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July 19-25, 2017 Vol. 19 Iss. 08

New plan for Russ Avenue spares Waynesville street Page 10 Jackson officials disagree over budget authority Page 34

CONTENTS On the Cover: The 34th annual Folkmoot International Festival will return to Waynesville this weekend for 10 days worth of folk dance performances across the region. This year’s lineup features 10 performance groups from around the world coming to Western North Carolina to share their culture through music and dance.

Check out the complete schedule, which features many new events and venues. (Special Section) Patrick Parton photo

News New DOT plan for Russ Avenue spares Walnut Street ..........................................4 Candidates sign up to run for municipal elections ....................................................5 Jackson County officials disagree over budget authority ........................................6 Cherokee Vice Chief position remains vacant ............................................................7 Reeves provides millions worth of warmth .................................................................. 8 Waynesville animal rescue closes its doors ............................................................ 11 HCC lawsuit stalled for 10 months ............................................................................ 12 Haywood Regional expands behavioral health unit ................................................13 Swain County receives federal funding for schools .............................................. 14 Macon pushes forward with broadband expansion .............................................. 15 Sylva passed food truck rules ...................................................................................... 16

July 19-25, 2017

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CONTACT WAYNESVILLE | 144 Montgomery, Waynesville, NC 28786 P: 828.452.4251 | F: 828.452.3585 SYLVA | 629 West Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779 P: 828.631.4829 | F: 828.631.0789 INFO & BILLING | P.O. Box 629, Waynesville, NC 28786

GOP turmoil continues, but facts do matter ............................................................20

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The Swag celebrates old traditions, welcomes new era ......................................24

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New plans by the North Carolina Department of Transportation appear to quell concerns voiced by residents over last fall’s proposed plans. NCDOT photo

NCDOT prepares new plan

Smoky Mountain News

July 19-25, 2017

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BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER ublic outcry over North Carolina Department of Transportation plans to eviscerate historic Walnut Street during Russ Avenue improvements slated for 2022 has, apparently, been heard loud and clear.

“If you look at the State Transportation Improvement Plan, it’s developed with the input of local governments,” said Brian Burch, DOT’s Division 14 Construction Engineer. “Projects are developed locally as needs arise, and we recognize at the end of the day that it’s their project.”

Most people in Waynesville agree that the $18 million Russ Avenue project is essential to the future of the community; traffic often snarls the important commercial thoroughfare, which is one of the few ways into and out of town.

But the project runs from the expressway south to Walnut Street, which town officials had specifically asked to be excluded from the work so as not to encroach on some of Waynesville’s oldest homes.

Residents — and town officials like Mayor Gavin Brown — were clearly dissatisfied when the DOT presented plans last fall that showed a substantial expansion to Walnut Street’s asphalt footprint.

Brown took the unusual step of calling for a period of public comment at a Dec. 13 town board meeting, and called an additional special meeting Jan. 5 that drew a standing-room crowd that universally rejected the plans, which would have obliterated a century-old retaining wall and changed the nature of the Spread Out Historic District — an important aesthetic gateway to downtown Waynesville.

At the Jan. 5 meeting, Burch responded to citizens by saying, “We hear you.”

The DOT’s plans were then sent to the State Historic Preservation Office; those plans show that DOT’s proposed asphalt footprint — measuring 40 feet in width and including a 5 foot bike lane, two traffic lanes and a shared traffic/bike lane — has been

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reduced to 32 feet by removing the bike lanes.

The reduction in width means that the century-old retaining wall on the south side of Walnut will remain untouched, as will several large trees.

“The neighbors have not yet seen the plan but from what they are hearing from DOT about keeping the sidewalk and roadway within the existing footprint, the neighbors — and certainly I — would be very happy with that plan,” said Charles McDarris, who owns two historic properties on Walnut Street. “I think it’s a transition from a plan that everyone was very unhappy with to a plan that everyone will be very pleased with, and will add to the aesthetic value of the street and the community and will be an enhancement to downtown Waynesville.”

During a meeting with SHPO June 27, DOT was told to create a comprehensive utility plan before the project moves forward; utility poles currently in the sidewalk are not ADA-compliant, and could be placed in yards, or, alternatively, the street could be narrowed even further to accommodate them — both unpalatable options for owners of historic properties.

Instead, SHPO wants DOT to plan for putting the utilities underground — a most welcome solution that would align the look and feel of Walnut Street with Main Street, where overhead wires are a thing of the past.

“SHPO wants to know the impact on trees, and where traffic signals, poles, and cabinets well go,” Burch said. “They also want to know the impact on the retaining walls.”

With underground utilities, connections to structures would obviously still need to be made, meaning DOT would have to trench up people’s lawns or driveways, and possibly tunnel under the retaining walls to reach buildings set back from the street.

The next step, according to Burch, will be another public hearing; he wasn’t sure when that might be, but it should be soon. DOT Project Manager Wanda Austin said last week the timeline for the project appears to still be on track for a 2022 start.

“We’re just the conduit that delivers these projects,” Burch said. “We are government, but we live in these communities and we want to serve them well.”

Rick Bryson and Janine Crisp confirmed they would be running for another term, but only Crisp has signed up so far.

Bryson and Crisp are both finishing up their first, four-year terms on the board.

Only one challenger has signed up to run for alderman — Lisa Anthony Weeks.

While voter turnout for municipal elections in Bryson City is typically low, the town board of aldermen recently approved spending more than $3,000 to offer early voting days prior to the Nov. 7 election.

ign ups for 2017 municipal elections close at noon Friday, July 21. The election will be Tuesday, Nov. 7, with early voting running Oct. 19 to Nov. 4 and absentee ballot requests open Oct. 6-31.

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SYLVA MAYOR TO FACE

FRANKLIN

Sylva Mayor Lynda Sossamon will have competition in her bid for re-election this year with former town commissioner Danny Allen filing to run against her July 17. . Allen, Sossamon and sitting e Commissioner Barbara Hamilton had all e competed for the mayor’s position during - the 2015 town elections, with Sossamon edging Allen by just three votes to win with 97 n votes. Hamilton had come in slightly behind T with 86 votes. y This time around, Hamilton will run for s re-election to a four-year term as commisy sioner rather than vying for the mayor’s seat, o which is a two-year term. Incumbent comt missioner Mary Gelbaugh will also run for n re-election. Nobody has yet signed up to run a against Hamilton or Gelbaugh. , e n ILLSBORO

In Franklin, terms are up for councilmembers Barbara McRae, Billy Mashburn and Patti Abel and Mayor Bob Scott.

Abel has said she will not be running again. McRae, who was still undecided last week, signed up Monday to run for a second term.

Mashburn, who has Bob Scott served on the town board for more than 20 years, has not signed up to run for re-election.

Scott has signed up to seek a third term as mayor. Even though Franklin council members serve four-year terms, the mayor only serves two-year terms. So far, he is unopposed just like he was during the last election.

Two challengers for aldermen seats have signed up to run though — David Culpepper, owner of Culpepper’s Otto Depot and a regular at town board meetings, and Jimbo Ledford, owner of Jimbo’s Plumbing in Franklin.

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In Dillsboro, six people have signed up , to run for five alderman’s seats. They - include incumbents Beaufort Riddle, David ; Gates, Tim Parris and David Jones, as well t as contenders John Chinners and James n Cochran. Incumbent Jim Cabe has not yet e filed for re-election; nor has Mayor Mike m Fitzgerald. f

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Mayor Kolleen Begley’s seats are also up for election; though Begley told The Smoky Mountain News she intends to run again, neither had signed up as of press time.

WEBSTER Four seats are up for election in Webster — three councilmembers and the mayor — but so far nobody has signed up for any of them. However, incumbent mayor Tracy Rhodes had previously told The Smoky Mountain News that she intends to run again.

MAGGIE VALLEY A few more candidates have signed up to run in Haywood County’s municipal races this year.

Maggie Valley Alderman Mike Eveland has signed up to run for a second term and Jasay Ketchum has also signed up to run for alderman. Ketchum ran for mayor of Maggie Valley two years ago but was defeated by Saralyn Price, who ran a write-in campaign after the unexpected death of Mayor Ron DeSimone.

Alderman Clayton Davis, who was

appointed by the town board to fill the remainder of Price’s alderman term when she was elected mayor, told The Smoky Mountain News he wasn’t sure whether he would run for the seat. As of press time Tuesday, he had not signed up.

CLYDE In Clyde, Incumbents James Trantham and Frank Lay have signed up to run for another term in their aldermen seats, but so far have no challengers.

CANTON So far Canton Mayoral candidate Zeb Smathers doesn’t have a challenger and three new candidates will vie for two open seats on the board. Kristina Smith, William Holland and Carl Cortright have all signed up to run, but Alderman incumbent Carole Edwards has not indicated whether she will run for re-election.

BRYSON CITY Two aldermen seats are up for re-election this year in Bryson City. Both incumbents

HIGHLANDS Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor has also signed up to run again and so has Highlands Commissioner incumbent Amy Patterson. Commissioner Donnie Calloway is also up for re-election but hasn’t signed up to run yet.

— Staff reports

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r OREST ILLS t In Forest Hills, incumbent Clark Corwin k has filed for re-election as councilmember, , with Jerry Rice also signing up as a contender. Councilmember Carl Hooper’s and n d t

Sylva Mayor Lynda Sossamon (center) will face former Commissioner and 2015 mayoral candidate Danny Allen in her bid for re-election during this year’s municipal elections. Holly Kays photo

July 19-25, 2017

RE-ELECTION CHALLENGER

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Candidates continue filing for office

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Jackson commissioners and elections boards disagree over budget authority

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he Jackson County Board of Elections’ attempt to exert a new level of independence from the county commissioners resulted in an hour-long — and, at times, contentious — meeting between the two boards July 11.

“We’re not a typical county department.

We’re granted special privileges,” Elections Chairman Doug Cody, who is also a former county commissioner, told commissioners.

“According to the state statutes we have privileges to appoint people, we can dismiss people, and the county commissioners are obligated to fund a reasonable request — and our reasonable request was basically what we had the previous year.”

Regardless of that, Cody said, more than $30,000 of the board’s 2017-18 budget request — money intended for a part-time position and overtime pay associated with early voting — got “whacked” at the last minute, and he wanted to know why.

“We’re just kind of skating a little bit on thin ice there by inserting an intermediary,” Cody said.

County Manager Don Adams acknowledged that state statutes give county Boards of Elections a certain amount of independence and told commissioners the intent was never to hamper the board’s ability to do is job.

July 19-25, 2017

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CAUSE FOR CONFLICT

Smoky Mountain News

The reduced budget, he said, stemmed from a last-minute budget submission to increase the salary of one of the departments’ employees by $1,600. Typically, county departments present these types of requests over the course of the springtime budget season. The county manager then submits a recommended budget in May — this year, Adams presented the recommended budget May 15 — and commissioners vote on the final budget following a public hearing, which this year occurred June 19.

However, Adams said, the desired salary increase wasn’t brought up until days before the final vote, June 13. It wasn’t phrased as a request — instead, the Board of Elections submitted it as something within their authority to do, without approval from anyone else.

“This conversation is brand new to this county,” Adams told the elections and commissioner board members at the July 11 meeting. “This is the first time a board of elections (in Jackson County) has ever exercised the power that our attorney says you do have, and that is to give raises without the approval of this governing body.”

State law does allow boards of elections 6 to move money around within their allocat-

ed budgets to give raises and adjust employee pay however they wish, Adams said. He didn’t dispute that the Board of Elections has the right to give whatever raise it wants if it can find the money in its budget.

However, that’s not how the system has worked in Jackson County up until now.

Commissioners still have the final say on whether and how much money to allocate for various purposes, so if the system between commissioners and the elections board is going to change, Adams told commissioners, they might need to make some changes of their own in how they allocate money to the elections board.

That’s what led to the part-time position and overtime pay being taken out of the 2017-18 budget.

Currently, the part-time position is vacant, though the board anticipates filling it by September. Theoretically, the elections board could have taken from those funds or from the overtime funds to give the $1,600 raise, whether or not commissioners approved it.

“I’m in support of giving the raise for the guy, but it’s the principle, it’s the process. If that had been brought to us prior and had gone through the process like everybody else, I would support it 100 percent.”

— Brian McMahan, Jackson commission chairman

“Commissioners do control the budget, so ultimately by removing the overtime line item and the vacant position, at that point you no longer have any additional funds for that $1,600,” Adams said July 11.

The comment kicked off a back-and-forth between Adams and Cody.

“The overtime (for 2016-17) had been used, all except for 13 cents,” Cody said. “It wasn’t that we were abusing overtime or anything like that … That permanent parttime position already existed. If you guys had a problem with $1,600 maybe I could see that, but you come in here and cut $37,000 out of our budget for previous things that we deemed necessary.”

Adams replied that all commissioners would need to do would be to approve the refilling of the position once the board of elections is ready to hire someone, and in a follow-up interview he said that the overtime

money would be placed in a contingency fund and transferred over as needed.

“That’s not what the statute says,” Cody protested. “We put that in our budget because we knew the position would be filled. If the position isn’t filled the money goes back to the county.”

“But if those additional funds are left available, then the Board of Elections does have authority to move those funds around and give raises,” Adams replied.

“Well, that’s according to the authority that’s granted to us,” Cody said. “I don’t see what the issue is. We haven’t abused that in the past.”

The problem with referring to the past as a yardstick, Adams said, is that this is the first time the Board of Elections has tried to give a raise without commissioner approval.

SUGGESTING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Tension between past and present operating procedure is what led Adams to suggest, during an earlier conversation, that the elections and commissioner boards come up with a memorandum of understanding to guide their interactions in the future.

The suggestion did not sit well.

“It takes power away from the county board of elections, which is power that is by statute granted to us,” Cody said.

“My biggest concern is that you guys might not be happy with our board or the way we’re functioning or some other impetus that calls for a memorandum of understanding, which I don’t really understand,” said Board of Elections member Kirk Stephens, later asking commissioners to “Please take that MOU off the table.”

Adams said in a follow-up interview that no MOU had yet been drafted or proposed — he’d simply suggested it as an option to guide future interactions between the commissioners and the election board.

“This MOU really got thrown out of proportion,” Adams said in a follow-up interview.

If the elections board is no longer going to ask for commissioner approval on expenditures such as salaries, he said, that brings up some questions that will need ground rules

going forward. For instance, if the board of elections were to take the salary allocated for a vacant position and use it to give raises to existing employees, what would happen in the next budget year? Would the elections board expect increased funding to hire the vacant position and continue paying the higher salaries? Or would there be an understanding that the funding for the position has been used up and was no longer available?

“The MOU deals with things like this,” Adams said. “Not about who hires and fires, but it really talks about some of these other future issues.”

Commissioners actually wound up approving the $1,600 pay raise following a closed-session discussion July 17. With benefits, the total impact to the budget will be $1,900. Several of them indicated that they had never really opposed the increase — they just weren’t happy about the way it had been submitted days before the final budget was to be approved. Though this year was the first time a pay raise had been submitted without seeking approval from commissioners, it was the second year in a row that commissioners had received a last-minute salary increase submission from the Board of Elections.

“I’m in support of giving the raise for the guy, but it’s the principle, it’s the process,” said Commission Chairman Brian McMahan July 11. “For me to see it the first time that week, it puts us in a bad situation. If that had been brought to us prior and had gone through the process like everybody else, I would support it 100 percent.”

“The whole irritant of the whole thing was that it was a late thing, and all at once it was thrown in front of us, and it happened like that the year before,” agreed Commissioner Boyce Deitz. “Really it’s just the logistics and timing.”

Stephens and Elections Director Lisa Lovedahl-Lemon both apologized to commissioners for the lateness of the budget submissions and promised they’d try to be more timely in the future.

However, more discussion on the issue will likely be necessary before commissioners can determine what needs to happen going forward, including whether an MOU is needed and what the MOU should say if drafted.

Vice Chief position remains vacant

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A LEGAL QUESTION

ATTEMPTS AT DISCUSSION The issue was not included on the agenda for Tribal Council’s July 6 meeting, but Councilmember Tommye Saunooke, of Painttown, brought it up minutes into the

“There is no provision in the law or charter for a Special Election in the current situation we find ourselves in. The AG (attorney general) and Legislative Counsel both have stated such.”

— Principal Chief Richard Sneed

tion we find ourselves in,” he said in an email.

“The AG (attorney general) and Legislative Counsel both have stated such.”

Tribal Council heard from the Attorney General’s Office and Legislative Counsel during a closed session meeting that preceded the open discussion June 15.

“There are only one or two council members who are asking for it (a special election),” Sneed continued in an email exchange with The Smoky Mountain News. “They would be the only ones who would run. The others would have to drop out of their respective council races to run and they are not going to do that.”

If that’s the case, then opinion on the issue has flipped since the June 15 meeting, when seven of the 12 councilmembers voiced sup-

session.

“Mr. Vice Chairman, my people from Painttown want to know when we’re going to let them vote on a vice chief,” she said, addressing Jones, who was chairing the meeting with Taylor absent.

“The Supreme Court said they weren’t able to give us an opinion, which we kind of suspected that might happen, but we will discuss that at the end of the agenda today,” Jones said.

It would be highly unusual for the court to provide an opinion on a particular issue, such as the laws surrounding special elections, without an actual lawsuit being entered on the topic. Typically, legislative bodies rely on the expertise of their own attorneys to avoid making decisions that could result in a lawsuit.

Smoky Mountain News

Councilmembers had expressed some concern over whether the law allows them to hold a special election in this circumstance.

The Cherokee code says that, in the event that the principal chief ’s office is vacated, the vice chief “shall” become principal chief for the balance of the term. However, in the very next sentence it says that if the vice chief position is vacated, council “may” elect a successor from among its members to serve the remaining term.

In the legal world, the word “shall” is typically understood to mean that something must happen, while “may” is typically understood to be less restrictive. However, the law in question does not specify what options Tribal Council has should it not choose the vice chief from its membership — it neither states that a special election is an option nor prevents one from taking place.

The only situations in which a special election is specifically required are in the case of a

port for a special election. Neither Chairman Bill Taylor, of Wolfetown, or Vice Chairman Brandon Jones, of Snowbird, returned requests for comment on this issue.

Things left off June 15 with council agreeing to ask for an opinion from the Supreme Court and, if given the OK, to put the vice chief ’s position on the ballot in conjunction with the Sept. 7 General Election.

July 19-25, 2017

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER his month’s two full days of Tribal Council sessions included discussion on everything from research requests to drug policies to power bills, but one topic was noticeably absent from the agenda — the process for selecting a new vice chief.

The position was vacated in May when Vice Chief Richard Sneed was sworn in as principal chief following Tribal Council’s vote to remove then-Principal Chief Patrick Lambert from office. The crowd in the councilhouse that day had been quite vocal about its desire for a special election to choose the tribe’s new leaders, to the point that Sneed’s inauguration had to be moved to the Cherokee Justice Center to escape the commotion.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has been operating without a vice chief ever since, and council has not yet decided whether it will fill the vacancy by appointing someone from its own ranks or by authorizing a special election. Councilmembers discussed the issue during a special meeting held June 15, with everyone seeming to agree that a special election would be the best way to go — seven of the 12 members stated that they would support a special election, with none of the remaining five saying they would oppose it. y “Regarding the special election, that would be a very good policy because the time o we’re talking about before the next election for chief and vice chief is so far,” Councilmember Anita Lossiah, of Yellowhill, said during the June 15 meeting. “It’s over two years. It definitely would be good policy to do that, but we have to make sure it’s in alignment with the charter.”

vacancy on Tribal Council or the School Board with more than six months left in the term, or in the case that the vice chief and principal chief offices are vacated simultaneously and the Tribal Council chairman is not eligible to become principal chief.

Councilmembers said June 15 they were uncertain as to whether the law allowed them to order a special election and wanted the Cherokee Supreme Court to weigh in on the issue.

Principal Chief Richard Sneed said that, in his view, this language doesn’t allow for a special election to be held.

“There is no provision in the law or charter for a Special Election in the current situa-

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Tribal Council fails to act on issue during July meeting

Tribal Council never did discuss the vice chief issue during its July 6 session, or during the session’s continuation July 10, but for a brief exchange between Jones and Councilmember Teresa McCoy, of Big Cove, later in the July 6 meeting.

Denise Ballard of the EBCI Board of Elections had come before Council to present the official results of the June 1 Primary Election, adding at the end of her presentation that if Tribal Council wants to have the vice chief ’s office on the Sept. 7 ballot, “We have to move on this.”

“I move at this time we allow the election board to start the process to have an election for vice chief,” McCoy said.

“I think we need to have that discussion today before we do that, see how we’re going to handle that process, “Jones said.

“How did the opinion from the Supreme Court turn out?” McCoy asked.

“We’ll set some time aside this afternoon to discuss that,” Jones replied.

“Can we discuss that on television?” McCoy asked.

“Yes, we will,” said Jones.

No such discussion ensued, however.

“Many told me they felt like this was a stall tactic,” McCoy said in a follow-up email exchange, referring to the decision to consult the Supreme Court. “It has been six weeks and I am beginning to agree with them.”

McCoy believes that the word “may” in tribal law clearly allows for Tribal Council to “fix this emergency situation in some other way” besides appointing a vice chief from its membership.

“Council can and should allow our tribal members to vote,” she said via email. “They talk about healing, they talk about respect, they talk about following the law, then, that is what they need to do. Our members still have the foul taste of a predetermined impeachment in their mouths. Our members vote in September in the general election. I don’t see them voting for current council members who don’t have enough confidence in them to vote for a vice chief.”

The window for the vice chief ’s office to be included on the Sept. 7 ballot may have already closed, at least if Tribal Council wants that election to include absentee and early voting options. Early voting starts Aug. 14, and the Board of Elections is already taking requests for absentee ballots. However, nothing’s certain — the election board hasn’t yet met to discuss the issue, elections worker Nancy Locust said over the phone.

“Once Council lets us know what they’re going to do, that’s when we’ll get together and figure out the dates,” Locust said.

Tribal Council’s next scheduled meeting begins 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3.

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news

A million dollars worth of warmth

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER s the sturdy old stake-bed dump truck — held together largely with rusty steel coat hangers — scrambled up the mountain laden with over a cord of firewood, the man behind the wheel finally found the address and pulled up the driveway.

“What are you doing?” said an elderly man who emerged from the house, dumbfounded.

“I’m bringin’ you a load of wood!” shouted the driver.

“I don’t have any money for this,” the man said.

“It’s free,” answered the driver.

“I don’t take charity,” said the man. “Take it to somebody else.”

Rural and isolated, mountainous Southern Appalachia by necessity has instilled in its settlers a rugged, sometimes stubborn self-sufficiency. Coupled with the generational poverty that still exists in one of America’s poorest regions, it means that many people still struggle with basic necessities like food, shelter, water and warmth.

But that same individualist spirit brings with it an Appalachian paradox, a squaredeal, quid pro quo communal ethos that may be a memory for much of society but is still very much alive in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

“I won’t take that wood ‘lessen I can do something for you,” said the man.

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July 19-25, 2017

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PAID UP FRONT The man behind the wheel of the green 1972 Dodge D-300 dump truck that day — and most days since 2005 — was Richard Reeves.

Reeves, 69, was born and raised in Haywood County; like many men of his generation, he served in the armed forces during

Since 2005, more than $600,000 worth of firewood has been donated to needy citizens of Haywood County. Cory Vaillancourt photo the Vietnam War, but then worked as a longshoreman in Virginia before coming home for good.

“I couldn’t wait to get away from Haywood County,” Reeves said. “But then I couldn’t wait to get back.”

Upon his return, Reeves pursued a career in education; he was the first principal at Central Haywood High School and retired as

Contributions large and small fuel Reeves’ passion

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER lthough Richard Reeves has spent the last 12 years splitting wood in an empty lot off Lea Plant Road in Hazelwood, he certainly hasn’t been alone in that endeavor; a plethora of locals — in that paradoxical individualistic, communal mountaineer spirit — give what they can, when they can, how they can.

The lot off Lea Plant Road belongs to businessman Kelly West, who leases it to Reeves for $1 a year.

“He’s a great guy,” said Reeves of West, who also came to Haywood County’s res8 cue last fall when 140 dogs that had been

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seized from a residence in Canton needed a warehouse-sized space to be caged, catalogued and transferred to adoption organizations. “We started out at Dayco, where the Walmart is, but Mark Clasby [executive director of the Haywood Economic Development Council] set up the deal with West.”

David McClure at Bypass Power Equipment supplies Reeves with blades, chains and oil for the chainsaws.

“Sometimes you go in there and they’re three weeks behind, but he’ll get it right out for me,” Reeves said. “He helps me out quite a bit, he really does.”

McClure’s contributions help keep things

principal of Meadowbrook Elementary in Canton in 2005.

With time on his hands and brush on his land, Reeves set about clearing some ancestral family plots the day after his June 30 retirement.

“My plan was to sell wood,” he said.

One day that November, Josh Pearman, the youth minister at his church, Long’s

buzzing, but others help Reeves on occasion by bringing in the big guns.

“Once a year and sometimes twice a year, Dean Howell, who works at Taylor Motor Company, he’ll get maybe 40 people, and they’ll come down here with track hoes and chainsaws and splitters and we’ll maybe cut 80 loads in a day,” Reeves said.

John Caldwell and Justin Smith also bring the heavy-duty hardware.

“Those guys have processors,” Reeves said. “You set the log on the processor and it pushes it through there, and the saw comes down and cuts it, and pushes it through a splitter. For them to bring those big processors down here, that’s a pretty big deal.”

Eric and Sandra Clark donated the ’72 Dodge, a former farm vehicle that still has just 47,000 miles on it.

“It’s a great truck, and we’ve never had a problem with it,” Reeves said.

Chuck Wilson, former pastor at Long’s

b

d Chapel United Methodist, approached him.

“Aren’t you cuttin’ some wood?” he said.t “We’ve got a family in the church that’st hurtin.’” ( Reeves took the family a load of firewood,b and a few weeks later, took some to another family in the church.

H “Course, a cord of wood doesn’t R last too long, so it wasn’t long i

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Chapel, is to be credited with encouraging the operation.

“This Koinonia class is how it all really started,” he said. Long’s continues to support Reeves’ wood work by purchasing logs, as does local social service agency Mountain Projects.

