Smoky Mountain News | February 16, 2022 by Smoky Mountain News

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

February 16-22, 2022 Vol. 23 Iss. 38

SPECIAL SECTION:HELP WANTED

CONTENTS

STAFF

On the Cover: Haywood Waterways Association Executive Director Eric Romaniszyn is leaving his position after 18 years with the environmental nonprofit. He helped steer the organization through a period of growth that included diversifying its revenue stream to become not-so-dependent on any one granting agency. (Page 38) Eric Romaniszyn plants trees along the East Fork Pigeon River to stabilize the soil following flooding from Tropical Storm Fred. Donated photo

EDITOR/PUBLISHER: ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: ART DIRECTOR: DESIGN & WEBSITE: DESIGN & PRODUCTION: ADVERTISING SALES:

CLASSIFIEDS: WRITING:

News Q&A with first-term GOP Rep. Mark Pless of Canton ..........................................16 New downtown Waynesville organization takes shape ........................................18 Cherokee council discusses term limits, staggered terms ..................................20 Jackson TDA outlines plans for capital projects funding ......................................21 Sylva board tables chicken discussion........................................................................23 Macon commissioners discuss plan for capital projects ......................................24 Sylva OKs open alcohol consumption in special district ......................................27

ACCOUNTING & OFFICE MANAGER: DISTRIBUTION: CONTRIBUTING:

Scott McLeod. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . info@smokymountainnews.com Greg Boothroyd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . greg@smokymountainnews.com Micah McClure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . micah@smokymountainnews.com Travis Bumgardner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . travis@smokymountainnews.com Jessica Murray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jessica.m@smokymountainnews.com Susanna Shetley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . susanna.b@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Bradley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jc-ads@smokymountainnews.com Sophia Burleigh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . sophia.b@smokymountainnews.com Scott Collier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Holly Kays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . holly@smokymountainnews.com Hannah McLeod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hannah@smokymountainnews.com Cory Vaillancourt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cory@smokymountainnews.com Garret K. Woodward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . garret@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Singletary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . smnbooks@smokymountainnews.com Scott Collier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Jeff Minick (writing), Chris Cox (writing), George Ellison (writing), Don Hendershot (writing), Susanna Shetley (writing)

CONTACT WAYNESVILLE | 144 Montgomery, Waynesville, NC 28786 P: 828.452.4251 | F: 828.452.3585

Opinion All about moving forward ................................................................................................28 Make it about “we” ............................................................................................................29

SYLVA | 629 West Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779 P: 828.631.4829 | F: 828.631.0789 INFO & BILLING | P.O. Box 629, Waynesville, NC 28786

Andrew Thelston discusses his music ........................................................................30

Copyright 2022 by The Smoky Mountain News.™ Advertising copyright 2022 by The Smoky Mountain News.™ All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The Smoky Mountain News is available for free in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain and parts of Buncombe counties. Limit one copy per person. Additional copies may be purchased for $1, payable at the Smoky Mountain News office in advance. No person may, without prior written permission of The Smoky Mountain News, take more than one copy of each issue.

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Take the edge off winter with story hour ....................................................................37

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HELP WANTED

NOW HIRING Employers going all out to recruit new workers hen the pandemic shutdowns took place in early 2020, millions of American workers left the workforce. Although millions have now returned, many of them took the time off to improve their skills, go back to school, adjust their work-life balance and reshuffle their employment situations. Others still haven’t returned, leaving both part-time seasonal and full-time permanent employers to hang signs outside their businesses stating, “Please be patient, we’re understaffed today,” or worse, “We’re closed.” The North Carolina Department of Commerce reports that more than 18,000 people were employed in Haywood County during the pre-pandemic fourth quarter of 2019, but by the end of the third quarter of 2021, there were still more than 900 open positions available. Adding to workplace difficulties of employers, unemployment numbers are at historic lows, according to the Federal Reserve’s online economic database, FRED. Across Western North Carolina, most counties are reporting 3% unemployment or less, including in Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties. Statewide, more than 200,000 new jobs will also be created by 2028. What this all means for job seekers is that many of the region’s largest, most successful and prestigious employers are also hanging another kind of sign outside their businesses — “Help wanted.” “it’s a job seeker’s market,” said Mike Despeaux, director of career services at Southwestern Community College. “You can’t throw a rock and without hitting a news article or story on the radio about the labor shortage. It’s not perceived, there is a labor shortage across the country and we certainly see it in Western North

Carolina, where we have strong health care industry and very strong tourist industry.” Despeaux said SCC “always needs labor and always needs qualified applicants,” and will host a job fair on Feb. 24 not only to help fill positions at SCC, but also to help local employers find employees as well. Employers have responded to the labor shortage by increasing wages and offering enticing benefits packages designed to attract and keep employees by keeping employees happy. “When Drake Software was founded in 1977, it was a totally different workforce than we have today,” said Joi A. Frederick, director of employee engagement and corporate communications at Drake. “Now we’re talking about culture, which is very important and as Gen Z is entering the workforce, it’s important to them.” Drake is a tax preparation software provider headquartered in Franklin with 600 employees in seven locations and as the company enters its busy season, it’s providing lunches every Monday to each and every one of them, along with off-the-clock but free social activities like trivia, painting parties and improv activities. That’s in addition to a generous benefits package that includes PTO, sick pay, a 401k with employer match, dental, vision, medical, disability and life insurance options, an employee assistance program with estate planning and legal help at little to no cost. “There’s also an employee engagement team that works with employees to ensure motivational support, extrinsic rewards and networking in place to see that our employees succeed,” Frederick said. “It’s really an exciting time at Drake.” And an exciting time to be looking for work in general – check out the employers in this week’s “Now Hiring” section and find your dream job today.

WE OFFER: $ 500 SIGN ON BONUS ❖ Up to 3 weeks paid time off ❖ 401k ❖ 90 day and yearly evaluations ❖ Referral bucks - $250 ❖ Uniform allowance - $100 annually ❖ 1 Free meal per shift - Split shift

HELP WANTED

❖ Supplemental insurance available

Med Techs – starting @ 16.00 & up (based on exp) CNA’s - starting @ $15.00 & up (based on exp) PCA’s – starting @ $14.00 & up (based on exp) Dietary Cooks – starting @ $14.00 & up (based on exp) Dietary Aides – starting @ 12.00 & up (based on exp) Housekeeping – starting @ $12.00 & up (based on exp) Maintenance

The Next Best Thing to Being at Home. Devoted to helping those that need assistance with activities of daily living.

Apply online at: www.haywoodlodge.com or in person at 251 Shelton Street, Waynesville, NC 28786 Phone: 828-456-8365

HELP WANTED

Now Hiring School Director

Mountain Discovery Charter School e Great Smoky Mountains in Bryson City, N

The students of Mountain Discovery Charter School are engaged in an experientially rich, hands-on course of study developed to maximize each child’s potential to become a responsible citizen of the local and global communities. Parents, students, teachers, and staff are dedicated to fostering individual learning styles, nurturing and facilitating our children’s natural abilities to think creatively and critically, and promoting self-conﬁdence through respect for self, others and the environment.

Out benefits include: • State Retirement, • State Health Benefits, • NC Flex Benefits, • Paid Leave • Over 30 days of paid vacation time during the school year. “Working at MDCS is like a close knit community. I value my peers and how well we support one another. I have worked at MDCS for 7 years and I have always appreciated the ability to be creative. It is a vibrant place to work!”

Carolina

“MDCS is an exceptional organization starting with

HELP WANTED

nestled into

PASSION FOR THE OUTDOORS. EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING. EMPOWERING OUR STUDENTS EMPOWERS OUR COMMUNITY.

their administration & leadership with a solid well rounded faculty.”

HOW TO APPLY mountaindiscovery.org/employment • (828) 488-1222

HELP WANTED

PA I D A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Drake Software: Employee Engagement Meets Community Relations

t’s no secret that organizations across the country are struggling to find and keep employees. The end of 2021 saw record job turnover, and the latest surge has forced many small business closures due to staff shortages—exacerbating preexisting employment issues. In particular, the hospitality industry has been struggling the past few years, first navigating lockdowns and occupancy limits, only to grapple with the recent worker shortage and the “Great Resignation.” Local employer Drake Software is rising to the challenge by rolling out a meaningful employee engagement program that will also help other local businesses. As part of its Building a Strong Workforce initiative, the company invests in the communities that are home to Drake facilities and employees’ personal and professional development. Those eﬀorts include collaborating with other local businesses where possible to provide community-building activities for employees. How is Drake driving employee engagement? In addition to rolling out a mentoring program and providing regular training opportunities, Drake is working with local

vendors and restaurants to furnish employees with meals and entertainment during tax season. Traditionally the company’s busiest time of year, these activities are designed to help encourage fellowship and enrich employees’ lives both in and out of the oﬃce. Weekly lunches – Drake Software will be providing weekly Monday lunches to employees throughout tax season. Not only will this keep staﬀ from having to worry about their meal at the start of the week during the most stressful time of year, but it will also support local restaurants. Evening entertainment – Employees will be able to sign up for a variety of evening entertainment options to help them take a break from the tax season grind, including in-person and virtual activities.

Paint parties, virtual improv classes, and virtual trivia nights are just a few of the currently planned events for this year. Community events – Drake regularly hosts events outside of tax season that bring together the diverse teams at all seven campuses: Waynesville, NC, Franklin, NC, Hayesville, NC, Sylva, NC, Antioch, TN, Greenville, SC, and Virginia Beach, VA. From outdoor barbecues to scavenger hunts, building a thriving community has always been a top priority. Drake also hosts engagement opportunities for remote employees. On top of scheduled virtual events, oﬀ-site staﬀ are invited to participate in any nearby activities. Those who can’t attend in person are provided a Zoom link. Is Drake Software hiring? Drake Software is currently hiring for a number of positions, including bank analyst, customer care associate, customer engagement representative, programmer – tax development, QA tester, sales representative, and technical writer. For a list of all current openings and to apply, visit DrakeSoftware.com.

ABOUT DRAKE SOFTWARE

For more information, visit DrakeSoftware.com or call 800.890.9500.

For more than 45 years, Drake has provided tax professionals with fast, reliable software to run successful tax practices and serve their clients’ tax filing needs. Today, over 60,000 tax offices use Drake Software. Using innovation, customer feedback, and a team of dedicated developers, subject matter experts, and support staff, Drake continues to achieve its goals of customer satisfaction, product refinement, and customer growth.

PA I D A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Current Position Openings BENEFITS Drake offers a comprehensive defined contribution plan, which lets you design a benefit package to meet your needs. You can choose from traditional benefits, such as: • Health, Dental and Vision insurance • Health Savings Account • Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts • Term Life & AD&D insurance • Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance • Accident insurance • Critical Illness insurance • Cancer insurance

JOB OPPORTUNITIES Bank Analyst

HELP WANTED

Visit Drakesoftware.com

Business Development Specialist Customer Care Associate (CCA) Customer Engagement Representative (CER) Database Administrator – Application Development Helpdesk Support Specialist – Tier 2 Linux Server Administrative Assistant Marketing Data Analyst

You can also choose non-traditional plans, such as: • Telemedicine • Identity Theft protection

.NET WPF Developer - Applications

Other benefits include: • 401k with Safe Harbor • Paid holidays • Paid time off • Sick Pay • Employee Assistance Program • Tuition reimbursement • Longevity awards

Prospect Engagement Representative (PER)

Programmer - Tax Development Programmer I - Web

QA Automation Engineer QA Tester I - Drake Portals QA Tester I - Online Tax Product Drake Software Sales Analyst Sales Manager - Western US Sales Operations Manager Sales Representative - B2B Drake Software Senior DevOps Engineer Senior Financial Analyst Senior Web Engineer Systems Administrator

For more information, visit DrakeSoftware.com or call 800.890.9500.

Systems Engineer Tax Analyst - Tax Development Technical Writer

HELP WANTED “I grew up surrounded by the medical ﬁeld,” shared Rachel Hyatt, BSN, RN. “My mom was the director of an ancillary Haywood Regional Medical Center (HRMC) facility throughout my childhood. I spent many hours at this facility before and after school, to the point where I considered the staff my family.” It was this early exposure that led her to pursue her own career in the ﬁeld – here at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

or 95 years, Haywood Regional Medical Center (HRMC) has been the hospital the community turns to for quality healthcare close to home, providing a full range of inpatient, outpatient and emergency room services in a 154-bed facility. It’s also been a home for many like Rachel – who grew up and into their careers within its walls. “When I was just old enough to work, I obtained my ﬁrst job at this facility, pulling charts for physicians after school in 2012,” Rachel said. “Since that time, I have been with the system in several roles, including practices, Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center, and now the HRMC Women’s Care Center. There has never been a time when I have felt like a number. The CNO, CEO, and nurse managers know you by name and know your story.”

In addition to its community environment, HRMC is a hospital that is also proud of its quality and technological offerings. It has its accreditation as a Chest Pain Center and Cath Lab and the AACVPR (American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation) certification for its cardiopulmonary rehab program, showing quality cardiac care from start to finish. Haywood has also recently added robotic surgical tools for orthopedic surgery. As part of Duke LifePoint Healthcare, the hospital is supported by Duke University Health System’s world-renowned leadership in clinical excellence and quality care and LifePoint Health’s extensive resources and breadth of operational experience in community-based care Rachel shared, “In addition to what our - paid content -

hospital offers to the public, all team members and administrators want the best for you and will do anything in their power to help you achieve your goals. I am currently enrolled in a master's degree program for nursing leadership through Western Carolina University. This will allow me to successfully lead my own team of nurses one day. Administrators throughout the facility have been nothing shy of amazing in helping me achieve this goal.” Haywood Regional Medical Center is currently hiring for multiple positions, including RNs, recent nurse graduates, CNAs, and a number of other roles – many with sign-on bonuses. About working at Haywood, Rachel said, “You won't regret it! Every staff member at HRMC is friendly and welcoming to new faces. I cannot think of one time that I have felt unwanted or unneeded in this facility. I consider this organization family.” For more information about careers at Haywood Regional Medical Center, visit MyHaywoodRegional.com/Careers. New nursing graduates may attend open houses at HRMC on March 1 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm or March 2 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. To learn more or RSVP, call Shannon Sorrells at 828.452.8353.

WE ARE HIRING Administrative Assistant/Receptionist • $30k + yearly

• Welcome guest and greet people who visit the business

Vacation & Holiday Pay

• Answer incoming calls, schedule estimates & confirm appointments

Company Health, Dental & Vision

• Schedule and confirm preventative maintenances and service calls

HELP WANTED

Email resume to: valerie.allserviceheatac@gmail.com

• Manage new customer inquiries Company Retirement Plan

• Enter invoices in dispatching software (FieldEdge)

Yearly Bonus

• Accept customer in-person payments & reconciling credit card payments

“Strong Candidates can grow and advance with the Company”

(828) 349-1933 AllServiceHeatingAir.com 350 Depot Street Franklin, NC

Four Seasons, The Care You Trust

ince 1979, Four Seasons has maintained a commitment to providing exceptional serious illness and end-of-life care. Four Seasons provides care to those within our community through: Care Navigation, Home Care, Palliative Care, Hospice Care, Grief Services, and Clinical Research & Innovation. A national leader in high-quality person-centered care and innovations in care, Four Seasons consistently ranks in the top 10% of service providers for family satisfaction and is one of a handful of palliative and hospice organizations nationwide that contributes to clinical research studies and trials. “We are honored to co-create the best care possible for those we serve. Daily, we listen, learn, and love, showing compassion and respect to all and responsiveness when our community needs us the most. Recently recognized with national awards for the provision of quality

care and for creating an excellent culture for our employees, our commitment to positively impacting lives expands,” says Dr. Millicent Burke-Sinclair, President and CEO of Four Seasons. Four Seasons is supported by generous community donations to the Four Seasons Foundation and the Hospice Home Stores. Foundation donations and purchases from any of their three Hospice Home Stores located in Hendersonville, Arden and Brevard, enable all patients to have access to the care they need, regardless of the ability to pay. Four Seasons currently serves 13 counties in Western North Carolina: Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, and Transylvania. To learn more, visit wwwFourSeasonsCFL.org or call (866) 466-9734.

- paid advertisement -

HELP WANTED

PASSIONATE WORK

PRODUCTIVE WORK

STUDENT SUCCESS

Success for today, through the cooperative involvement of students, parents, educators, and the total community; preparation for tomorrow through academic achievement for all students and the development of thinking and reasoning skills; and learning for a lifetime which assures well-informed, productive citizens for the future. www.haywood.k12.nc.us

CUSTODIAN (12 month position)

Our teachers are among the best in the state. Teachers develop lesson plans and instructional materials for subject area and translate lesson plans into learning experiences to develop pertinent sequential assignments, challenge students, and best utilize the available time for instruction. Teachers also promote a classroom environment that is safe and conducive to individualized and small group instruction and student learning. Teachers possess a wealth of knowledge of current teaching methods and educational pedagogy, as well as differentiated instruction based upon student learning styles.

Our custodians perform a variety of general and light grounds keeping work in the care and maintenance of assigned buildings and facilities. Duties include FOHDQLQJ ŴRRULQJ UHVWURRPV ZLQGRZV IXUQLWXUH HPSW\LQJ WUDVK UDLVLQJ DQG ORZHULQJ ŴDJ DV QHHGHG RSHQLQJ EXLOGLQJ DW WKH VWDUW RI ZRUNGD\ DQG ORFNLQJ down the facility at the end of day.

4XDOLƓFDWLRQV Ř 1&'3, /LFHQVXUH IRU DUHD DVVLJQHG • Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in education, discipline applicable to teaching assignment

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HELP WANTED

TEACHER K-12 (10 month position)

SCHOOL BUS DRIVER (10 month position) EC TEACHER (10 month position) 2XU (& WHDFKHUV SURYLGH VSHFLDO HGXFDWLRQ VHUYLFHV WR VWXGHQWV LGHQWLƓHG DV GLVabled in accordance with state and federal regulations. Work involves developing and implementing the Individual Education Program in classroom settings that are compatible with the student’s age and developmental level. EC teachers are responsible for developing lesson plans, adapting materials and designing activities to assist EC students develop appropriate academic, behavioral, and social skills and to meet their IEP goals. 4XDOLƓFDWLRQV • Bachelors degree in special education Ř &HUWLƓFDWLRQ LQ DW OHDVW RQH DUHD RI GLVDELOLW\ DV D WHDFKHU E\ WKH 1RUWK &DUROLQD Department of Public Instruction.

