Smoky Mountain News | April 8, 2020

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

April 8-14, 2020 Vol. 21 Iss. 45

State unprepared for onslaught of jobless claims Page 10 Cataloochee Ranch under new ownership Page 14

CONTENTS SPECIAL SPRING OFFER

Come play in our backyard!

On the Cover: Businesses and nonprofits are being forced to find their way through the everchanging restrictions and precautions associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic while still trying to meet the needs of their customers and clients.

(Page 4) Julia Freeman, executive director of REACH of Haywood County, assists a client while wearing a face mask to prevent potential spread of COVID-19. Donated photo

News Bryson City shelter for teens shuts down ....................................................................9 State unprepared for onslaught of jobless claims ..................................................10 Haywood extends ‘stay home’ order ..........................................................................11 Haywood groups create loan fund ..............................................................................12 Cataloochee Ranch under new ownership ..............................................................14 Swain County implements curfew ..............................................................................15 Record visitation recorded on public lands ..............................................................16 Business News ..................................................................................................................17

Opinion History lessons being learned the hard way ............................................................18

A&E That ‘high, lonesome sound’ amid lonesome times ..............................................20

Outdoors Motion Makers fights an uphill battle ..........................................................................24

CORRECTION

April 8-14, 2020

In the review in last week’s edition of Leonard Cohen The Flame Poems and Selections from his Notebooks, we attributed the wrong person as the editor of the collection. The collection was edited by Robert Faggen and Alexandra Pleshoyano. SMN regrets the error.

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Scott McLeod. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . info@smokymountainnews.com Greg Boothroyd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . greg@smokymountainnews.com Micah McClure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . micah@smokymountainnews.com Travis Bumgardner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . travis@smokymountainnews.com Jessica Murray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jessica.m@smokymountainnews.com Susanna Shetley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . susanna.b@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Bradley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jc-ads@smokymountainnews.com Hylah Birenbaum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hylah@smokymountainnews.com Sophia Burleigh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . sophia.b@smokymountainnews.com Scott Collier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Jessi Stone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jessi@smokymountainnews.com Holly Kays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . holly@smokymountainnews.com Cory Vaillancourt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cory@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), Hannah McLeod (writing), Don Hendershot (writing), Susanna Shetley (writing).

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Coronavirus causes complications for REACH Domestic violence cases rise during times of disruption

BY HANNAH MCLEOD CONTRIBUTING WRITER he Coronavirus Pandemic has caused normal daily lives to grind to a halt. All non-essential industry workers must remain at home most of the day.

Restaurants, stores, and face-to-face contact are no longer an option. However, REACH of Haywood County is not undergoing that common change.

“Domestic violence and sexual assault do not know what a virus is, and it’s going to happen no matter what,” said Executive Director Julia Freeman. REACH continues to operate 24/7, while adapting to guidelines for social distancing and sanitation.

Freeman said that domestic violence cases spike in times of prolonged stress and disruption, like financial crises and natural disasters. In addition to physical violence, which is not present in every abusive relationship, common tools of abuse include isolation from friends, family and employment; constant surveillance; strict, detailed rules for behavior; and restrictions on access to such basic necessities as food, clothing and sanitary facilities. Sexual assault victims may be hesitant to go to a hospital to receive a rape kit, with hospitals operating at full capacity and physicians pleading with the public to avoid burdening the health care system.

“Over the last few weeks, we have been hearing stories of injured victims who would not go to a hospital for help because they were afraid of becoming infected with the coronavirus, abusers threatening to expose their partners to the virus by kicking them out of their homes and abusers weaponizing fears of contagion by withholding medical supplies or hand sanitizer from their victims,” said Freeman.

In a report published in March 2020, the United Nations detailed how women and girls were at a higher risk of intimate partner violence, and other forms of domestic violence due to increased tensions in households as more people have to remain at home during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

REACH has seen this prediction play out as more individuals seek emergency protective orders. Most of those individuals require a protective order against someone in their household and therefore must leave their home and find somewhere else to live — an incredibly complicated process during a shutdown. REACH works hard to find

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April 8-14, 2020

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friends or family members that might be available to take these individuals in as a first resort.

Though Chief Justice Cheri Beasley of the North Carolina Supreme Court has postponed court proceedings for a second time until June 1, 2020, emergency protective orders are still able to be seen and granted by a judge. REACH Victim Advocate Jessica McElroy said she must now call the courthouse before coming in to file paperwork for a protective order.

So far, the need for emergency shelter, at the REACH shelter, has remained consistent with that of pre-shutdown numbers.

However, Freeman expects this to change the longer the shutdown lasts.

“We don’t know what the future is going to hold. We are just literally on the first cusp

“It’s definitely going to be a challenge for us, as will be for other nonprofits in this community. One difference for us is that we don’t have the luxury of closing our doors, because of the nature of our business.”

— Julia Freeman, REACH Executive Director

of this stay at home, self-isolation type of thing. We are 10 days into it, so the telltale is going to be here in the next three weeks. The governor has mandated the stay at home order through April 29 so we’re going to see a huge increase in those needing our services.”

How can social distancing work in an emergency shelter?

“It’s complicated. Because there are shared facilities, like shared kitchens. But we have implemented something similar to other shelters in the region. Asking clients to take their meals separately, sanitizing before and after each use of a common area and trying to restrict themselves to bedroom and bathroom as much as possible,” said Reba West, shelter manager at REACH. Four out of the five main areas at the REACH shelter are family suites. This means that these areas are large enough for families to keep themselves quarantined within. Each space has access to the internet, TV and a private bathroom.

Julia Freeman, executive director of REACH of Haywood County, assists a client while wearing a face mask to prevent potential spread of COVID-19. Donated photo Despite social distancing, modified staffing and changes to the logistics of administering services, REACH is still offering most all services. These include the 24-hour crisis line, court advocacy program, adult therapy sessions (now via phone consultation), and housing referrals and deposits. One REACH client in particular is expected to move into their own home this week.

The only services on hold are support groups, which involve communal gatherings, and the Safe Dates Program that works within schools to combat teen dating violence.

As the logistics of administering services change, West said that case management in particular has changed immensely. Usually a very personal and individualized process for staff and clients, social distancing creates less chance for connection where it is needed most. REACH works to connect these clients to services they need within the community.

Unfortunately, some of those outside services are closing down.

“We will give a referral and then two days later it’s a possibility that that service may no longer be available. That just happened this week,” said West.

Victim Advocate Jessica McElroy said at the REACH office clients and staff are asked to use hand sanitizer often, and keep all surfaces disinfected. Masks are available for staff and clients and meetings between staff and clients now take place in a conference room where individuals can remain six feet apart.

Although REACH is working hard to keep services available for those who need it, funding is becoming an immediate issue.

The shutdown of all non-essential business means that the REACH retail store in

Hazelwood, Within Reach, has had to close for the time being. Due to the inability of volunteers to gather together, Within Reach will suspend the acceptance of donations at this time.

Additionally, the inability to gather people together means REACH has had to put two major fundraising events scheduled for May and June on hold. Money raised through direct fundraising goes to REACH’s unrestricted budget. This budget serves direct client services which pays for housing deposits, housing kits, and other client needs.

Funding from the state and federal level will be granted to REACH but is currently delayed.

“It’s going to be a challenge. We will do what we can to keep the doors open. That’s what we are here for, to serve those in need and those victims of violence. It’s definitely going to be a challenge for us, as will be for other nonprofits in this community. One difference for us is that we don’t have the luxury of closing our doors, because of the nature of our business,” said Freeman.

Any community members looking to assist REACH during this difficult time can donate directly on the REACH website, reachofhaywood.org. Because REACH still has to meet the basic daily needs of its facilities, it is in need of donations like paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags, and any other cleaning or sanitation products.

“The most important thing is that we are here to serve. That’s what we are here to do and that’s our mission, and as long as we are capable and able, we will be here for anyone in need. They can call our phone number 24 hours a day,” said Freeman.

HIGHTS continues to serve youth during pandemic

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HIGHTS, a nonprofit that serves vulnerable youth in Western North Carolina, has found innovative ways to reach young people even when they can’t leave their homes. Donated photo

“For many of the students we work with, home can be a hard place to be. Some are isolated at home with parents who are dealing with job losses, their own mental health, substance abuse challenges, or poverty.”

— Marcus Metcalf, HIGHTS Executive Director

available through video and phone. Even with all that support, for some youth home is not the safest place.

“For many of the students we work with, home can be a hard place to be. Some are isolated at home with parents who are dealing with job losses, their own mental health, substance abuse challenges, or poverty.

These are the students and families we are searching for to help,” said Metcalf.

HIGHTS is working to identify those students that are now at home in difficult situations and let them know that they are not alone. For most students, the combination of assistance from HIGHTS and schools will help to stabilize and support them during this difficult time. When staff encounter more critical needs, they seek to connect students and families with the resources they need to maintain safe and healthy lives.

Many nonprofits that rely at least partially on the donations of others are already feeling the effects of the economic downturn caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Not only are people not allowed to gather for events like fundraisers, but because of closures and reduced hours, many businesses and individuals lack the excess funds needed to make contributions to nonprofit organizations.

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health services, CDC safety recommendations, and online therapeutic and educational opportunities. Of particular importance for students, they include mental health and mindfulness activities such as games, puzzles, art, cooking supplies and instructions, and gardening supplies.

“The therapeutic activity bags are designed to reduce social isolation, help support students’ mental wellness, and bring hope to vulnerable people. Our therapeutic teams contact students each week to guide them through the activities provided and give emotional support to the families,” said Metcalf.

HIGHTS is partnering with local schools to perform wellness checks on students that have not been in communication with teachers. Staff members identify their needs and help connect them to community resources.

The organization is also assisting schools in delivering food to those who cannot get to food drop-off points.

Additionally, staff is making phone calls to check on youth and families, provide case management and education on COVID-19 safety. They are providing educational support and socialization groups through video platforms to reduce social isolation, and have a therapist making counseling services

According to Metclaf, HIGHTS has been able to continue its critical work despite economic concerns.

“We are grateful to have such dedicated and responsive local foundations. The Evergreen Foundation and Dogwood Health Trust have reached out to support our work.

We are in conversation with several funders to help locate and purchase more supplies and personal protection equipment to expand the number of youths we can serve,” he said.

HIGHTS staff report staying positive and motivated during this time and are thankful for the ability to work with community partners.

“Our public schools continue to lead the community and our state in their professional and thoughtful response to getting food, education, and critical services to all students. Juvenile justice, social services, local churches, and many nonprofits like HIGHTS are providing heroic efforts to keep students safe in this crisis. We have a long road ahead of us and we are committed to continuing this great work,” Metcalf said.

HIGHTS is an organization built on bringing people together and supporting youth through meaningful connections.

Despite all the challenges facing an organization like this during a time of quarantine, HIGHTS is pushing ahead. Doing what it can to serve the underserved in its community.

As the HIGHTS website states, “Our core belief is that youth connected to natural and community resources improve their lives and make our community stronger.”

For more information on the work HIGHTS does, or how to support, visit www.hights.org.

April 8-14, 2020

BY HANNAH MCLEOD CONTRIBUTING WRITER IGHTS is an organization serving vulnerable youth in Jackson, Haywood, and Macon counties. Since 2007, the organization has sponsored educational opportunities, recreational activities, job skills training and community service projects for public schools, mental health agencies, church youth groups and many other community organizations. However, as the Coronavirus Pandemic has caused schools to close and shuttered all gathering places, opportunities to assist underserved youth have become more difficult and complex.

“Our mission is clear: HIGHTS must maintain support for our most vulnerable students and families in this time of crisis and make home visits and wellness checks to as many youths as possible,” said HIGHTS Executive Director Marcus Metcalf.

Under non-quarantine conditions HIGHTS partners with local schools and juvenile justice to identify and help vulnerable students. Most of its services are free, and are intended to reduce social isolation and assist youth as they heal from trauma.

“Schools are the most important place in our community for youth that struggle with poverty, mental health issues, abuse and food insecurity. School is a place where students are fed, cared for by their teachers and friends, as well as a place to receive critically needed mental health services,” said Metcalf.

HIGHTS’ programs include Compass, the after school and summer program helping youth find direction; Inside Out, a community crisis respite program helping youth in crisis; Resilient Seed Industries, an apprenticeship and vocational training program helping youth get jobs; Adventure Learning, helping youth build confidence; Public Schools, helping schools connect to our community; and Hights’ Path Program, preparing for adult transitioning and healing.

HIGHTS grows leaders through therapeutic adventure activities and meaningful service opportunities to develop essential life skills to instill feelings of belonging. It helps youth identify purpose by connecting youth to local, natural and community resources.

This improves their lives and makes the community stronger, organizers say.

Since the shelter-in-place orders began, HIGHTS staff and interns have worked to put together safety protocols, lists of COVID19 specific resources, therapeutic activity bags, food boxes and hygienic and emergency supplies. According to Metcalf, since March 16 the HIGHTS team has delivered 249 meals and 63 therapeutic activity kits in Macon, Jackson, and Haywood counties.

These therapeutic activity kits include tools and resources for students and families to use during their time of isolation. They include items that families have expressed a need for like food, toilet paper, medical and personal items. The kits also contain a list of community and online resources including places to get food, medical and mental

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year roll in and it’s off to the races for the facility.

“If you walked in here last April, you’d see several housekeepers, landscapers and inn employees all running around getting everything in place for our guests,” Brown said.

“And I’d be running back and forth to the phone taking reservations — it would never stop ringing.”

But, that won’t be happening this time around. Brown noted that all reservations have been cancelled through early June, with the rest of the summer not looking any better.

The same goes for large-scale gatherings at the Fryemont, which included the 110-person Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians Hall of Fame ceremony that was scheduled for April 18.

“The event was going to be fly fishing legends from all over the country coming

together to celebrate the sport — it was going to be a pretty big deal,” Brown said. “And right around that same time, we hold the Swain County Chamber of Commerce banquet, too, which also was canceled.”

So, with the reservation phone silent and the rest of the property still in hibernation, Brown and her family are doing whatever they can to maintain the Fryemont — physically and financially.

“This place is so expensive to operate and take care of. We’re walking around trying to figure out if there’s any heat that needs to be turned off or if there’s water leaking from any of the pipes,” Brown said. “My father-in-law, who co-owns the Fryemont, is also the chief accountant. And right now, we’re going through the steps to see what we need to do if we need to seek out grants and short-term loans.”

