N.C. Page 5 Man pens Smokies survival guide Page 30
On the Cover:
Students around Western North Carolina have all returned for the new school year. Take a look at which schools have improved or fallen in the rankings following the latest round of standardized testing. (Page 14) A child takes some time to pose for a photo at the Back to School Bash. David Proffitt photo
News
Right wing hypocrisy on debt forgiveness reaches WNC......................................4 Western counties receive ‘GREAT’ news on broadband........................................5
Author of writs revealed, but still no action from law enforcement......................6 Tribe swears in new police chief, adds new law enforcement positions............8 SMN wins prestigious honors at Press Association conference..........................9 Enrollment falls again at WCU, but freshman class size increases..................11 Experience on the ballot for Swain Commission chairman..................................12 Commissioners may seek to regulate syringe programs in Haywood..............17 Sylva gets temporary skate park..................................................................................19
Opinion
Reporting just the facts is getting harder..................................................................20 Letters to the editor..........................................................................................................20
A&E
Chicago indie-soul act rolls into Sylva........................................................................22 Murder, bibliophiles and a B&B....................................................................................29
Outdoors
New book aims to stop backcountry emergencies before they start................30 Tour WNC farms................................................................................................................32
STAFF
info@smokymountainnews.com ADVERTISING D IRECTOR: Greg Boothroyd. .
micah@smokymountainnews.com
travis@smokymountainnews.com
D ESIGN & PRODUCTION: Jessica Murray.
ADVERTISING SALES: Susanna Shetley. .
Amanda Bradley. . .
Sophia Burleigh. . .
C LASSIFIEDS: Scott Collier.
N EWS E DITOR: Kyle Perrotti. . . .
WRITING: Holly Kays. . .
Hannah McLeod. . . .
Cory Vaillancourt.
Garret K. Woodward. . . .
ACCOUNTING & O FFICE MANAGER: Amanda Singletary.
D ISTRIBUTION: Scott Collier. .
jessica.m@smokymountainnews.com
susanna.b@smokymountainnews.com
jc-ads@smokymountainnews.com
sophia.b@smokymountainnews.com
classads@smokymountainnews.com
kyle.p@smokymountainnews.com
holly@smokymountainnews.com
hannah@smokymountainnews.com
cory@smokymountainnews.com
garret@smokymountainnews.com
smnbooks@smokymountainnews.com
classads@smokymountainnews.com
C ONTRIBUTING: Jeff Minick (writing), Chris Cox (writing), George Ellison (writing), Don Hendershot (writing), Susanna Shetley (writing)
SYLVA | 629 West Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779 P: 828.631.4829 | F: 828.631.0789
S UBSCRIPTIONS
Ingles Nutrition Notes
written by Ingles Dietitian Leah McGrath
Q: When brands have “vegetarian fed” on chicken packages what does that mean?
A: Great question since chickens are omnivores! If you’ve ever been around or raised backyard chickens, you know that poultry will eat plants and seeds as well as bugs, worms, frogs and even mice. Chickens are omnivorous and require certain nutrients and amino acids to be healthy and grow properly. If a brand advertises that their chickens are getting “vegetarian” feed (primarily a mixture of corn and soy), they must be provided with other nutrients (vitamins and minerals) and amino acids that would not be present in plants or grains so they have a balanced diet.
Right wing hypocrisy on debt forgiveness reaches WNC
BY C ORY VAILLANCOURT P OLITICS E DITOR
Democratic President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan drew its fair share of cheers and jeers, but as it turns out, many of those jeering were cheering when their own six- and seven-figure PPP loans were forgiven.
On Aug. 24, Biden announced a threepart plan providing targeted debt relief of up to $20,000 to people who make less than $125,000 a year and have outstanding principal on student loans.
The next day, the official Twitter account of the House Judiciary Committee’s Republicans said, “If you take out a loan, you pay it back. Period.”
Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene called the program “completely unfair.” Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Mike Kelly called it “bad policy,” Oklahoma Republican Congressman Markwayne Mullin said it was an “undue burden” and Florida Republican Congressman Vern Buchanan called it “reckless.”
All four of them — plus other Republicans who spoke out against Biden’s plan — were the beneficiaries of COVID-era Paycheck Protection Program loans that were later forgiven. Greene took more than $180,000, Kelly took just over $987,000, Mullin took $1.4 million and Buchanan took more than $2.3 million.
Add Hendersonville state senator and Republican nominee for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District Chuck Edwards to that list.
C. Edwards Group, Inc. is the operating company for several McDonald’s restaurants
in Western North Carolina, including four in Hendersonville, one in Brevard and two in Canton. Secretary of State records say Edwards is the president of C. Edwards Group, which reported having 261 employees.
Records also show that on April 15, 2020, C. Edwards Group was approved for a PPP loan of $1,120,000.
Edwards’ loan and the accrued interest were eventually forgiven, but when Edwards was asked about Biden’s plan, he wasn’t as enthusiastic about debt forgiveness for students.
“This policy is unfair to the millions of Americans who have paid back their debt and to the taxpayers who will now pay the debts of those who haven’t,” Edwards told The Smoky Mountain News. “And it will make inflation even worse. It has to stop and when I am in Congress, I will fight to restore fiscal sanity to our nation.”
Edwards went on to say that Biden and Democrats view taxpayers “only as ATM machines designed to fund the pet projects of the far-left.” However, a bill shepherded by Edwards last year would have changed North Carolina’s tax code to give him and other PPP loan recipients an ATM withdrawal of their own — from the state treasury.
Initially, North Carolina did not tax PPP loan proceeds as income, and likewise did not allow spent PPP funds as a business expense tax deduction.
When the General Assembly passed the 2021 Appropriations Act, the non-taxable income provision remained intact; however, both individuals and corporations were permitted to deduct the spent funds from forgiven loans as a business expense.
Proponents of the change say that it simply makes the state conform to federal tax code.
According to WBT-TV, the change would net Edwards another $40,000 to $50,000 in “free” government money.
Like House Speaker Tim Moore (R-
Cleveland), Edwards brushed aside ethical concerns by telling WBT’s Nick Ochsner that he “wasn’t — and have not been — acting on my behalf” and that he “came here to Raleigh to represent the interests of business.”
Last week, the North Carolina Department of Revenue announced that although the federal government doesn’t consider Biden’s student loan forgiveness as “income” for tax purposes, the North Carolina General Assembly did not take action to conform to the Internal Revenue Code on that item.
That means North Carolina residents who receive student loan forgiveness under Biden’s plan will take a state tax hit for $10,000 to $20,000 of taxable income.
Edwards currently has two opponents in the race for the Western North Carolina congressional seat once held by Mark Meadows and currently occupied by Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-Henderson).
Libertarian David Coatney operates a small business focusing on internet marketing. While Coatney didn’t offer details on his own educational attainment or how he paid for it — like Edwards, who didn’t respond to questions about his scholastic background or his possible utilization of student loans — Coatney did offer his opinion on how student
loan forgiveness and PPP forgiveness are two very different things.
“I don’t feel that student loans should be compared to PPP loans. For starters, higher education is a choice. The government didn’t force me to go to college and enter into student debt. They did, however, force businesses to shut their doors and prevented many small business owners from earning a living,” Coatney said. “The PPP loans were intended to offset the government telling many small business owners they weren’t allowed to operate. That’s a significant distinction.”
Perhaps it is, or perhaps it’s because two companies run by Coatney in two different states both benefitted from PPP loans that ended up being forgiven.
Sleek Web Marketing LLC of Springdale, Arkansas, which lists Coatney as the incorporator, received $19,361 on April 14, 2021 and reported three jobs. The corporation has since been dissolved.
Sleek Web Marketing LLC of Fletcher, which is still an active corporation, reported two jobs and received $23,232 on Jan 31, 2021. That loan was also forgiven. Coatney is listed in N.C. Secretary of State records as the president of the corporation.
Edwards’ other opponent, Democrat Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, who earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Brown University, an MFA in fiction from Warren Wilson College in 2001, and a master of divinity from Harvard in 2010, relied on scholarships, student loans and work study to pay for her education.
According to Campaign Manager Luke Tonat, Beach-Ferrara worked as a janitor in a dining hall for the majority of her undergrad career but still left school with nearly $70,000 of student debt.
Beach-Ferrara’s debt was forgiven via the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which forgives student debt for those who both become employed by a federal, state or local government or a non-profit and have made 120 qualifying payments on their debt.
As of 2021, Beach-Ferrara had no student debt. Beach-Ferrara doesn’t own any businesses that benefitted from PPP loans.
“I support delivering immediate reliefincluding student loan forgiveness for middle class families. People who earned degrees to become teachers and nurses shouldn’t be held back by crippling debt,” Beach-Ferrara told The Smoky Mountian News. “In contrast, my multi-millionaire, self-funding opponent Chuck Edwards had his $1.1 million PPP loan forgiven while criticizing student loan relief for working families. We have very different priorities—and it is clear why he continues to duck debates and forums to avoid talking about these clear distinctions.”
Sen. Chuck Edwards speaks at a forum in Macon County earlier this year. Cory Vaillancourt photo
Jasmine Beach-Ferrara
David Coatney
A map of broadband adoption in North Carolina shows most Western North Carolina counties, with the exception of Buncombe, still struggle to attract broadband providers. NConemap photo
Western counties receive ‘GREAT’ news on broadband
BY C ORY VAILLANCOURT
P OLITICS E DITOR
The latest round of state grants for broadband infrastructure have landed, and represent a big win for six Western North Carolina counties that have been left on the wrong side of the digital divide.
“The broadband money is being distributed to providers currently and more money is available,” said Sen. Kevin Corbin (RFranklin).
Several years ago, Corbin spearheaded the GREAT (Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology) grants program with then-House rep and current Republican Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson.
Since then, the program has dumped tens of millions of dollars into providing high-speed internet service in WNC for customers who often have no other options.
All told, this round of grants totals almost $19 million across Cherokee, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties. After the $4.25 million in required matching funds from county governments, the total investment in broadband expansion comes to around $23 million.
Those funds will help build out service to nearly 8,400 locations at an average cost of $2,750 per location.
According to letters issued by the North Carolina Office of Digital Infrastructure’s Division of Broadband and Digital Equity on Aug. 30, each of the six counties will see varying amounts granted to private service providers that were awarded the funds after a competitive bidding process in which the providers who proposed serving the most people for the least amount of money were selected.
In Cherokee County, Blue Ridge Mountain EMC of Young Harris, Georgia, will receive $3.7 million from the state and $1.6 million from the county to establish service at approximately 1,778 locations.
Zitel LLC, of Moneta, Virginia will serve
approximately 897 locations upon receipt of $2.7 million from the state and $470,000 from Graham County government.
Haywood County will contribute around $150,000 on top of a state grant of $870,000, which will provide service to approximately 182 locations through Charlotte-based Spectrum Southeast.
Spectrum Southeast will also receive more than $3.8 million in state funding, along with a local match of $670,000, to enable service at 1,196 Jackson County locations.
Norwalk, Connecticut-based Frontier Communications was selected as the provider for Macon County, and will receive $3.8 million in state funding as well as $670,000 from county government to provide service to approximately 2,700 locations.
Swain County’s $700,000 match of the state’s $3.9 million grant will go to Zito West Holding LLC of Coudersport, Pennsylvania, to bring broadband to 1,619 currently unserved locations.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines broadband as having a transmission speed of at least 25 megabits down and 3 megabits up. The FCC says only 59% of North Carolinians subscribe to a service with those speeds.
According to a 2019 report, broadband access is anything but universal in the mountains and due to topography many homes and businesses can’t get it, even from satellite feeds.
All six counties receiving funding from this round of GREAT grants report more than 20% of residents as having no access to the internet at all. Graham County (36%) and Swain County (34%) top the list of leastconnected WNC counties.
Nate Denny, deputy secretary of broadband and digital equity in the N.C. Office of Digital Infrastructure, said that once the final grant agreements are signed in about a month, contractors will have two years to deliver the projects.
“We know that high-speed internet — affordable and reliable high-speed internet — is absolutely central to modern life,” Denny said. “It allows people access to education and telemedicine, to look for a job and to recruit businesses locally. You have to have that connection. We’re excited because this is just the first of multiple rounds of funding to connect every North Carolinian.”
• ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID
• ARBORETUM SPECIALIST
• LEAD TEACHER WITH THE REGIONAL CENTER FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF CHILDREN
• MINORITY STUDENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION COACH
• SERVER ADMINISTRATOR
• MAINTENANCE SPECIALIST
• PT SCHOLARSHIP COORDINATOR
Author of threatening writs revealed, but still no action from law enforcement
BY C ORY VAILLANCOURT P OLITICS E DITOR
She’s “served” threatening letters on elected officials offering bounties for their capture, she has plans to serve more and she’s calling for the overthrow of the United States government with help from the U.S. military, but the most significant remaining questions aren’t about the radicalization of a Haywood County woman behind the phony writs — they’re about how and when law enforcement agencies will respond, if at all.
CROWDSOURCING THE CONSPIRACY
In late June, some elected officials, judges and municipal employees across Western North Carolina began receiving strange sets of official-looking paperwork emanating from a phony court that had judged them guilty of treason for environmental crimes.
The letters, fashioned to resemble a writ demanding the satisfaction of this felony judgement, offer a substantial reward for the capture of those who don’t surrender.
A mid-August investigation into the writs by The Smoky Mountain News revealed that generic copies of the writs are available on the website of a group called “The People’s Bureau of Investigation,” which can be traced back to Tim Dever, an Oswego, Illinois man who operates an arcade gaming sales and repair company.
Dever told SMN he believes the writs to be lawful.
The PBI website contains instructions on how anyone, anywhere, can “serve” the fill-inthe-blanks “writs,” which supposedly bring compensation of $2,000 for each one served.
The website also contains a self-reporting database of who’s been served. As of Aug. 16, almost 1,000 writs had been sent to public servants of all political persuasions in 41 states and the District of Columbia.
Only residents of three states, California, Florida and Oregon, had been targeted more often than residents of North Carolina, according to the database.
Of the 60-plus North Carolina writs, more than half were sent to public servants with connections to Haywood County.
Included were the district attorney, three judges, the county sheriff and chief deputy, the
DIGITAL SOLDIER
Darris Moody was more than willing to discuss the writs she’d served when reached by The Smoky Mountain News on Sept. 2.
“I have to admit that I’ve served a few, because my name was on it and it wasn’t supposed to be,” Moody said. “That’s very, very, very unfortunate because these are coming from ‘the people,’ and I’m just one of the people.”
Moody lives in a world of red pills and blue pills — not actual pills, but rather internet parlance for truth and ignorance, respectively. During a 50-minute phone conversation, she checked off nearly every single box on a long list of QAnon-style conspiracy theories.
She’s concerned about socialism, communism, chemtrails, weather modification and satanic pedophile cults that traffic children for their organs.
She believes that COVID-19 is a psy-op, that the vaccine is a bioweapon and that masks are a tactic of the deep state, worn to obscure the very image of God.
She bandies about faerie-tale talking points from self-proclaimed “sovereign citizens.”
She claims that upon birth Americans are transformed or absorbed into a corporate entity and then are bonded, insured and controlled by the New World Order.
She espouses support for Christian nationalism, maritime admiralty law and the so-called constitutional sheriffs movement.
entire school board and its attorney, every elected official from the Town of Waynesville and three public works employees, two county commissioners, Canton’s mayor, the chairman of the board of elections and a pair of administrators at Haywood Regional Medical Center.
Others went to the mayor of Sylva, some Asheville and Buncombe County officials, Henderson County’s sheriff, several state supreme court justices and a number of current or former judges in and around Mecklenburg County.
The Smoky Mountain News spoke with two recipients of the writ and was permitted by a third to examine the writ they’d been sent.
At least two writs featured photographs of the intended recipient, with at least one bearing the caption, “wanted dead or alive,” according to a source.
The writs appeared to have been faxed anonymously, although one of them was signed, “ThankQ.”
Throughout the SMN investigation, one name kept coming up; according to another source, it was a person purportedly familiar to local law enforcement.
Last week, through an anonymous tip, that name was finally confirmed.
She promotes the idea that actor Tom Hanks is somehow part of it all, and that President Joe Biden isn’t “the real Biden” but has instead been replaced by a body double.
“Anybody can go look at pictures of him,” Moody said. “It ain’t the real one.”
Of course, she learned all this on the internet.
“I’m a digital soldier,” Moody said. “Over the past two years, I have done nothing but study, pray, cry and fight in this war while everybody else sat in front of Fox News and wore their mask and bowed down to somebody other than God. I don’t bow down to nobody but God.”
While she said she hasn’t been contacted about the writs by law enforcement — they have no jurisdiction over her anyway, she claims — Moody has had brushes with them in the past. Moody said that In May of this year, she was “thrown out” of Haywood Regional Medical Center because she wouldn’t wear a mask.
“I didn’t wear one because I have corrected my status. I’m not in the corporation. I’m on common law. I’m not in the corporation. I’ve completely come out of that. I’m just a woman on common law. I have guaranteed rights. I have unalienable rights,” Moody said. “I didn’t realize the hospital was a cor-
Phony writs like this one were sent to dozens of officials across Western North Carolina. Cory Vaillancourt photo
poration, so they tell me, ‘Well, you’re on private property,’ and I said, ‘Well, you are acting as a legal public place to walk in.’”
After the incident, Moody took to social media platform Telegram and said she’d been attacked. Users there pointed her to The People’s Bureau of Investigation.
“I think the military needs to set up law and order. They need to come in, and we need to get back to law and order in this country because the police, they’ve gone crazy. They think they have some kind of authority over us. As far as this masking and stuff, and I think COVID, [they were] for a purpose,” she said. “It was to wake people up, you know? America is very, very uneducated.”