EC TEACHER ASSISTANT (10 month position) Our EC teacher assistants perform a wide range of tasks in order to support the efforts of the teacher, meet the needs of all students, and ensure the provision of quality instruction. EC teacher assistants provide one-on-one assistance with academics and may lead small group activities. 4XDOLƓFDWLRQV • High School diploma; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities • Must meet paraprofessional requirements of either holding an Associates degree or completion of 48 semester hours of transferable university or college course credits • Due to licensing regulations, Preschool assistants must have an Associates degree in Early Childhood Development Ř 0XVW EHFRPH LQLWLDOO\ FHUWLƓHG LQ D &ULVLV ,QWHUYHQWLRQ 3URJUDP VSHFLƓF program to be determined by HCS Exceptional Children’s Department) and PDLQWDLQ WKDW FHUWLƓFDWLRQ WKURXJK WKH SURSHU UHQHZDO SURFHVV

TO READ FULL JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND TO APPLY, VISIT: www.haywood.k12.nc.us

Our school bus drivers are in charge of providing safe transport for school children based on a schedule and route. Drivers must maintain a high standard of student conduct at all times. Drivers must also perform daily pre-trip and posttrip inspections. 4XDOLƓFDWLRQV • Must be at least eighteen (18) years old • Must possess and maintain a current North Carolina commercial driver’s license with proper endorsements and a current Bus Drivers Pocket Card • Must pass a DOT drug and alcohol testing • Must never have been convicted of a DWI Offense

TEACHER ASSISTANT (10 month position) Our teacher assistants aid teachers in implementing classroom programs, preparing materials, and facilitating activities to improve effectiveness of the classroom and school. 4XDOLƓFDWLRQV • High school diploma • Possession of an equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position Ř 7KRVH TXDOLƓFDWLRQV UHTXLUHG XQGHU WKH SURYLVLRQV RI ŏ1R &KLOG /HIW %HKLQGŐ A. Associates degree, or B. Completion of 48 semester hours of transferable university or college credits

CHILD NUTRITION ASSISTANT (FT 6 hours/day, PT 3-5 hours/day) Our child nutrition assistants’ primary responsibilities are to prepare and serve meals to our students, staff, parents, and others. Duties include maintaining high standards of sanitation throughout the kitchen and cafeteria, observing proper safety practices, and caring for equipment. 4XDOLƓFDWLRQV • Possession of a valid TB test and health examination issued by the local county board of health or recognized medical authority Ř 6XIƓFLHQW HGXFDWLRQ WR UHDG WUDLQLQJ PDWHULDOV ZULWWHQ GLUHFWLRQV DQG PDNH arithmetic computations • Experience in quantity food preparation

HELP WANTED

Silver Bluff Village ... Employs over 200 highly trained, professional caregivers, dedicated to providing the best quality care ... Provides EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES to develop skills and learning with highly trained mentors promoting staff empowerment. Employment, volunteering, shadowing and internships are available in a variety of career choices that include health care, therapy, dietary, food service, nutrition, grounds keeping, maintenance and management. We offer health benefits, PTO, education assistance, and many incentives. ... On Site Certified Nursing Assistant Course and Entry Level Geri-Tech positions are available to get started CURRENTLY HAS OPENINGS FOR an activity director, chef, dietary aides, geri-techs, med aides, nursing assistants, housekeepers, LPNs, and RNs

Family Serving Families Since 1962 . . . “OUR FAMILY CARING FOR YOURS”

100 SILVER BLUFF DRIVE • CANTON • 828.648.2044

www.silverbluffvillage.com

HELP WANTED

WORK AT ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA! Lake Junaluska is currently accepting applications for the following job opportunities

Lake Junaluska Assembly, Inc, hosts over 200,000 visitors and guests who come from across the country for programs, spiritual retreats and to enjoy the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. You’ll enjoy a friendly, collaborative atmosphere in addition to a sign-on bonus for seasonal employees, beneﬁts packages for full-time staff and a range of employee perks and discounts, which include

— Food Services — Housekeeping — Assistant Manager for Coffee Bar & Markets — Retail Sales Associate/Barista — Event Meeting Room Setup Technician

• FREE Golf Course greens fee • FREE Summer Activity Pass & Boat Rentals

— Night Porter

• FREE Fitness Center Pass

— Director of Human Resources

• Discounts on on-site dining and shopping

— Director of Food Services

• Discounts on lodging

— Director of Program Ministries

To apply directly online, or for more information, visit lakejunaluska.com/jobs call our jobs line at 828-454-6706 or email hr@lakejunaluska.com

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Rep. Pless looks back on 2021 BY CORY VAILLANCOURT POLITICS E DITOR t’s been a challenging year in Haywood County government circles, especially on the state level. Stepping out of a contentious 2020 election with one foot still in a global pandemic, the General Assembly passed its first budget in three years but is still struggling to remedy a distinct lack of access to affordable health care and broadband, especially in rural areas. Toxic political discourse and misinformation persist from Washington to Waynesville and a devastating flood that caused a half-dozen deaths lent a somber tone to the work of local legislators in Raleigh. There for all of it was Mark Pless, the firstterm Republican representative from Haywood County. Pless took a moment to talk with The Smoky Mountain News about the work he’s done over the past year, and the work still to be completed.

February 16-22, 2022

The Smoky Mountain News: You were a Haywood County commissioner for two years, but now you’re a freshman legislator with a year under your belt. What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned since you’ve gone to Raleigh? Mark Pless: The thing that stands out the most is when I was dealing with issues here and people were approaching me, I pretty well had a handle on Haywood County. I’ve lived here my whole life and you’re never gonna have an agreement with everyone, but I kind of understood that. Now that I’m at the state level, I have learned this state is a lot larger and a lot more complex in ideas and opinions. It’s really hard to put a finger on something that is great for Haywood County and push it forward, because that may affect the coast adversely. Every time something comes forward, we have to see what that’s gonna do to somebody else.

Smoky Mountain News

SMN: So what do you consider Haywood County’s biggest victories in the General Assembly over the past year? MP: I don’t know that there’s any great successes. I was pleased that they heard my voice. I spent a lot of time communicating with folks in Raleigh about the disaster, about the flooding, about where people were at, and we moved that as quickly as we could. So I feel really good that they listened and I was able to be there and help the people in county through the flooding process. But that’s really the only thing that I see as being a huge success, is being able to bring money back so people can get their lives back together. But also what I’ve gained from sitting here in the last year is something that you can’t get in a school, you can’t get in everyday life. I wanted to go down there and I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to stand and I wanted to be there for the people and do what I could do and represent them. After a short period of time, I realized that I could make a difference, but my biggest difference shifted to helping people navigate govern16 ment.

SMN: It sounds like you’re really focused on the constituent services aspect of this job as opposed to legislating. MP: Even though we have a majority, you still have to get 61 people to agree with you and you have to get 26 in the Senate to agree with something and then you gotta get the governor to agree. So there are checks and balances to the legislative process and it needs to be that way. That’s a slow process, a very slow process.

level. The town of Canton, the town of Clyde, the county commissioners, all of these people need to be handling it in their areas because they know what their area looks like, not the governor and certainly not the legislature.

SMN: What do you see happening in the next year in the General Assembly? What’s the focus? MP: We have some more infrastructure money and we’re gonna try to do some more things in the short session to help now that everything is finally stabilized with the budget. The short session will be a lot about handling the bills that weren’t passed in either chamber and trying to get some more stuff moving to help the local governments to be able to be successful. We were fortunate enough to have a lot of money coming in from the federal government, and we need to get that out. SMN: One of the things that’s certainly top of mind here in Canton is their town services – police, fire, and administration. They need new buildings. They’ve said that even with FEMA money and insurance, that they’re looking at a pretty significant hole. If they wanted to build something from new scratch, they’d need at least $10 million. If they want to retrofit something, they would still need about $3 million. What’s the possibility that we are able to get a state bailout on that and have no cost to the taxpayers of Canton? Pless: I’ve had a lot of discussions with Nick [Scheuer, Canton town manager] and Zeb [Smathers, Canton’s mayor]. We’re trying to figure out where they’re standing and what they’re gonna do, and then we are gonna help them. Is that relocation? I don’t know, that’s the town of Canton’s decision, right? If that’s the direction they want to go in, then we’re gonna fight for funding to help them move. If they decide they wanna rebuild where they’re at and do some things to mitigate the flooding, we’ll help ‘em with that. We can’t really help until we know what’s gonna be next. Now, that could come as this infrastructure money or that could come out of the disaster relief monies that we’ve put aside in the budget. I don’t think they’re gonna have a decision made for a few more months because I don’t think FEMA has decided whether they can mitigate [potential future flooding]. I don’t see a way to mitigate it, just personally living there my whole life. I don’t see a way they can do anything to keep it from happening again and again and again and again. SMN: It’s kind of a similar situation with the ongoing pandemic. We probably can’t do much to stop it from happening again — maybe in our lifetime, maybe not. What lessons do you think state government has learned?

MP: I had a lot of folks reaching out about mask mandates and forced closures. It wasn’t a pleasant thing, but this is the first time our generation has dealt with a medical emergency. The way things were handled, I don’t agree with a lot of it, but it was done by the laws that are in place in the state of North Carolina. Our emergency plans function very well for hurricanes, for floods, and the most frustrating part is that you can’t violate the law and you can’t change the law because you don’t like something. When we’re done with this [pandemic], we may need to change some things but the frustrating part was getting people to understand that I can’t break the Constitution and I can’t break the state laws because I swore to uphold them. SMN: It sounds a lot like you’re talking about Gov. Roy Cooper and his unilateral ability to declare a disaster and then keep it on the books as long as he wants. Is that process something that is going to be examined after this pandemic? MP: That’s one of the things. We understand what a disaster declaration is for, but we’ve never had a disaster that lasted this long. When it comes right down to it, he may have had the best people in the world, the best people in North Carolina, the most educated people giving him advice but like I was saying earlier, the state of North Carolina is a lot bigger and the opinions are a lot more diverse than what I thought and the priorities are definitely a lot different. I think in a situation like this, the state needs to get out of it very quickly and get it back to the county

SMN: This year, for the first time, the General Assembly will be judged on their pandemic response at the ballot box — once we get some maps. How do you feel the state Board of Elections did and is doing with election security? MP: I think if we’re allowed to move forward with voter ID, that will go a long way in securing our elections because if you produce an ID, they know who’s casting the vote. The way we do it now, where you can register and vote during early voting, I think that’s OK because they have time to proof those ballots and make sure that those folks legally Mark Pless are able to vote before the actual election results are in. I don’t think we need to go to same-day voting and registration because I think that’s gonna cause us problems. There’s a lot of counties that still do paper ballots and I don’t know that we should force everyone to go back to paper ballots, but I’m leaning more towards that because that takes the electronic fears off of the table. Now the other side of that, I don’t know that that’s going to completely solve the problem because if you listen to folks talk about years ago before machines were even a thought, there was stuffed ballot boxes and there was all kinds of rumors about how things went. If someone has a will to cheat, that will is always going to be there and they’ll find a way. I think our elections are secure. I think people don’t like outcomes and when they don’t like outcomes, it’s really easy to go against other people. A lot of people will disagree with me, but North Carolina did a good job with the elections. I don’t agree with the ballots being able to be sent in days after the election. I think that needs to be addressed. You had a year and you can’t tell me in the last six months you didn’t know from a television program or a radio station or opening your mailbox that there was an election coming. You had plenty of time to vote. If you voted by absentee ballot, if it’s not there by Election Day, then it doesn’t count, plain and simple. If you don’t pay your power bill and it’s not there by the cut-off date, they’re gonna cut your power off. There are deadlines in everything we do. We need to hold that deadline firm.

SMN: You’re running for reelection, correct? MP: I fully intend to, as long as the people in Haywood County, Madison County and Yancey County — currently, that map may change — as long as they want me there, then I definitely wanna be there to try to help them.

that part of it. We all have issues. We all have varying opinions. That’s what makes North Carolina wonderful. We just have to figure out where we meet and we have to figure out what we’re going to be able to accomplish. Throwing daggers at people because you disagree with them is not where we need to be. The thing I would love for people to understand is that we don’t have to be mean. It starts with blowing the horn, at the traffic light and then it follows to confronting people in the grocery store because they don’t have a mask on or yelling at somebody from across the aisle. I try to be as nice to people as they will let me, I try to be as respectful to them and respectful of their ideas as I can be. I don’t know how you get people to understand that we can disagree, but we need to treat each other the way we would want to be treated.

SMN: So the name-calling, the character assassinations, the misinformation, the virulent partisanship hasn’t jaded you too much then. MP: I did a speech, at the 9/11 memorial in Clyde this year. The world stopped the day after that happened. The Sunday after that, people were in church. People stopped for just a second. And for several years after that, people were kind to each other. They could disagree and they were kind to each other. That’s not where we are right now. I don’t like

An injury review is underway to document the incident that led to Rholetter’s injury and provide guidance aimed at preventing a reoccurrence. The public is asked to refrain from calling the burn center and to grant Rholetter and his family privacy at this time. “Captain Rholetter is an accomplished and dedicated public servant and a very strong person, and the firefighter family across North Carolina and beyond will work diligently to assist him and his family through the recovery process,” reads a press release from Macon County Emergency Services. Rholetter has worked for Macon County since January 2018 and served as Otto’s fire department chief since 2015, where he had served as an officer since 2008, Cabe said.

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER OVID-19 cases are dropping precipitously both locally and statewide, with hospitalizations now hovering just above the 3,000 mark after hitting a peak of 5,206 on Jan. 26. While the Omicron surge has proven less deadly in both absolute numbers and percentages than previous surges, it has nevertheless claimed many lives. In the past month, Haywood County Emergency Services reported Feb. 15, COVID-19 has claimed 17 lives in the county, with the virus listed as the cause of death or underlying cause of death on each death certificate. Those who passed away ranged in age from their early forties to their mid-nineties. In a Feb. 2 analysis of cases and deaths during the Omicron wave, The Smoky Mountain News reported that the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services recorded 15 COVID-19 deaths in the fourcounty coverage area — Haywood, Jackson, Swain and Macon counties — during the four-week period Dec. 25 to Jan. 20. Since then, additional deaths have been added to the database, which now shows a total of 25 deaths in the counties during that timeframe. A four-week period during the Delta wave, Aug. 25 to Sept. 20, had about half

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be that bad,” Cabe said. “So I think there’s a lot of contributing factors to this one, including the topography and gusty winds.” According to data from the N.C. Forest Service, Macon County wasn’t the only area battling fire conditions last week, with preliminary figures showing between 200 and 400 acres of wildfire in the state each day Feb. 10 to 12. By Sunday, Feb. 13, higher humidity improved the situation and fire activity decreased.

February 16-22, 2022

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER Macon County firefighter was flown to the Augusta Burn Center in Georgia with severe injuries last week after flames overran his position on a fire control line. Terry Rholetter, who serves as fire captain for Macon County Fire Services and chief of Otto Volunteer Fire and Rescue, was battling a wildfire at Mountainside Road along U.S. 441 north of Franklin on Saturday, Feb. 12, when the injury occurred around 1 p.m. as he installed a fire control line. “As of right now he is undergoing surgery which will be the first of many,” Rholetter’s brother wrote in a Feb. 13 Facebook post. “So let’s keep our Chief in prayers. As of right now we are still figuring the process out and what is needed. As we figure everything out we will reach out as needed.” Departments across Macon County responded to seven brush and wildland fires last week as gusty winds and dry weather increased fire danger. The blaze that injured Rholetter was called in as a loose brush and wild wind fire with structures possibly on fire, said Macon County Emergency Services Director Warren Cabe. It ultimately burned about 6 acres, with one house sustaining moderate damage and another receiving light damage. It was the only fire last week that resulted in structure damage. A cause has not yet been determined. Macon County Fire Services, Mountain Valley Fire and Rescue and the N.C. Forest Service responded to the scene, but wind gusts as high as 17 miles per hour challenged the crews. The Franklin, Cullasaja Gorge, Cowee and Savannah Fire Departments arrived to assist. “The fire conditions weren’t predicted to

the number of cases but far more deaths, 48 for the four-county area. At the height of North Carolina’s Omicron surge in mid-January, daily case counts were spiking past 30,000 but have been falling dramatically, sitting reliably in the four-digit range with only 2,888 cases reported Feb. 15. While cases peaked in Western North Carolina later than in the rest of the state, the mountain region is now on the downswing as well, with Haywood County receiving notice of 321 new cases in the past week — down significantly from the 883 new cases announced in the county’s Jan. 18 weekly report. “The test positivity rate remains high at 26.9%, but the continued downward trend is good news,” said the county’s Feb. 15 press release. “Last week’s reported two-week positivity rate was 34.5%. The preferred positivity rate is anything less than 5%.” Haywood County currently has the highest test positivity rate of the four counties. As of Feb. 13, the state database put the two-week positivity rate in Jackson County at 18.1%. Macon’s was 19.7% and Swain’s was 23.4%. The database listed Haywood’s most recent positivity rate at 25.7%. Those figures are all higher than the statewide positive rate of 17.8%. In the 18-county mountain region, 163 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Feb. 14. Of those, 26 were in the ICU. Hospitals in the region reported 116 ICU beds in use and 75 that were empty with sufficient staffing, while 1,006 inpatient beds were occupied with 529 empty with sufficient staffing. Another 56 ICU beds and 444 inpatient beds were unstaffed or unreported. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all COVID19 cases in the nation currently are caused by the Omicron variant.

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Macon firefighter injured on fire line

Case counts drop as families mourn COVID deaths

The Waynesville Elks Lodge #1769 delivered Valentine’s Day gifts to 12 Haywood County assisted living facilities. About 587 seniors received a stuffed animal, snack, necklace, and Valentine’s Day card. During the month of January Elk members were encouraged to “adopt a senior” to provide funds to support this project. Elk member contributions and donations from the Horny Old Goats Motorcycle Club funded this year’s project. This is the second year the Elks have delivered Valentine’s gifts to the facilities. 17

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First board members selected for Waynesville’s new downtown group BY CORY VAILLANCOURT POLITICS E DITOR oodbye, Downtown Waynesville Association. Hello, Downtown Waynesville Advisory Committee. Months after the DWA lost its biggest and only client — the town of Waynesville — the newly established DWAC that will assume the DWA’s downtown beautification functions finally has a governing board. “Over the course of the last several months with some of the things that transpired near the end of the DWA, the possibilities that would be in front of us by going this route became of more and more interest to me,” said Alderman Jon Feichter. “I am all-in on this process and I feel it really gives us the best chance for success moving forward. I do fully expect this new committee will be highly successful.” Founded in 1985, the DWA had served as the contractual administrator of the Town of Waynesville’s Municipal Service District, which includes properties straddling north and south Main Street. Property owners in the MSD pay an extra tax on their properties –—currently 18 cents per $100 in assessed value — which was used by the DWA to promote revitalization activities. Total yearly

Downtown Waynesville.

board mismanagement and decline lasting several years, aldermen refused to renew the DWA’s contract and in September 2021

Smoky Mountain News

February 16-22, 2022

expenditures by the DWA were in the neighborhood of $200,000. After the DWA went through a period of

established the town-controlled DWAC. Since then, former DWA Executive Director Beth Gilmore has been working to shore up the office situation as the new executive director of the DWAC, while awaiting a governing board to give her further direction. On Feb. 8, aldermen gave Gilmore her 13member board, which was selected by vote from a pool of 21 applicants. The four members nominated to represent merchants were Susanne Blumer, Joyce Massie, Jessica Garrick and Robert Williams. Blumer owns Sassafras on Main, Massie owns Green Hill Gallery, Garrick owns The Southern Loft and Williams, a former environmental and urban planner, owns Dillsboro Chocolate Factory on North Main Street. Four more members were selected to represent property owners and residents: IT consultant Jeremiah Smith, Axe & Awl co-owner Courtney Tetrault, sixth generation Main Street property owner and renowned landscape architect Thomas Woltz and developer and motel owner Pratik Shah. Three at-large members chosen were Jay Spiro, attorney and co-founder of Sylva’s downtown organization, Haywood County Tourism Development Authority Marketing Manager Ashley Rice and Alex McKay, a prominent Haywood County historian. Haywood County Community and Economic Development Director David Francis was selected as the county’s representative. Feichter, whose parents had a

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DWAC members

• Residents and owners — Thomas Woltz (2023), Pratik Shah (2024), Courtney Tetrault (2023), Jeremiah Smith (2024). • Merchants — Susanne Blumer (2022), Joyce Massie (2022), Jessica Garrick (2024), Robert Williams (2023). • At large — Alex McKay (2024), Jay Spiro (2023), Ashley Rice (2022). • Town of Waynesville — Alderman Jon Feichter. • Haywood County — Community and Economic Development Director David Francis.

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The Haywood County Public Library will take care of the work of renewing checked out items for patrons. Items will be automatically renewed up to one time unless that item is on hold for another cardholder. Auto-renewal provides you with an additional full loan period, and you will be notified of the extended due date via email. One day before checked out items are due, the NC. Cardinal system will search for materials that are due the next day and will renew them if they are eligible. Items on hold for someone will not auto-renew, nor will items that are not eligible for renewal, such as hotspots or items from the Library of Things. “Auto-renewal is an added service for our cardholders to ease the burden of hav-

ing to renew their items, to potentially avoid late fees, and to enjoy their books, DVDs, or other materials a bit longer,” said Library Director Kathy Vossler. “Cardholders may avoid accruing overdue fees simply because their items autorenew, and provided items are returned by the due date.” When the auto-renewal process runs, an email is sent to the cardholder letting them know which materials were autorenewed and which materials could not be auto-renewed, with due dates listed for all materials. Auto-renewal notices are only available as emails, not texts. Provide your email address at any library branch Circulation Desk to receive courtesy notices before materials are due, as well as auto-renewal notices. Install the cloudLibrary mobile app on your smartphone to track items you have checked out. Questions? Call the Waynesville branch at 828.452.5169.

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February 16-22, 2022

long and extensive history with the DWA, was designated as the town’s representative. Once the members were chosen, they were then subjected to a random lottery to serve in three distinct classes so as to establish staggered terms. Blumer, Massie and Rice will serve until June 30 of this year. At that point their committee memberships would be up for renomination for three-year terms, and they’d be eligible for renomination should they so seek it and should aldermen agree. Spiro, Tetrault, Williams and Woltz will serve until June 30, 2023 and will also be eligible for renomination to three-year terms. Garrick, McKay, Smith and Shah will serve until June 30, 2024 and will likewise be eligible for renominations. Rather than designate a chair of the committee immediately, aldermen asked the committee to present recommendations at an upcoming meeting. A regular monthly meeting schedule for the DWAC hasn’t yet been set.

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On Feb. 8, the town of Waynesville Board of Aldermen appointed 13 people to the Downtown Waynesville Advisory Committee, which is the town-administered successor organization to the nonprofit Downtown Waynesville Association. All terms end on July 30 of the year specified in parentheses.