But, regardless of the cancellations made and money lost, Brown’s heart sympathizes with her guests, many of which have come to the Fryemont every year for decades. It’s that loyalty to the business that deeply affects Brown and her family when they walk around the cold, quiet inn.

“These are families I’ve known since I first came here and I’m having to call up every single reservation and tell them we’re closed,” Brown said. “It’s melancholy and it’s scary, where we don’t have an answer to give to people asking questions because we don’t know the end game in all of this.”

And yet, even with an empty lodge and a grim outlook for businesses this summer, Brown is optimistic of what may come when people, places and things return to daily life in Bryson City and surrounding areas.

“The world will come back to normal again, and that’s going to involve travel, socialization and reopening our businesses,” Brown said. “I feel a place like the Fryemont and a town like Bryson City are going to be more important than ever as people are looking for more authentic experiences — these mountains have healing powers for a lot of people who are hurting right now.”

Protection Plan but hasn’t received any response yet.

“Two of my staff have been home for four weeks because of childcare and I’ve continued to pay them and I’m not taking a check for myself right now,” Shower said. “We’ve also donated several hundred pairs of gloves to our local EMS along with gowns and masks.”

Cherokee Animal Care Clinic in Whittier is also limited to emergency care, surgeries, time restrictive procedures and also parvo vaccinations for puppies since parvo rates in the area have been high lately. The office is still providing products, food and medications but clients are asked to call ahead and use the drive thru window service.

“We are no longer handling any money (cash or card) and are asking that all clients pay over the phone before patient discharge and product/food sales. We will no longer be discussing your pet’s health in person but will handle all conversations over the phone,” they wrote on their Facebook page.

“Because this is an ever-changing situation,

we still ask that you maintain patience as this is a learning curve for us all. We would like to be able to continue to provide the same loving, compassionate, quality care when your pet is in need, while minimizing as much exposure to others as possible.”

Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital in Waynesville closed its dog day camp March 28 until at least April 16, but is still working out arrangements for boarding dogs. The hospital has also stopped having hours on Saturdays at least through the month of April. As the protocols now require people to leave their pets in the hands of the clinicians, the staff is reassuring clients they’re in good hands.

“For anyone concerned about us treating your pet differently when you’re not around, we absolutely do. We have more one-on-one time with them. This means extra butt rubs, ear massages and baby talk,” Maple Tree commented on Facebook. “While a doctor is on the phone with you discussing the exam, diagnostics, etc., a tech

Vacancy, but no rooms available

The Fryemont Inn dining room in Bryson City.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER itting on the side porch of the Fryemont Inn one recent sunny afternoon, Monica Brown overlooks downtown Bryson City. The lawn is newly green, and so are the trees. But, the main lobby is empty, so is the massive dining room and all 37 guest suites within the historic property.

“The hardest aspect of all of this is the waiting. What’s hurting us is the uncertainty,” said Brown, an innkeeper whose family has owned the property since 1982. “This time of the year is right when we’re getting ready to open, getting excited and invigorated about our guests coming here and about what’s ahead for the season.”

Named to the National Register of Historic Places, the Fryemont has been a staple of Bryson City and greater Western North

April 8-14, 2020

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Carolina since its inception in 1923. But, due to the coronavirus and state mandates closing all non-essential businesses until further notice, the Fryemont remains in a holding pattern for the 2020 season.

“North Carolina has a stay-at-home order through April 29, but that doesn’t seem that far away when you really think about what’s hapMonica Brown pening right now,” Brown said. “So, who knows when we will return to some state of normalcy for residents and business owners?”

Early April is when the property emerges from another long winter — the windows are opened and the lodge cleaned from top to bottom. By mid-April, the first guests of the

Smoky Mountain News

Protecting pets during Coronavirus Pandemic

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS EDITOR s the nation focuses on protecting the human population from contracting and spreading COVID-19, mandatory business closures have impacted the humans who’s mission it is to take care of our pets.

A majority of veterinarian offices across Western North Carolina remain open during the shelter in place order, but they are limiting their operations.

“The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board said not to do non-essential services.

Well, that’s our bread and butter — no annuals exams, no doggie daycare. Business is a little slow but we’re doing shorter hours so I can maintain my staff,” said Dr. Ann 6

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Shower at Animal House Veterinary Clinic in Franklin.

Animal House and many other animal hospitals went to doing curbside services several weeks ago. A client stays in their car and a staff member in full personal protective gear goes out to the vehicle to bring the pet inside the clinic while their humans have to stay in the parking lot.

“I’m lucky enough that one of my handicap parking spots comes right up to treatment window so people can drive through.

We’ve also been able to do some video chats to help people,” Shower said.

She’s also focused on taking care of her four other staff members during this difficult time. Shower said she applied for the Payroll

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during the pandemic.

“But we are limiting operations and have transitioned to an appointment-only schedule so that we can continue to serve the public yet maintain social distancing guidelines,” he said.

Operating hours have been reduced to 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday by appointment only and adoption and foster applications are available online. The shelter’s low-cost and free spay/neuter services have been temporarily suspended because the surgery provider has had to close their doors until the pandemic is over.

“We are now offering pick-up and delivery — in the Cashiers and Highlands local area — for donations and recipients of our free food pet pantry program so that folks can follow stay-at-home rules,” Stroud said.

Like PAWS, CHHS’s animal population has stayed about the same but its foster program has nearly tripled recently.

Unfortunately, strays and owner-surrendered animals are still coming into the shelter on a regular basis.

“Donations have dropped significantly and our single-largest fundraiser of the year in June is in jeopardy of being postponed or cancelled altogether. Offsite adoption events have been cancelled and for the health and safety of our current volunteers and staff, we cannot accept any new on-site w volunteers at this time,” Stroud said. a Donations can be sent to CHHS, P.O. Box 638, Cashiers, NC 28717. n Donations can also be made online e at chhumanesociety.org. Food donations can be brought to the l shelter but call first to make an appointment.

Sarge’s Animal Rescue t Foundation in Haywood County has e also changed operations during this Staff members at Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital time. Administrator Fred Strohm e in Waynesville give their furry patients some extra said they started with adoptions by f love while their owners have to wait outside in appointment, then ceased adoptheir vehicles. Donated photo tions completely.

“It all came down to us needing to make sure that our staff stayed healthy so mals at the shelter and have adjusted their that it was ensured they’d still be able to care hours. The shelter has pre-ordered more supplies and making more pet food available for the animals in our facility,” he said. “We have a small staff, so an illness of this potento those in need. tial would devastate our organization.”

“More people are needing help with Sarge’s currently has 51 animals in its food, so we are coordinating a safe drop off care and has been greatly helped by people for providing them food,” she said. opening their homes to foster animals. As of For now, Stroud said the number of aniFriday, more than 100 people had reached mals in the shelter has remained about the out to Sarge’s about helping with fostering. same despite the pandemic. The good news “With this being the beginning of kitten is more people have stepped up to foster and puppy season, fostering would be a shelter animals while they’re staying at great assistance by anyone who wants to home. However, donations are down draallow a shelter animal to live in their matically because the shelter’s thrift store home,” Strohm said. “Our events have comhad to close. pletely stopped, along with any training or “That was our largest income to keep the educational classes we were offering. shelter open and we can’t have (fundraising) Donations are still trickling in, but historievents at this time,” she said. cally, this is our lowest time of the year for To make a donation, mail checks to monetary donations. However, we still PAWS, P.O. Box 1814, Bryson City, NC must continue our work as the animals in 28713. our care count on us for daily cleaning, David Stroud, director of Cashiersfeeding and medication.”

Highlands Humane Society, said cleaning To make a donation, visit and disinfecting at the shelter has always been a top priority and would continue to be www.sargeanimals.org.

g is sitting in the floor with your big wannabe d lap dog crawling on top of them trying to e give kisses or your nervous kitty is now - purring in their arms.”

Junaluska Animal Hospital has provided d 24/7 emergency care for pets in Haywood County for the last several years, but r announced Monday that the emergency clin- ic would now be closing at 10 p.m. If an emergency arises while your vet’s office isn’t d open, call MedVet (formerly known as REACH) at 828.665.4399 or Haywood e Animal Emergency at 828.452.1478. y COVID-19 is also impacting local animal shelters. Beth Cline-Stroud, director of f PAWS in Bryson City, said the shelter is g struggling with fewer animal adoptions, f fewer volunteers and fewer people coming m by to see the animals.

“We can no longer have visitors that nore mally would walk dogs or play with the s cats,” she said. “We have to do adoption interviews by video chat and then set up t appointments for people to come meet the s animals. Visits are by appointment only.” d In response, Stroud and her staff are personally spending more time with the anit -

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Funeral industry adapts to COVID-19

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER he irony’s not lost on many that one of the most essential businesses affecting the lives of people around the world is the business of death.

But like almost every other business — essential or not — the nation’s funeral industry is also being forced to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak and has had to make changes to the way the deceased are handled, and how people mourn them.

“I’ve never seen anything like this with the degree of uncertainty that we’re dealing with,” said J. Wells Greeley, proprietor of Wells Funeral Homes & Cremation Services in Waynesville and Canton.

Greeley, along with his family, has been in the business for quite some time; he’s the fourth generation to lead the company, founded by his great-grandfather in 1888.

His son-in-law Ryan Jacobson represents the fifth generation.

Guidance from the National Funeral Directors Association says that there’s not much risk for funeral home employees in preparing the body of a person who died from COVID-19 as long as they’re properly protected.

“In today’s world with the coronavirus, much like it was with AIDS before the transmission factors were known, we are having to be more vigilant in our procedures and

really make sure that we’re wearing gloves, masks, other things that just help us carry out the services that we are called upon to perform,” Greeley said.

There’s also little known risk associated with being at a funeral or visitation for someone who died of COVID-19.

“Through the procedures that we do when we take an individual into our care, we’re going to make recommendations to the family as to the options that we may want to stay within to protect, number one, our staff, number two, the family and the public in general,” said Greeley. One of those recommendations is to avoid touching the

body of the decedent.

Where the risk does become apparent, however, is at the large gatherings that are often associated with memorializing the death of a friend or loved one.

A week ago, The New York Times reported on the death of a retired janitor in Albany, Georgia. Around 200 mourners showed up, but one of them brought more than the customary casserole, card or condolence — they brought the coronavirus.

Now, in a county with just 90,000 people — about 1.5 times that of Haywood — there have been at least 24 deaths in Albany associated with COVID-19 and nearly 600 cases

April 8-14, 2020

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Funeral homes across the nation haven’t been spared the effects of the coronavirus. Cory Vaillancourt photo

attributable to what’s called a “super-spreading” event.

By comparison, Haywood County hasn’t yet recorded a death and has less than five confirmed cases as of April 7.

In North Carolina, even gatherings at essential businesses are limited to no more than 10 people, so it’s unlikely that such an occurrence would take place here, however, funeral homes aren’t taking any chances.

“I think most families are very understanding of what the landscape is out there right now,” Greeley said.

Some families have opted for private services, others have postponed commemorations and still others are opting to use the same tool that helps businesses continue to hold meetings and school kids continue to learn.

“We have done, through Skype, we’ve transmitted funerals all over the world, so that is an option,” said Greeley. “I’m not sure exactly how many firms are equipped to do that but given the technology today, it can be accomplished pretty quickly.”

Greeley also said that since practically all funeral homes have websites that feature a mechanism whereby mourners can offer online condolences, that’s probably the best way to pay one’s respects without endangering others, but in the end, there remains another tried-and-true, time-tested way to share thoughts of love in the time of COVID-19.

“There’s nothing wrong with the old telephone cell phone method,” Greeley said.

“Give the family a call, and let them know that you’re thinking about them.”

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Hawthorn Heights, an emergency shelter for teens in Bryson City, has shut down amid financial constraints caused by COVID-19. File photo

Bryson City shelter for teens shuts down

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April 8-14, 2020 Smoky Mountain News

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR awthorn Heights, an emergency shelter for teens in Bryson City, has shut its doors permanently due to financial constraints during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“We realize the value Hawthorn Heights provides to the community,” Children’s Hope Alliance President and CEO Celeste Dominguez said. “However, with the challenge presented by the coronavirus to ensure the health and safety of the children and staff at Hawthorn Heights, we are no longer able to maintain these services.”

Dominguez explained that no matter how Children’s Hope Alliance ran the numbers, maintaining the teen shelter just wasn’t feasible.

“The decision to let go of Hawthorn Heights wasn’t an easy one, but we realize the intense demand to meet the need for a larger amount of children and families through our community-based and in-home services,” she said.

Children’s Hope Alliance provides several services to help children and families struggling with mental health issues, which the agency plans to focus on heavily to meet the rising need. These services in Western North Carolina include foster care, adoption, a specialized Treatment Alternatives for Sexualized Kids (TASK) program, family preservation and reunification.

These are the services Children’s Hope Alliance is focusing its resources on to meet a growing need, especially in the western North Carolina region.

“We want to have the largest impact as possible,” Dominguez said. “And this shift in our focus is the best way to do just that.”

Even though CHA said the closure of the shelter would be permanent, the organization is already working with another provider who will hopefully assume services and staff.

“We anticipate the home will reopen in the near future. The provider will be leasing the CHA facility for a nominal cost,” said Jen Murphy, CHA communications director.

At the beginning of March, six teens were in placement at the shelter in Bryson City — Murphy said five of the teens returned home as planned while the sixth teen left to a level 1 placement in the region.

All employees working at Hawthorn Heights under CHA have been offered positions with the new company, including the program director.

While Hawthorn Heights has provided a temporary refuge for homeless and runaway teenagers in Bryson City since 1976, the operation opened a new facility in 2015. The former shelter house on Patterson Avenue was cramped for space and the layout created supervision problems. The new facility — with the capacity to shelter nine teens at a time — includes 6,400 square feet of space with a large kitchen, living area, recreation area and a full basement. About $840,000 was raised for the first phase of the project.

“The building remains owned by CHA. We have every desire for this beautiful facility to be used to serve children and look forward to this partnership,” Murphy said.

Western North Carolina continues to have a shortage of behavioral health resources for youth, and Hawthorn Heights was the only emergency runaway and homeless youth shelter west of Asheville. Teens age 12-17 came to the shelter in a variety of ways, whether they were referred by the juvenile court system for minor offenses, department of social services, guidance counselors or parents who needed some help.

