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

April 1-7, 2015 Vol. 16 Iss. 44

North Carolina fracking rules take effect Page 12

Waynesville ditches Duke for new power supplier Page 14

CONTENTS On the Cover: Churches have become an essential component of the local food movement as it pertains to feeding the hungry in local communities. In addition to giving through a food pantry, churches are now establishing their own community gardens. (Page 6) Max Cooper photo

News Waynesville to alter smoking ban language ........................................................4 Churches fight hunger with gardens ....................................................................6 County critic cleared of cyber stalking charges ..............................................11 Race is on for tribal elections ..............................................................................13 Waynesville finds new power supplier ................................................................14 Macon educators to combat state cuts ............................................................16 Food trucks roll into Canton ................................................................................18 Swain retirement dispute referred to state ......................................................19 Co-location for Haywood agencies off the table ............................................21

Opinion A son grows up, a father faces the future..........................................................22

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Scott McLeod. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . info@smokymountainnews.com Greg Boothroyd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . greg@smokymountainnews.com Micah McClure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . micah@smokymountainnews.com Travis Bumgardner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . travis@smokymountainnews.com Emily Moss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . emily@smokymountainnews.com Whitney Burton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . whitney@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Bradley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jc-ads@smokymountainnews.com Hylah Birenbaum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hylah@smliv.com Scott Collier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Jessi Stone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jessi@smokymountainnews.com Becky Johnson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . becky@smokymountainnews.com Holly Kays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . holly@smokymountainnews.com Garret K. Woodward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . garret@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Singletary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . smnbooks@smokymountainnews.com Scott Collier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Jeff Minick (writing), Chris Cox (writing), George Ellison (writing), Gary Carden (writing), Don Hendershot (writing).

CONTACT WAYNESVILLE | 144 Montgomery, Waynesville, NC 28786 P: 828.452.4251 | F: 828.452.3585 SYLVA | 629 West Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779 828.631.4829 | F: 828.631.0789

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A&E One day at a time ....................................................................................................28

Outdoors Life in bear country ..................................................................................................38

The Naturalist’s Corner

Smoky Mountain News

April 1-7, 2015

Put the forest first!....................................................................................................55

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April 1-7, 2015

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news

A noble cause on the surface, Waynesville’s smoking ban on sidewalks is fraught with what-ifs

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER aynesville leaders are wrestling over how far to go with a smoking ban in public spaces.

The proposed ban would apply to sidewalks and streets in business districts throughout town, from Main Street to Russ Avenue.

The ban would have the greatest impact downtown, however. Smokers would have to step off the sidewalk and onto private property to smoke, but there’s relatively few islands of private property downtown where it would be kosher — essentially constituting a blanket ban, according to David Young, who spoke at a public hearing on the smoking ban last week.

“It is a sweeping, overly broad solution to a very small problem,” Young told aldermen.

“There has to be some middle ground between the complete lack of regulation we have now, and this overarching ban that has been proposed.”

Young doesn’t smoke, but as a downtown business owner, he is worried about the impact of a smoking ban on commerce.

“It will drive away patrons from bars, restaurants and shops throughout the downtown area,” said Young.

But downtown is likewise the area where a smoking ban is needed the most, “by virtue of lots of people gathered in very close quarters,” said Waynesville Town Manager Marcy Onieal.

“It is more a matter of how we can coexist and respect each other and share space together,” Onieal said.

Town leaders are still hashing out what the ban would look like, if it is enacted at all.

The town stumbled on the wording in the first draft of the ban, making it far broader than intended.

The first draft called for a 50-foot nosmoking zone around the main entrance to any business. It was intended only for sidewalks that fell within the 50-foot buffer, but the wording failed to stipulate that private property was exempt.

So by default, it would have reached onto private property, banning smoking anywhere within 50 feet of a business’ front door — even in the private parking lots of gas stations, Laundromats, Walmart, fast-food joints and so on.

“We may have inadvertently had some unintended consequences,” Onieal said. “We know we need to go back and correct some language in here. The intent all along was just the public sidewalks in front of commercial buildings.”

The town plans to strike the reference to a 50-foot buffer zone, and come up a new version that applies only to public spaces like sidewalks.

That is marginally more palatable to 4 Young. He is opening a new beer garden on

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April 1-7, 2015

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Branner Avenue with a deck for smokers. But the deck is within 50 feet of the bar’s front door, so the smoking ban as initially written would have cost him patrons — banning smoking on his own bar deck.

Young said 20 percent of adults smoke, but people who go out drinking are a “higher smoking demographic” and bar owners risk a sizeable share of business if there is nowhere they can step outside and smoke.

Only three people came to the public hearing to lodge concerns over the smoking ban last week. The majority of town aldermen appeared to be in favor of some sort of ban, based on their discussion.

The only one to express reservations was Alderman Gary Caldwell.

“We might be opening a can of worms.

When you start saying you can’t smoke outside a bar or a restaurant, I just don’t know,” Caldwell said. “I am not a smoker but a person has his own rights.”

“Do they have the right to force others to have unintended exposure to second-hand smoke?” Onieal asked.

Mayor Gavin Brown countered that the debate was limited to the public sphere.

Nothing would stop you from smoking outside a bar or restaurant — as long as you weren’t stepping on to the public sidewalk to do so.

“We are dealing with the concept of a public space,” Brown said.

But downtown, few businesses have the luxury of their own parking lot for smokers.

Once you step out the door, you land immediately and directly on the sidewalk.

“What if people step into the street, can they smoke in the street?” Alderwoman Julia Freeman asked.

“You have raised a good question there,” Onieal said.

State statute gives cities and towns the right to ban smoking in public spaces, but there’s no clear definition of a public space.

“The statute is pretty clear in being vague.

The statute says we can regulate smoking in public spaces,” Brown said. “We’ll have to figure out along with everyone else what a public space is.”

No matter how the town slices and dices the language, smokers will search out the loopholes and find safe zones, Freeman postulated.

“People are going to get around whatever you come up with,” Freeman said.

Technically, the town has the latitude to make the ban quite sweeping if it wants to.

Onieal shared a laundry list of locally-enacted smoking bans around the country that indeed apply even on private property: common areas in apartment buildings, lobbies of hotels, nursing homes, shopping malls, bus stations and ticket lines.

“It is fairly wide open in terms of what this board and this community chooses to regulate in terms of public health protection,” Onieal said.

The town is considering a more comprehensive smoking ban during parades and festivals. It would apply to any outside space within the parade or festival boundaries, even private property, since the second-hand smoke would waft onto crowds.

WHAT’S NEXT The town will float a new version of the ordinance in April and hold another public hearing in May. If enacted, it would have a three- to six-month grace period before going into effect.

Cameron Corley, who is opening the new beer garden with Young, suggested the town create a designated smoking area. Corley said there are many people who live in secondfloor apartments over Main Street who wouldn’t be able to step outside their own apartment to smoke since it would put them on the sidewalk.

Another compromise: limit no-smokingon-the-sidewalk hours to the daytime. Come evening, when Main Street transitions from tourist families to bar-goers, the smoking ban would be lifted.

With eight bars within easy walking distance downtown, a blanket smoking ban could put a damper on people hopping from one to the next.

“If we are going to do the smoking ban, I think it is in the town’s best interest to have a time frame,” said Amanda Graham, who is also involved in the beer garden venture.

Young proposed yet another compromise that would allow businesses to opt-in if they want smoking banned on their stretch of sidewalk. Window decals could show which businesses had opted in, he said.

A logistical issue is obviously who will police the ban.

“An ordinance like this is only as good as the enforcement. That is the big concern I have,” said Alderman Leroy Roberson. For the record, Roberson likes the idea of a smoking ban on Main Street. As a retired optometrist, he saw the side effects of smoking on vision loss, including increased risk of macular degeneration.

Technically, people violating the ban could get a $50 ticket. But in reality, Onieal doesn’t see that happening. “We are not going to be following people around with a ticket book in hand,” Onieal said. “We would rather not have to enforce this ordinance at all. Our desire is to raise awareness.”

Enforcement would more likely be complaint-based and reserved for intentional repeat offenders.

Even then, the job won’t fall to police officers. All town employees — whether its garbage men going down Main Street or landscape crews at the town rec park — will be empowered to ticket offenders.

Young said the ban could be a turn off for tourists who smoke along Main Street.

t Getting hassled by town employees won’t W leave a good impression on them.

“If I had to guess, I’d assume that they’llt go inside the shops, tell the rest of their party what happened, and leave Waynesville forever. That kind of negative experience, including public humiliation and a fine, won’t be A quickly forgotten,” he said.

Worse, it will make the rounds on social media, Young said. Downtown Waynesville’s tourist economy stands to lose more than it gains.

“Nobody will come to Waynesville for its non-smoking streets, sidewalks and green spaces,” Young said. “It just seems that this proposed ordinance has little potential to help the downtown area, and great potentialA to do harm.”

SECOND-HAND HEALTH VS. SMOKER SHAMEt

The town smoking ban in public places would also apply to parks and recreation grounds.

Smoking is commonplace at the town skateboard park — and not just on the sidelines. Some teens even smoke on their skateboards, rolling up and down the ramps with a cigarette hanging from their lips. Smoking is also common around the perimeter of softball games at town ball fields. w But smoking bans in public parks have become the norm. Many counties and towns in the region already ban smoking at city and county parks — Waynesville would actually be a latecomer on that front.

Smoking bans are usually billed as protecting the public from the dangerous scourge of second-hand smoke. w “People should not be involuntarilyw exposed to second-hand smoke,” said Traci Clark, an advocate with the anti-smoking HyTop Consortium that works in WNC, at the town’s public hearing last week. “There is nov level of safe exposure.”

But in reality, second-hand smoke is more of a nuisance and irritant to non-smokers — and a bad example to kids — than a true health threat to the masses.

“The town has increasingly received complaints about smoking,” Onieal said. “And folks requesting that we do more to enforce smoking bans in public places with high pedestrian traffic or where large crowdsb specifically with children and youth gather.” T Smoking bans in public places most likely have an unspoken ulterior motive: to denormalize smoking. By ostracizing smokers and disgracing smoking as socially unacceptable, the prevalence of smoking would theoretical-w ly decline.

Smoking is banned on the campus of all the hospitals in the region, plus Haywood Community and Southwestern Community college campuses.

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Summer day camp available in Cullowhee

The 32nd annual Haywood County Senior Games will be held April 21 to May 21.

Registration is open through April 10, at the Haywood County Recreation & Parks office located at 63 Elmwood Way, Suite B in Waynesville. Participants get the opportunity to compete in a variety of athletic events like shuffleboard, cornhole, pickleball, horseshoes, bowling and track and field events.

Registration is $10. The fee includes a Tshirt, breakfast at the Opening Ceremony and AARP Ice Cream Social on April 29.

828.452.6789 or www.haywoodnc.net.

A summer day camp will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 1 to Aug. 7 at Cullowhee United Methodist Church for children ages 6-11 and preschool students ages 2-5.

The cost of the elementary program will be $650 for the summer, $95 per week or $25 per day. The cost of the preschool program is $800 for the summer, $95 per week or $25 per day.

Register by calling 828.293.9215 or visit www.cullowheeumc.org/summer-camp-2015.

International Festival set for April 8 at WCU

The 36th annual International Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee to celebrate the diverse cultures and traditions of its international student population.

The festival is designed to foster cultural awareness, appreciation and understanding of the world’s diversity through music, food, dance, art and crafts.

828.227.7494.

THE TRICKLE DOWN

his own parking lot at Wells Funeral Home across from the justice center. He said it would simply be up to private businesses at that point to make their own policies.

Haywood County is contemplating a smoking ban on county property — which would include the grounds of the justice center and historic courthouse. Smokers who normally congregate outside on court days would likely move off county grounds and onto town sidewalks instead.

“As a practical matter that will present an increased problem for downtown Waynesville,” Onieal said. “Since we were thinking about this anyway it makes sense for us to try to move our ordinances together at the same time.”

However, it would be disingenuous to blame the county for forcing the town’s hand to ban smoking in response, Brown cautioned.

Brown said the town wanted to do it anyway.

“I don’t want to run in tandem with the county. That was never the plan,” Brown said.

When county commissioners contemplated their own smoking ban last month, they struggled with some of the same issues as Waynesville leaders.

“I don’t know that is something we should do to the town of Waynesville either, by pushing those folks off,” Commissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick said.

“We don’t want to create an unintended consequence,” Commissioner Bill Upton agreed.

As a whole, commissioners seemed torn on whether to enact the ban, and whether to create a designated smoking area if they did so.

“We are not of one mind apparently so just think about it and we’ll decide at the next meeting,” Commissioner Mark Swanger said.

586-8487 601 Main Street, Sylva NC 9:00-5:00 Monday - Friday & 9:00-2:00 Saturday 286-94

QUESTION: I heard you were going to be at the Mother Earth News Fair. When and where is it and what will you be doing there?

ANSWER: The Mother Earth News Fair will be held at the WNC Ag Center near the Asheville Airport on April 11th and 12th ( Saturday and Sunday). Ingles Markets is a primary sponsor of the event and there will be hundreds of vendors, educational sessions and speakers. For event and ticket information go to: www.motherearthnews.com/fair/north-carolina.aspx The Ingles booths will feature some of our local vendors.

Expect to see: April 11th ■ 9am-12n – Annie’s Breads, Imladris Jams and Laura Lynn Milk (MILKCO) ■ 12-3pm – Sunburst Trout, Appalachian Harvest, Sunny Creek Sprouts and Ardenne Farms(gluten-free mixes) ■ 3-7pm – Dolci Di Maria (gluten free), Brasstown Beef and Lusty Monk Mustard April 12th ■ 9-1pm – Annie’s Bread, Hickory Nut Gap Meats ■ 1-5pm – Roots Hummus, Rosetta’s Kitchen, And more!

Smoky Mountain News

If smoking is banned on public sidewalks downtown, smokers would no doubt seek out smoking havens on private property where they could. Stoops and parking lots — anywhere smokers can find to get off the sidewalk — could become de facto smoking zones to the chagrin of those business owners.

United Community Bank has the only private parking lot along Main Street in the core downtown area, and would no doubt end up in the smoking crosshairs.

The bank lets the public park in its lot after business hours, a generous gesture that’s appreciated by people coming downtown in the evening to eat out and go drinking.

UCB President Mike McKinney said he doesn’t mind the public using the bank parking lot after hours but worries about it becoming a Main Street smoking hangout.

The parking lot already suffers from the telltale signs of late-night and weekend revelers come Monday morning, McKinney said.

“I like people to have a place to park. We don’t want to close our parking lot, but I would hate to think us being infringed on to the point we would have to put a chain up,” McKinney said in an interview.

Alderman Wells Greeley can sympathize.

He also fears the stealth smoking that would trickle over on private property — including

A workshop will be held starting April 9 at Southwestern Community College in Webster to help retirees develop a plan for the new chapter in their lives.

Entitled “Shifting Gears To Your Life & Work After Retirement,” the seminar will provide tips for post-retirement life. Deborah Aiton, who spent 40 years as a registered nurse, will be the instructor.

The class meets from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays through April 23. Cost is $65.

Register at www.southwesterncc.edu.

828.339.4497 or j_williams@southwesterncc.edu.

Carolyn Pool is now at Don's Barber Shop

April 1-7, 2015

Smoking is often banned in places frequented by kids, like school grounds, school sporting events, parks and libraries. The Motion Picture Association of America made smoking a factor in movie ratings, and movies with smoking scenes are listed as such.

SCC offers postretirement life seminar

“Best Haircut in Town”

news

Athletes prepare for annual Senior Games

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news April 1-7, 2015

June Johnson stands in front of one of the garden plots that resulted when she spearheaded an effort, backed by a coalition of Maggie Valley churches, to grow food for church food pantries and community meals in town. Holly Kays photo

From a mustard seed Churches get gardening to fight hometown hunger

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER une Johnson’s foray into the world of gardening began in the dead of winter. A sunny January day last year inspired her to venture outside, and her walk brought her to the path behind Maggie Valley United Methodist Church and the grassy lawn surrounding it. The sight made her pause.

“Having grown up around farming, I thought, ‘Why don’t they have a church garden?’ and roamed into the back of the church,” recalled Johnson, a retired teacher and native of Haywood County.

During her roaming she bumped into Erma Bond, the church’s associate minister, and she pitched her garden idea.

Bond liked the plan — the church already ran a food pantry and fed a hot meal to about 120 people every Monday night — but it turned out that the space wasn’t going to work out as a garden. Drainage and power lines conflicted, and the Henry family, who donated the land, had asked that it be used as a playfield.

However, when Cooperative Extension 6 staff paid the property a visit, they deemed

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the slopes along its edge the perfect place for fruit trees and grapes.

“That’s the dream spot for an orchard, as it turns out. I didn’t know any of this,” said Johnson. Now enrolled in Master Gardener classes, she was a gardening novice when she first got involved. “I just knew that it was awful, 120 people having to be fed in a community of 700.”

Today, the orchard-vineyard is one step closer to reality with 80 feet of grapevines and an array of apple and cherry trees planted there last fall. More recently two beehives arrived, whose inhabitants will pollinate the trees. These improvements will kick off year number two at Maggie Valley Community Gardens, but they’re not the first things to get growing.

A GROWING GARDEN As Johnson and Bond talked last winter, Bond’s niece, who belongs to the Baptist Church, overheard the conversation.

“Word spread from her to her uncle. We got more land up on Evans Cove and on Soco,” Johnson said. “Before we knew it, the wonderful Anglican priest, father Michael from the Anglican Church, said, ‘I love orchards. We’ve always wanted an orchard.”

Soon Johnson, a Unitarian Universalist

who is not a member of any local church, found herself at the center of a multi-denominational band of volunteers — as well as some people who didn’t profess Christianity at all — joined together against hunger in Maggie Valley.

That kind of multi-denominational effort isn’t always common, but to Johnson it makes sense — especially in a community like Maggie, where the churches are small. By joining together, little groups of believers can combine resources and volunteer power to

create something that’s greater than the sum of its parts.

“No church here in the valley is big enough to have a full program on their own,” Johnson said. “There’s only 700 of us who live here period, and you either work together on something or nothing gets done.”

Maggie Valley Community Gardens is getting plenty done. Aside from the orchard and fruit trees at the Methodist church, there’s a group of raised beds inside a sturdy, elk-proof fence at the First Baptist Church and a pair of gardens that aren’t on the property of any church.

“The potato patch is on land from a member of the Methodist church whose husband has been dead 15 to 20 years, and that was his pride and joy, his love, his garden, and it has not been worked since he died,” Johnson said. “She has been thrilled to have us up there working his land and have people just show up in her yard.”

Even worked by a team of neophytes, Johnson said, the 40-by-40-foot patch yielded 20 bushels of potatoes last year, enough to carry the church through February.

A drive up a steep road snaking the north side of the valley leads to the final piece of Maggie Valley Community Gardens, a patch in Evans Cove that’s part of a larger family farm. That’s where the corn and pumpkins grow. Last year, the group froze 88 quarts of creamed corn to use during the winter, in addition to countless ears of corn on the cob that came in fresh, and they sold pumpkins at Maggie Valley Oktoberfest.

It’s a lot of land and a lot of food, but there’s still plenty of room to grow, Johnson said.

“We’ve been offered that many more sites by people who say, ‘Oh, we’d love for you to come work our ground.’ It just kills them to see their land lie fallow, and some magnificent spots have been offered us,” she said, looking out to the blue-skied mountain view from the Evans Cove farm. “We are just at our capacity. But the need’s there.”

At this point, it’s an issue of manpower. It takes a lot of hands and a lot of hours to prepare the ground and plant the seeds and pull the weeds and harvest the produce; the list of tasks goes on. However, Johnson is hopeful.

The group’s support has grown to include non church-based help — the Town of Maggie Valley has given assistance — and

S EE GARDENING, PAGE 9

Food insecurity in Western North Carolina Food insecurity has a slightly different meaning than hunger. A household that’s food insecure might not always have an empty refrigerator but will sometimes have to make tradeoffs between meeting important needs, such as rent or electric bills, and buying food. In the four-county area, the percentage of the population that is food insecure hovers in the teens.

HAYWOOD ..........................................14.3 percent 35 percent of those do not qualify for SNAP JACKSON ............................................16.3 percent 29 percent of those do not qualify for SNAP MACON...............................................16.2 percent 28 percent of those do not qualify for SNAP SWAIN................................................18.1 percent 35 percent of those do not qualify for SNAP

Source: Feeding America, based on 2009-2012 data.

SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Gleaners pick overlooked tomatoes from a commercial field in Haywood County. Haywood Gleaners photo

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Conference digs toward fthe root of hunger in WNC

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A SPARK FROM CONVERSATION

LOOKING TO CONNECT Connection may be a goal for the gleaners, but it was also a decisive theme of the

Despite its high poverty rate, WNC seems to be doing a pretty good job of facing its problems, Hyatt said. The region has a strong food policy council, “one of the best networks of gardens [that give to food banks] in that state,” and generally just “a lot of momentum.”

“I see the relationships and the networks and the people who are working on food access to be incredibly hardworking and resourceful and in tune with what the specifics are of this region,” she said.

Keeping up with those efforts and understanding who is doing what is always a challenge, because throughout the region, many groups work to attack poverty on many different levels. The less each organization replicates the others’ niche in the landscape, the more cumulative impact their efforts will have.

That’s why churches are such an important part of the line of attack, said Adam Bigelow, director of the non church-based Cullowhee Community Garden. They tend to have a pretty good feel for what’s happening around them, they have a mission to serve and they’re made of members from many different walks of life and ties to the community. Plus, the gardener said, they’ve got all those flat, grassy lawns that could quite easily be converted to rows of veggies.

“One of the things that is needed in food relief efforts is networks of organizations and people,” Bigelow said. “Faith-based organizations already are established networks, so just the linkages themselves are huge.”

To put it simply, he said, “At some point in the season, you’re going to be flush with yellow squash. How do I get that and keep it from rotting?”

LAYING THE LINES

A young gleaner shows off her find.

Haywood Gleaners photo

“One of the things that is needed in food relief efforts is networks of organizations and people.

Faith-based organizations already are established networks, so just the linkages themselves are huge.”

— Adam Bigelow, director of Cullowhee Community Garden

Turns out, Bigelow’s question is not so simple, because it points to a much more complex question. The causes of food insecurity in Western North Carolina are many — generational poverty, unemployment, geography, lack of technology and lack of infrastructure, for starters — so the organizations that pop up to address those issues are similarly numerous.

“The more we can establish lines of communication between those working directly on the front lines and those working to fund or address the problem at a larger level, the better off we’ll be,” said Emily Edmonds, director of the Western North Carolina Food Policy Council. “Sharing in those efforts helps eliminate repetition, leverage more resources, access infrastructure and funding and generally helps keep from having everyone on their own reinventing the wheel.”

It’s a never-ending task, but one whose fruit is good when it ripens through the information and collaboration that happens at Come to the Table.

“Little bits of effort,” Bigelow said, “add up to huge results.”

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Smoky Mountain News

That gathering of minds was the catalyst behind the birth of Haywood Gleaners, a group Walker works with closely. Haywood Gleaners uses volunteers to harvest leftbehind produce — food that otherwise would have rotted into the soil — and get it to people who need the food.

“Haywood Gleaners started two years ago at this conference with a conversation,” said Carol Larson, a volunteer with the group, during the “Rescuing Food” class.

Since Jim Geenan, Haywood Gleaners director, and Walker hatched the plan in 2013, the group has grown to include 150 volunteers working with 40 growers and distributing to 35 different sites. Volunteers reach out to farmers to find out who’s OK with letting gleaners pick up the leftover produce. They talk to vendors at farmers markets to secure donations of unsold food when the market ends. They process fruits and veggies as canned preserves, they drive the goods to food banks and homeless shelters, they operate a phone tree and organize email communications.

“Haywood County is rich in food-producing, agricultural traditions but also a high poverty level, and our goal was to find a way to connect the two,” Larson said.

TUNING IN TO THE REGION

April 1-7, 2015

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER haring food can be a simple thing. Like passing a bag of trail mix to the hiking buddy who forgot to pack lunch, or ladling an extra bowl of chili for the neighbor who stopped by at dinnertime.

But what if the person who’s missing lunch isn’t someone you know? How do you find out who could use some more and connect them with the people who have extra?

It’s a tough problem, and its complexity is the reason Come to the Table, a bi-annual regional conference of the Rural Advancement Foundation International and N.C. Council of Churches, supported by the fDuke Endowment, exists. The western conference, held at Southwestern Community College in Sylva, brought together faithfbased organizations with growers and nonprofit directors, all dedicated to ending hunger in Western North Carolina.

“There’s plenty of food and there’s plenty of hungry people,” said Bill Walker, gleaning coordinator for the Society of St. Andrews.

“It’s just making sure we can fill that gap.”

The western counties have a long tradition of agriculture and self-sufficiency, but they also have high rates of poverty. While the overall poverty rate for North Carolina was 17.8 percent in 2013 according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, rates in WNC counties hovered above 20 percent, with Jackson County’s rate reaching 24.2 percent. Rates were even higher among children and the elderly. In 2013, 31.7 percent of Jackson County children under 18 lived in poverty.

But, as Walker said, there’s plenty of food to go around. To spur discussion as to the wheres and hows of getting the unused food to people who need it, the conference fea-

tured workshops about creating community gardens, capturing “waste” food in time to redistribute it, issues that farmworkers face, the mechanics of accepting food stamps at farmers markets and plenty more. It was all good, useful information, Walker said, but probably the most important part of the conference is the fact that it brings people who care together under the same roof.

of the above organizations. “You find the organizations that are doing this and find how you can uplift that.”

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Come to the table

conference as a whole. Connections are what make or break efforts to combat hunger — connections between growers and gleaners, between food banks and grocery stores, between the wealthy and the impoverished.

“We don’t want people to reinvent the wheel,” said Francesca Hyatt, Come to the Table director. “We want folks to have the opportunity to learn from existing projects.”

Projects like the Conetoe Family Life Center, a 25-acre community garden in Eastern North Carolina aiming to quell the tide of deaths from diabetes; or High Country Community-Supported Agriculture, a cost-share program in Boone that gives discounted produce baskets to low-income families while paying farmers market value for their goods; or Share the Harvest, a food growing and distribution effort that formed when leaders of several churches in Guilford County realized their individual community gardens would have a greater impact if they joined forces.

What these projects have in common is that they’re each community-specific, each designed to fill a gap in the places they serve using the resources available there.

“You don’t have to start an organization that’s doing this,” said Jesalyn Keziah, community food coordinator for Resourceful Communities, which did case studies of each

8

Smoky Mountain News April 1-7, 2015

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who receives a total of $14 per month for food. If the government is going to feed them, they’re going to have to do a better job of it.’”

GARDENING, CONTINUED FROM 6

THE FISHING TALK

PUTTING CHURCH LAWNS TO WORK

Volunteers with Maggie Valley Community Gardens work the ground. Donated photo

“No church here in the valley is big enough to have a full program on their own. There’s only 700 of us who live here period, and you either work together on something or nothing gets done.”

— June Johnson, Maggie Valley

Cornerstone Living and Mountain View Manor [nursing homes]. We were able to do two deliveries like that a week in the growing season.”

WHY CHURCHES?

A MINISTRY OF RELATIONSHIPS Nance doesn’t see The Grove’s garden as being in the handout business. Teaching was the mission from the outset.

“I think some people think that it [gardening] is harder than it is,” Nance said.

“We wanted to get involved and show people that if we do something as a group, it does take a lot of the pressure off and a lot of the work off and we can come up with more by working together.”

It’s a relationship-based ministry in which those who are growing the food know the people who are receiving it. They enter their homes, shake their hands, get to know them as people. And they encourage them to come on down to the garden to learn how it’s done.

Some do.

“There was one lady who loved squash — that’s just want she wanted — but she physi-

Smoky Mountain News

By and large, the people spearheading church gardening and food relief efforts aren’t experts. They’re not people with years of experience in farming or nonprofit operations or food relief. They’re just people who care enough to put in the time.

