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

May 16-22, 2018 Vol. 19 Iss. 51

Pedestrian path proposed for portion of U.S. 19/23 Page 21 Mules make backcountry operations possible Page 42

CONTENTS On the Cover: Farmers in Western North Carolina work tirelessly to provide the region with fresh produce. But, many of them are also working to expand the agritourism side of the business by welcoming visitors to their farms for festivals, hayrides and farm-to-table dinners. These value-added draws help farmers bring in additional revenue and educate the public about their farming practices. (Page 6) Chef Matt Kuver’s Farm-to-Feast dinners at Ten Acre Garden in Canton are a successful agritourism component. Garth Kuver photo

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News Phillip Price explains his checkered past ....................................................................3 May 8 Primary results ........................................................................................................4 Supporters rally around Scott Knibbs family ..............................................................5 Nantahala Brewing will expand to Sylva ......................................................................9 Gun range suddenly a tourist destination ................................................................10 State dismisses candidate challenge against sheriff ............................................12 Men plead guilty in marriage fraud case ....................................................................13 Debate continues over unpaid bills at Caney Fork store ......................................14 Cashiers growth could accelerate sewer expansion ............................................16 Maggie, Canton boards presented with 2018-19 budgets ................................18

Opinion Tribal Council media ban a mistake ............................................................................24

A&E Rising string act to headline Sylva festival ................................................................28

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

May 16-22, 2018

Smokies mules make backcountry operations possible ......................................42

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Paying the price Will checkered past haunt congressional candidate?

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Smoky Mountain News: On the campaign trail you cited your residence in many counties across the district as a strength. Scott Donaldson won his county. Steve Woodsmall won his county. You won every other one.

SMN: Of course, your legal issues are notable. Many have described your growth from those experiences as admirable. What did you learn, and how have you built upon these mistakes?

Price: The accident I had 12 years ago was a critical turning point in my life. It was just luck that no one was hurt. Without question it changed me, because I looked at what I was doing in my life. The accident caused me to look at my family relationships and put a priority on them, above myself. I am a better person because of my past. It doesn’t look good on my record, but I haven’t lived my life getting ready to run for office.

SMN: These issues emerged late in the campaign, but you hadn’t mentioned them publicly, prior. Why not?

Price: These issues did not magically emerge. All of this is public record, and has been for years. I talked to the journalist [Davin Eldridge, of Trappalacha] in January and assumed that this article would be coming out back then. I didn’t publicize it myself because I’m not proud of it.

SMN: You won decisively [by nine points over second place finisher Steve Woodsmall] with the majority of voters not knowing about these issues in your past. Going forward, do you think this will lose you some support?

Price: I doubt it. My life is a lot more than a couple of mistakes. I got into this campaign

“I am a better person because of my past. It doesn’t look good on my record, but I haven’t lived my life getting ready to run for office.”

— Phillip Price

because I was mad about being lied to by politicians trying to kill the only health-insurance plan that has ever worked in this country and the politicians voting for tax cuts for millionaires. My personal life is what it is, but our country is what we are making it to be.

SMN: Do you expect your opponent to use this against you in the campaign?

Price: Meadows will try anything and everything to hide his involvement with Congress’s record. I fully expect him to try to use this, too. It won’t work, because I will keep talking about his record. The people of Western North Carolina are as tired of being lied to by him as I am.

SMN: Your statements to Trappalachia also indicate that you’re pro-cannabis reform.

Could you elaborate a bit on that?

Price: Medical cannabis is a much better

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER lthough the results have not yet been certified in North Carolina’s May 8 Primary Elections, there were several races where vote totals were decisive enough to declare likely winners.

The 11th Congressional District Democratic Primary was probably the most visible race, with three solid candidates all garnering respectable vote totals; victor Phillip Price, D-Nebo, soundly defeated runner-up Steve Woodsmall by more than 9 percent and third place finisher Dr. Scott Donaldson by more than 12 percent. Price won every county in the district except for

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Henderson and Transylvania counties, and will go on to face incumbent Mark Meadows, R-Asheville, in November.

In Haywood County, two important county-level primary races — one Republican, one Democrat — also appear to have winners.

Incumbent Haywood Clerk of Courts Hunter Plemmons ran away with his threeway primary, easily besting second place finisher Eddie West, who bested Jim Moore by 4 percent. Plemmons took almost 65 percent of the vote, and won 26 of 29 precincts. As no Republican signed up to run, Plemmons is unopposed in November and will retain the office he was appointed to last fall.

According to some, the elected position of

Haywood County tax collector shouldn’t even exist, but it does, and in his effort to return to his post, incumbent Republican Mike Matthews survived a primary challenge by first-timer Andrew “Tubby” Ferguson.

“I’m so appreciative for the overwhelming support and encouragement I received during the primary from both Democrats and Republicans,” Matthews said. “The Tax Office and my campaign has great momentum going and I’m excited about building on that and carrying it through November.”

Matthews won by a comfortable 7 percent margin, but that margin consists of just 133 votes. Ferguson won a number of precincts, albeit by slim margins. Matthews will go on

SMN: Speak to the possibility that this is a “wedge issue” that, like gay marriage a decade ago, has the potential to drive a wedge between your opponent’s supporters and perhaps draw some of them to your cause.

Price: I don’t think this is a wedge issue at all. I think this is a uniting issue. This issue connects Republicans, Democrats, across the board. We all know that the time has come for us to move past this unjust prohibition of a God-given plant that will be so useful in so many ways to so many people.

to face Democrat Greg West in November.

There is no comfortable margin, however, for Phillip Wight. The Maggie Valley Alderman with the controversial “Vote for the Wight Guy” signs has, as of press time, eked out a three-vote margin over fourth-place finisher Terry Ramey in the Republican County Commissioner race; the top three candidates will advance to the November General Election and will face Democrats Danny Davis, Kirk Kirkpatrick and Mike Sorrells.

As to whether the signs helped or hurt Wight, he said wasn’t sure.

“It was never meant to be taken out of context,” he said. “I’m happy for the people that voted. It was all a roll of the dice. It’s just all about name recognition and advertising.”

Tommy Long led the field, followed by Mark Pless. Official results are expected next week.

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Smoky Mountain News

Some races settled in May 8 election

alternative to pain management than pharmaceutical opioid medication, which is addictive and deadly. Authorizing medical cannabis is a no-brainer. Recreational cannabis, though, is a matter that should be left to the states, not the federal government. I am running for Congress, which doesn’t control what the individual states do about recreational cannabis.

May 16-22, 2018

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER ast week, Phillip Price prevailed in a competitive three-way Democratic primary for the right to challenge incumbent Asheville Republican Congressman Mark Meadows in November.

But stories of Price’s past brushes with law enforcement, first reported in local crime blog Trappalachia April 21, didn’t gain widespread notice until just days before the May 8 Primary Election.

According to Trappalachia, Price was charged with felony manufacture of marijuana in Haywood County in 1996, a charge he pled down to simple possession. The next year, he pled guilty to marijuana possession.

The next year, his car was searched at a McDowell County checkpoint and a marijuana cigarette was found, although the charge was later thrown out.

In 2000, he was charged with an open container violation and speeding, accepting a lesser charge for speeding and offering a guilty plea for the container. Finally, in 2007 he was charged with DWI in Rutherford County after walking away from his wrecked vehicle.

Now that he’s headed to the General Election in November, these issues could affect his viability as a candidate — perhaps negatively, perhaps positively, as Price asserts.

The Smoky Mountain News caught up with Price to talk about his past, and his future.

What do you think this says about your base of support across the district?

Phillip Price: People relate to a working man who has lived here for 34 years, someone who is just like them. Since I announced, I worked for 14 months to meet as many people as I could. I tried to get my message out: better jobs for better paychecks. I talked about a fix to the health-care system. Better access to education. Infrastructure improvements.

People responded all across the district.

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Swain County elects new chairman Swain County Board of Commissioners will have a new chairman in November after a majority of voters cast their ballot for challenger Ben Bushyhead.

Bushyhead, who is finishing up his first term as commissioner, ran against incumbent commission chairman Phil Carson and received Ben Bushyhead 59 percent of the vote over Carson’s 41 percent. Only 18 percent of registered Swain voters cast a ballot in the May 8 Primary Election.

Without a Republican challenger in November, Bushyhead celebrates an early victory. He and Carson will continue to serve in their current roles until Bushyhead is sworn in after the General Election. Bushyhead is the first Eastern

May 16-22, 2018

Macon commissioner keeps his seat Macon County District 1 Commissioner Jim Tate won a third term on the board beating out Republican challenger John Shearl.

Only 14 percent of registered voters in Macon County cast a ballot in the Republican primary and 59 percent of them voted for Tate.

Macon County voters in the

Band of Cherokee Indian enrolled member to serve as a Swain County commissioner and now will be the first member to serve as chairman.

Out of the three Democratic candidates running for Swain County commissioner in the primary — incumbent Danny Burns, John Parton and Wayne Dover — Burns and Parton received the most votes and will be included on the November ballot. Burns received 41 percent of the votes while Parton received 34 percent of the votes.

The Republican primary race for county commissioner was much closer. Holly Bowick was the top vote getter with 37.5 percent while Kevin Seagle was close behind with about 36 percent of the votes. They will both move on to the General Election. Vance Greene III was the lowest vote getter with 27 percent.

In the race for clerk of court, Misti Watson Jones was the clear victor over Deborah Smith with 67 percent of the vote.

Swain County voters also selected Phillip Price on the Democratic primary ticket to challenge Republican incumbent Rep. Mark Meadows for the District 11 Congressional seat. Price received 39 percent of the vote compared to Steve Woodsmall’s 33 percent and Scott Donaldson’s 28 percent.

Democratic primary also chose Phillip Price to challenge Republican incumbent Rep. Mark Meadows for the District 11 Congressional seat.

Price received 52 perJim Tate cent of the vote compared to Steve Woodsmall’s 28 percent and Scott Donaldson’s 20 percent.

Primary results roll in to Jackson

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ackson County voters went for a mixture of something different and stay the course when they cast their Primary Election votes May 8.

The election drew 4,420 out of 27,750 registered voters, or a 15.93 percent turnout —better than Haywood and Macon, at 14.4 percent and 14.1 percent, respectively, but less than Swain County, with 18.4 percent. Jackson County also came in over the statewide turnout, which was Charles Elders 14.3 percent.

• Charles Elders, a three-term Jackson County commissioner, handily beat challenger Jarrett Crowe in a contest to represent the Republicans on the November ballot in search of a fourth Ann D. Melton term. Elders earned 78.2 percent of the vote to Crowe’s 21.8 percent. Elders, 74, lives in the Barkers Creek area and sits as chairman of the Mountain Projects board, in addition to several other board appointments. In November he’ll face a challenge from Democrat Gayle Woody.

• Clerk of Court Ann D. Melton easily won the right to keep her seat for another

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four years, taking 76.3 percent of the vote to opponent Kim Coggins Poteet’s 23.7 percent. Melton has been the clerk of court for 13 years and has worked in the clerk’s office for 33 years. Poteet and Melton are both Democrats, with no Republicans filing for the seat. Melton will run unopposed in November.

• Republican voters overwhelmingly selected Doug Farmer, a detective in the Sylva Police Department, to face incumbent Sheriff Chip Hall, a Democrat, in November. Farmer Doug Farmer garnered 68.7 percent of the vote to opponent Brent McMahan’s 31.3 percent. Hall and Farmer previously faced each other in the May 2014 primary election, when Farmer ran as a Democrat and Hall was seeking his first term as sheriff.

• Ken Henke, chairman of the Jackson County Board of Education, was defeated by challenger Abigail Blakely Clayton, who took 55.7 percent of the vote to Henke’s 44 percent in the race to represent District Two. The other two incumbents up for reelection — Ali Laird-Large and Margaret M. McRae — held their seats, with LairdLarge defeating challenger Brian E. McClure with 54.4 percent of the vote and McRae holding 64.9 percent of the vote against challenger James Stewart-Payne.

Board of Education seats are non-partisan, with the Primary Election deciding the outcome.

• In the race to represent District 11 in the U.S. House of Representatives, 48.6 percent of Jackson County Democrats selected Phillip Price from a field of three candidates vying to face incumbent Rep. Mark Meadows, R-Asheville, in November.

Statewide, 40.6 percent of Democrats voted for Price. Of the county’s Republican voters, 88.4 percent voted for Meadows and 11.6 percent selected challenger Chuck Archerd.

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3. Appear monthly on “Your Carolina” on WSPA-TV. 4. Answer consumer questions about food and nutrition. (www.ingles-markets.com, 800-334-4936, @InglesDietitian) 5. Do presentations for various groups, schools and businesses.

6. Conduct educational store tours in our Ingles stores.

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8. Advise various celiac and gluten-free support groups.

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10. Post on social media sites for Ingles Markets.

May 16-22, 2018

BY J ESSI STONE doors before going to bed.

N EWS E DITOR “Around midnight Missy (Knibb’s wife) ore than 100 people gathered at the heard a male voice outside their bedroom Macon County Courthouse on May 8 window and thought the neighbors were to rally in support of Scott Knibbs’ back bringing trouble with them,” Melrose family, who are still grieving his unexpected said. and tragic death.

According to Missy, she did hear sheriff ’s Knibbs was shot six times by Macon department uttered one time from outside County Sheriff ’s Deputy Anthony but couldn’t be sure her husband had heard it Momphard just after midnight on April 30. before he had already left the bedroom with The incident is under investigation by the his shotgun in hand. Melrose said there was N.C. State Bureau of Investigations and no way for Knibbs to know it was law enforceMomphard is currently on paid administra- ment — there were no sirens, no blue lights, tive leave. no patrol car in the driveway and no courtesy Waynesville father and son attorneys phone call beforehand.

Mark and Adam Melrose are representing the “I would suspect in the hills and valleys of Knibbs family to seek justice for Scott. Mark Macon County most homeowners would Melrose and a few of Scott’s close friends carry their weapon through their own home described him at the rally as a good man who would do anything for anyone in need. He worked in construction, he volunteered at his church and in the community and he had the utmost respect for law enforcement.

Melrose said Knibbs went through basic law enforcement training in the 1990s, had a concealed carry permit and even completed additional church safety training with the Franklin More than 100 people attend a support rally for the family Police Department so he could and friends of Scott Knibbs. Macon Media photo head up security at his church.

“He was one of the good guys with a gun,” Melrose said. “Scott believed in to their own front door under these circumthe Second Amendment, which allowed him stances,” Melrose said. “Instead, this rookie to bear arms in his own home to protect him cop must have been watching Scott through a family and he believed in the Fourth front window as Scott was walking in his own Amendment which allowed him to feel secure house.” in his own home.”

The deputy allegedly yelled at Knibbs to Melrose claims Knibbs’ constitutional drop his weapon just before he fired four rights were violated on the night of his death shots into the home. when a rookie deputy shot Knibbs in his own “Then the deputy broke open the door home through the window. According to and shot at him two more times,” Melrose Melrose, Knibbs had been dealing with noisy continued. “Scott never fired his shotgun.” new neighbors up the road for a few months According to Missy’s account of the event, prior to his death. The neighbors held loud the deputy then stood over Knibbs with his parties and the traffic and speeding on their gun still pointing at him and yelled at Missy dirt road had gotten out of hand. In an and Scott’s daughter to stand back. attempt to slow down drivers and look out Melrose said he sent a letter to District for the safety of children playing outside, Attorney Ashley Welch asking her to recuse Knibbs had placed wooden boards on the herself from the case and for another proseroad to act as speed bumps. cutor in anther district to review the SBI findEarlier in the evening on April 29, a car ings when the investigation is complete. had pulled into the Knibbs’ driveway looking Melrose said Welch couldn’t be impartial for the neighbor’s party. Scott told the driver since Sheriff Robbie Holland has been a supto leave and not come back. The neighbors porter of Welch’s political campaigns and called the sheriff ’s office later that night to because her former husband used to serve as make a complaint about the wooden boards the attorney for the sheriff ’s office. Welch has in the road, claiming the boards had nails not responded to the letter. sticking out of them — a claim Melrose A memorial fund has been set up at adamantly denies.

United Community Bank in Franklin for Worried about the neighbors causing those who wish to help Knibbs family during more problems, Melrose said the family this difficult time.

— which included his wife, his 13-year-old This report was made possible by a son, his 22-year-old daughter, and his 5- Macon Media video of the rally. See the commonth-old grandson — for once locked their plete video at maconmedia.com.

Award-winning BBQ, brisket, and ribs, all with sides made fresh daily.

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Supporters rally around Scott Knibbs family

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news

Growing the greens Agritourism flourishes in Western North Carolina

Fresh seasonal produce (left) and hands-on experiences are driving economic expansion in agriculture. Buy Haywood photos

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER or generations, American farmers have plowed the fields, milked the cows and slopped the hogs to the seasonal rhythms of nature. In Western North Carolina, a meaty living could be wrest from this hardscrabble land with the constant backbreaking toil associated with a traditional farming lifestyle.

Could those old farmers of yore ever have imagined people actually wanting to pay money to experience some of the most onerous and monotonous tasks they ever had to perform?

“I don’t think so,” said Tina Masciarelli, Project Coordinator of Buy Haywood, a grant-funded organization meant to promote local farmers and locally grown products.

People do, however — agritourism is big business across the country and across the region. According to the U.S. Travel Association, agritourism had grown from a $546 million industry in 2007 to $674 million 2012.

That growth has continued, with the number of American farms now reporting gross incomes of $25,000 or more increasing by a third.

“The trend for agritourism across the region and specifically here in Haywood County is a very positive one,” Masciarelli said.

Masciarelli defines agritourism as “the opportunity to have an educational experience on the farm, like farm-related entertainment or educational enterprises that also promote agricultural products to increase farm income.”

Her definition is further broadened by taking into account artisanal producers as 6 well.

Smoky Mountain News

May 16-22, 2018

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“That includes the microbrewers, the distillers, the jams and jellies, the pickled products, and even the folks who are recapturing barnwood that would normally be burned or end up in a landfill,” she said. “For someone to be able to visit Elevated Mountain’s distillery and have [owner Dave Angel] talk about the corn that’s been grown by certain local families for so long, there is some education there for folks, so it means that education criteria has been met.”

As Angel’s attested to in the past, he’s drawn visitors from across the world to his Maggie Valley distillery.

“And then you get to sample the product and get a sense of it,” Masciarelli said. “The alchemy, the sense of the distiller’s personality that you can taste in the product — agritourism as an enterprise is continuing to be hailed as a driving force in our economy.”

That may be the case, but local stats are hard to come by for agritourism as its own separate field because they’re usually rolled up into widely available stats for tourism, and for agriculture.

According to the N.C. Department of Commerce’s quarterly census of employment and wages, Jackson County’s total payrolls in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector are almost double Haywood’s, which in turn are about double Macon’s. Swain County’s data is not reported due to the privacy concerns of the relatively few employers there.

Since 2012, Macon’s been on a slide from $1.2 million in total payroll down to a projected $720,000 for 2017. Jackson’s payrolls have remained fairly constant over that same time, at about $2.4 million, but Haywood’s have actually grown, from $1.2 million in 2012 to $1.5 million in 2016.

While these numbers pale in comparison to other industries — Haywood’s manufac-

turing payrolls average around $120 million each year — they don’t take into effect the subsequent economic activity generated by the produce itself. Much of that manifests itself in the service industry’s payroll numbers, which in Haywood average about $450 million a year.

And as it becomes more and more widespread, it’s getting harder and harder to miss, according to John Patterson, an agent with Stanberry Insurance in Waynesville.

Patterson has, of late, focused on agricultural insurance products — farm insurance, crop insurance and agriculture-related business insurance — but neither agriculture nor insurance are a new interest for the central Florida native who also happened to grow up around his family’s insurance agency.

His work often takes him out into the field, where he ends up sitting around the kitchen tables of many area farmers to see firsthand all manner of agricultural operations.

“Some of the things I think are interesting, are the creative things that people are doing to maximize revenue in their operations,” Patterson said. “There’s an Angus beef cattle ranch out in the western part of the state, [Walnut Hollow in Hayesville] and the gentleman there has turned part of his barn to Airbnb-style rentals. He’s got spots for people to bring their RVs, he’s got campsites out there. It’s a really beautiful piece of land.”

Agritourism, in an economic sense, has become a new way for farmers to reverse slips of the kind noted in Macon County, to bolster the stability in Jackson County and to increase the growth in Haywood County.

Two Haywood County venues Patterson mentioned are perfect examples.

“Take Darnell Farms, which is a family farm that’s been passed down from one gen-

eration to another,” he said. “We see less and less of that as time goes on.”

The children of baby-boom farmers who grew up watching their parents struggle throughout the 1970s and 1980s are less likely to take on the family business, Patterson said, except when entrepreneurial opportunities make the lifestyle a little more appealing.

“Chestnut Ridge, that property that was and is a cattle farm, and still to this day the property adjoining it is owned by the family and they raise cattle on it,” he said. “They took a section of this farmland and have built this absolutely immaculate wedding venue up there. You get this farm field, you get this amazing view of the mountains. A lot of thought has been put into this.”

Places like Darnell Farms and Chestnut Ridge bring tourists — and their wallets — to the county, where they’ll spend a night, or sometimes, the rest of their lives.

“We also have this movement where we have people who have grown up in the city but are interested in getting back to their roots, so to speak,” he said. “So they’re taking vacations out here, or moving out to rural areas because they’re interested in this way of life.”

Wherever they’re from or whatever their reason for coming to agritourism attractions across the region, agritourists who leave not only with their experiences, but also with direct-to-consumer products from those attractions help preserve those very places they seek out.

“I think that any trend that allows farmers growers and producers to challenge the market prices of their goods is a good trend,” Masciarelli said. “That, in my opinion, increases the viability of their farms, ultimately helping to keep them on farmland.”

Ten Acre Garden is a small portion of a farm in Canton that has been in Danny Barrett’s family for over a century. Garth Kuver photo

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Future of farming Agritourism activities key to fruitful business

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR Many farmers today understand they can’t put all their eggs in one basket.

It’s no longer enough to pour your blood, sweat and tears into planting, cultivating and harvesting the crop. Now farmers are finding ways to turn their age-old industry into a destination. While integrating agritourism components — corn mazes, pumpkin patches, farm to table dinners and seasonal harvest festivals — can be time-consuming and costly, some farmers have welcomed the change with open arms.

EMBRACING CHANGE

EDUCATING THE YOUNG’UNS Though putting on special events and always going above and beyond to offer visitors an experience on the farm, Roberts said her family loves opening up their farm to the public and doing their part to educate future generations about the science of growing food.

“People can come down and see the actual operation and kids get to experience the idea of seeing agriculture in real life,” she said.

“Some kids really think these strawberries start at the grocery store.”

Barrett echoed those same sentiments. He likes to see the genuine excitement on the children’s faces when they make the connection between the farm and their dinner table.

“So many kids are raised in an environment where they don’t know where their food comes from, but luckily the parents are responsible enough and they’re trying to expose their kids to these kind of things,” he said. “And the kids are really excited about it — it’s a big deal for them to come out and

S EE FUTURE, PAGE 8

Darnell Farms presents the annual Strawberry Jam • All day — Saturday, May 19 • 2300 Governors Island Rd., Bryson City • Live music, craft vendors, local food, children’s play area, hayrides, and u-pick strawberries.

Darnell Farms grew seven acres of strawberries this season with plans to expand next season. So what makes a

change that. People are more supportive of local farms.”

Roberts said that’s a good trend to see since farmers have a huge impact on a local economy by creating jobs, buying fuel and supplies locally and offering fresh food to the community.

To find out more about Darnell Farms’ expansion plans or to make a contribution, visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/darnellfarms-agritourism-expansion. delicious strawberry? Afton Roberts with Darnell Farms should know.

“Photosynthesis has a huge impact on the fruit. There’s a chemical in a strawberry to give it sweetness and color. The sunnier we are at the farm the riper the berry gets and the sweeter it gets,” she said.

“The deeper in color — some strawberries even reach an almost purple hue — sometimes is an indicator of someone not having enough nutrients in the soil, so it’s really sweet but lacks the strawberry taste. But ours are known for being really red strawberries and we don’t use any ripening agents, that’s really important.”

Smoky Mountain News

Danny Barrett, owner of Ten Acre Garden in Canton, said rural farming has changed significantly since he was growing up watching his parents do it. It’s no longer the days of farmers specializing in a couple of crops and sending them off to the packing house — farmers today try to grow a little bit of everything and sell directly to the consumer.

“We gradually switched over to the retail side of things. Now we’re growing a little bit of everything and selling directly to the public and restaurants,” Barrett said.

Barrett said he’s embraced the new layer of his profession and his passion.

“I have a farm stand on the property, so I enjoy meeting the customers and making news friends,” he said. “It’s a little more satisfying than growing and taking it to the packing house and never seeing where it goes.”

Afton Roberts, operations manager at Darnell Farms in Bryson City, represents a younger generation of farmers taking over

the business from their parents. Her father, Jeff Darnell, has operated the farm along the Tuckasegee River since 1981 and while he is very much still involved in the business, Roberts and her brother Nathaniel Darnell have been at the forefront of the agritourism movement. The siblings never miss an opportunity to put on an event at the farm or show off their products and process through social media.

Darnell Farms is getting ready to host its annual Strawberry Jam this Saturday — a festival Jeff started back in 1999 when festivals in the region were few and far between.

Deemed as good ole fashion family fun, the Strawberry Jam welcomes visitors to the farm to pick their own fresh strawberries, enjoy local music, food and craft vendors and hayrides around the farm.

“We like the simple festival style — we don’t do anything too organized,” Roberts laughed, referring to how busy this time of year is for everyone at Darnell Farms.

May 16-22, 2018

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR arnell Farms would like to expand to offer more for families when they visit, but it needs support from the community to make it happen.

The Darnell Family started a funding capital funding campaign on Indigogo.com with the goal of raising $30,000 for an agritourism expansion.

Afton Roberts, Afton Roberts, operations manager operations manager at the Bryson City at Darnell Farms, farm, said the fundgets ready for ing would allow strawberry season. them to plant a uDonated photo pick apple orchard, offer a Farm2FrontDoor program where people can sign up to get a fresh box of produce delivered to their home, install an expanded riverfront walkway with river access, create an overnight Barn Inn offering a cozy room for visitors and start an educational field trip cost share program for local schools.

Roberts is excited about the idea of the u-pick apple orchard since there aren’t many apple-picking opportunities west of Waynesville.

While traditional apple orchards can be dangerous because of the height of the trees, Roberts said the farm plans to plant shorter trees with trellises to make it easier for visitors.

These are big goals, but the Darnell family plans to chip away at them as funding is available.

“The goal is to continue expanding our agritourism and expand activities for kids and families,” she said. “We’d love to add a

trampoline bouncy house for kids and more swings on the playground to make it where people can come hang out. Even if they don’t come spend money, we want to make Darnell Farms feel like home.”

Using a crowd-sourcing campaign like Indigogo.com allows people to invest in the project and receive perks for their level of investment. Roberts said an online campaign was the best chance for them to raise funds since it’s so difficult for farms to get conventional financing through a bank.

“It’s hard to get financing because it’s such an unpredictable market,” she said.

“But the buy local movement is working to

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Support needed for Darnell Farms expansion

7

news

Farmers market season is here lowers are blooming, birds are nesting and farmers market season is soon to arrive in Western North Carolina. These weekly, and sometimes bi-weekly, gatherings of local growers pop up in even the tiniest of communities, giving locals the change to stock their kitchens with the freshest food and meet the people who fuel the region with homegrown veggies, honey, jellies and more.

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HAYWOOD COUNTY HAYWOOD HISTORIC FARMERS MARKET, WAYNESVILLE • Getting there: 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays through the end of October, at 250 Pigeon Street in the parking lot of the HART Theatre.

• What’s happening: Local produce; meats, eggs, honey, dairy, value-added products, heritage crafts and more for sale by 30 to 40 vendors at the height of the season, all of whom produce their wares in Haywood or an

May 16-22, 2018

FUTURE, CONTINUED FROM 7 pick strawberries.”

Roberts hopes instilling this knowledge upon a younger generation will inspire more people to go into farming for the sake of our future food production. According to the 2012 U.S. Census data, the average age of farmers in North Carolina is 59. Roberts worries about a produce shortage in the next 10 years.

“Agritourism is so important because we can be those educators,” she said. “We can get kids to understand the science behind growing food.”

EASING CHALLENGES

Smoky Mountain News

Life on the farm isn’t all hayrides and strawberry shortcakes — it’s expensive and risky business. Sometimes it comes with a high reward at harvest time but it’s not a guarantee.

“It takes hundreds of thousands of dollars to get a crop in the ground,” Roberts said. “It can take $10,000 to $15,000 to plant an acre of tomatoes by the time you factor in all your labor, fertilizer and everything else. Last year it was higher because we had so much rain.”

When the crop comes up short so does a farm’s revenue, which is why those agritourism dollars are so important to operations like Darnell Farms by giving them a little more stability throughout the year.

“It makes a big difference,” Roberts said.

“Agritourism itself brings in the retail cash flow a farm needs to keep its head above water. With our huge tomato loss last year, 8 without that cash we would have had a hard

adjacent county.

• Ways to pay: Credit and debit card, SNAP/EBT benefits, cash.

• Contact: haywoodfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

Online at www.waynesvillefarmersmarket.com or www.facebook.com/haywood historicfarmersmarket.

THE ORIGINAL WAYNESVILLE TAILGATE MARKET, WAYNESVILLE • Getting there: 8 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays and Saturdays through the end of October at 171 Legion Drive in Waynesville.

• What’s happening: Vegetables, fruits, eggs and cut flowers sold by Haywood County growers. New vendors are wanted.

• Ways to pay: Cash, check, WIC and senior coupons from the Haywood County Department of Health and Human Services.

• Contact: Vicky Rogers, 828.456.1830 or vrogers12@att.net.