CHA took over management of Hawthorn Heights in 2014, but the nonprofit organization offers services in 61 counties and has 13 different office locations. Its historic residential campuses are located in Statesville and Banner Elk.

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Spring Rate*

N.C. did nothing to prepare for onslaught of unemployment claims

*SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

ANY TIME

This screen has been a common sight for those applying for unemployment in North Carolina.

Cory Vaillancourt photo

April 8-14, 2020

176 COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE

Is Your Business Facebook Account More Than You Can Manage?

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER orkers affected by layoffs associated with the Coronavirus Pandemic are still reporting major problems with North Carolina’s unemployment benefit system almost four weeks after North Carolina’s hospitality industry was effectively shuttered by executive order.

Issued by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, that order — as well as subsequent “stay home” orders both locally and statewide — greatly increased the number of new claimants, but in the lead up to it all, Cooper did nothing to prepare for the onslaught of claims that he should have known would come as the result of his orders, The Smoky Mountain News has learned.

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n Tuesday, March 17, around 10 a.m., Cooper issued a press release giving notice that he would sign an executive order prohibiting sit-down service in the state’s bars and restaurants, effective in less than eight hours.

Cooper’s 2 p.m. press conference later that day was the first many hospitality industry workers heard of the news that they’d be unexpectedly unemployed in less than three hours.

During that same press conference, Cooper also announced an expansion of the state’s unemployment insurance system intended to help workers impacted by COVID-19; those measures would come to include waving the waiting week and work search requirement for claimants as well as the charges employers incur when workers who have left their companies qualify for unemployment benefits.

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On Tuesday, March 17, around 10 a.m., Cooper issued a press release giving notice that he would sign an executive order prohibiting sit-down service in the state’s bars and restaurants, effective in less than eight hours.

Unemployment claims are processed through the N.C. Division of Employment Security and are submitted in two main ways — via the DES website, and by phone.

The week of Cooper’s order, more than 100,000 North Carolinians filed for unemployment, as reported by The News & Observer’s Will Doran.

Waynesville bartender Crystal Gandolfo told SMN on March 18 that heavy website traffic prompted her to set an alarm for 3:30 a.m. so she could finally get through the filing process without service interruptions.

The ensuing statewide “stay home” order announced by Cooper March 27 closed all non-essential businesses in counties that hadn’t already done so and resulted in another huge glut of unemployment claimants.

“In a typical week, we would process 3,000 claims, so we are staffed for 3,000 claims a week,” said Larry Parker, public information officer with the DES. “We’ve now done over 400,000 claims since the

week of March 16, so we have far exceeded our weekly average.”

Parker told SMN that DES had seen 16,164 claims on Sunday, April 5, alone.

Reporting by CNN on April 4 said that Asheville resident Camilla Christiansen Poole waited eight hours and 48 minutes for her call to DES to be answered, after being disconnected “dozens of times.”

“We’re adding as much staff as possible, because we know there are a lot of calls coming in. We know that some folks are having difficulty getting through on the website or through the telephone line,” Parker said.

“We are working as quickly as possible to answer emails that are coming through our customer contact form online. It’s all hands on deck here. We’ve got staff working weekends and overtime during the week to assist claimants as quickly as possible.”

The CNN story also reported that the DES said it was “‘ … moving aggressively’ to better address the unprecedented spike in filings by hiring 50 more staffers, contracting with an additional 200-person call center, adding computer servers and purchasing new equipment.”

Parker confirmed those details to SMN, but when asked if he’d seen any improvement in DES ability to process claims prior to the influx of new claimants that would surely be created by Cooper’s March 17 order, Parker said no.

Waynesville Democratic Rep. Joe Sam Queen chalks up most of the problems with the state’s unemployment system to actions taken by Republicans under the administration of former Gov. Pat McCrory, who lost to Cooper in 2016.

“What they did was cut the period that you could receive benefits from 26 weeks — which it had been since 1935 — to 12 weeks,” said Queen. “They cut the payments to a maximum of $350 [per week], and they cut the staff.”

Queen said that Cooper wouldn’t have the authority to do anything until a declaration of emergency was issued.

“Then you could commandeer your budget, you could commandeer your other agencies and you could move people,” he said.

Cooper issued a State of Emergency declaration on March 10, a full week before issuing the order to close bars and restaurants, but apparently still waited several more weeks before doing anything to beef up the DES system.

Through April 6, DES had handled 445,101 initial claims. Parker said it remains to be seen if the initial claims have peaked, or if this is only the beginning.

“It’s tough to tell,” he said. “Obviously, we continue to see a high amount of claims come into our system each day. We’re doing a lot of things on our end to try to ease up the process.”

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER ess than two weeks after issuing a joint proclamation restricting movement to essential activity only, the Haywood County Board of Commissioners has extended the duration of that proclamation by 18 days.

“You probably need to stay tuned because I’m sure that if this keeps going, we might have to extend that even again,” said Chairman Kevin Ensley. “We all just want to keep our citizens safe.”

The original proclamation, which also applies to the Haywood County towns of Canton, Clyde, Maggie Valley and Waynesville, was passed unanimously by commissioners during an emergency meeting on March 26.

It was slated to expire on April 16, but the day after Haywood’s proclamation, Gov. Roy Cooper issued a statewide “stay home” order of his own, valid through April 30.

During the regular commission meeting on April 6, commissioners voted unanimously to extend Haywood’s order through 5 p.m. on May 4, the day of the next regular board meeting.

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Although much of Western North Carolina has been spared the brunt of the Coronavirus Pandemic, new cases continue to appear and for the first time Haywood County now counts itself among the ranks of counties reporting cases.

The first two came in on April 2, according to a release issued by the Haywood County Sheriff ’s office. The individuals live together, and both were reported to have been self-isolating in their homes since taking the tests. They’re now at the end of the 14-day quarantine period and are considered recovered. The

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The Haywood proclamation, which gives a detailed rundown of what citizens can and cannot do while it’s in effect, can be viewed at www.haywoodcountync.gov.

The county also produced a document meant to address frequently asked questions, but citizens and (essential) visitors to Haywood County can also call the county’s COVID-19 Helpline at 828.356.2019 seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. with specific questions. two reported no out-of-state travel prior to testing positive.

The third case was reported on April 5, and the stricken individual also reported no out of state travel.

North Carolina’s first case came on March 3, six weeks after the first U.S. case was reported in Washington. Since then, North Carolina has confirmed more than 3,200 cases from 41,000 tests in 90 of the state’s 100 counties. Those cases have resulted in 46 deaths and 354 hospitalizations across the state. To date, the Coronavirus Pandemic has produced 386,000 cases in the U.S., 1.4 million cases across the globe, and 81,000 dead worldwide.

For more information on North Carolina’s coronavirus cases, visit www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus.

cants may receive up to 75 percent of the cost of approved restoration activity. Limited resource, socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers may receive up to 90 percent cost-share. A 25 percent advance payment will be allowed for repair or replacement of fencing.

Producers with damage from such events must apply for assistance prior to beginning reconstructive work. For more information on ECP, contact the Bryson City USDA Service Center at 828.488.2684, extension 2, or visit www.farmers.gov/recover.

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FSA help available to Swain County The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency is accepting applications for the Emergency Conservation Program to address damages from flooding in early February in Swain County. ECP signup will continue through Monday, May 11.

The approved ECP practices under this authorization include 1) debris removal from farmland; 2) grading, shaping, releveling, or similar measures; and 3) restoring permanent fences. ECP assists producers with the recovery cost to restore the farmland to predisaster conditions. Approved ECP appli-

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April 8-14, 2020

Three coronavirus cases reported in Haywood County

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Haywood extends ‘stay home’ order

Should Cooper lift the state’s order before then, Ensley could unilaterally do the same with Haywood’s order at any time, but commissioners agreed it was important to extend Haywood’s order so there would be no lapse between the local and state orders.

All provisions of the original Haywood proclamation — including the ban on shortterm lodging for non-essential visitors — remain in effect.

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Haywood groups create loan fund

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER ore help is on the way for small business owners now that several nonprofits have teamed up with Haywood County government to create a fund that will soon begin issuing loans to companies affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic.

“Haywood County has always been strong and resilient in times of unexpected disasters and crisis,” reads a statement from the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce. “We have experienced disasters before; floods, blizzards, recessions, rock slides, forest fires and more in such a small span of years, and we have always helped one another during those times. Now is one of those times.”

Haywood Chamber President CeCe Hipps said she’d been thinking for weeks on how to support the county’s businesses, especially after people had contacted Hipps asking how and where they could make donations to further her goal.

“Kit [Cramer, president of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce] served on a committee to come up with the One Buncombe fund, and I had some conversations with her,” Hipps said of her counterpart at the Asheville Chamber. Hipps and Cramer have had had a working relationships for several years now, especially in light of Haywood’s economic development

Smoky Mountain News

April 8-14, 2020

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individuals and entities.

“The intent of what Asheville did is the county contributed money, and other organizations contributed as well, like Biltmore Farms,” said Hipps. “I called [Haywood Advancement Foundation’s] Ron Leatherwood weeks ago and said, ‘If I come up with something will I have support?’”

Hipps said she’d had If you’re able, please consider supporting Haywood County’s some “deep discussions” small businesses with a tax-deductible donation to the with Haywood County #HaywoodStrong #HaywoodRecovery fund. Make your check Program Administrator payable to the Haywood Advancement Foundation, and mail it to: David Francis, who went to county government Haywood Advancement Foundation for support.

28 Walnut Street, Suite 4 On April 6, Hipps Waynesville, NC 28786 found out just how much support her idea had — Haywood County compartnership with the Asheville Chamber. missioners voted unanimously to loan the The One Buncombe fund is a centralized #HaywoodStrong #HaywoodRecovery fund relief center that can accept donations and $100,000. The county also picked up the provide direct assistance grants to individu$10,500 administration fee payable to als and small businesses; to date, it’s Mountain Bizworks, the organization that received large donations from Buncombe will manage Haywood’s fund.

County ($300,000), the City of Asheville Mountain BizWorks is a U.S. Treasury($100,000) and more than $62,000 from 276 certified nonprofit community development

Support the #HaywoodStrong #HaywoodRecovery fund

financial institution with a 30-year history of business loan activity, managing loans ranging in size from $1,000 to $250,000.

During the meeting, Francis revealed that the Haywood Advancement Foundation would also chip in, to the tune of $250,000.

“The Chamber’s job will be to simply get the word out,” Hipps said. “All the work’s been done, the logo and the landing page should be up later this week.”

Once everything’s up and running, Haywood County businesses with less than 25 employees that can prove that they were profitable as of 2019 and that they’ve been impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for loans ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. The loans are meant to serve as bridge funding for businesses that are still waiting on loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The loans will require no payments of any kind for six months but will accrue interest at 4 percent. After the initial six months, that interest is rolled into the loan’s principal and any portion of the principal not refinanced by the SBA or otherwise repaid would convert to a 36-month loan at 5.5 percent interest. There will be no penalty for early repayment.

Borrowers can only use the proceeds of the loans for payroll, accounts payable, fixed debts or other outstanding bills.

The $100,000 contribution by Haywood County will eventually be repaid by borrowers, meaning the only actual outlay by the county is the management fee payable to Mountain BizWorks.

The cost of COVID-19

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER ost in the struggle to combat the Coronavirus Pandemic is the fact that local governments have already begun incurring unanticipated costs related to COVID-19 response.

“What I have brought today is taking $100,000 from contingency and spreading it across some of the expense line items where we’re seen increased cost,” said Haywood County Finance Director Julie Davis during the April 6 Haywood County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Those costs, per Davis, are related to the county’s response to COVID-19.

“We’ve hired some new part-time workers specifically for COVID-19. We also have a medical director who’s considered a part-time worker who’s putting in a lot of extra hours, so that’s an increased cost,” said Davis. “We have some overtime for EMS and emergency management as you can imagine. We also are purchasing masks and gloves, and what kind of protective gear that we can.”

Davis added that the county is also spending a bit more on communications costs for county employees who need to remain in touch with other county workers,

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BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER f late, many businesses and individuals have been forced to re-evaluate how they do things, but municipal governments are also grappling with governing in the age of social distancing and the “stay home” orders part and parcel to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

“The proposed change is to add a section to the rules of procedure, the policies and procedures of this board, to allow electronic meetings to be conducted in a case where a State of Emergency has been declared by federal, state or local government,” Haywood County Attorney Frank Queen told commissioners during a meeting April 6.

Queen explained that the general notion of boards of commissioners is that they physically meet to carry out the business of the county, and that the process is so engrained that the county’s procedures never really anticipated a situation like this one.

In order to continue carrying out the county’s business — especially if a commissioner or commissioners end up isolating themselves due to illness — the new procedures spell out how the county can do that without violating strict rules established by the North Carolina General Assembly in

regard to quorums, serving proper public notice of meetings and giving citizens the opportunity to attend or view the meetings.

The county is already encouraging citizens to view meetings online through a live stream at www.haywoodcountync.gov, or on local cable television stations, but one concern still unresolved is how the public would participate if the physical meetings stopped taking place.

Normally, those wishing to address commissioners must sign up prior to the meeting and would then be given three minutes at the podium. Currently, the county is asking people to submit comments to the board’s clerk, Tracy Wells, no later than 5 p.m. on the Sunday before the Monday meetings.

In the future, the county may opt to allow citizens to show up to the normal meeting location — the Historic Haywood Courthouse — even if commissioners aren’t there.

Public comment would be live streamed to commissioners watching online, and the public would be able to see and hear commissioners who in turn would be streamed onto the large video screens in the board’s meeting space.

Commissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick said during the April 6 meeting that his assumption was that the board would continue to meet in person at meetings open to the public, unless and until something changes.

The meeting was attended by all five commissioners, as well as several county department heads and administrators. Other than two media representatives, no one from the general public was in attendance, and no public comment on any agenda item was offered.

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Haywood adopts new rules for electronic meetings

or the public.

“We also are spending a little money on Verizon. We have a few cell phones that we’ve purchased for some of the nurses that are manning the [Haywood County COVID-19] help line, and we’re getting some ‘hot spots’ from Verizon so people who don’t have good internet at home are able to access and do their work, if they’re working from home,” she said.

Documents provided by Davis show a $39,400 increase in part time wages, a $22,000 increase in the county’s $5,000 overtime budget, $37,600 for medical supplies and $1,000 for communications.

