Dare to dream: A conversation with Mike Campbell Page 16
On the Cover:
It’s been a long road for Jackson County’s Ella Gamble. While she’s played volleyball for well over a decade, it wasn’t until just recently that Gamble, who was born completely deaf in both ears but has been able to hear with the aid of implants, has had to adjust to playing on a team with other women who communicate entirely using sign language. Now, Gamble is the captain of Team USA and is leading her squad to Tokyo to play in the Deaflympic games in November. (Page 6) Donated photo
News
Jackson commissioner violated state law by skipping ethics training..................4 Kirkland sworn in as Swain sheriff, announces 2026 campaign..........................7 Instructor, local nonprofit partner on entrepreneurship camp ................................8 Amid tourism slide, marketing muscle fuels Haywood rebound..........................10 Chair resigns, Democratic gala lineup revised after candidates protest..........12 NCDMV announces moratorium on driver license expirations............................13
Opinion
We have more power than we realize........................................................................14 Democrats in shock, not disarray..................................................................................14
A&E
Dare to dream: A conversation with Mike Campbell..............................................16 Folkmoot features Waynesville artist Richard Baker..............................................21
Outdoors
Trail Running Film Festival comes to WNC..............................................................24 The Joyful Botanist: The fruits of summer’s labor....................................................27
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Jackson commissioner violated state law by skipping ethics training
BY C ORY VAILLANCOURT
P OLITICS E DITOR
Unlike the other four members of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, John W. Smith did not take the basic ethics training within 12 months of election as required by state law, The Smoky Mountain News has learned.
General Statute 160A-87 states that “all members of governing boards of cities, counties, local boards of education, unified governments, sanitary districts and consolidated city-counties shall receive a minimum of two clock hours of ethics education within 12 months after initial election or appointment to the office and again within 12 months after each subsequent election or appointment to the office.”
The training covers laws and guiding principles around conflicts of interest and ethical standards for local government officials, whether elected or appointed. Statute goes on to say that the training “may be provided by the North Carolina League of Municipalities, North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, North Carolina School Boards Association, the School of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or other qualified sources at the choice of the governing board.”
Documents provided to SMN by Jackson County show that commissioners Michael Jennings and Jenny Hooper, each elected Nov. 5, 2024, completed their training sessions well within the statutory limit, both logging 10.5 hours of course contact on “essentials of county government” that includes the required ethics training. Jennings and Hooper took the training on Feb. 19, 2025, barely three months into their terms.
2022, wasted little time in taking his mandated training, completing 10 hours of essentials of county government training less than six weeks after his election.
of the ethics education by each member of the governing board.
On July 16, Winchester provided a “verification of attendance” certificate purportedly issued by the UNC School of Government signed and dated by Smith on July 15, well after the 12-month period dictated in statute had passed.
same day as Letson and Smith, took 11.5 hours of essentials of county government training on Jan. 18, 2023, just over two months after his election.
Chairman Mark Letson, elected Nov. 8,
The four all took their training with the School of Government Services, Inc., an arm of the UNC School of Government.
Commissioner John Smith was elected in 2022.
Jackson County Government photo
When SMN filed the public records request with Jackson County on July 2, board clerk Angie Winchester promptly delivered proof that the four were in complia problem.
“John Smith has taken the course and we are working to verify with the SOG,” Winchester said by email July 10. “I will forward it to you when I receive it.”
Statute requires the governing board’s clerk to maintain a record verifying receipt
www.ThePrintHaus.com
The certificate provided by Smith looks nothing like the certificates provided by other commissioners and says he took only two hours of ethics training — far less than the 10 or so hours of essentials of county government training taken by his colleagues. Subsequent clarification by Winchester indicated that Smith took the two-hour ethics training on July 10, the same day she delivered certificates from the other four commissioners and told SMN she was still searching for Smith’s.
“His previous certificate could not be found, so he just took the class again on July 10,” Winchester said July 16.
Asked about whether Smith told her he’d previously taken the training, Winchester said, “Yes, that was his recollection.” Winchester then reiterated that “we could not find the certificate, so he decided to just take the course again.”
Searching for proof that Smith had indeed taken the training prior to July 10, 2025, and within the 12-month statutory period that for Smith would have ended on or about Nov. 8, 2023, SMN reached out to the agencies mentioned in statute as approved vendors of the training.
Personnel from the North Carolina League of Municipalities and the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners said they had nothing to provide.
Kristin Milam, director of strategic communications and member engagement at the North Carolina League of Municipalities, told SMN that typically NCLM only trains municipal officials — from cities, towns or villages but not counties — and that it would be “very uncommon” for a county commissioner to take the training from the NCLM, although NCLM probably wouldn’t turn anyone away. A search of the NCLM database, Milam said, produced no mention of Smith taking the training with NCLM.
Jodie Lanning, senior communications specialist with the North Carolina Association of County F
Commissioners, said that the NCACC does not keep records of who attends its training sessions.
“The county clerk (and in this case, Jackson County Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners) would be the most definitive source for this information, as they maintain the attendance verification forms that their county participants receive and complete upon finishing the training,” Lanning said July 21.
A public records request to the final vendor, the UNC SOG, was fulfilled July 29 but contained no proof Smith had completed the mandated training during the period specified in statute — instead, the document provided by UNC only created more questions.
monument in Sylva as well as his vote to leave the Fontana Regional Library System in June.
Public records requests also show Smith sent a Jan. 16 email to FRL board member Bill McGaha pushing for more “conservative Christian” representatives on the FRL board, angering those who reject religious influence on public policy. Religion played a major role in the library dispute, with a number of pastors promoting their own ideologies while denouncing the library for supposedly pushing LGBTQ+ ideology.
According both to statute and to the UNC SOG’s Coates’ Canons blog, the statute imposes a clear training mandate, but not a clear punishment.
There are no formal penalties — no
Since taking office, Smith has been lambasted by constituents for a number of controversial decisions, including when commissioners violated the law by not holding public deliberations over the removal of interpretive plaques placed on a Confederate monument in Sylva as well as his vote to leave the Fontana Regional Library System in June.
The request, filed July 21, asked for all records since Nov. 8, 2022 showing any proof that Jackson County Commissioner John William Smith “registered for or has completed the required ethics training stipulated in GS 160a-87(a).”
The only record produced by UNC, from School of Government Services, Inc., shows two hours of “ethics for local elected officials on-demand” but under the heading of “date” for the training, it reads, “11/01/2025,” a date that has not yet passed.
The public record produced by the SOG mentions nothing about the training Smith was said to have taken on July 10 of this year — during the SMN investigation into his compliance — casting doubt on the authenticity of the form he provided to Winchester.
The UNC SOG didn’t produce any other evidence that Smith had completed any other training, like the 10 or so hours of essentials of county government training each of the four other board members received.
Since taking office, Smith has been lambasted by constituents for a number of controversial decisions, including when commissioners violated the law by not holding public deliberations over the removal of interpretive plaques placed on a Confederate
fines, criminal sanctions or removal from office — for elected officials who fail to complete mandatory ethics training under North Carolina General Statutes.
Still, public officials who skip the training may face political fallout. Failing to complete the requirement can raise questions about an official’s commitment to transparency and good governance. That, in turn, can erode public trust.
Boards do have the option to adopt codes of ethics and may issue a public censure for perceived ethical lapses, including a refusal to attend training. But under current law, such actions are symbolic.
On July 31, Bryson, Hooper, Jennings and Letson were asked via email if they planned to censure Smith for failing to take the ethics training within the stipulated time period. Not one responded.
Smith did not respond to multiple emails sent by SMN on July 16 and July 31 asking for proof from the NCLM, the NCBSA, the NCACC, the UNC SOG or any other qualified source that he had taken the training.
The next meeting of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 19 in the Jackson County Justice & Administration Building, 401 Grindstaff Road, in Sylva.
Sylva candidate forum set for Aug. 21
Indivisible Commonground WNC will host a free candidate forum for the upcoming Sylva Board of Commissioners municipal election on Thursday, Aug. 21, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. The event will be held in the Community Room from 6-7:30 p.m. Voters will have the opportunity to submit questions for the candidates during the event. Organizers say each candidate will have a chance to respond. Nine candidates are running for three seats in two separate races, as incumbents Joe Waldrum and Jon Brown look to retain their seats. The forum aims to boost turnout in the 2025 election, after just 469 votes were cast in 2023. Early voting begins Oct. 16. For more information, visit facebook.com/groups/indivisiblecommonground.
Gamble to captain USA Deaflympics volleyball team in Tokyo
which is caused by damage or dysfunction in the auditory pathways to the brain. However, Gamble quickly learned from healthcare providers that with this type of hearing loss, their daughter could receive cochlear implants, which bypass the part of the ear that isn’t working, allowing someone to hear. Now, she can hear and speak well enough that a stranger likely wouldn’t notice any difference.
Around fifth grade, Gamble got into sports, and volleyball quickly emerged as her favorite. Her parents said that around the time their daughter was a freshman, she knew she wanted to play her chosen sport at a higher level.
and it has been really rewarding to see that hard work pay off for her,”
said. “It’s
Carrie Gamble
afforded her some really amazing life experiences as well as being able to play at a high level and represent the USA deaf
Gallaudet University, where she’s about to play one more season. Playing volleyball on a team mostly made up of women who com-
Washington, D.C., near Gualadette’s campus but grew up playing on teams where everyone could hear each other. In volleyball, audible com-
Ella Gamble is a setter on the USA deaf volleyball team. Donated photo
The USA deaf volleyball team took home silver medals two years ago in Okinawa and four years ago in Rio. Donated photo
Kirkland sworn in as Swain County Sheriff, announces 2026 campaign
BY KYLE P ERROTTI N EWS E DITOR
Brian Kirkland, who served as interim sheriff in Swain County following the scandalous retirement of Curtis Cochran, has been appointed to serve out the rest of the current term.
Kirkland, 45, is from Swain County. He has served in law enforcement for 25 years and was the sheriff’s office’s administrative captain between 2011 and March of this year, at which point he was promoted to chief deputy.
Last month, Cochran, who is 72 and had served as sheriff since 2006, was hit with numerous criminal charges, including second-degree rape, stemming from the alleged sexual assault of three women.
Shortly after Cochran’s arrest, District Attorney Ashley Welch filed a petition for his removal from office. Senior
munication is important, especially between players in the front and back rows or simply someone calling “mine.” This is especially true for Gamble, a setter, meaning she is often the second of three players to hit the ball and therefore must be particularly aware of what her teammates are doing. Gamble said that while there were challenges playing at Smoky Mountain and Carson Newman since she still had some trouble in the moment deciphering who was saying what, it was initially even tougher to learn sign language well enough to adapt to playing the game with no audible cues from teammates whatsoever.
Gamble said the key is to communicate between points and establish how the team will play the next point.
“That’s usually when I’ll tell them, ‘OK, let’s run this.’ Or they’ll tell me, ‘Hey, I want to try this,’” she said.
These interactions happen quickly, and the team has even figured out how to combine signs and use abbreviated signals to convey what’s about to transpire. Of course, unforeseen circumstances arise on the court, and that’s when practice and team chemistry come into play.
“We have to run a lot of situation-type stuff in practice so we understand when’s the best time to change something, because we can’t communicate during the point,” Gamble said.
But with that added challenge, Gamble said, comes a greater opportunity to bond with the women on the court, those who will be by her side during all those hard practice hours and eventually in Tokyo. She used this as a direct contrast from other sports, including basketball, which she also played growing up.
“It doesn’t matter how good you are, you still have to rely on your teammates,” she said.
Gamble said another thing about volleyball that’s underappreciated by some sports fans is that being good requires fine-tuned technical skills as well as a deep understanding of the game.
“I’m a setter, so my job is to run plays and know the strategy and understand how volleyball works on a more technical level, and I really enjoy that part of it, too,” she said.
The trip to Tokyo won’t be Gamble’s first time taking her game overseas. In 2022, she played in her first Deaflympics in Rio de Janeiro.
“Brazil was a culture shock in more ways than one,” she said.
