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

May 24-30, 2017 Vol. 18 Iss. 52

Haywood GOP members banned from party events Page 5 Harris positions itself as WNC health care hub Page 16

CONTENTS

STAFF

On the Cover: Impeachment proceedings against Patrick Lambert, principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, were still underway as of press time Tuesday afternoon, but this week’s installment of the hearings outlines the prosecution’s case against the chief. Be sure to visit www.smokymountainnews.com this week for updates on the outcome. (Page 6) Holly Kays photo

News Woman killed in fall from Parkway overlook ................................................................ 4 Haywood GOP members banned from party events .............................................. 5 Partnerships play role in local economic development ........................................ 11 North Shore Road case dismissed in federal court .............................................. 13 Cultural inclusiveness program graduates first class ............................................ 14 Harris positions itself as WNC health care hub ......................................................16 Pigeon Street revival continues at community center .......................................... 18 David Joy helps students find their voice .................................................................. 21 Franklin changes its town board name ...................................................................... 23

CONTACT SYLVA | 629 West Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779 P: 828.631.4829 | F: 828.631.0789

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Outdoors WCU students study fire’s effects on Dicks Creek drainage ............................ 42

The Naturalist’s Corner

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Scott McLeod. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . info@smokymountainnews.com Greg Boothroyd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . greg@smokymountainnews.com Micah McClure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . micah@smokymountainnews.com Travis Bumgardner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . travis@smokymountainnews.com Trey Riedmayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . trey.r@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Belue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . amanda.b@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Bradley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jc-ads@smokymountainnews.com Hylah Birenbaum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hylah@smliv.com Scott Collier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Jessi Stone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jessi@smokymountainnews.com Becky Johnson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . becky@smokymountainnews.com Cory Vaillancourt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cory@smokymountainnews.com Holly Kays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . holly@smokymountainnews.com Garret K. Woodward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . garret@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Singletary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . smnbooks@smokymountainnews.com Scott Collier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Jeff Minick (writing), Chris Cox (writing), George Ellison (writing), Gary Carden (writing), Don Hendershot (writing), Susanna Barbee (writing).

WAYNESVILLE | 144 Montgomery, Waynesville, NC 28786 P: 828.452.4251 | F: 828.452.3585

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Have a Listen "Ingles Information Aisle"

May 24-30, 2017

For the past 11 years I've been the host of the "Ingles Information Aisle" that airs every Saturday morning on News Radio 570am (WWNC 570am) at 8am-8:30am ET. This station is part of the "iheart" radio network (www.iheart.com) so you can listen to it on the radio in your car, home or on-line or even with the iheart "app" on your smart phone.

I usually record the shows on Wednesdays in the WWNC 570am studio in West Asheville and set up the guests myself. The guests and topics usually pertain in some way to Ingles Markets, food, health or nutrition. Often the shows feature interviews with some of our local farmers and vendors.

Woman killed in fall from Parkway overlook n 83-year-old women died after falling 150 feet from an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Graveyard Fields in Haywood County last Friday (May 19).

The overlook has a low stonewall around the edge, but the woman had apparently stepped over the wall and then slipped. The ground falls away sharply on the other side of the wall — at first as a steep embankment but then followed by sheer vertical drops.

The fall victim, Nancy Ann Martin, was visiting from Richmond, Virginia.

The Search and Rescue Team of the Haywood County Rescue Squad performed a technical rescue to recover the woman’s body. A team of three climbers rappelled down the slope, anchoring their ropes to a fire truck from the Cruso Volunteer Fire Department parked broadside in the overlook. A support crew up top belayed them over the edge.

Greg Shuping, director of Haywood County Emergency Services, said the rescue squad’s specialized search and rescue team is trained for technical extractions in difficult mountainous terrain.

“Once you go over that wall, almost immediately it turns to a rock face and at times goes almost vertical, straight down,” Shuping said. “They took their time and analyzed the best approach and performed the job well.”

Along with the search and rescue team, agencies responding to the scene included Blue Ridge Parkway law enforcement

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Over the years I've had a variety of different guests and many of their interviews are archived on inglesinfoaisle.com/podcast.

Haywood to honor fallen officers

Here are just a few: Sherry Coleman Collins Dietitian for the Peanut Board - Who talked about when and how to introduce peanuts to infants.

A ceremony to honor Haywood County fallen officers will be held at 5:30 p.m.

Monday, May 25, in the main courtroom at the Haywood County Historic Courthouse.

The public is invited to attend.

Gretchen Brown Owner of Munkii Foods, a "globally inspired" trail mix.

Meredith Leigh - butcher, public speaker and author of the book the "Ethical Meat Handbook" - who talked about her journey from being a vegan/vegetarian to becoming a butcher.

Smoky Mountain News

Tony Haywood - Retail Marketing Specialist for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture on the "Got To Be NC" program

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Michele Miller ( aka "The Farm Babe") - Michele lives on a farm in Iowa but blogs and speaks publicly on a variety of farming issues to try and dispel myths about farming.

Rachel Laudan - Author and food historian.

Greg Jaffe of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and author of the Biotechnology Project who talked about the safety of genetically engineered crops.

rangers, Haywood County Emergency Services, Cruso Volunteer Fire Department, and the Haywood County Sheriff ’s Office.

Several people die from falls in the Western North Carolina mountains every year.

A 44-year-old man who slid 100-feet down the concrete spillway of Lake Glenville Dam in Jackson County on his bottom miraculously survived with only broken bones in February of this year. He had entered a restricted area behind a locked gate posted with warning signs while exploring and lost his footing, according to a Duke Energy accident report.

But many aren’t that lucky. Deaths over the past year include: • A Charlotte father hiking with his 9and 12-year-old daughters slipped on a root and fell to his death at Big Bradley Falls in Polk County in February 2017.

• A 23-year-old from Florida fell to his death while climbing up rocks to reach the top of Moore Cove Falls in Transylvania County in November 2016.

• A 24-year-old from Georgia was wading at the top of Rainbow Falls in Transylvania County when she was swept over a 160-foot drop in July 2016.

• Two college students from Georgia died after falling from the top of Ravens Rock Falls at Lake Toxaway in Transylvania County in May 2016. The second student fell when trying to reach his friend who had fallen first.

— By Becky Johnson

Samuel Smith receives Governor’s award Gov. Roy Cooper recently presented a Medallion Award for Volunteer Service to Samuel Smith of Waynesville at the State Capitol in Raleigh.

Cooper issued 22 Medallion Awards in 14 categories. Smith was honored in the Lifetime Achievement Category after being nominated for his work with Haywood County Fairgrounds.

“Volunteerism teaches us all that we need to know about being good neighbors and better citizens,” Cooper said. “Volunteers are the best of us, and those of you being honored today have gone above and beyond.”

Medallion Award recipients are nominated at the county level then evaluated by a panel of community service leaders from across the state.

Decoration Day in Deep Creek Descendants of the Kitchens, Parris, Styles, Wiggins families and others displaced when the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was formed will gather at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 28, at Deep Creek inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for their annual Decoration Day. The group will travel by vehicle to the Indian Creek Cemetery, decorate the graves, and return to the Deep Creek Pavilion (inside the GSMP) for lunch. Meet at the pavilion.

Bring flowers for decorating, a covered dish, dessert and beverage, enough to share. A small donation will be collected to cover the rental cost of the pavilion. reneawrites@gmail.com.

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“We can't discuss specific questions about how we handle safety and security procedures. Speaking in general, the party takes these issues seriously,” Stark said. “In a rare few cases, a handful in the last decade, due to questions of conduct, the party has exercised its legal right to restrict access to its properties and events under its control.”

The patriot faction dominated the Haywood GOP for the past four years. But they were ousted en masse in February from the party’s executive board — about a dozen in all were voted out of party leadership roles. Mainstream Republicans calculated and planned the strategic overthrow to purge the patriots from party affairs and win back control, hoping to end the division that had fractured the party for the past few years.

The patriot faction did not bow out of the political landscape, however. They started a new conservative organization called the Haywood Republican Alliance.

Davis and Cabe have been vocal critics of their overthrow and the party leaders behind it —particularly Haywood Party Chair Ken Henson and Vice-Chair Debbie King.

Henson and King were formerly buddies with the patriot faction, but the relationship soured last year and they became rivals. Both sides blame the other.

“These so-called activists are nothing but bullies,” Lynette Ramsey, one of King’s allies, posted on Facebook.

Michele Nix, the vice-chair of the NCGOP, called the patriot faction a “terrorist organization because you’re only good at trying to terrorize others” in a Facebook post that she later took down.

The patriots responded by posting a photo of a potluck dinner with smiling seniors and kids, asking if they looked like terrorists.

“I am a proud patriot, a veteran and I STRONGLY resent being referred to as a terrorist,” posted Joy Diettle, a member of the Haywood Republican Alliance.

Social media sparring is the modus operandi of the patriot faction, which uses

digital outlets to trash the mainstream Haywood GOP and state party establishment.

But one online stab went too far in the party’s eyes and ultimately prompted the trespassing notices.

“Your recent computer postings appear to constitute libel per se,” states the letter of trespass warning to Davis and Cabe.

The post in question was a farcical animated music video depicting Henson and King singing Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe” and the pop song “Barbie Girl” by Aqua.

In the video, the heads of Henson and

“In a rare few cases, a handful in the last decade, due to questions of conduct, the party has exercised its legal right to restrict access to its properties and events under its control.”

Thomas Stark, general counsel for the North Carolina GOP

King were superimposed on cartoon caricatures dancing and rolling in a field of flowers, hugging and twirling, and riding in a convertible together. Lyrics to “Barbie Girl” — a song about Ken and Barbie — include the line, “Touch me here, kiss me there, hankypanky.”

It’s unknown who created the video, which was posted to an anonymous website that self-purports to “expose things that HCGOP leadership would prefer remain in the dark.”

Davis and Cabe say they aren’t behind the website or the video, which has since been taken down.

“Those of us that received the letters had nothing to do with making it,” Davis said.

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BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER wo conservative activists in Haywood County have been banned from Republican Party functions under the threat of trespassing charges from state party officials.

It’s the latest salvo in a festering conflict between a grassroots patriot faction and mainstream Republican Party leaders in Haywood County. Some members of the patriot faction have been labeled as troublemakers for their belligerent and defiant behavior.

But the patriot faction claims they are merely standing up to a corrupt Jeremy Davis party establishment and defending true conservative principles.

A letter was sent to two leaders of the patriot faction last week — Jeremy Davis and Eddie Cabe — warning them that they would be charged with trespassing if they show up at Eddie Cabe Haywood GOP meetings or party-sponsored events.

“The North Carolina GOP has determined that certain actions taken and or statements made by you are inconsistent with the ideals and mission of the North Carolina Republican Party,” the letter states, signed by Thomas Stark, general counsel for the NCGOP. While it was a rare step, the behavior and conduct of those banned was deemed so out of bounds that state party officials drew a line in the sand.

Dallas Woodhouse, the executive director of the state GOP, declined to comment on the trespass warnings or even confirm who the letters were sent to, but he did pass along a general explanation of why such an action might be taken.

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N.C. GOP bans members of Haywood’s patriot faction from party events

However, Davis did share the video on Facebook. Many were offended by it and claimed it was sexually suggestive and constituted harassment. Davis resoundingly disagreed.

“It was comical and funny, not perverted or twisted,” Davis said. “When they said they were going to sue me for sexual harassment I encouraged them to do so. I never in a million years thought the video contained anything sexual.”

However, Ramsey thought it was “suggestive and lewd” and warranted the banishment from GOP functions.

“The NCGOP has an obligation to protect its members and I am thankful they take this seriously,” Ramsey posted on Facebook.

Davis nor Cabe have been to a single GOP event or meeting since they were ousted from the executive board, not even the county convention or district convention.

“I told my people I specifically was not going to go because I didn’t want to cause problems,” Davis said.

But for the record, Davis doesn’t think the notice is legally binding or enforceable.

“I am 99 percent sure they can’t do this,” Davis said.

The letter tells Davis and Cabe they can’t come “on any property owned or leased by the NC Republican Party or any of its subsidiary or affiliated organizations” — and specifically references a convention center and hotel in Wilmington where the statewide party convention is coming up next weekend.

Davis said the trespass notice attempts to exclude those who identify with the conservative grassroots activist movement from party affairs.

“The intent of this letter is to bully and intimidate,” agreed Diettle. “One cannot prohibit attendance at a political event unless there is a formal, court ordered restraining order, of which this letter is not.”

Party leadership at the state level has been through its own turmoil that mirrors the division between the patriot faction and the Haywood GOP. The state party ousted its chairman who hailed from the Tea Party camp last year and replaced him with a mainstream Republican.

However, party officials maintain the trespass notice is intended to protect its party members, not silence opposing voices.

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Impeachment hearings begin

May 24-30, 2017

Prosecuting attorney Rob Saunooke makes his case to Tribal Council. Holly Kays photo

Prosecution alleges corruption in Lambert administration

Smoky Mountain News

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER uring a full day of testimony Monday, May 22, the prosecution against Principal Chief Patrick Lambert made its case that Lambert’s administration has operated on a double standard, with one set of rules for him and his supporters and another set for everybody else.

The nine witnesses to take the stand spoke to allegations that Lambert had massively overspent on contracts without proper approval, denied payment for Tribal Council’s legal representation while shelling out Patrick Lambert hundreds of thousands of dollars for his own, and interfered with the Office of Internal Audit’s access to the records it needed to fulfill its function. Allegations also included violations of human resources policies and trading of political favors.

“I think the council has seen enough, and we have enough information to see a pattern of behavior, a method by which the Principal Chief has decided to operate as the chief of the tribe that violates not only his oath of office but the traditions and customs of our 6 tribe and threatens the ability of the tribe to

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move forward in any way, shape or form,” said Robert Saunooke, the prosecuting attorney representing Tribal Council, during his opening statement.

Lambert’s attorney Scott Jones, meanwhile, responded to each of the 12 articles of impeachment in his opening statement and told Tribal Council that this was “the saddest day” in his 25 years arguing cases in Cherokee.

“I stand here believing that you’ve decided you are going to remove the principal chief,” Jones said. “I hope I’m wrong. I know that if you listen to the evidence and you base your vote on the evidence you hear and the law and not on what somebody told you to do and not because you’re angry … you won’t vote to remove this chief.”

UNREST IN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT Much of Monday’s testimony was tedious and detail-oriented, dealing with specific procedures and terms within the offices of finance and internal audit. However, one testimony was particularly explosive — that of Megan Yates, purchasing manager for the tribe’s finance department.

“The atmosphere is not pleasant,” Yates said in response to Saunooke’s question about her current work environment. “I don’t feel as if myself or the other employees are fully aware of some occurrences that have happened since the impeachment proceedings and other things have started.”

When Tribal Council voted to draft articles of impeachment, it also voted to hire a

special prosecuting attorney, though the resolution did not name that attorney. Later in the spring, R. Daniel Boyce of the law firm Nexsen Pruet was selected to fill the role, with Vice Chief Richie Sneed signing off on a contract for services not to exceed $175,000. The selection was not made during an open session of council, and anti-impeachment councilmembers have said they were not part of the discussions.

According to Yates, Secretary of Finance Erik Sneed told her to be on the lookout for this request for payment and to let him know when it came up. She said Sneed told her to send an email to the Tribal Operations Program to ask for additional documentation before releasing the funds.

“He was in my office the entire time, ensuring that the email was sent out correctly,” Yates said.

Tribal Operations replied by attaching the contract, Yates said, and Sneed told Yates he’d let her know what to do about it after lunch. However, when she returned from lunch she found the request had already been pre-approved by her coworker Susie Wolfe.

At the time, Yates said, she believed that Wolfe had erroneously approved the contract and let Sneed know what had happened and that the purchase order could still be stopped. Sneed said he’d be in touch.

“I didn’t hear anything. I came in the next day and Susie was gone,” Yates said.

“There was an issue that arose where an item was approved without what we considered to be valid backup,” Sneed said during his testimony. “There was concern that had been done in a malicious way. We felt like the prudent thing was to investigate that.”

So Wolfe was suspended, but ultimately no wrongdoing was found and no disciplinary action was taken, Sneed said.

However, Yates said, handling of the Nexen Pruet contract was in sharp contrast to the way expenses for the chief ’s legal representation were handled.

“We were told when I first took the position that we weren’t to question requests that came Scott Jones from the chief ’s office,” she said.

Sneed’s testimony contradicted this statement. According to Sneed, he asked the finance department to “question those items, and whether or not they are in full compliance with the law is not ultimately my decision to make.”

According to Yates, she was asked to approve multiple expenses for legal services that didn’t have contracts attached to them.

These services came from three different law firms, including Asheville-based Cloninger, Barbour, Searson, Jones and Cash — this is the office that Lambert’s attorney Jones works out of. Saunooke entered documents showing the firm had been paid about half a million dollars since Lambert took office in October 2015.

Yates testified that, on several occasions, she emailed Sneed that she was not comfortable approving the requests. The emails were read into the record. In each instance, Sneed directed Yates to approve the requests and move forward.

During his testimony, however, Chief of Staff Sage Dunston said there was good reason that more documentation was required for Nexsen Pruet. Tribal law states that both the executive office and the legislative office should have their own attorneys who are not employees of the tribe — currently, Jones works in this capacity for the executive branch and Carolyn West represents the legislative branch. However, Nexsen Pruet was to be a special prosecutor and therefore needed a contract, Dunston said.

Yates also told council that she had felt threatened in her job, which she began in February 2017. She had worked for the tribe for 14 years, employed as senior buyer before taking her current position. In June 2016, she said, the chief called her into his office. He began the meeting by asking her if she liked her job and then asked her to pull various contracts from the Operations Division, where she had previously worked.

“When he asked you if you liked that job, how did you take that?” Saunooke said.

“As a threat,” Yates said.

Yates also related another incident that occurred in Lambert’s presence. Tensions

To be continued As of press time, the defense had not yet begun to make its case and the prosecution had not quite concluded its case. Be sure to pick up The Smoky Mountain News next week for more coverage of the impeachment hearings, and check www.smokymountainnews.com this week for updates on the outcome of the impeachment proceedings. between she and Susie Wolfe were high, and Yates had asked for mediation. She was in Lambert’s office to discuss the Nexsen Pruet payment, and Sneed and Dunston were also there. Yates said she was worried about her job.

“He (Sneed) said for me not to worry about it,” Yates said. “I was prettier than Susie, I dressed nicer than Susie and my hair was better than hers.”

Yates’ testimony turned volatile toward the end, when it was Tribal Council’s turn to ask questions.

“Do you feel like you’ve given honest answers?” asked Councilmember Teresa McCoy, of Big Cove.

“I know I have,” Yates said.

“Are they honest answers or —“ “Are you insulting me?” asked Yates.

The back-and-forth was interrupted by reaction from the audience, but McCoy continued by asking, “Are they beliefs or are they truths?”

“They’re truths,” Yates said. “I don’t tell lies, Teresa. I don’t tell lies.”

RECORDS LAPSE AT INTERNAL AUDIT Happenings at the Office of Internal Audit were also a focus of the hearing. Specifically, a

S EE H EARING, PAGE 8

The charges

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he impeachment process set in motion during a February Tribal Council meeting reached its climax this week as Principal Chief Patrick Lambert faced a list of 12 charges during all-day impeachment hearings May 22-23.

Tribal Council approved seven articles of impeachment during an April 6 vote but added five charges to the list during an impromptu session held Friday, April 21.

During this week’s impeachment hearing, prosecution and defense lawyers made their respective cases for Lambert’s removal or acquittal, with Tribal Council then deciding the outcome. As of press time, testimony was ongoing and no decision had yet been made.

The charges against Lambert and his written responses to them are listed below.

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ARTICLE I

ARTICLE II

ARTICLE III • The charge: Lambert violated tribal law requiring Business Committee approval for contracts over $50,000 by failing to secure approval for several contracts. These contracts include a $62,000 contract for renovation of the executive office, a contract for a forensic audit that was originally for $65,000 but racked up $315,000, a December 2015 consulting agreement for $150,000, and a March 2016 contract for $18,000 that resulted in expenditures of $182,000.

• The defense: None of the contracts listed

Holly Kays photo

ARTICLE IV • The charge: Lambert made significant changes to the tribe’s organizational structure without Tribal Council’s approval, as is required in tribal code.

• The defense: Lambert established a new organizational structure in 2015, which Tribal Council approved that December with the annual budget. Lambert made further revisions throughout 2016, and those changes were approved as part of the 2017 budget. Organizational changes have historically been approved as part of the budget process.

ARTICLE V • The charge: When ratifying an ordinance making the Tribal Employment Rights Office an independent entity, Lambert issued a signing statement that he would no longer allow TERO to use tribal resources, even though tribal code states that TERO should have access to these resources.

• The defense: The signing statement was merely a way for Lambert to highlight issues with the law as written. He never directed any tribal employee to deny TERO tribal resources.

ARTICLE VI • The charge: Tribal law stipulates that the chief and vice chief must both be involved in carrying out tribal business. However, several of Lambert’s personnel actions violated this requirement. Without the vice chief’s knowledge, he assigned an interim manager to a manager position that was already filled, made a political appointment to an unapproved position and authorized five employee pay raises without any supporting documentation.

• The defense: The interim manager was appointed because the manager was away for the Remember the Removal Bike Ride.

The political appointment was simply a retitled position, not a new position, and did not require a budget amendment. The five pay raises were given to reflect the duties of the individuals in question.

ARTICLE VII • The charge: Payment to the Cloninger, Barbour, Searson, Jones and Cash law firm totaling $9,100 was made for work done prior to Lambert’s swearing in, violating a tribal law that forbids public servants from “knowingly commit(ting) an unauthorized act which purports to be an act of office.”

• The defense: The legal work in question was related to issues Lambert would deal with in his first day in office, and it wasn’t aimed at Lambert’s personal gain. The bill reflects the nature of the work performed.

ARTICLE VIII • The charge: Lambert broke anti-bribery laws by telling Councilmembers Bo Crowe and Albert Rose that he would allow them to appoint members of their community to the TERO commission — tribal code gives the chief the power to appoint these members — if they would withdraw or table a resolution they’d submitted.

• The defense: Lambert did not give or accept anything of value, so the anti-bribery ordinance doesn’t apply. He discussed appointing a TERO board member and a Police Commissioner from the townships and expressed a desire that the councilmembers table the resolution in question but did not trade one offer for the other. The councilmembers did not table the resolution, but Lambert did appoint the TERO and Police Commission members discussed.

ARTICLE IX • The charge: Beginning April 7, Lambert restricted the Office of Internal Audit’s access to tribal financial records, a direct violation of laws stipulating that OIA have unfettered access to these records.

• The defense: Because vulnerabilities had been detected in the tribe’s financial management system that put confidential information at risk, Secretary of the Treasury Erik Sneed instituted new internal controls and required employees to reapply for access to

the system. The OIA was not prevented from accessing financial records, and the action was not directed by the chief.

ARTICLE X • The charge: In February, Tribal Council passed a resolution directing articles of impeachment be drafted and that Tribal Council retain a special impeachment prosecutor. Tribal Council selected R. Daniel Boyce from Nexsen/Pruet PLLC as its attorney, but Lambert prevented any payment from being released, violating tribal law preventing interference with a public servant performing an official function.

• The defense: The check was held because legal requirements for issuance of a check had not been met. Boyce was not selected in an open session of Tribal Council, and he had previously argued cases harmful to the tribe.

ARTICLE XI • The charge: The Grand Council Lambert held April 18, during which the 1,000-plus attendees voted to halt the impeachment proceedings, attempted to impede Tribal Council’s sole authority to impeach.

• The defense: The Charter and Governing Document clearly gives the principal chief authority to call a Grand Council as he sees fit.

ARTICLE XII

Smoky Mountain News

• The charge: Lambert began acting as chief before taking his oath of office. The law firm he uses, Asheville-based Cloninger, Barbour, Searson, Jones, and Cash, was paid $9,100 for services performed prior to the inauguration. Lambert executed a contract to renovate the tribal executive office four days before the inauguration.

• The defense: No payment for those pre-inauguration legal services was authorized or dispersed until after the swearing-in. The contract dated Oct. 1 was never executed.

Tribal members exit the council house as the first day of impeachment hearings concludes.

May 24-30, 2017

• The charge: After his election as chief but before his swearing in, Lambert signed a contract with the Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise that paid $3,825 per night for a four-year room contract at the Cherokee Grand Hotel, which he owns. The contract violated a tribal law stating that no elected official can enter into a contract with any tribal entity.

• The defense: At the time the contract was signed, Lambert was not sworn in and therefore not an “official.” The contract benefited the tribe, as the per-room rate was much lower than what the casino typically paid.

lacked necessary Business Committee approval. The $62,000 contract was never executed. Instead, it was amended and approved by the Business Committee.

Forensic audits have historically been considered consulting agreements and not subject to Business Committee Approval. The $150,000 contract was approved by the Business Committee the day before Lambert took office. The $18,000 contract paid for consulting as to the feasibility of implementing timeclocks. The remaining expense was for the actual purchase of timeclocks, and such purchases do not require Business Committee approval.

• The charge: Lambert violated laws preventing use of tribal resources for personal benefit when he issued administrative leave for tribal employees to attend Grand Council, used tribal transit to bus people there and used tribal employees to work the Grand Council.

• The defense: During Chief Crowe’s 1979 Grand Council, employees were given administrative leave and tribal assets were used.

The Grand Council was not for Lambert’s personal gain but rather a forum for all enrolled members to speak on issues of importance to the tribe.

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Tribal members speak

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he council house was packed to the gills Monday, May 22, as tribal members gathered to watch the impeachment proceedings against Principal Chief Patrick Lambert. They filled the seats, with additional fold-up chairs brought in to line the aisles. They stood in the halls, craning necks to watch the action, and they packed the lobby, where a livestream of the hearing played on a TV. And, during breaks, they filtered out to the parking lot, gathering in groups to discuss what was happening. A Smoky Mountain News reporter spent these breaks in the parking lot, too, polling tribal members on their reactions.

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“I don’t know why they’re trying to prosecute the chief now when throughout the prior administration, it was bad. But they don’t want to get caught. They aren’t getting caught from what they did wrong. Their hand’s caught in the cookie jar, and by gosh now they’re going to try to get it out before they get the lid slammed on their hands. That’s what’s going on.”

May 24-30, 2017

— Carolyn Bird West, Snowbird community member

“Still I think 80 percent are behind him (Lambert), I really do. You’re going to

H EARING, CONTINUED FROM 6

lack of access to records that has been ongoing since March 29.

