is accepting proposals for funding from local governments and nonprofits in the state’s seven westernmost counties through 5 p.m. on Friday, March 3. For guidelines and match requirements, visit: www.regiona.org. Info: rharris@regiona.org.

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

• “Career Exploration,” part two of the Applications, Interviews & Resumes for Teens series, is scheduled for Monday, March 6, at the Canton Library. Registration required. 648.2924.

• A program entitled “Basics of Bookkeeping” will be presented by Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Monday, March 6, at the Jackson Campus. Part of a business startup series, which will meet each Monday through March 27.

Registration required: www.southwesterncc.edu/sbc.

Info: 339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

• “Are we alone in the universe, and is the cost of space exploration worth it” will be the topic for the Franklin Open Forum, which is at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 6, at Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub in Franklin.

Dialog, not debate. 371.1020.

• Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center will hold a seminar entitled “Bridging the Digital Divide” from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, March 6, in Building 200, Room 203, on the main campus in Clyde. Speaker is Boomer Sassman. Preregistration required: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center will host a “Master Your Marketing Summit” from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, at SCC’s Jackson Campus. Eight sessions of marketing insights.

Register: 339.4426 or www.southwesterncc.edu/sbc.

• A seminar entitled “Effective Fundraising with the Help of Your Board” will be presented by Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center from 9 a.m.-noon on Wednesday, March 8, at SCC’s Jackson Campus in Sylva. Led by Amanda PEARCE, CFRE and owner of Funding for Good, Inc. Register: www.ncsbc.net. Info: 339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

• “The Appalachian Women’s Museum, A Bright Future” is the topic of the upcoming program of the Jackson County Genealogical Society, which meets at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, in the Community Room of the historic Jackson County Courthouse in Sylva. 631.2646.

• Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center will offer a seminar entitled “HR Basics for Small Business” from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, at the HCC Regional High Technology Center in Clyde. Register or get more info: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• A Writing Workshop for Political Action will be led by Chris Cooper from 3-4 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, at the Waynesville Library. Cooper is professor and department head of Western Carolina University’s Political Science and Public Affairs. RSVP: 400.2625.

• Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center will hold a seminar entitled “Using WordPress to Blog for Your Business” from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, March 13, in Building 200, Room 203, on the main campus in Clyde. Preregistration required: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• “Entrepreneurship & Applications,” part three of the Applications, Interviews & Resumes for Teens series, is scheduled for Monday, March 13, at the Canton Library.

Registration required. 648.2924.

• A program entitled “Marketing Your Business” will be presented by Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Monday, March 13, at the Jackson Campus. Part of a business startup series, which will meet each Monday through March 27.

Registration required: www.southwesterncc.edu/sbc.

Info: 339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

Smoky Mountain News

• “Your Small Business Taxes” is the topic of a seminar offered by Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center from 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesday, March 14, at the Small Business Center, Room 5108. Register or get more info: 627.4512 or SBC.Haywood.edu.

• The Haywood Chamber of Commerce and its Women’s Initiative will present the first luncheon of 2017 featuring Ingrid Allstaedt and Holly Headrick of WLOS from 11:10 a.m.-1 p.m. on March 14 at Wells Events and Reception Center. Register: http://tinyurl.com/zs3jlhd.

• Registration is underway for Local Business Sunday, a reception and learning opportunity offered by Biltmore Church Franklin Campus at 10 a.m. on March 26.

Michelle Myers will offer a brief presentation on successful strategies for social media marketing. RSVP deadline is March 17. Questions, info and to RSVP: franklin@biltmorechurch.com or 651.6133.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS

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Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: ■ Complete listings of local music scene ■ Regional festivals ■ Art gallery events and openings ■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers ■ Civic and social club gatherings in the Waynesville Wellness Classroom. First come, first served. 539.0440, www.blueridgenaturalhealth.com.

• “Know Your Numbers – Heart Month Screening” is being offered by Haywood Regional Medical Center.

Screenings are held from 1-3 p.m. March 2, at Mast General Store in Waynesville.

• A Lularoe and Stella and Dot Drop-in Spring for a Cure Fundraiser will be held from 3:30-7 p.m. on Friday, March 3, at the home of Nancy Rogers. Sponsored by Dueling for a Cure Relay for Life team of Franklin. Info: 342.2774.

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1:30-6 p.m. on March 3 at Little Brasstown Baptist Church in Brasstown. Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800.RED.CROSS (800.733.2767).

• Jack the Dipper in Sylva is holding a fundraiser for United Christian Ministries on the afternoon of Sunday, March 5. 10 percent of proceeds go to UCM to help Jackson County Families in Need.

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 8:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m. on March 3 at Swain County High School in Bryson City. Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800.RED.CROSS (800.733.2767).

• The “Bowl for Kids Sake” fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters is from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, at Sky Lanes Bowling Alley in West Asheville. To participate or sponsor, call 273.3601.

VOLUNTEERS & VENDORS • Applications to be Folkmoot Festival guides will be accepted until Feb. 28. Twenty individuals will serve as ambassadors to visiting international cultural performance groups during the 45th annual festival from July 20-Aug. 2. Info: 452.2997 or elizabeth@folkmoot.org.

• Applications are being accepted through March 3 for exhibitors at the sixth annual Healthy Living Festival, which is from 9 a.m.-noon on April 8 at the Cullowhee Recreation Center. For applications or info: 587.8292 or lizcochran@jacksonnc.org.

• Haywood Regional Medical Center is currently seeking volunteers of all ages for ongoing support at the hospital, outpatient care center and the Homestead. For info and to apply: 452.8301, stop by the information desk in the lobby or volunteer@haymed.org. Anyone interested in becoming a hospice volunteer can call 452.5039.

• Greening up the Mountains Festival is seeking artists, mountain crafters, environmental and food vendors to apply for a booth in its 20th festival, which is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on April 22. Applications available at www.greeningupthemountains.com, or call 631.4587.

• Town of Dillsboro will be hosting three arts and craft shows open to vendors from the surrounding region. Over 40 artisans for each of these festivals are needed, artisans who will be displaying and demonstrating their hand made arts and crafts from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Family entertainment and festival food will be available during each show. First show is Saturday, June 17 — The 3rd annual “Front Street Arts & Crafts Show.” Application due April 1. Vendors may apply for these shows by downloading an application from the town’s website, www.visitdillsboro.org. For more information, call Connie Hogan at 586.3511 or email festivals@visitdillsboro.org.

HEALTH MATTERS • Acupuncture clinics for Haywood County veterans are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, March 1 and 8,

• NEDAwareness Week is through March 4, to shine the spotlight on eating disorders in Western North Carolina. www.thecenternc.org. simoneseitzavl@gmail.com; elaine@thecenternc.org.

• A nutritional presentation on how the food we eat intertwines with the energy we have for work and play will be offered at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, at the Canton Armory. Led by Caitlyn Lance and Leah McGrath.

Part of the “Walk-n-Talk” series. Walk starts at 4 p.m.

To confirm: parks@cantonnc.com.

• 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.

• 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 starting March 6.

587.8225.

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on March 9 at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva. Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800.RED.CROSS (800.733.2767).

• The Macon County Cancer Support Group meets at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, in the cafeteria of Angel Medical Center in Franklin. Guest speaker is Dr. Charles Barrier, gastroenterologist with Western Carolina Digestive Consultants.

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on March 10 at First United Methodist Church in Sylva. Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800.RED.CROSS (800.733.2767).

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on March 10 at Lowe’s in Franklin.

Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800.RED.CROSS (800.733.2767).

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 7:30 a.m.-noon on March 11 at Crabtree United Methodist Church in Clyde. Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800.RED.CROSS (800.733.2767).

wnc calendar

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1:30-6 p.m. on March 13 at Andrews United Methodist Church in Cherokee County. Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800.RED.CROSS (800.733.2767).

RECREATION AND FITNESS • Beginning Yoga will be offered from 6-7 p.m. on Wednesdays through March 1 at the Historic Colonial Theatre in Canton. $10 per session. Led by Jason Moore.

• High Mountain Squares host a “Pirate of the Caribbean” dance from 6:15-8:45 p.m. on Friday, March 3, at the Memorial United Methodist Church in Franklin. Western-style square dancing, mainstream plus levels. 342.1560, 332.0001 or www.highmountainsquares.com.

• Registration for a spring golf league starts March 6 through the Jackson County Recreation Department. $10 fee to enter and $20 per week to golf course.

League is at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Smoky Mountain Country Club. Register at www.rec.jacksonnc.org.

• Registration is underway for a PDGA-sanctioned disc golf tournament, which will be held on Sunday, March 12, at the Waynesville Disc Golf Course at Vance Street Park in Waynesville. Register for the “Blind Hog Day Light Savings Throw Down” at https://www.discgolfscene.com/tournaments/Blind_Ho g_Day_Light_Savings_Throw_Down_2017. Info: 456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

• ZUMBA! Classes, are offered from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesdays, at the Canton Armory. $5 per class.

648.2363 or parks@cantonnc.com.

March 1-7, 2017

• Friday night skiing and snowboarding is being offered through the Jackson County Parks & Recreation Department at Cataloochee Ski Resort.

Hours are 5-9 p.m. on March 3. $25 lift only; $35 for lift and rental; $45 for lift, rental and lesson. www.rec.jacksonnc.org.

SPIRITUAL • A new mindfulness group will meet from 5:30-7 p.m. on Thursdays through March 16 at 166 Branner Ave., Suite C, in Waynesville. Cost: $25 per person or $40 per couple per session. Registration required: 703.609.9107 or dchristiano@yahoo.com.

POLITICAL • Bryson City 1 Precinct of the Swain County Democratic Party meets at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, at Democratic Headquarters in Bryson City.

Smoky Mountain News

• Haywood Democrats will have a roundtable at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, at Democratic Headquarters.

• The Haywood County Republican Convention is at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, in the Haywood County Historic Courthouse in Waynesville. Must be a registered Republican as of Jan. 31.

contest is open only to residents of North Carolina (including out-of-state students who are enrolled in North Carolina universities). All entries must be typed and titled. Do not put your name on the poem, so it may be judged anonymously. Put your name on a cover sheet along with your contact information, including phone, address, and email. Submit all entries in hard copy to: NCSU Poetry Contest Campus Box 8105 English Department NCSU Raleigh, N.C. 276958105. Postmark deadline is Monday, March 13. Due to volume, they cannot contact each contestant or return your poems afterwards.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES • The Mexican Train Dominoes Group seeks new players to join games at 1:30 p.m. each Tuesday at the Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 926.6567.

• Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina – an effort to help area residents commit to a healthier lifestyle, will meet from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville.

• Book Club is held at 2 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800

KIDS & FAMILIES • Kindergarten registration is at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 14, at Highlands School.

• Applications are being accepted through March 3 for young musicians who want to perform in the Haywood County Arts Council’s 19th annual Student Honors Recital, which is at 3 p.m. on April 2 at the First United Methodist Church of Waynesville. Pianists, instrumentalists and vocalists. Application info at http://haywoodarts.org/special-events. Area youth music teachers can register students by writing director@haywoodarts.org or calling 452.0593.

• Registration is underway for Youth Volleyball Clinics for girls through the Jackson County Recreation Department. $40. Clinics are Thursdays from March 9April 13 at the Cullowhee Recreation Center. Grades 48. www.rec.jacksonnc.org.

• Registration has begun for Youth Spring Soccer through the Jackson County Parks & Recreation Department. Open to players born between 2003-12.

Birth certificates required for first-time players. $55. www.rec.jacksonnc.org.

• “A Rash of Stories” adapted from the short stories of Ron Rash will be presented by Barbara Bates Smith and musician Jeff Sebens from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, at the Lake Logan Conference Center in Haywood County. $25 for lecture and lunch; $143.89 for B&B, lecture and lunch. Info: Susan@lakelogan.org or 646.0095.

• Author Tyler Cook, a native of Franklin and Western Carolina University alumnus, will release his fourth book “Vigilante” at 9 a.m. on March 4 at the Macon County Public Library. It’s a sequel to “Aluria” and the second in his “Aluria Adventure Series.”

Moonshinepressnc@gmail.com or tylermcook.com.

• Entries are currently being accepted for the 2017

40 North Carolina State University Poetry Contest. The

JACKSON • Baby Storytime is at 11 a.m. on Thursdays at the Jackson County Public Library. Songs, fingerplays and stories for infants through toddlers. 586.2016 • Kid’s story time Saturdays, 11 a.m., all ages at City Lights in Sylva 586.9449.

• Kids story time, Fridays 11 a.m., Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. at Jackson County Public Library. Story time includes books, puppets, finger plays, songs and crafts. 586.2016.

• Pre-school story time, second Wednesday, 11 a.m. at Cashiers Community Library. 743.0215.

• Rock and Read storytime, 11 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Jackson County Public Library. 586.2016

SWAIN • Preschool Story time, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Marianna Black Library. After a book or two is read, the children participate in games, songs, finger plays, puppet play and make a craft to take home.

488.3030.

MACON • Paws 4 Reading, a family story time, will be held from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. second Thursday of the month at Macon County Public Library. Children can read to a therapy dog. (grades K-6). 524.3600.

• Toddlers Rock, Mondays, 10 a.m., Macon Public Library. Music, movement and instruments (Designed for children 0-24 months, but all ages are welcome).

• Family Story Time is held at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

524.3600.

• Family Story Time for ages 0 to 7 years is held at 10 a.m. on Thursdays at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. 524.3600.

• Bilingual Story time – 6 to 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, Nov. 10. Program reads a children's book in English and Spanish at the Macon County Public Library.

526.3600.

• Paws 4 Reading, a family story time, will be held from 3:30-5:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Hudson Library in Highlands. Children (grades K-6) practice early reading skills by reading to a canine companion. Info: www.fontanalib.org, www.readingpaws.org or 526.3031.

KIDS MOVIES • A family movie will be shown at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Movie is about an extremely curious and intelligent little girl who begins to discover she has telekinetic powers.

• A family movie will be shown at 10:30 a.m. every Friday at Hudson Library in Highlands.

KIDS STORY TIMES AUTHORS AND BOOKS

scheduled for 10:30 a.m. each Tuesday at the Canton Library. 648.2924.

HAYWOOD • Mother Goose Time, a story time for babies and toddlers (5 months to 2 years) and their parents/caregivers, is held at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Waynesville Library. 452.5169 • Family Story Time, 11 a.m. Wednesdays at the Waynesville Public Library. Stories, songs, crafts.

452.5169.

• Movers and Shakers story time is at 11 a.m. every Thursday at the Waynesville Library. For all ages.

Movement, books, songs and more. 452.5169.

• Family storytime with crafts, second Saturday of the month at 10:30 a.m. at the Waynesville library. 4525169.