So why churches? Why not let the combination of government programs and established nonprofits use their experts to do the work?

Well, for one thing, a church can be an easier place to go to than a government building or food pantry, Johnson said. To people who find themselves in need of a free meal, other community “safe places” like schools and police stations often don’t come associated with the word “safe.” Church buildings, on the other hand, are tied to a cultural knowledge that they’re places that exist to help people.

“When they’re in trouble, they know that that is one place they can go and not be turned away,” Johnson said.

There are also practical reasons why churches are so well poised to be the clearinghouse for food relief efforts. They have diverse memberships of people with different skill sets and connections to contribute, for one thing, and for another they often meet in buildings surrounded by grassy

space that’s not used for much besides giving a lawnmower a job.

“Most of them have weekly meals and feedings,” said Adam Bigelow, director of Cullowhee Community Gardens, a non church-based garden whose members are asked to donate a portion of their produce.

“They can be producing the food on their land instead of mowing.”

There’s also the matter of mission.

“As Christians, our work is God’s work, and the things we do are supposed to be in love for other people and for him,” Nance said. “And so a garden is a great way, even metaphorically, to put a seed into good soil and take care of it and tend it and love it. It’s such a perfect metaphor for the church itself, the way churches grow together.”

“Jesus said, ‘The two greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbor,’ and I feel that the way we love God and the way we love our neighbor is by serving,” Curtis agreed.

The churches involved in this work don’t see themselves as picking up the slack dropped by others. They see themselves as taking ownership of a job that has been theirs all along.

“One lady, wife of a retired missionary, said, ‘It has always been the responsibility of churches to feed the needy. The government took it over and has made a big mess of it,’” Johnson said, relating a pair of conversations she’s had on the topic. “The other related, ‘I personally know a widow lady, 89 years old,

April 1-7, 2015

Maggie Valley isn’t the only community in Western North Carolina whose church members have turned into gardeners in order to help feed the hungry. Church lawns across the area are sprouting veggie patches where grass once grew, putting the space to work growing food for those who don’t have enough of it.

“I think it’s a faith issue for us,” said Pattie Curtis, pastor at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sylva. “We have been given this beautiful creation to care for, to steward. God created us and placed us in a garden and gave us this.

That’s our creation story.”

St. John’s is in its fifth year of growing veggies in a 40-by-40-foot space behind the church building, an adventure that started in much the same way as Johnson’s: with an observation.

“We looked at all of that green grass and thought, ‘Oh my, think about how much food we could produce here if we didn’t have green grass,’” said Curtis, who holds a master’s degree in public health policy, of the day she and a church member first cooked up the idea.

The garden did not actually land on church property, however. An unused piece of ground behind the church, owned by adjoining First Citizen’s Bank, turned out to be a better bet, and the bank agreed to let the church use the land. Now, the area houses 12 raised beds, a 30-foot tomato bed, apple trees and an okra hedge along the street.

There’s a “die-hard” group of about 10 people that does the bulk of the work. The food goes to The Community Table’s food pantry and to Vecinos — Spanish for “neighbor” — a nonprofit that cares for farmworkers in the area.

“I really wish we had measured the amount of produce we grow over the year, because I’m sure it would be tons, and I’m not exaggerating,” Curtis said.

Liz Nance, a Bryson City-based musician who belongs to The Grove Church, echoed that sentiment.

“We had more squash than anyone should be having,” she said of her first year running a garden at her church. “Seventy-two dozen ears of corn.”

Nance and her husband A.J. are yet another example of people who spotted some fallow land and decided to put it to use. At first they were working the little plot behind the church building with a small team of about four other people, but in the second and third years the group grew from six to between eight and 12, depending how you count. They took a break last year — the Nances are musicians and were traveling during the growing season — but are back on for 2015.

“We were feeding at least four families the first couple years,” Nance said. “We did it steadily and then took produce once a week to

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

It’s an old, widely accepted adage, but the whole fish versus fishing thing can create a dilemma for food relief efforts, especially those that involve serving free meals and bags of groceries. Why put so much effort into growing food for other people rather than teaching them to grow it — or earn money to buy it — themselves?

It’s not a question that these church gardeners have ignored.

“This is a discussion we have. Are we enabling helplessness?” Johnson said.

It’s a roundabout discussion that will probably never conclude. But the answer thus far starts with the fact that some people actually are helpless to provide for themselves.

Others are not.

“When you are feeding a child or an elderly person who cannot provide, no, you’re not enabling. You’re not enabling them,” Johnson said. “But for people who can do, I think they have an absolute responsibility to give of their abilities, and we will show them how and we will never look down upon them.”

At first — and really, still now — it was as much as anyone with the Maggie Valley Community Gardens could handle to get the land plowed, the seeds sown, the harvest gathered, the people fed. But Johnson has plenty of ideas for how the group could extend its mission to include some metaphorical fishing lessons.

For instance, they’re working with the Haywood County Master Gardeners to look at getting some teaching beds at Jonathan Creek Elementary, where the majority of Maggie Valley children whose families need food assistance come from. They’ve also thought about starting a prison ministry to teach people serving time how to grow their own food.

“We’re trying to find ways to not be just in the business of handing out,” Johnson said.

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interest is growing. Last year, between six and eight people took an active role in the garden, and this year that number has doubled.

“If we did that again, we could take on some more,” Johnson said. “We really could.”

S EE GARDENING, PAGE 10 9

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GARDENING, CONTINUED FROM 9

If this was once your home phone…

cally couldn’t come down so she would just sit on the hill and encourage us and pray for us from the hill,” Nance recalled.

Those relationships are the cornerstone of the garden ministry, Nance said. They’re what cause it to transcend a simple food supply operation to become something much more personal and, possibly, more helpful than a swipe card for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or a monthly government check.

“When you have a personal relationship with the people you’re helping and the people you’re teaching, Summer peppers you can see areas in their lives grow in The you otherwise wouldn’t be able Grove Church’s to see that you can reach into garden patch. by offering more help than just Donated photo the food,” Nance said.

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people on fixed incomes. That’s mainly who comes to Monday night meals at the Methodist church, Johnson said, some because they’re hungry, some because they’re lonely and some for both reasons.

Many of the issues in Bryson City stem from the town’s tourist-driven economy, Nance said. A good chunk of the jobs are seasonal, and come January or February it’s hard to find work. There are also a good many people struggling with drug problems, and even recovering addicts can have trouble providing.

“It’s easy to get yourself out of a hole if you

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When someone’s hungry, the potential reasons why are nearly limitless. By getting to know the person, Nance said, you get to know the reason.

Then, maybe, you can start to do something more than putting a patch on hunger for that meal in that day.

But providing the meal is the unavoidable first step, because philosophical discussions about the hows and whys of food insecurity don’t help the person whose stomach is growling now, Curtis said.

“Until we solve that problem of poverty, we are going to have people who are hungry,” she “A garden is a great way, even said. “We have to look at the person who is hungry today. metaphorically, to put a seed into They need food on their plate good soil and take care of it and today. They don’t need us to talk about, ‘Why are you hungry?’” tend it and love it. It’s such a perThat’s still an important conversation to be having, fect metaphor for the church itself, though, Curtis said. What the way churches grow together.” forces are at work to keep refrigerators empty and bank — Liz Nance accounts lacking? How do we address “food deserts,” areas can rely on yourself and God and others, but without grocery stores or farmers markets?

“We need to feed them today, but we also if you’ve been digging the hole yourself, it’s need to be doing that work in our city to hard because you’re tired,” Nance explained.

Curtis simply said that hunger in Jackson address that question of what causes that poverty, what causes that homelessness,” she County is due to poverty and homeless. It’s hard to generalize beyond that. said.

“There are different kinds of poverty, difThe causes range from poor economic circumstances to drug and alcohol addiction to ferent reasons for poverty,” Curtis said. “It’s a lack of education to health problems and very complex issue.”

It’s an issue that she’s studied academicalpopulate every crevice in between.

In her work in Maggie Valley, Johnson ly, and it’s one she’s helped attack organizasees a lot of broken families, often with chil- tionally.

But at its heart, hunger is an issue of heart. dren who are being raised by grandparents or “We’re all human beings, and if some of us single mothers while parents have “either gone somewhere else to work or have felt that are hurting, I hope the rest of us will be racing they had no other choices than to get out to heal that hurt,” she said. “To me it’s not involved in things that are very self-destruc- a question of a denomination. It’s a question tive.” The area also includes many elderly of humanity.”

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER Haywood County political operative and local government critic was cleared of alleged cyberstalking charges in court last week.

Monroe Miller, 67, was accused of cyberstalking by Savannah Tedesco, 24, who claimed Miller would not stop sending her intimidating and embarrassing emails after she asked him to quit. A judge dismissed the misdemeanor cyberstalking charge.

However, a civil restraining against Miller remains in place.

Tedesco sought the restraining order to bar Miller from making derogatory and negative comments about her online or through widely circulated emails. Miller had to remove his posts about Tedesco from his website as a result, but he had attempted to argue in court that he had no other recourse to tell his side of the story or defend himself from defamation.

Miller and Tedesco were both precinct chairs in the Haywood Republican Party.

Miller claimed his emails were part and parcel to conducting party affairs, but Tedesco said she continued to be hassled

A

by Miller even after she stepped down as a precinct chair.

The cyberstalking charges played out against the larger backdrop of a rift in the Haywood GOP, with two camps vying for control of the party. Miller and Tedesco were in opposing camps.

Miller and his supporters said his emails were protected as free speech under an exemption in the state cyberstalking statute.

Miller is known for taking people to task in scathing and derogatory emails, which he disseminates widely, roping in an audience of digital spectators — whether they want to be roped in or not.

Jeremy Davis, who supports Miller, said the cyberstalking charges were part of a conspiracy to stop Miller from speaking out.

“It does appear that this was an attempt to shut down Monroe Miller but it seems to have backfired in a big way,” Davis wrote in a Facebook post.

Miller portrays himself as a watchdog who stands up to corruption and abuse of power by the mainstream establishment — whatever he deems that mainstream establishment to be.

He’s focused his efforts on several

departments in county government, including the finance office, tax collection office, county manager’s office, county attorney’s office, election office, sediment and erosion control office and building inspection office.

He’s also gone after Haywood Community College, Haywood County School administration, the Haywood Clerk of Court, Waynesville building inspections, Waynesville sign enforcement and last but not least local newspapers, including The Mountaineer and The Smoky Mountain News.

The volume of email from Miller to county officials has plummeted since the cyberstalking charges were filed in January.

During 2014, Miller sent 350 emails to various county employees. In the twomonth period following the cyberstalking charges, Miller sent only 13 emails to county employees.

The volume dropped by 75 percent, from one a day on average to one every four days on average. The email tallies were provided under a public records request to the county.

Others who were routinely on the receiving end of Miller’s emails have noted a precipitous decline over the past two months as well.

Miller would not comment for this article, but he wrote a brief recap of his take on the court proceedings on his web site, Haywood County Toeprints.

“After hearing testimony, and specifically, having all e-mails read aloud leading up to the arrest, Judge Samet ruled that this was

all political in nature. People should have read the statute in it’s entirety prior to making the charges,” Miller said.

The cyberstalking case was heard on March 24 in Greensboro. That’s where Tedesco was living when Miller sent her the emails, so that’s where she swore out the charges.

A small entourage of supporters for both Miller and Tedesco traveled from Haywood County for the hearing last week. Former Haywood GOP Chair Pat Carr testified on Tedesco’s behalf. Carr claimed she has been a victim of Miller’s email bullying as well.

Although the cyberstalking charges didn’t stick, Tedesco said in a written statement that she was pleased the district attorney’s office in Guilford County was willing to take the case and give it a shot.

And she said the civil restraining order was vindicating.

“I would encourage anyone who feels harassed by Monroe Miller, or anyone else, to exercise their rights under the law,” Tedesco said.

In an email sent to members of the Haywood County Republican Party by Miller’s camp last month, a tongue-in-cheek disclaimer appeared at the end of the email.

“Pursuant to Proper Etiquette and N.C.G.S. 14-196.3, this e-mail conforms to Section (e) which applies to any peaceable, nonviolent, or nonthreatening activity intended to express political views or to provide lawful information to others,” the disclaimer read.

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Judge rules harassing emails not tantamount to cyber stalking in Haywood GOP drama

April 1-7, 2015 Smoky Mountain News 11

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Fracking rules go into effect Lagging natural gas prices, legal challenges could stall development

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he way is now open for oil and gas companies to start drilling in North Carolina, but no wells are going to pop up any time soon. Besides the time lag automatically built into the permitting process, low natural gas prices will likely discourage development and a pending lawsuit challenging the legitimacy of the very commission that wrote the rules could invalidate them.

The rules automatically went into effect March 17 when no bill striking them down passed the General Assembly during the first 60 days of its session, but that doesn’t mean a flood of drilling rigs is on its way to North Carolina.

To get started, oil and gas developers must request permission for a drilling unit from the Mining and Energy Commission at least two months before the next MEC meeting. As of now, July 23 is the earliest meeting where such a request could be granted. Then, the operator would have to apply for a drilling permit with the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which would have up to six months to act and could require another hearing with the MEC — which at that point would be reconstituted as the Mining Commission and the Oil and Gas Commission — to increase the bond.

T

Smoky Mountain News

April 1-7, 2015

A FIZZLE ON FRACKING? At the moment, it looks like that bureaucratic time lag could be more than a finger in the dam holding back a flood of applications. Two weeks after the window opened, MEC Chairman Vikram Rao said he hasn’t received any requests for drilling units.

“We think the rush to frack that started in 2011 has really been turned into a fizzle with this big drop in gas prices and with the continued community resistance to fracking across the state,” said Sally Morgan, energy and water justice organizer for Clean Water for North Carolina.

Morgan, whose organization has staunchly opposed fracking in North Carolina since it was first discussed, hopes that prices will stay low and that North Carolina’s mineral reserves will prove disappointing enough to redirect operators to more profitable fields.

That might not be an unrealistic outcome, Rao said.

“A new operator would have difficultly being profitable at these natural gas prices unless there was substantial quantity of liquid,” he said.

Natural gas is made of three components: methane, butane and propane. While butane and propane, the liquid parts, are selling for about three-fourths the price of oil, methane is selling for just about one-third the price

of oil.

There’s not much data on North Carolina’s mineral reserves, but the U.S. Geologic Survey estimates that the state contains only about 2 gallons of liquid natural gas per thousand cubic feet, Rao said. Typically, companies expect a minimum of 4 gallons per thousand cubic feet — or, more comfortably, 7 to 10 gallons — before investing. He doesn’t anticipate handling many permit applications until there’s been some exploratory drilling to see what North Carolina’s got.

“I personally think that there are other areas in the country which are already known to be more prospective and that’s where the interest will go, but anything is possible,” Rao said. “Some people may feel that this is a new horizon and they want ownership of it. It’s possible, but it’s risky.”

WAITING ON THE COURTS A pending lawsuit could also impact the future of fracking in North Carolina. In January, the Haw River Assembly — a water quality advocacy group based in Chatham County — filed a lawsuit claiming that, because the majority of MEC members were appointed by the Legislature and not the executive branch, the commission violates the constitutional separation of powers.

The case is still awaiting its day in court, but lawyers for Haw River say a recent ruling bodes well for the outcome.

In March, a three-judge panel heard a lawsuit brought by Gov. Pat McCrory claiming that a trio of commissions the Legislature set up were illegal — because their members were appointees of the Legislature, not the executive branch. The panel sided with McCrory, and though the case has been appealed to the N.C. Supreme Court, the fact that Mark Martin, the chief justice of that court, appointed the three-judge panel is an encouraging sign, said Brooks Pearson, attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, which is representing Haw River.

“The court in the governor’s case held that the Legislature cannot appoint anyone to boards and commissions that are primarily administrative or executive in nature,” Pearson said. “We ask whether the Legislature can appoint the majority of members to such commissions. If the Supreme Court, on appeal, feels that the governor’s case goes too far, ours could provide a middle ground.”

But in another sense, the Haw River case goes further than McCrory’s because it also asks whether the actions of an unconstitutionally appointed body should be null and void. If the court accepts Haw River’s point of view, the MEC’s fracking rules would fall down along with its

Refining the rules Though the Mining and Energy Commission’s rules are now officially in effect, they’re not static. Since their adoption, committees under the MEC have been investigating the pros and cons of various changes to the existing rulebook, including: ■ Air pollution. A state law passed March 16 mandated that the MEC write regulations addressing air emissions — if the commission determines that existing federal rules and the state air toxics program are “inadequate.”

“The ‘if’ is the key part,” said Sally Morgan of Clean Water for North Carolina.

“It’s making it optional to monitor toxic air emissions,” she said.

MEC Chairman Vikram Rao said he doesn’t see the problem. All the law says is that rules should be written if they’re needed but should not if they’re not, he said.

“I’m not clear on all the furor over this,” he said. “Why would you add rules if you thought the existing rules completely covered what you were trying to achieve?”

The legislation does not change how the MEC’s Environmental Standards Committee will handle the issue, he said. They’re currently researching the air quality question and spent last week listening to reports and testimony from Department of Environment and Natural Resources representatives.

■ Open pits. One of the major beefs environmentalists had with the MEC’s finished rule set was its OK of open, below-ground pits for storing fracking wastewater awaiting disposal. Why, environmentalists asked, shouldn’t the rules require waste to be stored in closed containers, ensuring that it doesn’t leach into nearby groundwater sources?

A valid argument, Rao said at the time, and one that the MEC would study. They are.

“This is a tough issue,” he said, “but when you say no to something, which is what the public wants us to do, you have to really research it because saying no to something is implicitly saying yes to something else.”

Rao said he’s requested a report from McKim & Creed, a company that makes both open and closed-circuit wastewater containers, detailing the costs associated with each.

“I’m going to give it to my staff [at DENR] who is then going to bolster it with further facts, and we will almost certainly put it out there for public review before we as a commission consider it,” Rao said.

There’s no guarantee, however, that the research will result in a rule change, Rao said, and it’s quite possible the process won’t finish up before July 31, when the MEC will dissolve and reform as two separate entities: the Mining Commission and the Oil and Gas Commission.

membership.

Though Donna Dupree, a member of the Jackson County Coalition Against Fracking, is disappointed the rules are going into effect at all, she’s holding out hope for the lawsuit and other efforts to mitigate the negative effects she expects from the industry.

“I can’t say that we have accomplished what we wanted to accomplish, which would be a moratorium or a ban, but we’re continuing to work,” she said. “We’re not giving up.”

Fracking fight ropes in national environmental organization

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER Jackson County Commissioners have voiced their opposition to fracking in the mountains loud and clear, and now they’ve signed an agreement making Jackson the first county in North Carolina to lean on the Natural Resources Defense Counsel for help writing rules to mitigate the industry’s impact in their jurisdiction.

“We are now one of their clients, and from that point we 12 will move forward with looking at the ordinance, making sug-

gested changes and they’ll help review that and [be] another set of eyes making sure that we are working things the appropriate way,” said Commission Chairman Brian McMahan.

The ordinance in question regulates industrial development such as asphalt plants and mining operations. In January, after the newly seated board of commissioners unanimously passed a resolution opposing fracking in the county, they followed up by directing the planning board to rewrite the industrial development ordinance to specifically address fracking.

Not to ban it — just to restrict it.

“It is not an attempt to outlaw it. I’m well aware what the legislation says,” McMahan said. “I don’t want people to get the wrong impression.”

The 2014 state law that lifted the moratorium on fracking — a form of fossil fuel extraction that opens up previously unrecoverable reserves but opponents decry as harmful to the environment and private property rights — includes a section invalidating local regulations that are more restrictive of oil and gas development than the

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FRACKING, CONTINUED FROM 12

When Jackson commissioners passed a resolution opposing fracking in January, they followed it up with a goal to restrict the industry through a planning ordinance. The Natural Resources Defense Council has offered its help to write an ordinance that will hold up in court. Holly Kays photo

Hicks not seeking re-election

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER Cherokee will have a new chief when Election Day concludes this September.

Principal Chief Michell Hicks, who is serving his third four-year term, will not seek re-election, but five candidates have filed in hopes of taking his place.

The field for the tribe’s top executive office includes two Tribal Council members, a former executive director of the Tribal Gaming Commission and two tribal employees. Likely campaign issues include curbing unnecessary spending, access to public documents, combating drug issues, defining and sticking up for tribal sovereignty and freedom of the press.

The chief ’s office won’t be the only one on the ballot.

The vice chief is also up for re-election, as are all 12 Tribal Council seats and three of six school board seats.

Chiefs and school board members serve four-year terms and Tribal Council members two from each community serve two-year terms. A primary election on June 4 will narrow the field down to two candidates for each seat, with the top two vote-getters moving on to the General Election.

Incumbent Vice Chief Larry Blythe will face three challengers, and a total of 41 candidates will contend for 12 Tribal Council seats. All the incumbents for those seats are running for re-election, save Birdtown Councilmember Gene “Tunney” Crowe Jr. and Yellowhill Councilmember David Wolfe, who are leaving their seats in hopes of a successful bid for principal chief.

The incumbent Wolftown school board member, John “Dick” Crowe, will run uncontested, but Yellowhill board member T.W. “Price” Saunooke will face one challenger and Painttown incumbent Charlotte Ann Saunooke will face two.

Who’s running for tribal office?

Principal Chief

■ Gene “Tunney” Crowe, Jr. Crowe represents Birdtown on

Larry Blythe, incumbent Dan McCoy James “Bud” Smith Richard “Richie” Sneed

Tribal Council Wolftown Polly Jo Castorena Bo Crowe, incumbent James David Jumper Albert Martin, Jr. Trina Sneed Owle Quedi “Quet” Sampson Dennis Edward “Bill” Taylor, incumbent Marty Taylor Francine Parker Watty

Birdtown Gilbert Crowe Ray Long Jeffery Dwayne McCoy Greg Owle Albert Rose, incumbent Solomon “Slick” Saunooke Travis K. Smith M. “Dwayne” Stamper Mernie Taylor Terri Lee Taylor Curtis Wildcatt

Yellowhill Arizona Jane Blankenship Alan “B” Ensley, incumbent Anita Welch Lossiah Virginia Johnson Tom Wahnetah Richard “Twidge” Welch

Cherokee County/Snowbird Bucky Brown Brandon Jones, incumbent Janell Rattler Adam Wachacha, incumbent

Painttown Terri Henry, incumbent chair Marie Junaluska Tommye Saunooke, incumbent

Big Cove Richard French Consuela “Consie” Girty Joseph “Buddy” Johnson Teresa McCoy, incumbent Perry Shell, incumbent Otis D. Swayney Lori Taylor Mary Welch Thompson

School Board John “Dick” Crowe, Big Y, incumbent chair Charlotte Ann Saunooke, Painttown, incumbent T.W. “Price” Saunooke, Yellowhill, incumbent Ned Stamper, Sr., Painttown Jennifer Thompson, Yellowhill Trista Welch, Painttown

Smoky Mountain News

Tribal Council. He holds a business degree from Montreat College and, in addition to eight years in the U.S. Navy, has served as chief of the Cherokee Indian Police Department and director of security and surveillance for Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.

■ Patrick Lambert. Lambert, a licensed attorney and U.S. Army veteran, graduated from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Law. In January, he retired from 22 years as executive director of the Tribal Gaming Commission. He owns the Cherokee Grand Hotel and Car Wash Express in Cherokee.

■ Sam Frell Reed. Reed is a magistrate judge in Cherokee Tribal Court. In the past, he’s worked as a deputy sheriff in Buncombe County and sergeant in the Cherokee Indian Police Department. Reed attended magistrate school at UNC Chapel Hill and completed trainings at N.C. Justice Academy and Southwestern Community College.

■ Timmy Ray Smith. Smith is the tribe’s youth sports coordinator. His work history includes a few years teaching at Cherokee Middle School and a few more as an elementary school security guard. Smith studied sports management at SCC and Western Carolina University but did not earn a degree.

■ David Wolfe. Wolfe is a veteran member of Tribal Council representing the Yellowhill community. He holds a business degree from WCU and 14 years of work experience with UPS.

Vice Chief

April 1-7, 2015

ed a law stipulating that all local ordinances related to oil and gas development be superseded by the state rules, but the courts upheld local zoning rules restricting where it occurred.

“Because of a combination of the way that similar statutory language has been interpreted in other counties and the state’s very strong home rule tradition, the courts here actually interpreted that as only limiting the operational aspect of the industry and didn’t extend it to traditional zoning and land use,” she said.

The contract between the county and the NRDC states that the nonprofit will give free legal advice to Jackson County in writing an industrial development ordinance that restricts where oil and gas development could occur but will also jive with the state law.

However, the contract also says that the county will shoulder the costs of any legal challenge on its own.

That doesn’t mean the NRDC wouldn’t help, should such a situation arise, Sinding said. The organization has helped other municipalities whose ordinances were challenged in court, but there hasn’t yet been a need to represent any of the local governments whose ordinances the NRDC helped write.

McMahan doesn’t see a legal challenge in Jackson County’s future.

“I don’t really see how it could go to court,” he said. “Obviously the state’s made it very clear in the legislation that was passed that we can’t outlaw fracking, and that’s not what our intentions are. But there are things we think we can do within the scope of the legislation that has been adopted to make sure that if it were to happen here, it would be done in a way that would have the best possible outcome on the community.”

Though Anson County and the towns of Creedmoor and Bakersville passed fracking bans in the years preceding the Energy Modernization Act, Jackson is possibly the first municipal government to try writing an ordinance that will coexist with the state law. To McMahan, Jackson County’s solitary stance is cause for pride, not intimidation.

“I’m not one to sit around and wait to have to react,” McMahan said.

“I’d rather move forward now. If we’re one of the first to do so, that shows we have our priorities in order and are thinking about the future.”

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state rules, which the Mining and Energy Commission finished writing in November. That’s why, though a good many counties and municipalities have passed resolutions expressing their disapproval of fracking in North Carolina, no one has passed any ordinances to restrict it locally since the 2014 Energy Modernization Act became law.

“Until you have the courts weigh in on it, it’s not entirely clear where the lines are going to be drawn,” explained Kate Sinding, director of NRDC’s Community Fracking Defense Project.

While North Carolina’s law is still new and untested, the NRDC has followed or participated in the hashing out of similar laws in other states.

Through the Fracking Defense Project, the NRDC aims to bring its expertise as a national environmental advocacy organization to communities like Jackson County that are navigating the waters for the first time.

“We do believe that notwithstanding the restrictive nature of that language [in the state law] that there are things that local governments can do to protect themselves against potential impacts of oil and gas development,” Sinding said.

Those parameters will largely depend on how the courts wind up interpreting the law in the broader context of the state’s constitution and judicial precedents, she said. For example, the New York Legislature enact-

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news

Waynesville ditches Duke for new power supplier

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER aynesville has emerged victorious in a nail-baiting quest for cheaper wholesale power to resell to its own electric customers.

The town’s power system is a vital revenue source, but its future has been on the rocks in the face of rising wholesale power costs.

The Waynesville town board voted last week to sever its established ties with Duke Energy and instead buy electricity from a South Carolina-based public utility called Santee-Cooper.

The decision is a critical one for the town. The town makes more than $1 million a year off its electric system. It plows those profits back into amenities, perks and services atypical for a town its size, all the while keeping property taxes low.

But rising wholesale power prices over the next decade threatened the town’s cash cow if it stayed with Duke.

Waynesville is currently locked in to a 10year contract to buy wholesale power from Duke. But that contract expires next year.

Duke was going to hike Waynesville’s wholesale power rates substantially when the contract came up for renewal. Duke planned to hike the wholesale rates so much, in fact, that Waynesville decided to jump ship.

Smoky Mountain News

April 1-7, 2015

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Santee-Cooper offered Waynesville much cheaper power than Duke. Santee-Cooper has a generation mix of coal, nuclear, natural gas and hydropower — but its big gun is a second nuclear power plant nearing completion.