Four standing committees have also been established: mainstreet design, promotions, economic vitality and organization. By charter, a two-term limit will be imposed on committee members, although members can be reappointed after taking a one-year hiatus from the committee. If any members from these first three classes are renominated, their time on the inaugural committee will not count towards the term limits. Members will automatically be removed from the committee if they miss three consecutive meetings or more than half of the meetings in any calendar year. Meanwhile, the old DWA continues to exist as a nonprofit entity, but is struggling to find relevance. Feichter described the organization as “in flux,” and says things are very much up in the air there. Feichter was present at a meeting with the DWA a few weeks ago, and told The Smoky Mountain News that the DWA had returned all taxpayer money to the town but still held a chunk of cash that was derived from DWAadministered activities like festivals and brochure sales. Artist and gallery owner Teresa Pennington was recently elected chair of the DWA after mass resignations from the board, and Feichter said that Pennington raised the possibility of having the DWA continue to operate one of Waynesville’s biggest, best outdoor fall events — the Church Street Arts and Crafts festival. Aware of the time commitments involved with producing a major festival, Feichter is concerned that if the DWA can’t pull it off, it could damage the credibility of the festival, now in its 39th year. “My concern is that asking an all-volunteer DWA to put on such a significant event is a huge challenge. Staging something like this takes hundreds of man-hours and it was difficult enough with full-time paid staff people,” Feichter said. “I think it would be awfully hard for a group of volunteers with jobs and families to find the time needed, and if we can’t, we’d risk damaging the festival so badly it might not recover.”

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Cherokee debates term limit referendum language BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER n an unusual sequence of events Feb. 3, the Cherokee Tribal Council passed a resolution outlining a set of referendum questions seeking to bring term limits and staggered terms to the body — only to bring it up for reconsideration minutes later and vote unanimously to table it. “There are just too many questions,” said Yellowhill Rep. David Wolfe, who seconded the move to table. “We’re going to be working on an election ordinance, and this is a part of the election ordinance. I don’t want to get in too big a hurry and our people suffer the consequences of not knowing. How would I go to Yellowhill Community Building and explain this right now? I couldn’t.” The resolution in question was meant to clarify a previously passed resolution. Introduced by Robert Jumper, a Cherokee County/Snowbird voter who is also editor of the Cherokee One Feather, the resolution passed in October 2021 listed three questions to ask voters, the first being whether Tribal Council terms should be lengthened from two to four years. The second two questions were conditional upon the first — if you agree with Question 1, they said, should terms be staggered so that one representative per township is up for election every two years, and should the number of consecutive Council terms be limited to two. “The Board of Elections identified questions about what Tribal Council had passed,” Attorney General Mike McConnell told Tribal Council Feb. 3. “We worked with them, worked with Robert (Jumper) to say as to what was passed, how do we clean that up so it’s a little easier for voters to understand? Tribal Council might decide that, yes, we have more questions about a bigger picture of term limits or something else. But the goal of the Election Board with this was not to bring in new ideas but to try to make what was passed previously just a little easier to manage.” The new version contains only two questions. The first one asks voters if terms should change from two to four years and convert to a staggered set-up so one seat from each community is up for election every two years. The second question asks whether terms should

Smoky Mountain News

February 16-22, 2022

be limited to eight consecutive years in office, excluding time served as the result of a special election. Unlike the October version, the document specifies that the new, staggered system would start in 2025 and states that the referendum would take place on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. In addition to clarifying some points of fact in the questions themselves, the new version also gets rid of the conditional aspect of the original structure, which could have complicated the 51% turnout requirement for a referendum to change the tribe’s Charter and Governing Document — as this provision would do. If, for example, the election drew 60% turnout but only half those voters answered yes to the first question, that would leave only a 30% turnout available for the second and third questions. A legal argument could then be made against the validity of those questions’ results. Jumper introduced the new resolution Feb. 3, and Council passed it immediately thereafter with only three members opposed. But the discussion that unfolded following the vote resulted in a move to reconsider the legislation and a unanimous vote to table it. Some Council members were concerned that the resolution does not state which of the two community representatives elected in 2025 would serve a four-year term and which would serve the two-year term needed to set up the staggered format. Council members also had questions about the 2016 tribal law that places term limits on the chief and vice chief offices — the law limits those offices to two consecutive four-year terms but does not state how partial terms, like the one Principal Chief Richard Sneed served following his predecessor’s impeachment, figure into that tally. “I think there’s a lot of questions that should be answered before we actually put it out for a question,” said Snowbird/Cherokee County Rep. Adam Wachacha. Members also had questions about how the referendum fit into ongoing efforts to create a tribal constitution and how it pertained to other election law changes Tribal Council is poised to consider at its March meeting. Other members were uncomfortable with imposing term limits at all. “What if we have a chairman that is

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Campaign signs decorate a roadside in Birdtown during the 2021 Tribal Council election season. Holly Kays photo absolutely wonderful, and we want to keep him, but he’s going to have to go out?” said Painttown Rep. Tommye Saunooke. “You see, that concerns me. When you have good leadership, you want to keep the best, I’d say.” When Sneed came to the podium, he didn’t offer a position on term limits but said he believed the conversion to staggered, fouryear terms was the most significant and needed change proposed in the referendum. “The staggered part I think is probably the more important piece,” he said. “You

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could have a complete turnover of Council and lose all historic and institutional knowledge of the Council. That’s pretty dangerous.” After voting unanimously to table the resolution, Tribal Council is likely to consider a new version in an upcoming meeting. They have plenty of time to finalize the referendum language. The next chief ’s election isn’t until September 2023, and Jumper wants to wait until then to hold the referendum so it will have the best chance of achieving the 51% turnout required to enact the results.

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Public art is one example of how capital project funds can be used.

The JCDTA has allocated $500,000 for the capital project fund this fiscal year. Not all of that money has to be used, and multiple applications can be considered at once. Future fiscal year allocations will depend on forecasted occupancy tax receipts.

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those designed to increase the use of lodging, meeting, or convention facilities in the county or to attract tourists or business travelers to the county. The term includes tourism-related capital expenditures. JCTDA began developing the application for capital projects in 2020 with research into best practices in other destinations. The application was reviewed by JCTDA’s Product and Experience Development Committee, Visitor Experience Committee, Magellan Strategy Group, and the county’s legal and finance teams. “One of our goals is to fund projects that have a useful lifespan of 10 or more years, or new construction, expansion or renovation that have a total cost of at least $25,000. Or a major maintenance or reha-

February 16-22, 2022

BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER ackson County Tourism Development Authority will open applications for its first round of tourism capital projects funds this year. This gives community stakeholders the chance to apply for money to fund projects that better the community for tourists and residents alike. “The possibilities are pretty wide open for what we can fund,” said Breedlove. “We do this for the community benefit. Visitors come here, they spend money, but we want to reinvest those funds to benefit both the visitor and the residents.” In Western North Carolina, Buncombe County has used the tourism capital project fund to expand its greenway system, along with almost 40 other community projects. In total, Buncombe has spent $44 million to improve the community through the capital project fund. Capital projects include things like convention and conference centers, arenas and stadiums, sports facilities, performing arts venues, museums, parks, greenways, trails, public art, visitors centers and wayfinding signs. By funding capital projects, tourism bureaus increase the demand for accommodations, local spending and visitor satisfaction, thereby bringing more money into a county. Legislation permitting tourism bureaus to expend up to one third of their total revenues on tourism-related expenditures comes from North Carolina House Bill 96, which passed in 2011. According to the legislation, tourism-related expenditures are

commission during a work session Sept. 13, before the county commission in regular session Sept. 22, and a funding agreement will be executed Oct. 20. “Every funding agreement that we put together will be custom depending on the applicant, as to when we release funds, how often, what milestones are required before we release funds,” said Breedlove. “We will be relying on Ms. Fox to make those determinations. By doing so we ensure the highest and best use of these tax dollars and the process provides clarity, efficiency and accountability.” The JCDTA has allocated $500,000 for the capital project fund this fiscal year. Not all of that money has to be used, and multiple applications can be considered at once. Future fiscal year allocations will depend on forecasted occupancy tax receipts. Applications will be live at JacksonCountyTDA.com in the coming month. “We’d like to see this program continue to grow,” said Breedlove. “We will scrutinize these projects to make sure they are really good fits, not just that we use up that pot of money. So if there is money leftover from this fiscal year, we will roll it into next fiscal year.” Commissioner Gayle Woody asked whether the county could apply for these funds in order to help complete projects like a greenway. According to Breedlove, the county could apply for funds; the appropriate county department would be the applicant for those projects.

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JCTDA rolls out tourism capital project fund

bilitation project with a cost of more than $25,000,” said Breedlove. This year the JCTDA is recommending one funding cycle because the process is beginning in February. However, in future years it recommends two full funding cycles. The JCTDA has created a Tourism Capital Project Fund Committee with representatives from across tourism industries including accommodations, food and beverage, chamber of commerce, arts and culture, the community, JCTDA board chairman and a county commissioner. This committee will review applications prior to going before the full JCTDA board, who will review applications before deciding which applications to forward to the county commission for approval. Applications will be scored according to a rubric so that applicants know what components are most important. Applications can receive up to 20 points for both tourism promotion impact and room nights, 15 points for scale and capacity to attract visitors, 10 points for benefit to the destination, and up to five point each for enhancing visitor experience, program components, quality of research, comprehensive marketing approach, suitable target market, evidence of partnership and organizational structure and management. According to the tentative schedule for the 2022 application, JCTDA will hold a pre submittal conference June 1, applications will be due Aug. 1 for review by the TCPF Committee, they will then go before the full JCTDA board Aug. 18, before the county

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Tips for Grocery Shopping on a Budget

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ping on a budget? Root vegetables; pumpkin and squashes; cabbage; bananas) Opt for whole foods over processed Not only are processed foods generally

rocery shopping is my happy place. I don’t know how this happened but over the years, the weekly, bi-weekly or sometimes daily chore of going to the grocery store has become a serious high point in my days.

MOST OF THE WORK FOR BUDGET-FRIENDLY GROCERY SHOPPING GOES ON BEFORE YOU EVEN WALK INTO THE STORE. Don’t be scared of the freezer - this comes in two parts. Don’t be afraid to freeze what isn’t getting eaten, and don’t be scared of buying frozen ingredients.

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February 16-22, 2022

Perusing the produce section, sauce aisle, pickle shelves, international section, or frozen vegetable department is as entertaining as any television show. After a hard day or a stressful situation? A 15-20 minute grocery session can wipe my immediate worries away. I honestly don’t know what it is. Everyone has their thing and I guess mine is the grocery store. I know not everyone feels the same. Grocery shopping can be stressful, especially if you’re working on a budget. However, there are lots of ways to save money at the grocery store. Most of them involve getting a little crafty. Here are a few ways I cut down on grocery bills. (Everyone has their own needs and home environment, so these may not be helpful to all.) Make friends with rice and beans There is a reason almost every culture has its own version of this dish. It’s cheap, nutritious and delicious. One pound of dry beans will rarely cost you more than two dollars. Additionally, most produce stands carry them in bulk so you can get an even better cost for a food item that won’t perish. Beans are a great source of protein and will usually be cheaper than meat. Plus, they have a ton of dietary ﬁber which meat is completely devoid of. Rice has a similar low cost and comes in several varieties. Buy these items in bulk to get a nutritious meal at a low cost. Bonus: leftover beans and/or rice are almost always a great addition to soups or stews. (Other cheap friends for healthy shop-

that still need to be purchased. This may mean making meals you aren’t as excited about, but it's a good way to tune in to your creative side and it will help with both food and money waste.

worse for your body than whole foods, they are also harder on the wallet and the environment than whole food alternatives. When buying processed foods, you aren’t only paying for the low quality ingredients within, you are paying for the processing and the packaging. Most of us rely on processed foods for the “in between” meals. Snacks, quick breakfasts, lunches on the go, etc. Take a little time to plan out alternatives. Instead of a bar for breakfast, could a banana and handful of nuts do the trick? Homemade granola and yogurt? Overnight oats? Focusing on whole foods is a good way to get more nutrients for your buck. Buy fresh ingredients in portions you’ll use - this may mean going to the grocery store more frequently, but it can also save you money by reducing waste and helping you focus on buying only what you know you’ll eat. Plan, plan, plan - Before you go to the grocery store, take stock of what’s already in the fridge and pantry. If you’re planning meals for the week, be sure to incorporate what is already in the house before planning a meal that is based on ingredients

Frozen vegetables are frozen at peak ripeness and can often contain even more nutrients than freshies. They are especially good for soups, stews or casseroles where texture isn’t as big of a concern. On the other hand, get used to using the freezer in your home. If you make a pound of beans one weekend, eat them for a couple meals and decide you need to take at least a week off, throw them in the freezer. They will be there when you need them. And, when you get to a tight week budget-wise, everything you’ve thrown in the freezer along the way will be a welcome surprise. Day-olds - lots of bakeries have day-old options at a reduced price. Find a local joint where you can stock up on breads and other treats at a reduced price.

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Drink Water - What? How is this a shopping tip? Well, it isn’t, really. But just remember, if you’re drinking anything other than water, you don’t actually need it. That may sound harsh, but beverages other than water are empty calories (for the most part) and empty spending opportunities.

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Sylva tables chicken discussion A

WHAT’S CHANGING

At least 10 people spoke at Thursday’s meeting in opposition to the changes in the ordinance regarding chicken keeping. The updated regulations would permit no more than 10 hens on any lot within town jurisdiction. Roosters would only be permitted in low- and medium-density residential zones. The regulations require chick-

Stay informed The next planning board meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, via Zoom. The next Sylva Town Board Meeting will be held Feb. 24. All Town of Sylva meetings are available via YouTube at bit.ly/sylvameetings. To sign up for public comment, contact Amanda Murajda at townclerk@townofsylva.org.

ens to be secured in a coop during non-daylight hours, with coops kept in rear yards only and with a minimum setback of 15 feet from the side and rear property lines. Chicken coops would have to be closer to the chicken owner’s primary residence than that of any neighboring units. The primary concern of those speaking out against the restrictions on chicken keeping was the existing flock of chickens that live in downtown Sylva at the Jackson Arts Market. The Jackson Arts Market has started a petition listing a multitude of reasons it would like to be able to keep its flock of chickens. As of press time Tuesday, the peti-

tion had 507 signatures. Kayla Peck spoke about the free, educational benefit of having the chickens at the Jackson Arts Market. She also noted that the chickens are a big draw to passersby and thereby contribute greatly to the success of the vendors at the market. “If you want to keep Sylva, Sylva,” said Peck, “it needs the chickens.” Those who spoke during public comment could not speak highly enough of the JAM chickens, saying that they have become a staple of the downtown atmosphere, beyond just the Jackson Arts Market. “The chickens provide an organic waste disposal service for restaurants in town and provide fresher eggs than those found in stores,” said Molly Harrison. “I vend at the [Jackson Arts] Market every weekend, and every weekend we have people show up strictly to enjoy the chickens. People bring their children to play with them regularly and teenagers bring their families during holiday visits. The chickens are mascots of the arts market and a few even do tricks.” She went on to say that she feels this ordinance is targeting the JAM chickens unjustly.

Smoky Mountain News

CHICKEN KEEPING

A few members of the chicken flock at Jackson Arts Market. Jackson Arts Market photo

February 16-22, 2022

In the updated zoning ordinance, Sylva has reorganized, consolidated and renamed zoning districts. The town previously worked under a pyramid zoning structure in which each zoning district allowed the same uses as all less-intense districts. The updated ordinance includes updated development standards to require open space, landscaping, buffering and sidewalks; increased design standards to expand throughout the community beyond downtown; required use of native species in landscaping on new development; and commercial corridor overlay to promote shared driveways, pedestrian access, safety and design elements along N.C. 107. A few provisions in the ordinance were of particular interest to those who showed up at Sylva’s town meeting Thursday night — regulations on chicken keeping within town limits; a requirement to use native plants when meeting landscaping requirements for commercial, industrial and institutional entities; and size limits for accessory structures on residential property.

Other residents raised concerns about what they saw as unfair standards imposed on people’s ability to keep chickens within town limits. “It’s vital that any change in local policy prioritizes food security and sustainability, not aesthetics,” said Garret Craig. “Basically, the ability of our people to care for the people that they love. The proposed restrictions on chickens and beekeeping seem to unjustly target citizens with less capital, who may even benefit the most from raising restricted livestock, are arguably unnecessarily cruel.” The minimum lot size, 15-foot setback, coop locations and rear yard location requirements all bothered people arguing for looser restrictions on chicken keeping in town. “I don’t think lot size should really pertain to the number of chickens and how they can use the land,” said Chloe Burnette. “Chickens do not need specific laws stating where they should sleep at night. As long as they’re still secured in a pen, behind fencing, on the property, most chickens prefer to sleep in the trees at night.” Commissioners sought to address the concerns citizens had about restricting chicken keeping within town limits. “I don’t think anybody is really wanting to restrict the number of chickens,” said Commissioner Ben Guiney. “The idea is to have a family flock, something that’s manageable by a family.” Guiney has eight chickens himself. He noted that in the past, he has had 10-12 chickens and that this number is a lot of work. “I would be open to increase the number to 15 or 20, but there are limits,” said Guiney. “There are limits. Someone having 100 chickens in their backyard is not good for the chickens and it’s a public health issue.” Commissioner Greg McPherson spoke to the crowd about living downtown, though he seemed to be addressing one individual directly. “It’s a very close-knit community and very close quarters,” said McPherson. “I’ve not complained about your rooster at all, but your rooster wakes me up every night at 2 o’clock in the morning, every night. You live in a community where you have neighbors. You’re not sensitive to that. This ordinance is not getting rid of your chickens, it’s getting rid of 50 chickens that are living in the mud at this point. Your lot needs to be regulated because it is not sanitary. Your rooster needs to go away because I don’t want to be downtown in a business where I would like some peace and quiet and hear your rooster. I just think that in this ordinance, there needs to be some process for us to talk about the noise that these animals are going to make.” Commissioner David Nestler proposed removing the more controversial pieces from the zoning ordinance update for further dis-

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BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER fter community members showed up in force to object to certain provisions of Sylva’s proposed updated zoning ordinance, commissioners tabled the most controversial items, including a provision regulating in-town chicken-keeping, for further discussion. “I am very disappointed in who this ordinance really represents,” said one Sylva resident. “This is not about the citizens. This is about how we present ourselves to the rest of the world to bring in tourism, and to bring in money. Which is fine, but it becomes more about money and not about welfare, which is what this is supposed to provide us, safety and health.” Municipalities across the state are required to update development regulations and Land Use Plans/Comprehensive Plans to comply with the new Chapter 160D of the North Carolina General Statutes. The goal of 160D is to consolidate current city and county statutes for development regulations into one coherent chapter. To comply with the necessary updates, Sylva contracted with WithersRavenel to update its current Land Use Plan, as well as its Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance, following the completion of an ordinance assessment in the spring of 2019.

