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

February 25-March 3, 2015 Vol. 16 Iss. 39

Babcock resigns as Folkmoot director Page 4

Alleged embezzlement case lands on DA’s desk Page 17

CONTENTS

STAFF

On the Cover: Paul Carlson reflects on his career and accomplishments after stepping down as the executive director for the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee.

(Page 32)

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

News Babcock resigns as Folkmoot director ................................................................4 Folkmoot finalizes renovation plans ...................................................................... 5 Study shows higher ed a solid investment ..........................................................7 Tribal Council approves $10 million for new technology ................................8 Hydropower project moves forward ..................................................................10 Canton approves Labor Day festivities ..............................................................11 Haywood commissioners rethink foreclosures ................................................12 Lawyers involved in Sylva bar noise dispute ....................................................15 DA looks into alleged elections embezzlement................................................ 17 Murphy casino project on track ..........................................................................19

CLASSIFIEDS: NEWS EDITOR: WRITING:

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 Emily Moss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . emily@smokymountainnews.com Whitney Burton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . whitney@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Bradley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jc-ads@smokymountainnews.com Hylah Birenbaum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hylah@smliv.com Scott Collier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Jessi Stone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jessi@smokymountainnews.com Becky Johnson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . becky@smokymountainnews.com Holly Kays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . holly@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), Gary Carden (writing), Don Hendershot (writing).

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

Opinion Free pre-K program long overdue ...................................................................... 22

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Colonial Theatre enters third act ........................................................................26

Outdoors Paul Carlson leaves a legacy .............................................................................. 32

Back Then

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Adaptation helps plants weather the cold ........................................................ 47

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February 25-March 3, 2015

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Babcock resigns from Folkmoot Replacement ready to step into leadership position

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR fter being at the helm of Folkmoot USA for six years, Karen Babcock has resigned as executive director and is in the process of training her successor to take over by March 1.

Babcock sent out an email to Folkmoot board members Feb. 16 announcing her resignation.

“After much contemplation I have decided to resign from Folkmoot USA as Executive Director. It is simply time for me to move on to new opportunities,” she wrote. “I have truly enjoyed working with all of you, the staff, and hundreds of volunteers over the past six years. Your continued support of Folkmoot is so important, especially as the organization moves forward with new leadership.”

Rose Johnson, president of the Folkmoot Board of Directors, said the board was aware Babcock was seeking other professional opportunities.

“We’ve tried to be ready for that, but it’s always still a surprise,” Johnson said about hearing the news.

Johnson said the board has appointed Angeline Schwab to serve as executive director for the time being and will consider promoting her permanently to the position at its March meeting.

“We recruited a very qualified person to assist in increasing the depth of leadership in Folkmoot, and she’s interested and willing to step into that position,” Johnson said.

Schwab has extensive nonprofit community and economic development experience in the creative arts, having served as the founder and executive director of Humboldt Made in Humboldt County, California, and most recently as the part-time marketing and annual fund manager for Folkmoot USA and consultant for HandMade in America.

Johnson said Schwab is ensuring a successful 2015 Folkmoot USA summer festival while also revving up Folkmoot's momentum to become a year-round alliance with educational, cultural and economic impact far exceeding that of the festival.

“In the near future, the board will announce Folkmoot’s expanded direction, and the new executive director will play a key role,” she said.

Smoky Mountain News

February 25-March 3, 2015

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BABCOCK’S CONTRIBUTIONS

During her Folkmoot tenure, Johnson said Babcock elevated Folkmoot's international reputation through the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF). Recently ranked as one of the top 10 folk festivals in the 4 Southeast by USA Today and the only festival

ANGIE SCHWAB

Schwab’s family relocated to Waynesville from Arcata, California, last July so her husband could take a job at Western Carolina University. She began volunteering with Folkmoot late last year and has been working for Folkmoot on marketing projects for a month.

But she is no stranger to the area. Schwab grew up in east Asheville and attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

She and her husband, Brandon Schwab, met while both were majoring in geology.

They both attended grad school in Eugene, Oregon, but Schwab received her master’s in public affairs while her husband went on to get his Ph.D. in geology.

Before moving back to WNC, the Schwabs lived in Arcata where Angie founded Humboldt Made, a local, small businessmarketing cooperative.

“It started as a project of economic development through the local government that I worked for,” she said. “We wrote grants and ended up putting together an organization.

We didn’t intend to do that, but I left my position with the county and launched Humboldt Made as an entity.”

Folkmoot Executive Director Karen Babcock (standing) trains the soon-to-be interim director Angie said her experience as executive Angeline Schwab in the Folkmoot Friendship Center. Jessi Stone photo director of Humboldt Made has prepared her for her new position with Folkmoot. She in North Carolina to receive this distinction, zation has made, especially with the board worked with a number of different small Johnson said Folkmoot USA has an annual restructuring and an updated strategic plan. niche businesses, from recycled glassware local economic impact of about $9 million.

Now that Folkmoot owns the Friendship manufacturers to craft breweries.

“We lived in a very rural part of “Karen has been instrumental in increas- Center and is working toward making renovaing Folkmoot’s presence on an international tions in order to offer year-round program- California,” she said. “We were five hours level through the international folk festival ming, Babcock feels confident she is leaving from anywhere so we had to help these businesses get products to the markets.” organization,” Johnson said. “That’s pretty Folkmoot in a position to succeed.

She also has a lot of experience planning impressive recognition that speaks volumes “I’ve been with Folkmoot for six years and about Folkmoot and positions the organiza- it’s been an amazing time and experience. I’m large events, including the annual Arcata Bay tion very well to be able to move forward very gratified with the movement the organi- Oyster Festival that has been celebrated for without interruption.” zation has made,” she said. “… I just feel like 25 years in Humboldt County, and the North Babcock’s last day with Folkmoot is Feb. it’s a good time to let some new leadership Coast Open Studios where more than 200 artists gather to sell their artwork.

27. She will be taking a little time off before come in.”

She said the experience of starting her new position as general manager helping develop the local econoof Biltmore Industries.

“There are wonderful, amazing my, small businesses and the Biltmore Industries is a historic organicommunity has prepared her zation started by the Vanderbilt family more folks that have dedicated so well to continue moving than 100 years ago. What started as a Folkmoot in the right direction. woolen mills school to teach local people much of their lives to Folkmoot.

With two sons 11 and 13, about creating fabric from wool, it’s known I’m blown away by the generosity Angie said she and her husband more now for the Grovewood Gallery and really wanted to raise them closer the Gallery of the Mountain located inside of people at times.” to family in WNC. the Grove Park Inn. “I want my kids to have a rich While Babcock said she has enjoyed her — Karen Babcock, Folkmoot executive director life and a strong community many years of working for a nonprofit, she is around them,” she said. looking forward to a change of pace.

She said that was exactly what she had “It will be a very nice change not having to Babcock also feels like her replacement fund raise every second,” she laughed. has the needed skills and enthusiasm to found in Haywood County and through working with Folkmoot. Everyone she meets has Babcock moved to WNC from Maryland, lead Folkmoot. where she was the associate director of Ladew “Angie has a wonderful skill set — she’s had some kind of affiliation with Folkmoot, Topiary Gardens. When she started with run festivals, she’s been an executive director whether they’ve served on the board, volunFolkmoot, the board had about 40 members of other organizations and she’s done events teered or attended the summer festival.

“That tells me that there is a huge commitand committees were made up of only a few management,” she said. “She understands ment to make this organization and event a board members. She said she found the the myriad of details that go into it.” organization really hadn’t changed since its Babcock said she would miss the excite- gem, and it’s not often you see so many peoinception 30 years ago. Now the board has ment of Folkmoot each year, including when ple working together on something like that,” fewer members and committees include the groups arrive for the festival and when the Angie said. “I can’t think of a better place for members from the community, which allows volunteers start to appear. Her best advice for me and my family.”

She sees the potential for Folkmoot to be a for new ideas to keep Folkmoot fresh.

Schwab is to have fun and enjoy the process.

“The community loves Folkmoot so much “There are wonderful, amazing folks that cultural and economic incubator for the comso it makes since they be part of it,” she said. have dedicated so much of their lives to munity, especially with the renovations In her six-year tenure, Babcock said she is Folkmoot. I’m blown away by the generosity planned for the Folkmoot Friendship Center. In addition to most proud of the recent changes the organi- of people at times.”

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QUESTION: I have heard a lot about quinoa but I don’t know how to cook it.

ANSWER: Quinoa is often called an “ancient grain” and Folkmoot executive director Karen Babcock, right, and Angie Schwab stand outside the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Hazelwood. Babcock, who has resigned her position, is training Schwab to take over the position in the interim. Jessi Stone photo

Folkmoot center renovation plans finalized

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attract a newer and younger audience to the 31-year-old organization.

With eight to 10 groups booked for the summer festival, Folkmoot is in the process of planning a spring fundraiser on May 2 at the Friendship Center. The community event will include a maypole, beer garden, food tastings, live entertainment, kids activities and hopefully a large release of wish lanterns during the day.

While this job was unexpected for Angie, she is excited about the opportunity to build on Babcock’s progress.

“Karen has left the organization in a really good state,” she said. “Most days I think, ‘I can’t believe I get to do this.’”

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holding the winter farmers market at the center, Angie said the auditorium and stage would be a great place to showcase local and regional talent as well as larger acts already coming through the area to perform in Asheville.

As interim director, she said her first priority is to have a successful summer festival by doubling attendance and ticket sales. Her second goal is to develop year-round programming for the Folkmoot center.

With new working committees in place bringing fresh ideas to the table, Angie is hopeful for Folkmoot’s future. She is currently meeting with all the committees and exploring different marketing approaches to

To cook quinoa it is a 1: 1 ½ cups water ratio - 1 cup quinoa to 1 ½ cups water. Once the quinoa is cooked you can use it like you Cooked Quinoa would rice and enjoy it as a side dish, add it to salads or even make it into sweet puddings.

February 25-March 3, 2015

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR olkmoot USA has finalized its capital improvements and business plan for the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Hazelwood.

Since taking over ownership of the building from the county last year, Folkmoot has been working on plans to renovate the building to accommodate year-round programming for the organization.

The first priority was to stabilize the building by making emergency repairs before developing a capital campaign to raise funds for future renovations. About $100,000 has been spent so far on a new roof and renovations to the cafeteria of the former Hazelwood Elementary School.

The town of Waynesville recently approved granting Folkmoot $25,000 toward the campaign after being presented with the final plans. The $1.2 million capital campaign for Folkmoot consists of three parts —

$400,000 in facility improvements, $600,000 to grow the Border Foundation Endowment to $1 million, and $200,000 to boost annual programming.

The endowment was created in 1989 to provide support for Folkmoot programs. The endowment currently only contains around $400,000.

The Folkmoot building project team consists of local architect Joe Sam Queen and Steve Kaufman with Reece Noland and McElrath.

According to the building plans, the auditorium will contain 200 fixed seats plus room for 100 moveable seats and tables. A commercial kitchen will be restored in the cafeteria, which also includes a small stage. Classrooms will be converted into dorms for the international groups during the summer festival.

Other renovations include three administrative offices, three large storerooms, restrooms, two shower rooms and laundry facility.

Outgoing Folkmoot Executive Director Karen Babcock asked the town board to also consider a three-year commitment to the capital campaign.

Town Manger Marcy Onieal said the request for additional funds would have to go through the special appropriations process during the upcoming 2016 budget discussions to be considered with other community partner requests. Applications are due to the town by March 30.

it is a relative of spinach. It is primarily cultivated in South America and is gluten-free. Quinoa cooks a lot like a rice.

Check your package or box of quinoa to see if it has been pre-rinsed, if not, rinse before cooking.

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Higher ed a solid investment, study shows

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY contributed $511.3 MILLION in economic impact, the equivalent of 10,475 new jobs, or 2.7 percent of the gross regional product of the university’s service region.

SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE contributed $129.6 MILLION in economic impact, the equivalent of 3,128 new jobs, or 5.4 percent of the gross regional product of the college’s service region.

HAYWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE contributed $92.8 MILLION in economic impact, the equivalent of 2,474 new jobs, or 6 percent of the gross regional product of Haywood County.

Source: Economic Modeling Specialists International. Numbers based on the 2012-13 academic year.

February 25-March 3, 2015 Smoky Mountain News

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER igher education in North Carolina got some good news with the release of an economic impact study last week, which put its collective economic impact during 2012-13 at $2 billion in the 11 western counties and $63.5 billion statewide.

“That is the power of public higher education. That is the return on investment that your community colleges and state universities provide,” said David Belcher, chancellor of Western Carolina University, at a standingroom-only presentation to the Asheville Chamber of Commerce last week.

The study, completed by Idaho-based Economic Modeling Specialists International, looked at the ripple effects that bubble through a region when a college or university is present. Categories considered included visitor and student spending, the new businesses and higher incomes created by alumni, research and impacts from spending on construction and operations.

“I think the real message here is the fact that higher education, regardless of sector, they all contribute and they all add a significant amount of human capital to the workforce,” said Aaron Olanie, director of economic impact studies for EMSI. To arrive at the numbers, Olanie said, EMSI gathered data on everything from the value of alumni-started businesses to the restaurant and hotel spending of parents coming to visit campus to the value of university research in a community. Then, out of that gross figure the analysts subtracted the impact they estimated tax dollars would have had in the community without a college or university present.

“We’re basically doing an intellectual exercise where we’re imaging a scenario without the university there,” Olanie said.

For example, if Western Carolina University didn’t exist, people in the Cullowhee area would still receive some measure of benefit from state tax dollars spent in another way. EMSI created a model to estimate what that impact would be and backed it out of the total estimated impact of the university’s existence.

According to the study, WCU adds $901.8 million of economic value statewide and $511.3 million in the 11-county area. In terms of local impact, the biggest punch came from alumni, whose effects on the region accounted for $266.7 million of the total, quite a bit more than the next-closest category, operations spending, which accounted for $166.7 million.

As a university enrolling more than 10,000 students, WCU’s numbers were the highest of those in the western counties. But the contributions of smaller institutions of higher learning were by no means paltry.

Southwestern Community College, for example, was shown to contribute $126.9

million to the 11-county region. For SCC as well, alumni — 90 percent of whom continue to live and work in the area after graduation — accounted for the bulk of that number, producing $109.2 million in economic impact.

“It doesn’t surprise me that our alumni have such a positive effect on our region,” said SCC President Don Tomas. “Our alumni make up a large portion of our service-oriented jobs.”

Haywood Community College likewise put out $92.8 million in economic impact, $77.9 million of which came from its alumni.

“I am extremely proud of the impact that Haywood Community College has had on the residents, workforce and economy of Haywood County,” said HCC President Barbara Parker. “Here at HCC, we work hard to provide a pipeline for employers and promote educational programs that directly correlate with the needs of our community.”

The numbers provide solid grounds for university workers to give themselves a pat on the back, but that’s not the extent of their importance. In a postrecession climate where funding is still tight, Belcher said, “This is a powerful piece of information.”

“It’s not just about, ‘Give us money,’” he said. “It’s about, ‘Invest in us in these specific, strategic ways, and we will turn that around.’”

Colleges and universities produce alumni who go on to start businesses and work in skilled positions. People with that education also have higher lifetime earnings and more disposable income to sink back into the regional economy. And even those who don’t stay in the area after graduation tend to return to visit their alma mater, spending tourism dollars when they do.

During school, as well, students who are still learning about their fields bring value to the community through internships, volunteer efforts and work.

The EMSI study showed that every

By the numbers

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Bang for the buck

state and local taxpayer dollar spent at WCU in 2012-13 returned $5.40 in tax revenues and savings in the public sector. For SCC, that number was $3.80. For HCC, it was $2.80.

The state Legislature has done some good things for WCU over the last few years, Belcher said. For example, they provided $1.4 million to expand the university’s engineering program to its Asheville campus.

But at the same time, the university — like other institutions of higher learning in North Carolina — has taken what Belcher termed “big cuts,” losing $40 million since 2008 even as enrollment has increased by 34 percent between 2003 and 2013.

“Higher education is alive and well in North Carolina because it’s been so strong,” said Rep. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, who attended the Asheville event. “The current funding is not competitive with the goals we have.”

With this study in hand, Belcher said, North Carolina’s colleges and universities will have a more convincing argument as to why they should receive funding.

“Investing in us makes a huge difference locally,” he said. “It helps us to make that case.”

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Revamping tribal tech Tribal Council approves $10 million for new tech, organizational overhaul

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER canty wireless networks, outdated computer equipment, slow servers — technological woes have been a centerpiece of discussion at Cherokee Tribal Council meetings for quite some time. After months of introducing resolutions only to table them and hours-long meetings with finance, technology and broadband leaders, Council this month took action on a slate of legislation designed to give some direction to the technology overhaul and designate funds with which to do it.

All council members agreed that a technology overhaul is necessary. In fact, the vote to hire a chief technology officer took place with little discussion and passed unanimously. But a subsequent resolution to set up a committee to guide technology spending and designate a pot of money for them to draw from sparked vigorous debate, eventually passing by only the narrowest of margins.

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Smoky Mountain News

February 25-March 3, 2015

EARMARK HEARTBURN

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The proposal came from the finance department, which sought to set up the steering committee and earmark $10 million from the tribe’s endowment fund for technology spending. To take any money out of the fund, the committee would have to approve the expenditure and then have it OK’d by tribal council. Still, some councilmembers felt even those hurdles weren’t enough to justify the blanket designation of $10 million without a specific plan in place for its use.

“What I was looking for was some very specific things,” Chairwoman Terri Henry of Painttown said as the discussion opened. “I mean, you’re asking for $10 million with no specifically identified projects that you would be funding.”

But, Principal Chief Michell Hicks told council, $10 million is but a drop in the buck-

21st century and extending Internet access to all tribal members, $10 million is nothing.

“Ten million dollars will not begin to address the technology needs that this tribe will need to support the current level of A tower transmits operation, much less service on Mount where we’re going as a Noble. Donated photo tribe,” agreed Director of Finance and Management Cory Blankenship.

And, Hicks reminded council, they’ll still have the final word on any actual spending.

“The Tribal Council is still in full control of every expenditure that goes out of the fund,” Hicks said.

