Smoky Mountain News | January 29, 2020

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Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2020 Vol. 21 Iss. 35

Hatton takes the reins at Sylva Police Department Page 6 Corbin, Conway seek GOP nod for Senate Page 10

CONTENTS

STAFF

On the Cover: Haywood County commissioners listened to two hours of public comment last week concerning a proposal to make Haywood a Second Amendment sanctuary. While passing a Second Amendment sanctuary resolution wouldn’t change the laws, proponents said it would send a clear message to legislators who may attempt to weaken Second Amendment protections. (Page 4)

News Pain specialists discuss opioid stigma ........................................................................3 Hatton takes the reins at Sylva Police Department ..................................................6 New Waynesville police chief a familiar face in WNC ............................................7 State Rep. race has stiff competition in primary ........................................................8 Corbin, Conway seek GOP nod for Senate ............................................................10 Design services approved for Jackson animal shelter ..........................................12 Super Bowl to showcase Sylva ..................................................................................13 Haywood to spend $49K on jail space study ........................................................14 Community Almanac ........................................................................................................15

Opinion Reasonable gun control shouldn’t be overlooked ..................................................16

Singer-songwriter K.M. Fuller to play Innovation Station ......................................20

Outdoors

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Fire Mountain Outpost to open on Qualla Boundary ............................................28

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Real deal boardinghouses don’t exist anymore........................................................39

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Envision Pain Management opens in Clyde Pain specialists say opioids still have a proper place in treatment

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UNDERSTANDING PAIN

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“Pain management is still a relatively new field — it’s only been around 20 years or so and it’s still poorly understood,” Hecker said.

Hecker worked at a private practice in Bryson City a few years back and realized how underserved the region actually is when it comes to any specialties, let alone pain management. After heading back up north, he started making plans to return to Western North Carolina with a clinic to meet those needs in the community.

“What’s unique about this clinic is it is the largest freestanding pain clinic in Western North Carolina and that’s crucial because you can get services at a significantly cheaper rate but at the same level of care as you would in a hospital setting,” he said.

All physicians used to deal in pain management for their patients whether it was the primary care doctor or a surgeon, Hecker said, until they realized it really demanded its own specialty. That’s why he said it’s so important for Envision’s providers to be board-certified pain specialists.

“The training we have is comprehensive — medication, procedures and other resources as well as behavioral health and mental health evaluations,” he said. “Pain management is still done in primary care offices, but many times they don’t approach it from a comprehensive perspective.

Behavioral health issues with pain complaints are definitely under-recognized.”

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January 29-February 4, 2020

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR or years opioids were overprescribed by physicians and overused by patients, leading to skyrocketing rates of addiction, overdoses and drug-related crime. Now that the issue has risen to the level of a national public health and safety crisis, society is more aware of the dangers associated with opioid abuse and physicians are learning new ways to manage patients’ pain levels.

Meanwhile, pain management specialists are dealing with the backlash and trying to maintain a delicate balance between adhering to the new standards surrounding prescribing these drugs while also making patients understand that opioids still have a proper place when it comes to treating chronic pain.

A new freestanding pain clinic recently opened in Clyde — Envision Pain Management — and providers Dr. Travis Hecker and Dr. Daniel Atkinson took the time to sit down with The Smoky Mountain News to talk about the stigmas associated with opioids and other forms of pain treatment that have proved successful.

opioids is high. Tolerance and dependence Treating and managing pain is not spinal stenosis pain with an implanted will happen — addiction may happen.” always a quick process — it can take device called the Superion — an “H” shaped months to find the right treatment for an spinal spacer. individual. So many patients experiencing “With Superion, there’s probably two or UTURE OF OPIOIDS pain don’t see a doctor because of financial three doctors in Western North Carolina hardships or maybe they’re primary care that can do that procedure and I’m one of Despite the risks, Hecker said opioids still doctor can’t find a proper diagnosis. Either them,” Hecker said. have a rightful place in pain management for way, people end up self-medicating with Perhaps one positive to come out of the patients suffering from certain chronic condidrugs and/or alcohol to deal with the disopioid crisis and stricter regulations surtions whether they have cancer or a terminal comfort. Meanwhile the pain gets worse rounding prescriptions, is a broader look at disease or other procedures have proven overtime. With a better education about pain management and a focus on developing unsuccessful. When the goal is to get patients pain and successful treatments, Hecker “opioid-sparing” treatments like the ones back to a good quality of life, Atkinson said hopes to find more people the long-term offered at Envision. Hecker said 15 years ago it’s all about evaluating the potential risks relief they’re seeking. and benefits of using opioids “When you’re in pain you and continually monitoring can also suffer from anxiety the patient’s progress. and depression because “Yes, there’s probably a maybe you can’t sleep and pool of patients that will you have a loss of function, need opioids to function and which impacts your mental sleep, which is why evaluathealth — it’s all connected. ing who that is takes time There’s also the socioeconomand specialty training,” he ic factors like a significant hissaid. “We offer many modalitory of abuse, poverty, tobacties and sometimes that does co use and all that needs to be include opioids.” treated to have the best Hecker’s and Atkinson’s chance for a positive outhope is that patients will come,” Hecker said. come to the clinic for treatAtkinson agreed that no ment before their condition matter someone’s socioecobecomes more serious. Once nomic status, those dealing it becomes chronic pain, it’s The staff at Envision Pain Management Dr. Travis Hecker, (from left) Autumn most likely a pain that has to with chronic pain are also Davis, Crystal Maine, Kristen Townsend and Dr. Daniel Atkinson prepare to be managed over the course likely coping with depression and anxiety. welcome new patients after first opening in Clyde. Jessi Stone photo of someone’s life through “There’s going to be a lot physical, behavioral and of layers that have to be unwrapped,” he the government was paying physicians based medical procedures. said. on their patient satisfaction scores, which “Some patients have acute problems, and Atkinson was originally trained in anesmade doctors more inclined to prescribe if we can evaluate it quickly we hope to stop thesia, but he said he missed the patient opioids to quickly get pain levels down. it from becoming chronic,” Hecker said. “For interaction.

With what is now known about opioids, the patients who’ve had pain for a long time, we “You get to see patients on the floor medical community came to understand have to dig in and find the source, get a diagbefore a procedure but it’s short term. You that was not a successful model. nosis and shift them back to recovery.” don’t get to see the result and response — “It’s been good to put the spotlight on Atkinson said there’s a website now that that’s the puzzle piece I was missing. I like opioids because it’s forced us to look at other allows the state to monitor the number of the procedure side of things and impacting ways — it’s shifted the pendulum,” he said. opioids being prescribed by physicians. It their lives,” he said.

“Opioids have been the mainstay of pain also allows physicians to keep an eye on their “I think if you talk to more anesthesiolomanagement for years, but over time we’ve prescribing track record and alerts them to gists they’ll all say that. They’re experts in discovered two things: we’ve had a poor any red flags that should be amended. opioids and pain but it’s the patient experiunderstanding of chronic pain, and opioids “There’s still a lot of confusion surence we miss,” Hecker said. “It’s been a natu- in general for a majority of people don’t rounding new laws and I think there’s some ral translation to pain management. It’s a work and have significant risks associated scare tactics going on with some physicians good fit because we really understand opiwith them.” who think if they’re not a pain physician oids and pain and we can bring all of it What he’s seen happen to so many peothey can’t prescribe narcotics,” Atkinson together.” ple is that they were overprescribed opioids said. “I get a lot of referrals from people for a short-term pain from an acute injury or thinking they can no longer prescribe, but surgery and ended up with an addiction. they can.”

PIOID SPARING TREATMENTS Without affordable access to behavioral The three biggest pain complaints they health services and specialties like physical expect to treat are headaches, hip pain and Pain management can take many differtherapies or the more advanced pain manjoint pain. While Envision will take walk-ins ent forms at Envision Pain Management. agement treatments, Hecker said it makes to the clinic, Hecker said they prefer to take Hecker said the clinic provides leading-edge sense how the opioid problem has spiraled referrals and take a collaborative approach minimally invasive operative, procedural out of control in the region for years. along with the patient’s primary care doctor. and non-operative pain care with the most “They get started for acute pain and tranRight now the clinic has two providers current FDA approved therapies. and six employees total. They anticipate The clinic offers standard joint, knee and sition to long-term opioid use. In this region there hasn’t been a lot of focus on physical needing eight or nine employees as new shoulder injections, but also have the ability therapy or specialty care — so when opioids patients are added. In the next six months, to offer spinal cord pumps, an implantable are the only tool you have that’s what you Hecker said they hope to have three to four pain management system that can relieve use,” he said. “In reality, the percentage of locations established in the region to neuropathic pain when oral medications people that get addicted to opioids is small. improve access for patients. For more infordon’t work and surgery has been ruled out.

The people that become dependent on them mation, call 828.237.8001 or visit www.enviFor non-operable back pain, the clinic is high and people who become tolerant of sionpainmanagement.com. can offer VertiFlex, a procedure for treating 3

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Haywood commissioners get earful on 2A sanctuary status

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER he opening act of what promises to be a protracted melodrama played out in the Historic Haywood County Courthouse last week before a large group of citizens representing a microcosm of modern-day America and modern-day American ideals.

“I don’t do Facebook. I call it ‘Fakebook,’” said Haywood Commission Chairman Kevin Ensley. “If you read any statements on ‘Fakebook,’ I didn’t make them.”

Ensley was speaking in response to a number of false statements made about him and fellow commissioners on social media after a Jan. 7 Smoky Mountain News story first outlined their respective stances on a divisive and emotional proposal — whether or not Haywood County should become a Second Amendment sanctuary.

At that time, commissioners all expressed support for the creator-endowed right to bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. What they didn’t do was express explicit support for a standalone sanctuary resolution.

Such resolutions — in which local governments affirm their refusal to enforce laws they deem unconstitutional — aren’t new, but they have been sweeping through North Carolina’s neighbor to the north, Virginia, in response to a number of gun control measures proposed by the newly unified Democratic majority in the Virginia General Assembly.

Those proposals resulted in a peaceful gathering of thousands of pro-gun demonstrators in Richmond on Jan. 20. A day later, a group of Haywood activists that had organized themselves in the interim spent more than two hours telling commissioners why they thought such a resolution was needed,

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but not before Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher told them all what his role would be.

“I support our citizens’ protected right to bear arms under the Second Amendment and the doctrine of judicial review that grants to the United States Supreme Court and the lower courts the power to determine the constitutionality of any law,” Christopher said at the outset of the meeting. “Sheriffs do not possess the legal authority to interpret the constitutionality of any law.”

Although purely symbolic, sanctuary resolutions are still necessary, according to proponents, because they send a clear message to legislators about the community’s values.

Some cited home defense, hunting, heritage or the Constitution as their reason for pursuing sanctuary status, but the meeting wouldn’t have been a microcosm of American society without heart-rending comments from the mother of a shooting victim.

“I’m a native of Haywood County.

Thank you for letting me speak tonight.

This is not going to be easy for me. I’m glad to know that we all here want safe, responsible gun ownership. My family has been a victim of gun violence,” said Natalie Henry Howell. “My son Riley was killed by a school shooter at UNC-Charlotte on April 30 of this past year.”

Riley Howell was hailed as a hero after it was revealed that once a gunman opened fire in his classroom on the last day of classes, Howell ran toward the gunfire and tackled the shooter, ending the salvo. Howell lost his life in the process, but saved the lives of many others.

“I know that Riley’s shooter had a 9-millimeter gun and had several extended magazines,” she said. “I know that my son was killed by bullets that came from an extended magazine. He was the last one shot and

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Haywood County resident Luther Sutton speaks in favor of a Second Amendment sanctuary resolution at a meeting on Jan. 21. Cory Vaillancourt photo once Riley tackled that gunman no one else was shot that day. He was shot by bullets 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 — he was shot eight times that day.”

Howell said such magazines shouldn’t be available for civilian use, and also called for tighter background checks — two reform proposals that helped prompt the unrest and sanctuary measures in Virginia.

“I’m not real sure I understand why someone who says they want responsible gun ownership wouldn’t be for background checks that are thorough,” Howell said. “The shooter who killed my son should have never owned a gun.”

Despite speaking before a standing-room only crowd of hundreds of people mostly in support of a sanctuary measure, Natalie Henry Howell’s emotional comments were met with a reverent silence.

“Let me put a face on this for you,” she said. “My family, again, has been shattered by gun violence. I will never get Riley back.

So you guys who hear about these people who were killed in school shootings or harmed by domestic violence partners, those are people with faces and names and families and they are gone forever. We can’t get

him back. We’ll never get them back.”

Howell left the meeting after her comments, which were met with loud applause and a standing ovation, but not before the chairman made a parting comment.

“Natalie, that took a lot of courage and I appreciate you coming,” said a visibly shaken Kevin Ensley. “A parent should never have to bury a child.” he meeting continued unabated as Ensley recognized more than two dozen attendees who still wished to speak, the overwhelming majority of whom were in support of asking commissioners to draft a formal Second Amendment sanctuary resolution, place it on a future agenda, and pass it.

Back when commissioners were asked by SMN for their opinions on the matter, there were only two sanctuary counties in North Carolina — Cherokee and Rutherford. Since then, more than 20 have followed suit. On Jan. 14, a week prior to Haywood’s meeting, Macon County commissioners entertained similar opinions, and may have something on the agenda for the Feb. 11 meeting.

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there, somewhere — may not be here in Haywood County — but somebody out there’s saying ‘Take all the guns away.’ And that’s a difficult task to do. That will never happen in the United States of America, I can guarantee you that … I will promise that I will try to do what’s right, and I have heard you loud and clear this evening.”

In reiterating statements made to SMN weeks ago, Commissioner Mark Pless explained that the best way to honor the Second Amendment might not be by passing a symbolic resolution in support of a value commissioners are already sworn to uphold.

“Virginia’s in a mess because 50.4 percent of their population decided that they were going to show up and vote in 2018,” Pless said. “We’ve got a lot of judges, conservative judges, we’ve got a lot of conservative candidates that will fight and defend your right [and] will not legislate from the bench because of their personal feelings, but because of what the Constitution says ...

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Haywood commissioners concluded the public comment portion of their meeting by clarifying their positions.

“Your mom and daddy probably taught you at an early age that haste makes waste sometimes,” said Commissioner Tommy Long. “This proposed resolution — and I think we’ll get there — it is simply an affirmation of what I said I’d do a year ago, a statement that we resolve all over again that we the Haywood County Commissioners not subject our county to a tyrannical government and any encroachment will not be supported in any way. It’s a statement to back up what we’re currently doing. Just like the sheriff took an oath to defend the Second Amendment to the Constitution, we did too … When we consider a resolution we will carefully examine the wording and take our time, not only the first 10 amendments but the other 17 that contain many of our civil liberties as well.”

Even though there aren’t any serious pending threats to Second Amendment

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• When you preserve a fruit or vegetable in a brine (vinegar, salt, or sugar, water and spices/seasoning) mixture it is called PICKLING Natalie Henry Howell, mother of shooting victim Riley Howell, addresses Haywood County commissioners. Haywood County video screenshot Virginia lost because they didn’t get out the vote. One of my greatest fears in this is that we’re going to do something that’s going to upset the other side. They [Republicans] were shocked on Election Day when they lost control of Virginia. They had control of it forever. The saddest part is, this voter turnout in Virginia was the highest since 1914.”

Chairman Ensley closed the public comment session with a promise to weigh what was said, and what the commission’s next act might be.

“If you know me by trade I’m a land surveyor, and I’m very analytical and methodical and evidenced-based. When I do something, I don’t do anything in a hurry. Most of my clients get mad at me because it takes too long to do a survey and I understand that, but when they get the survey it’s right.

They don’t have to go back and call me a few weeks later and say ‘I’ve got a problem,’ because there’s not a problem. I do the same thing here when I’m doing work as a commissioner,” Ensley said. “I’m going to look at all the evidence that we have whether or not we should do a resolution.”

• If the cucumber is cut before pickling into long slices or long wedges, these are known as SPEARS • If the cucumber is sliced into horizontal wedges or rounds and the brine includes sugar, these are BREAD and BUTTER pickles.

• Pickled small cucumbers are called GHERKINS • A “KOSHER” pickle is not necessarily prepared according to Kosher dietary guidelines, but has been pickled in a brine that includes garlic and dill.

Pickles are popular on charcuterie (meat and cheese) platters, in sandwiches or wraps, on burgers and chopped up into salads or just to enjoy as a low in calorie snack item.

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rights in the North Carolina General Assembly, Commissioner Brandon Rogers said that it was time for a preemptive statement on behalf of the county.

“I never thought that we would have to take a stand to defend our constitutional right as we’re discussing here today, but we are one election away from having the same thing happen to us in North Carolina that happened in Virginia,” Rogers said. “I have been paying close attention to the events unfolding in Virginia and believe it is time that we take action and not only stand with our neighbors in Virginia but send a message to our legislators that we’re going to uphold and defend our constitutional rights, which is our right to bear arms.”

Commissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick, the board’s lone Democrat, attempted to quell fears that any infringement on Second Amendment rights was probable, or even plausible.

“There’s another side to everything,” Kirkpatrick said. “There always is and there always will be. For every person in here arguing for gun rights, there’s somebody out

• A pickled whole CUCUMBER is known as a PICKLE

January 29-February 4, 2020

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The next challenge Hatton takes the reins at Sylva Police Department

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ylva’s newest police chief was looking for the little town in Jackson County before he knew it existed.

“I didn’t want to work for a big huge agency where you don’t know your officers’ names,” said Chief Chris Hatton. “I also didn’t want to go somewhere we were dealing with violent crime every day, every day a shooting or a robbery. I’ve done that. I didn’t want to do it again. Truthfully, I was looking for Sylva for two years. I didn’t know that then, but I was looking for a place where you can live a good life and be surrounded by good people.”

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January 29-February 4, 2020

Sylva has been Hatton’s home since taking the job in August 2019, and it’s proven a good fit — though busier than he expected going in.

“When I was researching Sylva trying to decide if this was somewhere fit for me to work, I saw 3,000 people and 14 officers and thought, ‘This is awesome,’” he told the town board during a Jan. 23 budget meeting. “Now here I am six months later saying I need more people.”

Fewer than 3,000 people actually reside in town limits, but Sylva sees a daily traffic volume north of 30,000. It’s home to the only Wal-Mart in the county, and a hub for tourists and Western Carolina University students. The police are policing many more than 3,000 people.

That situation has only become more challenging. In 2019, the Sylva Police Department received 30 percent more calls for service than it did in 2016, increasing from 6,236 to 8,199. Total arrests have more than doubled, rising from 232 in 2016 to 483 in 2019. Felony arrests make up the bulk of that increase, tripling from 84 in 2016 to 252 in 2019. Drug charges have also risen sharply, nearly doubling from 118 in 2016 to 224 in 2019.

Hatton attributes that trend to a combination of drug-related issues and to people simply calling the police more readily then they have in the past.

“When I first started 20 years ago, people only called the police when something was wrong,” he said. “Something has happened so bad that I can’t handle it myself and I have to call the police to help me with it. That’s not the case now. People will call for anything, 6 and I mean anything.”

People call the department for help chasing wildlife out of their garage or to mediate a disagreement between neighbors. Elderly people ask for help with various tasks, and homeless people ask for help finding a place to sleep. Hatton recalled a recent incident in which an officer was called to Wal-Mart to deal with a women who was yelling and screaming in the parking lot. It turned out she was from another state, and she’d been dropped off there alone, with no money and a phone that was out of minutes. The officer calmed her down, bought her some minutes and stayed with her while she called someone from out of state.

“He probably spent an hour and a half with her getting all that done, and for us that’s a no report kind of call,” said Hatton.

“No crime happened, no stat for that.”

Those are the kinds of calls officers actually love to respond to, he noted. It’s just difficult when the volume is so great.

“If we don’t get more folks, service is going to have to sacrifice somewhere,” he told the town board last week. “At some point we’ll have to stop doing something that we’re doing. That’s alarming for me, so I’m sort of ringing the bell here.”

CHANGING LIVES When Hatton entered the police academy in 1997, it was “an exploratory thing,” he said — he wasn’t sold on law enforcement as a career.

“When I got in I was even a little leery of police officers then,” he said. “I didn’t know what I was going to learn once I got in, but what I found was the most noble group of people that I’ve ever been around.”

He graduated the academy with the highest test score in his class and took a job at the Lenoir Police Department, which would lead to a series of events that would instill an abiding conviction in the power of police to affect their communities for good.

Truthfully, I was looking for Sylva for two years. I didn’t know that then, but I was looking for a place where you can live a good life and be surrounded by good people.”

— Chief Chris Hatton

As a rookie officer, Hatton was stationed in one of Lenoir’s tougher, lower-income areas. At the time, it was pretty much standard to put new officers in those types of situations, the idea being that if you can police there, you can police anywhere.

Violence and drugs permeated the neighborhood, but Hatton quickly found that most of the residents were good people wanting to live a peaceful and productive life.

“There were a few people ruining that for them,” he said. “One particular little lady comes to mind — her name was Betsy, and

As police chief, Hatton oversees a budget of $1.3 million and a department of 14 sworn officers. Holly Kays photo

Calls for service have increased dramatically in the past three years. Donated graphic

Betsy was the sweetest old lady you could ever meet, but she was afraid.”

She didn’t have enough money to move, so instead she stayed indoors and slept in the center of her house, away from any windows that could let in a stray bullet.

“That lit the fire for me for drug work, because I could see what crack cocaine was doing to the neighborhood,” said Hatton.

After about four years on the job, the Caldwell County Sheriff ’s Office — Lenoir is in Caldwell County — offered Hatton a position as a narcotics investigator, and he spent the next six years as an undercover detective.

For part of that time, he was also sworn with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.

Hatton and his colleagues worked hard to not only capture drugs that had already arrived in Caldwell County but to track them to their source in Atlanta. They carried out some massive arrests and prosecuted a lot of

people in federal court.

“It wasn’t an easy road and it wasn’t a passive road,” he said. “It was an aggressive road, because we had to do it through strength and not just being nice to everybody.”

