SMN 07 22 15

www.smokymountainnews.com

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

July 22-28, 2015 Vol. 17 Iss. 08

Junaluska merger pulled from calendar before vote Page 19 Nature center a boon for Balsam Mountain Preserve Page 34

CONTENTS On the Cover: A community reflects on the legacy of Maggie Valley Mayor Ron DeSimone after he died unexpectedly last week in a construction accident. DeSimone will be remembered for his leadership in the valley as well as his dedication to improving Western North Carolina by collaborating with regional and statewide partners. (Page 6)

News WCU frat disbanded by national organization ....................................................4 Dog owners brace for canine flu ..........................................................................5 Write-in likely to run for Maggie mayor ................................................................7 New candidate takes on Bryson City mayoral race ..........................................9 Waynesville election won’t be dull this year ....................................................10 Younger generation running for Franklin board ................................................11 Young candidates run for Sylva leadership ......................................................12 Tribal Council explores possibility of elected police chief ............................13 Balsam Mountain Trust Nature Center faces foreclosure quagmire ..........14 Family mourns victim of unsolved hit-and-run ..................................................16 Junaluska merger pulled from calendar before vote ......................................19

STAFF EDITOR/PUBLISHER: ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: ART DIRECTOR: DESIGN & WEBSITE: DESIGN & PRODUCTION: ADVERTISING SALES:

CLASSIFIEDS: NEWS EDITOR: WRITING:

INTERN: ACCOUNTING & OFFICE MANAGER: DISTRIBUTION: CONTRIBUTING:

Scott McLeod. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . info@smokymountainnews.com Greg Boothroyd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . greg@smokymountainnews.com Micah McClure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . micah@smokymountainnews.com Travis Bumgardner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . travis@smokymountainnews.com Emily Moss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . emily@smokymountainnews.com Whitney Burton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . whitney@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Bradley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jc-ads@smokymountainnews.com Hylah Birenbaum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hylah@smliv.com Scott Collier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Jessi Stone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jessi@smokymountainnews.com Becky Johnson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . becky@smokymountainnews.com Holly Kays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . holly@smokymountainnews.com Garret K. Woodward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . garret@smokymountainnews.com Katie Reeder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . katie@smokymountainnews.com Wil Shelton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . news@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Singletary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . smnbooks@smokymountainnews.com Scott Collier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Jeff Minick (writing), Chris Cox (writing), George Ellison (writing), Gary Carden (writing), Don Hendershot (writing).

CONTACT WAYNESVILLE | 144 Montgomery, Waynesville, NC 28786 P: 828.452.4251 | F: 828.452.3585 SYLVA | 629 West Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779 828.631.4829 | F: 828.631.0789

Opinion

P:

The Confederate flag flap ......................................................................................20

INFO & BILLING | P.O. Box 629, Waynesville, NC 28786

A&E Sylva music scene pushes forward ....................................................................24

Copyright 2015 by The Smoky Mountain News.™ Advertising copyright 2015 by The Smoky Mountain News.™ All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The Smoky Mountain News is available for free in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain and parts of Buncombe counties. Limit one copy per person.

Additional copies may be purchased for $1, payable at the Smoky Mountain News office in advance. No person may, without prior written permission of The Smoky Mountain News, take more than one copy of each issue.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Outdoors

SUBSCRIPTION:

1 YEAR $65 | 6 MONTHS $40 | 3 MONTHS $25

Smoky Mountain News

July 22-28, 2015

Nature center a boon for Balsam Mountain Preserve ....................................34

2

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

July 22-28, 2015

Smoky Mountain News

3

news

Frat disbanded by national organization WCU frat chapter suspended following alleged hazing, assault

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER estern Carolina University’s chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha has had its share of troubles this year, and a recent decision from the national fraternity’s board of directors adds suspension — and a recommendation to eventually revoke the chapter’s charter — to the list.

“It was in relation to just general activities,” said Brent Phillips, senior marketing officer for the fraternity. “I won’t comment on specific incidents. However, the operations of the chapter in total were reviewed.”

A June 24 letter to the university said the suspension was due to violation of fraternity “standards,” and while Phillips wouldn’t talk about the specifics of the board’s decision, it’s safe to say that it likely had something to do with a pair of unrelated incidents during the spring semester that resulted in the university suspending the chapter for five years and assault charges filed against two PKA members.

The first incident, which took place in February, involved a pledge who claimed that his fraternity brothers threatened him and forced him to recite the frat’s preamble while holding a running water hose to his mouth.

As a result of an investigation into the incident — which did not result in any criminal charges — the university decided April 16 to pull its recognition of the chapter for five years.

That meant that PKA could not participate in university events, have an on-campus house, use university facilities for events or generally access any university resources typically available to student organizations. But the frat still had the recognition of the national organization and so could operate off-campus.

PKA came into the spotlight once more when, two days after the suspension, multiple frat brothers allegedly ganged up on freshman Zachary Denson, who was not a member of the frat, giving him a severe concussion, a nose broken in two places and numer-

Custom Cabinetry as Unique as You

Smoky Mountain News

July 22-28, 2015

W

butions of our Greek commuous other injuries. According to nities while holding them Zach’s father Robert, he had accountable for behaviors that come sober to the off-campus are inconsistent with our tenparty straight from photograants and that give Greek life a phy class to pick up a friend negative reputation,” Koett who needed a ride and was on said in a written statement. his way out of the house when It’s been an eventful year he accidentally knocked anothfor PKA at WCU, but 2015 is er student’s beer. In moments, not the first time that the frafour guys were allegedly on top ternity has had trouble in of him. Two of them — Walter Cullowhee. The university also Conger and Blake Pierce — suspended the chapter in 2010, have been charged with assault. finding it guilty of violating The others were not charged social event and recruitment because he couldn’t prove their policies, GPA requirements identity, Robert said. and a probation sanction. The PKA member Fran Carelli, chapter finally got its status meanwhile, said that Denson back in spring 2014, just a year was intoxicated and had before losing it again. thrown the first punch, conBut that doesn’t necessaritending that PKA should not be ly point to any systemic probheld responsible for the incilem with the fraternity, dent as the alleged assault was Phillips said. the actions of “a few bad “That’s a whole generation apples” and not even at an offiof undergraduates that had cial PKA function. cycled through there (between On April 20, the national 2010 and 2014),” Phillips said. fraternity handed the chapter a “Conditions change.” temporary suspension, proIt’s rare for the fraternity to hibiting them from getting suspend one of its chapters, together except for official Phillips said, and the majority meetings. of PKA’s 220 chapters and According to the fraternity’s Western Carolina University’s clock tower. WCU photo colonies are “doing very well constitution, more permanent and living up to our standards.” suspensions can be given only “Really our purpose here is at the board of director’s quarThe chapter will remain inactive until further to help develop young men into terly meetings, and a chapter’s leaders,” he said. “When we go charter can be revoked only at notice. Its members will show up as alumni back in, we want to make sure its biennial convention. The we have conditions set where next convention is scheduled on the national fraternity’s rolls, and the they’re going to have the best for summer 2016, with the chapter won’t be able to meet for anything opportunity for success.” board already recommending a According to Robert revocation according to a letter associated with PKA. Denson, however, both the frat the fraternity sent WCU. and the university have their The chapter will remain But PKA won’t necessarily be forever work cut out for them. inactive until further notice. Its members will “When you’ve got these thugs watershow up as alumni on the national fraternity’s gone from Cullowhee. According to sturolls, and the chapter won’t be able to meet dent dean Kevin Koett, WCU has “affirmed boarding initiants and torturing young stufor anything associated with PKA or use its our support” of allowing the chapter to dents, you’ve had an out-of-control deal for a brand marks. They won’t be covered under one day reform under “mutually agreed long time,” he said. “Your charter was suspended in 2010, you just got it back, and the fraternity’s liability insurance and will upon conditions.”

“We want to celebrate the positive contri- you’re up to the same crap already.” lose their status as a nonprofit.

WNC's Largest Selection of Granite & Quartz.

Est. 1995 4

www.AcrossTheCreekWoodworks.com • 828-734-9691

Solid Surface Specialists

62 Communications Dr., Waynesville • Appointments Suggested

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

news

If the canine flu spreads west of Asheville, dog owners should avoid places like dog parks, where groups of dogs congregate. Holly Kays photo

Dog owners brace for canine flu

M

QUESTION: What should I be looking at when I buy cereal? Fiber? Calories? Fat? Sugar....I'm so confused!

ANSWER: Eating cereal is a good way to get fiber in your breakfast meal. You can also have cereal as a snack with milk or use it to top plain Greek yogurt.

Since the main goal of cereal is the fiber , that should definitely be something you look for.

Generally with cereal this is what I suggest: 1. Look for the black and white nutrition facts panel, usually this is on the side of the box.

2. Notice the serving size, this could be 1/2 cup or larger but it's important to know what amount the nutrition facts are referring to and not to eat more than the amount recommended.

3. Look for the amount of FIBER. I recommend cereals that have 5 or more grams of fiber. If your cereal has less than 5 grams of fiber, consider mixing in some higher fiber cereal. You could also mix in chia seeds, ground flax seeds or nuts to increase the fiber.

4. Look for the amount of SUGAR. I recommend cereals that have less than 10 grams of sugar. If your cereal has more than 10 grams of sugar, consider decreasing the amount of that cereal and mixing in a lower sugar cereal.

Smoky Mountain News

going around, “We don’t freak out when this is going through,” said Dawn Todd, coowner of Noah’s Ark. “We worry about nursing homes and the hospital. We worry about day cares. It’s the exact same thing with the canine flu.”

The best cure, Harrington said, is prevention. Until the flu’s swept through or the threat of it is gone, it’s best for dog owners to keep their animals away from places where dogs congregate, such as dog parks, and to make sure that groomers and kennels are asking the right questions of their clients to keep potentially sick animals out.

Canine flu is airborne, so animals can become infected without actually touching a sick animal. However, Harrington said, in open-air environments like parks the virus tends to dissipate quickly. Indirect contact is more of a concern indoors.

An infected animal will usually show symptoms after about five days but can become contagious as soon as two days after contact. Usually, animals are no longer contagious after 10 to 14 days.

There is a vaccine available for dog flu, but the strain currently of concern is different than the one that the available vaccine addresses. However, Harrington said, vaccination can still be helpful. The company’s guarantee says it will pay for testing and treatment for animals that contract the flu after being vaccinated, and even the wrong strain can give some protection, possibly reducing the severity of symptoms.

However, Harrington said, it’s important that anyone who suspects having an infected animal call ahead rather than taking their dog inside a waiting room full of flu-free animals.

July 22-28, 2015

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ountain dog owners may have started hearing rumor of a devastating canine flu strain coming their way, but according to area veterinarians there’s no cause for hysteria.

“In an otherwise healthy animal, they should be pretty quick to recover, so I would not be totally panicked about what’s going on,” said Joel Harrington, a veterinarian at Waynesville Animal Hospital.

As to what, exactly, is going on, the answer so far is “not much.” Cases of the virus, which has seen outbreaks in cities across the eastern U.S. over the last few months, have been confirmed in Asheville, but vets in counties west of Buncombe have not yet seen any cases. Harrington hasn’t seen any. Neither have Maple Tree or Junaluska animal hospitals in Waynesville, Western Carolina Animal Hospital and Pain Clinic in Sylva or Noah’s Ark Animal Hospital in Franklin.

That said Asheville is not far. It’s certainly not out of the question that the canine flu could pop up at any moment.

“There’s a very reasonable chance that we will see some of it here at some point,” Harrington said. “The hope is that it’s minimized.”

The canine flu works much like the human flu. It causes fever, lethargy, upper respiratory problems and is generally a much more serious issue for very young, very old or immune-compromised dogs.

Most dogs recover with no problem, but the flu can be fatal for animals that are weaker or don’t get the proper care.

And, just like when a human flu strain is

@SmokyMtnNews 5

news

Mayor remembered for reshaping Maggie’s future

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR

here are two types of mayors — the ones who show up to shake hands and kiss babies and the ones who take an active role in their town to make it a better place.

T

Maggie Valley Mayor Ron DeSimone certainly fell into the latter category.

DeSimone has had a list of goals to accomplish in Maggie Valley since being elected in 2011, and he was just beginning to see the fruits of his labor before his life was cut short by a tragic accident last Friday. The community is still reeling from the sudden loss of its leader.

“To try to convey the shock, disbelief and raw pain that his town is experiencing currently is impossible,” said Town Manager Nathan Clark. “Mayor DeSimone was a tireless public servant that worked to make Maggie Valley the best possible place to live, work and visit — for that we will be eternally grateful.”

A NEW KIND OF MAYOR

Smoky Mountain News

July 22-28, 2015

When running for mayor, DeSimone knew he had a long and difficult road ahead of him. As a Brooklyn native who spent most of his life in Florida, he had the disadvantage of being an “outsider” in Maggie Valley.

Candidates running for local office who don’t have deep roots in the area often have a hard time getting elected, but DeSimone beat the Ron DeSimone odds. He wasn’t from here, but he was a local businessman who had been heavily involved in the community since relocating to Maggie in 1999.

Maggie Valley Alderwoman Saralyn Price, who has deep family roots in Haywood County, said DeSimone was just as passionate and committed to the community as those who go back generations.

“He did so much for the town and he loved Maggie Valley so much," she said. “He really had dreams for all of Haywood County.”

Clark agreed DeSimone didn’t overlook the community’s past when looking to improve its future.

“He appreciated the roots of our community, how those roots were being cultivated in the present and how they would blossom in the future,” he said.

June Johnson, an active community member in Maggie, pointed out that DeSimone 6 was also the first mayor in at least two

ture of a dump truck pulling a banner that said, “Moving Maggie Forward.” Smith said the tables were adorned with miniature trucks, loaders, backhoes and other construction vehicles.

“The biggest smile came over his face when he saw that,” Smith recalled. “I don’t know how he found so many hours in his day to do all he did. And the more he talked about the good things going on, the more excited he got. He was much more to me than the mayor of our little valley. He was my friend.”

Though he had many ambitions, the first two years of his tenure were tumultuous. The board was so divided that an alderman resigned, and the remaining members couldn’t even agree on whom to appoint to the vacant seat. The seat remained empty until the next election and in the meantime, important town decisions were caught up in 2-2 stalemate votes.

DeSimone also was criticized for supporting a proposed increase to the tourism tax.

Maggie Valley was the lone holdout keeping the tourism tax increase from going through.

DeSimone desperately tried to deliver Maggie, but the holdouts had clouded the issue enough that it died.

Everything came to a head in the last part of 2013 as the former town manager resigned and the town’s festival director was fired over improperly loaning town money to a festival promoter, which ended up costing the town more than $10,000 that will probably never be recouped.

The November election resulted in a full board with two new members — Janet Banks Maggie Valley Mayor Ron DeSimone stands with Cherokee Elder Jerry Wolf at the inaugural and Mike Eveland — and decisions started to WinterFest Smoky Style in February. The winter festival was part of DeSimone’s vision of be made. Town planner Nathan Clark was improving the town’s economy in the winter. Donated photo promoted to town manager and the board decided to overhaul how it managed events at decades — if not the first since the town was live, work and play,” said Teresa Smith, exec- the festival grounds. Board members still discreated in the mid-1970s — who wasn't in the utive director of the Maggie Valley Chamber agreed on issues, but DeSimone showed the tourism business. He realized that Maggie of Commerce. “He spent countless hours talk- town that disagreements over policy didn't would continue to decline if it hitched its star ing with local businesses about his vision. have to end ugly. solely to tourism, Johnson said.

Once he was elected to the office, he began “We learned to agree to disagree and still In the past, it was a reality everyone putting that plan into motion.” be friends and we really were friends,” Price refused to acknowledge, but DeSimone pubDeSimone did have a plan to get local said, who remembers when things weren't licly raised the glaring reality: the town's over- businesses and residents involved in the always like that. “That says a whole lot. We reliance on tourism would be its downfall, can work together and don’t particularly considering how dated its have to hate each other if we “Ron knew no boundaries. No tourism enterprises were. have different opinions.”

“Maggie can no longer survive on its sumEveland and Banks said geographic boundaries, no political mer influx of money. It is not possible in DeSimone was a mentor to them boundaries, and no party today's world,” Johnson said. “Our little comwhen they decided to run for the munity has been struggling for years, and board and really took the time to boundaries. He was in it for the Ron inserted a treasure trove of fresh ideas educate them about all the chaland initiatives. He was tireless. I often marlenges the town was facing. long haul, as long as it was good veled at his ability to maintain a construction “He was very helpful to me for North Carolina, the region and business, to organize, learn, plan for commuwhen I campaigned two years nity growth and improvement.” ago for the board of aldermen — Maggie Valley, he was all in.” he gave me ideas and guidance and I really appreciated that,” — Jim Blythe, friend of DeSimone OVING AGGIE FORWARD Banks said. “It’s a real shock.

With Ron we turned the town It was DeSimone’s tireless passion that led him to be elected in what could be con- process of improving the town. He wanted around after not being able to seat a full board sidered a landslide victory in Maggie Valley everyone to have a voice and work in unison two and a half years ago. Now we’re able to to execute the plan. Smith remembers function and compromise and move forward.”

— 215 votes.

Eveland doesn’t see that momentum slowHe didn’t waste any time trying to get his DeSimone coming to a chamber board meetplan to chart a new and improved course for ing not long after he was elected to present ing down, because the board shared the same his vision to improve the valley. It didn’t take vision as the mayor. the town started.

“A lot of Ron’s initiatives we’ve been able “Mayor DeSimone was a man of action. long for the chamber to get behind the plan.

As a tribute to the mayor and his profes- to accomplish will continue because those Even before he was elected as mayor he already had a plan in his mind of how he sion as a general contractor, the chamber goals are our goals,” he said. “We could make Maggie Valley a better place to created a logo for the project that had a pic- believe in the things we’re doing

M

M

F

A life full of love

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR s family members and friends took turns paying tribute to Ron DeSimone at his memorial mass on Tuesday, one word kept being repeated — love.

DeSimone loved his family, loved building things, loved Maggie Valley and loved helping others. And if he loved something, he nurtured it. Even his final breaths were taken in helping his best friend complete an addition on his home.

“Though his life was cut short, he did a lot of living in his 62 years,” said Robb DeSimone, Ron’s younger brother. “He was constantly trying to make a difference because he could never be a bystander in life.”

If the attendance at his service is any indication, DeSimone did make a difference in many lives. St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Waynesville was full of extended family, neighbors, Maggie Valley residents and business owners, Maggie Valley town staff, elected officials from all of Haywood County’s municipalities, county commissioners and state representatives.

Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, who worked closely with DeSimone on many local and state issues in the last four

A

MAKING MAGGIE A TEAM PLAYER

Hundreds of people, including town, county and state officials, exit St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Waynesville Tuesday after Ron DeSimone’s memorial mass. Jessi Stone photo cooperation in Maggie Valley,” said Ryan Sherby, executive director of the Southwest Commission Region A. “I don’t recall talking too much politics, as the conversation always seemed focused on how to improve WNC communities. He brought that collaborative spirit and dedication to board meetings most often joined by his Haywood County mayoral peers.”

DeSimone could always be counted on to be in Raleigh at key times, not only representing the interest of the Valley but also of the greater region, Sherby said.

During the 2012 legislative session, Blyth said, he and DeSimone authored six different bills dealing with prescription drugs abuses,

synthetic drugs, prescription drug registry and adding a common sense component for toxicology testing to the DWI laws in North Carolina.

“With Sen. (Jim) Davis's help, all six bills were passed and the governor signed each bill and they are N.C. law today,” Blyth said.

Blyth said DeSimone’s last fight in the General Assembly was stopping a local bill that would de-annex an entire subdivision from the Town of Maggie Valley. The bill was stopped cold last Wednesday and DeSimone received the good news directly from Sen. Davis on Wednesday while on the construc-

S EE DE S IMONE, PAGE 8

Smoky Mountain News

Maggie has historically acted like an island, not bothering to engage and connect with the rest of the county or region. It wasn't totally Maggie's fault. Decades ago, Maggie was ostracized as a hokey tourist town in a blue-collar factory world. But Maggie was also a victim of self-isolation.

DeSimone tried to raise Maggie's profile in the region. For the first time, Maggie's mayor actually showed up to regional council of government meetings — a gathering of mayors and county commissioner chairmen from the seven western counties.

“Ron knew no boundaries. No geographic boundaries, no political boundaries, and no party boundaries,” said Jim Blyth, one of DeSimone’s closest friends. “He was in it for the long haul. As long as it was good for North Carolina, the region and Maggie Valley, he was all in. He worked tirelessly with

people on both sides of the aisle and he listened to everyone's concerns.”

Waynesville Mayor Gavin Brown has been a passive observer of Maggie politics from afar. It was obvious DeSimone was able to change the tone of Maggie politics.

“He wanted to have Maggie working together with the rest of the region on issues that might pertain across the board,” Brown said.

DeSimone wanted Maggie Valley on the radar, and took it upon himself to network — whether it was attending functions or serving on the county's economic development council.

DeSimone helped Maggie overcome stereotypes of being self-absorbed and unengaged from the rest of the county. He also tried to get past the tug-of-war mentality that sometimes defined Maggie Valley's past relationships.

“He didn't just look at what was best for Maggie Valley,” Commissioner Kevin Ensley said. “A lot of times people have turf battles over who gets what. But it was refreshing to hear him say ‘I want to do what is best for Haywood County because what's best for Haywood County is best for Maggie Valley and vice versa.’ He wanted to be a partner and build partnerships to make the county a better place to live.”

Eveland said most mayors delegate board appointments to members of the board, but DeSimone took on a majority of the responsibilities to create a unified voice for the town. He served on the Haywood County Economic Development Commission and a subcommittee to improve broadband services in the county.

“Mayor DeSimone was actively engaged at the regional and state level. We discussed on many occasions strategies to encourage

July 22-28, 2015

to improve the festival grounds and the downtown master plan — those are direct links to show the town is taking responsibility for the economy and shaping the town in the future.”

One of DeSimone’s initiatives was creating the first winter festival — known as “WinterFest Smoky Style” — to provide a shot in the arm during the winter months.

The first event was held in February and was a success, and DeSimone wanted to double the impact at next year’s event.

In lieu of flowers at his service, family asks that memorials be made to WinterFest Smoky Style, c/o Haywood County Chamber of Commerce, 39 Walnut Street, Waynesville, NC 28786.

news

Family and friends honor DeSimone’s memory

making difficult decisions. He had integrity and vision — Ron was a leader.”

Family who knew DeSimone prior to his time in Haywood County described a family man who loved his soul mate and wife of 38 years, Joann DeSimone, and their two daughters, Carolyn DeSimone and Jennifer Smith.

Robb DeSimone said no mother should have to bury her child, and never again would he want to hear the blood-curdling screams of his mother’s voice when she called to tell him of his brother’s passing.

Looking out over the crowded church, Robb said it was clear why his brother loved Maggie Valley so much.

“Thank you for all the support you’ve all shown my family,” he said, “I know Ron is up there right now looking down on us, humbled and embarrassed because he was Friends and family viewed a slideshow of photos of Ron DeSimone never comfortable with praise.”

Tuesday afternoon at the Brannon Forest Clubhouse after his memorial mass Robb encouraged everyone to remember held in Waynesville. Jessi Stone photo how short life can be — how in the blink of an eye we could all be gone. years, gave the eulogy. Davis described DeSimone as mod“I know I will strive to be a better citizen … I’m going to est, intelligent, hardworking, honest, determined and listen a little deeper and hug a little longer — and that’s all honorable. the tribute Ron would want.”

“Ron was a man of integrity who was committed to makFollowing the service, friends and family joined together ing a difference for his family, for his community and for his at the Brannon Forest Clubhouse — the community state,” he said. “He was able to keep his composure when DeSimone loved — for fellowship together.

7

news

DeSimone dies in construction accident

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR ast Friday started out just like many other workdays for Maggie Valley Mayor Ron DeSimone.

This Friday he was working on a garage addition on Campbell Creek Road, a house belonging to his best friend Jim Blyth.

With more than 40 years of experience in the construction business, DeSimone was well versed in construction standards and safety — yet this routine job somehow went terribly wrong in the blink of an eye.

Lt. Russ Gilliland with the Maggie Valley Police Department said he and another officer responded to Blyth’s house about 12:30 p.m. Friday to find DeSimone, 62, lying on the ground as Blythe attempted to perform CPR on him.

“Our officer, who is certified in CPR, took over but after a while we saw it was unfruitful,” Gilliland said. “EMS was there almost immediately after us, and they literally did everything possible to save his life.”

When officers began to look into what

L

July 22-28, 2015

DE S IMONE, CONTINUED FROM 7 tion site where he died two days later.

“Most people didn't even know that Ron and I were working on issues that impacted the entire state,” Blyth said. “Ron and I were selfless about who received credit and we didn't care who got credit. We did it because we were passionate about the issues and it needed to be done, so we did it.”

Clark said it was safe to say that DeSimone accomplished his goal of ending Maggie Valley’s isolation through building cooperation in Haywood County and throughout the region.

“Since word of his passing became public, it is safe to say that he no longer lived on an island but in the center of it all,” Clark said. “I have received an overwhelming amount of heartfelt condolences from all over the county.”

CARRYING ON HIS LEGACY Smoky Mountain News

With his service on many countywide and regional boards, DeSimone’s impact is much wider than Maggie Valley’s borders.

Canton Alderman Zeb Smathers worked alongside DeSimone on the Economic Development Commission and considers him a great mentor for other leaders in the county.

“Politics can be petty and arduous, but every so often a person comes along who truly leads and inspires us to believe in the ‘big idea.’ Maggie Valley Mayor Ron DeSimone was that man,” Smathers said. “It now falls on us who love and care for our county to carry on his passions with the same grace and tenacity that he did.”

DeSimone was also a past president and an active member of the Smoky Mountain 8 Homeowners Association — formerly known

had happened, Gilliland said they found that DeSimone was standing on the roof as a crane operator from Haywood Builders Supply was lifting up pieces of plywood to place on the truss being built on top of the garage.

“When they were sitting them up there on the second floor to unload, for some reason the materials shifted and made the trusses collapse in a domino effect,” Gilliland said.

The collapse is what knocked DeSimone off the roof. He fell about 10 to 12 feet onto the concrete before about six to eight pieces of plywood fell on top of him.

No one else was injured during the accident. Others on the scene included Blyth, the crane operator from Haywood Builders Supply and one other worker helping DeSimone.

Gilliland said the police department was looking at the incident as an accident.

The Haywood County Building Inspector was called out to the scene to investigate and OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, also came out to inspect the scene. Gilliland said the OSHA report could take some time to be completed.

as the Haywood County Home Builders Association. Former HBA President Dawson Spano said DeSimone was just as passionate about the construction industry as he was local politics. He worked diligently with county officials to craft a steep slope ordinance and worked with state officials to pass legislation to make contracting the most professional licensed industry in the state.

“There is only a short period of time that we have to make a difference in the world that we live in — to make the extra effort with a vision of what can become of the future,” Spano said. “Ron DeSimone took the abilities granted to him to improve what he could and set in place a framework for others to follow.”

Haywood County commissioners held a moment of silence at their board meeting Monday in honor of DeSimone.

“Ron will be sorely missed. He was an inspiration to a lot of people,” Commission Chairman Mark Swanger said. Swanger cited DeSimone as a champion of the high-speed Internet conundrum in the mountains. Once you get off the beaten path, people are stuck in the dark ages when it comes to modern Internet speeds. It’s been bemoaned for years, but DeSimone refused to give up on finding a solution.

Commissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick got emotional reflecting on DeSimone's contribution to the community and the sudden tragedy that claimed his life.

“When Ron woke up Friday morning he didn't know. He had no idea what was going to happen that day, and I think we should all think about that in how we live our lives every day and what we do for others and what we will be remembered by. Ron will be remembered well,” Kirkpatrick said.

— Staff writer Becky Johnson contributed to this article.

Write-in likely to run for mayor in Maggie following tragic death

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER he tragic accident that killed Mayor Ron DeSimone last week has left a hole in upcoming town elections this fall.

DeSimone was running for re-election as mayor. His name will no longer be on the ballot. But it’s too late for any new candidates to be added to the ballot. Nor is there a mechanism to formally name someone to run in his place.

There’s a specific two-week window in July when candidates can register to run in town elections. That window ended at noon Friday. DeSimone was killed just 30 minutes later — around 12:30 p.m. Friday — when a load of wood fell on him at a construction site.

Despite the unusual and tragic circumstance, once the candidate sign-up period has ended, it can’t be extended or reopened, according to George McCue, general counsel for the N.C. Board of Elections in Raleigh.

The only avenue for a late-comer at this point is to mount a write-in campaign for mayor. That’s a highly likely scenario, and quite feasible in a town as small as Maggie. Only 359 people voted in the mayor’s race four years ago — a small enough voting base for a write-in to get their name out, despite not being on the official ballot.

Maggie elections are no stranger to write-in candidates. Write-ins have successfully won in Maggie more than once.

The most recent was Alderwoman Saralyn Price, who ran as a write-in in 2005 and has been on the town board ever since.

The printed ballot won’t be completely devoid of mayoral candidates. DeSimone was the front-runner as the incumbent, but two challengers had signed up to run against him.

However, candidates who shared Desimone’s vision and platform hadn’t entered the race — not with DeSimone running for re-election. Given the tragic turn of events, many believe someone will undoubtedly step forward as a write-in candidate.

“It is going to take big feet to fill those shoes that he wore,” Price said.

But it’s been too soon for anyone to feel comfortable talking about who that might be.

“It is kind of inappropriate right now with the remembrances that are taking place tomorrow,” Alderwoman Janet Banks, a friend of DeSimone’s, said on Monday night, referring to his funeral the next day.

Anyone can run as a write-in, including current aldermen. If a sitting alderman won as mayor, they would have to resign as alderman, and the vacated seat would in turn be filled by an appoint-

T

ment of the town board.

Two of the current aldermen are up for election themselves in November — Banks and Alderman Philip Wight.

Candidates can run for only one office at a time, at least officially. Unofficially, however, Banks or Wight could still run as a write-in for mayor.

“They would only be appearing on the ballot for one office, so theoretically, though some politicking, they could say ‘I am running for mayor also,’” McCue said.

“They would not be eligible to accept both positions, but they could chose one and decline the other.”

The two challengers who had signed up to run against DeSimone and will formally be on the ballot are: • Jasay Ketchum, a long-time Maggie resident and regular at town meetings.

• Justin Phillips, who moved here a couple years ago and owns Organic Beans coffee shop.

Ketchum believed he had a chance against DeSimone.

“You know, honestly and truly, I think it would have been a tight race. I have supporters and he has supporters, and honestly I think it would’ve been a nail-biter,” Ketchum said.

Meanwhile, Maggie Valley aldermen have to figure out what to do about the vacant mayor’s seat between now and the election. Price said the town board will hold a public meeting in the coming week to discuss the issue openly.

Banks said it will be important to involve the community in the process.

“It is like all small towns this happens in: what do you do?” Banks said.

“What are the pathways you need to follow to be fair to everyone who’s running or not running? We want the public to help us make the decisions about where the board goes from now until November.”

Price is the mayor protem, which makes her the acting mayor in the event of the mayor’s absence. The board could opt to officially appoint someone as mayor between now and November, or just have Price serve as the acting mayor until the election settles it.

If the board officially appointed Price as the mayor — instead of just the acting mayor — she would have to give up her alderman seat. She would then have to run for mayor as a writein, but if she didn’t win, it would be too late to get her vacated alderman seat back.

With the community reeling from the loss, Banks said the public meeting in the coming week will be critical to keep the town united.

“We want to let the people of Maggie Valley know we are going to continue moving forward,” Banks said. “I don’t want to move backward.”

W

bition specialist at its fine arts museum.

McPherson describes his platform as “ease of use in the town, functional aesthetics and stewardship.”

He’s also concerned with other issues, such as traffic flow downtown — he, just like Jeremy Edmonds Schmidt and Edmonds, is against conversion to two-way traffic on Main Street — and a potential tax hike when the county revaluation hits next year.

“I own a building downtown so I don’t really want taxes to go up, but I do understand Charles Schmidt that Sylva has (one of ) the lowest tax rate(s) in the state, and I think it would probably behoove us to find revenue where we can,” he said, adding he’d want to take a careful look at the numbers before making any decisions.

Edmonds, who ran Greg McPherson for town board last

time around when he was 26, also believes the tax question deserves careful consideration.

“Downsizing government’s not a bad thing, but we want to promote business at the same time,” said Edmonds, describing his political philosophy as slightly, but not radically, libertarian. “We want people to proposer.”

The Sylva homeowner said he wouldn’t support raising taxes just to keep the budget revenue-neutral, but also recognized the value of government services. For instance, he’d like to see Sylva offer trash pick-up for businesses.