Councilmember Teresa McCoy, of Big Cove, wasn’t buying it.

“I’d rather have something specific,” she said. “I want it earmarked. I want to know how it’s going to be reported. But for me to sit here and say, ‘Here guys, here’s $10 million,’ I’m not doing that for anyone.”

“Representative McCoy, I would share “What I was looking for was some very your same concern about pulling money specific things ... You’re asking for $10 out of a fund with no plan on how to spend million with no specifically identified it,” Blankenship projects that you would be funding.” responded. “That is not what we are — Chairwoman Terri Henry of Painttown doing.”

The funds would stay invested in endowet when it comes to the need for technological upgrades in Cherokee. For instance, Cherokee ment until Tribal Council approved any techBroadband is currently working on a $2 mil- nology project proposed by the steering comlion grant to get Internet access out to only mittee, Blankenship said. The resolution would two of Cherokee’s many communities — Big merely provide an organizational tool to deterY and Big Witch — with little access, and the mine where any money used toward technoloInformation Technology Department esti- gy upgrades should come from.

“In fact, if you took the next year to study mates it needs $2 million in equipment for government functions. To accomplish the these projects, you would earn 6 to 8 pergoal of bringing government offices into the cent,” he said.

Cherokee Broadband goes under tribal authority Broadband is now a public utility in Cherokee, following Tribal Council’s vote earlier this month to bring the tribe-owned business Cherokee Broadband under the auspices of tribal government.

“The intent of this was to try to save the tribe some dollars,” Chief Michell Hicks told council.

Right now, Cherokee Broadband is being run by the consulting company Trificient Technologies, which has the daunting task of helping the tribe build a profitable broadband network in sparsely populated mountain communities where it’s not exactly easy to build infrastructure.

That’s probably not going to happen, council decided at its

January meeting. Broadband infrastructure is expensive, and tribal land simply doesn’t have the population necessary to make it worthwhile to build, at least from a business perspective.

“If you build wires or relays, what’s the cost of that and based on that cost, what are you going to capture regarding customers?” said Finance Director Kim Peone. “You need 800 customers to break even, and we fall short of that by about 500 customers.”

According to an eight-page report and transition plan presented to council, Cherokee Broadband currently has only 327 customers, 473 less than it needs to break even, and in fiscal year 2014 it operated at a loss of $411,000.

Councilmember Adam Wachacha, of Snowbird, had questioned whether reorganizing Cherokee Broadband as a utility would prevent the organization from meeting its full potential for growth. He’d like to see Cherokee’s broadband network compete with regional players like Frontier.

Not all the councilmembers were upset about the $10 million set-aside.

“The $10 million, I don’t have a problem with it,” said Council member David Wolf, of Yellowhill. “It’s going to be in the endowment and it’s going to be still invested. They’d have to come in here to get any of that money.”

Councilmembers Adam Wachaha, of Snowbird, and Alan “B” Ensley, of Yellowhill, echoed Wolf ’s position.

A designated pot of money for IT upgrades is sorely needed, IT Network Administrator Lloyd Arneach told council. As it is now, the IT department has to compete for project money in a funding pool that includes public health and safety departments. Shortfalls in their operations have much more immediate impacts on tribal members than do those in the IT department, Arneach said, so thus far IT has not been able to compete. The department has been failing to even tread water in the technological improvements and maintenance it needs to keep tribal operations up to date.

“We can’t compete against these people because we don’t directly affect the community,” Arneach said. “We directly affect the services and programs that affect the community at large.”

“For years now I feel like you guys have been so pushed down,” Henry said.

The money is needed, IT representatives agreed, but IT Network Administrator Michelle Lopez cautioned council members about blindly approving a $10 million budget.

“Prior military experience, having worked in the government for 20 years, anytime you present funding you have to have a plan,” she said. “I for one agree I also wouldn’t feel comfortable writing a $10 million check without having specific projects and funding amounts lined out.”

A SPLIT VOTE

The IT department is in sorry shape, all agreed. But why, some councilmembers asked, the rush to create a steering committee and designate a sum of money before a CTO is even hired?

“Why don’t we wait until that person is on board and give that person time to evaluate?” asked McCoy. “You’ve still got $100 million in the endowment. What’s the big rush now?”

“Give that CTO time to sit down with the head of IT, the

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“I’ve read the plan and everything and I like it, but I just feel like it’s going to be stuck in one spot and never get as big as it really could be,” Wachacha said.

Maybe someday, Peone said, but for now the key consideration is return on investment. Cherokee Broadband’s been in the red for its entire existence, and this is an effort to resurrect it as an economically viable tribal service.

“By bringing it in, it’s eliminating some costs that are not necessary,” Peone said.

In the first year of operation, the transition to a tribal utility would save about $250,000, the report says. Savings would come from increased opportunity for grant funding, a reduced administrative burden from the Office of Budget and Finance taking on accounting functions and greater access to low-cost capital.

The resolution passed with Council member Teresa McCoy, of Big Cove, as the sole dissenting vote.

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BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he Haywood County Tourism Development Authority plans to grow its staff to five as it dives into reviewing applications for a new group sales manager.

The goal for the position, Executive Director Lynn Collins said, is to actively court groups who want to host family reunions, destination weddings, motorcycle conventions, dog shows — or any other kind of group event — in Haywood County.

“The TDA has always focused on leisure travel, and we’re just branching out to focus on another market,” Collins said.

The new person would be starting the program from the ground up, building relationships with trip planners, working with local partners such as Lake Junaluska and the Waynesville Inn Golf Resort and Spa and determining specific ways to market to different types of groups.

“This is a long-term thing,” Collins said.

“In our strategic plan, we say group destination sales is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes

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That vote was just the first phase of ironing out exactly how the technology upgrade process would work. A separate resolution attacked the question of what the steering committee, eventually dubbed the Information Technology Strategic Working Group, should look like.

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Smoky Mountain News

DECIDING THE DECISION-MAKERS

The original proposal called for a 14member group, a number that Wolf objected to as “probably too big for a committee.”

The proposal also didn’t require committee members to have any specific knowledge about business or technology. That was a feature that worried Arneach.

“You’ve got a board — the IT Steering Committee — with one subject matter expert,” he said. “They can get outvoted.”

Wolf proposed whittling down the 14member board by taking Tribal Council’s appointments from six to one and removing seats for Balsam West, Cherokee Broadband — which would be represented by the CTO — and Cherokee Cablevision.

He also proposed adding a seat for the Cherokee Boys Club.

Council ended up approving a nine-member committee made up of the CTO as chairperson, two appointments from the chief ’s office and one each from Tribal Council, Tribal IT, Cherokee Central Schools, Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority, Cherokee Boys Club and Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.

The committee must make monthly reports to council and be available to give reports to the community, councilmembers decided, and it would have to publish in the tribe’s annual report.

That decision passed unanimously, but the discussion didn’t finish amicably for all, with anger about the approval of the $10 million fund still simmering — among both council and the audience.

“How many days do I have to throw a protest on this?” asked a tribal member who identified herself as Brenda, when the 51-49 vote concluded.

SUPPORT THE

February 25-March 3, 2015

head of broadband, and then come up with a dollar amount, come up with a plan to bring to Tribal Council,” echoed Vice Chair Bill Taylor, of Wolftown. “That’s what I’d like to see happen.”

The discussion ended with moves coming in all over the place — Taylor moved to table the resolution, Wolf moved to pass it and McCoy moved to kill it. Tabling was not an option, Henry said, because the legislation had already been tabled three times, the maximum allowed in Tribal Council.

The vote was split 6-6, with Wolf, Taylor, Ensley, Perry Shell, Tommeye Saunooke and Tunni Crowe voting in favor of designating the $10 million pot and Henry, McCoy, Wachacha, Bo Crowe, Albert Rose and Brandon Jones voting opposed. But, because councilmembers’ votes are weighted based on the number of enrolled members in their districts, the legislation wound up passing 51-49. Hicks has signed the resolution and it’s awaiting a signature from Darlene Whitetree, superintendent of the Cherokee branch of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

time to develop relationships that are necessary for success.”

Most trip planners, Collins said, book two to four years in advance, so it could be a while before Haywood County reaps the fruits of the new position.

Still, she believes that the position will pay off in the end, putting more heads in beds to produce more income for businesspeople in the region and, in turn, creating greater revenue from the 4-cent room tax that funds the TDA’s budget.

“Anytime you can bring more folks in and fill up more rooms and have more people shopping and eating in our restaurants — and once you bring them here in that capacity maybe they want to bring their family back,” Collins said.

Collins said the TDA is still sifting through incoming applications but hopes to make a hire within the next month. Pay will depend on qualifications, Collins said, but she expects the position will command a salary between $40,000 and $50,000.

She’s looking forward to the increased staffing that will allow the TDA to be more proactive about going after the group market than it has in the past.

“When people have contacted us, we have certainly gone out and helped them and gotten them booked, but we have not had the staff to go out and solicit the business to date,” she said.

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Haywood tourism authority to hire new position

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Hydropower plant proposed in Highlands

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Smoky Mountain News

February 25-March 3, 2015

the Chamber of Commerce came together and voiced their concerns to the permitting agencies.

“The opposition was so great that FERC and the developer withdrew the application,” he wrote. “I believe that after FERC has obtained adequate information, the project will not be attractive to the developer or FERC. If the developer goes forward, I will again organize a community coalition in a strong effort to prevent the project.”

The town of Highlands also submitted a letter to FERC regarding the permit application.

“Since we are an incorporated municipality of North Carolina that held the original FERC license and built the original power house cited in the application, the duly elected Town Board of Highlands affirms the town as a stakeholder in this proposed project and must be principals in deciding related issues,” Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor wrote.

As outlined in Taylor’s letter, Frye said the town was concerned with the methodology of the applicant’s public notification. Instead of The town of Highlands is working to drain Lake Sequoyah to make repairs to the dam, but work has been slowed because of ice and snow. A the notice being published in the Franklin Press, some 20 miles away from the property private company out of Atlanta, Georgia, has received a preliminary permit to explore the feasibility of rebuilding a hydropower plant on the in question, Frye said, the notice should have Cullasaja River. Jessi Stone photo run in The Highlander so the community would be aware of the permit.

BY J ESSI STONE existing transmission line owned by Duke individuals and agencies weighed in on the Taylor was listed as a primary principal in N EWS E DITOR project. The North Carolina Wildlife Advanced Hydropower’s application, yet no Energy Carolinas. he town of Highlands may not be interThe company estimated that the average Resources Commission filed a motion on one from Advanced Hydropower notified his ested in investing millions to rebuild a annual energy production would be about Nov. 12 stating that the commission has a office of its intent to apply for renewal of the hydropower plant along the Cullasaja 3,300 megawatts per hour based on 39 years vested interest in the project because of its town's expired FERC license.

River, but a private corporation out of Atlanta of stream flow data provided by the USGS responsibility to protect public trust “Since the town’s hydroelectric dam does want to make it happen. resources. stream gauge. and lake where many residents have Advanced Hydropower Inc., received a Because the commission manages the homes, are located next to the proposed According to Hydropower’s application, preliminary permit Jan. 23 from the Federal the project would not utilize any existing or Cullasaja River and surrounding areas, “the project, the Town of Highlands requests Energy Regulatory Commission to study the planned dam because of the cost of meeting Wildlife Resources Commission seeks to better communication of the intent and feasibility of a hydropower project on Lake the federal waterpower license standards and intervene as a party in this action and will progress of this proposed project,” the Sequoyah after submitting an application last the requirements under the Federal Power advocate conservation of fish and wildlife town’s letter stated.

May. Act for Lake Sequoyah Dam. The project will Lastly, the town hired “This project will deliver clean and renew- use all new components except for the existMcGill and Associates, an “I believe that after FERC has able energy to the surrounding rural area ing powerhouse and tailrace. area engineering firm, in 2013 while increasing electrical transmission effiThe diversion structure will create a small to assess the feasibility of the obtained adequate information, the ciencies in Macon County,” Advanced pool of water upstream of the weir. The weir town renewing its FERC project will not be attractive to the Hydropower President Colin Gaines said in will pool water about 30 feet upstream and license and resuming hydrohis application. result in a pool with a capacity of about 1,000 electric generation using the developer or FERC. If the The town of Highlands owns the Lake cubic feet. old power plant building.

Sequoyah dam and used to own and operate developer goes forward, I will again The application states that the pool will McGill’s report found the a hydropower plant that ran from 1927 to be entirely within the Nantahala National project could potentially have organize a community coalition in a 1968. Town Manager Bob Frye said rebuild- Forest property and will not affect the normal a major impact on the sensiing a hydropower plant to supply electricity operations of the Lake Sequoyah Dam or the tive environment of the natustrong effort to prevent the project.” for the town was not feasible, but that hasn’t Town of Highland’s Waste Treatment Facility. rally flowing river and would — Henry Ross, Highlands resident stopped Advanced Hydropower from trying.

Receiving the preliminary permit is just impact the historic communiA FERC notice states that the sole pur- the beginning of a lengthy and expensive ty site because operations pose of the preliminary permit is to grant process to be able to start the hydropower resources and the recreational opportuni- would be adjacent to the scenic highway.

Advanced Hydropower priority to file a project. The cost associated with completing ties they provide.”

Frye said the process of getting a permit license application during the term of the the FERC application was $252,000 because North Carolina Department of from FERC was a long and tedious one. The permit, which is 36 months. It doesn’t of engineering plans, a feasibility analysis and Environment and Natural Resources also application has to get signed off by 22 state grant the permit holder the ability to dis- reviewing hydrologic, water quality, wildlife filed a notice to intervene in November and and federal agencies before it can be turb any land or enter land or water owned and other types of studies. requested to be a part of the proceedings approved. by others.

Gaines did not return phone calls or since the project may change the quality and “But they have a perfectly legal right to do quantity of fish habitat in the river. emails requesting comment. that — we’re not going to stand in their way, Henry Ross, a Highlands resident, sub- but they’ll probably find the same thing we ROJECT DETAILS mitted a letter opposing the permit. The last saw,” Frye said. “There are some concerned UBLIC INPUT time a developer applied for such a permit in people in town, so we just asked the applicant Advanced Hydropower plans to construct a 60-foot-long transmission line During the 60-day window for comments 1994, Ross said in his letter, homeowners, to keep us in the loop instead of just putting a 10 between the project’s powerhouse and an and motions to intervene to FERC, several conservation groups, town government and notice in Franklin paper.”

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Town negotiating with Balsam Range for concert

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February 25-March 3, 2015 Smoky Mountain News

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR anton has decided not to spend upwards of $60,000 to bring in a nationally known headlining music act for Labor Day, but town aldermen feel like they’ve reached an agreement that will make everyone happy.

Town staff presented the aldermen with several different options to consider for Labor Day festivities Monday during a special meeting. While the board was considering increasing the Labor Day budget from $20,000 to $135,000 to bring in a popular musical artist, members quickly changed their minds when they saw the price tag.

In a staff report from Town Manager Seth Hendler-Voss, it stated that staff was prepared to make offers to Chris Young, Chase Rice or Easton Corbin — all chart-topping country artists. All artists would cost between $50,000 to $60,000 for a Sunday night concert plus another $32,000 to pay the booking agent, production crew and other associated costs.

That price was expected, but the $15,000 fee to use the Pisgah High School stadium as the venue was not expected. Hendler-Voss said the school system was willing to work with the town but had concerns about potential damage to the football field turf.

The school system would not allow a portable stage to be placed on the field.

“So the use of the field as discussed is not feasible because of the schools’ concerns,” he said.

Hendler-Voss said the cost could be lessened with sponsorships and ticket sales, but board members weren’t that impressed with the selection of available artists either.

“I had to call my daughter and ask about the artists because I’d never heard of them,” said Alderman Carole Edwards.

Hendler-Voss said the good news was local bluegrass band Balsam Range is available Labor Day weekend and willing to perform in their hometown of Canton as the opener or the headlining act.

He said Balsam Range’s management said the band would be willing to play Sunday night or Monday for a negotiable price. Aldermen seemed confident that a free concert from Balsam Range would bring a good crowd but were uncertain about whether people would pay $20 a ticket to see the other country artists.

Aldermen argued over how many days the Labor Day festivities would go on and where it should be located. All festivities have been held at the recreation park in the past, but staff recommended moving it to Sorrells Street Park in downtown to increase

its visibility. Staff also recommended shortening the celebration from four days to two.

The thought behind having the celebration downtown was to draw more people to downtown and hopefully help create traffic for local businesses. However, a few residents in the audience were still against having any of the entertainment at Sorrells Street Park.

“I want to keep it at the rec park — I don’t really have a reason other than it’s a tradition thing,” said Roy Taylor, adding that businesses never stayed open for events anyway. “Nobody cares about downtown Canton.”

Aldermen Ralph Hamlett and Zeb Smathers interrupted Taylor to say they care about downtown Canton.

“If we’re going to bring new business downtown, we have to bring people downtown to see it,” Smathers said.

Mayor Mike Ray said he also wanted all the events to stay at the rec center where all the town’s resources are located, including water, power, bathrooms, the swimming pool, playground and covered staging area.

He added that he would rather see the town put any additional money toward business recruitment downtown.

“If we’re going to risk money, it should be risked on our downtown with getting businesses,” he said. “…We need to show them downtown when we’re ready.”

Edwards agreed that there weren’t any businesses downtown that visitors would want to frequent while attending the Labor Day celebration.

“We’re losing businesses, we’re not gaining any,” she said.

Ray also said he was against having any concert Sunday night, claiming he heard feedback from some 20 pastors who were opposed to the idea because of church services.

Hamlett suggested keeping it at four days and spreading the events out at both locations in order to include activities to entertain all ages of residents.

After much discussion about what would work best, aldermen approved the following basic schedule: Friday night would kick off with Pickin in the Park; Saturday would include entertainment of some sort at Sorrells Street Park and the annual car show; Sunday would include gospel singing Sunday after church at the Colonial Theatre; Balsam Range could perform at Sorrells Park Sunday night and Monday would include the annual Labor Day parade followed by a kids zone at Sorrells Street Park with concessions, food trucks and the traditional fair and local musical entertainment would stay at the rec park.