Given Santee-Cooper’s big construction

The town of Waynesville has its own power grid that serves 3,000 customers.

It buys electricity wholesale and resells it, managing to net a $1 million profit for the town each year even after covering the salaries, equipment, infrastructure and capital costs of running a utility. SMN photo debt for the new plant, it’s eager to find buyers for its additional nuclear power capacity.

“They are trying to find a home for these megawatts,” said Louis Davis, consultant with Utility Technology EngineersConsultants. “There’s not a whole lot of cus-

tomers buying megawatts. They see Waynesville as a real opportunity and they are cutting it to the bone to get you a great proposal.”

Who to buy its wholesale power from has been studied extensively by the town over the past year. The town brought in two separate energy market consultants to analyze its options.

Three wholesale power suppliers were in the running.

One was Duke, one was SanteeCooper, and the third was Southern Company, which has a fleet of natural gas power plants throughout the South.

The first consultant the town brought in was its long-time, go-to power advisor, who spent months soliciting and weighing the

pros and cons of who the town should go with.

The town then brought in a second team of energy market consultants to refine the analysis further. That team went back to Duke, Southern Company and SanteeCooper to try to negotiate better offers. They shared their findings with the town board at a special meeting last week.

In the end, Santee-Cooper offered the best bargain —$14 million less over the life of the 10-year power contract compared to what Duke offered, based on Utility Technology Engineers’ analysis. SanteeCooper chalked up its better deal to the new nuclear power plant it has coming on line within a couple of years.

“We believe nuclear has a lot of benefits.

It will give us stable and lower fuel costs,” said Mike Brown, a representative with Santee-Cooper, during a pitch to the town board last fall. “If you look back over the last 25 years nuclear has been the least expensive and least volatile source of fuel.”

Santee-Cooper currently gets its power from a diverse mix of generation, including coal, natural gas, nuclear and hydroelectric.

When its new nuclear plant comes on line, nuclear will jump from 11 percent to 40 percent of its energy portfolio, while coal will drop from 53 to 30 percent.

That’s in keep with the utility’s stated goal of moving away

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from fossil fuels and toward sources that don’t emit greenhouse gasses.

The town hasn’t signed a contract with them yet, however. The next step is a protracted period of due diligence, which could take months of additional negotiating and lawyering over the contract wording.

Santee-Cooper provides power for two million customers in South Carolina, but a relatively small number are its own direct retail customers. The rest are wholesale customers — namely some four dozen small electric co-operatives.

Santee-Cooper not only offered the cheapest power rates, but also sweetened the pot by paying the transmission costs of getting the power from its generators to Waynesville’s doorstep.

A decade ago, Waynesville had little choice who it bought power from. Power companies were legal monopolies, even in the wholesale market.

But federal deregulation changed that.

Wholesale power became a commodity that could be bought, sold and traded across the country. The only catch was getting it from point A to point B on the power grid.

The power companies that own the lines charge a “wheeling” fee to move power

across its transmission lines from to the final destination. But Santee-Cooper agreed to cover those costs for Waynesville.

“Part of the reason Santee-Cooper came in so low is because they agreed to pay those transmission costs for the town,” said Ted Orrell, the managing partner of Utility Technology Engineers.

And yet another pot sweetener was an escape clause in the 10-year contract that would allow the town to end its agreement with Santee-Cooper if it can find better rates somewhere else.

Waynesville Finance Director Eddie Caldwell is breathing a sigh of relief following the latest wholesale power rates negotiated from Santee-Cooper. Under the higher rates from Duke, Waynesville would have had to mark up its power costs to customers substantially.

“We would have to charge our customers more than Duke in order to maintain our profit margin. But our concern is always can we keep our customers rates the same or cheaper to Duke rates,” Caldwell said. “If I can’t I shouldn’t be in the business of buying power. We also shouldn’t be in the business if we aren’t earning a dividend for our tax payers.”

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and laptops, new flooring in operating rooms, new arthroscopic equipment for sports medicine and orthopedic procedures, and support for physician recruitment, strategic planning and marketing.

In the coming months, Harris Regional and Swain Community Hospitals have many new projects on the horizon, including the construction of a new Emergency Department at Harris, completing the New Generations Family Birthing Center at Harris, and restoring operating room capabilities at Swain Community Hospital.

“Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital have been integral to the health and wellness of this region for many years,” said Steve Heatherly, President and CEO at Harris Regional and Swain Community Hospitals. “As Duke LifePoint hospitals, we already have been able to enhance the care we deliver and strengthen our hospitals’ abilities to work together and positively impact the community. Our partnership is bringing unparalleled expertise in clinical excellence and quality care to this region, which is why we have developed the tagline ‘Together making communities healthier.’”

New hospital signage and refreshed websites will feature the new name and new logos. The hospitals also will begin a new awareness campaign that highlights their deep roots in the community and their commitment to making communities healthier together.

Additionally, Harris’ Franklin campus, formerly the WestCare Medical Park of Franklin, will now be called Harris Regional Hospital Medical Park of Franklin.

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Harris Regional Hospital and Swain County Hospital have finally settled on new names following the purchase of the hospitals by Duke LifePoint Healthcare last year, but the change announced this week is a minor one.

Their new names are Harris Regional Hospital, a Duke LifePoint Hospital, and Swain Community Hospital, a Duke LifePoint Hospital.

The new names honor the hospitals long-standing legacies in the region while highlighting their new connection to Duke LifePoint Healthcare.

Haywood Regional Medical Center, which was also purchased by Duke LifePoint last year, essentially kept its name as well, likewise adding the tagline “a Duke LifePoint Hospital” after its name but otherwise staying the same.

“I am excited to officially unveil our new brands and share our exciting plans for growth with the communities we serve,” said Bunny Johns, Chair of the Harris Regional and Swain Community Board of Trustees.

“Our new names distinguish us as Duke LifePoint hospitals and provide an opportunity to share our vision for the future.”

Duke LifePoint has committed to investing $43 million in capital improvements at Harris Regional and Swain Community Hospitals over the next eight years. These investments will enhance services and help the hospitals grow.

Since joining Duke LifePoint in August, investments have already been made involving new equipment, technology, and support to improve patient care, including news ultrasound machines, new computers

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news

Teachers fight to restore public education funds

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR hird-grade teacher Carolyn Cope deals with many stresses day in and day out — making sure her students are happy and healthy, teaching them a new curriculum and making sure she’s prepared them well enough to pass their extensive reading tests.

It’s a job she feels she was called to do and one that she still loves, despite the continued statewide cuts to public education. She said she continues to do her job with fewer resources but doesn’t feel like the state is meeting its constitutional obligation to fund public education.

Cope recalls several years ago when former Macon County Commissioner Jim Davis, now a state senator, voted against funding teachers’ 2 percent Carolyn Cope supplement because he claimed it was not the county’s responsibility to provide salaries and teacher supplies.

“He said it was the state’s responsibility, and I respected that because he was right,” Cope said. “But what happened? Now we’re in a position where he can make a difference and that hasn’t happened.”

Cope and other educators discussed the local impact of state education reductions last week during an open forum at Macon County Middle School. Local school systems all over the state are dealing with cuts for textbooks, teacher assistants, per pupil funding and driver’s education. They are also dealing with larger classroom sizes, a new curriculum and more standardized testing requirements.

Chris Baldwin, Macon County Schools superintendent, said the school system could be looking at a $600,000 budget shortfall if the North Carolina General Assembly follows through with all its proposed cuts. Because Macon County has been tightening its financial belt since 2007, Baldwin doesn’t know how much more tightening can be done without consequences.

“We’ve been talking about these cuts for some time and we’ve been doing more and more with less for the past six to seven years,” he said. “At some point we’ll have to do less with less — it will come to that realization. It would be a tremendous disservice to the students in the classrooms right now compared to those in the past.”

Smoky Mountain News

April 1-7, 2015

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TEXTBOOKS Cope says her number one stress at work is going to the school copier to print materials for her students.

“I have no textbooks,” she said. “I have to have some materials for my students.”

Textbook funding has gone from $68 per student in 2008-09 to about $15 per student in 2014-15 — a 78 percent reduction. At the same time, funds for instructional supplies have been reduced from $59 per student to

Above: Macon County Schools Superintendent Chris Baldwin talks about the impact of education cuts. Below: Alton Sutton, a Macon County Schools driver education teacher, explains why cuts to the program would be detrimental for years to come. Jessi Stone photos

the legislature threatening to change the curriculum again, it would be a waste of money to purchase any new books that teach Common Core.

“The state’s getting ready to change our curriculum again, so all these lesson plans will have to be redone just as it’s getting smoothed out,” she said.

By the numbers • $563 million less spent by the state on K-12 in 2014 compared to the 2008, after adjusting for inflation.

• $525 million in revenue lost over the biennium because of the new tax plan.

• $117 million is the amount that the 2014 K-12 budget falls short of maintaining current service levels

DRIVER’S EDUCATION

North Carolina education changes from 2008-09 to 2014-15: • 43,000 more students in North Carolina • 2,471 fewer teachers • 7,150 fewer teacher assistants • 22 percent decrease in central office personnel • 19 percent decrease in assistant principals

SOURCE: www.ncpublicschools.org about $28 per student.

With no funding for new textbooks and a brand new curriculum — the controversial Common Core — teachers are left to develop their own lesson plans and handouts for students.

That’s fine with Cope — she enjoys creating her own lesson plans — but the school system’s tight budget doesn’t allow for endless copies either. Each school is allotted so many copies and teachers make a diligent effort not to exceed that number.

“I have to count every copy I make so that I don’t hurt the school system,” Cope said.

Let’s do the math — all third-grade students are required to read 36 passages a year

and take a test on each of them. Each passage is about six pages long and each class has about 20 students. That comes out to about 180 pages per child, which equals 3,600 pages Cope has to copy for reading passages. And that is only for reading.

Baldwin said the school system pays $190,000 a year for its copier contract.

The old textbooks the school system has don’t teach math the same way as the new Common Core Curriculum, which renders them useless. Any homework or lessons have to be sent home as paper copies. Cope said many parents have told her they could help their children with homework more at home if they had a textbook to review. With

John deVille, a social studies teacher at Franklin High School and president of the Macon County chapter of the North Carolina Association of Educators, said the true cost of the driver’s education program is between $300 to $400 per student, but starting July 2015, the state will not be designating any funding for driver’s education programs.

Alton Sutton has taught driver’s education for many years and he said cutting the program could prove detrimental in the future.

“It’s a lifetime thing — you’re going to drive the rest of your life, so you better know how,” he said. “You’ve all been on the road — it gets worse every day.”

Because of its importance, he said Macon County would find a way to fund the program locally to the tune of about $75,000, which will impact other areas of the local budget.

Of course, students aren’t required to take driver’s education, but if they don’t they can’t get their license until they turn 18. If the program doesn’t get funded on the county level, the only other option would be for parents to pay a private company to teach their child how to drive.

“Even when the state was providing funds, it wasn’t enough,”

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• $238 per ninth-grade student in 2009-10 • $191 per ninth-grade student in 2013-14 • $0 beginning July 2015

Textbook cuts

In 2014-15, textbooks were funded at $24 million, or roughly one-fifth of the 2009-10 budget of $116 million. This is less than $20 per student while a textbook typically costs $35-85.

Classroom supply cuts

Classroom materials and instructional supplies have been cut by about 47 percent since 2009-10, down from $90.7 million when adjusted for inflation to around $50 million for the current school year.

TESTING TIED TO TEACHER PAY

After everyone had a chance to speak, deVille offered up several possible scenarios moving forward. He said the first option was for local educators and commissioners to do nothing and continue to see public education decline as more and more money goes to private school vouchers and charter schools. The other options would be to have the local government make up for the state cuts, but deVille said

“We’ve been talking about these cuts for some time and we’ve been doing more and more with less for the past six to seven years. At some point we’ll have to do less with less — it will come to that realization.�

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the best solution would be to have the state live up to its responsibility of funding public education. “Commissioners are between a rock and a hard place,� he said. “They don’t want to see education fail and they don’t want to raise taxes.�

He said he would be asking commissioners in Macon as well as other counties to pass a resolution to send to the General Assembly telling legislators that the state is not living up to its constitutional mandate. “I think that would be a powerful message,� he said.

On the other hand, deVille said Macon County could levy a 25-cent sales tax. A referendum to approve it could be placed on the ballot as early as this fall and could be specifically earmarked for education.

Smoky Mountain News

Cope got emotional when she began to talk about all the testing requirements, even for her young students.

Her students must make at least a 73 on all of their 36 reading assessments throughout the year to move on to fourth grade.

Students get 10 chances to pass each assessment, which Cope said is very time-consuming and stressful for students. Many of her students have shown tremendous growth throughout the year, but Cope said some still wouldn’t pass the math and reading assessments because of other circumstances beyond her control as a teacher. “I’m not worried about my pay — it is what it is — but I get resentful when I see my students suffering because of the ridiculous amounts of testing for a 7-year-old child,� she said. “I want to do well for my county and I want to be a good employee. I know how hard I’ve worked and how hard

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Sutton said. “If not for the county commissioners, we wouldn’t have it.�

DeVille said three studies from the National Institutes of Health have shown that states with graduated licensing programs — like North Carolina — have reduced their rates of teen driver fatal crashes by 8 to 14 percent.

Sutton said the problem was that most of the legislators didn’t have children young enough to understand the stresses of having a teenage driver. “What we’ll have is a lot of 15- to 17-yearolds out there driving without a license, and that’s scary,� he said.

Right now Macon County Schools has 465 students enrolled in the online program, but Sutton said only about 70 of those would complete the online portion and make it to the driving portion by end of June. While the school charges only $20 now for the program, that amount may increase to $60 if it has to be completely county-funded.

Sutton encouraged everyone to contact their local legislators and let them know how important the program is for student success.

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Driver’s education cuts

I’ve tried, but there are days I get very stressed to think that part of my pay will be tied to these test scores. So much is out of our control.�

The state gave teachers a raise last year, but Baldwin said the local system had to budget $185,000 to give locally paid teachers the raise and another $288,000 in local funding to make up for the state cut to teacher assistants.

With another raise for teachers anticipated this year, Baldwin said he isn’t sure where else the local budget can be cut. Cuts have already been made to the local budget through attrition. The school system had 712 employees in 2013 compared to 651 this year. “The only way to account for that is through attrition and the end result is we’re not going to have teacher assistants in second- and third-grade classrooms,� Baldwin said. “I can’t emphasize the importance that has on those classrooms.�

17

news

Food trucks to roll into Canton Measure passes despite split on town board

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR ina Tuten was in tears when she left the Canton Board of Alderman meeting last week, but luckily for her they were tears of joy.

Tuten will now be able to realize her dream of starting a new business venture after Canton aldermen approved allowing food trucks in certain areas of town.

The decision didn’t come easy for the town board, though. After hearing comments during the public hearing, the vote to approve food trucks passed 3-1, with Alderwoman Carole Edwards against it.

Mayor Mike Ray also was against approving the ordinance change, but the mayor only gets to vote in the event of a tie.

Tuten said she was very appreciative of Town Manager Seth Hendler-Voss for doing his research and presenting a great plan to allow food trucks. She also thanked Alderman Zeb Smathers for his support in getting the motion passed. While she understands everyone’s concerns, she is excited about operating Fat Belly’s in Canton.

Allowing food trucks might seem like a fairly simple decision, but the lack of cohe-

Canton aldermen recently approved an ordinance which will allow food trucks to operate in certain areas of town.

April 1-7, 2015

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Donated photo

siveness among the board members and the mayor may foreshadow more important decisions in the future. There are signs that the new and younger management style from Hendler-Voss and the fresh ideas from new board members may not be mixing well with the longtime mayor and Edwards.

Smathers made the motion to approve the zoning amendment that would allow food trucks, even though Ray and Edwards didn’t want a decision to be made that night.

In a follow-up interview, Ray said he never thinks it’s a good idea for the board to vote on an issue the same night as the public hearing.

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He would rather have time to think through the comments and have the board vote on the issue at its next meeting.

“That would give us two weeks for (the community) to be informed and ask questions and give opinions,” he said. “I never want the people to think we’re not respecting their opinions.”

Edwards — who voted in favor of the zoning change as an ex-officio member of the planning board — thought the vote should have been delayed until the next meeting and therefore voted against allowing food trucks.

Smathers said the public had plenty of

notice about the issue, which was apparent by the packed room at the meeting. The issue was reported in the local newspapers, the town’s meeting agenda was available and the public hearing was advertised on the town’s marquee sign downtown.

“The town staff did a great job of crafting the ordinance to protect local businesses but also encourage new growth as it concerns food trucks,” Smathers said in a follow-up interview. “It’s exciting to offer this new opportunity to citizens — it brings attention to the town and shows we’re trying new things — that we’re open for business.”

Ray said he wanted to make sure the town heard the opinions of all the restaurant owners before deciding whether to allow food trucks. While the town staff presented a plan to allow food trucks only on private property and only with an approved permit, Ray said there were different ideas that could have been examined. Since many restaurants are closed on Mondays, he said perhaps the town should allow food trucks only on Mondays.

“I come in to any situation with a clear mind without preconceived ideas before I hear from people,” he said. “Our public is intelligent — we may not have thought of something that they did.”

For those in favor of food trucks, it may seem like Ray is just holding up progress. He disagrees.

“I want our town to grow in whatever way is best for the town, but I don’t want to do anything that will hurt our businesses,” Ray said.

Two restaurant managers spoke at the public hearing — one

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BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR hen the Swain County Board of Elections didn’t get the response it wanted from the county commissioners, it decided to ask the state for an answer to a retirement benefits dispute that has been going on for about 10 years.

The local board of elections claims that the county owes Elections Supervisor Joan Weeks retirement benefits for the seven years she was a part-time employee. The county claims that she wasn’t eligible for retirement benefits until she became a fulltime employee in 2002.

John Herrin, board of elections chairman, presented commissioners with his evidence at a county meeting earlier this month, showing commissioners previous elections cases that would apply to Weeks’ claim. He said Weeks was technically a state employee as an extension of the state board and the state did not distinguish between full-time and part-time election directors.

Commissioners didn’t have much to say on the matter other than they would look into it and consult their attorney.

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“I asked [commissioners] to put it on the next agenda and they wouldn’t even do that — they wouldn’t entertain anything.”

— John Herrin, board of elections chairman

estimated to top $76,000. If the state elections staff agrees with the claim, it would be up to the state board of elections to request representation from the Attorney General’s office to seek mediation or file suit against the county.

“The process has started,” Herrin said. “If commissioners want to discuss it further, I’m sure we could interrupt that process.”

Asheville, Taylor hopes it might drive some of that traffic to Canton. Since the town will allow food trucks only on private property in certain areas of town, he doesn’t feel like his business will be affected.

“I grew up in Haywood and I’ve never heard someone say there were too many options,” he said. “Small business pushes our economy and I know the health department

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will hold them to high standards just like they do the brick-and-mortar restaurants.”

Now that the measure has passed, Tuten hopes to open Fat Belly’s food truck in the parking lot of the former Mr. Paycheck business. She has leased the building since October and has been paying rent each month, just hoping Canton would allow food trucks. The building will act as her commissary, where she can store and prep food.

Chuck Rector, owner of Blue Ridge BBQ, has a food truck that he uses around Haywood County. He also showed interest in setting up shop in Canton at the meeting.

April 1-7, 2015

was opposed and one was in favor.

Angel Stockton, owner of Black Bear Café, was against allowing food trucks at all.

“They do not contribute to the economic development as they suggested at the meeting,” she said. “They won’t pay rent, bills or employ the kind of staff that brick-and-mortar restaurants do.”

Stockton doesn’t think food trucks will create “a buzz” in town that could lead to economic growth through new businesses or tourists. She said good economic development would be improving downtown and helping existing businesses with incentives.

She said the board should have waited until the next meeting to vote on the matter because many people in the community weren’t aware of the proposed change. The only way she knew about it was because a friend called her the day of the hearing.

As for food trucks threatening her business, Stockton said it might be something new and exciting in the beginning but she wasn’t worried about losing her customer base.

“They will not be operating with the same overhead and expenses so maybe they can charge a lot less, but I feel like it will be more competition with fast food,” she said.

Mark Taylor, general manager of Sagebrush Steakhouse in Canton, spoke in favor of having food trucks.

“I certainly would like our community to grow,” he said. “We need to look at opportunities to grow our town. We can only grow the economy if we embrace new things.”

With the popularity of food trucks in

Herrin asked commissioners to commit to a vote at the next meeting or he would take his concerns to the State Board of Elections for review, and that’s what the local board of elections voted unanimously to do during a March 18 meeting.

“I asked them to put it on the next agenda and they wouldn’t even do that — they wouldn’t entertain anything,” Herrin said of the commissioners.

Herrin said the state elections staff would review his materials showing that Weeks is due retirement benefits from 1983 to 2001,

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Waynesville pulls the plug on housing commerce, tourism agencies in old town hall

A

By moving in together, they could not only share on rent and overhead but work together more effectively.

“There has been a great deal of support for the synergies of bringing together the agenthat have something to do with economic OVING ON cies development and promoting the community.

With Caldwell and Brown at a stalemate, There are similar missions,” Onieal said.

The idea of sharing space had been percoOnieal asked point-blank at last week’s meeting what the board’s consensus was. Both the lating for years but never gained traction that planning and permitting would be chamber and tourism authority have only a until town hall entered the picture.

The chamber and tourism agency are disyear left on their respective leases and have “crammed in” if moved to Hazelwood. appointed old town hall is off the table.

“You keep saying it would be cramming decisions of their own to make, Onieal said.

“The idea is still a great idea in concept, “I feel like I have an obligation to go back them in,” Brown said.

“That’s what it would be,” Caldwell replied. to them and let them know if our conversa- but I certainly understand the town has to Caldwell said the planning and permit- tion at this point is closed. Do I tell them we take care of their own first,” Haywood ting office deserve to be in a visible and don’t have an availability at this time?” Tourism Director Lynn Collins said.

Collins said she didn’t know whether the prominent location, one that reflects well on Onieal asked.

Alderman Wells Greeley said perhaps the respective tourism and chamber boards the town when interacting with developers. would still want to move in together.

“Has anyone surveyed the building com- best course was to hold off.

“That is not a subject that has been “I don’t want to close out the co-location, munity?” Brown asked.

“It would benefit them to be on Main but we have enough on our plate right now to broached at this point,” Collins said.

Until the town hall option came along, it consider,” Greeley said.

Street,” Caldwell replied.

The town board had decided earlier in the had not come up recently, Collins said.

“We don’t know that,” Brown countered.

Greg Boothroyd, chairman Caldwell said the original of the chamber of commerce plan for old town hall — board of directors, said the devised by previous town aldermen’s decision was dismanager Lee Galloway — appointing news. called for housing the plan“It’s too bad it could not ning and permitting office work out. This would have there. Caldwell said he wants been a great chance to streamto stick with that vision. line all four organizations and Although Galloway retired help eliminate some of the three years ago, he has made duplications in duties and his own views on the issue costs,” he said. “In theory this known. Galloway penned a would have helped the chamletter to town aldermen last ber’s bottom line enough to month urging them not to let give it some options on how to the chamber and tourism better serve the business comagency occupy old town hall. munity in Haywood County.”

“I did not really want to As for moving forward, get involved now, but I feel I Boothroyd was unsure of what must,” Galloway wrote. “I might happen. would ask the town board to “The right situation would reject the idea of giving up the Waynesville town aldermen pondered what to do with the mostly empty old need to present itself. This Municipal building to the town hall on Main Street during a town meeting last week, but they particular building and its agencies mentioned ... and ultimately decided against letting a consortium of tourism and commerce location provided an excellent preserve the space to meet the agencies set up shop in the signature building. Becky Johnson photo opportunity,” he said. current and future needs of It was the perfect carrot: a the municipal government.”

Galloway also told Onieal personally that meeting that its top capital priority was renova- grand landmark in the heart of downtown Waynesville at the right price. tions to its antiquated public works building. he was disturbed by the idea.

The town was contemplating free rent as And, the town is also readying itself for a It’s unusual for a former manager to attempt to influence the decision-making merger with Lake Junaluska, which would an in-kind contribution to the cause of ecoprocess once he’s gone. But Galloway was com- add a sizeable new population to the town if nomic development. “The idea of making this building available as a community asset could pelled to intervene with something as sacred as it goes through later this year.

“We just have more important items to contribute at a very significant level toward old town hall on the line, according to his letter.

Galloway also detailed the rationale of his deal with at this time,” Alderman Leroy the economic development and promotion of our community without writing a check,” old master plan for where various town Roberson agreed.

Onieal agreed the timetable would have Onieal said. departments should be housed — a plan that The county economic development called for eventual renovations to old town been “ambitious.”

“We could make it happen if there was an agency, which operates as an arm of the hall for town offices.

But Onieal questioned whether that old overwhelming desire to make this happen,” chamber, would have been housed in old Onieal said. “This really needs to be about town hall, too, along with the Downtown plan was financially wise anymore.

“The old plan of putting in an elevator what the town’s needs are for each of its Waynesville Association.

Meanwhile, the town would have saved and carving up the municipal building, I departments first.” $11,000 a year on utilities for the building. couldn’t justify that under any circumCaldwell added that the county has plenty stance,” Onieal said.

HAT S NEXT of empty office space of its own that it could By contrast, if the chamber and tourism The question now is whether the chamber put on the table to facilitate a colocation of authority moved in, outside money would be put up to cover the cost of readying the and tourism agency will continue to pursue the chamber, economic development agency the idea of colocation on their own. They cur- and tourism agency, citing the county’s forbuilding.

“We were trying to find a use for the rently pay separate rent and operate separate mer planning department and former health municipal building that had the least possible visitor centers just three blocks away from department on the Old Asheville Highway, which are both sitting vacant. cost and greatest value for the community,” each other in downtown Waynesville.

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April 1-7, 2015

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Smoky Mountain News

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER plan to turn Waynesville’s old town hall into a visitor center and the headquarters for a suite of tourism, commerce and business development agencies appears to be dead.

Waynesville aldermen initially agreed to explore the idea but decided that they weren’t keen on it after all. They tabled the idea indefinitely last week following discussion at a town meeting.

“It was just an idea out there but it gained a lot of traction very fast,” said Town Manager Marcy Onieal.

Waynesville’s old town hall on Main Gavin Brown Street is mostly empty following construction of a new town hall across the street coupled with renovations to satellite town offices in Hazelwood. The old town hall has only three employees left in it.

“It is a shame to have this much empty space in the municipal building,” Onieal said.

So an idea was hatched to let the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce and Haywood County Tourism Development Authority use the space for a joint visitor center and their own offices. Both were warm to the idea.

But aldermen said they hadn’t vetted it themselves yet. And now, after thinking about it, they’ve recanted on the idea.

Alderman Gary Caldwell emerged as the most vocal opponent when it came up at a town meeting last week. Chiefly, Caldwell opposed the shuffling around of town departments to free up old town hall completely.

The remaining employees in old town hall would have moved into the new town hall, booting out the planning, zoning and building permit office, which would be sent to the satellite town building in Hazelwood.

Onieal said the Hazelwood location would be more convenient anyway for the developers and builders who frequent the planning and permitting office.

“Contractors who come with materials in their truck or trailers have difficulty coming into the downtown area,” Onieal said.

But Caldwell disagreed.

“I can’t swallow moving development services,” Caldwell said.

Caldwell added he would rather see the planning and permitting office housed in old town hall.

“It seems like a place where builders and developers can come and sit down and talk, not in a cubby hole,” he said.

Mayor Gavin Brown emerged as the lone proponent for letting the chamber and tourism agency move into old town hall.

Brown disagreed with Caldwell’s assertion

Onieal said.

And, while the town would offer a longterm lease, it would still keep the title to the building in the long run.