• Family story time for ages zero to six years old is

A&E FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS • Thunder in the Smokies is May 5-7 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

FOOD & DRINK • March Madness Wine Tasting is on Thursday, March 2, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Artisan bread and cheeses. $15.99 per person. 452.6000 or info@classicwineseller.com.

• There will be a free wine tasting from 1 to 5 p.m.

March 4 and 11 at Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville.

The will also be the “Best Wines You’ve Never Heard Of” at 7 p.m. March 2 ($20, which includes more than five wines, with a bread and cheese pairing), and a “BYOB Dinner” with Chef Jackie Blevins ($60 all inclusive five courses, bring your own beer or wine) 7 p.m. March 16. www.waynesvillewine.com or 828.452.0120.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • The Canton Armory will host “Winter Pickin’ in the Armory” at 7 p.m. every first and third Friday of the month. The event includes mountain music, vintage country, clogging and dancing. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Free. www.cantonnc.com.

• Franklin High School’s advanced theatre class will present “Murder in the Knife Room” at 7 p.m. on March 3-4 in the FAC. Tickets: $5.

•National finger-style guitar champion Richard Smith will perform with his wife, cellist Julie Adams, at 6 p.m. Friday, March 3, at the Balsam Mountain Inn. A buffet dinner is included in the $49 ticket price, and seating begins at 6 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, click on www.balsammountaininn.net or call 456.9498.

• Dulci Ellenberger (guitar, vocals, Folk-Americana pop) will perform on Friday, March 3, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. 452.6000 or info@classicwineseller.com.

• “My Name is Rachel Corrie” will be presented March 3-5 at HART in Waynesville. Corrie was an American Evergreen State College student who was killed by a bulldozer in the Gaza Strip in 2003. Performances at 7:30 p.m. on March 3-4 and at 2 p.m. on March 5. $10 for adults; $7 for students. 456.6322 or www.harttheatre.org.

• The Barter Players from Abingdon (Va.) Barter Theatre will perform “Ugly Duckling” (10 a.m.) and “Great Expectations” (2 p.m.) on March 4 at HART in Waynesville. $10 for adults; $5 for kids. 456.6322 or www.harttheatre.org.

• The Highlands Cashiers Players’ “dinner-and-aplay” will be offered March 2-4 and March 9-11. Play is “Middletown USA.”Doors open at 6 p.m.; dinner is at 6:30 p.m., and play is presented without intermission starting at 7:45 p.m. $32 for dinner and play.

Reservations: highlandscashiersplayers.org or 526.8084.

• The 2016-17 First Thursday Old-Time and Bluegrass Series at Western Carolina University will continue with a concert featuring the traditional music ensemble Blue-Eyed Girl on Thursday, March 2 at 7 p.m., in Cullowhee in the ground-floor auditorium of H.F. Robinson Administration Building Sponsored by the Mountain Heritage Center, the First Thursday concerts and jam sessions will continue through spring with programs from 7 to 9 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. Lee Knight will be the featured performer on April 6. Free. 227.7129.

• The iconic alt-country/bluegrass act Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will celebrate over 50 years of notable music with a performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Tickets start at $24. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

• Roots and Dore (acoustic singer songwriters) will perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, at HART’s Fangmeyer Theater in Waynesville. Dinner is served starting at 5:30 p.m. at Harmon’s Den. • The Eccentric Gemini will present “The Three-In-One Art Show” from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, in the Macon County Public Library Meeting Room in Franklin. Art reception with Josh Franks. 524.3600.

• The Darren Nicholson Band will perform at 4 p.m.

Sunday, March 5, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. Nicholson is the mandolinist for Balsam Range, winners of the International Bluegrass Music Association award for “Entertainer of the Year” and “Song of the Year.” Tickets are $18. To purchase tickets, click on www.38main.com.

• “Black and White and Blues” will be presented by Scott Ainslie and Reggie Harris at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 5, at the Swain Arts Center, which is located on the campus of Swain County High. Tour music of the American South where European and African musical traditions cross-pollinated to create the hybrids that

have long dominated American popular music. $10 for adults; free for students. 488.7843 or rlackey@swainmail.org.

• Russ Wilson Duo (featuring Hank Bones; guitar, percussion, vocals, jazz standards) will perform on Saturday, March 11, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. 452.6000 or info@classicwineseller.com. •Bluegrass/folk-roots act The April Verch Band will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. Tickets are $15 per person and are available at www.38main.com. • The Jane Cramer Duo (acoustic singer songwriters) will perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, at HART’s Fangmeyer Theater in Waynesville. Dinner is served starting at 5:30 p.m. at Harmon’s Den. • “The Nile & African Identityâ€? – a discussion and music demonstration with Nile Project musicians, is scheduled for 10-11 a.m. on Monday, March 13, at Folkmoot in Waynesville. Free for students; $5 for the public. • Western Carolina University’s ACE Committee, the Student Art Education Club and the university’s Fine Art Museum will present “I Come Fromâ€? –a documentary in the Southern Circuit series, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, in the University Center theater in Cullowhee. Focuses on incarcerated poets and playwrights. Free for students; $20 for others. Pre-registration required: tcbowers1@catamount.wcu.edu (students) or hensley@wcu.edu (all others). • Tickets are on sale now for “The Price is Right Live!â€? show at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. http://tinyurl.com/zo7jzdk. • Rodney Carrington returns to The Event Center at Harrah’s in Cherokee on March 25 at 7:30 p.m.

• Postcard art is being accepted for the Haywood County Arts Council’s 40th anniversary exhibition: “A Ruby Anniversary Show.â€? Proceeds support the arts in Haywood County. Show is in May. Submissions (at least 3-1/2 inches high X 5 inches long; no larger than 4-1/4 inches high by 6 inches long) accepted through April 10. Questions: info@haywoodarts.org or 452.0593.

• Coloring Club will be hosted on the second Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m. at Canton Library.

Color pencils and color pages supplied. For ages 8 to 108. 648.2924. • Beginners Chess Club is held on Fridays at 4 p.m. at the Canton Public Library. Ages 8-108 invited to participate. 648.2924. • Cribbage is at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the Maggie Valley Inn. 410.440.7652 or 926.3978. • The Adult Coloring Group will meet at 2 p.m. on Fridays in the Living Room of the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. An afternoon of creativity and camaraderie. Supplies are provided, or bring your own.

Beginners are welcome as well as those who already enjoy this new trend. kmoe@fontanalib.org or 524.3600.

GALLERIES • There will be an art reception for Western Carolina University MFA student Donna Sepulveda for her exhibition from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 2, in the Bardo Arts Center on campus. www.wcu.edu. • The Nile Project, featuring artists who develop new songs drawn from the diversity of one of the oldest places on earth, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 13, at the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Tickets: $8 for students; $24 for the general public and $20 for WCU faculty and staff. A matinee performance is available for students in the third through eighth grades from 10-11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 14. $1 per student; chaperones and teachers are free. 227.2479. • Through the end of March there will be a display of the Studio Alive Artist exhibition, which will feature founder Catherine Christie at the Hudson Library in Highlands. These exhibitions will continue throughout the year displaying works of one Studio Alive artist at a time in the community room. Studio Alive is a group of artists that meet weekly at the Hudson Library. The group started meeting at the home of Catherine Christie in 1980. • “Soft Diplomacy: Quilting Cultural Diplomacy in Liberiaâ€? is on exhibit through May 5 at the Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at Bardo Arts Center in Cullowhee. 227.3591. • The Western North Carolina “Artists Countâ€? project is hosting a series of exhibitions to highlight the rich visual contributions made by area artists. The first such exhibit, “Smoky Mountains Samplerâ€? is now open at the Welcome Center north of Asheville on Interstate 26. Southwestern Community College instructors Ed McIlvaine and Susan Coe as well as SCC student Kari McIlvaine have their pottery on display through July.