With the direction from the board, Hendler-Voss said staff would begin working out all the details, book Balsam Range for Sunday night and start booking other local and regional acts that would appeal to younger residents and also bring in people from other counties.

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Canton moves forward with expanded Labor Day

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Online job searching workshop offered To get advice and guidance, job seekers are invited to a one-hour workshop at 1 p.m.

Wednesday, March 4 at the Macon County Public Library. One-on-one help will be available after the class until 4 p.m.

SCC Employability instructor John Mitchell will teach the class. He will discuss not only specific websites and how to use them but also the best techniques for keeping track of your efforts and searching efficiently.

This workshop is free but space is limited.

Reservations are encouraged.

828.524.3600.

Smoky Mountain News

February 25-March 3, 2015

Small Business Center reschedules seminar Due to recent inclement weather conditions, Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center and the Macon County Certified Entrepreneurial Community postponed the year’s first Business Enhancement Experience (BEE) seminar.

“BEE Financially Savvy and Organizationally Strong” will now be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on March 3 at Macon Bank Corporate Center in Franklin.

The seminar will feature a panel of experts who will discuss what lenders are looking for, financing options, mistakes to avoid and credit enhancement.

828.339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

doctoral program in physical therapy under the supervision of faculty members, is open from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of every month. It is located in Carolina West Sports Medicine clinic space on the first floor of the Health and Human Sciences Building on Little Savannah Road on WCU’s West Campus.

The Clinic is available to individuals who do not have insurance coverage for physical therapy.

828.227.3527 or mapptclinic@wcu.edu.

Haywood Regional to host job fairs Haywood Regional Medical Center (HRMC) will host two job fairs to assist those who are interested in a career with the hospital from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25 and Wednesday, March 18, at the Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center at 75 Leroy George Drive in Clyde.

The health system has clinical and non-clinical positions available for both leadership as well as entry-level candidates. Departmental leadership staff will be onsite to conduct interviews and network with candidates, and computers will also be available to submit applications. www.haymed.org/careers.aspx.

Harrah’s to air new commercials

Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina is holding a free resume-writing workshop from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, at the Haywood County Public Library in Canton.

Registration is required as class space is limited. Register at the front desk of the library or call 828.648.2924.

Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort announced the airing of two television commercials produced by local production company, Raven's Eye, Inc. Raven’s Eye is owned and operated by Chris McCoy and Bear Allison; both members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. The first of two 30-second spots began airing Feb. 16. In 2014, Raven’s Eye owned and produced multiple photo shoots for the casino, including the five-day, on-set commercial production.

Television viewers in Atlanta, Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Eastern Tennessee, Greenville-Spartanburg and Asheville will have an opportunity to view the commercial. It can also be seen on YouTube.com.

Public invited to historical society event

Developer sought for building project at WCU

Swain County Genealogical Historical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. March 5 at the SCGHS Library in Bryson City. The program will be “remembering Carolina Wood Turning Company: It’s many names, the people who worked there and the role it played in the life of Swain County Presenter Don Casada.” Open to the public.

The Board of Trustees of the Endowment Fund of Western Carolina University has issued a request for qualifications for a project to develop a medical office building to be constructed near the university’s Health and Human Sciences Building.

The building will be the first privately developed structure to be built on WCU’s 344-acre West Campus as part of the university’s Millennial Initiative.

The RFG is the initial step in the process of selecting a full-service developer to design, finance, construct and manage a medical office building or similar specialty medical center. Selection of the developer is expected to take place in June, with construction to begin as early as January 2016 and occupancy of the building in early 2017.

828.227.2596 or tonyjohnson@wcu.edu.

Goodwill offers job search workshop

WCU opens pro bono physical therapy clinic

The College of Health and Human Sciences at Western Carolina University has launched a pro bono clinic to provide physical therapy services to underserved and underinsured populations of Western North Carolina.

The clinic, operated by students in WCU’s 12

Canton Library will host a Tech Fair from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, to give the public a chance to experience the new technology being offered, including iPads and Wii games. Donated photo

See new Canton Library technology at Tech Fair To highlight the new technology being offered, the Canton Library will be hosting a Tech Fair from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 4.

There are currently five iPads that are preloaded with educational and learning apps that have been mounted throughout the children’s room. A Wii gaming cart is also now available in the children’s room, and has been enjoyed by children and their parents.

Attend the Tech Fair to try out the iPads and the Wii. Play retro video games, create digital art, discover new apps on the iPads and win prizes.

The new technology was supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the federal Library Services and Technology Act. 828.648.2924.

Swain County Schools celebrate National School Breakfast Week To garner increased participation in the School Breakfast Program, Swain County Schools will recognize National School Breakfast Week March 2-6.

National School Breakfast Week is a weeklong celebration aimed at increasing awareness of the School Breakfast Program among students and parents. Children who eat breakfast at school start the day ready to learn — reflected in higher test scores and better classroom behavior. In Swain County, only half of the children who eat lunch at school also eat school breakfast.

Cafeterias will promote school breakfast with special menus and prizes, activities, and events all week. All students will receive free breakfast all week long.

Harris Regional to host nutrition event Harris Regional Hospital, in partnership with both the Western Carolina University Nutrition Club and the Jackson

County Department of Public Health, will host the March “Tuesdays to Thrive” session, focused around nutrition and eating for a healthy lifestyle, from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, in the main lobby of Harris Regional Hospital.

Experts on the topic of nutrition and healthy eating will provide education as part of National Nutrition Month, as well as doing a healthy cooking demonstration.

Participants can get assistance developing a nutrition and healthy lifestyle plan.

A full calendar of Tuesdays to Thrive events can be found at www.westcare.org.

828.586.7734.

Franklin Open Forum to meet March 4 “Is there truth in the media and where is it found?” will be the topic for the Franklin Open Forum meeting at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, March 4, at the Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub in downtown Franklin.

Franklin Open Forum is a moderated discussion group, meeting on the first Wednesday of the month. Those interested in an open exchange of ideas (dialog not debate) are invited to attend.

828.371.1020.

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February 25-March 3, 2015

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ounty and university officials had a sit-down last week over the question of whether Western Carolina University should fall under Jackson County’s revised subdivision ordinance.

The ordinance was revised in March 2014 to require new apartment complexes to include elements such as open space and sidewalks in their plans, but during a recent review of the new rules, County Planner Gerald Green realized that the ordinance was written so as to include WCU in its purview. Earlier this month, the planning board agreed to forego any action that would exempt the university — not because they’re worried that WCU would build something out of line, they said, but because they favor the “Personally, I increased communication don’t think the between county applicability of and university that inclusion the ordinance to would foster.

WCU is a major “Personally, I don’t think the issue since the applicability of the ordinance to WCU construcWCU is a major tion standards issue since the WCU construcfar exceed our tion standards far expectations.” exceed our expectations,” County — Chuck Wooten, Manager Chuck Jackson County Wooten said. manager Wooten met with Chief of Staff Melisa Wargo, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Mike Byers and General Counsel Mary Ann Lochner, who agreed it would be a great idea to regularly update the county planning board on university construction projects but disagreed with the assertion that the board should have the right to approve or disapprove university plans.

“The [attorney general’s] office has weighed in on similar questions at other institutions,” Chancellor David Belcher said, and university representatives are now researching those opinions.

“They’re still not convinced that the subdivision ordinance applies to them,” Wooten said.

While the two parties disagree on that point for now, both sides stressed that the discussions are friendly and there is no animosity between county and university.

“We’re in very healthy and very friendly conversations,” Belcher said.

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University says county development ordinance shouldn’t apply

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news February 25-March 3, 2015 Smoky Mountain News

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Lawyers involved in Sylva’s bar noise dispute

The potential transformation of the old Drexel plant in Whittier into an agricultural center will be discussed at a March 3 community meeting. Donated graphic Lawyers representing No Name Sports Pub and the town of Sylva are trying to work out a solution to complaints by neighbors that the bar violates the town's noise ordinance.

Opinions sought on redevelopment plan for abandoned factory

Holly Kays photo

A

A draft plan to revamp the old Drexel furniture factory property in Whittier into an agricultural center will be presented at a community meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, at Smoky Mountain Elementary School.

The meeting will begin with dinner and an informal question-and-answer session. A formal presentation will follow, and attendees will have a chance to give their thoughts on the plan. Community input will be incorporated into the master plan

JOIN US FOR ARTS EVENTS AT WCU FEB. 28 | SAT. SAT. 7:30PM | BARDO ARTS CENTER | $

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Smoky Mountain News

spoke — led by Drew Hooper, who held a handwritten petition signed by 50 people who agreed that “there is no advantage to this community by having this bar here” — town commissioners were sympathetic.

“I’ve had this same experience. Believe me, it’s hard to try to sleep with your head under a pillow,” Commissioner Harold Hensley said at the time.

Employees of the bar responded with a Facebook page and petition of their own. The page currently has 820 likes, and the petition has more than 500 signatures asking the town to rewrite its noise ordinance to something more specific, something that relies less on adjectives like “disturbing” and “unreasonable” and more on decibel readings.

The town has no intention of changing its ordinance at this time.

“Where he’s [Fuller] located, he has neighbors close by and probably the best thing for him to do is just try to comply with the ordinance and make an effort to get along with his neighbors,” said Mayor Maurice Moody.

Moore would not comment on his client’s preferred legal outcome for the situation. He did say that he has not filed the case in court, however.

Following Fuller’s initial appearance at Town Hall, No Name had temporarily suspended its musical acts. But the music is now back on — sort of. The bar had hosted bands four to five times per week but is now having shows Friday and Saturday only.

“I don’t know what the lawyers are going to work out, but we haven’t had any calls and we’ve had live music, so I don’t know what that means, if anything,” said Mary Harper, music booker and bar manager for No Name.

Harper said they have pushed the shows’ hours back slightly — shows will now run from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. rather than from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. — and installed sound curtains around the patio. They’ve also been trying to keep the bands a little quieter.

“We’re not sure what’s going to happen, so we’re just playing it by ear,” she said.

February 25-March 3, 2015

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ttorneys for the Town of Sylva and No Name Sports Pub are busy trying to hash out the legal road forward for the town’s noise ordinance and sound levels at the music-oriented bar.

Following a Feb. 5 town meeting during which No Name supporters and opponents alike filled town hall to sound off during the public comment session, the bar’s lawyer contacted the town.

“He said that they wanted to settle this matter amicably,” Town Manager Paige Dowling said of Jim Moore, attorney for No Name owner Gregg Fuller. Moore had served as an assistant district attorney until last year, when he lost a heated election for district attorney to Ashley Welch, who also was an assistant district attorney.

“The town’s attorney [Eric Ridenour] was working with him on having music that stopped once the noise ordinance started to keep both the neighbors and the customers happy,” Dowling said.

The town’s noise ordinance kicks in between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., deeming any sound that can be heard from neighboring properties too loud. Though the section specifies sound produced outdoors or from a vehicle, Dowling said, it still applies to sound produced inside if it can be heard outdoors.

The folks at No Name say there’s a lot of room for improvement in Sylva’s noise ordinance. On Jan. 15, Fuller attended a town meeting to ask the board to dismiss a stack of six noise citations that his business had received since May 2014. They were given based on a noise ordinance he considers unconstitutional, he said, because the regulations are subjective and don’t allow him to measure noise levels to determine whether the bar is in compliance or not.

But the town board didn’t see it Fuller’s way. Instead of dismissing the tickets, they gave him a tongue-lashing in which they directed him to simply be a better neighbor.

When a trio of men who live near the bar

guiding the property’s redevelopment.

The old factory has been shuttered since the 1990s and has been the subject of multiple community meetings since falling into county ownership. This latest stab at rebirth comes from a $10,000 grant from the Southwestern Commission to create a master plan reimagining the 36-acre property alongside the Tuckasegee River as the Smoky Mountain Agricultural Development Station. The funds came from the Commission’s Toolbox Implementation Fund program and the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Gerald Green, 828.631.2255 or geraldgreen@jacksonnc.org. www.jacksonnc.org/planning.html.

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Burned at auctions, Haywood retools how it recoups back taxes

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER hen Haywood County gets stiffed on property taxes, it carries a big stick of last resort: the foreclosure.

But since the real estate bust, it’s not been as handy as it once was.

In theory, when someone doesn’t pay their property taxes, the county forecloses and recoups the back taxes from the sale price. But what happens when no one shows up on the courthouse steps to buy it at the foreclosure? Or when the bids that do come in are so measly it doesn’t make sense to sell?

“We are not in the real estate business, but we wanted to at least get back taxes owed and the expenses of going through the foreclosure,” said Commissioner Mark Swanger.

Usually, the threat of foreclosure is enough to spur the property owner to pay up.

“There are about 50 foreclosures in different stages each month. Most pay out,” said David Francis, the Haywood County Tax Administrator.

Only about one foreclosure a month actually goes all the way through to the courthouse steps.

Usually, there are interested buyers, but there’s been about a dozen instances in recent years when there was simply no interested bidder.

But most of the time, when the county

February 25-March 3, 2015

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comes up empty handed on foreclosure day, it involved a lot that was flawed in some way — too steep to build on, no road leading to them, or simply one of those dime-a-dozen lots that no one’s really interested in — or a house that was in a bad location or a state of disrepair.

So, instead of recouping the back taxes, the county ends up owning the property itself.

But the goal is ultimately to unload the property and recoup the back taxes, so the county moves to plan B: an auction.

The county hasn’t fared so well at auctions either.

Until now, when the county struck out at foreclosure and went to the auction stage, it was obligated to take the highest bidder.

If the highest bid was only a few hundred dollars, the county had to take it. And that just didn’t make sense.

“We didn’t want to give property away,” Swanger said. “If you aren’t going to get anything out of it, you may as well put it on the recreation inventory and let people garden it.”

Francis broached the dilemma with commissioners last fall. In addition to back taxes, the county incurs legal and advertising costs to go through a foreclosure and auction.

“One of the things we wanted was to make sure we were at least getting our cost back,” Francis said.

Legally, the county can’t set a minimum

“We are not in the real estate business, but we wanted to at least get back taxes owed and the expenses of going through the foreclosure.”

— Mark Swanger, Haywood County commissioner

low bids brought the issue to light. He’s now accumulated an inventory of around 10 lots that had no buyer at foreclosure and are waiting to be auctioned once the new policy is in place giving the county recourse to reject a bid deemed too low.

When to foreclose is a judgment call that’s ultimately up to the tax collector. In some cases, the county won’t go to the mat with a foreclosure, and will write off the unpaid taxes.

The most common case is trailers lived in

destabilized the foundation of a home in Maggie Valley’s Black Camp Gap area, rendering it unsafe, the owner quit paying his mortgage and taxes. But the bank nor the county have been eager to foreclose. It would be pointless. No one would want to buy the property, considering the repair bill to shore up the slide.

Which means the county would just end up owning the property if it foreclosed, and instead of recouping back taxes, it would be stuck with the liability.

Haywood discusses feasibility of background checks for volunteers

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER aywood County commissioners debated this week whether to make volunteers who serve on appointed boards and committees undergo a background check.

Currently, there’s no background check for the dozens of appointees named to a long list of councils, commissions, advisory committees, boards and authorities.

County Manager Ira Dove asked commissioners during a county meeting on Monday whether there should be a more robust eligibility process for who could serve, and whether background checks should be part of that.

But Commissioner Mike Sorrells questioned whether it would be worth the expense of background checks for everyone who serves on a board.

“If we have to pay for it, that is an additional cost for the county,” Sorrells said.

Sorrells also questioned whether most of the committees and boards need a background check. Few handle money.

And they couldn’t think of any that work directly with children in their board capacity.

Commissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick questioned how long someone’s record should be held against them. It also seemed open to interpretation.

“What is serious criminal conduct anyway?” asked Kirkpatrick, an attorney. “I don’t know that I like holding that against folks, if they were convicted of something 20 16 years ago. People make mistakes.”

Smoky Mountain News

bid when it auctions off unwanted property.

But County Attorney Chip Killian figured out a work around.

“The safe harbor is that you can put in a provision that gives you the right to reject any and all bids,” Killian said.

Under the new policy, the county manager can simply decide to reject the bids and not sell the property if they come in too low.

Francis had halted auctions of foreclosed property last year after a couple of insanely

by people who are so poor and destitute they would become homeless if the county foreclosed on the tin box they live in.

“These people are in poor or in dire conditions,” Francis said.

Their trailers are in such bad shape, foreclosing would do little good in recouping the back taxes anyway. No one would emerge to buy the trailer at foreclosure, so the county would be stuck owning it.

Unfit to live in, there’s little chance the county could ever auction it off. So the county would eventually have to dismantle it and haul it off, on its own dime. Since the attempt to gain back taxes would only further saddle the county with the burden of getting rid of it, the county just lets them slide.

Speaking of slides, that’s another instance when the county has simply opted to ignore an unpaid property tax bill. When a landslide

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who would voluntarily check the “no” box on that?

“It’s affirming you are a good person for lack of anything else,” Sorrells said.

Commissioner Mark Swanger said background checks are increasingly common requirements, but agreed it could be superfluous. The county has more than two dozens boards, councils and so forth of its own, plus another dozen outside boards that it names appointees to. They include the recreation advisory board, library board, sediment control board, tourism board, fairgrounds board and many more.

“Most of these boards, I don’t think need it. It would be embarrassing if something went wrong on a board and it turned out that you had appointed somebody who, well, it would be embarrassing,” At a recent Haywood County commissioner meeting, County Manager Swanger said.

Ira Dove (right) asked if the county should consider background checks Jackson County commissioners two years ago for those that serve on county boards and committees. Becky Johnson photo implemented a new policy requiring every volunteer for any county agency, from Meals on Wheels They briefly broached the idea of spelling out felony conto the greenway advisory council, undergo a background victions as the threshold. But Kirkpatrick said that’s flawed, check at the county’s expense. too. An assault on a police officer is a misdemeanor, while Haywood commissioners eventually settled on some sort some felonies on the books are comparatively minor. of statement to be wordsmithed by the county attorney, sugCounty Attorney Chip Killian suggested wording that gesting anyone with a certain type of record isn’t eligible, essentially pledged they were of good standing and moral without saying what kind of record that was. It would be up turpitude. to someone’s own interpretation of whether the statement Sorrells said it seemed a little pointless though, because applied to them.

news

Elections embezzlement case lands on DA’s desk of alleged corruption in an agency Charges likely to be filed story charged with providing fair and unbiased in Macon County, the process may within months, federal elections have seemed unduly long and drawn-out. But that’s not really the case, Welch said. investigation ongoing The unusual part of this investigation is

I

not its length, she said, but rather the fact that it’s been in the public eye since its initiation. Most of the time, nobody knows an SBI investigation is going on until it’s over.