JACKSON COUNTY JACKSON COUNTY FARMERS MARKET, SYLVA • Getting there: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon, and Wednesdays, 4 to 7 p.m., at Bridge Park — 110 Railroad Road — through the end of October; Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Table November to March.

• What’s happening: A variety of locally pro-

time growing this year.”

Roberts said local farmers also deal with the challenge of correcting misinformation surrounding their farming methods.

Darnell Farms and many others don’t qualify for organic certification because they still fumigate their crops, leaving some people to assume the produce isn’t safe to eat.

“We have to deal with lot of fake news issues,” Roberts said. “We don’t use any harmful chemicals and for pest control we use biological methods like predatory mites, which kill bad mites.”

As a consumer herself, she understands the concern people have with eating food that may contain harmful chemicals, but she wants people educate themselves using reliable sources. Having visitors to the farm helps alleviate some people’s fears and gives the Darnells a chance to explain the science behind their practices.

It’s a good thing for people to be informed. I care what I consume too and I don’t want it to harm me or my family,” Roberts said.

Educating the public on his farming practices is also important for Barrett at Ten Acre Garden. The farm’s goal is to minimize environmental impact while providing organically grown produce to the region. Their methods are clearly explained on their website.

“By practicing integrated pest management, crop rotation, and maximizing crop diversity, we create a sustainable, biodiverse system that decreases the need for chemical pest control. When chemical treatment is needed, we use only environmentally friendly sprays targeted at the crop that needs it.”

duced vegetables, meats, honey, plants and crafts. Plant starts, native plants, mushrooms, greens and other in-season veggies, spices, eggs, baked goods, occasional brickoven fired pizza, goat cheese, flowers and local crafts such as pottery, soaps, jewelry, journals, toys, candles, bird feeders, note cards and more for sale by 20-35 vendors.

Family Art at the Market offered some Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. “A Taste the Market” fundraiser occurs on the second Saturday of each month.

• Ways to pay: Cash, credit, debit and SNAP benefits accepted.

• Contact: Lisa McBride, 828.393.5236 or jacksoncountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

Online at www.facebook.com/theglorious jacksoncountyfarmersmarket/, or www.jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org.

FRANKLIN FARMERS TAILGATE MARKET • Getting there: 10 a.m. to noon, Saturdays though April and then 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through the end of October, on East Palmer Street across from Drake Software.

• What’s happening: Variety of homegrown products, including fruits and vegetables, cheese, plants, eggs, trout, preserves, honey and artisan breads sold by an average of 25-30 vendors.

• Contact: Alan Durden, 828.349.2049 or alan_durden@ncsu.edu. www.facebook.com/ franklinncfarmersmarket.

THE ‘WHEE FARMERS MARKET, CULLOWHEE • Getting there: 3 to 6 p.m., Tuesdays through the end of October, at the University Inn on 563 North Country Club Drive.

• What’s happening: Meats, eggs, cheeses, vegetables, cut flowers, milk, ice cream and value-added products and crafts sold by an average of eight vendors. New vendors welcome. $5 per market or $25 for the season.

• Ways to pay: Cash/check, with some vendors accepting credit and debit cards.

• Contact: Curt Collins, 828.476.0334. www.facebook.com/cullowheefarmersmarket.

SWAIN COUNTY FARMER MARKET, BRYSON CITY • Getting there: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fridays through Oct. 26, at the barn on Island Street.

• What’s happening: Local produce, nursery plants, herbs, trout, eggs, honey and artisan crafts such as jewelry, wood carvings and gourds sold by anywhere from eight to 15 vendors.

• Ways to pay: Cash/check.

• Contact: Christine Bredenkamp, 828.488.3848 or christine_bredenkamp@ncsu.edu. www.facebook.com/ swaincountyfarmersmarket.

MACON COUNTY

SWAIN COUNTY

Chef Matt Kuver and spend an evening on the property.

“It’s the best kept secret farm around,” Barrett said.

But word is getting out and more people are discovering the farm and all it has to offer. Residents can also participate in the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program at Ten Acre Garden.

“For $400 a season, you can pick up a box every week of vegetables Farm-to-Feast dinners are being held at Ten Acre Garden in and whatever we have in Canton. Donated photo season,” Barrett said.

If you can’t make it out to Canton, Barrett and his produce can also be found at the Historic Haywood Farmer’s Market. Right now Barrett said he’s offering strawberries, asparagus, lettuce and kale.

Before too long he’ll have some green beans,

BY J ESSI STONE sweet corn and tomatoes.

N EW E DITOR The next Farm-to-Feast dinner will be en Acre Garden in Canton has created an held at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 20. The menu experience for visitors. They can come includes farm fresh asparagus with bearnaise, pick their own seasonal berries — black- flat breads with fennel compote and smoked berries, blueberries, strawberries — or pick bleu cheese, smoke roasted prime rib with their herbs or flowers from Garth Kuver’s arugula resto and pepperonata rustica, crispy Genesis Gardens on the property. kale, carrot and potatoes lyonnaise, herbed On Saturdays, visitors can use fresh pro- squash rescaldo and strawberry shortcake for duce to build their own pizza at the farm, dessert. which is then cooked in the outdoor wood Tickets are limited, buy your ticket at fired oven. The farm also hosts a number of www.eventbrite.com/e/farm-2-feast-tickets“farm-to-feast” dinners throughout the sum- 46049726973?aff=efbeventtix. mer season, giving residents a chance to taste For more information about Ten Acre some amazing local meals prepared by local Garden, visit www.tenacregarden.com.

Ten acres of goodness

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Nantahala Brewing will expand to Sylva Wonderful Selection of vegetables, gardens plants, hanging baskets and more!

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Formerly home to the Palaestra Combat Sports Club, this building in downtown Sylva will soon hold an outpost of Bryson City’s Nantahala Brewing Company. Holly Kays photo

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Smoky Mountain News

parking on its property and dealing with congestion from vehicles turning into and out of the lot. With the variance, the parking lot would mainly be used by delivery trucks.

When the time came for public comment, one person spoke out against the variance — Joel Sowers, owner of Fusion Spa and Sundog Development. The businesses, which are located in the same Main Street building, own a parking lot directly across Mill Street from the future site of Nantahala Brewing’s outpost. Sowers fears that brewery customers will take over that lot.

“We already struggle running our business because of Wells Fargo and the bank and the law offices that don’t have enough parking,” Sowers said. “The reality is you may think they’re going to go park a block away and walk all the way down across a busy intersection, but they’re not. They’re going to park right in our parking lot. I can’t even fathom the city making a decision like that.”

Joe Rowland, owner of Nantahala Brewing, assured Sowers that would not be the case and that the business has experience dealing with such issues at its anchor location in Bryson City.

“Our whole staff is trained,” Rowland said. “When people walk in, they ask them, ‘Where did you park?’ And a lot of folks will ask because there are ‘No Parking’ signs there (at the nearby private lot), and we send them to our parking lot, which is even further away.”

Nantahala Brewing will make Sylva a three-brewery town once more when it opens, joining mainstay Innovation Brewing and newcomer Balsam Falls Brewing Company, and replenishing Sylva’s stock of breweries since The Sneak E. Squirrel and Heinzelmannchen Brewery closed last year.

Nantahala plans to function as a brewery and restaurant, with the floor plan calling for a stage, bar and general seating area.

“I think this will be great for Sylva,” said Commissioner David Nestler.

May 16-22, 2018

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER antahala Brewing Company will move forward with opening an outpost in Sylva after the Sylva Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to allow the business to use public parking rather than building its own.

“I’m excited about this project,” said Commissioner Mary Gelbaugh. “I just want to be conscious of our neighbors.”

The brewery will go in at 5 Grindstaff Cove Road in a building previously occupied by the Palaestra Combat Sports Club. The property is located just a block off Main Street and is bordered by Scotts Creek to the north and the Blue Ridge Southern Railroad to the south. According to a report from the Jackson County Planning Department, with which Sylva contracts for planning services, the property is impacted by a railroad setback and trout buffer that would prevent Nantahala Brewing from building the 35 parking spaces required for a business of that size in the B2 district.

While B2 businesses are required to provide their own parking, B1 business are not, and the property in question is immediately adjacent to the downtown B1 district.

“Granting a variance for parking in this case does not deviate from the spirit and intent of the ordinance,” said senior planner John Jeleniewski.

To the contrary, he said, it supports it.

The proposal would be that Nantahala Brewing work with the N.C. Department of Transportation to install a crosswalk at the intersection of Grindstaff Cove and Mill Street so that staff and patrons can safely move between the brewery and parking at Bridge Park, which is a two-minute walk away and contains more than 100 parking spots.

Jeleniewski told the town board that building a crosswalk and parking customers in the public lot would ultimately be safer than forcing Nantahala Brewing to find

9

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Gun range suddenly a tourist destination “The environment we’re working towards is providing a very good place to shoot. No bullets leave this building except in a recycling bucket.”

Smoky Mountain News

May 16-22, 2018

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— Jule Morrow, owner, Mountain Range

“It helps people feel secure when they’re shooting,” he said.

The firing booths are wider than most ranges, and lined with two inches of a KevlarDuPont product that in turn covers fiveeighths inch armor plating.

“A .308 armor-piercing round will not go through it into another booth with any fatal velocity left,” said Morrow. “That’s well above what the industry standard is. When you’re

in that booth, you’re completely encased, ceiling and both sides.”

The approaches to the six rifle and eight pistol lanes, all of which are 30 yards long, are also laid out with safety in mind.

“From the benches to the firing line, there’s a lot of space. Most places it’s more compact,” Morrow said. “The places that had problems with discharges were places where they were really crowded. The environment

we’re working towards is providing a very good place to shoot. No bullets leave this building except in a recycling bucket.”

Safety and cleanliness are industry watchwords; Morrow’s been conscious of casting a small footprint in the rural Francis Farm community after stirring up a barrage of complaints when he announced his plans to build the range back in 2015.

Worries about aesthetics, acoustics and attracting a criminal element to the rural community have so far proven unfounded after what was the latest test of Haywood County’s non-existent zoning policy.

“We hadn’t had a call [since opening in late 2016],” Morrow said. “Sheriff hadn’t had to come out here one time.”

To keep it that way, Morrow

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BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER hile most people have certainly heard of agritourism, ecotourism and even necrotourism (visiting famous cemeteries and gravesites), most may not have heard of so-called “gun tourism.”

That may be changing, thanks to one local indoor firing range.

“We’ve been turning into quite a destination for visitors that come in to the county,” said Jule Morrow, owner of Mountain Range, a retail firearms shop and firing range on Palmer Road just outside Waynesville. “A lot of people come from places where they don’t have good safe places to shoot, or the environment is not as gun-friendly as North Carolina is.”

A series of news stories — including one in Forbes detailing Japanese tourists flying to Hawaii simply to pay for the opportunity to fire a gun as well as a Las Vegas operation that will let customers fire a machine gun from a helicopter in flight for $1,600 — demonstrate the popularity of the phenomenon. But what’s happening at Mountain Range is far from that.

“We get a lot of foreign tourists from Europe, where you have no options,” Morrow said.

When they arrive, said Morrow, they enter one of the cleanest, safest ranges in the country.

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said he took pains to ensure the environmental impact of the facility would be as low as possible.

“We filter the air coming in, filter the pollen out, and then at high-speed it’s pushed through the range where it’s pulling on the other end,” he said. “We take that and filter it before the air is returned to the environment.”

As to the environmental hazards of the range, located just below the crest of a small hill in a pastoral valley, they’re practically nonexistent.

“We recycle everything we possibly can, the cardboard from the targets, the lead and copper from the bullets is all trapped,” he said. “We recycle all the brass. So for the industry, we’re actually pretty efficient and non-polluting.”

For the community — as well as customers from more restrictive jurisdictions — education is among the most important

products sold at Mountain Range.

The concealed carry curriculum, for example, exceeds state-mandated minimums by almost half.

“You have to have eight hours of classroom instruction, of that two hours minimum has to be on state law,” Morrow said.

“The rest of it is basic care, cleaning, handling and shooting. You’ve got to be fairly proficient with it, and safe. Safe is number one.

The number one thing we teach more than anything else is safety.”

Morrow’s desire to provide a safe, clean environment in which to learn and practice means he goes above and beyond what’s required, for residents and visitors alike.

“What we do is about four hours of the eight in learning the laws, and then you have your range qualification time,” he said. “We require 50 shots. Most everybody else is 30.

That’s the state minimum.”

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“This is what we call an empty holster event. I want people to show up and to represent with their bodies, not their firearms.”

— Jeremy Davis

message being presented, they’re also prohibited by ordinance in the vicinity of the rally.

“It’s illegal to have a gun in the parking deck, it’s a gun on county grounds. There’s an ordinance against it, and the Sheriff ’s office will enforce that ordinance,” Davis said. “We’ll do our best to police that ourselves and try to keep everybody on the up and up, but we want people there with warm bodies to protest injustice.”

Davis also said he was told that there would be a “safe space” available for those who wished to protest against the event.

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Burnsville, was also listed as a speaker for the event.

While Davis and organizers hope to see a big group of people attend, what they don’t necessarily want to see are firearms.

“We’re telling people to leave their guns at home,” Davis said. “This is what we call an empty holster event. I want people to show up and to represent with their bodies, not their firearms.”

While weapons may distract from the

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May 16-22, 2018

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER econd Amendment supporters in Haywood County will take to the Historic Courthouse lawn May 19 to protest what they say are threats to the Constitution, but the focus of the rally remains on firearms.

“We’ve seen all the counter-Second Amendment groups out advocating,” said Jeremy Davis, a member of the Haywood Republican Alliance, which is co-sponsoring the event. “I’m 44 years old and never in my life have I seen somebody march to take rights away. We’re seeing that now, where you’ve got a bunch of misguided youth out marching, begging the government to limit their rights. We’d just like to have a show of people that say, we support the Second Amendment, the Constitution, the First Amendment and the Tenth Amendment.”

The event, called March for Our Rights, is similar to rallies that have been held in Wilmington, Charlotte and Raleigh. Davis said other events were planned or had been held in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee.

“Everybody can have a different opinion on this,” Davis said. “The experts — Stalin, Hitler — all of them were in favor of gun control and look what it got them. Gun control is not the answer. We have a people problem, not a gun problem.”

Davis said that speakers at the event would include state and local Second Amendment activists as well as Republican county commission candidates Mark Pless and Phillip Wight. Rep. Michele Presnell, R-

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Gun rights activists to hold Haywood event May 19

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State dismisses candidate challenge against Swain sheriff

BY J ESSI STONE State board members still questioned the N EWS E DITOR relevance of a dishonorable discharge stating wain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran will that a dishonorable discharge didn’t necesremain a candidate on the November sarily mean he was guilty of a felony and not ballot after the State Board of Elections eligible to run for office. & Ethics Enforcement upheld the decision of “There’s a lot of people who are dishonorthe Swain County Board of Elections panel in ably discharged because they make stupid regard to a candidate challenge filed against decisions while in the military,” said one him. board member. “It doesn’t mean they’re not Swain County resident Jerry Lowery origi- capable of being the sheriff of whatever counnally filed the candidate challenge against ty we’re talking about today.”

Cochran back in late February after Cochran Epstein reminded the board that many of signed up to run for a fourth term. Lowery the reasons for dishonorable discharge do alleged Cochran was dishonorably dis- result in a felony, which would prevent somecharged from the military in 1975 and as such one from carrying a gun. Carrying a gun is a is guilty of a felony, which would mean he is requirement to be sheriff. not eligible to run for sheriff in Swain County.

Even though Cochran’s administrative According to North Carolina law, the bur- assistant testified to the Swain County board den of proof in a candidate challenge falls on that a criminal background check on Cochran the candidate who must show “by a prepon- showed no felony charges or convictions, she derance of evidence” that he or she is quali- could not answer how far back those backfied to run for election. The challenge asked Cochran to present his DD-214 military release form in order to prove whether or not he was dishonorably discharged from the military.

The Swain County Board of Elections dismissed Lowery’s challenge following an April 9 hearing, but Lowery appealed the challenge to the state because he said the local board didn’t place the burden of proof on the candidate. Instead, he said the board placed the burden on him to produce proof that Cochran was a felon.

The state board heard the appeal on May 3 in Raleigh.

Lowery filed a motion to continue the hearing stating that he didn’t have enough time to secure a lawyer to represent him at the hearing. He secured Raleigh lawyer Jake Epstein to represent him the afternoon Jerry Lowery (center) goes before the State Board of before the hearing.

Cochran’s lawyer David Sawyer Elections & Ethics Enforcement to appeal his candidate and the Swain County Board of challenge against Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran.

Elections’ lawyer Don Wright — Donated photo who served as General Counsel for the N.C. State Board of Elections before retir- ground checks go. Also, as Epstein pointed ing — both argued that Lowery had plenty of out, military court charges would show up in time to secure representation since this chal- a civilian database. lenge was filed in February. The state board In the end, Epstein couldn’t convince the dismissed Lowery’s motion for a continuance. state board to overrule the local decision. The Epstein argued that the county board of vote to affirm the local decision was unanielections did not place the burden of proof on mous.

Cochran and did not force him to release his “This is the second board that has ruled DD-214 form that would show whether on this matter and found that there is no findCochran had been dishonorably discharged ings that support the ridiculous, slanderous or court martialed. Even though Cochran and and libelous claims that have been lodged his attorney claim Cochran was never issued against me,” he said. “I have said it before and a DD-214 because he served less than 90 days I will say it again today that I will not stoop active duty, Epstein argued that the military this low to try to gain an edge in my re-elecsurely has documentation of why Cochran tion campaign, any candidate that would was discharged and whether he was court support or condone this type of activity martialed. would not have the leadership qualities to “But only Cochran can access such a doc- lead this office, no matter how many classes ument,” he said. or training they may have.”

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d BY HOLLY KAYS e STAFF WRITER wo defendants in a marriage fraud case t set to go to trial Monday, May 14, have opted to enter a guilty plea instead.

Golan Perez, of Cherokee, and Ofir f Marsiano, of Pigeon Forge, had each faced o five counts in federal court for their part in a scheme to pair U.S. citizens with non-citizens a looking to strengthen their case for permae nent immigration status by entering into a d fraudulent marriage. Charges included conn spiracy to defraud the United States and illee gal entry, concealment of facts.

Both men agreed to plead guilty to the charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States, with those pleas still waiting approval and sentencing from a judge. The crime carries a maximum sentence of five years and a $250,000 fine.

According to the factual basis documents that the defendants filed along with their pleas, Perez and Marsiano participated in the conspiracy by “facilitating communications between co-conspirators and by facilitating the arrange-

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with a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The fourth defendant who pled guilty to entering into one of the fraudulent marriages, Jordan Elizabeth Littlejohn, is still awaiting sentencing, as is Ruth Marie Sequoyah McCoy, who in March pled guilty to conspiracy to commit marriage fraud. According to court documents filed in October 2017, the FBI is “investigating the defendant (McCoy) in connection with charges that go beyond” the marriage fraud case.

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The marriage fraud case involved a total of 12 defendants, four of whom were foreign nationals who were never arrested, presumably because they fled the country when the charges came down.

The District Attorney’s Office recently hired a new prosecutor, Kimberly Hayes Harris.

Harris is a native of Cherokee County. Upon graduating from Murphy High School she served four years of active duty with the U.S. Army’s 2nd Stryker Brigade as an intelligence analyst stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Tacoma, Washington. During her time on active duty she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies from American Military University and graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in December 2017. She took and passed the North Carolina Bar Exam in February 2018.

Harris will focus on District Court and misdemeanor appeals to Superior Court in Cherokee and Clay Counties.

“We are exceptionally pleased to have both a Veteran and native of Cherokee County joining our staff with the addition of Mrs. Harris. She demonstrated her professionalism, work ethic, and legal ability as an intern in our office during the summer of 2017 and will be an immediate asset in both Cherokee and Clay Counties” said District Attorney Ashley Welch.

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ment of the fraudulent marriages” between the citizens and non-citizens. Marsiano then “connected the conspirators with a minister in his employ who could perform the fraudulent marriages” in Sevier County, Tennessee. After the marriages took place, “Perez also acted as a gobetween with respect to arrangements made after the marriages took place for the payment to the United States citizen co-conspirators of the money owed to them by the non-citizen coconspirators.”

Both men knew that the marriages “were entered into for the purpose of evading the immigration laws and that they were therefore not legitimate,” the documents say, and they knew that their assistance was valuable in helping the “co-conspirators” commit their crime.

The marriage fraud case involved a total of 12 defendants, four of whom were foreign nationals who were never arrested, presumably because they fled the country when the charges came down. Of the eight who were arrested, one had his case dismissed and the remaining seven pled guilty, many of those

DA hires new prosecutor

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Guilty pleas entered, sentences rendered in marriage fraud case

with agreements to cooperate as a witness.

Only three defendants — Kaila Nikelle Cucumber, Kevin Dean Swayney and Jessica Marie Gonzalez — have been sentenced thus far. Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced Cucumber, Swayney and Gonzalez to three years of probation, a $100 assessment and requirement to pay fees for court-appointed counsel. All three had pled guilty to entering into one of the fraudulent marriages, a crime

1819 Country Club Drive Maggie Valley, NC

M AG G I E VA LLEY C LU B . CO M 13

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Debate continues over unpaid bills at Caney Fork store Owner and subcontractor disagree over who is responsible for payment

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER inger-pointing over who’s to blame for unpaid bills following a business relocation project in Jackson County has transitioned to the legal realm.

Blitz Estridge, owner of Blitz Estridge Electric, followed up a lien filed January 8 with a lawsuit claiming that Caney Fork General Store owes his company $42,100 in unpaid bills. The suit seeks compensation with interest and payment of attorneys’ fees, and also asks that a jury direct that the store be sold so that proceeds could be applied toward the debt. No response to the complaint has yet been filed.

Meanwhile Mickey Luker, owner of Caney Fork General Store and a Jackson County commissioner, contends that he’s not the one responsible for paying Estridge and that the unpaid debt is the fault of the Atlanta-based program management company THC Inc., which Luker said was responsible for paying subcontractors in the relocation project. To that effect, Luker has filed a relocation payment review request with the N.C. Department of Transportation, seeking repayment for Estridge.

“The independent contractor assigned to

Smoky Mountain News

May 16-22, 2018

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handle my case did not pay for the electrician’s work,” the form reads. “I want to know why. Other contractors were not paid all the money they were due. I was led to believe that there was sufficient money to pay all the contractors the money that was due them.”

RESPONSIBILITY FOR PAYMENT The dispute stems from an ongoing DOT road-widening project along N.C. 107 between Caney Fork and Tuckaseigee. As part of the project, the DOT condemned the property where Luker’s store sat for use as a temporary construction easement, with the planned roadwork rendering the land unusable as a store following its completion.

DOT paid $757,800 for the damage it would incur to the property, a sum that it deemed to be fair market value; it also paid $533,900 to relocate the business — which technically contains four different businesses called Shirley’s Boutique, Bailey’s Outdoor Supply, Gracie’s Deli and Caney Fork General Store — to a spot just across the road from the original property.

However, multiple contractors who worked on the relocation are saying that they never received the money they were owed. Estridge said he was due a total of $45,400 for his work but received only $3,200, leaving a balance of more than $42,000. And in a separate case filed in the Wayne County Superior Court, Goldsboro-

The new Caney Fork General Store is located just across the road from the original location along N.C. 107. Holly Kays photo based Tillman’s Restaurant Equipment and Supplies said that Luker owed a balance of $40,000, with only $55,000 having been paid for $95,000 worth of work. In a March interview with The Smoky Mountain News, Luker said that there were several other vendors who, though they hadn’t filed a formal complaint, had not been “completely made whole” either.

Estridge has been adamant since the start that Luker is the one who owes him money and that Luker has been intentionally scheming to avoid payment.

But Luker tells a different story.

Regarding the suit with Tillman’s, he said, the nonpayment is due to the company’s poor quality of work.

“Every day we’re having to mop water or deal with lines frozen and all that,” Luker said. “The guy has gotten 67 or 70 percent of his money. Until it’s corrected and fixed like it should be, we’ll fight it till that comes. You got a brand new piece of equipment that’s supposed to be state-of-the-art, and that’s what it should be.”

According to court records, Tillman’s has received 57.9 percent of the balance due.

When reached for comment in March, when SMN first reported on the lawsuit, business owner Tommy Tillman and his lawyer Gene Britt both declined to comment, as litigation is ongoing.

In regards to Estridge and any other contractors who’ve been shorted, Luker said that’s an unfortunate consequence of poor conduct on the part of THC and its representative Brian Green.

“As I said before, the DOT local people have been excellent,” Luker said. “THC, Brian Green and those guys — that is less than desirable.”

Sylva attorney J.K. Coward, who is representing Luker, backed up Luker’s explanation of what happened, saying that THC had been the go-between for DOT and the subcontractors and was responsible for paying companies like Estridge’s that worked on the relocation.

“He (Green) just paid the first ones who got their bills in, and

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Coward disagrees with Estridge’s contention that Luker is deliberately avoiding payment, saying that the money will materialize in one of two ways: either the review of THC’s conduct that Luker has requested of the DOT will result in THC paying the tab, or a suit Luker has filed appealing the market value of the condemned property will produce funds to pay the balance.

“I think it’s going to be taken care of eventually when we finally reach a final agreement about what the damages are,” said Coward. “When we finally reach that number, the first people he (Luker) is going to take care of is the people who were owed money.”

Coward is an experienced lawyer when it comes to condemnation cases and says that it’s common for the state to lowball property owners on fair market value.

“They never offer an amount that’s satisfactory,” Coward said. “They always offer low because they’re trying to keep it within their budget.”

Coward believes that the $757,800 paid for the property is less than fair market value for damages that will make it basically unusable. He has filed an appeal on Luker’s behalf asking that a jury decide what the fair market value should be. That document was filed in December 2016, but because damages are measured based on the value before taking versus the value after taking, Coward said he’s sought a continuance to settle the dispute after the road project is complete, which according to DOT’s website should happen in April 2020. The $757,800 that the DOT originally offered has already been paid out.

“We’re trying to get Estridge paid,” Coward said.

While Estridge gave ample interviews for a March story on this issue, he said his lawyer has advised him not to go on record further at this time, as litigation is pending.

May 16-22, 2018

Luker, however, points to a letter dated Oct. 19, 2017 — 10 days after Estridge finished working on the project, according to the lien — and signed by Estridge as evidence that he is correct, and that THC was responsible for disbursing funds.

“Brian Green contacted me by phone earlier this year and explained the process,” the letter reads. “After that, most of our communication was by e-mail. He knew that there were four businesses to change out. I got one bid to him for Shirley’s Boutique. He said don’t bother with bids on the other three.

Get started and we would do the paperwork later. He said submit an itemized invoice for all the work on a ‘time and material’ basis, when the job was complete. He knew there were four permits needed.

“When I finished, I sent the invoice to him. Once he had received it, we talked on the phone, for the second time. He said, ‘It looks good to me.’ I have finished the work.

It has been inspected and approved, and the permits are taped on the door. Most of my interaction on the job was with Brian Green.”

In Luker’s view, this lays out the case fairly plainly. Estridge was submitting invoices to Brian Green and communicating about the job with Brian Green. Brian Green was therefore responsible for taking care of payment.

Estridge admits he signed the letter. But he said that Luker and Coward wrote it, not him, and that he regrets having signed it.

According to Estridge, Luker — not Green — is the one who told him not to bother with paperwork for the other three businesses, and that he sent his invoice to Green because that’s what Luker told him to do.

Estridge said most of his interaction on the job was with Luker, not Green.

“I kick myself in the butt for signing that paper, but still what it boils down to is we did do the work there through Mickey (Luker),” Estridge said during a March 13 phone call. “He did tell us to submit our invoice through Brian Green, but it got rejected because Mickey knew what he was doing.”

Luker questions that story. He said he didn’t write the letter — the first time he saw it was in the case file at Coward’s office, and he seriously doubts that Coward would have written it. Coward said he couldn’t comment either way, as the letter is evidence in a pending court case.

“Why would you as a business person sign something like that that you didn’t read?” Luker asked. “It’s not like it’s a 20page document. It’s a pretty simple letter that’s only a few sentences long.”

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poor ole Estridge, he got his bill in late, and they said, ‘We don’t have any more money.

We can’t pay you,’” Coward said. “I feel sorry for him. I really do.”

Green did not return requests for comment on this story and declined to comment when SMN first reported on the issue in March, saying that because he works for the DOT he’s not at liberty to speak on the record.

However, Estridge has consistently maintained that his agreement was with Luker and that Luker was the one responsible for paying him — hence the lawsuit asking that Luker liquidate his business, if that’s what it takes to cough up the $42,000.

A public records request from the DOT backed up Estridge’s version of the story, with Public Records Manager Sophia Campbell writing that, “the General Store/Mickey Luker would be responsible for paying subcontractors involved in the relocation.” While DOT would pay a third party Mickey Luker if the owner signed a waiver, that third-party option involves the DOT paying subcontractors directly, not funneling money through a different company. According to David Uchiyama, communications officer for DOT’s western region, THC is a consulting company that was hired to manage all aspects of relocation for the road project, but the company was not responsible for paying subcontractors.

366 RUSS AVE. WAYNESVILLE BiLo Shopping Center 15

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he announcement that 20,000 gallons of sewer capacity will soon be released in Cashiers has spurred interest from homeowners and businesspeople alike, and the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority Board is pondering whether to bump up its sewer plant construction schedule as a result.

“We knew that once the allocation became available there would be a demand for it,” TWSA Executive Director Dan Harbaugh told the board during a May 8 work session. “The question we need to answer is whether the Phase One 125,000 gallons (of sewer capacity) by itself is really what we need to be building.”

The 20,000 gallons — unallocated sewer capacity held in reserve at the existing plant to address emergencies — is being released because TWSA is in the process of building a new sewer plant to augment the 200,000-gallon plant in place now. On paper, that existing plant has been near capacity since 2008, as investors bought up sewer allocation during the real estate boom to go with land they intended to develop. After the bust, many of those developments fell through, but investors held onto the allocation in hopes that values would one day rebound.

