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

May 11-17, 2016 Vol. 17 Iss. 50

Cherokee moves toward marijuana legalization Page 16 Storied writer Fred Chappell returns to WNC Page 28

CONTENTS

STAFF

On the Cover: The Haywood Community Learning Center was created in 2007 to prevent students from dropping out of school, but now it’s on the chopping block as the local school board deals with a $2.4 million budget shortfall. While some of the $91,000 cut to the program has been found elsewhere, HCLC still needs $61,000 to continue operating in 2016-17. (Page 6)

News School board dispute allegations surrounding Central Elementary......................4 Haywood Schools to announce layoffs this week ....................................................5 Shining Rock stalled on mobile classroom contract ..............................................10 TVA gives houseboats a 30-year sunset ..................................................................12 Gaming machines seized from local businesses ....................................................14 Whittier farmers lease old Drexel factory ..................................................................15 Cherokee moves toward marijuana legalization ......................................................16 Waynesville considers tax hike to fund firefighters ................................................18 Franklin budget to focus on infrastructure needs ..................................................21 Even with higher tax rate, Sylva budget a squeeze ................................................23

Opinion The Left still has something to learn about tolerance ............................................24

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A&E Storied writer Fred Chappell returns to WNC ........................................................28

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Haywood Schools dispute allegations surrounding Central Elementary

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER aywood County school leaders went on record this week patently disputing the allegations in a lawsuit filed last week questioning the motives for closing Central Elementary School.

The lawsuit alleges that Central Elementary was not closed due to budget shortfalls but that the school system had the ulterior motive of wanting to relocate its central offices there.

“This allegation that it was closed for the purpose of moving central office is just absolutely not true,” said School Board Attorney Pat Smathers.

It’s rare for defendants of a lawsuit to speak out for fear their comments could come back to haunt them as the suit progresses.

Smathers not only agreed to a free-flowing interview with reporters about the suit that lasted upwards of an hour, but also publicly addressed the allegations during a school board meeting Monday night. Smathers said it was “necessary to publicly refute certain allegations” in order to protect the integrity of the school board and school officials that had been called into question by the suit.

Smathers said it is a fact that the school system was facing a $2.4 million budget shortfall. It was also a fact that the student body across Haywood County Schools had dropped by 800 students over the past decade.

“I don’t think there is anyone who would look at the declining enrollment over the past several years and not think there’s a possibility a school might have to be closed,” Smathers said. “Anyone who looks at that would say ‘How can you maintain 16 schools?’”

The lawsuit criticizes the school system for secretly plotting to close Central.

Smathers called it planning, but otherwise admitted that those discussions had indeed been going on.

“Yes there have been talks about ‘Hey, if the enrollment continues to decline, we may have to close a school,’” Smathers said.

“Administration has been considering ‘What schools do we close if need be, due to funding?’”

For the record, Central Elementary wasn’t the only one school leaders have talked about.

Bethel Middle School, North Canton Elementary or Meadowbrook Elementary have also been batted around when discussions of closing a school came up, Smathers said.

Smathers said school leaders wouldn’t be doing their job if they didn’t look into the future and contemplate the options under different scenarios.

“The discussion of the possibility is always on the table,” Smathers said. “There is always planning and there are always scenarios.”

Meanwhile, it’s true that the school system has spent the past few years exploring new locations for its central office.

The central office currently occupies a small portion of the old Haywood County hospital, but the vast majority of the hulking four-story building is vacant. The county has been trying to unload it for six years, prompting the school

H

Waste Not Want Not – Reducing Fruit/Vegetable Waste We are probably all guilty of buying fruit or vegetables and forgetting them in the back of the fridge or on our countertop until they are brown, mushy or covered with mold and then end up throwing them out. Here are some tips to help you reduce wasted produce.

1. Buy what you need. Don’t be seduced by big bags of fruit or vegetables unless you know you plan on using them, preserving them or freezing them.

2. If you only need a small quantity of a fruit or vegetable consider buying it from the Ingles salad bar or buy pre-cut/peeled from the produce section.

3. Make sure you shop your fridge first and use produce you have on hand before buying more.

4. Consider buying frozen or canned fruits and vegetables instead of fresh.

5. Buy fruits and vegetables that have a longer shelf life like apples, carrots, potatoes, and oranges.

Smoky Mountain News

May 11-17, 2016

6. Don’t wash whole fruit or vegetables until just before you plan on using them or eating them.

7. Make sure you store fruits and vegetables properly to help them ripen but not cause them to go bad. Tip: Here is a helpful guide from Still Tasty. http://www.stilltasty.com/articles/view/10 8. Before throwing out your fruit or vegetable try and salvage what is still good.

Tip: Can you cut that slightly mushy strawberry and use what is still good for a smoothie?

Can you revive that celery in some cold water or chop it up for use in a soup?

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system to analyze other possible locations.

Over the past few years, the pros and cons of 28 sites have been analyzed, and Central Elementary was among them, Smathers admitted.

“One of the sites was Central Elementary in the event it had to close due to declining enrollment,” Smathers said. “I have to be candid. If Central closed, it would be on the table.”

But that doesn’t mean that the quest for a new central office location was the catalyst for the closure of Central Elementary.

Smathers said it was important to note that Haywood County Schools aren’t gunning for a new central office location. The only reason they would leave their current building is if they get run out.

“As of today the board has not been asked to vacate this facility,” Smathers said.

Continuing coverage An article in last week’s edition of The Smoky Mountain News gave an overview of the lawsuit against Haywood County Schools. This week’s article focuses on the school system’s rebuttal. Stay tuned for more in-depth coverage unpacking the allegations.

The county hadn’t had any takers for the old hospital until recently. In January, however, the county announced a proposal to sell the building to a development firm that would turn it into an affordable senior housing apartment complex.

It was the worst possible timing for the school system. January was also when the school system went public with the proposal to close Central Elementary.

“It is just a coincidence,” Smathers said.

“A coincidence can still look bad.”

The lawsuit criticizes the school system for not telling the community sooner that it was possibility, however. Smathers said closing a school is such a heartwrenching and emotionally wrought decision that it didn’t seem right to run it up the flag pole if it wasn’t a real possibility.

“You think about, you can informally discuss it, but you don’t put something out formally that you are going to close a school unless it is something you have really got to do,” Smathers said.

Speaking of coincidences, a schoolwide IT upgrade conducted at Central Elementary over spring break had led to rumors that the school system must be setting the stage for central office to occupy it.

However, there’s actually a logical explanation that involves $300,000 in grant funding for IT upgrades at every school in county. The contract for the grant-funded work had been signed last May. The school system contacted the grant funders this winter and told them they no longer need Central to be included as part of the project, but it would have cost the school system more to redo the contract than to proceed with Central included.

Haywood Schools to make layoff announcements this week

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et cuts, figuring out what positions to cut was an elaborate process. Each principal in the school system was asked to come up a list of positions they could sacrifice. Those lists were then analyzed and winnowed down.

After arriving at a master list for the entire school system, a great shuffling ensued to save as many jobs as possible by moving employees who would otherwise be cut into other positions coming open due to retirements or attrition.

School board reminds public, and themselves, it’s not all gloom and doom Despite the stark budget reality of laying off teachers, the Haywood County School board set aside time at its monthly meeting this week to highlight a litany of academic accomplishments from students.

More than 200 students and parents from across the county packed into the school board room, spilled down the hallways and into overflow rooms. It’s a standing tradition at school board meetings to applaud students who have done good things — from getting into Governor’s School, making All-State Band or winning a special scholarship. Often entire sports teams that have had a standout season are paraded into a school board meeting for handshakes, certificates and photo ops.

But this month, with the year drawing to a close, the list of accolades was a doozy, lasting nearly two hours and delay-

Up in the air The fate of four part-time teachers at the Haywood Community Learning Center is still uncertain, pending a scramble for money to fund their salaries. If the money isn’t found, they will be added to the layoff list, bringing the total to 14 rather than 10. See cover story in this week’s edition for more.

CHARTER SCHOOL COUNT While Haywood County Schools are cutting jobs, the new start-up charter school Shining Rock Classical Academy has added jobs. Competition from Shining Rock has pulled both students and money away from the traditional school system. At the end of the day, the reallocation of money and students to the charter school came down to jobs being lost at one but gained at the other.

Shining Rock has the equivalent of 27 fulltime employees this school year— which is almost exactly the number of positions now being cut by Haywood County Schools.

But teachers being laid off by Haywood County Schools shouldn’t get their hopes up that they can skip across town and become teachers at Shining Rock.

Shining Rock is projecting an enrollment leap from 225 students this year to 350 next school year. But with 24 teachers already on

its rolls, Shining Rock plans to add only three additional teachers going into next year— two to accommodate the addition of seventh grade and one additional teacher assistant, according to a tally provided by the school director Ben Butler.

The total number of 24 teachers at Shining Rock this year includes assistants, electives and services for children with disabilities.

The school had undersized classrooms operating below capacity in several grades this year. If projected enrollment growth comes to fruition next year, the school will merely be filling up its existing classes — thus why the enrollment growth from 225 to 350 doesn’t correlate with the hiring of more teachers, with the addition of seventh grade being the exception.

The funding loss due to charter school competition would top $3 million next school year if Shining Rock hits its enrollment target.

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May 11-17, 2016

“I’ve spent all week on the phone with principals saying ‘I see you have a position open. We have someone over here who will need a job. Can you take them?,’” Heinz said.

“We were then able to say ‘Your new job is over here, congratulations.’”

It wasn’t possible in every case, however.

“With K-5 teachers, you can move them among grade levels with a lot more flexibility,” Heinz said.

But in middle and high school, teachers are often more specialized in particular subjects.

“If you need to lose a science position and an English teacher retires, it doesn’t help you,” Heinz said.

In the end, only 10 employees will be laid off out of the total 28 positions being eliminated.

“I am glad we could get it down that low, but I hate that it is that high,” School Board Chairman Chuck Francis said.

Positions eliminated in the budget cuts include 21 teachers, two assistant principals, one library assistant, two clerical positions and the equivalent of two full-time counselors.

ing the start of the regular school board meeting until 9 p.m.

“We are here tonight to recognize a whole slew of elementary students who have done great work over the year,” said Ron Moss, elementary curriculum advisor for Haywood County Schools, kicking off the evening’s recognitions.

Moss honored Hazelwood Elementary School’s Battle of the Books team for bringing home top honors in the literary quiz bowl competition at the regional level, and four elementary schools whose Science Olympiad teams swept the regional Science Olympiad competition, bringing home first, second, third and fourth places.

Other accomplishments recognized included the Bethel Middle School sportsman club, middle school students with high ACT scores, academically gifted students accepted into the Duke TIP program, Pisgah High School ROTC, and more.

“What a great night for Haywood County to celebrate all the accomplishments we’ve had,” said Chuck Francis, Haywood School Board Chairman.

— By Becky Johnson, staff writer

news

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER udget cuts are forcing Haywood County Schools to lay off 10 teachers and staff at the end of this school year.

The 10 employees losing their jobs were informed Tuesday that they were being let go.

A total of 28 positions in all were eliminated to help close a predicted $2.4 million budget shortfall for the coming school year. However, layoffs were mitigated by moving employees around — many whose positions were cut could move into other open jobs left vacant due to retirement and attrition.

A big question was what would happen to the teachers and staff at soon-to-close Central Elementary School, which is being consolidated to save money on overhead. The elementary schools slated to absorb Central’s student body of 230 students will have to add some positions to accommodate the larger student bodies there, but not enough to give everyone from Central a job, leaving many Central staff in limbo whether they would have jobs come next year.

School officials made a major announcement last week that proved a rare bright spot in the budget shortfall begetting layoffs.

“Every single employee at Central Elementary School has been placed elsewhere,” Jason Heinz, human resources director for the school system, reported at a school board work session last week.

Across the room, School Board Member Larry Henson did a fist pump upon hearing the news.

Not only the teachers, but the school secretary, principal, custodians and bus drivers from Central Elementary will be offered similar positions at another school in the county.

“Every single Central Elementary employee from after school to teachers to custodians to PE — they all got positions elsewhere?”

School Board Member Bobby Rogers affirmed.

“Even after-school care got taken care of,” Superintendent Anne Garrett said.

“That is awesome,” Henson said.

As for the 10 school system employees who will lose their jobs as a result of budg-

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news

Making the grade Educator reinvents dropout prevention, but budget cuts jeopardize program

An individual education plan is crafted for each student who comes into the Haywood Community Learning Center to address both their social and academic needs. Director Kyle Ledford and Counselor Brookely Nicholson constantly review the plans to ensure students have the necessary support. Becky Johnson photo

Smoky Mountain News

May 11-17, 2016

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER yle Ledford spent years working with atrisk youth and high school dropouts in the Haywood school system. Saving kids was his calling, but it always felt like he was not playing with a full deck.

“The problems these kids were having could not be addressed in and of itself by a school. We couldn’t do anything about getting them a job or providing childcare or getting them housing and clothing,” Ledford said. “I can teach kids all day long, but I can’t do anything about housing and I can’t do anything about food stamps and I can’t do anything about transportation. The school system can’t solve a societal problem. It takes the community.”

Then it hit him one day: the idea to create an innovative dropout recovery program from whole cloth that included the missing pieces of the puzzle.

“We hopped in a truck and went to Raleigh for a dropout prevention meeting and came back with an idea for the community learning center,” Ledford said. “Here we have an academic program that is wrapped around a case management system, where every kid has an individual plan that may call for buying that kid a pair of shoes.”

The Haywood Community Learning Center builds a network of social services and creates a web of support around the student.

For several years, the program has operated 6 away from the public eye, quietly plugging

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away at its heroic and monumental work of transforming the lives and futures of wouldbe dropouts.

A testament to its success, the dropout rate in Haywood County had dropped from 8 percent to just 1 percent since the program’s inception in 2007.

Once hidden in plain sight, the center has recently become known as one of the most innovative educational programs in the state, winning accolades as a model of what a successful dropout program looks like.

“In every community in this state there are folks who would line up to help. The agencies are already set up to help the kid with the need,” Ledford said. “The problem is we have never had a vehicle where a kid can come in and say ‘I need help’ and a plan is formed.

Everybody in the building has access to a written plan, step-by-step, what these kids need to do and have done.”

Even more impressive, Ledford leverages the lion’s share of the operational budget for the program through grant funding, to the tune of more than $400,000 a year.

AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE ALTERNATIVE Alternative high schools are nothing new.

But at the end of the day, alternative high schools are still schools, with mid-terms and tardies and all the peer pressure that creates an untenable environment for some students.

“It doesn’t offer enough of an alternative,” Ledford said.

After all, if traditional high school worked for them, they would still be there.

“The typical approach for our students didn’t work for whatever reason,” said Bill Covin, a social studies teacher at the school.

Students here don’t fit a mold, and no one tries to put them in one. The school day doesn’t have a start and stop time. Exams aren’t held on a schedule. Students work at their own pace, with teachers doubling as tutors to help them master subjects.

“For some students it takes longer, for some it’s quicker,” Covin said. “That flexibility is why we are successful.”

What matters is that they are showing up, applying themselves and learning.

“So you don’t come in until 9:30 in the morning, but you are here,” said Erman D’Alesandro, a teacher who works with exceptional students. “If we meet their needs to go to school any way they can, they can finish.”

The doors aren’t locked when a morning bell rings. You don’t need a hall pass to go to the drink machine. There’s even a school therapy dog.

“When a student needs some time out, I tell them ‘Go grab a pet,’” D’Alesandro said.

Since students here don’t move at the same pace, teachers don’t stand before the class holding forth on the elements in the periodic table or the Articles of the Constitution.

Instead, teachers serve more as tutors, meeting students wherever they are and helping them master subjects to earn credits.

Students can largely come and go as they please during the week. They can pick their classrooms, pick their studies and pick their hours. Teachers are always on hand for guidance and oversight, but most learning is done online. The four classrooms in the center are filled with computer and laptop stations, some with a lounge-like set-up.

The school isn’t devoid of formal instruction, however. While the mornings are reserved for coursework, afternoons are filled with interdisciplinary and interactive sessions.

“We try to integrate reading and math skills in a hands-on environment,” Covin said.

Every Wednesday, for example, Covin leads an afternoon discussion group called “Hash tag trending now.” The course title cleverly disguises civics lessons, like how the electoral college and delegate counts work, or Civil War history when the Confederate Flag debate was raging.

On Thursday, Covin leads a weekly book discussion, currently centering on short stories about social plights in Southern Appalachia by well-known regional writer Ron Rash.

Students are required to partake in a certain number of afternoon learning labs for each course or credit that they’re working on.

“That’s like your lab and your practicum that enforces what they are learning,” Mark Ethridge said.

However, Covin sometimes has a hard time competing against the wow factor served up by Ethridge down the hall. His

afternoon science labs include building robots, chemical analysis of water samples from the creek out back, planting and tending a school garden, and raising fish in the classroom.

Ethridge hosted an in-school technology competition where students got a $500 budget to design and build their concepts — which ranged from a backpack with a built-in solar panel for charging phones to a do-ityourself home energy consumption auditing kit.

“It may or may not be as rigorous as a regular classroom, but they do a lot more than some kids I have taught who just sit there and do nothing and get a diploma,” Ethridge said.

“I think the program is a model for all schools, not just a dropout school. Not everybody has the chance to do electronics and robotics and coding and grow a garden and do water monitoring.”

Karen McCracken, the office manager for the center, said students in the program are given flexibility but are expected to do the right thing.

Bill Covin, a social studies teacher at the Haywood Community Learning Center.

Becky Johnson photo

“Giving them that little bit of trust translates into a positive response,” McCracken said.

And the students more often than not rise to the occasion when empowered.

Since the center lacks a cafeteria, churches in the community bring in food daily for lunch, but students take turns setting it out and cleaning up afterward. A student advisory club is consulted on school decisions — students even got to vote on the color of their tassels for the graduation ceremony.

These kids would never be candidates for student body president or prom queen at a traditional high school. But here, they’re given buy-in.

“The kids are engaged and take personal stock in what they do,” Ethridge said.

MAKING ENDS MEET

Despite the grant funding Ledford rakes in, the center has to scrape by without the support of various

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Dropout program in jeopardy

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER espite wild success rescuing high school dropouts and turning their lives around, the Haywood Community Learning Center is on the brink of closing if a funding quandary isn’t solved soon.

More than 550 would-be dropouts have earned a high school diploma through the program since its inception in 2007. But a $91,000 budget cut by Haywood County Schools for the center’s four part-time teachers now threatens the program’s continued existence.

Everyone seems to agree on the merits of the program, which is heralded as a statewide model. But who should pick up the tab has become a source of debate.

School board members said they personally weren’t aware of the implications that the budget cut would have on the center.

“It was never our intention to shut that program down. It is too good a program not to find the money,” School Board Member Bobby Rogers said. “Originally, we thought that there was enough grant money that if those positions went away then it would just be picked up by grants.”

School board members were told more than once by Superintendent Anne Garrett not to worry about the program because the director was looking for grants to make up the difference.

However, the school director says he was never under any illusion that he could find grants to make up the entire $91,000 being cut by the school system.

“When I was made aware of the cuts, I did what I have always done,” Ledford said.

“I said I would try to find it, and I did try, but I couldn’t find it.”

The $91,000 cut to the program would wipe out the salaries of four part-time teachers who comprise the instructional backbone of the program. Without them, the center would have no teachers.

The dropout program is just one sliver of much larger budget cuts playing out. The school system is facing a $2.4 million budget

shortfall next year, and while Ledford understands that, he wishes a program doing as much good as his — particularly given that it is 80 percent grant-funded to the tune of $400,000 a year — had been spared.

“I don’t know why it was decided that we could be cut,” Ledford said. “I don’t think it was a good decision, of course, and I have said that.”

When school board members approved the master list of budget cuts back in January, Garrett told them she felt confident Ledford would be able to make up the difference in grants. But as the weeks ticked by, it became clear that wasn’t actually the case.

“Once the cuts were announced I went to work to mitigate the cuts and I found some of it but I could not find it all,” Ledford said. He checked with all his grant sources, appealed to the community college for help, solicited community donations and even spent two days in Raleigh beating down doors in the legislative building — but to no avail.

Ledford is still $61,000 shy and out of other options.

At a work session last week, school board members were somewhat surprised to see the four part-time teachers at the community learning center on a list of employees being laid off due to budget cuts. They thought the positions would have been saved by now, yet were on the list of those getting pink slips this week.

“It was our understanding that they were going to be picked up by grants,” School Board Member Larry Henson said.

Garrett said she thought so, too.

“I met with Kyle Ledford and he said they thought they could pick it up with grants.

Then he came back and said he was going to need $61,000,” Garrett told the school board.

Garrett then suggested making a direct ask to county commissioners.

“I think we need to write a letter to our county commissioners and ask them for funds for those students,” Garrett said.

“I think that would be a very reasonable request,” School Board Chairman Chuck Francis said. “It is a great program not only for the school but the community.”

School Board Member Bobby Rogers

clarified for the record that those positions would be reinstated if the funding came through from the county.

“We are cutting them on paper but in reality they may not go away?” he asked.

state and federal programs found in traditional schools.

— While nearly all the students come from low-income families and would typically qualify for free lunch and breakfast at a traditional school, the center gets no federal subsidies to feed them.

A network of community groups has rallied around the school to serve as its support network, including providing meals.

Every Thursday, volunteers from First Baptist Church in Waynesville slide into the school and head toward the break room that’s shared by teachers and students alike. They peek in the freezer for an inventory and show back up to restock the supply of microwave meals, frozen bagels and other staples to

ensure the kids don’t go hungry.

First Baptist is one of a dozen churches that chip in to help keep the center stocked with food, including a MANNA food pantry students can take from.

“We normalize it and don’t make it weird for them. They can come in here and get food to stuff their backpacks with,” said Leslie Mowitt, the onsite coordinator for a 21st Century Community Learning grant that’s providing $1.4 million in funding over four years.

Food assistance isn’t the only resource being provided by community groups. From financial literacy to nutrition education, nonprofit and social service agencies funnel through the school on a regular basis to teach

students life skills that are often just as critical as the high school education they are getting.

“The school in and of itself can’t fix these things. But we have shown what we can do when paired with what other folks do really well,” Ledford said.

This team of community partners is collectively nicknamed “The Village People.”

“They come from everywhere,” Mowitt said.

Jean Parris, the volunteer coordinator of the grassroots Drugs in Our Midst alliance, is one of the “village people” who serves as a guardian for the school. She’s often there during the week, both as moral support and to see what unmet needs the school has at the moment.

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FUZZY MATH

news

Haywood schools ask county for funding help —

were left in the budget all along. The school system also funds a position at the center to support students with disabilities.

In return, the school system has benefited from a substantial decline in the dropout rate and the greater good of helping kids in real need.

BALL IN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ COURT NOW

It’s unusual for the school system to make a direct ask to county commissioners for a line item budget request. Typically, the county gives the school system a lump sum based on a funding formula that amounts to $2,022 per students this year.

But the funding formula is fatally flawed when it comes to the community learning center.

While the community learning center serves around 150 students a year, those students don’t really exist as far as the state and county are concerned. They come to the program as dropouts and aren’t considered stu-

May 11-17, 2016

Some county commissioners appear favorable to the idea of providing the funding.

“Can we do something? It is possible. I would be very receptive,” said Commissioner Mike Sorrells, a former school board member.

Sorrells said the county has avoided earmarking funds in the school system’s budget for particular line items, however, and this could set a precedent the county doesn’t want to be in.

“We give them an amount of money and don’t dictate to them how they spend it,” Sorrells said. “We don’t want to get in a situation of telling them what to spend it on.”

This program may be important enough to deviate While the community learning from that norm, however. center serves around 150 students Especially since many of the students aren’t being counted a year, those students come to the in the county’s budget formula for the school system, possibly program as dropouts and aren’t justifying an alternative fundconsidered students, so they aren’t ing method or a line-item appropriation. counted when tallying up the state Sorrells said it is ironic that and county per pupil funding other counties in the region have looked to the community allocation to the school system. learning center as a model for rescuing dropouts, yet it is in dents, so they aren’t counted when tallying jeopardy for want of $61,000. up the state and county per pupil funding “Here is this great program we are trying allocation to the school system. to mirror and it is being gutted out,” Sorrells A system that funds education based on said. head count simply doesn’t work when it The bottom line in Sorrells’ view is that comes to these students, who aren’t recogthe community learning center is about more nized as students. And that’s part of the than providing dropouts with an education. rationale behind the school system’s request “It benefits the community as a whole,” to the county for the $61,000.

Sorrells said.

Although the school system doesn’t get Commissioner Bill Upton agreed. the full per pupil fare to support the pro“It has been an outstanding program. My gram on the front end, it has historically concern is anything that is doing that much subsidized the program anyway. It’s providgood needs a second look,” Upton said. “For ed a building and pays for it’s overhead like the amount of money we are putting in, we utilities, custodians and insurance, which are getting a lot out of it.”

Smoky Mountain News

“I found out they didn’t have basketballs, even though there’s a basketball court right out here, so I bought them basketballs,” Parris said.

Only four part-time teachers — math, English, science and social studies — make the school tick. But their salaries are on the chopping block, jeopardizing the center’s ability to continue operating. The four teachers cost the school system only $91,000 a year.

Ethridge said it would be a loss for the entire community if the money isn’t found.

He’s not worried about his own job, but about the kids who would be tossed overboard.

“They don’t have a voice and don’t have anyone to advocate for them,” Ethridge said. 7

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Anthony Buccella, 19, hangs out in the hall of the Haywood Community Learning Center with the school dog. Buccella has earned his high school diploma through the program and will be going on to Haywood Community College.

May 11-17, 2016

Becky Johnson photo

Caught in life’s crosshairs, students struggle not to dropout

Smoky Mountain News

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER The trials of adulthood came early for Nicole Ferguson.

The day she turned 16, she got a job at McDonald’s and was soon living on her own, trying to make ends meet while working full time and going to school.

“I went to school, went to work, went home, fell asleep … every day it was the same routine,” Ferguson said. “I had no time to do homework.”

School was just one more thing piled on to her daily challenge to survive. Luckily, Ferguson found the Haywood Community Learning Center.

“If I had stayed at Pisgah [High School], I don’t know if I would have graduated. If you want to be honest, I think I’ve learned more here,” Ferguson said.

Now two years later, Ferguson is well on her way to the final credits she needs for a high school diploma, and has aspirations to attend Haywood Community College and even Western Carolina University after that.

She’s expecting a baby this fall, however, and life is coming at her fast again. She still works at McDonald’s, and is trying to set aside a nest egg for diapers when the baby comes, temporarily sidelining her hopes of saving up for car insurance and her driver’s 8 license yet.

“Things just take a lot of money,” she said.

This Monday, Ferguson was camped out at a laptop work station at the Haywood Community Learning Center in Hazelwood plugging away at an online financial literacy course — a requirement of the high school diploma program here. She took a break to offer a pep talk to a new student across the table.

Gloria Clark, 16, has almost no high school credits and thus a long road ahead of her if she hopes to get to the finish line like Ferguson one day. Clark’s dad went to jail when she was 8 and she never saw him again. She was taken from her mom and put in group homes and foster care, eventually running away.

Now, she and her mom are living together again, but Clark works two jobs — Bojangles’ and Burger King — to help keep the household afloat, plus helps take care of her grandmother and 14-year-old brother.

“It’s hard. It sucks,” she said, reflecting on her current lot. “It’s really hard to include school.”

Students at the Haywood Community Learning Center don’t conform to a stereotype. They may be teen parents, homeless, victims of abuse or suffering from emotional trauma. Some have social anxiety that makes regular high school feel like a shark tank.

Erman D'Alesandro, a teacher for exceptional children at the Haywood Community Learning Center. Becky Johnson photo

“It is a safety net here, where they don’t have that pressure from other students around them.”

— Erman D’Alesandro

Others have health problems that simply make traditional high school too difficult.

One student who gets seizures was too embarrassed to attend regular high school, but here, she’s free from the fear of judgment by her peers.

“Nobody here cares what any other students have,” said said Erman D’Alesandro, a

teacher in the program who works with exceptional students. “It is a safety net here, where they don’t have that pressure from other students around them.”

For Anthony Buccella, it’s the first time in his life that he’s ever really experienced what a supportive nurturing environmental feels like.

“I was not judged at all by anybody here,” Buccella said. “The only thing they really look for is respect and that you try.”

Growing up with an abusive, alcoholic father, Buccella had spent most of his teen years in group homes and foster care, but would be put out on the street when he turned 18 to fend for himself.

“Two years ago, I thought I would never make it,” Buccella said. Buccella’s future was indeed grim until he moved from California to Haywood County to live with a long lost family friend and was pointed toward the alternative learning center.

He is graduating this month with a high school diploma and plans to attend Haywood Community College next year and get a cosmetology degree.

Buccella’s story is a common refrain among students here, who graduate not only with a diploma but with higher aspirations than they had when they first walked through the door.

Kira Simons, 19, hopes to attend community college next year to become a vet tech.

Simons had a hard time coping in traditional high school with the stress of timed tests.

“I would be anxious and nervous and forget everything,” Simons said. Here, she doesn’t have the pressure of a ticking clock when she takes test. She only has to work her way through the material.

Simons said the program isn’t for slackers. Expectations are high, and if students aren’t willing to apply themselves they won’t make it.

“They push you a lot, but they do it in a different way,” Simons said.

Realistically, a lot of students don’t go on to community college, so job skills are a huge emphasis at the center to help students become more employable.

“So many of them feel fastfood is their only job recourse,” said Leslie Mowitt, the onsite workforce development grant coordinator. With summer approaching, Mowitt coordinated a job fair at the center that’s open to the community at large.

Mark Ethridge, a science teacher in the program, has literally taught hundreds of students in honors and college-level science courses during his years at Tuscola High School. But this is the most rewarding teaching job he’s had. One thing that strikes him is that the kids in his AP classes at Tuscola over the years usually didn’t come back home after college.

But the students he gets to teach now are here to stay, to raise their own children here, toiling away in the service and retail jobs that make up the backbone of society and that the rest of the community depends on.

“These are our neighbors,” Ethridge said.

“These people are the ones who will be here.

We owe them the same opportunities to make the best life they can make for themselves.”

another school district might be.

They never actually attend Central Haywood, but are enrolled just in time for graduation and is awarded a diploma bearing Central Haywood’s name, but based on the credits they earned through the Ledford’s program.

The system worked so ingeniously that students from the community learning center actually outnumber official Central Haywood graduates every year.

But there was another problem Ledford wasn’t willing to accept. Even though his students were going on to earn high school diplomas, they had already counted toward the county’s dropout rate.

“The efforts we were making were helping the kids, but it wasn’t doing anything for the school system’s drop ou rate,” Ledford said.

So Ledford set out to change the way the state calculates dropouts. It wasn’t easy, but he relentlessly made his case to Raleigh.

“We went to the state board of education and created a waiver, which we call ‘the box,’” Ledford said.

When students withdraw from their traditional high school, instead of being marked down as a dropout, they are now put in a holding place known as “the box.” If they ultimately graduate, they move out of “the box” and get counted as a graduate rather than a dropout for the purpose of statistics.

“When I get you, you go in the box and as long as you stay with me and do what you were supposed to do, you remain in the box until you graduate,” Ledford said. “The waiv-

— Kyle Ledford, Haywood Community Learning Center director

er took away the ticking clock.”

Thanks to Ledford’s pioneering system, the county’s dropout rate has dropped from 8 percent to less than 1 percent since 2007.

The waiver was so widely heralded as a perfect solution to an imperfect problem that it was adopted statewide last year under the banner of the Dropout Prevention Law, now serving as a model for other dropout programs around the state to use as well.

“The state really modeled their law after what we are doing. We were trying to solve a

problem and that’s solving the problem,” Ledford said.

But there always seemed to be another problem around the corner for Ledford to tackle. The problem on his plate now is the how to get his students to count as students for the purpose of state per pupil funding.

It recently became an urgent priority when the Haywood County School System targeted the salaries of teachers at the community learning center in a sweeping $2.4 million budget reduction.

Ledford went into overdrive to find money that had been cut from other sources in order to try and save the program. He beat the bushes with his grant funders and looked under every rock. He was able to close the gap some, but is still short $61,000 needed to pay the teachers’ salaries.