S EE CHICKENS, PAGE 25 23

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The Macon County Board of Commissioners met on Feb. 3 to discuss funding capital projects. Macon County government photo

Capital needs in Macon pit capacity vs. affordability BY CORY VAILLANCOURT POLITICS E DITOR acon County has a long, expensive list of capital needs over the next decade, and commissioners took nearly three hours on Feb. 3 to weigh their

Smoky Mountain News

February 16-22, 2022

options as North Carolina’s budget season begins in earnest. “I think it’s a good time for us as commissioners to go through and lay out any priorities or ideas that you would like to address this year,” said Jim Tate, chairman

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of the Macon County Board of Commissioners. “Of course we can do it at any time, but when we’re discussing budget it’s especially helpful to our county team to highlight any highs that we want to see them take care of as we move into this year.” First, Ted Cole of Davenport & Co. presented commissioners with a quick rundown on the county’s financial health. Based on financial statements from Jan. 19, Macon County’s credit rating with Moody’s is Aa2, which Davenport called good. Only 225 counties in the nation and 23 of 100 North Carolina counties have achieved this rating. The next highest rating is Aa1, and above that, AAA. Macon County’s general fund has grown substantially in the past six years, from just over $48.7 million to just over $57.5 million. Expenditures, however, haven’t grown as quickly. In fiscal year 2016, total spending was $42.8 million, compared to $49.9 million in fiscal year 2021. Fund balance — akin to a government “savings account” — has also risen by more than $15.8 million to $37.8 million over that time, good for a 63% balance-to-expenditures ratio that puts the county on solid financial ground among its similarly situated peers who average around 39%. “We are in an excellent financial position in Macon County. We do it as good if not better than any rural county in the State of North Carolina,” said County Manager Derek Rowland. Currently, Macon County has about $27.5 million in tax supported debt that will cost the county $33.4 million with interest as it’s paid off over time. Assuming no additional debt is incurred, payments will peak at $3.9 million in 2023 due to last year’s Macon Middle School bond, but then slowly decrease to less than $1 million in 2032. “You have capacity,” Cole said of the county’s ability to borrow money. “You’re lower than the averages and the medians.” That’s good news for Macon County, as commissioners have identified nine capital improvement projects through 2032 that if approved could be funded through debt. The most immediate are for a new

Franklin High School stadium facility at a cost of $14.6 million in fiscal year 2023 and 2024, and for a new or renovated FHS at a cost of more than $80 million through 2024 and 2025, although a forthcoming needbased grant application from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction could bring as much as $50 million to help pay for it. Department requests for all capital projects through 2032 total $179 million, including an $8.5 million indoor firing range for law enforcement training in 2029, although grants and other outside funding could allay more than $70 million of that. None of the projects are guaranteed, and all would be subject to commission approval before any spending actually occurs. Cole then proceeded to present several scenarios that outlined what it would look like if the county decided to fund some or all of the projects. The first case assumes that commissioners fund the entire $179 million wish list but also receive the maximum $50 million grant from the state. That scenario would push the debt service-to-expenditure ratio to nearly 12% in 2026, nearly three times the level if no borrowing occurred. Although Macon County has the capacity to borrow that much, affordability quickly becomes an issue — a 2-cent tax increase would be needed by 2024, or a 4-cent tax increase by 2026, even with the projected growth in property values. The second case is identical to the first, except that it assumes the $50 million grant doesn’t materialize. Predictably, the debt service-to-expenditure ratio jumps to nearly 18% and that 4-cent increase in 2024 becomes 5.5 cents, or about 8.5 cents in 2026. Those two cases are both extremes, and Cole said he thought that the $50 million wasn’t an all-or-nothing venture; it’s likely some amount will be awarded – perhaps not $50 million, perhaps not $0. Key to paying for the projects will be how the scheduled 2023 countywide property revaluation affects taxable values. Macon County Tax Administrator Abby Braswell told commissioners that she was projecting a 39.98% increase in values over the 2019 revaluation. If that holds up, total taxable value of property in the county would jump from $7.9 billion to just over $11 billion, led by Burningtown and Smithbridge townships. Right now, Macon County boasts the fourth-lowest property tax rate of North Carolina’s 100 counties; 1 cent on the property tax rate generates $803,000, but Cole said when the revaluation occurs, he expects that to climb to $984,000. If the revaluation falls short of that, his two cases for affordability of the $179 in capital spending would need to be adjusted. Then, there’s the scenario that a number of Western North Carolina public bodies — including Haywood County — had to face in 2021. If property values increase and the tax rate stays the same, revenues still increase as do homeowner tax bills. Many local governments, including Waynesville, opted

CHICKENS, CONTINUED FROM 23

ACCESSORY STRUCTURES

NON-NATIVE PLANTS Adam Bigelow, horticulturist, botanist and regional expert on native plants in southern Appalachia, spoke during public

Commissioners have also indicated a willingness to explore a quarter-cent sales tax increase, which would need to be approved by voters at the ballot box. If it is, it would generate an additional $1.7 million in revenue each year. At the conclusion of the meeting, Tate conducted an informal poll of the commissioners, all of whom were favorably disposed to moving forward with the improvements to Franklin High School in some form or fashion. “The question is not whether or not we’re going to do it. We’ve all decided we’re going to do it, so how do you pay for it? My thought on it is we need to investigate this Article 46 [enabling legislation for a sales tax increase] and consider a quarter-cent sales tax increase to help fund the school,” Tate said. “To me, in my mind, 100% I would rather help pay for the upgrades to Franklin High School with sales tax among people passing through our county helping pay for it versus laying it all on the backs of ad valorem and property taxes.”

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Ingles Nutrition Notes written by Ingles Dietitian Leah McGrath WAYS TO SAVE ON GROCERY SHOPPING It’s no secret that the cost of food items has increased at supermarkets across the country since the start of the Pandemic in March of 2020. What are some ways to save when you’re grocery shopping? 1. Plan – Check the weekly circular and make out a menu to take advantage of sale items. Make a shopping list so you’re less attracted to impulse purchases in the store. 2. Prices – Check unit prices on shelf tags so you’re not fooled by packaging. 3. Private Label – Try store brand or private label items to save. 4. Purpose – Buy foods that have more than one purpose. Plain Greek yogurt works for breakfast or as a base for dip. Sliced cheese can be used for sandwiches or omelets. Eggs can be a breakfast item, a quiche or frittata for lunch or dinner or hard boiled for a snack or to make a salad. 5. Prepare – Make cook once/eat twice meals with a beef roast, pork tenderloin or whole chicken. When roasting vegetables or making rice or pasta, prepare extra that can be refrigerated or frozen for other meals. Use your crockpot or slow cooker to make soups and stews.

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

Ingles Market Corporate Dietitian

Smoky Mountain News

basically to split the difference with taxpayers by lowering the tax rate slightly, which still resulted in higher tax bills. Some taxpayers called it a “backdoor” tax increase because the tax rate wasn’t lowered to the point of being revenue-neutral based on the previous year. But with inflation and the ever-increasing cost of materials and salaries, revenue-neutral rates weren’t practical for most. “Over the next 11 months, we’re going to closely watch the sales, because that’s what’s going to give us the values we’re going to use to change that $11 billion number,” Braswell said. Braswell also noted the continuing positive trend of sales tax collections, which have been up substantially in most of Western North Carolina since the onset of the Coronavirus Pandemic in early 2020. Macon County’s collections through the first four months of the current fiscal year (July through October, 2021) are up 15.3% year-over-year, good for a $713,000 increase.

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February 16-22, 2022

Several residents also expressed concern over the limit to accessory structures. The updated ordinance states that for residential principal uses, the aggregate area of accessory structures may not exceed 25% of the floor space of the principal use building. During public comment, one resident suggested that all residents be allowed an accessory structure up to 500 square feet so as not to penalize those with a smaller residential footprint. Commissioner Nestler suggested changing the language in the zoning ordinance to permit residents a 500-square-foot accessory structure, or 25% of the principal building size, whichever is greater. “That way someone that lives in a 600square-foot-home that might be on a two acre lot doesn’t have only 60 square feet of accessory structure use,” said Nestler. According to McPherson, Sarah LaRose suggested this accessory structure size determination change. The rest of the board approved of the change, and the zoning ordinance will be updated accordingly.

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cussion. In the meantime, the board could move forward with the updated zoning ordinance and revert to current ordinance language on those more controversial issues until they could be hammered out. The rest of the board agreed to this tactic. Issues removed from the zoning ordinance update included agricultural uses (including chicken keeping) and penalties available for the board to impose regarding environmental code violations. These subjects will be discussed further at a later date.

comment about the language surrounding native plants in the ordinance. “I’m grateful that there is an inclusion of a native plant ordinance and a requirement and using strong language, because native plants in the landscape is a vital part of our much-needed move toward sustainability,” said Bigelow. “I do have concerns over the wording that would allow the zoning administrator to let substitutions of exotic and possibly even invasive plants be substituted based on perceived supply chain issues, plant availability, or what I didn’t understand, lack of native species.” After hearing Bigelow’s comments, the board discussed removing the allowance for permitting non-native plants. “We can create a market for native plants if you actually encourage the people to plant them,” said Guiney. “I know that’s tough and it costs people more money, someone wants to put a plant in that’s really cheap, but that winds up being a race to the bottom because that also has other consequences to the environment we all share.” Guiney argued for no exceptions to the native plants rule for landscaping. The requirements apply to all places where landscaping is required. According to Karen Mallo of WithersRavenel, this includes commercial, industrial and institutional uses but does not apply to individual residential homeowners. McPherson requested input from Bigelow, asking what people can buy at Walmart that is beneficial but non-native. “Very little,” said Bigelow. “But there are a lot of resources that I am happy to provide, links to regional nurseries, places where there is potential for the board to incorporate language that has a resource list of where to find plants so that we’re not limited to Lowe’s, Walmart and Country Road Farms.” The board agreed to remove the exception for substituting native plants during required landscaping.

@InglesDietitian Leah McGrath - Dietitian 800.334.4936 Ingles Markets… caring about your health

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Sylva approves plan for open carry alcohol D

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Eleven people took the opportunity to speak during the public hearing in opposition to the proposed social district. The main concerns of these residents were safety, a lack of infrastructure — specifically bathrooms — liability for establishments that sell alcohol, as well as those that don’t, and the fear that this social district would incite brazen partying, drunkenness and defecation in the streets. “If you’re going to create this social district, you might as well close downtown to traffic. One, it’s a safety issue, two no one will want to go down there and spend their money on a place that’s a hazard,” said Benji Jones. “God forbid anybody gets hurt.” Local attorney Raymond Large owns property and runs a law office on Main Street in downtown Sylva, both of which he says will be affected by the social district. “I do not believe the social district, as proposed, would be beneficial to the owners of businesses that serve adult beverages within the social district,” said Large. “There is no contemplation in the legislation for reducing liability or indemnifying a business or permittee that participates in the sale from the actions of a member or customer after they purchase the adult beverage and

leave the premisis maintained by the permit- evening. After hearing comments from the public, “I would like to recommend that if you’re McPherson initiated an amendment to the tee. I would not advise any business seeking going to put restrictions on chickens, we my legal counsel to participate in such a ordinance, changing the hours on Sunday need to put restrictions on the breweries,” practice that opens them to potential crimifrom 1 to 9 p.m. instead of 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. said Roger Steven. “Everybody’s got the right as was originally proposed. Social district nal and civil liability.” Large expressed concern over the inabili- to drink beer if they want to, we’ve got it in hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through the Town of Sylva , we’ve got restaurants that Saturday. ty of establishments to control where cups serve it where they can go in and drink it, marked with the origin of sale end up. He “I have enough trust in the citizens of but I think it ought to be restricted there.” questioned whether an establishment could Sylva that they will respect this,” said be made liable if that cup is found in the hands of someone Bridge Park in downtown Sylva is underage or at the scene of a within the boundary of the newly drunk driving incident. approved social district. Hannah McLeod photo Jacque Laura spoke as a representative of the Cut Cocktail Lounge, Snake Song retail shop and Guadalupe Cafe. “As someone who has been protecting you from drinking spilling out onto the streets, as per my ABC license, for almost seven years now, I am very concerned,” said Laura. “My liability stops at the end of my business, and I have to prove that when I get my license.” Laura mentioned the lack of public restrooms as well as public transportation as hindrances to the function of the social district. The owner of Lulu’s restaurant in downtown Sylva echoed concerns about restrooms, stating that during special events his establish“I have enough trust in the citizens of Sylva that they will respect ment effectively turns into a public restroom. The town has this. And the social district will be a privilege. If people don’t budgeted $250,000 in the upcoming year for public restrespect it, it can be easily taken away.” rooms downtown but have yet — Natalie Newman to officially decide on a location. Cory Bryson spoke as a representative of a few breweries in downtown Commisisoner Natalie Newman. “And the OARD INPUT Sylva. He was not as concerned with liability social district will be a privilege. If people or safety but said he didn’t see how this Commissioner Mary Gelbaugh saw many don’t respect it, it can be easily taken away.” would be a big benefit to downtown busiissues with the proposed social district nesses. including safety, enforcement, liability and EXT STEPS “This is not turning downtown Sylva into waste. Bourbon Street on Mardis Gras, this is “There is a time and a place for everyFollowing discussion from the board, about giving people the option to walk thing under God, and this is not the time Nestler made a motion to approve the social around, not be locked down to one locaand this is not the place to bring an ordidistrict with amended Sunday hours. The tion,” said Bryson. nance like this to the community of Sylva,” motion passed with Nestler, Mcpherson and Some businesses that do not sell alcohol she said. Newman voting yes, while Gelbaugh and expressed concern over their ability to reguCommissioners David Nestler, Greg Guiney were opposed. late who can and cannot enter their premisMcPherson and Ben Guiney expressed a According to Peters, the town must create es if they choose not to participate in the more positive view of Sylva residents and a specific plan, file it with the state and implesocial district. Any establishments not partourists alike. Nestler said the town heard ment the plan according to the bill’s specific ticipating would be responsible for ensuring similar arguments regarding safety and requirements. That includes district boundary people don’t enter their premises with alcoexcessive drinking when making the decision signage, container and branding strategy, and hol in hand. to allow alcohol consumption on town propan option for merchants to opt in or out. Sylva resident Tod Bryson took issue erty, but that by and large, those issues have “We plan on hosting a merchant permitwith the fact that the social district would be not played out. He also noted that because tee brainstorming session, and a non-perin place on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. the social district ends at 9 p.m., it is not like- mittee merchant brainstorming session, plus “Have a little bit of respect for the ly to encourage late night bar hopping. consider all of the public input from our Christian people of this county,” said Though Commissioner Guiney echoed Feb. 10 Town Board Meeting to create the Bryson. “God have mercy on each one of Nestler’s confident outlook, he said he didn’t details of the plan,” said Peters. “We will y’all. It’s ridiculous.” see the big gain for downtown businesses. periodically evaluate the social district’s One resident likened the decision about “I think there needs to be more discususage and any reported safety concerns perithe social district to that of the chicken sion,” said Guiney. “As written today, I don’t odically and are open to changing the disdebacle also up for public hearing Thursday think I really support it.” trict plans accordingly.” 27

February 16-22, 2022

PUBLIC DISSENT

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HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER espite a strong public showing against the proposed social district at Sylva’s town meeting on Thursday, commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the measure. “North Carolina Retail Merchants Association was instrumental in the passage of this legislation to drive foot traffic to downtown businesses and level the playing field for brick-and-mortar businesses without ABC permits since we’ve had the COVID pandemic,” said Main Street Sylva Economic Development Director Bernadette Peters at Thursday’s meeting. A social district is an outdoor area in which a person may carry and consume alcohol sold by an ABC permitted establishment. Within an area spanning from Nantahala Brewing to Innovation Brewing and including Main Street, Mill Street and Bridge Park, people may move freely with a drink in hand. The district will be clearly marked with signs and alcohol must be served in cups that are labeled with the origin of sale and the language, “drink responsibly — be 21.” The draft proposal is available on the town website. “A lot of research was done on the ordinance, which includes meetings with our local law enforcement, our local ALE agents, town attorney and meetings with others towns outside the state that have had the social district for a longer duration of time,” said Peters. “If the ordinance passes, merchant meetings will follow to brainstorm on how the district is implemented and whether or not each business wants to participate.”

Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

No endings, only new beginnings I

Is justice really just? To the Editor: Justice. What is it? Is it a thing, a value, an idea, an ethic, a rule, an ideal? Plato tells us that Socrates sought answers by examining the opinions of passersby in Athens 2,500 years ago. A variety of answers were given, even Socrates’ own. But Socrates was as unsure as his interlocutors. In our world, that of the west, most of us do not have a clue. And for those who do, it is highly skewed — that is, we make of it what we wish, which is pretty much where it stood in the times of that man martyred for his piety. But, it is more than a wee bit up in the air today. Judges deal in justice. Or they are supposed to. There is a judge on the bench representing the 30th District Court that does not have an inkling, even though the North Carolina Judicial Code of conduct lays down tenets and parameters regarding justice that are not to be crossed. Impartiality is one such. Fairness is another. Not taking sides for personal or political reasons. But this judge flaunts all that when she can, when she knows she can get away with it. This no doubt is not an unusual tale. Judges across the nation abuse their authority. The power of being king or queen of the

rather get their news from TikTok videos than their trusted local newspaper, but I digress. I have had incredible colleagues and an audience that appreciates the work we do, and I’m not saying community journalism isn’t still making a huge impact in the community. I know The Smoky Mountain News makes a difference every day, but I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t felt the pinch, the burnout and disillusion from dealing with the constant fact-deniers at every turn. I kept trying to hang on, hoping my feelings would change and my motivation would return. It’s been hard to accept that my personal values Guest Columnist have changed and my professional goals have shifted in a new direction. Being a journalist and being embedded in my community has been so much of my identity, I wasn’t sure what would be left if it went away. For the last two years, I’ve done my personal work around that thought and I’ve truly re-evaluated who I am, who I want to be and tried to align that with my values. I knew I wanted to be more of an advocate for the issues I care about — social justice, equality, affordable housing, accessible and high-quality public education, and affordable quality health care. When that opportunity presented itself, I couldn’t let it pass me by. Beginning this week, I will be working for Pisgah Legal Services, a nonprofit organization that offers free civil legal representation for people who can’t afford it. In addition to that mission, PLS received a multi-year grant from Dogwood Health Trust to expand their services and programs

Jessi Stone

can’t tell you how many goodbye columns I’ve read over the years from reporters leaving their posts, lamenting over the ills of the industry and trying to piece together words that can accurately explain the bittersweet feeling of walking away from their career in journalism. Now that I’m sitting here trying to decide how to close this 15-year chapter of working for community newspapers, I realize how bad I suck at goodbyes. Goodbyes are hard. Change is hard. But, if the last two years have taught us anything, it’s that life is too short and too precious to not do what your heart is calling you to do. Right now, my heart is calling me to embark on a much different career path, one that for years I’ve been slowly preparing myself for. The same passions that led me to journalism are the same passions that have led me to work for a growing nonprofit working to improve people’s lives in Appalachia. I’ve always been a writer. In high school, I chose to go into journalism because I wanted to use my writing talent and my curious nature to help people. I was swept up in the power of the pen and convinced that if people knew better, they could do better. I truly saw it as a calling and found myself fortunate enough to find meaningful work alongside some incredibly talented and hardworking mentors who taught me valuable lessons along the way. The road was never easy — long hours, low pay, constant deadlines and an unimaginable amount of self-induced pressure to be credible, accurate and objective. The last several years have been incredibly challenging for journalism and for journalists in the wake of social media, fake news, distrust of the media, and people who would

into the far western counties. The goal is to decrease child poverty and increase the number of people who have affordable health insurance in Western North Carolina by helping people sign up for health insurance on the marketplace and help them file taxes so they can take advantage of the earned income and child tax credits available through the federal Economic Recovery Act. I will be the WNC Economic Recovery Program Director for the seven most western counties. It’s a brand-new position and it will be a challenge, but I trust that I have everything I need to be successful. The great thing is I get to stay in Waynesville and maintain the relationships I’ve built with people in the western counties over the last decade. I get to work closely with other nonprofits who’ve already been doing this work in their communities. The Smoky Mountain News has been my home for more than seven years. I know they will carry on the mission without me, but it will be hard not to be in the newsroom everyday with my work family. I have so much gratitude in my heart for my colleagues and their ability to be happy for me, while also letting me know how much they’ll miss me. That’s all I could hope for during this transition. While I may no longer be a reporter, rest assured I will always be a writer and I remain committed to serving my community in new ways. Thank you to my amazing support system of family, friends, mentors, and cheerleaders for getting me through the last couple of months of doubt, anxiety, and now celebration. The support and encouragement everyone has shown me has been overwhelming. My heart is full. (Jessi Stone can be reached at bohemianjean@gmail.com.)

