Smoky Mountain News | January 17, 2024 by Smoky Mountain News

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

January 17-23, 2024 Vol. 25 Iss. 34

Cannabis in Cherokee shows forward movement Page 5 Remembering Canton literary legend Fred Chappell Page 14

CONTENTS On the Cover: Hunters from across the region came to Haywood County last week to discuss proposed changes to N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission regulations that would move deer season and expand bear season. Numerous concerns were voiced, from the potential end of a long-established hunting tradition to a rapidly growing bear population. The Smoky Mountain News is here to break them down. (Page 22)

News Federal funding cuts endanger domestic violence survivors ..................................4 Cherokee’s cannabis business shows forward movement ....................................5 Edwards, Reagan trade jabs in NC-11 Primary Election debate ..........................6 East Street study tabled in Waynesville ........................................................................8 Jackson to make adjustments to FRL proposal ..........................................................9 Sylva considers panhandling ordinance, again ........................................................10 Rezoning hearing prompts larger questions about Russ Avenue ......................11 SBI Human Trafficking Unit receives multi-million dollar grant ..........................12

Opinion Coming down from the mountain ................................................................................13

A&E Remembering Fred Chappell ........................................................................................14 HART offers theater classes in Waynesville ............................................................17

Outdoors

January 17-23, 2024

Get outdoors with Ice Fest ............................................................................................24 Notes From a Plant Nerd: Hey buds! ..........................................................................28

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written byy Ingles g Dietitian Leah h McGrath SUGAR SWEETENED BEVERAGES S (SSBS) We tend to think of sodas when we hear ‘sugar sweetened ened beverages’ (SSB), but, according to the CDC, the list of what SSBs includes is quite a bit longer: “Examples of SSBs include, e, but arre not limited to, re egular soda (not sugarr--frre ee), fruit drinks, spo orts drinks, LULYN YN` KY KYPURZ RZ Z^LL[LULK ^H[LYZ YZ HUK JVɈL ɈLL HUK [L [LH IL L]L ]LYH YHNLZ ^P[O added sugars…”

Why is this important? It’s often quite easy to consume a lot of calories without realizing it if you’re drinking sugar sweetened beverages. Bottom Line: If you’re trying to be mindful of added sugar in your diet, don’t forget to think about what you drink!

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Source: www.cdc.gov/nutrition/data-statistics/sugar-sweetened-beverages-intake.html

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Basically, it is any beverage that is sweetened with ¸¯ ]HYP YPV\Z forms of added sugars like brrown o sugarr,, corrn n sweetene err, cor corn Z`Y `Y\W KL KL_[Y [YVZL MY MY\J[VZL NS\JVZL OPN PNO MY MY\J[VZL JVYU YU Z`Y `Y\W OVUL` L` SH SHJ[VZL THS[ Z`Y `Y\W THS[VZL TVSHZZLZ YH YH^ Z\NHY Y HUK sucrrose….”. So, this could also include beverages like kombucha, alcoholic drinks, smoothies, green drinks etc.

January 17-23, 2024

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news

North Carolina’s most vulnerable children need your help BY CORY VAILLANCOURT POLITICS E DITOR eglected or abused children who become involved with the state’s courts or social services agencies often find themselves with nowhere to turn — or worse, torn between two parents. Together with attorneys, guardians ad litem serve as child advocates, but right now, there aren’t enough. “Honestly, we are short,” said Maria Parrish, supervisor for the state’s guardian ad litem program. “In the last year, the num-

Get involved You can help make a difference in the life of a child needing support in the state’s court system. The guardian ad litem program is seeking volunteers to serve as an independent voice for children who have been neglected or abused. After a background check and some coursework, volunteers can help ensure every child who needs an advocate has one. To learn more or to sign up, visit volunteerforgal.org or call 828.454.6394.

bers have grown a lot, so right now we are short volunteers. Our goal is to have 100% of those cases covered, so we definitely need volunteers.” The term “ad litem” comes from the Latin, “for the purpose of the suit.” Guardians ad litem are neutral parties who act in the best interests of the child. In some states, they’re called “special advocates” and part of a program called CASA, which stands for “court appointed special advocate.” Parrish said that across the state, the GAL program serves 18,000 children in need through the generous assistance of more than 5,300 volunteers. But in Haywood County, there are currently around 160 cases of neglect or abuse, and only 35 to 40 volunteers to help. A former GAL volunteer herself, Parrish has been a supervisor for four years. If she can’t recruit enough volunteers to cover each and every case, she does so herself, but that takes away from time she could be spending on administration and on training new volunteers. “Our mission is to be a voice for the children in our community,” she said.

After applying, volunteers are subject to a background check and go through 30 hours of training over eight weeks, which can be flexible for those who truly want to serve. Then, when investigators determine that a GAL is needed, they appoint one who together with attorneys determines the needs of the child and acts as an independent advocate.

“Every single story is different. But you know, they’re all in the system for a reason, and just watching them just grow and thrive and heal is truly beautiful.” — Tess Fernandes

Tess Fernandes is one of them. A semiretired yoga instructor in Haywood County,

Fernandes has a degree in child development but a background in hospitality. “It really just came up in a conversation,” she said. “I had a friend that was working as a teacher and a guardian ad litem who stopped by and this teacher just shared a little bit about the program and I said, ‘That’s really interesting,’ because it combines a lot of skills that I can contribute with my background with kids and with putting out fires in hospitality.” Over the past two years, Fernandes has been appointed to four cases. “Every single story is different,” she said. “But you know, they’re all in the system for a reason, and just watching them just grow and thrive and heal is truly beautiful.” Fernandes said that the work is crucial, and as a volunteer she feels it’s rewarding. “It’s always nice when you know that a judge is reading directly from your report,” she said. “That’s important to me, as I feel like the guardian ad litem is really heard. The reports that we write and the work that we do is absolutely noticed, and makes it makes a difference. I have seen that personally with my kiddos, with my cases.”

Federal funding cuts endanger domestic violence survivors

Smoky Mountain News

January 17-23, 2024

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT POLITICS E DITOR he effects of reduced federal funding on nonprofits that assist survivors of domestic violence continue to reverberate across the region, with another one of the state’s largest such organizations now sounding the alarm. “We have been managing the reduction of Victims of Crime Act funding for a few years now,” said Suzanne Saucier, manager of Legal Aid NC’s offices in Western North Carolina, in a press release dated Jan. 10. “We definitely need more funding. There are folks in dire need of legal representation that we’re forced to turn away.” Legal Aid provides attorney services for those who can’t afford them, working on protective orders, representing parents in child custody disputes and helping grandparents with guardianship. The group also works to stop illegal evictions, to stop foreclosures, to prevent housing discrimination, to halt improper termination of housing subsidies and to assist disaster victims. Saucier said that in 2023, Legal Aid, which provides free legal services in all 100 North Carolina counties, performed services for clients in 134 separate domestic violence cases in Haywood County alone. Most or all of these people cannot afford legal services on their own, which leaves them vulnerable or outmatched in a courtroom. Last month, The Smoky Mountain News reported on reduced funding for the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA), which established the Crime Victims Fund (CVF), administered by the Department of Justice. Funding for VOCA comes not from taxpayers, but instead through fines and forfeitures collected from losing parties in federal cases. Those fines and forfeitures, however, have been declining in recent years, leading to reduced contributions to the CVF since at least 2019. Policy groups say the decline in funding is due to changing prosecutorial strategies and isn’t a partisan issue. This year, the CVF is capped at $1.2 4 billion, a reduction of more than 70% since 2018’s cap of

legal or social services provider in the state. On Dec. 20, 2023, Jim Barrett, executive director of Pisgah Legal Services told SMN that the cuts are “serious” because they threaten the nonprofit infrastructure that helps people get away from domestic violence and child abuse. “People who are being abused kind of get a bad rap because they often have to go back, over and over, to the abuser for economic reasons or custody reasons,” Barrett said. “If you want to break the cycle of abuse, you need to make legal services available to people who can’t afford a lawyer.” Barrett said his organization’s shortfall is at least $1 million and affects more than 1,900 women and children. Last year, Pisgah Legal served more than 21,000 people, more than a third of them involved with child abuse, child custody or domestic violence. Savannah Anders, executive director of KARE (Kids Advocacy Resource Effort) of Haywood County told SMN that her organization, which for 30 years has focused on child abuse, exploitation and neglect, has also experienced budget cuts — amid rising caseloads.

$4.4 billion. Ultimately, Congress has the power to fully fund VOCA and indeed tried to make things right in 2021 with the “VOCA Fix” act; however, those funds don’t begin to make up for the cuts incurred over the past four years. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) did not address the cuts in his Jan. 13 Primary Election debate (see DEBATE, page 6) and has not responded to interview requests from The Smoky Mountain News regarding this issue, dating back to December. The cuts have and will continue to impact nearly every

“We definitely need more funding. There are folks in dire need of legal representation that we’re forced to turn away.” — Suzanne Saucier, Legal Aid NC

Legal Aid, Pisgah Legal and KARE all accept donations in a variety of forms, including direct donations, gifts of stock or portions of Individual Retirement Accounts. To learn how you can help, visit legalaidnc.com, pisgahlegal.org or karehouse.org.

Cherokee’s cannabis business shows forward movement

ment and Qualla Enterprises had not been returned as of press time. After the resolution passed, McConnell said that, if Tribal Council desired it, he would bring in a follow-up resolution for February stating that Qualla Enterprises had met the stipulations laid out in the November stop-gap funding resolution. Though possession of small amounts of marijuana has been decriminalized on the Qualla Boundary since 2021, only medical cannabis is legal on tribal lands. Medical cards are being issued now, with all North Carolina residents eligible to apply. However, an even bigger shift could be on the horizon after 70% of EBCI voters endorsed a 2023 referendum seeking to legalize cannabis use for all adults 21 and over, regardless of medical status. Implementing that measure requires action from Tribal Council, and this month the body took the first concrete step toward making it happen. The agenda included a new ordinance, submitted by Tribal Council, that would retitle the chapter of Cherokee law currently called “Medical Marijuana” to read “Cannabis” and overhaul the text within it to allow for general recreational adult use. Cherokee law requires that new ordinances be tabled for at least 25 days after they are first introduced, so Tribal Council must wait until its February meeting to take action. The proposal is likely to look signifi-

cantly different by then, McConnell said. “There are going to be a lot of red lines in there, so we anticipate working with Carolyn [West, chair of the Qualla Enterprises Board of Directors] and other folks to bring you a substitute, a clean copy,” McConnell said. “I think the amount of redlining will make it very hard to understand, so just anticipate that.” The tribe expects its cannabis industry to become extremely lucrative, extremely quickly. Neither medical nor recreational cannabis is currently legal in North Carolina, Tennessee or South Carolina. Qualla Enterprises anticipates employing somewhere around 500 people and making enough money by fiscal year 2026 to send the tribe $260 million in profits. It’s also expected to make money for the tribe through generating tribal levy, akin to a sales tax. In April 2022, Tribal Council unanimously approved an ordinance change exempting modular homes and cannabis sales from the tribal levy, which adds 7.5% to the cost of goods sold on tribal lands. At the time, tribal business pursuits regarding both modulars and cannabis were under the control of Kituwah LLC. But during the Jan. 4 meeting, the body voted unanimously to pass another change to the ordinance, this time removing cannabis from the list of levy exemptions. The Qualla Enterprises funding resolution and tribal levy ordinance await signature from Hicks to become effective.

news January 17-23, 2024 Smoky Mountain News

BY HOLLY KAYS agenda and asked Council members whether STAFF WRITER they were ready to take it up. However, Hicks fter months of stalemate, the Eastern asked that the conversation take place offline. Band of Cherokee Indians appears ready “We want to talk about this obviously, to advance its cannabis enterprise. but we have some information that we During its Jan. 4 meeting, Tribal would like to not be aired,” he said. “It’s Council passed a long-debated funding resfinancial-related, just around tribal funds.” olution for Qualla Enterprises and introAfter that, Tribal Council went off-air for duced an ordinance that would legalize about an hour and a half, during which time cannabis use for adults 21 and older. While they discussed several other items as well. the dispensary on Bingo Loop Road is not When the body came back in open session, yet open, signs are up along U.S. 19 pointParker offered a summary of the resolution ing the way to the Great Smoky Cannabis — that it allows the tribe to lend money to Company entrance around the back of the Qualla Enterprises under “terms and condiold bingo hall. tions as may be required by the tribe and Between March 2022 and December expressed in notes payable and agreements 2023, the tribe invested $34 million in its which shall be submitted to Tribal Council cannabis enterprise — a large amount that nevertheless fell short of the additional $50 million the company had asked for in December 2022. A year ago, Qualla Enterprises had expected to begin retail sales of medical marijuana by summer 2023, but so far it has yet to produce any revenues. This is due not only to its uncertain funding situation but also to the fact that transporting cannabis between the farm on Coopers Creek and the dispensary on the main Qualla Boundary requires crossing a short distance of county-controlled road, where cannabis is still illegal. When Principal Chief Michell Hicks took office in October, one of the first pieces of legislation he introduced was a resolution proposing an additional $19 million for Qualla Enterprises — but as a loan to be repaid with A sign along U.S. 19 points the way to Cherokee’s cannabis disinterest rather than as a pensary, but the shop has not yet announced an opening date. simple allocation. Holly Kays photo However, he recommended that Tribal Council keep the resolution for approval.” He then acknowledged tabled while he worked out some additional Attorney General Mike McConnell to presdetails. In November, Hicks requested the ent a floor amendment. body’s approval for $3 million in stop-gap McConnell described the change only as funding to keep the business operational. To a “short floor amendment to resolution get the rest of the $19 million, that resolunumber 7,” before Parker took a move and a tion said, Qualla Enterprises would have to second to accept the amendment and then provide a final independent auditor’s report, pass the resolution, with both votes earning product transportation plan and product unanimous approval. testing plan, and complete “good faith negoNowhere in the discussion was the dollar tiations” on the management agreement amount of the loan mentioned or the conwith vendor Sovereign Solutions Carolina. tents of the amendment stated. The original It appears the company has met those resolution that Hicks submitted in October requirements, though no details were made 2023 called for a loan of $19 million, though public during the Jan. 4 meeting. In fact, the in the November 2023 Tribal Council meetfunding resolution did not even appear on ing members had referred to a future the public agenda. About halfway through the approval of $16 million following the stopmeeting, Chairman Mike Parker said the reso- gap measure allocating up to $3 million. lution had been inadvertently left off the Requests for clarification from tribal govern-

news

Edwards, Reagan trade jabs in N.C.-11 Primary Election debate BY CORY VAILLANCOURT POLITICS E DITOR Republican congressional primary debate hosted by the Clay County Republican Party on Jan. 13 revealed clear differences between the two candidates, incumbent Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) and Hayesville businessman Christian Reagan, despite mostly avoiding major hotbutton issues and topics important in rural Western North Carolina. Vice Chair of the Clay County Republicans Larry Ford moderated the debate and asked questions about everything from insider stock trading to impeaching President Joe Biden, but barely a word was spoken about education, guns, health care costs, illegal drugs or any of former President Donald Trump’s legal troubles ahead of his Iowa caucus win. Edwards sounded like a man running for president, blaming Biden for a litany of problems, while Reagan (no relation to the former president) leaned on his faith and an ultra-conservative, small government mentality. Reagan has an uphill battle against the well-known incumbent and has raised just $11,321 through his most recent FEC filing, most of it coming from himself. This cycle

SOCIAL MEDIA The next question relied on the mischaracterization of a lower court ruling that prevented the Biden administration from meeting with social media companies to discuss curbing the spread of misinformation about elections and the Coronavirus Pandemic, because the misinformation came

January 17-23, 2024

stock, he placed a 50-second phone call to Furth, who within minutes of the call proceeded to dump hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own stocks. Burr told CNBC that he didn’t rely on non-public information to inform his trading, and that was that. According to Ford, existing law prohibits members of Congress from trading based on insider information but allows trading so long as those trades are reported. Ford asked the candidates if they would support legislation banning such trading. Edwards said that he thought a blind trust would be best to prevent insider trading. Reagan said he’d never do such a thing, but in a follow-up clarified by saying that he’d ban all trading, which would have made Burr’s actions a crime.