The result was that people wanting to build homes or businesses in the Cashiers area were stymied by lack of sewer service, but TWSA

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also couldn’t expand its plant on the Chattooga River due to environmental regulations.

The new plant will be located on a 16-acre property along the Horsepasture River, with the first phase of construction costing $9.5 million and adding 125,000 gallons of capacity. The long-range plan includes three phases totaling 496,000 gallons, and while the original plan was to wait about 10 years to build Phase Two, Harbaugh told the board it may be wise to pull the trigger much, much earlier.

As of the May 8 meeting, Harbaugh had received requests for allocation totaling 18,500 gallons of the 20,000 available, but more were in the works as he spoke to the board, with the deadline for applications not closing until Friday, May 11. As of press time, Harbaugh had not finished tabulating the later requests but told the board May 8 that he expected them to run well over 20,000 gallons.

In addition, he said, he’s spoken with two other organizations that combined could potentially consume the entire 125,000-gallon capacity at the new plant. One is High Hampton Inn, whose master plan could take a “large portion” of the plant’s capacity when executed. The other project is too preliminary to publicly name the organization, Harbaugh said.

“There are a lot more projects that are not on the application right now that are beginning to come out of the woodwork,” Harbaugh said.

Building the additional 125,000 gallons of

The announcement that more sewer capacity will soon be available in Cashiers has spurred intense interest from residents and businesses alike. File photo the Phase Two project would add an estimated $1.6 million to the cost, bringing the total up to $11.1 million for the first two phases, Harbaugh said. If the board wishes to keep that as an option, it could bid the project with the second phase as an alternate addition to the base bid, deciding after the bids come in whether to pursue the second phase. In the meantime, Harbaugh said, TWSA should work to get the word out that anyone planning a major project in the near future should let TWSA know, so the organization can better plot its strategy going forward.

“We want that information as early as possible,” he said. “Our goal is to push people

to begin talking to us if they’re getting serious about moving forward.”

TWSA secured U.S. Department of Agriculture funding for the sewer plant project, in January voting to accept an offer providing a grant of $1.7 million and a 40-year loan for $2.8 million at a 2.125 percent interest rate. TWSA will contribute $2.4 million to the project, with $1.5 million of that already spent on costs such as land acquisition and environmental permitting. A Golden LEAF Foundation grant will provide $460,800.

Construction on the new plant is expected to begin in February 2019 and finish in late 2020 or early 2021.

Smoky Mountain News

May 16-22, 2018

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Cashiers development interest could accelerate sewer plan

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Participants display the Confederate flag during last year’s Canton Christmas parade.

Cory Vaillancourt photo

Confederate flag debate could resurface in Canton

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May 16-22, 2018

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BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER t’s been a hot topic for almost a year now, but the role of Confederate imagery in contemporary society is no more settled than it was last summer, when riots in Charlottesville, Virginia, brought the issue to small towns across the country.

But with Labor Day fast approaching, that issue will likely be settled in Canton — one way or the other.

Last fall, Canton Alderman Dr. Ralph Hamlett introduced a controversial parade entry policy that would prohibit the display of “any image or content that includes nudity, profanity, lewdness, illegal drugs, violence, obscenity, hate, [or] racism” in response to complaints received about Confederate flags being flown in the town’s Labor Day parade. The town board, at that time under Mayor Mike Ray, tabled the policy, which was penned with the support of Alderwoman Gail Mull.

“I haven’t forgotten about that,” Hamlett, an associate professor of political communications at Brevard College said during a May 10 town board meeting.

Hamlett then asked Town Attorney William Morgan to re-examine his proposed policy and come back to the board with his thoughts.

The current Board of Aldermen/women is a very different board than the one that saw its boardroom packed with residents offering unanimous opposition to the proposed policy last fall; gone are Ray and Alderwoman Carole Edwards. Then-alderman Zeb Smathers is now mayor, joined by newly elected Alderman James Markey and Alderwoman Kristina Smith.

“We want to make sure anything we do ensures that town events will always be open and welcoming events for all citizens and visitors to Canton, while also ensuring safety for participants, town staff and law enforce-

ment,” Smith told The Smoky Mountain News Dec. 13, 2016.

At that same time, Markey said he’d support “a policy that prevents people from using speech that is generally seen as an affront to decency, and I will say that with the caveat that I will not support any policy contrary to what we consider the tenets of free speech now.”

Today, their positions remain little changed.

“As I said last fall, I’m not against the idea of exploring a town policy that promotes greater safety and enjoyment for all in attendance,” said Markey. “I am not in favor of, nor do I think any government institution has the authority to limit freedom of speech.”

But they do — courts have consistently ruled that governments can regulate speech based on the time, place and manner of its use, a critical nuance of Hamlett’s proposed policy.

Markey, however, remains consistent in his position.

“As it stands,” he said, “I would not vote for any ordinance or policy that could potentially violate First Amendment protections.”

Smith, like Markey, wants to wait to hear what Morgan has to say.

“I am always open to conversation, especially when it comes to a policy that provides direction to our parade officials, law enforcement and participants along with providing clear operational guidelines that focus on safety and organization of a town event,” she said.

“When it comes to the section that limits content in a town sanctioned event based on preset guidelines, this requires the board to do our due diligence for review and interpretation through civil discussion, research and consultation with our legal representation.”

For now, the policy still hasn’t been put on any agenda since its introduction last year, but per Hamlett’s May 10 request, it could see some action soon. Still, members of the board, including Smathers and Smith, have appealed for perspective as the town deals with the potentially devisive issue.

“As with anything that concerns Canton, there will be conversation, discussion, and discernment. Canton is a community that welcomed me and my family, and will be welcoming more families in the centuries to come,” Smith said. “This community is bigger and better than this one policy.”

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Vaya Health moves out of Sylva

The building is owned by the Evergreen Foundation, whose mission is to improve access to and public awareness of quality prevention, treatment, and support services by the provider community to individuals and families with intellectual/developmental disabilities, behavioral health, and/or substance abuse (IDD/MH/SA) needs in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties.

Contact Denise Coleman at dcoleman@evergreennc.org or www.evergreenfoundationnc.org.

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As of July 1, 2018 the large office building located at 44 Bonnie Lane in Sylva will no longer be the home to Vaya Health, formerly Smoky Mountain Center.

The 20,800 square foot building was built back in 1999 to house the administrative offices of mental health, substance abuse and developmental disability services for the counties of Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain. As the mental health system in North Carolina has changed it has been necessary for Vaya to move its administrative operations to a more central location within their expanded service area.

The building is in a prime location for health and human service providers and was the first building to be built in the office park across from Southwestern Community College in Sylva. It is a two-story building, with ample parking and access on both levels.

It also has an elevator, numerous offices, small and large conference rooms, a large board or meeting room and a large kitchen.

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Smoky Mountain News

as town manager; the long-time assistant and interim manager took the helm last April and at that time inherited a budget begun by his predecessor.

But Burrell wasn’t the only one — Alderman James Markey and Kristina Smith, both elected last fall, are taking part in their first budget process as well.

What Burrell presented to them was a budget with little new spending and proposals for some considerable new fees.

State statute allows for municipalities to charge a municipal vehicle tax fee of between $5 and $30 per vehicle; the town doesn’t currently charge, but could realize around $60,000 in new monies if the board decides to institute it.

The town also doesn’t charge fees for planning and zoning permit work, like letters of zoning compliance.

“We’re probably the only municipality that doesn’t,” Burrell said.

Tap fees for hookups to town water service could also see an update, which hasn’t happened since 2011.

Spending priorities include a new roof on the Canton Armory, minor costs associated with the addition of a county-subsidized school resource officer, raises for town employees and funds for economic development incentives.

Municipalities have, under N.C. law, until July 1 to pass a budget ordinance.

“Again, the process is developing,” Smathers said. “This is but the first step.”

May 16-22, 2018

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STQFF WRITER hile Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers has seen several budgets during his previous stint as an alderman, he appears to be pleased with his first as Mayor.

“What this budget seems to do so far is hold the line,” Smathers said. “It holds the line on taxes, there are no increases in taxes.

It also holds the line with economic development, takes care of law enforcement and fire and streets, which at the end of the day are our first priorities for the town.”

In a good news/bad news type of situation, the town’s projected tax rate will remain at 58 cents per $100 assessed value, but will also remain the highest in Haywood County.

It’s been the highest — or tied for it — since at least 2002, but hasn’t changed since 2007, when it was raised from 53 to 58 cents.

However, over the course of those 11 years inflation has reduced the purchasing power of that 58 cents considerably; today, it would cost 69.5 cents to purchase something that cost 58 cents back in 2007.

“Again I think this keeps with our narrative of what we’re doing in Canton to encourage growth and still provide the services that we do, yet, it does take care of the financial health of the town as we deal with the rising costs of insurance and benefits,” said Smathers.

Town Manager Jason Burrell’s budget presentation to the board was also his first

HOMELESS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA:

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Canton budget holds the line on taxes

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Steady growth: Maggie budget looks strong

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER ith no proposed tax increase, slightly lower spending and a healthy fund balance, the Town of Maggie Valley’s proposed FY 2018-19 budget appears to be one of the strongest in the area.

For the second straight year, Town Manager Nathan Clark presented to the Board of Aldermen a balanced budget with a rate of 43 cents per $100 in assessed property value, tied for the lowest in the county with the Town of Clyde.

Property taxes were last raised from 39 cents after the 2016-17 budget year, which runs from July 1 to June 30.

That increase came on the heels of a disappointing countywide property revaluation that saw Maggie Valley lose about $43 million in tax base, due to declining values.

Since then, however, the town has reclaimed almost half that total, with $21 million in taxable valuation — largely due to new home construction — hitting the books last year, bringing the total value of all taxable property in the town to more than $387 million.

That works out to an all-funds budget of $3.465 million, nearly the same as last year’s

May 16-22, 2018

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$3.457 million budget.

Revenue highlights include projected 4percent growth in sales tax revenues and the successful implementation of a solid waste collection fee last year, which added almost $80,000 in income that otherwise would have required a 2-cent tax increase to generate.

Expense highlights include signage for Parham and McCracken parks, Wi-Fi for McCracken and Rich parks, and two new police vehicles.

A new fire and security system for town hall is also included in the budget, as are appropriations for countywide wayfinding signage, a new welcome sign at the town’s eastern end and funding for the completion of the town’s long-awaited Universal Development Ordinance.

For the first time since 2014, the town faces no major capital projects.

Town employees will receive anywhere between 0 and 3 percent pay increases depending on several factors, at a total budget cost of about $36,000.

The town’s health insurance costs will only increase 5 percent this year, but still account for almost 10 percent of general fund expenditures; according to Clark’s budget presentation, the town pays 100 percent of employee health

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Courtyard of the Cherokee

Smoky Mountain News

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An Outdoor Cherokee Arts & Culture exhibit at Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center

GRAND OPENING RECEPTION MAY 24, 2018 • 3 P.M.

Everyone is welcome!

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Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center 20

121 Schoolhouse Road • Stecoah, NC

insurance premiums, and pays 80 percent of dependent coverage to vested employees.

With that stable growth in place, the town’s fund balance has also remained at a healthy level, far above the 8 percent mandated by the Local Government Commission.

At 102 percent of yearly general fund expenditures, the fund balance isn’t as high as it has been — it was above 110 percent in 2015 — but it’s far better than it was in 2003, when the town received a warning letter from the LCG drawing attention to its meager 26 percent fund balance.

$21 million in taxable valuation — largely due to new home construction — hit the books last year, bringing the total value of all taxable property in the town to more than $387 million.

For the coming budget year, the fund balance is projected to remain at 102 percent, notwithstanding a request by Clark to use 1 percent of that during the current budget year to pay for about $29,000 worth of equipment for police and the town garage. “[A healthy fund balance] helps us be our own bank,” Clark said May 15.

As with the Haywood County Board of Commissioners, Maggie Valley Aldermen have begun to openly wonder how much

fund balance is too much, and if some of that money shouldn’t be spent on things the town needs and wants, or returned to taxpayers in the form of a tax cut.

Clark said that the LCG recommends for towns of Maggie Valley’s size a fund balance of about 80 percent — in case of disasters or emergencies, this would fund the town’s general operations for about 10 months.

Alderman Phillip Wight said he might even be comfortable with a fund balance of about 90 percent, which would free up more than $260,000 of the town’s $2.6 million fund balance.

Given that each cent of property tax in Maggie Valley is worth $37,736, a $260,000 liquidation from fund balance would have the potential effect of a one-time tax cut of 6.9 cents.

It may just be best, however, to keep fund balance where it stands; Clark cited devastating floods more than a decade ago that decimated Canton and Clyde, and necessitated those towns using “significant chunks” of fund balance.

Further out, Clark cautioned the board to be aware of rising electricity rates, warning that, “even the slightest of percentage increases affects our operating budget.”

A public hearing for Maggie Valley’s FY 2018-19 budget is tentatively scheduled for June 12, the earliest time the board could vote to adopt the budget, although it’s likely there will be at least one more board work session before or after that date.

Per state law, municipalities must adopt a yearly budget ordinance by July 1.

news

Pedestrian path proposed for portion of US 19/23

The eastern terminus of a proposed walkway along Old Asheville Highway, east of Canton, lies at Chestnut Mountain Road (lower left). Haywood GIS photo

A

Openings on Maggie planning board The Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen is now taking applications for appointments for both the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustments from both Maggie Valley residents and residents within the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).

Both boards normally meet one time per month: Planning Board meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month, the Zoning Board of Adjustments meets at 5:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month.

Go to www.maggievalley.gov and follow the links to apply.

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Smoky Mountain News

entire project is one of safety, not one of expanding infrastructure; Smathers said that a recent pedestrian death on that stretch of highway illustrates just how dangerous it really is.

Information from the DOT suggests that construction could begin as soon as next summer if all goes well. The project would be overwhelmingly funded by DOT, and require a very minimal match from Haywood County.

Even though it does abut the town of Canton’s border, no part of the project lies within the town.

But that won’t stop the town from potentially benefitting; even though Haywood’s sprawling countywide greenway project is still in its infancy, the connection between Canton, at the eastern end of Haywood County, and Buncombe County, would provide an important incentive to get Haywood’s pedestrian paths in order.

As it stands, the project is still in the public comment phase, meaning the NCDOT would like to hear from residents and commuters about the possible changes. Until May 25, interested parties can email NCDOT Division 14 Construction Engineer Scott Miller at jsmiller3@ncdot.gov, call him at 828.586.2141, or drop in to 253 Webster Road in Sylva to leave comments about the project.

May 16-22, 2018

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER treacherous and heavily travelled portion of U.S. 19/23 east of Canton could soon see major pedestrian improvements if an N.C. Department of Transportation project comes to fruition.

“That has been a very dangerous road since I’ve been on this earth,” said Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers after a May 10 meeting hosted by NCDOT at the Colonial Theater.

The proposed project would create a bike, pedestrian or multi-use trail on the south side of U.S. 19/23, known in Haywood County as Old Asheville Road.

Beginning at Chestnut Mountain Road, the path would progress eastward for 4 miles and terminate at Wiggins Road, also known as Interstate 40’s East Canton exit, in Buncombe County. There, U.S. 19/23 is known as Smoky Park Highway.

Traffic flow is not expected to change much; while vehicular lanes would be expanded slightly with the addition of a third lane along the entire route — right now it intermittently appears in places, for passing — the pedestrian path also lies entirely within the right-of-way already claimed by DOT, even though maps show some structures encroaching on that right-of-way.

Although 19/23 serves as an important alternate to the interstate in that area, the

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22

Community Almanac Sharing Our Shoes Month Mast General Store is collecting gently worn shoes during the month of May for its annual Sharing Our Shoes drive.

Each store has chosen a local charity to receive these life-changing gifts. Just bring your shoes that are still in good, wearable condition to any Mast Store location — tie the shoe strings together or put a rubber band around them to keep mates with each other — and put them in the Sharing Our Shoes bins.

The Mast Store in Waynesville is working with Clothes to Kids of Haywood County, which maintains close relationships with social workers and Haywood Public Schools to make sure that school-aged children feel good about themselves and can succeed academically.

Sylva church to host meal and sing First United Methodist Church Sylva will hold an Open Door Meal & Sing at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 30, in the church’s Christian Life Center.

The community is invited to enjoy a meal prepared by church members, musical entertainment, and fellowship. The musical entertainment will be provided by the church’s praise band.

Scott Cochran will give a brief devotional before the meal.

828.586.2358.

Fund for Haywood awards grants Five grants totaling $29,291 were recently awarded by The Fund for Haywood County and the Mib and Phil Medford Endowment Fund, which supports beautification, streetscape improvements and other public amenities in Waynesville.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina received $3,141 to implement a "Bigs in Blue" program, in collaboration with local law enforcement, to recruit officers and support personnel to match with struggling students in the Haywood County Schools in one• The International Essential Tremor Foundation support group will be meeting at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, at the Jackson County Senior Center Room 135. The group serves individuals in Jackson, Macon, Swain and Haywood counties. Individuals interested in attending should contact Ted Kubit at 828.736.3165 or teddyk1942@gmail.com.

• Haywood Habitat for Humanity will host Women Build from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 19, at the Walton Woods development in off Davis Cove Road in

on-one mentoring relationships in community and school-based programs.

Haywood County Meals on Wheels received $4,000 to provide nutritious meals, companionship and safety checks to seniors and homebound individuals.

Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center received $4,000 to begin construction of seven play spaces and structures to include a playground, walking track, outdoor gathering space and other recreational areas.

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church received $4,000 to meet the increasing demand for nutritious food and hygiene products for homeless and/or hungry children.

The town of Waynesville received $14,150 to install playground equipment in Chestnut Park as part of a multi-year approach to develop an under-utilized property as public park space for neighbors and the general public. www.fundforhaywoodcounty.org or 828.734.0570.

Get help with health care penalties If you paid a penalty for not having health insurance in 2016 or 2017, you could now be eligible for a refund.

Four new hardship exemptions have been announced that may qualify you for refunds on your 2016 and 2017 taxes already paid and give you an exemption for 2018, including if you lived in a county with no insurance carrier, if you lived in a county with only one insurance carrier and due to lack of choice this was a hardship for you, if you lived in a county where the insurance carrier did not have access to the specialist you needed and this was a hardship for you or if you lived in a county where the insurance carrier available to you covered termination of pregnancy which was hardship to you as this is contrary to your beliefs.

Mountain Projects Navigators are available to help you apply for these hardship exemptions that you can use to file an amended tax return to have the penalty you paid refunded.

There will be a free exemption application event from noon to 5:45 p.m. Monday, May 21, at the Waynesville Branch of the Haywood County Public Library, 678 South Haywood Street, Waynesville.

Call 828.452.1447. Walk-ins are welcome.

Waynesville. The group size is limited; call 828.452.7960 to reserve a spot. Lunch is provided.

• The Swain County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recently donated $1,000 to Sweet Thoughts Alzheimer Group, a local nonprofit that provides daily adult care for those suffering from the debilitating disease.

The donation will be used to plant a flower garden for the guests to enjoy.

ALSO:

Smoky Mountain News

23

SENIORS RECOGNIZED The Canton Senior Center Advisory Council members and volunteers were recently recognized for their hard work and dedicated service.

Seniors from the surrounding communities are welcome to participate in activities at the center. Call 828.648.8173 for more information.

Arc of Haywood County wins awards The Arc of Haywood County received two awards during the 2018 Rooted in Advocacy Conference held in downtown Winston-Salem.

Steve Brown, executive director for The Arc of Haywood County, received The Carey Fendley Award for Executive Excellence. The award is given to an executive director of a chapter of The Arc who has provided outstanding leadership.

The Direct Support Professional Award was given to Debbie Warren, a group home coordinator who has worked at The Arc of Haywood County for over nine years. She received the award for her outstanding leadership and support.

Festival of Wisdom and Grace Lake Junaluska will host the Festival of Wisdom and Grace, a conference for those looking for purpose and renewal in the second half of life, from Aug. 13-16.

The conference invites all older adults to attend, from those nearing retirement to those already retired for many years. The program includes worship, workshops, recreation, learning and entertainment.

Two keynote speakers and a slate of work• The Maggie Valley Town Hall Playground and Picnic Shed will be closed for one month beginning May 14. The existing playground set will be removed and a new one installed.

The area will be closed off from the public for safety issues. The basketball court will remain open.

• The Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care Center is seeking donations for the silent auction at its Annual Barn Event, set for June 2 at the Bloemsma Barn in Franklin. All proceeds from the auction support SMPCC

shop leaders will illuminate this theme, connecting wisdom to the sustenance and renewal of body, mind and soul. Rev. Heidi B. Neumark, the conference preacher, is a celebrated speaker and author of Breathing Space: A Spiritual Journey in the South Bronx, and Hidden Inheritance: Family Secrets, Memory, and Faith.

Applications to lead a learning circle are due by July 13. Call 800.222.4930 or visit www.lakejunaluska.com/wisdom-and-grace for more information or to register.

Arc of Haywood honors Linda Gregory

Linda Ford Gregory was honored at the Arc of Haywood County April board of directors meeting recognizing her for 42 years of service.

Gregory sat on various committees during her lengthy tenure as a member of the board of directors of The Arc of Haywood County.

President John Gatens noted, “Linda was there at the beginning and has seen the organization transition into an important nonprofit in Haywood County serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

Gregory is a lifelong resident of Haywood County who retired from the Vocational Rehabilitation Services of North Carolina. To recognize her dedication and service, the board of directors unanimously voted to give her life time emeritus status. services, which are always free to clients, at their clinics in Franklin and Cullowhee.

828.349.3200, or smpregnancycc@dnet.net. www.smpcc.org.

• To celebrate Adopt a Cat Month, FUR of WNC is hosting a cat adoption day at the sanctuary in Waynesville from 1 to 4 p.m.

Saturday, June 9, 38 Safe Haven Drive off Rabbit Skin Road. Each cat is vaccinated, spayed/neutered and micro chipped.

Adoption fees are $50 per adult and $65 per kitten.

24

Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

Tribal Council media ban a mistake S

Tax cut got me a measly $60 a year To the Editor: In response to an opinion letter published recently, I would like to share how the GOP tax cut bill has affected me. While I realize the effects of this bill will be finalized next year, this is where I am right now.

As a retired teacher of 32 years my Social Security monthly payment has increased by $8. My monthly health insurance payment has also increased by $3. This leaves me with a monthly gain of $5 each month and over a year a whopping $60 additional income.

Thanks to Rep. Paul Ryan and the GOP I get $60. More so, millionaires and billionaires and most large corporations get millions in tax breaks.

If you are pleased with the way this tax bill has affected you, then I am happy for you. If you are as upset as I am with the false promises from the current administration about how great this bill is supposed to be, then call your representatives and let them know. Put these numbers in your cell phone as speed dials or near your land line and use them frequently.

Remember, they were elected to represent you and you pay their salaries: • Rep. Mark Meadows, 202.225.6401.

• Sen. Thom Tillis, 202.224.6342.

Editor Robert Jumper, speaking on the National Public Radio show “The State of Things,” had this to say about the ban: “Personally, I think it can be very potentially chilling for media of any type, whether it was the One Feather or any other organization, to be told ‘no, you can’t be here’ while we’re making those decisions. It certainly has a chilling effect on a journalist.”

We understand the concerns of some within the Tribe and some on Tribal Council that those from the outside just can’t understand what it Editor means to be Cherokee. I agree. There is a shameful legacy of barbaric treatment of Native Americans by outsiders that tribal members live with. We certainly know the history.

That said, professionally trained journalists can report accurately on events taking place within the tribe and put them in context in ways those who work for the tribally owned newspaper may have difficulty doing. We are definitely on the outside looking in, but Kays has been covering Cherokee for five years now and has been there through the administrations of chiefs Michelle Hicks, Patrick Lambert and now Richard Sneed. She has covered several Tribal Council elections and many important issues. She is experienced and smart.

The Tribe’s management of casino profits to improve access to health care, educate their young, and preserve lan-

Scott McLeod

ymbolism is often just as important as reality. The decision by the Cherokee Tribal Council to ban all media from council chambers except the tribally owned Cherokee One Feather is rife with symbolism about values and open government, and the picture it paints is not very positive.

Specifically, the Tribal Council took direct aim at The Smoky Mountain News and our reporter Holly Kays. The Council member who made the motion to ban media asserted incorrectly that this newspaper had misquoted her. We did not misquote her, and a video of the meeting clearly shows that to be the truth. Despite that, the motion passed with just one Tribal Council member voting against it.

As has been pointed out by The Cherokee One Feather in editorials since the vote on April 5, the banning of media from council chambers is somewhat symbolic. Anyone, including news reporters, can watch the live stream of Tribal Council meetings and report what takes place. Those recordings are also archived. But most people can understand the significance of not being there and how that stymies journalists trying to report on the nuanced events and emotions at a government meeting.

The One Feather has been a shining light for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian tribal members since this ban was enacted.

It is, after all, tribal members who will suffer from this move to limit access to open government and full reporting on Council decisions. The One Feather has supported withdrawing the ban via a resolution to the Council and has written eloquently in defense of open Tribal Council meetings and press freedoms.

guage and customs is the envy of other tribes throughout the Americas. And the per cap payments help local families and set up Cherokee youth to go out on their own with the means to accomplish great things.

In addition to helping its own people, the renaissance of Cherokee has also turned it into a major player in the economic development of southwestern North Carolina. Its role in the region’s tourism industry is unsurpassed. Thousands of nonmembers depend on the Tribe for employment, whether that is at the casinos or in the dozens of motels and restaurants and other tourism entities and ancillary businesses that are flourishing because of Cherokee’s successes.

This newspaper is almost 20 years old, and it has been nothing short of remarkable to have witnessed this economic and cultural resurgence. We have reported on almost all of these triumphs, and we have tried to do so while paying respect to the Tribe’s history and culture.

The fact of the matter is that The Eastern Band is a major player in this region. That means its politics and its decisions are important to both Tribal members and others in the region. People want to know what’s going on and why decisions are made.

The Council’s ban prevents tribal members and others in this region from getting the full story about what’s happening.

At a time when Cherokee is asserting itself as a leader in this region, it’s a disappointing move that we hope will be overturned.

(Contact Scott McLeod at info@smokymountainnews.com)

LETTERS • Sen. Richard Burr, 202.224.3154.

I would really like to know if a real live person here in Haywood County did indeed receive the windfall they were promised.

Please be honest.

Nancy Copeland Waynesville\

Our economic, political systems are not working To the Editor: It is encouraging to see more and more letters to the editor noting that our economic and political systems are not working for everyone. My unscientific opinion is that 1 percent of the people in the world are predator/sociopathic, 1 percent care about others and are working for a better world, and 98 percent are just trying to get by. The predatory 1 percent hold power in government and business and make the rules to their advantage. A Concise Economic History of the World, by Cameron/Neal, describes this process.

The American middle class thrived after World War II because there was so much wealth (prosperity) that the rich couldn’t accumulate it fast enough to deprive the work-

ing people. This turned around in the 1980s as the wealthy gained more and more leverage.

I am not a socialist, I am just asking for a level playing field, an even break, if you will. I would like to see a coalition of those trying to improve life in various ways, or at least a widespread realization that our current economic and political system is corrupt and

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

works better for some than others, e.g., corporate emphasis today is on the investors, not the customers or the employees.

An example would be the health insurance industry. The system is not broken for everyone. Those with money and power will push back using any means necessary to preserve the status quo. At the least there will be name calling,

F

Chris Cox

M

pect my daughter and her mother had been plotting well before that. By the time March rolled around, our home had become what could best be described as “prom-centric,” with every available minute of every day crammed with prom-talk, prom-strategies, and prom-planning.

I doubt this much attention was given to the Prince Charles/Lady Diana wedding. If you can imagine a cross between planning a royal wedding and a perpetual slumber Columnist party, that’s what our home has been like for the past several months.

“Where are you going?”

“To look at SHOES! Hello?”

“Hey, what are you all looking at on the laptop?”

“Nail designs! What do you think?”

“Who are you calling?”

“Hair appointment!”

In every conversation, a couple of points were made abundantly clear to me. One, I didn’t get it, couldn’t get and would never get it due to the double whammy of my gender and my age. And two, how could I possibly not get it? It’s like the freaking prom, doofus. This was the clear implication of every conversation for several months.

Finally, on Saturday, the big day arrived.

My daughter is richly blessed with an amazing group of friends, some of those friendships stretching all the way back to kindergarten. The “friend group” gathered on the afternoon of the prom at Lake Junaluska, all of them in their prom dresses and tuxes, and then posed for a truly dizzying array of photos among startled geese

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y daughter has become the person she hoped she would be at age seven.

We should all be so lucky.

“When I was seven, I had a vision of my junior year in high school,” she said. “I wanted a car, a boyfriend and a nice dress for the prom.”

Indeed, now that she is 16, these things have come to pass. She is on her second car, her second boyfriend and her 600th dress, though 593 of those were purchased by her grandma Peakie before she had reached the age of four. She had more dresses than there were days in the week (or in the year) to wear them.

But none of them looked like her prom dress, which when I first saw it gave me that feeling you get when you fall out of a hot air balloon floating over the Smokies, or when you get shot point blank with both barrels of a 12-gauge shotgun. The dress was purple, beautiful, sheer. It was purple and sheer. It was sheer.

I believe my first words upon seeing it were, “Over my dead body.” Something like that.

“Come on, it’s gorgeous,” my wife said.

“Have you noticed that you can see through it?” I asked. “Does it come with a jacket, or some other form of exotic wrapping?”

“You’re just old,” she said.

“Guys who are not old will also be able to see through it,” I said.

Much later — after-the-prom-was-over later — my wife admitted that she had worriedly scanned the school’s dress code policy online to see if there was any danger of our daughter not getting in the door wearing her gorgeous, diaphanous purple dress.

I told her she’d be lucky not to get arrested before she got to the prom.