So last week, Ledford made a trip to Raleigh to do what he does best: make a case for the innovative dropout recovery program he’s crafted.

“I didn’t come back with any money. I couldn’t do that. But I had a very lengthy, good long discussion with some legislators about what programs like mine do and what the need is,” Ledford said.

He has an invitation to return next month and testify before the entire legislature about the merits of the program.

“I was invited to speak about what the perfect dropout recovery program looks like,” Ledford said.

Ledford commended N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, for helping pave his way with lawmakers in Raleigh.

“None of this could have happened if it wasn’t for him advocating on our part. He

was very, very instrumental,” Ledford said.

There’s an option out there that would solve the problem of counting the students as students. They could simply remain on the books of the school they drop out of, but be released to his program for their studies.

They would continue to pull down the state dollars that the school system gets for each student on its roll, providing a critical funding stream that the program is now lacking.

“The problem is, if the kids were enrolled on the books of another school, the performance of the child goes for or against that school they are enrolled in,” Ledford said.

In other words, they would be subject to standardized tests that official students have to take, and their scores would count under the school they were on the books of.

“While that would fund us, that is not necessarily the fairest thing to do for the staff of the home school. Their accountability should be based on the students they are actually educating,” Ledford said. “We should be fully held accountable for our own performance, and our kids’ performance, whether good or bad, shouldn’t be counted against a school that has had nothing to do with their education of that student.”

Ledford has a few more tricks up his sleeve, and is currently honing what you might call a plan D, hoping to find a way around the state’s methodology of how it counts students for funding purposes. Some may call it gaming the system, but to Ledford, it’s being an advocate for kids that desperately deserve a second chance.

“Why have I not quit?” Ledford said.

“Number one, I couldn’t leave my kids.”

Smoky Mountain News

“We should be fully held accountable for our own performance, and our kids’ performance, whether good or bad, shouldn’t be counted against a school that has had nothing to do with their education of that student.”

Kyle Ledford, the director of the Haywood Community Learning Center, is the mastermind behind what's now heralded as a statewide model for what asuccessful drop-out recovery program looks like. Becky Johnson photo

May 11-17, 2016

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER If there’s one thing Kyle Ledford is good at, it’s pushing boulders uphill.

Call it grit, perseverance, stick-to-itness, Ledford has dedicated his life to solving the dropout conundrum, and he nearly has the code cracked.

The mastermind behind the Haywood Community Learning Center, Ledford’s model program has shepherded more than 550 would-be dropouts across the high school graduation stage since 2007.

The innovative program, funded largely through grants, gives non-traditional students the support and flexibility they need to earn a high school diploma and, more importantly, give them a shot at a better future as productive members of society.

Ledford’s biggest obstacle isn’t inspiring the students to continue their studies or building a support network to solve their social needs, however. It’s working within the confines of a rigid education system that doesn’t recognize his school as a school, nor recognize his students as students.

It’s a serious problem, since state education dollars are doled out based on student head count. Since these students are considered dropouts, even though they’re working their way toward a high school diploma they don’t pull down state dollars as traditional students do.

“The state has never come up with a system to count these kids,” Ledford said. “So you find yourself between a rock and a hard place.”

Ledford has spent untold time and energy solving Catch 22’s surrounding his program.

While figuring out how to get his students to actually count as students when it comes to the state funding formula is Ledford’s biggest hurdle these days, it wasn’t the most pressing challenge.

His first step back in 2007 was figuring out how to bestow the students with a high school diploma after completing their credits.

“A school is the only entity in this state that can grant a diploma,” Ledford said.

But the community learning center technically doesn’t count as a school. To do so, it would have to act like one — which would mean losing the very flexibility that makes it successful. The alternative learning center allows students to set their own schedules and progress at their own pace, and thus doesn’t meet the definition of a school in the state’s eyes. Instead, it’s considered a program under the umbrella of the school system, but not a school.

Ledford proposed a novel concept thanks to a cooperative partnership with the county’s original alternative high school, Central Haywood High.

Once Ledford’s students have earned the credits they need to graduate through his program, they are enrolled at Central Haywood High the same way a transfer student from

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Trying to put a square peg in a round hole? Kyle Ledford’s your man

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Fiddler’s Legacy Shining Rock stalled on A Tribute to Trevor Stuart May 14, 2016 7pm

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Grading work continues at the future site of Shining Rock Classical Academy on Dellwood Road across from Lake Junaluska Assembly as the charter’s school board faces a delay with getting modular classrooms in place. Jessi Stone photo

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR hining Rock Classical Academy is considering legal action against a modular building company for not being able to honor its lease agreement with the charter school.

Shining Rock entered into a lease agreement with MSpace to provide it with several used modular classrooms to the tune of $360,000 paid out over five years. While Shining Rock has already given MSpace a $50,000 down payment for the buildings, the company is facing financial difficulties and might have to liquidate all of its assets.

The pending legal proceeding for the company essentially leaves Shining Rock in limbo since MSpace can’t release any of its inventory at this time.

SRCA board chairwoman Nancy East said she has been in contact with MSpace’s attorney and hopes to receive some definitive news soon on how the school should proceed.

“The school initially chose to enter a fiveyear lease with MSpace because of their very long and successful history and also since one of our sister schools, Lake Lure Classical Academy (LLCA), had recently finished leasing the buildings they would soon obtain,” East wrote in a press release. “In addition, MSpace recently completed LLCA’s $10 million permanent facility.”

With grading work moving along as scheduled at the school’s future site on Dellwood Road and classes set to start in early August, time is of the essence. East said she asked MSpace’s attorney if purchasing the modular outright would avoid the waiting game, but she hasn’t gotten a response yet. In the meantime, the board needs to have a few

Smoky Mountain News

May 11-17, 2016

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10

other options on the backburner in case the MSpace lease doesn’t pan out.

“We’ve reached out to other mod companies to check on their inventory of used and new mods,” East told the school board at a called meeting Friday morning. “We have some promising leads on the horizon but we’ll know more next week.”

Tim Foley, a Team CFA representative on Shining Rock’s board, said in the best-case scenario it could take a month or more for a liquidation or bankruptcy case to make it through the court system. His recommendation to the board was to explore all other possibilities.

“It seems like MSpace for whatever reason doesn’t have us high on their priority list — we need to make whatever noise we need to make to get their attention,” Foley said.

SRCA board member Torry Pinter said purchasing the units outright would be the easiest way around all the mess. But if the board doesn’t get an answer soon, he suggested going ahead and getting estimates from other modular companies. Once the modular units make it to production, Pinter said the turnaround time is quick. If worst comes to worst, he said Shining Rock would be a few weeks behind schedule in getting them set up on campus.

“I say get quotes from other vendors and then make a decision — tell MSpace they got 48 hours to put up or shut up,” said board member Mike Mehaffey.

After further discussion, the board voted unanimously to hire local lawyer Burton Smith to assist the charter school in dealing with the issue with MSpace. The board approved allocating up to $2,500 for Smith’s legal services but

Challenge Foundation Properties, an extension of Team CFA, has provided Shining Rock a line of credit for facility construction needs since charter schools don’t receive state funding for capital expenditures. Shining Rock is under the CFA’s umbrella along with other North Carolina charter schools, including Lake Lure Classical Academy and Brevard Academy.

Shining Rock has spent money on two other potential school sites that didn’t work out. The school first had a lease on a piece of property on Ratcliffe Cove Road, but had to abandon it because of higher-than-expected costs to get the site ready. Shining Rock then had a purchase agreement on 32 acres of cornfield in the Francis Cove community on the outskirts of Waynesville but again had to abandon the site because of complications with a leaseholder of the property.

The school was also denied a special-use permit by the town of Waynesville to place modular units on the property.

“The school leadership remains very optimistic and has told their parents that Shining Rock will overcome this challenge, just as they have every other obstacle that has blocked their path,” East said. “While MSpace’s predicament was unsettling news to hear, it’s a surmountable problem with attractive alternative options. We have certainly faced bigger problems around our facilities in the past. We will continue to forge ahead and will hone in on the best solution very soon. We’ll get through this even stronger as a school family, just like we have in the past.”

David Belcher and his wife Susan give a thumbs-up after the WCU chancellor’s successful brain surgery. Donated photo

Surgery successful for WCU chancellor

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER David Belcher may not have appeared at Western Carolina University’s commencement ceremonies last week, but the university’s chancellor was there in spirit after undergoing brain surgery May 4.

Belcher “really wishes he could be here to celebrate this special day with you,” WCU Provost Allison Morrison-Shetler, who presided over the ceremonies in his stead, told the graduates, adding that she suspected the chancellor was going against doctor’s orders to watch the live-streaming ceremony on his phone.

“Get well soon, Chancellor Belcher!” students chanted in a cheer Morrison-Shetlar led at all three graduation ceremonies held at

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ABOVE & BEYOND

WCU last week.

The surgery, performed at Duke University Hospital, aimed to remove a small tumor that had developed in Belcher’s brain, interfering with his speech and expression. The surgery went well, the university’s public relations department reported, with another update on Belcher’s progress expected this week.

Belcher’s announcement of his condition met a nearly immediate flood of support from the university community and beyond, with a rally of students and staff the day afterward attracting nearly 250 people in grim weather.

The day of Belcher’s announcement also happened to be a meeting of the Jackson County commissioners, who had a plentiful supply of kind words and well wishes to share.

Further keeping the situation in the minds of Catamounts and community members will be a gathering commemorating May’s status as National Brain Tumor Awareness Month at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at WCU’s instructional site at 28 Schenck Parkway in Asheville. Anne Cortes, a student pursuing a master’s of health sciences, is organizing the event, which is sponsored by the Western North Carolina Brain Tumor Support Group.

While Belcher’s family is asking for privacy during these first days following the surgery, messages and well-wishes are welcome.

Updates on Belcher’s progress will be posted online at www.wcu.edu/discover/leadership/ office-of-the-chancellor/personal-message.aspx. The site contains a message feature to contact Belcher directly.

A #WheeBelieveinBelcher hashtag has also started to show support for the chancellor.

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didn’t anticipate needing to spend that much before the issue is resolved. East said the board would also work on getting estimates from other companies.

“The good news is we have other options that are affordable and meet our general scope of guidelines,” she said.

If classrooms are not ready by August, East said Lake Junaluska might be able to find temporary space for their estimated 300-plus students.

“Lake Junaluska’s leadership has been incredibly supportive since the school told them the news,” she said in the press release. “They are currently working out the details of adequately sized contingency space on the Lake Junaluska’s main campus, should they need it in August when school starts.”

Getting a new charter school off the ground has been a challenging and expensive endeavor for Shining Rock board members.

After being temporarily located inside the Wilson Children’s Complex at Lake Junaluska for its first year in operation, the school signed an agreement with the assembly to lease property across from the lake on Dellwood Road. The school will pay Lake Junaluska $45,000 a year to use the space but isn’t allowed to build permanent structures.

Based on estimates from their contractor, site work needed to get the property ready for August will cost around $1.5 million, plus the cost of modular classrooms.

Shining Rock has already paid out about $400,000 for grading, water and sewer and underground utility work.

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TVA gives houseboats a 30-year sunset

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR pposition from local, state and federal politicians, a petition with 3,500 signatures and more than three hours’ worth of poignant testimony from the public wasn’t enough to sway the Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors from imposing a 30-year sunset on all houseboats moored on TVA lakes.

In the end, the TVA board voted 7-2 in favor of removing all houseboats from its 49 reservoirs in the next 30 years. In the meantime, the TVA’s new policy prohibits any new houseboats from occupying the waters, requires all existing houseboats to have a TDA permit and meet TVA standards and will allow the TVA to collect a fee from exiting houseboat owners in order to implement the new regulations.

With more than 350 houseboats sitting on Fontana Lake in Swain and Graham counties, people drove more than six hours to attend the TVA meeting held in Buchanan, Tennessee, last week. Out of the 40-plus people who spoke during the public listening session, all but two were against the TVA’s proposal to put any sunset on houseboats.

It was an emotional scene with grandmothers crying, businesses pleading and houseboat owners debating their right to keep their investments.

“What can I say in three minutes to the people who want to destroy my home?” asked Barry Burgess, a houseboat owner from Nashville.

The TVA has been looking into the houseboat issue since 2014 and released a 400-page environmental impact study claiming the floating houses could cause environmental issues, safety concerns and navigation problems on the lakes. Many speakers at the meeting pointed out the study did not point to any concrete data or examples of those concerns.

While the houseboat owners and businesses were able to debunk most of the TVA’s assertions, in the end board members and staff said it came down to the TVA’s mission to be good stewards of its natural resources.

“It’s been a very tough issue for the board and staff,” said TVA President Bill Johnson following public comment. “It’s had the most political interest. It’s been negative in intent, but this board and organization have a duty of stewardship of public assets.”

Smoky Mountain News

May 11-17, 2016

O

FEELING MISLED

Speaker after speaker took their allotted three minutes to explain to the TVA how they made the decision to purchase or build a houseboat on a TVA lake. They described how they did their research and talked to Realtors, lawyers, TVA staff, county officials and marina owners about the security of such an investment. By all accounts, people were assured 12 they were making a sound and safe purchase.

Others said they were specifically told by TVA staff through the entire process that what they were doing was within the TVA’s guidelines. Norris Lake houseboat owner Randy Johnson said calling the TVA was the first thing he did when he wanted to invest more than $200,000 in purchasing a houseboat. He said TVA land use specialist Woody Farrell told him the TVA staff would not be recommending the sunset clause option.

“That made me feel secure because there would be no sunset clause and more regulations,” Johnson said. “Getting rid of these homes isn’t going to help anyone — it’s going to hurt us all.”

Mark Godsey, a law professor at the University of Cincinnati, said he was not someone who tried to sneak around the regulations when he bought his Norris Lake houseboat. When he noticed other houseboats had numbers displayed on the front of them, he called the TVA to make sure he didn’t need one of those as well.

Those numbers indicate homes that were permitted by the TVA prior to 1978 when the TVA changed its policy to prohibit any new homes from being built on the lake. Godsey said TVA staff told him not having a number

“What’s being asked for is permanent use of pubic property. The idea that these floating homes have a right to stay on public property doesn’t seem to be a good stewardship resolution.”

— Bill Johnson, TVA president

wasn’t a problem but that his houseboat may be subject to taxing from the local county.

When Godsey heard the recent talk about the possible sunset clause he called TVA again to get clarification. The person assured him TVA staff would be recommending the B1 option — more regulation but no sunset clause.

“I got a chuckle from the person on the phone that said, ‘if they ever recommend a sunset, I sure as hell don’t want to be at that meeting,’” Godsey recalled. “I don’t think they we’re lying to me. I think something went awry at some point.”

Gary Henson said he also did his research before purchasing a floating home in 2009. It was a pre-1978 houseboat that had a grandfathered-in TVA permit. TVA staff told him that it was deemed an existing houseboat and that he wouldn’t have a problem as long as he stayed in compliance. Throughout the process, Henson said, the TVA said it was leaning toward option B1 until homeowners

People wait in line at Paris Landing State Park Conference Center in Tennessee for an opportunity to address the Tennessee Valley Authority board regarding houseboats. Donated photo got a notification in the mail two months ago.

“Had I known there would be a 30-year sunset, I would have never invested in the house,” Henson said. “We’ve been misled at these public meetings — we were told they were leaning strongly toward B1.”

Debbie Samples, a marina owner and owner of two houseboats on Norris Lake, said the TVA’s environmental impact study was fundamentally flawed since TVA employees had been telling people for years to do what they want.

“Your own people told me and my partners when we built floating homes in the harbor it was OK with TVA — I’ve built six,” she said.

NOT ENFORCING THEIR RULES TVA has valid concerns about the number of unpermitted houseboats popping up on the lakes. Even though the TVA said in 1978 that no more houseboats could be added to the lakes, there are more than 900 unpermitted homes on the lakes today.

Rebecca Tolene, vice president of natural resources, said the TVA was even receiving marketing materials from developers basically wanting to build small subdivisions of houses on the water.

But houseboat owners couldn’t understand how the TVA could punish everyone for the ones who didn’t follow TVA regulations, especially when TVA hasn’t been enforcing those regulations for more than 30 years.

Jody Musick of Kingport said many people spent even more money to buy a houseboat that was TVA-permitted before 1978 because they wanted to make sure their home wouldn’t be breaking any laws.

“Mine is permitted and anchored to land I own. The wastewater is contained and I’m replacing the floats. My house poses no threat

to anyone,” Musick said. “Please manage the problem where it lies.”

Musick said a reasonable alternative to the sunset would be to create an annual fee of $100 a year to pay someone to better manage the lakes and enforce the regulations.

Others agreed they were more than willing to follow the regulations as long as TVA was consistent about what is expected of houseboat owners.

“In our wildest dreams we didn’t think we’d be looking at this,” said Mary Lefker.

“We want to be good stewards of the reservoirs. We are more than willing to abide by the rules — we just need to know what these rules are.”

Other speakers questioned how the TVA would manage the removal of more than 1,800 houseboats if it has not been able to enforce its current regulations. Donna Driskell, who has owned a floating home for 38 years, said she anticipates litigation if the TVA plans to make houseboat owners remove their property without compensation.

“TVA has done nothing for 30 years — they’ve been negligent,” she said.

ECONOMY KILLER

Several marina owners, who hold 30-year leases with the TVA to operate, told board members a sunset clause would shut most of them down because houseboats make up 90 percent of their business.

Debbie Prince, owner of Prince Boat Dock on Fontana, and Tony Sherrill, owner of Alarka Boat Dock on Fontana, both made the long drive to address the TVA board. Prince and Sherrill both said they had worked hard alongside the counties to get better regulations in place to keep Fontana clean. While they said they would continue to work with TVA to enforce stricter

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TVA meeting image

BOARD MEMBER RESPONSE TVA staff and board members listened and waited patiently throughout the three hours of public comment before addressing the houseboat issue during their meeting.

TVA President Bill Johnson admitted that

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That’s also the point Laura Sneed of Cherokee tried to drive home for the TVA board. Counties like Swain and Graham are already economically depressed because more than 85 percent of the land is federally owned and can’t be locally taxed. These counties rely heavily on tourism dollars from outdoor recreation, and they also collect personal property taxes on the Fontana houseboats.

Without that revenue stream, residents could find themselves paying higher taxes.

While some of the more modern houseboats on Fontana are owned by tourists who visit on weekends, Sneed said others were old fishing shacks that have been passed down through generations of local families.

“These people work paycheck to paycheck, and to take this asset from them is tragic,” she said.

ONE DAY ONLY!

May 11-17, 2016

Rebecca Tolene, vice president of natural resources for the Tennessee Valley Authority, makes a recommendation to the TVA board to place a 30-year sunset on all houseboats.

the TVA had been “lax” in enforcing its policies throughout the years. Not all mistakes have been made during his tenure, and he apologized to the public for any miscommunications from TVA staff.

“What’s being asked for is permanent use of pubic property. The idea that these floating homes have a right to stay on public property doesn’t seem to be a good stewardship resolution,” Johnson said. “It’s clear enforcement has been lax and we need to do something about that. I apologize for that, but it doesn’t create a perpetual right.”

TVA board member Michael McWherter, who leads the external relations committee, said a majority of the committee was in favor of accepting the sunset clause policy recommendation. However, he said he didn’t think a sunset clause was warranted at this time. He suggested delaying the houseboat decision until the TVA’s next meeting in August so the board could have more time to digest all the public input.

TVA board member Marilyn Brown made a motion to postpone the decision and McWherter seconded the motion, but the vote failed 5-to-4.

TVA board member Eric Satz recalled one speaker asking the board to do what is right and what is fair. Unfortunately, Satz said, those two things don’t always line up exactly.

While the TVA needs to do what is right by protecting public waters, taking away someone’s property is not fair. He said the 30-year sunset was a compromise to give people time to enjoy their investment.

“What is right in my view is that we enforce the land policy. What’s also correct is we have blundered over time and folks face a real potential investment loss. I think by providing for a 30-year sunset period we buy ourselves time,” he said. “I believe the burden is on the TVA to help mitigate any economic loss that may be suffered as a result of inactions in the past and any actions we may take today.”

Board member Richard Howorth admitted that the TVA’s lax enforcement in the past had created this problem, and the sunset clause is a way to help ease that burden to houseboat owners. The 30 years will also give TVA time to move forward in a way that everyone can be comfortable with.

A motion to approve the recommended policy for a 30-year sunset clause on houseboats was passed with a 7-to-2 vote. The TVA staff will spend the next six months developing a set of standards houseboats must meet during the next 30 years as well as come up with a fee schedule for houseboat owners so TVA can afford to implement and enforce the new standards.

“The fee structure will pay for the inspections and permitting process,” Johnson said during a follow-up interview. “I don’t know exactly who will do the work, but it shouldn’t be a cost the entire region should bear.”

Johnson said the TVA would continue conversations with stakeholders in an effort to mitigate any economic impact to property owners, businesses and communities.

“Thirty years is a long time, and human beings are creative and innovative beings,” he said. “We’re going to do six months of work and revisit this. People will find a way over three decades to play the cards they have.”

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guidelines, they agreed a sunset clause would shut them both down.

“After 40 years, I was hoping to leave the business to my kids or grandkids, but if you go with option B2, it won’t happen,” Sherrill said.

Debbie Samples, owner of Indian River Marina on Norris Lake, said she manages 23 houseboats and losing those would mean losing $55,000 in annual revenue. Most of her boat slips come from people who own houseboats as well. If the homes go, most of the boats will go too, which is another $16,000 in revenue.

“My marina is now devalued because the sale price is based on the net operating income,” she said.

E. L. Morton, mayor of Campbell County, Tennessee, said 11 marinas operated in his county and those marinas and houseboat owners bring a good bit of outside revenue into his county. Without that revenue, he said, the tax burden would be transferred to his residents.

“These assets across Tennessee alone are powerful economic drivers,” Morton said. “I can’t turn my back on an $8 million dollar tax base that keeps other people at a reasonable cost of living. Don’t sunset on these houses.

We’re for clean water, safety and all those things, but I have nothing to work with if you sunset these homes.”

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Gaming machines seized from local businesses

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR n undercover investigation into illegal gambling resulted in the seizure of more than 300 gaming machines from convenience stores across the state last week.

Special agents with Alcohol Law Enforcement raided 115 businesses on Thursday, May 5, and eight of those businesses were located in Haywood and Jackson counties. ALE spokesperson Shannon O’Toole said agents seized nine machines in

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Businesses raided

May 11-17, 2016

The following businesses were raided last week in Jackson and Haywood counties by law enforcement looking for illegal sweepstakes gaming machines.

• Smokey Mountain Truck & Auto Center, 721 Champion Drive, Canton • Time Out Market 3, 16 Old Balsam Road, Waynesville • Sam’s Mart, 3360 Crabtree Road, Waynesville • Catamount Pump & Go, 21 Steeple Road, Sylva • PJ’s Food Mart, 237 Asheville Highway, Sylva • How Convenient, 249 W. Main Street, Sylva • Jimmy’s Mini Market, 10069 Highway 107 South, Tuckasegee • JJ’s Eatery, 6188 N.C. 107, Glenville

Haywood County and 11 machines in Jackson County. The undercover operation — dubbed “Cannonball” — has been ongoing since July 2015.

“This primarily stemmed from complaints from people in the community,” O’Toole said. “It’s part of our mission to increase the quality of life for everyone across the state.”

Though some of the gaming machines removed from Haywood and Jackson were located at larger, more visible stores, O’Toole said it’s more typical across the state for these machines to be tucked away at smaller, more remote businesses. According to ALE, these gambling machine locations can be a breeding ground for other illegal activity.

“People who like to rob businesses know where these machines are located so now you get secondary crime like potential robberies and drug transactions,” O’Toole said.

“And that same place may be the closest place for people to get milk but they’re uncomfortable going there because of these activities.”

During the investigation, undercover ALE agents went into these convenience stores to interact with the illegal gaming machines and their patrons. Agents were able to observe patrons using the illegal gaming machines to see if the gaming software could be considered illegal. Most of the illegal video gaming machines seized were

operating Gift Surplus software, which previously had an injunction placed against the Onslow County Sheriff ’s Office. In July of 2015, the North Carolina Supreme Court overturned that injunction.

Time Out Market on the corner of South Main Street and Hyatt Creek Road in Waynesville was one of 115 convenience stores raided last week in a statewide investigation into illegal gaming machines. Jessi Stone photo O’Toole said there are many factors in the law that could deem a gaming software illegal, but much of it is left up to legal interpretation in court. Another problem is that vendors try to circumvent the law by changing the software system if their old software was ruled illegal in court. Vendors have also tried to use the “skill and dexterity” loophole to get around the law. If the game requires

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some skill as opposed to luck of the draw, vendors think they are exempt from the gambling machine ban. O’Toole said neither is a reliable indicator because these software programs can easily be rigged.

“The state lottery is a game of chance designed to pay out in statistical intervals, but these machines are computer systems in a box that have the potential of being manipulated by the vendors,” O’Toole said.

The investigation alleges that the 115 establishments were operating illegal gaming machines by paying out cash winnings for patrons placing bets

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on the electronic gaming machines and winning money. Most of the identified locations held permits with both the ABC Commission and North Carolina Education Lottery. ALE agents will submit violation reports to both of those agencies for locations found to be in in violation of their permits.

North Carolina ABC Chairman Jim Gardner said in a press release that any permitted locations found in violation could result with a fine or suspension of their ABC permits. Gambling and illegal video gaming machines are prohibited under state law and are not allowed in locations holding ABC permits.

“You have people here circumventing taxation with cash payouts,” O’Toole said.

“That tax money could be going to education or to help economic development in

counties without industry.”

No arrests were made during the raid, but future arrests are anticipated as the investigation progresses, O’Toole said.

While local law enforcement was aware of the statewide raid, Waynesville Police Chief Bill Hollingsed said his agency had no other involvement in the investigation.

Following a December 2012 North Carolina Supreme Court ruling that found video sweepstakes were an illegal form of gambling, local law enforcement was vigilant in removing the machines from local businesses. But a lack of convictions in the District Court system made Hollingsed rethink the agency’s priorities and resources.

“Judges in 30th District had their own interpretation of the statute, so we’ve not put a whole lot of effort into it lately,” he said.

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the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The farmers felt like they could turn the property into a vital agricultural resource, housing components such as a commercial packaging line for produce, a seed and fertilizer coop or commercial-size coolers.

Commissioners were interested in the plan since the beginning, but it took a while to fine-tune the terms and format to an agreement that would work for both parties. With the ink now dry on the final contract, the farmers have their work cut out to make the vision come true. The first goal?

To get a commercial packaging line in place by harvest season, which would take produce from freshly picked to grocery store ready. By pooling resources to buy the equipment and preparing the produce in a central location, the thought process goes, small producers would have a better chance to sell to larger buyers.

“I’m working on a really tight timeline, and there’s a lot of things that have to fall into place, but I’m shooting for this season,” said William Shelton, one of the five principals in Thomas Valley Growers.

Once the pack line is in place, the group will likely start exploring some of the other ideas thrown out in the initial phase of pitching the idea to commissioners, such as a seed co-op or a rodeo.

“I think we’re up to the challenge,” Shelton said. “I think that if we didn’t feel like we were well positioned to handle it, we wouldn’t have taken the leap.”

Time will tell exactly how the venture turns out, but both Shelton and the commissioners are hopeful the end product will be a win for both parties.

“We’re basically willing to take this on as a project and relieve the county of the responsibility of enhancing it while at the same time keeping it in the county’s hand yet revitalizing it in a positive way,” Shelton said. “It’s a win-win for the county and then for the growers.”

“Hopefully we can quit calling it the Drexel property and call it the farmers coop property,” Deitz said.

May 11-17, 2016

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER After years of sitting empty, the old Drexel Furniture factory in Whittier will now enter a new phase of useful life as home to the recently formed Thomas Valley Growers, LLC. Last week, Jackson County commissioners officially voted to lease the property to the group of Whittier-area farmers, marking the end of a years-long debate about what to do with the aging, abandoned building. The 82,000-square-foot structure, owned by the county, hasn’t attracted any interest from the private sector in years but had proven too expensive for the county to renovate for any public purpose.

“I just wish them a lot of success,” said Commission Chairman Brian McMahan.

“I’m glad to see that property is going to be utilized for something positive. Hopefully it will help create some jobs, it will create a small revenue source coming into the county.”

Over the life of the five-year lease, which includes an option to renew for another five years, the group will pay the county $75,000 for use of the property — $15,000 a year.

The agreement, commissioners hope, will inject new life into a derelict property that has, in the words of Commissioner Boyce Deitz, become an “albatross” to the county, without cutting off the possibility that some large, job-creating entity might one day want to use it. The county would retain ownership of the property and would have the option of getting out of the lease should such an opportunity arise.

“I wish we could say there’s some big company that wants to put a factory in there and hire 300 people, but that’s not going to happen,” Deitz said. “And I think we got someone in there that can do something positive with it.”

The group of Whittier farmers that is now Thomas Valley Growers first approached commissioners about the idea in September, after word got out there was some interest in simply deeding the land to

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Farmers lease old Drexel factory in Whittier

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Cherokee moves toward marijuana legalization Tribal Council instructs attorney general to draft medical marijuana law

mittee composed of stakeholders such as Opiates are addictive and subject to overpain she was in after the nerve-damaging Cherokee Indian Hospital, Public Health and dose, Owle agreed, but in medical cannabis accident. Cannabis, Wade believes, could “addiction is little to non-existent.” make pain like that go away without creating Human Services and the Cherokee Police Department giving input on the draft after it Cindy Atine, a non-enrolled member the risk of addiction that opiates bring. had been completed. who has raised three girls on the Qualla “My mother is not an enrolled member Councilmember Travis Smith didn’t Boundary, also came forward to tell Tribal of any tribe,” Wade said. “She’s white. This passing or being able to create ordiBY HOLLY KAYS nances to develop law does not even STAFF WRITER affect her. But it has the potential to herokee took another step along the affect people who have similar conroad toward legalizing medicinal ditions.” marijuana with a vote last week to After the initial resolution failed, start drafting legislation that would Tribal Council tasked Common let the drug be produced and prescribed on Sense Cannabis with the job of gaththe Qualla Boundary.

“If I can sit here and I can do anything to ering data to show what tribal members thought about the issue. The alleviate the pain or the suffering of anyone group organized meetings in all of who is diabetic, has cancer, has seizures, I’m the tribe’s communities, presenting going to sit here and raise my hand to supinformation on the effort and handport that,” said Councilmember Teresa ing out surveys. No meeting could McCoy, of Big Cove, moving to pass the legbe scheduled in the 3,200-Acre Tract islation as soon as the floor opened for discommunity, Common Sense cussion.

Cannabis leader Joseph Owle said, McCoy has been in support of loosened and no surveys were returned from cannabis rules on Cherokee land since the the Tow String Community. But issue first made its way to council chambers The organizers of Common Sense Cannabis — Joseph Owle (from left), Yona Wade and Aaron Hogner — in November, brought forward by a group of aside from those two areas, all comintroduced a resolution to get the ball rolling on legislation to legalize medicinal marijuana. Donated photo munities were represented in the three Cherokee men who had formed a 172 surveys collected. group called Common Sense Cannabis to agree with that plan, proposing an amend“I think we generated some pretty promCouncil her story of support for medical support marijuana legalization. ment to include those parties in the initial ising and plain statistics,” Owle said. cannabis. When her daughter, a dancer and They’d originally approached council discussions with the attorney general. That The survey asked a variety of questions, basketball player, was diagnosed with lupis requesting a study looking at the feasibility following sickness as a high school senior, of allowing cannabis for medicinal, industri- including the respondent’s age, whether they amendment passed, with Councilmembers Adam Wachacha, Snowbird, and Marie had consumed cannabis in the past, knew the need for a better form of pain control al and recreational use — a request which Junaluska, Painttown, abstaining. someone who consumed cannabis or supbecame clear, she said. council originally passed but then rescinded ported allowing tribal members to own “The medicine that she was taking wasn’t in December after Principal Chief Patrick cannabis-oriented businesses. An overhelping, so they would give her other mediLambert issued a veto. Lambert took issue N EMOTIONAL TOPIC whelming number said that recreational use cine because she was getting side effects with the recreational component of the proshould remain illegal, but the most signififrom the pain medicine,” Atine said. “This is posal. Drug use in Cherokee was already at For some, the cannabis topic was an cant result from the survey was that 71 perwhat she’s been dealing with for 12 years.” “epidemic proportions,” Lambert had emotional one. A couple of audience memThese days, Atine and her daughter live argued in his veto letter, and legalizing recre- cent of the 172 people who returned surveys bers implored Tribal Council to pass the said that they’d support marijuana legalizain Colorado, where medical marijuana is ational marijuana would “create a haven for legislation so as to offer promise of relief tion for medical use. legal. outsiders to come onto our boundary and from pain and debilitating medical condi“This is a question that validates our rea“Today,” Atine said, “she’s off all her use an otherwise illegal substance.” Council tions. son for coming here today,” Owle said. upheld the veto in a vote that was nearly an “It seems as though the minute you are a medication.”