OIA Director Sharon Blankenship testified that her office — where she has worked for 11 years — has always had full access to the tribe’s human resources records, as is required by law. However, on March 29 she found herself unable to access records through the tribe’s computer system, called MUNIS. “We were unaware of why we didn’t have access,” Blankenship said. “The first thing we did was to submit a work order through the IT work desk. Those work orders were never answered or acknowledged.”

On April 5, Blankenship testified, she had a meeting with Secretary of State Terri Henry during which she was told to contact Secretary of Finance Sneed and Secretary of Human Resources Marsha Jackson. Sneed replied that she should send in confidentiality statements to have access restored, which she did. However, to date the OIA is still without full access, Blankenship said.

“We only have access to Internal Audit’s 8 financial information,” Blankenship said.

Smoky Mountain News

“The councilmembers are trying to give the tribe a black eye. It’s not right.

Patrick (Lambert) has done lots of see a handful that’s making an ass of great things for the tribe so far. We’ll themselves but you see us, we’ve been have to wait and see what happens.” praying about this. We’ve been praying — Randy Adams, 61, Snowbird community member about things like this and we have to look to the Lord.”

“To be honest with you, none of this — Rock Burgess, 63, Wolfetown community member should be going on. None of it. “ — Clement Calhoun, 55, Big Cove community member

“He’s doing what we voted for him to do. Just doing his job.”

— Hazel Jumper, 51, Wolfetown community member

“I have had a past with him (Lambert), so I feel very strongly about the whole thing but I also came here with an open mind to see really what all it is.

Because all I have heard is ‘the last administration, the last administration, the last administration.’ Well, show me what you’ve got on the last administration, but right now we’re worried about this administration. Don’t deflect on that one to cover up what may be going on in this one.”

— Collette Coggins, former Tribal ABC Board member

“I’m concerned that our councilmembers are called as witnesses and they will sit as a jury. It’s a double standard, and I don’t see any way our chief can get a fair hearing. That really upsets me. Our tribe is better than this.”

— Lois Dunston (her son Sage is Lambert’s chief of staff)

“They’re used to this corruption, and they don’t want it stopped. That’s why they’re fighting so hard. Impeach Patrick (Lambert) because he’s finding out what all they did do for the last 11 to 12 years. It’s been going on that long, this corruption.”

— Agnes Adams, 68, Snowbird community member

“We recently were given access to per capita information in order to complete the per capita audit that’s in progress.”

The OIA has a tipline for people to report potential concerns, but lack of access has caused some investigations to be put on hold, Blankenship said.

The defense sees the issue differently.

ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT “What happened was that the secretary of treasury (Sneed) discovered that there were way too many leaks in the system that allowed access to tribal financial records, so he put in place a new system where everybody had to apply for access to the system,” Jones said during his opening statement.

“There was never any effort to exclude Internal Audit from the system. It was simply an effort to make that system more secure, to make tribal financial records more secure.”

During her testimony, Blankenship said that Sneed had made statements along those same lines during meetings she had attended.

However, she said, the office is still without

Cherokee tribe members packed the council house Monday to witness the impeachment proceedings. Holly Kays photo

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sonal financial benefit for Chief Lambert?” asked Jones.

“No,” Claxton said, later stating that though there was “unlawfulness,” there was “no criminal element to it.”

REQUESTS FOR RECUSAL AND CHALLENGES TO IMPARTIALITY

room, to which McCoy replied that she was not leaving. There was a brief standoff until Saunooke, the prosecuting attorney, told council that he agrees “there needs to be some respectful discussion, but I don’t want to see her removed.”

However, perhaps the most unusual moment came toward the end of the day,

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While the hearing featured all the backand-forth questioning and legal terms typical of a court hearing, the day also included some odder moments, the first of which happened before the meeting even came to order. It involved a request from the defense that certain members of Tribal Council — the majority of the body, in fact — recuse itself from the proceedings.

Principles of due process, said defense attorney Steve Cash, pervade all cultures and include that “those who sit in judgment are not biased, are not swayed implicitly because they were involved in the prosecution of the matter or the investigation of the matter or have some interest in the outcome of a matter.”

Because Councilmembers Bo Crowe and Albert Rose are witnesses, he said, they should recuse themselves. So should Taylor and Vice Chairman Brandon Jones, who issued subpoenas in the investigation, and the eight members of council who signed the resolution to bring impeachment charges against Lambert.

Saunooke replied that the Cherokee Supreme Court has already ruled that Tribal Council has the authority to impeach and said that, “it is improper to now question the validity of you as councilmembers that somehow you can’t be fair and impartial.”

Taylor and Legislative Attorney Carolyn West spent a few moments whispering together, and then Taylor announced that the request for recusal had been denied. The body as a whole did not vote on or discuss the request.

Shortly afterward, McCoy and Taylor got

into an argument during which McCoy took issue with the rules for the impeachment hearing, saying she had not been involved in the process of approving them.

“That’s enough,” Taylor said.

“What are you gonna do Bill, throw me out?” asked McCoy. “Yes I will,” Taylor said.

The two went back and forth until Taylor asked police to remove McCoy from the

May 24-30, 2017

full access.

Another employee from Internal Audit, Rebecca Claxton, took the stand as well.

Claxton had completed the pair of investigations that spurred Tribal Council to write the articles of impeachment. She testified as to her method for completing the reports and her various findings showing “deviations from rules, policies and processes.”

“There was some inconsistencies in following policies and procedures,” Claxton said. “There was a lack of communication.

There wasn’t always a clear and consistent tone at the top as far as salary increases go.”

Findings included contracts executed without proper approval and deviations from human resources policies and procedures.

The findings are included among the articles of impeachment (see story on page 7).

Claxton testified that in her eight years working with internal audit, she had never seen contracts executed without Business Committee approval, as had been found in the investigation into Lambert’s administration.

However, upon cross-examination Claxton said that, though Lambert had provided responses to each of the findings, those responses had not been included in the report.

“They didn’t change the findings,” Claxton said.

Claxton also concurred that some councilmembers had issued subpoenas during the investigation, something that she had never seen before and had not requested.

Blankenship, during her testimony, said she had been involved with audits before that included a recommendation to prosecute, a recommendation that in many cases was followed.

“Did you recommend any prosecution arising out of either one of these audits?”

Jones asked.

“No. I’m not the judge and the jury,” Claxton said. “I’m just the presenter and gatherer of information in this case.”

“In either one of these audits, did you find anything at all to suggest any improper per-

Councilmember Bo Crowe takes the stand following testimony from fellow councilmember Al Rose. Holly Kays photo

“

Rebecca Claxton of the Office of Internal Audit answers questions from prosecuting attorney Rob Saunooke. Holly Kays photo

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when Councilmembers Rose and Crowe separately stepped down from the horseshoe to be sworn in and take the stand.

Both men testified that they had been invited to a meeting with Lambert during which he offered to appoint members from their communities to the Tribal Employment Rights Office board if they would agree to table or withdraw a resolution he disagreed with.

“The feeling I got was that he was doing me a favor by letting me nominate somebody from Birdtown by getting us to rescind that. I didn’t feel comfortable with that,” Rose said.

During his opening statement, Jones had said that Rose and Crowe did not rescind the resolution, but Lambert did appoint the representatives suggested. Therefore, the discussion was not an attempt at bribery. It is likely that Lambert will say something along these lines when he takes the stand May 23, which will occur after The Smoky Mountain News’ press time.

“In a minute you’re going to go back up around and sit on this panel, and sometime tomorrow the principal chief is going to testify and if he testifies different about what happened at that meeting, I take it you’re going to believe what you said over what he said,” said Jones.

“I’m stating what was just said in that meeting and I think Bo Crowe will say the same thing,” Rose said.

“But when it comes down to choosing between what you said and what somebody else said, you’re naturally going to go with what you said, right?” Jones pressed.

“That’s what happened in the meeting,” said Rose.

“I’m not trying to trick you. It’s a simple question,” said Jones.

“That’s just what happened in the meeting,” Rose repeated.

“So you don’t want to answer my question?” asked Jones.

“That’s what happened in the meeting,”

Rose said again.

“That’s not my question,” said Jones. “If it comes down to what to believe, you’ll believe yourself over what some other witness testifies that might be different?”

“I’m telling you what happened in the meeting,” said Rose. “That’s exactly what I said.”

Under questioning from McCoy, Rose

ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT

said that he would recuse himself from discussions on the particular article of impeachment he had testified about but not from the impeachment deliberations as a whole.

“I’ll keep an open mind, Teresa, I always have,” Rose said.

Crowe’s testimony gave an identical account of the meeting, and Jones followed it up with the same question as to whether Crowe would believe his own testimony over Lambert’s.

“Yes, because I was there and I know what was said,” Crowe said.

The hearing, which had started at 10 a.m., continued on until 5 p.m. but didn’t actually conclude. The session ended with the prosecution still having several witnesses yet to call and the defense having yet to even begin its case. The hearing was continued to 9 a.m. the next day, with Tribal Council to determine the outcome once all presentations have concluded. In a May 10 decision, the Cherokee Supreme Court determined that the body has the power to both impeach and remove any elected official.

For his part, Lambert has consistently said that the impeachment is retaliation for his efforts to clean up corruption in the tribe and that the process has not gone forward in accordance with tribal laws. If Tribal Council votes to remove him, Lambert will likely file a lawsuit in Tribal Court. A hearing on a lawsuit already filed in the matter is still pending in tribal court.

National, state, regional partners play a role in local economic development

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER n the first installment of this series on Haywood County’s economic development, the analogy of a bathtub was used to illustrate the county’s economy: water flows in, water drains out and the freeboard is always changing, but amidst all the splashing, insular yet interconnected bubbles of industry rise and fall and swell and pop.

Now take that bathtub and place it an inflatable kiddie pool. Then, take that kiddie pool and float it atop an in-ground pool.

Then, take all of that and drop it into the ocean.

Haywood County’s bathtub is but one in an interconnected pool; it’s from whence our water comes and also to where it goes.

Those differently-scaled pools represent local, regional, statewide and national economies, all of which have their own development advocates but all of which both draw from and contribute to each other, drastically affecting how money flows into or out of Haywood County.

I

Like many regional, statewide and local economic development agencies, the U.S. Economic Development Administration

are set up as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, so we are permitted — actually, required by legislation — a to raise a certain amount of private funding each year that can augment the public funding we receive.”

Prior to Chung’s arrival at the newly-created EDPNC in 2015, economic development in the state was handled by the N.C. Department of Commerce.

“But if they’re only relying on public resources alone, they are missing out on additional resources that could also help with their mission,” said Chung.

Chung explained that the EDPNC asks private sector companies that would indi-

Tiers of joy and sadness State’s designation for Haywood brings mixed feelings

S EE CARDS, PAGE 12

the Department of Commerce ranks Haywood as 79th in economic distress, up from 74th in 2016.

Any ranking system designed to separate the haves from the have-nots will be controversial; someone’s always left on the outs, and someone always narrowly squeaks in.

“I’m not sure there’s a fairer way,” Walls said. “It should probably be need-based.”

Most Western North Carolina counties remained in the same economic tiers as the previous year except for Haywood and Cherokee and Mitchell counties, which actually showed increased levels of distress and became Tier 1 counties, while Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties remained in Tier 1.

The most economically distressed county for 2017 is Edgecombe, where median income is $33,080; the least distressed is Wake with a $65,433 median income.

But Haywood apparently has more in common with Wake than Edgecombe, according to the state, even though Haywood’s median income ($39,320) and unemployment rate (5.07 percent) are both worse than Wake’s.

The 2017 tier designations were published on December 6, 2016, and presumably won’t change until December of this year, but the double-edged sword of a more distressed tier designation for Haywood — which could then offer greater economic development benefits — could also offer tears of sadness.

By Cory Vaillancourt — Staff Writer

Smoky Mountain News

A recent designation by the North Carolina Department of Commerce could have a detrimental impact on Haywood County’s economic development efforts.

Each year, the Department of Commerce assigns counties a place in a three-tiered system that assigns a 1 to 100 score for each county, based on indicators of economic distress.

The 2017 rankings moved Haywood from Tier 2 to the lessdistressed Tier 3, which should cause tears of joy — right?

“Unjust is too strong of a word,” said Jason Walls, chairman of the Haywood Economic Development Council and the local government and community relations manager for Duke Energy. “But using [the tier system] it as a means to compete for state economic development incentives can put Haywood County at a disadvantage.”

Although some counties — like Lenoir, Nash, Perquimans and Rutherford, which also moved up a tier like Haywood did — may find the news a comforting sign of economic growth and stability, Walls and others have taken issue with Haywood’s designation.

“It doesn’t portray the whole situation in the county,” Walls said.

Companies seeking economic incentives receive far more in aid by investing in Tier 1 counties, comprised of what are considered the 40 most economically distressed counties in the state; ostensibly, this is a great way to identify the neediest counties and ensure they get the help they need.

The next 40 counties, called Tier 2 counties, are able to offer less in economic development incentives than Tier 1 counties but more incentives than the top 20 counties, which are called Tier 3 communities.

The rankings are based on the average unemployment rate, the median household income, the percentage growth in population and the adjusted property tax base per capita.

The problem for Haywood County is an enviable one — relatively low taxes and a high quality of life have retiring baby boomers with disposable incomes flocking to the area.

But compared to 2016, population growth and median income growth — both tied to the county’s seasonal population — push the county back up into Tier 3.

The county’s status has vacillated since 2010 between tiers 2 and 3, changing five times over the last seven years.

For 2017, the Labor and Economic Analysis Division of

rectly benefit from its work to support that work with a donation similar to any they might make to any other nonprofit.

“So, construction companies, banks, utilities — those are a few examples of private sector companies that financially support our work,” said Chung. “They know that if we’re successfully creating a new manufacturer or helping an existing company to grow, more building construction will take place, more bank deposits will be made by new employees and more electricity will be sold. They see a direct line between what we

May 24-30, 2017

SEA CHANGE

arose as part of President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty in the mid-1960s.

Established in 1965 under the U.S. Department of Commerce, the EDA is the only federal agency devoted solely to economic development, providing research, planning, technical assistance and grants to regions hoping to attract investment and jobs.

President Donald Trump’s 2017 budget proposal — which seeks to cut domestic discretionary funding by more than $50 billion and increase military spending by a similar amount — would terminate the EDA amidst a 16 percent cut in Department of Commerce spending.

The defunding of the EDA — which would eliminate the Appalachian Regional Commission — could be seen as a move to semi-privatize economic development.

Removing economic development responsibilities from the government sphere is a sea change, but not a recent one. Local governments — like Haywood County — have been doing so for years, and many state governments have followed suit since the turn of the century.

Counter-intuitively, President Trump may be giving national economic development a boost by defunding the EDA, just as then-Gov. Pat McCrory may have given statewide economic development a boost in 2014.

“At the time, North Carolina was the 16th state to take this approach in migrating functions from what used to be a public agency into a public-private partnership or a non-profit,” said Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. “Unlike a state agency, we

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What’s in the cards?

Evergreen Packaging’s Canton plant has benefitted from local, regional and statewide economic development incentives. Cory Vaillancourt photo

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CARDS, CONTINUED FROM 11 do and what’s good for their business.”

The EDP’s 2016 annual report shows $3.8 billion in investment and 15,000 new jobs created on a budget of $19 million, of which roughly 5 percent is private funding.

The EDPNC is now set up as a contractor to the Department of Commerce, essentially performing several economic development functions on their behalf for about $16.9 million that year.

Those functions encompass five core areas, similar to what the Haywood Chamber of Commerce and Haywood Economic Development Council prioritizes in its development efforts.

“The first one is essentially tourism promotion,” Chung said. “Every time someone comes in who’s not a resident and spends money in the community, that’s money coming in from outside the local economy, and often coming from outside the state economy, and that’s an economic impact that stays here in North Carolina.”

Last week, the N.C. Department of Commerce announced that tourism spending in 2016 was up 4.3 percent over 2015, just shy of $30 billion. Sales tax receipts related to tourism were up more than 5 percent.

“That’s a huge economic impact, but it only continues to be achieved if we continue to attract outside visitors,” said Chung.

Attracting outside businesses is another of the EDP’s core functions, as are support-

ing existing industry, encouraging startups and promoting international trade.

SEE CHANGE The new public-private economic development model brought to life in the EDP wasn’t without casualties.

In the mid-1990s, nonprofit Advantage West Group was created to fight for economic development in Western North Carolina. Although the 23-county Advantage West helped bring companies like Sierra Nevada to the region in 2012, its 2014 budget appropriation by the General Assembly was cut from $1.1 million to just $337,000.

At an even more granular level, the county interacts with both municipalities and like-minded funders to complete projects that ultimately contribute to economic growth in the county.

That appropriation was half of Advantage West’s budget; the organization shut its doors at the end of 2015.

“When they went away, that’s when we set up the Mountain West Partnership,” said Sarah Thompson, director of the Southwestern North Carolina Planning and Economic Development Commission. “It’s an exciting step in a new direction.”

May 24-30, 2017

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Smoky Mountain News

The Mountain West Partnership gets Western North Carolina back in the fight for investment and jobs by serving as a regional resource for development.

Each of seven western counties including Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain participate in the partnership, as does the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Secretary of Commerce, the NCEDP and Thompson’s Southwestern Commission.

“It’s a regional attempt to work together and pull existing resources together,” Thompson said.

Although each of these counties routinely competes against each other for economic development projects, Thompson thinks

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that the counties recognize the mutual benefit whenever one scores a success; her additional role at the Southwestern Commission — formed in 1965 — gives WNC a presence in the federal funding pipeline.

“We are the lead agency for the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the lead agency for the Appalachian Regional Commission,” she said. “We’re basically the ‘boots-on-ground’ for them.”

One of Mountain West Partnership’s key accomplishments so far has been the development of a website that touts the offerings and advantages of the seven western counties (www.gownc.org/). It's a comprehensive site that is a great resource for any business considering relocation to the region.

Knowing the key players in the region and connecting them with state and national resources is Thompson’s job, as long as the EDA and ARC remain funded; as long as they do, that chain of developmental effort flowing from Washington to Raleigh to Haywood County always terminates at the local level.

“We work with CeCe Hipps at the [Haywood] Chamber of Commerce,” Chung said. “Generally, chambers are advocating for a better business climate, which helps because if we’re out there trying to sell North Carolina, you need a good business climate to back that claim up.”

The same, Chung said, goes for Mark Clasby, executive director of the Haywood EDC. Both the Chamber and the EDC work in

concert with the EDPNC and with the county itself.

“The county government has long had a role in economic development,” said Ira Dove, Haywood County manager since May 2014.

Dove cites 2001 industrial incentive grant guidelines as evidence of ongoing effort, but also points to county expansion of infrastructure as a different sort of incentive to the traditional property tax-based grants.

“These are all regulated by the state,” Dove said. “There’s a whole battery of statutes that we have to follow, to work through, when we do that.”

The county’s partnership with the EDC, a contract similar to the one EDPNC has with the N.C. Department of Commerce, demands similar duties.

“They’re supposed to be marketing to bring in new companies, to help build relationships with existing businesses and help them expand, to do some research, to respond to the requests that companies have as they’re coming in and trying to learn about the area and locate here,” Dove said.

At an even more granular level, the county interacts with both municipalities and like-minded funders to complete projects that ultimately contribute to economic growth in the county.

“We got a Golden Leaf grant — and not an insignificant one — to try to do some infrastructure development with the Junaluska Sanitary District, and that was a team effort,” Dove said. “That’s a lot of players coming together talk about looking at how businesses expand when infrastructure expands.”

The county, through its interactions with regional, state and national economic development agencies on one hand, as well as smaller municipalities, outside funders and local development organizations like the Chamber and the EDC on the other, serves as the lynchpin of the whole process.

And as the county, the Chamber, and the EDC look back at the bubbles in the bathtub, they see several market sectors upon which to concentrate when pondering the whats and wheres and whens of their efforts.

As The Smoky Mountain News series on economic development continues, we’ll look deeper into the state of Haywood County’s tourism, retail, manufacturing, education, medical, real estate and entrepreneurial sectors — attempting to find meaning in metrics, truth in trends and returns on economic development investments, from Washington to Raleigh to Haywood County.

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BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR federal judge has dismissed Swain County’s breach of contract lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Interior to collect $39.2 million owed to the county from the 2010 North Shore Road settlement agreement.

The defendant — the federal government — filed a motion to dismiss the county’s claim on April 27 for “lack of subject-matter jurisdiction and for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.” The court sided with the defendant.

Swain County filed the lawsuit in April 2016 claiming the federal government failed to meet the terms laid out in a 2010 settlement agreement.

Under the settlement, the Department of Interior was to pay Swain County $4 million from the Department of 2010 Defense Appropriations Act in lieu of not living up to its promise to construct the North Shore Road and an additional $8.8 million “at a future date.” So, in 2010, the federal government paid out $12.8 million to Swain County as outlined.

The agreement also calls for the government to make future payments to Swain County to compensate for not completing the North Shore Road project. According to the settlement language, any additional money — not to exceed $39.2 million — was to be paid out before Dec. 31, 2020.

In 2010 and 2011, the Department of Interior requested that Congress appropriate funds to make the future payments to Swain County, but Congress did not authorize appropriations for those future payments. The Department of Interior has not requested appropriations for the future payments to Swain County since 2012.

An opinion issued by the Government Accountability Office stated that the Department of Interior had the discretion to use its appropriated funds for the purpose of repaying Swain County but wasn’t obligated to do so.

All the back and forth has left Swain County commissioners with few options. The county has been trying to settle the issue for more than 70 years. Elected officials fought hard to get the federal government to rebuild the road that was flooded during World War II to construct Fontana Dam, but when hope ran out on that, they reluctantly agreed to the cash settlement.

With the settlement agreement expiring in 2020, commissioners filed the lawsuit as a lastditch effort to recoup the money. However, the courts found that the federal government has not yet breached its contract since the timeline has not yet expired.

Essentially, it’s not enough for Swain County to show that it has a claim to the money — it has to show that money is presently due — which means the court has to dismiss the complaint.

The county plans to file its claim again in federal court.

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North Shore Road case dismissed in federal court

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Folkmoot’s Cultural Conversations

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT

Cultural inclusiveness program graduates first class When most people think about Folkmoot, they doubtlessly think about the huge 10-day international folk dance festival that has taken over Western North Carolina each July for more than three decades.

Perhaps without even knowing it, participants and spectators have become a part of the organization’s mission to meld “many cultures into one community,” but now that Folkmoot’s first “Cultural Conversations” program has come to a successful completion, the way that Folkmoot engages — and creates — the community it hopes to see will leave a legacy of tolerance that will resonate far longer than the simple sound of clogs clacking on parquet.

SOMETHING TO TEACH, OR SOMETHING TO LEARN

Smoky Mountain News

May 24-30, 2017

The theory behind Cultural Conversations is simple — assemble a diverse group of people in one big circle and

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spend two hours a week over five weeks discussing issues of race, privilege, identity, hate and bias.

This reporter sat in that surprisingly comfortable circle for 10 hours with people of Germanic, Hispanic, African and Native ethnicities who were also what Folkmoot Executive Director Angie Schwab called “opinion leaders” — academics, activists, cops, elected officials, non-profit professionals, and ordinary workin’ folk with something to teach, or something to learn.

Although it was the very first class, it wasn’t Folkmoot’s first attempt at such an endeavor. During the 2016 incarnation of the annual Folkmoot Festival, Angela Dove led a luncheon at First United Methodist Church in Waynesville where members of the international touring groups participated in a cultural exchange Q & A, which resulted in Schwab and Dove to beginning work on Cultural Conversations.

It might seem that Folkmoot is straying from its mission by conducting non-dance related forays into community development, but it’s actually quite the opposite; nowhere in the organization’s purpose statement or list of values does the word “dance” appear.

What does appear three times is the

word community. The word “culture” or variants thereof appears four times.

Turns out, the festival is but one of the means by which Folkmoot fosters cultural understanding and develops community prosperity — two tenets in Folkmoot’s purpose statement; Cultural Conversations is simply another.

“With each festival, it became more apparent that the heart of Folkmoot is its ability to engage diverse populations in cul-

though the “person” portion of a noun had instead became a “thing.”

But in race-obsessed America, such questions are still common, and experiences like that of Wilnoty, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, are far from unique.

Such experiences can be compounded when one is a member of not one, but several oppressed groups, like Yetunde Bashorun’s father.

Facilitator Angela Dove (center) led the inaugural class of Folkmoot’s innovative Cultural Conversations program.

Cory Vaillancourt photo

tural exchanges that foster understanding and acceptance,” said Rose Johnson, a former Folkmoot board president. “Using the platform of heritage music and dance, Folkmoot is well suited to help others recognize their commonalities and to explore emotions underlying bullying, discrimination and judgmental censoring of differences.”

Cultural Conversations, Johnson said, provides a “neutral platform” for community discussions on cultural inclusiveness.

Those discussions were frank and enlightening, but far from confrontational — this would not be a chair-throwing obscenity-bleeping reality TV talk show; no one in the circle had problems identifying those in our society upon whom unearned inequities have been foisted, and empathizing with them.

Rather, discussion focused on ways the group could take that a step further by advocating for inclusiveness in both personal and professional spheres of influence.

In the end, a small group, the first of many, Schwab says — will go back out into their communities as cultural ambassadors or emissaries, having both taught and learned.

‘WHAT ARE YOU?’ “I was born here, but I moved to Kentucky, and being in Kentucky a lot of kids are kind of like, ‘What are you?’” said Lisa Wilnoty, a participant in the group. “I didn’t understand what that meant. They were like, ‘Are you Mexican? Are you Chinese?’ and I said, ‘I’m an Indian.’”

It seems both grim and laughable that anyone would be asked “what” they are, as

“My dad, when he went to work, there was just this feeling he was very incompetent,” said Bashorun, also a member of the group.

Her parents emigrated from Lagos, Nigeria, to Asheville in 2005 amidst concerns over the cultural and economic future of the country, which is one of Africa’s most highly developed but is also a graft-ridden narcotics trafficking haven where groups like Boko Haram routinely operate.

Bashorun’s dad wasn’t incompetent; he was, however, both black and an immigrant who speaks with an accent.

“My dad is a mathematical genius,” she said. “He’s a mechanical engineer. He was a math teacher back in Nigeria.”

Bashorun is currently a student at Western Carolina University, studying political science and international relations, and will return to her Cullowhee campus as a resource to her peers, much like another member of the group will influence hers.

