SMN 12 09 15

December 9-15, 2015 Vol. 17 Iss. 28 Western North Carolina’s Source for Weekly News, Entertainment, Arts, and Outdoor Information

Money, influence & academia From Our Family To Yours,

IN KOCH

Proposed Koch donation ignites debate at WCU

WE TRUST

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Tribal Council upholds veto of marijuana study Page 4 Fry Street closure hurting Bryson businesses Page 10

CONTENTS On the Cover: Western Carolina University is moving forward with plans to establish the Center for the Study of Free Enterprise despite resistance and concern from faculty regarding the funding source — the Charles Koch Foundation. Faculty members are concerned accepting $2 million from the foundation for the new center will make WCU beholden to the Koch brothers’ ultra-conservative agenda. (Page 6)

News Tribal Council upholds veto of marijuana study ......................................................4 Cherokee vows to crack down on drug dealers ......................................................5 Fry Street closure hurting Bryson businesses ......................................................10 Local steelworkers union must redo election ........................................................11 New businesses move into downtown Sylva ........................................................12 Waynesville searches for new disc golf location ..................................................14 Ghost Town rolls out rebranding plan ....................................................................16 Mercury testing expands at Lake Glenville ............................................................19 Franklin to hire new fire chief ....................................................................................20

Opinion Let’s play pretend politician ........................................................................................23

A&E Warren Haynes’ ‘Christmas Jam’ rolls on ..............................................................28

Outdoors Solar farm comes to Bethel ........................................................................................40

The Naturalist’s Corner December 9-15, 2015

Wilderness – we don’t need no stinkin wilderness ..............................................55

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December 9-15, 2015

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Back to the starting block Cherokee chief vetoes marijuana study; council upholds veto

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ust over a month after voting unanimously to study the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana on the Qualla Boundary, the Cherokee Tribal Council held a vote whose outcome was nearly a mirror image of the first. Last week, council voted 11-1 to uphold Principal Chief Patrick Lambert’s veto of the study, with Councilmember Travis Smith, of Birdtown, the sole nay vote.

It was Oct. 29 when council originally heard a resolution from a group calling itself Common Sense Cannabis to fund a study that would look into potentially legalizing marijuana — for medicinal, recreational or agricultural use, or for all of the above — on Cherokee lands. The resolution had elicited objections from council members who wondered if the question should be tabled to allow more time for community input and research, or even if it Patrick Lambert should be decided by referendum vote rather than in council chambers. But in the end, every one of the 12 council members had raised their hands in favor.

Principal Chief Patrick Lambert never signed the legislation, however, and on Nov. 23 he sent Council Chairman Bill Taylor a letter detailing why he was opting to veto it. The crux of his argument was that drug use in Cherokee is at “epidemic proportions,” and so it would be irresponsible for tribal government to spend any amount of money to consider legalizing yet another drug.

“The legalization for recreational use of marijuana within our communities would create a haven for outsiders to come onto our boundary and use an otherwise illegal substance,” he wrote in the veto letter.

“The detrimental impacts this would have on our communities is immeasurable in its human toll.”

Further, Lambert said, the resolution didn’t lay out any kind of budgetary plan for the funding or say who would conduct the study.

It needed stricter accountability.

In Cherokee government, Tribal Council can overturn a chief ’s veto with a two-thirds majority. With a unanimous vote to start out with, it seemed council would have an easy time maintaining its decision.

But that’s not how it turned out. With more than a month separating the two votes, 4 councilmembers had plenty of time to think

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December 9-15, 2015

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A timeline of marijuana laws affecting the Qualla Boundary • Oct. 2014: The U.S. Department of Justice issues a policy statement saying that Indian tribes will be allowed to decide for themselves whether to allow marijuana on their lands, as long as said legal uses don’t interfere with the DOJ’s priorities regarding law enforcement for marijuana.

• Jan. 2015: The Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota becomes the first Native American tribe to legalize marijuana sale across its territory. The tribe is now in the planning stages to open the nation’s first marijuana resort.

• Sept. 30: The N.C. General Assembly wraps up its 2015 session, in which a comprehensive medical marijuana bill died in committee, a bill permitting hemp extract for treatment of epilepsy became law and a pilot program looking at cultivating industrial hemp was authorized.

and talk about the issue, and most of them wound up changing their minds.

“We really worked hard to send the right message to the community about drugs and prevention, and it just sort of seemed to send the wrong message after we had time to reflect on it,” said Council Vice Chair Brandon Jones, of Snowbird.

To wit, the vote on Lambert’s veto came directly after an emotional discussion about what tribal government could do policy-wise to combat the drug issues that are ripping many Cherokee families apart (see related story on page 5).

There was very little discussion before the vote, with Councilmember Tommye Saunooke, of Painttown, moving to uphold Lambert’s veto the moment Council Chairman Bill Taylor finished laying out the procedure.

Currently, medical marijuana is legal in 23 states and the District of Columbia.

• Oct. 29: The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ Tribal Council votes unanimously to fund a study investigating the potential legal use of marijuana for recreational, agricultural and medicinal purposes on the Qualla Boundary.

• Nov. 23: Principal Chief Patrick Lambert issues a veto of the legislation allowing the study, citing concern that considering allowing another recreational drug on tribal lands would run counter to the tribe’s efforts to combat the drug abuse problem it’s already dealing with.

• Dec. 3: Tribal Council votes to uphold Lambert’s veto by a vote of 11-1, with Councilmember Travis Smith, of Birdtown, dissenting. The vote was a near reversal of council’s October decision.

NOT A DEAD ISSUE The vote doesn’t mean that the cannabis issue is dead, however — it just means that council has decided that tribal government shouldn’t spend any money considering legalizing its use recreationally.

In fact, even the original October vote was surprisingly noncontroversial, Jones said. He fielded only three calls on the matter, far fewer than the 25 to 30 he’ll often take for a hot-button issue.

Councilmember Alan “B” Ensley, of Yellowhill, said he’d gotten calls, but they were overwhelmingly positive.

“The calls that I got, probably 99-percent of them were based on the medical use of marijuana,” Ensley said in council last week.

“Our community was in favor of that.”

Council doesn’t necessarily disagree with

the merits of medical marijuana, Jones said.

“I would say the majority (of councilmembers) for certain still wants to look into the medicinal purposes of marijuana,” he said.

Joseph Owle of Common Sense Cannabis plans to ensure that happens by drafting another version of his original resolution, striking references to recreational use and concentrating on the medicinal applications.

The Cherokee people, as a whole, want medicinal use legalized, Owle said, and after seeing how the drug helped his grandfather battle the final stages of cancer back in 2013, the issue is rather personal.

“Seeing this man consume marijuana and its positive effect when no pharmaceutical drug could is why we support it,” he said of his late grandfather.

Other, similar testimonies had peppered the October council session where the study

“The calls that I got, probably 99-percent of them were based on the medical use of marijuana.

Our community was in favor of that.”

— Alan “B” Ensley, councilmember, Yellowhill

was originally approved, and interest in pursuing that aspect doesn’t appear ready to disappear any time soon.

Another aspect that could fall within the scope of any future study is the agricultural use of cannabis — growing varieties low in THC for use as hemp. It’s a traditional material for the Cherokee people, and legalizing that use has some strong support in the community.

“There’s a lot of economic aspects to it that would benefit people who have land that they can grow hemp on,” tribal member Amy Walker told council in November.

When thrown in with discussions on recreational and medicinal applications, however, agricultural is a low priority, though not necessarily controversial.

“If they included that piece in the study, nobody I don’t think would have a problem with it, but I just don’t see a big demand for it in our area,” Jones said.

A new resolution that concentrated on medicinal — and possibly agricultural — uses of marijuana could find more success than the one introduced in October.

Lambert himself has indicated he wouldn’t be inclined to protest a new piece of legislation that probed the possibility of medicinal marijuana in Cherokee, as long as it left the recreational aspects far behind.

“I’m not opposed to that (medicinal use), and I think that was clear in my comments,” Lambert told council last week. “I know there are some very good medicinal purposes for drugs, including those that are killing our kids right now, and that also includes marijuana.”

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two or three years, give them a place. I can’t bring my daughter back, but I might be able to save somebody else.”

Peggy Hill, a Yellowhill tribal member, has a different point of view.

“If they’re killing our people, I don’t think they need to be here,” she said of the dealers.

“That’s how I feel.”

Hill and McCoy may have been the only ones in the room promoting banishment as a consequence for dealing, but that doesn’t mean tribal government’s gunning for leniency where drug dealers are concerned. It’s time to have a serious discussion about how to do a better job of holding those people responsible and ensuring that, when they do leave jail, they’re done with that way of life, came the consensus.

“I see it every day in my community,” said Chairman Bill Taylor, of Wolfetown. “It’s all dangerous, but you got heroin and everything coming into our communities now. We need to do something about the problem.”

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Councilmember Richie French, of Big Cove, noted that he’s seen a much bigger law enforcement presence since Principal Chief Patrick Lambert took office. That’s a step in the right direction of keeping an eye out for illegal drug use and related crimes, such as breaking and entering.

But police coverage is only the beginning of addressing the issue, councilmembers agreed. Cherokee code already gives council the right to banish people convicted of dealing drugs, and banishment shouldn’t necessarily be the go-to punishment. However, tribal government could do more to make sure that drug crimes are better prosecuted and that perpetrators are better rehabilitated.

“We need to get the Attorney General’s office and get some general direction to make sure we get some convictions out and get these people in jail,” Smith said. “That would help more than anything.”

“We need to really concentrate on this long-term treatment center and do something to help the addict,” added Saunooke.

The tribe is currently in the midst of establishing the treatment center, along with transition homes for people graduating from rehab programs.

Council will likely hold a work session with representatives from the courts, law enforcement and attorney general’s office to start discussing ways they can do more to lessen the toll drug use is taking on the community.

“This is a very important issue, and I think each and every one of us in this room has been affected by this one way or another,” Taylor said.

December 9-15, 2015

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER rug addiction is perhaps the biggest crisis on the Qualla Boundary, and it’s time that tribal government got serious about punishing traffickers, members of Cherokee Tribal Council agreed last week.

The discussion began with a resolution from Councilmember Teresa McCoy, of Big Cove, asking that council direct the Attorney General’s office to draft a law banishing anyone convicted of selling illegal drugs from tribal lands. As a sovereign nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has the right to forbid any individual from entering its land, though enforcing such banishments can be problematic.

“At no time have I targeted the addict, but I have targeted the dealer,” McCoy said of her legislation. “If you want to kill a snake, you cut off its head.”

Addicts need compassion and help to get their lives back, McCoy said, but the people who make money selling the substances that suck people down that dark hole deserve no such forgiveness.

“We banish those (non-Cherokee people) for the same thing ours are doing, and we don’t banish ours and the same harm is here,” she said.

Other councilmembers thanked McCoy for bringing the issue up, agreeing that drug abuse and trafficking is wreaking havoc on Cherokee families. But none of them voiced support for the banishment component of the resolution, pointing out that kicking a person off of tribal lands effectively cuts through their safety net and strips them of their identity — that’s not a road that leads toward rehabilitation, councilmembers said.

“We have people that people just want to throw away,” said Councilmember Adam Wachacha, of Snowbird. “They probably have a lot of good in them. We just have to find it.”

“It’s our responsibility as the Eastern Band to save these children,” agreed Councilmember Tommye Saunooke, of Painttown. “We can’t banish them. Let’s help them.”

Banishment, multiple councilmembers agreed, basically ensures that the person who’s kicked out will never get their life back.

“In my experience with it, had I been banished I wouldn’t be here today, but there was a network around me — family, community,” said Vice Chair Brandon Jones, of Snowbird.

“They caught me when I fell. Being a Christian doesn’t mean you’re not going to make mistakes. There’s just a net to catch you when you fall.”

Gloria Griffin, a tribal member who lost a child to drug abuse, echoed those sentiments in her comments to Tribal Council. Kicking someone off of tribal land for good is essentially a death sentence, she said — instead, tribal government should increase resources for rehabilitation.

“We can’t turn our backs on our people,” Griffin said. “If they’ve straightened up for

Give the Gift of Ahhhhhhh....

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Cherokee council vows to crack down on drug dealers

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University for sale?

WCU community grapples with academic pursuits in the face of politically-charged outside funding

The WCU Board of Trustees held limited discussion before voting unanimously last week to support the creation of a Center for the Study of Free Enterprise contingent on private, outside funding being secured.

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER firestorm over the outside private funding of academia and its potential to undermine intellectual freedom has erupted in recent weeks at Western Carolina University.

Faculty and university leaders have been embroiled in a debate over whether to take $2 million from the Charles Koch Foundation, a funding arm tied to the conservative Koch brothers. The money would be used to establish a Center for the Study of Free Enterprise.

WCU is among dozens of universities nationwide to land in the Koch-money crosshairs. The Koch brothers and their various funding arms awarded $108 million to 366 colleges and universities from 2005 to 2014 — with $19.3 million across 210 college campuses in 2013 alone — according to political funding analysis by the Institute for Southern Studies and Center for Public Integrity.

The billionaire Koch brothers are wellknown political operatives, spending hundreds of millions a year on a sweeping, comprehensive strategy aimed at reshaping national politics to their conservative ideology.

Universities play an important role in the Koch political machine by generating academic research that in turn informs public policy, according to writings and talks by their own strategists.

Dr. Ed Lopez, the WCU economics professor behind the proposed free enterprise center, said it would provide sound, valuable research in the field of economics. If policymakers apply the center’s research findings, that would be a positive outcome.

“The mission of the center as proposed is to conduct sound research,” Lopez said.

“Engaging in abstract research, it plays a role of guiding the subsequent discussion among 6 the intellectual class and ultimately among

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December 9-15, 2015

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the political debate. It can provide important input.”

Faculty members who have criticized the proposed Center for the Study of Free Enterprise fear the outside funding from the Koch Foundation will unduly influence intellectual pursuits and curriculum.

“Accepting a monetary gift from a source that passionately believes in a fundamental socio-economic postulate without opening that postulate up for David Belcher investigation appears counterintuitive,” according to a statement endorsed by a large majority of WCU’s faculty senate in October.

“Other institutions in recent years who have accepted gifts from the Koch Foundation have indeed struggled with academic freedom issues, with much negative publicity,” the faculty senate statement goes on. “Any research conclusions consistent with the Foundation’s ideological perspective may be considered fruit from the poisoned tree.”

WCU Provost Alison Morrison-Shetlar tried to placate some of the concerns expressed in the faculty senate resolution.

“Their resolution was based on alleged academic freedom restrictions and curricular control,” Morrison-Shetlar said. But she pledged that wouldn’t be the case. So did Lopez. And so did WCU Chancellor David Belcher.

“We have been completely clear there will be no strings attached,” Belcher said.

The problem, however, is that faculty has yet to see anything in writing from the Koch Foundation outlining terms of the gift. In fact, the Koch Foundation has not formally

offered funding.

“There has been no gift agreement put forward,” Morrison-Shetlar said.

Dr. Bruce Henderson, a professor of psychology, questioned why the trustees and administration would approve the free enterprise center in principle without any written documentation from the funders Lopez claims to have lined up.

“Academe has a rich tradition of peer review that is absent in this case,” Henderson said.

“Our administration and board of trustees appear to have bought a pig in a poke.”

Lopez has an open line of communication with the Koch Foundation and a longstanding relationship with them, including leadership roles in other think tanks and academic pursuits they fund.

So far, the conversation between Lopez and the Koch Foundation has been just that: a conversation about what could be or what might be if Lopez could get university approval.

Faculty members have no idea what conditions the Koch Foundation would try to put on the funding. Based on stipulations at other universities, the Koch Foundation has tried to influence everything from course syllabi to which professors are hired using their money.

Morrison-Shetlar said those conditions wouldn’t fly at WCU. “When you receive any gifts or grants you have to identify the restrictions they may put on you, and you accept the gift or not,” she said. “We would not accept any grant or any gift from any entity to impact our academic freedom or our ability to have open discourse. That might be at other institutions but that would not the be the case at WCU.”

Dr. Ed Lopez is a proponent of free enterprise, with a vast body of academic research that falls in line with the conservative ideology of the Koch brothers' political machine.

Lopez is behind the creation of a Center for the Study of Free Enterprise at Western Carolina University.

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE Lopez, WCU’s Distinguished Professor of Capitalism, came up through the ranks of the Koch-funded Mercatus Center embedded within George Mason University in Virginia, which has been criticized as being a training ground for legions of free enterprise foot soldiers who go on to populate the halls of academia in American universities nationwide.

Behind the cap and gown Western Carolina University is not alone in the debate over outside money and whether it’s undermining academic integrity and freedom on campuses across America. The Smoky Mountain News will continue to explore the issue in coming weeks.

• What exactly is free enterprise, and why is it controversial? Is the proposed Center for the Study of Free Enterprise at WCU beholden to a particular political philosophy or simply an mainstream economic discipline?

• Private funding from foundations tied to the Koch brothers, known for the widereaching strategy to shape America’s political landscape and further their conservative Libertarian ideology, is increasingly being funneled to universities across the nation. Where and how is Koch funding cropping up on campuses? How is academia considered a lynchpin in the Kochs’ strategy to influence public policy and perception?

• It’s a little known fact that Western Carolina University has been getting annual contributions from the Koch Foundation for several years. How has Koch money been spent on WCU’s campus to date and what are the impacts on student teachings?

• As universities struggle with state budget cuts, they are increasingly turning to outside funding from a variety of sources to prop up their academic mission. What sources of outside funding are finding its way into WCU and how is that influencing the research focus and teachings of faculty?

Lopez said he is a strong proponent of academic freedom and would personally object to any influence from donors to control the content of research or curriculum.

Even though Lopez is an undeniable supporter of free enterprise and has a longstanding relationship with the political think tanks funded with Koch money over the years, that doesn’t mean he would sell out his academic integrity to manipulation by the Koch Foundation.

“Anybody who thinks that about me, I personally invite them to come to my classes and look at my syllabus and see the assignments I give to me students,” Lopez said.

“Some of my students do say sometimes ‘Well, what do you think?’ I say ‘It is not my job to tell you what to think. It is my job to teach you and help you think or think deeply.’”

Academic freedom cuts both ways, however. A faculty member should not be censored or prevented from studying a discipline simply because their peers find it offensive.

“We are a university and the university’s job is to make sure as many different points of view can be represented as possible,” Lopez said.

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FACULTY MANDATE QUESTIONED WCU Provost Alison Morrison-Shetlar questioned whether McCord’s views reflect those of the faculty at large and whether his comments should be extrapolated as applying to all faculty.

Morrison-Shetlar even questioned whether the faculty senate vote was indicative of faculty sentiment.

Casting doubt on the clout of faculty senate could have made it easier for the chancellor and board of trustees to justify their own decision that ran counter to that of the faculty senate.

Short of a campuswide poll of faculty, it’s hard to say definitively how the majority of facAlison ulty feels. But any proMorrison-Shetlar fessor taking the pulse of his peers around campus quickly concludes there are more against it than for it.

“The Faculty Senate voted in majority opposing the establishment of this new center, which is consistent with what I have heard from the general faculty,” said Dr. Bill Yang, chair of the faculty senate rules committee.

Claxton agreed.

“I have come across no one so far — actually make that only one faculty member — who thought it was a good idea. The vast majority of faculty I talked to are disappointed,” Claxton said.

Claxton said the faculty senate is elected to serve as the “faculty voice” and its legitimacy shouldn’t be questioned.

“If there was some question about whether this in fact represented the feelings of the entire faculty or just a few disgruntled faculty senate members, maybe we could have that discussion in a broader forum,” Claxton said.

During a two-week window allotted for faculty input, an open forum was hosted by the faculty senate, giving faculty the chance to speak out, ask questions and hear from the proponents of the center.

The majority of faculty who spoke at the forum expressed concerns about the center.

At-large faculty could also submit written comments with the two-week comment period. Faculty sent their comments to Dr. Brian Kloeppel, dean of the graduate school, who served as the collection point before turning them all over to Morrison-Shetlar and the provost council.

In an interview last week, MorrisonShetlar said the majority of written comments from faculty support the creation of a free enterprise center. She said only one-third of those who submitted comments opposed it.

TIME FOR VETTING While faculty was given a chance to weigh in, they were brought to the table fairly late in the game. By the time faculty was told about the free enterprise center, it was a fast-moving train, headed full steam ahead for the finish line of the chancellor’s desk.

The idea for the center was pitched by Lopez, who has longstanding ties with Kochfunded think tanks that predate his arrival to WCU in 2012 as the Distinguished Professor of Capitalism.

Lopez was given approval in mid-August to pursue his idea of a free enterprise center and craft a proposal. Only the business college dean and the WCU Provost knew about Lopez’s idea at this point.

Business college faculty weren’t made aware of the free enterprise center until late September when time was suddenly of the essence to get faculty input prior to the center coming up for a vote at an impending provost council meeting. Business college faculty were hastily apprised of the idea in a meeting — it is unclear how many attended — and asked for comments before the next provost council meeting in just four days’ time.

The provost and dean of the business college had just realized that university policy required faculty input before formally initiating the planning phase of a new center or institute.

Dr. Darrell Parker, dean of the business college, said in an email on Sept. 24 that he didn’t realize faculty input was needed during the planning phase. He hoped to have the provost council vote on the planning phase in just four days, and if faculty input was needed at the planning phase step, it would have to be done fast.

Thus the idea of the free enterprise center was carried to faculty in the business school the next day, and they were asked for a quick feedback.

Minutes from the provost council meeting

Smoky Mountain News

promising they would hear from him on the issue again at their next quarterly meeting in March.

Belcher said he did not take the decision lightly when he endorsed the creation of a free enterprise center, especially since it meant going against the faculty senate.

“I have appreciated the healthy, robust conversation that this proposal has generated,” Belcher wrote in an email to faculty last week. “It is my firm belief that the university, of all places, is and must be the locus of civil discourse and debate on the worthy issues and ideas of our time.”

Belcher has fostered a collegial relationship with faculty since arriving at WCU four years ago.

“I think a hallmark of the healthiest relationship between faculty and administration is an environment where people feel free to disagree,” Belcher said. “I think the free flow of idea and the opportunity to disagree in the context of civil discourse is a hallmark of American higher education done right.”

Belcher was a breath of fresh air for faculty in that sense compared to his predecessor, long-time Chancellor John Bardo. Faculty often felt disenfranchised and under-valued

by Bardo, especially in the final years of his tenure.

“Even right now, in the midst of this Koch crisis, if you were to ask people to contrast those two leaders, hands down we support Dr. Belcher,” McCord said. “So many of the things he has done are substantive and real and lasting.”

McCord cited transparency in the university budget process that Belcher has put in practice, as well as a more transparent and open style of leadership.

Faculty morale has improved under Belcher — in large part because they feel valued rather than extraneous — according to David Claxton, a health education professor at WCU for 22 years. But now, going against the overwhelming position of faculty with not even a moment of pause seemed out of character for Belcher.

“I was surprised because in my opinion he had been very open to faculty opinions and seemed to value the faculty very highly,” Claxton said.

During a debate like this, professors have a comfort level that they can’t be fired for expressing their views.

Nonetheless, there are ways university administration can get back at a professor, from derailing their chances at promotion to turning down requests for research pursuits.

While some professors declined to comment publicly for this article — citing a need to stay in administration’s good graces due to their particular academic station — no one seemed to fear retaliatory action outright, and

December 9-15, 2015

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER estern Carolina University leaders bucked concerns of faculty when they voted last week to create a free enterprise center funded with outside money from politically-charged mega donors.

The WCU faculty senate voted overwhelmingly against the creation of such a free enterprise center in October — three in favor and 21 opposed. The majority who weighed in during a faculty forum and written comment period also opposed the free enterprise center.

Faculty questioned whether the funding was politically tainted and would make the university a pawn in the sweeping strategy of the Libertarian Koch brothers to advance their ultra-conservative ideology through the robes of academia.

“It is not a small stakes issue here. This is the academic integrity of the institution over the long run,” said Faculty Senate Chair Dr. David McCord, professor of psychology.

Despite faculty concerns, WCU’s board of trustees voted unanimously to create a free enterprise center contingent on funding from outside sources. WCU Chancellor David Belcher backed the center’s creation as well.

Asked whether taking $2 million in Koch money would elevate or diminish the public perception of WCU, Belcher said some people are “ecstatic” about the prospect of a Kochfunded center and others object to it. But the source of the money shouldn’t be the deciding factor.

“We have been completely clear there will be no strings attached,” Belcher said. “The issue is about reality and perception.”

Faculty wasn’t surprised by the outcome of the trustees’ vote given the fast track the free enterprise center has been on since September, but they were disappointed nonetheless.

“It is rare that the faculty senate has such a near unified voice on something,” said Dr. Brian Railsback, WCU English professor and former Honors College Dean. “The faculty, their charge is to protect the curriculum.

There really should have been pause to reflect on what the senate was recommending.”

McCord agreed it is “fairly unique” to have the overwhelming majority of faculty take a stand one way and the administration do the opposite.

“What is that going to mean? Are we going to fall apart in disarray and open warfare?”

McCord said in an address to the board of trustees at their meeting last week. “I predict we will continue to work together collaboratively and collegiately. There is no animosity.”

Likewise, faculty doesn’t plan to roll over.

“I will also have to be honest and say this battle is not over,” McCord told the trustees,

That’s not actually the case, however, according to an analysis of the written faculty responses based on a public record request by The Smoky Mountain News.

The written comments showed 20 were against the center, 14 were for it and three were in the middle.

Dr. Edward Lopez, the Distinguished Professor of Capitalism and the lead proponent of the center, and his colleagues in the College of Business are more likely to support the proposed center than faculty in other areas of the university.

During a written comment period, 11 of the 14 faculty members in support of the free enterprise center were from the College of Business.

Morrison-Shetlar’s characterization of the written faculty comments came with a caveat.

She apparently discounted concerns raised by faculty over the funding issue as the product of faculty confusion over how much, if any, money WCU would have to spend from its own coffers. Comments that focused on the funding source for the center were qualified in Morrison-Shetlar’s mind as not truly being opposed to the center on its merits, but rather on faculty misperceptions over funding.

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WCU leaders, faculty at odds over Koch-funded free enterprise center

that speaks volumes of Belcher, McCord said.

“He makes it safe to take a stand,” McCord said.

But even in a less friendly climate, faculty would have taken the risk anyway, McCord said.

“If you are going to take a stand, this is what you want to do it on,” McCord said. “I was really proud of my colleagues.”

S EE KOCH, PAGE 9 7

Smoky Mountain News

December 9-15, 2015

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WCU, CONTINUED FROM 6 Lopez said he couldn’t postulate on whether faculty who oppose the center are a victim of their own personal political biases.

Do they oppose any field of study supported

by Koch funding simply because they don’t like what the Kochs stand for?

“If that is what is going on, that is wrong on a lot of different levels. A faculty member should not be someone who puts their head in the sand or shuts someone else down because they don’t like what they are saying.

If that’s the case that’s wrong,” Lopez said.

Faculty who support the free enterprise center have found it ironic — even hypocritical — that liberal professors are taking issue with their hallowed halls of academia being polluted by conservative-leaning theories.

In written comments submitted during a faculty feedback period, Dr. Scott Rader with the College of Business said most of his undergraduate college courses “had an alltoo-often, not so thinly veiled advocacy for a particular political persuasion” and a “significant element of ideology, whether tacit or explicit, clandestine or overt.”

Rader said the perspective offered by the free enterprise center will perhaps be a needed counter to the “prevailing milieu of ‘skewed’ political viewpoints in other courses students take.”

Lopez questioned why so much attention has focused on private funding from the Kochs. WCU is among 300 universities nationwide that have received Koch money.

“There is widespread agreement among these universities that the donations, like donations from their other sponsors, do not infringe on curriculum or academic freedom,” Lopez said.

Lopez doesn’t see how that differs from the many sources of private, outside funding given to universities for particular fields.

“The list spans all types of programs funded by wealthy business donors from the entire range of diverse world views,” Lopez said. “The increasing diversity and magnitude of these trends bode well for the future of higher education.”

Lopez’s commitment to the free enterprise doctrine aside, Dr. Leroy Kauffman, an accounting professor, believes Lopez’s assertions about academic freedom are genuine.

“Academic freedoms is something we hold near and deer to our heart, and I think Dr. Lopez is thoroughly committed to that,” Kauffman said.

But Dr. Bruce Henderson, a psychology professor, questioned why WCU wants to pursue a center focusing on just one economic and political system — especially when WCU doesn’t even offer an economics major.

SHUFFLING THE DECK CHAIRS

In exchange for Koch money, WCU would have to put up matching money of its own.