First, there’s the obvious. For a young woman who’s never been outside the United States, going to the large South American city was a stark change, which she said was like a “whirlwind.” Perhaps even more noteworthy, the majority of her team communicated solely in sign language, something Gamble, who to that point mostly just spoke with others, wasn’t familiar with beyond the basics. She spent most of her time hanging out with a couple of her teammates who were in a similar situation and weren’t as familiar with sign language.
Resident Superior Court Judge Tessa Sellers suspended Cochran, setting a hearing in Graham County for July 7 to review the suspension and a final determination in Swain County for July 21 on the petition to remove Cochran. However, he retired on July 1, before those hearings could be held.
Kirkland was named interim sheriff when his former boss retired.
Last Tuesday, July 29, Swain County commissioners voted 4-1 to appoint Kirkland to the role; Commissioner David Loftis provided the lone dissenting vote, opining that he’d like to see someone with closer ties to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. In accordance with state law, the recommendation for Kirkland’s appointment was sent to commissioners by the executive committee of the Swain County Republican Party.
“The three of us were just like best buds,” she said.
Two years later, Gamble’s team traveled to Okinawa for the World Deaf Volleyball Championships, something she said was more manageable since at that point, she knew sign language well and was able to use the trip to better connect
The next day, Kirkland was sworn in by District Court Judge Justin Greene, also a Swain County Native.
“It is my honor to say for the first time in 20 years, there is a new sheriff in town,” Greene said as he shook Kirkland’s hand.
The Swain County Sheriff is up for election in November 2026. On the morning of Aug. 4, Kirkland confirmed to The Smoky Mountain News that he planned on running as the incumbent. In the meantime, he believes he’s the best person to step into the role of sheriff and said he is ready to continue to serving residents.
“I’m looking forward to doing a good job and trying to keep the county safe,” Kirkland said. “I’ve got a tremendous amount of great employees there, and we’re all there for the right reasons, which is to protect the citizens of Swain County.”
fourth Deaflympics, it’ll be her first as a head coach. When Behm took the head coaching role, Gamble filled the void she’d left as team captain.
“She gives her 100% during training/practices and her dedication to get better in all aspects is remarkable, but
During her time playing collegiately, as Gamble has learned to balance practice with a college team, the national team and schoolwork, she’s also grown as a leader. In fact, she has been the Team USA captain and her school team captain a couple of years now and is on track to become a coach.
“I’m now put into situations where I’m the one who has to deal with it, which is fantastic … and so I’m excited to see how all of that translates into coaching,” she said. “As a captain, I do take it upon myself to know a lot about volleyball and know a lot about my team, and so all I’m making myself do now as the captain is already preparing me for coaching, as well.”
Ann Whited Behm, head coach for both the Gallaudet and the national deaf team was, until recently, a player, and she had even planned on playing in Tokyo. But when the former head coach departed, Behm stepped into the role. This means that while November will mark Behm’s
around her better,” Behm said in an email. “Her level of understanding of the game is high and she can communicate efficiently with her teammates and coaches. Lastly, it is evident that everyone on the court trusts her to make any play on the court.”
Gamble said that while there are some nerves heading into Tokyo, she is confident. In Rio and Okinawa, the young USA Deaflympics volleyball team took home silver medals, and this time, they’re going for gold.
“I have a lot of confidence in the team and my teammates and even myself, and that comes from learning just through tough experiences,” she said. “When I transferred [to Gallaudet], it taught me so much about my confidence and who I am as a player, who I am as a person, and who I am as a leader. Some of these younger girls haven’t gone through that yet, and so I have some nerves about that, but we all need to work well together for us to get the gold.”
Gamble played in Okinawa a couple of years ago. Donated photo
WCU instructor, local nonprofit partner on entrepreneurship camp for underserved youth
AWestern Carolina University instructor of management will be leading a weeklong entrepreneurship and leadership camp for underserved youth in Western North Carolina to help them get an early jump on learning some of the steps necessary for starting a business.
and workforce development programs, HIGHTS began offering the Summer Career Academy three years ago with the Haywood County School System.
HIGHTS stands for Helping Inspire Gifts of Hope, Trust and Service, which the organization’s leaders describe as is a core value
The camp is made possible by funding from the Juvenile Justice Behavioral Health Partnership, said Dusty Snider of the N.C. Department of Public Safey’s Juvenile Justice Division, who happens to be the spouse of Tonya Snider.
Led by Tonya Snider of the School of Economics, Management and Project Management in WCU’s College of Business at the request of the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, the camp is part of a larger five-week summer program offered by HIGHTS Inc. in partnership with the tenBiz business consulting firm.
A youth-centered nonprofit that equips vulnerable young people in seven WNC counties and the Qualla Boundary with restorative justice services, counseling, recreational therapy, mentoring and education
of its mission.
A new addition to the Summer Career Academy’s programming, the entrepreneurship and leadership camp will take place during the academy’s second week, June 2427. It will be held at the Haywood Community College Regional High Technology Center in Waynesville.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to teach youth about the keys to self-employment and starting a business,” Snider said. “At the end of the week, participants will ‘pitch’ their ideas to a panel of judges.”
“It was my passion to do something specifically for the youth this year. It’s a great opportunity to give the youth in our area a chance to learn more about who they are and give them some supported insight as to what they can accomplish,” he said. “I hope that each youth learns more about who they are and what they can accomplish. We are here to support them if they are willing to put in some work on their own. I’m excited to see what they create out of this.”
Facilitated by the workforce department of HIGHTS, the larger academy that includes the entrepreneurship camp serves students ages 16-24 years old. It focuses on a continuum of four stages: career awareness, career exploration, career preparation and career training for participating youth, said Caroline BrownWilliamson, workforce and education director for HIGHTS.
Participants will also tour WNC industries and colleges and take part in mock interviews with panels of local employers and officials. The five-week program runs from June 16-24 and is being expanded to Graham County this year.
“This will provide valuable career preparation experience and foster dialogue about local workforce opportunities, creating awareness for young adults on how to obtain skills needed to fill job vacancies locally and
earn a family-sustaining wage,” BrownWilliamson said.
The Summer Career Academy and entrepreneurship camp to be led by Snider represent a small part of an ongoing partnership between HIGHTS and WCU.
“We’re excited to collaborate with Tonya Snider and tenBiz to offer students insights into entrepreneurship and small business development during the second week of the academy,” Brown-Williamson said. “Over the years, Marcus Metcalf, HIGHTS executive director and founder, has fostered strong connections with WCU, with several faculty members serving on our board of directors.”
Dustin Snider agreed that collaborations with WCU enable nonprofits and other organizations to tap the expertise of the institution’s faculty, staff and students.
“The partnership between this community and WCU is huge for building support and appreciation for having the university here on our end of the state. We are resource-poor when it comes to our youth and what they have access to here in WNC. A partnership like this can grow confidence in our youth and our communities and build bridges to encourage our youth to look beyond what they see only as their limited chances,” he said. “To partner with WCU will bring more people to the table and help highlight the needs here in our resourcepoor area.”
For Tonya Snider, the camp is part of her role as a faculty member to go beyond classroom teaching and actively engage with the community and region that WCU was founded to serve.
“Partnering with organizations like HIGHTS and the Department of Juvenile Justice allows us to take what students typically learn in theory and turn it into something real and connect with the lives of young people right here in Western North Carolina,” she said. “When local organizations and WCU come together, we can open doors that some of these students may not have realized were even there. I love showing them what’s possible and letting them know they don’t have to wait until ‘someday’ to start building something great.”
For more information about the HIGHTS Summer Career Academy, contact Caroline Brown-Williamson at 828.734.1183 or visit hights.org and click on the “Workforce and Education” tab.
Haywood County School System students Abby Price and Laneice Southers take an industry tour at the local Sonoco facility. WCU photo
Despite a decline in room occupancy tax revenue, the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority is celebrating a banner year for its signature winter event while doubling down on aggressive promotional campaigns and strategic long-term investments aimed at driving off-season traffic and insulating the county from mixed national trends in tourism spending.
“No surprise, we are slightly down from the prior fiscal year, which we have all been tracking that since [Hurricane] Helene,” HCTDA Executive Director Corrina Ruffieux said. “So far, through May, we’re down just shy of 10%, which is about what we had expected, and we are working very hard to counteract that.”
On Aug. 4, Ruffieux presented her 2024 annual report to the Haywood County Board of Commissioners, highlighting a mix of accomplishments and challenges amid a shifting tourism landscape. Although financial collections from room occupancy taxes are down 9.94% compared to the same period last year, some key metrics suggest a deeper story of resilience, reinvention and renewed alignment with the county’s Destination Master Plan.
Nowhere is that more evident than in the numbers surrounding the second annual “Visit Haywood Ice Festival Weekend,” held earlier this year across all five municipalities.
According to visitor survey data and analytics presented by the TDA, total ticket sales jumped 34% year over year, from 2,487 in 2024 to 3,327 in 2025, including a 34% increase in adult tickets and a 49% increase in child ticket estimates.
That’s a critical point for the HCTDA, which has been trying to extend the reach of marketing efforts beyond county lines to draw new dollars into the region.
The strategy appears to be working. Of those who stayed overnight for the Ice Fest, 40% spent two nights in the area, with another 23% spending one. All told, the estimated room-night demand associated with the event topped 885. Ruffieux said 44% of visitors shopped in local stores and 51% ate at local restaurants.
“That’s the number one reason we do events like this, is to drive visitors to our local businesses, to invest back in them,” she said.
Survey data from 207 festivalgoers showed that 26% were overnight visitors from outside Haywood County, while 24% were day-trippers. Only half of attendees identified as local, and some came from as far away as Tampa and Miami.
Using the industry-standard Event Impact Calculator, HCTDA pegged the total business sales generated by Ice Fest at $566,086, supporting 138 jobs and contributing more than $18,000 in local tax revenue. Those figures represent a meaningful increase over last year’s totals and suggest that winter events, long viewed as risky due to seasonality, are now central to Haywood’s yearround tourism portfolio.
Much of that success has been driven by data. HCTDA’s marketing strategies continue to evolve with help from AirDNA, a vacation rental analytics firm that tracks regional trends, booking patterns and lead times. Haywood’s data can be benchmarked against other Western North Carolina counties, including Swain, Jackson, Macon and Transylvania.
The TDA’s new “Open Haywood” campaign, which launched June 23 and runs through Sept. 30, saturates digital platforms like Google, Meta, YouTube, Expedia and VRBO. Its main goal is to drive mid-week overnight bookings of two nights or more by offering visitors digital gift cards —
“Elk Bucks” — that can be spent at more than 100 participating Haywood County businesses. F
Western North Carolina is still suffering from the false notion that Helene-damaged businesses haven’t yet reopened. File photo
The promotion capitalizes on mid-week lodging availability, especially during the summer shoulder season, when revenue can sag even as the weather stays warm.
HCTDA has also been busy on the print side, placing traditional ads in Our State Magazine and the VisitNC travel guide and maintaining high-visibility billboards in Columbia, South Carolina along I-26 — a corridor frequently traveled by potential tourists.
But perhaps one of the most buzzworthy additions to the TDA’s event lineup this year is “Fat Burger Month,” an initiative designed in response to master planning input that indicated visitors wanted more culinary events. Aimed at luring diners to Haywood’s independent restaurants during the slower winter months, Fat Burger Month included 14 restaurants, who responded with cheeky burger names like “the morning monster,” and “the cow, the pig, the goat and the fig.”
recovery messaging.
That last point may loom larger as the anniversary of Hurricane Helene approaches. The storm devastated parts of the county in 2024 and continues to shape local, state and regional narratives around resilience and recovery. HCTDA has signaled that it will take an active role in future messaging tied to the milestone, focusing on the progress that has been made.
“Across the region, in different counties ... I think everybody’s trying to get the message out that we are recovering,” said Commissioner Jennifer Best. “[Recovery] will continue for a long time, but we’re still very much open. There are lots and lots of things to do here.”
Looking further ahead, HCTDA is preparing to launch a completely new website, scheduled for summer 2026. That overhaul is expected to modernize the visitor experience, offer better access to itineraries
According to Ruffieux’s presentation, 160 challenges were completed by participating patrons, all of whom tried a new restaurant — a key metric in diversifying the county’s tourism economy beyond its traditional reliance on leaf peeping, motorcycle rallies and snow sports.