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

A son grows up, a father faces the future

y cousin has always been an inspiration. Wilton Collins Jones Jr. — he’s always been called “Corky” — is one year younger than me (54) and has been a lifelong professional musician. We were raised in Fayetteville, our mothers were sisters who both ended up divorced and raising sons as single moms. We had that single mom bond and that of family, and so we were close.

As I headed off to college, he was getting schooled in music, playing in rock bands, jazz fusion bands, duos, trios, sometimes groups that toured the country and kept him gone for long periods of time.

We’d get to see each other on holidays, and I was fortunate enough back in the day to catch his bands sometimes when he was playing in different cities.

He kept mastering new parts of his craft, progressing from an amateur bass player who I used to jam with in high school to a professional singer, guitar player, keyboardist and bassist who can Editor play any kind of music.

I’ve spent my life amazed by his uncanny ear for music, his ability to hear a song and then sit down days later and work out the melody or the chords, the tune imprinted in his brain. This was before YouTube and other digital aids for learning an instrument. When he first demonstrated that ability to me way back in high school, I realized the difference in talent between us. Music was his life from an early age.

Until Seth came along. Seth’s mom died tragically when he was a baby, and so Corky’s life also changed dramatically. He got off the road and became a father first, musician second. As might be expected, he passed both his genetics and learned love of music to his son. And so Seth left his Fayetteville home last week to pursue his own dreams.

Corky and I have fallen out of touch since my mom died, something that often happens as the matriarchs who provide the family glue pass away. But we’re still family, still connected in a way that years and miles can’t separate. I was touched by the raw emotion in a piece he posted on Facebook after Seth’s departure. Powerful stuff, feelings that most of us will deal

Scott McLeod

M

I quit teaching because I love children To the Editor: Recently, I had to make a tough but necessary decision. As I entered my 23rd year of teaching in North Carolina in traditional public schools as well as a charter school and in all regions of our great state, I realized that teaching was not the job I had signed up for.

I want to offer that along with my North Carolina certification for grades K-6 as well as reading grades K-12, I also hold my National Board Certification in Literacy as a way to help readers understand I had put my heart and soul into the profession. I was not just sitting stagnate waiting for retirement time.

I did what some think unspeakable. Yes, I quit halfway through this school year to take a job in another field. So, I am a teacher who

with at some point in our lives: He is 21 years old, and after having full custody of him since he was not even 2, we have pretty much been inseparable. My life has mostly been raising Seth — or Setharoo, as his mother used to call him, God rest her soul.

Well, as I knew would some day happen, Seth has packed all his stuff and left this morning to move to Long Beach, California. He has been preparing for this for about two months now, has spent days packing up. My family has helped us so much in getting his car fixed up for the long haul and getting him all the basics he will need to get started in an apartment with three other guys a long way from home for the first time.

And it has all led up to this morning, him waking me up saying, “Hey Dad, get up so we can say bye, I got to get the rest of this stuff packed up and go.” He was still packing stuff in his girlfriend Amber’s car when I got up, slapped some new strings on his Gibson 335 — I fell asleep last night and did not get that done — set it up quickly and let him try out the action … and watching him play it and say “Yeah, that feels pretty buttery Dad, thanks.” Then he packed it away. Well, no more stalling, the time had come.

He came back in and said, “Well, I have to go now.” We hugged like I have never hugged my son before. I almost hugged his skinny little a## in half although I was trying not to. We both burst into tears. We embraced hard for a minute and he said, “I love you Dad, thanks for supporting me in all of this.” Seth almost never tells me he loves me out loud. As is the case often with boys, you gotta’ just know they love you. “I’ll call you as we get to places on the way.”

I said, “21 years, 21 years, and since you were 2, it has been me and you buddy. I love you Seth, please be careful. Don’t keep a lot of money on you” (like the weird dad things you say when you are upset and nervous).

He walked off into his girlfriend’s car — who was holding back tears — and they began to drive off. I screamed out, “I love you Seth” one more time, as if I had forgotten to say it. He screamed back, “I love you too Dad,” and they drove away.

After they were out of sight I started crying uncontrollably hard.

My dog, Fender, was freaking out and trying to comfort me — what a great buddy. I looked at him and said, “Well, our buddy is gone,” and I know the dog will be freaking out for awhile, too, because him and Seth were really close.

For the last few years my son has been feverishly, fervently

quit. Quitting and entering another profession was not a decision I took lightly. It took a lot of soul searching, prayer, a pay cut, and graduate school. I want to use this opportunity to clarify why I quit: • I quit because of the ever-increasing role of bureaucracy and red tape involved in our present system of education.

• I quit because my best was no longer good enough.

• I quit because a test score took precedence over a living, breathing student.

• I quit because I could not live under the pressure of being off schedule.

• I quit because I want to have a positive impact on learning which cannot be accurately measured through a test score.

• I quit because professional judgment was essentially a thing of the past.

• I quit because I wanted to be treated as a professional.

recording and creating his own original instrumental and vocal music in his little home studio in his bedroom. I have listened to the music pounding through walls of his room and echoing down the hall over and over and over. I have listened to him working like a mad man in a lab until the early morning hours, and many times stuck my head in his room and said, “Wow, did you make that track? That is awesome son.”

There have also been times when I wished he would take a break or stop running my freaking electric bill up so high (not really). But this morning it has dawned on me, already, and I could only flashback to how my mother must have felt after all of those years of her apartments booming with non-stop bass riffs rumbling from a closed bedroom door with a young man in there working his brain out trying to get good, and then when they move out, the silence. It has only been an hour or so since Seth left, but that is what is already way too apparent — the silence.

Do not get me wrong here. I am very excited for Seth and I am very much wishing him all the best (while I am also totally worried and concerned like any parent would be), but I have to admit I was not prepared at all for how much this separation was going to hurt me inside. Today and the days after are going to be very tough for me and very exciting for Seth.

My heart hurts ... my eyes are all puffed up ... my nose is stopped up and my stomach is in knots ... my hands feel shaky ... I am a mess. I really need a hug, but I have no one. I know there are probably a lot of friends of mine reading this who have been through this already and know how it feels. Even after just a few hours you start wondering, “What am I going to do with myself?”

For the first time in so long it is just me, and although that newly found freedom could be a wonderful thing, and all the weight of that obligation has been lifted to a degree, I already realize like most parents do at this point that the weight of obligation has been a blessing, a gift that has kept me and my life grounded and focused for years in trying to raise a good son, which I did, and who I will miss more than anything I could possibly miss, and who I love more than anything I could possibly love.

And so I had to let him go. Good luck Setharoo. Signed one proud, happy, sad, weepy Dad. (Those who are interested can find Corky Jones from Fayetteville on Facebook. Scott McLeod can be reached at info@smokymountainnews.com.)

• I quit because I no longer felt I could speak my mind without fear of being singled out.

• I quit because I was no longer a teacher, but someone who had been given a job that was physically impossible to complete.

• I quit because of the overuse of assessments no matter the name they are given.

• I quit because we have created students who see reading as a test and not a pathway to learning.

• I quit because teaching students became secondary to assessing students.

• I quit because I love children and learning and had to find another way to have a positive impact on them.

As a teacher who quit, I want to implore everyone to stand up and be a part of doing what is right for children. Our future depends on it.

Deanna Lyles Waynesville

Looking for opinions The Smoky Mountain News encourages readers to express their opinions through letters to the editor or guest columns. All viewpoints are welcome. Send to Scott McLeod at info@smokymountainnews.com., fax to 828.452.3585, or mail to PO Box 629, Waynesville, NC, 28786.

Smoky Mountain News

couple of days, we get used to seeing the same worried faces, the same collective weariness, the same snapping to attention and gathering round when a doctor appears with an update.

On my way back from the cafeteria a little later on, I come upon a woman sobbing into the shoulder of another woman, who has one hand in the crying woman’s hair, another holding her waist, as if they are dancing and not in despair, and I am suddenly seized with the feeling that all of us here are part of the same community, a community formed at the intersection of Heartache and Relief. We have no way of knowing when we come here which road will take us back out, but we will probably wind up on one or the other.

Late on Wednesday night, my brother and I are in my mother’s room again hoping to get one last report before we go to the hotel for whatever sleep we might be able to steal before morning rolls around again. Doctors had hoped that she would show some signs of coming out of her sleep, but she hasn’t. A nurse tells us not to give up, that miracles are possible, that he has personally witnessed miracles. His words are well-intentioned but do not have the desired effect. We leave the hospital thinking that it is time to confront the implacable reality that our mother just is not waking up and may not wake up tomorrow, or the day after that, or any other day.

We get back to the hospital early the next morning for the doctor’s report — no real change — and then report back to the waiting room, where we get a good report from one of the other families on their mother, who is awake and eating food. My first cousin brought over a bushel of baked goodies from Panera Bread, and my little 10-year-old nephew, who has no doubt been pondering why his grandma cannot seem to wake up, asks my sister with complete seriousness, “Have they tried throwing water on her face? I know it sounds mean, but it works.”

We need a good laugh. But in a few hours, we get something we need even worse. For the first time in days, our mother opens her eyes.

An hour or two later, she can open them when someone speaks to her, and it is possible to see her eyes focus. And an hour or two after that, she can keep them open and look around.

She is coming back. The coming back turns out to be a very gradual process. She wakes up like a little town wakes up, a few lights here, a few lights there. Her eyes are open, but for a while she cannot move her feet. She cannot squeeze anyone’s hand.

An hour or two later, I am on my way back home, trying to get back in time to see my children, whom I had not seen in three days, when I suddenly got my brother’s text.

“She can wiggle her toes.”

And now I know which road I am on and I just begin singing with the radio, as I often do, and I just take some deep breaths, relishing the air. There is plenty for everybody, after all.

(Chris Cox is a writer and teacher who lives in Haywood County. He can be reached at jchriscox@live.com.)

April 1-7, 2015

BY CHRIS COX COLUMNIST “She can wiggle her toes.”

This text message — a simple statement of fact pertaining to my mother — would have seemed absurd just a week ago. It would have meant next to nothing, the punchline to some silly joke maybe. (“And now, for her next trick ….”)

But today it means everything. It means that a whole multitude of frazzled, sleepdeprived, and borderline desperate people, most of whom are wearing the same clothes they have been wearing for the past four days, most of whom are sleeping two or three or maybe four hours per day, most of whom spend the endless river of hours floating down one of the many tributaries of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center — to the rest room, to the relaxation lounge, to the vending machines for yet more 65 cent coffee, to the cafeteria, to the elevators, or to the Cardiac Care Unit, Room 20, where my mother, seemingly oblivious to all things, is stretched out on a bed, struggling to breathe, her head thrown back and her mouth wide open, as if she is trying to capture as much oxygen as she can in one enormous gulp, as if all the oxygen in the world is just about to run out entirely.

We take turns going back to see her, twoby-two. We are all secret explorers searching for any trace at all of cognition, there also to project confidence in her recovery even though she has been “asleep” for nearly four full days and cannot be wakened, not by some of the best doctors in the world, not by those who love her and want nothing as much as we want to go back to Sunday, when she was still debating whether to go to church because she was feeling a little ill, maybe, but not ill enough to miss church.

She WAS ill, but did not know how much. tHow could she? A few hours later she would be vomiting, and then vomiting blood, and then incoherent, then medicated and asleep, and then in an ambulance on her way to Winston-Salem, an hour away. What was happening to her? No one knew.

And so for four days, we hold vigil in the waiting room, appropriately named because about the only thing anyone can do in this room is to wait. We wait to see her. Wait to see the doctors. Wait for tiny signs of recovery. Wait for our turn to eat, to sleep — but nobody eats much, and nobody sleeps much.

My stepfather eats and sleeps so little — in spite of the insistence of everyone around him that he must take care of himself and keep up his strength — that his own health unravels completely. Now they are both in intensive care, three floors apart, and we go back and forth checking on them, working in teams, to make sure that someone is always there.

In the Cardiac Care waiting room — which is a fairly large room, almost dance hall size — families claim and establish little territories, arranging chairs and tables that insinuate clear, if friendly, boundaries between this family and that one and that one. For the first

opinion

Finally, we know just what road we are traveling on

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CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. It’s winter, but we still serve

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

Reservations are required.

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

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

CITY BAKERY 18 N. Main St. Waynesville 828.452.3881.

Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join us in our historic location for scratch made soups and daily specials.

Breakfast is made to order daily: Gourmet cheddar & scallion biscuits served with bacon, sausage and eggs; smoked trout bagel plate; quiche and fresh fruit parfait.

We bake a wide variety of breads daily, specializing in traditional french breads. All of our breads are hand shaped. Lunch: Fresh salads, panini sandwiches. Enjoy outdoor dinning on the deck. Private room available for meetings.

11.95

$

Easter Dinner

PER PERSON *Does not include drink, tax or tip

Enjoy our famous fried chicken, ham, fried fish, vegetables and salad bar

PIN HIGH

April 1-7, 2015

Family-Style

pre-prepared products to make sure you get the best food for a reasonable price. We make vegetarian, gluten free and sugar free items. Call or go to Facebook (Breaking Bread Café NC) to find out what our specials are.

opinion

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

Easter Brunch Buffet th

for our

Easter Brunch Buffet from 11:00am-3:00pm

“The Piano Man”

reservations are required

Reservations are recommended

828.926.0201

Smoky Mountain News

Join us Sunday April 5

Music by Steve Whiddon

828-926-4848

Located at Maggie Valley Inn 70 Soco Road, Maggie Valley 828.926.0201

1819 Country Club Drive, Maggie Valley, NC W W W . M A G G I E VA L L E Y C L U B . C O M

www.maggievalleyhotel.com

286-113

286-114

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Twin Maples F•A•R•M•H•O•U•S•E

Easter Brunch BENEFITING WOMEN OF WAYNESVILLE ———————————————

Sunday, April 5 • 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

LIMITED SEATING CALL FOR RESERVATIONS 63 N. HILL ST.

828.452.7837

286-119

www.CityLightsCafe.com APRIL 1 • 6 P.M.

BEER & CHEESE PAIRING with Heinzelmannchen Brewing APRIL 3 • 7 P.M.

CHRIS EMERSON & TY BENNETT April 4 • 7 p.m.

286-96

JOSHUA GRANT DOWNTOWN SYLVA • NC Mon.-Fri. 7-4 Sat. 8-4

REEKSIDE COYSTER HOUSE & GRILL

April 1-7, 2015

286-99

Full Bar • Creekside Dining Specialty Sandwiches Crafted Beer & Moonshine

TUESDAY: 75¢ Oysters after 4pm WEDNESDAY: AYCE Fish & Shrimp THURSDAY: AYCE Crab Leg FRIDAY: Surf-N-Turf Special SATURDAY: Seafood Trio Special SUNDAY: Low Country Boil

828.586.1985 • CLOSED MONDAYS

438 Skyland Drive • Sylva

tasteTHEmountains 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.

Friday and Saturday serving freshly prepared small plate and tapas-style fare. Enjoy local, regional, or national talent live each Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. www.classicwineseller.com. Also on facebook and twitter.

CORK & CLEAVER 176 Country Club Drive, Waynesville.

828.456.7179. Reservations recommended. 4:30-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Tucked away inside Waynesville Inn, Cork & Cleaver has an approachable menu designed around locally sourced, sustainable, farm-to-table ingredients. Executive Chef Corey Green prepares innovative and unique Southern fare from local, organic vegetables grown in Western North Carolina. Full bar and wine cellar. www.waynesvilleinn.com.

cialty frozen sandwiches and homemade Southern desserts, you will not leave this top-rated deli hungry.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Open Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays (in October) 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Locals always know best, and this is one place they know well. From the high-quality hot pressed sandwiches and the huge portions of hand-cut fries to the spe-

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

Lunch Sunday noon to 2:30 p.m., dinner Thursday - Sunday starting at 4:30 p.m.

World-famous prime rib, steaks, fresh seafood, gorgonzola cheese and salads. All ABC permits and open year-round. Children always welcome. Take-out menu. Excellent service and hospitality. Reservations appreciated.

JOEY'S PANCAKE HOUSE 4309 Soco Rd Maggie Valley.

828.926.0212.

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

fles, country style cured ham and seasonal specials spiked with flavor, Joey's is sure to please all appetites. Joey & Brenda O’Keefe invite you to join what has become a tradition in these parts, breakfast at Joey’s.

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.

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

828.456.7870. Open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner Monday through Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy the lunch prices Monday through Sunday, also enjoy our outdoor patio.

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

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

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

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

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

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

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

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

828.497.4590. Open 7 a.m. daily.

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

APPÉTIT Y’AL N L BO MEDITERRANEAN

STEAKS • PIZZA SEAFOOD CHICKEN & SANDWICHES

LUNCH & DINNER 7 DAYS A WEEK

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

Live Music

ITALIAN CUISINE

1863 S. Main Street • Waynesville 828.454.5002 Hwy. 19/23 Exit 98 26

286-120

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SID’S ——————————————————

ON MAIN

828-456-1997 blueroostersoutherngrill.com

— Real Local People, Real Local Food — 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, North Carolina Monday-Friday Open at 11am

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

236-50

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Smoky Mountain News

Exit 85 to Skyland Dr., two blocks from McDonalds

tasteTHEmountains ORGANIC BEANS COFFEE COMPANY 1110 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.668.2326. Open 7 days a week 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Happily committed to brewing and serving innovative, uniquely delicious coffees — and making the world a better place. 100% of our coffee is Fair Trade, Shade Grown, and Organic, all slowroasted to bring out every note of indigenous flavor. Bakery offerings include cakes, muffins, cookies and more. Each one is made from scratch in Asheville using only the freshest, all natural ingredients available. We are proud to offer gluten-free and vegan options.

PASQUALE’S 1863 South Main Street, Waynesville. Off exit 98, 828.454.5002. Open for lunch and dinner, 7 days a week. Classic Italian dishes, exceptional steaks and seafood (available in full and lighter sizes), thin crust pizza, homemade soups, salads hand tossed at your table. Fine wine and beer selection. Casual atmosphere, dine indoors, outside on the patio or at the bar.

Reservations appreciated.

PATIO BISTRO 30 Church Street, Waynesville.

828.454.0070. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday through Saturday. Breakfast bagels and sandwiches, gourmet coffee, deli sandwiches for lunch with homemade soups, quiches, and desserts. Wide selection of wine and beer. Outdoor and indoor dining.

# 1 in Haywood County. Locally owned and operated.

SOUL INFUSION TEA HOUSE & BISTRO 628 E. Main St. (between Sylva Tire & UPS). 828.586.1717. Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday noon -until.

Scrumptious, natural, fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps and desserts. 60+ teas served hot or cold, black, chai, herbal.

Seasonal and rotating draft beers, good selection of wine. Home-Grown Music Network Venue with live music most weekends. Pet friendly and kid ready.

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

SMOKY MOUNTAIN SUB SHOP 29 Miller Street Waynesville 828.456.3400.

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

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.

April 4th Spring has Sprung!

Soco Rd. Maggie Valley

(828) 926-0212 Reservations Accepted Open every day except Thursday 7 A.M. - Noon

Easter Dinner

April 1-7, 2015

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

THAI SPICE 128 N. Main St., Waynesville.

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

Joeys will reopen on

Open Noon - 7 on Easter Entree Choices Our specialty: Prime rib au jus- 7 oz.

Baked sliced ham with a pineapple-orange glaze Roasted Lamb Loin Marinated & thinly sliced with red potatoes, baby carrots & mint pesto Pan seared Mahi with fresh pineapple salsa Complete Easter dinners $19.99 to $25.99 including Artesian salad, side & choice of coconut layer cake or lemon meringue pie

FRIDAY, APR. 3

Regular menu available

SATURDAY, APR. 4

Reservations Appreciated

Karaoke w/Chris Monteith Watch the Final Four Games *Closed Sunday* We wish everyone a Blessed Easter

2843 Soco Rd./Hwy 19 v Maggie Valley

83 Asheville Hwy. Sylva Music Starts @ 9 • 631.0554

Now open Wednesday through Sunday for dinner at 4:30pm and lunch on Sunday from noon- 12:30

828-926-1817

v

Smoky Mountain News

UPCOMING EVENTS 286-97

jarthurs.com

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28

A&E

Smoky Mountain News

break), sex education teacher, photographer’s assistant (fired), weather girl (quit), radio DJ (fired for drunkenly swearing on-air), gelato delivery woman (quit due to melted product), stockbroker (fired for costly typing errors), tour manager for Jethro Tull, dog bakery cook (quit), personal assistant for Eric Clapton, financial television reporter (quit), office worker for The Eagles, cemetery plot salesperson (quit), and, most ironically, and employment counselor (quit). The list goes on and on, with Deering in awe of her journey within the American workforce. Currently, she’s the store manager for Anne’s Attic, a home décor business in Maggie Valley — a gig she has proudly held for the last couple of weeks.

“How do I keep getting hired? Hell, if I know — you should see my resume, now that is a great example of creative writing,” she chuckled. “I wish that my life could have been kind of normal, but I guess you always want what you don’t have. I look at people that have been married a longtime, have raised kids, lived in a house and had regular jobs, and I’ve thought what a great life that would be, but it just wasn’t in the stars for me.”

One day at a

time

STEPPING INTO YOUR DESTINY Comedic storyteller C.J. Deering during a recent performance of her one-woman show, ‘Jobs I Had For One Day,’ at HART in Waynesville. The production will also run April 3-5. Garret K. Woodward photo

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER

Don’t hire C.J. Deering.

“I don’t know why people hire me,” she laughed. “Maybe I’m just lucky, maybe they see something in me that I don’t.”

Sitting in her dressing room, backstage at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in downtown Waynesville last Saturday night, Deering (C.J. = Cameron Jane) just finished the second night of a two-weekend run of her one-woman comedy monologue, “Jobs I Had For One Day.” The hour-long production puts Deering center stage, under the bright lights and in front of dozens of curious faces staring back at her within the cozy black box stage. It’s a story, her story, about a haphazard life of employment and happenstance, one that has molded Deering into the captivating storyteller and persona she inhabits nowadays.

“It’s a little scary being out there onstage, it’s also a little exciting once you start feeding off of the energy of the audience,” the 68-yearold said. “But, it’s easy for me to sit in front of a group of people, because I love people, I’m so interested in them — I loved how tonight the audience and I talked back and forth.”

THE ART OF EMPLOYMENT Raised in New Jersey, Deering grew up in a pretty atypical post-World War II household.

Her parents, “both beautiful people” Deering noted, lived a somewhat glamorous life, filled with cocktail parties amid a “Mad Men” atmosphere of style and swagger. Deering her-

self emulated those folks who’d imbibed around her, ultimately wanting to live that Hollywood existence of devil-may-care shenanigans and chic interactions.

Graduating high school in 1964, she enrolled into an all-girls school in Rhode Island, dated the state senator’s (at the time) son, and seemed to be headed in a normal direction. But, her path thereafter became anything but normal.

“I moved to New York City in the mid1960s. It was Bleecker Street, MacDougal Street, music at the Café Wha?, up to Woodstock for the festival in 1969,” she remembered. “And then, I got pregnant.”

At that exact time, a girlfriend of Deering’s also was pregnant and decided to relocate near family in Atlanta. Deering followed, in hopes of a fresh start. It was in Atlanta, she got hired as a stewardess for American Airlines. That didn’t last long, nor did her short time as a cheerleader for the Atlanta Falcons during the first year the professional football team put women on the sidelines.

Deering then ricocheted around the country like a pinball, with stints in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Houston, Los Angeles again, Philadelphia again, back to Los Angeles, and ultimately Waynesville, where she’s resided the last four years. And through all that moving around, she started innumerable jobs, only to leave after a day or so, either out of boredom, or simply out of hatred for the position.

Throughout the dozens and dozens of occupations she has held, Deering was a department store Easter Bunny (fired for accidentally setting the costume aflame while on a cigarette

Deering got into theater production because of her friend Barbara Bates Smith, an acclaimed Southern Appalachian storyteller in her own right, who felt Deering had what it took to perform, and perform well. Smith, and HART executive director Steven Lloyd, put Deering on their show schedule last year. A

“I look at people that have been married a longtime, have raised kids, lived in a house and had regular jobs, and I’ve thought what a great life that would be, but it just wasn’t in the stars for me.”

— C.J. Deering

similar production about her entire life, Deering’s act became the most profitable show that hit the black box stage in 2014. Thus, HART wanted her back for more.

The irony for Deering seems to be the mere fact that she’s found her calling, careerwise, in telling stories about all the failed jobs she’s had over the years. Onstage, she’s a magnet for your attention. Her casual nature in the production pulls you in, where with each story told, you want to know more, you want to dive deeper into her mind. She speaks of dating rock stars, national politicians and renowned artisans, with cautious tales of freedom found and freedom lost sprinkled in-between. And yet, she is only revealing the tip of the iceberg of a life, though chaotic, well lived, one filled with adventure, excitement and zest.

“It’s surreal to see people here for me,” she said. “It blows my mind — I don’t understand it.”

Want to go?

Comedic storyteller C.J. Deering will tell her all too true tall tales of life, recovery and survival during her show “Jobs I Had For One Day” at 7:30 p.m. April 3-4 and at 3 p.m. April 5 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

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

828.456.6322 or www.harttheater.org.

Watching Deering perform, you can feel the sincerity and honesty in her ability to weave a story. There are so many moments retold, that, even when telling a rehearsed bit, she suddenly remembers another one, to which she’ll go on an enjoyable tangent. Quite simply put, Deering, though she has endless material to work with, has probably forgotten more experiences than most people actually have in their entire lifetime.

“It’s hard to realize that the things that come easy to you are the most valuable,” she said in reference to her enjoyment of storytelling. “The funny thing is I don’t know what people are going to laugh at, and telling my story has been a very cathartic thing, too.”

Following her show, Deering opens up a question and answer period to the audience.

The queries keep coming from anonymous voices in the dark room. Deering responds with more stories, more memories that flood back into her field of vision. She speaks truths, of failed marriages and opportunities, personal tragedies and triumphs, and how, today, she’s still standing, still waking up every morning ready to take another leap of faith into this great big world of ours.

“I hope people who come to my show had fun, laughed a little, maybe made a new friend in me, and that it was worth the 10 dollars admission,” she smiled. “Maybe I’ve had so many jobs because I never found the right job?

Maybe this is the right job for me.”

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

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I never forgot those who were still back at home, trying to figure out their next move. And when I would come home for a visit, I’d see the scene, our scene, get darker and more disturbing.

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Smoky Mountain News

and try again. I’ve lost too many incredible friends over the years to hard drugs. But, it hasn’t exhausted me from trying to find help for the next one who needs support and encouragement. I’ve seen what success is when beating addiction. It’s very real, and very possible.

I will never point fingers at those with addiction issues. When you do that there’s always three pointing back at you. I will, however, say that there are severe consequences to one’s actions. Your destiny is a direct result of your actions and intent. You hold the key to your own fate, for good or ill. Just remember there’s always a way out of addiction, as long as your heart is pure and your accept the help folks are trying to give you. There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel, even if entering it seems like an endless, dark abyss.

Thus, my heart is heavy today knowing that another bright flame in this world has been extinguished. He was a beautiful, troubled soul, but also very loved by those who knew him best. He also was one hell of a dancer. Man, that kid had some moves.

Rest easy, my brother. You are at peace now.

(Garret K. Woodward can be reached at garret@smokymountainnews.com.)

Buffet items include:

April 1-7, 2015

My friend died yesterday.

Way up in New York State, 1,000 miles or so away from me, my friend passed away. And he left us all for no reason. He didn’t save a kitten from a burning building. He didn’t rescue a baby from a car wreck. He didn’t give his life in an attempt to save others. He died, simply, because of drugs.

I’ll be the first to admit to recreational drug use. I’ve tried pretty much every drug under the sun, mostly out of curiosity, and, luckily, never out of desire or cravings. I did drugs because my friends did them. I did drugs because pop culture made me curious about what I saw in movies and listened to in music. I did drugs because I wanted to see what was over the horizon of my consciousness and sub-conThe late Michael Lovette. sciousness.

And yet, I never judged my friends who did, and do, and will always use illegal substances.