“Of course Patsy Dowling (executive director of Mountain Projects) has been instrumental,” Reeves said. “A lot of these people I take wood to are getting assistance from Mountain Projects in other ways.”

Reeves remains grateful for all the help and donations his operation has received over the years, but he seemed especially thankful for what is probably the smallest contributions he ever gets.

“He comes every day, two or three times a day,” Reeves said of Jim Stevens, who is in his 80s. “When you’re down here alone, and you’re hot and sweaty and your boots are full of sawdust, he’ll come and bring me a couple pieces of candy.”

t i p

Richard Reeves has spent the last 12 years processing an amazing 358,000 cubic feet of wood. Below: Reeves in one of the very few gifts has accepted over the years — a handmade wooden casket. Cory Vaillancourt photo • Donated photo.

“I say, ‘God forgive me, you know I’m sorry. You paid me up front. I’m 70 years old — I’ve got two wonderful children, five grandchildren, I’ve had great health, a retirement check, a social security check. It’s time to give back.’” dollars worth of warmth to the area’s neediest citizens.

By another measure, Reeves has spent about 5 hours per day, 6 days a week — he tries not to work on Sundays, he said, but will if there is a need — splitting, stacking and delivering the wood. Even at $10 an hour, he’d be about $150,000 richer for his labor.

Reeves regrets not a moment of it, even though he could have spent those 15,000 hours on the golf course, fishing, clearing his own land or getting paid at another job.

“God paid me up front,” he said. “When I get to thinking like that, I say, ‘God forgive me, you know I’m sorry. You paid me up front. I’m 70 years old — I’ve got two wonder-

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July 19-25, 2017

before the first family needed more,” he said.

More than 12 years later, Reeves says he’s delivered at least 2,800 cords.

Stacked in a single row end-to-end, those cords would stretch 9 miles; were they stacked neatly on a football field (including the end zones), the pile would be over 6 feet tall.

A cord of wood retails for about $225 in Haywood County today; by that measure, Reeves has watched an astonishing $630,000 in free wood pass through his hands.

Adding in the volunteer help and donations he’s received over the years — including the Dodge — Reeves’ wood ministry has probably contributed more than a million

— Richard Reeves

Standing in 82 year-old Cecil Jones’ driveway with a Dodge full of wood, Reeves responded to Jones’ demand that he wouldn’t take the wood unless he could, somehow, strike some semblance of balance in the transaction.

“Well, what are you thinkin’?” Reeves asked Jones, who didn’t know that Reeves was coming; a family member had gotten word to Reeves.

Reeves never accepts pay for his efforts, and he eschews gifts except when he knows that refusing them may offend; to date, he’s accepted a coffee cup holder, a jar of pickled beets, two tomatoes, two jars of walnuts, six jars of pickles, an assortment of Christmas candies, some Burger King coupons, a haircut and a walking stick from Canton resident Herbert “Cowboy” Coward, who played an important role in the 1972 Burt Reynolds flick “Deliverance.”

“I’ve got a wood shop out back,” Jones said. “I make gun cabinets, tables, chest of drawers and caskets.”

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A TISKET, A TASKET

“There you go,” Reeves told him. “You can make me a casket, and I’ll take care of you on the wood.”

Not long after, Reeves was presented with a handsome wooden casket, into which he didn’t hesitate to climb.

“You don’t see too many times somebody in a casket unless they’re heading on,” he laughed. “So we had a little fun with that.”

Reeves has the casket in storage at his father-in-law’s place; he’s been trying to convince his wife to let him use it as a coffee table but has thus far been unsuccessful in that effort.

Regardless, one day that casket will lie beneath the ruddy orange soil in Waynesville’s Maple Grove Methodist Church Cemetery, and Reeves, in turn, will forever repose in it.

Until then, he’ll lengthen that 9-mile-long stack of wood, reaping what he’s sown in a hardscrabble region that nonetheless perseveres through the individual, communal, “do unto others” spirit of a proud people moved by faith to give what they can, when they can, how they can.

“I get a lot of warm fuzzies from this,” he said. “When I was in the school business, not everybody waved at me with all four fingers.

But in this job, everybody’s glad to see me.”

“

ful children, five grandchildren, I’ve had great health, a retirement check, a social security check. It’s time to give back.’”

- Dr. Sherry Manburg, Waynesville, NC (Seller)

74 N. Main St.,Waynesville

828-734-9157

cproben@beverly-hanks.com

Smoky Mountain News

Catherine Proben

@SmokyMtnNews 9

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Jackson launches citizen’s academy

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ackson County residents will have the chance to get grounded in local government with the launch of a citizen’s academy this fall, an endeavor that county commissioners approved unanimously during their July 17 meeting.

“The goal is to increase county government knowledge, encourage citizen involvement and establish positive public relations within the community itself,” County Manager Don Adams told commissioners when briefing them on the proposed program at a July 11 work session.

The course would take place over two months with a series of Thursday night sessions lasting two to three hours apiece, the first of which will be held Sept. 14. The first class will be limited to 25 participants, all at least 18 years old and residents of Jackson County, who will be selected to “create a diverse participant population and obtain a mix that will represent a cross-section by commissioners districts,” according to a summary of the program.

Upon completing the program, participants will go through a graduation ceremony and receive a certificate. The goal is to offer the class twice per year, allowing

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July 19-25, 2017

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50 people to go through the program annually.

“I truly believe local government gives you the most value for your tax dollars,” Adams told commissioners. “This is for people to see this.”

Over the course of the eight weeks, participants will get to experience all the county’s departments firsthand, familiarizing themselves with the diversity of tasks and functions housed in county government.

Each week’s course will be held in a different location, ranging from the Sheriff ’s Department to the Cullowhee Recreation Complex to the Green Energy Park, and department heads will be responsible for giving the overview of their individual departments.

Adams made it clear that he’d welcome commissioners to make an appearance at some point during the course, allowing the class to put a face with the names of their elected leaders.

“Hopefully what these folks will see when they graduate is they get a better understanding of our government as a whole,” he said.

Commissioners applauded the concept, with Chairman Brian McMahan saying that “it’s a great idea and I wholeheartedly support it.”

Apply for the academy Commissioners and community organizations can submit names to attend the first Citizens Academy, which will launch Thursday, Sept. 14.

Sessions will last two to three hours and be held on eight Thursday evenings between Sept. 14 and Nov. 16. Dinner will be offered immediately preceding the start of the session.

Applications are due Wednesday, Aug. 16, for a class capped at 25 participants. If more than 25 applications are received, the list will be finalized by the week of Aug. 21 with participants notified by Aug. 28.

Applicants must be 18 years old and residents of Jackson County. Applications are available at the Jackson County Manager’s Office, located within the Jackson County Justice and Administration Center on Grindstaff Road in Sylva.

Contact Program Coordinator Jan Fitzgerald with questions or to request an email application. 828.631.2295.

Some commissioners did suggest that Adams consider changing the age limit,

however. It’s quite likely that a high school senior with an interest in government, for example, could benefit from the course, said Commissioner Ron Mau. Commissioner Mickey Luker revisited the thought during the July 17 meeting where the program was approved, saying that he’d been in contact with a high school history teacher who thought her classes could benefit from the experience.

Adams agreed that the class could be good for more than just adults but said he’d prefer to keep it with a narrower focus the first time around, as there will likely be plenty to details to work out already.

The goal is to “get our feet wet and try to make sure we figure out what we’re doing on our end of it this first round,” Adams said July 17. “I think when we have these conversations we have to have a real conversation about who our audiences and our applicants are.”

Adams said that multiple organizations have already expressed interest in the program, and he’s hopeful that the academy will benefit the county as a whole, and the individuals who go through it.

“They could be leaders in our community. They could run for county commissioner at some point,” he said.

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR uke’s Animal Haven off Stamey Cove Road in Waynesville has suddenly closed its animal rescue facility with little explanation.

President of the nonprofit organization Helen McLeod sent out a press release July 12 stating that due to “circumstances beyond our control” Duke’s Animal Haven would cease operating as an animal rescue effectively immediately.

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tant piece of the animal rescue puzzle in Haywood County and served as overflow space for Sarge’s Animal Rescue and the county’s animal shelter. Last fall Haywood County Animal Services had to remove 140 neglected animals from a Canton residence.

It was all hands on deck as The Asheville Humane Society, Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation, Duke’s Animal Haven and Friends of the Haywood County Animal Shelter worked together to find temporary and permanent homes for the animals.

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Duke’s Animal Haven off of Stamey Cove Road is now closed, but Duke’s Pampered Pets kennel will stay open. SMN photo

Nonprofits invited to apply for grant funding

Democrat women to meet July 20

Grace Church in the Mountains in Waynesville is still accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations in Haywood County.

The church is having its annual Parish Fair on the last Saturday of the month, July 29, and all proceeds from the fair will be distributed to local county charities.

Grant application forms are available at the Parish Office located at 394 N. Haywood St., or can be emailed. July 26 is the deadline.

Call 828.456.6029 or email gracewaynesville@msn.com.

The Haywood County Democratic Women will meet Thursday, July 20, at New Happy Garden Restaurant at the Waynesville Plaza.

Dinner and networking will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting beings at 6:30 p.m.

Special speaker will be Penny Smith of the Jackson County Democratic Women and she will present a program on successful fundraising for the 2018 elections. All women Democrats and independents are invited to attend. There is no fee to attend. 828.734.0393 or djrussell2003@att.net.

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Duke’s took in about 35 dogs from the Canton rescue effort, and according to its website, Duke’s still has a few more dogs available for adoption.

McLeod said she wouldn’t be giving any other statement as to the reasoning of the closure. Whatever the reasoning, it must have been sudden — just a few weeks ago the nonprofit was looking to hire a new position and has held a number of fundraisers in the last several months.

McLeod also owns and operates Duke's Pampered Pets, a boarding kennel on the same property as the animal shelter. She assured people that the boarding kennel would continue to operate without interruption.

For more information, visit www.dukesanimalhaven.org or call 828.734.0267.

July 19-25, 2017

McLeod said volunteers were working to find other no-kill shelters for the animals currently being cared for a Duke’s and encouraged people to visit the website to see dogs and cats still available for adoption.

“We will continue to care for the animals that we have until they are adopted or placed with another group,” McLeod said.

“We appreciate the support from the community over the past five years. We have been very fortunate to work finding good homes for the homeless animals. We know that our community will continue to progress with the new (county) shelter and will continue with the no-kill movement.”

Duke’s Animal Haven is a newer facility with 14 indoor/outdoor runs for dogs, two cat rooms and a large fenced in play area.

The nonprofit’s space has been an impor-

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Waynesville animal shelter closes

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HCC lawsuit stalled for 10 months

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT Minn.-based Maxxon Corporation and its STAFF WRITER subsidiary Maxxon Southeast Inc. as he lawsuit over alleged defects in responsible parties.

Haywood Community College’s new “The parties acknowledge as far as the Creative Arts Building is headed defendants, they want to figure out what’s nowhere, fast. going on with the floor,” Smathers said.

“This was supposed to be a state-of-theWhat that means is that the defendants art building in many ways,” HCC attorney want more time to study the cracking floor, Pat Smathers said during a Superior Court presumably because the extent of their neghearing July 18 in Waynesville. ligence — or lack thereof — might affect Instead, according to allegations made in their strategy in defending — or settling — a complex, multi-party lawsuit filed by HCC HCC’s suit. last October, it’s leaking, it’s creaking and it’s becoming an expensive and unsightly problem.

Smathers and Asheville Attorney Tikkum A.S. Gottschalk — who spoke on behalf of all parties in the lawsuit except for the architect — asked the court for a 10-month stay on the suit, which was granted.

That timeline will push the matter to a full decade since the Creative Arts Building was conceived.

In 2008, a quartercent sales tax was approved by voters to fund some much-needed improvements at HCC; that led to Raleigh-based architectural firm Innovative Design in 2010 being selected at the architect for the project in 2010, largely because of president Mike Nicklas’ reputation as an advocate of sustainable design, which is something Rose Johnson, Haywood Community College’s Creative Arts Building is in HCC’s then-president, need of repair. File photo also supported.

In the spring of 2011, construction began amidst lingering quesHCC’s lawsuit also names project architions over the project’s $8.3 million price tect Innovative Designs and its president tag; Haywood Commissioners voted 4-1 to Mike Nicklas along with insurers Travelers pursue LEED certification — an expensive and Contractors Bonding and Insurance proposition that was supposed to pay for Company, but the balance of the allegations itself in energy savings. concern Miles McClellan Construction. HCC Over budget and beyond deadline, the has made makes six claims to Miles accusing building opened in January 2014; soon after, the contractor of breaching its contract by problems began appearing. failing to construct a defect-free building, The lawsuit alleges problems not only failing to supervise subcontractors and not with the building’s floor, but also with water honoring expressed warranties. recycling, lights, electronic sensors and even Innovative Designs, represented by the very foundation; it names Ohio-based attorney James “Tripp” Griffin III had contractor Miles McClellan Construction opposed the measure, but will also be Company, Carolina Floor System Inc., bound by the stay.

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Haywood Regional expands behavioral health unit H

Services offered Program services available at Haywood Regional Medical Center’s Senior Behavioral Health Unit: • 24-hour monitoring and supervision • Diagnostic services • Evaluation and treatment • Medication evaluation • Dietary evaluation • Medical treatment • Group counseling • Individual counseling • Inpatient treatment • Physical and occupational rehabilitation • Recreational therapy • Discharge planning • Follow up services Harkleroad added that the average stay for geriatric patients is 15 days and a majority of that time is spent just trying to get the patient back on track with a medication management plan. The goal is to stabilize the patient while in the hospital and help them determine safe and suitable living options upon leaving the hospital.

Harkleroad said the additional 7,000 square feet of space added to the wing, which cost $1.3 million, will also allow Haywood Regional to add more local jobs at the hospi-

Rod Harkleroad, CEO of Haywood Regional Medical Center, gives a tour of the new Senior Behavioral Health Unit. Jessi Stone photo tal. The expansion will mean adding two more behavioral health physicians and 12 full-time support positions immediately.

The unit will need to be staffed with psychiatrists, registered nurses, mental health technicians, counselors, a psychologist, an activities coordinator and licensed clinical social workers. Over the next several years, he said the expansion would lead to about 28 new jobs in the community.

Since acquiring the hospital in 2014, Duke LifePoint has spent $17 million to

make capital improvements at HRMC. That puts Duke LifePoint closer to meeting its promise to invest $36 million in HRMC over eight years.

“I’m proud of what we’re doing. Were not a team to settle for average — we want to be great,” Harkleroad said.

The behavioral health unit will accept acute-care referrals from doctors, emergency rooms, long-term care facilities and mental health professionals. For more information, call 828.452.8655.

July 19-25, 2017

Serving all of WNC

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BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR aywood Regional Medical Center, a Duke LifePoint Health hospital, has completed a 17-bed expansion to its behavioral health wing on the sixth floor.

The wing already contained 16 beds for adult behavioral health patients, but 16 new geriatric patient beds have been added with the completion of phase one of the expansion project.

HRMC CEO Rod Harkleroad said the expansion will not only help meet the needs in Haywood County but will also help serve surrounding counties.

“This new unit has 17 beds for patients 55 and older — that’s a growing population in this area that needs care,” he said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 20 percent of people age 55 and older experience some type of mental health concern — the most common being anxiety, severe cognitive impairment and mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder.

The behavioral health unit provides a spectrum of psychiatric and medical care in an environment designed specifically to meet the safety needs for older adults requiring 24hour hospital care. A multidisciplinary team of providers can conduct mental, cognitive and medical assessments in order to develop a customized treatment plan for patients.

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Swain County receives federal funding for schools

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR wain County will be receiving $577,000 in federal funding to help meet the many needs of its public school system.

It’s good news for Swain County Schools as administrators have been faced with increased operating expenses, a growing student population and a long list of capital improvement needs. Despite an impassioned plea to the county this year for more funding, commissioners chose not to increase the local contribution to the school system for the 2017-18 fiscal year. Instead of the $1.3 million requested, the school system will get the same amount it did last year — $850,000.

Last November, residents voted against a quarter center sales tax that would have gone to the Swain County school system.

Swain County leaders have been trying to get legislators in Washington, D.C., to provide more funding for Swain County through the Impact Aid funding with several trips to lobby their congressmen, but it’s been an uphill battle — until now.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials partnered with Swain County Schools to prepare documentation for Impact Aid funding through the Department of Education and was recently notified that the submission was approved for $577,000.

Only 13 percent of Swain County is taxable because of property that makes up the Great

July 19-25, 2017

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Since 1940, the federal governSmoky Mountains National Park, ment has provided Impact Aid the Eastern Band of Cherokee Funding to assist school districts Indians Qualla Boundary, the who have lost a portion of their Nantahala National Forest, local tax base because of federal Tennessee Valley Authority, and ownership of property. Despite Blue Ridge Parkway. Due to the sigeasily meeting the 10 percent nificant presence of non-taxable, threshold of federally owned federal lands in the county, Sen. land, Swain County has been preRichard Burr, R-NC, helped lead cluded in the past from receiving efforts to make the county eligible a portion of the Impact Aid to apply for the Impact Aid fundFunding under section 8002 due ing for the 2016-17 school year. to technicalities in the law. Burr The project was spearheaded introduced a bill with corrective

by Swain County resident language in 2015 to allow Swain Leonard Winchester, who conto meet full eligibility. tacted GSMNP Superintendent Swain County Schools is still Cassius Cash for assistance. The Swain County Schools has been approved to receive $577,000 from trying to get the state to adjust its application process required documentation of all the deeds and the federal government’s Impact Aid program. Jessi Stone photo Low Wealth Funding formula to be more equitable. Similar to the surveys for each parcel from the help prepare the required documents for Impact Aid at the federal level, the Low time of private ownership to the current staaudit. The Swain County Register of Deeds Wealth program provides supplemental tus of federal ownership. office produced paper copies and all records funding for counties that fall below the state “This was a great opportunity for us to were later digitized and indexed for retrieval average in their ability to generate local revwork with one of our gateway communities by parcel. enue to support the public school system. in a unique way,” Cash said in a press “Without the help of Superintendent While Swain is currently eligible for release. “Our park resource education Cash and Bob Wightman, we would not about 25 percent of the available funding rangers work closely each year with Swain have met this year’s funding deadline and from the Low Wealth funding, administraCounty students and this was one more most likely not next year’s either,” said tors believe they should be eligible for 100 chance for us to support our local schools.”

Winchester. “The records provided by Mr. percent. The school system received about The park partnered with Friends of the Wightman were foundational to locating the $152,000 from Low Wealth last year, but Smokies to provide resources to support the original documents. We could not have done could have received closer to $600,000 if the work of Bob Wightman to research the title this without them.” county met full eligibility. chain of lands now within the park and to

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Macon pushes forward with broadband expansion

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BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR acon County’s concerted efforts to bring better broadband capabilities to residents are moving right along.

County Manager Derek Roland recently gave commissioners an update on the efforts being made by the ad hoc broadband committee that the commissioners established about seven months ago. A survey was conducted to see where the gaps in coverage are and the committee has met with many providers to hear about the challenges of expanding broadband infrastructure in the rural county.

“We’ve gathered a lot of information and confirmed what many would say is the obvious — there is a lack of broadband availability in Macon County,” Roland said.

“It’s built a foundation of knowledge that puts us in a good position to work alongside (broadband) companies moving forward.”

Macon County leaders attend a regional broadband Keith Conover, a technical analyst for North Carolina’s informational meeting last month. File photo Broadband Infrastructure The seven most western counties are Office, told commissioners his job is to work with the 30 counties in the western part of the working closely with their Region A economstate to improve broadband services. His first ic development partner — the Southwestern recommendations are typically to form a Commission — to get a regional broadband committee of stakeholders in the community effort going. The commission received an and conduct a survey of current availability, ARC grant not to exceed $15,000 to hire a regional consultant to conduct a Community which Macon County has already done.

“I work with 30 counties, but no other Broadband Assessment for the seven councounty has put themselves in the position ties. Requests for Proposals were due to the commission July 10. SWC has received four Macon has,” Conover said.

The next step is to hold a meeting with all proposals and is aiming to make a selection of the internet providers in Macon County. by the first week of August. According to the Conover said it was crucial to invite all RFP application, the final broadband assessproviders to the meeting to avoid any percep- ment would be due by Dec. 31.

Conover said his services wouldn’t cost tion of favorability for any one provider.

“We need to invite them to be part of the the county any money — everything is fundsolution,” he said. “Once we have that meet- ed through the state. He is also working with ing, we’re welcome to work with anyone will- Swain County, which formed its own broading to help out Macon County to provide band committee several months ago.

The tentative date for the provider meetservice and we encourage that.”

Showing providers Macon County is seri- ing is Aug. 14, with more details to follow.

Rep. Mike Clampitt, R-Bryson City, will ous about increasing availability of broadband will hopefully create some competition and hold a town hall meeting from 4 to 6 p.m. put more pressure on providers to make the Friday, July 21, at the Swain County investment in new infrastructure needed in Administration Building. The guest speaker rural parts of the county. For example, when will be Susan Miller, director of governmenworking with Graham County, Conover said a tal affairs for Frontier Communications. She provider told the county it wouldn’t be deploy- will discuss any issues that people may be facing any further infrastructure. So the county ing with their broadband and phone services.

FRIDAY, JULY 21: NOON-8PM SATURDAY, JULY 22: 10AM-6PM

news

Putting pressure on providers

came up with a wireless internet solution.

“Almost immediately that company started losing customers and started making investments to provide more service to those areas,” Conover said. “There’s two things at hand here — one is to improve the broadband experience and the other is to maybe wake up some folks that thought that they had an area locked in as far as service goes.”

Conover also said he’d assist the county in looking for other funding opportunities. Just like other economically disadvantaged counties in the state, Macon could be eligible to receive funding through the Appalachian Regional Commission. He helped McDowell County through the application process and they were approved for ARC funding and now Avery County is in the midst of the same process.

Commissioner Gary Shields said the county’s problem is more than a broadband problem. He said many residents also don’t have reliable cell phone service. He said it’s a problem that needs to be addressed by the region, the county and by the community.

“We understand the economic value of cell service and internet service and what that means to our community from an economical standpoint,” he said.

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news

Sylva passes food truck rules

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ylva’s proposed food truck ordinance passed unanimously at the town meeting July 13, one year after the town board began researching the topic in the wake of Waynesville’s food truck woes.

“This is good for us that we have an ordinance for food trucks and itinerant vending, and we’ll see how that goes,” Mayor Lynda Sossamon said after the vote. “I’m proud of us for doing that.”

Only one person spoke during the public hearing preceding the vote — food truck owner Curt Collins, of Brew Dawgz — but he had some issues with the ordinance.

“It’s just a lot of money going into the town of Sylva, and I have to make sure I have money coming into my pocket to cover these costs,” Collins told town commissioners.

The ordinance would require food truck and food cart operators to pay a $100 permit fee every six months, with an additional fee required to sell food at special town events. Event fees vary — it’s $25 per Concerts on the Creek concert but $75 for the Fourth of July, for example. Operators would also have to pay a $45 zoning fee to have their location approved by the Jackson County Planning Department, which contracts with the town of Sylva for planning and zoning services.

Currently, Collins said, the highest fee he pays is a $120 annual fee to the state — under the new ordinance, he’d be paying the town $80 above that amount to operate yearround, in addition to the state fee.

“It’s not a high revenue-generating business,” Collins said. “It’s a chance to become

July 19-25, 2017

S

“Every business in town pays money in order to have the privilege of operating in town.”

— Harold Hensley, Sylva commissioner

Both Commissioners Barbara Hamilton and Harold Hensley seemed to feel that the fees are reasonable.

“All the other eating establishments, they’re having to pay taxes,” Hamilton said.

“Every business in town pays money in order to have the privilege of operating in town,” added Hensley. “You have the police, you have the fire department — all that’s got to be taken care of.”

Nestler wound up voting for the ordinance along with the rest of the board but maintained his reticence at requiring all of the fees listed in it.

McPherson suggested that the town could “throw in a bone” and nix requiring a separate permit for special events for food truck owners who already have a town permit, and Nestler asked whether the $100 permit could be good for one year rather than six months.

“I just feel like we’re tacking on a lot, but I understand everybody’s point,” he said.

Jackson County approves contract to merge planning ordinances

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER 14-month process to overhaul Jackson County’s splintered planning ordinances is now underway following the county commissioners’ unanimous approval of a $66,000 contract for Raleigh-based Stewart, Inc. to lead the project.

“We’re just going to meld together some of these more common elements to help us to eliminate any conflicts between two ordiMichael Poston nances that were adopted at different times,” Planning Director Michael Poston explained during the July 17 commissioner meeting. “It will also help us to update our resolutions in light of any new state statutes or case law.”

Jackson County currently has 21 different ordinances governing various aspects of plan16 ning and development, including subdivi-

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Smoky Mountain News

Having some rules in place protects the town and protects existing vendors from finding themselves in competition with 15 other food trucks flocking to Sylva upon discovering its rules to be much laxer than those in other nearby towns, said Commissioner Greg McPherson.

“If there’s something that needs to happen after this passes tonight, we can tweak it later,” McPherson said.

Commissioner David Nestler, meanwhile, advocated for removing or reducing the permit fees.

“I get the need to regulate food trucks, absolutely, and there’s a lot of really good requirements in here and I think they’re all reasonable,” he said. “But I will say you can require all this stuff that we’re requiring Food truck owner Curt Collins tells Sylva’s commissioners his con- in here without requiring cerns about the food truck ordinance. Holly Kays photo that they purchase a permit to do it.” self-employed … for me that’s a lot of money Sossamon disagreed. right now.”

“I think for our own safety as a town — Commissioners appeared to be sympa- this permit says that we’ve checked and thetic to Collins’ concerns but ultimately they’ve gone through all the steps and ended up passing the ordinance. they’re cleared by us to have their truck in

town,” Sossamon said. “That’s the only thing. If we don’t issue a permit we don’t have any recourse.”