Moody also claims that when COVID-19 restrictions resulted in the brief closure of her church for in-person worship, she was harassed by police after someone reported her for violating social distancing guidelines on the lawn outside.
“You want to know why I serve writs? My rights have been infringed upon, as has every other person,” Moody said. “If you only knew what the government has been doing to the people for 150 years, since they put us in that corporation, USA, Inc. They also stole our birth certificates, by the way. And I mean, this is all out there.”
It is out there — on a network of websites and social media platforms cited by Moody that offer similar claims and similar “writs” to those found on the PBI’s website.
“I have a lot of respect and integrity, I think, in this county,” said Moody, a former property appraiser. “I ran a small business and I closed it. It was just time for me to close and not renew my license and fight in this war. I have spent two years studying and learning the truth.”
Along with her husband Charles Elbert Moody, she’s also spent time filing scads of affidavits and other documents in the county’s register of deeds office, costing her dozens if not hundreds of dollars each.
One of them informs the Tennessee County of Sevier that her marriage license is void because the state “is in breach of contract for not guaranteeing a republic form of government.” Another informs U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken that she’s no longer a citizen of the United States. Yet another informs U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen that she won’t be paying taxes anymore.
Per Haywood County tax records, after at least a decade of regular property tax payments, Darris and Charles Elbert Moody haven’t yet paid their most recent bill for any of the three properties they own together or separately. The bills were due on Sept. 1 and won’t become delinquent until Jan. 5, 2023.
Moody called her efforts “trailblazing,” although she hasn’t yet received the promised $2,000 stipends for the writs she’s already served.
“It’s really not about the money. We don’t get those until the process is completely through, and of course nobody’s responding because everybody thinks it’s a hoax,” Moody said.
When asked if she was actively trying to collect the much larger bounties for appre-
hending people who’d been served, or encouraging others to do so, Moody didn’t answer directly but reiterated that none of this was about money. She equated it to a citizen’s arrest.
“We the people have every right in the world to arrest or fire our employees, our public servants, so I don’t know why everybody’s shocked that all these people in the jurisdiction of the water admirable [sic] law are getting rich from people that are on common law,” Moody said.
Although the writs don’t seem to be having much of an effect on encouraging the removal of elected officials she deems complicit in various crimes, Moody said that there are other methods to accomplish that.
“I mean, the way they done it back in the old days is we formed a militia and there was 12 people that formed a militia back in the old days,” she said. “I mean, if we the people want ‘em gone, what are we gonna have to do? We the people, we’re restoring the republic. We’re not a democracy. This country is a republic and we were founded on the Bible, whether anybody likes to admit it or accept it or like it, I do not care — facts are facts.”
According to Moody, “restoring the republic” could involve some pretty drastic measures.
“The big thing is, we’ve all got to come together and just take this government down, is the way I see it,” Moody said. “The Constitution says we have the right and the duty when they become corrupt to abolish them and put in new. We’ve called in the military because the military is gonna have to help us and they will. I’m waiting to see them helicopters fly over my house and I’m gonna praise God.”
Some of the recipients of the writs told The Smoky Mountain News that they felt threatened by the language in them and were concerned about their safety. When informed of those concerns, Moody brushed them aside.
“Well, didn’t none of them sign the writ,” she said. “They don’t seem to be serious about trying to fix things.”
SLOWLY BOILING WATER
According to the PBI’s database, the majority of writs served on Haywood County officials came between late June and mid-July.
Until the publication of an Aug. 16 story in The Smoky Mountain News, the vast majority of the public was unaware of the threats — but local and federal law enforcement wasn’t.
The first two writs served were to Haywood Sheriff Greg Christopher and Chief Deputy Jeff Haynes on June 24.
On the morning of Aug. 12, Christopher confirmed to SMN that he had indeed received one of the writs, via fax, and forwarded the matter on to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Others in the county who were served with writs also notified Christopher.
When SMN made a public records request that morning for the writ served to Christopher, a spokesperson said that the sheriff’s office would not provide the writ,
and referred all future communications to the FBI.
Hours later, Shelley Lynch, a public affairs specialist with the FBI’s Charlotte division, told SMN that the FBI has been in “regular contact” with elected officials in Haywood County.
But it doesn’t seem that way — one person who received a writ and spoke to SMN on the condition of anonymity in mid-August expressed frustration that they hadn’t heard from the FBI, even weeks after forwarding the writ on to Christopher.
Citing U.S. Department of Justice policy, Lynch wrote that she couldn’t provide additional details on the situation, but also said that “we want to remind the public the FBI takes seriously any allegation that individuals may engage in criminal activity against elected and appointed officials.”
Another anonymous source who received a writ likened the situation to a pot of slowly boiling water, and wondered if law enforcement would step in before the pot boils over.
An Aug. 12 email to State Bureau of Investigation PIO Anjanette Grube has not yet been returned, nor has an Aug. 12 call to the U.S. Secret Service.
The Smoky Mountain News made another public records request on Aug. 29 for the writs served to Christopher and Haynes. Christopher said he had forwarded the request to Lynch, and that Lynch had in turn forwarded the request to the U.S. Attorney’s PIO Lia Bantavani.
When pressed, Haywood County Attorney Frank Queen cited North Carolina General Statute 132-1.4(a), which states, “Records of criminal investigations conducted by public law enforcement agencies, records of criminal intelligence information compiled by public law enforcement agencies, and records of investigations conducted by the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission, are not public records as defined by G.S. 132-1.”
However, further down in that statute, at subsection (f), it states that “The use of a public record in connection with a criminal investigation or the gathering of criminal intelligence shall not affect its status as a public record.”
The Smoky Mountain News maintains that the writs became public records the instant they were received by the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office.
“The Sheriff, the U.S. Attorney and I will have to review the records request you have made, determine to what degree the records you have requested are ‘records of criminal investigations’ and what are not,” Queen said. “As soon as we make that analysis, we will make arrangements with you to make the disclosures you have requested, to the extent legally possible.”
When asked on Sept. 1 if she could confirm or deny a criminal investigation into the writs, Lynch said only that there had been no change in Department of Justice policy.
As of press time on Sept. 6, the public records requested still had not been produced. The Smoky Mountain News has contacted attorneys for the North Carolina Press Association for guidance on how to proceed with the public records request.
Pisgah Legal Services offers free help during September tax clinics
If you haven’t received your tax refund, it’s not too late. Families who make less than $58,000 per year can get free tax help at a series of tax clinics hosted by nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services.
Pisgah Legal’s tax clinics provide local families free information and tax preparation services. Anyone on the fence about filing should be able to speak to a certified tax preparer about their specific situation then they can decide whether or not to file. All of Pisgah Legal’s services are secure, confidential and free.
Those who rarely file a tax return could be missing out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars in tax credits. There are two tax credits local families can take advantage of: the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit. The Child Tax Credit pays up to $3,600 per child and the Earned Income Tax Credit is worth up to $6,700.
Pisgah Legal’s September tax clinics will be held throughout September across six Western North Carolina counties. Pisgah Legal is working in partnership with the Family Support Network of Region A.
• Sept. 13 – Graham County Health Department, Robbinsville
• Sept. 20 – Macon Program for Progress Training Annex, Franklin
• Sept. 21 – Region A Partnership for Children office, Waynesville
• Sept. 28 – Moss Memorial Library, Hayesville*
• Sept. 29 – Region A Partnership for Children office, Murphy
• 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month – Marianna Black Library, Bryson City*
Appointments can be scheduled in advance or taken on a walk-in basis as availability allows. Clinics will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. each day they are scheduled. Visit pisgahlegal.org/taxes or call 828.210.3404 for more information and to schedule an appointment.
*The Moss Memorial Library tax clinic will be held from 1-3 p.m. only.
*At the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City, a tax preparer will provide information and prepare taxes on an appointment only basis from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tribe swears in police chief, adds new positions
BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER
Less than three months after being named interim chief of police, Carla Neadeau has been sworn in as the first female chief of the Cherokee Indian Police Department.
“It requires strong leadership to have a department and a police force that understands their role,” Principal Chief Richard Sneed told Tribal Council following the swearing-in Thursday, Sept. 1. “They understand that it’s a huge responsibility to be in law enforcement. They have the ability to take life, to take liberty, and it requires strong leadership but it also requires evenkeeled leadership.”
Sneed said he’s been pleased with the work Neadeau has done since being named the interim police chief, thus appointing her to the permanent position. Associate Judge Barbara “Sunshine” Parker administered the oath of office at the beginning of Tribal Council’s regular meeting Sept. 1.
Neadeau was appointed to the interim role in June following the unexpected resignation of her predecessor Josh Taylor. Taylor departed June 27 after only 11 months on the job, citing the need to spend more time with his family.
Neadeau has been with the CIPD since 2009, serving as a supervisor for three years and a manager for eight years. She holds a master’s degree in business administration and is three classes away from earning her second master’s degree, this time in criminal law.
“I just want to thank everybody for giving me the chance to do this and lead our department,” she told Tribal Council. “Our department wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for our officers. I can’t take all the credit for that. I give my credit to my officers because they’ve been outstanding. Thank
you and just be patient with me because I’m still in the learning process, and I’ll tell you right now I don’t know everything, but I’m sure to go back and find out an answer for you if I don’t have it.”
Following the swearing-in, the tribe’s elected officials took the opportunity to express their faith that Neadeau would serve the office well.
“She’s done an outstanding job,” said Vice Chief Alan “B” Ensley. “Her and the former chief of police, he started us in the right direction and she’s picked up in the direction he put us on and has done an excellent job.”
“You’re a big asset to the tribe,” said Snowbird/Cherokee County Rep. Bucky Brown. “I know you have already made your mark in Snowbird. I also want to say, executive, what a good decision this was.”
Following the swearing-in, Neadeau remained in the Council chambers to present a resolution seeking 16 positions for the police and corrections departments, 10 of which will be patrol officers. The hires will allow Neadeau to add two patrol officers to each shift and better cover for officers out on sick or vacation leave, heightening law enforcement presence in the community.
Additionally, a new detective will join the tribe’s child victim unit to investigate crimes against children.
“They’re covered up and every day we’re getting more and more child cases that need to be investigated,” Neadeau said.
The new positions also include a victim advocate — a position required by a victims rights law Tribal Council passed in April — and an assistant chief of police. The tribe’s corrections program will hire a compliance officer and two maintenance technicians, allowing for 24/7 coverage of maintenance issues.
Snowbird/Cherokee Council Rep. Adam Wachacha wanted to know if the 10 new
Starting Oct. 1, tribe will prosecute non-members for sexual and child violence
BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF W RITER
Aunanimous vote from the Cherokee Tribal Council puts the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on track to start prosecuting a range of offenses by non-Indians that it had previously been powerless to punish, beginning Oct. 1.
“This proposed ordinance would allow the tribe to expand its criminal jurisdiction over crimes committed by non-Indians on tribal trust lands, and the Justice Committee has met several times to go over how to incorporate this authority that comes from the 2022 VAWA Act into our tribal law,” said EBCI Assistant Attorney General Hannah Smith. “We feel like we’ve utilized every bit of authority that law has allowed the tribe to exercise over non-Indians.”
patrol officers would be sufficient to increase coverage on the outlying townships he represents, and Neadeau was candid with her answer.
“No,” she said, adding that she’s aware those communities need more coverage and is working to gather the information needed to create a staffing plan.
“That’s one of my things on my agenda to do,” she said.
Yellowhill Rep. David Wolfe wanted to know the price tag on the new hires, citing requests from his community that, like Neadeau’s, include the total cost of execution.
Cherokee to expand prosecution authority
Starting in October, the EBCI will be able to hold perpetrators accountable for crimes involving assault of tribal justice personnel, child violence, dating violence, obstruction of justice, sexual violence, sex trafficking, stalking and violation of a protective order — in addition to domestic violence.
In March, federal lawmakers passed a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, known as VAWA, that drastically increased the tribe’s prosecutorial powers over the previous version. Those increased powers go into effect Oct. 1, and the ordinance Tribal Council adopted last week paves the way for the EBCI to start exercising its new authority as soon as the federal law takes effect.
When it comes to crimes committed by non-Indians on tribal land, tribes have been between a rock and a hard place for decades. The 1978 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Oliphant vs Suquamish Indian Tribe determined that tribes do not have the right to charge, prosecute and punish nonIndians for crimes committed on tribal land, meaning that such crimes must be charged in state or federal court.
For a variety of reasons, including communication challenges between jurisdictions, issues with victim participation and differing priorities in handling cases, that situation
“They don’t mind us spending money on these new safety positions, but they want to make sure we get a bang for our buck out of the officers that are in that position and the structure for the community’s safety,” he said.
Neadeau said she did not have that number with her but that she would contact Wolfe with the answer. The total cost of filling the positions will vary depending on the amount of experience new employees bring to the job.
Tribal Council passed the resolution unanimously, and it now awaits signature from Principal Chief Richard Sneed.
has been less than ideal for Native American tribes. Often, multiple charges can result from a single domestic violence incident, and depending on the situation and the people involved, that single incident can result in cases in three different court systems — tribal, state and federal.
The 2013 VAWA renewal legislation offered a narrow exception to the ban on tribal prosecution of non-Indians, recognizing that victims of domestic violence are often those who suffer the most when non-enrolled abusers cannot be held accountable at the tribal level. The law allowed tribes to prosecute non-Indians for domestic violence crimes, and in 2015 the EBCI began exercising that new authority.
“It’s a great thing for the tribe,” Bill Boyum, then chief justice of Tribal Court, said at the time. “It’s the first step toward full territorial jurisdiction, which every sovereign has to have to really be a government.”
Tribal leaders maintain that the domestic violence exclusion isn’t enough. Ultimately, they desire full authority to handle criminal behavior on their land, but the 2022 VAWA renewal represented a welcome expansion of the limited authority granted in 2013.
Carla Neadeau takes the oath of office to become the first female to serve as chief of the Cherokee Indian Police Department. Holly Kays photo
SMN wins prestigious honors at Press Association conference
The Smoky Mountain News won 16 advertising awards and 20 editorial awards from the N.C. Press Association in a ceremony last week, including the prestigious Public Service Award for its coverage of the flooding from Tropical Storm Fred.
The Public Service Award is given to one daily, one non-daily and one online newspaper each year. Judges had this to say about the SMN’s coverage of aftermath of the flooding:
“Impressive, extensive reporting to the community. It was breaking as it needed to be, retrospective and the paper joined the community in its recovery efforts by offering ways to help, tips on where to get help and cosponsoring a concert to aid in relief. Great job.”
for a combined story about the flooding from Fred.
The entire list of the awards won by The Smoky Mountain News staff is below:
Advertising 1ST PLACE
Community Service Signature Page
Entertainment Ad Motor Vehicle Ad
“I can’t be more proud of our staff as the community suffered through this disaster,” said Publisher Scott McLeod. “Everyone who works here played a part in the coverage and in finding ways to help those affected in whatever way we could. This flood hurt, and recovery isn’t over yet.”
2ND PLACE
Innovative Concept/Wild Card
The newspaper also placed third in General Excellence, a category that ranks papers on all aspects of news coverage, writing, design, use of photographs and design.
The awards were handed out during an in-person ceremony held in Raleigh. Categories in the NCPA contest are based on circulation, and The Smoky Mountain News is in the largest non-daily category.
The Smoky Mountain News also won the Metro Award, given to the newspaper in each category that earns the most advertising awards. The SMN sales force and its designers won seven first-places, three second-places and five third-place awards for their creativity and design.
SMN Graphic Designer Jessica Murray won 8 awards including four first-place awards, one second-place and three thirdplaces. Advertising salesperson Sophia Burleigh won two first-place awards and two second-place awards.
In the editorial division, SMN writers Holly Kays, Cory Vaillancourt, Hannah McLeod and Garrett Woodward all won awards. First-place went to Kays for Feature Reporting, to McLeod for Feature Writing, and to Vaillancourt for Religion and Faith Reporting. In addition, Kays won second and third place for investigative reporting. Woodward won for his columns and in the Feature Writing category for a piece about Santa Claus. Vaillancourt and the news staff also placed second in News Feature writing
Motor Vehicle Ad Niche Publication
3RD PLACE
Entertainment Ad
Institutional Ad
Niche Publication
Small Ad
Blue Ridge Books Use of Humor
Editorial 1ST PLACE
Beat Feature Reporting
Education Reporting
News Feature Writing Religion & Faith Reporting
2ND PLACE
Email newsletter
General News Reporting
Investigative Reporting
Lighter Columns
News Feature Writing
Serious Columns
Sports Enterprise Reporting
Sports Feature Writing
3RD PLACE
Beat Feature Reporting
Feature Writing
General News Reporting
Investigative Reporting
Profile Feature Religion & Faith Reporting
Smoky Mountain News staffers (from left) Scott McLeod, Kyle Perrotti, Cory Vaillancourt, Greg Boothroyd, Hannah McLeod, Sophia Burleigh, Jessica Murray and Holly Kays holding awards at the N.C. Press Association ceremony in Raleigh.
Enrollment falls again at WCU, but freshman class size increases
BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER
For the second year straight, enrollment is down at Western Carolina University — but an uptick in freshman class size has university officials hoping that trend will soon reverse.
Fall 2022 enrollment on “census day,” the 10th day of classes, came in 2.02% less than last year at 11,637. However, that number includes 1,913 first-time, full-time freshmen, marking a 12.46% increase over the 1,701 freshmen entering in 2021.
