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December 3-9, 2014 Vol. 16 Iss. 27 Western North Carolina’s Source for Weekly News, Entertainment, Arts, and Outdoor Information www.smokymountainnews.com

Haywood tax collector benched until bonded Page 4 Telling stories and making toys in Bryson City Page 26

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On the Cover: When the economy collapsed in 2008, a lot of people started looking to veggie oil for a cheaper way to fill the gas tank. Now, the ranks of biodiesel and straight veggie oil users are holding steady, even growing, partly thanks to more readily available oil-based fuel for purchase. Drivers of oil-fueled cars tout the environmental and social benefits of their vehicles and are pretty happy with the gas mileage, too. They’d like to see veggie oil become an even more mainstream way to power a car. (Page 6)

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News Haywood’s new tax collector struggles with liability bond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Franklin gets serious about grease disposal in effort to keep pipes clear . . . . 8 Conservation development stresses the low-impact path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Swain’s waste-management math doesn’t add up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Haywood purchases property intregal to Francis Farm landfill cleanup . . . . . 13 Skaterboarders will soon have a skatepark in Canton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Jackson Tourism Development Authority may be downsizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Typically tossed in the trash, milk cartons can be recycled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Cherokee influence skews tourism numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

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

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The meaningful moments that make memories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

A&E Bryson City toymaker tells a story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Outdoors Biologists track sicklefin redhorse, consider its potential federal status. . . . . 38

December 3-9, 2014

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The magic number: is the tax collector’s higher bond prudent or punitive?

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER aywood County commissioners are being accused of partisan politics for upping the liability bond for the county tax collector, although commissioners say it’s just a safeguard given the limited experience and less-thanstellar financial record of the incoming tax collector.

Critics say the Democratic commissioners are just trying to shut down the newly elected Republican tax collector Mike Matthews by setting his bond too high.

“The county commissioners made it about impossible for him to take office,” said Vickie Queen, a Matthews’ supporter.

Matthews must secure a professional liability bond of $410,000 — an amount decided by commissioners — before he can take office. It is substantially higher than the $100,000 bond of his predecessor David Francis, who’s been in the job since 1998. Francis is a Democrat.

“Why was the bond for the Democrat $100,000? There are people who are questioning whether it is partisan,” said Debbie King, a local Republican Party activist, although King would not say whether she is one of those people doing the questioning.

Commissioners countered that accusation.

“We didn’t arbitrarily set a bond that was too difficult for Mr. Matthews to obtain,” said Commissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick. “We never thought it would be hard. It wasn’t aimed at keeping him out of office. We will do whatever we can to help him get that bond.”

Commissioners said the higher bond was justified given Matthews’ personal financial background and lack of experience.

“The evidence showed his financial record wasn’t that good and the other commissioners felt like it needed to be higher to protect the taxpayers,” Commissioner Kevin Ensley said. Ensley, the lone Republican on the board, said politics had nothing to do with the higher bond amount.

Ensley wagered that any of the commissioners would be able to get a bond of $410,000 themselves.

Republicans put out a call to their ranks to show up at Matthews’ swearing in ceremony Monday — even though Matthews wouldn’t actually be sworn in — as a show of solidarity.

“The commissioners should be aware

New Haywood tax collector sidelined after hitting a bond snag

Smoky Mountain News

December 3-9, 2014

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S EE BOND, PAGE 5

Mike Matthews, the newly elected Haywood tax collector, left his swearing in ceremony Monday without being sworn in, after hitting a snag trying to get bonded. Becky Johnson photo

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER he newly elected tax collector in Haywood County has been benched indefinitely.

Mike Matthews was supposed to take office Monday, but his swearing in ceremony was canceled at the 11th hour. Matthews wasn’t able to get bonded at the amount stipulated by county commissioners — namely a $410,000 professional liability bond.

If and when he gets bonded, he can step into the role.

But for now, the long-time tax collector David Francis is staying David Francis on in an interim basis.

Francis had already stripped the pictures from the walls and knick-knacks from the shelves of his corner office — leaving it slick and clean save a desk and a chair to make way for Matthews this week, who now isn’t starting after all.

It’s not the only empty office on the tax collector’s hall these days. Three of the five employees in the tax collector’s office have left since Matthews won office. One opted for retirement, one left to take another job and one transferred to an open position in another county department.

Francis was narrowly ousted as tax collector by 250 votes. The upset was a surprise.

Matthews ran on the Republican ticket at the behest of Republican Party operatives in a quest to find candidates from their party to round out the ballot.

Matthews was considered a long shot in the race. The 35-year-old has limited experience for the job, which oversees $39 million in tax collections annually.

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Matthews can’t take office until he secures a personal liability bond. At least one national bonding company has denied his application so far.

Tax collectors must be bonded per state statute. In the event of poor job performance or malfeasance, the bond would kick in to cover losses incurred by the county — up to the amount of the bond. The personal performance bonds are common for those in the financial industry and act like an insurance policy.

It’s up to county commissioners to set the tax collector’s bond. For Francis, it had been $100,000. But for Matthews, commissioners set it at $410,000.

It is not known why Matthews hasn’t been able to get bonded yet, although public records indicate his credit rating might not be good. Matthews has indicated to the county that he simply needs more time to come up with an underwriter willing to bond him.

But it certainly created a hitch during the swearing in ceremony for local officials held Monday morning in the historic courthouse.

After several elected officials were sworn in — including commissioners, the register of deeds, and the sheriff — the ceremony was put on pause.

County Attorney Chip Killian, who had been in the hallway on his cell phone, walked in and whispered something to Commissioner Chairman Mark Swanger.

Swanger then signaled to County Manager Ira Dove.

“We need to take a moment to confer with counsel before we proceed,” Dove said.

Killian then spoke up, saying he just got off the phone with a local insurance agent engaged by Matthews to shop around for a bond underwriter.

“He feels like he is able to get the bond but

he has not gotten it at this time,” Killian said.

Killian said the bond is a “prerequisite” for Matthews to take office. If and when it comes through, Matthews can be sworn in, Killian said, but not before.

“We will cooperate with the insurance agent to try to get the bond in place so Mr. Matthews can be sworn in,” Killian said.

That could be “Later today or next week or whenever Mr. Matthews secures a bond,” Swanger said.

Swanger then made a motion that Francis be sworn in as the interim tax collector in the meantime.

It’s unclear what will happen if Matthews simply can’t get bonded at the $410,000 amount.

At least one bonding firm has declined to underwrite a $410,000 bond for Matthews.

Matthews was denied due to “information found during our underwriting review,” according to an email the county received from Marsh, a national insurance broker.

The broker said she couldn’t disclose the details, beyond informing the county that Matthews didn’t qualify.

“I will not be able to place the $410,000 bond in his position of tax collector due to items that became apparent during our underwriting,” a surety bond underwriter with Marsh wrote in an email to the county finance officer over the weekend.

Marsh is the go-to brokerage firm used by the county for other employees who are bonded.

Matthews is still trying other channels.

He told a crowd of supporters at a meet-andgreet reception Monday night that he was hopeful he would be able to get bonded.

However, Matthews would not comment directly for this article. Matthews also would not say on the record whether the amount of the bond was the hang up, although he has told supporters he could get bonded at a lower amount with no problem.

Normally, the county handles the bonding process on behalf of any employees that have to be bonded for their job. The employee fills out an application and returns it to the county, which in turn uses Marsh as an underwriter to shop for a policy.

Matthews apparently sent his bond application directly to Marsh instead of going through the county as a medium. The county would pay the annual premium on the bond policy, if and when Matthews obtains it.

There has been some talk among Matthews’ supporters of raising the money themselves to guarantee his bond. But bonding agencies don’t allow private individuals to put up the money for underwriting.

Waynesville Attorney Rusty McLean was at Monday’s swearing in meeting and seen speaking with Matthews, but McLean would not say at this time whether he is representing Matthews.

BOND, CONTINUED FROM 4

Haywood is the only county in the state where the tax collector is still an elected office.

Matthews, who eked out a narrow victory for tax collector in last month’s election, said he is hopeful he can get the required bond. He met with supporters during a meet-and-greet reception Monday evening.

Most in the room were critical of commissioners for setting such a high bond.

Matthews told them he feels like the rules of the game were changed mid-stream, but won’t hold a grudge.

“Once I get in, I am not going to go in with a chip on my shoulder,” Matthews told supporters Monday night. “I just want to get in and do what I was elected to do.”

Matthews has been open about not having great credit, according to Jeremy Davis, a supporter in attendance at the meet-andgreet. In an interview three weeks ago, Matthews said he knows what it is like to have bills piling up that you can’t pay on time.

Matthews has been delinquent on his county vehicle taxes twice in recent years, racking up late fees. His wife failed to pay her vehicle taxes twice in recent years as well. He said in a past interview that he never got the overdue tax notices in the mail.

Matthews had his wages garnished in 2011 to collect past due vehicle taxes and past due property taxes on a mobile home, but Matthews said he didn’t know anything about that. And Matthews’ wife had her bank account tapped by the county to forcibly collect her back due vehicle taxes, which Matthews also said he was not aware of.

A collection agency has a $3,000 civil suit pending against Matthews for a past due credit card bill, but Matthews said that was news to him when asked about it in a past interview. Matthews also has a court-ordered judgment against him for $474 dating to 2010 small claims suit. He hasn’t paid it yet, however, and the judgment now totals $569 with interest.

These are some of the financial considerations that gave commissioners pause when deciding to up the bond for Matthews’ to $410,000.

They also say the higher amount is more in keeping for counties of Haywood’s size around the state. The specific amount was chosen to match the bond required of the county finance director, which is also $410,000.

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f Specifically, the state statute says the tax collector must secure a bond “conditioned upon his honesty and faithful performance in such amount as the governing body may prescribe.”

Commissioners added that $100,000 was probably too low, even for Francis. The bond for Francis was set years ago by a previous board, and simply never revisited until now.

“I thought it was time to up the amount.

I didn’t see that as a way of keeping Mr. f Matthews out of the job,” Commissioner Bill Upton said.

Francis is getting his own bond upped from $100,000 to $410,000 now that he is staying on as interim tax collector.

Haywood is the only county in the state where the tax collector is still an elected office. It used to be the norm, but every other county has abandoned electing a tax collector and made it a hired administrative position.

While Matthews has won the tax collector seat in a Republican-friendly election year, it’s unknown whether he would have a

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there is a prevailing sentiment they have unfairly set the bond amount, and they need to explain their action,” said Pat Carr, the chair of the Haywood County Republican Party, in an email to fellow party officers.

Only a handful of Matthews’ supporters showed up, however. A couple of them waylaid Commissioner Mark Swanger after the meeting and took him to task. King pointed a video camera at Swanger and filmed him while posing questions.

“You set the bond $310,000 higher for the Republican tax collector,” King said to Swanger.

“It is not because he is a Republican,” Swanger replied.

“I am not saying it is or isn’t,” King said.

King said some people are asking that question, however.

Swanger said the bond isn’t a static amount for tax collectors across the board.

“The statute does not specify a bond amount for the position,” Swanger said.

Rather, it varies according to the individual. What’s prudent for one person may not be prudent for another, Swanger said.

In the event of human error or malfeasance, the bond is like an insurance policy.

The county can recoup any losses it incurs as a result of missteps by the tax collector — but only up to the bond amount. Thus, the bond amount should reflect the perceived risk to the county.

“It is based on individual qualities like trustworthiness, et cetera, et cetera,” Swanger said.

shot at the job if he had to go through a regular hiring and vetting process.

Matthews has some relevant experience as an account manager and mortgage officer at Wachovia in Waynesville. But he parted ways with Wachovia several years ago and has not worked in the financial industry since. He’s worked as an insurance salesman, radio ad salesman and VIP host at Harrah’s Casino over the past five years since leaving Wachovia.

Jonnie Cure, a Matthews’ supporter, said she believes he is amply qualified.

“I think he is very bright. I think he would do a good job,” Cure said.

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GREASING THE WHEELS WNC residents trade petroleum for veggie oil

BY HOLLY KAYS in comparison to the pump price for diesel.

STAFF WRITER It was a two-day process to take the oil from here’s nothing Adam Bigelow likes better raw material to finished product, but Birenbaum than a full tank of gas in the summertime was working from home, part time. She’d heat up with an open road ahead. After all, the drive the oil and then mix it with methanol and lye. from Sylva to Cashiers, where he works three That would cause the chemical reaction that days a week, is a beautiful, twisting mountain turned the oil into biodiesel, and afterward she’d route that’s great for someone who wants to put rinse the mixture twice, draining out the waste their steering skills to the test. both times. The whole setup took up about half But Bigelow’s feel-good mood comes more of one side of the two-car garage. from the contents of his tank than the places it’s Before heading out of town, she’d fill up the getting him. He’s been driving a car powered by RV’s 300-gallon tank, load three 55-gallon drums veggie oil for years, and he’s got nothing but good of fuel into a trailer to go behind the RV and top it things to say about it. off with an electric vehicle towed along at the back.

“They’re using a waste [product] and convertThe RV ran “great,” Birenbaum said, but she ing that into a resource, and I’m an advocate of doesn’t make her own biodiesel anymore. that in all of its forms,” Bigelow said, starting off “It just was a messy project,” she said. a lengthy reply to a simple query about what he Plenty of people wince at just dealing with the likes about his car. “I feel really good when I fill oil from one dinner’s worth of fried chicken. But a up my tank, especially in the summer when the whole RV tank’s worth of used veggie oil, complete blend is 99 percent biodiesel from Asheville and with stray bits of french fry and onion ring, has 1 percent petroleum diesel. The money stays in even more of an ick factor. That’s a lot of the reason my community, the money stays in Western why Bigelow’s given up on making his own fuel.

North Carolina and goes to help support a busi“It’s a messy business,” he said. “I’m glad ness that is attempting to show us a sustainable someone else is doing it.” way forward.”

Bigelow’s 2005 Volkswagon Jetta is the third IOFUEL FOR THE MASSES biodiesel vehicle he’s had — biodiesel is basically veggie oil that’s been put through a chemical For Western North Carolina, that “someone process to allow it to run in a regular diesel else” is Blue Ridge Biofuels. Back when Birenbaum engine — and he doesn’t plan for it to be his last. was filling up her 300-gallon RV tank, Blue Ridge A horticulturist who’s into organic gardening, was just getting on its legs as a company. But since he’s passionate about the social and environmen- its founding in 2005, the company has grown to tal benefits of biodiesel, and the 42 miles per gal- produce about 500,000 gallons each year, conlon he gets doesn’t hurt either. tracting with about 1,000 area restaurants to buy He’s so passionate, in fact, that after graduat- their used oil. ing from Haywood Community College’s horticulture program “I feel really good when I fill up my tank in 2008, he about-faced right back to the school to help build ... the money stays in my community, an on-campus biodiesel “refinthe money stays in Western North ery” in a project funded by the North Carolina Biofuels Carolina and goes to help support a Center. While also working on his bachelor’s degree from business that is attempting to show us Western Carolina University, a sustainable way forward.”

Bigelow helped build a biodiesel reactor, which was — Adam Bigelow used for both continuing education classes for community members who wanted to learn more and as an That’s a far cry from the company’s beginextra education opportunity for automotive stu- nings as a bunch of biodiesel enthusiasts creating dents at HCC. the fuel in their own respective garages.

“I personally taught one continuing educa“We thought it was the right thing to do and tion class, but I also taught the automotive tech- someone needed to be doing it,” said Woody nician instructors and came and helped them Eaton, the company’s general manager. when they were first teaching it to their stuNearly a decade later, the company’s doing dents,” Bigelow said. quite well, but Eaton thinks there’s more going on than just one company’s success — he thinks use in general is on the rise.

OME BREW that“Ibiodiesel would definitely say there has been,” Eaton It’s a skill, but it’s not rocket science, Bigelow said when asked if it seems like there has been an said. With a little research and the right equip- increase in the number of people driving biodiesel ment, biodiesel is simple enough to make in any vehicles. “We’ve been seeing pretty steady growth, shed or garage. and then you’re seeing a lot of large fleets start to Hylah Birenbaum turned to that solution in use biodiesel as a way to reduce carbon emissions.”

2007 when her family decided to spend some Nearby organizations that use biodiesel for time roadtripping in the RV they’d bought a cou- certain fleets include Great Smoky Mountains ple years prior.

National Park, Mission Hospital, Hendersonville “When the economy tanked, prices went up to and Buncombe County. $4 a gallon for diesel,” Birenbaum said. With a 300gallon tank, “that adds up very quickly.”

UMP PRICES So, she bought a reactor, found someone to collect oil from and got to work. It ended up costSome of the increase Blue Ridge has seen has ing about 75 cents a gallon to make, a sweet deal to do with high petroleum prices. Though

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Smoky Mountain News

December 3-9, 2014

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The main used-cooking oil processing pump at Blue Ridge Biofuels chugs away as Lucy Kruesel, production plant operator, stands by. Donated photo

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With more and more restaurants signing with Blue Ridge, the landscape has gotten a little more competitive for do-it-yourself biofuel users.

“I’ve not talked with anybody, but my thoughts are that it’s a little bit harder unless you’re involved in something that’s generating a large amount of grease,” Bigelow said.

The Smoky Mountain News tried to talk to

Where can I buy it?

West of Asheville, biodiesel is available at the pump only at Catamount Pump & Go in Sylva. But Blue Ridge Biofuels, 828.253.1034, delivers upon request in most locations in Western North Carolina.

As for straight veggie oil, individuals able to track down a restaurant not already under contract for its oils can get that direct. Otherwise, it can be ordered from Veggie Oil Conversions, 678.643.4171. someone who still collects her own oil for this story, but that source proved elusive. Most people interviewed for the story were able to turn up some references to people they know who used to collect their own oil but were unable to name anyone who does so currently.

It’s hard to say for sure why that is, or to determine conclusively whether the difficulty in locating oil collectors is merely coincidence.

But it could have something to do with the increased competition for oil now that more and more restaurants have contracts with companies like Blue Ridge Biofuels, and the fact that it’s now easier to buy fuel that’s already processed. All of those interviewed for this story had at one time processed their own oil, and they all agreed that it’s not a pleasant task.

“It’s a nasty, gross thing dealing with waste vegetable oil. It’s gross,” Bigelow said.

“It does make you crave french fries a lot.”

GIVING IT STRAIGHT That doesn’t seem to bother Oren Kleinberger, whose company Veggie Oil Conversions converts cars to run on veggie oil and collects oil — together with whatever grease and animal fat winds up in the mix — from restaurants in the Atlanta area to sell throughout Atlanta and Asheville.

Kleinberger and his wife Jill Gottesman, who works out of The Wilderness Society’s Sylva office, both drive veggie-powered cars.

Unlike Blue Ridge Biofuels, Kleinberger’s process skips the steps of mixing the oil with methanol and lye and doesn’t dilute the veggie oil with petroleum diesel at all. Instead, he filters and dewaters oil straight from the fryer to go in a car that’s had a second tank installed in it for the veggie oil.

Cars like this 1980s Mercedes are said to take oil-based fuel well and are old enough that there’s no danger of voiding the warranty. Donated photo “You start your engine on diesel or biodiesel, and once your engine warms up, you switch to using 100 percent vegetable oil,” Kleinberger said.

Kleinberger is all about using straight veggie oil, but others are more hesitant. It’s not a federally recognized fuel, and running it will void most car warranties.

“You have more problems using that than people do using biodiesel,” said Bill Eaker, Waynesville resident and coordinator of the Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition.

But Kleinberger swears by it. Unlike biodiesel, which congeals in cold weather and therefore has to be mixed with some ratio of

“Biodiesel offers a solution. It’s not the end-all solution, but it’s a step in the right direction.”

— Woody Eaton, manager, Blue Ridge Biofuels

petroleum diesel to run its best, straight veggie oil stays liquid and doesn’t need to be diluted. And because it’s a one-ingredient recipe, it’s a lot easier for do-it-yourselfers to handle than biodiesel, which requires more knowledge and equipment.

“Most of our customers collect their own oil from a local restaurant and filter it on their own,” Kleinberger said. “It is a very easy process.”

Easy on the car, too, Kleinberger said. He’s had cars travel over 200,000 miles on vegetable oil, and converted cars generally aren’t new when they take on their first tank of veg-

etable oil.

Kleinberger and Gottesman drive 80smodel Mercedes, and one of Kleinberger’s favorite cars to convert is the 1999 Mercedes E300 series — not the newest models.

But for those who rely on their own oilcollecting prowess to run, the landscape has gotten a bit more challenging.

“There is a little more competition for the oil from restaurants in recent years,” Kleinberger said.

No longer just a waste product, most restaurants contract with a company to sell their used oil off, making the landscape harder for individuals looking to power a single car. But not impossible.

“Most of the time, you can look around and find a restaurant that is willing to work with you,” Kleinberger said. “You may have to pay them a little for their oil, and you have to promise that you will be reliable at collecting the oil, as this is one of the most important parts of the oil collection service for a restaurant.”

A LOT TO LAUD Though a competitive landscape may cause some frustration to a veggie car driver trying to fill his tank, biofuel proponents overall agree that the push is a good thing.

When gas prices rose between 2005 and 2007, Kleinberger said, there was “a big surge” of people who moved to biofuel, and since then the numbers have seemed to stay pretty steady. For the environment, each of those biofuel-burning cars is a win.

“It’s biodegradable. It reduces emissions.

Our farmers can grow it and we can turn it

Smoky Mountain News

HEALTHY COMPETITION

Someone who wants to start powering a vehicle with vegetable oil has two choices: biodiesel or straight vegetable oil. While vegetable oil is the main component of the fatty fuel, animal fats burn fine too, so it’s no problem if they wind up mixed into the veggie oil.

Straight veggie oil is just what it sounds like: Once the french fries are done, the oil is simply filtered, dewatered and poured into the tank of a diesel car that’s been retrofitted with a tank to hold veggie oil. To start it up, the driver has to warm up the engine on diesel or biodiesel and then switch to veggie oil for the drive.

Biodiesel is veggie oil that’s been put through a chemical reaction that allows it to go right in the fuel tank of a diesel vehicle. The reaction can take place in a garage workshop or in an industrial facility. To make biodiesel, oil is heated up, mixed with a catalyst to cause a low-key chemical reaction and then filtered to get all the “extra” stuff out. While straight veggie oil is not a federally approved fuel, biodiesel is and can be sold from gas pumps alongside regular 87.

Biodiesel can be blended with petroleum diesel to create any ratio desired. B20, which is 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel, is the most commonly used blend. Lower percentages of biodiesel have the benefit of staying liquid at cooler temperatures, as biodiesel tends to start clouding up at about 34 degrees and solidify somewhere in the teens.

December 3-9, 2014

biodiesel is currently more expensive than petroleum diesel, historically it’s been a bit cheaper, and in general the price doesn’t fluctuate nearly as much as do prices for petroleum products. Prices are controlled by more localized, predictable forces than the inscrutable international trade organizations, government relations and speculators that influence petroleum prices.

Outside influences do affect biodiesel prices too, however. Tax credits, combined with a requirement for petroleum refiners and importers to integrate a certain amount of renewable energy — read, biodiesel — into their product had provided some extra income to biodiesel producers.

But recently, those breaks haven’t come through. The tax credit expired last year, and the Environmental Protection Agency has been lagging behind on announcing how much renewable energy petroleum companies need to buy, Eaton said.

How it had typically worked, he said, was that biodiesel companies like Blue Ridge would get a renewable identification number, called an RIN, and then sell it to refiners and importers who are responsible for blending a certain amount of biodiesel fuel into their diesel. It’s a system that works, Eaton says, but it hasn’t been working lately because the EPA hasn’t been releasing the volumes that petroleum companies are required to buy.

Thus, higher prices.

“It’s probably one of the biggest issues in the industry right now,” Eaton said.

The business is still doing plenty well, though. Blue Ridge has just signed a contract with Waynesville’s Peak Energy to expand its delivery capability, and it’s getting ready to move its production to a larger facility in Catawba County, though keeping its distribution, oil processing and administration facilities in Asheville.

What’s it all mean? news

Hylah Birenbaum’s home-brewed biofuel setup takes up about half of a one-car garage. Donated photo

S EE B IODIESEL, PAGE 8 7

into fuel,” Eaton said.

Of course, that last part is also true for ethanol, a corn-based fuel, which has been criticized for pushing up food prices by cutting into the supply of corn available for consumption. But veggie oil-run cars are different, because they’re not using oil that was produced for the purpose of fueling cars, and therefore they’re not cutting into food supplies, taking up land or using fertilizer.

They’re giving a waste product a second life.

“The carbon that comes out the tailpipe of a veggie car was carbon that the plants pulled from the atmosphere last year during their growing cycle,” Kleinberger said, explaining that veggie oil is a carbon-neutral fuel.

In addition, the fuel is nontoxic and less flammable than other fuels — “you can literally eat it,” Kleinberger said — so its environmental risk is much lower than that of petroleum. And, of course, the supply doesn’t depend on foreign countries that may or may not have the best interests of the U.S. at heart.

So there’s a lot to laud, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that biofuel is a cure-all for America’s energy needs. For one thing, there’s only so much used veggie oil to go around. If everyone in WNC suddenly switched to biofuel, restaurant waste would be maxed out and farmers would have to grow crops specifically for oil production in order to meet the demand. Though the oil from soybeans, for example, accounts for only 20% of the product — the meal could still be used separately — that would negate

some of the positive environmental effects of biofuel. The carbon footprint would grow to include the energy spent to produce and transport the crop, and production would compete with food needs to some degree.

“Biodiesel offers a solution,” Eaton said.

“It’s not the end-all solution, but it’s a step in the right direction.”

Smoky Mountain News

Authorized Big Green Egg dealer plus a huge selection of accessories!

A Haywood Community College student demonstrates biodiesel production at a 2009 Earth Day celebration. Donated photo Bigelow agrees that biofuel isn’t the perfect answer — he says he’s still hoping for “some great x fuel that someone would invent out on the horizon” — but for now it’s a pretty good one.

His car is road-tested, having driven from North Carolina to Wisconsin and back running biodiesel nearly all the way — it’s easier than you’d think to find fueling stations, he said — and says he’s enjoying better gas mileage and a quieter engine.

“It has cascading benefits that I try to incorporate into my life,” Bigelow said.

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Franklin takes on fat Ordinance regulates grease disposal in quest to prevent clogged pipes

were taking it down to the drain in the shower floor. It congealed and blocked up the sewer line in their kitchen and their bathroom.”

The only recourse Price had was to threaten shutting off their water, but many restaurants are located in mini-mall buildings that operate from a single water meter. In those cases, they wouldn’t be able to shut off the water of the offending restaurant without affecting its law-abiding neighbors.

Other restaurants just weren’t aware that they even had a grease trap or that they had to maintain it.

“They were using them but didn’t know that they needed to keep them clean or didn’t know that they needed to check them,” Price said. “The filter would block up. It would cake

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he new wastewater treatment facility in Franklin cost the town more than $5 million to build, but within months of its summer 2013 opening, superintendent Wayne Price noticed a problem.

“Within six months of putting that into operation, we had fats build up on the walls,” Price said. “It was already getting 2 inches, 3 or 4 inches of fat all around, and there’s no way for us to treat it. We had to do something.”

That “something” came in the form of a fats, oils and greases ordinance that the town board adopted unanimously at its November meeting.

“It is a problem,” said Mayor Bob Scott. “It is a very serious problem, and I wasn’t aware of it.”

The issue stems from the fact that fats, oils and greases congeal in water, and they don’t break down. So, if a restaurant washes its grease down the sink day after day instead of disposing of it Clogged pipes like this one in Franklin result when grease and in some other way, the oil is regularly poured down the drain. Donated photo deposits build up. If the bulk of restaurants in town do the same thing, those deposits mul- up with grease and then it would start pushtiply and can result in blockages and breaks ing grease up through the top of the ground out of their grease traps.” in the sewer line.

The new ordinance allows the town to “The state of North Carolina, they frown on that, and it causes towns to face fines and levy fines, discontinue water service and noticonsequences,” Price said. In the past five fy the Macon County Health Department, years, three or four such breaks have occurred giving it more power to combat grease offenders. in Franklin.