“I could have told you last year that it would be a year or so before we would get a report because of the length, of the intensity of the type of investigation that we were

A state investigation into alleged embezzlement at the Macon County Board of Elections is now complete.

File photo

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Smoky Mountain News

dealing with,” Welch said. “That takes a really long time. They actually got this to us fairly quickly.”

While the state side of the investigation is complete, the federal side is still ongoing.

“There is always a likelihood that a state criminal investigation would involve a federal law enforcement agency when there is a possibility that a federal law has been broken,” explained Teresa West, spokeswoman for the SBI, which will continue to work the case with the FBI. West could not pinpoint exactly when the FBI became involved but said that federal involvement happens only in a minority of SBI cases. In 2014, the SBI opened 2,528 cases, only 79 of which became joint investigations with federal law enforcement agencies, which include but are not limited to the FBI. Of those 79, only 13 involved embezzlement or other financial crimes. The most common types of cases to require federal involvement were drug investigations, which accounted for 33 cases, and child pornography and computer crimes, which accounted for 21 cases.

On the prosecutor’s side, Welch is now ready to get to work on deciding the future of the case.

“I think the public was looking at it thinking, ‘My gosh, what’s taking them that long a time?’ when in reality it was a perfectly normal amount of time,” she said. “This is not abnormal at all.”

February 25-March 3, 2015

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER t could be just a matter of months before District Attorney Ashley Welch decides whether to press charges in a year-old case of alleged embezzlement at the Macon County Board of Elections, but the investigation still has legs on the federal level.

Earlier this month, the N.C. State Bureau of Investigations completed its investigation and turned an extensive report over to District Attorney Ashley Welch, who is now tasked with deciding how to proceed. But at some point during the investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigations began working alongside the SBI, and its work in determining which, if any, federal laws were broken is ongoing.

It was January 2014 when a tipster alerted Macon County Manager Derek Roland that all was not well at the board of elections, resulting in a week-long lockdown of the elections office and a quick decision to call in the SBI. The SBI followed a paper trail to discover $50,000 in allegedly fraudulent billing.

The investigation concerns 37 checks for county money that Kim Bishop, erstwhile director of the board of elections, had allegedly requested and signed. The checks, totaling about $50,000, were supposedly written to pay contractors for part-time work, according to a search warrant filed at the time. However, the search warrant said, the people the checks were made out to never received them, and the election board members whose names were on the signature lines said they’d never signed them.

In addition, the amounts requested were out of line for the time of year and for a leadup to a relatively quiet November election, area election directors agreed, and none of the contract employees named on the checks had submitted a W9 tax form, according to county records.

Though the investigation has been ongoing, with no charges yet filed, Bishop’s tenure at the Board of Elections has not. She was placed on paid leave immediately following the investigation’s launch and resigned in May, after the county board of elections petitioned the state board to fire her.

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Franklin plans for water and sewer improvements news

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR ngineers for the town of Franklin are recommending the town spend $15.1 million over the next 10 years to make water and sewer infrastructure improvements.

Steven Miller with Martin & McGill in Asheville recently presented the board with a proposed capital improvement plan for water and sewer needs. The plan includes 20 projects to be completed over a 10-year period. The water projects are estimated to cost $12.4 million and the sewer projects are estimated at $2.6 million.

Miller recommended that the town pay $1 million of the total cost from the water and sewer fund and the remaining $14 million should be financed by four loans.

The most expensive cost would be $8 million for water treatment plant upgrades.

The first phase would cost $3.6 million and the second $4.3 million.

Keith Webb with Martin & McGill said the phase one upgrades would bring the plant up to current standards and prepare the plant for future growth and improvements.

In January, Franklin got word it would receive an interest-free loan of $3.5 million from the state to rehabilitate its plant.

“This will allow the plant to start upgrading to move forward in the future so it lasts

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The town of Franklin is looking at a long-term capital projects plan to begin making upgrades to its aging water and sewer infrastructure. File photo another 50 years,” Webb said.

The town applied for the state loan last September. Webb said the state asked that the town update its preliminary engineering report for the plant and complete an environmental review by May 1. He said he didn’t anticipate any changes or any

environmental impact since all the upgrades will be on the existing water plant site.

He said Martin & McGill will get the updated report to the state by March 31 and should get approval by July. If everything goes as planned, construction on the plant

could start in March 2016.

There was no discussion and the board didn’t take any action on the proposed plan.

Mayor Bob Scott said there would be a chance for public comment at the board’s next meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, March 2, at town hall.

February 25-March 3, 2015 Smoky Mountain News 19

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

Time for universal, free pre-K is long overdue waiting list for the available pre-K slots in Haywood County that are funded by state and federal money. Even families who can afford to pay and want their children in these programs have trouble finding affordable, quality pre-K. As Nolte explained in last week’s Smoky Mountain News, increasing the available number of slots was a numbers game:

ost parents who have the time and the education to take part in their children’s schooling remember well those first couple of years. Your child — with your help — was prepared for kindergarten, and then you worked with them as they learned to read and do simple math. Other children, however, came to school so unprepared that they demanded so much of the teacher’s time that it slowed the whole class down.

Truth is that most of those children who started out behind probably never completely caught up. Some barely graduated high school or even dropped out along the way, most destined for low-wage careers or perhaps dependent on the welfare system.

So Haywood County’s new pre-school program is welcome news. The expanded program will open up limited pre-K slots to more low-income families by offering affordable pre-K to those who are able to pay. Those who pay will help subsidize the program for those who simply can’t afford it.

Assistant Superintendent Bill Nolte said there is always a

“Each pre-K class has two teachers and 16 kids. The school system had Editor enough funding for a few more kids, but not enough to add a whole addi-

M

Jackson votes supports real free speech To the Editor: Thank you, Jackson County Commissioners for your courage in passing a resolution calling on the North Carolina General Assembly to petition Congress for the creation of the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that will end corporate personhood, declare that money is not free speech and that will reverse the 2010 Supreme Court decision on Citizens United vs. the U.S. Board of Elections.

Jackson County joins many organizations in North Carolina and nationwide — locally, the towns of Webster, Forest Hills, Highlands, Franklin and Bryson City, and Asheville — in standing up for the rights of individual citizens versus corporations. For those who might not be familiar with the case of Citizens United vs. the U.S. Board of Elections, the decision basically allowed corporations to be treated as people, which gave them the right to donate as much as they wanted toward the goal of electing a candidate from the political party of their choice — not directly to the candidate (which still is illegal) — but in “independent expenditures” and “electioneering communications.”

One such organization very much in the news these days is Koch Brothers Industries, which has committed almost a billion (yes, billion) dollars toward expenditures of their chosen party during the 2016 election. In my

Scott McLeod

“… the long-term benefits of a high-quality pre-K program can be substantial. These include higher high school graduation rates, lower rates of juvenile delinquency, less substance abuse, and higher adult earnings. Thus, many studies show that highquality pre-K programs can improve outcomes for disadvantaged children in the short run and generate favorable returns for taxpayers in the long run.”

— Professor William T. Gormley Jr., Georgetown Public Policy Institute

tional class.

But by padding the enrollment with kids paying their own way, the school system could round out the roster to make up a full class. And by spreading the private-pay kids around, the school system will actually end up with two more classes than it had before.

“I feel like we have really created something with nothing here,” Nolte said.

Under the new model, six elementary schools will have an in-house pre-K class — compared to four currently — with 12 slots in each class for low-income children on subsidies and four slots for those paying private tuition.”

And the school system made a conscious effort to price the

opinion, this totally unbalances elections.

Since many voters see only the media advertisements for and against certain candidates, a flood of such advertisements in favor of one person could easily sway voters who have not looked outside the media for facts to assist in their voting decisions.

So, thank you again, commissioners, for standing up for us.

Marti Senterfit Cashiers

N.C. loses by not expanding Medicaid To the Editor: An earlier letter requires concrete proof of the success of the Affordable Care Act. Those truly interested in facts need to research the impact of expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act in the Republican dominated states of Arkansas, Arizona and Kentucky, as well as its impact in Washington state. All of these states have experienced a dramatic decrease in the number of uninsured people, vast economic benefits to their health care systems and economic growth.

North Carolina has 500,000 uninsured citizens and each day this state returns $4.9 million to the federal government. It is unproductive to speculate about future outcomes since no one of us can predict the future.

What is the current status of North Carolina’s healthcare system resulting from

pre-K higher than that offered by some private entities. The school board did not want to create an unfair competition with private businesses offering a similar program.

Over the years North Carolina has made grandiose efforts to get more children ready for kindergarten. Gov. Jim Hunt’s Smart Start was created in the 1990s and was followed by Gov. Mike Easley’s More at Four. Both were widely praised by early child education experts but eventually lost political favor in Raleigh.

Some ridicule these early childhood programs as too much government interference. But here’s the reality: more and more parents are spending more and more time at work. In 1976, 33 percent of families had two full-time wage earners; by 1998, according to the U.S. Census, the rate had risen to 51 percent; a 2014 study by Bright Horizons Family Solutions found that 80 percent of families have two working parents.

This is simple math. The more both parents work, the less time is available each week to spend with your children. It’s not because parents don’t care, many just don’t have the time.

What’s disappointing is that as the modern family has changed so dramatically over the last 35 years, our political leaders have not taken the bull by the horns and taken steps to make sure our education system kept pace.

Universal early childhood programs should be the rule, not the exception. Way to go Haywood County Schools for expanding pre-K. (Scott McLeod can be reached at info@smokymountainnews.com.)

LOOKING FOR OPINIONS The Smoky Mountain News encourages readers to express their opinions through letters to the editor or guest columns. All viewpoints are welcome. Send to Scott McLeod at info@smokymountainnews.com., fax to 828.452.3585, or mail to PO Box 629, Waynesville, NC, 28786. the state’s rejection of the Affordable Care Act? Describing present conditions, avoiding generalizations, speculation and unpredictable future possibilities, the writer needs to provide factual examples demonstratinghow rejecting the ACA is benefitting our state and its citizens. Give us the facts only, please.

Margery Abel Franklin

Medicaid expansion equals economic growth To the Editor: A recent letter suggested that its author does not believe in economic projections. He may not realize “estimates” of future economic outcomes is a vital part of planning that any organization — whether private businesses or governments — would have to do to make wise decisions. Or it may just be that he is not

happy that overwhelming data support the basic tenant that any state that expands Medicaid under the present Affordable Care Act is going to reap huge economic benefits for its citizens.

Not only do both of the studies that he wrote about about (REMI and George Washington University study) show huge economic benefits for North Carolina, but there have been 32 other studies in 26 states that have analyzed the anticipated impact of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion on state and local economies.

These studies used at least six different economic impact models, all of which have been examined by experts in the field for accuracy. Every single one of these studies has shown that states that expand Medicaid would reap tens of billions of dollars in economic growth (Gross State Product), tens of thousands of new jobs created both in health care and in other areas, and millions of dollars of increased state revenues (https://kaiserfamilyfoundation.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/8522-the-role-of-medicaid-in-state-economies-looking-forwardto-the-aca.pdf ).

I could not find a single study that looked at the economics on a state level under the current Affordable Care Act that did not show huge economic benefits to those states that expand Medicaid. I need someone to show me the studies that show no economic growth for states that expand Medicaid.

Dr. Ed Morris Franklin

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labor, of woefully inadequate medical care and appallingly bad public education. These earlier faculty-led initiatives drew fierce opposition from those who managed to benefit from others’ poverty and oppression. Yet the University pressed ahead, fulfilling what Dr. Frank Graham once celebrated as ‘a tradition of our people’ that in Chapel Hill they would find ‘a place where there is always a breath of freedom in the air ... and where finally truth shining like a star bids us advance and we will not turn aside.’”

“The special BOG committee would constrict that breath of freedom. It would order the Poverty Center to turn aside from investigating conditions of human misery in our state that cry out for greater attention, not less,” Boger wrote.

The attack on the centers coincides with the board’s unexplained decision to sack UNC President Tom Ross. There are rumors, not effectively refuted, that Art Pope himself may become Ross’ successor.

Speaking for himself, Nichol pointed out that 18 percent of this state’s people live in poverty.

“The Board of Governors’ tedious, expensive and supremely dishonest review process yields the result it sought all along — closing the Poverty Center,” Nichol continued. “This charade, and the censorship it triggers, demeans the board, the university, academic freedom and the Constitution.”

Nichol added that he felt “honored to be singled out for retribution by these agents of wealth, privilege and exclusion,” and he warned that as a tenured law professor, he will continue — with even more time on his hands — to speak out against a “burgeoning war on poor people.”

The full Board of Governors is expected to vote on the hit squad’s findings at a meeting in Charlotte this Friday. I have already emailed every one of them in opposition.

Others who care could limit their appeals to Chairman John C. Fennebresque, a Charlotte lawyer who represents corporations and banks, and member Roger Aiken, an Asheville investment banker. These are their e-mail addresses: jfennebresque@mcguirewoods.com and rogeraiken60@gmail.com As we all learned on the schoolyard, there is a way to beat the bullies. You stand up to them. You fight back. It’s time to do that in North Carolina. Otherwise, the bullies will continue to win.

(Martin Dyckman is a former Florida journalist who lives in Waynesville. His books include Reubin O'D Askew and the Golden Age of Florida Politics; Floridian of His Century: The Courage of Governor LeRoy Collins; and A Most Disorderly Court: Scandal and Reform in the Florida Judiciary.

He can be reached at dyckmanm@bellsouth.net.)

Auto ~ Home Life ~ Retirement

February 25-March 3, 2015

BY MARTIN DYCKMAN G UEST COLUMNIST hether they strut across schoolyards or along the polished halls of a state capital, all bullies are alike. They have to be the boss of everything. They can’t stand anyone who talks back. But they can be beaten.

For now, though, the bullies are on a roll in North Carolina.

When the General Assembly ordered the Board of Governors last year to study all 240 specialized centers in the University of North Carolina system, it was with a conspicuous target in mind. The intended victims were the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at UNC-Chapel Hill, and its eloquent and outspoken liberal director, law professor Gene Nichol. For several years, Nichol, a regular contributor to newspaper op-ed pages, has defied warnings from Raleigh to shut up or face the consequences.

Sure enough, a Governors committee has now recommended axing the center, even though it’s financed without a dime of public money.

To make it look good, the hit squad also targeted three others. It called for closing the East Carolina Center for Biodiversity and N.C. Central University’s Institute for Civic Engagement and Social Change. It also gave UNC-Chapel Hill a year to review the bona fides of its Center for Civil Rights.

Steve Long, a board member, accused the civil rights center of “political activity and political bias.” That’s like being called ugly by a frog. Long has also been on the board of Art Pope’s Civitas Institute, the cheerleader for every backward step North Carolina has taken lately.

Poverty. The environment. Civic engagement. Civil rights. To the right-wing regime in Raleigh, these are not exactly favorite things.

Speaking of bullies, when students at the meeting spoke out against the hit list, police officers threatened to remove them.

The party line goes something like this: North Carolina’s universities should educate, period, not advocate for a better state.

That narrow perspective intentionally ignores the fact that a meaningful education requires more than simply drilling students in the arts, sciences and humanities, or in providing quasi-professional athletics. It also necessarily challenges the status quo, questions every conventional wisdom, and relentlessly seeks truth. By so doing, a great university serves its state in ways that no other institution can. The University of North Carolina earned its luminous reputation by doing precisely that.

As the UNC law school’s dean, John Charles “Jack” Boger explained in protest of the recommendation: “In prior decades, the University of North Carolina won the hearts and the gratitude of the state’s people by combatting the scourges of peonage and child

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tasteTHEmountains

MEDITERRANEAN

Winter Break We will reopen Friday, March 6

1863 S. Main Street • Waynesville 828.454.5002 Hwy. 19/23 Exit 98 SERVING LUNCH & DINNER CLOSED WEDNESDAYS

February 25-March 3, 2015

3 p.m. Join us in our historic location for scratch made soups and daily specials.

Breakfast is made to order daily: Gourmet cheddar & scallion biscuits served with bacon, sausage and eggs; smoked trout bagel plate; quiche and fresh fruit parfait. We bake a wide variety of breads daily, specializing in traditional french breads. All of our breads are hand shaped. Lunch: Fresh salads, panini sandwiches. Enjoy outdoor dinning on the deck. Private room available for meetings.

BLUE ROOSTER SOUTHERN GRILL 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, Lakeside Plaza at the old Wal-Mart. 828.456.1997. Open Monday through Friday. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Fresh-cut salads; slow-simmered soups; flame grilled burgers and steaks, and homemade signature desserts.

Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily.

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

BRYSON CITY CORK & BEAN A MOUNTAIN SOCIAL HOUSE 16 Everett St.,Bryson City. 828.488.1934.

Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday brunch 9 a.m. to 3p.m., Full Menu 3 to 9 p.m. Serving fresh and delicious weekday morning lite fare, lunch, dinner, and brunch. Freshly prepared menu offerings range from house-made soups & salads, lite fare & tapas, crepes, specialty sandwiches and burgers. Be sure not to miss the bold flavors and creative combinations that make up the daily Chef Supper Specials starting at 5pm every day.

Followed by a tempting selection of desserts prepared daily by our chefs and other local bakers. Enjoy craft beers on tap, as well as our full bar and eclectic wine list.

CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

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

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

Outside patio seating. Free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly. Live music and lots of events. Check the web calendar at citylightscafe.com.

ITALIAN CUISINE

We’re on

Smoky Mountain News

owned and operated. Our salads are made in house using local seasonal vegetables. Fresh roasted ham, turkey and roast beef used in our hoagies. We hand make our own eggplant and chicken parmesan, pork meatballs and hamburgers. We use 1st quality fresh not preprepared products to make sure you get the best food for a reasonable price. We make vegetarian, gluten free and sugar free items.