The magnitude of the arrests hit the community hard. But ultimately, Hatton believes, the pain was worth it.

“While the prosecution was going on, I started seeing people planting flowers in their yards, doing things outside,” he said. “It was really cool to see this community come out of the house and live what we think of as a normal life.”

The experience took its toll, though. Once it was all over, Hatton was ready for a calmer assignment, and for the chance to fulfill a longtime goal of earning his bachelor’s degree.

“We ran hard for six years, and honestly about all of us paid a real

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personal toll for that,” he said. “It was not easy on our families. Maybe we should have gone home a few days when we stayed and worked. But it’s one of the most gratifying things I’ve ever done, because you could daily see your work changing people’s lives. You could see it. And that was like a drug to me.”

Hatton, his wife, and his K-9 Ria moved to the Raleigh-area town of Rolesville, where Hatton became a patrol supervisor with the Rolesville Police Department. When Hatton got Ria, he’d made sure to set it up so she would stay with him, regardless of where his career took him. He owned the dog, and the county just leased her.

Rescued from a kill shelter, Ria was “the best dog that ever lived,” Hatton said. They worked together for six years, and she lived for three more after that. There’s a painting of her on the wall of his new office in Sylva.

There was still one more move between Hatton and his new home in Sylva, though.

After four years in Rolesville he got a call from the Boone Police Department about a job opening for a narcotics sergeant. When he told his wife about the possibility, her eyes lit up, he said — her family is in Asheville, and she wanted to be closer. Hatton held the narcotics sergeant job for 1.5 years and then was promoted to investigations manager, a job he did for six years. During that time he completed his bachelor’s degree and also finished a master’s of justice administration.

“Boone was really good to me, for sure, but I was ready for the next step,” he said. “I was kind of getting sort of complacent in my job. I can’t sit still, which is one of my problems — as soon as I feel like I’ve mastered what I’m doing, I’m ready for the next challenge.”

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

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The next challenge, Hatton decided, should be a job as a police chief. He visited Sylva with his wife and knew immediately it was the right place for them.

“We fell in love instantly here,” he said.

“We just love this place. It gets you first because it’s beautiful to look at, and when you meet the people it’s over. They’ve got you.”

It’s a great community and an upstanding department, but that doesn’t mean there’s not plenty for a new police chief to do. The need for more officers is certainly a challenge — Hatton has found himself filling in on patrol and responding to calls, tasks that fall outside what a police chief is typically paid to do.

It’s increasingly difficult to find qualified people for law enforcement jobs, and that fact compounds the difficulty. Fewer people want to go into law enforcement these days, so it’s important not to exasperate existing employees.

“It’s not just Sylva getting busier,” he said.

“The police are getting busier, and we have the smallest amount of applicants we’ve ever had.”

Internal processes have also been a focus.

The department has a backlog of evidence and unclaimed property. Hatton wants to get some software in place to simplify management of all that, and to generally increase the time efficiency involved with office-based tasks like filing police reports.

He’s also been researching effective options for nonlethal use of force. Hatton wants his officers to have options other than deadly force, but that’s not as easy as it seems.

David Adams. franklinpolicenc.org ment, including on patrol, as a detective and as a captain of the Criminal Investigations Bureau of the City of Hendersonville’s police department.

Adams earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice as well as a master’s degree in management and leadership but continues to engage in ongoing professional development opportunities like the FBI’s Leadership Training and Command College, the Public Executive Leadership Academy at UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Government

of his department can certainly deploy what he sees as the most important tool any law enforcement organization possesses — relationships with people.

“I’ve walked with Black Lives Matter protests and I’ve walked with police protests, and I’m walking in uniform beside people who are yelling, ‘Death to police officers,’ and yet they’re glad I’m there,” he said. “They always say to me, ‘We’re not talking about you guys. You guys are great.

We’re talking about those other guys.’ It’s my opinion that there are no other guys.”

Not to say that there are no bad cops, said Hatton — just that they are few and far between and tend not to last that long in the profession. Most disagreements about police action dissipate when citizens have the chance to sit down with officers and hear an explanation of what decisions were made in a given instance, Sylva Police Chief Chris Hatton and his K-9 Ria worked as and why. In Boone, one of his a team during his tenure in Caldwell County and roles was to have those conversaRolesville. Donated photo tions with residents and organizations, to help build bridges “The problem with nonlethal stuff is it between law enforcement and the communisounds great when you’re talking about it, ty at large. but in the real world, actual application, “I would sit down and say, ‘What’s your they’re not as good as what you think they organization’s mission statement?’ and then I are,” he said. would say, ‘Here’s mine,’” Hatton said. “And Finding the right solution — and the guess what? They’re the same things. We funds to enact it — will be a lengthy process. want the same things. The question is, how 7 But in the meantime, Hatton and the rest are we going to do it?”

Smoky Mountain News

“Waynesville is known as one of the best departments in all of Western North Carolina and probably the state,” said Adams, who starts in his new position on Feb. 27. “Chief Hollingsed did a phenomenal job with technology, with equipment, with manpower. He’s very well respected.”

So well respected, in fact, that he was named the executive director of the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police a few days before his official retirement; as such, Haywood County resident Hollingsed will continue to loom large over North Carolina’s law enforcement community, from Waynesville to Wilmington.

In the council-manager form of municipal government, the only people the mayor and Board of Aldermen directly hire are the city attorney and the town manager. As town manager, Hites had the final say-so on naming Adams.

According to a press release issued by the Town of Waynesville on the afternoon of Jan. 24, Adams has 20 years of experience, the last eight as chief of the Franklin Police Department. Over those two decades he’s worked at almost all levels of law enforce-

January 29-February 4, 2020

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT Staff Writer ranklin Police Chief David Adams will have some big shoes to fill when he becomes Waynesville’s new police chief, but according to Waynesville Town Manager Rob Hites, Adams is the right person to fill them.

After more than 20 years at the helm of the Waynesville Police Department, Bill Hollingsed announced last May that he’d step down as chief, effective June 30. Since then, the town has been engaged in a methodical process to identify his replacement.

More than 30 candidates applied through a professional search firm. The top 11 applicants went through an oral interview with a retired police chief who is part of the search firm. After scoring, that pool was narrowed to seven.

“I interviewed every one of the seven to make sure I knew them firsthand,” Hites said of the firm’s final candidates. “I think we all came up with the same selection.”

That selection ended up being a Western North Carolina native with plenty of regional experience.

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New Waynesville police chief a familiar face in WNC

and several other programs at the N.C. Justice Academy. He’s also a former squad leader and paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division of the Unites States Army.

“He had the combination of experience and formal training that I believe is necessary to keep the department moving in the manner that Chief Hollingsed had it moving,” Hites said. “On top of that, he’s a WNC born-and-bred chief and already works in our judicial district, so he knows the district attorney and the prosecutors.”

Raised in Hendersonville, Adams traces his family lineage to Haywood County’s Cataloochee area and understands the subtle similarities shared by communities of varying size.

“It’s mostly the same on smaller scale — opioids, meth, heroin,” he said of Waynesville, compared to Hendersonville. “And the homeless issue, it’s a nationwide epidemic.”

His mission, he said, is to keep improving the reputation of a well-respected department and to push community engagement.

“I’m looking forward to a great opportunity, and meeting citizens, business owners and staff,” said Adams. “I have an open door policy.”

Hites, however, did remark that the hiring of Adams wasn’t without a small bit of sadness.

“The biggest regret I have,” he said, “is taking him away from a town I have a lot of respect for.”

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Clampitt, Mau offer stiff competition for Queen, each other

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER ver the past decade or so, there’s been only one serious candidate willing or able to run for the District 119 House seat currently occupied by Waynesville Democrat Joe Sam Queen.

Swain County Republican Mike Clampitt first tested the waters back in 2012, when he was unopposed in the Primary Election. He lost that year’s General Election by just over a thousand votes — less than 4 percent — to Queen.

The next go-round, Clampitt faced fellow Republicans Aaron Littlefield and Dodie Allen in the primary, beating both by more than 40 percentage points, but again lost to Queen by just over a thousand votes — this time, about 5 percent.

In 2016, Clampitt was again unopposed in the primary, but the General Election held a different result, with Clampitt besting Queen by a margin of just 277 votes, or less than 1 percent.

Some may chalk that up to an “if at first you don’t succeed …” mentality, but there’s little doubt the substantial surge of support for long-shot presidential candidate Donald Trump had something to do with the 1,500vote swing to Clampitt between 2014 and 2016.

Last time, in 2018, Trump wasn’t on the ballot per se, and Clampitt — again unopposed in the Primary Election — lost his seat to Queen by about 1,400 votes, or less than 5 percent.

This time, though, there’s a serious challenger to Clampitt in the Republican primary.

“One of the big motivations is that nobody’s really thrown their name in that ring for about 10 years,” said Jackson County Commissioner Ron Mau, a Republican who resides in Cullowhee. “And in going through my process to make my decision, we — and when I say we, there’s a group of us that were working on this — we realized one of the biggest comments was, “it’s time for a new voice in the district, for District 119, in Raleigh. It’s time for something different.”

Different isn’t always better just for the sake of being different, but Mau thinks he has some insight into why voters would choose a name they don’t know as well as Clampitt’s.

“I think my experience as a county commissioner is a big plus,” said Mau. “I don’t believe Mr. Clampitt has been a county commissioner, and I know from talking to former and current members in the General Assembly who had been county commissioners that that has been an invaluable experi8 ence to them.”

Smoky Mountain News

January 29-February 4, 2020

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N.C. House District 119 MIKE CLAMPITT • Age: 64 • Residence: Swain County • Occupation: Retired fire captain • Political experience: One-term N.C. House representative, three-time unsuccessful House candidate

Mike Clampitt

RON MAU • Age: 55 • Residence: Cullowhee • Occupation: Finance and economics professor, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University • Political experience: Former board member, Forest Hills, first-term Jackson County commissioner, unsuccessful candidate for chairman of Jackson County Commission Mau’s got a point, especially in the deepred west, where a virtual Republican machine has enjoyed a very orderly and calculated hold on power that has almost without exception flowed through the Macon County Board of Commissioners.

First, it was Franklin Republican Jim Davis, who left the commission to become a state senator. School board member Kevin Corbin was appointed to his commission seat and later ran for state House, winning two terms. When Davis announced he wouldn’t seek re-election to his Senate seat, it was Corbin who declared his intent to follow in Davis’ footsteps. Macon County Commissioner Karl Gillespie, in turn, is now running unopposed for Kevin Corbin’s House seat.

Davis has consistently referred to himself as a misplaced county commissioner and may now take that county-level mentality all the way to Washington, D.C., as a frontrunner in the race to replace Congressman Mark Meadows.

Mau hopes a similar focus will send him to Raleigh. ”You know, I’ve been on the receiving end of the unfunded mandates and have had to deal with those, but that will help me in Raleigh,” he said. “When there’s an unfunded mandate that comes from Raleigh, it’s usually a commissioner that’s figured out how to deal with it.”

Mau said he’s focused on a few main issues.

“One is making sure that North Carolina and the district are competitive from an economic standpoint,” he said. “That could be a

Ron Mau whole host of things. We’ve got to make sure we’re competitive in the region to attract businesses and make it easy for entrepreneurs to create jobs, which is good for everybody.”

The other is education. Mau’s background is in education, his wife’s background is in education and both his parents have a background in education, as does his sister.

“I’ve seen what teachers have to deal with, and what we have to do to help make education better,” he said.

Perhaps tying both of those issues together is the subject of high-speed internet access, which is touted as both an economic driver and a boon to students. In rural Western North Carolina, it’s nearly impossible to find affordable broadband and the problem gets worse the further west one travels.

“Right now it’s sort of messed up,” said Clampitt. “It’s messed up in the sense that Frontier is looking at going into bankruptcy in the spring. They’ve been the sole provider here. I don’t know what ‘s going to happen, but we’re going to have to have technology solve that problem with 5G micro towers, because putting stuff in the ground is cost prohibitive.”

Clampitt and other WNC legislators, including Queen and Corbin, have attempted

to address the problem and so far haven’t seen much success. But if the issue of highspeed internet access is going to be solved in the legislature, it’s going to be solved by experienced legislators, according to Clampitt.

“Having had the previous experience of being in the House as a legislator and addressing the needs in Swain, Jackson and Haywood County, this race is about having experience over a newcomer,” he said.

That experience has led Clampitt to focus on some of the more theoretical, big-picture issues faced not only in places like Bryson City, but also in Boston, Baltimore and beyond.

“That would be the Second Amendment, freedom of speech, personal property rights and being pro-life,” he said. “The bill that [Gov. Roy Cooper] vetoed on live-birth abortion is a real stigma in a lot of people’s eyes.

My competitor that I’ve had in the past [Queen], if I’m facing him in November he’s sided politically with the governor on that, and that’s just not a real mountain cultural value.”

Another issue that Clampitt somewhat unwittingly found himself at the center of a few years back was the debate over cannabis, both medical and recreational. As more and more states — most recently, Illinois — continue the march toward nationwide recreational legalization, it’s not far-fetched to imagine that debate playing out in the North Carolina General Assembly over the next few years.

“I don’t immediately see a trend to legalize recreational marijuana, simply because some say it’s a gateway drug and some say it’s not,” he said. “Now, the CBD and the cannabis that’s used for pain management, you know I do see a use for that medically.

Given the group that will hopefully be elected, I don’t see legalization of the intoxicating form of cannabis.”

Although there’s support for legalization in the agricultural community, there’s also plenty of opposition from law enforcement and other constituencies that don’t want recreational cannabis in their communities.

Mau, like Rep. Queen has said in the past, is adopting a wait-and-see attitude.

“I would probably tend to let the CBD part of that mature, but monitor and see what happens,” said Mau. “We have some natural experiments going on, so we can see what’s happening — what are the issues, what are the problems. I have heard about the law enforcement issues. I’ve seen some articles that state that. And then there’s also, I believe in Colorado and Oregon, they’ve had a drop in overdoses from opioids and a lot of that is credited to the legalization of marijuana, so you’re talking about saving people’s lives.”

The legalization of recreational cannabis is an especially hard ask, given how the opioid crisis has ravaged Western North Carolina; right or wrong, many people have been reluctant to add another intoxicating substance to the mix while still dealing with a supposedly safe drug that has clearly and severely decimated an entire generation.

“We’ve got to address the opioid issue,” said Clampitt. “Incarceration is not always the answer. We’ve got

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“I’ve been on the receiving end of the unfunded mandates and have had to deal with those, but that will help me in Raleigh.”

— Ron Mau

“Having had the previous experience of being in the House as a legislator and addressing the needs in Swain, Jackson and Haywood County, this race is about having experience over a newcomer.”

Cove Creek Road closing for repair

Welcome reception for new HCC president

N.C. Department of Transportation officials recently awarded a contract to stabilize a hillside on Cove Creek Road about five miles from Jonathan Creek Road in Haywood County.

S.W. Ledford, of Hayesville, earned the contract for $999,930, more than 40 percent less than the original estimate.

NCDOT engineers and officials from Great Smoky Mountains National Park have determined the safest course of action is to close public access to the Cataloochee area until construction is complete.

The winding, narrow and unpaved road will be closed starting Feb. 10. It is scheduled to reopen on May 20. Crews will restore the original width of the road by building a new retaining wall on the slope above the road to help prevent future slides and unexpected closures.

In 2013, a slide removed a portion of the road and hillside below the road. NCDOT crews made short-term repairs that have kept the road passable for more than six years. Now, these improvements should stabilize this location for decades.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will close Highway 284 — the alternate route into Cataloochee from Tennessee — throughout the duration of the construction project at the park boundary approximately two miles north of Mt. Sterling Gap.

Haywood Community College’s board of trustees will hold a drop-in welcome reception for new College President Dr. Shelley White from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, in the lobby of the Charles M. Beall Auditorium.

White most recently served as vice president of economic and workforce development/continuing education at AshevilleBuncombe Technical Community College.

In the event of inclement weather and the campus is closed, the reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13. For more information, call 828.627.4516.

FUR holds adoption event Feline Urgent Rescue of Western North Carolina (FUR) invites members of the community to “find your purrfect mate” during its first adoption day of 2020. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the public can stop by the cage-free, no-kill sanctuary without an appointment to meet and play with available kittens, adult cats and senior cats from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, located at 38 Safe Haven Drive, in Waynesville.

For this special event, FUR will be reducing their standard adoption fees. For more information, visit www.furofwnc.org or call 1.844.888.CATS (2287).

January 29-February 4, 2020

— Mike Clampitt

Two weeks ago, Clampitt told The Smoky Mountain News that he believes Republicans will take back the District 119 House seat, whether it’s him or Mau who gets to face Queen.

Last week, Clampitt doubled down on his prediction.

“He’s going to win again, regardless of what the left spins. Their selling out of America to socialism has turned people off.

Let’s look what Trump’s done in his four years being in office — I never thought I’d see the stock market go to almost 30,000. I never thought I would see so many businesses have help wanted signs up,” he said. “Trump will win by a landslide. And all Republicans that will be on the ballot, unless there’s some major blow up between now and November, I’ll think all the Republicans on the ballot will do well because of good business sense, commitment to the Second Amendment, free speech and pro-life values.”

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e those bills were passed, North Carolina was s kind of looked at as the model, so we’re make ing progress and we’ve just got to make sure that it stays in the forefront,” said Mau. “I think there’s still people maybe not fully aware of just how much of a problem it is in g the region. North Carolina has made some great progress, and we’ve got to keep that n moving forward.” o The recognition that the opioid crisis is t not simply a law enforcement issue is an t important one, but as it transitions from a problem for cops to a problem for docs, s another contentious and as yet unresolved issue is the debate over access to health care.

D “There are some potential issues with e Medicaid expansion,” Mau said. “Estimates e are over the next 10 years it will cost the state e $6 billion. So, where does that money come from? That is a big thing. And so we have to e figure that out. How are you going to pay for - it? Is there a way to pay for it? Is that more I taxes? Do you take money from other prod grams?” f Mau also cited a frequent argument made - by Rep. Queen in favor of expansion, namely s that it would also create lots of jobs and economic activity. Mau’s not buying those s claims.

- “That’s happening in urban areas, but the h research says that has not been the result in e rural areas,” said Mau. “If your hospitals and g other medical institutions are not improving a financially, it is hard to expand your workd force. That’s what the research has indicated, and that was done by the University of North ” Carolina. So right now I’m not proponent of Medicaid expansion because of the cost.”

Clampitt, in this case at least, agrees with

Mau. “The thing about it is, we got the state back on track economically with jobs, curbing debt to the feds and stabilizing the state’s retirement system, which does need a little more work,” Clampitt said. “We took ourselves out of the hole, but expansion to Medicaid has to be paid somehow, so if we can come up a way for financing it, I’m all for it, but to just arbitrarily say ‘We’re going to do it,’ and then the feds leave us holding the bag, I’m not for that.”

Mau said he’s aware of the alternative proposal backed by Rep. Corbin — called Carolina Cares — but hasn’t yet formulated an opinion on it. Clampitt said he’s open to the idea.

“I could go with what Kevin is saying on that,” Clampitt said. “It’s one of those things where they’ve researched it, looked at it and seen the cost value of that expense so if it’s a workable solution that doesn’t increase the tax burden on everybody, then I can go that route.”

Just as in the 2016 General Election, the issues mentioned by Clampitt and Mau may end up taking a back seat to the candidates at the top of the ticket; Clampitt was one of the few candidates at that time to declare that Republicans were united behind then-candidate Trump, and one of even fewer candidates to predict Trump’s victory and the effect he would have on down-ballot Republican races across the country, including his own.

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t to get these people some help and it’s not just - the Narcan, it’s about achieving recovery n after the identification of what their problem - is.”

Clampitt was an ardent supporter of Sen. f Davis’ STOP Act, as well as several subsed quent pieces of legislation designed to stem d the diversion of legal opioids to illegal streetg level distributors. He’s also been a proponent of needle exchange programs. s “I supported all of those efforts in the e sense that they are protection for the public n and first responders,” he said. “I advocated d for getting something that would do away with the stigma of ‘needle exchange’ programs I call the mobile infectious disease unit s and will continue to do that.” t Mau says those measures have put North Carolina ahead of the curve and earned national notice. t “I have a son who worked on Capitol Hill s and his experience up there was that, after all

828.944.0288 | MaggieValleyWellness.com 461 MOODY FARM ROAD, MAGGIE VALLEY

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Corbin, Conway seek GOP nod for Senate

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER hen five-term N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, RFranklin, announced his surprise retirement at the Macon County GOP headquarters last fall, it wasn’t much of a surprise that he’d asked two-term House Rep. Kevin Corbin, a Republican also of Franklin, to succeed him in the Senate.

Corbin’s actually followed Davis’ path before — when Davis, then a Macon County commissioner, first won election to the North Carolina General Assembly, it was Corbin who served out the rest of Davis’ term after Corbin himself had already served for two decades on the Macon County Board of Education.

What was a surprise, though, was the announcement of Sarah Conway, who at that same event said that she, too, would be a candidate for Davis’ seat.

“I’m running organically,” Conway said.

“No one asked me to run, which my understanding is that that is unusual. I was compelled to run because I wanted to make sure that our epidemic in Western North Carolina was worked on — in other words, we have a narcotics epidemic in Western North Carolina and so when I was reading the statistics, it just compelled me to run.”

Conway, of Highlands, is a retired radiologist; coming from the medical community she’s well aware of the damaging effects that

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Sarah Conway of getting addicted to these agents and how they can avoid that. And so prevention is extremely key.”

For some, prevention won’t work because it’s already too late to stop them from using drugs that result not only in a debilitating addiction but also in a tremendous social cost to taxpayers. One possible solution cited by health care professionals and addiction treatment specialists alike is the wider availability of health care coverage — like Medicaid

January 29-February 4, 2020

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stem from the misuse of drugs and cites the opioid epidemic as probably her biggest campaign issue.