It also lays out a set of standards for grease Price’s department is required to check on restaurants monthly and make sure that traps, which all new businesses — including they’re using their grease traps — structures those that have simply undergone a change in that allow grease and water to separate before ownership or are taking up residence in existallowing the water to flow out into the sewer ing buildings — must comply with. As well, system — but the town lacked an ordinance businesses must obtain permits to properly dispose of their wastewater. with any real teeth to enforce their use.

“It’s just education, and that’s what we’re “All we could do was just say, ‘Hey, you trying to do with this also, but we had to have need to check your grease trap,’” Price said.

Not everyone was interested in doing so. an adopted policy so we could go on and eduAt one unnamed restaurant, Price said, “They cate,” Price said.

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December 3-9, 2014

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B IODIESEL, CONTINUED FROM 7

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MtnNews

Smart phone pics don’t have to be second-rate

Elementary and middle school students in Macon County have been busy making hundreds of holiday cards this fall for the American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes project.

Drake Software spearheaded the project by providing all the craft supplies to make the cards and coordinating the effort across six participating schools.

Students churned out more than 2,200 cards. “The staff and students at our local schools really made this project a success.

James Stork watches students prepare They donated their holiday cards. time, energy, and creativity, and hundreds of our servicemen and women will receive warm holiday greetings and encouragement this holiday season,� said James Stork, Senior Vice President of Drake Enterprises.

The Holiday Mail for Heroes project gathers cards from all over the country and distributes them to members of the military, military families and veterans. “Students embraced the opportunity to provide encouragement and to thank our military for protecting our freedom,� said Michelle Bell, principal at Iotla Valley Elementary.

Since the program’s inception in 2006, the Red Cross has collected more than 4.7 million holiday cards. “It’s a neat opportunity for our students to participate in a farreaching project that touches the lives of thousands of veterans and service members each year,� said Josh Lynch, principal at Cartoogechaye Elementary.

An all-day workshop titled “iPhoneography Made Easy� will be offered Saturday, Dec. 13, at Western Carolina University.

Learn about the essential techniques to get perfect shots using smartphone cameras and photo-editing apps. “While smartphone cameras are not likely to ever surpass the quality of digital cameras, many people are now using smartphone cameras over digital cameras because of their convenience,� said class instructor Les Saucier, a professional nature photographer and instructor. “It’s important to remember that just because smartphone cameras are quick and easy to use, it doesn’t mean photography techniques should be ignored.�

There will be hands-on sessions to practice new skills.

Cost is $89. www.photography.wcu.edu or 828.227.7397.

Operation Something Bruin backlash still simmering Hunters who claimed they were unfairly targeted in an undercover wildlife poaching investigation will get a chance to share their grievances and concerns with a stateappointed committee tasked with looking into the issue.

A public meeting will be held before a panel of state legislators at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, at Stecoah Valley Center in Graham County. The 10-member House Select Committee tasked with examining the role of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

One issue on the committee’s plate is whether the Wildlife Commission acted within its authority during an undercover criminal operation targeting alleged poachers.

The four-year undercover investigation targeted hunters across the mountain, racking up hunting violations against dozens of bear hunters. But many of those who ended up with charges claimed they were victims of a fishing expedition and that wildlife officers used entrapment and coercion. “This committee is coming to hear victims speak,� said Linda Crisp of Graham County. “We have suffered entrapment and abuses of power at the hands of certain wildlife officials as a result of Operation Something Bruin.� Some of those charged have been convicted, while others have seen their charges reduced or cases thrown out completely.

N.C. Rep. Roger West, R-Murphy, is one of the legislators on the committee. The public is invited to attend.

news

Franklin students take on Holiday Mail for Heroes project

Stock the pantry for the needy The town of Waynesville is organizing a community food drive through December 19 with several drop-off points around town.

Bring non-perishable food to the police department, fire station, town hall, Hazelwood satellite town hall, Waynesville Recreation Center or the Old Armory anytime during business hours.

Special collection days will be held all-day on Friday, Dec. 12, at the Ingles on Russ Avenue and Friday, Dec. 19, in the Wal-Mart parking lot.

All donations will be provided to Haywood Christian Ministry, which provides food pantry assistance to those in need. 828.456.4838.

Tuscola High School is holding a rummage/yard sale, starting at 8 a.m. until on Saturday, Dec. 6, to benefit the Angel Tree Fund.

Items donated by the staff, students and the community will be for sale in the gym lobby at the high school. barrogers@haywood.k12.nc.us.

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The Green Way Workshop touts low-impact, conservation development

BY J EREMY MORRISON N EWS E DITOR he rolling hills of the Cullowhee River Club unfold beneath a heaven of blue sky as the Tuckasegee River rifles by.

The property long belonged to the Battle family, it was known as the Battle farm.

That’s before Ken Newell stumbled into God’s backyard.

“I wasn’t driving around here in this area looking for property,” said Newell.

The Battle family approached the developer. They were ready to sell and had zeroed in on Newell.

“He knew my philosophy about development,” Newell explained. “I’ve done a lot of conservation development.”

The Battle family wanted to sell their slice of heaven, but also wanted the land developed respectfully. Newell understood why when he got a look at the property.

“I just dropped my jaw and couldn’t believe this,” the developer said, motioning around to the future home of the River Club.

Newell ended up purchasing 133 acres of the property, with the Battles holding onto 8 acres. The developer has placed more than 70 acres of the property into a conservation easement.

“We don’t get anything for that, we just want to do a conservation easement because we want to protect it,” Newell explained, standing on the dirt road leading into the development.

Gathered around the developer is a collective of visitors. They are on the field trip portion of a conservation development workshop. The visitors enjoy the sweeping view and listen as Newell points out various features on a large map of the planned development on site.

“You can tell looking at the map it’s a clustered development. We’re leaving the steep areas alone,” Newell said. “You’re here in the very early stages. We poured our first footer yesterday for the first cabin.”

Jackson County Planner Gerald Green had arranged the visit in order to show off the Cullowhee River Club as somewhat of a case study, a tangible example of some of the philosophies covered in the workshop.

“Gerald and I have talked about this,” Newell tells the visitors. “We’re hoping this is a model project, kind of raising the bar in Jackson County.”

The visitors — a mix of local government planners and conservationists — take it in.

It’s a working example of the type of development they have been learning about during their North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission workshop.

The houses in the development will be clustered together, allowing for more open 10 space. Slopes have been left alone and old,

DIVING INTO THE TOOLBOX The recent Wildlife Resources Commission workshop in Jackson focused on the agency’s Green Growth Toolbox, a technical assistance tool aimed at guiding conservation development.

From around the region, municipal and county planners joined with representatives from a variety of conservation organizations to learn about the toolbox. They came to

Inside the box The Green Growth Toolbox was developed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and is a non-regulatory tool that provides environmental data and recommendations for conserving environmentally sensitive areas.

The Green Growth Toolbox can be explored at www.ncwildlife.org/greengrowth.

“Communities take it and do what they want with it.”

Workshop attendees appeared enthusiastic about encouraging greener growth in their respective homes.

“These mountains are our home and we need to balance our lives and our natural resources,” said Ronald Story, a member of the Jackson County Planning Board.

Story’s motivations were inline with the overall message of the workshop: to realize both a healthy economy and environment.

“I honestly believe we can help our residents and businesses grow and also maintain our beautiful natural resources through better management practices,” Story said.

Success in such a mission, Cook explained, is rooted in education. The public and government officials, she said, must be made aware of the options for conservation development, as well as the reasons for pursuing a low-impact model.

“Public education is one of the most important things,” Cook said, “because you can’t do anything without the public.”

Jeremy Morrison photos

GIVE AND TAKE

Smoky Mountain News

December 3-9, 2014

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existing logging roads have been incorporated into the layout to avoid cutting new routes. For the day’s purposes, it serves as a living example of thoughtful development, of development done with the natural environment in mind.

This type of development is not mandated by any state or county regulations. But Green attempts to guide developers down this path, the low-impact path, when they approach Jackson County.

“We give’em that option, and tell them the advantages of it,” the planner explained later.

learn how best to encourage development that embraces the natural surroundings.

“Everybody needs a place to live, a place to work. We’re not anti-development, we’re not trying to stop it,” Kacy Cook, a land conservation biologist with the commission explained to the group. “But there is a way to do it better, in conserving our water quality and wildlife.”

Cook laid out the landscape of the toolbox. She explained that it didn’t involve mandatory measures, but was rather designed to foster voluntary actions. It is a resource that offers the necessary information needed for a development to better accommodate nature.

“Proactive is a good word to use,” Cook said.

The biologist walked attendees through the toolbox. She discussed how it can aid planners and developers by providing conservation data and habitat data, as well as making green-planning recommendations.

What the Commission is hoping for is that planners and developers will plow into available data and invite on-site surveys in an effort to learn about environmentally sensitive areas involved in a particular development. Once they are armed with such information, decisions can be made about how best to accommodate an environmentally friendly development.

“Nothing we provide is regulatory,” Cook said, explaining that resources offered via the Commission’s Green Growth Toolbox are not tethered to mandatory development requirements, but are voluntary.

Kacy Cook, a biologist with the N.C. Wildlife and Natural Resources Commission, asked Cullowhee River Club developer Ken Newell if he considered locating “riverfront” lots across the road from the Tuckasegee. “If it doesn’t touch water it’s not there,” Newell said.

The idea of working with nature in development projects is not exactly new.

“This approach to planning has been around ever since the 1970s,” Cook said. “In terms of wildlife biologists getting involved in planning, that is somewhat recent.”

In Western North Carolina, local governments have waded into these waters already.

While not necessarily taking advantage of the offerings in the Commission’s Green Growth Toolbox, efforts have been made to encourage conservation development.

In Macon County, developers were offered the option to build low-impact subdivision, much like the model of development proposed by Green Growth philosophy.

“They call it a Conservation Community, it’s basically the same thing, low-impact development, cluster design,” said Macon County Planner Matt Mason.

In exchange for employing a low-impact design, developers were offered a deal on permit fees. While fees normally cost $10 per lot in a development, the conservation developments would only be charged $1 total for permit applications.

Macon’s low-impact development venture didn’t exactly take off.

“We never really had anyone really biting on it,” said Mason.

Haywood County too has dabbled in conservation development. It partnered with Haywood Waterways and Haywood Community College a

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Perfect Gifts Jackson County Planning Director Gerald Green cruises the Cullowhee River Club grounds. Green strives to work with developers to arrive at plans that accommodate nature: “It’s always going to be a give and take.”

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unbendable plans. This is borne out during the workshop’s field trip to Cullowhee River Club.

As the class stood on an observation deck — perched on a hill with rocking chairs overlooking the Tuckasegee — Newell motioned to the riverfront lots down below. The people who purchase those prized lots will not be able to develop within 30 feet of the riverbank.

“Everybody understands that when they buy a lot here, they can’t disturb that,” Newell said.

The developer considers the setback a selling point to the conservation crowd. But there are a few flinches circulating among the workshop attendees.

Thirty feet back is still pretty close. The setback prescribed in the currently proposed Cullowhee development standards is 50 feet.

Cook can’t resist asking Newell if perhaps he should consider locating the riverfront lots on the other side of the road that separates them from the rest of the development. That would allow for much more green space, much more of a buffer for the river.

The developer doesn’t flinch.

“If it doesn’t touch water it’s not there,” Newell said, explaining that there was no give on such a front. “It devalues it. An appraiser will tell you the same thing.

People, they want to be on the water.”

Even in a conservation-minded development such as the Cullowhee River Club, the bottom line can remain the bottom line.

Even when attempting to work with the natural environment, a developer is ultimately beholden to market forces — and the market likes riverfront lots.

“It’s always going to be a give and take,” Green said later.

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while back to work with a couple of developers in identifying low-impact plans for their projects.

“The idea was to look at soil types and slopes,” said Haywood Planner Kris Boyd.

“We attempted to show how you could manage and stay away from sensitive areas.”

Since then, there hasn’t been too much low-impact development, or any other type of development, in Haywood.

“Development in this county is kind of slow and has been for some time,” Boyd said. “As things pick back up maybe we will see more.”

Even then, though, it’s sometimes tough to sell a developer on the concept of conservation development.

“Developers, they have a plan in mind that says ‘I want to do this.’ They don’t tend to want to approach a plan from that style, as opposed to cookie-cutter style,” Boyd said.

Potential barriers to conservation development were touched on during the Green Growth workshop. Why would a property owner not choose to develop their property in a low-impact manner?

“What would some naysayers say?”

Cook asked workshop attendees. “‘Don’t tell me what to do with my land,’” offered Green.

Green has experienced such sentiment in Jackson County. He’s hearing it now, during a planning process aimed at regulating growth in Cullowhee.

But then there are the successes. Like Cullowhee River Club, where a development is designed with the natural surroundings in mind, where houses are clustered, slopes are spared and habitat is valued.

But even in such conservation-minded ventures, developers may have some

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Trash math Swain struggles with waste funding

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mercy of another landfill somewhere else,” King explained. “Everything fluctuates.”

One reason Swain’s trash fund deficit is higher this year is because the county took in a higher tonnage of waste this year. And not

BY J EREMY MORRISON all that tonnage is legit.

N EWS E DITOR “We suspect between 15 and 20 percent of t wasn’t the first time Swain County Manager Kevin King had to tell his com- the waste that we’re hauling out, by our best missioners that the numbers were off on guesstimate, is not from this county and not the Solid Waste Fund. But this month he being charged for,” King said.

“They’re coming in and dumping at added an asterisk of oomph.

“This is probably one of our worst years so night,” said Commissioner David Monteith. far,” King said, explaining that the fund had a “And we’ve got to stop that.”

A particular subset of offenders is contrac$100,000 deficit.

The Solid Waste Fund is meant to pay for tors. The county tends to collect a lot of overwaste management in the county and is night C&D, or construction and demolition funded via fees associated with such. It is waste. The county has been identified as a what’s referred to as an enterprise fund, and free place to unload under cover of darkness.

“The contractors know this, and not just by state statute it must be large enough to from Jackson County,” King said. cover expenses.

“They may redo a house and bring a two“It’s supposed to have enough revenue to match the expense,” King told the commis- ton truck full of shingles, or a two-ton truck full of sheetrock,” Monteith said. sioners. “That $75 fee, it’s not enough.”

King said that once Swain’s new county The county manager explained further board is comfortable — two new commisthis week. sioners were seated Dec. 1 after winning election in November — Swain County has three tiers of the out-of-area and overnight dumping issue will be explored. trash fees. Residents pay a fee The fix is likely better security and of $75 a year to dump their improved monitoring during evening hours. household trash at the county’s “But that’s going to take a lot of money to make that happen,” transfer station. Businesses pay King said. $300 a year, and restaurants The newly seated board will also consider how best to address pay $400 a year. Larger loads, Swain’s traditional Solid Waste such as those from building Fund deficit. The math is obvious — raise the fees or shift the cost to contractors, pay $40 per load. property taxes — but King knows his commissioners have no “They have to operate within the fee that appetite for such calculations.

“Our commissioners do not want to tax you’ve set,” King said. “Ever how much that individuals, but we also need to break even brings in, it’s suppose to break even.”

Swain consistently does not break even on on that fund,” the county manager said, its Solid Waste Fund. For years, the county declining to give a preview of possible fixes, has taken money from its general fund to except to ballpark residential fee potentials.

“Right now I couldn’t give you a good numcover the deficit.

“Ever since the 90s, actually,” King said. ber, but it’d be more than 75 bucks. It’d prob“Every year we’ve always put money into san- ably be closer to $100 or $125.”

King would like to see a solution surface itation out of the general fund.”

This year was no exception. The $100,000 by budget season in the spring. Monteith deficit was not a surprise. Everyone knew it isn’t sure how that’s going to happen.

“I wish we didn’t have to [take money was coming.

“It was budgeted within the general from the general fund], but I will not vote for fund,” King said. “We knew we were going to a tax increase to make things happen,” Monteith said. “We just can’t afford it. Swain have a deficit.”

Swain County has three tiers of trash fees. County can’t afford no kind of tax increase.”

Commissioner Ben Bushyhead, sworn in Residents pay a fee of $75 a year to dump their household trash at the county’s transfer this week, said he too would not be in favor of station. Businesses pay $300 a year, and upping the fee. Both Bushyhead and restaurants pay $400 a year. Larger loads, Monteith suggested the county focus on maksuch as those from building contractors, pay ing sure that all the trash coming in is from Swain and being paid for. $40 per load.

“We definitely have to do something,” Once trash is dumped at Swain’s transfer station, the county transports it to an out-of- Bushyhead said. “But let’s take a look at what we could do to counter some of the area landfill. Those costs can vary.

“We don’t have a landfill, so we’re at the other things.”

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Card valid through expiration date shown on front of card. Allow 10–12 weeks for processing. One $100 debit card per account. (2) $100 U.S. Cellular® Prepaid Card: Issued by MetaBank, Member FDIC; additional offers are not sponsored or endorsed by MetaBank. Valid only for purchases at U.S. Cellular stores and uscellular.com. New line activation is required. One per account. Enrollment in Device Protection+ required in all markets except North Carolina. The monthly charge for Device Protection+ is $8.99 for Smartphones. A deductible per approved claim applies. You may cancel Device Protection+ anytime. Federal Warranty Service Corporation is the Provider of the Device Protection+ ESC benefits, except in CA and OK. Retail Installment Contracts: Retail Installment Contract and monthly payments according to the Payment Schedule in the Contract required. If you are in default or terminate your Contract, we may require you to immediately pay the entire unpaid Amount Financed as well as our collection costs, attorneys’ fees and court costs related to enforcing your obligations under the Contract. Kansas Customers: In areas in which U.S. Cellular receives support from the Federal Universal Service Fund, all reasonable requests for service must be met. Unresolved questions concerning services availability can be directed to the Kansas Corporation Commission Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 1-800-662-0027. Limited-time offer. Trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. Additional terms apply. See store or uscellular.com for details. ©2014 U.S. Cellular

Smoky Mountain News

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER ingering underground contamination at an old Haywood County landfill in Waynesville has prompted the county to buy out a neighboring 25-acre tract, part of a costly plan to stop the spread of pollutants.

The county is purchasing the adjoining property for $850,000. The county estimates it will cost upwards of $5 million over coming years to tackle the contamination. State environmental regulations are forcing the county to fix the issue.

The old Francis Farm landfill pre-dates modern design regulations. It wasn’t lined, allowing contaminants to gradually leach into surrounding soils and groundwater.

“Francis Farm has been an ongoing problem. For years, methane gas has been leaking off the property, and the county has not been in compliance,” said David Francis, a county employee overseeing the landfill remediation plan.

The old Francis The plan: cover the old Farm landfill prelandfill in a dates modern giant layer of dirt and a design regulations. waterproof lining to seal the It wasn’t lined, pollution in allowing place.

Rain falling contaminants to on the landfill gradually leach into is soaking though the soil surrounding soils and pushing contaminants and groundwater. outward. If rain is stopped from reaching the landfill, the migration of contaminants should stop as well.

A huge amount of dirt is needed, however, which would typically cost a fortune to haul in, and the project is expensive enough as it is. Luckily, a state highway project to reconfigure the nearby N.C. 209 interchange required major excavation.

Francis arranged for 100,000 cubic yards of surplus dirt from the highway project to be trucked in and dumped at the landfill, shaving $1 million off the total cost of the remediation.

But that in turn required a staging area for the imported dirt — thus the purchase of the 25-acre tract beside the landfill.

The county purchased another adjoining tract of 5 acres earlier this year for the same purpose for $200,000.

The purchase of adjoining tracts was also necessary to create a buffer around the landfill.

Contamination from the landfill was spreading in their direction. As a result, the county was in violation of state environmental regulations, which prohibit contamination from seeping onto neighboring property.

“Purchasing this property will eliminate that issue. It will allow us to move those boundaries and come back into compliance,” Francis said.

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Haywood gears up to fix old landfill contamination

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news

Canton plans park for skateboarders

BY J EREMY MORRISON N EWS E DITOR A skatepark is coming to Canton, possibly by early winter.

“So, the skateboarders have a place to go,” said Town Manager Seth Hendler-Voss.

Canton Alderman Ralph Hamlett recently attended a neighborhood meeting where the talk turned to skateboarding, and more specifically skateboarding on streets and sidewalks.

“Which presents a safety hazard for not only the skateboarder, but the pedestrian,” said Hamlett.

The folks at the neighborhood meeting suggested the town provide an area for skateboarders. They suggested that a skatepark might address their safety concerns by giving skaters a sanctioned area in which to skate.

“I told them that I would bring it to the next board meeting, which is what I did,” Hamlett said.

Canton is currently planning renovations for its Recreation Park. Hamlett thought it’d be an ideal time to consider a skatepark for the property.

Upon hearing that the town was considering such an endeavor, a local church donated some equipment toward the cause.

“When Seth was talking to me about it, I told him we had some equipment and I said it’d definitely be cool if we donated it to the town, because we definitely want to support

Pinnacle Church recently donated some skatepark equipment to the town of Canton, which is turning the old tennis courts at Recreation Park into an area for skateboarding and biking. The equipment includes ramps, rails and quarter pipes.

The town is looking for local skateboarders who are interested in helping determine how best to lay out the park equipment.

Anyone interested in participating should call Canton Town Hall at 828.648.2363.

Skater Hunter Walker enjoys an afternoon in Canton, where the town is working to construct a skatepark for local skateboarders to use. Jeremy Morrison photo our town,” said Caleb Simmons, a pastor at Pinnacle Church in Fibreville.

The church purchased the equipment a few years ago — “we were ministering to a lot of kids who rode skateboards” — but wasn’t currently using it. Hendler-Voss was intrigued and went to take a look.

“It’s about eight pieces, modular equipment, which includes ramps, quarter pipes and a rail,” the town manager said, “You can also add onto it and expand the footprint.”

December 3-9, 2014

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The town intends to put the skatepark equipment on the old tennis courts at Recreation Park. The courts will be split between the park and an area for biking — signage has already been posted on the courts to let skaters and bikers know they’re welcome.

“There’s no public property in Canton where you could take your kids out and teach them how to ride a bike,” said Hendler-Voss. “You pretty much have to take your kid to a church parking lot to teach

them to ride a bike.”

Plans are to have the skate equipment in place soon. Officials would like to see the park up and running by early winter.

“The next step is to get some kids, some local skateboarders out here to help us try it out,” Hendler-Voss said, explaining that the town is reaching out to local skaters for help in laying out the equipment.

Once an appropriate layout is determined, the equipment will be secured to the ground. Skaters will be required to wear protective gear — pads, helmets — in order to use the equipment.

Alderman Hamlett said he considers the addition of a skatepark to be an example of the town moving forward in a progressive direction.

“It’s just another small step this board has taken to make a positive change for Canton,” he said.

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Smoky Mountain News

BY J EREMY MORRISON N EWS E DITOR he Jackson County Tourism Development Authority may be slimming down. Eventually.

“It’s in discussion,” said Robert Jumper, chairman of the tourism authority.

The Jackson TDA was launched by county commissioners and is charged with marketing the area and attracting tourist dollars. The tourism board currently consists of 15 members, all hailing from various pockets of the area’s tourism-related businesses.

In November, Jumper told the Jackson County Board of Members of the Jackson Tourism Development Authority Commissioners that things may review marketing materials this summer. Jeremy Morrison photo go better with fewer members.

“I think that they’ve determined that 15 members are a lot of folks to try to herd,” County Manager Chuck Wooten told the commissioners.

The Jackson County Tourism Development “Ultimately, it’d be good to come down Authority may be downsizing in 2015. The to nine,” Jumper followed up, explaining to board currently has 15 voting members, but commissioners that some members had difChairman Robert Jumper has informed counficulty making it to meetings and putting in ty officials that nine members may suit the the hours necessary. body better.

“It’s a big commitment of time, no When originally forming Jackson’s tourism doubt,” Wooten said. board, composition was much discussed and Jumper elaborated this week on the purposeful. Seats were allotted to allow for need to downsize the Jackson TDA. adequate representation throughout “It’ll help us get a quorum, the functionJackson’s community of tourism stakeholders. ality of the board will be a little better,” the Currently, the Jackson TDA is comprised chairman said. “It’s just very difficult for of members hailing from five groups, each people to carve out time to do board work.” representing a different faction of tourism Currently, the Jackson tourism board is interests. All members must be approved by comprised of members of the lodging comthe Jackson County Board of Commissioners. munity — from both large and small outfits ■ Group One: Five members from lodging — as well as the retail community. There properties in South Jackson, including three are also members appointed by both the members from properties with 25 or more Cashiers and Jackson chambers of comrooms, one member from a bed and breakmerce. The TDA is in charge of spending fast with 25 rooms or less and one member the money raised by the tax on overnight from a rental, condo or timeshare. lodging to market Jackson County and ■ Group Two: Five members from lodging attract more tourists. properties in North Jackson, including three In addition to some members having members from properties with 25 or more difficulty making time for the TDA work, rooms, one member from a bed and breakJumper said that there was also an issue fast with 25 rooms or less and one member with being able to find enough members from a rental, condo or timeshare. from the various camps of the tourism com■ Group Three: Three members from retail, munity. tourism-centric businesses, with one member “We wouldn’t need to hunt for so many from South Jackson, one from North Jackson candidates to fill these seats,” Jumper said. and one Jackson County at-large member.

Wooten said that the topic of the ■ Group Four: One representative from the tourism authority’s composition will not be Cashiers Chamber of Commerce. The executaken up in earnest until two new commistive director of the Cashiers chamber also sioners, elected in November, take their serves in an ex officio capacity. seats on the board. Jumper estimated that ■ Group Five: One representative from the the issue will be studied a bit longer, with a Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. The decision possibly made in June by the end executive director of the Jackson chamber of the fiscal year. also serves in an ex officio capacity.

The chairman said that in initial board

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Jackson TDA considers streamlining

discussions regarding the concept of downsizing, the current 15 voting members “seemed to be very receptive to it.” While recognizing that it was a painstaking process coming up with the TDA’s original composition formula — trying to ensure that there was fair representation from across the tourism spectrum — the chairman said that cutting seats from the board now “makes sense.”

“We’ve come a long way in regards to the organization of the organization,” Jumper said. “This is just a next step. The next step is the fine tuning.”

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Carton castaways Evergreen works in nationwide effort to promote carton recycling

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER f you ask the average person what kinds of packaging can go in the recycling bin, you’ll probably get a list full of plastic bottles, steel cans and aluminum, but paper cartons don’t usually make that off-the-cuff list.

A group of industry representatives calling itself the Carton Council of North America is hoping to change that.

“When you look at packaging “We really do have a vision that those packages are recyclable, and we today and consumer want to be sure that there is that capability in communities across the packaging, consumers expect country,” said Derric Brown, sustainit to be recyclable.” ability director at Evergreen Packaging in Canton.

— Derric Brown, sustainability director at Evergreen, like the other five comEvergreen Packaging in Canton panies represented on the council, produces paper that is later made Brown said. “We’ve come from 18 percent into cartons for milk, orange juice, soup access in 2008 to 52.4 percent.” broth and plenty of other products that Now, 46 states, including North Carolina, make their way onto grocery store shelves have access to carton recycling, as do 77 of across the country. This kind of paper can the country’s largest 100 cities. be recycled into everything from office Of course, Brown said, “there’s a differpaper to tissues to ceiling panels. It doesn’t ence between ‘can’ and ‘do.’” Just because need to be thrown away, but often it is. somebody has access to carton recycling in “The challenge is how they’re handled,” their community doesn’t mean they’ll take Brown explained. advantage of it.

Most paper uses two-dimensional paper So, another priority for the project is fibers, but paper cartons use three-dimencommunity outreach. Brown and his collabsional fibers. What that means is that carorators have been traveling everywhere tons don’t cooperate when put through the “from Miami to Anchorage to Honolulu” to same equipment as other types of paper.

So, one priority for the Carton Council is help communities get the word out about

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to help recycling facilities across the country stock up on the infrastructure they need to process paper cartons. Because, if there’s no demand from recycling processors for discarded cartons, then communities have no place to sell the collected recyclables, and there’s no point in collecting them. By helping companies with infrastructure needs, the demand for the raw material — the carton — increases.

The strategy’s been getting results.