While big-name events and flashy campaigns grab headlines, much of HCTDA’s long-term influence is rooted in its grants program. At its May 28 board meeting, the TDA awarded $237,000 in tourism promotion and legacy event sponsorship grants to 16 projects. Each was evaluated for alignment with the destination master plan, ensuring consistency with broader economic development goals.
A second round of grant funding opens Aug. 11, with applications due by Sept. 19 and awards announced Dec. 3. Capital grants are also in play — eight applications are currently under review, with winners to be announced in September.
The increasing emphasis on grants represents a shift in how the TDA positions itself. It’s not just a marketing agency anymore. It’s a stakeholder in economic development, community placemaking and even disaster
and integrate event listings, booking platforms and geolocation features — all key to remaining competitive in an increasingly digital tourism marketplace.
Still, financial headwinds persist.
In recent years, tourism development authorities across the region have grappled with a rapidly evolving environment.
Vacation rental volatility, workforce housing shortages, disaster recovery priorities and shifting traveler preferences have all upended what used to be predictable seasonal patterns.
Haywood County is no exception, and the HCTDA’s ability to pivot — to data-driven promotions, to place-based culinary events, to competitive grantmaking — may well determine whether the county remains a destination of choice in the years to come.
Nationally, inbound visitation from other countries has dropped significantly, including from Canada and Mexico. The World Travel & Tourism Council projects U.S. international visitor spending will drop from $181 billion in 2024 to just under $169 billion in 2025 — a 23% year-over-year decline. Domestically, tourism is expected to grow in 2025 by just 1.7%.
Damage to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Interstate 40 affected visitation in 2024 and early 2025. File photo
Chair resigns, Democratic gala lineup revised after NC-11 candidates protest
BY C ORY VAILLANCOURT
P OLITICS E DITOR
Ablistering letter signed by four Democratic candidates for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District is raising questions about party neutrality in primaries, calling the party’s decision to include only one congressional candidate — Jamie Ager — as the keynote speaker at the NC-11 Democratic gala “deeply unfair” and fundamentally at odds with core party values.
“We, the undersigned Democratic candidates for Congress in North Carolina, write to express our collective and unequivocal disgust,” the Aug. 1 letter begins, before taking aim at what the candidates view as a party-sanctioned attempt to tip the scales in favor of Ager, a Buncombe County farmer and political newcomer who announced his candidacy in late July.
Signatories to the letter, which was addressed to the North Carolina Democratic Party, the NC-11 Democratic Party and Buncombe County Democrats, include candidates Moe Davis, Zelda Briarwood, Chris Harjes and Paul Maddox.
Their criticism centers on the decision to give Ager the spotlight at the Aug. 23 gala in Asheville while excluding other Democratic
candidates from the event’s speaking program, a move the authors claim undermines “transparency, inclusion and neutrality” — principles they argue are essential for the party’s credibility, especially during a contested primary leading to a high-stakes election.
“Let us be clear: It is not the role of any Democratic Party entity, whether it’s county, district or state, to anoint a nominee before voters have had their say,” the letter reads.
“Showcasing a single candidate sends a clear and dangerous message that the primary is already decided.”
business acumen, agricultural roots and bipartisan appeal, has drawn early praise from party insiders eager to consolidate support behind a candidate they believe can win in November.
“electioneering, where one candidate is promoted, may be illegal in this circumstance.”
Federal election law generally prohibits tax-exempt organizations from endorsing or supporting political candidates, especially during a primary; however, the North Carolina Democratic Party plan of organization doesn’t strictly prohibit it.
Though the letter does not cite specific statutes or evidence of wrongdoing, it called on the NC-11 Executive Committee to “immediately amend the gala program to include all qualified Democratic congressional candidates.”
Absent such action, the authors warned they would “picket and boycott the event unless level heads prevail.”
The threat of a public protest at a major Democratic gathering signals what could be a growing rift within the party. Davis, who won the NC-11 Democratic Primary Election in 2020 and lost to Republican Madison Cawthorn in the General Election, had been perceived as a frontrunner in the upcoming Primary Election until the entry of Ager, while Briarwood and Harjes have been campaigning for months.
Adam Bigelow
The controversy has already sparked wider discussion among Western North Carolina Democrats, some of whom view the letter as a necessary challenge to perceived backroom dealing and insider politics. Others fear it may deepen existing divisions and distract from the party’s ultimate goal — capturing what they believe is a winnable seat currently held by Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson).
Ager, who entered the race touting his
hard work of candidates and volunteers across the district.”
The authors also raised concerns about potential legal implications, noting that if the gala is being organized by a nonprofit entity,
By contrast, Ager is viewed by some as a fresh-faced moderate with crossover appeal. His early campaign messaging has emphasized unity and pragmatic problem solving, a theme echoed by Ager’s campaign consultant, Grayson Barnette.
“We welcome anyone to the race and believe in the Democratic primary process and the exchange of ideas that take place in that process,” F
Man pleads guilty to trafficking charges in Haywood
District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch today announced the successful prosecution of a Swain County man on drug trafficking charges.
A Haywood County Superior Court jury late Friday found Clinton Leslie Ensley, 45, guilty of:
• One count trafficking in opium, opiate, opioid or heroin by transporting 28 grams or more of fentanyl.
• One count trafficking in opium, opiate, opioid or heroin by possessing 28 grams or more of fentanyl.
• One count conspiracy to commit trafficking by transporting 28 grams or more of fentanyl opium, opiate, opioid or heroin.
along Old Asheville Highway in Canton.
The detectives had been surveilling a truck stop near the Buncombe County line. They observed a vehicle with a fictitious plate entering the truck stop, followed by an SUV. Ensley got out of the SUV and into the first vehicle, then drove it across the county line into Haywood.
Detective Joshua Watts pulled over the vehicle. He and fellow officers discovered 146 grams of methamphetamine and 170 grams of fentanyl, a large amount of cash and drug paraphernalia.
• One count of conspiracy to commit trafficking by possessing 28 grams or more of fentanyl.
• One count of trafficking in methamphetamine by transporting 28 grams or more but less than 200 grams.
• One count of trafficking in methamphetamine by possessing 28 grams or more but less than 200 grams.
Superior Court Judge Gary Gavenus sentenced Ensley to a minimum active prison sentence of 49 years. He also imposed state-mandated fines totaling $2.1 million.
Haywood County Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives arrested Ensley on April 5, 2024,
NCDMV announces moratorium on driver license expirations
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles announced a moratorium on the expiration of Class C driver licenses in North Carolina.
Under this legislation, Class C licenses (standard passenger vehicle licenses) expiring on or after July 1, 2025, will remain valid for driving purposes within the state for up to two
Barnette said Aug. 2. “Jamie’s job is to run the strongest campaign he can, and I’m confident he’s going to get through this primary.” When reached for comment on Aug. 2, NC-11 Democratic Party Chair Bill Baugh said the party was reconsidering the speaker lineup and that he anticipated a statement on the matter would come quickly.
That statement came Aug. 3, signed by executive officers, calling the situation “a misstep” and noting that NC-11 Dems had been searching for a speaker for weeks, with no luck. Ager’s entry into the race seemed like a good solution, although some officers did not agree, so the letter claims NC-11 officers contacted the North Carolina Democratic Party.
“In retrospect, this was not the impartial way to handle this task,” it reads. “We have reached out to all the District 11 candidates for the U.S. House, and all have been invited
Later, detectives went to the SUV at the truck stop and found about 3 pounds of methamphetamine and cash. These additional drugs were critical to establishing Ensley’s participation in drug trafficking, because the methamphetamine and fentanyl were found on a passenger, not on Ensley, at the Haywood County motor vehicle stop.
The passenger, Christopher Jason Woodard, 47, also of Bryson City, pleaded guilty Oct. 22, 2024, to trafficking opium or heroin. He is currently serving 70-93 months in state prison.
Detective Watts served as the primary case agent, with assistance from Sgt. Jordan Reagan; Sgt. William Brigham; Detective Craig Campbell; Deputy Hayden Green and Detective Alexander Ledin.
Assistant district attorneys Jeff Jones and Chris Smith prosecuted the case.
years beyond the printed expiration date.
The moratorium, in effect through Dec. 31, 2027, applies only to Class C licenses and allows continued in-state driving privileges during the two-year grace period. Expired licenses will not be valid for any purpose other than establishing the license holder’s driving privilege, including identification purposes and air travel, and may not be recognized by other states or federal entities. The moratorium does not apply to commercial driver licenses or any licenses that are suspended, revoked, or cancelled.
to speak at the gala. We are hoping they all accept our invitation. It is our sincere wish that for those of you who were offended and angry that this will be sufficient to allow the district to move forward and elect a candidate to defeat Chuck Edwards.”
Ager had been removed from the event’s website by Aug. 3.
For now, the incident has placed the spotlight not just on the candidates vying for the nomination, but on the mechanisms of party power that shape their prospects.
Baugh resigned from his post on Aug. 5 and will return to precinct organizing.
With the NC-11 Democratic Gala still on the calendar, the next moves by both party leaders and the candidates themselves may offer insight into whether the district’s Democrats can reconcile internal tensions — or whether the road to November will be marred by deeper discord.
Clinton Leslie Ensley. File photo
We have more power than we realize
Ionce spun my wheels searching and seeking an experience outside of myself or something big and expansive to find happiness. This tactic sort of worked for a while, but eventually I realized that looking forward to the next vacation or celebration or milestone was preventing me from all the inbetweens, all the goodness that happens in the weeks and months and years that unfold quietly, slowly — these are the minutes and hours we need to embrace more fully.
As I grow older and hopefully wiser, I continually notice that while graduations, birthdays, championships, weddings and babies being born are absolutely occasions to celebrate and honor, the seemingly insignificant moments of the everyday matter just as much. Enjoying a cup of coffee with your partner before the day begins. Fully engaging with your child instead of halfway listening while multitasking. Calling a friend you haven't spoken to in a long time. Taking a walk without your phone. Cooking a new recipe. Cleaning and organizing your living or working space. Sitting down together for a family meal. Listening to the birds. These are the interactions and situations that soothe our nervous system. I know people who feel like they were failed by the medical system or that their loved ones were failed, and sometimes medical establishments do make mistakes, but the bigger picture is that people are putting too much faith in something outside of themselves. There are many daily habits and life adjustments we can make that will improve our health dramatically without any assistance from medications or doctors. Sometimes it takes a blend of both, but in many instances our action or lack thereof are causing many of our ailments.
I have dialed in what this means for me. A few non-negotiables in my life are movement, deep breathing, quiet moments, eating real food, staying hydrated, breaks or absti-
Democrats in shock, not disarray
To the Editor:
Last week’s letter by L. E. Cossette: “Democratic Party is in disarray,” is a delusional insult to Democrats and a vacuous flattery job to Trump’s Republican Party. Democrats are as committed and vocal about the values that they support as they always have been.
Doubting that because you saw the contrary on Newsmax, here is a partial list laying out the real concerns: Democrats want an end to racist behavior; an immigration system that provides genuine humanitarian support and legal entry to the downtrodden; genuine freedom from discrimination in housing and job opportunity no matter one’s religion, gender, nationality+ or sexual nature; a transition from oil and gas energy to a carbon neutral product; medical care so that all of us can access adequate care, not just rich folks; cars and trucks that protect the people within, and the environment without; the promotion of labor unions so that workers are given the power to ensure their company prospers while providing their families economic wellbeing and good treatment for workers; environmental policy so that manufacturing is not a toxic burden and produces safe food and
nence from social media, adequate sleep, minimal to no alcohol, nurturing my relationships, time spent outdoors, leaning into faith over fear and doing work that feels meaningful. None of these cost money or require outside help. They are all within my power, and when I make them the priority, life feels good — really good.
The experts say the number one indicator of life longevity is the quality of our relationships, but it’s hard to have energy and time to nurture relationships if you’re tired, unhealthy, hungover, worried about money or hate your job. While the quality of relationships may be the most important indicator, all of these strategies are important so that we can bring the best version of ourselves to our loved ones.