And if a permit is required, the town is a bit stuck on the fee, said Town Clerk Amanda Murjada — the ordinance would classify food truck operators as itinerant merchants, and the fees for itinerant merchants are set by the state.

sions, outdoor lighting, signs, zoning, telecommunications and building on steep slopes. The different ordinances were adopted at different times, leading to conflicts and inconsistencies in the language and making it hard for citizens to navigate the requirements.

The county has been discussing pulling those ordinances together under a single unified development ordinance since at least 2015 — the project was part of the discussion during the interview process that led to Poston’s 2016 hire as planning director and is included as a goal in the county’s newly adopted comprehensive plan.

Stewart, Inc. will partner with Waynesville-based J.M. Teague to complete the unified development ordinance. The contract requires them to help county staff merge the development ordinances, provide technical updates related to current state laws and case law, attend four commissioners meetings, attend various planning board and planning council meetings and facilitate public engagement. The Jackson County Planning Board will serve as the steering

“There are some conflicts that will require us to ... determine which standard we really want to use.

We’ve run into that a lot between the different ordinances.”

— Michael Poston, Jackson County planning director

committee for the project.

The process will include drop-in sessions for public input, and the contractors will reach out to community members and business owners to convey why the project is important, Poston said.

“The public will have plenty of opportunity to be involved, and since the steering committee will also be the planning board,

those meetings will be public,” he said.

The project will not look to make any substantive changes to current regulations — rather, it will focus on merging existing regulations into a more cohesive, easily understood whole. However, substantive changes may be necessary in some cases.

“There are some conflicts that will require us to look at some of that and determine which standard we really want to use,” Poston said. “We’ve run into that a lot between the different ordinances.”

Stewart, Inc. was selected from among three companies that responded to the county’s request for proposals. A six-member selection committee — members included the planning director, senior planner, planner 1, county attorney, inspections and code enforcement director, and planning board chair — then interviewed each of the applicants before making a decision.

“This was a comprehensive process to go through and find the best fit for Jackson County,” County Manager Don Adams told commissioners.

Bryson City to host land-use conference a

y t

news

k The Southeastern Private Property and dFederal Land Use Conference will be held July 29 tin Bryson City.

- The purpose of the conference is to examine

how the shrinking amount of taxable private property in rural counties leads to below-average economic conditions for businesses and people in those areas. The conference will focus on the changing management of federal lands and how it affects rural counties and forest users in the mountains. Myron Ebell, Director of the Center for Energy and Environment at the Competitive Enterprise Institute will be a keynote speaker.

The Conference will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Swain County Center for the Arts at Swain High School. All property owners, elected representatives, and concerned citizens are nencouraged to attend. e 828.371.8247 or landrightscoalition@gmail.com.

,

Waynesville seeks board applicants

n n , t

Public input sought on transportation plan

Register for fall classes Haywood Community College registration for fall semester is underway now through Aug. 4 by appointment with an advisor.

Classes begin Tuesday, Aug. 15. HCC offers classes for every lifestyle including online, inperson or a combination of both. In addition, students can pursue a wide variety of certificate, diploma and degree options.

Students can apply for scholarships online at haywood.edu or by calling 828.627.4500.

Smoky Mountain News

The public’s input is being sought as the state’s public transportation blueprint, known as the Public Transportation Strategic Plan, is being developed.

The N.C. Department of Transportation is urging residents to take part in a survey to let the department know their top priorities for public transportation services in the state.

The survey can be completed online at https://nctransitplan.metroquest.com.

The final Strategic Plan is expected to be presented to the public, stakeholders and lawmakers in the spring of 2018.

July 19-25, 2017

The Town of Waynesville Board of Aldermen is accepting applications to fill vacancies on all of -the various community boards and commissions tincluding the ABC Board, Historic Preservation fCommission, Planning Board, Public Art Commission, Recreation Advisory Board and nZoning Board of Adjustment. a Positions are for three-year terms and will dexpire June 30, 2020. Applications will remain -active for one year from the submission date.

0 For more information, contact the Town of rWaynesville at 828.452.2491 or email Amie Owens, Assistant Town Manager at Iaowens@waynesvillenc.gov.

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Smoky Mountain News July 19-25, 2017

news

Health

Smoky Mountain News

Harris expands cardiac services Harris Regional Hospital is expanding its cardiac services, offering diagnostic cardiac catheterization in Sylva beginning in mid-July.

Dr. Hamid Nawaz, a cardiologist with Harris Cardiology, will perform the procedure in the hospital’s mobile lab provided through a partnership with Duke LifePoint Cardiac Partners, LLP. The diagnostic test will quickly determine if an individual has a blockage in any of the arteries leading to the heart. Having diagnostic cardiac catheterization available to serve the western counties will help promote faster care and better clinical outcomes.

The catheterization lab at Harris is the latest in a series of expansions for the hospital’s cardiology service line, including the addition of Dr. Nawaz, Dr. Francis Nullet, and Dr. Frederick Dressler, two additional cardiologists working with Harris Cardiology. Last year the hospital expanded diagnostic, treatment, and monitoring services, as well as echocardiography seven days a week.

To reach Harris Cardiology, call 828.586.7654 or visit www.myharrisregional.com.

Dr. Benjamin Debelak, an orthopedic surgeon with Western Carolina Orthopaedic Specialists, will be presenting the Talk with a Doc dinner seminar “Shoulder Pain: Causes and Treatment” at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, July 18, at the Haywood Regional Medical Center – Café.

Debelak will speak while patrons enjoy a healthy meal. Afterward, he will circulate to visit with guests and answer questions. To attend this complimentary dinner, reservations are required — call 800.424.DOCS (3627) to RSVP in advance.

Sylva.

Wade completed a residency in pediatrics at the University of Florida in Pensacola after completing medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. While in residency, Dr. Wade served as a clinical investigator in the Division of Child Neurology at the University of Florida/Children’s Neurology Clinic.

Wade is currently taking appointments made by calling 1.844.414.DOCS (3627).

Harris Pediatric Care is also expanding to Macon County Aug. 1 with an office at Harris Regional Hospital Medical Park of Franklin located at 55 Holly Springs Park Drive. www.myharrisregional.com.

Tours offered at new Balsam Center

Learn about leg pain at free program

Free tours of Appalachian Community Services’ newly renovated Balsam location will be given at 2 p.m. July 27 and at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. July 28.

The Balsam Center is located at 91 Timberlane Road in Waynesville.

The new Comprehensive Crisis Center, Recovery Walk and renovated Outpatient Center and Adult Recovery Unit will allow individuals to receive appropriate, person-centered support at one place. The addition of an on-site Behavioral Health Urgent Care will allow ACS to deliver 24/7 care to individuals experiencing a crisis in a comfortable, safe setting rather than at home or in an emergency department.

Haywood Regional Medical Center is hosting a free tired leg/ varicose vein educational program at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 27, at the Vein Center at Haywood Regional Medical Center on the second floor (enter behind the hospital).

The program will be led by Dr. Al Mina and Dr. Joshua Rudd. Interested community members are asked to register for this session by calling 828.452.8346. Space limited — RSVP required.

Talk shoulder pain with a doc

Harris hires new pediatrician Harris Regional Hospital recently hired Dr. Ryan Wade, who will join Harris Pediatric Care in

Free services for uninsured in Swain, Clay The U.S. Department of Defense in partnership with Swain County Health Department and Clay County Health Department will present Smoky Mountain Medical Innovative Readiness Training.

This clinic will provide medical, dental, and optical care to residents (ages 2 and up) who are uninsured, underinsured, or in need of quality

patient care at no cost to the patient. No proof of insurance or identification is needed.

Services will include basic medical and wellness exams, optical exams and prescription eyeglasses, dental exams, extractions and fillings.

The clinic will see patients on a first-come, first-serve basis Aug. 2-10 at Hayesville High School, 205 Yellow Jacket Drive, and Swain County High School, 1415 Fontana Road, Bryson City.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. each day. People should be prepared for potentially long wait times.

WNC addiction expert attends D.C. summit Insights into Western North Carolina’s opioid drug epidemic were recently shared with healthcare professionals across the country at a summit in Washington, D.C. The one-day event, “Opioid Epidemic: Crisis to Care in Medicaid,” featured clinical, research and policy experts in opioid misuse during pregnancy, as well as neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Psychiatrist Dr. Craig Martin, chief medical officer of Asheville-based Vaya Health, addressed the group and moderated two panel discussions.

“Western North Carolina is in the midst of a serious opioid epidemic, including use by women who are pregnant and babies who are born addicted to heroin, other illicit opioids and prescription painkillers,” Martin said. “The experiences and lessons learned from our region are of interest nationwide. This summit will allow experts from across the country to better fight the epidemic through Medicaid managed care.”

Vaya is working closely with community partners to increase access to substance use treatment and recovery services, provide leadership for the Western North Carolina Substance Use Alliance and strengthen prevention and education efforts.

800.849.6127.

• Harris Hospice Adult Grief Support Group is for any adult who is suffering loss. The group meets from 4 to 5:30 p.m. the third Thursday of every month in the Harris Hospice office at 81 Medical Park Loop, Suite 204.

828.631.1702.

• Cooperative Extension Services in Waynesville is offering free classes for SNAP recipients in July and September. Participants will learn about the benefits of shopping at farmers markets, gain experience using EBT card at the farmers market and how to save money while preparing fresh produce. Call 828.456.3575.

ALSO:

• Harris Hospice, serving patients and families in Sylva and seven surrounding counties, conducts ongoing orientation sessions for adults (18 & older) interested in becoming volunteers with the program. No medical experience is required. Training is provided. Call 828.631.1702.

19

Waynesville optometrist recognized Dr. Coy Brown, an optometrist with Smoky Mountain Eye Care in Waynesville, has received the VISION USA Service Award from Optometry Cares-The AOA Foundation for his exemplary volunteerism and community service.

VISION USA providers have aided 430,000 lowincome, uninsured people with comprehensive eye examinations since the program’s inception in 1991. But even among those are volunteers like Brown who go above and beyond to help fill a void so individuals can access vision care they may otherwise go without.

“I have been practicing in my community for 36 years. This community has been tremendously supportive of me and my family, so I started doing VISION USA exams as a way to give back to my community,” Brown said. “I feel that we have been able to provide a service that is needed and have a positive impact on several people in need.”

Harris, Swain hospitals recognize employee Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital recently announced that Jamie Davis has been recognized as the hospitals’ 2017 Mercy Award winner.

The Mercy Award recognizes one employee from each of LifePoint Health’s hospitals who profoundly touches the lives of others and best represents the spirit and values on which the company was founded.

Davis is a social worker in the Care Management Department and is extremely knowledgeable of his profession and has an endearing and gentle approach with patients and their families. He is active in his community where he plays the guitar in his church band and also serves on Harris Regional Hospital’s Readmission Team, Community Care Transition Committee, Ethics Committee and the Community Mental Health Task Force.

20

Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

GOP turmoil continues, but facts do matter

Dispelling myths about indigent defense To the Editor: Thank you for dispelling the myth that indigent defense attorneys don’t get paid (http://www.smokymountainnews.com/news /item/20283). They might not make $100,000 but they do get paid. Thank you also for pointing out that out of 100 counties in this state only “about 15 counties” have a public defenders office. Thanks to TV and fiction books we have the fantasy that court appointed defense attorneys are dedicated defenders of justice. Instead most are trying to fit court appointed cases into an already busy calendar. And, as Danya Ledford VanHook pointed out, the lawyers are often “sole practitioners” which means no staff to do all the research and paperwork.

However, any discussion of indigent defense expenses should include the fact that if convicted the defendant then owes the state for the cost of defense. When released the defendant is held accountable for those costs.

In addition, the discussion should also include the question of accountability. The Indigent Defense Services have guidelines for the quality of defense provided. But how do they ensure that standard is met? How are defense lawyers graded, or are they? Who determines which lawyer gets which case? Is it possible for a judge to pick a particular lawyer because the judge knows that lawyer will get the results the judge wants?

“The concern is that if lawyers know they’re only going to get $300 for a DUI case,

do about the outliers at a recent closed session held by its executive committee. As it turns out, the executive committee contains at least two people who are more aligned with the outliers.

We reported that in that closed session party leaders passed a resolution that charged five members of the HRA with “party disloyalty.”

Carr, a member of the GOP executive committee, told our newspaper that the terms we used to describe what happened in the executive session were incorrect. He said, in essence, that no one was charged with party disloyalty.

That prompted one the HRA’s supporters to promptly say that Carr was Editor lying. All of this was in last week’s editing of The Smoky Mountain News.

So, that’s how we go to this point. Carr would not tell our newspaper what was said in closed session. He told our reporter, and later told me, that he was ethically obligated not to reveal what went on behind closed doors.

What he did say, however, was that the local party can’t make such a charge. And, before anyone could be deemed with being unloyal to the party, there would have to be a hearing at the state level and that anyone who was facing such a hearing

Scott McLeod

I’ve known Ted Carr many years, and he is not a liar.

That charge has been leveled against him by at least one supporter of the five members of the Haywood Republican Alliance whose loyalty to the party has been called into question.

Some background: The HRA is composed of Haywood County Republicans who have had, um, differences with the county GOP leadership and some of the candidates that leadership has supported. Those differences in philosophy and in political beliefs and in how to handle disagreements have led to noisy arguments in person and on social media. It’s not quite the greatest show on earth, but the infighting among Republicans in Haywood County over the last couple of years has been about as entertaining as the now-defunct circus that originally went by that description.

The state GOP sent a letter to two who associate with the HRA in May informing them they would be charged with trespassing if they attended Haywood County GOP events. And at the March GOP precinct meeting in Haywood, the more traditional Republicans took control of the party apparatus from those who associate with HRA. (We have to choose adjectives here for different groups, so let’s call the current leaders of the county party “traditional” and the HRA members “outliers,” since their new organization — the Haywood Republican Alliance — isn’t recognized by the state GOP).

We know that the traditional party leaders discussed what to

they’ll be quicker to just make a plea deal instead of going above and beyond to make the best decision for the client.” You are assuming lawyers do that, go above and beyond, at the current hourly rate of $55.

The belief that “every person is entitled to competent, vigorous legal council” is just that, a belief. It does not mean that is the reality.

Without some system for accountability, that belief will remain a fantasy.

Sara Lee Hinnant Sylva

Trump, Meadows just don’t care To the Editor: President Trump’s campaign staff met with a Russian attorney in Trump Tower to discuss inside “dirt” about opponent Hillary Clinton in June 2016. The information has finally surfaced after months of denial by the Trump folks. Trump’s son, “Little Donnie,” has finally admitted to the fact. After the Tower meeting, Russia released damming emails about Clinton and the inside workings of her campaign staff. Did the Trump folks collude with an enemy of the United States to swing an election? It sure looks like it.

America could have done better without Trump or Clinton in 2016, but I guess we had a bad choice in 2016. I liked Kaisich, Bush, Christie — anybody but Trump.

President Trump is a lying dog, in my opinion, an obnoxious New York bragger with low-energy smarts; all talk and little knowledge about history or world events. He would

would be given the opportunity to present their case to state party leaders.

I know Carr was choosing his words carefully in order not to violate his oath to keep closed session discussions closed. So he told us that, “no one was charged with ‘political party disloyalty.’ The article repeated a lie that a resolution was passed that would ‘bar individuals … from holding office … for five years.”

In the state GOP’s party rules, it does say if someone is indeed found to be disloyal to the party they could be barred from holding office as a Republican for five years. But it hasn’t happened yet.

Look, political infighting is as old as politics itself. Group people together and disagreements happen, plain and simple.

We’ve dedicated a lot of ink to the fissures and fighting within the Haywood County GOP, and anyone can search our online archives to read these stories if they so choose. I’m not here to say who is right and who is wrong, though I will say the methods of some of the outliers leave a little to be desired and have been described by some as bullying and mean-spirited.

But, back to Ted Carr. He’s been a pretty steady presence in the county GOP during the hullabaloo of the last several years.

He’s opinionated but also reasonable. He and I have had many discussions on politics over the years.

And he’s no liar. That, I can promise you.

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

LETTERS flunk a high school American history course.

In fact, Obama is looking pretty good right now.

The administration has long denied any collusion with Russia, but Little Donnie finally admitted the truth in released emails. Also present at the meeting was Trump son-in-law, weird, shell-shocked Jared Kushner, who now has top U.S. security clearance, and Paul “the Capo” Manafort, then-campaign manager and former Russian representative against Ukraine’s independence. Yes, Manafort dined and cozied up to Vladimir Putin at a gettogether in Moscow a few years earlier. Hmm. All of them had previously lied about meeting with any Russians, as have Attorney General Jeff Sessions and fired former NSA chief Michael Flynn. The Trumps and lies are synonymous — they are like peanut butter and jelly.

Even S.C. Republican Trey Gowdy, who headed up the Benghazi investigation on Clinton, has joined the chorus against Trump’s lies: “If you had contact with the Russians, don’t wait until The New York Times figures it out.”

I haven’t heard much from our esteemed Congressman Mark Meadows about his erstwhile buddy Trump. Meadows, it seems, is far too busy figuring out how to hurt poor people and help the rich get richer, especially on healthcare.

Just remember Rep. Mark “gerrymander” Meadows’ creed: “Afflict the afflicted, and comfort the comfortable.” In other words, make the rich richer and the poor poorer —

and never, ever let the electorate know how badly they have been fooled.

I noticed Meadows has recently moved closer to the airport in Asheville so he can be closer to Washington, where the Florida or French (?) native is truly focused. Meadows reportedly said moving to the airport area from Cashiers saved him three or four hours of drive time to the airport. Yes, Meadows loves the Washington spotlight. He certainly hasn’t had too many town hall meetings. Why meet with the masses? When you’re gerrymandered like Meadows, you are truly a Oneeyed Jack in the Kingdom of the Blind.

James Budd Bryson City

Single-payer system is badly needed To the Editor: Conservative business owners are realizing that our dysfunctional health care system, driven by private health insurance, is cost prohibitive for businesses.

Michael Grimaldi, past president of General Motors of Canada, states, “Canada’s public healthcare system significantly reduces total labor costs for automobile manufacturing firms.”

David Steil, business owner and a former Pennsylvania Republican legislator, said, “Conservatives should be supportive of singlepayer because it costs less. When they look at the single-payer model they will come quickly

S EE LETTERS, PAGE 21

Susanna Barbee

to the conclusion that it is the least expensive, the most supportive of a free market, and will have the most direct effect on the costs of their operation.”

Richard Master, CEO of MCS Industries — a world leader in their industry — discovered, in an attempt to control costs, that USA physicians average $84,000 annually just interacting with private health insurance. In contrast, Canadian physicians under their singlepayer system spend little more than a quarter of that. In the USA, 33 cents of every premium dollar goes to maintaining administrative functions with private insurance.

More importantly, private insurance has not been doing the job they’ve claimed in controlling health care service costs. Master states, “The truth is that private insurers end up paying 20 percent more for health care services than Medicare, which, keep in mind, is our government-run program for people much older than the average privately insured American.” Because of all this waste, we spend more on health care than any other country, and we have far less to show for it.

Master states, “it’s a myth that under a single-payer system, the government takes over the delivery of health care. Not only are hospitals operated privately and doctors are in private practice …, patients in [single payer] countries have complete freedom of choice of providers. By contrast, more and more Americans find themselves in health plans that severely restrict their access to providers.”

In a recent PBS interview, Warren Buffett said, “I think that [single payer] probably is the best system.”

At American’s expense, our boughtand-paid-for-representatives help private insurance propagandize the myth that Medicare for all is socialized medicine and too costly. Both are lies. The fact is, our current market driven system is the most bureaucratic, most inefficient, most costly, and most rationed health care system in the world.

The conservative solution is Improved Medicare for All (H.R. 676). This 30-page bill simplifies and economizes. It is the most conservative, cost saving, and efficient solution.

Watch the movie at: FixItHealthcare.com.

Allen Lomax Sylva

FIND US AT

facebook.com/smnews July 19-25, 2017 Smoky Mountain News

Since my mom’s passing almost a year ago, my dad and I have become very close.

Without her here as our anchor, we’ve relied on one another. I now talk to him about things once reserved for my mom or sister.

We ladies didn’t want to bother him with our drama, however big or small. We didn’t want him worried about his girls.

I didn’t give him enough credit though because now with my sister far away and my mom no longer living, I talk to him about everything. And he surprises me with his wisdom.

Likewise, he now talks to me about everything. Without his life partner here to discuss finances, large purchases, real estate decisions, etc., those conversations are deferred to me. He and I have had more cups of coffee than I can count over discussions concerning money, probate court, medical bills, assets, life insurance and the like.

As someone who’s basically inept with anything involving numbers, these conversations take diligent focus, but I do it. I’d do anything for him.

Two nights after my mom died, my dad walked into the house, sat on the couch and turned on the TV. He never watches TV. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him sit through an entire show or movie. But in her absence, the silence of the house was deafening so he clicked on the tube.

The opening credits for “The Bucket List” with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman were on the screen that night. He sat there and watched the entire film. When it finished, he pulled out a piece of paper and created his own bucket list.

One of the items on the bucket list says, “Buy a camper.”

So last week when he called me up to “come look at a camper,” I told him I’d be right over.

I arrived at my parents’ house in Weaverville, which is still admittedly hard to walk into. The presence of my mom is everywhere.

My dad then tells me it’s less of a camper and more of an RV. I nod my head slowly and take in everything he is saying.

His original plan was to buy a camper and a truck to pull it with. But, then this RV opportunity opened up and he could get two for one.

He then tells me he wants to sell the house sometime soon and live in the RV indefinitely until he finds or builds a smaller home in Haywood County, so he can be closer to me and my two boys. Sounds like a good plan to me.

My dad knows the folks selling the RV so we went to their house to look at it. As we drove to their home, I looked over at my dad and his eyes were sparkling, which made me smile to myself. I could sense his excitement.

Once we parked and were greeted by his

LETTERS, CONTINUED FROM 20

news

Finding the light in an RV

friends, we stepped into the RV. He immediately went to the driver’s seat. He sat down, put his hands at 10 and 2 and looked back at me with the biggest grin.

At that moment, I realized I hadn’t seen him smile like that in a year. The kids make him smile all the time, but this was a smile full of hope and potential.

He nodded to the passenger seat signaling me to sit down.

As I plopped down on the leather passenger seat, he says, “We’re going to have a lot of fun in this thing.”

His joy was infectious, and I decided one way or another this man was going to have that RV. The price they quoted was excellent and a better deal Columnist than him buying both a truck and a camper, so he’s now the proud owner of an RV. He can check off at least one bucket list item.

After our tour of the RV, we went to a diner in Weaverville owned by a Greek family. Over two cups of coffee, his Salisbury steak and my spanakopita, we talked about the RV. My dad was like a kid at Christmas. He wants to drive it up to my sister’s house in DC. He wants us all to go to Ocean Lakes campground in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for a commemorative trip in my mom’s honor. He wants us all to travel around the U.S. He even said if we start renting his house as an Airbnb, he’ll sleep in the RV in Walmart’s parking lot.

Oh, dad.

To him, this RV is like a symbol of freedom and newness. He has survived this last year with such bravery. Not only has he survived it, but he’s held up my sister and me.

I just finished a book called Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle, and in this book she says, “Grief is love’s souvenir.”

In another part of the book, she says, “The word disaster comes from astro: stars, and dis: without. This will only be a disaster if we lose all awareness of light.”

When someone dies, it’s a personal disaster. While the world at large may not feel the impact, those closest to the deceased feel like they’ve survived something traumatic. It would be easy to stay in the darkness. Very easy, indeed.

My dad, sister and I have experienced the souvenir of love for almost a year now.

It can be the saddest, worst souvenir in the world, but only if you lose all awareness of light.

With things like buckets lists and new RVs, the three of us have somehow, some way, found a little light over the past year.

With my dad behind the wheel and an open road ahead of us, I believe we’re going to be just fine after all.

(Susanna Barbee is a writer who lives in Haywood County. susanna.barbee@gmail.com.)

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

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

3 E JACKSON ST. • SYLVA, NC

www.CityLightsCafe.com

128 N. Main St., Waynesville

WINE • BEER • SAKE

July 19-25, 2017

Gluten-Free, Vegan & Vegetarian options

COME PLAY NAME THAT SONG TRIVIA WITH US! July 25th 6:30 - 8PM Make Reservations Today!

Hours:11:30-9:00

(828) 454-5400 Smoky Mountain News

BlossomOnMain.com

APPLE ANDY’S RESTAURANT 3483 Soco Road, Maggie Valley located in Market Square. 828.944.0626. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Wednesday and Thursday.

Serving the freshest homemade sandwiches, wraps, and entrees such as country fried steak and grilled flounder. Full salad bar and made from scratch sides like potato salad, pinto beans and macaroni and cheese. www.appleandys.com 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

Nutrition Facts

burgers, and other classic american comfort foods that are made using only the finest local and sustainable ingredients available.

outdoor dining. facebook.com/ChurchStreetDepot, twitter.com/ChurchStDepot.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

APPÉTIT Y’AL N L BO

serving size : ab out 50 p ag es Am ount per Serving Calories 0

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

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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

207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde

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

Real Local Families, Real Local Farms, Real Local Food

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.

EVERETT HOTEL & BISTRO 16 Everett St.,Bryson City. 828.488.1934.

Open daily for dinner at 4:30 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday Brunch from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; dinner from 4:30-9:30 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. 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.

FERRARA PIZZA & PASTA 243 Paragon Parkway, Clyde.

828.476.5058. Open Monday-Saturday 11

tasteTHEmountains

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

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

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

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

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

Children always welcome. Take-out menu.

Excellent service and hospitality.

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.

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

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

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.

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 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.

SMOKEY SHADOWS LODGE 323 Smoky Shadows Lane, Maggie Valley

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

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

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

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

Located across from the Fire Station.

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

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

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

VITO’S PIZZA 607 Highlands Rd., Franklin.

828.369.9890. Established here in in 1998. Come to Franklin and enjoy our laid back place, a place you can sit back, relax and enjoy our 62” HDTV. Our Pizza dough, sauce, meatballs, and sausage are all made from scratch by Vito. The recipes have been in the family for 50 years (don’t ask for the recipes cuz’ you won’t get it!) Each Pizza is hand tossed and made with TLC. You’re welcome to watch your pizza being created.

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.