“It would help our current businesses out and maybe get more businesses to come into Sylva if they had that option on the table,” he said.

Edmonds, McPherson and Schmidt will join Jay Ball, owner of Jewelry Outlet; David Nestler, president of the Sylva Main Street Association; and Harold Hensley, sitting commissioner, on the ballot. The commissioners currently holding the other two seats up for election — Danny Allen and Lynda Sossamon — have filed to run for mayor against another sitting commissioner, Barbara Hamilton, whose seat is not up for election.

No matter how the mayor’s race shakes out, Sylva is guaranteed to get at least one new face — and possibly three — on the board.

New candidate takes on Bryson City mayor Five candidates vie for two board seats

T

Development Commission, Treadway thinks he would make a good addition to the town board. While he may not know all the issues, he said he was born and raised in Bryson City and wants to give back.

“I have a love of Bryson City and Swain County, and I felt like we ought to have a choice (of candidates),” he said. “I’m really interested in the development of Bryson City and have a fear for Catherine higher taxes and Cuthbertson reduced services.”

He said he doesn’t think a small municipality like Bryson City should act as a lone entity with the “us against the world” mentality that it’s had in the past.

Angel, 56, would also like to see more unity between the town, locals and “transplants.”

She came to Bryson City nine years ago and has served on the Tourism Development Authority and currently is a member of the Bryson City Merchants Association.

“I just feel like when you work on different boards and issues come up, it’s nice because

you can integrate all the needs of the public and private sector,” she said. “I want to form a union between locals and everyone else — we need to unify and be Brysonians first.”

Angel and her husband own Anthony’s Italian Restaurant and Angel Cabins in Bryson City. As an employer of about 30 people, Angel said she understands the need for improved tourism and also improved infrastructure like better streets and sidewalks.

“I feel like we have some good candidates who can bring a fresh look at the city without unnecessarily undoing everything,” she said. “I can see from multiple points of view before picking a side and I want everyone to become involved and vote.”

Woodard is the director of visitor services at the Swain County Chamber of Commerce. She was born and raised in Swain County, moved away for several years, and has been living in Bryson City for the past 11 years.

Welch has served on the board since 1995 and said she thinks the current board is making good progress.

Gribble said he is seeking another term in order to see some projects come to fruition, including a new water meter system, hiring a new town manager and the potential closing of Fry Street to construct a pedestrian plaza.

Smoky Mountain News

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR he election for the Bryson City Board of Aldermen looked like it would be a landslide for the incumbents early last week, but that had all changed by last Friday as four more people signed up to run for office.

Newcomers Mike Treadway, Tee Angel and Heidi Woodard signed up to run for the two available aldermen seats alongside incumbents Kate Welch and Jim Gribble.

Mayor Tom Sutton will also have some competition since Catherine Cuthbertson signed up to run against him.

“I decided to run just to offer people a choice and hopefully increase participation,” Cuthbertson said. “I really think the folks in Bryson City should feel like they have a say and I think we’re a small enough town to be able to be responsive to that.”

Cuthbertson has been a psychologist in the Swain County school system since she moved to Bryson City in 1993. With two grown chil-

dren and retirement looming in the next year or so, she now has the extra time to devote to public service. She said her extensive experience in the education system gave her a unique perspective on how to improve the town.

“I would like to be a voice for the people and to make their concerns known,” she said. “I come from a background in education where we have a lot of teams that do everything. I’ve always found that you get a Tee Angel better outcome when you have more voices at the table.”

Sutton, a parole officer, also ran four years ago as a write-in candidate so the people of Bryson City would have a choice. Now he wants to seek a second term to continue with the town’s efforts to complete several projects.

Treadway, 45, has also worked in the Swain County school system for more than 20 years as a teacher assistant, teacher, principal and now as the director of exceptional children.

With a business degree, experience in education and also service on the Economic

S EE SYLVA, PAGE 10

July 22-28, 2015

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ith election sign-ups now closed, it looks like Sylva’s guaranteed to get some younger membership on its board after November’s elections.

Four of the six candidates for three seats are under 50 years old, looking for a place on a board whose average age currently tops 60. The most recent candidates to put their names on the list are Charles Schmidt, 34, who works at the family business Speedy’s Pizza; mechanic Jeremy Edmonds, 28, and arts professor Greg McPherson, 45.

“I think getting some youth on there could help get a new perspective,” Schmidt said.

“I feel that we’re the ones buying homes and running business,” he added. “We need to look out for ourselves.”

Schmidt, who describes himself politically as a “very, very moderate liberal,” touts qualifications other than his youth, however.

He’s served on the town’s planning board for the past two-and-a-half years and says he’s ready to start making decisions, rather than just recommendations.

McPherson, meanwhile, sees a seat on the town board as a chance to improve Sylva’s appearance, a priority that speaks to his artistic background as an adjunct professor at Western Carolina University and exhi-

The race for Sylva mayor just became a three-way contest, with current commissioner Lynda Sossamon signing up to run against Danny Allen and Barbara Hamilton, who are also sitting commissioners.

“I decided that I didn’t want to file for commissioner again and I wanted to make sure that I had the time to do the job properly,” Sossamon, 68, said of her decision-making process. Even when asked just hours before heading to the election office, Sossamon told The Smoky Mountain News that she hadn’t yet made up her mind as to whether she’d run for mayor, commissioner or not at all.

“When I get involved in stuff I kind of give it my all,” Linda Sossamon said Sossamon, who with her husband has owned Radio Shack in Sylva for 30 years and has also served on numerous boards.

She’s chaired the Arts Advancement Council at Western Carolina University, for instance, as well as numerous fundraisers for WestCare before the nonprofit hospital converted to a for-profit organization under Duke LifePoint. She also sits on the board for Mountain Projects and is coming to the end of eight years on the town board, spread over two nonconsecutive terms.

Sossamon’s running on her experience as a businessperson, which combined with her knowledge of the town make her

news

Younger board membership likely result in Sylva elections

THREE VIE FOR SYLVA MAYOR

9

news

Waynesville election won’t be dull this year

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER he dust has settled following a last-minute scramble of candidates signing up to run for the Waynesville town board last week, and voters now have their work cut out.

There are 10 candidates running for five seats: three candidates for mayor and seven for the four town board seats. Only one of the sitting board members decided not to run for re-election. Of the six challengers to throw their hat in the ring, at least one is guaranteed a win.

Here’s a whirlwind tour of who’s running and why:

T

July 22-28, 2015

MAYOR • Gavin Brown, attorney, mayor for 8 years, alderman for 8 years, school board for 4 years.

“As mayor I have tried to keep us on the right track and I believe the results speak for themselves. This ship is headed in the right direction,” Brown said.

Brown said Waynesville has prospered and is a model town that people and businesses want to be part of.

“We don’t have people leaving here saying ‘I hate Waynesville,’” Brown said.

Brown wants the town to continue to “grow in a responsible manner,” and believes town government has a role to play in supporting business development.

“I believe government works with entrepreneurs to create jobs,” Brown said, citing that as one of many differences between him and challenger Jonnie Cure.

Brown invited voters to judge him by his record, something his opponents don’t have.

“My record is out there for people to look at,” Brown said of his past 16 years on the board.

Smoky Mountain News

• Jonnie Cure, owner of Cross-Country School of Real Estate and former owner of now-closed Southern Exposure Realty.

Cure said Waynesville needs “new leadership” and a “breath of fresh air.”

Cure believes government needs to “step aside” and cut out “senseless regulations” so business can prosper.

10

SYLVA, CONTINUED FROM 9 unique as a candidate, she said.

“Of course they’ve had jobs and worked in very important places, but as a business owner I think that sets me apart in Sylva,” she said of the other candidates.

“I know people, I know processes, and I think that probably sets me apart from the other two.”

Neither Allen nor Hamilton has owned a business in Sylva, but each said they would bring their own unique assets and experiences to the table if elected mayor.

Hamilton, 70, finished 25 years as a regis-

“Government does not create jobs.

Entrepreneurs create jobs,” Cure said in a press release.

She has been an outspoken conservative activist in the county for years, advocating for lower taxes, limited government and less regulation. She believes elected officials should be held accountable.

Cure said she would encourage more public participation.

“I will welcome questions, debate, discussions, opinions and ideas from the voters and taxpayers who foot the bills and accept the burden of government spending,” she said.

Cure referred to a written press release for why she is running.

• Lynn Bradley, owner of C.M.T. Metal Finishes in Hazelwood, formerly Carolina Mountain Tactical gun store and before that, Cline-Bradley Ace Hardware. Bradley did not respond to multiple messages seeking comment.

TOWN BOARD • Julia Freeman, current alderman and executive director of REACH domestic violence nonprofit.

“I definitely think we are on the right track. I want to continue moving the town forward in a positive way,” Freeman said.

Freeman said the current board has a symbiotic working relationship, where compromise is valued over divisiveness, and the town has been able to grow.

“We have been a very cohesive board.

Even though we share different viewpoints we respect one another, and I think we have made sound decisions in the best interest of the town,” Freeman said.

• Gary Caldwell, town board member for 20 years and printing industry rep, former production manager of Cornerstone Printing.

“I love working with the citizens and being a spokesperson for citizens and employees,” Caldwell said, saying he has a reputation for helping residents with townrelated issues and questions.

tered nurse at Harris Regional Hospital, experience that’s left her connected and involved with the community. She’s a regular at town events and serves on the boards for Jackson County Neighbors in Need, the Jackson County Library and the Main Street Association.

Allen, meanwhile, points out that with 12 years on the town board he has the most experience of the three candidates and has fostered positive relationships with many people around town. The 58year-old works security at the N.C. Center for the Advancement of Teaching at Western Carolina University and has in the

Caldwell said the town board now is known for making decisions with the greater good in mind.

“What’s more important to the majority of citizens and employees to the town? You have to think about as a whole, how it affects everybody,” Caldwell said.

• Leroy Roberson, town board member for more than 12 years and retired optometrist.

“I want to make sure the town stays on the progressive path, and that the town is supporting small businesses and local businesses

There are 10 candidates running for five seats: three candidates for mayor and seven for the four town board seats.

Only one of the sitting board members decided not to run for re-election.

Of the six challengers to throw their hat in the ring, at least one is guaranteed a win. instead of concentrating on trying to bring in chain stores,” Roberson said.

Roberson, who kept an office on Main Street for more than three decades, said locally owned business add more value to a community. He also wants to focus on the revitalization of vacant commercial properties and redevelopment of commercial districts that have declined, while protecting residential neighborhoods.

many years. Feichter has served on the town planning board and Downtown Waynesville Association, and he hopes to bring the perspective of a small business owner to the table. He wants to involve the public in community planning issues and shaping a vision for how the town grows.

Feichter said he has some questions about the town’s direction, including town spending, how contracts are awarded and the loss of some longtime town employees.

• Phillip Gibbs, retired from the Canton paper mill.

“I think the town of Waynesville needs to be more business-friendly,” said Gibbs.

Gibbs wonders why Waynesville doesn’t have chain restaurants like Applebee’s and Cracker Barrel, blaming the town development standards for imposing too many criteria.

“I am hoping to start asking these kinds of questions,” said Gibbs, who was recently appointed to the town planning board. “I feel like they want to make this a tourist attraction, but what about when the tourists are gone the rest of the year?”

Gibbs is also a member of the Civilian Police Academy and wants to be an advocate for the police department and voice for the people.

• Kenny Mull, owner of Bob’s Sports Store, a long-time independent sporting gear shop on South Main Street.

Mull has served on the town’s recreation advisory committee for years and is widely known for his support and advocacy of youth sports. Mull was out of town and could not be reached for comment by press time.

• John Feichter, owner of New Meridian Technologies “I would like to have a larger impact in our community. Public service has been part and parcel of our family,” said Feichter, whose mother Libba was on the town board for

• Anthony Sutton, accounting and systems manager at Biltmore Farms, a commercial, office, residential and community development firm.

“I want to utilize my experience, talents and resources in strategic planning, budgeting, economic development and most importantly community development to make Waynesville the best place to live, work and play,” he said.

past served as manager of Quin Theaters and as an officer with the Sylva Police Department.

The town’s current mayor, Maurice Moody, has decided not to run for re-election, leaving the seat wide open.

Hamilton, whose seat is not up for re-election until 2017, will remain on the town board if she loses, but Allen and Sossamon would be off the board if they lost, as their seats are up for election this year.

Sossamon, a registered Democrat, has typically voted with Hamilton on split votes, the more conservative Allen voting on the

opposite side. For instance, both Hamilton and Sossamon voted in favor of a 2-cent property tax increase this year but were defeated by no votes from Allen, Mary Gelbaugh and Harold Hensley. The town wound up dipping into its reserve fund to balance its budget.

Sossamon is also a proponent of the arts and aesthetics. Last year, she voiced support in moving ahead with a requirement for businesses to install glass in boarded-up windows, positing that the downtown’s place on the National Historic Registry might net businesses some tax breaks for doing so.

S

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR Two new candidates have signed up to run against incumbent candidates Gail Mull and Ralph Hamlett for the Canton Board of Aldermen.

Lifelong resident Neal McCracken has signed up in hopes of bringing more businesses and visitors to town.

Kate Brown has signed up to do anything she can to help the town she loves rebound from the recession.

McCracken, 67, retired from Dayco in Waynesville after 30 years.

He also helped start the Mater Fest in Canton 10 years ago, currently serves on the Canton ABC Board and owns a commercial building in downtown.

“I’ve been interested in our town trying to bring businesses and fix the buildings in town,” he said.

While he said he is friends with many of the board members and appreciates the progress they’ve made, he said he feels like more could be done.

“I want to follow up with a lot of stuff they’re doing — they’ve started to get on the right track,” McCracken said. “I haven’t got a strategy yet but I hope people know me and that I have got a little bit of common sense.”

Brown worked as a teacher assistant in Canton kindergarten classes for 39 years. Now she serves on the Haywood County Schools Foundation board and also teaches sewing at Haywood Community College.

“Well I’m running because I love the town of Canton — I moved here from Spartanburg 56 years ago and I raised my three boys here,” she said. “It’s a wonderful place to raise a family and I would like to do anything I can to help this town rebound.”

Brown said she’s been to several town meetings and feels like she is familiar with the challenges facing the town. While she thinks the current board is doing an “OK” job, she wants to step in and help.

“It takes a town or community to raise a child and it takes everybody working together to make a town grow,” she said. “I know how to work.”

Mull and Hamlett were both elected to the Canton board in 2013 to serve two-year terms in order to begin staggering the board elections in Canton. Both candidates are now running for a four-year term.

Mull said the town board is working to improve the town’s economic development by ramping up the Labor Day Celebration, trying to attract more businesses by requiring downtown commercial building owners to better maintain their structures and responding to the needs of residents by making upgrades to parks and recreation facilities.

Hamlett, a professor at Brevard College, said he feels optimistic about the current board and the progress being made in Canton. He said the two years really served as a learning curve for the entire board, but now with a unified vision in place, he wants to see projects come to fruition.

July 22-28, 2015

BY J ESSI STONE for 10 years, wants to get back into the game.

N EWS E DITOR “I’ve taken a couple of years off — didn’t run last everal young residents have signed up to run for time because it just seemed to be the thing to do,” a seat on the Franklin Board of Aldermen while Collins said. “I think I’ve still got a lot to offer with my the race for mayor will be uncontested. experience and background, and I’m willing to serve if Angela Moore, 34, will be making her third run in an effort to Downtown Franklin. bring a more conservative approach to the town board. The stay-at-home mom of three has lived in Franklin for nine years and used to work as a GIS analyst for the town.

“I’m really passionate about protecting people’s property rights and lowering spending and taxes,” she said. “The board is very liberal right now and typically pass new regulations with unanimous votes with minimal decision.”

Brandon McMahan, 32, will be seeking a spot on the board as well.

McMahan currently serves on the town planning board and the board of adjustments and feels like a spot on the board of aldermen would be a good next step to help the town.

His family has deep roots in Franklin and he feels like he has a good understandthey elect me to see that the town stays on a good ing of the town’s people and issues. McMahan teaches track.” second grade at Iola Valley Elementary School.

He said he decided not to run for mayor because “The people in this town and the town as a whole he thinks Bob Scott is doing a good job. Besides, it’s have always been great to me and my family — I just the board members that make the decisions. Collins, want to give something back in a sense,” he said. a 60-year-old attorney, wants to see the board contin“Right now Franklin is experiencing some exciting ue to stay connected with the downtown merchants growth and changes. Maybe a younger point of view and bring in more visitors to town. may better represent the people who are becoming Collins said it was good to see so many young peomore active.” ple trying to get involved in town government, and Adam Kimsey, co-owner of the Rathskeller Coffee other incumbents expressed the same excitement.

Haus and Pub, is also running for the board for a secMayor Bob Scott, who will run unopposed this ond time. The 29-year-old Franklin native wants to year, has said it is critical for the town’s future to get improve the town’s economy and infrastructure while younger generations involved. building a more vibrant downtown.

Aldermen incumbents Verlin Curtis and Joyce The election will also feature a familiar name on Handley are seeking another term on the board, but the ballot. Joe Collins, who served on the Franklin Alderman Farrell Jamison is not, which means six board of aldermen for six years and served as mayor people are vying for three seats.

Canton election gets two newcomers

news

Younger generation running for Franklin board

Smoky Mountain News 11

news

Five candidates seek Maggie board seats; two mayoral candidates step forward

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR he town of Maggie Valley is small and only an average of 300 residents vote in any given election, but this year’s race for spots on the town board is shaping up to be full of competition.

Five candidates have signed up to run for two board seats — incumbents Janet Banks and Phillip Wight and challengers Nikki McCauley, Billy Case and Kristen Warstler.

Mayor Ron DeSimone signed up to run again last week but was killed in a tragic construction accident last Friday (See full story on page 6).

While the community is still grieving from the sudden loss, the election will continue with the two other candidates who signed up to oust DeSimone — Justin Phillips and Jasay Ketchum.

Phillips, 35, owns Organic Beans Coffee Co. in Maggie Valley. He has lived fulltime in the valley for six years and has owned the coffee shop for two years. Phillips believes he would be a good asset to the town because of his experience in sales and marketing. The valley has great assets, but he feels like they need to be marketed better.

to be closer to Western Carolina University, where she is earning a degree.

“I found a good community here, and maybe I can bring a new perspective to Maggie Valley,” she said. “I thought it would be a new experience. I feel like I can learn a lot.”

After filling a vacant unexpired term for two years, Banks has decided to run for a four-year term. She said she has learned an incredible amount about municipal government and the town’s ordinances. She’s also attended six training sessions with the N.C. School of Government on different topics, including leadership and budgeting.

“I want to take that experience forward for the next four years and continue on the path this board has chartered,” she said.

While campaigning can be a major task, she is excited to get it going again and welcomes friendly competition among candidates.

“The more candidates you have running out there talking about the town, the better it is for the town — you don’t ever want a race for two seats with two people,” she said.

Wight, who was on the fence about seeking another term just a few weeks ago, decided to sign up at the last minute. Even though he is often the lone opposition on the board lately, he said his opinions on town spending have influenced the board to reduce taxes and pay off debt during his last four years in office.

“I feel like we’re forming a community atmosphere where everyone feels welcome — it took us a while to get there but we’re heading in the right direction,” he said. “I feel like I’ve earned another four years and I hope the voters feel the same way.”

302-30

July 22-28, 2015

T

“The biggest problem Maggie Valley has is the local government,” he said. “If local government would get out of the way a little bit it would be a huge benefit.”

Phillips said he would like more public involvement in the town meetings, more oversight of taxpayer money, more money spent on repairing potholes and repaving roads and improved aesthetics along Soco Road.

He encounters many people at the coffee shop who have moved here from Asheville to get away form the hectic city and he anticipates that number will grow in the next few years.

“The population will continue to grow and we need to be prepared for it and capitalize on it,” he said.

Ketchum has lived in Maggie Valley for 25 years and has been a regular fixture at town hall meetings for many of those years. Now retired and active with the Catholic church and the community gardens effort, Ketchum had a career as an X-ray technician.

He said he was running because he wants to make sure the public has a say in the decisions being made by the board. Board meetings used to entail quite a bit of discussion, he says. Most of the discussion is now occurring at the board’s “agenda workshops” that are

held at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays prior to the Monday night meeting.

Local Realtor Billy Case is making his third attempt at serving on the board. He’s been chairman of Maggie’s planning board for six years and is very familiar with the town’s ordinances and planning and zoning issues.

“I’d like to continue to keep the board transparent and prevent stalemates in the future,” he said. “We’re having some good open discussions and the public feels a little better but I still feel it can be improved.”

His priorities would include balancing the needs of businesses and residential areas, a variety of festivals each year, an anchor at the entrance of the valley to let people know where they are and to look at ways to slow down traffic.

Case said efforts to beautify the town and come up with a master plan for a Maggie Valley town center should continue.

“The town center plan is great — the plan will work, but it takes time,” he said.

McCauley, 49, has lived in Maggie and owned Salty Dogs Seafood and Grill for 10 years. She is fairly new to town politics and said she would begin attending the meetings again to educate herself on the issues.

“I’ve seen what Maggie Valley used to be and how it used to bring people to town and used to flourish for a while and I just want to make a difference and have a positive influence,” she said. “I used to go all the time and got really disappointed in the actions being taken, but if you want to make improvements, you need to step up to the plate and do it.”

Warstler, 24, has lived in Maggie for only four months since relocating from Asheville

Friday, July 24 • 8 p.m.

Smoky Mountain News

THE MAGGIE VALLEY BAND W/THE SUN CANS Fresh. Unique. Timeless. Local.

Thursday, July 30 • 8 p.m.

ZOE & CLOYD

Their sound is at same time excitingly new and comfortably familiar.

38 N. MAIN ST. • WAYNESVILLE 828.283.0079 TUES.-FRI. 12 P.M. SAT. 11 A.M.-11 P.M. • SUN. 1 P.M.-6 P.M.

38MAIN.COM

12

Tribal members concerned about lax police work, unresolved crime [Editor’s note: The Smoky Mountain News was asked to leave the July 9 Tribal Council meeting after a straw poll when a majority of Tribal Council members voted to exclude the newspaper from the meeting. However, all meetings are streamed live online, which is how this story was reported. It would be against the law for any other public body in North Carolina to exclude the media.]

might as well be looking for a new job,” concurred Birdtown Representative Gene “Tunney” Crowe, who is running for principal chief.

But despite these reservations, councilmembers generally saw merit in talking more about making the police chief ’s job an elected one.

F

?

podium to talk about one such unprosecuted crime. Her adult son, of whom she is guardian — “My son is not capable of protecting himself,” she said — had televisions stolen on two separate occasions. Walker knows who did it, she said, but police never arrested anyone. Her son lives on a fixed income, she said, and possessions such as televisions can be hard to replace.

“We even told them who did it,” Walker said, “but the police never even contacted us back.”

“I feel like this person has fallen down on his job,” she said of Reed.

T

L

July 22-28, 2015

FOOD FOR THOUGHT It’s a complicated enough question that council opted not to make a decision on the matter yet. They voted unanimously to set up a work session where they can pull apart the options and possibly come back with new legislation for a vote. It’s hard to say what will happen, but momentum seems to be pointing forward.

“It’s very frustrating to listen to and it’s very frustrating to think about if you’re the crime victim,” Henry said. “We need to do something.”

Police Chief Ben Reed did not respond to voicemails requesting comment.

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

Smoky Mountain News

ALLING DOWN ON THE JOB

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER “Travis, I agree with you it is a managehere’s talk in Cherokee of making the ment issue, and because of that we need to chief of police’s job an elected position take some care and some thought and move following a resolution introduced by forward with this,” said Chairwoman Terri Travis Smith, a Birdtown resident who’s also Henry, of Painttown.

OOKING FOR A SOLUTION a candidate for Tribal Council.

Most councilmembers seemed to agree Police Chief Ben Reed.

“He’s got over 60 there is a problem in the police department.

Holly Kays photo sworn officers,” Smith What was harder to agree on was what, said of the current exactly, to do about it. chief, Ben Reed. “You’ve The first question is whether tribal memgot this many officers bers really do support electing the office. staffed and sworn in.

Ballots have already been ordered for the After 6 o’clock you September elections, so an official referendon’t see but three or dum won’t happen this fall. But what about four. To me it’s a mana less formal poll, asked Big Cove agement problem.”

Representative Teresa McCoy, a piece of Smith originally paper that voters receive with their ballot introduced the legislabut deposit in a separate box? tion in May, but it was “It should just be nothing more than a tabled so councilmempiece of paper with a question,” she said. bers could talk to their “Do you want to elect your chief of police? A constituents before yes or no. It’s that simple.” moving forward. By the If the answer comes back yes, then counJuly meeting, they were cil could go about setting a year for the first ready to bring the issue election to take place and passing any neces— and their consary legislation to add another elected posistituents’ feedback — tion to those listed in the tribe’s Charter and to the council floor.

Governing Document. It should happen in Reports were mixed. an off year from “You mentioned takthe chief ’s race, “One of the worries that lot of the officers have (is) that ing the politics out of it Smith said, to by making it an elected campaign if it was an elected position, it would turn into almost like avoid position, but a lot of coordination by them are telling me a sheriff’s race and they could come out and fire whoev- candidates for the once it becomes an two offices. er they want to.” elected position, then it But would becomes even more electing the chief — Adam Wachacha political,” said Vice of police actually Chair Bill Taylor, of solve the problem, Wolftown.

Police officers don’t patrol the communi- some councilmembers asked? Or does the “One of the worries that lot of the offiissue go higher than that? ty as thoroughly as they should, councers have (is) that if it was an elected posi“Until we start pushing this constitution cilmembers reported their constituents saytion, it would turn into almost like a sherto get it set, we’re basically just piecemealing, and the police chief isn’t available on iff ’s race and they could come out and fire ing,” Wachacha said. Currently, the Eastern weekends. Illegal drug use happens out in whoever they want to,” agreed Snowbird Band of Cherokee Indians is without an offithe open, they said, and many crimes go Representative Adam Wachacha. cial constitution, but a push is underway to unresolved.

“If you don’t support that person, you get a document in place that clearly outlines Tribal member Amy Walker took the

news

Tribal Council explores possibility of elected police chief

the separation of powers in tribal government. Would changing the way the chief of police is selected before adopting a constitution be a bit like hanging up the pictures before painting the wall, Wachacha wondered?

Or, McCoy asked, is electing the head of the police department not going far enough?

“Hannah, the position that she’s in needs to be elected, and that person needs to be able to charge any elected official, investigate any elected official, and in the event they find something criminal they need to be able to charge that elected official,” McCoy said of the Attorney General position, held by Hannah Smith.

Outside of tribal lands in North Carolina, the analogous district attorney’s job is an elected position, McCoy pointed out, and that person can prosecute anyone — regardless of power or status — who breaks the law in her jurisdiction.

“My issue isn’t just with the police department, it’s with the court,” she said, “and quite frankly Big Cove has been tired for a long time of being a community full of victims that get no justice.”

But on the police department’s end, it’s more than just an issue of who’s at the helm.

Part of the problem stems from the Cherokee Police Commission, the board tasked with keeping an eye on the department’s doings, Henry said.

“The police commission is set up to be a policy board,” she said. “It doesn’t really have the teeth to do any enforcement per say.”

The police chief is part of the executive branch of government, working underneath of the principal chief, she said. The police commission can’t hire or fire him.

“I think that for whatever reason there have been some hiccups with respect to getting the police commission and the chief of police to doing what needs to be done,” she said.

So, maybe there’s cause for making the police chief ’s job an elected position, she said, but council should also consider reorganizing the commission.

“I could see the police commission as functioning like an oversight board and being able to do some grievance issues,” she said.

13

news

Balsam Mountain Preserve: defying the conservation development oxymoron

alsam Mountain Preserve has long been a symbol of the luxury second-home market in the mountains.

It was one of the first mega-developments in the region when it was launched in 2000, encompassing a whopping 4,400 acres between Waynesville and Sylva. Locals historically fished, hunted and camped on the land and didn’t take kindly to rich outof-state developers coming along and locking them out.

But as far as developments go, it was among the first in this region to capitalize on an eco-centric model.

Despite its size, it has only 350 home sites, with the vast majority of property — around 3,400 acres — set aside for conservation.

An on-site nature center has served as the visible face of the development’s conservation ethos. The signature Arnold Palmer golf course aside, the nature center is the darling of the development. What other private gated community can boast its own botanical fern inventory or live bald eagle?

The nature center offers in-house programs for property owners, from kids summer camps to ecology talks to guided hikes. But it is also a resource to the larger community — putting on live animal programs and field days for local youth, rehabilitating injured wildlife and hosting environmental research projects (see related article in the Outdoors section on page 34.)

And it also serves as the headquarters for the Balsam Mountain Trust, a nonprofit that champions the protection and environmental management of conserved land within the development’s borders.

Until now, the nature center has escaped the rollercoaster ride of foreclosures and sales that have rocked Balsam Mountain Preserve since the real estate crash.

There’s been a revolving door of owners — three in six years since the original developers. But it was the original developers, Chaffin and Light, who instilled the nature-based philosophy behind the development. Those roots have persisted, embedded in the collective psyche of homeowners who have insisted those values be upheld by whoever the developer du jour may be.

“I like to wander through the woods, and no amount of foreclosures or low lot sales or high lot sales keep me off these trails,” said Rob Howard, a homeowner and chair of the Balsam Mountain Trust board of directors.

“That is the way most of us think.”

— By Becky Johnson, staff writer 14

Lost in the shuffle

Smoky Mountain News

July 22-28, 2015

B

An alternative location within the development has been found already should the nature center be evicted, Howard said, but it’s smaller than its current facility. Some of the live animals would likely have to be farmed out to other nature centers in the region and some of its exhibits and inventory put in storage.

The nature center would hopefully only stay in the downsized home for a few years, however, while raising money to build a new permanent home, Howard said.

CALLING IN THE CHIPS

The nature center at Balsam Mountain Preserve could find itself relocating as the result of a foreclosure by the New York company that originally lent money for the development.

Balsam Mountain Trust photo

Balsam Mountain Trust Nature Center caught in foreclosure quagmire

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER omeowners in the high-end Balsam Mountain Preserve development are trying to strike a deal with an investment lender from New York to stop the foreclosure of their community nature center.

The future of the nature center at Balsam Mountain Preserve has been in limbo for years. It was spared from foreclosure once, but a deed dispute has hung over the nature center like a dark cloud on the horizon.

The nature center’s predicament dates back to 2005, when the original developers borrowed $19.8 million from the real estate lending firm Vestlyn.

The recession hit, and the rest is history.

The developers couldn’t pay off the loan, so the lending firm foreclosed in 2009 and took title to development.

At the time, the nature center was exempt from the foreclosure. But the lender has now come calling and wants to cash in on the lingering lien it’s held on the nature center property.

Balsam Mountain Trust, the nonprofit that operates the nature center, has tried unsuccessfully over the years to convince Vestlyn to untether it from the ill-fated $19.8 million loan.

Vestlyn maintains the nature center property was part of the collateral for the original loan — albeit a very small part — and it’s perfectly fair to call in its long-held lien.

However, Balsam Mountain Trust claims it never should have been mixed up in the deal. The nature center was supposed to be

H

off the table, carved out as a stand-alone entity to protect it from this very scenario.

As a last resort, the nonprofit sued the investment lender in court, challenging its lien on the nature center property, but lost that battle this spring.

Now, Vestlyn has finally set the wheels of foreclosure in motion, leaving the nature center at a crossroads.

“We are proceeding on two parallel paths,” said Rob Howard, the chairman of the board of Balsam Mountain Trust, the nonprofit that’s over the nature center.

Ideally, they could pay off Vestlyn and strike a bargain to call off the foreclosure so they don’t have to move out of their home.

More about the center The Balsam Mountain Trust Nature Center is a hub for environmental outreach, wildlife rehabilitation, conservation work, and ecology research — serving not just the property owners of the development but also the region at large. See article in the Outdoors section on page 34.

“Is there some settlement we could reach that would preclude the foreclosure?” said Howard. “Meanwhile, we have operations that have to go forward, so we have to assume we won’t find a resolution, so we are looking at a place to relocate to.”

Moving the nature center’s snakes, birds and other live critters, along with its botanical repository and museum exhibits would be a hassle to say the least.

But, “We have to plan that we won’t have that nature center to live in at some point in the next several months, and that’s what we are doing in spades,” Howard said.

There is certainly one way the nature center could avoid the foreclosure.

“They could buy it from us to keep it at that location,” said Mark Antoncic, founder and managing partner of the real estate investment firm that is foreclosing on the nature center. “If it is so important to them and their grandchildren, they should pay for it.”

Otherwise, the nature center will be evicted, Antoncic said.

The past chair of Balsam Mountain Trust asked Antoncic to give up his claim on the nature center at one point “Because ‘it is simply the right thing to do,’” Antoncic recounted in court filings.