The resolution passed last week does not exact mirror of its initial one on the issue, diabetic, you are given a bag of 20 different make medical marijuana legal. Rather, it but everybody understood that the question medicines,” said Sheila Standingdeer, a tribONSIDERING THE CAVEATS simply instructs the tribe’s attorney general of medical marijuana legalization would al member and former hospital employee. to draft legislation that would make it legal, likely resurface.

“If you look, those same people that were Councilmembers didn’t voice much with a six-month timeframe written in to get diagnosed that day, you go down to DaVita opposition to medical marijuana itself, with the job done.

Dialysis, you see those same people sitting most of them avowing their support for such FOCUS ON MEDICAL USE This will be one of the first major tasks in those chairs because of all that media policy change. But it was still a split vote, for Danny Davis, who Lambert recently cine.” and councilmembers were full of caveats and For Yona Wade, one of the leaders of named attorney general. In 2010, Davis, who Cannabis would provide an alternative to questions as to how, exactly, the new law Common Sense Cannabis, medical legalizalives in Waynesville, retired from 26 years as that fate, Standingdeer said, a more natural would work. tion was always the main goal of advocacy.

Chief District Court Judge of the 30th way to treat some conditions without the “I’ve not heard nobody against the medHe became interested in the policy change, Judicial District in Western North Carolina. damaging side effects. ical part of it, but what they want to make he said, after his mother broke her back Owle told council that he envisioned the “We’re native,” she said. “That’s what we sure of is just anybody going up there with a while riding a horse. A social worker, she’d initial draft as a collaboration between Davis use. It should be no different than going out twisted ankle or hurt finger or something seen firsthand the havoc wreaked by opiate and Common Sense Cannabis, with a comand getting yellowroot for a sore throat.” like that, that they’re not being allowed to drugs and refused to take them despite the McCoy agreed. Her husband has diaget it,” said Councilmember Bo Crowe, of betes, she said, and she wishes to see more Wolfetown.

“I don’t want my husband or any other member of this holistic, natural alternatives to the chemical “I support this also. Where I see the compounds and risk of side effects with roadblock is the produce and provide on it,” tribe to continue their lives on medicine that gives them which he’s asked to inundate his body. said Councilmember Albert Rose, of “I don’t want my husband or any other Birdtown. “From what I’ve seen this is not the choice of losing their kidneys or losing their liver. I member of this tribe to continue their lives just grown on a field, this medical part. It’s don’t want to see any more people on this boundary be on medicine that gives them the choice of in secured buildings. And there are scientists losing their kidneys or losing their liver,” she that man these plants and break it into a prescribed opiates.” said. “I don’t want to see any more people medicine that has to be on this boundary be prescribed opiates.” approved by the FDA (Food and — Sheila Standingdeer

May 11-17, 2016

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Drug Administration).”

How exactly, Rose asked, would the tribe go about getting a facility like that, with all its associated red tape, set up?

“What concerns me,” added Councilmember Tommye Saunooke, of Painttown, “is where you plant it. Who’s going to guard it? It would take a whole fleet to guard your plants, people.”

Those are questions that will be answered and debated during the actual writing of the ordinance, Owle said.

“What we’re asking for is to get the ball rolling so we can begin crafting that ordinance and the law around enacting this,” he said.

Owle told council that Cherokee would need to produce its own oils if it wanted to allow its doctors to prescribe cannabis, due to laws about transport of the materials. However, he said, if North Carolina were to legalize medical cannabis the situation could change.

“If it becomes legal in the state, we adopt those laws, but we would need the framework for going forward with our own medical program here in Cherokee,” Owle said.

The University of Mississippi currently houses one of the nation’s largest marijuana research labs, and councilmembers discussed how they might go about collaborating with Ole Miss to spur any potential research efforts on the Qualla Boundary.

Councilmember Anita Lossiah, who did her undergraduate program at Ole Miss, said she remembers seeing the fields there — from the outside at least.

“They were surrounded by what resembled high fences you’d see around prisons,” she said. “It was very secure and protected.”

Down the road, Lossiah said, she’d be glad to reach out to the university to see what kind of help they could offer Cherokee.

“I certainly do want to encourage any kind of medical research partnership we could look into as well, and we could discuss that also down the line,” she said.

Cherokee’s resolution isn’t the only discussion regarding marijuana legalization that’s taken place recently.

In February 2015, a bill to legalize medical marijuana in North Carolina was introduced but died in committee. And currently a bill titled the Tribal Marijuana Sovereignty Act of 2016 is sitting in committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill would prevent federal agencies from considering a tribe’s marijuana-related laws when dispersing funding. According to the bill tracking website govtrack.us, it has only a 4 percent chance of being enacted. However, the two bills show that Cherokee is not the only government considering the issue.

“There are people in my community today that have cancer, and if there’s something out there besides a narcotic that puts them to sleep that might give them some comfort for a little while, I want them to have it,” McCoy said.

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As volunteer fire cavalry wanes, quick response hinges on a core of paid staff Waynesville fire department makes the case for adding more firefighters

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER aynesville town leaders heard something they didn’t necessarily want to hear last week.

The town’s interim manager told them they don’t have enough paid firefighters and need to double the number from eight to 16.

The Waynesville Fire Department has historically relied on a loyal stable of volunteer firefighters. The fire department has a skeleton crew of paid firefighters, but counts on volunteers to serve as the backbone.

A decline in volunteer firefighters over the past decade — a trend playing out nationwide — has made it increasingly difficult to respond quickly with the necessary men to tackle a fire.

On paper, the town has eight paid firefighters, which sounds like a lot. But it’s the bare minimum to keep two fire stations staffed with a single man 24-7.

“You only have one firefighter on duty per station, per shift. That’s it,” Interim Town Manager Mike Morgan told the town board at a budget workshop last week.

When a call comes in, the firefighter on shift at each station jumps in the truck and screams to the scene. But there’s not much they can do until the cavalry arrives.

Without the volunteer force to back them up, the two paid firefighters on duty at any given time aren’t enough to fight a fire.

“Before a person can go into a house fire you have to have two in, two out,” Morgan said.

No matter how much they want to charge into a burning building, they can’t

May 11-17, 2016

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unless they have four firefighters on the scene. You need two to enter the burning building — ensuring no one goes in alone — and two to stay outside for support in case the guys inside go down.

Thus the “two in, two out” mantra. The only exception is when human life is at risk.

“If you think you have trapped individuals you can go in,” Morgan said.

In today’s world, it’s increasingly risky to rely on volunteer manpower for fighting fires. You simply can’t be sure who will show up, or how long it will take them to get there.

Waynesville Fire Chief Joey Webb said the shortage of volunteer firefighters isn’t just a local one.

“It’s a nationwide problem. There just aren’t the volunteers anymore,” Webb said.

Work is the biggest hurdle for volunteers. Local farmers and factory workers no longer dominate the work force. More people commute, or work in jobs where they can’t walk out when a call comes in.

“Employers don’t allow them to take time away from work to be able to do that,” Webb said.

Nationally, volunteer fire rosters have shrunk by roughly 100,000 over the past dozen years, according to estimates by the National Volunteer Fire Council.

It’s getting more difficult to recruit volunteers, and for those who are on the roster, it’s harder to get away from their day jobs or family duty to respond to calls.

Meanwhile, the population and fire calls have increased over the past two decades.

The Waynesville Fire Department responded to 63 fires last year. But that’s only part of the picture. Volunteers were mobilized dozens of times to respond to downed trees, severe weather conditions, wrecks, hazards like gas leaks and calls for humanitarian assistance.

A training drill involving a mock fire in downtown Waynesville last year revealed a weak link in the fire department’s response time due to reliance on volunteers who simply can’t get to the scene as quickly as paid firefighters manning the stations. Donated photo “It is very difficult for our volunteers to keep that pace up. They do a superb job, but it’s when they can,” Morgan said.

By no means could the department do without the volunteer force, however. The town has only about 30 volunteers right now.

The volunteer firefighters will still be critical to the department, and Morgan hopes there’s not a perception that the Waynesville Fire Department doesn’t need volunteers to step up anymore.

“My concern is the community will think now we are safe. Well, no,” Morgan said.

Smoky Mountain News

More firefighters needed, but is it worth a tax increase?

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BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER Waynesville leaders will face a big decision this budget year: whether to increase property taxes by 10 percent to pay for additional firefighters.

A plan proposed by Waynesville’s Interim Town Manager Mike Morgan would hire eight additional firefighters at an annual cost of $500,000.

The town currently has only one paid fireman on shift at each of the two fire stations at any given time. The additional staffing would allow for two firemen on shift per station at all times.

But it couldn’t be done without a tax increase, according Finance Director Eddie Caldwell.

“When you’re talking about $500,000, I don’t think you could come up with it year after year after year,” Caldwell said. “Labor is our biggest expense, and we would be increasing services.”

The idea was floated by Morgan during a town budget workshop last week.

Waynesville town board members didn’t indicate what they thought about the idea, apparently needing more time to absorb and digest the proposal.

“I am not sure where we are on this at all,” Mayor Gavin Brown said in an interview later.

Brown said the town board hadn’t given Morgan a directive to include additional firefighters in the proposed budget. Brown said it was a valid proposal, however, and worthy of discussion, but it would be too soon to say how any of the five town board members feel about it.

“I think a strong case can be made for the notion that we really need additional firefighters,” Alderman Jon Feichter said.

“Obviously nobody wants to see a tax increase, but we are kind of hamstrung in terms of our options.”

“We are still falling short, but it is getting us a little further along in the ballgame.”

SMOKE AND MIRRORS The dire consequences of stretched staffing at the Waynesville Fire Department hit home last summer.

A massive training drill simulated a fire sweeping through downtown Waynesville.

Firefighters raced the clock to stop the fire from jumping from building to building.

If firefighting were an Olympic sport, the crews who battled the

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Feichter said he is still digesting the proposal, however, and will look to public input on the issue over the coming month.

Brown wonders if there may be lower-cost alternatives.

“There are mechanical things we have to examine,” Brown said.

For example, the Waynesville Fire Department provides service to an area outside the town limits. Those residents don’t pay town property taxes, but instead pay a fire tax. It seems logical the fire tax for those served by the town fire department but living outside town should also go up.

“These are the issues we are just now talking about,” Brown said.

The fire department’s total budget would go from $1.2 million to $1.7 million under the proposal.

To pay for it, Morgan proposed a property tax increase from the current rate of 44 cents per $100 of property value to 48.5 cents per $100 of property value.

On a $200,000 home, for example, town property taxes would go from $880 a year to $970 a year.

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fielding radio traffic, getting hoses pulled off the truck, dressing the hydrants, reviewing building footprint plans, and so on.

Roland said he was both surprised and impressed with the stellar performance of Waynesville police officers during these critical first few minutes.

Whenever a fire call comes in, police officers pinch-hit until the volunteers show up by helping pull hoses and hook up hydrants.

“The police department did an excellent job. They were pretty much money on the spot. They pretty are of the “The only problem is you don’t have enough much understanding they have to people. Firefighting is a down-and-dirty, fight fires until labor-intensive job. If we can’t put it out in enough people get there,” the first 10 minutes, chances are we aren’t Roland said.

But at the going to put it out.” end of the day, — Roland Hamrick they couldn’t do what they needed to do most — namely get inside the board during his report on the drill last fall. burning building — until they had four “Firefighting is a down-and-dirty, labormen on the scene. intensive job. If we can’t put it out in the Firefighters knew the drill was coming, first 10 minutes, chances are we aren’t of course. In fact, they were all gathered at going to put it out.” the fire station in Hazelwood, waiting for In the downtown drill, 20 minutes the pretend 911 call that would set the drill ticked by before the manpower was on the in motion. scene to go in the building and make an But the drill had to mimic the real interior attack. response time of a real fire. It would be It’s common to invite outside evaluators unrealistic to have four dozen firefighters in for mock drills. waiting in the wings to pounce at the first “We wanted someone who was imparsign of smoke. tial and could look at this objectively and Instead, they were sent to the scene in give us a report back on the status of our waves, mirroring real-world response times service,” said Greg Shuping, Haywood for the department’s volunteer force.

County Emergency Services director.

Drill coordinators had analyzed the The drill tested everything from EMS average response times of firefighters ahead response to central command coordination. of time. That baseline determined the flow The scenario even measured how well of volunteers onto the scene the night of the Haywood Regional Medical Center could drill. handle a mass influx of trauma patients.

“They were held and then released to go Roland said the whole gamut performed to their positions to make the timeline as exceptionally. realistic as possible,” Webb said.

Roland said he expected nothing less The drill even had simulated smoke to based on the classy, landmark new fire stamake the fire real. Massie Furniture, an tion and state-of-the-art trucks and equipanchor business on Main Street, allowed ment. their building to serve as the training “My thought was this must be a jam up ground and origin of the pretend fire. organization,” Roland said.

Typically, a vacant building is used for Roland’s biggest and only criticism was drills, but a testament to Main Street’s what he called the “minimum, minimum, healthy economy, there wasn’t a single minimum staffing” of the fire department. empty building last summer.

When a call comes in, volunteers are at And that’s exactly why a downtown fire work, asleep, mowing their lawn, at the grocan be so devastating. cery store, or what have you. They have to “It can close your town down for days, quit what they’re doing, suit up and get to and it is an economic impact for moths. It is the fire in their personal vehicle — which a big thing when something happens,” can take 10 minutes at best, and more often Roland said.

20 depending on where they are in relation Neighboring Sylva witnessed that firstto the fire. hand last year, after a fire hit its downtown.

And that’s if they can get there at all.

It was after that fire, in fact, that Meanwhile, the paid firefighters at the Waynesville pulled together its downtown town’s two fire stations were able to jump in training exercise. the engines and race to the scene. They got Ironically, Sylva had conducted a downthere in just three minutes. town fire scenario of its own not long before But there was only so much they could the real fire hit. do until the volunteer force arrived.

“Sylva was able to save a lot of property The two paid firemen on shift who got because they had a good plan, and that’s there first have a dozen balls in the air until what we’re going to do here,” Shuping said. the volunteer support arrives. They are mock fire in downtown Waynesville would have come close to a perfect 10.

“Your group for the lack of a better term busted their butt. They worked themselves into the ground without stopping. They fought tooth and nail to do what we set out to do,” said Roland Hamrick, an outside consultant brought in to assess strengths and weaknesses during the exercise.

Unfortunately, the night wasn’t without blemishes.

“The only problem is you don’t have enough people,” Roland told the town

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Haywood County commissioners joined Haywood Regional Medical Center last week in honoring nurses with a proclamation for the upcoming National Nurses Week May 612.

“Nurses set the tone for everyone’s experience. Without quality nurses, you don’t get that quality health care,” Commissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick said before reading the proclamation, which encouraged the general public to “show our appreciation for nurses not just during this week, but at every opportunity throughout the year.”

Nurses constitute the largest profession in the healthcare industry, with 3.4 million practicing nurses nationwide — a number that’s sure to grow as the health care demands increase.

Inna Makievsky, the chief nursing operator for HRMC, spoke on behalf of more than 15 representatives from every facet of hospital operations — from surgery to the ER to hospice — who came along in a show of gratitude for the frontline nurses who make healthcare happen for patients.

“Haywood Regional Medical Center has been here providing care to this community in different shapes and forms for close to 100 years,” she said. “We are committed to the mission and vision of Duke LifePoint Healthcare for making our communities healthier and a place that employees want to work, physicians want to practice, and people choose to come for health care.”

— By staff writer Becky Johnson

MemoryCare program held at senior center

Businesses invited to take part in job fair

Macon County to honor law enforcement

A MemoryCare Caregiver Education Program, presented by Dr. Lisa Verges, will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays May 17 through June 21 at Maple Leap Adult Day Respite, 63 Elmwood Way, in Waynesville.

The following topics will be covered: dementia education, transitioning to independence, behavior changes, treatment and risk reduction, legal planning and maintaining health.

The program is free for caregivers enrolled in MemoryCare and $85 for others. Scholarship opportunities are available. To register, 828.771.2219.

Haywood Community Learning Center will be hosting a job fair from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 12, at the Haywood County Schools Conference Center next to the Folkmoot Center on Virginia Avenue in Hazelwood.

This is an opportunity for business to help play a key role in developing the future work force of Haywood County. Students from local schools will be graduating with a diploma and will be ready to start working in the area. Businesses are invited to send a representative to share information about the business as well as to provide guidance through the application process.

To participate, call 828.454.6590.

A law enforcement memorial service will be held at noon Friday, May 13, at the Macon County Courthouse Square in Franklin. The guest speaker will be Mike Anderson, deputy director of North Carolina Center for Safer Schools.

Presented by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #81 and Macon and Jackson counties.

Students’ work honored Cork & Bean to host at awards ceremony library fundraiser Students from Jackson County will soon find out who will become part of their community’s history.

Foundation Forward, Inc. will host an awards ceremony to recognize and honor students who have entered grade-specific contests for art, reading and writing. All winning entries will be placed inside a time capsule encased in the planned Charters of Freedom monument to be placed at the new Freedom Park beside the Jackson County Public Library. The awards will be announced at 6 p.m. May 13 at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. www.chartersoffreedom.com.

“Sip and Sample,” a fundraising party for the new Marianna Black Library, will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 15, at the Cork & Bean Bistro at The Everett Hotel, 16 Everett Street, Bryson City.

Heavy hors d’ouevres and various wines will be served and singer-songwriter Liz Nance will perform music. The event will be held on The Everett Hotel’s rooftop terrace if weather permits. The cost is $45 per person and tickets are limited. Tickets are available at the library, and the Friends of the Library used bookstore at 32 Everett Street.

May 11-17, 2016

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Thank a nurse this week

Franklin man wins Cash 5 jackpot A lucky Cash 5 ticket means a new Harley for Jeffrey Bianchi of Franklin, after he won a $314,499 jackpot.

Bianchi has been playing Cash 5 every day for the last two years. On April 23, he beat the odds of 1 in 575,757 to win the jackpot.

“This is pretty much a miracle,” Bianchi said. “I never thought I’d win.”

Bianchi is a manager at the Bi-Lo on Macon Plaza in Franklin. He bought the $1 Quick Pick ticket at the store where he works on his day off.

When he checked his numbers he couldn’t believe what he saw.

“I had to send a picture of it to my dad just to make sure,” Bianchi said. “It still hasn’t set in yet.”

Bianchi claimed the jackpot Monday. After federal and state tax withholdings, he took home $217,790. He plans to use the money to pay bills and get a new Harley.

MAY 18-22

Come join us in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for the

26th Anniversary Wilderness Wildlife Week!

Smoky Mountain News

This special free event features more than 200 educational seminars, 40 outdoor excursions into Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding area, a farmers’ market, as well as more than 60 onsite exhibitors.

Featured sessions include presentations by: FDR character reenactor Gary Stamm, Dr. Bill Bass, Ken Jenkins, as well as the first-ever Appalachian Homecoming featuring storytelling from Bill Landry, Sam Venable and Elizabeth Rose, as well as music by the Ray Ball Family and Pistol Creek Catch of the Day.

...and many other remarkable activities!

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

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The town will continue to work on phase one of upgrades and expansion at the water treatment plant, but Woodard said funds were needed for additional capital projects.

She recommended allocating $161,445 to upgrade the town’s 17-year-old software system, which will enable residents to pay their bills online with a credit or debit card.

Funding is also allocated for cleanup efforts on the undeveloped Whitmire property and repairs to the Fox Ridge Street culvert, which has become severely deteriorated.

UNFUNDED MANDATES Even though revenues appear to be steady, Woodard said local governments should always carefully prepare for unexpected losses of revenue because of decisions made at the state and federal level. For example, local governments can no longer collect a

privilege license tax on businesses, which cost Franklin nearly $30,000 in last year’s budget.

“The continued involvement of the North Carolina General Assembly in local government affairs has certainly weighed heavy on local government budgets,” Woodard wrote.

The town was hit with a $5,000 unexpected bill this year in the form of an unfunded mandate. In February, the town staff was informed it was randomly selected by the North Carolina Treasurer’s office to comply with a federally mandated audit. Franklin was chosen for the Local Government Employees’ Retirement System audit along with 40 other local governments across the state.

Even though the town already contracts with an outside firm each year to have an audit done, the board approved a budget amendment last month to spend the extra $5,000 on the required audit. The board also voted to send a letter to Sen. Jim Davis, R-

Weigh in The town of Franklin Board of Aldermen will hold a budget workshop at 7 p.m.

Monday, May 16, at town hall. Copies of the 2016-17 proposed budget are available at town hall or online at www.franklinnc.com. The public is invited to attend the budget workshop and offer feedback on the document before the board plans to vote on approving the budget next month.

EMS costs and revaluation are catalysts for Jackson’s tax rate

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sary, commissioners decided, and this year the county will likely budget an additional $942,000 to fund the two entities, equivalent to 1 cent on the tax rate.

“There’s not $942,000 in our budget that we can take out unless we make some other decision,” County Manager Chuck Wooten told commissioners.

Thus, an extra cent on the tax rate, bringing the total up to 36.3 cents. But commissioners voiced support for bumping it up to 37 cents in view of the long list of capital projects on the horizon — a new or remodeled Health Department building, a new animal shelter, expanded space in the justice center and future investments at Southwestern Community College.

For Commissioner Boyce Deitz, who sees himself as the board’s most fiscally conservative member and says it “pains” him to advocate for a tax increase, a rate even higher than 37 cents would be worthy of consideration.

“Myself, I wouldn’t mind if it was a cent higher or two,” he said. “I know that’s probably an unpopular thing to say, but I hate to set it at a place where we don’t have a dime

Tax rates around the region Graham ...........58.5 cents per $100 of value Haywood.....................................56.61 cents Cherokee ........................................52 cents Clay..................................................36 cents Swain ...............................................36 cents Macon...........................................34.9 cents Jackson ...........................................28 cents (but proposed to rise to 0.37)

Figures based on 2015-16 budgets as reported at www.dor.state.nc.us. to do anything.”

Commissioners will likely stave off a final decision on the tax rate until after the second primary on June 7. A referendum question during that election will ask voters to approve an additional quarter-cent sales tax. The proceeds from the tax, if approved, would go to fund capital construction at Southwestern

Community College and Jackson County Schools, commissioners have said.

“There is uncertainty yet as to what is going to happen,” McMahan said. “I think it would be wise on our part to wait until June 7 to make that final decision.”

Jackson isn’t unique in the situation it’s found itself in regarding property values.

Last year, Macon County went through the same thing, facing a tax increase after a revaluation left it with a reduced overall value. At the time, Macon and Jackson both had 28-cent tax rates, the lowest in the state, but Macon bumped its rate to 34.9 cents per $100 of value — a rate that made its budget revenue-neutral, nothing more and nothing less. At a revenue-neutral rate, the average homeowner — though exact impact varies greatly between individual properties — pays the same amount in property taxes even though the rate is higher.

At 37 cents, Jackson’s taxes would still be on the low end, ranking sixth lowest out of 100 counties in North Carolina but slightly higher than those in Macon, Swain and Clay counties.

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Smoky Mountain News

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ith a drop in county value and increase in emergency response costs, Jackson County is looking at a draft budget built on a property tax rate of 37 cents per $100 of value — a 32 percent increase over the current 28-cent tax rate.

“Do I want to raise taxes? No,” said Commissioner Vicki Greene. “Do I feel that there is a need to raise the rate in order to provide the same level of services that we have been providing as well as provide for a couple of construction projects other than the public schools? Yes, I do.”

Due to the decreased value of property following the revaluation completed this year — the first since the recession hit at the end of 2008 — the county would have had to raise its rate to 35.3 cents per $100 to keep its revenue stream the same. But increased funding requests from the Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad and Harris Regional Hospital, with whom Jackson contracts for ambulance services in the northern end of the county, came in as well. The expenditures are neces-

May 11-17, 2016

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR ranklin’s proposed budget prioritizes a number of long-range infrastructure projects without increasing the tax rate.

Franklin Town Manager Summer Woodard passed out the first draft of the 2016-17 budget to the board of aldermen last week to give them time to look it over before the scheduled budget workshop on May 16.

The public can also view the proposed budget online or pick up a copy at town hall.

While the town had to raise the tax rate last year to have a revenue-neutral budget, this year’s budget keeps the tax rate at 28 cents per $100 of value.

Woodard wrote in her budget message that the town is in good financial standing and revenues are expected to stay about the same in the coming fiscal year. She did, however, recommend increasing the rental rate for Memorial Park from $50 to $75 per day and giving a one-time 1-percent salary increase for all employees in lieu of a cost-ofliving adjustment.

Woodard warned the board that growth in water and sewer revenue has been slow and stressed the importance of having enough revenue to maintain the current infrastructure while also setting aside funds to pay for future upgrades. In order to keep up with infrastructure needs, the budget proposes a 4-percent rate increase for water and sewer customers. The proposed increase would only affect the base and volume charges — not the tap, connection or other fees.

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Franklin budget proposal focuses on infrastructure needs

Franklin, to express their concerns about unexpected and unfunded mandate.

“While we don’t dispute the merits of the audit, we are very concerned about the short notice in which this audit was passed down to our town and other municipalities,” Mayor Bob Scott wrote in his letter to Davis. “As you are probably aware the town of Franklin operates on a very tight budget, and proper planning is instrumental in ensuring that our expenditures don’t exceed revenues on an annual basis.”

Davis responded by saying the LGERS audit was a federal mandate and not one from the state. Even though it’s out of the state government’s hands, Davis said he thought it was a good policy to have in place to ensure local governments are adequately funding their employees’ retirement plans.

“Considering this requirement occurs on a random basis, the Town of Franklin may consider building this expense into each year’s budget to avoid a potential shortfall,” Davis wrote. “… Considering you inaccurately directed blame for this expense to Representative (Roger) West and me, using the press as your venue, I expect to read a correction in the next edition following your regularly scheduled Town of Franklin Board of Alderman meeting.”

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Even with higher tax rate, Sylva budget a squeeze

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A DROP IN REVENUE

Some help in making up the shortfall from the hospital came when the estimated 30 percent increase in employee health insurance costs came in at only 22 percent — still a hefty increase but less than anticipated — but other cuts had to be made. The fire department budget went down by $7,000 and some small cuts were made in board and Main Street Program training, as well as fuel for sanitation, police and street.

But the biggest cut was in contributions for retirement benefits, which fell from $100,000 to $50,000. According to Nestler, that’s a big deal.

“This decision is where we cross the line from having a very efficient budget into hav-

Steps toward a final budget May 19: Commissioners receive a final copy of the proposed budget, with a regular meeting held that day at 9:15 a.m.

June 2: A public hearing on the budget will be held at the start of the board’s regular meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m.

June 16: Commissioners will give final approval to the budget during their regular meeting at 9:15 a.m.

Contact information for commissioners is available at www.sylvanc.govoffice3.com under the “town government” tab.

ing a fiscally irresponsible budget,” Nestlre said. “We’re not putting enough into that account plan for our future.”

The town is required to provide certain retirement benefits to its employees, and by setting away the recommended amount into a designated account each year, funds gather interest and accumulate so that when an employee retires, paying out the benefits doesn’t cause the town financial hardship.

Given the convergence of circumstances this year, the town had no choice but to cut the contribution. That’s a decision likely to come back to bite, Nestler said.

“If you put $50,000 in it a year, you can handle that, but if you defer putting money into the account, one year you’re going to have to find $180,000, and that’s a tax increase to pay for that,” he said.

There’s a certain amount of bad feeling toward the hospital around the board table these days.

“It’s not a policy that comes out of any sort of commitment to the community,” Nestler said of the hospital’s decision not to pay. “It’s the antithesis of that.”

“I hate to make them look like bad guys, but that’s not being a good community part-

ner,” Hamilton agreed.

The hospital, meanwhile, contends that it’s only looking to balance fairness for itself with community obligation.

“It is important to us that the property valuation is fair and consistent with true market value, which is why we are appealing the current property tax valuation,” reads a written statement the hospital issued. “We are committed to fully meeting our fair share of tax obligations and working through this process with the county to reach a resolution.”

The hospital declined to comment further on the situation.

NOT UNANIMOUS Of the six board members, five agreed that the 42.5-cent tax rate, though an increase, was the best choice. But Commissioner Harold Hensley held fast to his commitment to low taxes.

“I couldn’t support that much because it will hurt a lot of people,” Hensley said of the proposed rate.

The way he sees it, the town made it just fine before the hospital was even a taxpaying entity, and while taxes do need to go up, he doesn’t see

the need to raise them more than 6.5 percent — the amount by which Sylva’s value dropped with the revaluation. Other board members have pointed out that Sylva hasn’t had a tax rate increase in 12 years, but Hensley holds that the rate shouldn’t necessarily have to change. In 2008, for instance, the county revaluation revealed heightened values, which translated into a tax increase for homeowners at the time.

“My theory was if you’re paying $1,000 one year and next year it’s $1,500 or $2,000, your taxes just went up,” Hensley said. “So you (the town) can’t say you don’t have more money. You didn’t get it on a rate increase, you got it on a revaluation.”

Of course, that’s not how the revaluation panned out this time around, and Hensley’s point of view is a minority on the board.

“I cannot believe that 12 years went by and they did not raise taxes at all,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton and Nestler both say they expect to hear from unhappy town residents but hope the public understand that they only did what they felt like they had to do.

“There’s nothing really to show for it,” Nestler said of the rate increase. “We don’t have any extra money to do anything for the town. We’re just maintaining services.”

23

Smoky Mountain News

The reason largely stems from Harris Regional Hospital, owned by Duke LifePoint.

Hospital property makes up a significant portion of Sylva’s tax base, and the county tax assessor had placed its value at $42 million.

In April, the town learned that Harris was appealing the decision, claiming that the property was actually worth $13 million.

Realizing the dispute wouldn’t be resolved before the new fiscal year started, the town began reworking its budget to absorb the $127,000 tax revenue decrease that would accompany the $13 million valuation.

But last week, town leaders learned that the hospital wouldn’t be paying any property taxes at all — not even on the $13 million it argued was a fairer value for the property — until the appeal was over. Another $90,000 had to be cut from the budget.

“That’s extraordinary, having hundreds and thousands of dollars being cut from your budget on a moment’s notice,” said Commissioner David Nestler.

At the beginning of the budget process, Sylva’s spending plan would have been able to remain revenue-neutral by raising the tax to 33 cents, said Town Manager Paige Dowling. With the fallout from the hospital appeal, that revenue-neutral number is now 37 cents. And that rate wouldn’t even address

BALANCING THE BUDGET

Sylva’s tax rate will take a hefty hike this year, but town commissioners say the rate increase won’t allow them to do anything but simply maintain services. File photo

May 11-17, 2016

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ylva residents will likely see their tax rate skyrocket 42 percent this year, but town commissioners say that even the steep increase won’t let them do much beyond simply balance the budget.

“I don’t have any magic solution to any of this, but I thought long and hard,” said Commissioner Barbara Hamilton. “It was just a no-choice decision we had to make, and I hope the public will realize that.”

Going into this budget season, it was a foregone conclusion that taxes would have to go up by some amount. The county revaluation was expected to deliver a decline in property values, a state law had taken away towns’ ability to levy business license fees, and it had been 12 years since any rate increase had taken place in Sylva — last year, commissioners borrowed from the town’s savings just to make ends meet.

But when commissioners first began contemplating a 42.5-cent tax rate — a much higher number than the existing 30-cent rate — they’d planned it to include a half-cent to put aside for capital purchases and two cents for community improvement projects on the board’s list of priorities.