“The weeks leading up to the prom” began right after Christmas, though I sus-

opinion

It’s prom, and my daughter is trying on adulthood

and curious bass fisherman and kayak photo bombers gliding through the placid waters of the lake for a closer look at the fashion show on the shore.

Excitable moms posed them this way and that, some giddy, some watery-eyed, some haunted by the ghosts of proms past, as a sad platoon of dazed fathers looked on helplessly from the shadows of the church chapel. The war to keep our daughters from transforming into young women too quickly had been lost. It should take so, so much longer than it does for any child to get from age four to age 16, but especially our daughters.

We’d keep them right here safe with us for a little while longer if we could, because we still see them as seven, asking us for two scoops of ice cream instead of one, or as four, begging us to read “Green Eggs and Ham” just one more time because the first three times was not quite enough.

But no, here they are at Lake Junaluska in their formal wear, and I see immediately that I had nothing whatsoever to fear over my daughter’s dress. There are almost as many scandalous dresses as there are geese.

The juxtaposition of the natural beauty of the lake that seems as old as time itself with the sparkle and glamour of these freshlyminted beauties, who are trying on adulthood as surely as they are wearing these dazzling clothes, was stunning in every sense of the word.

In just a few minutes, they were going to pile into their Toyota Camrys and Honda Civics and drive themselves to dinner, and then the prom, and a few minutes later, they will be driving off to college or some other form of adulthood from which we — their parents — are in some fundamental way barred for good.

We don’t rush back to our cars after the photo shoot. We linger a few minutes, holding on while we can to what we can. There’s a beautiful sunset coming later on, but maybe tonight it is just too much beauty for us to bear.

(Chris Cox is a writer and teacher. jchriscox@live.com.)

and at the worst, well, read The Lessons of History, by Will and Ariel Durant.

David Stearns Otto

To the Editor: The liberals want Trump out of office because they have someone in there who cares about the people and isn’t paid to play.

They can’t control him and are so worried they are going down quickly and are running scared. I am amazed how really corrupt they are.

We thank President Trump for bringing it all out to see how crooked they really are — sad for our country.

Nan Smith Waynesville

at HART Theatre

Enjoy dining at Harmons’ Den Bistro, HART Theatre’s newest addition. Relax by candle light with gourmet cuisine, a selection of fine wines, spirits, and regional craft beers. On performance nights, relish in the fact that your theatre seats are merely steps away. Visit our website for information about events such as Saturday Night Karaoke with the cast and more.

Smoky Mountain News

Trump really cares about the people

Lunch Wednesday - Saturday 11 am - 2 pm Dinner Starting at 5:00 on Performance Nights* Brunch Sunday 11 am - 2 pm

250 Pigeon St. in Waynesville In the Daniel & Belle Fangmeyer Theatre For Menu, Information and Reservations:

www.harmonsden.harttheatre.org *Reservations required for dinner. Visit harttheatre.org for HART Theatre’s performance calendar.

25

tasteTHEmountains

Dellwood

Farmhouse restaurant Fresh, high-quality, homemade food. Bring your entire family! specials served daily.

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Breakfast served Daily 8am-12pm (sat. 7am-12pm) Lunch & Dinner served Daily 11am-8pm CLoseD WeDnesDaY

May 16-22, 2018

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

Reg ional New s

100%

Op inion

100%

Outd oors

100%

Art s

100%

Entert ainm ent

100%

Classified s

100%

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

Smoky Mountain News

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

Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily.

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

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

2651 Dellwood rd.

Waynesville 828.944.0010

Tot al Fat 0g

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

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. Breakfast seven days a week, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. – with eggs, bacon, sausage, oatmeal, fresh fruit, sometimes French toast or pancakes, and always all-you-can-eat. Lunch menu every day from 12 noon to 2 p.m. includes homemade soup du jour and fresh-made salads. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night will feature an evening cookout on the terrace. On all other nights of the week, dinner is served family style and includes locally sourced vegetables, homemade breads, jellies, desserts, and a wide selection of wine and craft beer. The evening social hour starts at 6 p.m., dinner is served starting at 7 p.m., and cozy rooms and cabins are available if you love us so much that you want to stay for breakfast, too. Please call for reservations. And see our dinner menu online at www.cataloocheeranch.com/dining.

CHURCH STREET DEPOT 34 Church Street, downtown Waynesville.

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

CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

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

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

Check the web calendar at citylightscafe.com.

THE CLASSIC WINESELLER 20 Church Street, Waynesville.

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

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

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

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

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

DELLWOOD FARMHOUSE RESTAURANT 651 Dellwood Rd., Waynesville.

828.944.0010. Warm, inviting restaurant serving delicious, freshly-made Southern comfort foods. Cozy atmosphere; spacious to

accommodate large parties. Big Farmhouse Breakfast and other morning menu items served 8 a.m. to noon. Lunch/dinner menu offered 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Come see us.

You’ll be glad you did! Closed Wednesdays.

FERRARA PIZZA & PASTA 243 Paragon Parkway, Clyde.

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

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

HARMON’S DEN BISTRO 250 Pigeon St., Waynesville 828.456.6322. Harmon’s Den is located in the Fangmeyer Theater at HART. Open 5:309 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday (Bistro closes at 7:30 p.m. on nights when there is a show in the Fangmeyer Theater) with Sunday brunch at 11 a.m. that includes breakfast and lunch items. Harmon’s Den offers a complete menu with cocktails, wine list, and area beers on tap. Enjoy casual dining with the guarantee of making it to the performance in time, then rub shoulders with the cast afterward with post-show food and beverage service. Reservations recommended. www.harmonsden.harttheatre.org J. ARTHUR’S RESTAURANT AT MAGGIE VALLEY U.S. 19 in Maggie Valley. 828.926.1817.

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

Take-out menu. Excellent service and hospitality. Reservations appreciated.

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

We’ll e fee ed your sp pirit, too.

Simple, delicious food.

Craft Beer on Tap LIVE MUSIC EVERY SATURDAY FROM 8-10 P.M. M-S: 11:30-9 · Sun: 10-9 · Sun. Brunch: 10-2

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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.

828.454.5400 | 128 N. Main | Downtown Waynesville | FireflyTapsAndGrill.com

Evening E vening feasts feasts. Casual lunches and breakfa br eakfa asts. And A nd the mile high peaks of the Great mile-high Great Smokies all around you. Call (828)926-1401 for reservations.

And get a little taste of heaven, Catalooc chee style. style

Catalo t oche ee Ranch 119 Ranch Drive, Maggie Valley, NC Catalooche eeRanch.com

WAYNESVILLE’S BEST BURGERS

tasteTHEmountains 828.648.4193. 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Serving breakfast, lunch, nd dinner.

The restaurant has a 1950s & 60s theme decorated with memorabilia from that era.

wings, fish and chips, flatbreads, soups, salads, and more. Be sure to save room for a slice of the delicious house made cake.

Relaxing inside/outside dining and spacious gathering areas for large groups.

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

828.586.3555. Open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sunday brunch 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Handtossed pizza, steak sandwiches, wraps, salads and desserts. All made from scratch.

Beer and wine. Free movies Thursday trought Saturday. Visit madbatterfoodfilm.com for this week’s shows.

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

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

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

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

MAGGIE VALLEY RESTAURANT 2804 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.926.0425. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Daily specials including soups, sandwiches and southern dishes along with featured dishes such as fresh fried chicken, rainbow trout, country ham, pork chops and more.

Breakfast all day including omelets, pancakes, biscuits & gravy. facebook.com/carversmvr; instagram @carvers_mvr.

PIGEON RIVER GRILLE 101 Park St., Canton.

828.492.1422. Open Tuesday through Thursday 3 to 8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday noon to 9 p.m.; Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

Southern-inspired restaurant serving simply prepared, fresh food sourced from top purveyors. Located riverside at Bearwaters Brewing, enjoy daily specials, sandwiches,

Annies’s Breads for Paninis and Soups!

3 E JACKSON ST. • SYLVA, NC

www.CityLightsCafe.com MAY 19 • BRIDGE PARK, SYLVA

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.

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.

WAYNESVILLE PIZZA COMPANY 32 Felmet Street, Waynesville.

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

Monday-Friday Open at 11am

Retail Restaurant LIVE Music

SATURDAY, MAY 19 Joe Cruz piano, vocals. Beatles, Elton John, James Taylor + More.

828.586.3555 Downtown Sylva MadBatterFoodFilm.com

FRIDAY, MAY 25 Jay Brown guitar, vocals.

Folk-Americana, Blues, Pop, Originals.

SATURDAY, MAY 26 Joe Cruz piano, vocals. Beatles, Elton John, James Taylor + More.

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

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

Closed Tuesday

Sunday 12-9 p.m.

Sandwiches • Burgers • Wraps 32 Felmet Street

FRIDAY, JUNE 1 ‘Round the Fire featuring Chris Minick guitar, harmonica, vocals; Lee Kram percussion, vocals; and, Greg Kidd bass, vocals. Folk Rock, Americana, Originals.

SATURDAY, JUNE 2 Joe Cruz piano, vocals. Beatles, Elton John, James Taylor + More.

828-452-6000 • classicwineseller.com 20 Church Street, Waynesville, NC

MAGGIE VALLEY RESTAURANT Daily Specials: Soups, Sandwiches & Southern Dishes

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

Breakfast : Omelets, Pancakes, Biscuits & Gravy!

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

Real Local Families, Real Local Farms, Real Local Food

New Hours: Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Breakfast served all day!

2804 SOCO RD. • MAGGIE VALLEY 828.926.0425 • Facebook.com/carversmvr Instagram- @carvers_mvr

Smoky Mountain News

828-456-1997

facebook.com/ChurchStreetDepot

FRIDAY, MAY 18 Bob Zullo guitar, vocals. Jazz, Rock, Pop.

207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde blueroostersoutherngrill.com

twitter.com/ChurchStDepot

Events begin at 7:15pm unless otherwise noted. Dinner and Music reservations at 828-452-6000.

(828) 246-0927

APPÉTIT Y’AL N L BO

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

34 CHURCH ST. WAYNESVILLE 828.246.6505

May 16-22, 2018

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

Open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. With music at the Depot. Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Life is too short for bad coffee. We feature wonderful breakfast and lunch selections.

Bagels, wraps, soups, sandwiches, salads and quiche with a variety of specialty coffees, teas and smoothies. Various desserts.

New Menu Items including Vegan Cheese, Crepecakes and Almond Joy Creamcrepes!

New and improved hormone-free, antibiotic-free chicken, turkey and ham!

AT BEARWATERS BREWING

101 PARK ST. CANTON 828.492.1422

PIGEONRIVERGRILLE.COM

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A&E

Smoky Mountain News

Collecting the fire within

Rising string act to headline Sylva festival

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER t’s one thing to play bluegrass, mountain and old-time music. It’s another thing to dig deep into the rich, intricate heritage and history behind the sounds of Southern Appalachia — tones that have echoed from these high peaks since pioneers and settlers first arrived here centuries ago.

And as we push further into the 21st century, there’s an increasing urgency to keep the traditions of this music alive, and also flourishing into fresh, innovative territories.

Based out of Asheville, the string band Fireside Collective harkens back to the foundation of bluegrass, mountain and old-time music. The band members have doggidly studied the background of this music we hold so dear, whether it be in academic institutions or on a front porch on an otherwise quiet night in the depths of Mother Nature.

It’s about taking what you’ve learned — onstage and off — and using that strength of character and talent of self to carry the torch of this music into the creative curiosity of its next bountiful phase.

I

Hook, Line & Drinker festival Asheville-based bluegrass/old-time music act Fireside Collective will play May 19 in Sylva.

Smoky Mountain News: Why is it important, perhaps even crucial, that this music survive and thrive in the digital age?

Joe Cicero (guitar): We’re approaching an age where music is pretty much either experienced live or through a completely digital medium. Even CDs are becoming more obsolete given that so many people use smartphones to get their music. It’s important for all varieties of music to get hip with the digital age, not just bluegrass. With bluegrass being based in a folk tradition, passed down through family and community, there will probably always be a dedicated regional following for the music, especially in Appalachia. However, I think that if the tools and mediums of the digital age can be utilized effectively, bluegrass and the music that’s based on it — progressive stuff — can reach a much larger number of people across a far greater distance.

SMN: As you've continued to dive deep into the genres of bluegrass, Americana and folk music, what are you seeing, hearing and discovering these days?

JC: Personally, I’m seeing that people are getting back to writing really honest music.

Maybe it’s inherent that these genres kind of reject the mainstream, but it seems like there’s so many awesome people that are mak-

ing amazing original music that isn’t contrived or just against mainstream stuff just for the sake of being against the majority. Not only is it honest stuff, but people aren’t afraid of genre-bending and adding new elements to their music.

Tommy Maher (dobro): People are being drawn to the simple, stripped down, wholesome sound offered by genres like bluegrass, Americana, and folk. We’re in a fast-paced, very computerized and intense world at the moment, and the craziness can seem overwhelming at times. It’s a good idea to slow down, breathe a little bit, and put away the computer and phone for a while and go out and listen to live music. Hearing voices in harmony backed by a couple acoustic instruments can be a very therapeutic experience.

It’s a break from all the traffic, political garbage on TV, and constant stimuli we’ve become used to.

SMN: What is the place of bluegrass music in the 21st Century?

Jesse Iaquinto (mandolin): Bluegrass developed out of, and remains deeply rooted in, American folk music. It has endured for many decades and its roots go back centuries.

Bluegrass music tells a story of a nation and the essence of the music is the human experience.

The second annual Hook, Line & Drinker festival will be held from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 19, at the Bridge Park Pavilion in downtown Sylva.

The Farmer’s Market will also run from 9 a.m. to noon. The festival will host two bands: Social Function (classic hits) from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m. and Fireside Collective (progressive bluegrass) from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m. There will be multiple trout fishing vendors, food trucks, craft beer vendors and children's activities.

Admission to the family friendly festival is free with donations encouraged. Reusable “Hook, Line & Drinker” souvenir cups will be available for $5. Souvenir cups are required for beer purchases. A portion of net proceeds from souvenir cup sales will benefit Trout Unlimited's “Trout in the Classroom” programming for 2018-2019.

Jackson County is the proud home of the WNC Fly Fishing Trail and the N.C. Trout Capital. The WNC Fly Fishing Trail features 15 hot fishing spots that run from the northern end of the county to the southern end along the beautiful Tuckaseigee River.

Jackson County is stocked with more trout than any other county in the state and is home to the state record for the largest rainbow trout ever caught.

For more information, call 828.586.2155 or visit www.hooklinedrinkerfest.com.

[These days], with instant gratification and constantly changing trends, the honesty of bluegrass is refreshing and uplifting.

Another important aspect of bluegrass is its ability to blend many different influences into one coherent sound. Early bluegrass was a mix of old-time, country, blues, jazz, and early rock-n-roll. Throughout the years, bluegrass bands have gone on to include funk, classic rock, and many other genres, while still remaining firmly in the bluegrass realm. In many ways, the bluegrass spirit reflects the American spirit. The spirit of freedom within the improvised instrumental breaks is the same as the spirit which guides us to pursue what we love and follow our own destiny.

Bluegrass has always been known to inspire people to move and shake. It grew directly out of old-time music, which revolved around danceable fiddle melodies and rhythmic banjo parts. People would gather around and forget about their troubles to the sounds of the strings. That tradition continues to this day and is one reason bluegrass still remains so relevant.

Editor’s Note: Fireside Collective will perform during the Hook, Line & Drinker festival at 2:45 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the Bridge Park Pavilion in downtown Sylva.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Courtesy Jackson County TDA

Iconic bluegrass act Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the Historic Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center in Franklin.

tanding in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one can’t The annual WNC QuickDraw art fundraiser help but feel refreshed, a return will be from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May to the core of your inner being 19, at Laurel Ridge Country Club in amid the cosmos. And that sentiWaynesville. ment is something felt in any of Rock/blues outfit Sanctum Sully will host an the innumerable national parks album release party and performance at 9 dotting our nation. p.m. Friday, May 18, at Isis Music Hall in As a kid, I first found myself West Asheville. in deep woods of the Adirondack Mountains of my native Upstate Christian comedian and singer-songwriter Tim New York. My parents would Hawkins will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, pack up the minivan every weekMay 18, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the end and we’d head into the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Adirondack Park to go camping, hiking, swimming and so on.

The Japanese sumi-e painting workshop will Campfires. Sing-alongs. be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 19, in Marshmallows. Even as a child, I the Atrium of the Jackson County Public realized how special those Library in Sylva. moments were — the sounds and images of waking up in a tent with my thoughts in the ongoing conversaalong the shores of a lake to the sounds of a tion between myself and Mother Nature. And loon still vibrant in my memory. it is in these instances where you realize time Each time I find myself home for either doesn’t exist, how anything and everything is the holidays or by happenstance, I immediall one moment, one we’re lucky enough to be ately head for the Adirondacks, disappearing part of, and ever-present in. down a beloved hiking trail and jumping into Though the Adirondacks are a state park, the cool waters of a nearby river. Throw some it hovers around 6.1 million acres in size, with firewood into the back of my truck, grab my private land holdings and towns within the hammock, and take off down a dirt road within no real plan in mind except to be alone boundaries, too. To put that in perspective,

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Smoky Mountain News

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SMOKY MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL

May 16-22, 2018

Never take those mountains for granted

FORMALWEAR & TUXEDOS

arts & entertainment

This must be the place

the GSMNP is roughly 522,000 acres, which makes it one of the largest protected areas anywhere in the United States. Add in 11 million visitors a year, and the GSMNP remains the most visited national park in the country.

Probably the biggest reason I moved to Western North Carolina was the GSMNP. And I think a vast majority of folks who live here, who weren’t raised here, can also say the same. These mountains are magnets for those in search of themselves in the grand scheme of things. The high peaks and low valleys bring calm to our nerves, where we re-center ourselves within the chaos of daily life in modern civilization.

This past Monday evening, I had the pleasure of doing a sit-down interview with folks from the Great Smoky Mountains Association. As part of the ongoing “Smoky Mountain Voices” live interview series at Nantahala Brewing in Bryson City, I talked with GSMA Chief Executive Officer Laurel Rematore, Membership & Marketing Director Lisa Duff and Business Outreach Coordinator Ginger Alfrey.

Did you know that the GSMA raises millions of dollars through the visitor center stores they run in the park? Did you know that a big chunk of those profits are given back to the park, to aid in projects and fill in gaps that government funding may not be able to cover? Did you know that the GSMNP has an annual economic impact of $923 million to our region? Think about all the thousands of jobs and businesses in our communities that are directly impacted by the park. Did you also know there are over 10,000 species that have been identified in the park, and over 1,000 of those species are new to science?

It’s crazy that those hills outside your window attracted not only you and your family, but also the whole world, all eager to wander into our backyard to see and be part of the unmatched natural beauty of the Great Smokies.

It’s also crazy to think how lucky we are to have this park, and have it remain open and free to the public. A lot of national parks have gates and charge a fee for entry. Not the GSMNP. A big part of the park’s creation was the notion (and agreement) that if land was to be set aside for public use, then there was to be no entry fee. Free, to be you and me. Pretty great, eh?

So, with Memorial Day weekend around the corner — the official kickoff to summer — take off into the Great Smokies. Find a new trail to hike. Camp out. Stay in a shelter on the Appalachian Trail and meet people from all over the world also seeking the same unique experience that you are. Dive into an adventure in your own backyard. Never take that park for granted. Always support it, always do your part to be a steward of the land.

You can watch the full interview of the GSMA at Nantahala Brewing by going to www.facebook.com/nantahalabrewing and clicking on the “Videos” tab. Want to be a member of the GSMA? Want to be a business sponsor? Heck, do you just need some ideas on what to and where to go in the park? For more information on the Great Smoky Mountains Association, click on www.smokiesinformation.org.

29

arts & entertainment

On the beat

Concerts on the Creek returns

Sanctum Sully.

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Rock/blues outfit Sanctum Sully will host an album release party and performance at 9 p.m. Friday, May 18, at Isis Music Hall in West Asheville.

In the summer of 2008, in the basement of a West Asheville party pad, four dudes decided to start playing bluegrass as a band. The catch is that none of them had ever been in a bluegrass band and their banjo player was a novice with stage fright.

Three of the members had previously jammed in rock or blues outfits, but hadn’t gotten too serious. And they didn’t have a bass player. Yet, they remained undeterred.

“We had fun playing together. We knew that we weren’t going to blow the doors off the Asheville scene with our bluegrass chops, so we just focused on making sure that we enjoyed what we were doing and to make our shows fun,” said mandolin player and lead vocalist Jay Franck.

Two studio albums and hundreds of shows later, Sanctum Sully seemed to have hung it up. Lineup changes, marriages, kids, and careers dictated the move and the boys were at peace with what they had done in such a short period of time.

But, in 2016, they were invited to join a

newsdesk crafts

Smoky Mountain News

May 16-22, 2018

Sanctum Sully album release, showcase

bill with Leftover Salmon and decided they wanted to spice it up and do it full band style. That’s when they invited their good friends Steve Harnois, Jacob Bauman and Justin Powell to round out the backline of bass, drums and keys, respectively.

Two years and a handful of gigs later, Sanctum Sully has worked up a new batch of originals and decided to put together an EP. They retreated to a mountain chalet with gear and mics and some know how and were able to track a large portion of the songs. After buttoning up the tracks as best they could, the band sent them over to Greg Magers in Nashville.

“I had worked with Greg while doing some tracks with Jake Cinninger (Umphrey’s McGee) and thought he’d be a great set of ears to help put the finishing touches on these songs,” Powell said. “We have four different writers in the band, so we wanted to get outside ourselves and have someone else put their stamp on these.”

The eponymous release chronicles an evolution from a bluegrass bar band to covering Widespread Panic and the Talking Heads at Bele Chere to a full on rock-n-roll outfit.

Devils In Dust will open the show.

Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 day-ofshow. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit www.isisasheville.com.

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# 314 - free hat

The Concerts on the Creek summer series will kickoff with Ian Ridenhour (altrock/pop) at 7 p.m.

Friday, May 25, at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva.

The lineup for this year’s series will also include: Train (classic hits) June 1, The Dirty Soul Revival (rock/blues) June 8, Robertson Boys (bluegrass) June 15, Tuxedo Junction (classic hits) June 22, Carolina Soul Band (R&B/beach) June 29, Crocodile Smile (soul/rock) during the 4th of July Fireworks (starting at 6:30 p.m.), Darren Nicholson Band (Americana/country) July 6, The Super 60s Band (classic hits) July 13, Andalyn (rock/country) July 20, Summer Brooke & The Mountain Faith Band (bluegrass/gospel) July 27, Lance & Lea (Americana/pop) Aug. 3, The Get Right Band

Gypsy jazz in Franklin Asheville-based group One Leg Up will perform a vibrant mix of gypsy jazz, Latin, swing and original jazz compositions at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 20, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

Musicians John Stineman (guitar/vocals), Jim Tanner (guitar), Zack Page (bass), Mike Guzalak (clarinet/saxophone) and Steve Trismen (violin/vocals) formed One Leg Up in 2003, making music in the style of famed French gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt.

Over the years, One Leg Up has broadened its repertoire to include fresh arrangements of Django classics, vocal harmonies,

Summer Brooke & The Mountain Faith Band.

(soul/rock) Aug. 10, The Colby Deitz Band (rock/Americana) Aug. 17, Geoff McBride (rock/Americana) Aug. 24 and Dashboard Blue (classic hits) Aug. 31.

The concerts are free and open to the public. There will also be food tricks onsite.

828.586.2155 or www.mountainlovers.com.

original compositions, and innovative adaptations of jazz standards in the French “hot club” and American “big band” styles. Their latest recording, “Pere LaChaise,” is a danceable, accessible, and thoroughly entertaining music mix.

Doors will open at 2:30 p.m. Admission is by donation, $5 suggested. The Library is located at 149 Siler Farm Road, with ample parking and handicap accessibility.

This event is produced by the Arts Council of Macon County, supported by the Grassroots Arts Program of the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

For more information, call 828.524.ARTS or arts4all@dnet.net.

On the beat

Kentucky Americana honky-tonk act Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Nantahala Brewing in Bryson City “I get a lot of inspiration from my hometown and the area we’re from. It’s a unique

Cowee School welcomes bluegrass fiddle legend Iconic bluegrass act Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the Historic Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center in Franklin.

Cleveland is one of the premier bluegrass fiddlers of his generation. And with 10 International Bluegrass Music Association “Fiddle Player of the Year” awards under his belt, he’s the most awarded and celebrated fiddlers in the history of the music.

Cleveland plays with so much fire, drive and virtuosity that audiences are often left shaking their heads in amazement. Together with his band Flamekeeper, the group delivers some of the most powerful, exciting and authentic bluegrass you can find.

Admission is $15 for the general public and $7.50 for children ages 6-16. Children under 6 are admitted free. Tickets are available at the school on the day of the show, at the Franklin Chamber of Commerce or online at www.coweeschool.org.

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Smoky Mountain News

Louisville rock, blues returns to WNC

place with a lot of history.

Louisville is regarded either as the northernmost southern city or the southernmost Midwestern city,” Dittmeier told The Smoky Mountain News last year.

“I also like to take small almost mundane things and try to make them much larger. A good example of that is our song ‘Rhythm of the Train.’

There are a lot of trains passing through my neighborhood on the river. Most people tune those noises out or don’t ever think much about them, but there’s more to that and it facilitates way more connectivity than people give thought to. With my music, I feel I rarely try to tell people what to think. Instead, I try to hold a mirror up to a subject.”

The show is free and open to the public.

For more information on the group, click on www.nickdittmeier.com.

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper.

May 16-22, 2018

Performing at certain venues can be the highlight of a musical career, as if the stage itself shares a star billing, and members of Western Carolina University’s Concert Choir will get that experience this month.

During a New York City visit, the choir will WCU’s Concert Choir. sing at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Friday, May 25, and then at Carnegie Hall on Sunday, May 27.

“I am really looking forward to the trip that we’re taking in a few weeks,” said Matt Brooks, a junior majoring in commercial and electronic music. “For me, this is not only an opportunity to perform in prestigious places like Carnegie Hall and St. Patrick’s historical record now, too.”

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a historic and Cathedral, but also an opportunity to enrich myself by being in one of the most artistic architecturally significant church, is home for the Archdiocese of New York. The choir will and diverse cities in the world.

The Carnegie Hall performance is part of perform at the high altar beginning at 4 p.m. the Gotham Sings Ensemble Showcase, begin- with a program that will include composining at 8:30 p.m. with WCU’s repertoire in tions by Palestrina, Mendelssohn and Dolly three sets, reflecting concerts from the past Parton, as well as the traditional Africanyear. The first set, “Inspiration,” features his- American spiritual “Swing Low, Sweet torical works ranging from 11th-century Chariot.” Admission is free.

“I think the quality of the WCU’s choral proGermany to 19th-century France. The second set, “Home,” highlights music from the Smoky gram is a bit of a well-kept secret,” Thorpe said.

Mountains and Western North Carolina “It’s time to share that secret with the world.”

For more information, contact WCU’s region. The final set, “Perseverance,” features a moving collection of African-American spiritu- School of Music at 828.227.7242.

arts & entertainment

WCU Concert Choir to perform in NYC

als. Tickets are $58 to $85, with some seats still available online at www.carnegiehall.org.

“I think performing at Carnegie Hall is a bucket list item for almost all professional musicians,” said Allison Thorp, director of WCU choral activities. “To have our students experience that during their college years is an impressive reflection of the quality of WCU’s choral program. To walk the stage where Dvo ák, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Saint-Saëns, Bartok, Stravinsky — the very musicians our students are studying — once walked is a surreal experience. We are honored to have WCU become part of the hall’s

31

On the beat arts & entertainment

• Andrews Brewing Company (Andrews) will host the “Lounge Series” with The Harmed Brothers (Americana) 7 p.m. May 18, Alma Russ (Americana/bluegrass) May 19, Jody West (singer-songwriter) May 25 and Granny’s Mason Jar (Americana) May 26. All shows are free and begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host Bird in Hand (Americana/folk) May 18 and Twelfth Fret (acoustic/folk) May 25. All shows begin at 8 p.m. www.facebook.com/balsamfallsbrewing.

Bookstore

Joshua Wilkey Friday, May 18 • 6:30 p.m.

————————————————————

Billy Ogletree

Saturday, May 19 • 3 p.m.

3 EAST JACKSON STREET • SYLVA

828/586-9499 • citylightsnc.com

May 16-22, 2018

MAY SCHEDULE MONDAY 9-10 AM: Slow Flow Yoga w/ Sara • 10:30-11:30: Gentle Yin Yoga w/ Sara • 5:45-6:45: Mixed Level Flow Yoga w/ Candra • 6-7: Yoga Basics w/ Sara • 7- 8: Buti Yoga w/ Jay TUESDAY 9-10 AM: Gentle Yoga w/ Jay • 10:30-11:30: Flow + Myofascial Release w/ Jay • 2:15 – 3:15: Tai Chi* w/ Bill • 5:30-6:15: Barre Above* w/ Jay • 6:30-7:30: Fluid Unwind w/ Hanna

Smoky Mountain News

WEDNESDAY 9-10 AM: Flow + Deep Stretch w/ Sara • 10:30-11:30: Gentle Yin Yoga w/ Sara • 5:45-6:45: Mixed Level Flow Yoga w/ Maura • 6-7: Hot Stone Restorative w/ Amber • 7-8: Intro to Flow + Restorative w/ Maura THURSDAY 6- 7: Sunrise Yoga w/ Michael • 9-10: Gentle (Chair) Yoga w/ Jay •10:30-11:30: Mixed Level Flow w/ Jay • 2:15 – 3:15: Qi gong w/ Bill • 5:30-6:15: Barre Above* w/ Jay • 5:156:15: Movement and Meditation w/ Amber • 5:45-6:45: Mixed Level Flow Yoga w/ Maura •6:30-7:30 PM: Yoga Basics w/ Amber• 6:30-7:30 PM: Candlelight Flow w/ Kendall FRIDAY 9-10: Hot Stone Restorative w/ Amber • 10:30 – 11:30: Gentle Yin Yoga w/ Sara • 12- 1: Barre + Flow w/ Jay • 78: Buti Yoga w/ Kayla or Jay SATURDAY 9-10: Mixed Level Flow Yoga w/ Michael or Candra • 10:3011:30: Beginner Flow Yoga w/ Maura SUNDAY 11:30-12:30: Mixed Level Flow Yoga w/ Kendall • 4-5: Beginner Flow w/ Maura

CALL OR REGISTER ONLINE AT WaynesvilleYogaCenter.com

274 S. MAIN ST. WAYNESVILLE

32

828.246.6570

Raymond Fairchild.