“Right now I feel like a doctor would be perfect because of the opioid epidemic that we have,” she said. “If we had an agricultural crisis, I would love to see a seasoned farmer or perhaps an agricultural Ph.D. I have a theory — right person, right crisis, at the right time. Once that crisis is contained and we have found solutions for the crisis, I feel it’s important to pass the torch so that the next person can contribute their talents and skills as well. That’s how we all maintain our voice in government.”

Davis, along with Corbin, has been among the most active North Carolina legislator in addressing the opioid epidemic through several bills that have clamped down on the number of pills that can be prescribed by physicians, as well as removing obstacles to needle exchange programs that help stop the spread of infectious diseases. Conway says she has a multidimensional approach that could also yield results.

“I think one of the most important facets to my plan is prevention. How do we prevent people from getting addicted in the first place? My theory is, it starts very young,” she said. “I’d love to create an educational template which can be used in schools as young as eight to 10 years old, for students where they can understand the health ramifications

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expansion — and the increase in behavioral N health services that would bring.

Corbin had bucked his party in support of Medicaid expansion, but has since dialed that back a bit to instead express his support for Carolina Cares, a compromise proposal. As the owner of two insurance agencies, Corbin brings a unique perspective to the rural health care coverage debate.

“I co-sponsored that bill in the house,” he said. “It’s not straight

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— Sarah Conway

KEVIN CORBIN • Age: 58 • Residence: Franklin • Occupation: Insurance agency owner • Political experience: Two-term N.C. House representative, 20 years Macon County Board of Education, six years Macon County Commission That includes fielding concerns about Department of Transportation projects, addressing problems with the Department of Revenue and various other licensing agencies.

“I would say in the past going on four years now, we’ve had calls concerning probably every aspect of state government,” he said. “It’s been a learning curve, trying to learn all these areas, but it’s been a pleasure.”

Corbin thinks that message will earn him the votes he needs to emerge from the March 3 Primary Election as his party’s nominee.

“You can put this on the record or not but my opponent seems to be very intelligent. I have a lot of respect for her and we’ve had a very respectful campaign,” he said. “I think the difference is clearly experience. To me, when someone goes for a seat like the Senate, I have a voting record to look at. When you have no voting record, then all you can say is, ‘Well, here’s what I think I might do,’ or ‘Here’s what I believe.’ I have a record, an established record.”

That record has elicited praise from a number of advocacy organizations including the American Conservative Union, which scored his voting record at 92 percent and bestowed upon him its Conservative Excellence Award.

Conway says her brand of conservatism is less institutional, something she hopes will boost her prospects at the polls.

“I have great respect for anybody that has served and that has run for office,” she said.

“I guess my opinion is I feel as though I want more grassroots people to be able to contribute their voice. This seat is open, currently, so in truth there’s really no incumbent for this particular seat. My whole view of government is very different. It’s very grassroots conservative. I want more people to run, I want us all to have more of a voice and I want to pass the torch more quickly.”

Whoever emerges as the Republican nominee for the seat, they’ll eventually have to make those arguments to a broader segment of North Carolinians, including Democratic and unaffiliated voters.

“Going back to my record, I’ve had my two terms, I’ve had very successful freshman and sophomore terms. I’ve worked hard for my district. All four of the counties that I represent now [Cherokee, Clay, Graham and Macon] have gotten additional school construction money, additional funding for

“I think the difference is clearly experience. To me, when someone goes for a seat like the Senate, I have a voting record to look at.”

— Kevin Corbin

that President Donald Trump will somehow impact this one, for better or for worse; Trump is as likely to garner praise if Republicans surge at the polls as he is likely to draw blame if they don’t.

“That’s a really good question. I think the jury’s out on that one,” Corbin said. “I think the folks that support President Trump are clearly behind him and are clearly motivated to vote and to be involved in the process and folks that are opposed to him, I think they feel the same way.”

Smoky Mountain News

She does, however, recognize the increasing need for mental health services, and is a proponent of a novel idea that takes into account the far-flung, isolated nature of Western North Carolina’s population.

“I thought it would be interesting if we could have a mobile mental health unit,” she said. “One that would go through all my seven counties, so if there’s a particular county that’s having a particular crisis, at a particular time we could have the mobile unit go out to that county.”

The opioid epidemic certainly isn’t the only issue Corbin and Conway will have to deal with, if they can get past Canton Democrat Victoria Fox and Sylva Libertarian Clifton Ingram — neither of whom have a Primary Election opponent — in November.

As a conservative, Conway said she’d like to see the state continue to make progress on paying down its debt and take up the issue of term limits.

As a seasoned legislator who’s spent nearly 30 of his 58 years in government at one level or another, Corbin said his main focus is addressing the needs of his constituents.

“That has been a top priority of mine, constituent service,” he said. “What we do when we go to Raleigh is certainly important and legislation is important, but as a representative elected to represent about 83,000 people in this district, I’m the only voice they have in state government.”

SARAH CONWAY • Age: 57 • Residence: Highlands • Occupation: Retired radiologist • Political experience: First campaign

Republicans, Corbin said, by and large support the performance and agenda of Trump, who brings energy to both Republicans and Democrats.

“Look at the improvements in the economy,” Corbin said. “Unemployment numbers are the best they’ve been in decades. The business climate in North Carolina is the best it’s ever been and that’s not a political statement. It’s just an economic fact. I would certainly acknowledge that Trump is a polarizing individual. In Western North Carolina, you have a conservative base, even Democrats. I think most folks in our district tend to be fiscally conservative, if nothing else. I think when they look at the economy and how it’s doing, I think that’s going to be a positive thing.”

Conway isn’t as certain that partisanship will play a central role in the November elections, should she make it that far, but is hopeful voters will see beyond the traditional red/blue paradigm to make the best choice.

“I guess we’ll have to see how the races go,” she said. “If there’s a lot of momentum behind the president, then I would anticipate that there would probably be a lot of momentum for the Republican Party. But I think it’s important for everyone who goes to the ballot box — whether they’re unaffiliated, Democrats or Republicans — to really look not with a broad brush, but look at the individual and look at the person who’s running, look at their credentials, look to see if they’re a visionary thinker, if they’re a deep thinker, if they’ll listen to you. That’s almost more important to me than the partisanship.”

January 29-February 4, 2020

“We have a narcotics epidemic in Western North Carolina and so when I was reading the statistics, it just compelled me to run.”

Senate District 50

classroom teachers, for supplies,” Corbin said. “If you look around and see all the orange barrels, you’ve seen all the transportation money that we’ve gotten for this district.

So it’s about working for your district. Again, to go back to what I answered earlier, it’s not necessarily about what you do in Raleigh or things you accomplish as a legislator. You’re there to represent your district.”

As with every other race on North Carolina ballots in November it’s presumed

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up Medicaid expansion, which I think most Republicans are opposed to, but what this has is a work requirement. If you’re able and you’re not disabled, there’s a work requirement. There’s a premium requirement of up to 2 percent of your income, which if you make minimum wage ends up being about 20 bucks a month. And then there’s a requirement to get your preventive care.”

Conway said she wasn’t completely familiar with the Carolina Cares proposal, but wasn’t exactly in support of Medicaid expansion, either.

“I’d have to look at the details of each plan. I have read quite a bit about Medicaid expansion. I guess my biggest fear for Medicaid expansion is that I do not want to dilute Medicaid resources for the truly disadvantaged and disabled,” she said. “This is an extremely vulnerable population that needs resources. What I have read is that the expansion could extend into able-bodied young adults that could potentially be in our workforce. I favor more reasonably priced health plans, so patients have choices, such as ‘skinny’ plans and association plans; we also need more medical doctors in Western North Carolina.”

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news

Design services approved for animal shelter

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ackson County Commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 21 to approve a design services contract for the animal shelter project planned for the Green Energy Park property.

McMillan Pazden Smith will complete construction and design documents for both the animal rescue center and the entire Green Energy Park campus, also administering subsequent construction. The total cost of these services will be $397,000, or 10 percent of the entire project. That cost includes $217,353 for the animal rescue center and $179,647 for the remainder of the Green Energy Park campus. Additional campus improvements will include a walking trail and dog park atop the closed landfill and grading of the entire facility. However, the county will receive $60,108 in credit toward that total price tag to account for schematic and programming fees already paid to the firm for earlier phases of the project.

The bill will be significantly lower than the $436,775 outlined in the project ordinance commissioners passed last month.

While architecture and engineering fees average out to 10 percent of the entire proj-

Smoky Mountain News

January 29-February 4, 2020

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ect cost, engineering fees are significantly higher than 10 percent and architecture fees are significantly lower. The higher engineering fees are due to the difficulties associated with building on an old landfill, said County Manager Don Adams.

“The complexity of the site, I think it could be argued that this would be generally more than the 8 percent cost, so I’m OK with 10 percent,” Adams told commissioners during a Jan. 14 work session.

In light of continued concerns about erosion issues at the Millennial Apartments project in Cullowhee, Commissioner Gayle Woody said during the same work session, it’s important for the county to make sure it has a solid plan for stormwater control.

Adams said that there will be erosion control and grading plans and that, while it will be a state-inspected project, the county can ask for additional inspections.

“Because we’re local government the same inspectors that inspected the (Millennial Apartments) project will be inspecting us,” he said. “Having said that, that doesn’t mean I can’t utilize the services of (Jackson County Land Development Administrator) Steve Beasley to look at the erosion plan and go out there and help us as the owners to make sure

The new animal shelter (shown in blue) will replace the existing facility on Airport Road and be built on the site of the current Green Energy Park office. McMillan Pazdan Smith rendering things are installed properly.”

According to the timeline outlined in the contract, it will be 30 weeks until bids are opened. This will include six weeks for design development, four weeks to deliver an updated cost estimate, 12 weeks to prepare construction documents, four weeks for review and permitting and four weeks for bidding and negotiation.

That schedule puts the project a few months behind the timeframe Adams had hoped for. In the fall he told commissioners that he anticipated putting the project out for bid in spring 2020, awarding the bid in early summer and completing the project in

Public comment open for DOT projects Area residents will get a chance to provide input on what transportation projects they would like to see included in the next North Carolina Department of Transportation’s 10-Year transportation plan for 2023-2032.

A statewide 30-day public comment period to submit project ideas will be held between Jan. 27 and Feb. 28. Also, during the 30-day period there will be a three-day open house held at NCDOT Division 14 headquarters at 253 Webster Road in Sylva for in-person input about potential projects in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Polk, Swain and Transylvania counties.

Interested residents can attend the open house during regular business hours on Feb. 4-6 to get a chance to submit transportation project ideas and talk with NCDOT staff.

Residents who can’t attend the open house can still be part of the process by contacting Steve Williams of the Division 14

summer 2021. The timeline outlined in the contract would result in an August bid opening.

A $5.39 million project ordinance passed in December provides $3.97 million for construction, of which about $3 million would be used to build the animal shelter. The remaining funds will be used to build a parking area, remake the closed landfill into a park with walking trails and complete grading on the site. Rounding out the $5.39 million is $437,000 for architecture and engineering fees, $40,000 for engineering and permitting, $347,000 for furnishings and fixtures and $596,000 in contingency funds.

office at sjwilliams@ncdot.gov; NCDOT Division 14, 253 Webster Road, Sylva, NC 28779; or 828.586.2141 during the 30-day comment period.

Free tax prep offered Volunteers will be available to assist people of all ages with federal and state income tax preparation and filing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Fridays Feb. 3 through April 14 on a first-come, first-served basis at the Department on Aging in Sylva.

On Tuesdays this same service will be provided from 2:30 to 6:45 p.m. by appointment only at the Jackson County Library in Sylva.

Call 828.586.2016. There is no charge for the service at either location.

A similar service is provided in Waynesville at the HART Theater on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in Franklin at the Macon County Public Library on Mondays and Tuesdays, and in Murphy at the Murphy Public Library on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

All volunteers are trained and certified.

Super Bowl to showcase Sylva The picturesque old courthouse in Jackson County attracted FOX sports filmmakers to Sylva. Joe Pelligrino photo

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imply, it is the Church founded by Jesus Christ, established by the Apostles, and handed down through the centuries to today. oly Resurrection Orthodox Church is a canonical mission Church meeting in Waynesville. Our services are in English, all are welcomed to worship with us, and we have a special outreach to the poor and the lost, and to those who seek to love God by loving others.

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Interested? Contact us at 828-775-9122 or Orthodoxwaynesville.org

Bookstore

Holly Kays to Present Her Book,

Trailblazers & Traditionalists Saturday, Feb. 1st 2-4PM

3 EAST JACKSON STREET • SYLVA

828/586-9499 • citylightsnc.com

PLANNING TO SHED SOME WEIGHT THIS YEAR? the county sent a photo of Mark Watson Park with all the flags from the Sylva Rotary Club’s Flags for Heroes Program up. The program hosts Field of Honor events on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Veterans’ Day, during which American flags that each represent a different military veteran or service member are displayed.

“The scenes that were shot were Mark Watson Park with the Charters of Freedom and the Flags for Heroes, the old courthouse outside area, and they also did some interviews with Mr. Carpenter inside the library and the Community Room,” said Adams.

Adams said he expects the segment to air

sometime before the national anthem.

Kickoff for Super Bowl LIV between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, and will air on FOX. The video may not identify Sylva as the filming location — no locations were identified in the 2017 broadcast — but nevertheless the broadcast is a boon to Sylva, said Adams.

“I believe it just showcases our community as a whole, and it showcases our facilities, and it showcases how well our maintenance and our community maintains our area,” he said. “Ultimately, I just think it’s an honor that we had a Medal of Honor winner here in our community.”

the change in order to avoid conflicts with his work schedule, which requires him to arrive by 4 p.m. on the days in question.

With that change in place, commissioners’ regular schedule will now include a 6 p.m. meeting on the first Tuesday of each month, a 1 p.m. work session on the second Tuesday and a 1 p.m. meeting on the third Tuesday. Meetings are held in Room A201 of the Jackson County Justice and Administration Building, and work sessions are held in Room A227.

Commissioners also voted Jan. 21 to adopt a budget calendar, which will include a budget retreat at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20; a special-called budget meeting for revenue discussions at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27; and special-called budget work sessions May 21 and May 22.

The meeting schedule change and budget calendar were approved by four of the five commissioners, with Commissioner Mickey Luker absent for the meeting.

— by Holly Kays, staff writer

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Smoky Mountain News

The Jackson County commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 21 to change their regular meeting schedule, with their second monthly meeting to be held at 1 p.m. rather than 3 p.m. going forward.

Chairman Brian McMahan requested

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January 29-February 4, 2020

Jackson commissioners change meeting schedule

Orthodox Christian Church?

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BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER estern North Carolinians tuning into the Super Bowl this Sunday might do a double take when they glimpse scenes of Sylva in the pre-game programming.

“The county was contacted by FOX Sports,” said Jackson County Manager Don Adams. “They located Jackson County basically because they were looking for courthouse scenes in North Carolina, and so when they searched courthouses in North Carolina, the Jackson County Library — the old courthouse — kept popping up.”

On Jan. 5, a camera crew came to town to film a segment called “Ragged Old Flag” featuring Congressional Medal of Honor winner Lance Corporal Kyle Carpenter and scenes of the courthouse as well as the Charters of Freedom display of flags and founding documents at nearby Mark Watson Park.

FOX aired a similar segment, also titled “Ragged Old Flag,” during the 2017 Super Bowl. That video uses the Johnny Cash song of the same name and features introductions from singer Harry Belafonte and Olympic gymnast Simone Biles. Modern patriotic scenes and historical re-enactments play during the song.

Carpenter received the Congressional Medal of Honor on June 19, 2014, in recognition of his actions while serving in Afghanistan on Nov. 21, 2010. Carpenter and another Marine were manning a rooftop security post to defend the village of Marjah from a Taliban attack when the enemy attacked with hand grenades.

“Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Carpenter moved toward the grenade in an attempt to shield his fellow Marine from the deadly blast. When the grenade detonated, his body absorbed the brunt of the blast, severely wounding him, but saving the life of his fellow Marine,” according to the Medal of Honor citation. Carpenter’s jaw and right arm were shattered, and he lost his right eye as well as most of his teeth.

Because Carpenter was driving out from Charlotte, Sylva’s location was perfect for the filming, said Adams. While it was the courthouse that initially attracted FOX Sports, the filmmakers were even more intrigued when

What is the

Register online at WaynesvilleYogaCenter.com 274 S. MAIN ST. WAYNESVILLE 828.246.6570

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Haywood County Detention Center is running out of space for inmates and is looking at a future expansion. File photo

Haywood to Start the New Year Off Right! spend $49K on with a membership to jail space study MAGGIE VALLEY CLUB Contact Membership Director, Caitlin Noland for more info 828-926-4831 1819 Country Club Drive Maggie Valley, NC

January 29-February 4, 2020

M AG G I E VA LLEY C LU B . CO M

Haywood Cancer Center is pleased to welcome REBECCA ROQUES-DAVIS, M.D. Board Certified in Medical Oncology

Smoky Mountain News

Dr. Roques-Davis has joined Jennifer Heaberlin, D.O. and Charles Thomas, M.D., F.A.C.R.O.

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS!

828-456-5214

49 Spicewood Dr Suite 10B • Clyde 14

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR aywood County Commissioners approved spending $49,000 to fund a space needs study at the detention center.

Sheriff Greg Christopher approached commissioners a few months ago about the growing jail population and the need for additional cell space to safely house inmates.

In March 2013, the average daily jail population was 109 inmates and as of Nov. 8, 2019, the average daily population was 112, according to Christopher. The maximum capacity at the detention center is 149 — 109 in the main jail facility and only 31 of the beds are in the female pod.

As of December 2019, Christopher said the average daily inmate population is 133 — 99 male and 34 female. The detention center is also detaining 16 inmates that should be serving their sentence in a state correctional facility but there’s not enough room for them at the state level either.

Back in November, Christopher told commissioners that space was already an issue when he became sheriff in 2013, but jail ministry programs as well as getting Haywood Pathways Center up and running had delayed the need for additional jail space by reducing recidivism rates. However, Christopher said he doesn’t think an expansion project can be delayed for much longer.

With the increasing number of female inmates and the need to separate inmates charged with violent and nonviolent crimes, Commissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick said more space was needed.

“We knew when we built the jail we’d have to build on another pod at some point — didn’t realize it would be in 15 years,” he said.

While he doesn’t know what the results of the space needs analysis will be yet, Christopher is fairly confident the jail will need at least two new pods. However, he said he would also like the county to build for future growth as well so another expansion

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isn’t needed in another 10 to 15 years.

“Whatever we do, when we do it this time I don’t want two or three sheriffs down the road to have deal with it,” he told commissioners.

Kirkpatrick said he wouldn’t want to see an expansion that would significantly increase the jail’s personnel and operational budgets either.

Todd Davis with Moseley Architects said the firm really tries to take all those factors into consideration during the analysis.

Christopher said depending on the recommendations Moseley comes back with, the jail may have to look at changing the way inmates are supervised. Instead of checking the pods every 30 minutes, some jails — including Buncombe and Henderson counties — are now using direct supervision methods where an officer is inside an inmate area for an entire 12-hour shift.

Moseley has done these types of space studies for a lot of county governments.

Most recently the firm completed a $300,000 space needs study for all of Macon County’s facilities. The results reported in November were no surprise to Sheriff Robbie Holland, who’s been dealing with an overcrowded jail for the past few years.

Moseley recently presented Macon commissioners with a list of top priorities totaling more than $125 million in needed infrastructure projects, including a massive project to consolidate the courthouse, sheriff ’s department and the detention center operations into a new justice center complex to the tune of $77.3 million.

The good news for Haywood’s jail, Davis said, is that the larger core pieces of the facility — like the medical exam space and the kitchen — were built larger than other jails he’s seen in the region. Macon County’s detention center doesn’t even have a kitchen, making an expansion project nearly impossible.

“We won’t have to add more kitchen space — maybe just more equipment.

Usually we have to redo the kitchen and that is hard to do and keep the facility running at the same time,” Davis said.

Commissioners unanimously approved a $49,000 contract with Moseley to complete the space study, which will include evaluating the current facility, forecasting inmate populations through 2040, projecting costs, present findings to commissioners as well as submit a written report.

Community Almanac

Smoky Mountain News

Sarge’s wraps a successful project

Chamber honors director’s service

Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation volunteers completed a successful gift wrapping project, wrapping holiday gifts for donations to Sarge’s in December at the Waynesville Mast General Store.

One hundred percent of the donations raised will go toward taking care of homeless dogs and cats at Sarge’s Animal Rescue in Waynesville. For information on adopting animals at Sarge’s, donating or volunteering, call 828.246.9050 or visit www.sargeanimals.org. “Like” Sarge’s on Facebook to see all the happy pet adoption news.

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recently recognized Julie Spiro Donaldson for 20 years of service as the chamber’s executive director from 1999-present.

In 1999, Donaldson was responsible in part for saving and restoring the Historic Hooper House on Main Street in Sylva to eventually become the home of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.

Over the next 20 years, she also created or cocreated the WNC Fly Fishing Trail (2008), the Concerts on the Creek music series (2009), the resurgence of the July 4 Fireworks Festivities (2015), N.C. Trout Capital (2016), and the Hook, Line and Drinker Festival (2017).

First Citizens donates $25,000

Canton church to host ‘Night to Shine’

Grant to expand foster care in Haywood

Help Pathways fill empty bowls

Pinnacle Church in Canton will serve as one of nearly 655 churches around the world registered to host Night to Shine 2020, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, on Friday, Feb. 7.

Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older. Every guest of Night to Shine enters this complimentary event on a red carpet complete with a warm welcome from a friendly crowd and paparazzi. Once inside, guests receive the royal treatment, including hair and makeup stations, shoe shining areas, limousine rides, corsages and boutonnieres, a catered dinner, karaoke, prom favors, a dance floor — all leading up to the moment when each guest is crowned king or queen of the prom.