That caused a vile reaction from faculty who questioned why WCU should devote any of its own resources to it.

The proposed budget for the center was tinkered in response, so that WCU’s entire match would come in the form of two tenured 8 professors already in its budget for the busi-

ness school. They would simply be labeled as free enterprise economic professors and qualify as WCU putting in matching funds, although both positions were existing ones and thus not new money WCU has to come up with.

Not all faculty buys the argument.

“We aren’t convinced there is no extra cost burden on the university,” said Dr. David McCord, chair of the faculty senate.

Henderson said allocating two fulltime tenured positions to the free enterprise center — even if they were already in WCU’s budget — is still expending university resources.

“In the 21st century, tenure track positions are the most valuable and scarce resources a university has,” Henderson said.

WCU already has one free enterprise economist on its payroll as a tenured profes-

we would be looking for economists,” Kauffman said. “I don’t see us ending up with three professor lines that are filled with the three people dedicated solely to free enterprise.”

While there is no offer yet from the Koch Foundation to fund the free enterprise center, Lopez anticipates a favorable response when he formally appeals to the foundation for funding in coming weeks.

If outside funding doesn’t come through, the free enterprise center won’t come to pass.

“It will not be established until we have external funding to support it,” said Morrison-Shetlar.

If the center hinges on outside funding — and won’t be created otherwise — then it seems to be driven merely by opportunity, rather than a legitimate need or mission of

Lopez’s base salary is currently $136,000.

As the director of the free enterprise center, Lopez would get an additional $45,000 a year.o The salary increase would be funded solelyr from Koch money, not the university’s pock-h et, per the proposed budget. The salaryt increase reflects Lopez moving from what is technically a nine-month to a 12-month posi-i tion. s The free enterprise center will not beb housed in a physical building, at least not under the current plan. The center wouldw exist solely through its team of staff — at director, three full-time professors, and anw admin assistant. d Here’s a snapshot of the proposed budget: • $128,000 a year in operational costsb funded solely with Koch money, includings guest speakers, policy forums, financial sup-s port for student and faculty research andc travel to conferences.

• $550,000 a year in salaries and staff sup-a port, with $250,000 coming from the univer-t sity in the form of pre-existing professor positions that will count as its “match.” Thei remaining $300,000 in salaries and staffingg from Koch money would pay for Lopez’sl raise, a tenured professor position, adminis-p trative support, student interns and $20,000s in bonuses to spread around to professorsc from various disciplines who contribute to the free enterprise center activities. s c

TRUSTEES WEIGH INs

Dr. David McCord, chair of the WCU faculty senate, is serving as the de facto spokesperson for faculty who oppose the creation of a free enterprise center. Faculty concerns include outside influence of donors on curriculum and intellectual freedom, funding commitments WCU would be on the hook for and damage to the university's reputation. sor, and that’s Lopez. The center proposed by Lopez calls for three more tenure-track professor positions under the free enterprise center structure.

Two of those would be paid for by WCU. While those positions exist in the College of Business budget already, any spending on professors in one discipline detracts from spending in another.

“If were starting a department of any kind, I certainly would not hire three faculty members from the same perspective. Why would we want to hire three ‘free market’ economists rather than an internationalist, a behavioral economist and a Keynesian or a demographer?” Henderson said. “If we want to give our students a broad, flexible education that will serve them a lifetime, indoctrination in one perspective is not what they need.”

Dr. Kauffman, the accounting professor, said it is presumptive to assume all three economic professors hired under the banner of the free enterprise center would be advocates of the free enterprise doctrine.

“I don’t know what kinds of requirements there would be that they have to by sympathetic to the free enterprise perspective. Or if

the university, said Dr. Brian Railsback, an English professor and former dean.

“Is this a curricular or enrollment driven decision?” Railsback questioned. “If not, if it is just an opportunity because Charles Koch has offered some money, then there is no denying it is a political entity.”

Even in the absence of a quid pro quo arrangement pinned down in writing between WCU and the Koch Foundation, faculty members fear there are unspoken expectations that the free enterprise center would contribute to a particular school of thought.

“I think there are very clear strings attached,” said Dr. Laura Wright, head of the WCU English Department. “The research that comes out of these centers is then cited by politicians who use this scholarship to argue a special agenda that is the Koch’s agenda.”

Lopez disagreed. He said there would be “no strings attached other than following through with the mission and deliverables of the Center,” which in his view is the pursuit of scholarly inquiry and research in the field of economics.

Lopez would get a raise of $45,000 if the free enterprise center comes to fruition, according to the proposed budget.

Even if the center didn’t cost WCU a dime,o faculty members who have been critical of thep free enterprise center questioned the merit ofm university-backed research being carried outd under the guise of promoting one economicv agenda or model above others.

However, the unanimous vote by thet WCU board of trustees last week endorsingt the free enterprise center clearly shows thate university leaders don’t agree.

“The donors are not trying to controlw what we teach, how we teach, the style we teach. They are trying to build a focus on creating entrepreneurship,” said Phil Drake, as WCU trustee and conservative Franklin businessman who built a vertically-integrated,m multi-faceted business around his taxa accounting software firm. “Their conservative beliefs should not impact whether wef M take that contribution.”

Drake said he would gladly take a contribution from any liberal foundation. To thep contrary, turning down money because of the political leanings of a donor is tantamount to academic censorship by refusing to study a topic. n Belcher said the concerns about WCUf being beholden to donors for accepting their money is an issue of “realty versus perception.”t “We try to foster diverse perspective andg viewpoints.”

Those debates define a university,”b Belcher said, pointing out that free enter-K prise is an economic model within thei mainstream.

WCU Board of Trustees Chair Wardellu Townsend agreed free enterprise doesn’t have“ political underpinnings in his opinion. t “It is a way of looking at our a economic system,” Townsend said.

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KOCH, CONTINUED FROM 7

Dr. David McCord, chair of the faculty senate, and Dr. Ed Lopez, founder of the free enterprise center at WCU, spar collegiately in the hall outside the WCU trustees meeting last week.

Some faculty believe the creation of a free enterprise center was a forgone conclusion from the start. An email indicates administration was on board from the very outset of the planning phase.

“The Chancellor would like for the proposal to be to the Board of Trustees by the last meeting of this semester. That means we will have to get this turned around and back to the Provost Council in a timely manner,” Dean Darrell Parker wrote in an email to Dr. Brian Kloeppel, the dean named to handle the faculty input process.

The email dates to late September — and predates several steps outlined in university policy governing the creation of a new center or institute. Administration was already angling to have the center on the desk of trustees within a couple months, despite two rounds of faculty input still needed and a twophased approval by the provost council.

Also, a job posting for a WCU economics professor opening appeared in early October — two months before the free enterprise center would come before the board of trustees for a vote.

The job description posted in early October said the position would “participate in a new interdisciplinary center for free enterprise research.”

Lopez, who wrote the job description, felt it was prudent to reference the free enterprise center since he anticipated the center coming to fruition and the position — the GimelstobLandry Distinguished Professor of Regional Economic Development — would be under

the center as part of the university’s matching fund obligation.

It wasn’t the first time WCU posted a job opening for the new distinguished professor of economic development. Lopez previously announced the position last year, but said no good matches were found for the position.

The job description Lopez posted for the same professorship last year didn’t make reference to free enterprise, but instead called more broadly for a “prominent scholar of economic development” who would aid in regional economic development outreach.

The new job description Lopez wrote this year called for “thought leadership on public policies related to economic development” and stipulated that the professor would “participate in a new interdisciplinary center for free enterprise research.”

Referencing the free enterprise center in a job description could lead to self-selection of applications, appealing to those from the free enterprise school of thought.

One concern cited by opponents of the free enterprise center is whether its funders would influence the professors brought on board.

Lopez was adamant that would not be the case.

“As far as I’m involved, there is no chance that any donor will appoint any university personnel, full stop,” Lopez said.

forum for exploring diverse schools of thought — and thus should not censor the study of free enterprise because of opposition to the “political and/or ideological leanings” of the Koch Foundation.

WCU’s creation of a Center for the Study of Free Enterprise — which has conservative ties — comes amid statewide debate in the university system over liberal ties of private funders for other academic centers of study.

The UNC Board of Governors shut down the privately funded Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at UNC-Chapel Hill, led by a professor who has been critical of Republican lawmakers.

The Board of Governors also shut down

the Institute for Civic Engagement and Social Change at North Carolina Central University and the Center for Biodiversity at East Carolina University — which were criticized for promoting liberal agendas.

Dr. Bill Yang questioned why WCU would commit resources to Tom Fetzer opening a new center on the heels of centers on university campuses elsewhere in the state being closed down.

“From my personal point of view, the real-

location of the significant university funds to establish the center may not be prudent given the recent UNC system-wide review of university centers,” Yang said.

Tom Fetzer, a Raleigh conservative appointed to the WCU board of trustees by Gov. Pat McCrory, said free enterprise is a concept students should be confronted with.

“This is not indoctrination, but this is about exposing students to a set of values which they may or may not choose to embrace,” said Fetzer, who is past chair of the N.C. Republican Party and former staffer at the conservative John Locke Foundation think tank. “This is exposing them to a critical set of ideals.”

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A FAIT ACCOMPLI?

December 9-15, 2015 Smoky Mountain News

WCU trustee Bryant Kinney said he doesn’t understand the opposition to the study of free enterprise.

“Free enterprise is how we do business in this country. It is what makes our country great,” said Kinney.

Ed Broadwell, chairman of the WCU board of trustees, weighed in on whether Koch money is tainted in a written statement issued after the trustees’ vote last week.

Broadwell said the board was aware of faculty fears the money would bring with it “inappropriate influence over academic matters,” but assured that “academic freedom is and will remain paramount.”

Broadwell said the university should be a

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on Oct. 1 also reflect that the preliminary round of faculty feedback had to be gathered hastily to comply with an 11th-hour revelation of the policy requirement.

Dr. Leroy Kauffman, professor of accounting in the College of Business, said Lopez should have told his fellow colleagues in the business school earlier.

“I told Ed it would have been really nice if we in the college had a chance to be more up to speed with what was happening as you were developing this, instead of it being dropped in our lap,” Kauffman said.

He said those in the College of Business barely had a heads up before the proposal showed up in faculty senate, making business school professors ill-prepared to address the campus buzz that exploded.

“It was kind of ‘oh here is something we are doing and we are moving ahead toward the faculty senate,’” Kauffman said.

As for the rest of faculty, they were informed of the proposal on Oct. 14 and given only two weeks to comment — a timeline once again predicated by an impending provost council meeting where the center was slated for a vote that would ship it up to the chancellor’s office.

Giving the faculty only two weeks to study, contemplate and debate the proposed center is concerning to Railsback.

“When you have a body like the faculty senate, the greatest way to empower that organization and make them feel like they are part of the process is to show them their voice makes a difference, and the biggest way to disempower them is to show them that their voice doesn’t,” Railsback said.

Before the WCU board voted on the center last week, Morrison-Shetlar told trustees that there had been “extra levels of stakeholder” participation across campus.

She also told trustees “extra measures” were taken to solicit faculty input.

That’s laughable to some faculty.

“It was a very high-speed process,” McCord said. “It seemed rushed and truncated.”

University policy lays out a series of formal steps for proposing, vetting and creating a new center or institute.

“The writers of that policy envisioned a fairly comprehensive planning process,” McCord said.

Morrison-Shetlar said in an interview the policy was “followed to the letter.”

However, a few steps laid out in the policy were either skipped or altered to suit an accelerated timetable, according to a review of communication between key players during the process.

Wardell Townsend, chair of the WCU board of trustees, said university policy related to the center’s creation was followed, based on what he was told by the provost.

“I did inquire about that and I was assured that all tenants of policy 105 were followed,” Townsend said, referencing the university policy number for the creation of centers and institutes.

While an argument could be made that university policy wasn’t followed, procedural logistics aside, it often seemed like the cart was trailing the horse, McCord said.

Lopez countered that university policy was followed in his opinion.

“I am not aware of criticisms the policy wasn’t followed,” Lopez said. “This decision is the end of a process that from the very beginning was transparent and inclusive.”

As a side note, the provost council comprised primarily of WCU deans did not unanimously endorse the creation of the free enterprise center. Minutes of the provost council meeting in late October made no mention of the split vote, however.

A public records request for the breakdown of votes on the provost council revealed that eight of the 12 provost council members voted in favor, two abstained, and two voted against it. However, the university did not respond to a request for which two individuals on the provost council voted ‘no.’

Morrison-Shetlar declined to mention the specifics of the vote totals among her provost council when she presented the free enterprise center proposal to the board of trustees for a vote last week. Nor did she mention the enormous controversy swirling among faculty to the trustees.

Townsend said they were all aware of the faculty controversy, however.

“We were aware of it,” Townsend said after the meeting. “We believe the provost also took it into account.”

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Town deems temporary Fry Street closure a failure

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the temporary closure to see how the businesses along Fry Street would fare if vehicles couldn’t park in front of the shops. It’s a decision he now regrets.

“At this point if someone recommended the temporary closure, I would not vote for it because of the way it’s been handled,” Bryson said during a board meeting Monday night.

“It’s starving at least three of the five businesses on that street.”

The closure of Fry Street was supposed to make the area surrounding the train depot more pedestrian friendly, but Bryson said the signage and fencing put up by the railroad makes the street look barricaded off to the public. He said he spoke to four of the five businesses on the street and three of them said the closure had negatively impacted their businesses.

GSMR owns Fry Street and all the buildings on the street, which puts the merchants in an uncomfortable position. They don’t want to anger their landlord by complaining, but if something doesn’t change, Christie said, she wouldn’t be able to keep her business open through the winter.

Christie said she was in favor of permanently closing off Fry Street if the railroad could guarantee it plans to do what it says it wants to do — construct a pedestrian-friendly plaza with new infrastructure. However, the

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Fry Street is temporarily closed during the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad’s Polar Express run through January. Jessi Stone photo railroad hasn’t made any commitments in writing to satisfy residents and businesses that are skeptical of the project coming to fruition.

The town has held two public hearings to receive input on whether to relinquish the right-of-way. Many who spoke in favor of the street closure focused on safety. With so many train passengers coming and going from the depot, proponents argued that closing Fry Street to vehicular traffic would make the area more pedestrian-friendly.

Sarah Pressley, marketing manager for the GSMR, said the temporary closure has been successful on the railroad’s end.

“Over 40,000 visitors of the Polar Express, in addition to the general visitors of Bryson

City, have been able to navigate that area safely and worry free without the threat of motorized traffic,” she said. “Furthermore we are relieved that the anticipated 40,000-plus passengers expected before the end of the Polar Express event will have the same experience when visiting Bryson City.”

But the thousands of children riding the train and filtering out onto Fry Street don’t benefit Christie’s business, which offers more adult merchandise like wine, fine foods and handcrafted items. To make matters worse, Christie said, the railroad placed a large circuslike tent in front of her business once the street was closed where children could sit and write letters to Santa. The tent

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BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR hile November is usually still a busy time for downtown Bryson City merchants, Paige Christie said her sales are down a third over last year.

Christie’s business, The Cottage Craftsman, is one of five businesses located on Fry Street, which has been temporarily shut off to vehicular traffic since the beginning of November at the request of the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.

“My business has gone in the toilet,” Christie said. “This experiment is verging on putting me out of business.”

The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad and the Swain County Tourism Development Authority asked the town more than a year ago to consider the permanent closure of the street adjacent to the train depot so that the railroad and TDA could begin applying for grants to construct a pedestrian plaza in that area.

The Bryson City Board of Aldermen is still debating whether the town should relinquish its right-of-way on Fry Street to allow the street to be closed. As a test run, the town agreed to shut down the street from November through the first week in January during the train’s Polar Express excursions.

Alderman Rick Bryson voted in favor of

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evenings the train is running instead of all day, every day.

At a previous board meeting, Bryson mentioned that the town might be able to close the street without giving up the right of way. That would allow the town to still be in control of the street while also improving safety.

Pressley said that wouldn’t work. If the town does relinquish the right-of-way and the street closure is granted, she said, GSMR would be eligible for multiple channels of grant funding through PARTF (North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund) for such projects.

“If the area is closed but the town does not relinquish the rights to use it, we believe the eligibility of said funds would cease and any enhancement projects would have to be fully funded by local government entities and beyond,” Pressley said. “The original proposal of this relinquishment and closure includes a 30-year lease of the area to the Swain County TDA, further demonstrating GSMR’s desire to continue to work with the town and county to enhance our community.”

Town board members seemed just as frustrated about the situation. Alderman Jim Gribble suggested forming a joint committee between the town and the railroad to hash out some of these issues. Bryson City Town Manager Josh Ward said he would contact the railroad and come up with a day and time everyone can meet.

“I think the railroad is a bad neighbor and I’ll continue to believe that until they change their ways,” Gribble said.

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blocked visibility to her store for several weeks.

Pressley said the railroad staff did receive feedback from one of its merchant tenants — The Cottage Craftsman — who expressed concern and action was taken to improve the situation.

“Based upon the concerns that were brought to our attention we immediately modified our event set-up and fulfilled all the requests that were proposed,” she said.

“GSMR has also provided clear and consistent signage to indicate the businesses on Fry Street are open. We provided signage to note the appropriate parking designated for not only employees of the businesses but for the patrons as well.”

Christie appreciated GSMR relocating the tent away from her business, but it took more than two weeks for someone to respond to her complaints. When her phone calls and emails to her landlord went unanswered, she sent the email again and copied it to the town board of aldermen, GSMR General Manager Kim Albritton and the railroad’s corporate office in Durango, Colorado.

“That’s when the tent was moved — well after the damage was done,” she said.

Christie said she hopes the railroad and the town will look at other options for improving safety on Fry Street before deciding whether to shut it down for good. She said newly painted lines on the street and the parking spaces and more lighting would be a great improvement. Another suggestion is to close the street only from 3 to 10 p.m. on the

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STORE CLOSING

December 9-15, 2015

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR ollowing an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, the United Steelworkers Local 9-507 in Canton has to redo its election of officers before March 31, 2016.

Evergreen Packaging employee and local union member Troy Dills filed an official complaint to the Steelworkers District Office in April regarding how the officer election was handled last year, which then prompted the U.S. Department of Labor investigation.

“I wanted to make sure we had a fair and democratic election — that was my whole motivation behind protesting the election,” he said.

Dills said he ran for union president during the last election but his name was removed from the ballot after the union officers at the time adopted and implemented new election rules. One of the new stipulations was that union members had to attend a certain percentage of union meetings to be eligible to run for office.

Dills said he didn’t meet the new requirement but neither did many other members, because the union meetings aren’t well attended.

Susan Sims, the Department of Labor investigator on the case, said she couldn’t comment on the investigation or the results.

The Department of Labor would only release

the following statement.

“United Steelworkers Local 9-507 in Canton, North Carolina, recently agreed to conduct new nominations and a new election for 18 officer positions under the supervision of the Office of Labor-Management Standards. Following an investigation of a contested April 2015 election, OLMS concluded that the union applied an unreasonable candidate qualification when it retroactively imposed a meeting attendance requirement to candidates denying otherwise eligible candidates from running for office.”

Mike Treadway, who was elected as union president during the last election, also refused to comment on the investigation or plans of the new election.

Even though Dills’ election protest over the attendance rule prompted the investigation, he is still unaware of the particular findings.

While he doesn’t want to make accusations, he feels like there was something suspicious about the timing of the new candidate requirements.

“The fact this was brought up right around election time — the requirement seems a little odd,” he said. “This year’s been a real struggle and it’s disappointing to see this much time go by and have to have it resolved by the Department of Labor.”

But now that it’s worked out, Dills said he does plan to run for president again in the do-over election coming up.

While Treadway gave no details about the election, a voluntary compliance letter sent to Treadway from the Department of Labor District Director Craig Neel states that the election must be held before March 31 under the supervision of the secretary of labor.

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Local steelworkers have to redo election

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Bringing back the bustle

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER sk any Sylva long-timer, and they’ll tell you that Main Street today looks a lot different than it did ten, five or even just a couple years ago. There’s an energy, a bustle, and a new cohort of businesses moving in to drive the feeling.

“All the local business owners have been so receptive to us, and so sweet,” she said.

“It’s been really refreshing.”

The friendliness of the community was a draw, but it wasn’t the whole reason Hunt and Laura left Asheville to put down roots in Sylva. The two have friends in town and had been scouting Sylva for more than a year before finally snagging the downstairs space that now houses The Cut. “Asheville is very, very, very overpopulated, and as small business owners, things are cheaper here,” Hunt said.

If the first three months are any indication, The Cut may have found its niche. Since opening in August, the lounge has recruited 600 members — in order to hang out there, a customer has to purchase a $1 membership or be one of the two guests each member is allowed to bring along — a number that Laura finds encouraging, especially in such a small town.

“That for me is one of the really positive things, where we reached that many people and there’s not that many people around here,” she said.

ROSEBROOK FLORAL DESIGNS

SYLVA CONVENIENT MARKET

“I’ve always loved Sylva,” said Franklin resident Brenda Brooks from her new florist shop on the corner of Main and Walnut. “I love the feel of Sylva, the vibe of Sylva. It’s got all you young people.”

Brooks, who opened her first florist shop as an 18-year-old in Florida, took a hiatus from the business to raise her two sons, now in their 20s.

When her nest became empty again, she knew what she wanted to do, and she knew where she wanted to do it. She opened Rosebrook Floral Designs on Halloween this year, in the same space where Jay Ball’s Jewelry Enterprise had operated for nearly 30 years before closing a few months earlier.

“This is a miracle, a blessing to have found this unit,” she said.

People drop in all the time, Brooks said — in fact, a young couple inquiring about wedding flowers opened the door in the midst of her interview with The Smoky Mountain News — so word of mouth seems to be going pretty great. The streets are still busy after the sun goes down, she gushed, guitar players strum on benches along the street and the business community has been more than friendly.

John Bubacz is hoping for a similar type of community buy-in with his new store, Sylva Convenient Market and General Store.

Bubacz, who already owns Signature Brew Coffee Roasting Company, also on Main Street, said he saw a need for a convenience store on Main Street and promptly filled it.

There hadn’t been one since Cope’s closed.

But the new store isn’t just a straight-up convenience store. It’s got a strong focus on local goods, selling such unconventional products as fresh rabbit meat and kale in addition to crafts from area artisans, bakery items, comic books and magazines.

“We want to establish a supply line for local everything, because we feel that’s an important focus,” said Deborah Denmark, store manager.

The challenge will be developing that identity, getting the word out on what the store’s about and what people can expect to find there. That’s what Denmark’s been working on since the store opened Oct. 7.

“I think some people are a little confused about what we are,” Denmark said. “People are used to stores being this or that. I don’t think they’re used to such an odd combination.”

Bubacz is confident that the store will see success. Sylva’s got a pretty well-traveled Main Street, and the population is behind the buy-local mindset.

“I have seen the businesses here who embrace the idea of buy local, because that’s what locals want to support,” he said. “We have a very supportive larger community.”

New businesses move into downtown Sylva

December 9-15, 2015

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Smoky Mountain News

THE CUT COCKTAIL LOUNGE Jody Hunt and his business partner Jacqueline Laura definitely noticed that friendly atmosphere when they left Asheville to open The Cut Cocktail Lounge in Sylva. A craft cocktail lounge that’s open 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily, the place aims to offer locals a nonsports-centered hangout that promises never to close early, drinks presenting a high level of craft, what Hunt describes as “fancy homecooked bar snacks” with weekend brunch, and a venue to celebrate arts that aren’t necessarily music-related. Just recently, Laura said, The Cut hosted a puppet show — lots of fun, but not your typical kind of arts showcase.

It’s a different kind of business than what Sylva’s seen so far, but the business communi12 ty’s reaction has been quite positive, Laura said.

BAXLEY’S CHOCOLATES Over at Baxley’s Chocolates, the support is pretty easy to feel. Customers come in and out of the little retail space quite regularly, and outside on Main Street empty storefronts are quickly filled with business owners eager to get in the downtown scene, said owner Steve Baxley.

“You go into a lot of other towns and see a lot of empty storefronts,” he said. “(Here) if a space opens up, it doesn’t stay open very

long, so that’s a good sign there’s good things happening.”

For Baxley, the chocolate shop is something he’s been wanting to see happen for some time. Years, in fact.

“It started almost 35 years ago with my dad and I,” he said. “We would get together, particularly at Christmas and other holidays and experiment with making chocolates.”

They talked off and on through the years of opening a shop, but Baxley had a career — he spent 32 years working for Western Carolina University, first in Residential Living and then in Advising. Chocolate-making was a thing the family would do at Christmas, something they’d give as gifts to friends and family.

On Oct. 3 Baxley finally realized his dream of opening a chocolate shop, undertaking the endeavor with his wife Beth and daughter Lauren.

“The people that are coming seem to have a more progressive attitude,” he said. “I know that’s a broad-brush statement, but they’re more concerned about small business and survival of small businesses and making sure they’re an integral part of the community as a whole.”

That might be linked in some way to the growth of Western Carolina University, Smith postulated, the idea being that more students coming through downtown Sylva create demand for more businesses to meet that demographic.

Sylva Town Manager Paige Dowling, who also directs the Main Street Association, has a slightly different take. The seven storefront vacancies in downtown Sylva existing now represent a figure that’s remained fairly even over the past several years. Sylva wasn’t hit as hard by the recession as some other down-

Downtown Sylva has welcomed several new businesses lately, including Baxley’s Chocolates (left, with owners Steve Baxley and his daughter Lauren pictured; co-owner Beth Baxley is not pictured) and The Cut Cocktail Lounge (right, with co-owner Jacqueline Laura pictured; coowner Jody Hunt is not pictured). Holly Kays photos

Changes are happening in downtown Dillsboro, too. Check out next week’s issue of The Smoky Mountain News to read more.

Opening in Sylva was an easy decision.

“We looked at the mix of shops and thought Sylva should have a chocolate shop,” he said.

Though the shop does call-in orders, the Main Street location is all about inviting faceto-face communication with customers, something that had been a priority for the Baxley family. Evidently, it’s a priority for the neighbors as well.

“The community feel,” Steve Baxley answered when asked what he liked about the location. “We were really welcomed when we opened. Other business owners reached out to us and offered us advice and wisdom.”

TRENDS OF CHANGE That’s not a surprise to Dana Smith, former owner of Jack the Dipper and current president of the Sylva Main Street Association.

“Most of the time, the feel of the community is what really draws people this way,” he said. That, and of course the lower cost of doing business as compared to other nearby towns, like Waynesville or even Asheville.

But in Smith’s estimation, the last several years in particular have brought in a definitive wave of new small businesses to downtown.

towns were, and the years since have seen a steady ebb and flow of new businesses moving in as others move out.

What she has noticed, though, is that “More restaurants and breweries are open at night than three years ago. That part has definitely improved.”

The later hours mean more incentive for people to stay downtown as night falls, and they’ve been doing just that. Dowling also postulates that the fire that destroyed a Main Street building last year, though initially catastrophic, may have done some long-term good for downtown.

“I think that that incident reminded people of the importance of shopping locally and supporting your downtown,” she said.

Whatever the reason, it’s easy to find people willing to say that good things are happening in downtown Sylva.

“I think it’s exciting and attracting a young crowd, drawing people to the area,” said Betsy Keller, a Sylva resident who’d stopped by the Sylva Convenient Mart.

“It went through a stale period, and it’s starting to wake up again,” agreed Denmark.

“The business climate’s improving downtown,” Dowling said, attracting newcomers but still feeding the mainstays of downtown.

“We have a great downtown with businesses that have been there a long time,” Dowling said. “City Lights Bookstore and Motion Makers (Bicycle Shop) both had their 30th anniversary, and for a town our size I think that’s very incredible.”

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Finding a new fairway for disc golf course

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER lans are underway to relocate Waynesville’s disc golf course from the sprawling recreation park along Richland Creek to a more secluded forest setting, eliminating the risk of a wayward disc hitting a hapless jogger.

For disc golf players on Waynesville’s 18hole course, dodging other park users has become almost as challenging as hitting their targets.

“You don’t want to throw that disc knowing that if it is an errant throw it could hit somebody upside the head,” said Tim Petrea, an avid disc golf player and program supervisor for the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department.

The chainlink baskets of Waynesville’s disc golf course dot the greenway and walking paths where kids ride scooters, moms push strollers and fishermen mosey along the bank. The course loops around the skateboard park bustling with teens, passes the dog park teaming with people and their canine companions and bumps up against the tennis courts.

It’s difficult to overlay a disc golf course amongst all the other park uses, especially as the park’s recreation appeal grows in popularity.

“The good and bad of it is that our town has grown. When we play the course, we are

December 9-15, 2015

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“What we are trying to do is create a true disc golf course. If you wanted to go play, you knew you could go play.”