But he said he can’t simply declare the nature center a charity case and write it off.

From Antoncic’s perspective, he can and should try to get back every dime of investor’s money that was put into Balsam Mountain Preserve. The $19.8 million loan Vestlyn made to the original developers was other people’s money. Antoncic said he’s obligated to earn them the highest return he can — even if it now means cashing in on its lien against the nature center.

His asking price on paper is $900,000 for the two-acre lot the nature center sits on.

But the nonprofit can’t afford that. More so, it’s not worth that much, Howard said.

“No one in the world would pay $900,000,” Howard said.

A STACKED DECK

There have been several attempts over the past decade to convince Antoncic to give up Vestlyn’s lien on the property. As soon as the ink dried on the original $19.8 million loan in 2005, the original developers tried to get Antoncic to cut the nature center loose.

But Antoncic countered that if Vestlyn gave up the nature center, it would diminish the value of Vestlyn’s collateral for the loan.

“Vestlyn expressed concern that the value of the property would be materially affected if they released (the nature center) without obtaining other substitute collateral,” court papers recount.

So the original developers, Chaffin and Light, proposed a swap. They gave Vestlyn a two-acre lot elsewhere in the development in exchange for the nature center property. Only Vestlyn refused to give up the nature center in exchange, according to court allegations.

“Vestlyn has received the substitute lot that it bargained for but it has refused to release the nature center property,” according to court filings.

Lending firm Vestlyn maintains the nature center property was part of the collateral for the original loan and it’s perfectly fair to call in its long-held lien.

THE NEXT HAND It’s now up to Balsam Mountain Trust to strike a deal with Antoncic to stop the foreclosure and avoid being evicted. While Antoncic has asked for $900,000, that’s not a realistic market value for the two-acre lot, Howard said.

The nature center can’t be sold to a private owner — it can only exist as a nature center or “related purposes that are of significant benefit to the Balsam Mountain Preserve community,� according to the deed restriction put in place by the original developer.

Given its limited potential uses, Balsam Mountain Trust believes the market value is far less than what Antoncic is asking. A foreclosure hearing is scheduled for the first week in August.

Realistically, the retrofitted old house isn’t an ideal setup for the nature center anyway. “We either need to do mega upgrades to that house or build something new,� Howard said. “We are developing a strategic plan as we speak so we can make intelligent choices.�

REGISTER NOW FOR 2015 FALL FALL CLASSES REGISTER NOW THRU JUL JULY Y 24 TWO YEAR DEGREES. ONE YEAR DIPLOMAS. CERTIFICATES. CERTIFICATES.

haywood.edu Questions? Schedule an appointment today today..

Call 828.627.4500 HCC counselors are available to assist you with the enrollment process. Career counseling services are also available to guide you as you choose a major and career path. For more study,, information regarding enrollment, programs of study RU ÀQDQFLDO DLG FDOO 828.627.4500.

RU ÀQDQFLDO DLG FDOO 828.627.4500.

828.627.4500

IF Y YOU’RE OU’RE GRADU GRADUATING ATING TIN T IN 2015 FROM A HA HAYWOOD AYW Y OOD COUNTY

PUBLIC PRIVATE PRIV VATE T

HCLC HOME SCHOOL ADULT ADUL LT HIGH SCHOOL

Claim your scholarship today.

C

C Erica Vaughn at: Call 828.565.4170 8

YOU Y OU O QU QUALIFY ALIFY FOR A

2015 HCC

50th ANNIVERSAR ANNIVERSARY VERSAR RY SCHOLARSHIP

OF $500

July 22-28, 2015

“It became a community resource that no longer has the characteristics of a saleable lot,� according to court filings.

When Vestlyn pulled the trigger on foreclosure against the entire development in 2009, Balsam Mountain Trust was prepared to mount a legal fight to exempt the nature center, which would have stalled the whole foreclosure from moving ahead.

Eager “to stop the bleeding,� Antoncic voluntarily took the nature center off the table so the dispute wouldn’t hold things up, according to his court deposition. But the lien “remained as a cloud upon the title� of the nature center, the trust claimed.

Balsam Mountain Trust periodically made forays to get Antoncic to drop Vestlyn’s lien, but he wouldn’t.

Then, in late 2013, Vestlyn made a deal to sell its lien against the nature center for $900,000 to the new owner of the development at the time, David Carlile.

Balsam Mountain Trust countered by filing a civil lawsuit. The suit claimed Vestlyn’s interest in the nature center had already been slaked when Vestlyn was given a substitute lot as collateral years earlier. “We challenged the validity of the lien. We didn’t think the lien was proper because they actually gave them another lot,� Howard said.

A jury found otherwise and Balsam Mountain Trust lost the lawsuit, but in the meantime, Carlile had backed out of his $900,000 offer. Vestlyn has now sued Carlile for breach of contract, and initiated foreclosure against the nature center to boot.

news

But Antoncic claims he never made any such promise. “I specifically recall telling Mr. Chaffin fmore than once that Vestlyn would not agree to that request. It would have been absolutely irresponsible to consent to giving up Vestlyn’s security interest in (the nature center) while the loan was in default,� Antoncic said in a deposition.

The financial outlook of the original developers grew increasingly dire, and by 2009 the reality of foreclosure by Vestlyn became more and more likely. The developers made a last-ditch attempt to save the nature center on their way out. They sold it to Balsam Mountain Trust for only $10, with a deed caveat that it could be used only for community purposes.

K

Locally Owned & Operated

Specializing in building the Finest Cornhole Boards & bags that reflect your passions and personality.

Call for price quotes & create a custom game piece tailored by Willy's for you enjoyment and satisfaction.

Smoky Mountain News

f

828.400.0037 willyscornholeemporium.com

15

news

Looking for answers Family mourns much-loved victim of unsolved hit-and-run

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER isa Preston Clark wasn’t surprised to see the CD amid the items recovered from Cole Preston’s crashed car. The disc was all about living life from the heart, and that’s just how Clark’s 22-year-old nephew lived.

“He could see somebody, and whoever they were, whatever walk of life they were from, he would literally see the beauty in that person,” Clark said. “He would see more in that person than they would in themselves.”

Preston was more than an average college kid just learning how to navigate life, Clark said. To her — and to the rest of the Preston gang — he’d always been far older than his age, wise and passionate and driven in a way that went well beyond his 22 years. Now, Clark sighed, she sees why he had to grow up so fast. He didn’t have the time to waste.

“He was a bright light in our family, and we just couldn’t wait to see what he was going to do,” Clark said. “Literally the world was open to him like nobody else.”

He was like a son to Clark, their families tightknit as each of her two daughters were born within six months of either Cole or his younger sister. He was a leader, able to inspire and direct those around him. He was an avid outdoorsman, always rafting or kayaking or just sitting in his vegetable garden, watching

July 22-28, 2015

L

Smoky Mountain News

Join Us To Celebrate

the plants grow. “‘I’m so amazed I’m able to make something grow,’” Clark remembers him telling the family at Easter this year. “He was so connected to his garden and his vegetables.”

Last summer, Preston, who lived in Tryon and studied at Western Carolina University, worked at a ziplining company in Lake Lure, an experience that inspired him beyond the obvious enjoyment stemming from adrenaline-filled time outdoors.

“He had a business plan about creating a zip line for the handicapped, how to bring the outdoors to the handicapped and how to bring the handicapped to the outdoors,” Clark said. “He really was just an extraordinary person in the short time he had.”

His classmates at WCU obviously thought so to, with more than 300 people — many of them in his age bracket — pouring to the funeral and covering his Facebook-pageturned-memorial-site with posts painting a picture of a young man who was loved and admired by all he touched: “I could use some of your wise words now;” “I know we only saw each other every once in a while, Cole, but every time was like we had been friends forever. You put off an amazing energy that words can never express;” “You were the kindest, most influential human being I have ever met in my life.” The posts go on.

But as to what, exactly, happened to put an end to a life so valued, the details are not quite clear.

“There’s not very many people out at this time of night,” said N.C. State Highway Patrol Trooper Jordan Parton, lead investigator on the case. “There’s not very many witness who can tell what happened.”

What Parton does know is that Preston and some friends were out on the town the evening of June 23. They went bowling, stopped by a bar and then parted ways at some point between 1:30 and 3 a.m. on what was at that point June 24. Preston was heading south on N.C. 107 when he ran off the

Cole Preston was nothing if not an outdoorsman. Donated photo

Share what you know If you know anything about the hours leading up to Cole Preston’s death in the early morning hours of June 24 or anything to indicate the identity of the driver who hit him, call: • N.C. Highway Patrol, 828.627.2851 • Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, 828.586.8901 • CrimeStoppers, 828.631.1125 (anonymous) right side of the road and hit a traffic sign. He overcorrected and ran off the road again, this time colliding with a second road sign and eventually hitting a tree.

Preston evidently pulled himself out of

the crashed car and collapsed on the road. At least, that’s where a Florida man who called 911 at 3:36 a.m. found him.

“There’s a body laying in the road,” he told dispatch, adding later in the conversation, “I’m hoping I can get there before another car goes by, ‘cause I almost hit him.”

He didn’t make it in time.

The rest of the 911 transcript reads like a suspense novel where everything ends in the worst possible way. The man spots headlights in the northbound lane. He yells, “Get over!

Get over! Get over!” as though the driver could possibly hear. “Oh God, he just ran over the guy’s head,” he tells dispatch.

Meanwhile, the man’s two young children have seen everything and are screaming in the car.

“Hurry. I’m shaking like a leaf and I’ve got two kids, a 6-year-old

25 years of the

Sat., July 25th • 6:30 P.M. • Tickets: $10

Americans with Disabilities Act

Bring a chair & a little $$ for refreshments!

FOR TICKETS CALL (828)450-2232

SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2015 • 10 A.M.-1 P.M. SYLVA’S BRIDGE PARK

HF

Information Booths / Music / Games Speakers / Magic Show

idden

OPEN MIC — Share what the ADA has meant to you 302-69

BBQ BY JENKINS FAMILY BAR-B-QUE SANDWICH $3; PLATE $6 16

F

More info: Philana Griffin 828-631-1167 or pgriffin@disabilitypartners.org

23 Hidden Valley Rd., Clyde

828-450-2232 hiddenvalleyfarmnc.com

V

arm

alley

Upcoming Farm to Table Dinners:

Come Enjoy Locally Grown, Farm Fresh Food Dinners Start at 6 P.M.

Sat. Aug. 8 | Sat. Sept. 5 | Sat. Oct. 3

in concert 302-44

presents

news

MICHAEL CLEVELAND & FLAMEKEEPER It comes as no surprise that Michael Cleveland, nine-time winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Fiddler of the Year Award, is considered one of the premier bluegrass musicians of his generation. After picking up the fiddle at age 4, Michael’s musical momentum began to propel him forward towards early success. He debuted at the Grand Ole Opry as a guest of Alison Krauss and was hand-picked for the IBMA Bluegrass Youth Allstars before he was 14. His blistering prowess and technical fluency have since marked him as a sought-after guest, leading to performances with Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, The Mark Newton Band, J.D. Crowe and the New South, Audie Blaylock and Redline, and Dale Ann Bradley in recent years. However, it wasn’t until 2006, when Michael formed his band Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, that he found the right vehicle for his musical vision. Since then, the band has earned numerous IBMA awards and nominations, toured extensively throughout the US and internationally, and achieved the number one slot on Sirius XM Bluegrass Junction’s Most Played Albums chart for their second release Fired Up. Now, with the release of On Down the Line, their third album and first for new label home Compass Records, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper are poised to add fuel to the fire they've already sparked in the bluegrass world.

July 22-28, 2015

and a 9-year-old that we’ve got in the car,” the answers and the closure that comes with transcript reads. “And the car that hit him them.

They’re also hoping, eventually, to find just kept going, he’s going into Sylva right now. He’s probably out by Lowe’s. He didn’t any good that can come out of a situation that’s left them shaken. Maybe, if they find even stop.”

In the middle of the night, it was com- out what went wrong, they can work to make pletely dark at N.C. 107’s intersection with sure that others don’t find themselves in the Old Settlement Road. All the man could say for sure was that the car was a sedan — no tag number or make or model. Security footage hasn’t proven helpful, either. There just wasn’t enough light to see identifying details.

Hope gets dimmer as the days get longer, but investigators are still hoping for that pivotal lead that will take them to the answer. They’re interviewCole Preston’s friends and families send him off in a kayak full ing Preston’s friends, staff of flowers. Andy Conner photo at the establishments they’d visited and anyone who calls in with a tip. But “He was a bright light in our family, so far, that hasn’t been and we just couldn’t wait to see what enough.

Hit and runs happen, he was going to do. Literally the world Parton said, but in her experience this kind of scewas open to him like nobody else.” nario, involving a car crash — Lisa Preston Clark and separate pedestrian injury, is pretty unusual.

Stacy Cox, investigator for Alcohol Law same situation. Maybe, they can see that Enforcement, which is collaborating with Preston’s loving, encouraging spirit lives on in ways that have nothing to do with the Highway Patrol on the case, agrees.

“I personally haven’t run into it before,” events of June 24.

“I don’t know that the reason will come she said. “I have investigated other situations where people left permitted outlets and were down to this night, but I’m hoping that hontragically hit in the road, but like this I estly more will come from how he lived his life,” Clark said, “and even for us to be sad at haven’t seen before.”

Investigators are still waiting on an autop- this moment, I’m working hard to get over it sy, which would include answers as to because he wouldn’t have wanted us to do whether Preston had alcohol in his system, that. He would have wanted us to find the and Preston’s family is still hoping for goodness and find the light.”

The Atlanta Times gets down to the brass tacks of it; “Cleveland is as versatile as they come, but when it comes to straight-up bluegrass, whether it's a ‘bootstomper’ or a high-lonesome lament, his peers are few and far between.” Clearly, this fiery fiddler’s story is just beginning and, as On Down the Line demonstrates, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper's future at preserving and innovating the bluegrass tradition has never been brighter.

General Admission: $20 • Children 6-16: $10 Children Under 6: Free TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT

www.CoweeSchool.org/music.html and can be picked up at will-call the night of the show, or may be purchased at the Franklin Chamber of Commerce. Season tickets are also available.

Directions to the Cowee School can be found at the above web site.

Smoky Mountain News

SATURDAY, JULY 25 • 7 P.M.

THIS YEAR’S CONCERT SERIES IS SPONSORED IN PART BY:

@SmokyMtnNews

V

H F

Hidden Valley Farms The Leshaw Family

17

18

Smoky Mountain News July 22-28, 2015

news

A

water for the local elected leaders back home.

As a senator, however, it can be difficult for Davis to influence what happens in the House.

“I think truth always wins out in the end.

When I get down there I’ll go to work,” said Davis.

Davis wasn’t around for the scheduled vote Monday, having remained in the mountains through Tuesday morning to attend the funeral of Maggie Valley’s Rep. Michele Presnell mayor, where he delivered the eulogy.

Queen traveled back home for the funeral as well.

“We were out-of-pocket due to the tragic death of our good friend Ron,” Queen said.

“We will bring this sensible bill back to the floor in a bipartisan manner when we are both able to present it and not both away at a funeral.”

Queen said Presnell told him and Davis earlier in the year that she wouldn’t try to block the bill this time around, but did anyway.

Presnell in a press release said a “legislative misstep” by Queen was to blame for the bill being pulled, but Queen countered that she was “blowing smoke.”

Representative from the town and Lake Junaluska have made countless trips to Raleigh over the past three years, but come home empty handed. This week was no exception.

“We were surprised to travel to Raleigh Monday night only to have the bill pulled just before session,” Waynesville Town Manager Marcy Onieal said.

When Presnell was contacted for a comment about the issue on Tuesday morning (July 21), someone who sounded identical to

Presnell answered her office phone in Raleigh.

After being asked for a comment for this article, the woman on the phone who sounded just like Presnell said Presnell was in a conference and would then be tied up in the legislative session into the afternoon.

When confronted about her voice resemblance to Presnell, the woman denied that she was Presnell but would not say who she was. When asked if there was an email address where questions could be sent, she replied, “That would be great” but quickly hung up.

Presnell doesn’t have a female office assistant. Her male assistant usually answers the phone.

A call placed immediately to the legislative office across the hall from Presnell confirmed that Presnell does not have a female office assistant.

Presnell did not reply to a follow-up email or phone call inquiring about the identity of the woman who had answered her phone line.

The merger bill was unanimously approved by the House subcommittee on annexation earlier this summer, and also approved by a majority of the House finance committee. In both cases, representatives from the town and the lake had an audience with the committee lawmakers to explain the rationale behind the merger and answer questions.

But it has been challenging for the lake and town to address concerns being raised behind the scenes with the larger House membership.

“We have attempted to address all the questions that have been raised, but they continue to come back,” Lake Junaluska Conference Center Director Jack Ewing said.

“From the beginning we began with the principal of integrity and transparency and honesty and we have stayed with that throughout.”

Lake Junaluska property owners have

Lake Junaluska.

Max Cooper photo

twice shown that a merger has widespread community support. Both a mail-in survey and petitions have demonstrated two-thirds of property owners — both year-round and part-time residents — want to join Waynesville town limits.

Meanwhile, the anti-merger camp attempted to oust pro-merger board members on the Lake Junaluska Property Owners Organization at the group’s annual meeting two weeks ago.

Three anti-merger candidates were nominated from the floor at the meeting in an attempt to gain power from the pro-merger leadership of the property owners’ organization, according to several homeowners who were in attendance.

But the coup attempt by the anti-merger camp failed, again signaling that the majority of property owners support a merger.

The exact vote among the 140 in attendance has not been disclosed. A four-member election panel — including at least one merger opponent — counted the ballots, which were kept under lock and key by a deputy. The extreme ballot counting measures were taken this year to prevent the antimerger camp from claiming the board election wasn’t properly counted.

Simple Cremation Online —

A Complete Online Cremation Arrangement Service Beginning At $895

PICK

Let Us Manage Your Rental Property • Maximize Your Investment • Worry-Free Management • Monthly Statements

828-456-3535 www.wellsfuneralhome.com

828-456-6111

www.selecthomeswnc.com

302-62

LOCAL

YOUR

OWN

BLUEBERRIES

Smoky Mountain News

Plan Your Loved One’s Cremation From the Comfort of Your Home

July 22-28, 2015

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER bill paving the way for the merger of Lake Junaluska with the town of Waynesville was blocked at the 11th hour this week in the N.C. General Assembly.

N.C. Rep. Michele Presnell, R-Burnsville, once again worked against the bill to stop it just as it neared the finish line. The bill was scheduled for a vote Monday night, but Presnell spoke out against it during a gathering of the Republican caucus.

“She has gone out of her way to raise a bunch of bogus issues. It is a litany of red herrings and we just keep answering them and moving down the road,” said N.C. Rep. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, who supports the merger.

Presnell blamed Queen for the bill being pulled, however. Presnell said Queen obviously had not worked hard enough to usher it through the House.

“Rep. Queen should own this bill. The annexation of Lake Junaluska would affect two of the larger communities in his district, and the effects of annexation would be upon him,” Presnell said in a press release distrubuted Tuesday afternoon. “He hasn’t spoken to me about the bill whatsoever.”

As a Democrat, Queen can’t attend the Republican caucus meetings, so he had no way to defend it, thus the only option at that point was to pull the bill and regroup.

The merger of Lake Junaluska with Waynesville has widespread support among homeowners and unanimous support of local elected leaders throughout the Haywood County. The merger has been in limbo for three years, however, lacking the blessing of the Republican-controlled N.C. General Assembly.

While Presnell has held up the bill in the House, the bill has cleared the Senate with flying colors three times in three years.

There, it has been championed by Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, who’s been willing to carry

news

Political posturing once again waylays vote on Lake Junaluska, Waynesville merger

NOW PICKING! 78 Medallion Dr. Wayehutta - Cullowhee

508-5803

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

C

19

20

Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

The Confederate flag flap A

How can we be proud to be Americans?

To the Editor: USA Today has reported that on average there were 96 cases of a white police officer killing a black person each year between 2006 and 2012. At least 392 people have been killed

by U.S. police so far in 2015; at least 1,101 in 2014; at least 2,260 since May 1, 2013.

Between 2003 and 2009, the Justice Department reported that 4,813 people died while in the process of arrest or in police custody.

These are not just numbers. Each represents a living, breathing American citizen, a member of the human family, a brother or sister. In the midst of all the otherwise deserved celebration of "liberty and justice for all" this Independence Day season, these numbers — and the snuffed-out lives they stand for — cause one to wonder how we can be "proud to be an American."

Doug Wingeier Waynesville

Parents should teach children to drive To the Editor: The problem of how to fund driver's ed could be easily solved. Since when did it become the responsibility of schools to teach our children to drive? Give that duty back to parents where it belongs and end the discussion.

My father taught me to drive beginning at age 9, so by the time I was 16 and old enough

Chris Cooper

longstanding social science finding holds that collective public opinion is fairly sticky on most issues. In other words, the public’s views do not change very much — and when opinions do shift, the movement tends to be fairly slow. Public opinion does not change over the course of a day, week or month, but rather occurs over years or decades, if it moves at all.

The recent debate over the Confederate flag might seem to challenge this narrative. A little more than two weeks ago, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory’s press secretary, Josh Ellis, said that the governor supported a ban on specialty license plates featuring the Confederate battle flag. According to Ellis, this change was “due to the recent Supreme Court ruling and the tragedy in Charleston.”

The actions in North Carolina follow trends from several states around the South. For example, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley called for the removal of the Confederate flag on the capitol grounds in Columbia a few days after the

Charleston shooting.

Likewise, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley removed the Confederate flag from the capitol grounds as well Guest Columnist Guest Columnist as three other Civil War-era flags, and leaders in Mississippi have even called for a redesign of the state flag to remove the Confederate battle flag that appears in the top left corner.

The rhetoric from politicians therefore implies that this change is in response to recent shifts in public opinion — shifts that have been characterized by some news outlets as sudden or a sea change in opinion.

While it is convenient for politicians to tie this shift in opinion directly to the recent shootings in Charleston, the decline actually occurred much earlier. In 1992, a Gallup poll reported that more than half (55 percent) of Americans said it

Gibbs Knotts

Rapid policy change? yes; rapid shift in public opinion? no

LOOKING FOR OPINIONS The Smoky Mountain News encourages readers to express their opinions through letters to the editor or guest columns. All viewpoints are welcome. Send to Scott McLeod at info@smokymountainnews.com., fax to 828.452.3585, or mail to PO Box 629, Waynesville, NC, 28786. to have a license my father drove the family's 1948 Chevrolet to meet the inspector. I sat behind the wheel, the inspector sat beside me.

My dad sat (shaking) in the backseat.

The inspector then proceeded to determine whether I knew how to drive and was qualified to have a license. When he thought my father had had enough he told me to drive back to the police station, handed me my temporary license, and said ... "You did good, kid, drive safely, enjoy yourself."

Here I am, still driving 60 years later, one speeding ticket collected over 40 years ago on the left coast.

Let’s end this nonsense about fees and professionals and classrooms. Place the responsibility (and accountability) where it belongs, on the parents; we'll all be the richer for it.

David L. Snell Franklin

Hillary has way too much baggage To the Editor: When Bill Clinton was president, Hillary

was all right for Southern states to fly the Confederate flag over a state capitol. According to another Gallup poll, this number dropped to 46 percent in 2000. By 2013, YouGov reported that the proportion of the population supporting flying the Confederate flag over a state capitol had fallen to 20 percent.

And recent Public Policy Polling surveys show that in the aftermath of the Charleston shooting, flag support nationwide remained at about 20 percent.

Although the issue has a number of complicating plotlines (e.g., people feel differently about flying the flag about a state capitol versus on a college campus versus on a private residence), the bottom line is that prior to the Charleston shooting, Americans were already less supportive of the Confederate flag than they have been at any time in U.S. history.

While the policy changes in Southern states may appear sudden, they reflect the end-game of a long-term shift in public opinion, not a recent, unexpected shift. The horrific shootings in Charleston, and the accused shooter’s penchant for flying, brandishing and celebrating the Confederate flag, may have provided the focusing event necessary for politicians to notice that opinions on the flag had changed, but the seeds for removal of the flag have been sown for quite some time.

(Christopher Cooper is professor and head of the Department of Political Science and Public Affairs at Western Carolina University. Gibbs Knotts is professor and head of the Department of Political Science at the College of Charleston.)

assumed authority over health care reform.

Even after threats, she couldn't get a vote in a Democratic congress. The cost to taxpayers was $13 million.

Clinton gave Hillary authority over selecting a female attorney general. Her first two selections were Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood — both were forced to remove their names from consideration. Next was Janet Reno — Bill described her selection as “my worst mistake.” Reno made the decision to gas David Koresh and the Branch Davidian sect, resulting in dozens of deaths of women and children.

Bill then allowed Hillary to make more recommendations. She chose former law partners Web Hubble for the Justice Department, Vince Foster for the White House staff and William Kennedy for Treasury Department.

Her selections went well: Hubble went to prison, Foster (presumably) committed suicide and Kennedy was forced to resign.

Hillary then recommended a friend, Craig Livingstone, for Director of White House security. When Livingstone was investigated for improper access of 900 FBI files of Clinton enemies (Filegate) and widespread use of drugs by White House staff, Hillary and the president denied knowing Livingstone, and denied knowledge of drug use in the White House. Following this, the FBI closed its White House Liaison Office.

Hillary was in charge of the "bimbo eruption" and scandal defense. Some of her decisions were: • She urged Bill not to settle with Paula Jones. They settled.

• This led to the appointment of Ken Starr as Special Prosecutor. And $80 million of taxpayer money was spent, Starr’s investigation

led to Monica, which led to Bill lying about his affairs.

• Hillary’s game plan resulted in the impeachment by the House of Representatives.

• Repeating, “I do not recall,” “I have no recollection,” and “I don't know” a total of 56 times while under oath kept her from being indicted.

• After leaving the White House, Hillary was forced to return $200,000 in White House furniture, china and artwork that she had stolen.

Then there’s Whitewater, Travelgate, Rose law firm billing records, and The Clinton Foundation Three hundred and fifty words can’t cover it all.

Bruce Gardner Waynesville

The Battle Flag was indeed about slavery To the Editor: To get past the emotionality regarding the Virginia Battle Flag, we need to examine its history and use through time. The reality is that the flag was created as a symbol to support the fight for slavery.

To argue that slavery was not a core issue of the Civil War is to ignore the historical facts. One economic analysis estimated that the dollar value of the slaves in the South was greater than the value of all the industries of the North. Even a gradual phasing out of slavery would have been a huge economic loss for slaveholders. The articles of secession issued by the states from

F

South Carolina to Texas prominently mentioned slavery as a core reason for secession.

After the war, the flag became a symbol for continued suppression of AfricanAmericans.

Later, the Battle Flag was prominently installed in capitols and other locations in southern states in the 1960s during the desegregation and civil rights movements.

The flag was a symbol for continued segregation and opposition to civil rights.

What is undeniable is that throughout its history the flag was the symbol for white supremacy — a core belief supporting slavery. The flag continues to be used as a symbol for the doctrine of white supremacy through to the present day. Skinheads and other extremist groups consistently display the Battle Flag as a symbol of their cause. It is no coincidence that the Battle Flag is often presented with the Nazi swastika by white supremacists since both flags are symbols for white supremacy.

The Battle Flag has no obvious relationship to Southern music, dance, food, dress, customs or any other aspects of Southern heritage. It is a symbol for opposition to

racial equality and maybe general defiance.

The Battle Flag is no more a symbol of Southern heritage than the swastika is a symbol of German heritage. Both are symbols from sad periods in history and should be relegated to museums. There they can remind us of chapters in history that should not be repeated.

Norman Hoffman Waynesville

Old steel should be used for footbridge To the Editor: I have an idea for reducing the cost of the footbridge at the end of the Cullowhee Greenway. Use the I-beams from the old U.S. 23/74 highway bridge in Willets. They were good enough to handle loaded dump trucks, so any crew of equipment operators could cook up a way to use those monsters for a people-bridge; and it would save the cost of disposal.

Chris Bogardus Cullowhee

facebook.com/smnews

tasteTHEmountains 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

Open Monday through Friday. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Fresh-cut salads; slowsimmered 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.

APPLE ANDY'S RESTAURANT 3843 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.944.0626. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday and Saturday. 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 APPLE CREEK CAFE 32 Felmet St., Waynesville.

828.456.9888. Monday-Friday 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Home to an extensive build your own sandwich menu as well as specialty salads, soups burgers and more. With local ingredients and made-from-scratch recipes using a variety of good-for-you ingredients Apple Creek Cafe is sure to become favorite lunch spot.

BLUE ROOSTER SOUTHERN GRILL 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, Lakeside Plaza at the old Wal-Mart. 828.456.1997.

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

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

BOURBON BARREL BEEF & ALE 454 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, 828.452.9191. Lunch served 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner nightly from 4 p.m.

Closed on Sunday. We specialize in handcut, all natural steaks, fresh fish, and other classic American comfort foods that are made using only the finest local and sustainable ingredients available. We also feature a great selection of craft beers from local artisan brewers, and of course an extensive selection of small batch bourbons and whiskey. The Barrel is a friendly and

Made to Order Sandwiches & Salads, Housemade Soups & Desserts

Lunch: 10:30 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. Dinner 4:30 P.M.-8:30 P.M.

32 Felmet Street off N. Main St. Waynesville

To Go Orders:

828-456-9888

Family Style Dinner

Beginning August 3rd

Fried Chicken, BBQ Chicken, Fried Catfish, Meatloaf, Pork Loin & Country Style Steak Along With Your Favorite Sides & Housemade Rolls Offered Each Evening.

Smoky Mountain News

Join us for Lunch

July 22-28, 2015

Locals Love Apple Creek Café!

Follow Us on Facebook

www.AppleCreekCafe.com

21

tasteTHEmountains casual neighborhood dining experience where our guests enjoy a great meal without breaking the bank.

BREAKING BREAD CAFÉ 6147 Hwy 276 S. Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station) 828.648.3838 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturaday & Sunday 9 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 pre-prepared products to make sure you get the best food for a reasonable price. We make vegetarian, gluten free and sugar free items.

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

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

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

CITY BAKERY 18 N. Main St. Waynesville 828.452.3881.

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

Breakfast is made to order daily: Gourmet

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

CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

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

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

Outside patio seating. Free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly.

Live music and lots of events. Check the web calendar at citylightscafe.com.

THE CLASSIC WINESELLER 20 Church Street, Waynesville. 828.452.6000.

Underground retail wine and craft beer shop, restaurant, and intimate live music venue.

Kitchen opens at 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday serving freshly prepared small plates, tapas, charcuterie, desserts. Enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday night at 7pm. www.classicwineseller.com. Also on facebook and twitter.

CORK & CLEAVER 176 Country Club Drive, Waynesville.

828.456.7179. Reservations recommended.

4:30-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Tucked away inside Waynesville Inn, Cork & Cleaver has an approachable menu designed around locally

sourced, sustainable, farm-to-table ingredients. Executive Chef Corey Green prepares innovative and unique Southern fare from local, organic vegetables grown in Western North Carolina. Full bar and wine cellar. www.waynesvilleinn.com.

COUNTRY VITTLES: FAMILY STYLE RESTAURANT 3589 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley. 828.926.1820 Open Daily 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., closed Tuesday. Family Style at Country Vittles is not a buffet. Instead our waitresses will bring your food piping hot from the kitchen right to your table and as many refills as you want. So if you have a big appetite, but sure to ask your waitress about our family style service.

FILLING STATION DELI 145 Everett St., Bryson City, 828.488.1919.

Open Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays (in October) 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Locals always know best, and this is one place they know well. From the high-quality hot pressed sandwiches and the huge portions of hand-cut fries to the specialty frozen sandwiches and homemade Southern desserts, you will not leave this top-rated deli hungry.

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

July 22-28, 2015

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

Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday brunch 9 a.m. to 3p.m., Full Menu 3 to 9 p.m. Serving fresh and delicious weekday morning lite fare, lunch, dinner, and brunch. Freshly prepared menu offerings range from house-made soups & salads, lite fare & tapas, crepes, specialty sandwiches and burgers. Be sure not to miss the bold flavors and creative combinations that make up the daily Chef Supper Specials starting at 5pm every day. Followed by a tempting selection of desserts prepared daily by our chefs and other local bakers. Enjoy craft beers on tap, as well as our full bar and eclectic wine list.

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. Family-style breakfast seven days a week, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. – with eggs, bacon, sausage, grits and oatmeal, fresh fruit, sometimes French toast or pancakes, and always all-you-can-eat. Lunch every day from 12 till 2 p.m. Evening cookouts on the terrace on weekends and Wednesdays (weather permitting), featuring steaks, ribs, chicken, and pork chops, to name a few. Bountiful family-style dinners on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, with entrees that include prime rib, baked ham and herb-baked chicken, complemented by seasonal vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer a fine selection of wine and beer. The evening social hour starts at 6pm, and dinner is served starting at 7pm. So join us for milehigh mountaintop dining with a spectacular view. Please call for reservations.