When the council formed in 2009, only 18 percent of households in the U.S. had access to carton recycling.

“Today, there is 52.4 percent access,”

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Get in the carton game Local governments, schools, businesses and individuals looking to learn more about carton recycling will find plenty of information at the Carton Council of North America’s websites, www.cartonopportunities.org and www.recyclecartons.com. In addition to fact sheets and action-oriented information, the site includes a lookup feature that allows visitors to check out carton recycling opportunities in their zip code.

carton recycling, getting buyin from residents and boosting recycling numbers.

“We’ve talked to pretty much all the different communities in Western North Carolina, and we’re still working to make carton recycling a reality in all the communities in Western North Carolina,” he said.

That hasn’t gone unnoticed. Carton recycling has increased 177 percent since 2009, according to the council’s website, www.cartonopportunities.com.

But not everyone is there yet. The council’s website provides a lookup feature for carton recycling — according to the site, carton recycling is available in Haywood and Macon counties, but not in Swain or Jackson. Buncombe, Transylvania and Graham counties take cartons, but not Clay, Cherokee or Madison.

But the goal is for capability — and participation — to continue expanding. The Carton Council’s school program is one way to get there.

The program is designed to help schools get a recycling program going, which in addition to all the benefits typically associated with recycling teaches children that cartons are one of those “of course we recycle that” kinds of items. Those children then grow up into the adults who shop for groceries and decide how to deal with household waste.

Some of that attitude is already taking hold, Brown said, at least when it comes to packaging in general.

“When you look at packaging today and consumer packaging,” Brown said, “consumers expect it to be recyclable.”

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Out in the wash

An anomaly in economic impact models for the tourism industry was discovered in counties surrounding the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Travelers bound for Cherokee open their wallets in all three surrounding counties, but the spill-over of Cherokee tourism was being assigned primarily to Swain in the formula used to calculate tourism’s economic impact by county. The data has been skewed in Swain’s favor for years, but the formula has now been fixed.

Numbers for 2012 were even recalculated and reissued by the N.C. Department of Commerce Travel and Tourism Division along with 2013 numbers.

Here’s what the old formula showed, and the retooled formula show.

SWAIN 2013: $188 million Revised 2012: $184 million Old 2012: $293 million 2011: $280.5 million*

JACKSON 2013: $163 million Revised 2012: $156 million Old 2012: $69.5 million 2011: $66.79 million*

HAYWOOD 2013: $155.38 million Revised 2012: $148.63 million Old 2012: $126.35 million 2011: $120.4 million* * The numbers for 2011 are now considered inaccurate as they used the flawed formula.

Modeling is done by the U.S. Travel Association, based on data provided by the tourism division of the N.C. Department of Commerce.

just bragging points. It’s important to the regional economic discussion.

“It shows how important tourism is to all of these Western North Carolina counties,” Morse said.

Morse said the hiccup in the formula here is a rarity. The same formula is used in more than 30 states without a hitch.

“That methodology in 99 percent of counties is fine. But in this example, that methodology doesn’t work when you have the Qualla Boundary in between all of it,” Morse said.

Exactly how the formula was changed remains a secret. In fact, the whole formula is a secret.

Data for the modeling is provided by the state to the U.S. Travel Association, which then plugs the data into its formula to come up with the economic impact analysis.

“We provide all the data that goes into the model, but the formula and metrics are proprietary,” said Marlise Taylor, the director of research for the N.C. Division of Tourism.

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Smoky Mountain News

field an inquiry from a state business reporter wondering why Swain was the only county in the state that saw a decline in tourism over the past five years.

“It looked like ‘Oh my gosh, the bottom dropped out of the world,’” Wilmot said.

Wilmot had to explain the whole spiel of how Cherokee travel spending had been disproportionately assigned to Swain in the past, and was simply being adjusted on paper.

“While this might make it look as if visitor spending was down for Swain County, this is not the case at all,” she told the reporter, citing the year-over-year increase in room tax revenue, a measure of overnight stays. “It will just take a year or so for the numbers to sort themselves out into a pattern that is a true representation of Swain County’s visitor spending index.”

Steve Morse, the director of the Hospitality & Tourism Program at Western Carolina University, said the economic impact numbers for tourism are more than

December 3-9, 2014

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER flaw in the economic model that calculates tourism impact in the mountains Here’s how the counties fared after the has been uncovered, resulting in a major tourism economic impact model was adjustment to tourism spending in Jackson retooled to more accurately spread around and Swain counties. tourism impact of Cherokee. Granted the Every year, the N.C. Department of increase or decease was only on paper.

Commerce releases the economic impact of Worth noting: Swain still holds more tourism by county. For years, Swain was heads bragging points over Jackson and Haywood and shoulders above Jackson. But not anymore. when it comes to the tourism impact on the Under the old model, travel and tourism economy, including more tourism-based for the Cherokee Reservation was being credemployment and more visitor spending. But ited almost entirely to Swain, skewing Swain’s the Cherokee adjustment did even the numbers higher than they actually were. The scales some. tourism impact of Cherokee-bound travelers has now been reallocated.

Swain.............................................37% drop The retooled formula has winners and losJackson .................................124% increase ers. Swain saw a big drop. Jackson saw a big Haywood..................................17% increase increase. Haywood also saw a slight increase as a result.

But of course, it was all just on paper — a saw a 124 percent increase in its economic shell game of sorts to bring the numbers in impact of tourism. The number of tourismline with the real-life tourism spending in related jobs in Jackson County leapt from 570 each county. to 1,570.

The tourism economic impact numbers “We didn’t make a big deal about it but had been a pet peeve for Jackson County did celebrate that we finally got the credit for Manager Chuck Wooten for a few years. that impact of that tourism in Jackson,” “When we started to look at our numbers Wooten said. in comparison to Swain, we saw Swain was Meanwhile, Swain saw a 37 percent drop five to six times that of Jackson,” Wooten as a result of tourism expenditures once said. “We also looked at the jobs associated assigned to Swain being reapportioned to with tourism and we believed that was significantly understated.”

Under the old model, travel and But economic modelers don’t usually move the chips around tourism for the Cherokee the board just because someone, somewhere doesn’t like what the Reservation was being credited numbers show. Jackson County almost entirely to Swain, skewing pushed back for nearly two years to convince the tourism econoSwain’s numbers higher than mists to hear them out. they actually were.

“We kind of got brushed off, but kept asking and kept asking and finally got the people at the Department of Commerce to agree to at least Jackson and Haywood. take a look at what we thought was disproSwain doesn’t begrudge Jackson over the portional,” said Wooten. retooled tourism impact formula. In fact, In fairness, the economic modelers proba- Karen Wilmot, the director of the Swain bly chalked the complaint up to yet another County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism case of sour grapes: shoot the messenger if Authority, welcomes the adjustment that the economic numbers don’t say what you more accurately distributes the spending of wish they said.

Cherokee-bound travelers.

But Jackson’s squeaky wheel posturing “It didn’t seem fair I suppose for all of that eventually worked. to be allocated for Swain. And we would honWooten, along with Jackson County estly rather have accurate numbers representChamber of Commerce Director Julie Spiro, ed,” Wilmot said. Wilmot said she was always eventually convinced representatives with the a little suspicious the numbers were overresearch arm of the N.C. Tourism Division to inflated for Swain. come meet with them and hear Jackson’s case.

“I think honestly in the long run it is more “I explained what I thought was happen- beneficial,” Wilmot said. ing, which was either all of visitor spending Besides, it’s hard for Swain to be too torn for Cherokee or for the casino was being up. It’s still in the catbird seat when it comes attributed to just one county,” Spiro said. “At to the economic impact of the tourism industhe end of the day, five years later, it turned try. It clocks in $20 million ahead of Jackson out to be the case. We are pleased they were and $30 million ahead of Haywood. willing to take a second look.”

However, shortly after the adjusted numAs a result of the retooled model, Jackson bers were released this fall, Wilmot had to

Hashing out bragging rights news

Tourism impact recalculated due to flaws in formula

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Education

Duke Energy gives $75,000 for WCU engineering A $75,000 gift from the Duke Energy Foundation will allow Western Carolina University’s Kimmel School of Construction Management and Technology to improve opportunities for engineering students.

Using the money, WCU will buy $45,000 worth of new power systems laboratory equipment and provide $15,000 worth of student scholarships. The remaining $15,000 will fund faculty development and programming to encourage more students in Western North Carolina to consider a career in engineering.

“As someone who has worked with multitudes of electric cooperatives around the

South, I know firsthand how important and essential electric power is to the economic growth of this region of North Carolina, and we really appreciate Duke Energy’s support,” said Jeffrey L. Ray, dean of the Kimmel School.

Since the University of North Carolina system’s Board of Governors approved a stand-alone engineering program at WCU in 2012, enrollment in the program has soared.

In 2013, WCU was the only UNC institution to receive expansion funding, which went to expand general engineering program in its Asheville location.

DANISH COLLEGE OFFICIALS VISIT SCC,

While attending a conference in Washington D.C., last year, representatives of a Danish college sat in on a presentation by Southwestern Community College officials. The foreign visitors were so impressed by what they heard that they felt SCC merited a closer look. Recently, Dr. Hanne Helleshøj, president of Denmark’s Social at og Sundhedsskolen (Basic Health Care College) and two other officials spent two days touring SCC’s facilities in Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, as well as the Qualla Boundary. The international visitors learned more about Southwestern’s programs and retention efforts. They also participated in a number of idea-sharing sessions and expressed an interest in partnering with SCC on future endeavors, including the possibility of faculty and student exchanges. Donated photo

• Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center Director Tiffany Henry has been named Rookie of the Year by North Carolina’s Small Business Center Network.

Henry is currently in her first year as director.

In her first year at SCC in Sylva, Henry helped 21 business start-ups. Southwestern’s Small Business Center held 57 seminars that were attended by 798 clients. She also counseled 50 distinct clients for more than 250 hours.

• Jackson County native Michael T. Byers, an associate vice chancellor for business affairs at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, is the next vice chancellor for administration and finance at Western Carolina University. Byers, who is responsible for the campus enterprises unit at

WCU students promote Haywood senior center’s Brain Gym A five-week challenge to encourage Haywood County seniors to reach weekly goals at the Boomerang Brain Gym at Haywood County Senior Resource Center helped increase awareness and use of the gym.

Students from Western Carolina University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders developed the challenge, in which participants in three teams worked toward weekly goals, through a grant from the Honors College at WCU. Students explored the effectiveness of the gym’s brain bikes and worked to increase participation at the gym.

Fourteen local residents completed the summer challenge and earned t-shirts designed for the event. The participants

Scholarship endowment hits milestone

COMPARE NOTES

Education notes

Smoky Mountain News

UNCG, will succeed longtime WCU administrator Robert Edwards, who is retiring in December after serving as vice chancellor for administration and finance since 2011.

Growing up in Webster, Byers holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master’s degree in business administration from UNCG. • The Golden LEAF Scholars Program recently awarded scholarships to four Haywood Community College students. The recipients are Lorena Gamez, Greg Glenn, Jennifer Moody and Hope Smathers. Students will use the funds for tuition, books, fees, credential testing, childcare services, and transportation necessary to fulfill their student educational requirements.

• Haywood Community College’s Criminal

It’s been a while since the Southwestern Community College Foundation first received a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education, but only now, having just finished raising the $300,000 required match, is the money available to go into the school’s Student Success Campaign.

Eventually, the goal is to raise $1 million for the fund, which will create an endowment for need-based scholarships. With $600,000 in the bank, that $1 million mark is a lot closer to reach.

“We are so thrilled, and so thankful to everyone in the community for helping us maximize this federal challenge grant,” said Don Tomas, president of SCC. For the 2014-15 academic year, 237 stu-

Justice Lambda Eta Chi students, faculty, and HCC Criminal Justice alum Brian Forrest recently won 15 awards at the American Criminal Justice Association Region 5 conference. The conference was held in Kissimmee, Fla. and consisted of a chapter meeting, academic tests, physical agility test, crime scene competition, and firearms competition.

Maggie Coulter, Jennifer Keener, Chris Wyatt, Jessica Robinson, Kaitlin Sass and Brian Forrest all won awards.

• Sarah Michelle Holmes, who graduated from Western Carolina University in May, has been named the Outstanding Mathematics Education Student for the western region of the state by the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Now a mathematics teacher at the Johnston County Early College Academy, Holmes accepted the award at NCCTM’s annual conference held in late

19

attended regularly and became increasingly independent in using the Brain Bikes, which simultaneously stimulate reasoning, memory, language, quantitative, visual skills and physical activity — improving overall health as well as combating agerelated cognitive decline.

“You can really see the progress you are making, and it is a real boost,” said participant Polly LaPointe. “I highly recommend it to other seniors. I appreciated the hands-on training that was provided. The encouragement was also very important.”

Though the students’ involvement at the Brain Gym has ended, Yvonne Gold, program coordinator for the Senior Resource Center, emphasized that its benefits continue at the center.

“We invite all seniors in the area to stop by the Senior Resource Center and use the bikes to improve both their physical and mental health,” she said.

Brain Gym, 828.356.2800.

dents applied for financial assistance through the SCC Foundation. But the Foundation only had enough resources to fund 73 scholarships. In the future, the disparity between those numbers will hopefully be less.

The money came about through the generosity of the community and leadership from the foundation’s director, Mary Otto Selzer. According to SCC’s department of institutional research, about 90 percent of Southwestern students who complete a program at the school live and work in the college’s service area afterward.

“SCC is so important for students in this part of the state,” said Lynda Sossamon, one of the many to give to the campaign. “Many students who attend SCC stay here after they graduate, and they are employed in our community.”

Online donations can be made at www.southwesterncc.edu/foundation.

October in Greensboro. WCU students and alumni have been named winners of the honor for 25 of the last 28 years. Holmes’ academic achievements, teaching ability and involvement with student organizations and WCU’s chapter of NCCTM led WCU faculty to nominate her for the honor.

• Ling Gao LeBeau, an award-winning educator experienced with leading programs that support study abroad and international scholarship, joined Western Carolina University as director of the Office of International Programs and Services. At WCU, LeBeau will work to help expand international experiences and enhance global awareness within the university community. Her responsibilities will include leadership of programs and services for international students at WCU as well as study abroad programs and travel courses.

opinion December 3-9, 2014

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Opinion The meaningful moments that make memories Smoky Mountain News

Hannah, son Liam and family in Asheville. My wife Lori and her sister Julie had planned the dinner for some time, and all turned out as we had hoped.

I left for the office Friday with Lori and Hannah snuggled on the couch watching an old Audrey Hepburn film because, well, that’s what my girls do on vacation days. On Saturday morning we went skiing early at Cataloochee to get in some first-of-the-season runs before the holiday weekend crowds jammed the lift lines. The snow was perfect, and we all gushed once again about how lucky we are to have such a great ski mountain so close to home.

Afterward we stuck to tradition and traveled to Nesbitt’s Farm to get a Christmas tree, picking through most every sample before finally deciding on one that was way too big for our little house. After decorating the tree on Sunday morning and seeing Hannah off to Appalachian State, Lori and I decided on a walk around Lake Junaluska.

It was nearly sunset, and the ducks and other waterfowl were seemingly in the same holiday tizzy as the shoppers had been on Black Friday. We made the rosewalk just as the lake turned a bright gold, the reflection prompting both Lori and me to reach up and drop our sunglasses back over our eyes.

The wakes made by the ducks were exaggerated in the waning light, and the shimmering water danced with the v-shaped ripples. It was, very simply, a beautiful sight. One of those moments.

And it took me back. Probably because it was

Thanksgiving, a time when as a child I ventured into a place and time now long gone, a place that was mostly gone even then save for a few pockets. Now I’m thankful that the remnant of the old South I got to experience had somehow been preserved, even in the 1970s. It was almost a half century ago, but the memory is as sharp as a winter wind.

On that long ago day, we woke before daylight, my cousin, my uncle, me and my two older brothers. Cousin Charlie did the waking, and we shuffled to the kitchen and gathered round the Editor small table, lacing up boots and talking in whispers. My aunt was there dishing up biscuits, sausage and eggs, with all but the flour coming from the animals and garden out back. There was the aroma of strong coffee percolating on an ancient electric oventop.

Cigarette smoke blanketed everything.

As always, I couldn’t help staring at my aunt’s missing fingers as she served us, something she often smiled and called me out on. She was a sewer at the local mill, and some years ago had lost from the knuckle up the middle two fingers on her right hand. Family lore was that she had stayed home just one day before clocking back in at her machine, bandages slowing production but not stopping her from making her numbers.

The birds began their morning song as we ate. We seldom went duck hunting when we visited our southeastern North Carolina relatives, but that was the plan on this day. I was deemed too young to carry a gun, but nonetheless the excite-

Scott McLeod

mostly the ones unplanned, are the stuff of imporMWeoments, tant and lasting life memories. had a great Thanksgiving day with our daughter

Students are searching for a good life

y seniors are writing letters to themselves today, an activity I have students do every year just before the holidays. I will mail these letters to them, as I do every year, when they are 22, only five years in the future, but a universe away. The idea of the adults they will become receiving a letter from their former selves fires their imagination. They write and talk for the full period, describing friends, families, passions, habits to break, or, perhaps, habits to form. I watch them while they work, and on their faces is a pensiveness made of equal parts anticipation, hope, and uncertainty.

This is the last of the columns I will write about my students here at Swain County High School in this short series.

The one certainty I have about them, and their main commonality, is that they want for themselves what their parents wanted, what their grandparents wanted: a good life.

What differs among them are the resources their parents have provided that will either help or hinder them in attaining that good life.

In my early years of teaching, I read and believed that the essentials for producing a worthwhile adult were Columnist that a child have two committed parents, regular family meals, outdoor activities, and some kind of spirituality, religious or otherwise.

The longer I’ve taught, however, the more anomalous families of that type have become. If the recipe for producing a successful human is limited to the four requirements I once believed in, if having only one engaged parent, (or none), and few to no resources means a lesser chance of becoming a good

Dawn Gilchrist

M

Classroom Contemplations and positive person, then my classes should be filled with hopelessness. If wholesome family dynamics are the necessity for creating productive young people, then the state of public school classrooms should be one of listlessness and inactivity.

And yet that is not the case. Although their lives are more difficult than the lives of students I taught 16 years ago, I find most adolescents to be optimistic, rather than jaded, even those who come from neglect, from abuse, from poverty, and from homes with no stable adult for miles and miles.

The sad, hunchbacked 18th century writer, Alexander Pope, penned the famous lines: Hope springs eternal in the human breast/ Man never is, but always to be blest. When my classes began writing letters to themselves more than a decade ago, their conversations were much the same as the talk among these 12th-graders this morning. They wanted to get an education, to help their parents, to be with someone they loved, and, almost always, to become better adults, perhaps, than what they had seen. The dreams and fears they write today will rest in self-addressed envelopes inside a file folder that I will store until this festive season five years hence. On the day I send the letters, they will go out, as do my students, into the always unknown but endlessly hopeful universe.

(Dawn Gilchrist is a writer and teaches English in Swain County.

She can be reached at dawngilc@gmail.com.)

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ment was overwhelming.

We drove down dirt roads for what seemed hours, but the sun was just turning the cloud-streaked sky orange as we trundled out of the truck and grouped up around the open tailgate.

I was freezing but wasn’t going to say a word to anyone. After loading rifles and getting a lesson in how to keep spaced out and shooting only at angle that wouldn’t endanger anyone on the ground, we began walking slowly along the edge of the marsh. There was a mist rising from the black water, and farther out ancient cypress trees jutted into the morning sky.

I remember my uncle and my brother taking the first shots, breaking an overwhelming silence, and then Charlie trying to track down the birds. Despite the cold, he went in water up to his thighs to retrieve them. The frigid marsh elicited an exaggerated whoop from my cousin as he thrashed about in the water, and more birds took to flight. I was laughing out loud as he turned in the water, raised his rifle quickly and gracefully, and expertly took out another bird, this one falling over land.

I don’t remember eating those ducks, but that hunt is a treasured holiday memory. There are many other rabbit and bird hunting excursions that occurred during a small handful of holiday trips to my aunt and uncle’s house near the Pee Dee River. Those trips to a place of extended family, rivers, marshes, textile mills, of men driving vegetable-laden mule wagons to Saturday markets and much-anticipated holiday hunts are juxtaposed against a traditional suburban upbringing, making them stand out, touchstones from the past. That beauty and power of that memory seems a living thing. A moment.

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

Bigger not better when it comes to health care To the Editor: My husband’s recent illness caused me to have several strong reactions regarding medical care at Haywood Regional versus Memorial Mission. Dr. Johnson and Dr. Mina’s care of Bob and me has been exemplary. We have utmost confidence in them and trust them completely. It became necessary for my husband to be transported to Mission because the physician here who performs endoscopy procedures was out of town. Had he been here, the entire procedure would have been done locally. There is a hope that another endoscopy expert will be added locally which would ensure coverage, thus eliminating the need for the Asheville trip. Perhaps our experience will help make this a reality.

We have lived here 30 years and in that time have seen the medical staff grow along with the expertise and specialties necessary to a good, modern medical facility. Yes, Mission has all those things, but they are so large that the care one receives suffers, in my recent experience. I was with my husband 24/7 for five days and lived through a number of instances I would not care to repeat. No one really talked with us or asked if he was in need of anything. All those functions were carried out by me. They all looked in the computer, recorded vital information and left quickly. They normally asked us to call if we needed anything, but were gone before we could respond.

When he was transferred from ICU there was a bed available only on the orthopedic floor. When I asked the nurse about his dressing that was soaked and falling off she told

S EE LETTERS, N EXT PAGE

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Smoky Mountain News

BY M ELANIE THRELKELD MCCONNELL G UEST COLUMNIST e usually arrives in the late afternoon, always before dinner time, and he doesn’t stay more than 30 minutes or so. Sometimes I see him arriving, sometimes leaving, his old maroon Oldsmobile crawling along Shelton Street. If I’m out walking, he always waves when he sees me. I wave back.

We smile.

But mostly I see him when he is parked, his car pulled over just enough so others can pass, always next to the same row of graves on the Veterans Drive side of Greenhill Cemetery, across the street from where I live.

For several years now, I have witnessed this man, likely in his 80s, sitting alone in his car, always at the same spot. Who does he visit?

A late wife? A brother or sister? A child? We have never spoken, nor do I know his name, but his vigil speaks volumes. And his isn’t the only one.

Living across the street from a cemetery is not as ghoulish as some may think. The neighbors are quiet, goes the old joke in our neighborhood. And if we’re lucky, goes the other, we won’t have to leave the neighborhood when we die. And with a nursing home just two doors … well, it’s the perfect triumvirate. Yuk, yuk, my husband and I laugh.

We’ve heard them all.

Mostly, though, by living here I witness grief, but not in its rawest form. For more than 13 years now I’ve watched the ebb and

H Mary Joyce, author of

22

Watching grief from across the street

STORY, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 me this was an orthopedic floor and she couldn’t change the dressing. I am aware modern medicine has changed dramatically; however, in the five days we were there, I can recall just three of the staff who treated the patient as well as simply recording the medical data and administering the medications.

We are fortunate to have a fine hospital here in Haywood County, along with an excellent outpatient surgical unit. Our highly trained doctors are local. They live here, go to our churches, support local causes and are an integral part of the community. Our recent experience has been with Dr. Johnson and Dr. Mina, and in all cases they have taken the time to answer our questions and address any concerns we may have had. In short, they give compassionate care along with their highly skilled surgical expertise.

I can think of very few instances that would warrant our returning to Mission for care. They are building a huge complex here that will duplicate existing services which seems a shame. In my opinion this plan is simply a need to expand into an even larger enterprise. They are already “big business” enough in Asheville and their quality of patient care shows this.

Please be loyal to our own doctors, nurses and other medical staff. Bigger is not necessarily better. We speak from experience.

Sarah Sherman Bethel

flow of visitors move through this historic Haywood County resting place, home to, among others, Confederate and Union soldiers, 1934 Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Miller, Academy Award winner Gig Young, William Holland Thomas, the only white man to serve as principal chief of the Cherokee Indians, and most recently Gen. Carl E. Mundy Jr., commandant of the United States Marine Corp, who was buried with full military honors in an impressive and moving ceremony we watched with hundreds of others on a gray, rainy day.

And mostly it’s the headstones of the everyman and everywoman that move me, where their loved-one’s grief is played out — or not — especially on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day or Easter, when the cemetery is full of people, walking among the headstones, replacing old flowers with new ones, saying hello and good-bye all at once, reliving regrets and searching for comfort from a long-ago touch.

For several years, stuffed animals, balloons and toy cars adorned one infant’s headstone, while another, just a few feet away, was visited by a group of bikers, who would rumble up Shelton Street every so often, then turn, single file, on to Veterans Drive and stop, silencing their machines, to sit quietly at the grave of one of their own.

We even witnessed a fife and drum corps — a group of re-enactors dressed in period clothing — once march from the Shelton

House to the top of the cemetery, to pay salute to the Civil War soldiers buried up there. The solemnity of that simple procession, its cadence echoing through the neighborhood, left my family and I humbled and remembering.

Still other gravesites are adorned with bird houses, flowering trees, plants, flags or solar lanterns — which manipulate the darkness with their unnerving blueish light — all symbols to some degree of the still-living’s continuous presence even after their loved-one’s death.

But most gravesites aren’t decorated, and many lie bare and quiet, as if they’ve run their course, ready to fade into oblivion like so many gravesites eventually do.

Watching the rhythms and rituals of a cemetery and its visitors stirs up consideration for my own grief — mother, grandmother, dear friends and relatives, failed pregnancies — and nudges me toward guilt for living so far away. No fresh flowers, no Mother’s Day pilgrimages. So maybe it’s no coincidence I live where I do, that just maybe I’m supposed to see what I see.

I think of my gravesite visitor who always comes alone. Is that by choice or is there no one else? I hope he knows I know what he is doing, that I recognize the value he has placed on someone’s life. But my heart hurts just a bit when I wonder: will anyone do the same for him when he is gone?

(Melanie Threlkeld McConnell lives in Waynesville and is a journalist by training.)

Ronald Reagan was an economic powerhouse

Under George Bush, more than 8 million lost their health insurance coverage; and the cost of health care continued to dramatically increase. The ACA (Affordable Care Act) has reduced the uninsured by more than 10 million and in the three years since 2010, health care spending growth rates are the slowest since record keeping began in 1960.

Remember, every uninsured visit to an emergency room cost you money because Ronald Regan sponsored the law that requires the taxpayers to pick up the tab.

Ronald Regan declared amnesty for more than 3 million undocumented immigrants. Since Obama has been in office, he has overseen the deportation of over 2 million illegal aliens. He has increased boarder security to the highest level in history and, now, the net illegal immigration is zero. If you are concerned about immigrants overrunning this county, then Obama should be your hero.

Critics of his recent executive action are reminded that this problem has festered ever since Regan's amnesty plan failed. The system is broken and must be fixed. Obama has said, if you don't like it “pass a bill. ” History, of course, will be the judge; but many independent presidential historians are predicting that President Obama will be one of the most successful presidents in modern history. That could be why so many Republicans what to impeach him.

Louis Vitale Franklin

To the Editor: Even his critics agree that Ronald Regan did great things for the U.S. economy. Just look at these numbers: the best job creation record in American history, with an estimated unemployment rate of 5.6 percent by the seventh year of his term; sixty-three straight months of economic expansion; and 25 straight months of manufacturing expansion. Investors had an unprecedented gain of 220 percent in their investments in a 5.5year period, a feat which benefited every aspect of the economy.

Just to be clear, the above statistics are for the current administration. Here is what a recent article in Forbes had to say, “Economically, President Obama’s administration has outperformed President Reagan’s in all commonly watched categories.