Serving Lunch & Dinner at BearWaters Brewing 101 PARK ST. CANTON 828.492.1422 PIGEONRIVERGRILLE.COM

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

828-476-5058

We e’ll fee ed your spirit, to oo.

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

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

Closed Tues.

Sun. 12-9 p.m.

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

Smoky Mountain News

WAYNESVILLE’S BEST BURGERS

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

July 19-25, 2017

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.

news

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.

G Gourmet di dinners, created d by b our new chef. h f Casu C uall lunches l h and breakfasts. And, a all around you, a feast for the e eyes that only nature could crea ate. We like to t chee Ranch think of it as a little tas ste of heaven. Catalooc Reservations (828) 926-1401 ~ 119 Ranch Drive, Maggie Valley ~ Cata aloocheeRanch.com

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Above the distraction The Swag celebrates old traditions, welcomes new era

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER eading up Hemphill Road, just outside of Maggie Valley, the lush fields and bungalow homes of Jonathan Creek fade into the rearview mirror. Pulling up to a large metal gate, it opens slowly and you soon find yourself meandering a dirt road, pushing ever so carefully toward the top of the 5,000-foot ridge.

At the end of the dirt road, where you feel as if you’d drive off the edge of the earth if you went any further, a large wooden guesthouse appears, surrounded by several small cabins, all tucked underneath large trees and thick vegetation — welcome to The Swag.

“I’ve been the owner and innkeeper since 1969, when my husband, Dan, and I bought this property and developed it,” said Deener Matthews. “People from all over the world come here, and it’s so exciting. I get so energized when I see just how far people are traveling to be part of what we’re doing.”

But, in their decades of proud ownership, The Swag is turning a new corner in 2017. With the recent passing of a law Deener Matthews that ends the longtime stance of Haywood County being dry (in terms of alcohol being purchased or sold outside of the city limits of Waynesville, Maggie Valley and Canton), the mountaintop retreat is aiming to change things up a little bit.

The Swag will not only be able to do alcohol sales onsite, they’re also planning on hosting craft beer tastings. They held their first event last Thursday, as Hi-Wire Brewing of Asheville poured their wares in celebration of the craft beer boom that has taken over Western North Carolina in recent years.

“We’re hoping to do craft beer tastings about once a month up here,” said Haley Stevenson, beverage coordinator for The Swag.

“With craft beer, we’re also looking to draw in new faces up to The Swag, and also younger guests, who can come up here and enjoy the beauty for the first time.”

Although The Swag is a well-known international high-end travel destination for lodging and culinary delights, Stevenson noted the inn is trying to get the word out that you don’t have to reserve a room to enjoy a one-of-a-kind

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Smoky Mountain News

picturesque garden, a handful disappearing for a quick jaunt down hiking trails into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (which borders The Swag) — Deener thanked everyone within earshot for being part of her lifelong creation.

Her sincerity for all of those in attendance is only matched by Schmidt’s joyful explanation of “Tonight’s Menu,” a never-ending long table of intricate salads, tantalizing finger foods, fresh vegetables, lean proteins and scrumptious desserts. It’s a feast “made for a king,” or a queen in all actuality, when you see the ear-to-ear smile on Deener’s face, sitting at the head of one of the large dining tables, immersed in conversation about these mountains and their intricate history with friends and guests from down the hill or across the country.

“This is one of the few places I’ve ever worked where you really get to meet The dining line of guests at The Swag, just outside of Maggie the people and know what they like,” Schmidt said.

Valley. The inn is aiming to encourage more locals to come and “And saying goodbye to the enjoy an evening at their mountaintop retreat. Garret K. Woodward photos guests, and them saying how much they loved the food, and how they can’t wait to come back — fine dining experience.

“We’re trying to get more locals to come see that’s what makes this place so welcoming and what we’re all about, more people from so special.”

Even after all these years, one finds themAsheville,” she said. “And I think the more new faces we bring in, the more that ideas will emerge selves sitting there — facing other dinner guests, now fast friends — in awe of the scene on what else we can do and offer up here.”

Following the Hi-Wire tasting, The Swag then showcased their new executive chef, Jake Schmidt. Though he’s only been at the inn for the better part of four months, the culinary wizFOR THE GAZPACHO: ard comes with a long line • 10 peaches: split and roasted in the oven at of credentials, including 300 degrees with olive oil and salt until stints as an executive chef very tender. at the Grove Park Inn in • 2 onions, tossed with olive oil, smoked Asheville and the execupaprika (a small amount) and salt and tive sous chef at The roasted in foil until very soft. 300 degrees Signature Room, a for about 45 minutes renowned restaurant on • 2 cucumbers-juiced the 95th floor of the John • 1 cup rice vinegar Jake Schmidt Hancock Center in down• 3 limes zest and juice town Chicago.

• ¼ cup white soy sauce “My style is ever-evolving, ever-changing,” • Cayenne to taste Schmidt said. “We get whatever we can locally • Method: Blend away, adjusting with peach and seasonally. We’re also bringing in fish from roasting liquid, roasted onions (and their the coast three times a week. We like to show liquids) cucumber juice, vinegar, lime juice our staff and our guest perhaps things they’ve and zest, soy and cayenne. Emulsify with never seen before. And it’s nice to work with additional olive oil, if necessary. fresh ingredients right from our garden, where we have a master horticulturist onsite.”

GRANOLA: Corralling the guests who are scattered • 1 cup rolled oats around the property — many enjoying the • 1 cup toasted apricot kernel priceless view over Haywood County with their • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar wine glass held high, several wandering the

Want to go?

Whether you’re looking for a serene mountain lodging or fine dining experience (or both) at The Swag, you can learn more about this iconic Haywood County inn by clicking on www.theswag.com or calling 828.926.0430 to make reservations.

“With craft beer, we’re also looking to draw in new faces up to The Swag, and also younger guests, who can come up here and enjoy the beauty for the first time.”

— Haley Stevenson, beverage coordinator for The Swag

unfolding in front of you. It’s proof positive that The Swag remains a place where you’re “above the distraction,” a unique mountain property where one shakes off the trials and tribulations of everyday life with each curve in the road leading to the inn — an escape route back to nature, back to the essence of yourself.

“At 5,000 feet, we’re the highest inn in the eastern United States. And it’s been thrilling to do this,” Deener noted after the commotion of the dinner had died down. “When I first opened as an inn, I was the key employee. And we had a man who slept on Gooseberry Knob in a tent who helped mow the lawn, get firewood and wash the dishes. And to see it now?

It’s just incredible.”

Peach gazpacho, granola and country ham • • • • •

¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup ¼ cup vegetable oil ¾ teaspoon salt 1 cup small diced dried apricots Method: Preheat oven to 250 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the oats, kernels and brown sugar.

• In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil, and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.

• Remove from oven and transfer into a large bowl. Add dried apricots and mix until evenly distributed CRISPY COUNTRY HAM: • 3 sliced of good quality country ham, diced and cooked until crispy in a sauté pan.

Drain, cool and reserve for soup garnish.

By The Swag Executive Chef Jake Schmidt

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Folkmoot Festival: An international presence

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Where culture meets community

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Group information

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Secret agent, man

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Schedule of Events

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Patrick Parton photo

FolkmootUSA

Folkmoot Festival: an international presence he 34th annual Folkmoot Festival in Waynesville kicks off Thursday, July 20 and will again feature close to 300 performers from 10 countries eager to introduce Americans to their native clothing, culture, dance and music during almost 30 appearances across Haywood County and the surrounding region through July 30.

After more than three decades, Waynesville’s annual Folkmoot Festival is just as popular as ever; trying to keep it that way is Folkmoot’s Executive Director, Angie Schwab.

“We continue to fine-tune and expand,” said Schwab, who’s helming her third Folkmoot.

Fine-tuning a family-friendly, fan-favored fest can be a tricky affair, but perhaps the biggest tweak to the regular lineup a no-brainer.

This year, all groups will report to Cherokee for Cherokee Ambassadors Day; in the past, only a few would get to experience the rich culture of Western North Carolina’s indigenous inhabitants.

The events at Cherokee this year will also take on a greater importance, as Schwab revealed that a major presentation would be made.

The expanded Cherokee performance will be joined this year by a few other old events that bear a new twist.

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“We’re having our gala in the yard this year,” she said.

“It’s kind of a big deal.”

Traditionally, the opening night gala has been held in Maggie Valley, but Schwab said that this year after losing that venue, Folkmoot looked a little closer to home.

“We’re having our gala in the yard,” she said. “It’s kind of a big deal.”

Folkmoot’s facility — a former school on Virginia Avenue in Hazelwood — continues to undergo improvements and renovations, which allow it to serve Folkmoot’s larger purpose of promoting cultural understanding.

Holding the event in-house also saves money and transport time for the groups.

“We like the idea of moving in that direction, but it’s kind of a younger, more festival-type version of an event,” she said of the Gala on the Green scheduled for July 20.

“I’ll tell you we’ve already sold 20 percent more tickets than we have [in the past]. So we’re expecting a nice crowd.”

Schwab also said there would be improvements to Many Cultures Day (July 22) as well as round two of the “cultural conversations” forum held last year at the First United Methodist Church for Waynesville.

New additions this year include Camp Folkmoot (July 21) where kids can learn international folk dance from festival performers, The Smoky Mountain News-sponsored Sunday Soiree Series (see SKIDOO, page 6) and, for the first time, two performances at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre (July 21 and 28).

“People may be surprised by the content of those particular shows, because it’s not just dance,” Schwab said. “Our groups will talk about the symbolism, the intangible culture behind their dance and what they’re wearing.”

Another new event — only because last year the facility was still a dilapidated former auto service station — is the after-hours at newly-opened Bearwaters Brewing in Canton (July 25).

“I’m not sure how he’s going to hold us,” she said. “We bring a circus.”

Schwab’s circus will again hit all of the municipalities in Haywood County, as well as Asheville, Hickory, Flat Rock and, for the first time, Greenville, S.C., which represents a renewed effort to build on the festival’s established popularity.

“We need to expand to more metropolitan markets where there’s more international presence,” Schwab said.

FOLKMOOT: Create the community you want to see

Haywood County inmates help set up chairs in the Folkmoot cafeteria. Cory Vaillancourt photo

Far more than simply a festival, Folkmoot is a year-round community asset that welcomes diversity, promotes understanding and brings people together. The organization’s purpose statement says nothing about dance, instead focusing on building global relationships, fostering cultural understanding and developing community prosperity.

Two initiatives put forth by Folkmoot demonstrate these values in action, proving once again that Folkmoot is more than just a festival.

The power of conviction

North Carolina’s International Festival

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER The Folkmoot Friendship Center on Virginia Avenue in Hazelwood is central to the festival’s operation.

Some of the former classrooms are occupied year-round by staff offices; others serve as classrooms or dormitory space for the nearly 300 international performers who visit each year. An auditorium, cafeteria and ample green space also make the 40,000-square-foot build-

ing a tremendous tool for the organization’s use.

But without the help of a couple of guys in orange jumpsuits (detention center inmates) and at least one in the brown-and-black uniform of a Haywood County Sheriff’s Deputy, it wouldn’t be nearly what it is today.

“As a nonprofit in Haywood County it’s tough to find the manpower and the money,” said Folkmoot Executive Director Angie Schwab.

“We are staffed at minimal levels and at the same time we have a community jewel in this historic Hazelwood

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Where culture meets community

said Deputy Glen Biller, the former military policeman who now supervises the crews. “They pick up litter. We help Haywood Christian Ministries with whatever they need done. We help here at Folkmoot. We’ve been up to the watershed, the Haywood County Fairgrounds.

Wherever we’re needed we go.”

And it isn’t just organizations that benefit from the crews, who are selected based on their behavior in the detention facility as well as the nature of their convictions; the inmates themselves – as well as the community – realize Christopher’s Sheriff’s Department is turning a negative into a positive.

One inmate, serving a three-year sentence for DUI, has worked at Folkmoot for the last 19 months; he has three months left on his sentence and says it’s better than sitting in jail.

“It makes this place look better, it helps everybody that comes here and makes their life easier, and it makes us feel better,” he said.

Christopher revealed an additional benefit.

“It builds relationships, and it also may give these inmates an opportunity to come back and work for someone that they have already been working for while they were incarcerated,” said Christopher.

Schwab said Folkmoot has hired three former inmates.

“We’ve helped people in these crews moved back into society,” she said. “This year part of our cafeteria staff are former people that we think are hard workers, trustworthy, honest, good people. We wouldn’t have thought that unless Deputy Biller had brought them here.”

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North Carolina’s International Festival

school, and without these guys’ help it’s not useful to the community. People don’t want to come into a building with peeling paint or leaking roofs.”

The building was in rough shape when Folkmoot recently purchased it from Haywood County; enter Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher.

Christopher’s personal convictions hold that recidivism and the ever-climbing cost of housing inmates — about $75 a day — can be greatly reduced by clearing a path for inmates who will one day reenter the community and hopefully never come back. His advocacy for the Haywood Pathways Center has been vigorous, as has been his zeal for the inmate work crews that help with Folkmoot’s upkeep.

“It saves the taxpayers money in some way and it’s a big benefit to our inmates because it gives them purpose as opposed to them just sitting up there in that detention center with nothing else to do,” Christopher said of the three to five inmates who show up a few times a week for a few hours a day to clean, paint, polish, wash and do what needs to be done.

“If we were to have paid for it, we would have gone out of business,” Schwab said. “We are in a $1.2 million capital campaign; we have raised and spent more than $700,000 and we’ve completed the entire phase one and part of phase two. They’ve saved us between $100,000 and $200,000.”

Folkmoot isn’t the only organization that benefits from the work crews.

“We help all the nonprofits in the county,”

Meet Charlotte Figi.

FolkmootUSA

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER Amidst all of last year’s romping, stomping, clogging and dancing during Folkmoot USA, one event may have slipped off the radar of festival attendees.

But based on what’s happened as a result of it, this year’s cultural conversation is a can’t-miss occasion.

“It is something I continue to think about,” said Angela Dove, Folkmoot’s facilitator of last year’s Cultural Forum and Dance Performance. “I find myself returning to some of those conversations again and again, and I think the impact of those continues to unfold in me.”

In 2016, Dove moderated a Q&A discussion between members of the public and some of the touring groups that attended last year’s festival — a rare chance for people to engage in a candid dialogue across cultures.

Questions from Americans centered upon perhaps the most basic cultural norms and mores — how does your society commemorate birth, or death? Who can vote?

How are Americans perceived?

“We took questions from attendees, many of which were election-related, due to last year’s timing,” she said. “We were in the midst of a national debate about who can and cannot come into this country.”

After the event itself ended, Dove and Folkmoot Executive Director Angie Schwab

had a conversation of their own, and decided to create a six-week curriculum that would drive the discussion in a more introspective direction.

The first class in Folkmoot’s innovative “Cultural Conversations” program — consisting of a diverse cross-section of the community — explored topics of bias, privilege and race across the country and across the county.

Police, public officials, students and other professionals with ancestral heritages stretching from Nigeria to Austria to Venezuela to Cherokee all had something to learn, and something to teach.

“We spent the time sharing things that make us all human, regardless of what country we come from,” Dove said.

Word of the class’s existence quickly got out, and Folkmoot’s been approached to expand the program to other locations and other age groups, which may happen soon.

But for now, Dove said they expect to begin taking applications for the next class perhaps by fall.

Until then, those interested can get a small taste of how Folkmoot is helping to create the community it wants to see — one luncheon at a time — on Sunday, July 23, at the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville, where Dove will reprise her role as moderator and be joined by Israel, the Netherlands, Taiwan and Canada (Wales).

Tickets for the noon Cultural Forum & Performance are $25 for adults, $10 for children and can be purchased by calling 828.452.2997, visiting www.folkmoot.org or at the door.

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FolkmootUSA

Meet the groups of Folkmoot NOTE

PALOINA AMSTERDAM NETHERLANDS • Capital: Amsterdam • Language: Dutch • Location: Western Europe • Religion: Christianity

North Carolina’s International Festival

Compared to N.C. • Population: 2X • Size: One-third

Capital: Buenos Aires Language: Spanish Location: South America Religion: Christianity

Compared to N.C. • Population: 20X • Size: 4X 4

KOLEDA SLOVENIA • Capital: Ljubljana • Language: Slovene • Location: Southeastern Europe • Religion: Christianity Making their first appearance at Folkmoot since 2009, Paloina Amsterdam returns to Western North Carolina with its own brand of traditional, cross-cultural folk and world dance.

Compared to N.C. • Population: One-fifth • Size: One-seventh

The dancers and musicians of this touring group have since 1971 brought the sights, sounds and dances of Slovenian regional culture to life, on stage and street.

After more than 80 festivals, “faithfulness to the ethnographic authenticity of dances, folk songs and costumes” remains the group’s driving principle.

UTKARSH DANCE ACADEMY INDIA

SENTIMIENTO CRIOLLO ARGENTINA • • • •

• 10.2 million live in North Carolina.

• North Carolina is 53,819 square miles.

Expect traditional, rich costumery and expert choreography during a fantastical tour of Argentina’s customs and culture including, of course, the tango. This group has toured North and South America extensively, and attended the famous Festival du Confolens in France in 2015.

• Capital: New Delhi • Languages: Hindi, English • Location: South Asia • Religions: Hinduism, Islam Compared to N.C. • Population: 23X • Size: 132X

The Utkarsh Dance Academy, from Surat in western India, has been teaching Indian classical, folk and Bollywood-style dance since 1994.

• • • •

Capital: Moscow Language: Russian Location: Eurasia Religion: Christianity

Compared to N.C. • Population: 14X • Size: 125X

One of the richest folk dance traditions in all the world lies in Russia, where the roots run more than 1,000 years deep. Ogon’ki – loosely translated as “the lights” or “the flames” – will bring more than 40 dancers, costume designers, musicians and choreographers to show Western North Carolina what that looks like.

DAWNSWYR GWERIN YR AFON GOCH CANADA (WALES) • • • •

Capital: Ottawa Language: English Location: North America Religions: Christianity, Judaism, Islam

Compared to N.C. • Population: 4.5X • Size: 70X

Compared to N.C. • Population: 1X • Size: One-fifth

An ancient legacy permeates Jewish culture – one the Dance Company of the State of Israel seeks to promote.

Appearing in more than 65 countries on behalf of the State of Israel since 1980, The Negev “cultivates new and disadvantaged dancers” to spread their message around the world.

While Welsh may be a mouthful for some, the region is legendary for producing some of the most talented poets, singers, writers and troubadours in all of western culture.

Dawnswyr Gwerin Yr Afon Goch – call them The Red River Welsh Folk Dancers if you want – bring the experience of more than 2,400 performances over 40 years.

• • • •

Capital: Taipei Language: Mandarin Location: East Asia Religions: Buddhism, Taoism

Compared to N.C. • Population: 2.5X • Size: One-fourth

From Poland to Portugal and everywhere in between, these performers from New Taipei City’s prestigious vocational high school are two-time national dance champions.

North Carolina’s International Festival

Compared to N.C. • Population: 32X • Size: 70X

• Capital: Jerusalem • Languages: Hebrew, Arabic • Location: Middle East • Religions: Judaism, Islam

YUNG-PING VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT TAIWAN

EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS THE QUALLA BOUNDARY

AMERICAN RACKET UNITED STATES • Capital: Washington, D.C. • Languages: English, Spanish • Location: North America • Religions: Christianity, Judaism, Islam

FolkmootUSA

AYALOT HA’NEGEV ISRAEL

OGON’KI ENSEMBLE RUSSIA

As the name suggests, high-energy percussive clogging is what American Racket does best; touring across the region and the globe for more than 15 years now, this Florida-based group has made a racket out of making a racket, including a 2011 visit to Folkmoot.

• Capital: Cherokee • Languages: English, Cherokee • Location: Western North Carolina • Religions: Christianity, traditional tribal religion Compared to N.C. • Population: 625 times as small • Size: 653 times as small

For centuries and against great odds, the Cherokee have preserved their own version of indigenous native culture, which they freely share through traditional dance, storytelling and apparel. Frequently performing across Western North Carolina, the Tribe has been an integral part of Folkmoot for years.

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FolkmootUSA North Carolina’s International Festival

Secret agent, man

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER ot long ago if you told someone you were taking your kids to a hip-hop show, they would probably call you a bad parent.

Today, if you told someone that you were taking your kids to see Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, they would still probably call you a bad parent — but “bad” in the sense that Run D.M.C. once famously rapped: “Not bad meaning bad but bad meaning good.”

Such is the evolution of hip-hop, which started with urban teens talking over records but has evolved into a multifaceted musical genre that permeates almost every other — including family music.

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo is known as “The King of Kid-Hop,” calls himself a cross between Dr. Seuss and Dr. Dre and says his work appeals to people who are 31, 13 or 3.

His 2016 album Infinity Plus One took home a Grammy for Best Children’s Album, and on Sunday, July 23, he’ll join the Folkmoot festivities with a fully choreographed performance at the Sunday Soiree Concert Series.

I recently had the chance to catch up with up with the man behind the mic, former Ashevillian Cactus Skidoo. Here’s what Cactus had to say about authenticity, influences and being a part of Folkmoot.

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Smoky Mountain News: Being kinda from around here, had you been to Folkmoot over the past 34 years?

Cactus Skidoo: I haven’t attended but I’ve heard of it. I have a friend who is really into clogging and she’s been telling me about it for years. The more I’ve heard about it since getting closer to it, it just seems like one of those things that makes Western North Carolina such a quirky weird awesome interesting place to be — who’d have thought that people come from all over the world to trade styles and show off their steps in Waynesville?

SMN: I have a daughter and I was lucky in that she was born after the “Barney” craze. We used to watch a show called Yo Gabba Gabba, which I love because I thought the artistic expression was very authentic – the dance, the music, the art. I don’t think you find that a lot in children’s entertainment.

CS: It comes in waves. Think about the 70s – Jim Henson, H.R. Pufnstuf, that stuff was brilliant.

Think about Shel Silverstein. Sesame Street. The Electric Company.

That stuff didn’t look down on kids like stuff in the 80s and 90s did, where the educational side of children’s music kind of got dumbed down and the mainstream side of it got real corporate. Everything I watched as a kid, HeMan and Voltron, those were commercials [laughing]!

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo performs at Folkmoot on Sunday, July 23. Facebook photo SMN: Toys.

CS: But now we have stuff like Yo Gabba Gabba and Adventure Time and Nickelodeon blurring the lines, and I’d put Sponge Bob in that category.

SMN: None of that stuff talks down to kids, and your stuff looks at them eye-to-eye. Why is that important?

CS: There are two perspectives to that conversation. One is, kids are a lot smarter than we think they are and kids absorb and evolve a lot quicker than we think they do and a lot of that is because there’s a bell curve going on – they understand and evolve now a lot quicker then when we were kids.

SMN: And they can spot a fraud a mile away.

CS: They have that sense, but a lot of kids are used to being spoken down to.

Being that I do hip-hop, that has room for a lot of complex lyrics. And being that I work with musicians and will have something like 30 to 50 of them per album, that leaves a lot of room for sophisticated music.

I’ve continued to try to push against it — that line — and see if kids are going to follow it or are they going to get lost.

The irony is now, as I move in that direction, mainstream music is moving the other direction. I’m currently in a place

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July 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 at 7:30 pm July 23, 30 at 2:00 pm Adults $26 Seniors $24 Students $13 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 6

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.

Thursday, July 20

n 7 p.m. Waynesville, Gala on the Green (invite only)

Friday, July 21

n 9 a.m.-3 p.m. — Waynesville, Camp Folkmoot (4 Groups), Folkmoot Friendship Center n 2 p.m. — Waynesville, Cultural Wear Exhibition and Performance Matinee, HART (4 Groups) n 6:30 p.m. — Waynesville Main Street Dance, Court House, FREE (1 Group) n 7 p.m. — Lake Junaluska, Grand Opening, Stuart Auditorium, (All Groups)

Saturday, July 22

n 10-11:30 a.m. — Waynesville Parade of Nations, Main Street, FREE (All Groups) n 11 a.m.-4:00 p.m. — Waynesville, Many Cultures Day, Folkmoot Greenspace, (All Groups) n 7 p.m. — Clyde, Haywood Community College (All Groups)

Sunday, July 23

n 12 p.m. — Waynesville Lunch, Cultural Conversation & Performance, First United Methodist Church (1 Group) n 2 p.m. — Hickory, International Council, Drendel Auditorium (4 Groups) n 5 p.m. — Hickory, International Council, Drendel Auditorium (4 Groups) n 7 p.m. — Waynesville Sunday Soiree Concert Series w/ Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Empire Strikes Brass, Folkmoot Greenspace

Tuesday, July 25

n 10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Cherokee, Cherokee Ambassador Day (All Groups)

where on a level of syllabic sophistication and rhyme schemes and vocabulary, I’m currently using higher levels in my family music than mainstream is using for grown-ups.

SMN: In your music I’m picking up influences of hugely influential hip-hop figures like J Dilla and …

CS: You got it. The Dilla/DeAngelo Slum Village album. We’re always working like that. There’s so much funk to it. I’m glad you caught that.

Most people say “Will Smith!” and I say, “Ahhh, I wish you’d listen deeper.” [laughing] SMN: What other influences can you cite as being important to you?

CS: Native Tongues, obviously Tribe [Called Quest], De La [Soul], KRS-One was a big early influence, I like Hieroglyphics a lot, and Freestyle Fellowship. I

Wednesday, July 26 n 2 p.m. — Flat Rock Blue Ridge Community College (All Groups) n 7 p.m. — Greenville, SC, Center Stage Performing Arts Theater (4 Groups) n 7 p.m. — Maggie Valley Civic Pavilion (2 Groups)

Thursday, July 27 n 7 p.m. — Franklin, Smoky Mountain Performing Arts Center (All Groups)

Loungewear, Backpacks & Accessories

NOW IN STOCK!

Friday, July 28 n 2 p.m. — Waynesville, Cultural Wear Exhibition and Performance Matinee, HART Theatre (4 Groups) n 7 p.m. — Asheville, Diana Wortham Theatre (All Groups)

Saturday, July 29 n 9-9:45 a.m. — Waynesville Farmers Market Stroll, FREE (1 Group) n 10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Waynesville, International Festival Day, Main Street, FREE (All Groups) n 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. — Waynesville, Storyteller’s Circle, The Strand at 38 Main n 7 p.m. — Clyde, Haywood Community College (All Groups)

Sunday, July 30 n 7 p.m. — Lake Junaluska, Candlelight Closing, Stuart Auditorium (All Groups) Schedule is subject to change.