Some of the expenses, according to Davis, could possibly be reimbursed by FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“But at this point, we’re just not sure,” she said. “So we’re just going to go ahead and move this and take it from contingency, and if we get reimbursed it probably will be in the next year anyway.”

Commissioners passed a budget amendment for the $100,000, which will be charged to the county’s 2019-20 fiscal year budget. At present, the county is in the midst of compiling the 2020-21 budget, which must be passed

by July 1. It’s likely that budget will be greatly affected by further coronavirus-related costs as well. Those additional expenses are part of the reason why the county issued a State of Emergency because now the county will be eligible for reimbursements from FEMA.

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Haywood County incurs unforeseen expenses

Downsizing Vacation Rentals Guest Houses, etc.

1819 Country Club Drive Maggie Valley, NC

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Cataloochee Ranch under new ownership

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR ataloochee Ranch, a Haywood County landmark and a vacationer’s mountain paradise, has changed hands after being in the Alexander family since 1933.

As of March 30, the 700-plus acre Fie Mountaintop property is under the ownership of Cataloochee Ranch Resort, LLC, which is a new partnership between Ron and Camelia Ray and David and Annie Colquitt.

Ron and Camelia Ray split their time between Maggie Valley and Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and David and Annie Colquitt of Knoxville, Tennessee, spend a lot of time in Waynesville after purchasing The Swag resort in 2018.

“We are all committed to investing capital to restore and improve Cataloochee Ranch,” said Camelia Ray. “Our priorities will be to renovate the Ranch House, dining room and kitchen, while updating the cabin interiors. We want guests to be wowed by the facilities, food and service.”

Ron Ray, former CEO of The Ray Group International (RGI), former U.S. Army officer and recipient of the Medal of Honor, first visited the ranch decades ago when his children were young. He and Camelia have lived adjacent to the ranch since 2013 and spend roughly half their time in North Carolina.

“We want to preserve the beauty and history of this very special place,” Ron Ray said.

“We also want to make additional investments in the facilities and operations to ensure that people will be able to enjoy the splendor of Cataloochee Ranch for the next 50 years.”

Cataloochee Ranch will be closed during renovations and capital improvements. A reopening date has not yet been determined.

“Cataloochee Ranch and The Swag will be operated independently and we, along with the Rays, will hire an experienced general manager to oversee operations at the ranch and deliver an amazing guest experience,” David Colquitt said.

The Colquitts discovered the area and The Swag, another mountaintop destination bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, when they first got married.

“From our time honeymooning at The Swag when we hiked up onto Hemphill Bald, which is actually a part of Cataloochee Ranch, we have been blown away by the beauty of the land,” Annie Colquitt said.

“When we heard that there might be a possibility that Cataloochee Ranch could be sold, we were eager to work with Ron and Camelia to preserve and enhance this amazing place with an amazing heritage.”

Originally located in Cataloochee Valley within what became the boundaries of the national park, Tom and Judy Alexander moved to the current mountaintop location with elevations up to 5,600 feet. The ranch

April 8-14, 2020

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CBD has traditionally been used for: Anxiety/Depression Seizures Pain/Fibromyalgia Nausea/Vomiting Sleep Tremors PTSD ADHD/ADD Autism

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offers extraordinary views and cool temperatures and has been operated by second- and third-generation Alexander family members for nearly 90 years.

Ron Ray said the transaction has been in the works for more than a year as the buyers and sellers worked out all the details.

“We started talking about it a year and a half ago. Another group was thinking about making an offer and we thought we’d do the same thing,” he said. “It took a while because the ranch has been in the family for many years. With a number of owners involved it can be tough. I think some were ready to let it go and others had to think about it for a while.”

Cataloochee Ranch consists of 12 individual cabins and six lodge rooms. Guests can enjoy horseback riding, hiking trails, fishing and spa treatments, among other activities.

Ray said he hoped the ranch would be able to allow horseback riding this summer, but it was dependent on what happens with the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“Right now our focus will be to get the ranch back to what Ms. Judy and Mr. Alexander had it years ago — it was the place to be in the mountains,” he said. “We’ll be closed for this season so we can totally redo the ranch house — we already have designs laid out and we’ll be upgrading other facilities too.”

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BY J ESSI STONE N EWS EDITOR wain County commissioners amended the county’s State of Emergency again Tuesday morning to include a curfew for all residents.

In a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Kenneth Parton opposed, the board approved a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew for all Swain County residents effective at 10 p.m. Wednesday, April 8. The declaration does include exemptions for essential workers coming to and from work and residents experiencing homelessness.

County Manager Kevin King said the curfew recommendation came from the county’s COVID-19 committee, which includes the county health director, sheriff, emergency management director and other key county staff. Like the rest of the declaration, violations can result in a class 2 misdemeanor, which can result in up to 60 days of jail time and $1,000 fine.

As the virus is anticipated to peak in Western North Carolina sometime between April 20 and May 1, Sheriff Curtis Cochran said it was more important than ever to keep movement in the county to a minimum.

“This recommendation is also sparked by the number of calls we’ve received lately,” he said. “Just this past weekend, we had two assaults on officers from people who should have been home already. One kicked an EMS worker — he’s in jail right now — and the other was someone at Ela campground.

Keeping a curfew in place gives officers another layer of protection.”

EMS Director David Breedlove said based on movements tracked via cell towers, Swain County residents are moving at a much lower rate than they were a week or two ago, which shows the declaration is being taken seriously.

“What we’re doing is working,” he said.

While he understands the importance of the State of Emergency, Parton said he didn’t think adding more restrictions like a curfew would keep people from breaking the law. He

said he also worried about how the curfew would impact residents wanting to get up early to go fishing or turkey hunting.

“I don’t see how this is going to change a whole lot of anything. I think some people won’t follow it,” he said.

Commissioners also heard an update from Steve Heatherly, CEO of Harris Regional and Swain Community hospitals. With the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changing almost daily, he said the hospital system was working diligently to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while also preparing for a possible surge.

Visitors are restricted from the hospitals right now and all patients, visitors and employees undergo the same screening process when entering the hospital.

As for testing, Heatherly said the hospital does have the capacity to perform high numbers of testing if needed, but right now whether to test is being left at the discretion of treating physicians based on CDC recommendations.

“That said, we’ve chosen not to do mass testing at this point — we’re following CDC guidelines, which relies on individual physicians to make those decisions,” he said.

“There have been reports about rapid testing coming online and we anticipate we’ll have the ability to do rapid testing in the next few weeks, depending on when the material is made available to us.”

The turnaround time on getting test results has improved somewhat — Heatherly said at first it was taking seven days to two weeks to get results and now it’s taking four to seven days.

“That is still variable as companies are still ramping up capacity to do more testing,” he said.

As of right now, Heatherly said Swain Community Hospital will not be admitting COVID-19 patients. If any positive cases arise in Swain and require hospitalization, they will be transported to Harris in Sylva.

Because Swain operates a swing bed unit for long-term rehab patients who are often immune compromised, Heatherly said he’d like to keep that vulnerable population separated from potential COVID-19 cases.

However, that policy can be changed if a surge requires more hospital bed space.

Lastly, Harris has nine ICU beds, but Heatherly said the hospital has the capacity to double beds if needed to meet increased demand.

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DA says wheels of justice continue to turn istrict Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said Tuesday the judicial system remains open for business with measures in place to counter the Coronavirus Pandemic.

“The health and well-being of employees and community members we serve is a top priority,” said Welch, who oversees the 43rd Prosecutorial District, made up of the state’s seven westernmost counties.

“Our office is working with others in the court system, including judges, clerks of court, defense attorneys and local law enforcement, Ashley Hornsby to strike a balance Welch between the needs of public health and public safety, while providing constitutional dueprocess rights as guaranteed under the Constitution.”

Law enforcement officers continue to arrest offenders, including domestic-violence suspects, people who drive while impaired and others who commit criminal misdeeds. The District Attorney’s Office continues to process these cases. Welch

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emphasized anyone who violates Gov. Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home order or who ignores locally enacted ordinances could face criminal charges.

“If law enforcement takes action, my office will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” she said. “People need to understand these regulations are in place for the good of all, to try to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Earlier this month, N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley issued a set of emergency directives. Her orders to the judicial system included postponing most cases in Superior and District courts.

She also instructed local officials to limit the risk of coronavirus exposure in courthouses.

Welch said members of the District Attorney’s Office are deemed essential employees. To limit the potential for coronavirus exposure, administrative staff members are working different shifts districtwide.

This both provides protection and allows all seven county offices to stay open, with a staff member in each office available during business hours.

Otherwise, to the extent possible, she and her 31-member staff are working remotely from their homes.

HCC launches emergency fund

For more information about HCC Cares, visit www.haywood.edu/financial-aid/scholarships and scroll past the scholarship information.

Haywood Community College recognizes that student needs have increased due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and as a result, has launched the HCC Cares campaign.

Through this campaign, the HCC strives to increase awareness of available support through student emergency funding.

Recently, the HCC Foundation received a Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Fund for Haywood County Grant to be used as a supplement to the college’s existing Lavender Fund. The $5,000 grant will provide emergency assistance to HCC students.

During this time, students may face challenges that would require assistance to overcome a crisis involving the need for funds for food, gas, housing, utilities or childcare. The goal of assisting students with these needs is to keep students on track to complete the semester and achieve their educational goals.

The grant funds from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Fund for Haywood County will be combined with funds raised from individuals and other organizations to address these needs.

Through the Lavender Fund, 45 students were assisted during the 2018-19 academic year. The fund provided more than $13,400 in assistance to students, 97 percent of which were able to complete their studies successfully.

Record visitation recorded on public lands Visitation at many state forests in North Carolina is two and three times greater than what is typical for this time of year, which is stretching the resources of the sites and making it harder for people to practice proper social distancing.

Visitors are asked to strictly follow social distancing guidelines to help keep public lands safe, available and open to the public during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Many public lands have temporarily closed, restricting public access until further notice due to heavy visitation. N.C. Forest Service officials note that some visitors are following social distancing guidelines while others are not. Many state parks, state forests and national forests are experiencing large congregations of visitors in parking areas.

To download Social Distancing Guidelines for North Carolina State Forests and for updated information about public access to state forests during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit www.ncforestservice.gov/COVID19.htm.

Business

Smoky Mountain News

emailed to them when it is available and are encouraged to review the document checklist to be prepared once the application period begins.

Tiffany Henry

SCC Small Business director receives statewide award

HCC offers free bookkeeping webinar

For the fifth time, Tiffany Henry of Southwestern Community College has received a statewide award from the North Carolina Community College System’s Small Business Center Network.

Henry, director of the Small Business Center for SCC, recently received an award entitled “Business Success Story: Most Impact” for her work with Baxley’s Chocolates in Sylva. Henry began working with owners Steve and Lauren Baxley in 2014, helping them craft their initial business plan and meeting with them regularly to transform their ideas into a business model.

Baxley’s opened in 2015 on Main Street. Last year, Henry helped them move to a new, larger space to further expand their business. Her efforts have been recognized by the state’s Small Business Center Network through the additional awards of: “Rookie of the Year” in 2014; “Innovation Award: Services/Collaboration” in 2015 and 2017; and “State Director’s Award” in 2018.

HomeTrust implements COVID-19 measures HomeTrust Bank is proactively addressing the Coronavirus Pandemic by making temporary operational adjustments to ensure the protection of customers, employees, and the communities the bank serves, while also ensuring that customers continue to receive the financial services and support they depend on every day.

After careful consideration and close monitoring of COVID-19, HomeTrust Bank implemented the following steps to help safeguard customers and employees, beginning Friday, March 20, 2020 — customers are directed to drive-thru lanes at branches for in-person transactions; lobby services are available by appointment. To schedule an appointment, customers can call 800.627.1632 and press #.

The following services are addressed by appointment: commercial customer deposits for multi-item or heavy deposits; commercial change orders; official checks; wire transfers; loan closings such as mortgage, HELOC, customer, commercial and document signing; IRA contributions or withdrawals; instant issue debit card replacement; safe deposit box access.

Saturday branch hours were temporarily suspended beginning Saturday, March 28, 2020.

Vecinos receives $10K to address COVID-19 Vecinos Farmworker Health Program has received a $10,000 grant from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina to provide medication and emergency assistance to their patients, as well as medical supplies for health care providers during this COVID-19 pandemic.

The emergency financial support provided by the funding from CFWNC during a time when the WCU based Vecinos office and clinic have closed, has provided their program the means to address

their current needs and brace for those of the future. The Vecinos medical and outreach teams have been working tirelessly to reach the region’s farmworkers, providing education lessons and materials, medication, support supplies, and testing surrounding COVID-19.

HCC offers free webinar for businesses The Small Business Center at Haywood Community College will offer a free webinar “How to Find Your Customers” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 14.

Market research isn’t just for startups — it’s an important ongoing process for every small business. Developing a focused and effective marketing plan requires up-to-date market analysis.

In this seminar, participants will discover the variety of market research tools that will give them information about their industry and customers. Get the data needed to test the feasibility of a new business, find the competition and potential customers interested in your proposed product or service.

The speaker is Tonya Snider, owner of tenBiz. Visit sbc.haywood.edu or call 828.627.4512 to register.

WCU to offer virtual trainings Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment will be offering several virtual trainings in April and May to give professionals the opportunity to still engage in training while practicing social distancing.

Below is a full list of virtual trainings being offered: Six Sigma Whitebelt Training, Tuesday April 7 and Tuesday, April 14; Employment Law Updates Related to COVID-19, Thursday, April 16; Social Media Listening, Friday, April 17; Grant Writing Certificate Program, April 21-24; Current & Tested

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Social Media Strategies for Digital Marketing, Friday, April 24; Intro to Content Marketing, Friday, May 1; Best Practices for including Video in Your Content Strategy, Friday, May 8; Analyzing the Stats and Effectiveness of a Digital Marketing Campaign, Friday, May 15.

For more information about these programs, visit pdp.wcu.edu or email Jill Thompson, WCU’s associate director of professional development at jcthompson@wcu.edu.

UCB prepared to help small businesses United Community Bank has announced its plans to support communities and help small businesses obtain funding relief through the Paycheck Protection Program under the federal CARES Act. UCB has extensive resources and skills that will be dedicated to helping small business owners determine eligibility and navigate the application process. Customers are invited to learn more about the bill and take steps to apply at www.ucbi.com/cares.