Simultaneously the current administration has reduced the deficit, which skyrocketed under Reagan. Additionally, Obama has reduced federal employment, which grew under Reagan (especially when including military personnel) and truly delivered a ‘smaller government.’ Additionally, the current administration has kept inflation low, even during extreme international upheaval, failure of foreign economies (Greece), and a dramatic slowdown in the European economy.” (Forbes, 9-5-2014, Adam Hartung)

Democrats hurting African Americans

Taste the Mountains is an ever-evolving paid section of places to dine in Western North Carolina. If you would like to be included in the listing please contact our advertising department at 828.452.4251 A TASTE OF NEW ORLEANS 67 Branner Ave., Waynesville, 828.246.0885. 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week. Curtis Henry opened A Taste of New Orleans to cater to the locals and become the place that’s always open that you can rely on for different, flavorful dishes every day. Serving Cajun, French and Creole Cuisine in a lovingly restored space, Curtis looks forward to serving you up a delicious dish soon.

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

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

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

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

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

269-19

Café

Monday through Friday. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Fresh-cut salads; slow-simmered soups; flame grilled burgers and steaks, and homemade signature desserts.

Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily.

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

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

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

BOURBON BARREL BEEF & ALE 454 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, 828.452.9191. Lunch served 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner nightly from 4 p.m. Closed on Sunday. We specialize in hand-cut, all natural steaks, fresh fish, and other classic American comfort foods that are made using only the finest local and sustainable ingredients available. We also feature a great selection of craft beers from local artisan brewers, and of course an extensive selection of small batch bourbons and whiskey. The Barrel is a friendly and casual neighborhood dining

experience where our guests enjoy a great meal without breaking the bank.

BREAKING BREAD CAFÉ 6147 Hwy 276 S. Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station) 828.648.3838 Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Chef owned and operated.

Our salads are made in house using local seasonal vegetables. Fresh roasted ham, turkey and Roast Beef used in our hoagies.

We hand make our own Eggplant & Chicken Parmesan, Pork Meatballs and Hamburgers.

We use 1st quality fresh not pre-prepared products to make sure you get the best food for a reasonable price. We make Vegetarian, Gluten Free and Sugar Free items. Call or go to Facebook (Breaking Bread Café NC) to find out what our specials are.

BRYSON CITY BAKERY AND PASTRY SHOPPE 191 Everett St., Bryson City. 828.488.5390 Offering a full line of fresh baked goods like Grandma used to make. Large variety to choose from including cakes, pies, donuts, breads, cinn-buns and much more. Also serving Hershey Ice Cream. Open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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

Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday brunch 9 a.m. to 3p.m., Full Menu 3 to 9 p.m. Serving fresh and delicious weekday morning lite fare, lunch, dinner, and brunch. Freshly prepared menu offerings range from house-made soups & salads, lite fare & tapas, crepes,

Country Vittles RESTAURANT

& GIFT SHOP

Specializing in All You Can Eat Family-Style

Deli & So Much More

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OFFERING CATERING & PRIVATE PARTIES FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

Wednesday—Saturday: 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m.

Sunday: 8 a.m.–3 p.m.

Closed Christmas Day

Featuring a Full Menu with Daily Specials

6147 Highway 276 S. Bethel, North Carolina

BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER

(at the Mobil Gas Station)

bbcafenc.com

828.648.3838 Monday - Saturday 8-5 Closed Sunday

Smoky Mountain News

Closed Monday & Tuesday

Call for reservations by Dec. 19.

——————————————————

December 3-9, 2014

To the Editor: Kudos to Bruce Gardner whose wise comments appeared in the Nov. 26 Opinion section of The Smoky Mountain News and pointed out that the Democratic Party of your parents is not the same we have today.

Because early Democrats supported their position on slavery using Biblical justification, one must wonder if they aren’t trying to do the same thing today by making it all but impossible for our African Americans to escape the government plantation.

It is a well-known fact that you can take any group or tribe, of any color or location, y and quickly make them dependent by giving them free goodies. This is precisely what Democrats have done.

An obvious consequence we see in the African American community is a lack of self respect, but who could possibly have self respect when you are a working age citizen dependent on government handouts? And at a time when Democrats want to keep e African Americans dependent, we are going to spend $40 billion a year to finance Latinos who entered the country illegally.

But instead of spending that $40 billion on people who illegally came from another country, the money should be spent on breaking the grip teacher unions have on our horrible schools in places like Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago. n It was African Americans who helped )build this country, not illegal aliens. About four times as many African Americans graduating from New York Catholic High schools go on to college as do their brethren coming from public schools. Yet, to the detriment of African American students, teachers unions donate huge sums to Democratic campaigns and all but prevent any hope of improvement in public schools.

Sadly, during a speech in Chicago, Obama told everyone that it was the illegal aliens from Latin America that helped build this country and implored companies to hire them, all but ignoring the sacrifices African Americans who need jobs and education.

It doesn’t help when we have people like Al Sharpton, who owes some $4.5 million in back taxes, spending time at the White House and who tells his fellow African Americans that all they need is more government welfare.

Ignorant and racist views of human nature brought us one of the largest social boondoggles of the 20th century, but with sound and practical leadership we can correct the mistakes of the past. r Hopefully, next time around we will not only elect a president who understands what makes America tick but someone who can bring the races together, and someone who has the courage to stand up to the union control of education in the inner cities. With that, we can provide the path for African Americans to pull themselves up.

Let’s not be seduced by promises of hope and change again.” e Bob Wilson n Franklin

tasteTHEmountains

3589 SOCO RD. MAGGIE VALLEY

828.926.1820

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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FRIDAY, DEC. 5TH

Karaoke

w/Chris Monteith 83 Asheville Hwy. Sylva Music Starts @ 9 • 631.0554

tasteTHEmountains specialty sandwiches and burgers. Be sure not to miss the bold flavors and creative combinations that make up the daily Chef Supper Specials starting at 5pm every day.

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

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. We serve three meals a day on Friday and Saturday, and some Sundays.

Join us for family-style breakfast from 8 to 9:30 am – with eggs, bacon, sausage, grits and oatmeal, fresh fruit, sometimes French toast or pancakes, and always all-you-caneat. Lunch from 12:00 till 2. In the evening, social hour begins at 6:00pm. Dinner is served at 7:00 pm, with entrees that include prime rib, baked ham and herb-baked chicken, complemented by seasonal vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer a fine selection of wine and beer.

So come enjoy mile-high mountaintop dining with a spectacular view. Please call for reservations and more dining information.

Smoky Mountain News

December 3-9, 2014

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

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

THE CLASSIC WINESELLER 20 Church Street, Waynesville.

828.452.6000. Underground retail wine and craft beer shop, restaurant, and intimate live music venue. Kitchen opens at 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday serving freshly prepared small plate and tapas-style fare. Enjoy local, regional, or national talent live each Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. www.classicwineseller.com. Also on facebook and twitter.

CORK & CLEAVER 176 Country Club Drive, Waynesville.

828.456.7179. Reservations recommended.

4:30-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Tucked away inside Waynesville Inn, Cork & Cleaver has an approachable menu designed around locally sourced, sustainable, farm-to-table ingredients. Executive Chef Corey Green prepares innovative and unique Southern fare from local, organic vegetables grown in Western North Carolina. Full bar and wine cellar. www.waynesvilleinn.com.

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

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

CITY BAKERY 18 N. Main St. Waynesville 828.452.3881.

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

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

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

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

CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

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

Tasty, healthy and quick. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, espresso, beer and wine. Come taste

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

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

Monday-Saturday. Father and son team Frank and Louis Perrone cook up dinners steeped in Italian tradition. With recipies passed

down from generations gone by, the Perrones have brought a bit of Italy to Maggie Valley.

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

HERREN HOUSE 94 East St., Waynesville 828.452.7837.

Lunch: Wednesday - Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday Brunch 11 a. m. to 2 p.m.

Enjoy fresh local products, created daily. Join us in our beautiful patio garden. We are your local neighborhood host for special events: business party’s, luncheons, weddings, showers and more. Private parties & catering are available 7 days a week by reservation only.

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

Lunch Sunday noon to 2:30 p.m., dinner nightly starting at 4:30 p.m. World-famous prime rib, steaks, fresh seafood, gorgonzola cheese and salads. All ABC permits and open year-round. Children always welcome.

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

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

828.648.4193. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Serving breakfast, lunch, nd dinner. The restaurant has a 1950s & 60s theme decorated with memorabilia from that era.

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

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

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

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

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tasteTHEmountains MOONSHINE GRILL 2550 Soco Road, Maggie Valley located in the Smoky Falls Lodge. 828.926.7440.

Open Wednesday through Saturday 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Cooking up mouth-watering, wood-fired Angus steaks, prime rib and scrumptious fresh seafood dishes. The wood-fired grill gives amazing flavor to every meal that comes off of it. Enjoy creative dishes made using moonshine. Stop by and simmer for a while and soak up the atmosphere. The best kept secret in Maggie Valley. themoonshinegrill.com MOUNTAIN PERKS ESPRESSO BAR & CAFÉ 9 Depot St., Bryson City. 828.488.9561.

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

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

PASQUALE’S 1863 South Main Street, Waynesville. Off exit 98, 828.454.5002. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Classic Italian dishes, exceptional steaks and seafood (available in full and lighter sizes), thin crust pizza, homemade soups, salads hand tossed at your table. Fine wine and beer selection. Casual atmosphere, dine indoor, outside on the patio or at the bar.

Reservations appreciated.

PATIO BISTRO 30 Church Street, Waynesville.

828.454.0070. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday

Bed & Breakfast and Restaurant

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RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT AND BAR Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center 828.926.0201 Bar open Monday thru Saturday; dining room open Tuesday thru Saturday at 5 p.m. Full service restaurant serving steaks, prime rib, seafood and dinner specials.

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SMOKY MOUNTAIN SUB SHOP 29 Miller Street Waynesville 828.456.3400.

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

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

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

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828.454.5400. Lunch: Tuesday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday noon to 3 p.m. Dinner Tuesday-Saturday 4:30 to 9 p.m. Closed Monday. Thai Spice, an authentic Thai restaurant, warmly welcomes you to experience a superb dinning experience. Don’t be timid, the food comes mild, medium, hot and Thai Hot. You choose. www.thaispicewnc.com

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236-50

VITO’S PIZZA 607 Highlands Rd., Franklin.

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

LUNCH DAILY 11:30 A.M.-2:30 P.M. DINNER NIGHTLY AT 4 P.M. MONDAY-SATURDAY

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www.MadBatterFoodandFilm.com 828.586.3555 617 W. Main St. Sylva NC

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Smoky Mountain News

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December 3-9, 2014

ORGANIC BEANS COFFEE COMPANY 1110 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.668.2326. Open 7 days a week 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Happily committed to brewing and serving innovative, uniquely delicious coffees — and making the world a better place.

100% of our coffee is Fair Trade, Shade Grown, and Organic, all slow-roasted to bring out every note of indigenous flavor.

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at the

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A&E

Smoky Mountain News

Want to go?

Appalachian toymaker and storyteller Tim Hall will be demonstrating his craft at The Storytelling Center across from the Train Depot in Bryson City.

Toy making will take place at 11 a.m. Dec. 4-7, Dec. 10-12, 1 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20, and at 2 p.m. Dec. 14-19 and 21-24. As well, the center is also putting up their “Children’s Tree.” Each time a child comes into the center, they make a paper ring to place on the tree. As of press time, Hall has collected over 2,700 rings, which will be strewn around the tree. All names and rings will be noted online at their Facebook page (search: The Storytelling Center of the Southern Appalachians in Bryson City).

828.488.5705 or www.greatsmokies.com.

Bryson City. He spent years combing the back roads and backrooms of Southern Appalachia for old-timers and their stories. He camped out on the side of the road, wandering the mountains, always ready to hear what anyone had to say.

“I traveled and became reacquainted with my roots in the mountains. I learned Owner of The Storytelling Center in Bryson City, Tim Hall spins his tales and handcrafts to do the hardest thing — to and restores Appalachian Christmas toys. Garret K. Woodward photo listen,” he said. “I listened to people tell stories, listened to the old storytellers sitting on the liars bench outside the general stores, listened to storytellers in the valleys and atop the peaks, sitting around the potbellied stoves.”

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD tales, with many Christmas-themed ones soakSTAFF WRITER ing into audience’s ears this holiday season.

Garret K. There’s only one thing Tim Hall isn’t sure of. Alongside the storytelling, he also dons anothWoodward “Well, I don’t really know my age, but if I er cap — Appalachian toymaker. From had to guess, I’d say I’m somewhere around Thanksgiving through Christmas, he carves 70 years old,” he chuckled. and hammers away at innumerable small toys Sitting in The Storytelling Center of the that ultimately find their way into the hands Southern Appalachians in downtown Bryson of curious and captivated children.

City, Hall reminisces about his childhood in “I make toys so that children can come in the mountains of northern Pennsylvania. He and actually watch somebody make their toy,” grew up in a poor family, like many others in he said. “The smile on their faces as they that time and place, but that never deterred watch you and then you hand them the toy — them from enjoying life, from sharing in its there’s no feeling like it.” grace and beauty — sharing in storytelling and oral traditions.

N THE ROAD “When granddaddy told a story to us kids, we were enthralled,” he said. “And maybe we Hall dropped out of high school and hit had already heard that story four or five the open road. He traveled every state in the times, but it didn’t matter, because each time continental United States, working odd jobs always felt new, always with some other and bouncing around, seeing what it was all nuance or piece added into it.” about, ultimately searching for himself in the These days, Hall is a storyteller in his own grand scheme of things. Eventually, he entered right. He opened the center a decade ago, a the Army during Vietnam and became a location where folks from all over wander in, sniper. He served his time and then found sit down and immerse themselves in the lore himself working in electronics, computers of Southern Appalachia. His drive to preserve mostly, which led him around the world. and perpetuate the stories of Western North “I went all over designing, developing, “I traveled and became Carolina comes from a deep love of the moun- maintaining and troubleshooting electronic tains, a fire that has burned within him since equipment,” he said. reacquainted with my he first visited the area some 60 years ago.

But, as the years wore on, a voice within roots in the mountains. I “The mountaineer of the Southern Hall couldn’t be silenced. He was out in the Appalachians is rapidly disappearing, the open world, but what he missed most was the learned to do the hardest Southern Highlander is no more,” he said. mountains. And though it would be many thing — to listen.”

“And I swore to myself long ago that I’d keep moons before he heeded that call, he never that heritage alive.” ignored the urge to head for the hills.

— Tim Hall Throughout the year, Hall spins his web of Over a decade ago, Hall relocated to

Tell it from the mountain

O

THE ART OF THE SMOKIES Hall took what he had learned and observed and began crafting it into his own art of spoken word. With The Storytelling Center, he opened the doors to a forgotten era, a time and place that all too often got swept under the rug of time.

“Storytelling is an absolute great responsibility, and at the same time it’s a mission and a passion for me. One of things that endears me to everyone that comes in here is the fact that people come here and listen to the stories, they will invariably leave with a kinder and gentler atmosphere,” he said. “They say it’s like home here, it’s like what they remember, and that’s the biggest accolade that I could get. They go back to their youth just by listening to my stories. I open that door to the library of reminiscing in their head.”

About five years ago, Hall took up toy making. Woodworking was a skill that ran deep in his family, with both his granddaddy and great-granddaddy using their hands to craft household items and toys. As a kid, Hall remembers watching his granddaddy handing him a piece of wood and telling the youngster to hold it as tightly as possible. Hall was told of the oil in his hands and how he was now a part of that piece of wood, always.

“Granddaddy said you sweat when you work, and you may cut yourself carving with a drop of blood on that wood, and that now you will forever be in that piece,” he said. “When you craft something, you craft it with all of your ability. And when someone takes home one of your pieces, you’re now a part of their lives.”

Nowadays, one can stroll into the center almost daily and hear Hall tell a tale or watch him put together another Christmas toy. He has become a fixture in the town of Bryson City and beyond. You’ll see him stroll downtown, pipe hanging from his mouth, a large white beard draping from his face like Saint Nick himself. It’s a casual stroll, one where you have the time to truly ponder nothing and everything, the natural beauty of the Smokies and our place in it.

Hall has come full circle in his quest to preserve the mountain man, their character, their ideals and, most of all, their stories.

“My performance is sitting in that rocking chair and painting a picture in someone’s mind,” Hall smiled. “I am a catalyst to their youth, the fond memories of their lives.”

This must be the place

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

Patterson Hood.

Donated photo

HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5

SMN: What has playing music taught you about what it means to be human?

PH: What’s more human than music?

That, and literature and art are the three things the human race got right.

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Smoky Mountain News

SMN: What do think when people say rock-n-roll is dead?

PH: I can’t pretend that rock-n-roll is the defining element of the zeitgeist, of our culture like it was in the 1960s, as far as having the massive counterweight effect on our culture like it did back then.

Who knows? Maybe the addition of the iPhone was The Beatles of this decade or this era. That said, I think there will always be listening and responding to it, there will always be some kid somewhere doing something really noisy and loud and rude that someone else will hear, and sooner or later enough people will respond positively to it to where it will become a big deal.

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Patterson Hood is a sponge.

The defacto front man for the Drive-By Truckers, a bastion of nitty-gritty rock-n-roll, Hood soaks in the essence of the world around him. He sees the good, A dinner and performance by Peter Rowan the bad, the ugly, and filters it (bluegrass/Americana) will be at 5:30 p.m. through a prism of blood, sweat Dec. 7 at Cataloochee Guest Ranch and tears. It’s a creative lens of in Maggie Valley. performance and songwriting Pierce Eden (Americana/country) will perform that conjures comparisons to at 8 p.m. Dec. 5 at BearWaters Brewing in the likes of The Rolling Stones, Waynesville.

The Band, MC5 and Big Star.

Raised in Muscle Shoals, The Festival of Lights & Luminaries will be Ala., he was surrounded by held from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6-7 and 13-14 in music. His father, David, was downtown Dillsboro. the legendary bassist in The Swampers, an iconic group of The Nanta Claus Christmas Children’s Benefit studio musicians whose fingerwill be from 6 to 10 p.m. Dec. 13 at prints were found all over 1960s Nantahala Brewing in Bryson City. and 70s AM radio hits. And as The Toys for Tots with Darren Nicholson Band he grew up, Hood reached for (bluegrass) will be at 8 p.m. Dec. 12 at Frog every record in sight, threw it on Level Brewing in Waynesville. the player, sat back and let the melodies radiate into the air.

Throughout his life, Hood joy amid the chaos of it all. has remained full of wonder, always curious to see what new group is playing at the Smoky Mountain News: Why is it imporbar around the corner, what sound is attached to that band name, what treasures tant to have a solo outlet?

Patterson Hood: I feel I’d be lacking if I could be discovered from a quick browse at couldn’t have both. I have found a good bala record store? And it’s the never-ending ance. This particular run of solo shows will be quest for the perfect song that keeps the listener captivated by his presence, onstage coming after 10 months of touring with the Truckers. It’s fun to have this outlet, say and in the studio. things I’ve thought about, try new things, At 50, Hood is hitting an ideal stride of experiment more, see what works, hone in on success and stability. With the Truckers the craft of the storytelling aspect. And it’s celebrating 18 years of a hard-earned repumuch easier when I don’t have four other peotation as one of the finest rock acts of this ple onstage I’m responsible for, so if I mess up era, he has also cultivated a bountiful solo by myself, I can recover it by myself. [Laughs]. career. His albums are books, with each song a chapter, each character standing on SMN: You turned 50 this year. How are their own, facing situations of everyday you feeling these days? life, filled with dire consequence or utter

SMN: Was there a moment when you realized a song could be anything you wanted it to be?

PH: I don’t really know how to write for anyone but me, which is probably why I’ve never written a hit song. I don’t really know how to. All I can do is write what’s in my head, what I’m feeling. I don’t want to control it as much as it controls me. I know craft, I know the technical lens of writing, but I’ve never sat down and tried to craft a song. I can apply the things I know to help make my writing better or articulate better. I don’t know how to do it by the numbers. I don’t like things to be too perfect. You look at my desk and can see that, I don’t like neatness. I like clean lines musically, but lyrically I like it to be a little bit of a ramble, and sometimes a little bit of a dead end because life is like that. I like it to be a little bit conversational. I like it to reflect life.

Serving all of WNC arts & entertainment

PH: I’m happy. I feel good. I can still do anything I want to do. I definitely play and sing better than when I was 40. I’m definitely a lot healthier than when I was 40, on a lot of levels. I don’t live nearly as hard as I did then, by choice. It’s a good thing because I wouldn’t be as healthy now at 50. This is a tough age for people in my business. It’s a hard one. Weird dynamic. But, what do you do? You either die or you keep living. I’ve moved on. I’d rather keep living. I’ve got small kids, a lot of things going on, and I’ve got a lot left I still want to do. I’m not up there onstage trying to act like a teenager, because I’m not. I’ve always been an old soul.

There’s this Grandpa Jones and Tom Waits thing in my persona that I’ve grown into.

Now that I’m older, it creatively fits me more in my life.

(frozen by the dozen)

Want to go?

Patterson Hood will be performing at 9 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 5 at The Grey Eagle in Asheville. Lydia Loveless opens. Tickets are $17 in advance, $20 day-of-show. www.thegreyeagle.com or 828.232.5800.

Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

144 INDUSTRIAL PARK DRIVE UNIT D1, WAYNESVILLE, NC

828/550-9221 www.SaintAndrewsSquare.biz

27

arts & entertainment

On the wall Final Art After Dark for 2014 in Waynesville The last Art After Dark of the year will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, in downtown Waynesville.

Enjoy a stroll through working studios and galleries on Main Street and Depot Street. Festive Art After Dark flags denote participating galleries, such as Haywood County Arts Council’s Gallery 86, Earthworks, Jeweler’s Workbench, Burr Studios, Twigs and Leaves Gallery, TPennington Art Gallery, Main Street Artist’s Co-op, Grace Cathey Sculpture Garden and Gallery, Cedar Hill Studios, Art on Depot, The Mahogany House and the Village Framer As part of the Art After Dark and Holly Days celebration, The Classic Wine Seller will be open for dinner and drinks at 4 p.m., with Sunburst Market also open later. Julie Kinkade will be doing ceramic demonstrations for Art After Dark and at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Earthworks Gallery.

Art After Dark is presented by the Waynesville Gallery Association. www.downtownwaynesville.com.

New wood studio opens in Frog Level Woodworker Ronnie Atkins has opened Studio 36 in Waynesville.

Donated photo

Woodworker Ronnie Atkins recently opened Studio 36 in the Frog Level District of Waynesville.

The studio features handcrafted, one-of-akind furniture composed of both new and reclaimed components. Atkin’s interest in

woodworking began in the 1980’s during his career as a television photographer.

Originally a hobby, woodworking became of increasing interest, as he traveled the U.S. gaining inspiration from each community visited. A brief stint in a lumberyard in

Austin inspired Atkins to retire after nearly 30 years in the field of television and focus on woodworking full-time.

Studio 36 will serve as Atkins studio and design space, allowing him the creative burst to hand craft pieces with minimal tools.

Each piece takes days, often months to build from design to fruition.

Drawing on Craftsman, Scandanavian and modern influences, Atkins creates simple, functional furniture that expresses his unique sense of design. With emphasis on the joinery of each piece, it is easy to celebrate the quality of hand built furniture with the absence of modern machinery. www.facebook.com/ronnie.atkins.77.

Smoky Mountain News

December 3-9, 2014

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On the wall

269-24

Cullowhee Mountain fARTS gala

The Gala Imagine, a benefit for Cullowhee Mountain ARTS, will be held at 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 6, in the Blue Ridge Room at Western Carolina University.

The event will include an evening of artisan wine and beer, dinner and music. There will also be art greeting cards, silent auction, door prizes and more. Holiday or “ReImagined� attire suggested. The Cullowhee Mountain ARTS is a yearly series of art and creative writing workshops, youth art camps and the FAM-CMA invitational art exhibit. CMA brings a distinguished faculty to teach five-day workshops offered in fbook arts, ceramics, creative writing, mixed media, painting and printmaking. The workshop environment provides an immersion

The Bug Lady

arts & entertainment

experience in a specific area, supplemented with lectures, demonstrations, portfolio talks, readings and presentations. Instruction and sharing among attendees take place within the WCU Bardo Arts Center and the School of Art and Design. Workshops are offered for all levels of artists and writers, including beginners.

Youth programs include two, four and five-day art camps for ages 5-12.

Tickets are $60. www.cullowheemountainarts.org or 828.342.6913.

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828-243-9318 thebugladyofwnc@gmail.com thebugladyofwnc.com

• A craft fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center in Clyde.

828.452.8080.

Sponsor Sponsored ed By:

• The annual Jackson County Senior Center Craft Festival will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5-6 in Sylva. Local crafters and artisans. 828.586.4944.

In Partnership with:

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• The Creating an Origami Christmas Star workshop will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Jackson County Library in Sylva. Starting this month, the library will be hosting local artists, inviting them to share their craft with the public. Artists interested in running a workshop should call the library. Free. 828.586.2016 or www.fontanalib.org.

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arts & entertainment

On the beat

Rowan returns to Cataloochee Peter Rowan.

Garret K. Woodward photo

Bluegrass legend Peter Rowan will perform on Sunday, Dec. 7, at Cataloochee Guest Ranch in Maggie Valley.

A 5:30 p.m. cocktail hour will then be followed by dinner and a fireside performance by Rowan.

The Darren Nicholson Band will open the show. The intimate evening of music will be in memory of the late Richard Coker, coowner of the ranch, who passed away at this time last year. As of press time, dinner tickets were sold out, with “performance only” spaces still available. www.cataloocheeranch.com or 828.926.1401.

• The Corbitt Brothers, Sam Stringfield, Local, Travers Brothership, Rodney Rice and Deltaphonic will perform at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva. The Corbitt Brothers plays Dec. 3 and 10, with Stringfield Dec. 4, Local Dec. 5, Travers Brothership Dec. 6, Rice Dec. 11 and Deltaphonic Dec. 12-13. All shows begin at 9 p.m. Free. 828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• The Molly Tuttle Trio (Americana/soul) and Darren Nicholson (bluegrass) will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville.

Tickets are $18. www.38main.com.

• Angela Easterling (singer/songwriter), Joe Cruz (pianist/vocalist), Dulci Ellenberger (guitarist/vocalist) and The Jingle Bell Bash with Joe Cruz will perform at The Classic Wine Seller in Waynesville. Easterling plays Dec. 5, with Cruz Dec. 6, Ellenberger Dec. 12 and The Jingle Bell Bash Dec. 13.

Shows begin at 7 p.m. $10 minimum purchase. 828.452.6000.

ALSO:

• Pierce Eden (Americana/country), Josh Wager (singer/songwriter) and The Love Medicated will hit the stage at BearWaters Brewing Company in Waynesville. Pierce Eden play at 8 p.m. Dec. 5, with Wager 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and The Love Medicated 7 p.m. Dec. 12. Both shows start at 7 p.m. www.bwbrewing.com or 828.246.0602.

• Craig Summers & Lee Kram and the Three Year Anniversary party and the Toys for Tots with Darren Nicholson Band (bluegrass) will be at Frog Level Brewing Company in Waynesville. Summers & Kram perform at 6 p.m. Dec. 4 and 11, with the party at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 and Nicholson 8 p.m. Dec. 12. 828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Dustin Martin & The Ramblers (Americana) and The Dirty Soul Revival (rock/blues) will perform at the Water’n Hole Bar & Grille in Waynesville. Martin plays Dec. 5, with The Dirty Soul Revival Dec. 13. All shows begin at 9 p.m.

Country artist John Berry will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Between 1979 and 1990 John recorded and marketed six albums on his own Clear Sky Records label. Those early discs and John Berry’s strong regional popularity attracted him attention on Music Row. Capitol Records signed him in 1992 and it was there that he had a string of hits, including “Your Love Amazes Me,” “Standing on the Edge of Goodbye,” “I Think About It All The Time,” “Change My Mind,” “If I Had Any Pride Left At All,” “Kiss Me In The Car,” “What’s In It For Me”

Smoky Mountain News

December 3-9, 2014

Berry to bring country to Franklin

• The Franklin High School and Macon Middle School band concert will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Celebrate the sounds of the season with over 200 students of Macon County as they play modern and classic Christmas and holiday selections featuring concert, honors and jazz ensemble members. Free. www.greatmountainmusic.com.

• Guitarist Ronnie Evans will perform at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Swain County Center for the Arts in Bryson City. Free. 828.488.7843 or www.swain.k12.nc.us/cfta.