Call or go to Facebook (Breaking Bread Café NC) to find out what our specials are.

BOGART’S 303 S. Main St., Waynesville. 828.452.1313.

Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Carry out available. Located in downtown Waynesville, Bogart’s has been long-time noted for great steaks, soups, and salads. Casual family atmosphere in a rustic old-time setting with a menu noted for its practical value. Live Bluegrass/String Band music every Thursday. Walking distance of Waynesville’s unique shops and seasonal festival activities and within one mile of Waynesville Country Club.

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. It’s winter, but we still serve three meals a day on Friday, Saturday and long holiday weekends. Join us for Breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m.; Lunch from 12 to 2 p.m.; and Dinner buffet from 6 to 7:30 p.m., with entrees that include pot roast, Virginia ham and herb-baked chicken, complemented by seasonal vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer a fine selection of wine and beer. And a roaring fire in the fireplace. So come enjoy mile-high mountaintop dining with a spectacular view.

Reservations are required.

BOURBON BARREL BEEF & ALE 454 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, 828.452.9191. Lunch served 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner nightly from 4 p.m. Closed on Sunday. We specialize in hand-cut, all natural steaks, fresh fish, and other classic American comfort foods that are made using only the finest local and sustainable ingredients available. We also feature a great selection of craft beers from local artisan brewers, and of course an extensive selection of small batch bourbons and whiskey. The Barrel is a friendly and casual neighborhood dining experience where our guests enjoy a great meal without breaking the bank.

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

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

BREAKING BREAD CAFÉ 6147 Hwy 276 S. Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station) 828.648.3838 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Chef

CITY BAKERY 18 N. Main St. Waynesville 828.452.3881.

Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to

Country Vittles RESTAURANT

Winter Hours:

& GIFT SHOP

Mon. - Sat. 7 A.M. - 7 P.M. Sun. 8 A.M. - 3 P.M. Closed Tuesday

Featuring a Full Menu with Daily Specials BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER

3589 SOCO RD. MAGGIE VALLEY 22

828.926.1820

THE CLASSIC WINESELLER 20 Church Street, Waynesville.

828.452.6000. Underground retail wine and craft beer shop, restaurant, and intimate live music venue. Kitchen opens at 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday serving freshly prepared small plate and tapas-style fare. Enjoy local, regional, or national talent live each Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. www.classicwineseller.com. Also on facebook and twitter.

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

828.926.1820 Open Daily 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., closed Tuesday. Family Style at Country Vittles is not a buffet. Instead our waitresses will bring your food piping hot from the kitchen right to your table and as many refills as you want. So if you have a big appetite, but sure to ask your waitress about our family style service.

FRANKIE’S ITALIAN TRATTORIA 1037 Soco Rd. Maggie Valley.

828.926.6216 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Monday-Saturday. Father and son team Frank and Louis Perrone cook up dinners steeped in Italian tradition. With recipies passed down from generations gone by, the Perrones have brought a bit of Italy to Maggie Valley. frankiestrattoria.com FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St. Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving lunch 11:30 a.m. to

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Taste the Mountains is an ever-evolving paid section of places to dine in Western North Carolina. If you would like to be included in the listing please contact our advertising department at 828.452.4251

Nutrition Facts serving size : ab out 50 p ag es Am ount per Serving Calories 0 % Daily Value * Tot al Fat 0g

0%

Reg ional New s

100%

Op inion

100%

Outd oors

100%

Art s

100%

Entert ainm ent

100%

Classified s

100%

* Percent Weekly values b ased on Hayw ood, Jackson, M acon, Sw ain and Buncom b e d iet s.

tasteTHEmountains

GUADALUPE CAFÉ 606 W. Main Street, Sylva. 828.586.9877.

Open 7 days a week at 5 p.m. Located in the historic Hooper’s Drugstore, Guadalupe Café is a chef-owned and operated restaurant serving Caribbean inspired fare complimented by a quirky selection of wines and microbrews. Supporting local farmers of organic produce, livestock, hand-crafted cheese, and using sustainably harvested seafood.

HERREN HOUSE 94 East St., Waynesville 828.452.7837.

Lunch: Wednesday - Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday Brunch 11 a. m. to 2 p.m.

Enjoy fresh local products, created daily. Join us in our beautiful patio garden. We are your local neighborhood host for special events: business party’s, luncheons, weddings, showers and more. Private parties & catering are available 7 days a week by reservation only.

JUKEBOX JUNCTION U.S. 276 and N.C. 110 intersection, Bethel.

828.648.4193. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Serving breakfast, lunch, nd dinner. The restaurant has a 1950s & 60s theme decorated with memorabilia from that era.

LOS AMIGOS 366 Russ Ave. in the Bi-Lo Plaza.

828.456.7870. Open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner Monday through Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy the lunch prices Monday through Sunday, also enjoy our outdoor patio.

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

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

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

MOUNTAIN PERKS ESPRESSO BAR & CAFÉ 9 Depot St., Bryson City. 828.488.9561.

Open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. With music at the Depot. Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Life is too short for bad coffee. We feature wonderful breakfast and lunch selections. Bagels, wraps, soups, sandwiches, salads and quiche with a variety of specialty coffees, teas and smoothies. Various desserts.

NEWFOUND LODGE RESTAURANT 1303 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee (Located on 441 North at entrance to GSMNP).

828.497.4590. Open 7 a.m. daily.

Established in 1946 and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Family style dining for adults and children.

ORGANIC BEANS COFFEE COMPANY 1110 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.668.2326. Open 7 days a week 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Happily committed to brewing and serving innovative, uniquely delicious coffees — and making the world a better place.

100% of our coffee is Fair Trade, Shade Grown, and Organic, all slow-roasted to bring out every note of indigenous flavor. Bakery offerings include cakes, muffins, cookies and more. Each one is made from scratch in Asheville using only the freshest, all natural ingredients available. We are proud to offer gluten-free and vegan options.

PASQUALE’S 1863 South Main Street, Waynesville. Off exit 98, 828.454.5002. Open for lunch and dinner, closed Wednesdays. Classic Italian dishes, exceptional steaks and seafood (available in full and lighter sizes), thin crust pizza, homemade soups, salads hand tossed

at your table. Fine wine and beer selection.

Casual atmosphere, dine indoors, outside on the patio or at the bar. Reservations appreciated.

-Local beers now on draft-

RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT AND BAR Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center 828.926.0201 Open Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m and Sunday 7:30 a.m to 9 p.m. Full service restaurant serving steaks, prime rib, seafood and dinner specials.

SID’S

Live Music

——————————————————

ON MAIN

117 Main Street, Canton NC

SMOKY MOUNTAIN SUB SHOP 29 Miller Street Waynesville 828.456.3400.

Open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. A Waynesville tradition, the Smoky Mountain Sub Shop has been serving great food for over 20 years. Come in and enjoy the relaxed, casual atmosphere. Sub breads are baked fresh every morning in Waynesville. Using only the freshest ingredients in home-made soups, salads and sandwiches. Come in and see for yourself why Smoky Mountain Sub Shop was voted # 1 in Haywood County. Locally owned and operated.

828.492.0618 • SidsOnMain.com Serving Lunch & Dinner

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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FRIDAY, FEB. 27

SPEEDY’S PIZZA 285 Main Street, Sylva. 828.586.3800.

Open seven days a week. Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 3 p.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Family-owned for 30 years. Serving hand-tossed pizza made to order, pasta, subs, gourmet salads, calzones and seafood. Also serving excellent prime rib on Thursdays. Dine in or take out available.

Located across from the Fire Station.

Karaoke w/Chris Monteith

SATURDAY, FEB. 28

Aaron “Woody” Wood 83 Asheville Hwy. Sylva Music Starts @ 9 • 631.0554

TAP ROOM SPORTS BAR & GRILL 176 Country Club Dr. Waynesville 828.456.5988. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Enjoy soups, sandwiches, salads and hearty appetizers along with a full bar menu in our casual, smoke-free neighborhood grill.

VITO’S PIZZA 607 Highlands Rd., Franklin.

828.369.9890. Established here in in 1998. Come to Franklin and enjoy our laid back place, a place you can sit back, relax and enjoy our 62” HDTV. Our Pizza dough, sauce, meatballs, and sausage are all made from scratch by Vito. The recipes have been in the family for 50 years (don't ask for the recipes cuz’ you won't get it!) Each Pizza is hand tossed and made with TLC.

Café Deli & So Much More

Sunday Brunch

STARTING THIS SUNDAY

February 25-March 3, 2015

J. ARTHUR’S RESTAURANT AT MAGGIE VALLEY U.S. 19 in Maggie Valley. 828.926.1817.

Lunch Sunday noon to 2:30 p.m., dinner Thursday - Sunday starting at 4:30 p.m.

World-famous prime rib, steaks, fresh seafood, gorgonzola cheese and salads. All ABC permits and open year-round. Children always welcome. Take-out menu. Excellent service and hospitality. Reservations appreciated.

MAD BATTER FOOD & FILM 617 W. Main Street Downtown Sylva.

828.586.3555. Open Tuesday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Hand-tossed pizza, steak sandwiches, wraps, salads and desserts. All made from scratch. Beer and wine. Free movies with showtimes at 6:30 and 9 p.m. with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Visit madbatterfoodandfilm.com for this week’s shows.

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2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; Dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Frogs Leap is a farm to table restaurant focused on local, sustainable, natural and organic products prepared in modern regional dishes. Seasonal menu focuses on Southern comfort foods with upscale flavors. www.frogsleappublichouse.com.

Burgers to Salads Southern Favorites & Classics

Bring in your church program to receive a free beverage of choice.

Monday - Friday 8-3 Sunday 9-3 6147 Highway 276 S. Bethel, North Carolina (at the Mobil Gas Station) bbcafenc.com • 828.648.3838

www.CityLightsCafe.com

CATERING & GROUP LUNCHES/DINNERS AVAILABLE DOWNTOWN SYLVA • NC Mon.-Fri. 7-4 Sat. 8-4

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Call: 828.587.2233

Bryan Loy & Paradise56 FRIDAY FEB. 27 828-456-1997 blueroostersoutherngrill.com

— Real Local People, Real Local Food — 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, North Carolina Monday-Friday Open at 11am

Smoky Mountain News

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APPÉTIT Y’AL N L BO

9:00pm-12:00am

617 W. Main St. • Sylva • 828.586.3555 Check out upcoming movies at:

www.MadBatterFoodandFilm.com 23

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A&E

Smoky Mountain News

Colonial Theatre enters third act

It’s an enthusiasm second-to-none in the politics of Haywood County and beyond.

“We here in Canton have had good days and rough days, but we should be committed to making our town better, and the Colonial is a symbol for that — something that was great, that fell into disrepair, and now is something that’s back, which we can make better,” he said.

CULTURAL CENTERPIECE

Situated in the heart of downtown Canton, the Colonial is surrounded by innumerable buildings with signs saying “For Rent” or “For Sale” in the windows. It’s the single remaining cultural crown jewel of a downtown that has seen better years. One could hit a golf ball from the theatre’s parking lot and hit the nearby Evergreen Packaging paper mill — the economic heartbeat of Canton. The two entities are vital bookends of a town without seemingly anything to put on the shelf. But that doesn’t mean the community drive is lost to reclaim its glory, with the Colonial being the catalyst for positive change.

“When you start tracing the recovery of small towns, it usualThe Colonial Theatre in Canton is currently trying new forms of entertainment to attract patrons to downtown, ly centers around entertainwhether it be through the Balsam Range Winter Concert Series or a monthly movie night. Max Cooper photo ment,” Smathers said. “And for us, that starts with the Colonial movies, concerts, plays, school productions,” — we want people to believe that small towns he said. “It’s been a goal of mine from early on like us can bounce back.” to use the Colonial for not just more things, but Built in 1932, the theatre has remained a also in new ways.” beacon of culture and pride ever since. Although An alderman for the Canton Town Board it did fall in disrepair in past decades (with a renand community native, Smathers takes a sip of ovation in 1992), a push in the early 2000s

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD coffee and pauses for a moment of reflection at brought the old building back to life, back into a STAFF WRITER When he thinks of the Colonial Theatre, a local café last week. He leans forward over the modern world that still had an appreciation for table, eager to tell any and all willing to listen its architectural beauty and societal importance.

Zeb Smathers sees untapped potential.

“There are so many things it can used for — about how Canton is not a “dead mill town.” It has withstood several economic declines and a

Canton cultural icon looks to future

Winter Concert Series welcomes Snyder Family Band Acclaimed bluegrass act Balsam Range will welcome the Snyder Family Band as part of their Winter Concert Series at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Colonial Theatre in Canton.

Based out of Lexington, the band (formed in 2007) consists of three siblings (Samantha, Zeb, Owen) and their parents (Laine and Bud), who encouraged their children to find development and enrichment through music.

“We want to create and perform quality music that appeals to fans of all ages and interests. We as musicians enjoy all sorts of genres, which results in a style of music that, in my opinion, is unique to our band because it’s our own recipe,” said 16-year-old violinist Samantha. “A lot of our music is original, which furthers this unique sound. We also make sure that all of our music is family-friendly, so that anyone can have a good time listening to us.”

The Colonial Theatre show will be in preparation for the upcoming release of their new album, “Wherever I Wander,”

The Snyder Family Band.

Donated photo

devastating flood in 2004, only to remain a place of curiosity and possibility. “[The Colonial has] an ambiance and intimate charm that creates an indelible experience for visitors in the likes of the famed Fox theatres,” said Canton Town Manager Seth Hendler-Voss.

“The theatre is one of the town’s most significant defining assets and represents the potential for Canton’s entire downtown building stock to glow once again in dignity with the right amount of care and capital investment.”

In 2000, it was listed on the Register of National Historic Places and also nominated for a “Momentum Award” by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2014. The IBMA nomination comes as a result of innumerable shows at the Colonial by Haywood County’s beloved musical sons Balsam Range.

The bluegrass group, who won the 2014 IBMA “Entertainer of the Year” award, has called the

“When you start tracing the recovery of small towns, it usually centers around entertainment.

And for us, that starts with the Colonial.”

— Zeb Smathers, Canton alderman

theatre home for their highly successful Winter Concert Series the last five years. Headlining each sold out show, the band also uses the series to showcase an array of acclaimed regional, national and international string acts.

“Being in the Colonial, a smaller venue of 300 folks, presents a very intimate setting for our concerts, which gives off a very special vibe that radiates throughout the building — there’s not a bad seat in the house,” said Caleb Smith, guitarist for Balsam Range.

“We love using the facility because of its

S EE COLONIAL, PAGE 26

which is being put out by the Mountain Home Music Company.

The family band aims to not only preserve the traditional sound of bluegrass, but also perpetuate it into the next generation of listeners and musicians.

“Bluegrass is real life, it’s simple lyrics you might find in quality country music, some of the improvisation and spontaneity that you’d find in jazz, and the drive and excitement that you might experience in rock music,” said 19-year-old guitarist Zeb. “The other defining element that sets bluegrass apart from other genres is the bluegrass community itself. Nowhere else will you find friendlier people, humbler artists, or a more family-friendly atmosphere. It’s very easy to enter bluegrass as a young artist because most of the people in bluegrass are supportive and encouraging. I know we’ve experienced that first hand, and that’s one of the many things that got us hooked on bluegrass music.”

As of press time, the show was sold out. But, those interested can contact the theatre about future performances. www.balsamrange.com or www.snyderfamilyband.com or 828.235.2760 or www.cantonnc.com.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

Garret K. Woodward’s spiritual liberation in the waters off the coast of Ireland.

f

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Smoky Mountain News

HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5

“I went to see Dr. Hamel and the results have changed my life.

I am able to express myself in front of people with much more confidence and boldness. I recommend this to everyone wholeheartedly.” - MH

February 25-March 3, 2015

I was a weird kid growing up. f And, in many ways, I’m even weirder as an adult. Since day one, being weird is something I —embrace. I’m proud of it, even Dave Desmelik will perform during a though I don’t give it much benefit for his son who has brain cancer at thought, because I think being 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at BearWaters Brewing in weird is normal, and being norWaynesville. mal is, well, boring.

I seek out other weird people, Author David Joy will present his new novel too. Folks who are a little off-cenWhere All Light Tends to Go at 6:30 p.m. tered, a little out there, those March 6 at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. unique devil-may-care members of society that provoke the chaos, Porch 40 (funk/rock) will perform at 9 p.m. all in the name of good fun and Feb. 26 at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva. pure intent. They not only fascinate me, they define me. They A stage production of the Vagina Monologues connect the dots of my life and will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 27-28 in the UC justify why I am who I am, which Grandroom at Western Carolina University. is a sentiment that took many years to fully realize.

Darren Nicholson Band When I was in fourth grade, (bluegrass/Americana) will perform at 7:30 my catholic elementary school p.m. March 5 at The Strand at 38 Main in had enough of me. I asked too Waynesville. many questions. I interrupted too much. I had too much energy. I Sitting on the couch in a medical office, I was too “out of control.” So, they demandgazed around the room then back to the psyed I see a psychiatrist and find out what chiatrist when she asked why I was there was “wrong” with me. It was the mid-1990s that day. I shrugged my shoulders. My and the latest craze was putting rambuncbehavior didn’t seem out of place. Even then, tious children on this new “wonder drug” I felt I was just another 10-year-old acting — Ritalin.

Call today to schedule a free consultation! arts & entertainment

This must be the place

like a 10-year-old does — easily bored, can’t sit still, can’t focus, wanting to be outside and not in the classroom. At the end of our session she escorted me out the door and said, “You know, you’re a pretty smart kid, Garret, and I really don’t think there’s anything wrong with you. You have too much energy and can’t focus, that’s all.”

Thus, I was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and put on Ritalin. I hated it. I felt like a zombie. All of my energy was zapped, all of my imagination and curiosity dried up, where now I sat quietly and politely at my school desk, never once feeling the urge to bust out and blurt out whatever was on my mind — “I just gotta get it out,” I used to tell my mother.

And that’s the way it went for me, for years. Truth be told, I don’t know what was worse — being on the pills or being teased for being on the pills. Kids can be the cruelest. I was an easy target walking to the school nurse’s office as my peers would ridicule me about taking “my crazy pills.” I felt alone, an outsider, and I wondered if I’d ever see the day where I was cured and “normal” like the other students.