Very simple changes such as removing ultra-processed foods from your life, going to bed earlier, integrating non-tech hours or weaving in a daily walk will make you feel eons better. We recently had an older family member who was experiencing significant panic attacks and restless nights. After a slew of tests and worry, a very good doctor suggested he drink three times the amount of water he’d been drinking. That did the trick. He’d been severely dehydrated, and dehydration alone can wreak havoc on the human body. Another powerhouse remedy is deep breathing. The 24-hour news cycle and modern hustle culture leads to shallow breathing, and shallow breathing is terrible for us. It’s helpful and healing to intentionally breathe deeply throughout the day. A mere fiveminute mediation is extraordinarily beneficial to every system in the body. Surely we can all spare five minutes.
LETTERS
other consumer goods; an educational system from federal to state that sets high standards for educators and opportunities for all children, disabled and otherwise; a federal judicial system that makes sure that our rights as citizens are protected and transgressions on those rights are not allowed to continue; a nation that allows religion to prosper in the private arena but restrains forced public practice; and the list goes on.
It is a well-known truth that the laundry list of objectives laid out above are the values that most Americans hope to enjoy for themselves, and polling the citizenry shows this. After all, does anyone want to deal with cancers and body lesions and then discover that the land out back was a poison chemical dump? Of course not. Knowing that, Democrats are not inclined to seizures, chasing their tails, and changing their values. What Democrats have learned from the last year watching the chaos created by Republican politicians is that their voters no longer care about issues; their values have been collapsed into a single wish by the crude and crass Donald Trump to effectuate the destruction of so-called liberal programs in a rush to get back to the days of yore, when white men were accorded privileges, woman were useful sidekicks, poor and minority folks
Another habit I’ve initiated is getting outside first thing in the morning. Some days, I go for a run, but most days, I simply walk my dog or sit on the porch with coffee and listen to the birds. In the colder months, I often sit by the fire. There is something about waking up with the day that feels magical and primal. My phone and computer do not come with me during these early hours. In fact, I try not to look at my phone for at least the first hour of each day.
It pains me to see people living so unhealthfully, to see grocery store carts full of sugary soda and snacks, to hear of capable people who don’t move from their chair or the couch all day, to know that some folks take a handful of pills when maybe part of what they need is time with trees and birds and the sounds of a creek. I fully respect that many people need daily medications or treatments to live to the fullest. In fact, there have been times in my life where I’ve been deficient in iron, vitamin B12 and cortisol and have had to figure out how to get my levels adjusted. There are life-saving surgeries happening every day, but in addition to all of that, we can do our part in healing ourselves. In place of or in addition to medical assistance, why not do everything in our power to make our time on earth more joyful?
There is a quote by an unknown author that says, “Stop waiting for Friday, for summer, for someone to fall in love with you, for life. Happiness is achieved when you stop waiting for it and make the most of the moment you are in now.” This is what I’m getting at. Let’s stop living for the big moments. Let’s live for the everyday and part of doing that is caring deeply for the vessel we are living in — the beautiful blend of our body, mind and soul.
(Susanna Shetley is a writer, editor and social media specialist. susanna.b@smokymountainnews.com.)
stayed in their decaying ghettos and no children saw happy and healthy gay folks in public.
Shocked at the banality of all of this insanity and disruption, Democrats remain genuinely flummoxed about how to negotiate with a reckless, mindless tribe of Trumpians who are chopping off their toes hoping that lighter feet will win the race. In short, Republican voters elected Donald Trump because he promised in the crudest terms possible to rid our culture of liberals and their alleged stench. Never you mind that overturning the apple cart of our nation’s bounty would cripple or destroy our most desirable and difficult societal achievements. (Note especially what Robert Kennedy Jr. is up to at the HHS and Pam Bondi at the DOJ). Trump screams “destroy colleges,” “destroy government,” destroy science,” “destroy medical research,” “destroy climate warming mitigation!!,” “destroy all forms of immigration,” and the lies and fulminations of the raging man goes on. And MAGA loves it as much as he loves to shovel it out. That is, of course, until Trump’s policies start coming for them. And that is indeed what is happening right now. You may be living in the rural parts and have a solid American ancestry reaching back a century or better, but Trumpian economic policy number 1 — tariffs — are going to cost your family $2,000 more for the stuff you are
now buying. And absent the income of the top 10%, your health care, probably tentative already, is just lately starting to diminish in quality and access. Doctors and support people are quitting the profession in droves, clients (you and me) are having our policies bumped to the curb.
I could go on, but you get the point. That the recent across-the-board polling reveals a decline in Trump’s support by everyone is telling me that lots of folks are starting to really understand what they did last November. And it is crucial to keep listening to the news, and I do not mean only Newsmax or MSNBC. Widen your view left and right, and you will begin to get a clear picture of the truth. No matter the goals of Mr. Trump, journalism continues to bake the bread-stuff of democracy. My vision has it that the quality of a nation’s progress lies in increasing levels of prosperity and opportunity for all, the strengthening of our alliances with our allies, the safeguarding of the health and vitality of all people and so forth. It does not lie in enthusiastically choking the lives of our minority populations, the disruption of trade worldwide and, in consequence, endangering our own: all the while bellowing the whitewashing slogan “Make America Great Again.”
Rick Wirth Bryson City
Susanna Shetley
Dare to dream
A
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD
ARTS & E NTERTAINMENT E DITOR
Iconic guitar riffs eternally burned into the walls of our memory. Songs that have remained the soundtrack to our lives for over a half-century. The sonic grace and stage swagger, the legend and lore of one of rock-n-roll’s greatest sixstring aces — Mike Campbell.
Lead guitarist for Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Campbell was the melodic balance to Petty’s lyrical genius. It was the seamless nuance of Campbell’s virtuosic fingering up and down the fretboard which provided the launching pad Petty and his bandmates could erupt from.
Now 75, Campbell is as active as ever, these days fronting his own rock outfit, The Dirty Knobs. In the years since Petty passed away (2017), Campbell has glanced into the rearview mirror at the road to the “here and now.” Even though he doesn’t dwell on the past, Campbell sat down and wrote the story of his life and the band that molded it.
What resulted is the New York Times Bestseller “Heartbreaker.” An in-depth and poignant read, it’s an engrossing tale of a rag-tag bunch of Florida rockers grinding it out in the 1970s, this utterly mesmerizing group trying to spark fire in the soul of the listener, only to head to Los Angeles and become one of America’s greatest rock acts.
Catching up with The Smoky Mountain News while on tour, Campbell spoke at-length about his experience writing the memoir, what it means to be a team player in a band, and why those Petty songs resonate as much now as they did when they first hit the airwaves decades ago.
Smoky Mountain News: What’s been the big takeaway now that the book’s been out? When you start digging up all this stuff, it must bring a lot of emotion to the surface or a change of perspective?
Mike Campbell: You know, as a rule, I don’t like to look back. I’m not into nostalgia, ‘cause I feel like it’s already been come and gone. I like just to look forward and focus on what I’m going to do next, but I was kind of impressed and surprised
that it has been a pretty amazing life. The people I’ve met and the roads I’ve taken, it’s kind of a charmed life. So, I wanted to tell that story.
SMN: At the same time, it always felt that you were game to see what was around the corner. Not necessarily a “nothing left to lose” kind of thing, but you were always down to just keep seeing what was next.
MC: I still am. That’s where I’m at right now. I mean, time is weird. I was in the Heartbreakers for nearly 50 years, and I miss my best friend a lot. And I’ve been grieving through that. But, it is over now, you know? It’s in the past. I was in high school once, and that’s gone. I was in a band once, that’s over. So, as I grow older, my perspective of time has kind of changed. Things come and go. But, you’re right, there’s something else around the corner. I’m just moving forward and waiting for the next surprise.
SMN: When you wake up and look out at what your life is at this juncture, what do you see these days?
MC: Well, I live my life. I do. I write all the time. That hasn’t changed. I have an addiction to writing songs. I love to play with my band. I have a new band now that’s really good. And I’m grateful for them like a family, like the Heartbreakers were a family. I’m physically in good shape. I never thought I would be at this age. But, I can still kind of run and jump and I’m not in pain. I can’t run as fast. [Laughs]. But, I can still do what I want to do, and I can still play the guitar. I like being at home as well. I have my wife, and I have several dogs that we love. We have a nice house, and I have my studio there. So, between the studio and then traveling and playing with the band, my life is pretty full.
SMN: One of the things I liked in the book was when you were deciding to join the [pre-Heartbreakers] band Mudcrutch. And Tom [Petty] said to you, “You play like you know what to do.” I was really struck by that statement, when you’re growing up and trying
to figure out what the hell your life’s going look like, but the writing is on the wall the whole time.
MC: Yeah. Well, my life is my own personal life. I can’t speak for anybody else, but, when I started playing the guitar, that was it. Something turned on and switched inside of me like, “This is what you’re going to do.” I worked hard at it, and I got pretty good, pretty fast. I haven’t improved much since then. [Laughs]. But, once I got to a level of ability that I basically had established what I could do with it. So, I was pretty confident with the guitar. I was never that confident with the lyrics or singing back in the day, but I always felt the guitar was something that I felt pretty confident about.
SMN: And you came across as somebody who’s a real team player. You always seemed to serve the song, rather than overtake the song. Even in the band dynamics, it seemed that you were willing to be with the team, rather than put ego in front of it. Where does that come from?
MC: I think it comes from the stuff I listened to that I was inspired by in the 60s. I’m one of those guys. It was a great time for music. There was the Beach Boys, the Beatles, the [Rolling] Stones, Chuck Berry, the Animals, all those great bands. And all those bands had something in common that influenced me, and that was they were about the songs. Of course, I like Michael Bloomfield, I like Jimi Hendrix. I liked that for what it is. And I can do that kind of playing if I put my mind to it. But, my instinct is to listen to the song — like Keith Richards or George Harrison might — find guitar parts that complement the song without showing off too much. And that’s just what I like to do. That’s what gets me off.
SMN: You had mentioned your band as your family. It seems like that’s where you felt most loved and most at home, especially early on. Was it that you felt accepted and seen by these people, maybe for the first time in your life?
conversation with Mike Campbell
Mike Campbell will play Asheville Aug. 10. Donated photo
This must be the place
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD
‘You belong among the wildflowers, you belong somewhere close to me’
HOT PICKS
1
“Concerts on the Creek” will host Arnold Hill (rock/jam) at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva.
2
A stage production of the Broadway classic “Anything Goes” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 7-9 and 2 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.
3
The ArtFest community event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.
4
The “Mountain Street Dance” will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, in front of the historic courthouse in downtown Waynesville.
5
The Natti Love Joys (reggae/ soul) will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Franklin.
Pictured in this week’s column is my most favorite place in the entire universe. The Grand Teton Mountains straddling the Wyoming/Idaho border. I’ve been coming to these ancient peaks since 1992, when I was seven years old and made my first trip West with my family from our native Upstate New York.
Since then, I’ve returned to this stunning place several times over the decades. I even lived here as a rookie reporter for a local newspaper back in 2008, right over the Teton Pass in Driggs, Idaho, when I was 22 years old and chasing my dream of the written word.
The Tetons will always own a big piece (the biggest) of my heart and soul. And I can only hold that piece when I come back here from time-to-time. But, before I leave, I have to give it back to Mother Nature and the cosmic ether for safe keeping until we meet again.
The last time I saw these mountains inperson was exactly two years ago. And I was standing in the exact spot I am currently at (when I snapped the photo) with the woman who I thought I’d spend the rest of my life with. My life heading in a different direction than it is today. But, gratitude remains deep within me. It’s all a dream we dream, eh?
Since that moment, she’s long gone on her own trajectory. The flood happened, too, which flipped everything upside down for us and countless others. Loved ones have passed away or simply disappeared from my daily existence. And yet, so many beautiful souls have entered my world, too. New faces of genuine love and lifelong friendship.
To that, I don’t take any of it for granted, and I remain thankful for everything: the good, the bad, the ugly. For all of it encompasses life itself. The journey. The trek. The wandering. And the pondering. It’s all an unfolding process, with the only thing you have control of is how you react in any given situation. I remain steadfast. I remain curious. The day before I found myself staring in
into Teton Valley, Idaho, along State Highway 33 from Idaho Falls to the small mountain town of Victor. Over the Big Hole Mountains into Teton County, slowly drifting into my former digs.