• The Western Carolina Civic Orchestra will give its fall semester performance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, in the Coulter Building at Western Carolina University. The performance will feature Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “The Impresario” and Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5.” Free. 828.227.7242.

John Berry will play Franklin on Dec. 12. Donated photo and “You and Only You.” Tickets are $20, $25 and $30. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

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• The Blue Ridge Big Band Brass Ensemble will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, in the lounge at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. The show kicks off with a saxophone ensemble followed by a brass choir and mixed ensemble.

Free. www.38main.com.

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arts & entertainment

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Open Wednesday – Saturday, Nov. 28 – Jan. 3, at 5 p.m.

(Closed Dec. 24 & 25.)

Happening for the first time, this special Christmas event is located at 545 Tsali Blvd., Cherokee, NC. Stroll under the lights through fun, interactive displays that recount ancient Cherokee Christmas legends. Or come for the carnival rides, a 40-ft. Christmas tree, a visit with Santa Claus, and our synthetic ice rink. Tickets are just $5 for adults, $3 for children 6–12, and kids under five get in free. Grab your little elves and join us.

Smoky Mountain News

• A wine tasting will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20 at Papou’s Wine Shop and Bar in Sylva. Additional savings on the tasting wines will also be available. 828.586.6300.

December 3-9, 2014

Western Carolina University will wrap up the yearlong celebration of the 125th anniversary of its founding with the It’s a Wrap Party at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at the Ramsey Center in Cullowhee.

The event will be highlighted by a crosscampus parade led by WCU’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band, which will have just returned from participating in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Members of the campus and surrounding communities are encouraged to wear their own sports uniforms, letter jackets or other purple-and-gold apparel and join the band in the on-campus march. The It’s a Wrap parade is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at Scott Residence Hall and end at the Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center. wcuevents@wcu.edu.

VisitCherokeeNC.com | 828.554.6490 31

arts & entertainment

On the holidays Lights & Luminaries returns to Dillsboro

Free, with parking and shuttle transportation available at Monteith Park. www.mountainlovers.com.

Christmas with Manhattan Transfer

The Festival of Lights & Luminaries will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6-7 and 13-14 in downtown.

With more than 2,500 candles in white bags lining the streets, the lights set the town aglow, Dillsboro will create a winter wonderland at the corner of Front and Webster streets. In addition, the town’s merchant “elves” trim their buildings, many of which date to the late 1800s, in traditional white lights. Shopkeepers also stay open late and serve coffee, warm cider, hot chocolate and homemade goodies to visitors. There will be sing-a-longs throughout town, horseand-carriage rides, plus Santa and Mrs. Claus setting up shop in Town Hall.

The Western Carolina University Holiday Dancers will also be performing at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, on Front Street.

The Jackson County Green Energy Park will have a gallery show, demonstration and Christmas sale. Merchants will donate a percentage of their sales on College Night (Dec. 5) to The Christmas Connection, which provides new toys and clothing for children of families in Jackson County who need assistance during the holidays.

Festival attendees are also invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to The Christmas Connection.

HCC holiday craft sale

The Manhattan Transfer’s “Cool Yule Swings Christmas” show will be at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts.

Originally formed in 1969, the quartet recorded several albums of jazz standards as well as much material closer to R&B/pop.

They were easily the most popular jazz vocal group of their era, and the most talented of any since the heyday of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross during the early ‘60s.

Tickets start at $25. www.greatmountainmusic.com.

The Professional Crafts Programs at Haywood Community College will present a Holiday Craft Sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Dec. 4 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5 in the Creative Arts Building in Clyde.

The event will showcase the work of both first- and second-year students in the Clay, Fiber, Wood, and Jewelry programs. This will be the second winter holiday sale hosted in the new Creative Arts Building, home to the Professional Crafts Programs and Creative Arts Continuing Education at the school.

All work featured has been created by students during their time in the program and will include such items as mugs for holiday drinks, hand-woven scarves to adorn and protect from the crisp winter air, candleholders to bring light and beauty to the long winter nights, and jewelry to warm a loved one’s heart. The work is carefully selected by a panel of student jurors and will highlight the exceptional instruction and talent housed within the walls of the Creative Arts Building. www.creativearts.haywood.edu or 828.565.4159.

December 3-9, 2014

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Adkins brings Christmas to Cherokee Trace Adkins: The Christmas Show will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Harrah’s Cherokee.

The production is a reverent, theatrical production, featuring songs from Adkins’ Celtic Christmas album, “The King’s Gift.” It combines storytelling with performances of carols.

Adkins’ trademark baritone has powered countless country hits to the top of the charts.

Tickets start at $24.50. www.harrahscherokee.com.

JOIN US FOR ARTS EVENTS AT WCU DEC. 7 | SUN. 3PM | BARDO ARTS CENTER | $

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Smoky Mountain News

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On the holidays

BRYSON CITY

• The Canton Christmas Parade will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, in downtown. The theme is WNC Hometown Christmas.

828.648.2363.

CLYDE

FONTANA

• The inaugural Hometown Christmas Celebration will be from 5 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 13, in the auditorium at Haywood Community College. A night of local music, artisan crafts and gifts, and holiday treats featuring appearances from McKayla Reece, Tim Surrett of Balsam Range, Eddie Rose & Highway Forty, Subject 2 Change, Matthew Curry & The Carolina Two, Sheriff Greg Christopher, and Mr. & Mrs. Santa Clause. Get your child’s photo with Santa from 2 to 4 p.m. and 5:30 to 8 p.m. A $4 donation per family is requested for photographs. Bring your own camera. Tickets for the performance are $8 and can be purchased at Sid’s on Main in Canton and at Ammon’s Drive-In & Dairy Bar and The Mountaineer, both in Waynesville. All proceeds benefit Next Step Ministries, a member organization of the new Haywood Pathways Center in Hazelwood. nextstepministriesinc@gmail.com or 828.356.5432.

CULLOWHEE • The annual Sounds of the Season holiday concert, featuring faculty and students in small chamber groups and larger ensembles, will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

This year’s program will begin with performances by the University Chorus and Concert Choir of “Sing Noel,” “Gloria” and “O Christmas Tree.” Other performers will include the WCU Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Student Trombone Quartet, Percussion Ensemble, Continuum Saxophone Quartet, Euphonium Ensemble and Early Music Ensemble/Recorder Consort also will perform. The Jackson County Children’s Choir, a

• The “Christmas in the Smokies” holiday celebration will run through Dec. 31 at Fontana Village Resort. Winter fun, holiday

S EE CHRISTMAS, PAGE 35

Holly Days Four Days of Holiday Dazzle Downtown

Dec. 5th -8th Begins Friday night with Art After Dark and ends Monday night with the Waynesville Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. on Main Street.

Smoky Mountain News

CANTON

• The Cherokee Christmas Parade will be at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, in downtown.

Floats, bands, Santa and more.

• The Cherokee Lights and Legends Christmas will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 3 at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds.

Interactive displays of Cherokee legends, ice skating, carnival rides, and more. Performers include an Elvis impersonator at 7 p.m. Dec. 6, 20 and 31 and Balsam Range (bluegrass) at 8 p.m. Dec. 13. Tickets for the celebration are $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 6-12 and free for children under age 5. www.visitcherokeenc.com.

CHEROKEE

FRANKLIN • The Brasstown Ringers handbell group will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at the First Methodist Church. Free, but donations accepted.

• NewSong’s “Very Merry Christmas” featuring John Wilson, Jamie Grace and Sanctus Real will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets start at $15. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

• The Holiday Music & Crafts ARTSaturday will be from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 6 at the Old Cowee School. Free make-and-take holiday cards, decorations, cookies and more.

Sponsored by The Arts Council of Macon County. 828.524.7683 or art4all@dnet.net.

• The Heritage Christmas Progressive Celebration will be Dec. 5-7. There will be holiday wine, cheese and appetizers at 5 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Macon County Historical Museum, followed by dessert at the Scottish Tartans Museum. You can pick out and decorate your own custom-made swag at the Cowee Christmas from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Dec. 6 at the Cowee Pottery School. Hot chocolate, cookies and festivities will be held

December 3-9, 2014

• The 40th annual Biggest Little Christmas Parade in the Smokies will be held at 2 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 6, in downtown. Floats, fire trucks, classic cars, beauty queens and Santa. www.greatsmokies.com/christmas.

• The Nanta Claus Christmas Children’s Benefit will from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Nantahala Brewing. Attendees asked to bring toy donations. Several holiday craft beers to be on tap and worst sweater contest. Free. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• An outdoor Christmas concert will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 and 13 at the Swain County Visitor Center. www.greatsmokies.com.

• “The Christmas Shoes” stage production will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5-6 and 12-13 and at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and 14 at the Smoky Mountain Community Theatre.

Founded upon the story behind the classic Christmas song, the music-filled show takes the audience through the lives of two different families. One family, the Layton’s, have all the resources and fortune they want, but still discover something missing in their lives. The second family, the Andrews, do not have much to give at Christmas.

However, they have each other and home bursting with kind-heartedness and love.

Join together and see how the innocent love of a child buying a pair of Christmas shoes for his sick mother touches the heart of a “Grinch”, and allows the families and other characters to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children. info@smctheatre.com or 828.488.8227.

• Breakfast with Santa will be from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Bryson City Rescue Squad. $3. Bring your own camera for photos. 828.488.3681 or 800.867.9246.

• The Polar Express-themed train is now running at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot. The classic children’s book comes to life as the train departs for a special visit at the “North Pole.” Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. The train arrives to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa boards the train, greeting each child and presenting them with their own silver sleigh bell. www.gsmr.com or 800.872.4681.

• The 12th annual Cookie Walk & Christmas Bazaar will be at 9 a.m. Dec. 6 at the United Methodist Church.

festivities and events. 828.498.2211 or www.fontanavillage.com.

arts & entertainment

Christmas in Appalachia

group made up of more than 40 students from Fairview, Cullowhee Valley and Scotts Creek elementary schools, also will hit the stage. Tickets are $17 for adults, $11 for WCU faculty, staff and those 60 and older, and $5 for students and children. Proceeds benefit the School of Music Scholarship Fund. www.bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or 828.227.2479.

• A holiday-themed spin on the hit production “GRITS: The Musical!” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University. The all-new musical “Cinnamon Grits: Christmas in the South” will stage as part of the 2014-15 Galaxy of Stars Series at WCU. In addition to some of the holidays’ all-time favorite anthems, the show features songs including “The Christmas ‘BELLE’ Medley,” “You Gotta Re-Gift,” “The Crazy Aunt Blues,” “Yes There is a Santa Claus” and “The 12 Yummy Days of Christmas.” Tickets are $21 for adults, $16 for WCU faculty and staff, $15 apiece for groups of 20 or more, and $7 for students and children. The show is sponsored by Bear Lake Reserve. www.bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or 828.227.2479.

• The “Living Nativity” scene will be recreated from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the 3rd Generation Barn Loft on Frank Mann Road. It will feature a short walk-through of live cast and animals, background music and scripture to illuminate a sense of awe and peace remembering the true meaning of Christmas. In addition, patrons will have the opportunity to donate a non-perishable food item at the manger for The Community Kitchen soup kitchen. Free.

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On the holidays

MAGGIE VALLEY • The inaugural Maggie Valley Santa’s Workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dec. 13 Sassy Kreationz on Soco Road. Santa will be onsite from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nonperishable food items donated will be given to the Community Kitchen in Canton.

ROBBINSVILLE

• Breakfast with Santa will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center.

• The Christmas in the Mountains craft fair will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center.

Follow the signs in Hazelwood to continue getting all those vegetables, meats & fresh seafood, plus the best of WNC handicrafts!

GIFT-GIVING WITH ALL THE BEST PRODUCE, MEATS & HERITAGE CRAFTS IN WNC FOLKMOOT CENTER GYM • 112 VIRGINIA AVE. WAYNESVILLE waynesvillefarmersmarket.com • facebook.com/waynesvillefarmersmarket

WAYNESVILLE • With the theme “Peace on Earth,” the Waynesville Christmas Parade will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, on Main Street in Downtown. www.downtownwaynesville.com or 828.456.3517.

• The classic holiday production of “A Christmas Carol” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11-12, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 13, and 3 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $6 for students. www.harttheater.org or 828.456.6322.

• The Jacob Johnson Christmas Show (singer/songwriter) will be at 7:45 p.m. Dec. 4 at The Strand at 38 Main. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for students and children under age 12. www.38main.com.

• “A Night before Christmas” will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, on Main Street in downtown. Shops, galleries and restaurants are open late. Hundreds of luminaries line the sidewalks. Enjoy carolers, live music, Santa, storytelling, and old fashioned wagon rides. Stroll through the Tour of Bethlehem with a live nativity and bustling first century marketplace. www.downtownwaynesville.com.

• “A Season Light: A Celebration of the Season’s Multicultural Holidays” will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at the Pigeon Multicultural Development Center. The event will include a potluck dinner, a sharing of holiday customs from different cultures and music from a variety of traditions. The event is free, but participants are asked to bring two non-perishable food items for the center’s food pantry, as well as a potluck item.

828.456.7232.

• A wreath-making class will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon and from1 to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Cooperative Extension Office on Raccoon Road. Master gardeners will provide the materials. Cost of class is $20. Proceeds fund horticultural projects and grants in Haywood County.

RSVP by Dec. 4. 828.456.3575.

• A Holiday Model Train Open House will be held by the Smoky Mountain Model Rail Road Club from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 6-7 at their headquarters on 130 Frazier St., Suite 13.

• A Community Christmas Cheer Breakfast will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the First Presbyterian Church.

Santa, Christmas carols and more.

828.926.3678.

Smoky Mountain News

• The Sylva Christmas Parade will be at 3 p.m. Dec. 6 in downtown.

• Breakfast with Santa will be from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Dec. 6 at the Jackson County Senior Center. $5 for breakfast, free for children ages 10 and under. 828.586.4944.

• Cookies with Santa will be from 4 to 6 p.m.

Dec. 11 at the Jackson County Family Resource Center. Bring your own camera.

828.631.3900.

• The Western North Carolina Civil War Round Table will host its Christmas Party at 6 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Quality Inn in Sylva. The event begins with a social hour (cash bar and snacks), then followed about 7 p.m. with a buffet. The program for the evening will be Dr. Stephen Davis whose topic will be “What the Yankees Did to Us” based on the material and research from his recently published book by the same title. In addition to this full evening, there will be a silent auction of several vintage Civil War books and Civil War collector plates. Tickets are $25 per person. In order to reserve a “chair at the table,” you must send your check by Nov. 30 to WNCCWRT, P.O. Box 3709, Cullowhee, N.C. 28723. 828.293.5924 or 828.293.7404.

• The choir of First United Methodist Church, Sylva will present its annual Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, in the church sanctuary. A reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages will follow in

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from 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at The Stewart Family Homestead Cabin on Coon Creek Road. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at The Historical and Scottish museums and The Franklin Chamber of Commerce. All proceeds to benefit The Historical and Scottish museums and Cowee Pottery School.

• The annual CareNet fundraiser Christmas concert will be at 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at the First Presbyterian Church. 828.524.4755.

• The “At the Christmas Dessert Tasting” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 14, at the Hospice House on Maple Street. Fundraiser for The Hospice House Foundation of WNC. Raffle for handmade quilt, donations are $5 per ticket or three for $10.

the Asbury Room. This program will be a musical journey titled “Darkness into Light,” and will feature the talented chancel choir, narrations of the Bible Christmas Story, and solos by individual choir members. The choir will be accompanied by organ and piano music. “Darkness into Light” is the story of how Jesus came into the world to bring life and light to all mankind. The coming of Christ brought hope, peace, joy and love, and turned the darkness into light. This musical program will also be featured during the 11 a.m. church service on the same day.

828.586.2358.

arts & entertainment

CHRISTMAS, CONTINUED FROM 33

HAYWOOD’S HISTORIC

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36

Books

Smoky Mountain News

Tolle Lege: Reading that changed my Llfe hen I was 6 years old, I entered the first grade at Boonville Elementary School. For months, various adults had told me I would learn to read in school, and I marched into that old brick schoolhouse eager to acquire this skill. My memory of my return home from that day in school is vivid: I got out of the Writer car, looked at my mother, blurted “They didn’t teach me to read,” and stomped into the house.

Maybe that disappointment explains my lifelong love of reading and books.

For once I had mastered my ABCs, reading became as much a part of my life as eating or sleeping. My love affair with the printed word began with Dick and Jane readers, and the romance has never died. I am one of those readers who will, bookless, read toothpaste tubes and soup cans. I am one of that tribe who regard their favorite books — and there are several hundred favorites — as they regard their friends. I am one of those who open the covers of an unfamiliar book with the sense of adventure and expectation felt by lovers and explorers.

My employment history reveals my obsession with paper and print. I have worked in two libraries and four bookshops; I have owned and operated three bookshops and a mail-order book company; I have written over 300 hundred book reviews, mostly for The Smoky Mountain News; I have composed another hundred essays or so for various magazines; I have seen a dozen poems and half-adozen short stories appear in literary journals; I have published two books of my own and will next year, deo volente, publish two more.

Sometimes I have wondered whether books and reading have meant too much to me, whether I have missed out on life by reading so much. None of my siblings, none of my children, and only a few of my acquaintances read to the extent I do. Would I have written more had I read less? Would those poor,

Jeff Minick

W

creaky bookshops I owned have thrived had I spent less time reading the books and more time promoting them? Would I have developed deeper friendships, traveled more, experienced an expanded version of what other people regard as “real life?”

On other occasions, I have wondered why only certain genres appealed to me. Give me a volume of history or biography, plop me down with a good novel or some old poetry, indulge me with collections of essays, and I am a happy man. Yet while these books may have deposited in my mind and soul various treasures, they have brought little to the arena of financial gain or new skills. I wonder: would the study of books on gardening or cooking or carpentry have meant a more productive life? Would books imbibed on finance and investment have made me a wealthier person? I know a young man who, after studying Michael Gerber’s The E-Myth, put Gerber’s ideas into practice, and within two years was on his way to real wealth. When I perused the same book, trying to discover its formula for money and success, a curtain lowered behind my eyelids.

Simply put, I found the book unreadable.

Having realized that I am doomed to love books and then only books that add wisdom and knowledge but no new skills or wealth to my cupboard of sparse talents, I also perceive that now and again a book or books truly have changed the direction of my life — not always, perhaps, for the better. Every book read, of course, makes some minute impression on our sensibility, yet in mulling over my past, I see that a few books have deeply influenced me. Not all of these books are great literature, and certainly not all of them would touch the hearts and minds of other people, yet their magic transformed me, on some occasions quite dramatically.

Here, for better or for worse, are some books that helped make me who and what I am:

Carden returns to Mountain Heritage Center Acclaimed Appalachian writer/playwright Gary Carden will be ‘Home for the Holidays’ at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, in the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University.

The evening of will consist of storytelling, music, excerpts from memorable Liars Bench shows, as well as some old-time Christmas material. Carden will be joined by musicians William Ritter and Sarah Ogletree who will be performing songs that Ritter wrote for

The Childhood of Famous Americans series Though some of these books are still in print, this series once contained scores of biographies aimed at elementary school children. These examined of the lives of famous Americans when they were children, personages such as John Adams, Stonewall Jackson, Dorthea Dix, and Stephen Decateur, with the final chapter of each book reserved for the accomplishments of their heroes as adults.

The Yadkin County Library carried a number of these volumes, and I read every one I could find, inspired to believe that I, too, could experience an illustrious life, that honor and duty were virtues, that industriousness would be rewarded. The books on military commanders in particular — Washington, Lee, Jackson, Grant, Custer — influenced me to such an extent that in the sixth grade I wrote to the United States Military Academy for the academy’s catalogue and a list of the entrance requirements. Seven years later, in 1969, I entered West Point, but resigned honorably after 18 months. Though I had decided the military and I were incompatible over the long haul, those books helped place me in the academy and buttressed my views on history and heroes.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom and assorted biographies of T.E. Lawrence Just before I left to attend a military school for seventh and eighth grades, my mother took me to see the movie Lawrence of Arabia in Winston-Salem, about 30 miles from Boonville. The movie left its mark: I read the abridged edition of Seven Pillars, Revolt in the

Carden’s play “Tears in the Rain,” and “A Dream of Hazel Creek,”(also written by Carden) as well as an original Christmas song composed by Ritter.

Free.

828.227.7129.

Joyce to read from book on Jesus Sylva author, Mary Joyce will present her book Tangible Evidence of Jesus at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

Desert, that year, and eventually consumed Seven Pillars of Wisdom as well as Lawrence’s letters and several biographies. Lawrence had studied medieval history at Oxford, and I emulated that choice, earning my master’s in medieval history by studying with Dr. James Barefield, a fine teacher, at Wake Forest University, and then putting in a year of Ph.D. work at the University of Connecticut under

Dr. Fred Cazel. Despite the irregularities of his life, Lawrence remains in my pantheon of heroes.

Hemingway, Wolfe, Fitzgerald, Tolstoy, and a host of others In the winter of 1975, during my year of doctoral study at the University of Connecticut, my wife of three years left me for another man. Without going into details, she smashed something inside me that remained broken for a long time. In April, I was sitting on the floor of the tiny coffee shop in the UConn library where some used paperbacks were scattered about the room. I picked up

Tangible Evidence of Jesus was written after the Joyce plodded through much archaeological evidence and academic research. It is intended to be a bridge between scholarly researchers and most of the rest of us. It also was written for those who would like proof of Jesus beyond what is written in Christian Bibles.

The writing style deliberately is condensed and to the point with plenty of photos, art and graphics to make it easy for anyone to learn fascinating information about Jesus that generally is not known. Mary Joyce is also the author of The Cherokee Little People Are Real.

To reserve copies of her books call City Lights at 828.586.9499.

The libertarians

Jack Finney’s short stories about the past and John Gardner’s Michaelsson’s Ghosts both involved old houses. When I turned 30 in 1981, my wife Kris and I began looking for a house of our own, and these books helped guide me to an enormous, deserted former inn in Waynesville. The books woke within me the romantic desire

Mary Pride’s The Big Book of Home Learning

A Soldier of the Great War

In 1987 and 1988, having read a book titled Why Johnny Can’t Read, I began homeschooling my 4-year-old daughter. We used the Calvert School curriculum for kindergarten and first grade, and then branched out on our own. Mary Pride’s The Big Book of Home Learning became our first guidebook for homeschooling. Stuffed full of teaching tips, words of encouragement, and scores of resources — Pride later expanded the book to four volumes — The Big Book of Home Learning was an invaluable resource. My wife and I educated all four of our children at home, and though it was difficult for us and for our children, particularly the oldest two when they were teenagers, home edu-

Father Ray Williams, one of the finest priests I have ever met, recommended Mark Helprin’s story of an Italian in World War I to my son Jon Pat, age 17. I’d read the book previously, but reread it after this recommendation and have since returned to it several times. A Soldier of the Great War gave me strength to face the death of my wife and to look on life as an adventure again. I have given away several copies of A Soldier of the Great War to young men and keep three or four on hand for this very purpose.

The Intellectual Life Here is another book recommended by Father Williams. Written by a French priest, A.G. Sertillanges, O.P., this book taught me how to live alone, how to accept solitude, how to dedicate my efforts more strongly to my work, and how to merge my faith with my writing. The Intellectual Life is a desk book, meaning that it remains within reach when I am working.

Beauty Will Save The World Gregory Wolfe’s writing not only deepened my appreciation of beauty, but reminded me that 1) politics are a part, not the whole, of life; 2) that Christian humanism is a noble pursuit; and 3) that my Catholic faith and my writing are compatible. Wolfe and other authors, particularly the English philosopher Roger Scruton, have pointed me to the beauties found in art, nature, and daily life.

The End of the Affair

cation worked. If asked, our children today would tell you that homeschooling was a great blessing in their lives.

The Narnia Series I read these aloud to our children. The Fisherman had already cast the line to me, but these books, particularly the vision of heaven in The Last Battle, set the hook. Having discovered Lewis through these children’s books, I went on to read everything I could find by him. The Great Divorce especially helped bring me into the Fisherman’s boat.

A Catechism for Adults Father Cogan’s small book was the text used by the priest, Father Gray, who instructed and guided me into the Catholic Church. What most appealed about this catechism was its no-nonsense approach and the author’s clarity of thought. When I

Decades ago, the novels of Graham Greene were a part of my literary education. His conflicted characters, his wars between faith and disbelief, even his use of the colon and semi-colon: all made an impression. Yet of his books, only The End of the Affair had a major impact on me.

Here the battle between belief in a personal God, exemplified by Sarah Miles, wife of a civil servant, and the atheism of her lover, writer Maurice Bendrix, reflects for me the spiritual tenor of our times and my own quarrels with God. So there they are, 12 of the books that acted as guides on the journey. Drawing up this list not only brought back the excitement of reading these books, but also made me realize how fortunate I was to have such men and women as my guides.

If you are a reader, consider making this same evaluation of the books that have changed the direction of your life. It’s an entertaining exercise, and compiling such a list may cause you to examine your own affairs from a different perspective.

Jeff Minick is a writer and teacher. He can be reached at minick0301@gmail.com.

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Smoky Mountain News

Jack Finney and John Gardner

thumb through this book today, which I read for the first time at the age of 40, I smile at the notes I made and remember with great affection those Wednesday evenings at the rectory when Father would patiently answer my many questions.

December 3-9, 2014

Remarried, and with access to the library at the University of Virginia, I discovered libertarian thinking in 1980 and spent over a year reading books that challenged my political views. This part of my education began with Robert Ringer’s Looking Out For Number One, a lightweight book but one that sent me to the shelves to discover writer like Hayek, Hazlitt, Friedman, and others. One author, Roger MacBride, had run for vice president of the Libertarian Party and lived near Charlottesville, and we spoke twice by phone, during which conversations he guided me toward other writers. I finally rejected pure libertarianism as being unrealistic in its assessment of human nature, but it did alter my views on government and on the importance of freedom and free markets.

to own an old home like this one. While repairing and painting that gorgeous, dilapidated dump, which we turned into a bedand-breakfast and bookstore, I spent my lunches and late nights reading and rereading Finney and Gardner.

books

one by Ernest Hemingway and read a line that said — and I am paraphrasing — that you could kill off the catastrophes by writing about them. It was then I determined to become a writer. I left academia forever, and began reading Hemingway, and then Thomas Wolfe, and then Fitzgerald (for a year The Great Gatsby became my literary bible). Over the next five years, I read great literature — American, British, the Russians — like a man on fire. In the decades since, I’ve never come close to making a living from writing, but I love what I do, mucking about with words, and feel nothing but gratitude for what has seen publication.

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Smoky Mountain News

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he sicklefin redhorse is a sneaky kind of fish. It wasn’t discovered as a species until 1992, and even with its existence known, the fish is difficult to tag and track, avoiding radio detection at the bottom of deep river pools. But will the bottomfeeding suckerfish also be able to avoid getting listed as a threatened or endangered species?

Mike LaVoie, biologist for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is hoping to answer that question with a negative. The sicklefin has been a candidate for listing since the early 2000s — candidate species are those for whom listing is recommended but funds aren’t available to follow through — but it’s likely the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will make a decision by the end of 2015.

Listing can help vulnerable species make a comeback, but it can also make things more difficult for people who use the river.

“Our goal when we began this initiative with our partners with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the [N.C.] Wildlife Resources Commission and the Conservation Fisheries was to actively work together to restore this fish without the need for it to be listed under the Endangered Species Act,” LaVoie said.

The initiative LaVoie refers to is a restocking effort that has, over the last two years, released about 12,000 sicklefin into the upper Oconaluftee and 16,000 into the Tuckasegee River, of which the Oconaluftee is a tributary.

That’s a lot of fish, but it’s hard to say what those release numbers mean for the total population. Some wild fish already lived in the rivers, adding to the number, but young fish like the 28,000 released tend to have a high mortality rate. It’s likely that many of them died before reaching adulthood.

LaVoie needed some more information about how well the creatures were doing after release — whether they were reproducing in the wild, which locations provided the best habitat and what other species they were associating with.

T

TAGGING AND TRACKING

This August, LaVoie’s department teamed up with the Fish and Wildlife Service and University of North Carolina Asheville to gather some of that information, releasing 10 tagged adult sicklefin into the upper Oconaluftee. The core question: are the sicklefin happy in the upper Luftee?