“That just went out the window,” Hamilton said.

increased costs in other areas or provide revenue to prevent the down from meeting its budget with savings, as it did last year.

news

Hospital value appeal chips away at projected revenues

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

The Left still has something to learn about tolerance

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to channel their sanctimonious arrogance toward those they disagree with.

Perhaps, as Kristoff argues, it may be time for liberals to add a few more chairs to the table. He singled out higher education in particular: “Universities are the bedrock of progressive values, but the one kind of diversity that universities disregard is ideological and religious. We’re fine with people who don’t look like us, as long as they think like us.”

Just recently an article by former N.C. Gov. James “Jim” Martin, a Republican, has been published in sevEditor eral state newspapers. Martin argued that perhaps the best solution to the HB2 quagmire might be for those on both sides of the issue to sit down at the proverbial table and actually listen to the other side: “What can we do now? First, both sides need to take time to listen to each other. We might learn how some young people have great difficulty dealing with their anatomy and hormones, in ways most of us could never begin to understand. Denying access to our state courts for protection leaves them vulnerable to harm from bullies. Our courts should be open for civil judgment. Hate crimes should be defined in enforceable law.

“On the other hand, we might learn also that some people have had terrible experiences with sexual predators, and are fearful of laws that could make it easier for one to slip into girls’ locker rooms. It is not fear of transgender individuals, who have probably already been using such facilities without

Scott McLeod

’ve been observing something for years — though recently it has snowballed — and it has always struck me as hypocritical: the intolerance of progressive liberals toward conservatives who hold diametrically opposing political and social views. The hypocrisy, of course, is that progressives espouse a philosophy of tolerance and openness. Bring a climate change denier, an evangelical Christian or a supply side, free market capitalist to the party, however, and many of my liberal friends will write off said individual’s political and social commentary before they’ve tossed back their first IPA. Of course, it’s easier to spot this shortcoming in liberals because they like to talk about how important it is not to marginalize any segment of the population. Many conservatives have no problem blaming the country’s problems on Muslims, immigrants, the poor, or the politically correct transgender crowd, so we progressives barely raise an eyebrow when Donald Trump makes another outlandish statement about deporting tens of millions of immigrants. He never claimed to be tolerant, and neither did his supporters.

New York Times Columnist Nicholas Kristoff ’s May 7 column titled “A Confession of Liberal Intolerance” contained excerpts and data from several studies that upheld this observation: “We progressives believe in diversity, and we want women, blacks, Latinos, gays and Muslims at the table — er, so long as they aren’t conservatives.”

With North Carolina embroiled in a fight over HB2, Western Carolina University wrestling with how to control the potential influence of accepting a large donation from a very politically active conservative organization, and Donald Trump slinging barbs at everyone from women to Muslims, many liberal thinking folks are in a tizzy, finding a lot of opportunities

Racism is not in the ‘eye of the beholder’ To the Editor: Sorry Dad, but in your column in last week’s edition of The Smoky Mountain News (www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/item/17607), you said “the difference between heartfelt honesty and underlying racism is sometimes in the eye of the beholder.”

I think not. On the contrary, racism is the construct of dishonest stereotypes and prejudices. When we delve into ourselves and face the challenge of being brutally honest, this is when we find we are able to break down the barriers built by centuries of inegalitarian mindsets and rediscover our primal and obvious equality. It is by being brutally honest that we realize and acknowledge the still pervasive racism plaguing popular culture and the capitalist system in our country. It is by being brutally honest that we find the resolve and the dedication to attack this issue head on.

And although this movement does have access to social media and the anonymity that can come with it, if it is moving too fast for your “comfort,” all there is to be said about that is your comfort doesn’t matter. It doesn’t count because this isn’t about the feelings of white people, and for the sake of the millions of black lives affected by institutional racism you may as well keep it to yourself. The movement is rightfully entitled #BlackLivesMatter because they are the only focus, and after hundreds of years of terrible oppression that whites can’t begin to comprehend your “comfort” is of little to no relevance.

I understand I am nitpicking language here and veering from the overall intent of your column, but when criticizing the #BlackLivesMatter movement it is of the utmost importance to recognize the insinuations one makes and use mindful jargon.

Otherwise, it was a great article. In an age and generation that tends towards the instantaneous satisfaction of social media, the importance of face-to-face, open, and meaningful discussion is what will ultimately make a difference in this movement — not anonymous yaks.

Hannah McLeod Alicante, Spain

(Hannah is the daughter of SMN Editor Scott McLeod. She attends Appalachian State and is studying abroad this semeseter in Spain. She can be reached at mcleodhl@appstate.edu.)

incident. (In almost 80 years of occasional visits to public bathrooms, I have never once dared to check out the qualifications of those standing next to me, and doubt that you have.)”

Once again, an admonition to sit down together and listen, coming from someone with age and, hopefully, wisdom.

I cut my teeth on political discourse with a cast of characters from my two years in East Dorm at Appalachian State University. Three or four nights a week we got together and talked and argued about girls and music, played backgammon and drinking games, and got heavy into political conversations that would too often go too late into the night. I haven’t kept up with any of that crowd — the Q Man, Mike Lackey, Stinky Pugh, Gregory FM Cuddy, Andy Standar, and the now wellknown writer Stephen Dubner (of Freakonomics fame), among others — but we would get loud and fired up talking about the coming of Ronald Reagan and the where this country was headed. And we definitely did not come from similar political backgrounds.

But we went to our separate rooms as friends, enlightened by the exchange of ideas and passionately held opinions. I respected them. And that’s what bothers me about many of my liberal friends — lack of respect for opposing views. I know too many very, very smart conservative men and women with whom I disagree with on a whole lot of issues. But I take their views seriously.

Beat your ideological foes with the vigor of your argument and your intelligence, not by relegating them and their opinions to second-class status. Otherwise, it’s just the pot, kettle, black thing.

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

Governor’s office is still in the dark To the Editor: There you are, governor of North Carolina, and somebody pushes a stack of papers in front of you that says who can go into which bathroom. And it says that a certain group of people can’t sue for discrimination. And it also says that cities can’t write more generous rules than these.

There’s a blank line at the bottom of the page, awaiting your signature.

At this point, an ordinary person with just the tiniest sense of caution would consider what he was about to sign. They would ask themselves a sequence of well-reasoned questions.

“Is there a problem with bathrooms in North Carolina?” Answer: Never heard of any.

“Have women and children been assaulted by men pretending to be women?” Answer: No. “Is this law in conflict with any federal law?” Answer: Absolutely.

“Will this law make us the laughing stock of the nation?” Answer: Beyond a shadow of a doubt.

“Will this law harm business in North Carolina?” Answer: By the billions of dollars.

“Will this law cost the state jobs?” Answer:

LETTERS

Thousands.

“Will this law cause foreign countries to shun North Carolina?” Answer: Almost instantly.

“Will this law harm this state in any other way?” Answer: Loss of federal funds for schools.

“Will this law make me look like an idiot?”

Answer: You got it.

“Will this law cost me the next election?”

Answer: Very likely.

Now, if you are the governor, having asked yourself these questions, do you put your signature on the blank line at the bottom of the page?

Rick Bryson Bryson City

Let’s work toward a better Maggie Valley To the Editor: Former President Ronald Reagan once said, “The republic is a dream. If we stop dreaming, we will lose the republic.” There is a Bible phrase, “Without dreams and visions, people will perish.” Our better future is a dream for ourselves, for our families and our community. This is

F

Connecting a new generation to 9/11 R

tion, just that image that divides us.

Now, we can read the rest of the report and dream our town center. And we should be able to describe our dream to others such that a blind person can say, “Yes, I can see it, I can feel it because you described it so well in every detail.” A well-described dream is more powerful than an image because it allows us to share it with others. It allows others to engage in our dreams. A dream can unite people, move people towards a common goal. At that point, a dream becomes a promise. If the promise is clear, people can find a way to make it happen.

Here is an example. Most of us have kids.

And, we always tell our kids to go to school, stay in school; go to college; go to a grad school. Why? We, all know that college is expensive, $50,000 or $60,000 on average. A single mom takes a second job so that her kid can go to college. A dad works overtime so he can set aside money for the college fund. Why do we do all these sacrifices without knowing if our child will ever finish college and get her degree? Why do we encourage our kids to go to college without knowing whether they will stay in college or not; whether they will keep changing majors every few years?

We do it because the promise is clear.

Because the promise is a better future for our children. When a child says, “Dad, when I grow up, I want to be a doctor,” do we give our child a list of reasons why she cannot be a doctor? No! We encourage her as much as possible. We find a way to make it happen for the future of our child. But when it comes to this little girl, Maggie, well, we got the list.

Let’s put the list away and work towards a better future for Maggie.

Kivanc Senocak Maggie Valley

Susanna Barbee

about the hopes and dreams of a little girl, Maggie.

Maggie’s dream started in 1970 with a report, “Gateway to the Smokies.” Since then, there have been four publications.

“Driving Miss Maggie,” “Maggie Valley Land Use Plan” and “Moving Maggie Forward.”

Now, we have the Town Center Master Plan.

Four publications in the last 13 years.

The obvious question is why this small town spends $20,000, $30,000 every few years for these reports. So I searched these reports on the Internet, printed them out, and put them in a binder and studied them.

Each report is actually a chapter of the original book “Gateway to Smokies.” Each chapter describes a different aspect of Maggie’s dream. “Driving Miss Maggie” is a socioeconomic study, describing housing, population, employment and educational challenges of Maggie. It also sets the background for the Land Use Plan, which is, or should be, the north star of our planning and zoning regulations. “Moving Maggie Forward” is a business plan. It talks about Maggie’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. I suggest every business owner should have a copy of this business plan.

And now the Town Center Master Plan.

This is a 93-page long comprehensive report, explaining different ingredients of how to create a live, walkable town center.

Unfortunately, it seems to me that we could not pass the cover page for the last couple of months. I tend to blame the image on the cover. That rendering is the reason why we have not been able to move to the next page.

The image is so strong, so powerful that it does not allow us to read the rest of the report. I suggest that we should get rid of that image, not the concept, not the loca-

assassination became public, I feel like my generation remembers exactly where we were on Sept. 11 during those morning hours.

And I think that’s because we were all immersed in a hopeful, happy, easygoing season of life where anything seemed possible and the sky was the limit.

For a lot of us, 9/11 was a reality check, a stark reminder that the world can be a cruel and horrible place. Then the days that followed showed us that there is so much good in the world. When we learned the stories of bravery and sacrifice by so many, it gave us hope in humanity. But it was a hope tinged with darkness.

In my mind, the situation that occurred with the Waynesville Middle chorus may have happened for a reason. The chorus students and thousands of other adolescents have probably thought very little about Sept.

11, 2001, other than hearing their teachers and parents talk about it around the anniversary each year.

The security guard interrupting the unassuming singers led to a series of events that

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Smoky Mountain News

caught up in some type of controversial patriotic vs. unpatriotic debate.

Luckily, that didn’t happen with Fox News. It seems the network truly wanted to give the students a chance to finish singing the National Anthem in honor of the many courageous people who either Columnist lost their lives on that day or who are still struggling with the loss of someone they love.

The WMS students who visited New York are approximately between the ages of 12 and 14. Even the oldest students in the group were not yet born on Sept. 11, 2001.

In the fall of that year, I was a senior at N.C. State University and learned of the horror as I walked into the pizza joint where I waited tables. Sort of like with older generations who will always remember where they were when the news of John F. Kennedy’s

May 11-17, 2016

ecently, a group of Waynesville Middle chorus students were at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, and when they tried to sing the national anthem, they were stopped mid-song by a security guard who told them they needed a permit to perform. Before beginning the song, they had received verbal permission from a different security guard.

The mixed messages were confusing to the students who were excited to sing in remembrance of the tragic events that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001. When asked to stop singing, the adolescents politely complied and walked off the premises. Later they had many questions for their parents and their chorus teacher.

As you’ve probably seen and heard, the story was picked up by several national news outlets, and the students were given an opportunity to finish the song on Fox & Friends, a morning show on Fox News. I was a little worried that Fox News was going to use this situation for political persuasion.

With it being a rather turbulent election season, I was wary that the students would get

allowed Sept. 11 back in the spotlight on a local and national level. Middle schoolers were again talking about the event in an active, curious way.

The national anthem snafu gave these young students a chance to really think about that day, all it embodied and the physical, social and emotional effects that resulted.

Events like Sept. 11 not only need to be remembered and honored, but they also need to be understood. Understood by every generation, not just those who were alive in 2001. That day shouldn’t merely be something children read about in textbooks. It should be a living, breathing topic of conversation and not only a conversation about the when, what and how, but about the why.

Initially, the Waynesville Middle students were attempting to remember and honor the fallen by singing the national anthem, but I hope when it was all said and done, they also understood more about that day. And they had an opportunity to reflect upon the invisible consequences, the conflicting emotions and cultural generalizations that have led to 15 years of trying to find a new normal for New York City and the country as a whole.

(Susanna Barbee is a writer who lives in Haywood County. She can be reached at susanna.barbee@gmail.com.)

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@SmokyMtnNews 25

tasteTHEmountains

Open for Breakfast 344-46

MON.-SAT. 8 A.M. 3 E JACKSON ST. • SYLVA, NC

www.CityLightsCafe.com

Taste the Mountains is an ever-evolving paid section of places to dine in Western North Carolina. If you would like to be included in the listing please contact our advertising department at 828.452.4251

house using local seasonal vegetables. Fresh roasted ham, turkey and roast beef used in our hoagies. We hand make our own eggplant and chicken parmesan, pork meatballs and hamburgers. We use 1st quality fresh not pre-prepared products to make sure you get the best food for a reasonable price. We make vegetarian, gluten free and sugar free items. Call or go to Facebook (Breaking Bread Café NC) to find out what our specials are.

APPLE CREEK CAFE 111 N. Main St., Waynesville.

828.456.9888. Tuesday through Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to midnight. Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. We are excited to be on Main St. serving lunch and dinner with a full bar. Our menu includes items such as blackberry salmon, fettuccine alfredo, hand-cut steaks, great burgers, sandwiches, salads and more.

Join us for live music every Friday and Saturday nights. Friday 6 to 9 p.m. live piano music. Saturday 6 to 9 p.m. live jazz music. No cover charge.

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. Family-style breakfast seven days a week, from 8 am to 9:30 am – with eggs, bacon, sausage, grits and oatmeal, fresh fruit, sometimes French toast or pancakes, and always all-you-can-eat. Lunch every day from 12:00 till 2 pm. Evening cookouts on the terrace on weekends and Wednesdays, featuring steaks, ribs, chicken, and pork chops, to name a few. Bountiful family-style dinners on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, with entrees that include prime rib, baked ham and herb-baked chicken, complemented by seasonal vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer a fine selection of wine and beer.

The evening social hour starts at 6 pm, and dinner is served starting at 7 pm. So join us for mile-high mountaintop dining with a spectacular view. Please call for reservations.

LIVE MUSIC TUESDAY NIGHTS! 7-9 P.M. Upcoming Bands: May 17 — Andrew Rickman May 24 — Tonology SAGEBRUSH OF CANTON 1941 Champion Dr. Canton

828-646-3750

Smoky Mountain News

Sun-Thur 11 AM - 10 PM Fri-Sat 11 AM - 11 PM

BREAKING BREAD CAFÉ 6147 Hwy 276 S. Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station) 828.648.3838 Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Chef owned and operated. Our salads are made in

CHURCH STREET DEPOT 34 Church Street, downtown Waynesville.

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

CITY BAKERY 18 N. Main St. Waynesville 828.452.3881.

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

THE CLASSIC WINESELLER 20 Church Street, Waynesville.

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

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

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

828.926.1820 Open Wednesday and Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday. Family Style at Country Vittles is not a buffet. Instead our waitresses will bring your food piping hot from the kitchen right to your table and as many refills as you want. So if you have a big appetite, but sure to ask your waitress about our family style service.

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

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

Monday-Saturday. Father and son team Frank and Louis Perrone cook up dinners steeped in Italian tradition. With recipies passed down from generations gone by, the Perrones have brought a bit of Italy to Maggie Valley. frankiestrattoria.com FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St., Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; Dinner

NOW SERVING

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BOGART’S 303 S. Main St., Waynesville. 828.452.1313.

Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Carry out available. Located in downtown Waynesville, Bogart’s has been long-time noted for great steaks, soups, and salads. Casual family atmosphere in a rustic old-time setting with a menu noted for its practical value. Live Bluegrass/String Band music every Thursday. Walking distance of Waynesville’s unique shops and seasonal festival activities and within one mile of Waynesville Country Club.

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

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

CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

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

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

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

STEAK & EGGS, OMELETS, PANCAKES AND MORE 6-10:30 a.m. Mon.-Sat.

Ganko Express 828-246-9099 1896 S. Main St. Waynesville

344-61

May 11-17, 2016

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

Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily.

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

Breakfast is made to order daily: Gourmet cheddar & scallion biscuits served with bacon, sausage and eggs; smoked trout bagel plate; quiche and fresh fruit parfait. We bake a wide variety of breads daily, specializing in traditional french breads. All of our breads are hand shaped. Lunch: Fresh salads, panini sandwiches. Enjoy outdoor dinning on the deck. Private room available for meetings.

tasteTHEmountains 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Frogs Leap is a farm to table restaurant focused on local, sustainable, natural and organic products prepared in modern regional dishes. Seasonal menu focuses on Southern comfort foods with upscale flavors. www.frogsleappublichouse.com.

GANKO EXPRESS 1896 S. Main St., Waynesville 828.246.9099 Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Serving a variety of Hibachi, Chinese, Thai and Sushi dishes.

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

Winter hours: Thursday through Dunday 12 to 4 p.m. for lunch and 4 p.m. to closing for dinner. Daily luncheon special at $6.99.

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

JOEY'S PANCAKE HOUSE 4309 Soco Rd Maggie Valley.

828.926.0212. Winter hours: FridayMonday 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Joey’s is a family style restaurant that has been serving breakfast to the locals and visitors of Western North Carolina since 1966.

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

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

THE LUNCHBOX CAFE 100 Spicewood Dr., Clyde, 828.246.6296 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Serving up scrumptious breakfast, lunch and dinner all made with care in a welcoming environment. Subs, salads, sandwiches and more.

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

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

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

PASQUALE’S 1863 South Main Street, Waynesville. Off exit 98, 828.454.5002. Open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Sunday.

Classic Italian dishes, exceptional steaks

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

ROB’S HOT DOG SHACK 42 Montgomery St., Waynesville 828.707.7033. Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rob’s serves gourmet hot dogs and has homemade side items. Outdoor and indoor dining, café style restaurant. Locally owned and operated.

Family oriented business.

SAGEBRUSH STEAKHOUSE 1941 Champion Drive. Canton 828-6463750 Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Carry out available. Sagebrush features hand carved steaks, chicken and award winning BBQ ribs. We have fresh salads, seasonal vegetables and scrumptious deserts. Extensive selection of local craft beers and a full bar. Catering special events is one of our specialties. Local acoustic music on Tuesday nights.

THE

May 14 TRIPPIN 5-6:30 P.M. FREE SHOW

FOR ALL AGES!

HARDIE BAND

828.586.3555

Beautiful Downtown Sylva

Begining May 18th Come see us at the Historic Farmers Market Grab a bite & take home dinner.

Cottage Pie, Sausage Rolls & More!

Available all week from our kitchen

(828) 452-7837 Wed. & Sat. in the HART Parking lot

WaynesvilleCatering.com

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MEDITERRANEAN

ITALIAN CUISINE

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

BREAKFAST & DINNER DAILY SUNDAY LUNCH by reservation

in or near Waynesville.

Great food, great service & you can never go wrong with “Deb’s Pick”!

1863 S. Main Street • Waynesville 828.454.5002 Hwy. 19/23 Exit 98 LUNCH & DINNER TUES. - SUN.

SMOKEY SHADOWS LODGE 323 Smoky Shadows Lane, Maggie Valley 828.926.0001. Check Facebook page for hours, which vary. Call early when serving because restaurant fills up fast. Remember when families joined each other at the table for a delicious homemade meal and shared stories about their day? That time is now at Smokey Shadows. The menus are customizable for your special event. Group of eight or more can schedule their own dinner.

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

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

344-13

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

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

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

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

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

VITO’S PIZZA 607 Highlands Rd., Franklin.

828.369.9890. Established here in in 1998. Come to Franklin and enjoy our laid back place, a place you can sit back, relax and enjoy our 62” HDTV. Our Pizza dough, sauce, meatballs, and sausage are all made from scratch by Vito. Each Pizza is hand tossed and made with TLC. You're welcome to watch your pizza being created.

456.9498 • www.balsaminn.net

www.pasqualesnc.com

344-10

APPÉTIT Y’AL N L BO

828-456-1997 blueroostersoutherngrill.com

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

Smoky Mountain News

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

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

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

and seafood (available in full and lighter sizes), thin crust pizza, homemade soups, salads hand tossed at your table. Fine wine and beer selection. Casual atmosphere, dine indoors, outside on the patio or at the bar. Reservations appreciated.

May 11-17, 2016

JUKEBOX JUNCTION U.S. 276 and N.C. 110 intersection, Bethel. 828.648.4193. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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

Mad Batter Food & Film Presents:

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A&E

Smoky Mountain News

Brighten the corner where you are Storied writer Fred Chappell returns to WNC

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER It is the word of Southern Appalachia.

For over a half a century, writer Fred Chappell has captured the essence of not only Western North Carolina, but also of mountain folk, and of humanity itself, for good or ill. As a poet, short story writer and novelist, he has dabbled in as many genres of the written word as there are topics to delve into.

Born on a farm in Canton during the Great Depression (1936), he rose from his modest upbringing to attend Duke University. He became a writer, a jack-of-all-trades within the craft, zigzagging between forms of literature as often as the calendar sheds a new year, a seemingly subconscious move that proved victorious, in terms of his precision of knowledge and passion for the craft — a modern day Tarzan, swinging from vine to vine, always sure of his strength and the momentum that would surely carry him into the next project or endeavor.

The mastermind behind several novels, innumerable collections of short stories and poetry, Chappell has received accolades from the Academie Française and won the Aiken Taylor Award, Bollingen Award, T.S. Eliot Prize, and recognition from the National Academy of Arts and Letters. He was bestowed the title of North Carolina Poet Laureate (19972002).

Chappell also wore the hat of professor for 40 years at UNC-Greensboro, a position that influenced the creation of the Master of Fine Arts in writing program at the institution. His time there eventually led to him receiving the O. Max Gardner Award for teaching.

The Smoky Mountain News recently caught up with Chappell as he prepared for readings in Haywood and Jackson counties as part of his book tour. He spoke of his latest work, his bountiful career, and how the key to being a writer resides in being aware of “the moment” before it passes you by.

Garret K. Woodward: You have a new book out. A Shadow All of Light. What can readers expect?

Fred Chappell: Well, it’s supposed to be fun. It’s a fantasy novel, and in a very different key than the way I often write. It’s in the vein of Robert Louis Stevenson.

GKW: What do you like about that genre of fantasy?

FC: I like the freedom of concepts it can give you, where you get an idea and you can really carry it through. The idea in this novel is that shadows are detachable and can be used as commodities — traded, bought, sold.

Fred Chappell, a Haywood County native, will read from his latest work, A Shadow All of Light, in Waynesville and Sylva.

GKW: It’s reality and subconscious, where nothing is too off the wall.

FC: It’s possible we know more asleep than we do when we’re awake.

GKW: So, you have a birthday coming up, huh?

FC: Well, I’m looking the other way, to tell you the truth. [Laughs].

GKW: What do you think about turning 80?

FC: Since I can’t help it, there’s nothing I can do to stop it. But, I’m hoping 80 will be a very lucky number.

GKW: You’ve been a writer pretty much your whole life. What do you see as your writing habits and your craft as you’ve gotten older?

FC: Writing is very much like starting from scratch every time, because the projects you’re working on now aren’t usually helped by the kinds of things you had to learn to do with the project you last worked on. You have to get reborn pretty often.

GKW: What are your writing habits?

FC: It depends on what I’m working on. If I’m working on a long prose piece for a novel, I have to have a certain calendar — so many hours per day, so many days per week, and so many pages per week. With poetry and short stories, I have to wait for it to hit me.

GKW: And with poetry, you kind of just get hit with the lightning bolt of an idea outof-nowhere, and you jot down the words before they escape your thoughts.

FC: You don’t volunteer for poetry — you just get drafted. [Laughs].

GKW: Do you still get just as excited being a writer?

FC: Well, I write a lot of things on consignment. Some of the assignments are not as lively as one would like, but mostly everything is a challenge, so it’s all new. If I have to write three pages a day, I’ll make a fresh start on the pages everyday with each paragraph. For me, it’s always a challenge, always interesting. I’ve never found it to be a grind.

GKW: Your career has such versatility. Is that something that just evolved, or did you pursue other genres in hopes of honing your

S EE CHAPPELL, PAGE 29

“What you focus on as a writer is the moment-to-moment, the specifics of every possible moment, and you try to observe as much as you can — before it’s gone, and before you’re gone.”

— Fred Chappell

Want to go?

Poet and novelist Fred Chappell will read and sign his new fantasy novel A Shadow All of Light, at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 13, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

He will also host a reading at 11 a.m.

Saturday, May 14, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.

In the book, a young man sets off on a journey to become the apprentice of a master shadow thief. His mysterious master challenges him with difficult mental and physical tests, setting in motion adventures with con men, monsters, ingenious detection, cats, and pirates.

Chappell is a former professor of English at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He was the Poet Laureate of North Carolina from 1997 to 2002. His 1968 novel Dagon was named the “Best Foreign Book of the Year” by the Academie Francaise. Chappell’s literary awards include the Aiken Taylor Award for Modern American Poetry, the Prix de Meilleur des Livres Etrangers, the Bollingen Prize, and the T. S. Eliot Prize. He has also won two World Fantasy Awards. www.citylightsnc.com or www.blueridgebooksnc.com.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD Garret K. Woodward photo

are a piece of the earth, blasted away and spiraling into the depths of outer space, never to be heard from again.

But, it’s also safe to say I’ve probably broken as many hearts as have broken mine. You think you’re the victim, but you’re probably shooting par for the course when you actually sit down and think about the road to here and now, a path littered with dead flowers, stale boxes of chocolates, ripped photographs and one-eyed teddy bears.

And I still believe in that magic that is only found in the depths of that beating muscle in your chest. There have been moments where I found myself in awe of the predicament in the exact real time as it was happening. Moments where I fell in love on the same day that I last saw her, where I rolled the dice on a first date and went in for the kiss, and knew all along the risk in my attempts, but never forgot — it’s always worth it, come hell or high water.

Love is the sands of time slipping through your fingertips. The unforgettable grains fall, with some forever stuck in the creases of wellearned wrinkles. Love is the fountain of youth, by which we drink from with gusto when we finally unlock the secrets of our lives, where all is one, and nothing will ever be the same, thankfully.

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

GKW: What’s your connection, physically and emotionally, these days to Haywood County?

FC: I have many vivid memories of Haywood County, and [my wife Susan and I] go back as often as we can, as a matter-of-fact. You see the mountains right outside of Statesville heading west, and it’s always like a chord out of Beethoven. It’s really something. It’s so real that it’s unreal.

GKW: What do you see as the place of writers in this modern world of distraction, noise, and short attention spans?

FC: The best thing is to not join in on it, but to keep steady where you are.

We’ve been scribes since 5000 B.C., and I don’t see any reason to let up in these traditional matters. People are losing the knack for reading, at least it seems when I’ve been talking to them. But if you can get them to read the first few pages, they’re sunk, and they’ll be readers for at least an hour or two [that day]. A lot of us can be overwhelmed because there’s just so much out there today, but a lot of it is really terrific.

GKW: What is it to be Southern Appalachian and a writer, where the landscape and culture affects the writing so deeply?

FC: Well, for one thing, literacy came late to a lot of Southern Appalachia. So, the idea of reading and writing was exciting and novel. And it became a great thing to become a writer, where if you were a writer, you were like a movie star, in a sense. The other part is that people in these mountains like language, we like words and we like what people have to say — “Have a drink with me and we’ll talk,” kind of thing, you know?

Smoky Mountain News

HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5

craft within the genres you initially liked?

I think to become a better writer you should try other forms of writing.

FC: I agree with you that cross-fertilization is very important. That’s why I think poets should read as much science as possible, and fiction writers should read as much poetry as possible. Both of them should learn music, and mathematics. Everything goes in the hopper, and it’s up to you on what comes out.

May 11-17, 2016

It is the eternal quest.

Love. Four letters that either spell utter ecstasy or doom and gloom in our hearts. It is quite possibly the entire reason we do The “Way Back When” trout dinner will open its anything in our lives. It eludes 2016 season at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 20, at many of us, has been taken away the Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley. from many of us, and, if we’re sincerely lucky, is within our The Smoky Mountain Roller Girls will be hosting grasp. Regardless of the situation their second double header of the season at at hand in our current day-to-day 4:30 p.m. Saturday May 14, at the Swain lives, we wake up and chase it County Recreation Center located on Deep with a reckless abandon each Creek Road in Bryson City. and every morning, whether we The Haywood Healthcare Foundation will host want to believe it or not.

Casino Night at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at Love has started wars and Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville. ended them. It has sparked ideas and torn down entire ways of The Strawberry Jam will be held May 14-15 at thought. It has brought people Darnell Farms in Bryson City. The festival will from all walks of life together, open at 10 a.m. daily. and has ripped apart countless families and entire civilizations.

The Cut Cocktail Lounge (Sylva) will host the But, throughout the history of “Honky Tonk Stud” contest with The Jon mankind it still remains as fasciHatchett Band at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 21. nating and priceless as ever — a sparkling gem we hope to wear middle school bleachers sure felt good. It was around our necks, in pride and gratitude to butterflies, and that sense that you just somethe gods above for bestowing such beauty to how acquired the knowledge of time and our our mortal souls. place in it, which, as we come to know, I was first aware of, well, what I thought resides in the eyes of our significant others. was love, somewhere around the beginning And, eventually, we broke up, the ole of seventh grade. Never having a girlfriend, kicked-to-the-curb number, one where you let alone any semblance of friends for that matter, my scrawny, nerdy, Coke-bottle-glass- feel like death is tapping on your shoulder as she walks by a week later with her new es-wearing self somehow caught the eye of a beau, you all but a faded memory into the femme fatale. She was a teammate on my back of some yearbook never to be pubmodified cross-country team. I didn’t know lished or read. Times heals all, we come to what the hell I was doing (still don’t probafind out, and soon another face appears bly), but those kissing sessions behind the

“Never having a girlfriend, let alone any semblance of friends for that matter, my scrawny, nerdy, Cokebottle-glasses-wearing self somehow caught the eye of a femme fatale.”

CHAPPELL, CONTINUED FROM 28 arts & entertainment

This must be the place

before you, a vision of heaven itself felt and seen in the arms of passion.

Middle school flavor of the week, high school sweetheart and college soul mate, onward into the trials and tribulations of adulthood. This pattern of attachment and detachment becomes a melodic rhythm that mirrors the beating of our hearts. We cross paths with potential and what could be the future outcome of your life, only to find yourself standing there in the field of your dreams, watching it all crash and burn into a fiery ball of disaster like the Hindenburg.

Though we may get a little wiser each time, it never gets any easier. And yet, we still dust off our shoulders, tuck our shirts back in, and head for the door of our destiny once again. It’s all a big joke, one we never get sick of becoming the punch line to.

But, that’s not to say you’re a fool to play the game. Far from. You’re a fool to sit on the sidelines while everyone else is out there participating in the great universal experiment — humanity.

I believe in love, and I say that wholeheartedly, even after the most gut wrenching of relationship endings. Those days you never wanted to get out of bed, and you wondered if you’d ever be the same again.

The center of your world is gone, and you

GKW: What has a life as a writer taught you about what it means to be a human being?

FC: It’s taught me humility. It’s taught me patience, for one thing, as to never trust my first impression of anything. And also, to listen — to shut up and listen. Well, you always have the grand themes — life and death, war and peace, love and hate. But, what you focus on as a writer is the moment-tomoment, the specifics of every possible moment, and you try to observe as much as you can — before it’s gone, and before you’re gone.

29

On the beat arts & entertainment

high political status and those who helped expand the Mande Empire.