One intersection, one stoplight kind of town, although there were maybe 600 people living in Victor when I called it home in 2008. Now? Maybe a few thousand yearround residents? More so, if you count those with vacation homes in this bustling highpriced community. When I lived there, it was a real ski bum town for those who couldn’t afford to reside in uber-rich Jackson, Wyoming, just over Teton Pass.
I parked the truck in front of the Knotty Pine Supper Club, in the heart of Victor. A legendary ski bar and music venue, the KP is well-known for its Kansas City-style barbecue, cooked by Brice Nelson, the owner/chef and one of my lifelong, dear friends. I met him my first day in Victor. We hit it off immediately and have kept in touch ever since.
So, it meant a lot when he walked out of the kitchen and gave me a big bear hug. Smiles emerging from both sides of the conversation. I missed my old friend, and the feeling was mutual. We sat under the big old pine tree in the side yard and caught up about our respective lives, the good, the bad, and the ugly of navigating an ever-evolving existence. It felt good to reconnect. Hearty laughter and genuine interaction.
Within the next hour or so, some of my other Victor friends showed up. First, Lindsay, a soulmate of sorts when it comes to the road of life we all find ourselves on. More bear hugs and smiles. Then, Mike rolled up. Another chum from the old days here in the Rockies. Eventually, a semi-circle emerged on one side of the KP bar. All of us exchanging stories and experiences, each truly present in a moment unfolding. Before we knew it, it was getting late. The sun had long fallen behind the Big Holes. Initially, I had planned on making my way to
Pinedale, Wyoming, a western outpost town with way cheaper hotels and motels than the extremely expensive Jackson. But, before I knew it, Mike offered me his guest room at him home nearby atop a mountain ridge. By the time we arrived at his picturesque abode, his wife was already asleep and had to work early in the morning. It was nice night, so Mike suggested we hit up the hot tub outdoor for a nightcap, as to not wake her up. The high-desert air was dry and still warm nearing midnight. A beverage inhand, I hopped into the hot tub, only to immediately notice how incredible the night sky looked.
With little to no light pollution in Teton County, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen the stars so clear and bright. Very quickly, we counted over a dozen shooting stars from a mid-summer meteor shower. One in particular exploded right over Mike’s house. It seemed so close to us, so bright, that when it entered our atmosphere and blew apart, it illuminated the home and surrounding property. Mind-blowing.
I awoke the next morning and opened up the curtains to the vast valley below. It was just like I’d remembered, in-person in 2008 and in my subconscious thoughts all these years later. Mike and I headed down the road to Brice’s house for coffee. More conversation. More laughter. Right around noon, it was time for me to hit the road, the nose of truck currently aimed for Colorado. I said goodbye, for now, to my friends.
Packing up the last of my things, I put the truck into drive, the town of Victor in the rearview mirror once again. With the warm sunshine and cool air swirling into the open windows, I threw some tunes on the stereo. One of my favorites, Kacey Musgraves’ “Slow Burn” came on: “I’m alright with a slow burn, taking my time, let the world turn, I’m gonna do it my way, it’ll be alright.” A smile ear-toear now on my face.
Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.
Wyoming’s Grand Teton Mountains. Garret K. Woodward photo
MC: Well, yeah. You’re getting into some deep stuff. But, perhaps since my parents divorced and my family fell apart, once I got my band family, I guess I felt a strong desire to not let it fall apart, you know? And to fight to keep it together, because that was something that I missed possibly in my deep psychology. I don’t know, but that’s the way I’ve always been. I never had an ambition to be a solo artist. I like being in a gang, you know? I like having my buddies around to share the moment with me.
SMN: As we’re talking, I’m currently driving across the country from Montana to North Carolina. And, like clockwork, the Heartbreakers is what I’m listening to. There’s something so seamless about listening to Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers when you’re driving across America, the windows roll down. It’s a pretty iconic scene for a lot of people. Why does it fit so well?
MC: Well, that’s a good question. And thank you for that compliment. I like to hear that. I don’t listen to my records ever anymore, but I like to hear’em when I’m driving. If a song comes on, my foot pushes on the gas pedal a little bit. Tom’s writing and my writing and the Heartbreakers, when I look back on it, it was very optimistic and hopeful, and about redemption. And there’s a lot of love in that band. You can feel the energy between the players and the characters in the songs. There’s a lot of resonance with a lot of people that can relate to the struggle of trying to get to a better life than you’re in or getting through a hardship. But, there’s a hope at the end. There’s a happy ending, hopefully. And I think our music, when I hear it, sounds very optimistic and hopeful. It’s about love and peace. It’s about positive energy.
SMN: I say this as a compliment, but it’s almost like a bait and
On the beat
• Bascom Center for Visual Arts (Highlands) will host a “Community Barn Dance” 5:307:30 p.m. Aug. 14. Admission is $10 for adults, free for kids ages 10 and under. 828.526.4949 / thebascom.org.
• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host Paul Koptak (singer-songwriter) Aug. 9. All shows begin at 5 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.246.9320 / blueridgebeerhub.com.
• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host “Karaoke Night” 9 p.m. Wednesdays, “Trivia” 7 p.m. Thursdays, “Open Jam” 10 p.m. Thursdays and Rossdafareye (Americana/folk) Aug. 16. All shows are located in The Gem downstairs taproom and begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.0350 / boojumbrewing.com.
• Cataloochee Ranch (Maggie Valley) will host A. Lee Edwards (singer-songwriter) Aug. 6. All shows begin at 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For tickets and reservations, visit cataloocheeranch.com/ranch-events/live-music.
• Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host The Jazz Cats Duo (jazz) 7:15 p.m. Aug. 8 ($15 cover). The kitchen and wine bar open at 4 p.m. 828.452.6000 or classicwineseller.com.
• Farm At Old Edwards (Highlands) will host the “Orchard Sessions” with The Darren Nicholson Band (Americana/bluegrass) Aug. 13. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Admission is $50 per person, with discounts rates available for hotel guests and members. 866.526.8008 /
switch, where the melody and the rhythm would make you dance and pull you in. And once you had their attention, the lyrics would make you think.
MC: Well, that’s the magic of music, isn’t it? That’s why I do it. Music is medicine for the soul, really. And if you get the right combination of melody and rhythm and lyrics, it’s a very visceral experience of life — that life can be good, you know?
SMN: When you think about the culmination of all those things you’ve been able to experience in life — onstage and off, the people, the places, the shows and the moments — what has the culmination of that taught you about what it means to be a human being?
MC: Well, gratitude. I feel very grateful [for] my path. Your path is an interesting subject. You go through your life and you come to a crossroads or an option or an opportunity happens, and you go left or right, and that’s your path that you choose. It can bring you down the rest of your life, you know? When I met Tom, that was a path that was chosen [and] all these things happened. And when I met my wife, that set me on a path with her. And music is magical that way. At this point, I’m just the happiest guy up there [onstage]. I’m so happy I get to play guitar and make a living and people like my music. People come up to me and say that it brought them joy. Or like you said, when you were driving, it made you feel happy. That’s the greatest reward. Tom once said to me, “The best goal of a musician is to inspire.” If you inspire, you’ve done your job. So, my job is to try and inspire, and that’s what I still do. I go out on the stage with my band or when I’m making a record, I try to put that force, that mysterious, frenetic energy that comes from lord knows where and put it into the music, and hopefully it will communicate with somebody. Yeah. My main phrase that comes back to me a lot
oldedwardshospitality.com/orchard-sessions.
• Folkmoot Friendship Center (Waynesville) will host “World Drum Classes” every Friday at 2:30 p.m. (adults) and 4 p.m. (family friendly, all ages) and “Waynesville Acoustic Guitar Group” 2-4 p.m. every second and fourth Saturday of the month. Free and open to the public. 828.452.2997 / folkmoot.org.
• Friday Night Live Concert Series (Highlands) will host McClain Family Band Aug. 8 and Shane Lane Trio & Lane Brothers Aug. 15. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. highlandschamber.org.
• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host “Jazz On The Level” 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Karmachain Aug. 8, Rich Manz Trio (acoustic/oldies) Aug. 9, JR Williams (singersongwriter) 3 p.m. Aug. 10, Hammock Theory Band Aug. 15, Somebody’s Child (Americana) Aug. 16 and Mike Hollon (singer-songwriter) 3 p.m. Aug. 17. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.454.5664 / froglevelbrewing.com.
• Happ’s Place (Glenville) will host Kody Paul (singer-songwriter) Aug. 6, Doug Ramsey (singer-songwriter) Aug. 7, Blue Jazz (blues/jazz) Aug. 8, The Alamo Band Aug. 9, Corey Stevenson (singer-songwriter) Aug. 13, The James Gang Aug. 14, Dillon & Company Aug. 15 and Rock Holler Aug. 16. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.742.5700 / happsplace.com.
ing a great time, and the band’s playing good, or I might be in the studio and we just cut a great track, and I just always look around and go, “How did I get here?”
SMN: That’s definitely one of the things I pulled away from reading the book — gratitude. You’ve had gratitude toward anything that was coming your way. And you seem to be very aware of “the now,” you were always present.
MC: Oh, I try. It’s a very simple axiom, “If you’re grateful, you’re happy.” And if you’re not, you’re probably not. If you try to be grateful and learn how to appreciate things and not take everything for granted, that’s what kind of keeps you happy, ‘cause you’re grateful. There you are, you won the game. When I was raising my kids, I used to have this thing up on my refrigerator — “Gratitude without attitude.”
• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee) will host Bret Michaels (classic rock) 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9. For tickets, visit caesars.com/harrahscherokee.
• High Country Wine & Provisions (Highlands) will host Ezra & Katie (Americana) Aug. 8 and David Crisp (singer-songwriter) Aug. 15. Shows start at 6:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.482.4502 / highcountrywineandprovisions.com.
• Highlander Mountain House (Highlands) will host “Blues & Brews” with Scott Low 6-9 p.m. Thursdays ($5 cover), Zorki (singer-songwriter) 1-3 p.m. Saturdays, “Bluegrass Brunch” 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sundays (free) and the “Salon Series” with The Lone Below (Americana/indie) 8:30 p.m. Aug. 28 (tickets are $53.24 per person, tax included). 828.526.2590 / highlandermountainhouse.com.
• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host “Monday Night Trivia” every week, “Open Mic with Phil” on Wednesdays and Andrew Danner (singersongwriter) Aug. 16. All shows and events begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.586.9678/ innovation-brewing.com.
• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host Natti Love Joys (reggae/roots) Aug. 9, Bryan & Al (soft rock/oldies) Aug. 15 and Blue Jazz (blues/jazz) Aug. 16. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 / lazyhikerbrewing.com.
• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host “Music Bingo” 6:30 p.m. Mondays, Grizzly Mammoth (rock/funk) Aug. 8 and Blue Jazz (blues/jazz) Aug. 15. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. 828.349.2337 / lazyhikerbrewing.com.
• Listening Room (Franklin) will host Al Scortino (singer-songwriter) 6:30 p.m. Aug. 16. Suggested donation $20 (no one turned away). Located at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. robby.concerts@gmail.com
• Macon County Public Library (Franklin) will host The Vagabonds (Americana) at 2 p.m. the first and third Monday and a “Song Circle” open jam from 3-6 p.m. the first Tuesday each month. Free and open to the public. 828.524.3600 or fontanalib.org/franklin.
• Meadowlark Motel (Maggie Valley) will host a “Bluegrass Jam” 5-7 p.m. Sundays, Adrienne Black & The Oracles Aug. 9, Ramblin’ Ricky Tate (Americana/folk) Aug. 14 and Heidi Holton (blues/folk) Aug. 16. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.926.1717 / meadowlarkmotel.com.
• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host “Open Mic Night” with Frank Lee every Thursday, Zip Robertson (singer-songwriter) Aug. 8, Somebody’s Child (Americana) Aug. 9, Frank Lee (folk/old-time) 5 p.m. Aug. 10, Mountain Gypsy (Americana) Aug. 15, Granny’s Mason Jar (Americana/bluegrass) Aug. 16 and Alma Russ (Americana/folk) 5 p.m. Aug. 17. All shows begin at 6 p.m unless otherwise
On the beat
The Natti Love Joys will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Franklin.