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host an acoustic jam with Main St. NoTones from 6 to 9 p.m. May 17 and 24. Free and open to the public. www.blueridgebeerhub.com.

Distillery celebrates first year

• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host Juan Holladay (singer-songwriter) May 18 and and Ben Morgan (singer-songwriter) May 25.

Free. www.boojumbrewing.com.

There will be a one-year anniversary celebration for Elevated Mountain Distilling Company all day Saturday, May 26, at the distillery in Maggie Valley.

There will be tastings, activities and music by banjo legend Raymond Fairchild, a member of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame.

For more information, visit www.elevatedmountain.com.

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Bob Zullo (guitar) May 18, Joe Cruz (piano) May 19 and 26, and Jay Brown (guitar/piano) May 25. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host Redleg Husky (Americana) May 19 and Stone Crazy (rock/pop) May 26. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.curraheebrew.com.

ALSO:

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Stone Crazy (rock/pop) May 18, Bohemian Jean (acoustic/pop) May 25 and The Myxx May 26. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.froglevelbrewing.com.

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

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night May 16 and 23, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo May 17 and 24. All events are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Isis Music Hall (West Asheville) will host West End Trio (jazz/swing) outside 6:30 p.m. May 16, Wyatt Easterling & Louisa Branscomb w/Jeanette & Johnny Williams (folk/bluegrass) 7 p.m. May 16, Dirty Logic (Steely Dan tribute) 8:30 p.m. May 16, Rahm Squad (jazz/funk) outside 6:30 p.m. May 17, A Different Thread (Celtic/old-time) 7 p.m. May 17, Upland Drive (rock/reggae) outside 6:30 p.m. May 18, Jerry Salley (Americana/folk) 7 p.m. May 18, Sanctum Sully album release party w/Devils in Dust (funk/rock) 9 p.m. May 18, John McCutcheon (Americana/storyteller) 8:30 p.m.

May 19, Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards w/Hoot & Holler (Americana/old-time) 7 p.m.

May 19, Chuck McDermott (Americana) 5:30 p.m. May 20, Jamie McLean Band (rock/soul) 7:30 p.m. May 20, Tuesday Bluegrass Sessions w/Unspoken Tradition 7:30 p.m. May 22, Gypsy Guitar (jazz/swing) outside 6:30 p.m. May 23, Chris Moyse & Kirsten Maxwell (singer-songwriter) 7 p.m. May 23, Christie Lenee w/Jenn Cornell & Searra Jade (folk/acoustic) 8:30 p.m. May 23, Rahm Squad (jazz/funk) outside 6:30 p.m. May 24, Jonn Del Toro Richardson (Americana/blues) 7 p.m. May 24 and Sidewalk Chalk (hiphop/soul) 8:30 p.m. May 24. www.isisasheville.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host The UpBeats May 19, Heidi Holton (folk/blues) May 25 and The Remnants (rock) May 26. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. There will also be an open mic night at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday. www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• The Maggie Valley Pavilion will host the Haywood Community Band at 6:30 p.m. May 20. Free and open to all ages.

• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host an open mic night every Thursday and Paul Davis (singer-songwriter) May 18. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

• Nantahala Brewing (Bryson City) will host Redleg Husky (Americana) May 18, Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters (rock/Americana) May 19, Somebody’s Child (Americana) May 25, Hail! Cassius Neptune May 26 and Ogya (world) May 27. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• The Paper Mill Lounge & Theatre (Sylva) will host The Hot Club of Cullowhee May 17, Bobby Sullivan Duo May 18, The Slick Skillet

Serenaders (gypsy-jazz) May 24 and DIVA (Adele tribute) May 28. Shows begin at 8 p.m.

• Pub 319 (Waynesville) will host an open mic night from 8 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday with Mike Farrington of Post Hole Diggers. Free and open to the public.

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

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

• Southern Porch (Canton) will host Spalding McIntoch (singer-songwriter) May 17, Ryan Perry Band (country) May 25 and Jason Wyatt (singer-songwriter) May 31. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Free. www.southern-porch.com.

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

• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host Roshambeaux (rock/Motown) May 26. All shows begin at 9:30 p.m.

• The Warehouse Restaurant at Nantahala Brewing (Bryson City) will host Mike Yow (singer-songwriter) May 19 and Frank Lee & Allie Burbrink (Americana/folk) June 2. All shows are free and begin at 6 p.m. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host The Peachtree Peppers (Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute) June 1. All shows begin at 10 p.m.

On the street arts & entertainment

Nominations sought for Mountain Heritage Awards

All aboard the BBQ, craft beer train

Waynesville ‘Great Decisions’ series The “Great Decisions” series will take place from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. on Thursdays from through June 21 in the auditorium of the Waynesville Public Library.

Prepare to discuss the world. “Great

Do you like strawberries?

The Strawberry Jam festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Darnell Farms in Bryson City.

The Darnell family celebrates their locally grown strawberry crop. Enjoy local music, local food, fresh fruits and vegetables, craft vendors, plow demonstrations, childrens influence in the relevant field of expertise, such as crafts, music or organizational cause; and information about the nominee’s role as a teacher, advocate, leader or curator of mountain culture.

Nominations should be delivered to the Mountain Heritage Center offices, located in Room 240 of WCU’s Hunter Library; mailed to Mountain Heritage Center, 1 University Drive, Cullowhee N.C. 28723; or emailed to pameister@wcu.edu.

Decisions” is America's largest discussion program on world affairs. Presented by the Foreign Policy Association.

This program provides background information and policy options for the eight most critical issues facing America each year and serves as the focal text for discussion groups across the country.

Schedule is as follows: China and America: the new geopolitical equation (May 17), Media and Foreign Policy (May 24), Turkey: A Partner in Crisis (May 31), U.S. Global Engagement and the Military (June 7), South Africa's Fragile Economy (June 14) and Global Health: Progress and Challenges (June 21) Questions may be directed to moderator David McCracken at dem32415@aol.com.

Registration is required: 828.356.2507 or kolsen@haywoodnc.net.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

‘Exploring the World of Wine’ Bosu's Wine Shop in Waynesville have been hosting a series of class and wine tasting

play area, hayrides, fishing, camping, and much more.

Live music will include The Darnell Family Band, Twelfth Fret, Bill Mize & Beth Brahmell, Strawberry Jam Youth Talent Contest, Tangled Feet Stompers, Auntie Bee's Jam Band and the Late Night Jam Session with The Darnell Family Band.

Admission is free. Donations accepted for the upkeep and maintenance of the farm.

828.488.2376.

Swain County Heritage Festival The Swain County Heritage Festival will be held May 25-26 at Riverfront Park in Bryson City.

From 6 to 9 p.m. the Friday night entertainment is loaded with local talent featuring an emphasis on old-time gospel. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. the Saturday entertainment features classic country, bluegrass, and clogging. In addition to music, the festival offers local arts and crafts, food, games for the kids, log-sawing contest, sack races and fun for the whole family.

For more information on the festival, visit www.greatsmokies.com.

dedicated to "Exploring the World of Wine with Pete Ricci."

All classes run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Mondays. Classes are $49 each. Participants will taste six to eight wines in each session.

The final class is as follows: • May 21: Wine Regions Explode Around the World: Class & Wine Tasting.

The demand for wine exploded with new marketing and wine became an important beverage to American entertaining. This led to the growth of wine regions that could support the higher demand in volume of the world's consumption of wine.

Participants will taste wines from South America, Australia, New Zealand and other wine regions to understand a global view of wine. www.waynesvillewine.com.

• Line Dance Lessons will be held on Tuesdays in Waynesville. Times are 7 to 8 p.m. every other Tuesday. Cost is $10 per class and will feature modern/traditional line dancing.

828.734.0873 or kimcampbellross@gmail.com for more information.

• “Laughing Balsam Sangha,” a meeting for Mindfullness in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, meets will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays at 318 Skyland Drive in Sylva. Included are sitting and walking meditation, and Dharma discussion. Free admission. For more information, call 828.335.8210, and “Like” them on Facebook.

ALSO:

• There will be a free wine tasting from 1 to 5 p.m. May 19 and 26 at Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville. www.waynesvillewine.com or 828.452.0120.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. May 19 and 26 at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. www.papouswineshop.com or 828.631.3075.

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

Smoky Mountain News

There will be a barbecue and craft beer tasting from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 26, on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, departing from Bryson City.

Slow-cooked barbecue and ribs, with craft beer tastings for the adults age 21 and up. The age 20 and under crowd will enjoy uniquely crafted non-alcoholic beverages. The train will take you to the Fontana Trestle for a spectacular sunset.

For more information and/or to purchase tickets, call 800.872.4681 or visit www.gsmr.com.

not exceed five pages and should include the full name of the individual or organization being nominated, with a website address if applicable; the mailing address of the nominee; the founding date for organizational nominees; a list of the nominee’s accomplishments; a list of the awards and other recognitions received by the nominee; information about the nominee’s

May 16-22, 2018

Western Carolina University is accepting nominations for the Mountain Heritage Awards, prestigious honors bestowed on an individual and an organization each year for contributions to or playing a prominent role in research, preservation and curation of Southern Appalachian history, culture and folklore.

The awards will be presented at the 44th annual Mountain Heritage Day on Saturday, Sept. 29, on the WCU campus.

Deadline for nominations is Saturday, June 30.

There is a storied tradition of the awards and the recognition given to regional figures, institutions and organizations, beginning with the first presentation in 1976.

“What do Cherokee ‘Beloved Woman’ Amanda Swimmer, community activist Rob Tiger, the late WCU Chancellor H.F. ‘Cotton’ Robinson and Mountain Faith Band all have in common?” said Pam Meister, director of WCU’s Mountain Heritage Center. “And how about Dogwood Crafters, the Jackson County Genealogical Society, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and the Young Adult Choir of Tried Stone Missionary Baptist Church? They’re all recipients of WCU’s Mountain Heritage Award.”

Recipients are chosen by a committee comprised of regional and campus representatives. Letters of nomination should

33

Be a member at Laurel Ridge for a day The Laurel Ridge Country Club will be open to the public all day on Friday, May 18, in Waynesville.

You can enjoy golf, tennis, pool, fitness, and dining at Laurel Ridge Country Club at a special rate, for one-day only: $140 for a foursome, threesome $120, a pair is $90 and single is $50.

In addition to championship golf, enjoy all that Laurel Ridge Country Club has to offer from relaxing pool time, exquisite lodge dining, fitness center facilities, and the evening drop-in tennis mixer. You will have the day to soak up all the aspects that being a member has to offer.

Call for your tee time and after you play golf, make sure to visit the clubhouse for a complimentary beverage (draft beer or house wine). Dining is available, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Reservations are required.

Laurel Ridge Country Club is a semiprivate club fit for everyone, with multiple levels of membership offering an active lifestyle and exciting social events, at a great value.

Call 828.452.0545 for your tee time or visit www.laurelridgegolf.com.

Glenville Historical Society workshop, museum Kicking off the season for the Glenville Area Historical Society (GAHS) will be an Appalachian Broom Making Workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the Glenville Community Center.

Made possible by grants from the Jackson County Arts Council and the N.C. State Arts Council, the workshop, the first in a planned series of hands-on historical learning events, will be conducted by Marlowe Gates of Friendswood Brooms, makers of traditional Appalachian brooms. Those wishing to register for the workshop, which costs $35, should email historicalsocietyglenvillearea@yahoo.com.

The popular GAHS Historical Museum opens for the season Friday through Monday, May 26-28 (Memorial Day Weekend). The museum highlights Old Glenville the thriving town flooded in 1940-41 when the lake, then called Thorpe Lake, was constructed to provide hydroelectric power for Alcoa Aluminum makers of the metal for World War II aircraft.

Beyond the historic town story, the muse-

th

Brewer y Events Special Releases Style Sho owcases Ta ap Take eovers

um follows the history of the people, products, institutions and way of life of Glenville from the 1940s to present day. Admission is free to all visitors who may also purchase various historical items and books specific to Glenville. During the season, the museum is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday until early October or any day by appointment for school, church, club and family groups.

The GAHS annual Ice Cream Social to welcome members and prospective member on

through

E Education FFundraisers Outdoors O Beer Dinners B FFood Pairings

2018

info f & tickets i k @

nd d

Tours o Music Festivals Meet the Brew wers

AVLBeerWeek.com sponsored by:

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Saturday, June 23; a Historical Discovery Event, July 21; and the Annual Meeting in September featuring a Glenville history program fill out the group’s 2018 calendar.

The GAHS was founded in 2009 as the Glenville History Project when members of the community became concerned that much of the history and heritage of Glenville and the surrounding communities would be lost if experiences and recollections from ageing residents and founding families were not recorded and preserved.

In 2012, the Glenville History Project was renamed the Glenville Historical Society and developed into a membership organization. The GAHS History Museum opened in 2015 after a building to house a museum was donated to the group by Signal Ridge Marina owners.

For more information on the society, membership, volunteer and general information, visit www.glenvilleareahistoricalsociety.com or email historicalsocietyglenvillearea@yahoo.com.

B E E R WEEK EEK %((5 :((.

Smoky Mountain News

May 16-22, 2018

arts & entertainment

On the street

On the street

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arts & entertainment

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Smoky Mountain News

1930s to the 1960s. The book’s seven chapters cover the landscape, family, work and school life, as well as craftwork and community traditions. The last two chapters are devoted to organizations that Fariello calls “keepers of culture.”

Readers can look to some of their favorite heritage destinations to see how they’ve changed over the years. Cherokee includes early views of the Oconaluftee Indian Village, Unto These Hills, Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.

There are also photographs of other destinations, many of which are now gone, including Frontier Land, The Cherokees, Water Wheel Craft Shop, and the Boundary Tree Enterprise. The last photograph in the book is of the Old Mill, a gristmill that dated to 1886. With its prominent water wheel, the mill sat along old Highway 107 for many years until, tragically, it burned in 2017.

Fariello concluded, “Old photographs, like this one, are important as they capture the fading presence of old buildings and the changing personality of a community’s cultural landscape.”

Fariello is the author of three books on Cherokee arts and crafts, writer of numerous book chapters and articles, curator of over 40 exhibitions, and speaker on topics related to the region's rich culture. She is a recipient of a 2010 Brown Hudson Award from the North Carolina Folklore Society, a 2013 Guardians of Culture award from the Association of Tribal Archives and Museums, and a 2016 Preservation Excellence award from the North Carolina Preservation Consortium.

Images of America: Cherokee is published

by Arcadia Press. It is available for purchase at Blue Ridge Bookstore in Waynesville, City Lights in Sylva and Catching Light in Cullowhee.

For more information on the book reading, call 828.456.6000 or visit www.blueridgebooksnc.com.

May 16-22, 2018

Images of America: Cherokee, Anna Fariello’s new pictorial history book, will be presented during a special reading and signing at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Blue Ridge Bookstore in Waynesville.

The book is part of a popular series that highlights cities and towns throughout the country. Fariello’s long career has focused on preservation and working with historic photographs.

The book acknowledges those institutions and organizations that have saved — and continue to preserve — historic photographs.

Images of America: Cherokee includes photographs from formal collections held by Cherokee’s key cultural partners — Cherokee Historical Association, Museum of the Cherokee Indian, and Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual — as well as collections by regional and national institutions, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hunter Library Special Collections at Western Carolina University, State Archives of North Carolina, and Smithsonian Institution.

Fariello worked with individual collectors as well, giving particular recognition to Georgia native, Andy Lett, who loaned a substantial part of his vast collection to the project. Fariello worked with local people to help identify locations in the photos. Beloved Man Jerry Wolfe provided stories and details beyond what was shown in the pictures.

The town of Cherokee is in an area traditionally known as Yellowhill. Today, Yellowhill is one of six townships represented on Tribal Council. The town took its formal name when a U.S. Post Office was established there in 1883. In the book’s introduction, Fariello described Cherokee as a 21st-century town that sparkles with modern architecture and numerous tourist attractions. Beneath its progressive exterior is the original homeland of the Cherokee people.

The book includes 200 photographs from the 20th century with most dating from the

35

Smoky Mountain News

May 16-22, 2018 36

Interested in Japanese sumi-e painting?

WNC QuickDraw The annual WNC QuickDraw will be from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville.

The cocktail social will include an hourlong QuickDraw Challenge, silent auction and refreshments. Live artists will be working in the public eye, creating timed pieces, which will then be auctioned off. Proceeds go to art classroom supplies in schools and college scholarships for art-related studies.

• 4:30 p.m. — Cocktail Social. Register your bidder number and watch artists prep before the shotgun start.

• 5 to 6 p.m. — Artist Stopwatch Challenge. Hour of live creation. Stroll and marvel at the motivated live-action artists painting to beat the clock. Stroll and chat with demonstrator artists using fiber, clay, metals, glass, wood and more, all processintensive mediums that enable them to work and talk. Each demo artist offers a finished original work at silent auction while they showcase techniques on a piece in process.

• 6 p.m. — Breather. Snacks and conversation and live music while artists frame

HCC Professional Crafts Graduate Show The graduating class of Haywood Community College’s Professional Crafts program will exhibit their best work at the 2018 Graduate Show, which will be held through June 24 at the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville.

This year’s show has work in clay, jewelry, fiber and wood. This exhibit marks the professional debut for many exhibiting craftspeople. The college makes involvement in the installation, organization, and publicity of this exhibit as part of the coursework for the professional crafts students.

www.facebook.com/WNCQuickDraw/

arts & entertainment

On the wall

the pieces and set up the auction preview.

Live music. Art teachers show off student works.

• 6:30 p.m. — Live Art Auction. Bid on fresh, original art, ready to hang. Become a collector who saw the artist make it. Team with artists to inspire students and creative classrooms, put supplies on teacher shelves, and send kids to college.

• 7:30 p.m. — Heavy hors d’oeuvres meet and greet. Meet your artist over delicious food and monitor your silent auction bids. $75 per person. www.wncquickdraw.com or 828.734.5747.

The Professional Crafts program is a two-year commitment, focusing on all aspects of becoming an independent craft professional. In addition to sharpening their technical and artistic skill in their chosen medium, students also create a marketable line of production work, plan a studio, and become familiar with the craft market.

Mandatory coursework includes photography of finished pieces for gaining entrance into craft shows, creating a business plan, and designing and building a studio tailored to fit production needs.

The Folk Art Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission and parking are both free. For more information, call 828.627.4673 or visit creativearts.haywood.edu.

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The Japanese Allan Grant. sumi-e painting workshop will be held at 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, May 19, in the Atrium of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

In the workshop, Allan Grant will talk about some of the approaches and techniques of the Japanese sumi-e style of painting.

Grant started painting in London, England, in 1964.

Like many seekers in the late 1950s and early 1960s, he explored Eastern thought, Zen Buddhism in particular. He was greatly attracted by oriental drawing and painting, admiring its simplicity, open approach, and use of black and white.

Encouraged and influenced by his wife Shirley and sister-in-law Lucienne, both fine artists, he started painting sumi-e, Japanese ground ink, with images from nature drawn by brush against the white background of the paper. Later, he started painting in watercolors, using many of the techniques of sumi-e.

Allan has exhibited in shows and galleries in Michigan, Texas, North Carolina, Canada, and England. He currently paints in a gallery that he shares with his wife at their home in Webster.

Participants in this workshop will have the opportunity to try their hand at grinding

ink, practicing brush strokes and creating an original composition. All supplies will be provided. This program is free of charge.

The workshop is limited to 10 participants.

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

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

On the wall

The Western Carolina University College of Fine and Performing Arts presents WCU Roadworks, a free outreach program offering experiential arts opportunities throughout the summer to the community.

The program began with performances from students in the School of Stage and Screen in 2016 and in 2017, students from the School of Music were featured. This summer, students from the School of Art and Design will be roving around the community in an “Art Trailer.”

The Roadworks Art Trailer will be available for outdoor event opportunities and is managed by four WCU students, two graduate students, and two undergraduates. The Art Trailer will feature an aluminum pour demonstration, showcasing some of the advanced skills and ideas being implemented by the School of Art and Design.

Highlighting the school’s strong connection with the Jackson County Green Energy Park, this opportunity brings metal pouring to individuals that may have never experienced this spectacle before. As the host of the event, Roadworks will gift a 4” x 4” piece of aluminum art to commemorate the experience.

The second element of the Art Trailer is a drum painting pop-up tent accompanied with music. Participants will use percussion tools, such as drumsticks, mallets, and brushes, to paint onto a piece of canvas serving as their “drumhead.” At the end of the event, guests are able to take their paintings home. Finally, in another tent from the Art Trailer, Roadworks will offer a small pop-up gallery space to showcase the work of the four student artists involved with this project.

If you are interested in learning more about Roadworks or would like to request the Art Trailer for your event, visit arts.wcu.edu/roadworks to read more about the program and fill out our contact form.

• “Paint Nite Waynesville” will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursdays (May 17) at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville.

Sign up for either event on the Paint Night Waynesville Facebook page or call Robin Arramae at 828.400.9560. paintnitewaynesville@gmail.com.

ALSO:

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

• The Waynesville Fiber Friends will meet from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday

Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center will host a bark basket workshop from 6 to 9 p.m.

Thursday, May 24, in the museum’s firstfloor gallery at the Hunter Library.

Taught by biologist Jeff Gottlieb, the workshop will engage participants in all phases of bark basket-making, from peeling poplar bark to constructing and finishing the basket. Each participant will complete a basket during the workshop.

Gottlieb has been a naturalist, outdoor educator and primitive skills instructor for

of the month at the Panacea Coffee House in Waynesville. All crafters and beginners interested in learning are invited. Keep up with them through their Facebook group or by calling 828.276.6226 for more information.

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

• A “Youth Art Class” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday at the Appalachian Art Farm on 22 Morris Street in Sylva. All ages welcome. $10 includes

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mountainrangewnc.com more than 30 years. A resident of Whittier, he is on the staff of the Nantahala Outdoor Center but also travels widely in the eastern U.S., teaching at rendezvous, gatherings and historic fairs. He has written a how-to manual on building wigwams, a manual for instructors on “Teaching Primitive Skills to Children” and a book on natural fibers and rope-making.

The workshop fee is $35, which includes all materials. The class is limited to 10 participants, preregistration is required and the reservation deadline is Monday, May 21. For information on how to register, contact the Mountain Heritage Center at 828.227.7129 or email lstiles@wcu.edu.

CASUAL FINE DINING WITH LIVE MUSIC COVERED PATIO LATE NIGHT MENU

instruction, materials and snack. For more information, email appalachianartfarm@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.

• Free classes and open studio times are being offered at The Uptown Gallery in Franklin. Join others at a painting open studio session from 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday or from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Thursday. Bring your own materials and join an ongoing drawing course led by gallery artists from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Friday.

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

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Smoky Mountain News

• Gallery 1 Sylva will celebrate the work and collection of co-founder Dr. Perry Kelly with a show of his personal work at the Jackson County Public Library Rotunda and his art collection at the gallery. All work is for sale. Admission is free. Children are welcome. Gallery 1 has regular winter hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. art@gallery1sylva.com.

WCU bark basket workshop

MARK

May 16-22, 2018

• The “Meet the Artist” reception with Brian Hannum (pianist), Drew Campbell (photographer) and Jon Houglum (painter) will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 25, at Gallery Zella in Bryson City. Enjoy North Carolina wine, food and music. Free to attend. For more information, call 828.488.3638 or visit www.galleryzella.com.

Interactive drumhead painting from the WCU School of Art and Design Roadworks Art Trailer.

HIT THE

arts & entertainment

Roadworks: Experiential Arts Opportunities

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37

Smoky Mountain News

May 16-22, 2018

arts & entertainment

On the wall

38

Haywood Arts $10,000 challenge Haywood County Arts Council Board President Michael Lodico and his wife Mary Alice are giving a great surprise — an endof-year gift up to $10,000 in matching funds for all donations to the HCAC annual fund through June 30, the end of the current fiscal year.

All gifts to the Haywood County Arts Council made between now and June 30 will be matched dollar for dollar up to $10,000.

Consequently, when an individual makes a tax-deductible donation of $25, HCAC will receive $50.

“Whether the Haywood County Arts Council receives $5 or $500, every dollar counts when it comes to ensuring that our community’s quality of life is enhanced through a broad array of cultural and artistic activities,” said HCAC Executive Director Leigh Forrester. “We hope this matching campaign inspires individuals, the community and business donors to double the value of their gift between now and the end of the fiscal year.”

Annual fund donations enhance art education, local artists and innovation in art.

This year, annual fund gifts supported monthly art exhibits in the HCAC gallery, artist workshops, the Junior Appalachian Musicians program, Mind the Music senior piano lessons, Dance ARIS, Young Artist Concert, art exhibits at the HART and both Waynesville & Canton Libraries, Student Honors Recital, Sunday at the Opry Veterans Day performance, as well as artist receptions and other community events.

“This is a great opportunity for our community to show its appreciation for the Haywood County Arts Council and to get involved in whatever way they can, because every gift of every amount makes a difference.” Forrester said.

To give online, visit www.haywoodarts.org or visit the HCAC gallery at 86 North Main Street in downtown Waynesville to make a cash donation.

‘Creations in Oil & Handcrafted Mugs’ The Haywood County Arts Council’s exhibit “Creations in Oil & Handcrafted Mugs” will run through May 26.

This exhibit features talented local artists including Melba Cooper, Don Millsaps, Jo Ridge Kelley, Nathan Perry, Mollie Harrington Weaver, Velda Davis, Tina Honerkamp, Sun Sohovich, Cayce Moyer, Susan Phillips, Cory Plott, Cathey Bolton, Dominick DePaolo and Carolyn Strickland.

Visit the Haywood County Arts Council at 86 North Main Street in Waynesville to view the variety of art for sale. For more information about the Haywood County Arts Council, visit www.haywoodarts.org.

On the stage

Hawkins returns to Franklin Christian comedian and singer-songwriter Tim Hawkins will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 18, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Hawkins’ unique style delivers gut-

Smoky Mountain News

was brought in from New York to play Carl Perkins. Actor/guitarist Jackson Whiting from Atlanta is Elvis. And area actor/musician Dominic Aquilino is Johnny Cash. They are joined by Clara Burrus, Dave Bruce on drums, Raymond Mathews on bass, and Jeff Messer as Sam Phillips.

This is HART’s first all professional cast and a big risk for the theater but the show has a reputation of inspiring dancing in the aisles. The focus is on four of the music industry’s most exciting performers at the start of their careers, and it’s all about the music.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. May 18-19, 24-26, 31 and June 1-2, 7-9, and at 2 p.m. May 20 and 27, June 3 and 10. The theater has special discounted tickets for the performances on Thursday, May 24.

Harmons’ Den Bistro at HART is also open before all performances with a new menu and features karaoke on Saturday night after the performance.

To make reservations for the show and the bistro, call 828.456.6322 or visit www.harttheatre.org.

May 16-22, 2018

One of rock-n-roll’s legendary events is being recreated as a musical on the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre stage in Waynesville.

On Dec. 4, 1956 at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee, four of the century’s immortals — Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis — engaged in an impromptu jam session. Record producer Sam Phillips recorded the event, which was never to be repeated.

A musical based on the jam session opened on Broadway in 2010 to rave reviews and Tony nods and now HART is bringing it to its stage for a four week run beginning May 18.

Director Steve Lloyd knew when he picked the show for the season that it would be impossible to cast locally, so ads were placed in theater industry trades and after reviewing scores of video auditions four actors were cast with the musical skills to recreate the “Million Dollar Quartet.”

Actor/pianist Edgar Cardoso was brought in from Los Angeles to tackle the role of Jerry Lee Lewis. Actor/guitarist Joshua Rubenstein

arts & entertainment

‘Million Dollar Quartet’ at HART

punching stand-up, trademark song parodies, and original music that provides for a genuinely funny comedy show suitable for the entire family.

Hawkins is a selftaught guitarist with a knack for impressions.

His stand-up material is vigorous and based on real-life experiences. He speaks about topics such as marriage, parenting, and homeschooling in a way that is easy to relate to, and is always good for a laugh.

Some of Hawkins’ most famous parodies include “Cletus Take the Wheel,” a spin-off of Carrie Underwood’s hit, “Jesus Take the Wheel,” and “The Government Can,” a spinoff of Sammy Davis, Jr.’s, “The Candy Man.” Show tickets start at $30 each and a special Uber Fan Package is available for $65. It includes preferred seating, concert laminate, $10 merchandise voucher, and a meetand-greet with Hawkins after the show.

To purchase tickets, visit www.greatmountainmusic.com or call 866.273.4615.

Tim Hawkins.

@SmokyMtnNews 39

arts & entertainment

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Books

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41

A nod to the genius of Thomas Wolfe out in the summer of 2016, but miss it I did.)

Based on A. Scott Berg’s Max Perkins:

Jeff Minick

Where do I start?

What can I say of that young man whose wife had left him and who spent a month in 1975 in a shabby apartment in Storrs, Connecticut, reading Thomas Wolfe long into the night and finding hope and solace in his words?

What can I say of an author who inspired such diverse writers as James Jones, Norman Mailer, Ray Bradbury, Betty Smith, Philip Roth, Pat Conroy, Jack Kerouac, and a thousand others who either became published authors or who Writer dreamed of doing so?

What can I say of the writer, largely unread today, who began his first novel, Look Homeward, Angel, with these words: …a stone, a leaf, an unfound door; of a stone, a leaf, a door. And of all the forgotten faces ….