Gaskell, having studied the Kora over multiple visits to its homeland in Gambia, released his first solo album “Kora Music of West Africa” in 2012. His primary teachers were Moriba Kuyateh and Malamini Jobarteh. He has opened for headliner acts such as Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits.

This program is free and open to the public and is co-sponsored the Friends of the Library and the Haywood County Arts Council. www.haywoodarts.org.

Willie Nelson to play Harrah’s Willie Nelson will hit the stage at Harrah’s on May 21.

Garret K. Woodward photo

McLaughlin to perform at Cataloochee Ranch

Smoky Mountain News

May 11-17, 2016

JAM concert to honor Stuart Old-time music fans and friends of the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) program are invited come together for a concert honoring the late Trevor Stuart, founder and instructor in the JAM program in Haywood County, at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

Featured performers include current JAM students and teachers (Travis Stuart, Cary Fridley, and Robby Robertson), Helena Hunt, Jimmy Burnett, Julie Shepherd-Powell and Adrian Powell, Rayna Gellert, and Bruce and Loy Greene. Wayne Martin, the executive director of the North Carolina Arts Council, will also attend and play.

JAM students learn banjo, fiddle, or guitar in the traditional way mountain music has been taught for generations. As students advance, they are referred by instructors into a string band class in which they learn to play with others and prepare for public performance.

Tickets are available for $20 pre-sale or $25 at the door. Proceeds will go to the JAM program. They can be purchased at the Haywood County Arts Council at 86 North Main Street in Waynesville or by calling 828.452.0593. www.haywoodarts.org.

Kora master to play Canton

Sean Gaskell will host a performance of the Kora, an ancient 21-stringed West African harp, at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 22, at the Canton Public Library.

Gaskell will feature traditional songs that are the heart and soul of the Koras musical repertoire in addition to some of his own personal compositions. The Kora roots stretch back to the mid-1700s and fea30 ture traditional songs that praise leaders of

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Pat McLaughlin and his son, Jamie McLaughlin, will make their debut appearance at Cataloochee Ranch on Friday, May 20, in Maggie Valley.

McLaughlin is well known to music industry insiders as one of Nashville’s best rhythm guitarists and one of its more eclectic songwriters. He even played a bit of mandolin with John Prine, as well as opening for Prine on the road. He’s been writing

Legendary outlaw country singer Willie Nelson will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21, Harrah’s Cherokee.

A country-rock megastar, Nelson penned such classics as “Crazy,” “Always On My Mind” and “Whiskey River.” Nelson is one of the most successful country music singersongwriters in history, releasing 68 studio albums and 10 live albums.

He wrote his first song at the age of 7 and joined his first band at 10, playing concerts as a lead singer and guitar player while still in high school. He spent the ‘50s and ‘60s writing songs for established acts such as Ray Price and Patsy Cline, as well as releasing a string of albums on Liberty and RCA

beginning with his debut “...And Then I Wrote” in 1962.

In 1973, he signed to Atlantic Records and put out “Shotgun Willie,” which veered into outlaw country, a stark contrast from the mainstream Nashville sound and cleancut country artists of the era. The 1980s saw the release of number one albums “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” “Always on My Mind” and “The Promiseland,” as well as Nelson joining Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson in the country supergroup The Highwaymen, touring and releasing three studio albums between 1985 and 1995. www.harrahscherokee.com.

Stecoah bluegrass festival Steve Cross photo

and performing since the early 1970s, when he began learning his craft at open mic sessions and street performances in San Francisco before finding his musical home in the late 1970s in Nashville.

A limited number of seats for this rare performance at Cataloochee Ranch are available, and reservations are required.

The show is included in the regular dinner price of $34.95, with show-only tickets for $25. Social hour begins at 6 p.m., with dinner starting at 7 p.m., followed by the performance at 8:30 p.m.

For more information on the show or to reserve tickets, please call Cataloochee Ranch at 828.926.1401 or click on www.cataloocheeranch.com.

The Heritage Bluegrass Music Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 21, at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center.

Performances by the Stecoah JAM Kids (Junior Appalachian Musicians), Jackson County 4-H Music Competition, Graham County Line and Jonah Riddle & The Carolina Express. There will also be Jonah Riddle & The Carolina Express will play Stecoah on jam sessions with Larry May 21. www.facebook.com/jonah-riddle-carolina-express Barnett. Arts, crafts and food vendors onsite. The Schoolhouse Café will be open all day.

The music competition is co-produced by Jackson County 4-H and Catch the Spirit of Appalachia. www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.

On the beat

• Apple Creek Café (Waynesville) will host an evening of piano music on Fridays and jazz on Saturdays. Both events are free and run from 6 to 9 p.m. 828.456.9888 or www.applecreekcafe.com.

• BearWaters Brewing Company (Waynesville) will host The Darren Nicholson Band (Americana/bluegrass) at 6 p.m. May 12 and Pierce Edens (Americana/alt-country) 8 p.m.

May 21. 828.246.0602 or www.bwbrewing.com.

• The City Lights Café (Sylva) will host David Wiseman (singer-songwriter) May 13 and Eric & Todd May 21. Both shows begin at 7 p.m. 828.587.2233. www.citylightscafe.com.

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Joe Cruz (piano/pop) May 13 and 20, which are each free and begin at 7 p.m. There will also be a handful of special dinners, with Lacy Green (Americana) May 14 ($7 plus dining cost), Adelsheim (jazz/pop) May 19 ($40 per person all inclusive), and Russ Wilson (jazz/swing) May 21 ($34.99 per person). 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

ALSO:

• The Daily Grind & Wine (Murphy) will host Kerry Grombacher & Aspen Black (singersongwriter) at 5 p.m. May 13. Free.

828.835.7322.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Mark Keller (singer-songwriter) 9:30 a.m.

May 14 and Jimi McKenzie (singer-songwriter) 6 p.m. May 20. All shows are free.

828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• The Iotla Baptist Church (Franklin) will host The Chuck Wagon Gang (gospel) at 7 p.m.

May 19. 828.524.7167.

• The Jackson County Public Library (Sylva) will host a community dance at 2:30 p.m.

May 15. Circle and contra dances. Ron Arps will be the caller, with live music by Out of the Woodwork. All styles will be taught and walked through beforehand. No previous experience needed. A community potluck dinner will follow at 5 p.m. ronandcathy71@frontier.com.

• Mad Batter Food & Film (Sylva) will host The Trippen Hardie Band at 5 p.m. May 14. www.madbatterfoodfilm.com.

• Marianna Black Library (Bryson City) will hold community music jam from 6 to 7:30 p.m. May 19. Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer, anything unplugged, are invited to join. Singers are also welcomed to join in or you can just stop by and listen. Free. 828.488.3030.

• Nantahala Brewing Company (Bryson City) will host Wyatt Espalin (Americana) May 13 and Sunshine Station (rock/jam) May 14. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will host SS Web with Leonhardt and Chris Blaylock (rock/Americana) May 11, Gold Rose (Americana) May 13, 20 Watt Tombstone and Chris Blaylock (rock/Americana) May 14, The Hooten Hallers (rock/blues) with Drunken Cuddle and Chris Blaylock (rock/Americana) May 15, Humps & The Blackouts (psychobilly) and Rickett Pass (psychobilly) May 20 and The Colby Deitz Band (Americana) May 21. All shows are free and begin at 9:30 p.m. www.nonamesportspub.com.

• The Oconaluftee Visitor Center (Cherokee) will host a back porch old-time music jam from 1 to 3 p.m. May 21. All are welcome to come play or simply sit and listen to sounds of Southern Appalachia.

• The Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host Tom Johnson (singersongwriter) May 13, Gary Carter (singer-

• Sagebrush Steakhouse (Canton) will host Andrew Rickman (rock/folk) May 17 and Tonology (rock/jam) May 24. All shows begin at 7 p.m. 828.646.3750.

• Salty Dog’s (Maggie Valley) will have Karaoke with Jason Wyatt on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Mile High (rock) at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Andrew Rickman (rock/acoustic) will also perform on Saturdays. All events begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

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

• Sneak E Squirrel Brewing (Sylva) will host the “Funk to What?” open jam every Thursday at 8 p.m. 828.586.6440.

• Soul Infusion Tea House & Bistro (Sylva) will host a jazz evening with the Tyler Kittle

• The Stompin’ Ground (Maggie Valley) is now open for live mountain music and clogging at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

828.926.1288.

• Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will host Round The Fire (rock/jam) May 13 and Kevin Fuller (Americana/folk) May 20. Both shows are free and at 9 p.m. www.tippingpointtavern.com.

• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host a weekly Appalachian music night from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesdays with Nitrograss. 828.526.8364 or www.theuglydogpub.com.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host Scott James Stambaugh (singer-songwriter) May 13, Gold Rose (Americana/folk) May 14, DJ Night May 20 and Tony LaFalce (singer-songwriter) May 21. All shows begin at 9 p.m. 828.456.4750.

• The Waynesville Public Library will host the Blue Ridge Big Band (jazz/swing) at 3 p.m.

May 14. Free. www.facebook.com/theblueridgebigband.

Smoky Mountain News

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night May 11 and 18, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo May 12 and 19. All events begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

The first concert of the Haywood Community Band’s 2016 season will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 15, Maggie Valley Community Pavilion.

“Music Selections by the Three Conductors” is the evening program with songs from the wide-ranging melodies of popular music. These free concerts are sponsored by members of the Maggie Valley Civic Association.

New members are welcome to join the Haywood Community Band. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Grace Church in the Mountains in Waynesville. Contact Band President Rhonda Wilson Kram at 828.456.4880 if you are interested in either playing with the band or donating to the band’s program of providing musical instruments for local school students.

The Haywood Community Band is supported in part by a grant from the Haywood County Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Council, a state agency.

& Michael Colling Duo (with special guests) every other Tuesday starting at 7 p.m. with the next performance on May 24. www.soulinfusion.com or 828.586.1717.

May 11-17, 2016

• The Cut Cocktail Lounge (Sylva) will host the “Honky Tonk Stud” contest with The Jon Hatchett Band at 8 p.m. May 21.

828.631.4795.

Haywood Community Band returns

songwriter) May 14, Brother Bluebird (Americana) May 20 and Twelfth Fret (Americana) May 21. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.rathskellerfranklin.com.

arts & entertainment

• Andrews Brewing Company will host Frank Lee (Americana) 6 p.m. May 13, Rye Baby (Americana) 7 p.m. May 14, Heidi Holton (blues/folk) 6 p.m. May 20 and Gold Rose (Americana/folk) 7 p.m. May 21. All shows are free. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

31

arts & entertainment

On the street Music, storytelling at Strawberry Jam The Strawberry Jam will be held May 14-15 at Darnell Farms on Governors Island Road in Bryson City. The festival will open at 10 a.m. daily.

Local music, cloggers; horse, mule and plow demonstrations; hayrides. horse-drawn buggies, storytelling, local produce, strawberry short cake, fresh barbecue, u-pick strawberries, and much more.

The event is a fundraiser for the preservation of this local, family-operated small farm.

• The Franklin High School FFA Rodeo will be at 8 p.m. May 20-21 at the Wayne Proffitt Agricultural Center at the Macon County Fairgrounds in Franklin. Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for kids ages 5-10, and free for kids under age 5. For advance tickets, call 828.524.6467.

ALSO:

May 11-17, 2016

• The 14th annual Thunder In The Smokies Spring Rally will be held May

13-15 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Gates open at 11 a.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday/Sunday. Live music, bike games, tour rides, bike show, food, beer and bike vendors, and more. Threeday passes are $20 for ages 13 and over, and $8 for ages 5-12. www.thunderinthesmokies.com.

Cataloochee ‘Way Back When’ dinner The ‘Way Back When’ fish fry returns May 20 at Cataloochee Ranch. Garret K. Woodward photo

• A wine tasting will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. May 14 and 21 at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. $5 per person. www.papouswineshop.com or 828.586.6300.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. May 14 and 21 at Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville. www.waynesvillewine.com or 828.452.0120.

• A wine tasting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. May 11 and 18 at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Free with dinner ($15 minimum). 828.452.6000.

• There will be a “Tasty Tuesday: Winter Seasonals” at 7 p.m. May 17 and 24 at Mad Anthony’s Bottle Shop & Beer Garden.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will have a “Fish Fry” all day on Fridays.

828.456.4750.

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The “Way Back When” trout dinner will open its 2016 season at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 20, at the Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley.

The dinner showcases a recreation meal, music, storytelling and atmosphere of a 1930s Appalachian trout camp. Enjoy a wagon ride across the ranch property amid the authentic recreation of Mr. Tom and Miss Judy Alexander’s first fishing camp.

Cost is $34.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity. The dinner will also be held June 3 and 24, July 15 and 29, Aug. 12 and 26, and Sept. 2 and 16.

To RSVP, call 828.926.1401 or 800.868.1401 or www.cataloocheeranch.com.

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Smoky Mountain News

Cataloochee Ranch 32

1119 19 Ranch Ranch Drive, Drive, Maggie Maggie Valley, Valley y,, NC 28751 28751 • www.CataloocheeRanch.com www.CataloocheeRanch.com

On the street

The Haywood Healthcare Foundation will host Casino Night at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville.

Great music, dancing, gaming tables, auctions and wonderful food make this one of the most fantastic nights of the season.

For 2016, a portion of the Casino Night proceeds will provide more AEDs (defibrillators) for Haywood County Law Enforcement vehicles. The officers are trained and prepared to use these defibrillators to save lives when

the Bryson City Christmas Parade as an opportunity to collect canned food items to donate to Community Table’s food bank.

Smoky Mountain Roller Girls is a nonprofit all women’s flat track derby team from Swain County, North Carolina. Skaters from Swain, Jackson, Haywood and Macon counties comprise the team. Women ages 18 and up are encouraged to come out for practice on Sunday and Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. Men

and women are invited to join the team as nonskating officials, referees and volunteers.

Tickets are $5 ahead of time. They can be purchased at Bryson City Bicycles, Donno's Higher Ground Tattoos or from a roller girl or $7 at the door. Order tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com. Children under 5 are always free. Nantahala Brewing Company will be hosting an after party beginning at 8 p.m. following the bout.

Roller derby to benefit Relay for Life

May 26, 28, 31: Grand Opening Wine Pairing Dinners Featuring Pol Roger Champagne, Rombauer Chardonnay & Rombauer Zinfandel

$69 - RSVP May 27 | 1-5 pm Free Saturday Tasting

138 Miller Street (828)452-0120 WaynesvilleWine.com

Smoky Mountain News

The Smoky Mountain Roller Girls will be hosting their second double header of the season on Saturday, May 14, at the Swain County Recreation Center located on Deep Creek Road in Bryson City.

The double header will feature the Lil' Nemisisters Junior Derby team taking on the Atomic City Fall. A little mountain rivalry heats up as Smoky Mountain Roller Girls challenge Asheville's Blue Ridge Roller Girls French Broads B-team.

First bout starts at 4:30 p.m. with your hometown team Smoky Mountain Roller Girls taking the track at 6 p.m. Big Daddy Voodoo will take the mic as the announcer for the evenings events. Half-time entertainment will be provided by the cast of Smoky Mountain Community Theater’s “Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

Proceeds from the bout will benefit Swain County’s Relay for Life. The Smoky Mountain Roller Girls have a tradition of donating proceeds from their ticket sales to local charities since their debut sold out bout in 2012.

SMRG has also donated funds to other organizations such as Qualla Safe House and Big Brothers and Big Sister of Swain County, Hawthorne Heights, and Life Challenge in the past. The Smoky Mountain Roller Girls used

Thurs, May 19: Chef Jackie's BYOB Dinner $50 - RSVP

May 11-17, 2016

they are first to arrive on the scene of a cardiac emergency. Ten more defibrillators are needed to add to the 14 the Foundation provided last year.

Proceeds from Casino Night will also be used to support CEV — Children Exposed to Violence. HHF, in partnership with the 30th Judicial Alliance and healthcare professionals, will address this critical need in Haywood County. Children are often exposed to violent situations at home, at school and in their social lives, which can

Wed, May 18: Rosé Garden Tasting $22 - RSVP

arts & entertainment

Casino Night at Laurel Ridge

impact their development and long-term mental health. Individual and group counseling, as well as support services, when made available, can enrich and sometimes change children’s lives forever.

The 30th Judicial Alliance, in collaboration with the Pigeon Center, offers a summer camp with enrichment programming for county youth. An important component of the camp is that specialized mental health programming is provided for at-risk school-aged youth. Sue Fowler, executive director of the 30th Judicial Alliance, explained, “These services will be provided by a Child/Family Licensed Therapist. The therapist will also be using animal assisted therapy with a certified therapy dog. We are working together to provide programming that will foster a strong foundation for those most in need.”

HHF will provide scholarships to support children who need to be in a safe environment for summer. Proceeds will also be used to help provide mental health staffing for the summer program.

This special event is for adults of all ages, giving everyone a chance to dress up and enjoy a night out at Laurel Ridge Country Club. Tickets are $100 per person.

Sponsoring a table allows guests to bring coworkers and friends together to enjoy the evening. Sponsorship information and reservations are available at www.haywoodhealthcarefoundation.org or by calling 828.452.8343. Gaming chips have no monetary value and no currency will be used for gaming or prizes.

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arts & entertainment

On the wall

Want to learn pastel painting?

Smoky Mountain News

May 11-17, 2016

Catch the Spirit of Appalachia’s cofounder Doreyl Ammons Cain will be offering a wide variety of opportunities to those desiring to learn about the basics of pastel painting while enjoying the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

“Exploring your own creativity while painting wildflowers, birds, portraits, nature scenes and still life is the focus, yet learning the basics of color, composition and tonal qualities as you experience the fun of painting. This makes for exciting art workshops,” Cain said.

2016 Pastel Painting Workshop Schedule: • 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. May 19: Sylva Senior Center - Outside Wildflower Pastel Painting.

• 2 to 5 p.m. May 20: Stecoah Valley Center - Outside Wildflower Pastel Painting.

• 2 to 5 p.m. May 25: Southwestern Community College in Sylva - Outside Wildflower Pastel Painting.

• 2 to 5 p.m. June 4: Hooper Homestead in Tuckasegee - Outside Wildflower Pastel Painting.

• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 7: SCC in Sylva - Outside Wildflower Pastel Painting.

• 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 14: Cashiers Senior Center - Outside Wildflower Pastel Painting.

• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. June 30: Sylva Senior Center - Outside Birds Pastel Painting.

• 2 to 5 p.m. July 9: Nature’s Home Preserve in Tuckasegee - Outside Birds Pastel Painting.

• 2 to 5 p.m. July 13: SCC in Sylva Outside Birds Pastel Painting.

• 2 to 5 p.m. July 15: Stecoah Valley Center - Outside Birds Pastel Painting.

• 10 a.m. to noon July 23: Stecoah Valley Center - Pastel Painting for Kids.

• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. July 28: Sylva Senior Center - Portrait Pastel Painting.

• 2 to 5 p.m. Aug. 6: Nature’s Home Preserve in Tuckasegee - Outside Landscape Pastel Painting.

• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 25: Sylva Senior Center - Figure Pastel Painting.

• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 29: Sylva Senior Center - Still Life Pastel Painting.

• 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 14: Stecoah Valley Center - Outside Birds in Fall Landscape Pastel Painting.

• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 27: Sylva Senior Center - Outside Fall Landscape Pastel Painting.

For more information, contact Cain 34 at 828.293.2239.

Smythe art exhibition at Signature Brew The work of painter and educator James Smythe will be display from May 13 to June 9 at Signature Brew in downtown Sylva.

Smythe moved to the area in the fall of 1966 to teach drawing and painting at Western Carolina University. During his tenure as a professor, he exhibited his paintings in juried and invitational art exhibitions on a national level and enjoyed gallery representation in Atlanta and Philadelphia. Now retired and living in Sylva he maintains a studio in downtown Sylva and is active with the artists at Gallery One and

Need to market your art better?

the Appalachian Pastel Society in Asheville.

Even though Smythe paints figures and portraits this exhibition provides a sampling of his landscape paintings. Several paintings feature blooming rhododendrons, and there are two paintings of a weathered country store, long closed.

The opening reception will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 13, and will include a wine tasting and refreshments.

828.587.6300 or www.signaturebrew.net.

ister at 828.586.2016.

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

Sponsored in part by a grant from the Duke Energy Foundation, the Haywood County Arts Council and Haywood Community College's Small Business Center, there will be five workshops for artists and arts-based businesses.

The series, “New Spaces: Courses to Help Arts Businesses Thrive Digitally and In Real Life,” begins May 12. The workshops will be run from 10 a.m. to noon, and are as follows: • May 12: New Platforms: Online Sales • May 19: New Horizons: Marketing and Branding • May 26: New Places: Gallery Submissions and Sales • June 2: New Presence: Your Site/Online Marketing • June 9: New Outlook: Merchandising for Galleries/Artists For more information or to register, visit www.haywoodarts.org.

Want to learn printmaking?

Gayle Woody will host a miniature printmaking workshop at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 14, in the Atrium of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

Participants will carve a design in linoleum and then make prints using their creation. Woody will demonstrate how to carve the design and give tips on best practices in printmaking. She will also discuss, and provide examples of the various ways these prints can be applied.

All materials will be provided and the program is free of charge. The workshop is limited to ten participants. Call the library to reg-

ments and something to drink, as well as live blues/folk music by Karen "Sugar" Barnes and Dave McGill. www.suzannetextiles.com.

‘Matting and Framing’ photo club workshop

Gallery open house in Hazelwood Textile artist Suzanne Gernandt will host an open house for her Studio SG gallery space from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at 452 Hazelwood Avenue in Waynesville.

A juried member of the prestigious Southern Highland Craft Guild, since 1996, Gernandt have served on the Board of Directors of Handmade in America, and the River Arts District Artists in Asheville. She also teaches at the Penland School of Craft, Arrowmont School, and the Appalachian Center for Craft. Her work is in corporate and private collections throughout the world.

The studio and gallery share a vintage 1920s storefront. There will be light refresh-

Roger Bacon will present “Matting and Framing Photographs” for the Sylva Photo Club at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Cullowhee Methodist Church on the Western Carolina University campus.

Bacon will cover a selection of matts and frames for your prized photos, and how to cut the matts and make your own frames to complement your artwork.

Bacon’s interest in photography began in graduate school investing in darkroom equipment for his own prints. After working as a professor in chemistry for 38 years, he ventured into digital photography with an early Panasonic camera, which renewed his excitement of photography.

After realizing the cost of professional framing, Bacon started framing photographs utilizing his interest in woodworking. He has made over 100 frames since he started in 2000. He also makes lampshades and clocks exhibiting his unlimited creativity in the presentation of photographs.

Show and Tell this month is “May Flowers” or any other subject of interest.

Bring your six best photographs on a USB drive to share with others.

Sylva Photo Club encourages meeting like-minded people to promote photography knowledge, friendship and photographic opportunities. They can be found at sylvaphotoclub.wordpress.com or Facebook at Sylva Photo Club or sylvaphotoclub@gmail.com or 828.226.3840.

On the wall

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Silver Threads & Golden Needles will host an array of upcoming classes at their yarn shop in Franklin.

• Wednesday, May 11: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Day 1 of Cricket Workshop. $125 includes instruction, materials, and credit toward optional loom purchase.

• Thursday, May 12: Day 2 of Cricket Workshop (see May 11).

• Tuesday, May 17: 1:30 p.m. — Beginning Lace with Adama Cowl. $45 includes pattern, yarn, and instruction.

• Monday, May 23: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. — Introduction to Fair Isle wristlet. $35. Bring a US 6 needle and two colors of

light colored worsted weight yarn.

• Friday, June 3: 1:30 p.m. — Beginning Lace with Adama Cowl. $45 includes pattern, yarn, and instruction.

• Saturday, June 4: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Cricket Weaving Workshop. $100 includes instruction, materials, and use of loom.

• Tuesday, June 7: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Socks for Beginners. $45 includes pattern, instruction and all materials.

• Tuesday, June 7: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Project Class. $10. Get help with your project.

Call to reserve a spot, 828.349.0515. www.silverthreadsyarn.com.

• There will be a “Raku Beadmaking” workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. May 19-20 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 21 at Riverwood Pottery in Dillsboro. Cost is $120 per person.

828.586.3601 or www.riverwoodpottery.com.

Methodist Church in Franklin. Hosted by the Cartoogechaye Christian Fellowship. There will also be food and craft vendors onsite.

828.369.5834 or www.franklin-chamber.com.

• Jackson County Cooperative Extension's May Craft Club will be all about Card Making with stamped card maker, crafter and instructor Candy Meyers. This fun class will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, May 19, at the extension office in Sylva. Several different creative cards will be made during the craft club. Call the extension office in Sylva at 828.586.4009 to register or if you have further questions. The $7 class fee is due at time of registration.

• The Adult Coloring Group will meet at 2 p.m. on Fridays in the Living Room of the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. An afternoon of creativity and camaraderie. Supplies are provided, or bring your own. Beginners are welcome as well as those who already enjoy this new trend. kmoe@fontanalib.org or 828.524.3600.

ALSO:

• The “Come Paint with Charles Kidz Program” will be at 4 p.m. May 12 and 19 at the Charles Heath Gallery in Bryson City. $20 per child. Materials and snacks included.

828.538.2054.

• A craft fair and auto show will be held at 10 a.m. May 21 at the Memorial United

366 RUSS AVE. • WAYNESVILLE (BiLo Shopping Center)

• After-School Art Adventure will be on from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. on Tuesdays at The Bascom in Highlands. For ages 5 to 10, Art Adventure is a class that explores the creative process of drawing, painting, printmaking, clay, sculpture, fiber art, and crafts by utilizing a variety of media. The students will investigate some of the most popular techniques and theories in art history and will be exposed to contemporary as well as folk art traditions. Tuition is $40 for a fourclass package. www.thebascom.org.

• “Stitch,” the community gathering of those interested in crochet, knit and needlepoint, meet at 2:30 p.m. every first Sunday of the month at the Canton Public Library. All ages and skill levels welcome. www.haywoodlibrary.org.

• The film “The Big Short” will be screened at 7 p.m. May 11-13, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. May 14, and 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. May 15 at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. There will also be a free screening of “The Lion King” at noon and 2 p.m. May 14 and 21. For more information or to purchase tickets, click on www.38main.com.

• The films “Deadpool” (May 12 and 19), “Joy” (May 13-14), “The Lego Movie” (May 20) and “The Secret of Nimh” (May 21).

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Fridays; and 2 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays. All screenings are free. www.madbatterfoodfilm.com.

Free ton of pellets delivered with purchase of new pellet stove and installation.

Smoky Mountain News

• Paint Nite Waynesville will be held at 7 p.m.

Friday, May 13, at the Panacea Coffeehouse.

Grab a cup of coffee, glass of wine or pint of craft beer and get creative. $20 per person.

Group rates available. Sign up at Panacea or call host Robin Smathers at 828.400.9560. paintnitewaynesville@gmail.com.

828.452.0911 kimsrx.com kimswellnessinfo.org

May 11-17, 2016

• The film "The Intern" during the Groovy Movie Club’s next gathering at 1 p.m.

Sunday, May 15, in Waynesville. This comedy starring Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway and Rene Russo explores the value of experience for both a younger and older generation, in business and life. A healthy potluck luncheon will be held before the screening, with everyone gathering at 1 p.m. to feast and network and then the movie will begin at 2 p.m. Email johnbuckleyx@gmail.com or call 828.646.8602 or 828.550.1722 to RSVP and for directions to Buffy Queen's home in the Dellwood area of Waynesville.

We offer several natural remedies. Try D-Hist, the powerful combination of all natural ingredients actively promotes healthy nasal and sinus passages for individuals with elevated histamine and respiratory irritation.

arts & entertainment

Calling all yarn, loom lovers

Are Seasonal Allergies Making You Miserable?

828-333-5456 cleansweepfireplace.com Chimney Inspections, Repairs & More

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arts & entertainment

Your Roadmap to Success Begins Here!

Visit HarrahsCherokeeJobs.com or call 828.497.8778

mobile technology to help you get a lot less mobile.

Smoky Mountain News

May 11-17, 2016

Log on. Plan a trip.

And start kicking back.

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WE ARE LOCATED AT 777 CASINO DRIVE. APPLICANTS CAN PARK ON LEVEL 1 IN THE CASINO GARAGE.

If you have already submitted your application, it will be considered active for 6 months from the date of application.

To qualify, applicants must be 21 years or older (18-21 years eligible for non-gaming positions), must successfully pass an RIAH hair/drug test and undergo an investigation by Tribal Gaming Commission. Preference for Tribal members. This property is owned by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, managed by Caesars Entertainment.

The Talent Acquisition Department accepts applications Mon. - Thur. from 8am - 4:30pm. Call 828.497.8778, or send resume to Human Resources Department, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee, NC 28719 or fax resume to 828.497.8540.

On the stage

64”

Pierce brings comedic wit to Franklin Acclaimed entertainer Chonda Pierce will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Armed with an abundance of unpretentious Southern charm and laser sharp wit, Pierce has been entertaining audiences from coast to coast for more than a decade. An in-demand stand up comic, television hostess and author, Pierce has parlayed her gift for storytelling into a multifaceted career.

Pierce has authored eight books with most recent being Laughing In the Dark and has ranked among Pollstar’s top-selling live performers. She’s a frequent guest on the famed Grand Ole Opry and has appeared on Life Today, The Wanda Sykes Show, The Mike Huckabee Show, as well as ABC’s popular talk show, The View. Her comedy is regularly featured on XM and Sirius satellite radio.

Tickets start at $20. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

Comedy to hit Highlands stage

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VARIETY DESIGNER CLOTHING HOUSEWARES & DÉCOR Donations 1264 W. Main St. - Sylva, NC • 828-586-9737 Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Proceeds Support Mountain Projects (including Jackson Neighbors in Need and Circles of Hope)

• The “Talent in the Mountains” community-wide talent show will be held at 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 21, at The Grove Church in Bryson City. Sponsored by the Friends of the Marianna Black Library. Call the Friends of the Library Used Book Store for more information at 828.488.5655.

ALSO:

May 11-17, 2016

The Highlands Cashiers Players (HCP) will present Ken Ludwig’s recent comedic play, “The Game’s Afoot,” winner of the Edgar award for Best Mystery Play of 2012 from the Mystery Writers of America, at the Highlands Performing Arts Center.

The plot features the real life character William Gillette, the actor who played the role of Sir Conan Doyle’s great detective Sherlock Holmes for 30 years on the stages of America and Britain.

The play runs at 7:30 p.m. May 19-21

and 26-28, with a 2:30 p.m. matinee May 22 and 29.

Individual tickets are available at the box office, by calling 828.526.8084 or visit www.highlandscashiersplays.org.

www.ThePrintHaus.com

arts & entertainment

Check out our NEW Epson Wide Format

Smoky Mountain News

TRIPLE THREAT TO STAGE ‘ANNIE JR.’ The Triple Threat Performing Arts Academy (of Sylva) will hit the stage with their musical theatre show “Annie Jr.” at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 14 and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 15, in the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University. Tickets are $10 per person. 828.586.4410 or www.ttpaa.com.

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38

Books

Smoky Mountain News

Novel mixes Cherokee folklore with real history his astonishing “novel” was crafted by three multi-talented western Cherokees who live and create in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. It resembles a kind of mosaic in which actual history, oral tradition and folklore are woven together using short stories, fables and myth.

At times, the stories are dark and brutal; often a tale may function as a shocking exposure of the greed and corruption that dominated historic events (such as the Trail of Tears). A number of tales are narrated by slaves and are told with a ribald humor that uses the racist language of the time.

Writer Finally, there are a few patches of erotica, suggesting that the authors were determined to demonstrate their varied skills in every medium. Is this complex approach successful?

Well, despite some minor flaws (the use of “slave” dialect is one of them), this is a delightful book. It is hoped that it is the first of many.

The linchpin of The Secret History of the Cherokees is the near-mythical Sequoyah, who, besides creating the Cherokee syllabary, seems to embody the future. Although he is not a prophet, he believes that his people have a destiny and he dreams of “assisting” them to achieve it.