For additional information, visit www.pinnacle.church/event/1706890-2020-02-07-night-toshine-2020/

Children’s Hope Alliance (CHA) is determined to expand foster care services to meet the pressing demand in Haywood County.

The Community Foundation of WNC gave a boost to CHA’s efforts to expand its number of foster homes through the “Fostering Success” program. The $20,000 People in Need grant will be used to recruit and train foster parents in three WNC counties. Funding will pay for website updates for the program, appreciation and networking events, as well as promotional materials for recruitment.

Anyone interested in being a foster parent or otherwise helping should contact Children’s Hope Alliance at 844.791.3117 or childrenshopealliance.org.

Haywood Pathways Center will hold its second annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser on Feb. 27 at HART Theater in Waynesville.

Local restaurants will compete for the opportunity to take home the official HPC 2020 “Filler of Bowls” award. Attendees will also enjoy choosing from a large selection of local, handcrafted pottery made and donated by artists in the area. Guests will sample each soup in several categories and vote for their favorite by secret ballot. Doors open at 6 p.m. for general admission ticket holders; early entry is at 5:30 p.m.

This event, in combination with HPC’s annual Charitable Golf Tournament, is a primary source of financial support. If you are a potter or a restaurateur and would like to participate, email mandy@haywoodpathways.org or visit haywoodpathwayscenter.org to register.

Tickets may be purchased at haywoodpathwayscenter.org or at the Pathways Center, 179 Hemlock St., in Waynesville, or 828.246.0332.

Funds available for Macon nonprofits Macon County nonprofit organizations have until Feb. 13 to apply for county funds through the Macon County Community Funding Pool.

Application forms and instructions are available at www.maconnc.org. Hard copies may be made available at Macon County Public Library on Siler Farm Road in Franklin, the Hudson Library on Main Street in Highlands and the Nantahala Public Library on Nantahala School Road. Call ahead to make sure a copy will be ready for pickup.

First-time applicants must contact Karen Wallace at 828.524.3600, or Bobbie Contino at 828.342.7872, to discuss their proposal. Groups not incorporated as nonprofits may enlist an established nonprofit to serve as their fiscal agent. Collaborative agency proposals are encouraged to leverage limited funding and to share resources.

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SCC offers nonprofit summit Southwestern Community College is offering a workshop to provide local nonprofit organizations with the tools they need to support their services and achieve long-term success.

The Small Business Center at SCC will host a “Nonprofit Summit” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, in the Burrell Building on SCC’s Jackson Campus.

Nonprofit experts from both Jackson and Macon counties will be leading seminars for the day.

There will be a total of 10 speakers representing five different organizations with more than 150 years of combined experience in the nonprofit world. Workshop topics include donor relations, board and staff development, communications, stakeholder engagement, marketing and more.

Participation is free and lunch will be provided. Registration is required: http://bit.ly/nonprofitsummitSBC. For more information, contact Henry at t_henry@southwesterncc.edu or 828.339.4426.

Become a big January is National Mentoring Month, and Big Brothers Big Sisters is pushing hard to enlist more Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

More than 700 mentors are currently serving Little Brothers and Little Sisters in Western North Carolina, but more are needed — especially men.

In 2020, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina is asking people in the region to resolve to become a Big Brother or Big Sister. Several dozens of children are waiting to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister in WNC. Being a Big means committing to spending a few hours a month with a young person doing things that you love to do, like playing basketball, visiting the library or learning how to cook.

Community residents can get involved during (and after) National Mentoring Month by visiting bbbswnc.org and looking for the county in which they want to volunteer.

The North Carolina Community Foundation recently announced a $25,000 gift from the First Citizens Foundation on behalf of Raleigh, N.C.headquartered First Citizens Bank to support the Jackson County Community Foundation and Macon County Community Foundation.

“With this gift, First Citizens Bank is proud to build on its foundation as a community partner in Macon and Jackson counties,” said Peter Bristow, president of First Citizens. “Now that Entegra Bank is part of First Citizens, we have an opportunity to make an even greater community investment as we continue to give back to assist people and organizations locally.”

The local Jackson County Community Foundation and the Macon County Community Foundation, both affiliates of the North Carolina Community Foundation, will each receive half of the gift to support local community grantmaking. These funds will provide grants for local causes and are focused on meeting local community needs.

Health foundation meeting mission Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation has awarded more than $2.5 million dollars to area charities since its founding on Feb. 1, 2019. The Foundation was reconstituted from the assets of the Highlands Cashiers Hospital Foundation when Mission Health, a nonprofit organization was sold to Hospital Corporation of America, a for-profit organization last year.

The Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation (HCHF), in its inaugural year, funded 23 organizations $1,024,124 to increase access to health care. The funded programs and initiatives included increasing access to mental health, dental and primary care providers, outfitting emergency transport vehicles with state-of-the-art equipment and providing sustainability measures to successful and longstanding health programs.

“The Foundation looks forward to another tremendously impactful year in 2020, as it will unveil strategic priorities that will truly move the needle forward for Highlands, Cashiers, and the surrounding communities.” said Robin Tindall, executive director and CEO of the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation.

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

Finding middle ground is a must “Let me put a face on this for you.”

So uttered Natalie Henry Howell in a gut-wrenching presentation to Haywood County Commissioners and a roomful of Second Amendment Sanctuary supporters on Tuesday night, Jan. 21.

Natalie, her husband Thomas, their three remaining children and so many other family members and friends are dealing with the aftermath of senseless gun violence. She’s the mom of Riley Howell, the Haywood County youth whose heroic tackling of a gunman last April 30 on the campus of UNC Charlotte cost him his life while likely saving many others.

Howell was shot eight times by a young man wielding a 9 mm pistol with an extended magazine. The 13th shot from his gun was the first to strike Riley.

Howell courageously questioned the need for extended magazines (which are illegal in several states) and argued for stricter background checks for gun purchases.

Trump defies the global elites To the Editor: The hysterical, savage and frenzied attacks on President Trump by Democrats, the media, powerful deep state and political establishment has been ongoing ever since the day he was elected. Most think this continual insulting harassment is because Trump is not a part of the D.C. club, is brash, outspoken, ignores political correctness, it was not “his turn” and he operates on a completely different style than the entrenched power politicians. These assumptions are true and valid, but the most dangerous and destructive antiTrump cabal is the global elitists whose goal is a new world order. In the USA the global elite includes presidents Carter, Clinton, the Bushes and Obama and their new world order agendas that sells out American jobs, American workers and American sovereignty.

Trump’s America-first initiative is a distinct threat to those goals of the new world order elitists who pull the strings of governments worldwide.

Everything President Trump has done defeats the power and profit of the global elitists. He pulled us out of TPP, the Paris Climate Accord and renegotiated NAFTA. He is securing the border threatening cheap illegal labor, imposed tariffs on China and just negotiated an initial trade agreement with China. These moves by President Trump are a grave danger to the global elitists that includes big business, big media, big finance and big government.

It is no wonder that multi-millions of global elite dollars are funding the anti-Trump political agenda through dozens of front groups assigned to fight Trump’s reelection.

“The shooter who killed my son should never have owned a gun,” she said, barely holding her emotions in check.

The bandwagon for Second Amendment sanctuaries is filling up fast, but reasonable gun control measures shouldn’t get run over in the rush. There is room for both in the country I proudly call home.

When I say there is room for both — gun rights and gun control legislation — I’m telling the truth. And people like Natalie and Thomas Howell, people who have suffered more than Editor they should have due to random gun violence, feel the same way. And in poll after poll, it seems a substantial majority of Americans also feel the same.

I understand the symbolism of the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement. Hell, if there was a similar movement for the First Amendment I would likely be one of the torchbearers. But all Americans would do well to remember that asking elected leaders in this country to support the Constitution — which includes the Second Amendment — is

Scott McLeod

Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides.

— Margaret Thatcher, former prime minister of the United Kingdom

LETTERS Such groups are funded by global elitists like George Soros, Hillary and Bill Clinton. For other names worldwide check out The Superclass List then Agenda 21, Southern Poverty Law Center, Open Society Foundation and “philanthropic” organizations such as Arabella Advisors whose “story” includes “helping clients whose promising ideas with the power to effect deep social change often require up-front capital.”

Much to the dismay of global elitists, the new world order is under threat all over the world not only in the USA. Think Brexit, the yellow vests in France, populist governments in Hungary and Poland. Leading the threat is President Donald J. Trump who fights successfully for the American people, our constitutional rights, liberties and the sovereignty of our nation. No wonder the global elitists have their sights on Trump and his defeat in 2020.

Carol Adams Glenville

Censure Pompeo for his conduct To the Editor: I am constantly sickened by the rate at which our country is being driven into the toilet by the dishonesty, incompetence, and venality of this GOP administration.

These are terrible times for any thinking person. I so often feel appalled and disgusted at the caliber of this GOP administration’s actions.

The lying and slandering by this administration has to be stopped. It devolves to the Congress to demonstrate that America is in fact a place where the “rule of law” matters. I

like asking someone to support honesty or motherhood: there is only one right answer.

Among the other speakers at the hearing in Haywood County last week was Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher. Whether Haywood commissioners pass a Second Amendment Sanctuary resolution or not, Christopher reminded everyone that his office — by law — is committed to enforcing the laws of the state of North Carolina and the United States. In effect, he’s saying a local resolution will not change his enforcement of existing laws or new laws that may be passed at the state or federal level.

So the question becomes whether lawmakers should be in the habit of passing symbolic yet, ultimately, meaningless resolutions? Perhaps these pre-emptive measures will become commonplace, but this is certainly new territory for elected officials.

The truth is that there is middle ground on this issue and others, despite what sometimes seems an impossible impasse.

And we can’t stop searching for that compromise if we ever want to solve the large issues facing this country.

(Scott McLeod is the publisher and editor of The Smoky Mountain News. info@smokymounrtainnews.com)

believe Congress should censure the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for his interactions with National Public Radio’s Mary Louise Kelly during her interview, and his continued public attacks on her after the interview. That could be a start to the return of respect in political discourse, as well as to the restoration of a sense of representation of the people in our Congress.

Bill Aylor Bryson City

No president is above the law To the Editor: Draw a Venn diagram. Circle one is morality. Circle two is ethics. Number three is law.

As most people know morality is basically voluntary. Morality is the substance of individual and group conscience. Ethics is basically guidelines for certain groups of people who adhere to them voluntarily. Most groups establish some penalty for failure to comply.

Neither of the first two behavioral guidelines listed above permeates all behavior in America. The law does. We are a nation founded on laws.

The president of the United States has apparently ignored morality, ethics and the law for his entire lifetime. By virtue of his family’s wealth he has thumbed his nose at morality, ethics and the law with little total financial loss. Acquisition of money seems to be his only priority.

This mode of operation has worked so long as he has been able to isolate “weaker” individuals and businesses. However, he has

now entered into a legal agreement/disagreement with most Americans. Some will take his side because of party affiliation. Some want earthly power for their religious beliefs.

The reality is, though, that most Americans want to see Donald Trump have to operate within the same legal framework as the rest of us. He is no more special than anyone else.

Since Trump should provide moral and ethical leadership befitting the Office of the President of the United States but refuses/fails to do so, we may have to tolerate that for a while. We should not have to abide his overt mocking of the legal system that makes America a beacon of democracy, civility, hope and freedom for the rest of the world.

If he is above the law, why do the rest of us have to obey? We have to agree to obey or we might as well shred the Constitution of the United States of America. We will either continue to be a beacon or we will extinguish the flame that Lady Liberty holds for all the world to admire.

Deep down, do you want a president who wants to be above the law?

Dave Waldrop Webster

Susanna Shetley

I

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Smoky Mountain News

ent route on Saturday. And for that, we were grateful.

When the boys were little, I worked from home and routinely enjoyed early afternoon play dates with my good friend, Kate, and her boys. In the warmer months, we’d sit outside in the sun and watch them ride bikes or play with water balloons. During the colder months, we’d hole up indoors and the boys played with LEGOs or dressed up in superhero costumes. No matter the time of year, all the boys would run off yelling and playing while the moms chatted and caught up on the news of our lives.

Through all of this, the boys and the moms were making memories. Upon reflection, these were cherished play dates I took for granted at the time, assuming they’d always happen.

Once I started working outside the home and as the boys aged into afternoon sports practices, these play dates became few and far between. After a while though, I realized that with the boys going back and forth between my house and their dad’s, these play dates were more important than ever before. They were anchors during turbulent times. And, if I’ve learned anything over the past few years, anchors are essential for stability.

I’ve been trying hard lately to make these play dates happen, not only for the boys but for me too. When life gets crazy and complicated, it’s easy to let friendships slide into the background, but just like parent/child or romantic relationships, friendships must be nurtured too.

On a recent snow day, we had one of these play dates. My boys’ faces lit up, as they always do, when I mentioned visiting these good friends of ours. When we got there, the boys all went downstairs while we moms talked. After a while, Kate asked if I wanted to play Skip-Bo. I’d never played Skip-Bo, but she’s been playing since childhood and she said she could teach me.

While strategizing with the multi-colored cards, two images came to mind. I imagined us as giggling little girls playing Skip-Bo at a sleepover. Then, I imagined us as old ornery women playing our daily card game, eyeglasses resting on our noses. In both visions and in the current moment, I could feel the joy of sitting with a good friend, shutting out the noise of the world, and playing a card game.

When tragedies and heartache run amok, it’s important to lean into simple pleasures. Whether it’s a hike on a surprise trail or a snow day playing Skip-Bo, it’s these little moments that add up, one by one, to create a beautiful, well-lived life.

(Susanna Shetley is a writer, editor and marketing specialist at The Smoky Mountain News, Smoky Mountain Living and Mountain South Media. susanna.b@smokymountainnews.com)

January 29-February 4, 2020

t’s been a somber few days since the world learned of the death of Kobe Bryant, his teenage daughter, Gianna, and the seven other passengers on that helicopter in Calabassas, California. Hearing of the tragedy and reading the coverage made me realize that mortality stops for no one, not even a sports hero as big as Kobe.

Numerous friends and celebrities have commented what a wonderful person, father, husband, athlete, role model and friend he was. It’s hard to understand why things happen the Columnist way they do, and my heart aches for the surviving friends and families of the victims.

When bad things happen, it makes life seem paradoxically vibrant. It magnifies small, seemingly insignificant moments into meaningful experiences.

On Saturday, Matthew and I set out to hike Mount Sterling, using instructions from a little guidebook I’d bought several years ago. We didn’t do any backup research regarding navigation so when we got to a confusing crossroads and had no cell reception, we decided to turn around as opposed to guess our way to the trailhead.

We were admittedly bummed because we had our hearts set on Mount Sterling.

Instead, we ended up hiking the Asbury Trail, which starts at the Haywood County entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Saturday was a chilly day, but we are on a quest to complete at least two or three hikes a month, no matter the season. We started down the Asbury Trail and observed the first yellow blaze. Continuing along the ridge, we saw snow-covered fences, stacked river stones that may have once been a structure and several grounded national park signs that must’ve fallen off trees.

We did not encounter human nor animal; the primary sound being the crunch of leaves beneath our shoes. Our hike was sandwiched between two basketball games.

We’d watched my 8-year-old play in the morning and planned to watch Matthew’s 12-year-old play in the afternoon. Being in the woods offered a lovely juxtaposition to the noisy excitement of a ballgame.

Yellow blaze by yellow blaze we explored the overgrown path, alone with our voices and an occasional far-away bird sound. We hiked a little over 4 miles round trip. When we got back to the car, we commented how relaxed we felt. Nature truly is a type of therapy. While we will hike Mount Sterling eventually, serendipity took us on a differ-

opinion

Yellow blazes and Skip-Bo Helping You.

@SmokyMtnNews 17

Benefit-t-t-ting Kids in the Creek & Environmental Education “SUPER BOWL SATURDAY”

FEBRUARY 1, 2020 Champion Credit Union Aquatics Center Canton Recreation Park, Canton

11:30AM to 1:30PM Walk-in registration opens at 10AM Register, donate and find all information at

haywoodwaterways.org/theplunge

828-476-4667 info@haywoodwaterways.org

Smoky Mountain News

January 29-February 4, 2020

Haywood Waterways Association is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law (Tax ID: 56-2108874). Financial information and a copy of our license is available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 919-807-2214; the license is not an endorsement by the State.

18

tasteTHE mountains Taste the Mountains is an ever-evolving paid section of places to dine in Western North Carolina. If you would like to be included in the listing please contact our advertising department at 828.452.4251 BLUE ROOSTER SOUTHERN GRILL 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, Lakeside Plaza at the old Wal-Mart. 828.456.1997. Open Monday through Friday. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Fresh-cut salads; slow-simmered soups; flame grilled burgers and steaks, and homemade signature desserts.

Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily.

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

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

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

THE CLASSIC WINESELLER 20 Church Street, Waynesville.

828.452.6000. Underground retail wine and craft beer shop, restaurant, and intimate live music venue. Kitchen opens at 4 p.m.

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

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

828.926.1820 Winter hours: Wednesday

FERRARA PIZZA & PASTA 243 Paragon Parkway, Clyde.

828.476.5058. Open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 12 to 8 p.m. Real New Yorkers. Real Italians. Real Pizza. A full service authentic Italian pizzeria and restaurant from New York to the Blue Ridge. Dine in, take out, and delivery. Check out our daily lunch specials plus customer appreciation nights on Monday and Tuesday 5 to 9 p.m. with large cheese pizzas for $9.95.

FIREFLY TAPS & GRILL 128 N. Main St., Waynesville 828.454.5400. Simple, delicious food. A must experience in WNC. Located in downtown Waynesville with an atmosphere that will warm your heart and your belly! Local and regional beers on tap. Full bar, vegetarian options, kids menu, and more.

Reservations accepted. Daily specials. Live music every Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m.

Open Mon.-Sat. 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

HARMON’S DEN BISTRO 250 Pigeon St., Waynesville 828.456.6322. Harmon’s Den is located in the Fangmeyer Theater at HART. Open 5:309 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday (Bistro closes at 7:30 p.m. on nights when there is a show in the Fangmeyer Theater) with Sunday brunch at 11 a.m. that includes breakfast and lunch items. Harmon’s Den offers a complete menu with cocktails, wine list, and area beers on tap. Enjoy casual dining with the guarantee of making it to the performance in time, then rub shoulders with the cast afterward with post-show food and beverage service. Reservations recommended. www.harmonsden.harttheatre.org JOEY'S PANCAKE HOUSE 4309 Soco Rd Maggie Valley.

828.926.0212. Open seven days a week! 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Joey’s is a family-friendly restaurant that has been serving breakfast to locals and visitors of Western North Carolina for decades. Featuring a large variety of tempting pancakes, golden waffles, country style cured ham and seasonal specials spiked

TAP ROOM BAR & GRILL 176 Country Club Drive, Waynesville.

828.456.3551. Open seven days a week serving lunch and dinner. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Tucked away inside Waynesville Inn, the Tap Room Bar & Grill has an approachable menu designed around locally sourced, sustainable, farm-to-table ingredients. Full bar and wine cellar. www.thewaynesvilleinn.com.

WAYNESVILLE PIZZA COMPANY 32 Felmet Street, Waynesville.

828.246.0927. Open Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday noon to 9 p.m.; closed Tuesdays. Opened in May 2016, The Waynesville Pizza Company has earned a reputation for having the best hand-tossed pizza in the area. Featuring a custom bar with more than 20 beers and a rustic, family friendly dining room. Menu includes salads, burgers, wraps, hot and cold sandwiches, gourmet pizza, homemade desserts, and a loaded salad bar. The Cuban sandwich is considered by most to be the best in town.

Daily Specials: Soups, Sandwiches & Southern Dishes

Mon/Wed/Thurs 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Friday/Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Closed Tuesday

Sunday 12-9 p.m.

1 OFF PINTS OF BEER OR WINE BY THE GLASS BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE DESSERT CREPES

Sandwiches • Burgers • Wraps

3 E JACKSON ST. • SYLVA, NC

32 Felmet Street

www.CityLightsCafe.com

MAGGIE VALLEY RESTAURANT 2804 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.926.0425. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Daily specials including soups, sandwiches and southern dishes along with featured dishes such as fresh fried chicken, rainbow trout, country ham, pork chops and more. Breakfast all day including omelets, pancakes, biscuits & gravy. facebook.com/carversmvr; instagram @carvers_mvr.

(828) 246-0927

Featured Dishes: Fresh Fried Chicken, Rainbow Trout, Country Ham, Pork-chops & more

Breakfast : Omelets, Pancakes, Biscuits & Gravy!

Breakfast served all day!

OPEN DAILY 7 A.M. TO 8 P.M. SUNDAY 8 A.M. TO 8 P.M. CLOSED TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY 2804 SOCO RD. • MAGGIE VALLEY 828.926.0425 • Facebook.com/carversmvr Instagram- @carvers_mvr

Real New Yorkers.

Real Italians. Real Pizza.

Dine-In ~ Take Out ~ Delivery

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAYS!

Large Cheese Pizza $

9.95 + tax

11AM to 9PM 243 Paragon Parkway | Clyde

828-476-5058 Mon-Sat 11 a.m. to 9 p.m Closed Sundays

10% OFF for LOCALS WITH THIS COUPON

Retail Restaurant LIVE Music

Events begin at 7:00pm unless otherwise noted.

For Reservations Call 828-452-6000 FRIDAY, JANUARY 31 @ 7PM Viticultural Discussion with Wendy Dunn, CSW, WSET. Five wines paired with five foods.

Limited Seating, $58 all-inclusive.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 5PM - 7PM Share the Love Habitat for Humanity Fundraiser. Meet & Greet fundraiser for Haywood Habitat for Humanity.

Free wine and hors d'oeuvres, suggested donation of $20 per person.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 @ 7PM Valentine's Day Wine Dinner with Chef Dee. Bring your sweetie to a romantic evening at the Classic Wineseller. Coat & tie. Limited Seating, call for details.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29 @ 7PM Wine & Food Pairing With Guest Chef Elisabeth McCutcheon. Five wines & food pairings selected from the cookbook, "Felidia" by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, $60 all-Inclusive.