Which of us has known his brother?

Which of us has looked into his father’s heart?

Which of us has remained forever prison-pent?

Which of us is not forever a stranger and alone?

I think I should begin by saying “Thank you, Mr. Wolfe.”

Though the age of Twitter, Tweet, and “Wind Sprint” articles has little room for your love of description and oratory, you, Thomas Wolfe, influenced more American writers than any other novelist in the last hundred years with the possible exception of Ernest Hemingway. Yet today your writing is considered too verbose for the classroom, those English literature classes, and your passion and heat are too much for many in our “cool” society to handle.

Which is one more reason I was amazed to stumble across the movie “Genius” this past week. (Yes, I am late to the game. I have no idea how I missed this picture when it came

Editor of Genius, this fine film tells the story of Max Perkins and his often-tortured relationship with Asheville writer Thomas Wolfe.

Both the title of the film and of the biography contain a double entendre: Wolfe was a genius, but so was Max Perkins, who as an editor at Scribner’s discovered and brought to bookstores and libraries the works of such great writers as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.

In this film, we first meet Perkins (Colin Firth) seated in his office editing a book. A coworker asks him to read a massive manuscript titled O Lost!, later to become Look Homeward, Angel. “Please tell me it’s doublespaced,” Perkins says wryly, and then begins

Revealing the complexities of Appalachia Joshua Wilkey will present his new collection Writing Appalachia: One Year of Essays at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 18, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

The collection started as a way to get into the daily discipline of writing turned into a blog with much wider appeal than Wilkey ever imagined. The essays in this book, many of which first appeared on his blog, This Appalachia Life, reveal the complexities of Appalachia.

Wilkey argues that any story about Appalachia that doesn’t have the potential to break a reader’s heart might be glossed over in some way.

In the pages of this book, Wilkey strips away the veneer of oversimplification, victim-blaming, and historical amnesia to reveal the region’s people and circumstances in historical and cultural context.

reading this Everest of prose. By the time he arrives at his house in Connecticut to his five daughters and wife Louise (Laura Linney), the manuscript has engrossed him.

He next meets Thomas Wolfe (Jude Law), who barges bigger than life into Scribner’s, fully expecting his novel to be rejected once again. After Wolfe raves about all the books in Perkins’ office without introducing himself, Max says straight-faced, “You must be Thomas Wolfe.”

And then they are up and running into a unique literary relationship, one in which the bonds between them grow from editor and author to father and son. Wolfe visits Max’s home many times, takes his editor to his favorite bars in Manhattan, and slowly comes to love the man who keeps cutting his words.

Eventually, shortly before his untimely death, Wolfe would leave Scribner’s. When we find him telling Fitzgerald (Guy Pearce) about his impending departure from the publishing house, the author of The Great Gatsby tells him “That man has a genius for friendship, and you have squandered it” and “He gave you a life.”

“Genius” offers an impressive array of actors. Firth plays Perkins exactly as we might picture him: reserved, a husband and father with a love of home and family, and an amazing editor. (Novice writers should study the scene where Perkins coaches Wolfe in editing a love scene.) Jude Law makes a sharp contrast to the dignified Perkins, playing Wolfe like the eccentric, self-absorbed, and often selfish writer that he was. Laura Linney shines as Louise Perkins, and Nicole Kidman gives a fine performance as Aline Bernstein, who, famed as a set designer for the stage and an author in her own right, was Wolfe’s mistress for at least four years, providing him with everything from cooked meals to robust

The essays are simultaneously personal and scholarly, framing Wilkey’s lived experiences growing up in poverty through the lens of his training as an historian and scholar.

To reserve copies, call City Lights Bookstore at 828.586.9499.

Exploring Christ’s commitment to others Dr. Billy Ogletree will present his new book Mean Christianity: Finding Our Way Back to Christ’s Likeness at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

The book explores the Christian faith as an intentional, daily commitment to others, a cathartic and uncomfortable journey that leads travelers to Christ’s likeness. The book considers how and why individual Christians and the corporate body of Christ have come to

encouragement.

Some critics have attacked Genius for its fictitious scenes. Others have criticized its lack of American actors. Regarding the latter point, all the actors do an excellent job. What does it matter whether they themselves are from Britain or Australia, so long as their characters come to life on the screen? As for the former quarrel, yes, the writers and director of Genius have, for the sake of drama and plot, taken liberties with the real story of the relationship between Perkins and Wolfe, but if the movie brings even a few readers to Thomas Wolfe’s work, then it’s all to the good.

Many writers, including his admirers, say that Wolfe is best read and enjoyed by the young. I would agree. Eugene Gant, Wolfe’s protagonist in his two best novels, Look Homeward, Angel, and Of Time And The River, is young, with the books following him from his infancy to his mid-twenties. Here is one of Wolfe’s great whoops of celebration from Of Time and River: “And victory, joy, wild hope, and swelling certitude and tenderness surged through the conduits of our blood as we heard that drunken cry, and triumph, glory, proud belief were resting like a chrysm around us as we heard that cry, and turned our eyes then to the moon-drunk skies of Boston, knowing only that we were young, and drunk, and twenty, and that the power of mighty poetry was within us, and the glory of the great earth lay before us — because we were young and drunk and twenty, and could never die!”

If you haven’t seen “Genius,” if you are as behind the times as I seem to be, give yourself a treat.

(A last note: with the exception of one key scene, Max Perkins wears a fedora throughout the movie, even in a restaurant. It drove me nuts — ‘What’s with the hat?’ I kept thinking — but then I did some research and found that Perkins was well known for rarely removing his hat.)

(Jeff Minick is a writer and teacher. minick0301@gmail.com)

be perceived negatively by so many.

It describes the primacy of Christ as the central tenet of Christianity, and offers seven “Jesus” life themes for every Christian.

These themes, based on a qualitative study of the canonical gospels, assist readers with the development of a framework for a Christlike life.

Ogletree is the Brewer Smith Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Western Carolina University. A speech-language pathologist and university educator interested in the communicative success of individuals with intellectual disabilities, Ogletree is a well-cited author of over seventy professional articles, chapters, and books.

He is also a long-time Christian who writes for d365, an online devotional series. Dr. Ogletree’s devotions emphasize the challenging yet cathartic possibilities associated with following Jesus.

To reserve copies, call City Lights Bookstore at 828.586.9499.

42

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

A member of the mule team waits patiently as Danny Gibson moves in the background to assess the load to be transported. Holly Kays photo

Best of the burden Smokies mules make backcountry operations possible

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER n popular culture mules get a bad rap, cast as stubborn, ornery and even mischievous.

But Danny Gibson, animal packer for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, spends more time with mules than just about anybody around, and he’s quick to jump to their defense.

“They have that notorious reputation of being stubborn, but they’re not really stubborn — they just don’t want to get hurt,” said Gibson. “It’s self-preservation. If it doesn’t look safe, a horse will just walk over it, but a mule’s like, ‘Eh, I don’t know about that.’

They are thinkers.”

I

‘UNSUNG HEROES’ The six mules tethered to a gate at the Smokies’ Rainbow Falls Trailhead backed up

Gibson’s words. Perhaps it’s because they were deep in thought, but they didn’t come across as ornery at all. Rather, they stood perfectly still, emptied saddles patiently awaiting the next load of locust logs to be carried a challenging 2.7 miles to Rainbow Falls.

“They’re definitely the unsung heroes of the park,” said Gibson, gesturing toward his team.

Each mule weighs about 1,200 pounds and is capable of walking for miles with 250 pounds on its back — for a team of six mules, that’s 1,500 pounds per trip, carried over some of the most difficult terrain in the park.

Today’s goal, Rainbow Falls, will require ascending some 1,500 feet along 2.7 miles of trail in conditions ranging from impeccable to deplorable. The logs are to be delivered as part of a two-year rehabilitation project on Rainbow Falls Trail through the Trails Forever Program, and while some sections have already been renovated to perfection, others

are full of rocks, roots and gullies.

“Mules are great animals. They’re real agile, and we get into some rough places,” said Gibson. “If I think they’re going to get hurt I wouldn’t take them in there, but they’re like, ‘This ain’t nothing.’”

Gibson’s enthusiasm for his mules is obvious, as he pours out unprompted praise of their intellect, athleticism, stamina and general good sense.

“You have mule wrecks sometimes. The great thing about a mule is when he gets in a position he falls or gets hung up, he doesn’t get in a fight (like a horse),” he said. “The mule will kind of go into a trance like, ‘I’m stuck. You come help me.’ It does happen, but it’s rare you get one hurt.”

By 10:30 a.m., the team had already been up to Rainbow Falls and back once, dropping 12 locust logs, some weighing upwards of 100 pounds, at the top before descending to repack for a second delivery. Gibson and his assistant Daniel Allen tied the mules up at the gate and prepared their packs — identical wooden v-shapes reinforced with steel and hung with bright orange ratchet straps — to receive the load.

“Locust are some of the hardest items to haul in, because they’re not uniform shape, and as you’re moving they’re moving too,” said Gibson. “So you have to keep tightening down so you don’t loosen up the ratchet straps.”

Packing up the mules is an expressly physical task, with Gibson and Allen working in concert to lift each log, carry it to the saddle of the appropriate mule, and nestle it into place. Different logs are different shapes and sizes, and Gibson examined each specimen carefully, working to determine where it would best fit to leave the mule with a comfortably balanced load.

Eventually, all 18 logs for the second run were packed away and it was time to move.

Gibson mounted his horse — mules are the product of a horse mother and a donkey father, so following along behind a horse comes naturally to them, Gibson explained — and the team set off up the trail.

Even fully loaded, mules travel at about 3 miles an hour, which is faster than most people hike — especially up a steep trail like

By the numbers The Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s packing program has made its mark on park operations over the years, as shown by these data compiled between 2009 and 2016.

Days used: 418 Hours used: 3,987 Miles of trail covered while packing: 2,615 Weight of packed equipment: 252,850 pounds Miles of trail cleared: 2,672 Number of trees cleared: 4,950 Footlogs pulled: 11 Weight of footlogs: 1,600 to 4,500 pounds Search and rescue events: 5

Rainbow Falls — so before long mules disappeared from sight, and the clatter of hooves on rock and the shuffle of slightly shifting logs and saddles faded into the distance. The team would stop once or twice to adjust loads or take a quick breather, but mostly they would just keep going, steadily marching on until meeting their destination.

‘IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MULES’ Of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s 11 million annual visitors, very few will ever encounter a passel of pack mules while out hiking the trails, but most will — though unknowingly — reap the benefits of the animals’ hard work.

Trail work in the park is done by hand, no motorized equipment allowed. And while a combination of creativity and skilled labor is usually enough to get the job done, sometimes the park’s human workers find themselves outmatched. It took the mules mere hours to move 30 logs from the parking lot to the falls, but a trail crew would have needed days to do the same. And when it comes to even bigger materials, like the 50-foot-long logs used to build stream crossings, even a team of exceptionally burly humans would have a hard time making much progress.

Because of the mules, “We can do so many things we wouldn’t be able to do otherwise, not only for trails but also for backcountry,” said Trails Forever crew leader Josh Shapiro.

“It’s pretty phenomenal,” agreed park spokesperson Dana Soehn.

The mule teams haul in bear boxes to keep trail crews’ food safe. They carry food storage cables for backcountry campsites, doors and windows for structure rehabilitation projects, trail crews’ toolboxes and water supplies, equipment for wildlife staff — basically, anything heavy or exceptionally cumbersome that needs to make it in or out of the backcountry.

“We pack in a lot of stuff for the backcountry,” said Gibson. “Fire rings, mulch for the privies. Fisheries, wildlife, about every division at some point we’ve helped out. And in search and rescues, we’ve helped with mules.”

Mostly, though, the packing program supports the trails division.

The program’s importance to park operations is undeniable when looking through a laundry list of statistics compiled from data gathered between 2009 and 2016. During that time, horses and mules were used for a total of 418 days and an average of 9.5 hours each day used, with 351 days spent working for the trails division and 67 working for other groups. Stock covered 2,615 miles of trail while packing and cleared 2,672 miles of trail and 4,950 trees. They pulled 11 footlogs measuring between 25 and 52 feet and weighing 1,600 to 4,500 pounds. They packed in an estimated 252,850 pounds of equipment and participated in five search and rescues, recovering one body.

“It’s all about the mules, because they’re the ones who

F

Little Cataloochee Baptist Church. Sam Hobbs photo

Explore Little Cataloochee

Danny Gibson (left) and his assistant Daniel Allen lift locust logs to give the mules a balanced and comfortable load.

Holly Kays photo

Learn more

thing, Gibson said. You can only ever persuade it, baby step by baby step.

“You just have to get them out there and let them get used to it,” he said. “If they don’t like it, you don’t just say, ‘Oh, he don’t like it. I’ll put him in the barn.’

Enough times he gets brushed by a limb or whatever, he’ll get used to it. All of em’s good mules. It’s because we use them. They don’t stay in a barn all the time. We use them during the summer three or four days a week.”

PACKING AND THE WILDERNESS ACT Gibson is only the second animal packer the park’s ever had. The program was founded in 1976, with Sonny XXX hired to do the job. He stayed there for more than

We are hiring for the following positions: • Housekeeping Supervisor • Housekeeper • Front Desk Agent • Porter • Manager with Chef Emphasis • Waitstaff • Dishwasher

Apply online at lakejunaluska.com/careers

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May 18, 19, 24,* 25, 26, 31 & June 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 at 7:30 pm May 20, 27 & June 3, 10 at 2:00 pm

Smoky Mountain News

do the job,” said Gibson.

The mules may be the ones hauling giant logs, but Gibson is always right there with them — sometimes atop a horse, a vantage point that allows him to better watch over his team and spot any problems with their loads, and sometimes on foot.

The only year-round employee in the stock program, Gibson is the person on whom the mules’ welfare ultimately depends.

For the mules, that’s a shot of luck.

Spend a few minutes with Gibson and his beasts of burden, and it’s clear they have a bond — they’re more than just coworkers.

While Gibson grew up around livestock, he said, “I didn’t mess around with mules till I came here.” But as a former K9 officer, he arrived well versed in the ways of animals, and what it takes to have a solid working relationship with one.

“It’s remarkable how much a German shepherd and a mule has in common,” he said.

In both cases, the handler’s first job is to earn the animal’s trust. Then, when the animal refuses to do something it’s being told to do, the handler must figure out what the problem is and then fix that problem, convincing the animal that the task is now safe to do. You can never make a mule do some-

Josh Shapiro photo

Join the team at Lake Junaluska!

May 16-22, 2018

Be sure to pick up The Smoky Mountain News next week to learn more about the twoyear Rainbow Falls Trail rehabilitation project. The mule team’s contribution is indispensible, but there are many others working hard to get the trail up to snuff for future visitors.

Following a series of rainy days, the mule team crosses below Rainbow Falls.

30 years, retiring in 2010. Gibson, who began working for the park in 2003 as a trail crew member, joined Freshour in the barn a couple years later, where he trained for three-and-a-half years to learn the ins and outs of mule packing before Freshour retirement.

“When he retired I just stepped up to it,” said Gibson. “He was a good trainer.”

The packing program came about as the result of a piece of federal legislation that’s important for many other reasons, as well — the Wilderness Act of 1964. The act aims to set aside pieces of exceptionally beautiful and pristine land for permanent preservation, severely limiting the activities that can take place there in hopes of creating “an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.”

While the park was never named an official wilderness area, in 1974 then-Secretary of the Interior Bob Herbst recommended that Congress designate 390,500 of the park’s 522,427 acres as wilderness. The recommendation was never approved, but it triggered the park to begin managing the acres as though they were, in fact, wilderness.

“The only roads we could use were administrative roads that were outside that wilderness area,” Gibson explained. “When they started closing it down these crews were saying, ‘How are we going to get some of these materials and supplies here that we need?’”

Eventually, someone suggested mules.

Freshour was hired, and the rest is history.

At one point, the park had two mule barns — one in Cades Cove and the other in Towstring, near Cherokee — but currently the entire stock program is run out of Towstring.

The Smokies is the only park in the eastern U.S. to use mules for backcountry work.

While the C&O Canal National Historical Park in Maryland has mules, those animals are used primarily for historical reenactment purposes, not for backcountry transport.

According to Gibson, it’s worked out well for the Smokies mules, because the life they’re living suits them just fine.

“Mules enjoy working,” he said. “They’ll tell you when you’re loading them too heavy. A lot of times when you tighten their saddle too heavy they’ll look over at you like, ‘That’s enough.’ They’ll give you little hints about how they feel.”

It’s just up to Gibson to listen.

Are you looking for a fun, exciting and rewarding place to work?

outdoors

A 5-mile hike along the Little Cataloochee Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will leave at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 23.

The hike will start on Pretty Hollow Gap Trail and transition to Little Cataloochee Trail, ascending gently along an old roadbed while passing historic farmland,

rock-hopping creeks and exploring a lush forest of hemlock, tulip poplar and rhododendron.

Once considered an “island community” physically separated from Big Cataloochee

by Noland Mountain, Little Cataloochee was loosely connected to the outside world by roads and trails.

Offered by the Great Smoky Mountains Association as part of its Hiking 101 series. $20 for GSMA members; $35 nonmembers.

Sign up at https://conta.cc/2IdtZni.

Adults $26 Seniors $24 Students $13 *Special $16 tickets for all Adults on Thursday, May 24.

Special $8 Tickets for all Students on Thursdays & Sundays.

The Performing Arts Center at the Shelton House 250 Pigeon St. in Waynesville, NC

For More Information and Tickets:

828-456-6322 | www.harttheatre.org This project was supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

43

Smoky Mountain News

May 16-22, 2018

outdoors

Kids fishing events cover WNC

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Kids will fish for free and register to win prizes at more than 30 kids’ fishing events scheduled statewide in late May and early June, with seven of those events taking place in Western North Carolina. n The Balsam Lake Physically Challenged Kids Fish Day will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Balsam Lake in Jackson County. Register onsite the day of the event.

Richard McClure, 828.524.6441, ext. 421. n Cullowhee Creek Kids Fishing Day will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at Cullowhee Creek by the Cullowhee Recreation Center in Jackson County. Space limited.

Open to kids 7 to 12. Sign up with Jackson Parks and Recreation, 828.293.3053.

Richard Conley, 828.557.0618. n Cliffside Lake Kids Fishing Day will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at Cliffside Lake in Macon County. Register on-site the day of the event. Richard McClure, 828.524.6441, ext. 421. n Powhatan Kids Fishing Day will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at Lake Powhatan in Buncombe County. Register on-site the day of the event. Lorie Stroup, 828.877.3265. n Cherokee Lake Fishing Derby will be 9 a.m.

to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at Cherokee Lake in Cherokee County. Register on-site or call 828.837.5152. Open to kids 12 and under. n Santeetlah Creek Kids Fishing Day will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at Santeetlah Creek in Graham County. Register on-site or call 828.479.6431. n Kids Fishing Day will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, June 9, at Max Patch Pond in

Madison County. Register on-site the day of the event. Open to kids 12 and under. Brandon Jones, 828.682.6146.

The events stem from a partnership between the N.C. Wildlife Resources commission, the U.S. Forest Service, Trout Unlimited and Neuse Sport Shop. Participants will be entered into a random drawing for fishingrelated prizes, with a lifetime sportsman’s license as the grand prize. The program is part of National Fishing and Boating Week.

Lands protected in WNC From mountains to coast, a cadre of land conservation agencies is working to preserve the properties most important to North Carolina’s beauty and environmental health. Two of these agencies are celebrating recent acquisitions in Madison, Buncombe and McDowell Counties. n A 541-acre forested property in Madison County is now protected with a conservation easement following a collaborative project with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and the Town of Marshall. The property filters miles of clean mountain streams that once provided drinking water to town residents.

The N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund awarded SAHC a grant that allowed it to purchase a conservation easement from the town. n A pair of purchases in the Fairview area will protect 155 acres at Strawberry Gap and 15 acres at Stony Gap. The Strawberry Gap purchase will protect views from Blue Ridge Pastures on the Buncombe/Henderson County boundary just north of Hickory Nut Gorge and Chimney Rock, adding to an existing network of protected land. The Stony Point

tract, which forms a rocky bluff with an incredible view of the Fairview valley, will fill a gap within a contiguous network of conservation lands. The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy purchased both tracts with funding from Fred and Alice Stanback and a grant from the Conservation Trust for North Carolina. n North Carolina State Parks received 90 acres near Old Fort in McDowell County

Do the adventure dash

Trot like a trout

The Merrell Adventure Dash will challenge participates to navigate a series of natural and manmade obstacles over a 5K or 1K course Saturday, May 26, at the Nantahala Outdoor Center.

The course starts at 4:30 p.m. and includes balance components, climbs and nets, a river run and a raft crossing. Kids 12 and under race free with a participating adult. Awards begin at 5:30 p.m. $20. Register at www.ultrasignup.com or onsite from 1 to 4 p.m. the day of the event.

The inaugural Tuck Trout Trot will take off at 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 18, down the Jackson County Greenway in Cullowhee.

This fun run/walk/trot is a 2.2-mile breeze along the riverside greenway, complete with a glow necklace or bracelet.

Harrah’s UltraStar Multi-tainment Center will be onsite to hand out free gifts.

Proceeds benefit outdoor programming at the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department. $18 on-site registration at the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce or $20.50 online at www.runsignup.com.

The Fairview Valley stretches out below Stony Point.

Donated photo

following a transfer from the Foothills Conservancy. The Foothills Conservancy purchased the land from Melanie Goodson, ensuring the protection of scenic views along Old Highway 70 and water quality for two high-quality streams. Camp Grier and Dan and Denisa Allison are donating trail easements across parts of their land to allow public use of the Fonta Flora State Trail in the near future.

Waynesville Rec Center free for Spring Fling All Haywood County residents will have free access to the Waynesville Recreation Center Saturday, May 19, during the Waynesville Kiwanis annual Spring Fling.

Rec center operating hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the Spring Fling event 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be games for children and inflatables to play on in the gym, as well as refreshments.

828.456.2030 or rlangston@waynesvillenc.gov.

A new report from the National Park Service shows that 11.3 million visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2017 spent a combined $922.9 million in communities near the park, supporting 13,900 jobs.

“We are glad to work alongside our business communities in helping create lifelong memories and traditions that bring people to our area year after year,” said Superintendent Cassius Cash. “While our gateway communities benefit from visitor spending, they also provide a critical role in shaping the overall impression of a visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.”

National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, with every dollar invested by American taxpayers in the National Park Service returning $10 to the economy. The figures come from a peerreviewed visitor spending analysis completed by economists Catherine Cullinane

Thomas and Egan Cornachione of the U.S. Geological Survey and Lynne Koontz of the National Park Service.

Numbers for the Smokies were down slightly compared to the figures for 2016, which showed 11.3 million visitors spending $942.7 million and supporting 14,700 jobs. However, they’re higher than the 2015 figures, which showed visitors spending $874 million in parkside communities.

Clingmans Dome is a popular spot for visitors. Kristina Plaas photo

“When we launched Leap Frog Tours 18 months ago, the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce gave us a tremendous amount of support and guidance. They connected us with community partners who helped us get our business off the ground, and that support has helped us thrive.

We were thrilled that the Chamber named us the Business Start-Up Winner of 2017. The grant money we received from that award was invaluable to help us take our business to the next level. Leap Frog Tours is a proud member of the Haywood County Chamber.”

— Kim Turpin & Ann Smith, Co-Owners, Leap Frog Tours

Overall in the Park Service, 330 million park visitors spent $18.2 billion in communities within 60 miles of a national park nationwide, supporting 306,000 jobs. More than 255,000 of these jobs were found in gateway communities.

An interactive tool displaying results of the analysis is online at http://go.nps.gov/vse.

Clean up Allens Creek

828.456.3021 HaywoodChamber.com

Vein Education Series Ve

Do you exxperience

LEG PA PAIN? Even a short walk up p the e stairs or doing some shopping can be pain p ful for many people.

Problems with h veins v can cause:

City Lights Café recognized for green practices

Help fund a new A.T. shelter The Nantahala Hiking Club is in the midst of a fundraiser to gather $5,000 of the $18,000 needed to replace the 1950s Rock Gap Shelter along the A.T. in Macon County.

The Lazy Hiker Brewing Company helped kick off the fundraiser with its special release A.T. 110 saison, with a portion of those sales supporting the cause, but the effort is ongoing.

To donate: give online at www.gofundme.com/nhc-appalachian-trail-shelter, visit the NHC display table at any event the club attends, or mail a check made out to NHC to 173 Carl Slagle Road, Franklin, N.C. 28734 with Rock Gap Shelter in the memo line.

• Aching, cra amp ping or burning • Leg num mbne ess or tingling • Skin changes or o discoloration • Re estlesss legs • Varricosse veins

FR R REE Vein Edu ucattion Session day y 0D\ 5 30 Guesst Sp peakers:

Dr. Al Mina M a, MD, FACS Dr. Josshua a Rudd, DO

Event e loccation: Haywood Regional ance e Behind Hospital

To o reg egister call

828.452.V VE EIN (8346)

MyHaywo oodRegional.com

Smoky Mountain News

and customers for keeping us moving in the right direction!”

N.C. GreenTravel gives recognized businesses a rating of one, two or three dogwood blossoms, three being the highest.

City Lights, which earned a two-blossom rating, is now one of 47 restaurants recognized statewide and one of two entities in Jackson County, the other being the Green Energy Park.

The N.C. GreenTravel Initiative is administered through the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. Application information is online at https://bit.ly/2Ki79XR.

May 16-22, 2018

A stream cleanup at Allens Creek in Waynesville will be held 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 19.

The group will meet in the far end of the PetSmart parking lot and then head off to the stream.

Gloves, trash bags, pickup sticks and refreshments provided. Wear close-toed shoes and long pants, and bring a towel and change of clothes.

Organized by Haywood Waterways Association. RSVP to Christine O’Brien by 5 p.m. May 17, christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com or 828.476.4667.

City Lights Café in Sylva has been recognized by the state for its sustainability efforts, earning certification from the N.C. GreenTravel Program.

“I filled out the questionnaire to see how we were doing working toward our sustainability goals and was surprised to learn that for a restaurant, we are doing pretty good!” owner Bernadette Peters wrote on the café’s Facebook page. “Compostable, recyclable, energy-efficient, organic and local ingredients, incentives for customers, etc. all played a role in getting the two-blossom designation. Thank you City Lights Staff

outdoors

Smokies visitors spend $922.9 million in gateway communities

45

May 16-22, 2018

outdoors

Masa to be added to A.T. Hall of Fame

mystery and moods of the Appalachian Mountains, especially seeking cloud effects that created an ethereal quality — even through black-and-white images. Masa and Horace Kephart were close personal The late George Masa, whose photofriends and were both instrumental in cregraphs were pivotal to the creation of the ating the park and the Appalachian Trail.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Kephart and Masa formed the Carolina will be inducted with the eighth class of Appalachian Trail Club in 1931, working to locate and mark the A.T.’s future route. During the club’s first year, members scouted, measured and marked 29.2 miles of trail from Devil’s Fork Gap on the Tennessee border to Hot Springs, North Carolina; 31.6 miles from Hot Springs to Waterville; and 43.5 miles from Nantahala Station to Rich Knob on the Georgia border.

A Japanese immigrant, Masa was born in Osaka, Japan, in 1881 and passed away in 1933 due to complications from the flu.

Other 2018 Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame class honorees are William Kemsley, Jr. of Taos, New Mexico; Robert Peoples of Hampton, Tennessee; and the late Elizabeth Levers of New Cullasaja Falls.

York, New York. Each year nomGeorge Masa photo inations are solicited from the general public, and the Hall of Fame selection committee chooses the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame honorees honorees that will be recognized at the Friday, May 4. museum’s Hall of Fame banquet.

Masa’s photos captured the beauty,

{Celebrating the Southern Appalachians}

The Elkmont Wastewater Treatment Plant serves park facilities, including Elkmont Campground.

Warren Bielenberg photo

Comment on Smokies wastewater plan Public comment is wanted on a draft environmental assessment for proposed upgrades to the Elkmont Wastewater Treatment Plant in Sevier County, Tennessee, which serves the Elkmont area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The plant was originally built in 1959, with modifications in 1969 and 2008, and has exceeded its expected service life. The EA evaluates three alternatives: doing nothing, upgrading the plant to continue dis-

Paving work begins on the Parkway The Blue Ridge Parkway will resurface more than 65 miles of pavement between Asheville and Cherokee this summer, with work beginning in mid-May and lasting through September.

Work locations will change weekly within the 65-mile project area, and visitors in active work zones should expect single-lane closures and delays. Work will progress from north to south and include some paved roadside pullouts and parking areas.

Areas include: milepost 359.1 to 365.6 north of Asheville in the Mount Mitchell and

charging treated effluent to the Little River, or upgrading the plant to install a landbased, subsurface effluent dispersal system.

The third option is the preferred alternative.

Access the EA and submit comments at parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?pr ojectID=76297. Comments can also be mailed to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, ATTN: Environmental Planning and Compliance, 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN, 37738.

Comments are due May 31.

Craggy Gardens area; milepost 393.6 to 412.8 south of Asheville through the Mount Pisgah area; and milepost 424 to 469, south of Devils Courthouse to the Parkway’s southern terminus.

Work will be done in 3-to-5-mile sections.

Pavement preservation is becoming a regular road maintenance strategy in national parks. Studies find that for each dollar spent on pavement preservation between $6 and $10 in future pavement rehabilitation costs are saved. Funding for road maintenance in national parks, including the Parkway, comes in large part from the Highway Trust Fund, which is derived from a federal gas tax managed by the Federal Highway Administration.

Closure status is updated in real time at https://bit.ly/2lZptto.

Smoky Mountain News

See birds, butterflies and salamanders up close Smoky Mountain Living celebrates the mountain region’s culture, music, art, and special places. We tell our stories for those who are lucky enough to live here and those who want to stay in touch with the place they love.