Smoky Mountain News

Rep. Chuck Edwards (left to right), moderator Larry J. Ford and challenger Christian Reagan hold a Republican Congressional Primary Debate on Jan. 13 in Brasstown. Clay County Republican Party/Larry J. Ford screenshot Edwards has collected more than $724,000 in donations from 439 contributions, 69% of which are from outside North Carolina. The winner of the Primary Election will go on to face Asheville Democrat and legislator Caleb Rudow.

INSIDER TRADING

The first question of the afternoon centered on insider trading of stocks by members of Congress — something that resulted in increased scrutiny for an elected official from North Carolina back in 2020. In January 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission ended its investigation against Republican then-Sen. Richard Burr and his brother-in-law Gerald Fauth without taking action against either man for selling a substantial amount of stock on the same day. That day, Feb. 13, 2020, Burr unloaded $1.65 million in investments after he’d been briefed by federal officials on the 6 emerging Coronavirus Pandemic. Once Burr dumped the

from “conservative” sources. The Republican-dominated Supreme Court blocked the lower court ruling last October. Nevertheless, Ford postulated that social media platforms like Facebook and X were “reportedly suppressing content from conservative sources … and actively colluding with the Biden administration.” Ford then attempted to conflate the issue with TikTok, which has been accused of censoring conservatives and has also been labeled as Chinese spyware by some. Accordingly, several states including North Carolina have banned the use of TikTok on government-issued devices. He wanted to know if candidates would support banning “the use of TikTok or other social media apps under such circumstances” but didn’t specify if that would apply to governments or to ordinary people. Reagan said his campaign had advertised on “every social media platform you can think of ” and that he opposes any bans. “It’s a freedom that I feel that we have, to be able to decide where we want to go and be able to participate in

social media, so I would be reluctant to be against any social media platform in the country,” he said. “I think that you and I are smart enough to realize what’s going on with TikTok and if you feel like it’s a problem that needs to get resolved, then you use your money to do that. It’s called a free market.” Edwards said social media has been weaponized because Joe Biden is in office; however, some of the most high-profile bans — including Donald Trump, Mike Lindell, Michael Flynn and Sydney Powell — took place during the Trump administration and were later rescinded during the Biden administration. Those bans were specifically put in place not because the accounts were held by conservatives, but rather due to them spreading false information about the 2020 election.

ISRAEL The next set of questions centered on foreign policy, namely, two different wars that began during the past two years. On the Middle East, Israel and the Houthi threat from Iran through Yemen, Ford asked if it was time for direct military involvement by the United States. Edwards did not answer the question, instead blaming a “weak” Joe Biden. “The thing that we have to do first is get a strong leader, such as a Donald Trump, back in the White House,” Edwards said. Reagan did answer, claiming that he was “tired of the war machine” that has spent, by his count, $14 trillion on wars since 1990. The true number is likely higher, as the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University says it’s $14 trillion since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. “We can’t afford it anymore, guys. We’re $34 trillion in debt,” he said. But just after voicing isolationist ideology, Reagan took a contradictory turn. “Now, I will say this. With Israel, I support Israel and I think that what we need to do is we need to defend that country because number one, it’s God’s country, but more importantly, it’s a democracy, so we need to support that nation in the Middle East,” he said. “I’m just telling you guys, we have got to get away from policing the world because it’s destroying us economically and we’re broke as a nation and we have to admit that as a nation.” Edwards jabbed back at Reagan, calling him “the gentleman from Smith County, Texas,” and saying that relative to China, Iran and Russia, “we are not spending enough on defense.” Undeterred, Reagan said he supports a strong military but not using it to “police the world,” and then went on to precipitate a bizarre exchange by going on the attack against Edwards. “This country’s in trouble, guys, and it’s in trouble because of people like this, who are the elite that represent Washington, D.C,” Reagan said, pointing at Edwards. “They come here, and they have the jargon, they have it down. But the point is, we’ve got to change how we do things as a country and we will never do it with people like this.” Visibly agitated, Edwards fired back. “There is nothing elite about Chuck Edwards,” he shouted, repeating oft-used but unverified campaign tropes that he’d grown up poor, that he’d watched his family’s lights turned off due to nonpayment and that he’d once found 83 cents to buy kerosene to heat his home until payday. Edwards’ 2022 personal financial disclosure lists assets of between $7 million and $35 million between his McDonalds fast-food franchises and his property rental business. The disclosure also shows earned income of roughly $101,000 and unearned income of between $1 million and $5.1 million. Henderson County property records list Edwards’ 1.7acre Flat Rock home at an assessed value of $1.1 million.

UKRAINE

RETIREES

Ford’s next question was whether the House should invest time, energy and public resources into impeaching Biden and/or Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, despite the chances of securing a two-thirds vote for conviction in the Democrat-controlled Senate being, as Ford put it, “Slim and none, and apparently, slim has left town.” Both candidates said yes, despite a December report from NPR that the current 118th Congress, which recently spent three weeks fighting over who would lead House Republicans while pushing the government to the brink of shutdown, is the least productive Congress in decades and had passed just 27 bills.

Chuck Edwards. File photo

THE NATIONAL DEBT Federal debt now stands at just over $34 trillion, more than $100,000 for every person in the United States. Interest service on that debt is a growing federal budget item, accounting for 14% of all spending. How, Ford asked, would the candidates stop the growth in federal debt? “This country is bankrupt. We are in horrendous financial shape. Joe Biden has added, let’s round it off and say $8 trillion in the last three years,” Edwards said. On Sept. 30, 2016, four months before Trump took office, the national debt stood at $19.6 trillion, according to the U.S. Treasury Department’s website. By Sept. 30, 2020, four months before the end of Trump’s lone term, $7.3 billion had been added to that total. Since then, Biden has added another $6.3 trillion with a year still left in his term, making both presidents roughly equal in responsibility. Edwards blamed the previous Congress for spending money the country doesn’t

ELECTRIC VEHICLES Federal subsidies for electric vehicle purchasers, Ford said, range from $6,500 to $7,500, even though the Federalist Society and the Association of Mature American Citizens call electric vehicles a “scam.” Neither candidate expressed support for continuing the subsidies, while both candidates took the opportunity to expose their bona fides as climate change deniers. “The only climate change I know of is 10 years ago when we were building our cabin

Christian Reagan. File photo up here in the mountains, I left at five o’clock in the morning in August and it was 52 degrees,” Reagan said. “When I got to Texas the same day, it was 104.” Reagan said the purpose of the green energy movement is “to extract money from the middle class in this country” and destroy it. Edwards believes green energy is a “fallacy” that “is being rammed down our throats” and that if successful will force Americans into buying cars, dishwashers and stoves that they don’t want. “I don’t believe we should have a federal government that believes that they can ram those decisions down our throats,” he said, adding that like Reagan, he favors investments in oil and gas exploration.

BORDER SECURITY Later in the debate, the candidates revisited the issue of the southern border, specifically, that “reports of single, military-aged men from countries that are antagonistic to the United States” are entering in “record

numbers,” according to Ford. “Some report that the number of those military-age men exceed the number of our armed forces in uniform,” he said, before asking what could be done to stop it. Edwards said he’d voted for HR 2, which he called “the strongest border security bill in the history of this nation.” The bill hasn’t passed the Senate, but it asks for the resumption of construction on Trump’s border wall, along with limits on asylum and mandatory employer participation in an electronic reporting system. Edwards reiterated his desire for Ukraine funding to be linked to enacting provisions contained in HR 2. Born and raised in Texas, Reagan said he had lifelong experience with illegal immigrants and that he thought there were maybe 60 million living in the U.S. today. The Pew Research Center puts that figure at about 10.5 million as of November 2023, down from a high of 12.2 million in 2007. Reagan went on to show the crowd that he, too, could get fired up on stage and again poke at Edwards. “Every year, it gets worse. It never gets better, and you and I are paying the price, and nobody in Washington, D.C. is doing anything about it,” he said, adding that he favored using the U.S. military to shut the border. Not one to take a slight, Edwards said he totally rejected the notion that no one was trying to do anything about it, especially in light of his vote on HR 2. “All I can say is, the time for talk is over. These guys come here and they come for reelection and the two things they talk about is the reckless spending in Washington, D.C. and how the debt’s out of control and deficit spending is beyond something I’ve never seen in my life, and they talk about the southern border and how the problems continue to progress,” Reagan said. “I didn’t say that people in Washington, D.C., they’re not trying. I’m just saying you guys aren’t getting it done.”

ELECTION INTEGRITY Ford’s final question was purportedly about election security but in reality was whether candidates would support Congress overriding state laws in the name of “election integrity.” Given the misinformation spread by the Republican Party’s leader, Trump, and some of his allies about election integrity, especially with a tight 2024 General Election right around the corner, the question was perhaps the most important of the afternoon. After stating that the 2020 election was “a real problem” and that Trump had lost through a process that was “unfair,” Reagan took a traditional conservative position, saying that the federal government shouldn’t be involved at all. Edwards disagreed and took the big-government approach, saying that from Washington he’s worked to influence how states conduct their elections. The Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, March 5. In-person early voting begins Feb. 15. 7

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Moving back to domestic issues, Ford brought up Social Security and Medicare, citing a 2023 report by trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds that says Medicare’s hospital insurance trust fund will be insolvent by 2031 and that Social Security would be out of reserves by 2023, causing cuts of 11% and 20% to 24%, respectively. Proposed solutions include raising the retirement age as high as 70, increasing the cap on taxable earnings from $160,200 to a higher or unlimited level, boosting the tax rate and/or capping benefits recipients can receive. Edwards proposed that a debt commission comprised of elected officials and outside experts should make a recommendation. “I have a personal goal of keeping the promises that have been made to the people that live and have worked so hard here in these mountains,” he said. But during his 2022 campaign and in April 2023, Edwards refused to make any promises when asked about the possibility of

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have, and said that without Republican control of the Senate, reform could never happen. He said he wanted to “claw back” spending. Reagan thinks the U.S. can drill its way out of debt by selling more oil and gas to foreign nations; however, in his biggest missed opportunity of the night, he failed to hammer Edwards on Edwards’ June 2023 vote to raise the debt ceiling. Many conservatives believe that the first step in any debt reduction plan, even before spending cuts, is to stop asking for increases in the amount of money the country is allowed to borrow.

January 17-23, 2024

Staying on foreign policy, the next question dealt specifically with Russian aggression in Ukraine. Since the invasion of February 2022, Ford said, the U.S. has sent more than $75 billion in aid to Ukraine. A Pentagon audit released two weeks ago said that the U.S. had failed to track more than $1 billion of that. Ford asked if candidates were willing to continue funding Ukraine, and if they support increased oversight of the aid. “We shouldn’t be a part of that,” Reagan said, drawing polite applause from the crowd. “It’s a European issue.” Edwards, in possibly his strongest answer of the night, took the opposite position. “I was brought up in a world where communism was a bad thing, and where dictators were not allowed to invade adjoining countries and roll across continents, which is what Putin’s goal is right now at this time,” he said, drawing some applause of his own and demonstrating the divisiveness, even among Republicans, on the issue. Ukraine aid should be linked to funding to secure the U.S. Southern border, Edwards said. The moderator offered a follow-up to Reagan. “Given your stance of, we should be isolated from Ukraine … what if Russia succeeds in taking over Ukraine and then goes against bordering countries which are members of NATO?” Ford asked. “So would you rather fight now, or a bigger war later?” Reagan said he’d like to avoid the war altogether, despite that opportunity having long since passed.

GOP plans to cut entitlements. Reagan didn’t specifically address Medicare, but said he thinks raising the minimum age for Social Security from 62 to 63 years, along with raising the tax rate from 6.25% (actually 6.2%) to 6.5% and raising the cap on taxable earnings from $160,200 to $200,000 would buy another 75 years of solvency.

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Reagan, a mortgage broker, has not yet filed a personal financial disclosure. Interjecting, Reagan said he never used the word “elite,” drawing guffaws from the crowd; Reagan subsequently apologized to Edwards, and the two shook hands.

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East Street study tabled in Waynesville BY CORY VAILLANCOURT POLITICS E DITOR or some time now, Waynesville’s East Street has been a bit of a goldilocks problem for the town — too fast, too slow or just right? Whatever the case, Waynesville’s Town Council won’t be paying for another study to find out, at least for now. Last October, Council Member Jon Feichter asked that the town conduct a study of 1.3-mile East Street, which begins on South Main Street and winds through residential areas to its eventual terminus at North Main Street. Some residents have complained about speeding on East Street, which is often used by motorists as a shortcut to get through town faster. “What’s going to happen when the real work on Russ Avenue starts?” Feichter asked during a Jan. 9 Waynesville Town Council meeting. “Are we going to see some additional traffic on East Street as kind of a cut-through or a detour kind of thing?” The North Carolina Department of Transportation has for years planned substantial alterations to Russ Avenue from Walnut Street to Dellwood Road, but the two separate projects have been delayed several times, for several reasons. They’re currently scheduled to begin construction in 2024 and 2030, according to the NCDOT website. JM Teague Engineering and Planning put together a proposal for the town that would measure speeds and traffic volume, among other metrics. The proposal divides the street into four sections, allowing the town to pick and choose which sections it wants to study at $4,500 each, or $16,200 for the entire street. Every member of Council pushed back on Feichter’s request, starting with Julia Freeman.