A roots-rock-reggae band that has been playing live since 2003, the group consists of husband and wife duo Anthony “Jatti” Allen and Sonia “Marla” Allen (formerly Sonia Abel).
Jatti was previously the bassist for the reggae group The Congos, while Marla originates from the cult all-female reggae group Love Joys, where she recorded two albums under the legendary Wackies label run by Lloyd Barnes (Bullwackie).
The show is free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.
‘Concerts on the Creek’
The Town of Sylva, Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce will continue its 16th season of the annual “Concerts on the Creek” music series.
Popular Jackson County rock/jam act Arnold Hill will hit the stage at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva.
Formed in 2011, the Jackson County band is named after a road in Sylva where the musicians lived and practiced. In method, Arnold Hill adheres to the playful nature and creative possibilities that reside in the rock quartet.
“Concerts on the Creek” are held every Friday night from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Everyone is encouraged to bring a chair or blanket. These events are free, with donations encouraged. Dogs must be on a leash. No smoking, vaping, coolers or tents are allowed. Bring a chair or blanket. There will be food trucks on select nights.
For more information, call the chamber at 828.586.2155, visit mountainlovers.com/concerts-on-the-creek or go to the “Concerts on the Creek” Facebook page.
Bryson City community jam
A community jam will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, on the front patio of the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.
Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer or anything unplugged is invited to join. Singers are also welcomed to join in or you can just stop by and listen. The jam is facilitated by Larry Barnett of the Sawmill Creek Porch Band.
The community jams offer a chance for musicians of all ages and levels of ability to share music they have learned over the years or learn old-time mountain songs. The music jams are offered to the public each first and third Thursday of the month — spring, summer, fall.
This program received support from the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment of the Arts. For more information, call 828.488.3030.
‘An Appalachian Evening’
noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 / mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.
• Nantahala Outdoor Center (Nantahala Gorge) will host Boogi Therapi 5 p.m. Aug. 7, River Pickin’ 5 p.m. Aug. 8, Daniel Shearin 2 p.m. Aug. 9, Eddie Clayton 5 p.m. Aug. 9, Blue (Americana) 2 p.m. Aug. 10, Ryan B. Jazz Trio (jazz) 5 p.m. Aug. 15, Phibian 2 p.m. Aug. 16 and Christina Chandler (singer-songwriter) 2 p.m. Aug. 17. Free and open to the public. 828.785.5082 / noc.com.
• Old Edwards Inn (Highlands) will host live music in the Hummingbird Lounge at 5:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. Free and open to the public. 866.526.8008 / oldedwardshospitality.com.
• Otto Community Center (Otto) will host James Thompson (Americana) 5 p.m. Sept. 5. Bring a beverage and snack of your choice. Free and open to the public. 770.335.0967 / go2ottonc.com.
• Peacock Performing Arts Center (Hayesville) will host “Songwriters Showcase 55” Aug. 9, The Petty Hearts (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers tribute) Aug. 15 and Beer For My Horses (Toby Keith tribute) Aug. 16. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, 828.389.ARTS / thepeacocknc.org.
• Pickin’ On The Square (Franklin) will host Greg Beasley (Americana/blues) Aug. 9. All shows begin at 6 p.m. at
The “An Appalachian Evening” series will continue with a performance by Americana/indie singer-songwriter Mean Mary at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, in Lynn L. Shields Auditorium at the Stecoah Valley Center in Robbinsville.
Mean Mary produces music and videos, with extensive tours in the United States and overseas. She’s writing a novel trilogy about the music world and is also an endorsing artist for Deering Banjos. To note, Mean Mary plays 11 instruments and has recorded 18 albums, her latest being “Portrait of a Woman.”
The annual summer concert series offers an ever-changing schedule of bluegrass, folk and old-time mountain music by award-winning artists — quality entertainment for the entire family.
Rich in cultural heritage, the series continues to be a favorite with locals and visitors alike. The concert will be held in the air-conditioned Lynn L. Shields Auditorium.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students grade K-12. Dinner will also be available for purchase in the Schoolhouse Cafe starting at 6 p.m.
For more information and/or to purchase tickets, call 828.479.3364 or visit stecoahvalleycenter.com.
the Gazebo in downtown. Free and open to the public. franklinnc.com/pickin-on-thesquare.html.
Mean Mary will play Stecoah Aug. 9 File photo
• Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host “Karaoke” 7 p.m. Wednesdays, “Trivia Night” 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, “Open Mic” 6:30 p.m. Fridays, Joe Munoz (singer-songwriter) 7 p.m. Aug. 9, Lance Parker (singersongwriter) 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12, Michael Kitchens (singer-songwriter) 7 p.m. Aug. 15 and George James (singersongwriter) 7 p.m. Aug. 16. Free and open to the public. 828.369.6796 / facebook.com/rathskellercoffeebarandpub.
• Saturdays On Pine Concert Series (Highlands) will host HC Oakes Band Aug. 9. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. highlandschamber.org.
• Scotsman (Waynesville) will host Alma Russ (Americana/folk) Aug. 7, Karmachain Aug. 9, Bobby G (Americana/blues) Aug. 14, The Borrowed Band (Americana/country) Aug. 16 and Jenny & The Weezels 2 p.m. Aug. 17. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.6292 / scotsmanpublic.com.
• Slanted Window Tasting Station (Franklin) will host Adam & Joe 6 p.m. (Americana) Aug. 8, David Potter (singer-songwriter) 4 p.m. Aug. 10 and Jamie Rasso (singer-songwriter) 6
p.m. Aug. 15. 828.276.9463 / slantedwindow.com.
• Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will host Creedence Revived (classic rock) 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16. 866.273.4615 / smokymountainarts.com.
• Smoky Mountain Dog Bar (Waynesville) will host “Open Mic Night” 5-7 p.m. Fridays. Free and open to the public. 828.246.0726 / smokymountaindogbakery.com.
• Stecoah Valley Center (Robbinsville) will host a Community Jam 5:30-7:30 p.m. every third Thursday of the month (free), Mean Mary (Americana/folk) 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9 (adults $20, kids $10) and Appalachian Smoke (Americana/bluegrass) 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16 (adults $20, kids $10). 828.479.3364 / stecoahvalleycenter.com.
• Stuart Auditorium (Lake Junaluska) will host the Haywood Community Band’s “Summer Fun” concert showcase at 4 p.m. Aug. 17. Free and open to the public. Donations accepted. haywoodcommunityband.com.
• Trailborn (Highlands) will host its “Carolina Concert Series” with David Cheatham (Americana/folk) Aug. 7 and Juan (singer-songwriter) Aug. 14. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.482.1581 or trailborn.com/highlands. F
Folkmoot features Waynesville artist
Franklin community art gathering
Sponsored by the Macon County Arts Association, the ArtFest community event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.
There will be art activities for kids and adults. Talented MCAA artists will host a variety of engaging art activities for K-8th graders, including special art activities for kids featuring exciting make-and-take projects.
The event is free and open to the public. All ages welcome. Proceeds from the bake sale will go to continued arts programs in Macon County.
For more information, visit the Uptown Gallery located at 30 East Main St. in Franklin, call 828.349.4607 or email franklinuptown-
Haywood Arts presents ‘Chiaroscuro’
The Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville will use its cafeteria to host a two-day show featuring the work of local painter Richard Baker.
Featuring over 200 works from Baker, the exhibition will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 8-9. In addition, there will be a reception from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9.
Baker, who has sold paintings to patrons across the country, has lived in the region for a decade and a half, during which he has dedicated most of his time to painting its mountainous and pastoral landscapes.
Much of his work is plein air, meaning “painted outside”. Baker said this allows him to capture the true nature of a scene in a way that’s impossible when not taking it in with one’s own eyes.
“The color is right in front of you, right there,” Baker said. “You can’t lie about it, but it’s very complicated, because the light changes every three minutes. You’ve got to put it down as quick as you can and hope that you’ve got it within 30 minutes. You’re hoping to capture that mood.”
The showcase and reception are free and open to the public.
Check out the Aug. 13 edition of The Smoky Mountain News for a full feature on Baker.
A work by Peter
The Haywood County Arts Council’s latest exhibition “Chiaroscuro” will run through Sept. 1 at HCAC’s Handmade Gallery in downtown Waynesville. “Chiaroscuro” highlights the bold use of light and shadow to create depth, mood and movement in art. This evocative show features work by regional artists who creatively explore the classic chiaroscuro technique across a variety of mediums.
For more information, visit haywoodarts.org.
• Valley Cigar & Wine Co. (Waynesville) will host Rich Manz Trio (acoustic/oldies) 2 p.m. Aug. 10 and Amos Jackson (R&B/soul) 6 p.m. Aug. 22. Free and open to the public. 828.944.0686 / valleycigarandwineco.com.
• Valley Tavern (Maggie Valley) will host “Karaoke with Jason” Tuesdays, “Tom’s Trivia Night” 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Tuxedo Junction 4 p.m. Aug. 10. All shows and events begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.926.7440 / valleytavern.com.
• Vineyard At High Holly (Scaly Mountain) will host Tim Austin (singer-songwriter) Aug. 10, Zorki (singer-songwriter) 3 p.m. Aug. 15 and Jordan Denton (singer-songwriter) Aug. 17. All shows begin at 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.482.5573 / thevineyardathighholly.com.
• Wells Events & Reception Center (Waynesville) will host “Beach Music” with Simply Amos (funk/R&B) 6 p.m. Aug. 8. 828.476.5070 / wellseventcenter.simpletix.com.
• Whiteside Brewing (Cashiers) will host Seth & Sara (Americana) Aug. 8, Andy Ferrell (singersongwriter) Aug. 9, Woolybooger (blues/folk) Aug. 15 and Miles Jernigan Band Aug. 16. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Free and open to the public. 828.743.6000 / whitesidebrewing.com.
• Yonder Community Market (Franklin) will host “Country Thursdays” (Americana/country) 6 p.m. Thursdays and Holler Choir (Americana/indie) 4 p.m. Aug. 24. Family/dog friendly. 828.200.2169 / eatrealfoodinc.com.
• Find more at smokymountainnews.com/arts
Brown. Donated photo
ArtFest will be in Franklin Aug. 9. Donated photo
Richard Baker’s work captures WNC in a unique way. File photo
On the wall
Open call for art grants
The Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 Grassroots Arts Program grants.
Applications are open through Sept. 5, 2025. Local nonprofit arts organizations and arts programs are encouraged to apply. This grant opportunity is not open to individuals.
Established in 1977 by the North Carolina Arts Council, the GAP program supports both programming and general operations for arts groups across the state. In Haywood County, this funding opportunity is made possible through a partnership between the Haywood County Arts Council and the NC Arts Council. Grant awards typically range from $500 to $5,000. Eligible expenses include costs related to artistic programming, such as artist fees, publicity, musical performances and equipment rental. Operating support can also be covered, including rent, utilities, staff salaries, office supplies and smallscale capital improvements. In 2024, eight local arts nonprofits received a combined
Please note, all grant recipients must provide a 1-to-1 cash match for the amount awarded. A list of these matching funds is required and must be included in the final grant report.
Applications will be evaluated by a panel using eight review criteria: completeness, feasibility, organizational health, community accessibility, alignment with arts and culture, multicultural relevance, regional impact and artistic merit. No matching funds are required for this grant. The submission deadline is Sept. 5, with funding decisions announced in late September or early October. Funds will be distributed in October, and supported projects should be completed by June 30, 2026.
To apply and learn more about eligibility, visit haywoodarts.org/grants-funding.
On the table
• Balsam Mountain Inn (Balsam) will host “Wind Down Wine Flight” 6 p.m. Thursdays. 828.283.0145 / thebalsammountaininn.com.
ALSO:
• Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will have its wine bar open 4-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 828.452.6000 / classicwineseller.com.
• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host semi-regular tap-takeovers from local and regional breweries on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.246.9320 / blueridgebeerhub.com.
• “Flights & Bites” will be held starting at 4 p.m.
On the
on Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in downtown Waynesville. 828.452.0120 / waynesvillewine.com.
• “Take A Flight” with four new wines every Friday and Saturdays at the Bryson City Wine Market. Select from a gourmet selection of charcuterie to enjoy with your wines. Educational classes and other events are also available. 828.538.0420.