— Rhett Langston, Waynesville’s recreation director

always having to wait on the increased park use we have here in Waynesville,” Petrea said.

The town has done what it can to urge caution among the overlapping park users.

“We have flooded the park with signage letting walkers know to please be on the look out for discs, and at each tee-box we have signs telling disc golfers in essence you are responsible for your throw,” said Rhett Langston, Waynesville’s recreation director.

“But there have been a few times when someone made an error in throwing or the wind caught it and someone got hit in the head.”

Wide open spaces and long throws are part of the beauty of Waynesville’s disc golf course, but launching a disc over a field of youth soccer players when there’s a game going on can be problematic.

“There aren’t too many players than can do that unless you have a rocket arm that is going to clear the entire soccer field,” Langston said.

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As a result, holes that require long drives over the soccer fields are closed when games are going on, and that can be frustrating to disc golf players who show up to play, sometimes coming from far away to try their hand at Waynesville’s course.

“If there are soccer games going on, that takes out three holes right there, possibly four,” Langston said.

Relocating the disc golf course would fix that.

“What we are trying to do is create a true disc golf course. If you wanted to go play, you knew you could go play,” Langston said. “It would allow people to play without the distraction of other users within the park.”

Disc golf players readily travel long distances to play courses, and Waynesville’s is no exception.

“People travel to come play this course because there are a couple holes that are considered signature holes,” Petrea said. “It can eat your lunch and at the same time if you do it right, makes you feel pretty good.”

Petrea believes a new disc golf course could be even more of an attraction and amenity, however.

The town has identified a wooded tract of land in Hazelwood adjacent to the Dutch Fisher Park. The land is privately owned, but the town has negotiated an agreement with the owners to allow for passive recreational use on the tract. At first, the town had trails and a greenway in mind. Now, disc golf has joined the list pending the owner’s approval.

Waynesville happens to have an inhouse disc golf designer with Petrea. A member of the Professional Disc Golf Association, he not only plays on the disc golf tournament circuit — exposing him to dozens of courses around the South — he’s designed and installed two courses before.

“I can look at a plot of land and say ‘Man that would be a great place for a disc golf course.’ I let the land tell me how to design that course,” Petrea said.

The new course would be set in the woods rather than the grassy park setting of the current course, but wooded courses are popular due to the added challenge of dodging trees, as well as the innate qualities of spending a couple hours in a forested setting.

Richmond Hill Disc Golf Course in Asheville. Donated photo When designing the course, Petrea wants to have two tee-off pads for each hole — one that’s further away from the basket for more advanced pro players and one that’s closer for beginners and kids.

The long throws customary for an advanced disc golf course can be a barrier for beginners, something Petrea witnesses when showing seniors how to play for the first time.

“They say ‘Tim, we can’t throw from way back here.’ So I say ‘Just throw from up here’ and it makes the course a little more approachable,” Petrea said.

There’s a downside to moving the disc golf course away from the center of it all. It’s in the limelight now, and its visibility helps introduce new people to the sport.

But a dedicated disc golf course could become a destination of its own. The 16acre wooded tract the town is eyeing for a new course stretches along Richland Creek for a quarter of a mile in the heart of Hazelwood. Yet it’s rarely noticed. Not far from Waynesville Middle School, it sits a block off Brown Avenue and abuts Dutch Fisher Park.

The disc golf course could inject new life into the under-utilized Dutch Fisher Park, which is little known outside the baseball teams that use its field. The trails through the wooded tract for the course would be a nice amenity even for non-disc golf players, pending a recreation agreement being finalized between the town and the property owners.

“We have a natural urban park and have not advertised that widely at this point, but in coming months we would like to maintain those trails in a better fashion,” Town Manager Marcy Onieal shared with town board members at a recent meeting.

Changes to firearm laws

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A new law that went into effect Dec. 1 makes a number of changes to North Carolina’s firearms laws, including changes in the way sheriffs evaluate and process pistol purchase permits.

The new requirements will result in some additional steps that applicants must comply with for pistol purchase permits, including a new uniform pistol purchase application. To determine an applicant’s good moral character, a sheriff is only able to consider an applicant’s conduct and criminal history for the five-year period immediately preceding the date of the application.

If a pistol purchase permit is denied and the applicant wants to appeal that decision, the denied applicant has to take his/her appeal to the superior court, as opposed to district court as was previously required.

The new law requires all applicants for a pistol purchase permit to submit an application, $5 per permit request, a government-issued ID, proof of residency, and a signed release that authorizes and requires any entity that has court orders concerning the mental health or capacity of the applicant to be disclosed to the sheriff.

For more information, call 828.452.6768.

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Merritt to share Apollo 13 experience Merlin Merritt, a lead engineer with NASA's Apollo program, will be sharing his experience with the Apollo 13 return at 6 p.m. Dec. 9 at First Baptist Church’s Mission and Fellowship Center in Sylva.

Merritt will share how there were several miracles involved to orchestrate the crew's safe return to earth and how his faith was challenged during his time working with NASA. 828.586.2095 or fbcsylva@gmail.com.

December 9-15, 2015

WCU’s fall commencement set for Dec. 12

With 3D Touch, Live Photos, 7000 series aluminum, A9 chip, advanced cameras, 4.7-inch Retina HD display, and so much more, you’ll see how with iPhone 6s the only thing that’s changed is everything.

Funding applications being accepted Haywood County Tourism Development Authority is now accepting funding applications for the Waynesville zip codes.

This funding is for tourism projects that take place before June 30, 2016. The applications can be found at www.haywoodcountytourismdevelopment.com /partnership-funding.

The deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, to submit applications to the Haywood County TDA office at 44 N. Main Street, Waynesville.

828.452.0152.

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Smoky Mountain News

Western Carolina University has scheduled commencement exercises on Saturday, Dec. 12, to recognize its fall graduating class and a group of new WCU alumni who were awarded degrees after this year’s summer school sessions.

The 1 p.m. ceremony at the Ramsey Regional Activity Center is open to everyone and no tickets are required for admission. Chancellor David O. Belcher will preside over commencement and deliver his charge to the fall semester degree candidates and summer graduates.

WCU’s fall class includes about 800 students who currently are working on final academic requirements to receive their degrees.

828.227.7216 or email registrarsoffice@wcu.edu.

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Ghost Town rolls out new plan for 2016 season

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR laska Presley has had plenty of good intentions and ideas for Ghost Town in the Sky since she bought the rundown amusement park out of foreclosure in 2012.

While she has been successful at getting the park back open, many of her big plans to resurrect the western theme park haven’t panned out due to one unexpected expense after another.

“It was in horrible shape when she bought it — a lot of work had to be done,” said Chris Chagnon, manager of Ghost Town. “The public hasn’t seen all the work that went into it and it’s been discouraging for Alaska to write check after check for repairs only for something else to go wrong.

It can really bring you down.”

Presley admits she’s made some promises for the Maggie Valley attraction that she hasn’t been able to keep, but she says the latest plan to rebrand the mountain is different — this time she has more help.

“It’s no longer one lady running a 260acre park — it’s dozens of people involved in their own little part of the business,” Chagnon said.

Chagnon, a local Realtor and business owner in Maggie Valley, has been working with Presley to rebrand and redevelop Ghost Town in the Sky into Ghost Town Village for the 2016 season. He says the old western town

A

will be an Appalachian village when it opens June 1. After reviewing the finances, Presley said she knew something had to change in order to keep Ghost Town alive.

“After reviewing our options we decided to rebrand the park while also keeping the nostalgia of Ghost Town,” Chagnon said.

Ghost Town brought hundreds of thousands of people to Maggie Valley from the time it opened in the late 60s. But the park had fallen in such disrepair by the time Presley bought it that restoring the rides was out of the question.

Many people who had fond memories of Ghost Town have been disappointed to return in the last couple of years only to realize the park is a shell of what it used to be.

While it’s impossible for Ghost Town to compete with places like Dollywood and Carowinds, Presley hopes to offer people a new kind of experience on Buck Mountain.

NEW ATTRACTIONS The A-frame gift shop on Soco Road will become more of an old-time country store with souvenirs, homemade jams and jellies and more. While chairlift tickets cost $25 the last several years, patrons will pay only $10 to take the 20-minute chairlift ride or the 15-minute bus ride up the mountain to the second level.

Chagnon said level two — where the children’s rides and the dilapidated rollercoaster

The dilapidated roller coaster at Ghost Town will be converted into an extreme sports obstacle course. File photo are located — will now be known as Moonshine Holler. With a brand new arcade, children’s rides and a few adult carnival rides like a tilt-a-whirl and a Ferris wheel, Chagnon said the area would be just like an old timey county fair. He said a third party company out of Ohio would be leasing and operating Moonshine Holler.

The big question was what to do with the rollercoaster, but then a company out of South Carolina had a solution.

“They are going to be rebuilding the rollercoaster into a Mountain Airwalk,” Chagnon said.

The idea is to use the existing structure by turning it into an

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Ghost Town Village

• Dining, shopping, entertainment • Anticipated opening day: June 1, 2016 • 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, through Oct. 31 • Ticket price: $9.95 per person f • Visit www.ghosttownvillage.com

CROSS STILL COMING Since she purchased the park, Presley has had plans to convert level four into a “holy land” with a large lighted cross positioned on the highest point of the mountain. While that is still part of the plan, the cross will be scaled back to a 125-foot structure instead of the 225-foot one she originally wanted. The new height will conform to Maggie Valley’s rule that no structure can exceed 125 feet.

The town initially turned to the state to determine if Presley could construct the cross on the mountain. Even though the state ridge law is in place to limit the height of manmade structures on the mountaintops, there is no agency responsible for interpreting the law or enforcing it.

Chagnon said the plan was to submit the final cross plans to the town planning staff, who will then ask the state for a ruling on the ridge law. The state will then say it isn’t in their jurisdiction and it will be referred back to the town. With no one willing to rule on the acceptable height, Chagnon said Presley shouldn’t have a problem getting a permit to build a 125-foot cross.

“Alaska wants a cross set up like a piece of art for everyone to enjoy,” he said. “The buildings up there will be more faith-based businesses and a place people can hold services or music series. It’s not going to be ready for 2016 though.”

Chagnon and Presley feel like they have listened to feedback from visitors and have addressed their concerns by offering a different experience for tourists and locals. Their hope is that Ghost Town Village will no longer be a place they visit once a year, but a shopping and entertainment destination they can return to over and over again throughout the season.

To her critics who have been disappointed in Ghost Town, Presley says, “Come and see what we’re doing for yourself — come be your own judge.”

December 9-15, 2015 Smoky Mountain News

Moving on to the third level, the old Western Town replica is being converted into an Appalachian Village. An Appalachian Village isn’t a far cry from a western town — the Stagecoach Restaurant will become the Copper Still Grill, the Red Dog Saloon will become the Moonshine Playhouse and the Silver Dollar Saloon will become the Village Theater.

All the restaurant and shop space will be leased out to vendors who will pay a small deposit on the space up front and pay a small percentage of their earnings to Ghost Town.

“That’s the beautiful thing about letting vendors do their own thing — it gives them more vested interested,” Presley said.

Joe Ford, who has played piano in the Ghost Town saloons for many years, will act as the entertainment director for the Appalachian Village. Each saloon will offer different live entertainment, whether it’s a bluegrass band or a clogging group.

Based on customer feedback, Chagnon said the gunfights and can-can dancer performances would continue. While the can-can girls will be part of the entertainment lineup,

the gunfights will be changed somewhat to fit in with the Appalachian Village theme. Guests will pay a few extra dollars to see the shows they want at the different venues.

The Appalachian Village also features the Ghost Town museum, where visitors can get a guided tour and learn about the evolution of the amusement park through the years.

Chagnon said a local company was contracted to bring in 20 horses and offer horseback rides for $15 a person.

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extreme sport obstacle course. Thrill seekers will be harnessed in before climbing their way to the top of the structure. Once they make it to the top of the second rollercoaster loop, they will either have to crawl all the way back down or do a gravity jump off of the structure. With the help of a magnetic vest and brand new technology, Chagnon said, it will be like bungee jumping without a chord.

“No one will be able to replicate this,” Chagnon said.

He said it’s such a new and exciting concept that the company offered to install the Airwalk for free if it could operate it and get a percentage of proceeds. He turned down their offer and Presley will pay for the project herself. He wouldn’t give an exact cost but said it was between a $100,000 to $400,000 investment. He said the Airwalk should be completed in March before the park’s rides are scheduled for state inspection.

County considers financing EMS headquarters Haywood County commissioners will hold a public hearing Dec. 21 regarding the construction of a new EMS headquarters beside the sheriff ’s office in Hazelwood.

Members of the public are welcome to provide feedback on the project before commissioners consider approving and executing an installment financing contract for $2.1 million to pay for the construction.

Right now, the county’s ambulances, supplies, office spaces and storage are located in numerous places throughout the

county. The new EMS campus, which will include ambulance and equipment bays and a 13,000-square-foot building, will provide a centralized home base for emergency operations. The new emergency management headquarters will be built on the site of an old state prison — 144 Hemlock Street — that was closed several years ago and acquired by the county for $1.

The public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21 in the Haywood County Historic Courthouse.

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Mercury testing expands at Lake Glenville A

Lake Glenville.

By the numbers

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BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER fter testing last year found Lake Glenville’s walleye fish to have some of the highest mercury concentrations in North Carolina, state officials returned to Jackson County to look at mercury levels in other fish species.

“We asked them to come back and do some further testing on Lake Glenville and see how widespread it is,” said Paula Carden, Health Department director for Jackson County.

There’s already a statewide advisory on largemouth bass, but state workers returned, nets in hand, this October to sample other predatory fish species, such as smallmouth and spotted bass. It’s possible they could have snagged some other species for testing, perhaps trout and catfish, but Carden hasn’t gotten those results yet.

It was just about a year ago that the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources — now known as the Department of Environmental Quality — first issued an advisory for Lake Glenville, finding that all but one of the 22 walleye fish tested had mercury levels above the state’s 0.4 milligram per kilogram action level.

Though the levels were high compared to those found in other area lakes, the resulting mercury advisory wasn’t exactly a surprise.

Mercury has become a pretty common issue in lake environments, especially in predatory

Jackson County TDA photo

• 0.4 milligrams per kilogram the state limit for mercury concentration.

• 1.67 mg/kg average mercury concentration among tested walleye in Lake Glenville.

• 0.96 mg/kg average mercury concentration among tested walleye in Santeelah Lake.

• 0.63 mg/kg average mercury concentration among tested walleye in Fontana Lake.

Source: N.C. Department of Environmental Quality data sheet For a current list of mercury advisories in North Carolina, visit epi.publichealth.nc.gov/ oee/fish/advisories.html fish. Low levels of the metal occur naturally in the environment, but the more dangerous concentrations are mainly a result of fumes from fossil fuel burning. Those fumes rise into the atmosphere and can travel significant distances before condensing with water droplets and falling as rain. The rain eventually winds up in bodies of water, where bacteria convert the mercury into a form consumed by fish. The metal finds its way into the food sources for small fish, and bigger fish

eat the small fish, concentrations of the metal accumulating in their bodies.

“It’s not the big shock or alert that it used to be to people, but we certainly want to make the public aware of it and request the proper testing,” Carden said.

Fontana Lake, Nantahala Lake and Santeelah Lake are all under mercury advisories as well. But testing at those lakes has covered multiple fish species, whereas walleye had been the only fish tested at Lake Glenville.

The Jackson County Health Advisory Board wanted to know if anglers should think twice about eating more fish species than just walleye. They also questioned whether the issue might extend to other lakes in Jackson County, such as Bear Lake and Wolf Lake, and

if stocked fish from hatcheries might contain mercury as well, Carden said.

The DEQ hasn’t granted the request for testing at other lakes and hatcheries as of yet.

However, the county expects to get results from the second round of testing the state conducted in October sometime around early spring.

“We have asked them to hurry if possible,” Carden said.

Fishing is a popular sport in Jackson County, so it’s important to have as complete a picture as possible as to what is and is not safe to eat, Carden said.

“Not that we think it’s gotten any worse or anything like that — we just want to see how far it reaches,” Carden said.

December 9-15, 2015 Smoky Mountain News

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Republican candidate files for Jackson commissioner he race for county commissioner in District 3 of Jackson County will no longer be an uncontested one following Ron Mau’s decision to file as a Republican candidate.

“I’m just trying to give back to the community and help out in the ways I think I’m most suited to do,” said Mau, who’s currently a councilmember for the Village of Forest Hills, a small community on the opposite side of N.C. 107 from Western Carolina University.

A professor and department chair for Embry-Riddle Ron Mau Aeronautical University’s online campus, Mau, 51, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering — he worked in that field for more than a decade — as well as an MBA and a Ph.D. in finance. He’s lived in Jackson County for 10 years and was just sworn in for his second elected term on the Forest Hills town council, though he originally got on when appointed to fill an unexpired term.

If elected, Mau said, he’d just like to see things run “more efficiently” and apply his knowledge from the finance field to tightening up the county government. In particular, he mentioned the Jackson County Green Energy Park, saying the county should have a plan in place as to what kind of financial performance should be expected of it and how that performance should be measured.

“When any government starts doing

Smoky Mountain News

December 9-15, 2015

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Mau has lived in Jackson County for 10 years and was just sworn in for his second elected term on the Forest Hills town council, though he originally got on when appointed to fill an unexpired term. that every regulation brings with it unintended consequences. He’d want to be sure to carefully analyze what those consequences might be before making a decision.

So far, Mau is the only Republican who has filed for the seat, though potential commissioners have through noon Dec. 21 to sign up. Incumbent Commissioner Vicki Greene, a Democrat, signed up to run for a second term on the first day of candidate sign-ups, along with Commissioner Mark Jones, a Democrat who’s gunning for another term representing Cashiers as the District 4 commissioner. He’s been on the board since 2006.

— By Holly Kays, staff writer

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things to support a particular business, there needs to be some sort of strategy to exit that if things are not going well,” he said.

Environmental health would also be a priority, he said, but with recognition

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Franklin to hire fulltime fire chief

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR s the demand for services continues to grow, Franklin will begin its search for a full-time fire chief to run the Franklin Fire Department.

Franklin Board of Aldermen approved advertising for a full-time fire chief during a special called meeting last week. The advertisement for the position will be posted locally and statewide.

Warren Cabe is currently serving as the interim, part-time chief. Cabe was the fulltime fire chief in 2011 and remained in that role even when he was hired as Franklin’s town manager in 2013. When Cabe resigned as town manager in April 2014 to go back to his old job as Macon County’s emergency management director, he said he would stay on as fire chief until the town found a replacement. As interim chief, Cabe was paid $250 a month.

The town called the special meeting last week to consider Cabe’s request to hire a second assistant chief. The department has always had two assistant chiefs — one volunteer and one paid position, but he was looking to make both positions paid in order to groom some firefighters for the chief position. However, the board denied his request and decided to proceed with hiring a new fulltime chief.

“We knew it was going to come to that, but I was not exactly prepared for it at that time,” Cabe said.

Franklin Mayor Bob Scott said several fac-

A

tors were involved in the decision, including the unprecedented growth of the town, increasing calls for service and the mix of fulltime and volunteer firefighters in the department. He said Cabe serving as the volunteer chief was always meant to be temporary.

“With millions of dollars in fire equipment and property, it is time that we move in this direction,” Scott said. “This will provide the town with a full-time department head, which will result in more efficiency and in defining reporting relationships within the town government.”

While the Franklin Fire Department was once entirely run by volunteers, Cabe said that standard is quickly changing. When he was chief in 2011, there were only three paid firefighters — now there are six paid firefighters and 27 volunteers. Keeping volunteers can be difficult as the number of calls continues to rise.

“With millions of dollars in fire equipment and property, it is time that we move in this direction.”

— Bob Scott, Franklin mayor

“From 2011 to today we’ve had an increase of probably 300 calls a year,” Cabe said. “In 2011, we had about 1,300 calls and this year we’ve had 1,600 calls already.”

Under Franklin’s council-manager form of government, Scott said, the town manager is responsible for hiring all town employees.

However, pursuant to the town’s personnel policy, a new position shall be established upon recommendation of the town manager and approval of the town board.

The position will be advertised and anyone meeting the qualifications is welcome to apply. The town board has not set a deadline for filling the position.

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to the issues facing the county and wants to be a part of the discussion. As a teacher, he feels his input could be beneficial, especially as the county is looking to invest more money in school renovations soon.

So far, only one candidate has signed up to run for Corbin’s District 2 seat — Karl E. Gillespie. This is the first time Gillespie has sought elected office, but he is no stranger to service in Macon County.

“I think there’s a time and place for everything Karl Gillespie — long story short, I’m a native of Macon County and Macon County has been very good to me and this is another opportunity for me to give back to the community,” he said.

Gillespie is the president of National Communications, Inc., a company he founded in 1999, and he was recently appointed by Gov. Pat McCrory to serve on the Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees. He also serves on the Macon County Planning Board and is the president of the Macon County Farm Bureau. He said his proudest service is to the First United Methodist Church in Franklin. Though running as a Republican, Gillespie said he didn’t have any particular platforms in mind.

“I would work toward making sure that Macon County is a place that affords the same or better opportunities than I had for future generations,” he said.

Candidates can file for office until noon Monday, Dec. 21, at the Macon County Board of Elections office.

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BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR ith the sign-up period for the 2016 election underway, two more candidates have tossed their hats in the ring to run for commissioner in Macon County.

Commissioner Paul Higdon plans to run for another term and Commission Chairman Kevin Corbin’s seat is up for grabs since he has filed to run for the House of Representatives District 120.

Democrat Bobby Bobby Kuppers Kuppers has signed up to run for the District 3 commissioner seat currently occupied by Higdon, a Republican.

Kuppers, a Franklin High School teacher and football coach, served as the District 3 commissioner for one term before being ousted by Higdon — Paul Higdon during the 2012 election. fKuppers departure left only one Democrat on the board — Commissioner Ronnie Beale.

Higdon, a water and sewer contractor and small business owner, ran on a platform of fewer regulations, less taxes and more efficient government. Even though he was elected with 57 percent of the vote, Higdon has often -been the lone vote of opposition on the board the last few years when it comes to spending.

Even though he’s been out of office for four years, Kuppers said he’s stayed tuned in

news

Two more sign on to run for Macon commissioner

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Opinion

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Let’s play pretend politician: what issues would you own? going to play pretend politician, which means pretending it’s all about what I want. Here are the issues I’d push at each level:

paign on if I was running for election in one our towns or counties, hell even at the state or federal level.

It’s interesting to find out just what motivates people to put themselves out their and run for office. Today’s media — and I’m not talking about local newspapers — creates a challenging, frenzied political arena.

In my years as a journalist, though, my experience has been that most peoEditor ple run for office for the right reasons.

They want to give back to their community or step up to plate because someone needs to do it. Those good intentions can initially blind the novice politician to the scrutiny and backstabbing and conniving that goes on in a venue where your boss is the taxpayer and you may be on a board whose decisions may affect the future of several hundred town or county employees, a number that jumps to the thousands if you are an elected state official or even more when you get to Congress. Tough job indeed.

Giving these folks their due credit, then, should be easy.

But that’s just not the case. Most of the time their phone only rings when they’ve done something wrong. Or we show up at the county board meeting when we want more of something.

So right now, as everyone is signing up to run for office, I’m

WAYNESVILLE TOWN ALDERMAN

Scott McLeod

not running for office and never will, but as a citizen of County and Western North Carolina and the U.S., Iit’s’mHaywood somewhat sporting to imagine what positions I would cam-

Candidates would strip us of rights To the Editor: Below are several of the solutions proposed by many of the candidates running for president to end the terrorist threat in the United States. These solutions are backed by appeals to Americans’ patriotism, suggesting our very way of life as well as our safety is at risk.

The people are rallied in support of a perceived common threat or foe of an ethnic and religious minority, in this case Syrians and Muslims. We must build up funding for a mighty military force, neglecting pressing domestic issues. Fear for our nation’s security and way of life is used to motivate public support and suppress civil liberties.

Christianity is the most common religion in our nation. Several presidential candidates support suppression of religious minorities even though it violates our Constitution. The Supreme Court decision supporting “Citizens United” has resulted in the use of huge amounts of money to elect candidates to public office who support the above policies.

Expensive advertising campaigns are used to smear opposition candidates.

The business aristocracy puts government leaders into power to create a mutually beneficial business/government relationship. Many state legislatures are dominated by politicians whose election campaigns were paid for by

I know this election has already happened and things are already happening. But there are a two issues that I think aren’t getting attention.

• Open the Waynesville Watershed to hiking and biking. I know this isn’t even on the radar (and some say it can’t happen), but doing so would create a significant economic boost. I go to the Bent Creek Forest (adjacent to the N.C. Arboretum) in Asheville to walk, jog and mountain bike, and there are hundreds of people there every day. Although we are surrounded by wilderness, there’s really no place close within 35 minutes of Waynesville to get out in the woods on short notice. By my estimation this is public land and we could find a way to make use of it for recreation while also protecting the water and land.

• Complete the greenway from the town rec park to Lake Junaluska. Someone just has to decide to make this happen.

Again, if you want to bolster job creation and make this town more attractive to entrepreneurs, then outdoor recreation opportunities will help. This would create one of the finest greenways in the region. Anyone know one of the main reasons Sierra Nevada Brewing moved to Mills River? Outdoor recreation opportunities, or so says the CEO. Ever been to Oskar Blues Brewery in Brevard? Its parking lot adjoins a greenway trail used for walking, running and biking.

LOOKING FOR OPINIONS The Smoky Mountain News encourages readers to express their opinions through letters to the editor or guest columns. All viewpoints are welcome. Send to Scott McLeod at info@smokymountainnews.com., fax to 828.452.3585, or mail to PO Box 629, Waynesville, NC, 28786. this wealthy minority. These legislators passed laws to redraw political district boundaries and manipulate election outcomes to favor their financial backers. Laws are passed to suppress voting by citizens opposed to the above policies. Labor unions, supporters of workers’ rights, are often eliminated or severely suppressed.

Another related issue, supported by many candidates, would shrink government’s role in the economy. Proposals include privatizing social security and health care. If this were to happen, big corporations would reap huge profits and the average American would suffer.

The policies endorsed by many presidential candidates reflect basic tenants of fascism.

Economic depression, a declining middle class, and international disgrace following World War I led to the rise of Adolph Hitler.

Hitler was elected by popular vote in Germany, promising to make Germany great

COUNTY COMMISSIONER • My platform would be comprehensive land-use planning.

Yeah, I know I’d never win, but I’d go down fighting. By my estimation land-use measures are like infrastructure. They allow homeowners and potential business people to know the lay of the land and not have to worry about the whims of politicians or neighboring landowners or developers who may not share their values. We just witnessed a very loud, very contentious debate about the proposed recycling plant in Beaverdam that having a land-use plan would have helped alleviate. This just needs to happen.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

• Rewrite the lottery funding formula. I’m sorry, but I just don’t see local school systems using this money wisely right now. One school system used it to put turn on its football field.

I’d fight for a system similar to Georgia and Florida, where students who make a certain grade point average get their tuition paid with lottery funds at state universities. This would keep most of our better students here at home for college. It would also bolster the economy because by alleviating student debt, Plus, mom and dad would have more expendable income.

Instead of putting off buying things in order to save for college expenses, that money could be circulating in the economy right now.

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

again. The people voluntarily surrendered their civil liberties and voting rights in exchange for Hitler’s rebuilding Germany’s military might and restoring economic prosperity by promoting the growth of private corporations.

Will the majority of Americans support presidential candidates who endorse policies taking us down the same road?

Margery Abel Franklin

We can find a better cell tower location To the Editor: I hope to be understood that my family is as pro-wireless communication as anyone in Cashiers. Verizon needs to find a new place to put its antennas because the tower currently hosting its antenna will have to move sometime late next year.

All the other carriers serving Cashiers have their antennas on a different existing tower behind Freeman Gas. That tower has room available and is willing to host Verizon’s antenna. Colocating there is the best place to put them, instead of on a new tower 12 stories tall to be constructed in the Gana Sita neighborhood.

Even if our neighbor’s 20-acre tract in Gana Sita were the best place for a new tower, it doesn’t have to be put in the far corner, next to two of our property lines. There is ample

room. They have 20 wooded acres in which to work. It doesn’t have to go so close and in such an exposed place within our view corridor of surrounding mountain peaks, and that is exactly where it is currently proposed.

Alternate sites on the same parcel were reviewed by all interested parties last summer at the bidding of the Jackson County Planning Board. We felt a compromise was struck by moving the tower site only 250 feet southeast (or further), embedded in the woods and just slightly off the ridge line.