“We’re optimistic that we’ll be able to start rebuilding the enrollment, overall headcount over the next couple of years with continued momentum,” Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Sam Miller told the WCU Board of Trustees’ Administration, Governance and Trusteeship Committee Thursday, Sept. 1.
In May, WCU graduated its largest class in university history. The 1,968 graduates included 78 doctorates, 49 student athletes and 820 first-generation college students. While that’s a milestone to celebrate, Provost Richard Starnes told the Academic Affairs and Personnel Committee, but now much of the student body is composed of the smaller cohorts who started school during more critical points of the pandemic. The 2022 freshmen class is the largest since 2019.
Prior to the pandemic’s arrival in 2020, the freshman class size had been steadily increasing for years. This year’s class size represents a marked improvement from the 1,701 first-time, full-time freshmen starting in 2021 but is substantially smaller than the record-setting class of 2,189 that entered in 2018 or the 2,083 freshmen in the last prepandemic fall semester, 2019. This year’s
freshman class equals the 1,913 students who entered in 2016.
Of the 11,637 students enrolled, 86.6% are undergraduates and 14.4% are graduates. There are 8,235 students learning in-person on the Cullowhee campus, 646 in-person at Biltmore Park, and 2,827 enrolled in distance learning programs.
“We’ve gone back above 4,000 students living on campus, so the campus feels much more active and alive than it did the last couple of years,” said Miller.
While this year’s enrollment numbers include positive signals for the future, freshman-to-sophomore retention came at 71.3%, the lowest it’s been in more than a decade. In the last 11 years, the lowest retention rate recorded was 73.7% in 2011. Boosting reten-
Man pleads guilty in chase leading to fatal car wreck
A Jackson County man pleaded guilty Thursday in Haywood County Superior Court to killing one person and injuring two others on July 21, 2021, after he intentionally drove into oncoming traffic, District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said.
Fleeing law enforcement officers and, his lawyer said in court, while “strung out on methamphetamine” after abusing the drug for days on end, Dalton Suttles’ westbound vehicle slammed head-on into an eastbound pickup truck on U.S. 23/74.
Zenen Lopez-Guzman, 46, died in the wreck just inside Jackson County near the Haywood County line.
District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said that Suttles, 21, pleaded guilty to:
tion numbers as a result.
“One of the things that’s good about Western is even as we’ve grown, we’ve kept some of our values really strong,” Starnes said. “One of the most important is the connection between faculty members and students, but as we’ve grown, we’ve also placed greater strain on that as we have more students to keep track of.”
The new plan will use data analytics to identify students who are at high risk of dropping out and create interventions addressing those risks. These could include enhanced tutoring, identifying “deadly course combos” — such as taking chemistry, calculus and anatomy and physiology in the same semester — and engaging faculty and staff to help students at risk.
tion was a priority during the administration of former Chancellor David O. Belcher, and it climbed up to 81.4% in 2019 before the pandemic gave students new reasons to shelve their studies.
“Our freshman retention rate has suffered over the last two years due to many of the mitigation steps we implemented to address the Covid pandemic,” said Miller. “We’re expecting to have some better returns next year with freshmen retention.”
Last year, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success Jeff Lawson led an effort to develop a new plan for improving retention and persistence, Starnes told the Academic Affairs and Personnel Committee. This year WCU will implement that plan and expects to see improved reten-
• Second-degree murder.
• Flee to elude.
• Trafficking in methamphetamine from 28 grams up to 200 grams.
Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Bradley B. Letts consolidated the charge of flee to elude with the second-degree murder charge for the purposes of sentencing. He imposed a 194-month minimum prison sentence up to a 245-month maximum sentence.
At the expiration of that prison term, Suttles will serve an additional, consecutive prison sentence of 70 to 93 months for trafficking in methamphetamine.
Additionally, Judge Letts ordered Suttles to pay two fines, $1,000 for second-degree murder and $50,000 for trafficking, as well as $13,321 in restitution.
Judge Letts thanked N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Samantha Hyatt “personally for her excellent work.” Other agencies involved were Haywood County Sheriff’s Office,
This fall also saw continuation of an ongoing trend at WCU, the University of North Carolina System, and universities across the nation — a declining share of male students. This year, only 41.24% of WCU students are male, lower than the 41.96% last fall, which marked the first time the percentage fell below 42%. Until 2020, male students accounted for between 43% and 44% of the student body every year since 2011, and higher in prior years.
The 2022 student body includes a larger number of foreign students than 2021, at 297 comprising 2.55% compared to 1.73% last year. It shows slightly larger percentages of Black, Hispanic, native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and mixed-race students; and slightly smaller percentages of American Indian/Alaska Native and Asian students, though these demographic groups changed less than 1% compared to 2021. White students comprise 76.52% of the student population compared to 77.67% last year.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Waynesville Police Department.
“He didn’t just make poor decisions, he made malicious decisions,” Assistant District Attorney Jeff Jones said to Judge Letts about Suttles prior to sentencing. Jones co-prosecuted the case with Assistant District Attorney Chris Matheson.
The event started to unfold after Haywood County Detective Micah Phillips spotted Dalton Suttles, wanted on outstanding felony warrants, driving a Chevrolet Tahoe on N.C. 209. The vehicle has a fictitious plate.
Detective Phillips attempted a traffic stop on U.S 23/74. Suttles fled, driving at speeds that at times exceeded 100 miles per hour.
On the highway, Suttles drove into oncoming traffic, weaving around several cars before slamming into the pickup truck. In court and before sentencing, he apologized to the surviving victims and family members of Lopez-Guzman.
Experience on the ballot for Swain Commission chairman
BY KYLE P ERROTTI N EWS E DITOR
The issues facing Swain County are similar to those in other Western North Carolina communities — an affordable housing shortage, a boom in short term rentals, a laundry list of large projects that need to be tackled — but its geography, demographics and economic makeup differ from many of its neighbors, given its relatively sparse population and the amount of federal land within its borders.
That’s why Swain County Commission chair candidates Ben Bushyhead, a Democratic incumbent, and Kevin Seagle, a Republican who currently holds another commission seat, feel their experience will be necessary to steer the ship of county government for the next four years.
KEVIN SEAGLE
Seagle owns a company through which he acts as a consultant on construction projects throughout the region.
Prior to taking a seat on the commission and moving into consulting, he worked for Swain County’s building inspections department. He said it was that role that gave him a chance to hear residents’ questions, comments and concerns.
“I felt like I needed to have a voice based on that,” he said.
Seagle said the biggest issue facing the
county is the lack of affordable housing. While he said Swain’s “housing board” has given some good feedback to consider, he acknowledged there’s still a lot of work to be done.
“That problem is nationwide,” he said. “We’ve started gearing toward a solution, and we need to continue so we can get it nailed down.”
Seagle also mentioned constructing a new youth center and improving the senior center as other top priorities.
While it may have been easier for Seagle to run as an incumbent for the seat he currently holds, especially since he has to vacate it to run for chair, he said that after some prayer, he felt called to run.
“I feel that being chairman of the board,
I’d have a bit more input,” he said. “I think I’ve got a pretty good chance, but it’s all according to who turns out and how people vote.”
Seagle wanted folks in Swain to know that he doesn’t consider himself a politician.
“I just want the voters to know I’m relational and not political,” he said. “I really feel that county board and even school board should never be political. You should figure out what people need and address those things.”
While Seagle believes he’s the best person to hold that office, he admitted that he harbors no ill will toward his opponent and believes the board he’s served on for the last four years — which includes a balance of Democrats and Republicans — has compromised to do some good.
“We work together well,” he said. “And I hope we can continue to do so.”
BEN BUSHYHEAD
Bushyhead served one term on the commission before being elected to the chair in 2018. He said his reason for initially running for office was simple.
“I just decided that one cannot complain if they’re not willing to put themselves on the line and run for office and be subject to the scrutiny of the community,” he said.
Prior to that, Bushyhead worked as a counsellor for those attempting to work their way through drug or alcohol abuse issues before becoming a pastor within the United Methodist Church, a position he ultimately retired from.
“When you have to teach people how to take care of themselves and take responsibility for themselves, it’s a whole different arena,” he said. “I felt those skills would help the county.”
Bushyhead said that during his tenure, he was proud of the way the board came up with an animal control ordinance that everyone agreed on — one that was seriously
needed amid a rising population of stray cats and dogs and took a good degree of compromise and community input.
“People would load up these animals an bring them to the backroads of Swain County and dump them,” he said. “We have a lot of feral animals.”
Bushyhead said the largest issue facing the county is affordable housing. He specifically mentioned investors buying up homes to use as short-term rentals and how that has fueled the crisis.
“We have a housing shortage for persons we want to hire to come in and work,” he said. “We are dependent on tourism, so we need some housing for those workers and our citizens.”
Like Seagle,
Bushyhead had praise for the way the current board has been able to work together.
“I have been fortunate that the board of commissioners has learned and worked together,” he said. “Do we have disagreements? The answer is yes, but as a unit, we come together and try to solve the problems we have faced. And I will say nothing negative about my opponent because if he were to win, then he has to come in and take the reins, and he doesn’t need that negativity.”
Kevin Seagle
Ben Bushyhead
WNC schools still recovering from Covid-era learning
HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER
New state testing results reveal that schools in Western North Carolina are in the process of a mixed recovery from COVID-era learning disruptions, something state officials say may take years.
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction released data last week that shows test results, accountability and growth for all public schools in the state during the 2021-22 school year, the third year affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Students and the education community continued to be affected by COVID, particularly when COVID exposures required students to be absent from school or revert to remote learning,” said Tammy Howard, DPI’s senior director for the office of accountability and testing. “These reports must be reviewed within that context, meaning, though instructional delivery was not as varied as in the 2020-21 school year, it continued to be an anomaly in comparison to the 2018-19 school year, which was prior to the onset of the pandemic.”
Even though testing and accountability data has been released every year since the late 1990s, testing data was not released for the 2019-20 or 2020-21 school years due to abnormalities in test administration and other data markers caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The data shows that as of the 2021-22 school year, the percent of participation targets met did not recover to pre-pandemic rates.
The data gives every individual school a letter grade, A through F, based on each school’s achievement score from assessments such as end-of-grade and end-of-course tests, English language assessments, ACT scores, four-year graduation rates and students’ academic growth. The assessments account for 80% of the letter grade and growth accounts for 20%.
One third of all schools in North Carolina were designated as low-performing schools, receiving a grade of D or F.
“While these results are sobering, they are not unexpected,” said Michael Maher, deputy Superintendent, division of standards, accountability and research at the NCDPI.
In The Smoky Mountain News’ coverage area, 10 out of 35 schools were designated as low-performing.
Academic growth, also determined for individual schools, is a measure of how far students progress academically during the school year. Each school with at least 30 students able to be included in the growth calculation is determined to have met growth standards, exceeded them, or not met them.
The data shows that 51.2% of students were proficient on state exams during the 2021-22 school year, compared with 45.4% during the 2020-21 school year, and 58.8% during the 2018-19 school year, the last school year prior to the pandemic.
Mountain High School received a B; Blue Ridge Early College and Fairview School received C’s; Blue Ridge School, Cullowhee Valley, Scotts Creek and Smoky Mountain Elementary received D’s.
Students arrive at Smokey Mountain Elementary for the first day of the 2022-23 school year. David Proffitt photo
The four-year high school graduation rate of students in North Carolina dropped to 86.2%, down from 86.9% in the 2020-21 school year and 87.6% in the 2019-20 school year. Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties maintained a graduation rate above the state average.
“We know that test scores alone are not sufficient to measure the performance of our students,” said State Board of Education member Jill Camnitz. “However, we also know that those test scores are important information for our students, parents, teachers, schools and districts. They reflect the tremendous efforts of our teachers to accelerate learning after covid. They provide our teachers with usable data this year so they can individualize their teaching to meet student needs and they also provide us with more information about the impact of covid on student learning across the state.”
HAYWOOD
Haywood County Schools performed quite well relative to other systems in the state, rising to number seven of 115 school districts in academic performance, the highest in its history. During the 2020-21 school year, the system was ranked 10th.
“The recently released performance data represents our sense of urgency and our high expectations,” said Dr. Bill Nolte, Superintendent. “We tried to make every minute count. We are back within a composite point of our pre-COVID-19 performance. We will provide additional performance highlights at the September Board of Education meeting.”
Haywood County Schools was among only 10 school systems in the state that did not have a D or F school for the 2021-22 school year.
Jackson County Early College, Scotts Creek and Smoky Mountain High School exceeded expected overall academic growth; Blue Ridge School, Blue Ridge Early College, Cullowhee Valley School, Fairview School and Smoky Mountain Elementary met expected overall academic growth.
High points for Jackson County public schools include Scotts Creek Elementary, which ranked fifth out of 191 schools in the western region for overall school growth, and the county’s high schools which achieved a graduation rate of 90.2%, ranking 21st out of North Carolina’s 115 schools systems and first among The Smoky Mountains News’ four county coverage area. Haywood and Macon schools followed close behind with rates of 89.1% and 89.4%, respectively; Swain County schools had a rate of 86.5%.
“This speaks volumes about the commitment of our teachers and staff,” Ayers said. “It’s inspiring to see how much they really do care about instructing and growing their students.”
In Jackson County Schools, 48% of students passed state exams, ranking the district 65th among the state’s 115.
Riverbend Elementary and Haywood Early College received an A; Pisgah High, Tuscola High, Bethel Middle and Bethel Elementary received a B; Clyde, Hazelwood, Jonathan Valley, Junaluska, Meadowbrook and North Canton elementaries, Canton Middle, Waynesville Middle and Central Haywood High all received a C.
Eleven schools within the HCS system met growth standards; Waynesville Middle, Bethel Middle and Hazelwood Elementary did not.
Haywood County Schools’ composite performance shows 63.4% of its students were proficient on state exams during the 2021-22 school year, well above the state average of 51.2%.
“I am so proud of our school system,” said Jill Barker, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. “The data represents the perseverance, strength and heart of our entire school community. COVID-19 did not stop us from the important work of educating our students. Our system has remained intently focused on providing a strong education despite many obstacles. All of our stakeholders are to be commended.”
JACKSON
In Jackson County, eight out of nine schools met or exceeded expected academic growth during the 2021-22 school year for the first time since 2013.
“This is the first time since 2013 that eight of our schools either met or exceeded expected overall academic growth,” Superintendent Dr. Dana Ayers said. “I am incredibly proud of our teachers and staff who stayed focused on their students during two of the most challenging years in recent memory.”
Jackson County Early College received a school performance grade A; Smoky
MACON
In Macon County, seven out of 12 schools met the academic growth standards for the 2021-22 school year. Mountain View Intermediate, South Macon Elementary and Macon Virtual Academy did not meet growth standards.
The district ranked 44th out of 115 school districts with 52.5% of students passing state exams in their grade level, keeping Macon County Schools above the state average.
Macon County Early College received a school performance grade A; Franklin High School received a B; Cartoogechaye Elementary, East Franklin Elementary, Highlands School, Macon Middle and South Macon Elementary all received C’s; Iotla Valley Elementary, Mountain View Intermediate and Nantahala Schools all received a D; Macon Virtual Academy received an F. Over 10% of schools in the state received an F grade last school year, up from 3.6% during the 2018-19 school year.
SWAIN
In Swain County, 48.2% of students achieved grade level proficiency, ranking it 64th in North Carolina.
Swain County High School and Swain County East Elementary met growth standards, while Swain County Middle School and Swain County West Elementary did not. The high school and West Elementary received C grades, the middle school and East Elementary received D’s.
“While we take full responsibility for what we’re doing, I need to say that our staff and our students are almost being underappreciated with this system,” said Superintendent Dr. Mark Sale in a F
Take part in the 15th annual Power of Pink 5k
The Power of Pink 5k Run/Walk/Dog Walk will celebrate its 15th Anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Proceeds from this event will once again go to support prevention and early detection of breast cancer. Since 2007, The Power of Pink has funded 1,868 mammograms and follow-up procedures for 983 women and men in Haywood County.
Registration for the even will take place near the starting line in the Frog Level area of Waynesville. The race will begin at 9 a.m. Parking will be available in the garage on Branner Avenue or at Haywood Builders Supply on Charles Street.
Sponsors are encouraged to support this wonderful event. Frog Level Brewing will donate $1 to Haywood Healthcare Foundation for each beer sold the weekend of September 24th. Call Haywood Healthcare Foundation for more information at 828.452.8343. Register online at www.gloryhoundevents.com/event/power-of-pink.
The Fee to register is $35. The registration fee for dogs is $10. A group of five or more from a single organization can register for $25.00 each.
video message to the Swain County Schools community on Aug. 25. “The COVID effect was very real in the schools last year and we shouldn’t compare last year’s scores to scores from 2017 and 2018. We haven’t fully recovered yet.”
Sale noted that East Elementary, one of the schools designated low-performing, did meet growth standards for the year.
CHARTER SCHOOLS
Shining Rock Classical Academy in Haywood County did not meet growth standards for the 2021-22 school year. It received a C grade and 54.9% of students passed state exams.
Summit Charter School in Jackson County did not meet growth standards for the 2021-22 school year. It received a C grade and 54% of students achieved grade level proficiency.
Mountain Discovery in Swain County did meet growth standards for the 2021-22 school year. It received a C grade and 55.8% of students passed state exams.
“Last year’s accountability results are really a testament to the resilience, dedication and commitment of thousands of educators across the state,” Truitt said. “They know as I do that we still have a steep hill to climb and that every step matters.”
September is National Preparedness Month
There’s no such thing as a calm season when it comes to natural disasters.