Smoky Mountain News

BIG SWEETHEART - $60 Appetizer, 2 Entrees with Salads, Shared Dessert and Bottle of Wine or Champagne

$

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

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

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

MAGGIE VALLEY RESTAURANT since 1952

February 13,14 &15

Special Entrees & Regular Menu Entrees Available

KANINI’S 1196 N. Main St., Waynesville.

828.452.5187. Lunch Monday-Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., eat in or carry out. Closed Sunday. A made-from-scratch kitchen using fresh ingredients. Offering a variety of meals to go from frozen meals to be stored and cooked later to “Dinners to Go” that are made fresh and ready to enjoyed that day. We also specialize in catering any event from from corporate lunches to weddings. kaninis.com

Carver's

Fixed price dinner options

SWEETHEART SPLIT - $40 Entree to Split, 2 Salads, Shared Dessert and Bottle of Wine or Champagne

with flavor, Joey's is sure to please all appetites. Join us for what has become a tradition in these parts, breakfast at Joey’s.

January 29-February 4, 2020

CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

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

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

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

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

through Sunday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Family Style at Country Vittles is not a buffet.

Instead our waitresses will bring your food piping hot from the kitchen right to your table and as many refills as you want. So if you have a big appetite, but sure to ask your waitress about our family style service.

828-452-6000 · classicwineseller.com 20 Church Street, Waynesville, NC 19

20

A&E

Smoky Mountain News

The ways and means of melodic connection Singer-songwriter K.M. Fuller to play Innovation Station

K.M. Fuller.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER .M. Fuller isn’t afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, onstage and off. And it’s that exact honesty and sincerity that has made him one of the most electric singer-songwriters in Western North Carolina in recent years.

When he isn’t in front of a microphone by himself radiating his poignant trials and tribulations for all to see, hear and feel, Fuller also fronts the popular Asheville-based Americana/indie act Gold Rose.

And although the group will be releasing its latest album, “Dust,” at the end of February, Fuller will be taking the songs solo around the region in the coming weeks — to not only strip down and finely tune the melodies, but also to share the world as he interprets it with any and all who will listen.

The Smoky Mountain News recently caught up with Fuller. He spoke at length about his musical influences, how he’s able to project his deepest emotions within a performance, and what it means to be a songwriter nowadays.

K

Smoky Mountain News: What is it about one person, one instrument and one voice up there — vulnerable to the microphone, the stage, the audience — that pulls from within you?

K.M. Fuller: I’m really just a storyteller — a songwriter at heart. It takes a lot of courage to tell those stories with just a guitar and only me standing up there. For me, it’s therapy, really. I get to sit down in an intimate setting and tell my story. There ain’t anyone up there to protect me.

I think what I’m channeling is raw emotion.

I’ve never written songs to tell stories, but I’m telling my story. And it’s for myself. I stand up there to say my feelings out loud.

And I’m grateful when there are people there to witness it. Have you ever just needed to say something aloud and you feel better about it? It’s sort of like that.

SMN: What is it about rock-n-roll and Americana music that speaks to you? Why those styles of music, specifically?

KMF: I grew up on Neil Young. I’d say he invented alt-country. I also grew up on the Grateful Dead. These early rock and roll bands that pulled from all sorts of genres.

They’d bring bluegrass elements into their music. They’d sing country songs. And they’d put their own blend of rock and roll texture over it — it’s true American music.

I’ve also become obsessed with country music over the last several years, which has

“I think what I’m channeling is raw emotion. I’ve never written songs to tell stories, but I’m telling my story. And it’s for myself. I stand up there to say my feelings out loud.”

— K.M. Fuller

worked its way into my music. I’ve been pulling from the outlaws, such as Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. To me, those are the real songwriters. Sad songs that also make you want to dance.

SMN: Lyrically, you pull from very deep and personal subjects and moments within your life. What is that process like, and is there a light at the end of the tunnel of those sensitive topics that you see through songwriting and performance?

KMF: Songwriting, and music in general, has always been a personal thing for me. I use to write songs to write songs. And one day, everything changed for me. I was going through some changes and just needed to say some shit out loud. And that’s when the real songs started to pour out of me.

Also, I think some of my favorite songwriters pull from the most honest and vulnerable

moments — things that should be hard to say.

The process itself is very emotional. There are times I have to put my guitar down and walk away. Usually some tears involved.

I wouldn’t say there’s ever a light at the end of the tunnel. But, I would say it helps with the weight of the load I carry, especially telling those stories to a roomful of strangers. I have people leave me notes, and share their stories with me, hard experiences for them.

SMN: What is the role of the songwriter, not only in general, but also in terms of the 21st century and the digital age of distraction and disconnection that we currently find ourselves in?

KMF: For me, songwriting isn’t really a form of entertainment. It might be the ways and means. But, I’m writing songs to capture my feelings. I think people connect with that

Want to go?

Singer-songwriter/guitarist K.M. Fuller will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Innovation Station in Dillsboro. The show is free and open to the public. www.innovation-brewing.com.

As well, Gold Rose will hold its album release party for “Dust” at 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at The Mothlight in West Asheville.

The gig is all ages, with Julia Sanders opening. Tickets are $8. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit www.themothlight.com.

and hear their own stories in mine. At least that’s what I do when I’m listening to other people’s songs.

It’s so damn hard to cut through in today’s media landscape. There’s so many distractions out there. Musicians that pull so many gimmicks. There’s so much disconnect with real music and a majority of our population out there.

But again, that’s why I lean towards doing this for myself and nobody else. If people enjoy it, that’s a bonus for me.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

I never saw the end of the tunnel, I only saw myself running out of one

Kobe Bryant.

F

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HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5

LIVE MUSIC

January 29-February 4, 2020

or my generation, Kobe Bryant was the torchbearer and living link between Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

He was basketball in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Kobe was also a figure who genuinely transcended the sport, one who rose to the top of the mountain of pop culture and media celebrity, something that came to fruition just as the internet age and social media became an integral part of our daily lives.

He was everywhere, whether it was on high-end shoes and clothing, namechecked on hit songs, in commercials and advertising or on countless latenight TV appearances. In essence, Kobe was a mega business mogul, on and off the basketball court.

So, it comes as no surprise how his tragic passing Americana/indie act Grizzly Goat will perform at this past Sunday in a heli7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at the Nantahala copter crash in Los Angeles Brewing taproom and restaurant in Sylva. shocked the world, perhaps Singer-songwriter/guitarist K.M. Fuller will perform even stopping it for a brief, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Innovation contemplative moment.

Station in Dillsboro.

Sadly, among the nine killed included his 13-year-old Journalist and author Holly Kays will host a daughter, Gianna. reading and signing of new work, Trailblazers & Whenever a celebrity Traditionalists: Modern-day Smoky Mountain dies, we as a society tend to People, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at City Lights take it to heart. These peoBookstore in Sylva. ple who were — and will Country music legend Ronnie Milsap will take the remain — touchstones for stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at the Smoky our own existence, whether Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in it be musicians, actors, Franklin. politicians or athletes. It’s crazy how attached we get Boojum Brewing Company (Waynesville) will host to these faces we never ‘Round the Fire (jam/rock) at 9 p.m. Saturday, knew, whose careers we had Feb. 1. no direct link to or actual effect on.

But, then again, we do have an effect. We maybe even influence us to climb and conquer our personal and professional mounconsume their presence and buy into (emotains (however big or small) that reside in tionally or monetarily) whatever it is they’re our respective lives. selling or representing, these larger-than-life And with Kobe, he inspired an entire superheroes that continually fascinate us,

CASUAL FINE DINING WITH

arts & entertainment

This must be the place

planet with his God-given talents. The beauty of sports, especially in the midst of a live competition, is that magic can happen at any moment, these once-in-a-lifetime “you had to be there” instances waiting around the corner to surprise you. The beauty of sports is the magic, and Kobe was a master magician.

Though I’m currently 34 years old, I was 11 when Kobe showed up on the scene, this 17-year-old NBA rookie from Philadelphia, fresh out of high school and wanting to forever change the game that he loved.

Throughout elementary school and all the way through my college years (and beyond), Kobe was always there.

In my adolescent years, basketball was my passion. Although I was a scrawny kid, I specialized in the three-pointer — if I can’t dribble into the paint and score on the big kids, then I’ll just shoot over them.

Mostly, I sat the bench in hopes of the coach putting me in for some last-minute Kobe style fade away buzzer-beater. And yet, I didn’t care, I just liked to practice, compete and try my best out there, traits that still reside within my heart and soul.

All of us young Millennial basketball freaks back then watched those incendiary Kobe games on TV and every one of his ESPN "Top 10" highlights. And we would try and emulate his moves on elementary, middle and high school basketball courts the world over — he was one of the greatest.

Back in the spring of 2008, I was living in Eastern Idaho as a rookie reporter. My mother came out west to visit me. At the end of her trip, I drove her down to Salt Lake City to catch her flight home. Deciding to stay the night at a hotel, I turned on the TV and saw the pre-game show for the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz playoff series.

Knowing the arena was nearby, I turned to my mother and said, "We should go see the game, go see Kobe play." For some reason, she was down for it. So, we jumped into the truck and headed for the arena.

I remember pulling up alongside the building and haggling some scalper, got him down to $40 for two nosebleed seats. She and I watched the game and cheered on Kobe. It was a pretty magical night and a moment with my mom I'll never forget.

And I think what makes Kobe’s passing so sad and dire is the sheer fact he was just at the beginning of a second act that would surely be unrivaled in the annals of sports history.

There was so much in Kobe’s life left to be done, and to prove, in so many realms outside of basketball he was interested in pursuing. This was a guy who not only recently won an Oscar, but also had put out an inspirational children’s book several months ago.

But, above anything else, his life’s work was ultimately his family, something true and transparent in the public eye, now cut short in a universe that sometimes can seem truly cruel and unfair.

Watching Kobe — either on the court or holding court — was witnessing greatness in motion, and in real time. He will be dearly missed.

Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.

Magazines - Newspapers 428 HAZELWOOD Ave. Waynesville • 456-6000

21

arts & entertainment

On the beat Franklin welcomes Ronnie Milsap Country music legend Ronnie Milsap will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Milsap, a six-time Grammy Award-winning American country singer and pianist, is considered as one of the most successful country artists of all time.

His expansive and rich body of work, spanning more than five decades, includes more than 28 records. With multiple gold, platinum and double platinum albums to his credit, Milsap was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Tickets start at $25 per person. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit www.greatmountainmusic.com or call 866.273.4615.

Smoky Mountain News

January 29-February 4, 2020

Haywood Choral Society spring rehearsals Haywood Choral Society will begin spring season rehearsals on Monday, Feb. 3, in the Wilson Children’s Complex at Lake Junaluska.

Registration is at 6:15 p.m. with a full chorus rehearsal from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Rehearsals continue for 13 weeks.

The major work this season will be “Lux Aeterna,” written by American composer Morten Lauridsen. In addition, the chorus will rehearse music from the spiritual, contemporary and folk genres of music in preparation for its spring concert scheduled for May 3 at Waynesville First United Methodist Church.

Membership dues are $30 (scholarships available upon application), which covers the cost of music and hiring instrumentalists for concert performances. All singers ages 16 and older are encouraged and welcome to join HCS; auditions are not required.

As attendance is important to learning music and becoming accustomed to performing with fellow singers, members are

encouraged to attend as many rehearsals as possible, missing no more than three, unless approved by the director. The ability to read music is not required, but is encouraged, as some of the music is challenging.

Kathy Geyer McNeil has been Director of the Haywood Choral Society since 2016.

She is currently assistant director of music and worship arts and organist at Waynesville First United Methodist Church.

In addition, McNeil is the organist for the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center and associate director/accompanist for the Lake Junaluska Singers.

For more information, visit www.haywoodchoralsociety.org, call Laura Schnabel at 828.557.9187 or Kathy Geyer McNeil at 973.224.1022. You can also find the group on Facebook.

Americana at Nantahala

Traditional music series to feature Frogtown

Americana/indie act Grizzly Goat will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at the Nantahala Brewing taproom and restaurant in Sylva.

Up-and-coming and rising in the music industry, Grizzly Goat was formed in Provo, Utah, and is now based in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The Mountain Heritage Center’s next installment of the First Thursday Old-Time and Bluegrass Jam series will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at HomeBase on the Western Carolina University campus.

Frogtown will continue the series of concerts and open jams that includes some of the region’s best old-time and bluegrass musicians. The concert will last an hour and will be followed by an open jam session during which traditional musicians of all skill levels are invited to participate.

Frogtown gets its name from a locally known spot in Macon County called Frogtown located between the Franklin High School and downtown Franklin.

The music ranges from hard core bluegrass of musicians like the Stanley Brothers, to the bluesy melodies and ballads of Doc Watson and Norman Blake.

First Thursday concerts are free and are held inside HomeBase. The First Thursday series will continue in March with the Berea Bluegrass Ensemble on March 2 and Andrew Finn McGill on March 5.

For more information or directions, call 828.227.7129 or visit www.wcu.edu/mhc.

Congratulations to NAI Beverly-H Hanks’

BILL LY Y CASE

Awarded Aw

CCIM Designatiion

Certified Commercial Investment Member The CCIM designation is awarded to commercial real estate professionals upon successful completion of a graduate-level education curriculum annd presentation of a portfolio of qualifying experience. CCIMs are recognized experts in commercial real estate brokerage, leasing, asset management, valuation, and invesstment analysis.

Billy Case, CCIM (828) 508-4527 | billycase@naibeverly-hanks.c com

22

Grizzly Goat.

Dylan Doyle.

Doyle to play The Strand Singer-songwriter Dylan Doyle will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, in The Loft listening room at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville.

The music is, as the band’s name suggests, undomesticated. Grizzly Goat’s blend of folk-rock spans the breadth from soft and sincere campfire ballads to rocking electric harmonica solos on top of pounding drums and flailing banjo.

The show is free and open to the public. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

Southern-born and northern-raised, Doyle has been steeped in everything from Bob Dylan to Wes Montgomery, Bill Withers to John Prine, Jimi Hendrix to The Band. From this, Doyle’s unique musical interpretation lies somewhere within the delta of roots, rock, and jazz, a style that defies classification.

Doyle became a seasoned professional early, touring nationally since age 15. He has played with notables such as Rob Stoner (Bob Dylan, Don Mclean), John Platania (Van Morrison, Natalie Merchant), Ben Cauley (Otis Redding) and Bill Payne (Little Feat).

Tickets are $10 per person. Purchase tickets at the door or online at www.38main.com.

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On the beat

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host an acoustic jam with Main St. NoTones from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 30 and Feb. 6. Free and open to the public. www.blueridgebeerhub.com.

• Boojum Brewing Company (Waynesville) will host a bluegrass open mic every Wednesday, an all-genres open mic every Thursday, ‘Round the Fire (jam/rock) Feb. 1 and The Maggie Valley Band (Americana/indie) Feb. 8. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.boojumbrewing.com.

ALSO:

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host The Mixx Feb. 1, Hope Griffin Feb. 7 and In Flight Feb. 8. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host K.M. Fuller (Americana/indie) Feb. 1, Andrew Chastain Feb. 8 and “Lovesick Karaoke” Feb. 14. All events are free and begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host an open mic night at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday, Heidi Holton Jan. 31, Mother Legacy Band Feb. 1, The Waymores Feb. 7 and Daryl Hance Powermuse Feb. 8. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Legends Sports Grill (Maggie Valley) will host music semi-regularly on weekends.

• Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host Grizzly Goat (Americana/indie) Jan. 31. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Free and open to the public. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• Pub 319 (Waynesville) will host an open mic night from 8 to 11 p.m. every Wednesday. Free and open to the public. www.pub319socialhouse.com.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host Scott Stambaugh Jan. 31, Mike Yow Feb. 1, Alma Russ Feb. 7 and Eric Hendrix Feb. 8. Shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. www.rathskellerfranklin.com.

• Salty Dog’s (Maggie Valley) will have Karaoke with Jason Wyatt at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, Mile High (classic rock) 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, and a Trivia w/Kelsey Jo 8 p.m. Thursdays.

• Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands) will host “Hoppy Hour” and an open mic at 6 p.m. on Thursdays and live music on Friday evenings. 828.482.9794 or www.satulahmountainbrewing.com.

• The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic” night from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Dylan Doyle 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 6 (tickets are $10). 828.283.0079 or www.38main.com.

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• The Ugly Dog Pub (Cashiers) will host Bluegrass Thursdays w/Benny Queen at 6:30 p.m. 828.743.3000.

• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host Bluegrass w/Nitrograss Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Hustle Souls 9 p.m. Feb. 8.

828.526.8364.

• The Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic Night” on Mondays, karaoke on Thursdays and Humps & The Blackouts Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. All events at 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

828.456.4750.

Smoky Mountain News

• Isis Music Hall (West Asheville) will host Bennet Sullivan (Americana/jazz) 7 p.m.

Jan. 30, Italian Night w/Mike Guggino & Barrett Smith (acoustic) 8:30 p.m. Jan. 30, Jess Klein (singer-songwriter) 7 p.m. Jan. 31, Upland Drive (Americana/folk) 8:30 p.m. Jan. 31, Frances Luke Accord (singersongwriter) 7 p.m. Feb. 1, Tuesday Bluegrass Sessions w/Serene Green 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 and Lauren Anderson & Meg Williams (Americana/rock) 7 p.m. Feb. 5. www.isisasheville.com.

• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host the “Stone Soup” open mic night every Tuesday, Andrew Chastain (singer-songwriter) Jan. 31, Granny’s Mason Jar (Americana) Feb. 1, Heidi Holton (blues/folk) Feb. 7 and Wyatt Espalin (singer-songwriter) Feb. 8. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

January 29-February 4, 2020

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night Jan. 29 and Feb. 5, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo Jan. 30 and Feb. 6. All events are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.innovation-brewing.com.

828.926.9464 or www.facebook.com/ legendssportsgrillmaggievalley.

arts & entertainment

• Andrews Brewing Company (Andrews) will host the “Lounge Series” at its Calaboose location with Dana Rogers Jan. 31, Wyatt Espalin Feb. 1, Mike Bonham 4 p.m. Feb. 2, Scott Stambaugh Feb. 7, Alma Feb. 8 and Woolybooger 4 p.m. Feb. 9. All shows are free and begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

• Whiteside Brewing (Cashiers) will host semi-regular music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.743.6000 or www.whitesidebrewing.com.

www.smokymountainnews.com

23

arts & entertainment

On the wall Screening of Fontana Lake documentary The documentary “Fontana Lake: Broken Promises, Delayed Resolution” will be featured at the next meeting of the Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center in Bryson City.

The film follows the efforts of persons and groups who worked for resolution to the broken promise between Swain County, the State of NC, the TVA and the United States Department of the Interior.

Among those interviewed in the making of the film were Meredith Bacon, Luke Hyde, Helen Vance, Juanita Lester, Ben Bushyhead and David Monteith.

This film narrates the endeavors and struggles of the many who attempted to settle the social injustice resulting from the displacement of the residents of Swain County by the

Smoky Mountain News

January 29-February 4, 2020

Interested in leatherwork?

TVA construction of Fontana Dam and Lake.

It is filled with voices of hope, frustration and mistrust and presents what might be considered a final resolution with possibilities for social justice for the citizens of Swain County.

The film was produced and directed by the presenter, Hugh Floyd, Ph.D., professor of sociology, Samford University. A native of Arkansas, Floyd earned a Ph.D. in sociology at the University of Georgia. Beginning in the 1970s, he chaired the Department of Sociology at the University of New Orleans until going to Samford in 1993 where he was professor and chair of the Sociology Department until 2013.

He has over 30 publications including journal articles, book chapters and books.

His passion for sociology is based on his commitment to academic knowledge and the hope that the evidence from his work might lead to a more just and compassionate world.

Conversation and refreshments will follow the presentation. This is free and open to the public.

Derek Morrow.

The monthly Creating Community Workshop will feature Derek Morrow of Morrow Leatherworks at 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 1, in the Atrium of the Jackson County Public Library.

Morrow will be leading the workshop. Participants will learn how to make a small, leather pouch. All supplies will be provided, but some hand strength is necessary for leather working. The workshop is limited to 10 participants. This program is free of charge. Please call the library to register.

Morrow is a self-taught leatherworker that has been working at his craft for many years. He has a whimsical, upcycled style and creates leather goods ranging from full hip bags down to knife sheaths and wallets.

For more information, call the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva at 828.586.2016. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library.

Jackson Arts design winner The Jackson County Arts Council is proud to announce the 2020 T-shirt design winner is Josie Smoker.

She is a senior at Jackson Community School, formerly School of Alternatives. She will receive a $100 cash prize and a complimentary T-shirt once printed.

“I enjoy creating art that helps others see the beauty and uniqueness in life. As part of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, I am proud of my heritage arts and proud of where I come from and live.

After graduation, I plan on The winning continuing my art education design by through college and through being in nature,” Smoker said. Josie Smoker.

“We love the fact she incorporated so many elements in her artwork that represent Jackson County and its beauty and are proud that we have teachers in Jackson of Natural and Cultural Resources and by County Public Schools like Josie’s art Jackson County Commissioners and comteacher, Christina Daniels, that encourage munity members. T-shirts will be available and push students to do their best,” stated for sale soon through the JCAC. Justin Allman, president of the Jackson For more information on how you can County Arts Council. help support the Jackson County Arts The Jackson County Arts Council is Council, call 828.507.9820 or email partially funded by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department info@jacksoncountyarts.org.

Innovation ‘Pottery & Pints’ There will be a special “Pottery & Pints: Hanging Heart Planters” class held by Viva Arts Studios from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at the Innovation Station in Dillsboro.

Cost is $30 per person. For more information and/or to register for the workshop, go to Facebook, search “Viva Arts Studio” and click on the “Events” tab for the ticket link.

The Viva Arts Studio in Sylva currently offers several weekly and monthly pottery and painting classes alongside other artisan mediums.