It was and still is a reasonable compromise.

We were surprised to learn that, even after Jackson County Planning Board suggested that we find a compromise and consider moving the tower site, the big corporation that wants to build it refused to budge, even though it hurts our property value deeply.

We are asking the Jackson County Commissioners to deny the application for the proposed site, but not necessarily alternate, less harmful sites in the middle of the same parcel if Verizon doesn’t colocate on the existing tower behind Freeman Gas, or a less intrusive site for a new tower cannot be found.

We can do better when it comes to site location than what this global corporation wants to ram down our throats. We can still have good Verizon service in the Cashiers crossroads area without damaging neighboring properties.

Please come to the public hearing at 11 a.m. on Dec. 10 and and the judicial hearing

Diverse coalition coalesces to support forest plan

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December 9-15, 2015

at 1 p.m. on the same day at the Cashiers Library. The public is welcome and so is your opinion.

Rick Barrs Cashiers

Forest Service needs capacity to manage

Smoky Mountain News

To the Editor: As the U.S. Forest Service proceeds through the plan revision for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests, it is a good time to reflect on the role that forest management can play in protecting environmental values while enhancing our regional economy. One example of how environmental values and our regional economy can both be improved is through integrated forest management that incorporates and restores mixed age stands and creates early successional habitat that is lacking throughout the region. Such a strategy would provide a sustainable source of harvestable trees for the local timber industry, and also provide unique habitat settings for a wide variety of native wildlife species such as ruffed grouse and some songbirds.

Though the current Nantahala-Pisgah National Forests Management Plan covers 1,040,000 acres, only 800-900 acres have actually been logged annually over the last 10 to 15 years. More frequent harvests in targeted areas can be a valuable tool for increasing the pace and scale of restoration.

Forest management at optimum levels will require staff resources within the U.S. Forest Service that are currently not available. Budget cuts continue to reduce staff numbers, and the remaining staff are 24 increasingly needed for other duties, includ-

This coalition brings together a broad range of interests, from conservationists and wilderness advocates to rock climbers, horseback riders, hikers, mountain bikers, kayakers, anglers, and business owners.

In an era where recreation has become an important economic driver for Western North Carolina, this type of proactive collaboration and consensus is more critical than ever. More and more local communities are advertising their access to the national forest, tailoring their economies to welcome recreation groups and promoting tourism based on their natural assets.

This past year the Nantahala-Pisgah Guest Columnist National Forest was the second-most visited national forest in America, second only to the White River National Forest in Colorado which is popular for its ski resorts.

Given this fact, the next management plan for the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest should emphasize recreation as well as the conservation and protection of our shared public lands. This coalition’s proposal recognizes the economic importance of these forests for recreation and tourism. It advocates for two new National Recreation Areas (NRAs) – a 115,573-acre Pisgah NRA and a 57,400-acre

Brent Martin

n recent months I have watched a tense and difficult relationship play out nationally between some members of the mountain biking community and advocates for Wilderness. And over two years ago when the Forest Service began its management plan revision for the NantahalaPisgah National Forest, it appeared this would be the situation here.

Under the Wilderness Act, mountain bikes aren’t allowed in designated Wilderness areas, and after meeting with representatives from various mountain biking organizations, it was clear that unless something could be worked out there would be organized opposition to new Wilderness here in Western North Carolina as the new forest management plan was developed.

So two years later and after countless meetings and conversations, a coalition of conservation organizations, recreation groups, and recreation-related business owners have come together with an unprecedented initiative advocating for more recreation opportunities while also supporting key land protections for a wide spectrum of interests.

The result is a proposal released publicly this week that has been formally endorsed by a growing list of nearly three dozen recreation, conservation and retail groups. The proposal envisions a forest management plan in which mountain bikers and other recreation groups keep or gain access to trails in their favorite places while offering support for priority areas to be recommended for Wilderness designation.

LETTERS ing wildfire control outside the region in various areas around the country. We need a forest management plan that addresses both economic and environmental issues, but it should be administered by an agency with the capacity to follow through and implement the strategies that are ultimately approved.

I encourage everyone to visit the Forest Service’s website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/home /?cid=STELPRDB5397660 and learn about the forest management planning process and how you can be involved. There is a lot at stake for the economy and the environment.

Jason Love WNC Public Lands Council

Economic injustice needs to be addressed To the Editor: It is time to wake up and take a big whiff of reality. The shape of our economy has shifted over the years and not for the better.

I hear people say things like “If low-wage workers want to make more money they should get a real job.” But the reality of our current job market makes this impossible.

Corporations have restructured and outsourced so many of our “real jobs” that many college graduates simply can’t get hired anywhere but in low-wage fastfood or retail jobs.

I ask you why is this the case? In an age when corporations are consistently posting billion dollar profits, why do they refuse to pay their employees a living wage? Is it

Grandfather NRA – that will protect these areas from resource extraction and emphasize recreation use that is planned and managed wisely as a long-term priority.

Timber harvesting would be allowed for certain wildlife management objectives and for ecological restoration. It also advocates for Wilderness protection for 109,961 acres in the Nantahala-Pisgah, where hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and hiking are among the many activities allowed and welcomed.

We are proof that stakeholders have the ability to support each other’s priorities, share a vision for the future of our national forests, and advocate for a management plan that balances the interests of conservation and recreation groups, while at the same time granting the forest the protection status it warrants. Given the history of contention between these interests, it is impossible to overestimate the value of this collaborative strategy.

In an era when polarization is the normal way of doing business, this initiative is testimony to the power of listening and understanding diverse opinions, finding common ground, and above all, succeeding in powerful and effective long-term relationships — not unlike a gathering of new and old friends whose mutual love of the mountains brought them together around a campfire somewhere in a beautiful North Carolina forest.

(Brent Martin is Southern Appalachian Regional Director for The Wilderness Society in Sylva.)

greed? Is it cultural bias? I can’t answer these questions, but what I can say is that more money finding its way out of offshore corporate accounts and back into our economy can’t be a bad thing.

While some companies have taken that bold step of becoming trendsetters by voluntarily raising wages, many more will reluctantly hold back until forced to change by legislation. But here we find that these money-hoarding corporations are suddenly willing to part with their hard-earned dollars to pay lobbyists who work to block those very laws from becoming reality.

However, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, I am hopeful and optimistic. I am hopeful because I know deep down in my heart that we are a good people. I know that we can, in spite of the media rhetoric, still empathize with our fellow human beings. I am optimistic because I know that many of us want to do the right thing and build a better society for everyone.

Armed with hope and optimism, I decided to join a group of other concerned citizens in a drive-through protest in Asheville on a recent Saturday. We drove a circuit around the city passing through each McDonalds with a drive-thru and handed the employee at the window the seventeen cents the company would have to charge extra per meal to cover the raise in wages.

Never mind the fact that McDonald’s could easily dip into its $6.5 billion in annual profits to pay employees better without a price hike.

With this knowledge firmly in mind, I encourage each and every one of you to also take action, be that a call to your state and federal representatives or simply spreading a message of positive change to friends and family. If each of us does even a small part

we can make our country strong again.

Cory Lomax Sylva

Social injustice and our universities To the Editor: In last week’s letter to the editor (www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/it em/16807), Mr. Jones commented on the politicizing of WCU. Let me encourage us all to think about his letter and what is also happening in our university system.

Chancellors are getting raises the size of a faculty member salary times two while faculty have received a $750 payment to stay quiet last year. They took a 5 percent cut during the Bush recession and have only gotten a 1 percent increase since. Retiring professors are finding starting salaries for replacements to be as much as $20,000 more than their current salaries. I have to wonder if these excessive salaries are derived from reduced faculty positions and stagnant faculty and staff wages.

The North Carolina university system charges students a fee for recreation services.

Those fees translate into millions of dollars that should be — and used to be — paid by the state. While the students are paying millions to the universities, the students who work on campus are paid minimum wage and are double taxed on their meal plans.

Let’s all start driving around the North Carolina University campuses to protest our universities creating the same wealth gap as in much of corporate America.

Furthermore, the movement to privatize our public education continues with BB&T placing “distinguished Libertarian” professor of Ayn Rand in the WCU School of Business

while the Koch brothers use a Trojan Horse in the form of several million dollars for a Free Enterprise Center to potentially advance Libertarian principles. Will WCU take the 40 pieces of silver?

The answer is affirmative, with the reasoning “we need the money.� The faculty senate voted against taking the grants. The state cuts funding and the free enterprise fanatics take advantage to further privatize public education. Will the new system president continue privatizing by using for-profit software giants to install e-learning and eliminating faculty positions to pay for the services?

Social justice is just as much an issue as minority students on many North Carolina campuses quietly talk about the abusive remarks they experience. Duke University students are actively engaged in the issue as are students and faculty at Appalachian State and UNC Chapel Hill. Isn’t it time students and faculty in our public school system from k-12 and higher education take the kind of action we witnessed at the University of Missouri? When the football team refused to play on Saturday, university leaders immediately made changes. The powerful listen when their sources of revenue are at risk. Anything less does not matter. How much change happened with the Moral Monday marches? How much happens with letters to the editor? The General Assembly is still up to its mischief. It has not changed because tax revenues are not threatened and business as usual has not been interrupted. Isn’t it time we the people of Western

North Carolina become visible and take the kind of action that says “enough is enough� and motivates our leaders here to change?

Ron Robinson Sylva

Thanks for helping feed the hungry To the Editor: Thanks to many, many individuals and businesses, the 2015 Turkey Drive sponsored by the Maggie Valley Area Lodging Association was a success for the eighteenth year.

We did have a wrinkle this year: the bird flu caused a shortage of turkeys, so we substituted hams for the birds.

Your generosity again allowed us to deliver Thanksgiving baskets to the Department of Human Services headquarters. In turn, their employees along with their volunteers, distributed the food to 250 families meeting DHS criteria.

Without so many people and businesses from Western North Carolina as well as several from other states, this Thanksgiving effort could not have helped as many of our county’s needy residents.

So once again, kudos to all who opened their hearts as well as their wallets to help their neighbors.

Tammy Wight President Maggie Valley Area Lodging Association

tasteTHEmountains Taste the Mountains is an ever-evolving paid section of places to dine in Western North Carolina. If you would like to be included in the listing please contact our advertising department at 828.452.4251 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.

APPLE ANDY'S RESTAURANT 3483 Soco Road, Maggie Valley located in Market Square. 828.944.0626. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Wednesday and Thursday. Serving the freshest homemade sandwiches, wraps, and entrees such as country fried steak and grilled flounder. Full salad bar and made from scratch sides like potato salad, pinto beans and macaroni and cheese. www.appleandys.com APPLE CREEK CAFE 32 Felmet St., Waynesville.

828.456.9888. Traditional Lunch Monday-

Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Family Style Lunch Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Family Style Dinner Wednesday-Saturday 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Home to an extensive build your own sandwich menu as well as specialty salads, soups burgers and more.

With local ingredients and made-fromscratch recipes using a variety of good-foryou ingredients Apple Creek Cafe is sure to become your favorite spot.

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

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

Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily.

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

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 activi-

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tasteTHEmountains ties and within one mile of Waynesville Country Club.

December 9-15, 2015

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.

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

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

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

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 a.m. – with eggs, bacon, sausage, grits and oatmeal, fresh fruit, sometimes French toast or pancakes, and always all-you-can-eat.

Lunch from 12 to 2 p.m. In the evening, social hour begins at 6 p.m. Dinner is served at 7 p.m., 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.

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

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

From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through

Ring In 2016 AT

The Rendezvous RESTAURANT & LOUNGE At the Maggie Valley Inn

Smoky Mountain News

Hors d’Oeuvres Buffet 9 p.m.–Midnight Midnight Champagne Toast Dancing and Party Favors Midnight Breakfast Buffet

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

CHURCH STREET DEPOT 34 Church Street, downtown Waynesville.

828.246.6505. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Mouthwatering all beef burgers and dogs, hand-dipped, hand-spun real ice cream shakes and floats, fresh handcut fries. Locally sourced beef. Indoor and outdoor dining. facebook.com/ChurchStreetDepot, twitter.com/ChurchStDepot.

CITY BAKERY 18 N. Main St. Waynesville 828.452.3881.

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

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

CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

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

Tasty, healthy and quick. Breakfast, lunch,

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

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

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

THE CLASSIC WINESELLER 20 Church Street, Waynesville. 828.452.6000.

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

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

CORK & CLEAVER 176 Country Club Drive, Waynesville.

828.456.3551. Reservations recommended.

4:30-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday Sunday brunch 11 a.m. to 2 pm. Tucked away inside Waynesville Inn, Cork & Cleaver has an approachable menu designed around locally sourced, sustainable, farm-to-table ingredients. Chef Ed Kaminski prepares American cuisine from local, organic vegetables grown in Western North Carolina. Full bar and wine cellar. www.thewaynesvilleinn.com .

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

828.926.1820 Open Wednesday and Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday. Family Style at Country Vittles is not a buffet. Instead our waitresses will bring

at Saturday, Dec. 12th

9am-11am

4309 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley (828) 926-0212 Reservations Accepted | Winter Hours: Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon, 7am-12pm 322-17

APPÉTIT Y’AL N L BO

MUSIC BY

Stone Crazy $12999/COUPLE INCLUDES ROOM Single Rates Available Reservations Recommended

26

70 Soco Road, Maggie Valley • 828.926.0201

322-79

828-456-1997 blueroostersoutherngrill.com

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

tasteTHEmountains 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.

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

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

Wednesday-Saturday dinner starting at 4:30 p.m.; Sunday Noon to 8 p.m. World-famous prime rib, steaks, fresh seafood, gorgonzola cheese and salads. All ABC permits and open year-round. Children always welcome.

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

JOEY'S PANCAKE HOUSE 4309 Soco Rd Maggie Valley.

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

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

828.586.3555. Open Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Handtossed 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.

ORGANIC BEANS COFFEE COMPANY 1110 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

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

100% of our coffee is Fair Trade, Shade Grown, and Organic, all slow-roasted to bring out every note of indigenous flavor. Bakery offerings include cakes, muffins, cookies and more. Each one is made from scratch in Asheville using only the freshest, all natural ingredients available. We are proud to offer gluten-free and vegan options.

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

Reservations appreciated.

Thursday, Thursday, December December 10 10 @ 7 7pm pm

“WILD & SWEET CHRISTMAS SHOW SHOW:: $10 tkt Jacob Johnson guitar, guitarr, voca vocals

Friday, Friday, December December 11 11 @ 7pm 7

J Joe oe C Cruz ruz p piano, iano, v vocals ocals Beatles, Elton John, James Taylor Taylor a & more

Saturday, Saturday, December December 12 12 @ 7 7pm pm

J JINGLE INGLE B BELL ELL B BASH ASH A Annual nnual C Christmas hristmas Singalong: Sheila Gordon piano, vocals

Paid in part by Haywood County T ourism o www .visitncsmokies.com Tourism www.visitncsmokies.com

SOUTHERN BOOT, LOUISIANA CUISINE 67 Branner Avenue, Waynesville.

828.246.0053 Open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Southern Boot serves delicious Louisianian food while providing a friendly music venue for musicians of all ages. Feel at home no matter where you’re from. Greeting all customers at the door with a smile.

ITALIAN CUISINE

Signature Bread Dip!

PATIO BISTRO 30 Church Street, Waynesville.

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

Outdoor and indoor dining.

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.

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

TWIN MAPLES FARMHOUSE 63 North Hill Street, Waynesville.

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

ROB’S HOT DOG SHACK 42 Montgomery St., Waynesville 828.707.7033. Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rob’s serves gourmet hot dogs and has homemade side items. Outdoor and indoor dining, café style restaurant. Locally owned and operated.

Family oriented business.

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.

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

www.pasqualesnc.com

C heers to the

New Year

Celebrate New Year’s Eve

Calories 0

in

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322-47

Tot al Fat 0g

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100%

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

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

Smoky Mountain News

Am ount per Serving

www.CityLightsCafe.com

322-01

This Year, Give the Gift of Our

serving size : ab out 50 p ag es

3 E JACKSON ST. • SYLVA, NC

828-452-6000 828-452-6000 classicwineseller.com classicwineseller.com 20 20 Church Church Street, Street, Waynesville, Waynesville, NC NC

MEDITERRANEAN

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

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

Located across from the Fire Station.

Nutrition Facts

MON.-SAT. 8 A.M.

LIVE LIVE Music Music This This W Week’s eek’s LIVE LIVE M Music usic

SMOKY MOUNTAIN SUB SHOP 29 Miller Street Waynesville 828.456.3400.

Open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m 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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Open for Breakfast

Restaurant Restaurant

December 9-15, 2015

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

828.648.4193. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Serving breakfast, lunch, nd dinner. The restaurant has a 1950s & 60s theme decorated with memorabilia from that era.

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

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

Open seasonally for lunch and dinner. Fine and casual fireside dining in welcoming atmosphere. Full bar. Reservations accepted.

Retail Retail

1819 COUNTRY CLUB DR. MAGGIE VALLEY, NC RESERVATIONS REQUIRED PIN HIGH BAR & GRILLE 828-926-4848 WWW.MAGGIEVALLEYCLUB.COM

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A&E

Smoky Mountain News

SMN: What’s it like to meet those families?

WH: It’s very emotional, and I think we connect more with the whole concept when we meet the families. It’s a wonderful feeling to get to know some of these people and see how the Christmas Jam changed their lives for the better. We’re all in this together and we all need to work together.

Haywood Habitat looks to 2016

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER ith the holidays currently underway, there’s plenty for all of us to be grateful for living here in Western North Carolina. A roof over our heads, food in our bellies, a warm bed to climb into each night, a beautiful mountain view to awaken us each morning.

And yet, with all the things we are blessed for, what still remains are families — numerous families — who don’t have a place to call home. Since 1990, the Haywood County chapter of Habitat for Humanity has raised funds and walls for numerous homes to be built for those in need of housing. In 2015 alone, the organization completed three homes that now house 11 people, with over 35,350 volunteer hours donated. Twenty-one folks received financial education classes.

More than 100 women learned to build affordable housing through the “Women Build” program. And more than $100,000 has been generated through combined city and property tax revenue from homes built by the Haywood Habitat.

But, for Haywood Habitat Executive Director Jayme Cooper Sheppard, there is still much work to be done.

W

Smoky Mountain News: What were some of the obstacles and objectives coming into 2015?

Jayme Cooper Sheppard: At the beginning of 2015, we had just lost our lease on the downtown Waynesville location of our ReStore. It’s a major source of funding for our organization, so moving and getting the doors open was a priority. Not only did we need to move the store, the retail space we secured needed a massive amount of work before we could open.

Given the situation and the relatively small size of our organization, we had to suspend construction on the home we were building in Clyde and pull our construction staff and volunteers in to do the work to open the ReStore. We opened the store on March 27 (on Walnut Street in Waynesville) and immediately went back to work on the home in Clyde. Thanks to incredible community volunteerism, the Clyde home is almost complete, and we will close on it later this month with a family will be moving in.

SMN: Your organization recently broke ground on Walton Woods, a neighborhood Habitat project. Can you tell me what that entails? Where that project stands today? What it will look like upon completion?

S EE HABITAT, PAGE 30

THE HOUSE THAT MUSIC BUILT Warren Haynes’ ‘Christmas Jam’ rolls on

Acclaimed guitarist and Asheville native Warren Haynes will once again host his annual Christmas Jam on Dec. 12 at the U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville. Now in its 27th year, the musical gathering has raised millions for the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER Twenty-seven years is a long time for anything.

“It amazing to me that it’s still going on,” Warren Haynes said. “It’s getting bigger and better every year, and I don’t think we would have predicted that when we started it years ago.”

While on tour recently, Haynes phoned in from Warsaw, Poland to speak at-length about Christmas Jam, the annual all-day rock-n-roll celebration in Asheville that raises money for the local Habitat for Humanity. Lead singer/guitarist of rock juggernaut Gov’t Mule, Haynes is known the world around for his solo work atop his endless years on the road as a member of The Allman Brother Band and The Dead. And with all of those renowned stages, acclaimed albums and rock royalty collaboration, it all began in Western North Carolina for Haynes, who was born and raised in Asheville.

From what started out as a small gathering one winter’s night in 1988 at the now-defunct 45 Cherry club in downtown Asheville has now evolved into a standalone beacon of music, community and charity each December at the U.S Cellular Center.

“Somewhere along the line it stopped being a local party and started becoming a national and international party,” Haynes chuckled.

Now in its 27th year, Christmas Jam (to be held Dec. 12) has always been something of a passion and personal project for Haynes, whose musical showcase has led to 33 homes built in Buncombe County. The event recently handed over a donation of a half-million dollars, the largest to-date from the organization.

And with their latest endeavor, the Christmas Jam and Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity have broken ground on Hudson Hills (named after Haynes’ son), a subdivision in Buncombe that will eventually be the site of 25 homes and families upon completion.

Smoky Mountain News: How did your connection begin with Habitat for Humanity?

Warren Haynes: In the beginning, we gave to a different charity every year, and at some point one of the charities was Habitat. We really connected and it clicked. I was very impressed with the organization and decided to continue with them the next year, and then made it a permanent connection.

SMN: And that importance of giving back.

WH: As an Ashevillian and Western North Carolinian, it’s important to me because this area helped shape who I am — as a person, and as a musician. On some levels, it’s easier for musicians to give back because we just love

“I think we connect more with the whole concept when we meet the families. It’s a wonderful feeling to get to know some of these people and see how the Christmas Jam changed their lives for the better.”

— Warren Haynes

doing what we do. But also, it’s important for musicians. Speaking for myself, I’ve been given an opportunity to do what I love everyday, which is a huge leg up. For anybody who does something they love for their work, you have to feel lucky, and I do.

SMN: Did you have any hardships growing up?

WH: I definitely grew up middle class with my dad working extremely hard to make sure three kids didn’t want. That’s not an easy thing to do, and I think it’s even harder to do now.

So, I definitely connect with the situations and the families we help.

SMN: What is it about this area that makes it so unique?

WH: I’ve traveled all over the world — as I’m calling from Warsaw right now — and I’ve never seen anyplace quite like Asheville and Western North Carolina. It’s hard to explain, but I think we all may take it for granted how incredible this place is.

SMN: When you’re up there, onstage, say at Christmas Jam, and everything feels and sounds great, where do you go in your mind?

WH: Usually the best musical moments are when you’re not thinking, when part of your brain is just shut off, where you’re just responding and reacting. Those are the lucky times when you’re completely in the moment. It’s what we’re all striving for, especially in improvisational music, where you try to get the closest you can to that feeling every night — it’s the reward.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD Garret K. Woodward photo

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Smoky Mountain News

HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5

Bookstore

December 9-15, 2015

America, I’m tired.

I’m tired of the violence, the bloodshed, the yelling, the anger, the hate, the misinformation, the Grammy Award winner David Holt way we mistreat others, the way (bluegrass/folk) will perform at 6:30 p.m. we lie to each other and to ourDec. 16 at the First United Methodist Church selves, about what it is we see outin Waynesville. side our windows and in our bathroom mirrors.

BearWaters Brewing Company (Waynesville) One week we’re all up in arms will have The Darren Nicholson Band about refugees, the next about gun (Americana/bluegrass) at 6 p.m. Dec. 11. control, onward into blitzkrieg screaming matches about educaFrog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have tion, abortion, police brutality, Porch 40 (rock/funk) at 8 p.m. Dec. 11. health care, the Confederate flag and racism. Phrases like “Black The Festival of Lights & Luminaries will be Lives Matter,” “Guns Don’t Kill held from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 11-12 in People, People Kill People,” “Blue downtown Dillsboro.

Lives Matter” and “Heritage Not Hate,” with buzz words like Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will have “Obamacare,” “Baby Parts,” Heidi Holton (blues/folk) at 8 p.m. Dec. 11.

“Terrorism,” “Obesity” and “Muslim” streaming across our ing time with strangers, from all walks of life, computers and television screens. All of religious backgrounds, political affiliations, which were contained in this year of our monetary levels, skin colors, etc. And, lord, 2015. through that prism of humanity, I believe in I just want to turn it off. Pull the plug on the good of mankind. The average person in all the noise. But, I can’t because I feel the this country, in my heart of hearts, is a gooddeep social responsibility to make the world natured, sensible, caring and compassionate around me a better place. I’m one person, person. The problem lies in that the loudest but if countless millions feel the same way I voices in the room, on both sides of the politdo, then we’re on to something, then tracical aisle, tend to be make us (and the world) tion can be made toward a brighter future. think this is how America really functions.

I’m not going to throw out numbers and I was going to mention the “recent shootstatistics defending gun owners or debating ings,” but there have been so many in recent gun control. There’s enough of that already. memory it’d take my entire column just to What we need to remember is that we’re all list them. More incidences of mass shootings the same — all of us, at least for the most this year than there have been days gone on part. My daily life is interviewing and spend-

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arts & entertainment

This must be the place

the calendar. And when another one happens, like this past week in San Bernardino, two schools of thought always seem to emerge — “If there had been better gun control this wouldn’t have happened” or “If there had been more guns in the hands of the good guys this wouldn’t have happened.”

Regardless of what school of thought you fall into, what remains is that these shootings still happen, almost on a daily basis. It’s gotten so out of control where a day without a mass shooting would probably be newsworthy in today’s world. Something needs to change. We can’t be defined by these tragedies and atrocities anymore.

I grew up around guns. My father had them for work on the Canadian border. My uncles and grandfather had them for hunting and recreational sport. All responsible gun owners, all open-minded and progressive folks. Hell, even today, I’m friends and family to some of the most liberal and conservative people one could ever cross paths with.

And what do they have in common?

They’re all gun enthusiasts who defend the right to bare arms. But, they also all believe in the need for something to be done, in terms of gun safety, increased background checks, and that there be a better awareness of what actually does lead someone to committing such terrible crimes. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

We just seem to be running around in circles, dodging bullets of fear that keep getting shot at us by mass media, world politics and everyday interactions with people who seem to immediately shutdown in conversation if you don’t automatically, 100 percent agree with them.

What makes America great is our ability to find compromise, to discover solutions that best fit our needs as a whole and also are tailor-made to the time and political climate we currently reside in. Modern-day politics in this country is like a large warehouse, with enough space for everyone and everything to blossom and grow. But we can only fill that space with essential beauty, varieties of culture, endless wonder and societal possibilities if we meet in the middle to shake hands, smile and move on with our lives. But, how can we do that if one side is against the wall, the other against the far wall. It’s like a middle school dance where the girls and boys are either too shy, too prideful or too fearful to make the first move.

Well, I’m sick of dancing alone. I’m sick of yelling across a room trying to get your attention. I’m sick of seeing all that beautiful space in our land, hearts and minds going to waste from a lack of interest in what lies on the other side, from what good could result in spending time together with the family of Americans that we were born into.

I’m taking the first step towards the middle of this room. Towards you and you, and you. It’s time to pull the dark curtains off our windows, to let the sunshine in and to breathe in the fresh air. I’m here, America, right smack in the middle of this room that is our country. I’m ready and willing to take back the greatest asset we have — our own power of conviction that we can make tomorrow better.

Who else is with me?

80 N. Main Street | Waynesville 828.456.2260 | www.thejwbench.com

29

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David Mesimer (828) 452-2815 283 North Haywood St. Waynesville david.mesimer@allstate.com

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

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Volunteers from Haywood Habitat for Humanity work on a home, one of three the organization built in 2015. Donated photo

“It’s an exciting time at Haywood Habitat. We’re building relationships, working together, and making a lasting difference in the community.”

Smoky Mountain News

December 9-15, 2015

— Jayme Cooper Sheppard

30

HABITAT, CONTINUED FROM 28 JCS: A local couple, Sara Jane League and Gary Smith, donated some property in Waynesville several years ago. With the help of community volunteers, we’ve spent the last year planning the best use of the property to serve the largest number of families with safe affordable homes. The result of the process is Walton Woods, the first Haywood Habitat neighborhood. The development will have eight new homes and some common area with a playground.

Right now, we’re working on the infrastructure for the neighborhood, and plan to begin building the first homes right after the first of the year. Depending on volunteer and financial support, as well as weather, we expect that it will take about four years to complete the project.

SMN: How does the Habitat of Haywood County stand as an organization these days?

JCS: We’re growing. So many Haywood County individuals, businesses, civic groups, and church groups have stepped up and provided critically needed volunteer and financial support to help make that happen. Just this year, the number of construction volunteer hours doubled. We have a monthly building program just for women called “Women Build” that we introduced to almost 100 new volunteers this year. The community has really embraced our ReStore with donations, shoppers, and volunteers.

We’re completing our 53rd home and the

Want to know more?