“I’m a Haywood County native, born and raised in Waynesville. Besides that I’m a police officer,” said Sgt. Dee Parton of the Waynesville Police Department. “But here again, I’m a person. A lot of people do know me by my occupation, but I am more than that.”

During her career, Parton has had countless interactions with people, some of whom may be in the midst of the worst day of their lives.

Diffusing differences during circumstances that can rapidly and unexpectedly become life-or-death is what sends law enforcement officers home most every night; Parton praised the Cultural Conversations program as “inspirational” for its potential to bring people together.

Public art set for Hazelwood

The Associated Press now concurs with them; in late March, the organization alternately revered and cursed for setting the language usage standards followed by many journalists finally recognized the need for a gender-neutral pronoun for people of nonbinary gender.

The pronoun policy generated its fair share of discussion, notably centering around pluralizing a singular person, even though common spoken English often uses “they� as singular.

It may take some getting used to, both for writers and for readers, but the power of the pronoun — in The Smoky Mountain News, at least — is here to stay, thanks in part to discussions fostered by Folkmoot’s Cultural Conversations. “Asking is great,� Brooks said. “It’s never an embarrassing thing if you misgender someone. I misgender someone on a regular basis, and I am a gender-queer individual.

As long as it’s well-intentioned, I don’t have a problem with it.�

Experiences like those shared by Brooks, Feichter, Parton, Bashorun and Wilnoty during the program speak to the hope of the more equal, more inclusive Western North Carolina prophesized by the late, great square dance caller Sam Love Queen, from whom Folkmoot draws much inspiration. “Now let’s all join hands, in one big circle,� he’d say at the start of the dance.

Bashorun, who hopes to work in international development one day, said the same thing, but in a completely different way. “It may be a divided country, but we’re not that different. So why do we keep separating ourselves?�

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Parton stressed that part of her profession was to be non-judgmental, and she thinks that the program will help her better deal with different segments of society. “A lot of times in the media in our community we are negative all the time, but it’s so promising to be able to sit down, look at our differences, and know that we’re basically on the same page,� she said. “We want the best for one another, and yes, we’ve got some challenges, but let’s put our differences aside.�

Much like Parton, Jon Feichter deals with all segments of Waynesville society in his role as a town alderman. “Obviously as a government official, I have to consider a lot of different people’s points of view,� said Feichter, adding that the program exposed him to points of view he wouldn’t normally see. “One of the main benefits for me is that it allowed me to walk a mile in somebody else’s shoes, however briefly.�

Maggie Valley resident Jesse Lee Brooks — formerly Dunlap, before their recent marriage — would like you to walk a mile in their shoes.

By the way, the pronoun “their� isn’t a typo. Brooks, who goes by “Jesse Lee,� also goes by “they, them, and their� on account of identifying as trans, queer and boyish.

Born female-bodied and socialized as a female, Brooks will soon have top surgery — a big step in what they say is the alignment of the body and the mind. “With folks in the present, in public situations, I say ‘they, them, their’ just for visibility, but I go with perception and however I’m perceived, because I do feel equal parts boy and girl,� they said.

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May 24-30, 2017

Tennessee, Suwanee, Georgia, and Chapel Hill. “It will be a bronze Plott hound, slightly larger than life, and will be something sort of indicative of the tenacious nature of the hound,� he said. “It’s the state dog, and its breeders developed the breed originally in Waynesville, so Waynesville is sort of famous for this dog.�

Frahm said that although his work is representational but often slightly stylized, this sculpture will “err on the side of realism.� “I want this sculpture to be a meaningful tribute and to quietly integrate into people’s lives,� Frahm said. “I hope that kids walk by, rub its nose on the way to school or wherever they’re going, and it becomes a focal point in the area.�

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BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER he Town of Waynesville has selected an artist and an art piece for its latest public art installation.

Pending contract Artist Todd Frahm’s rough negotiations depiction of what his and a final bronze Plott Hound review, sculpture will look like.

AshevilleTown of Waynesville based artist drawing Todd Frahm will be paid $20,000 to create and install a bronze sculpture of a Plott hound for the new Hazelwood parking lot. “I’m very happy to be selected,� said Frahm, who is originally from central Illinois and considers himself primarily an animal sculptor. His work can be seen across the country and across the region in places like Johnson City,

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Harris positions itself as WNC health care hub

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR rom a geographical prospective, Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva is strategically located to serve as a health care hub for the most western counties in the region, but hospital leaders know it will take more than a convenient location for patients to consider it their go-to resource for services.

“When we refer to ourselves as a regional hub, we understand that’s an earned position and not just going to happen because we’re in Sylva,” said Harris CEO Steve Heatherly.

“Patients have choices, and we have to earn the privilege to be able to serve them.”

The health care industry has been in a constant state of fluctuation for the last five years with the passage and implementation of the Affordable Healthcare Act under President Steve Heatherly Barrack Obama and now with the proposed American Healthcare Act under President Donald Trump.

Now patients in rural America who’ve been covered under ACA are worried they’ll have fewer choices and options when all is said and done.

On a more local level, some Western North Carolina residents are feeling the health care pinch with Mission Health announcing the closure of labor and delivery services at Angel Medical Center in Franklin and the potential closure of deliveries at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine.

During a time when many rural hospitals are closing or having to reduce services to stay afloat, Heatherly said Harris — a Duke LifePoint hospital — is in a healthy financial position to grow and expand services for the needs of people in Western North Carolina.

“We’ve talked a lot internally about being the hub, but now is the time for us to be aggressive — to make ourselves available to patients, providers, and the community,” he said. “We also need to be gracious and humble and understand the long view of why patients choose to be here.”

Smoky Mountain News

May 24-30, 2017

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GROWING SERVICES

While Mission Health in Asheville is a much larger health system with tentacles reaching into a few of the most western counties — an outpatient center in Haywood County, and affiliations with AMC in Franklin and Highlands-Cashiers Hospital in Highlands — Heatherly said Harris has been a major health care player for Jackson, Swain, Macon, Graham, Clay and Cherokee counties in addition to also drawing many patients from across the border in Northeast Georgia.

Harris has made significant investments 16 in its infrastructure and services in the last

few years. The hospital campus in Sylva has a couple of big projects underway — a new emergency department being added on to the right wing and the renovation and expansion of the New Generations Women’s Center on the third floor. Completion of the new labor and delivery floor is scheduled for the end of the year, which is good timing for Harris considering AMC will cease deliveries in Franklin as of July 14. Harris will then be the closest option for women delivering babies — otherwise pregnant patients will have to travel 45 minutes to Haywood Regional Medical Center in Clyde or an hour and a half to Mission Hospital in Asheville.

Heatherly said Harris was not made aware of Mission’s labor and delivery closure until a day before the public was informed, but the timing will certainly play to Harris’ advantage, and luckily the expanded service in Sylva will accommodate the inevitable increase in delivery volumes.

“This has been a destination for women and children’s service for years — we felt it was important to invest in that facility to make it state-of-the-art so we can continue to reinforce the reality that this is a destination for families throughout Western North Carolina,” Heatherly said.

Orthopaedics is another area Harris has invested in by hiring Dr. Tony McPherron — the only fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon west of Asheville who covers the total joint spectrum. McPherron is also trained in sports medicine, which is a high-demand service given the fact there are more than 2,000 student athletes in the region.

“We recognize that there were people traveling far and wide to get those services to the extent that making those services more locally available was more advantageous for us,” Heatherly said. “We have 2,000-plus student athletes being served by trainers provided by our hospitals.”

Harris also has urology, gastro-intestinal and pulmonary services. With two pulmonologists already on staff, Heatherly said Harris is looking to recruit a third to serve the western counties. The hospital will also have a catheterization laboratory up and running in the next 45 days, which will allow Harris to provide full diagnostic imaging equipment used to visualize the arteries of the heart and treat any abnormalities.

Mission Hospital has long been a destination for cardiac patients across WNC — it was recently one of two hospitals in the Carolinas to make the Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospital list by Truven Health Analytics — but Harris is in the process of expanding its cardiology capabilities to better serve the western counties. With two cardiologists on staff, Harris is probably looking to hire a third by next year.

“This is the first time in the history of the hospital that we have an invasive cardiologist,” Heatherly said. Invasive cardiology uses

Pictured are Emergency Medical Service employees with Harris Regional Hospital. The hospital contracts with Jackson County for EMS and ambulance services. Donated photo open or minimally invasive surgery to identify or treat structural or electrical abnormalities within the heart structure.

Heatherly is certain that sometimes hardships create a barrier that people can’t overcome and the result is heart patients don’t get the preventative care they need to prevent a major health incident.

“We had such a significant volume of patients traveling far distances to get those services and it creates hardships for their families,” he said. “We believe there’s a fairly significant pocket of folks in Jackson County and west that don’t receive adequate cardiology services because it hasn’t been locally accessible.”

Swain Community Hospital in Bryson City is also a Duke LifePoint Hospital and works closely with Harris in Sylva since Heatherly is CEO over both facilities. Swain Community is a critical access hospital with a 24/7 emergency room and full diagnostic services available. The hospital also offers “swing beds” for patients who may still need some recovery time before returning home but don’t necessarily need to be in an inpatient room at Harris or another facility that is farther away from their home and family.

The Swain campus also has a pain clinic, a primary care unit with two physicians and two physician assistants and a fulltime pediatrician with Swain Family Care.

“We’ve expanded offerings to the community to include walk-in availability. You can typically get seen pretty quickly for an urgent condition and can call and get a same day appointment,” Heatherly said.

EXPANSION IN FRANKLIN Heatherly said many people in the region probably aren’t aware of all the services offered at the Franklin outpatient center in Franklin even though it’s been there for 20 years and serves hundreds of patients per day.

The 25,000-square-foot building contains a full-time family practice, a full-time orthopedic surgeon, clinic hours with all of Harris’ rotating specialists, a full lab, physical therapy, a sleep lab and a full range of imaging services with the exception of a CT scan.

“The depth and breadth of services there is probably not as well known to folks, but I think that particular facility is really just an expansion of efforts we’ve made to regionalize our hospital and make sure we’re offering services that are conveniently located,” Heatherly said.

According to patient data, about 50 percent of Harris’ patients are from outside of Jackson County. In 2016, 54 percent of inpatient admissions and 40 percent of emergency room patients were from outside Jackson County.

Harris’ Franklin outpatient center will play an important role in the hospital’s future growth, especially as it prepares to pick up more obstetrics patients following Mission’s decision to stop deliveries at AMC. Currently, an obstetrician from Harris holds office hours in Franklin once a week but Heatherly said a fulltime obstetrician will probably be needed there in the near future so pregnant women can get the full range of services they need through Harris.

“We’ll pretty much be operating a fulltime OB practice in Macon County and have wraparound services available there as well,” Heatherly said.

Heatherly said Harris decided it is important to invest in OB and pediatric services so it can be the only full service pediatric practice west of Asheville. He said Harris is also working on opening a pediatrics office in Franklin this summer.

“Our pediatric group is another great example of regionalization,” he said. “We have a pretty hefty patient population in pediatrics so as this OB transition evolves we’ll also be evaluating what pediatric presence do we need in Macon County.”

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and children’s services.”

He also agreed with Mission CEO Ron Paulus’ statements on the difficulties that come with an aging demographic in WNC, which is one of the factors that led AMC to stop deliveries. The women’s unit at AMC was losing at least $1 million a year, which prevents the hospital from investing money into other needed services in the community.

“That is reality — everyone has to decide where can we make an investment for the maximum impact,” Heatherly said.

Even though the elderly population in the region is growing much faster than the younger generations, there is a unique dynamic in Jackson County because of the large student population at Western Carolina University and the younger employees being attracted at Harrah’s Casino and Resort.

But a labor and delivery unit in Western North Carolina isn’t automatically a moneylosing enterprise, Heatherly said, adding that it depended on the volume of deliveries and how much a hospital needs to invest to get to that needed volume. Harris already had a large volume of births and spending $5.5 mil-

RESPONSE TO MISSION DECISION Heatherly said he didn’t know Mission planned to stop labor and delivery at AMC but he had some inclination given the current state of rural health care.

“There’s a certain economic reality we all have to deal with,” he said. “We knew there would have to be a rationing of care in some way — our geography and history of serving patients made us best positioned in women’s

lion to keep and grow that line of business was worth the investment to keep the service in the community.

Aging demographics and cost aside, Heatherly said the region has a population with a lower per capita income that is less likely to seek medical services if those services are farther away. Traveling from Franklin to Sylva — let alone Franklin to Asheville — to see a doctor is not realistic in many scenarios.

“It creates a real hardship on families. We have to be smart in a rural community — without a vast population we can’t offer every service but we need to work regionally to make sure people have access to those services,” he said.

Residents in Macon County have voiced concerns about the transition of delivery services to Harris. The assumption by some has been that all high-risk pregnancies will have to travel to Mission in Asheville to deliver because Harris doesn’t have the capabilities to deal with those cases, but Heatherly said that isn’t always true. He said Harris

Even though Harris considers itself a fierce competitor for patients, it also has to work as a health care partner to make sure patients receive the care they need whether it’s at Harris or another hospital.

“We’re seeing a huge impact on patients not having to be transferred away from their local facilities — more and more are able to stay here,” Heatherly said. “But when it’s appropriate to transport for something we can’t do for them here, we work collaboratively with others in the region.”

If the patient can get better services at Mission Hospital or Haywood Regional, then that’s where they will be transported.

Heatherly said Harris also isn’t trying to

Smoky Mountain News

OB/GYN providers and two pediatric providers.

“The consolidation will occur later this year, anticipated in September. Employees of the impacted practices were notified of this consolidation last Wednesday,” Gorby said.

“Positions within the new RHC practice will be posted and staff will apply for those positions. Once consolidated, the current practice located in Sylva will be closing.”

WORKING REGIONALLY

duplicate services offered locally. For example, Harris was looking to expand behavioral health but decided against it once Haywood announced it would be adding more beds to its wing to accommodate more mental health issues.

Mission’s decision to stop delivering babies at Angel Medical Center has the community asking a lot of questions about Mission’s nonprofit health care system model versus Duke LifePoint’s for-profit model. On the surface, people tend to assume a nonprofit model would be more beneficial to patients since the focus isn’t on turning a profit.

However, Heatherly said there isn’t much of an operational difference in how a nonprofit and a for-profit hospital are run.

“I was here when Harris was part of a larger not-for-profit system and I’ve seen us go through the transition to for-profit with Duke LifePoint, and the operating considerations we have today are fundamentally the same,” he said. “We have to focus on providing high quality care, providing a great patient experience and doing those things in an efficient manner — that’s true of every hospital.”

He can say that Harris is fortunate to be under the Duke LifePoint umbrella because the larger company has been willing and able to invest money that allowed Harris to expand its services.

“In our former existence I couldn’t see a path to that. I think we have the benefit of being part of large and diverse organization that can make those types of investments,” he said.

May 24-30, 2017

Construction is underway at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva for a brand new emergency department as well as expansion of the New Generations Women’s Center. Jessi Stone photo

could handle pregnancies considered high risk due to things like asthma, diabetes, hypertension, a history of miscarriages, opiate addiction, preeclampsia, twins, obesity, and other conditions.

Although some are saying pregnant women from Franklin who are on Medicaid are being turned away by obstetricians at Harris, Heatherly said that isn’t true. No woman would be turned away for services because they are on Medicaid, he insisted.

“We’ll be working with Mission during this transition because what we’re all interested in is making sure folks in the middle of this change — especially those patients currently pregnant — are educated about their choices and have access to local care,” he said.

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AMC President Karen Gorby said the hospital would continue to offer prenatal and postnatal services even though expecting mothers will have to travel to another health system or Mission in Asheville to deliver their babies.

Mission and Harris will also be working together during this change to make for an easier transition — hopefully one that includes getting Mission’s physicians privileges at Harris. If that occurs, patients currently getting prenatal services at AMC can keep their doctor even if they choose to deliver at Harris.

The rumor mill continues to speculate the real reason behind Mission’s decision to close the labor and delivery unit at AMC and many believe it’s because Mission is having a difficult time keeping a pediatrician on staff in Franklin. Gorby said there’s no truth to that rumor.

She said AMC is in the process of converting four existing practices into a single, integrated “Rural Health Center” practice and that both women’s and children’s services will be located in the new location to better serve patients. This practice will include two

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Pigeon Street revival continues at community center

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER hings are happening in Waynesville’s historic African American community along the Pigeon Street corridor; the town is pursuing a grant to identify historic structures, has demolished a problematic former church and is planning a park of some sort for the site.

Now, it’s the Pigeon Center’s turn.

“I’m definitely excited, and nervous,” said Lin Forney, executive director of the Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center. “For this area, we haven’t seen this much attention paid to it in a long, long time.

It’s encouraging to think that this community is not invisible anymore.”

Haywood County commissioners recently voted to sell the mid-1950s brick and cinder block schoolhouse on Pigeon Street to the nonprofit organization for $1, pending a final public hearing June 5.

Known formerly as the Pigeon School, the building housed the last segregated elementary students in Haywood County.

“After desegregation it became the instructional material center. They stored books here, they had meetings and conferences here,” Forney said. “When they found they no longer needed it for that purpose,

May 24-30, 2017

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somehow word got to the community and it was offered as a community center.”

Forney began volunteering at the center in 2003, shortly after it opened in 2002 with help from the Asheville-based Center for Participatory Change.

“What they did was guide and help us as a grassroots organization get up and running and show us what we needed to do as a nonprofit,” she said. “So without that base, we wouldn’t be as far as we are now, because they were huge help to us.”

In the past, the center offered GED classes, exercise programs and a senior program, but today, those programs have fallen by the

wayside in deference to, among other things, a food pantry and childcare.

“But it’s more than childcare,” said Forney. “We look at it more as an educational thing. Each one of those classes has a daily curriculum, where it’s not just childcare.

They’re really structured and each classroom has its own program curriculum.”

Forney explained that the program fills a need for working parents who can’t generally afford arrangements for their children who are not yet old enough to be left home alone.

“Their parents can work knowing that they’re not at home alone, thinking ‘What are they doing? Burning down the house?’”

Forney said.

The program serves somewhere around 45 children on average each day in the summer and costs $450 per student, but the PCMDC will often try to find scholarships from churches and the community for those who can’t come up with the funds, no matter their race.

“It’s called the ‘multicultural’ center,” said Forney. “We serve anybody and everybody, and are actually seeing more white students and families participate in the program because now they know they’re welcome to do

that. Word is getting around as to how good a program this is. There is nothing like what we’re doing here out there in the county.”

Of particular note is the growing presence of Hispanic students; data from the 2015 U.S. Census Bureau in 2015 shows a county Hispanic population of 17.6 percent, up 1 percent from 2010.

“Their focus there is in speaking English all summer, as opposed to speaking Spanish, so that is a help for those families also,” Forney said. “We also serve about 10 to 15 migrant students in the summer. They travel from Florida to Haywood over the summer, and their parents work.”

Those children are in Haywood County until October, and are in the Haywood County Schools system until moving back to Florida. Their parents work long hours, Forney said, and they come mostly from Bethel, Canton and Clyde.

Now that the PCMDC owns the building, serving children of all cultural backgrounds may become easier, but then again, it may not.

“Because we will have ownership, we will be able to write grants for windows and upgrades and that kind of thing that we couldn’t do before,

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Donations like the Women of Waynesville’s $4,000 offering in 2016 help fund operations at the PCMDC. Donated photo

Forgotten Pigeon Street school has historic roots Smoky Mountain News

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER ore than a century ago, the state of African-American education in the antebellum South was so utterly deplorable that it took the combined forces of a civil rights pioneer and a department store magnate to make lasting improvements that continue to reverberate across the region, including in Western North Carolina.

A German Jew born in 1862 and raised just blocks from Abraham Lincoln’s home in Springfield, Illinois, Julius Rosenwald entered the clothing business as an apprentice by the age of 16.

After a few business failures in New York, Rosenwald achieved moderate success as a clothier in Chicago by the early 1890s. In 1895, he found himself quarter-owner of a struggling mail-order catalog business then called Sears, Roebuck & Company.

A natural manager, Rosenwald diversified and stream18 lined Sears’ operations, taking the company from $750,000

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in sales in 1895 to more than $50 million in 1907 — more than $1.25 billion in 2017 dollars.

He took the company public with the help of his old New York friend Harry Goldman, became president of the company in 1908 and retired from the company in 1924 as one of the richest men in the world.

The closest remaining Rosenwald School to Haywood County is near Mars Hill in Madison County.

Rosenwald’s association with Goldman led to an association with Goldman’s partner, Paul J. Sachs, who acquainted Rosenwald — an avid philanthropist since the 1910s — with prominent civil rights activist Booker T. Washington.

Born a slave in Virginia in 1856, Washington attended what are now Hampton and Virginia Union universities and

served as a proponent of African-American education until his death in 1915.

Perhaps Washington’s greatest legacy — and Rosenwald’s — is the Rosenwald Schools.

Beginning in 1914 with the construction of six state-ofthe-art Alabama schools, the Julius Rosenwald Foundation built more than 5,000 schools in 15 Southern states from Oklahoma to Florida and Louisiana to Maryland before the program ended in 1932, according to Nashville’s Fisk University Rosenwald Fund Card File Database.

Designed by architects from what was then called Tuskegee Institute, the buildings were simple, utilitarian, and commonly accommodated between two and eight teachers; in addition to the complimentary blueprints, Rosenwald would put up 10 to 30 percent of the construction cost, and local fundraising would make up the rest.

It’s estimated that by the late 1920s, more than a third of

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Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center Executive Director Lin Forney sits in her office, which used to be the school principal’s office. Cory Vaillancourt photo because we didn’t own the space,” Forney said. “People also know that because we own the space, it’s ours and whatever we do here, it’s going to stay here. We’re now seeing that it’s going to be very helpful in the community, having that ownership. We’re hoping they will rally even more around us because they know it’s going to be here.”

Some on the center’s board of directors were hesitant to purchase the property from the county, which had been responsible for upkeep and had dumped thousands into bigticket items like the roof, the heat and the electrical system.

— Lin Forney, executive director of the Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center

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Although daily maintenance is under control — peeling tiles, faded paint, broken fixtures — the building still has major needs in many critical areas, including air conditioning.

The sun blasts the PCMDC’s southwestfacing façade in the summer, making temperatures almost unbearable, and additional service charges on the electric bill make cooling the space a losing proposition.

“Right now our electric bill is through the roof,” Forney said. “If you use over a certain amount of power per month, then you get ‘on-demand’ charges on top of your normal electric. So our electric bill could be $300, and the on-demand part on top of that is like $200. So it’s really high for us.”

Forney said the Town of Waynesville gives PCMDC $5,000 a year for the electric bill,

COSMETOLOGY

May 24-30, 2017

“Word is getting around as to how good a program this is. There is nothing like what we’re doing here out there in the county.”

which in the past would last a whole year.

Now, she said, that lasts barely six months.

An increase was requested from the town for the coming budget year; that budget has not yet been released to the public.

Probably the biggest need at the facility is new windows; as the dated air conditioning window units and central heaters struggle to outpace the climate, much of the effort — and money — goes right out the window.

When board co-chair Rocky Tucker first got involved with the PCMDC, he said they had $2 in their bank account.

“I was like, ‘What am I doing?’” he laughed.

Almost a decade later, he’s realistic about what has to be done now.

“We need to work harder,” Tucker said.

“We just need to do what we need to do. They [commissioners] fixed the heat and fixed the electricity and the plumbing, but it’s not worth it if your heat’s just going out the window.”

The PCMDC operates on a yearly budget of around $80,000, pretty much all of which comes from churches and private individuals.

“I’m supposed to be part-time, but you cannot run this place on part time,” Forney said. “If there’s money to pay me, then I get paid.”

The center also possesses an expansive playground behind the building, including a full basketball court with tired rims and torn nets and some dated playground equipment; Forney says improving the outdoor facilities is a priority, albeit a big-picture, down-theroad type priority.

She also said she’d like to see some solar panels take advantage of the sun’s unobstructed gaze on the PCMDC and help cut down on her power bill at the same time, but was unclear on how or when the center would be able to pay for it.

What is clear, however, is PCMDC’s bright future.

“People know we’re here,” Forney said.

“And others need to know there’s a lot more going on over here than on then the police reports they see.”

At Haywood Community College, you can do more than sit in a classroom all day.

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May 24-30, 2017

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SCHOOL, CONTINUED FROM 18 rural African-Americans in the South attended Rosenwald Schools.

North Carolina was home to more Rosenwald Schools than any other state — over 800; Halifax County had 46, Anson and Warren counties 27, Edgcombe and Mecklenburg 26.

Records from Fisk University show that Rosenwald Schools were built across Western North Carolina, despite relatively low African-American populations.

Schools were built in in Bryson City in 1918, Hayesville in 1922 and in Brevard at an unknown date; the Chapel School in Macon County was built in 1922, the Texana School in Cherokee County in 1924, and a large eight-teacher type school in Buncombe county in 1927.

The Sylva Consolidated School, built in 1924, was a rare five-teacher type, and also served as a lending library and residence for teachers.

They’re all gone now; the closest remaining Rosenwald School to Haywood County is near Mars Hill in Madison County, and was the subject of refurbishment in 2015.

Nationwide, less than 15 percent of these structures survive today; historical markers dot the South, testifying to their now-forgotten existence.

But not in Waynesville.

Waynesville’s four-teacher Rosenwald School was located in the town’s historically African-American Pigeon Street neighborhood and built on 2 acres in 1924.

According to School Segregation in Western North Carolina: A History, 1860s– 1970s by Betty Jamerson Reed, a June 1925 report by Rosenwald Buildings Supervisor Dr. George E. Davis — a Wilmington, North Carolina native and the first black professor at what’s now known as Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte — said that the “Town of Waynesville has built at a cost of about $12,000 a very good four-teacher building. It is a brick construction and steam heated. The location, though accessible, is not all that we could wish, but it is perhaps the best that could be obtained in this rapidly growing summer resort.”

Members of the public — mainly African-American churches — raised $10,900 of the $12,000 cost.

“The Waynesville School,” as it was called, remains a common memory for the oldest residents of Pigeon, who are rapidly approaching their 90s, but as such has become somewhat veiled in the mists of time; it’s been erroneously reported — repeatedly — to have stood where the Pigeon Multicultural Development Center now stands.

But records from the Rosenwald Fund show the location as the East side of Oakdale Road at the junction with Pigeon Street — currently occupied by a gas station. Fisk’s archive contains a photo of the school, which sits across from Jones Temple AME Zion church, backed right up against the segregated Dix Hill Cemetery.