Somewhere around tenth grade I had enough. I told my mom I didn’t want to be a zombie anymore. I wanted to be me again. I took myself off Ritalin and vowed that I’d figure out how to focus and behave on my own accord. Determined to do so, I got my shit together, eventually getting good grades and putting all that pent up energy into school sports (mainly crosscountry and track).

That success in high school academics and athletics led to a mirrored experience in college. And then, like a lightning bolt blasting through my soul, I found writing. For a kid that was continuously told he “would never be able to focus on anything,” I could sit down for hours and lose myself in filling blank notebook pages with words.

In the years since I took myself off Ritalin, I have fully immersed myself in my passions and personality. I am wild. I am weird. I am a writer. I have no shame and will always attack life with the same zest and inquisitive mind I had at age 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and, now, 30.

I’m vehemently against medicating a child to suppress their wild sides. There’s nothing wrong in being loud or odd. Sure, get to the bottom of the situation, but use one of the way more effective and natural ways of solving the issue — music, art, writing, sports, etc. Give them something to focus on. Give them a hobby. Hand them an instrument, soccer ball or a pen and paper. In my experience, looking back, I was a wild child because I was bored and hadn’t yet discovered something worthy of my time.

But, most importantly, tell them there’s nothing wrong with being weird, because it’s the weirdos who end up entertaining us all someday, either on TV or the radio or the stage or in books that capture our attention.

Besides, life isn’t black and white, it’s an endless color spectrum, with each day a fresh canvas to create upon.

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

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Two locations to serve you ASHEVILLE 252.3005

WAYNESVILLE 251.9721

www.hunterbanks.com

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COLONIAL, CONTINUED FROM 24

Want to know more?

incredible sound, the feel of the room, how nice it is, and its wonderful history,” added Darren Nicholson, mandolinist for Balsam Range. “The Colonial is a wonderful tool for the community. It hosts shows, movies and is a great meeting place, with lots of positive things for the community’s benefit — it’s truly the only venue of its kind in our area.”

The Colonial Theatre in Canton is in need of public input, ideas and volunteers. To get more information, call Denise Holcombe, theatre supervisor, at 828.235.2760. Due to licensing rights, the March film title cannot be advertised in the paper, but you can find the listing and times at www.cantonnc.com or by contacting Holcombe.

OPENING THE DOOR OF POSSIBILITY

February 25-March 3, 2015

With the success of the Winter Concert Series, the town (which owns the Colonial) has been using the platform as a launching pad for new ideas to take shape in the theatre.

Already a once-a-month event in 2015, the facility has screened two blockbuster kids films, each of which had a turnout of several dozen folks.

“In the vein of access, the town kept the ticket price at $3 to make movies an affordable option for families,” said Hendler-Voss.

And it’s that keen awareness of being a suitable option for community residents that Smathers sees as the door being opened to the possibility of tomorrow.

“It’s about economic development, it’s about bringing people into downtown,” he said. “The movie series has been a great wordof-mouth successful thus far for our families, who have said they liked being able to do this instead of having to drive all the way to Asheville to see a film.”

— Darren Nicholson, Balsam Range mandolinist

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Smoky Mountain News

“We love using the facility because of its incredible sound, the feel of the room, how nice it is, and its wonderful history.”

With the ball rolling on new avenues for the Colonial, Smathers looks to the recent success of The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville as an example of what good can happen to a downtown when community support goes hand-in-hand with a changing perception of what nightlife can be within a small town.

“The Strand has done great things for Waynesville. We want the same for downtown Canton, and there’s no reason the Colonial shouldn’t be in use all the time,” he said. “We as a board and town staff can’t do everything, so we want people from the com-

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Balsam Range takes the stage at the Colonial Theatre. Balsam Range photo

munity to get the word out, look to get shows booked, become a volunteer, help out with cleanups and repairs — the theatre is for the community, it’s theirs.”

On the heels of the Winter Concert and movie series, the town encourages any input from residents and businesses on what could be put onstage at the Colonial. All options are on the table, with an open door policy being offered to any looking to book, host or sponsor an event, private or public.

“We have a spirit in this town to be bold and try new things. Yes, there are budgets and things we need to do, but first we need to try,” Smathers said. “As Asheville expands and grows, we’re seeing more people come our way, and we’re laying the groundwork for that. We’re putting together events at the Colonial, working on a food truck policy, urban farming policy and an event policy.

We’re repairing that base of our community so that when people come to us we’re ready to do business.”

your friendly, local blue box — smoky mountain news

On the beat

Hayes brings country hits to Franklin

Country star Wade Hayes will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Beginning with his signature No. 1 hit “Old Enough to Know Better” he’s cut a path through the country music landscape with top tunes “I’m Still Dancin’ With You,” “What I Meant to Say,” “Don’t Stop” and “The Day That She Left Tulsa.” He was named Billboard Magazine’s Top New Country Artist in 1995, and in 1997 was chosen the Male Star of Tomorrow by TNN Music City News.

Franklin High School’s Future Business Leaders of America would like everyone to join in the fight against colon cancer, of which Hayes is a Stage IV survivor.

Tickets cost $15. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

Goforth to bring bluegrass to WCU

• Oconaluftee Visitors Center (Cherokee) will have an old-time music jam from 1 to 3 p.m. March 7. All skill levels welcomed.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub (Franklin) will have Pam McCall Feb. 27, The Old Hippie Band March 6 and Nick Prestia March 7.

All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.rathskellerfranklin.com or 828.369.6796.

ALSO:

• Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will have Mark Lowry & The Martins (gospel) at 7:30 p.m. March 6.

Tickets start at $20. 866.273.4615 or www.greatmountainmusic.com.

Wade Hayes will play March 7 in Franklin.

• The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will have an Productive Paranoia

(Americana/bluegrass) Feb. 26 (tickets cost $5 in advance, $8 at the door) and Darren Nicholson Band (Americana/bluegrass) March 5 (tickets cost $12 in advance, $15 at the door). All events begin at 7:30 p.m. www.38main.com or call 828.283.0079.

• Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will have James Stinnet (singer-songwriter) at 8 p.m. Feb. 27. Free.

• Tuck’s Tap & Grille (Cullowhee) will have DJ A-Minor Feb. 26, Nomadic (jam/funk) Feb. 27 and The Burnin’ Hermans (rock/funk) Feb. 28. All shows begin at 10 p.m.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grille (Waynesville) will have Rye Baby (Americana/folk) at 10 p.m. Feb. 27.

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will present a Faculty Woodwind Recital on Feb. 27 in the Coulter Building. There will also be a Symphony Band concert March 3 and Mountain Winds concert March 4 in the Bardo Arts Center. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. www.wcu.edu.

www.facebook.com/officialwadehayes

region’s best old-time and bluegrass musicians. The events align with “North Carolina: Our State, Our Time” programs given across WCU that Josh Goforth explore historical, social and cultural impacts that have shaped the state.

Free. www.wcu.edu.

A GUARANTEED GRE AT NIGHT OUT

February 25-March 3, 2015

Acclaimed bluegrass musician Josh Goforth will perform as part of the First Thursday concert series at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5, in the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University.

On top of coming from a long line of mountain pickers, Goforth is more recently known for his collaborations with musician/historian David Holt. The concert will last an hour and will be followed by an open jam session during which traditional musicians of all skill levels are invited to participate.

The First Thursday series of concerts and open jams include some of the

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will have Porch 40 (funk/rock) Feb. 26 and PMA (rock/funk) with Darren & The Buttered Toast (funk/soul) Feb. 27. All shows are free and begin at 9 p.m. 828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

CALEB JOHNSON

• BearWaters Brewing (Waynesville) will have Dave Desmelick (singersongwriter) at 7 p.m.

Feb. 27, a comedy show 9 p.m. Feb. 28, Through The Hills (Americana/folk) 7 p.m. March 6 and Joshua Dean Acoustically (singer-songwriter) 8 p.m. March 7. www.bwbrewing.com or 828.246.0602.

ALSO:

• Canton Armory will have the Black Mountain Ramblers, Smoky Mountain Stompers and Southern Mountain Fire as part of their “Pickin’ in the Armory” series at 7 p.m.

March 6. www.cantonnc.com.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have Craig Summers & Lee Kram at 6 p.m. Feb. 26 and March 5, and Ben Wilson 7 p.m. Feb. 28. Free. 828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

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• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night on Feb. 25 and March 4, and a jazz night Feb. 26 and March 5. All events begin at 8 p.m. www.innovationbrewing.com.

• Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will have Dulci Ellenberger (singer-songwriter) Feb. 27, Joe Cruz (piano/pop) Feb. 28 and March 7, and Sheila Gordon (piano/jazz) March 6.. All shows begin at 7 p.m. $10 minimum purchase.

828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

Smoky Mountain News

• Balsam Mountain Inn will have Annie Sellick & The Hot Club of Nashville as part of its Songwriters in the Round series at 6 p.m.

Feb. 28. $47 per person, which includes a buffet dinner. 828.456.9498

twitter.com/smokymtnnews 27

arts & entertainment

On the stage

On the wall

Vagina Monologues hits WCU stage

Catch the Spirit holds mural fundraiser

The stage production of the critically acclaimed show “The Vagina Monologues” will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 27-28 in the UC Grandroom at Western Carolina University.

The WCU Department of Intercultural Affairs is proud to be a part of the global V-Day Movement and sponsor WCU’s annual production of “The Vagina Monologues” to raise awareness about violence against women and girls as well as support the local organizations that work to serve the community.

Tickets are $6 in advance, $8 at the door. ica@wcu.edu or 828.227.2276 or www.wcu.edu.

February 25-March 3, 2015

Stanislavskaya receives musical theater award Katya Stanislavskaya, who wrote and composed the musical “Resident Alien,” recently won the ninth annual New Musical Award from the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company in Weston, Vermont.

Stanislavskaya, an assistant professor and director for the musical theater program at Western Carolina University, has recently wrapped up musical direction of the campus production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

“Resident Alien” is the story of a family of three, part of the third wave of Soviet and post-Soviet immigration to the U.S. in the 1990s.

Instead of a cash award, “Resident Alien” will be rehearsed, performed and recorded as a marketable CD. There will be two public performances, one at Weston and the other an industry-only preview in New York City.

Smoky Mountain News

Simon’s ‘Plaza Suite’ at HART

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Neil Simon’s comedy hit, “Plaza Suite” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27-28 and at 3 p.m. March 1 in the Feichter Studio at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

“Plaza Suite” opened on Broadway in 1968 with George C. Scott and Maureen Stapelton in the leads. The play is made up of three acts, though HART will only be presenting two. There were originally four. All are set in the same suite at the Plaza Hotel in New York. Each act involves a different couple facing a different family dilemma.

Hold over dates are March 6-8.

Tickets cost $10 for adults, $6 for students.

828.456.6322 or www.harttheatre.org.

“Golden Threads” by Doreyl Ammons Cain.

WCU to host Youth Art Month exhibit Western Carolina University will celebrate the artwork of local students with the 2015 Jackson County Youth Art Month exhibit March 1-23 at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center in Cullowhee.

This year’s exhibit will include the artwork of more than 300 Jackson County students from kindergarten through the 12th grade. Youth Art Month strives to emphasize the importance of art education for all children and promotes public support for quality school art programs.

A reception will be held from 1 to 3

“Golden Threads,” a dramatic 24-foot art mural created by Doreyl Ammons Cain for the Shindig on the Green in Asheville, is currently seeking donors to make its installment a reality.

Ammons Cain, of the nonprofit Catch the Spirit of Appalachia in Jackson County, hopes to have the work installed on an outside wall of Pack’s Tavern in downtown Asheville, where it will be within yards of Shindig’s Bascom Lamar Lunsford Stage. A mural plaque placed to the left of the mural will describe Shindig and honor donors to the project. An audio CD with local musicians’ “Stories of Mountain Folk” radio show interviews and an art print of the mural will be placed in a glass case inside Pack’s Tavern for visitors to purchase.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Folk Heritage Committee for on-going Shindig production. The mural will be unveiled in April 2016 with an arts reception for donors. Donors of $100 and more will have their name engraved on a bronze plaque, which will be placed next to the mural. All donors will also receive an invitation to the artist’s reception and mural unveiling.

The project has been approved for the “Power to Give,” an Arts & Sciences Council program in Charlotte. Visit www.power2give.org/go/p/8940 to become a donor.

828.231.6965.

p.m. March 22 in the center. The reception will include an announcement of this year’s winners, who will be judged by WCU art education students as part of their curriculum. Cash prizes will be awarded. The event is free and the public is invited.

828.227.3598 or etapley@wcu.edu.

WCU to offer youth art workshops The Western Carolina University School of Art and Design will host art classes for youth ages 8 and up from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 28 at

Craft business plan competition There will be a professional craft artist business plan competition from 2 to 5 p.m. on Thursdays starting March 5 at the Southwestern Community College campus in Bryson City.

Over a series of eight sessions, participants will experience handson activities that have been specifically designed to address needs and challenges faced by craft artists who already have or wish to start a business. Craft businesses have very specific differences in their business models, and this series teaches the tools to address those in an effective way. Participants will analyze marketing, financial, production and distribution issues, as well as other issues included in business models. At the completion of the series, participants will have the tools needed to move forward, including a written “Creative Business Plan.”

Reservations requested at www.ncsbc.net.

Want to market your art correctly?

There will be a three-week REAL Professional Craft Artists Series that will offer a course in business marketing from 6 to 9 p.m. March 10, 17 and 24 at the Creative Arts Building at Haywood Community College in Clyde.

Participants will learn to be more entrepreneurial in what they

the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center in Cullowhee.

The “Warm and Fuzzy” workshop will be held Feb. 28 and will focus on fiber and soft material. Featured projects will include felting, basic crochet and pastels on velour.

The “Inside Out” workshop on March 28 will focus on nature-provided materials.

Featured projects will include kite making, basketry, natural paint watercolors and earthenware clay.

The workshops are $25 each with a $10 discount when registering for both classes.

The registration fees include lunch in the Courtyard Dining Hall. Space is limited to the first 35 participants for each day. www.artclasses.wcu.edu or 828.227.7397.

make, how they monitor their business and how they market.

Attendees will receive a crash course on their business from concept to completion. Take this opportunity to learn something new, renew your entrepreneurial spark, and/or see how the Small Business Center can help move your business forward.

Speaker will be Tonya Snider.

Free.

To register, visit sbc.haywood.edu.

• “The Theory of Everything” (through March 4) and “Birdman” (March 6-18) will be screened at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. For screening times, visit www.38main.com or call 828.283.0079.

• The Christian film “Life Change Everything” will be screened Thursday, Feb. 26, with “The Drop Box” Tuesday, March 3, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Both films are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

ALSO:

• The WHEE FRESH Western Carolina University MFA art exhibit will be on display March 6-14 at the Grove Arcade in Asheville. The showcase is put on by the Asheville Area Arts Council.

On the street

Maggie Valley Arts and Crafts Festival. Margaret Hester photo

WCU to host tourism conference

ALSO:

children are invited join in and let their creativity shine. 828.488.3030.

Smoky Mountain News

• A LEGO Club meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. The library will provide Legos and Duplos for ages 3 and up. The only thing children need to bring is their imagination. All area

against forced removal. The website and companion guide will provide an integrated, self-guided auto or bike tour and/or a virtual tour that will include stops at the interpretive exhibits.

The Trail of Tears Association is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1993 to support the development and interpretation of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. The North Carolina organization is one of nine state chapters.

“This generous grant will really help us fulfill our group's mission of interpreting and commemorating the history of Cherokee removal here in Western North Carolina,” Denton added. “The removal period is so important to our region’s history, whether you are talking about Cherokee communities or non-Indians.

The BRNHA grant will help us tell some of the remarkable stories from this era to residents and visitors alike.”

The grant was one of 22 announced on Feb. 15, totaling $170,000, to be used to support diverse initiatives across the North Carolina mountains and foothills, focusing on craft, music, natural heritage, Cherokee culture and agricultural traditions.

February 25-March 3, 2015

The impact of successful festivals and events on the economy of the 26 westernmost counties of North Carolina will be the subject of a daylong tourism industry conference from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, in the Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center at Western Carolina University.

Titled “LEAD: Tourism,” the second annual conference is expected to attract elected and appointed government officials, representatives of tourism and economic development organizations and chambers of commerce, and owners and operators of private sector businesses in the hospitality and tourism industry. The focus on planning festivals and events designed to lure visitors to Western North Carolina arose during last year’s inaugural tourism conference, said Steve Morse, director of WCU’s Hospitality and Tourism Program.

“Attendees last year said they wanted to learn more about planning festivals and events to highlight local culture, music, food, crafts and history,” Morse said. “In Western North Carolina, seasonal festivals and events are sometimes the highlight of many tourist trips, offering the opportunity to share local flavor and culture while also generating local jobs and taxes. These festivals and events can

have a tremendous impact on the local economy, if they are successful and run properly.”

In addition to examining the impact of festivals and events, the conference will include seminars and workshops on the essential elements of planning; secrets to getting financial sponsorships and volunteers; success with food and craft vendors; strategies for generating more revenue; and the top ways to ensure success of a festival or event.

Representatives from three regional tourismmarketing groups — Smoky Mountain Host, Blue Ridge Host and High Country Host — will provide updates on the state of the travel and hospitality industry.

The conference also will repeat a popular attraction from last year’s event, when the nearly 150 tourism and economic development professionals from across WNC and the Southeast in attendance received customized “tourism economic fact sheets” with detailed analysis on the impact of tourism on the economies of counties across WNC. The fact sheets are compiled by a senior-level tourism business analysis class in hospitality and tourism taught by Morse.

Cost of attendance at the conference is $99 for those who register before April 3, and $149 thereafter. Registration fee includes lunch. For information or to register, visit the website www.tourism.wcu.edu or contact the Division of Educational Outreach at 828.227.7397 (toll-free at 800.928.4968).

The conference is presented by the Western Carolina University College of Business and sponsored by Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, Duke Energy, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and Nantahala Outdoor Center.