“The upper Oconaluftee is more of a natural system with the park protecting a larger portion of the headwaters,” LaVoie explained.

Which might sound like a pure positive, but earlier studies had shown that young sicklefin tend to drift downstream in search of pool habitat. Often, they’d fall over Ela Dam into the lower Luftee and were then unable to make it back to the upper part of the river. This year’s study aimed to find out if there was enough habitat upstream of the dam to make stocking efforts worthwhile there.

“Tagging them and seeing where they go and where they move and if they are in suitable habitat, it’s important to see that if they are able to survive and if they are able to assimilate with native populations, and hopefully breed,” said Jessica Davis, an intern from UNCA who’s been working on the project.

Initially, the researchers tried to answer that question by tagging 11 juvenile fish, but that effort didn’t meet much success. Of the 11, only four survived the surgery to implant the tag, and only two of the tags activated

Tracking the sicklefin Understanding rare fish’s lifestyle important for conservation

Sicklefin redhorse were first recognized as a species in 1992, but they have a long cultural history with the Cherokee. Donated photo properly. After one week, the fish essentially disappeared.

“We spent about three weeks going along the riverbank using a handheld device, then we floated the river the whole way,” Davis said while presenting her results at the 2014 Southeastern Fishes Council meeting in Asheville.

When the fish were eventually found, they were hanging out in the same pool where they’d initially been released.

Researchers followed that effort up with an August translocation of 10 adult fish, which were taken from the

Tuckesegee in Swain County, tagged and then released into the upper Oconaluftee.

Though five of the 10 eluded radio detection still, this tracking project was a good bit more successful than the one with juveniles. The five detectable fish were located a total of 56 times, allowing the scientists to find some patterns.

“We’ve seen some movement on about half the fish, but there’s also been evidence of site fidelity where the fish are staying in one place,” LaVoie said. “So it appears that some of this habitat available in the upper Oconaluftee may be

suitable for these fish.”

In other words, most of the fish seemed to find a place they liked well enough to stay.

“Hopefully, that means that they’re happy, healthy and eating a whole lot of food,” Davis said.

For the five fish researchers were able to locate, the evidence seemed to indicate a happy, healthy and food-full life. Fish stayed within about 1.5 miles of their release site, for the most part settling in one place.

“Scientifically and statistically, it’s too early to say if they’ve integrated into a suitable habitat, but considering other past projects that are similar to this, they have assimilated pretty well into the Oconaluftee,” Davis said.

DEALING WITH THE DAM

Carlos Echevarria, of the USFWS National Fish Hatchery in Warmsprings, Georgia, performs tagging surgeries on sicklefin. Donated photo

The upper and lower Luftee are separated by the Ela Dam, so part of the point of tagging and tracking the fish was to figure out whether it’s worth it to release fish above the dam or if they end up just moving down through the spillway anyway, into the lower Luftee and maybe the Tuck eventually.

To date, LaVoie said, researchers had not found any adult sicklefin above the dam, and in a juvenile tagging study done two years ago with researchers from Western Carolina University, the majority of the fish ended up washing downriver.

“Our initial thoughts are that the reach of river above Ela Dam may not be long enough to support juvenile recruitment due to the fact that these fish naturally drift downstream in their early stages of life to

CULTURE AND ECOLOGY

Homeowners dealing with a failing septic system may be eligible for help through a pair of grants Haywood Waterways Association recently received from the N.C. Division of Water Resources and the Pigeon River Fund.

The $80,000 in grant money will go to help homeowners repair failing systems, which could otherwise leach raw sewage into local waterways. Since 2006, Haywood Waterways and the Haywood County Environmental Health Department have worked together to fix 38 failing systems, preventing as much as 14,000 gal-

lons of dirty water per day from entering the water. Their work has significantly reduced bacteria levels in local streams.

Clues of a failing system include slow plumbing, foul odors, excessive grass growth, soggy soil and standing ground water near the system. In a failing system, everything dumped into sinks and toilets can leak into groundwater and waterways, including human fecal waste.

Grant funds pay 75 percent of total repair cost. Projects are prioritized by severity of failure and proximity to waterways. 828.452.6682.

Cataloochee Ski Area continues its tradition of holiday giving with its 14th Annual Can-U-Ski Food and Coat Drive for Haywood Christian Ministries on Sunday, Dec 7.

Record numbers turn out each year for this event as guests are given a free lift tick-

et valued at $62 for the day in exchange for 24 cans of food or two winter coats in good condition. This season’s food drive comes as Cataloochee enters its second month of daily operations, with skiing and riding from three-quarters of the mountain down

on 10 slopes and trails.

Thousands of cans of food and hundreds of coats are donated during the event. All donations are given to the local non-profit organization in order to stock its pantry for the Christmas holiday season. Skiers and boarders from across the Southeast come to Maggie Valley to take part.

“What better way to start the season of giving than by giving back to your local community to folks in need.” said Chris Bates, Cataloochee vice president and general manager. “We appreciate all of our guests who come out to participate in this worthwhile event.”

Many customers typically show up with more than the minimum required to be able to ski for free.

Ticket pickup for this year’s event will be in the Ghost Town parking lot at the base of the mountain. Guests are asked to leave cans and coats with Cataloochee employees there in exchange for their lift tickets for the day. Rentals and lessons will be available at the area at regular rates.

For more information and an up-todate snow report for both the ski area and Tube World go to www.cataloochee.com.

We’re having fun — Come join us!

SWIM LESSONS AVAILABLE—CALL FOR DETAILS

WAYNESVILLE

Smoky Mountain News

Help for failing septic systems in Haywood

‘Tis the season for giving at Cataloochee Ski Area

December 3-9, 2014

Hopefully, the data will reveal some good news for the sicklefin redhorse. Most anglers don’t seek to hook the bony bottomfeeder, but for the Cherokee people, the fish represents a historical staple of food and culture.

“The fish would move through these streams in pretty regular patterns during spawning runs, so they would provide a regular, large source of protein for Cherokee fishermen during certain times of the year,” LaVoie said.

The large-bodied sucker can reach 5 pounds and 24 inches, so nabbing a few of those during spawning Jessica Davis and Jesse times could go Blanton, an intern with the a long way Eastern Band of Cherokee toward feeding Indians, track tagged sicka family. lefin in a raft. Donated photo Today, Cherokee don’t fish for the sicklefin in the large numbers they used to, but some people carry on the tradition. If the fish were listed as threatened or endanMost of the tagged sicklefin turned up in the same pool most gered, there of the times they were located. Red bars indicate down stream would be more movement, as opposed to upstream (orange) and no movement regulation (green). Donated graphic involved with continuing that practice.

It’s likely some sort of compromise could be worked out to allow Cherokee to continue the culturally related practice in some capacity, though rules would be pick up the signals. The five missing fish tighter with an endangered listing than with could just be living in extremely deep holes, a threatened listing. or their tags could have stopped working.

But it will be in everybody’s best interest Data analysis for the project goes for the sicklefin to thrive, avoiding listing through Oct. 21 fro now, but monitoring and continuing to fill its niche in both enviwill continue through 2015 to see what hapronment and culture. pens to movement through the winter and “We’re interested in preserving a culturspring spawning season. Davis says she ally important species but also conserving a plans to stay on the project for as long as rare species that also needs a lot of focused there is funding and knows she’ll be there at effort to conserve,” LaVoie said. least through February.

outdoors

smaller pool-like habitat,” LaVoie said.

This latest adult tagging study also showed that the fish overwhelmingly preferred downstream movement. And while the five located fish were found to have settled down into pool above the dam, it’s hard to say what happened to the other five.

“At this point we’re still looking for five of the other fish, and it’s possible that some of these adult fish may have gone through the dam as well,” LaVoie said. “They may have moved down into the main stem of the Tuck or even down into Fontana [Lake].”

Because sicklefin redhorse stick to the bottom of the deep pools in the river, it can be hard for radio telemetry equipment to

RECREATION CENTER 550 Vance St. • Waynesville • 828.456.2030

www.townofwaynesville.org 39

Public input sought on Sandy Mush Game Lands management Draft management plans for seven game lands across North Carolina, including Sandy Mush Game Land straddling Buncombe and Madison counties, are out.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has posted the plans online at www.ncwildlife.org and will accept comments through Jan. 16. The plan will guide management of the game lands for the next 10 years.

Earlier this year, the Wildlife Commission conducted a public input process to develop a management plan for Needmore Game Lands, a 4,800-acre tract located in Macon and Swain counties.

Email comments to gamelandplan@ncwildlife.org.

Stay safe in hunting season

December 3-9, 2014

Rifle season is now open for deer hunting through Dec. 11, and that affects non-hunters too. Other forest users should remember to wear bright clothing — and provide some for the dog, too — and to make noise while in the woods.

Complete guidelines for hunters and non-hunters are available at www.1.usa.gov/1rbsMyC.

Christmas decorations, marshmallow roasting and even a visit from Santa Clause himself will be part of Christmas at the Park, 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19 at the Jackson County Recreation Park in Cullowhee.

The park will be done up with light scenes and decorations, Santa will here Christmas lists and hot chocolate, marshmallows and coffee will be on sale to enjoy around the fire pit. Free. 828.293.3053

Watch Santa practice for Christmas Jolly old St. Nick will practice his chimney descent technique on one of the world’s largest and oldest chimneys from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 6 and 13, at Chimney Rock State Park.

Santa has practiced there for the big night for more than 20 years, descending on a 200-foot rappel down the geological Chimney Formation that’s the park’s namesake. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be available for photo opportunities, and guests can enjoy Christmas cookies, hot chocolate and kids’ activities. Weather permitting, Grady the Groundhog and other creatures who

Smoky Mountain News

wouldn’t survive at the North Pole will be around, and poet Eddie Cabbage will type made-to-order poems for kids and parents.

Free with park admission. www.chimneyrockpark.com.

Exploring the Star of Bethlehem Astronomers will offer speculation about the origin of the biblical Star of Bethlehem, as well as a look at the night sky, at 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 12 at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute.

Webster resident donates quilt to the Smokies After spending six months completing a full-size quilt, Webster resident Susanne Kerper of Jackson County donated the blanket to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“Sue’s quilt will be displayed at Oconaluftee Visitor Center near where we keep the patterns she used to create it for all to enjoy,” said the visitor center’s store manager Barry Hipps.

Kerper’s pattern includes needlepoint wildflowers in each square. The store is selling a limited supply of stitch patterns for those wanting to try their hand at quilt-making. More will arrive in time for the 2015 wildflower season. www.smokiesinformation.org.

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Kerper poses next to her finished quilt. Donated photo

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Santa descends Chimney Rock. Donated photo

In the Bible, a group of magi follow a star to Bethlehem, where they find the baby Jesus. A presentation by PARI astronomers Michael Castelaz and Bob Hayward will explore the possible The star Sirius has astronomical been suggested as one explanations explanation for the — perhaps it Star of Bethlehem. was a superNASA/ESA photo nova, or a comet, or a special arrangement of the planets.

After the presentation, guests will receive a campus tour, trip to the exhibit gallery and an observing session. Located in Transylvania County in the Rosman area. $20 adults; $15 seniors and military; $10 children under 14. Includes photo taken with PARI telescope, subscription to PARI newsletter and 10 percent discount on PARI merchandise. Reservations required. www.pari.edu or 828.862.5554.

Christi Whitworth, cwhitworth@pari.edu.

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Christmas in the Park

Serving Haywood County

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SORBA seeking bikers to join the crew

Swap Shop Gently used:

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Saturday, December 6 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Sunday, December 7 8:00 am – 2:00 pm 50% Off Sale

(all unclaimed items)

-Sunday 2:30-3:30 pm

Cat’s Lair Building, Cataloochee Ski Area 1080 Ski Lodge Road, Maggie Valley, NC 28751

Registration/Equipment Drop-Off: - Friday, Dec. 5 3:00 - 7:00 pm -Saturday, Dec. 6 7:00 - 9:00 am Tags & Instructions for sellers available by download from www.cataloochee.com/swap

Smoky Mountain News

The Nantahala Area Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association is now three years old and looking for officers to help move its projects forward.

Nantahala SORBA is responsible for getting the grant money to build a new mountain biking trail system at Western Carolina University, and works to advocate for continued use of popular trails at Panthertown Valley and Tsali Recreation Area. The chapter needs officers who will continue looking for grant money and building relationships with land managing agencies.

Aside from serving on the board, biking enthusiasts can help by attending meetings and joining the organization for $30 per year.

Meetings rotate between Bryson City and Sylva, with the next one scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11 at the Jackson County Library. nantahala.area.sorba@gmail.com.

2014 Cataloochee Ski & Snowboard

December 3-9, 2014

A new section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is now complete, a 2.2-mile section that roughly parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway in Haywood County from Waterrock Knob east to Fork Ridge Overlook.

The section took volunteers with the Carolina Mountain Club six years to build and 5,800 hours of work. There’s more work to do west of Waterrock Knob, but volunteer trail crews are confident they can finish that in 2015.

Volunteer trail builders with the Carolina Mountain Club have been steadily chipping away at a missing link of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail along the Haywood-Jackson county line in the Balsams for more than a decade.

Hikers were forced to depart from the footpath and walk the Blue Ridge Parkway for several miles before rejoining trail.

Trail crews tackling this missing link not only had to muster the man hours to build the new sections, but also had to work with public land agencies to find a suitable route.

The section around Waterrock Knob was one of the final legs in the long journey to bridge the gap of the missing link, creating a continuous stretch of Mountains-to-Sea Trail from the state line in the Smokies to Stone Mountain State Park north of Boone — hikers won’t encounter another missing link until they begin the descent to the Piedmont. Carolina Mountain Club oversees a 150 mile section of the 1,000-mile trail.

outdoors

New Mountain-to-Sea Trail section now open at Waterrock Knob

Unsold Equipment Pick-Up: Sunday, Dec. 7 by 2:30 pm All equipment not picked up by 2:30 pm will be donated

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Biological station serves as homebase for environmental research

The Via Tolosana, which leads to the tomb of the biblical St. James. Donated photo

An armchair journey along France’s A.T.

Smoky Mountain News

December 3-9, 2014

A Macon County woman will recap her international hiking journey with a program “Walking Adventures in Southern France,” at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

Nantahala Hiking Club President Olga Pader recently returned from her fifth journey on one of the walking paths to Spain’s Santiago de Compostela. Pader will trace her route on the Via Tolosana, which starts in Arles, nor far from Marseilles in southern France, passes by Toulouse and reaches the border with Spain at Somport.

828.524.3600.

College student interns at the Highlands Biological Station have been working since August on a broad range of research projects, and they’ll share their results from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, on- site in Highlands as part of the internship program’s closing ceremony.

Students collaborated with a wide range of conservation organizations to do their individual research and also completed a group capstone research project on Caney Fork, a tributary to the Tuckasegee River.

Working with Steve Foster of Franklinbased Watershed Science, Inc., students studied the fork’s health and ecology to better understand how human activity affects the Tuckasegee River.

Along with the research, students also studied coursework including mountain biodiversity, landscape analysis, conservation biology and southern Appalachian culture.

Free, with refreshments provided.

Applications are open for the 2015 program

Hike features history and a hot meal

through February 2015. www.highlandsbiological.org or 828.526.2602.

Kephart Prong Shelter.

A half-day hike on Kephart Prong Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park will give history-loving hikers a chance to see some Great Depression-era structures while enjoying the outdoors on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Friends of the Smokies’ final Classic Hike of 2014 will be an easy, 4-mile roundtrip venture that finishes up with hot drinks and a potluck meal at the park’s Oconaluftee Visitor Center. The center’s exhibits and store will be open during that time as well. $10 for Friends of the Smokies members; $35 for nonmembers, with a complimentary membership included. Members who bring a friend hike for free. Carpools from Waynesville available.

RSVP to AnnaLee@friendsofthesmokies.org or 828.452.0720. www.friendsofthesmokies.org.

Donated photo

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A group poses after hiking to LeConte Lodge in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Donated photo

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Smokies considers ban on firewood and golden spotted oak borer.

The park is proposing to reduce the threat of forest pests by changing park regulations to allow only heat-treated firewood to be brought into the park. If the proposal is adopted, beginning in March 2015, only firewood that is bundled and displays a certification stamp by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or a state department of agriculture will be allowed for use in park campgrounds.

That means visitors would have to buy firewood from the campground or one of 80- plus stores around the park that sell certified firewood.

National parks throughout the Appalachian region have taken action to limit the spread of insect pests in firewood including, in many cases, the banning of imported firewood. An informational handout on the threat of pests hitchhiking on firewood was provided to all Smokies campers throughout the summer.

Comments on the firewood rule can be emailed to grsmcomments@nps.gov.

Located on U.S. 441 just inside the entrance to the park north of Cherokee. www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/firewood-alert.htm.

outdoors

A program on dangerous and destructive forest pests that hitchhike on firewood brought in from outside the region will be held at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

New regulations are in the works that would ban outside firewood from coming in to the Smokies unless purchased from a certified source.

The proposed rule will be covSMN photo ered at the meeting. The public will have an opportunity to visit staffed information stations, ask questions and provide comments.

Tree-killing insects and diseases can unknowingly be transported in firewood carried in by visitors from other states. Over 30 species of hardwood trees native to the park are vulnerable to known pests that, if introduced, could cause widespread tree mortality that could devastate wildlife habitat, biodiversity and scenic views.

Past examples of this happening include the gypsy moth, Dutch elm disease, emerald ash borer, thousand canker disease, Asian long horned beetle, Sirex woodwasp

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WNC Calendar

Smoky Mountain News

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • “Cornhole” will be presented by Haywood County Senior Center in Waynesville at 1 p.m. on Dec. 3.

Registration required. 356.2800.

• “What is racism and is it part of the immigration debate?” will be the topic for the Franklin Open Forum at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub in downtown Franklin. Public invited for open exchange of ideas; not debate. 371.1020.

• Wine, cheese and appetizers starting at 5 p.m. on Dec. 5 at the Macon County Historical Museum followed by dessert at the Scottish Tartans Museum, both in downtown Franklin. This event is part of the Heritage Christmas Progressive Celebration. $30/ticket for all three events. Proceeds benefit Historical and Scottish Museums and Cowee Pottery. Tickets at Historical & Scottish Museums and Franklin Chamber of Commerce.

524.7683 or art4all@dnet.net.

• Republican Annual Prayer Breakfast will be at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, in the Ballroom of the Comfort Inn in Sylva. $10 per person. Featured speakers are Ralph Campbell, pastor of the Glenville Wesleyan Church, and N.C. Senator Jim Davis. 743.6191.

• A MADD candlelight service will be held at 6 p.m. on Dec. 6 at the historic Jackson County Courthouse/public library.

• An outing of snow tubing and ice skating at Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center will be held on Dec. 6. Dinner at Dillard House afterward. $60 per-person fee includes transportation, activities and meal with a minimum of six and a maximum of nine participants. Register at Cullowhee Rec Center or Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center.

• Pick out your own custom-made swag at Cowee Christmas from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on Dec. 6. Your choice of Cowee Pottery School ornament to decorate your swag.

This event is part of the Heritage Christmas Progressive Celebration. $30/ticket for all three events. Proceeds benefit Historical and Scottish Museums and Cowee Pottery. Tickets at Historical & Scottish Museums and Franklin Chamber of Commerce. 524.7683 or art4all@dnet.net.

• Hot Chocolate, cookies & festivities from 2-3 p.m. on Dec. 7 at The Stewart Family Homestead Cabin on Coon Creek Road. This event is part of the Heritage Christmas Progressive Celebration. $30/ticket for all three events. Proceeds benefit Historical and Scottish Museums and Cowee Pottery. Tickets at Historical & Scottish Museums and Franklin Chamber of Commerce.

524.7683 or art4all@dnet.net.

• Ultra HD film of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel will be shown at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Dec. 9 and Dec. 10 at the Highlands Playhouse. $10. 526.2695. highlandsplayhouse.org.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held from 4-5:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 for Smoky Mountain Eye Care in Waynesville. 456.3021 or media@haywoodchamber.com.

• A small business seminar for farmers entitled: “The Triple Bottom Line of Farming and Agriculture,” offered

by Southwestern Community College, will be held from 9 a.m.-noon on Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Jackson County Library in Sylva. Registration/reservations required: www.ncbsc.net. Info at 339.4211 ort_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

• A class on email will be held at 9:05 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Macon County Public Library.

Registration required. 524.3600 or cwilder@fontanal-

Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: ■ Complete listings of local music scene ■ Regional festivals ■ Art gallery events and openings ■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers ■ Civic and social club gatherings

ARTS, will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 6, in the Blue Ridge Room at Western Carolina University. An evening of artisan wine and beer, dinner and music. Art greeting cards, silent auction, door prizes and more. $60.

Cullowheemountainarts.org or 342.6913.

• “Toys for Tots Dance,” hosted by the High Mountain Squares, will be held from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Macon County Community Building in Franklin. Admission is a new unwrapped toy. 332.0001 or highmountainsquares.com.

ib.org.

• The annual CareNet fundraiser Christmas concert will be at 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at the First Presbyterian Church in Franklin. 524.4755.

• Open Water Scuba Certification program, presented

by Smoky Mountain Divers Carolinas, will be held Dec. 6. Reservations required: 864.710.1567 or rskillman@smokymountaindivers.com. For ages 11 and up. No experience necessary.

• The Santa Claus Christmas Children’s Benefit will from 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Nantahala Brewing. Attendees asked to bring toy donations.

Several holiday craft beers on tap. Worst sweater contest. Free. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• A class on Facebook and social media will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Macon County Public Library. Registration required. 524.3600 or cwilder@fontanalib.org.

• “At the Christmas Dessert Tasting” will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Dec. 14 at Hospice House in Franklin.

Handmade queen-size quilt will be raffled off to benefit Hospice House Foundation of WNC. $5 per ticket or $10 for three.

• 12 students from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, UNC-Pembroke and Western Carolina University will present research from 2-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Highlands Biological Station. Their research is from their semester-in-residence program at the Highlands Biological Station. www.highlandsbiological.org or 526.2602.

• A class on Facebook and social media will be held at 9:05 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Macon County Public Library. Registration required. 524.3600 or cwilder@fontanalib.org.

• A small-business seminar for farmers entitled: “Pricing and Promotion for Agriculture Businesses,” offered by Southwestern Community College, will be held from 9 a.m.-noon on Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Jackson County Library in Sylva. Registration/reservations required: www.ncbsc.net. Info at 339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

• A workshop titled “iPhoneography Made Easy” will be offered from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, by Western Carolina University’s Office of Continuing and Professional Education in the Cordelia Camp Building in Cullowhee. $89 registration fee includes lunch. photography.wcu.edu or 227.7397.

• “Is it True? Information on the Internet” – a class that helps discern online fact from fiction, will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16 and at 9:05 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18, at the Macon County Public Library.

Registration required. 524.3600 or cwilder@fontanalib.org.

• “Understanding our Past, Shaping our Future” exhibit returns to Chief Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center at Cherokee Central Schools through Dec. 17. 554.5124.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • 2014 IBMA Award-winner Balsam Range, with special guest Molly Tuttle Trio, will perform a winter concert as a fundraising celebration for the Haywood County Meals on Wheels program at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Colonial in Canton. 346.2442.

• A fitness fundraiser is taking place from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday Dec. 6, at Jackson County Recreation Center for ages 14 and up. Suggested donation of $10 for a one-hour, total-body-conditioning class; participants are encouraged to get sponsors. All proceeds benefit the Christmas Connection, which provides new toys and clothing for families needing assistance during the holidays. 508.2987 or 293.3053.

• The Gala Imagine, a benefit for Cullowhee Mountain

HEALTH MATTERS • A “Tree of Remembrance” memorial celebration will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, in Harris Regional Hospital’s main lobby. The event is presented by LifePath Palliative Care and Hospice. www.westcare.org or 631.1702.

• A cancer-ribbon shaped luminary display will be on the front yard of Angel Medical Center on Dec. 6. Cancer ribbon luminaries can be purchased for $10 each night.

Proceeds benefit the AMC Cancer Center in the Nantahala Outpatient Center. 349.6639.

• A free informational meeting about breastfeeding and support for expectant families will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, and the first Saturday morning of each month, at the Smoky Mountain OB/GYN office in Sylva. 506.1185 or 587.8214.

• A blood drive will be held by The American Red Cross from 3:30-8 p.m. on Dec. 9 at Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church in Bryson City.

• A holiday open house event will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Harris Medical Park on the campus of Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva. Santa Claus will be on hand for photos. Westcarehealth.org or 631.8924.

• Ladies Night Out program entitled “Stress and the Holidays” will be held at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 in the Angel Medical Center cafeteria. Event is a partnership between Macon County Public Health and Angel Medical Center. Open to all women and girls age 13 and older.

• An organizational meeting for a Winter Adult Co-ed Volleyball League will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Entry fee to be determined. Open to ages 18 and older as of Jan. 1. Season runs from Jan.14-March 18.

456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.org.

• A blood drive will be held by The American Red Cross from 1-5:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 at the Jackson County Department on Aging in Sylva.

• A blood drive will be held by The American Red Cross from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 at Otto Community Center.

• A blood drive will be held by The American Red Cross from noon-4:30 p.m. on Dec. 15 at Masonic Lodge.

KIDS & FAMILIES • A science club meeting featuring candy experiments will be held from 3:30-4:15 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, at

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

Macon County Public Library. 526.3600.

• A kids’ art station will be set up to make free holidaythemed crafts from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the old Cowee School in Macon County. Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. www.coweeschool.org.

• Breakfast with Santa will be held from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Jackson County Senior Center. $5 for ages 11 and up. Free for ages 10 and under.

• Craft time with Kkjelsty Hanson is set for 10 a.m.noon on Dec. 6 at the Jackson County Farmers Market at the Community Table. She will be creating baked clay Christmas Ornaments with kids. 399.0290 or jacksoncountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

• Breakfast with Santa will be from 9-11 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center.

• An “Innovative Basketball Clinic” for ages 6-15 will be offered by the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department on Sunday afternoons from Dec. 7 through the end of February. $15 per session, which includes 30-minute clinic then one hour of team play. 246.2129 or 456.2030.

• Santa storytime in the living room with songs and visit from Santa Claus, 10 a.m. on Dec. 9 at Macon County Library. 524.3600.

• A classic, Christmas-themed movie will be shown at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Free. Bring your own snacks. For movie titles contact the library at 586.2016 • Creative writing class entitled “Write On” will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 for 8-to-12 year olds at the Jackson County Library. 586.2016.

• Cookies with Santa will be from 4-6 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Jackson County Family Resource Center in Sylva.

Bring your own camera. 631.3900.

• Family craft time entitled “Deck the Stacks” will be held at 6 p.m. on Dec. 11 at the Jackson County Library.

The event will include making ornaments and other knickknacks that will be used to decorate the library.

586.2016.

• A classic, Christmas-themed movie will be shown at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Free. Bring your own snacks. For movie titles contact the library at 586.2016 • Christmas Event – A Magical Adventure will be held from 3:30-4:15 p.m. on Dec. 16 at Macon County Library. Pajamas, robes and slippers are optional.

524.3600.

• Teens and tweens ornament-making activity, Dec. 17, 4-5 p.m. at Canton Library. Sign up is required. Call 648.2924 or email kpunch@haywoodnc.net to sign up.

• Paws 4 Reading, a family story time, will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on Dec. 18 at Macon County Public Library. Children can read to therapy dog Murray McFurry (grades K-6). 524.3600.

• Board and card games for kids will take place from 1-3 p.m. on Dec. 19 at Macon County Public Library. Bring a game to share or join someone else’s!

524.3600.

• Popular children’s movie featuring Kermit the Frog will be shown at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, at Macon County Public Library. Call 524.3600 or sign up for newsletter by writing maconkids@fontanalib.org to get movie titles.

will be Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 12-13 in downtown Dillsboro, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free refreshments, entertainment and more than 2,500 candles. College night is Dec. 5. www.visitdillsboro.org or facebook.com/DillsboroNC.

• Classic children’s Christmas Eve movie featuring bearded man in red suit will be shown at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Macon County Public Library. Call 524.3600 or sign up for newsletter by writing maconkids@fontanalib.org to get movie titles.