The exact location of the school is important, as Pigeon begins honing in on

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The Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center (foreground) is visible just across the street from a gas station (right) that now sits where Waynesville’s Rosenwald school was located. Cory Vaillancourt photo possible National Register of Historic Places designation.

In February, the Town of Waynesville allotted $4,000 in matching funds toward a $10,000 State Historic Preservation Office grant request that would fund a study to identify structures and locations important in Waynesville’s African-American history.

The town expected to hear back on the grant in early May, but Claudia Brown, architectural survey coordinator in the North Carolina State Historic Preservation

Office said May 4 that granting decisions have not been made yet, mostly because of questions over how much federal money her office will receive; President Donald Trump’s budget calls for a 12 percent decrease in funding to the National Park Service, which funds the HPO. Even if the grant doesn’t come through, the town may step up and take on the rest of the cost of the study, as it did when a similar grant request was rejected for Green Hill Cemetery.

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Local author David Joy (left) spoke with Helen Pollifrone’s English class May 16 at Central Haywood High School. Cory Vaillancourt photo

David Joy helps Central Haywood students find their voice

A

May 24-30, 2017 Smoky Mountain News

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER s a writer, it’s easy to feel that one’s ability is never quite good enough; as a writer in the American South — long a befuddled region characterized by ugly stereotypes highlighting ignorance and violence — even more so.

But, as a class full of Central Haywood High School students heard recently, finding one’s voice isn’t necessarily something that comes from without, but rather from within.

Charlotte native David Joy has been all the rage among novelists of late, earning acclaim for the gritty, realistic characters and the hardscrabble settings he’s created in The Weight of This World (Putnam & Sons, 2017) and Where All Light Tends to Go (Putnam & Sons, 2015), which the New York Times book review said contained “bone-cutting insights” into the characters and “the region that bred them.”

Joy earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Western Carolina University, lives in Webster, and looks as though he’d rather be fishing and drinking beer than writing.

His success, however, is inspiring to those who, like his characters, have rural roots and real problems.

“Until they actually see that he’s a real person and is willing to come in here and spend time with them, it’s hard for them to imagine that the celebrated up-and-coming author is willing to spend time talking to them about their thoughts,” said Helen Pollifrone, an English teacher of 32 years who’s been at Central Haywood for four.

“My main thing as an English teacher is that I want my students to be able to find their voice — not just their oral voice but their written voice, because so many of them have stories,” she said. “I’d like them to be able to find a way to put those stories down

on paper so other people can hear them and read them.”

That’s a hard thing to do, she admits — which is where the self-doubt creeps in.

“It’s an emotional thing to do, but it takes skill and it takes craft, to be able to do that” she said.

Few do that better right now than Joy, who shared with the rapt class stories about growing up surrounded by addiction and violence.

“They can connect with a lot of things that David has seen in his life,” she said. “A lot of my students, not all of them, but many of the students we have here, have personal issues they’ve struggled to overcome, things they’ve been exposed to and I think it’s good for them to see, you know, that we’ve all got baggage.”

The baggage surrounding the rural-urban divide in America has been given newfound light since the election of President Donald Trump last November; his victory has been widely attributed to rural, blue collar whites who, like Trump, appear to be at odds with the urban Northern culture that pervades the media — except when shows like “Beverly Hillbillies” and “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” are produced.

The true product of many Southern writers — as in the case of legends like Erskine Caldwell, William Faulkner, Eudora Welty and even Flannery O’Connor — tends to be full of macabre irony and the oft-horrifying de-idealization of the ridiculously rosy tomes of a Mark Twain.

“I don’t know why Southern writers tend to tell dark stories,” Joy said. “Any story about survival, in some aspect, has to be a dark story. Most stories that come out of the South in one way or another are stories about survival.”

Such work, Joy told the students, is a more honest portrait of a culture that is misunderstood or outright ignored in the literary world.

“Larry Brown, William Gay, Harry Crews — all of those people were working-class writers, writing about working class people. I recognized that their stories matter, and because their stories matter, my stories matter. They talk like I do,” he said in a marked Southern drawl.

“We live in an interesting time,” Joy said, “because people who never had a voice before now certainly do.”

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Franklin faces tough decisions with tight budget W

growth in water and sewer revenues. It is paramount that the town of Franklin ensures water and sewer revenues can sustain expenditures in order to maintain existing infrastructure and planning needs for future water and sewer infrastructure,” Woodard said in her budget message. “The town should carefully prepare for unanticipated loss of revenues. Therefore, diligently maintaining a stable fund balance is key to long-term financial success.”

Based on that, Woodard has suggested a 4-percent rate increase for base water and sewer services. However, she recommended the town maintain its tax rate of 28 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Mayor Bob Scott questioned whether the town’s tax rate was keeping up with the town’ needs. As Collins pointed out earlier, the town hasn’t increased its tax rate since 2015 when it increased it by 1 percent, which generated an additional $60,000.

“Do you feel our tax rate is reasonable compared to other towns or are we falling behind?” he asked.

The town of Sylva increased its tax rate last year from 30 cents to 42 cents per $100 of value after not increasing its tax rate for 13 years. The town of Waynesville has increased its taxes the last two years in a row — 3 cents in 2015 and another 5 cents in 2016 to pay for more full-time firefighters.

As tight as the budget is getting, Collins said he didn’t think the board was ready to vote on a tax increase this year.

“We can’t stretch it much more, but I don’t want to see it increase,” agreed Councilmember Billy Mashburn.

Councilmember Barbara McRae said perhaps a tax hike should wait another year since the board was increasing water and sewer rates this year.

While the 2017-18 proposed budget would cover the essentials, the board went back and forth on what projects it could fund with the little money it has available. For instance, purchasing portable restrooms facilities for town events is on Collins’ wish list for this year, but the $30,000 expense will have to wait for now.

McRae, who is part of the Nikwasi Corridor project, wants the town to contribute $12,5000 toward the project. The group is also working to get buy-in from the county and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to be able to create a cultural and educational experience surrounding the Nikwasi Mound in downtown Franklin.

“It would create a real momentum and help us raise money from other sources,” she told the board.

Scott suggested making the $12,500 commitment but spreading it out over the next two budget cycles, but the councilmembers

Franklin changes its town board name

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR he town of Franklin Board of Aldermen will now officially be referred to as the Franklin Town Council after the board voted 3-2 to change its charter.

The discussion over what to be called began months ago during a board retreat when the town’s high school intern mentioned that many people her age didn’t know what the

T

term alderman meant as it relates to town government.

It’s still a common term for local elected leaders throughout Western North Carolina — Canton, Maggie Valley, Bryson City and Waynesville all still use the term for their elected town board — but the term literally translates into “old man.”

Mayor Bob Scott floated the idea of changing the town board name to town council not just for the sake of clarity but also to recognize that the town board is no longer only made up of old men. Changing to the gender neutral term of councilmembers makes more sense for a board that includes two women as well as two men under the age of 40.

The cost of making the charter change — up to $8,000

— made some board members uncertain about going through with it, but Town Manager Summer Woodard said the cost could be much less if the town does it in phases.

For example, instead of paying $18 a page to reprint the town’s charter and code of ordinances, the town can pay for one cover page that states any reference to aldermen should now be considered town council or councilmember.

The town will also phase out its nameplates, which cost about $100 a piece.

The board was set to vote on the issue during its May 1 meeting, but the board agreed to table it since Councilmember Billy Mashburn — who was against the change — was unable to make the meeting.

When it was time to finally vote in the issue May 15, it passed 3-2 with Mashburn and Councilmember Joe Collins opposing. Councilmember Patti Abel was absent from the meeting.

Smoky Mountain News

Aldermen to councilmembers

seemed in agreement that they wanted to go ahead and fund the entire amount this year.

“I just think we need to do it whether other entities do it or not to show we have faith in this project — it shouldn’t be contingent on others,” said Councilmember Brandon McMahan.

The board agreed to allocate the town’s $7,000 economic development line item toward the Nikwasi corridor project and take the remaining $5,500 from its contingency fund.

Another project that has been sitting idle for years is the town-owned Whitmire property on the corner of East Main Street and Highlands Road. The town purchased the 13 acres about 12 years ago, but still hasn’t decided the best use for it. Some members have shown interest in selling the property to a private developer while others want to keep the pristine green space for a town park or other outdoor recreation project.

“The 900-pound guerilla in the room is the Whitmire property,” aid Collins, who has been in favor of selling the property. “There’s no rhyme or reason we can’t figure out the best use for it — that to me is our ace in the hole. If we can get that percolating and useful again it would help us restore the fund balance.”

The town will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed budget at 7 p.m.

Monday, June 5, during its regular board meeting at town hall.

May 24-30, 2017

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR hen Franklin starting working on its 2017-18 budget, Town Manager Summer Woodard warned councilmembers that there was little wiggle room in the $8.6 million fiscal blueprint.

As town councilmembers started to pore through line items, they realized just how lean this year’s budget would be and weren’t happy about having to use $119,000 from their savings. The fund balance would then dip down below $600,000.

“Our millage rate has been static for two years — I feel it’s getting squeezed pretty tight and I don’t see any big projects in here,” said Councilmember Joe Collins as he looked through the proposed budget.

While some of the town’s revenue streams are anticipated to increase, Woodard said other sources were going to decrease from last year or will completely go away.

She said the town would see a $42,000 decrease in property tax collections thanks to a recent revaluation. The town will also lose over $2,000 because it can no longer collect cable television franchise taxes paid by providers.

The town also needs to increase its water and sewer rates to be able to have a self-sustaining water and sewer fund.

“The town continues to experience slow

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

If it’s all about money, we’re in big trouble W

Hospitals play key role in local communities Rural Hospital Week is May 22-26 and Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital are joining community hospitals and caregivers across the nation in highlighting the many ways we are making communities healthier.

While rural communities are often considered “small towns,” communities like ours are the backbone of America. If the populations of areas like ours across the country are added up, it equals nearly 60 million people, or one in five Americans.

At the heart of many of those communities is the local hospital.

The most obvious benefit we provide is also our most vital: the delivery of high-quality patient care close to home for those we serve. Whether you need emergency treatment or have a scheduled, routine procedure, our goal is for you to have access to the care you need, when and where you need it. When seconds matter most, having essential healthcare just minutes away, instead of hours, can mean the difference between life and death.

But the impact to a community extends far beyond our medical capabilities. In many rural areas, the hospital is the largest or second largest employer in the area and contributes to job creation throughout its community. A recent study by

last few years in particular it seems the scales have been tipped toward the powerful at the expense of the middle class, and it has contributed mightily to the level of acrimony in politics and civil discourse.

Perhaps the Citizens United vs.

Federal Elections Commission case of 2010 was the tipping point. That case, a 5-4 decision by the Supreme Court, struck down a longstanding ban on donations from corporations to political campaigns. In its decision, the high court equated political donations with Editor free speech, thereby extending to corporations the same rights extended to individuals in the original Bill of Rights — despite the fact that corporations, unions and other such organizations are not mentioned in the Bill of Rights.

Since the Citizens United decision, it is estimated that the top .01 percent of income earners have made more than 40 percent of campaign contributions.

A recent column in they Sylva Herald by Mark Jamison posed a question relevant to this debate: does the U.S. have a market economy, or are we slipping (downward, by my estimation) toward a total market society? In considering that question, one has to ask very basic questions about what it

Scott McLeod

ho runs the U.S.? We’ve always known that money and politics go hand in hand, but these days that seems to be truer than ever. Do what you want at the voting booth, but it’s Wall Street bankers and corporate bigwigs who pull the strings that make our politicians move this way or that way.

Want evidence? On Wednesday of last week, May 17, the stock market took its largest tumble of the year, nearly 400 points. That loss was attributed to the increasing controversy surrounding President Trump and concerns that he would not be able to pass his tax proposals that favor big business.

Corporate chieftains were having a fit.

On the same day of that loss, however, Department of Justice officials took a dramatic step and decided to appoint a special prosecutor to look into the Trump-Russia allegations and decide once and for all whether there is merit to the allegations that seem to gain more traction with each passing news cycle. No matter what side you are on, it seems particularly ironic that a bad day on Wall Street was followed by the most dramatic move yet in this controversy.

Since this country’s founding, there has been a push and pull between the power of the corporations and their powerful owners and interests and the middle-class voters, who back during the founding were farmers or small businessmen. It’s those voters who send representatives to Washington to do their bidding, but too often it seems they are forgotten. In the

the American Medical Association found that “each physician supports almost 14 jobs and adds more than $2 million in economic input, on average.” Those aren’t just jobs in the hospital or doctor’s office, they include restaurants, dry cleaners and daycares.

In addition to job creation, our hospital is also a tax-paying entity, supporting important services like schools, county governments, and business and industry, and provides an extensive amount of charity care to our communities each year. To put it in perspective, in 2016 alone, our hospitals paid nearly $1.5 million in local and state taxes and provided more than $8 million in charity care to our communities.

Rural hospitals like ours are making communities healthier each and every day — physically and fiscally. We are proud to serve the physical, mental, social and emotional well-being of our communities, and we are so honored that you continue to entrust us with your healthcare needs.

So this week, as the nation celebrates Rural Hospital Week, we’re joining our fellow community hospitals across the country and asking our communities to help us raise awareness of our impact nationwide. Help us spread the word to our friends and family in larger cities and our elected officials in Congress.

How? It’s easy. Just join the conversation on social media. Tell people how we are making communities healthier and then use #StandUp4RuralHospitals. By working together, small towns can have a big and lasting impact on the future.

Steve Heatherly, CEO Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital

means to form a society. Do we let our capitalist, competitive instincts guide everything — as some seem to think is best — or do we insist on a government that takes into account the ethics and morality that helped shape this country’s founding?

What would a market society look like? In essence, everything would be about money. The worth of everything would be based on its market value. Philosopher Michael J. Sandel writes about our growing tendency to marketize every thing in our life, from education to health care to procreation to civic life. Unfortunately, the market does not place much value on the fundamental building blocks of a democratic society — civic engagement, public education, free speech, for example.

There’s a nationwide movement right now by several groups to pass an amendment to the U.S. Constitution declaring that constitutional rights belong only to individuals and that free speech does not include unlimited spending on political campaigns. In North Carolina this request is contained in House Bill 453. It’s a measure worth supporting.

The rich and powerful will always be powerful, and in a free market economy those who accumulate the most money will have more influence. Nothing wrong with that. But the pendulum is swinging too toward those who can afford to buy influence. We need to begin moving back the other way, and this amendment is a start.

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

Trump presidency an unmitigated disaster

To the Editor: In a failed attempt to defend Donald Trump, Mr. Van Eck’s recent letter is more of a distraction than a real defense of Trump. The American people do have reason to question Trump’s intelligence, ignorance, judgment, and morals as well as his policies.

Trump is unquestionably ignorant, or more gently, uninformed. He has repeatedly made statements that demonstrate that he lacks an understanding of the Constitution and history. Stating that Andrew Jackson was distressed by events unfolding more than a decade after his death displays ignorance. He compounded this by stating that no one had asked why the Civil War happened is another. Van Eck actually illustrates that ignorance by discussing speculation on the topic. The fact that Trump appears not to learn from his gaffes suggests a deficiency of intelligence — or a lack of introspection at best.

On the issue of morals, we have a self-described sexual predator. This is supported by about a dozen women who claim to have been groped by Trump. If that is not enough, contestants in Miss Teen competition complained that Trump had a tendency to walk into dressing rooms when they were undressed. Then there are the lawsuits won by individuals who claimed that Trump had defrauded them.

These cases involved contractors as well as Trump University enrollees.

Now we find that Trump shared top-secret information with the Russians when we had not shared that information with allies. The information was so sensitive and secret that it was not even available to those with high-level clearance in our own government. The information apparently can be used to discover the source of the intelligence and may likely endanger our operatives and allies. This is one of the most serious lapses in judgment imaginable and is likely to jeopardize our ability to get intelligence information from other countries.

Regarding policies, Trump’s healthcare and budget proposals tend to benefit the super rich at the expense of the middle class. The upper 1 percent get a huge tax break paid for by denying healthcare to 24 million Americans. The budget tax cuts will enlarge the deficit and saddle subsequent generations with even greater debt.

Then there are the executive orders that attack protection of the environment.

No matter how you cut it, Trump is a disaster for the middle class and the entire country. We are likely to see irreparable damage to the country compliments of Mr. Trump.

Norman Hoffmann Waynesville

Susanna Barbee

I

in his agenda book.

When our older son started kindergarten three years ago, someone told me time flies even faster once your children start school. This is absolutely true.

Recently I looked at my tall, lanky eightyear-old as he jumped off the blocks at swim practice and thought, “Who’s that big boy swimming the butterfly and what happened to my baby?”

I know the same will happen with my little one. Despite working from home and always having more work than time, I’ve tried to shut off every day at 1 p.m. and truly spend time with my boy. I know I’m lucky to be home with him at all. I worked full-time until my older child was 3, and I remember how I longed to be home with him while I was at work. I’ve always felt very grateful to have this time with them during these early years. I work very early in the

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morning, late at night and during weekends, but it’s totally worth it.

My life always feels slightly out of control. I’m never caught up — much less ahead — with work. For sheer survival, I’ve learned to be a master at multitasking, time chunking and list making. I can’t tell you how many days I’ve left articles or blog posts half-finished, phone calls unreturned and dishes in the sink because I’d rather hang with my preschooler snuggling on the

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t must have been a mom who coined the adage “time flies.” I swear it feels like last week when I was a seventh-grade teacher having contractions in the Waynesville Middle School cafeteria and barely making it to the hospital before my water broke.

And now, Case, the little bundle who arrived that day is graduating preschool. When thinking about motherhood as a journey, Columnist this Friday will mark the end of an era. When my 5-year old puts on a tiny cap and gown and saunters across the stage during this first of many graduations, I will become the mother of two school-aged children.

From afar this seems rather Susanna and insignificant, but as I Case Barbee. sit on the edge of it I Sarah Whitmeyer photo feel sentimental and admittedly a bit heavy hearted.

This will be a big change. More for me than him.

He’s ready. His mind is ready, his body is ready, his social skills are ready. And most importantly, he’s super excited.

I learned with our older son that major developmental changes happen during kindergarten.

They enter the doors as preschoolers and sometime around Christmas, they become full-blown elementary school students who seem ions older than they did in August.

Case will no longer bring home art projects with handprints or his name written with wonky and backward letters. Instead, his backpack will hold reading contracts and progress reports. And while my logical brain knows we’re running out of room to store puffy crafts made with macaroni noodles, pipe cleaners and cotton balls, I don’t particularly want to stop receiving them.

Instead of me picking him up at 1 p.m. and chatting with his teacher about his day, I’ll welcome him off the bus with his older big brother and read a newsletter or a note

around in his undies, dress up as Michelangelo and swing his nunchucks, or on days when her energy was low, bring 10 books to the couch and have her read or look at them by himself while she rested.

So, these preschool years of his have been special for a number of reasons. Not only are they special for all the traditional reasons, but they’re even more meaningful because they’re the only years my mom had with Case. All his memories of her, cards from her and pictures of her are during these years before age 5.

He’s such a sweet little boy, and I’m so proud of him. If I can hold it together on Friday, it will be a miracle. As all parents know, the heart can break and swell at the exact same moment.

Jonas Salk once said, “Good parents give their children both roots and wings.” I’ve worked hard these past five years to help Case grow some solid roots, and now I guess it’s time to help him exercise his budding wings. But man, oh man, it sure is hard to send the youngest bird into the world.

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

opinion

Roots and wings — an oxymoron made for moms

couch, reading books, playing Ninja Turtles, completing puzzles or blowing bubbles on the porch.

I know these childhood years are fleeting.

Big moments in the boys’ lives are also hard to manage without my mom by my side. She was the absolute best grandmother. Her children and her grandchildren were her everything.

Case is the ham of the family. He’s easygoing, light-hearted and skilled at finding the fun in anything. When my mom began to get sicker, our older son could feel the seriousness and gravity of what was happening. Case, on the other hand, was oblivious.

Through last school year, I still worked part-time at Waynesville Middle School.

My mom picked up Case every Tuesday and Thursday and either took him to the library, to get ice cream or home to play.

As her condition worsened, I told her to stay at her house and rest, but she said picking him up was the absolute highlight of her week. Not only did he cheer her up, but she was proud to help me with childcare and wanted to keep doing it. Even when she clearly wasn’t feeling well, Case apparently didn’t notice and continued to prance

facebook.com/smnews 25

tasteTHEmountains

Real New Yorkers.

Real Italians. Real Pizza.

Dine-In ~ Take Out ~ Delivery

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

Just to serve you!

Featuring: Calzones · Stromboli Subs · Pasta and More NOW OPEN SUNDAYS NOON to 8 P.M. Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

243 Paragon Parkway | Clyde

May 24-30, 2017

828-476-5058

128 N. Main St., Waynesville

Smoky Mountain News

It’s Not Spicy Unless You Want It to Be!

AMMONS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANT & DAIRY BAR 1451 Dellwwod Rd., Waynesville.

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

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

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

BLOSSOM ON MAIN 128 N. Main Street, Waynesville.

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

Forget the myth that all Thai food is spicy.

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

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

Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily.

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

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

Closed on Sunday. We specialize in hand-cut, all natural steaks from local farms, incredible burgers, and other classic american comfort

foods that are made using only the finest local and sustainable ingredients available.

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

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

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

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

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

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. Family-style breakfast seven days a week, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. – with eggs, bacon, sausage, grits and oatmeal, fresh fruit, sometimes French toast or pancakes, and always all-you-can-eat. Lunch menu every day from 12 to 2 p.m. Dinner becomes a gourmet experience this year with the arrival of our new Chef CJ, whose training and skills include French, Mediterranean, Asian, Middle Eastern and, of course, New Age Southern cuisine. Saturday night will feature an evening cookout on the terrace, with choices such as Korean barbecue and shrimp. On all other nights of the week, the chef will prepare gourmet plated dinners with locally sourced vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer a fine selection of wine and beer. The evening social hour starts at 6pm, and dinner is served starting at 7 p.m. Please call for reservations.

APPÉTIT Y’AL N L BO Gluten-Free, Vegan & Vegetarian options

WINE • BEER • SAKE Hours:11:30-9:00

(828) 454-5400 26

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

BlossomOnMain.com

207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde

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

Real Local Families, Real Local Farms, Real Local Food

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Open for dinner at 4 p.m., Thursday through Saturday; noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays. 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.

JUKEBOX JUNCTION U.S. 276 and N.C. 110 intersection, Bethel. 828.648.4193. 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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

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.

PAPERTOWN GRILL 153 Main St., Canton. 828.648.1455 Open 7 days a week 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Serving the local community with great, scratch-made country cooking. Breakfast is served all day. Daily specials including Monday meatloaf, chicken and dumplings on Thursdays and Friday fish.

SAGEBRUSH STEAKHOUSE 1941 Champion Drive, Canton 828.646.3750 895 Russ Ave., Waynesville 828.452.5822. Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Carry out available.

Sagebrush features hand carved steaks, chicken and award winning BBQ ribs. We have fresh salads, seasonal vegetables and scrumptious deserts. Extensive selection of local craft beers and a full bar. Catering special events is one of our specialties.

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

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

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

TRAILHEAD CAFE & BAKERY 18 N Main Street, Waynesville.

828.452.3881 Open 7 days a week. You will find a delicious selection of pastries & donuts, breakfast & lunch along with a fresh coffee & barista selection. Happy Trails!

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.

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

Closed Tues.

Sun. 12-9 p.m.

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

Join us for tasty burritos, tacos, quesadillas or crepes!

3 E JACKSON ST. • SYLVA, NC

www.CityLightsCafe.com

Curry

Culture Chef’s Demo

with Jay Horton Vegan & Gluten-Free Friendly

MAY 30 6 P.M.

Whatever the Occasion, Let Us Do the Cooking!

Call for reservations 828.586.3555 • Downtown Sylva MadBatterFoodFilm.com

WAYNESVILLE’S BEST BURGERS

Meetings, Events, Parties & More Sun.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.–11 p.m.

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

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

1941 Champion Dr. • Canton 828-646-3750 895 Russ Ave. • Waynesville 828-452-5822

Joey’s Pancake House will close on Wednesday and Thursday.

NEW schedule of operation is Friday – Tuesday • 7:00 a.m. – Noon.

Smoky Mountain News

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

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

We’re open every evening for dinner until 9 p.m.

May 24-30, 2017

JOEY’S PANCAKE HOUSE 4309 Soco Rd Maggie Valley.

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

PATIO BISTRO 30 Church Street, Waynesville.

828.454.0070. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Breakfast bagels and sandwiches, gourmet coffee, deli sandwiches for lunch with homemade soups, quiches, and desserts. Wide selection of wine and beer. Outdoor and indoor dining.

Any day is a great day when it starts with Joey’s Pancakes!

4309 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley (828) 926-0212

27

A&E

Smoky Mountain News

28

Play me that mountain music

W

ith Memorial Day right around the corner, the fun in the sun of summer in the mountains is here, ready to surprise and delight any and all.

And with the warmer weather in Western North Carolina, the evenings will also heat up around the region with a handful of free weekly concert series, showcasing popular acts and upand-coming groups.

CONCERTS ON THE CREEK (BRIDGE PARK, SYLVA) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

May 26: The Robertson Boys (bluegrass) June 2: Grandpa’s Cough Medicine (bluegrass) June 9: Darren & The Buttered Toast (soul/funk) June 16: Topper Voices of Rock (rock/soul) June 23: The Buchanan Boys (rock/country) June 30: Dashboard Blue (rock/blues) July 4: The Business (soul/funk) July 7: Darren Nicholson Band (Americana/bluegrass) July 14: Ol’ Dirty Bathtub (Americana/bluegrass) July 21: The Colby Deitz Band (Americana/rock) July 28: Mountain Faith (bluegrass/gospel) Aug. 4: PMA (reggae/fusion) Aug. 11: Tuxedo Junction (classic hits) Aug. 25: Geoff McBride (pop/soul) Sept. 1: Sundown (classic rock/country) All shows begin at 7 p.m. www.mountainlovers.com

CONCERTS ON THE SQUARE (TOWN SQUARE, HAYESVILLE) • May 26: Holman Autry Band (rock/country) • June 9: Just Us (bluegrass) • June 18: The Red Wine Effect (singer-songwriter) • June 23: Lee Holland (jazz/pop) • June 30: Wyatt Espalin Trio (bluegrass/Americana) • July 14: Stone Cold Country (southern rock/country) • July 21: Southern Vantage (classic rock/blues) • July 28: Paradise 56 (blues/country) • Aug. 4: Modern Vinyl (rock) • Aug. 18: Caribbean Cowboys (pop/beach) • Sept. 1: Sarah Mac Band (Americana) • Sept. 8: Gnarly Fingers (Americana) All shows begin at 7 p.m. www.cccra-nc.org

GROOVIN’ ON THE GREEN (VILLAGE GREEN, CASHIERS) • May 27: Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’Blues (rock/blues) • June 2: Geoff McBride (pop/soul) • June 9: The Colby Deitz Band (Americana/rock) • June 16: The Bo Spring Band

• • • • • • • • • •

June 23: Rockell Scott & Friends June 30: Andalyn July 7: Hurricane Creek (Americana) July 21: Joe Lasher Jr. (country/rock) July 28: The Buchanan Boys (rock/country) Aug. 4: The Jackson Taylor Band Aug. 11: High 5 Aug. 18: Julie Gribble Aug. 25: Sundown (classic rock/country) Sept. 2: Hurricane Creek (Americana) All shows begin at 6:30 p.m. www.villagegreencashiersnc.com

Positive Mental Attitude (PMA).