The series of stories that follow the aging Sequoyah to Mexico are especially noteworthy. He is following the trail of an ancient band of Cherokees, and he feels that the fate of the Cherokees is connected to this lost tribe. Knowing that he is dying, he keeps a record of his journey in which he records his dreams and visions. (He also smokes a lot of marijuana!) Many of his dreams are filled with terrifying images of death and rebirth.

Eventually, he enters “the ghost lands,” or the “Land of Lost People” and finds his way to a village called Zaragoza. Here, he dies, content that he has reached his goal. Eventually, Sequoyah’s sons retrieve his bones and his “secret writings” which will be “passed on” to

Gary Carden

T

Gen. Stand Watie, who despises Chief John Ross and has an alliance with Tom Starr, the Cherokee outlaw who spawns a family of outlaws. Watie is pledged to the Confederacy and is the last Confederate officer to surrender.

The two authors Duvall and Jacobs also provide a scathing treatment of the history of slavery in the Cherokee Nation. The portrait of “rich Joe Vann,” the corrupt and alcoholic tyrant who owns over 150 slaves, borders on burlesque. Foolish and vain, Vann spends his time on an ornate riverboat where he gambles away a fortune each night.

Vann is addicted to racing both riverboats and horses and owns a famous race horse named Miss Lucy Walker (who ends up as Stand Watie’s horse).

There is also a dark tale about a slave revolt on Vann’s plantation, Blossom Hill. The revolt was carried out with the assistance of a purgative that renders Vann and his household helpless in the throes of diarrhea. The revolt was a failure and Vann punished the participants with savage beatings.

The coming of the Civil War split the Cherokee Nation and produced a secret society of full-bloods called the Keetoowaw, or Nighthawks, who were opposed to slavery. Originally created by a group of some 50 members on the Tuckasegee River, members recognized each other by a pin which they wore in the underside of their lapels. By maintaining their secrecy, they gradually acquired positions of power within the The Secret History of the Cherokees by Debora tribal government. Then, the members Duvall, Murv Jacobs, and James Murray. Indian Territory worked together to subvert pro-slavery Press, 2012. 288 pages. activities.

The large number of Cherokee slave owners found themselves facing a new probJefferson who encourages the Cherokees to lem after the Civil War. Previous slaves who adapt the ways of the white settlers and were now citizens with full rights presented become farmers. (He also advises them to not the Cherokee Nation with a series of legal mingle with the slaves as “no good can come problems that still plague them today. of that.”) Sam Huston shares whiskey with The treatment of Principal Chief John Ross Chief John Jolly while dreaming of becoming in this novel is of special interest. In a recent “King of Mexico.” A young Jesse James rides interview, Author Merv Jacobs said, “John with Quantrill, one of the most murderous Ridge himself was a monster. The more we jayhawkers in the Civil War. studied him, there was no way we could make One of the most enigmatic characters is future Cherokee leaders.

The Secret History of the Cherokees abounds in provocative images of the characters and events that shaped Cherokee history.

Here is a somewhat pompous Thomas

him a nice guy. He was creepy.”

Ross has always been perceived as the man behind the assassination of Major Ridge, his son and Elias Boudinot. In addition, Ross managed to emerge from the Trail of Tears as a wealthy man. In addition, his brother, Louis Ross, became wealthy by acting as the government agent that provided food for the Cherokee people during the Removal. During the Civil War, Louis’ slaves abandoned his plantation, taking most of the expensive furniture with them.

The Secret History of the Cherokees is packed with colorful vignettes that serve as transitions between major events. Especially appealing is a banjo-playing slave named Cassius who manages to be present at the significant times. He is a fictional character, but he serves as a witness to colorful events, from the Slave Rebellion and life on Rich Joe Vann’s river boat to the Trail of Tears and the looting of Louis Vann’s plantation.

In addition, there are delightful quasimyths featuring nubile maidens that frolic in rivers and tempt young Cherokees like Lucky Boy (who ends up married to two sisters).

There are medicine women who can render endangered warriors invisible. Some of these characters die tragically, but their spirit remains with their family as they move on toward a mortal destiny.

I was especially impressed by a group of young Cherokees who live with an awareness of their personal destiny. They know that they are meant to play a major role in the history of their people and they are impatient to do so. Sparrow Hawk (who has an encounter with a foxy Confederate spy named Belle Star) dreams of flying, but his dream remains unfulfilled in this novel. Redbird knows he is meant to serve his people in some significant way, and the young Ned Christie has been told “the Cherokee Nation will know your name.” I know this is true because I have a photo of his “Wanted” poster.

All of this tells the reader that there will be a sequel. Well, I for one hope there will be several.

(Gary Carden is a writer and storyteller who lives in Sylva. He can be reached at gcarden498@aol.com.)

‘Coffee with the Poet’ welcomes Smith The “Coffee with the Poet” series will continue with Western Carolina University English Professor Newton Smith at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 19, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

The series is co-sponsored by the NetWest program of the North Carolina Writers Network and gathers the third Thursday of each month.

828.586.9499.

New Christian novel Local author Laurie Sexton will read and discuss her latest Christian work, Amazing Grace, at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.

The book is an inspirational story of a woman’s battle against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places. In this story, you will see that God’s amazing grace and perfect love can conquer any adversary you might face. Enjoy reading an uplifting tale of courage and faith. www.blueridgebooksnc.com.

Review of provocative memoir Martha Edens Clark’s book, Coming Out Together, will be reviewed by Doug Wingeier at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 18, in the Susan Todd Lounge in the Harrell Center in Lake Junaluska.

Clark was the executive director of Andean Rural Health (now Curamerica, Inc.) in this area in the 1980s. The book’s subtitle is “The Journey of a Gay Minister’s Wife Through Love, Divorce, and Remarriage.” It tells the intimate, moving story of how Martha and her husband, Maurice, much in love and happily married for 32 years, come to terms with the fact the he, a prominent minister in several large churches, was born homosexual, tried to repress it, finally accepted who he really was, and respectfully worked through a mutually amicable resolution in which both eventually found new “soul mates.”

Persons who personally knew Martha during her time in this area are especially urged to attend. All interested in the subject of samegender relationships, in light of the recent Supreme Court decision and the United Methodist General Conference, will also find this an informative and provocative presentation.

Folk School welcomes Hirsch, Mitchell

The Canton Public Library will be partnering with the Asheville chapter of the Harry Potter Alliance to bring you the Harry Potter Trivia Challenge at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, at the library.

Harry Potter fans of all ages are invited to attend this event (and dress in costume if they would like to). There will be Butter Beer ice

ALSO:

• Canton resident, World War II veteran and poet Paul Willis will read from his collection Reflections of a World War II Veteran at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. Willis fought in the hedgerows of Normandy, across Europe and survived the Battle of the Bulge. His poetry reflects his rich personal experiences and his love of history. To reserve copies of the book, please call City Lights Bookstore at 828.586.9499.

• N.C. State English professor Jason Miller will present his book Origins of the Dream: Hughes’s Poetry and King’s Rhetoric at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. For years, some scholars have privately suspected Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech was connected to Langston Hughes’s poetry, and the link between the two was purposefully veiled through careful allusions in King’s orations.

In Origins of the Dream, Miller lifts that veil to demonstrate how Hughes’s revolutionary poetry became a measurable inflection in King’s voice, and that the influence can be found in more than just the one famous speech. 828.586.9499.

Tail Waggin’ Tutor returns to Cashiers The Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library announced the return of the Tail Waggin’ Tutor’s reading hours, which will be at 3:45 p.m. on Tuesdays starting May 17.

Why read to a dog? Well, it’s fun, it’s good practice for beginning readers or kids working on public speaking, and dogs love to hear stories.

What a great way to spend an afternoon, curled up with your favorite story and sharing it with Miss P. She is always ready with a wagging tail and a doggie kiss for readers. Pilar is a certified therapy dog and she and her handler are members of Therapy Dogs International.

828.743.0215.

tragedy, someone remembered the Dumb Supper and what had happened there.

That was the cause of it, they said, because the ritual wasn’t a game after all. It really was magic, but magic has rules, and she broke them. Suddenly thrust into the role of primary caretaker for her family following the tragic death of her husband, Ellie Robbins is appointed to serve out his term as sheriff of their rural Tennessee mountain town. The year is 1936, and her role is largely symbolic, except for the one Sharyn McCrumb task that only a sheriff can do: execute a convicted prisoner.

Dessert and coffee will be available.

Tickets are $10, and may be purchased at all Haywood County Public Library branches, as well as at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.

828.452.5169.

New York Times bestselling author Sharyn McCrumb will speak at the annual Haywood County Friends of the Library meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville.

McCrumb, North Carolina native and award-winning Southern writer, is best known for her Appalachian “Ballad” novels, including the New York Times bestsellers The Ballad of Tom Dooley, The Ballad of Frankie Silver and Ghost Riders.

Newer books by McCrumb include her Revolutionary War novel King’s Mountain and Nora Bonesteel’s Christmas Past, a holiday Ballad novella.

McCrumb, named a Virginia Woman of History by the Library of Virginia, was awarded the Mary Hobson Prize for Arts & Letters in 2014. In addition to presenting programs at universities, libraries and other organizations throughout the U.S., McCrumb has taught a writers workshop in Paris, and served as writer-in-residence at King University in Tennessee and at the Chautauqua Institute in western New York.

Her latest novel, Prayers the Devil Answers, explores the ties between a reluctant female sheriff and a condemned man in this stunning and powerfully written Depression-era novel. Years later, after the

MAY 2016 BASE CAMP PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES

WHITEWATER RAFTING AT NOC MAY 13

Depart: 8 AM • Return: 5 PM Members: $10 Non-Members: $12 Participants need to bring $50 cash on the day of the trip (This covers raft trip cost and tips). Enjoy a morning fully guided rafting trip on the scenic Nantahala River. Bring a snack and plan on enjoying a Dutch Treat lunch at the NOC Outdoor Center.

HIKE CHARLIES BUNION MAY 26

Depart: 7:30 AM Members: $10 Non-Members: $12 The rocky, treeless summit affords panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains, some of the best in the entire park. It's a 4-mile moderate hike (8 miles roundtrip). While you climb more than 1,600 feet in elevation, it's a gradual gain.

Pack a lunch for an amazing picnic spot!

Smoky Mountain News

Do you know Harry Potter?

• Author of the Smoky Mountain Novels, Lin Stepp will present her latest in the series at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. Welcome Back finds Lydia Cunningham returning to the mountains she loves hoping to reestablish a bond with her family. Set in Western North Carolina, there are familiar locales throughout the book including City Lights Bookstore.

828.586.9499.

NYT bestseller to speak in Waynesville

May 11-17, 2016

The N.C. Writers Network West will sponsor The Literary Hour, a program of poetry and prose reading featuring Dr. Eugene Hirsch and Maren O. Mitchell at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown.

Hirsch is a physician who, for many years, has taught human values in patient care, and in dying people, to medical students and doctors. His major interests are people in health and sickness, and poetry. He initiated the writing program at John C. Campbell Folk School in 1992 and, with Nancy Simpson, co-founded NC Writers’ Network West, both in which he has been active. He conducts workshops for interested poets twice a year, as well as Glenda Beall’s Writers Circle.

Mitchell has taught poetry at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, and catalogued at the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. In 2012, she received the first place award for “Excellence in Poetry” from the Georgia Poetry Society. For over 20 years, across five southeastern states, she has taught origami, the Japanese art of paper folding.

The reading is free and open to the public.

cream from The Hop in Asheville and will test your Harry Potter book knowledge with the chance to win Harry Potter themed prizes.

The library is asking attendees to bring a gently used book to donate to the Accio Books campaign. This is a book drive run by the Harry Potter Alliance and all books collected will be sent to Masaka, Uganda as part of an Apparating Library.

828.648.2924 or www.thehpalliance.org/asheville_harry_potter_alliance_chapter.

WAYNESVILLE

PARKS AND RECREATION 828.456.2030 or email tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov

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Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

Rivers and restaurants TV crew falls for Jackson County through its trout, tables and people

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he sun is lowering toward a perfect spring evening as the crew from Fox Sports’ “Anglers & Appetites” pulls onto a gravel patch alongside the Tuckasegee River.

“This is what spring is supposed to feel like,” says the show’s co-host Dave Zelski.

For Zelski, the angler in the show’s title, and Phil Proctor, who represents the “appetites” half, the drive north from Atlanta is half the joy of filming in Jackson County, watching the temperature drop and the humidity fade.

The show’s now in its third season, and this is the third time Proctor and Zelski have made the drive to Jackson with filming in mind. With any luck, they said, they’ll be back again next year. The show often repeats locations from season to season, but Jackson County is the only place they’ve filmed for all three years of the show’s existence.

The reason is simple, Zelski said.

“We’re not running out of material. There are so many fishing spots along the (Western North Carolina Fly Fishing) Trail, and we haven’t even hit them all. But there’s also bass spots,” Zelski said. “And the thing about this show is it’s not just fishing, cooking — we’re also a destination show.”

T

HITTING THE TRIFECTA Jackson County fits the bill. Plenty of water, plenty of quality independent restaurants, and lots do to destination-wise, especially if you like the outdoors.

Zelski does. At least judging by the enthusiasm with which he and Kyle Fronrath, owner of Fontana Guides, waded out thigh-deep to the middle of the river. But not before a short intro segment, in which Zelski had Fronrath explain where they were, what equipment they’d be using and what kind of fish they were after. Zelski asked the questions, Fronrath provided the information, and then Zelski made the suggestion: “How about I quit talking and we start catching?”

“Let’s do it,” Fronrath replied.

This segment was Fronrath’s first time appearing on “Anglers & Appetites.” His name had gotten passed along to Zelski somehow, and Fronrath said he was just excited for the chance to show an audience of 25 million how amazing the fishing is on his hometown river.

The best outcome for this filming session, he said before Zelski and Proctor arrived, would be for them to pull one of the big browns that swims this section of the river.

“But you can’t snap your fingers and make that happen,” Fronrath said.

Maybe not, but the fish seemed in the mood to accommodate. First came a brook trout, then a brown, both moderately sized.

But the third jerk on the line came from a 20inch brown, trophy size. Even standing on the bank, it was easy to see the excitement playing out in the middle of the river.

Though signs of calm pervaded the space

around it. A pair of geese led their five goslings across the river and then sat on the opposite bank to gawk at the wader-clad anglers. A swallow scalloped through the air.

The shadows lengthened and the warm air developed a crisp underbelly.

By the end of the night, the anglers had hit the trifecta — pulling in at least one each rainbow, brown and brook trout. Though they were racing sunset with a 6 p.m. start time, they pulled in at least eight fish using three kinds of artificial lures on a spinning reel.

“I’m happy that they get to see that there’s great trout fishing here in the Tuck,” Fronrath said.

AN EMPHASIS ON RELATIONSHIP Trout fishing certainly abounds in Jackson County. But that’s not the only thing that keeps Zelski and Proctor coming back.

Dave Zelski juggles a big brown trout struggling to escape a photo shoot. Holly Kays photos

Kyle Fronrath (right) of Fontana Guides tells Dave Zelski of Anglers and Appetites (left) about the water they’re preparing to fish.

Watch the show Jackson County’s restaurants and trout waters will appear in two episodes of Anglers & Appetites this summer, scheduled to air in late June or early August, with exact dates yet to be determined.

The show airs across seven states on Fox Sports South and is also available on iTunes.

Of course, there’s the food — Proctor’s domain. Before arriving at the evening’s fishing spot on North River Road, he’d spent the day cooking trout with chefs from City Lights Café, Lulu’s on Main and Guadalupe Café in Sylva. Each chef got to choose their own meal to cook, and Proctor was impressed with the results. They all did trout, but all the dishes came out remarkably different, with fish prepared grilled, fried or in a taco. Proctor had nothing but good things to say about the eating in Jackson County.

“To have all that talent within the same block on Main Street is just amazing,” agreed Nick Breedlove, director of the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority.

But for Proctor and Zelski, the people are a driving force behind the filming experience.

“When we go into an area, it’s not just to do a show,” Proctor said. “We go in to build relationships, and while we’re there we do a show.”

After three seasons of filming, Zelski said, “I feel like I’m getting to know people here.”

Having filmed a session with fishing guide Alex Bell for a previous season, for instance, Zelski tapped the angler to teach his kids how to fly fish. Zelski had no trouble naming off a reel of other film subjects who have become something more like friends than professional acquaintances.

“It’s a business relationship, but it’s turned into a friendship at the same time,” he said.

The emphasis on relationship mirrors Zelski and Proctor’s own evolution into their respective roles as the angler and the appetite.

The two had worked together for years before getting the idea for their current show, collaborating on projects ranging from politics to public affairs to travel. Currently, both shoot for the TLC show “Say Yes to the Dress.”

“I always loved fishing, but I knew I wasn’t a guide,” Zelski said. “Phil was never a professionally trained cook, but he always loved eating.”

Nothing sounded better than fitting those interests together into their own show. And somehow, they made it happen.

“It sounds easy, but it was a lot of work over many years and a lot of investment,” Zelski said, “but eventually it works out.”

It’s a show that runs with a pretty lean crew. Everybody knows how to use the camera, everybody edits. Zelski does most of the writing. A core team of three people puts the whole thing on. Those facts, plus the reality that filming a destination show requires traveling to destinations, mean that the team gets pretty tight.

“When we roll, we roll as a fam-

Birders keep their eyes peeled on an outing led by Don Hendershot. Donated photo

Maggie Valley Community Gardens Maggie Valley United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall

outdoors

Silent Auction and Soup & Cornbread Supper Sat., May 21st, 2016 • 6 - 7:30 pm

Celebrate a Successful Third growing Season!

Proceeds from this event will be used to improve and enhance each of our gardens.

Donations for the Silent Auction are due by May 16th. To request pickup of donated articles or for more information, call Ernestine Upchurch, 828-926-1568, Judi Ferris, 828-743-0156 or Janette Miller, 828-926-9794 or email at givinggardensnc@gmail.com

Glimpse WNC’s winged migrants An excursion to Tessentee Bottomland Preserve on Saturday, May 14, in Macon County, will provide a chance to glimpse the honorees of Migratory Bird Day. Don Hendershot, a naturalist and

columnist for The Smoky Mountain News, will lead the bird walk, with the group meeting at the Big Lots in Franklin at 12:30 p.m. to carpool.

RSVP to 828.524.5234.

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Smoky Mountain News

“The show’s been wildly successful in generating tourism and overnight visits,” he said.

Jackson County’s Fly Fishing Trail, a map showing the best spots to cast a line in the county, is the first and “When we go into an area, it’s not just to do a only fly fishshow,” Proctor said. “We go in to build relation- ing trail in the nation. ships, and while we’re there we do a show.”

Promoting it through tele— Dave Zelski, Anglers & Appetites vision screens playing to 25 million people, Breedlove said, represents had to access for a filming segment. They’ve an amazing opportunity to show people just been to Montana, where Proctor witnessed what Jackson County is all about. the biggest, bluest sky he’d ever seen, and “This further feeds that desire to get out during a trip to Fort Stewart in Georgia of the city,” Breedlove said. “It shows a they got to watch a soldier catch his very more relaxing way of life.” first fish.

During the four days that the team spent “Reality shows, they sell. People like in Jackson, they got more than a taste of that them, that’s great. Our show is real,” way of life — and more than enough fish to Proctor said. brag about on the end of the line. With any luck, they’ll be back again next year.

POTLIGHT ON ACKSON “That’s our goal, coming back for season four bigger and better,” Proctor said. “The Real also is the spotlight the show has whole concept of fishing and eating and brought to Jackson County’s treasure trove cooking — it’s American. People like that.” of angling opportunity, Breedlove said. ily,” Proctor said.

They have rolled all over. Last time they were here, Proctor said, it was nearly over the side of a mountain, a remote area that was about as hard to get to as anywhere he’s

Sat. May 14th

May 11-17, 2016

Litter pick-up will get an entertaining twist at the Jonathan Creek Clean-up, beginning 9:30 a.m.

Saturday, May 21, at the Maggie Valley Town Hall.

Volunteer trash collectors will go out in teams, with prizes going to the team that finds the strangest piece of trash as well as to the team that collects the most rubbish. Close-toed shoes required. 828.926.0866.

2016 Strawberry Jam SAVE THE FARM-Raiser

newsdesk crafts

Give a hand in getting rid of invading plant species along Richland Creek from noon to 2 p.m.

Friday, May 13, at Vance Street Park in Waynesville.

These non-native plants strangle native species and provide less food for wildlife. Haywood Waterways Association will lead the charge to get rid of species like Japanese knotweed, multiflora rose and oriental bittersweet from the banks of Richland.

Equipment and pizza lunch will be provided. RSVP by 5 p.m. May 12 to Christine O’Brien, 828.476.4667 or Christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com.

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outdoors May 11-17, 2016

Trail mapping project earns award for tribal member A Cherokee woman received recognition from the environmental organization Wild South for her tireless work with a project to map original Cherokee trails and ensure that the land is preserved for future generations.

Robin Swayney, program manager at the Qualla Public Library, received Wild South’s Cultural Heritage award after eight years of collaboration with the organization to gather key historical records from archives across the country, preserving them Robin Swayney.

Donated photo in the library for the Cherokee community to access. Lamar Marshall and Paige Tester, both of Wild South, worked with Swayney on the project.

So far, the program has mapped and protected 122 miles of Cherokee trails on public land, affecting 40,000 acres of culturally significant land in the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests.

“Robin is a terrific asset to the Eastern Band in regards to helping hundreds of members to search out their history and family genealogies,” Marshall said. “But her greatest contribution is working every day with the children who come to the library. To paraphrase Russ Townsend of the Tribal Historic Preservation office, ‘If Cherokee cultural heritage is to survive, it can only do so in the hearts and minds of the young people.’”

Swayney, an enrolled member, is also cofounder of the Qualla Boundary Historical Society and a weekly genealogical class for tribal members. www.wildsouth.org.

Get the cheat sheet to buy local

Learn to cook healthy, fast and cheap

Growing season has arrived in Western North Carolina, and the new Local Food Guide from the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project is out to guide you toward the best sources of local food.

The guide includes listings of family farms, farmers markets, restaurants, grocers, artisan foods, lodging and travel destinations featuring local products, as well as stories and features of people making a positive difference in the food system.

The free guides are distributed in every WNC county, with a list of distribution points at www. asapconnections.org.

A four-part cooking series aimed at teaching how to prepare simple, healthy meals for a family — while also stretching the dollar — will begin 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 12, at the Haywood Cooperative Extension Office.

Subsequent sessions will be held on Thursdays May 19, June 2 and June 9, taught by the office’s family and consumer sciences extension agent Julie Sawyer. $25, with RSVP needed by the end of the day Wednesday, May 11. julie_sawyer@ncsu.edu.

Strawberry festival coming to Bryson

bluegrass music and learn how to clog — with hayrides, storytelling and fishing also part of the day. Musicians and vendors are invited to participate as well.

Organized in partnership with Swain County Cooperative Extension. Darnell Farms is located at 2300 Governors Island Road. 828.488.3848 for extension or 828.736.8047 to participate as a vendor or musician.

Trade towards a more diverse garden Swap your starter plants for something different at the Seed Library Plant Exchange, to be held 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, May 13, at the Waynesville Library Auditorium.

Drop in to see the interesting plants others are growing, and share the extra starter plants from your seed trays. Kathy Olsen, 828.356.2507.

A day celebrating strawberries and springtime on a family farm will be offered Saturday, May 21, at Darnell Farms in Bryson City.

The Strawberry Jam festival will give participants a chance to pick their own strawberries, watch Teamster horses plow the soil at Darnell teamster horses Farms near Bryson City. plow a field, hear

Go gourmet on the trail A tutorial in preparing gourmet meals on the trail will help backpackers get ready for the culinary side of adventuring with a program 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, at REI in Asheville.

The class will break down food by its components to change the way you plan and prepare your next camping feast. Combine that information with the right tools, and a campsite can become as versatile as a kitchen. Free. Register at www.rei.com/learn.html.

Diane E. Sherrill, Attorney

Is a Will Enough?

Smoky Mountain News

FREE LUNCHEON SEMINAR

May 11 & June 15 11:30 AM

Best Western River Escape Inn Dillsboro • Reservation Suggested

828.586.4051

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Closure of some trails will soon take effect in DuPont State Recreational Forest to protect the blue ghost firefly, a unique insect whose mating season is coming up.

The blue ghost gives off a unique display of blue light during its three-week mating season in late spring, and forest managers saw large nighttime crowds visit the forest to spot them last year, possibly delivering long-term impacts to the firefly population.

The trail closures, centered at the High Falls Access Area, will take place from mid-May

through early June to offer the blue ghosts some protection.

The Friends of DuPont Forest supports the trail closures and has suspended its annual guided tours of the insects.

The blue ghost is a different firefly species than the synchronous firefly, which has been responsible for large crowds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Trail closures will be posted at forest kiosks, the forest’s visitor center and online at ncforestservice.gov/Contacts/dsf.htm.

outdoors

DuPont trails to close for blue ghost firefly protection

DuPont State Recreational Forest.

Hot Springs fire contained The verdict is in on a fire that had been blazing for two weeks near Hot Springs — after burning 5,964 acres, the fire was declared fully contained on May 4.

Rainfall over the preceding weekend had helped extinguish remaining host spots in the Silver Mine Fire, which was reported April 21, with all area trails now open.

However, some U.S. Forest Service roads may be still closed as fire line repair work is completed.

Forest Service specialists will work to restore the area where high-intensity burns created risk of erosion or invasion by nonnative plants. Areas that burned with low to moderate intensity will likely benefit, allowing for increased wildlife forage.

The western part of the state is currently in a moderate drought, meaning that caution is vital when managing any type of flame.

Smoky Mountain News

After two years of closure, Hanging Dog Campground in Cherokee County has reopened through a collaborative effort between the county and the Tusquitee Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest.

The closure took effect in 2014 due to increases in operating cost and decreases in use and funding. Cherokee County worked with the U.S. Forest Service to get the campground ready to reopen and will help maintain it during the season. This year will be a trial period to determine whether it’s feasible to keep the campground open in future years.

“We hope that people who loved camping at Hanging Dog will come back and the reopening will attract new campers,” said Angela Gee, district ranger. “With the county’s partnership and more user demand, we’re optimistic that we can keep this campground open.”

The Hanging Dog Recreation Area, of which the campground is part, also includes a variety of hiking and biking trails that have remained open.

May 11-17, 2016

Hanging Dog Campground reopens on trial basis

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May 11-17, 2016

outdoors

Get out and run for a cause When the leaves are green and the air is fresh, nothing feels finer than putting on a pair of running shoes and seeing how your stride fares against the competition. And with causes ranging from scholarship funds to malaria prevention to brain tumor research, there’s no shortage of good reasons to get running this spring.

■ Help Fairview School fly high at the third annual Flyin’ Eagle 5K Run/Walk, starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 14, at Fairview School in Sylva. Proceeds will benefit the school’s PTA, which supports activities and programs for students. $20 pre-registration and $25 day-of beginning at 7:30 a.m. Sign up at the school.

828.586.2819 or www.jcps.k12.nc.us/Schools/FES. ■ The Ashleigh Moore Memorial Scholarship 5K will begin at 10 a.m.

Saturday, May 14, on Siler Farm Road in Franklin. This inaugural 5K honors the memory of a 16-year-old who passed away from leukemia and aims to raise scholarship money to be awarded to a local student. $20 to $25. www.active.com or 9 a.m. race day registration. Devon Smith, 828.371.1344 or devjadsmit@hotmail.com.

■ Round up your craziest glow wear for the Lake J 5K Night Glow Run/Walk, beginning at 8:45 p.m. Friday, May 20, at

Clyde Elementary School. Kids activities with prizes will start at 7:30 a.m., when walk-up registration opens. Proceeds support the missions group at Lake Junaluska First Baptist Church. $15 kids; $35 adults. www.active.com.

■ The Run for the Park 5K will take off at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 28, in Highlands’ Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park for the second year in a row. Sponsored by Mountaintop Rotary and the Highlands Roadrunners Club, the event will benefit the park and local athletic scholarships.

Pre-registration is $10 to $30, depending on age, with fees bumping up $5 on race day, when registration will start at 7:45 p.m. www.active.com. Skip Taylor, 828.526.4280 or stmas4280@gmail.com.

■ Blood-covered zombies will give racers a reason to run at the Zombie 5K and Fun Run, beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 4, at the Kituwah/Ferguson field in Cherokee. The run, now in its second year, aims to raise money for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, which is involved in childhood brain tumor research. $15 kids; $20 adults, with prices increasing $5 day of. Amorie Gunter, 828.788.3367.

■ Take a morning run around Lake Junaluska to fight malaria worldwide with the WNCC Emory Club 5K — Imagine No Malaria, at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 16. The run will begin from the Stuart Auditorium, with $25 registration before May 29 and $30 registration day-of beginning at 7 a.m. www.imathlete.com.

Kevin Fitzgerald jogs along the route at the Gateway to the Smokies Half Marathon in Waynesville. Donated photo

Running and cycling races take to the streets Watch out for runners and cyclists on the roads of Western North Carolina this weekend, with two large events delivering groups of non-motorized travelers to the region’s byways on Saturday, May 14.

■ The Gateway to the Smokies Half Marathon will start at 7:30 a.m. on Main Street in Waynesville, winding all around town before finishing up at Frog Level Historic District midmorning. Registration is still open. www.smokieshalfmarathon.com.

■ The Tour de Cashiers, a cycling race with routes of 25 to 100 miles in the Cashiers area, will begin at 8 a.m. from the Village Green Commons in Cashiers. Register at www.tourdecashiers.com.

Get started on a bicycle with Bike Haywood A short bike ride geared to new or inexperienced cyclists will head out from Clyde in Haywood County on Saturday, May 21.

The goal of the ride will be to improve skills, awareness and confidence on the road. It will be led by members of BicycleHaywoodNC, a chapter of the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club. Follow-up rides will be scheduled to further develop competency. bobclarklaw@gmail.com.

Bike ride raises money for healthcare

Smoky Mountain News

A ride in support of the Good Samaritan Clinic in Sylva raised more than $2,000 this spring, money that will go directly toward providing healthcare to neighbors in need of a boost.

The Good Samaritan Cycle ride was held in April, drawing support from a variety of participants as well as the Western Carolina University Cycling Club, whose members rode a total of 627 minutes in honor of the 627 patients the clinic served in 2015.

Donations are still open at www.goodsamcares.org/donate.

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Celebrate the best of Gorges State Park A daylong celebration at Gorges State Park will provide everything from presentations on falconry and black bears to local folklore, live music and food vendors from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 14.

Gorges Gratitude Days includes a full day of activities, including a nature stroll, a guided hike down the Foothills Trail, a falconry demonstration, a geology program and a showing of the video “Saving the Best,” which celebrates the centennial ofNorth Carolina State Parks. There will be

live music throughout the day.

A roster of vendors representing everything from outdoors gear to photography to conservation organizations will be present throughout.

Free. All programs will start in the visitor center auditorium. Hourly door prizes will be given. Sponsored by Friends of Gorges State Park.

Gorges State Park is located on the border of Jackson and Transylvania counties near Sapphire. 828.966.9099, ext. 203 or ej.dwigans@ncparks.gov.

See the outdoors calendar at the back of the paper for more programs at Gorges State Park.

WNC Calendar COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • A grant workshop for Haywood County non-profits is scheduled for 8-9:45 a.m. on May 11 at the Haywood County Agricultural Center in Waynesville. Please RSVP to George Ivey at 712.6474 or georgedivey@gmail.com.

Presented by the Fund for Haywood County and the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. www.FundforHaywoodCounty.org.

• A job fair is scheduled for 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, at the Haywood County Schools Conference Center next to the Folkmoot Building in Hazelwood. Hosted by Haywood Community Learning Center. 454.6590.

• A law enforcement memorial service is scheduled for noon on Friday, May 13, at the Macon County Courthouse Square in Franklin. Guest speaker is Mike Anderson, deputy director of North Carolina Center for Safer Schools. Presented by Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 81, Macon and Jackson Counties.

• Foundation Forward, Inc., will host an awards ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 13, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva to announce winners of gradespecific contests for art, reading and writing. www.chartersoffreedom.com.

• Haywood Community College’s spring graduation ceremonies are scheduled for 4:30 p.m. (health and human services department) and 7:30 p.m. (arts, sciences and natural resources department and business and industry department) on May 13. 627.4500 or www.haywood.edu.