OUR CUSTOMERS

Smoky Mountain News

Say It ALL

“Best restaurant in the Waynesville Area.”

D.B. - Customer

“The ABSOLUTE best kept secret in WNC.” Jim B. - Customer

“Inviting Atmosphere, excellent food & service.”

Veronica C. - Customer 302-71

APPÉTIT Y’AL N L BO

VOTED BEST STEAK & DINNER MOUNTAINEER READERS’CHOICE AWARD

2014

22

454 HAZELWOOD AVE. WAYNESVILLE | 828-452-9191

828-456-1997

Lunch 11:30am - 2:30pm | Dinner Nightly starting at 4pm | Closed Sundays

blueroostersoutherngrill.com

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

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.

Lunch Sunday noon to 2:30 p.m., dinner Thursday - Sunday starting at 4:30 p.m.

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

JOEY'S PANCAKE HOUSE 4309 Soco Rd Maggie Valley.

828.926.0212. Joey’s is a family style restaurant that has been serving breakfast to the locals and visitors of Western North Carolina since 1966. Featuring a large variety of tempting pancakes, golden waffles, country style cured ham and seasonal specials spiked with flavor, Joey's is sure to please all appetites. Joey & Brenda O’Keefe invite you to join what has become a tradition in these parts, breakfast at Joey’s.

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

828.586.3555. Open Tuesday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Hand-tossed pizza, steak sandwiches, wraps, salads and desserts. All made from scratch. Beer and wine. Free movies with showtimes at 6:30 and 9 p.m. with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Visit madbatterfoodandfilm.com for this week’s shows.

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.

NEWFOUND LODGE RESTAURANT 1303 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee (Located on 441 North at entrance to GSMNP).

828.497.4590. Open 7 a.m. daily.

ORGANIC BEANS COFFEE COMPANY 1110 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.668.2326. Open 7 days a week 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Happily committed to brewing and serving innovative, uniquely delicious coffees — and making the world a better place. 100% of our coffee is Fair Trade, Shade Grown, and Organic, all slow-roasted to bring out every note of indigenous flavor.

Bakery offerings include cakes, muffins, cookies and more. Each one is made from scratch in Asheville using only the freshest, all natural ingredients available. We are proud to offer gluten-free and vegan options.

Live Music

All Weekend

FRIDAY, JULY 24

7:00 pm

Karaoke with Chris Monteith

SATURDAY, JULY 25

Freeway Revival

July 24 Chris Titchner July 25 Liz Nance

83 Asheville Hwy. Sylva Music Starts @ 9 • 631.0554

www.CityLightsCafe.com

302-11

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

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

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

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

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

SMOKY MOUNTAIN SUB SHOP 29 Miller Street Waynesville 828.456.3400.

Open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. A Waynesville tradition, the Smoky Mountain Sub Shop has been serving great food for over 20 years. Come in and enjoy the relaxed, casual atmosphere. Sub breads are baked fresh every morning in Waynesville.

Using only the freshest ingredients in homemade soups, salads and sandwiches. Come in and see for yourself why Smoky Mountain Sub Shop was voted # 1 in Haywood County.

Locally owned and operated.

TAP ROOM SPORTS BAR & GRILL 176 Country Club Dr. Waynesville 828.456.5988. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Enjoy soups, sandwiches, salads and hearty appetizers along with a full bar menu in our casual, smoke-free neighborhood grill.

TWIN MAPLES FARMHOUSE 63 North Hill Street, Waynesville.

828.452.7837. Open for Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located just two blocks from downtown Waynesville, Twin Maples is available for weddings, receptions, family reunions, birthday parties, showers, luncheons, corporate meetings and retreats.

MEDITERRANEAN

ITALIAN CUISINE

3 E JACKSON ST. • SYLVA, NC

REEKSIDE COYSTER HOUSE & GRILL

302-39

Full Bar • Creekside Dining Specialty Sandwiches Crafted Beer & Moonshine

Summertime — and the livin’ is easy on our patio!

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

TUESDAY: 75¢ Oysters after 4pm WEDNESDAY: AYCE Fish & Shrimp THURSDAY: AYCE Crab Leg FRIDAY: Surf-N-Turf Special SATURDAY: Seafood Trio Special SUNDAY: Low Country Boil

828.586.1985 • CLOSED MONDAYS

438 Skyland Drive • Sylva

www.pasqualesnc.com

Exit 85 to Skyland Dr., two blocks from McDonalds

OPEN IN DILLSBORO Twin Maples NOW THE PLACE F•A•R•M•H•O•U•S•E

TO MEAT!

A Great Place for Your Next Event!

Waynesville 456-7275

Book your Summer parties, weddings and reunions now and receive a 10% discount

Dillsboro 631-9797

Tues-Sat 11-9

SERVING SUNDAY BRUNCH 11 A.M.-2 P.M. 63 N. HILL ST.

828.452.7837

302-65

Retail Retail

Restaurant Restaurant

Sunday Brunch

Waynesville location only — 11-3

302-45

www.haywoodsmokehouse.com Smoky Mountain News

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.

Established in 1946 and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Family style dining for adults and children.

July 22-28, 2015

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

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

UPCOMING EVENTS

302-29

LIVE LIVE Music Music

This This W Weekend’s eekend’s M Music usic Friday, Friday, Ju July ly 2 24 4@7p pm m

Joe Joe C Cruz: ruz: p piano, iano, vo vocals cals Beatles, Elton John, James Taylor Taylor a + More

Soda Shop NOW OPEN

Pretzels Smoothies

Saturday, Saturday, July July 2 25 5@7p pm m

Summer Summer Jazz Jazz Series Series “Jazz “Jazz Divas” Divas” We Wendy ndy Jones: Jones: v vocals ocals (($44.99/reserve $44.99/reserve s seats) eats)

Paid in part by Haywood County T ourism o www .visitncsmokies.com Tourism www.visitncsmokies.com 8 828-452-6000 28-452-6000 classicwineseller.com classicwineseller.com 2 20 0 Church Church Street, Street, Waynesville, Waynesville, NC NC

Hot Dogs Ice Cream

& More!

11 Memory Lane • 828-454-6769 Game Room • Next to the pool

302-01

tasteTHEmountains

23

24

A&E

Smoky Mountain News

ities, the trio saddled up at O’Malley’s for a “Songwriter Showcase.” Put on by Justin Roper, owner/agent at Speakeasy Artists (who manages the groups), the round robin pickin’ and grinnin’ session is yet another signal of a reawakening in the Sylva and greater Jackson County music scene.

For a town of around 2,500 residents, it seems you can’t throw a rock without hitting a musician. It is a sentiment that can be attributed to the perfect storm of a vibrant Southern Appalachian music culture, a growing Western Carolina University right down the road and the mere creative inspiration found in the fruits of your labors amid a glorious mountain life.

And for those folks who venAdam Blythe (from left) and Chris Pressley (of The Buchanan Boys), Drew Duncan (Porch 40) and Colby Dietz ture out and seek live music, (Mangas Colorado). The Sylva musicians are part of an ever-growing and vibrant music scene within the town. there’s a lot of truth to “someGarret K. Woodward photo thing in the air.” On any given night, one can witness a singerCovered in paint speckles, Drew Duncan songwriter at City Lights Café or jazz-fusion walked into O’Malley’s Pub & Grill on a recent ensemble at Innovation Brewing, punk rock quartet at No Name Sports Pub or bluegrass Thursday evening.

Finishing up work for the day, he wasn’t in jug band at Concerts on the Creek — all local, search of the 50-cent wing special, nor was he all pushing their scene onward and upward, heading to the bar for a beverage. Walking over with a keen mindset of camaraderie, collaborato the patio stage, Duncan opened up his guitar tion and community at the forefront.

It is an ethos of a mountain town tucked far case, adjusted his microphone stand and took a seat. Front man for Porch 40 (rock/jam), he was away from the bright lights of Asheville or soon joined by Colby Dietz of Mangas Colorado Atlanta, where if you want to spark something (Americana/bluegrass) and Chris Pressley from in your own backyard, you need to the be the one to light the fire, to attract those on the dark The Buchanan Boys (rock/country).

All three are lead singers of popular Sylva acts, each as unique and talented as their captiBY GARRET K. WOODWARD vating original melodies and all-embracing live STAFF WRITER shows. Taking a moment away from their hectic touring schedules and everyday responsibil-

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

Sylva music scene pushes forward

Mountain Faith appears on NBC

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER All eyes were on Summer McMahan and company.

“We were all so nervous going into the audition,” she said. “But, once we noticed they were liking it, all the nerve went away and we had a blast. We’re so very humbled they liked it and sent us through.”

“They” as in celebrities Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Mel B. and Howie Mandel, panel stars of the hit NBC television show “America’s Got Talent.” Lead singer and fiddle player for Sylva-based Mountain Faith, McMahan and her group (which also features her father Sam and

brother Brayden) were invited into millions of households when their live onstage audition was broadcasted across the globe last month.

“We’re so thankful for the opportunity to show America modern bluegrass music,” Summer said. “Bluegrass is awesome, so I hope this broadens the bluegrass audience.”

The immensely popular Simon Cowell-created program brings acts from all realms of entertainment together, to compete in a series of elimination rounds, all in an effort to win the competition, as well as priceless notoriety and publicity from their appearances. For Mountain Faith, their audition tape fell into the hands of AGT producers without the band even knowing.

“Our mom overheard us thinking about auditioning and she sent in a video of us,” Summer said. “[AGT] liked it and called to invite us to come to an open all audition in Missouri.

We went there and they liked us, so we moved on to the celebrity auditions, which is when they

horizon ready and eager to see the signal.

Smoky Mountain News: What do you see as the musical landscape of Sylva?

Drew Duncan: I see that it’s growing — the whole scene here is taking off with all these bands popping up.

Colby Deitz: It’s great to finally be involved in it. For a long time, The Buchanan Boys were the entire music scene here, and now we have all these groups.

Chris Pressley: It’s amazing how many talented bands are in this town. I’ve been around For more information on tour dates, album purchases, music streaming and videos: • Porch 40 — www.porch40.com.

• Mangas Colorado — www.mangascolorado.us.

• The Buchanan Boys — www.buchananboys.com.

here for a while and it’s nice. I was at WCU in the mid-1990s, and there were eight bands on campus, but then it died off. I moved to Texas after that, then came back, started playing again, and now you have all these different groups.

SMN: Your bands come from completely different genres, and yet the common denominator is that all songs begin with an acoustic guitar. What’s your songwriting process?

DD: I’m still by myself, with my guitar, writing songs when they hit me. When I first started playing music, I had no inclination to do rock or pop like we have in Porch 40. I was heading toward Americana and indie music.

S EE STRENGTH, PAGE 26

Mountain Faith.

Donated photo

begin putting the auditions on air.”

As it stands, Mountain Faith is still in the running, with the next round of the show being aired in the coming weeks, all while they continue touring nonstop around the Southeast and Midwest.

And with their appearance on AGT, the group’s latest album, “Blue,” is getting national airplay and has broken into the bluegrass charts, gaining

steam at No. 28 on the Roots Music Report “Top 50 Bluegrass Albums” amid the likes of other records by Balsam Range and Del McCoury Band.

“We’re so excited, and really appreciate all the love and support we’ve been show from Western North Carolina — we live in the greatest place on earth,” Summer said. www.mountainfaithband.com.

North Carolina’s International Festival

FolkmootUSA

8

to the region. The mixture of Irish jig, European dance and American tap dance dates back to the 1890s when all three of those different cultures worked together in lumber camps. That is just one example of how a mix of cultures can lead to an entirely new form of expression.

This amalgamation of cultures can be seen nightly at the Folkmoot Friendship Center as the international groups join together to share their dance and song with one another.

“This is the reason we come here,” said Estela “Mimi” Ortiz Aguilu, director of the Areyto Ballet from Puerto Rico. “We might all be from different cultures but there’s no reason why we can’t find friendship and understanding.”

BLUE RIDGE

BREAKAWAY

302-84

FolkmootUSA

A performer from the Ecuador group during the Folkmoot USA gala last week. Patrick Parton photo stablished indigenous groups. The group rom Chile performs a number of different olk dances representing each region.

Through all these dances, audiences can earn how ancient cultures celebrated miletone events, like a wedding, a death, peaceime and wartimes, said Ramiro Malis eran, director of the dance and music roup from Ecuador.

“We’re here to show the world that culure,” he said.

Because Canada shares a border with the .S., Maude T. Fillion, said it was becoming ore difficult to hold on to the Frenchanadian heritage in Quebec. Her dance ompany, Manigance Compagnie De Danse, trives to preserve a type of jig dance unique

6TH ANNUAL AUG15 2015

Pharmacist and nutritionist Bill Morris focuses on a holistic approach and specializes in: • • • • • • • • • • •

Fibromyalgia Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Adrenal Fatigue Sub-Clinical Hypothyroidism Osteo & Rheumatoid Arthritis Gout ADDHD Poor Immune System/Shingles Ulcerative Colitis Acne Pain Relief

366 RUSS AVE. | WAYNESVILLE 828.452.0911 | BiLo Shopping Center

Returning to beautiful Lake Junaluska Bookstore and Café MON. JULY 27 & TUE. JULY 28

2:00 PM

TENTATIVE; CHECK BACK FOR START TIME

The Hawk

(105.7 miles) (50.8 miles)

• The Trout

(76.43 miles)

• The Rabbit

(25.8 miles)

GOLD SPONSORS: 28 Walnut St. 828.456.3021

Jeff Miller

North Carolina’s International Festival

THERE WILL BE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! Both covering sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Panther

All routes will begin at the Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center.

Riders will explore mountain valleys near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pisgah National Forest and in the shadow of Cold Mountain.

Early Registration Discounts Available active.com or BlueRidgeBreakaway.com PRESENTED BY: 302-97

Debuting his newest instrumental album featuring the legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy, a seven-time recipient of the GMA Dove Award for Instrumental Album of the Year.

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Lake Junaluska Bookstore and Cafe 710 North Lakeshore Dr. 828-454-6777 Across from the Terrace in the Harrell Center

Waynesville, NC 28786 HaywoodChamber.com

OPEN MON-SAT 8 A.M.-6 P.M.

www.lakejunaluska.com/bookstore

Ad sponsored by Haywood Tourism Authority www.visitncsmokies.com

7

FolkmootUSA

Preserving to persevere trying to convey. The story is told through movement and expression.

Eric Solano, director of the Parangal Dance Company in California representing Philippines, said the dance company was started in 2008 to create awareness and

BY J ESSI STONE promote Filipino culture. It can be an even more diffiN EWS E DITOR cult task when your cultural dance group resides in the ach year international groups from all over the San Francisco Bay area and most of its members have world travel abroad to share their traditional folk grown up in the United States — but it also makes it dances and songs with other cultures. that much more important for the members to stay in They spend hundreds of touch with their roots. The word hours researching, learning and “Parangal” means “tribute.”

“This is the reason we rehearsing these songs and “We go back to Philippines to come here. We might all dances. They spend a lot of study and immerse ourselves money on authentic costumes to with the different groups — be from different cultures accurately represent their herthere are 13 to 15 indigenous itage and they spend even more but there’s no reason why groups from north to south. It’s to go one tour and share their one way for us to be close to our we can’t find friendship work with others. roots,” he said. “But it’s also Western North Carolina is important for us to understand and understanding.” fortunate to be the home of the why we dance and perform.”

Folkmoot International Festival While part of the group’s mis— Estela “Mimi” Ortiz Aguilu, that has brought a handful of sion is to preserve, the other part director of the Areyto Ballet these groups to the region each is to educate other communities year for 32 years and counting. While it’s fun to watch on the culture because having knowledge and underthe groups perform, it can be easy to forget the reasons standing of another culture makes it harder to perpetuwhy they work so hard to carry on the traditions of ate negative stereotypes about its people. And that is at their cultures. the heart of Folkmoot’s mission.

So why do they dedicate so much of their lives to The mission of Ballet Folklorico Universidad de these almost lost art forms? Folkmoot group leaders say Tarapaca (BAFUT) in Chile is to unite the many different it’s because song and dance transcends all boundaries cultures established in Chile through the old folk dance and cultural barriers. One doesn’t need to speak traditions. While Chile is one nation, it is long and narSpanish or French to understand what the dancers are row and comprised of three different regions with many

Relating to one another through music and dance

E

A performer from the Chilean group BAFUT at Folkmoot USA. Patrick Parton photo

TO THE North Carolina’s International Festival

Helping Students See Success Since 1981

REC CENTER

THE HOWELL MILL RD. SIDE OF VANCE STREET CLOSED

X

550 Vance St.

WILL BE CLOSED

STARTING JULY 20th for up to 45 days

To access the Rec Park, from Russ Avenue:

School screenings only check for distance visual sharpness - the classic blackboard-friendly “20-20 vision”- and not for other conditions. A child could easily pass the vision screening, but not be able to see well enough to read a book.

Walnut Street

Make your appointment today for a comprehensive eye exam and start the school year off right.

www.smokymtneye.com • 828.456.3211 ACCEPTING MAJOR MEDICAL & VISION INSURANCE PLANS

From Hwy. 19/23 take Exit 104 towards Lake Junaluska; continue 1/2 mile to Haywood Medical Park on the left.

6

301-80

take Walnut St., to Left on Vance St.,

(at Champion Credit Union)

(before DuValls Restaurant)

WAYNESVILLE

PARKS AND RECREATION 828.456.2030

or email rlangston@waynesvillenc.gov

302-66

enough any more. We want to have dinners and to do international movie nights and more engagement.”

HAVE SMART PHONE, WILL TRAVEL

BEGINNING MONDAY AUGUST 3rd APPLE CREEK CAFE WILL OPEN IT'S DOORS FOR DINNER. Apple Creek Café has become one of Haywood County's Best Locations for Lunch since its grand reopening under new ownership in the spring, offering fresh made to order sandwiches, salads and house made soups and desserts.

Dinner is sure to be just as good!!!

Waynesville and the surrounding areas are in need of a family friendly, In the meantime come see us for lunch quality, low cost dinner option. The as always. menu will include items such as fried Our Traditional Lunch Menu chicken, fried catfish, meatloaf, pork Monday - Friday 10:30am-3pm loin, and chicken & dumplings among Family Style Dinner Menu other proteins. Your favorite fresh sides will accompany your order to include, Monday -Friday 4:30pm-8:30pm green beans, corn, fried okra, macaroni Beginning August 3rd. and cheese, and mashed potatoes just to name a few. Not to mention house We can't wait to see you!!!! made rolls and desserts as well as soft serve ice cream.

Lunch: 10:30 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. Dinner 4:30 P.M.-8:30 P.M.

32 Felmet Street off N. Main St. Waynesville To Go Orders: 828-456-9888

www.AppleCreekCafe.com

Maggie Valley Soco Grocery & Meat Market

WAYNESVILLE Aztex Food & Fuel #204 Bethel Grocery

Bryson City Aztex Fuel & Food Parton’s Trading Post

Fresh. LOCAL.

Yours.

Visit one of these

near you for healthy, local options.

To learn how your store can offer healthier options, visit Hackney Distribution’s website at hthackney.com or call 828.456.8692.

North Carolina’s International Festival

It takes 11 months of planning to pull off the 10-day Folkmoot festival.

The long to do list includes plotting out the schedule of shows and venues, drumming up ticket sales, training volunteers, lining up buses, hiring cooks and ordering food, cleaning and prepping the dorms.

This year, an overlooked job had to be added to the list at the last minute: ramping up the Folkmoot Center’s wi-fi and bandwith.

“So many people brought hand held devices and they wanted to email and watch YouTube videos and upload to Instagram,” Schwab said.

There would be a dozen or more performers at any given time sitting in the hallway outside Schwab’s officer door — one of only two wireless hotspots in the building — trying to use the Internet on their phones.

But the Folkmoot Center didn’t have enough bandwidth. The Internet connection slowed to a crawl, taking minutes to load a single web page, and often crashing first.

Schwab called in a team of electricians, and computer technicians to wire the Folkmoot Center and dorms with signal repeaters and more robust routers, and upped the bandwidth with the Internet company.

“We should have known, but now we are ready for it,” said Schwab, who just came on board as the festival director this year.

A dozen years ago, it was a novel step for Folkmoot to install a couple of computers with email capability in the hallway of a dorm. Performers lined up for a turn, often gathering around to read emails from back home.

This year, the obsolete computer terminal was hauled off when the new work was done.

FolkmootUSA

Getting 150 performers to be ready at the right time and delivered to the right place — for each of the 15 performances over 10 days — is a challenge, compounded by the barrier of different languages and different cultural perceptions of what time is all about.

Folkmoot guides are assigned to each group for the duration of the festival to act as liaisons ambassadors, and herders. Patrick Parton photo tion director, would greet Schwab every orning with the same question: “Any word rom Bangladesh?”

“He finally said ‘You have to cut bait, ngie. What are you going to do?’” Schwab aid.

Meanwhile, the director of an Indonesian roup scheduled to be here fell ill and was ut under a no-travel advisory by his doctor. he performers couldn’t come without their irector to navigate on their journey and ead them once here.

Schwab quit holding out hope and startd scrambling to find other international roups to fill the hole just a few days away rom the opening day of the festival.

She landed on a group from Jamaica, ho incidentally were already in the region or a program at Western Carolina niversity. A group of Cherokee cultural ancers who had a few spots in the performnce schedule already were added to more enues. And a group of traditional English arland dancers based in the region were nvited to fill in and round out some venues.

SILVER LINING For the record, Bangladesh was finally pproved just as the festival got underway. he soonest airline tickets they could get, owever, would have gotten them here for he final two days of the festival.

That didn’t make sense, Schwab said, so nstead, Bangladesh and Indonesia have een invited to come perform in October — ssuming the current festival run does well nough financially to afford it.

Bringing international troupes during the all is actually a good thing, Schwab said. he groups will be able to tour local schools which they can’t do during the summer and help keep the energy around olkmoot going beyond the summer festival.

“We are moving to a year-round proramming cycle. We need to have performnces in the schools and create interactive pportunities with the community,” Schwab aid. “Just having performances isn’t

For more info on healthy living, visit

5

FolkmootUSA

Gems, Minerals & Custom Jewelry

Furniture for Repurposing

Summer Sale!

20-30% off select items 1659 S. Main St. 828-246-9482 Cell: 828-226-1573 302-61

Fly Fishing the South

302-17

Two locations to serve you ASHEVILLE 252.3005

WAYNESVILLE 251.9721

www.hunterbanks.com

A spoonful of improv helps the glitches go down

The Parangal Dance Company performs the cultural dances of the Philippines. Patrick Parton photo

Nimble feet are behind Folkmoot’s recipe for success

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER here’s a secret ingredient behind the bright lights, splashy costumes and glossy programs of Folkmoot: for every two parts planning, there’s one part improv.

The summer series of high-caliber performances by international folk troupes goes over like a well-oiled machine, but hiccups aren’t a matter of “if ” — merely “what” and “when.”

This year Folkmoot was dealt two disappointing blows in the days leading up to the festival’s opening day. Two of the international groups couldn’t get here at the 11th hour, neither by choice.

“It left us in a jam,” said Folkmoot Director Angie Schwab. “It has been a rough year in recruiting groups in general, so losing two was a blow.”

Vetting and picking performance troupes — to ensure both quality talent and a diverse mix of cultures — is a year-round, never-ending process.

Groups must pay their own airfare to get here, and the depressed global economy has made it more challenging.

Meanwhile, visa hurdles are another barrier. Passport clearance has always been an Achilles heel for Folkmoot, but it has gotten worse over the past decade. Nearly every year, a group slated to be here is blocked by red tape in the visa maze.

That’s ultimately what waylaid a group from Bangladesh, who, it seems, got mired

T The Bank that

North Carolina’s International Festival

SERVICE Built 165 N. Main St. Waynesville

(828) 452-0307 MEMBER FDIC.

4

ucbi.com

©2015 United Community Bank NMLS# 421841

down at every turn. Initially, their application disappeared into a black hole due to some sort of technical glitch at the visa processing center in Vermont, which apparently affected hundreds of applications.

It languished MIA for weeks. When the application was finally “found” in the system, the visa still wasn’t being issued, and Folkmoot wasn’t being told why.

By now, the clock was ticking. Once cleared for entry by the U.S., the Bangladesh group still had to be approved by its own consulate to leave their country.

Schwab and Folkmoot supporters tried to explain that time was of the essence, and a lot was riding on Bangladesh’s visa.

“It was for the good of the United State’s cultural engagement and global relationships,” Schwab said.

They even got U.S. Senator Richard Burr “to step in and be an advocate for Folkmoot,” Schwab said.

“Senator Burr’s office found out there might have been some sort of security issue, Angie Schwab but that’s as specific as it ever got for us,” Schwab said. “We really don’t even know what it was.”

It could have been as benign as a misspelled named of a performer on the roster, or more serious concerns over a spate of social and economic unrest in Bangladesh this spring.

At last, after weeks of nail biting, the U.S. visa application for Bangladesh was approved, but the window was closing for the group to be cleared by its consulate.

More weeks ticked by. The festival drew ever closer.

“It was quite stressful,” Schwab said.

Doug Garrett, the long-time festival oper-

Due to visa issues, the Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts was unable to attend Folkmoot USA this year. Donated photo

“Senator Burr’s office found out there might have been some sort of security issue, but that’s as specific as it ever got for us. We really don’t even know what it was.”

— Angie Schwab, Folkmoot director

G ROUND, CONTINUED FROM COVER

movements, where we might not know the language, but you play music and dance — everyone understands that.”

Following each full day of performances around Western North Carolina, the dance and music groups all congregate back at the Folkmoot USA headquarters in Waynesville, where they are housed, fed and entertained.

During dinner, one dance troupe is chosen as the host for the evening. Known as “latenighters,” the host country gets up onstage in the cafeteria to perform their native songs, and show other groups their unique dance moves.

“We all came here for the same reasons and everyone is so pleasant to each other,” said Ritchel Gazo, a performer in the Parangal Dance Company, a San Franciscobased Filipino group. “And the late-nighters are a way to bring everyone together, to spend time together through games and cul-

Montgomery Street Market Seafood Shop • Butcher Shop Smokehouse & Specialty Market 302-26

171 Montgomery St. • Waynesville 10-7 Tuesday-Saturday • 828.456.1965

www.MontgomeryStreetMarket.com

PLEASE let us take care of your

!

641 North Main Street, WAYNESVILLE, NC (3/10 Mile North of the Courthouse)

828-456-HAUS (4287)

R

Authorized ShipCenter

509 Asheville Hwy., Suite B, SYLVA, NC (Located in the NAPA Auto Parts Center)

THE PRINT HAUS INC. GROUP

828-586-HAUS (4287)

mer

Sum

ial

Spec

ff

% O ng & g 20 acki all P ly Pricin Supp

www.ThePrintHaus.com

Do You Have A Plan?

We can help

Retirement & & Retirement Income Planning Planning Income Investment Investment Planning Planning

North Carolina’s International Festival

tural education.”

During the Saturday late-nighter, Areyto Ballet (Puerto Rico) was the host. Taking the stage in their festive costumes and 10-string acoustic guitars, the ensemble performed their routine, only to share the techniques step-by-step with anyone who wanted to join (or was pulled up from their table). Soon, you had faces from Ecuador sharing the dance floor with Estonians, all using their hands, feet and joyous smiles to convey the unbreakable bond of humanity that is solely found in the art of performance.

“Dancing and music is what we all have in common,” Gazo said. “It is how we portray love, war, peace and friendship. There are so many ways to show that, and we all understand that in our ways.”

Call me today to discuss your options.

Some people think Allstate only protects your car. Truth is, Allstate can also protect your home or apartment, your boat, motorcycle - even your retirement and your life. And the more of your world you put in Good Hands®, the more you can save.

FolkmootUSA

“At festivals like these, people will always find a way to be understood,” said Stephane Kovari, a dancer from the Canadian group Manigance, based out of Quebec. “That’s the whole thing about doing this, you get put in situations where what else are you going to do? Sit in your room or intermingle? I’d rather make new friends, learn from other cultures, and teach others about my culture.”

Though we currently live in an era of globalization — where news, technology and ideas flow freely and openly between countries — there is still the obstacle of face-toface communication. With hundreds of different languages around the world, making a connection between folks of different nationalities can be difficult.

But the beauty in that is finding other

Ritchel Gazo.

“Dancing and music is what we all have in common. It is how we portray love, war, peace and friendship. There are so many ways to show that, and we all understand that in our ways.”

— Ritchel Gazo

ways to bridge the gap, methods that change your train of thought and create opportunities for intimate interaction without a word even being said, or understood. And those connections are innumerable at Folkmoot USA, where the universal language is at play — music and dance.

“It can be difficult when only of a few of us speak English and others don’t speak Spanish,” said Gabriel Torres, guitarist for Chilean group Ballet Folklorico Universidad de Tarapaca. “But, we understand hands and

Protect your world

David Mesimer (828) 452-2815

Auto ~ Home Life ~ Retirement

283 North Haywood St. Waynesville david.mesimer@allstate.com

College Expense Expense College Planning Planning Wealth Transfer Transfer Wealth Planning Planning Larry East, CFP®

Vice President - Investments

J. Chad Muri, CRPC Financial Advisor

Jack Webb, Financial Advisor Shannon E. Carlock

Senior Registered Client Associate

828.456.7407 Investment and insurance products:

Insurance subject to terms, qualifications and availability. Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Co., Allstate Indemnity Co.. Life insurance and annuities issued by Lincoln Benefit Life Company, Lincoln, NE, Allstate Life Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL, and American Heritage Life Insurance Company, Jacksonville, FL. In New York, Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York, Hauppauge, NY. Northbrook, IL. © 2010 Allstate Insurance Co.

76023

NOT FDIC Insured

NO Bank Guarantee

MAY Lose Value

52 Walnut St., Suite #6 Waynesville, NC 28786

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

Next to Haywood County Chamber of Commerce

3

FolkmootUSA

Schedule of Events* Wednesday, July 22 2:00 pm 7:30 pm

Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock. (All groups) General Admission: $30; Children (12& under): half price Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock. (All groups) General Admission: $30; Children (12& under): half price

Thursday, July 23 2:00 pm 4:00 pm 7:00 pm

Town Center, Burnsville. (2 groups) General Admission Adults: $16; Children (12 & under): half price Haywood County Fairgrounds, Waynesville (3 groups) General Admission Carload: $18 Jewish Community Center, Asheville. 236 Charlotte St., 828.253.0701, (2 groups) General Admission Adults: $18; Children (12 & under): half price

Friday, July 24 2:00 6:30 pm 7:30 pm

Extravaganza Matinee, Stompin’ Ground, Maggie Valley. (All groups) Reserved Seating Adults: $30-$25; General Admission Adults: $20; Students & Children: $5 Folkmoot Group Guest Appearance at Mountain Street Dance, Main Street, Waynesville. Free event Extravaganza, Stompin’ Ground, Maggie Valley. (All groups) Reserved Seating Adults: $30-$25; General Admission Adults: $20; Students & Children: $5

Saturday, July 25 3:00 pm 3:00 pm 7:30 pm

Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds, Cherokee. 800.438.1601, (1 Cherokee and 1 Folkmoot group) General Admission Adults: $10, Students & Children: $5 Western Carolina University, Cullowhee. (3 groups) Reserved Seating Adults: $16, Students & Children: $5 Haywood Community College, Clyde. (All Groups) Reserved Seating Adults: $30-$25; General Admission Adults: $20; Students & Children $5

Sunday, July 26 1:30 pm 7:00 pm

Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville, 828.257.4530. (All Groups) General Admission Adults: $30; Children (12 & under): half price Candlelight Closing, Stuart Auditorium, Lake Junaluska. (All Groups) Reserved Seating Adults: $30-$25; General Admission Adults: $20; Children (12 & under): half price

Haywood County students are admitted to all performances, except the Grand Opening and Candlelight Closing, for $5.

ESL teachers with valid faculty identification from their employer are admitted for half price. *This schedule is subject to change. Please visit FolkmootUSA.org for additions or cancellations or call the ticket office, 828.452.2997.

MOUNTAIN

302-70

!44%.4)/. $%.452% 7%!2%23 !

44%.4)/. $%.452% 7%!2%23 “Facelift� Dentures by Dr. John Highsmith Can Turn Back Time!

SOUVENIRS • Canned Possum • Bear Poop • Shot Glasses • Bean Shooters • Postcards • Corn on the Cob Toilet Paper • & Much More!

North Carolina’s International Festival

before

If you wear dentures or have worn teeth, your jaw line can droop, adding years to your ppearance. With “Facelift�

Dentures, Dr. John Highsmith an lift your smile! Without urrggery! If you’re unhappy with u our den ntures call Dr. Highsm miith odayy!