Performance prices vary from $10 to $31. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.folkmoot.org or call 828.452.2997. For lodging information, check out www.visitncsmokies.com.

don’t know who my top five are, but my number one MC is Black Thought [of The Roots].

SMN: So how do you keep all that fresh for adults while introducing it to kids?

CS: There’s a side of me that wants to be influential, that wants to be, you know, a musical revolutionary and following in the footsteps of the people that we’re talking about.

The thing that keeps me feeling like I’ve still got some kind of angle on that is I try to make every song a double entendre in that it’s something kids and adults both deal with – what’s the Venn diagram that we share of being a kid and being a fully realized grown-up? We all have fear. We’re all attempting to figure out how to love. We all sometimes feel like the misfit. We all sometimes feel in awe of the wonder that the world can show us.

Each of those things is something that I can talk about broadly enough that hopefully it applies to everyone listening to it. I want the parents and even people without kids to feel that as deeply as the kids feel it.

Tickets for the Sunday Soiree Concert series featuring Secret Agent 23 Skidoo and Empire Strikes Brass are $10 for adults, $5 for students, free for children under 5, and are available at the door, at www.folkmoot.org or by calling 828.452.2997. Held outdoors at 7 p.m. in the green space adjacent to the Folkmoot Friendship Center – bring blankets and chairs. Food trucks present and beverages available for purchase.

North Carolina’s International Festival

SMN: On the other side, your music is about as good as anybody’s out there, but from a children’s entertainment perspective, that’s something that most people wouldn’t expect.

CS: I think hip-hop aficionados are like wine connoisseurs. Bad wine is not OK. With hip-hop there’s a definitive line where, if it sucks, it sucks. I toured for 13 years with hip-hop bands before I started doing family music, and I’m a white dude from the Midwest doing hip-hop.

That gives me a little more impetus to push myself and make sure that I’m trying to represent the most intelligent, sophisticated, aware, musically potent version of it.

399-20

FolkmootUSA

Schedule of Events

n 5 p.m. — Cherokee, Cherokee Central High School (All Groups) n 7 p.m. — Canton Colonial Theatre (5 Groups) n 8:30 p.m. — Canton Bearwaters Brewery After Party Social

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FolkmootUSA

Sunday Soiree C O N C E R T

S E R I E S

Brought to you by Smoky Mountain News

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

Empire Strikes Brass

www.secretagent23skidoo.com

www.empirestrikesbrass.com

Sunday, July 23 · 7 p.m.

North Carolina’s International Festival

$10 PER PERSON / KIDS UNDER 5 ARE FREE

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A portion of the proceeds will go to a scholarship fund to benefit Haywood County Schools graduates pursuing a music degree in college.

Outside the Folkmoot Friendship Center · 112 Virginia Avenue · Waynesville Food and beverage available for purchase. Tickets: 828.452.2997, folkmoot.org or at the door.

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

‘Everywhere I turn, here we are…’

HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5

July 19-25, 2017 Smoky Mountain News

I was about an hour late.

Rolling up to the Swain County Business Education & Training Center in Bryson City last Saturday morning, I slammed the brakes of the old truck into the parking space, grabbed my box of books and headed for the front entrance.

It was “Book Day,” where several local authors and historians gathered to display and sell their years of hard work. Books on Hazel Creek, Plott Hounds, moonshine, mountain cooking, and seemingly everything inbetween. And there I was with my one book, If You Can’t Play, Get Off the Stage, which covers bluegrass in Western North Carolina (and beyond).

Rising country/rock star Joe Lasher Jr. will An elderly woman greeted me perform during the Groovin’ on the Green in the lobby and directed another concert series at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 21, at elderly man to show me to my The Village Green in Cashiers. table. Atop the table was a name The “An Appalachian Evening” summer card: “Garrett Woodward.” I concert series will continue with The Snyder popped open the box and placed Family at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at the the books on the table. Sat down.

Stecoah Valley Center.

And awaited the books sales sure to breeze through the door as the “Fiddler on the Roof” will hit the stage at 7:30 day rolled along. p.m. July 20-22 and 27-29, and at 2 p.m. July Two hours later, I hadn’t 23 and 30 at the Haywood Arts Regional made a single sale. Not one.

Theatre in Waynesville.

There was one elderly lady who Acclaimed hard rock act Seether will perform stopped by my table and quickly at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at Harrah’s wandered off when she asked Cherokee. how much my book was, with “$20” as, I guess, the wrong Legendary doo-wop group The Coasters will response. It was humbling to sit perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 28, at the there, trying to sell my book, and Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing the attempt seemingly falling on Arts in Franklin. deaf ears.

I had to get up and walk Award for Literature), age 82, rambled on around. And the more I browsed the other tables, the more interactions I had with the in his mesmerizing, maniacal ways. His stories weaved through the tall — yet true most valuable resources in your communi— tale that is his actual life. His father ty — the elders. They knew the history of being shot and killed when Carden was a these parts, the lore and the hard-earned kid, being an orphan and getting beat up truths. And I couldn’t get enough of the in school, witnessing the “Great Flood of conversations I kept finding myself in with 1940,” diving into his wild imagination these folks. and love of comic books, onward to the Beloved Southern Appalachian storyteller (and personal friend) Gary Carden was multiple times his ex-wife tried unsuccessfully to kill him. The darker the stories got, scheduled to speak in the conference room the wider the grin on Carden’s face at 1 p.m. So, I went out to my truck and became, and the heartier the laughter comgrabbed my digital recorder. Why not get ing from those lucky enough to sit in on something of value recorded to, at least, the presentation. make use of time driving all the way out With Carden, he unequivocally sees there from Waynesville, eh? “humor in everyday life.” And, for good reaFor the better part of the next hour, Carden (winner of the 2012 North Carolina son, too. Because, if you didn’t see humor in

Western North Carolina for the last five years, and also is 1,100 miles from home, I really don’t get to see family, let alone interact with faces and voices that know my whole story, where I came from and who I really am.

My aunt asked about my bluegrass book.

I went to the truck and grabbed her a copy.

As I handed it to her, it dawned on me that it was my cousin who was the first person to read the first article I ever got published.

December 2006. I was 21 years old, and my dream was to be a writer, one with a deep focus on music. I picked up the fresh copies of the magazine with my feature and scurried home, only stopping at my cousin’s apartment to show him the piece.

“I’m just so proud of you,” my cousin piped up. “You always said that this is what you wanted to do with your life — and you’re doing it. You’re actually doing it.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” I replied with a slight chuckle, thinking of all those endless miles and tireless days trying to get to where I am today.

I raised my head, made eye contact with the two of them, smiled, and then gazed out onto the large housing complex. I thought of “Book Day” and not one book sold. I thought of other similar events in the future where I probably wouldn’t sell a single copy.

But, none of that matters, especially when I thought of the long road, the “dream scenario,” at least in my mind, years ago, when all I wanted to do was just be able to have something published. Onward and upward.

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

arts & entertainment

This must be the place

everyday life, how would you ever survive?

Carden’s stories and swagger are telltale signs of someone destined to become a writer, a storyteller, an antenna picking up the ingredients of the human condition, for good or ill.

I walked out of Carden’s talk refreshed, with a new set of eyes and ears, something that happens when you’re a writer with your antenna always honed to the magic constantly swirling around you, where you can simply reach out and touch flawed beauty — the finest kind of beauty.

And there I was, packing up my books (the exact number of books I showed up with), helping a couple little old ladies carry out their boxes to their cars. We all waved goodbye. “Hope you can come back next year,” one elderly lady smiled. “Can’t wait,” I responded, sincerely.

Less than 24 hours later, I was rocketing down U.S. 74 towards Charlotte for a concert. Sunday afternoon sunshine, cruising with the windows rolled down, and great live music that evening. What more could one want? I also was looking forward to seeing my aunt and cousin.

Although they moved to Charlotte almost two years ago, I hadn’t seen them in over a year-and-a-half.

After the small talk about “who, what, and where,” the three of us poured another drink and kicked back in the shade, occasionally kissed by the hot metro air trying to make its way onto the deck. It meant a lot to see and spend time with my aunt and cousin. For someone who has lived in

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On the beat arts & entertainment

‘David Holt’s State of Music’

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David Holt.

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The Snyder Family will play July 22 at Stecoah Valley Center.

‘An Appalachian Evening’

Smoky Mountain News

July 19-25, 2017

The “An Appalachian Evening” summer concert series will continue with The Snyder Family at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at the Stecoah Valley Center.

The annual bluegrass/mountain music series will also feature Michael Cleveland &

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Flamekeeper (July 29), The Bankesters (Aug. 5), The Freight Hoppers (Aug. 12), The Jeff Little Trio (Aug. 19) and The Kruger Brothers (Aug. 26).

Tickets for the Balsam Range performance are $30 for adults, students and grades K-12 $10. Tickets are a preshow dinner are also available for purchase. www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.

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ROCKIN’ OUT AT GROOVIN’ Rising country/rock star Joe Lasher Jr. will perform during the Groovin’ on the Green concert series at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, July 21, at The Village Green in Cashiers. Free. www.visitcashiersvalley.com.

Bryson City community jam A community music jam will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 20, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer, anything unplugged, are invited to join. Singers are also welcomed to join in or you can just stop by and listen.

The jam is facilitated by Larry Barnett of Grampa’s Music in Bryson City.

The community jams offer a chance for musicians of all ages and levels of ability to share music they have learned over the years or learn old-time mountain songs. The music jams are offered to the public each first and third Thursday of the month — yearround. This program received support from the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment of the Arts.

828.488.3030.

David Holt’s “State of Music” is a public TV series produced by the Will & Deni McIntyre Foundation and distributed nationally by PBS. The finale in this series was recorded Bardo Arts Center on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee on Nov. 22, 2015. The series received an Emmy nomination for 2015 in the MidSouth region.

“David Holt’s State of Music Onstage!” is the final episode of Season 2.

Watch the onstage performance at WCU Bardo Arts Center on your local UNCTV station at 10 p.m. Thursday, July 27.

The onstage finale features modern masters of traditional music sharing tunes and stories with four-time Grammy winner David Holt. Performers include Balsam Range, Rhiannon Giddens, The Branchettes, Josh Goforth.

“WCU is proud to have partnered with Will and Deni McIntyre to host ‘David Holt’s State of Music Onstage!’ at the Bardo Arts Center. Western North Carolina is a region rich is the arts and the traditional music celebrated by David Holt is at the heart of our region’s creativity” says George Brown, Dean of the WCU College of Fine & Performing Arts who brought this live performance to campus. “This performance by world-class artists, vividly captured during

the performance by Will, Deni and their production team, stands as a dynamic example of how Western Carolina University in partnership with our regional community helps to advance the arts across our region.”

Holt previously hosted the UNC-TV series “Folkways” that took the viewer • through the South visiting traditional craftsmen of all kinds. He also served as host of The Nashville Network’s “Fire on the Mountain,” “Celebration Express” and • “American Music Shop.” He was a frequent guest on “Hee Haw,” “Nashville Now” and “The Grand Ole Opry.” Holt can be seen as a musician in the popular Coen Brothers film • “O, Brother Where Art Thou?” He also hosts “Riverwalk Jazz” for Public Radio International.

Holt and Doc Watson won two Grammy Awards for “Best Traditional Folk • Recording” for Legacy, a three-CD collection of songs and stories reflecting Doc Watson’s life in music. The duo toured together from 1998 until Watson’s death in 2012.

Underwriting provided by NewBridge Bank, Harrah’s Cherokee Resort; and the Jackson County Arts Council.

For more information on the broadcast • schedule and how to watch, visit this link www.davidholttv.org/how-to-watch!.html. bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

On the beat

• Bogart’s Restaurant & Tavern (Waynesville) will host Carolina Catskins (bluegrass) July 20 and Boogertown Gap String Band (bluegrass) July 27. All shows are free and begin at 6:30 p.m.

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Joe Cruz (piano/pop) July 21 and 29, Mean Mary (Americana/folk) July 22 and Jay Brown (guitar/harmonica) July 28. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Concerts on the Creek (Sylva) will host Colby Deitz Band (Americana/rock) July 21 and Mountain Faith (bluegrass/gospel) July 28 in Bridge Park. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. 828.586.2155 or www.mountainlovers.com.

ALSO:

• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host Black Mountain City Limit July 22 and the “One Year Anniversary Party” with Whiskey On Sunday (4 p.m.) and Scott James Stambaugh (singer-songwriter) July 29.

Shows are free and begin at 7:30 p.m. www.curraheebrew.com.

• The Cut Cocktail Lounge (Sylva) will host an open mic night at 8 p.m. on Mondays. All welcome. 828.631.4795.

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

828.488.8898.

• Guadalupe Café (Sylva) will host Folks’ Songs (world/fusion) from 7 to 9 p.m. on Fridays. Free.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night July 19 and 26, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo July 20 and 27. All events are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host Nicholas Prestia (singer-songwriter) July 21 and David Patterson (singer-songwriter) July 28. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m.

828.349.2337 or www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Music on the River (Cherokee) will host Robert Wolfe & The Renegades (country) July 21, Stereospread (techno) July 22, Trippin Hardie Band (acoustic) July 28 and Aaron Jones (honky-tonk) July 29 on the Oconaluftee River Stage. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.visitcherokeenc.com.

Seether will hit the stage July 30 at Harrah’s Cherokee.

• Nantahala Brewing Company (Bryson City) will host The Buchanan Boys (country/rock) July 21 and Somebody’s Child (Americana) July 22. All shows are free and at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• The Nantahala Outdoor Center (Nantahala Gorge) will host The Pioneer Chicken Stand Band (folk/rock) July 22 and The Buchanan Boys (country/rock) July 29. All shows are free and begin at 6 p.m. www.noc.com.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will host Taillight Rebellion (roots/rock) July 21, Hustle Souls (southern/soul) July 22, Post Hole Diggers (folk/Americana) July 28 and Colby Deitz Band (Americana/rock) July 29. All shows are free and begin at 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.nonamesportspub.com.

• The Oconaluftee Visitor Center (Cherokee) will host a back porch old-time music jam from 1 to 3 p.m. July 29. All are welcome to come play or simply sit and listen to sounds of Southern Appalachia.

• Pickin’ in the Park (Canton) will be held at 7 p.m. July 21 and 28 at the Recreation Park.

Free and open to the public. www.cantonnc.com.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Paul H. Davis (singer-songwriter) July 20, Tyson Halford Duo (acoustic) July 21, Heidi Holton (blues/folk) July 22 and Marc Keller (singer-songwriter) July 29. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Pickin’ on the Square (Franklin) will host “artist to be announced” (bluegrass) July 22 and The Caribbean Cowboys (beach/pop) July 29. All shows are free and begin at 7:30 p.m. www.townoffranklinnc.com.

• Groovin’ on the Green (Cashiers) will host Joe Lasher Jr. (country/rock) July 21 and The Buchanan Boys (country/rock) July 28 at The Village Green. All shows are free and begin

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

• Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands) will

Acclaimed hard rock act Seether will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 30, at Harrah’s Cherokee.

The South African band has been rocking radios for 15 years and has amassed twenty Top 5 singles, three platinum records, a fan-beloved gold-selling DVD and scores of No. 1 singles including “Fine Again,” “Fake It,” “Remedy,” “Broken,” “Words As Weapons,” “Country Song,” “Breakdown,” “Rise Above This,” “Same Damn Life,” “Truth,” “Gasoline,” “Driven Under” and their infamous cover of “Careless Whisper.” The band has also been recognized by the South African Music Awards, MTV Africa Music Awards, and Revolver Golden Gods Awards.

Letters from the Fire will open the show. For tickets, call 800.745.3000 or visit www.tickemaster.com. 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.

• Saturdays on Pine (Highlands) will host Kick The Robot July 22 and The Company Stores July 29. All shows are free and begin at 6 p.m. www.highlandschamber.org.

• 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.

828.586.6440.

• Soul Infusion Tea House & Bistro (Sylva) will host Bird In Hand (Americana/folk) July 22 and a music showcase with Noon Day Sun, Tommy Dennison and Chris Cooper July 29. All shows begin at 7 p.m. 828.586.1717.

• Southern Porch (Canton) will host Eric Gress July 21 and Tyson Halford Duo (acoustic) July 22. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.southern-porch.com.

• The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic” night from 7 to 9 p.m.

on Saturdays. 828.283.0079 or www.38main.com.

• Tunes on the Tuck (Bryson City) will host Ian Moore’s “Mountain Music” July 22 and Karen “Sugar” Barnes (folk/blues) July 29 at Riverfront Park. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.greatsmokies.com.

• The Ugly Dog Pub (Cashiers) will host 33 years July 21. All shows begin at 9 p.m.

• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host Colby Deitz Band (Americana/rock) July 22 and The Company Stores July 29 All shows begin at 9:30 p.m.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will A.P.E. (rock/acoustic) July 21, Post Hole Diggers (Americana) July 22, Colby Deitz Band (Americana/rock) July 28 and John The Revelator (Americana) July 29. All shows begin at 9:30 p.m.

• Waynesville Pizza Company will have an open mic night at 7 p.m. July 24. Free and open to the public. 828.246.0927 or www.waynesvillepizza.com.

Smoky Mountain News

• Friday Night Live (Highlands) will host Ridge Round Up July 21 and Johnny Webb Band (country) July 28. All shows are free and begin at 6 p.m. www.highlandschamber.org.

Seether to rock Harrah’s July 19-25, 2017

• Concerts on the Square (Hayesville) will host Southern Vantage (rock/country) July 21 and Paradise 56 (country/classic rock) July 28. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.cccra-nc.org.

at 6:30 p.m. www.visitcashiersvalley.com.

arts & entertainment

• Andrews Brewing Company (Andrews) will host Chris West (singer-songwriter) July 20, Tessia (Americana) July 21, The Andrew Chastain Band (Americana) July 22, The Pressley Girls (Americana/bluegrass) July 28 and Granny’s Mason Jar (Americana/bluegrass) July 29. All shows are free and begin at 6 p.m. There will also be a “Bluegrass Jam with Heidi” at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

27

arts & entertainment

On the beat

Lyric to headline Hillbilly Jam The “Hillbilly Jam” will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 28-29 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

The weekend event will feature live music, food, crafts, cornhole, car show, and much more. Throughout the two-days, there will be several bands onstage, including headliners Andalyn Lewis (rock) and Emi Sunshine (singer-songwriter) on Friday and Lyric (soul/funk) and Joe Lasher Jr. (country/rock) on Saturday. Other bands include Ali Randolph & the Outta Luck Band, Hannah

Styles, Ryan Perry Band and Stone Crazyb Band. There will also be a car and bike show,R and special appearances by characters from the popular TV show “Moonshiners.”

Tickets are $10 per day, free for ages 10 and under. Event organizers will be running a shuttle from Eaglenest Entertainment, locat-b ed at 2701 Soco Road, starting at 1 p.m.

Saturday. The event is sponsored by Sugarland Distilling, Smoky Mountain Steelt Horses and Maggie Valley Inn. www.thehillbillyjam.com. t

Soul/funk act Lyric will perform on July 29 at the “Hillbilly Jam.”

t

WCU dulcimer gatherings and include a variety of afternoon electives.

Weekend instructors will include Jim Miller, Jody Marshall and Phyllis Woods Brown. Miller has been playing and performing traditional music for more than 35 years. He has taught numerous workshops at festivals and has won several awards, including first-place dulcimer at events in Galax,

Smoky Mountain News

July 19-25, 2017

Dulcimer players from around the region and Southeast will be gathering at Western Carolina University for two upcoming events — the 17th annual Dulcimer U Summer Week and Dulcimer U Hammer Dulcimer Weekend.

Both gatherings are hosted by WCU’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment.

Dulcimer U Summer Week will include classes, staff concerts and jam sessions Sunday, July 23, through Friday, July 28. Classes will focus on music theory, techniques, history and technology applications for the dulcimer.

The husband-and-wife team of Elaine and Larry Conger are codirectors of Dulcimer U and work throughout the year to organize Dulcimer U Summer Week.

Elaine Conger is a professional music educator and OrffSchulwerk specialist who has toured with her own country band and as a pianist and backup vocalist with country music superstar Faith Hill. Larry Conger is a full-time professional musician who operates a private music studio where he and his wife teach piano, guitar and drums, as well as the mountain dulcimer.

Laurie Alsobrook, who will be hosting a dulcimer singing jam session, was a member of the first class taught in “Teaching the Mountain Dulcimer” at Dulcimer U and has gone on to become an instructor at the Stephen Foster Dulcimer Retreat, as well as hosting local workshops.

The registration fee is $350 per participant. Optional accommodations and meal packages are available for participants and nonparticipant guests.

The second annual Hammer Dulcimer Weekend will run July 28 through Monday, 28 July 31. Classes will focus on three skill levels

Franklin welcomes The Coasters

Virginia, and Fiddler’s Grove. Marshall has been performing and teaching dulcimer for almost 30 years and was a founding member of the popular folk trios Ironweed and MoonFire. Brown has studied music education at Tennessee Tech University and has performed at numerous venues and festivals throughout the area.

The registration fee for Hammer Dulcimer Weekend is $224 for a single occupancy room and $194 for a double occupancy room. Registration includes meals for the weekend.

For more information about both dulcimer events, call 828.227.7397 or email hensley@wcu.edu. More conference information and online registration are available online at dulcimeru.wcu.edu.

A legendary doo-wop group well known for hits such as “Yakety Yak,” “Charlie Brown,” “Young Blood” and “Searchin,’” The Coasters will perform at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, July 28, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

The engaging and infectious combination of amusing lyrics, onstage antics, and well-crafted music helped make The Coasters one of the most entertaining doowop vocal groups of all-time. Their legacy started with a string of hits that ran from the 1950s through the 1970s. Their repertoire has had a significant impact on rock artists over the last six decades, and many of their songs have been recorded by artists such as The Beach Boys, Ray Stevens, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles.

In 1987, The Coasters became the first group inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They are also members of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, Rhythm & Blue

Foundation, Doo-Wop Hall of Fame, Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame, and the Now Dig This Magazine Hall of Fame. They were also awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award in Florida. Recently, The Coasters released their first album in 35 years, just in time to celebrate their 60th anniversary.

Group members include J.W. Lance on lead vocals, Primo Candelaria on baritone vocals, Robert Fowler on bass vocals, and Dennis Anderson on tenor vocals. While none of these talented men were part of the original Coasters, they strive to stay true to the styles of the original performers.

Their manager of 60 years, Veta Gardner, is the widow of Carl Gardner, the original lead singer and founder of The Coasters. She makes sure the group maintains the same sound and quality of the original award-winning group.

Tickets start at $18. To purchase tickets to see The Coasters or to find out more information about this or any other show at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, visit www.greatmountainmusic.com or call 828.273.4615.

On the street

Diane E. Sherrill, Attorney

The 52nd “Gemboree” will be held July 27-30 at the Robert C. Carpenter Community Building in Franklin.

Rough and cut Gems, minerals, fine jewelry, supplies, beads, door prizes, dealers, exhibits, demonstrations, and more. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, contact the Franklin Chamber at 828.524.3161. Sponsored by the Franklin Chamber of Commerce and the Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin. www.franklinchamber.com.

Is a Will Enough?

FREE LUNCHEON SEMINAR

August 16 & September 13

arts & entertainment

‘Gemboree’ returns to Franklin

11:30 AM

Best Western River Escape Inn Dillsboro • Reservation Suggested

828.586.4051

nctrustlawyer.com

28 Maple St. • Sylva

Who’s ready for some barbecue?

The Western North Carolina BBQ Festival will take place noon to 8 p.m. July 21 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 22 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

Alongside an array of barbecue styles, there will also be competitions, vendors and a slew of BBQ-related activities. Live music provided by Mile High Band, Whitewater Bluegrass, Stone Crazy, Caribbean Cowboys, and others. There will also be hot air balloon rides, chainsaw art demonstrations, and more.

Admission is $6 for adults (two day ticket: $10) and $1 per day for children. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.wncbbqfestival.org.

WNC's Largest Selection of Granite & Quartz.

To raise awareness about heatstroke, Jack the Dipper is partnering with Safe Kids Jackson County to host a fundraising event on Saturday, July 22, in Sylva.

Members of Safe Kids Jackson County will be at Jack the Dipper from noon to 2 p.m. with the “Hot Car Display,” showing how quickly a car can heat up: on a 75 degree day, a car can heat up to 100 degrees in as little as 10 minutes.

During the hot summer months, the Jackson County Department of Public Health wants to remind the community that leaving a baby, child, or even dog in a car can lead to serious injury or death from heatstroke.

Since 1998, more than 700 children have died of heatstroke after being left in a hot car; 19 children have died in 2017 already. Young children are especially susceptible to heatstroke as their bodies heat up three to five times faster than an adult’s body.

For more information about the event, contact Safe Kids Coordinator Ruby Lawrence at 828.587.8227.

Solid Surface Specialists

62 Communications Dr., Waynesville • Appointments Suggested

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

Concealed Carry Class: 80/BYO gun 90/gun & ammo provided $

$

• Sneak E Squirrel Brewing (Sylva) will host the Jackson County Corn Hole Association on Monday evenings ($5 buy in, 100-percent payout), Karaoke with Captain Moose from 7 to 11 p.m. on Tuesdays, Trivia at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and a Guitar Hero Tournament at 7 p.m. on Thursdays. 828.586.6440.

ALSO:

• “The Wizard of Oz” train will depart at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. July 28-30 at the Great

Smoky Mountains Railroad depot in Bryson City. For tickets, visit www.gsmr.com.

• There will be a free wine tasting from 1 to 5 p.m. July 22 and 29 at Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville. www.waynesvillewine.com or 828.452.0120.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. July 22 and 29 at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. www.papouswineshop.com or 828.631.3075.

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

Pre-concealed carry & post-concealed carry classes also available

LEO Mondays & Women's Wednesdays Half OFF lane rental and rental guns.

DAY PASS 20 Lane Rental

$

& a large selection of rental guns.