Smoky Mountains National Park. Activities will include bird banding, butterfly inventories, salamander monitoring and more.

Local partners will host booths showcasing raptor rehabilitation, conservation and water quality monitoring.

Free, with RSVPs requested at gsmit.org/event/spring-open-house.

Tomato growers offer scholarship Subscribe or learn more at smliv.com MAGAZINE

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The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont will hold its third annual spring open house 9 a.m. to noon Friday, May 25.

The event kicks off bird banding season and will offer a variety of hands-on activities to introduce participants to the world of citizen science at Tremont and the Great

The N.C. Tomato Growers Association is offering a $1,000 scholarship for a North Carolina resident who is pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree in horticulture or agribusiness at a four-year N.C. college or university, or eligible to apply to such an institution.

The award will be based on scholastic achievement, initiative, leadership, financial need and extracurricular activities. The scholarship will be paid in two installments, $500 per semester.

Applications are due May 30. Additional information at www.nctomatoes.com. Melissa James, 828.526.3989 or osagem@msn.com.

WNC Calendar COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

• Free Haywood County Residents Day is scheduled for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Games and inflatables for children.

456.2030 or rlangston@waynesvillenc.gov.

offered. Fee: $25. Scholarships available: sarajane@regiona.org.

• The shops in Cannon’s Corner on Front Street in Dillsboro will have a sidewalk sale from 10 a.m-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 19.

• A Civilian Marksmanship Program is scheduled for 6 p.m. on May 17 at Mountain Range in Waynesville. mountainrangewnc.com.

• Glenville Area Historical Society (GAHS) Historical Museum opens for the season Friday through Monday, May 26-28 (Memorial Day Weekend). www.glenvilleareahistoricalsociety.com.

• A Conceal Carry Class is scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 22-23 at Mountain Range in Waynesville. mountainrangewnc.com.

• Nominations are being sought for the Mountain Heritage Awards that will be presented on Saturday, Sept. 29, on Western Carolina University’s campus in Cullowhee. Awards go to individual and organization for contributions to or playing a prominent role in research, preservation and curation of Southern Appalachian history, culture and folklore. Nominations can be sent to pameister@wcu.edu, Mountain Heritage Center, 1 University Drive, Cullowhee N.C. 28723, or drop off in person at Room 240 of WCU’s Hunter Library.

• Oconaluftee Indian Village will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday through Nov. 10. As you step into the Oconaluftee Indian Village, you’re transported back to 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. www.cherokeehistorical.org.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION

• Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center will offer a free E-Commerce livestream series on Tuesday, May 22, in the college auditorium in Clyde. “A Guide to Selling on Etsy for Small Business” is from 1-4 p.m.; “A Guide to Selling on Amazon for Small Business” is from 5-8 p.m. Speaker is Nick Hawks.

Register or get info: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Learn about what “fake news” actually is and how to spot it on Wednesday, May 23 at 2 p.m. at the Waynesville Library. Presented by Katerina Spasovska, Associate Professor of Communications at WCU. • Registration is underway for a Conversational French Language course that will be offered by Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Development from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesdays from May 29-June 27 in Room 139 of the Camp Lab Building in Cullowhee. Cost: $79. For info or to register: learn.wcu.edu.

• A Wilderness First Responder course will be offered June 2-10 and June 30-July 8 by Landmark Learning in Cullowhee. Register: www.landmarklearning.edu.

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

• Community Choir will be offered from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesdays through June 13 at Haywood Community College in Clyde. Cost: $60. Info: 627.4669 or rgmassie@haywood.edu.

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

• Registration is underway for a Wilderness Upgrade for Medical Professionals course that will be offered June 11-15 by Landmark Learning in Cullowhee. Register: www.landmarklearning.edu.

• An American Canoe Assocaition Level 2 Essentionals of Canoeing Instructor course will be offered May 24-26

by Landmark Learning in Cullowhee. Register: www.landmarklearning.edu.

• Concealed carry handgun is offered every other Saturday 8:30am-5pm starting at Mountain Range indoor shooting range. Lunch provided. Class $60.

452.7870 or mountainrangenc@yahoo.com.

• Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center will hold a business jump-start series from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through May 29 at the Canton Public Library. Topics include “How to Start a Business;” “Financing Your Business” and “How to Write a Business Plan.” For info or to register: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

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

• A Forklift Operator Certification class will be offered from May 29-30 and June 26-27 at Haywood Community College in Clyde. Cost: $75. Info or to register: 627.4669 or rgmassie@haywood.edu.

• An Introduction to Quickbooks 2018 class will be offered in June at Haywood Community College in Clyde.

Cost: $60. Info or to register: 627.4669 or rgmassie@haywood.edu.

• A workshop on hiring effective nonprofit leaders will be offered by Western Carolina University’s Office of Personal Growth and Enrichment from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, at WCU’s instructional site at Biltmore Park in Asheville. Instructor is Alex Comfort, CFRE. For info or to register: pdp.wcu.edu.

• Registration is underway for the Spring Aging Conference that will be presented by the Southwestern Commission’s Area Agency on Aging from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, in the Burrell Building of Southwestern Community College in Sylva. 4 CEU’s

• One-on-one computer lessons are offered weekly at the Waynesville and Canton branches of the Haywood County Public Library. Lesson slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Canton and from 3-5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Waynesville Library. Sign up at the front desk of either library or call 356.2507 for the Waynesville Library or 648.2924 for the Canton Library.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • The Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care Center is seeking donations for its silent auction at the Annual Barn Event, which is set for June 2 at Bloemsma Barn in Franklin. 349.3200 or smpregnancycc@dnet.net.

• Friends of the Smokies’ second-annual stargazing event is scheduled for Friday, May 18, at Purchase Knob. Fundraiser for science education in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tickets: $75. Info and tickets: FriendsOfTheSmokies.org/donate or 452.0720.

• The inaugural Tuck Trout Trot will begin at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, May 18, at the Jackson County Greenway

Smoky Mountain News

between Sylva and Cullowhee. A portion of proceeds from this self-timed 2.2-mile fun run and walk will benefit Jackson County Parks and Recreation’s outdoor programming. $18. Registration ends May 2. Sign up at www.runsignup.com.

• The annual WNC QuickDraw will be from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville. The cocktail social will include an hourlong QuickDraw Challenge, silent auction and refreshments. Live artists will be working in the public eye, creating timed pieces, which will then be auctioned off.

Proceeds go to art classroom supplies in schools and college scholarships for art-related studies. $75 per person. www.wncquickdraw.com or 734.5747.

• An Open Door Meal & Sing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, at First United Methodist Church of Sylva. Meal, musical entertainment and fellowship. 586.2358.

• Registration is underway for the Haywood Healthcare Foundation’s annual Golf & Gala event, which is scheduled for June 27-28 at Maggie Valley Club. Benefits “Base Camp on the Go” for Haywood County children. $150 for both events or $75 for gala only.

HaywoodHealthcareFoundation.org or 452.8343.

• Tickets are on sale for “Starstruck,” a benefit for the Highlands Playhouse, scheduled for July 1 at the Highlands Country Club. Multi-course plated dinner and drinks, live auction and live theatrical vignettes from the casts of “Guys and Dolls” and “Damn Yankees.”

Tickets: $200. Purchase tickets: 526.2695, HighlandsPlayhouse.org or Playhouse Box Office.

• Haywood County Arts Council is matching, dollar for dollar (up to $10,000) it receives through June 30.

Donations enhance art education, local artists and innovation in art. To donate: www.haywoodarts.org or visit the gallery at 86 North Main Street in downtown Waynesville.

• The Community Table has a Blue Plate Special fundraiser from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month from January through October in Sylva. $7 minimum donation; dine-in or carry-out. 586.6782.

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

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

• Volunteer Opportunities are available throughout the region, call John at the Haywood Jackson Volunteer Center today and get started sharing your talents. 3562833

HEALTH MATTERS • The Jackson County Senior Center will offer a Caregiver Education Class at 10 a.m. on the third Monday of every month in the Board Room of the Department of Aging in Sylva. The session on May 21 will focus on providing person-centered care to people with hoarding concerns. 586.5494.

• The Confident Caregiver Series, designed for caregivers of those with dementia and Alzheimer’s, will be held from 1-2 p.m. on Thursdays through May 24 in the Waynesville Library Auditorium. Registration required: 356.2507 or kolsen@haywoodnc.net.

• The International Essential Tremor Foundation support

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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 group meets at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16, at the Jackson County Senior Center Room No. 135. Learn coping skills and available products to help. Info: 736.3165 or teddyk1942@gmail.com.

• Registration is underway for affordable health screenings that will be offered on May 22 at LifeWay Community Church in Sylva. Screenings check for plaque buildup in arteries, HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, diabetes risk, bone density, kidney and thyroid function and more. Packages start at $149; payment and other options available. 877.237.1287 or www.lifelinescreening.com.

• Codependents Anonymous meets at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays at the Friendship House on Academy Street in Waynesville. Group of people desiring healthy and fulfilling relationships. 775.2782 or www.coda.org.

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

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

293.2503.

• A grief support group, GriefShare, will be held from 67:30 p.m. on Wednesdays through May 23 at First Alliance Church in Franklin. Topics include grief’s challenges, guilt, anger, relationships with others, being stuck and what to live for now. $15 cost covers materials; scholarships available. Register: www.franklincma.com. Info: 369.7977, 200.5166, scott@franklincma.com or www.griefshare.org.

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

349.2455.

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

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

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

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

• A “Walk With A Doc” program is scheduled for 10 a.m. each Saturday at the Lake Junaluska Kern Center or Canton Rec Park. MyHaywoodRegional.com/WalkwithaDoc. • Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACA) meets at noon on Saturdays at the First United Methodist Church Outreach Center at 171 Main St. in Franklin. 407.758.6433 or adultchildren.org.

wnc calendar

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

• The Jackson County NAACP Branch’s May membership meeting is set for Saturday, May 19, at Liberty Baptist Church in Sylva.

• A support group meeting for those with Parkinsons Disease and their caregivers will be held at 2 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

• The Ivy Hill Voting Precinct of Haywood County Democrats will meet from 5-6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22, in the Pavilion of Maggie Valley Town Hall. Purpose is organizing Get out the Vote for races in the Nov. 6 election. 205.381.6158.

• 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 at 4 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the AMC dining room. 369.4166.

• 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.

RECREATION AND FITNESS • Laurel Ridge will be open to the public on Friday, May 18, in Waynesville. $140 for a foursome, $120 for threesome, $90 a pair or $50 single. Golf, tennis, pool, fitness and dining. 231.5265 or 454.0545, ext. 131.

• The High Mountain Squares will host their “Blue Appreciation Dance” from 6:15-8:45 p.m. on Friday, May 18, at the Robert C. Carpenter Community Building in Franklin. Marty Northrup of Charlotte will be the caller. Western-style square dancing, mainstream and levels. 342.1560, 332.0001 or 706.746.5426.

May 16-22, 2018

• Registration is underway for adult beginner tennis classes, which will be offered from 6-7 p.m. on May 23-June 21 or July 12-Aug. 9 through the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department. $60 for five sessions. 703.966.7138 or kakareka@me.com.

• An organizational meeting for a summertime adult volleyball league will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6, at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Ages 18-up. Season is June 20-Aug. 22. Info: 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

POLITICAL • Candidate reception for Joe Sam Queen, in his bid for re-election to N.C. House 119, is scheduled for 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, at the Historic Calhoun House in Bryson City. www.joesamqueen.com.

Smoky Mountain News

• Clampitt’s Carnival, event for Rep. Mike Clampitt, is scheduled for 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, at Riverfront Park in Bryson City. Food, games for all ages, picnic. 508.0120.

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• The Macon County Democratic Women will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

• Jackson County’s annual legislative update and luncheon is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 30, at Mountaintop Golf & Lake Clubhouse. County manager Don Adams will present the government’s strategic priorities and discuss how related programs and funding will impact the Cashiers area. Cost: $25 (Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce members) or $30 for nonmembers. RSVP required by Friday, May 25.

743.5191.

AUTHORS AND BOOKS • Joshua Wilkey will present his new collection Writing Appalachia: One Year of Essays at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 18, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. To reserve copies, call City Lights Bookstore at 586.9499.

• Dr. Billy Ogletree will present his new book Mean Christianity: Finding Our Way Back to Christ’s Likeness at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. To reserve copies, call City Lights Bookstore at 828.586.9499.

• Images of America: Cherokee, Anna Fariello’s new pictorial history book, will be presented during a special reading and signing at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Blue Ridge Bookstore in Waynesville. 456.6000 or www.blueridgebooksnc.com.

• The “Coffee with the Poet” series gathers at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva the third Thursday of each month and is co-sponsored by the North Carolina Writers Network. 586.9499.

KIDS & FAMILIES • Free fishing days are scheduled for kids at the following dates, times and locations: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, at Balsam Lake in Jackson County (524.6441, ext. 421), 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, at Cullowhee Creek (293.3053 or 557.0618); 9 a.m.1 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, at Cliffside Lake in Macon County (524.6441, ext. 421); 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on June 2 at Lake Powhatan in Buncombe County (877.3265); 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, at Cherokee Lake in Cherokee County (837.5152); 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, at Santeetlah Creek in Graham County (479.6431); 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, June 9, at Max Patch Pond in Madison County (682.6146).

• The Jackson County Department of Public Health is now offering “eWIC” cards rather than paper vouchers

Puzzles can be found on page 54.

These are only the answers.

for the N.C. Women, Infants and Children program.

587.8243.

• A girls volleyball academy will be offered for grades 3-8 on Tuesdays and Sundays from through May 29 at the Waynesville Recreation Center. $5 per session for third through fifth grades. $10 for sixth through eighth grades on Tuesday; $5 on Sundays. Instructor is Tuscola High volleyball coach Pam Bryant. 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

• A program on “Nature Nuts: Fishing” will be offered to ages 4-7 from 9-11 a.m. on May 22 and May 29 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard.

Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/bo4zckn.

• A program entitled “Eco Explorers: Crayfish” will be offered to ages 8-13 from 1-3 p.m. on May 22 and May 29 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard.

Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/bo4zckn.

SUMMER CAMPS • Registration is underway for a summer youth event at Lake Junaluska, geared toward grades 6-12, featuring Andy Lambert (speaker) and Jimmy Atkins (worship band) from June 17-21. Register: 800.222.4930 or www.lakejunaluska.com/summeryouth.

• Registration is underway for a “Basketball Shooting and Dribbling Camp” that will be offered from July 1619 at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Led by Kevin Cantwell, former head coach at Appalachian State and associate head coach at Georgia Tech. $150 per person. 456.2030 or academy7@live.com.

• Registration is underway for a summer youth event at Lake Junaluska, geared toward grades 6-12, featuring Charlie Conder (speaker) and The Advice (worship band) as well as an outdoor movie, from June 24-27.

Register: 800.222.4930 or www.lakejunaluska.com/summeryouth.

• Registration is underway for Youth Tennis Camps that will be offered this summer through the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department. Juniors tennis camp is from 3-5 p.m. on July 16-20; Teen camps (ages 14-18) are from 3-5 p.m. on June 19-24.

Teacher is Rumi Kakareka, a certified teaching pro with 20-plus years of experience. Register: 703.966.7138 or rkakareka@me.com.

• Registration is underway for Camp WILD – a day camp for students entering seventh or eighth grade – from Aug. 6-9 with an overnight camping trip on Aug. 8. Presented by the Jackson County Soil & Water Conservation District. Registration deadline is July 1. $35 (scholarships available) To register: 586.5465 or janefitzgerald@jacksonnc.org.

• Registration is underway for a summer youth event at Lake Junaluska, geared toward grades 6-12, featuring Celia Whitler (speaker) and Abbye West Pates (worship band), from July 20-23. Register: 800.222.4930 or www.lakejunaluska.com/summeryouth.

• Registration is underway for a summer youth event

at Lake Junaluska, geared toward grades 6-12, featuring Kevin Wright (speaker) and Abbye West Pates (worship band) – as well as a special performance from illusionist Matt Adams along with a talent show - from July 23-27. Register: 800.222.4930 or www.lakejunaluska.com/summeryouth.

• Registration is underway for a summer youth event at Lake Junaluska, geared toward grades 6-12, featuring Juan Huertas (speaker) and Jimmy Atkins (worship band) – as well as a special performance from illusionist Matt Adams along with a talent show and Sunday morning worship in Stuart Auditorium - from July 27-31. Register: 800.222.4930 or www.lakejunaluska.com/summeryouth.

KIDS FILMS • “Avengers: Infinity War” will be showing at 7 p.m.

May 16-17 at The Strand on Main in Waynesville.

Check website for tickets, 38main.com.

• “Solo: A Star Wars Story” will be showing at 9:30 p.m. May 24, 7 p.m. May 25, 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m., 1 p.m. May 25, 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. May 26, 7 p.m. May 27 at The Strand on Main in Waynesville. Check website for tickets, 38main.com.

• “A Dog’s Purpose” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. on May 23 at the Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 10% of proceeds from sales of food will go to ARF. 586.2016.

• “James and the Giant Peach” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. on June 1 at the Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva.

Free. 586.2016.

• “A Wrinkle in Time” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. on June 9 and 7 p.m. on June 10 at the Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 586.2016.

• The Highlands Biological Foundation will offer a series of nature-themed films and documentaries shown at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of March in Highlands. For info on each show, call 526.2221.

A&E FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS • No Man’s Land Film Festival is at 8 p.m. on May 16 at New Belgium Brewing Company at 21 Craven Street in Asheville. Mountaintrue.org.

• The Icons of Hotrodding Festival is scheduled for May 18-19 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Featuring 1950s and ‘60s hotrod and custom car and truck event, contests and more. http://kustomkempsofamerica.com.

• The 2nd annual Hook, Line & Drinker festival will be held from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the Bridge Park Pavilion in downtown Sylva. Admission to the family friendly festival is free with donations encouraged. Reusable “Hook, Line & Drinker” souvenir cups will be available for $5. Souvenir cups are required for beer purchases. 586.2155 or www.hooklinedrinkerfest.com.

• The Maggie Valley Spring Rally in the Smokes – a bike rally, car show, bike & trike show and more – is May 24-26 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. www.maggievalleyrallys.com.

• The Swain County Heritage Festival will be held May 25-26 at Riverfront Park in Bryson City. From 6 to 9 p.m. the Friday night entertainment is loaded with local talent featuring an emphasis on old-time gospel.

From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. the Saturday entertainment features classic country, bluegrass, and clogging. In addition to music, the festival offers local arts and crafts, food, games for the kids, log-sawing contest, sack races and fun for the whole family. www.greatsmokies.com.

FOOD & DRINK • There will be a one-year anniversary celebration for Elevated Mountain Distilling Company all day Saturday, May 26, at the distillery in Maggie Valley.

There will be tastings, activities and music by banjo legend Raymond Fairchild, a member of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame. www.elevatedmountain.com.

• Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville will host the last class and wine tasting dedicated to “Exploring the World of Wine with Pete Ricci” at 6 p.m. on May 21 for $49. Participants will taste six to eight wines in each session. www.waynesvillewine.com.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • The Brasstown Ringers will present their spring concert series entitled “Between Heaven and Earth” at 7 p.m. on May 17 at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown and at 7 p.m. on May 18 at the First United Methodist Church in Franklin.

• “Million Dollar Quartet”, HART’s first all professional cast will perform at 7:30 p.m. May 18-19, 24-26, 31 and June 1-2, 7-9, and at 2 p.m. May 20 and 27, June 3 and 10. The theater has special discounted tickets for the performances on Thursday, May 24. Harmons’ Den Bistro at HART is also open before all performances with a new menu. To make reservations for the show and the bistro, call 456.6322 or go online to www.harttheatre.org.

• Iconic bluegrass act Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the Historic Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center in Franklin. Admission is $15 for the general public and $7.50 for children ages 6-16. www.coweeschool.org.

• Franklin Church of the Nazarene will present Mountain Joy Gospel Singing Group at 11 a.m. on May 20. 550.5460.

• Rock legend and actor Rick Springfield will hit the stage at 9 p.m. Friday, May 25, at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. www.harrahscherokee.com.

SUMMER MUSIC •The Concerts on the Creek summer series will kickoff with Ian Ridenhour (alt-rock/pop) at 7 p.m. Friday, May 25, at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva. Free and open to the public. There will also be food trucks onsite. 586.2155 or www.mountainlovers.com •The Concerts on the Creek will have Train (classic hits) at 7 p.m. June 1 at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva.

Free and open to the public. There will also be food trucks onsite. 586.2155 or www.mountainlovers.com.

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

• “China and America: The New Geopolitical Equation” – part of the “Discuss the World! Great Decisions series – will be held from 5:15-6:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, in the Waynesville Library Auditorium.

Registration required: 356.2507 or kolsen@haywoodnc.net. Questions: dem32415@aol.com.

• A jewelry making workshop will be offered on Thursday, May 17th from 10 a.m. to noon at Dogwood Crafters. Judy Wilkey, will lead participants in learning the basics of beaded jewelry making by creating either a bracelet or a pair of earrings. Cost for the class is $7.00. Register by May 10th. 586.2248.

• A Creating Community Workshop on “Japanese Sumi-e Painting with Allan Grant” is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, in the Atrium of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Sumi-e is Japanese ground ink. 586.2016.

• The Cartoogechaye Christian Fellowship Craft Fair is scheduled for May 19. Yard sale is from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Bake sale and country breakfast as well. Setup: 7 a.m.

Spot for yard sale is $10. Info: 369.5834 or cvvanhook@gmail.com.

• Kicking off the season for the Glenville Area Historical Society (GAHS) will be an Appalachian Broom Making Workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 19, at the Glenville Community Center.

Those wishing to register for the workshop, which costs $35, should email historicalsocietyglenvillearea@yahoo.com.

• The Smoky Mountain Quilters Guild will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 21, at Tartan Hall in Franklin.

Presentation about the “Outreach Quilting Program” is at 7 p.m. www.smokymtnquilters.org.

• A “Bark Basket Workshop” is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, May 24, at Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center in Cullowhee. Taught by biologist Jeff Gottlieb. $35. Preregistration required by May 21: 227.7129 or lstiles@wcu.edu.

• Registration is underway for a “Warhammer Class” that will be led by Brock Martin of WarFire Forge from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on May 26-27 at Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. Cost: $400; materials included. Preregistration required: 631.0271. Info: www.JCGEP.org.

Smoky Mountain News

• Christian comedian and singer-songwriter Tim Hawkins will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 18, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Show tickets start at $30 each and a special Uber Fan Package is available for $65. It includes preferred seating, concert laminate, $10 merchandise voucher, and a meet-and-greet with Hawkins after the show. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

• Asheville-based group One Leg Up will perform a vibrant mix of gypsy jazz, Latin, swing and original jazz compositions at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 20, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m. Admission is by donation, $5 suggested. 524.ARTS or arts4all@dnet.net.

May 16-22, 2018

• Barbecue and craft beer tasting from 7 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, May 26, on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, departing from Bryson City. Slow-cooked barbecue and ribs, with craft beer tastings The train will take you to the Fontana Trestle for a spectacular sunset. 800.872.4681 or www.gsmr.com.

• Haywood Community Band will have its first concert of the season from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, at the Maggie Valley Pavilion. Theme is “Tip-Top Toe Tappers.”

wnc calendar

• The Strawberry Jam festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Darnell Farms in Bryson City. Enjoy local music, local food, fresh fruits and vegetables, craft vendors, plow demonstrations, childrens play area, hayrides, fishing, camping, and much more. 488.2376.

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wnc calendar

• New artist and medium will be featured every month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

• Western Carolina University’s “ROADWORKS” program will present a live pour of molten aluminum, a drum painting tent and a display of featured students’ work from 6:30-8 p.m. on Saturday, May 26, in the United Community Bank Parking Lot in Waynesville.

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

• “Black Panther” will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on May 17, 6:30 p.m. on May 18, 7 p.m. on May 19, 6:30 May 25 and 7 p.m. on May 26 at the Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 586.2016.

• A seven-mile canoe trip touching on the “Cultural and Natural History of the Little Tennessee River Valley” will be led by Brent Martin on May 26. $50 per person. Registration underway: Register: www.paypal.me/cedartree. Info: alarkaexpeditions@gmail.com, 371.0347 or alarkaexpeditions.com.

• “Paul, Apostle of Christ” will be showing at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., & 7 p.m. May 19-20, and 7 p.m. May 21-24 at The Strand on Main in Waynesville. Check website for tickets, 38main.com.

• “Slingshots in the Smokies” – an annual slingshot owners event – is scheduled for May 29-June 2 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. 561.351.9095 or www.slingshotroadsters.com.

• “Game Night” will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on May 24 at the Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free.

586.2016.

• Boating Safety courses will be offered from 6-9 p.m. on June 5-6 at Haywood Community College in Clyde.

Room 3322; Building 3300. Must attend both meetings. Future offerings are July 9-10, Aug. 28-29 and Sept. 10-11. Pre-registration required: www.ncwildlife.org.

• “Turkey: A Partner in Crisis” – part of the “Discuss the World! Great Decisions series – will be held from 5:15-6:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, in the Waynesville Library Auditorium. Registration required: 356.2507 or kolsen@haywoodnc.net. Questions: dem32415@aol.com.

• Registration is underway for a Surface Design with Natural Dyes class that will be offered from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays from June 5-July 24 at Haywood Community College in Clyde. Cost: $377. Info or to register: 627.4669 or rgmassie@haywood.edu.

• Registration is underway for an “Axe-Making Class” that will be led by Brock Martin of WarFire Forge from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on June 9-10 at Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. Cost: $380; materials included. Preregistration required: 631.0271. Info: www.JCGEP.org.

• Registration is underway for a “Beginning Bladesmithing Class” that will be led by Brock Martin of WarFire Forge from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on June 23-24 at Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. Cost: $300; materials included. Preregistration required: 631.0271. Info: www.JCGEP.org.

• An indoor flea market will take place every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday in March at Friends Of The Greenway Quarters at 573 East Main St. in Franklin. Registration fee will go to FROG.

May 16-22, 2018

• The Old Armory will host an indoor flea market from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on every third Saturday. Booths are $10 each for selling items. 456.9207.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES • Gallery 1 Sylva will celebrate the work and collection of co-founder Dr. Perry Kelly with a show of his personal work at the Jackson County Public Library Rotunda and his art collection at the gallery. All work is for sale. Admission is free. Children are welcome. Gallery 1 has regular winter hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday and Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. art@gallery1sylva.com.

• An art reception for Pearl Tait’s “Down to Earth” exhibit is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, in the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Exhibit on display throughout May.

Smoky Mountain News

• A program on Tackle Rigging for Fly-Fishing will be offered to ages 12-up from 9 a.m.-noon on May 26 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard.

Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/bo4zckn.

• “Media and Foreign Policy” – part of the “Discuss the World! Great Decisions series – will be held from 5:15-6:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 24, in the Waynesville Library Auditorium. Registration required: 356.2507 or kolsen@haywoodnc.net. Questions: dem32415@aol.com.

• The “Meet the Artist” reception with Brian Hannum (pianist), Drew Campbell (photographer) and Jon Houglum (painter) will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 25, at Gallery Zella in Bryson City. Enjoy North Carolina wine, food and music. Free to attend. 488.3638 or www.galleryzella.com.

• A “Creations in Oil & Handcrafted Mugs” exhibit will be on display through May 26 at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville. HaywoodArts.org.

• Graduating students of Haywood Community College’s Professional Crafts program will exhibit their best work at their graduate show through June 24 at the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville. It’s open from 9 a.m.6 p.m. daily. Info: 627.4673 or creativearts.haywood.edu.

• The Franklin Uptown Gallery has opened for the 2018 Season. The artist exchange exhibit will feature artwork created by members of the Valley River Arts Guide from 50 Murphy. 349.4607.

FILM & SCREEN

• “Monty Python & The Holy Grail” will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on May 31 at the Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 586.2016.

• “Red Sparrow” will be shown at 7 p.m. on June 2 and 7:30 p.m. June 7 at the Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 586.2016.

Outdoors • A “Basic Neotropical Songbird” workshop will be offered on May 17 - at Alarka Laurel. $55. Register: www.paypal.me/cedartree. Info: alarkaexpeditions@gmail.com, 371.0347 or alarkaexpeditions.com.

• A stream cleanup is scheduled for 9-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, at Allens Creek. RSVP by 5 p.m. on May 17: Christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com or 476.4667, ext. 11.

• The Highlands Plateau Greenway will conduct its monthly work day from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, May 19. If interested in participating: highlandsgreenway@nctv.com or 342.8980.

• Cradle of Forestry in America will host an “In Search of Blue Ghosts Twilight Tour” from 8:30-10:30 p.m. on May 22-26 and May 30-June 2, near Brevard. Tickets: $8 for ages 4-12; $16 for 13-up. Register: cradleofforestry.com/event/blue-ghost-tour.

• A program on “Butterflies of the Southern Appalachians” will be offered on May 19 in Macon County. Led by naturalist Jason Love. $65 per person.

Register: www.paypal.me/cedartree. Info: alarkaexpeditions@gmail.com, 371.0347 or alarkaexpeditions.com.

• Registration is underway for a “Women in the Woods” trip that’s scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday, May 19 and will be led by professional naturalist Liz Domingue in the Greenbrier area. Preregistration required: www.smokiesinformation.org/info/backpacking-2018 or 865.436.7318, ext. 349.

• A program on “Fly-Tying for the Beginner” will be offered for ages 12-up from 9 a.m.-noon on May 19 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard.

Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/bo4zckn.

• A program on “Nature Nuts: Fishing” will be offered to ages 12-up from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 21 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard.

Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/bo4zckn.

• A program entitled “Casting for Beginners: Level I” will be offered to ages 12-up from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 23 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard.

Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/bo4zckn.

• A rabies vaccination clinic will be offered from 9-10 a.m. on Saturday, May 26, at the Macon County EMS Station in Nantahala. $10 (cash only) per pet.

349.2106.