These folks are childhood friends, ex-girlfriends who hold a piece of my heart, and acquaintances that The inaugural “Banana Dash” will take place ultimately set the course for my at 3 p.m. April 11 at Tonic Delivers in existence and where I stand today, downtown Sylva. atop how strong a foundation I set No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will have the for myself those many years ago.

Ryan Cavanaugh Duo (bluegrass/jazz) at 9 My hometown area, the p.m. April 4.

North Country (Upstate New York/Vermont), has always been An evening of astronomy-inspired music will a hotbed for drug use, and be held at 7 p.m. April 10 at the Pisgah abuse. The winters are brutal, Astronomical Research Institute (PARI). the job opportunities few and far Lost Hiker (Highlands) will have Mangas between. Up there, you feel as if Colorado (Americana/bluegrass) at 9 p.m. you’re in survival mode all the April 4. time, whether it be keeping warm at night or keeping food Writer David Joy will read and discuss his on the table. Sure, there are debut novel Where All Light Tends to Go at 3 ample gigs that pay well, but, for p.m. April 11 at Blue Ridge Books in the most part, you either leave Waynesville. town for greener pastures or you sit and wait for something, anything to happen — idle hands And often within my friend circle back are the devil’s workshop, as they say. up north, drug use was prevalent. In essence, With that atmosphere of struggle and it was all pretty harmless if respected and bewilderment there also resides deeply rootenjoyed in a safe environment. Sitting on the ed circles of friends. You huddle together and dock of Lake Champlain at sunset with a make the most of where you are, finding joint and a cold one was a beautiful thing. those rays of sunlight and adventure in the But, as we got older, the drugs got harder. darkest of times. You cling to these people Weed and mushrooms transitioned into pills, because interacting with them makes you feel opiates and cocaine. I’d dabble here and alive, inside and out. You surround yourself there with whatever was offered, but many of with a cloak of human armor and emotion my peers would take it a few steps further, that protects you from the outside world. diving below the surface of casual drug use.

arts & entertainment

This must be the place

After high school, I took off for college in Connecticut. After college, I headed for Idaho to start my first reporting job in the Rocky Mountains. While my vision was aimed ahead, I never forgot those who were still back at home, trying to figure out their next move. And when I would come home for a visit, I’d see the scene, our scene, get darker and more disturbing. Those joyous folks I’ve known for years were overtaken by their recreational habits turning into a fullblown addiction. The light was gone from their eyes — the window to the soul.

I’ve spent countless days trying to help my dear friends exonerate their demons. I tried to get them clean, get them help, and most of all, make them feel loved. Addiction is a disease, one that ultimately takes down with more than just the user. There’s the family members, friends, co-workers, and people who just knew them in passing, but their impact was felt.

Addiction can be a lifelong battle for most.

The key is to never stop trying to find your balance in life. Every time you fall, pick yourself up

w/Rabies Vaccination

286-111

twitter.com/SmokyMtnNews

Haywood Spay/Neuter 182 Richland St. • Waynesville

828.452.1329

29

On the beat arts & entertainment

Gypsy jazz, swing at Classic Wineseller The 9th Street Stompers will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, April 17, at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville.

Their sound brings to mind a musical era when the lines between blues, swing, gypsy jazz, rockabilly and tango weren’t nearly as hard and fast as the drinking and dancing. The group consists of three well-dressed “Dapper Dan” man-types who play acoustic instruments and sing about life, death, love and liquor.

The band has toured throughout the U.S. and appeared on NPR’s Chattanooga-based Scenic City Roots, sister show to the Nashville-based Music City Roots. Influenced by the great gypsy jazz musician, Django Reinhardt, and other greats like Stephane Grappelli and Oscar Aleman, the band’s approach to the music is impressive.

Show tickets cost $10 per person and can be purchased by calling 828.452.6000. Seating is limited. The full dinner and drink menu will be available. www.classicwineseller.com or www.9thstreetstompers.com.

The 9th Street Stompers will play April 17 in Waynesville.

Smoky Mountain News

April 1-7, 2015

Loretta Lynn will play April 11 at Harrah’s Cherokee. Garret K. Woodward photo

Donated photo

Loretta Lynn to hit Harrah’s stage

Music and astronomy pair up at PARI

Country music legend Loretta Lynn will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 11, at Harrah’s Cherokee.

For 50 years now, Lynn has fashioned a body of work as artistically and commercially successful-and as culturally significant-as any female performer you'd care to name. Her music has confronted many of the major social issues of her time, and her life story is a ragsto-riches tale familiar to pop, rock and country fans alike.

The Coal Miner's Daughter — the tag refers to a hit single, an album, a best-selling autobiography, an Oscarwinning film, and to Lynn herself, who has journeyed from the poverty of the Kentucky hills to Nashville superstardom to her current status as a honestto-goodness American icon. Her latest album, the Jack White-produced “Van Lear Rose,” is poised now to remind the world yet again of Lynn's power as a vocalist and her skill as a songwriter. www.harrahscherokee.com.

An evening of astronomy-inspired music will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, April 10, at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI).

The evening’s activities will include a tour of the PARI campus and celestial observations using PARI’s optical or radio telescopes. The program is part of PARI’s monthly Evening at PARI series and will feature musical selections inspired in some way by astronomy.

“Dr. Bob Hayward and I will share musical selections that have astronomical inspiration behind their title, words or music,” said PARI Education Director Christi Whitworth.

“While the music is playing we will project imagery of the astronomical objects or similar examples and provide relevant scientific information about what our visitors are witnessing. We will share music from a variety of genres and eras so the program will appeal to all age groups. Families are welcome.”

The program will take place regardless of the weather so attendees are encouraged to dress appropriately for being outside and to wear comfortable walking shoes.

Reservations are required and will be

• BearWaters Brewing (Waynesville) will have Steph Stewart & The Boyfriends (Americana/folk) at 7:30 p.m. April 3, ClawHoss & Friends (Americana/bluegrass) 7 p.m. April 10 and Trial By Stone (reggae/ska) 8 p.m. April 11. www.bwbrewing.com or 828.246.0602.

• Canton Armory will have “Pickin’ in the Armory” will continue with live music by the Rick Morris Band and clogging by the Dixie Darlings and Mountain Traditions April 3.

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Rewind with the Stoney Creek Cloggers and Appalachian Mountaineers will be April 10.

Both events begin at 7 p.m. www.cantonnc.com.

• City Lights Café (Sylva) will have Chris Emerson & Ty Bennett (singer-songwriter/bluegrass) April 3 and Joshua Grant (oldtime/bluegrass) April 4. All shows begin at 7 p.m. www.citylightscafe.com.

ALSO:

accepted until 3 p.m. the day of the event.

Evening at PARI programs cost $20 per adult, $15 for seniors/military and $10 for children under 14. Register and pay online at www.pari.edu or call 828.862.5554. cwhitworth@pari.edu.

First Thursday bluegrass welcomes Goforth

There will be an evening of music and astronomy April 10 at PARI. Donated photo

Old-time/bluegrass musician Josh Goforth will perform as part of the First Thursday concert series at 7 p.m. April 9 in the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University.

The concert will last an hour and will be followed by an open jam session during which traditional musicians of all skill levels are invited to participate. The First Thursday series of concerts and open jams include some of the region's best old-time and bluegrass musicians. The events align with “North Carolina: Our State, Our Time” programs given across WCU that explore historical, social and cultural impacts that have shaped the state.

Free. www.wcu.edu.

FoodBank partner. www.cantonnc.com or 828.648.0014.

• Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will have Jay Brown (folk/Americana) April 1, Sean Bendula (singer-songwriter) April 3, Joe Cruz (pop/piano) April 4 and 11, and ‘Round the Fire (Grateful Dead tribute) April 10. All shows begin at 7 p.m. 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have Craig Summers & Lee Kram (singer-songwriter) at 6 p.m. April 2, 9 and 16. Free.

828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Colonial Theatre (Canton) will have Joe Lasher Jr. (country/southern rock) at 7 p.m.

April 18. Tickets are $7, with proceeds going to The Community Kitchen, a local MANNA

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night April 1 and 8, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo April 2 and 10. Events begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

On the beat

• Marianna Black Library (Bryson City) will hold community music jam from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 2. 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 community jams offer a chance for musicians of all ages and levels of ability to share music they have learned over the years or learn old-time mountain songs. Free.

828.488.3030.

WNC's Largest Selection of Granite & Quartz. your friendly, local blue box — smoky mountain news

arts & entertainment

• Lost Hiker (Highlands) will have Mangas Colorado (Americana/bluegrass) April 4 and Sidecar Honey (Americana/bluegrass) April 11. www.thelosthikerbar.com.

Solid Surface Specialists

62 Communications Dr., Waynesville • Appointments Suggested

(828) 452-4747 WWW.SSS-TOPS.COM

• Nantahala Brewing (Bryson City) will have Productive Paranoia (bluegrass/Americana) 8 p.m. April 3, Steph Stewart & The Boyfriends (Americana/folk) April 4 and The Liz Nance Trio (Americana/bluegrass) April 10. All shows are free and begin at 8:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

ALSO:

• Oconaluftee Visitors Center (Cherokee) will have an old-time music jam from 1 to 3 p.m.

April 4. All skill levels welcomed.

• The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will have Pat Donohue (singer-songwriter) at 7:30 p.m. April 16 and The Hillbenders (bluegrass/Americana) 8 p.m. April 17.

Tickets for both shows are $18 in advance, $20 day of show. www.38main.com or 828.283.0079.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grille (Waynesville) will have Urban Pioneers (Americana/bluegrass) at 9:30 p.m. April 10.

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will have an Upperclassmen Trumpet Recital at April 6, Music Faculty concert April 7, Travis Bennett (horn) April 8, Richard MacDowell (clarinet) April 9 and the Daniel Ball Senior Recital April 11 in the Coulter Building. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. A Battle of the Bands will be from 5 to 11 p.m. April 6 in the University Center Grand Room. www.wcu.edu.

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Smoky Mountain News

• Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will have Kevin Fuller (singer-songwriter) at 9 p.m. April 10. Free.

GRAND OPENING NEW LOCATION April 1-7, 2015

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will have the French Boards (Americana) April 3, Ryan Cavanaugh Duo (bluegrass/jazz) April 4, Urban Pioneers (Americana/bluegrass) April 9, The Hardin Draw (folk/string) April 10, Tail Light Rebellion (boogie/folk) and The Eisenhower Interstate Highway System April 11, and D.S. Yancey & Brian Hartley (indie/country) April 13. All shows are free and begin at 9 p.m.

828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

828.246.9135 HaywoodHabitat.org 31

All three Cherokee tribes partnering for ‘Cherokee Days’ ne year after hosting a highly successful event at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., the Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians are again partnering to host “Cherokee Days.”

The public educational program is April 10-12 in Washington D.C., and includes an exhibit showcasing a timeline of historical milestones, live cultural art demonstrations and scheduled cultural performances.

The three Cherokee tribes will share the Cherokee story that spans time immemorial to the Trail of Tears to the successes of the modern tribes.

Cherokees originally inhabited the lands in what are now presentday Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama and Georgia. Following the 1838 forced removal of 16,000 Cherokees to present-day Oklahoma, many defied the relocation and remained in North Carolina.

The Cherokees forced along the Trail of Tears were led by Principal Chief John Ross. They established Tahlequah as the Cherokee Nation’s capital in 1839. The Eastern Band, which resides in Cherokee, North Carolina, became federally recognized in 1868.

A diverse and multifaceted cultural and educational enterprise, the National Museum of the American Indian is an active and visible component of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum complex. The NMAI cares for one of the world’s most expansive collections of native objects, including photographs, paper and photo archives and media covering the entire Western Hemisphere. www.americanindian.si.edu.

Smoky Mountain News

April 1-7, 2015

O

Want to preserve historical documents?

Heather South will hold a discussion “A Trunkload of Trouble, The Do’s and Don’ts of Preserving Things” during the Jackson County Genealogical Society meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at the Jackson County Courthouse in Sylva.

South, expert on historic document preservation at the Western Regional Archives in Asheville, will provide information on how to preserve your family photos, letters, clippings, and other documents. Bring your own paper items for evaluation and South can provide advice on how to preserve them for future generations.

All JCGS events are free of charge and the public is welcome.

828.631.2646.

Vendor spaces are still available for $15. Entry to the festival is free. Proceeds will go to benefit various community outreach projects, including the Grace House Food Pantry.

828.497.2393.

• There will be an oyster roast from 6 to 10 p.m. April 17 at The Bascom in Highlands. The event will be in celebration of the center for visual art’s recent expansion. Free steamed oysters. Other food and drinks available. Live bluegrass music by WellStrung from 7 to 9 p.m. www.thebascom.org.

ALSO:

• A Car Club Cruise-In will be from 4 to 7 p.m. April 10 at the Southwestern Community College campus in Sylva. Celebrating SCC’s 50th anniversary celebration.

Free. www.franklin-chamber.com.

Green Thumb Day Festival in Whittier

• Disc Golf on the Greenway will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 11, in Franklin. Demonstrating techniques and a round of play. Presented by the Franklin Disc Golf Club.

The 15th Annual Green Thumb Day Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 11, in downtown Whittier.

Local artists, crafters, planters and farmers will be on hand. Live music will be provided by Keep on Pickin’, Joshua Grant, and Mountain Strings Dulcimer Club. There will wagon rides and other children’s activities. Free tree seedlings and information on plants and planting will also be available. VFW Post 8013 and food vendors will also be onsite.

• A Zumba dance class will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Classes will also run April 14, 21 and 28. $20. www.greatmountainmusic.com.

• A beer and cheese pairing with Heinzelmannchen Brewery and Looking Glass Creamery will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, at City Lights Café in Sylva.

Tickets are $15 until March 31, $20 thereafter. Limited to 25 people. www.yourgnometownbrewery.com.

The PETER ROWAN Bluegrass Band

Tuesday, April 21 Photo by Bill Harbin

arts & entertainment

On the street

On Tuesday night, April 21, Grammy winner Peter Rowan will appear with his Grammy-nominated bluegrass band in a special performance at Cataloochee Ranch. This will be the legendary singer-songwriter’s fifth appearance at the Ranch, and the performance is expected to be a sellout.

So come join us for a memorable evening of music, food and fun, with dinner at 6 pm and music beginning at 7:30. Tickets for dinner and the show are $60, and reservations are required.

To reserve your space for this not-to-be-missed event, just call the Ranch at 828-926-1401.

Cataloochee Ranch 32

119 Ranch Drive, Maggie Valley, NC 28751ɄɄƌɄɄwww.CataloocheeRanch.com

arts & entertainment April 1-7, 2015

Includes event admission & live music

Smoky Mountain News

33

April 1-7, 2015

arts & entertainment

On the wall

At its annual Scholarship Fundraising Dinner on March 20, the board of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia in Jackson County awarded three scholarships to three deserving applicants. In the presence of over 100 attendees in the fellowship hall of Cullowhee Baptist Church on the campus of Western Carolina University, the following awards were presented: • The Annie Lee Bryson Memorial Scholarship was presented to Blake John-David Ward of Whittier. Ward is a member of the show choir at Smoky Mountain High, a member of student council, FCA, Crossfit Swerve, and varsity football, wrestling, track and field. He helps work with kids at Riverside Cove youth camp, and helps his family on the farm raising cattle and with the family garden.

• The Mary Jane Queen Memorial Scholarship was presented to Connor Luckey-Smith, from Clyde. Luckey-Smith is enrolled at Four Oaks Academy, plus dually enrolled in the Jackson County Early College and Haywood Early College. He began playing at an early age, and has come into contact with many gifted musicians.

He and his brother, along with the band Productive Paranoia, play at area nursing homes, benefits, fundraisers, and more.

• The Elmer & Irene Hooper Memorial Scholarship was presented to Grace Ella Morris, from Cullowhee. Morris goes to Smoky Mountain High and Jackson County Early College. An avid fiddle player, Grace spent countless hours performing with the Community Appalachian Music group, playing “Old Time Music” at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. She has been going on mission trips since 2012, spending time with senior adults in the community, and is a current member of the Jackson County Bible club. She came up through JAM in Haywood County, volunteered with the Jackson County Junior Appalachian Musicians and is now a teacher with the organization.

Catch the Spirit of Appalachia’s scholarship program is supported, in part, from the Catch the Spirit of Appalachia Endowment, a component fund of the North Carolina Community Foundations.

• Create your own tumbler or vase from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 4 at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. Each class that day is 45 minutes. $45 per person.

828.631.0271 or www.jcgep.org.

• The Sylva Friends of the Library used bookstore will participate in a spring fundraiser raffle. A beautiful wood carved spirit by local artist Ron Yount will be auctioned off during the Greening Up the Mountains festivals on April 25. Tickets are on sale now at the bookstore. $1 each or six for $5. All proceeds go to benefit the library.

Smoky Mountain News

ALSO:

• The “Countdown to Ecstasy: A Faculty Biennial” art exhibit reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 9, in the Fine Arts Museum at Western Carolina University.

Featuring professional and studio artwork from WCU faculty members, the exhibit will run April 9 to May 29. www.wcu.edu.

• The films “Wild” (6 p.m. April 8, 2 p.m. April 9) and “Dead Reckoning” (2 p.m. April 17) will be screened at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

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‘Wildflowers in Western Carolina’ discussion

Catch the Spirit of Appalachia awards scholarships

• There will be an After-School Art Adventure for children and students from 3:15 to 4:30

Larry Thompson will speak on “Wildflowers in Western Carolina” during the Sylva Photo Club Photographer Barbara meeting at 2 p.m.

Sammons will be on display Saturday, April 11, in the April 6-28 at Gallery 86.

Cullowee Methodist www.barbarasammons.com Church at Western Carolina University.

Thompson was National Audubon Society’s Southeast Regional Vice President for 20 years and served as a vice president for Florida Audubon. He was chairman of the board and became the Legal A creative photography and folk art exhibit, Environmental Assistance Foundation’s vice president “Memories — Past, Present and Future” will be show- for fundraising and membership. Thompson also served cased April 6-28 in Gallery 86 at the Haywood County as Executive Director of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation from 2004-2009 and has been studying wildArts Council in Waynesville.

Works by Candler sisters, Barbara Sammons and flowers since then.

After Thompson speaks, there will be a Photo Show Francine Menor, will be on display. Sammons captures the past with a stunning collection of junkyard car, the present and Tell where members bring photographs related to a with a creative technique called “scanography,” which is subject chosen last month. This month’s subject is the process of producing fine art photography with the use “Intentional Camera Movement,” which is the moveof a flat bed scanner. Menor’s folk art is representative of ment of the lens one way and the camera the other way while the shutter is open. the future with her hand-painted growth charts.

After Photo Show and Tell we will have a Camera An artist reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. April 10 at Gallery 86. All of the works are for sale, with pro- Talk open to anyone who has questions or input about ceeds from the exhibit to benefit CarePartners anything to do with photography.

Visitors are always welcome and this meeting is free.

Foundation and CarePartners Hospice in memory of the 828.293.9820 or sylvaphotoclub@gmail.com or sister’s mother, Irene Holloway. www.sylvaphotoclub.wordpress.com. www.haywoodarts.org or 828.452.0593.

Photography, folk art exhibit at Gallery 86

p.m. Wednesday, April 8 and 15, at The Bascom in Highlands. Participants will work on individual and collaborative art projects.

There will also be a Franklin After-School Art Adventure from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.

Wednesday, April 8 and 15. Free. www.thebascom.org.

• Namita Wiggers will give an artist talk at 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 10, in the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

Wiggers is the director and co-founder of the Critical Craft Forum and teaches at the Oregon College of Art & Craft and the Pacific Northwest College of Art. www.wcu.edu.

• There is currently an open call for artists from the Front Street Arts & Crafts Show that will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 20, in Dillsboro. Application deadline is April 1. 828.506.8331 or www.visitdillsboro.org or www.mountainlovers.com.

• The Franklin Kid’s Creation Station will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 4 and 11, at the Uptown Gallery. There will also be a station from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 11 at The Bascom in Highlands. www.thebascom.org or 828.349.4607 (Franklin) or 828.526.4949 (Highlands).

• The Macon County Spring Break: Dream

Cowee Pottery School art classes There will be an array of upcoming art classes at the Cowee Pottery School in Franklin.

• Kids Clay in the Garden, a four-day class, will begin April 3 and conclude April 10. Instructors Claire Suminski and Julie Taylor have several projects planned for youngsters. Each class is 10 a.m. to noon. $56, plus clay costs.

• Fanciful Vases and Boxes, a handbuilding class taught by Hank Shuler, will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday and Thursday evenings April 13-30. $126, plus clay costs.

• Small Casserole Dishes, taught by Carmen Holland, will be from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays April 15 through May 13. Cost is $105, plus clay and tools. www.coweeschool.org.

Weavers will be from 2 to 5 p.m. April 9-10 at The Bascom in Highlands. Two-day art class for children ages 5-10. www.thebascom.org.

• A glass bird sculpture class will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 18 at the Jackson

County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. Each class that day is 30 minutes. $45 per person.

828.631.0271 or www.jcgep.org.

• “Imitation Game” (April 2) and “Interstellar” (April 3-4) will be screened at the Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva.

Screenings are free and begin at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. There is also a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturdays. www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com.

• The Western North Carolina Woodturners, Inc. will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at the Blue Ridge School in Glenville. Visitors are always welcomed. The club meets every second Thursday at 6 p.m. March through November.

• “Do You Believe?” will be screened through April 9 at the Highlands Playhouse.

Showtimes are at 2, 5 and 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and also 2 and 5 p.m.

Sunday. Tickets are $9. 828.526.2695 or www.highlandsplayhouse.org.

• “Tinkerbell: The Legend of the Netherbeast,” “The Big Lebowski” and “Imitation Game” will be screened at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. For screening dates and times, click on www.38main.com or call 828.283.0079.

On the egg With the celebration of Easter around the corner, below are several events in communities around our region, from church gathering to Easter egg hunts, brunch to live music.

FRANKLIN • Eggstravaganza will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 3 at The Factory. The $13 kids crew member pass includes a pizza buffet, ice cream bar, face painting, gaming bonus and an “eggcellent scavenger hunt.” There will also be photos with the Easter Bunny.

828.349.8888 or www.thefactory.bz.

BRYSON CITY • The Peanuts Easter Beagle Express Train will be at 11 a.m. April 3-4 at the Bryson City Train Depot. Enjoy the characters of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and crew. Easter Egg Hunt, crafts, snacks, and more.

800.872.4681 or www.gsmr.com.

HIGHLANDS • An Easter Egg Hunt will be held at 2:30 p.m.

Friday, April 3, at the Eckerd Living Center.

All are welcomed to attend.

CANTON • The annual town Easter Egg Hunt will be at 10 a.m.

Saturday, April 4, at the Canton Recreation Park. Egg hunts for ages 1-5 years old and 612 years old.

Sponsored by the Town of Canton, Canton Police Department and Champion Credit Union. www.cantonnc.com.

FONTANA • The Easter Family Festival weekend will be April 3-5 at Fontana Village Resort. Among the numerous events, there will be an Easter Eggstravaganza from 3 to 4:30 p.m. April 4 and an Easter Buffett from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

April 5, followed by an Easter Egg Hunt at 3 p.m. www.fontanavillage.com or 855.974.5302.

SAPPHIRE VALLEY • An Easter Egg Hunt will be from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at the Sapphire Valley Community Center. Hunts for ages 1-3, 4-5 and 6-12 years old. Refreshments to follow.

828.743.7663.

STECOAH • An Easter Egg Hunt and duckie race will be at 11 a.m. April 4 at the Stecoach Valley Center. Visit by the Easter Bunny, bonnet contest, children’s activities, and more. www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.

WAYNESVILLE • An Easter Egg Hunt will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at the New Hop Church of God. 828.456.3509.

• An Easter Egg Hunt will be held at 3 p.m.

Saturday, April 4, at the Smoky Mountain Sk8way. Pictures with the Easter Bunny, face painting, roller-skating, climbing wall, egg hunt, and more. $5.

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Smoky Mountain News

DILLSBORO • The Easter Hat Parade celebration will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 4 in downtown.

The day begins with an Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. on Webster Street, followed with hat making at 10:30 a.m. at Dogwood Crafters, then the parade at 2 p.m. at Town Hall.

828.586.5391 or www.visitdillsboro.org.

• There will be an Easter Tea held by Dogwood Crafters at the Historic Jarrett House on Saturday, April 4. Seatings will be at 1 and 3 p.m. English style finger sandwiches, sweets and tea. Proceeds will go to Dogwood’s building fund. $15. 828.586.2248.

MAGGIE VALLEY • An Easter Sunrise Service will be held at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, April 5, at the Maggie Valley Community Pavilion. A free pancake breakfast will follow.

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April 1-7, 2015

CASHIERS • The 5th annual Easter Egg Hunt will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 4, at the gazebo at The Village Green. Hundreds of eggs will be scattered around the park. There will also be an Easter bonnet contest for girls. 828.743.3434 or www.villagegreencashiersnc.com.

• An Easter Sunrise Service will be held at 7 a.m. Sunday, April 5, at the gazebo at The Village Green. Music and scripture, with attendees encouraged to bring a lawn chair.

LAKE JUNALUSKA • The annual Lake Junaluska Easter weekend will include children’s activities egg decorating contests starting at 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, April 4, at the Harrell Center Auditorium. Egg hunts for various ages will then follow at 11 a.m. near the Stuart Auditorium. There will be Easter sunrise services at 7 a.m.

Sunday, April 5, at the Lake Junaluska amphitheater and cross, with a breakfast to follow from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Lambuth Inn, a Long’s Chapel service at 10:30 a.m., and a lunch buffet at 11:30 a.m. in the Terrace Hotel. For more information, tickets and reservations, click on www.lakejunaluska.com/easter or 828.454.6662.

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arts & entertainment

Easter in Western North Carolina

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Books

Smoky Mountain News

An outlandish life makes for hilarious novel rish novelist Kennedy Marr is making millions of dollars through the sale of his books and as a Hollywood scriptwriter.

Directors vie for his scripts, actresses and actors want to perform in his movies, and a university in England offers him a fabulous sum to teach for one year.

Kennedy is also a first-class jerk. He drinks and smokes daily to excess, brawls like a sailor with anyone who crosses him, and puts more women to bed than a rock star.

He ignores his dying mother, neglects his ex-wife and daughter, refuses to return desWriter perate phone calls from his agent, and owes the IRS over a million in taxes.

In Straight White Male (Black Cat Press, 2013, paperback, 374 pages, $15), John Niven gives us a hilarious story of a writer gone mad on money and success. Despite all his shortcomings — his wild womanizing, his drinking (Marr makes the characters in Hemingway’s novels look like teetotaling aunts), his kiss-off attitude toward his obligations — Kennedy is indeed, as one reviewer put it, a “most lovable rogue.” On page after page, Niven gives us great comedy.

Here, for instance, is Marr on his first day of teaching class. He was supposed to read 200 writing samples by students wishing to sit in the classes, but being Kennedy Marr he instead delivers a karate kick to the piles of papers and takes the first 20 he picks from the floor. Then in his first class:

Jeff Minick

I

“Seven undergraduate faces: four guys and three girls. (Yeah, he really should have thought this through.) Besides this Tim now speaking there was another pimpled late-teens bumboy who was staring at Kennedy like he was the burn-

ing bush and an older mature-student-type guy, in his mid-thirties Kennedy guessed, sitting with arms folded in ‘impress me’ manner. Among the women was another mature student, around his own age with a savage wedge of hair and a sizable butt encased in enough loose denim to carpet the room, a studious-looking girl of about twenty already frantically taking notes, and finally, at the back … hello.”

Manhattan, Gaffigan here shares his love of food. Well, most foods: he doesn’t care for everything in the grocery store. For example, he despises seafood. Of oysters, he has this to say: “Often on the menu, oysters will be listed as ‘oysters on the half shell.’ As opposed to what? ‘In a Kleenex?’”