LETTERS courtroom goes to their heads. They have lost their way, and so have many — if not most — Americans. You can’t expect leadership in a courtroom, the place where justice should not be tainted. Times are moving too quickly for the good, the true, and the beautiful to bear fruit in its kinship with justice. We are bedazzled by novelty, by mayhem, by anxiety, rootlessness, transformation, self-centeredness, extravagance, and decimation of value that no longer has a linchpin enabling the connection between and among those values we once held most dear. To be tried is in the nature of life. To be tested is in the nature of wisdom. To break with the past with no firm and reasonable and just sight of the future leaves us only in the present. No age with whomever its people has ever lived solely there. The Zen monk is compelled by biology to escape the moment. The committed Christian too frequently forgets her aim is heavenward. Time is all awhirl around us but we know not how to trim our sails. Forsaken by those who acquire power, we are left drifting in a miasma of laxity in the upholding of the just. So what is this just after all? Or before all? Is there embedded in justice some universali-

ty? Some absoluteness? Or is it merely a matter of a particular people and a particular

time? Does God dispense it? Or does God leave it to man to make of it

From Me to We

samer flotsam put forth by power playing among those who are positioned to avail themselves of it? Socrates died for it. Jesus did, as well. Is that what justice is, dedicating or giving your life for a cause? Paul Steven Blank Franklin

Thomas Crowe

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what he or she will? Humans shed blood over it. From suicide, to family, to neighbor, to country. Nobody acts without it. Even the insane act on terms to which justice refers. If it will not manifest in Congress, or the courtroom, or even in the church, what machine or technical device will ever give life back to it. Or is justice only and always been a gos-

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consider myself to be an independent person. Someone who has “followed their bliss,” as mythologist Joseph Campbell put it. “Done my own thing” as we used to say back in the 1960s. And in my adulthood, been self-employed. Yet, everywhere I have ever lived, I have lived as part of a community. I didn’t live in isolation. At a very early age, my family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, across the then country road from Graceland. Then, the family moved again to the small mountain town of Robbinsville, very near to the Snowbird Cherokee Reservation. When the family moved yet Writer again to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia for my high school years, I was part of that community. When I graduated from high school and attended Furman University for four years in Greenville, South Carolina, I was part of the Furman community. I finished college and wanted to travel, so I went to live in France, and there I was part of the French community. When I returned back to the states, I lived and worked on a family farm in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and I was part of the midwestern farming community there. After my farming experience, I moved to California and was living and working in the Napa Valley for a new winery and was part of the Napa Valley community. When I moved down to the Bay Area to San Francisco, in North Beach, I was part of the North Beach community. My next move was back east to Polk County, where I lived offthe-grid for four years. During that time, I was part of a rural mountain community near Saluda. In the last 35 years I have lived here in Jackson County and in various ways I have interacted with and been part of the Jackson County community. Yes, we are all individuals and have, if we are lucky, the freedom to roam and roam how and where we choose. But even so, we don’t live in a vacuum. We have lived amongst other people and wild critters and landscapes whether we acknowledge it or not. And each one of those landscapes, those environments, those places, influence and affect where we go, what we do and who we become. In my case, this is certainly

true. That road will not be a solo journey seeking survival, but one that is built and traveled upon by whole communities, large and small. In the Gospel of Thomas, there is a passage that reads: “If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.” For the past several hundred years (or more) we humans have been following a paved path determined by nation states, corporate and authoritarian governments and the idea of “progress” to our own detriment. We have not been listening to the wisdom voice within, to the moral story within. And that ignoring, that ignorance is rising up, now, to destroy us. Barry Lopez, the Oregon-based naturalist writer, says that we need to reinvent ourselves and our responsibilities to each other, our families, our communities, our countries and our planet. Lopez goes on to say: “If we’re going to survive and to thrive in whatever landscape the world offers us in the decades ahead, we must learn to speak respectfully to each other, to listen to each other, to take into consideration the fate of each other’s children and wake up to the salvation of a multicultural existence. We have cut ourselves off from the nonhuman world and have called this ‘progress.’ Such numinous encounters in nature are moments of reconnection, part of the human search for reciprocated love.” Kairos is an ancient Greek word meaning “the right, critical, or opportune moment.” It is now a term being widely used by social scientists and environmental physicists to address the conditions in which we find ourselves living today. In other words, now is the proper time for action — in this opportune moment when we are facing the triple threat of covid, climate change and cultural upheaval and when we are told by everyone in the know that if we are going to have a sustainable world in which to live we must make the necessary changes, both to ourselves and to everyone around us. In other words, we are going to need to, as the Beatles song implies, “Come Together.” A song that rings out today with its more than pertinent title and urgent message, “come together, right now” — come together with reciprocated love and “now” meaning today, when we no longer have any time to lose! (Thomas Crowe is a regular contributor to The Smoky Mountain News and author of the multi-award-winning non-fiction nature memoir “Zoro’s Field: My Life in the Appalachian Woods.” newnativepress@hotmail.com.)

“The story can’t be about the heroism of one person any more, it has to be about the heroism of communities.” — Barry Lopez

A&E

Smoky Mountain News

The alchemy of the melody

A conversation with Andrew Thelston

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD ARTS & E NTERTAINMENT E DITOR n terms of musical ambassadors within the melodic melting pot of a scene that is Western North Carolina, you’d be hardpressed to find an artist as dedicated and inclusive as that of Andrew Thelston. Born in Asheville and attending high school in Brevard, Thelston has bounced around to seemingly every corner of this area. College at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Working at WTZQ radio in Hendersonville. And nowadays calling Black Mountain home. Throughout his exploration of these mountains and its inhabitants, Thelston has remained a sponge of sorts, always soaking in the knowledge and wisdom of astute musicians, the sacred act of performance, and the ancient craft of creation — either in collaboration, in passing, through a recording or in the presence of live music. The culmination of these vast, ongoing experiences and interactions remains the fire of intent within Thelston to hold steady and navigate his own course, which currently is The Andrew Thelston Band — a rock/soul ensemble of power and swagger. The group is continually evolving, whether it be its own constant flow of original material or recent endeavors, including elaborate tribute sets to the intricate, captivating works of Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and Fleetwood Mac — a testament to the tenacity and talent at the core of Thelston, a musician on the rise.

Andrew Thelston.

Smoky Mountain News: What do you see when you look at and listen to all the local groups here west of Asheville? What makes this scene unique, and what will ensure its survival moving forward? Andrew Thelston: There are some amazing bands and musicians performing all over WNC. I really think that the brewery scene has directly impacted that in a positive way, by creating a desire and market for musicians to perform and develop. It was a lot harder hustling for gigs 10 years ago due to a lack of venues that paid for real, professional musicians. On any given night at any of the breweries, distilleries or wineries, a patron can enjoy anything from an acoustic solo act, a jazz combo, full nine-piece funk band or a rock-n-roll power trio. SMN: In an uncertain era of the music industry, what is it that keeps you going and inspired to push ahead and overcome the tough challenges of being a musical act that records and performs in the digital age?

Want to go? Beloved regional rock/soul group The Andrew Thelston Band will continue its Saturday residency during the month of February at The Gem downstairs taproom at Boojum Brewing in Waynesville. Featuring an array of special guests and musical themes, the showcase will feature a Beatles set with bass prodigy Walker Astin (Feb. 19) and a Fleetwood Mac set with vocalist/keyboardist Carrie Morrison (Feb. 26). The shows begin at 9 p.m. Free and open to the public. Aside from numerous singles and album EPs on any and all streaming services, Thelston’s latest single, “Time,” will be released this week. For more on Thelston and his music, click on andrewthelston.com. AT: Personally, I just love the process of writing a piece of music that has never existed. That act alone brings me so much joy and excitement. I try to compose and write every day — anything from a guitar riff, to a lead line, a vocal melody, lyrics or an interesting drum beat. It feels like alchemy when I’m in a recording studio. Getting the levels of ingredients just

right to serve the song and recording. I hate using the term “magic,” but it really is pulling a rabbit out of a hat. I’m very proud of my original recordings and I’m always striving to get better in the studio. A lot of musicians can freeze up in the sobering and sterile environment of a studio, but, after years of hard work, I’m very comfortable there. SMN: What do you see your role as a singersongwriter, in terms of what you want to say and how you want to say it? And what is the role of the songwriter in the 21st century, this era of immense noise and constant distraction? AT: I feel my role as a songwriter is to be myself. It’s a difficult time to release original music in a world that obsesses on musical nostalgia, but I find it’s fulfilling when I have music that I’m proud of out in the world. These songs and recordings will outlive me and I want them to be right. Not perfect, but right and that means staying true to my vision of authenticity. All of my songs are about real situations or thoughts that I have seen, lived or had. Writing songs is the most therapeutic way for me to get through these life lessons. I struggle with social media, because it can have very negative mental effect, while also allowing me to make new connections that

“It’s a difficult time to release original music in a world that obsesses on musical nostalgia, but I find it’s fulfilling when I have music that I’m proud of out in the world.” — Andrew Thelston

otherwise would never happen. All I want is to create and perform the best music that I can — to constantly get better as a musician and as a person. SMN: Why the guitar? What is it about that instrument that you can express yourself and communicate with others? AT: I just love what that instrument can do. An electric guitar can create the loudest, most evil sounding noise known to man, while also being able to create the most tender, angelic and soulful whispers with the subtle movement of a finger — the world, and life, makes more sense behind six strings.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

I want to hold you in the Bible black pre-dawn, what was I thinking when we said hello?

HOT PICKS A literary classic brought to life, a production of “Anne of Green Gables” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18-19, 25-26 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 20 and 27 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theater in Waynesville.

February 16-22, 2022

Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host Kyle Travers of Travers Brothership (rock/soul) at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18.

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An all-music celebration of Black History Month will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, at the First Presbyterian Chapel in Franklin. Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host a special residency by The Andrew Thelston Band (rock/soul) at 9 p.m. every Saturday in February. The “Where We Live: History, Nature, and Culture” lecture series will resume with author Deena Bouknight at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, at the Cowee School in Franklin.

really came of it though, seeing summer break was around the corner, neither one of us could drive, and we’d all be entering high school that fall, all scattering into our respective groups and labels. Then, there was “L.” My high school sweetheart. Lived an hour away from each other. We came into each other’s field of vision because we were both runners and, well, ran around in the same athletic social circles. We dated for junior and senior year,

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t’s Sunday, Feb. 13. The Super Bowl will be underway in about six hours. I’m sitting at a table in the depths of Orchard Coffee in downtown Waynesville. Large cup of coffee (with a shot of espresso) nearby. A breakfast sandwich and yogurt soon to be arriving. And yet, I can’t help but think about a poem I wrote on this day in 2016. Like most of the endless spurof-the-moment-inspiration dribble I write that isn’t printed in this publication, I usually forget what I wrote, said, felt or came to realize, at least until I open up the files and something catches my eye. I hadn’t thought about this poem since the day I wrote it. I wasn’t even looking for it. But, an “On This Day” memory notification popped up on my Facebook account this morning. I scrolled through where I was, what I was doing, and who I was with on this exact day, which goes back to when I first logged into the social media platform (2004, sheesh). It’s a rather long poem, some 876 words. It’s a stroll down memory lane, through interactions and reactions in the midst of past lovers — love lost, love found, and that familiar giant void of silence between dots of companionship and relationships. In chronological order, each femme fatale has a section, with each transition seamless, seeing as it’s an ongoing story of one’s journey — my own. You get the idea. It was surreal and cathartic to wander back down that bumpy road of memories, both good and bad, the path to the here and now. And yet, I’m still standing. As I hope they are, too. These individuals intersecting, either for a moment or for a lifetime. The trajectories of time and place, and how nothing or everything could happen by what door you choose to walk through. No ill will or anything of that nature in hindsight. Just pure awe and of endless curiosity, of deep reflection of the past and where we all ended up. The first girl was “A.” Middle school. Canadian border. She passed a note to me during social studies asking me to the dance that Friday. And, if so, would I save her a dance? Yes, and yes. Pull each other close during the final song of the evening, Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.” It was pretty intense for a young kid like myself. Butterflies and nervous small talk. But, for some reason, she liked me. Nothing

myself once we landed at Shannon Airport. And then there was “M.” The one that got away, in essence. An old friend from high school, rendezvousing for drinks later down the road. I had been out of college a couple of years, and just returned to the North Country after my first journalism gig in Idaho, onward to wandering the country as a freelance writer. It was a whirlwind romance. I felt that this would be my lot in life, her and I conquering the game of life together. Everything seems to fit, and I was genuinely happy. There were long-term plans talked about and rehashed to perfection. But, just when I was contemplating when and where to propose, she got to me before I could get to her. She was graduating college soon and wanted to see the world for herself, and on her own. That breakup feels like a lifetime ago, but sometimes feels like yesterday when you let your mind wander. I came across a photo of her this weekend, happily married and expecting her first child. All the love to you and yours, “M.” And here I sit on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. I’m 37 years old and I didn’t even realize Valentine’s Day was tomorrow until a dear friend mentioned their plans with their significant other. But, that’s OK that I forgot. It’s just another day, just like every day before and after tomorrow is another chance, happenstance or circumstance of that certain “someone” walking through the same door that you decided to turn to the knob and enter. Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.

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This must be the place

and the first semester of freshman year (away at different colleges) before breaking up right around the holidays. I learned my first lessons about what actual love “is” from “L,” and for that I’ll always be grateful. We met up for lunch several years after we ended things. She was still the same magnetic person I fell in love with. That was the last time I saw her, though we’re friends on Facebook, so I’m happy to see that she’s happily married with a handful of jovial children. Skip up to second semester sophomore year of college. “S” literally walked into my life when she wandered into my dorm room during a keg party we were having. She liked the band posters on the wall over my bed, but more so the ski map of Crested Butte, which is what sparked our initial conversation, this mutual love of slicing through powder and being out in the elements. We dated for the rest of that semester and that summer. It was pretty magical, to say the least, especially that chunk of the summer spent with her at her dad’s cabin up in the desolate Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania — chasing waterfalls, learning how our souls tick, and going to concerts. But, right as I was ready to board a flight to Ireland for semester abroad that fall, she messaged me and said she “couldn’t do this anymore” due to me leaving for four months of unknowns an ocean apart. I spent the next several hours of that flight drinking overpriced beer and drowning my sorrows in sad music in my headphones (Coldplay, John Mayer, etc.), only to dry my tears and recalibrate

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Smoky Mountain News

February 16-22, 2022

arts & entertainment

On the beat

Celebrate ‘Black History Month’ An all-music celebration of “Black History Month” will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, at the First Presbyterian Chapel in Franklin. Sacred and secular music from around the world and here at home will be performed by the band Bluejazz and The Ubuntu Choir of the Great Smoky Mountains. Audience members will be invited to join in on many selections. Bluejazz, a fairly new and highly versatile Franklin band, spans music styles from blues and jazz to pop and Motown. Delphine Kirkland is lead singer, with Scott Crowley on bass and vocals, and Dave Stewart on guitar and vocals. The band performed last month as part of Western Carolina University’s Martin Luther King, Jr. commemoration. Founded in 2009, this region’s Ubuntu Choir members share a passion for harmony singing, joyfully blending their voices in a cappella music from diverse traditions and cultures. The local Ubuntu group is directed by Tom Tyre, who is a member of the Natural Voice Network in the United Kingdom. The choir is a member of the Worldwide Ubuntu Choir Network. Admission is by donation. Audience members are asked to come healthy and wear

masks. The chapel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is on Church Street at Harrison Avenue. Wheelchair access is from the First Presbyterian Church parking lot. This event is produced by the Arts Council of Macon County. For more information, call 828.524.ARTS or email arts4all@dnet.net.

Interested in learning the dulcimer? The Pic’ & Play Mountain Dulcimer Players will be resuming in-person jam sessions at the St. John’s Episcopal Church basement fellowship hall in Sylva. The group welcomes all beginners and experienced dulcimer players, including mountain (lap) dulcimer and hammered dulcimer players. Songs played include traditional mountain tunes, hymns, and more modern music. The group meets at 1:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of every month in the basement of St. John’s. Pic’ & Play has been playing together since 1995. The more experienced members welcome new players, help them navigate their instruments, and guide them through some of the basics of tuning, strumming, and playing. For more information, call Kathy Jaqua at 828.349.3930 or Don Selzer at 828.293.0074.

Carole King tribute show A special tribute performance of the music of Carole King will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Carole King is without question the most successful and revered female singer-songwriter in pop music history. More than 400 of her compositions have been recorded by over 1,000 artists, resulting in 100 hit singles. Her hits include “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” for the Shirelles to “Take Good Care of My Baby” and “Run to Him” (#1 and #2 hits for Bobby Vee in 1961), “Crying in the Rain” (The Everly Brothers, #6 in 1962), “The LocoMotion” (Little Eva, #1 in 1962), “Up on the Roof ” (The Drifters, #5 in 1962), “One Fine Day” (The Chiffons, #5 in 1963), “I’m Into Something Good” (Herman’s Hermits, #13 in 1964), “Just Once in My Life” (written with Phil Spector for The Righteous Brothers, #9 in 1965), and “Don’t Bring Me Down” (The Animals, #12 in 1966). “Tapestry: Tribute to Carole King” faithfully recreates the glorious sound of a Carole King concert, leaving your audiences with

TRAVERS TO PLAY LAZY HIKER Acclaimed singersongwriter/guitarist Kyle Travers (of Travers Brothership) will hit the stage at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, at the Lazy Hiker Taproom in Sylva. The show is free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.

Carole King. memories of the great music she wrote and recorded, including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Natural Woman,” “It’s Too Late,” “So Far Away,” “I Feel the Earth Move” and “Beautiful” — the title song of the mega-hit Broadway musical about the life and times of one of America’s most prolific, honored, and revered singer-songwriters. Tickets start at $25. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to smokymountainarts.com or call 866.273.4615.

On the beat

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host a semi-regular acoustic jam with the Main Street NoTones from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays. Free and open to the public. For more information, click on blueridgebeerhub.com. • Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host karaoke at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, trivia at 7 p.m. on Thursdays, a special residency by The Andrew Thelston Band (rock/soul) at 9 p.m. every Saturday in February and The Get Right Band (rock/indie) Feb. 25. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.0350 or boojumbrewing.com.

ALSO:

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Bob Zullo (guitar/vocals) Feb. 19 and Jay Brown (guitar/harmonica) Feb. 26. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Limited seating. Reservations are highly recommended. 828.452.6000 or classicwineseller.com. • Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.369.4080 or coweeschool.org.

• Elevated Mountain Distilling Company will host an Open Mic Night 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.734.1084 or elevatedmountain.com. • Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.454.5664 or froglevelbrewing.com.

• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host Savannah Page 7 p.m. Feb. 25. All events are free and begin at 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Innovation-brewing.com. • Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public.

• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host Twelfth Fret (Americana) Feb. 18, Shane Meade (soul/indie) Feb. 19, Aly Jordan (singer-songwriter) Feb. 25 and Wollybooger (blues/folk) Feb. 26. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 or mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

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• Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host Shane Meade Trio (rock/soul) Feb. 18 and Arnold Hill (rock/indie) Feb. 25. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.641.9797 or nantahalabrewing.com.

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• Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. rathskellerfranklin.com. • Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.482.9794 or satulahmountainbrewing.com. • Southern Porch (Canton) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.492.8009 or southern-porch.com. • The Ugly Dog Pub (Cashiers) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. 828.743.3000 or theuglydogpub.com. • The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.526.8364 or theuglydogpub.com.

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• Unplugged Pub (Bryson City) will host “Live Karaoke in the Smokies” Feb. 17, “Phatt Phriday” Mardi Gras Celebration Feb. 18 and Outlaw Whiskey Feb. 19. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.538.2488.

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• Valley Tavern (Maggie Valley) will host the “Hillbilly Jam” showcase weekend w/DJ Jason Wyatt Feb. 24 and Mile High Band Feb. 25. Both events begin at 6 p.m. 828.926.7440 or valley-tavern.com. • Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.456.4750 or facebook.com/waternhole.bar. • Whiteside Brewing (Cashiers) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.743.6000 or whitesidebrewing.com.

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Smoky Mountain News

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host BAI Feb. 17. All events begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host Kyle Travers of Travers Brothership (rock/soul) Feb. 18 and Rebekah Todd Feb. 25. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.

February 16-22, 2022

• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host Roscoe’s Roadshow 7 p.m. Feb. 19 and a “Cabin Fever” party 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26. Free and open to the public.. 828.634.0078 or curraheebrew.com.

828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.

arts & entertainment

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

828.452.2313 479 Dellwood Road Waynesville 33

arts & entertainment

SNOW REPORT

You can pick up a free copy of The Smoky Mountain News at 500 locations across Western NC! But you can also have it delivered to your mailbox.