Western Carolina University history department faculty members Sue Abram and Andrew Denson are overseeing a public history project that recently received a $5,000 development grant from the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership.

The award was presented to the North Carolina chapter of the Trail of Tears Association, of which both are members, to be used to develop a website and brochure showcasing Cherokee Trail of Tears interpretive sites in six far western counties.

“The North Carolina Trail of Tears Association is thankful and excited to be included in the BRNHA's grant awards,” Abram said. “We look forward to increasing public awareness and knowledge of the significant sites associated with the Cherokee removal and resistance period in Western North Carolina.”

Currently, there are 16 significant sites marked with wayside exhibits in the western counties interpreting the history of Cherokee removal from their homeland in the 1830s. These include military posts, roads used for movements of troops and Cherokee deportees, and sites of Cherokee organization and resistance

arts & entertainment

WCU history faculty members oversee project for Trail of Tears Association

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• A flea market will be held from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 7 at the Haywood County Fairgrounds in Lake Junaluska. www.haywoodcountyfairgrounds.org or 828.400.0602.

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Books

Smoky Mountain News

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Words, language and grammar do matter “In a time of universal deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”

— George Orwell e live in an age — the relativity of truth — in which Orwell’s adage seems as dated as monocles or top hats. Just as Darwin’s theory of evolution led to Social Darwinism, a philosophy pitting one human being against another with survival of the fittest as the supreme law for success, so Einstein’s theory of relativity changed popular philosophy and cultural mores as radically as it did the study of physics. Published in 1905, followed a Writer decade later by the terrible destruction of World War I, the idea of relativity moved from physics to a Western culture cut lose from authority and institutions.

If everything is relative, then there can be no truth. If everything is relative, then we must all be little Pilates, muttering “What is truth?” as a rhetorical question.

Adding to this intellectual goulash is the meaning of language — or rather, our increasing abuse of language and meaning, an abuse that, incidentally, Orwell fought (See his Politics and the English Language online).

We employ euphemisms, jargon, and cant to describe everything from immigration to government intrusion, from our various wars to terrorist violence here at home. Example: in 2009, Major Nidal Hasan gunned down dozens of military personnel at Fort Hood, Texas. Recently the victims, dead and wounded, received Purple Hearts, though the incident, during which Maj. Hasan repeatedly shouted “Allah Akbar,” is still listed as “workplace violence.”

Politicians, some corporate heads, and many individual citizens — perhaps most of

Jeff Minick

W

Remember when Bill Clinton questioned what the meaning of “is” is? Remember George Bush and some of his convoluted explanations? We laugh at these jokers, but we also twist and turn language to cover ourselves as well. From the 4-yearold who says “The lamp fell over” to the governor who says “Taxes were raised last year” (ah, that passive voice so beloved by our politicians), from the student who can’t turn in the essay because the printer isn’t working to the man cheating on his taxes (“Everyone does it”): we all try to slip and slide our way using language and rhetorical mirrors.

Fortunately for all of us who want some semblance of truth and clarity in our language, there are a few warriors mounting the ramparts. Constance Hale (Sin and Syntax and Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch), Charles Murray (The Curmudgeon’s Guide to Getting Ahead), other writers, editors, and publishers of various books on grammar and style as well as the teachers who bring them alive into the Silence, Language, & Society: A Guide to Style and classroom: these are the stalMeaning by Robert Hartwell Fiske. Vocabula Books, 2008. warts who keep fighting against the corruption of language us — contort our language to obfuscate issues written and spoken. and to cover mistakes and wrongdoing.

Chief among these hardy souls is Robert Perhaps you are a progressive in politics?

Hartwell Fiske. Fiske, who lives in Rockport, Have you ever debated a conservative and felt Massachusetts, has for years edited and pubas if the two of you were speaking a different lished Vocabula Review, an online journal language? In some ways, you were, because about the English language. Here and in his neither of you insisted on a definition of terms books, Fiske has attracted both applause for before beginning the debate. his insistence on the importance of language Some of our celebrity smoke-blowers proproperly used and catcalls from those who vide moments of high entertainment. judge him as too restrictive in his demands.

I am one of those in the applause section.

(For the record, several of my articles have appeared at www.vocabula.com). I have never read one of Fiske’s books straight up; they aren’t designed to be digested as a full meal.

Yet three of his books — Silence, Language, & Society: A Guide to Style and Meaning, Grace and Compassion; Elegant English, the Second Edition; and To the Point: a Dictionary of Concise Writing — sit here just to the right of me on the desk where I write, serving as reference books, yes, but also as a conscience, a reminder to write as well, as clearly, and as concisely as I can.

Silence, Language, & Society remind us first of the importance of silence in writing and speaking. Fiske also reminds us that “where meanings are mangled, minds are also,” and uses a good part of his book to demonstrate this axiom.

Elegant English addresses the use of rhetoric in our language. Here in this edition Fiske defines classic rhetorical devices — everything from aposiopesis to zeugma — followed by dozens of examples of these devices from literature. Several of these examples I have used in the Advanced Placement English Language and Composition course I teach.

(Two complaints here: the book’s small size make it difficult to hold open, and the organization might have benefited dividing Chapter Two, which is almost 300 pages long).

Published by W.W. Norton, To The Point advocates using the correct word in the context of a sentence, getting rid of jargon and wordy phrases, and building a pithy vocabulary. This is the volume that jolts the conscience: every time I open it, I find that I am guilty of many offenses cited by Fiske. Having written movie and play reviews, I am certain, for example, I have written “So-ands-so played the character of a picaro” (wordy) instead of “So-and-so played a picaro.”

In these three books, Robert Hartwell Fiske reminds us that how we speak and write has consequences. “A society,” he writes, “is generally as lax as its language.”

Joy presents new Appalachian tale Webster author David Joy will present his new novel Where All Light Tends to Go at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 6, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

The book is set in Jackson County and tells the story of Jacob McNeely, a young man who is in a fight against his fate.

“A savage and moving account of a young man’s attempt to transcend his family’s legacy of violence. Where All Light Tends to Go’is an outstanding debut and a fine addition to the country-noir vein of southern literature,” said acclaimed Southern Appalachian author Ron Rash.

To help celebrate, Innovation Brewing has brewed a special “Where All Light Tends to Go” Stout. There will be free samples available during the reading at the bookstore and following there will be an afterparty at Innovation to continue the celebration. Joy’s stories and creative nonfiction have appeared in Drafthorse Literary Journal, Smoky Mountain Living, Wilderness House Literary Review, Pisgah Review, and Flycatcher, and he is also the author of the memoir Growing Gills: A Fly Fisherman’s Journey.

Sylva library celebrates Dr. Seuss There will be a celebration of Dr. Seuss at 4:30 p.m. March 3 at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

There will be games, crafts, snacks, and more fun for all ages. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library. www.fontanalib.org or 828.586.2016.

‘Picking Cotton’ authors to give lecture

February 25-March 3, 2015

The co-authors of the New York Times bestseller Picking Cotton will give a public lecture at 7 p.m. Monday, March 2, in the Grandroom at the A.K. Hinds University Center at Western Carolina University.

The book is the joint memoir of Jennifer Thompson, a native of North Carolina who was brutally raped as a college student in 1994, and of Ronald Cotton, a man who was exonerated of the rape through DNA evidence 11 years after his conviction. In their presentation, the authors will explore themes of race, gender, rape and its aftermath, justice, forensic science and forgiveness.

Thompson and Cotton are now advocates for judicial reform, the need to combat sexual violence, abolition of the death penalty, the fallibility of eyewitness testimony and the healing power of forgiveness.

Together, they have successfully lobbied state legislators to change compensation laws for the wrongly convicted, to abolish the death penalty and to revise police eyewitness line-up procedures.

The presentation is associated with WCU’s interdisciplinary learning theme for the academic year, “North Carolina: Our State, Our Time.” Programs and initiatives across campus are exploring the state’s history, culture and impact.

A question-and-answer session with the audience will be from 8 to 8:30 p.m. The authors will sign copies of their book from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Free. jvaske@wcu.edu or 828.227.3615.

Canton library holds tech fair

Smoky Mountain News

There will be a technology fair from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, at the Canton Public Library.

The library now offers access to iPads, a Wii gaming cart and other new technology that is being used to teach important literacy and digital skills to children. There are currently five iPads that are preloaded with educational and learning apps that have been mounted throughout the children’s room. Children enjoy sitting down at the iPads and playing educational games and testing out the new technology. A Wii gaming cart is also now available in the children’s room.

Patrons can play retro video games courtesy of The Retro Gamer, create digital art, discover new apps on the iPads, and more. Plus, have fun with a QR code scavenger hunt; winners will receive prizes.

The new technology was supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the federal Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the State Library of NC, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.

828.648.2924.

Discover the state you’re in.

1-800- V I S I T N C

W W W. V I S I T N C . C O M .

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Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

Changing attitudes Carlson reshaped ideas about conservation History will no doubt remember Paul Carlson as one of the great visionaries of our time in Western North Carolina. As the founder and long time director of the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee retires from his leadership role, we pause to reflect on the contributions he’s made.

BY BECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER Few men can claim a legacy in the Southern Appalachians as deep or long-lasting as Paul Carlson’s.

When Carlson set the wheels in motion to create the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee in the late 1990s, there wasn’t a single conservation easement along the banks of the Little Tennessee River in Macon County. Today, 34 miles of river frontage are permanently protected, and thousands of acres of farms and forests have been conserved, thanks to his vision.

Carlson was at the forefront of a revolution in conservation circles. He introduced the region to a new paradigm, one where humans could co-exist alongside conservation, where the landscape supported cultural heritage and vice versa.

“A lot of land trusts don’t mess with the cultural side. But from day one, our mission was to conserve the waters, forests, farms and heritage of the Little Tennessee watershed,” Carlson said. “What’s fun is that conservation story has fallen into place.”

He molded public perception like he did the landscape — incrementally yet steadily, subtly not brazenly.

Eventually, a movement was born. It was so measured, many didn’t realize a movement was afoot, one that would forever alter how people viewed the landscape, both emotionally and economically.

From the outside, it may all seem like a big coincidence.

LTLT was saving a piece of land here, a piece of land there — picking up the scattered chips of an increasingly fragmented landscape, merely answering the door when opportunity knocked.

But eventually, the tracts were no longer lone life rafts, but a cohesive flotilla.

“It is very satisfying to see a vision coming together with some consistency,” Carlson said. “This is one place you can make a stand. There was a defined constituency for the river.

It is place-based conservation.”

Carlson is quick to deflect any accolades, and instead credits the deep bench of supporters who lent their voice to the cause over the years, and ultimately the landowners who have signed on to the movement.

But it was Carlson’s vision that set it all in motion.

“He can think beyond. He looks at things and thinks ‘this is what can be done,’” said Sharon Taylor, who’s worked with Carlson at LTLT since its creation. “I am in awe of the vision he had for Western North Carolina and how he was able to implement that vision.”

While Carlson was an outsider when he came to Macon County, he brought with him a missing ingredient, something that didn’t come naturally to people in Southern Appalachia.

“We accepted that things were the way they were and couldn’t be changed,” Taylor said. “Paul wasn’t a fatalist. Paul Carlson had a vision.”

HAND IN HAND Before he came to Macon County, Carlson spent nearly 15 years in Central and South America — namely Colombia, Ecuador and Peru — convincing indigenous people to reclaim their landscape.

He held various titles, including agricultural economist, forest advisor and agroforestry consultant.

He showed native people that restoration of their damaged landscape was not merely an investment in the earth but their own livelihoods, and how to use their landscape and forests sustainably so they would last.

The same principles were transported with him to the Southern Appalachians.

Historical human use of the land — chiefly fishing, hunting, logging and farming — were vital to LTLT’s conservation vision.

“It is important to see people as part of the landscape,” Taylor said. “I think we have demonstrated that conservation can go hand in hand with a good strong economy. Conservation doesn’t mean that people are shut out or that you can’t have the sustainable timber harvest or the farming.”

Seven working farms have put their land into a conservation easement with LTLT. It’s “way too few” for Carlson.

For him, saving a farm is the gold standard. It’s protecting the cultural heritage of the landscape at the same time as water quality and habitat.

The same goes for working forests, where carefully crafted sustainable forestry keeps the land in production while protecting it.

A TALL ORDER The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee will outlive Carlson and all of its founders. Generations from now, it will still be on the ground, safeguarding the legacy set in motion in the 1990s.

LTLT has played a role in the permanent protection of 24,000 acres since its creation, a list that grows every year. Its chief tool is the conservation easement, a

clunky-sounding piece of legalese.

A conservation easement is a voluntary step by property owners who want to ensure their land is protected after

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CARRYING ON THE VISION While Carlson has been the public leader of LTLT, the architect behind many of the land buys and conservation easements is long-time staffer Sharon Taylor.

“I love putting together land deals. I love the complexity of them, and I love working with the people,” Taylor said.

Taylor and Carlson have held symbiotic roles at LTLT over the years.

“She was able to focus on land while I was shepherding a growing organization,”

S EE CARLSON, PAGE 34

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER s Paul Carlson tooled out of downtown Franklin, houses faded into rolling hayfields, and the Little Tennessee River soon took up its flank position along the edge of N.C. 28.

Carlson has driven the Little Tennessee Valley en route to his home in the rural Cowee community almost every day for 20 years.

But today, he was on a mission to lay bare the special ecology and human history of the Little Tennessee landscape, capped off with importance of protecting it, all in just two hours — a tall order given the 1,000 years of human history and couple hundred million in geological history he planned to plow through.

“It’s a poetic kind of statement, but you have this ancient landscape that didn’t get buried under a lake or buried under pavement,” Carlson said. “It is a righteous landscape. Within it, LTLT has made a difference.”

When Carlson founded the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee in 1997, a storm was brewing on the horizon, one that would unleash a torrential land rush over the coming decade. There wasn’t any time to waste.

“At the time there wasn’t a foot of river frontage in a conservation easement,” Carlson said.

Today, 36 miles of the river bank are protected, and a patchwork of conserved farms and forests are scattered across Macon County and beyond.

“See that spot there? That was going to be an RV park,” Carlson said, pointing to low-lying river bottom land.

It’s hard to see what isn’t there, but in a sense that’s LTLT’s legacy: what isn’t there, but what might have been.

Cresting over a small rise, Carlson slowed and leaned forward, craning a bit to get a better view out the top of the windshield.

A forester by trade, Carlson sees more than green mountainsides. Carlson sees both the forest and the trees simultaneously.

He pointed to the top of Cowee Mountain to the right, and Nantahala Mountain to the left — like bookends to the Little Tennessee River valley.

“This is the most intact forested elevational gradient in the southern Blue Ridge,” Carlson said. From one peak down into the river valley and back up to the opposite peak, dozens of micro-ecosystems inhabit their own stairstep of the mountainsides, uniquely evolved for that exact spot on the planet. It’s rare to have a topto-bottom continuum that’s survived through the epochs.

“I won’t bore you with the numbers,” Carlson said, but convinced otherwise, he

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rattled them off. From the river valley at 1,700 feet, Cowee rises up to 5,000 feet on one side, and Nantahala rises to 4,700 feet on the other.

“You essentially don’t leave forested cover except to cross the river,” Carlson said.

The river itself is a last vestige of an intact aquatic ecosystem. It’s got more species diversity than any other river in the world that’s in a temperate climate.

“It is a remnant that hasn’t been dammed up or polluted out,” Carlson said.

“One of the early one-liners we had is acre-for-acre — how did it go? — something like, ‘Macon County has the richest combined natural and cultural heritage of anywhere in our country,’” said Carlson.

“The job of a fundraiser is to come up with one-liners, but it is defensible.”

To Carlson, a trip down the Little Tennessee transcends time. It’s a journey through history and cultures.

“It is one of the greatest intact cultural landscapes in Western North Carolina,” Carlson said.

It’s not all idyllic though. It’s here where Cherokee were massacred and their villages burned. Where a rare AfricanAmerican enclave in the mountains struggled to overcome the oppression and segregation of the early 1900s.

But Carlson also has long view of human occupation of the Little Tennessee River Valley. All of it’s prefaced with littleknown honor as a critical outpost of the Western frontier.

Getting through the mountains was a formidable challenge, not only for settlers but for native people.

Long before white people arrived on American soil, tribes traded and traveled across vast networks reaching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi and down to the Gulf.

Rivers were the best mode of long-distance travel, and with a little weaving and jogging, rivers pass through the Southern Appalachians. The only real dilemma was getting up and over the eastern continental divide.

Carlson rifled through a stack of maps on the console beside him, and then on the dash, and made a furtive stab at the back seat. There were a lot of maps here, but not the one he was thinking of.

“Oh well, I’ll just draw it,” Carlson said.

He flipped over a piece of white scrap paper to the blank side and began scribbling out a map of the mountain ranges that mark the eastern continental divide, starting with Mount Rogers in Virginia, and coming south.

Next he penciled in a series of passes over the eastern continental divide, and the major river valleys

Smoky Mountain News

During the development boom of the 2000s, the historic landscape was disappearing so quickly LTLT couldn’t keep up. For every acre they stitched back together, five more came undone.

Sold signs multiplied overnight as one large tract after another was snatched up by out-of-town developers with grand plans for gated subdivisions. It was both dizzying and depressing to conservationists.

“There was a tension to it, a certain frenzy to it. We tried to keep disciplined,” Carlson said.

The real estate boom was a double-edged sword.

On one hand, LTLT couldn’t compete with what the top dollar developers were paying. Even the most conservation-minded landowners found it tough to stick to their principles with that kind of cash on the table.

But the recession also increased the will for conservation. Seeing the landscape fall like dominoes into the hands of developers, it stirred the public to grasp LTLT’s vision.

Then the bust came, and LTLT was suddenly swimming in prospective conservation deals. Projects were called off and the washed-up developers walked. The land could now be snatched up dirt cheap, but by now there was another catch.

Since the recession, the go-to state and federal trust funds that reliably funded land conservation in the past had been whittled away and in some cases completely axed.

“It is just disappearing,” Carlson said.

LTLT historically counted on grants to

Behind the wheel with Paul Carlson: a two-hour tour of the Little Tennessee

February 25-March 3, 2015

THE BOOM AND BUST

fund the hard costs of restoration and conservation projects and put private fundraising toward salaries and operations.