Late summer and fall are peak hurricane seasons in North Carolina, while tornadoes often strike in spring and late fall. Snow and ice storms can wreak havoc from December through March, especially at higher elevations. Severe thunderstorms and floods can – and have – occurred year-round.
Unfortunately, it’s not just severe weather that can cause problems. A public disturbance, chemical spill or explosion could happen at any time, causing an emergency in Haywood County.
Do you know what to do? Do you have a plan in place? Do you know who to call or where to go?
Haywood County Health and Human Services (HHSA) and Haywood County Emergency Services want residents to know that the best way to protect your family is to be aware and prepared. Together, let’s observe September as National Preparedness Month and become better prepared for any type of emergency. Taking four easy steps can help protect your family when an emergency strikes: 1) make a plan, 2) discuss and practice your plan with your family, 3) build an emergency supplies kit, and 4) stay informed.
Find more information on emergency preparedness at https://www.haywoodcountync.gov/791/Preparedness or www.Rea dyHaywood.com.
Haywood County emergency officials urge residents to visit the ReadyHaywood website. The NC Public Health Preparedness and Response Branch also has resources and information that North Carolinians can use to prepare for an emergency, and can be found at http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/phpr/individuals.html.
More money for affordable housing flows into the region
BY C ORY VAILLANCOURT P OLITICS E DITOR
A$542,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, matched by more than $200,000 from the Dogwood Health Trust, will help fund six regional projects intended to alleviate some of the pressure in the affordable housing market.
“We’re not solving it overnight, and this is not the biggest pot of money on the planet,” said Russ Harris, executive director of the Southwestern Commission, Western North Carolina’s council of governments. “But it is something to move the ball forward.”
Together, the funds total $750,000, 10% of which will be used for project administration, leaving $675,000 for program costs.
On Aug. 19, the Southwestern NC HOME Consortium reviewed 10 applications for the funds, approving six.
Haywood County is the lead agency for the consortium, by agreement of other local governments. In that role, Haywood manages the funds and entertains recommendations from the consortium. No Haywood County money is involved in any of the projects.
On Sept. 6, commissioners approved the consortium’s recommendations.
Mountain Housing Opportunities will a develop a project called Balsam Edge, which will consist of 84 new rental housing units in Waynesville — if MHO is awarded low-income housing tax credits to supplement
the $300,000 from NC HOME.
With $110,000 in funding, Mountain Projects will continue work at its Bethel Village site, adding 10 homes.
In Graham County, the Rural Development Authority will partner with Robbinsville High School’s construction class to build an affordable home every two years. The $125,000 in funding will be returned to the RDA after the home sells.
Four Square Community Action Agency will use $45,000 to partner with Swain, Clay and Graham County landlords to rehab existing rentals so that they become eligible for Section 8 vouchers.
Macon Program for Progress was granted $43,000 to help Macon County residents retain or obtain housing. Haywood Pathways Center will receive $52,000 for operating costs.
HUD home funds don’t often filter down to rural areas, Harris explained, unless several different jurisdictions join together in a consortium. In 2020, local governments in six Western North Carolina counties — Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain — counties signed on to the plan. Cherokee County did not.
The consortium now qualifies for a $542,000 allocation each year; however, Cherokee County will join the consortium next year, which will likely drive up that allocation slightly.
“Well, you eat an elephant one bite at a time,” said Chairman Kevin Ensley.
Commissioners may seek to regulate syringe service programs in Haywood
BY C ORY VAILLANCOURT
P OLITICS E DITOR
Two weeks after rejecting misinformation from the public about Haywood County’s non-existent syringe exchange services, commissioners began their Sept. 6 meeting with an informal conversation that suggests they’ll begin to scrutinize syringe service programs provided within the county by third-party nonprofits.
“I met with some folks last week, and then also we’ve had the comments from the previous meeting regarding needles, and obviously we cleared up the fact that the county does not provide needles to anyone,” said
Commissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick, who was first to speak on the issue. “I’ve looked at some of the other places that provided completely free needles without any kind of structure to that, and it is a little bit concerning for me.”
Kirkpatrick said he’d like the county to look at requiring stricter one-for-one provisions for needle exchanges or that the county prohibit the practice altogether by ordinance.
“I understand the health concerns that people have by providing free needles so that some folks don’t get HIV and don’t get hepatitis, and I weighed that against the county as a whole and the citizens as a whole and what their concerns are,” he said. “I can’t balance it out in favor of providing free needles just to have some people who continue to use.”
In the past, citizens have complained about finding discarded syringes across the county. Some used syringes can contain drug
Recovery court coming to Haywood County
BY C ORY VAILLANCOURT
P OLITICS E DITOR
Haywood County will administer state funds to establish an Adult Accountability and Recovery Court meant to help people experiencing substance use disorder get on the right track — and stay there.
“I did a little bit of research on this just to educate myself about recovery courts just in general. I think anything we do is a step in the right direction,” said Commissioner Jennifer Best. “National figures show that recovery court graduates remain arrest-free in 75% of the cases, so it really ideally will reduce the number of people that are repeat offenders, and that again is a step in the right direction. I’m encouraged. At least it’s something.”
No county funds will be expended on the project, which will end up being managed by the 30th Judicial District.
“The state General Assembly put $230,000 a year in place for two years,” said County Manager Bryant Morehead. “After two years, the funding goes away but the judge is building the program to collect a lot of data so hopefully we can demonstrate to grantors or the state that continuing the program will be in everybody’s best interest.”
Morehead said that Judge Roy
residue or transmissible diseases, and pose a considerable health risk for people who may unknowingly encounter them.
Commissioner Brandon Rogers said he would support such an ordinance, despite the difficulties in enforcing it. He was joined by Commissioner Jennifer Best, who said she was 100% in agreement.
“We are the voice of the people, and the people are concerned,” Best said. “I think when our residents are concerned and the people that live here and pay taxes are concerned, we need to pay attention to that.”
Chairman Kevin Ensley, however, spoke up in defense of the programs, something he said he was dead set against until he did some research.
“If you do your research, and it’s not hard to do, you can Google it, the syringe exchange program does cut down on needle litter,” Ensley said. “It’s pretty much a proven fact.”
Ensley cited a study of San Francisco, which had a needle exchange program, and Miami, which did not. Ensley said Miami had eight times the amount of needle litter than San Francisco.
“While they may be controversial, they don’t contribute to needle litter, based on studies that have been done,” he said, also noting wide availability of needles available cheaply on the internet.
Commissioners took no action after the discussion, which wasn’t listed on the agenda and appeared to arise organically before the business portion of the meeting began.
Wijewickrama created a work group of other judges, the district attorney, law enforcement, county staff, community members and clinicians to monitor the program.
“All the logistics, behind the scenes everything is operated by the chief district court judge,” Morehead said. “We’re calling it recovery court because it’s not just a drug court. Alcohol is a huge issue in the county so recovery court will also focus on alcohol.”
While there aren’t a lot of details about the program at this point, it involves defendants pleading guilty and then appearing before one of two judges every two weeks to report progress on their recovery — the “accountability” portion of the program. If defendants complete the program, their convictions could be dismissed.
“You come in, you plead guilty, it’s some type of deferred prosecution or they defer the actual judgement being entered against you as long as you complete this recovery court,” said Commissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick. “The recovery court is monitored much more closely than it would be if someone’s just placed on probation.”
Those who don’t comply with the terms of the recovery court would find themselves treated in accordance with their guilty plea.
Commissioner Brandon Rogers said he thinks it’s a good move and asked for regular reports on the program so that the county can build a case for more funding in the future if the program is successful.
Get details on any property in the MLS. Go to beverly-hanks.com and enter the MLS# into the quick search.
Over the next month, the Town of Sylva will be constructing a temporary skatepark in the lot behind Motion Makers, the result of work by both the town and a grassroots group of Jackson residents.
“I think [a temporary ramp] is a good idea since we don’t know how long it’s going to take for [a permanent park] to get finalized,” said Mayor Linda Sossamon at a town board meeting this May.
A grassroots organization of Jackson County residents, the “Sylva Skatepark Project” has been advocating for the construction of a skatepark in the county for almost a year now. Both the town of Sylva and the county commission have been receptive to the group’s endeavors. The county will likely be the entity that pays for an eventual skatepark, and while site exploration has begun, the project was not included in the 2022-23 fiscal year budget.
While skaters in Jackson eagerly await the construction of a more permanent park, Commissioners Greg McPherson and Mary Gelbaugh have been at the forefront of an effort to provide a temporary solution in the interim.
“I believe Sylva needs more amenities, more things for people to do when they come downtown, that being kids, teens or adults,” said McPherson. “This is an opportunity to provide a quick remedy for teens to hang out and have something fun and constructive to do.”
Late last month, the town finalized a lease agreement with Kent Cranford, previ-
ous owner of Motion Makers, and current owner of the building that houses the business on Allen Street in Sylva. The lot behind
Skaters raised money for the Jackson County Skatepark at the Sylva Skate Jam Saturday, Sept. 3.
years ago, I’ve always wanted to do something in the back that would be recreationalminded,” said Cranford. “When the town
the business has been vacant for a while now, other than playing host to a derelict sailboat. The town was able to get rid of the sailboat and do some grading on the site to prepare it for the skate equipment. It will not be required to pay money in order to use the lot for the temporary skatepark.
“Since we moved into that building eight
leaders inquired about temporarily locating the skate ramp, it seemed like a good test for that space along with solving a problem for the town and the skateboarders. As long as the property is treated respectfully, this short-term solution should work out for everyone till the town can find a permanent location within their park facilities.”
Council overrides golf course project veto
BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER
A$39 million hotel project at the Sequoyah National Golf Course in Cherokee will move forward after Tribal Council overrode a veto from Principal Chief Richard Sneed Thursday, Sept. 1 — by the narrowest of margins.
During its Aug. 4 meeting, Council voted 9-3 to increase the project’s $23.5 million budget to $39 million. The project’s original developer severely underbudgeted, Golf Board President Curtis Wildcatt told Council, so right-sizing the budget while accounting for inflation required a significant increase in funding.
However, Secretary of Treasury Cory Blankenship asked Council to table the vote for a month to allow time to better plan how to fund it. Council passed the resolution anyway, and Sneed issued a veto.
In his veto letter, read during Council’s Sept. 1 meeting, Sneed said that he supports the project but issued the veto “for reasons of fiscal accountability and process.”
Over the last two years, he wrote, Tribal Council has authorized more than $600 million in funding commitments for revenue generating, economic development and community service infrastructure projects. Revenue generating projects must meet a high bar to receive funding, and the golf course hotel project does not currently meet that bar. The project pro forma “has an overreliance” on the tribe’s casino gaming enterprise for customer flow, Sneed wrote, given that there is currently no formal agreement in
place between the two entities concerning rates and customer commitments.
“Without a formal agreement, the pro forma agreement is overstated and the risk of not meeting stated performance indicators is high,” Sneed wrote. “This should be of
significant concern to tribal leadership. As 100% owners of the property, the tribal government would necessarily be forced to subsidize any underperformance.”
Moreover, Sneed argued in his veto letter, the project was “effectively stopped” in September 2021 when Tribal Council declined to approve additional funding for site work on the property.
The town has purchased a half-pipe with a five-foot extension, quarter-pipe, two rail slides and a box from OC Ramps, a California-based company selling ramp kits that users can assemble with basic hand tools. Town employees will be responsible for putting the equipment together, which cost the town $9,700, including weatherizing equipment and paint.
“I want to thank Jake, Paige and all staff for ordering the skate equipment; it looks like we came in just under budget, and that should last for quite a while,” McPherson said at the Aug. 25 town meeting. “I want to thank you for all your hard work on that, it looks like we will be skating in October. I am very pleased.”
The town estimates that everything could be put together and ready to go in October. In the meantime, efforts to get a permanent skatepark in the county aren’t slowing down. The Sylva Art + Design Committee plans to do a call for artists and host a fundraiser for other equipment, or for the eventual, permanent county park Friday, Sept. 30. Last weekend at the 4M Mountain Makers Mushrooms and Music Festival in Sylva, organizers held a skatepark fundraiser in the form of a Skate JAM competition.
“Because of the significant changes in scope and cost as presented recently for this project, this project should be treated as a new project and directed through the project work group as approved by Tribal Council,” Sneed wrote. “Further, this project should be considered in coordination with the current comprehensive economic dev strategy process that is in its final stages.”
Additionally, Sneed said the tribe should consider approaches other than sole ownership of the hotel.
“We should explore all available options for the development of this project that includes outside investment and options where the EBCI does not assume all risk,” he wrote.
Tribal Council did not discuss the points raised in the veto letter prior to holding the vote, with Vice Chairman Albert Rose immediately moving to override the veto. Big Cove Rep. Teresa McCoy, Snowbird/Cherokee County Rep. Bucky Brown, Yellowhill Rep. T.W. Saunooke, Wolfetown Rep. Bo Crowe and Chairman Richard French supported that move. Voting against the override were Yellowhill Rep. David Wolfe, Birdtown Rep. Boyd Owle and Snowbird/Cherokee County Rep. Adam Wachacha.
Overriding a veto requires a two-thirds majority in the weighted vote system Tribal Council uses to calculate vote outcomes. Wolfetown Rep. Bill Taylor and Painttown Reps. Tommye Saunooke and Dike Sneed were absent, meaning that 24 of the 100 weighted votes were not present. A twothirds majority of the remaining 76 votes thus required at least 50.7 weighted votes. The votes to override totaled 51.
Jared Lee photo
Reporting just the facts is getting harder
“Alternative facts” was a phrase used by U.S. Counselor to the President, Kellyanne Conway, during a “Meet the Press” interview on January 22, 2017, in which she defended White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s false statement about the attendance numbers of Donald Trump’s inauguration as President of the United States. When pressed during the interview with Chuck Todd to explain why Spicer would “utter a provable falsehood,” Conway stated that Spicer was giving “alternative facts.” Todd responded, “Look, alternative facts are not facts. They’re falsehoods.”
Wikipedia
Should be easy, but it really isn’t: figuring out how to report on misinformation and outright falsehoods.
Over the last few years it’s become increasingly common at local public meetings of elected bodies for citizens to sign up to make public comments and then, once their turn comes, what comes out of their mouths are more opinion than fact. Sometimes the statements are downright ludicrous. Perhaps occurrences of this have been exacerbated by the lockdowns and closings and mandates associated with Covid, which made many very angry and became very politicized. There’s little elected officials and government employees can do when a citizen takes his or her turn at the lectern except listen, especially when the elected body did not come prepared to discuss the specifics of the particular issue the speaker has raised. Debating without the factual information at
No semi-fascist here
To the Editor:
I am not a semi-fascist. A ‘deplorable’, maybe. I am not a MAGA terrorist. Since Joe and Hillary have nothing positive to proclaim, they resort to name calling and other divisive tactics. Gas is higher, groceries are higher, the border is in crisis, drug deaths are higher, crime rate is higher and Biden has no plans to get things back under control.
I want to get candidates elected who support MAGA policies so that we can “Make America Great Again!”
Ted Carr Bethel
Does the GOP support Fascism?
To the Editor:
With the mewling and whining by Trumpian Republicans at having been accurately branded fascists by the president and other historically informed individuals, those Republicans need somehow to counter the walking like a duck, looking like a duck and quacking evidentiary conclusion. In a paper published in 2003, Dr. Lawrence Britt, having analyzed the fascist regimes of Hitler, Mussolini, Franco, Suharto and Pinochet, identified 14 characteristics of Fascism, 12 of which apply to the current crop of Trumpian Republicans.
Britt found the following policies embraced cultural affects common indicators of Fascism: powerful and continuing national-
hand can quickly descend to just plain hotheaded mudslinging, which is sometimes what it seems some of these speakers want.
So how are reporters writing about these meetings supposed to cover situations such as this? Simply regurgitate misinformation, even if the statements are easily dismissed with even a cursory bit of reporting and fact finding?
It is a strange era in which we live, isn’t it? Facts often seem tailored to one’s ideology rather than to what the actual data shows. Disinformation and misinformation often repeated — as in millions of times on the internet — become a mantra many have a hard time not believing.
I’m of the opinion that a small media source like ours should act as the public square, a place where all views are welcome, all debates civil and all participants treated with respect no matter their opinion. But we also don’t want to spread misinformation. Someone gets up at a public meeting and makes a false statement — often hurled at elected officials like an accusation — about crime or COVID or the 2020 election, I think the media has an obligation in most instances to state the facts.
LETTERS
ism; disdain for the recognition of human rights; identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause; supremacy of the military; rampant sexism; controlled mass media; obsession with national security; the intertwinement of religion and government; the protection of corporate power; the suppression of labor power; disdain for intellectuals and the arts; obsession with crime and punishment; rampant cronyism and corruption; fraudulent elections.
The Conservative Political Action Committee’s anointment of Victor Orban to keynote their annual convention pretty well puts an end to any further need to examine the appropriateness of the branding. Democracy or Fascism: the new and real American choice.
Frank Peterson Whittier
Feeling a lot like ‘Animal Farm’
To the Editor:
This election, remember our personal liberties and freedom to voice sentiments without fear. The risk to our liberties come from extreme right groups identifying as Christian Nationals. The positions of the Christian Nationalist Alliance include:
1. Jesus Christ is the Son of God and savior of man.
R. What about Noah, Mohammed, Abraham and Billy Graham?
Our reporter Cory Vaillancourt had this happen at a reason Haywood County Board of Commissioners meeting. Cory fact-checked several statements made by speakers at the meeting, and many of them did not hold up. And so we reported that in the story.