WNC’S FINEST INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE & FULLY STOCKED GUN SHOP

Smoky Mountain News

• “The Wizard of Oz” train ride will leave the station at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. July 21-23 at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.gsmr.com.

July 19-25, 2017

Heatstroke awareness at Jack the Dipper

17 Palmer Rd. Waynesville | 828-452-7870 Hours: M-W:11-6 Th.& Fri:11-8 Sat.:10-6 Sun:1-5

www.mountainrangewnc.com

29

arts & entertainment

WAYNESVILLE TIRE, INC. Authorized Motor Fleet Management Maintenance

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Tires Brakes Alignment Road Service Tractor Tires

M ONDAY-F RIDAY 7:30-5:00 • WAYNESVILLE P LAZA 828-456-5387 • WAYNESVILLETIRE . COM

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

On the wall

‘Wire Art Jewelry Class’ Local artist and crafter Lawrie Williams will be offering her “Wire Art Jewelry Class” from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Friday, July 28, at the Jackson County Extension Office in Sylva.

Williams is a skilled jewelry maker and featured artist at Southwestern Community College and will be teaching the charming Tree of Life Pendant project at this class. The cost is only $10 and you'll need to bring your jewelry pliers if you have them, otherwise all materials will be supplied.

To registers, call the Sylva Extension Office at 828.586.4009.

July 19-25, 2017

Jackson County art grants

COSMETOLOGY

FALL REGISTRATION

Smoky Mountain News

ENDS AUGUST 4TH

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE!

haywood.edu/registration 828.627.4500

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 July 31, 2017.

Grassroots sponsorships are intended to: • Provide modest funding for 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.

Please contact Jackson County Arts Council at info@jacksoncountyarts.org or 828.507.9820 if you have questions.

Interested in watercoloring?

30

Watercolorist Barbara Brook will host a handful of classes at the Haywood County Arts Council’s Gallery & Gifts location in

downtown Waynesville. The classes will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on successive Tuesdays: July 25, Aug. 1 and Aug. 8.

Brook is one of Western North Carolina’s respected watercolorists. She brings life and character to the medium, and her teaching skill makes the art of watercolor accessible, approachable and enjoyable. She brings all this to a series of hands-on classes at Haywood County Arts Council in July and August.

Only six people will take part in the three two-hour classes. Brook will supply brushes and paints at no charge, although participants are encouraged to bring their own.

Brook will have watercolor paper available for purchase.

Classes will take place upstairs and are, unfortunately, not handicap accessible. The price is $80 for HCAC members, $100 for non-members. Watercolor paper is available for $6 per sheet.

To RSVP, call 828.452.0593.

HCC Creative Arts Kid’s Camp Haywood Community College Creative Arts will offer a Kid’s Camp for ages 8 through 12 the week of July 24-28 in Clyde.

The music and crafts camp will run from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Cost of the camp is $450. Participants will start the day off with two music sessions led by Bryan and Julie McConnell. During the afternoon session, participants will choose from a variety of crafts and projects led by Cheryl Wilkes.

All supplies are included. Students will need to bring beverages, snacks and lunch.

Space is limited. To reserve a spot or for more information, call 828.565.4240. www.haywood.edu.

On the wall

• The Haywood County Arts Council “Members Show” will run through July 29 at Gallery & Gifts in downtown Waynesville. The showcase will feature an array of local artisans and art mediums. Free and open to the public. 828.452.0593 or www.haywoodarts.org.

• Experienced crafter and Extension and Community Association (ECA) member Ernie Plemmons will offer beginning crochet classes from 1 to 4 p.m.

Aug. 1 at the Jackson County Extension Center in Sylva. The cost of the class is $10 and space is limited. Call 828.586.4009 to register and for supply list.

ALSO:

There will be a bladesmithing class on July 29-30 in Dillsboro.

A “Beginning Bladesmithing Class” with Brock Martin of WarFire Forge will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 29-30 at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro.

Participants will begin by making a simple butter knife from mild steel in order to learn the processes involved in shaping a knife. Students will then progress to making a blade from a higher-carbon railroad spike or spring steel. They will cover grain properties, annealing, heat treating of knives, and use differential hardening to temper our blades.

No prior experience required.

Students must wear closed toe shoes (preferably leather), long pants, and cotton clothing, and should bring a lunch. Cost is $225, materials included. To register, call 828.631.0271 or visit www.jcgep.org.

The “Click & Sip Workshop” will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, July 28, at Gallery Zella in Bryson City.

Enjoy mastering photography techniques used by professionals. Attend with a buddy, daughter, son or even your sweetheart. Take home an incredible memory of

your trip to the mountains — your own original fine art photograph. Your instructor, Drew Campbell, is known as the area's finest photography teacher. Students will be presented with various techniques to improve photo composition and how to properly use light to create superior photos.

Cost is $50, which includes 8x12 metal print. For more information, call 828.488.3638 or visit www.galleryzella.com.

• The High Country Quilt Guild will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 20, at the First Methodist Church in Waynesville. The program will feature Liz Florom, quilter, blogger and color master. All are welcome. www.highcountryquilters.wordpress.com.

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

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

Cashiers ‘Antique Benefit Show’ The 41st annual “Antique Benefit Show” will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 21-22 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 23 at the Blue Ridge School in Cashiers.

With over 60 exhibitors, the fundraiser benefits the Blue Ridge School. Grand prize drawing and onsite engraving. Catered by Flip & Whip Comfort Foods.

Admission is a $10 donation. For more information, call 828.743.9270.

• A “Youth Art Class” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday at the Appalachian Art Farm on 22 Morris Street in Sylva. All ages welcome. $10 includes instruction, materials and snack. appalachianartfarm@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.

• “Movies on Everett” will screen the film “Field of Dreams” at 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 21, at the Caboose in downtown Bryson City.

“Raiders of the Lost Ark” will be screened on July 28. Free and open to the public. www.greatsmokies.com.

July 19-25, 2017

‘Click & Sip Workshop’

• The Franklin Uptown Gallery is currently accepting artwork for the upcoming eclipse.

Community members, age 16 and over, can submit pieces to the gallery through July 29.

The works will be on display at the gallery Aug. 1-31. The gallery will provide a stretched canvas for artists. Original art only. For information, call 828.349.4607.

• “Paint Nite Waynesville” will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays (July 20 and Aug. 3) at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. 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.

arts & entertainment

Interested in bladesmithing?

• The “Meet the Artist” reception with Brian Hannum (pianist), Drew Campbell (photographer) and Jon Houglum (painter) will be from 3 to 7 p.m. July 28, at Gallery Zella in Bryson City. For more information, call 828.488.3638 or visit www.galleryzella.com.

On the stage A production of Disney’s Broadway musical “Tarzan” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. July 21-22 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Washed up on the shores of West Africa, an infant boy is taken in and raised by gorillas who name him Tarzan. Apart from striving for acceptance from his ape father, Tarzan’s life is mostly monkey business until a human expedition treks into his tribe’s territory, and he encounters creatures like himself for the first time. Tarzan struggles to navigate a jungle, thick with emotion, as he discovers his animal upbringing clashing with his human instincts.

Based on Disney’s epic animated musical adventure and Edgar Rice Burrough’s Tarzan of the Apes, “Tarzan” features heart-pumping music by rock legend, Phil Collins. High-flying excitement and hits, like the Academy Award winning

“You’ll Be in My Heart,” as well as “Son of Man” and “Two Worlds,” make “Tarzan” an unforgettable theatrical experience. A full two-act production.

Presented by the Overlook Theatre Company. Tickets are $12 for students, $17 for adults.

866.273.4615 or www.greatmountainmusic.com.

‘Fiddler on the Roof’ returns to HART The beloved production of “Fiddler on the Roof ” will hit the stage through July 30 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

The production features a cast of 30 with a live orchestra, elaborate backdrops, and a big bash on opening night

in the theater’s lobby. HART last produced “Fiddler on the Roof ” in 1990 at The Strand Theater in downtown Waynesville. The show was a major hit for the group and helped launch the theater’s growth into one of Western North Carolina’s most respected companies. That production starred Dr. Stephen Wall in the lead role of Tevye and HART Executive Director, Steven Lloyd, made his first appearance on the HART Stage as the butcher Lazar Wolf.

HART’s production will have performances at 7:30 p.m.

July 20-22 and 27-29, and at 2 p.m. July 23 and 30. Patrons may also make reservations to dine at Harmons’ Den Bistro located in the HART Theater complex, which offers dinner seating beginning at 5:45 p.m. and Sunday Brunch at 12:30 p.m. The bistro’s menu can be viewed on the HART website. Patrons can make reservations online at www.harttheatre.org or by calling the HART Box Office at 828.456.6322 from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Smoky Mountain News

Swing into ‘Tarzan’

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Books

Smoky Mountain News

Time to clear the desk, part one John Paul II, The Death Of A Pope offers a number of reading pleasures. The author gives us a fast-paced story, a thriller that keeps the reader turning pages, all the while giving

Jeff Minick

Time to clear the decks — or in my case, the desk.

For whatever reason — to escape our poisonous political atmosphere; take refuge from onerous work; push away some black thoughts; reignite my love of words and language — I have read a raft of books in the last six weeks. Much of my reading occurs in spurts, 15-minute breaks from my obligations, cup of coffee or tea at the elbow, Writer sprawled in a lawn chair in the backyard oblivious, or at least feigning oblivion, to the shouts and scissor-legged running — where in heaven’s name do they get the energy? — of half-a-dozen grandchildren.

Anyway, somehow I have in the last two three weeks dashed through five novels, a biography, and a non-fiction book about religion and the public square. In addition, I have explored half a dozen other books, ranging from the essays of Evelyn Waugh to yet another biography of Oscar Wilde, short hikes of reconnaissance rather than full-fledged journeys to the interior.

So here are reviews of some of these books I have finished.

First up is Piers Paul Read’s The Death Of A Pope (Ignatius Press, 2009, 215 pages), which I polished off half an hour ago. This novel pits David Kotovski, a young agent serving MI5, the United Kingdom’s counter-intelligence and security agency, against the expriest and social activist Juan Uriarte, an idealist whose vision of a better world leads him from helping in the soup kitchens and clinics of Africa to planning an act of horrendous terrorism. Caught between these two antagonists are journalist Kate Ramsey and her Uncle Luke, a Catholic priest.

Set in the final year of the pontificate of

us a look at the workings of the Catholic Church, the plight of Africa refugees, an explication of the deadly properties of sarin gas, and the moral struggle between idealism and practicality, between right and wrong when the adversaries are irrevocably divided by their deepest beliefs. In Uriarte, for example, Read paints the perfect portrait of a fanatic, a man who rouses both our sympathies and our fears. In Kotovski, grandson of a Polish immigrant, Read gives us a champion who pushes himself to find Uriarte not only to protect Kate, but thousands of innocent victims as well.

The Death Of A Pope earns an enthusiastic two thumbs up.

In The Inn at the Edge of the World (A Common Reader Edition: The Akadine Press, 1998, 187 pages), Alice Thomas Ellis takes us and five other travelers for a Christmas getaway to an inn located on the coast in the northern reaches of Britain — “the edge of the world.” The innkeeper’s wife deserts him just before arrival of the five guests: an actress famous for her television commercials, a psychotherapist, a retired Army officer, a young woman who considers her life a failure, and an aspiring actor who is stalking the actress and who is, we soon learn, bughouse nuts.

Years ago, I read Thomas’ Home Life, a four-volume collection of newspaper columns also published by A Common Reader, now sadly defunct. With wit and vigor, Thomas described her daily life in those books, and I still return to them, particularly the first one, when I want to sit down with a writer whose prose sparkles like champagne.

Very dry champagne, I might add. Over the years, I had several times picked up her novels and dipped into them, only to return them to the library shelves.

Why I waited so long to read an Ellis novel I do not know. Perhaps I just wasn’t ready.

What I do know is that The Inn at the Edge of

the World brought so many delights, right from page one, that I forced myself to read slowly, savoring the crisp sentences, the sly wit, the very real characters, and the meaning behind such themes as Christmas, water, love and death, and ghosts.

The interplay between the book’s characters is masterful. Harry, for example, the retired military officer with a tragic past, befriends the beautiful actress, Jessica, and eventually saves her life. Ronald, the psychotherapist whose wife has also left him, is constantly and secretly analyzing those around him, but with little imagination.

Anita, the other female guest, soon harbors visions of marrying Ronald, taking him in hand and showing him what a good wife could do for him. Eric, the crazed actor who thinks Jessica is in love with him, acts like a box of dynamite in this tiny group, causing explosion after explosion and thereby altering their perceptions of one another.

In his “Afterword” to The Inn at the Edge of the World, Thomas Meagher, the brilliant editor of the Common Reader books, observed that “being a castaway is precisely the condition which defines the human soul throughout Ellis’s work.” He goes on to note that these fugitives from Christmas and their own discontents escape to the inn only to find themselves in another sort of confinement.

The quote by Horace cited in the book, “They change their sky, but not their minds, who sail across the sea,” is stamped into the heart of all but one of Thomas’ creatures.

This scenario may sound bleak, but Thomas’s humor and her gimlet-eyed take on human nature offset this darkness. In the near future, I plan to visit another of her novels.

“Too many books, too little time.” The slogan appears on T-shirts and bumper stickers.

In my case, however, it’s too many books and too little space on the page. Next time: Clearing The Desk: Part II. (Jeff Minick is a writer and teacher.

Minick0301@gmail.com.)

‘Coffee with the Poet’

The “Coffee with the Poet” series continues with Sam Barbee at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 20, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

Barbee’s poems have appeared Poetry South, Crucible, Asheville Poetry Review, The Southern Poetry Anthology VII: North Carolina, Potato Eyes, Georgia Journal, Main Street Rag, Iodine, and Pembroke Magazine, among others. His fiction has been recognized by the Norfolk Society for the Arts and published in Atlantis.

His second poetry collection, That Rain We Needed (Press 53), was published in April of 2016, and a nominee for the Roanoke-Chowan Award as one of North Carolina’s best poetry collections of 2016.

Barbee was awarded an “Emerging Artist’s Grant” from the Winston-Salem Arts Council to publish his first collection Changes of Venue (Mount Olive Press); has been a featured poet on the North Carolina Public Radio Station WFDD; received the 59th Poet Laureate Award from the North Carolina Poetry Society for his poem “The Blood Watch”; and is a Pushcart nominee.

Barbee is the 2017 President-Elect for the NC Poetry Society and Past-President of Winston-Salem Writers.

The “Coffee with the Poet” series gathers the third Thursday of each month and is co-sponsored by the North Carolina Writers Network. For more information, call City Lights Bookstore at 828.586.9499.

Ron Rash paperback launch

Celebrated New York Times bestselling author Ron Rash will hold a book discussion at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

The date marks the paperback release of his seventh novel, The Risen. Rash demonstrates his superb narrative skills in this suspenseful and evocative tale of two brothers whose lives are altered irrevocably by the events of one long-ago summer, one bewitching young woman — and the secrets that could destroy their lives.

To reserve copies of The Risen, call City Lights Bookstore at 828.586.9499.

Blue Ridge Books celebrates 10 years In celebration of its 10th birthday, Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville will host an array of events throughout the month of July, including a special event with New York Times bestselling author and Western Carolina University Professor Ron Rash on July 25. n 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 19: “An Afternoon with a Scientist!” Join children’s science author and college biology instructor, Dawn Cusick, for a time of science exploration for children. n 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 20: “Free Chess Lessons for All Ages and Levels of Players.”

Every Thursday afternoon you’ll find members of the Smoky Mountain Chess Club playing in Blue Ridge Books meeting room — friendly games, rated games and sometimes tournament play. n 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 25: “Ron Rash reading.” Rash will be at Blue Ridge Books to help celebrate its anniversary and also the release of his novel, The Risen, in paperback. Rash will read, answer your questions, and sign books. www.blueridgebooksnc.com or

‘Secrets of the Smokies’

City Lights joint author reading

Saturday, July 22nd 3:00PM 3 EAST JACKSON STREET • SYLVA

828/586-9499 • citylightsnc.com

Outdoor Adventure

The

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trees are talking.

And they ’re saying,

“It ’s time for

fishing fun.”

Talking Trees Children’s Trout Derby August 4, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. & August 5, 7 a.m.–2 p.m.

This free, two-day event starts Friday at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds with prizes, entertainment, and fun attractions for the kids. Saturday, the fishing begins early at Oconaluftee Islands Park with free fishing gear for the first 2,000 participants. There’s free food, more fun activities, and ice cream all day.

For registration information: VisitCherokeeNC.com | 800.438.1601

Smoky Mountain News

There will be a joint reading with Charles Dodd White, Gavin Dillard and David Dalton at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

The authors will all be on hand to share and talk about their respective work. White is the author of Sinners of Sanction County, Lambs of Men and A Shelter of Others. He teaches in the English Department of Pellissippi State Community College. Dillard is a poet and songwriter. He is the author of seven books of homoerotic poetry, two anthologies of poetry and several popular songs. His newest book, a June release, is called Graybeard Abbey. Dalton is the author of Fugue in Ursa Major and Oratorio in Ursa Major, the first two books of what will be an apocalyptic sci-fi trilogy.

To reserve copies of these books, call City Lights Bookstore at 828.586.9499.

Charles Dodd White, Gavin Dillard & David Dalton

July 19-25, 2017

The “Secrets of the Smokies” discussion with Ben Anderson will be held at several upcoming locations around Western North Carolina.

With more than 11 million visitors in 2016 despite a 10-day closure, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is hardly a secret. Yet, the 520,000-acre park still has many special places that are relatively little known and lightly visited. Smokies Chronicle author Ben Anderson has identified 12 such places — one for each month of the year — that in most cases don’t require an extreme amount of effort to reach.

Join him on a jaunt through the distinct seasons of the nation’s most popular national park.

Anderson will be speaking at the following places: Wednesday, July 19, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin; 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, at the Albert Carlton Library in Cashiers; and 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Haywood County Public Library in Waynesville.828.456.6000.

Bookstore Joint Reading by:

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Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

34

WINGED WONDERS Butterfly house is a living exhibit at the N.C. Arboretum

A monarch butterfly drinks nectar from a coneflower.

Holly Kays photos

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER t’s one of those summer days that’s so hot and humid it’s impossible to walk even two steps without sweating, and inside the butterfly house the air is even heavier, thick as a tropical rainforest.

But, for the butterflies, it’s perfect.

“They’re happy,” explains Mary Harrill, curator of the temporary Winged Wonders exhibit at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville.

“They’re reproducing. They’re mating, laying eggs.”

Stepping into the greenhouse is like stepping into a slowed-down version of time.

Butterflies drift placidly from flower to flower, unfurling their proboscises — the long, strawlike protrusions that they use to eat — when they find some especially tasty nectar. Some of them sit perched, methodically opening and closing their wings to gather heat from the air, while others cling to the warm, translucent greenhouse walls.

In a locked wooden box, rows of butterflies-to-be hang from dowel rods. Called chrysalises, these little packages are in transition from caterpillarhood to emergence as butterflies. Their appearance varies greatly, depending on the species — they range from the brown, knobby structures containing gulf fritillary pupae to the creamy green chrysalis of the monarch butterfly, jewel-like with its

I

A painted lady butterfly takes a rest.

Outdoor concerts to support arboretum A new outdoor concert series and projected-light show will launch 9-10:45 p.m. Aug. 2-6 at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville, providing a beautiful summer experience while raising money to support future projects like the Winged Wonders butterfly display.

Summer Lights follows the success of the arboretum’s popular Winter Lights Christmas light exhibit and will feature music from the all-volunteer Blue Ridge Orchestra, made up of professional and amateur musicians based in Western North Carolina. Directed by conductor Milton Crotts, the orchestra will perform everything from classical favorites to Broadway hits, with a light display created by Franklin-based Highland Mediaworks projected onto the woodland forest backdrop. $18 for adults; $12 for children 5-11; $2 discount for N.C. Arboretum Society members. Purchase tickets online at www.ncarboretum.org.

Painted lady eggs are small and light blue.

diamond shape and line of gold studs across the center.

Visitors mill in and out — adults often accompanied by cameras, children, or both.

Lorraine and Michael Lanius, with their 3and 5-year-old grandsons in tow, are among them, Lorraine explaining to the boys how the butterflies emerge from the chrysalises now hanging in the box, and how when winter comes the monarchs fly all the way south to Mexico.

“We just like to get them out of the house from time to time,” Lorraine laughs when asked why they made the trip.

The Lanius’s have plenty of butterflyattracting plants in their own yard, but the experience at the arboretum is different. Here, the butterfly garden is enclosed, all stages of the life cycle existing together. Butterflies flit through the air, chrysalises wait to hatch, and eggs and caterpillars cling to the plants. And it’s all right there, at close range.

“When butterflies are out in the wild, they’re more skittish and you really don’t get to see them up close and personal like this,” Harrill said. “You don’t get to actually have a butterfly feeding right in front of you because they usually fly away when you get close to them.”

These butterflies aren’t skittish. In fact,

some of them will use visitors’ shirts as landing pads.

Actually holding the butterflies isn’t allowed. They’re fragile, so even a slight mishandling can cause serious damage. But when volunteers are available to hand them out, the exhibit includes butterfly wands — sticks that have nectar sponges on the end where butterflies will sit and eat.

“You can hold that as close to your face as you want and see how the butterflies taste with their feet,” Harrill said. “They taste that it’s sweet, and then they unroll their proboscises and start sucking out of the wand.”

Currently, the butterfly house contains four species native to the area — monarchs, eastern tiger swallowtails, gulf fritillaries and painted ladies. The arboretum receives 100150 chrysalises every week from its supplier in Florida, which then hang in the chrysalis box to hatch over the course of the next seven days. Most of the butterflies live for about two weeks after they hatch as adults.

Sharing the exhibit with arboretum visitors has been a thrilling experience, Harrill said, because many of them arrive with little understanding of how the butterfly life cycle actually works. When they leave, they’ve been able to change that by passing within arm’s length of the whole thing.

F

Fair deadlines approaching outdoors

Deadlines are approaching to enter exhibits in the N.C. Mountain State Fair, which will take place Sept. 8-17 at the Western N.C. Agricultural Center in Fletcher.

Most entries are due July 28, including cooking contests, the gospel singing contest and most livestock shows. Entries will still be accepted through Aug. 11 with a late fee.

Other deadlines include: Aug. 4, llamas/alpacas, clogging contest first cutoff; Aug. 9, rabbits; Aug. 11, display livestock; Aug. 18, clogging championship; Aug. 25, general exhibits, flower and garden entries, very special livestock show.

This year’s theme, “Where Farm Meets Fun,” celebrates homegrown agriculture and the best of Western North Carolina.

The fair will include a carnival, free grounds entertainment, livestock shows, competitive exhibits and family fun. www.mountainfair.org.

The outline of what will eventually become a butterfly wing is faintly visible through the sides of a monarch chrysalis.

Grills, Fire Pits, & Outdoor Living Design and Installation

828-202-8143 CleanSweepFireplace.com

Volunteers are wanted to help visitors interact with the live butterflies now on display at the N.C. Arboretum.

The exhibit, Winged Wonders, will be on display through Oct. 29. Volunteers will work four-hour shifts helping people interact with the butterflies in a safe, humane way. Tasks include safe handling of butterflies using butterfly wands and ensuring the butterflies stay inside the protected exhibit greenhouse.

No prior knowledge of or experience with live butterflies required. Sign up at www.ncarboretum.volunteerhub.com.

Smoky Mountain News

“They’re able to appreciate that a butterfly isn’t just a pretty thing that’s flapping about,” Harrill said. “A butterfly is something that’s actually beneficial. The adults help pollinate plants. The caterpillars help trim plants down — they’re nature’s pruners. And then they’re part of the food chain too, on top of it.”

The Winged Wonders exhibit is the first butterfly exhibit the arboretum has hosted since 2008. About six months of planning preceded its opening to the public, with funds coming from money the N.C. Arboretum Society has raised through events such as Winter Lights.

However, the exhibit is just one part of the arboretum’s overall focus on pollinator species in recent years.

July 19-25, 2017

Become a butterfly docent

In 2016, the N.C. Arboretum became one of seven Bee Campus USA gardens nationwide, marking it as an educational campus that’s committed to practices supporting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. As part of the certification, the arboretum focused its 2016 seasonal exhibits on plants and nesting sites for pollinator species, also working with volunteers and outside organizations to create pollinator gardens in the community.

Many types of butterflies and bees have seen declining numbers in recent decades, with a variety of factors to blame. Pesticides on the plants they eat can reduce their chances of survival, and increased development can make good habitat hard to come by. Monocrop agriculture can also hurt populations by cutting down on the diversity of species these insects need to thrive.

In 2015, the arboretum instituted what is now an annual Monarch Butterfly Day event held in September, and in 2017 butterflies will get the focus all year long.

The Winged Wonders exhibit, which opened May 13, will operate through Oct. 29, and several new butterfly-focused plantings now adorn the Forest Meadow, in addition to interpretive signage about butterflies and other pollinators. The arboretum’s signature Quilt Garden features a butterfly quilt block pattern, and Waynesville artist Grace Cathey has designed an upright kaleidoscope sculpture called “Life of the Monarch” to illustrate the different stages of a monarch’s life cycle — the sculpture is located at the arboretum’s Forest Meadow.

35

outdoors

State Forest Service offers tree seedlings The N.C. Forest Service Nursery Program is currently accepting seedling orders for the 16 million quality seedlings representing 47 tree species that it produces annually.

Hardwoods can be purchased in quantities as small as 10 seedlings, with a minimum order of 50 for conifers. For larger orders, seedlings are sold by the hundreds and thousands. Seedlings are distributed in the fall, shipped to one of 13 locations statewide or mailed through the U.S. Postal Service for an additional charge.

The catalog is available online through the “Tree Seedlings & Nursery Program” link at ncforestservice.gov, or at any local NCFS office.

Weigh in on forest management

Smoky Mountain News

July 19-25, 2017

Open houses seeking input on the developing forest management plan for the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests are planned for the coming weeks, with the public invited to learn about and comment on the latest round of documents released as part of the process. n 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, at the Cheoah Ranger District Office in Robbinsville. n 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, at the Brasstown Community Center in Brasstown.