Smoky Mountain News

February 16-22, 2022

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Triple-Win Climate Solutions Nature never did betray the heart that loved her. —William Wordsworth, 1798

The Build Back Better Act: Mitigating Climate Disaster Locally and Nationally Last week’s column explained climate-mitigating programs of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs (IIJ) law. Below are climate components of the Build Back Better Act (BBBA). It or a stronger version must be passed this winter. Earth’s global temperature tipping point is 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit. US emissions continuing at today’s levels will raise the temp by 4.5 degreesplus by 2100, creating an unimaginable Hell. The House passed BBBA; it is now in the Senate. Keeping US-owned businesses in the US and buying American at every possible stage of manufacturing are keystones of BBBA. Its tax cuts empower more businesses to invest in renewable energy, battery storage, and electric vehicles; and modify factories for energy efficiency. Trucks and more: BBBA provides $7,500 rebates on electric vehicles (EVs) plus $500 credit and a $4500 income tax credit if the vehicle is American union-made. Prices of EVs have been dropping, models and features increasing. For example, America’s new, all-electric top-selling Ford F-150 can pull 10,000 lbs., go 300 miles on a standard charge, and go from 0 to 60 mph in under ﬁve seconds. Reliable electricity sources: Over half of

BBBA funds would subsidize wind, solar, and nuclear power. Reduced electricity bills: The Income Tax Credit (ITC) would rise to 30 percent (from 26% now, expiring 2024) and extend another decade. Homeowner rebates for heat pumps and HVAC systems would cover up to 50 percent of home project costs, or $10,000, whichever is lower. BBBA subsidizes buying solar panels and efficient appliances. The solar industry association predicts triple the total solar-produced electricity in the U.S. over the next ﬁve years, adding $234 billion to the economy 2022- 2026 and doubling the solar workforce. WNC is a growing hub for solar. A new Civilian Climate Corps will enlist citizens needing job training to earn a living wage or better. They will apply new skills to public land and water conservation projects and communities’ climate change resilience. A CCC could help prevent the devastation such as Haywood Countians suffered in the ﬂoods last August. Do we need all this? The answer from top economists: the US cannot keep ignoring reality. Continuing as we are means that climate disasters will bankrupt us. In 2019, Bank of England Director Mark Carney warned, nations will suffer economic collapse unless we divest in fossils and mitigate climate nationwide For example, U.S. utilities sector experts estimate losses up to $4.1 billion a year in just this one industry. Where the US leads, other nations follow. Cli-

mate Envoy John Kerry said on January 24, “Many countries — most countries — have the ability to deploy very signiﬁcant additional amounts of renewables, and they’re not doing it.” How to pay for BBBA? Taxing multi-billionaires and corporations currently avoiding taxes would fund it. Leading economists support BBBA, explaining that it "will foster a … sustainable economy by creating millions of jobs, lowering costs, and cutting taxes for American families." BBBA is stalled in the Senate by Republicans and two Democrats. Why? As with most acts against Americans’ best interests, follow the money. Those stonewalling senators take campaign donations from fossil fuel industries and billionaires who pay historically low taxes, or none. In 2018, the 400 richest people paid a lower tax rate than Americans whose income was in the bottom half—everyone reading this. Thirtynine wealthiest corporations paid zero income tax 2018-2020 yet reported combined proﬁts of $122 billion. About 75,000 U.S. households (under 1/10 of 1% of taxpayers) have as much wealth as 330+ million of us, the bottom 90%. What you can do now: Whether or not the BBBA vote has occurred, please contact NC Senators Burr and Tillis to express your opinion. Contact leaders in your political party. One Senate option is separately passing the parts most voters of both parties and independents support, among them climate mitigation. Learn more: BBBA Fact Sheet at:

• https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/state ments-releases/2021/07/22/fact-sheet-how-thebuild-back-better-plan-will-create-a-better-fu ture-for-young-americans/ • https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/it-s-do-or-dietime-for-build-back-better?suppress=true&utm_ source=greenlife&utm_medium=email&utm_cam paign=newsletter • https://eda.gov/arpa/build-back-better/ • https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/56 econom ists-tout-benefits-of-biden-s-buildback-better-act-despite-gop-inflationconcerns/ar-AARH00d • https://www.epi.org/press/nobel-laureate-econ omist-joseph-stiglitz-issues-statement-in-sup port-of-build-back-better-agenda/ • https://fortune.com/2021/09/21/nobel-prize-win ning-economists-back-joe-biden-build-backbetter-plan/ • https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/21/us/pol itics/manchin-sinema-republican-donors.html • https://techxplore.com/news/2022-01-climatedisasters-threaten-grids-billions.html • https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/man chin-sinema-increasingly-receive-campaign-con tributions-from-republican-donors/ar-AAQYl3Z • https://www.propublica.org/article/you-may-bepaying-a-higher-tax-rate-than-a-billionaire • https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/ 2021/sep/18/house-democrats-tax-billionairesbiden-social-polic

The WNC Climate Action Coalition is an all-volunteer group working to mitigate the effects of the climate crisis in our region. By WNC CAC volunteer, co-founder and Triple-win Editor Mary Jane Curry MJCinWNC@gmail.com https://WNCClimateAction.com Twitter: @WncAction

On the street

‘Where We Live’ series returns

Open call for vendors

• “Love The Locals” will return for the month of February. Special discounts will be given to customers from participating businesses in downtown Waynesville. Look for the big red heart in certain storefronts. downtownwaynesville.com.

ALSO:

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host a “Chili Cook Off” at 6 p.m. Thursday Feb. 24. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com. • “Flights & Bites” will be held starting at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in downtown Waynesville. waynesvillewine.com. • A free wine tasting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday and 2 to 5 p.m. every Saturday at The Wine Bar & Cellar in Sylva. 828.631.3075. • “Uncorked: Wine & Rail Pairing Experience” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on select dates at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. Full service all-adult first class car. Wine pairings with a meal, and more. 800.872.4681 or gsmr.com.

The literary classic brought to life, a production of “Anne of Green Gables” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18-19, 25-26 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 20 and 27 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theater in Waynesville. “True Friends are always together in spirit.” So says the high-spirited Anne Shirley in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic tale. Dive into the world of Anne Shirley, a red-headed orphan who is searching for friendship, love, adventure, and above all a home to call her own. The play faithfully recreates the memorable events from Montgomery’s brilliant novel. Playgoers will experience her friendship with Diana, her feuds with Gilbert, her adoration of Matthew, the mistaken wine bot-

Ready to try theater? The Haywood Arts Regional Theater in Waynesville is currently offering a wide variety of classes in the theater arts for all ages, young and old. Whether you are just starting out or want to hone your skills, HART has opportunities for you. Learn more about acting with Acting Classes available for K-2, Grades 3-5, middle/high School, adults, and seniors. Musical Theatre Dance and Advanced Beginner Tap are available for teens and adults so you can learn about the exciting world of Musical Theatre Dance. And classes are rounded off with Improvisation classes and Musical Theatre Group Voice for teens and adults. Spring courses have already begun, with 12 weeks of courses through May 13, with a week off March 28-April

tle, the cake disaster, the broken leg, the scholastic achievements, and the saving of Green Gables. HART presents “Anne of Green Gables” in partnership with their Kids at HART program, featuring Abby Welchel as Anne and Josie Ostendorff as Diana, with Drake Frost, Savanna Shaw, Chelcy Frost, Reese Pifer, James Cloninger and Lia Collier. The cast is rounded out with the talented Suzanne Tinsley, Stephen Gonya and Lyn Donley. Directed by Kristen Hedberg. Tickets are available now by visiting harttheatre.org or by calling HART’s Box Office at 828.456.6322. All seating is socially distanced for this show and masks are required at all performances. 1 and spring break April 11-15. HART also offers pay-per-class with just a $15 drop-in fee. HART is also offering free workshops in Stage Management April 2, 9 and 16. There will also be a Lighting Workshop on March 19. You can learn more about these opportunities and sign up for classes and workshops by visiting harttheatre.org and viewing the Kids at HART classes and camps page. Masks will be required for all courses. For more information, contact Artistic Director Candice Dickinson at 646.647.4546 or email candice@harttheatre.org. • Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host “Standup Comedy Night” at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19. 828.641.9797 or nantahalabrewing.com.

Smoky Mountain News

Artisans, crafters and food vendors are invited to submit their application for the Greening Up the Mountains Festival, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 23, in Sylva. Sponsored by the Town of Sylva, Greening Up The Mountains Festival is the premiere spring festival for Western North Carolina, attracting thousands of visitors and locals alike. This year’s festival seeks artisans and crafters selling their own handmade products. Arts, crafts and food vendors from the area are encouraged to apply. Please visit greeningupthemountains.com to review the 2022 Vendor Policies and download your application. Applications will be accepted through March 15. For more information, please email the event coordinator at greeningupthemountains@gmail.com.

HART presents ‘Anne of Green Gables’

February 16-22, 2022

The “Where We Live: History, Nature, and Culture” lecture series will resume with author Deena Bouknight at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, at the Cowee School in Franklin. Bouknight’s latest book, “Light Fracture,” is about the worst earthquake on record to ever affect the East Coast, has as its bookend first and last chapters the setting of Wayah Bald as it operated in the late 19th to early 20th century.

What was the importance of fire towers before modernity and the development of new technologies? What is the historical significance of Wayah Bald, and why did Bouknight, a 30-plus-year writer, include the site in her historical fiction novel? Her presentation weaves together the historical with the literary to convey another aspect of “Where We Live: History, Nature, and Culture.” Few people realize that an 1886 earthquake, which devastated Charleston, South Carolina, is the worst on record to ever affect the East Coast. Bouknight’s novel is a wellresearched, sense-of-place, postReconstruction tale that builds in and around a lighthouse culture to climax with a natural disaster involving strange phenomena before, during, and after an estimated magnitude-7 earthquake. “Light Fracture” illumines struggles meant to stay shrouded in a time when patience was a virtue, a lighthouse saved lives, and an earthquake was the furthest notion from the minds of those living in South Carolina’s low country. Bouknight, who resides in Franklin, is a career writer and journalist, having contributed for 30-plus years to local, regional, national, and international publications. She has written three Southern fiction novels, “Broken Shells,” “Playing Guy” and “Light Fracture.” She has also contributed to, and ghost-written, several nonfiction books. Masks are required for the health and safety of all. The lecture series is designed to give people an opportunity to learn more about our local area, from many different angles, and to enjoy a pleasant, informative evening together.

arts & entertainment

Deena Bouknight.

On the stage

arts & entertainment

On the wall

A work by Lois Petrovich-Mwaniki.

February 16-22, 2022

‘Shadowed Reality’ art showcase The Jackson County Arts Council (JCAC) will host the “Lois Petrovich-Mwaniki: Shadowed Reality” showcase through March in the Rotunda Gallery at Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. The gallery reception features the work of artist Lois Petrovich-Mwaniki in a show titled Shadowed Reality. The showcase consists of oil portraits. “In exploring the medium of oil, I began to appreciate the mixture of colors on the canvas and the control I had to either flatten or abstract the shadowed figure, or to emphasize the curvature of certain body parts using shadows,” Petrovich-Mwaniki said. “In some of the paintings I attempted to reflect another reality, like the cut-outs of Matisse or the reflected light from Venetian blinds, superimposed on the seated or resting figure. As I continue painting, I am exploring how this new reality can juxtapose what the viewer perceives and recognizes in the surrounding world.” The Jackson County Public Library requires masks to be worn indoors. Cookie grab bags will be available in lieu of refreshments. The showcase is free and open to the public.

Want to paint, sip craft beer?

Smoky Mountain News

Robin Arramae of WNC Paint Events will be continuing her fun paint nights to bring you not only a “night out” but an experience that lifts your spirits.

Join others as Arramae shows you step-bystep how to paint a beginner level painting of the evening as you sip on your favorite local craft beer. This two-hour event should have you feeling better than you felt before you came. And you leave with a painting you created. Events will be held at the following locations: 828 Market on Main (Waynesville), Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva), BearWaters Brewing (Canton) and Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City). Please visit WNC Paint Events (@paintwnc) Facebook page, under “Events” for date and time of upcoming events. For pictures of previous events visit Arramae’s Instagram: @wnc_paint_events. For pricing and to sign up, go to wncpaint.events. Space is limited. Drinks sold separately.

African American art showcase at WCU “Lily” by Ann Miller Woodford.

• Haywood County Arts Council (Waynesville) is currently seeking one or more gallery interns with a passion for the arts and interest in learning about the administration of a small nonprofit. Send cover letters and resumes to HCAC Executive Director Morgan Beryl at director@haywoodarts.org. • “Thursday Painters” group will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays at The Uptown Gallery in Franklin. Free and open to the public. All skill levels and mediums are welcome. Participants are responsible for their own project and a bag lunch. For more information, call The Uptown Gallery at 828.349.4607 or contact Pat Mennenger at pm14034@yahoo.com.

ALSO:

• A “Foreign Film Series” will be held at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Each month, on the second and fourth Friday, two movies from around the globe will be shown. This program is in the Community Room and is free of charge. Masks are required in all Jackson County buildings. For more information, please call the library at 828.586.2016. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library. The Jackson County Public Library is a member of Fontana Regional Library. fontanalib.org.

Artwork by artist and author Ann Miller Woodford are currently on display in “Ann Miller Woodford: The Artist as Storyteller” at the Mountain Heritage Center’s exhibit gallery in Hunter Library on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. This first-ever retrospective exhibition of Woodford’s work spans 60 years, tracing an artistic development from childhood to the present day. The exhibit is on display through March 4. The Mountain Heritage Center is free and is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and open Sundays in February from 2 to 5 p.m. Masks are required for entry. Woodford uses her artistic talents to turn family stories, southern heritage and social justice concerns into conceptual works of art. Each illustration invites viewers to follow Woodford on her journey

through life, connecting with her through the stories they tell. Viewers can expect to be inspired, challenged and motivated by the themes presented in her works. Woodford’s most recent collection of paintings, “Black in Black on Black,” highlights the tremendous bond within the African American community with a focus on the empowerment that comes from being connected. Her works are supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Woodford will be in the exhibit gallery at WCU to discuss her work from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28. Both events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit her website at annstree.com. For more information, click on mhc.wcu.edu or call 828.227.7129.

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READING

On the shelf

Jeff Minick

boy’s grandpa, who used to read to him, has died. This sounds like a sob story, but Zeltser instead makes it a wonderful tale of the magic of books. “How to Read to a Grandma or Grandpa” (Alfred A. Knopf, 2020, 32 pages) shows kids how to share a book or a story with a grandparent, even by way of Zoom. Joey and Samantha may not be reading yet, but they’ll still get a kick out of the illustrations by Lee Wildish and the story by Jean Reagan. There’s some great advice here, too, about read-alouds, such as “Get some pillows and blankets so you can snuggle up to read,” where Grandpa is depicted as bringing a tray of chocolate chip cookies to the lit-

• “Books & Brews” with beloved Jackson County author/historian Dave Waldrop will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23 at Innovation Brewing in Sylva. These events will be a casual hour of meeting the author, hearing snippets read from the book, and getting a chance to purchase a copy (to also be signed). Waldrop is the author of “Roll Your Eyes Now.” The book is a collection of just a few of Waldrop’s original puns, artfully illustrated by Alma Russ. Free and open to the public.

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erary frolic. The part where Grandpa is looking for his glasses also made me smile, as I reenact that scene every time my grandkids pay a visit. In Noah Klocek’s “Dreamland” (Candlewick Press, 2018, 40 pages), Amelie “loved everything about bedtime. She loved wrapping up in her favorite blanket. She loved listening to bedtime stories. More than anything, she loved to dream.” And we follow Amelie as she pursues her nighttime dreams, some of them dark, some “beyond the whistle of a distant train,” until

she finally finds herself in her favorite dreams, which means sleeping in her bedroom. With their blend of light and shadows, Klocek’s pictures should entrance the younger set. “But wait, hang on — YES! THAT’S IT! It doesn’t matter where you sit … a book is best anywhere … a book is best when you SHARE.” That’s the message in Leigh Hodgkinson’s “A Place to Read” (Bloomsbury, 2017, 32 pages). We follow a young reader looking for a comfortable place to enjoy a book away from noise, slippery chairs, a room that’s not too hot and not too cold. Hodgkinson’s bright and vivid illustrations should attract the attention of the three to six year old crowd. And for the elementary aged children, or even middle-schoolers, you might consider “Fairy Tale Feasts: A Literary Cookbook for Young Readers & Eaters” (Crocodile Books, 2006, 200 pages). I stumbled across this book while rambling through my public library. With fairy tales retold by the prolific and renowned writer Jane Yolen, recipes by Heidi E.Y. Stemple, and illustrations by Philippe Beha, Fairy Tale Feasts combines classic stories from childhood with recipes appropriate to these tales along with some extra facts about the foods featured in those recipes and the lively illustrations of Philippe Beha. Accompanying Yolen’s retelling of “The Little Mermaid,” for example, we find Stemple’s recipe for Seaweed Stuffed Shells and some fun facts on the meaning of the word pasta and the history of dough and spaghetti in America. (There is one amusing misprint in this chapter, in which the authors have Thomas Jefferson introducing the first macaroni-making machine to America from France in 1879. Jefferson did import the macaroni machine and took a keen interest in pasta, but by 1879 our third president was long in the grave.) Anyway, when the kids get rowdy, storytime can make for a great time-out. If Grandma or Grandpa are around, recruit them as your reinforcements, and while you make the supper, ask them to share a book with the children. Or have the older kids read to the young ones. And later on in the evening, when Joey and Samantha are tucked away and fast asleep, pour yourself a cup of cocoa, or that glass of red wine, and fall into a book. Tis the season …. (Jeff Minick reviews books and has written four of his own: two novels, “Amanda Bell” and “Dust On Their Wings,” and two works of nonfiction, “Learning As I Go” and “Movies Make the Man.” minick0301@gmail.com.)

February 16-22, 2022

t’s late Saturday afternoon, February, that hour before supper when the little ones go bananas, and the 5-year-old and his sister are driving you bonkers, to the point where you want to plop them down in front of the television watching “Arthur” while you slosh some red wine into a glass and smoke a cigarette, though you only drink wine with supper or in the evenings, and you Writer gave up the cigs years ago in college. When bellowing, red-faced Joey chases the howling Samantha through the living room for the umpteenth time — she’s clutching a handful of the crayons he was coloring with, which technically belong to her — you glare at them through slitted eyes and just want to scream, “Stop! For the love of heaven and all that’s holy, stop!” That tactic sometimes works, though you risk damaging your vocal cords and bringing on tears. Yours, not theirs. It’s time for the childhood chill pill. It’s time to read them a story. If it won’t spoil their dinner, you might even throw in a cup of hot chocolate to add to the moment. David Zeltser’s “The Night Library” (Random House, 2019, 32 pages) might be just the ticket for riding on the peace train. Beautifully illustrated by Raul Colon, “The Night Library” tells the story of a boy who says he doesn’t like reading and books anymore, and who is whisked away by a lion named Fortitude in the middle of the night to the New York Public Library. There the books begin whirling around, acting out scenes from “The Cat in the Hat” and “The Polar Express.” There we also learn that the

arts & entertainment

Take the edge off winter with story hour

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Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

ogy from the University of Georgia, Romaniszyn did his graduate research at the U.S. Forest Service Coweeta Hydrologic Lab in Macon County. He was happiest with his feet in the water, looking for life under river rocks, and he didn’t know much about fundraising or administration. As Haywood Waterways grew, so did Romaniszyn. He learned the organizational and outreach skills he needed to lead the nonprofit, and “he really did an excellent job,” said Bill Eaker, a longtime member of the Haywood Waterways board. “I would do things outside my science training, and sometimes it was difficult,” said Romaniszyn. “What was fun was seeing the results, seeing the light in the eye of the kid as he understood something, or seeing the funds come in from a fundraiser or seeing a grant that was approved. And that was always an exciting part of the job that I’ll certainly miss.”