Haywood Habitat is a partnership homebuilding program that provides safe affordable homes to people who have need, the ability to purchase a basic home at cost with a 0-percent interest loan that the nonprofit provides, and are willing to partner in the construction of their home.

For those interested in volunteering, there are opportunities at both the ReStore and the construction site. There are trained professionals to show people the ropes. No experience is necessary. For those that want to make a difference, but don’t want to swing a hammer or volunteer at the ReStore, they can donate. Donations are needed for the ReStore, and financial support to purchase building materials with.

Haywood Habitat typically accepts homeowner applications in January and July.

To learn more about the Haywood Habitat for Humanity, click on www.haywoodhabitat.org or call 828.452.7960. family will move in between Christmas and New Years. We’re starting on Walton Woods in a few weeks. The Haywood County Methodist churches have joined together to fund and build the first house in Walton Woods in 2016. It’s an exciting time at Haywood Habitat. We’re building relationships, working together, and making a lasting difference in the community.

On the beat

• City Lights Café (Sylva) will host Trippin’ Hardie Dec. 11. All shows begin at 7 p.m. www.citylightscafe.com.

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will have Joe Cruz (piano/pop) Dec. 11 and 18, and James Hammel (jazz/pop) Dec. 19. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. There will also be a Christmas Show with Jacob Johnson (singersongwriter, $10 per person) at 7 p.m. Dec. 10.

The “Jingle Bell Bash” with Sheila Gordon will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 12. 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

ALSO:

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have Porch 40 (rock/funk) Dec. 11, Ben Morgan & Jesse Stephens Dec. 12 and The Bobby Sullivan Trio at 5 p.m. Dec. 18. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

Bluegrass legend David Holt will play Waynesville on Dec. 16.

Holt to showcase Appalachian sounds, stories

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night Dec. 9 and 16, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo Dec. 10 and 17. All events begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• The Jackson County Public Library (Sylva) will host a community dance at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 13.

The event will include circle and contra dancing. All styles taught and walked through beforehand. All welcome. Ron Arps will be the caller, with music by Out of the Woodwork. A

Diane E. Sherrill, Attorney

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Dec. 9 & Jan. 13 11:30 AM

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828.586.4051

• Mixer’s (Franklin) will have Moonshine Creek (country/rock) Dec. 12. All show begin at 9 p.m.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will host If Birds Could Fly (Americana) Dec. 11, Bob Shirley & Friends Dec. 12, Shwiggy Shwa Dec. 18 and Luminous Dec. 19. All shows are free and begin at 9 p.m. www.nonamesportspub.com.

• A back porch old-time music jam will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee. All welcome to come play or simply sit and listen.

• Salty Dog’s (Maggie Valley) will have Karaoke with Jason Wyatt on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Mile High (rock) on Wednesdays. Marc Keller will also perform on Dec. 12. All shows begin at 8 p.m.

• Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands) will have Jimandi (folk/rock) every Wednesday at 7 p.m. and a rotating series of local performers on Fridays at 9 p.m. 828.482.9794 or www.satulahmountainbrewing.com.

• Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will have Heidi Holton (blues/folk) Dec. 11, Red Leg Huskey (Americana) Dec. 18 and the 5th anniversary party with Ian Moore & Co. (Americana/Celtic) during the day on Dec. 19.

All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.tippingpointtavern.com.

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Smoky Mountain News

FREE LUNCHEON SEMINAR

• Marianna Black Library (Bryson City) will hold community music jam from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17. Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer, anything unplugged, are invited to join. Singers are also welcomed to join in or you can just stop by and listen. Free. 828.488.3030.

December 9-15, 2015

Four-time Grammy Award winner David Holt will perform at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 16, in the Sanctuary at the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville. Holt will be joined by musician Josh Goforth.

Holt is a musician, storyteller, historian, television host and entertainer, dedicated to performing and preserving traditional American music and stories. He plays 10 acoustic instruments and has released numerous award-winning recordings of traditional mountain music and southern folktales. In 2002, Doc Watson and Holt won two Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Folk Recording for “Legacy,” a three-album collection of songs and stories reflecting Watson’s inspiring life story.

Free, with all donations going towards the event programming at FUMC. www.fumc-waynesville.com or 828.456.9475.

community potluck dinner will follow at 5 p.m. ronandcathy71@frontier.com.

arts & entertainment

• BearWaters Brewing Company (Waynesville) will have The Darren Nicholson Band (Americana/bluegrass) at 6 p.m. Dec. 11, Max Gross Weight 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 and The Get Right Band (soul/rock) 8 p.m. Dec. 19. www.bwbrewing.com.

nctrustlawyer.com

28 Maple St. • Sylva

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On the street

arts & entertainment

On the wall • Artists interested in showcasing their work in the Haywood County Arts Council Gallery & Gifts must submit applications by Dec. 15. Only artist members may apply to show in the retail space.

Applications available at www.haywoodarts.org.

Submission should be brought to the gallery in downtown Waynesville or sent to gallerygifts@haywoodarts.org.

The Rickman Store. File photo

• The “Come Paint with Charles Kidz Programâ€? will be at 4 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17 at the Charles Heath Gallery in Bryson City. $20 per child.

Materials and snacks included. 828.538.2054. • The film “Phoenixâ€? will be screened at 7 p.m.

Dec. 9-11, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 12, and 2 p.m.

Dec. 13 at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. Tickets are $6.50, with a $3.25 matinee pass for 2 and 4 p.m. showings. There will also be a free showing of “Shaun The Sheep� at noon and 2 p.m. on Saturdays through the month of December. www.38main.com or call 828.283.0079.

ALSO:

• The films “Ant-Manâ€? (Dec. 10) and “Minionsâ€?

(Dec. 11-12) will be screened at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Showtimes are 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee also on Saturday. Free. For a full schedule of dates and times, click on www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com.

Holiday celebration at the Rickman Store The Friends of the Rickman Store invite the community to a special holiday celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 12, at the historic store in Franklin.

It will be the last chance to visit this historic building this year. The celebration will start at 11 a.m. with dulcimer musicians playing festive tunes. It will continue with a sing along session of favorite Christmas Carols, and it will close with the last Music Jam of the year. Visitors are encouraged to bring their instruments and voices. Refreshments will be served.

The preservation of this historic building is possible thanks to the support of the community, visitors to the region and the Land Trust of the Little Tennessee.

The Rickman Store is located on 259 Cowee Creek Road in the Cowee-West's Mill Historic District, next to the Macon County Heritage Center. Additional parking is available at Cowee School. For more information visit Friends of the Rickman Store on Facebook.

Wellbriety Snow Moon celebration, potluck The Cherokee Healing and Wellness Coalition will host the Wellbriety Snow Moon (Usgiwi) celebration and potluck lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at Cherokee Youth Center.

The event will be honoring Brothers in the Wind Motorcycle Club for their service to the community. Please bring a traditional Cherokee food dish for the potluck lunch along with your favorite beverage.

Such dishes may be made with wild berries or grapes, persimmons, field apricots, corn, beans, squash, mushrooms, wild greens, ramps, potatoes and succotash. Traditional breads are made with chestnuts, beans, sweet potatoes, flour corn and hominy. Possible meats are bear,

December 9-15, 2015

Help Families Righ ing Fa t Her milie s e at Hom e.

Th Thursday, December 10, 2015 1 . t $BOUPO "SNPSZ

Presented By:

Festival In Partnership with:

Smoky Mountain News

CREATION STATION

Advanced Tickets $15, $20 at the door Ad 100% of tickets sales to beneďŹ t the Share the Warmth 10 he heating assistance program. Champion Credit Union will ma match all ticket sales up to $5,000!

Admission includes: Spaghetti Dinner, .T "SUZ 1BOUT $SFBUJPO 4UBUJPO 1BJOUJOH Experience, Photo Booth, Face Painting, & MORE! Ab About Share the Warmth Heating Assistance Program: In 2009, the Share the Wa Warmth Heating Assistance Program was established to provide supplemental funding for Mo Mountain Projects Community Action Agency to provide heating assistance for residents of Hay Haywood County. 100% of Share the Warmth donations goes to provide this assistance.

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deer, fish, raccoon, turkey, squirrel, rabbit or wild game birds. Nuts are hickory nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts and butternuts.

The Cherokee Healing and Wellness Coalition is committed to enhancing the lives of people by honoring and reclaiming the seven Cherokee core values especially in the promotion of clean, wholesome, healthy life styles. The seven core values are: spirituality, harmony, education, sense of place, honoring the past, strong character, and sense of humor.

All are welcome.

828.554.6222 or 828.788.2132.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19 at Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville. www.waynesvillewine.com or 828.452.0120. • A wine tasting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec 9 and 16 at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Free with dinner ($15 minimum).

828.452.6000.

ALSO:

• There will be a “Tasty Tuesday: Winter Seasonalsâ€? at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 and 22 at Mad Anthony’s Bottle Shop & Beer Garden.

Pathways Thrift Store 3740 74E Unit #10 Sylva, NC 28779

828-631-5533 We proudly support

Come join us for

Customer Appreciation Day Thursday, December 17, 2015 11:00am-3:00pm Refreshments BIG Sales all day Prizes $3 Christmas Bag Sale Thank you for your support this year.

We wish you a safe Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!

All proceeds help people with disabilities live independently in our community.

On the holidays arts & entertainment

Christmas in Appalachia

s the temperature drops in Western North Carolina, the fun only heats up. The holiday season here is filled with events and activities aimed to celebrate the best way we know how — with friends, family and visitors alike.

A

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. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the depot. For times and prices, click on www.gsmr.com or 800.872.4681.

BRASSTOWN

BRYSON CITY

Dec. 17 • 5-6:30 p.m.

A free drink for all members who bring a toy for donation at a local children’s charity.

56 Commerce St. Waynesville • “Create Your Own Gingerbread House” will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at the Marianna Black Library. For ages 2-18.

828.488.3030.

• The holidays will be in full swing during the Lego Club gathering at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Marianna Black Library. Legos and duplos for children ages 3 and up. Create your own “Winter Wonderland.” Free.

828.488.3030.

• The Appalachian Toymaker & Storyteller will be making wooden toys and telling tales on select dates and times at The Storytelling Center of the Southern Appalachian. www.psalmsofthesouth.com or 828.488.5705.

(828) 454-5664 RSVP to kwyatt@haywoodchamber.com or 456.3021 322-58

Thinking of Enhancing Your Smile?

CANTON • The “Winter Wonderland Festival” will be from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Canton Armory. Spaghetti dinner, Ms. Arty Pants Creation Station Painting Experience, photo booth, face painting, and more. All ticket sales to benefit the “Warmth Heating Assistance Program,” with Champion Credit Union to match all ticket sales up to $5,000.

CASHIERS • The 41st annual Cashiers Christmas Parade will be at noon Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Cashiers Crossroads. A rain date will be 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13. Featuring the theme “O, Christmas Tree,” to promote the local choose and cut Fraser fir industry, a “Grand Prize,” “Christmas Star Trophy” and “Commemorative Awards” will be given. www.cashiersareachamber.com.

S EE HOLIDAYS, PAGE 34

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Smoky Mountain News

• The Nanta Claus Christmas Children’s Benefit will from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 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.

• A stage production of the “Babes in Toyland” musical will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11-12 and at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Smoky Mountain Community Theatre. The musical — with memorable songs by Victor Herbert — weaves together various characters from Mother Goose nursery rhymes into a Christmas-themed musical extravaganza.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children. info@smctheatre.com or 828.488.8227.

• 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

For Young Professionals of Haywood

December 9-15, 2015

• A dramatic reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” will be presented at 7 p.m.

Dec. 9 at the John C. Campbell Folk School.

Bob Grove will don period costume and adopt varied characters’ voices as he changes his tune from “Bah, Humbug!” to “Merry Christmas!” At 8 p.m. that evening, the acclaimed Brasstown Morris Dancers will present an energetic holiday performance.

• David Vowell will celebrate the holidays with a serious and humorous stories and songs at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at the John C. Campbell Folk School.

• The Brasstown Ringers’ Holiday Concert will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the John C. Campbell Folk School. The talented regional ensemble will showcase Christmas favorites along with spirited new selections.

Donations are welcome.

• A Christmas party will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 19 at the John C. Campbell Folk School. Santa Claus will make a special appearance, and will listen to good girls' and boys' Christmas wish lists. Kids will also enjoy music, dancing, games, and refreshments. At 8 p.m. that evening, a Holiday Contra Dance will welcome couples and singles of all experience levels, including beginners. Listen to local musicians, bring refreshments to share, and catch the holiday spirit. www.folkschool.org or 828.837.2775.

AFTER-HOURS HOLIDAY SOCIAL

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33

arts & entertainment December 9-15, 2015

Christmas at Lake J “Appalachian Christmas” at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center will deliver the nostalgic charm of mountain hospitality to visitors on Dec. 11-13.

• The Lake Junaluska Singers will perform at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11-12 in Stuart Auditorium. On Friday evening, the group will join a regional orchestra and choir to perform “Handel's Messiah.” The performance is a baroque-era music composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists composed by George Frideric Handel in 1741-1742. The entirety of Messiah consists of three parts that cover Christ's life from the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah to his birth, the passion and resurrection, and ascension. Notable musical selections include the “Hallelujah Chorus,” “For Unto Us A Child Born,” Glory to God” and “The Glory of the Lord.” The final performance on Saturday night will include traditional Christmas carols. The Lake Junaluska Singers are a 14-voice professional ensemble. The group began in 1954 and has performed nationally and internationally for conferences, dignitaries and major events. Their music ranges from classical choral and contemporary works to gospel, folk and musical theater styles.

• A matinee concert by The Cockman Family will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Since launching their performing career in 1988, they have developed the classic family harmonies and youthful flair that is

The Cockman Family trademark. Their unique bluegrass gospel style, original songs and original arrangements of the old gospel songs have been immensely popular with their audiences. Their family ties are strong, with the warmth of that is conveyed in their performances.

• The “Appalachian Christmas Craft Show” will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 12 in the Harrell Center.

828.454.9474. Free to attend.

All events are open to the public.

Individual concert tickets and two- and three-night lodging packages are available.

Tickets for the concerts are $22.50 for reserved The seating, $17.50 for genCockman eral admission seating.

Family.

Children ages 18 and under may attend for free in general admission seating. Packages include lodging, meals, concert tickets and tickets to visit the Biltmore Estate.

• A Taize worshop service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, at the Lake Junaluska Memorial Chapel.

Taizé, named for the religious community in France where it originated, is a quiet service of candlelight, silence, prayer and repetitive chanted music. It is an introspective service that emphasizes meditation and reflection.

During this busy Advent season in preparation for Christmas, the Taizé service will provide a time to quiet the mind and listen for God’s word revealed through Scripture.

All are invited to come and worship.

For more information on the event schedule or to buy concert tickets, visit www.lakejunaluska.com/christmas or call 800.222.4930.

HOLIDAYS, CONTINUED FROM 33

CHEROKEE • The Cherokee Lights and Legends Christmas will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays through Jan. 2 at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. Interactive

displays of Cherokee legends, ice skating, carnival rides, bonfire, mini-golf, and more.

Admission is free, with varying prices for skating and other activities. www.visitcherokeenc.com.

• The Holiday Homecoming celebration will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.

Holiday crafts, cider, traditional music and more.

S EE HOLIDAYS, PAGE 36

THE FAMILY CARE CENTER The holiday season is upon us.

Smoky Mountain News

Have you ever wanted to treat yourself to a “healthy new you”?

We can help you set your goals and reach them at the Family Care Center.

Call 828-554-5565 to make an appointment.

34

77 Painttown Road (Hwy. 19) • Cherokee, NC

Dr. Michael Toedt

arts & entertainment

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Smoky Mountain News

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HOLIDAYS, CONTINUED FROM 34 arts & entertainment

CULLOWHEE • “Christmas in the Park” will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Jackson County Recreation Park. Fire pit, light scenes and decorations in the park, with a special visit from Santa Claus. www.mountainlovers.com.

• The stage performance of “3 Redneck Tenors Christmas Spec-tac-yule” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University. Wearing mullets on their heads and stomping their feet, these unique vocalists whoop and holler through holiday music providing head to toe entertainment for the whole family. 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. www.bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or 828.227.2479.

FONTANA • The “Christmas in the Smokies” holiday celebration will run through Dec. 31 at Fontana Village Resort. Winter fun, holiday festivities and events. 800.849.2258 or www.fontanavillage.com.

FRANKLIN

HIGHLANDS

WAYNESVILLE • The holiday production of “Home For Christmas” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 10-12 and at 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15

December 9-15, 2015

• The Highlands Cashiers Players will have the “Mountain Voices” singing their annual holiday program at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at the Highlands Performing Arts Center. The group is a 40-person chorus based in Franklin. The chorus will open the evening with several selections from their popular Christmas program. Then, actors will present a dramatized reading from the 1943 novel, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, the story of a young girl growing up in a poor Brooklyn neighborhood. The Voices will close the program with “Gloria,” one of their most powerful numbers, and the evening will conclude with refreshments served in the downstairs reception room. Free. www.highlandscashiersplayers.com.

SYLVA • The Western Carolina Civic Orchestra will hold its annual Community Christmas Concert at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at the Jackson County Public Library. Sponsored by the library and the Jackson County Arts Council. The event will include a Christmas Concerto Pastorale by Giuseppe Sammartini, Carol of the Bells and Pachelbel Canon. The orchestra will be joined by area students who study violin and flute with Cathy Arps, Elizabeth Butler and Lori Richards. All children are invited to bring a rattle, toy trumpet or small toy drum, to play with the orchestra in the Toy Symphony. Free. 828.586.2016 or www.fontanalib.org.

• The Holiday Bazaar will be from 3 to 9 p.m.

Dec. 10-11 at the Barkers Creek Community Building. The event will include over 30 craft vendors and a “Toys for Tots” charity collection. There will also be face painting, children’s activities, food samples, and more.

Any toy donation will be given a ticket for a special raffle. Free. 828.226.7814.

• The “Christmas Extravaganza” gingerbread man decorating with The Krektones will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, at The Cut Cocktail Lounge in downtown.

TH FRIDAY, DEC. 11TH

Smoky Mountain News

Come out & support HWC Foster Teens Holiday Fund as we Celebrate this Christmas Season!

Wishing you a

Merry Christmas, whichever list you end up on!

828.456.3211 www.smokymtneye.com ACCEPTING MAJOR MEDICAL & VISION INSURANCE PLANS DON’T FORGET — YOU MAY PURCHASE CONTACTS WITH YOUR HSA

36

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

Show StartS at 6pm SILENT AUCTION Snownado Stout Christmas Bottle Release

130 Frazier Street, Ste. 7 Waynesville 322-73

828-246-0602 bwbrewing.com

F

• The “Christmas Cantata & Play” will be at 4 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Victory Baptist Church, located between Dillsboro and Franklin on U.S. 441. Free.

• A special “Christmas with The Lettermen” concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. The legendary group will perform their hits as well as Christmas favorites. Tickets start at $23. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

• Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be from 7 to 10 a.m. Dec. 12 at Fatz Café. $7 per person. Professional portraits available.

A benefit for the Relay for Life of Franklin.

828.342.9804.

• Rockapella will perform at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. Since the early '90's when they first achieved national television fame on PBS's “Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?,” they've toured the globe and provided a funky powerful soundtrack to several generations of vocal music fans, while keeping it all fresh along the way. Tickets

start at $20. www.greatmountainmusic.com.

• “Silver Bells & Cocktails” will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Tessentee Farms. Hosted by REACH of Macon County. Tickets are $100 a seat or a table for $1,000. Live music, local beers, wine, auction, and more. 828.369.5544 or aanderson@reachofmaconcounty.org.

• The “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. This holiday classic comes to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble cast, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. Tickets are $12. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

Lights & Luminaries returns to Dillsboro at Riverwood Shops (located behind Oaks he Festival of Lights & Luminaries will Gallery) will be open for the third year the be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 11-12 in four nights of Dillsboro’s Luminaries. downtown Dillsboro.

This year Bob and Susan Leveille will With more than 2,500 candles in white present a Scots-Irish theme with activities bags lining the streets, the lights set the town for children young and old. Hostesses will aglow, the town will create a winter wonderoffer refreshments and hot cider, the reading land at the corner of Front and Webster of stories, decorating the live tree and other streets. Inviting aromas slip from inside the fun surprises for all. Across from Oaks open shops where you are provided compliGallery, Karen Barnes at Riverwood Pottery mentary refreshments, music and voices raised in song, and have opportunities to purchase special selections for Christmas giving.

Lavishing then in the warm glow of the holiday evening, you can experience old-fashioned horse and buggy rides, and the real reason for the season in the middle of town with a live nativity scene at Jarrett Memorial Baptist Church. The church will showcase the Nativity at 6:30 p.m., with the Fellowship Hall open Lights & Luminaries will continue Dec. 11-12 in Dillsboro. File photo for a warm break from the cold where refreshments will be provided. Children will love the invites you to stop by and visit with her.

• Friday, Dec. 11: Open Invitation for Christmas atmosphere for they will find Choir Night. Church groups are invited to Rudolph and Santa’s elves strolling along the streets passing out candy canes, and they can sing Christmas Carols at various places in Dillsboro. Please contact Lisa Potts at share their wants and wishes at Santa’s 828.586.5391 or drop by in person at Workshop in Town Hall.

Venturo’s Bakery. The Dillsboro Chocolate The former Bradley's building will be open Factory will have the Smoky Mountain for entertainment, and Haywood Smokehouse will provide warm drinks for folks to enjoy and Ensemble Band in front of store from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The old Bradley’s General Store warm up while listening to the local musicians will also have soloist Tammy Drinnon. and singers. At Riverbend Frozen Delights, the • Saturday, Dec. 12: The old Bradley’s talking bear, “Dills,” will entertain while festiGeneral Store will welcome guitarist and valgoers enjoy winter ice cream. And at Nancy singer John Morgan, who will play intermitTut’s Christmas Shop, Carmela Brooks will tently with the Faith Baptist Youth Group. entertain inside with song and guitar.

All events during the Lights & Dogwood Crafters will have music each Luminaries celebration are free, with parking night, plus “millions” of cookies. Inside the and shuttle transportation available at Dillsboro Chocolate Factory a bluegrass Monteith Park. group will be performing favorite Christmas www.mountainlovers.com. tunes all four nights. The C.J. Harris Parlor

Smoky Mountain News

admission for ages 12 and over. Free admission with a $5 children’s gift (per person).

The event is put on by the Haywood County Fairgrounds “Truck Pullers.” www.haywoodcountyfairgrounds.org.

• A “Polar Express” event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, at the Haywood County Fairgrounds in Lake Junaluska. www.haywoodcountyfairgrounds.com or 828.400.1704.

• “Holiday Family Night” will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Haywood County Fairgrounds in Lake Junaluska. Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, jump house, reading of “The Night Before Christmas,” screening of “The Grinch,” concessions, Smoky Mountain Model Railroaders, and more. $5 per person. Free for ages 3 and under. For a full schedule, visit www.haywoodcountyfairgrounds.com.

December 9-15, 2015

for seniors and $7 for students. www.harttheater.org or 828.456.6322.

• “A Night before Christmas” will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 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.

• The “Twelve Days of Christmas” will be Dec. 13-24 in downtown. www.downtownwaynesville.com.

• The “Holiday-Pull For Presents” will be Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Haywood County Fairgrounds in Lake Junaluska. Puller registration is at noon, with a 1 p.m. start. $10 hook fee or children’s toy ($10 value). $3

arts & entertainment

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Books

Smoky Mountain News

King is spot on with new short story collection eing a lifelong Stephen King fan, I have always been pleased to note that King is always keenly aware of the world around him. By that, I mean that he reads, watches the news every day and seems to be genuinely distressed by what he finds there.

He still has that gift of understanding teenagers as is evident in his “spot on” dialogue in “Mile 81” (which also turns out to be a tribute to his over-the-top novel, Christine).

Fifty years has darkened his outlook, but it is the same darkness that I hear echoed in the conversations at breakfast at Sylva’s Coffee Shop or in Jill’s barbershop in Dillsboro. Each morning brings news of another shooting at a school or theater; Writer another terrorist threat or the death of a revered celebrity. Current affairs always provide additional evidence that our planet is self-destructing ... which will provides this acclaimed author with yet another plot for a sharp-edged tale.

There are 20 stories in this collection, and the majority are “memorable.” Oh, yes, there is a clinker or two. (I’m sorry Steve, but I really think you should avoid poetry. The examples here confused me.)

However, I was delighted to find such prose gems as “Premium Harmony” and “Batman and Robin Have an Altercation.”

Both are examples of tales that are drawn from the lives and hardships of the elderly ... those grumpy souls that now live in retirement communities or will soon be there.

The protagonist in “Premium Harmony” still bickers with his wife about buying groceries at Walmart, feeding the dog and his failure to stop smoking. The dark humor of the ending — when Ray finds all of his problems abruptly resolved — is perfectly rendered.

Then, there is Sanderson, who like thousands of dutiful sons, takes his senile father out for lunch at Applebee’s every Sunday.

Gary Carden

B

wonderful to read a “vintage King” piece, “The Little Green God of Agony,” in which Andrew Newsome, the sixth richest man in the world, bargains for an end to his suffering. Newsome has survived the crash of an airliner, the sole survivor.

However he had suffered chipped bones, crushed ribs and excessive injuries to his body. Now, he lies in the most expensive hospital bed in the world, where he has spent 24 months of unrelieved suffering and he is ready to bargain with the Arkansas-based Reverend Rideout (The Church of Holy Faith) who tells Newsome that his pain is caused by a demon that lives in Newsome’s throat. Rideout will remove the demon if Newsome will restore Rideout’s church ... recently destroyed by a wildfire started by drunken campers. Ah, kind hearts, this tale will make a hell of a movie.

King also pays tribute to the Kindle by both admitting that he owns one and then creating a tribute to the device by developing a memorable story entitled “Ur,” about an English teacher who ordered one of the first (it was pink) and accidentally discovers that the archives have titles by his favorite authors that he had never heard of.

For example, when he looks up Ernest Hemingway on his pink The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King. Scribners, Kindle, he finds mistakes in the infor2015. 495 pages. mation about the author. The birth and death dates are wrong, and beneath The Old Man and the Sea there is a people every day.” Then, comes a marvelous novel entitled Courtland’s Dogs. There is a bit Sunday trek when the old man’s theft of an of red tape involving his credit card, but ... he Applebee’s knife ends up being the means of can order it. He finds similar “mistakes” in the solving an altercation with an unstable listings for Shakespeare, who seems to have motorist .... written a famous play, “A Black Fellow in It is also evident that King knows someLondon.” When he shares his discovery with a thing about pain as is evident in his personal fellow teacher, they decide to investigate what battle following a hit-and-run accident that could be done with such information. Edgar left him broken and hospitalized for months.

A. Poe, Raymond Carver, James Dickey, on Like a true writer, he used his own experience in a series of short stories that contain graphic and on.

When our English teacher discovers that evidence of his own travail. As a reader, it is Since his father has failing kidneys and has become a kleptomaniac (he steals silverware), Sanderson has to watch his him closely.

Today, his father asks him what is the bright side of Alzhimers. “Answer: You meet new

his Kindle publishes reprints of newspapers, he discovers that a number of political assassinations, plane crashes, and terrorist attacks did not happen. Then, there is a bus wreck that will kill dozens of athlete’s returning home. I think that I will leave the readers to find out what happens next when the teachers with the pink Kindle decide to interfere ....

Speaking of tributes, King has a reputation for praising his fellow authors, and he goes one step further in this collection. Each story is dedicated to a writer that King admires. For example, the short story, “Batman and Robin Have an Altercation” is dedicated to the American novelist John Irving who is a personal friend. “Premium Harmony” is dedicated to Raymond Carver who has a reputation for creating short stories that often have a harsh aftertaste. The nasty tale, “Bad Little Kid,” is dedicated to Russ Dorr, who has a penchant of creating nasty little demons of his own. King’s grim little western tale, “A Death” is dedicated to Elmore Leonard, who, in addition to writing fast-paced detective thrillers, has created a number of dark, “hanging day” westerns, including 3:10 to Yuma. Readers can find out a great deal about King by checking out this list of writers that he admires.

I especially admire tales that give me a bit of adrenaline pumping tension, and “Herman Wouk Is Still Alive” certainly fills the bill. The crux of this tale is an interstate wreck that takes the lives of two adults and seven children and it is a one-vehicle accident. Brenda is an alcoholic who has just won the lottery and after cashing in, she is on her way to “a funfilled holiday” which is doomed because Brenda is drunk, angry and filled with selfdestructive urges. In accordance to the ancient tale of a traveler who has an “appointment in Sammara,” Brenda is on her way.