828.634.7813 #LLINICAL )NS ,AS 6EGAS ) !DVVAANCED $

after f

Diplomate

. % , 3 / . 3 4 s # ,9 $ % s 7 7 7 $ 2 ( ) ' ( 3 - ) 4 ( # / -

2

Finding common ground

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER

tanding in the back of The Stompin’ Ground in Maggie Valley last week, several languages could be heard in every direction. To the right, Spanish and Estonian. To the left, French and Cherokee.

All present for the “Opening Gala” of Folkmoot USA, all versed in the universal language of performance.

S

Members of the dance team from Chile do a song from “Grease” during the late-nite gathering at the Folkmoot Friendship Center. Patrick Parton photo

S EE G ROUND, PAGE 3

WNC Community Credit Union

2 7 K e n t L a n e • W ay n e s v i l l e , N C 2 8 7 8 6

(828) 456-1840

We treat our members with respect, friendliness, and courtesy ..... to us you are family.

302-67

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

302-37

Bookstore

SAT. JULY 25 • 3 P.M.

EAGLENEST ENTERTAINMENT

Mad Anthony’s Bottle Shop and Beer Garden. Garret K. Woodward photo

Hailing from Murphy (via Gainesville), Holton is a striking acoustic blues singer, well versed in slide guitar and howling harmonies.

Her father ran a radio shop in Florida and recorded blues musicians who passed through town. As a kid, Holton discovered the reel-to-reel tapes and became utterly fascinated with the blues, a genre that gets in your blood and slowly takes over your whole aura.

At 34, Holton, a sultry and vibrant soul, radiates the essence of the blues — passion, mystery and seduction through six-strings of heartache and redemption. Stay tuned for her debut album, expected to drop this fall. www.heidiholton.com.

3 EAST JACKSON STREET • SYLVA

828/586-9499 • citylightsnc.com

What Level is YOUR Provider?

Complete Laser Clinic is a Black Diamond in the Allergan network, the Highest level attainable, only 3% of the cosmetic providers in the USA are at this level. This means that the products given to you are always fresh and the injectors have a high level of experience. All injectors are trained and personally signed of by Dr. Hamel, who is also a trainer for the Allergan network.

JOHN HAMEL M.D.

HICKORY • NEBO • GASTONIA • WAXHAW MOORESVILLE • BRYSON CITY • ASHEVILLE MALL

877-252-5273

Heidi Holton.

Haywood 209 Café.

Nathan Baerreis photo

Garret K. Woodward photo

HAYWOOD 209 CAFÉ If there’s one place writers find safe harbor in this world, it’s within the walls of an AllAmerican diner. Endless cups of caffeinated rocket fuel, a plate of biscuits smothered with sausage gravy, and innumerable characters of all walks of like in search of meals as hearty as conversations with strangers two stools down the counter. Formerly Dean’s Haywood Café, the location was closed to the dismay of

what (or who) could take the stage. As their schedule quickly fills up with acclaimed bluegrass and country acts, y’all better mark your calendars for upcoming performances by Gene Watson (July 24), Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters (Aug. 28) and Shooter Jennings & The Waymore’s Outlaws (Sept. 25). www.maggievalleyeaglenest.com.

FREE CONSULTATION: COMPLETELASERCLINIC.COM

MAD ANTHONY’S BOTTLE SHOP & BEER GARDEN

HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5 The 5th Annual Hillbilly Woodstock will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 31-Aug. 1 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

The Lost Hiker Bar (Highlands) will have Scott Low (singer-songwriter) Friday, July 24.

The “Smokin’ in the Valley” Western North Carolina BBQ Festival will be from noon to 9 p.m. July 24 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 25 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

A sake class and tasting will be held at 7 p.m.

Thursday, July 30, at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville.

Hidden Valley Farm (Clyde) will host Soldier’s Heart (Americana/rock) at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 25.

So, you’re telling me they carry 40 taps of craft beer and literally hundreds of bottle selections from around the country and beyond?

Sold. Situated a block from Main Street in downtown Waynesville, Mad Anthony’s has stirred up the social scene of this microbrew loving community. The large structure is just the gateway to this cozy property. Grab your pint glass and head out the side door for the wide-open backyard, filled with picnic tables, large shady trees and curious faces ready to strike up a chat with someone they’ve seen around town, but never had the chance to formally introduce themselves until now.

828.246.9249 or www.madanthonys.bar.

Smoky Mountain News

HEIDI HOLTON

will read from her second novel

July 22-28, 2015

Often times as a journalist, you just simply can’t get to everything.

To an outsider, a journalist is someone on the pulse of things. Though a truthful sentiment, we also are plate spinners, who execute the utmost effort to make sure that pulse keeps beating, keeps pushing forward with new ideas and thoughts.

That said, as an arts and entertainment writer, I deal with an avalanche of messages, proposals and suggestions for stories. And, I truly do love that aspect of my position. I like when someone stops me on the street, at the bar, in a restaurant or just in casual conversation, and says, “Hey Garret, have I got a story for you.”

And many-a-time I will find myself pursing those pitches like a fox after the hound. It puts me in my old pickup truck, on some back road in Southern Appalachia, en route on some possible wild goose chase, all in the hope that subject could spin the greatest story ever told.

It’s a ghost I’ve chased after with a reckless abandon for the better part of the last decade.

Thus, I find my “journalistic plate” full to the brim of things to write about (a good problem to have). Yet, working within the perimeters of a weekly newspaper, I find myself with a slew of things I want to showcase to our readers, and only so much time and space to explore their true purpose in our environment. Speaking of that…

Carolina McMullen

302-09

Looming high over the main commercial strip of downtown Maggie Valley, Eaglenest has remained dormant for several years. A state-of-the-art entertainment palace, the building fell on hard times as a result of the 2008 recession. But, since the economy has steadily bounced back, and tourism continually on the rise in Western North Carolina, owner Grier Lackey flipped the light switch back on. Wandering the building, one is in awe of the 800-seat space (and 3,500-seat outdoor natural amphitheater), with possibilities running wild with

arts & entertainment

This must be the place

Ironduff and Crabtree residents, who looked at the establishment as a centerpiece to their communities in Haywood County. But, the right folks stepped up and retrofitted the cherished restaurant, polishing it up like a shiny new penny.

828.627.3331 or Facebook (search: Haywood 209 Café).

25

July 22-28, 2015

arts & entertainment

Owner of the Sun — “Sharp Tongue”

Beat brain cancer with your feet

Setting down deep roots in Jackson County over the past couple of years, Owner of the Sun (Sylva-based by way of Atlanta) is an Americana group, but one whose tone and intent goes far below the surface of you’re atypical “kitchen sink and all” band.

On their debut record, “Sharp Tongue,” the nitty gritty nature of the album brings together a septet of musicians whose talents shine when the sum of all their parts takes the stage, or the studio.

Think Shovels & Rope pollinating The Faces, a crossroads where Fleetwood Mac gypsy rag-tag meets Merle Haggard roadhouse honkytonk — a smell of spilled whiskey and string of broken hearts radiating from the speakers.

“In its entirety, this album is a collection of individual life lessons and thoughts for all to examine and take meaning from, as they wish,” said guitarist KS Laguna. “We constantly dug through our souls for inspiration. Even if you consider yourself to be completely ‘healed’ of experiences you once saw as detrimental or hurtful, there is still a sting associated with bringing those memories to the front of your mind. We put our sanity on the line for our art and will always be grateful for that — we’re stronger and wiser.” www.ownerofthesun.com.

— By Garret K. Woodward

Smoky Mountain News

STRENGTH, CONTINUED FROM 24

The 2nd Annual Richard’s Run 5K Trail Run for Brain Cancer Saturday, August 1 @ 10 am One of last year’s runners called it “quite possibly the most challenging 5K on earth.” But the real challenge is the fight against brain cancer. So join us on August 1 for the second annual Richard’s Run at Cataloochee Ranch, a serious but lighthearted day complete with awards, food and drinks, a silent auction, and bluegrass by The Darren Nicholson Band.

Just register and pay your $25 entry fee online at richardsrun.org.

Then come help us give brain cancer a run for its money.

richardsrun.org

But, then you get Carter McDevitt (drummer) and Mitchell Metz (violin) in our group, who are metal heads. We didn’t know what we were going to do — they like metal and I liked Americana, so the band just kind of met somewhere in the middle. If the band writes a song, then I’ll come up with the lyrics or I’ll bring something of my own to table lyrically and we’ll build the sound around it.

CD: I don’t really try to force anything lyrically — whatever happens to me, happens to me. All three of us in Mangas Colorado have our own process. We feel that writing a song should be a very real and personal process. Songwriting is how we express ourselves as well as trying to understand the hardships and the blessings of life.

CP: I’ll get a guitar hook in my head, and I’ll work it, wrestle with it until I get it right to where I want it.

Proceeds benefit Duke University’s Tisch Brain Tumor Center.

PLATINUM SPONSORS: MedicaSoft, Joey’s Pancake House, Cataloochee Ski Area

26

GOLD SPONSORS: Smoky Mountain News, The Mountaineer, Cataloochee Ranch, Harrah’s Cherokee

SMN: What can you say about the camaraderie of the Sylva scene?

DD: We’re in a small area, so there’s no rea-

son to fight each other. I don’t understand how that happens in other places and scenes. At the end of the day, we’re all playing music, how great is that? We’re all in this together here. We all like playing together. I mean, Colby and I were in plays together at WCU. And with our bands, sure you need the support of the fans, but you also really need the support and respect from the other bands, too.

CD: Something I’ve realized most, in reading and watching documentaries about successful bands, is that the worst thing you can do is — locally, regionally or nationally — is tear down other bands or put yourself in your own personal bubble.

DD: Yeah, and if you do that, nobody will want to play with you, and that doesn’t work when you have to piggy back with other bands to bring people to the shows.

SMN: And with that, y’all are each breaking through into new and different levels of your careers. Porch 40 just put out an album, did a recent tour with The Marshall Tucker Band, and will be performing with The Doobie Brothers and REO Speedwagon in September.

Mangas Colorado is touring the Southeast with their new record, and The Buchanan Boys just finished a record at the legendary Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville. The shows are getting bigger and the dreams are becoming realities.

DD: Things are moving fast. I’m in it to win it. I’ve been in it to win it. And with the management, where we’re finding the right shows, booking the right venues, getting paid correctly.

CD: I love watching Porch 40, I’m glad they’re doing well. I love just seeing my friends doing great things. I watch Drew very carefully when they play, and I see what it takes to get to that next level, and how to carry yourself professionally from how he is onstage.

CP: If you don’t take it seriously, then what are you doing? You’ve got to stay a family. Sure, you might fight sometimes, but at the end of the day, it’s about being part of that family, pushing forward and getting to where you need to go.

DD: It’s all about finding the right guys.

CD: Find the right guys and making it work. And when you find the right guys, you’ll know it — it should feel effortless and comfortable.

SMN: What is it about this town that makes it such a great incubator for live music?

CD: It’s unique because everyone here is so excited about everybody else. Your biggest problem here is figuring out what show to have — it’s a great problem to have.

CP: Anywhere you play, you’ve got to bring people to that bar or venue, the more you bring in, the more times you’re brought back. We keep moving forward to where we’re getting paid for doing what we love.

DD: Sylva is a great place to start a band.

People here love good music, and they love seeing it played live. It’s about pushing the limits and making something else that nobody’s heard before. We want to make the scene bigger, and when we play in town or on the road, we want to make Sylva proud.

On the beat

he 6th Annual Hillbilly Woodstock will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 31-Aug. 1 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

The musical lineup is comprised of 20 artists, including Joe Lasher Jr., Andy Buckner, SmokeRise, Raymond Fairchild, Neon Truckers, Electric Circus, Lindsey Cardinale Band, and more.

More than a music festival, Hillbilly Woodstock is both a serious and humorous celebration of Appalachian culture. The

T

arts & entertainment

Hillbilly Woodstock returns to Maggie Valley event will feature working moonshine stills, arts and crafts, food and special celebrity guests. There will also be a car and motorcycle show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 1.

A portion of the ticket proceeds will be donated to the Haywood County Animal Shelter.

Admission is $10 per day. All ages admitted.

For a full schedule of events, click on www.hillbillywoodstock.com.

IN THE LOUVIN TRADITION Americana/folk act The Pressley Girls will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Admiring the Louvin Brothers, classic country singers, and traditional folk musicians, twin sisters Katie and Corie hope to bring transcendent genuine music back to the world. Corie plays the guitar and mandolin while singing harmony with her sister, Katie, who plays the fiddle and piano while singing lead.

The event is part of the “Traditional Appalachian Music” series at the library. Free.

828.488.3030 or www.fontanalib.org/brysoncity. Donated photo

Joe Lasher Jr. will be one of the 20 bands performing at the Hillbilly Woodstock July 31-Aug. 1 in Maggie Valley.

Chamber music series celebrates 46 years

• Andrews Brewing Company will have Andrew Chastain (singer-songwriter) 6 p.m.

July 24, Burnin’ Hermans (rock/soul, $5) 7 p.m. July 25 and Porch 40 (rock/funk, $5) 7 p.m. Aug. 1. All shows are free, unless otherwise noted. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

• Bogart’s (Waynesville) will have live bluegrass/string music with Darren Nicholson Band July 23 and Carolina Catskins July 30.

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

828.452.1313.

• Boojum Brewing Company (Waynesville) will have an open mic night at 8:30 p.m. on Mondays in their downtown taproom. Free and open to the public. 828.246.0350 or www.boojumbrewing.com.

• The Bryson City Train Depot “Music in the Mountains” concert series will have The Katts (Americana) July 25 and The Rye Holler Boys (bluegrass/gospel) Aug. 1. All shows

• Canton Recreation Park will have “Pickin’ in the Park” from 7 to 10 p.m. on Fridays. www.cantonnc.com or 828.648.2363.

• City Lights Café (Sylva) will have Chris Titchner (singer-songwriter) July 24 and Liz Nance (singer-songwriter) July 25. Both shows begin at 7 p.m. www.citylightscafe.com.

ALSO:

• Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will have Joe Cruz (piano/pop) July 24 and Aaron Burdett (singer-songwriter) July 31. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. The “Jazz Divas” series will continue at 7 p.m. July 25, which will feature Wendy Jones and guitarist Andy Page, with tickets $44.99 per person, which includes a four-course dinner.

828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• The Concerts on the Creek (Sylva) series at Bridge Park Pavilion will have The Buchanan Boys (country/rock) July 24 and The Robertson Boys (bluegrass) July 31. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.mountainlovers.com.

• Cradle of Forestry (Pisgah National Forest) will continue their “Songcatchers Music Series” with Bobby McMillon (folk/bluegrass) July 26. All shows begin at 4 p.m. $6 for ages 16 and older, $3 for youth ages 15 and under. 828.877.3130 or www.cradleofforestry.com.

• Derailed Bar & Lounge (Bryson City) will have Heidi Holton (blues/folk) July 25. All shows begin at 7 p.m. 828.488.8898.

• Eaglenest (Maggie Valley) will have a special performance by Michelle Leigh (southern rock) at 7 p.m. July 27. The event is free with a donation to CarePartners Hospice.

Barbecue will be served during this familyfriendly evening. There will also be a show with Mark & Clark “Twin Pianos” at 8 p.m.

July 25. 828.926.5000 or www.maggievalleyseaglenest.com.

• Friday Night Live (Highlands) summer concert series will have Southern Highlands (bluegrass/Americana) July 24 and The Dover Boys Medicine Show July 31. All shows are free and begin at 6 p.m. www.highlandschamber.org.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have

Ed Kelley (folk/singer-songwriter) at 8 p.m.

July 24, Jerry Gaff (singer-songwriter) 2 p.m.

July 25, Armadillo (pop/hits) 6 p.m. July 31 and The MYXZ 6 p.m. Aug. 1. Free.

828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Groovin’ on the Green (Cashiers) summer concert series on the Village Commons will have Joe Lasher Jr. (country/rock) July 24 and Dane Michael Group (rock/pop) July 31. All shows are free and begin at 6:30 p.m. www.visitcashiersvalley.com.

• Hidden Valley Farm (Clyde) will host Soldier’s Heart (Americana/rock) at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 25. Tickets are $10.

828.450.2232 or www.hiddenvalleyfarmnc.com.

• The Historic Cowee School (Franklin) will host Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (bluegrass/Americana) at 7 p.m. July 25. $20 per person. www.coweeschool.org.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night July 22 and 29, a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo July 23 and 30, The Lower Caves July 25 and Ginny McAfee (singer-songwriter) Aug. 1. All events begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

Smoky Mountain News

• Big Wesser BBQ (Nantahala Outdoor Center) will have Brushfire Stankgrass (Americana/bluegrass) July 24 and 31, Pioneer Chicken Stand Band July 25 and Blue & The Barn Cats Aug. 1. All shows at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.noc.com.

are free and begin at 6:30 p.m. www.greatsmokies.com.

July 22-28, 2015

The Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival, one of the longest running chamber music festivals in the United States, presents its 46th season to the listeners of Western North Carolina.

The festival will continue with concerts

at 7:30 p.m. July 26 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre. There will also be a show on Aug. 2 at the First United Methodist Church. Both venues are in Waynesville.

Ticket prices are $25 for individual tickets and $100 for a series ticket. Students age 25 and under are admitted free with appropriate student ID. www.swannanoachambermusic.com or 828.452.0593.

27

arts & entertainment

Office and Retail Building for Lease

On the beat

Better Quality, Better Prices

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will have New Bridge at 8 p.m. July 31. www.lazyhikerbrewing.com or 828.369.5299.

409 N. Haywood St. 2410 Sq.Ft. 12 parking spaces $2600 monthly for rent

• The Lost Hiker Bar (Highlands) will have Scott Low (singer-songwriter) July 24. www.thelosthikersbar.com.

419 N. Haywood St. 1780 Sq.Ft. 7 parking spaces $1500 monthly for rent

Call John Keith, Broker Associate 828-550-2837 JKEITH@Beverly-Hanks.com

ON DELLWOOD ROAD (HWY. 19) AT 20 SWANGER LANE WAYNESVILLE/MAGGIE VALLEY 10-5 M-SAT. 12-4 SUN. 828.926.8778 tupelosonline.com

• The Maggie Valley Opry House will have legendary banjoist Raymond Fairchild at 8 p.m. nightly through October. Admission is $12. www.raymondfairchild.com or 828.926.9336.

• The Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center (Highlands) will continue the HighlandsCashiers Chamber Music Festival with David and Julie Coucheron Saint-Saens Sonata at 6 p.m. July 24 and 5 p.m. July 26.

“Beethoven’s 7th” performed by an ensemble will be July 31 and Aug. at the same times.

ALSO:

• Mixers Bar & Nightclub (Franklin) will have Dustin Martin (singer-songwriter) July 25 and Longshot (rock/country) Aug. 1. Both shows begin at 9 p.m. 828.369.9211 or www.facebook.com/mixersbarandnightclub.

FAMILY FUN AND

ENTERTAINMENT

• The “Music on the River” concert series (Cherokee) will have John Emil Montagnino July 24, AM Superstars July 25, A36 Band July 31 and Eastern Blue Band Aug. 1. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m.

800.438.1601 or 828.359.6490.

TVs • Spas • Swim Spas • Pool tables Storage Sheds • Car ports

Smoky Mountain News

July 22-28, 2015

• Nantahala Brewing Company (Bryson City) will have Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats (blues/rock) July 24, Kerosene Willy (rock) July 25, Fritz Beer & The Crooked Beat (Americana/rock) July 31 and The Katts (Americana) Aug. 1. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will have The Freeway Revival (rock/jam) July 24, Rumble Seat Riot (rockabilly/hard rock) July 25 and Fat Cheek Kat (funk/roots) July 31. All shows are free and begin at 9 p.m. 828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• Oconaluftee Visitors Center (Cherokee) will have an old-time music jam from 1 to 3 p.m.

Aug. 1. All skill levels welcomed. www.greatsmokies.com.

Swim Spas

• O’Malley’s Pub & Grill will have karaoke July 24 and 31, The Freeway Revival (rock/jam) July 25 and Rye Baby (bluegrass/Americana) Aug. 1. All shows begin at 9 p.m. www.facebook.com/omalleysofsylva or 828.631.0554.

DAVID’S

Home Entertainment & Recreation 452.5534 | 2566 Asheville Rd. | Waynesville

@SmokyMtnNews

(formerly Plemmons Plumbing)

28

302-74

On the beat arts & entertainment

ZOE & CLOYD TO PLAY

THE STRAND Merlefest songwriting contest winners Zoe & Cloyd will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville.

Award winning songwriters and multi-instrumentalists, Zoe & Cloyd (of Red June) showcase a mix of original and traditional material on fiddle, banjo, guitar and mandolin featuring vocal harmonies and timeless melodies. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 day of show. www.38main.com.

WCU SUMMER CONCERT SERIES CONTINUES Americana ensemble Steph Stewart and the Boyfriends will perform as part of the “Summer Concert Series” at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 30, in the Central Plaza at Western Carolina University. Hailing from Carrboro, they recently released their second studio album, “Nobody’s Darlin.’” The rain location for the event is Illusions in A.K. Hinds University Center. Free. 828.227.2612 or faortizpineda@wcu.edu.

First United Methodist sing-along, meal

Hidden Valley welcomes Soldier’s Heart

TO FEATURE

An Open Door Meal & Sing will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, at the First United Methodist Church in Sylva.

The community is invited to enjoy a delicious meal, which will be prepared by church members, musical entertainment and fellowship. Steve Whiddon, known locally as “The Piano Man,” will play a variety of music prior to and during the meal. Mary Corsair, a church member, will give a brief devotional.

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

828.586.2358.

Americana act Soldier’s Heart will perform at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at Hidden Valley Farm in Clyde.

Known as “honest porch-n-soul,” the Haywood County band is part backwoods tradition, part southern swagger. It’s a crossroads, where banjo and fiddle meet kick drums and a Fender Stratocaster, where three part harmony ballads follow suit to straight up 70s AM radio rock — a blurred line of melodies that has proven a mesmerizing cocktail for listeners.

Tickets are $10.

828.450.2232 or www.hiddenvalleyfarmnc.com.

BUCHANAN BOYS Country/rock act The Buchanan Boys will perform as part of the “Concerts on the Creek” series at 7 p.m. Friday, July 24, at the Bridge Park Pavilion in Sylva. Free. www.mountainlovers.com.

• The Pickin’ on the Square (Franklin) summer concert series will have Mountain Faith (bluegrass/gospel) July 25 and Michael Reno Harrell (singer-songwriter) Aug. 1. Both shows begin at 7:30 p.m. An open mic starts at 6:30 p.m. Free. www.franklinnc.com.

ALSO:

• Pub 319 (Waynesville) will have Dave Dribbon (singer-songwriter) July 24, The French Broads (Americana) July 25 and Through the Hills (Americana/bluegrass) July 31. All shows begin at 9 p.m. There is also a “Hoot Night” open mic every Wednesday at 8 p.m. www.pub319.com.

• The Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host The Stewarts July 24, Bigger Than Squirrels July 25, David Spangler July 31 and Gary Carter Aug. 1. All shows are at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.rathskellerfranklin.com.

• Rendezvous at the Maggie Valley Inn & Conference Center will have Stone Crazy (rock/pop) 6 p.m. July 24, Ashli Rose (singersongwriter) 6 p.m. July 25 and Caribbean Cowboys (oldies/pop) 3 p.m. July 26. All shows are at the Tiki Bar.

cert series will have Mangas Colorado (Americana/folk) July 25 and The Freeway Revival (rock/jam) Aug. 1 in KelseyHutchinson Park. All shows are free and begin at 6 p.m. www.highlandschamber.org.

• Stecoah Valley Center (Robbinsville) will have The Walking Roots Band (Americana/folk, $15 adults, $10 students) July 25 and 2014 IBMA “Entertainer of the Year” Balsam Range (bluegrass/gospel, sold out) Aug. 1. Both shows begin at 7:30 p.m. with a dinner served at 6 p.m. www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.

• Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands) will have Jimandi (folk/rock) every Wednesday at 7 p.m. and a rotating series of local performers on Fridays at 9 p.m. 828.482.9794 or www.satulahmountainbrewing.com.

• The Stompin’ Ground (Maggie Valley) is now open for live mountain music and clogging at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

828.926.1288.

• Saturdays On Pine (Highlands) summer con-

• The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will

have The Maggie Valley Band (folk/Americana) at 8 p.m. Friday, July 24.

The Sun Cans will open. Tickets are $8 in advance, $12 day of show. www.38main.com.

• Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will have ‘Round the Fire (Grateful Dead tribute) 8:30 p.m. July 24 and Redleg Husky (Americana/folk) July 31. All shows are free and begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.tippingpointtavern.com.

• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will have Shane Bridges July 25. www.theuglydogpub.com.

• The Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will have Rumble Seat Riot (rockabilly/hard rock) July 24 and DJ Mike Hurley July 31. All shows are free and begin at 9 p.m.

Smoky Mountain News

• Papertown Country Music & Dance Parlor (Canton) will have live music and dancing from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturdays. Admission is $8. 828.736.8925.

July 22-28, 2015

‘CONCERTS ON THE CREEK’

29

On the street arts & entertainment

Y’all ready for some BBQ?

The ‘Smokin’ in the Valley’ barbecue festival will be July 24-25 in Maggie Valley. tions, and a free Kid’s Zone.

Beer, Wine and Swine, a local restaurant competition, will be held Friday with WNC restaurants preparing chopped pork paired with wine and micro brewed beer samples.

There is a $10 admission and participants get to sample barbecue with five sauces.

Awards ceremony will be held Saturday afternoon featuring the winners from the four competition categories and the N.C. Governor’s Trophy, Maggie’s Best People’s Choice Award, and Anything Dessert and Anything Meat awards.

Sponsored by the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Admission is $6 for adults, $3 children ages 6-12. Admission is free for children under age 5.

828.926.1686 or www.wncbbqfestival.com.

• There will be a craft beer tasting with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. at 5 p.m. Friday, July 24, at Satulah Mountain Brewing in Highlands. Live music by Jimandi (folk/rock), with food from Native Culinary Design.

• There will be a farm-to-table dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Hidden Valley Farm in Clyde. There will also be live music.

Tickets are $50 per person. 828.450.2232 or www.hiddenvalleyfarmnc.com.

• A special Chilean dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. The fourcourse meal will include a live performance by an authentic Chilean group, who are in town for Folkmoot USA. $49.99 per person. For reservations, 828.452.6000.

ALSO:

• A sake class and tasting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Taste seven sakes with master sake sommelier Sara Guterbock. $24.99 per person. 828.452.6000.

30

• The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad “Dinosaur Train” will run at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. July 31-Aug. 1 and 3 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Bryson City Train Depot. Based on the popular PBS kid’s show, it is fun for all ages.

The same times will also run for July 24-26.

For tickets, 800.872.4681 or www.gsmr.com.

• The “Way Back When” trout dinner will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 31, at the Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley. The dinner showcases a recreation meal, music, storytelling and atmosphere of a 1930s Appalachian trout camp. Enjoy a wagon ride to an authentic re-creation of Mr. Tom and Miss Judy Alexander’s first fishing camp.

Tickets for the event also includes food and beverage. 828.926.1401 or 800.868.1401 or www.cataloocheeranch.com.

July 22-28, 2015

The “Smokin’ in the Valley” Western North Carolina BBQ Festival will be from noon to 9 p.m. July 24 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

July 25 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

This 48-team event is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society — the world’s largest organization of barbecue and grilling enthusiasts. The focus for the competition will be cooking abilities for chicken, pork, pork ribs, and beef brisket. Attendance for 2015 is expected to exceed 10,000.

In addition, there is a “Tastin’ Tent” where the public can purchase $10 tickets to taste BBQ samples from the competing teams and vote for their favorite flavor. The winning team will be given a “Maggie’s Best” trophy and prize money. The festival will also include live bluegrass and clogging; arts and crafts vendors, chainsaw art demonstra-

Smoky Mountain News

I’M A PLAYER WSOP® NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PLUS, A FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS! Take your game to the next level as you play for an official WSOP Gold Bracelet and a share of $1,000,000 in guaranteed prize money.

It’s time to show folks what you’re made of.

Visit WSOP.com for additional event details.

Subject to change. Must be 21 or older to enter casino floor and to gamble, and must present a valid state or federal photo ID upon request. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700.

An Enterprise of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. ©2015, Caesars License Company, LLC.

On the wall

The “Summer Reading Program” will continue with a comic book workshop at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Classes will be third to fifth grade on Monday, July 27, and kindergarten through second grade Tuesday, July 28. Both events are at 11 a.m. The Superhero Showdown will also be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1. Come ready to exercise your superpowers and enjoy lots of fun activities. Professor Whizpop will present his “Zero to Hero” program. See the professor defeat an evil super villain and turn the audience into a squad of super readers.

828.488.3030.

FOLK ART TALK TO BE HELD IN MACON A Folk & Outsider Art Talk and reception will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Learn about area artists and collectors as they discuss the folk art movement. 828.524.3600 or www.fontanalib.org.

SMYTHE TO EXHIBIT AT GALLERY ONE

• The film “Hot Pursuit” will be screened at 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, in the Central Plaza at Western Carolina University. “Mad Max: Fury Road” will be the July 29 film. Rain location is the UC Theater. www.wcu.edu.

• “Monty Python — The Holy Grail” will be screened at 9:30 p.m. July 25, 31 and Aug. 1 at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. A free showing of “Annie” will be at noon and 2:30 p.m. July 25. www.38main.com or call 828.283.0079.

• “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” will be screened at 8:30 p.m. July 24 at the corner of Everett and Mitchell streets in Bryson City. Free.

828.488.3681.

• The “Come Paint with Charles Kidz Program” will be at 4 p.m. July 23 and 30 at the Charles Heath Gallery in Bryson City. $20 per child. Materials and snacks included. 828.538.2054.

ALSO:

• The “Secret Agent” theme will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 28 and 30 at the Canton pool. Normal hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday to Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $3. 828.648.2363.

• A bonsai workshop will be held at 10 a.m.

July 29 at Wild Fern Studios in Bryson City.

Instructor will be Karen Taylor of Taylor’s Greenhouse. $20 per person. 828.736.1605.

• The Mountain Street Dance will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 24, in front of the Historic Courthouse in downtown Waynesville.

Mountain music and clogging, with instruction offered. Free. www.downtownwaynesville.com.

• “Ex Machina” (July 23), “Divergent” (July 24), “Legend” (July 25), Serena” (July 30) and “Home” (July 31-Aug. 1) will be screened at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Show times are 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday,

• The “Art Uncorked” paint and wine-tasting event will be held at 5:30 p.m. July 31 at the Charles Heath Gallery in Bryson City. $35 per person, which includes all materials, hor d’oeuvres and wine. 828.538.2054.

July 22-28, 2015

Sylva painter James Smythe will have a showcase of his work through Aug. 22 at Gallery One in downtown Sylva. Smythe won the Strathmore Award in the “N.C. Statewide Pastel Exhibition: On Common Ground” this spring in Greensboro. He also had a pastel painting recently accepted in the all media national exhibition Sand, Sea & Sky at the Cecil Byrne Gallery in Charleston.

• An art class will be held at 10 a.m.

Thursday, July 23, at the Sapphire Valley Community Center. Watercolor, acrylic and oil. $45 per person. 828.743.7663.

• The Highlands Road Gem Show will be July 22-26 at the U.S. 441 by-pass and Highlands Road in Franklin. www.highlandschamber.org.

arts & entertainment

with a 2 p.m. matinee also on Saturday. Free. www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com.

Want to create your own comic book?

MOUNTAIN STREET DANCES ntain Mu Friday Night, July 24th 6:30 - 9:00 pm Main Street Waynesville

CLYDE

CANTON

WAYNESVILLE

486 Hospital Dr. 828.452.5816

65 Park St. 828.648.2483

1898 S. Main St. 828.456.2015

Main Street BAND: Darren Nicholson Band DANCE TEAM: Southern Appalachian Cloggers DANCE CALLER & MC: Joe Sam Queen FEATURING: Folkmoot group from Chile @6:30 Concessions by Tuscola Band Boosters

Dr. Denwood is practicing comprehensive ophthalmology.

She performs surgery, consultations, medical eye exams and routine eye exams.

Call any of our locations for an appointment with Dr. Denwood.

PROVIDING QUALITY EYE CARE TO WNC SINCE 1977

sic & Clogging

Smoky Mountain News

We are pleased to welcome Caroline Denwood, M.D.

M ou

Sorry, no animals allowed at downtown events.