Feichter said the difference would be that the proposed study would look at the entirety of the street as opposed to just one section. “And, I would point out that obviously, we haven’t gotten it right in the previous six studies,” Feichter said. Council Member Anthony Sutton said he felt that the previous study may have indeed gotten it right; speed cushions were installed — albeit incorrectly — and that purchasing another sign telling drivers their actual speed could solve the problem. If those measures don’t work, Sutton said, then another study might be warranted. Town manager Rob Hites said that one of the computer-

ized speed signs costs about as much as one of JM Teague’s proposed study segments. If the study came back recommending the purchase of such a computer, the town would essentially be paying $4,500 for a study that recommends the purchase of a $4,500 computer, when the town could simply purchase the computer without the study and analyze the data on their own. Trying to find unity, Sutton postulated that the entire Council could agree that there is a problem on East Street, but Council Member Chuck Dickson apparently did not. “What is the problem?” Dickson asked. Sutton said it was speeders. Dickson asked about accidents, and Hites said the thought there had only been three or four over the past few years. Hites added that the real issue may not be with speeders. “The last study we had suggested that one of the biggest problems on East Street is traffic is too low, that the speed limit needs to be increased, not decreased. It needs to be 35,” he said, of the 750 or so vehicles that use the street daily. “So your study will probably show a recommendation to increase the speed.” Dickson continued to push for the reasoning behind the study. “If I thought it was a huge danger then I maybe would be in favor of this, but we have a traffic calming policy, citizendriven, and we don’t have that for this area,” he said. “We don’t have a citizen request for this.” Hites said he’d order a few more computers, but Dickson raised the possibility of moving the one from Sulphur Springs Road to East Street. Without a consensus from Council, Hites said he’d consider the matter tabled.

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January 17-23, 2024

“We’ve already done six studies, I understand, on this same street? And how much money have we already invested? And what’s going to be different between this new study versus the other six studies that have already been done?” Freeman asked.

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Jackson to make adjustments to FRL proposal

“It seems that there is a good intent here. There are some structural and philosophical revisions to this that make sense, but as always, the devil’s in the details...” — Board Attorney John Kubis

said. “I think it’s reasonable to foresee that there is going to be some question about how decisions under that are made.” Chairman Letson echoed Kubis’ concerns for the language in this part of the agreement. “Even though the wording is easy to read, it’s very subjective,” said Letson. “Even though we know what we’re trying to get across, in terms of let’s be non-partisan, nonjudgmental, it just leaves it open, especially if we’re going to be the policing bodies.” Kubis also presented concerns to the board about the pathway that has been outlined in the proposed changes for what happens if an entity decides to leave the system. As currently proposed, all funds and resources that have been received and accrued through the Fontana Regional system would remain with the individual county upon leaving the system. “If that is ultimately deemed to be the

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JANU JA UA AR RY Y SPECIAL IAL 15% o f f a l l Fro g L e a p We l l ne ss p roduc t s We Kubis suggested determining how resources would be divided and distributed in an equitable way in the case of one county pulling out of the agreement and how that process would impact the counties remaining in the agreement. Commissioner Smith said he does not think the goal of the proposed changes are to split the system up. For him, an important part of the changes has to do with increased transparency. “I think we need some additional visibility and accountability from somebody that’s elected or in a position that can do something about it,” said Smith. “Because right now the way the board is structured, the local library boards answer to nobody but themselves. Any time you’re dealing with a public entity, the public needs to have somebody that’s accountable for that and right now there’s no accountability.” When it comes to the chain of command, Smith expressed discomfort with the proposed change that makes county commissions the first line of defense against solving problems between libraries and patrons. “If somebody gets mad at the library for something, whatever it is, I don’t think we should be the first in line. They should go to the library, the library staff, then the FRL board,” said Smith. “The library system itself should be self-governing to a point.” According to Letson, the board will give its feedback on the proposed changes to the Macon County Commission. Swain County is also reviewing the agreement and may have additional feedback. “It seems that there is a good intent here,” said Kubis. “There are some structural and philosophical revisions to this that make sense, but as always, the devil’s in the details, and I would put it to the board for consideration on whether and to what extent there needs to be further conversation about how we want to enact these changes and whether we’re doing it in a way that makes sense to carry out the intended purpose of the agreement as drafted.”

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think it can generally be broken down into three areas that the counties are looking to address and structure some revisions to the agreement.” Those three general areas include reforming the structure and governance within the agreement to increase transparency, revisions and amendments to change the means by which the FRL makes decisions and how those decisions are enforced, and finally, what recourse is available to the members of the agreement if they choose not to be a party to the organization. Kubis noted that under the new amendments, county commissioners would not only be the adjudicating body for compliance by library trustees but would also be in charge of making sure that the county libraries and their individual branches are acting in accordance with the intent of the agreement. Within that responsibility of enforce-

case, there’s questions as to whether or not there’s a sense of fairness in the county’s keeping those assets and if it’s ultimately determined that is not the way that folks want to go and there seems that there needs to be a division of [assets], that is going to be a process that needs to be further considered and fleshed out,” Kubis said.

January 17-23, 2024

BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER ackson County will make some adjustments to Macon County’s proposed changes to the Fontana Regional Library interlocal agreement after the board reviewed those changes in December and then directed its attorney to do the same. “Our interim attorney has been going through this new potential contract agreement and has some follow-up thoughts on how we can work through this process with Macon County and Swain County and hopefully find us a nice happy medium,” said Commission Chairman Mark Letson. The Fontana Regional Library system governs libraries in Jackson, Macon and Swain counties. The interlocal agreement is currently undergoing its 10-year renewal process and this time around, county commissions are looking to make some changes. When the Jackson County Commission reviewed the changes proposed by Macon County at its December meeting, thenCounty Manager Don Adams recommended that the county attorney review the document and provide legal counsel. Board attorney John Kubis did so and presented his findings to the commission during its Jan. 9 meeting. “There’s a fair amount of material to digest within this document,” said Kubis. “I

ment, Kubis drew particular attention to the proposed statement that was added in section two of the agreement which says that “the Fontana Regional Library shall operate the county libraries and branches in the participating local government units in a socially and politically neutral manner.” “There’s been some discussion with the board and in public comment as to what this means,” said Kubis. “Certainly, whatever it does mean, it means that commissioners are now going to be in a position to determine whether or not libraries are acting in accordance with the socially and politically neutral manner language.” Kubis sees this as a possible sticking point. “It seems reasonably likely that there’s a question as to whether these matters are going to be brought before the board in quasi-judicial hearings, what it looks like to apply those higher standards, a judicial procedure based upon this, and, frankly, what that term is ultimately going to be meaning and how it’s going to be interpreted,” Kubis

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Sylva considers panhandling ordinance, again HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER ith three new members seated following November elections, the Sylva Town Council is once again considering an update to the Streets and Sidewalks section of its code of ordinances to include a section on panhandling. “We’re a tourist town; we don’t have any industry,” said Phillips. “Tourism is what we have. We want people to want to come back here. We want people to want to move here.” Last November, the board considered putting a panhandling ordinance in place but ultimately decided against it after a majority of the board and several members of the public spoke out in opposition to the measure. While Sylva does not have a panhandling ordinance, there are some stipulations already laid out in state law, which reads, “no person shall stand or loiter in the main traveled portion, including the shoulders and median, of any state highway or street, excluding sidewalks, or stop any motor vehicle for the purpose of soliciting employment, business or contributions from the driver or occupant of any motor vehicle that impedes the normal movement of traffic on the public highways or streets.” The state ordinance also says that local governments “may enact ordinances restricting or prohibiting a person from standing on any street, highway, or right-of-way excluding sidewalks while soliciting, or attempting to solicit, any employment, business, or contributions from the driver or occupants of any vehicle.” Mayor Johnny Phillips presented the idea of a panhandling ordinance to the town board during its Jan. 11 meeting and made clear his support for the proposal. Phillips touted the progress he says he has seen in Asheville with a reduction in the number of people panhandling there and attributed that to the city’s panhandling ordinance. “What I’m asking for is a motion to instruct our staff to construct us a panhandling ordinance, somewhere along the lines of the way Asheville wrote theirs, so it fits our town the best,” said Philips. “I’d like for you to come back to us with an ordinance that we can consider and hold a public hearing on and hopefully something that we can pass that moves our town forward in the right direction.” Town Council Member Brad Waldrop was the first to voice his opposition to the possible panhandling ordinance. “I think we need to be very careful not to get anywhere in the realm of criminalizing poverty,” said Waldrop. “People are panhandling and out asking for money, the vast majority of the time they’re doing so because they are in a situation of need, and I don’t want our town to be part of criminalizing that position.” Waldrop also voiced his concern that any panhandling ordinance not infringe on people’s right to free speech. “There have been many panhandling 10

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January 17-23, 2024

out to pick up five bucks and he don't want ordinances that have been ruled illegal to work, he just wants the money.” because they have been viewed as infringing Mayor Phillips provided a personal anecon people’s First Amendment rights, so we’d dote about someone knocking on his door at have to be very careful not to do that,” 7 a.m. wanting to be taken “to where the Waldrop said. “I’m not convinced that anyhomeless are.” Phillips said that when he thing can be passed that isn’t performative. called the police to come and help the perI’ve not seen an ordinance, including son, they left before the police could arrive. Asheville’s, that seemed like it would have a “They didn’t want to talk to the police or tremendous effect on the amount of panhanlet the police give them a ride to where they dling that we’re currently experiencing, or wanted to go,” said Phillips. “They’re startthe nature of it.” ing to beat on people’s doors … mine’s one of Phillips claims that Sylva is getting more them.” panhandlers in town than it used to because it is the only town in Western North Carolina without an ordinance that The Town of Sylva does not currently addresses panhandling. He said that have a panhandling ordinance. File photo Asheville’s ordinance is the “most forgiving,” and the one that had the most legal advice involved, which is why he suggested it to be the model for Sylva’s possible future ordinance. Asheville’s code of ordinances addresses panhandling in two places — section 11-5. Public solicitation and begging regulated; and section 11-14. Solicitation from streets and median strips. There are two zones of the city where panhandling is outlawed completely — a number of roads listed in the ordinance that are deemed to be “high traffic zones,” and anywhere within Biltmore Village Waldrop asked Phillips if he felt that an Historic District. Panhandling is also prohibadditional ordinance was needed to address ited on medians, in the street or on a roadthat issue specifically, and Phillips said no. side shoulder. “No, not to address that,” Phillips said. Otherwise, the ordinance lays out cir“But I think we’re starting to get more peocumstances in which it is unlawful to panple that are not from here, they’re from handle. These include forcing oneself on wherever they used to be able to panhananother or accosting them; within 20 feet of dle.” a financial institution or ATM; within an Council Member Natalie Newman outdoor dining area, or soliciting from anypressed the board to consider what the purone seated or working in an outdoor dining pose of such an ordinance would be if, in the area; within 8 feet of a transit stop or bus end, people would still be able to panhandle. station, or on a public bus; soliciting some“What is our goal as a board with the one who is standing in line to enter a busiordinance?” she asked. ness; by touching someone without their According to Phillips, his goal with the consent; by blocking someone’s path, or blocking the entrance or exit to a business or ordinance is to regulate panhandling. Like Newman, Waldrop also questioned vehicle; by using obscene or threatening lanthe intent behind the ordinance. guage; by using a threatening gesture or “Is the undesirable behavior panhandling action; after dark; while under the influence itself, or behaviors that some perceive comof alcohol or drugs. mon among panhandlers?” Waldrop asked. Newly seated Council Member Mark “I’m just hearing that we’re wanting to reduce Jones is also in support of an ordinance that the number of panhandlers, that doesn’t addresses panhandling. He brought up the sound like that’s what that would do.” issue of safety for both motorists and panPhillips brought up what he sees as handlers and noted that traffic would become even more dangerous once construc- another related issue, saying that ladies who used to get their morning exercise by walktion began on N.C. 107. ing on Main Street in Sylva early in the “When you have someone on the sidemorning have stopped because homeless walk of a busy road like 107, with inexperipeople are approaching them, and they are enced drivers coming from the schools, with other impatient drivers out there, then we’re scared. “Whether or not one of them would actugonna put all these public workers out there ally harm someone or not, the ladies that that’s gonna be working on the road, somehave lived here their whole life deserve to one steps out next to the road and all of a sudden there’s a domino effect and a wreck,” not be afraid to go walk on Main Street in Sylva,” Phillips said. Jones hypothesized. “How are the rest of us Jones took the issue of safety even furgoing to try to explain to someone that their child got killed because panhandlers stepped ther.

“I don’t think you’d like it too well, somebody walking up behind you at an ATM. I’m raised in the mountains, you walk up behind the wrong person at an ATM, Mr. Hatton’s gonna be getting a phone call because somebody may get hurt,” said Jones. “If you want to feel sorry for these people, feel sorry a little bit more about the concerns of the people that have these problems that could possibly hurt them. I mean, somebody walks up, jumps out of the bushes and hollers ‘give me two dollars,’ a lot of people carry concealed carry, men and women, someone gets shot

real quick like.” Ultimately, at the request of Council Member Mary Gelbaugh, the board voted on a motion to direct staff to develop a solicitation ordinance rather than a panhandling ordinance. “I’m wondering if maybe we can make this request for staff to develop a proposed ordinance more about conduct or solicitation and not so much focusing on the panhandling element,” Gelbaugh said. “Because I think we all don’t want any of our citizens, rich or poor, to be harassed. It’s not a question of poverty or the rich. There’s a lot of mental health struggles right now and we need to give our police something tangible to work with, for harassment.” The board voted in favor of directing staff to develop a draft solicitation ordinance, with Waldrop the lone dissenting vote. The board will still have to discuss any ordinance that is presented, and a public hearing will have to be held before the ordinance can be voted on. Following the full discussion Newman suggested that moving forward, the board be careful in how they talk about this issue. “I just want to make sure that we do a good job of not dehumanizing people, because these are humans; people just like us. They are here in our town, whether they have a house or not, they’re here,” Newman said. “I personally don’t agree with, for the sake of tourism, hiding people or sticking people in a corner because they are unhoused or poor. And to me that’s what it sounds like when we bring tourism to the forefront of the purpose for this ordinance.”