• Registration is underway for a Fly Rod Making class that will be offered from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 12-Aug. 7 at Haywood Community College in Clyde. Cost: $360. Info or to register: 627.4669 or rgmassie@haywood.edu.

• An easy cycling ride aiming to help people ease into a healthier lifestyle through cycling is offered in the Canton area, typically covering 8-10 miles. Road bikes are preferred and helmets are required. Nobody will be left behind. A partnership of Bicycle Haywood N.C., the Blue Ridge Bike Club and MountainWise. For specific start times and locations: mttrantham@hotmail.com.

• A cycling ride exploring the Fire Mountain Trail System in Cherokee will be offered at 6 p.m. every other Thursday, rides started on April 12. Participants will divide into a beginner group and a non-beginner group, with 60 to 90 minutes on the trail each time.

Organized by the Nantahala Area Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association, with an event page at www.facebook.com/NantahalaAreaSORBA/. nantahala.area.sorba@gmail.com.

• A cycling ride exploring the Western Carolina University mountain bike trails will be offered at 6 p.m. every other Thursday, begin on April 19 in Cullowhee.

Participants will meet at the N.C. Center for the Advancement of Teaching and divide into a beginner group and a non-beginner group, with 60 to 90 minutes on the trail each time. Organized by the Nantahala Area Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association, with an event page at www.facebook.com/NantahalaAreaSORBA/. nantahala.area.sorba@gmail.com • Starting in June, a cycling ride will leave at 8 a.m. on Saturdays from South Macon Elementary School in Franklin. Routes vary with distances typically 15-25 miles. Road bikes only. A no drop ride. Organized by Smoky Mountain Bicycles, 369.2881 or info@smokymtnbikes.com. Check the “Macon County Cyclists” Facebook page for updates.

COMPETITIVE EDGE • The HOSA Med Dash 5K will offer a challenging loop on the campus of Western Carolina University on Saturday, May 19. Proceeds will benefit Smoky Mountain High School students participating in the school’s HOSA chapter. $20. Register at www.imathlete.com.

• Registration is underway for the Merrell Adventure Dash, which features a series of natural and manmade obstacles along a 5K course. The event is May 26 at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. https://tinyurl.com/y8zt5hh5.

FARM AND GARDEN • A starter plant exchange is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 18, at the Waynesville Library Auditorium. Info: 356.2507 or kolsen@haywoodnc.net.

• The Haywood County Plant Clinic is open every business day at the Haywood County Extension Center on Raccoon Road in Waynesville. To discuss any gardening problem, call 456.3575 or stop by.

FARMERS MARKETS • The Swain County Farmer’s Market is held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Friday through October on Island Street in downtown Bryson City. 488.3681 or chamber@greatsmokies.com.

• Jackson County Farmers Market runs from 9 to noon on Saturdays at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva.

• Waynesville Historic Farmers Market runs from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon at the HART Theater parking lot. waynesvillefarmersmarket.com • Franklin Farmers Tailgate Market runs from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturdays through the end of October, on East Palmer Street across from Drake Software. 349.2049 or www.facebook.com/franklinncfarmersmarket.

• The ‘Whee Farmers Market, Cullowhee runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays through the end of October, at the University Inn on 563 North Country Club Drive in Cullowhee. 476.0334 or www.facebook.com/CullowheeFarmersMarket.

• The Original Waynesville Tailgate Market runs from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays through the end of October at 171 Legion Drive in Waynesville.

456.1830 or vrogers12@att.net.

HIKING CLUBS • A five-mile hike along the Little Cataloochee Trail is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 23, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. $20 for Great Smoky Mountains Association or $35 for nonmembers. https://tinyurl.com/y9ywgtln.

• Nantahala Hiking Club will have a moderate 5.4-mile hike with an elevation change of 500 feet on Saturday, May 19, to Deep Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Reservations and info: 524.5298.

• Nantahala Hiking Club will have an easy, one-mile hike on Sunday, May 20, around Black Rock Mountain Lake. Reservations and info: 369.6280.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have a 13-mile hike with a 2,600-foot ascent on Sunday, May 20, at Mount Leconte. Info and reservations: 684.7083, 606.7956 or dblanning@bellsouth.net.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have a 5.5-mile “Waterfall Ramble” hike with a 300-foot ascent on Wednesday, May 23. Info and reservations: 685.2897 or suejackfitz@bellsouth.net.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have a five-mile hike with a 1,000-foot ascent on Sunday, May 27, at Florence Nature Preserve. Info and reservations: 516.721.6156 or karingarden@yahoo.com.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have an 8.3-mile hike with a 1,400-foot ascent on May 30 at Bridges Camp Gap. Info and reservations: 337.5845 or laurafrisbie@gmail.com.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a moderate fourmile hike with an elevation change of 750 feet on Saturday, June 2, to Kephart Prong in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Reservations and info: 524.5298.

• A Chimney Rock Naturalist Niche Hike off the beaten path is scheduled from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, June 2. Fall Creek exploration of Hickory Nut Falls, one of the highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River.

Strenuous. $23 per adult; $8 per annual passholder; $13 for ages 5-15 and $6 for “Rockin’ Discovery” passholders. Advance registration required: www.chimneyrockpark.com.

PRIME REAL ESTATE Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

LEGAL NOTICES

MarketPlace information: The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 every week to over 500 locations across in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties along with the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. For a link to our MarketPlace Web site, which also contains a link to all of our MarketPlace display advertisers’ Web sites, visit www.smokymountainnews.com.

Rates:

■ Free — Lost or found pet ads.

■ $5 — Residential yard sale ads, ■ $5 — Non-business items that sell for less than $150.

■ $15 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2.

If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type.

■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad or colored background.

■ $50 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold.

■ $300 — Statewide classifieds run in 117 participating newspapers with 1.6 million circulation. Up to 25 words.

■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

Classified Advertising: Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 classads@smokymountainnews.com

Great Smokies Storage 10’x20’

92

$

20’x20’

160

$

ONE MONTH

FREE WITH 12-MONTH CONTRACT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of MARY ANITA BEATTY, deceased, late of Haywood County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 2nd day of August, 2018, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment.

This, the 2nd day of May, 2018.

MARCIA A. COLEMAN, Executor of the Estate of MARY ANITA BEATTY 311 Second Avenue Winder, GA 30680 Heidi H. Stewart, Attorney & Resident Process Agent Suite 301, One Oak Plaza Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 225-6030

ANTIQUES FROG POND ESTATE SALES & Downsizing Services will have a Booth at the Vintage & Antiques Market @ The Haywood County Fairgrounds on May 18th & 19th.

Come out and Support us Both, Hope to See You There!

AUCTION

AUCTION 160+ ACRE FARM Wednesday 5/30/2018 at 1:00pm in Lillington NC. Gorgeous farm overlooking the Cape Fear River with beautiful views, pasture & woodlands! See website JohnsonProperties.com or call 919.639.2231; NCAL7340 AUCTION Pickup Trucks, Trailers, Forklift, Pipefitting Inventory, Equipment, Metalworking Machinery, Tools and More, Rockingham, NC, Online Only, Begins Closing 5/17 12pm STORE FIXTURES, Refrigeration Units & Other Equipment - Bankruptcy Auction of Lee Roy Enterprises Inc., Online Only, Begins Closing 5/22 at 12pm, ironhorseauction.com, 800.997.2248, NCAL 3936 PUBLIC AUCTION Thursday, May 17 @10am 2500 No Man's Ave, Concord, NC. Complete Liquidation of JD Raffaldt Inc, Bridge Builder/Welding Company.

Truweld Stud Welder Trailer, Lincoln Gas Welders, New Lincoln Mig Welder, Trailers, Tools. www.ClassicAuctions.com 704.791.8825 NCAF5479

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING

CALL EMPIRE TODAY To schedule a Free in-home estimate on Carpeting & Flooring.

Call Today! 1.855.929.7756

FROG POND ESTATE SALES HELPING IN HARD TIMES

DOWNSIZING ESTATE SALES CLEAN OUT SERVICE • COMPANY TRANSFER • DIVORCE • LOST LOVED ONE

WE ARE KNOWN FOR HONESTY & INTEGRITY

828.506.4112 or 828.507.8828 Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction

828-734-3874 18 COMMERCE STREET WAYNESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 28786 WWW.FROGLEVELDOWNSIZING.COM

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING

ACORN STAIRLIFTS. The affordable solution to your stairs! **Limited time -$250 Off Your Stairlift Purchase!** Buy Direct & SAVE. Please call 1.855.808.9573 for FREE DVD and brochure.

ALL THINGS BASEMENTY! Basement Systems Inc. Call us for all of your basement needs! Waterproofing, Finishing, Structural Repairs, Humidity and Mold Control FREE ESTIMATES! Call 1.800.698.9217 SAPA BATHROOM RENOVATIONS. Easy, One Day Updates! We specialize in safe bathing. Grab bars, no slip flooring & seated showers. Call for a free in-home consultation: 877.661.6587 SAPA SAFE STEP WALK-IN TUB Alert for Seniors. Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less Than 4 Inch Step-In. Wide Door.

Anti-Slip Floors. American Made.

Installation Included. Call for more info 800.807.7219 and for $750 Off. HAYWOOD BUILDERS Garage Doors, New Installations Service & Repairs, 828.456.6051 100 Charles St. Waynesville Employee Owned.

DAVE’S CUSTOM HOMES OF WNC, Free Estimates & Competitive rates. References avail. upon request. Specializing in: Log Homes, remodeling, decks, new construction, repairs & additions.

Owner/Builder: Dave Donaldson.

Licensed/Insured. 828.631.0747

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

WNC MarketPlace

BOATS FOR SALE - 1958 CHRIS-CRAFT Classic 18’ Runabout Boat.

Beautiful Mahogany Hull with Original 6-Cylinder. Great Cond.

Price Negotiable, For More Information Please Call 828.627.9789 or 252.249.1782

CARS -

www.smokymountainnews.com

May 16-22, 2018

A-1 DONATE YOUR CAR For Breast Cancer! Help United Breast Foundation Education, Prevention, & Support Programs.

Fast Free Pickup -24 Hr ResponseTax Deduction 855.701.6346

CARS GOT AN OLDER CAR, VAN OR SUV? Do the humane thing. Donate it to the Humane Society. Call 1.855.617.2024 SAPA AUTO INSURANCE Starting At $49/ Month! Call for your fee rate comparison to see how much you can save! Call: 855.970.1224 DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not!

All conditions accepted. Free pick-up. Call Now for details.

855.972.0354 SAPA

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

CARS/TRUCKS WANTED!!!

Top Dollar Offer! Free Towing From Home, Office or Body Shop. All Makes/Models 2000-2016. Same Day Pick-Up Available! Call Now: 1.800.761.9396

$100’s EARNED WEEKLY Selling sneakers. Send Text Now 770.910.6872 or PnnyAKickz.com SAPA

PAYING TOO MUCH FOR Car Insurance? Not sure? Want better coverage? Call now for a free quote and learn more today!

888.203.1373 SAPA

HAVE AN IDEA For an invention/new product? We help everyday inventors try to patent and submit their ideas to companies! Call InventHelp®, FREE INFORMATION! 866.783.0557

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES DISCOVER INTERNET INCOME Earn 5 Figures (+) Monthly Eliminate Traditional 9 to 5 Work Stress Opt-in To Learn More: http://get.webinnsite.com/wealth SAPA HAVE AN IDEA For an invention/new product? We help everyday inventors try to patent and submit their ideas to companies! Call InventHelp®, FREE INFORMATION! 866.783.0557 SAPA NEW AUTHORS WANTED! Page Publishing will help you self-publish your own book. FREE author submission kit! Limited offer! Why wait? Call now: 844.660.6943 SAPA

EMPLOYMENT HOUSEKEEPER YMCA CAMP Watia - General Janitorial and Housekeeping Needed at Camp Near Almond. Contact Ryan Hove rhove@ymcawnc.org for more info. Dates of Seasonal Employment: May 31st - August 4th.

CAREER OPPORTUNITY Located in Busy Downtown Waynesville. Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent, or Willing to get Licensed Immediately.

Competitive Salary, Incentives, Bonuses & Benefits. Mon. - Fri. Work Week. Send Resume to: GEORGI.INSURANCEGROUP@ OUTLOOK.COM

EMPLOYMENT YMCA CAMP WATIA KITCHEN Staff - Food Services Staff at Camp Near Almond. Contact: Ryan: rhove@ymcawnc.org For more info. Dates of Seasonal Employment: May 31st-Aug. 4th AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINING – Get FAA Technician certification.

Approved for military benefits.

Financial Aid if qualified. Job placement assistance. Call Now 866.724.5403 THE JACKSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES Is recruiting for a Social Worker in Child Protective Services. This position Investigates Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect and Provides Services to Families Where Needs have been Identified. Requires limited availability after hours and on weekends on a rotating basis. The starting salary is $41,276.54, depending on education and experience.

Minimum qualifications include a four year degree in a Human Service field. Preference will be given to applicants with a Master's or Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and/or experience providing Social Work services.

Applicants should complete a NC State application form (PD-107) and submit it to Jackson County Social Services, Attn: Dianne Cauley, 15 Griffin Street, Sylva, NC 28779 or the Sylva branch of the NC Division of Workforce Solutions (formerly ESC) as soon as possible.

CAVALIER ARMS APARTMENTS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

DRIVE WITH UBER. No experience is required, but you'll need a Smartphone. It's fun and easy. For more information, call: 1.800.655.7452

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS RAILROAD IN BRYSON CITY Is Getting Ready for the 2018 Season! We are Hiring for First Class Server, Parking Attendant, Ticket Agent, Reservationist, Show Conductor in Entertainment, Rear Brakeman in Operations & Property Maintenance Worker (year-round) Earn train passes, retail and food discounts, passes to area attractions and more!

Full Job Descriptions and Applications are Available at: www.gsmr.com/jobs If you would like to fill out an application in-person come to our Depot located at 226 Everett Street in Bryson City.

HOMES FOR SALE BRUCE MCGOVERN A Full Service Realtor, Locally Owned and Operated mcgovernpropertymgt@gmail.com McGovern Property Management 828.283.2112.

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT LEASE TO OWN 1/2 Acre Lots with Mobile Homes & Empty 1/2 Acre + Lots!

Located Next to Cherokee Indian Reservation, 2.5 Miles from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.

For More Information Please Call 828.506.0578 SAVE YOUR HOME! Are you behind paying your Mortgage? Denied a Loan Modification? Is the bank threatening foreclosure? CALL 844.359.4330

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised on equal opportunity basis.

NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Offering 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $420.00

We Are Offering 2 Bedroom Apartments, Starting From $465.00

Section 8 Accepted - Rental Assistance When Available Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

Section 8 Accepted - Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

OFFICE HOURS:

OFFICE HOURS:

Tuesday & Thursday 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

50 Duckett Cove Road, Waynesville, NC 28786

Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm 168E Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779

Phone# 1.828.456.6776 TDD# 1.800.725.2962

Phone# 1.828.586.3346 TDD# 1.800.735.2962

Equal Housing Opportunity

Equal Housing Opportunity

Climate Control

Storage Security: Management on site Interier & Exterior Cameras

Sizes from 5’x5’ to 10’x20’

Climate Controlled

1106 Soco Road (Hwy 19), Maggie Valley, NC 28751

Call:

828-476-8999

MaggieValleySelfStorage.com torry@torry1.com

52

EMPLOYMENT

Torry Pinter, Sr. 828-734-6500

Find Us One mile past State Rd. 276 and Hwy-19 on the right side, across from Frankie’s Italian Restaurant

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT

STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT GREAT SMOKIES STORAGE Conveniently located off 19/23

by Thad Woods Auction. Available for lease now: 10’x10’ units for $55, 20’x20’ units for $160.

Get one month FREE with 12 month contract. Call 828.507.8828 or 828.506.4112 for more info.

PRIVATE CABIN

HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329

Prevent Unwanted Litters!

The Heat Is On! Spay/Neuter For Haywood Pets As Low As $10.

Operation Pit is in Effect!

Free Spay/Neuter, Microchip & Vaccines For Haywood Pitbull Types & Mixes!

3/3, view, open floor plan $275,000 MLS#3310278

Call Rob Roland — 828-400-1923

rroland33@gmail.com • www.robrolandrealty.com

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Heritage SFR, ECO, GREEN

COASTAL DEALS! Ocean Isle Beach, amazing rates on summer rentals. www.cookerealty.com, 1.800.622.3224. Amazing buys! Southport,N.C. New water view condominiums starting at $139,900. Stuart Cooke 910.616.1795

PET SERVICES & SUPPLIES

CHAMPION SUPPLY Janitorial supplies. Professional cleaning products, vacuums, janitorial paper products, swimming pool chemicals, environmentally friendly chemicals, indoor & outdoor light bulbs, odor elimination products, equipment repair including household vacuums. Free delivery across WNC. www.championsupply.com 800.222.0581, 828.225.1075.

828.506.7137

aspivey@sunburstrealty.com

www.sunburstrealty.com/amy-spivey

Dan Womack BROKER

828.

243.1126 MOUNTAIN REALTY

71 N. Main St. • Waynesville, NC

828-564-9393

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

beverly-hanks.com Ann Eavenson - anneavenson@beverly-hanks.com George Escaravage - gescar@beverly-hanks.com Billie Green - bgreen@beverly-hanks.com Michelle McElroy michellemcelroy@beverly-hanks.com Marilynn Obrig - mobrig@beverly-hanks.com Steve Mauldin - smauldin@beverly-hanks.com Brian K. Noland - brianknoland.com Anne Page - apage@beverly-hanks.com Brooke Parrott - bparrott@beverly-hanks.com Jerry Powell - jpowell@beverly-hanks.com Catherine Proben - cproben@beverly-hanks.com Ellen Sither - ellensither@beverly-hanks.com Mike Stamey - mikestamey@beverly-hanks.com

ERA Sunburst Realty sunburstrealty.com • Amy Spivey - amyspivey.com • Rick Border - sunburstrealty.com

Keller Williams Realty kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • The Morris Team - www.themorristeamnc.com

May 16-22, 2018

USE SKIN BALM & TONEKOTE On Dogs and Cats to stop Scratching and Gnawing and Restore Luxurious Coat without Steroids.

At Tractor Supply, or visit us at: www.kennelvax.com

BORING/CARPENTER BEE TRAPS No Chemicals, Poisons or Anything to Harm the Environment.

Handmade in Haywood County. 1 for $20, 2 or More for $15 each.

828.593.8321

• Carolyn Lauter - carolyn@bhgheritage.com

Beverly Hanks & Associates

Hours:

Tuesday-Friday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm 182 Richland Street, Waynesville

ITEMS FOR SALE

Berkshire Hathaway www.4Smokys.com

147 WALNUT STREET • WAYNESVILLE

VACATION RENTALS

Haywood County Real Estate Agents

WNC MarketPlace

CREEKFRONT W/LOG CABIN 7.8 Acres in NC near TIEC. New 1400 sf cabin features screened porch, fpl, lg. deck, vaulted ceilings, hdwd floors. Horse Friendly. $189,900 CALL 828.286.1666

PET SERVICES & SUPPLIES

Lakeshore Realty • Phyllis Robinson - lakeshore@lakejunaluska.com

Mountain Home Properties mountaindream.com • Cindy Dubose - cdubose@mountaindream.com

MADONNA - A BEAUTIFUL KITTY WITH DISTINCTIVE COLORING. SHE'S A SWEET, AFFECTIONATE GIRL, NOT EVEN A YEAR OLD. SHE HAS A KITTEN'S PLAYFUL SPIRIT, AND ENJOYS HER TOYS AS WELL AS NAPS AND PETTING BY HUMANS.

——————————————

GEORGE

ESCARAVAGE BROKER/REALTOR

—————————————— 28 WOODLAND ASTER WAY

ASHEVILLE, NC 28804

828.400.0901

McGovern Real Estate & Property Management • Bruce McGovern - shamrock13.com

RE/MAX Executive

• • • •

GESCAR@BEVERLY-HANKS.COM

BEVERLY-HANKS.COM

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

•

remax-waynesvillenc.com remax-maggievalleync.com Holly Fletcher - hollyfletcher1975@gmail.com The Real Team - TheRealTeamNC.com Ron Breese - ronbreese.com Landen Stevenson Landen@landenstevenson.com Dan Womack - womackdan@aol.com

smokymountainnews.com

AXEL - A HANDSOME POINTER MIX BOY ABOUT A YEAR OLD. HE'S A PLAYFUL PUP, BUT NOT OVER THE TOP HYPER. HE HAS A BLAST PLAYING WITH OTHER DOGS IN OUR PLAY GROUPS. AXEL WOULD LOVE TO JOIN AN ACTIVE FAMILY WITH ANOTHER DOG AND/OR KIDS TO PLAY WITH.

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com 53

CROSSWORD

www.smokymountainnews.com

May 16-22, 2018

WNC MarketPlace

Super

54

INTRO TO POE

80 Packaging abbr.

81 Ugly beasts ACROSS 83 Puppy’s bite 1 Iraqis, e.g.

84 “Seems suspect to 6 Yank’s Civil War foe me” 9 “View of Toledo” artist 87 Dimwit 16 Road sign no.

90 Singer with the 2001 19 — Haute, Indiana hit “Thank You” 20 Fruit eater in Genesis 92 Kemo — (the Lone 21 “Naked” rodent Ranger) 22 Byronic “before” 93 Simon or Diamond 23 A second time 94 Meditated on 25 When you get there 98 Guitar great Lofgren 27 Flat-topped rise 100 “Botch- —” (1952 28 Choose to participate hit song) 30 Nosh, say 101 “What —!” (“He’s 31 Like a desert the best!”)

32 “Sister Wives” airer 102 Balkan repub.

34 Lots of 103 Shag, e.g.

38 Greater than 105 Get flushed 40 President Nixon 107 Actor Michael of 44 Snatch “Star Trek: The Next 45 RV hookup gp.

Generation” 46 Zilch 108 Cowardly 47 Love of Lennon 112 Day, in Peru 48 What jailbirds are 113 Shed tears behind 115 Rap’s “Dr.” 50 Color akin to navy 116 Arsenal 54 Pop singer Lovato 118 Take apart 56 Journalist Paula 122 “Such is life” 58 Dimwit 126 One may seek respite 59 Lock plates 128 Family cat, e.g.

60 Cold, cloudy condi129 Stephen, French-style tions, say 130 & so forth 64 See 77-Across 131 Huge name in insur65 Declaration at the door ance 66 Spock player 132 Voting “yes” 67 Has a printed price of 133 Least lax 72 Secretive U.S. org.

134 With 135-Across, 73 “Since the subject has poem whose first line is come up ...” found among this puzzle’s 77 With 64-Across, of 11 longest answers equal status 135 See 134-Across 78 Olympic skater Witt

DOWN 1 Quark locale 2 Actress Russo 3 Oval portions 4 Respiration 5 Briny deep 6 Lop a crop 7 Best Musical of 1980 8 Gentle 9 Kiwi relative 10 Trotted 11 Twilight, old-style 12 1995 Leslie Nielsen comedy 13 Long span 14 Avis offering 15 Other, in Peru 16 Restorations 17 Exchanged for the better?

18 Slippery sort 24 Flip out 26 Jail cell parts 29 Linguist Chomsky 33 Testing spot 35 Osaka sash 36 Off-limits 37 Slangy “OK” 39 Actress Charlotte and others 40 Tennis champ Andy 41 Notion about motion 42 Charges 43 Enticed 49 Aussie miss 51 Post-WWII prez 52 Fish-fowl link 53 “Yes, it’s also included” 55 “— so sure!”

57 Put a label on 61 Second draft 62 Pull along 63 “Laughing” mammal

64 Greek letter 67 Guy keeping the peace 68 Smidgen 69 Refrain 70 Former 71 Grappled, in dialect 74 In the know 75 Amp (up) 76 Summers, in French 79 Painkillers 82 Fired thing 84 Altar words 85 Carpooling lane abbr.

86 Misleading sort 87 Apple debut of 2010 88 Person with a pet pooch 89 No longer fazed by 90 Editor’s mark 91 Pin-ons worn by staffers 95 Not refined 96 East ender?

97 Repents of 99 — Lankan 104 Not stay dry 106 Queasiness 109 Norway’s currency unit 110 Wails in lamentation 111 Performs, in the Bible 114 Virgil, e.g.

117 Indy 500, e.g.

119 Tube fan’s punishment 120 Desert hill 121 “The Good Earth” wife 122 87-Down user’s buy 123 Suffix with Seattle 124 Pewter part 125 In place 127 Lt. Tasha on “Star Trek: The Next Generation”

answers on page 48

ITEMS FOR SALE

MEDICAL

SERVICES

GUNS FOR SALE! New in the Box, Browning 22 Pistol, 4 Inch Pro-Target $430; Smith & Wesson MP 2.0 Series $535; Taurus Compact 40 Cal. $390. All Guns with Warranty Cards, Unfired.

Call or Text 828.407.3666

FDA-REGISTERED Hearing Aids. 100% Risk-Free! 45Day Home Trial. Comfort Fit. Crisp Clear Sound. If you decide to keep it, PAY ONLY $299 per aid. FREE Shipping. Call Hearing Help Express 1.866.744.6150 SAPA

WANTED TO BUY

SCENTSY PRODUCTS Your Local Independent Consultant to Handle All Your Scentsy Wants & Needs.

Amanda P. Collier 828.246.8468 Amandacollier.scentsy.us apcollier1978@gmail.com Start Own Business for Only $99

UNABLE TO WORK Due to injury or illness? Call Bill Gordon & Assoc., Social Security Disability Attorneys! FREE Evaluation. Local Attorneys Nationwide 1.800.371.1734 [Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. FL (TX/NM Bar.)]

ALWAYS PROTECT YOUR FAMILY! Final Expense/Burial Insurance $30,000 Coverage Only $1per day!

No Med Exam! Free Consult Call Today 1.877.920.7576 SAPA

FREON R12 WANTED: Certified Buyer Will Pay Ca$H For R12 Cylinders Or Cases Of Cans.

312.291.9169; www.refrigerantfinders.com

MEDICAL

PERSONAL WELLNESS ADVOCATE mydoterra.com/blueridge wellness LUNG CANCER? And Age 60+? You And Your Family May Be Entitled To Significant Cash Award. Call 866.590.3140 for Information. No Risk. No Money Out Of Pocket.

MEDICARE DOESN’T COVER All of your medical expenses. A Medicare Supplemental Plan can help cover costs that Medicare does not. Get a free quote today by calling now. 1.877.212.8839 ALWAYS PROTECT YOUR FAMILY! Final Expense/Burial Insurance $30,000 Coverage Only $1per day!

No Med Exam! Free Consult Call Today 1.877.920.7576

MAKE A CONNECTION. Real People, Flirty Chat. Meet singles right now! Call LiveLinks. Try it FREE. Call now 1.888.909.9978 18+. SAPA 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

AT&T HIGH SPEED Internet Starting at $40/month. Up to 45 Mbps! Over 99% Reliability!

Bundle AT&T Digital TV or Phone Services & Internet Price Starts at $30/month. Call 1.800.950.1469 SAPA HUGHESNET SATELLITE INTERNET 25mbps starting at $49.99/mo!

Get More Data FREE Off-Peak Data. FAST download speeds. WiFi built in! FREE Standard Installation for lease customers! Limited Time, Call 1.800.916.7609 SAPA

YARD SALES FROG POND ESTATE SALES & Downsizing Services will have a Booth at the Vintage & Antiques Market @ The Haywood County Fairgrounds on May 18th & 19th.

Come out and Support us Both, Hope to See You There!

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 48

Zeke’s gone, but leaves us a blank verse sonnet BACK THEN

Zeke enjoying a snack.

intonations so as to comprehend human intentions in an uncanny manner.

Toward the end he mellowed. He enjoyed eating fudge ripple ice cream. And against all odds he took to writing sonnets. The one he was working on the week before his death was titled: “Gone to Hell in a Handbasket: A Columnist Country Music Sonnet in Blank Verse (14 Lines, 140 Syllables with Occasional Rhymes).”

The first draft was completed just before he passed away. It goes like this:

George Ellison

T

wo German shorthaired pointers named Maggie and Zeke were our constant companions for years. When we went bird watching along the Texas, Gulf and Atlantic coasts, they traveled along in the back of the truck, their heads stuck through the camper top window into the cab.

As a last resort, I would sometimes turn them loose when a particular bird wouldn’t come out of the brush. That tactic generally produced almost instant results.

Frumpy-looking with brown and white cow-like markings — front legs splayed clumsily and slow afoot — Zeke didn’t look the part, but in his prime he was a natural born hunting and fighting dog. There were several bear squabbles I know about. Two of them he picked and didn’t quit but dragged himself home on his shield … as it were … head bashed lop-sided, ear torn, ribs busted in so bad all he could do was lie down and think things over.

The battle with the weasel in the creek ford was hilarious … from my perspective.

Every time Zeke’d shake him off the critter would come back and grab him by the nose.

Went on that way back and forth for maybe five minutes. I called it a draw but (truth be told) the weasel looked better off at the end.

Zeke was a good friend. Born into a world of smells and subtle frequencies, he studied expressions and listened closely to

Winter was dryly bitter & bone cold.

‘Cept when I went out in the yard to pee I’d sit in my house by the fireside bright and work on my next sonnet about me.

My ex-girlfriend Polly wasn’t so bad but her babies had grown up to be hounds.

Long after I asked them nicely to “Shut Up!” they still moped around singing Merle Haggard: ‘If we can just make it thru De-cem-bur ev-ry-thing is go-in’ to be o-kay.’

Well spring’s dun sprung and noth-in is o-kay.

Polly left town with the beagle next door.

If en-ee-one asks ‘bout me you just tell-um: ‘Ole Zeke’s gone to hell in a handbasket.’

After reading it, I told Zeke “I don’t know

what to say.”

“Then don’t,” he said.

(George Ellison is a naturalist and writer.

He can be reached at info@georgeellison.com.)

May 16-22, 2018 Smoky Mountain News 55

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Smoky Mountain News May 16-22, 2018