DowntownWaynesville.com 828.456.3517 302-32

298-130

Sponsored in part by Haywood Co. TDA VisitNCSmokies.com 800.334.9036

31

32

Books

Smoky Mountain News

Discovering Rome with the help of American ex-pats W Jeff Minick

hen we think of American writers living and working overseas, most of us turn to those authors who lived in Paris. We recollect Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast, that fine account of his life in Paris in the 1920s; we imagine Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald making the rounds to such bars as La Rotonde and Les Deux Magots; we conjure up Gertrude Stein; we think of Sylvia Beach’s bookshop Shakespeare & Co., later brought back to life by George Writer Whitman. We think of Henry Miller drifting in Paris in the 1930s and of writers from the 1950s and 1960s like James Jones and James Baldwin.

Though not as famous a gathering place, Rome too has seen its share of American writers visiting her streets and taking up residence in her neighborhoods. In the 19th century, authors such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Henry James, Henry Adams, and others traveled here to witness first-hand what they had learned in their classical educations and to deepen their knowledge of art and history. In the case of Hawthorne and James specifically, Rome exerted a profound influence on some of their finest work.

Despite the world wars and Italian Fascism, 20th century American writers continued to drift into Italy. Ernest Hemingway served with an ambulance corps here during World War I, was wounded during a bombardment, and maintained a lifelong affection for Italy, using it frequently as the setting for his novels and short stories. Ezra Pound took up residence, became enamored with fascism, and served time in a mental hospital in the United States for his support of the Axis powers during the war until Hemingway and others petitioned for his freedom. William Styron lived in Italy in the 1950s, giving us a portrait of expatriate life

in his novel Set This House on Fire.

In the last half-century, writers from the United States have continued to come to Rome to work and to bask in a culture so very different from their own. Two of the best known of these authors are Gore Vidal and Pat Conroy.

In the Hotel Due Torri in Rome, in which I have stayed the last three weeks, I found on the bookshelves in the lounge a Frommer’s Rome, 11th Edition, published in 1997. On pages 150-151 of this guide is a tribute to “Gore Vidal’s Roma.” This guidebook fascinated me because of its longevity — how had it survived all these years in this tiny library? — and because of the inclusion of a writer’s thoughts on Rome as a part of the guidebook.

Gore Vidal, the novelist whose greatest work, Julian, detailed the life of a Roman emperor who tried to stem the tide of Christianity, was the gay gadfly of American politics for 40 years. In this short article, this author of numerous other novels and essays, most of them about the United States, tells us why he become an expatriate in Rome. Gore enjoyed Rome, the Frommer’s Guide tells us, because “he enjoys humanscale village life. He felt that the many Roman shops in the old neighborhoods were pretty much as they were 2,000 years ago.”

This comment remains true today. The Via dei Portughese, for example, which is in the heart of Rome and a city block from my hotel, offers restaurants, shops, and stores where people clearly know one another, where friends gather on the street and sidewalks, and where the shops do have the same function of the tabernae of Ancient Rome.

Pat Conroy, author of such notable books as The Great Santini and Beach Music, has also used Rome as both a residence and as a springboard for his fiction. Conroy did not live here nearly as long as Vidal, but both

Waynesville library book sale is July 23-25 The Haywood County Friends of the Library Book Sale will be held July 23-25 at the Waynesville branch of the library.

This will be the biggest book sale yet as a result of all the books donated this year. Many patrons have donated books that are in excellent condition from their private libraries. Because of the volume of books, book sale volunteers have been able to subdivide books into new categories such as inspirational fiction, fiction bestsellers, Pulitzer Prize winners and nominees. Nonfiction categories

Beach Music and The Pat Conroy Cookbook: Recipes and Stories of My Life give us an author who clearly fell in love with Rome.

As readers of Conroy’s novels know, one of his great talents as a writer is to bring a place to life with words. His descriptions of Charleston and the Low Country leave readers

tive power as to make the reader feel physically present in both places.

The Pat Conroy Cookbook came to me in a used bookshop near Emerald Isle. (I laughed when I saw the book; the lower right corner had teeth marks, as if someone had tried to take a bite out of the cover). Here Conroy

Hotel Portoghesi, Rome.

feeling the sunlight on the Carolina marshes, smelling the scents that drift from kitchens and rivers, seeing the beauty of forests and bays at dawn.

In Beach Music, Conroy uses the same magic to recreate Rome on paper. Within the first 20 pages of this vibrant, sprawling novel, Conroy conjures up for us the markets, streets, churches, and people of Rome as seen through the eyes of Jack McCall, an American expatriate and writer of travel guides and cookbooks. McCall, like Conroy himself, has fled to Rome to escape the personal trauma created by the death of a loved one. The book travels back and forth between Rome and South Carolina, with such incredible descrip-

include military history, Civil War history, how-to books, biographies, sports — especially golf — antiques and collectibles. This year there is also a good collection of foreign language books.

Paperbacks have been subdivided and separated so that very recent publications are easily identified. Pricing for paperbacks varies from $2, $1 and 50 cents.

The children’s book selection runs the gamut from books to read to infants to books appropriate for young adults. Home school families will appreciate the books for young adults and teens. And there are books for the home school teachers dealing with parent-teacher issues.

This year there is a sizable collection of vinyls, including some

gives readers his own history as a cook, a man who moved from amateur to chef in the kitchen, as well as recipes from different places he has lived, most notably Charleston, Paris, and Rome.

Most interesting to me in this book are Conroy’s autobiographical pieces at the beginning of each section. Here again he brings Rome alive, entertaining us with meals eaten there, with characters he meets, with dishes he has himself prepared.

If you can’t go to Rome, let Pat Conroy bring Rome to you.

(Jeff Minick is a writer and teacher. He is spending the summer traveling in Europe.

Minick0301@gmail.com)

78s. The records have been reviewed and rated as to their quality.

There are audio books and DVDs. As always there are puzzles. Get there early as the puzzles go quickly.

Book sale hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 23; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday July 24; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday July 25. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bring your own bags if possible. Parking is limited at the library but space is available at the Methodist Church lot across Boyd Avenue.

If you would like to volunteer to help with the sale contact Sandy at 828.627.2370. For any other questions contact the library at 828.452.5169.

books

Waynesville - 2BR, 1BA $89,500 #584870

Waynesville - 2BR, 1BA $94,500 #586676

Green Hill - 3BR, 1BA $97,000 #584218

Mountain Laurel Estates 3BR, 2BA • $98,900 #583500

Maggie Highlands - 2BR, 2BA $99,000 #584533

Maggie Valley - 2BR, 1BA, 1HB $109,900 #580333

Canton - 3BR, 1BA $150,000 #588710

Mystic Cove - 3BR, 2BA $260,000 #588761

Hyder Mountain Acres 3BR, 2BA • $275,000 #588781

Indian Hill Estates - 3BR, 3BA $295,000 #588719

Canton - 2BR, 2BA $359,000 #588803

July 22-28, 2015

Dogwood Acres - 3BR, 2BA $89,000 #582742

302-13

LIVE

THE

LIFE

You C

HOOSE

Eagles Nest Mountain 4BR, 4BA, 1HB $1,850,000 #580065 Waynesville Office 74 North Main Street (828) 452-5809

beverly-hanks.com for details on any property, enter the MLS # into quick search

Smoky Mountain News

Waynesville 7BR, 7BA, 2HB $997,000 #588370

33

34

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

A natural fit Balsam nature center a hub for research and education in the mountains

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER buddy, you about ready to come out?” Michael Skinner asks the juvenile broadwing hawk standing in the back of a plastic carrying case.

Skinner, executive director of the Balsam Mountain Trust and jack of all environmental trades, slowly reaches his gloved hands inside and pulls the raptor out. The bird flaps its brown-and-white wings for a moment but quickly settles down. Skinner sets him atop the cage for a moment, where he sits untethered, surveying the small storage room where Skinner keeps supplies for the nature center’s diverse charges — everything from box turtles to an opossum to a bald eagle.

The hawk came in with Brock Auvil, a sergeant with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. A trucker driving in Cherokee County near Andrews had found the little guy on the side of the road and notified the Wildlife Commission. Auvil, in turn, brought him to Skinner.

“It really helps to have a midway point with you guys,” Auvil told Skinner. Otherwise, he’d have to bring the hawk all the way to the Western North Carolina Nature Center in Asheville — quite a trek from Andrews.

Balsam is a waypoint for the hawk to get examined and hooked up with any emergency treatment it needs.

The bird will head to the WNC Nature Center eventually, however.

“We are not wildlife rehabilitators,” Skinner said.

“We’re wildlife educators.” Legally, he can keep birds for only 72 hours before getting them to a vet or rehabilitator.

The nature center, which is under the nonprofit Balsam Mountain Trust, has quite a collection of native animals — eight raptors, a variety of reptiles, an opossum — but they’re all healthy specimens that Skinner uses for educational purposes.

“HEY

Skinner looks the broadwing over carefully, holding him firmly, feeling his muscles and inspecting him for injuries.

The prognosis is positive. He doesn’t seem to be sick or injured, and aside from a somewhat lacking fear response to humans and slightly weak chest muscles, everything looks good.

“I see no reason why this bird can’t have a successful wild life,” Skinner says.

Watch Skinner inspect a bird, and it’s clear he knows what he’s doing. But dealing with troubled birds is far from being his — or the nature center’s — only responsibility.

PLANNING TO STICK AROUND The nature center operates under the nonprofit Balsam Mountain Trust, an organization focused on improving stewardship of the area’s natural and cultural resources through research and education.

The nonprofit gets its money mainly from private donations, grants and a

mandatory donation tacked onto each real estate sale in the development, equivalent to 1 percent of the price.

“Our mission is kind of a three-legged stool, which is conservation, education and research, and those things all play off each other,” Skinner said of the Balsam Mountain Trust.

The future of the nature center in its current home is uncertain, however. A capital investment lender from New York has foreclosed on the nature center. The lender previously foreclosed on the entire development when its owners couldn’t pay back the money they’d borrowed. At the time, the nature center was exempt from the foreclosure and carved out of the larger development, but now the lender is trying to close out the books.

That means coming back to foreclose on the nature center.

But Skinner, who has held the director’s position since 2002, two years after the trust began, said he doesn’t see himself being out of a job anytime soon.

Homeowners at the Preserve are hoping to work out a deal with the lender to keep the nature center building. The trust is developing a backup plan for relocating the nature center, should it lose the property (see related article on page 14).

“As far as I’m concerned and as far as my board’s concerned, we’re not going anywhere,” Skinner said.

For Skinner, that’s a relief, because he loves his job about as much as possible. He’s got a hand in all three legs of the nature center’s mission — conservation, education and research — and counts himself lucky have the opportunity.

“When I go out into the woods, it is just so humbling to find out so quickly how much I don’t know, which is also what keeps it fun,” he said.

Michael Skinner (above) tests a young broadwing hawk’s eye tracking after the displaced bird was brought to the nature center he directs.

Holly Kays photo

More to the story Balsam Mountain Trust Nature Center is facing foreclosure on its property by an investment lender, who recently came knocking to close out the books on a bad loan made to the original developers of Balsam Mountain Preserve a decade ago. The nature center may have to move out of its current home if property owners can’t satisfy the lender. See article in the news section on page 14.

THE THREE-LEGGED STOOL The nature center, located on the private preserve, plays host to researchers with organizations ranging from tiny colleges to the Smithsonian Institution. Since its inception, the nature center has hosted nearly 40 different research studies. The fact that it’s on private land makes it an attractive place for researchers to study, Skinner said, guaranteeing the public won’t stumble across study areas researchers would rather be left alone.

“It makes it really nice for researchers who want to test research plots here,” he said.

“They don’t get messed with.”

The nature center also has its own inhouse projects aimed at conserving and protecting the preserve’s many natural assets.

A milkweed breeding project spearheaded by the nature center’s AmeriCorps volunteer Becka Walling is helping to find local milkweed populations and get them planted more widely on the preserve. Milkweed is the sole food source for the caterpillars of monarch butterflies — a beautiful but declining North American species — and itself decreasing in numbers. The hope is that planting more milkweed will lead to increased monarch populations.

But conservation makes its mark in a much bigger way, as well. The property at Balsam Mountain Preserve includes a 3,500acre conservation easement with Pennsylvania-based North American Land Trust. The Balsam Mountain Trust, NALT and the Preserve’s land management team manage the easement to increase forest health, species diversity and recreational benefit.

Skinner and the rest of the center’s personnel — education coordinator Rose Wall, Walling and a “stable of volunteers” — make it outside the preserve quite frequently, as well.

Skinner’s pretty well-known for his wildlife education programs, especially the birds of prey program, which makes appearances everywhere from local schools to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Through its Adopt-A-School program, the nature center tries to take its animals to places that can’t afford the fee, with six schools so far sponsored by various area businesses to receive programming.

“I’ve heard so many people say there’s just so many nature shows on and people know so many things about nature. I find that is so not accurate,” Skinner

The tally of people who have hiked the entire 1,150-mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail reached 50 when Lorie Hansen, of Hendersonville, took her final step along the trail.

Hansen is one of an increasing number of people who are discovering the trail as a worthy challenge to tackle. Of the 50 people who have so far thru-hiked the trail, nearly half have done so in the last three years, with the first thru-hiker completing the route in 1997.

The Mountains-to-Sea Trail stretches from Clingmans Dome on the border with Tennessee all the way to North Carolna’s coast. Of the 1,150 miles, about 672 miles are dedicated trail, with the remainder of the distance covered through connectors on

Sisters Caroline, 3, and Katherine, 5, visit the nature center’s bald eagle.

Holly Kays photo

EXPANDING ‘COMMON KNOWLEDGE’

bike trails and back roads. Each year, volunteers spend more than 29,000 hours building and maintaining the trail. www.ncmst.org. to identify.

And it’s a mistake to say that snakes with triangular heads are venomous, because many snakes — even non-venomous ones — flatten their heads when threatened, giving them a triangular look.

Knowing the area where they’d spotted it, he said, he’d bet money it was a garter snake.

The nature center also holds on-site education programs that are good bit more organized than chance encounters on the porch.

With permission, hiking clubs and groups can explore the preserve’s trails, and field trips to experience everything from streams to waterfalls to forest ecosystems take place there. In Skinner’s view, the preserve’s status as private land makes those adventures especially worthwhile.

“We don’t have to be in any hurry,” he said. “We can bring people to the research projects that are going on, explain that to them. I think that is a huge benefit that we are not public land. I think it becomes a little more intimate. You get to really delve into things and explain things.”

For Skinner, that’s important. It’s why he’s stayed at the nature center for as long as he has, and it’s why he believes in the nonprofit’s value to the area.

“Answers beget questions, which is the way it should be,” he said. “If you have a curious bone in your body, you’re going to be well-served your entire life if you study this stuff.”

Smoky Mountain News

Skinner’s all about bringing up the level of common knowledge. He enjoys looking for answers to questions he hasn’t been asked before, but he’s also able to come up with quite a bit of information on his own, proficient in everything from local ecology to identifying plants and animals.

Case in point: a brief encounter on the steps outside the nature center turned into a long conversation when a couple visiting the building started asking about the identity of a snake they’d recently seen. It didn’t look like a garter or black snake, they said, and they wondered if maybe it was a venomous species. Its head looked kind of triangular.

To which Skinner embarked on an explanation that garter snakes in this area have some of the most varied patterns of any garter population, making them harder

Lorie Hansen.

July 22-28, 2015

said. “We’ve got well over 1 million acres of land in Western North Carolina and people live all around it, but they know very little about it.”

outdoors

Hendersonville woman becomes 50th person to hike the MST

35

outdoors July 22-28, 2015 Smoky Mountain News

New guide highlights the best of Haywood’s homemade The new agritourism guide for Haywood County is out, highlighting farmers markets, plant nurseries, pick-your-own farms, roadside produce stands, Christmas tree farms, farm-to-table restaurants and shops that sell products made from locally-grown items.

“The 2015 Agritourism Guide has been designed to appeal to a vibrant and diverse traveler, from empty-nesters to modern families, while highlighting the rich farming and agricultural heritage of our county,” said Tina Masciarelli, Buy Haywood Project Coordinator.

The new guide even includes a handillustrated hiking map, panoramic photograph of Purchase Knob and never-before-published recipe for grilled sirloin with fresh fig salsa.

Buy Haywood, a project of the Haywood Advancement Foundation, puts the guide out each year as a way to promote all that Haywood has to offer those interested in the growing sector of agritourism. Hailed as a “primary force” in the modern economy, this kind of tourism focused on agriculture and local products draws millions of visitors to North Carolina each year.

The free guide is distributed at all Haywood County Visitor Centers, the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce, and many sites throughout the county listed at www.buyhaywood.com.

Sunday hunting now OK in North Carolina Sunday hunting with firearms will now be legal on private property following passage of the Outdoor Heritage Act by the N.C. General Assembly and governor’s concurrance.

The act includes some restrictions to hunting on Sundays. Hunters can’t fire within 500 yards of a place of worship or house someone else owns. They can’t hunt deer with dogs on Sundays or shoot between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. — except on licensed hunting preserves — or hunt migratory game birds. And no one can hunt on Sundays in counties with more than 700,000 people — that is, Wake and Mecklenburg.

Lifting the Sunday hunting ban has been a contentious discussion in North Carolina. One of only 11 states banning the practice, North Carolina often lost hunters — and the revenue they bring in — to neighboring states, opponents of lifting the ban had argued. Meanwhile, supporters of the ban had said that it provided balance between hunting and other forms of recre-

ation while also honoring tradition and reverence for Sunday services.

Rep. Michele Presnell, R-Burnsville, and Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, voted for the bill. Rep. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, voted against the bill. Though a supporter of hunting heritage and gun rights, Queen had come out in support of the ban as a way to ensure worshippers “are not bur-

dened by the echoes of firearms” and that other outdoors users could have one day to use public lands without having to be aware of hunters.

Meanwhile, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission had come out in favor of allowing Sunday hunting as a way to increase economic benefit from and youth engagement in hunting.

“The current prohibition against expanded options for Sunday hunting serves no purpose regarding conservation of North Carolina’s wildlife resources and their habitats,” reads a resolution from the Commission.

The bill included a variety of other provisions as well, such as measures to promote wildlife-related recreation and creation of the Outdoor Heritage Council and trust fund to engage youth in the outdoors.

The law takes effect Oct. 1.

— By Holly Kays, staff writer

A new way to plan a fishing trip Anglers looking for trout streams in Western North Carolina now have a new way to do so, thanks to an online search tool recently released by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

The tool allows anglers to search fishing spots by county and designation, such as “delayed harvest” or “hatchery-supported.” Interactive maps allow users to zoom to the selected water, with information such as road names and contour lines, too. www.ncwildlife.org/fishing/wheretofish/publicmountaintroutwaterssearch.aspx.

#SchooledOnSavings $ 100,000 to Schools!

*

Borrowing with YOUR local credit union can help YOUR JVTT\UP[` 9LÄUHUJL `V\Y SVHUZ ^P[O *OHTWPVU *YLKP[ Union in 2015 and potentially SAVE…to help us donate $100,000 to our SCHOOLS!* >L VMMLY V\Y TLTILYZ SV^ JVTWL[P[P]L YH[LZ VU SVHUZ HUK ^VYR OHYK [V ZH]L `V\ TVUL` *VTL NL[ #SchooledOnSavings HUK YLÄUHUJL `V\Y SVHUZ [V ZLL ^OH[ ^L TH` IL HISL [V ZH]L `V\ 6UJL ^L ZH]L V\Y TLTILYZ PU SVHU PU[LYLZ[ ^L ^PSS KVUH[L IHJR [V [OL ZJOVVS Z`Z[LTZ PU [OL JV\U[PLZ [OH[ ^L ZLY]L @V\ ZH]L TVUL` [OL JOPSKYLU NL[ TVUL`¯P[»Z H ^PU

Refinance** and post pics using

#SchooledOnSavings

maybe you will be on our next billboard!***

EXPERIENCE vacationing in the heart of one of the most historic and celebrated mountain towns in North Carolina... Waynesville!

Just steps from all restaurants, shops & galleries, these totally renovated apartments provide the ultimate downtown

EXPERIENCE!

Find us on Facebook. Federally Insured by NCUA *$100,000 will be divided between the public school systems in Haywood, Buncombe, Henderson, Jackson, Swain, Macon, Graham, Madison, and Transylvania Counties based on the number of students per system. **Loan approval based on JYLKP[^VY[OPULZZ *LY[HPU YLZ[YPJ[PVUZ HWWS` (WWSPJHISL [V SVHUZ ILPUN YLÄUHUJLK MYVT HUV[OLY SLUKLY )` \WSVHKPUN `V\Y picture to our social media pages, you give Champion Credit Union permission to use it in future promotions.

36

For more information, contact:

www.vrbo.com Enter property #626038 for Unit 201, or property #628359 for Unit 202

outdoors

Tennis instructor Rumi Kakareka swings the racquet. Donated photo

A tennis camp for teens coming to Waynesville Teens ages 13 to 18 will get to work on their game with tennis professional Rumi Kakareka, 3:30 to 5 p.m. Aug. 3-7. The camp will cover beginning through advanced levels, accommodating those who want to get

ready to start high school tennis or just improve their skills. Curriculum will include fitness, stroke production and basic strategy. $50. 703.966.7138 or rkakareka@me.com.

Get screened, get dancing, get fit Outdoor Zumba is coming to Jackson County communities with a series of free classes to be paired with basic health screenings.

Classes will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, at the Balsam Community Park; Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Little Canada Park; and Wednesday, Aug. 12, at East Laporte Park.

The Jackson County Department of Public Health will offer health screenings from 6:30 to 7 p.m. each evening.

No pre-registration required, but RSVPs are helpful to ensure minimum enrollment. Cullowhee Recreation Center, 828.293.3053. Call for rain location.

A fall soccer league is starting up for kids in Jackson County.

Registration for the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department league will be open through Aug. 7 at the Cullowhee Recreation Center, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Practices start in late August and games begin Sept. 12, with volunteer coaches sought in addition to players. The league is open to those will be 4 by and not turn 14 before Aug. 1.

828.293.3053.

An upcoming three-on-three soccer shootout will raise scholarship money to support low-income Haywood County kids’ involvement in athletic activities.

The event, hosted by Realty WorldHeritage Realty of Maggie Valley, is seeking teams, volunteers, sponsorships and other groups in need of fundraising for the Aug. 8 event, to be held at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Winning teams will qualify to compete in the Disney 3v3 Soccer Championship in Orlando this February. $125 per team of three to six Register at www.greatsmokymountain3v3.com.

Haywood’s adult fall soccer league is looking for teams.

Games will be held Sundays from Aug. 30 to Oct. 4 except for Labor Day. $260 per team with a maximum roster of 13 on a team. Seven players per team are on the field at a time. The league is co-ed, and limited to eight teams. Register by Aug. 14.

Organized by Haywood County Recreation and Parks. 828.452.6789 or drtaylor@haywoodnc.net. www.haywoodnc.net.

John Highsmith photo

302-78

Great Smokies Storage 10’x20’

92

$

20’x20’

160

$

ONE MONTH

FREE

Smoky Mountain News

Soccer shootout to support young athletes

Kick off fall with adult soccer league

July 22-28, 2015

Fall Soccer 2015

WITH 12-MONTH CONTRACT

828.506.4112 or 828.507.8828

Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction

37

outdoors

Diane E. Sherrill, Attorney

Is a Will Enough?

302-18

FREE LUNCHEON SEMINAR

Aug 12th AT 11:30 AM Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dillsboro, NC

A bumblebee clings to a native Catawba rhododendron. Donated photo

828.586.4051

nctrustlawyer.com

28 Maple St. • Sylva SE D O L C Shop Local www.ThePrintHaus.com THE PRINT HAUS INC. GROUP

Smoky Mountain News

July 22-28, 2015

641 North Main Street, WAYNESVILLE, NC 828-456-HAUS (4287)

IS OPEN and has all the latest equipment and technology!

Bring a clean copy of your last Cornerstone printing job and Cornerstone’s invoice and we will match the last price you paid.

Invoice must be dated March 1, 2014 or later* (Does not include Four Color artwork set up.)

Come Dance With Us! Our dance classes are full of women laughing and growing stronger in body, mind, and soul. Come let your guard down, try something new, and just dance.

First class is free!

84 N. Main St. Waynesville

38

waynesvillebellydance.com

Meet the natives Learn about native plants and their pollinators at a presentation called “Get Acquainted with the Natives” at 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 28, at the Village Green Commons in Cashiers.

The speaker is Master Gardener Susan Sunflower, who founded the habitat stew-

ardship outreach and education group Transylvania Naturally in Transylvania County. Part of the summer Village Nature Series. Co-hosted by HighlandsCashiers Land Trust and The Village Green.

Free. 828.526.1111.

Kids camp to explore the mountains

on Lake Glenville in Jackson County.

The Youth Adventure Camp, hosted by Jackson County Parks and Recreation, will be held Aug. 3 to 7 and serve children entering grades five through eight. $250 covers transportation, activities and meals. Space is limited. 828.293.3053 or jenniferbennett@jacksonnc.org.

A weeklong day camp will likely spark kids’ desire for adventure with an itinerary including river snorkeling, rafting, hiking and a camping trip at Ralph J. Andrews Park

Crayfish, scorpions and cockroaches, oh my!

Kids can check out a traveling program on creepy crawlies at the Jackson, Macon and Swain public libraries July 29 and 30.

The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences will bring an entourage of millipedes, crayfish, tarantulas, scorpions and Madagascar hissing cockroaches for a close but safe look at animals without backbones in the “Interesting Invertebrates” exhibit and program.

■ 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, at the Mariana Black Library in Bryson City. 828.488.3030.

■ 9 a.m. Thursday, July 30, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. 828.524.3600.

■ 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 30, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Limited to 150 people, with free tickets given out at the library’s youth services desk beginning at 10 a.m.

828.586.2016.

Funding to help farmers with organic certification A cost-share program can reduce the price tag of becoming a certified organic grower by reimbursing 75 percent of the cost, with a max of $750.

The program is open to growers who are certified or recertified between Oct. 1, 2014, and Sept. 30, 2015. It is offered through the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. www.ncdaorganic.org.

Farm Service nominees wanted Swain County farmers with a voice to offer the larger agricultural community are wanted to serve on the Farm Service Agency County Committee.

Nominations for committee members are open through Aug. 3, with farmers of all experience levels living in Swain County north of U.S. 74 — including Deep Creek and Ela — eligible.

Committee members help deliver FSA programs at a local level, deciding which programs their counties should offer and working to make those programs serve the needs of local producers. www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. 828.524.3175, ext.2 or 828.488.2684 ext.2.

WNC Calendar COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • The Haywood County Friends of the Library Book Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 24 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 25 at the Waynesville branch of the Public Library. Pricing for paperbacks varies from $2, $1 and 50 cents.

627.2370.

• A free workshop on water safety for wireless, presented by U.S. Cellular, is scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 25, at 225 Town Center Loop in Waynesville. Attendees have a chance to win an iPad mini 3. 452.3739.

• A Fiber Day presented by Cowee Textiles is scheduled for 2-5 p.m. on July 26, at 51 Cowee School Dr. in Franklin. Spinning, weaving, rug-hooking, knitting and other textile projects are welcome. 349.3878 orbouchonnet@coweetextiles.com.

• The third-annual Cupcake Challenge is scheduled for 2 p.m. on July 30, at Canton Branch Library. Open to all ages, children and adults. To sign up, call 648.2924 or stop by the front desk of the Canton Branch Library.

• Submissions are being accepted through 4 p.m. on Aug. 1 for the Town of Canton’s 109th Labor Day Festival entitled “A Celebration of All Things Made in Western North Carolina.” All arts and crafts must be handmade. 648.2363; www.cantonlaborday.com.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • Computer Class on Google photo and storage will be held at 5:45 p.m. on July 22 at Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. 586.2016.

• A networking meeting for Haywood County 40-andunder professionals is scheduled for 8-9 a.m. on July 23 at Smoky Mountain Coffee roasters in Waynesville. For info, contact Katy Wyatt at 456.3021 or kwyatt@haywoodchamber.com.

• A ribbon-cutting for Haywood Regional Medical Center’s new outpatient facility in Canton is scheduled for noon on July 23, at 119 Park Street. Refreshments and tours will be available. www.myhaywoodregional.com.

• A ribbon cutting and grand opening is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. on July 24, at the Bryson City Shipping Center at 255 East Main Street. The center will offer UPS, FedEx and other types of shipping.

• Registration is underway for a social media workshop for restaurant owners and managers that will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Monday July 27 at Wells Events Center in Waynesville. Instructor is Jennifer Grantham of Manic Social. $100. 708.7575 or jenn@manicsocial.com.

• Registration is underway for a Servsafe class, scheduled for July 27, at Maggie Valley Inn. $99 or $139 with book. Register at www.safefoodinstruction.com and click on July Classes.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • A rummage sale is scheduled for 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Friday and July 24-25, at First United Methodist Church of Sylva. Proceeds go toward the church’s mission work and building fund. 586.2358.

• Tickets are currently on sale for “Bluegrass, Blue Jeans & Bling” – a fundraiser for the Southwestern Community College Foundation featuring performances by the Darren Nicholson Band as well as classics singer Steve Johannessen. Event is at 6 p.m. on July 25, at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. Tickets: $150 each; includes hors d’oeuvres and entrees prepared by Harrah’s chefs; dancing; entry for door prizes; raffle and drink tickets. Proceeds benefit SCC’s Student Success

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 Campaign – an effort to raise more than $1 million to primarily go toward student scholarships. 339.4227 or k_posey@southwesterncc.edu.

• First United Methodist Church of Sylva will hold an Open Door Meal & Sing at 5:30 p.m. on July 29 in the church’s Christian Life Center. Steve Whiddon (piano) will play a variety of music. All are welcome. 586.2358.

• The 10th annual Downtown Dog Walk, presented by Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation, is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Aug. 1, in downtown Waynesville. Sign up at www.sargeandfriends.org, at Sarge’s Adoption Center in Waynesville, at animal hospitals in Waynesville, Clyde and Canton or at the Mountaineer in Waynesville.

Another option is to sign up at 9 a.m. on the day of the walk outside the Haywood County Courthouse. $15 fee per dog includes a dog walk goody bag and a dog bandana.

• Signups are underway for teams, volunteers and sponsorships for an upcoming three-on-three soccer shootout on August 8 that will raise scholarship money to support low-income kids’ involvement in Haywood County athletic activities. Winning teams qualify to compete in the Disney 3v3 Soccer Championships in February in Orlando. $125 per team. www.GreatSmokyMountain3v3.com.

HEALTH MATTERS • The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on July 27 at Swain County Hospital in Bryson City. Redcrossblood.org or 800.RED.CROSS. • The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on July 27 at Longs Chapel Church in Waynesville. Redcrossblood.org or 800.RED.CROSS. • The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on July 28 in Bradford Hall at Southwestern Community College’s Jackson Campus in Sylva. Redcrossblood.org or 800.RED.CROSS. • A free caregiver training workshop will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. and from 1-3 p.m. on July 28, at the Haywood County Senior Resources Center in Waynesville. Designed for those seeking work as a caregiver and for family members needing to hire someone to provide respite care. Preregistration required: 356.2800 or stop by the center.

RECREATION AND FITNESS • Registration is underway from July 27-Aug. 21 for square dance lessons in Jackson County. $65 per person. Lessons are held on Monday nights starting Aug. 24. 293.3053 or rec.jacksonnc.org.

• A Fall Golf League starts July 28 at Smoky Mountain Country Club. $10 to enter and $20 per week includes nine holes of golf and a cart. 293.3053 or rec.jacksonnc.org.

• Registration for an adult kickball league will be held from Aug. 3-27. The league, which plays at Mark Watson Park in Sylva, starts Sept. 3. Fee is $225.

293.3053 or rec.jacksonnc.org.

Smoky Mountain News

• Zumba in the Park is scheduled for 7-8 p.m. on Aug. 5, at Little Canada Park. Sweat-breaking workout.

293.3053.

POLITICAL CORNER • A hot dog supper, sponsored by the Jackson County Democratic Men’s Club, is scheduled for 5 p.m. on July 24, at Poteet Park Picnic Shelter in Sylva. $5.

• North and South Jackson County Republicans meet at 6 p.m. on July 27, at Ryan’s in Sylva. Agenda includes speakers Leo Phillips, attorney, and Hunter Murphy, candidate for NC judgeship. Republicans and unaffiliated voters invited. 743.6491 or jacksonctygop@yahoo.com.

• Swain County TDA Board meeting is at noon on July 29, at the Chamber office. The public is welcome.

• Swain County Commissioners’ Ad Hoc Animal Care Ordinance Committee will host a community input meeting from 7-9 p.m. on July 30 United Community Bank in Bryson City. The purpose is to gather input from county residents about adopting an animal control ordinance, what an ordinance could include and any concerns about how an ordinance might affect animals of value to Swain County residents.