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emergence of large retail outlets, grocers and fast-food franchises that line the Russ Avenue south of the expressway. Fellow Council Member Julia Freeman pointed out several recent examples demonstrating how the northern stretch of Russ Avenue is developing already. “We just back in November approved right beside Maple Tree veterinary clinic to rezone that property to allow the dentist to come in there,” Freeman said. “Saving this one piece of property is not going to make a difference because that commercial corridor is happening.” Freeman, with Council Member Anthony Sutton also chiming in, went on to list nearby parcels already home to commercial establishments or professional services providers. It’s not only the vet and the dentist, they said, but also Mountain Credit Union’s new building, the commercial plaza formerly home to Kmart, the church and the county building home to the senior center, the board of elections and county veterans services. “I don’t think we can pick and choose to just not let somebody going down the corridor that’s going to be a commercial corridor coming into Waynesville,” Freeman said. “We can’t say, ‘you can’t do this with your property but we’ll let all these other people do that with their property.’” Martha Bradley, the town’s attorney, gently warned council members that they were straying into dangerous territory by weighing the larger issue of the corridor’s character against the specific rezoning request at hand. “The points about policy are very well taken about where the board wants to go with this part of the town but I would caution you from basing your decision on this particular parcel of property on any larger issues, particularly impact to neighbors, that were not provided in evidence,” Bradley said. “We have not heard any neighbors providing an opinion one way or the other about this proposed rezoning.” Mayor Gary Caldwell mentioned that notice of the rezoning had been posted and advertised per state statutes, as must all such requests be. “That’s why we advertise it in the newspaper,” Caldwell said. “That’s why we put signs out there for the neighbors or whoever’s got a problem with it … and no one’s here that I see that has a problem with it.” Dickson said he thought the lack of turnout during the public hearing was because most people were in favor of the rezoning. “I think it’s important that we follow the wishes or the decision of the planning board unless there is serious opposition or there’s serious disagreement,” Dickson said.

January 17-23, 2024

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT POLITICS E DITOR aynesville has amended its comprehensive plan and rezoned a portion of a parcel on the east side of Russ Avenue, opening up the possibility for more commercial development north of the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway on what remains a relatively rural, lowdensity gateway into the town’s main commercial district south of the expressway. The property in question, a 6.03-acre plot owned by Kyle Edwards, owner of Maggie Valley’s Stompin’ Ground, was initially located in two different zoning districts. The western third was situated in the Russ Avenue Regional District, (RARC) while the eastern two-thirds were in the Dellwood Residential Medium Density District Mixed-Use Overlay (D-RM MXO). The parcel will still be in two different districts, but on Jan. 9, Waynesville’s Town Council voted unanimously to rezone 1.9 acres along Russ Avenue to the RA-RC district, leaving the rest in the overlay district. The rezoned area has more than 330 feet of frontage on Russ Avenue. Allen Tate realtor Brian Noland, who is working with Edwards on the property, said Edwards hopes to sell the property and that the rezoning request was intended to broaden the appeal for potential buyers. According to staff notes on the rezoning request, the rezoning is in line with the “likely pattern of development along Russ Avenue” from the expressway north to Dellwood Road and seeks to take advantage of an opportunity for growth along the busy commercial thoroughfare. The RA-RC district is the town’s most flexible zoning district, encouraging both residential and commercial uses. The overlay district is primarily a low to medium density residential district. While relatively straightforward — the town’s planning board voted 6-1 to approve the rezoning request late last year — the request prompted discussion from Council members on what, exactly, that 1.5-mile stretch of road should look like going forward. Council Member Jon Feichter recalled entertaining an unsuccessful rezoning request on the property at least a decade ago, when he was serving on the town’s planning board. “If we elect to rezone that property so we’re saying yes to the applicant, how can we say no to the next property owner [north] up Russ Avenue? That’s always been my concern and I have yet to find an adequate answer to that,” Feichter said. “I think we need to decide, is that the direction we want to push to extend what I think of as Russ Avenue on down the road there?” North of the expressway, there are still a smattering of homes built before the

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Rezoning hearing prompts larger questions about Russ Avenue

71 North Main St. Waynesville 11

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SBI Human Trafficking Unit receives Buffett grant and families. With this funding, Safe he North Carolina State Bureau of Alliance will be able to bolster their capacity Investigation (SBI) announced that its to support existing human trafficking organHuman Trafficking Unit (HTU) has izations as well as survivors of human trafbeen awarded a $9.6 million grant over the ficking, adding several support positions next five years from the Howard G. Buffett including a community liaison, licensed cliFoundation, an organization dedicated to improving the standard of life and quality of nicians, hotline advocates and a sexual trauma resource center advocate. life for people around the world. “We welcome everyone, offering services An SBI press release states that the grant to all ages and all genders. Coupled with comes at a crucial time as the nation our 24/7 Greater Charlotte Hope Line, Safe observes National Human Trafficking Alliance is uniquely qualified to support vicPrevention Month through January. tims of both labor and sex trafficking. We “According to federal statistics, human look forward to partnering with community trafficking is the largest and fastest growing stakeholders to provide greater access to crime worldwide, generating $150 billion in services for human trafficking survivors so illegal profits each year,” the release reads. they can find hope and healing,” said Safe “North Carolina consistently ranks in the top 10 worst states in our country for report- Alliance President & CEO Laura Lawrence. ed human trafficking cases through the National Human Trafficking Hotline.” The goal of the funding is to improve the effectiveness of labor trafficking investigations and prosecutions, strengthen victim support services and increase collaboration between agencies across North Carolina. “The plan is to hire, and fund dedicated resources and specialists who can work collaboratively to follow leads, analyze data, identify trafficking networks and support victims throughout the entire process. This collaborative approach not only equips our Human Trafficking Unit with the ability to address Established in 1937, the SBI conducts criminal investigations the complexities of both sex across the state of North Carolina and are often called upon by and labor trafficking more local agencies to assist them when and where needed. SBI graphic effectively, but also ensures “This funding represents a powerful that survivors receive the support they need commitment to the pursuit of justice and during the process of seeking justice and the safeguarding of victims of human trafhealing from the trauma of trafficking,” said ficking, and this initiative underscores our Special Agent in Charge Kellie Hodges, SBI unwavering resolve to tackle the complexiHuman Trafficking Unit. The SBI has been named the grant recipi- ties of human trafficking head-on. In collaboration with the North Carolina State ent alongside two sub-awardees, which Bureau of Investigation and Safe Alliance, include the North Carolina Conference of these resources will be the backbone of a District Attorneys and Safe Alliance, a united front against this heinous crime, Charlotte-based nonprofit organization that ensuring the relentless pursuit of justice and helps those impacted by domestic violence comprehensive support for the survivors and sexual assault. The money will fund six who deserve it most. Together, we stand full-time positions with the SBI’s Human poised to make a lasting impact, bringing Trafficking Unit; three will be intelligence traffickers to justice and providing a beacon analysts, and three will be financial crimes of hope for those who have endured unimaginvestigators. The funding will also support inable hardships,” said Executive Director a full-time resource prosecutor with the North Carolina Conference of DAs as well as Kimberly Spahos, NC Conference of District Attorneys. two victim service coordinators. If you or someone you know is in need of Safe Alliance is the administrative lead support for human trafficking, domestic viofor the opening of The Umbrella Center lence, sexual assault or parenting, please (TUC) in Charlotte, which will co-locate viccontact the 24/7 Greater Charlotte Hope tim service experts to improve safety, access Line at 980.771.HOPE (4673). to services and confidentiality for victims

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

Coming down from the mountain T

Mideast deaths spell trouble for U.S. To the Editor: The British issued the Balfour Declaration in 1917 supporting the “establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.” What Britain wanted was Jewish assistance against the Ottoman Empire in World War II. The British also promised Arab nationalists a united Arab country if they helped beat the Turks. According to the British National Army Museum website, when the Brits and their allies beat the Ottoman Empire, “neither promise was delivered.” Instead, “Britain assumed responsibility for Palestine under a League of Nations Mandate. During the next two decades, over 100,000 Jews entered the country,” which is smaller than Massachusetts. The change was rapid and overwhelming to the people who had lived there for hundreds and thousands of years. Violence reached a height with the Arab Revolt of 1936-39. The Brits imposed a limit on Jewish immigration in the summer of 1939, in part to “secure the support of the Egyptians and oilrich Saudis ahead of the looming conflict in Europe. This policy provoked armed Jewish resistance … to drive the British out.”

void within. I’ve felt this in my own life. When I was a little girl I dreamed of publishing a book. That dream came true in November of 2019 when my children’s book, “The Jolt Felt Around the World,” was released. I clearly remember the feeling of anticipation as the UPS truck pulled up to my house and dropped off a shipment of printed books. I opened the box and couldn’t believe that my name was on the cover, but later that night I sat in my bed and thought, Is this it? This was my childhood dream, but it doesn't feel like I thought it would. Around this same time, I was dealing with a lot of collateral damage Columnist from my divorce as well as ongoing grief over the death of my mom. I thought the accomplishment of publishing a book would fill some of that emptiness inside of me, but it didn’t. There was inner work that needed my attention, so I began a personal spiritual journey. I knew that if I didn’t strengthen my faith in something bigger than myself, I was going to stay stuck in a place of sadness, grief and shame. I’ve learned over the past four years that it’s a constant process but one that’s enjoyable and inspiring. I’ve learned that having a strong faith has nothing to do with memorizing scripture or going to church twice a week, although those activities do help a lot of people. Having a strong faith certainly doesn’t mean belittling and condemning others if they are living from a place of “incorrect values.”

Susanna Shetley

his past weekend, I served as a cabin leader for Winter Retreat, an annual youth event hosted by First United Methodist Church. For the middle and high school students in attendance, the word “retreat” means time away from normal life and several days of fun in the woods with their friends traversing ropes courses, ziplining, singing karaoke, dancing, socializing, playing games like four square, hockey, basketball and handball. The dictionary definition of “retreat” is the act of moving back or withdrawing, which is how I perceived last weekend, a time to withdraw from the overstimulation of everyday life and authentically connect with others. In addition to all of the fun the kids were having, I feel like the music and messages were also absorbed into their everevolving hearts and minds. The overall theme for the weekend was “mountaintop moments.” The messages focused on life’s mountaintop moments and the challenges of coming down from those mountaintops. I’ve always had a pretty strong faith in the divine, although there were years where I relied on my own understanding and need for control instead of releasing my worries and fears to a higher power. During those times, I felt frantic and fearful that things wouldn’t work out in the ways I wanted. As I’ve aged and hopefully grown wiser, I realize that trying to control everything or worrying about the future is a waste of time and energy, but it takes a lot of work and patience to unwind those old thought patterns. Pastor Rob Blackburn was one of the main speakers at the retreat. He talked about reaching pinnacles of success, wealth and prestige and how none of that really matters if you feel a

It’s quite simple really. Having faith in a higher power is about love and trust — always acting from a place of love and always trusting that there is a flow of well-being if we just get out of our own way. Last night we were watching the new series on Netflix called “You Are What You Eat.” They interviewed a renowned chef named Daniel Humm. After years working in the competitive high-end culinary world, Humm’s New York City restaurant, Eleven Madison Park, won World’s Best Restaurant in 2017. There was a clip of the award’s show when he was recognized, then it cut to him now and he said these words, “After that came a lot of reflection. We reached the very top of the mountain and it felt empty.” When he said this, my 14-yearold son, who had also attended the retreat, looked at me wide-eyed and we both smiled because this was the exact message Pastor Blackburn had been reiterating. Even the biggest accolade in the world will not fill an emptiness inside. It takes something deeper and more intangible than that. As I sit in the afterglow of the retreat, I’ve been thinking about various mountaintop moments in my life and how they affected me. I want to publish more books and novels, but I’m different now. I know that my faith and sense of purpose will drive my successes instead of the other way around. I’ve learned that while mountaintops are exhilarating, there is beauty and growth in the valleys as well. (Susanna Shetley is a writer, editor and digital media specialist with The Smoky Mountain News, Smoky Mountain Living and Mountain South Media. susanna.b@smokymountainnews.com.)

LETTERS In late 1945, in response to full-scale Jewish “riots in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and bomb attacks on the railway system, British troops” were sent in, totaling 100,000 by 1947. In retaliation for arresting Jewish suspects, insurgent operations included more bombings, kidnappings, starting an oil refinery fire, attacking a prison and assassinations. It is estimated that 750 British personnel had been killed by Jewish fighters. Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel was horrific, with 1,388 killed, 8,787 wounded and 253 captured. In Gaza, there are 22,000 dead so far, mostly women and children, plus another 57,000 maimed by Israeli and U.S. bombs. Many right-wing Israelis want to control all the land from the sea to the Jordan River, as spelled out in Netanyahu’s Likud Party’s platform. Bibi Netanyahu and his supporters have undermined the two-state solution for decades, leading to hopelessness and radicalization among Palestinians. Before this latest attack, 500 trucks a day brought food and supplies to sustain 2.2 million people in Gaza, but Israel has only allowed around 100 per day recently, and none for several weeks before that. Twentyseven of 36 hospitals in Gaza have been knocked out by the Israeli Defense Foprces when medical needs are most acute. Approximately 70% of homes are now

destroyed, and winter has begun. Bibi’s scorched earth policy is making life untenable in Gaza, causing mass starvation and disease, while Israeli settlers continue to expand and attack Palestinians in the West Bank. Bibi’s cruelty is creating tens of thousands of potential terrorists who hate Israel and the U.S. for arming it. To send Israel weapons without conditions, given Bibi’s slaughter of civilians and

infrastructure, makes us equally responsible. Even if Israel pays to rebuild Gaza, our tax dollars will do most of that, as we currently give $3.8 billion to the Israeli government every year. The GOP got us into the Middle East for 20 years of war. We don’t need the Democrats to repeat that mistake. Dan Kowal Franklin

A&E

Smoky Mountain News

‘I am one of you forever’ Remembering WNC literary icon Fred Chappell

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD ARTS & E NTERTAINMENT E DITOR n a November 2022 interview with The Smoky Mountain News, storied writer Fred Chappell, a Haywood County native who was 86 at the time, was asked what the culmination of his life meant to him looking back. “It’s taught me that I didn’t deserve what happened to me — I was too lucky for my own good,” Chappell said in his signature matter-of-fact tone. A longtime resident of Greensboro, Chappell passed away on Jan. 4. He was 87 years young. As one of the most beloved and acclaimed writers in North Carolina and greater Southern Appalachia, Chappell accumulated a vast catalog of work, dozens of books of poetry and prose — covering the vast unknowns and intricate beauty of the world around us, many through the lens of the mountains of his youth. “I was a farm boy, which means you start work at 5:30 in the morning and you go to bed at 8:30 [at night],” Chappell said. “So, I didn’t roam around very much, but my friends did.

And, every once in a while, I’d get to go with them. I remember Haywood County very vividly and with a variety of emotions.” Throughout his 87 years on this earth, Chappell received an array of honors: Bollingen Prize, T. S. Eliot Award, Thomas Wolfe Prize, Roanoke-Chowan Poetry Prize (seven times), North Carolina Award for Literature and France’s Prix de Meilleur des Livres Étrangers. From 1997 to 2002, he was the poet laureate of North Carolina. And for 40 years, Chappell taught creative writing at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. What started as an educational journey for Chappell in 1964 parlayed itself into a teaching career that knew no bounds in the countless lives it shaped and molded. “That’s what I wanted to do was teach college. That was always my goal. That was my mission in life, to teach school, and that’s what I did,” Chappell said. “So, I was mostly very happy with it. I enjoyed my colleagues, enjoyed my students. I wasn’t always crazy about the administration, but nobody ever is.”