This is an excellent collection that touches on King’s favorite themes: aliens, psychic people who bargain with dark powers, Omar’s “moving finger,” untested morality, AIDs and Godfather Death They may have clever disguises, but they are all here.

(Gary Carden is a writer and storyteller who lives in Jackson County. He can be reached at gcarden498@aol.com.)

Ron Rash to judge Wolfe prize Beloved North Carolina author Ron Rash will serve as the final judge of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize.

The 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize is administered by the Great Smokies Writing Program at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. The program offers opportunities for writers of all levels to join a supportive learning community in which their skills and talents can be explored, practiced, and forged under the careful eye of professional writers. The program is committed to providing the community with affordable university-level classes led by published writers and experienced teachers. Each course carries academic credit awarded through UNC-Asheville.

Rash is the author of the 2009 PEN/Faulkner Finalist and New York Times bestselling novel Serena, as well as four other prizewinning novels, including One Foot in Eden, Saints at the River, The World Made Straight, and The Cove; four collections of poems; and six collections of stories, among them Burning Bright, which won the 2010 Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award; Chemistry and Other Stories, which was a finalist for the 2007 PEN/Faulkner Award; and most recently, Something Rich and Strange. Twice the recipient of the O. Henry Prize, he teaches at Western Carolina University.

The Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize is open to all writers, regardless of geographic location or prior publication. Submitted stories must be unpublished and not exceed 3,000 words. The winner receives $1,000 and possible publication in The Thomas Wolfe Review. The deadline is Jan. 30, 2016.

Questions? Contact Nancy Williams at nwilliam@unca.edu or 828.250.2353. www.ncwriters.org.

‘Coffee with the Poet’ welcomes Janelle The “Coffee with the Poet” series will continue with Randi Janelle at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

The December gathering will feature performance poet and novelist Randi Janelle. She will share her poetry and also read from her novel, The Story: Deviation. She has performed her poetry in New Zealand, Australia and regularly performs in Asheville. The Coffee with the Poet series is cosponsored by the NetWest chapter of the North Carolina Writers Network and gathers on the third Thursday of each month.

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• Author Joseph M. Edwards recently released his autobiography Life in Mikey’s Mind. The book is a personal account of growing up in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He will host a book reading and signing at 3 p.m. Dec. 13 and 12:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at the First Baptist Church, with both in Waynesville. www.amazon.com.

ALSO:

• Writer Carroll Jones will read from his sequel to the historical novel Master of the East Fork at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville. www.blueridgebooksnc.com.

The Western North Carolina Historical Association recently announced the selection of the 60th winner of the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. This year the winners of the Award are Doug Orr and Fiona Ritchie, bestowed for their book, Wayfaring Strangers: The Musical Voyage from Scotland and Ulster to Appalachia.

A Jackson County author, David Joy’s Where All Light Tends To Go was also a finalist.

A prize of $1,500 accompanies the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. The award event, followed by a reception, is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Renaissance Hotel in Asheville. Event tickets are $10 general admission and $5 for Asheville History Center members. Tickets may be reserved by contacting the Asheville History Center at 828.253.9231.

Smoky Mountain News

Joy named finalist for Wolfe award

December 9-15, 2015

• Macon County author Kames Kautz has released his latest work, Digger. When the aging archaeologist has dug his last flake of earth, will he be able to uphold his long-time vow to defend his Christian tradition? He has hoped to find archaeological proof of the biblical kingdom of David — but he has not considered the effect his quest will have on his faith. Kautz, an experienced archaeologist and professor of biblical studies, traces the life of Paul Gartin from his conservative Evangelical youth through his struggles with fundamentalism. Gartin is a respected biblical archaeologist raised and educated in an environment steeped in fundamentalism and deeply conservative Christianity. His life revolves around a quest for archeological evidence supporting the biblical record.

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Smoky Mountain News

Outdoors

Solar farm comes to Bethel

BY HOLLY KAYS Carolina state tax credit. Well, we are going to seen some major shifts even since 2009, when STAFF WRITER FLS built its other Haywood County project, a continue to build even though that tax credit The agricultural community of Bethel now solar farm on the Evergreen Packaging landfill is sun-setting at the end of this year.” has a new type of farm in its midst — solar.

For larger projects like the ones FLS now in Canton.

Visible from U.S. 276, the 8.2-acre properdoes, solar will still be a lucrative business “That was a pretty groundbreaking projty sandwiched between the Bethel without the 35 percent state tax break, even ect,” Marshall said. “It was the first ballasted Community Cemetery and Exxon-Mobil gas taking into account the fact that the sale price solar farm on a landfill in the eastern United station holds more than 6,000 solar panels, per kilowatt-hour of solar energy is signifiStates, or at least the Southeast.” each 6 feet, 5 inches long and 3 feet, 3 inches cantly less now than it was in 2006, thanks to That solar farm had a size of 550 kilowide. The whole array has a size of 1.5 dropping prices for natural gas. watts, a massive undertaking for FLS at the megawatts, a rating that allows it to produce 2.9 milMore than 8 acres of solar panels are lion kilowatt-hours per year, now powering homes in the Bethel area enough to power 240 average of Haywood County. Holly Kays photo U.S. homes.

“What solar does and smaller distributed generation plants such as this solar farm does is it allows power plants to be all over the place,” said Frank Marshall, director of policy and public affairs for FLS energy, the Asheville-based company behind the project. “You have distributed power throughout the state. It makes for a more robust grid, and also from a national security standpoint, that’s what we need to head towards.”

Power generated from solar projects is most effective when it’s used locally, so homes in the new farm’s immediate vicinity are the ones whose dishwashers and light bulbs are now powered by solar. How it works is that FLS, which holds a 20-year lease on the land, sells the wattage it produces back to the power company — in this case, Duke Energy. Duke pays FLS for the power, and the energy goes into the pool of energy it uses to satisfy local “What solar does and smaller distributed generation plants such as this customer demand.

“The most efficient way does is it allows power plants to be all over the place.” you can make power is make it on your roof, use it in your house,” Marshall explained.

“The farther you push it, the more power you lose.”

The reason? time. The Bethel farm is more than triple that The folks at FLS should know. Founded in “Sheer volume,” Marshall said. “A residensize, and it’s actually a small project compared 2006, the firm is now the second largest solar tial company might do in a year 250 kilowatts. to others on FLS’ plate right now. company in the state and the fourth largest in A lot of the increased project size has to do We don’t even do that as a (single) project.” the nation. The company employs 70 people Each residential or commercial project — with significant improvements to the at its Asheville headquarters and has brought those intended to power a single home or economies of scale surrounding utility-size $800 million of out-of-state investment to business — is much, much smaller than a solar projects.

North Carolina since its inception. project FLS might tackle. This year, FLS will “Since we did our first project up in More has changed in that time than just install about 1,000 times the solar capacity of Canton, the prices for our installations have the company’s stats. The economic and lega residential company doing 250 kilowatts. gone down by over 80 percent,” Marshall islative structure surrounding solar energy has said. “When we started there was a North The large scale makes it easier for FLS to find

efficiencies and absorb costs than it might be for the smaller residential solar company and that’s why, Marshall said, even though utilityscale solar is at a place where it’s fine without the tax credit, residential and commercial projects aren’t there yet.

“We as a company would like to see some kind of a tax credit for it, even though we’re not in that business,” he said.

For utility-scale projects, the tax credit was

solar farm — Frank Marshall, FLS energy

instrumental in giving companies the cushion they needed to make North Carolina one of the top solar producers in the country, Marshall said. The tax break, coupled with a law requiring power companies to derive 12.5 percent of their energy from renewables by 2021, “really kickstarted the industry,” Marshall said.

Though utility-scale solar has certainly become more mainstream and the projects have grown larger,

F

Santa pays a visit to Boyd’s Christmas Tree Farm. Donated photo

Become a Christmas tree expert The proper selection and care of Christmas trees will be the focus of the Tuscola Garden Club meeting 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Bethea Welcome Center at Lake Junaluska.

Betsy Boyd of Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree Farm near Waynesville will present, giving tips to ensure tree vibrancy and health throughout the holidays.

Free. 828.246.0437.

The nonprofit that raises money to support needs in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park pulled in $27,000 on the nationally recognized day of giving this year. Of that, $17,000 came from donations and another $10,000 in matching funds from Patagonia and Home Federal Bank.

The result well exceeded Friends of the Smokies’ initial goal of $20,000. Last year, Friends received $18,000 on #GivingTuesday, far above its $4,500 goal.

“We are thrilled at the outpouring of support on #GivingTuesday this year,” said Director of Marketing Brent McDaniel. “Thank you to everyone who donated and helped spread the word.” www.friendsofthesmokies.org.

December 9-15, 2015

#GivingTuesday ended well for the Smokies

The Great Smoky Mountains Association, a nonprofit that provides millions for visitor programs, conservation and special projects in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is getting a new director.

Terry Maddox, the long-time executive director of 26 years, is stepping down at the year’s end and will be succeeded by Laurel Rematore, who has 15 years of experience leading national park nonprofit groups.

Rematore has served as executive director of the Mesa Verde Museum Association in Colorado since 2008, and before that she worked as director of membership and development at the Yosemite Association in California. In all, Rematore brings the association some 15 years of executive and senior management experience in the public land association arena.

“Laurel’s creativity makes her a perfect fit as the new executive director and a partner for this park, especially as the National Park Service moves into its next century of service,” said Cassius Cash, superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The board agreed unanimously on

Rematore’s hire, citing her passion, knowledge, financial know-how and consensusbuilding skills as reasons for her selection.

Rematore describes herself as one who takes “calculated risks.”

She considers cooperating associations the “agile and responsive partner” Laurel Rematore. to the Donated photo National Park Service, which is often more restrained by federal requirements than its partners.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to lead Great Smoky Mountains Association, a true innovator in the nonprofit cooperating association world,” Rematore said. “I look forward to meeting our members, exploring the park’s many natural and cultural resources, and to working with the gateway communities and the other park partners to strengthen our collective stewardship of our nation’s most-visited national park.”

outdoors

Great Smoky Mountains Association names new director

Mountain bikers celebrate a year’s worth of work

the mountains still present significant challenges for solar installers. Though it’s based just a stone’s throw away in Asheville, FLS doesn’t have any North Carolina projects further west than Haywood County.

“When you get into the mountains, it just opens up another variety of issues with building,” Marshall said.

For one thing, there’s the issue of slope — finding clear, flat land capable of housing solar panels can be difficult.

But there’s another reason the mountains are tricky for solar. The company

secures its solar panels by driving metal pilings into the ground, not by pouring cement. In the mountains, rock generally isn’t all that far from the ground’s surface, so it can be pretty hard to find a place where it’s cost-effective to build.

Though, no matter what the project, solar is always an investment that takes some time to yield a return. For the Bethel project, FLS expects to wait five or six years before turning a profit.

“We’re in it for the long-term,” Marshall said.

Smoky Mountain News

Another year of biking and trail work for Nantahala Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association will be celebrated 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at Innovation Brewing in Sylva.

The mountain biking club’s annual Endo-Year Shindig will include raffles and a showcase of all the trail work that’s been done in 2015. The raffle will raise money to buy a chainsaw for future trail maintenance work. www.nasorba.com

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outdoors

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your friendly, local blue box — smoky mountain news

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December 9-15, 2015

Make this Christmas the stuff of legends.

Smoky Mountain News

December 5â&#x20AC;&#x201C;January 2, each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, from 6â&#x20AC;&#x201C;9 p.m. (closed Dec. 24â&#x20AC;&#x201C;26) Bring your family for a stroll under the lights through fun, interactive displays that recount ancient Cherokee Christmas legends. Or come for the lighting of a 40-ft. Christmas tree, a visit with Santa, and a spin on our synthetic ice rink. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more inexpensive entertainment than we can mention, and admission is free. Grab your little elves and join us here at 545 Tsali Blvd., in Cherokee, NC.

VisitCherokeeNC.com | 828.359.6490 42

Restrictions in place for Staire Creek Trail Equestrians and bikers who enjoy the Staire Creek Trail in the Big Ivy Area of the Pisgah National Forest will have to wait until spring to use the trail, due to delays in completion of maintenance work there.

The U.S. Forest Service had started a significant maintenance project on the trailâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upper portion this fall but will not be able to finish it until early spring. Until then itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not safe for horseback or mountain bike riders, though hikers may still use the trail. The restriction is scheduled to last through March 1, 2016, though it may be extended if necessary.

828.689.9694.

Boating season begins on the Upper Chattooga Boating season has begun on the Upper Chattooga Wild and Scenic River corridor in the Nantahala Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest and will stay open through April 30.

Paddling is allowed on this highly technical section only on days when flows measure at least 350 cubic feet per second, and only during daylight hours â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 30 minutes after the official sunrise until 30 minutes after the official sunset. In addition, all boaters must register by obtaining a free permit from the registration boards located on trails leading to river access points.

Paddlers have only recently won the right to use the river, a decision that came at the end of a years-long battle between paddlers who wanted to use the river and opponents who feared that paddlers would diminish the wilderness experience and cause lasting environmental damage. In 2012, the decision to end the band was finalized, but afterwards the U.S. Forest Service had to decide on the specifics of how the river could be used, resulting in paddling on high flow days only.

Possible timber thinning project takes comment The U.S. Forest Service is considering a timber project on 117 acres of the Nantahala Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest, encompassing sections of Swain, Jackson and Macon counties.

The project, termed a â&#x20AC;&#x153;crop tree release,â&#x20AC;? would thin out faster-growing species like red maples and yellow-poplar in order to promote the growth of slower-growing species such as oak and pine, which are considered to be more desirable for timber and wildlife food production. The work will be done in areas that had previously been commercially cleared and planted with oak and pine seedlings.

Send comments by midnight Dec. 22 to comments-southern- north-carolina-nantahala-nantahala@fs.fed.us or Joan Brown, Nantahala Ranger District, 90 Sloan Road, Franklin, NC 28734. The Forest Service will issue a decision in early 2016.

Haywood stream cleanup logs big numbers

Volunteers with Haywood Waterways Association pull trash from Richland Creek.

Donated photo

tion operations, interfere with recreation, harm wildlife and impact the local economy.

Christine O’Brien, christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com or 828.476.4667.

outdoors

Nearly two tons of trash were removed from Haywood County waterways this year thanks to Haywood Waterways Association’s Adopt-A-Stream Program.

This year, the program took 3,665 pounds of trash from Haywood’s streams, with Haywood Community College’s Wildlife Club taking 2,460 pounds in a single day.

That’s a lot of trash, but it’s less than has been recorded in the past.

“I don’t know if people are doing the right thing by keeping trash out of the streams or if it was the drought and less runoff washing trash into the streams,” said Shannon Rabby, lead instructor of Fish and Wildlife Management Technology at HCC. The majority of the trash was glass containers, plastic bottles, and shopping bags.

Some of the larger items included a kiddy pool, shingles, tires, shopping cart, lawn chair and a queen-sized quilt. But for a point of comparison, Rabby added, the group collected only four tires compared to a dozen in previous years.

Haywood Waterways started Adopt-AStream in 2009, since then recruiting 1,005 volunteers to remove more than 17 tons of trash from local streams.

Trash not only takes away from the beauty of the landscape, but it can clog intake pipes for drinking water supplies and irriga-

Fire ant quarantine expands to Macon and Graham counties A state quarantine to prevent the spread of the imported fire ant has expanded to include Macon and Graham counties, bringing the total number of counties included in the quarantine to 74. Many of the mountain counties are still exempt.

Considered a nuisance and health concern for people and animals alike, the imported fire ant has a painful sting. It was first identified in Brunswick County in 1957. To prevent its spread, the quarantine requires residents and business owners in affected areas to obtain a permit before moving plants, sod or related equipment into or through non-infested areas.

“Fire ants can be harmful to humans and livestock. It is critical we continue proactive efforts to slow down fire ant movement into non-infested areas of the state,” said Vernon Cox, director of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Plant Industry Division.

Permits are available through the state’s Plant Protection Section, 800.206.9333. www.ncagr.gov/plantindustry/plant/ entomology/IFA.htm.

A $483,000 National Park Service grant will allow Western Carolina University to map shoreline storm vulnerability in 12 costal parks from Alaska to Florida.

The internationally recognized WCU Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines advocates for science-based coastal management policies that balance economic and environmental interests. The grant is the latest in an ongoing partnership with the National Park Service, with a similar grant of $436,000 awarded in 2014.

The money will fund a phase of research “that will assist park managers in the decision-making process for resource management and preservation of infrastructure at coastal parks, all of which ultimately effects the economic, environmental and recreational outcomes that impact all of us,” said WCU shorelines program director Robert Young.

December 9-15, 2015

WCU shoreline study program lands grant

Smoky Mountain News 43

outdoors

Get the inside scoop on A.T. hiking A veteran backpacker will share the lessons he’s learned about hiking the Appalachian Trail in a program 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 16, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

Bill Van Horn, a Franklin hiker who’s section-hiked the whole A.T., will discuss personal readiness, Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, hiker etiquette and camping in his presentation, “Thinking About Backpacking on the A.T.?”

Free. 828.524.3600. www.appalachiantrail.org.

Bill Van Horn.

Donated photo

Run in the New Year A New Year’s 5K and fun run will provide incentive to get exercise in alongside holiday goodies.

At 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department will host the Run in 2016 5K Run, Walk & Fun Run at the Jackson County Recreation Complex in Cullowhee.

After the 11 a.m. 5K Run and Walk, an untimed half-mile fun run will be held at 11:45 a.m., with awards at noon. $20 for registrations received by Dec. 30; $25 for day-of registration. Half-mile fun run free for children 12 and under.

Jenifer Pressley, 828.293.3053 or jeniferpressley@jacksonnc.org.

Smoky Mountain News

December 9-15, 2015

DOT looking for N.C.’s best trails

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A new map to feature North Carolina’s most loved trails is now in the development stage, and the N.C. Department of Transportation is looking for nominations of trails to include.

Citizens are invited to share their favorite trails with WalkBikeNC, DOT’s program to improve bicycle and pedestrian transportation, for possible inclusion on the N.C. Great Trails State Map. Submissions should be received by Jan. 15 for inclusion in the inaugural map. www.walkbikenc.com.

Hike welcomes back longer days A nighttime exploration of DuPont State Forest will mark the winter solstice, 7-9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.

The stroll will traverse an easy quarter-mile trail to the base of Hooker falls. The group will enjoy a quiet moment celebrating the return of sunlight to the northern hemisphere by shining flashlights on the falls to create soft moonlight. Then, a toast of warm, thermos-carried drinks — it’s a bring-your-own event — will mark the hike’s conclusion.

Free. Register by noon Friday, Dec. 18, at action.mountaintrue.org/page/s/winter-solstice-hike.

Hosted by MountainTrue.

Volunteers slug it out for trail maintenance Hundreds of miles of hiking trails wind their way through Western North Carolina, and it takes an army of volunteers to keep them maintained. Between October 2014 and October 2015, hiking clubs across the western counties put in thousands of hours of hard work.

■ The Nantahala Hiking Club logged 5,454 hours of trail work from 134 volunteers, with a total 8,856 hours for all club activities combined. At the federal equivalency rate, that’s $200,000 worth of work on public lands.

■ The Carolina Mountain Club logged a

total 18,668 hours of volunteer work, with 9,883 of those hours spent on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, 3,117 in the Pisgah National Forest and 3,762 on the Appalachian Trail.

■ The Benton McKaye Trail Association reported 4,674 hours of volunteer work from 51 trail maintainers on the Benton McKaye Trail, a 300-mile route passing through North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.

■ All told, a record-breaking crew of 6,827 volunteers throughout the A.T.’s 2,190-mile route from Georgia to Maine contributed 272,477 hours to maintaining and protecting the trail. Since the A.T. Conservancy began collecting reports in 1983, volunteers have given more than five million hours of time.

WNC Calendar COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • A reception in honor of Jerry Sutton, who served on Southwestern Community College’s Board of Trustees, is scheduled for 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Jerry Sutton Public Safety and Training Center in Franklin.

• The William E. Dillard Post 104 of the American Legion will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 14, at its new facility in Sylva. It will be the annual Christmas party. Post and Ladies Auxiliary members planning to attend must phone or text their name and number of meal reservations to 399.0861 by noon on Thursday, Dec. 10. www.sylvalegion.org, 293.5385 or jknicholl@frontier.com.

• A Saturday program in conjunction with the “Star Wars: The FORCE of Popular Culture” exhibit is scheduled for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Dec. 12 and Jan. 16 at the Western Office of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in Asheville. Free.

296.7230 or jeff.futch@ncdcr.gov.

• The Jackson County Public Library (Sylva) will host a community dance at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 13. The event will include circle and contra dancing. All styles taught and walked through beforehand. All welcome. Ron Arps will be the caller, with music by Out of the Woodwork. A community potluck dinner will follow at 5 p.m. ronandcathy71@frontier.com.

• The Western North Carolina Civil War Round Table will hold its annual Christmas Party at 5 p.m. on Dec. 14 at the Comfort Inn in Sylva. Presentation will be by Chris Mackowski on the performance of Maj. Gen. Richard E. Eewell and his second corps at Culp’s Hill at Gettysburg. 293.5924.

• Haywood County Public Library will hold a Winter Reading Challenge starting Tuesday, Dec. 15. Pick up a BINGO card at either the Waynesville or Canton library; cards will be filled with different reading activities for every age range. Once completed, cards may be returned for a free book. Challenge runs through Feb. 1.

Waynesville Library is holding a kickoff from 1-5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17. 356.2507.

• A presentation on the importance of being social will be given at 7 p.m. on Dec. 17 at the Open Door Center for Spiritual Living in Sylva. 477.4380.

• A Wellbriety Snow Moon (Usgiwi) celebration and potluck lunch is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19, at Cherokee Youth Center. Door prizes will be given; Brothers in the Wind Motorcycle Club will be honored for its service to the community. 554.6222 or 788.2132.

• A back porch old-time music jam will be held from 13 p.m. on Dec. 19 at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee. All welcome to come play or simply sit and listen to sounds of Southern Appalachia.

• The N.C. Arboretum’s second-annual Winter Lights exhibit runs from through Jan. 2. Three-acre nightly walking tour featuring more than 200,000 lights. http://tinyurl.com/nerqsq9.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • Haywood Chamber of Commerce Holiday Cheer is set for 5-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, at Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville. $35. Holiday networking, live and silent auctions, heavy hors d’oeuvres and cash bard. http://www.haywood-nc.com/events/HolidayCheer-1466/details.

• Western Carolina University will hold its fall commencement at 1 p.m. on Dec. 12 at the Ramsey Regional Activity Center in Cullowhee. 227.7216 or registrarsoffice@wcu.edu.

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 • Sequoyah Fund will hold a Small Business Financial Management session on managing employees from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15. http://www.sequoyahfund.org/programregistration.html.

• Sequoyah Fund will hold a Small Business Financial Management session on managing small business assets from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17. http://www.sequoyahfund.org/programregistration.html.

• The Town of Canton’s Business Forum is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17, at the Colonial Theater Annex. 648.2363 or lisa@cantnonnc.com.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • A benefit raffle is currently underway at the Canton Senior Center. The prize is a gift basket valued at over $1,000, filled with gift certificates and other goods.

Funding, in general, has been cut over the years, with proceeds from the raffles going to their numerous programs. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the Canton Senior Center and the Haywood County Senior Resource Center. Drawing is Dec. 9 and you do not have to be present to win. 356.2813.

• Contributions are being sought for the Glenville Area Historical Society’s historical museum, which plans to open next year. historicalsocietyglenvillearea@yahoo.com or 743.1658.

• A truck-pulling event will be held to raise funds and gifts for local children at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Haywood County Fairgrounds. Registration begins at noon. $10 hook fee or a new children’s toy with a $10 value. $3 admission for children 12 and older. Free admission with a $5 children’s gift.

• Winter Wonderland Festival is scheduled for 5:30-9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10 at the Canton Armory. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door; all proceeds benefit the “Share the Warmth” heating assistance program; Champion Credit Union will match ticket sales up to $5,000. Admission includes a spaghetti dinner, face painting, photo booth, Ms. Arty Pants Creation Station and more.

• “Silver Bells & Cocktails” will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Tessentee Farms. Hosted by REACH of Macon County.

Tickets are $100 a seat or a table for $1,000. Live music, local beers, wine, champagne, auction, and more. 369.5544 or aanderson@reachofmaconcounty.org.

• The 211th MP Company Family Group is holding a Chili Fundraiser from 3-8 p.m. on Dec. 12 at the Clyde National Guard Armory. $8. Chili, drinks and dessert.

Deliveries made locally. 246.8419.

HOLIDAY GIVING • Toys for Tots drive on from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11 at the Smoky Mountain Holiday Bazaar located at Barkers Creek Community Building. Free admission.

Bring an unwrapped toy to be entered into a raffle. Door

Smoky Mountain News

prizes, drawing contest for kids, face painting, food samples/vendors, holiday displays from local crafters, and several more free activities. More information on Facebook.

45

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

• The Nanta Claus Christmas Children’s Benefit will from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 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.

• A lunchtime fitness class will be held from noon-1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Waynesville Recreation Center. Melissa Tinsley is the instructor.

456.2030.

• The “Holiday-Pull For Presents” will be Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Haywood County Fairgrounds in Lake Junaluska. Puller registration is at noon, with a 1 p.m. start. $10 hook fee or children’s toy ($10 value). $3 admission for ages 12 and over. Free admission with a $5 children’s gift (per person). The event is put on by the Haywood County Fairgrounds “Truck Pullers.” www.haywoodcountyfairgrounds.org.

• Jackson County NAACP Membership Meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Open Door Center for Spiritual Living on Sylva. 743.9747.

• A Christmas cookie exchange and silent auction is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19, at First United Methodist Church of Sylva. Stories will be read, Santa Claus will visit at 3 p.m. and hot chocolate, tea, cider and other refreshments will be served. Free; donation of two cans of food will be accepted for United Christian Ministries.

• Macon County Democratic Men’s Club Meeting this coming Monday, December 14, at 6pm at the Macon County Public Library near Franklin. Democrats and progressive independents are invited to our 2016 planning session during this meeting.

VENDORS • Vendor applications are being accepted for WinterFest Smoky Style, which is Feb. 26-28 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Weekend rental fee is $75 if paid by Dec. 15; $100 after. seaycharlesl@yahoo.com.

Sponsored in part by Haywood County Tourism Development Authority.

HEALTH MATTERS • The Macon County Cancer Support Group meets at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, in the cafeteria of Angel Medical Center in Franklin. Light refreshments and free gifts.

• Senior Life Solutions at Swain will offer a two-part educational series titled “Holiday Challenges – Dealing with Depression and Anxiety” from noon-12:45 p.m. on Dec. 17 and Dec. 19 at Swain Community Hospital in Bryson City. 488.4044.

• A free, weekly grief support group will meet from 12:30-2 p.m. on Thursdays at the SECU Hospice House in Franklin. 692.6178 or mlee@fourseasonscfl.org.

• “ECA on the Move!” – a walking program organized

by Jackson County Extension and Community Association – meets from 9-10 a.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. It’s an effort to meet the American Heart Association’s recommendation of 10,000 steps per day. 586.4009.

• “Health on Wheels” road ride, a relaxing social ride supporting physical and mental recovery from illness or injury – as well as anyone who hasn’t ridden in awhile – starts at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday at Canton Rec Park. For info, contact Michelle Trantham at mttrantham@hotmail.com or Melissa Rockett at mrockett@mountainwise.com/ • A Tuesday Meditation Group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Franklin.

POLITICAL CORNER • The Swain County Democratic Party meets at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Technology and Training Center on Buckner Branch. 736.1950 or 736.3043.

• Occupy/WNC General Assembly meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday at Dogwood Wellness Center. GPS address is 114 West Hemlock Street, Sylva NC 28779 but location in Dillsboro. 7439747.

THE SPIRITUAL SIDE • Vine of the Mountains Church is hosting the Advent series “The Light that Leads us Home” at 10 a.m. on Sundays in December at its location in the Frog Level district of Waynesville. www.thevine.cc.

• “Appalachian Christmas” at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center will deliver the nostalgic charm of mountain hospitality to visitors on Dec. 11-13.

The annual festive weekend features live music, hearty meals and local artistry. Festivities include Handel’s “Messiah,” featuring the Lake Junaluska Singers and regional orchestra and choir; Classic Sounds of Christmas, a concert by the Lake Junaluska Singers; the Appalachian Christmas Craft Show, showcasing the work of dozens of local artisans; and a matinee concert

by The Cockman Family, a local treasure. All events are open to the public. Individual concert tickets and twoand three-night lodging packages are available. Tickets are $22.50 for reserved seating, $17.50 for general admission seating. Children ages 18 and under may attend for free in general admission seating. Packages include lodging, meals, concert tickets and tickets to visit the Biltmore Estate. For more information on the event schedule or to buy concert tickets, visit www.lakejunaluska.com/christmas or call 800.222.4930.

