Franklin group recognizes new A.T. supporter

Highlands Aerial Park in Scaly Mountain is a new A.T. Supporter with the Franklin Appalachian Trail Community Council.

The Council held its January meeting at the park. Meetings are typically held down- stairs in Franklin Town Hall, with the next one scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7. Meetings are open to anybody interested in supporting the A.T., Franklin’s outdoor community and each other.

Get ready for turkey season

A series of free, online turkey hunting seminars are coming up in February from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

Topics will include biology, species habits, habitats, scouting, essential equipment, setup, effective shot placement, decoy placement and hunting strategies. Classes will be held 7-8 p.m. with an interactive Q&A session at the end. The seminars are intended as a consecutive, threenight workshop, but the format allows students to take one or all of the classes in the order they choose. The seminars are specifically geared toward new hunters.

CLASSES ARE:

■ Tuesday, Feb. 7: Biology for Hunters, Regulations, Where to Hunt and Scouting.

■ Wednesday, Feb. 8: Firearms, Ammo, Clothing and Miscellaneous Equipment.

■ Thursday, Feb. 9: Hunting Techniques and Strategies.

Space is limited with pre-registration required at ncwildlife.org. Classes will be held via Zoom. The classes are timed to take place prior to wild turkey open seasons for male or bearded turkeys, which are April 1-7 for youth under 18 and April 8 to May 6 statewide.

Norton Creek firefly tickets on sale

Save the date for a magical evening watching the synchronous fireflies of the Smokies, with tickets available to see the show at Norton Creek June 8-11.

From the comfort of a luxurious private reserve, participants enjoy food and drink surrounded by gorgeous natural scenery and witness an incredible display of synchronous and blue ghost fireflies (and other glowing critters) guided by knowledgeable staff. Tickets are $250 for June 8, 10, or 11 and $750 for June 9, which includes a candlelight dinner.

Buy a ticket at dlia.org/event/fireflies2023. All proceeds support Discover Life in America, a nonprofit partner of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Cowee School Farmer’s Market is held Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m., at 51 Cowee School Drive in Franklin. The market has produce, plant starts, eggs, baked goods, flowers, food trucks and music. For more information or for an application, visit www.coweeschool.org or call 828.369.4080.

• Jackson County Green Energy Park is once again welcoming visitors. It is open to the public each week 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Public classes will resume this spring. JCGEP will also host live glassblowing demonstrations at Innovation Station during the Lights and Luminaries festival in Dillsboro. For more information email info@jacksonnc.org or 828.631.0271.

B USINESS & E DUCATION

• Haywood Community College will host the seminar “Overcome the Fear of Being Your Own Boss: Small Business Lunch & Learn Series” noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25. Seminars are free to attend. To see the full schedule and register, go to sbc.haywood.edu.

• Haywood Community College will host “Creating a Business Budget You Will Use: Small Business Lunch & Learn Series” noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1. Seminars are free to attend. To see the full schedule and register, go to sbc.haywood.edu.

• Haywood Community College will host “Create & Manage a Powerful Business Brand: MindSpark Live” noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1. Seminars are free to attend. To see the full schedule and register, go to sbc.haywood.edu.

• Haywood Community College will host “Marketing Your Small Business” 9-11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 2. Seminars are free to attend. To see the full schedule and register, go to sbc.haywood.edu.

• Haywood Community College will host “QuickBooks Online,” a four-part series during February. The first session will take 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Feb. 3. Seminars are free to attend. To see the full schedule and register, go to sbc.haywood.edu.

• Haywood Community College will host “Balance & Burnout: Small Business Lunch & Learn Series” from noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15. Seminars are free to attend. To see the full schedule and register, go to sbc.haywood.edu.

• Haywood Community College will host “Relationship Marketing, Your Ground game: Relationship Marketing Series” from 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Feb. 16. Seminars are free to attend. To see the full schedule and register, go to sbc.haywood.edu.

Fundraisers And B Enefits

• Haywood Waterways Association and The Town of Canton are hosting the 11th annual Plunge and Plunge Challenge will take place at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Champion Credit Union Aquatic Center (Canton Pool). The event raises funds for Kids in the Creek and other Haywood Waterways’ other community education activities. For more information contact 828.476.4667 or info@haywoodwaterways.org.

H Ealth And Wellness

• Mountain Area pregnancy Services and the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor work together to provide a casual support group for prenatal and breastfeeding individuals from 1-2 p.m. on Tuesdays at Mountain Area Pregnancy Services, 177 N Main St. Waynesville, NC. All are welcome, registration is recommended. For more information, please call 828.558.4550.

n All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

n To have your item listed email to calendar@smokymountainnews.com

R Ecreation And Fitness

• Adult indoor soccer takes place 6-8 p.m. each Wednesday at the Old Hazelwood Gym in Waynesville. Offered by Haywood County Recreation and Parks, indoor soccer night is $3 each evening with season passes available for $20. Learn more at haywoodcountync.gov/recreation.

Clubs And M Eetings

• Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society will host a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center, 45 East Ridge Drive, in Bryson City. Rob Ferguson, an associate professor of History at Western Carolina University will give a presentation entitled “Tarheels in the Pacific Northwest.” The meeting is free and open to the public.

• The Canton Branch of the Haywood County Public Library Creative Writing Group meets 10:30 a.m.-noon on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. For more information, email Jennifer at jennifer.stuart@haywoodcountync.gov or call 828.356.2561.

• Knit Night takes place at 5:30-7:30 p.m. every second Tuesday of the month at The Stecoah Valley Center. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP is recommended: 828.479.3364 or amber@stecoahvalleycenter.com.

• Sylva Writers Group meets at 10:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at City Lights Bookstore. For more information contact sylvawriters@gmail.com.

K IDS & FAMILIES

• Yoga for kids of all ages will be offered at 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at the Macon County Public Library. Yoga mats not provided. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.

• Creative Writing Club will take place at 3:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of every month at the Macon County Public Library. The first class will take place at Wednesday, Jan. 25. The writing club is intended for ages 8-12. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.

• Move and Groove Storytime takes place 10:30-11 a.m. every Thursday, at the Canton branch of the Haywood County Public Library. Exciting, interactive music and movement story time ideal for children 2-6 years old. For more information contact Ashlyn at ashlyn.godleski@haywoodcountync.gov or at 828.356.2567.

• Wiggle Worms Storytime takes place 10:30-11 a.m. every Tuesday, at the Waynesville branch of the Haywood County Public Library. Ideal for children 2-6 years old. For more information contact Lisa at lisa.hartzell@haywoodcountync.gov or call 828.356.2511.

• Storytime takes place at 10 a.m. every Tuesday at the Macon County Library. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.

• Toddler’s Rock takes place at 10 a.m. every Monday at the Macon County Library. Get ready to rock with songs, books, rhymes and playing with instruments. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.

• Culture Talk takes place at 2 p.m. on the first

Wednesday of every month at the Macon County Public Library. Travel the world from inside your library. This event features guest speakers and food sampling from the location being discussed. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.

• Art afternoon takes place at 3:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at the Macon County Public Library. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.