In 2022, Chappell was the subject of a documentary about his life and career. Titled, “I Am One of You Forever,” the film, directed by Michael Frierson, takes an in-depth look at one of the most important literary voices to ever emerge from the Tar Heel State. “You know, I just did what I had to do and I didn’t expect people to pay much attention to it. So, [a documentary] is kind of extravagant,” Chappell said. “It’s like reading an old diary or something like that. But, what’s most interesting is watching Michael Frierson put it together, photograph it and put it in continuity.” And, in his straightforward — yet heartfelt, hardscrabble ways and means — Chappell took a moment to reflect on just what it was about poetry that’s captivated his mind and existence as far back as he could remember. “It seems to me, [poetry is] the most natural kind of a speech there is,” Chappell said. “It’s the most natural, the most elevated, and the most fun — poetry is always attractive. Everybody is immersed in poetry, whether they know it or not.”

Western North Carolina writer Fred Chappell (left) passed away recently at age 87. A 1954 graduate of Canton High School (right), Chappell was close to his mountain family, including his grandmother (center). Donated photos

A life immersed in the written word:

Remembering Fred: Frazier, Rash, Burnette

problem between the two of us that he should know about. I told him that I had never met Fred Chappell. The only way I knew him was from the page, from reading his fiction, poetry, and reviews, since I was a teenager. My reaction was very simple. Many of the reviewers he could have assigned my book could dislike it and I Charles Frazier. File photo would be able to take it in stride. But if Fred Chappell didn’t like my work, no way could I shrug that off. I’d have no choice but to take it seriously, because I knew from decades of reading that he was a serious writer in his own books and a serious reader in his reviews. If he didn’t like my book, it would matter a great deal. The editor breathed a sigh of relief and went away happy. I went away on pins and needles. Happily, when the review was published Fred liked my book. Liked it a good bit. And

Editor’s Note: A renowned Western North Carolina writer, Charles Frazier burst onto the worldwide literary scene with his seminal 1997 novel “Cold Mountain,” which won the National Book Award for Fiction. In 2023, he released “The Trackers” to widespread acclaim. Though I’d been reading Fred Chappell since I was a teenager, and though our Haywood County families had ties going back at least into the 1930s, I was fortysomething before I met him. Fred and Reynolds Price and Wilma Dykeman were the standard bearers for North Carolina writers. I recognized the world they wrote about and the characters living in it. Before my first novel, “Cold Mountain,” was published, I was introduced to the book page editor of the Raleigh News and Observer. He told me he had just assigned my book to a reviewer, and then he said the reviewer would be Fred Chappell. Whatever expression my face fell into — apprehension, concern, dread — it caused the editor to pause and ask if there was some issue or

“What you focus on as a writer is the moment-tomoment, the specifics of every possible moment and you try to observe as much as you can — before it’s gone and before you’re gone.” — Fred Chappell

SMN: What has a life as a writer taught you about what it means to be a human being? FC: It’s taught me humility. It’s taught me patience, for one thing, as to never trust my first impression of anything. Well, you always have the grand themes — life and death, war and peace, love and hate. But, what you focus on as a writer is the moment-to-moment, the specifics of every possible moment and you try to observe as much as you can — before it’s gone and before you’re gone.

it wasn’t one of those polite, mostly-summary, rush-jobs. He dug in. When I finished reading the review that Sunday morning, I felt like I was really a writer. Very shortly after that, I met Fred for real in Mobile, Alabama, at a book conference. I went to his reading and afterwards stepped up to introduce myself and shake hands. The first thing I remember saying was, “Your daddy was my daddy’s high school English teacher,” which was not only a good opening line but had the benefit of being true. I can’t even imagine how long an inclusive list of names would have to be to include all us writers who have been beneficiaries of Fred’s encouragement and generosity and influence. In particular, though, I’ll miss his old-fashioned, self-deprecating, well-educated mountaineer sense of manners and of humor that have now become one step closer to extinct. — Charles Frazier Editor’s Note: An award-winning Southern Appalachian writer, Ron Rash has written numerous beloved novels, including “Serena” and “The World Made Straight.” His latest work, “The Caretaker,” was released last year.

Works by Fred Chappell

Rash is also the Parris Distinguished Professor in Appalachian Cultural Studies at Western Carolina University. Fred Chappell’s “I Am One of You Forever” is one of my all-time favorite novels. I return to it for edification, inspiration, and, most of all, the joy of knowing that a human being is capable of such creative brilliance. Of all the endings I have read, this novel’s last words have the greatest emotional impact. I tear up every time. Such a gift to us as readers is all that we should expect of an artist, but what I also appreciate was Fred’s kindness and generosity. Graciousness. That is the word that most comes to mind. His encouragement Ron Rash. meant so much Maryan Harrington photo to me early in my career. It still matters. In “I Am One of You Forever,” the

Smoky Mountain News

Appalachian and a writer, where the landscape and culture affects the writing so deeply? FC: Well, for one thing, literacy came late to a lot of Southern Appalachia. So, the idea of reading and writing was exciting and novel. And it became a great thing to become a writer, where if you were a writer, you were like a movie star, in a sense. The other part is that people in these mountains like language, we like words and we like what people have to say — “Have a drink with me and we’ll talk,” kind of thing, you know? SMN: Are you optimistic about the future? FC: If there is one, I would be. I’m not optimistic right this moment. But, I’ve been down this road before, back during the early 1950s and the McCarthy era. And we came out of that OK. So, I think we will with this one, too. SMN: At 83, how are you doing? What’s your perspective these days? FC: Well, when I look at it from my usual haunts — doctor’s waiting rooms and funeral parlors — I see it’s a really pretty day outside. Not too hot, got some sunshine and a little breeze. And what I think I’ll do is seize it. It was my lot in life to be called to write and I stepped up to the plate — struck out a whole lot of times and once or twice did not.

January 17-23, 2024

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD ARTS & E NTERTAINMENT E DITOR Editor’s Note: Over his tenure here at The Smoky Mountain News, Arts & Entertainment Editor Garret K. Woodward has had the sincere honor and pleasure of interviewing writer Fred Chappell on three separate occasions. Below are some Q&A excerpts from those conversations. Chappell died on Jan. 4 at age 87. Smoky Mountain News: Your career has such versatility. Is that something that just evolved, or did you pursue other genres in hopes of honing your craft within the genres you initially liked? I think to become a better writer you should try other forms of writing. Fred Chappell: I agree with you that crossfertilization is very important. That’s why I think poets should read as much science as possible and fiction writers should read as much poetry as possible. Both of them should learn music and mathematics. Everything goes in the hopper and it’s up to you on what comes out. SMN: What do you see as the place of writers in this modern world of distraction, noise and short attention spans? FC: The best thing is to not join in on it, but to keep steady where you are. We’ve been scribes since 5000 B.C. and I don’t see any reason to let up in these traditional matters. People are losing the knack for reading, at least it seems when I’ve been talking to them. But, if you can get them to read the first few pages, they’re sunk and they’ll be readers for at least an hour or two [that day]. A lot of us can be overwhelmed because there’s just so much out there today, but a lot of it is really terrific. SMN: What is it to be Southern

arts & entertainment

Questions posed to the late Fred Chappell

[The role of the poet and the writer] is to express what people don’t want to acknowledge, to acknowledge what people don’t want to express. SMN: What was the best advice you ever got, in terms of writing and of life, too? FC: That’s a very hard question to answer, because I don’t know whether I’ve evolved or moved sideways. The only advice that means anything is “never say die.” You’re going to write no matter what, so do the best you can. I see just what I saw before — a whole universe that has to be expressed. [Life] has taught me a very familiar and important lesson that took a long time to absorb — which is to shut up and listen.

S EE R EMEMBERING, PAGE 17 15

arts & entertainment

This must be the place BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

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Ode to Styx, ode to being ‘born for adventure’ In the vast, rich musical landscape of 1970s/1980s rock-n-roll, few bands sold as many records and played as big of shows as that of Styx — numerous platinum albums and sold out stadium gigs from coast-tocoast. “I’m humbled by the whole thing, starting out as five bums from the South Side of Chicago,” said guitarist James “J.Y.” Young. “Wanting to make records, wanting to get a recording contract, wanting to have a career in the music business — I don’t know that I ever could’ve dreamt this big.” Emerging from the hardworking, bluecollar attitude and ethos of Chicago in the early 1970s, siblings Chuck and John Panozzo, alongside Dennis DeYoung, Young and Tommy Shaw, forged a new voice in the awe-inspiring, ever-expanding world of progressive rock — a whirlwind, rollercoaster genre that included the likes of Yes, Rush and King Crimson. “We were young men out running around the country trying to establish a [following],” Young said. “Sometimes we’d hit home runs, other places nobody seemed to care. But, you just stay focused on the goal and keep writing — you’ve got to keep writing.” The mystical aura swirling around Styx only intensified with the evolution of its trademark sound — searing vocal harmonies coupled with razor-sharp guitar licks. And both of which wrapped tightly by a keen lyrical aptitude that dealt with the existential depths of everyday humanity in a world seemingly gone mad. “We were trying to differentiate our-

selves from every other bar band that was lucky enough to get a record contract,” Young said. “We decided to stretch as far as we possibly could with our imagination and take a run at it.” Chasing their wildest aspirations within the music industry, only to hit the highest levels of rock success, Styx, by the numbers, has released 17 studio albums, nine live albums and 39 radio singles. Sixteen of those singles reached the Top 40, with eight sliding into the Top 10. To date, the band has sold over an estimated 50 million albums. “The world doesn’t come to your front door — you’ve got to find your space and then own it,” Young encouraged. “You’ve got it get out there and play it. Get out in front of people and let’em hear what you’re doing, see what you’re doing — eventually someone finds value in [what you’re doing].” For Young, the electric guitar remains as alluring and mesmerizing as ever, with artistic discoveries and creative musings constantly revealing themselves each time he picks up the six-string and walks underneath the bright lights of another raucous, fevered audience. “I saw [Jimi] Hendrix five times and I’m just trying to channel him every time I get up onstage,” Young said. “And I saw Eric Clapton and Cream and I’m trying to channel him when I’m up there — learn from the best and carry on with that, never give up.” Within the live realm, Styx remains a powerhouse ensemble, one aimed at finding that ideal balance between the major hits that defined the group worldwide (“Come Sail Away,” “Renegade,” “Too Much Time On My Hands”), and yet still intently focused on showcasing its core essence of hard, fast-paced, intricate rock.

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Styx will play Harrah’s Cherokee Jan. 19. Rick Diamond photo

“We’ve always been a band that could carry [its] weight onstage and make it sound like the records,” Young noted. “If [playing music] is your dream, you just can’t give up — patience, persistence, talent and luck, PPTL is the acronym for success.” And now, some 52 years into its continued musical journey, the ongoing history of Styx is forever chiseled deep into the walls of rock music and in the memories of its die-hard fans who’ve never forgotten what the Chicago ensemble and its singular tone meant to them throughout all of these decades. “My goal has always been to think big, to think if this opportunity made itself clear and open to us, what would I do with it?” Young said. “At this point [in our careers], it’s really just to get out there and play concerts — to play the music that people love.” When asked about the kickoff track for Styx’s self-titled 1972 debut album “Movement For The Common Man” and

Want to go? Rock legends Styx will hit the stage at 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at the Harrah’s Cherokee Resort Event Center. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee/shows.

how the lyrics (written by Young himself ) — “Don’t trust anyone else to run your life and set your goals/You gotta be able to live with yourself when you are getting old” — have aged over a half-century later, Young paused for a moment and chuckled at the query. “I don’t know if this an evolution from what I was saying back then or not, but, to me, you have to live each day to the fullest,” the 74-year-old said. “You’re not offered the opportunity to do this day over or tomorrow [either] — do it right the first time, put as much of your energy and your brain power [into your dreams].”

On the stage

REMEMBERING, CONTINUED FROM 15

HART is a premier theatre company in the Southeast. File photo

Ready to try theater?

January 17-23, 2024

The Haywood Arts Regional Theater in Waynesville is currently offering a wide variety of classes in the theater arts for all ages, young and old. Whether you are just starting out or want to hone your skills, HART has opportunities for you. Sign up your youngest one or grandkid who has a ton of creative energy but doesn’t know how to focus it yet. Or sign up that young theatre enthusiast who is looking to learn more and find a group of like-minded friends that will last a lifetime. Or maybe this is the sign you have been waiting for to finally gain the courage to step onstage. Whatever the desire, HART has a class that is waiting for you. Classes run Jan. 22 through March 25. HART prides itself on offering reasonably priced classes so that they can keep the arts alive in Haywood County. Browse the selection of spring classes at harttheatre.org and sign up today for a chance to change your life and discover your hidden talents and passions. For more information and a full schedule of classes offered, go to harttheatre.org/kids-athart-classes-and-camps.

Editor’s Note: A cherished longtime educator, journalist and writer in Haywood County, Edie Burnette was a classmate of Fred Chappell, both of whom graduated from Pisgah High School in 1954. To note, Burnette taught for 33 years in Haywood County and wrote for the Asheville Citizen-Times. Fred Chappell’s literary talents have been recognized and honored by numerous awards and titles, including Poet Laureate of North Carolina. However, Fred, personally quiet and unassuming, called his 40-year career as a professor his “most important work.” He also established a nationally acclaimed creative writing program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. “He always thought of Canton as ‘home,’” said Becky Anderson of Asheville, Chappell’s sister, adding that he regarded mountain people as “hardworking and creative” and undeserving of the stereotypical images of “hillbillies.” Fred hoped to reflect the values of

WCU presents ‘Fantasia on Mysterium’ FREE PARAFFIN PARAFFIN HAND TREA AT A TMENT T MENT TREATMENT WITH ANY F FA ACIAL CIAL FACIAL INDULGE IN A LUXURIOUS FACIAL TREATMENT ENHANCED BY OUR SPECIALIZED MOISTURIZING AND JOINT-SOOTHING PARAFFIN HAND TREATMENT. Michael Yannette will perform at WCU Jan. 25-27. Joshua Norman photo p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. To learn more about the event and/or to purchase tickets, go to arts.wcu.edu/fantasia. All Bardo Arts Center’s 2023-2024 Performance Hall tickets are available at arts.wcu.edu/tickets.