The bill will expand the Small Business Administration 7(a) Loan Program to address working capital. Interested businesses must make a good faith certification that they have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Eligible businesses with fewer than 500 employees that continue to employ, reemploy and pay their workers through the covered period during the Coronavirus pandemic can apply to receive a loan equal to two times the amount of one month’s average payroll plus an additional 25 percent, up to $10 million.

While the SBA works to update its system to accommodate the new loan eligibility criteria, interested customers are encouraged to visit UCBI.com/CARES to view United’s resources, including a checklist of documents that will be needed for the application and frequently asked questions about the bill. Customers are also able to register to have the link to the application

The Small Business Center at Haywood Community College will offer a free webinar “Basics of Bookkeeping” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 21.

Gain a workable knowledge of how to properly record financial transactions for your business.

Discover the three most important financial reports and how to use them to make the best informed business decision. If you’re a new business owner or need a refresher on the basics of accounting, this seminar is designed for you.

The speaker is Tonya Snider, owner of tenBiz. Her company helps businesses realize their full potential through a layered approach of training, consulting and coaching. Snider has experience in management, marketing, lending, human resources, consulting, classroom facilitation and economic development.

Register at sbc.haywood.edu or 828.627.4512.

SCC to host virtual job fair Southwestern Community College’s Career Services will host a virtual job fair from 9 a.m. to noon April 24.

The virtual job fair offers the opportunity for students to “meet” with Career Services staff online for an overview of the jobs being posted and to receive technical assistance with the Job Board or professional coaching about networking with employers.

Employers will be concurrently available during this time and can also receive emails or calls about their jobs and hiring plans. During the week leading up to the job fair, SCC will publicize how to join the online sessions during the event.

Contact m_despeaux@southwesterncc.edu for help with any of these resources.

Dollar General is hiring As the heightened demand for household essentials offered by Dollar General stores continues across the country amid COVID-19 concerns, the company plans to nearly double its normal hiring rate and add up to 50,000 employees by the end of April as it continues to diligently work to support customers’ needs.

Dollar General currently operates more than 16,300 stores in 45 states, and approximately 75 percent of the American population is within five miles of a Dollar General. The company also operates 17 traditional distribution centers, five DG Fresh cold storage facilities and its private fleet network. Candidates can learn more about a variety of opportunities across the Dollar General network and apply for available openings at www.careerarc.com/job-map/dollar-general-corporation/campaign/45977.

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

History lessons being learned the hard way J ERRY DEWEESE G UEST COLUMNIST hen in grade school, I wondered why my teachers spent so much time teaching history. What did it matter? This was old news. Now that I have reached “old age” status, I recognize that history is full of lessons and it repeats itself. If we pay attention, today’s society may be able to avoid making the same mistakes we learned about in history class.

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Lesson I In 1918, there was a widespread outbreak of Spanish Flu, which turned out to be the second deadliest viral outbreak in history. Vaccines, effective treatments and cures were not available. Before this pandemic ended, 500 million people were infected and 3 to 5 percent of the world’s population died. Although no one alive today can remember this outbreak, it is well documented and the current Covid-19 pandemic is not as “unprecedented” as reports suggest.

Lesson II In the late 1930s, Franklin D. Roosevelt was the President.

War was raging in Europe with three dictators taking over the continent one region at a time. The United States understandably adopted an isolationist posture, as the memories of WWII were still fresh on their minds. This policy seemed to say to the United States public, let them (Europe) take care of themselves and it will have no effect on our country.

On a December 1941 morning, we lost 2,400 United States service men and women at Pearl Harbor. At that point, “their” problem became ours as well. Interestingly, our military had a radar operator working who recognized the 183 approaching

Trump was too slow to react To the Editor: Regarding the letter writer in the April 1 issue, blaming the news media for our current problems, I see that President Trump finally realizes how serious the coronavirus is. He (very recently) said that he hoped the deaths in the U.S. were only 100,000, but they might approach 240,000. The fact that he closed his eyes to facts, just as the letter writer did (or does), for over six weeks, hospitals are missing crucial supplies.

He was first warned about this in the middle of January, but he basically did nothing until the end of February. And he did not realize how bad it was until this week.

South Korea and the U.S. both had their first coronavirus victim on the same date.

South Korea immediately started a task force to react against this disease. The U.S. did nothing. The number of deaths projected above are if all states would enforce stay-athome orders. Five states have not yet done so; the president should immediately impose national restrictions, as most states have

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planes from 137 miles away. No planes were scheduled so a commanding officer was notified. Not wanting to alarm the naval base or public, the commanding officer ordered nothing be done. Imagine the precautions and life-saving measures that could have been implemented, if the advance notice had been taken seriously and publicized.

Lesson III As the global economy took off, imports and exports increased. During the 1950s, the hemlock woolly adelgid, native to Japan, India and southern China, arrived at the port in New York City in a nursery shipment. Eastern and Carolina hemlock trees were not resistant to this foreign pest. Birds slowly spread this exotic enemy down the spine of the Appalachian Mountains until it reached Western North Carolina in 1996.

During the last 24 years, all our area’s majestic hemlock have been attacked. If you see one of these forest giants, it is either standing dead, dying or on continual life support through tree-by-tree treatment. There is no large-scale vaccine or treatment available. I guess the hemlock population is fortunate that birds cannot spread trouble as quickly as humans can.

Side note: Before anyone gets too upset at the folks from China, we should remember that these are the very people who gave us the pig, a delicious animal that many of us would not want to live without. In the 1500s, a pig walked down the gangplank behind Henry DeSoto into what would be our country — thus giving us access to barbecue and bacon since.

Lesson IV In the 1800s, when neighbors were in need, community stepped up without being asked, without wanting credit and

LETTERS done. South Korea is recovering; the U.S. is not.

This administration will not be blamed for the coronavirus, but it will be blamed for failing to react appropriately, causing many unnecessary deaths.

Clark Pearson Sylva

Why all the out-of-state plates?

To the Editor: I realize there are illiterate people in this world but, really, who hasn’t heard or read the “Stay at Home” alerts issued by the government? I have a scanner and I am out-andabout on Wednesdays delivering The Smoky Mountain News to accessible locations.

Ask me how many out-of-state license plates are here and ask me when they started appearing. They are just as prevalent during this pandemic as they are during our town’s normal tourist season. They started showing up within days of the “Stay at Home” alerts!

without regard of their own personal needs. Families shared food, crops and livestock, helped raise one another’s children, and built homes and barns together. They built a community support system available to all. They bartered, traded, exchanged and swapped. It may sound like a simpler time — it was.

Our community today is bigger, in fact, it is global, far more complicated, intertwined and focused on individual needs and wants. If you doubt that global economics affects you, pull that cell phone off your belt and see where it was made.

Folks, we are globally in this pandemic together. Like a marriage, we have what we have — for better or worse. No number of guns, — and yes, I have my own — or billions spent on border walls or number of hoarded rolls of toilet paper will protect our community from Covid 19 or future global crises. Being socially responsible and putting others above ourselves will help.

Use caution as you navigate media commentary and news.

Just because “information” is posted on our social media pages and regardless of the number of shares — it is not always fact. Opinions and misinformation can be costly when trying to manage a crisis. News stories are sometimes false or distorted. History has been documented, witnessed and is a reliable source.

Let’s hope those who are able to survive this most recent global crisis can do a better job of working together, selflessly and with only the best interest of community in mind. Let’s hope that we can learn from history, improve reactions and support one another. Prayers for our human race. Stay safe out there – six feet apart, for now.

(Jerry DeWeese lives in Sylva)

I have questions as to where they are staying. Did they self-quarantine for 14 days as requested? The biggest question is, why?

Apparently, we don’t need outside help spreading COVID-19, but then I look around I see plates from Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, California, etc.

It isn’t that I don’t appreciate the support for Waynesville and its surrounding areas, but somehow this doesn’t seem to be the appropriate time. All I can say is, well, you’re here now so follow the rules and be respectful. I would prefer to live for a while longer.

Kathy Singletary Waynesville

We need leadership from Washington To the Editor: Thank you for your complete coverage of the worst national health disaster of my long life. President Trump is fond of saying that he’s a “war time” president. A war time President like FDR was able to mobilize the allegiance of all our citizens as well as the wherewithal to fight the war. The COVID-19

virus demands national leadership regarding both policy and the distribution of muchneeded medical supplies and equipment.

It is upsetting to read that beaches in our contiguous state to the south ere just reopened and that thousands of spring-breakers were still frolicking, potential spreading the deadly virus on the beaches in Florida just a week or so ago.

We need leadership from Washington and a national stay-at-home order to protect all of us from this dreadful virus.

Ralph Andrew Waynesville

Health care is a human right To the Editor: This is in response to last week’s story, “Democratic candidates in WNC call for immediate Medicaid expansion” As a youth organizer with NextGen North Carolina, I am fed up with the narrative that we can’t afford to provide health care to everyone. It shouldn’t have taken a global pandemic for us to realize that

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.

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Finding Easter in the COVID-19 era

human life.

The young people I speak to everyday are determined to use their votes and voices to create a world in which everyone has access to quality healthcare. If you agree that health care is a human right, then I encourage you to join NextGen North Carolina as we register young people to vote and elect candidates who care about people more than profits.

Nicole Skinner Asheville

Susanna Shetley

Mission: Support a safe community by implementing prevention activities, promoting safe choices, and reducing unsafe conditions for our children and families.

NOON-2PM at Swain Health Department • JUNE 4

WANT TO GET INVOLVED? Contact Trish Hipgrave (828) 488-3198 ext. 2027 trish.hipgrave@swaincountync.gov

JOIN US FOR OUR QUARTERLY MEETINGS

• SEPTEMBER 3 • DECEMBER 3

Ingles Nutrition Notes written by Ingles Dietitian Leah McGrath

Pasta in your Pantry With “stay at home” and quarantine orders, many are doing a lot more cooking. One of the staples of your pantry may be pasta. Dried pasta is shelf stable and with so many different shapes and sizes; there are lots of different meal options. If you usually buy only spaghetti noodles, try other shapes and sizes like rotini, orzo or bow tie pasta.

Pasta is a carbohydrate and becomes a balanced meal by combining it with lean proteins and non-starchy vegetables.

• Enriched pastas typically have added vitamins and minerals like B vitamins and iron.

• Whole wheat and whole grain pastas are also available.

• Gluten-free pastas are usually made with corn, rice or beans or some combination of these.

PUMP UP YOUR PASTA DISHES • Add fresh, frozen or canned vegetables in macaroni and cheese. Example: Roast or steam broccoli +macaroni and cheese and salsa.

• Make a vegetarian lasagna. Example: Add fresh or frozen spinach to your ricotta cheese filling. Alternate long slices of fresh zucchini with lasagna noodles and cook as directed.

• Add pasta to your vegetable soup. Example: Add orzo, macaroni noodles or bow tie pasta to vegetable soup along with leftover cooked chicken or cooked ground beef and heat until soup is hot and pasta is cooked for a hearty dinner soup.

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

Smoky Mountain News

our health care system is designed to leave lower income people behind. Universal health care is the exact type of service that the government should be providing.

The fear of suffocating medical debt has created a situation in which the uninsured and underinsured avoid hospitals unless absolutely necessary, neglecting valuable preventative care. Thanks to our elected officials like Sen.Thom Tillis, who repeatedly vote against the expansion of coverage, corporate greed is being prioritized over

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Coalition for a Safe & Drug Free Swain County

April 8-14, 2020

rowing up, my family spent the week of Easter at Ocean Lakes Campground in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We had a little blue and white camper on Sharks Tooth Trail a few streets back from the ocean. Easter typically fell around our county’s spring break, so once that final school bell rang, we packed up our van and headed south.

Our week consisted of playing in the Columnist ocean, eating deli sandwiches for lunch, splashing at the pool, playing cards, grilling out, riding bikes, reading books, cutting watermelon, swatting mosquitos, laughing, talking and falling into bed spent and happy.

Ocean Lakes hosted an Easter egg hunt the Saturday of Easter weekend. All the campground kids would gather at the community center and race off to find plastic eggs full of candy and toys. On Sunday, we’d often attend the sunrise service but other times, our worship consisted of being together as a family and enjoying the quiet reprieve.

As the years ticked on and my sister and I entered college then adulthood, Easters changed and evolved. Once I had kids of my own, the holiday focused fully on them. My late mother loved Easter. She and I would plan the day and make sure everyone’s outfits coordinated for our annual group photo at Lake Junaluska. Even after she passed, I loved picking out the boys’ outfits and envisioning how cute they would look in their photos.

Each year after Easter service, my closest friends and I host a yearly Easter egg hunt and brunch. The other moms and I get together a few weeks before Easter to plan the menu and stuff eggs, all while sharing some laughter and good red wine. This has been our tradition for many years.

But, not this Easter.

Like most people, I feel in a constant state of limbo, waiting for something but

unsure of what that is. Am I waiting for the curve to flatten? Am I waiting for a miracle treatment or vaccine? Am I waiting on school, businesses and restaurants to reopen? Am I waiting to solidify summer plans? I guess we’re all just waiting on some glimpses of hope and normalcy.

With life capsized by COVID-19, I’ve known for some time this Easter will feel much different. There will be no group Easter egg hunts or packed service at Stuart Auditorium. There will be no egg stuffing party with friends or Sunday brunch in our Easter best.

Upon this realization, I allowed my expectations for this week to do an aboutface. This past Sunday was Palm Sunday.

My boyfriend, Matthew, and I spent it in the woods searching for the cross at Mt. Lyn Lowry. It felt like a fitting hike for such a day. We didn’t take the easy route. We started at the bottom of Waterrock Knob, hiked up and down, over and under until we met the clearing that led to the cross. It looks much different up close than from downtown Waynesville.

If you don’t know the story, Lyn Lowry, the daughter of Army Lt. Gen. Sumpter Lowry and Ivilyn Lowry, died of leukemia at age 15.

They were natives of Tampa. With the Smoky Mountains being Lyn’s favorite vacation spot, her grief-stricken parents built a cross in her memory. It’s meant to be a place of meditation and prayer.

When we reached the cross on Sunday, the serenity was real. It was calm and peaceful and we spent a while in the quiet with our thoughts and the spirits of these beautiful mountains we call home.

This Easter Sunday will be altered for everyone. Instead of packed cathedrals and churches or droves of kids running to find eggs, people will be at home watching a live stream or enjoying the day in some other way entirely.