For a full calendar of classes and more information on the studio, visit www.vivaartsschool.com, call 828.506.6067 or simply take a gander at the full schedule posted on the large garage door of the studio at 456 West Main Street.

• Andrews Brewing Company (Andrews) will host a “Wine Glass Painting” class from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

Betsey Sloan will be teaching a class making sheep out of gourds from 1 to 3 p.m. on Feb. 29. 828.349.4607 or www.franklinuptowngallery.com.

• The Macon County Art Association will present encaustic classes taught by Karen Smith will begin on Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon starting on Feb. 7 at the Uptown Gallery in Franklin. No experience or supplies required.

From 1 to 3 p.m. on Feb. 16, Mary Ellen Tully will host a class on contemporary Shibori using fiber dyes to make scarves. Mardi Gras masks handmade by MCAA members will be 24 available at the Uptown Gallery after Feb. 1.

• Stonehouse Pottery (Waynesville) will be doing an Open Studio Tour and Sale the first Sunday of each month to help support our local nonprofits. Each month highlights a different artist and that artists chooses his or her nonprofit. Stonehouse Pottery and the artist then give a portion of the proceeds as a donation to that nonprofit.

• The Weekly Open Studio art classes will be

held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville, Instructor will be Betina Morgan. Open to all artists, at any stage of development, and in the medium of your choice.

Cost is $25 per class.

There will also be a Youth Art Class from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. Cost is $15 per class. Contact Morgan at 828.550.6190 or email bmk.morgan@yahoo.com.

ALSO:

• The Museum of the Cherokee Indian’s exhibit, “People of the Clay: Contemporary

Cherokee Potters,” features more than 60 potters from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Cherokee Nation, and more than one hundred works from 1900 to the present.

The exhibit will run through April.

• A “Beginner Step-By-Step” adult painting class will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. There is also a class at 6:30 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month at Balsam Fall Brewing in Sylva. Cost is $25 with all supplies provided. For more information, contact Robin Arramae at 828.400.9560 or wncpaintevents@gmail.com

On the street

Haywood Arts receives large donation

Waynesville historic speaker series

On Jan. 13, J Gabriel, Moonlight and Garbo, and Tia Dana presented the Haywood County Arts Council with a $1,200 check.

The three companies kindly pledged to donate a percentage of all sales to the HCAC during their busy holiday rushes and raised this sum during the month of December.

The donating companies — J Gabriel, Moonlight and Garbo, and Tia Dana — are all important parts of the Waynesville community. Mike Coble is the owner of J Gabriel Home and Gifts and Moonlight and Garbo, both located in Downtown Waynesville.

J Gabriel has unique gifts, including local art, jewelry, and home accessories.

Moonlight and Garbo is a clothing store that calls itself “the boutique of the mountains,” offering customers affordable and stylish women’s apparel and gifts.

Dana Davidoff owns Tia Dana, a lifestyle boutique and yarnery, which curates and sells items that are both beautiful and functional.

The recipient of the donation, the Haywood County Arts Council, promotes artists, art education, and innovation in art in Haywood County. The many programs it has offered over the past 43 years aim to enhance the quality of life in Haywood County.

Programs the HCAC runs and sponsors include Art After Dark, Winter Arts Smokies Style, monthly free exhibits, the Young Audience Series for middle-schoolers, and Mind the Music! music lessons for seniors.

The money raised will go toward supporting the Junior Appalachian Musicians Program (JAM), another one of the HCAC’s valuable initiatives. In JAM, young students learn how to play traditional mountain music from expert teachers. Coble and Davidoff ’s donation will go toward purchasing banjos, guitars, and fiddles, which the JAM program desperately needs. These instruments are crucial for the ongoing success of JAM. www.haywoodarts.org.

Open call for Haywood studio tour ‘Affrilachian Artist’ studio exhibit

Friday, February 14 – 4:00-8:00 p.m. $67 Per Couple Tax and Gratuity Not Included

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Smoky Mountain News

The “Affrilachian Artist Travelling Studio” exhibit will run through Feb. 29 at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville.

The showcase is designed to invite dialogue about the presence and experience of people of color in our region. The exhibition features four African-American artists and selected work which celebrates the land or the lived experiences of Western North Carolina and the Appalachian region.

Marie T. Cochran, founding curator of the Affrilachian Artist Project will present the work in a diverse array of media and styles from folk art to contemporary art. Her artwork is included in the exhibition Appalachia NOW at the Asheville Art Museum.

Featured artists in this show are: LaKeisha Blount, Rahkie Mateen, Trey Miles, and the

The Haywood County Arts Council is still seeking artisans for its annual Studio Tour, which will take place June 27-28.

There will be over 30 participating Haywood County artists from a wide-range of creative mediums, including clay, fiber, wood, jewelry, glass, mixed-media, sculpture, and two-dimensional applications.

The Gallery & Gifts of the HCAC in Waynesville will be the site of an exhibit for the Studio Tour participants. The exhibit will open on Friday, June 5, for the Artist Reception and run through June 27.

The participation fee is $100 per artist.

These fees help cover the cost of printing and marketing the Studio Tour. Deadline for application submissions is Wednesday, Feb. 5.

The Haywood County Studio Tour is sponsored by the Haywood County Arts Council. The tour is organized by a dedicated group of Haywood County artists.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Saturday.

HCAC is closed on Wednesday and Sunday. www.haywoodarts.org.

Three Course Valentine’s Dinner

January 29-February 4, 2020

late Victoria Casey-McDonald.

Gallery are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Cochran will host a gallery talk from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 15, at HCAC. As well, the closing reception will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at HCAC. www.haywoodarts.org.

Presented by The Town of Waynesville Historic Preservation Commission, the fifth annual “Haywood Ramblings” will once again take place this spring.

A speaker series on the historic resources and rich cultural heritage of Waynesville and Haywood County, the events will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month in the courtroom of The Historic Courthouse in downtown Waynesville.

• Thursday, Feb. 6: “Unseen Photographs of Early Waynesville,” presented by Alex McKay. Be among the first to view iconic images of Waynesville’s past that have never been published or viewed by the public. Many of these photographs are from the private albums and collections of Waynesville’s most influential founding families.

• Thursday, March 5: “The Mountaineer: History In The Moment,” presented by Kathy Ross. Unlike history books, newspapers record events from an immediate perspective, with no take-backs once they are published. This talk will take

a look at some of The Mountaineer’s most spectacular, peculiar, and even painful stories of the past century as they were perceived at the time.

• Thursday, April 2: “Touching The Face of History: The Story of The Plott Hound,” presented by Bob Plott. Hear stories of the origins of North Carolina’s official state dog, the Plott Hound. From Germany to the mountains of North Carolina, the breed’s Bob Plott 200-year history resulted in the development of what many consider to be one of the world’s finest hunting breeds.

• Thursday, May 7: “History As Inspiration,” presented by Thomas Woltz. A world-renowned landscape architect, Woltz will discuss the role of history and culture in his designs of public spaces. Through a selection of park projects in Western North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee and New Zealand, he will illustrate how his personal history inspires designs that connect people and the places they live.

Free and open to the public. In case of snow, the event will be automatically rescheduled for the second Thursday of the month.

arts & entertainment

On the wall

25

On the table

On the stage

arts & entertainment

p.m. There will also be a free wine tasting from 1 to 5 p.m.

For more information and/or to RSVP for ticketed events, call 828.452.0120 or email info@waynesvillewine.com.

• The second annual “Groundhog Day Baconfest” will be held at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 2, at Harmons’ Den on the campus of the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. The menu will be four courses. Cost is $25 per person, $45 per person with wine pairings. To RSVP (by Jan. 27), call 828.456.6322 or email harttheater@gmail.com.

ALSO:

Bosu’s tastings, small plates

• Andrews Brewing Company (Andrews) will host a “Chili Cook-Off” at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at The Calaboose location. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 30 and Feb. 6, and 2 to 5 p.m.

Feb. 1 and 8 at The Wine Bar & Cellar in Sylva. 828.631.3075.

• Free cooking demonstrations will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturdays at Country Traditions in Dillsboro. Eat samples and taste house wines for $3 a glass. www.countrytraditionsnc.com.

Smoky Mountain News

January 29-February 4, 2020

Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville will host an array of wine tastings and small plates throughout the week.

• Mondays: Free tastings and discounts on select styles of wine that changes weekly.

• Thursdays: Five for $5 wine tasting, with small plates available for purchase from Chef Bryan’s gourmet cuisine in The Secret Wine Bar. • Wednesday-Saturday: The Secret Wine Bar will be open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Fridays: The Secret Wine Bar will be open for drinks and small plates from 5 to 9 p.m.

• Saturdays: Champagne cocktails from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Secret Wine Bar will be open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3

At the annual meeting of the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre Board of Directors on Jan. 21, HART Executive Director Steve Lloyd announced the theater’s “Volunteer of the Year” would be Michelle Free.

Free is a familiar face to any regular patron of HART. She can be found helping out backstage as a stage manager, or simply helping cast members change costumes, behind the concession stand or helping Chef Christy Bishop in the kitchen at Harmons’ Den Bistro.

To insure Free would be in attendance at the meeting, Bishop knew the best way to guarantee she would be there would be to ask Free to volunteer to help with the refreshments.

Steve Lloyd and Michelle Free.

Let Us Design Your Dream Kitchen!

HPAC ‘Live via Satellite’

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HART ‘Volunteer of the Year’

100 Charles Street | Waynesville

The Highlands Performing Arts Center will present the MET Opera’s production “Live via Satellite” of the Gershwin’s “Porgy & Bess” at 12:55 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1.

The Gershwin’s’ modern American masterpiece has its first Met performances in almost three decades, starring bass-baritone Eric Owens and soprano Angel Blue in the title roles.

Director James Robinson’s stylish production transports audiences to Catfish Row, a setting vibrant with the music, dancing, emotion, and heartbreak of its inhabitants.

Tickets available online at www.higlandspac.org, www.highlandsperformingarts.com or at the door.

Books

Smoky Mountain News

The great and fallen artists New York Times Op-Ed recently asked, “Is It Time Gauguin Got Canceled?” It raised this question of banishing Gauguin because the artist slept with young girls in Tahiti and called the natives “savages.”

Let’s look at a few more artists and writers before looking for an answer.

American authors Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and William Faulkner were alcoholics and adulterers. Roald Dahl, who created such children’s classics as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda, was a womanizer and an Writer anti-Semite. Of the seven significant women in misogynist Pablo Picasso’s life, “two committed suicide and two went mad.”

Artists from other centuries behaved little better — and in some cases, far worse. Italian painter Caravaggio was a murderer and a drunk who may have been murdered in turn.

Renaissance goldsmith and sculptor Benvenuto Cellini had a fierce temper, practiced revenge, and killed several people.

Richard Wagner is as famous today for his anti-Semitism as for his music. Of Jewish descent, Karl Marx was also anti-Semitic, mistreated his family, and allowed himself to be supported by others, all the while calling for a worker’s paradise. Rousseau wrote books on educating children while putting four, possibly five, of his offspring at birth into orphanages with horrific death rates.

Female artists have behaved better, but not all of them escape this roll call. Anne Sexton, Jean Rhys, and Carson McCullers were abusive alcoholics. Ayn Rand openly cheated on her husband. As a teenager, now well-known crime novelist Anne Perry beat her mother to

Caravaggio’s The Calling of St. Matthew. wikipedia

Jeff Minick

A

death with a brick. Mary Wollstonecraft entered into a liaison with poet Percy Shelley, bore his illegitimate child, and married him after his wife committed suicide.

So now some questions: Can we enjoy the paintings of Paul Gauguin knowing that he engaged in sex with women and under-aged

girls in Tahiti, and so helped spread syphilis throughout that island? Can we admire the canvases of Caravaggio or the exquisite sculptures of Cellini knowing that they often behaved detestably? Can we treasure the prose of Hemingway, a drunk and a braggart who often bullied friends and foe alike? Must we condemn writers like Laura Ingalls Wilder of Little House fame for her prejudices against Indians or Pamela Travers for her now politically incorrect depictions of other cultures in her Mary Poppins books?

How do we separate the artist from the art?

That’s neither easy to do nor an easy question to answer, especially today when we demand that our public figures — politicians, athletes, celebrities — be saints. We require, for example, sexual rectitude in the workplace

and public square, even while our society gorges itself on pornography.

Perhaps we might start with our view of human nature. Do we believe, as some do, that humanity can be tweaked into perfection, or do we believe in the fallen nature of human beings? If the latter, it is much easier to forgive that besotted writer for his love of gin or that female painter for her promiscuity. If we accept the fallen nature idea of humanity, we might not want to buddy up with a Leo Tolstoy or invite Scott Fitzgerald to supper, but we can appreciate their writing. We might condemn preRaphaelite Dante Gabriel Rossetti for some of his habits and practices — he died a drug abuser and an alcoholic, and had for years carried on a sexual relationship with one of his models — yet we can still take pleasure in his paintings.

If we forget that artists are also human beings, as susceptible to moral failures as the rest of us, we do them and ourselves a great disservice.

Moreover, the work created by such artists may derive in part from their own sense of personal shortcomings and their attempts to overcome those weaknesses through their art.

In For Whom The Bell Tolls, the main character, Robert Jordan, is a better man than Hemingway ever was. In The Great Gatsby the narrator, Nick Carraway, has admirable qualities lacking in his creator, Leo Tolstoy.

Malcolm Lowry’s Under The Volcano features as its main character an alcoholic, which Lowry was as well, but we sense in his fictional creation a nobility lacking in Lowry’s own character.

This driving force, to make the creation better and more beautiful than the creator, may be one motivation behind all the arts.

Finally, we might keep in mind that artists

Crazy Horse family elder, author to visit Sylva

Book chronicles Smokies characters, history

Crazy Horse family elder Floyd Clown Sr. will join author William Matson to discuss and sign their book, Crazy Horse: The Lakota Warrior’s Life and Legacy, based on the family’s oral history from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

This will be their landmark 301st appearance as they travel across the United States and Europe. The Crazy Horse family’s oral history had not been told outside the family for over a century because the government had been hunting their family members since Crazy Horse was assassinated in 1877.

Now, over a century later, it is finally being told by his family.

Clown, a son to Edward Clown who was a nephew to Crazy Horse and keeper of the sacred bundle and pipe, will represent his family at the discussion.

The event is free and open to the public.

Journalist and author Holly Kays will host a reading and signing of new work, Trailblazers & Traditionalists: Modern-day Smoky Mountain People, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

The book is a compilation of 33 feature stories written previously published in the weekly newsmagazine The Smoky Mountain News, where Kays works as a journalist. The book offers an intimate look into the lives of some of the diverse and fascinating people who call this mountainous region home.

Trailblazers & Traditionalists retails for $15.95, with $19.95 covering shipping, fees and taxes. It is published by The Smoky Mountain News. Order the book from Kays’ Facebook page, www.facebook.com/hollykaysauthor, send $19.95 to paypal.me/hollykays or mail a check made out to “Holly Kays Writing” to 144 Montgomery Street, Waynesville, NC.

27

— writers, painters, sculptors, musicians — are different than politicians, preachers, and some celebrities. The politician who enjoins the rest of us to endure austerity while he himself is engaging in graft, the preacher who inveighs against sin while boozing it up and seeking sexual pleasures outside of his marriage, the teacher who seduces a student entrusted to her care: these and others are breaking their bonds with the unspoken oath they took when they entered their professions.

The artist takes no such oath — not in regard to the personal life. The true artist makes a vow to truth and beauty. That personal life may be as messy as it gets, but that oath binds the artist to the work.

Let’s conclude with this observation from Gregory Wolfe’s Beauty Will Save The World, a title taken from Dostoevsky. In Chapter 4, Wolfe writes: “It is a curious fact that the artist who produced the most compelling and accessible version of Christian humanism in the twentieth century was a multiply married, luxury-loving, alcoholic atheist by the name of Robert Bolt.”

Robert Bolt wrote the play, “A Man For All Seasons,” and the screenplay for the movie.

Here he tells the story of Sir Thomas More, his resistance to Henry VIII’s marriage to Anne Boleyn, and his subsequent execution for refusing to approve that marriage and the break from Roman Catholicism. The atheist Bolt paints More as a Christian and humanist who deserves our admiration.

Like Robert Bolt, artists who pursue truth and beauty strive to deliver a message that makes us more fully human. Indeed, here is the measuring stick separating great art from mediocre or bad art. The former adds to our sense of humanity, the latter leaves us untouched or even diminishes our personhood.

We can revere the art — a poem, a painting, a symphony — without requiring its creator be a saint.

(Jeff Minick is a writer and teacher. minick0301@gmail.com)

Library starts Silent Book Club The Jackson County Public Library will launch a Silent Book Club at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at The Paper Mill Lounge in Sylva.

The club will continue on the second Thursday of each month.

Everyone is invited to attend.

The Silent Book Club is a national movement of unique book clubs. The idea is that people gather together, socialize a little, enjoy food and beverages, do some silent reading of the book they brought, and then reconvene to discuss the books they are reading.

The uniqueness of this kind of book club is that each person is reading the book that they choose. There is no debate over a common book. The Silent Book Club is also a wonderful way to broaden one’s own literary horizons by listening and participating in passionate discussions of many different books.

For more information, call the library at 828.586.2016. The Jackson County Public Library is a member of Fontana Regional Library (www.fontanalib.org).

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Smoky Mountain News

Riders navigate the Fire Mountain Trails during the 2019 Fire Mountain Inferno mountain biking competition. Donated photo

Betting on Cherokee Fire Mountain Outpost opens on Qualla Boundary

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER otion Makers Bicycles in Cherokee is starting 2020 with a new location and a new roommate, but the same optimism about the future of outdoor sports on the Qualla Boundary.

The bike shop’s Cherokee location first opened 2018, sharing a two-story yellow building on Big Cove Road with Franklinbased outfitter Outdoor 76. The concept was solid, but the logistics proved problematic.

Four months after opening in Cherokee, Outdoor 76 launched a third location in Clayton, Georgia. Travel between the three

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locations was time-consuming, and the twostory layout was a challenge.

“It was really hard to get people to go upstairs,” said Kent Cranford, who owns Motion Makers.

Outdoor 76 eventually decided to pull out of Cherokee, and Cranford reached out to see if Bryson City Outdoors might want to take their place. That business was interested in Cherokee, but not in the building.

“We basically said, ‘If you decide to move somewhere else, give us a call’,” said Brett Hackshaw, co-owner of Bryson City Outdoors.

COMMUNITY OVER COMMERCE Eventually, that call came. Cranford had long had his eye on a building on Tsali Boulevard across from the Cherokee Indian

Smokies visitation tops 12 million The Great Smoky Mountains National Park saw a record 12.55 million visits in 2019, an increase of 1.13 million over 2018, which was also a record-breaking year.

Visitation has increased every year since 2013 and has set a record every year since 2015, when 10.7 million visits surpassed the previous record of 10.28 million set in 1999. Last year, monthly visitation records were set in six out of 12 months — January, March, April, May, June and December. The January record of 496,743 visits came despite the fact that a government shutdown meant few visitors services were available in the park that month.

Fair Grounds, best known as the Old Teepee Restaurant and last home to the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians, which has since moved to Bryson City. The building is owned by the tribal government, but luckily for Cranford, Business Committee members were excited about the opportunity to lease it to a successful outdoor business.

Motion Makers is already set up at the new building, but Hackshaw and King are planning to open their section of the shop on Saturday, Feb. 1. Unlike their locations in Bryson City and Cullowhee, the Cherokee store will be called Fire Mountain Outpost after the popular trail system less than a mile away.

“Bryson City Outdoors obviously works in Bryson City, and it works on campus,” said King. “Over here we wanted to try something different, and we’re going to see what happens. I think it will be good with the partnership with Motion Makers and coming in as an outdoor store for Cherokee. But it’s just run by the same people that run your favorite out-

Before 2015, park visitation had not exceeded one million visitors per month until summer and fall. In 2019, 999,259 visits were recorded in April and 1,096,056 in May. Another traditional shoulder season month, September, has now exceeded one million visitors since 2015.

Visitors are more consistently reporting traffic congestion, busy restrooms and over-full parking areas throughout the year. These are some of the issues the park will be exploring over the next year in an effort to provide better access, experiences and stewardship of the park.

“I am very proud of our employees who work hard each day, along with our volunteers and partners, to help provide outstanding

doors stores in Cullowhee and Bryson City.”

At Fire Mountain Outpost, King and Hackshaw will sell all manner of gear and supplies to help tourists and locals alike explore the seemingly limitless trails around Cherokee.

“We sell a lot of the ‘I forgots,’” said Hackshaw. Sunglasses, water bottles, inexpensive tents — items that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s millions of annual visitors constantly find themselves in need of while on vacation. Keeping those types of supplies in stock has allowed Bryson City Outdoors to do a brisk business, but for Hackshaw and King it’s also about building community. The Cullowhee and Bryson City stores both feature a taproom where customers can come have a beer and talk about the day’s adventures. The taps in Cherokee will run with root beer and other alcohol-free drinks to help create that community hangout feel.

“Hopefully people will go ride the trails and come out here as a way to close out the day and talk about how the ride was,” said King.

“Community over commerce,” Hackshaw added.

Though, he said, one begets the other. The more businesses are open longer and more consistently across the seasons, the more Cherokee will become a hub for locals and tourists alike.

GROWING OPPORTUNITY Despite its status as a gateway community to the 816-square-mile Great Smoky Mountains National Park, historically Cherokee has not had much of an outdoors industry. It’s been more about Native-themed shops and roadside attractions and, later on, the casino.

Cranford, King and Hackshaw see that changing.

“I’m excited about what’s happening here in Cherokee, the potential of what can happen here in Cherokee,” said King. “The potential they have for outdoor adventure spots — you’ve got the Oconaluftee River, you’ve got the Fire Mountain Trail System, you’ve got the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.”

In 2019, the Smokies shattered visitation records by logging 12.55 million recreation visits, up from 11.42 million the year before, which was also a record; 2.43

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visitor experiences and to protect the resources that people come here to enjoy,” said Superintendent Cassius Cash. “With growing visitation, this has become more challenging. In 2020, we’ll be inviting people to help us thoughtfully look at how we can improve access and continue caring for this very special place.”