Starting in March!

NONPROFIT PROGRAMS at wcu at biltmore park

• CertiďŹ ed Nonprro oďŹ t Prro ofessional Prro ogrraam • Grrant Writing CerrttiďŹ cate Program

For more information:

828-227-7397 go wcu edu/cnpworkforce go.wcu.edu/cnpworkforce

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• An exhibition by Atlanta-based photographer Chris Aluka Berry will be on display through March in the Rotunda Gallery of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Info: info@survivalpride.com. • A three-month ceramics exhibit at the Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum is currently in Cullowhee. Fineartmuseum.wcu.edu or 227.3591. • The exhibit “Emissaries of Peace: 1762 Cherokee & British Delegationsâ€? features Cherokee clothing, feather capes, beads, and other artifacts. It is currently on display at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and is also available for travel. www.cherokeemuseum.org or bduncan@cherokeemuseum.org. • Artist Melba Cooper will be exhibiting her stunning series of paintings, “POLLINATION,â€? at Cullowhee Mountain Arts’ (CMA) Studio in downtown Sylva. www.cullowheemountainarts.org/up-in-the-studioevents or 342.6913.

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• The “Women Painters of the Southeastâ€? exhibition will run through May 5 in the Fine Arts Museum at Western Carolina University. www.wcu.edu. • A showcase on the life and times of Horace Kephart will be on display through March 31 in the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University. The Mountain Heritage Center’s Kephart Collection is composed of 127 objects, including Kephart’s tent, sleeping bag, backpack and the writing desk. The exhibit will display many of these objects in a campsite setting. 227.7129. • An exhibition entitled “This is a Photograph: Exploring Contemporary Applications of Photographic Chemistryâ€? is on display at Penland School of Crafts near Spruce Pine. 765.6211 or penland.org/gallery.

828.6634.7813 #LLINICAL )NS ,AS 6E 6EGAS ) !DVA VANCED $

Smoky Mountain News

• The Waynesville Public Art Commission is sending out a “Call for Artistsâ€? for a new piece dedicated to the Plott Hound. Should you have any questions, please contact Amie Owens, assistant town manager at aowens@waynesvillenc.gov.

ART SHOWINGS AND

March 1-7, 2017

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • A chair seat weaving class will be offered by Dogwood Crafters Co-Op from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, March 8-9, at the Dillsboro Masonic Lodge. Led by Junetta Pell. $5 class fee plus materials. Register by March 3: 586.2435 or junettapell@hotmail.com.

wnc calendar

• Joe Cruz (piano, vocals) performs the music of Elton John, James Taylor and more on Friday, March 10, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. 452.6000 or info@classicwineseller.com.

• Haywood County Arts Council is inviting artist members to participate in its annual Artist Member Show.

Download a show contract/inventory sheet from www.haywoodarts.org. Send completed forms to gallery@haywoodarts.org or P.O. Box 306; Waynesville, N.C. 28786.

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• New artist and medium will be featured every month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

• As part of the Arts Council’s Integrated Arts initiative, a sampling of works by renowned Macon County sculptor Nelson Nichols (www.nicholssculpture.com) will be displayed at this event. Executed in stone, bronze, and wood, Nichols’ sculptural body of work reflects his unique style, Spiritual Expressionism, encompassing anatomical/figurative pieces in classical realism, a series of abstract interpretations, a series illustrating universal/spiritual concepts, and an environmentally inspired series including sculptures of endangered/threatened species. Admission is by donation; $7 is suggested. arts4all@dnet.net or 524.ARTS (2787).

FILM & SCREEN • “Allied” will be shown on Thursday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free.

Madbatterfoodfilm.com.

• “Logan” will be shown on Friday, March 3 at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 4 at 1:30 p.m., 4:10 p.m., and 7 p.m., Sunday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m., and March 6-9 at 7 p.m. at The Strand on Main in Waynesville. www.38main.com.

• “Doctor Strange” will be shown on Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free.

Madbatterfoodfilm.com.

• Adult movie time, 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Jackson County Public Library. Call for title of movie. 586.2016.

• Free movies are shown every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva.

Madbatterfoodfilm.com.

Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: ■ Complete listings of local music scene ■ Regional festivals ■ Art gallery events and openings ■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers ■ Civic and social club gatherings Project Healing Waters from 1-6 p.m. on March 5 at Rendezvous Restaurant in Maggie Valley. Bring flytying gear and tie flies for a veteran’s fly box. Info: fearnofishbob@att.net or 246.8015.

• A preview of the night skies will be offered at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 10, at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in Rosman. $20 for adults; $15 for seniors/military. Children 10 and under get in free.

Register: www.pari.edu or 862.5554. Info: schappell@pari.edu.

• Trout Unlimited Cataloochee is having its stocking event starting at 10:30 a.m. on March 7. Stocking the West Fork of the Pigeon. Take highway 215 South from Bethel and go past Lake Logan. Meet at the upper DH parking area on the left across from the gun range, below Sunburst Campground.

• The Macon County Horse Association will have its annual Coggins Clinic at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, at the Macon County Fairgrounds in Franklin.

369.3903.

• Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation will hold its annual meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14, at the Shelton House Barn in Waynesville. 246.9050 or www.sargeanimals.org.

March 1-7, 2017

FARM AND GARDEN

Outdoors • An exhibit chronicling the history of dugout canoes in the Americas will be on display through May 2 at the Baker Exhibit Center of the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville.

• A Base Camp Adventure Club trip to Chattanooga, Tenn., is scheduled for Sunday through Wednesday, March 5-8, through the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department. Includes trip to the Tennessee Aquarium, Lookout Mountain, downtown and more.

Register or get more info: 456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov or http://www.waynesvillenc.gov/basecamp-adventure-club-trip-to-chattanooga-offered.

Smoky Mountain News

• The Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians and the Cataloochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited are hosting a “Tie One On” event to support

• A “Caring for your Houseplants” program is scheduled for 4-5 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, at the Canton Library. Led by June Jolley, greenhouse manager for the N.C. Arboretum.

R

www.ThePrintHaus.com

641 North Main Street, WAYNESVILLE, NC (3/10 Mile North of the Courthouse)

828-456-HAUS (4287)

• The Haywood County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association plant sale is accepting orders through March 17. Edibles are available on April 8; native plants on May 20. Order forms available at the Cooperative Extension Office on Raccoon Road, by calling 456.3575 or by writing mgarticles@charter.net.

Proceeds support education-related horticulture projects in Haywood County.

• The Macon County 4-H Plant Sale is accepting orders through March 17. Pick up is April 5-6. Orders: macon.ncsu.edu. For an order form, call 349.2046.

• Jackson County Farmers Market returns to weekly markets starting on Saturday, March 4. Hours are 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Community Table Building in downtown Sylva. www.jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org or jacksoncountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

COMPETITIVE EDGE • Registration is underway for the Mountaineer 2-Miler, which is at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 19, starting at Waynesville Middle School. All profits go toward supplies, materials and technology at the school.

Sponsorship info: mountieparents@gmail.com.

Register: www.RunSignUp.com/mountaineer2miler.