I’m not sure what Easter will feel like for my family. I still plan to welcome the Easter Bunny on Sunday morning. Even in the midst of a pandemic, kids deserve Easter baskets. We’ll watch Long’s Chapel’s service online, dye Easter eggs and grill out, if the weather is nice.

Like many things during the COVID-19 era, we’ll navigate Easter the best we can to further find our way through this unfamiliar corridor. I keep reminding myself that it’s often in the midst of darkness when we find the most light. For me, if there’s ever a time to remember this, it’s on Easter Sunday.

(Susanna Barbee is a writer, editor and marketing specialist for SMN, SML and

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19

A&E That ‘high, lonesome sound’ amid lonesome times 20

Smoky Mountain News

Darren Nicholson during his recent Facebook live stream at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. (photo: Garret K. Woodward)

Catching up with Balsam Range’s Darren Nicholson

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER arren Nicholson has played the Grand Ole Opry and the International Bluegrass Music Association award showcase numerous times. He’s got a bookshelf full of glass IBMA recognitions and more number one bluegrass hits with his band Balsam Range than he has fingers to count with.

But, last Saturday evening, Nicholson, a renowned mandolin player, stood onstage with his instrument, his acoustic guitar and his voice to an empty room at the Strand Theater in downtown Waynesville.

Well, somewhat empty, when you include the camera operator monitoring his Facebook live stream performance alongside a journalist seeking out stories during uncertain times.

“There was nobody clapping, but I’m used to that after a song,” Nicholson joked after the show. “But, in all honesty, what’s really odd is not having that crowd energy to feed off of. It’s that energy that motivates me and not having it does make the live streaming a challenge to work through.”

Always the source of positivity, onstage and off, Nicholson would normally be on the road around Southern Appalachian and beyond each weekend with Balsam Range, only to then spend the rest of the week playing Western North Carolina with his solo group, The Darren Nicholson Band.

But, with the current coronavirus crisis, all live music concerts have been cancelled across the country. Nicholson estimates he’s lost upwards of 50 shows for at least the next month or so, an income of thousands of dollars gone in the blink of an eye. Spring is also when the hectic music festival circuit kicks off, something now thrown out the window.

“I’m not in control of what happens tomorrow and I can’t undo what I did yesterday. The only thing I’m in control of is what I’m doing right now,” Nicholson said. “With this tragic crisis affecting all of us, there will be some great things that come from it all. And one of those things is living in the moment, to appreciate all of the great things in one’s life.”

Like most musicians dealing with the entire music industry coming to a halt, Nicholson is making the best of his time off the road and away from the studio.

“I can’t remember the last time I was home on Friday or Saturday, and now I’m playing board games and spending quality time with my family. I’ve started writing more songs and just trying to keep a good attitude. Heck, I’ve got two garages I need to clean out,” Nicholson chuckled. “Throughout my life, I’ve been kind

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“With this tragic crisis affecting all of us, there will be some great things that come from it all. And one of those things is living in the moment, to appreciate all of the great things in one’s life.”

— Darren Nicholson

of a pinball. But, God has looked after me and protected me through some wild times. Tim [Surrett of Balsam Range] told me that ‘faith is the opposite of fear,’ and that faith is helping me a lot through this time.”

For Balsam Range, a marquee bluegrass act that’s performs at large festivals and big stages seemingly every weekend, the band itself is holding steady with no shows on the horizon.

“Balsam Range probably prepared ourselves a little better than other groups because a lot of the members of our band are not only musicians, but also businessmen. Like most people that are in the art world, we just want to do the art, and you hope that the money comes in,” Nicholson said. “And so, when you build a music business or some kind of artistic business, you really have to build it backwards from the business part to the creative side.

This crisis is going to change the music world forever. There’s going to be a lot of people that

Want to help?

If you’d like to purchase music and merchandise from Darren Nicholson and Balsam Range, you can click on www.darrennicholson.net or www.balsamrange.com.

As well, during this tough economic period for any and all, make sure to support your local businesses and artisans — we’re all in this together.

can’t survive it, but we’re all trying to be optimistic at this point.”

Before the coronavirus pandemic overtook the United States last month, Balsam Range was in the midst of recording its next album at the Crossroads Studios in Arden. Though the rest of the sessions are postponed, the quintet were able to get a handful of melodies tracked.

“Radio has changed so much anyways, where the format now is more about singles and hits than an entire album. So, we’re got four songs in the can, which can be released over an extended period of time,” Nicholson said. “But, of what we have ready, these are some of the best songs we’ve ever made. And we’ll finish the album when we can back into the studio.”

Gathering all of his equipment from the Strand Theater stage, Nicholson packs up his vehicle and gets ready to head back home. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? But, for Nicholson, he’s ready for whatever may come, for all obstacles are opportunities to learn and grow — as an artist, and also as a human being.

“I came from a poor background and my parents were survivors. They were fighters and they were hard workers. Whatever happens — you just keep going,” Nicholson said. “My parents raised me with that work ethic, and now I’ve raised my son the same way, too. There are things you face in life that aren’t always easy, but you keep rolling.”

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

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unday afternoon in the mountains of Western North Carolina. The date on my phone says April 5, but I really haven’t had any sense of time since early March. Coming into a month of the “new norm” during all of “this.”

I mean, granted the only sense of time I had before were merely the deadlines for articles and putting out the newspaper on Tuesdays. But, anyhow, it’s surreal to kind of feel like you’re in this holding pattern, awaiting the green light to move forward with your (our) lives.

For someone like myself who thrives on human interaction and moving around constantly, it’s been hard to sit still and be so damn alone these days.

Sure, I’ve lived alone for many years, and happily. But, not being able to see folks and bounce around has proved difficult. Living alone and being single in a small apartment in

a silent downtown is quite the predicament.

Before, the simplicity and purposely minimalist intent of my existence at home was fine, and still is to a large degree, but I was never really home anyhow, always wandering and writing somewhere about something or someone.

So, now with that pulled away from me, the work and the travel, the faces and the events, quite the void remains, physically and emotionally.

And I’m dealing with it the best I can (as we all are). It’s tough to sit in such silence, alone with one’s thoughts, loved ones and dear friends faraway and such amid the quarantine.

I feel like some of my mojo has disappeared or slightly vanished, in some respects. Face-to-face interaction, conversation and immersion are what get me out of bed in the morning, put a kick in my step and fuel my soul.

My heart isn’t so much heavy as it is laying low. I run, listen to music, cook a little bit, play the ukulele and do some writing, but that only seems to fill so much time in the day.

Online!

April 8-14, 2020

Just as long as the guitar plays, let it steal your heart away

You Can Still Support Local

arts & entertainment

This must be the place

It’s weird to realize how much time is actually in a single day when you’re put in a situation like we’re in right now. It’s a bittersweet, but truly beautiful thing to realize that within these current government and social mandates.

Lots of things are definitely going to change and be radically different after all of “this” is said and done: for me, you and everyone else in our big, bright world. My head is held high, and I’m optimistic about the days, weeks, months and years that lay ahead.

When I fantasize about the return of normalcy, I picture myself in my truck, windows rolled down, a cool breeze cascading into the vehicle, sunshine radiating through the windshield.

I’m cruising somewhere serene to see someone special: the anticipation for a hearty face-to-face conversation, maybe even in the confines of a concert. Can you even imagine how incredible it’s going to be to be allowed to attend live music again?

What a once absurd thought now a real sentiment, eh?

Nowadays, I go over long-held dreams and goals in my head. When normalcy reappears, I’m going to take that trip overseas I’ve been putting off for far too long.

I’m going to visit that old friend who I keep telling every year that “this is the year I’ll swing on by your place.” I’m going to spend more time playing my ukulele and hopefully work my way up to a mandolin at some point.

What’s also been wild is how much my heart is returning to its roots, in terms of dating and relationships. I’ve been running the roads and so focused on the written word for so long, that I’ve really neglected some of the greatest aspects of life: making a deep and meaningful connection with a significant other.

I’ve spent so many years putting energy towards work and career aspirations, and yet, none of that means much when you’re sitting alone during this pandemic with nobody to share the beauty of time and place together.

The irony of this era we’re in is that it really shows us the urgency of life amid a landscape of quarantines and limited access to the ways and means of daily life.

With all of this free time at our disposal, many of us are finally waking up to what is important in our lives, a token a gratitude that will be the cornerstone of our new lives when we return to our regularly scheduled program.

And I’m thinking about all of you out there, wherever you are, reading this in your own time and silence. You remain in my thoughts, with our memories made together passing through my field-of-vision as I sit on my porch or jog along empty streets.

I put on albums and records that make me smile, that lighten my heart, that ultimately remind me of those people, places and things I’m missing an awful lot right now.

I’m alone. But, I know that there’s love that swirls around me: as I walk, run, sit, listen, sip, eat, and gaze out the open window onto an unknown world within uncertain times.

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

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arts & entertainment

SPRING DEALS NEW 2019 FORD MODELS

0% for 84 months + Defer Three Payments Not all buyers will qualify for Ford Credit Financing. Customer can defer first payment up to 120 days (PGM #21126). Deferral requires Ford Credit financing. 0% APR financing for 84 months at $11.90 per month per $1,000 financed regardless of down payment (PGM #21128). This program is NOT compatible with other public, private offers or direct offers. For APR rates other than 0%, interest will continue to accrue during deferral period. For PA residents, only available on 0% APR financing. Not available on Super Duty, F-150 Raptor or other specialty vehicles. Residency restrictions apply. For all offers, take new retail delivery from an authorized Ford dealer’s stock by 4/30/20.

See dealer for program compatibility restrictions/exceptions, qualifications and complete details.

April 8-14, 2020

NEW 2019 FORD SUPER DUTY

0% for 60 months + Defer Three Payments Not all buyers will qualify for Ford Credit financing. 0% APR financing for 60 months at $16.67 per month per $1,000 financed regardless of down payment (PGM #21096). Residency restrictions apply. This program is NOT compatible with other public, private offers or direct offers. For APR rates other than 0%, interest will continue to accrue during deferral period. For PA residents, only available on 0% APR financing. For all offers, take new retail delivery from an authorized Ford dealer’s stock by 4/30/20. See dealer for program compatibility restrictions/exceptions, qualifications and complete details..

Smoky Mountain News

NEW 2020 FORD MODELS

0% for 72 months + Defer Three Payments Not all buyers will qualify for Ford Credit financing. 0% APR financing for 72 months at $13.89 per month per $1,000 financed regardless of down payment (PGM #21084). This program is NOT compatible with other public, private offers or direct offers. For APR rates other than 0%, interest will continue to accrue during deferral period. For PA residents, only available on 0% APR financing. Not available on Super Duty, F150 Raptor or other specialty vehicles. Residency restrictions apply. For all offers, take new retail delivery from an authorized Ford dealer’s stock by 4/30/20. See dealer for program compatibility restrictions/exceptions, qualifications and complete details.

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Books

Smoky Mountain News

23

Four essential reads for the Anthropocene

BY BOYD HOLLIDAY G UEST WRITER oncerned about the reports of global climate change? Depressed? Confused by the competing arguments of warring sides? Can’t find signs of hope? May I suggest four resources that will inform and inspire?

The first “read” is not a book, but an internet resource, and it will not fill your heart with confidence. It is the work of the Stockholm Resilience Center (don’t worry; it’s all in English). The Swedes, led by Johan Rockstrom, have summarized mountains of data to uncover a disturbing pattern: humanity is breaking 10 or 11 of our Earth’s ecological limits, our planetary boundaries.

The boundaries include global climate warming, salinization of the seas, loss of biodiversity, and others. In the case of three of those boundaries we have already reached or past the “tipping point,” at which catastrophic results can be expected: the climate crisis, the nitrogen cycle, and loss of biodiversity.

Making things worse, the breaking of each boundary also compounds the effects of breaking the others.

You can study the model yourself by a search for “Stockholm Resilience Center.” If you are in a hurry just look up “Planetary Boundaries” on Wikipedia.

Now that you are thoroughly depressed, let’s turn to some books that will restore your hopefulness.

The first is Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming (New York: Penguin Books, 2017). There are a lot of books out there that float pie-in-the-sky schemes to fight climate change. Drawdown is different. The researchers at the Drawdown Institute (founded by Paul Hawken) focus on 80 solutions that are already being implemented and proven to work. As far as possible, each solution is evaluated for relative strength, cost, and benefit.

Among the solutions expect to be surprised. For instance, what’s the number one solution? Replace our current refrigerant chemicals with safer options. Number 2?

Build more land-based wind turbines. You will also find inspiring essays, including one by Pope Francis.

Next, turn to Half-Earth: Our Planet’s Fight for Life, by E. O. Wilson (NY: W.W. Norton, 2016). Wilson has calculated that current human development endangers the very viability of biological life on Earth. He is focused on the catastrophic loss of biodiversity. Wilson’s proposal is that we designate 50 percent of the planet for human civilization, and 50 percent exclusively for the unrestricted functioning of Nature. He argues that half of the planet is the minimum for normal evolutionary processes to continue.

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Finally, here’s a read that does something critically important. It restores hope by giving us normal mortals something we can do. I am talking about Douglas Tallamy’s Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard (Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, 2019).

Our yards are pretty to look at, with their manicured lawns and gorgeous flowers and shrubs (mostly imported from other continents), but to wildlife they are “food deserts.”

Tallamy’s keystone idea is straightforward: unless we use the kinds of plants that feed a lot of little bugs, worms and other creepy-

There are thousands of books out there that tell you how to landscape your property, and superficially Nature’s Best Hope looks like any of them. But appearances can be deceiving. Behind the cheery façade of a gardening book Tallamy is proposing a quiet revolution.

Like E. O. Wilson, Tallamy is focused on the loss of biodiversity on our planet. But, instead of tackling the whole planet — which is overwhelming — Tallamy ask us to look to our own back yards. An entomologist by training (like Wilson), he spent decades studying the devastating effect our common landscaping practices have on birds and other wildlife.

crawlies — no matter how much we dislike them personally — the birds we do like will starve. It’s as simple as that. From this simple premise he develops a revolution.

Simple and timely. As The Smoky Mountain News, the Asheville Citizen-Times, and other papers have recently reported, many species of birds once common to Appalachia have been reduced by up to one half in the last five decades. When was the last time you heard the song of a meadowlark, or were awakened by a bobwhite? Will your grandchildren know how a sparrow sang, or the hue of a bluebird?