Food is a book that tempts the reviewer to simply snatch quotations out of the text, a temptation I to which I am now going to

Soon, of course, he is sleeping with this student.

When his debt to the IRS forces Marr to take the teaching job, he slowly finds himself wrapped up once more in the lives of those he once loved. In one of the sweetest scenes in the novel, he reunites with his dying mother; he later tried to grapple with his sister’s suicide; he tries, again comically, to reconnect with his daughter.

To follow this book to its close would spoil the plot for readers. Suffice it to say that this is easily the funniest novel I have read in quite a while. Not everyone will enjoy its raw humor, but it had me laughing out loud.

••• In Food: A Love Story (Crown Archetype, 2014, 341 pages, $26), comedian Jim Gaffigan, author of Dad Is Fat and star of several comedy specials, gives us his take on food — the funniest and most unusual take on cooking and eating (mostly eating) that I’ve come across. Famous for his “Hot Pocket” skit and for his comedy about living with his wife and five young children in a two-bedroom walk-up in

Celebrate National Poetry Month at Jackson library For the month of April, the Jackson County Library in Sylva will host three events as part of the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poetry Series.

Join current Distinguished Poet for the western part of North Carolina, Brent Martin, with three of his student poets to hear them and other guest poets present their current work. Poet Tyler Auffhammer will read on April 2, with Alison Howe on April 23 and Mary Christensen April 30. All events begin at 6:30 p.m.

Martin is the author of three chapbook collections of poetry — Poems from Snow Hill Road, A Shout in the Woods and Staring the Red Earth Down.

Auffhammer is a senior at Western Carolina University, where he majors in Secondary English Education. He primarily writes narrative nonfiction and poetry. Christenson holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in

Straight White Male by Kennedy Marr. Black Cat Press, 2013.

374 pages

English from Western Carolina University and will begin an MFA in Creative Writing program for poetry come fall.

Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library. Free. 828.586.2016 or www.fontanalib.org.

Bjorlie reading, signing Writer Carol Bjorlie will read from her works Sweet Harmony and Impossible Brightening at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

Sweet Harmony is part of a trilogy series that tells the story of 13-year-old Iris Andersen and her families’ life in their new farm community in Harmony, Minnesota. She witnesses her first blizzard, tornado, her mother’s depression, her grandfather’s passing and her sister’s battle with Scarlet Fever. After one year, her parents decide to move back to the South. They aren’t prepared for the community that will not give up on them.

Impossible Brightening is her latest collection of poetry. Bjorlie

yield.

Gaffigan on cheese curds: “I don’t really know what cheese curds are. I guess they are like the cookie dough of cheese. Either way, cheese curds sound pretty unhealthy and are a key element of the Canadian national treasure, poutine. In Wisconsin they have deepfried cheese curds, which taste like French fries and heaven had a baby.”

On biscuits and gravy: “Most amazingly, people in the South are eating biscuits and gravy for breakfast. Yes, breakfast. They aren’t coming home drunk late at night slurring, ‘I’ll eat anything.’ They are waking up thinking, Time for cement!”

On Smartwater: “Recently, I tried Smartwater, which has electrolytes in it, and it’s supposed to replenish your body better than regular bottled water, therefore making you, I guess, smarter. I tried it, and it totally worked. I am now much smarter. Now I only drink tap water.”

On fortune cookies: “Baker: ‘Oh, you have to try the new cookie I created. Tell me what you think.’ Sampler: ‘Okay. (Chewing) Interesting. You know what this could use?

Paper. This would be good for holding a note.

Like maybe for a fortune or a recipe for a good cookie.’ Baker: ‘Oh. How much should I charge for them?’ Sampler: ‘I’d give them away with the check. You got a spit bucket around here?’”

On McDonalds, where Gaffigan sometimes eats, but is embarrassed to be seen: “‘What are you doing here, Jim?’ Not wanting to embarrass and humiliate myself by admitting I’m there for the food, I say, ‘Oh, I’m just meeting a hooker. He should be here by now.’”

Jim Gaffigan, promoter of hot dogs, cheeseburgers, waffles, ketchup, and much more, but mostly one of the funniest comedians working today.

(Jeff Minick is a writer and teacher. He can be reached at minick0301@gmail.com.)

is a member of the Asheville Cello Choir and teaches writing at the North Carolina Creative Retirement at UNC-Asheville.

828.586.9499.

Joy to present acclaimed book Writer David Joy will read and discuss his debut novel Where All Light Tends to Go at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 11, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.

Joy’s “Appalachian noir” is a coming of age story, where blood is thicker than water and Jacob McNeely is drowning in it. The book has already garnered in-house enthusiasm along with praise from authors Daniel Woodrell, Ron Rash, Tawni O’Dell and Ace Atkins.

Joy has lived in North Carolina his whole life and currently lives Webster. He is also the author of Growing Gills: A Fly Fisherman’s Journey, which was a finalist for the Reed Environmental Writing Award and the Ragan Old North State Award for Creative Nonfiction. www.blueridgebooksnc.com or 828.456.6000.

books April 1-7, 2015

Smoky Mountain News

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Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

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Brushes with bears

Life in bear country Bear encounter sparks camping closure, bear canister requirement

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER pair of hikers camped near the Lower Falls in Graveyard Fields got a rude awakening March 16 when a bear entered the tent where the backpackers — and at least one of their packs — were spending the night.

“That right there is the number one ‘do not do’ when you’re camping is keeping anything with food inside your tent,” said Justin McVey, wildlife biologist for the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. “The situation could have easily been alleviated had the camper hung the food.”

Though the bear left the hikers alone, it carried off the backpack. When the hiker reported the incident two days later — the report did not specify whether the backpack did, in fact, contain food — the U.S. Forest Service decided that encounter was too close for comfort.

“We’re trying to break that habit so the bear doesn’t become used to people,” said Derek Ibarguen, district ranger for the Pisgah district of the Pisgah National Forest. “We want to protect both the bears and our visitors.”

Those protection measures will be twofold: temporary closure of camping at Graveyard Fields — a popular hiking area and jumping-off point to the Pisgah National Forest on the Blue Ridge Parkway between intersections with N.C. 215 and U.S. 276 — and a permanent requirement that campers store their food in bear canisters when exploring the Shining Rock Wilderness, Black Balsam, Sams Knob and Flat Laurel Creek areas. Camping without a bear canister could result in anything from a verbal warning to a $125 fine.

A

BEAR CANISTERS REQUIRED The new regulations weren’t a random decision, Ibarguen said. The Forest Service started tracking tallies of bear encounters in 2012, bringing in the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission to analyze how to respond to different kinds of bear incidents.

They determined that if a bear came into close contact with a tent — which is what happened March 16 — the area should be closed to overnight camping. If the bear got food even though the person stored their equipment properly — something that’s been reported in the areas where bear canisters are now required — bear canisters should be

Bear boom expected this year This spring is expected to be a big one for bears, with a “bumper crop” of cubs likely to roam the woods.

“I don’t know if we can say each bear is going to have three or four cubs, but each bear is going to have a lot more cubs,” said Justin McVey, wildlife biologist for the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

The reason? Tons of nuts in the fall. The bears had an easy time fattening up on the abundant acorns and hickory nuts peppering the forest floor, meaning the females overwintered with the energy

View from Graveyard Fields overlook. Holly Kays photo A momma bear and her two cubs investigate a bird feeder. (below) Donated photo used.

The canisters are sturdy plastic tubes that close securely so that bears, while able to smell the food inside, can’t get it out. That keeps them from associating campsites with treats.

They’re required in a number of parks out West, including areas of Yosemite, Grand Teton and Olympic national parks. Canister requirements are more rare in the Eastern U.S. but do exist. Between April and November, they’re required in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness Area in New York’s Adirondack Mountains. In the Southeast, some areas of the Appalachian Trail in North Georgia require them, and bear containers are

Forest and wildlife managers have been thinking about requiring bear canisters in the Shining Rock Wilderness Area for a while, Pisgah District Ranger Derek Ibarguen said, because the bulk of bear encounters happen in that neck of the woods.

The U.S. Forest Service started tallying bear encounter reports in 2012, racking up the following numbers in the Shining Rock Wilderness, Black Balsam and Graveyard Fields areas: ■ 2012 – 17 reports ■ 2013 – 0 ■ 2014 – 22 ■ 2015 – 1 There is still plenty of time to go in 2015, with May expected to be the busiest time for bear encounters. That’s when bears are breeding and last year’s cubs are disbursing.

“There’s just a lot of bear movement,” said Justin McVey, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission wildlife biologist.

As for the big fat zero recorded in 2013?

It’s a mystery, Ibarguen said.

provided in frontcountry camping in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, located in Tennessee. Friends of the Smokies has provided food-hanging cables for nearly all backcountry sites in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“The bear canister thing is just a good idea in general,” McVey said. “We do have a large bear population and we have a lot of hikers and backpackers and that kind of thing, and it’s just a good precaution to take.”

Typically, backpackers are asked to hang any food or scented items from a tree so the bears can’t get to it. The problem with that, McVey said, is that not everybody does it and not everybody does it right. And in some places there just aren’t trees that work for bag hanging.

“The feedback we’ve gotten from people is ‘Thank you,’” Ibarguen said. “People’s ears perk up when we talk about bears.”

ADJUSTMENTS FOR OUTFITTERS It’s possible that not everyone will be happy about the regulations, however. Bear canisters aren’t that cheap, retailing for about $70 to

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reserves to produce more cubs.

The high nut production also meant that hunters harvested fewer bears, with numbers down about 50 percent. When there’s food everywhere, McVey explained, bears don’t have to move very far to find it.

“The hounds have to get on the scent of the bear,” he said. “If the bears aren’t traveling around as much, they’re not leaving as much scent around and dogs can’t find them as easily.”

Usually, female bears give birth to two or three cubs during February or March. It’s too early to say what the average numbers will look like this year, McVey said, but observations from the Urban/Suburban Bear Study in Asheville — a four-year study

designed to learn more about how bears live in populated areas — have included a lot of bear moms with three or four cubs.

Upward-reaching bear numbers aren’t anything new, McVey said.

“Our bear population has been increasing by about 6 percent per year for the past number of years, and that’s a trend that we expect to continue because we haven’t really changed our bear regulations or harvest laws,” he said.

Currently, an estimated 10,000 bears live in the 23 western counties.

“When you live in Western North Carolina, you have to expect to see bears,” McVey said. “We are in bear country.”

Better Quality, Better Prices

A forum on how to transition to solar energy will be held at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 7, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin, the second in a string of events to be held throughout the region this spring and summer.

The Solarize WNC campaign, a partnership of The Canary Coalition and Clean Energy for WNC, aims to create a clear path for solar and energy efficiency adoption by

connecting interested homeowners, businesses and agencies with the solar industry.

The forum will cover basics on technology, tax credits utility rebates and financing, and include a chance to meet experienced solar technology installers.

Free. Register at www.cleanenergyfor.us/clean-energy-forwnc. The next forum will be 7 p.m. April 21 at First United Methodist Church in Waynesville. 828.631.3447 or info@canarycoalition.org.

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Smoky Mountain News

requirement, Ibarguen hopes campers will $80. Especially in the early days of the see it more as a protection than as a liabilirequirement, people who are visiting ty.

Shining Rock for a few days of backcountry “I would like visitors to understand that camping might be unpleasantly surprised their investment in the canister is an investby the extra cost to their trip. ment in their safety and the bear’s safety,” For that reason, said Headwaters he said. “Bears continuing to successfully Outfitter owner David Whitmire, it’s possiacquire food could lead to future overnight ble the store might not only start selling camping closures, and changing the bears’ bear canisters but also consider a rental habits proprogram. Located on tects both N.C. 215 just outside bears and Rosman in visitors and Transylvania County, ensures the the store is directly on area the way to the Shining remains Rock Wilderness and open.” the Blue Ridge Not that Parkway. bears are in “I think outfitters the habit of would definitely have mauling to adapt to it,” backcountry Whitmire said. “I users. To think it would be a A black bear cub peeks the conservice we’d definitely around a tree. Donated photo trary, have to look at.”

Ibarguen A bigger deterrent said, than the cost of the March’s instance of a bear entering a tent is canisters could be the extra weight, the most serious encounter he’s heard of in Whitmire said. Bear canisters are typically his three-and-a-half years working in the about 1 foot long and weigh about 3 Pisgah National Forest. The only incident of pounds. Overall, though, he thinks the new death by bear Whitmire could recall was a regulation will be a good thing.

2000 incident in the Great Smoky “Right now they’ve banned everyone out Mountains National Park. On the flip side, of Graveyard Fields at night, and that’s not a bear that had been raiding a Maggie going to be a good policy for long-term. I Valley homeowner’s birdfeeder wound up think this is a good way to manage that,” dead last year when it charged the homeWhitmire said. “Anything that will make owner and met a shotgun bullet. our users safer I would definitely approve.”

The canister requirement is there for both bear and human safety, Ibarguen said.

AFETY FOR But for people who don’t want to PEOPLE AND BEARS acquire a canister, other areas of the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests have similarThe Forest Service expects to reopen ly spectacular hikes without the canister camping at Graveyard Fields in a couple requirement, though proper food storage is weeks, the idea being that the weeks of clostill a must everywhere. sures will give bears time to reform any bad “You gotta be responsible and you gotta food-finding habits they’ve acquired. be smart,” Whitmire said.

As to the more permanent food canister

outdoors

Solarize WNC forums demystify solar energy for the masses

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

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outdoors

Fourth-place finisher Wesley Miller, of Asheville, navigates a snowy descent.

Michael Henson photo

The fifth annual Assault on BlackRock trail race is now in the rearview mirror, with 82 brave souls battling freezing temperatures frosted with snow and ice to complete the grueling 7-mile race.

The race takes off from Pinnacle Park in Sylva and climbs a steep trail up to Blackrock Mountain in the old Sylva watershed before returning back to the trailhead.

Times spanned the gamut from 1 hour, 14 minutes to 3 hours, 17 minutes.

Top finishers were: ■ Eli White, 28, Cullowhee, 1:14:06 ■ Kevin Fitzgerald, 56, Waynesville, 1:20:02 ■ David Workman, 44, Hendersonville, 1:24:15 The event raised $2,406 for The Community Table, a nonprofit in Sylva that serves hot meals and operates a food pantry for those facing food insecurity.

The Jackson County Bike Rodeo is calling all kids to come out 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 11, to the Jackson Recreation Park in Cullowhee to learn more about life on two wheels.

The rodeo, a collaboration of myriad area agencies and organizations, is designed for children in kindergarten through fourth grade. Stations will provide helmet and bike inspections, riding lessons, a beginner bike course, an off-road bike course, a trick riding demo and bike maintenance lessons for parents.

For kids without bikes, a limited number of bicycles will be there to borrow.

Free. Jennifer Bennett, 828.293.3053 or jenniferbennett@jacksonnc.org.

Young cyclists try out their wheels.

William Buddenberg photo

Farmers fair planned A resource fair featuring booths and one-on-one sessions for Western North Carolina farmers will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9, in the Burrell Building of Southwestern Community College in Sylva.

Representatives from Cooperative Extension, the Small Business Center at SCC, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and the Southwestern N.C. Resource Conservation and Development Council will all be present, among others. Tables are still available at no charge for others who would like to participate.

The fair will coincide with the final meeting of the 2015 Appalachian Farm School, a pilot program aimed at centralizing agricultural business training in WNC. Free. A program of the Western North Carolina Food Policy Council with support from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.

Emily Edmonds, wncfpc@gmail.com. www.wncfpc.org.

Trail race to tour Nantahala Gorge A challenging trail race through the Nantahala River Gorge will take runners up Flint Ridge Trail with views of the Smokies

and zip past waterfalls this weekend.

The Nantahala Hilly Half-Marathon and 5K, presented by Run Bum Tours, will step off from Nantahala Outdoor Center at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 4. An afterparty, awards ceremony and live music will cap off the day.

Onsite registration will take place 7:308:30 a.m. at the NOC Outfitter’s Store.

Competitors receive a t-shirt, finisher’s award and free beer. $35 5K; $50 halfmarathon. www.noc.com/events/nantahala-hillyhalf-marathon-5k.

Smoky Mountain News

April 1-7, 2015

Locals take gold and silver in Assault on BlackRock

Bike rodeo comes to Jackson County

facebook.com/smnews 40

outdoors

Birding walks start up in Franklin It’s bird-watching time again in Franklin. The Franklin Bird Club kicks off its spring and summer schedule of weekly Wednesday morning birding walks at 8 a.m. April 1 with a walk along the Franklin Greenway, followed by an April 8 Greenway walk that will meet 8 a.m. at Salali Lane.

828.524.5234 or www.franklinbirdclub.com.

Trunk sale to support the Franklin greenway A trunk sale to support Franklin’s Friends of the Greenway will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 11, at the FROG headquarters, located at 573 Main St. in Franklin, as part of the Franklin Trail Days events.

“It’s an opportunity for area outdoor enthusiasts to buy and sell hiking accessories or for anyone to find some new ‘treasure,’” said Rita St. Claire, FROG board member.

Seller slots are $20 apiece, with registration open at FROG headquarters through April 5. Hot dogs and drinks will be available for purchase.

Caring Together Sets Us Apart

The Macon County Community Garden Committee is looking for gardeners to work the ground for its fifth season.

The 500-square-foot spaces are limed and tilled, but gardeners must supply their own fertilizer, seeds and plants. Each gardener should donate a portion of the produce to Macon County Care Net, which uses the produce in food relief efforts. $25 per spot with 24 spaces available.

828.349.2046.

Outdoor-related programs will abound at the Macon County Library in Franklin over the coming weeks as it continues its month-long celebration of the Appalachian Trail in conjunction with Franklin Trail Days. Events range from a screening of “Wild,” a book-based movie chronicling one woman’s 1,100-mile solo trek along the Pacific Crest Trail, to a talk about easy hikes around Macon County by Jack Blake of Silver Striders of Macon County.

Watch the outdoors category in The Smoky Mountain News calendar over coming weeks for a complete list of programs, dates and times.

828.524.3600.

Our deep roots in the community lead us to believe that healthcare is about connec ting with people. It’s about knowing where you came from, and knowing where you’re going.

Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital are now Duke LifePoint hospitals. And that means great things for the communities we serve – like new technologies, more doc tors and

Smoky Mountain News

Macon Library hits the trail

April 1-7, 2015

Gardening season open in Macon community garden

enhanced services.

When When it it comes comes to to caring caring for for your your h health, ealth, w we e know know that that caring caring together together sets sets us us apart. apart. To To find find a physician physician or or services, services, call call (844) (844) 414-DOCS. 414-DOCS.

MyHarrisRegional.com MyH arrisR egional.com

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MySwainCommunity.com MySwainCommunity.com 41

outdoors

Diane E. Sherrill, Attorney

The tower at Clingmans Dome stands on the highest point in the park and is third highest peak east of the Mississippi River. NPS photo

286-87

Is a Will Enough?

FREE ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR April 8 • April 22 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dillsboro, NC

828.586.4051

Clingmans Dome Road opens for the year

nctrustlawyer.com

Clingmans Dome Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park opened last week, six days ahead of its scheduled April 1 opening.

Mild temperatures the week preceding had allowed park crews to prepare the road

newsdesk crafts

April 1-7, 2015

28 Maple St. • Sylva

Easter weekend trail magicians sought Thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail around Franklin won’t miss out on Easter baskets this year due to the Nantahala Hiking Club’s Easter on the Trail event Saturday, April 4.

Volunteers will pass out bags of candy, fruit and hardboiled eggs to hikers along the trail.

Donations of fruit and candy can be dropped off ahead of time at the Friends of the Greenway headquarters on Main Street in Franklin, and hardboiled eggs should be brought the day of the event.

Volunteers will meet at 8:30 a.m. April 4 at NHC’s clubhouse on Carl Slagle Road to start filling the bags, and then the group will split up to hit as many parts of the A.T. as possible. Time on the trail varies, depending on how long it takes to pass out the bags of “trail magic,” as hikers call gifts from strangers.

Elena Marsh, marsh67@frontier.com or 828.369.8915

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# 314 - free hat

Smoky Mountain News

286-110

RESIDENTIAL HOUSECLEANING

Serving Haywood County Call Tanya for a free estimate—828-734-0671

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ahead of schedule, allowing the 7-mile spur road to 6,643-foot Clingman’s Dome to handle vehicles more quickly.

More seasonal opening dates for park facilities are online at www.nps.gov/ grsm/planyourvisit/hours.htm.

BONDED & INSURED

Go back in time on Cataloochee hike

cost labor for the park while giving students hands-on work experience. $10 for Friends of the Smokies members; $35 for non-members with one-year membership included. Members who bring a friend hike free. Registration proceeds benefit the Friends’ Smokies Trails Forever

A hike through history in the Cataloochee area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be held April 14, taking participants past scenic views, blooming wildflowers, rushing creeks, an old gravesite and a historic home.

The Caldwell Fork Loop hike, a 9.4-mile excursion, is part of the Friends of the Smokies’ Classic Hike series. It will be led by Danny Bernstein, Ashevillebased hiking guide and author.

Hikers will take in the historic Woody Home and might catch a glimpse of the elk herd, a Spring blooms will arrive in time for Friends of the Smokies’ species reintroduced in next guided hike. Donated photo 2001.

The hike will feature program. information on Friends of the Smokies’ RSVP to AnnaLee@friendsofthesmokwork, including its Student Conservation ies.org.

Association internships, which provide low-

Jackson market returns to outdoor location The Jackson County Farmers Market will hold a scavenger egg hunt for kids at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 4, at Bridge Park in Sylva, an event to celebrate its move outside for the season.

The hunt will conclude at noon, with prizes awaiting children who solve the clues leading to them.

The Jackson Farmer’s Market is moving from its indoor winter location back to Bridge Park in downtown Sylva this weekend, which comes with a return of regular hours from 9 a.m. to noon.

Vendors sell a variety of goods, ranging from vegetables to baked goods to pottery to eggs.

828.399.0290 or jacksoncountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

A free program titled “Photographing Waterfalls” will be hosted by the Cold Mountain Photographic Society at 7 p.m. Monday, April 13, at the Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center.

The presenter, Everette Robinson of Asheville, will cover equipment, technique and tips for better photographs of waterfalls. Robinson has been photographing WNC for more than 30 years with waterfalls as his favorite subject.

Cold Mountain Photographic Society is open to anyone interested in photography. Members may participate in image critiques, photo outings and monthly photography themes. The club meets on the second Monday of each month, and guests are always welcome. coldmountainphoto.wordpress.com

Stretch out the growing season

Sam Branch Falls. Everette Robinson photo

Prescribed burn planned for Max Patch

A prescribed burn of 450 acres, including Max Patch Bald in the Pisgah National Forest, will start this week with the goal of reducing the risk of wildfire in the future.

The burn will reduce dead grasses and woody debris to prevent nearby communities from facing wildfire later. The burn will also improve habitat for fire-adapted species and ensure Max Patch Bald remains an open, scenic area, according to a U.S. Forest Service press release.

All roads and trails will remain open, but visitors should expect to see smoke and fire engines.

Learn to get the most out of your garden with a program covering what to plant in each season and how to use season extenders, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at the Canton Branch Library. Master Gardener Hughes Roberts will teach the program.

Free. An initiative of the Haywood County Public Library, Haywood County Cooperative Extension and Haywood County Master Gardener Association with support by Friends of the Library and the Master Gardener Volunteer Association.

828.648.2924.

(Saturday, April 4)

• 11:00 am: Ages 1-3 • 11:15 am: Ages 4-7 • 11:30 am: Ages 8-12

SUNDAY, APRIL 5

• 8:30 am: Friends of the Lake 5K* • 8:35 am: 5K Family Walk* • 9:30 am: Children’s Fun Run *Registration required.

• 10:30 am–12:00 pm: Egg Decorating and Children’s Indoor Activities • 11:45 am: Egg Decorating Contest Judging • 12:00 pm: Egg Decorating Contest Award Ceremony

• 7:00 am: Easter Sunrise Service, Amphitheater at the Cross. Weather permitting. Rain location is Memorial Chapel.

• 7:30 am–9:00 am: Easter Breakfast Buffet at Lambuth Inn. Tickets available at the front desk of the Lambuth on Sunday morning.

• 10:30 am: Long’s Chapel UMC Easter Service, Stuart Auditorium • 11:30 am–2:30 pm: Easter Lunch Buffet, The Terrace. Reservations recommended. Call 828.454.6662 or visit the Bethea Welcome Center.

For more information, visit www.lakejunaluska.com/easter 828-452-2881

Smoky Mountain News

Children’s activities located near Stuart Auditorium and inside Harrell Center Auditorium.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4

April 1-7, 2015

Easter Activities at Lake Junaluska EASTER EGG HUNTS

outdoors

Learn tips and tricks for waterfall photography

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Smoky Mountain News April 1-7, 2015

outdoors

WNC Calendar COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • A program titled “Land and the Early Settlers of Swain County: Who Lived Where and Where They Went,” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. April 2 at the Swain County Geneological and Historical Society in Bryson City. Presenter will be Mary Wachacha.

• ReptiDay Asheville, a one-day reptile event featuring vendors offering reptile pets, supplies, feeders, cages and merchandise as well as live animal seminars and raffles, will be held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on April 4, at the Western North Carolina Agriculture Center in Asheville. www.reptiday.com/asheville.html or 863.268.4273.

• “Your Police Department,” a brown-bag discussion that’s part of the “Whee Safe” series, will be held at noon on April 7, in the multipurpose room of A.K. Hinds University Center in Cullowhee. Hosted by Western Carolina University’s Emergency Services Department and Police Department. police.wcu.edu or 227.7301.

• Southwestern Community College will host its 50th anniversary open house celebration from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, April 10, at the Jackson Campus. Scholarship giveaway/scavenger hunt contest; free food and t-shirts while supplies last; exhibitions from SCC’s 80-plus programs; and free cruise-in for cars, trucks and bikes. Tyler Norris Goode at 339.4394 or t_goode@southwesterncc.edu.

• Tours and informative sessions about Barium Springs, which merged with Grandfather Home for Children, will be held at noon on April 6 and April 20 at Hawthorn Heights in Bryson City.

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 Fund. Reservations can be made by calling 586.2248. $15, by reservation only.

• Canton Easter Egg Hunt is at 10 a.m. on April 4 at Canton Recreation Park. For ages 1-12. Sponsored by Town of Canton, Canton Police Department and Champion Credit Union.

• An Easter egg hunt is set for 3-4:30 p.m. on April 4 at the Sapphire Valley Community Center. Photos with Easter Bunny. Refreshments follow hunt. 743.7663.

• A weekend of Easter activities and worship services will be held April 4-5 at Lake Junaluska. Activities include Friends of the Lake 5K, Easter egg hunts, eggdecorating contests and a sunrise service. Detailed schedule at www.lakejunaluska.com/easter. Tickets for Easter lunch are available at the Bethea Welcome Center or by calling 454.6662.

• An Easter Celebration will be held at 10:25 a.m. on April 5 at Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Lake Junaluska. 456.3993 or www.longschapel.com.

• The Town of Canton will host public meetings from 57:30 p.m. on April 13 at Canton Armory/Senior Center to get input for its master plan for Canton Recreation Park improvements. Seth Hendler-Voss at 648.2363 or shendler-voss@cantonnc.net.

• The Village Green in Cashiers will host an Easter Egg Hunt at 11 a.m. April 4 and a Community Easter Sunrise Service at 7 a.m. on April 5. For info or to make a donation, call 743.3434 or visit www.villagegreencashiersnc.com.

• Swain County Chamber of Commerce’s annual chamber banquet is from 6-9 p.m. on April 16, at the Fryemont Inn. Early bird tickets are $30 per person. $35 week of event.

• A scavenger egg hunt to celebrate the Jackson County Farmer Market’s outdoor new market season will be held on April 4 at the market’s Bridge Park location.

The market will be open from 9 a.m.-noon. Scavenger hunt is from 10 a.m.-noon. Info: jacksoncountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com, or jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org.