MUSIC ON THE RIVER (OCONALUFTEE RIVER STAGE, CHEROKEE) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

May 26: Eastern Blues Band (jazz/blues) May 27: Will Hayes Band (classic rock/country) June 2: Robert Wolfe & The Renegades (country) June 3: Stereospread (techno) June 9: Trippin’ Hardie Band (acoustic) June 10: Aaron Jones (honky-tonk) June 16: AM Superstars (alternative) June 17: Will Hayes Band (classic rock/country) June 23: Eastern Blues Band (jazz/blues) June 24: Stereospread (techno) June 30: Robert Wolfe & The Renegades (country) July 1: Trippin’ Hardie Band (acoustic) July 7: AM Superstars (alternative) July 8: Aaron Jones (honky-tonk) July 14: Eastern Blues Band (jazz/blues) July 15: Will Hayes Band (classic rock/country) July 21: Robert Wolfe & The Renegades (country) July 22: Stereospread (techno) July 28: Trippin’ Hardie Band (acoustic) July 29: Aaron Jones (honky-tonk) Aug. 4: AM Superstars (alternative) Aug. 5: Will Hayes Band (classic rock/country) Aug. 11: Eastern Blues Band (jazz/blues) Aug. 12: Stereospread (techno) Aug. 18: Robert Wolfe & The Renegades (country) Aug. 19: Trippin’ Hardie Band (acoustic) Aug. 25: AM Superstars (alternative) Aug. 26: Aaron Jones (honky-tonk) Sept. 1: Eastern Blues Band (jazz/blues) Sept. 2: Will Hayes Band (classic rock/country) All shows begin at 7 p.m. www.visitcherokeenccom

Mountain Faith.

PICKIN’ ON THE SQUARE (TOWN GAZEBO, FRANKLIN) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

May 27: Sundown (classic rock/country) June 3: The Johnny Webb Band (country) June 10: Gear Brothers (bluegrass) June 24: Dancing Bear Productions (Michael Harrell, Conrad & Donnie) July 1: Moonshine Creek (country) July 8: Tugalo Holler (newgrass) July 15: The Elderly Brothers (pop/beach) July 22: TBA (bluegrass) July 29: Caribbean Cowboys (pop/beach) Aug. 5: Frogtown (bluegrass/traditional) Aug. 12: Tom Floyd Band (rock/variety) Aug. 19: Rick Morris Band Aug. 26: Paradise 56 (blues/country) Sept. 2: Charlie Horse (western swing/variety) Sept. 9: Darren Nicholson Band (Americana/bluegrass) Sept. 16: Revisited Remanence Sept. 23: Sundown (classic rock/country) Sept. 30: Curtis Blackwell & the Dixie Bluegrass Boys Oct. 7: Blue Ridge (Gospel) Oct. 14: Outdoor 76 Day (band TBA) All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. www.townoffranklinnc.com

TUNES ON THE TUCK (RIVERFRONT PARK, BRYSON CITY) • • • • • • •

June 3: Somebody’s Child (Americana) June 24: Twelfth Fret (Americana) July 1: Chris Monteith (Elvis impersonator) Aug. 5: Grandpa’s Music (bluegrass/mountain) Aug. 12: Boogertown Gap (bluegrass/mountain) Aug. 19: The Elderly Brothers (pop/beach) Sept. 23: Lois Hornbostel & Ehukai Teves (Appalachian/world) • Sept. 30: Larry Barnett & Friends (bluegrass/Americana) All shows begin at 7 p.m. www.greatsmokies.com

For a complete calendar listing of all regional events this summer, visit www.smokymountainnews.com. As well, if you have an event not listed in the calendar or in the newspaper, contact Arts & Entertainment Editor Garret K. Woodward: garret@smokymountainnews.com or 828.452.4251.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

Aunt Bev and Garret.

Going home and saying goodbye

• Locally Handcrafted Wine • Tastings • Wine by the Glass & Bottle Sales

Wed-Sat 3-7 pm or by appointment.

405 Johnathan Walk • Bryson City

828.506.0133

Bookstore SATURDAY, MAY 27 • 3 P.M.

Path to Publication Discussion

with Kim Michele Richardson 3 EAST JACKSON STREET • SYLVA

828/586-9499 • citylightsnc.com

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

0%

Reg ional New s

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Smoky Mountain News

The “Rockin’ Block Party” will kickoff summer The roaring of the plane from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 27, on Main engine shook me awake.

Street in downtown Waynesville.

Coasting into the skies over Newark, New Jersey, the flight Concerts on the Creek (Sylva) will host The was headed to Knoxville, then it Robertson Boys (bluegrass/Americana) at 7 was another hour-and-a-half car p.m. Friday, May 26. ride back to Waynesville. It had A stage production of the literary classic “The been a long week, and an even Great Gatsby” will be held at 7:30 p.m. May longer year, as I sipped my screw26-27 and June 2-3, 8-10, and also at 2 p.m. driver and got lost in my May 28 and June 4, 11 at the Haywood Arts thoughts.

Regional Theatre.

I hadn’t planned on being back in my native Upstate New Smoky Mountain Community Theater (Bryson York until Christmas. But, with City) will host The Pressley Girls (traditional/ the passing of my Aunt Bev, I mountain) at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 27. found myself standing and facing my family in a Lake Placid Southern Porch (Canton) will host Mike church, giving her eulogy, someFarrington & Post Hole Diggers (Americana) thing she requested in her will at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 25. being her godson and all. away on the kitchen calendar, you’re lucky It was a little more than a year ago when — and I stress that word “lucky” — to be my Uncle Scott passed away. It was probably able to see the ones you love grow up and the last time most of the family on my dad’s side had seen each other. But, that’s what hap- fulfill their destinies.

And being aware of what matters most is pens when you get older. You see the people you love die, with someone always left behind a big reason —perhaps the biggest — in why I feel so lucky to have been raised in my famto grieve. But, I aim to not grieve. I want to ily. You see, coming up in an older clan, you remember the joy brought into my life by are interacting with people who remember people who are no longer with us. That’s the what life used to be like. This isn’t a knock true sense of honoring their memory, by never forgetting how they touched your heart. on their age. Rather, it’s a testament to a family who came from a simple post-World And what I learned from those along the way was one simple fact — that getting older War II blue-collar existence, and worked to the bare bone to make something of themis a gift. selves — the “American Dream” in action — For the better part of my existence, I was to provide for their families, put food on the kind of hesitant to believe that. What’s so table and their kids through college, a new great about new and ever-increasing wrincar in the driveway or a new coat of paint on kles, aching joints, bad eyesight and having an old house they felt was intrinsically more your mobility slow down to a snail’s pace? valuable in character alone than what the But, within those months and years peeling

Deep Creek Winery

May 24-30, 2017

HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5

arts & entertainment

This must be the place

price tag may have stated.

And when it came to character, none hit the mark as close to the bull’s eye as my Aunt Bev. She was just shy of 80 years old when she left us. She wasn’t just some lady who sat next to you at a family reunion or was just some lady who left a little lipstick on your cheek when she kissed you hello and goodbye at Christmas.

She was a beloved daughter, sister and aunt. She was a mesmerizing nightclub singer and a jet-setting lover of travel. She was a longtime teacher, a high school play director and a staunch advocate for nonprofits. She was a passionate dog lover, which was reflected with her love of her basset hound “Gomer.” She was the first of her family to graduate from college and a justified educator who fought for teacher’s rights. She was a selfless person who helped those who might not have been able to help themselves in the throes of addiction. And, especially, she was a true believer that a woman could be independent and successful on their own merits.

She was enthralled with the color purple, which is also my birthstone — amethyst. She loved big hats, outrageous jewelry and nice clothes. An elegant dame, she would dress to “the nines,” even if it was a casual affair.

Though she never had any children of her own, her nieces and nephews sincerely regarded her as a motherly figure as seen by her kindness, compassion and generosity.

She would head for the racetrack, always coming up big when she put down a bet on a jockey whose uniform color or horse number she felt strongly about. She liked a stiff drink, something I admired in someone with a devil-may-care attitude. In her presence, with beverage held high, she’d spark the biggest smile and heartiest laughter following another successful round of golf on the Harmony course in Port Kent, New York.

But, most of all, Beverly Sprague was “real.” There was no smoke and mirrors when it came to who she was, how she felt, and how she felt about you or me. If she loved you, you knew it. If she didn’t, which was rare, you must have really messed up.

But, even then, even in the face of youthful shenanigans or adult transgressions, she’d always find you in the fog of time, through the grapevine of gossip versus reality, never once giving up on you and what good you were capable of someday doing.

You were family, and that’s what mattered most to her.

Aunt Bev fought hard till the end, just like any of us would, if we knew that’s what it took to see just one more sunrise, one more sunset, only to do it over again the next day.

It’s like my friend, songwriter Patterson Hood of the Drive-By Truckers, sings, “‘To love is to feel pain’ there ain’t no way around it.

The very nature of love is to grieve when it’s over.

The secret to a happy ending is knowing when to roll the credits. Better roll’em now before something else goes wrong. No, it’s a wonderful world.

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29

arts & entertainment

On the beat Town Mountain will play June 3 at Lake Logan.

Are you a fan of Journey?

Cold Mountain Music festival The inaugural Cold Mountain Music festival will be held on Saturday, June 3, at the Lake Logan Conference Center.

Gates open at noon. Live music by some of the biggest names in bluegrass and string music, including Billy Strings (2 p.m.), Town Mountain (3:15 p.m.), Love Canon (4:45 p.m.), Balsam Range (7:15 p.m.) and a special surprise national act (8:30 p.m.).

There will also be food and craft beer vendors onsite. Tickets are $75 for adults, $30 for youth ages 13-18 and free for kids under age 12. www.coldmountainmusic.org.

May 24-30, 2017

International Conducting Institute concert The Smoky Mountain International Conducting Institute will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 27, at the First United Methodist Church of Waynesville.

Professional players from this region will perform in the SMICI orchestra and the Chamber Choir from the First United Methodist Church will join them on the last two works.

Dwight Oltman, a freelance professional conductor who lives in Waynesville, is the founder and master teacher of the Institute.

Eight conductors enrolled in the Institute will conduct Mozart's famous Symphony

No. 40 and the Handel Concerto Grosso, Op. 6, No. 6.

After intermission, Maestro Oltman will conduct the Third Brandenburg Concerto by J.S. Bach, Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus, and Coronation Anthem No. 2 by Handel. The Chamber Choir, prepared by Scott Taylor, performs in the last two works.

The Smoky Mountain International Conducting Institute brings to Waynesville conductors from Korea, Singapore, Spain, Canada, and American. A first and second prize will be awarded to the two conductors judged to have done the most outstanding work at the Institute. www.dwightoltman.com or 828.926.8710 or dwimaestro@aol.com.

The premier Journey tribute band, Departure will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 2, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Departure is the longest running and most respected Journey tribute band in the world. They have been performing together for more than 10 years and book more than 100 shows each year. They replicate the look, sounds, and feel of the original 1980s rock super-group who are best known for hits “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Faithfully” and “Open Arms.”

Departure is based out of Atlanta, Georgia, and Gwinnett Magazine has named them “Best Local Entertainer” for three years. Concertgoers have often said their sounds are spot on to the original Journey and if you close your eyes, you are immediately taken back to the 1980s and would swear the original Journey band was performing in front of you.

Tickets are $18. To purchase tickets, visit www.greatmountainmusic.com or call 828.273.4615.

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30

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On the beat

• Bogart’s Restaurant & Tavern (Waynesville) will host Carolina Catskins (bluegrass) May 25 and Bull Moose Party (bluegrass) June 1.

All shows are free and begin at 6:30 p.m.

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Dana & Susan Robinson (Americana) May 26, Joe Cruz (piano/pop) May 27 and June 3, and Bob Zullo (pop/folk) June 2.

828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Concerts on the Creek (Sylva) will host The Robertson Boys (bluegrass/Americana) May 26 and Grandpa’s Cough Medicine (bluegrass) June 2 in Bridge Park. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. 828.586.2155 or www.mountainlovers.com.

ALSO:

• Concerts on the Square (Hayesville) will host Holman Autry Band (rock/country) May 26 and Just Us (bluegrass) June 9. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.cccra-nc.org.

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

828.488.8898.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Good Direction (rock) 7 p.m. May 26 and The Rock Dodgers (bluegrass/classic rock) 6 p.m.

May 27. All shows are free. www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Heinzelmannchen Brewery (Sylva) will have live music and a potluck from 6 to 8 p.m.

May 25 and June 1. www.yourgnometownbrewery.com.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night May 24 and 31, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo May 25 and June 1. All events are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host Troy Underwood (singer-songwriter) May 26, Andalyn (blues/country) May 27, Anthony

• Nantahala Brewing Company (Bryson City) will host Alma & Tommy (bluegrass/Americana) May 26, Ogya (world music) May 27 and The Freeway Revival (rock/jam) June 2. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will host Deadly LoFi w/Shane Davis (rock) May 26 and Alma & Tommy (bluegrass/Americana) May 27. All shows are free and begin at 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.nonamesportspub.com.

• Pickin’ on the Square (Franklin) will host Sundown (classic rock/country) May 27 and The Johnny Webb Band (country) June 3. All shows are free and begin at 7:30 p.m. www.townoffranklinnc.com.

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

• Smoky Mountain Community Theater (Bryson City) will host The Pressley Girls (traditional/mountain) at 7 p.m. May 27. $10 per person. Proceeds to benefit Lauada Cemetery Association.

• Sneak E Squirrel Brewing (Sylva) will host line dancing every Friday at 7 p.m. and contra dancing every other Friday at 8 p.m. and Heidi Holton (blues/folk) at 8 p.m. May 27.

828.586.6440.

• Southern Porch (Canton) will host Mike Farrington & Post Hole Diggers (Americana) May 25, Savannah Smith (singer-songwriter) May 26, Ain’t Nothing Much (newgrass/mountain) May 27, The Doghouse Band (Americana) June 1, Ginny McAfee (singer-songwriter) June 2 and Spalding McIntosh (singer-songwriter) June 3. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m.

828.492.8006.

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

• Tunes on the Tuck (Bryson City) will host Somebody’s Child (Americana) on June 3 at Riverfront Park. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.greatsmokies.com.

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18!

celebrate turning

Smoky Mountain News and Smoky Mountain Living magazine want to say thank you to our readers, our advertisers and the community.

5 to 7 pm • Friday, June 2 in our parking lot at

144 Montgomery St.

Waynesville, NC

Hors doeuvres

& Beverages

our neighbors, Leap Frog Tours, ALSO meet who will be welcoming visitors!

Smoky Mountain News

• Groovin’ on the Green (Cashiers) will host Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’Blues (rock/blues) May 27 and Geoff McBride (pop/soul) June 2 at The Village Green. All shows are free and begin at 6:30 p.m. www.visitcashiersvalley.com.

• Music on the River (Cherokee) will host Eastern Blues Band (jazz/blues) May 26, Will Hayes Band (classic rock/country) May 27, Robert Wolfe & The Renegades (country) June 2 and Stereospread (techno) June 3 on the Oconaluftee River Stage. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.visitcherokeenc.com.

May 24-30, 2017

• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host Scott James Stambaugh (singer-songwriter) May 27 and Russ Moore Duo (singer-songwriter) June 3. Shows are free and begin at 7:30 p.m. www.curraheebrew.com.

Mossburg (singer-songwriter) June 2 and Woolly Adelgid (psychedelic/folk) June 3. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m.

828.349.2337 or www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

arts & entertainment

• Andrews Brewing Company (Andrews) will host Andrew Chastain (singer-songwriter) May 26 and Bull Moose Party (bluegrass) May 27. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. There is also an open mic “Jammin’ with Heidi” on Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

31

arts & entertainment

On the street

Darnell Farms Strawberry Jam Festival Carolina Express will perform at 3:30 p.m.

Saturday during the Swain County Heritage Festival.

Swain County Heritage Festival

The Strawberry Jam Festival will be allday Saturday, May 27, at Darnell Farms in Bryson City.

Local music and dancing provided by The Puff Mud String Band, Tangled Feet

Stompers, Hannah Styles & South 129 Band, Bill Mize, Black Jack County and Opie Eife.

Fruits and vegetables grown by the farm, plow and Appalachian demonstrations, vendors, pony rides, petting zoo, camping, fishing, hayrides, inflatables, face painting, and more.

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

828.488.2376.

May 24-30, 2017

The Swain County Heritage Festival Committee has announced that booth spaces remain available for the 2017 Swain County Heritage Festival. The festival will be held May 26-27 at Riverfront Park in Bryson City.

There will be Friday night entertainment from 6 to 9 p.m. and activities all day Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Live music, arts and crafts, kids’ activities, log-sawing competition, and more.

Persons interested in participating in the festival as vendors, nonprofits or volunteers are encouraged to contact festival organizers by calling 828.538.0455.

Waynesville’s ‘Rockin’ Block Party’

Smoky Mountain News

The “Rockin’ Block Party” will kickoff summer from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 27, on Main Street in downtown Waynesville.

In the middle of downtown will be a

Andalyn IN THE YARD Saturday, May 27 • 8:00 pm SUMMER SEASONAL BEER RELEASE - 7:00 PM

Pomegranate Gorge Berliner Weisse 188 W. MAIN STREET , FRANKLIN NC 32

LazyHikerBrewing.com

BearWaters Brewing ready to open After several years of residing in Waynesville, BearWaters relocated to Canton in late 2016, overtaking an 11,000-squarefoot, two-level building in downtown right on the Pigeon River.

On Thursday, May 18, the brewery held a soft opening to local officials and members of the business sector. The gathering was in celebration of its $379,000 loan from the Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIF).

Part of The Conservation Fund, the NCIF looks to create and enable green energy initiatives within businesses.

The “Grand Opening” will be from noon to 10 p.m. Friday, June 16. The brewery will

concert by The Flying Saucers (rockabilly/variety), with Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats (blues/rock) on the North End and The Blue Ridge Big Band (swing/jazz) on the South End. Filled with kid activities and more, “Kids on Main” will also return from 6 to 7 p.m. www.downtownwaynesville.com.

kick things up a notch on its new 20-barrel system, which includes five 20-barrel fermenters and three brite tanks.

“I think this new location is going to work well. We have a great partnership with the Town of Canton,” said owner/brewer Kevin Sandefur. “And, with the recreational side of things, we’ll be building a dock on the river for tubing and kayaking.”

Sandefur also noted that there will be a food component with the new brewery.

Haywood County businessman Richard Miller (of The Classic Wineseller and Church Street Depot in Waynesville) will open a gastro-pub within the facility.

“And with our cellar below, we’ll start a barrel-aging program, with our saisons being available soon,” Sandefur said. www.bearwatersbrewing.com.

On the street

The Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays May 26 through Oct. 28 at the Oconaluftee Islands Park. Sit by a bonfire, alongside a river, and listen to some of Cherokee’s best storytellers. The bonfire is free and open to the public. www.visitcherokeenc.com.

Open Door Meal & Sing

• The BBQ & Brews Dinner Train will be leaving the station at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 27, at the Bryson City Train Depot. Slow-cooked barbecue and a craft beer showcase by Boojum Brewing Company of Waynesville. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 800.872.4681 or visit www.gsmr.com.

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May 24-30, 2017

There will be an Open Door Meal & Sing at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, at the First United Methodist Church of Sylva.

The community is invited to enjoy a delicious meal, which will be prepared by church members, musical entertainment, and fellowship. David and Margaret Agee will provide the inspirational musical entertainment.

David plays the guitar, while Margaret sings a mix of gospel, hymns, 1970s and bluegrass.

A brief devotional will precede the meal.

The Open Door and Sing event is held on the fifth Wednesday in those months that have one. All are welcome and invited to attend.

For more information, call the church office, 828.586.2358.

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arts & entertainment

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ALSO:

• There will be a free wine tasting from 1 to 5 p.m. May 27 and June 3 at Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville. www.waynesvillewine.com or 828.452.0120. • 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

• Casino Night, a fundraiser for Haywood Healthcare Foundation, will be held from 6 to 11 p.m. June 3 at Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville. For ticket and event information, visit www.haywoodhealthcarefoundaf tion.org or call 828.452.8343.

33

arts & entertainment

On the wall

Shelton House Crafter Showcase

There will be a Quilt Art show by the Shady Ladies from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 23 and noon to 4 p.m. June 4 at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville.

An exhibition of 100 quilts ranging from artistic wall hangings to traditional bed quilts, as well as hangings created in

Smoky Mountain News

May 24-30, 2017

The inaugural event of the Shelton House Crafter Showcase will open on June 1 in Waynesville.

As part of its focus on unique crafts and crafters, the Shelton House and the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts announce a four-month showcase featuring four selected crafters at the Historic Shelton Barn and Museum.

Four applicants have been selected to market their crafts within the Historic Shelton Barn from June through September. Each

Jackson County art grants The Jackson County Arts Council is now accepting applications for Grassroots Sponsorship for 2017-18.

Grassroots Sponsorships are awarded to organizations in all cultural disciplines through a competitive application and review process. This sponsorship program is funded in part by the North Carolina Arts Council and by the fundraising efforts of the Jackson County Arts Council. The deadline for applications is June 30, 2017.

The sponsorships are intended to: • Provide modest funding for

month will feature one of the four crafters inside the museum for promotion and public display of their background and talent.

Also, in the month featured, the crafter will be onsite the second Saturday during the month to teach their process and exhibit their craft. The first exhibition will be held on June 10 in conjunction with the Shelton House Patron’s Day event that traditionally has multiple crafts and crafters on display interacting with patrons and guests. www.sheltonhouse.org or 828.452.1551. events/projects and publicity/advertising for artist groups/artist organizations that will enhance the presence of art events in Jackson County.

• Support opportunities for Jackson County residents to participate in new and thought-provoking art events in music, visual art, theatre, dance and literature.

• Celebrate the traditional arts and cultures of Jackson County as well as the multicultural aspect of arts in general.

Visit www.jacksoncountyarts.org for more information and to download the application.

Contact Jackson County Arts Council at info@jacksoncountyarts.org or 828.507.9820 for questions.

• There will be an artist reception from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 26, at Gallery Zella in Bryson City. Artists include Melissa Enloe Walter (jewelry), Wendy Cordwell (collagist), Jon Houglum (painter), Brian Hannum (photographer) and Drew Campbell (photographer). Enjoy North Carolina wine, food and music. Event is free.

• Acclaimed Bryson City painter Elizabeth Ellison’s newest exhibit, “Spirit of Place,” will run May 27-Sept.

4 at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville. Exhibit support is provided by The North Carolina Arboretum Society and Smoky Mountain Living magazine. www.smliv.com.

ALSO:

• “Paint Nite Waynesville” will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. There will also be “Painting at the Porch” at 6:30 p.m. on

response to the 2017 challenge: “Haywood Manmade Angles.”

Admission is $5, with proceeds donated to Folkmoot. A quilted created by the Shady Ladies will be raffled during the show with proceeds going to three Haywood County charities: Hospice, Meals on Wheels and Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center.

For more information, call 312.550.3280.

Tuesdays at the Southern Porch in Canton. Sign up for either event on the Paint Night Waynesville Facebook page (search event: Brush N. Brew) or call Robin Smathers at 828.400.9560. paintnitewaynesville@gmail.com.

• A “Paint & Sip” workshop will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, May 26, at Gallery Zella in Bryson City. $50 per person, which includes materials. Instructor is Jon Houglum, known as one of the area’s best oil painters.

• 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. The gallery will also present “Art Adventures,” a hands-on demonstration creating textures with Carol Conti, from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 21. 828.349.4607.

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arts & entertainment

You can help us win by voting daily from May 16 through May 31. You can also help by sharing this and inviting friends to vote daily, as well.

To vote, visit the Facebook link below to help children like Maggie have a place to play, too!

Smoky Mountain News

Please help the Waynesville Kiwanis Club and our friend Maggie (left), pictured with her brother and cousins. We have a chance to WIN $25,000 in the Kiwanis International Legacy of Play Contest, which would help fund building a playground for those of all abilities.

May 24-30, 2017

A Playground for ALL Abilities!

http://bit.ly/play828 35

Smoky Mountain News May 24-30, 2017

J

36

arts & entertainment

On the stage arts & entertainment

‘The Great Gatsby’ at HART

A stage production of the literary classic “The Great Gatsby” will be held at 7:30 p.m. May 26-27 and June 2-3, 8-10, and also at 2 p.m.

May 28 and June 4, 11 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. Tickets for the production are $25.68.

There will also be a special evening in celebration of the production, with “Pizazz” taking place at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 3, in the Fangmeyer Theater. The evening will include food, libations and dancing in the theme of the Roaring 1920s.

All proceeds from the event will go to support HART and efforts to retire the mortgage on the Fangmeyer Theater. Tickets are $125 per person.

For more information and to purchase tickets for the production and “Pizazz,” visit www.harttheatre.org or call 828.456.6322.

ALSO:

Smoky Mountain News

A master humorist with down-home, hilarious comedy suitable for all ages paired with a Southern accent and gift for storytelling, comedian James Gregory will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 26, at The Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

In the early 1980s, Gregory worked at comedy clubs all over the Southeast, which became nationwide in no time at all. In 1986, he was dubbed “Funniest Man In America.”

Some of Gregory’s most notable works include an album and a book titled It Could Be A Law, I Don’t Know and a video called “Grease, Gravy & John Wayne’s Momma.”