FACING THE CHALLENGES

Eric Romaniszyn helps eighthgraders inspect their catch of aquatic organisms during a Kids in the Creek event. Donated photo

Haywood Waterways director moves on After 18 years, Eric Romaniszyn will leave water quality nonprofit BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER early two decades ago, Eric Romaniszyn joined the nonprofit world as the new project manager for Haywood Waterways Association. Now, after 12 years as executive director — and 18 as a Haywood Waterways employee — he’s returning to the science side of water quality. Romaniszyn is leaving Haywood Waterways for a biological monitoring job with EnviroScience, the company with which

he started his career in 1994. He’ll be based out of Hendersonville with ClearWater Environmental Consulting, which EnviroScience recently purchased, and plans to remain an active member of Haywood Waterways and the Western North Carolina community. “It’s been a good run,” he said. “I can’t believe I’ve been here 18 years already. It’s flown by.” When Romaniszyn became Haywood Waterways’ second executive director in 2010, it was a smaller organization in a smaller county and had a heavier focus on aquatic science and monitoring than on education. For Romaniszyn, whose experience to that point was strictly scientific, that was just fine. Holding a master’s degree in aquatic entomol-

put a fence around their field so their livestock couldn’t get in the stream. I think that education component is so big.” Haywood Waterways’ longest-running education effort is Kids in the Creek, which marks 25 years in 2022. Every year, Haywood County eighth-graders get to spend a day in the water, learning about watershed ecology, water chemistry and aquatic wildlife during a hands-on outdoor learning experience. But as grants, staffing and inspiration have allowed, Haywood Waterways has grown its arsenal of outdoor education programs. Several years ago, the organization launched a series of outdoor excursions dubbed “Get to Know Your Watershed,” which Romaniszyn said has been “tremendous” for growing Haywood Waterways’ membership. It runs an Adopt-aStream litter removal program, hosts numerous stream cleanups throughout the year and engages students in projects like stenciling storm drains with reminders that the contents flow directly to the stream. In the last year, Haywood Waterways formed the Haywood Youth Conservation Corps, which engages young people in hands-on environmental projects and volunteer work, aiming to prepare the next generation of conservationists. Haywood Waterways’ largest annual fundraiser, The Plunge, is instrumental in paying for those initiatives. Held each year on Super Bowl Saturday, the event invites partici-

Haywood County’s streams and rivers face the same issues that challenged them 12 years ago, including sediment, litter, stormwater runoff and bacteria. But Haywood Waterways has made great strides in combating those problems — in the form of both education efforts and head-on action. “Haywood Waterways has done a lot of great work, and I think the shining example is the state’s impaired waterways list,” said Romaniszyn. “These are streams that are considered the worst in terms of water quality, and through programs that Haywood Waterways did, through programs our partners did, Hyatt Creek and Richland Creek came off that impaired waterways list. So that’s a sure sign that our work was effective.” Canton Alderwoman Kristina Proctor For years, braces for the cold water during the Haywood Waterways 2021 Plunge event. Donated photo has partnered with the Haywood County pants to don a costume, think warm Environmental Health Department to adminthoughts, and jump into frigid water — all in ister grant dollars for fixing failing septic systhe name of raising money and awareness for tems, preventing that sewage from leaking Haywood Waterways’ conservation efforts. into the watershed. The organization has also Eaker came up with the idea 10 years ago, led numerous streamside planting and ripariwhen one of Haywood Waterways’ grant an restoration efforts, which prevent erosion sources, the Pigeon River Fund, suggested and help filter runoff before it reaches the that the organization should become less water. Those efforts were instrumental in reliant on grant money — at the time, about delisting Hyatt and Richland creeks — but so 95% of the nonprofit’s revenue came from were the education initiatives into which grant dollars. Grant funding is never guaranHaywood Waterways has leaned heavily in teed, so that’s a precarious position for any recent years. organization. “We had a couple property owners that In response, Haywood didn’t come to us asking for help — they did Waterways formed a fundraising it on their own,” Romaniszyn recalled. “They

Donated photo

DEVELOPMENT PRESENTS CONTINUED CHALLENGE

As Romaniszyn moves on to the next chapter of his career, the Haywood Waterways board is considering who should guide the organization through new chapters of its own. The board has set up a transition team and held a series of meetings to talk about the transition and the hiring process, and Romaniszyn has agreed to contract with Haywood Waterways as needed to help with the hiring process and onboarding of the new executive director. “We’re just trying to be very thoughtful and deliberate about the whole process to make sure that we get the best person for the job,” said Suzanne Klimek, chair of the Haywood Waterways board. “We definitely want to get it filled as soon as we can, but not rush it so we do it right.” Romaniszyn came to the job with a strong scientific background but a lack of management, fundraising and communication experience — he learned those skills on the job. Meanwhile, his predecessor Ron Moser, who started Haywood Waterways, mainly had a management and financial background. Eaker said the board hopes to have a job description posted within a month and to have a new director in place around June. Both he and Klimek said they’re excited about Haywood Waterways’ future, but that Romaniszyn’s leadership will be missed. “Eighteen years is good, really good,” Eaker said of Romaniszyn’s tenure. “We were lucky to have him. He’s very skilled, very knowledgeable, very personable, people like him, and he was really a perfect fit, to be honest. So it’s going to be hard to fill his shoes, but I think we’ll find a good candidate.” “I think one of the reasons he was there for so long was because it’s a fun job,” Klimek added. “There’s all kinds of interesting things going on and what we do is important for the county. It means a lot to us and, we think, to our community.”

Firefighters work on a prescribed burn. USFS photo are planned for Transylvania County: the 1,000-acre Funnel Top unit and the 2,500acre Otter Hole unit. The Funnel Top burn occurred Feb. 15. The following burns are planned for the Grandfather Ranger District: ■ Armstrong burn unit, 58 acres, near Little Switzerland in McDowell County. ■ Singecat burn unit, 2,200 acres, near

Old Fort in McDowell County.

■ Boyd Gap burn unit, 200 acres near Blowing Rock in Caldwell County. Last week, the Nantahala Ranger District on the Nantahala National Forest performed a 2,000-acre burn near Appletree campground in Macon County’s Nantahala community. A 677-acre burn took place on the Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest at Crawley Branch near Collettsville in Caldwell County. These lowto mediumdensity burns reduce wildfire risk by cutting accumulation of fuels on the forest floor and create healthier, more diverse and resilient forests for wildlife. The Armstrong and Crawley Branch burns will help prepare for tree planting. Burn dates and acres burned will depend on weather conditions, such as wind and relative humidity. During burns, some roads and trails may be closed to ensure safety.

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Romaniszyn is leaving Haywood Waterways in a good place, but future development and population growth will continue challenging the nonprofit as well as local residents, governments and everyone else committed to ensuring high-quality waters in Haywood County. “That growth and the transition of our grass and forest to parking lots has the potential to really compound these issues unless we grow sustainably,” Romaniszyn said. “The towns are taking that action on their own to make sure the development protects water quality. Different resource agencies are working with developers to make sure that what they build doesn’t destroy our natural resources, helps preserve it. So there’s a lot of initiatives out there, a lot of work — not just Haywood Waterways doing it.” The Pigeon River Flood caused by Tropical Storm Fred last August clearly displayed what’s at stake in navigating those issues successfully. “The next flood’s going to come, so when that flood comes, you’ve got to give that water somewhere to go, and that’s the

HARD SHOES TO FILL

The U.S. Forest Service is planning prescribed burns for seven areas of the Pisgah National Forest this spring. On the Pisgah Ranger District, two burns

Busick in McDowell County.

■ Big Lost Bear burn unit, 4,725 acres near

February 16-22, 2022

committee and within a month held its inaugural Plunge event. “We raised $11,000 that first year, and we were thrilled,” said Eaker. Since then, the event has grown into a community fixture, rotating between the Canton Pool and Lake Junaluska and raising tens of thousands of dollars each year. While donations will continue trickling in over the coming weeks, the 2022 event held Feb. 12 drew 126 participants and raised $34,000 — the second-highest total ever, below the $39,280 raised in February 2020. The Plunge, along with other diversification strategies, has reduced Haywood Waterways’ reliance on grants to about 45% of the operating budget, with roughly 30% coming from fundraising events like The Plunge and 25% from membership dues and donations. Various other sources combine to round out the remining 10%. Money raised through donations or fundraisers can be leveraged as matching funds for grants, said Eaker, bringing in $17 in grant money for every local dollar.

Forest Service plans prescribed burns

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Romaniszyn works with students during Kids in the Creek.

floodplain,” said Romaniszyn. In decades past, conventional wisdom was to wall off the water with levees or stream channels — and while that tactic might offer protection to the isolated location where the levee or channel is built, it’s bad for the ecosystem and compounds the problem for those living further downstream. Romaniszyn favors an approach like the one the Town of Clyde adopted following the 2004 flood. FEMA funds allowed the town to buy the land that now forms River’s Edge Park, and Haywood Waterways has collaborated to plant flood-adapted trees, shrubs and river cane to filter stormwater on land intended to serve as a safe, sustainable place for floodwaters to go — a role the park played well during the 2021 flood. “If we can reconnect rivers with their floodplains, we can protect not only our own infrastructure, we can protect downstream infrastructure as well,” Romaniszyn said. “That’s one of the biggest lessons we’ve learned every time it floods here.”

1819 Country Club Drive, Maggie Valley, NC

M AG G I E VA LLEY C LU B . CO M OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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Hike the Smokies’ classics It’s time to register for the 2022 Classic Hikes of the Smokies series, with guided excursions to some of the best trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offered on the second Tuesday of each month, March through December. Hikes are $20 for current Friends of the Smokies members, $35 for new and renewing members with a one-year membership included, or $160 to register for the whole series. That price does not include the overnight trip in May. This year’s schedule is: ■ March 8, moderate 5.4-mile loop hike on the Cucumber Gap and Little River Trails, taking in wildflowers and river views. ■ April 12, moderate 7.4-mile out-and-back hike on the Porters Creek Trail, featuring wildflowers and cascades. ■ May 17-18, overnight hike experience to Mount LeConte, not included in full series purchase.

■ June 14, difficult 9-mile out-and-back hike from Clingmans Dome to Silers Bald, featuring wildflowers and sweeping views. ■ July 12, difficult 4.4-mile out-and-back hike to the Chimney Tops, displaying the product of a Trails Forever project and mountain views. ■ Aug. 9, moderate 8.5-mile out-and-back hike on the Cataloochee Divide to Hemphill Bald, taking in views, a historic log home and the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center. ■ Sept. 13, moderate 7.8-mile loop hike at Twenty Mile, a forest walk with plenty of wildflowers. ■ Oct. 11, easy 4-mile out-and-back forest walk to the Walker Sisters Home, a Forever Places project. ■ Nov. 8, difficult 9.4-mile nature walk on the Lakeshore Loop, featuring old home sites. ■ Dec. 13, easy 3.9-mile forest walk on the Kephart Prong Trail, including a visit to an historic Civilian Conservation Corps camp and a holiday celebration. Register at friendsofthesmokies.org. Series discount available through March 1. Space limited.

Revised assessment issued for Wears Valley bike proposal A revised environmental assessment for a proposed mountain bike trail system in the Wears Valley area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is available for public comment through Wednesday, March 10.

Outdoor program for home schoolers

February 16-22, 2022

Home school parents are invited to an open house 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the Waynesville Recreation Center to learn more about programs and trips being offered for the home school population. The event is a drop-in format, with topics including physical education, hiking, kayaking, outdoor education and more. Those unable to stop by Feb. 23 can contact MaShon Gaddis at 828.456.2030 or mgaddis@waynesvillenc.gov.

The Foothills Parkway, along which the bike trails would be built, winds through gentler slopes outside the main mountain range. NPS photo In October 2020, the National Park Service solicited feedback on the original Environmental Assessment for the proposed bike trail system within the Foothills Parkway Section 8D corridor. Based on public input, park managers determined the need for more information about how

the trail system might impact karst resources in the area. In 2021, a study was conducted to obtain more information on this topic. Karst topography is a landscape type in which dissolving bedrock creates features such as sinkholes, sinking streams, caves or springs. Undeveloped karst terrain produces about two-thirds less stormwater runoff than nonkarst regions, but as land is developed, paved surfaces, compacted soils and altered slopes and grades cause greater amounts of runoff, which can result in environmental issues. Under the Park Service’s preferred alternative, the trailhead would not be near any karst-like features, but four karst-like features and three ponds would be located the preliminary trail route. The alternative would add 1.3 acres of impervious surface on karst-associated soils and alter 15.6 acres of karstassociated soils. “Overall, the proposed development under alternative 3 would be designed to avoid and buffer any karst features, maintain the quality and quantity of runoff to predevelopment levels, and minimize rerouting of stormwater from existing drainages to minimize the potential for impacts on karst resources,” says the revised EA. “The application of mitigation measures and the adherence to stormwater management and NPDES requirements would further limit the potential effect on karst resources.” To view or comment on the document, visit parkplanning.nps.gov/wearsvalleybiketrails.

An organizational meeting for an adult co-ed volleyball league is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the Waynesville Recreation Center. The league is open to players 18 or older as of Jan. 1, with each team roster holding six to 12 people. Games will be played on Wednesdays, with divisions to be determined at the organizational meeting. The entry fee will be based on the number of teams at the meeting. Donald Hummel, 828.456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

Take a tour of homesteads past

Experience a variety of rural Macon County homesteads from the 19th and early 20th centuries during an Alarka Expeditions event 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, led by Dr. Michael Ann Williams. While many people are drawn to the extremes of modest log cabins and the large frame homes of well-to-do landowners, this tour will explore architecture types all along the continuum. Among others, participants will look at the “boxed” house, built of the once ubiquitous single-wall construction, and examine an example of this rarely preserved home type. The tour will also include entry to Lolita Dean’s former home in Lower Burningtown. Cost is $65. Sign up at alarkaexpeditions.com.

Conservation trusts protect additional lands ■ The Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina has acquired 130 acres along the Jacob Fork River in the Catawba River Basin

A half-mile section of the Jacob River flows through a recently conserved property in the Catawba River Basin. Foothills Conservancy photo thanks to funding from a private conservationist, and the land trust plans to transfer it to N.C. State Parks as part of the future

Wilderness Gateway Trail. Owned by the same family since 1786, the newly acquired land contains a scenic half-mile segment of the Jacob Fork River, which is a source of drinking water for the downstream town of Newton. ■ A conservation easement donation in Alexander County allowed the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina to protect a 120-acre property in the Brushy Mountains, just north of Taylorsville. The property is geographically and ecologically diverse and is located less than 3 miles from Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area. Its conservation helps protect nearly a mile of headwater streams of Muddy Fork as well as uplands and natural forests in the Brushy Mountains Foothills.

Documentary to explore forest management debate The Pisgah-Nantahala forest plan process is nearing its end, but a local filmmaker’s effort to produce a documentary exploring the issue is just beginning. Asheville-based filmmaker Garrett Martin has launched a Kickstarter fundraiser to cover production costs for “The Great Forest,” a feature-length documentary following conservationists throughout southern Appalachia as they struggle with how best to manage two of the most biodiverse and visited national forests in the country. Fundraising will go toward final production days, color correction and sound mixing. Learn more at bit.ly/3hh7zvn.

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Area land trusts are celebrating several recent accomplishments in the quest to conserve and protect ecologically significant land. ■ Mainspring Conservation Trust has protected the largest remaining unconserved wetland on the free-flowing Little Tennessee River. Adjacent to Needmore Game Lands, the property is in Macon County and split by N.C. 28. One side has a 22-acre wetland tract with 1,830 feet of river frontage, while across the road more than 24 acres of forested upland remain intact. “Intact wetlands in our region are relatively rare but are very important habitats — they effectively act as filters, helping to keep river systems like the Little Tennessee clean,” said Mainspring Executive Director Jordan Smith. “Conserving upland adjacent to riparian areas is equally important, as they provide connectivity for plants and wildlife across the landscape. Together, all of these natural habitats in our region contribute to the incredible biodiversity that make these mountains so unique.”

Outdoor Gear Builders names executive director Outdoor Gear Builders has hired Brad Taylor as its first-ever full-time executive director, marking a milestone for an organization that is itself the first outdoor industry association of its kind. Taylor’s passion for the outdoors has led him to leadership roles with Confluence Outdoor, Merrell, Hurricane Kayaks and Jackson Kayaks. He has served as a consultant to startup paddlesports brands and footwear brands, and he is a passionate outdoorsman who trains and races standup paddleboards and hikes Western North Carolina’s trails. Taylor said he aims to bring in new members, increase engagement with current members as well as the broader WNC outdoor community, and to foster outdoor entrepreneurship. OGB’s mission is to cultivate, connect and support a community of outdoor industry leaders in WNC, and it now has more than 60 members, including businesses and organizations that represent WNC’s entire outdoor industry. Learn more at outdoorgearbuilders.com.

find us at: facebook.com/smnews February 16-22, 2022 Smoky Mountain News 41

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Shiitake mushrooms are a culinary delicacy and relatively easy to grow.

WE RECYCLE WASTE WOOD STUMPS • LIMBS • BRUSH

Donated photo

Grow shiitake mushrooms Learn how to grow shiitake mushrooms during a hands-on workshop 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, in Franklin. Macon County Extension Director Christy Bredenkamp will teach the class, covering all aspects of shiitake production. Participants will inoculate and bring home their own logs to grow mushrooms and are

asked to bring two logs cut in the dormant season November through March. Red, white and scarlet oak are preferred, and they should be 3-6 inches in diameter, 4 feet long and with intact bark free from bare or diseased spots. Cost is $35. To register, contact 828.349.2049 or clbreden@ncsu.edu.

Shop the Haywood plant sale

February 16-22, 2022

Great Smokies

STORAGE LLC Call 828.506.4112 greatsmokiesstorage.com

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434 Champion Drive, Canton, NC 28716 21 Hollon Cove Rd, Waynesville, NC 28786

Puzzles can be found on page 46

Hard-to-find native plants are available at exceptional prices as part of the annual Haywood County Master Gardener Plant Sale. Pre-paid orders are due by March 18, with plants available for pickup Saturday, June 4. Order forms are available at the Haywood Cooperative Extension Office on Raccoon Road in Waynesville, online at haywood.ces.ncsu.edu or by contacting 828.456.3575 or mgarticles@charter.net. Proceeds fund education-related horticulture projects in Haywood County.

Help available for Tropical Storm Fred losses Farmers who suffered losses due to Tropical Storm Fred can now apply for help through the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agricultural Crop Loss Program through the April 15 application deadline. The program covers crop, feed, livestock, aquaculture and farm infrastructure losses for farmers in Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, Mitchell, McDowell, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey counties. To qualify, commodities must have been planted but not harvested — or, for aquaculture, raised — before or on Aug. 17, 2021. The program is funded through a $50 million appropriation from the N.C.

General Assembly. Learn more or download an application at ncagr.gov. For questions about the program, call 866.747.9823 or

reach out to the county Cooperative Extension or Farm Service Agency office.

These are only the answers.

WNC Ag Hall of Fame seeking nominations Nominations for the 2022 Western North Carolina Agricultural Hall of Fame are open through Friday, Feb. 25, to WNC Communities. Established in 1991, the annual awards recognize stewards of the WNC agribusiness sector and honor the agriculture industry’s visionaries and leaders. The Hall of Fame seeks members who have made significant contributions to agriculture, have been responsible for agricultural advancement, and have improved or promoted agriculture through their work in the agriculture community. Guidelines, criteria and nomination forms are available for download at wnccommunities.org. The award ceremony will be held at the Davis Event Center, part of the WNC Agriculture Center in Fletcher, where the WNC Hall of Fame is on permanent display.

WNC Calendar COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • The Jackson County Farmers Market meets every Saturday November through March, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and April through October, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Bridge Park in Sylva, 110 Railroad St. Fresh, locally grown seasonal vegetables, locally produced meat, eggs, fresh bread and pastries, coffee, foraged mushrooms, flowers, starter plants for the garden, honey, jams and jellies, local artisans and more. Special events listed on Facebook and Instagram.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • “Where We Live: History, Nature, and Culture” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, at Cowee School in Franklin. Author, Deena Bouknight, will be the speaker. • SCC will hold a general career fair featuring employers from all sectors from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Burrell Building on SCC’s Jackson Campus in Sylva. For more information about this event and SCC’s career services, contact Michael Despeaux at 828.229.4212 or m_despeaux@southwesterncc.edu • Western Carolina University’s Educational Leadership Programs will be hosting Equity in Education Summit from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 25 at the Crest Center in Asheville. The registration fee for the summit is $100 and includes a light breakfast and lunch. For more information about the conference, contact Jess Weiler at jrweiler@email.wcu.edu. For more information about registration, visit learn.wcu.edu/equity-summit or call 828.227.7397.

VOLUNTEERS & VENDORS • Artisans, crafters, and food vendors are invited to submit their application for the Greening Up the Mountains Festival to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 23. Visit the festival’s website, www.greeningupthemountains.com to review the 2022 Vendor Policies and download an application. Applications will be accepted through March 15. For more information, please email the event coordinator at greeningupthemountains@gmail.com.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS • Swain County Caring Corner Free Clinic is open Thursday’s 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Restoration House (Bryson City United Methodist Church). Office hours are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9 a.m. to noon. Call 828.341.1998 to see if you qualify to receive free medical care from volunteer providers. • The Waynesville Recreation Center will hold an open house for home school parents to learn more about the upcoming programs to be offered from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 23. Parents can drop in any time during those hours to discuss topics including physical education, hiking, kayaking, outdoor education and more. • Free Yoga class will take place at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the Macon County Public Library. Register ahead for this free class. https://beyondbendingyoga.com/schedule/

POLITICAL CORNER • The 2022 Haywood Democratic Party precinct organizing meetings will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, via Zoom. To ensure security, participants MUST preregister by Thursday, Feb. 17. The pre-registration link can be found at haywooddemocrats.org. For additional information, contact haywooddemocrats@gmail.com or 828.452.9607.

Smoky Mountain News

n All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted. n To have your item listed email to calendar@smokymountainnews.com • The Annual meeting for the Swain County Democratic Party Bryson City 2 precinct will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, via Zoom. This is the annual meeting where BC2 precinct officers and delegates will be elected for the county convention in March. For more info or to request a link, call Ginger Gaither (828) 736-3470. • Jackson County Election Board will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, at the Election Office at 401 Grindstaff Cove Road, Sylva NC 28779. Appointment of unfilled Judge positions, county budget request preparation, review of schedules and temporary office help for upcoming elections.

SUPPORT GROUPS • Haywood Hospice & Palliative Care is sponsoring a Community Grief Gathering at 1 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at the Canton Library in the meeting room. Each month will feature a different grief topic. The Haywood County Public Library and Haywood Hospice require that masks be worn inside the building. For more information or to RSVP contact Dan Pyles at 452-5039 or email Daniel.pyles@lhcgroup.com • Dementia Caregivers Support Group, for those providing care for folks who are dealing with dementia, meets from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Haywood Senior Resource Center (81 Elmwood Way, Waynesville). For additional information call 828.476.7985. • Al-Anon, for families and friends of alcoholics, meets every Monday night from 7-8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 77 Jackson St., Sylva. Enter at front of church through the door to the left of the sanctuary; meeting is first door on the right. The Church requests that you wear a mask if you are not vaccinated.