All of us who follow small-town politics have witnessed the fairly rapid rise of this phenomenon. Speakers are bringing views on national topics or their own interpretation of local events to our local governments and making statements they claim as fact. This rise of “alternative facts” leaves media organizations large and small in a quandary. I don’t want to be in the business of telling a neighbor or a friend that what they just said at a public meeting has no basis in reality. On the other hand, we’d be negligent in our mission to accurately report the news if we didn’t fact check the sources we quote. We could ignore those who make false claims, but then we aren’t reporting factually on the tenor and tone of that particular governmental meeting.
Look, there have always been those who want to contribute to the public debate on issues important to them. It just seems like lately there are a lot more of those folks showing up and making statements on the record. More power to them, as an engaged citizenry is a good thing. So, we’ll continue to do our best to fact check and report the news as straightup as we are able.
(Scott McLeod can be reached at
info@smokymountainnews.com)
2. All life, from conception until death, is sacred and the right to life is paramount.
R. How odd, you are denying our right to life by providing rapid-fire weapons to young men who murder school children and worshipers.
3. These United States of America were founded by Christian men upon Christian tenets. Freedom of religion is not an excuse to divorce the American culture from its origins. We will defend our rights as Christians in all aspects of American life.
R. Not true, the people writing the consti-
tution were influenced by Deism. Keep your religion out of our bedrooms, bathrooms, doctors’ offices and schools.
4. Marriage is an institution sanctioned by God between one man and one woman.
R. I couldn’t find this in the Bible. Is someone rewriting the Good Book?
5 There are two genders and all attempts to claim otherwise are an attempt to further pervert the glory of the creation.
R. You are interfering in our family lives, forcing your values on us and denying liberties. What about #6 below?
Editor Scott McLeod
6. The family is the cornerstone of western civilization and should be protected from government intrusion and manipulation.
R. You encourage government control of family liberties to have abortions, contraception and family planning.
7. Every American has the right to practical self-defense and the right to bear arms is as important as any of our other liberties.
R. OK, but the right to slaughter school children and worshipers? See #2.
8. Capitalism is the best system for social development and Christian charity the world has ever known. It must be preserved and promoted as the solution to the social and economic problems caused by Communism.
R. Multinational companies have a spotty track record of taking money from the government, pay no taxes and have no record of helping charities.
9. Strong borders are a necessity for a safe and prosperous society.
R. Damn right. But building a wall across the West Coast, Southern border, East Coast and Canada will break the budget. Aren’t we short on labor right now?
10. Islam is a heretical perversion of the Judeo-Christian doctrine and must be recognized and treated as a threat to America and Western Civilization as a whole.
R. I checked out the six principles of Islam. They don’t sound threatening to me. I find threatening far right groups. It is my prayer that we learn from George Orwell’s book “Animal Farm” and reject the extremism of groups like the Taliban and Christian
Nationalists. Let’s reverse trends toward a dictatorship run by a pig named Napoleon.
Ron Robinson Sylva
Should Jackson have sheriff’s debate?
To the Editor:
With the current Jackson County sheriff not running for re-election, we will have a new sheriff to lead our county law enforcement. The sheriff and his officers have a big responsibility in keeping our families safe. Due to the increased crime across the nation, our community is not immune to crime and especially illegal drugs. With fentanyl overdoses the leading cause of deaths in those 18-49 years old, our community needs to know the sheriff’s plan to reduce and prevent drug trafficking and rising crime rates in Jackson County. How are the sheriff’s candidates planning on stopping drug dealers who are targeting our children, brothers, sisters, and friends for fast money without regard to the lives they destroy every day?
Both sheriff candidates’ campaign materials are very general in regard to their plans. Our community needs more details to ensure we have confidence in who is elected our next sheriff. Please encourage having a sheriff’s debate between Doug Farmer and Rick Buchanan!
Keith Blaine Jackson County
1239 BEAVERDAM ROAD • CANTON
BECAUSE OF YOU I’M SEEING OPEN DOORS
Chicago indie-soul act rolls into Sylva
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD
ARTS & E NTERTAINMENT E DITOR
Sliding into a booth at The One Stop, a storied basement music venue in the heart of downtown Asheville, lead singer Brett O’Connor readies himself to soon take the cavernous stage, standing before a microphone in front of a sea of anonymous faces — all eager to see just what he and his band, Sneezy, have to offer.
It’s just about 700 miles from the ensemble’s native Libertyville, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago. Now 32 years old, O’Connor got bit by the music bug in first grade alongside his best friend and classmate, multi-instrumentalist Jack Holland, who was up onstage doing final equipment checks in preparation for the Asheville gig.
Back then, the duo put together a rag tag unit (known as The Hound Dogs) to play the elementary school talent show. It was a roughn-tumble initial outing, truth be told, but something deep and genuine emerged within the young boys — they were hooked, the creative spark of performance now lit for eternity.
By high school, Sneezy came to fruition, this wild-n-out band at the crossroads of pop, soul and rock. O’Connor and Holland soon recruited other neighborhood chums and high school cronies, everyone coming together as they were each learning the ropes of musicianship and collaboration along the way.
Now, this many years and miles later, Sneezy is bubbling out of Chicago and the greater Midwest as one of the most promising live acts in the current music scene and festival circuit — a stage presence of sheer energy, undying passion and pure, artistic beauty.
Smoky Mountain News: I’ve interviewed hundreds of bands over the years. And yet, I really can’t think of a situation where the group started in elementary school.
Brett O’Connor: [Laughs]. I don’t know, man. We started this band when we were six years old. We’ve always had fun. It was just our thing that we liked to do, and all of our friends loved to come to our shows.
We started as The Hound Dogs, then switched the name to Sneezy around sopho-
Want to go?
Presented by Adamas Entertainment, the inaugural “Endless Summer Slam” music festival will be held from 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Nantahala Brewing Outpost in downtown Sylva.
Taking the stage will be Sneezy (rock/soul), J.J. Hipps & The Hideaway (blues/rock) and Shane Meade & The Sound (rock/indie). Doors open at 4 p.m.
Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. For tickets, search “Endless Summer Slam” at eventbrite.com.
828.641.9797 or adamasentertainment.com.
more year [of high school]. My initials are “BOC” and there was this one random kid at school that would yell out “BOC” in the hallway every time he saw me. So, one time, I sneezed when he did it and he goes, “BO-Sneezy.”
We were kids and everyone kept calling me
“BO-Sneezy.” Jack and I were jamming one day and just decided then and there to name the band Sneezy.
SMN: You have a very unique voice. Where did you learn to sing?
BOC: Just from singing in front of people since I was little kid. I think it’s just more about putting yourself out there. I have a different philosophy on what a good voice is. Because everyone can sing. I’m sure if I asked you to hold a pitch right now, you could do it.
I’m very curious in how other people perceive what a good voice is, compared to what a bad voice is or not a good voice. And I think it’s just like the ability to be present and communicate with people through music, emotionally. I was never able to read music, but I’ve always been able to communicate what I’m feeling through the music I’m creating and performing.
SMN: Your music is all over the map. There’s a lot going on in there.
BOC: So, Jack, for example, he’s the music history guy. He loves The Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers and southern rock. And Austin Lutter, our lead guitarist, is a metal head, where his favorite genre is death metal. And the other guys in the band, they like funk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, hip-hop, James Brown and stuff like that. All of these musical influences are what makes our sound — everything feeds everything.
SMN: Being a touring band is tough. How do you overcome all of the obstacles of the music industry, especially in a modern world with a lot of white noise?
BOC: We’ve been making waves everywhere we’ve gone — the people in the room, the appreciation for the moment that we’re able to share with an audience. In the music industry, you’ve got to know the people, and we’ve yet to meet the right people to help break us into the industry, to get us in front of an audience. And that’s what we’re looking for — people who can actually get us in front of those larger audiences in those bigger touring markets. We just want to spread good vibes and make a positive impact.
[Since the pandemic and the shutdown in 2020], what we want to do with our music has been cemented. We have to do this now. During that down time, we needed to be there for each other, and we all were. We were brothers before, but we’re inseparable now.
This band has always been about getting our friends together and having a good night. And, as long as we can make enough and can continue to do that? Well, that’s what we’re going to do.
A popular Chicago-based ensemble, Sneezy, will bring its unique style of pop, soul and rock music to Nantahala Brewing in Sylva on Sept. 17.
This must be the place
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD
The alarm on the smart phone shook me out of some foggy, odd dream. Par for the course, in terms of the subconscious realm. Lots on the mind lately, whether near or far from my inner thoughts and emotions. Turn off the alarm and emerge from one’s slumber.
Upstairs in the back of my parents’ farmhouse, tucked away just off Route 22, not far from the city limits of Plattsburgh, New York. It’s 8 a.m. Tuesday morning. With this week’s issue of The Smoky Mountain News going through final edits before being kicked out of the door to the printer later this afternoon, I still had to find a couple cups of strong coffee to write this here column.
But, more importantly — more so, urgently — I had to throw on my shoes and thick flannel long-sleeve and motor along Route 22 into downtown Plattsburgh. I had an 8:30 a.m. rendezvous with an old friend who had a very important gift for me.
You see, this week marked my first physical appearance in Rolling Stone magazine. But, with international pop star Harry Styles on the cover, it’s been pretty hard to track down an actual copy and see the words on the page for myself. Copies were flying off newsstands around the globe, the magazine headline stating, “Harry Styles: The World’s Most Wanted Man.”
And there we sat Tuesday morning at the Koffee Kat in downtown Plattsburgh. Sipping on our caffeine refreshments, he placed a Barnes & Noble bag on the table and proceeded to pull out a few copies of the latest Rolling Stone, Harry Styles plastered across the cover.
HOT PICKS
1
The annual Cherokee Bluegrass Festival will take place Sept. 8-10 at the Happy Holiday Village RV Resort in Cherokee.
2
A stage production of the literary classic “Little Women” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 910, 16-17, 22-24 and at 2 p.m. Sept. 11, 18 and 25 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.
That, and my native Plattsburgh has become sort of a new desert for magazines, periodicals, etc. Another one of those “Rust Belt” cities of Upstate New York and the greater northeast, sadly. If anything, I’d have to jump in the truck and take the ferry across Lake Champlain to the Barnes & Noble in Burlington, Vermont.
To which, I spent an entire afternoon this past weekend cruising around Plattsburgh in search of a Rolling Stone. Drug stores. Grocery stores. Walmart. Nothing. The local library did have a subscription, but someone had already stolen the issue, presumably a Styles fanatic.
Just when seemingly all hope was lost, at least for the time being, I received a random message via Instagram. It was an old friend from the North Country, one who has called the Midwest home for the last 22 years. Coincidentally, he was flying back to visit some mutual friends and would bring me a Rolling Stone if he came across one in his travels.
It was a surreal thing to hold the issue in my hands, all of these years in the making of getting to this point, this moment in time. Flip to page 44 and there it was, a two-page spread on the Whitefish, Montana, music scene, then another location piece on Appleton, Wisconsin, on page 49. It happened, dammit.
As expected, there were a lot of deep, sincere emotions coursing through my body and mind looking at page 44 and 49, especially sitting at the Koffee Kat, in a town that was the starting line of this journey those many years ago.
I’m 37 now. When I was 13 years old, I was first exposed to Rolling Stone magazine. Already a young music freak, I’d discovered the publication that spoke to the feelings and admiration I had for music and musicians. At that time in middle school, I was just starting to scratch the surface of live music, attending some of my first shows across the pond at Memorial Auditorium in Burlington.
But, it was Mr. Gallagher’s ninth-grade art class that changed everything. As a fellow music freak, he had dozens of old copies of Rolling Stone on the shelves in the classroom, mostly for the students to find advertising pieces to trace for art projects. Me? I would spend the entire class reading every issue cover-to-cover.
Even at that age, I knew I wanted to spend my life around music and musicians.
3
Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host the “Endless Summer Slam” music festival with Sneezy (rock/soul), J.J. Hipps & The Hideaway (blues/rock) and Shane Meade & The Sound (rock/indie) from 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17.
4
The inaugural “Apple Fest” will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Darnell Farms in Bryson City.
5
The “Thunder in the Smokies Rally” will be held Sept. 9-11 at the Maggie Valley Fairgrounds.
They simply fascinated me. I wanted to know as much as I could about physical embodiment of the sounds they created that illuminated such joy, happiness and inspiration within my soul.
Once I declared my college major as print journalism during my junior year in Connecticut, it’s been a 17-year road of twists and turns, this whirlwind of endless interviews, writing while burning the midnight oil and haphazard travel from coast-to-coast. Organized chaos, to say the least. But, with the big carrot of someday being published in Rolling Stone always dangling in front of me, just out of reach, but close enough to never stop chasing after it.
Eventually, through the fate of the universe, I got a cold call from Rolling Stone in 2018 to cover the 30th anniversary of Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam in Asheville. Just that assignment in itself was the end all, be all, at least for what I’ve wanted to do with my time on this earth. From there, it’s been countless articles for the Rolling Stone website — festival reviews, artist profiles, and so forth.
But, being printed in the actual magazine had remained elusive. Funny enough, it was the most straightforward of assignments that made it into the September 2022 issue. Initially, I’d figured the Whitefish and Appleton articles would, once again, end up on the website. Nope. Sent to the printer, onward to newsstands.
And here I sit, typing away wildly to make sure this column gets to my publisher in time to edit and submit. My body and fingers are vibrating in a jovial tone. Maybe it’s the second iced coffee of the morning. But, me thinks it’s what’s in that Barnes & Noble bag a few inches away from the laptop.
And yes, I am getting five copies for my mother.
Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.
On the beat Cherokee Bluegrass Festival
Live music, history in Glenville
The Glenville Area Historical Society annual “Appalachian Mountain Music” will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Glenville Community Center. Featuring live music by popular jamgrass act Pretty Little Goat and others, the event will also have a free burger and hot dog roast, as well as several activities for families and history lovers.
The Glenville Area Historical Society is well known for its events based on the history of Glenville and mountain culture as well as the Glenville History Museum.
Do you like Journey?
Beloved Journey tribute band
Departure will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.
The museum traces the history of Glenville from what is now known as Old Glenville, founded in the mid-1800s, to the building of the dam and lake and present day Glenville. Significant artifacts, collectibles and curiosities are on display. A continuing feature each season is a genealogical presentation of a historic Glenville family.
The Glenville History Museum is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, May to October. For information about the “Appalachian Mountain Music” event, the Glenville History Museum and the Society, call 828.507.0322, email historicalsocietyglenvillearea@yahoo.com or click on glenvillehistoricalsociety.com.
The annual Cherokee Bluegrass Festival will take place Sept. 8-10 at the Happy Holiday Village RV Resort in Cherokee.
Performers include The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, The Grascals, Summer Brooke & Mountain Faith, The Malpass Brothers, Jimmy Fortune, John Conlee and many more. There will also be hot food and concessions available. Make sure to bring your lawn chairs.
For more information and/or to purchase tickets, as well as a complete schedule of the stage acts, click on evansmediasource.com or call 386.385.3500.
Interested in learning the dulcimer?
The Pic’ & Play Mountain Dulcimer Players will be resuming in-person jam sessions at the St. John’s Episcopal Church basement fellowship hall in Sylva.
Departure surpasses most tribute bands as they not only bring the sights and sounds of the original Journey band, but also add a special flair that makes for a great evening of classic rock music and show-stopping entertainment. Departure is the longest running and most respected Journey tribute band in the world. They’ve been performing together for more than 10 years and book more than 100 shows each year.
Departure replicates the look, sound, and feel of the original 1980s rock supergroup, who are best known for hits such as “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Faithfully” and “Open Arms.”
Tickets start at $18 per person. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to smokymountainarts.com or call 828.273.4615.
The group welcomes all beginners and experienced dulcimer players, including mountain (lap) dulcimer and hammered dulcimer players. Songs played include traditional mountain tunes, hymns and more modern music. The group meets at 1:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of every month in the basement of St. John’s.
Pic’ & Play has been playing together since 1995. The more experienced members welcome new players, help them navigate their instruments, and guide them through some of the basics of tuning, strumming and playing.
The mountain dulcimer, also known as a fretted dulcimer or a lap dulcimer, is a uniquely American instrument. It evolved from the German scheitholz sometime in the
early 1800s in Appalachia and was largely known only in this region until popularized more broadly in the 1950s.
For more information, call Kathy Jaqua at 828.349.3930 or Don Selzer at 828.293.0074.
Bryson City community jam
A community jam will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer, anything unplugged, are invited to join. Singers are also welcomed to join in or stop by and listen. The jam is facilitated by Larry Barnett of the Sawmill Creek Porch Band.
This program received support from the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment of the Arts. 828.488.3030.
The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
Pretty Little Goat.
On the beat
• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host an open mic from 8 to 10 p.m. every Thursday. Free and open to the public. 828.631.1987 or balsamfallsbrewing.com.
• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host a semi-regular acoustic jam with the Main Street NoTones from 7 to 9 p.m. every first and third Thursday of the month. Free and open to the public. For more information, click on blueridgebeerhub.com.
• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host karaoke at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, trivia at 7 p.m. on Thursdays, DJ Kountry Sept. 9, TrancEnd (rock/soul) Sept. 10 and Red Dress Amy Sept. 17. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.246.0350 or boojumbrewing.com.
• Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center (Franklin) will host The BorderCollies (Americana) 5 p.m. Sept. 17. Admission is $5 for adults, children are free. 828.369.4080 or coweeschool.org/music.
• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host Colby Deitz (soul/roots) 7 p.m. Sept. 10. Free and open to the public. 828.634.0078 or curraheebrew.com.
• Farm At Old Edwards (Highlands) will host the “Orchard Sessions” with Sarah Darling (singer-songwriter) 6 p.m. Sept. 7. Tickets
start at $25 per person. For tickets, click on oldedwardshospitality.com/orchardsessions.