Gregory tours three days a week, 46 weeks

May 24-30, 2017

Gregory to bring the laughs

a year, in front of sold-out crowds in theaters and comedy clubs as well as at corporate events. He is also a featured speaker for events sponsored by various civic and church groups.

He is heard weekly on syndicated radio shows such as “Rick and Bubba,” “John Boy and Billy” and “Bob and Tom.” Combined, Gregory’s radio performances are broadcast in over 200 cities nationwide which has resulted in a grass-roots following of millions of fans.

Gregory has been featured in publications such as Atlanta Magazine, Country America, Music City News, Laugh Track, Backstage West, Southern Living, Goodness Magazine, and many major newspapers throughout the South. He has also appeared in concert with Kenny Chesney, Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, The Judds, George Jones, Ricky Skaggs, and more.

Tickets start at $17 each. To purchase tickets, visit www.greatmountainmusic.com or call 866.273.4615.

• The Triple Threat Musical Theatre Show will be at 2 p.m. May 28 at the Bardo Arts Center on the Western Carolina University campus in Cullowhee.

37

• Pat’s School of Dance will host a “Relay for Life” dance presentation at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 27, at the Swain County Center for the Arts in Bryson City. Tickets are $10. 828.488.9273 (ext. 2225).

Afternoon Tea to benefit Presbyterian Church An afternoon tea given by Mr. and Mrs. Wells Greeley will be held from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 4, to benefit the First Presbyterian Church in Waynesville.

Although the Greeleys are Methodist, they have many long time friends that are Presbyterian want to help members of the historic Presbyterian church on Waynesville’s Main Street pay for the renovation of it’s 110 year old sanctuary.

Guests to this event will be able to have tea, visit the Greeley’s beautiful gardens and home, while local musician Craig Summers serenades on the grand piano.

An extra special addition to this tea is the inclusion of 10 Asheville and 10 Waynesville artists. The artists will be stationed throughout the grounds exhibiting their interpretation of the house and the gardens. Kathy and the Greeley home and gardens have been featured in many nationally distributed magazines and newspapers.

Names of local artists were submitted to a selection committee and the criteria for selection was quality and uniqueness.

“We wanted our guests to be able to sample a bit of all the different mediums that are produced by our local artists,” said Kathy Greeley. “The selection process was complicated, because frankly, we have so many quality artists in the area. To try to select one oil painter, one weaver, one acrylic artist, was almost impossible. It meant that excellent artists were not chosen that were more than qualified.”

The works will be offered for sale during the event with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the artist.

To learn more about this event or to purchase a ticket, call Waynesville Presbyterian Church at 828.456.3243 and ask to speak with Kristi Siplon.

Participating artists include: Luke Allsbrook, Nancy Blevins, Jenny Buckner, Molly Sieburg Courcelle, Steve Davis, Lee Ann Fergeson, Julia Gosson, John Gernandt, Susan Gernandt, Mark Harmon, Michael Hoffman, Cheryl Keefer, Jo Ridge Kelley, Kathryn Phillips, Margaret Roberts, Bee Sieburg, Steve St. Claire, Suzan Strazzella, Matt Tommey and Cindy Walton.

Interested in blacksmithing?

general shaping/squaring/drawing out, scrolling, twisting, planishing, the relationship between heat and force of striking, and more.

Students will make simple decorative pieces (such as wall hooks) while incorporating these techniques in a progressive manner. After the first project is complete, students can choose their next project from various examples provided, reapplying those techniques. Expect to learn about metallurgy, misBlacksmithing instructor Brock Martin (left) with a student. conceptions associated with the art, and how to There will be a “Blacksmithing develop proper technique.

Fundmentals Class” with Brock Martin from Students must wear closed toe shoes WarFire Forge from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 27- (preferably leather), long pants, and cotton 28 at the Jackson County Green Energy Park clothing, and should bring a lunch. Cost is in Dillsboro. $185 (materials included), and is due at regisThis course is designed to introduce stu- tration. Pre-registration is required. To regisdents to the art of blacksmithing. ter, call 828.631.0271.

Fundamental techniques that will be covered: www.jcgep.org.

Smoky Mountain News

May 24-30, 2017

arts & entertainment

On the wall

May 26, 27 & June 2, 8,* 9, 10 at 7:30 pm May 28 & June 4, 11 at 2:00 pm Adults $24 Seniors $22 Students $11 *Special $16 tickets for all Adults on Thursdays.

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 38

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.

e e l s r , n d o

s n s -

At just 3 months old, she experienced her first seizure, an experience that would send her family on a path that would change the world. Charlotte was suffering from 300 grand mal seizures per week when they met the Stanley Brothers, who had been developing proprietary hemp genetics. Together they created a hemp oil extract that was introduced into Charlotte’s diet in hopes of providing her relief.

arts & entertainment

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May 24-30, 2017 Smoky Mountain News 39

40

Books

Smoky Mountain News

Wit, wisdom and a walk around New York City I

of different historical eras and the Manhattanites who lived through them.

Through her novel, Rooney also makes visible the tensions between work outside the home and a family life, between freedom and commitment. We

Jeff Minick

t is 1926, and Lillian Boxfish, mid-20s and ambitious, arrives in Manhattan, where she lands a job working for the greatest department store in the city, R. H. Macy’s. That famed emporium hires her as a copywriter, and within five years she is the highestpaid advertising woman in the United States.

Independent, eager to engage life, and disdainful of marriage and commitment, she soon Writer turns her talent for writing jingles into light verse, achieving fame as a poet.

She eventually marries a fellow Macy’s employee, becomes the mother of a beloved son, goes through a divorce, suffers a breakdown, enters an asylum, and then reenters the world, returning as always to her beloved New York City.

Flash forward almost 60 years to New Year’s Eve of 1984, and the 85-yearold Lillian, an inveterate walker of the city’s streets, decides to take a long hike to revisit the places and a few of the people that have laid claim to her heart. Off she goes in her mink coat in the late afternoon, mild for a New York December, and before her trek has ended she will have covered nearly 10 miles of the City, visiting places like Macy’s, apartments where she formerly lived, restaurants that had significance for her. She visits a few friends, encounters friendly strangers, and meets up with everyone from a forlorn convenience store clerk to a trio of muggers.

This is the premise of Kathleen Rooney’s novel, Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk (St. Martin’s Press, 2017, 287 pages, $25.95), this finely told tale of a quirky, sharp-tongued woman and the times in which she lived.

Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk will appeal to many readers for several reasons. First, the account of her New Year’s Eve hike constitutes a love letter to Manhattan, told through the eyes of the aged copywriter and poet, but recounted by writer Kathleen Rooney, whose talents for dialogue and description make real the sidewalks, streets, buildings, and people of Manhattan over most of the twentieth century. From the speak-easies of the 1920s to a private warehouse party attended by AIDS sufferers, Rooney never slips, giving us engaging portraits

see this tension not only in Lillian — as a young woman she eschews marriage and children, changes her views when she falls in love Max, the head rug buyer for Macy’s, and suffers a breakdown in part because of her interior conflicts — but also in some of the other characters as well. The young manager of the convenience store who would prefer to be in California, but who remains in the dangerous neighborhood because the store means so much to his immigrant parents; the owner of Lillian’s favorite restaurant, who loves the City but is turning the business over to a relative so that he can move to Florida; Lillian’s young friend, Wendy, who tells others that her best friend, a painter named Peter, is her husband because her parents and grandparents living in Ohio would otherwise disapprove of her living arrangements: all of these characters exhibit this strain between individual freedom and our responsibility to others.

Another lesson, at least for me, from Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk may be found in the chapter titled “Solvitur

Ambulando.” “It is solved by walking” is, as Rooney reminds us, “a motto favored by the ancients” and might well serve as Lillian’s motto, too. This adage reminded me of a lesson I learned long ago but have not practiced for years: that walking is not just a form of exercise, but a means for pondering and resolving life’s difficulties. (Note to self: walk more, solve more, dither less.)

But it is Lillian Boxfish herself who is the gem and main attraction of this book. Once they come to know Lillian, most readers will surely fall in love with her, even if they disagree with some of her opinions.

When I first began reading Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk, I disliked her for some of her wisecracks about those of her coworkers and friends who wanted marriage, children, and a home. Because of Rooney’s skilled writing and Lillian’s humor, however, I soon came to treasure Lillian for her open-eyed, no nonsense approach to possibilities and people, and took great delight in sharing her New Year’s Eve perambulation.

An example of Rooney’s writing and Lillian’s wit: Near the end of the novel, Lillian remembers appearing on a television talk show to discuss her earlier work in advertising. The other female guests on the show launch an attack on her work, telling her and the audience that print is dead, that images and not words are what matter, and that advertisers should appeal to “fundamental emotions: envy, fear, lust. Animal instincts.”

Lillian replies: “Please, ladies, resume the accounts of your efforts to unwind the supposed advances of civilization and return us consumers to a state of pliable savagery. Who knows, perhaps some young lady who watches this program will take up where you leave off and find a way to ease us all back into the trees with the orangutans, who I gather are deft hands at the fruit market …. In any event, I wish you both luck in your quest. I will not be keeping track of your progress, however. To be clear, it’s not that I no longer want to work in the world that you’re describing. It’s that I no longer want to live in the world that you’re describing.”

Lillian then rises and leaves the studio.

Well written, funny, and wise, Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk is one of those novels that once again remind us of the power and value of fiction.

Don’t miss reading this one.

Author to discuss publishing process Kentucky author Kim Michele Richardson will hold a discussion on the path to publication at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 27, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

Richardson is the author of two novels, Liar’s Bench and Godpretty in the Tobacco Field. She also has a new novel coming out in late November titled, The Sisters of Glass Ferry. She will discuss best practices in the publishing process and take questions.

Richardson has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, building houses, and is an advocate for the prevention of child abuse and domestic violence, partnering with the U.S. Navy globally to bring awareness and education to the prevention of domestic violence.

She is a contributor to the Huffington Post and writes for the New York Journal of Books. She is currently working on her fourth novel.

To reserve copies of her books, call City Lights Bookstore at 828.586.9499.

New bluegrass book Diving into the rich, vibrant and controversial history of bluegrass music, If You Can’t Play, Get Off the Stage: Bluegrass in Western North Carolina and Beyond is the debut work from Garret K. Woodward, arts/entertainment editor for The Smoky Mountain News. Woodward will be holding a reading, bluegrass discussion and book signing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 1, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

The book features interviews, profiles, quotes and conversations with the biggest names in bluegrass, mountain and string music, including: Balsam Range, Bobby Osborne, Claire Lynch, David Grisman, David Holt, Del McCoury, Doyle Lawson, Jesse McReynolds, John Cowan, Larry Sparks, Marty Stuart, Peter Rowan, Raymond Fairchild, Rhiannon Giddens, Rhonda Vincent, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush, Tim O’Brien, and many more.

In 2015, Woodward won first place in the North Carolina Press Association awards for “Arts & Entertainment Reporting” for his cover story “Bless Your Heart — The State of Women in Bluegrass.” In 2016, Woodward was nominated for “Bluegrass Print/Media Person of the Year” by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). The NCPA also recognized him with another first place in 2016 for “Lighter Columns” for his weekly column in The Smoky Mountain News, “This must be the place.”

For more information on the book and where to purchase it, visit www.facebook.com/yobrodobro.

Talk about creativity, writing The Arts Council of Macon County will host an evening with author Cathryn Sill and wildlife artist John Sill at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 25, at the Macon County Public Library Meeting Room in Franklin.

The Sills are co-creators of the About… series and About Habitats series of critically acclaimed children’s guides to the world of nature, launched in 1991 with About Birds: A Guide for Children. The Franklin couple will talk about the creative side of their work, and the highs and lows of the business of writing, illustrating, and getting published.

Admission is by donation; $5 is suggested. Light refreshments will be served. The handicap-accessible Macon County Public Library is at 149 Siler Farm Road adjacent to the Southwestern Community College Macon campus.

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

Contact the ACMC for details: arts4all@dnet.net or 828.524.ARTS (2787).

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Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

Students take data from a forested plot in the Dicks Creek area. WCU photo

Wildfires as classrooms WCU students study fire’s effects on Dicks Creek drainage hat was once a wildfire became an outdoor classroom for students in Western Carolina University’s Natural Resource Conservation and Management Program this spring.

As part of a spring capstone course, 23 students studied four post-fire aspects of the forest ecosystem — forest composition, wildlife habitat, soil and water. Now, they’ve just finished compiling and analyzing the data they gleaned from the 728-acre burned area of the Dicks Creek drainage near Dillsboro.

“Every year, we want our students to have a chance to work on a real natural resource management problem,” said Peter Bates, associate professor in the program. “Given the fall fire season that we had and the proximity of the Dick’s Creek fire, we thought this would provide a good opportunity to study the potential effects of the fire. The students draw on things they’ve learned throughout the curriculum, so it is a good test.”

The wildfires that roared through Western North Carolina last fall certainly constituted a “real natural resource management problem.”

W

Fueled by a drought that had been building since the spring, the fires were mostly set by arsonists, land managers believe. With the mountains tinder-dry, the fires quickly spread to engulf nearly 50,000 acres of national forest

making it the first major wildfire to appear west of Asheville last fall. And even when the wildfire season subsided, it stood alone as the closest major woodland blaze to WCU. Fire is a natural part of any forest ecosys-

“So far, the most interesting thing we found is that animals like one extreme or the other — they like the high-severity burn areas or the unburned areas, but they don’t like the moderate areas.”

— Abbi Farnsworth

land west of

Peter Bates Asheville, with tens of thousands more burning east of Asheville and in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park into Tennessee.

The Dicks Creek Fire was at the front end of all that, however, with its Oct. 23 ignition

tem, and evidence of the Dicks Creek Fire — as with all the other wildfires that burned through the region — will slowly subside over time. While charcoal may exist in the soil for thousands of years, most casual observers won’t be able to see the signs after three to seven years, though changes to the plant community could last for much longer.

To study the fire’s effects, students separated into small groups to gather data, complete geospatial mapping and prepare the final report. They also collaborated with the U.S. Forest Service, N.C. Forest Service and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

“Faculty members monitored what was done, but it was very much a student project,” Bates said.

Students established 40 permanent plots in the burn area, documenting the conditions that exist there now and developing a monitoring plan to determine the fire’s evolving effects as time goes by.

The students did a particularly good job of mapping the fire’s severity, which is a function of how hot it burned, Bates said. That factor will be important to consider when calculating the fire’s effects in future years. Fire severity is determined by examining features such as how much rhododendron and mountain laurel was consumed, measuring how high the char marks are on trees and determining how much ground litter and duff was consumed, he said.

Wildfires are typically cooler and slower when going downhill, but faster and hotter when moving uphill. And in the eastern U.S., they tend to mostly creep along the ground, burning up leaf litter and sometimes consuming larger fuels as the fire heats up. However, the Dicks Creek fire sometimes behaved more like a fire typical of the arid forests of the American West, turning into a canopy-consuming crown fire as it raced up ridges.

While they can be dangerous to human communities and any animals trapped in the blaze, wildfires can also have a rejuvenating effect on forest ecosystems once the flames are gone, spurring growth of leafy plants that provide food for wildlife. Abbi Farnsworth, who graduated this spring, examined the fire’s effects on wildlife as part of her research.

Farnsworth and the students she worked with placed motion-activated cameras in the plots.

When something moved, the cameras took two still photos and a short video clip — the result was 120 days’ worth of camera data.

“So far, the most interesting thing we found is that animals like one extreme or the other — they like the high-severity burn areas or the unburned areas, but they don’t like the moderate areas,” Farnsworth said.

Hunter Combs, who will graduate in December, focused on studying the condition of the soils — in particular, how well water could infiltrate them. Intense fires can cause soils to repel water, due to the burning leaves leaving their waxy coating behind. That can cause erosion.

The good news is that, according to Combs’ data, erosion doesn’t appear to be a serious issue in the Dicks Creek area.

“The infiltration was extremely variable,” Combs said. “Erosion didn’t seem to be a problem. The intensely burned sites tended to have a little more erosion, but we didn’t see any extreme erosion or gully formation.”

The data will be collected into a digital archive that will be available for future reference.

Road closed in the Pisgah outdoors

A construction project on Cathy Creek Road in the Pisgah Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest will cause a detour for about four months.

The road is a primary access route to the Pisgah Ranger District and serves private lands as well. A government-furnished bridge will offer temporary access while the existing bridge is removed and replaced. The work will also include replacing an existing concrete low-water ford with an aluminum arch bottomless culvert, as well as completing minor stream restoration, plantings, dewatering, traffic control and erosion control.

Movie documents record-breaking A.T. hike The Foothills Parkway route provides ample views of the surrounding mountains. NPS photo

End in sight for Foothills Parkway The final phase of construction is underway for the Foothills Parkway — which is administered by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park — with the 16mile section scheduled for completion within 12 to 18 months.

Of the nation’s seven congressionally mandated parkways, the Foothills Parkway — which Congress authorized in 1944 — is the only one yet to be completed. It was constructed in sections starting in 1960, but funding limitations and environmental challenges have prevented the 16-mile stretch now under construction from being completed. Currently, only three of eight Foothills Parkway segments are fin-

ished and open to the public, totaling 22.5 miles.

“Once completed, this section of road will afford local residents and the visiting public with a continuous 33-mile transportation and recreation corridor providing access to spectacular panoramic views of Great Smoky Mountains,” said Superintendent Cassius Cash.

The current project is funded through a $10 million federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery VIII grant and a $15 million match from the State of Tennessee Governor’s Office. The 16-mile stretch will connect Walland and Wears Valley, Tennessee.

A new movie telling the story of Karl “Speedgoat” Meltzer — who broke the Appalachian Trail speed record by hiking from Maine to Georgia in just 45 days, 22 hours and 38 minutes — has been released free online.

“North Carolina has a lot of ‘needles’ to climb over,” Meltzer said. “With North Carolina comes a feeling of being closer to the end. I was finally beginning to get a whiff of the barn.”

The hike was Meltzer’s third attempt to break the elusive record.

The film, Karl Meltzer: Made To Be Broken, is streaming on Red Bull TV at www.redbull.com.

Timber harvest has started in Harmon Den A 96-acre timber-harvesting project is underway in the Harmon Den area of the Pisgah National Forest, in Haywood County.

The goal of the project is to improve wildlife habitat, and while exposed soil, freshly cut stumps and logging slash will be visible immediately after harvesting, the area is expected to show a large increase in wildflowers, grasses and young trees within one or two growing seasons.

All harvested areas will be reforested, with logging wrapping up by December 2018.

The project stems from the 2010 Harmon Den Project Decision Notice. It’s being done through a timber sale contract, with the U.S. Forest Service frequently inspecting the progress.

A large portion of money paid for the timber stays in the project area, to be used for activities such as treating invasive weeds, improving the timber stand, wildlife habitat enhancement, road maintenance and water quality improvement. The most recent timber harvesting in the Harmon Den area was in 2006.

Visitors should drive carefully, as logging trucks will be traveling Cold Springs Road, Brown Gap Road and Max Patch Road.

May 24-30, 2017

Raft for a good cause Free rafting and the chance to help people in poverty will come to the Tuckasegee River 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 4.

Smoky Mountain River Adventures in Whittier and Dillsboro River Company will both give free trips to anyone bringing 10 cans of food for donation to United Christian Ministries of Jackson County.

United Christian Ministries is a locally supported nonprofit that provides food, household goods, financial assistance, furniture, cleaning supplies and personal care items to Jackson County residents in need.

Smoky Mountain River Adventures, 828.586.5285, or Dillsboro River Company, 828.586.3797.

THE FOLK SCHOOL CHANGES YOU.

Forage the Smokies

Engaging hands and hearts since 1925. Come enjoy making crafts and good friends on 300 natural, scenic acres in western North Carolina.

Smoky Mountain News

An all-day discovery of the plants and trees that Native Americans and early settlers used to live their daily lives will be offered Saturday, June 24, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Bryson City-based wildcrafter Ila Hatter will teach the course Foraging for Food & Farmacy, sharing herb-lore from mountain medicine men and granny women while the group searches the woods and fields for hidden treasures. Students will explore the original route between Gatlinburg and Cherokee and a portion of the Appalachian Trail. $79. Part of the Smoky Mountain Field School, a partnership of the park and the University of Tennessee that is now in its 40th year.

Ila Hatter. Holly Kays photo Register at www.smfs.utk.edu.

JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL folkschool.org BRASSTOWN

1-800-FOLK-SCH NORTH CAROLINA

43

outdoors

A young angler shows off his catch. Donated photo

Teach kids a love of fishing

Smoky Mountain News

May 24-30, 2017

More than 40 kids fishing events will be offered in North Carolina over the next month, part of an annual effort from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

All events are free, with participants entered in a drawing for a lifetime sportsman’s license. Additional prizes such as fishing towels, playing cards and mini tackle boxes will also be given.

Events in Western North Carolina include: n A fishing day for physically challenged kids, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, May 25, at Balsam Lake in Jackson County. Register onsite with Richard McClure, rmcclure02@fs.fed.us or 828.524.6441, ext.

421. n A kids fishing day for kids 7-13, 9 a.m. to

Soccer scholarships offered

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

Log on. Plan a getaway.

Let yourself unplug.

44

2 p.m. Saturday, June 3, in Cullowhee Creek in Jackson County. Space limited. Register with Jackson County Parks and Recreation at 828.557.0618 or call Richard Conley, poopaw3@yahoo.com. n A kids fishing day for kids 15 and under, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at Cliffside Lake in Macon County. Register onsite with Richard McClure, rmcclure02@fs.fed.us or 828.524.6441, ext. 421. n A kids fishing day for kids 12 and under, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 10, at Max Patch Pond in Madison County. Register onsite with Brandon Jones, 828.682.6146 or brandonjones@fs.fed.us. n A fishing clinic at the Haywood County Test Farm, 9-11 a.m. Saturday, June 24. Kids will learn how to cast, bait a hook and remove a fish from the hook. Additional fishing clinic dates are July 15 and Aug. 5.

Space limited. Register with Tanya Poole, tanya.poole@ncwildlife.org or 828.329.3472.

A full list of events is online at http://bit.ly/2pnRLyu.

Two scholarships are available to soccer camps through the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department this summer.

One full scholarship will be offered for a girl to attend the Female Development Soccer Camp, and one full scholarship will be offered for a boy to attend British Soccer Camp. Both camps will be held July 24-28. Scholarships will be given based on financial need, a written composition, an illustration and a coach’s recommendation.

Open to ages 8-14, with an entry deadline of 3 p.m. Monday, June 26. Mail entries to Waynesville Recreation Center — Soccer Camp Scholarships, attn: Donald Hummel, 550 Vance Street, Waynesville, N.C. 28786.

828.456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

Help build a playground for kids with disabilities An effort to build a playground to serve kids with special needs could get a $25,000 boost from a Kiwanis International voting contest — if Western North Carolina residents help out by voting daily through May 31, when the contest closes.

The playground, to be located in Waynesville, would also receive $90,000 in funding from the N.C. Connect bond and a $22,500 contribution from the town.

Smooth, level, rubberized surfaces; plastic

handrails and slides; a new parking lot and sidewalk; and an ADA-compliant picnic shelter and bathrooms would make the playground work for children of all ability levels.

Vote daily at www.bit.ly/play828, and help out by sharing the link on social media and telling friends why you believe the playground would be good for this region.

When voting closes, the top 10 projects will be judged to determine which should receive the prize.

Celebrate National Trails Day

GIVE JOYCE KILMER SOME LOVE

HIKE THE CHIMNEY Volunteers work on trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. File photo National Trails Day is coming up Saturday, June 3, and outdoors organizations across the region will be offering opportunity for folks to get outside and enjoy the mountains.

Organized by the American Hiking Society, National Trails Day is held the first Saturday in June, in 2016 involving more than 2,300 activities that drew participation from more than 168,000 people nationwide.

PLAY IN PANTHERTOWN Friends of Panthertown will celebrate the acquisition of a 16-acre property adjacent to

the Salt Rock Trailhead at the Panthertown Valley Backcountry Recreation Area with a day of kids’ activities, guided hikes and plenty of self-guided exploring.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at noon, in an event featuring live bluegrass music from Pinnacle Ridge and food from the Mojo Kitchen & Lounge food truck, as well as a silent auction and raffle for a YETI Hopper 40 cooler.

Salt Rock Trailhead is located at the end of Breedlove Road near Cashiers. Parking will be limited, so carpooling is encouraged. friends@panthertown.org or 828.269.4453.

Chimney Rock State Park will have a variety of hiking opportunities and nature activities throughout the day, starting with a bird walk at 7 a.m. and ramping up at 11 a.m., when National Trails Day activities get into full swing.

From 11 a.m. to 3 a.m., park naturalists and rock climbing instructors from Fox Mountain Guides will offer guided hikes, rock climbing opportunities and special activities. At 2 p.m., the park will celebrate World Ranger Day with a guided hike along the Hickory Nut Falls Trail, with a ranger who will discuss the park and diverse ways of protecting it.

Most activities are included with the price of admission, though some involve an additional charge. Admission is $6 for youth under 16 and $13 for adults.

828.625.9611.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s highest-elevation campground is set to reopen for the season on Friday, May 26.

Balsam Mountain Campground is located between Cherokee and Maggie Valley off Heintooga Ridge Road. Other park facilities that will open May 26 are the Heintooga picnic area in North Carolina and the Abrams Creek Campground in Tennessee. These will be the last facilities to open for the season.

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A FESTIVAL FOR ALL AGES IN DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN

Turk’s Cap Lilly.

Clay Bolt photo

New photo contest seeks entries The inaugural Highlands Nature Center Photo Contest is seeking entries with images capturing the natural beauty of the Highlands Plateau, with a deadline of June 21.

This year’s theme, “Natural Wonders of the Highlands Plateau,” will include four categories: mountains and valleys; waterways; small wonders; and winged creatures, each with winners in youth and adult categories.

Entries will be displayed at the Highlands Nature Center, with winners receiving a gift card from sponsor Highland Hiker or an item from the nature center gift shop. $10 per photo, with a maximum three submissions per person. Email photos and a release form to highlandsbiological@gmail.com by midnight June 21.

Complete rules are available at www.highlandsbiological.org/photo-contest.

May 24-30, 2017

Final wave of park facilities to open

outdoors

A workday in the Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness will be full of light trail trimming and heavy companionship, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. near Robbinsville.

The day will include about 2 miles of hiking and trail work. Volunteers should bring work gloves, and a hot dog lunch will be provided. Those who stick around into the evening will witness synchronized fireflies.