• “The Christmas Story, A Classic Carol Celebration” will be presented during the 11 a.m. worship on Sunday, Dec. 13, at Clyde Central United Methodist Church. Free; open to the public. Covered dish meal will follow the service. 627.2287.

• Healing Mass and Anointing of the Sick is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Dec. 13 at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in Maggie Valley. Individual prayers over people after Mass by Charismatic Prayer Group members. 926.0106.

• The Canton Armory is open to the public for walking from 8-10 a.m. on Monday through Friday unless the facility is booked. 648.2363.

• A Taize worshop service is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 14, at Lake Junaluska Memorial Chapel.

Taize is a quiet service of candlelight, silence, prayer and repetitive chanted music. jmartin@lakejunaluska.com or sgiles@lakejunaluska.com.

• Pickle ball is offered from 8 a.m.-noon on Mondays through Fridays at the Waynesville Recreation Center.

456.2030 or www.waynesvillnc.gov.

• The “Christmas Cantata & Play” will be at 4 p.m.

Dec. 14 at the Victory Baptist Church, located between Dillsboro and Franklin on U.S. 441. Free.

RECREATION AND FITNESS

wnc calendar

• Christmas at Lighthouse Baptist with musical guest Blue Ridge is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17, at the church, which is two miles south of Dillsboro. Lighthousesylva.com.

• Vine of the Mountains Church in Frog Level will have a Christmas Eve Eve service on Dec. 23 at 7 p.m.

Professional actor Curt Cloninger will perform. http://curtcloninger.com/ or www.thevine.cc • Winter Shabbat Services are held at 10:30 a.m. on the first and third Saturdays of each month by Congregation Bamidbar in the Fellowship Hall of Andrews Methodist Church in Andrews. 369.9270.

• First United Methodist Church of Sylva’s meeting times will be 9 a.m. for contemporary worship service and 11 a.m. for traditional worship service. 586.2358.

AUTHORS AND BOOKS • Naturalist and historian George Ellison will preview his upcoming book “Literary Excursions” at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9 at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

Sponsored by the Southern Appalachian Plant Society.

524.5234.

• Carroll Jones will read from the sequel to his historical novel “Master of the East Fork” at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.

456.6000, blueridgebooks@ymail.com or www.blueridgebooksnc.com.

Smoky Mountain News

December 9-15, 2015

• The “Coffee with the Poet” series will continue with Randi Janelle at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. She will share her poetry and also read from her novel, The Story: Deviation. The Coffee with the Poet series is cosponsored by the NetWest chapter of the North Carolina Writers Network and gathers on the third Thursday of each month.

586.9499.

• Author Joseph M. Edwards recently released his autobiography “Life in Mikey’s Mind.” The book is a personal account of growing up in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He will host a book reading and signing at 3 p.m. Dec. 13 and 12:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at the First Baptist Church, with both in Waynesville. www.amazon.com.

• Banned Book Club meets from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturdays at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville. For those who enjoy literature and intellectual conversation. 456.6000, blueridgebooks@ymail.com or www.blueridgebooksnc.com.

• The Appalachian Toymaker & Storyteller will be making wooden toys and telling tales on select dates and times at The Storytelling Center of the Southern Appalachian. www.psalmsofthesouth.com or 488.5705.

• Youth Outright, an advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth in Western North Carolina, will hold an art night on Dec. 13. For more info, visit www.youthoutright.org.

• Christmas storytime is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Macon County Library in Franklin. cdando@fontanalib.org or 524.3600.

Christmas stories, carols and a visit from Santa Claus.

• A Polar Express Special Event is scheduled for 34:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Macon County Library in Franklin. cdando@fontanalib.org or 524.3600. Wear pajamas.

• Youth Outright, an advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth in Western North Carolina, will hold a white elephant gift exchange on Dec. 20. For more info, visit www.youthoutright.org.

• Reservations for the Winter Break Mini Camp through the Waynesville Recreation Center are on sale for pre-K through seventh grade. Deadline is Dec. 15.

Offered twice: Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 28-30. Times are 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. each day. Cost is $65 for members per mini-camp or $80 for nonmembers. tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov or 456.2030.

• The Robot Zoo, an opportunity to see how real animals work by exploring biomechanics of robots, is on display through Jan. 3 at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville. www.ncarboretum.org.

ONGOING KIDS ACTIVITIES AND CLUBS • Wednesdays in the Stacks, “WITS”, a new program for children in grades 3-6, on the third Wednesdays of the month from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Macon County Library. WITS will include lots of fun games, prizes, and hands-on activities. This club replaces book club previous held on the third Thursdays of the month. 526.3600.

• Fun Friday, everything science, is held at 4 p.m. on Fridays at Jackson County Public Library. 586.2016.

• Waynesville Book Club on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. at Waynesville Library Meet to discuss books, which are chosen by each member (taking turns) and provided by the library. New members are welcome. For more information, 356.2507.

• Family Fun Night is at 6 p.m. on Thursdays at Jackson County Public Library. 586.2016.

• Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville now has a used book section and is accepting books in exchange for credit on other used books, and a free book is available from the giveaway cart for anyone who buys three or more.

• “Plug in and Read,” a digital story time designed to help preschoolers (ages 3-6) learn early literacy skills, is held at 10:30 a.m. on the second Friday or fourth Monday of each month at Haywood County Public Library. Visit www.haywoodlibrary.org or call 452.5169 or 648.2924.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES • Reservations are being accepted for a senior trip to see Christmas at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. The trip is Dec. 10. Organized by the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department. Cost is $10. 456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Registration is underway for the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department’s January Senior Trips, which include a Sierra Nevada Brewery Tour (Jan. 6), Dinner and a Movie (Jan. 13), Frozen Waterfall Ramble (Jan. 20), and Local Artisan Ramble (Jan. 27). For details or to register, contact Tim Petrea at 456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

KIDS & FAMILIES 46

Bryson City. Library provides Legos and Duplos for ages 3 and up. 488.3030.

• A holiday Lego club meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, at Marianna Black Library in

• Full STEAM Ahead (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. ages 5+. 586.2016. 524.3600.

• Book Buddies for ages 0-3 is from 9:30-10:15 a.m. on Tuesday at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.

• Page Pals for ages 3-5 is from 10:30-11:15 a.m. on Tuesday at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.

• Michael’s Kids Club will be held for ages 3-and-up from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturdays at Michael’s in Waynesville. $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative crafts. 452.7680.

• A Lowe’s Build and Grow session for ages 3-and-up is scheduled from 10-11 a.m. on Saturdays at the Sylva (586.1170) and Waynesville (456.9999) Lowe’s stores. Free.

• A Lego Club meets the second Thursday of the month at 4 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. at the Macon County Public Library. 526.3600.

• A Lego Club meets the second Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. at Jackson County Public Library. 586-2016.

• A Lego Club meet the second Wednesday of the month at 5 p.m. at Cashiers Community Library.

743.0215.

• Crafty Kids on the second Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. Children from Pre-K to fifth grade will meet after school and hear stories, share about what they are reading, play games and get creative with a craft.

Canton Library. 648.2924.

• Children’s craft time, fourth Wednesday, 3:45 p.m. at Cashiers Community Library. 743.0215

KIDS MOVIES • The films “Ant-Man” (Dec. 10) and “Minions” (Dec. 11-12) will be screened at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Showtimes are 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee also on Saturday. Free. For a full schedule of dates and times, click on www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com.

• A family movie will be shown at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Movie is a holiday adventure about the supersecret toy-making facility Santa Claus keeps hidden beneath the North Pole. For info, including movie title, call 488.3030.

• A family movie will be shown at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22, at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Movie is a holiday adventure about Billy, who believes in Santa Claus even though his family insists the North Pole and elves don’t exist. For info, including movie title, call 488.3030.

• The children’s movie “Polar Express” will be shown at 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 21, at Macon County Library in Franklin. cdando@fontanalib.org or 524.3600. G; 100 minutes.

FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS • The “Christmas in the Smokies” holiday celebration will run through Dec. 31 at Fontana Village Resort.

Winter fun, holiday festivities and events.

800.849.2258 or www.fontanavillage.com.

• The Festival of Lights & Luminaries will be held from 5-9 p.m. on Dec. 11-12 in downtown Dillsboro.

Free. More than 2,500 candles in white bags will line the streets. Complimentary refreshments, open shops and music. Choir night is Dec. 11; guitarist and singer John Morgan performs Dec. 12. www.mountainlovers.com.

• “A Night before Christmas” will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, on Main Street in downtown Waynesville. 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 Christmas Dance is set for 7 p.m. on Dec. 12 at the Waynesville Recreation Center. 456.2030 or tplowman@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Friends of the Rickman Store in Franklin invites the community to a special holiday celebration Dec. 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Last Saturday that the store with be open this year. Dulcimer music, Christmas carols, fellowship and perfect gifts.

• Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be from 710 a.m. on Dec. 12 at Fatz Café. $7 per person.

Professional portraits available. A benefit for the Relay for Life of Franklin. 342.9804.

• The “Twelve Days of Christmas” will be Dec. 13-24 in downtown Waynesville. www.downtownwaynesville.com.

• Create your own gingerbread house in a program at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. For parents and children ages 2-18. Reserve a spot by calling 488.3030 by Monday, Dec. 14.

• Christmas Story Time in the living room is set for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15, in the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Christmas stories, caroling and a visit from Santa Claus. Cookies, juice and coffee will be served. 524.3600 or cdando@fontanalib.org.

• Marianna Black Library (Bryson City) will hold a holiday community music jam from 6-7:30 p.m. on Dec. 17. Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer, anything unplugged, are invited to join. Singers are also welcomed to join in or you can just stop by and listen. Free. 488.3030.

• Christmas in the Park is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. on Dec. 18, at the Jackson County Recreation Park in Cullowhee. Light scenes, decorations and the opportunity to visit Santa Claus. Refreshments will be on sale for $1 each. Fire pit for roasting marshmallows.

• The Haywood Dancers Christmas Party is from 8-10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18, at Angie’s Dance Academy in Clyde. All dancers invited. RSVP: 734.8726.

• Story Time with Santa is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19, at The Strand in Waynesville.

Photos with Santa and party favors. Sponsored by the Downtown Waynesville Association.

• The Holiday Homecoming celebration will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Holiday crafts, cider, traditional music and more.

• A WITS Christmas party for grades 3-6 will be held from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16, at Macon County Library in Franklin. cdando@fontanalib.org or 524.3600.

• A “Polar Express” event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, at the Haywood County Fairgrounds in Lake Junaluska. www.haywoodcountyfairgrounds.com or 828.400.1704.

• “Holiday Family Night” will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Haywood County Fairgrounds in Lake Junaluska. Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, jump house, reading of The Night Before Christmas, screening of “The Grinch,” concessions, Smoky Mountain Model Railroaders, and more. $5 per person. Free for ages 3 and under. For a full schedule and times, click on www.haywoodcountyfairgrounds.com.

• A Christmas party will be held from 1-3 p.m. on

•Breakfast with Santa will be held Dec. 19 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Canton Armory.

• The Polar Express themed train is now running at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot. www.gsmr.com or 800.872.4681.

PARADES • The 41st annual Cashiers Christmas Parade is scheduled for noon on Saturday, Dec. 12, featuring the theme “O Christmas Tree.” A rain date will be 1 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 13. www.cashiersareachamber.com.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • Blue Ridge Early College music students will perform live acoustic rock and pop and a few seasonal favorites from 4:30-5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9, in Cashiers. 743.2646 or shall@jcpsmail.org. Free.

• A dramatic reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” will be presented at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9 at the John C. Campbell Folk School. Bob Grove will don period costume and adopt varied characters’ voices as he changes his tune from “Bah, Humbug!” to “Merry Christmas!” At 8 p.m. that evening, the acclaimed Brasstown Morris Dancers will present an energetic holiday performance.

• The holiday production of “Home For Christmas” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 10-12 and at 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre.

• David Vowell will celebrate the holidays with a serious and humorous stories and songs at 7 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the John C. Campbell Folk School.

• A Christmas Show featuring Jacob Johnson is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. $10 per person. 452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Joe Cruz (piano/pop) performs at 7 p.m. on Dec. 11, 18 and 26 at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville.

Free. 452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Tickets are on sale for a performance by magicians Penn and Teller, who will be on stage Dec. 11 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. 800.745.3000.

• Trippin’ Hardie performs Dec. 11 at City Lights Café in Sylva.

• The stage performance of “3 Redneck Tenors Christmas Spec-tac-yule” will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

The performance is part of the 2015-16 Galaxy of Stars Series at WCU. Wearing mullets on their heads and stomping their feet, these unique vocalists whoop and holler through holiday music, providing head-totoe fun for the whole family. Ticket are $21 for adults, $16 for WCU faculty and staff, $15 apiece for groups of 20 or more, and $7 for students and children. www.bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or 227.2479.

• The Brasstown Ringers’ Holiday Concert will be at 7 p.m. on Dec. 11 at the John C. Campbell Folk School.

The talented regional ensemble will showcase Christmas favorites along with spirited new selections. Donations are welcome.

• Tickets are on sale for Lake Junaluska Singers’ presentation of Handel’s Messiah, which is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11, at Stuart Auditorium at

Winter Break Mini Camp December 21st-23rd & 28th-30th 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Ages current pre K to seventh grade!

Activities will include environmental education with a focus on seasonal natural happenings, hopefully playing in the snow, hiking and as always, swimming

$65 for members $80 for non members

Smoky Mountain News

• Cherokee Lights and Legends event will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Jan. 2 at the Cherokee Fair Grounds. Lights display, live Santa Claus, synthetic ice rink, bizarre, food vendors, interactive legend exhibits and a 40-foot Christmas tree. Food. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. $5 for everyone 13 and over; $3 for ages 6-12; children five and younger are free. friehusk@nc-cherokee.com, angehern@nccherokee.com, 359.6492 or 359.6473.

• Santa Claus will start training for the big day with 200-foot rappels down Chimney Rock from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 12, at Chimney Rock State Park. 800.277.9611.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $7 for students. www.harttheater.org or 456.6322.

December 9-15, 2015

A&E

• The Macon County Cancer Support Group’s Christmas Party is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, in the cafeteria of Angel Medical Center in Franklin. Bring an inexpensive gift to exchange and your favorite finger food to share. Everyone welcome.

Dec. 19 at the John C. Campbell Folk School. Santa Claus will make a special appearance, and will listen to good girls’ and boys’ Christmas wish lists. Kids will also enjoy music, dancing, games, and refreshments.

At 8 p.m. that evening, a Holiday Contra Dance will welcome couples and singles of all experience levels, including beginners. Listen to local musicians, bring refreshments to share, and catch the holiday spirit. www.folkschool.org or 837.2775.

wnc calendar

• Games for kids on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 4:30 p.m. at the Jackson County Public Library. Play a variety of games including AWE After School Edge Computers, board games and other fun activities. 586.2016.

HOLIDAY EVENTS

(PER CAMP)

For more information email tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov

WAYNESVILLE

RECREATION CENTER

550 Vance St. • Waynesville • 828.456.2030 townofwaynesville.org

322-76

47

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Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. Tickets start at $17.50. www.lakejunaluska.com/events/singers/concert_tickets/ or 800.222.4930. lakejunaluska.com.

Jerry Smith 828-734-8765

â&#x20AC;˘ The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Playâ&#x20AC;? will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1118 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. Tickets are $12. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

jsmith201@kw.com 322-28

434 Russ Ave. â&#x20AC;˘ Waynesville

Office: 828-926-5155 kellerwilliamswaynesville.com 214-64

theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re better than ever with this one-of-akind Christmas show. Tickets start at $20. www.greatmountainmusic.com.

artists from the Haywood Art Studio Tour at the Gallery & Gifts Space in Waynesville. www.HaywoodArts.org.

â&#x20AC;˘ A New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve dinner and show featuring Mean Mary and The Contrarys is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Dec. 31 at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. $65 per person. 452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

â&#x20AC;˘ The Mountain Heritage Center is hosting the exhibit â&#x20AC;&#x153;Collecting for the Community,â&#x20AC;? an exploration of the diversity and variety to be found in Western North Carolina. Visiting hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours until 7 p.m. on Thursdays.

â&#x20AC;˘ Tickets are on sale for a performance by rapper Waka Flocka Flame, who will be on stage Thursday, Jan. 14, at Western Carolina Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ramsey Center. Advance tickets are $5 for students and $10 for nonstudents or $15 at the door. 227.7722 or ramsey.wcu.edu.

322-24

â&#x20AC;˘ The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jingle Bell Bashâ&#x20AC;? with Sheila Gordon is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Dec. 12 at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. 452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com. â&#x20AC;˘ Tickets are on sale for the Cockman Family, a bluegrass/gospel band, in Concert at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, at Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. Tickets start at $17.50. www.lakejunaluska.com/events/singers/concert_tickets/ or 800.222.4930. lakejunaluska.com.

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Residential Broker Associate

(828) 550-2810

mobrig@Beverly-Hanks.com

www.Beverly-Hanks.com

Smoky Mountain News

321-60

MOUNTAIN REALTY

Mieko Thomson 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

48

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

â&#x20AC;˘ Tickets are on sale for Lake Junaluska Singersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Christmas Concert, which is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, at Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. Tickets start at $17.50. www.lakejunaluska.com/events/singers/concert_tickets/ or 800.222.4930. lakejunaluska.com. â&#x20AC;˘ A special â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christmas with The Lettermenâ&#x20AC;? concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. The legendary group will perform their hits as well as traditional Christmas favorites. Tickets start at $23. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615. â&#x20AC;˘ Four-time Grammy winner David Holt will perform at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16, in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be joined by Josh Goforth. Tales and ballads. Free, donations go toward event programming at FUMC. www.fumc-waynesville.com or 456.9475. â&#x20AC;˘ The Western Carolina Civic Orchestra will hold its fifth annual Community Christmas Concert at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17, at the Jackson County Library in Sylva.

Sponsored by the library and the Jackson County Arts Council. 586.2016. â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mountain Voicesâ&#x20AC;? will sing in the annual holiday program for the Highlands Cashiers Players at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17, at the Highlands Performing Arts Center. Free. www.highlandscashiersplayers.com. â&#x20AC;˘ Guitarist James Hammel is scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. on Dec. 19 at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. 452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com. â&#x20AC;˘ Rockapella will perform at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. Since the early â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when they first achieved national television fame on PBSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?,â&#x20AC;? theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve toured the globe and provided a funky powerful soundtrack to several generations of vocal music fans, while keeping it all fresh along the way. With buckets of catchy original pop songs, and complete contemporary revisions of sparkling Motown, pop, and soul classics, this group has always been the one to watch. Now

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS â&#x20AC;˘ Early registration deadline is Dec. 12 for Dulcimer Winter Weekend at Lake Junaluska. $159 for dulcimer-playing participants before Dec. 12; $199 after. $40 for non-playing participants. More than 50 hours of instruction on mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer and guitar. 800.222.4930, www.dulicmeru.wcu.edu or 227.7397. â&#x20AC;˘ A woodturning demonstration will be presented by the Carolina Mountain Woodturners and the Southern Highlands Craft Guild from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville. Free. 712.6644 or www.carolinamountainwoodturners.org. â&#x20AC;˘ The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christmas Extravaganzaâ&#x20AC;? gingerbread man decorating with The Krektones will be held at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 20, at The Cut Cocktail Lounge in downtown. â&#x20AC;˘ Submissions are being accepted for The Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize through Jan. 30.

Open to all writers. Submitted stories must be unpublished and not exceed 3,000 words. The winner receives $1,000 and possible publication in the Thomas Wolfe Review. For info, contact Nancy Williams at nwilliam@unca.edu or 250.2353. www.ncwriters.org.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES â&#x20AC;˘ The Haywood County Arts Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Small, Small Workâ&#x20AC;? will run from till Dec. 26 at the councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gallery & Gifts in downtown Waynesville. Most prices will be between $50$125, with nothing over $300. Supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division or the Department of Cultural Resources. www.haywoodarts.org, info@haywoodarts.org or 828.452.0593. â&#x20AC;˘ The 10th Annual Autumn Juried Group Exhibit of the Carolinasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Nature Photographers Association Asheville Region entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Southern Appalachian Splendor Through the Seasons,â&#x20AC;? will be hosted through the New Year by the Green Sage Cafe in Asheville. www.cnpa-asheville.org. â&#x20AC;˘ Fine Feathered Friends and Flowers, oil paintings by Mary Webster, will be on display at the N.C. Arboretum through Jan. 3 at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville. www.ncarboretum.org. â&#x20AC;˘ The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Star Wars: The FORCE of Popular Cultureâ&#x20AC;? exhibit is on display through Jan. 16 at the Western Office of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in Asheville. Free. 296.7230 or jeff.futch@ncdcr.gov. â&#x20AC;˘ Haywood County Arts Council will host

â&#x20AC;˘ A contemporary exhibit is open at the Fine Art Museum at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. The exhibit is intended to challenge the way beliefs about the natural world are formed. Entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Connections: Diane Fox & Beauvais Lyons,â&#x20AC;? the exhibit pairs photographs by Fox with lithography by Lyons.

The exhibit remains at WCU through Friday, Jan. 15. The museum is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekdays with extended hours to 7 p.m. on Thursday. Admission and parking are free. 227.3591 or fineartmuseum.wcu.edu.

FILM & SCREEN â&#x20AC;˘ The flim â&#x20AC;&#x153;Phoenixâ&#x20AC;? will be shown through Dec. 13 at The Strand in Waynesville.

Showtimes available online at 38main.com. â&#x20AC;˘ A new documentary narrated by Forest Whitaker about a small group of workers overcoming corporate greed to end slavery and abuse in Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fields will be shown at 2 and 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, in the Macon County Public Library Meeting Room.

1:23; unrated. Cohosted by Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Franklin and foodchainsfilm. â&#x20AC;˘ A classic holiday movie will be shown at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11, in the Macon County Public Library Meeting Room. Two employees at a gift shop can barely stand one another but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realize theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re falling in love through the post as each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s anonymous pen pal.

1:38. 524.3600. â&#x20AC;˘ A new movie will be shown at 2 and 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17, in the Meeting Room of the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

Movie is about a woman rebelling against a tyrannical ruler in post-apocalyptic Australia.

R; 2 hours. Free. 524.3600. â&#x20AC;˘ A classic movie will be shown at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18, in the Meeting Room of the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

Movie is about a soldier suffering from combat fatigue who meets a young woman on Christmas furlough from prison. 1:25.

524.3600. â&#x20AC;˘ Adult movie time, 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Jackson County Public Library. Call for title of movie. 586.2016.

Outdoors â&#x20AC;˘ Merlin Merritt, a lead engineer with NASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Apollo program, will speak at 6 p.m. on Dec. 9 in the First Baptist Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mission and Fellowship Center in Sylva. 586.2095. â&#x20AC;˘ Nantahala Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association will celebrate the year of biking and trail work from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at Innovation Brewing in Sylva. www.nasorba.com. â&#x20AC;˘ The Haywood Waterways Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual membership meeting is from 6-8:30

wnc calendar December 9-15, 2015

Smoky Mountain News

49

wnc calendar

p.m. on Dec. 10 at Lambuth Inn in Lake Junaluska. $15 per person; holiday buffet dinner. RSVP by Dec. 3: 476.4667 or Christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com.

Guest speaker is Barbara Duncan from the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.

• The public is invited to join astronomers for an observing session of the winter night sky at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11, at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in Rosman. Reservations required by 3 p.m. on Dec. 11. $20 per adult; $15 for seniors/military; children 10 and under are admitted free. www.pari.edu or 862.5554. Info: schappell@pari.edu.

• Observations of the Geminid meteor shower are scheduled for 10 p.m.-midnight on Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in Rosman. Reservations required by 3 p.m. on Dec. 11. $15 for adults; children 10 and under are admitted free. www.pari.edu or 862.5554.

• The Franklin Appalachian Trail Community Council meets at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15, in the Lazy Hiker Brewing Company Event Room. Anyone interested is welcome.

• A program entitled “Thinking About Backpacking on the A.T. ??” will be presented by Bill Van Horn, an Appalachian Trail 2,000-miler, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16, in the Meeting Room of the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. 524.3600. appalachiantrail.org.

• A nighttime exploration of DuPont State Forest will mark the winter solstice from 7-9 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 20. Led by Mary Jo Padgett. Register by noon on Friday, Dec. 18, at action.mountaintrue.org/page/s/winter-solstice-hike.

Free.

December 9-15, 2015

• The Highlands Plateau Audubon Society will conduct its cumulative bird count at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 18. Chili lunch will be offered at the home of Bev and Hillrie Quin. For info, call Brock Hutchins at 404.295.0663.

• The Jackson County Farmers Market is held each week until Christmas indoors at the Community Table on Central Avenue next to the pool and Poteet Park from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Info: jacksoncountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com or jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org.

• Guided tours of WATR Discovery Trails at Monteith Farmstead Park in Dillsboro can be scheduled by calling 488.8418. For youth or adult/civic groups.

FARM AND GARDEN • Tuscola Garden Club will present Betsy Boyd of Boyd’s Christmas Tree Farm at an upcoming meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Bethea Welcome Center at Lake Junaluska. 421.2543 or 246.0437. Visitors welcome.

Smoky Mountain News

• Applications are being accepted for the Haywood County Extension’s 2016 Master Gardener Class.

Trainings are Tuesday mornings from Jan. 5-April 19.

• Master Gardener Greens Market will be open on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the KFC parking lot in Waynesville. Greens for arrangements, swags, centerpieces, etc. Proceeds from the market go to fund horticultural projects and grants in Haywood County.

• The Macon County Poultry Club of Franklin meets at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Cooperative Extension Office on Thomas Heights Rd,.

Open to the public. 369.3916.

COMPETITIVE EDGE • Registration is underway for the Run in 2016 5K Run, Walk & Fun Run, which is set for 11 a.m. on Jan. 1. Entry fees are $20 if received by Dec. 30 or $25 on race day. 293.3053 or jeniferpressley@jacksonnc.org.

HIKING CLUBS • Carolina Mountain Club will have a 7.5-mile “Cookie Hike” on Dec. 9. Elevation gain of 800 feet. For info, contact leaders Ken and Carol Deal at 274.7070 or cnkdeal@charter.net.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have a shorter, 3-mile version of its “Cookie Hike” on Dec. 9. Elevation gain of 400 feet. For info, contact leader Diane Stickney at 333.3207 or magenta9@charter.net.

R

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

828-456-HAUS (4287)

• An RV camping club, the Vagabonds, camps one weekend per month from April through November. All ages welcome. No dues or structured activities. For details, write lilnau@aol.com or call 369.6669.

• The Tuckaseigee River Chapter No. 373 of Trout Unlimited meets at 6:30 p.m. on first Tuesday of the month at United Community Bank in Sylva. Dinner is $5.

• The Cataloochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited meets the second Tuesday of the month starting with a dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Rendezvous restaurant located on the corner of Jonathan Creek Road and Soco Road in Maggie Valley. 631.5543.

• Cold Mountain Photographic Society is a camera/photography club for amateurs and professionals who want to learn about and share their knowledge of photography with others. Must be 18 or older to join. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month in the conference room of MedWest Health and Fitness Center, 262 Leroy George Drive in Clyde. More information at www.cmpsnc.org or info@cmpsnc.org.

• The Jackson-Swain Master Gardeners’ Association meets at 9:30 a.m. every second Wednesday at the Jackson Community Services Building on Scotts Creek Road in Sylva. Mike Glover at 736.2768 or lmgofish@gmail.com.

• Nantahala Hiking Club will have a 7.5-mile hike starting at the tunnel on the road to nowhere on Saturday, Dec. 12. Elevation change of 700 feet. For info, contact leader Gail Lehman at 524.5298.

• Pigeon Valley Bassmasters Club will meet at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at J&S Cafeteria, Enka, Exit 44 off I-40. 712.2846.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have a 5.4-mile hike with a 750-foot ascent from Craven Gap to Folk Art Center on Dec. 13. For info, contact leader Dick Zimmerer at 989.0480 or dd1zz@yahoo.com.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have an eight-mile hike from Pink Beds to Clawhammer and return on Dec. 16.

Elevation gain of 2,300 feet. For info, contact leader Randy Fluharty at 423.9030 or rfluharty54@gmail.com.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have an eight-mile hike with a 2,000-foot ascent on Dec. 20.