• Franklin’s second-annual Gingerbread House Competition, hosted by the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, will be part of Franklin’s Winter Wonderland Celebration on Dec. 5. Deadline for entries is Nov. 24. $25/adults; $10/youth and children. Entry form and rules are available at the Chamber of Commerce or www.visitfranklinnc.com. 524.3161.

• Animated children’s movie featuring characters made of popular building blocks will be shown at 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 29, at Macon County Public Library. Call 524.3600 or sign up for newsletter by writing maconkids@fontanalib.org to get movie titles.

• Mini-camps will be held for children ages 5-12 on Dec. 22-23 and Dec. 29-30 at Waynesville Recreation Center. Each camp costs $15 for members ($20/nonmembers). Registration deadline is Dec. 15. tpetrea@waynesvillenc.org or 456.2030.

• Popular children’s movie about a young princess with power to freeze things will be shown at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30, at Macon County Public Library. Call 524.3600 or sign up for newsletter by writing maconkids@fontanalib.org to get movie titles.

• A “Frozen” New Year’s Eve Party will be held from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 at Macon County Library.

Books, games, music and snack. A special dropping of a star at noon. 524.3600.

• Youth Golf Lessons will be offered for grades 6-8 at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 29-31 at Smoky Mountain Country Club. $150 per golfer. Limited to first 6 to register.

PGA pro Mark Todd provides three 80-minute lessons.

Transportation and practice balls are

FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS • The Polar Express-themed train has kicked off for the holiday seasonat the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot in Bryson City. Event features hot cocoa, Santa Claus and caroling. www.gsmr.com or 800.872.4681.

• The “Christmas in the Smokies” holiday celebration will run from Dec. 1-31 at Fontana Village Resort.

Winter fun, holiday festivities and events. 498.2211 or www.fontanavillage.com.

• The annual Jackson County Senior Center Craft Festival will take place from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Dec. 5-6 in Sylva. Local crafters and artisans. 586.4944.

• “A Season of Light: a celebration of the season’s Multicultural Holidays” will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, at the Pigeon Multicultural Development Center in Waynesville. Free. Participants encouraged to bring two non-perishable food items for Pigeon Center’s food pantry as well as potluck item.

456.7232.

• WCU’s 125th anniversary “It’s a Wrap Party” starts at 3 p.m. on Dec. 5 at the Ramsey Center and includes a cross-campus parade. Free. wcuevents@wcu.edu for info.

• 31st annual Dillsboro Lights and Luminaries event

• Breakfast with Santa & Cookie Walk will be held from 8-10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Rescue Squad on Bryson Walk in Bryson City. $3. Bring your own camera for photo with Santa. Cookie Walk and Christmas Bazaar start at 9 a.m. at Bryson City United Methodist Church.488.3681 or 800.867.9246.

• Ninth annual “Living Nativity” scene will be recreated from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the 3rd Generation Barn Loft near Canton. Free. Non-perishable food items can be donated for the Community Kitchen. 84 Frank Mann Road.

• Community Cheer Breakfast will be held from 8-11 a.m. on Dec. 6 at the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Waynesville. Holiday crafts, full hot breakfast buffet, and Santa.

• Annual Holiday Bazaar is Dec. 6 and Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in conjunction with the Jackson County Farmers Market at the Community Table. On Dec. 6, Kim Shuler will sing. On Dec. 13, beef stew will be served as a Market Fundraising Feast. 399.0290 or jacksoncountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

• Franklin’s Winter Wonderland will be held on Dec. 6.

The Dec. 6 event features a gingerbread house competition – sponsored by the Franklin Chamber of Commerce. Free wagon rides start at 5 p.m. each night. Live music, shopping and more. 524.2516 or www.HolidaysinFranklin.com • Jasper Mountain Artisan Wares will host representatives from Avon, Mary Kay, Thirty One, Jamberry and others from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. on Dec. 6 at Maggie Valley Town Center. Coffee, cider, tea and fresh pastries will be available through Better Bean Coffee House. 450.6399 or thejaspercarrot@yahoo.com.

• Tuscola High School is holding rummage/yard sale from 8 a.m. until on Saturday, Dec. 6, to benefit the Angel Tree Fund. Items donated by the staff, students and the community will be for sale in the gym lobby at the high school. barrogers@haywood.k12.nc.us.

• The “Christmas in the Mountains” craft fair will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center.

• A Holiday Model Train Open House, organized by the Smoky Mountain Model Railroad Club, will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Dec. 6-7 at 130 Frazier Street, Suite 13, in Waynesville (behind Sagebrush Restaurant).

• Light of the World Children’s Christmas Musical will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 at First Baptist Church in Waynesville.

• William E. Dillard Post 104 of the American Legion will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, at the Jackson County Senior Center. Christmas party. Catered holiday Christmas dinner, $13 per person. Make meal reservation by noon on Friday, Dec. 5. 506.1329.

Military veterans in Jackson and Swain Counties interested in joining Post 104 are invited to Jan. 12 meeting (7 p.m.) at Dillsboro Masonic Lodge.

• WNC Civil War Round Table will hold a Christmas Party for members and guests starting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 8 at Quality Inn in Sylva. $25 reservation required; check must be received by Nov. 30 at WNCCWRT, P.O. Box 3709, Cullowhee, NC 28723. Info: 293.5924 or 293.7404.

Smoky Mountain News

• A Holiday Craft Sale presented by the professional crafts programs at Haywood Community College will be held Thursday and Friday, Dec. 4-5, in the Creative Arts Building at HCC in Clyde. Features work of firstand second-year students in clay, fiber, wood and jewelry programs. Sale hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Dec. 4 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Dec. 5. 565.4159.

• A Christmas bazaar will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Life Church of Waynesville. 452.9235.

December 3-9, 2014

A&E

wnc calendar

• Popular animated children’s movie set in frigid era will be shown at 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 22, at Macon County Public Library. Call 524.3600 or sign up for newsletter by writing maconkids@fontanalib.org to get movie titles.

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• Annual Holiday Cheer celebration will be held by the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce from 5-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at Laurel Ridge Country Club. $30 members; $35 non-members. 456.3021 or info@haywoodchamber.com.

• Crafts fair will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Dec. 13 at the Maggie Valley Santa’s Workshop located at Sassy Kreationz, 567 Soco Rd. Maggie Valley. All vendors donated a grocery bag of non-perishable food to Community Kitchen in Canton in order to participate.

Santa will be there from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and coffee, hot apple cider, hot cocoa, and Sandra’s Bakery items will also be for sale. Non-perishable donations are welcome too.

• A Hometown Christmas Celebration will be held from 5-9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, at Haywood Community College’s auditorium. Event features local music, artisan crafts, gifts, Santa & Mrs. Claus and holiday treats. $8 per ticket. Proceeds benefit Next Step Ministries. Tickets available at Sid’s on Main in Canton, Ammon’s Drive-in & Dairy Bar and Mountaineer. 356.5432 or nextstepministriesinc@gmail.com.

• “A Night Before Christmas” will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13 in Downtown Waynesville.

Shops, galleries and restaurants will be open.

Hundreds of luminaries. Live nativity. www.downtownwaynesville.com.

• “Christmas in the Park” is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, at the Jackson County Recreation Park in Cullowhee. Light scenes, decorations and a chance to visit Santa. Fire pit available; hot chocolate, marshmallows and coffee for sale, $1 each.

December 3-9, 2014

• Holiday Homecoming, an old-fashioned Christmas celebration with traditional music, holiday crafts, cider and cookies, will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• A New Year’s Eve Reception and Gala on an excursion train will be offered on Wednesday, Dec. 31, by the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City.

Info at www.gsmr.com or 800.872.4681.

Smoky Mountain News

• The First-Thursday Old-Time and Bluegrass Concert and Jam Series continues Thursday, Dec. 4, with a concert featuring the Deitz Family at Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center in Cullowhee.

Free. 227.7129.

• The Western Carolina Civic Orchestra will give its fall semester performance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, in the Coulter Building at Western Carolina University. The performance will feature Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “The Impresario” and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. Free. 227.7242.

• The Brasstown Ringers Christmas Concert will be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5 at First United Methodist Church in Franklin.

• Molly Tuttle Trio performs a soulful mix of original and traditional music at 7:45 p.m. on Dec. 5 at the Strand in Waynesville. Darren Nicholson opens. $18 in advance; $20 on show day. 38main.com or 283.0079.

• “The Christmas Shoes” musical will be presented by the Smoky Mountain Community Theatre on Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 12-14 at 134 Main Street in Bryson City.

Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. $10 adults/$5 children. info@smctheatre.com or 488.8227.

• Elvis impersonators will perform at 7 p.m. Dec. 6, 20 and 31 at the Cherokee Fairgrounds in conjunction with Cherokee Lights and Legends Christmas festivities. $5 adults; free for kids under 5. 554.6490 or www.visitcherokeenc.com • A Christmas Concert will be held at 3 p.m. on Dec. 7 at First Presbyterian Church in Franklin. 524.4755.

• Sylva Christmas Parade starts at 3 p.m. on Dec. 6, rain date is Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. 586.2155. Dec. 3 is the deadline for entries.

• The annual “Sounds of the Season” holiday concert will be presented by the School of Music at Western Carolina University at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Bardo Center at WCU. $17 adults; $11 faculty, staff and 60 and older; $5 for students and children.

Proceeds benefit School of Music Scholarship Fund.

227.2479 or bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

• Bryson City Christmas Parade, Sat. Dec. 6, 2 pm.

The 40th annual parade theme is “The Biggest Little Christmas Parade in the Smokies” and will feature floats, fire trucks, bands, classic cars, beauty queens and more ...and of course, Santa!

• Peter Rowan, Grammy-winner and six-time Grammy nominee, performs Dec. 7 at Cataloochee Ranch.

Rowan will be joined by Darren Nicholson Band. $60 ticket includes dinner, reservations are required.

926.1401.

• Cherokee Christmas Parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 by the Cherokee Bear Zoo on Tsalagi Rd. (US 19) to Tsali Blvd. (US 441 N), and then ending by the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. Enjoy the floats, beauty queens, bands and, of course, Santa.

497.1056.

• Senior citizens trip to see Hatfields and McCoys Disaster Dinner Show in Pigeon Forge leaves Waynesville Recreation Center at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Limited seats. $46 per member of Waynesville Recreation Center; $52 for non-members.

456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • Jacob Johnson performs Neo-Acoustic Folk/Funk Christmas music at 7:45 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the Strand in Waynesville. $10 in advance; $12 on show day. $6 for students and children under 12. 38main.com or 283.0079.

• An acoustic guitar concert by Ronnie Evans of Franklin will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Swain County Center for the Arts in Bryson City.

Exhibiting artists Cynthia Cochran Kinard (oil and watercolor painter) and Teresa Bouchonnet (fiber artist) will hold a meet and greet after the concert.

Free.

• Highlands Christmas Parade starts at 11 a.m. on Dec. 6

• Sam Stringfield will perform at 9 p.m. on Dec. 4 at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva. Free. 586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• Dustin Martin & The Ramblers (Americana) will perform at 9 p.m. on Dec. 5 at the Water’n Hole Bar & Grille in Waynesville.

• Cherokee Lights & Legends, an opportunity to stroll under the lights at Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds, will be held Wednesdays through Saturdays until Jan. 3. 59 p.m. on Wednesday through Thursday; 5-10 p.m.

Friday and Saturday; and 5 p.m.-12:30 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. $5 adults; free for kids under 5. Skates for synthetic rink: $3/30-minute session. www.visitcherokeenc.com.

• Canton Christmas Parade starts at 6 p.m. on Dec. 4. Theme is WNC Hometown Christmas. 648.2363.

Park in Dillsboro. Open to adults of any ability level.

Ages 13-17 may participate with parent present.

631.0271. www.jcgep.org.

• The “Three Year Anniversary” party is at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5 at Frog Level Brewing Company in Waynesville.

454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• The Manhattan Transfer Swings Christmas at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. $25-35. 866.273.4615 or info@greatmountainmusic.com.

• HOLIDAY EVENTS

• Craig Summers & Lee Kram will perform at 6 p.m.

Dec. 4 at Frog Level Brewing Company in Waynesville.

454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Cashiers Christmas Parade at noon on Dec. 13.

743.5191.

• New Year’s Eve fireworks will light up the skies over Cherokee starting at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the Acquoni Expo Center.

• “Christmas On the Green,” thousands of lights and trees, is on display every night from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day in Cashiers.

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• Waynesville Christmas Parade is at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, on Main Street in downtown Waynesville. Theme is Peace on Earth. Santa Claus makes a special appearance as the guest of honor. Sponsored by the Town of Waynesville, assisted by the Waynesville Kiwanis Club, and organized by the Downtown Waynesville Association. 456.3517.

NIGHTLIFE • The Corbitt Brothers will perform at 9 p.m. on Dec. 3 at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva. Free. 586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• Local will perform at 9 p.m. on Dec. 5 at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva. Free. 586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com • Pierce Eden (Americana/country) will hit the stage at 8 p.m. on Dec. 5 at BearWaters Brewing Company in Waynesville. www.bwbrewing.com or 246.0602.

• Singer-songwriter Angela Easterling will perform at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5 at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Dinner reservations: 452.6000. Easterling info at www.angelaeasterling.com.

• Joe Cruz (piano, vocals) performs songs made famous by the Beatles, Elton John and James Taylor at 7 p.m. on Dec. 6 at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. He’s opened for Chicago, Bonnie Raitt and others. Dinner reservations: 452.6000.

• Josh Wager (singer/songwriter will hit the stage at 7 p.m. on Dec. 6 at BearWaters Brewing Company in Waynesville. www.bwbrewing.com or 246.0602.

• Travers Brothership will perform at 9 p.m. on Dec. 6 at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva. Free. 586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

BOOKS & AUTHORS • A lecture entitled “Fuegians, Not Finches: The Meaning of Darwin’s First Contact” will be presented

by Dr. James Moore of Open University, U.K., from 4-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, in the Seminar Room of the Coker Laboratory at the Highlands Biological Station. 526.2602 or msruigrok@email.wcu.edu.

• Free origami Christmas star-making class is set for 11 a.m. on Dec. 6 at the Jackson County Library.

Participants must register for the free class. Space is limited. 586.2016.

• “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” a lecture by Asheville politician and award-winning journalist Cecil Bothwell, will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall in Franklin.

736.3674 or Melissa.junkin@gmail.com.

• A creative arts workshop entitled “Beginning Spinning” will be held from 9 a.m.-noon on Dec. 9. At Haywood Community College.

Creativearts.haywood.edu or 565.4240.

• A presentation by Olga Pader entitled “Walking Adventures in Southern France,” will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10, in the Macon County Public Library Meeting Room. 524.3600.

• Adult Writing Group will meet at 6 p.m. on Dec. 11 at the Jackson County Library. Class consists of exercises, group readings and writing mechanics.

586.2016.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES • “ART after DARK” will be held in downtown Waynesville until 9 p.m. on Dec. 5. Artist showings, refreshments, luminaires, and music.

• A craft fair, hosted by Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center, will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. $15 booth space for members; $25 for non-members. 452.8080. Fair is open to the public.

• Christmas in the Mountains Indoor Art & Craft Show & Sale, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Dec. 6 at Stecoah Valley Center. www.stecoahvalleycenter.com/events.html.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • “Designing a Buffet” will be presented by Haywood County Senior Center in Waynesville at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 3. Registration required. 356.2800.

• A class on “Using Your Own Digital Photos” will be held at 5:45 p.m. on successive Wednesdays (Dec. 3 and Dec. 10) at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Attendance at both is recommended but not necessary. Free. 586.2016.

• A baby-quilt-making marathon will be held by the Smoky Mountain Quilters Guild from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Dec. 5-6, at the West Macon Fire Department. Bring sewing machine, walking-feet appliances and a side dish for lunch. 349.0883.

• Holiday Music & Crafts ARTSaturday will be held from 10 a.m.-noon on Dec. 6 at Old Cowee School in Franklin. Free make-and-take holiday cards, decorations, cookies, etc., sponsored by the Arts Council of Macon County. 828-524-7683 or art4all@dnet.net.

• A creative arts workshop entitled “Fabric Collage Holiday Card” will be held from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 At Haywood Community College.

Creativearts.haywood.edu or 565.4240.

• Holiday wreath-making classes will be held from 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Cooperative Extension Office in Waynesville. $20 fee includes all materials; proceeds fund horticultural projects and grants in Haywood County. Reserve space

by Dec. 4 at 456.3575.

• Glass-blowing workshops entitled: “Christmas Ornaments with Daniel” will be held in one-hour time slots from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Dec. 6 at Green Energy

FILM & SCREEN • A classic 1943 romantic comedy starring Jean Arthur, Joel McCrea and James Coburn will be shown at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, at the Macon County Public Library Meeting room. 584.3600 or kmoe@fontanalib.org.

• A new movie based on true events (the lives of three-time cancer survivor Annie Parker and geneticist Mary-Claire King) will be shown at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, in the Macon County Public Library Meeting Room. Rated R for language and some sexual content. 524.3600 • A classic romantic comedy about an assistant district attorney who falls in love with a petty shoplifter will be shown at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, in the Macon County Public Library Meeting Room. 524.3600.

Outdoors OUTINGS & FIELDTRIPS • Members of the Haywood Waterways Association are invited by the board of directors to a celebration of the Pigeon River watershed from 6-8:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 at Lambuth Inn in Lake Junaluska. $15 buffet dinner. RSVP by Nov. 26. 550.4869 or christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com.

wnc calendar

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Smoky Mountain News

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December 3-9, 2014

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wnc calendar

MountainEats.com Let your smartphone be your guide!

• Find restaurants nearby • Read descriptions and explore menus • View photos and interactive maps It’s that simple!

An online dining directory for Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee

December 3-9, 2014

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: 866.452.2251

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Smoky Mountain News

In this issue:

Author Denton Loving on one of life’s greatest questions The Chattanooga Zoo works to preserve hellbenders Historical and harrowing tales of snowstorm survival Carroll Best’s banjo legacy PLUS ADVENTURE, CUISINE, READING, MUSIC, ARTS & MORE

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PROGRAMS & WORKSHOPS • WNC Fly Fishing Expo, featuring fly-tying and flycasting clinics, is set for Dec. 5-6 at WNC Agricultural Center in Asheville. A vast array of fly fishing professionals will share knowledge and techniques. info@wncflyfishingexpo.com.

• Mountain bikers are invited to the Nantahala Area Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Jackson County Library in Sylva. nantahala.area.sorba@gmail.com.

FARM & GARDEN

• Agriculture-centered small business seminars at SCC, 9 a.m.–noon. Throught Dec. 11, Jackson County Public Library. Must register. www.ncsbc.net or 339.4211.

• A High Tea/Luncheon Fundraiser will be hosted by the Sylva Garden Club from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 at Nichols House Antiques in Sylva. $10 requested donation goes toward a pavilion in Bicentennial Park. Tickets can be purchased from club members or at the door.

• Haywood County Master Gardeners Holiday Greens Market will be held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Dec. 10 at Badcock Furniture Store parking lot in Waynesville.

HIKING CLUBS • The Nantahala Hiking Club will take an easy 3-mile hike on Sunday, Dec. 7, to Secret Falls in Horse Cove near Highlands. 765.318.9981.

• An eco-forum on mozzarella cheese making is set for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall in Franklin. Free. Bring a covered dish to share at 5:30 p.m. 524.3691.

• An 8.2-mile hike to Pilot Mountain organized by Carolina Mountain Club, will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 7. Contact Dave Wetmore for more information at 577.0648 or dwetmore@comporium.net.

• An indoor flea market will be held from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Haywood County Fairgrounds. $20 per 10’ X 12’ booth, including two tables. 400.1704.

Set up from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5.

• Friends of the Smokies will hold a Classic Hike of the Smokies and potluck on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Hike is a four-mile, easy round trip in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a 300-foot elevation gain. Potluck afterward. $35. Members get a $10 discount. Register: annalee@friendsofthesmokies.org or 452.0720. Info: friendsofthesmokies.org.

• Information sessions about firewood pests and forest threats will be held from 5-6 p.m. on Dec. 8 at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center Administrative Building near Cherokee. http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/firewood-alert.

• The Historic Haywood Farmer’s Market will continue through December at a new indoor location at The Folkmoot Center in Hazelwood. Held from 9 a.m. to noon featuring meats, eggs, baked goods, and winter produce.Located at 112 Virginia Ave. 550.4774.

• A 7-mile Bent Creek Ramble Annual Cookie Hike organized by Carolina Mountain Club, will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 10. Contact Ken and Carol Deal for more information at 281.4530, cnkdeal@charter.netstuengo@comporium.net • A 4-mile Bent Creek Ramble- Annual Cookie Hike organized by Carolina Mountain Club, will be held at 10 a.m. on Dec. 10. This hike is shorter and will meet up with the other group taking the longer hike the same day. Contact Diane Stickney for more information at 254.9054 or magenta9@charter.net.

December 3-9, 2014

• The Jackson County Farmer’s Market has moved indoors for the winter. It is held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturdays at the Community Table, located in downtown Sylva off Central Street between the playground and pool. 399.0290 www.jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org.

wnc calendar

• Cataloochee Ski Area’s annual Ski and Snowboard Swap Shop will be held Dec. 6-7 in Cat’s Lair Building at the ski area. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Dec. 6 and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Dec. 7. Drop off items for sale between 3-7 p.m. on Dec. 5 or 7-9 a.m. on Dec. 6.

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some artists travel the world for inspiration others

Fixed to this place like strings to a guitar, our music is as loyal as its fans. It stays near the people and the venues that helped bring it to life. Jazz, country, rock, folk, bluegrass, newgrass and more ~ all live here. They were born in artists who call this state home. And the same places that inspired greats like John Coltrane, Nina Simone, James Taylor and The Avett Brothers ~ may also inspire you.

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PRIME REAL ESTATE Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MarketPlace information:

THRIFT WORLD

The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 every week to over 500 locations across in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties along with the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. For a link to our MarketPlace Web site, which also contains a link to all of our MarketPlace display advertisers’ Web sites, visit www.smokymountainnews.com.

At Peddler’s Square. 8,000 sq. ft.

Indoor Flea Market Featuring: Furniture • Art • Antiques • Tools • Clothing Boutique • Christmas Shop • 100’s of Items WHY PAY MORE? Open 7 Days, 10 - 5, 62 Peddlers Square, Waynesville.

From Waynesville West on 74 Bypass, 4 Miles on Left (Across from Edisto Gas) - Buy, Sell, Trade & Consign 828.276.6377

Rates: ■ Free — Residential yard sale ads, lost or found pet ads.

■ Free — Non-business items that sell for less than $150.

■ $12 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2.

■ $12 — If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type.

■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad.

■ $50 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold.

■ $300 — Statewide classifieds run in 117 participating newspapers with 1.6 million circulation. Up to 25 words.

■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

REACH READERS Across North Carolina for only $375. Run your 25-word classified line ad in 99 newspapers with one call to this newspaper by dialing 828.452.4251, or call NCPS at 919.516.8009.

Classified Advertising:

ARTS & CRAFTS

Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 | classads@smokymountainnews.com

ALLISON CREEK Iron Works & Woodworking. Crafting custom metal & woodwork in rustic, country & lodge designs with reclaimed woods! Design & consultation, Barry Downs 828.524.5763, Franklin NC

WAYNESVILLE TIRE, COO

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Serving Haywood, Jackson & Surrounding Counties

AUCTION AUCTION Construction Equipment & Trucks, December 9th, 9 AM, Richmond, VA. Excavators, Dozers, Dumps & More. Accepting Items Daily thru 12/5. Motleys Asset Disposition Group, 804.232.3300x.4, www.motleys.com/industrial, VAAL#16.

MAJOR-BRAND TIRES FOR CARS, LIGHT & MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCKS, AND FARM TIRES.

LEE & PATTY ENSLEY, OWNERS

MON-FRI 7:30-5:00 • WAYNESVILLE PLAZA

828-456-5387

HARPER’S AUCTION COMPANY Friday Dec. 5th @ 6:00 p.m.

Great Deals: Furniture, Glass, Box Lots, Christmas Items, Live Trees and Lots More!!! For More Details: harpersauctioncompany.com 47 Macon Center Dr. Franklin,NC 828.369.6999.

Debra Harper, NCAL #9659, NCFL #9671.

PUBLIC AUCTION Saturday, December 13 @ 10am.

201 S. Central Ave., Locust, NC. Selling Tax Seized, Repo & Estate Vehicles, Heavy Equipment, Trucks, ATVs, Tools, Equipment, '65 Mustang 2+2 Fast Back, Street Rods, Pickup, Cars, Track Loader, Box Trucks. 704.791.8825. ncaf5479. www.ClassicAuctions.com TAX SEIZURE AUCTION Wednesday, December 10 @ 10am.

196 Crawford Road, Statesville, NC. Selling Seized Restaurant Equipment for the NC Department of Revenue due to Unpaid Taxes.

Bar Equipment, Pizza Ovens, Mixers, Refrigeration, Gas & Electric Cooking Equipment, Quantity of Seating, Smallware. 704.791.8825. ncaf5479. www.ClassicAuctions.com PUBLIC AUCTION Saturday, Dec. 6 @ 10am. 79 Branner Ave. Waynesville, NC. Complete Liquidation of Home Specialty Lumber & Hardware. Inventory, Lumber, Trucks, Forklifts, Trailer. 704.791.8825. ncaf5479. www.ClassicAuctions.com

ESTATE SALE - WHOLE HOUSE

Offering:

Service truck available for on-site repairs

AUCTION

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• MUST SELL EVERYTHING IN 3 DAYS • ANTIQUES, FURNITURE, DINNING ROOM, LIVING ROOM, BEDROOMS, KITCHEN ITEMS & ENTIRE BASEMENT FULL OF TOOLS & MISCELLANEOUS SELL IS DECEMBER 4TH, 5TH & 6TH. STARTS AT 9:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m. DAILY. NO EARLY SELLS! LOCATED AT 164 HIGHVIEW DRIVE, KNOLLS ESTATES - MAGGIE VALLEY, NC. RAIN OR SHINE!

AUCTION AUCTION: Tractors, Tools, Forklift, Boats, Shop & Power Equipment, Specialty & Plumbing Tools, Fiberglass Equipment - Online Only Auction, Bidding Ends DECEMBER 11th @ 6:00PM - Jones County, NC. www.HouseAuctionCompany.com 252.729.1162 NCAL#7889

BUILDING MATERIALS HAYWOOD BUILDERS Garage Doors, New Installations Service & Repairs, 828.456.6051 100 Charles St. Waynesville Employee Owned.

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING ACORN STAIRLIFTS. The Affordable solution to your stairs! **Limited time -$250 Off Your Stairlift Purchase!** Buy Direct & Save. Please call 1.800.291.2712 for FREE DVD and brochure.

ALL THINGS BASEMENTY! Basement Systems Inc. Call us for all of your basement needs! Waterproofing, Finishing, Structural Repairs, Humidity and Mold Control.

FREE ESTIMATES! Call 1.800.698.9217 DAVE’S CUSTOM HOMES OF WNC, INC Free Estimates & Competitive rates. References avail. upon request. Specializing in: Log Homes, remodeling, decks, new construction, repairs & additions.

Owner/Builder: Dave Donaldson.

Licensed/Insured. 828.631.0747 or 828.508.0316 SAFE STEP WALK-IN TUB. Alert for Seniors. Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less Than 4 Inch Step-In. Wide Door.

Anti-Slip Floors. American Made.

Installation Included. Call 800.807.7219 for $750 Off. SULLIVAN HARDWOOD FLOORS Installation- Finish - Refinish 828.399.1847.

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AUTO PARTS

CARS *CASH TODAY* We’ll Buy Any Car (Any Condition) + Free Same-Day Removal. Best Cash Offer Guaranteed! Call For FREE Quote: 888.472.2113 SAPA DISABLED VETERAN Is in need of Cheap Transportation for tri-weekly VA Hospital Commute If you can help please call Jeff at 828.316.8930.

AVIATION MANUFACTURING Careers- Get started by training as FAA certified Aviation Technician.

Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance.

Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance. 877.300.9494.

ABUNDANT FREIGHT IN NC To multiple destinations for Steps & RGNs. Come with your own Step/RGN or pull ours AT NO COST! www.dailyrecruiting.com or 1.800.669.6414 AIRLINE MECHANIC CAREERS Start Here - Get Faa Approved Maintenance Training. Financial Aid For Qualified Students. Job Placement Assistance. Call Aviation Institute Of Maintenance 1.866.724.5403 WWW.FIXJETS.COM. SAPA

DONATE YOUR CAR, Truck or Boat to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 800.337.9038.

ATTN: Drivers-$2K Sign-on Bonus Love your $55K Job! $2K Sign-on Bonus + Benefits Ave $1100 Weekly CDL-A Req 1.888.592.4752. www.ad-drivers.com SAPA

TOP CASH FOR CARS, Call Now For An Instant Offer. Top Dollar Paid, Any Car/Truck, Any Condition. Running or Not. Free Pick-up/Tow. 1.800.761.9396 SAPA

COLONIAL LIFE Is seeking B2B sales reps. Commissions average $50K+/yr. Training & leads. Sales experience required, LA&H license preferred. Also seeking Sales Managers. Call Grayson Blake at 336.300.6215.

LADY WITH 35+Yrs. EXPERIENCE In Retail/Customer Service, Would Like a Part-Time Job, With Compensation Commiserate With Experience. References Available Upon Request. Please Call Victoria 863.206.1077.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

FULL TIME POSITION For qualified apartment maintenance tech. Willing to relocate to Raleigh. CPO/HVAC certifications required. Also, electrical, plumbing, carpentry & other general maintenance experience. Must have a valid NC drivers license & a good driving record.

Email detailed resume to: kariellis@tarheelcos.com or apply online: www.tarheelcos.com

HIGHLANDS-CASHIERS HOSPITAL Positions now available: ER and Acute Registered Nurses, MDS Coordinator, Annual Gift Officer, Major Gift Officer, Unit Clerk, Certified Nursing Assistant, Pharmacy Tech and Administrative Assistant.

Benefits available the first of the month following 60 days of full-time employment. PreEmployment screening required.

Call Human Resources.

828.526.1376, or apply online at: www.highlandscashiershospital. org

WEB DESIGNER NEEDED Must Possess Excellent Photo Shop Skills. In Waynesville Office. For more info please visit: www.marketsuperforce.com

JOIN OUR TEAM! Guaranteed pay for Class A CDL Flatbed Drivers! Regional and OTR. Great pay/benefits/401k match.

CALL TODAY 864.299.9645. www.jgr-inc.com MONEY FOR SCHOOLPotentially get full tuition & great career with U.S. Navy. Paid training, medical/dental, vacation. HS grads ages 17-34. Call Mon-Fri 800.662.7419

269-47

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ATTN: DRIVERS $2K Sign-On Bonus. Love your $55K Job! $2K Sign-On Bonus + Benefits. Avg $1100 Weekly.

CDL-A Req - 877.258.8782 www.ad-drivers.com

74 NORTH MAIN ST. • WAYNESVILLE, NC

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CAN YOU DIG IT? Heavy Equipment Operator Training! 3 Week Program. Bulldozers, Backhoes, Excavators. Lifetime Job Placement Assistance with National Certifications. VA Benefits Eligible! 866.288.6896 THE NAVY IS HIRING Top-notch training, medical/dental, 30 days vacation/yr, $ for school. HS grads ages 17-34. Call Mon-Fri 800.662.7419

FINANCIAL

NEED MEDICAL BILLING TRAINEES! Doctors & Hospitals need Medical Office Staff! No Experienced Needed! Online Training gets you job ready! HS Diploma/GED & Computer needed. Careertechnical.edu/nc.

1.888.512.7122 NEW PAY And Weekly Home Time for SE Regional Drivers! Earn up to $0.42/mile PLUS up to $0.03 per mile in bonus pay! Call Now 866.291.2631 or visit us at: SuperServiceLLC.com

BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company.

SAPA DELETE BAD CREDIT In just 30-days! Raise your credit score fast! Results Guaranteed!

Free To Start Call 855.831.9712.

Hurry!! Limited Enrollments Available. SAPA INJURED? IN A LAWSUIT? Need Cash Now? We Can Help! No Monthly Payments to Make. No Credit Check. Fast Service and Low Rates. Call Now 1.866.386.3692. www.lawcapital.com (Not available in NC, CO, MD & TN) SAPA

GET PAID WEEKLY! FT and PT mail work from home.

For full details visit: www.750weekly.com or call 512.827.0060 (24/7) SAPA GORDON TRUCKING, INC. Ask about our new pay increase!

CDL-A Truck Drivers. Solo & Team Positions. Excellent Hometime. Call 7 days/wk! EOE. 866.646.1969.

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269-02

Full Service Property Management 828-456-6111 www.selecthomeswnc.com Residential and Commercial Long-Term Rentals

SOCIAL SECURITY Disability Benefits. Unable to work? Denied benefits? We Can Help! WIN or Pay Nothing! Contact Bill Gordon & Associates at 1.800.371.1734 to start your application today!

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BE YOUR OWN BOSS! PT/FT No Exp Needed. Training Provided Not MLM No Cold Calling Earn Up to $5000 per month! Set Your Own Hours Schedule your Interviews at: www.bizpro104.com

Your Local Big Green Egg Dealer

EMPLOYMENT 25 DRIVER TRAINEES NEEDED! Become a driver for Stevens Transport! No Experience Needed! New drivers earn $800+ per week! PAID CDL TRAINING! Stevens covers all costs! 1.888.748.4137 or visit drive4stevens.com

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269-76

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HOME BASED BUSINESS Serious impact on retirement for self-motivated people. Create your own safety net. Flex hours. FREE online training! Escalating income potential! project4wellness.com SAPA

DRIVERS: You Deserve a GREAT Paycheck & Benefit Package. E-Logs/Detention Pay after ONE HOUR! Monthly Bonus Program/Weekend Home-Time.

CDL-A/1yr. Exp. 877.704.3773.

EMPLOYMENT

December 3-9, 2014

JOBS WANTED

EMPLOYMENT

WNC MarketPlace

BLOWN HEAD GASKET Cracked Heads/Block. State of the art 2-part Carbon Composite Repair! All Vehicles Foreign or Domestic including Northstars!

100% guaranteed. Call Now: 1.866.780.9038 SAPA

EMPLOYMENT

10-5 M-SAT. 12-4 SUN.

ON DELLWOOD RD. (HWY. 19) AT 20 SWANGER LANE WAYNESVILLE/MAGGIE VALLEY 828.926.8778

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WNC MarketPlace

FURNITURE

PLANTS/TREES & SHRUBS

COMPARE QUALITY & PRICE Shop Tupelo’s, 828.926.8778.

SPRUCE CHRISTMAS TREES From 4’ to 15’, $12 each - you cut/dig. ALSO Landscaping Plants: Boxwoods, Arborvitae, Maple & Kousa Dogwood. Farm located south of Franklin, 441 to Addington Bridge Rd., to Middle Skeenah Rd., to Whispering Meadows Rd. Call Doyle Chambers 828.884.4584 in Brevard for more info.

HAYWOOD BEDDING, INC. The best bedding at the best price!

533 Hazelwood Ave. Waynesville 828.456.4240

LAWN & GARDEN HEMLOCK HEALERS, INC. Dedicated to Saving Our Hemlocks. Owner/Operator Frank Varvoutis, NC Pesticide Applicator’s License #22864. 48 Spruce St. Maggie Valley, NC 828.734.7819 828.926.7883, Email: hemlockhealers@yahoo.com

PETS FIND WILLIE! Golden Lab lost on 11/28, on Purchase Knob near the Science Center in Haywood County. Wearing red collar with tags, an orange harness and red leash. If seen, please call 757.201.5610 or 828.926.5546.

AUCTION: TRACTORS, TOOLS, BOATS Forklift, Shop & Power Equipment, Specialty & Plumbing Tools, Fiberglass Equipment - Online Only Auction, Bidding Ends DECEMBER 11th @ 6:00PM - Jones County, NC. www.HouseAuctionCompany.com 252.729.1162 NCAL#7889

PETS HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329

Prevent Unwanted Litters!

The Heat Is On! Spay/Neuter For Haywood Pets As Low As $10.

Operation Pit is in Effect!

Free Spay/Neuter, Microchip & Vaccines For Haywood Pitbull Types & Mixes!

Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 12 Noon - 6 pm 182 Richland Street, Waynesville

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT LEASE TO OWN 1/2 Acre Lots with Mobile Homes & Empty 1/2 Acre + Lots!

Located Next to Cherokee Indian Reservation, 2.5 Miles from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.

For More Information Please Call 828.506.0578

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised on an equal opportunity basis.

NC MTNS NEAR ASHEVILLE Owner must sell new log cabin on 1.5ac. Huge porches, vaulted ceiling, 1200sf ready to finish. $74,900, add'l acreage avail.

828.286.2981.

December 3-9, 2014

NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS BEAUTY A PERSIAN MIX WHO LIVES UP TO HER NAME! SHE'S ON THE RESERVED SIDE, BUT LOVES A HEAD SCRATCH AND WILL SURELY OPEN UP IN HER NEW HOME.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Offering 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $400

BANNER ELK, NC 10 acre tract adjoining National Forest, huge panoramic views of Grandfather Mountain & access to 2 lakes & 9 parks! Taking a loss, $49,900. 877.717.5263, ext691.

maggievalleyselfstorage.com

HOMES FOR SALE FOR RENT W/ OPTION TO BUY 4/BR Home, Desirable Neighborhood/Mtn. Views, Privacy, One Mile to Lake Junaluska. Master BR/Walk-In Closet, Double Sinks in Bath. Hardwood & Carpet, 2 Fireplaces, LR, DR, Office, Bonus Room- 1/2 Bath, Equipped Kitchen, New Roof, Covered Porch & Patio, Level Fenced Back Yard, Spacious Storage. Move In Ready $1,200/mo. Call 828.298.7287 BRUCE MCGOVERN A Full Service Realtor shamrock13@charter.net McGovern Property Management 828.283.2112.

STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT

OFFICE HOURS: Tues. & Wed. 10:00am - 5:00pm & Thurs. 10:00am- 12:00pm 168 E. Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779

Convenient Location 19/23 Between Clyde and Canton

Equal Housing Opportunity

www.smokymountainnews.com

CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE UNITS FOR RENT

BULLFROG STORAGE

SADIE A GORGEOUS BLOODHOUND ABOUT TWO YEARS OLD, IN NEED OF SOME QUALITY NUTRITION AND TLC. SHE ALREADY HAS A BEAUTIFUL SPIRIT, LOVES PEOPLE AND IS EAGER TO PLEASE.

STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT

AMERICA’S BEST BUY! 20 Acres - Only $99/mo! $0 Down.

No Credit Checks. MONEY BACK GUARANTEE & Owner Financing.

Near El Paso, Texas. Beautiful Mountain Views! Free Color Brochure. 1.877.284.2072 www.TexasLandBuys.com SAPA

Section 8 Accepted - Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

Phone# 1.828.586.3346 TDD# 1.800.725.2962

5 x 10 = $25 10 x 10 = $40 10 x 20 = $75 • NO CONTRACTS • Nobody Beats Our Rates

828.342.8700

1 Month Free with 12 Month Rental. Maggie Valley, Hwy. 19, 1106 Soco Rd. For more information call Torry

828.734.6500, 828.734.6700 GREAT SMOKIES STORAGE Conveniently located off 19/23

by Thad Woods Auction. Available for lease now: 10’x10’ units for $55, 20’x20’ units for $160.

Get one month FREE with 12 month contract. Call 828.507.8828 or 828.506.4112 for more info.

MEDICAL ATTENTION VIAGRA USERS: Viagra 100MG and Cialis 20 MG! 40 pills + 4 Free, Only $99. No prescription needed! Satisfaction Guaranteed! 800.491.8751. SAPA MEDICAL GUARDIAN Top-rated medical alarm and 24/7 medical alert monitoring. For a limited time, get free equipment, no activation fees, no commitment, a 2nd waterproof alert button for free and more - only $29.95 per month. 800.983.4906. SAPA

ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTV! Act Now- $19.99/mo. Free 3Months of HBO, Starz, SHOWTIME & CINEMAX. FREE GENIE HD/DVR Upgrade! 2014 NFL Sunday Ticket included with Select Packages. New Customers Only. IV Support Holdings LLC- An authorized DirecTV Dealer. Some exclusions apply Call for details 1.800.849.3514 SCOTTISH TARTANS MUSEUM 86 East Main St., Franklin, Open 10am- 5pm, Mon - Sat. Come & let us find your Scottish Connection!

828.584.7472 or visit us at: www.scottishtartans.org.

269-38

Great Smokies Storage 10’x20’

92

$

20’x20’

160

$

ONE MONTH

FREE WITH 12-MONTH CONTRACT

828.506.4112 or 828.507.8828 52

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT

Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction

Puzzles can be found on page 54.

These are only the answers.

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Pet Adoption Black and white, nice. Call 877.273.5262 JULIE - A 2 year-old, female Pit Bull. She is spayed, up-to-date with shots. weighs about 45 lbs., and is housebroken. She had a accident which required removal of her left hind leg. She was abandoned by her owners who left her at the vet’s who did the surgery. She loves to play at her foster home with another dog there who looks just like her. She handles her condition beautifully. Call 828.788.3056.

ALPHONSO - A one to two year old Beagle. He is friendly and low Key. Tri-color 877.273.5262.

WHITNEY - A brindle, feist/pug mix. Friendly, 1-2 years, cute.

Tan and white. 877.273.5262.

BANDIT - An adolescent, neutered, black cat. He tries to

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answer the telephone. He is litter box trained. 828.586.5647.

BARNUM - A purebred, 3 year old, male, 28 lb. Beagle. He is sweet, good on a leash, working on house training, and usesa doggie door. Barnum is very laid back, but will definitely let you know if someone is at the door.

Call 828.586.5186.

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HANDSOME, CHARLI -

269-50

beverly-hanks.com • • • •

ARF’S NEXT LOW-COST

Mountain Realty

Dog and cat spay/neuter trips in Early Jan. Register in advance at ARF’s adoption site in Sylva 1-3 on Saturdays. Spaces limited, so don’t wait to register. You should’nt bring your animal to registration. Do bring income documentation if you wish to apply for free or low-income discounts. For more information, call 877.273.5262.

Ron Breese Broker/Owner 2177 Russ Ave. Waynesville, NC 28786 Cell: 828.400.9029 ron@ronbreese.com

ERA Sunburst Realty — sunburstrealty.com Haywood Properties — haywoodproperties.com

www.ronbreese.com

• Steve Cox — info@haywoodproperties.com

Each office independently owned & operated.

269-43

The Real Team

JOLENE HOCOTT • LYN DONLEY MARLYN DICKINSON

Real Experience.

Real Service. Real Results.

who has recently been on a diet to lose some weight. I am very sweet and love to snuggle. I like to sleep on your bed at night and might even work my way under the covers! I love to be petted, and will often talk to you while you love on me. Adoption fees vary; if you’re interested in me, adoptions@ashevillehumane.org.

AMELIA - Boxer Mix dog – tan & white, I am about 2 years old, and a great companion. I am loving and playful, although I do still like to jump up around people sometimes and might be too much for small children. I get along well with other dogs and have also been around cats, but sometimes like to chase them.

Adoption fees vary; Contact adoptions@ashevillehumane.org.

Michelle McElroy — beverly-hanks.com Marilynn Obrig — beverly-hanks.com Mike Stamey — beverly-hanks.com Ellen Sither — esither@beverly-hanks.com

828.452.3727

Keller Williams Realty kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • Ron Kwiatkowski — ronk.kwrealty.com

Mountain Home Properties — mountaindream.com • Sammie Powell — smokiesproperty.com

Main Street Realty — mainstreetrealty.net

www.The-Real-Team.com

McGovern Real Estate & Property Management

mountain realty

• Bruce McGovern — shamrock13.com

1904 S. main St. • Waynesville

Emerson Group

Michelle McElroy RESIDENTIAL BROKER ASSOCIATE E-PRO, CNHS, RCC, SFR

Prudential Lifestyle Realty — vistasofwestfield.com Realty World Heritage Realty realtyworldheritage.com • Carolyn Lauter realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7766 • Martha Sawyer realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7769 • Linda Wester realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7771

828.400.9463 Cell michelle@beverly-hanks.com

74 North Main St. • Waynesville 828.452.5809

• George Escaravage — gke333@gmail.com

269-45

269-46

MOUNTAIN REALTY

Mieko

Thomson

Commitment, consistency, results.

ROKER/R /REALTOR EALTORÂŽÂŽ BBROKER

Cell (828) 226-2298 Cell

mthomson@remax-waynesvillenc.com mthomson@remax-waynesvillenc.com www.ncsmokies.com www.ncsmokies.com

2177 Russ Avenue Waynesville NC 28786

• • • • • • •

remax-waynesvillenc.com | remax-maggievalleync.com Brian K. Noland — brianknoland.com Mieko Thomson — ncsmokies.com The Morris Team — maggievalleyproperty.com The Real Team — the-real-team.com Ron Breese — ronbreese.com Dan Womack — womackdan@aol.com Catherine Proben — cp@catherineproben.com

smokymountainnews.com

RE/MAX — Mountain Realty

ASHEVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY 828.761.2001, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville, NC 28806 We’re located behind Deal Motorcars, off Brevard & Pond Rd.

December 3-9, 2014

black, I am about 2 years old, and was brought to AHS by my previous owners because I was not doing well in their busy household with other pets.

Although I am still timid at first, I have done much better in a foster home with a quieter environment.

I am friendly with people and get along fine with other cats, as long as they don't pester me. I love to be petted, but not picked up. I will be a great companion for someone who wants a friendly cat but doesn't need a "lap cat."

Adoption fees vary; if you’re interested in me, please contact adoptions@ashevillehumane.org.

SNICKERS - Domestic Shorthair cat – brown tabby, I am about 7 years old, and I’m a “plump� girl

Beverly Hanks & Associates

Is a long-haired, male cat. He is black and white. 877.273.5262

ARF (HUMANE SOCIETY OF JACKSON COUNTY) Holds rescued pet adoptions Saturdays from 1:00 - 3:00 (weather permitting) at 50 Railroad Avenue in Sylva. Animals are spayed/neutered and current on shots.

Most cats $60, most dogs $70.

Preview available pets at www.a-r-f.org, or call foster home.

KAIYA - Domestic Shorthair cat –

Haywood County Real Estate Agents

WNC MarketPlace

PENNY - A female, terrier mix.

The Seller’s Agency — listwithphil.com • Phil Ferguson — philferguson@bellsouth.net

Carolyn Lauter Broker/ABR

269-74

1986 SOCO ROAD, HWY 19 • MAGGIE VALLEY, NC 28751

828.734.4822 Cell • www.carolynlauter.com

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

carolyn.lauter@realtyworldheritage.com 262-02

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com 53

www.smokymountainnews.com

December 3-9, 2014

WNC MarketPlace

Super

54

CROSSWORD

SHARED FEATURES ACROSS 1 Empress of old Russia 8 Unwakeful state 12 Part of BYO 15 Political coalition 19 Choose for jury duty 20 Lang. spoken in Milan 21 1959 John Wayne film 23 What a maestro studies 25 Christian, for one 26 Braggarts have inflated ones 27 Student transcript nos.

28 Penitentiary division 30 Laid eyes on 33 What “My Bonnie lies over” 34 Home for a pet rodent 38 Fort Knox feature 44 Meyers of “Think Big” 45 Wriggly swimmer 46 “Now - be told” 48 Having much land 49 Crop lopper 51 Mournful ring 52 Groups of wharf-supporting beams 54 Taj 55 Relaxing facility 57 Sci-fi writer Harlan 59 “- just wondering” 60 Mark of a sergeant, e.g.

66 “The Hanoi Hilton” locale 67 White cheese 68 A mean Amin 69 Track beams

70 Discontinue 71 Its students tumble 75 “- grown apart” 76 Represented 77 Wayfarer’s refuge 78 Try to win at eBay, say 79 First, in terms of transmission 82 Holland bloom 85 Marine “motorcycle” 86 “So long, Pierre!”

87 “- directed” (medicine box warning) 88 Freckle, e.g.

89 Royal flush card 90 Nokia offering 93 Scanned supermarket symbol 97 Close by 99 Squabble 100 Busy shop before Halloween 105 Mosquito net material 106 “- boy!”

110 Into the wind 111 Statement about nine answers in this puzzle 115 Successful CPR performers 116 Dressed in 117 Chinese Checkers pieces 118 Fruit-flavored drinks 119 MI-to-SC dir.

120 Ticked 121 Skit DOWN 1 Clock datum 2 Overproud 3 Lhasa - (dog breed)

4 Boosts 5 Business mag 6 Teachers’ union: Abbr.

7 Allowing only female students 8 Loud insect 9 Western Amerinds 10 Tarnish 11 Initial Hebrew letter 12 Singer Roy 13 Nobelist Elie 14 Like some mutual funds 15 Make coffee 16 Molten rock 17 See 91-Down 18 Strong rope 22 Storage unit 24 Project particular 29 In a majestic manner 31 Stainless 32 Squint (at) 33 Head, in Pau 34 Hurting 35 Sunken space in front of a cellar window 36 She’s a soccer star 37 Gibson liquor 39 Philip VI’s house 40 Serving perfectly 41 Vase variety 42 Piano part 43 NFL goals 47 Bishop, e.g.

50 Fathers 51 China’s Chiang - shek 52 Rack-and- - steering 53 Hoops Hall of Famer Dan 55 Parents’ hiree 56 Kilt pattern 58 Arrived at by chance 60 Hostess Perle

61 Kleenex, say 62 Some inserts 63 Really must 64 Called upon 65 Nucleic acid base 67 Showing, as a card 72 Actor Conrad 73 Dandelion lookalike 74 Tuned in 75 Cleverness 78 Davis of film 79 Érié or Supérieur 80 Lyrical work 81 “Stand by Me” actor Wheaton 83 SoCal squad 84 It’s S. of Leb. 85 Athletic type 87 Dismount 88 Artist Marcel 91 With 17-Down, discusses at length 92 Weasels’ kin 94 Fell in line 95 Menu listing 96 Grouchy 98 Food carton abbr.

100 Singer Irene 101 Electrified 102 “54” co-star Campbell 103 Platform for a lectern 104 Canadian cable channel for children 105 Piddling 107 Like giants 108 Bark source 109 Mgr.’s aide 112 Garden tool 113 Actor Kilmer 114 Epoch

answers on page 52

PERSONAL A CHILDLESS HAPPILY MARRIED Couple seeks to adopt. Will be hands-on parents. Financial security. Expenses paid. Let’s help each other. CALL / text Adam & Andres.

1.800.790.5260(FLBar# 0150789).

SAPA MAKE A CONNECTION. Real People, Flirty Chat. Meet singles right now! Call LiveLinks. Try it FREE. Call now 1.888.909.9978 18+. SAPA YOUR AD COULD REACH 1.6 MILLION HOMES ACROSS NC! Your classified ad could be reaching over 1.6 Million Homes across North Carolina! Place your ad with The Smoky Mountain News on the NC Statewide Classified Ad Network- 118 NC newspapers for a low cost of $330 for 25-word ad to appear in each paper! Additional words are $10 each. The whole state at your fingertips! It's a smart advertising buy! Call Scott Collier at 828.452.4251 or for more information visit the N.C. Press Association's website at www.ncpress.com

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FLEA MARKETS/ YARD SALES THRIFT WORLD At Peddler’s Square. 8,000 sq. ft.

Indoor Flea Market Featuring: Furniture • Art • Antiques • Tools • Clothing Boutique • Christmas Shop • 100’s of Items WHY PAY MORE? Open 7 Days, 10 - 5, 62 Peddlers Square, Waynesville.

From Waynesville West on 74 Bypass, 4 Miles on Left (Across from Edisto Gas) - Buy, Sell, Trade & Consign 828.276.6377

ESTATE SALE - WHOLE HOUSE Must Sell Everything In 3 Days!

Antiques, Furniture, Dinning Room, Living Room, Bedrooms, Kitchen Items & Basement Full of Tools & Misc.

Sell is Dec. 4th, 5th & 6th, From 9am - 4pm. Daily. No Early Sells Located at 164 Highview Dr., Knolls Estates, Maggie Valley.

RAIN OR SHINE!

WEEKLY SUDOKU Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

Answers on Page 52

Stop and smell the… ferns

O

George Ellison

ne of my favorite times to observe ferns is in winter when they stand out in the brown leaf-litter. Of the 70 or so species that have been documented in the southern mountains, perhaps a fourth are evergreen. These would include walking fern, rockcap fern, resurrection fern, intermediate wood fern, Columnist several of the socalled “grape fern” species, and others.

The evergreen fern I can always count on finding is Christmas fern, which occurs in rocky woodlands. It is the most common evergreen fern in WNC, just as the New York fern is our most common deciduous fern.

Christmas fern appears in bouquet-like clusters from a scaly rhizome. The fiddleheads (emerging fronds) that appear in spring are covered with silvery scales. The mature fronds can be up to 28 inches in length.

The fertile spore-producing fronds of Christmas ferns are narrow at their tips.

Look on the underside of a fertile tip and you’ll see the clusters of cases in which the dust-like spores develop.

BACK THEN Many Christmas fern fronds are simply vegetative and don’t display the narrowed tips or spore cases. The fertile fronds are always taller than the vegetative fronds, so as to allow for wind dispersal of the spores.

Home gardeners should be aware that once the spores are shed, the fertile tips turn brown and wither. It’s part of the plant’s natural life cycle, not an indication that your Christmas ferns are dying. Also remember that the old fronds will wither, turn brown, and fall off as the plant makes room for new ones.

The patterns in which spore cases are arranged is often the essential clue used to differentiate various otherwise similar fern species. But identifying Christmas fern doesn’t require that sort of scrutiny. It is readily identified by the distinctive shape of the leaflets (pinna) that make up the leafy (blade) portion of the frond above its stem (stipe) Each leaflet resembles Santa’s sleigh when viewed on a horizontal plane or a Christmas stocking when held vertically. This holiday motif is sounded again in the common name “Christmas fern,” which arose because the species was used by the earliest New England settlers for Christmas decorations. They are still frequently cut or used as potted plants for seasonal arrangements.

The roots were used by the Cherokee as an ingredient in emetics, as an external application for rheumatism, and in a decoction for toothache, chills, and bowel complaints.

When examining Christmas ferns in the wild, keep in mind that leaflet and blade

shapes will often vary from plant to plant or even on the same plant. The leaflets especially vary in the amount of serration.

Jesse M. Shaver’s Ferns of the Eastern Central States with Special Reference to Tennessee (1954) is an older manual that I still use a lot because it’s one of the few guides that depicts the variant forms for each fern species. His descriptions and illustra-

tions of the Christmas fern variants take up 13 pages, describing six distinctive forms.

Murray Evans, the retired plant taxonomist and fern authority at the University of Tennessee, noted in his Ferns of the Smokies (2005) that, “There are many named varieties and forms for this species based on peculiar and conspicuous leaf variaChristmas fern. tions, but none are considered important taxonomically.”

But they are interesting to locate and observe.

George Ellison wrote the biographical introductions for the reissues of two Appalachian classics: Horace Kephart’s Our Southern Highlanders and James Mooney’s History, Myths, and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees.

In June 2005, a selection of his Back Then columns was published by The History Press in Charleston as Mountain Passages: Natural and Cultural History of Western North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Readers can contact him at P.O. Box 1262, Bryson City, N.C., 28713, or at info@georgeellison.com.

December 3-9, 2014

We Build The House On Your Land, You Make It

Home Smoky Mountain News

Franklin Building Center 335 NP&L Loop, Franklin, NC Hwy 441 Across From Franklin Ford

(828) 349-0990 AmericasHomePlace.com

55

December 3-9, 2014 Smoky Mountain News

1028 G Georgia eorgia Rd Rd • Franklin, Franklin, NC • Local Local 828.524.1598 828.524.1598 • Toll Toll ol o Free Free 866.273.4615 56

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