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A special stage production of “Fantasia on Mysterium: The Epic Immersive Theatrical Recital” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25-27 at the Bardo Arts Center on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. The show is a genre-busting reimagining of a traditional piano recital and theatrical play, blended with artistically created mindblowing immersive visuals that accompany both the storytelling and the live performances of Russian composer Alexander Scriabin’s piano works. The audience joins the pianist/actor/ playwright Michael Yannette onstage as he weaves the highly synchronistic real-life stories of both he and the composer, which, as it furthers down the rabbit hole, exposes itself to be highly revelatory to both. The adventure that Yannette began years ago as research into his favorite composer weaves into an “epic” play that is, at varying times, hilarious, deeply moving, hair-raising, but, ultimately, fully life-changing and lifeaffirming. Seating will be on the Bardo Arts Center stage. Capacity is limited for each performance. Box Office is open from 10 a.m. to 4

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novel concludes with the words “Are you one of us?” The question is asked by those, now dead, whom the narrator has loved. The answer is the novel’s title and its evocation of the power of memory. As with so many fellow writers and readers, Fred will remain an abiding presence. I have been blessed by not only knowing the work of Fred Chappell but also knowing the man. — Ron Rash

working with purpose and caring about others in his words and, early on, attacked the trend to portray Appalachian natives as ignorant and unsavory folks, Anderson related. Raised by a family of teachers, Fred would talk to Pisgah High School English classes during infrequent home visits, encouraging them to write and to take advantage of the education provided for them. His high school friends may remember Fred as a horn-tooting band member, a mischievous friend who didn’t always accept the expected mold of perfect student, but his creativity, his high school yearbook designation as “most intellectual,” and his independence hinted his future. On a senior trip to Washington, D.C., Fred’s interest was in confronting the late Senator Joseph McCarthy (censured for claims of “communists” in the U.S. government) while the rest of us seemed focused Edie Burnette. File photo on the novelty of the trip and having fun. I recall my impression that he was better informed about national news than his classmates. — Edie Burnette

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On the beat • Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host an open mic from 8-10 p.m. every Thursday. Free and open to the public. 828.631.1987 or balsamfallsbrewing.com.

Folkmoot welcomes Larry & Joe

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host a semi-regular acoustic jam with the Main Street NoTones from 7-9 p.m. every first and third Thursday of the month. Free and open to the public. For more information, go to blueridgebeerhub.com. • Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host music bingo 7 p.m. Mondays, karaoke 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, trivia 7 p.m. Thursdays, open mic night 10 p.m. Thursdays, Bone Evil Blues (rock/blues) Jan. 20 and Rossdafareye (rock/soul) Jan. 27. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.246.0350 or boojumbrewing.com. • Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host “Music Bingo” 7 p.m. Thursdays and Hunter Blalock (singer-songwriter) Jan. 20. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.634.0078 or curraheebrew.com.

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January 17-23, 2024

• Farm At Old Edwards (Highlands) will host the “Fireside at the Farm” sessions on select weekends. For more information, go to oldedwardshospitality.com. • Folkmoot Friendship Center (Waynesville) will host Larry & Joe (Americana) 7 p.m. Jan. 18. For a full schedule of events and/or to purchase tickets, go to folkmoot.org. • Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host its weekly “Tuesday Jazz Series” at 5:30 p.m., Dirty French Broads Trio Jan. 19, Bald Mountain Boys Jan. 20, Keven Dolan & Paul Koptak Jan. 26 and Ben & The Borrowed Band Jan. 27. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.454.5664 or froglevelbrewing.com.

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• Frog Quarters (Franklin) will host live music from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Free and open to the public. Located at 573 East Main St. littletennessee.org or 828.369.8488.

Larry & Joe will play Waynesville Jan. 18. File photo

Americana, folk at Mountain Layers

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host “Trivia Night w/Kirk” from 7-9 p.m. every Monday and Sam Underwood (singer-songwriter) 18 Jan. 27. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless

Alma Russ will play Bryson City Jan. 20. File photo

Rising singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Alma Russ will hit the stage at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Mountain Layers Brewing Company in Bryson City. Based out of Western North Carolina and with her unique brand of “patchwork music” (country, folk and Appalachian styles pieced together), Russ enjoys playing guitar, banjo and fiddle. Russ was also a contestant on “American Idol” Season 16. Her most recent album, “Fool’s Gold,” was recorded in an abandoned church in the West Texas desert while Russ was on a national tour. Free and open to the public. To learn more, call 828.538.0115 or go to mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com. For more information on Russ, go to almarussofficial.com.

Highlands welcomes Tyler Ramsey An acclaimed singer-songwriter and former member of Americana/indie jug-

• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee) will host Styx (classic rock) 9 p.m. Jan. 19. For a full schedule of events and/or to buy tickets, caesars.com/harrahscherokee. • Highlander Mountain House (Highlands) will host a Sunday Bluegrass Residency noon to 2:30 p.m. and Tyler Ramsey (singersongwriter) Jan. 25 (admission is $25 per person). For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to highlandermountainhouse.com.

For its first performance of the 2024 season, Folkmoot USA will present Larry & Joe at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville. The duo of Grammy-nominated bluegrass and old-time star Joe Troop (from Winston-Salem) and Joropo maestro Larry Bellorín (Monagas, Venezuela), these virtuosic multi-instrumentalists fuse their respective Appalachian folk and Venezuelan traditions on the harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, upright bass, guitar and maracas. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $22 per person. Delish, the Venezuelan food truck, will be serving onsite prior to the concert. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to folkmoot.org. To learn about Larry & Joe, go to larryandjoe.com.

Tyler Ramsey will play Highlands Jan. 25 File photo gernaut Band of Horses, Tyler Ramsey will perform at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan.

25, at the Highlander Mountain House in Highlands. Praised by NPR, Stereogum, WNYC and The Huffington Post, Ramsey is a multi-instrumentalist equally at home playing guitar, piano, keyboards, bass and percussion, but is best known as a talented finger-style guitarist and singersongwriter. A well-established, acclaimed guitar player and singer in the burgeoning Western North Carolina music scene, where he calls home, Ramsey first learned to play music on piano before moving to the guitar. Ramsey grew up listening to and studying country-blues guitar players like Mance Lipscomb and Mississippi John Hurt and American finger pickers like John Fahey and Leo Kottke — absorbing their sound and making it all his own. Tickets are $25 per person. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to highlandermountainhouse.com and go to the “Offers & Events” tab.

Meade returns to Scotsman Shane Meade. File photo

Popular Florida-based indie/soul singer-songwriter Shane Meade will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, The Scotsman Public House in Waynesville. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 828.246.6292 or go to scotsmanpublic.com.

On the beat • Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host “Music Bingo” on Wednesdays and Shane Meade (indie/soul) Jan. 19. All events begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com.

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• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host Karaoke on the second/fourth Friday of the month and Madison Owenby (singer-songwriter) Jan. 20. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com. • Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host “Music Bingo” 6:30 p.m. Mondays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com. • Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host an “Open Mic w/Frank Lee” Wednesdays, Bird In Hand (Americana/indie) Jan. 19, Alma Russ (Americana/indie) Jan. 20, Mountain Gypsy (Americana) Jan. 26 and Frank Lee (Americana/old-time) Jan. 27. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 or mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

• Salty Dog’s Seafood & Grill (Maggie Valley) will host “Karaoke w/Russell” every Monday and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.926.9105. • The Scotsman (Waynesville) will host a “Celtic Jam” 2-5 p.m., Shane Meade (indie/soul) Jan. 18, The Marshall Brown Band Jan. 19, Sylva Soul Jan. 25, Nick Mac Duo Jan. 26 and Celtic Road Jam 4 p.m. Jan. 27. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.6292 or scotsmanpublic.com.

ALSO:

• “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. For

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• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host “Bluegrass Wednesday” at 6:30 p.m. each week. 828.526.8364 or theuglydogpub.com. • Unplugged Pub (Bryson City) will host Jay Dee Gee Jan. 18, Macon County Line Jan. 19, Mile High Band (classic rock/country) Jan. 20, Mountain Gypsy (Americana) Jan. 25, Blackwater Station Jan. 26 and Outlaw Whiskey (rock/country) Jan. 27. All shows are $5 at the door and begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.538.2488.

more information, call 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. For more information and/or to register, call 800.872.4681 or go to gsmr.com.

Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. File photo

Smoky Mountain News

• “Flights & Bites” will be held starting at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in downtown Waynesville. For more information on upcoming events, wine tastings and special dinners, go to waynesvillewine.com.

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• Stecoah Valley Center (Robbinsville) will host a Community Jam 5:30-7:30 p.m. every third Thursday of the month and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, call 828.479.3364 or go to stecoahvalleycenter.com.

On the table • “Burns Night Supper” will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, at The Scotsman in Waynesville. A private, four-course Scottish meal alongside Scotch, ale, wine, pipe tunes, poetry recital and more. Tickets are $69 per person and available for purchase at the pub. scotsmanpublic.com.

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January 17-23, 2024

• Quirky Birds Treehouse & Bistro (Dillsboro) will host Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and semi-regular live music on the week-

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ends. Free and open to the public. 828.586.1717 or facebook.com/quirkybirdstreehouse.

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otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com.

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On the wall

Celebrate Robert Burns

• “Community Art Day” will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center in Franklin. Activities for kids and adults. Free and open to the public. For more information, go to coweeschool.org.

The Taste of Scotland Society will host its annual celebration of Robert Burns on Saturday, Jan. 27, at the First Presbyterian Church in Franklin. The event will be part of a worldwide celebration of the 265th birthday of Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland. The evening will consist of a Scottish meal, live music, poetry readings and traditional parts of any tribute to Burns. The gathering will start at 5 p.m. and run until 8 p.m. Although Scottish attire is welcome, it is not required. This is just an opportunity to have fun, good food, entertaining music and fellowship. The cost of the dinner will be $30 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Cash and checks accepted. Tickets can be obtained from any TOSS member, the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce or at the Robert Burns was a beloved Scottish poet. File photo church.

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• “Spark of the Eagle Dancer: The Collecting Legacy of Lambert Wilson” will run through June 28 in the Fine Art Museum at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. The exhibit features works of contemporary Native American art from the collection of one of Western North Carolina’s most notable art enthusiasts, the late Lambert Wilson. This exhibition brings together a selection of baskets, pottery, carving, painting, photography and more. To learn more about the exhibition and reception, please go to arts.wcu.edu/spark. The Fine Art Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. • Gallery Zella (Bryson City) will be hosting an array of artist receptions, exhibits and showcases. The gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, go to galleryzella.com or call 517.881.0959. • Waynesville Photography Club meets at 7 p.m. every third Monday each month on the second floor of the Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center in Clyde. The club is a nonprofit organization that exists for the enjoyment of photogra-

phy and the improvement of one’s skills. They welcome photographers of all skill levels to share ideas and images at the monthly meetings. For more information, email waynesvillephotoclub@charter.net or follow them on Facebook: Waynesville Photography Club. • Haywood County Arts Council (Waynesville) will offer a wide-range of classes, events and activities for artisans, locals and visitors. The HCAC gallery is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. For more information and a full schedule, go to haywoodarts.org. • Jackson County Green Energy Park (Dillsboro) will be offering a slew of classes, events and activities for artisans, locals and visitors. For more information and a full schedule, go to jcgep.org. • Southwestern Community College Swain Arts Center (Bryson City) will host an array of workshops for adults and kids. For more information on the upcoming classes and/or to sign-up, go to southwesterncc.edu/scc-locations/swain-center. • Dogwood Crafters in Dillsboro will offer a selection of upcoming art classes and workshops. For more information and a full schedule of activities, go to dogwoodcrafters.com/classes.html or call 828.586.2248.

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January 17-23, 2024

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War, persecution and manhood: three books

Jeff Minick

War II, is Jewish and when a box of family documents survives a house fire, she sets out to trace her heritage. Over the course of several years, she untangles her family’s rich history in Hungary, which includes prominent physicians, attorneys, and entrepreneurs. These ancestors were often caught up in the swirl

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of national events, like revolutions and plague, or suffered discrimination and oppression because of their Judaism. The Second World War brought persecution and death both from Nazis occupying Hungary and from the Arrow Cross, who were Nazi-related Hungarian collaborators. Many Jews were taken to camps, where they perished or worked for the regime as slaves, but some were rescued by fellow Hungarians. One of these was Broenniman’s father, who was saved by the woman who would become his wife and who was later declared Religious Among the Nations, a high honor awarded to those who had risked their lives to save Jews. The blurb on the back cover of “The Politzer Saga” declares, “Illuminating the destructive power of hatred, dehumanization, and injustice, this power story encompasses issues that still echo today.” Right now, I’d say those issues are echo-

ing loud and hard. “Gut Check: Confronting Love, Work, & Manhood in Your Twenties” (Spence Pub., 2008, 208 pages) is out of print but available on Kindle. Here Tarek Saab tells the story of his youth, his party days in college, his years in the corporate world and his appearance on the Donald Trump reality show, “The Apprentice.” The first half of “Gut Check” shows Saab surrounded by the temptations and the lessons of college life. He drinks to excess with his friends while at the same time, as he puts it, “I lusted, in mostly subtle ways, after the two Ws: Wealth and Women.” At the same time, though he is majoring in engineering, Saab takes several classes in philosophy and humanities, which rouse in him certain critical questions about his life. He is a Catholic attending a Catholic College, Saint Anselm in New Hampshire, and though practicing his faith only nominally, he experiences both in the college and in his climb up the corporate ladder a spiritual awakening. As he successfully makes his way through the world of business, Saab comes to realize more and more that his life, like the lives of so many others around him, is empty of any real meaning other than the acquisition of goods, money, and prestige. Through reading and talking with others, his faith deepens, he focuses especially on what his life will have meant at his death and he finds his two Ws in his faith and in the woman who would become his wife. Of her, he writes, “She arrived …when I was able to appreciate the sublime nature of womanhood and my responsibilities as a man to nurture and protect it.” Three authors, three very different books and good things to learn from each of them. (Jeff Minick reviews books and has written four of his own: two novels, “Amanda Bell” and “Dust On Their Wings,” and two works of nonfiction, “Learning As I Go” and “Movies Make the Man.” minick0301@gmail.com.)