It’s a good thing that the world has created national parks and nature reserves. Much of the planet, however, is in private hands. We have built cities, suburbs, urban parks and playgrounds, and, of course, millions of parking lots. But everyone who owns a house on a lot has at least a small pocket of land that he or she can turn into a “backyard Eden.”

Even apartment dwellers can volunteer to help with projects.

Individually, the amount of land in our control is usually small, seemingly inconsequential, but as more and more of us make at least a small effort, the cumulative effect could be enormous.

If you find Nature’s Best Hope inspiring, you may also want to read his earlier works, Bringing Nature Home, and The Living Landscape (written with Rick Darke). Whereas Nature’s Best Hope sums up Tallamy’s wisdom, the earlier works offer more of the “nuts and bolts” of natural landscaping and how to attract wildlife to your property.

There are also other books on the market that cover the same territory.

In times of gloom it is important to light even one small candle. If we only listen to the voices of doom, then fatigue and a sense of impotence imprison us. We lose the strength to “rage, rage against the dying of the light.” These resources are helpful because they motivate us to rise up and do something, even if it is only small steps. As the Chinese poet Lu Xun said, “Hope is like a path in the countryside. Originally, there is nothing there – but as people walk this way again and again, a path appears.”

(Boyd Holliday is a retired United Methodist minister living at Lake Junaluska.

Contact him at bholliday@wnccumc.net)

24

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

The Motion Makers Bicycle Shop showroom in Sylva.

FIGHTING AN UPHILL BATTLE Motion Makers Bicycle Shop

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER merging from the back of his bicycle shop in downtown Sylva, Motion Makers owner Kent Cranford squeezes around a service desk blocking the front entrance and steps outside to ensure he’s adhering to proper social distancing in the era of the coronavirus while being interviewed.

“Coming into 2020, we were having a great year when it came to sales for January and February,” Cranford said. “But, with the state stay-at-home orders and everything else going on, we’re starting to see our numbers drop for the end of March. Coming into April, we’re doing about 20 percent of our normal business compared to this time last year.”

A 34-year-old company, Cranford has overseen the beloved Western North Carolina business (which also includes locations in Cherokee and Asheville) since he purchased it in 2007. Depending on the season, there’s

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around six employees at the Sylva shop, half of which being full-time.

And though the North Carolina stay-athome mandates effectively closes all nonessential businesses, Motion Makers is considered essential due to its role in outdoor

recreation and in regard to means of transportation for those still able to work and needing to get to work.

“Luckily, we haven’t had to let anybody go,” Cranford said. “But, we’ll just have to see how all of this plays out and how much more

business we may lose.”

When looking at how the coronavirus has affected Motion Makers and the local business sector, Cranford is reminded of the hardships and changes felt during the economic recession of 2008.

“In 2008, with the recession and the gas crisis, we saw all of these people dragging old bikes out of their garages and barns — it feels like that again,” Cranford noted.

“But, with the coronavirus, people are dragging out their bikes or purchasing a new bike because they want to get outside and ride, to get out of the house for a little bit and get some fresh air during the quarantine.”

And during the quarantine period, Motion Makers is going the extra mile to ensure the safety of its customers and staff.

Besides the service desk now positioned in the front entrance, customers can also simply place their bike in the rack in parking lot of the store without having any oneon-one interaction with the staff. The staff then retrieves the bike when the customer leaves and call them for curbside pickup from the rack when its ready.

“If there’s any silver lining in ‘all of this’ for us, it would be seeing more people get outside and enjoy riding,” Cranford said.

“With all of these repairs needed and purchases made, we’re able to stay open and still serve people.”

Gazing toward downtown Sylva, Cranford can’t help but think about all of the other small businesses either closed or facing financial troubles right now in the mountain community, many of which are long-time friends of Motion Makers.

“I feel really sad for all of these incredible businesses in Sylva. We’ve been supporting anyone we can, doing takeout orders for lunch and giving what we can to keep them going — we’re all in this together,” Cranford said.

And though Motion Makers is open for business, Cranford knows that, sooner or later, there may come a point where he’ll have to go through the proper channels of banks and loans to ensure the survival of the shop.

“I’ve been paying a lot of attention and staying up on all of the SBA loans and legislature involved,” Cranford said. “The deadlines are coming to pass for the Payroll Protection Program, and I’m curious to see what that process will be like and how effective it will be in helping all of us who own businesses and have employees who rely on us.”

Watching (from a safe distance) customers swing by Motion Makers one-by-one to drop off bikes for repairs and tune ups, Cranford is grateful to have the doors open.

“It means a lot to be open because we’re a small business and we rely solely on cash flow.

It’s not like we have a year’s worth of saving sitting in the bank waiting for a crisis,” Cranford said. “If we had to close, I don’t know that we’d ever reopen again — if we did, we’d certainly reopen as a smaller and different entity.”

Fire contained in national forests Wilderness Area on the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. Ten US Forest Service firefighters remain on scene to monitor the fire and patrol for any remaining hot spots near the fire lines. The northern Art Loeb and Little East Fork trail-

Cals Creek Fire.

U.S. Forest Service photo

heads remain closed due to the fire operations but are expected to reopen later in the week. For updates on these closures, contact the Pisgah Ranger District, 828.877.3265.

Firefighting resources to contain the Camp Daniel Boone Fire included federal and state forestry agencies as well as the

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April 8-14, 2020

tional fire activity is expected on either fire.

This will be the last update on the Camp Daniel Boone and Cals Creek fires.

The Camp Daniel Boone Fire remained at 72 acres and is now 80 percent contained. The fire started Friday, April 3 on private property off Little East Fork Road and burned into the Shining Rock

Lake Logan Volunteer Fire Department (VFD). The Lake Logan VFD provided 19 volunteers and a variety of firefighting equipment to protect numerous structures for the first 24 hours. The assistance of these dedicated volunteers is critical in the success of US Forest Service firefighting efforts.

The Cals Creek Fire remained at 90 acres and is now 90 percent contained. The fire started on Friday, April 3, and is burning on US Forest Service land in the Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest east Otto. Thirty firefighters remain on scene. Firefighters are continuing to monitor the fire and are extinguishing any remaining hot spots near the fire lines. Firefighting resources to contain the Cals Creek fire included federal and state forestry agencies as well as fire crews from The Nature Conservancy.

The cause of both fires remains under investigation.

We are in spring wildfire season, and fire danger is expected to remain high across Western North Carolina this week.

Due to these extended hazardous fire conditions, the North Carolina Forest Service issued a ban on all open burning for 32 Western North Carolina counties. The burning ban went into effect on April 3, and will remain in effect until further notice. For more information, visit https://ncforestservice.gov/news_pub s/newsdesk_2020.htm.

The US Forest Service urges the public to practice caution as they visit the national forests. Visitors are asked to follow guidance under the burn ban and consider postponing their camping trips. Stay up to date on current national forest closures at: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/currentclosures.

Review the National Forests in North Carolina website for updates and more information at www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nfsnc, and on Twitter at twitter.com/nfsncarolina.

outdoors

Firefighters continued to make progress containing the Camp Daniel Boone Fire in Haywood County and the Cals Creek Fire in Macon County. Firefighters are monitoring the fires, which are 80 to 90 percent contained. Unless conditions change, no addi-

Facilities closing in national forests

Flush only toilet paper Don’t flush paper towels, napkins, and wet wipes of any kind — even the ones that say flushable — so that wastewater and water treatment plants will keep working properly.

That’s the advice of Caitlin Worsham, who is project manager of Haywood Waterways Association,.

“With the shortage of toilet paper everywhere, people are asking is it OK,” to flush these items.

“The answer is no. These items never

properly break down and clog pipes that lead to leaks in sewer lines and septic systems, which can be costly to fix,” said Worsham.

“Untreated wastewater is also filled with toxic chemicals and bacteria that can leach into groundwater, streams, rivers, and lakes; be harmful to trout and other wildlife; contaminate drinking water supplies; and degrade water used to irrigate food.”

Issue with faulty pipes or septic systems can often be recognized by foul odors outside or in the house, slow drainage in sinks and toilets, soggy soil and liquid waste along a sewer line or septic drain field, or

excessive grass growth around the system.

Contact your town representative if you suspect issues with a leaking sewer line. For homeowners on a septic system, contact the Haywood County Environmental Health Department 828.452.6675.

Haywood Waterways Association is a member-based nonprofit organization working to protect and improve surface water quality in Haywood County. Visit www.haywoodwaterways.org for more information or this website. www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-encourages-americans-only-flush-toilet-paper.

Smoky Mountain News

The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests in North Carolina, and the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee are temporarily shutting down trailhead facilities and other access points to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail to prevent groups from congregating and to protect public health and safety.

The decision aligns with state and local measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevntion.

For more information and a complete list of temporary shutdown trailheads and access points, visit www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/newsevents/?cid=FSEPRD717426.

a website to take you to places where there are no websites.

Log on. Plan a getaway.

Let yourself unplug.

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outdoors

Congratulations to NAI Beverly-H Hanks’

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Highlands Center offers online experiences The Highlands Nature Center may not be physically open, but it continues to provide the community with environmental content and resources that can be enjoyed from the comfort of home.

In-person Nature Center programs have been canceled for now, but daily activities and ideas are posted on the HBS Facebook page as part of our “Nearby Nature” series for those who have young children at home along with nature book and movie recommendations for our adults.

Also featured are snapshots of what you can see if you tour the Botanical Gardens as part of our “Spring Sightings” series.

Starting soon, regular programming such as “A Garden in Every Season” tours will be posted to HBS’s Facebook page as tours are live streamed for all to enjoy. Keep an eye

on the HBS Facebook page for more details.

In accordance with Western Carolina University’s policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Highlands Biological Foundation is taking steps to help keep staff and community safe while still fulfilling its mission to educate the community about the natural world. The HBS office and Nature Center are currently closed and all programs that take place at the Nature Center have been cancelled through April 30. In the meantime, the Botanical Garden remains open dawn to dusk, and the public is encouraged to get outside during this time as long as mandated safety protocols and social distancing recommendations are adhered to.

For more information on programming contact www.highlandsbiological.org

Canton Middle student designs winning T-shirt

Haywood Waterways Association’s annual Kids in the Creek environmental education event receives a free T-shirt designed by one of their fellow students. All students are encouraged to submit designs, and HWA members vote to decide the winner.

Coming in second was Waynesville Middle School student Joseph Quinn, and Sarah Cronk of Waynesville Middle School took third. Prizes were donated by Rikki Tikki Tees, HomeTrust Bank, Jukebox Junction Restaurant & Soda Shoppe and Jack the Dipper Ice Cream Parlor.

USE PROMO CODE WOW2020 FOR 20% OFF NEWSSTAND PRICE

Smoky Mountain News

W W W. b l u e r i d g e m o t o r c y c l i n g m a g a z i n e . c o m

Puzzles can be found on page 30 These are only the answers.

Canton Middle School student Alyssa Smith won first place in the annual Kids in the Creek art contest, winning a $35 Visa gift card and a tour of Rikki Tikki Tees Screen Printing and Design, where her design will be printed on T-shirts to be worn by all Haywood County eighth graders.

Every eighth-grade student who attends

facebook.com/smnews 26

WNC Calendar PLEASE CHECK WITH ORGANIZERS TO ENSURE EVENTS HAVE NOT BEEN CANCELED BEFORE TRAVELING TO AN EVENT LISTED BELOW.

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • Bardo Arts Center has a new webpage dedicated to virtual opportunities at arts.wcu.edu/virtual. This page houses information regarding all the various online experiences and events being hosted by the WCU Bardo Arts Center and the Belcher College of Fine and Performing Arts. Highlights include a series of Thursday lunchtime webinar presentations, which will be streamed on Facebook and Youtube, as well as through the arts.wcu.edu/virtual website. The Thursday webinar series opens with a theatrical talkback, followed by three webinars related to WCU Fine Art Museum exhibitions. Each webinar will last between 45-90 minutes and will include a question and answer sessions.

• Easter sunrise at the Lake Junaluska Cross will be streamed live from Lake Junaluska on Sunday, April 12, followed by video of a special pre-recorded Lake Junaluska Easter service. The livestream will begin online at 6:45 a.m. at www.facebook.com/lakejunaluska. Easter-themed menu will be offered for the curbside to-go meal available Friday, April 10, from The Terrace at Lake Junaluska. Orders for the Friday meal will be accepted through noon on Thursday, April 9. For more information, call 828.454.6661.

• First United Methodist Church will continue online worship for the next several weeks. They invite people to join in the worship service on Sunday mornings beginning at 10 a.m. via Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/sylvafumc. For more information, contact the church office at 828.586.2358.

• All Fontana Regional Library locations in Macon, Jackson, and Swain counties will remain closed through April 15. All due dates for library materials have automatically been extended to May 15, and there will be no overdue fines while the library is closed.

• Moe Davis, the Democratic nominee for Congress in the 11th District, will be hosting a series of "Moe Talks" Facebook Live virtual town halls. There will be two events to be held at the same time each week: from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Mondays and from 7 to 8 p.m.

Thursdays. Topics will change week to week. Viewers can submit questions in advance to the @MoeDavisforCongress Facebook Page.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION

n All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted. n To have your item listed email to calendar@smokymountainnews.com • Submissions are being accepted for Southwestern Community College’s Cultural Fusion art/literature contest, which will be featured during the Cultural Fusion Festival on Wednesday, April 15, on the college’s Jackson Campus. Submissions accepted through April 1 in “Artwork or Photography” or “Literature (poetry, short stories, prose).” Info: 339.4325, tknott@southwesterncc.edu or SouthwesternCC.edu.

• Registration is underway for “Your Small Business Taxes,” a webinar that will be offered by Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, April 21. Info and Registration: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Small business owners can find materials and services to support business growth at Fontana Regional Library’s locations in Macon, Jackson and Swain Counties. Computer classes and one-on-one assistance available. 586.2016 or www.fontanalib.org.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • Stonehouse Pottery (Waynesville) will be doing an Open Studio Tour and Sale the first Sunday of each month to help support our local nonprofits. Each month highlights a different artist and that artists chooses his or her nonprofit. Stonehouse Pottery and the artist then give a portion of the proceeds as a donation to that nonprofit.

VOLUNTEERS & VENDORS • The historic Shelton House in Waynesville is currently in need of volunteers for an array of upcoming events. Alongside help for events and gatherings, the organization is also seeking a docent, gift shop attendee, data entry person, landscaper, handyperson, and other positions.