• The Smoky Mountain Roller Girls will host their second home doubleheader at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, to support Swain County Relay for Life. Tickets are $5 in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com or $7 at the door. Children under five get in free.

• Western Carolina University, along with several state and regional emergency response agencies, will conduct a disaster preparedness exercise on the Cullowhee campus Tuesday, May 17. 227.7122.

• An iPad Aircraft Navigation System will be discussed

by John Duncan at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 17, at a meeting of the Aviation Historical Society at the Macon County Airport near Franklin. aeroscribbler@gmail.com or 506.5869.

• A former staff drop-in and walk down memory lane for former Central Elementary School staff is scheduled for Wednesday, May 18, at the Central Elementary Library. RSVP by May 16: 456.2405.

• A Harry Potter Trivia Challenge is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18, at the Canton Library. 648.2924 or www.thehpalliance.org/asheville_ harry_potter_alliance_chapter.

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

Baptist Church at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 24. Potluck to follow.

• Western Carolina University is accepting nominations for the Mountain Heritage Award, an honor bestowed annually on one individual and one organization playing a prominent role in researching, preserving and/or interpreting Southern Appalachian history, culture and issues. Nominations for the awards will be accepted through Thursday, June 30. Nomination letters may be hand-delivered to the Mountain Heritage Center at its new location in the Hunter Library building, Room 240; mailed to Mountain Heritage Center, 1 University Drive, Cullowhee N.C. 28723; or emailed to Pam Meister at pameister@wcu.edu.

• Western Carolina University is offering a program called WCU Road Works to organization, communities that need a place to perform a self -contained event.

Any interested community or organization that wants to book a production should select a date and contact the College of Fine and Performing Arts at 227.7028 to receive a confirmation sheet to detail information about the performance site.

• Coloring Club will be hosted on the second Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m. at Canton Library.

Color pencils and color pages supplied. For ages 8 to 108. 648.2924.

• Beginners Chess Club is held on Fridays at 4 p.m. at the Canton Public Library. Ages 8-108 invited to participate. 648.2924.

• Oconaluftee Indian Village is now opened for the 2016 season, located next to the Oconaluftee Visitors Center in Cherokee. Witness the challenges of Cherokee life at a time of rapid cultural change. Tour guides help you explore the historic events and figures of the 1760’s.

Visitors can interact with villagers as they participate in their daily activities. The village also hosts live reenactments, interactive demonstrations, and hands-on Cherokee pottery for kids classes. The village is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. www.visitcherokeenc.com.

• Qualla Boundary Historical Society meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Everyone is welcome.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • A Podcast Basics class will be offered by the Jackson County Public Library at 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, in Sylva. Class will be taught by library staffers Tim Tweed and Laura Chapman. 586.2016.

• The Western North Carolina Civil War Round Table will feature a presentation by Michael Block, vice president of Friends of Cedar Mountain, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, at the H.F. Robinson Auditorium at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Presentation title: “Lefty Sword, Five Friends, and a Beauty Ever Born on the Soil of Old Dominion.” 648.2488.

• An accelerated phlebotomy certificate program will be offered by Southwestern Community College starting May 12 at the Jackson Campus. Classes meet from noon-4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. $185 plus books, insurance, background checks, immunizations, drug screening and uniforms. Clinicals are from June 20-July 29. Register and get info: 339.4426 or ldowns@southwesterncc.edu.

• The Old Armory will host an indoor flea market from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, in Waynesville.

456.9207.

• Connect Up WNC business networking meeting is from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18, at City Bakery. 316.8761 or wayne@woodmen.org.

• “Back Porch Old-Time Music Jam,” two hours of traditional Appalachian music at 2 p.m. on May 21 at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Visitors with an acoustic instrument to play are welcome to join this old-time jam.

• A creative business plan series, offered by Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center, will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Thursdays through May 26. Each seminar is aimed at addressing needs and challenges of craft artists who have, or are thinking about starting, a business. Registration required: www.southwesterncc.edu/sbc. Info: t_henry@southwesterncc.edu or 339.4211.

• Mary Ann Enloe, former Hazelwood mayor, will offer a presentation on Haywood County history at Hazelwood

Smoky Mountain News

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • The Annual Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser for Nantahala Hiking Club is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, May 13, at First Presbyterian Church’s Tartan Hall in Franklin. $6 per person; bring your own dishes, silverware and a dessert to share.

• The Haywood County 4-H Bulls Eye Shooting Sports Club will host a benefit car show, BBQ dinner, and bluegrass music fundraiser from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at the Haywood Community College High Tech Center. Registration to participate in the car show is $10. To register, call 400.6070. For info about the fundraiser or Haywood County 4-H, call 456.3575.

• Library Fundraising Party is scheduled for 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, May 15. Cork & Bean. Heavy hors d’ouevres and wine tasting; giveaways; Liz Nance music.

• A fund-raising party for a new Marianna Black Library is scheduled for 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, May 15, at Cork & Bean Bistro at the Everett Hotel in Bryson City. Heavy hors d’Ouevres, various wines, music by singer-songwriter Liz Nance, raffle for two one-night stays at the Everett Hotel. Tickets: $45. Tickets available at Marianna Black Library and Friends of the Library Used Bookstore in Bryson City.

• Swain County Public Schools Foundation Fundraiser is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday May 18, at Pasqualino’s Restaurant. Dinner will honor scholarship recipients. Tickets for sale at the school administration office for $25. Prime rib or vegetarian option.

• Cartoogechaye Christian Fellowship will hold a craft fair and auto show from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on May 21 at Memorial United Methodist Church in Franklin. Proceeds will fund CCF community projects. Bake sale, crafts, antique cars on display, sale items, hot dog and hamburger dinners, $50 cash prize drawing for car show participants and door prizes. Artists, crafters and antique auto enthusiasts interested in participating must call 369.5834 by May 18.

• The Bryson City Lions will hold a wine-tasting fundraiser for the visually impaired, seniors and the needy from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, May 20, at Country Traditions Wine and Gourmet Market in Dillsboro. $10 donation collected at the door. Five wines will be served

by Michael from Empire Distributors. Snacks provided.

Ten percent of sales also go to the club. Info: 586.1600.

• Haywood Healthcare Foundation will host Casino Night on May 21 at Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville. A portion of proceeds provides defibrillators for Haywood County law enforcement vehicles as well as to support Children Exposed to Violence. Tickets are $100 each. Sponsorship info and reservations available at HaywoodHealthcareFoundation.org or by calling 452.8343.

• Maggie Valley Community Gardens will hold a Silent Auction and Soup and Cornbread Supper from 6-7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, at the Maggie Valley United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Proceeds benefit the group’s gardening efforts. Info: 926.1568, 743.0156 or 926.9794.

• A seed money fundraiser is underway to benefit the new Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. The library furnishings fund receives 50 percent of sales receipts for each packet sold directly or 25 percent sold at SowTrueSeed.com; use the code MBL2016. 488.3030, ext. 128, jdelfield@fontanalib.org.

• Birdhouse Bash, an opportunity to create or decorate birdhouses for charity, is underway throughout April.

Presented by Daydreamz project and Open Door Community Gardeners. Birdhouses will be auctioned off through a silent auction during “The Whole Bloomin’ Thing” festival on May 7 in Waynesville. Drop off birdhouses between 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Monday through

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Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: ■ Complete listings of local music scene ■ Regional festivals ■ Art gallery events and openings ■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers ■ Civic and social club gatherings Saturday at the Second Blessing Thrift Store in Frog Level of Waynesville. Info: 476.4231 or 734.1570.

VOLUNTEERS • Volunteer Opportunities are available throughout the region, call John at the Haywood Jackson Volunteer Center today and get started sharing your talents. Some specific opportunities Meals on Wheels, singers and dancers for performing at nursing home tutors at Southwestern Community college and much more.

356.2833 • Phone Assurance Volunteers are needed to make daily or weekly wellness check-in calls for the Haywood County Senior Resource Center. 356.2816.

VENDORS • The town of Dillsboro will be hosting arts and craft shows open to vendors from the surrounding region.

Saturday, Aug. 20 — The Dillsboro Summer Arts & Crafts Market showcases local art and fine crafts, with a focus on family and children activities. Application due by June 1. Saturday, Oct. 1 — The 8th annual ColorFest will line Front Street with colorful art and fine crafts. Application due by July 1. Vendors may apply for these shows by downloading an application from the town’s website, www.visitdillsboro.org or directly from www.visitdillsboro.org/specialevents.html. For more information, call Connie Hogan at 586.3511.

HEALTH MATTERS • Macon County Cancer support Group meets at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, in the cafeteria of Angel Medical Center in Franklin. 369.9221.

• MemoryCare Family Caregiver Education Program “Caregiver College” – a series of six two-hour lectures for caregivers of persons with memory disorders, meets from 3:30-5:30 p.m. each Tuesday from May 17-June 21 at Maple Leaf Adult Day in Waynesville. Cost: $85, free to caregivers actively enrolled in MemoryCare; scholarship opportunities available. To register: 771.2219 or office@memorycare.org.

• A monthly grief support group sponsored by The Medaitation Center meets at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at The Meditation Center at 894 East Main Street in Sylva. Info: www.meditatewnc.org or 356.1105.

• Inner Guidance from an Open Heart will meet from 68 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at The Meditation Center at 894 East Main Street in Sylva.

Info: www.meditate-wnc.org or 356.1105.

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

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

• Angel Medical Center’s diabetes support group meets

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at 4 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the AMC dining room. 369.4166.

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

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

• A Men’s Night Out will take place at 6:30 p.m. on the third floor of the hospital.

events are July 21-24 with a minimum guaranteed prize pool of $50,000. Info: www.iplaycornhole.com/cobs or info@iplaycornhole.com.

• A lunch-and-learn seminar on nutrition for bone health will be offered by Haywood Regional Medical Center Osteoporosis team from noon-1:30 p.m. on Monday, May 23. For info on nutrition or developing an individualized meal plan, call dietitian Lauren Teague at 452.8092.

POLITICAL

on the first Wednesday of each month at The Meditation Center at 894 E. Main St. in Sylva. www.meditate-wnc.org or 356.1105.

• The Democratic Women of Jackson County and Jackson County’s Issues Roundtable are co-sponsoring a Town Hall, featuring Rick Bryson and Tom Hill, at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, at the Family Resource Center in Webster.

• A free, weekly grief support group will meet from 12:30-2 p.m. on Thursdays at the SECU Hospice House in Franklin. 692.6178 or mlee@fourseasonscfl.org.

• The Democratic Cherokee Whittier precinct meets at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, at Birdtown Gym in Cherokee.

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

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

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

THE SPIRITUAL SIDE • Time to Unite prayer session is set for 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, at the Maggie Valley Pavilion. Open prayer for local residents, community and business leaders and local, state and national political leaders.

• An iPhone/iPad user group meets from 2:15-3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, at the Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. Register: 356.2800.

KIDS & FAMILIES • Crazy 8s Math Club for grades 3-5 is scheduled for 3:30-4:30 p.m. each Monday through May 23 at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. cdando@fontanalib.org or 524.3600.

• Tail Waggin’ Tutor returns to the Albert Carlton Cashiers Community Library at 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons starting May 17. Therapy dog Pilar is available to be read to. 743.0215.

• The “Come Paint with Charles Kidz Program” will be at 4 p.m. May 12 at the Charles Heath Gallery in Bryson City. $20 per child. Materials and snacks included. 538.2054.

• Kids Zumba four-week class is at 3 p.m. on Thursdays June 2-23 at the Jackson County Recreation Center. Register by May 31. $25 for members; $35 for nonmembers. 293.3053. www.thebascom.org.

KIDS MOVIES • “The Lion King” will be shown for free at noon and 2 p.m. on Saturdays throughout May at the Strand in Waynesville.

• “Where Do I Place My Trust?” will be the topic at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 15, at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Franklin.

RECREATION AND FITNESS

May 11-17, 2016

• The Ashleigh Moore Memorial Scholarship 5K will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, on Siler Farm Road in Franklin. This inaugural 5K honors the memory of a 16-year-old who passed away from leukemia and aims to raise scholarship money to be awarded to a local student. $20 to $25. www.active.com or 9 a.m. race day registration. Devon Smith, 828.371.1344 or devjadsmit@hotmail.com.

• Registration is underway for an Open Adult Summer Soccer League through the Haywood County Recreation and Parks Department’s Open. Deadline is May 19. $390 per team. Games are June 6-July 31 at Allens Creek Park. 452.6789, drtaylor@haywoodnc.net or www.haywoodnc.net.

• The Lake J 5K Night Glow Run/Walk begins at 8:45 p.m. on Friday, May 20, at Clyde Elementary School.

Kids activities with prizes will start at 7:30 a.m., when walk-up registration opens. Proceeds support the missions group at Lake Junaluska First Baptist Church. $15 kids; $35 adults. www.active.com.

• A short bike ride geared to new or inexperienced cyclists will leave Clyde on Saturday, May 21. Led by BicycleHaywoodNC members. bobclarklaw@gmail.com.

Smoky Mountain News

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

• Registration is underway for Appalachian Dance Class 101, which will be offered at Folkmoot in Waynesville. Instruction on square dance formation and basic flat-foot and clogging styles unique to Haywood County will be provided by Kim Rose, director of the J. Creek Cloggers. Four-week classes cost $40 and are offered from 6-7 p.m. at the Folkmoot Community Center. Classes start May 17 for Ages 16up. Register: 452.2997 or elizabeth@folkmoot.org.

• Jackson County Cooperative Extension’s May Craft Club is all about Card Making with stamped card maker, crafter and instructor Candy Myers from 10 a.m.-noon on Thursday, May 19. Cost is $7. Info and registration: 586.4009.

• The third cornhole qualifying event for the 2016 Championships of Bags (COBS) will be held on May 21.

It’s part of a Qualifying Series for players to earn points and automatic bids into big cash tournaments. Last 46 Qualifying Series date is June 11. The championship

A&E

AUTHORS AND BOOKS • Poet and novelist Fred Chappell will read and sign his new fantasy novel A Shadow All of Light at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 13, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

586.9499.

• Local author Laurie Sexton will read from and discuss her new Christian novel “Amazing Grace” at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville. www.blueridgebooksnc.com.

• N.C. State English professor Jason Miller will present his book Origins of the Dream: Hughes’s Poetry and King’s Rhetoric at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. 586.9499.

• Canton resident, World War II veteran and poet Paul Willis will read from his collection Reflections of a World War II Veteran at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.To reserve copies of the book, please call City Lights Bookstore at 586.9499.

• KAKALAK’s 2016 poetry and art contests will close May 15. A separate contest is held for best cover art.

Additional information, including contest guidelines and a description of contest fees and awards, may be found online at Main Street Rag Publishing Company’s website, www.mainstreetrag.com.

• Doug Wingeier will review “Coming Out Together: The Journey of a Gay Minister’s Wife Through Love, Divorce and Remarriage” at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 18, in the Susan Todd Lounge of the Harrell Center at Lake Junaluska.

• Nine authors who have written about the Appalachian outdoors will participate in the third annual Writers on the Rock from 1-4 p.m. on May 22 at Chimney Rock State Park. Chimneyrockpark.com.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES • Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina – an effort to help area residents commit to a healthier lifestyle, will meet from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville.

• Haywood County Senior Resource Center is looking into starting a weekly Euchre Card Group. If interested, contact Michelle Claytor at mclaytor@mountainprojects.org or 356.2800.

FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS • The 14th annual Thunder in the Smokies Rally is May 13-15 in Maggie Valley. Nightly concerts, Swimsuit USA International Spring Finals, bike shows, games, vendors and tour ride on Blue Ridge Parkway.

Info: http://handlebarcorral.com/springrally.

•A Strawberry Jam festival is set for Saturday, May 21, at Darnell Farms in Bryson City. Hayrides, storytelling and fishing. Pick strawberries and listen to bluegrass music. Musicians or vendors interested in participating can call 736.8047.

• Bluegrass Festival is from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, on Stecoah Valley Center’s outdoor stage. Arts, crafts and food vendors.

FOOD & DRINK • A wine tasting will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. May 14 at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. $5 per person. www.papouswineshop.com or 586.6300.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. May 14 at Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville. www.waynesvillewine.com or 452.0120.

• A wine tasting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. May 4 and 11 The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Free with dinner ($15 minimum). 452.6000.mother • There will be a “Tasty Tuesday: Winter Seasonals” at 7 p.m. on May 10 and 17 at Mad Anthony’s Bottle Shop & Beer Garden.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • Brasstown Ringers will present a “Salute to America” concert at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 13, at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown. 837.8822.

• Joe Cruz performs music of the Beatles, Elton John, James Taylor and Simon & Garfunkel at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 13, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. 452.6000.

• Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) concert honor-

ing the late Trevor Stuart, founder and instructor in the JAM program in Haywood County, at 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 14, at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. Featured performers include current JAM students and teachers (Travis Stuart, Cary Fridley, and Robby Robertson), Helena Hunt, Jimmy Burnett, Julie Shepherd-Powell and Adrian Powell, Rayna Gellert, and Bruce and Loy Greene. Wayne Martin, the executive director of the North Carolina Arts Council, will also attend and play. Tickets are available for $20 pre-sale or $25 at the door. Proceeds will go to the JAM program. They can be purchased at the Haywood County Arts Council at 86 North Main Street in Waynesville or by calling 452.0593. www.haywoodarts.org.

• Nashville Touring Artist Lacy Green performs at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. $7. 452.6000.

• The Waynesville Public Library will host the Blue Ridge Big Band (jazz/swing) at 3 p.m. May 14. Free. www.facebook.com/theblueridgebigband.

• Triple Threat dance academy will hit the stage with their musical theatre show “Annie Jr.” at 6 p.m. May 14 in the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

• Rock act Halestorm will perform at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 14, at Harrah’s Cherokee. For tickets: www.harrahscherokee.com.

• The Haywood Community Band opens its season at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 15, at the Maggie Valley Community Pavilion. “Music Selections by the Three Conductors” is the evening program. Supported by a grant from the Haywood County Arts Council and the N.C. Arts Council.

• A presentation of Ken Ludwig’s “The Game’s Afoot” by the Highlands Cashiers Players will be on stage starting Thursday, May 19, at the Highlands Performing Arts Center. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on May 19-22 and May 26-29 with Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. 526.8084 or http://highlandscashiersplayers.org.

• Joe Cruz performs music of the Beatles, Elton John, James Taylor and Simon & Garfunkel at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 20, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. 452.6000.

• The Russ Wilson Trio performs swing, jazz and blues at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. 452.6000.

• Tickets are on sale now for a show by Rascal Flatts, which performs at 9 p.m. on Friday, May 27, at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Event Center.

800.745.3000.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • The Adult Coloring Group will meet at 2 p.m. on Fridays in the Living Room of the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. An afternoon of creativity and camaraderie. Supplies are provided, or bring your own.

Beginners are welcome as well as those who already enjoy this new trend. kmoe@fontanalib.org or 828.524.3600.

• “The William Holland Thomas Scotts Creek Store Ledgers, 1832-1855, is the topic for the Jackson County Genealogical Society’s May program, which will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, in the Community room in the courthouse wing of the Jackson County Library in Sylva. Refreshments and discussion at 6:30 p.m. 631.2646.

• Paint Nite Waynesville will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 13, at the Panacea Coffeehouse. Grab a cup of coffee, glass of wine or pint of craft beer and get creative. $20 per person. Group rates available. Sign up at Panacea or call host Robin Smathers at 828.400.9560. paintnitewaynesville@gmail.com.

• A caregiver education class on “Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in the Aging” will be offered at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 13, at the Senior

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Real Estate Resource CHECK OUT SMOKY MOUNTAIN HOMES ONLINE!

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May 11-17, 2016

Haywood County’s

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www.MountainHomesNow.com

Resource Center in Waynesville. Led by Leslie Lawson, LRT/CTRS, QMHP. Register at the center or call 356.2800.

• The Taste of Home Cooking School is returning to the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, in Franklin. Two-hour demonstration starts at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 4 p.m. to allow attendees to visit booths hosted by local vendors. Tickets: $17. Tickets: 866.273.4615 or GreatMountainMusic.com.

• Gayle Woody will host a miniature printmaking workshop at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, in the Atrium of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

586.2016.

• Blacksmithing courses taught by Brock Martin at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro will include the following: Bladesmithing: Seax Knife Class — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 14-15 and Viking Axe Making — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 18-19. For more information of these workshops, class fees, the JCGEP, and more, click on www.jcgep.org.

• Lens Luggers will meet at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11, at the Waynesville Old Armory and car pool to field venues as part of the spring field photography program led by Bob Grytten. Each shoot is $45. The group will also meet every other Tuesday to discuss the morning sessions and to review participants’ images. Each session is $15. Info about the association: www.lensluggerworld.com and http://bobgrytten.com. Reservations: 627.0245 or bobgry@aol.com.

• Registration is underway for Cuttlefish Casting, a jewelry metal-casting workshop that will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at Haywood Community College in Clyde. Fee of $103 includes supplies. Register by May 7: 565.4240.

• A one-day Marketing Summer Summit will be offered for current and future business owners from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, at Southwestern Community College’s Jackson Campus. Organized by SCC’s Small Business Center. Registration required: www.southwesterncc.edu/sbc. Info: t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

• Registration is underway for a three-day Blacksmithing for Jewelers workshop, which will be held from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday through Tuesday, May 22-24, at Haywood Community College in Clyde.

Fee of $352 includes supplies. Register by May 6: 565.4240.

• Registration is underway for “Blacksmithing for Jewelers: Hammer and Heat,” which is presented by Haywood Community College Continuing Education Creative Arts. Led by Elizabeth Brim, an instructor at Penland School of Crafts, the class runs from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on May 22-24. Registration deadline is May 6. 565.4125 or CreativeArts.Haywood.edu.

• Artist and jeweler Sarah Rachel Brown will be holding a class at Haywood Community College in Clyde.

“Introduction to Lost Wax Casting: Carved Band Rings” will explore the fundamentals of the lost wax

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES • Acrylic paintings by 94-year-old Denise McCullough and photographs by Helen Geltman are on display through August at the Canton Library’s Visual Arts Exhibit. www.haywoodarts.org.

• An exhibition entitled “This is a Photograph: Exploring Contemporary Applications of Photographic Chemistry” is on display at Penland School of Crafts near Spruce Pine. 765.6211 or penland.org/gallery.

• An art reception featuring the work of Macon County resident Krista Skrede is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, in the Macon County Public Library’s Meeting Room in Franklin. Skrede’s multidimensional compositions, photography and fabric art are on display throughout May. 524.3600.

• An art exhibition by James Smythe will open with a reception from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, May 13, at Signature Brew in Sylva. Exhibition is on display through June 9.

• A nature-based sculpture project launched by Western Carolina University’s Fine Art Museum will feature outdoors art while promoting discussion of sustainability and aesthetics through Saturday, May 21, on the university’s multi-use trail. Work is by artists Walker Tufts, Greg Stewart and Aislinn Penetecost-Farrin. www.wcu.edu/museum, ddrury@wcu.edu or 227.2550. For info about the Sustainable Energy Initiative, visit energy.wcu.edu, email lbishop@wcu.edu or 227.3562.

• A showcase of work from painter Lucien Harris III will run through May 22 at The Bascom in Highlands.

The works will be exhibited for free. www.thebascom.org.

• New artist and medium will be featured every month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

FILM & SCREEN • Adult movie time, 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Jackson County Public Library. Call for title of movie.

586.2016.

• The films “Deadpool” (May 12) and “Joy” (May 1314) will be shown at the Mad Batter in Sylva.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Fridays; and 2 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays. All screenings are free.

• A family movie will be shown at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Classic fantasy adventure about an eccentric candy man named Willy Wonka, who’s played by Gene Wilder. For info, including movie title, call 488.3030.

• A Morning Movie about runner Jesse Owens and the 1936 Olympics will be screened at 9:30 a.m. on May 18 at the Canton Library. Coffee and doughnuts served. For info, including movie title, call 648.2924. www.madbatterfoodfilm.com.

• A new movie starring Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Robert DeNiro (Rated PG-13) will be shown at 9:30 a.m. on May 18 at the Canton Library.

Coffee and doughnuts provided. Funding provided by Friends of the Library. For info, including movie title: 648.2924.

• “Suffragettes” will be shown at 2 and 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

• A PBS film about the elusive Harpy Eagle of South

Outdoors • An easy ride aiming to help people ease into a healthier lifestyle through cycling leaves at 9:30 a.m.

Thursdays from the Canton Recreation Park, covering 8-10 miles. Road bikes are preferred. Nobody will be left behind. A partnership of Bicycle Haywood N.C., the Blue Ridge Bike Club and MountainWise. Michele Trantham, mttrantham@hotmail.com.

• “Spring Wildflowers of Southern Appalachia with Adam Bigelow,” a six-week course, meets from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesdays through June 14. Cost: $120 for the series. Single-day walks also available for groups and individuals. bigelownc@gmail.com.

• On the Water: West Fork Pigeon River – an opportunity to practice fly-fishing skills – will be offered to participants ages 12-up from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 11 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Transylvania County. Pre-registration required: 877.4423 or www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/EducationCenters/Pisgah /EventRegistration.aspx.

• Introduction to Fly Fishing is scheduled for ages 12up from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 16 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Transylvania County. Pre-registration required: 877.4423 or www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/EducationCenters/Pisgah /EventRegistration.aspx.

• Introduction to Fly Fishing will be offered for ages 12-up from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 16 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Transylvania County.

Pre-registration required: 877.4423 or www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/EducationCenters/Pisgah /EventRegistration.aspx.

• A tutorial in preparing gourmet meals on the trail is scheduled for backpackers at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, at REI in Asheville. Register: www.rei.com/learn.html.

• Casting for Beginners class will be offered for ages 12-up from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 17 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Transylvania County.

Introductory class covers safety and different types of bows and arrows. Pre-registration required: 877.4423 or www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/EducationCenters/Pisgah /EventRegistration.aspx.

• Wilderness Lifeguard, a two-day course to equip wilderness trip leaders for rescues in remote areas, will be offered May 17-18 in Cullowhee. Register: 293.5384, main@landmarklearning.edu or www.landmarklearning.edu.

• Birds and Beer is May 17 at the Ugly Dog in Highlands. www.highlandsaudubonsociety.org.

• The Franklin Bird Club will have a bird walk along the greenway at 8 a.m. on May 11. Meet at Salali Lane. 524.5234.

• The Franklin Bird Club will have a bird walk along the greenway at 8 a.m. on May 18. Meet at Big Bear Shelter parking area. 524.5234.

• An opportunity to learn how to use a map and compass is coming up with an orienteering class offered on Saturday, May 14, through Jackson County Parks and Recreation. Register by May 12 at 293.3053 or in person at the Cullowhee Recreation Center. $5.

• A Friday Hike will be offered on May 20 through the Jackson County Recreation Department. $5 per person.

Register by at 293.3053 or in person at the Cullowhee Recreation Center. $5.

• An invasive plant species removal is scheduled for noon-2 p.m. on Friday, May 13. Meet at Vance Street Park in Waynesville. Volunteer opportunity. RSVP required by May 12: Christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com or 476.4667.

• Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute is hosting a special observing session of the summer skies starting at 7 p.m. on May 13 in Rosman. Reservations required; accepted until 3 p.m. on May 13. Cost: $20 per adult; $15 for seniors/military. Children 10-under are free. Register and pay: www.pari.edu or 862.5554.

Info: schappell@pari.edu.

• A “Life of a Park Ranger” program will be offered at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 13, at Gorges State Park in Sapphire. 966.9099 or ej.dwigans@ncparks.gov.

• A “Celebrating a Centennial” program will be offered from 3-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at Gorges State Park in Sapphire. 966.9099 or ej.dwigans@ncparks.gov.

• Don Hendershot, naturalist and columnist for the Smoky Mountain News, will lead a bird walk on May 14 at Tessentee Bottomland Preserve in celebration of Migratory Bird Day. Meet at Big Lots Franklin parking area at 12:30 p.m. to carpool. Sign up: 524.5234.

• World Bonsai Day will be observed on Saturday, May 14, at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville. Demonstration by bonsai curator Arthur Joura from 1-2:30 p.m. www.ncarboretum.org.

• ACA Canoe Instructor, Level 2, course will be offered May 14-16. Taught in the classroom, on the lake and in the Tuckasegee River. Learn the principles of canoeing and how to teach others. Register: 293.5384, main@landmarklearning.edu or www.landmarklearning.edu.

• An Introduction to Tenkara (traditional Japanese fly fishing) class will be offered from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 21 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Transylvania County. Pre-registration required: 877.4423 or www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/EducationCenters/Pisgah /EventRegistration.aspx.

• Beginner Outdoor Photography class will be offered for ages 14-up from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on May 21 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Transylvania County. Pre-registration required: 877.4423 or www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/EducationCenters/Pisgah /EventRegistration.aspx.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take moderate-tostrenuous five-mile hike on Saturday, May 21, to Windy Falls on the Horse Pasture River. Call leader Mike Kettles, 743.1079, for reservations. Visitors welcome, no dogs please.

• The second annual Jonathan Creek Clean-up starts at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 21. Meet at Maggie Valley Town Hall. Wear closed-toed shoes.

• Swain Clean Clean-up is at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 21. Meet at Ingles. Rain date is June 4.

• An “Introduction to Tree Identification” class will be offered on Saturday, May 21, at Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. $79. Taught by Mac Post as part of the Smoky Mountain Field School; a cooperative effort between the park and the University of Tennessee. www.conferencesandnoncreditprograms.utk.edu/smoky.

Smoky Mountain News

• A three-day mediation training will be offered by Mountain Mediation Services from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on May 24-26. $195. Learn how to resolve conflicts in your neighborhood, at work or with family. Register: 631.5252 or mmssylva1@dnet.net.

• A classic 1953 thriller starring James Stewart will be shown at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 20, in the Macon County Public Library’s Meeting Room in Franklin. A bounty hunter trying to bring a murderer to justice is forced to accept the help of two less-than-trustworthy strangers. 1:31. 524.3600.

• A program entitled “What is Gorges” will be offered from 4-5 p.m. on May 15 at Gorges State Park in Sapphire. Ragner McGraw will show and discuss the skins and skulls of rarely seen creatures at the park.

966.9099 or ej.dwigans@ncparks.gov.

May 11-17, 2016

• Folkmoot is seeking professional artists and community craftspeople to host booths at the inaugural Many Culture Children’s Carnival this summer.

Deadline for submissions is May 15. Application packets can be downloaded at Folkmoot.org, or you can receive them in regular mail by calling 452.2993.

Event is from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, July 30, in Waynesville.

America will be shown at 7 p.m. on May 23 at Hudson Library. www.highlandsaudubonsociety.org.

wnc calendar

• Cook Smart, Eat Smart Cooking School, a four-part cooking school series, meets from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursdays, May 12-19 and June 2-9 at the Haywood Cooperative Extension Office. $25. Registration and payment deadline is May 11.

process as students carve a band ring out of wax and utilize surface techniques to add pizzazz to the final cast metal ring. The class will run for three days from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on June 3-4 and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 5. Register by May 20. creativearts.haywood.edu. Please call 828.565.4240 to register.

• A Wilderness First Aid Course will be taught May 2122 in Arden and May 26-27 in Hendersonville.

Fundamentals of first aid in remote areas. Register: 49 293.5384 or main@landmarklearning.edu.

wnc calendar

• An Emergency Medical Technician and WMI Wilderness Upgrade for the Medical Prrofessional will be offered May 23-June 11 and June 13-17 – as well as July 11-30 and Aug. 1-5 - in Cullowhee. Register: 293.5384 or main@landmarklearning.edu.

• On the Water: Davidson River, a program for participants ages 12-up to practice fly-fishing skills, is scheduled for 9 a.m.-noon on May 23 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Transylvania County.

Pre-registration required: 877.4423 or www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/EducationCenters/Pisgah/ EventRegistration.aspx.

• An Introduction to Fly Fishing: Lake Fishing class will be offered for ages 12-up from 7 a.m.-noon on May 24 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Transylvania County. Pre-registration required: 877.4423 or www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/ EducationCenters/Pisgah/EventRegistration.aspx.

• An Evening Stroll with the Walker Sisters will be offered from 6-11 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24, through the Smoky Mountain Field School. Fee: $79. Register: www.smfs.utk.edu or 865.974.0150.