• “Uncorked: Wine & Rail Pairing Experience” will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on select dates at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. Full service all-adult first class car. Wine pairings with a meal, and more. There will also be a special “Beer Train” on select dates. 800.872.4681 / gsmr.com.
Dancing in the streets
The “Mountain Street Dance” will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, in front of the historic courthouse in downtown Waynesville. Swing, stomp and spin along with our mountain community at Waynesville’s summer street dances, a cherished tradition brimming with Haywood hospitality. Dance your way into the over 100-year history of families gathering to watch traditional dance teams and listen to live bluegrass.
Participation encouraged. Free to attend. For more information, visit downtownwaynesville.com.
On the stage
‘Anything Goes’ at HART
A special stage production of the Broadway classic “Anything Goes” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 7-9 and 2 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.
“Anything Goes” is a story that sparkles with Cole Porter’s unforgettable score and dazzling dance numbers. Set aboard the S.S. American, this Tony Award-winning musical is a whirlwind of mistaken identities, romantic entanglements and slapstick comedy.
Billy Crocker stows away to win the heart of his true love, Hope Harcourt while Reno Sweeney, a famous nightclub singer and Moonface Martin, Public Enemy No. 13, get caught up in a whirlwind of mischief and romance. Featuring some of the most iconic show tunes ever written, like “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re the Top,” “Anything
• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee) will host semi-regular stage productions on the weekends. For tickets, click on caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee.
• Highlands Performing Arts Center (Highlands) will host semi-regular stage productions on the weekends. mountaintheatre.com / 828.526.9047.
• Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing
Goes” and more, this timeless musical is packed with high-energy tap numbers and a shipload of laughs.
Suitable for all audiences. Tickets start at $19 with seating upgrades and discounts for seniors/students available. For more information, call the box office at 828.456.6322 or visit harttheatre.org.
Arts (Franklin) will host semi-regular stage productions on the weekends. smokymountainarts.com / 866.273.4615.
• Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center (Franklin) will host semi-regular stage productions on the weekends. 828.369.4080 / coweeschool.org/music.
• Peacock Performing Arts Center (Hayesville) will host semi-regular stage productions on the weekends. thepeacocknc.org / 828.389.ARTS.
Street dances return to Waynesville Aug. 8. File photo
Haywood County Arts Council. File photo
Diving into the spirit of ’70s and ’80s music
For all of you ’70s and ’80s hipsters, I’ve got one for you. In his new book, acclaimed author Paul Elie (“The Last Supper: Art, Faith, Sex and Controversy in the 1980s,” Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2025, 464 pages) takes a deep dive into the music and arts scene of the 1970s and 80s. If you were coming of age during those years, or even if you weren’t, you’ll learn a lot from Elie’s knowledge of that era.
“The Last Supper” focuses on artists like Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, U2, The Neville Brothers, REM, Philip Glass, David Bowie, Daniel Berrigan, Martin Scorsese, The Talking Heads and artists and writers such as Andy Warhol, Jack Kerouac, Toni Morrison and Seamus Heaney, to name but a few. “The Last Supper” (yes, that’s a deliberate reference to the biblical last supper of Christ) focuses on their lives and music and dovetails that with their spiritual heritage, allegiances and beliefs. You’ll be transported back to that time, that music, those artists and authors and their more transcendental aspects in a kind of illuminating déja vu.
Not only will you get song lyrics and live concert “footage,” but also what goes on in the lives of such icons as Bono, Cohen and Warhol. As Elie writes in his prologue: “At its strongest, the secret chord that resounds in the arts of the 1980s is akin to the cryptoreligious theater of voices — and the stories of the work and the people who made it trace a kind of secret history.”
So, off we go into the wild blue yonder at the end of the 20th century following in the footsteps of important artists, some of whom are still in vogue today. During a time of the Moral Majority, televangelists and the AIDS epidemic, along with a time of some of the most salient political and cultural clashes of our day, artists such as Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen and Sinead O’Connor emerge as leaders and activist voices for the times, not to mention books, like Salman Rushdie’s “The Satanic Verses,” or films like Martin Scorsese’s “The Last Temptation of Christ.” Elie uses the term crypto-religious, meaning “art that incorporates religious words and images and motifs, but expresses something other than conventional belief. As you see it, hear it, read it, listen to it, you wind up reflecting on your own beliefs.”
Some of the most fascinating sections of the book are lengthy introspections into the lives of artists like Cohen, where we get biographic detail on both his alternative semivagrant and monastic lifestyle and to his eventual globally celebrated concert tours and acclaim. “In ‘Hallelujah’ Cohen creates a Whitmanesque cry of a man in his fullness.
these years, you might find yourself doing a mental dance as you read this book, as Elie rips apart the lyrics of hit songs to give us their origins and implications.
“I will speak no more/I shall abide until/I am spoken for/If it be your will,” are words Cohen recites in the song “If It Be Your Will,” a song that reflects his “belief in songwriting as a sacred calling, and the faith that the singer is a figure bidden to give voice to the song despite the limitations of his particular voice.” Or in Aaron Neville’s song where he sings “Lovely lady dressed in blue/Teach me how to pray/If God was just your little boy/then you know the way.” There are many more similar examples of this liaison of language and cryptoreligious artistic atmosphere in “The Last Supper.” And let’s not forget Bob Dylans, religious conversion during this time produced albums such as “Saved” and “Shot of Love” with songs like “Saved” and “In the Garden” that were overtly religious and “trumpeted the gospel message,” which ultimately resulted in the breakup of his band and with Dylan defensively replying that “these new songs weren’t about religion, they were about Jesus, just Jesus.”
In it he goes to the outer rim of transcendence where devotion and desire meet and consort together,’” Elie writes. Then he goes on to dive even deeper into the religious implications, saying “[Cohen] sees classical mythology, the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Buddhist precepts as all of a piece — as a many-roomed house of the spirits.” Elie makes such comparisons for each of his subjects in this book, giving us information that we may or may not want to know, but that conforms to and confirms the existence of spiritual presence in their work and in the arts in general.
I found that this book is not only an education, it is also a revelation into the lives and creative work of artists arriving in the pre-21st century world. It is fun. If you were a fan of FM radio and a concert-goer during
Upcoming readings at City Lights
The following events will be held at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva:
Toward the end of the book, we get references and stories about Madonna and Prince at the time of the breakup of the Soviet empire. We also get discussion on Bruce Chatwin’s book, “The Songlines,” about the Aboriginal peoples of Australia and also details on the death of Robert Mapplethorpe, front and center in portraying “the carnal aspects of Christianity that were frankly and vividly being embodied.” And not to forget the theatrical arts and Tony Kushner’s musical, “Angels in America,” became a big box-office hit predicting a hopeful future with the lines, “Fifteen years til the third millennium. Maybe Christ will come again.”
(Thomas Rain Crowe is the author of more than 30 books and is a recording artist who is the lyricist and frontman for the poetry and music band, The Boatrockers. newnativepress@hotmail.com.)
• A poetry reading with Mackenzie Kozak, Brit Washburn and Michael Dechane will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9. The event celebrates Kozak’s debut “No Swaddle,” Washburn’s “What Is Given” and Dechane’s “The Long Invisible.”
• Steve Kemp will present his new book, “An Exaltation of Parks,” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14. The former park ranger explores the legacy of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his impact on the national parks. Both events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 828.586.9499 or visit citylightsnc.com.
Writer Thomas Crowe
Revealing the extraordinary
Trail Running Film Festival comes to WNC
OODWARD
ara Pruett’s running journey emerged from a rough childhood. The art of running, the sport itself — with its life lessons and camaraderie within its vast community of athletes — became a beacon of safe harbor and personal resolve
“My running journey didn’t start with races or medals — it started as survival. I grew up in a tough and broken home and running became my escape,” Pruett said. “It wasn’t about fitness or fun; it was a lifeline. Later, it helped me manage depression and gave me a sense of control when everything else felt out of reach.”
Running became the outlet for Pruett’s body, mind and soul not only to heal but to flourish and grow with every stride.
“In my 20s and 30s, running evolved into something more — it became a way to remind myself what I was capable of,” Pruett said. “Each mile was a reminder — I’m still here, I’m still standing.”
As she got older, Pruett became immersed in trail running. By being able to lace up her shoes and happily disappear into the depths of Mother Nature, trail running became a healing process that remains as vital to Pruett’s well-being today as ever.
“Trail running showed up like a whisper and turned into a roar. The first time I hit a trail, something shifted. The chaos quieted. I wasn’t just running anymore — I was reconnecting with myself, with nature, with peace,” Pruett said. “It became my therapy, my spiritual anchor. Every climb, every stumble, every moment alone in the woods has taught me to trust my instincts, follow my heart and stay grounded. And the more I pushed myself out there, the more of myself I found.”
Now, Pruett is a personal trainer and running coach in Asheville. With a mission statement of “where the gym floor and mountain trails meet to reveal the extraordinary in you,” Pruett is also at the helm of a gym (and women’s group) she created as part of her ethos, her continued quest, which is called “The Unstoppable Rebel Collective.”
Want to go?
Presented by Brooks, the Trail Running Film Festival will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, at The Orange Peel in
The evening will feature a thoughtfullycurated lineup of films showcasing breathtaking adventures, stories of personal transformation and the powerful bond between people and wild places.
These stories will highlight the grit, joy and heart of a community of runners that keeps showing up, together.
Tickets are $27.50 per person. This event is all ages. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit theor-
“URC is a place where women rewrite the narrative. We lift heavy, run wild and show up loud,” Pruett said. “We don’t chase skinny — we chase strength. It’s about smashing lies, building confidence and becoming unapologetically unstoppable — in the gym, on the trail and in life.”
On Aug. 20, Pruett will host the “Trail Running Film Festival,” a traveling showcase sponsored by Brooks. The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. at The Orange Peel in Asheville.
“This festival means the world to me. It’s about stories. Real stories. Your story, my story — the ones that remind us what’s possible. Trail running isn’t just a sport, it’s a path to selfdiscovery, healing, connection,” Pruett said. “The films make you laugh, cry and walk out the door ready to chase whatever adventure lights you up. My hope is that every person leaves feeling seen, inspired and
During the festival, several films spotlighting the hardscrabble nature and intrinsic beauty of trail running will be screened, each flick as unique and in-depth as those athletes being portrayed.
“Trail running is raw, rugged and real. It asks more from your body — your balance, your strength, your agility,” Pruett said. “You’re constantly adapting to the terrain, and no two miles are the same. The climbs will crush your ego, and the descents will keep you humble.”
While on the trail, Pruett will constantly discover something new about the landscape at hand and what’s within her — strength, reflection and the will to push forward, head held high.
“It’s more than a run. It’s my therapy, my meditation, my medicine. It’s where I remember who I am and why I do this work,” Pruett said. “Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I dream. I think about the women I coach, the battles I’ve fought, the joy I’ve found. I get ideas — big, bold, slightly insane ideas — about life, about business, about who I want to be in the world.”
Hitting the trail
Below are a handful of trail running tips from Tera Pruett:
• Keep it simple. Ditch the pace goals. Trail miles are slower and that’s the beauty of it. Walk the climbs, pause at the views and let go of your road-runner brain. Learn to read the trail, trust your feet and soak it all in.
• Get yourself some solid trail shoes with grip, a hydration pack, and don’t sleep on good socks. I’m ride-or-die for Injinji. Layer smart and don’t stress the
gear too much. The trail doesn’t care what you look like — it cares that you show up.
• Leave your ego at the trailhead. The trail isn’t about [personal records] or performance — it’s about presence. It’s about reconnecting to your body, your breath and the ground beneath your feet. We’ve got a saying: “What’s said on the trail stays on the trail.” It’s where we open up, break down, laugh, cry and let it all go.
To learn more, visit terapruett-unstoppable.squarespace.com.
Farmland preservation grants available
County governments and conservation nonprofit groups may apply for grant funding from the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland
tural, horticultural and forestland activities; to develop agricultural plans and to create Agricultural Growth Zones that enhance local investments in farmland preservation.