Organized by Partners of Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness. info@joycekilmerslickrock.org or www.joycekilmerslickrock.org.

Diane E. Sherrill, Attorney

Is a Will Enough?

FREE LUNCHEON SEMINAR

Music • Vendors • Popcorn Garden Arts & Crafts For Sale & More Garden Tours & Demonstrations Wildflower Self-Guided Hikes Fairy Gardens & Houses • Bee Pollinators Reading in the Garden Water Garden Construction & Float your Boat Garden Critters & Ornaments • Herb Garden “Make and Take” Children’s Activities

Saturday, June 3 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Hosted by the Franklin Garden Club Presented by Ethos Wealth Management and Fox Mercantile Franklin in Bloom is made possible by a grant from the Tourism Development Authority of the Town of Franklin and the Franklin/Nantahala Tourism Development Committee

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45

outdoors May 24-30, 2017

Local man takes state leadership in agriculture education

required to earn the N.C. environmental educator certification. To attend a Food, Land & People workshop, contact Gail Heathman at gheathman@haywoodnc.net.

A Waynesville man has been tapped to lead the state’s Project Food, Land & People program, a national education curriculum covering a wide range of agriculture-related subjects.

Retired high school agriculture teacher Charles Boyd, who currently owns WNC Landscaping, has also served for six years on the Haywood Soil and Water Charles Boyd. Donated photo Conservation District’s board of supervisors. In addition, he chairs the N.C. Association’s State Education Committee, representing North Carolina regionally and nationally.

The Food, Land & People program gives educators the tools to enhance student understanding about the relationships between people, land use and agriculture, and it’s one of several workshops

Habitat enhancement continues on Lake Jocassee Now in its third year, the KeoweeToxaway Habitat Enhancement Program funded by Duke Energy has $1.3 million in available funds, with projects totaling $140,000 funded since the program’s implementation in 2015.

Projects thus far have been aimed at improving habitat for fish and birds on the shores of Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee, as well as in their watersheds.

The program is the result of the Keowee-Toxaway Relicensing Agreement that Duke entered into during the KeoweeToxaway Hydroelectric Project Federal energy Regulatory Commission relicensing process. Funds come from a fee charged to individuals and developers seeking lake use permits, as well as from Duke Energy Contributions. The Foothills Community Foundation administers the funds.

Applications for funds are available at www.dukeenergy.com/community/lakes/services/kt hep.

{Celebrating the Southern Appalachians}

Gray-cheeked salamander. Donated photo

Meander with the salamanders The 14th annual Salamander Meander will slither into the Highlands Nature Center 9-10 p.m. Friday, May 26, in Highlands.

The evening will begin with a brief presentation on salamander biology and species identification, followed by a guided walk to search for these magnificent creatures along the garden trails. Rain means an even greater chance to seeing salamanders.

Blitz the Bluff A bioblitz to inventory the biological diversity of Bluff Mountain near Hot Springs will spring to life at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 3, starting from the Hot Springs Community Center parking lot.

Participants will spend the day finding as many species as possible, with results submitted to the U.S. Forest Service as part of a citizens’ proposal for protective management of the mountain.

One of the little-known jewels of the Pisgah National Forest, Bluff Mountain rises more than 3,500 feet above the French Broad River to a height of more than 4,600 feet. The diversity of elevation and habitat promise an abundance of species, but few biological inventories have occurred.

Organized by MountainTrue, with a $20 suggested donation. Register at http://bit.ly/2qH0EHh.

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More salamanders live in the Southern Appalachians than anywhere else in the world, but most people never see them in the wild because salamanders hide by day and are active mainly at night.

Advance registration required with Patrick Brannon, 828.586.4123. $5 per person and open to ages 6 and up. Bring your own flashlight. www.highlandsbiological.org.

The Butterfly Bonanza will take over the Cradle of Forestry in America, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, May 29, near Brevard.

The daylong celebration of these fluttering pollinators will include butterflythemed crafts and activities for children as well as a book signing and butterfly walk with butterfly expert Rita Venable, author

of Butterflies of Tennessee.

The walk will pass through gardens and meadows, focusing on what butterflies need to survive and what gardeners need to know when planting a butterfly garden. $5 for ages 16 and up; free for youth, with America the Beautiful, Golden Age Passport and Every Kid in a Park passes honored.

The Cradle of Forestry is located along U.S. 276, about 35 miles south of Waynesville. 828.877.3130.

Make art in the garden Children’s Day in the Garden will bring local artists and live music to the Cullowhee Community Garden, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 3.

Throughout the afternoon, live music will play and local artists will work with children on naturethemed projects, though folks of all ages are encouraged to participate.

Free. Hosted by Cullowhee Revitilization Endeavor (CuRvE), The Play Sanctuary, The Cullowhee Community Garden and Jackson County Family Resource Center. Sponsored by the Jackson County Arts Council.

The garden is located at 65 South Painter Road. Rain date is June 4.

WNC Calendar COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • A ribbon cutting on the Cherokee Fire Mountain Trail System is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 26, near the Oconaluftee Indian Village and Mountainside Theater in Cherokee. 736.3839.

• A reunion with potluck meal will be held for the descendants of Dallas E. Marcus at noon on Sunday, May 28, at Panther Creek Cemetery at Stecoah Valley Center.

• Descendents of the Kitchens, Parris, Styles, Wiggins families and others displaced when the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will gather at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 28, at Deep Creek for their annual Decoration Day. Travel to Indian Creek Cemetery, decorate graves and return to Deep Creek pavilion for lunch.

ReneaWrites@gmail.com.

• There will be an Open Door Meal & Sing at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 31, at the First United Methodist Church of Sylva. A brief devotional will precede the meal. The Open Door and Sing event is held on the fifth Wednesday in those months which have one. All are welcome and invited to attend.

For more information, please call the church office, 828.586.2358.

The Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays May 26 through Oct. 28 at the Oconaluftee Islands Park. Sit by a bonfire, alongside a river, and listen to some of Cherokee’s best storytellers. The bonfire is free and open to the public. www.visitcherokeenc.com.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • A meeting of current and former employees of the Waynesville plant of Champion/Blue Ridge/Evergreen is held at 8 a.m. on the first Monday of each month at BoJangles near Lake Junaluska’s entrance.

• A Roger Brooks webinar entitled “Getting People to Stop: Crazy & Insane Ideas” will be shown at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 24, at the Town of Waynesville Municipal Building. Brooks is a tourism, branding and marketing expert who teaches stakeholders responsibilities for creating an outstanding downtown and community. info@DowntownWaynesville.com.

• A discussion on energy policy, part of the Great Decisions Series, is scheduled for 5:15-6:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, at the Waynesville Library. Series is focused on critical global issues facing America today.

Registration required: 356.2507 or kolsen@haywoodnc.net.

• Whistle Stop Furniture, which recently held is ribboncutting ceremony, will have a grand re-opening sale from Friday through Monday, May 26-29, at 3590 Georgia Road in Franklin.

• A course in “Conversational French” will be offered from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesdays, May 30-June 27, in Room 139 of WCU’s Cordelia Camp Building in Cullowhee. $79. fjmalissen@wcu.edu or http://go.wcu.edu/speakfrench.

• A Roger Brooks webinar entitled “Economic Impacts: Downtowns & Tourism” will be shown at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31, at the Town of Waynesville Municipal Building. Brooks is a tourism, branding and marketing expert who teaches stakeholders responsibilities for creating an outstanding downtown and community. info@DowntownWaynesville.com.

• A WordPress class will be offered at 5:55 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. 90-minute class will be led by Jim Geary; assisted by library staffer Laura Chapman.

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

Register: 586.2016.

• Boating safety courses will be offered from 6-9 p.m. on June 6-7 in Building 3300, Room 3322, at Haywood Community College in Clyde. Participants must attend both evenings. Register: www.ncwildlife.org.

• “Get Real: A Creative Nonfiction Workshop with Marjorie Klein” will be offered from 6-8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, June 7-July 5, at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial at 52 North Market Street in Asheville. Offered through UNC Asheville’s Great Smokies Writing Program. $152.50 for state residents. $20 nonrefundable application fee for new students. Info or to register: http://unca.edu/gswp or 250.2353.

• “Poetry by Definition: A Poetry Workshop with Eric Nelson” will be offered from 4-6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, June 6-27 and July 11 at Hanger Hall School for Girls in Asheville. Offered through UNC Asheville’s Great Smokies Writing Program. $152.50 for state residents. $20 nonrefundable application fee for new students.

Info or to register: http://unca.edu/gswp or 250.2353.

• “Let It Flow: Genius Creativity Strategies for Writers, a Workshop with Linda Lowery” will be offered from 46:30 p.m. on Wednesdays from June 7 –July 5 at Hanger Hall School for Girls in Asheville. Offered through UNC Asheville’s Great Smokies Writing Program. $152.50 for state residents. $20 nonrefundable application fee for new students. Info or to register: http://unca.edu/gswp or 250.2353.

• Registration is underway for a personal branding workshop with author Nancy Blanton. The workshop is scheduled for 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville. $39 registration fee includes refreshments and a signed copy of Blanton’s book: “Brand Yourself Royally in 8 Simple Steps: Harness the Secrets of Kings and Queens for a Personal Brand that Rules.” 456.6000.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • Asheville Tourist tickets are currently being sold through June 8 at Clyde Elementary School. Each ticket cost $7 which is $1 below gate prices and the school profits half of each ticket sold. Tickets are good for the whole season so stock up and help the school raise money. Contact the school office at 627.2206 to purchase tickets.

• Pat’s School of Dance will hold a Relay for Life Dance presentation at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 27, at the Swain county Center for the Arts. $10.

C_woodard@swaincountync.gov or 488.9273, ext. 2225.

• Casino Night is scheduled for June 3 at the Pavilion at Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville. Fundraiser for the Haywood Healthcare Foundation. Tickets: $100.

452.8343 or marge.stiles@haymed.org.

• Donate 10 cans of food for United Christian Ministries and enjoy free rafting from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday, June 4, through Smoky Mountain River Adventures (586.5285) and Dillsboro River Company (586.3797).

• Donations are being accepted to help renovate the piano in the Elementary building of the old Fines Creek School. 593.7042.

VOLUNTEERS & VENDORS Fabric supplies needed for art camp being held at Waynesville Recreation Center in June. If you wish to donate fabric, please drop off at the Haywood County Arts Council at 86 North Main Street in Waynesville.

Smoky Mountain News

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They will accept donations through June 14. 452.0593, info@haywoodarts.org or www.haywoodarts.org.

• The Swain County Heritage Festival Committee still has booth spaces available for its festival, which is May 26-27, at Riverfront Park in Bryson City.

Prospective vendors, nonprofits and volunteers can contact: 538.0455.

• Town of Dillsboro will be hosting three arts and craft shows open to vendors from the surrounding region.

Over 40 artisans for each of these festivals are needed, artisans who will be displaying and demonstrating their hand made arts and crafts from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Family entertainment and festival food will be available during each show. Second show is Saturday, Aug. 20 — The Dillsboro Summer Arts & Crafts Market showcases local art and fine crafts, with a focus on family and children activities. Application due by June 1. Vendors may apply for these shows by downloading an application from the town’s website, www.visitdillsboro.org. For more information, call Connie Hogan at 586.3511 or email festivals@visitdillsboro.org.

• 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.

HEALTH MATTERS • A “Drugs in Our Midst” program will be offered at 6:30 p.m. on May 24 at Antioch Baptist Church in Crabtree. What’s happening and facts you need to know.

Speakers include Waynesville Police Chief Bill Hollingsed and Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher. 648.1358.

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva. Appointments: 800.733.2767. Info: www.redcrossblood.org.

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 Parks & Recreation department at 11 a.m. on June 24, July 8, July 22 and Aug. 20. $30. Rec.jacksonnc.org or 293.3053.

AUTHORS AND BOOKS • Kentucky author Kim Michele Richardson will hold a discussion on the path to publication at 3 p.m.

Saturday, May 27, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. To reserve copies of her books, please call City Lights Bookstore at 586.9499.

• Diving into the rich, vibrant and controversial history of bluegrass music, If You Can’t Play, Get Off the Stage: Bluegrass in Western North Carolina and Beyond is the debut work from Garret K. Woodward, arts/entertainment editor for The Smoky Mountain News. Woodward will be holding a reading, bluegrass discussion and book signing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 1, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. www.facebook.com/yobrodobro.

• Cookin’ the Books will be held at noon on the last Wednesday of the month at the Waynesville Public Library. A book club focused on cookbooks. All members choose a recipe from the book and bring it to share. The group will discuss the good and bad aspects of the chosen cookbook. 356.2507.

KIDS & FAMILIES

• Preparation for Childbirth classes will be taught by a certified childbirth educator from 7-9 p.m. on Thursdays June 1-June 22, Aug. 3, Aug. 24 and Oct. 12Nov. 2 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. 452.8440 or MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses.

• Registration is underway through June 2 for Sandlot baseball (ages 5-7 as of May 1). Meet from 6-7 p.m. on Mondays at Mark Watson Park in Sylva or from 6-7 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Recreation Park in Cullowhee.

Rec.jacksonnc.org or 293.3053.

• T.H.E. Center for Disordered Eating will host its annual HEAL Conference from 8 a.m.-5:15 p.m. on Friday, June 2, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Asheville.

Registration: $159. thecenternc@gmail.com. Info: www.thecenternc.org.

• Open enrollment is underway for the 2017-18 school year for Haywood Christian Academy. www.HaywoodChristianAcademy.org. Info: 627.0229.

• A TED talk discussion on “How to Make Stress Your Friend” will be offered on Wednesday, June 7, at the Waynesville Library. 15-20 minute talk followed by discussion. Registration required: 356.2507 or kolsen@haywoodnc.net.

RECREATION AND FITNESS • Open play and practice for adult coed volleyball will be offered at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in May and June at the Waynesville Recreation Center. $4 per person for nonmembers; free for members. 456.2030.

• Registration for a Women’s Tennis League through the Jackson County Recreation Department will run through May 28. $10 singles, $20 doubles. For ages 14-up. www.rec.jacksonnc.org.

• Registration for a Men’s Racquetball League through the Jackson County Recreation Department will run through May 28. $10 singles, $20 doubles. For ages 14up. www.rec.jacksonnc.org.

• An opportunity the Bellyak (prone paddling/lay-on-top kayaking) will be offered through the Jackson County

• Registration has begun for Youth Spring Soccer through the Jackson County Parks & Recreation Department. Open to players born between 2003-12.

Birth certificates required for first-time players. $55. www.rec.jacksonnc.org.

• A Youth Fishing Day will be offered for ages 5-12 through the Jackson County Parks & Recreation department from 9-11:30 a.m. on June 17, July 15, Aug. 19 and Sept. 16. Introduction to freshwater fishing. $5 per day. Rec.jacksonnc.org or 293.3053.

• Balsam Lake Physically Challenged Kids Fish Day is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, in Jackson County. 524.6441, ext. 421. http://bit.ly/2pnRLyu. • Sports physicals will be offered for Haywood County student-athletes on Thursday, May 27, by Haywood Regional Medical Center and Haywood Regional Sports Medicine. Times are: 3:30 p.m. for Bethel Middle; 4:15 p.m. for Canton Middle, 5 p.m. for Waynesville Middle; and 5:45 p.m. for Tuscola and Pisgah High. 452.8080.

• The Children’s Day in the Garden will be held from noon-5 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, at the Cullowhee Community Garden at 65 S. Painter Road in Cullowhee.

Local artists will work with children on various naturethemed art projects throughout the day. 312.508.9404.

wnc calendar

• A Kids Crew Summer Party is going on until 3 p.m. on June 3 at the Factory in Franklin. $19.99 for an hour of jumping, kids pizza buffet, unlimited video games and mini golf plus a $10 bonus.

• Kids Fishing Day will be held starting at 9 a.m. on June 3 at Cliffside Lake in Highlands and Rattler Ford in Robbinsville; and starting at 7 a.m. on the same day at Cherokee Lake. 524.6441.

• Marianna Black Library will present “Build a Better World” – a summer learning program – from June 5July 30 in Bryson City. Children will be awarded prizes for reading (or being read to) 15 minutes each day.

488.3030.

• Western Carolina University will hold a public information session at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 5, at Smoky Mountain High School in Sylva for parents interested in enrolling their children in the Catamount School – a new laboratory school being established for children in grades 6-8 in Jackson County. 227.7311.

• Registration is underway for this summer’s Adventure Day Camp at Lake Logan. One-week camps start on June 19. For grades 1-5. $225 weekly fee.

Snacks, crafts, activities, guest speakers and adventure. Susan@lakelogan.org or 646.0095.

ONGOING KIDS ACTIVITIES AND CLUBS • A Tuesday Library Club for ages 5-12 meets at 4 p.m. each Tuesday (except for the fifth Tuesday on months that occurs) at the Canton Library. Hands-on activities like exercise, cooking, LEGOs, science experiments and crafts. 648.2924 or kpunch@haywoodnc.net.

• A program called “Imagine,” an art program for children 8-12 meets at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Jackson County Public Library. Program contains art, writing, and drama. 586.2016.

May 24-30, 2017

• Rompin’ Stompin’, an hourlong storytime with music, movement and books, is held at 11 a.m. on Fridays at the Canton Library. For ages zero to six. 648.2924.

• Library Olympics will be held at 2 p.m. on Fridays at Jackson County Public Library. Children age 5 and up get active through relay races, bingo, mini golf.

586.2016.

• Family Story Time is held on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Canton Public Library. Ages 0-6. Stories, songs, dance and crafting. 648.2924.

• Teen Coffeehouse is at 4:30 p.m. on the first, third, and fourth Tuesday at Jackson County Public Library.

Spend time with other teens talking and sharing. 12 and up. 586.2016.

Thursdays and Fridays at the Old Armory in Waynesville. For more info, contact Margaret Williams at 301.0649 or mvwilliams39@gmail.com.

Smoky Mountain News

• Art classes are available for kids 10 and older from 4:15-5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Bascom in Highlands. $15 per class. 787.2865 or www.thebascom.org.

• Art Adventure classes are taught for ages 5-10 from 3:30-4:45 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Bascom in Highlands. Theme: metal. Instructor: Bonnie Abbott. $20 per month. 787.2865.

•A Lego club will meet at 4 p.m. every fourth Thursday of the month, at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Library provides Legos and Duplos for ages 3 and up.

Free. 488.3030.

• Science Club is held at 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month for grades K-6 at the Macon County Public Library. 524.3600.

• A Lego Club meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 4 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. at the Macon County Public Library. 526.3600.

• A Lego Club meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 4:30 p.m. at Jackson County Public Library. 5862016.

48 • A Lego Club meets at 4 p.m. on the fourth Thursday

of the month at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Legos and Duplos provided for ages three and up.

488.3030.

• Children’s craft time, fourth Wednesday, 3:45 p.m. at Cashiers Community Library. 743.0215

ing Billy Strings (2 p.m.), Town Mountain (3:15 p.m.), Love Canon (4:45 p.m.), Balsam Range (7:15 p.m.) and a special surprise national act (8:30 p.m.). There will also be food and craft beer vendors onsite. Tickets are $75 for adults, $30 for youth ages 13-18 and free for kids under age 12. www.coldmountainmusic.org.

• The Cherokee Summer Carnival is June 6-10 in Cherokee. 359.6113

KIDS FILMS • “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is playing at the Strand on Main in Waynesville on May 24-25 at 7 p.m.

See website for pricing, 38main.com.

• The Cherokee Bluegrass Festival is June 8-10 at Happy Holiday Campground in Cherokee.

410.392.0003.

• A family movie will be shown at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30, at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Movie is about a fifth-grade outcasts who become friends and create a make-believe kingdom. Info, including movie title: 488.3030.

• The annual Appalachian Lifestyle Celebration will take place Saturday, June 10, on Main Street in Waynesville. 456.3517 or www.downtownwaynesville.com.

• “Wonder Women” will be shown at The Strand on Main in Waynesville on June 2-3 at 7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m., June 4 at 2 p.m., and June 5-8 at 7 p.m., and at 7 p.m, and 9:55 p.m. on June 9-10, June 11 at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m., and June 12-15 at 7 p.m.

38main.com.

• “Beauty and the Beast” will be shown on June 9 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and June 10 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. by Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free.

• A family movie will be shown at 10:30 a.m. every Friday at Hudson Library in Highlands.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • The Canton Armory will host “Winter Pickin’ in the Armory” at 7 p.m. every first and third Friday of the month. The event includes mountain music, vintage country, clogging and dancing. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Free. www.cantonnc.com.

• Tickets are on sale now for a 3 Doors Down performance as a fundraiser for the Better Life Foundation on Oct. 21 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or 800.745.3000.

• Bogart’s Restaurant & Tavern (Waynesville) will host Carolina Catskins (bluegrass) May 25 and Bull Moose Party (bluegrass) June 1. All shows are free and begin at 6:30 p.m.

A&E FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS • Swain County Heritage Festival will be held May 2627 at Riverfront Park in Bryson City. There will be Friday night entertainment from 6 to 9 p.m. and activities all day Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Live music, arts and crafts, kids’ activities, log-sawing competition, and more. 538.0455.

• Strawberry Jam is May 27 at Darnell Farms, featuring a performance from Grammy winning artist Bill Mize.

Fresh fruits and vegetables grown by the farm, plow and Appalachian demonstrations, craft vendors, pony rides, petting zoo, camping, fishing, hayrides, inflatables, face painting, and more. Admission is free.

Donations accepted for the upkeep and maintenance of the farm. www.darnellfarms.com.

• “The Great Gatsby” will be on stage through June 11 at HART Theatre in Waynesville. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on May 26-27, June 2 and June 8-10 and at 2 p.m. on June 4 and June 11. Reservations: 456.6322 or www.harttheatre.org.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Good Direction (rock) 7 p.m. May 26 and The Rock Dodgers (bluegrass/classic rock) May 27. All shows are free. www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• WCU Road Works will perform “Livin’ the Dream” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24, in the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. 524.3600. To book Road Works: jhenson@wcu.edu or 227.2711.

• Chris Rock will perform at Harrah’s in Cherokee on May 25 at 8 p.m.

• Bogart’s Restaurant & Tavern (Waynesville) will host Carolina Catskins (bluegrass) May 25 at 6:30 p.m.

Free.

• Strawberry Festival is May 27 at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds. 359.6491.

• The Catamount Singers and Electric Soul will perform modern pop tunes, jazz standards and classic rock at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. 488.3030.

• A “Rockin’ Block Party” will be held from 7-10 p.m. on Saturday, May 27, in Waynesville. Three live bands and dinner. The Flying Saucers (Motown/country/variety), Andrew Scotchie and the River Rats (high energy funk, rock and blues) and the Blue Ridge Band (big band and swing).

• Eastern Blues Band (jazz and blues) and Will Hayes Band (classic country/rock) will perform from 7-9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, May 26-27, respectively, at the Cherokee Welcome Center Kiosk in Cherokee. Part of “Music on the River” series. 359.6490 or travel@nccherokee.com.

• Native American Arts Festival in the Smokies is from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on May 28-29 at the Cherokee Fairgrounds in Cherokee. Guest speaker is Niles Aseret, who will talk about code talker awareness. Also featured: hoop dancer Cody Boettner and Native American dancing and singing.

• A master humorist with down-home, hilarious comedy suitable for all ages paired with a Southern accent and gift for storytelling, comedian James Gregory will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 26, at The Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Tickets start at $17 each. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

• An Open Door Meal & Sing will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31, at First United Methodist Church of Sylva. 586.2358.

• Franklin in Bloom is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, in Franklin. Children’s activities, garden tours, gardening demonstrations, hikes, fairy gardens and houses and more. 369.2590.

• The inaugural Cold Mountain Music festival will be held on Saturday, June 3, at the Lake Logan Conference Center. Gates open at noon. Live music by some of the biggest names in bluegrass and string music, includ-

• The Smoky Mountain International Conducting Institute will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. on May 27 at the First United Methodist Church of Waynesville.

• The Triple Threat Musical Theatre Show will be at 2 p.m. May 28 at the Bardo Arts Center on the Western Carolina University campus in Cullowhee.

• The Pressley Girls will perform traditional mountain music at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, at Smoky Mountain Theater in Bryson City. $10. Proceeds benefit the Lauada Cemetery Association.

• Tickets are on sale for Leslie Jones’ comedy performance, which is July 1 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. www.ticketmaster.com or 800.745.3000.

• The premier Journey tribute band, Departure will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 2, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Tickets are $18. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 273.4615.

• Tickets are on sale now for a performance by Laura Story (contemporary Christian), Balsam Range (bluegrass) and the Lake Junaluska Singers on July 3 at Lake Junaluska. www.lakejunaluska.com/concerts or 800.222.4930.

SUMMER MUSIC SERIES • Robert Wolfe & the Renegades (country) will perform from 7-9 p.m. on June 2 at the Cherokee Welcome Center Kiosk in Cherokee. Part of “Music on the River” series. 359.6490 or travel@nc-cherokee.com.

• Stereospread (Techno) will perform from 7-9 p.m. on June 3 at the Cherokee Welcome Center Kiosk in Cherokee. Part of “Music on the River” series.

359.6490 or travel@nc-cherokee.com.

• The “Concerts on the Creek” series at Bridge Park in Sylva will host The Robertson Boys (bluegrass) on May 26 and Grandpa’s Cough Medicine (bluegrass) On June 2 Both shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.mountainlovers.com.

• Clay County Community Revitalization will host a Friday Concert Series this summer starting on May 26 with Holman Autry Band (rock/country) and Just Us (bluegrass) on June 9 at Town Square in Hayesville. All shows begin at 7 p.m. www.ccra-nc.org.

• The “Friday Night Live” concert series at the Town Square in Highlands will host Silly Ridge Round Up on May 26 and Southern Highlands on June 2. Free and begins at 6 p.m. www.highlandschamber.org.

• The “Groovin’ on the Green” concert series at The Village Green in Cashiers will host Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’Blues (rock/blues) on May 27 and Geoff McBride (pop/soul) on June 2. Both shows are free and begin at 6:30 p.m. www.villagegreencashiersnc.com.

• The “Pickin’ On The Square” concert series will host Sundown (classic rock/country) on May 27 and The Johnny Webb Band (country) on June 3. All shows are free and begin at 7:30 p.m. www.townoffranklinnc.com or 524.2516.