• Lake Logan Lecture Series continues with a presentation by author, botanist and Clemson University professor Dr. Timothy Spira at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 24. Topic is Waterfalls & Wildflowers of the Southern Appalachians. Registration fee: $25. Includes lunch.

Advance registration required at www.lakelogan.org/2016-lecture-series. Info: 648.4547.

• The Franklin Bird Club will have a bird walk along the greenway at 8 a.m. on May 25. Meet at Salali Lane.

524.5234.

May 11-17, 2016

FARM AND GARDEN • A full-day, comprehensive workshop for agricultural service providers or anyone in the agriculture business is scheduled for 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, at Southwestern Community College’s Jackson Campus.

Lunch provided. Topics include: land assessments and land trusts, animals, training programs and more.

Register at: www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=490360082.

Center on Raccoon Road. Master Gardeners are available to answer questions about lawns, vegetables, flowers, trees, ornamental plants and more. May 15.

456.3575.

• A program about worm composting, led by local worm farmer Mary Ann Smith, will be offered from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 16, at the Waynesville Library Auditorium. Info: 356.2507 or kolsen@haywoodnc.net.

FARMERS MARKET • Haywood Historic Farmers Market is held from 8 a.m.-noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the parking lot of HART Theatre in Waynesville. 280.1381 or haywoodfarmersmarket@gmail.com or waynesvillefarmersmarket.com • The Original Waynesville Tailgate Market is from 8 a.m.-noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 171 Legion Drive in Waynesville (behind Bogart’s). 456.1830 or vrogers12@att.net.

• The Jackson County Farmers Market will be on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon at Bridge Park located in Sylva. Info: 393.5236. jacksoncountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com or website jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org.

• Swain County Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Fridays through Oct. and Tuesdays starting June 14 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Aug. 16 at the barn on Island Street in Bryson City. 488.3848 or Christine_bredenkamp@ncsu.edu.

• Diamond Brand’s Women’s Hiking Group meets on the third Saturday of every month. For more information, e-mail awilliams@diamondbrand.com or call 684.6262.

COMPETITIVE EDGE • Registration is underway for “Gateway to the Smokies” Half Marathon. The 13.1-mile event is at 7:30 a.m. on May 14 in Waynesville. Sponsored by the Haywood Chamber of Commerce. Register at www.smokieshalfmarathon.com, 456.3021 or KWyatt@HaywoodChamber.com.

• Registration is underway for Tour de Cashiers bike race, which is May 14 in Cashiers. www.tourdecashiers.com. Early registration is $45.

• The third annual Flyin’ Eagle 5K Run/Walk will be host by the Fairview School PTA on Saturday, May 14, at Fairview School in Sylva. Registration and check-in are from 7:30-8:45 a.m. One-mile family fun run/walk costs $5 and starts at 8:45 a.m.; 5K run/walk is $25 and starts at 9:15 a.m.

HIKING CLUBS • The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a very strenuous 11-mile hike, with an elevation gain of 3,000 feet, on Saturday, May 14, to Black Rock—Pinnacle Loop near Sylva. For info and reservations, contact leader Don O'Neal at 586-5723. Able visitors welcome, no dogs.

• Friends of the Smokies hikes are offered on the second Tuesday of each month. www.friendsofthesmokies.org/hikes.html.

• Nantahala Hiking Club based in Macon County holds weekly Saturday hikes in the Nantahala National Forest and beyond. www.nantahalahikingclub.org • High Country Hikers, based out of Hendersonville but hiking throughout Western North Carolina, plans hikes every Monday and Thursday. Schedules, meeting places and more information are available on their website, www.highcountryhikers.org.

• Rain barrels are on sale for $90 apiece at the USDA Agricultural Service Center in Waynesville. 476.4667 or info@haywoodwaterways.org.

• Franklin Tailgate Market is from 8 a.m.-noon every Saturday at 203 E. Palmer Street in Franklin. Info: collins230@frontier.com.

• A Seed Library Plant Exchange is scheduled for 1-4 p.m. on Friday, May 13, in the Waynesville Library Auditorium. 356.2507.

• The Cashiers Tailgate market is open from 1 p.m.- 5 p.m. on Wednesdays starting June 1 at the United Community Bank on N.C. 107 South. 226.9988 or blueridgefarmers@gmail.com.

• Carolina Mountain Club hosts more than 150 hikes a year, including options for full days on weekends, full days on Wednesdays and half days on Sundays. Nonmembers contact event leaders. www.carolinamountainclub.org

• The Haywood County Plant Clinic is open every business day till May 15 at the Haywood County Extension

• The Franklin Farmers Tailgate Market is from 8 a.m.noon on Saturdays on East Palmer Street across from Drake Software in Franklin. 349.2049 or alan_durden@ncsu.edu.

• Cowee Farmers Market is open from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays starting May 24 at Old Cowee School located at 51 Cowee School Drive.

• Mountain High Hikers, based in Young Harris, Ga., leads several hikes per week. Guests should contact hike leader. www.mountainhighhikers.org.

• Smoky Mountain Hiking Club, located in East Tennessee, makes weekly hikes in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park as well as surrounding areas. www.smhclub.org.

• Benton MacKaye Trail Association incorporates outings for hikes, trail maintenance and other work trips.

OUTDOOR CLUBS • The Jackson County Poultry Club will hold its regular meeting on the third Thursday of each month at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office. The club is for adults and children and includes a monthly meeting with a program and a support network for those raising birds. For info, call 586.4009 or write heather_gordon@ncsu.edu.

• The North Carolina Catch program, a three-phase conservation education effort focusing on aquatic environments, will be offered through May 15. The program is offered by the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department. Free for members; daily admission for non-members. 456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

• An RV camping club, the Vagabonds, camps one weekend per month from April through November. All ages welcome. No dues or structured activities. For details, write lilnau@aol.com or call 369.6669.

• The Tuckaseigee River Chapter No. 373 of Trout Unlimited meets at 6:30 p.m. on second Tuesday of the month at United Community Bank in Sylva. Dinner is $5.

• The Cataloochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited meets the second Tuesday of the month starting with a dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Rendezvous restaurant located on the corner of Jonathan Creek Road and Soco Road in Maggie Valley. 631.5543.

• Cold Mountain Photographic Society is a camera/photography club for amateurs and professionals who want to learn about and share their knowledge of photography with others. Must be 18 or older to join.

Meetings are held at 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month in the conference room of MedWest Health and Fitness Center, 262 Leroy George Drive in Clyde. More information at www.cmpsnc.org or info@cmpsnc.org.

• The Cherokee Runners meets each month on the 1st and 15th of the month (if the first falls on Sunday, the group meets on the 2nd), at the Age Link Conference Room. Group runs are being held each Tuesday and Thursday at 6 p.m. starting at the Flame. www.cherokeerunners.com.

• Mountain Wild, the local chapter of the N.C. Wildlife Federation works to preserve and increase wildlife and wildlife habitat of the region. Free programs and guest speakers held periodically at the WNC Nature Center in Asheville. Call 338.0035.

• The Jackson-Swain Master Gardeners’ Association meets at 9:30 a.m. every second Wednesday at the Jackson Community Services Building on Scotts Creek Road in Sylva. Mike Glover at 736.2768 or lmgofish@gmail.com.

344-17

Great Smokies Storage 10’x20’ $

92

20’x20’ $

160

ONE MONTH

FREE WITH 12-MONTH CONTRACT

828.506.4112 or 828.507.8828

50

No experience is necessary to participate. www.bmta.org.

• The ‘Whee Farmer’s Market is open from 4 p.m. to dusk every Tuesday at the corner of the N. Country Club Drive and Stadium View Drive in Cullowhee, behind the entrance to the Village of Forest Hills off Highway 107 across from Western Carolina University. 476.0334.

• Macon County Master Gardener Volunteer Association’s 14th annual plant sale is scheduled for 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at the Environmental Resource Center at 1624 Lakeside Drive. To donate plants, call 369.0882 or 349.2046. For info, call 349.2046.

Smoky Mountain News

Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: ■ Complete listings of local music scene ■ Regional festivals ■ Art gallery events and openings ■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers ■ Civic and social club gatherings

ediescookies@mail.com or www.coweefarmersmarket.com

Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction

Puzzles can be found on page 54.

These are only the answers.

PRIME REAL ESTATE Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

MarketPlace information: The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 every week to over 500 locations across in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties along with the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. For a link to our MarketPlace Web site, which also contains a link to all of our MarketPlace display advertisers’ Web sites, visit www.smokymountainnews.com.

Rates:

■ Free — Lost or found pet ads.

■ $5 — Residential yard sale ads, ■ $5 — Non-business items that sell for less than $150.

■ $15 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2.

If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type.

■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad or colored background.

■ $50 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold.

■ $300 — Statewide classifieds run in 117 participating newspapers with 1.6 million circulation. Up to 25 words.

■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

RESTAURANT EQPMNT. AUCTION Wednesday, May 18, 10am. 201 S. Central Ave., Locust, NC. Selling 2 Restaurants & New Items. Hobart 30 Mixer, Coolers, Freezers, Ranges, Fryers, Prep Units, Mixers, Slicers. 704.791.8825.

NCAF5479/5508. www.ClassicAuctions.com.

WAYNESVILLE TIRE, PE

R

Di

sC Ov ER E

ATR

ABSOLUTE AUCTION 69.92 acres offered as tracts or whole. Wilkesboro, NC (Boomer).

Saturday, May 21, 10am. Info: Jerry King 828.230.2075. King Auction Realty. www.BidKingAuctions.com.

NCFIRM7551. Lewis Harrison 844.316.1056 Walnut Grove Auction, www.WalnutGroveAuction.com NCFIRM 233.

INC.

Offering:

MAJOR-BRAND TIRES FOR CARS, LIGHT & MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCKS, AND FARM TIRES.

Service truck available for on-site repairs LEE & PATTY ENSLEY, OWNERS

MON-FRI 7:30-5:00 • WAYNESVILLE PLAZA

828-456-5387

THE FINES CREEK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT Will Hold its Yearly Public Hearing on the budget for the year 2016-2017, on May 12th at 7p.m. at the Fire Station. Everyone in the Fines Creek, White Oak and Panther Creek areas are encouraged to attend and participate in setting the budget for the above year.

THE PRICE IS RIGHT AT “PICKERS PARADISE” Every Sat. in May 11 am - 2 pm At Allens Street Storage Units.

Located off Back St., behind Lifeway Community Church, Downtown Sylva. To Be Sold: Pedestal Base Lavatory (never used), 4 Folding Display Tables, 10 Folding Chairs and misc.

Straight Chairs, End Table w/ Drawer (like new), 2 Step-Back End Tables, Propane Heater, Fireplace Style Electric Heater, Small Space Heater, Lamps, Pictures, Bed Linens, Pillows, Table Clothes, Lg. Selection VHS Tapes, Computer Table, Lg. TV Table, Swintec Electric Typewriter, Old Style TV, Collection ‘78 & 33 Records, Dolls, Collector Plates, Infant/Toddler Wear, Lots of Usable Items. Col. Dodie Allen Blaschik NCAL#3410, 828.586.3634, www.dodieallen.com

AUCTION

Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 classads@smokymountainnews.com

Serving Haywood, Jackson & Surrounding Counties

AUCTION

78+/-ACRES LAND AUCTION Carteret County, NC, Excellent Timber & Waterfront Tracts, offered divided, frontage on Dumpling Creek, abundant highway frontage, OnLine Bidding May 13 - May 26. www.HouseAuctionCompany.com.

252.729.1162. NCAL#7889

Classified Advertising:

COO

LEGAL NOTICES

344-29

AUCTION Construction. Truck. Trailer. Farm.

Container. Tues. May 24 @ 9am.

Swansea, SC. 10% BP. www.meekinsauction.com.

SCLN 272/NCLN 858 AUCTION Online Bidding. Cabinet Showroom Relocation Auction. Cabinets, Countertops, Appliances, Accessories & More! Bid 5/9-5/18. Located Richmond, VA. www.motleys.com.

804.232.3300x4.

VAAL#16/WVA1944

PAINTING JAMISON CUSTOM PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING Interior, exterior, all your pressure washing needs and more.

Specialize in Removal of Carpenter Bees - Cedar or Log Homes or Painted or Siding!

Call or Text Now for a Free Estimate at 828.508.9727

BUILDING MATERIALS HAYWOOD BUILDERS Garage Doors, New Installations Service & Repairs, 828.456.6051 100 Charles St. Waynesville Employee Owned.

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING DAVE’S CUSTOM HOMES OF WNC, INC Free Estimates & Competitive rates. References avail. upon request. Specializing in: Log Homes, remodeling, decks, new construction, repairs & additions.

Owner/Builder: Dave Donaldson.

Licensed/Insured. 828.631.0747 or 828.508.0316

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING

SULLIVAN HARDWOOD FLOORS Installation- Finish - Refinish 828.399.1847.

MOTORCYCLES CRAZY BOB’S BIKER STUFF Jackets, Chaps, Vests, Helmets, Rain Gear, Saddlebags, Sissy Bar Bags, Tool Bags, Stickers, Patches. We also got you covered with 50 Sizes of Tarps: Heavy Duty Silver, Brown & Green, Blue & Silver, Blue & Camo.

1880 Dellwood Rd., Waynesville 828.926.1177

CARS -

A-1 DONATE YOUR CAR For Breast Cancer! Help United Breast Foundation education, prevention, & support programs. Fast Free Pickup - 24 Hr Response - Tax Deduction 855.306.7348 SAPA DOES YOUR AUTO CLUB Offer no hassle service and rewards? Call American Auto Club (ACA) & Get $200 in ACARewards! (new members only) Roadside Assistance & Monthly Rewards. Call 800.867.3193. SAPA DONATE YOUR CAR, Truck Or Boat To Heritage For The Blind. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. CALL 1.800.416.1496 SAPA WE BUY DAMAGED VEHICLES! Top Dollar Offer. From Anywhere.

All Makes/Models 2000-2015 Wanted. America’s Top Car Buyer!

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Porsche, Mercedes, Jaguar & More!

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FURNITURE

COMPARE QUALITY & PRICE Shop Tupelo’s, 828.926.8778.

HAYWOOD BEDDING, INC. The best bedding at the best price!

533 Hazelwood Ave. Waynesville 828.456.4240

R

May 11-17, 2016

WNC MarketPlace

EMPLOYMENT - FRONT DESK Full Time or Part Time: Maggie Valley Cabin Resort Seeks a Versatile, Energetic & Experienced Front Desk Employee. Customer Service & Computer Exp. Req. Weekends, Nights & Holidays a Must! Call 828.926.1388 AVIATION GRADS Work With Jetblue, Boeing, Delta And Others - Start Here With Hands On Training For FAA Certification.

Financial Aid If Qualified. Call Aviation Institute Of Maintenance 1.866.724.5403 SAPA HEAD START PRESCHOOL TEACHER - JACKSON COUNTY A BS or Birth-K Degree in Early Childhood Education is Mandatory for this Position. Also required for this position are: computer skills, responsible for classroom paperwork, good judgment/problem solving skills and time management skills. Candidate must have the ability to work with a diverse population and community partners. Two years classroom exp. is preferred. This is a 10 month position with full time benefits. Applications will be taken at Mountain Projects, 2251 Old Balsam Rd., Waynesville 28786 or 25 Schulman St., Sylva 28779 or you may go to our website: www.mountainprojects.org and fill out an application.

Pre-Employment Drug Testing EOE/AA MAD BATTER In Beautiful Downtown Sylva is hiring for the front & back of the house. Experience a bonus. Please come by tues-fri between 2-4pm.

EMPLOYMENT GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS RAILROAD IN BRYSON CITY Has immediate openings for Reservationist & Ticket Agents.

These positions offer an hourly wage + commission and are eligible for train passes, retail & food discounts, free passes to area attractions and more!

Flexible part-time and full-time schedules available through the end of the year.

Applications are available at the Bryson City Depot or online at: www.gsmr.com/jobs HAYWOOD HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

A non-profit organization located in Waynesville is seeking a Construction Manager. Experience in all areas of residential home building and rehab, capability to work with volunteers, and current General Contractor’s License required. For a full job description or to submit resume please email: hr@haywoodhabitat.org No Phone Calls Please.

HEAD START CENTER SUPERVISOR HAYWOOD COUNTY Must have an AA Degree in Early Childhood Education; prefer someone with a BS Early Education or related field. Must have Administration levels I & II, good judgment/problem solving skills, experience in a classroom and the ability to work with diverse families. Prefer someone with two year supervisory experience.

Applications will be taken at Mountain Projects, 2251 Old Balsam Rd., Waynesville or 25 Schulman St., Sylva or www.mountainprojects.org EOE/AA

EMPLOYMENT - HOUSEKEEPING Full Time or Part Time: Maggie Valley Cabin Resort Seeks an Energetic & Experienced Housekeeper. Valid Driver’s License Required. Call 828.926.1388 HEAD START CENTER SUPERVISOR- JACKSON COUNTY Must have an AA degree in Early Childhood Education; prefer someone with a BS Early Education or related field. Must have Administration levels l & ll, good judgment/problem solving skills, experience in a classroom and the ability to work with diverse families. Prefer someone with two year supervisory experience; Part time 29 hours of less must be flexible. Applications will be taken at Mountain Projects, 2251 Old Balsam Rd, Waynesville or 25 Schulman St, Sylva, NC or www.mountainprojects.org EOE/AA NEED MEDICAL BILLING TRAINEES! Doctors & Hospitals need Medical Office Staff! No Experience Needed! Online Training gets you job ready! HS Diploma/GED & Computer needed. Careertechnical.edu/nc.

1.888.512.7122 EXPERIENCED AUTO MECHANIC Wanted for on-site Motor Repair.

Applicant must have Tools. Up to $12.50 per hour based on exp.

Labor Rate Bonus available for experienced person. Please call 828.631.1957 DRIVER TRAINEES Paid CDL Training! Stevens Transport Will Cover All Costs! No Experience Needed! Earn $800 per week! Local CDL Training!

1.888.748.4137 drive4stevens.com

www.smokymountainnews.com

ENTRY LEVEL Heavy Equipment Operator Career.

Get Trained - Get Certified - Get Hired! Bulldozers, Backhoes and Excavators. Immediate Lifetime Job Placement. VA Benefits. National Average $18-$22.

1.866.362.6497.

52

REUBEN - A HANDSOME TUXEDO BOY ABOUT 7 MONTHS OLD. HE IS PLAYFUL, SWEET, FRIENDLY AND VERY APPRECIATIVE OF HUMAN ATTENTION. REUBEN LOVES CAT TOYS OF ALL KINDS, ESPECIALLY CAT NIP MICE AND JINGLE BALLS. AND OF COURSE HE LOVES BOXES FOR PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK! HE'LL BRING LOTS OF FUN AND JOY TO HIS NEW FAMILY. PRINCE - WE THINK HE IS A BEAUCERON MIX. PRINCE HAS A MEDIUM-HIGH ENERGY LEVEL. HE LOVES PLAYING WITH TOYS AND CAN ENTERTAIN HIMSELF FOR HOURS JUST TOSSING A SQUEAKY TOY IN THE AIR. HE IS GREAT WITH OTHER DOGS - LARGE AND SMALL AND HE IS EVEN GOOD WITH CATS!

RECEPTIONIST FOR LAW OFFICE Bookkeeping experience preferred.

Send resume AND cover letter to: info@wenzellawfirm.com or fax: 828.452.9059.

EMPLOYMENT HEAD START PRESCHOOL TEACHER - HAYWOOD COUNTY Must have BK or BS in related field. This position requires computer skills, ability to work with diverse populations/community partners, 2 yrs. experience in classroom, responsible for classroom/paperwork and have good judgment/problem solving skills and time management skills.

This is a 10 month position with benefits. Applications will be taken at Mountain Projects, 2251 Old Balsam Rd., Waynesville or 25 Schulman St., Sylva or www.mountainprojects.org EOE/AA ATTN: DRIVERS $2K Sign-On Bonus. Love your $60K+ Job! Cool, Comfortable Miles. 100% APU Trucks. CDL-A Req - 877.258.8782. drive4melton.com CENTER SUPERVISOR KNEEDLER CHILD DEVELOPMENT - WCU Must have BS Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field and Administrative Level III Credentials, Basic Computer Knowledge, 2-3 yrs. Exp. in NC Day Care Regulations, 2-3 yrs.

Supervisory Exp. and Good Judgment Skills. This is an 11 month position with benefits. Applications will be taken at Mountain Projects, 2251 Old Balsam Rd., Waynesville or 25 Schulman St., Sylva or you may go to website: www.mountainprojects.org and fill out an application online Pre-Employment drug testing req EOE/AA YOUR AD COULD REACH 1.6 MILLION HOMES ACROSS NC! Your classified ad could be reaching over 1.6 Million Homes across North Carolina! Place your ad with The Smoky Mountain News on the NC Statewide Classified Ad Network- 118 NC newspapers for a low cost of $330 for 25-word ad to appear in each paper! Additional words are $10 each. The whole state at your fingertips! It's a smart advertising buy! Call Scott Collier at 828.452.4251 or for more information visit the N.C. Press Association's website at www.ncpress.com

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EMPLOYMENT

MACON COUNTY Day Treatment QP/Manager Meridian Behavioral Health is currently seeking a Qualified Professional to fill the position of Day Treatment Manager. Day Treatment includes a structured program that builds on strengths and addresses the identified problems associated with the complex conditions of each individual. The Day Treatment manager will oversee the Day Treatment administrative program operation and will assure the program is operated according to service definition policies and procedures. The manager will provide administrative supervision to all direct service staff and also provides development and implementation of the client’s person centered plan, monitor progress of client and the family, and case management duties within a Systems of Care model. QPs must have a Bachelor's degree in Human Services with two years of full time, post-degree experience with this population.

JACKSON COUNTY Psychiatric Nurse - Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) - Part-time Meridian is seeking a parttime RN or LPN to join our Jackson County Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT), in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. The ACTT nurse is responsible for conducting psychiatric assessments; assessing physical needs; making appropriate referrals to community physicians; providing management and administration of medication in conjunction with the psychiatrist; providing a range of treatment, rehabilitation and support services; and sharing shift-management responsibility with the ACTT Coordinator. Employee must have a valid driver's license without violations or restrictions which could prevent completing all required job functions.

For further information and to complete an application, visit our website: www.meridianbhs.org

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EMPLOYMENT VICTIM ADVOCATE/FORENSIC Interviewer - Bachelor’s Degree in Human Service or related field with at least three years relevant experience, Master’s Degree preferred. Grant-funded position working with children and families impacted by abuse. Must demonstrate excellent communication skills and knowledge of child development. Forensic interview training provided for qualified candidates. Email resume and cover letter to: victimadvocateapplicant@gmail.com EOE.

FINANCIAL BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company.

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PUBLISHER’S NOTICE

REAL ESTATE WANTED TO BUY WANTED: OLD BARN - HOUSE To Salvage Rough Cut Lumber, Flooring, Antiques, Vintage Materials, Etc. Terms Negotiable.

Licensed & Insured. Call or Text John at: 828.380.1232 ashevillepropertyservices.com

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beverly-hanks.com Michelle McElroy - MichelleMcElroy@beverly-hanks.com Marilynn Obrig - MarilynnObrig@beverly-hanks.com Mike Stamey - MikeStamey@beverly-hanks.com Ellen Sither - EllenSither@beverly-hanks.com Brooke Parrott - BrookeParrott@beverly-hanks.com Randy Flanigan - RandyFlanigan@beverly-hanks.com Pamela Williams - PamelaWilliams@beverly-hanks.com Ann Eavenson - AnnEavenson@beverly-hanks.com

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Keller Williams Realty

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344-16

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

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Phone# 1.828.586.3346 TDD# 1.800.725.2962 Equal Housing Opportunity

kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • Sam Hopkins - samhopkins.kwrealty.com • Phil Ferguson - listwithphil.com

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

remax-waynesvillenc.com | remax-maggievalleync.com Brian K. Noland - brianknoland.com Mieko Thomson - ncsmokies.com The Morris Team - maggievalleyproperty.com The Real Team - the-real-team.com Ron Breese - ronbreese.com Dan Womack - womackdan@aol.com Catherine Proben - cp@catherineproben.com

smokymountainnews.com

NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS

Haywood Properties - haywoodproperties.com • Steve Cox - info@haywoodproperties.com

May 11-17, 2016

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination� Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised on an equal opportunity basis.

Haywood County Real Estate Agents

147 Walnut Street • WayneSville

ROOMMATE ROOMMATES WANTED: Coolest house in Cullowhee on the river. Looking for 2 great people to share 3/BR, 1.5/BA next to WCU. Lots to offer for $500/mo. plus electric, 3 month minimum. Prefer 2 women but will consider couple.

Available May 8th. Call or Text John at 828.260.3050.

344-56

NESTLED IN BLUE RIDGE Mtns of NC. 2 bed/2 bath cabin on 2.25 wooded acres, $154,900 Huge loft, stone fpl, lg deck. EZ access. 866.738.5522. Broker.

SFR, ECO, GREEN

WNC MarketPlace

LEASE TO OWN 1/2 Acre Lots with Mobile Homes & Empty 1/2 Acre + Lots!

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For More Information Please Call 828.506.0578

HOMES FOR SALE BRUCE MCGOVERN A Full Service Realtor, Locally Owned and Operated mcgovernpropertymgt@gmail.com McGovern Property Management 828.283.2112.

344-11

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com 53

www.smokymountainnews.com

May 11-17, 2016

WNC MarketPlace

Super

54

CROSSWORD

SELF-CONTAINED SYNONYMS ACROSS 1 Do another shoot of 7 “2001” co-star Keir 13 Deli hangers 20 Person de-wrinkling 21 Narcissist 22 Sea dog 23 It aptly contains the letters R-A-I-N ...

25 Dustin Hoffman film 26 Lab aide with a hump 27 ... O-P-E-N 29 ... M-U-T-E 37 “Failure is - option” 38 Apiary units 39 Understand, in London 41 “No need to wake me!”

45 Think up 47 - -Soviet relations 48 Slate wipers 51 ... T-A-I-N-T 55 ... U-G-L-Y 57 Like a sheep 58 Bring up, as a subject 59 AOL delivery 64 Deer cousin 65 ... F-I-C-T-I-O-N 70 Martial arts teacher 72 “... - horse to water ...”

74 Tristan’s companion 75 ... E-A-R-L-Y 78 NYC airport 81 Posting with a hashtag 82 Satire 83 Watchable Web journals 85 ... M-A-L-E

89 ... R-U-I-N 95 Relevant 96 Israel’s Abba 98 Actress Rebecca De 99 Puritanical 100 Lost control in a skid 103 “... or - story goes” 104 Furious with 108 ... R-A-U-C-O-U-S 111 ... N-O-B-L-E 115 Russian city on the Oka 116 Hotel bonus 117 What the 11 answers featured in this puzzle are called 126 Tough rivals 127 French card game 128 Sun-circling ring 129 Ones sawing wood 130 Despise 131 Like Kia cars DOWN 1 Tear 2 Slip or trip 3 Hostile force 4 Magazine for an exec 5 Necklace of flowers 6 “- Passes By” (A.A. Milne play) 7 Alternate route 8 Lorre’s role in “Casablanca” 9 Auction set 10 Cicero’s card count?

11 “- Beso (That Kiss!)”

12 With 90-Down, free 13 - voce (under one’s breath) 14 “It’s - cause” 15 Drug used to treat Parkinson’s

16 Flabbergast 17 Face hider 18 “Why would -?”

19 Bygone British gun 24 “Can - now?”

28 French “a” 29 In vogue 30 Resort island near Venice 31 Cake baker 32 Sofa or pew 33 This, to Juan 34 Swiftness 35 Wiesel who wrote “Night” 36 Clangor 40 Lip-puckering jawbreakers 42 Fulfilled 43 Hi-tech bookmark 44 -Ops 46 Post-punk genre 48 Morales of the screen 49 “Pan Am” star Christina 50 Terrified 52 “- seen worse” 53 None at all 54 Like kiddie-pool water, often 56 Partner of neither 58 Misbehaving 59 Seer’s power 60 Body of eau 61 Meth- ending 62 Method ending 63 Arise quickly 65 Wray of film 66 AAA service 67 Land in l’Atlantique 68 Bardic work 69 After-tax 71 Novelist Calvino

73 See 77-Down 76 Writer Leon 77 With 73-Down, early portrayer of Tarzan 79 Procured 80 Farming-related: Abbr.

83 Poison from a snake 84 Addition total 85 Plan (out) 86 Tax Day mo.

87 - Lanka 88 Plebeian 89 Actress Delany 90 See 12-Down 91 Sci-fi empath Deanna 92 Engrossed by 93 Home to Honolulu 94 Science guy Bill’s family 97 Prickly husk 100 Cardinal’s cap abbr.

101 WWII ship sinkers 102 Revolving gun holder 105 Emerge 106 Library gizmo 107 Huge gulf 109 Modern: Prefix 110 Ticking thing 111 Brinker of kid-lit 112 Harbinger 113 Pixar title fish 114 Barely made, with “out” 118 Flying expert 119 Rebel Turner 120 College sr.’s test 121 Try to win 122 NHL great Bobby 123 Sushi eggs 124 Genetic stuff 125 - Antonio

answers on page 50

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YARD SALES ANNUAL SPRING RUMMAGE SALE Friday, May 13 & Saturday May 14 8a.m. to 3p.m. at Macon County Fairgrounds, Franklin, NC (441 S.) Rain or Shine, Indoors.

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WEEKLY SUDOKU Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

Answers on Page 50

The naturalist’s corner

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

Evolution spend six weeks every spring doing bird surveys for the Forest Service across Western North Carolina. My travels take me from Hiwassee Dam, to Lake Chatuge, to Black Balsam, to Hot Springs, to the Pinks Beds, to Roan Mountain, Mount Mitchell, Roaring Creek and Boone Fork plus other locations. Many of these points have been in place for decades monitoring the correlations between changes in habitat (say for timbering and/or wildfires, or simply natural aging of forests) and the changes in corresponding bird species.

This past Saturday (5/6/16) I was at the Tsali Recreation Area on the Swain/Graham county line in the Cheoah District. Cheoah is one of the districts I’ve been doing since 2007. I have a number of points in the area in early-succession forests. I don’t know if these conditions came about because of wildfire or timbering, but when I started in 2007 the forest at one of my survey points was very young with a lot of herbaceous, brushy vegetation.

I remember the first morning I surveyed one particular point back in 2007. I was greeted with the raucous song (if you call the

I

collection of whistles, grunts and chatter emitted by the yellow-breasted chat on territory song) of a couple, maybe three different yellow-breasted chats. Chats love dense, shrubby habitat like clearcuts and abandoned fields and they were quite common here for a number of years. But after three or four years the chat serenades began to diminish. I would have to check my records but I think around 2010 was the last record of chats on this point.

Last Saturday, when I approached the point, I was immediately greeted with a new song. It was the buzzy rising song of a prairie warbler. Prairies have a song that resembles one of the northern parula songs but it doesn’t beak-off at the end. It rises up the scale but then just kinda fades away.

As the brushy herbaceous habitat of the chat ages the forest takes on a different “scrub” look with young woody saplings beginning to rise above the tangled underbrush, shading it and diminishing it’s hold on the landscape. This scrubby landscape is no longer optimum chat habitat but perfect for prairie warblers. And the two or three I heard last Saturday seemed to vouch for this.

I am curious now as to what will follow.

How long will prairie warblers find this area ideal? What will happen when the young trees begin to become dominant and the forest habitat changes yet again? I’m sure indigo buntings are on the horizon (some are already in the neighborhood) and probably hooded warblers and red-eyed vireos.

When it comes to our relationship with wildlands we are evolving just as forests do. Today we are at a stage where “management” reigns supreme. We know how to crePrairie warbler at Tsali Recreation Area. ate habitat at a Don Hendershot photo species level and if we want chats replace our need to manage? or white-tailed deer we can create that habi(Don Hendershot is a writer and naturalist. tat. But are we mature enough to create a He can be reached a ddihen1@bellsouth.net.) forest? Will stewardship and appreciation

May 11-17, 2016 Smoky Mountain News 55

Smoky Mountain News

May 11-17, 2016

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