• Folkmoot Friendship Center (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. For tickets, click on folkmoot.org.
• Fontana Village Resort Wildwood Grill will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 800.849.2258 or fontanavillage.com.
ALSO:
• Friday Night Live (Highlands) will host Supper Break (bluegrass/folk) Sept. 9 and Curtis Blackwell & The Dixie Bluegrass Boys (Americana/bluegrass) Sept. 16 at Town Square on Main Street. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. highlandschamber.org.
• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Somebody’s Child (Americana/indie) Sept. 9, Ben & The Borrowed Band Sept. 10, Syrrup 3 p.m. Sept. 11 and Dirty Rain Revelers 5:30 p.m. Sept. 13. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.454.5664 or froglevelbrewing.com.
• Frog Quarters (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows are free and are held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Located at 573 East Main St. littletennessee.org or 828.369.8488.
• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee) will host semi-regular live music and entertainment on the weekends. For a full schedule of events and/or to buy tickets, caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee.
• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host “Trivia Night with Kirk” from 7 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday, Open Mic Night every Wednesday, Laura Thurston (singer-songwriter) Sept. 8, Tina Collins (singer-songwriter) Sept. 10 and Andy Ferrell (singer-songwriter) Sept.15. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com.
• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host “Music Bingo” with Hibiscus Sunshine every Wednesday and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All events begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com.
• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host The Darren Nicholson Band (Americana/indie) Sept. 17. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.
• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host Trivia Night at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday, Old Time Jam 6:30 p.m. every Thursday and Dave Desmelik (singer-songwriter) Sept. 9. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.
• Marianna Black Library (Bryson City) will host a Community Jam 6 p.m. Sept. 15. Free and open to the public. 828.488.3030 or fontanalib.org/brysoncity.
• Moss Valley (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. Food trucks and beverages available onsite. Bring a lawn chair. Presented by Drake Software.
• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host Open Mic Night w/Ivor Sparks every Wednesday, Zip Robertson (singer-songwriter) Sept. 9, George Ausman (singer-songwriter) Sept. 10, Scott James Stambaugh (singer-songwriter) 5 p.m. Sept. 11 and 6 p.m. Sept. 17, Steve Heffker (singer-songwriter) Sept. 16 and Alma Russ (Americana/indie) 5 p.m. Sept. 18. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 or mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.
• Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host the “Endless Summer Slam” music festival w/Sneezy (rock/soul), J.J. Hipps & The Hideaway (blues/rock) and Shane Meade & The Sound (rock/indie) from 4 to 11 p.m. Sept. 17. Admission is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. For tickets, search “Endless Summer Slam” at eventbrite.com. Presented
by Adamas Entertainment. 828.641.9797 or nantahalabrewing.com.
• Nantahala Outdoor Center (Nantahala Gorge) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. noc.com.
• Orchard Coffee (Waynesville) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. Tickets available for purchase at the shop. 828.246.9264 or orchardcoffeeroasters.com.
• Pickin’ On The Square (Franklin) will host Paradise 56 (variety/oldies) Sept. 17. All shows begin at 6 p.m. at the Gazebo in downtown. Free and open to the public. franklinnc.com/pickin-on-the-square.html.
• Quirky Birds Treehouse & Bistro (Dillsboro) will host Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. every Tuesday, Danny Whitson (comedy/magician) 8 p.m. Sept. 10 and Prophets Of Time 7 p.m. Sept. 17. Free and open to the public. 828.586.1717 or facebook.com/quirkybirdstreehouse.
• Saturdays On Pine (Highlands) will host The Rockabillys (rock/country) Sept. 10 and HC Oakes Band (rock/country) Sept. 17 at Kelsey-Hutchinson Park on Pine Street. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. highlandschamber.org.
• The Scotsman (Waynesville) will host The Carter Giegerich Trio (Celtic/bluegrass) from 2 to 5 p.m. every Sunday and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.6292 or scotsmanpublic.com.
• Unplugged Pub (Bryson City) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.2488.
• Valley Cigar & Wine Co. (Waynesville) will host Rene Russell (singer-songwriter) 2 p.m. Sept. 11. Free and open to the public. 828.944.0686 or valleycigarandwineco.com.
• Valley Tavern (Maggie Valley) will host Sound Investment 3 p.m. Sept. 11 and Mile High (rock/oldies) 3 p.m. Sept. 18. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.926.7440 or valley-tavern.com.
• Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 9:30 p.m. 828.456.4750 or facebook.com/waternhole.bar.
• Yonder Community Market (Franklin) will host “Songwriter Sundays” w/Webb Wilder 2 p.m. Sept. 25. Free and open to the public. Donations encouraged. 828.200.2169 or eatrealfoodinc.com.
Sylva Pride Festival returns
The second annual Sylva Pride Festival will kick off at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva.
The festival parade will take place at noon on West Main Street. Both events are free and open to the public, with numerous performance and activities to occur throughout the gathering.
‘Bridge Park Boogie’
As well, there will be other events around the area, including: the “Sylva Pride Weekend Pre-Show” at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at the Innovation Station in Dillsboro; and the “Mad for Drag Sylva Pride After-Party” at 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Lazy Hiker Brewing taproom in Sylva.
The “Bridge Park Boogie” will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Bridge Park Pavilion in downtown Sylva.
This is an inclusive dance event for kids in Jackson County, catered specifically to children and persons with disabilities. Free services like sensory-friendly hair stylings and photos will be available, along with cool-down tents and sensory booths. All activities and games will be made accessible for all levels of mobility.
The DJ will play all day and Dance Buddy Volunteers will be ready to assist as guests enjoy music and movement. Many organizations who serve and support persons with disabilities in our area will be present, with information about their services and activities for kids.
Free and open to the public. For more information, click on mountainlovers.com/events.
• “OktoberFest Celebration” will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at Innovation Station in Dillsboro. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com.
• “Apple Fest” will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Darnell Farms in Bryson City. The event celebrates the apple harvest with vendors, dreamwhips, food trucks, apple bobbing contest, bounce houses, caramel apple station, and other activities. hotheadevents@gmail.com.
• “Thunder in the Smokies Rally” will be held Sept. 9-11 at the Maggie Valley Fairgrounds. Live music, dozens of vendors, motorcycle
shows/games, prizes, and much more. For more information on the motorcycle rally, click on thunderinthesmokies.com.
• “Cherokee & Early History of the Old Campground of Franklin” will be presented at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Historian Lamar Marshall’s talk will be focusing on the earliest history of the Old Campground and its evolution as a public meeting place for early church meetings and its eventual location as a prison camp. Free and open to the public. 828.524.3600.
The Sylva Pride Festival.
On the table
Cooking class at Jackson library
Jenna Kranz from Uncomplicated Kitchen will host a special class on how to make spring rolls at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.
Attendees will prepare the fillings, make a couple of different sauces, and learn a bunch of kitchen hacks that will be of use time and time again.
“Uncomplicated Kitchen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Western North Carolina. We work to improve food
On the wall
• “Life in Haywood” exhibit will be held through Oct. 2 at the Haywood County Arts Council in downtown Waynesville. The exhibit will showcase work that expresses artists’ connection to their lives in Haywood County. For more information, click on haywoodarts.org/events.
• “Paint-A-Stein” will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, at the Innovation Station in Dillsboro. For more information and/or to sign-up and purchase tickets, click on artwagonmobilestudio.com.
• Southwestern Community College Swain Arts Center (Bryson City) will host an array of workshops for adults and kids. For more information on the upcoming classes and/or to sign-up, click on southwesterncc.edu/scc-locations/swain-center.
• “The Way I’m Wired: Artist Reflections on Neurodiversity” exhibition will be available for viewing until Dec. 9 at the Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum in Cullowhee. In this exhibition, artists share their experiences with neurodiversity and how these experiences have impacted their creative practice. Their perspectives shed light on a variety of ways that the brain can function and how this intertwines with their art. Regular museum hours are 10
security through educational outreach,” Kranz said. “Our mission is to teach community members how to plan meals, shop for ingredients, and cook healthy, simple and affordable recipes. We bridge the gap between the food people have access to and the tools and knowledge they have to prepare nutritious meals.”
This program is in the Atrium and is free of charge. Sign-up is required as space is limited. For more information and/or to register, call the library at 828.586.2016.
This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library. The library is a member of Fontana Regional Library (fontanalib.org).
On the stage
HART presents ‘Little Women’
A stage production of the literary classic “Little Women” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9-10, 16-17, 22-24 and at 2 p.m. Sept. 11, 18 and 25 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.
“Little Women” follows four sisters — independent, aspiring writer Jo, romantic Meg, pretentious Amy, and kind-hearted Beth — who dream and play all under the watchful eye of their beloved mother, Marmee, while their father is away serving in the Civil War.
March, Clara Ray Burrus as Meg, Savanna Shaw as Amy, Chelcy Frost as Beth, and Kathleen Watson as Marmee.
The show also features the talents of Brenda Sheets as Aunt March, Dominic Michael Aquilino as Professor Bhaer, Matt
a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and until 7 p.m. on Thursday. For information, call 828.227.ARTS or visit bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.
• “Fused Glass: Fall Landscapes” workshop will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at the Haywood County Arts Council in downtown Waynesville. Cost of the class is $100 per person. For more information, click on haywoodarts.org/events.
• “Harvest Craft Fair & Bake Sale” will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Memorial United Methodist Church in Franklin. Proceeds from the bake sale will go to the Macon Program for Progress. Franklin-chamber.com.
• A “Foreign Film Series” will be held at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Each month, on the second and fourth Friday, two movies from around the globe will be shown. This program is in the Community Room and is free of charge. Masks are required in all Jackson County buildings. For more information, call 828.586.2016. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library. The Jackson County Public Library is a member of Fontana Regional Library. To learn more, click on fontanalib.org.
The musical is told from Jo’s point of view — Jo being a fictional alter ego of the source material’s author, Louisa May Alcott — sharing her flair for dramatic storytelling. As each sister tries to find their place in the world they are met with surprises, tragedy, romance, broken promises and, ultimately, a sense of belonging.
“Little Women: the Musical” at HART is fast-paced and inspiring under the direction of Kristen Hedberg with music direction from Anne Rhymer. HART’s production will showcase Artistic Director Candice Dickinson as Jo
Blanks as Laurie, Leif Brodersen as John Brooke, and Troy Sheets as Mr. Laurence.
Tickets range from $14 to $36 per person. To make reservations, call the HART Box Office at 828.456.6322 from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or click on harttheatre.org.
‘Tommie Sawyer & Hucklemary Finn’
This new twist on the classic tale by Mark Twain, a production of “Tommie Sawyer & Hucklemary Finn” will hit the stage at 7 p.m. Sept. 9-10 and 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.
The adventure unfolds as Tommie Sawyer and Hucklemary Finn witness a murder late one night in the graveyard. Afraid of being found out and made a witness, they flee and make a pact never to tell anyone about the incident.
However, when the good-natured Muff Potter, who has been blamed for the murder, is sentenced to death by hanging, Tommie and Hucklemary make a plan to redeem Muff and expose the real killer, which leads to an adventure along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River.
This one-act comedy is approximately one hour in length and is presented by The Overlook Theatre Company. Sponsored by Corbin Insurance Agency, Sophisticut Hair Salon & Sweet Opheilias. Tickets are $13 per person.
To purchase tickets or to find out more information, click on smokymountainarts.com or call 866.273.4615.
The cast of ‘Little Women.’
On the shelf
Murder, bibliophiles, and a B&B
In “A Fatal Booking” (Crooked Lane Books, 2022, 304 pages), Victoria Gilbert’s third novel in her series “Booklovers B&B Mysteries,” we again meet Charlotte Reed, owner of Chapters Bed-andBreakfast in Beaufort, North Carolina. Charlotte is a former school teacher and 40-something widow who has inherited this inn from her great-aunt Isabella. With a passion for books and reading, Charlotte remodels the old mansion, turning it into a literary lovers paradise.
When an old friend, Lora, arranges for her book club to spend a week there, with activities and discussions centered on children’s literature and fairy tales, Charlotte does her best to accommodate the plans of these guests. Both she and Alicia, the older woman who works as a cook and housekeeper, and who knows every inch of the house, go all out to make this a special week for all concerned.
But we soon learn the members of the club are not all on good terms. They get along well enough most of the time, but are given to snarky comments and gossip about one another. One guest in particular, Stacy Wilkin, a jewelry store owner rumored to be selling some stolen merchandise, is despised by several of these people for the wrongs she has done them.
Consequently, when Stacy is poisoned and dies in the B&B’s garden during a Mad Hatter Tea Party, all of the guests plus a fishing boat captain once cheated by Stacy fall under suspicion of murder.
And that’s when it’s time for Charlotte and her friend Ellen Montgomery, an older neighbor retired from a U.S. intelligence agency, to turn to amateur sleuthing both from natural curiosity and to lend the police a helping hand. As they follow up a dozen different leads, Charlotte’s flame, Gavin, also in intelligence, returns from a long mission and joins them in tracking down the killer. The trio receive help in their investigation from the owner of the local bookstore and a few other acquaintances.
“A Fatal Booking” is a who-done-it of the old school, with the guests all remaining, at least for a time, under the same roof while
poetry reading
Writer Danita Dodson will present her poetry collection, “Trailing the Azimuth,” at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. Her collection guides the readers down vari-
the investigation proceeds. All of them have the motive and the means to fall under suspicion. Like the game of Clue, or one of those old British murder mysteries done years ago in the era of Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie, each is as likely as the others to have delivered Stacy Wilkin to the grave.
Gilbert spins a good tale in “A Fatal
Booking,” though given the murders that occurred in the previous two novels of the series — “Booked for Death” and “Reserved for Murder” — some prospective guests of the B&B might have second thoughts about staying in an establishment with such a track record for producing dead bodies. The central characters like Charlotte, Ellen, and Alicia click together, and though some may spot the killer before the mystery is solved, others will find entertainment in trying to surmise, along with Charlotte and Ellen, who bumped off Stacy Wilkin and why. In addition, “A Fatal Book” should please those who enjoy stories set on North Carolina’s coast or which focus on female friendships, and mystery fans who prefer intrigue to car crashes, casual obscenities and shoot-‘emups.
ous trails through striking imagery, resonant language, and intensity of vision. Linked by allusions to the “azimuth,” the poems in this collection represent the search for direction in a world that is complex and uncertain, prompting the journey toward light and more mindfulness of self, others, and God. These lyrical compasses exhibit a multiplicity of style and subject informed by the poet’s travels, interest in hiking,
These qualifications, however, were not what snagged my attention. No — it was the literary theme of Gilbert’s mystery that prompted me to carry the book to the library’s checkout desk and then home. A bed-and-breakfast for bibliophiles, scenes in the local bookshop, the discussions of writers and reading: this is the sort of fiction, and nonfiction as well, for that matter, that I most enjoy. Literature about literature casts its spell, and I am all too willingly entranced.
Recently, for example, a friend recommended I read Stella Gibbons’ “Cold Comfort Farm,” a classic of comic fiction first published in 1932 in Great Britain. It is, as my friend promised, funny, this tale of a young woman, Flora Poste, intelligent and sophisticated beyond her years, who sets out to bring order to a chaotic family on a broken-down farm, but I have especially enjoyed Flora’s witty and sometimes biting asides on books and writers. Anthony Burgess’s “Earthly Powers,” Dodie Smith’s “I Capture the Castle,” and John Gardner’s Mickelsson’s “Ghosts” are only three of the many novels I’ve relished over the last 40 years, in part because their authors shine an occasional light on books, reading and literature in general. And I’m not alone, I think, in this particular preference. On the “new arrivals” shelves of the public library there are always several novels — mysteries, fantasies, romances, main-stream stories — featuring librarians, writers, or booksellers as their main characters, or manuscripts and books that are key to the plot. The authors of these novels are clearly lovers of literature and are aware that many readers fit that category as well.
A final note: if you prefer vacationing in the cooler air and greenery of the mountains to the sun, sand, and surf of the coast, you might pay a visit to Victoria Gilbert’s “Blue Ridge Library Series,” which is set in the hills of Virginia and features librarian Amy Webber as the local Sherlock Holmes.
Enjoy!
(Jeff Minick reviews books and has written four of his own: two novels, “Amanda Bell” and “Dust On Their Wings,” and two works of nonfiction, “Learning As I Go” and “Movies Make
and cultural awareness.
Dodson is co-editor of Teachers Teaching Nonviolence (2020). Her critical articles have been published in various literary journals. This is her first book of poetry. She holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Southern Mississippi. The reading is free and open to the public. To reserve copies of “Trailing the Azimuth,” please call City Lights Bookstore at 828.586.9499.
Danita Dodson
Writer Jeff Minick
A capsized kayak at Bull Sluice on the Chattooga River shows the importance of mitigating risk when adventuring outdoors. Donated photo
‘Know what you don’t know’
New book aims to stop backcountry emergencies before they start
BY HOLLY KAYS
OUTDOORS EDITOR
During his 30 years living and teaching in Western North Carolina, Maurice Phipps has heard countless tales of tragedy and near misses set in the Southern Appalachian backcountry — people falling off waterfalls, shivering in the cold while awaiting rescue after a wrong turn on the trail, or logging hair-raising experiences with wildlife.
With a lifetime of knowledge in teaching and experiencing outdoor adventure at his disposal, Phipps, a parks and recreation professor emeritus from Western Carolina University, saw an opportunity to help prevent future emergencies.