The park’s primary entrances near Gatlinburg, Townsend and Cherokee accounted for about two-thirds of total park visitation, and secondary park entrances experienced tremendous growth, due primarily to the new section of the Foothills Parkway between Walland and Wears Valley. Over one million visitors enjoyed this new scenic driving experience.

More park visitation statistics are available at irma.nps.gov/stats.

Law enforcement discounts at Cataloochee outdoors

Law enforcement personnel and their families will receive discounted prices at Cataloochee Ski Area Thursday, Feb. 6, and Friday, Feb. 7.

During Law Enforcement Appreciation Days, $50 per person includes a 90-minute lesson for ages 8 and up, rentals and a lift ticket for day, twilight or night skiing.

Lift ticket only will be $25 per person with $10 for rentals.

Day skiing is 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., twilight skiing is 1 to 10 p.m. and night skiing is 6 to 10 p.m.

Law enforcement personnel must show a valid ID, and all family members must be present at time of purchase.

Take the Plunge Motion Makers Bicycles owner Kent Cranford (center) is excited to open in a new location in Cherokee with Bryson City Outdoors co-owners Brett Hackshaw (left) and Ben King, whose store will operate under the name Fire Mountain Outpost. Holly Kays photo

Visit the store Motion Makers is already open at its new location at 516 Tsali Boulevard in Cherokee, with Fire Mountain Outpost expected to be up and running by Saturday, Feb. 1. The stores plan to hold a grand opening event in conjunction with the Fire Mountain Inferno event slated for the first weekend in May. During the winter, hours will be noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. otherwise. The store will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, with the goal of operating seven days per week in the summer.

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“We just haven’t got there yet,” he said.

There’s also the question of what’s going to happen with the 471-acre Shut-In Ridge property that the tribe closed on last year, part of an overall effort the N.C. Conservation Fund spearheaded to protect 912 acres in the Plott Balsams adjacent to Pinnacle Park. The Town of Sylva purchased 441.5 acres between Pinnacle Park and Shut-In, and both Sylva and the tribe have discussed the possibility of building trails for hiking or mountain biking on their respective properties.

“It would not be like Fire Mountain, I imagine,” said Hyatt. “I imagine it would be more akin to ‘Pisgah-eque’ trails — something that is not as groomed as this, not as condensed.”

Such a trail system is a future possibility, but no design work has been completed or decisions made on the fate of the property, other than the general goals of environmental conservation and outdoor recreation.

The folks at Motion Makers and Fire Mountain Outpost are willing to wait.

“The enthusiasm that we’ve all had about this is way more than I anticipated, honestly, and I’m a pretty enthusiastic guy,” said Hackshaw. “I was pretty concerned about it off the bat, and I’m not concerned anymore. We plan on being here a long time.”

To donate or register, visit charity.gofundme.com/8thannualhwaplunge a nd click “Join.”

Hard-copy registration is available by contacting 828.476.4667 or info@haywoodwaterways.org. Day-of registration is also available.

January 29-February 4, 2020

million of those visits originated at the Oconaluftee entrance in Cherokee.

There’s also the Fire Mountain Trail System, which opened in 2017 as a 10.5mile network. Anecdotal evidence indicates that the trails are extremely popular with mountain bikers from across the region, if not the country. Jeremy Hyatt, secretary of operations for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, said that he expects to have a formal social and economic impact study on the trails complete by the end of the year, providing some hard data on use and visitation.

Fire Mountain’s trails have been hailed as “epic,” “the flowiest trails in the southeast” and “the biggest buzz in Cherokee since the casino,” but they’re still a work in progress. Crews are currently working to add a mile of beginner-friendly trail that will turn Tinker’s Dream — currently the system’s easiest trail, though an out-andback endeavor — into a loop, also adding low-risk features for kids or beginning riders wanting to test out riding on obstacles like wooden rails.

Once that’s done, work will begin on an addendum to the hardest trail, Kate’s Wave.

“It is kind of underused because it dead ends,” said Hyatt. “We’ve taken that trail, and at the bottom of it cut a return trail back up to the top. We’re going to make it one-way. We’re going to make it our most aggressive trail, with jumps, with tables, rock features, wood features — things that will be more enticing to the advanced rider.”

Both projects should be finished by the end of March, with multiple other endeavors in the works. The tribe is negotiating in hopes of purchasing an additional 140 acres contiguous to the existing trail system that would allow the trails to go all the way up to the fire tower. And Hyatt is in ongoing talks with the Cherokee Indian Hospital about the potential of building a trail connecting Fire Mountain to the hospital campus.

There’s a lot of support for a hospital connector, said Hyatt.

The eighth annual Plunge Benefit-t-t-tting Kids in the Creek and Environmental Education will splash down at 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Champion Credit Union Aquatic Center in Canton, and it’s not too late to join the fun.

Haywood Waterways Association aims to raise $35,000 toward its environmental education efforts through the event. Costumes are encouraged, and full immersion is not required. Prizes are available for those who raise the most money or have the best costumes. The event will feature a variety of other activities as well, including the Base Camp on the Go Activities Truck, live music and more. It will wrap up around 1:30 p.m.

Cost is $25 for adults and $10 for kids under 18 — or free by raising sponsorships.

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Get updated on hemp production Hemp producers are invited to participate in the 2020 Hemp Production Meeting slated for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at the Macon County Extension Center in Franklin.

The meeting will cover research, regulations and agronomics from the N.C. Department of Agriculture; research updates and recommendations for Western North Carolina from N.C. State researchers; insects and diseases; budget and marketing; and a growers panel discussion.

RSVP to the extension office at 828.349.2046.

Closures coming in Cataloochee

able in the years since, but the upcoming improvements should stabilize the area for decades.

S.W. Ledford, of Hayesville, earned the contract for $999,930, more than 40 percent less than the original estimate.

Both Cove Creek and 284 will be closed to all vehicles, cyclists and horseback riders for the duration of the project, with the 284 restrictions in effect at the park boundary, about 2 miles north of Mt. Sterling Gap. During the closure, there will be no potable water, bathrooms, trash removal or camping in the Cataloochee area. Backcountry trails and campgrounds will remain open throughout the closure, but there will be no access to trailhead parking beyond the Big Creek area. Cataloochee Campground, Group Camp, Horse Camp and all other services will open by Memorial Day weekend.

January 29-February 4, 2020

The main access road into the Cataloochee area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cove Creek Road, will close from Feb. 10 to May 20 as the N.C. Department of Transportation conducts repairs on the county roadway. The secondary access to the area, Highway 284, is often closed during the winter months and will be inaccessible during the Cove Creek closure period.

DOT crews will restore the original width of the road by building a new retaining wall on the slope above the road to help prevent future slides and unexpected closures. In 2013, a slide removed a portion of the road and the hillside below it.

Short-term repairs have kept the road pass-

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Waynesville boarder wins X Games gold Waynesville native and X Games rookie Zeb Powell took gold Jan. 26 at an international competition held in Aspen, Colorado, wowing spectators and commentators alike.

Powell, 19, led in all five of the runs given to the eight athletes competing in the Wendy’s Snowboard Knuckle Huck, ultimately taking home the top prize and beating out some big names in the process.

“This event was made for a guy like Marcus Kleveland,” X Games snowboarding analyst Craig McMorris said in a video explaining the event ahead of its debut appearance in the 2019 games. “He was really at the forefront of the progression for knuckle tricks but unfortunately shattered his knee and could not compete for the 2019 season.”

Kleveland was healed up and back at it for 2020, though, and while he came in second, he couldn’t overtake Powell. Powell also beat Norweigan snowboarder Fridtjof Sæther Tischendorf, who won gold last year but finished third this time around, as well as 2019’s second-place finisher Jake Canter, an American who finished sixth place in yesterday’s contest. He also faced

competitors from Iceland, Finland and Japan.

Now in its second year as an X Games event, the knuckle huck is an event that grew out of the popularity of social media posts showing athletes doing tricks off the knuckle, which is essentially a bump on a slope but not an actual jump. Powell got the invitation to compete in a Dec. 28 email, which he attributes to a pair of videos he’d posted on social media.

Powell credits his growing up on the slopes to Cataloochee Ski Area with forming his style around the skills that are so essential to success in the knuckle huck.

“When you don’t have rails and stuff, you still have all this natural terrain that you don’t really see. But if you think enough and use it enough, all this cool stuff comes out,” Powell said in a Jan. 8 interview with The Smoky Mountain News. “It definitely shaped me somehow.”

It’s a formula that was unquestionably successful in the Jan. 26 competition. Catch the broadcast of the knuckle huck event at www.youtube.com/watch?v=hobziq6xn_4.

— by Holly Kays, outdoors editor

Experience the Snow Moon

828.246.9135 haywoodhabitat.org 30

Zeb Powell during Men’s Snowboard at Winter X 2020 in Aspen.

Explore the winter forest under the light of the Full Snow Moon from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Highlands Botanical Garden in Highlands.

The second full moon of the year is named after the heavy snowfall common in February, and guests will have the chance to explore the Botanical Garden under its light. Bundle up and bring a flashlight, and then enjoy some hot drinks and a fire in the Meadow by Valentine House.

Free. In the event of rain or severe weather the event will be rescheduled to Friday, Feb. 14.

828.526.2623.

Become a beekeeper outdoors

Learn what you need to know to get started as a beekeeper with a beginning beekeeping class offered 8:30 to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Haywood County Extension Center in Waynesville.

Participants will learn about honeybees and the practical steps needed to establish and maintain beehives through the first year. The class will cover what type of honeybees to get, where to locate them, how to manage them and how to harvest honey.

Swarms, varroa mites and colony collapse disorder will also be discussed.

Cost is $50 per person, with a Feb. 5 preregistration deadline. Call 828.456.3575 to register.

Celebrate the Southern Apps the literary way

Get tips on gardening year-round during a meeting of the Sylva Garden Club at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, at the Sylva Presbyterian Church.

The event will start with social time at 9:30 a.m., and at 10 a.m. guest speaker Bob Houghton will talk about four-season gardening, with attendees invited to visit his four season gardens. A business meeting will follow the talk around 10:30 a.m.

Smoky Mountain News

Garden in any season

January 29-February 4, 2020

The authors of a one-of-a-kind collection artistically showcasing the biodiversity of the Southern Appalachians will present their work at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Cowee Arts and Heritage Center in Macon County.

Rose McLarney, editor of Literary Field Guide to Southern Appalachia, will be joined by contributors Catherine Carter, John Lane, Holly Haworth and others who will read from the collection and discuss the book’s unique perspective on our landscape.

The collection includes artistic renderings and poems celebrating the Southern Appalachians. Mclarney, a Macon County native, won the National Poetry Series for her collection Forage.

Presented by Alarka Expeditions. Tickets are $5 and available at www.alarkaexpeditions.com. For more info, contact alarkaexpeditions@gmail.com.

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Volunteers work to install river cane at Rivers Edge Park in Clyde. Donated photo

828.452.2313 479 Dellwood Road Waynesville

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January 29-February 4, 2020

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A coalition of individuals and organizations came together to get river cane planted at Rivers Edge Park in Clyde this month.

Warren Wilson College and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Cooperative Extension Services Agriculture and Natural

Resources Program donated the cane, and the Town of Clyde provided transportation, and a location for the planting. Volunteers from Haywood Waterways Association put the plants in the ground.

River cane will help filter and reduce runoff to the Pigeon River.

Important bird areas explained Learn how you can help the birds of Western North Carolina during a presentation at 7 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 10, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

Curtis Smalling, director of conservation for Audubon North Carolina, will discuss the Important Bird Area Program, including its history, status and how the network of places is used for conservation and bird protection. He will especially emphasize the IBAs in the western part of the state.

Smalling’s presentation will include ways to help through community science and advocacy, as well as how the new forest plan revision for the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest might affect local IBAs. The presentation is offered as part of the Franklin Bird Club’s regular monthly meeting. www.franklinbirdclub.com or 828.524.5234.

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River cane to improve Clyde water quality

W W W. b l u e r i d g e m o t o r c y c l i n g m a g a z i n e . c o m

Sunday hunting subject of public survey The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission wants opinions on Sunday hunting, and an online survey is open through Feb. 2.

The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete and is intended to help the agency better understand how the public uses and values game lands.

Responses will also inform discussions at six public forums to be held at various locations throughout the state in February. That schedule includes a session at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Haywood Community College Regional High

Technology Center Auditorium in Clyde.

The Outdoor Heritage Act of 2015 removed a prohibition on Sunday hunting with firearms that had been in place in North Carolina since 1868. The Outdoor Heritage Enhanced Act of 2017 then allowed for Sunday hunting on public lands. After that law passed, the Wildlife Commission began gathering data and public input to help inform its decision on whether to allow Sunday hunting on game lands.

Hunters will still be prohibited on Sundays from hunting with a firearm between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., hunting deer with dogs and hunting within 500 yards of a place of worship.

Take the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/sundayhunting.

WNC Calendar COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • The largest recreational ski race program in the world, NASTAR Public Racing, will be held from 9-11 a.m. on Saturdays through the end of February in Cataloochee. Fun, competitive and easily accessible racing program that allows racers of all ages and abilities to compare themselves with each other, regardless of when and where they race, using a racer handicap system. Cost: $10 for two runs or $20 for unlimited runs. Register at the resort or nastar.com.

• The eighth-annual Plunge Benefit-t-t-ting Kids in the Creek & Environmental Education is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Feb. 1 at Champion Credit Union Aquatics Center in Canton. Presented by Haywood Waterways Association and the Town of Canton. Cost: $25. Info: haywoodwaterways.org/theplunge, 476.4667 or info@haywoodwaterways.org.

• Tax-Aide volunteers will be available to assist with federal and state income tax preparation and filing from Feb. 3-April 14 at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Service is provided by appointment from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays. Appointments: 524.3600 or visit the library at 149 Siler Road.

• Haywood Community College’s board of trustees will hold a drop-in welcome reception for new college president Dr. Shelley White from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6, in the lobby of Charles M. Beall Auditorium. In case of inclement weather, the reception will be held on Feb. 13. Info: 627.4516.

• The fifth annual Haywood Ramblings series kicks off with a session on “Unseen Photographs of Early Waynesville” presented by Alex McKay from 4-5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6, in the Town Hall Board Room at 9 South Main St. in Waynesville. 456.8647.

• Law enforcement personnel and their families will receive discounted prices on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 6-7, at Cataloochee Ski Area. Cost: $50 includes 90minute lesson, rentals and a lift ticket. Lift ticket only is $25 per person; $10 for rentals.

• Night to Shine, a prom for special needs, will be held on Friday, Feb. 7, at the Canton Armory and Cartoogechaye Baptist Church in Franklin. Info: 550.3356.

• Waynesville Parks and Recreation’s Base Camp is seeking summer camp counselors. Combine events are set for 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, Feb. 11 and Feb. 13, at the Waynesville Recreation Center for potential counselors to find out what summer camp is like and simulate the mental and physical hoops of a typical day. Info: 456.2030 or cmiller@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Macon County nonprofit organizations have until Feb. 13 to apply for county funds through the Macon County Community Funding Pool. Application forms and instructions available at www.maconnc.org. First-time applicants must call 524.3600 or 342.7872 to discuss proposals.

• Bingo Night is at 6 p.m. on the second Saturday at the Fines Creek Community Center. 25 cents per game.

Info: www.fb.me/finescreekorg or 593.7042.

• Jackson County Planning Board: 6 p.m. second Thursday of the month. Heritage room at the Department of Aging, 100 County Services Park in Sylva. 631.2261.

• The Jackson County Department of Public Health is seeking input from the community: http://health.jacksonnc.org/surveys. Info: 587.8288.

• Cashiers Area Chamber is seeking feedback to improve visitors’ experiences to the area. Take the survey at: tinyurl.com/y6w4uqyo.

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted. ⦁ Fontana Regional Library now offers anyone with a library card free access to eMagazines, for reading on any mobile device or computer. This new service joins our popular eBooks and digital audiobook`s selection — all available 24/7 from the library’s digital collection. To get started enjoying digital magazines as well as eBooks and audiobooks, visit e-inc.overdrive.com or download the Libby reading app. www.fontanalib.org.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • Haywood Community College will offer a Community Health Worker Certificate program starting Feb. 3 through the college’s Workforce Continuing Education Department. Classes meet from 6-10 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on four Saturdays. Cost: approximately $180 (tuition, books and fees). Info: 565.4103 or klhoyle@haywood.edu.

• Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment will be offering a 6-week online beginning German language course Feb. 3 through March 13. Registration fee: $79. For info or to register: learn.wcu.edu/language or 227.7397.

• Southwestern Community College will offer a “Nonprofit Summit” to provide local organizations the tools they need to support their services and achieve long-term success from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, in the Burrell Building on the college’s Jackson Campus in Sylva. Offered through the Small Business Center. Preregistration required at week in advance: http://bit.ly/nonprofitsummitSBC. Info: t_henry@southwesterncc.edu or 339.4426.

• Registration is underway for a seminar entitled “Choosing Your Small Business Legal Entity,” which will be offered online through Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center from 9-10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15. Info and Registration: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• The Small Business Center at Haywood Community College will offer a seminar on “How to Start a Business” from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, in the college’s Regional High Technology Center, Room 3021, in Clyde. Speaker is Russ Seagle, executive director of The Sequoyah Fund, Inc., in Cherokee. Info and Registration: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Registration is underway for a “Steps to Financial Literacy Seminar” that will be offered by Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center from 9-11 a.m. on Feb. 20 in the College’s Regional High Tech Center, Room 3021, in Waynesville. Info and registration: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Registration is underway for a “Website Construction 101: Learn the Basics of Coding” workshop that will be offered by Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment department from 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, and again on Friday, April 3, for those who want a next-level course.

Registration fee: $139. For info and to register: pdp.wcu.edu and click on “For-profit and Nonprofit Professional Development Workshops” or 227.7397.

• Registration is underway for an employment law workshop entitled “What Every Outdoor Business Must Know about Employment Law” that will be offered by Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, at WCU Biltmore Park in Asheville.

Networking lunch from 1-2 p.m. Registration fee: $89.

For info and to register: learn.wcu.edu/outdoor-employment-law or 227.7397.

Smoky Mountain News

• Registration is underway for a “Business Plan Bootcamp” offered by Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28, in the college’s Public Services Training Facility, Room 9105, in Clyde. Speaker is Russ Seagle, executive director of the Sequoyah Fund in Cherokee. For info or to register: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Registration is underway for “The School Leadership for Equity Summit” that will be offered from 8:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 20, at the Crest Center in Asheville. Theme is “What is Equity?” Hear from regional, state and national educational leaders about how they are building equitable and socially just classrooms, schools and districts. Registration fee: $85; includes light breakfast and lunch. Info: jrweiler@email.wcu.edu. Info about registration: https://tinyurl.com/ugdbm6c OR 227.7397.

• Submissions are being accepted for Southwestern Community College’s Cultural Fusion art/literature contest, which will be featured during the Cultural Fusion Festival on Wednesday, April 15, on the college’s Jackson Campus. Submissions accepted through April 1 in “Artwork or Photography” or “Literature (poetry, short stories, prose).” Info: 339.4325, tknott@southwesterncc.edu or SouthwesternCC.edu.

• The Jackson County Public Library in Sylva will be starting a monthly documentary series called “DocuWednesday” at 4 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month. The movies will be shown in the beautiful movie theater in the Community Room. At the end of each movie, the staff member who selected that documentary will lead a short discussion with the public. If you would like to know what movie will be showing each month, email Benjamin Woody at bwoody@fontanalib.org to be placed on an email list.

586.2016. www.fontanalib.org. ⦁ Haywood Community College’s Workforce Continuing Education Department is offering a wide variety of courses. For a complete listing: www.haywood.edu. Info: 627.4669. ⦁ The African-American Business Association Workshop & Meetup is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at the Arthur R. Edington Education & Career Center in Asheville.

• Evening classes for anyone wanting to obtain a high school equivalency diploma are offered from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays at Haywood Community College in Clyde. 627.4648.

• The Western North Carolina Civil War Round Table meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the HF Robinson Auditorium at the Western Carolina University Campus in Cullowhee.

• Concealed carry handgun is offered every other Saturday 8:30am-5pm starting at Mountain Range indoor shooting range. Lunch provided. Class $60.

452.7870 or mountainrangenc@yahoo.com.

• Small business owners can find materials and services to support business growth at Fontana Regional Library’s locations in Macon, Jackson and Swain Counties. Computer classes and one-on-one assistance available. 586.2016 or www.fontanalib.org.

• A meeting of current and former employees of the Waynesville plant of Champion/Blue Ridge/Evergreen is held at 8 a.m. on the first Monday of each month at Bojangles near Lake Junaluska’s entrance.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • “Share the Love” – a fundraiser for the programs of Haywood Habitat for Humanity – is set for 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Suggested donation: $20. Wine tasting and light hors d’oeuvres.

33

Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: ■ Complete listings of local music scene ■ Regional festivals ■ Art gallery events and openings ■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers ■ Civic and social club gatherings • Tickets are on sale now for the second annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser, held by Haywood Pathways Center, at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 at HART Theater in Waynesville.

Cost ranges from $25-40 for adults and $10-15 for children. Purchase tickets: haywoodpathwayscenter.org, at Pathways Center, 179 Hemlock St. in Waynesville or 246.0332.

• Stonehouse Pottery (Waynesville) will be doing an Open Studio Tour and Sale the first Sunday of each month to help support our local nonprofits. Each month highlights a different artist and that artists chooses his or her nonprofit. Stonehouse Pottery and the artist then give a portion of the proceeds as a donation to that nonprofit.

VOLUNTEERS & VENDORS • There is an open call currently underway for artisans, vendors and environmentally-themed booths at the 23rd annual Greening Up the Mountains, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 25, in downtown Sylva. Applications can be downloaded at www.greeningupthemountains.com and will be accepted through March 15. greeningupthemountains@gmail.com.