• Registration is underway for the Assault on Black Rock, a seven-mile trail race scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 18, in Jackson County. $25 pre-registration; $30 on race day. www.raceentry.com ($2.49 fee for registering online). Info: 506.2802 or barwatt@hotmail.com.

• Registration is underway for the Valley of the Lilies Half Marathon and 5K, which is scheduled for Saturday, April 1, at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. $40 for half marathon and $20 for 5K through Sunday, March 5. After March 5, online fees increase to $60 and $25 respectively. Race-day registration is $80 and $30, respectively. Register: www.active.com.

• Registration is underway for the Friends of the Lake 5K Road Race & Walk, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 15, at Lake Junaluska. Supports recreation opportunities of Lake Junaluska. Register: www.lakejunaluska.com/run, 454.6680 or developmentoffice@lakejunaluska.com.

HIKING CLUBS • Carolina Mountain Club will have a seven-mile hike with a 1,050-foot ascent on March 11 at Moore Cove Figure-8 Loop. Info and reservations: 698.3237, 606.5188 or janonan@bellsouth.net.

• The “Square Foot Gardening” approach will be pre-

• Friends of the Smokies’ Classic Hike Series begins on

FREE 2017 THE PRINT HAUS INC. GROUP

• A “Creating a Monarch Garden” class will be offered from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, at the Canton Library.

• Bryson City Canners, a local group of ‘Preppers,” will offer a program on “Food Preservation” from 7-9 p.m. on March 7 at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Info: AliceSmith9876@aol.com.

Come in and pick up your

Authorized ShipCenter

42

• The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service will hold a seminar on establishing and maintaining blueberries and grapevines at three different locations: 10 a.m.noon on Wednesday, March 1, at the Swain Extension Center in Bryson City; from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, at the Jackson Extension Center in Sylva; and from 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesday, March 7, at the Cashiers Library. For info or to register: 586.4009, 488.3848 or clbreden@ncsu.edu.

sented by Master Gardener Volunteer Hughes Roberts from 2-3 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, in the Waynesville Library’s Auditorium.

Large Wall Calendar Designed to be written on.

(No purchase necessary)

509 Asheville Hwy., Suite B, SYLVA, NC (Located in the NAPA Auto Parts Center)

828-586-HAUS (4287)

Tuesday, March 14, with a hike at Mingus Creek. Four miles, round-trip. Led by Danny Bernstein, series creator. $20 per hike for members or $35 for new members. Whole series rate is $160 until March 14.

Register: www.Hike.FriendsoftheSmokies.org or send check to 160 S. Main Street, Waynesville, NC 28786.

• Hike of the Week is at 10 a.m. every Friday at varying locations along the parkway. Led by National Park Service rangers. www.nps.gov/blri or 298.5330, ext.

304.

• Friends of the Smokies hikes are offered on the second Tuesday of each month. www.friendsofthesmokies.org/hikes.html.

• Nantahala Hiking Club based in Macon County holds weekly Saturday hikes in the Nantahala National Forest and beyond. www.nantahalahikingclub.org • High Country Hikers, based out of Hendersonville but hiking throughout Western North Carolina, plans hikes every Monday and Thursday. Schedules, meeting places and more information are available on their website, www.highcountryhikers.org.

• Carolina Mountain Club hosts more than 150 hikes a year, including options for full days on weekends, full days on Wednesdays and half days on Sundays. Nonmembers contact event leaders. www.carolinamountainclub.org • Mountain High Hikers, based in Young Harris, Ga., leads several hikes per week. Guests should contact hike leader. www.mountainhighhikers.org.

• Smoky Mountain Hiking Club, located in East Tennessee, makes weekly hikes in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park as well as surrounding areas. www.smhclub.org.

• Benton MacKaye Trail Association incorporates outings for hikes, trail maintenance and other work trips.

No experience is necessary to participate. www.bmta.org.

• Diamond Brand’s Women’s Hiking Group meets on the third Saturday of every month. For more information, e-mail awilliams@diamondbrand.com or call 684.6262.

OUTDOOR CLUBS • The Jackson County Poultry Club will hold its regular meeting on the third Thursday of each month at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office. The club is for adults and children and includes a monthly meeting with a program and a support network for those raising birds. For info, call 586.4009 or write heather_gordon@ncsu.edu.

• The North Carolina Catch program, a three-phase conservation education effort focusing on aquatic environments, will be offered through May 15. The program is offered by the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department. Free for members; daily admission for non-members. 456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

Puzzles can be found on page 46.

These are only the answers.

PRIME REAL ESTATE Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MarketPlace information: The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 every week to over 500 locations across in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties along with the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. For a link to our MarketPlace Web site, which also contains a link to all of our MarketPlace display advertisers’ Web sites, visit www.smokymountainnews.com.

Rates:

■ Free — Lost or found pet ads.

■ $5 — Residential yard sale ads, ■ $5 — Non-business items that sell for less than $150.

■ $15 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2.

If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type.

■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad or colored background.

■ $50 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold.

■ $300 — Statewide classifieds run in 117 participating newspapers with 1.6 million circulation. Up to 25 words.

■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

Classified Advertising: Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 classads@smokymountainnews.com

Great Smokies Storage 10’x20’

92

$

20’x20’

160

$

ONE MONTH

FREE WITH 12-MONTH CONTRACT

828.506.4112 or 828.507.8828 Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction

ESTATE SALE Whole Home + Garage! Located at 200 Hillcrest St., Canton, NC. Fri. 8am - 5pm, Sat. 9am - 3p.m.

Retro, Vintage Home from 1970’s Lots of Antiques Plus a Garage Full. Rain or Shine!

Presented by Frog Pond Estate Sales and Downsizing

BOOKKEEPING/ ACCOUNTING BOOKKEEPING SERVICES Affordable. Local. Personable.

Now Accepting New Clients. www.pagetwonc.com Or Call 828.400.6839

AUCTION ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION In over 100 newspapers across the state for only $375. Call Lyndsey Clevesy at NC Press Services, 919.516.8009.

AUCTION Construction Equipment & Trucks BID ON-SITE & ONLINE! 3/7 @ 9AM, Richmond, VA Excavators, Dozers, Road Tractors, Loaders, Dump Trucks, Trailers, & More! Accepting consignments through 3/3 3600 Deepwater Terminal Road www.motleys.como 804.232.3300 x4 VAAL#16

AUCTION HEAVY EQUIPMENT AUCTIONS Number 1 - Saturday, Mar 18th, 9:30 AM. 279 Crescent Road, Blairsville, GA 30512. CAT, Komatsu, John Deere & Kubota, Trucks, Trailers, and more NUMBER 2 - Friday, March 24, 9:30 152 Godley Road, Port Wentworth (Savannah) 30147 New JCB Loader Backhoes, Rollers, Skid Steer Loaders, Diesel Engines & replacement parts 678.673.9194. www.joeymartinauctioneers.com. GA2627 NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH Property Auction Friday 3/3/2017 at 1:00pm. Live and Online via Proxibid! 50+ parcels w/ ocean front/view and interior sites! See JohnsonProperties.com for catalog or call 919.639.2231 RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT AUCTION Friday, March 10 @ 10am 1539 E. Broad St. Statesville, NC Unique Liquidation of Early American Store Fixtures, Artwork, Antiques & Restaurant Equipment.