“I could put a book together with the idea of teaching about avoiding getting into a survival situation,” he said. “As far as I know, there’s no other book that does that. There’s lots of books on what to do if you get into a survival situation. That’s a really common genre. But I wanted to do something to help people avoid having to stay out overnight if they’d not planned on doing that.”
The result is “Wilderness 101: Skills, Knowledge and Fundamentals for Every Adventurer,” released this month by Falcon Guides. The 204-page book — Phipps’ fourth — is organized into eight chapters that cover various aspects of preparing for and executing a safe outdoor adventure, each with an emphasis on the five fundamentals of good decision-making: use good judgement, be here now, everything takes longer than you
think, look at the Las Vegas odds of bad consequences, and know what you know and know what you don’t know.
SAFETY AND THE OLD MOUNTAINEER
Originally from England, Phipps’ fascination with the outdoors took root when he was a teenager, through experiences at the country’s outdoor education centers.
“In England, the outdoors, outdoor pursuits and outdoor education is a really big thing, even though the weather is terrible,” he said.
He went to an outdoor center when he was 14 and again at age 16, later working in one after graduating from Sheffield College of Education to become a teacher. Phipps’ life took several adventurous turns after that, including three years spent in Australia exploring its rivers to co-write his first book “Canoeing in Australia” and competing in national slalom and wildwater racing events. From there, he returned to Britain, attained an advanced diploma in physical education and started an outdoor pursuits company in North Yorkshire, which he ran for five years.
Phipps came to the United States in 1981 to continue his studies, completing additional graduate courses and a Ph.D. in education. He also took a Wilderness Education Association course taught by Paul Petzoldt, the famed mountaineer and outdoor educator who founded the National Outdoor Leadership School, which even today is the standardbearer for all manner of outdoor leadership and safety certifications.
“He’s a phenomenal guy from the point of view of outdoor education in this country, so I was lucky to be on this course that he was
1999, but the lessons Phipps learned from him remain at the core of how he approaches the outdoors — and of the messages he conveys in his newest book.
Petzoldt liked to emphasize the importance of safety, Phipps recalled, by saying that, “we all want to live to be old mountaineers.” Reaching his 99th birthday before he passed away, Petzoldt achieved that goal.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Phipps begins his book by discussing the motivations that lead people into the outdoors. Some people are in it to join what he calls the “selfie club,” while others are looking for adventure, an adrenaline high or pursuit of the hero archetype. Those motivations can lead to risky behavior.
“We should use the child archetype instead, so they should do things for fun,” he said.
Buy the book
“Wilderness 101: Skills, Knowledge and Fundamentals for Every Adventurer” retails for $14.95 at local bookstores and major booksellers.
Phipps’ other titles include “The Group Book: Effective Skills for Cooperative Groups,” “Outdoor Instruction: Teaching and Learning Concepts for Outdoor Instructors,” and “Canoeing in Australia.”
teaching,” Phipps said.
The next year, Phipps apprenticed with Petzoldt as an instructor, and after that he worked with him as a Wilderness Education Association course director. Petzoldt died in
The second chapter discusses terrain, skills and equipment. The skills and equipment needed for any given adventure differs depending on where that adventure takes place. Phipps details various types of environments an adventurer might go and gives emergency prevention techniques for each one.
Next, he discusses climate, weather, clothing and energy.
“Those are all linked. The energy in your tank, which is water and food, keeps you warm. It also gives you energy,” he said. “So if you don’t eat and drink at the right times, you’re going to lose energy and just sit on the side of the trail. Some people have got hypothermia and just sat and died.”
The fourth chapter covers problem wildlife, something Phipps has ample experience with, having lived on three different continents. He’s dealt with stingrays, barracudas, deadly spiders, a “frisky” emu and, in the Grand Tetons of Wyoming, an inquisitive porcupine that wandered into his tent when he mistakenly left the door open.
“If we jumped into the tent like you sometimes do, we would have gotten a face full of quills,” he said.
Luckily, he noticed it go in and was able to guide the creature out with a long stick.
Phipps then discusses skills and procedures for different activities, including hiking, camping, cooking, kayaking and caving, to name a few. For instance, choosing a campsite is a skill in and of itself. Ensuring the campsite is away from stored food and not underneath one of the loose hanging branches often called “widowmakers” can prevent a fair number of emergency situations.
The book then gives a nod to Petzoldt with a chapter on his control plans to minimize risks in the backcountry. These plans are designed to reduce the risk of common types of emergencies. The climate control plan deals with how to ensure “your personal climate” stays at 98.6 degrees regardless of the weather, while the time control plan helps adventurers estimate how long it might take for a
Sign up for basketball season
Youth Basketball League registration is open through Sept. 30 in Jackson County, with leagues forming in Cashiers and Cullowhee. The league will include divisions for grades
2-3, 4-5, and 6-8. Practice will begin the week of Oct. 31 and be held once per week, with games on Saturdays starting Dec. 3. Cost is $55 per player. Register at rec.jacksonnc.org. Contact Andrew Sherling at 828.293.3053, ext. 6, with questions about the Cullowhee league or Gabriel Frazier at 828.631.2025 with questions about Cashiers.
Hike with Haywood Rec
Explore the mountains of Western North Carolina with a series of hikes offered this month through the Haywood County Recreation Department.
■ Hike to Grogan Creek Falls Saturday, Sept. 10, with hike leaders Phyllis and Lisa. The 4.3-mile easy-to-moderate trail starts behind the Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery in Transylvania County.
■ An out-and-back hike Sunday, Sept. 11, will lead hikers through the Middle Prong Wilderness, where there will be an optional yoga session for those who bring a mat or towel. Hike leaders Tara and Betty will guide this easy-to-moderate 3.8-mile hike.
■ Phyllis and Vickey will lead a hike on the Appalachian Trail to Wayah Bald Saturday, Sept. 17. The challenging 8.5-mile hike has an elevation gain of 1,954 feet and includes a fire lookout tower with stunning views of the Little Tennessee Valley.
■ A challenging 8-mile hike to The Pinnacle in Sylva will step off Saturday, Sept. 24. Tara and Betty will guide this excursion, featuring an elevation gain of 1,932 feet.
■ Phyllis and Vickey will guide a challenging 6.7-mile hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and Art Loeb Trail Wednesday, Sept. 28, taking in Black Balsam and Tennent Mountain. Hikes cost $10. Sign up at bit.ly/haywoodrec.
Join the Big Sweep
Volunteers are needed for the Big Sweep, an annual countywide stream cleanup event that will feature four locations in Haywood County this year on Saturday, Sept. 17.
Cleanups will occur from 9 to 10 a.m. beginning from the town halls of Maggie Valley and Clyde, as well as at Pigeon River Outfitters in Canton and in Waynesville on Allen Creek at the far end of the Petsmart parking lot.
tive vests and gloves will be provided. At the Canton cleanup, Pigeon River Outfitters will provide tubes, kayaks and canoes on a firstcome, first-served basis, as well as shuttles around town or upstream to start a cleanup float.
This year’s cleanup is sponsored by Haywood Waterways Association, Haywood Solid Waste, Town of Waynesville, Town of Clyde, Town of Canton, Pigeon River Outfitters, Town of Maggie Valley and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
To help out, RSVP by Sept. 15 to Christine O’Brien at christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com or 828.476.4667, ext. 11.
Volunteers should be prepare to work in the sun, get a little dirty and possibly get wet. Wear closed-toed shoes, long pants and bring plenty of water. Trash bags, grabbers, reflec-
group of people to complete an outdoor task. The energy control plan deals with ensuring you’re consuming sufficient foods and liquids, while the health control plan aims to prevent sickness and infection.
When he used to take groups of WCU students in the backcountry, said Phipps, “we were really particular that students wash their hands up when they go to the bathroom, not share drinks and stay clean. We don’t have any caveman ethics, so you’re less likely to be evacuated because you have stomach problems. A couple of the most common reasons for evacuation are infections and stomach problems.”
The remainder of the book — chapters seven and eight — details how to protect the environment through Leave No Trace outdoor ethics and how to learn more about outdoor adventuring and skill development.
“I’m just hoping it’s going to save people a lot of aggravation of having to have an evacuation or to save them from dying out there,” said Phipps. “There are a lot of people who die out there because they don’t know what they don’t know. If a lot of lay people read this, they’ll make a more informed decision about what they’re doing.”
Cloud shrouds Mt. Buffalo in Victoria, Australia, showcasing the wild elements of the wild outdoors. Donated photo
Maurice Phipps takes a hike on Cedar Cliff Mountain in Jackson County. Donated photo
Tour WNC farms
From noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 17-18, 19 local farms will open their gates to the pub-
KT’s Orchard and Apiary in Haywood County is one of ten new farms participating in the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s 19farm tour this month. ASAP photo
lic as part of the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s annual farm tour. Of the 19 farms, 10 are new to this year’s tour, which features five geographically organized clusters:
■ Haywood cluster: Sustainabilities/Two Trees Farm (Canton), The Ten Acre Garden (Bethel), Smoky Mountain Mangalitsa (Ironduff), KT’s Orchard and Apiary* (Canton).
■ Leicester cluster: Mount Gilead Farm/French Broad Creamery (Leicester), Davis Ranch* (Leicester), Addison Farms Vineyard (Leicester), Franny’s Farm and the Utopian Seed Project (Leicester), Good Wheel Farm* (Leicester).
The farms showcase the diversity of agriculture in the region, with each one located within an hour of Asheville. Tourgoers will experience working farms through guided and self-guided tours, demonstrations, interactions with farm animals, u-pick produce and flowers, local food tastings and more. All ages and abilities are welcome.
More information about each farm’s offerings, plus a map, driving directions and tour tips are available at asapconnections.org/farmtour. Tourgoers should expect to spend about an hour at each farm — to help decide which to visit, ASAP has created themed lists to help tailor each tour to individual interests. Themed lists include The Kids Tour, The Tasty Tour, The Farm Fresh for Health Tour and the Show Me How It’s Done Tour.
Passes are $35 and good for one carload of visitors to all farms on both days. If still available, passes purchased the weekend of the tour will go for $45. Volunteers who work one day of the tour may tour for free on the other day.
Purchase passes at www.asapconnections.com or by calling 828.236.1282.
Drop by the Haywood County Agriculture Center in Waynesville during an open house noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15. All are welcome to come see changes at the office, ongoing garden and landscape projects, and current Cooperative Extension programs. New staff members, including a new county extension director, livestock agent and aquaculture agent, will be on hand to meet members of the public.
Grants awarded for WNC park projects
Western North Carolina will see $1.5 million of the more than $17 million in grants approved Aug. 26 through the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund.
Three local projects received $500,000 grants in this round of awards. They are: the Francis Farm Bike Park in Haywood County, the Whittier/Qualla Community Park in Jackson County and aquatic improvements to the Swain County Recreation Park in Bryson City.
“Our parks and recreation areas are so valuable to our communities, and they’ve
become more popular than ever,” said Gov. Roy Coper. “These projects we’re funding today will give people even more opportunities in North Carolina to build healthier and happier lives.”
The N.C. Parks and Recreation Authority considered 49 grant applications requesting a total of $20.9 million, with a maximum grant award of $500,000. Awardees must match any grant funds dollar-for-dollar from other sources.
The $17.9 million allotted for local projects through PARTF this year is at least triple the amount for most years in the last decade.
The Authority is required to allocate 30% of PARTF’s total funding to local government projects. In addition to the local grants pro-
Hiking club dives into Cherokee culture
gram, the Authority allocated $5.7 million to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation for land acquisitions at Chimney Rock State Park in Rutherford County and Lake James State Park in Burke and McDowell Counties. It will also fund several capital projects at Hammock’s Beach State Park (Onslow County), Morrow Mountain State Park (Stanly County) and William B. Umstead State Park (Wake County).
The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund is administered through the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, which is part of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Local grants are awarded annually by the Authority at their quarterly meeting in August.
The Nikwasi Initiative’s focus on local Cherokee culture will be the subject of the next Nantahala Hiking Club meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Free. NHC membership not required for attendance. nantahalahikingclub.org.
offers fall plant sale
16, and Saturday, Sept. 17, at
Experience sorghum season in the Smokies
The sorghum harvest season is back at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and visitors to Cades Cove will have chances throughout the fall to enjoy demonstrations of traditional Appalachian sorghum syrup-making.
Demonstrations are held outside the Cades Cove Visitor Center during daytime hours and will take place: Friday through Sunday, Sept. 16-18; Friday through Sunday, Nov. 4-6; Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 10-13; Friday through Sunday, Nov. 18-20; and Friday through Sunday, Nov. 25-27.
A cultural experience for thousands of park visitors throughout the years, sorghum syrup-making demonstrations will include free tastings of the sweet, grassy syrup for the first time since 2019. Tastings were not offered for the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For many families living in and around the Smokies before the creation of the national park, fall was a time for harvesting sweet sorghum and processing sorghum syrup — a sweet treat that many combine with butter on hot biscuits or pancakes or
Mark Guenther of Muddy Pond Sorghum offers a demonstration.
photo
mix into porridge and grits. Today, the smell of simmering syrup still summons memories of cool days, autumn leaves and communities coming together to harvest and mill their crops.
Haywood anglers plan gathering
Muddy Pond Sorghum products can be purchased in-person at demonstrations, online at the Great Smoky Mountains Association web store and in all 11 of the park’s visitor center stores.
Cataloochee Trout Unlimited will resume its regular monthly meeting schedule at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, at Valley Tavern in Maggie Valley. The group will begin with an hour for storytelling and an equipment swap meet, to be followed by a speaker, 50-50 drawing and raffle. tucataloochee427@gmail.com.
Panthertown volunteer celebration
A party starting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, in Cashiers, will celebrate all the volunteers who help keep the trails in shape at Panthertown Valley.
A volunteer awards ceremony will be held 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, immediately followed by a social event at Whiteside Brewing Company. All are welcome to attend, and anyone who has volunteered in 2022 will receive a free meal and beverage at Whiteside Brewing Sept. 12.
RSVP by Friday, Sept. 9, to bit.ly/3wO35cz.
Take care of Tsali
Give the trails some love with a workday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at the Tsali Recreation Area on Fontana Lake. Nantahala Area Southern Off Road
Bicycling Association, which is leading the event, aims to give Mouse and Thompson a “haircut” with the help of volunteers. No experience or SORBA membership is needed, but registration is required prior to the event at www.tinyurl.com/nasorba.
Tsali Cycles will provide snacks. Participants should bring sturdy work boots, long pants, water, lunch and a bike if they have one. Tools, hard hats, gloves and safety glasses will be provided.
Notes from a Plant Nerd
BY ADAM B IGELOW
Joe Pye Weed, The Queen of the Meadow
The stories of plants are what led me in to falling in love with wildflowers, just as much as their pure beauty and color. And it is through story that we learn about and relate to the world around us. It is how lessons about life, both general and specific, are passed down through the generations. Stories evolve into myth, legend and lore, embedding themselves in the culture of a people.
Among my favorite stories about plants is about the incredibly beautiful Joe Pye weed, also called the queen-of-themeadow (Eutrochium spp). The second common name, queenof-the-meadow, is a reference to how tall and regal this wildflower is in the meadows and roadside ditches where it can be found. Like any queen, she sits above her subject, taller and higher than almost any other plant growing around her. I like queen-of-the-meadow as a common name, and it is the one that I use most often when I see one of the different species of Eutrochium that share that name.
another common name for species of Eutrochium, gravel root. Seemingly, drinking a decoction would cause the big stones to be turned into little gravel pieces.
And of course, the more we look into tales like these, the deeper it gets. For it turns out that there is a version of the “how Joe Pye weed got its name” story that is told from an indigenous perspective. Many herbal doctors and their remedies were learned from indigenous people, who had lived, and learned, and healed each other on this land for long before European settlers were ever here. According to Keewaydinoquay Pakawakuk Peschel, (1919?–1999) an Anishinaabe herbalist,
ethnobotanist, storyteller and recorder of Indigenous North American lore, there was an Abenaki healer named Zhopai who primarily used Eutrochium species of plants to treat fevers and other ailments.
Puzzles can be found on page 38
These are only the answers.
The name most often used for this plant is Joe Pye weed, and there are many different stories and variations about how this plant became known as Joe Pye. The first story that I heard was about a “snake-oil salesman” who travelled around the countryside duping people out of their money by selling them fake cures and potions. Images of a carney barker, combined with a con artist, riding around in a wagon that can be turned into a stage and store for the hawking of his tonics and tinctures. Of course, this negative view of home remedies and plant-based cures was certainly perpetuated by the newly emerging pharmaceutical industry, who’d rather you didn’t know how to cure and heal yourself naturally.
For in another version of this story, Joe Pye was an herbalist who made medicines from plants, and his most popular and most effective medicine was a general tonic made from the roots of Eutrochium. These medicines were either used to treat typhoid, or in other stories the medicine was used to break up kidney stones, allowing them to pass more easily. This medicinal use led to
I’ve even heard it said that an indigenous word for these plants was Jopi. No matter the tales of its origin, the Joe Pye weed blooms that come at the end of summer are magnificent. These members of the aster family have gigantic flower heads, some of which can be larger than my torso, and bloom in varying shades of pink and purple. Their leaves occur along the stem in a whorl, which means that three or more leaves come out of the stem at the same location.
They are a welcome sight rising above the goldenrods (Solidago spp.), ironweeds (Vernonia spp.), asters (Symphyotricum spp.) and grasses that make up a late summer wildflower meadow, looking like a queen on her dais, observing and ruling her subjects below. She seems a benevolent regent. Especially to the bees and butterflies dependent on her gracious nectar. Long may she reign.