AUTHORS AND BOOKS • “Books & Brews” with Jackson County author/historian Dave Waldrop will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at Innovation Brewing in Sylva. Free and open to the public.

A&E

• Mountain Makers Craft Market will be held from noon to 4 p.m. the first Sunday of each month at 308 North Haywood Street in downtown Waynesville. Over two dozen artisans selling handmade and vintage goods. Special events will be held when scheduled. mountainmakersmarket.com. • Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host an open mic from 8 to 10 p.m. every Thursday. Free and open to the public. 828.631.1987 or balsamfallsbrewing.com.

• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host a special residency by The Andrew Thelston Band (rock/soul) at 9 p.m. every Saturday in February and The Get Right Band (rock/indie) Feb. 25. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.0350 or boojumbrewing.com. • The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Bob Zullo (guitar/vocals) Feb. 19 and Jay Brown (guitar/harmonica) Feb. 26. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Limited seating. Reservations are highly recommended. 828.452.6000 or classicwineseller.com.

• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host Roscoe’s Roadshow 7 p.m. Feb. 19 and a “Cabin Fever” party 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26. Free and open to the public.. 828.634.0078 or curraheebrew.com. • Elevated Mountain Distilling Company will host an Open Mic Night 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays. Free and open to the public. 828.734.1084 or elevatedmountain.com. • Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.454.5664 or froglevelbrewing.com. • Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host BAI Feb. 17. All events begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com. • Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host Kyle Travers of Travers Brothership (rock/soul) Feb. 18 and Rebekah Todd Feb. 25. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com. • Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host Twelfth Fret (Americana) Feb. 18, Shane Meade (soul/indie) Feb. 19, Aly Jordan (singer-songwriter) Feb. 25 and Wollybooger (blues/folk) Feb. 26. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 or mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com. • Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host Shane Meade Trio (rock/soul) Feb. 18 and Arnold Hill (rock/indie) Feb. 25. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.641.9797 or nantahalabrewing.com. • Unplugged Pub (Bryson City) will host “Live Karaoke in the Smokies” Feb. 17, “Phatt Phriday” Mardi Gras Celebration Feb. 18 and Outlaw Whiskey Feb. 19. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.538.2488.

FOOD AND DRINK • Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) will now host a monthly brunch at the Rivers End Restaurant, as well as a special Valentine’s Day weekend. • Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host a “Chili Cook Off” at 6 p.m. Thursday Feb. 24. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com. • “Flights & Bites” will be held starting at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in downtown Waynesville. For more information on upcoming events, wine tastings and special dinners, click on waynesvillewine.com. • A free wine tasting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday and 2 to 5 p.m. every Saturday at The Wine Bar & Cellar in Sylva. 828.631.3075. • “Uncorked: Wine & Rail Pairing Experience” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12 (and other select dates), at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. Full service all-adult first class car. Wine pairings with a meal, and more. For more information and/or to register, call 800.872.4681 or click on gsmr.com.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host “Standup Comedy Night” at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19. 828.641.9797 or nantahalabrewing.com.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES • “Thursday Painters” group will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays at The Uptown Gallery in

Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: n n n n

Complete listings of local music scene Regional festivals Art gallery events and openings Complete listings of recreational offerings at health and fitness centers n Civic and social club gatherings Franklin. Free and open to the public. All skill levels and mediums are welcome. Participants are responsible for their own project and a bag lunch. 828.349.4607 or pm14034@yahoo.com.

Outdoors

• Kayak rolling lessons are available 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays through March 30 at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Ten spots are available each night, with advance registration required by contacting 828.456.2030 or ahood@waynesvillenc.gov. Free for rec center members or daily admission for non-members. Participants must be at least 7 years old and provide their own gear. Bring kayaks through the side pool door, not the front door. • The Great Backyard Bird Count will return this year, with experienced and novice birders alike encouraged to spend at least 15 minutes birdwatching between Feb. 18 and Feb. 21 — and several events at the Highlands Nature Center and N.C. Arboretum are planned to help meet that goal. Learn more at www.birdcount.org

• Expand your gardening knowledge ahead of growing season with a pair of virtual classes offered at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, through Haywood County Cooperative Extension. Registration is $10 and ends Feb. 12. Sign up at haywood.ces.ncsu.edu or email mgarticles@charter.net. • Hike to High Falls on a guided hike with the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department Saturday, Feb. 19. The group will leave Waynesville at 10:45 a.m. and return at 3:30 p.m. To register, contact MaShon Gaddis at mgaddis@waynesvillenc.gov or call 828.456.2030. • Experience a variety of rural Macon County homesteads from the 19th and early 20th centuries during an Alarka Expeditions from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, led by Dr. Michael Ann Williams. Cost is $65. Sign up at alarkaexpeditions.com. •Home school parents are invited to an open house 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the Waynesville Recreation Center to learn more about programs and trips being offered for the home school population. The event is a drop-in format, with topics including physical education, hiking, kayaking, outdoor education and more. Those unable to stop by Feb. 23 can contact MaShon Gaddis at 828.456.2030 or mgaddis@waynesvillenc.gov. • An organizational meeting for an adult co-ed volleyball league is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Donald Hummel, 828.456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov. • The 2022 Outdoor Economy Conference is less than three months away, scheduled for April 4-7 at the new Cherokee Convention Center in Cherokee. Early bird pricing of $400 for the full, four-day conference is available through Feb. 28. Find out more at outdooreconomy.org.

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Announcements

A-1 DONATE YOUR CAR, Running or Not, Fast Free Pickup. Maximum tax deduction. Support United Breast Cancer Fdn. Programs. Your car donation could save a life. 888-641-9690

Business Opportunities BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR! Publications sold at all major secular & specialty Christian bookstores. CALL Christian Faith Publishing for your FREE author submission kit. 1-855-658-2057

Employment GROUP HOME STAFF NEEDED: Full time BenH¿WHG SRVLWLRQ DYDLODEOH in Waynesville. Paraprofessional will participate in the care of residents by providing guidance, supervision, medication and prompting as needed. High School diploma, driver’s license, documentation required. Interested person my contact 828-778-0260 for more information. SERVICE OPTIONS COORDINATOR (Part time, Haywood County) Duties include liaison with funding sources and other agencies that provide services to seniors. Meet with potential clients to assess any needs and locate needed community services. Complete Satisfaction Surveys on a regular basis and mea-

sure improvements in client situations. Complete and submit required reassessments at 6 month intervals. Applicants must have effective oral and written communication skills. Experience working with elderly, knowledge of community resources necessary. Applicants should exhibit compassion and desire to help seniors remain living independently. Candidates must have high school diploma/GED, valid NC Driver’s License. Please apply by visiting: www.mountainprojects. org EOE/AA DUMP TRUCK DRIVER B. H. Graning Landscapes is hiring a Dump Truck Driver. CDL required. Part time and/or fulltime availability. $17-$25/hour. Pay is negotiable based on knowledge and experience. For more information, please call 828.586.8303. Apply online or in person. www.bhglandscapes. com/employmentapplication. LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION FOREMAN B. H. Graning Landscapes is hiring a Landscape Construction Foreman. This position is full time employment ZLWK JURXS EHQH¿WV offered after 90 days. $15-$25/hour. Pay is negotiable based on knowledge and experience. For more information, please call 828.586.8303. Apply online or in person.

February 16-22, 2022

www.bhglandscapes. com/employmentapplication.

LANDSCAPING CREW B. H. Graning Landscapes is looking to hire Landscape Crew in both Maintenance and Construction in Canton, NC and Sylva, NC. $12-$22/hour. Part time and/or full-time availability. Flexible late start schedules are available. Pay is negotiable based on knowledge and experience. For more information, please call 828.586.8303. Apply online or in person. www.bhglandscapes. com/employment-application. DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OPERATOR Haywood EMC is recruiting for a Distribution System Operator. Objectives of the position include: receive outage calls and coordinate restoration

of service to members, receive calls during and/ or after hours from members to help them with problems or requests related to their electric service, monitor various cooperative systems on stability of electric distribution system. A full description of the position’s duties and responsibilities is located on Haywood EMC’s website at www.haywoodemc. com/employment (828) 452-2281

MEDICAL BILLING & CODING TRAINING. New Students Only. Call & Press 1. 100% online courses. Financial Aid Available for those who qualify. Call 833-9900354 ATTENTION ACTIVE DUTY/MILITARY Veterans Begin a new career and earn your degree at CTI. Online computer & medical training available

Face coverings are required in all public indoor spaces.

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for veterans & families! To learn more call 833-9703466

ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN FT HAYWOOD COUNTY Perform a wide range of adminisWUDWLYH DQG RI¿FH VXSSRUW activities for the Finance Department. Responsible for payroll preparation. Associates in Business or Accounting Preferred. General administrative experience required. Experience with electronic timekeeping software is preferred. Excellent written and verbal comPXQLFDWLRQ SUR¿FLHQW LQ 06 2I¿FH 6WURQJ organization and planning skills. To be considered you must apply at www. mountainprojects.org AOE/EE ASSISTANT FINANCE OFFICER: HAYWOOD COUNTY Mountain Projects Inc. is seeking a full time Assistant )LQDQFH 2I¿FHU WKDW will be responsible IRU DVVLVWLQJ ¿QDQFLDO matters. This position performs complex professional and managerial administrative work in planning, organizing, and executing WKH ¿QDQFLDO GXWLHV RI the organization. Two year degree in Business Administration or

Accounting preferred. Experience with multiIXQGHG QRQSUR¿W organizations, state and federal grant requirements is preferred. 3UR¿FLHQW RUDO DQG ZULWWHQ communication skills ability to demonstrate a working knowledge of general accounting and budget procedures. To be considered please apply at www.mountainprojects. org EOE/AA GROUP HOME STAFF NEEDED: Full time %HQH¿WHG SRVLWLRQ available in Waynesville. Paraprofessional will participate in the care of residents by providing guidance, supervision, medication and prompting as needed. High School diploma, driver’s license, documentation required. Interested person my contact 828-778-0260 for more information.

Haywood Co. Real Estate Agents Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate- Heritage • Carolyn Lauter - carolyn@bhgheritage.com

Beverly Hanks & Associates- beverly-hanks.com

The Original Home Town Real Estate Agency Since 1970

147 Walnut St. • Waynesville 828-456-7376 • 1-800-627-1210

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I Am Proud of Our Mountains and Would Love to Show You Around!

EARN YOUR HOSPITALITY DEGREE ONLINE! Earn your Associates Degree ONLINE with CTI! Great career advancement with the right credentials! Learn who’s hiring! Call 833-990-0354. The Mission, Program Information and Tuition is located at CareerTechnical. edu/consumer-information. (M-F 8am-6pm ET)

Randall Rogers BROKER ASSOCIATE —————————————

(828) 734-8862

RROGERS@BEVERLY-HANKS.COM

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Billie Green - bgreen@beverly-hanks.com Brian K. Noland - brianknoland.com Anne Page - apage@beverly-hanks.com Jerry Powell - jpowell@beverly-hanks.com Catherine Proben - cproben@beverly-hanks.com Ellen Sither - esither@beverly-hanks.com Mike Stamey - mikestamey@beverly-hanks.com Karen Hollingsed- khollingsed@beverly-hanks.com Billy Case- billycase@beverly-hanks.com Laura Thomas - lthomas@beverly-hanks.com John Keith - jkeith@beverly-hanks.com Randall Rogers - rrogers@beverly-hanks.com Susan Hooper - shooper@beverly-hanks.com Hunter Wyman - hwyman@beverly-hanks.com

• Rob Roland - robroland@beverly-hanks.com

ERA Sunburst Realty - sunburstrealty.com • • • •

Amy Spivey - amyspivey.com Rick Border - sunburstrealty.com Steve Mauldin - smauldin@sunburstrealty.com Randy Flanigan - 706-207-9436

EXP Realty • Jeanne Forrest - ashevillerealeat8@gmail.com

Keller Williams Realty - kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • The Morris Team - www.themorristeamnc.com • Julie Lapkoff - julielapkoff@kw.com • Darrin Graves - dgraves@kw.com Lakeshore Realty • Phyllis Robinson - lakeshore@lakejunaluska.com

Mountain Dreams Realty- maggievalleyhomesales.com • Lyndia Massey- buyfromlyndia@yahoo.com

SOL

Mountain Creek Real Estate

KAREN HOLLINGSED

DAVID WILLETT

BROKER ASSOCIATE

• Bruce McGovern - shamrock13.com

(828) 734-6222

RE/MAX Executive - remax-waynesvillenc.com

KHOLLINGSED@BEVERLY-HANKS.COM

BROKER, REALTOR®, ABR®, SRS, E-PRO®, GREEN, SRES®, RENE, RSPS, C2EX CELL:

828-550-0220

71 NORTH MAIN STREET

WAYNESVILLE

74 N. Main St. Waynesville, NC

828.452.5809

RE/MAX Broker/Owner

71 North Main Street Waynesville, NC 28786 Cell: 828.400.9029 ron@ronbreese.com

remax-maggievalleync.com The Real Team - TheRealTeamNC.com Ron Breese - ronbreese.com Landen Stevenson- landen@landenkstevenson.com Dan Womack - womackdan@aol.com Mary & Roger Hansen - mwhansen@charter.net David Willet - davidwillet1@live.com Sara Sherman - sarashermanncrealtor@gmail.com David Rogers- davidr@remax-waynesville.com Judy Meyers - jameyers@charter.net

• Tom Johnson - tomsj7@gmail.com • Sherell Johnson - Sherellwj@aol.com

Ellen Sither esither@beverly-hanks.com (828) 734-8305

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE

828.452.4251

ads@smokymountainnews.com

www.ronbreese.com Each office independently owned & operated.

www.wncmarketplace.com

• • • • • • • • •

Smoky Mountain Retreat Realty

EXECUTIVE

Ron Breese

• Ron Rosendahl - 828-593-8700

McGovern Real Estate & Property Management

February 16-22, 2022

WNC MarketPlace

SUPER

CROSSWORD

DOWNSIZING ACROSS 1 Unicellular swimmer 7 Fold in a skirt 12 Jolie of film 20 The "R" of 33-Down 21 Actor Cox 22 Prepared for storage, as a hose 23 Endlessly repeating programming problem 25 Fashion designer in "The Incredibles" 26 Hwy. felony 27 Man-mouse middle 28 What iPads run on 30 "Boston Legal" actor James 31 Higher, spiritual level of awareness 38 Get a whiff of 40 Lift to check the weight of 41 Gig hookup 42 PC key abbr. 43 Elicitor of a major "Whew!" 46 Zodiac ram 48 Truckload 51 Basso solo, e.g. 52 Eligible for Soc. Sec. 53 Head honcho 57 Some hole menders 59 Force unit 60 Bouffant, e.g. 61 Pipe joint 62 -- Yello (Coca-Cola brand) 64 China's Zhou -68 Sharon of "Cagney & Lacey"

69 M114 howitzer, e.g. 72 Prickly shrub 75 Occurrence 76 -- d'Or (Cannes award) 77 G-man, e.g. 80 Cousin's mommy 82 Actresses Carrere and Mowry 84 "Look here as well," in a reference book 86 1931 crime film starring Edward G. Robinson 90 -- Juan 91 Late hours, in ads 92 Minneapolis-Montreal dir. 93 King of CNN 94 1971 Elton John song 97 CD- -- drive 100 Comical Costello 101 Just OK 102 Microwaves 103 Bacterium, e.g. 109 Blissful 110 "General" of Chinese cuisine 111 Miracle- -- (plant food) 112 Vocalist Sumac 115 Not together 118 2, for helium 123 Like rags 124 Follow, as a pointer 125 Join a force 126 Evaluates 127 Partner of Cheech 128 Chinese system of calisthenics DOWN 1 Quite dry 2 Bill of fare 3 She may be a gofer

4 Wallach of "Lord Jim" 5 Actor Affleck 6 Universal truth 7 "Amen, pastor!" 8 Online chuckle 9 Roxy Music's Brian 10 Put holy oil on 11 Manuscript mistakes 12 King beater 13 Nonverbal "yes" 14 Knife of old infomercials 15 Pass, as time 16 French racing city 17 "Upon my word!" 18 "David" and "The Thinker" 19 Imitating sorts 24 Prefix with state 29 Make afraid 32 Fake fat in some chips 33 Kind of camera, in brief 34 Just-OK grade 35 -- a mile (not even close) 36 "Yes, sign me up" 37 14-member oil gp. 38 Color 39 Wall painting 44 Did it wrong 45 "Gigi" star Caron 46 G-man, e.g. 47 "Quiet down" 49 Chances 50 New Mexico skiing spot 54 Lethargy 55 "You got that right!" 56 Floral symbol of purity 58 Former "Top Chef" judge 59 Rounded roof 63 "P.S. I -- U" (old TV show) 65 They may be glossed over 66 Carte lead-in

67 "You got that right!" 69 "Joey" star LeBlanc 70 Anxious 71 Make revisions to 72 Farm bundle 73 Lay waste to 74 Picks off, as a pass 77 Lighter catchphrase in old ads 78 Lauder of fragrances 79 Active types 81 Sometimes-jellied fish 83 -- -Detoo (sci-fi droid) 85 Latin for "year" 87 Trig is a prereq for it 88 Ending for buck or stink 89 Spew lava 90 Being amorous, to Brits 95 Jerusalem's nation: Abbr. 96 Darth Vader, as a kid 98 Rococo 99 Watery silks 101 Whiskey type 103 Political hostess Perle 104 Thoughts 105 Injury marks 106 Singer Hayes 107 Bow's shape 108 Tune for nine 113 Fit together 114 Beginner's painting class 116 Pipe joint 117 Mag staff 119 Western tribe 120 Sun.-Tue. link 121 Article in Argentina 122 1,051, in old Rome

ANSWERS ON PAGE 42

LICENSED P&C INSURANCE AGENT Local insurance agency is looking for an individual who is motivated, energetic, and has a bright personality. Must be goal oriented and a team player! Competitive pay and bene¿WV )XOO RU SDUW WLPH License preferred. (828) 452-2815 OlgaGeorgi2@allstate.com

Home Goods

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Pets CALICO CAT, CHUBBY Sweet, beautiful 10 year old girl. making progress on losing weight. Gets along with cats and dogs. Asheville Humane Society (828) 761-2001 adoptions@ ashevillehumane.org PITBULL TERRIER MIX (TAN), TWITCH 5-yr old cutie, ready for adventures. Loves toys and people; prefer to be only pet. Asheville Humane Society (828) 761-2001 adoptions@ashevillehumane.org SARGE’S ANIMAL RESCUE FOUNDATION Red’s a sweet Mountain Cur, 1 1/2yr old. Surrendered after his owner passed away, he’s trying hard to be a great dog for his next family. He loves humans and other dogs. Please submit a dog adoption application at www. sarges.org if you’d like to meet him. (828) 2469050 info@sarges.org

SUDOKU

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, Answers on 42 the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

www.smokymountainnews.com

February 16-22, 2022

WNC MarketPlace

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Health/Beauty ATTENTION: Oxygen Users. Gain freedom with a portable oxygen concentrator. No more heavy WDQNV RU UH¿OOV *XDUDQteed lowest prices. Oxygen Concentrator Store 844-866-4793 STROKE & CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE Are leading causes of death, according to the American Heart Ass. Screenings can provide peace of mind or early detection! Contact Life Line Screening to schedule your screening. Special offer- 5 screenings for $149 call 866-563-3640

LIFE ALERT. 24/7. One press of a button sends help FAST! Medical, Fire, Burglar. Even if you can’t reach a phone! FREE Brochure. 844-902-2362

Home Improvement WATER DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME? Call for a quote for professional cleanup & maintain the value of your home! Set an appt. today! Call 833664-1530 (AAN CAN) UPDATE YOUR HOME With Beautiful New Blinds & Shades. FREE in-home estimates make it convenient to shop from home. Professional installation. Top quality - Made in the USA. Call for free consultation: 844-250-7899. Ask about our specials! BATH & SHOWER UPDATES In as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional

installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 833-987-0207

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Wanted to Buy PAYING TOP CASH FOR Men’s Sport Watches! Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Phillippe, Heuer, Daytona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. Call 866-405-1893

ION OF STA IAT TE OC

STERS RE FO

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise ‘any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination’. Familial status includes children under 18 living with parents or legal guardians and pregnant women. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate in violation of this law. All dwellings advertised on equal opportunity basis.

Entertainment

NATIONAL A SS

Real Estate Announcements

U N D E D 192

Smoky Mountain News February 16-22, 2022

Smoky Mountain News | February 16, 2022

Articles inside

Jackson TDA outlines plans for capital projects funding

Sylva OKs open alcohol consumption in special district

Make it about “we”

Q&A with first-term GOP Rep. Mark Pless of Canton

All about moving forward

Sylva board tables chicken discussion