704.791.8825 ncaf5479 www.ClassicAuctions.com WATERFRONT PROPERTIES Auction, Custom Waterfront House with Dock, ORIENTAL and 2.2+/Acres on Bay River with Camp/ Dock, STONEWALL - OnLine Bidding MARCH 1-thru-14, www.HouseAuctionCompany.com 252.729.1162 NCAL#7889

FROG POND ESTATE SALES HELPING IN HARD TIMES DOWNSIZING ESTATE SALES CLEAN OUT SERVICE • COMPANY TRANSFER • DIVORCE • LOST LOVED ONE WE ARE KNOWN FOR HONESTY & INTEGRITY 828-734-3874 18 COMMERCE STREET WAYNESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 28786 WWW.FROGLEVELDOWNSIZING.COM

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

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING

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

FREE ESTIMATES! Call 1.800.698.9217 BATHTUB REFINISHING Renew or change the color of your bathtub, tile or sink. Fiberglass repair specialists! 5 year warranty.

Locally owned since 1989.

CarolinasTubDoctor.com.

888.988.4430.

SAFE STEP WALK-IN TUB: Alert for Seniors. Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less Than 4 Inch Step-In. Wide Door.

Anti-Slip Floors. American Made.

Installation Included. Call Now 800.701.9850 to receive $750 Off. DAVE’S CUSTOM HOMES OF WNC, Free Estimates & Competitive rates. References avail. upon request. Specializing in: Log Homes, remodeling, decks, new construction, repairs & additions.

Owner/Builder: Dave Donaldson.

Licensed/Insured. 828.631.0747 FOR SALE: HEATILATOR I-60 Wood Burning Fireplace, for Built In Applications, Large Firebox Opening, with 30ft. Chimney.

New in Original Packaging, $600 For More Info Call 828.696.5039.

CARS -

ADVERTISE YOUR VEHICLE In over 100 newspapers across the state for only $375. Call Lyndsey Clevesy at NC Press Services, 919.516.8009.

DRIVE WITH UBER. No experience is required, but you'll need a Smartphone. It's fun and easy. For more information, call: 1.800.655.7452

WNC MarketPlace

CARS -

FINANCIAL

A-1 DONATE YOUR CAR For Breast Cancer! Help United Breast Foundation Education, Prevention, & Support Programs. Fast Free Pickup - 24 Hr Response - Tax Deduction 855.306.7348 SAPA CARS/TRUCKS WANTED!!!

Top Dollar! Free Towing From Home, Office or body Shop. All Makes/Models 2000-2016. Same Day Pick-Up Available! Call Now: 1.800.761.9396 SAPA DONATE YOUR CAR, Truck Or Boat To Heritage For The Blind. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. CALL 1.800.416.1496

www.smokymountainnews.com

March 1-7, 2017

STOP PAYING FOR Expensive Auto Repairs! Get discounted warranty coverage from the wholesale source, and don’t pay for expensive covered repairs!

Start saving now! Call 844.274.6148 SAPA

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

SAPA

PETS HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329

Prevent Unwanted Litters!

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

Operation Pit is in Effect!

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

Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 12 Noon - 6 pm 182 Richland Street, Waynesville, NC.

EMPLOYMENT

EARLY HEAD START TEACHERJackson County - An Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education is required for this position. Candidates must have the ability to work well with families and co-workers, 2 years’ experience working with birth – 3 years and have good judgment/problem solving skills. Prefer someone with Infant/Toddler CDA credentials and basic computer skills. Full time with benefits.

Applications will be taken at Mountain Projects, 2251 Old Balsam Rd, Waynesville, NC 28786 or 25 Schulman St, Sylva, NC 28779 or you may go to our website: www.mountainprojects.org and fill out an application online EOE/AA.

PART-TIME PERSON Experienced with Farming in WNC. Develop small accessible garden and demonstrate use of ergonomic tools. Schedule Gardening Events and Trainings.

6-15 Hours per week, flexible.

Contact Barbara Davis at 828.631.1167

AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINING Get FAA certification to fix planes.

Approved for military benefits. Financial Aid if qualified. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866.441. 6890 DRIVER TRAINEES NEEDED! Learn to drive for Stevens Transport! No Experience Needed! New Drivers Can Earn $900+ Per Week!

Paid CDL Training! Stevens covers all costs! 1.888.748.4137 drive4stevens.co LOCAL DRIVERS WANTED! Be your own boss. Flexible hours.

Unlimited earning potential. Must be 21 with valid U.S. drivers license, insurance & reliable vehicle. Call 855.750.9313

AXEL - A HANDSOME MIXED BREED DOG ABOUT THREE YEARS OLD. HE CAME FROM A HOME WHERE HE WAS WELL CARED FOR AND LOVED, AND WHERE HE LEARNED IMPORTANT SKILLS LIKE HOUSETRAINING, SIT, SHAKE AND DOWN. HE IS A GENTLE SOUL, AND LOVES HIS PEOPLE. HE'LL BE A WONDERFUL FAMILY DOG OR BEST FRIEND TO A SINGLE PERSON. DANTE - A LARGE TUXEDO KITTY ABOUT FIVE YEARS OLD. HE IS QUITE A CHARACTER WITH A LOT OF "PURRSONALITY". HE LOVES TO EXPLORE AND WILL PLAY WITH WHATEVER HE MIGHT FIND--A GUM WRAPPER, A MILK RING, OR EVEN A CAT TOY! HE'S A GREAT KITTY AND WILL BE A TERRIFIC FELINE FRIEND!

FTCC Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following positions: Coordinator for Military Programs, Disability Support Services Coordinator, Financial Accountant. For detailed information and to apply, please visit employment portal at: https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.com Human Resources Office Phone: 910.678.7342 Internet: http://www.faytechcc.edu An Equal Opportunity Employer SPANISH LANGUAGE TRANSLATOR (PART TIME) Haywood County: Mountain Projects Head Start. Must be Fluent in English and Spanish (written and verbal) must have Valid Driver’s License, Reliable Transportation, a Clean Driving Record and Scheduling Flexibility; Mileage will be Reimbursed. Applications will be taken at Mountain Projects: 2251 Old Balsam Rd., Waynesville, NC 28786, or 25 Schulman St., Sylva, NC 28779. or go to our website: www.mountainprojects.org AA/EOE

EMPLOYMENT SPECIAL OPS U.S. NAVY. Elite training. Daring missions.

Generous pay/benefits. HS grads ages 17-30. Do you have what it takes? Call Mon-Fri 800.662.7419.

DRIVE WITH UBER. You’ll need a Smartphone. It’s fun and easy. For more information, call: 1.800.861.0329 MEDICAL BILLING TRAINEES NEED! Train at Home for a new career now at CTI! No Experience Needed! Online Training can get you job ready!

1.888.512.7122 HS Diploma/GED & Computer needed. careertechnical.edu/nc

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT LEASE TO OWN 1/2 Acre Lots with Mobile Homes & Empty 1/2 Acre + Lots!

Located Next to Cherokee Indian Reservation, 2.5 Miles from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.

For More Information Please Call 828.506.0578 OUR HUNTERS WILL PAY TOP $$$ To hunt your land. Call for a free Base Camp Leasing info packet and quote. 866.309.1507. www.basecampleasing.com SAVE YOUR HOME! Are you behind paying your Mortgage? Denied a Loan Modification?

Is the bank threatening foreclosure? Call Homeowner’s Relief Line now for Help. 1.844.359.4330.

SAPA

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised on equal opportunity basis.

HOMES FOR SALE BEAUTIFUL 4/BR 2/BA HOME 15 Boxwood Terrace, Canton, NC. Ready to move in with 2,300 sq. ft., Newly renovated with Master Suite, Laundry & Walk-in Closet.