Landowners interested in preserving their farms through agricultural conservation easements must work with county governments or land trusts to apply for grant funds. If awarded a grant in which the application requests funds for
DEQ announces $204 Million for Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects
Twenty-seven counties across the state will receive more than $204 million in funding for 48 drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects. The awards will improve drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, address PFAS and other forever chemicals, identify and replace lead pipes, and improve resiliency after future storms.
The Town of Bryson City (Swain County) will receive $9.2 million in Clean Water State Revolving Funds for wastewater treatment plant improvements. The Town of Waynesville (Haywood County) will receive $8.2 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for improvements to the Little Champion Gravity Sewer and Pump Station, both are in The SMN coverage area. A list of all projects selected for funding is available on the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) website.
The Division of Water Infrastructure’s Fall 2025
funding round begins July 29. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 30, 2025. Funding for the Fall 2025 round will come from multiple existing programs, including evaluating options to address PFAS contamination, identifying and replacing lead service lines, and Viable Utility Reserve grants. The Viable Utility Reserve provides grants to local government units that are designated as distressed for planning and construction projects that will support the long-term viability of the utility.
In addition, the division will accept applications on a rolling basis for the new federal supplemental appropriations from the 2025 American Relief Act to build resilience to infrastructure for Hurricane Helene-impacted communities. Helene State Revolving Fund supplemental funds for Western North Carolina towns that have experienced Helene damage will continue to be available through year-round applications until 2026.
The Division of Water Infrastructure will conduct in-person funding application training for the Fall 2025 funding round at six locations: Clyde, Hickory, Boone, Fayetteville, Winterville and in the Raleigh/Durham area. A virtual option via Webex will also be available, and a recording of the training will be posted on the Division’s training web page.
cants must complete the Intent to Apply section by Aug. 29 to be eligible to complete the full
Grants are available for agricultural conservation easements on working farms and forests; to support public-private enterprise programs that promote profitable and sustainable agricul-
chase of the development rights. Grant applications, rules and information packets are available online at ncagr.gov/divisions/farmland-preservation/applicants. The final application section closes Dec. 22. For more information, call the Farmland Preservation office at 919.707.3074.
& IGHTSNS
Tera Pruett. Donated photo
The Joyful Botanist
BY ADAM B IGELOW
The fruits of summer’s labor
ous to humans.
Among my favorite things is to be walking in the woods and come across a patch of wild edible fruits. How quickly a leisurely stroll or difficult hike in the woods can offer a refreshing trailside treat or even enough abundance to make pies and jam just from noticing ripe fruits and knowing that they are edible and delicious.
Not all blue berries are blueberries. And it turns out, at least botanically speaking, not all berries are berries, either. Strawberries are not really berries. In botanical terminology, a strawberry is an aggregate of achenes. An achene is a small, dry, one-seeded fruit that doesn’t open to release seeds. And on strawberries, there are multiple small fruits with the seeds held on the outside of fruit flesh. You can see the strawberry seeds on every strawberry you’ve eaten.
Strawberries (Fragaria spp.), blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), blackberries (Rubus spp.), black raspberries (Rubus occidentalis), serviceberries (Amelanchier spp.), elderberries (Sambucus canadensis) and gooseberries (Ribes spp.) are familiar fruits to most people and are easily found on grocery store shelves. These are all also wild native plants that grow and produce fruits in the woods and meadows around Western North Carolina.
Some native plants that produce delicious and edible fruits that are not commonly found for sale at groceries are spicebush (Lindera benzoin), sumac (Rhus spp.), wild plum (Prunus spp.), prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.), paw paw (Asimina triloba), teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens) and American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana).
These plants bear delicious native fruits that can provide nutrition and sustenance from a casual stroll in the woods. However, just because you see fruits in the wild does not mean that they are edible. Some plants produce fruits that are toxic and/or poison-
Some things are technically berries, and you wouldn’t think they are. For instance, tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins, grapes, bananas, peppers and watermelons are all technically a type of fruit. In fact, they are all berries, according to the botanical definition of a berry as a fleshy fruit with no pit that is produced from a
According to this definition, a persimmon is a berry but raspberries are not. It certainly can get confusing. Luckily, we use definitions and classifications from nutritional and culinary sciences when talking about fruits and vegetables, so we don’t have to call pumpkin or tomato soup. There are many instances where the culinary and botanical definitions differ and can cause confusion. In culinary terms, a fruit is a sweet or sour product of a plant that can be
In its botanical definition, a fruit is any seed-bearing part of a plant. So, in botany, acorns and other nuts, wheat grains, bean pods and corn kernels are all kinds of fruits.
According to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Nix v. Hedden in 1893, which had to do with imports and tariff differences between fruits and vegetables, a tomato has been determined to be a vegetable. It was a unanimous decision and later was cited to allow the use of ketchup to count as a serving of vegetables in school lunches.
Even fungi get in on the fruity confusions. When you see a mushroom poking up through the soil or out of a dead log, that is the reproductive part of the fungi and is known as a fruiting body.
Here’s to the fruits of summer, to their sweetness and abundance. Here’s to botanical reproduction and the continuing growth and evolution of plants. Here’s to knowing that while a tomato is technically a fruit, gazpacho is not a smoothie, and neither is a bloody Mary.
(The Joyful Botanist leads weekly wildflower walks most Fridays and offers consultations and private group tours through Bigelow’s Botanical Excursions. bigelownc@gmail.com.)
Not all blue berries are blueberries, like these fruits of Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides).
Adam Bigelow photo
Highlands hosts lecture on forest resilience after Helene
The Highlands Biological Foundation will welcome Megan Sutton, Director of The Nature Conservancy’s Southern Blue Ridge Programs, as the featured speaker for the final installment of the 2025 Zahner Conservation Lecture Series. Her talk, titled “Southern Appalachian Forest Resilience in a Post Hurricane World,” will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14, at the Highlands Nature Center. This event is free and open to the public, and a small reception will follow.
In this timely and important lecture, Sutton will share insights into how intense storms, like Hurricane Helene, have affected the beloved forests of the Southern Appalachians. She will examine both the immediate and long-term impacts of these events on forest ecosystems and highlight how forest recovery and resilience efforts are evolving in response to climate change.
Drawing on her leadership experience at The Nature Conservancy and collaboration with conservation partners, Sutton will explore how organizations and communities can work together to help forests adapt to new environmental challenges.
In this timely and important lecture, Sutton will share insights into how intense storms, like Hurricane Helene, have affected the beloved forests of the Southern Appalachians. HBF photo
The Zahner Conservation Lecture Series is a beloved summer tradition that brings scientists, authors, conservationists and environmental leaders to the Highlands Nature Center each week. Lectures are held at 6 p.m. every Thursday through Aug. 14. For the full line-up of lectures, visit highlandsbiological.org/zahner.
Slow down and enjoy the views in the Smokies
The National Park Service (NPS) reminds visitors to slow down and enjoy the views in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Over the next month, park rangers in cooperation with partner agencies will conduct increased traffic safety enforcement throughout the park. Through this effort, the NPS aims to combat excessive speeding and reduce motor vehicle collisions. Throughout the month, law enforcement rangers will be stationed in the park to enforce speed limits, reckless driving, unsecured loads, impaired driving and other traffic violations. They will use both marked and unmarked vehicles, as well as advanced technologies such as RADAR and LIDAR.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is reminding visitors to slow down. Great Smoky Mountains National Park photo
Excessive speed is a significant contributor to vehicular crashes and fatalities in the Smokies. To date this year, Great Smoky Mountain National Park rangers have responded to more than 152 motor vehicle collisions. On July 26 alone, the park responded to seven motor vehicle accidents. Since 2013, the park has recorded 28 fatal motor vehicle collisions. Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of fatalities in the park. Slowing down also protects wildlife. Park rangers respond to many reports of animals injured by motor vehicles every year.
Bryson City hosts weekly farmers market
“Farmers & Artisans Market” will be every Friday morning (May-October) at 117 Island St. in Bryson City. Stop by the old barn along the river for local, homegrown produce, as well as baked goods, jellies/preserves, authentic crafts and more. Picnic tables onsite. There will also be live music. Leashed pets are welcome. This is an outdoor event. 828.488.7857.
RE S IDENTIAL BR O KER A SS (828)400-1078
SOC IATE
S
susanhooper@allentate com
e . susan . hooper@allentate
As a resident of Haywood County for over 35 years, I have developed a deep understanding of the local real estate market. Being an active participant in the community and staying informed with the latest trends and developments in the area, I have established myself as a local expert.
As a real estate professional with an unwaveringcommitmenttocustomer
Susan Hoop proffeessional ever known. of (North Ca seller, but as a T both Teexas a time and skil properties w customer ser unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, I am the right choice for you when it comes to buying, selling, or investing in property in Western North Carolina.
I’m dedicated to leveraging my knowledge of the region’s unique characteristics to help you achieve your real estate goals. Don’t hesitate to contact me today to learn more about how I can guide you through the real estate process and make your dream a reality.
er is one of the most real estate agents Ihave Ispeak not only as an out rolina) state property affoormer agent myself in nd Florida. I know the ls it takes to buy and sell hile providing the best vice possible throughout
pg the process. Susan excelled in every wayy. She and Iworked together (1,000 t) f miles apar foor more than seven ecomm months wher u unication was a keyy. . That communication resulted in ersinaf y off two propert ffe foour-month listing, the second one ending in a successful sale. I couldn't be more pleased working through the process with Susan. I highly recommend her to annyyone who wants to work with the very best.
— Suzanne L. Cruver
MarketPlace information:
The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 copies across 500 locations in Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, including the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. Visit www.wncmarketplace.com to place your ad!
Rates:
• $15 — Classified ads that are 25 words, 25¢ per word after.
• Free — Lost or found pet ads.
• $6 — Residential yard sale ads.*
• $1 — Yard Sale Rain Insurance Yard sale rained out? Call us by 10a.m. Monday for your ad to run again FREE
• $375 — Statewide classifieds run in 170 participating newspapers with 1.1+ million circulation. (Limit 25 words or less)
• Boost Online — Have your ad featured at top of category online $4
• Boost in Print
• Add Photo $6
• Bold ad $2
• Yellow, Green, Pink or Blue Highlight $4
• Border $4
Note: Highlighted ads automatically generate a border so if you’re placing an ad online and select a highlight color, the “add border” feature will not be available on the screen.
Note: Yard sale ads require an address. This location will be displayed on a map on www.wncmarketplace.com
NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA JACKSON COUNTY
IN THE MATTER OF JOYCE WEBER VS. OSCAR MUNOZ HUIZACHE TO: OSCAR MUNOZ HUIZACHE
FILE NO. 25CV000199490
TAKE NOTICE that a pleading seeking relief against you
above-referenced actions. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Breach of Contract, Negligence, Unjust Enrichment, Damages, and Attorney’s Fees.
Filed: March 14, 2025, in Jackson County, North Carolina
You are required to make a defense to such plead-
ing no later than September 19, 2025 and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you, will apply to the Court for the relief sought. This, the 31st day of July, 2025.
Danya N. Ledford, Attorney for Plaintiff 854 N. Main St. Waynesville, NC 28785 828-452-5522
PUBLIC NOTICE
The U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) is considering a request for Federal assistance from Western Carolina University to commence the Cullowhee Dam Remediation Project, located in Cullowhee, North Carolina. Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), EDA is conducting an assessment of the potential
of the proposed project to affect the environment and/or historic properties. Notice is hereby given that the project is proposed to be located in,
by Executive Order (EO) 11988 and/or EO 1 1990
The project is intended to both repair and improve the dam’s structural integrity and to improve the navigability of the Tuckaseegee River for outdoor recreation. The project will be located at 91 Casey Road, Cullowhee, North Carolina, 28723, within census tract # 37099950600. Project information is available for review at the Westernnomic Development and Strategic Partnerships, 530 1 University Way, 530 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723. 828-227-2979.
If you have any informa-
tion regarding potential impacts to historic properties or environmental resources including associated with this proposed project, please provide any comments by email to ATRO-REO@ eda.gov.
Comments received by 5:00 pm eastern on Tuesday, September 2nd will be considered. A copy of the NEPA/NH PA decisional document will be available upon request at the EDA Atlanta Regional September 2021 version Announcements
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