THE SPIRITUAL SIDE • Vacation Bible School entitled “Cokesbury’s Workshop of Wonder: Imagine and Build with God” is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.-noon on July 24-25 at Bethel United Methodist Church in Franklin. For ages 3-12. Picnic at the park follows from noon-4 p.m. 368.8838.

39

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

• “B.B. Gun Shooting Range” – an opportunity for ages 8-up to learn about firearm safety and shooting, is scheduled for 9-11 a.m. on July 22, at Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Pisgah Forest. 877.4423 or lee.sherrill@ncwildlife.org.

• Local Heroes presented by the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, for grades 3-6, is scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 22, at Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

• A junior forester program entitled “Wild Places for Wildlife: discovering animal habitats” will teach boys and girls ages 8-12 how to find connections in forests and wetlands from 10:30-12:30 p.m. on July 22 at the Cradle of Forestry in American in Pisgah Forest. $4 per youth; $2.50 per adult; adults with America the Beautiful and Golden Age passports admitted free.

Registration required: 877.3130.

• Free jewelry making workshops for youth ages 8 and up will be held from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. July 23 at the Dillsboro Masonic Lodge. Dogwood Crafter Leanne McCoy will teach participants to make a leather bracelet. 586-2435 or junettapell@hotmail.com.

• An art workshop for children is scheduled for 3 p.m. on July 23, at the Canton Library. Create an abstract work of art. Sign-up required: 648.2924.

• Teens will create their own comics at 3:30 p.m. on July 23, at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. They’ll use tips and info provided by a Marvel illustrator.

488.3030 or aplatt@fontanlib.org.

• Dr. Derrick Lewis-Noble will speak as part of the Summer Workshop Series at 10:45 a.m. on July 26 at Lake Junaluska Assembly’s historic Stuart Auditorium.

Childcare available. www.lakejunaluska.com/summerworship.

• A LEGO Club meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. on July 23, at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. For ages 3 and up. 488.3030 or aplatt@fontanlib.org.

• “Gangway to Galilee” is the theme of Vacation Bible School that will be held Thursday through July 30-Aug. 2, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Clyde. For ages 412. Hours are 5:30-8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday; 5:30-8 p.m. on Saturday and 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday. 456-6493.

• Fairytale heroes storytime is scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 23, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

AUTHORS AND BOOKS • “A Songcatcher’s Notebook: Traditional Music and Storytelling” with Lee Knight is scheduled for 7 p.m. on July 23, at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

488.3030.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES • iPad 101 is scheduled for 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Thursday July 23, at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

• Laptop lessons are offered from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Thursday July 23, at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

• A weekly manipulation card game group is forming through the Haywood County Senior Resource Center. mclaytor@mountainprojects.org or 356.2813.

KIDS & FAMILIES • WNC Martial Arts will hold karate classes from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at the Old Armory in Waynesville. 301.0649 or mvwilliams39@gmail.com.

• A Super Space program is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on July 22, at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. For preschoolers. 488.3030 or aplatt@fontanlib.org.

• “Unmasking the Magic” with Professor Whizpop is scheduled for 6 p.m. on July 23, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Magic show and workshop.

• Olaf’s Summer Party is set for 10 a.m. on July 24, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

• A “Fly Fishing Skills: Casting for Beginners” class will be taught from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on July 24, at Lake Imaging in DuPont State Forest. Presented by Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Pisgah Forest. For ages 12-up. 877.4423 or lee.sherrill@ncwildlife.org.

• Kindergarten Readiness Storytime is at 10 a.m. on July 27, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

• Nature Nuts: Stream Investigation, an opportunity to learn about aquatic macro invertebrates, is scheduled for 9-11 a.m. on July 27, at Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Pisgah Forest. For ages 4-7. 877.4423 or lee.sherrill@ncwildlife.org.

• “Eco Explorers: Raising Trout” is the topic of a program presented by Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education from 1-3 p.m. on July 27, in Pisgah Forest. For ages 813. 877.4423 or lee.sherrill@ncwildlife.org.

• “Nature Nuts: Stream Investigation,” a program organized by Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, is scheduled for 1-3 p.m. on July 27, in Pisgah Forest.

Participate in an outdoor activity that simulates trout life and feed the fish. For ages 8-13. 877.4423 or lee.sherrill@ncwildlife.org.

• A British soccer camp is scheduled for July 27-31 at Recreation Park in Cullowhee. www.challengersports.com.

• A Stream Investigation program, presented by Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, is scheduled for 9-11

wnc calendar

a.m. on July 28. Explore the Davidson River in search of aquatic macro invertebrates. For ages 8-up. lee.sherrill@ncwildlife.org.

• A video game tournament will be held at 2 p.m. on July 28, at Canton Library. Visit www.haywoodlibrary.org or call 648.2924.

• Heroe’s Storytime and Party is scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 28, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

• A Heroes Party is scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 29, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

• A program on “Interesting Invertebrates” is scheduled for 11 a.m. on July 29 at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Live invertebrates including millipedes, crayfish, tarantulas and more will be on site for an up-close, safe look. 488.3030.

• Performer Paul Miller of Flow Circus will perform juggling and magic at 10:30 a.m. on July 29, at the Canton Library. Miller will demonstrate how skills like his can be mastered by finding resources, setting goals and practicing.

Cherokee Phoenix Theatre. PhoenixTheatres.com or 497.7384.

• “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium” is showing for free at 10 a.m. July 22-23 at Cherokee Phoenix Theatre. PhoenixTheatres.com or 497.7384.

• A movie is scheduled for teens at 2 p.m. on July 22 at the Canton Library. For movie title, call 648.2924.

• A Music Theater Intensive is scheduled for July 2730 at MusicWorks! Studio of Performing Arts in Clyde.

Camp meets from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. each day; for ages 8-up. Cost is $120. 565.0381.

Smoky Mountain News

July 22-28, 2015

• A shooting and dribbling basketball camp is set for 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on July 27-30 at Waynesville Recreation Center. Reservations are now being accepted. Cost is $100; $25 deposit is required. For boys and girls in fourth through 11th grades academy7@live.com.

• A Robotics Engineering for Teens Summer Day Camp will be offered for rising eighth through 12th graders from Monday through July 27-31, at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Learn the basics of engineering design and problem-solving processes. Camp meets from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday then from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday. Early registration fee is $119. camps.wcu.edu or 227.7397.

• An Amazing Animals camp will be held for ages 710 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on July 28-31 at Highlands Nature Center. Learn how birds fly, whether a turtle can come out of its shell and more. $85 per child. Glemiec@email.wcu.edu, 526.2623 • A “Step Back in Time” summer day camp is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on July 30, Aug. 6 and Aug. 20 through the Western Carolina University Mountain Heritage Center. Ages 9-11 participate in a time-traveling journey into the region’s cultural past.

Unique activities each day; cost is $25 per day. Lunch and snacks provided. http://www.wcu.edu/academics/edoutreach/conted/camps-and-programs-forkids/index.asp • Openings are available for the Summer Soar adventure camp hosted by Haywood Community Learning Center. The camp is held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Thursday through July 30 Activities include hiking, fishing, gardening and more. 454.6590, ext.

106 or www.highlandsbiological.org.

• An Extravaganza, part of the Folkmoot festivities, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on July 24 at the Maggie Valley Stompin’ Grounds. Reserved seating is $30-35 for adults. General admission is $20 for adults; $5 for students and children. www.folkmootusa.org.

• A children’s movie about a swimming mammal is scheduled to be shown at 1 p.m. on July 27, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. PG; 113 minutes.

• All Folkmoot groups will perform at 7:30 p.m. on July 25 at Haywood Community College in Clyde. Reserved seating is $25-30; General admission is $20 for adults; $5 for students and children. www.folkmootusa.org.

• An animated feature about air racer Dusty Crophopper and a team of wildfire-fighting aircraft will be shown at 3:30 p.m. on July 28. Free. Popcorn is served. For info including the movie title, call 488.3030.

• One Cherokee group and one Folkmoot group will perform at 3 p.m. on July 25 at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds. General admission is $10 for adults; $5 for students and children. www.folkmootusa.org.

• “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” is showing for free at 10 a.m. July 28-30 at Cherokee Phoenix Theatre. PhoenixTheatres.com or 497.7384.

• Three Folkmoot groups will perform at 3 p.m. on July 25 at Western Carolina University’s Bardo Theater in Cullowhee. Reserved seating is $16 for adults; $5 for students and children. www.folkmootusa.org.

KIDS CAMPS • Catamount Adventures Camp will offer an outdoor adventures in hiking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting and kayaking. Rising sixth- through eighthgraders may attend the camp scheduled for July 27July 31. The cost is $275, which includes lunch. Camp will run 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day.

tivities, is scheduled for 2 p.m. on July 24 at the Maggie Valley Stompin’ Grounds. Reserved seating is $25-30 for adults. www.folkmootusa.org.

A&E FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS • A WNC barbecue festival entitled “Smokin’ in the Valley” is scheduled for July 24-25 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. $6 for adults; $3 for children 5-12, and free for children under 5.

Wncbbqfestival.org or 800.624.4431.

• Mountain street dances with mountain music and clogging are scheduled for the following Friday nights: July 24 and Aug. 7 in downtown Waynesville. downtownwaynesville.com or 456.3517. Sponsored in part

by Haywood County TDA. No animals allowed.

• Candlelight Closing, featuring all Folkmoot groups, is set for 7 p.m. on July 26 at Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska. Reserved seating is $25-30; general admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. www.folkmootusa.org.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • The instructional staff of Western Carolina University’s summer dulcimer conference will be featured on the traditional Appalachian instruments during a concert at 7 p.m. on July 23, at WCU’s John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center in Cullowhee.

Free. learn@wcu.edu or 227.7397.

• Maggie Valley Band (Americana, funky/fun/traditional bluegrass) and Sun Cans (East Coast Pop) perform starting at 8 p.m. on July 24 at the Strand in Waynesville. $10 in advance; $12 at the door.

• Gene Watson will perform on July 24 at EagleNest Entertainment in Maggie Valley.

• A Squash Festival will be presented by the Jackson County Farmers Market on July 25. For more info, call 399.0290 or visit www.jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org.

• Zoe & Cloyd (of Red June) perform original and traditional material on fiddle, banjo, guitar and mandolin at 8 p.m. on July 30 at The Strand in Waynesville. $10 advance; $15 at the door.

• Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival is at 6:30 p.m. on July 26 at the Performing Arts Center in Waynesville. $25 for individual or $80 for a season pass. Haywoodarts.org or 452.0593.

• “Shrek the Musical” will be presented July 24-25 and July 31-Aug. 1 by Overlook Theatre Company at the Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts in Franklin. Performances are at 7:30 p.m.; tickets are $12 each. Visit GreatMountainMusic.com or call 866.273.4615.

• The Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival presents its 46th season to the listeners of Western North Carolina. Concerts are at 7:30 p.m. July 26 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. Also Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville. Ticket are $25 for individual tickets and $100 for a series ticket. Students age 25 and under are admitted free with appropriate student ID. www.swannanoachambermusic.com or 452.0593.

• “Way Back When” trout dinner will be held at 5:30 p.m. July 31, at the Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley. Featuring food and storytelling of a 1930’s Appalachian trout camp. Purchase tickets at 926.1401 or 800.868.1401 or www.cataloocheeranch.com. Other dates for the dinner are: Aug. 14 and 28; and Sept. 4 and 25.

31 ST. ANNUAL FOLKMOOT

• The Broadway comedy “39 Steps” will be performed at 2 p.m. on July 25, at HART in Waynesville. $24 for adults; $20 for seniors; and $11 for students.

456.6322 or go by the box office between 1-5 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday.

• Wendy Jones (vocalist) performs jazz at 7 p.m. on July 25, as part of the Summer Jazz Series at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. $49.99 per person plus tax, tip and beverages. 452.6000. www.classicwineseller.com.

• Eaglenest Entertainment will hold a grand re-opening celebration and open house, featuring a performance by Michelle Leigh, at 7 p.m. on July 27, in Maggie Valley. Free with a donation to CarePartners Hospice. Barbecue will be served. 926.5000.

• “Oklahoma” will be on stage through Aug. 2 at HART Theatre in Waynesville. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. on Sundays.

Harttheatre.com or 456.6322.

• Family movies, rated PG, are shown at 2 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month of the summer at Canton Public Library. Call 648.2924 for movie titles.

• A Chilean Dinner featuring Folkmoot USA musicians from Chile is scheduled for 7 p.m. on July 23, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. $49.99 per person plus tax, tip and beverages. 452.6000. www.theclassicwineseller.com.

• The new “Annie” movie will play for free at noon and 2 p.m. every Saturday in July at The Strand in downtown Waynesville.

• Three Folkmoot groups perform at 4 p.m. on July 23 at the Haywood County Fairgrounds in Waynesville. $18 per carload. www.folkmootusa.org.

• Pickin’ in the Park is from 7-10 p.m. on Fridays at the Canton Rec Park. Free. Cantonnc.com or 648.2363.

• An Extravaganza Matinee, part of the Folkmoot fes-

• Buchanan Boys will perform as part of the 2015

KIDS MOVIES

40 • “Turbo” is showing for free at 10 a.m. July 22-23 at

OUTDOOR MUSIC

Summer Concert Series starting at 7 p.m. on July 23, at WCU’s Central Plaza. Bring blankets or chairs. For info, contact Francis Ann Ortiz at 227.2612 or faortizpineda@wcu.edu. https://www.facebook.com/buchananboys • “Music on the River” concert series will feature John Emil Montagnino from 7-9 p.m. on July 24, at the Oconaluftee River Stage in downtown Cherokee. Free.

800.438.1601, 359.6490 or travel@nc-cherokee.com.

• Buchanan Boys (country/rock) will perform as part of Concerts on the Creek from 7-9 p.m. on July 24 at Bridge Park in Sylva. 800.962.1911.

• Larry Patton will perform from 7-10 p.m. on July 24, at Fontana Village Resort. Fontanavillage.com.

• “Music on the River” concert series will feature AM SuperStarts from 7-9 p.m. on July 25, at the Oconaluftee River Stage in downtown Cherokee. Free.

800.438.1601, 359.6490 or travel@nc-cherokee.com.

• Old Red Schoolhouse will perform from 7-10 p.m. on July 25, at Fontana Village Resort.

Fontanavillage.com.

• The Katts Old school country sounds will perform from 6:30-8 p.m. on July 25 at the Depot in Bryson City. Free; part of the Music in the Mountains free concert series. Free. www.greatsmokies.com.

• The Pickin’ on the Square (Franklin) summer concert series will have Mountain Faith (Bluegrass and Bluegrass Gospel) July 25 at 7:30 p.m. Free. An open mic jam session begins at 6:30 p.m. www.franklinnc.com/pickin.html.

• Kelsey-Hutchinson Park (Highlands) will have Magnus Colorado as part of their “Saturdays on Pine” summer concert series at 6 p.m. July 25. www.highlandschamber.org.

NIGHTLIFE • Andrew Chastain performs at 6 p.m. on July 24 at Andrews Brewing Company. No cover. 321.2006; www.AndrewsBrewing.com.

• Joe Cruz (piano, vocals) performs music of the Beatles, Elton John, James Taylor and Simon & Garfunkel 7 p.m. on July 24, at the Classic Wineseller.

452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Rumble Seat Riot performs July 24 at Water’n Hole.

• The Lower Caves perform on July 25 at Innovation Brewing in Sylva.

• Aaron Burdett (guitar, vocals) performs original Americana music, blending folk-rock, bluegrass and blues, at 7 p.m. on July 31 at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. www.classicwineseller.com.

• DJ with Mike Hurley is July 31 at Water’n Hole.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • A writing workshop is being held from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday July 26 at Blue Ridge Books. “Christmas in July – Bling Your Way Into the Holiday Spirit”. $25 per session. Overseen by Karen Jean Leventhal. 456.6000.

• The Maggie Valley Summer Arts & Crafts Show is from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 24-25 at Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Maggievalley.org or 926.1686.

• A class on creating a reed storage basket (with handles) will be held from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on July 25, at Sequoyah Birthplace Museum. Kit costs $50; class fee is $25. Museum members don’t have to pay class fee. Sign up by calling 423.884.6246.

• Johanna Ohly (potter) and Diane Herring (watercolor artist/jewelry maker) are featured artists for the month of July at Tunnel Mountain Crafts in Dillsboro.

Shop is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Saturday and noon-4 p.m. on Sunday.

• Flea Market at the Fairgrounds is from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on August 1 at the Haywood County Fairgrounds in Waynesville. www.haywoodcountyfairgrounds.org or 400.1704.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES

• A new art museum gift shop named “FAMShop” is open from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Monday through Friday in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center on Western Carolina University’s campus in Cullowhee.

Features wide variety of works created by students, faculty, staff members, alumni and friends of WCU. New exhibits are also on display nearby at the Fine Arts Museum Galleries. Admission is free; donations accepted.

For more info, call 227.3591 or write ddrury@wcu.edu.

• “Solitude & Mystery: John Julius Wilnoty” on exhibition through August 2 at Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual in Cherokee. 497.3103.

• Artist Silvia Williams will have a multi media showing of her paintings at Village Framer in downtown Waynesville all of the month of July. Silvia’s paintings were recently featured in Art Quench magazine, a Sun Valley, Calif. magazine.

• Western North Carolina pottery pieces on loan from the collection of Rodney Leftwich are on display from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays at the Shelton House in Waynesville. www.sheltonhouse.org.

CALL FOR VENDORS/ SPONSORS • Sponsorships are being accepted, and vendors are sought for the Lakeside Rumble, a single-day, fourperson team functional fitness competition that’s scheduled for Aug. 1 at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. Register at www.unbrokenseries.com/lakesiderumble. More info at https://www.facebook.com/lakesiderumble.

• A Classic movie starring Maurice Chavalier and Jeanette MacDonald is scheduled for 2 p.m. on July 24, in the Macon County Public Library’s Meeting Room. 1:44. A Parisian tailor finds himself posing as a baron in order to collect a sizeable bill from an aristocrat, only to fall in love with an aloof young princess. 524.3600.

• Adult movie time, 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Jackson County Public Library. Call for title of movie. 586.2016.

• A new biographical drama starring Kat Dennings, Chad Michael Murray and Rupert Friend will be shown at 2 p.m. on July 29, in the Macon County Public Library Meeting Room. More info at twloha.com. PG13; 1:58. 524.3600.

Outdoors • Gem City Forum Toastmasters Club #296 meets at 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday in The Drake Education Center in Franklin. www.gemcityforum.org.

• Pool Battleship is scheduled for 7-9 p.m. on July 22 at the Sylva Community Pool. Under 16 must be accompanied by adult; Under 18 must have adult present at registration. Use buckets, cups and other objects to sink opponents’ canoes. $5 per immediate family. 293.3053 or jenniferbennett@jacksonnc.org.

• A bird walk along the greenway sponsored by the Franklin Bird Club is scheduled for July 22. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Macon County Public Library parking area in Franklin. 524.5234.

Country Meadows Park Models & Park Homes

• A Greenway Gathering entitled “I want to canoe – where’s a good launching site” will take place at 10 a.m. on July 23, at FROG Quarters in Franklin.

• The 50th annual Macon County Gemboree gem and mineral show opens on July 23 at the Macon County Community Building south of Franklin off U.S. Highway 441. The Gemboree is from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday and from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on July 26. $2 daily admission for adults; free for kids 12 and under. $5 run-of-show ticket covers admission for all four days. Macon residents get in for $1 on Sunday. 800.336.7829 or 524.3161.

• A free miniature gardens workshop is scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 24, at Dovecote Porch & Gardens in Cashiers. Free. Taught by landscape architect Mary Palmar Dargan. For info, contact Dargan at 743.0307 or mpdargan@dargan.com.

• Hiking and River Snorkeling are scheduled for July 25 through the Jackson County Recreation Department. Swim and explore; bring your own lunch and snacks. Register by July 22 at Cullowhee Recreation Center. $15 fee includes transportation and snorkeling. Meet at 9 a.m. at Cullowhee Rec Center. For info, contact Jennifer Bennett at 293.3053 or jenniferbennett@jacksonnc.org.

• The Jackson County Farmers Market’s ninth-annual Farm Tour is scheduled for 1-6 p.m. on July 25-26. www.jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org or search for “Glorious Jackson County Farmers Market” on Facebook.

• A garden tour entitled “Five Senses in the Garden” is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on July 27 at the Highlands Biological Station. Free. 526.2221 or www.highlandsbiological.org.

• Appalachian Trail Conservancy seeks volunteers, 18 and older, to join the Smokies Wilderness Elite Appalachian Trail Crew – a mobile group that focuses on trail maintenance in the heart of the Smokies on sections more than five miles from the nearest road – from July 28-Aug. 2. Food, lodging, training, equipment and transportation to and from each site is provided. www.appalachiantrail.org/crews.

• A bird walk along the Greenway, sponsored by Franklin Bird Club, is scheduled for July 29. Meet at 8 a.m.; park off Fox Ridge Road south of Franklin Flea Market on Highlands Road. 524.5234.

• “Discover Your Land: Basic Land Management Skills,” a program in the Woodland Steward Series designed to empower forest landowners to manage their properties to promote environmental and forest health, is scheduled for July 29-30. Info atwww.woodlandstewardsnc.org.

• “Woodscaping Your Woodlands & Firewise Management,” a program in the Woodland Steward Series designed to empower forest landowners to manage their properties to promote environmental and forest health, is scheduled for July 30-31. Info atwww.woodlandstewardsnc.org.

• Boating safety courses will be offered by Haywood Community College’s Department of Arts, Sciences and Natural Resources from 6-9:30 p.m. on July 2930, in HCC’s Building 3300. Participants must attend both evenings to receive certification. Free.

Registration required online: www.ncwildlife.org.

• A Zahner Lecture entitled “Stories from the Forested Landscape: How to see the forest with the trees” is scheduled for 6:30-7:30 p.m. on July 30 at the Nature Center at the Highlands Biological Station. Free.

Speaker will be Dr. Stephanie Jeffries, teaching associate professor at N.C. State. 526.2221 or www.highlandsbiological.org.

• A program on “Interesting Invertebrates” presented by the N.C. natural History Museum, is scheduled for

The Family Care Center a new medical clinic Open to the public as a primary care provider

July 22-28, 2015

Franklin’s Finest 55+ Community

• “Ex Machina,” Rated R, will be shown at 7 p.m. July 22 at The Strand in downtown Waynesville.

• A Zahner lecture entitled “White-Nose Syndrome and Bats: The Current Status of this Wildlife Health Crisis” is scheduled for 6:30-7:30 p.m. on July 23 at the Nature Center at the Highlands Biological Station.

Free.

wnc calendar

• A Folk & Outsider Art Talk & Reception is scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m. on July 30, in the Macon County Library Meeting Room in Franklin. Celebrate and learn more about art. 524.3600.

FILM & SCREEN

2887 GEORGIA RD. FRANKLIN, NC (HWY. 441 S.)

(828) 524-8834 countryw@dnet.net

Less than 2 miles from Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts, Ruby Cinema, Franklin Rec Park & Library

www.parkhomesandcabins.com

All insurance plans • Medicare • Medicaid • Private Pay The Family Care Center is located adjacent to the Immediate Care Clinic on Highway 19 in Cherokee near Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.

Smoky Mountain News

Terraced Sites with Views Clubhouse • Paved Streets Recreation Area Protective Community Guidelines Convenient Location Lawn Care Social Activities

To schedule an appointment or for questions please call

828-554-5565 Hours 8:00am until 4:30pm five days a week

41

wnc calendar

11:30 a.m. on July 30, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Live invertebrates including millipedes, crayfish, tarantulas and more will be on site for an up-close, safe look. 586.2016.

• The Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians will conduct a fly-tying clinic on Friday and July 31-Aug. 1, at the museum in Cherokee. 10 a.m. on Friday; 1:30-5 p.m. on Saturday. www.flyfishingmuseum.org; 788.0034.

• Reservations are being accepted for the Woodland Steward Series, which is designed to empower forest landowners to manage their properties to promote environmental and forest health through increased awareness, experience and access to resources, from July 29-Aug. 21. Pre-registration and modest fee required. Registration info at www.woodlandstewardsnc.org.

Outdoor 76 in Franklin or at www.active.com. info@outdoor76.com.

• “Invertebrates,” a program featuring live animals, will be presented by the N.C. Museum of Natural Science at 9 a.m. on July 30, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

• The “31” ECA group meets at 2 p.m. on July 23, in the Conference Room of the Community Service Center in Sylva. For info, contact the NC Cooperative Extension Office at 586.4009.

• “Monarch Butterflies,” a program presented by the Balsam Nature Center, is scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 31, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

• “Get Acquainted with the Natives,” a discussion about native plants and pollinators with Susan Sunflower, is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on July 28, as part of the Village Nature Series at the Village Green Commons in Cashiers. Co-hosted by HighlandsCashiers Land Trust and the Village Green. Everyone is welcome.

COMPETITIVE EDGE • The Whitewater Junior Olympics, hosted by the Nantahala Racing Club, are scheduled for July 24-26 at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. It’s a national-level youth event with slalom, downriver and freestyle competitions for beginner through advanced paddlers.

July 22-28, 2015

• Registration is underway for the Lakeside Rumble, a single-day, four-person team functional fitness competition that’s scheduled for Aug. 1 at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. Register at www.unbrokenseries.com/lakesiderumble. More info at https://www.facebook.com/lakesiderumble.

• Early registration is open for the Blue Ridge Breakaway, a multi-distance bike ride set for Aug. 15 in Haywood County. Early bird rates are $41 for the 26-mile route through Aug. 1 and $46 for the 51-, 76- and 106-mile distances. Sponsored by Haywood County Chamber of Commerce.

Blueridgebreakaway.com or 456.3021.

• Richard’s Run, a 5K mountain trail run for brain cancer research, is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, at Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley. $25 entry fee. Register at richardsrun.org.

Awards, prizes, food and drinks plus a performance by the Darren Nicholson band.

• Registration is underway for a long-distance (25K and 50K routes) trail race that’s scheduled for Oct. 10 in Franklin. Early registration is $65 for the 25K and $80 for the 50K through Aug. 28. Proceeds benefit the North Carolina Bartram Trail Society to assist with trail maintenance and promotion. Register at

Smoky Mountain News

Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: ■ Complete listings of local music scene ■ Regional festivals ■ Art gallery events and openings ■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers ■ Civic and social club gatherings

FARM & GARDEN

• A plant clinic for anyone with gardening questions is available by calling the Haywood County Extension Master Gardners at 456.3575 from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays through September.

FARMERS MARKET • Haywood Historic Farmers Market is held from 8 a.m.-noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the parking lot of HART Theatre in Waynesville. 280.1381 or haywoodfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

• 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 at the barn on Island Street in Bryson City. Special Tuesday hours from 5 to 8 p.m. during peak months through Sept. 15. 488.3848 or Christine_bredenkamp@ncsu.edu.

• Cherokee Farmers Market is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Fridays from July through Oct. 30 at 876 Acquoni Road next to the Easter Band of Cherokee Indians Cooperative Extension Office. For info, contact Sarah McClellan at 359.6935 or saramccl@nccherokee.com.

• The Farmstand at Cherokee Indian Hospital is open from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Thursdays from June through Sept. 24. For info, contact Nilofer Couture at nilofer.couture@cherokeehospital.org.

HIKING CLUBS • Carolina Mountain Club has scheduled a 9.5-mile hike with a 1,600-foot ascent on July 22. Contact leader Janet Martin at 502.494.5309 or jaykaymartin@msn.com.

• Carolina Mountain Club has a 9.5-mile, all-day hike on July 22. Elevation gain is 1,600 feet. For info, contact leader Janet Martin at 502.494.5309 or jaykaymartin@msn.com.

• Blue Ridge Parkway Rangers will lead an easy, twomile hike to learn about life along the French Broad River at 7 p.m. on July 23. Meet at Milepost 393.7 on the Parkway. Wear long pants and hiking shoes, bring water. 298.5330, ext. 304.

• 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.

• Blue Ridge Parkway rangers will lead a “Wildfires to Wildflowers” hike at 10 a.m. on July 24. It’s an easy 1.5-mile hike to the Fryingpan Fire Tower. Meet at Milepost 409.5 on the Parkway. Wear sturdy footwear and bring water. 298.5330, ext. 304.

• The Jackson County Farmers Market will be on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon on at its Bridge Park location in Sylva.

Info:jacksoncountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com or website jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org.

• A hike of Twentymile Loops is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on July 24. $20 for Great Smoky Mountain Association members; $35 for nonmembers. For info or to RSVP, write membership@gsmassoc.org or call 865.436.7318, ext. 222 or ext. 254.

• The ‘Whee Farmer’s Market is open from 4-7 p.m. every Tuesday at the corner of the N. Country Club Drive and Stadium View Drive in Cullowhee, behind the entrance to the Village of Forest Hills off Highway 107 across from Western Carolina University. 476.0334

• Carolina Mountain Club has a 10-mile hike with a 1,700-mile ascent on July 25. For info, contact leader Amy Treverton at 216.3914 or athikerbabe@gmail.com.

• The Cashiers Tailgate market is open from 9 a.m.noon on Saturdays at the United Community Bank on N.C. 107 South. 226.9988 or blueridgefarmers@gmail.com.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a strenuous 10-mile hike (elevation change 800 ft.) on July 25, to Charlie’s Bunion in the Smoky Mountains. Contact leader Don O’Neal, 586.5723, for reservations. Visitors welcome; no dogs please.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take an easy 2-mile, cool and shady hike on July 26, to Big Laurel Falls and Mooney Falls in Standing Indian area (elevation change 150 ft.). Call leader Mary Stone, 369.7352, for reservations. Visitors and children welcome. No dogs please.

• Carolina Mountain Club has an 8.8-mile hike with an elevation gain of 1,500-feet on July 26. For info, contact leader Laura Frisbie at 337.5845 or laurafrisbie@charter.net.

• Carolina Mountain Club has a 5.1-mile hike with a 1,100-ascent on July 26. For info, contact Bobbie Powers at 667.5419 or bobbiepowers23@gmail.com.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take an easy twomile hike with an elevation change of 300 feet to Hemlock Falls west of Clayton, Ga., on July 31. For more info, contact leader Joyce Jacques at 342.2543.

OUTDOOR CLUBS • The Jackson County Poultry Club will hold its regular meeting on the third Thursday of each month at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office. The club is for adults and children and includes a monthly meeting with a program and a support network for those raising birds. For info, call 586.4009 or write heather_gordon@ncsu.edu.

• The Macon County Poultry Club meets the third Tuesday of each month at the Macon County Cooperative extension office in Franklin. Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information call 369.3916.

• The North Carolina Catch program, a three-phase conservation education effort focusing on aquatic environments, will be offered through May 15. The program is offered by the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department. Free for members; daily admission for non-members. 456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

• An RV camping club, the Vagabonds, camps one weekend per month from April through November. All ages welcome. No dues or structured activities. For details, write lilnau@aol.com or call 369.6669.

• The Tuckaseigee River Chapter No. 373 of Trout Unlimited meets at 6:30 p.m. on first Tuesday of the month at United Community Bank in Sylva. Dinner is $5.

• The Cataloochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited meets the second Tuesday of the month starting with a dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Rendezvous restaurant located on the corner of Jonathan Creek Road and Soco Road in Maggie Valley. 631.5543.

• Cold Mountain Photographic Society is a camera/photography club for amateurs and professionals who want to learn about and share their knowledge of photography with others. Must be 18 or older to join. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month in the conference room of MedWest Health and Fitness Center, 262 Leroy George Drive in Clyde. More information at www.cmpsnc.org or info@cmpsnc.org.

302-78

Great Smokies Storage 10’x20’

92

$

20’x20’

160

$

ONE MONTH

FREE WITH 12-MONTH CONTRACT

828.506.4112 or 828.507.8828

42

• Cowee Farmers Market is from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through Oct. 28 at the Old Cowee School in Franklin. info@coweefarmersmarket.com , 524.8369 or www.coweefarmersmarket.com.

Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction

Puzzles can be found on page 46.

These are only the answers.

PRIME REAL ESTATE Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

ARTS & CRAFTS

MarketPlace information:

ALLISON CREEK Iron Works & Woodworking. Crafting custom metal & woodwork in rustic, country & lodge designs with reclaimed woods! Design & consultation, Barry Downs 828.524.5763, Franklin NC

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.

AUCTION

Rates:

■ Free — Lost or found pet ads.

■ $5 — Residential yard sale ads, ■ $5 — Non-business items that sell for less than $150.

■ $15 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2.

If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type.

■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad or colored background.

■ $50 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold.

■ $300 — Statewide classifieds run in 117 participating newspapers with 1.6 million circulation. Up to 25 words.

■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

ABSOLUTE AUCTION Complete Dairy Herd Dispersal. 90 Holstein Cows. Farm Equipment.