OUTDOOR CLUBS • The Jackson County Poultry Club will hold its regular meeting on the third Thursday of each month at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office. The club is for adults and children and includes a monthly meeting with a program and a support network for those raising birds. For info, call 586.4009 or write heather_gordon@ncsu.edu.

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• The North Carolina Catch program, a three-phase conservation education effort focusing on aquatic environments, will be offered through May 15. The program is offered by the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department. Free for members; daily admission for non-members. 456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Nantahala Hiking Club will have a seven-mile hike of Smokemont Loop on Saturday, Dec. 12, in the Smoky Mountain National Park. Elevation gain is 1,300 feet.

For info, contact leader Keith Patton at 456.8895.

It’s time to get your together for The Holidays!

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• Macon County Horse Association meets at 7:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Macon County Fairgrounds Alumni Building. Education program and business meeting. ddoster@fs.fed.us.

• The Macon County Beekeepers Association meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the extension office located on Thomas Heights Road next to Jim Brown Chrysler on Highlands Road. New members welcome.

• Haywood Bee Keepers Association meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the NC Ag center on Raccoon Road. hcbees.org.

• Smoky Mountain Beekeepers meet at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month at the SCC Swain Center in Bryson City on Almond School Road. Open to anyone interested in honeybees. 554.6935.

• The Franklin Walking Club meets at 10 a.m. every Saturday (weather permitting) at the Tassee picnic shelter on the Greenway at the corner of Wells Grove Road and Ulco Drive. All fitness levels are welcome, call Linda at 421.7613.

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 • Swain County Trail Runners. Long run group meets 8 a.m. Saturdays at the Deep Creek Trailhead Parking Area in Bryson City. All runs are on trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or Tsali Recreation Area. All distances, paces, ages welcome. More information at 399.0989, 488.6769 or wdtreern@yahoo.com.

• The Sylva Garden Club meets at 9:30 a.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Presbyterian Church in Sylva. cindyrparker@gmail.com.

• WNC Sportsman’s Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday night of each month at the Juke Box Junction Restaurant located in Bethel at the junction of US 276 and N.C. 110 wncsportsmansclub.com

Ongoing BUSINESS & EDUCATION • Free GED test-preparation classes offered by Southwestern Community College, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Mondays through Thursdays and 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Wednesdays and Fridays, SCC Swain Center, Room 101. Instruction in other college and career readiness activities including computer skills, resume writing, filling out job applications, job searches, college entrance exam prep, college applications, financial aid and more. 366.2000 or stop by the Swain Center.

• Guidance on looking for a job or gaining basic job skills will be available from 1-4 p.m. each Wednesday at the Macon County Public Library. One-on-one help from a Southwestern Community College employability instructor. 524.3600.

• Tech-savvy questions will be answered from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. every Tuesday in the month of January at the Jackson County Library. 586.2016.

• Southwestern Community College cosmetology students are offering haircuts, manicures and nail tech services from 8 to 11 a.m. on a first-come, firstserved basis, on Tuesdays through Thursdays at SCC’s Jackson Campus in Sylva. 339.4238, southwesterncc.edu or rmccall@southwesterncc.edu.

Puzzles can be found on page 54.

These are only the answers.

PRIME REAL ESTATE Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MarketPlace information:

ANTIQUE STORE CLOSING Dec. 24th, 40% OFF! Furniture, Glassware, Tools, Jewelry, Books, Toys & More. Come get a Great Deal at 58 Commerce St,, Waynesville. Mon.-Sat., 10am - 5pm, Sunday 1pm - 5pm

The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 every week to over 500 locations across in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties along with the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. For a link to our MarketPlace Web site, which also contains a link to all of our MarketPlace display advertisers’ Web sites, visit www.smokymountainnews.com.

Rates:

ARTS & CRAFTS

■ Free — Lost or found pet ads.

■ $5 — Residential yard sale ads, ■ $5 — Non-business items that sell for less than $150.

■ $15 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2.

If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type.

■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad or colored background.

■ $50 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold.

■ $300 — Statewide classifieds run in 117 participating newspapers with 1.6 million circulation. Up to 25 words.

■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

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

AUCTION CARWILE AUCTIONS Saturday, December 12th. 210 Acre Farm w/Home & 3 Acre Pond in Charlotte Co. Timber, Fenced, Grass/Cropland. www.carwileauctions.com. VAAR392.

434.547.9100.

Classified Advertising: Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 classads@smokymountainnews.com

RUN YOUR CLASSIFIED In 101 North Carolina newspapers for only $375 for a 25-word ad.

Call this newspaper or 919.516.8009 for details.

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1018 Arran Circle, Fayetteville, NC. Selling Large Cabinet Manufacturing Company for NC Department of Revenue due to Unpaid Taxes. All Wood Working Machines, Forklifts, Inventory. www.ClassicAuctions.com.

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AUCTIONS Wagner's Auto Salvage, Durham Commercial Trucks, Generators, Vehicles; Lots Orange Co & Log Home Chapel Hill; 72 Acres Sanford Divided. 919.545.0412 www.RogersAuction.com.

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ONLINE REAL ESTATE AUCTION 721 Moody Bridge Rd., Cullowhee, NC. 3br/2bath home and 10 acres.

Bidding starts Dec. 1st, 2015. Full details, BrooksAuctionServices.com 864.379.1011. NCRE#25534.

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AUCTION

21ST ANNUAL ABSOLUTE AUCTION. Tues. Dec. 29 @ 8am, Lumberton, NC. 100 Const Items, 150 Trucks (35) 40' and 20' Containers. Will Sell At 12(noon) - Absolute Consignments will be taken until Dec. 17. www.meekinsauction.com.

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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.

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Ask about our 50% off specials & our Low Price Guarantee. Offer Expires Soon. Call now 888.546.0135 SAPA SAFE STEP WALK-IN TUB. Alert for Seniors. Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less Than 4 Inch Step-In. Wide Door.

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CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING SULLIVAN HARDWOOD FLOORS Installation- Finish - Refinish 828.399.1847.

CARS A-1 DONATE YOUR CAR For Breast Cancer! Help United Breast Foundation education, prevention, & support programs. Fast Free Pickup - 24 Hr Response - Tax Deduction 855.306.7348 SAPA CAPITAL CLASSIC CARS Buying All European & Classic Cars. ANY Condition. ANY Location.

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Free book exposes all. Limited offer. Watch the video now!

HUDCAROLINA.COM AVIATION GRADS Work With Jetblue, Boeing, Delta, And Others- Start Here With Hands-On Training For FAA Certification. Financial Aid If Qualified.

Call Aviation Institute Of Maintenance 1.866.724.5403 SAPA

R

WNC MarketPlace

EMPLOYMENT HELP WANTED Looking to become a wonderful addition to a dental office? We are searching for a certified Dental Assistant to be the one to complete our amazing team. Send resume to: apply2assist@yahoo.com You will enjoy this great group and our awesome patients we are privileged to serve.

NEED MEDICAL BILLING TRAINEES! Doctors & Hospitals need Medical Office Staff! No Experience Needed! Online Training gets you job ready! HS Diploma/GED & Computer needed. Careertechnical.edu/nc.

1.888.512.7122 ATTN: DRIVERS $2K Sign-On Bonus. Love Your Truck, Love Your Job! 401K + Great Benefits. Avg $1100 Weekly. CDL-A Req. 877.258.8782. www.drive4melton.com DRIVER TRAINEES Paid CDL Training! Stevens Transport will cover all costs! No Experience Needed! Earn $800 per week!

Local CDL Training!

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EMPLOYMENT NOW HIRING Class A CDL Drivers! - Free Healthcare! Regional & OTR positions open. Pay starting at 40cpm. 1yr. experience required. Call 864.649.2063 or visit Drive4JGR.com. EOE. NUCLEAR POWER Paid Training, great salary, benefits, $ for school. Gain valued skills. No exp needed. HS grads ages 17-34. Call Mon-Fri 800.662.7419.

AVIATION GRADS Work with JetBlue, Boeing, Delta & others - start here with hands-on training for FAA certification.

Financial aid if qualified. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance.

877.300.9494.

CAN YOU DIG IT? Heavy Equipment Operator Career!

We Offer Training and Certifications Running Bulldozers, Backhoes and Excavators. Lifetime Job Placement. VA Benefits Eligible!

1.866.362.6497 SAPA

EMPLOYMENT

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS RAILROAD IN BRYSON CITY Is hiring for POLAR EXPRESS Event Staff, Crowd Control, Hot Chocolate Attendant, Property Maintenance and Reservationist.

Earn train passes, retail and food discounts, passes to area attractions, and more! Qualified applicants must successfully pass a background check. Applications are available at the Bryson City Depot or online at: www.gsmr.com/jobs

BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company.

SAPA

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Call Mon-Fri 800.662.7419 IMMEDIATE OPENINGS NOW! Home Every Week. Excellent Pay w/Benefits, 100% No Touch Freight, 75% Drop & Hook. Class A CDL w/1 Yr. Exp. Req. Call Today Call 888.219.8039.

December 9-15, 2015

WANT TO FLATBED? Call us! - Free Healthcare! Hiring Class A CDL Drivers for Regional & OTR. Pay starting at 40cpm. Call 864.649.2063 or visit drive4jgr.com EOE.

PETS HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329 HAZEL A ONE-YEAR OLD "LITTLE BROWN DOG", A MIX OF SO MANY BREEDS WE CAN'T PICK JUST ONE. SHE WEIGHS A VERY PORTABLE 12 LBS AND IS SUPER CUTE. SHE KNOWS "SIT" AND WILL BE EASY TO TRAIN AS LONG AS YOU HAVE THE TREATS HANDY.

www.smokymountainnews.com

MARCUS A 6-MONTH-OLD TABBY BOY WITH GREAT MARKINGS. HE IS NOT ONLY EXTREMELY HANDSOME, HE IS REALLY SWEET AND AFFECTIONATE AND LOVES TO PLAY.

EMPLOYMENT

$1000 WEEKLY!!

Mailing Brochures From Home.

Helping home workers since 2001.

Genuine Opportunity. NO Experience Required. Start Immediately. www.MailingMembers.com SAPA

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT PUBLISHER’S NOTICE

FINANCIAL

SELL YOUR STRUCTURED Settlement or annuity payments for CASH NOW. You don't have to wait for your future payments any longer! Call 1.800.316.0271.

SOCIAL SECURITY Disability Benefits. Unable to work? Denied benefits? We Can Help! WIN or Pay Nothing! Contact Bill Gordon & Associates at 1.800.670.4805 to start your application today! SAPA

FURNITURE COMPARE QUALITY & PRICE Shop Tupelo’s, 828.926.8778.

HOMES FOR SALE

HAYWOOD BEDDING, INC. The best bedding at the best price!

533 Hazelwood Ave. Waynesville 828.456.4240

LAWN & GARDEN

Hours:

Tuesday-Friday, 12 Noon - 6 pm 182 Richland Street, Waynesville

VACATION RENTALS NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS Winter Vacations Cabins, Condos, Homes. Pets Welcome! Nightly, Weekly & Monthly Rentals. Best Rates! Boone, Banner Elk, Blowing Rock. Foscoe Rentals 1.800.723.7341 www.FoscoeRentals.com SAPA RUN YOUR CLASSIFIED In 101 North Carolina newspapers for only $375 for a 25-word ad.

Call this newspaper or 919.516.8009 for details.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

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 BLUE RIDGE MTNS NCViews, views, views! New 1,300 sf.

2bed/2bath cabin features loft, pict. windows, large stone fpl, huge deck. $154,900.

828.286.2981.

Offering 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $400 Section 8 Accepted - Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

OFFICE HOURS: Tues. & Wed. 10:00am - 5:00pm & Thurs. 10:00am- 12:00pm 168 E. Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779

Phone# 1.828.586.3346 TDD# 1.800.725.2962 Equal Housing Opportunity

WE SELL FOR LESS!

828.734.2146

Haywood Bedding, Inc.

SFR, ECO, GREEN

bparrott@beverly-hanks.com Visit beverly-hanks.com/agents/bparrott 147 WALNUT STREET • WAYNESVILLE

Sleep & Seat Shop

828.506.7137

www.haywoodbedding.com

aspivey@sunburstrealty.com

www.sunburstrealty.com/amy-spivey

322-02 322-06

52

PROPERTY RENTAL ON CASCADING CREEK Sophisticated and distinctive in its beauty, this 3/BR, 3.5/BA Lodge Styled Home creates a new experience with every open door.

Surrounded by the luscious mountain range that gives the Great Smoky Mountains it’s name, its hard not to feel at home. Newly custom reconstruction embraces the authentic feel that the handmade furnishings

by High Country Furniture gives.

Accompanied with a full finished basement-turned pool room, the possibilities are endless in this ideal mountain vacation home.

Less than 8 min. to I-40. $1,850 per month plus utilities.

Also Available for Sale!

Motivated Seller Reduced Price of $379,000, Taking Offers.

Fully Furnished. For more info 865.603.8167

NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS

BROOKE PARROTT BROKER ASSOCIATE to see what others are saying!

BRUCE MCGOVERN A Full Service Realtor, Locally Owned and Operated mcgovernpropertymgt@gmail.com McGovern Property Management 828.283.2112.

ONLINE REAL ESTATE AUCTION 721 Moody Bridge Rd., Cullowhee, NC. 3br/2bath home and 10 acres.

Bidding starts Dec. 1st, 2015. Full details, BrooksAuctionServices.com 864.379.1011. NCRE#25534.

NCAUC#9822.

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

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT 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!

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised on an equal opportunity basis.

EXECUTIVE LONGTERM RENTALS

SEVEN DAYS A WEEK • EXIT 100 ON THE BYPASS

533 HAZELWOOD AVE. • WAYNESVILLE

STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT 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.

CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE FOR YOU 1 Month Free with 12 Month Rental. Maggie Valley, Hwy. 19, 1106 Soco Rd. For more information call Torry

828.734.6500, 828.734.6700 maggievalleyselfstorage.com

FOR SALE

CHAMPION SUPPLY Janitorial supplies. Professional cleaning products, vacuums, janitorial paper products, swimming pool chemicals, environmentally friendly chemicals, indoor & outdoor light bulbs, odor elimination products, equipment repair including household vacuums. Free delivery across WNC. www.championsupply.com 800.222.0581, 828.225.1075.

SWITCH & SAVE EVENT From DirecTV! Packages starting at $19.99/mo. Free 3-Months of HBO, STARZ, SHOWTIME & CINEMAX FREE GENIE HD/DVR Upgrade!

2015 NFL Sunday Ticket Included with Select Packages. Some exclusions apply - Call for details 1.800.421.2049 SAPA

Michelle McElroy RESIDENTIAL BROKER ASSOCIATE

828.400.9463 Cell michelle@beverly-hanks.com

74 North Main St. • Waynesville 828.452.5809

GOT KNEE PAIN? Back Pain? Shoulder Pain? Get a pain-relieving brace at little or NO cost to you. Medicare Patients Call Health Hotline Now! 800.480.7503 SAPA

Emerson Group • George Escaravage — gke333@gmail.com

Real Experience.

Real Service. Real Results.

828.452.3727

www.The-Real-Team.com

MOUNTAIN REALTY 1904 S. Main St. • Waynesville

ERA Sunburst Realty — sunburstrealty.com • Amy Spivey — sunburstrealty.com

Haywood Properties — haywoodproperties.com • Steve Cox — info@haywoodproperties.com Keller Williams Realty kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • Sam Hopkins — samhopkins.kwrealty.com

Lakeshore Realty • Phyllis Robinson - lakeshore@lakejunaluska.com

Mountain Home Properties mountaindream.com • Sammie Powell — smokiesproperty.com

STOP OVERPAYING For your prescriptions! Save up to 93%! Call our licensed Canadian and International pharmacy service to compare prices and get $15.00 off your first prescription and FREE Shipping.

1.800.265.0768 SAPA

McGovern Real Estate & Property Management

MOUNTAIN REALTY

• Bruce McGovern — shamrock13.com

Steve D. Mauldin smauldin61@charter.net

Realty World Heritage Realty

828.734.4864

STRUGGLING WITH DRUGS Or Alcohol? Addicted to Pills? Talk to someone who cares. Call The Addiction Hope & Help Line for a free Assessment. 800.511.6075 SAPA

realtyworldheritage.com • Carolyn Lauter realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7766 • Martha Sawyer realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7769

MOUNTAIN REALTY 26 North Main Street Waynesville, NC 28785

828.564.9393 sMauldin.REMAXagent.com

I can show and negotiate a sale for you on any property in the MLS.

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In today’s market, it is best to have a buyer’s agent.

I know the market if you are looking to buy!

Margie MacDonald

SCHOOLS/ INSTRUCTION EARN YOUR High School Diploma at home in a few short weeks. Work at your own pace. First Coast Academy. Nationally accredited. Call for free brochure. 1.800.658.1180, extension 82. www.fcahighschool.org SAPA

322-34

The Real Team

LIFE ALERT. 24/7.

One press of a button sends help FAST! Medical, Fire, Burglar. Even if you can't reach a phone! FREE Brochure. CALL 800.316.0745.

beverly-hanks.com Michelle McElroy - MichelleMcElroy@beverly-hanks.com Marilynn Obrig - MarilynnObrig@beverly-hanks.com Mike Stamey - MikeStamey@beverly-hanks.com Ellen Sither - EllenSither@beverly-hanks.com Brooke Parrott - BrookeParrott@beverly-hanks.com Randy Flanigan - RandyFlanigan@beverly-hanks.com Pamela Williams - PamelaWilliams@beverly-hanks.com

322-32

JOLENE HOCOTT • LYN DONLEY MARLYN DICKINSON

HEALTH INSURANCE IS REQUIRED. You might be paying too much.

It’s time to stop wasting money.

Get great coverage for less. Call today 888.679.2426 SAPA

Beverly Hanks & Associates • • • • • • •

E-PRO, CNHS, RCC, SFR

ACORN STAIRLIFTS. The Affordable Solution to your stairs! **Limited time -$250 Off Your Stairlift Purchase!**Buy Direct & SAVE. Please call 1.800.211.9233 for FREE DVD and brochure. SAPA

• Margie MacDonald - margie@4smokys.com

REALTOR

Accredited Buyers Representative, NAR Green, ECO Certified, E-Certified

828.734.9265

margie@4smokys.com

RE/MAX — Mountain Realty • • • • • • •

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

ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTV Starting at $19.99/mo. FREE Installation. FREE 3 months of HBO SHOWTIME CINEMAX, STARZ. FREE HD/DVR Upgrade! 2015 NFL Sunday Ticket Included (Select Packages) New Customers Only. CALL 1.800.849.3514

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Lifestyle Properties — vistasofwestfield.com Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

December 9-15, 2015

BORING/CARPENTER BEE TRAPS No Chemicals, Poisons or Anything to Harm the Environment.

Handmade in Haywood County. 1 for $20, 2 or More for $15 each.

828.593.8321

Haywood County Real Estate Agents

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.

WNC MarketPlace

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT Approx. 450 sq. ft., Kitchenette with Microwave, Sink and Undercounter Fridge. 2 Seperate areas for 2 Offices and a Storage Room in Back. All Heat, AC & Util. are Included at $695/mo. High Traffic Area at 850 N. Main St. Waynesville. Contact Sharon 828.421.8812

ENTERTAINMENT DISH NETWORK? Get MORE for LESS! Starting $19.99/month (for 12 months.)

PLUS Bundle & SAVE (Fast Internet for $15 more/month.) CALL Now 800.351.0850 SAPA

322-72

COMM. PROP. FOR RENT

The Seller’s Agency — listwithphil.com 36 S. MAIN ST. WAYNESVILLE

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

• Phil Ferguson — philferguson@bellsouth.net

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com 53

www.smokymountainnews.com

December 9-15, 2015

WNC MarketPlace

Super

54

CROSSWORD

FROM END TO BEGINNING

73 European country capi- 4 Label again tal 5 Gerund suffix ACROSS 78 Piloted 6 One napping 1 With a leg on either side 79 Not hidden 7 Communal character of 81 Without delay 8 Erwin of film 8 “What - thou?”

82 - Lanka 9 Parabolas’ paths 14 Curt 84 Stadium row 10 Game with five dice 20 Be afraid to 85 Kia sedan 11 Thomas who founded 21 Stock market worker 89 Stare open-mouthed GE 22 Pasta piece 91 Eagerly excited 12 VIP in D.C. 23 Province capital on the 94 Animal-filled attraction 13 Attribute Yellow River in Georgia 14 “- home?”

25 Over there 96 Israel Philharmonic 15 Jeering shout 26 Old-time actress director 16 Sonata movement Lanchester 98 Extrapolate 17 Cow dangler 27 Countless years 99 Euro divs.

18 Appeal earnestly 28 Aves. and blvds.

100 Deep blue 19 On - firma 29 - Jima 101 Subpar mark 24 Blood type, informally 31 See 50-Down 102 Gridder Tebow 30 Polish labor leader 32 Tasty tidbit 103 Put a question to Lech 35 Director of the 105 Alma - (home schools) 33 Major city of Norway Humphrey Bogart film 108 Spacek of the screen 34 Shirley’s sitcom friend “Sahara” 110 Sorority founded at 36 Toil away 38 Reduces to bits, as a Howard University in 1920 37 “To - a Mockingbird” potato 115 Rigid beliefs 38 Motorola cellphone 41 Chief ore of lead 118 Flubs up 39 Inkling 43 Luau necklace 119 Party game 40 Imagine 44 Foofaraw 120 Managed care gp.

42 Meadowland 45 Chair part 122 Luc’s “yes” 46 String after D 48 Winner’s sign 123 Word-of-mouth 47 Maestro Solti 49 “So long!”

127 London native, e.g.

50 With 31-Across, 51 The Beatles’ “- Be” 129 Shooter allowing for hubby’s assent 56 Greek philosopher an adjustable focal length 52 Verge known for paradoxes 133 Altman of film 53 Red braking signals 59 “Avatar” actress 134 Taking Rx drugs 54 Many a navel 61 Ribald 135 Natural abilities 55 Stunned with a gun 62 Word after church or 136 Warnings 57 Olive loved by Popeye film 137 Hi-fi setup 58 Lustful look 63 Of the back 138 Big hawks 59 Storied masked 64 Cotton machines swordsman 65 Yale alum DOWN 60 Jai 67 “La Loge” painter 1 Carving tool 63 Formal fiats 69 Penguin of Antarctica 2 Funny Mort 66 Suffix with final or 71 Me, to Mimi 3 Very, in Paris moral

68 Romney’s 2012 rival 70 “- Kapital” 71 Actress Gaynor 72 Kitchen bulb 74 Mil. truant 75 Vigilant 76 Hail - (cry “Taxi!”)

77 Slightly warm 80 “Dies -” (hymn) 83 “Norma -” 86 Wolf down 87 Grenade filler 88 “Open up!” follower 90 Propyl ender 92 Redding of song 93 Like slightly spoiled meat 95 Ensnare 96 Closing letter 97 Little plateau 100 Talk like Porky Pig 104 Railroad switches 106 In the house 107 Before long 109 Related compound 110 Bicolor beast 111 Flynn of film 112 Family group 113 Daisy cousin 114 Clowns 116 Enthusiasm 117 Minerals in thin layers 121 Aged, once 124 Descartes of philosophy 125 Culturally pretentious 126 Maiden 128 Meal scrap 130 Ottawa loc.

131 That, to Juan 132 High, snow-capped peak

answers on page 50

SCHOOLS/ INSTRUCTION AVIATION GRADS Work With Jetblue, Boeing, Delta, And Others- Start Here With Hands-On Training For FAA Certification. Financial Aid If Qualified.

Call Aviation Institute Of Maintenance 1.866.724.5403 SAPA CAN YOU DIG IT? Heavy Equipment Operator Career!

We Offer Training and Certifications Running Bulldozers, Backhoes and Excavators. Lifetime Job Placement. VA Benefits Eligible!

1.866.362.6497 NEED MEDICAL BILLING TRAINEES! Doctors & Hospitals need Medical Office Staff! No Experience Needed! Online Training gets you job ready! HS Diploma/GED & Computer needed. Careertechnical.edu/nc.

1.888.512.7122

PERSONAL ARE YOU PREGNANT? A single professional woman seeks to adopt. Will be hands-on mom with financial security. Let’s help each other. Expenses paid Text/Call Kim & Adam 1.800.790.5260 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

PERSONAL PREGNANT? Loving Christian Couple, financially secure want to adopt. We love your baby. Living expenses PAID. Ask for Regina 1.866.501.2098 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

SERVICES *LOWER THAT CABLE BILL! Get Satellite TV today! FREE System, installation and HD/DVR upgrade. Programming starting at $29.99. Call NOW 866.755.4235 SAPA 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!

SAPA

SERVICES ACE PRESSURE WASHING Providing pressure washing for driveways, gutters, siding & decks (sealed or stained). We can also help with plumbing; such as installing toilets, garbage disposals, dishwashers and faucets. Call Steve today at 828.476.1097.

AT&T U-VERSE Internet starting at $15/month or TV & Internet starting at $49 per month for 12 months with 1-year agreement. Call 1.800.992.1743 to learn more. (Not Valid in Virginia).

SAPA DIRECTV Starting at $19.99/mo. FREE Installation. FREE 3 months of HBO SHOWTIME CINEMAX starz. FREE HD/DVR Upgrade! 2015 NFL Sunday Ticket Included (Select Packages) New Customers Only. CALL 1.800.371.5352 SAPA EMERGENCIES CAN STRIKE At any time. Wise Food Storage makes it easy to prepare with tasty, easy-to-cook meals that have a 25-year shelf life. FREE sample. Call: 800.621.2952 HEALTH INSURANCE IS REQUIRED. You might be paying too much.

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WEEKLY SUDOKU Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

Answers on Page 50

The naturalist’s corner

Here is the original Ellicott’s Rock marked by Andrew Ellicott in 1811 when he was surveying the boundary between NC & GA. wikimedia commons photo

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

Wilderness – we don’t need no stinkin wilderness lying around Facebook pages (after all this is the age of information) is, apparently, a poll or online survey declaring that Macon County doesn’t want anymore wilderness. According to this online scientific survey, Macon County is adamantly opposed to adding anymore wilderness to the national forest in Macon County. The graphic I saw had 60 percent of respondents saying “… leave Macon County as is .…”

Trying to track down the genesis of this poll I discovered that one may vote as many times as one wishes re: the question of more wilderness in Macon County. So, if you have the fortitude and finger strength and a secure Internet provider (say someone besides AT&T) you could vote as often as you liked – this, especially resonates with me being from Louisiana where the slogan “vote early and often” described state politics.

So what is this dreaded overrun of wilderness in Macon County? Well there are around 152,000 acres of national forest in

F

Macon County — and a whopping 6,000 acres or so, about 4 percent, are wilderness.

It’s easy to see that any addition to this overwhelming percentage would soon mean that Macon County had lost any validation as a “managed” forest community and was lost in the doldrums of “lock it up and throw away the key.”

And what about “throwing away the key” — an admonition you hear like a chorus of spring peepers near a wetlands on a warm spring night. Actually, the gate is kinda dummy-locked — you know, wrap the chain around so it looks like it’s locked — but if you have to go in there you can.

There’s not a Wilderness Area in the country that the Forest Service can’t enter with bulldozers, helicopters, 4-wheel drives, or any other mechanical equipment deemed necessary to fight wildfires. And there may be some, but I don’t know of any wilderness areas in North Carolina that are off limits to hunters.

Is there more at work here? Are wellorganized special interest groups looking for more influence in the new Nantahala-Pisgah plan? I’ve written about it before — see “Put the Forest First” — http://www.smokymountainnews.com/outdoors/item/15503-

put-the-forest-first .

It would be extremely hard to find a more intelligent, dedicated, focused and sincere group of professionals than one could find employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. I know, I work for them and with them. If the health and management of National Forests across North Carolina and across the country was left to the scientists, biologists and land mangers of the USDA Forest Service our public lands would blossom in way never experienced before.

But USDA Forest Service answers to the political whims of the time. And that’s why it’s important to let them know — not only

how you feel about wilderness, but how you feel about the wildlands that make our North American continent so unique in terms of biodiversity and in terms of unspoiled wildlands.

December 15 is cutoff date for comments regarding wilderness designations. You can comment at www.fs.uda.gov/gotonfsnc/nprevision, and even if you don’t have a plan for whichever/whatever acres might be suggested for wilderness, you can comment on how you feel about wilderness areas in our national forests. That’s important too.

(Don Hendershot is a writer and naturalist. He can be reached a ddihen1@bellsouth.net.)

December 9-15, 2015 Smoky Mountain News 55

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Smoky Mountain News December 9-15, 2015