• The Antique Car Franklin History Tour is set for 1:30 p.m. on April 19, starting at the Town Hall parking lot in downtown Franklin. For vehicles 50 years old and older.

RSVP to maconantiquecars@aol.com.

• Graceann’s Amazing Breakfast is 8-10 a.m. every Tuesday in the Sapphire Room at the Sapphire Valley Community Center. 743.7663.

EASTER

• Dillsboro’s Easter festivities will be held April 4. An Easter Hat Parade starts at 2 p.m. on April 4, at Town Hall. Easter hat making workshops begin at 10 a.m. for children at Dogwood Crafters. Easter egg hunt for children under ten starts at 11 a.m. Bring your camera for pictures with the Easter Bunny. 506.8331.

• An Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on April 3 at Eckerd Living Center at the HighlandsCashiers Hospital.

• An Easter egg hunt and festival will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on April 4 at the New Hope Church of God in Waynesville. Games, prizes, inflatables and free food.

456.3509.

• The Peanuts Easter Beagle Express Train will be at 11 a.m. April 3-4 at the Bryson City Train Depot. Enjoy the characters of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and crew. Easter Egg Hunt, crafts, snacks, and more. 800.872.4681 or www.gsmr.com.

• An Easter Egg Hunt and duckie race will be at 11 a.m. April 4 at the Stecoach Valley Center. Visit by the Easter Bunny, bonnet contest, children’s activities, and more. www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.

• An Easter egg hunt and other holiday activities will be held April 3-5 at Fontana Village Resort in Fontana Dam. For info, visit: www.fontanavillage.com.

• Eggstravaganza will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 3 at The Factory. The $13 kids crew member pass includes a pizza buffet, ice cream bar, face painting, gaming bonus and an “eggcellent scavenger hunt.”

There will also be photos with the Easter Bunny.

828.349.8888 or www.thefactory.bz.

• Dogwood Crafters will hold Easter Tea seatings at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on April 4, at Historic Jarrett House in Dillsboro in conjunction with the Annual Dillsboro Easter Hat Parade. A fundraiser for Dogwood’s Building

• An Easter Egg Hunt will be held at 3 p.m. April 4, at the Smoky Mountain Sk8way. Pictures with the Easter Bunny, face painting, roller-skating, climbing wall, egg hunt, and more. $5.

• The Maggie Valley Civic Association will hold its annual Easter Sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. on April 5 at the Maggie Valley Community Pavilion. Free pancake breakfast follows the service.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • A workshop designed for law enforcement and medico-legal personnel, “Death, Decomposition and Digging for the Truth,” will be offered Wednesday and

Smoky Mountain News

Thursday, April 1-2, on the Western Carolina University campus. For info or to register, visit pdp.wcu.edu or call 227.7397.

• A downtown Bryson City merchants meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 2, at the Swain County Chamber of Commerce. 488.3681 or chamber@greatsmokies.com.

• “Getting Paid to Talk,” a single-evening introduction to the world of voice overs, will be offered by Southwestern Community College from 5:30-8 p.m. on April 2, at the Macon Campus. To register, visit www.southwesterncc.edu, 306.7001 or email j_williams@southwesterncc.edu.

• “Ideation: The Business Model Canvas” will be the topic of a seminar held from 6-9 p.m. on April 9, in the 1500 Building auditorium at Haywood Community College in Clyde. The course will change the way you think about traditional business idea development.

Speaker is Katy M. Gould. sbc.haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Learn how to master your elevator pitch in a small business seminar from 6-9 p.m. on April 15 in the 1500 Building auditorium at Haywood Community College in Clyde. Chisa Brown is the speaker. sbc.haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Free tax preparation by trained volunteers certified by the IRS will be offered every Tuesday through April 14 at the Jackson County Public Library (3-6:45 p.m.) and the Jackson County Senior Center (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) - both in Sylva. For info: Donald Selzer (293.0074), Senior Center (586.4944) or library (586.2016).

• Entrepreneurs and owners of existing small businesses will have the opportunity to vie for a share of $7,000 in prize money to help start up or grow their businesses when Western Carolina University hosts the inaugural LEAD: Innovation conference from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on April 22 in the Health and Human Sciences Building in Cullowhee. innovation.wcu.edu or contact Ed Wright at 278.8CEI. The submission deadline for the competition is April 1.

• A series of free lunch-and-learn workshops about the Cherokee language and current efforts to increase its use in North Carolina will be held from noon-1 p.m. on Tuesdays through April 21 at SpeakEasyPress in the Riverwood Studios/Oaks Gallery in Dillsboro. frank@speakeasypress.com.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • An orientation and training session for anyone interested in serving as a volunteer to assist Great Smoky Mountain National Park visitors will start at 10 a.m. on April 1 at the Oconaluftee Multi-Purpose Room adjacent to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee.

Kathleen Stuart at 497.1914.

• Haywood Community College’s Library will hold a used book sale from 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. daily through April 2. 627.4550.

• The Haywood Jackson Volunteer Center is looking for bakers to bake a chocolate or dessert recipe for the 16th annual Taste of Chocolate Plus sponsored by First Citizens Bank. This year’s event is on April 18 at Maggie Valley Country Club. 356.2833 or jchicoine@mountainprojects.org. Tickets are $12/15 and can be purchased at Maggie Valley Club, Chocolate Bear, Blue Ridge Books and Quilters Quarters and The Better Bean Coffee House.

• Balsam Range will conclude its Winter Series with a concert at 7:30 p.m. on April 4 at the Historic Colonial Theatre in Canton. The group will be joined by The Studio Dream Team of Jeff Collins, David Johnson and Tony Creasman. All sponsorships will go toward raising support and awareness for foster children of Haywood County.

Rachel Young at 356.2435 or ryoung@haywoodnc.net.

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All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

• Clyde Elementary PTO is selling Asheville Tourists baseball tickets for $6 each. This is a discount of $2/adult and $1/child. Clyde Elementary gets $3 for each ticket sold. No limit on how many tickets can be bought.

Tickets can be used at all games except for Thursday games, July 3 and playoff games. Tickets on sale through April 3. ptoclydeelementary@gmail.com or 627-2206.

• A barbecue fundraiser to benefit the Southwestern Community College Foundation’s student emergency fund will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on April 7 at the SCC Jackson Campus. $5 per meal. RSVPs are encouraged: 339.4227 or k_posey@southwesterncc.edu.

• A 5K Zombie Run benefitting Relay for Life of Franklin will be held April 8 starting at the Frog Headquarters and ending at Southwestern Community College’s Macon Campus. Sponsored by SCC’s Relay for Life team. $15 entry fee.

• The Eighth-Annual Chocolate Cook-Off will be held April 24 at the Swain County Chamber of Commerce.

Fundraiser for Friends of the Marianna Black Library.

Application deadline is April 10; applications available at Marianna Black Library, Friends of the Library Bookstore or at http://fontanalib.org/node/180.

• A trunk sale to support Franklin’s Friends of the Greenway will be held 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 11 at the FROG headquarters in Franklin as part of the Franklin Trail Days event schedule. Seller slots are $20 each; registration open at FROG headquarters through April 5.

Hot dogs and drinks available for purchase.

• The third-annual “5KARE” 5K and Super Hero Fun Run will be held at 9 a.m. on April 25 in downtown Waynesville. $10 for ages 12-under, $20 for all other ages who preregister by April 11; $25 after April 11.

Info: 456.8995. Register at www.Karehouse.org/20155kare.html. Proceeds benefit KARE, a nationally accredited Child Advocacy Center serving Haywood County.

• A Bubble Bunny 5K Fun Run/Walk will be held April 11, in The Village of Forest Hills. Proceeds support Mountain Discovery Charter School’s athletic, music and theater programs. $20 registration fee. Check-in at 8:30 a.m.; race starts at 9:30 a.m. Pre-register at www.active.com or www.mountaindiscovery.org.

• The Joe Lasher Jr. Band performs at 7 p.m. on April 18 at the Colonial Theater in Canton as part of the “Down Home Tour.” Tickets are $7; proceeds benefit The Community Kitchen. 648.0014. www.joelasherjr.com.

• Western Carolina University’s Friends of the Arts organization will hold its annual benefit fundraiser, with a silent auction, raffle and performance, starting at 4:30 p.m. on April 24. “All Night Long” performance will feature WCU’s Catamount Singers and instrumental group Electri Coul as well as WCU graduate/singersongwriter Jeanne Jolly. Tickets for performance are $15 for adults, $10 for WCU faculty and staff and $5 for students. Tickets available at 227.2479. foa.wcu.edu.

HEALTH MATTERS • A Red Cross Blood Drive is scheduled from 9 a.m.1:30 p.m. on April 1 at Haywood Regional Medical Center Health and Fitness Center Classrooms in Clyde.

• A Red Cross Blood Drive is set for 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on April 2 at Cashiers Baptist Church in Cashiers.

• A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 1:30-6 p.m. on April 2 at Macon Middle School in Franklin.

• A Red Cross Blood Drive is set for 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on April 3 at Franklin First United Methodist Church in Franklin.

wnc calendar

• Relay for Life of West Haywood will hold its annual dinner for cancer survivors at 6 p.m. on April 14 at Cornerstone Fellowship Church in Waynesville.

Survivors and caregivers receive a free dinner. Raffle prizes will be given away. RSVP by April 6 at 254.6931.

RECREATION AND FITNESS • The Franklin Disc Golf Club will cover the game’s history, demonstrate and help with driving and putting techniques then lead a round at 1 p.m. on April 11 at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

524.3600.

• An event focused on stress management will be offered from 6-7 p.m. on April 7 at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva. A full calendar is available at www.westcare.org or by calling Melanie Batchelor at 586.7734.

• The Smoky Mountain Aquatic Club will offer a clinic to improve your swimming technique from 9-11 a.m. on April 11 at the Waynesville Recreation Center. For ages 16 and older. $20 for members; $25 for nonmembers. Charlie McCanless at coachmccanless@gmail.com.

• A blood drive will be held from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on April 7 at the Junaluska Fire Department’s station.

456.9934 or 800.733.2767.

• A Zumba dance class will be at 7 p.m. April 7 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Classes will also run April 14, 21 and 28. $20. www.greatmountainmusic.com.

• A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on April 7 at Junaluska Fire Department in Clyde.

• The Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m.2:30 p.m. on April 8 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital in Cherokee.

• Registration period for the Smoky Mountain Senior Games will be through April 10. Fee: $15. Games are scheduled for April 24-May 15. For everyone ages 50up. Info: 293.3053, recjacksonnc.org.

• The Red Cross will have a blood drive from 1-5:30 p.m. on April 10 at the Jackson County Department on Aging in Sylva.

• Registrations for a spring golf league are being accepted through April 14 at Smoky Mountain Country Club in Whittier. Fee: $10 to enter and $20 for each week (includes nine holes and a cart). League starts with a meeting at 5:15 p.m. on April 14. Info: 293.3053, recjacksonnc.org.

• The Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m.5:30 p.m. on April 14 at the Western Carolina University Hinds University Center in Cullowhee.

• A free tired-leg/varicose vein educational program will be offered at 4 and 5 p.m. on April 14 at Haywood Regional Medical Center in Clyde. 452.8346.

• Pickleball is played from 2-4:30 every Monday and from 9 a.m.-noon every Friday at the Armory in Sylva. $1 each time you play to help buy equipment, which is provided.

• A Red Cross Blood Drive is set for 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on April 14 at HomeTrust Bank in Clyde.

• The Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m.5:30 p.m. on April 15 at the Western Carolina University Hinds University Center in Cullowhee.

POLITICAL CORNER • The Swain County Democratic Annual Convention starts at 10 a.m. on April 11 at the Birdtown Gym Complex in Cherokee. Ginger Gaither at 736.3470.

• A kick-off for the HeartChase event will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and from 5-6 p.m. on April 15 at Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center in Clyde.

Trial run for the May 16 HeartChase event.

April 1-7, 2015

THE SPIRITUAL SIDE

SUMMER CAMP Pre-K to First Grade

Smoky Mountain News 46

Second to Fourth Grade

ADVENTURE CHALLENGERS: Fifth to Seventh Grade

JUNE 8-AUG. 4 MON.-FRI. 7:30 A.M.-5:30 P.M.

Early Bird (on/before April 30): $655 members; $680 non-members After April 30: $700 members; $725 non-members

• Kids Clay in the Garden, a four-day class for youngsters during Spring Break, will be held by the Cowee Pottery School from 10 a.m.-noon on April 3, April 6, April 8 and April 10, at Macon County Heritage School north of Franklin. $56 plus clay and tools. 524.7690 or coweepotteryschool1@gmail.com.

• A spring women’s event will be held April 10-11 at Tuckasegee Wesleyan Church’s Fellowship Hall. Guest speaker Marie Shull will help participants discover their perfect place in the “Body of Christ.” Becky Carter at 508.8533 or call the church at 293.3322.

• A spring break camp for students from pre-K to seventh grade is set for the week of April 6-10. Camp is from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. each day at the Waynesville Recreation Center. 456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES • “Shifting Gears to Your Life & Work After Retirement,” a hands-on workshop, will be held from 5:30-8 p.m. on Thursdays from April 9-23 at Southwestern Community College’s Jackson Campus.

Taught by Deborah Aiton. $65. Register at www.southwesterncc.edu or 339.4497 or j_williams@southwesterncc.edu.

• Registration is under way through April 10 for participation in the 32nd Annual Haywood County Senior Games. Events include shuffleboard, cornhole, pickleball, horseshoes and more – as well as a SilverArts event that includes categories including visual arts, heritage arts, literary arts and performing arts. $10 fee includes most events, t-shirt, light breakfast at Opening Ceremony (April 21) and AARP Ice Cream Social on April 29. 452.6789 or fill out an online form at www.haywoodnc.net.

• Cornhole for seniors will be held from 1-2:30 p.m. on the third and fourth Wednesdays of each month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center.

452.6789.

• A fitness class designed specifically for seniors will meet from 11 a.m.-noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Waynesville Recreation Center.

456.2030 or tplowman@waynesvillenc.gov.

KIDS & FAMILIES • A Teen Advisory Group meets at 4 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month to discuss YA books and teen program events. http://haywoodlibrary.libguides.com/teen or 648.2924.

• The Macon County Spring Break: Dream Weavers will be from 2 to 5 p.m. April 9-10 at The Bascom in Highlands. Two-day art class for children ages 5-10. www.thebascom.org.

• The Jackson County Bike Rodeo for Kindergarten through fourth grade will be held from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on April 11 at the Jackson County Recreation Park in Cullowhee. 293.3053 or jenniferbennett@jacksonnc.org.

LIMITED ENROLLMENT —

• Anime Night will be held for teens at 4:30 p.m. on April 13 at Canton Branch Library. http://haywoodlibrary.libguides.com/teen or 648.2924.

WAYNESVILLE

• A beginning baseball program for 3-4 year olds will be offered from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for seven consecutive Thursdays starting April 16 at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Donald Hummel at 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov. Register at WRC.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

PARKS AND RECREATION 828.456.2030 or email tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov

286-04

KIDS CAMPS

• “Are Reason and Faith mutually exclusive?” will be the topic for the Franklin Open Forum at 7 p.m. on April 6, at the Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub in Franklin. Anyone interested in an open exchange of ideas (dialog not debate) is invited to attend.

371.1020.

• There will be an After-School Art Adventure for children and students from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 8 and 15, at The Bascom in Highlands.

Participants will work on individual and collaborative art projects. There will also be a Franklin After-School Art Adventure from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. April 8 and 15.

Free. www.thebascom.org.

YOUNG EXPLORERS: YOUNG NATURALISTS:

• First United Methodist Church of Sylva will observe Maundy Thursday and Good Friday with a service at 7 p.m. on April 2. 586.2358.

for all dates or $5 per session. Jennifer Parton at 734.1298 or volleypj@bellsouth.net.

• A volleyball development clinic for girls in the fourth through eighth grades will be offered from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Waynesville Recreation Center. $40

• Registration for summer camp at Waynesville Parks and Recreation has started with early bird registration ending April 30. Camp dates are June 8-Aug. 14 at the Waynesville Recreation Center. 456.2030 or write tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

• A TetraBrazil Soccer Camp will be offered for Academy, Challenge or Classic Level players from ages 8-15 from June 22-26 at the Waynesville Recreation Center. 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

KIDS MOVIES • “Tinkerbell: The Legend of the Netherbeast,” will be screened each Saturday in April at noon and 2 p.m. for free at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. www.38main.com or 283.0079 • Saturday morning cartoons play for free at 11 a.m. at the Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. 283.0079 or www.38main.com.

• Free family movies are shown at 3:30 p.m. each Tuesday at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Disney, Hallmark and other family-oriented movies. Popcorn is provided by Friends of the Library.

Each attendee receives one free movie check-out.

488.3030.

• Family movie time, 4 p.m. Mondays at Jackson County Public Library. Call for title of movie.

586.2016.

• Family movie time Thursdays, 3:45 p.m. at Albert Carlton, Cashiers Community Library. Free with popcorn. Call for title. 743.0215.

A&E FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS • The Smoky Mountain Oyster & Seafood Festival is set for noon-6 p.m. on April 18 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. $8 for ages 13 and up. Free for ages 12-under. Smokymtnoysterfest.com or 926.0285.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • The First Thursday Old-Time and Bluegrass Concert and Jam Series at Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center will continue at 7 p.m. April 2 in Cullowhee with a concert featuring Nick Chandler and Delivered. 227.7129.

• Jeff and Sheri Easter, a southern gospel duo, will perform at 7:30 p.m. on April 3 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Tickets: $15. GreatMountainMusic.com or 866.273.4615.

• Comic C.J. Deering will perform “Jobs I Had For Only One Day” this weekend in the Fleichter Studio Theater at HART in Waynesville. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on April 3 and April 4. 456.6322 or www.harttheatre.org.

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will have A Battle of the Bands on April 6 from 5 to 11 p.m. in the University Center Grand Room. www.wcu.edu.

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will have an Upperclassmen Trumpet Recital on April 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Coulter Building. www.wcu.edu.

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will have a Music Faculty concert on April 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Coulter Building. www.wcu.edu.

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will have Travis Bennett (horn) on April 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Coulter Building. www.wcu.edu.

• The First Thursday Old-Time and Bluegrass Concert and Jam Series at Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center will continue at 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 9, in Cullowhee with a concert featuring folk musician and storyteller Josh Goforth.

227.7129.

April 2, 9 and 16. Free. 454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Sean Bendula (piano, vocals) plays Folk-Americana, pop and originals at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 3, at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Reservations: 452.6000.

Two locations to serve you

• Canton Armory will have “Pickin’ in the Armory” with live music by the Rick Morris Band and clogging by the Dixie Darlings and Mountain Traditions on April 3 at 7 p.m. www.cantonnc.com.

www.hunterbanks.com

• Nantahala Brewing (Bryson City) will have Productive Paranoia (bluegrass/Americana) at 8 p.m. on April 3. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• Legendary country-music artist Loretta Lynn performs at 7:30 p.m. on April 11 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee. Tickets at Ticketmaster.com or 800.745.3000.

• Lost Hiker (Highlands) will have Mangas Colorado (Americana/bluegrass) April 4. www.thelosthikerbar.com.

• Pat Donohoe plays at 7:30 p.m. on April 16 at the Strand in Waynesville. Tickets: $18 in advance; $20 on show day.www.38main.com or 283.0079.

• Joe Cruz (piano, vocals) plays The Beatles, Elton John and James Taylor at 7 p.m. on April 4 and April 11 at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville.

Reservations: 452.6000.

• The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will have The Hillbenders (bluegrass/Americana) at 8 p.m. on April 17. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 day of show. www.38main.com or 283.0079.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will have Ryan Cavanaugh Duo (bluegrass/jazz) April 4 and Urban Pioneers (Americana/bluegrass) at 9 p.m. on April 9.

586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• The 9th Street Stompers (blues, swing, gypsy jazz, rockabilly, tango) perform at 7 p.m. on April 17 at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Tickets: $10.

452.6000. www.classicwineseller.com or www.9thstree tstompers.com.

• BearWaters Brewing (Waynesville) will have ClawHoss & Friends (Americana/bluegrass) 7 p.m.

April 10. www.bwbrewing.com or 246.0602.

• Jay Brown (guitar, piano, harmonica, vocals) plays bluegrass, blues, American roots, pop and originals at 7 p.m. on April 1 at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Reservations: 452.6000.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo April 2 and 10 at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have Craig Summers & Lee Kram (singer-songwriter) at 6 p.m.

WAYNESVILLE 251.9721

3 EAST JACKSON STREET • SYLVA

828/586-9499 • citylightsnc.com

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• Canton Armory will have “Pickin’ in the Armory” with the Stoney Creek Cloggers and Appalachian Mountaineers on April 10 at 7 p.m. www.cantonnc.com.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will have The Hardin Draw (folk/string) at 9 p.m. on April 10. 586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will have ‘Round the Fire (Grateful Dead tribute) on April 10 at 7 p.m.

452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Nantahala Brewing (Bryson City) will have The Liz Nance Trio (Americana/bluegrass) at 8:30 p.m. on April 10. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will have Joshua Dean (singer-songwriter) at 9 p.m. on April 10. Free.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grille (Waynesville) will have Urban Pioneers (Americana/bluegrass) on April 10 at 9:30 p.m.

• BearWaters Brewing (Waynesville) will have Trial By Stone (reggae/ska) 8 p.m. April 11. www.bwbrewing.com or 246.0602.

• Lost Hiker (Highlands) will have Sidecar Honey (Americana/bluegrass) April 11. www.thelosthikerbar.com.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will have Tail Light Rebellion (boogie/folk) and The Eisenhower Interstate Highway System at 9 p.m. on April 11. 586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will have D.S. Yancey & Brian Hartley (indie/country) at 9 p.m. on April 13.

586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

Smoky Mountain News

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night April 1 and 8 at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

ASHEVILLE 252.3005

Carol Bjorlie will read from her book Sweet Harmony as well as her book of poems Impossible Brightening

April 1-7, 2015

• City Lights Café (Sylva) will have Joshua Grant (oldtime/bluegrass) on April 4 at 7 p.m. www.citylightscafe.com.

Saturday, April 4 • 3 p.m.

286-86

• City Lights Café (Sylva) will have Chris Emerson & Ty Bennett (singer-songwriter/bluegrass) on April 3 at 7 p.m. www.citylightscafe.com.

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will have the Daniel Ball Senior Recital on April 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the Coulter Building. www.wcu.edu.

NIGHTLIFE

Wednesday, April 1 • 7:30 p.m.

Joseph Bathanti, poet, memoirist and novelist, will read from his poetry and his most recent poetic prose

• The Chapel Hill-based Americana string band Steph Stewart & the Boyfriends will play from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, April 3, at BearWaters Brewing Co. in Waynesville. Free.

• Nantahala Brewing (Bryson City) will have Steph Stewart & The Boyfriends (Americana/folk) at 8:30 p.m. on April 4. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• A beer and cheese pairing with Heinzelmannchen Brewery and Looking Glass Creamery will be from 6 to 8 p.m. April 1 at City Lights Café in Sylva. Tickets are $20. Limited to 25 people. www.yourgnometownbrewery.com.

Bookstore

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will have the French Boards (Americana) at 9 p.m. on April 3. 586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will have Richard MacDowell (clarinet) on April 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Coulter Building. www.wcu.edu.

• Vocalist Michelle Berting Britt, accompanied by a seven-piece Nashville band, re-create the sound of the Carpenters in “We’ve Only Just Begun: Carpenters Remembered” at 3 p.m. on April 26 at WCU’s Bardo Center in Cullowhee. This show is part of the Galaxy of Stars Series. Season subscriptions are $120/adults; $110/WCU faculty and staff; $45 students and children. Single-show tickets are $21/adults; $16/WCU faculty and staff; $15/person with groups of 20 or more; $7 students and children. Tickets and info at: 227.2479 or bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

286-95

Fly Fishing the South

wnc calendar

• Balsam Range’s Winter Concert Series resumes with a 7:30 p.m. show on April 4 when the group will be joined by Jeff Collins, David Johnson and Tony Creasman at Colonial Theater in Canton.

Balsamrange.com or 235.2760.

Are you ready for spring time grillin’ and chillin’?

Turn your grill into an oven, roaster, and a smoker S. MAIN ST., WAYNESVILLE

828-333-5456 • cleansweepfireplace.com 286-124

Chimney Inspections, Repairs & More

47

wnc calendar

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HUNGRY?

Smoky Mountain News

Learn more about these great local restaurants

Blue Rooster Southern Grill • Breaking Bread Café • Chef’s Table Herren House B&B • Maggie Valley Club • The Rendezvous O’Malley’s • Pasquale’s Pizzeria & Tapas Bar • The Waynesville Inn

MountainEats.com An online dining directory for Western North Carolina presented by Smoky Mountain Living magazine.

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: 866.452.2251

48

Haywood od Regional terr, Health & Fitness Cent Center, eorge Dr., Dr., Clyde 75 Leroy George

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828-452-VEIN VEIN N (8346) (

• Elise and Phil Okrend will present their coffee table book, Messages to the Heart, Reflections of Beauty and Truth, at 3 p.m. on April 4, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville. 456.6000 or blueridgebooksnc.com.

• The Smoky Mountain Quilters Guild will meet at 9:30 a.m. on April 13 in Tartan Hall of First Presbyterian Church in Franklin. Dianne Schickedantz at 524.4530 or dseverfall@yahoo.com.

• Carol Bjorlie will read from her book “Sweet Harmony” and her book of poems “Impossible Brightening” at 3 p.m. on April 4 at City Lights in Sylva. To reserve copies, call 586.9499.

• A program about “Photographing Waterfalls” will be presented by Everette Robinson at the monthly meeting of the Cold Mountain Photographic Society at 7 p.m. on April 13 on the second floor of the Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center in Clyde. coldmountainphoto.wordpress.com.

• David Joy will present his debut novel “Where All Light Tends to Go” at 3 p.m. on April 11 at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.

456.6000 or www.blueridgebooksnc.com.

• The Beaverdam Community Center’s monthly meeting is set for 7 p.m. on April 13 at the Community Center. Guest speaker is local author Renee Mullinax, who’ll discuss publishing and her book: “Where the Wisteria Grows.”

648.0552.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • History of Extension, a Jackson County Extension and Community Association craft club workshop, will be held at 9:30 a.m. on April 2 in the Conference room of the Community Service Center in Sylva. 586.4009.

• A workshop covering the basics in pastel painting will be held by Catch the Spirit of Appalachian at 2 p.m. on April 4 at Nature’s Home Preserve in Tuckasegee. $36 materials fee covers all art supplies. www.facebook.com/MuralistDoreyl or Doreyl Ammons Cain at 231.6965.

• Create your own tumbler or vase from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 4 at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. Each class that day is 45 minutes. $45 per person.

828.631.0271 or www.jcgep.org.

• A pair of ballroom dance classes will be offered in April and May through the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department.

A Cha Cha class is at 7 p.m. on Mondays from April 6-May 11 while “the Hustle” is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesdays from April 8-May 13.

Classes are taught by Herb and Sally Roach. $60 per person per set of six one-hour classes.

456.2030 or tplowman@waynesvillenc.gov.

• History of Extension, a Jackson County Extension and Community Association craft club workshop, will be held at noon on April 9 in the Conference room of the Community Service Center in Sylva. 586.4009.

• The Western North Carolina Woodturners, Inc., will meet at 6 p.m. on April 9 at the Blue Ridge School in Glenville. 526.2616.

• “A Trunkload of Trouble, The Do’s and Don’ts of Preserving Things,” will be the topic of the Jackson County Genealogical Society’s April program that starts at 7 p.m. on April 9 in the Community Room of the historic Jackson County Courthouse in Sylva. Free. 631.2646.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES • Photography and folk art digital photography

by Candler sisters Barbara Sammons and Francine Menor will be showcased by the Haywood County Arts Council from April 628 at Gallery 86 in Waynesville. Artist reception set for 5-7 p.m. on April 10. Free. All photography and art for sale with prices ranging from $35-125. Proceeds benefit CarePartners Foundation and CarePartners Hospice in memory of the artists’ mother, Irene Holloway.