• The “Tunes on the Tuck” concert series will host Somebody’s Child (Americana) on June 3 and Twelfth Fret (Americana) on June 24. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.greatsmokies.com.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • The Town of Canton is accepting submissions for the 111th Labor Day Festival “A Celebration of All Things Made in Western North Carolina” until 4 p.m. on Aug. 21. Send artist bio, photos and sample of work to: Town of Canton, Attn.: Canton Labor Day; 58 Park Street; Canton, NC 28716. 648.2363.

• Registration is underway for Western Carolina University’s School of Music summer camps in trombone and saxophone. Camps run June 11-June 16 for high school and undergraduate college students. $599 cost includes accommodations. Undergraduates may pay a commuter/day student rate of $400. Limited number of scholarships available. zsabo@wcu.edu or jeffress@wcu.edu. Info: camps.wcu.edu or 227.7397.

• Penland School of Crafts has open spaces in its first summer session available at half tuition to area residents. Complete information is available in the workshops section of the Penland website: www.penland.org. 765.2359, ext 1306.

• The Jackson County Arts Council is now accepting applications for Grassroots Sponsorship for 2017-18.

Grassroots Sponsorships are awarded to organizations in all cultural disciplines The deadline for applications

is June 30, 2017. www.jacksoncountyarts.org or info@jacksoncountyarts.org or 507.9820.

wnc calendar

• A “Paint & Sip” workshop will be held from noon to 2 p.m.

Friday, May 26, at Gallery Zella in Bryson City. $50 per person, which includes materials. Instructor is Jon Houglum, known as one of the area’s best oil painters.

• A “Blacksmithing Fundamentals” program will be offered May 27-28 at the Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. For ages 13-up.

Register: 631.0271 or chelseamiller@jacksonnc.org. www.JCGEP.org.

• A gourd gathering event will be held from June 1-4 at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds in Cherokee. 497.2717.

• “Let’s Talk about It” – a library discussion series among scholars and community members – will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, at the Waynesville Library. Topic is “One Writer’s Beginnings” featuring autobiographical essays by Eudora Welty, winner of the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

• A class on making aromatic lavender wands will be offered through the Jackson County Cooperative Extension from 10 a.m.noon on Tuesday, June 6. Fee: $5. Register: 586.4009.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES • There will be an artist reception from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 26, at Gallery Zella in Bryson City. Artists include Melissa Enloe Walter (jewelry), Wendy Cordwell (collagist), Jon Houglum (painter), Brian Hannum (photographer) and Drew Campbell (photographer). Enjoy North Carolina wine, food and music. Event is free.

• “Spirit of Place: Artwork by Elizabeth Ellison” – an art exhibit – will be on display starting May 27 at the Asheville Arboretum.

Remains on display through Sept. 4.

• The inaugural Shelton House Crafter Showcase opens on June 1 at the Shelton House and the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts in Waynesville. www.sheltonhouse.org or info@sheltonhouse.org.

May 24-30, 2017

• An exhibition of 100 quilts ranging from artistic wall hangings to traditional bed quilts will be on display from Friday through Sunday, June 2-4, at the Folkmoot Center in Waynesville. Quilt Art by the Shady Ladies. $5 admission; donated to Folkmoot.

312.550.3280.

• The Western North Carolina “Artists Count” project is hosting a series of exhibitions to highlight the rich visual contributions made by area artists. The first such exhibit, “Smoky Mountains Sampler” is now open at the Welcome Center north of Asheville on Interstate 26. Southwestern Community College instructors Ed McIlvaine and Susan Coe as well as SCC student Kari McIlvaine have their pottery on display through July.

• New artist and medium will be featured every month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville.

356.2800.

Admission is by donation; $7 is suggested. arts4all@dnet.net or 524.ARTS (2787).

FILM & SCREEN

Smoky Mountain News

• As part of the Arts Council’s Integrated Arts initiative, a sampling of works by renowned Macon County sculptor Nelson Nichols (www.nicholssculpture.com) will be displayed at this event. Executed in stone, bronze, and wood, Nichols’ sculptural body of work reflects his unique style, Spiritual Expressionism, encompassing anatomical/figurative pieces in classical realism, a series of abstract interpretations, a series illustrating universal/spiritual concepts, and an environmentally inspired series including sculptures of endangered/threatened species.

Puzzles can be found on page 54.

These are only the answers.

• ABC’s Dirty Dancing remake, which was shot in Jackson County, will be shown at 8 a.m. on May 24.

• A “Dirty Dancing” screening party will be held from 5-11 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24, at High Hampton Inn and Country Club in Cashiers. $44. RSVP: 743.65000.

• “Inglorious Basterds” is showing at 7:30 p.m. on May 25 at Mad Batter Food and Film in Sylva. Free. Madbatterfoodfilm.com.

• “The Natural” is playing at 7:30 p.m. on May 26 at Mad Batter Food and Film in Sylva. Free. Madbatterfoodfilm.com.

• “Forrest Gump” is being shown at 7 p.m. on May 27 at Mad

Find us at: facebook.com/ smnews

49

Batter Food and Film in Sylva. Free.

Madbatterfoodfilm.com.

wnc calendar

• “The Zookeeper’s Wife” will be shown at 7 p.m. on May 26, May 27 at 1 p.m., May 28 at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. and 7 p.m. on May 29-June 1 at The Strand on Main in Waynesville. 38main.com.

Outdoors SFR, ECO, GREEN

• A Casting for Beginners: Level 1 class will be offered to ages 12-up from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 24 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard. Registration required: http://tinyurl.com/jq4r6x3. Info: 877.4423.

• The Franklin Bird Club will have a bird walk along the Greenway at 8 a.m. on May 24. Meet at the Big Bear shelter parking area.

524.5234.

147 WALNUT STREET • WAYNESVILLE

• The Gem and Mineral Society of Franklin will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, at the Masonic Lodge in Franklin. Light refreshments.

828.506.7137

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• A stargazing event will be offered by the Astronomy Club of Asheville at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 26, at Purchase Knob. An evening of telescopes, wine, heavy hors d’oeuvres and live music. Fundraiser for the Kathryn McNeil Endowment for a full-time, year-round “Parks as Classrooms” Resource Education Ranger at the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center. $50 per person. Tickets: donate.friendsofthesmokies.org or 452.0720.

• The annual “Salamander Meander” will be held from 9-10 p.m. on Friday, May 26, at the Highlands Nature Center in Highlands.

Presentation on salamander biology and species identification followed by short, guided walk in search of the creatures. Bring a flashlight. $5 per person. Advance registration required: 526.4123.

• Cherokee’s Memorial Day Trout Tournament is May 26-28. $11 registration fee; $10 fishing permits for ages 12 and up. Permits and registration fees may be purchased from a variety of businesses within Cherokee or at www.FishCherokee.com. 359.6110 or 788.3013.

• Cataloochee Trout Unlimited will hold its Fly Fishing School from May 26-28 at Lake Logan Conference Center. Three days, two nights, allinclusive. $850 per person. Register: https://goo.gl/jrJpyf.

mobrig@Beverly-Hanks.com

ESIDENTIAL

• Friends of Panthertown will hold a trail work day and wildflower hike from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, May 26, along Greenland Creek Trail.

269.4453 or friends@panthertown.org.

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

• “Introduction to Fly Fishing: Lake Fishing” will be offered to ages 12-up from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on May 26 by the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard. Registration required: http://tinyurl.com/jq4r6x3. Info: 877.4423.

• A birding experience with Western Carolina University professors Jeremy Hyman and Barbara Ballentine will be offered by the Highlands Audubon Society at 7 a.m. on May 27 at Founders Park in Highlands. Roadside birding and easy walking. www.highlandsaudubonsociety.org or 526.1939.

• “Bogs, Bugs and Beavers” is scheduled for 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 27, at the Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah Forest. Guided walks along the Pink Beds Trail to interpret the natu-

ral history of beavers, their wetland-creating activities and the changing habitats they create. $5 for ages 16-up; free for 15-under. https://cradleofforestry.com/event/bogs-bugsand-beavers • The Highlands Plateau Greenway will have a work day from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, May 27. Meet at the large upper parking lot in the Recreation Park. If interested: highlandsgreenway@nctv.com or 482.1451.

• An eco-forum on the Great American Eclipse will be held at 6:30 p.m. on June 2 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Franklin.

Featuring Dr. Enrique Gomez, associate professor of Physics and Astronomy at Western Carolina University. Meet and greet at 5:30 p.m.; covered dish share at 6 p.m. 524.3691 or SandiDonn2@yahoo.com.

• “Butterfly Bonanza” is scheduled for 9 a.m.5 p.m. on Monday, May 29, at the Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah Forest. Author Rita Venable will be at the Cradle of Forestry Discovery Center signing her book “Butterflies of Tennessee” and sharing her knowledge. $5 for ages 16-up; free for 15-under. https://cradleofforestry.com/event/butterfly-bonanza.

• “On the Water: Davidson River” will be offered to ages 12-up from 9 a.m.-noon on May 30 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard. Practice fly-fishing skills under supervision of fly-fishing instructors. Registration required: http://tinyurl.com/jq4r6x3. Info: 877.4423.

• The Franklin Bird Club will have a bird walk along the Greenway at 8 a.m. on May 31. Meet at Salali Lane; parking is off Fox Ridge Road south of Franklin Flea Market on Highlands Road. 524.5234.

• A cycling ride leaves at 8 a.m. on Saturdays beginning in June from South Macon Elementary School. Routes vary with distances typically 15-25 miles. Road bikes only. A no drop ride. Organized by Smoky Mountain Bicycles, 828.369.2881 or info@smokymtnbikes.com.

• A “Wildflower Discovery and Identification – Andrews Bald” program will be offered from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, June 2, starting at the Forney Ridge trailhead at Clingman’s Dome.

Register: dana@gsmassoc.org or 865.436.7318, ext. 349.

• America’s Synchronous Firefly Event will be offered through Discover Life in America from 7-11 p.m. on June 2, 3 or 4. Learn about and experience the wonder and mystery of the flashing synchronous firefly phenomenon. Rain or shine. Tickets: $150 per person.

Reservations: todd@dlia.org or 865.430.4757.

• Jackson County Parks and Recreation will hold a Summer Kickoff Campout from June 3-4 at the Ralph J. Andrews Campground. $25.

Registration required: 200.3345, 293.3053 or http://rec.jacksonnc.org.

• A “Kids Learn to Fish” program will be offered from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, at the Recreation Park in Cullowhee.

Preregistration required: http://rec.jacksonnc.org.

• Birding for Beginners and beyond will be held at 7:30 a.m. on June 3 at Cashiers Commons. With Russ Regnery, president of the Highlands Audubon Society. www.highlandsaudubonsociety.org or 526.1939.

• A chapter potluck dinner will be held by the Highlands Audubon Society at 7:30 p.m. on June 6 at the Highlands Civic Center, 600 N. 4th Street in Highlands. www.highlandsaudubonsociety.org or 526.1939.

• Mainspring Conservation Trust will host a “A Walk Back in Time: Cherokee History on Cowee Mound” from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on June 8 in Macon County. http://tinyurl.com/l9zvte5.

FARM AND GARDEN • A Master Gardener Plant Clinic is offered every business day through Sept. 22. Call 456.3575 with any gardening question.

• Local farmers can stop by the Cooperative Extension Office on Acquoni Road from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every fourth Friday to learn about USDA Farm Service Agency programs in the 2014 Farm Bill. Info: 488.2684, ext. 2 (Wednesday through Friday) or 524.3175, ext.

2 (Monday through Wednesday).

• The Macon County Poultry Club of Franklin meets at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Cooperative Extension Office on Thomas Heights Rd, Open to the public.

369.3916.

FARMERS MARKET • The Jackson county Farmers Market is from 9 a.m.-noon each Saturday at Bridge Park on Railroad Ave. in Sylva. www.jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org. 393.5236.

• A community tailgate market for local growers is open from 3-7 p.m. every Wednesday at The Village Green Commons in Cashiers.

734.3434, info@villagegreencashiersnc.com or www.villagegreencashiersnc.com.

• Haywood Historic Farmers Market is held from 8 a.m.-noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the parking lot of HART Theatre in Waynesville. haywoodfarmersmarket@gmail.com, www.waynesvillefarmersmarket.com or www.facebook.com/HaywoodHistoricFarmersM arket.

• The Original Waynesville Tailgate Market is from 8 a.m.-noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 171 Legion Drive in Waynesville (behind Bogart’s). 456.1830 or vrogers12@att.net.

• The Jackson County Farmers Market will be on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon at Bridge Park located in Sylva. Info: 393.5236. jacksoncountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com or website jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org.

• The ‘Whee Farmer’s Market is open from 4 p.m. to dusk every Tuesday at the University Inn on 563 N. Country Club Drive in Cullowhee, behind the entrance to the Village of Forest Hills off Highway 107 across from Western Carolina University. 476.0334. www.facebook.com/CullowheeFarmersMarket.

• The Franklin Farmers Tailgate Market is from 8 a.m.-noon on Saturdays on East Palmer Street across from Drake Software in Franklin.

349.2049 or alan_durden@ncsu.edu.

• Swain County Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Fridays through October at the barn on Island Street in Bryson City.

488.3848 or Christine_bredenkamp@ncsu.edu.

COMPETITIVE EDGE • The Merrell Adventure Dash is at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 27, at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Includes a 5K dash and 1K fun run featuring climbs, nets a river run and mud pit.

Jon Stickley Trio will perform live following the race on the Adventure Center Deck. $20 entry or free for kids 12 and younger. Online registration through May 24: www.ultrasignup.com.

PRIME REAL ESTATE Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

LEAGAL ADVERTISEMENTS & PUBLIC 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

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL STECOAH GYMNASIUM STRATEGIC REDEVELOPMENT STUDY Project Description The Stecoah Valley Arts, Crafts & Educational Center, Inc. is seeking a qualified firm to conduct a feasibility and market study for the re-use of the gymnasium building located in Graham County, NC. The 10-acre property consists of the completely renovated 1926 rock schoolhouse (main building) and the 10,000 SF gymnasium building built in 1950.

Scope of Services The Scope of Services includes a careful study and analysis of each concept needs to be completed to determine practical and sustainable re-use of the facility.

Elements of the study should include: * Market Analysis. * Analyze spending patterns within the region. * Identify tourism and other market draws. * Identify other programs and services not available within the region. * Identify community needs. * Identify other possible development concepts not previously determined. * Test each concept under current market conditions to determine whether each can reach self-sufficiency.

Cost Estimate * Determine cost of renovation under each concept. * Separate into construction and non-construction elements. * Determine startup costs of each concept. * Identify special considerations – organizational mission, historic status and environmental issues. * Determine on-going operational costs of each concept including maintenance and repair.

Build-Out Recommendations * In-depth analysis and report of each concept. * Develop floor plans, necessary features and equipment, staffing plans for each concept. * Identify number of uses each concept can provide. * Identify new and/or expanded programs and/or services of each concept.

Outcome: The Stecoah Valley Strategic Redevelopment Study project will provide the information needed to determine what will be a viable venture for the building re-use. The project will also determine the strengths and weaknesses of a proposed venture, cost required, value to be attained, details of the proposed operations/management and market research.

Project Contact/Submittal: The contact for this project is Jennifer West. Submit proposal via email to jennifer@stecoahvalleycenter.com on or before June 26, 2017 to: Jennifer West, Asst. Executive Director Stecoah Valley Center 121 Schoolhouse Road, Robbinsville, NC 28771 828.479.3364 jennifer@stecoahvalleycenter.com

BUILDING MATERIALS HAYWOOD BUILDERS Garage Doors, New Installations Service & Repairs, 828.456.6051 100 Charles St. Waynesville Employee Owned.

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DAVE’S CUSTOM HOMES OF WNC, INC Free Estimates & Competitive rates. References avail. upon request. Specializing in: Log Homes, remodeling, decks, new construction, repairs & additions.

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Licensed/Insured. 828.631.0747 or 828.508.0316 GOT MOLDOr think you might have it? Mold can be hazardous to you and your family’s health! Get rid of it now!

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TAX SEIZURE/REPO AUCTION. Saturday, June 3 @ 10am. 201 S Central Ave. Locust, NC. Selling Seized & Repo items for NCDOR & Wells Fargo, Cars, Trucks, Vans, Camper, Porshe, Mechanic's & Machine Shop. 704.791.8825.

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FARM EQUIPMENT AUCTION. Orangeburg, SC. Several John Deere Tractors, Planters, Unverferth Strip Till, Amadas Peanut Combine & More. Bid online at howebid.com. 864.268.4399.

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YOUR AD COULD REACH 1.6 MILLION HOMES ACROSS NC! Your classified ad could be reaching over 1.6 Million Homes across North Carolina! Place your ad with The Smoky Mountain News on the NC Statewide Classified Ad Network- 118 NC newspapers for a low cost of $330 for 25-word ad to appear in each paper! Additional words are $10 each. The whole state at your fingertips! It's a smart advertising buy! Call Scott Collier at 828.452.4251 or for more information visit the N.C. Press Association's website at www.ncpress.com

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Equipment from 6+ Restaurants, Bars, Pizza, Ice Cream & others.

Also, Pool Supply Company.

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CAMPERS MOTORHOME FOR SALE 2000 Monaco Diplomat, 315hp diesel pusher, 38ft long, 2 slide outs.

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CHEMICAL GROWING and HIRING

EMPLOYMENT CNA’S/IN-HOME AIDES Needed in the Bryson City area.

For more info please call Susan at 828.586.1570 or Toll-Free at 888.586.1570 AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINING Get FAA Technician Certification.

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Financial Aid If Qualified. Job Placement Assistance. Call Aviation Institute Of Maintenance 1.866.724.5403 SAPA WEATHERIZATION SPECIALIST Mountain Projects Inc. is currently accepting applications for a full-time Weatherization Specialist in Haywood County.

Must have experience with Weatherization Rehab, General Carpentry, Plumbing and Electrical experience in Construction Industry is needed. Please apply at MPI 2251 Old Balsam Rd Waynesville, NC 28786 or www.mountainprojects.org EOE/AA EARN $500 A DAY: Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Wants Insurance Agents - Leads, No Cold Calls - Commissions Paid Daily - Agency Training - Life License Required. Call 1.888.713.6020 FTCC Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following positions: Grounds Technician Part-Time Welding Instructor Senior Vice President for Business & Finance For detailed information and to apply, please visit our employment portal at: https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.com/ Human Resources Office Phone: 910.678.7342 Internet: http://www.faytechcc.edu An Equal Opportunity Employer HOUSEKEEPING/FRONT DESK STAFF NEEDED Jonathan Creek Inn in Maggie Valley is Currently Hiring for Housekeeping & Front Desk.

Year-round Position, Background Check Req. Must be able to Work Weekends. Apply in Person 4324 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley, NC

EMPLOYMENT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS Is Seeking a Motivated Professional Who Enjoys Meeting People and Helping Businesses with Their Marketing Needs. We Have an Immediate Opening for a Full-Time Sales Representative in Haywood County.

Contact Greg Boothroyd at: greg@smokymountainnews.com MAPLE TREE VETERINARY Hospital is hiring FT experienced Veterinary Technician. Open interviews Thursday, May 25th @ 2pm. Bring Cover Letter, Resume & References. Applications will be provided. If you plan to attend Email: staff@mapletreevet.com FTCC Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following positions: Business Administration Instructor, Business Administration/ Human Resources Management Instructor, Certified Nursing Assistant Instructor-Con. Ed Division, Director of Library Services, Latent Evidence/Criminal Justice Instructor, Senior Vice President for Business and Finance. For detailed information and to apply, please visit our employment portal at: https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.com Human Resources Office Phone: 910.678.7342 Internet: http://www.faytechcc.edu An Equal Opportunity Employer 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 NUCLEAR POWERPaid Training, great salary, benefits, $ for school. Gain valued skills. No exp needed. HS grads ages 17-34. Call 800.662.7419.

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Send Resumé to: contactgiles@gileschemical.com Or Complete an Application in Person at: 102 Commerce Street, Waynesville

Is Looking for a Graphic Designer to Work up to 30 Hours per Week on a Regular Schedule. We Need Someone Proficient with Mac-Based Design Programs, Specifically Adobe Creative Suite and QuarkXpress. Job Duties Include Producing Ads for Our Newspaper and Other Print Products. The Ideal Candidate Would also Possess Good Layout Skills and be Able to Help with Various Niche Magazines Produced In-House. Hourly Rate Commensurate with Experience. Email Resumes to:

GILES is an EEO Employer

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FINANCIAL BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company.

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Hardware Stores, The Home Depot, homedepot.com

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Handmade in Haywood County. 1 for $20, 2 or More for $15 each.

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Haywood County Real Estate Agents

WNC MarketPlace

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54

CROSSWORD

PLANETS OUT OF ALIGNMENT ACROSS 1 Get in a trap 8 Diner dishes 15 Long tales 20 One finding something 21 Mishmash 22 Match venue 23 Additional examination [3rd from the sun] 25 McLain of old baseball 26 Sioux tribe members 27 Scene 28 Tranquil 30 — Island (old immigration point) 32 Poker style 33 Eve’s music 36 Sends in, as payment 38 Run things 39 Result of a minor infraction in hockey [8th from the sun] 42 Specks in la Seine 43 Not be well 44 “Sand” actor Estevez 45 Fencing weapons 46 Hall-of-Fame Jets running back [4th from the sun] 49 Launch platforms 51 Italian for “seven” 52 Complacent 54 Projecting crane arm 57 Major fuss 61 Lie in court [5th from the sun] 67 “I’m keeping my eye —!”

68 Work site supervisors 69 Book review?

70 One enlisting GIs [1st from the sun] 73 Milk sugar 75 Where one lives: Abbr.

76 Sty feed 77 Gabrielle of modeling and volleyball 79 Part of AFB 81 Moon rock source [7th from the sun] 88 — gin fizz (cocktail) 91 Ancient Indian emperor called “the Great” 94 Colo. clock setting 95 Whitish gem 96 Unexpected nice thing [6th from the sun] 99 Fight arbiters 100 Comic Berle 101 JFK takeoff guess 102 Wine-related prefix 103 Don’t dissent 104 “Peter Pan” penner 106 Gen. Robert — 107 Pair 108 “Zip your lip!”

109 “Inherited or acquired” dichotomy [2nd from the sun] 116 Tolerate 117 Like sandals 118 Not shown, as on TV 119 Died down 120 Nonvital body organs 121 People being quizzed

5 EIdest Musketeer 6 Some deer 7 Goof up 8 — -gatherum 9 Carnivore’s intake 10 Couture magazine 11 Place 12 Naval acad. grad 13 — Fridays 14 Meeting of Cong.

15 Made blue 16 Tourists’ aids 17 Non-Jewish 18 Funicello of film 19 Declare 24 Home of Elaine, in Arthurian lore 29 Prior to, poetically 30 Actor Dane 31 Lollapalooza 32 Reach by water, in a way 33 Lay waste to 34 Ocean off Ga. and Fla. 35 U.S. architect I.M. — 37 OS part: Abbr.

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62 “Either he goes — go!”

63 Confronted 64 Mrs., in Nice 65 Sprinter, e.g.

66 Extend (out) 68 To and — 71 Ar-tee linkup 72 Not dirty 73 To a smaller degree 74 Not obtuse 78 Badgers’ kin 79 River or lake outing 80 Various 81 Ear-piercing 82 Odessa loc.

83 Emperor exiled to Elba 84 “No deal!”

85 Gap 86 Cozy eatery 87 Additional 88 LP stat 89 “Arabian Nights” hero 90 Skin pigment 92 Beatified Fr. woman 93 Pres. initials 97 Singer DiFranco 98 Keanu of film 103 Subtle glows 105 Seth’s eldest 106 Deco artist 107 Sand hill 108 Raven’s cry 110 Smartphone download 111 No. in the white pages 112 A, in French 113 Enthusiast 114 R&B singer Des’— 115 Mag workers

answers on page 49

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WEEKLY SUDOKU Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

Answers on Page 49

17-year cicadas from Brood VI. Don Hendershot photo

The naturalist’s corner

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

The bugs are back in to-own, the bugs are back in town he weather hasn’t been too cooperative this spring with regards to my Forest Service bird point count. First weekend in May was cold and rainy, it rained half of the next weekend and after getting some points in Saturday, last Sunday (5/21) was looking bleak again.

I decided after studying various weather reports and maps that there might be a window of opportunity for a few hours over on the Grandfather District near Morganton. I struck out about 5 a.m. Sunday morning and drove most of the way over in a pouring rain. I stopped for gas in Morganton and could see a little light in the sky — the rain had slowed to a sprinkle so I was feeling better. But by the time I got to my first point a light rain was falling steadily again. I pulled into the woods, rolled my fleece up for a pillow, set my phone alarm for 7:15 a.m. and settled in for a power nap. It was looking a little brighter when the alarm went off but there was still a light rain.

T

I was sitting there contemplating my decision when I realized I was hearing more than a light patter of rain outside. I cracked the window a little bit to listen and realized I wasn’t the only one awakening. There was a loud hooded warbler right outside my truck and a couple of noisy red-eyed vireos, but there was also a building roar in the woods — cicadas!

I knew that Brood VI — one of the 17year broods of periodic cicadas — had been emerging in Burke and surrounding counties, but I didn’t know exactly where. I had shared part of my 2008 point survey with Brood XIV and other than, at times, being almost impossible to hear it was quite a trip.

Looks like I might have company again this year.

The adult 17-year-old cicada is one of, if not, the longest-lived insects in North America. All but about a month or so of that life is spent as a nymph about a foot or so underground attached to a nice succulent tree root. No one knows how the nymph counts the years, but after 17 it withdraws from the tree root and makes its way to the big dance. It spends four to six weeks as an adult, to reproduce and die. The male usually keels over just after mating. The female

lives to deposit her 400 to 600 eggs. The eggs hatch in six to eight weeks and the nymphs fall to the ground, burrow down, find a root and wait 17 years for their chance in the sun.

There are 15 broods of 13- and/or 17year cicadas. They are composed of one genus, Magicicada, with seven species.

Brood VI contains two species, M. septendecim and M. septendecula. Brood XIV contains these two species plus M. cassini. After browsing this wonderful website http://www.cicadamania.com/, I’m fairly certain that the Brood VI bugs I encountered

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last Sunday were M. septendecim.

Thinking about the life cycle of these bugs makes me grateful for the public lands we have across this country. The vagaries of land use can be real stumbling blocks for critters that only have one shot at procreating every 13 or 17 years. Forests preserved in perpetuity mean that whoever is surveying birds for the Forest Service on the Grandfather District in 2102 will get to share the forest with Brood VI. (Don Hendershot is a naturalist and a writer who lives in Haywood County. He can be reached at ddihen1@bellsouth.net)

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