The recently released documents outline the management areas assigned to each area of

36

the forest, divide the forest into 12 distinct landscapes, and include information on special interest areas the Forest Service has identified.

The open houses will be drop-in style, with comments accepted and information given.

Comments can also be submitted by Aug. 31 to NCplanrevision@fs.fed.us with the subject line “Spring 2017 material Plan Building Blocks” or by mail to Attn: Plan Revision, National Forests in North Carolina, 160A Zillicoa St, Asheville, NC 28801.

Forest planning documents are online at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/nfsnc/ncprevision.

New agritourism guide is out The new Buy Haywood agritourism guide is now available, celebrating the 10th anniversary of this initiative to promote homegrown Haywood County products.

The guide includes a variety of listings, including farmers markets, roadside stands, specialty retail shops, breweries, farm-totable restaurants and more. In addition, it features a hand-drawn county map by local naturalist Ken Czarnomski and images by award-winning photographer Benjamin Porter, Ed Kelley and Rachel McIntosh, as well as a recipe from Maggie Valley’s Frankie’s Italian Trattoria.

The guide is free and available at locations throughout Haywood County — including the Haywood County Visitor Center in Maggie Valley — with a digital version online at www.buyhaywood.com.

Repairs underway on the Blue Ridge Parkway Repairs on the Blue Ridge Parkway will continue through August between mileposts 383 and 389 near Asheville, part of a project to repair several dangerous ruts.

Work will take place 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, possibly causing delays due to a single lane closure.

Landscape architects designed the Parkway with earthen and sod shoulders to enhance the scenic experience, but over time impacts from heavy use and roadside

Deep ruts along the edge of the Blue Ridge Parkway through Asheville will get fixed over the course of the next month. NPS photo

parking have left some road edges with ruts as deep as 12 inches, creating a safety hazard and potential for erosion issues.

Parkway road conditions are updated in real time at www.nps.gov/maps/blri/roadclosures.

Man airlifted following 40-foot fall A man was airlifted from the Graveyard Fields area of the Pisgah National Forest July 12 after falling 40 feet from Yellowstone Falls.

Five people witnessed the man fall from a ledge halfway up the 80-foot falls, reporting that he was conscious when he landed at the bottom. Haywood County Search and Rescue responded but had some difficulty reaching the site due to the vertical rockfaces going into the gorge, said U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Cathy Dowd.

Eventually over the course of the hours-long rescue, four teams from Haywood, Transylvania and Henderson counties were involved in the effort. The man was ultimately rescued using highangle rescue techniques and the help of the Mountain Area Medical Airlift.

The Forest Service has no information on his medical condition, Dowd said, but he was taken to Mission Hospital in Asheville and did survive the fall. No official Forest Service trail leads to the place where the fall occurred.

Step into train history A 1914 logging locomotive will be on display at the Cradle of Forestry in America Saturday, July 22, as part of a daylong celebration of train history.

Logging trains once wound their way through forest coves all over Western North Carolina, and WNC train historian Jerry Ledford will present historical photographs during a talk given at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the locomotive will be on display and members of the Asheville Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society will show a hands-on railroad yard.

A variety of photos and memorabilia will be displayed as well. $5 for adults; free for visitors 15 and

under; America the Beautiful, Golden Age Passport and Friends of the Cradle passes accepted. The Cradle of Forestry is located along U.S. 276 in the Pisgah National Forest, 35 miles south of Waynesville. www.cradleofforestry.com.

Photograph nature like a pro Become a better nature photographer during a workshop 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 29, in Balsam.

The program will teach basic tips and techniques to help students become adept at meshing subject, composition, angles and lighting to create powerful images. Technical aspects of photography and composing to convey emotion will also be covered.

Larry Thompson, who served as the National Audubon Society’s Southeast Regional Vice President for 20 years, will teach the course. He has taught nature courses and led birdwatching, wildflower and photography trips for more than 30 years and resides in Balsam. $35; open to ages 10 and up. Register at 828.452.5414 or lvthompson@earthlink.net.

outdoors July 19-25, 2017

Smoky Mountain News

37

outdoors

Run back to the ‘80s A 5-mile run along the Little Tennessee River in Franklin will raise money for the Greenville Shriners Hospital 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5.

The ‘80s Flashback 8K, now in its fourth year, will include awards for the male and female runners who best dress according to the ‘80s theme. Overall and age division winners will also be recognized. $25 through July 21 at www.active.com.

Whitewater Olympics coming to WNC

July 19-25, 2017

The 2017 Whitewater Junior Olympics will come to the Nantahala River July 28-30, featuring a variety of competitions for the country’s top young paddlers as well as a variety of just-for-fun water events.

The action will A young paddler kick off at noon adventures through Friday, July 28, with the Nantahala River. an adventure dash SMN photo relay, followed by slalom open practice, the downriver sprint race and yard games at 6 p.m. The next day, the slalom race will begin at noon, the duckie cross will start at 3 p.m., and the stand up paddleboard free paddle will commence at 4 p.m. with a banquet dinner and awards to follow. Sunday will feature the freestyle and giant slalom races before the awards ceremony at 4 p.m. $45 through July 27 and open to youth 18 and under. Free to watch. Hosted by the Nantahala Racing Club at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Swain County. For registration and a complete schedule, visit nantahalaracingclub.com/events/junior-olympics.

{Celebrating the Southern Appalachians}

Fly fishing hall of famers The Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians Hall of Fame will have six new members when its second-ever class of inductees is recognized Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Southwestern Community College Swain Center in Bryson City.

The 2017 inductees are: n Bernard “Lefty” Kreh, Recreation Category. Kreh has written 31 books focusing on fly fishing and the outdoors and is an innovative fly tyer, especially known as a fly rod designer and for his worldrenowned Lefty’s Deceiver tie. n Mac Brown, Recreation Category.

Brown is a fishing guide, author, instructor, coach, multiMac Brown. SMN photo organization volunteer and a leader in regional and national fly fishing competitions. n Jimmy Jacobs, Communications Category. Jacobs has written many fly-fishing books and articles and is also a photographer and seminar speaker. n Stephen Edward Moore, Conservation Category. Moore has been dedicated to the restoration of brook trout in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for years and worked to discover the Southern strain of brook trout.

n Joe M. Messinger, Sr, Crafts Category.

Messinger is a professional fly tyer who is designed the famed Irresistible pattern, as well as the Nitehummer, Messinger Frog, Meadow Frog, Golden Frog, Dogcatcher, Bleeding Bucktail Popper and Bleeding Hair Frog. n Phyllis Starr Nolan, Humanity Category.

Nolan is an instructor, educator, clinical coach, multi-organization volunteer and a

regional and national leader in using fly fishing as therapy for recovering cancer patients.

Space is limited for the induction ceremony, with $35 tickets including admission, lunch and weekend-long museum admission. RSVP to info@greatsmokies.com or 828.488.3681.

Nomination forms for future Hall of Fame inductees are available from Alen Baker at alenandscottie@aol.com or at the museum, located in downtown Bryson City.

Picnic with WATR

Smoky Mountain News

A summer picnic featuring fun in the sun and a chance to learn about what’s afoot with the Watershed Association of the Tuckeseigee River will be held 6-8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at Darnell Farms in Bryson City.

WATR’s projects, to be discussed at the picnic, include creek cleanups, educational programs at Monteith Park in Dillsboro, muddy water watches and tracking fecal coliform levels in local streams. The meal will be potluck style. www.watrnc.org.

Smoky Mountain Living celebrates the mountain region’s culture, music, art, and special places. We tell our stories for those who are lucky enough to live here and those who want to stay in touch with the place they love.

Subscribe or learn more at smliv.com MAGAZINE

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North Carolina creates outdoor rec recruitment position North Carolina now has a position for a dedicated outdoor recreation recruitment director tasked with developing the state’s outdoor recreation economy, a position modeled after similar ones in Utah, Colorado and Washington.

Tom Dempsey, president of Brevardbased SylvanSport, was a driving force behind the campaign to establish the position, according to a press release from the company, working with several other out-

door gear manufacturers to submit a proposal. SylvanSport is a recreational vehicle manufacture whose products include the award-winning GO Camping Trailer.

“Growing the outdoor recreation economy in North Carolina has been a passion of mine for 20 years,” says Dempsey. “North Carolina is truly a leader in this space, and it is gratifying to see our state’s leadership in this regard. Many thanks to the other industry leaders and to Senator Rick Gunn of Alamance County for joining me in making this happen!”

Outdoor recreation is a $19.2 billion industry in North Carolina, providing 192,000 jobs — a figure that is steadily growing.

WNC Calendar COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale is from Thursday through Saturday, July 27-29, at Waynesville Library. Hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Thursday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday; and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday. To volunteer: 627.2370.

• The Arts Council of Macon County is accepting nominations to its board of directors through Friday, July 21.

To nominate someone or for more information, please contact Arts Council of Macon County President Jann Ramsey at cjramsey@earthlink.net or 332.0568.

• Grace Church in the Mountains is accepting grant applications from non-profit organizations in Haywood County. Distributions from the church’s Annual Parish Fair will be given to local charities. Application deadline is July 26. Fair is Saturday, July 29. Application forms available at the church office. 456.6029 or gracewaynesville@msn.com.

• A “Summer Lights” evening program is scheduled for 9 p.m. each night from Aug. 2-6 at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville. Projected-light show synchronized to music from the Blue Ridge Orchestra. $18 for adults; $12 for children 5-11. N.C. Arboretum Society members get a $2 discount on each ticket. Ncarboretum.org.

• Tickets are on sale now for a train ride following the route of the Southern Railway Murphy Branch Line established in 1891. Ridge will be offered on Saturday, Aug. 12, from Johnson City, Tenn., to Bryson City and back. Tickets: $83-152 for adults; $69-79 for children 2-12. Meals available for purchase. Printable order forms: www.wataugavalleynrhs.org. Info: 423.753.5797 or wataugavalley@embarqmail.com.

• A TED talk discussion on “The Power of Vulnerability” will be offered on Wednesday, Aug. 9, at the Waynesville Library. 15-20 minute talk followed by discussion.

Registration required: 356.2507 or kolsen@haywoodnc.net.

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

• Registration is underway for the Western Women’s Business Center’s third annual conference entitled: “Her Story, Her Journey,” which will be held from 8:30 a.m.3:30 p.m. on June 22 at the U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville. Includes performance by Asheville artist Leeda “Lyric” Jones as well as a variety of speakers.

Register or get more info: www.carolinasmallbusiness.org/initiatives/wwbcconference2017 or 633.5065.

• One-on-one computer lessons are offered weekly at the Waynesville and Canton branches of the Haywood County Public Library. Lesson slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Canton and from 3-5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Waynesville Library. Sign up at the front desk of either library or call 356.2507 for the Waynesville Library or 648.2924 for the Canton Library.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • Gala on the Green, a fundraiser for Folkmoot USA, is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 20. Multi-cultural cuisine prepared by local chefs. $150 per couple. laura@folkmoot.org, www.folkmootusa.org or 452.2997.

• The WNC Nature Center will host a “Brews & Bears” fundraiser from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, July 21, in Asheville.

Beer, live music, food trucks and fun. $8 for members; $10 for non-members. www.wildwnc.org/events/brewsbears.

• The 41st annual “Antique Benefit Show” will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 21-22 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 23 at the Blue Ridge School in Cashiers.

With over 60 exhibitors, the fundraiser benefits the Blue Ridge School. Grand prize drawing and onsite engraving. Catered by Flip & Whip Comfort Foods.

•The Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays 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.

Admission is a $10 donation. For more information, call 828.743.9270.

• The Jackson County Department of Public Health is seeking input from residents who have used its services or who have thoughts on the health needs of Jackson County. http://health.jacksonnc.org/surveys.

• Tickets are on sale now for the Cashiers Historical Society’s “2017 Cashiers Designers Showhouse™ that will be held Aug. 12-27 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 1-4 p.m. on Sundays. One-day tickets are $40 in advance or $45 at the entrance; multi-day tickets are $70 in advance or $75 at the entrance. Tickets available at www.cashiershistoricalsociety.org. Three newly constructed cottages will be featured.

• Cruise in Maggie Valley event is held from 1-5 p.m. every Sunday at 2771 Soco Road. Vendors: $10 per space. Cruising@MaggieValleyAntiques.com.

• Qualla Boundary Historical Society meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Everyone is welcome.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • The third annual Emergency Medical Care Summer Seminar will be offered by Western Carolina University’s undergraduate EMC program from July 20-22 in Cullowhee. Guidelines for assessment and care of burn patients in the first 24 hours and treatment for shock.

Special session on advanced burn life support provider course will be offered by Ernest Grant, burn outreach coordinator from the N.C. Jaycee Burn Center and vice president of the American Nurses Association.

227.7397, hensley@wcu.edu or emc-seminar.wcu.edu.

• 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 fundraiser for heatstroke awareness is scheduled for noon-2 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, at Jack the Dipper.

Hot car display will show how quickly a car can heat up.

587.8227.

VOLUNTEERS & VENDORS • 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.

• The Good Samaritan clinic of Haywood County seeks volunteers to help uninsured patients receive medications, vision care and other health and spiritual-related services in Waynesville. Clinic is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday. 454.5287 or crocco@gcshaywood.org.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking volunteers to assist rangers with managing traffic and establishing safe wildlife viewing areas within the

Smoky Mountain News

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Cataloochee Valley area. To register for training or get more info: karl_danforth@nps.gov.

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

HEALTH MATTERS • A “Walk With A Doc” program is scheduled for 10 a.m. each Saturday at the Lake Junaluska Kern Center or Canton Rec Park.

MyHaywoodRegional.com/WalkwithaDoc. • A meeting of The International Essential Tremor Foundation support group will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, at the Jackson County Senior Center, Room 135, in Sylva. 736.3165 or tkubit@frontier.com.

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva. 800.733.2767 or www.redcrossblood.org.

• The Red Cross and the Waynesville Library are holding a “Build a Better World” blood drive from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Friday, July 21. Sign up: 800.733.2767 or www.redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins welcome.

• A tired leg/varicose vein educational program is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, at the Vein Center at Haywood Regional Medical Center in Clyde.

Led by Dr. Al Mina, MD, FACS, and Dr. Joshua Rudd, DO. RSVP required: 452.VEIN (8346).

• A “Native American Summer Conference” will be held from July 28-30 at Lake Junaluska. Learn about substance abuse, historical trauma and health issues.

Talent show and ice cream social. www.lakejunaluska.com.

• “Native Voices: Native Peoples’ Concepts of Health and Illness” will be on exhibit through July 31 at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

• The Smoky Mountain Medical Innovative Readiness Training is scheduled for Aug. 2-10 at Swain and Hayesville High Schools. Registration begins at 8 a.m. daily. Medical, dental and optical care for residents ages 2-up who are uninsured, underinsured or in need of quality patient care at no cost.

• Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACA) meets at noon on Saturdays at the First United Methodist Church Outreach Center at 171 Main St. in Franklin. 407.758.6433 or adultchildren.org.

• “Your Amazing Newborn” classes will be offered for new parents from 7-9 p.m. on Thursdays, Sept. 7 and Nov. 16 at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses or 452.8440.

RECREATION AND FITNESS • An opportunity the Bellyak (prone paddling/lay-on-top kayaking) will be offered through the Jackson County Parks & Recreation department at 11 a.m. on July 22 and Aug. 20. $30. Rec.jacksonnc.org or 293.3053.

• Pickleball, a cross between tennis, badminton and ping-pong, will be offered from 9 a.m.-noon on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Old Hazelwood Gym in Waynesville. $3 per visit, or $20 for a 10-visit card.

452.6789 or drtaylor@haywoodnc.net.

• The High Mountain Squares will host their “My Favorite Color Dance” from 6:15-8:45 p.m. on Friday, July 21, at the Memorial United Methodist Church in Franklin. Western-style square dancing, mainstream and levels. 342.1560, 332.0001, 706.746.5426 or www.highmountainsquares.com.

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 • Jackson County Rec Department will have disc golf tournament at 10 a.m. on Aug. 19. Cost is $5 for singles or $10 for doubles. www.rec.jacksonnc.org.

• Open play and practice for adult coed volleyball will be offered at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays through September at the Waynesville Recreation Center. $4 per person for nonmembers; free for members. 456.2030. dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov or 456.2030.

COMPETITIVE EDGE • Registration is underway for the fourth annual 80s Flashback 8K, which is Aug. 5 in Franklin. Fundraiser for Greenville Shriners Hospital. Entertainment by 80s tribute acts. 421.7637.

SPIRITUAL • Bishop Sharma Lewis, the first African-American woman to be elected bishop in the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church, will be the featured speaker at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 23, in Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska. Part of the Summer Worship Series. The Lake Junaluska Singers will lead worship music.

• Rev. Dr. Tim McClendon, senior pastor at St. John’s United Methodist Church (UMC) in Aiken, S.C., will be the featured speaker at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 30, in Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska. Part of the Summer Worship Series. The Lake Junaluska Singers will lead worship music.

• Jessica La Grone, author and dean of the chapel at Asbury Theological Seminary, will speak during the morning worship services on July 30 at Long’s Chapel in Waynesville. Part of the Summer Speaker Series.

POLITICAL • The Haywood County Democratic Women will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, at New Happy Garden Restaurant in Waynesville. Dinner and networking at 5:30 p.m. Special speaker is Penny Smith of the Jackson County Democratic Women, who will present a program on fundraising for the 2018 elections.

734.0393 or djrussell2003@att.net.

• A special town hall with N.C. Rep. Mike Clampitt will be held from 4-6 p.m. on July 21 in the Administration Building at 101 Mitchell Street in Bryson City.

Constituents can voice concerns on matters before the N.C. General Assembly. It’s also an opportunity to get assistance interfacing with a state agency.

919.715.3005 or mike.clampitt@ncleg.net.

• The Macon County Democratic Women will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25, at the public library.

AUTHORS AND BOOKS • Ben Anderson will hold book signings for “Smokies Chronicle: A Year of Hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park” on the following dates/locations: 7 p.m.

wnc calendar

on Wednesday, July 19, at Macon County Public Library in Franklin; 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 26, at Albert Carlton Library in Cashiers; and at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Waynesville Public Library. parthemore@blairpub.com or 800.222.9796.

• Nature Nuts: Wild Woodlands program will be offered to ages 4-7 from 9-11 a.m. on July 24 at the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission’s Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard. Registration required: http://tinyurl.com/jq4r6x3.

• The “Coffee with the Poet” series continues with Sam Barbee at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 20, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. The “Coffee with the Poet” series gathers the third Thursday of each month and is co-sponsored by the North Carolina Writers Network.

586.9499.

• Eco Explorers: Salamanders program will be offered to ages 8-13 from 1-3 p.m. on July 24 at the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission’s Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard. Registration required: http://tinyurl.com/jq4r6x3.

• There will be a joint reading with Charles Dodd White, Gavin Dillard and David Dalton at 3 p.m.

Saturday, July 22, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

To reserve copies of these books, please call City Lights Bookstore at 828.586.9499.

• In celebration of its 10th birthday, Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville will host an array of events throughout the month of July, including a special event with New York Times bestselling author and Western Carolina University Professor Ron Rash on July 25 at 11 a.m.. www.blueridgebooksnc.com or 456.6000. Afternoon with a scientist on July 19 at 3 p.m. and free chess lessons on July 20 from 1 to 4 p.m.

• Celebrated New York Times bestselling author Ron Rash will hold a book discussion at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 25, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. To reserve copies of The Risen, please call City Lights Bookstore at 586.9499.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES • The Smart Driver program will be offered from 1-5 p.m. on July 26 at the Haywood Resource Center in Waynesville. Highlights areas of opportunity in which older drivers could benefit from additional training. $15 for AARP members; $20 for nonmembers. 452.2370.

July 19-25, 2017

KIDS & FAMILIES • Registration is underway for the Talking Trees Children’s Trout Derby, which is Aug. 4-5 at Oconaluftee Islands Park in Cherokee. Pre-register through Aug. 5 at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds.

• Registration for Fall Soccer is through July 30 with the Jackson County Recreation Department. $55. For players born between 2004-13. Games will be on Saturdays. www.rec.jacksonnc.org.

• A “Youth Art Class” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday at the Appalachian Art Farm on 22 Morris Street in Sylva. All ages welcome. $10 includes instruction, materials and snack. For more information, email appalachianartfarm@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.

Smoky Mountain News

• “The Wizard of Oz” train ride will leave the station at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. July 21-23 at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. For more information and to purchase tickets, click on www.gsmr.com.

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• Power of the Produce Club for children will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturdays, through July 29, at the Jackson County Farmers Market in Sylva. Activities, food art, scavenger hunt and more. 393.5236.

• The Macon County 4-H will hold a “Crafts Week: Sew a Pillowcase and Service Project” program from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on July 19-21 at the Cooperative Extension Office in Franklin. For ages 8-18. Cost: $8 if attending only the first two days; free to attend all three days.

• The Balsam Mountain Trust will have its summer reading program from 11 a.m.-noon on Thursday, July 20. Theme is “Building a Better World.” Offered by Jackson County Public Library. www.balsammountaintrust.org.

• A “Crafts Week – Jams and Jellies” will be offered to ages 9-18 from 1-4 p.m. on July 24 at the Cooperative Extension Office in Franklin. Part of Macon County 4-H Summer Relief 2017. $5.

• A “4-H Pool Day” will be offered for ages 5-8 from noon-4 p.m. on July 25 at the Franklin Parks and Recreation Pool. Part of Macon County 4-H Summer Relief 2017. $4.

• Macon County 4-H will hold a pair of “Stain Glass Art” programs on Aug. 2 for ages 5-8 at Fire & Lights Studio in Franklin. Classes are from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 2:30-4:30 p.m. $6.

• 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 Art Class is held from 10:30 a.m.-noon every Saturday at 22 Morris St. in Sylva. $10 includes instruction, materials and a snack. appalachianartfarm@gmail.com.

• Haywood County Public Library’s summer reading program, themed “Build a Better World,” runs through Monday, July 31. Register at any of the library system’s branches. www.haywoodlibrary.org.

• A Junior Forester Program is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, through Aug. 9, at the Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah Forest. http://tinyurl.com/y87c3gqn.

• Woodsy Owl’s Curiosity Club meets from 10:30 a.m.3 p.m. on through Aug. 10, at the Cradle of Forestry in

Puzzles can be found on page 46.

These are only the answers.

Pisgah Forest. Outdoor-oriented activity each day explores a different forest-related theme. For ages 47. $4 per child per program; accompanying adults admitted for $2.50. http://tinyurl.com/yc7u5unk.

• Registration is underway for kids’ fishing event, which will be offered from 9-11 a.m. on Aug. 5, at the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville. Presented by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Learn how to cast, put on bait and remove fish from a hook.

Tanya.poole@ncwildlife.org or 329.3472.

CAMPS • Registration is underway for a British Soccer Camp, which is July 24-28, at the Cullowhee Recreation Park. www.challengersports.com.

• Registration is underway for Haywood Community College Creative Arts’ “Kid’s Camp” for ages 8-12 the week of July 24-28, in Clyde. $450. Music sessions and variety of crafts and projects. All supplies included. Students need to bring beverages, snacks and lunch. 565.4240.

• Registration is underway for a “Plants a Plenty” summer camp, which is Aug. 1-4, at the Highlands Nature Center. For ages 4-6. 526.2623 or www.highlandsbiological.org.

KIDS FILMS • “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie” is showing July 19 and 20 at 1 p.m. at The Strand on Main in Waynesville.

• “Transformers: The Last Knight” is showing July 19 and 20 at 7 p.m. at The Strand on Main in Waynesville.

• “Spider-Man: Homecoming will be shown on July 21 at 1 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9:46 p.m., July 22 at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9:45 p.m., July 23 at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m., and July 24-27 at 7 p.m. at The Strand on Main in Waynesville.

• A family movie will be shown at 10:30 a.m. every Friday at Hudson Library in Highlands.

A&E FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS • Folkmoot, North Carolina’s International Folk Festival, is July 20-30, in towns throughout Western North Carolina. Folk dance and world culture featuring ambassadors and dance performing groups from India, Netherlands, Russia, Israel and more – as well as local Appalachian and Cherokee dancers and

musicians. Performances in Waynesville, Clyde, Lake Junaluska, Maggie Valley, Canton, Cherokee, Franklin, Hickory, Asheville and Hendersonville. Parade of Nations is at 10 a.m. in downtown Waynesville. For complete schedule of performances, and to purchase tickets, visit www.folkmootusa.org. 452.2997.

• The “Hillbilly Jam” will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 28-29 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

The weekend event will feature live music, food, crafts, cornhole, car show, and much more.

Throughout the two-days, there will be several bands onstage, including headliners Andalyn (rock) and Emi Sunshine (singer-songwriter) on Friday and Lyric (soul/funk) and Joe Lasher Jr. (country/rock) on Saturday. There will also be a special appearance by characters from the popular TV show “Moonshiners.”

Tickets are $10 per day, free for ages 10 and under.

For a full schedule of events and more information, www.thehillbillyjam.com.

FOOD & DRINK • Tickets are on sale now for the Harrah’s Cherokee Riverwalk 3rd annual Brew BQ followed by a live concert featuring Aaron Lewis (country) at the Event Center. Brew BQ is from noon-7 p.m. featuring barbecue and beer from the Carolinas. Tickets: 800.745.3000 or ticketmaster.com.

• Sneak E Squirrel Brewing (Sylva) will host the Jackson County Corn Hole Association on Monday evenings ($5 buy in, 100-percent payout), Karaoke with Captain Moose from 7 to 11 p.m. on Tuesdays, Trivia at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and a Guitar Hero Tournament at 7 p.m. on Thursdays. 586.6440.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • A production of Disney’s Broadway musical “Tarzan” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. July 21-22 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Presented by the Overlook Theatre Company. Tickets are $12 for students, $17 for adults. 866.273.4615 or www.greatmountainmusic.com.

• “Fiddler on the Roof” will hit the stage through July 30 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. HART’s production will have performances at 7:30 p.m. July 20-22 and 27-29, and at 2 p.m. July 23 and 30. Patrons may also make reservations to dine at Harmons’ Den Bistro located in the HART Theater complex, which offers dinner seating beginning at 5:45 p.m. and Sunday Brunch at 12:30 p.m. www.harttheatre.org or 456.6322.