• Haywood Vocational Opportunities is seeking donations of goods, services, time and support for the second annual “HVO Stans Up to PTSD Veteran Community Resource, Education and Job Fair,” which will be held on June 27. 454.6857.

• Feline Urgent Rescue is seeking volunteers and sponsors. Info: 422.2704, www.furofwnc.org, www.facebook.com/furofwnc or 844.888.CATS (2287).

• Registration is underway for “How to Find Your Customers,” a webinar that will be offered by Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center from 5:308:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14. Info and Registration: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Cat adoption hours are from noon-5 p.m. on Fridays and noon-4 p.m. on Saturdays at 453 Jones Cove Road in Clyde. Adoption fee: $10 for cats one-year and older.

Check out available cats at www.petharbor.com.

452.1329 or 550.3662.

• Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment will be offering several virtual trainings in April and May to give professionals the opportunity to still engage in training while practicing social distancing. For more information about these programs, visit pdp.wcu.edu.

• Senior Companion volunteers are being sought to serve with the Land of the Sky Senior Companion Program in Henderson, Buncombe, Transylvania and Madison Counties. Serve older adults who want to remain living independently at home in those counties.

• Southwestern Community College’s Career Services will host a virtual job fair from 9 a.m. to noon April 24.

Contact m_despeaux@southwesterncc.edu for more information.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking volunteers to assist rangers with managing traffic and establishing safe wildlife viewing areas within the Cataloochee Valley area. To register for training or get more info: Kathleen_stuart@nps.gov or 497.1914.

• Goodwill Career Center will be hosting a free resume workshop webinar from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, April 9.

A Goodwill employment specialist will teach participants how to create an Indeed account, how to build a resume and how to apply to jobs online. To register, email gwatkins@goodwillnwnc.org.

• Haywood Regional Medical Center is seeking volunteers of all ages for ongoing support at the hospital, outpatient care center and the Homestead. For info and to apply: 452.8301, stop by the information desk in the lobby or volunteer@haymed.org. Anyone interested in becoming a hospice volunteer can call 452.5039.

Smoky Mountain News

• STAR Rescue Ranch is seeking volunteers to help with horse care, fundraising events, barn maintenance and more at the only equine rescue in Haywood County.

828.400.4940.

• Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the region, call John at the Haywood Jackson Volunteer Center and get started sharing your talents. 356.2833.

• Phone Assurance Volunteers are needed to make daily or weekly wellness check-in calls for the Haywood County Senior Resource Center. 356.2800.

KIDS & FAMILIES • The Kathryn Byer Memorial Poetry Contest celebrates our mountains and our connection to them in our everyday lives. It is open to all Jackson County students, K-12. The poets are divided into three categories: K-4th grade, 5th8th grade, and 9-12th. Three winners, in addition to Honorable Mentions, will be chosen in each category.

Poems should be no longer than 40 lines, but can be much shorter, of course. Poems should be submitted to City Lights Bookstore in Sylva, either in person, mail or by email to more@citylightsnc.com by April 10. Please include “Poetry Contest” in the subject line. The winners in each category will receive gift certificates to City Lights Bookstore and will be invited to read at Greening up the Mountains at 3 p.m. April 25 at City Lights Bookstore.

Winners will be announced by April 20. 586.9499.

• The Sylva Art + Design Committee is pleased to announce a unique pop-up gallery event that will feature the artistic creations of children ages 5-18 in the Western North Carolina region. “Nature Through A Child’s Eye” will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at Viva Arts Studio in downtown Sylva. If you have a child that you think may want to be a participant ages of 5-18 apply by emailing sylvaartdesign@gmail.com or vivaartsstudio@gmail.com. Facebook at www.facebook.com/sylvapublicart or on Instagram @sylvaarts. All submissions will be available for purchase and can be picked up after the completion of the exhibition. All money raised will be equally distributed between SADC and the Sylva Community Garden in order to further the betterment of the community through arts, education, and environmental awareness.

• Registration is underway for the Challenger International Soccer Camp, which will be offered to ages 3-14 from July 20-24 at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Costs vary based on age group from $90-197. Separate goalkeeper and scorer program is $25 for ages 6-14 from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday.

Register: challengersports.com. Info: 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Waynesville Art School offers the Young Artist Program in the afternoons for 5-6 year old, 7-8 year old, 9-12 year old. Intro to Printmaking and Evening studies in arts is offered for 13-19 year old. Waynesville Art School is located at 303 N. Haywood Street. Info: 246.9869, info@waynesvilleartschool.com or visit WaynesvilleArtSchool.com for schedule and to register.

• Mountain Wildlife offers wildlife education programs for schools and organizations in Western North Carolina, free of charge. If you are interested in having them visit your group contact them at blackbears66@gmail.com, 743.9648 or visit the website at www.mountainwildlifedays.com.

Ongoing HEALTH MATTERS • Free dental clinic for low-income patients, 10 a.m. to

27

Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: n n n n

Complete listings of local music scene Regional festivals Art gallery events and openings Complete listings of recreational offerings at health and fitness centers n Civic and social club gatherings 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays by appointment at Blue Ridge Mountains Health Project Dental Clinic on the upper level of Laurel Terrace in Cashiers. 743.3393.

• The Community Care Clinic of Highlands-Cashiers, 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, provides free care to uninsured patients who meet financial need requirements and live or work in Highlands and Cashiers. $10 donation suggested. The clinic is in the Macon County Recreation and Health Building off Buck Creek Road. 526.1991.

VOLUNTEERING • The Haywood County Meals on Wheels program has route openings for volunteer drivers. Substitute drivers also needed.

• P.A.W.S. Adoption Days first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the front lawn at Charleston Station, Bryson City.

• The Community Kitchen in Canton is in need of volunteers. Opportunities range from planning a meal updating their webpage. 648.0014.

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Haywood County is now accepting applications for boys and girls within the Haywood County area between the ages of 6 and 14 who could benefit from an approved adult mentor/role model. No cost to the family. 356.2148.

• Gathering Table, 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, at The Community Center, Route 64, Cashiers. Provides fresh, nutritious dinners to all members of the community regardless of ability to pay. Volunteers always needed and donations gratefully accepted. 743.9880.

• The Haywood Jackson Volunteer Center has many new openings for volunteers throughout the region. Learn about a wide-range of volunteer opportunities with a variety of non-profit agencies, including respite work, domestic violence hotline volunteers, meal delivery drivers, court mediators, Habitat for Humanity house building, foster grandparenting, charity thrift shops, the Elk Bugle Corps for the Great Smokies National Park and many more. 356.2833.

• Community Care Clinic of Franklin needs volunteers for a variety of tasks including nursing/clinical, clerical and administrative and communications and marketing. 349.2085.

• Catman2 Shelter in Jackson County needs volunteers for morning feeding and general shelter chores.

293.0892 or hsims@catman2.org.

• The Volunteer Water Inventory Network (VWIN) is looking for people to work one to two hours a month taking water samples from local creeks and streams. Fill up empty bottles, collect water samples, and return full bottles. 926.1308 or www.haywoodwaterways.org.

• The Haywood County Historical and Genealogical Society maintains a museum located in the historical courthouse in room 308. The HCHGS is seeking articles and objects of historical value to Haywood County that anyone would like to share. 456.3923.

• REACH of Haywood County is looking for volunteers who would like to assist in its newly expanded resale store. 456 Hazelwood Avenue. 456.7898.

Market WNC PLACE

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SUDOKU Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, Answers on 26 the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

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www.smokymountainnews.com

April 8-14, 2020

WNC MarketPlace

Meadow vole. creative commons photo

The naturalist’s corner

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

Eeekk! Not a mouse

N

nurseries because of their shallow runway systems and their penchant for girdling and killing seedlings and even mature trees. In the wild they typically forage on a variety of grasses, roots, bark, berries, forbs, snails, insects and fungi and provide an abundant prey base for raptors, snakes, bobcats, foxes and coyotes.

(Don Hendershot’s book, A Year from the Naturalist’s Corner, Volume I, is available at area bookstores or directly from the author by emailing ddihen12@gmail.com)

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2020 The Catamount School, a school for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in Jackson County, is accepting 6th, 7th and 8th grade registrations for the 2020-21 school year. Operated by Western Carolina University’s College of Education and Allied Professions in cooperation with Jackson County Public Schools, The Catamount School is designed to explore innovative teaching approaches and applied learning opportunities in order to help every student discover his or her full academic potential. The school is a public lab school operated on the campus of Smoky Mountain High School and is free to accepted students and their families.

Smoky Mountain News

Chapter 5: A friend e-mailed me to say he had voles living on his porch in a covered woodpile, and that they had piqued his curiosity. Well, the email piqued mine, because it’s uncommon to find voles in such a habitat. Not unheard of, but uncommon.

These secretive rodents generally aren’t found far from terra firma.

There are four species of voles in Western North Carolina: southern redbacked vole (Clethrionomys gapperi,) rock vole (Microtus chrotorrhinus,) meadow vole (microtus pennsylvanicus) and woodland or pine vole (microtus pinetorum.) Voles are in the order rodentia and the family muridae.

Voles look a lot like chunky, short-tailed mice. Woodland voles are approximately three to four-and-a-half inches long, excluding the tail, which is approximately onehalf to one inch in length, equal to or slightly less than the length of the hind foot.

The fur is generally brown above with the underparts ranging from gray to cinnamon. Woodland voles have small, inconspicuous eyes and ears. The woodland vole is listed as uncommon, ranging across the state of North Carolina. Woodland voles prefer open woodlands, deciduous and/or pine and orchards. Woodland voles construct extensive burrows and spend much of their time beneath ground. They are active day and night.

age lifespan for voles.

A Pennsylvania study showed meadow voles with a normal lifespan of only three to six months, but some individuals lasted for 18 months. Rock voles have a lifespan of less than a year in the wild. Red-backed voles have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 months and the woodland vole is thought to have an average lifespan of 15 to 18 months.

Voles are omnivorous and opportunistic when it comes to diet. They can cause damage to orchards, lawns, golf courses and

April 8-14, 2020

o one knows what WNC will look like post COVID-19, but these mountains have seen much over their millions of years — ice ages, civil war, pandemics, etc. and they are still here. Spring will come with its ephemerals and migrants; summer will flush green and hot; autumn will descend in a kaleidoscope of color the way autumn does and cold, still winter will follow.

When I formatted my book, A Year from the Naturalist’s Corner: Volume 1, I chose to start with Jan. 1, then follow with weekly columns to Dec. 31, the way my Naturalist’s Corner column runs in The Smoky Mountain News. I purposely did not attribute the original publication date (some chapters are from recent columns, some go back more than a decade) because the natural world operates on its own time and for the most part almost any one of the chapters could be current.

So as we embark on this covid-journey together I will (thanks to Scott McLeod and SMN) post the chapter from the book coinciding with the date i.e. this week’s column will be “Eeekk! Not a mouse.” And it could represent any first week of April in the Blue Ridge, past, present or post COVID-19.

These are clearly tumultuous and quickly changing times … hold nature close and know she moves at her own pace, now and always.

Meadow voles are widespread and common across the state except for the coastal plain. They inhabit meadows, wetlands, orchards and open grasslands. Meadow voles are three to five inches in length with a tail one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half inches long; about twice the length of the hind foot.

Meadow voles have large eyes and their ears, while partially hidden by the dense dark brown fur, are more noticeable than the woodland vole’s. The underparts of the meadow vole are silverygray.

Meadow voles are active above ground where they create shallow surface trails.

They are active day and night but seem to be more nocturnal during summer and more diurnal during winter.

The red-backed vole is uncommon and found mostly across the western quarter of the state. They average about three to five inches in length with a one to two-anda- half inch tail. The dorsal fur is dark gray with a defining chestnut stripe along the back. The underside is gray to white. They have small but readily visible eyes and ears. The redbacked vole prefers rocky, mossy terrain and is known primarily from spruce-fir forests but also, occasionally from northern hardwood and/or mixed deciduous/coniferous forests. Red-backed voles are active day and night but primarily nocturnal.

The rock vole is listed as a species of special concern in the state. They are known from the far western mountains only. Rock voles range from four-and-a-half to sixanda-half inches in length and their tails are from one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half inches long. They are brown above and grayish white below. Most have a yellowish to rufous tint around the eyes, but it can be lacking in some specimens. The small dark eyes are easily visible while the ears are somewhat covered by the dense fur.

Rock voles also habitate mossy, rocky areas and are sometimes found in the same area as red-backed voles. Also active day and night, rock voles are primarily diurnal and most active in the morning.

If the creatures that have taken up residence on my friend’s porch are voles, they are most likely meadow voles. These are the most common species in the area and spend more time above ground. The woodland vole is primarily a burrower and the redbacked and rock vole are generally restricted to rocky areas where they use a combination of surface trails and burrows.

All voles are prolific breeders with short lifespans. One captive meadow vole produced 17 litters in one year. Meadow voles are not quite so productive in the wild but litters of three to five may be born during any month. The other three species of voles in the state generally breed from early spring to late fall and produce multiple litters. Because of a high nestling and juvenile mortality rate, it is hard to predict an aver-

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Smoky Mountain News

April 8-14, 2020

CARES ABOVE: Megan Taylor, Community Outreach Officer for the Canton Police Department

We’re In This Together O cer Megan Taylor is the Community Outreach O cer in Canton, working primarily in investigations but also on patrol at times. In her role, she bridges the gap between the agency and the community. She represents the agency in several working groups throughout the county including the Domestic Violence Task Force, Child Abuse working group at the Kare House and Adult DSS working group.

Taylor said that during COVID 19, Canton O cers have used their patrol time to connect with community members out working in their yards and around the community to address fears and speci c concerns and just to talk and let them know we are here and that has not changed, regardless of the circumstances.

“I really struggled when I began my career in the training process, in that I was a stay­at­home mom for a long time and had never experienced many of the things that police are faced with daily. I had never seen how meth a ects a person or dealt with domestic violence, so it was a huge adjustment for me. I prayed toward the end of my training that if I made it through (because there were times I wasnʼt sure I would), that I would do my best and show people Godʼs love through my actions as often as I possibly could. He got me through and I know I would not have been able to without Him. So I do my very best to keep that in mind when Iʼm out on patrol.”

For more information on Covid-19 in Haywood County visit: www.haywoodcountync.gov/684/Coronavirus-Covid-19-Information

www.haywoodcountync.gov Haywood County COVID-19 Helpline: (828) 356-2019 We Are Here for You — 7 Days a Week, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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