• The “Countdown to Ecstasy: A Faculty Biennial” art exhibit reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 9, in the Fine Arts Museum at Western Carolina University.

Featuring professional and studio artwork from WCU faculty members, the exhibit will run April 9 to May 29. www.wcu.edu.

• A photography exhibit entitled “Seeing with New Eyes” by Sharon Mammoser will be on display through April 19 at The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville. Parking fee. www.ncarboretum.org or sharenaturemore@gmail.com.

CALL FOR VENDORS SPONSORS • The Downtown Waynesville Association seeks heritage-themed vendors for the fifth-annual Appalachian Lifestyle Celebration, which is June 13. Applications are accepted until April 17. Info: 456.3517 or www.downtownwaynesville.com.

• Applications are being accepted through April 15 from fine artists, mountain crafters and food vendors who want booth space at Greening up the Mountains Festival on April 25 in Sylva. Applications and info at www.greeningupthemountains.com or 631.4587.

• The Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking financial sponsorships for its 23rd annual Tour de Cashiers Mountain Cycling

Marilynn Obrig

Residential Broker Associate

(828) 550-2810

FILM & SCREEN • “Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time,” a full-length, high-definition documentary film about an environmental legacy, will be shown at 6 p.m. on April 1 in the Meeting Room of the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. greenfiremovie.com.

mobrig@Beverly-Hanks.com

www.Beverly-Hanks.com 286-138

Mike Stamey

• “The Big Lebowski” will be screened on April 3-4 and April 10-11 at 9:30 p.m. for free at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. www.38main.com or 283.0079.

mstamey@beverly-hanks.com

828-508-9607

• “Imitation Game” will be screened on April 3 at 7 p.m., April 4 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., April 5 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., April 7-8 at 7 p.m., April 10 at 7 p.m. and April 11 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. www.38main.com or 283.0079.

74 NORTH MAIN ST. • WAYNESVILLE, NC

www.beverly-hanks.com

• “Imitation Game” will be screened at the Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva on April 2 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com. Free.

• “Interstellar” will be screened at the Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva on April 3-4 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. With a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com.

Free.

• “Do You Believe?” will be screened through April 9 at the Highlands Playhouse. Showtimes are at 2, 5 and 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and also 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $9. 828.526.2695 or www.highlandsplayhouse.org.

• A classic movie will be shown at 2 p.m. every Friday in the Macon County Public Library Meeting Room. 524.3600 or www.fontanalib.org/franklin.

286-140

Mountain Realty

Ron Breese Broker/Owner 2177 Russ Ave. Waynesville, NC 28786 Cell: 828.400.9029 ron@ronbreese.com

www.ronbreese.com

Each office independently owned & operated.

• A movie will be shown at 2 and 6 p.m. on Thursdays in the meeting room of the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. For movie title call: 524.3600.

Outdoors • “National Geographic: Appalachian Trail,” a documentary, will be shown at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on April 2 in the Meeting Room of the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. 50 minutes. Unrated.

• The biannual “Molecules in the Mountains” conference, part of the N.C. Biotechnology Center’s “Science in the Mountains” series, will be offered from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on April 9 in WCU’s A.K. Hinds University Center. A series of talks will be delivered throughout the day by faculty members and representatives of the brewing industry. Free. Lunch and refreshments provided. Register by April 2. moleculesinthemountains.weebly.com.

• Spring Wildflower walks are offered every Friday through May 15 (except April 3) by the Recreation Center in Cullowhee. $5 per person.

Registrations accepted until class is full. Info: 293.3053, recjacksonnc.org.

EMERSON ——————————————

GROUP

George Escaravage BROKER/REALTOR PO BOX 54 | 60 TIMUCUA TRAIL WAYNESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

Smoky Mountain News

• Rag Wreath, a Jackson County Extension and Community Association craft club workshop, will be held at 6 p.m. on April 7 at Tuckasegee Wesleyan Church in Tuckasegee. 586.4009.

• Small Casserole Dishes, a class that allows students to create a variety of casserole dishes to take home, will be taught by Carmen Holland from 1-4 p.m. on Wednesdays from April 15-May 13, at Macon County Heritage School north of Franklin. $105 plus clay and tools. 524.7690 or coweepotteryschool1@gmail.com.

• A “Front Street Arts & Crafts Show” will premiere on June 20 in Dillsboro. Vendors can apply at visit dillsboro.org or www.visitdillsboro.org/specialevents.html. 954.707.2004.

Committed to Exceeding Expectations

April 1-7, 2015

• An Indoor Flea Market is set for 7 a.m.-1 p.m. on April 4 at the Haywood County Fairgrounds.

• Fanciful Vases and Boxes, a hand-building class taught by Hank Shuler, will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays from April 13-30 at Macon County Heritage School north of Franklin. $126 plus clay and tools.

524.7690 or coweepotteryschool1@gmail.com.

Experience, which is set for May 2.

Sponsorship form available at http://tinyurl.com/qjpm8d5.

wnc calendar

• Student poet Tyler Auffhammer will be featured at 6:30 p.m. on April 2 at the Jackson County Library in Sylva as part of the Gilbert Chappell Distinguished Poetry Series.

586.2016.

• Namita Wiggers will give an artist talk at 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 10, in the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University. Wiggers is the director and co-founder of the Critical Craft Forum and teaches at the Oregon College of Art & Craft and the Pacific Northwest College of Art. www.wcu.edu.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

828.400.0903 • 828.456.7705 gke333@gmail.com

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

49

wnc calendar

• Pisgah-area SORBA will hold its Spring Fling April 3-5, celebrating the last day before seasonal trails close to mountain biking. The event is family- and dog-friendly with group rides and camping.

• Anyone who wants to volunteer to pass out bags of candy, fruit and hardboiled eggs to Appalachian Trail thru-hikers can meet at 8:30 a.m. on April 4 at the Nantahala Hiking Club’s clubhouse on Carl Slagle Road in Franklin. Elena Marsh atmarsh67@frontier.com or 369.8915.

• A casual camping weekend to celebrate mountain biking will be held from April 3-5 at Cove Creek Campground in the Pisgah National Forest. http://www.meetup.com/Pisgah-Area-Mountain-BikingAsheville-Hendersonville-brevard/events/219455209/.

• A stocking event for the West Fork Pigeon River will be held starting at 10 a.m. on April 6 starting at the Waynesville Recreation Center’s upper parking lot.

Bring a friend and two clean five-gallon buckets.

Clean-up, trash pick-up will follow the stocking.

• Weekly Women’s Mountain Bike Rides are held at 6 p.m. every Tuesday during Daylight Savings Times.

Rides alternate weekly between Tsali and WCU trails. nantahala.area.sorba@gmail.com or 488.1988.

• The Tuckaseigee River Chapter No. 373 of Trout Unlimited meets at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, at United Community Bank in Sylva. Dinner is $5.

• A SolariseWNC public forum will be held at 7 p.m. on April 7 at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Canary Coalition at 631.3447 or info@canarycoalition.org.

• A bird walk along the greenway will be held starting at 8 a.m. on April 8. Meet at Salali Lane. Parking is off Fox Ridge Road, just south of Franklin Flea Market on Highlands Road. http://franklinbirdclub.com/ or 524.5234.

April 1-7, 2015

• “Wild” — a chronicle of one woman’s 1,100-mile solo hike to recover from a recent catastrophe — will be screened at 6 p.m. on April 8 and at 2 p.m. on April 9 at Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Rated R. 1 hour, 55 minutes. 524.3600.

worth@pari.edu.

• A “Birdhouse Basics” is set for 2-3:30 p.m. on April 11 for ages 7 and up at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. 877.4423.

• An introduction to “Tenkara” - the newly popular form of traditional Japanese fly fishing – will be presented from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on April 11 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. For ages 14 and up.

877.4423.

• A bird walk along the greenway will be held starting at 8 a.m. on April 15. Meet at Macon County Public Library parking area. http://franklinbirdclub.com/ or 524.5234.

• The fifth-annual Wilderness Skill Institute has been scheduled for May 18-22 and May 26-29 at the Cradle of Forestry on the Pisgah District of the Pisgah National Forest outside Brevard. Application deadline is April 18. Application: www.trailcrews.org/wilderness-skills-institute. Leanna Joyner at 254.3708 or Brenna Irrer at 226.4320.

• Early registration is open for the Blue Ridge Breakaway, a multi-distance bike ride set for Aug. 15 in Haywood County. Early bird rates are $41 for the 26-mile route through Aug. 1 and $46 for the 51-, 76and 106-mile distances. Blueridgebreakaway.com or 456.3021.

COMPETITIVE EDGE

• Macon County resident Nancy Reeder will share anecdotes, photos and stories from her experience hiking the Pacific Crest Trail at 6 p.m. on April 9 at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

524.3600.

• Lake Junaluska will celebrate Easter with a 5K beginning at 8:30 a.m. April 4 at the Nanci Weldon Gymnasium. The half-mile Kids Fun Run will start at 9:30 a.m., open to children 10 and under. www.imathlete.com

• ”Local Walks and Easy Hikes,” a presentation by Jack Blake and the Silver Striders of Macon County, will be held at 10 a.m. on April 10 at Macon County Public Library in Franklin. 524.3600.

• The Nantahala Hilly Half Marathon & 5K will be held on April 4 starting at the Nntahala River. Register at runbumtours.com or between 7:30-8:30 a.m. at the Nantahala Outdoor Center Outfitter’s Store on race day.

• An evening of astronomy-inspired music will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, April 10, at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI). Reservations are required and will be accepted until 3 p.m. the day of the event.

Evening at PARI programs cost $20 per adult, $15 for seniors/military and $10 for children under 14.

Register at www.pari.edu or 828.862.5554. cwhit-

Smoky Mountain News

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

• Smoky Mountain Overnight Relay will be held on April 17-18. Registration is open through April 10.

Teams comprised of six or 12 runners cover 212 miles of trails and country roads. 545.8156 or gavin.young@noc.com •Registration for Greening Up the Mountains 5K Run

& Walk has begun. The event is April 25. Register at www.imathlete.com or at the Recreation Center in Cullowhee. $15 includes a short sleeve shirt. Info: 293.3053, recjacksonnc.org.

• A 5K Open Water Swim is set for July 12 at Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, Ga. Register before early season pricing changes on April 1. Special prices for groups or teams of 20 or more. Register at active.com.

389.6982

FARM & GARDEN • The Jackson County Farmers Market starts its outdoor season from 9 a.m.-noon on April 4 at its Bridge Park location in Sylva. jacksoncountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com or jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org.

• A six-week spring wildflower class is being offered from 9 a.m.-noon on Wednesdays through April 29 at Southwestern Community College’s Jackson Campus.

Teaches fundamental techniques for identifying wildflowers using ID guides and keys. Instructor is Adam Bigelow. Jenny Williams at 339.4497 or j_williams@southwesterncc.edu.

• The Macon County Community Garden Committee is now taking applications for garden space in the 2015 Community Garden. The community garden is in its fifth season. $25 per spot. For an application or more information, call 349.2046.

• A fruit tree workshop, presented by the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, will be held from 2-4 p.m. on April 1 at the Swain Extension Center near Bryson City. 488.3848 or christine_bredenkamp@ncsu.edu.

• A workshop on how to mix, press and plant seed blocks will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on April 4, at Dovecote Porch and Gardens in Cashiers. $25. mpdargan@dargan.com or 743.0307. http://dargan.com/dovecote-events.

• A Gardening for Success seminar is set for 2-4 p.m. on April 7 at the Jackson Extension Center in Sylva.

Learn about site selection and preparation, proper soil and plant fertility needs, spacing and more.

586.4009.

• A free program on how to extend your garden’s production through the seasons is set for 5:30 p.m. on April 9 at the Canton Branch Library. Presented by master gardener Hughes Roberts. 648.2924.

• The 2015 Appalachian Farm School holds a resource fair for area farmers at 7:30 p.m. on April 9 in the atrium of the Burrell Building at Southwestern Community College’s Jackson Campus. Free. RSVP to wncfpc@gmail.com. www.wncfpc.org.

• A Gardening for Success seminar is set for 2-4 p.m. on April 14 at the Swain Extension Center. Learn about site selection and preparation, proper soil and plant fertility needs, spacing and more. 488.3848 or Christine_bredenkamp@ncsu.edu.

• The Jackson County Poultry Club will hold its regular meeting on the last 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. 586.4009 or heather_gordon@ncsu.edu.

• The Sylva Community Garden and The Cullowhee Community Garden have individual plots available for adoption. Weekly volunteer workdays are from 4 p.m. until Dusk on Thursdays at the Sylva Community Garden (March through November) and from 3 p.m. to dusk Wednesdays and from 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays at Cullowhee (year round). sylvacommunitygarden@gmail.com or thecullowheecommunitygarden@gmail.com.

•The Appalachian Farm School, a pilot program to centralize agricultural business training in the state’s seven western counties, started on Jan. 29 and runs alternating Thursdays from 6-8:30 p.m. through April 9. $75 includes dinner during each class and all materials. Register at www.wncfpc.org/appalachianfarm-school or 399.0297. wncfpc@gmail.com

HIKING CLUBS • The Carolina Mountain Club will hold an eight-mile Wednesday hike with a 2,300-foot ascent on April 1.

Carroll Koepplinger at 667.0723, 231.9444 or carrollkoepp@bellsouth.net.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will meet at 9 a.m. on April 4 at the clubhouse in Franklin to prepare Easter bags for hikers on the Appalachian Trail. Elena Marsh at 369.8915.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a moderate 5mile hike to Standing Indian Mtn. from Deep Gap north on the Appalachian Trail with elevation change of 1,100 ft. on April 4. Mary Stone, 369.7352, for reservations.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will have an information booth on April 4, at the Nantahala Outdoor Center Festival in Wesser. To help, call Olga Pader at 369.2457.

• Outdoor 76 in Franklin will host a Thru-hiker Appreciation Day on April 4. 349.7676.

• Nantahala Outdoor Center will celebrate thru-hiker season with a two-day bash April 3-4 with a 7 p.m. showing on April 3 of “The Long Start to the Journey” by Chris Gallaway. April 4 will include gear repair, vendor fair, the OBOZ Hiker Olympiad and games. The event will conclude with music and a spaghetti dinner for hikers. www.noc.com/events/at-founders-bridge-festival.

• The Carolina Mountain Club will hold a six-mile, half-day hike with a 500-foot ascent on April 5.

Renate Rikkers at 298.9988 or rerikkers@aol.com.

• The Carolina Mountain Club will hold an all-day weekend hike starting at 8 a.m. on April 5. 1,600-foot ascent. Contact Mike Knies at 628.6712 or knies@att.net.

286-127

Puzzles can be found on page 54.

These are only the answers.

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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.

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286-144

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828-456-5387

AUCTION CONST.-TRUCK-FARM AUCTION 30 Containers. Fri, April 17th @ 8am. Lumberton, NC. www.meekinsauction.com. NCLN858 - 10% BP

BUILDING MATERIALS HAYWOOD BUILDERS Garage Doors, New Installations Service & Repairs, 828.456.6051 100 Charles St. Waynesville Employee Owned.

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING ACORN STAIRLIFTS. The Affordable solution to your stairs! **Limited time -$250 Off Your Stairlift Purchase!**Buy Direct & SAVE. Please call 1.800.211.9233 for FREE DVD and brochure. SAPA ALL THINGS BASEMENTY! Basement Systems Inc. Call us for all of your basement needs! Waterproofing, Finishing, Structural Repairs, Humidity and Mold Control.

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Licensed/Insured. 828.631.0747 or 828.508.0316

ROLLING STOCK AUCTION. Live & Online Auction. CharlotteMecklenburg County. Vehicle & Equipment Surplus. April 18th, 10am. Preview April 17th, 8am4pm. Rogers Realty & Auction Co., Inc. 336.789.2926. RogersAuctionGroup.com NCAL685

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CONTEMPORARY ESTATE Home AUCTION: 185 Nanzetta, Lewisville, NC. High-End Tres Chic.

WILL SELL > $500K! APR 18. Mike Harper 843.729.4996 (NCAL8286). www.HarperAuctionAndRealty.com for details.

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TRUCKS FOR SALE 99-2000 GMC SIERRA SLT/Z71 For Sale by Owner - 3-Door, Great Work Truck, Runs Strong, Never Wrecked, Toolbox, Bedliner, Rail Guards. Highway Miles, NC-FL 20k/yr. 1-Owner, $3,800. For More Info Call 828.736.7000.

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WNC MarketPlace

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BY OWNER

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828.989.1402 • 2723SocoRd@gmail.com 52

FTCC Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following positions: Coordinator-Military Business Center. Dept. Chair/Instructor, Gunsmithing (10-Month Contract) For detailed information and to apply, please visit our employment portal at: https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.com/. Human Resources Office. Phone: 910.678.8378 Internet: http://www.faytechcc.edu.

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LAWN AND 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

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT 67 ACRES CULLOWHEE Borders USFS, Includes 2/BR 2/BA 1,600 sq. ft. House & 480 sq. ft. Workshop. $399,000. www.918gapbranch.blogspot.com For More Details, or Call 828.586.0165

HOMES FOR SALE FOR SALE BY OWNER Two Story House in Haywood Co. Master Bedroom, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Breakfast Nook, Family Room, 1 Full Bath, 2 Half Baths on First Floor. Second Floor Consists of 2 Bedrooms Bonus Room, TV/Computer Room 1 Full Bath and a Powder Room.

2-Car Enclosed Garage, Screened-In Back Porch and Large Front Porch. Approx. 3,196 sq. ft. on 4.5 acres. $527,500.

Call 828.456.4468 or 828.400.0076 (cell).

BRUCE MCGOVERN A Full Service Realtor shamrock13@charter.net McGovern Property Management 828.283.2112.

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised on an equal opportunity basis.

NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Offering 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $400 Section 8 Accepted - Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

OFFICE HOURS: Tues. & Wed. 10:00am - 5:00pm & Thurs. 10:00am- 12:00pm 168 E. Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779

Phone# 1.828.586.3346 TDD# 1.800.725.2962 Equal Housing Opportunity

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STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE UNITS FOR RENT 1 Month Free with 12 Month Rental. Maggie Valley, Hwy. 19, 1106 Soco Rd. For more information call Torry

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FOR SALE BORING/CARPENTER BEE TRAPS No Chemicals, Poisons or Anything to Harm the Environment.

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MAINSTREET REALTY Experienced in auctions, conventional listings and vacation home sales.

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• Eugene L. Strickland — Gene@4Smokys.com

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Waynesville Office: 828-564-1950 Bryson City Office: 828-488-2200 Brevard Office: 828-884-3556

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www.4smokys.com Š2015 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated framchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.Ž Equal Housing Opportunity

BROOKE PARROTT BROKER ASSOCIATE

• • • • •

beverly-hanks.com Michelle McElroy — beverly-hanks.com Marilynn Obrig — beverly-hanks.com Mike Stamey — beverly-hanks.com Ellen Sither — beverly-hanks.com Brook Parrott — beverly-hanks.com

Emerson Group • George Escaravage — gke333@gmail.com

ERA Sunburst Realty — sunburstrealty.com

828.734.2146

Haywood Properties — haywoodproperties.com • Steve Cox — info@haywoodproperties.com

bparrott@beverly-hanks.com

Keller Williams Realty

Visit beverly-hanks.com/agents/bparrott

to see what others are saying!

kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • Ron Kwiatkowski — ronk.kwrealty.com

Mountain Home Properties mountaindream.com • Sammie Powell — smokiesproperty.com

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RE/MAX — Mountain Realty

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Hours:

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Haywood County Real Estate Agents

• • • • • • •

remax-waynesvillenc.com | remax-maggievalleync.com Brian K. Noland — brianknoland.com Mieko Thomson — ncsmokies.com The Morris Team — maggievalleyproperty.com The Real Team — the-real-team.com Ron Breese — ronbreese.com Dan Womack — womackdan@aol.com Catherine Proben — cp@catherineproben.com

smokymountainnews.com

CHAMPION SUPPLY Janitorial supplies. Professional cleaning products, vacuums, janitorial paper products, swimming pool chemicals, environmentally friendly chemicals, indoor & outdoor light bulbs, odor elimination products, equipment repair including household vacuums. Free delivery across WNC. www.championsupply.com 800.222.0581, 828.225.1075.

Broker, Licensed Auctioneer, RealtorÂŽ

HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329

April 1-7, 2015

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.

James R. ‘Randy’ Flanigan WNC MarketPlace

QUAINT HISTORIC COTTAGE For Rent. Seeking Mature, Quite Adult or Couple for Long Term Occupancy. Private, 5 Miles from WCU. For more info contact: vguise@frontier.com or call 828.293.1013

286-134

PETS

286-121

HOMES FOR RENT UNFURNISHED

The Seller’s Agency — listwithphil.com • Phil Ferguson — philferguson@bellsouth.net 286-117

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com

53

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April 1-7, 2015

WNC MarketPlace

Super

54

CROSSWORD

ful aim at) 71 - Brothers (“It’s Your Thing” group) 72 Hanoi’s home, briefly ACROSS 1 Reddish-brown pigment 73 It enables a motorist to stop 7 Nitpicky know-it-all 76 Bog bird 13 Fleet leader 78 Naive 20 Instead (of) 79 Brazilian soccer star 21 Win over 80 Tending to wear away 22 Bishop’s district 82 “Hmm, let - ...”

23 User’s storage com83 Former NBA star Ming ponent 84 Spiro who served with 25 Gives approval Nixon 26 Rock’s Brian 86 False tale 27 “My true love - see” 87 K-P hookup (“Oh! Susanna” lyric) 91 45’s place 28 Without, to Jean-Luc 94 “Mickey” singer Basil 30 Shrubby expanses 98 Gives help 31 Disorder 100 In the style of 33 NBAer - Gasol 34 Occasion to say “King 101 “Try - might ...”

102 It includes the me” sacrum 36 Pasty luau food 106 Nellie of social 38 Baseball card stat reform 40 - flight (go by jet) 108 Film-rating org.

41 Zing 112 Paris’ mother 42 Ship-deck diversion 113 Author Jaffe 48 Sauce giant 114 He defeated Romney 50 Brew source 116 Put- - (deceptions) 51 Hotsy- 117 Like space debris 52 Crown 119 Commonality of 54 Diver’s gear seven answers in this 59 “The Girl With the puzzle Dragon Tattoo” heroine 122 Turn loose Salander 123 Gathering, as bees 61 Prefix with dose or 124 Lie sheltered ton 125 Fair- - (blond) 62 Less lenient 126 Dictation-taking pros 64 “Entertaining Mr. 127 Mad Hatter’s party Sloane” dramatist Joe pieces 65 Participant in the sport Ultimate DOWN 68 Yellow transport 69 Draw - on (take care- 1 Words to an attack dog THE THIN, THE FLAT, AND THE ROUND

2 - ear and out the other 3 “St. - Fire” 4 Small swig 5 Nine, in Nice 6 Avation aid 7 Agitates 8 Within: Prefix 9 Women’s patriotic gp.

10 Mennonite subgroup 11 Bursting stars 12 GI’s ditch 13 “The Piano” pianist 14 Kitchen cloth 15 Hurdler Edwin 16 Frigid stretch 17 With 65-Down, video store charge 18 Allergic affliction 19 Decrease 24 Special span 29 Hershey candy bar 32 Tanning lotion stat 34 Spy org.

35 Cleanup org.

37 Quite a lot 39 Tarzan’s son 42 French battle site of ‘44 43 Clairol’s area 44 Newly rich people 45 Ordinal suffix 46 GPS options: Abbr.

47 Wound from a mutt 49 With 65-Down, charge to log on 53 Bel - cheese 55 Witches 56 In a careless manner 57 Animated film featuring Seinfeld’s voice 58 JFK landing: Abbr.

60 Fumble 61 Around June or July 62 Sault - Marie

63 Your, once 65 See 17- or 49-Down 66 Grating 67 Elegant tree 69 Smallish batteries 70 Bibliophile’s love: Abbr.

73 It takes vids 74 Film holder 75 Wild plum 76 Wolf cries 77 - -do-well 80 Goal 81 Lender’s expectation 84 Co. that owns Moviefone 85 Potpourris 88 Discomfort 89 Cage of film, informally 90 Smell 92 Fire 93 Goal 94 Simple top 95 First act 96 Kidman of Hollywood 97 Accustoms 99 Sluggish tree-dwellers 103 PLO head Mahmoud 104 Missed, as a bull’seye 105 Writer Binchy 107 Loo, briefly 109 Mile markers 110 Body part below a shin 111 Useful thing 114 “This is bad!”

115 “Zip- - -Doo-Dah” 118 Knight of TV 120 Yang go-with 121 “That - lie!”

answers on page 50

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WEEKLY SUDOKU Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

Answers on Page 50

Pisgah National Forest. Donated photo

The naturalist’s corner

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

Put the forest first! was commiserating with a friend who works for the Forest Service just after it was announced that they were taking a step back from the plan revision process to schedule another round of public meetings.

The FS rolled out a “draft” management plan last fall after a series of public meetings. The plan, while clearly labeled “draft”, placed around 700,000 acres of the million or so acres of the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests in management areas deemed appropriate for logging. To say the plan caught some stakeholders off guard is like saying the Grand Canyon is a ravine in Arizona.

The FS and proponents of the draft plan quickly tried to walk back the 700,000-acre claim stating that there were already safeguards in place that would protect much of the area from commercial logging. That is likely correct, plus records from past years show that only about 1,000 acres per year have been logged from our national forests over the past decade.

But, there it was in black and white and yellow or whatever other colors mapped out management areas — 700K acres in pro-

I

posed timber management areas. There was a groundswell of protest that probably left FS managers with visions of “Don’t Cut Bluff ” signs and bumper stickers dancing in their heads.

My friend said that the pressure within the agency to come up with an appropriate plan was intense. My friend went on to note that FS employees know the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests are special places that deserve special attention and expressed wishes that this little break might give pause and allow everyone to focus on doing things, “… the way the resources and all interested parties deserve.”

What I heard struck a chord and I posited a question, just to ensure that I had heard correctly, “Wouldn’t it be nice to one day be in a place where we could put the best interest of the forest first instead of trying to parcel it out to all the different users?”

My friend responded, “Amen brother!”

Ah-ha! It hit me. You know, those ah-ha moments — like when you’re in your hotel in Charleston and remember you left the stovetop’s right front burner on?

Burn the “Don’t Cut Bluff ” signs and bumper stickers and get your poster board, tape, staples, sticks and markers; contact

your purveyor of bumper stickers and get busy – “Put the Forest First!”

I am sure that, shortly, there will be announcements of dates and places for upcoming meetings regarding plan revision.

Show up, en masse, with your signs and bumper stickers declaring “Put the Forest First!”

I believe that these are signs FS personnel would welcome — and they would welcome your support in putting the resource first and welcome looking past the next 10 years (the next 100 years) to a place where the Nantahala and Pisgah forests are the

healthiest, most robust forests in Eastern North America.

There are dozens (probably more) of paradigms that will have to be addressed in this quest to create the healthiest forests we can create, and I propose to talk about some as the process progresses. And I welcome your comments and criticisms and will address them as fully as I can either through personal emails or through “The Naturalist’s Corner.”

Put the Forest First!

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

April 1-7, 2015

A

bi-monthly magazine that covers the southern Appalachian mountains and celebrates the area’s environmental riches, its people, culture, music, art, crafts and special places. Each issue relies on regional writers and photographers to bring the Appalachians to life.

In this issue:

PLUS ADVENTURE, CUISINE, READING, MUSIC, ARTS & MORE

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Smoky Mountain News

UPCOMING SHOWS:

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The Collingsworth Family

with Opening Act: Mountain Faith

Ray Stevens

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