Adequate Storage & Lots of Character. Walking Distance to Library & Main Street. $274,000 Call Alesia for more info 828.400.9943

NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS

CAVALIER ARMS APARTMENTS

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Offering 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $400

Offering 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $400 Section 8 Accepted - Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

OFFICE HOURS: Monday & Wednesday 8:00am - 4:00pm 168 E. Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779

Phone# 1.828.273.3639 TDD# 1.800.735.2962

Section 8 Accepted - Rental Assistance When Available Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

OFFICE HOURS: Wednesday 12:30pm - 4:00pm & Friday. 8:00am- 4:00pm 50 Duckett Cove Road, Waynesville

Phone # 1-828-456-6776 TDD # 1-800-725-2962 Equal Housing Opportunity

This is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

COMPLETE HOME INSPECTION SERVICES

Moving or Buying?

Let Us Help You.

HAYWOOD HOME INSPECTIONS

44

EMPLOYMENT

828.734.3609 | haywoodhomeinsp@gmail.com

Sylva Mulch, Sand & Stone

——————————————

River Sand • Top Soil • Decorative Stone • Boulders Stepping, Field & River Stone • Brick Chips • 4 Composts Pine Bark • Pinebark Nuggets • Cypress • Double Ground Red Oak Mulch & Colored Mulches • Cow & Chicken Manure Certified Kid-Safe Playground Material & MORE

ESCARAVAGE

828-399-1941 828-586-0491

WE DELIVER!

Jim Sellers St, Sylva Across 107 from Domino's

GEORGE BROKER/REALTOR

—————————————— 7 BEAVERDAM ROAD - SUITE 207

ASHEVILLE, NC 28804

828.400.0901

GESCAR@BEVERLY-HANKS.COM

BEVERLY-HANKS.COM

HOMES FOR SALE

PROTECT YOUR HOME With fully customizable security and 24/7 monitoring right from your smartphone. Receive up to $1500 in equipment, free (restrictions apply). Call 1.800.941.7987 LOOKING FOR A MINI FARM? This rustic house and land is located in the Henson Cove Area of Canton, NC. Includes a Barn, 2 Acres, 2 Streams, a Pond and a Forest of Bamboo. Asking $195K. For more info or to preview house and property, call Alesia at 828.400.9943

MOBILE HOMES FOR SALE USED MOBILE HOMES Without land. All Sizes. $20K Cash or Less. Call 336.790.0162

COMM. PROP. FOR RENT

STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE FOR YOU 1 Month Free with 12 Month Rental. Maggie Valley, Hwy. 19, 1106 Soco Rd. For more information call Torry

828.734.6500, 828.734.6700 maggievalleyselfstorage.com

COMPARE QUALITY & PRICE Shop Tupelo’s, 828.926.8778.

Residential Broker Associate

(828) 550-2810

mobrig@Beverly-Hanks.com

www.Beverly-Hanks.com 386-15

Mike Stamey

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

533 Hazelwood Ave. Waynesville 828.456.4240

mstamey@beverly-hanks.com

828-508-9607

LAWN & GARDEN HEMLOCK HEALERS, INC. Dedicated to Saving Our Hemlocks. Owner/Operator Frank Varvoutis, NC Pesticide Applicator’s License #22864. 48 Spruce St. Maggie Valley, NC 828.734.7819 828.926.7883, Email: hemlockhealers@yahoo.com BORING/CARPENTER BEE TRAPS No Chemicals, Poisons or Anything to Harm the Environment.

Handmade in Haywood County. 1 for $20, 2 or More for $15 each.

828.593.8321

MEDICAL A PLACE FOR MOM. The nation’s largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is FREE/no obligation. CALL 1.800.319.8705

74 NORTH MAIN ST. • WAYNESVILLE, NC

www.beverly-hanks.com

• • • • • • • • •

beverly-hanks.com Ann Eavenson - AnnEavenson@beverly-hanks.com Randy Flanigan - RandyFlanigan@beverly-hanks.com Michelle McElroy - MichelleMcElroy@beverly-hanks.com Marilynn Obrig - MarilynnObrig@beverly-hanks.com Brooke Parrott - BrookeParrott@beverly-hanks.com Catherine Proben - cproben@beverly-hanks.com Ellen Sither - EllenSither@beverly-hanks.com Mike Stamey - MikeStamey@beverly-hanks.com Pamela Williams - PamelaWilliams@beverly-hanks.com

Emerson Group • George Escaravage - george@emersongroupus.com

Haywood Properties - haywoodproperties.com • Steve Cox - info@haywoodproperties.com

Mountain Realty

Ron Breese Broker/Owner

Keller Williams Realty

2177 Russ Ave. Waynesville, NC 28786 Cell: 828.400.9029 ron@ronbreese.com

kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • Julie Lapkoff - julielapkoff.yourkwagent.com • Yvonne Kolomechuk - yvonneksells.yourkwagent.com • The Morris Team - www.themorristeamnc.com

www.ronbreese.com

Lakeshore Realty

Each office independently owned & operated.

• Phyllis Robinson - lakeshore@lakejunaluska.com

Mountain Home Properties mountaindream.com • Sammie Powell - smokiesproperty.com

McGovern Real Estate & Property Management • Bruce McGovern - shamrock13.com

Realty World Heritage Realty realtyworldheritage.com • Carolyn Lauter realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7766 • Martha Sawyer realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7769

SAFE STEP WALK-IN TUB: Alert for Seniors. Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less Than 4 Inch Step-In. Wide Door.

Anti-Slip Floors. American Made.

Installation Included.Call 800.701.9850 for $750 Off. SAPA

RE/MAX — Mountain Realty

SFR, ECO, GREEN

ROB ROLAND RROLAND33@GMAIL.COM

147 WALNUT STREET • WAYNESVILLE

Find the home you are looking for at www.robrolandrealty.com

aspivey@sunburstrealty.com

Residential · Land · Commercial

Beverly Hanks & Associates

ERA Sunburst Realty - sunburstrealty.com • Amy Spivey - amyspivey.com • Rick Boarder - sunburstrealty.com

ATTENTION SMOKERS: Stop smoking with TBX-FREE! Clinically proven & FDA Approved!

More effective than patch or gum!

Fast acting – No Side Effects. 88% success rate! Just $1.67 per day!

CALL – 855.970.1463 SAPA

828-400-1923

Haywood County Real Estate Agents

828.506.7137

www.sunburstrealty.com/amy-spivey

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

• • • • • • •

remax-waynesvillenc.com | remax-maggievalleync.com Brian K. Noland - brianknoland.com Holly Fletcher - hollyfletcher1975@gmail.com Judy Meyers - jameyers@charter.net Mieko Thomson - ncsmokies.com The Real Team - the-real-team.com Ron Breese - ronbreese.com Dan Womack - womackdan@aol.com

smokymountainnews.com

12X28 STORAGE UNIT FOR RENT In Tuckaseegee, Half Mile Down Hwy. 281. $130/mo. For More Info Call 828.450.0534.

FURNITURE

Marilynn Obrig

March 1-7, 2017

PROFESSIONAL MEETING SPACE Located in Waynesville, Holds up to 90 People. Suitable for Seminars, Family Gatherings, Worship, Ect. Kitchen Area, Wifi/ Screen. For More Information and Rates for ROOM 1902 Call 828.454.7445 or 828.551.8960

GREAT SMOKIES STORAGE Conveniently located off 19/23

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

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

Committed to Exceeding Expectations

WNC MarketPlace

BRUCE MCGOVERN A Full Service Realtor, Locally Owned and Operated mcgovernpropertymgt@gmail.com McGovern Property Management 828.283.2112.

STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT

Rob Roland Realty • Rob Roland - rroland33@gmail.com

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com 45

www.smokymountainnews.com

March 1-7, 2017

WNC MarketPlace

Super

46

CROSSWORD

— ...”

73 Irene of “Fame” fame 74 Bone, to Fido ACROSS 75 “:” in an analogy 1 Earth Day’s month 76 Braggarts’ displays 6 Maned antelope 77 2005 historical drama; 9 Large gulf 2002 musical 14 Tons 79 2000 neo-noir thriller; 19 Excludes 1982 comedy-drama 21 Dribble 82 Certain sow 22 Sign off on 83 Poetic “prior to” 23 1940 thriller drama; 84 See 85-Across 1942 romantic drama 85 With 84-Across, diver’s 25 Four-stringer gas cylinder 26 Hop- — -thumb 88 “But — I know?”

27 Horse morsel 93 21st Greek letter 28 Enjoy dinner 94 1980 spoof comedy; 29 Really digging 1976 satirical drama 31 Homer, e.g.

96 “Waterloo” quartet 32 1982 horror; 1939 99 Chop cut western 38 One with adoring fans 102 Gold, in Leon 103 Major rtes.

40 Moray, e.g.

41 Filmdom’s Mrs. Victor 104 1931 horror; 2010 sci-fi thriller Laszlo 111 Get spoiled 42 Expends 112 Cookie with creme 43 1996 neo-noir crime drama; 1990 crime drama 113 La.-to-Mich. dir.

114 Vast stretch 49 Titled man 51 Wedding day destina- 115 — -pitch 118 Break in, e.g. tions 120 1963 historical 52 Fiendish look drama; 1950 period 53 D-Day city in France drama 55 Takes too much, 125 Locale briefly 126 “Skyfall” singer 58 Pie-mode link 60 1979 comedy-drama; 127 Alaskan port 128 Civic’s make 1982 musical 63 2007 comedy-drama; 129 Aired again 130 Norma — (film hero1946 spy thriller ine) 69 Many rented homes: 131 Pea piercers Abbr.

70 Zenith 71 Make — of (jot down) DOWN 1 Word form for “height” 72 “This guy walks into FILM SPLICING

2 Haiku, e.g.

3 Deep red wine 4 Serpent tail?

5 USMC rank 6 Having a bit of a beard 7 13th Greek letters 8 Hagen with three Tonys 9 Old politico Stevenson 10 Spoiled kids 11 O’er there 12 Gregarious 13 Argots 14 Chaos 15 Biblical priest 16 Luau hellos 17 NYPD part 18 Mown strips 20 Ella’s singing 24 Cell insect 30 China buys 33 Gymnast Korbut 34 Bout arbiters 35 Valley 36 “— a pity ...”

37 Your and my 38 “— tree falls ...”

39 NFL’s Cowboys, on scoreboards 44 Speak grandly 45 Fjord city 46 Loris’ cousin 47 Meadows 48 Prince Valiant’s son 50 — bit (soon) 53 Italian island 54 Affix 55 — year (annually) 56 Yankee Joe, informally 57 Ensure 59 Spanish region 61 Cole — (shoe brand) 62 Antidrug cop 63 Actress Pressly 64 Indy great Al

65 Phrase of denial 66 Siouan tribe 67 Former Apple laptop 68 Brewery kiln 73 Prepare for playing, as a tape 74 With 119-Down, position Mike Ditka played 76 Online store 77 Tiny: Prefix 78 Gordie of hockey 80 Highest degree 81 Fed. stipend program 86 Alliance 87 River of Bern 89 “Horton Hears —!”

90 City native 91 Not moist 92 Signs off on 93 Stove item 94 Kitchen pest 95 Zero relaxation 96 Over again 97 Mustang 98 — down the hatches 100 Like a small garage 101 Tristan’s lady 105 Split country 106 — Gay (WWII B-29) 107 Way to sign a contract 108 Tchr.’s gp.

109 Reggae artist Peter 110 — water (up the creek) 116 Theater box 117 Single bills 119 See 74-Down 121 Musket tip?

122 Black goo 123 Biochem strand 124 “Either you do it — will”

answers on page 42

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Answers on Page 42

Immature trumpeter swan on the French Broad.

Don Hendershot photo

The naturalist’s corner

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

What me chase? egular readers of “The Naturalist’s Corner” may remember that I’ve decided to keep a 2017 year-list of birds. I noted, when I wrote about the list that I was not much of a “lister” nor “chaser.” My list would be made up of birds encountered in my backyard and during my Forest Service point counts and maybe a day of birding during our summer vacation to Isle of Palms.

Then, last Sunday (Feb. 26) Dwayne Martin posted some pictures of a trumpeter swan that had been hanging around Ledges Riverside Park on the French Broad River just north of Asheville.

OK, so I’m really not a chaser — but it’s only Asheville, right? And it is a trumpeter swan — the largest native waterfowl in North America and nearly extirpated by the turn of the 20th century. About the only place to regularly find one in North Carolina is at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge. It sure would be nice to have a big ole trumpeter swan on my year-list, huh?

Monday morning (Feb. 27) after school drop off, I somehow found myself headed east on I-40, then north to Woodfin and miraculously, a few minutes later, I was at

R

the entrance to Ledges Riverside Park. So, OK, maybe I chase a little.

I scanned the river at the park and saw no large white bird — a few Canada geese but no swan. I hiked upriver about half a mile and still no big bird. I turned and headed back to the park thinking how foolish chasing could be. When I reached the park again I glassed downriver with my binoculars. Oh, wait, what’s that white spot? I got to a better vantage point and raised my binoculars again — that was definitely a large white bird, but it appeared to be lying in the water — no head or neck visible.

Scenarios began to race through my head: “Had someone shot the swan and left it in the river? Maybe it was sick or injured, and that was why it had wound up in the French Broad in the first place?”

And then as I was ruminating on different explanations, a long white neck and heavy black beak snaked out of the water like Nessie breaching on the Loch Ness. The swan had been grazing on algae or some other aquatic vegetation, as it would during the time I watched it that morning, with head submerged for 20 to 30 seconds at a time.

The trumpeter swan, so named because of its loud trumpeting call, dwarfed the

Canada geese in the river near it. Trumpeter swans can reach nearly 6 feet in length and weigh between 25 and 30 pounds, with a wingspan of more than 7 feet. As I mentioned earlier, they were nearly extirpated by the early 20th century. Market hunting for meat and feather collecting for the millinery trade almost wiped this avian giant from the planet. It was thought that by the early 1930s there were fewer than 100 wild trumpeters left in North America.

But then a breeding colony numbering in the thousands was discovered in Alaska

along the Copper River. Through the painstaking work of various wildlife agencies and the Trumpeter Swan Society, the population today numbers more than 45,000. But they still face threats such as loss of habitat and lead poisoning.

The bird at Ledges was an immature.

Trumpeters have a strong pair bond; maybe this bird will find a mate and both will return to Asheville next year. If I’m gonna chase, might as well chase dreams too, huh?

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

March 1-7, 2017 Smoky Mountain News 47

March 1-7, 2017 Smoky Mountain News

UPCOMING SHO OWS:

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APRIL 6

APR RIL 21

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MAY 6