January 17-23, 2024

old weather means more time indoors, and more time indoors means more time for books. Here are three for the season of Jack Frost, sweaters and robust beverages. In “The Rifle 2: Back to the Battlefield” (Regnery History, 2023, 320 pages), Andrew Biggio’s sequel to “The Rifle,” we again join the author in meeting some of our country’s dwindling number of World War II veterans. As in his earlier book, Biggio travels across America with a 1945 M1 Garand, the infantry weapon of Writer that war, and has these soldiers of long ago sign the rifle after listening to the stories of their time in combat. We look at these few survivors today, old and gray, and forget that they were practically kids when they marched off to battle and all its horrors. One of these aged warriors, for example, Charles Ketcham of Massachusetts, signed Biggio’s rifle, but he refused to pick up the weapon as so many other veterans had done. “I vowed I would never pick up a gun again,” vowed the 95year-old veteran of the chaotic and sometimes brutal fighting in Germany near the war’s end. In the battle for the German town of Crailsheim, the teenager was running ammo belts to his squad when he heard someone yell, “Here! Here!” Ketcham followed the cries, and found a German soldier no older than himself whose “stomach was blown open entirely.” The teen gestured to Ketcham to put him out of his misery. “‘Perhaps if I was older, I would have pulled the trigger … instead I just cried with him,’ Charlie recalled.” As Biggio later notes, “Charlie’s experience was another example of the lack of unalloyed glory in war. When the teen soldier died that day, both he and Charlie lost something. Both of these soldiers, American and German, were robbed of their youths.” From these stories, we not only learn first-hand of the combat these young men experienced, the courage they exhibited and suffering they endured, but these elderly veterans also serve as a reminder, as philosopher George Santayana — not Plato — once wrote, that “only the dead have seen the end of war.” Biggio makes this point by dedicating “The Rifle 2” to the 13 U.S. service members who died on August 26, 2021, at Afghanistan’s Hamid Karzai International Airport. Five of these men and women who were killed were age 20, the oldest was 31. Pertinent as well to our time is Linda Broenniman’s “The Politzer Saga” (Bethesda Communications Group, 2023, 256 pages). When Broenniman learns that her father, an immigrant from Hungary following World

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“The bear population has grown tremendously in the last several years,” he said. “I feel like our wildlife biologists know what’s best for us because they do the studies on this. I’m very much in favor of [bear hunting proposal] H4.” Other commenters disagreed, with one calling the proposed season changes “outrageous” and likely to “put a lot of pressure on the sow bears and the young bears,” and another doubting the Wildlife Commission’s estimate of the current population. “Bear populations, I promise, fluctuate from year to year,” said Cherokee County resident Chris Palmer. “What population you say is out there, I don’t think is out there.” Other speakers focused less on how the proposal would impact the overall bear population and more on how it would affect hunting participation. A longer season with Saturday openers, they said, would give hunters of all ages more opportunity to get out in the woods, and would be especially beneficial to kids learning the sport. “I’m a fourth-generation bear hunter, and my children are five years old,” said Henderson County resident Sarah Carpenter. “I have twin girls, and they come up and they ride on the four wheelers with us, but they can’t come on a Monday. Having a Saturday opener is how we are going to perpetuate this tradition and this heritage, by being able to get our kids out there.”

Hunters wait their turn to offer their comments. Holly Kays photo

Shifting seasons Hunters weigh in on proposed bear, deer rule changes BY HOLLY KAYS OUTDOORS E DITOR ore than 100 people came to a public hearing Thursday, Jan. 11, at Haywood Community College in Clyde, that took input on what would be the first changes to black bear hunting season dates since the 1970s — and opinions were mixed. While many of the 21 people who spoke on bear and deer proposals — nearly all of whom identified themselves as hunters — supported the changes, many others expressed concern, with the most common refrain being that the changes would cause bear and deer seasons to overlap, creating opportunities for conflict between hunters and reducing opportunity for youth hunters to bag a deer. “You need to keep these seasons separate,” said Caldwell County resident David Woods. “I’m telling you, you can mark it down tonight. I would never shoot a man over a dog, but I know people that will. I’m just telling you there will be trouble. If we have meetings next year, we’ll be talking about it, because somebody is stupid enough to do it.”

GROWING POPULATION Back in the 1970s, black bears were rare in Western North Carolina, with fewer than 1,000 of them estimated in the 25 western counties. Thanks to decades of active management from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, that population has steadily increased, to the point that in 2012, the Wildlife Commission adopted a new goal: hold the mountain bear population steady at 4,400 bears. Despite efforts to halt population growth, black bears continued to multiply. Today, the Wildlife Commission estimates the western population at around 8,000 bears — and continuing to grow at 3% to 4% per year. In 2022, the Wildlife Commission adopted a controversial measure renaming the bear sanctuaries it established in 1971, during a time of struggle for the bear population, as “designated bear management units,” and to allow hunting permits to be issued in those areas. No such permits have yet been issued, but that’s likely to happen in 2025, said Colleen Olfenbuttel, black bear and furbearer biologist for the Wildlife Commission. Before issuing permits, staff must install new signage around the perimeter of the properties, a process that takes quite a while given the rugged terrain.

Meanwhile, the agency is proposing a longer black bear season to further reduce the population’s growth rate. Currently, the first segment of the mountain bear season runs from the Monday on or nearest to Oct. 15 through the Saturday before Thanksgiving, with the second segment running from the third Monday after Thanksgiving through Jan. 1. Hunters can use dogs throughout both seasons but bait only during the first segment. The Wildlife Commission wants to add nine days to bear season and allow hunters to use bait during the second segment as well as the first. If the rule change is adopted, the first segment of bear season would start on the Saturday immediately prior to Oct. 9 and the second segment would start on the third Saturday after Thanksgiving. The changes will help slow down bear population growth while offering hunters new opportunities, the Wildlife Commission says. Graham County resident Roy Stiles, 78, shared his perspective on how the bear hunting experience has changed since he was young.

Be heard Written comments on the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s proposed rule changes can be submitted through Tuesday, Jan. 30, with a virtual public hearing slated for 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18. To read the proposals, submit comments or register for the virtual hearing, visit ncwildlife.org/proposedregulations.

THANKSGIVING TRADITION However, many of the deer hunters in attendance said the proposals would prevent the perpetuation of tradition when it came to deer season. A separate proposal the Wildlife Commission is considering would shift deer seasons in the western region such that young hunters would no longer be able to spend their days off during Thanksgiving break enthralled in the start of gun season. Gun season starts the Monday before Thanksgiving and runs through the third Saturday after Thanksgiving week, but the proposed regulation would shift that season to instead start the Saturday after Thanksgiving and run through Jan. 1. Likewise, the start of blackpowder season would move from the first Monday in October to two Saturdays before Thanksgiving. “Currently, 84% of our buck harvest occurs prior to peak conception, and we really need to shift that later in the season,” said Brad Howard, wildlife management division chief for the Wildlife Commission. “Shifting blackpowder and gun seasons later will reduce the vulnerability of yearling bucks during the early dispersal. So that’ll help us get more yearling bucks spread across the landscape.” Gun season is by far the most popular of the three deer seasons in the western region. During the 2022-23 season in Haywood County, for example, a total of 590 deer were harvested. Of those, 416 were taken during gun season, 77 during crossbow season, 70 during archery season, and only 27 during black-

A hunter lines up his shot. File photo

Black bear. File photo

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“Well, naturally, I have concerns of what the hunters from both sides have concerns of and hope that we can address it and be amicable to both sides,” Clampitt said, adding that the committee has been reviewing the proposals and will continue to monitor the issues involved. “I am glad there was a good turnout and folks felt comfortable sharing their opinions,” Gillespie added. “I am confident that N.C. Wildlife will take into consideration all the comments that were made, and I look forward to seeing the final recommendations.” The public comment process remains ongoing, with a hearing planned for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17 in New Bern and an online session to be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18. Written comments will be accepted through Tuesday, Jan. 30. The Wildlife Commission will then review public input and vote to accept, reject or modify the rule proposals.

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In an interview, Wildlife Commissioner Brad Stanback said that last suggestion was “one of the most interesting comments” he heard that evening. Rep. Mike Clampitt (RSwain), also in attendance that night, said he’d be in favor of youth hunters being able to use weapons other than muzzleloaders the week of Thanksgiving.

The most rigorous critique of the recommendations concerned the overlap between bear season and deer gun season that would occur if they were adopted. Though deer archery season does overlap with bear season in the western region, gun and blackpowder seasons take place separately. Under the proposed changes, these deer seasons would overlap with bear season for one week in November and three weeks in December. “I wouldn’t like to see the bear season and the deer season cross over,” said Haywood County resident Edward Rogers. “I just think there’s too many opportunities to work on the deer population while you’re bear hunting. I know private land is definitely way better than our public lands [for deer hunting], so I’d like the Commission to look into more detailed deer regulations on the public side.” In the western region, deer hunting with dogs is not allowed, and packs of dogs running through an area where a deer hunter has spent hours patiently waiting in a tree stand can render an entire morning of effort worthless. One commenter alluded to the potential for violence, saying that if a bear dog comes running across while he’s in the deer stand, “somebody’s going to be picking it up,” — a sentiment that elicited a rumble of mixed reaction from the audience. Despite the dire warnings some commenters offered about the potential for conflict, Wildlife Commission staff expressed confidence that the overlap would work. “I know everybody’s nervous about this, but we only have so many months and so many days, and a lot of people wanting to hunt,” Howard told the crowd. “We either are going to hunt together, or there’s entities out there waiting right now to take us apart completely. I don’t know how to say it any better than that.” Other areas of the state already have a similar overlap, he said, with no issues. In an

We are now oﬀerinng more availabilityy.

January 17-23, 2024

White-tailed deer. File photo

OVERLAPPING SEASONS

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powder season. “If you take that Thanksgiving week away, they [the kids] get to hunt one day,” said Buncombe County resident Glen Weathers. “They get to hunt on Saturday. That’s not putting things where you’re gonna have hunters in the future. Kids will not really get into hunting one day out of deer season.” Deer season does extend through the Christmas break, but several commenters said that by that time, deer are scarce and success rates low. Some speakers offered their thoughts on solutions to satisfy both the need to shift the season dates and the desire to accommodate young hunters. One suggested that the Wildlife Commission add youth hunting days in October and November in addition to the one that already takes place in September, while another said that youth hunters should be allowed to use a rifle during muzzleloader season.

interview, Olfenbuttel said that the agency heard from “quite a few” hunters during a string of summer forums drawing more than 300 bear hunters who said the overlap would work fine. Additionally, she said, there should be some natural separation given that most bear hunters hunt on public land and most deer hunters hunt on private land. “Back in the ‘70s, the only place to bear hunt and deer hunt was on national forest, and so we did have bear hunters and deer hunters right on top of each other hunting in the same concentrated little areas because there was no place else to hunt,” she said. Things have changed since then. “We’re seeing that most deer hunting is taking place on private lands,” she said. “A majority of bear hunting and harvest takes place on public lands, specifically our game lands, including the National Forest. So there’s just a lot more area in general, especially for deer hunters, to hunt.” Clampitt said that compromise will be key to reaching an agreeable solution. He and Rep. Karl Gillespie, who also attended the hearing, serve as vice-chairs of the House Committee on Wildlife Resources. Should the Wildlife Commission adopt a rule that draws substantial public opposition, there is a process in place whereby the legislature can review those rules before they go into effect.

828.452.4251 susanna@mtnsouthmedia.com

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Help maintain the Benton MacKaye Trail The Benton MacKaye Trail Association will remove blown-down trees along the Tennessee/North Carolina line during a maintenance trip starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, from the Coker Creek Welcome Center in Tennessee. The group will hike the Benton MacKaye Trail from Unicoi Gap to Sandy Gap, with volunteers asked to bring at least 2 liters of water, long pants, boots and gloves. Helmets are also required and are available for loan if requested during RSVP. RSVP online at bmta.org/events/january-27-2024-tn-nc-maintenance or contact Nelson Ashbrook at nelsonashbrook@gmail.com. File photo

Waynesville park closed after storm

January 17-23, 2024

Allens Creek Park in Waynesville is closed until further notice while county crews clean it up following last week’s heavy rains and wind. The closure decision was made in the interest of public safety and to facilitate essential maintenance required to address the storm’s aftermath. Updates will be posted to Haywood County’s social media and haywoodcountync.gov.

Drought washes away in winter rain Smoky Mountain News

Draft priority measures to reduce greenhouse gases in North Carolina are open for public comment through Sunday, Jan. 28. North Carolina received $3 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the planning phase of the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program and is eligible to compete for $4.6 billion in implementation funding to be awarded later this year. As part of the program requirements, North Carolina is developing a Priority Climate Action Plan due in the early part of the year and a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan due in 2025. The Priority plan will identify the state’s highest-priority greenhouse gas reduction measures and determine the method for ensuring these measures are implemented equitably. The Comprehensive plan will update and expand upon the state’s existing climate strategies, ensuring these documents align with the latest available science, modeling and best practices. Public comment on draft priority measures will help develop the state’s climate action plans, determine priorities for the state’s CPRG implementation funding application and identify potential project areas if awarded funding. Projects, activities or measures not identified in the Priority plan may still be included in the Comprehensive plan. Priority measures cover the transportation, electricity, buildings, industry, waste and natural and working lands sectors. Learn more or submit a comment at deq.nc.gov/climate-pollution-reduction-grantcprg-draft-priority-measures. Comments can also be submitted via email to cprg@deq.nc.gov with “CPRG Comment” in the subject line or via voicemail to 919.707.8757. The deadline to submit a comment is 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28.

Retreat to explore intersection of faith and eco-justice A retreat for faith leaders and people interested in inspiring their congregations and communities to care for the planet will be held Feb. 2-3 at the Montreat Conference Center in Montreat. Hosted by the Creation Care Alliance, this year’s symposium is titled “Sacred Symbiosis: Relationships for Eco-Justice”

and will explore the relationships needed to build and nurture justice for all creation — human and non-human. Mary Crowe of the Indigenous Environmental Network, who is also a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, will be the keynote speaker, delivering her address on Feb. 3. Unlike in past years, Friday and Saturday programs are open to all and will not be limited to clergy. Group rates, scholarships and student discounts available. Learn more or register at mountaintrue.org/event/2024-ccaretreat-symposium.

Get outdoors with Ice Fest The latest drought map, based on observations through 8 a.m. Jan. 9, shows a significant improvement in drought conditions. N.C Drought Management Advisory Council map

Climate plan open for comment

Heavy rains last week banished all but a spot of severe drought from the mountain region, with more relief likely to be reflected in next week’s drought map from the N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council. Most areas of the state got about half an inch of rain over the weekend Jan. 6-7, while the western region got 2-3 inches more early Tuesday morning before the 8 a.m. cutoff for this week’s drought assessment. According to National Weather Service records, heavy rains Jan. 9-10 poured 3.46 inches on Cullowhee, 3.41 inches on Franklin, 5.72 inches on Highlands, 3.55 inches on Oconaluftee and 3.51 inches on Waynesville. Several waterways surged to minor flood stage, including the Pigeon River at Canton, Cullowhee Creek near the Jackson County Recreation Center and the Tuckasegee River at Bryson City. In contrast to the drought it’s now escaping, most parts of the state have been decidedly wetter than normal recently, quickly knocking back the rainfall deficits that accumulated in fall and early winter. In addition to the rain that fell after 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, and into Wednesday, the mountains received further precipitation Friday, Jan. 12. According to the drought map released Jan. 11 based on conditions through 8 a.m. Jan. 9, only two counties are still in severe drought — Clay and Cherokee — and then in only a small portion of their total area. Just 11 counties remain in moderate drought, located in the far western and northwest portions of the state and including Haywood, Jackson, Swain, Macon, Buncombe and Graham counties. An additional 13 counties are abnormally dry, including Henderson, Madison and Transylvania counties.