• A legendary doo-wop group well known for hits such as “Yakety Yak,” “Charlie Brown,” “Young Blood” and “Searchin,’” The Coasters will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 28, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Tickets start at $18. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 273.4615.

• Acclaimed hard rock act Seether will perform at

7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at Harrah’s Cherokee.

Letters from the Fire will open the show. 800.745.3000 or www.tickemaster.com.

• “Unto These Hills” drama will be performed at 8 p.m. nightly through Aug. 19 at 688 Drama Road in Cherokee. A reimagining of the Cherokee Story. http://tinyurl.com/ycm83jwv.

SUMMER MUSIC SERIES • The “Concerts on the Creek” series at Bridge Park in Sylva will host Colby Deitz Band (Americana/rock) July 21 and Mountain Faith (bluegrass/gospel) on July 28.

Both shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.mountainlovers.com.

• The “Friday Night Live” concert series at the Town Square in Highlands will host Silly Ridge Round Up July 21 and Johnny Webb Band (country) on July 28.

Free and begins at 6 p.m. www.highlandschamber.org.

• The “An Appalachian Evening” summer concert series will feature The Snyder Family on July 22 and Michael Cleveland & Flamekeepr on July 29 at the Stecoah Valley Center. All shows at 7:30 p.m. www.stecoahvalleycenter.com for tickets.

• Concerts on the Square will continue with Southern Vantage (classic rock/blues) on July 21 and Paradise 56 (country/classic rock) on July 28 at the town square in Hayesville. www.cccra-nc.org.

• The Bryson City Lion meet at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month at the Iron Skillet in Bryson City.

• “Let’s Talk About It,” an opportunity to discuss Beryl Markham’s “West With the Night” is set for 4-6 p.m. on July 20, in the Waynesville Library auditorium.

• The Gem and Mineral Society of Franklin will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, at the Masonic Lodge at 50 Church Street in Franklin. Light refreshments.

• Family and Consumer Science Classes will be offered on the topic of “One Pot Meals” from 9:30-11 a.m. on Thursday, July 20, at Canton Community Kitchen. Julie_Sawyer@ncsu.edu.

• “Christmas in July Paper Crafting” will be offered by Jackson County Cooperative Extension from 10 a.m.noon on Thursday, July 20. Led by Sherri Roper. $10; all supplies included. Register: 586.4009.

• The 17th annual Dulcimer U Summer Week and Hammer Dulcimer Weekend is scheduled for Sunday through Friday, July 23-28, at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Classes, staff concerts and jam sessions. $350 per participants. Optional accommodations and meal packages also available.

227.7397, hensley@wcu.edu or dulcimeru.wcu.edu.

• The “Groovin’ on the Green” concert series at The Village Green in Cashiers will host Joe Lasher Jr. (country/rock) on July 21 and The Buchanan Boys (country/rock) July 28. Free and begins at 6:30 p.m. www.villagegreencashiersnc.com.

• An “Avian Photography” program will be offered at 7 p.m. on July 25 at the Hudson Library in Highlands.

Presented by award-winning photographer Dick Dickinson. www.highlandsaudubonsociety.org or 526.1939.

• The “Pickin’ On The Square” concert series will host an act to be announced on July 22 and Caribbean Cowboys (beach/pop) July 29. All shows are free and begin at 7:30 p.m. www.townoffranklinnc.com or 524.2516.

• The 52nd “Gemboree” will be held July 27-30 at the Robert C. Carpenter Community Building in Franklin.

Rough and cut Gems, minerals, fine jewelry, supplies, beads, door prizes, dealers, exhibits, demonstrations, and more. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ThursdaySaturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. 524.3161. www.franklin-chamber.com.

• Pickin’ in the Park (Canton) will be held at 7 p.m.

July 21 and 28 at the Recreation Park. Free and open to the public. www.cantonnc.com.

• “Music on the River” series will host Robert Wolfe & The Renegades (Country) on July 21 and Stereospread (Techno) on July 22 at the Cherokee Welcome Center Kiosk in Cherokee. Shows start at 7 p.m. 359.6490 or travel@nc-cherokee.com.

• Cradle of Forestry in America’s annual Songcatchers Music Series will host Amy and Bob Buckingham on Sunday, July 23 and Pretty Little Goat on July 30, in Pisgah Forest. $6 for ages 16-up; $3 for 15-under.

877.3130 or www.cradleofforestry.org.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • Registration is underway for Penland School of Crafts’ fifth summer session, which runs from July 23Aug. 8. Spaces available in books, clay, hot glass, letterpress, printmaking and weaving. Discounts available for area residents. 765.2359, ext. 1306.

• The “Click & Sip Workshop” will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, July 28, at Gallery Zella in Bryson City. Enjoy mastering photography techniques used by professionals. Attend with a buddy, daughter, son or even your sweetheart. Take home an incredible memory of your trip to the mountains — your own original fine art photograph. Your instructor, Drew Campbell, is known as the area’s finest photography teacher.

Students will be presented with various techniques to improve photo composition and how to properly use light to create superior photos.

Cost is $50, which includes 8x12 metal print. For more information, call 488.3638 or click on www.galleryzella.com.

• Part 1 of a “Batik Basics” program will be presented by the Appalachian Art Farm from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, at 22 Morris Street in Sylva. $35.

Part 2 is Aug. 5; cost for both sessions is $60 combined. myriahstrivelli@gmail.com.

• A “Beginning Bladesmithing Class” with Brock Martin of WarFire Forge will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 29-30 at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. Cost is $225, materials included. To register, call 631.0271 or click on www.jcgep.org.

Smoky Mountain News

• “Music on the River” series will host The Trippin Hardie Band (acoustic) on July 28 and Aaron Jones (country/honky tonk) on July 29 at the Cherokee Welcome Center Kiosk in Cherokee. Shows start at 7 p.m. 359.6490 or travel@nc-cherokee.com.

• A “Wire Art Jewelry Class” will be offered from 12:30-3 p.m. on Friday, July 28, at the Jackson County Extension Office in Sylva. Led by local artist and crafter Lawrie Williams. $10. Bring jewelry pliers.

Register: 586.4009.

July 19-25, 2017

• “Saturdays on Pine” will host Kick The Robot July 22 and The Company Stores July 29 at Kelsy-Hutchinson Park in Highlands. All shows are at 6 p.m. www.highlandschamber.org.

• “Barbara Brook: Lessons in Watercolor” will be offered from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesdays, July 25-Aug. 8, at Haywood County Arts Council at 86 N. Main St. in Waynesville. $80 for HCAC members; $100 for nonmembers. Watercolor paper available for $6 per sheet.

Reservations: 452.0593.

• The “Tunes on the Tuck” concert series will host Ian Moore’s “Mountain Music” July 22 and Karen “Sugar” Barnes (folk/blues) on July 29 at Riverfront Park. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.greatsmokies.com.

wnc calendar

• 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.

• The High Country Quilt Guild meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the First Methodist Church in Waynesville. July 20 meeting features Liz Florom. www.highcountryquilters.wordpress.com.

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ART SHOWINGS AND wnc calendar

GALLERIES • The Haywood County Arts Council “Members Show” will run through July 29 at Gallery & Gifts in downtown Waynesville. The showcase will feature an array of local artisans and art mediums. Free and open to the public. 828.452.0593 or www.haywoodarts.org.

• Haywood County Arts council is accepting donations or consigned items from through July 21 for its “ArtShare” exhibit – a showing of fine works of art.

Exhibit runs from Aug. 4-26. 33rockyknob@gmail.com or 452.0593.

• Anne Fariello “Signs of the Times” exhibit of documentary photography is currently on display at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

• Several exhibitions are on display this summer at the Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at the Bardo Arts Center. “Water Portraits: Barbara Tyroler” is on exhibition until Aug. 25 “Print Plus One: Beyond the Glass Matrix” by various artists at Harvey K. Littleton Studios in Spruce Pine has a closing reception from 5-7 p.m. on July 27. “Ancient Forms, Modern Minds: Contemporary Cherokee Ceramics” is on display through Nov. 10. 227.ARTS or bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

• “Spirit of Place: Artwork by Elizabeth Ellison” – an art exhibit – will be on display through Sept. 4. at the Asheville Arboretum.

• The inaugural Shelton House Crafter Showcase is on display at the Shelton House and the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts in Waynesville. www.sheltonhouse.org or info@sheltonhouse.org.

July 19-25, 2017

• The graduating class of Haywood Community College’s Professional Crafts program will exhibit their best work from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Sept. 24 at the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville. 627.4673 or haywood.edu.

• 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.

FILM & SCREEN • “Movies on Everett” will screen the film “Field of Dreams” at 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 21, at the Caboose in downtown Bryson City. “Raiders of the Lost Ark” will be screened on July 28. Free and open to the public. www.greatsmokies.com.

Smoky Mountain News

• “King Kong”, original 1933 version will be screened on July 20 7:30 p.m. at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva.

• “Kong: Skull Island” will be shown on July 21 & 22 at 7:30 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva.

• “Gifted” will be shown on July 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva.

• “The Boss Baby” will be shown on July 27 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva.

• Volunteers are needed to help scientists collect data on songbirds throughout the summer. Dates include: July 23 and Aug. 2 at Cowee Mound in Macon County and July 26 and Aug. 4 at Kituwah Mound in Swain County. 736.1217, bigbaldbanding@gmail.com or www.bigbaldbanding.org.

• A 1914 logging locomotive will be on display from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, at the Cradle of Forestry in America in Pisgah National Forest. WNC train historian Jerry Ledford will present historic photographs and give a talk at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. $5 for adults; free for visitors 15-under.

• Gran Fondo Asheville, a cycling event with 30-, 60and 100-mile routes, will be held on July 23, starting at New Belgium Brewing. Register: GranFondoAVL.com.

• The fourth annual Gran Fondo Asheville will be held Saturday, July 23, in Asheville, offering 30-mile, 60mile and 100-mile cycling routes with optional competitive, timed sections. Proceeds will benefit Friends of the Smokies, funding projects in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. www.gfncs.com.

• “Take in the View with a Ranger” program is held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month on the deck of the Pisgah Inn. Ask questions and learn about the Blue Ridge Parkway’s natural and cultural history.

• Biomonitoring surveys of breeding birds is scheduled for 7-11 a.m. on July 23 and Aug. 2 – weather permitting – at the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ Cowee Mount near Franklin. https://bigbaldbanding.org/calendar, bigbaldbanding@gmail.com or 736.1217.

• Tremont Institute is holding Bird Banding days on July 26, July 31 and Aug. 2 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. http://vimeo.com/220345535. http://gsmit.org/birds.

• Franklin Bird Club will have a bird walk along the greenway at 8 a.m. on July 19. Meet at the Macon County Public Library parking lot at 8 a.m. 524.5234.

• A Zahner Lecture on “Elk Reintroduction” will be offered from 6:30 p.m. on July 20 at the Nature Center at Highlands Biological Station. www.highlandsbiological.org or 526.2221.

• A “Going Batty” program will be offered at 8 p.m. on July 25 at the Nature Center at Highlands Biological Station. $3. www.highlandsbiological.org or 526.2221.

• A Zahner Lecture on “American Chestnut” will be offered at 6:30 p.m. on July 27 at the Nature Center at Highlands Biological Station. www.highlandsbiological.org or 526.2221.

• The Cheoah Ranger District will have an open house from 3-6 p.m. on July 25 at Cheoah District Office in Robbinsville. Learn about the Forest Plan Revision Process and ask informal questions about other issues. www.fs.usda.gov/goto/nfsnc/nprevision.

• Franklin Bird Club will have a bird walk along the greenway at 8 a.m. on July 26. Meet at Big Bear Shelter parking area at 8 a.m. 524.5234.

• Registration is underway for the 34th annual Cullowhee Native Plant Conference, which is July 1922. Nativeplantconference.wcu.edu.

• Haywood Waterways Association and the Asheville Mushroom Club will have a mushroom walk from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on July 19 in the Sunburst area of the Pisgah National Forest. Led by Charlotte Caplan. $5 donation for nonmembers; free for members. Open to ages 7-up. RSVP: Christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com or 476.4667.

• The Benton Mackaye Trail Association will hold a work day and is seeking volunteers for Saturday, July 22, on the N.C.-Tennessee state line. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Cherohala Visitor Centre in Tellico Plains, Tenn., or at 9 a.m. at the Unicoi Crest Overlook near Beech Gap. RSVP: 423.506.8128.

• Learn how to identify summer and fall wildflowers through a workshop offered from 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday, July 22, in Balsam. Led by Larry Thompson, longtime regional vice president for the National Audubon Society. $35. Open to ages 10-up. Register: 452.5414 or lvthompson@earthlink.net.

Outdoors • Smoky Mountain Field School will offer a variety of hikes, classes and programs throughout July. For a schedule and to register, visit www.smfs.utk.edu or 42 call 865.974.0150.

• A one-day seminar teaching the basics of preparedness for emergency situations will be held from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, at Shackford Hall at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center.

Topics will include water retrieval, basic solar, basic medical and personal preparedness. Tickets: $20 adults; $10 for children. Boxed lunches available for $11.25. www.carolinareadiness.com.

• Mainspring Conservation Trust will host a “Family Fun: Sun, Snorkel and Snoop” event from 10 a.m.noon on July 20 in the Little Tennessee River. http://tinyurl.com/y9c83h3b.

• The Whitewater Junior Olympics will be held from July 28-30 at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Swain County. Events and activities start at noon and 6 p.m. on Friday; at noon, 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday; and conclude at 4 p.m. on Sunday. $45 through July 27 and open to youth 18-under. Free to watch.

Nantahalaracingclub.com/events/junior-olympics.

• Learn how to become a better nature photographer during a workshop from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, in Balsam. Basic tips and techniques by Larry Thompson, former regional vice president for the National Audubon Society. $35 for ages 10-up.

452.5414 or lvthompson@earthlink.net.

• Franklin Bird Club will have a bird walk along the greenway at 8 a.m. on Aug. 2. Parking is off Fox Ridge Road south of Franklin Flea Market on Highlands Road. 524.5234 or https://franklinbirdclub.com.

• The Tusquitee Ranger District will hold an open house from 3-6 p.m. on August 8 at the Brasstown Community Center. Learn and talk about local issues, district projects and forest plan revision. www.fs.usda.gov/goto/nfsnc/ncprevision.

• Through Aug. 12, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will hold daily Ranger-Guided programs. www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/kidsyouth/index.htm.

• A cycling ride leaves at 8 a.m. on Saturdays 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 six-week course on “Wildflowers of Southern Appalachia” with guide Adam Bigelow meets from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Monday through July 24. $150 for the series or $40 a single hike. bigelownc@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/BigelowsBotanicalExcursions.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park is recruiting volunteers to assist the Trails Forever trail crew for a rehabilitation project on the Rainbow Falls Trail from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Sign up or get more info: 497.1949, Adam_Monroe@nps.gov or https://friendsofthesmokies.org/trailsforever/volunteer.

FARM AND GARDEN • The Glenville Area Historical Society will have its inaugural historic discovery event about Fraser Fir Christmas Trees from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, at the society’s historical museum on Highway 107 in the center of Glenville. 743.1658, historicalsocietyglenvillearea@yahoo.com or www.glenvillecommunity.com.

• The annual WATR Summer Picnic is from 6-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, at Darnell Farm in Swain County.

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 • 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 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

HIKING CLUBS • Carolina Mountain Club will have a five-mile hike with a 200-foot ascent on July 23 at Pink Beds Loop.

Info and reservations: rivergypsy@sprintmail.com or 674.3631.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a five-mile moderate hike, with an elevation change of 600 feet, on Saturday, July 22, from Juney Whank Falls to Deep Creek and Indian Creek Falls Loop. Info and reservations: 524.5298.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a moderate-tostrenuous 3.5-mile hike with an elevation change of 500 feet to High Falls on Saturday, July 22. Info and reservations: 772.233.7277.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take an easy-tomoderate 4.5-mile hike with an elevation change of 400 feet on Saturday, July 29, on the Bartram trail from Jones Gap to White Rock Mountain. Info and reservations: 342.9274.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have an 8.4-mile hike with a 300-foot ascent on July 29 from Grassy Ridge Mine Overlook to Balsam Gap. Info and reservations: 505.0471 or mwbromberg@yahoo.com.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a moderate-tostrenuous, seven-mile hike with a 300-foot elevation change on Saturday, July 29 in Panthertown Valley.

Reservations and info: 743.1079.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a six-mile, moderate hike with an elevation change of 700 feet on Saturday, July 29, on the Big Creek Trail to Three Forks. Info and reservations: 864.784.2124.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have a 5.5-mile hike with a 1,000-foot ascent on July 30 at Horsepasture River. Info and reservations: 230.4883 or kathannigan@gmail.com.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have a five-mile hike with a 600-foot ascent on July 30 on the East Fork of Pigeon River. Info and reservations: 696.9117, 712.0736 or luchat@bellsouth.net.

• Nantahala Hiking Club holds monthly trail maintenance days from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on every fourth Saturday at 173 Carl Slagle Road in Franklin. Info and to register: 369.1983.

PRIME REAL ESTATE Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

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EMPLOYMENT

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT

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PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised on equal opportunity basis.

CAVALIER ARMS APARTMENTS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Offering 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $400 Section 8 Accepted - Rental Assistance When Available Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

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July 19-25, 2017 www.smokymountainnews.com

HEMLOCK HEALERS, INC. Dedicated to Saving Our Hemlocks. Owner/Operator Frank Varvoutis, NC Pesticide Applicator’s License #22864. 48 Spruce St. Maggie Valley, NC 828.734.7819 828.926.7883, Email: hemlockhealers@yahoo.com

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REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT

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——————————————

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—————————————— 28 WOODLAND ASTER WAY

ASHEVILLE, NC 28804

RE/MAX — Mountain Realty • • • • • •

remax-waynesvillenc.com | remax-maggievalleync.com Holly Fletcher - hollyfletcher1975@gmail.com Judy Meyers - jameyers@charter.net Mieko Thomson - ncsmokies.com The Real Team - the-real-team.com Ron Breese - ronbreese.com Dan Womack - womackdan@aol.com

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Rob Roland Realty

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• Rob Roland - rroland33@gmail.com

GESCAR@BEVERLY-HANKS.COM

mobrig@Beverly-Hanks.com

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realtyworldheritage.com • Carolyn Lauter realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7766 • Martha Sawyer realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7769

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Mountain Home Properties

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WNC MarketPlace

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July 19-25, 2017

WNC MarketPlace

Super

46

CROSSWORD

BROADWAY OPENINGS ACROSS 1 China’s Mao — -tung 4 Thumb locale 8 Cries of unveiling 13 Spanish fleet 19 Post-bender headache 21 Poetry Muse 22 One-sided views 23 Old stage actress Duse 24 “Things go by so fast!”

26 “As far as I’m aware ...”

28 Brunched, e.g.

29 Kwik-E-Mart clerk 30 Writer Seton 31 Iris locale 32 Pres. advisory gp.

34 New — (Yanni, e.g.)

35 Become king after being a prince, say 43 Quirk of behavior 46 — Schwarz (toy retailer) 47 Kuwaiti royal 48 A third of IX 49 Totally up the creek 55 Semi section 58 Witty writer Bombeck 59 Hornswoggle 60 Actress Swenson 61 Hill’s partner 62 Nose partition 65 Piece for two 67 Paid no heed 70 “We’ve been raking in the profit” 75 Advance markdown 77 Requirement 78 Church decrees 81 Painter of melting watches 82 Camera varieties, for

short 9 Yank with a #13 jersey 86 Vientiane’s country 10 Hip-hop bud 88 “My Country” author 11 “Listen up!”

Abba 12 “— lied!”

89 Hole-poking tool 13 Help do bad 90 Phrase just before an 14 Plentiful act is introduced 15 Bad start?

95 Pouchlike body part 16 Cheese in an Italian 96 Incantation opener deli 97 River of Bern 17 Intensify 98 Veer off course 18 Make certain 99 What Thomas became, 20 Some Spanish paintin kid-lit ings 107 Alone 25 Spiked staff 108 See 102-Down 27 Harsh cleanser 109 Love-letter “hugs” 33 “I dunno” gesture 110 Former toy company 34 Financier Onassis 114 Alley- — (court play) 36 ET ship 115 Juicer 37 Avis rental 117 Overdoing the effort 38 Unemotional 123 Writer of the Tony39 Vietnamese New Year winning musical featured 40 Actor Katz in this puzzle 41 Dusk-dawn linkup 126 Flavored with a cer42 Move quickly tain spice 43 Rail supports 127 Introduced acts, e.g. 44 Pertaining to 128 Lenya of “Cabaret” 45 Singer Glen 129 IRS part 50 Fad dance of the 130 Tallies again 1960s 131 Arctic people 51 Bro 132 Central part of a 52 Sonata, e.g. church 53 Honoraria 133 Star site 54 Actor Scott 55 Payload area DOWN 56 Bitter brew 1 Greek letter 57 Part of B&B 2 Perm place 61 One of Santa’s reindeer 3 Foe 63 Old Glory’s nation 4 Toot 64 Wire measure 5 Bristol’s river 66 “Sn” element 6 Pianist Peter 68 Sierra maker 7 Party to a financial 69 Actress Peeples transaction 71 Lark’s home 8 Giggled 72 — -confident

73 Boyfriend 74 Hound’s clue 75 High-tech “appt. book” 76 Uncooked 79 Zippo 80 Winter drifter 83 — apso 84 Pat of the Christian right 85 Ride a wave 87 Antler sporter 90 — -Mart (retail chain) 91 Unemotional 92 Greek letter 93 “Bali —” 94 Suffix with southeast 95 Wily 99 Worker on a housetop 100 Huge, in French 101 Camel kin 102 With 108-Across, of acceptable quality 103 Department in northern France 104 Near-eternity 105 Noodle 106 Erstwhile anesthetic 111 Spun tales 112 Floorboard sound 113 Curiously 115 Lineup 121-Down: Abbr.

116 REO part 118 Post-Q string 119 Himalayan legend 120 Funny Fey 121 Showing via the idiot box 122 Arch with a double curve 124 Composer Rorem 125 Manning of football

answers on page 40

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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 40

The naturalist’s corner

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

MOU – MIA ssues surrounding the management of the country’s national forests have always been thorny. It’s easy to see why — there are numerous user groups that, on the face, often appear to be at odds regarding how national forests should be managed. The USDA Forest Service is charged with the stewardship of these national forests and it is, by and large, a thankless task.

The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests are currently studying options and seeking public input regarding their new Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan Revision. The Department of Agriculture, which oversees the FS, implemented a new planning rule in 2012. This rule mandates the 155 national forests around the country to revise their forest plan (management directives) to coincide with the new planning rule. And language in the 2012 Planning Rule requires these new forest plans to be “collaborative” and “science-based.”

The Southern Appalachian Chapter of the Wilderness Society, in an effort to help create the kind of collaboration called for in the new planning rule created, in 2013, the NantahalaPisgah Partnership (NPP) According to its website, the NPP’s purpose is to “… create a

I

lasting voice for innovative management and public investment in the public forests of North Carolina’s mountains for the future.”

The Parnership’s vision statement is “We envision a thriving, resilient forest within its natural range of variation, able to support healthy ecosystems, wildlife populations, local economies, and traditional uses. We envision a forest with the connectivity and integrity to remain resilient in the face of the changes and challenges of the future.”

The NPP worked arduously with dozens of diverse stakeholder groups from across Western North Carolina — International Mountain Biking Association, Northwest NC Mountain Bike Alliance, Mountain True (formerly WNC Alliance), Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards, Trout Unlimited, Unaka Chapter, Carolina Adventure Guides, North Carolina Horse Council, Back Country Horsemen of North Carolina, Highlands Plateau Audubon Society, Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition, Southern Appalachian Chapter of The Wilderness Society and many more — with hopes of bringing a collaborative, unified voice to share with the Forest Service as it moves towards creating a new forest plan for the Nantahala and Pisgah forests.

The nearly three years of collaboration culminated in December 2015 when the NPP presented a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the Forest Service in conjunction with its forest plan revision.

According to Mountain True the MOU advocates for two new National Recreation Areas for Western North Carolina, Wilderness protection for 109,961 acres in the NantahalaPisgah National Forests and mountain biking trails and rock climbing access in Harper Creek and Lost Cove Areas. To see the complete text of the MOU go to http://moun-

Linville Gorge wilderness, Pisgah National Forest. wikimedia commons photo taintrue.org/text-of-mou/.

I talked with a couple of the signers of the MOU, Josh Kelly, public lands biologist at Mountain True and Will Harlan, editor for Blue Ridge Outdoors. Kelly said the process was long and challenging, he said it was difficult trying to accommodate all interests but he felt, “… it went well.” He said he believed the MOU provided a viable vision for the plan revision but lamented that it doesn’t have a lot of momentum.

July 22nd 1pm-4pm

July 19-25, 2017

GRILLIN & CHILLIN

Harlan called the MOU effort “precedentsetting.” He said it was great “… to see people who traditionally didn’t talk to each other sitting at the same table.” The MOU also drew praise from Outside Magazine. Vernon Felton wrote on Jan. 22, 2016, in Outside’s The Cycle Life, “To date, the USFS — committed to its own deliberation process that’s slated to end in 2017 —has not responded to the coalition’s MOU. In the meantime, the MOU hangs out there as tantalizing proof that competing interest groups can bury the hatchet for the greater good.”

And sadly, not only has the FS not commented on the MOU, The Wilderness Society, so instrumental in bringing all these diverse stakeholders to the same table, has apparently purged all mention of the MOU and/or the Nantahala-Pisgah Partnership from its website.

That will be fodder for a future column.

But, in the mean time, go by Mountain True’s website and check out the MOU for yourself. There’s still time to comment on the plan revision and if there is something in the MOU you like, it wouldn’t hurt to point it out. The Pisgah and Nantahala forests don’t belong to hikers, nor bikers, nor hunters, nor birders, nor anglers, nor paddlers, nor loggers, nor county commissioners, nor representatives, nor senators, nor the Forest Service — they belong to you and me, all of us, regardless how we decide to recreate or enjoy wild places — so it’s up to us to make our voices heard.

(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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