(Adam Bigelow lives in Cullowhee and leads weekly wildflower walks and ecotours through Bigelow’s Botanical Excursions. bigelownc@gmail.com)
Purple Joe Pye weed blooms tower above other plants in the meadow. Adam Bigelow photo
WNC Calendar
COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Cowee School Farmer’s Market will be held from Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m., at 51 Cowee School Drive in Franklin. The market has produce, plant starts, eggs, baked goods, flowers, food trucks and music. For more information or for an application, visit www.coweeschool.org or call 828.369.4080.
• “Art After Dark” will be held from 6-9 p.m. each first Friday of the month (May-December) in downtown Waynesville. For more information, go to facebook.com/galleriesofhaywoodcounty.
• “Harvest Craft Fair & Bake Sale” will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Memorial United Methodist Church in Franklin. Proceeds from the bake sale will go to the Macon Program for Progress. franklin-chamber.com.
• WNC Pharoahs’ first-annual Fall Cruise-In will take place from noon-4 p.m. Sept. 24, on Main Street in downtown Franklin. There is a $10 registration fee, trophies and cash prizes awarded. For more information contact 828.371.8253.
B USINESS & E DUCATION
• Jackson County Chamber of Commerce will host STIR, socialize, talk, interact, remember, from 5-6:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, at the Clarion Pointe hotel, 2807 US Hwy 74 East, Sylva, N.C. RSVP by Sept. 1 by calling the chamber at 828.586.2155.
• Pisgah Legal Services will offer free tax preparation services for low-income residents from 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, at Graham County Health Department, 191 P and J Rd., Robbinsville and 6-8 p.m. at Five Points Center, 5 N. Main St., Robbinsville. Make an appointment by calling 828.210.3404. Visit pisgahlegal.org/taxes for more information.
• “The Legal Scoop - Employment law topics that impact 2022 and beyond” will take place from 8 a.m.1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, at Haywood Community College in the Hemlock Building. Cost is $25, includes light breakfast and lunch. RSVP via email to deanna.queen@haywoodemc.com. For more information contact Ellen Steele at 828.254.8800 or esteele@mwblawyers.com.
• Pisgah Legal Services will offer free tax preparation services for low-income residents from 1-3 p.m. and 68 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, at Macon Program for Progress Training Annex, 82 E. Orchard Lane, Franklin. Make an appointment by calling 828.210.3404. Visit pisgahlegal.org/taxes for more information.
• Pisgah Legal Services will offer free tax preparation services for low-income residents from 1-3 p.m. and 68 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Region A Partnership for Children, 367 Dellwood Rd. Suite C-2, Waynesville. Make an appointment by calling 828.210.3404. Visit pisgahlegal.org/taxes for more information.
FUNDRAISERS AND B ENEFITS
• Rally for Health, Hope and Recovery will be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Riverfront Park in Bryson City. The sis a family-friendly event with free food, live music, speakers, kids’ activities, bounce house, raffles, resources and Sweet Carolina’s Ice Cream Truck. For more information, or to volunteer call 863.698.4417.
H EALTH AND WELLNESS
• Swain County Caring Corner Free Clinic is open Thursday’s 4-9 p.m. at Restoration House (Bryson City United Methodist Church). Office hours are Tuesday,
n All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.
n To have your item listed email to calendar@smokymountainnews.com
Thursday, Friday 9 a.m.-noon. Call 828.341.1998 to see if you qualify to receive free medical care from volunteer providers.
• Apply4Medical2Day will besotting three free information sessions on all the ins and outs of Medicare, at 1:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, and 1:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19. Preregistration is strongly suggested. To reserve your spot call 828.356.5540.
CLUBS AND M EETINGS
• A model train exhibit of the “0” gauge model train running on a 1,500-foot layout will be open from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, hosted by the Smoky Mountain Railroad Club at 13 Caboose Way, in Clyde. Tickets normally $10 are on sale for $5 per person, children 2 and under are free. For more information call Cheryl at 828.550.0960.
K IDS & FAMILIES
• Storytime takes place at 10 a.m. every Tuesday at the Macon County Library. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.
• Toddler’s Rock takes place at 10 a.m. every Monday at the Macon County Library. Get ready to rock with songs, books, rhymes and playing with instruments. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.
• Waynesville Art School hosts “Make Art & Play,” for 4and 5-year-olds from 4-5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Sept. 13Oct. 18. Cost is $135 for 6 classes. For more information visit waynesvilleartschool.com.
• Waynesville Art School will host “Dragons & Castles,” for kids ages eight through teens, from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 13-Dec. 13. Cost is $410 for the 12week program. For more information visit waynesvilleartschool.com.
• Waynesville Art School will host “Art Sparklers,” for ages 6-9, from 4-5:15 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 15-Oct. 20. Cost is $170 for six classes. For more information visit waynesvilleartschool.com.
A&E
• “Apple Fest” will be held from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Darnell Farms in Bryson City. The event celebrates the apple harvest with vendors, dreamwhips, food trucks, apple bobbing contest, bounce houses, caramel apple station, and other activities. For more information, email hotheadevents@gmail.com.
• “Thunder in the Smokies Rally” will be held Sept. 911 at the Maggie Valley Fairgrounds. Live music, dozens of vendors, motorcycle shows/games, prizes, and much more. For more information on the motorcycle rally, click on thunderinthesmokies.com.
• Glenville Area Historical Society Appalachian Mountain Music Event will take place noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Glenville Community Center. For more information call 828.507.0322 or email historicalsocietyglenvillearea@yahoo.com.
• Bridge Park Boogie, an inclusive dance event for children and persons with disabilities, will be held from 2-
6 p.m. Sept. 17, at the Bridge Park in downtown Sylva. For more information contact bridgeparkboogie@gmail.com.
• Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center (Franklin) will The BorderCollies (Americana) 5 p.m. Sept. 17. Admission is $5 for adults, children are free. 828.369.4080 or coweeschool.org/music.
• Marianna Black Library (Bryson City) will host a Community Jam 6 p.m. Sept. 15. Free and open to the public. 828.488.3030 or fontanalib.org/brysoncity.
F OOD AND D RINK
• Jenna Kranz from Uncomplicated Kitchen will hold a cooking class at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. The program is in the Atrium and is free of charge. Sign-up is required as space is limited. For more information and/ or to register, call the library at 828.586.2016.
• Food Truck Boot Camp will take place Nov. 7-10, at multiple locations in Cherokee, North Carolina. For more information contact Laura Lauffer at 828.359.6926 or lwauffe@ncsu.edu.
• BBQ and Live Music takes place at 6 p.m. every Saturday at the Meadowlark Motel. Call 828.926.1717 or visit meadowlarkmotel.com.
• “Flights & Bites” will be held starting at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in downtown Waynesville. For more information on upcoming events, wine tastings and special dinners, click on waynesvillewine.com.
• A free wine tasting will be held from 6-8 p.m. every Thursday and 2-5 p.m. every Saturday at The Wine Bar & Cellar in Sylva. 828.631.3075.
CLASSES AND PROGRAMS
• “Cherokee & Early History of the Old Campground of Franklin” will be presented at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Historian Lamar Marshall’s talk will be focusing on the earliest history of the Old Campground and its evolution as a public meeting place for early church meetings and its eventual location as a prison camp. Free and open to the public. 828.524.3600.
• “How Cultures and Landscapes Mesh,” a talk co-led by Ty Bushyhead Boyd will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, at the Macon County Public Library. Learn about the Nikwasi Initiative focused on local Cherokee culture. nantahalahikingclub.org.
• Folkmoot USA will begin its new “Life Long Learning” education initiative the first week of October. Six courses will be available, each lasting six weeks, Swedish Weaving, History — Haywood County Beginnings, introduction to Birds and Birding, The Civil War in Haywood County, Introduction to Comedy Improvisation and Introduction to Genealogy. For more information or to register go to www.folkmoot.org.
• Uptown Gallery, 30 East Main St. Franklin, will be offering Children’s Art Classes Wednesdays afternoons. Adult workshops in watercolor, acrylic paint pouring, encaustic and glass fusing are also offered. Free painting is available 10 a.m.-3 p.m. every Monday in the classroom. A membership meeting takes place on the second Sunday of the month at 3 p.m. All are welcome. Call 828.349.4607 for more information.
ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES
• Western Carolina Photo Exhibit will take place Aug. 1 - Sept. 30, at the Waynesville branch of the Haywood County Public Library. The community’s assistance is
Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for:
n Complete listings of local music scene
n Regional festivals
n Art gallery events and openings
n Complete listings of recreational offerings at health and fitness centers
n Civic and social club gatherings
needed to identify the people and places pictured. Pictures depict the region during the first half of the 20th century. For more information, contact Kathy at kathleen.olsen@haywoodcountync.gov or 828.356.2507.
• “Thursday Painters” group will be held from 10 a.m.3 p.m. on Thursdays at The Uptown Gallery in Franklin. Free and open to the public. All skill levels and mediums are welcome. Participants are responsible for their own project and a bag lunch. 828.349.4607 or pm14034@yahoo.com.
• The exhibit “Like No Other Place” is open July 16-Dec. 31, in the Joel Gallery at the The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts. For more information visit thebascom.org.
• “Life in Haywood” exhibit will be held through Oct. 2 at the Haywood County Arts Council in downtown Waynesville. The exhibit will showcase work that expresses artists’ connection to their lives in Haywood County. For more information, click on haywoodarts.org/events.
Outdoors
• Brent Martin will discuss the photography and life of early 20th-century Japanese immigrant Masahara Izuka — better known as George Masa — during a lecture at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, at the Highlands Nature Center in Highlands.
• Hike Rufus Morgan Falls and visit Wayah Bald Friday, Sept. 9, on an excursion led by MountainTrue Western Regional Director Callie Moore. Cost is $5 for MountainTrue members and $15 for nonmembers. Sign up at mountaintrue.org.
• A party starting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, in Cashiers, will celebrate all the volunteers who help keep the trails in shape at Panthertown Valley. RSVP by Friday, Sept. 9, to bit.ly/3wO35cz.
• Cataloochee Trout Unlimited will resume its regular monthly meeting schedule at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, at Valley Tavern in Maggie Valley. The group will begin with an hour for storytelling and an equipment swap meet, to be followed by a speaker, 50-50 drawing and raffle. tucataloochee427@gmail.com.
• Haywood County Agriculture Center in Waynesville will hold an open house noon-4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15.
• An assortment of locally grown plants will be for sale Friday, Sept. 16, and Saturday, Sept. 17, at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville. Members can attend for free, while the standard $16 parking fee applies to nonmembers.
• The 14th annual Flock to the Rock event will take place 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, and Sunday, Sept. 18, at Chimney Rock State Park in Rutherford County. The event is included with regular park admission. An additional fee and advance registration are required for the guided birding walk. A complete schedule is available at www.chimneyrockpark.com/event/14th-annual-flock-tothe-rock.
Market PLACE WNC
MarketPlace information:
The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 copies across 500 locations in Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, including the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. Visit www.wncmarketplace.com to place your ad!
Rates:
• $15 — Classified ads that are 25 words, 25¢ per word after.
• Free — Lost or found pet ads.
• $6 — Residential yard sale ads.*
• $1 — Yard Sale Rain Insurance Yard sale rained out? Call us by 10a.m. Monday for your ad to run again FREE
• $375 — Statewide classifieds run in 170 participating newspapers with 1.1+ million circulation. (Limit 25 words or less)
• Boost Online — Have your ad featured at top of category online $4
• Boost in Print
• Add Photo $6
• Bold ad $2
• Yellow, Green, Pink or Blue Highlight $4
• Border $4
Note: Highlighted ads automatically generate a border so if you’re placing an ad online and select a highlight color, the “add border” feature will not be available on the screen.
Note: Yard sale ads require an address. This location will be displayed on a map on www.wncmarketplace.com
2002 HONDA CIVIC 4/ DR Sedan, For Sale $3,700 OBO! For more info call 828.507.7554
Building Materials
SALVAGE GRAVEL/ STONE FOR SALE $15/ ton pickup. Stone can be delivered with our truck for and additional haul fee. Contact Doug 828-269-3001 or (828) 269-3001 ext. 8282937185 peicontractor@aol.com
Employment
COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM! Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Grants and Scholarships available for certain applicants. Call CTI for
details! 1-855-554-4616
The Mission, Program Information and Tuition is located at CareerTechnical.edu/consumer-information.
MEDICAL
BILLING
Train Online! Becomefessional online at CTI!
ready to work in months! Call 866-243-5931. (M-F 8am-6pm ET)
BOOTS STEAKHOUSE IN DILLSBORO Boots Steakhouse in Dillsboro is now hiring Bartenders, Servers, Bussers, Cooks and Dishwashers. Our employees earn top wages and we are ranked the #1 Steakhouse by Trip Advisor in the Carolina Mountains. Please apply to: bootssteakhouse@gmail.com to schedule an in person interview. You can also call 828-631-9713 and view our website: www. bootssteakhouse.com
THE JACKSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT Of Social Services is recruiting an energetic and engaging Foster Parent recruitment and licensing Social Worker. This position is rated as a Social Worker II. This position recruits, trains and licenses foster parents, provides support for foster/adoptive parents, provides adoption services and works with community groups. To a lesser degree, this position will also provide services to a small caseload of families where needs have been identi-
is $39,508.84 depending on education and experience. Minimum quali-
year degree in a Human
will be given to applicants with a Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and/or experience providing Social Work services. Applicants should complete a NC State application form (PD-107) and submit it to the Jackson County Department of Social Ser-
Sylva, NC 28779 or the NC Career Works Center.
Applications will be taken until September 12, 2022.
HOME CARE PARTNERS
work schedule with beneor weekends. Full and Part time positions. Help someone remain independent in their home rather than be institutionalized. A lot of people need a little help and you could be that someone who cares. Up to $12.50 per hour. Call Home Care Partners 828-586-1570 or 828507-6065. Applications available at 525 Mineral Springs Drive, Sylva.
CHILDREN & YOUTH DIRECTOR First Presbyterian Church of Sylva seeks experienced employee to lead fun Sunday ministry program for children ages 0-12 and their families, and to help expand the youth program. Position starts at 15 hrs/wk and $20/hr. Applications are available at www.sylvapres.org/ jobs. Please submit ap(P.O. Box 2152, Sylva, NC 28779) or email to kakieg9@gmail.com. (828) 586-4256
B. H. GRANING IS HIRING B.H. Graning Landscapes is hiring entry level crew members for Maintenance and Construction. FT and PT positions available. 13.00-20.00/hr. Apply in person or online at BHGLandscapes.com/landscaping-jobs Second chance employer. (828) 586-8303
Home Goods
PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES TODAY With a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options. Request a
before the next power outage: 1-844-938-0700
Legal Notices
NOTICE TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA JACKSON COUNTY File No. 21-E 337 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT TYRONE CHASTAIN, DECEASED NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having of the Estate of Robert Tyrone Chastain (Estate File Number 21-E 337), deceased, late of Jackson County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, having claims against the decedent and/or the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned in care of Gilreath Shealy Law, PLLC, 224 6th Avenue East, Hendersonville, NC 28792 on or before November 17, 2022, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, indebted to said decedent and/or decedent’s estate will please make immediate payment. Dated the 17th day of August 2022. Brandy Chastain, Administrator of the Estate of Robert Tyrone Chastain, Deceased Adam L. Shealy, Esq. Gilreath Shealy Law, PLLC 224
6th Avenue East Hendersonville, NC 28792
Pets
USE HAPPY JACK® DD33 on dogs & cats on contact. At Tractor Supply®
KITTENS! Asheville Humane Society has numerous kittens ready for adoption! All 2-6 months old; variety of colors and cute as can be! (828) 761-2001 adoptions@ ashevillehumane.org
MASTIFF MIX DOG, WHISKEY 5 year old boy, brown brindle & white. Friendly; likes leisurely walks. A wanna-be lap dog! Asheville Humane Society (828) 761-2001 adoptions@ashevillehumane.org
Rentals
TIMESHARE CANCELLATION EXPERTS. Wesley Financial Group, LLC Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 844-213-6711
Automotive
AUTO INSURANCE STARTING AT $49/ MONTH! Call for your fee rate comparison to see how much you can save! Call: 833-472-0580
Entertainment
4G LTE HOME INTERNET Now Available! Get GotW3 with lightning fast speeds plus take your service with you when you travel! As low as $109.99/ mo! 1-888-519-0171
HUGHESNET SATEL-
LITE INTERNET – Finally, no hard data limits! Call Today for speeds up to 25mbps as low as $59.99/ mo! $75 gift card, terms apply. 1-844-416-7147
From Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-844-4968601 www.dental50plus. com/ncpress #6258
ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. FREE information kit. Call 866579-0885
ATTENTION: Oxygen Users. Gain freedom with a portable oxygen concentrator. No more heavy -
teed lowest prices. Oxygen Concentrator Store 844-866-4793
Home Improvement
REPLACE YOUR ROOF With the best looking and longest lasting material
Roofs! Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer - $500 Discount + Additional 10% off install (for military, health workers & 1st responders.) Call Erie Metal Roofs: 1-855-5851815
SAFE STEP. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-855-931-3643
ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING FOREVER!
LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% of f Entire Purchase. Call 1-877-649-1190
BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES In as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! 833-987-0207
WATER DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME? Call for a quote for professional cleanup & maintain the value of your home! Set an appt. today! Call 833664-1530 (AAN CAN)
Legal, Financial and Tax
STOP WORRYING! SilverBills eliminates the stress and hassle of bill payments. All household bills guaranteed to be paid on time, as long as appropriate funds are available. Computer not necessary. Call for a FREE trial or a custom quote today. SilverBills 1-866-530-1374
SUDOKU
Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!