Sparta, NC. Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015 10:30 a.m. Edwin Wagoner, NCAL3366. 276.768.8539. www.wagonerauctions.com.

James R. "Jimmy" Boyer, NCAL1792. www.BoyerRealtyandAuction.com. 336.572.2323.

BANK OWNED, Online Auction w/ Bid Center, Subdivision Lots, Vacant Lots, Acreage, Commercial Property & More, NC, SC, VA & WV. Ends July 23rd & 24th at 3pm, Bid Center At: Iron Horse Auction Co. Office, www.ironhorseauction.com.

800.997.2248. NCAL3936.

SCAL1684. VAAL580. WVAL1033.

Classified Advertising: Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 classads@smokymountainnews.com

WAYNESVILLE TIRE, COO

INC.

RESTAURANT & BAR EQUIPMENT AUCTION- Wednesday, July 22 @ 10am. 201 S. Central Ave. Locust, NC. Selling 2 Bars, New & Scratch & Dent Restaurant Equipment.

704.791.8825. ncaf5479. www.ClassicAuctions.com

R

Di

sC Ov ER E

ATR

PE

Serving Haywood, Jackson & Surrounding Counties

ONLINE AUCTION Historic Parsonage Inn B&B 5BR/5.5BA Edenton, NC. Online Only Ends August 12 at 12pm.

336.789.2926 RogersAuctionGroup .com NCAL#685.

Offering:

MAJOR-BRAND TIRES FOR CARS, LIGHT & MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCKS, AND FARM TIRES.

Service truck available for on-site repairs LEE & PATTY ENSLEY, OWNERS

MON-FRI 7:30-5:00 • WAYNESVILLE PLAZA

828-456-5387

302-91

RUN AN AUCTION AD In 100 N.C. newspapers for only $375 for a 25-word ad. Call this newspaper at 828.452.4251 for details.

BUILDING MATERIALS HAYWOOD BUILDERS Garage Doors, New Installations Service & Repairs, 828.456.6051 100 Charles St. Waynesville Employee Owned.

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING

FIND THE RIGHT CARPET, Flooring & Window Treatments.

Ask about our 50% off specials & our Low Price Guarantee. Offer Expires Soon. Call now 888.546.0135 SAPA SAFE STEP WALK-IN TUB. Alert for Seniors. Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less Than 4 Inch Step-In. Wide Door.

Anti-Slip Floors. American Made.

Installation Included. Call 800.807.7219 for $750 Off.

CARS - DOMESTIC 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4x4, New Tires & Battery, Milage 165K. Asking $4,500/OBO. Call 828.743.0407 A-1 DONATE YOUR CAR For Breast Cancer! Help United Breast Foundation education, prevention, & support programs.

Fast Free Pickup- 24 Hr Response Tax Deduction 855.306.7348 SAPA CHOPPED 1948 PLYMOUTH

SULLIVAN HARDWOOD FLOORS Installation- Finish - Refinish 828.399.1847.

ACORN STAIRLIFTS. The Affordable solution to your stairs! **Limited time -$250 Off Your Stairlift Purchase!** Buy Direct & SAVE. Please call 1.800.291.2712 for FREE DVD and brochure.

ALL THINGS BASEMENTY! Basement Systems Inc. Call us for all of your basement needs! Waterproofing, Finishing, Structural Repairs, Humidity and Mold Control.

FREE ESTIMATES! 1.800.698.9217 DAVE’S CUSTOM HOMES OF WNC, INC Free Estimates & Competitive rates. References avail. upon request. Specializing in: Log Homes, remodeling, decks, new construction, repairs & additions.

Owner/Builder: Dave Donaldson.

Licensed/Insured. 828.631.0747 or 828.508.0316 SAWMILLS From Only $4397.00- Make & Save Money with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com.

1.800.578.1363 Ext.300N

PAINTING

JAMISON CUSTOM PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING Interior, exterior, all your pressure washing needs and more.

Specialize in Removal of Carpenter Bees - Cedar or Log Homes or Painted or Siding!

Call or Text Now for a Free Estimate at 828.508.9727

For Sale - $3,800. For More Info 828.421.5273 TOP CASH FOR CARS, Call Now For An Instant Offer. Top Dollar Paid, Any Car/Truck, Any Condition. Running or Not. Free Pick-up/Tow. 1.800.761.9396 SAPA

MOTORCYCLES LIKE BRAND NEW, 1999 HONDA Gold Wing Aspencade - Cherry Red, Newly Reconditioned by Cert. GW Mechanic. New Battery, Fuel Pump, Fuel Tank, Carburetors, Gaskets, Filters, Electrical, Dayton Tires, Windshield. 2 Communication Helmets. Located Near Cherokee. $8,500. Inquiries 828.788.6517.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES ATTENTION FACEBOOK & TWITTER Users! Earn 3K+ per month for just using what you already use for free! For details follow this link: tinyurl.com/MoneyOnSocialMedia SAPA $500 - $1000 DAILY Returning Phone Calls! No Selling.

No Explaining! Not MLM! Call 1.866.854.1068 SAPA ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS And reach 1.7 million readers with a classified ad in 100 N.C. newspapers! A 25-word ad is only $375.

Call this newspaper or 919.516.8009 for details.

R

www.smokymountainnews.com

July 22-28, 2015

WNC MarketPlace

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN RAILROAD IN BRYSON CITY Is Now Hiring for the Following Seasonal Positions: Concessionaire, Cook, On-Board Sales, Property Maintenance Worker and Track Worker. Earn Train Passes, Retail & Food Discounts and More! Qualified Applicants Must Successfully Pass a Background Check. Applications are available at Bryson City Depot or www.gsmr.com/jobs

FTCC Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following position: Programmer/Analyst II. For detailed information and to apply, please visit our employment portal at: https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.com/. Human Resources Office. Phone: 910.678.8378 Internet: http://www.faytechcc.edu.

CRC Preferred Employer. An Equal Opportunity Employer

DRIVER TRAINEES Paid CDL Training! Stevens Transport will cover all costs! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Earn $800 per week! Local CDL Training!

1.888.748.4137 drive4stevens.com

ATTN: DRIVERS $2K Sign-On Bonus. Recent Pay Increase! We Put Drivers First. Family Company w/ 401k. Beautiful Trucks. CDL-A Req - 877.258.8782 www.drive4melton.com

DRIVERS: SE DEDICATED RUN NC, SC, FL, GA, TN, MS, AL Areas. Home Weekly, Full Benefit Pckg. 100% No Touch, 75% Drop & Hook. CDL-A 1yr. Exp. 888.406.9046

ATTN: DRIVERSGreat Miles + Top 1% Pay 2 CPM Pay Increases. Loyalty Bonus, Quality Equipment. Pet/Rider Program.CDL-A Required 1.888.592.4752 www.drive4melton.mobi SAPA

AVIATION GRADS Work With Jetblue, Boeing, Delta, And Others- Start Here With Hands On Training For FAA Certification.

Financial Aid If Qualified. Call Aviation Institute Of Maintenance 1.866.724.5403 SAPA

HELP WANTED!!

Make up to $1000 A WEEK!! Mailing Brochures From Home. Helping Home Workers Since 2001! Genuine Opportunity. NO Experience Required. Start Immediately. www.mailingcorner.com SAPA

PART-TIME CLERK For Local Pottery Business. Up to 30 hours per week. Email resume to: muddabbers@gmail.com For more information call 828.456.1916

HOME TIME WEEKLY! Company & Owner Operators. Regional Lanes. Verifiable Experience. CDL-A. Apply: www.driveforbrown.com, Contact Bryan: 864.430.5235.

CAN YOU DIG IT? Heavy Equipment Operator Career!

We Offer Training and Certifications Running Bulldozers, Backhoes and Excavators. Lifetime Job Placement. VA Benefits Eligible!

1.866.362.6497 NEED MEDICAL BILLING TRAINEES Doctors & Hospitals need Medical Office Staff! No Experienced Needed! Online Training gets you job ready! HS Diploma/GED & Computer needed. Careertechnical.edu/nc.

1.888.512.7122

CASHMERE JUST GORGEOUS WITH ALMOST ALL WHITE, MEDIUM LENGTH FUR AND FABULOUS GREEN EYES! CASHMERE DOES REQUIRE A SPECIAL DIET, AND A LOW STRESS HOME, SO BEST AS ONLY CAT, NO DOGS, AND ONLY OLDER CHILDREN AND ADULTS.

NOW HIRING CARE TAKER COUPLE For Historic Glenn Choga Lodge near Lake Nantahala NC. Responsible for Security Maintenance and Continued Restoration of Lodge and Property. Working Knowledge of Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Desired. Furnished 1/BR with Util., Satellite TV, Internet and Modest Salary Provided.

Call for more info 828.321.3249.

NOW HIRING FLATBED DRIVERS Earn 42-48 cpm start pay, based on experience - High Miles! BC/BS Insurance, Pets Allowed. CDL-A, 1Year OTR Required. 888.476.4860. www.drivechief.com DRIVERS IMMEDIATE OPENINGS Home Every Week, Excellent Pay/Benefits, 100% No Touch Freight, 75% Drop & Hook. Class A CDL w/1yr. exp. req. Call Today 888.219.8039

EMPLOYMENT WEEKLY HOME TIME For SE Regional Drivers! Earn up to $0.45 CPM with bonus pay! Call 866.291.2631 or SuperServiceLLC.com

FINANCIAL BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company.

SAPA DELETE BAD CREDIT In 30-days! Raise your credit score fast! Amazing Results Guaranteed! Free to start. Call 1.855.831.9712 SAPA REDUCE YOUR PAST TAX BILL By as much as 75 Percent. Stop Levies, Liens and Wage Garnishments. Call The Tax DR Now to see if you Qualify 1.800.396.9719

THE NAVY IS HIRING Top-notch training, medical/dental, 30 days vacation/yr, $ for school. HS grads ages 17-34. Call Mon-Fri 800.662.7419

SELL YOUR STRUCTURED Settlement or annuity payments for CASH NOW. You don't have to wait for your future payments any longer! Call 1.800.316.0271.

WANT TO FLATBED? Call us! - Free Healthcare! Hiring Class A CDL Drivers for Regional & OTR. Pay starting at 40cpm. Call 864.649.2063 or visit drive4jgr.com EOE.

SOCIAL SECURITY Disability Benefits. Unable to work? Denied benefits? We Can Help! WIN or Pay Nothing! Contact Bill Gordon & Associates at 1.800.371.1734 to start your application today!

WANTED: LIFE AGENTS. Earn $500 a Day. Great Agent Benefits. Commissions Paid Daily. Liberal Underwriting. Leads, Leads, Leads. LIFE INSURANCE, LICENSE REQUIRED. Call 1.888.713.6020

NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Offering 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $400 Section 8 Accepted - Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

OFFICE HOURS: Tues. & Wed. 10:00am - 5:00pm & Thurs. 10:00am- 12:00pm 168 E. Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779

DODGER ONE HANDSOME BOY! HE IS YOUNG REDTICK HOUND MALE. DODGER IS A CALM AND SWEET DOG WHO ENJOYS THE COMPANY OF OTHER DOGS AND LOVES HIS HUMANS. WE LOVE HIS RED SPECKLES AND THINK YOU WILL ALSO.

Phone# 1.828.586.3346 TDD# 1.800.725.2962 Equal Housing Opportunity

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 an equal opportunity basis.

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT 67 ACRES IN CULLOWHEE Near WCU. Includes 2/BR 2/BA, 1600 sq. ft. House with Separate Workshop. Very Private, Long Range Views, Ideal for Family Compound, Several Potential House Sites. Priced to Sell $360,000. Brokers Welcome 2% Commission. For more info www.918gapbranch.blogspot.com or Call 828.586.0165 20 - 40 ACRES $0 DOWN, From $128/MO Owner Financing.

Money Back Guarantee Near El Paso, TX. Beautiful Mountain Views FREE Color Brochure 1.800.939.2654 SAPA LEASE TO OWN 1/2 Acre Lots with Mobile Homes & Empty 1/2 Acre + Lots!

Located Next to Cherokee Indian Reservation, 2.5 Miles from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.

For More Information Please Call 828.506.0578

HOMES FOR SALE HOME FOR SALE BY OWNER In Balsam, NC. This rustic 3/BR, 2/BA rambling ranch home in the mountains of Western North Carolina on 2.8 acres is different from anything else available.

This secluded home features a stacked stone fireplace built in the North Carolina tradition, a marvelous creek viewed from covered front porch, attached two-car garage, both a small and large shop for the wood craftsman, pottery worker or gardener. Natural light provides the makings for an art studio. Selected antiques will be included in the sale. Sorry, no owner financing. $319,900. Call for more information 828.631.3693.

BRUCE MCGOVERN A Full Service Realtor, Locally Owned and Operated mcgovernpropertymgt@gmail.com McGovern Property Management 828.283.2112.

302-82

302-54

THE BIG RED & Collectibles Antiques BARN Handcrafted 14,000 SQUARE FEET!

Located Off Russ Ave. in Waynesville, next to Sagebrush Steakhouse

828-246-0567 44

EMPLOYMENT

Jewelry Clothes & Accessories Furniture & More

7 DAYS A WEEK: Monday-Saturday 10-5 • Sunday Noon-5

James R. ‘Randy’ Flanigan Broker, Licensed Auctioneer, Realtor®

828.476.1097

Fully Licensed & Insured “I Will Show Up” Driveways Decks PROUD

I install toilets, garbage disposals, dishwashers and various faucets.

Vehicles Gutters

Siding & More

MEMBER OF THE HAYWOOD CHAMBER & BOARD OF REALTORS.

Experienced in auctions, conventional listings and vacation home sales.

101 S. Main St. Waynesville rflanigan@beverly-hanks.com Cell:706.207.9436 Office:828.456.2227

LONG-TERM RENTALS

MOBILE HOMES WITH ACREAGE. Ready to move in. Seller Financing (subject to credit approval). Lots of room for the price, 3Br 2Ba. No renters. 336.790.0162.

VACATION RENTALS FLAGLER BEACH FLORIDA Oceanfront Vacation Rentals Tripadvisor Award, Furnished Studio, 1-2-3 BR’s, Full Kitchen, WiFi, TV, Pool. Seasonal Specials 1.386.517.6700 or www.fbvr.net SAPA

STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT

CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE UNITS FOR RENT 1 Month Free with 12 Month Rental. Maggie Valley, Hwy. 19, 1106 Soco Rd. For more information call Torry

828.734.6500, 828.734.6700 maggievalleyselfstorage.com

PETS

Prevent Unwanted Litters!

The Heat Is On! Spay/Neuter For Haywood Pets As Low As $10.

Operation Pit is in Effect!

Free Spay/Neuter, Microchip & Vaccines For Haywood Pitbull Types & Mixes!

Hours:

Tuesday-Friday, 12 Noon - 6 pm 182 Richland Street, Waynesville

CHAMPION SUPPLY Janitorial supplies. Professional cleaning products, vacuums, janitorial paper products, swimming pool chemicals, environmentally friendly chemicals, indoor & outdoor light bulbs, odor elimination products, equipment repair including household vacuums. Free delivery across WNC. www.championsupply.com 800.222.0581, 828.225.1075.

828.506.7137

aspivey@sunburstrealty.com

www.sunburstrealty.com/amy-spivey

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Great Smokys Realty — BHHSGreatSmokysRealty.com • Eugene L. Strickland — Gene@4Smokys.com

Beverly Hanks & Associates Waynesville Office: 828-564-1950 Bryson City Office: 828-488-2200 Brevard Office: 828-884-3556

www.4smokys.com Š2015 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated framchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.Ž Equal Housing Opportunity

COMPARE QUALITY & PRICE Shop Tupelo’s, 828.926.8778.

HAYWOOD BEDDING, INC. The best bedding at the best price!

533 Hazelwood Ave. Waynesville 828.456.4240

ENTERTAINMENT SCOTTISH TARTANS MUSEUM 86 East Main St., Franklin, Open 10am- 5pm, Mon - Sat. Come & let us find your Scottish Connection!

828.584.7472 or visit us at: www.scottishtartans.org.

19.99/mo. DIRECTV HD Channels + Genie HD DVR + 3 months FREE HBO, SHOW, MAX & STARZ + FREE NFL Sunday Ticket!

Call Now 888.437.6598 SAPA

beverly-hanks.com Michelle McElroy — beverly-hanks.com Marilynn Obrig — beverly-hanks.com Mike Stamey — beverly-hanks.com Ellen Sither — beverly-hanks.com Brook Parrott — beverly-hanks.com Randy Flanigan — beverly-hanks.com

• George Escaravage — gke333@gmail.com

ERA Sunburst Realty — sunburstrealty.com • Amy Spivey — sunburstrealty.com

0DLQ /HYHO 2IÂżFH 5HWDLO QG /HYHO %' %$ $SW Z 2IÂżFH UG /HYHO %' %$ $SW

Haywood Properties — haywoodproperties.com • Steve Cox — info@haywoodproperties.com

%UXFH 0F*RYHUQ

kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • Ron Kwiatkowski — ronk.kwrealty.com • Jerry Smith www.kw.com/kw/agent/jerrysmith201

P F J R Y H U Q S UR S H U W \ P J W # J P D L O F R P

Keller Williams Realty

Mountain Home Properties mountaindream.com • Sammie Powell — smokiesproperty.com

SWITCH & SAVE EVENT From DirecTV! Packages starting at $19.99/mo. Free 3-Months of HBO, STARZ, SHOWTIME & CINEMAX. Free Genie HD/DVR Upgrade!

2015 NFL Sunday Ticket Included with Select Packages. Some exclusions apply - Call for details 1.800.421.2049 SAPA

DISH NETWORK New customers save up to $1000!

Free Hopper Upgrade. TV starts at $19.99/mo. Bundle Internet & Save! Call Today 888.283.8693 SAPA

• • • • • •

Emerson Group $FURVV IURP &RXUWKRXVH LQ :D\QHVYLOOH

FURNITURE

DIRECTV Starting at $19.99/mo. FREE Installation. FREE 3 months of HBO, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, STARZ. FREE HD/DVR Upgrade! 2015 NFL Sunday Ticket Included (Select Packages) New Customers Only. CALL 1.800.849.3514

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Lifestyle Properties — vistasofwestfield.com

McGovern Real Estate & Property Management • Bruce McGovern — shamrock13.com

Realty World Heritage Realty realtyworldheritage.com • Carolyn Lauter realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7766 • Martha Sawyer realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7769

RE/MAX — Mountain Realty

Committed to Exceeding Expectations

Marilynn Obrig

Residential Broker Associate

(828) 550-2810

mobrig@Beverly-Hanks.com

www.Beverly-Hanks.com

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

• • • • • • •

remax-waynesvillenc.com | remax-maggievalleync.com Brian K. Noland — brianknoland.com Mieko Thomson — ncsmokies.com The Morris Team — maggievalleyproperty.com The Real Team — the-real-team.com Ron Breese — ronbreese.com Dan Womack — womackdan@aol.com Catherine Proben — cp@catherineproben.com

smokymountainnews.com

HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329

BORING/CARPENTER BEE TRAPS No Chemicals, Poisons or Anything to Harm the Environment.

Handmade in Haywood County. 1 for $20, 2 or More for $15 each.

828.593.8321

Haywood County Real Estate Agents

147 WALNUT STREET • WAYNESVILLE

July 22-28, 2015

GREAT SMOKIES STORAGE Conveniently located off 19/23

by Thad Woods Auction. Available for lease now: 10’x10’ units for $55, 20’x20’ units for $160.

Get one month FREE with 12 month contract. Call 828.507.8828 or 828.506.4112 for more info.

FOR SALE

SFR, ECO, GREEN

WNC MarketPlace

MOBILE HOMES FOR SALE

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

302-07

RUSTIC CABIN IN QUIET AREA Off Hwy 74 W of Bryson City.

9 Miles from Bryson City, 6 Miles from NOC and 6 Miles from Almond. 2/BR, 1/BA; Includes Stove & Refrigerator. Garden space available. $550/mo. plus Deposit for 1 year lease. For more info please call 828.450.5871 or 770.846.0893.

LAWN & GARDEN

The Seller’s Agency — listwithphil.com • Phil Ferguson — philferguson@bellsouth.net

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com

45

www.smokymountainnews.com

July 22-28, 2015

WNC MarketPlace

Super

46

CROSSWORD

68 Mob group 71 Step face 72 “Which way — he go?”

ACROSS 73 Riddle, part 5 1 Jokester Johnson 78 “Now — the time” 5 Witch trials town 80 Strength 10 “Presto —!” (magi81 Find a new abode for, cian’s cry) as a pet 16 Super Sunday stats 82 — -pitch softball 19 Big skin-care brand 84 An inning has six 21 Former veep 86 Leisurely gait Humphrey 22 Sound from a boozer 88 Riddle, part 6 91 Landlocked African 23 Start of a riddle land 25 That, in Chihuahua 94 Alan of the screen 26 Methods of cell divi97 Great Plains natives sion 98 Prefix with physics 27 Adult kitten 99 Element #26 28 It gets the graphite 100 Cake portion out 102 Disgusting 30 Has life 104 End of the riddle 31 Riddle, part 2 108 Eritrea’s capital 36 Writer — Calvino 113 TV “Drag Race” host 38 “— So Vain” 114 Nemesis 39 RSVP encl.

115 Reverend famous 40 Roomy auto for swapping sounds 44 Home of the 116 Enzyme suffix Buccaneers 117 Riddle’s answer 47 Deborah of “Quo 123 Pitch source Vadis” 48 Lacking depth, briefly 124 Pinwheel-shaped roll 49 Riddle, part 3 125 Started again, 52 Superpower until as a former habit 1991 126 Urban rails 54 Toy brick brand 127 Trio plus three 55 Kid-friendly card 128 Sharif and Bradley game 129 Have a slant 56 Jump for joy, perhaps 59 “It takes two to —” DOWN 1 Japanese cartoon style 63 Kidney-related 2 Secure in position 65 Riddle, part 4 again 67 Zadora of 3 Little Richard’s “Hairspray” PICTURE OF ANCIENT CONFLICT

“— Frutti” 4 Character of a culture 5 Most aching 6 Years and years 7 “Holiday” actor Ayres 8 Austin-to-Boston dir.

9 Traveler Polo 10 Apt to gab 11 Drone 12 Actress Maryam d’— 13 Reno’s st.

14 Mourning people 15 Cheri formerly of “Saturday Night Live” 16 Constellation Cygnus 17 A drug might cure it 18 Left a lasting mark on 20 Napping, say 24 Water, in Lille 29 Election loser, e.g.

31 Texas siege setting 32 Total flop 33 Just dandy 34 Actor’s signal 35 Bursts in suddenly 37 Rate — (be perfect) 40 Hollywood’s Mineo 41 Salon boards 42 Place-marking folds 43 In a little bit 45 Ill-gotten wealth 46 Location 50 A Disney princess 51 Baglike part 53 Roils up 57 French for “father” 58 “Ella” author Geller 60 “Absolutely” 61 Bits of sparkly stuff 62 Atypical 64 Former New York senator Al D’— 65 Trial promise

66 Alphabet quintet 67 Ryder Cup org.

69 Illuminated by a flame 70 Bartender’s “rocks” 74 Bill Gates’ wife 75 Tier 76 Modest “As I see it,” to texters 77 Rhythm 79 Go-ahead signals 82 Exerciser’s moisture 83 Tax write-off 85 — Paulo 87 Bumps that contain taste buds 89 Author Morrison 90 Arranges like a graphic designer 91 Fly south, say 92 Excitement 93 Some roller coasters 95 Costa — Sol 96 Top card 101 Exertion 103 Gradually narrows 105 Some diving positions 106 Sock-in-the-gut sound 107 Back in style 109 Super 8, e.g.

110 Battery part 111 “— -Cop” 112 Bad lighting?

115 Suffix with prank or poll 118 — -en-Provence, France 119 Old boomer 120 Tee- — 121 Skirt line 122 Bond girl player Green

answers on page 42

PERSONAL MAKE A CONNECTION. Real People, Flirty Chat. Meet singles right now! Call LiveLinks. Try it FREE. Call now 1.888.909.9978 18+. SAPA YOUR AD COULD REACH 1.6 MILLION HOMES ACROSS NC! Your classified ad could be reaching over 1.6 Million Homes across North Carolina! Place your ad with The Smoky Mountain News on the NC Statewide Classified Ad Network- 118 NC newspapers for a low cost of $330 for 25-word ad to appear in each paper! Additional words are $10 each. The whole state at your fingertips! It's a smart advertising buy! Call Scott Collier at 828.452.4251 or for more information visit the N.C. Press Association's website at www.ncpress.com A CHILDLESS YOUNG Married couple (she 36/he 37 seeks to adopt. Will be hands-on mom & devoted dad. Financial security. Expenses paid. CALL / text Nikki & Adam 800.790.5260 SAPA A LOVING, HANDS-ON, Childless couple seeks to adopt.

Warm, laughter filled home. Financial security. Expenses PAID. Judi & Jamie: 1.888.492.6077 SAPA A UNIQUE ADOPTIONS, Let Us Help! Personalized Adoption Plans. Financial Assistance, Housing, Relocation And More. Giving The Gift Of Life? You Deserve The Best. Call Us First!

1.888.637.8200. 24 Hour Hotline.

SERVICES ACE PRESSURE WASHING Providing pressure washing for driveways, gutters, siding & decks (sealed or stained). We can also help with plumbing; such as installing toilets, garbage disposals, dishwashers and faucets. Call Steve today at 828.476.1097.

DIRECTV Starting at $19.99/mo. FREE Installation. FREE 3 months of HBO SHOWTIME CINEMAX starz. FREE HD/DVR Upgrade! 2015 NFL Sunday Ticket Included (Select Packages) New Customers Only. CALL 1.800.421.2049 SAPA DISH NETWORK New customers save up to $1000!

Free Hopper Upgrade. TV starts at $19.99/mo. Bundle Internet & Save! Call Today 888.283.8693 SAPA STRUGGLING WITH DRUGS, Alcohol or Pills? You don’t need to struggle alone. Take the first steps to recovery and call now. Call The Kick Addiction Network.

800.936.7908 SAPA LIFE ALERT. 24/7.

One press of a button sends help FAST! Medical, Fire, Burglar. Even if you can't reach a phone! FREE Brochure. CALL 800.316.0745.

OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR InogenOne - Regain Independence.

Enjoy Greater Mobility. NO more Tanks! 100% Portable Long-Lasting Battery. Try it RISK FREE! For Cash Buyers Call 1.800.514.4896 SAPA

SERVICES *REDUCE YOUR CABLE BILL* Get a 4-Room All-Digital Satellite system installed for FREE! Programming starting at $19.99/MO. FREE HD/DVR upgrade for new callers. CALL NOW 1.800.795.1315 SAPA

SCHOOLS/ INSTRUCTION EARN YOUR High School Diploma at home in a few short weeks. Work at your own pace. First Coast Academy. Nationally accredited. Call for free brochure. 1.800.658.1180, extension 82. www.fcahighschool.org SAPA FTCC Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following position: Programmer/Analyst II. For detailed information and to apply, please visit our employment portal at: https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.com/. Human Resources Office. Phone: 910.678.8378 Internet: http://www.faytechcc.edu.

CRC Preferred Employer. An Equal Opportunity Employer

YARD SALES DOWNSIZING SALE Olympic Kiln, Dolls, Doll Molds & Supplies, Many Craft Supplies, Fabric, Delta Drill Press & Much More! 858 Moody Bridge Rd., Cullowhee, NC. July 24 & 25th 9a - 2p 828.293.1586

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 42

The naturalist’s corner

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

Summer skies y family and I made a quick run up to Waterrock Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway around dusk last Sunday (July 19) to get a peek at some celestial luminaries. Venus and Jupiter joined the waxing crescent moon on the western horizon. They danced and played hide and seek amidst layered clouds whose purple backs touched the night while their bellies bathed in the last yellow and orange rays of the sun falling over the western horizon. It was a beautiful, tranquil setting.

We found Saturn higher in the southeastern sky, thanks to a “Google Sky” app. I am sure there are numerous “sky apps” out there that work well. If you own a smart phone or a tablet of some type, these are great educational tools. In fact it was Maddie, my 9-year-old, who found Saturn while the rest of us were still mesmerized by the moon, Venus and Jupiter.

Venus and Jupiter will soon be leaving the summer night sky, swallowed by the Sun’s golden glare. But not to worry; they will return in the pre-dawn hours in late August. Meanwhile Saturn will be on display all summer. It is traveling east to west across

M

the night sky. It started out low in the southeastern sky and by mid- to late August will be in the southwest. Saturn can be found between the constellations Libra and Scorpio about 10 degrees northwest of Antares, the brightest star in Scorpio.

As we were getting in the vehicle for the short drive home, a meteor burned across the sky. I don’t know, but it could have been from the Delta Aquarid. The Delta Aquarids is a long-running but often sparse meteor shower beginning around mid-July and continuing into late August. They appear to originate from the constellation Aquarius and are thought to be fragments of Comet 96P/Macholz. The Delta Aquarids don’t produce anything like the night the “Stars fell on Alabama,” but they are something to look for in the night sky. The peak period for the Delta Aquarids will, regrettably coincide with July’s “blue” moon of the 31st. So you may actually see more during these early stages while the night is inky black.

And they’re good practice, as they will be setting the stage for one of the more renowned meteor showers and summertime perennial favorites — the Perseids. Of course it was the Leonids and not the Perseids that fell on Alabama, but the

Sunset at Waterrock Knob. Don Hendershot photo Perseids often put on quite a show with as many as 100 meteors per hour at peak. And, hooray, this year’s peak around August 13 will come in the dark, just a day before a new moon so viewing should be great for a week or better.

Now when you set up for the Perseids, you’ll want your lawn recliner tilted up just slightly facing the northern sky and the con-

stellation Perseus, where the meteors appear to originate. But be sure and pay attention for any wrong-way fireballs because there could easily be a Delta Aquarid or two mixed in the bunch. If the meteor’s tail is pointing towards the south — toward Aquarius — it’s one of those pesky Aquarids.

(Don Hendershot is a writer and naturalist. He can be reached a ddihen1@bellsouth.net.)

July 22-28, 2015

Turn your grill into an oven, roaster, and a smoker

Smoky Mountain News

Are you ready for summer time grillin’ and chillin’?

S. MAIN ST., WAYNESVILLE

828-333-5456 • cleansweepfireplace.com 302-73

Chimney Inspections, Repairs & More

47

AutoStarUSA.com Terry Setzer Sales Manager

Waynesville Chevrolet Buick welcomes Terry Setzer as the new Sales Manager. Terry has been a part of the team for a short time, but says he already feels like part of the family.

When you walk into Waynesville Automotive you are greeted by Terry’s smiling face. You can take comfort in knowing he is a local guy trying to help his customers make their dreams come true.

He stands by his fellow salespeople and pushes them to be warm and welcoming. He wants his customers to feel comfortable and know that their salesperson is an expert in the automotive industry. When asked what makes him such a great Sales Manager, he answered, “I’m just me. I am here to help my customers obtain something they really want, whether that is a car or a truck. I want to make their dreams come true.”

280 Hyatt Creek Rd., Waynesville, NC 28786

285 Hyatt Creek Rd., Waynesville, NC 28786

Terry takes comfort in being surrounded by people all day, and prides his store on the close-knit family atmosphere that they have created. Some of his co-workers have been working at Waynesville Automotive for over 30 years, but still make him feel welcome. His favorite part of this awesome team is when they have their family style dinners. He believes that these meals hopes these dinners will encourage the team to work even closer together and focus on team consistency, which will ultimately lead to a better experience for all customers.

July 22-28, 2015

Terry grew up nearby in Sylva, North Carolina. He has three teenage boys and three loyal pups.

He and his family enjoy trips to the lake, going camping and traveling all over the country.

*Excludes additional shop supplies & hazardous waste fees. Excludes synthetics, diesels & some specialty vehicles. Not combinable with other offers. See Service Advisor for details.

Visit Terry Setzer at Waynesville Automotive for your next vehicle purchase.

CANTON

SYLVA

ASHEVILLE

BLACK MOUNTAIN

750 Champion Drive Canton, NC 28716

1188 West Main Street Sylva, NC 28779

2 Westgate Parkway Asheville, NC 28806

306 Black Mountain Ave. Black Mountain, NC 28711

(828) 492-0631

(828) 586-0202

(828) 581-0136

(828) 357-8505

Smoky Mountain News

CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED SPECIALS

2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser 4x4

STK # 52929A

2012 Dodge Challenger

STK # H2461

2012 Nissan Titan Pro-4x 4x4

2007 Chevrolet Corvette

STK # 51734A

STK # A2376

*Prices do not include taxes, title, license or $599 doc fee. See dealer for details. Subject to prior sale. Artwork for illustration purpose only.

48

AutoStarUSA.com | AutoStarUSA.com | AutoStarUSA.com