• Feline Urgent Rescue is seeking volunteers and sponsors. Info: 422.2704, www.furofwnc.org, www.facebook.com/furofwnc or 844.888.CATS (2287).

• Cat adoption hours are from noon-5 p.m. on Fridays and noon-4 p.m. on Saturdays at 453 Jones Cove Road in Clyde. Adoption fee: $10 for cats one-year and older.

Check out available cats at www.petharbor.com.

452.1329 or 550.3662. ⦁ Senior Companion volunteers are being sought to serve with the Land of the Sky Senior Companion Program in Henderson, Buncombe, Transylvania and Madison Counties. Serve older adults who want to remain living independently at home in those counties.

• Haywood Regional Medical Center is seeking volunteers of all ages for ongoing support at the hospital, outpatient care center and the Homestead. For info and to apply: 452.8301, stop by the information desk in the lobby or volunteer@haymed.org. Anyone interested in becoming a hospice volunteer can call 452.5039.

• Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the region, call John at the Haywood Jackson Volunteer Center and get started sharing your talents. 356.2833.

HEALTH MATTERS • Winter Wellness class is being held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Lazy Hiker/Mad Batter Kitchen in downtown Sylva. Learn from Wende Goode, essential oil educator on how to protect yourself and recover from sickness quickly. Free class with samples. 246.2256.

• Gibbins Advisors, independent monitor of HCA’s Mission Health System, will have a series of informational meetings in January and February to discuss its role and respond to questions from the community.

Following are times, dates and locations: 5:30-7 p.m.

wnc calendar

on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the Highlands Civic Center Meeting Room; and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, in the Robert C. Carpenter Room of the Macon County Community Facilities Building in Franklin. inquiry@missionhealthim.com.

• Haywood Community College’s Continuing Education Department will hold a Community Health Fair from 26 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Regional High Technology Center in Waynesville. Info: 565.4103 or klhoyle@haywood.edu.

• Community Acupuncture will be offered from noon-5 on Wednesdays and 1-6 p.m. on Fridays at Sylva Yoga. sylvayoga@gmail.com.

• Mindfulness Meditation is offered at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at Sylva Yoga. sylvayoga@gmail.com.

• Waynesville Yoga Center will host “Yoga for Back Care” from noon-1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1. Cost: $15. Register or get more info: 246.6570 or WaynesvilleYogaCenter.com.

• Intro to Astrology will be offered from 6:30-7:45 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, at Sylva Yoga. sylvayoga@gmail.com.

• “Yoga for Back Care” will be offered from noon-1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, at Waynesville Yoga Center.

Cost: $15. Reservations and info: 246.6570 or WaynesvilleYogaCenter.com.

SPIRITUAL

January 29-February 4, 2020

• Registration is underway for “Living the Way of Love: Courageous Conversation About Diversity,” a retreat that will be held Feb. 7-9 at Lake Logan Conference Center. Register online by Jan. 25: lakelogan.org/events.

Smoky Mountain News

Matson to discuss and sign their book, Crazy Horse: The Lakota Warrior's from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

• The Jackson County Public Library will launch a Silent Book Club at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at The Paper Mill Lounge in Sylva. The club will continue on the second Thursday of each month. Everyone is invited to attend. The Silent Book Club is a national movement of unique book clubs. The idea is that people gather together, socialize a little, enjoy food and beverages, do some silent reading of the book they brought, and then reconvene to discuss the books they are reading. 586.2016. (www.fontanalib.org).

• Waynesville Book Club at 5:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at Waynesville Library Meet to discuss books, which are chosen by each member (taking turns) and provided by the library. New members are welcome. For more information, 356.2507.

Area by presenting their homeschool credentials on Tuesdays at the ticket center. Rates are $25 for lift tickets and $50 for lift, lesson and rental. Lift and rental ticket is $35. Rates apply only to skiing from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Contact for more information and make reservations. 452.1020.

• Wednesdays are family days at Cataloochee Ski Area with children 17-under receiving a free lift ticket when accompanied by a parent purchasing a full-price adult lift ticket. Regular rental and lesson rates apply.

Only on non-holiday Wednesdays.

Bosu’s will host a Cocktails & Lunch on Saturday’s.

Serving house-made champagne cocktails from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. www.waynesvillewine.com

• Sapphire Ski Area is offering an after-school ski program with sessions on Jan. 31 and Feb. 7.

Sessions are $35 each. Makeup day in case of rain: Feb. 14. Register: 743.7663 or at Sapphire Valley Community Center.

• The Canton Branch Library will host a “Parent Child Workshop (123 Play with Me)” from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. on Feb. 5. For parents of children ages six months to three years old. Deanna.lyles@haywoodcountync.gov or 356.2563.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

• Yin Yoga Class will be offered from 10-11:15 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9, at Sylva Yoga. sylvayoga@gmail.com.

POLITICAL • The Democratic Women of Macon County will host “The Whistle Stop Tour 2020” from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Carpenter Community Building in Franklin. Meet and greet candidates.

Refreshments will be served.

• Haywood County Democrats will hold annual precinct meetings from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Feb. 15, at community polling locations.

• The Mexican Train Dominoes Group seeks new players to join games at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

• Book Club is held at 2 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800 • A Hand & Foot card game is held at 1 p.m. on Thursdays at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

• Senior Sale Day is on the third Friday of every month at the Friends of the Library Used Bookstore. Patrons 60 and older get 20 percent off all purchases.

Proceeds benefit the Sylva Library.

• Pinochle game is played at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

• Mah Jongg is played at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

• A Canasta card game is set for 1 p.m. on Mondays at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

• A Parkinson’s Support Group is held at 2 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

AUTHORS AND BOOKS • Waynesville author and Smoky Mountain News reporter Holly Kays will present her newest book, “Trailblazers & Traditionalists: Modern-day Smoky Mountain People” at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. Book reading at 3 p.m. www.facebook.com/hollykaysauthor or paypal.me/hollykays.

KIDS & FAMILIES

A&E FOOD & DRINK • The 2nd annual “Groundhog Day Baconfest” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, at Harmons’ Den on the campus of the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. The menu will be four courses. Cost is $25 per person, $45 per person with wine pairings. To RSVP (by Jan. 27), call 456.6322 or email harttheater@gmail.com.

• Innovation Brewing and Get Creative Atlanta/Carolina will present “Brush & Brew: A Painting and Craft Beer Night” from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Innovation Station in Dillsboro. Tickets are $30 per person, which includes one beverage per person (beer or wine), the class, all painting materials and taking your canvas (16"x20") painting home.

• Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville is offering lunch on Saturdays, “Lunch with us” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring fresh seasonal menu with outdoor seating weather permitting. 452.0120 or www.waynesvillewine.com.

• Bryson City Wine Market offers flights from 4-7 p.m. on Fridays and from 2-5 p.m. on Saturdays. Flight of four wines for $5.

• The STEAM Club meets at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. STEAM is Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math. Info: 488.3030, ext. 130.

• Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville will host five for $5 Wine Tasting from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays. Come taste five magnificent wines and dine on Chef Bryan’s gourmet cuisine. 452.0120 or www.waynesvillewine.com.

• Homeschoolers get special rates at Cataloochee Ski

• Secret Wine Bar is hosted by Bosu’s in Waynesville

Quality Trailers, Quality Prices

• A free wine tasting will be held from 1-5 p.m. on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Bosu Wine Shop in Waynesville. 452.0120 or www.waynesvillewine.com.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Saturdays at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. www.papouswineshop.com or 631.3075.

• “Brown Bag at the Depot” – an opportunity to gather with neighbors – is at noon every Friday at Sylva’s newest park at the corner of Spring and Mill Street along Railroad Ave. For info, contact Paige Dowling at townmanager@townofsylva.org.

• Graceann’s Amazing Breakfast is 8-10 a.m. every Tuesday in the Sapphire Room at the Sapphire Valley Community Center. $8.50 for adults; $5 for children.

Includes coffee and orange juice. 743.7663.

• A wine tasting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville.

Free with dinner ($15 minimum). 452.6000.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • Steve Whiddon and Angie Toomey will perform at First United Methodist Church’s Open Door Meal & Sing at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, in the church’s Christian Life Center in Sylva. 586.2358.

• Americana/indie act Grizzly Goat will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at the Nantahala Brewing taproom and restaurant in Sylva. The show is free and open to the public. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• Country music legend Ronnie Milsap will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

• Acclaimed singer-songwriter/guitarist K.M. Fuller will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Innovation Station in Dillsboro. Free and open to the public. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• The Highlands Performing Arts Center will present the MET Opera’s production “Live via Satellite” of the Gershwin’s “Porgy & Bess” at 12:55 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. Tickets available online at www.higlandspac.org, www.highlandsperformingarts.com or at the door.

• Dylan Doyle & trio will be on stage in the Loft at The Strand on Main on Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.

38main.com.

• The Mountain Heritage Center’s next installment of the First Thursday Old-Time and Bluegrass Jam series will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 with Frogtown onstage, at HomeBase on the Western Carolina University campus. Concert last an hour, followed by an open jam session. The series continues into March 227.7129 or www.wcu.edu/mhc.

Puzzles can be found on page 38 These are only the answers.

pricing starting at $499

34

• Crazy Horse family elder Floyd Clown Sr will join author William

Trailer Center

financing available, ask for details

HaywoodBuilders.com 828-456-6051 | 100 Charles St. | Waynesville

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • The Jackson County Public Library offers eservices support from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. on Tuesdays in Sylva. For those with new devices or need help accessing library resources. Appointments: 586.2016.

• The monthly Creating Community Workshop will feature Derek Morrow of Morrow Leatherworks at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, in the Atrium of the Jackson County Public Library. Morrow will be leading the workshop.

Participants will learn how to make a small, leather pouch. All supplies will be provided, but some hand strength is necessary for leather working. The workshop is limited to 10 participants. This program is free of charge. Please call the library to register.

586.2016.

• Asheville’s chapter of American Pilgrims on the Camino will hold a session from 7-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 3, at REI in Asheville to offer info about exploring the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Chris Slater and Rebecca Weston will present “Camino 101” covering the history, different routes, how to get there and accommodations available. Registration required: www.rei.com/events.

• Macon County Art Association will have Mardi Gras masks handmade by members for sale at the Uptown Gallery after Feb. 1 until the Mardi Gras celebration in Franklin on Feb. 22.

• Betsey Sloan will be teaching a class making sheep out of gourds from 1 to 3 p.m. on Feb. 29 at the Uptown Gallery in Franklin.

349.4607 or www.franklinuptowngallery.com.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES • Jenean Hornbuckle, a landscape painter, is currently showing her works, at the Rotunda Gallery in the Sylva library. info@jacksoncountyarts.org or 507.9820.

• The “Affrilachian Artist Travelling Studio” exhibit will run through Feb. 29 at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville. Gallery are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Cochran will host a gallery talk from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 15, at HCAC. As well, the closing reception will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at HCAC. www.haywoodarts.org.

⦁ “1917” will be showing through Jan. 30 at Smoky Mountain Cinema in Waynesville Plaza. Visit www.fandango.com or smokymountaincinema.com for showtimes, pricing & tickets. Info on Facebook or 246.0588. ⦁ “1917” will be showing through Jan. 30 at The Strand on Main in downtown Waynesville.

For showtimes, pricing & tickets visit 38main.com or 283.0079 ⦁ “Call of the Wild” will be start showing Feb. 20 at Smoky Mountain Cinema in Waynesville Plaza. Visit www.fandango.com or smokymountaincinema.com for showtimes, pricing & tickets. Info on Facebook or 246.0588.

• A documentary entitled: “Fontana Lake: Broken Promises, Delayed Resolution” will be featured in the meeting of the Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 6 at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center, 45 E. Ridge Drive in Bryson City.

• The Second Tuesday Movie Group meets at 2 p.m. in the Waynesville Library Auditorium.

For info, including movie title: 452.5169.

Outdoors

• The Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, at First Christian Church, 156 Belleview Park in Franklin. Program about collecting in Western North Carolina.

• The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking opinions on Sunday hunting through an online survey through Feb. 2, and a public forum is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Haywood Community College Regional High Technology Center Auditorium in Clyde.

Survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/SundayHunting.

COMPETITIVE EDGE • The Cataloochee Thursday Night Race League is open to skiers and snowboarders 18 years or older from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday through Feb. 27. Individuals race against the clock on a modified GS or slalom course for the better of two runs. The top three challengers in men’s and women’s age divisions win prizes. Helmets and goggles required. $15 to race or $35 for race entry and night lift ticket. https://tinyurl.com/y9ys99hu.

FARM AND GARDEN

• The Small Business Center at Southwestern Community College and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems will offer a seminar entitled “How to Make Money on the Farm” from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Whittier Fire Station. Preregistration required: bit.ly/makemoneyonfarm.

• Landmark Learning will offer courses in Wilderness First Responder, dates: Feb. 8-16, March 7-15 and March 14-22 in Cullowhee.

Info: www.landmarklearning.org.

WAYNESVILLE OFFICE:

828-564-1950 www.4smokys.com

Great Smokys Realty

36 S. Main St. Waynesville

• Registration is underway for the Landmark Outdoor Educator Semester, which is offered May 14-June 30, through Landmark Learning. www.landmarklearning.org.

• Chimney Rock State Park will hold its 15th annual Groundhog Day Celebration at 1 p.m. on Feb. 2. Greta the Groundhog will make her yearly spring prediction as well as her Super Bowl pick. Included with regular park admission. ChimneyRockPark.com.

• Alarka Institute and Expeditions will host an afternoon with editor Rose McIarney and several authors from the new University of Georgia Press publication “Literary Field Guide to Southern Appalachia” at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Cowee Arts and Heritage Center in Macon County. Tickets: $5.

Purchase: www.alarkaexpeditions.com. Info: alarkaexpeditions@gmail.com.

912-655-7674

Rob@4Smokys.com

• Landmark Learning is offering several options to take a Wilderness First Responder Recertification class, Feb. 28 in Cullowhee and March 1 in Brevard. Registration is also underway for courses on www.landmarklearning.org.

• Registration is underway for a seminar entitled “How to Make Money on the Farm,” which will be offered by the Small Business Center at Haywood Community College from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, in the college’s Regional High Technology Center Auditorium in Waynesville. sbc.haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Highlands Biological Station will hold a Snow Moon Walk from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Highlands Botanical Garden & the meadow by the Valentine House at 888 Horse Cove Road in Highlands. 526.2623.

BROKER, REALTOR®

• An opportunity to learn about winter hikes and waterfalls in Western North Carolina will be offered from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, at REI in Asheville. Registration required: www.rei.com/events.

• Indivisible Swain County NC will host a presentation entitled “Climate Reality Truth in Action: The Truth of the Climate Crisis and How We Solve It” from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Presented by Nilofer Couture and Joan Parks.

Info: 497.9498 or marherr2017@gmail.com.

• John and Cathy Sill will lead a Bird Walk on Feb. 6 at Lake Junaluska. Sign up: 524.5234.

Robert Sales

Hansen & Hansen Mary Roger (828)

The Strength of Teamwork The Reputation for Results

400-1346

(828)

400-1345

71 N. Main St., Waynesville (828) 564-9393

Jerry Powell Cell: 828.508.2002

jpowell@beverly-hanks.com

• The 2020 Hemp Production Meeting will be held for hemp producers from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, at the Macon County Extension Center in Franklin. Research, regulations and agronomics will be covered.

RSVP: 349.2046.

74 N. Main St., Waynesville

• Haywood County Cooperative Extension and Haywood County Beekeepers will offer a Beginning Beekeeping Class from 8:30 a.m.4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the extension center, 589 Raccoon Road, in Waynesville.

Cost: $50. Preregistration deadline: Feb. 5.

Register: 456.3575.

Phyllis Robinson

• Registration is underway for the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s annual Business of Farming Conference, which will be held from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Feb. 22 at the AB Tech Conference Center in Asheville. Cost: $75 if registering by Feb. 1 or $95 after. asapconnections.org or 236.1282.

828.452.5809

OWNER/BROKER

(828) 712-5578

lakeshore@lakejunaluska.com

The Only Name in Junaluska Real Estate

Smoky Mountain News

• Acrylic and watercolor painter Linda Blount and acrylic painter Jason Woodard will have their works showing in the auditorium of the Waynesville branch library through January.

The showcase is provided by the Haywood County Arts Council/Haywood County Public Library through the collaborative “Art Works @ The Library” program.

⦁ “Bad Boys for Life” will be showing through Jan. 30 at Smoky Mountain Cinema in Waynesville Plaza. Visit www.fandango.com or smokymountaincinema.com for showtimes, pricing & tickets. Info on Facebook or 246.0588.

• Franklin Bird Club will have a meeting at 7 p.m. on Feb. 10 at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Featured speaker is Curtis Small, Director of Conservation for Audubon North Carolina, who will speak on “Important Bird Areas of NC.” Info: FranklinBirdClub.com or 524.5234.

January 29-February 4, 2020

•, Mary Ellen Tully will host a class on contemporary Shibori using fiber dyes to make scarves from 1 to 3 p.m. on Feb. 16 at the Uptown Gallery in Franklin.

FILM & SCREEN

wnc calendar

• Tickets are available now for a performance by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, which is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, in the University Center at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Tickets: $5 for WCU students, $10 for non-WCU students and WCU faculty and staff and $15 for general admission.

Available at bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or 227.2479.

91 N. Lakeshore Dr. Lake Junaluska 828.456.4070

www.LakeshoreRealtyNC.com Conveniently located in the Bethea Welcome Center

35

Market WNC PLACE

Announcements

MarketPlace information:

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p: 828.452.4251 · f:828.452.3585 classads@smokymountainnews.com www.wncmarketplace.com 36

www.smokymountainnews.com

January 29-February 4, 2020

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR JACKSON COUNTY REACH of Macon County and the Center for Domestic Peace are seeking a full-time Assistant Director for Jackson County.

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37

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38

www.smokymountainnews.com

January 29-February 4, 2020

WNC MarketPlace

Real deal boardinghouses don’t exist anymore Editor’s note: This article first appeared in a January 2004 edition of The Smoky Mountain News.

A

George Ellison

re there boardinghouses still operating here in the Smokies region? There are, of course, hotels, inns, bed-andbreakfasts, and motels galore. But I'm wondering about the true, old-fashioned boardinghouse, which flourished throughout the region until the middle of the 20th century.

Unlike any of the establishments mentioned above, a real boardinghouse had several distinctive Columnist features. It would often come into existence as an expansion of the proprietor's original home site; or, it was sometimes established in a renovated commercial structure of some sort.

Rooms would sometimes be let out for overnight guests. For the most part, however, a boardinghouse catered to those staying for at least a week. And it wasn’t unusual for them to stay either for an entire season or even on a permanent basis. Working-class guests were as common as vacationers.

BACK THEN Long-term boarders were often adopted into the proprietor's extended family. Concern for his or her general welfare became a part of the socio-economic relationship.

Family style meals were the mainstay of a boardinghouse. Sometimes all three meals were served each day. Serving times for each meal were posted and the proprietor expected boarders to be on time. Most guests honored this system as a matter of courtesy.

They also realized that those arriving late had less — or sometimes very little — to eat.

Some of the rooms had bath facilities.

These cost more. Most guests shared a bath, which always seemed to be located “Just down there at the end of the hall.” A guest taking too much time or using up all of the hot water would hear about it from his fellow guests. If the habit persisted, the proprietor would weigh in.

There was always a common sitting, reading, and TV room used primarily during the winter or just before meals were served.

When the weather was fine, there was also a front porch with rocking chairs.

In my experience, the last true boardinghouse in this region was the Swain Hotel located on Everett Street in Bryson City.

From 1967 until 1996, it was owned and operated by Mildred and V.L. Cope. Swain

County native Luke Hyde, an attorney, purchased and renovated the establishment, opening in 1997 as the Historic Calhoun Country Inn. Family style meals are still served, but the current operation is not a true boardinghouse in most regards.

Although many of the guests return from season to season, none are of the long-term or permanent variety. Most are vacationers.

“Until 1966, the business was known as the Calhoun Hotel,” said Hyde. “It was operated by Granville Calhoun and his family.

My mother, Alice Hyde, worked at the Calhoun Hotel for 30 years. That’s why I converted to the old name.

“As far as I know the Swain Hotel as operated by the Copes was the last true boardinghouse west of Morganton. I stayed in a lot of places when I was looking for a suitable location of my own, and it was the only one I encountered.

“I remember when mother was working at the Calhoun Hotel that the Simonds family would come and stay for the summer. He operated a real estate business and had a sign right there in the front yard. She operated a clothing store.”

I stayed in the Swain Hotel on two occasions in the early 1970s shortly before deciding to move to Bryson City. For some reason, memories of those visits — once by myself and once with my wife and three children —

remain vivid.

Mrs. Cope, who orchestrated the meals, had jet-black hair, powder-white skin, and was something of a character. Her specialties were fried eggs and biscuits and gravy for breakfast; sliced cured ham, mashed potatoes, and apple sauce for dinner; and pork tenderloin or chops, baked sweet potatoes, and blackberry pie for supper. Fried chicken was reserved for Sunday dinners. Mr. Cope was one-armed but could perform any maintenance task with great dexterity.

All of our fellow guests were exceedingly cordial but not intrusive. Most were working-class and dressed accordingly for meals.

One elderly couple dressed up for meals.

They were permanent residents. He was the only man in the dining room with a coat and tie. Everyone got along. Everyone was exceedingly courteous about passing food and not taking too much. Personal matters, politics, and religion were not discussed.

Weather was the primary topic at each meal, but hunting and fishing were well within bounds. Children were made over. The black-and-white TV in the sitting room was always turned off right after the evening news. All in all, the boardinghouse provided the context for a functional and agreeable lifestyle.

(George Ellison is a writer and naturalist who lives in Bryson City. info@georgeellison.com)

January 29-February 4, 2020 Smoky Mountain News 39

January 29-February 4, 2020

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