— Holly Kays, Outdoors Editor

Winter hikes, winter lights, frosty runs and outdoor ice skating will offer ample opportunity for chilly fun in celebration of the N.C. Smokies Ice Fest Weekend Jan. 26-28. • An outdoor ice skating rink will be open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. throughout the weekend at Sorrell’s Street Park in Canton. Rentals will be available 4-8 p.m. Jan. 26 and noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 27-28, free for Haywood County residents with a valid ID. Non-residents will pay $5 for rentals or a donation of one canned food item per person, with a receipt of purchase from a downtown Canton business that same day. • Cataloochee Ski Area staff will participate in a lighted run/walk/parade on the slopes in Maggie Valley at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, offering a mesmerizing spectacle for visitors watching from the lodge deck or bottom of the slopes. An aerial view will be offered on the web cam at cataloochee.com/the-mountain/webcams. • Jog the Dahlia Ridge Trail at Haywood Community College during the Frosty 5K 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Jan. 28. This free, untimed event will offer an opportunity for winter exercise, with exciting activities to enhance the experience along the trail. Hot chocolate will provide a warmup at the starting line, with surprise stations at each kilometer including a ring toss to win candy and a sticker door hanger. • Go hiking with Haywood County Recreation and Parks Jan. 27-28. From 8 a.m. to noon Jan. 27, a hike on the closed Blue Ridge Parkway will offer a chance to enjoy views and solitude, starting from the U.S. 276 parking area. Hikers can turn around at 1.5 miles to make it a 3-mile hike or continue to Pisgah Inn for a 6-mile trek. On Jan. 28, a hike to Howard’s Bridge on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail near Maggie Valley will cover 3.2 miles, great views and waterfalls, starting at 10 a.m. and continuing through 3 p.m. Each hike costs $10, with registration at haywoodcountync.gov/recreation. For more information and a complete listing of all Ice Fest events, visit ncsmokiesicefest.com.

GSMA opens new Townsend visitor center

Register for the Business of Farming Conference The 21st annual Business of Farming Conference is coming up Saturday, Feb. 24, at the A-B Tech Conference Center in Asheville. The conference focuses on the business side of farming, offering beginning and established farmers financial, legal, operational and marketing tools to improve farm businesses and make professional connections. Farmers and specialists will lead more than a dozen workshops, including new offerings such as “Alternate Capital: Grants and Fundraising for Farmers” and “Planning for Retirement.”

As judged by percentage, Lakeview Drive in Bryson City had the biggest visitation decrease, falling 36.9% to 66,632. The decrease was likely influenced by a lengthy closure to rehabilitate the entrance road. As judged by absolute value, the Oconaluftee entrance near Cherokee had the biggest fall, with its 2.44 million visits in 2023 coming in 94,494 lower than 2022, good for a 3.7% decline. Big Creek visitation fell 14.9% to 63,508, with single-digit percentage decreases at the Cataloochee, Oconaluftee, Deep Creek, Cosby and Townsend entrances. The only North Carolina entrance logging an increase was Heintooga Ridge, which saw a 4% gain. In addition to the Foothills Parkway entrances, in Tennessee the Sugarlands, Greenbriar, Cherokee Orchard and Wears Cove entrances all posted increases. — Holly Kays, Outdoors Editor

Two organizations dedicated to stewarding beloved outdoor spaces are looking for new board members to help them fulfill their respective missions. • Friends of Panthertown, which is dedicated to preserving and maintaining Panthertown Valley in the Nantahala National Forest, is looking for new board members and planning committee members to replace several long-time board members who left at the end of 2023. Passionate people who want to help lead the nonprofit into the future should contact friends@panthertown.org for more information. • Friends of DuPont Forest, which works to enhance public use and enjoyment of DuPont State Recreational Forest while protecting its natural resources, is seeking new board members to start serving in April. Board members are responsible for planning, policy development, financial oversight, fundraising and working to ensure the organization is accomplishing its mission. The board meets on the third Tuesday of every other month, and board members are also expected to participate in committees, fundraise and attend hosted events when available. Applications are open through the end of January. Learn more at dupontforest.com/jointheboard.

SNOW REPO ORT 18 of 18 8 Slopes Op pen 3 Aerial A i Lifts i 2 Su urface Liftss 45 to 62 6 Inch Ba ase WEEKDAYS: Y 9:00AM – 10P PM WEEKEND DS: 8:30AM – 10PM

Smoky Mountain News

In 2023, visitation to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park grew 2.2% to reach its second-highest number ever — but the number of visits starting in the North Carolina side of the park fell 5.1% compared to 2022. The overall increase in visitation was driven entirely by increasing use of the Foothills Parkway, which orbits the park’s northern border and occasionally connects back to the main park property. Foothills Parkway visits were responsible for 2.4 million of 2023’s total 13.22 million visits, or 18.2% of the total, up from 2.04 million visits in 2022, 15.8% of that year’s total 12.94 million visits. The number of visits using entrances other than the Foothills Parkway fell slightly in 2023, totaling 10.81 million in 2023 compared to 10.89 million in 2022, and North Carolina was driving that decrease. Even excluding the Foothills Parkway, visits to the Tennessee side of the park increased by 88,201 to total 7.66 million in 2023, while visits to the North Carolina side fell 168,619 to total 3.16 million.

File photo

Panthertown and DuPont seek board members

January 17-23, 2024

Smokies visitation increases in 2023, but N.C. side lags

The popular Grower-Buyer Meeting, in which farmers meet with chefs, grocers, wholesalers and other buyers to discuss their products and potential business relationships, will be held at lunchtime. Other networking opportunities include one-on-one sessions and an exhibitor hall. Embedded within the conference is the Farmers Market Summit, a chance for farmers market managers from across the region to come together for peer-sharing, technical assistance support and annual planning. Organized by the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project. Register at asapconnections.org. Cost is $75 by Feb. 1 before rising to $95, with a discount for farm partners registering together and scholarships for limitedresource and BIPOC farmers. Cost includes locally sourced breakfast and lunch.

The new facility doubles the retail space of the previous location. GSMA photo outdoors

A new visitor center and retail space is now open just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Townsend, Tennessee, offering information, education materials, souvenirs, parking tags and other park-related goods to Smokies visitors. The visitor center, operated by the Great Smoky Mountains Association, replaces the Townsend Visitor Center GSMA had shared with Blount Partnership since 1992. After more than 30 years, both organizations’ needs had outgrown the shared space. GSMA established a separate space of its own, right across the road. “This new visitor center allows us to support Great Smoky Mountains National

Park on a larger scale, with much more information and merchandise for park visitors to explore,” said CEO Laurel Rematore. The Great Smokies Welcome Center has double the retail space of the previous location, with a vaulted ceiling, log cabin-style porch and dedicated areas for membership information, merchandise and educational displays developed in collaboration with the National Park Service. The second floor includes private event space and expanded facilities for GSMA’s creative team and retail staff. The facility, located at 7929 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, is one of eight visitor centers and retail bookstores GSMA operates in and around the park. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening will take place in late winter or early spring.

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Notes from a Plant Nerd

HaywoodBuilders.com 100 Charles St. WAYNESVILLE

BY ADAM B IGELOW

Hey Buds!

unkered down for the long winter, wrapped in multiple layers and prepared for the cold, I have a lot in common with the flower and leaf buds of woody plants. I tend to go dormant during the dark time of the year just like the trees and wildflowers. I’m not evergreen — I’m very much a deciduous being, biding my time and conserving my energy, ready to burst forth with vigor and growth again come springtime. While native plants may not have a woodstove, rocking chair, choice beverages, Tom Robbins novels, WNCW radio and a cat in the lap to help them get through, they still need ways to protect themselves for the winter. Especially the parts that need to start growing come springtime: namely, their leaves and flowers. Over the long and deep history of plant evolution, deciduous woody plants have developed what we now call buds. Winter has a memory of summer, and winter predicts the spring in the special coverings created from last year’s solar energy, which protect the next year’s new growth and blooms. Both leaves and flowers emerge from plant structures called buds, often wrapped in thick or multiple layers of modified leaf tissue called scales. But not always. Sometimes they’re naked. The buds of the many deciduous trees, shrubs and vines growing in Southern The distinctive catkin of the hazel alder is a helpful clue Appalachia are distinctive to for winter tree identification. Adam Bigelow photo the species and are useful tools for identifying these If you take the flower bud of a rhododenwoody plants in wintertime. You should also dron, which is a squat rounded and pointed consider leaf arrangement, general growth bud prominent on the end of a branch, and habit, leaf scars from last year’s shed leaves, peel the multiple layers of bud scales or slice bark, growing location and many other facinto the middle and open it up, you can find tors when making an identification, but next spring’s flowers and can even tell if it’s buds are your friends for winter tree ID. the rosebay (Rhododendron maximum) or From the duckbill of tulip poplar Catawba (Rhododendron catawbiense) by (Liriodendron tulipifera) to the cigar shape of American beech (Fagus grandifolia) to the the subtle white or pink color seen inside. So, as you’re walking in the winter trident shape of maple leaves (Acer spp.) where there is a pointed center bud with two woods, see if you can spot the buds of some smaller pointed lateral buds on either side of of your favorite woody plants, and start to look for their differences. See what stands the main one, learning the types and shapes out to you. And when you see some buds, of different buds is key to identifying them make sure to tell them hi. I like to give them when there are no leaves. Oak (Quercus gentle fist bumps, followed by a genuine, spp.) tree terminal buds are arranged in a “Hey buds!” disorderly cluster at the tip of a branch or (Adam Bigelow lives in Cullowhee. He leads stem. weekly wildflower walks most Fridays and offers Leaf buds found along the side of the consultations and private group tours through stem on all willow trees (Salix spp.) are key Bigelow’s Botanical Excursions. to their winter identification, as these buds bigelownc@gmail.com.) do not stick out from the side of the branch

Smoky Mountain News

January 17-23, 2024

Puzzles can be found on page 30 These are only the answers.

but lay tightly pressed (appressed) to the stem. Even poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) can be identified by its off-centered and curved terminal bud, and that’s a helpful one to learn as you can certainly still get a rash in the winter. Flower buds too can be distinct and diagnostic. Spicebush flowers (Lindera benzoin) are shaped like tiny golden basketballs. Flowering dogwood (Benthemidia florida) have terminal flower buds shaped like Hershey’s kisses or little Russian onion dome roofs. The male flowers of hazel alder (Alnus serrulata) hang from the branch tips, awaiting their emergence in what most call late winter, but I like to call spring.

January 17-23, 2024

Smoky Mountain News

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LEGAL THRILLERS ACROSS 1 Highest roll of a single die 4 Peak in Thessaly 8 Freaks out 15 Subjective paper piece 19 Never dying 21 Kind of cherry named for its shape 22 -- sci. (coll. major) 23 Scaled-down symphony group [1994] 25 Mallorca, por ejemplo 26 "King" primate 27 Writer Ferber 28 Anti-bias job agcy. 29 Gown fabric 30 Program interacting with a remote server [1993] 34 Bygone times 38 Nurtured 39 Kids' song with French lyrics 40 -- to go (gung-ho) 41 "It's ch-chilly!" 42 Whimpered like a baby 44 Place to disclose sins [2010] 48 Coinage for something with no name 53 Beginning on 54 "To -- much is given ..." 55 Nantes' river 57 Sets of points on graphs 58 Shallowest Great Lake 60 Waltz or tango [1997] 63 Itinerant band member, say 66 State after wedlock 68 Having more seepage 69 Panels that may

reverse decisions [2008] 71 Melody 72 Jungle roarer 73 Ouzo flavorer 74 Exact lookalike 76 Brand of rodent killer 80 Horse-man of myth 83 Greeting act conveying confidence [1991] 86 First-rate 88 Flub it up 89 Actress Shire 90 Plant snugly 94 -- -cone 95 Junk email sender 97 Samoan peak famous for trapping clouds [1995] 101 Italian port 102 Exactly 103 Money won in a game of dreidel 104 Claudius I's successor 108 Getting the job done 109 What the first word of each of seven answers in this puzzle is, when preceded by "The" 113 Stun with a charge 114 Canceled by crossing off 115 Revising, as text 116 Bishops' jurisdictions 117 Prescription amounts 118 Berlin article 119 Meadow DOWN 1 Ailing 2 Texter's "If you ask me" 3 Mutant Marvel superhero 4 Celestial ball 5 Like a cold, hard gaze

6 Manhattan eatery since 1927 7 Isolated 8 Ad -- committee 9 Hatchet part 10 Ram or ewe 11 "The Fox and the Crow" storyteller 12 Tabby's scratcher 13 Bobby of hockey 14 Venus Williams' org. 15 Sedative drug 16 Sticky little sheet 17 "Mama" Cass 18 Actress Wiest 20 Texter's "Yikes!" 24 Bolted to escape 29 Riyadh native 30 Sugar source 31 Shore flier 32 "Not yet sure what my answer is" 33 Director Joel or Ethan 34 Killer whale 35 Neighbor of Myanmar 36 Early James Bond foe 37 Not similar 41 Dust jacket write-up 42 Demi and Dudley 43 Departs 45 Cupcake flourish 46 That lady 47 Less spicy 49 Honey-coated Easter entree 50 Anderson of "WKRP in Cincinnati" 51 Cicero's "Lo!" 52 Cake layer 56 ICU workers 59 Actor Stephen 60 Iran's former name

61 Ball-shaped 62 Put on, as an outfit 63 After-bath powder 64 Andy Taylor's boy 65 Sitting atop 66 Suffix with ball 67 Innocent types 70 President before Donald 71 Shallow pan 74 Swarms 75 Huge conflict 77 Sedate 78 Steinbeck migrant 79 Close 81 In -- (more than sleeping) 82 Arm bone 84 Eatery list 85 Baseballer Musial 87 Is really mad 90 Grain fungi 91 "Watch Me (Whip/--)" (2015 hit) 92 "Apollo 13" actor Gary 93 Bills worth 100 bucks 94 "You got that right!" 95 Meat in a sub 96 Coal-mining guys 98 MMA fighter Rousey 99 Armageddon nation 100 Little laugh 104 Silent "yes" 105 Like villains 106 Russo of film 107 Gymnast Korbut 109 Elly May Clampett's pa 110 Good Grips kitchen brand 111 "-- a trap!" 112 Ark.-to-Ill. dir.

ANSWERS ON PAGE 26

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SUDOKU Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, Answers on 26 the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

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Great Sm Smokies mokies

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Smoky Mountain News January 17-23, 2024