Now, private fundraising has to go further.

Carlson recognized LTLT could stretch its dollars by taking out loans to buy land — taking on the far smaller expense of mortgage payments instead of coming up with the entire lump sum for the cost of the land.

“The game has shifted very much. We have learned how to buy with our own dollars, and try to buy smart,” Carlson said. “It is part of being entrepreneurial.”

While LTLT owns a few signature tracts outright, its aim wasn’t to amass conserved land under its own name permanently.

The plan was to flip it — to buy tracts when opportunity knocked, set it up under a conservation easement, and then turn it back out on the market.

“Part of the game is if something is available, we go ahead and buy it and then sell with restrictions,” Carlson said. “Sometimes we have lost a little money, sometimes we have made a little money.”

Done right, LTLT can recoup most of its outlay for the land and plow it back in to the next land buy — like its own internal revolving loan fund.

“I look at it as venture capital. We want to invest in things that promote our mission,” Carlson said.

But there’s yet another a catch: LTLT can’t get overextended. At one time, LTLT owned 1,300 acres with a total of $750,000 in outstanding loans.

That’s mostly been divested now. LTLT has only one small tract at the moment that it’s actively marketing.

It’s no doubt LTLT takes land off the table for developers. But rather than raise the ire of development interests, LTLT has been surprisingly well received.

“I think LTLT’s presence has not negatively impacted the real estate market in Macon County,” Carlson said.

If anything, protecting the views and landscape has been good for the real estate economy.

“Our work has led to a huge appreciation in the value of river frontage,” Carlson said.

Most of the tracts LTLT takes out of commission are low-lying river bottomland anyway.

“They are often sites that are ill-advisable for development anyway,” Carlson said.

“Preserving the landscape is not stopping development. It is guiding where the development occurs.”

outdoors

they’re gone. They can still leave it to heirs or even sell it, but the conservation easement follows the property forever, no matter whose hands it passes to.

It’s a profound idea — that the conservation wishes of a landowner today will reach across the eons, forever defending the plot of ground they once held sacred during their lifetime.

Meanwhile, they can keep farming, timbering, hunting and fishing on it, and even set aside a homesite or two for the future. But it can never be divided up and developed wholesale.

But LTLT’s job isn’t done once a conservation easement is in place.

“The problem with easements is you have to take care of them and defend them … forever,” Carlson said.

With around 60 conservation easements and counting, LTLT has setup a legal defense fund, realizing that decades, even centuries from now, someone may try to develop land that’s supposed to be protected. It will be up to LTLT to go to court and uphold the conservation easement.

While LTLT has defined conservation priorities, it has to stay flexible.

“We enter the year really not knowing what the land deals will be. Mostly these things pop up. It is the calls that come unexpectedly out of nowhere,” Carlson said. “We are opportunists.”

It is easy to get side-tracked, though.

“You have to be careful of which ones not to follow,” Carlson said.

S EE TOUR, PAGE 34 33

A forester at heart, Carlson found himself increasingly stuck in the office as LTLT grew.

In fact, the more it grew, the more Carlson was saddled with general operations, and the less he was involved in the field work he loved.

“I don’t think he ever got as much pleasure working with big budgets and stroking large donors as he did going out into the woods and doing what he studied for,” McLarney said. “But when you set a goal, you aren’t going to get to that goal by just doing the things you like.”

Still, devoting himself to a mission that transcended his own duration on the planet was a sacrifice.

“I don’t think that word is at all illplaced,” McLarney said, in reference to Carlson’s sacrifices.

Technically Carlson, who’s 61, isn’t retiring. He’s only stepping down as executive director but will stay on with LTLT, focusing on the land stewardship side, specifically restoration and sustainable forestry.

Smoky Mountain News

February 25-March 3, 2015

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CARLSON, CONTINUED FROM 33

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Carlson said.

Carlson recognized that Taylor has something he would never have. She’s a mountain girl from Macon County, and that speaks volumes.

“This legacy work is based on trust, relationship building and integrity,” Carlson said.

“People trust Sharon.”

As LTLT grew, Taylor’s role did too. She increasingly carried out day-to-day operations in the office, freeing Carlson to stay focused on the long-range vision.

“I am more of a get-the-work-done type of person. Paul is more of a big picture thinker,” Taylor said. “His strength really was thinking forward — being able to identify the next opportunity in conservation, and being able to figure out who the partners would be to bring an idea to fruition.”

It was a natural progression for Taylor to step into the role of executive director, a role she officially assumed in January.

Taylor is confident she can propel the vision that’s been set in motion. Her biggest challenge, however, will be expanding LTLT’s presence in the other five counties it serves: Jackson, Swain, Clay, Cherokee and Graham.

“My biggest challenge is truly to make us a regional organization. We are very Maconcentric, but we cover a much broader area,” Taylor said. “I want us to be much more involved in the communities around us. I feel like we don’t have the boots on the ground in some of the other areas that I would like to see. How do we serve the people in the other communities as well as we do the people in Macon County?”

While Carlson has been the driving force of LTLT, he was smart enough — and humble enough — to create an organization that would outlast him.

“He built a viable organization that would carry on without him,” said Bill McLarney, who works with LTLT’s watershed. “It is to his credit for assembling all those people and figuring out what their strengths were.”

While Carlson’s legacy will live on, his own life took a back seat as he poured his time and energy into building LTLT. “There was a lot of cost to my family,” Carlson admitted.

TOUR, CONTINUED FROM 33

Instead of doing his own yard work on weekends, he would volunteer for LTLT, leading volunteer workdays, and sometimes just working solo to clean up and restore tracts they’d acquired.

Planting saplings and shrubs to restore a denuded river bank or rooting up invasive thorn bushes — even the workday where volunteers hauled off 130 scrap tires — were therapeutic to Carlson.

“I found that recreational,” Carlson said.

Even his leisure hiking time was spent scoping prospective properties for conservation or stewardship projects.

British, colonial militia — 4,000 in all from four legions — converged on the Cherokee towns that lined the Little Tennessee, leaving nothing but pillaged ruins behind.

But after 200 years of white ownership, Cowee Mound in Franklin now belongs to the Cherokee people again, thanks in part to the work of the land negotiations and maneuvering by LTLT. LTLT amassed four separate tracts protecting the mound.

One critical piece of the puzzle was a 108 acre tract overlooking the mound, known as the Hall Mountain tract.

Developers from California bought it during the real estate boom and began carving it up into lots, but were halted by

on each side. The lowest, most gentle way over the divide was at the southern end of Macon County, he said.

“You can cross the eastern continental divide without even realizing it,” Carlson said.

Once across, the Little Tennessee River Valley was a clear shot to the Tennessee River and onward to the Mississippi.

When Europeans arrived in America, the Little Tennessee River Valley was the gateway to the country’s interior, the westernmost trading post.

“This was a very cosmopolitan place back then — the geopolitical center of the South,” Carlson said.

The chief export from America’s Southern interior was deerskins.

“It is a righteous landscape. Within it, LTLT has Canoes of deerskins traveled the made a difference.”

Little Tennessee en route to the docks of Charleston and then — Paul Carlson, retired director of the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee onward to England, where they were in high demand for everything the recession. from book bindings to gloves for foundry workers in the “They lost it back to the bank, and then LTLT was able burgeoning industrial revolution. to step in and acquire it very affordably,” Carlson said.

But the strategic station of the Little Tennessee also Ultimately, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians made it a prime target in the coming wars. bought the tract from the LTLT, but the opportunity would The Cherokee were caught in the middle as wars played have been lost had it not been for LTLT’s role as a stopgap. out for control of their trading stronghold — a coincidence Carlson eventually left the gentle farm and along the of geography that ultimately led to their demise. river behind, redirecting the tour to the modern story of the “It was where the British Empire and French interests Needmore tract. end up colliding with native peoples,” Carlson said. “And it Saving the Needmore remains the crowne jewel of was the first campaign of the American Revolution in the LTLT’s work — at least in terms of tangible impact.

South.”

LTLT was a critical player in the campaign to rescue the That campaign is the darkest hour of the Little 5,000-acre tract, on both the political lobbying and Tennessee Valley. Fearing the Cherokee would side with the

FULL CIRCLE Carlson grew up in a small town in Illinois as the son of a Lutheran minister.

He got his bachelor’s degree in economics, an unusual field perhaps for a jeans-and-flannel-shirt guy. But to Carlson, economics explained human behavior and the forces that motivated it. Economics is the study of incentives, and while money is a strong one, it’s not the only one.

“I think most people’s relationship to land isn’t driven by money as much as other values,” Carlson said.

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fundraising sides. But the heaviest lifting was bringing public support for the tract’s conservation into a cohesive voice.

When Needmore came along in 1999, it catapulted LTLT from a scrappy upstart nonprofit to a major force and a household name regionally.

“We suddenly had a real big project. We started to get some national focus and attention,” Carlson said.

The Needmore was also a litmus test for the new paradigm in conservation Carlson and others were pushing at the time: one that included the human heritage of the land as well as the environmental.

This meant not only preserving the Needmore as hunting and fishing grounds, but farming as well.

“Part of the political strength and political story was to keep the farm land available for leasing. That helps a lot of support be realized,” Carlson said.

It’s hard for Carlson to discuss his life’s work without getting wistful.

“This was a great place to raise a kid,” Carlson said.

“When (my daughter) was 5, 6, 7 years old, we’d come down here with a little picnic and wade out on the rocks and take a look around under the water with a snorkel mask.”

Perhaps it’s part of Carlson’s motivation for LTLT, a vehicle to protect the river valley for future generations.

Western North Carolina certainly isn’t shy on protected land, but here in the far-flung corner of the mountains, only the high-elevation uplands, the rugged ridges and steep mountainsides are graced with national forest.

“The mountains are righteous, but the valley was important,” Carlson said. “That was the fundamental decision early on, to decide we were going to focus on the valley.”

for this vision,” McLarney said. “What was harder was to sell this vision to the general public. And that was, quite frankly, just a relentless task of education.”

Carlson insisted he isn’t a hero. He chalks up the legacy he’s leaving to luck of being in the right place at the right time. But in Carlson’s case, he created the right time. He created the conditions that would allow LTLT to thrive.

“Paul saw there was a hole in the matrix of organizations in the landscape he wanted to be in,” McLarney said.

Carlson, known for his deadpan delivery of subtle sarcasm, said he didn’t set out to do great things.

“Basically, I was trying to figure out how to make a living around here,” Carlson said.

BUILDING A BASE

Runners across Western North Carolina still have time to sign up for Western Carolina University’s fifth annual Valley of the Lilies Half Marathon and 5K coming up Saturday, March 28, before registration rates increase Feb. 28.

Races are available to suit runners of all experience levels, with a half marathon starting at 8 a.m. to wind through campus and along the Tuckasegee River. A 5K race and walk will begin on campus at 8:15 a.m.

Online registration is available at imathlete.com through March 24, but fees will increase to $60 (from $40) for the half marathon and $25 (from $20) for the 5K after Feb. 28. www.halfmarathon.wcu.edu or valleyofthelilies@wcu.edu.

Paddle races to bring in spring at NOC

an interest in Cold Mountain Game Land to attend the meeting to provide input on how the property is managed,” said Gordon Warburton, mountain ecoregion supervisor with the Wildlife Commission.

“We hope to hear from hunters and anglers, but also from wildlife watchers, photographers, birders and others who use or have an interest in using these lands.”

A draft plan is expected to be released for public review within six months and a final plan adopted within one year.

In case of poor weather, the meeting will be rescheduled for Thursday, March 12. Comments can be submitted online at www.ncwildlife.org through the “Comment on Game Lands” icon on the scroll bar at the bottom of the page or emailed to gamelandplan@ncwildlife.org with “Cold Mountain Game Land” in the subject line.

Hike explores Smokemont

Weigh in on Cold Mountain Game Land management plans

Smoky Mountain News

The season’s first hike in Friends of the Smokies’ “Classic Hikes of the Smokies” A family-friendly slalom and downrivseries will explore Smokemont Loop Trail er race on the Nantahala River will bring in first-time racers and competitive paddlers alike to run the water near Nantahala Outdoor Center Feb. 28 and March 1.

The Glacier Breaker weekend will begin Feb. 28 with a Class II downriver sprint at Donnie Dutton Park at 11:30 a.m., followed by the Class II slalom at Nantahala Bridge Gates at Lufty Baptist Church. noon. The next day, the Donated photo downriver classic will run at 11:30 a.m. at Ledges Rapid. Awards will follow in a 6.2-mile hike led by hiking guide and each set of races. author Danny Bernstein.

On-site signup will be available both The trail takes hikers by the historic days from 9 to 10 a.m. $30. Open to all Lufty Baptist Church and the secluded ages. Presented by the Nantahala Racing Bradley Cemetery, named after a family that Club. settled in the region in the early 19th centu828.785.5082 or ry. It features a 1,400-foot elevation gain www.noc.com/events/nrc-glacier-breaker. and is classified as moderately difficult.

In addition to the scenery, hikers will learn about Friends of the Smokies’ efforts to fund projects to protect and treat ash trees. Emerald ash borer, an invasive pest that’s spreading through the country, devastates forests by feeding on the inner bark of ash trees, which destroys the trees’ abiliThe N.C. Wildlife Resources ty to carry water and nutrients. The insects Commission is working on a plan to guide can be accidently transported in untreated management at the Cold Mountain Game firewood.

Land in Haywood County for the next 10 $10 for Friends of the Smokies memyears. bers; $35 for nonmembers with a compliA public meeting from 6:30-8:30 p.m. mentary one-year membership included.

Monday, March 9, at the Haywood Members who bring a friend hike free. All Community College auditorium in Clyde proceeds benefit the Smokies Trails Forever will gather public input for developing the Program, which provides skilled reconfirst formal management plan for the struction for priority trails in the park.

3,000-acre tract near Lake Logan.

RSVP to Anna Zanetti at “We are encouraging everyone who has annalee@friendsofthesmokies.org.

February 25-March 3, 2015

LTLT’s mission is more than conservation. Education and stewardship are paramount to the puzzle.

When LTLT started, its goal was to do something visible and tangible along the river, something that was easy to get behind and clear to see: stream bank restoration.

“The conservation work up and down this river was prefaced by restoration work,” Carlson said.

Stewardship is “embedded in the DNA” of LTLT, Carlson said.

Education is the other piece, something McLarney has added to substantially after bringing his own Little Tennessee Watershed Association into the fold of LTLT. The biomonitoring of McLarney over 25 years was followed vicariously by the public.

Hearing that their river had more species than any other river in America was bragging points — bragging points they didn’t particularly want to foul up.

School children are routinely at McLarney’s side to collect, count and study the aquatic critters that are the source of the Little Tennessee’s fame.

“The cumulative impact of that over a generation leads to a large constituency for the river,” Carlson said.

It’s easy to quantify LTLT’s contribution over the past decade and a half.

“Just draw a map and look at all the land that has been protected,” McLarney said.

In the scheme of the planet, they’re just postage stamps. But in coming centuries, humans are bound to edge out more and more of the natural landscape, and those postage stamps will matter an awful lot.

“I don’t think there is a big hope to have a viable large-scale ecosystem in the future,” McLarney said. “Worldwide, the more places that are fortunate enough to have something like the LTLT in place, the more places will be able to serve as a mosaic that binds everything together, from the Grand Canyon to some 2-acre wetland.”

But the intangible impact is perhaps even more profound: a cultural shift.

“Eventually, the things that the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee has accomplished will be taken for granted,” McLarney said. “I hope people will now and again look back and say, ‘Wow, we really owe something to these people.’”

Races to take in WCU campus

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Carlson went on to get a master’s in forestry, but his economics background would later help him articulate a new model of conservation, one that accommodated human interaction with the land.

His path to Macon County was circuitous, and owed as much to happenstance as anything else. When Carlson was living in Ecuador in the late 1970s teaching sustainable forestry to indigenous people, he read an article about a like-minded American ecologist working in Costa Rica, a man engaged in the same work as Carlson — but with rivers instead of forests.

The man in the article happened to be Bill McLarney, whose real home was Macon County. When he wasn’t in Costa Rica, McLarney could be found studying the aquatic biodiversity of the Little Tennessee River, a project he’s been carrying out for more than a quarter century now.

Carlson wrote him a letter — “it was a more sophisticated time,” Carlson quipped — and the two began corresponding regularly.

“Paul was involved in what at the time was called social forestry, which was the idea that people in Third World countries could manage forest resources in a way that would be environmentally sound and also profitable for them,” McLarney said. “We had a lot in common in trying to figure out where the social dimension fit in conservation.”

At the time, conservationism was perceived as elitist, a luxury for the well-off. Real people couldn’t afford to lock up their landscape.

But Carlson and McLarney were pioneers of a new movement, one where people could sustainably co-exist alongside a conserved landscape.

“Any solution has to take that into account or it is a temporary solution,” McLarney said.

Carlson eventually visited McLarney in Costa Rica, and next in Macon County. It would be another eight years before Carlson decided to move to Macon County himself.

He began working as a private forester, primarily working with landowners to develop sustainable logging plans for their property. He came to witness the deep reverence local people had for their land and the intrinsic desire to protect it, as long as it didn’t mean giving up the land.

In 1995, Carlson pulled together a diverse steering group that began meeting regularly over lunch to talk about the need for a local land trust. It included the editor of the Franklin Press, Barbara McCrae; the eastern director of the National Rifle Association, Brian Hyder; local realtor Rich Bankston; and the head of the county mapping department, Terry Breedlove.

“It was an ecumenical group. It was not a bunch of tree huggers,” Carlson said. “It was people who weren’t necessarily environmentalists, but were concerned about rural values, sensible development and protecting the assets of the county — the clean water, the farmland and the river.”

McLarney was a critical voice at the table in the first LTLT steering committee.

“I think Paul saw something that would be a bigger player on the social landscape.

The people we started out with were ready

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WCU launches outdoor speaker series A speaker series featuring outdoor adventurers at Western Carolina University will kick off at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, with a presentation by Mark Singleton, executive director of American Whitewater with a headquarters in Sylva.

Mark Singleton, a paddler and head of American Whitewater, navigates a frothing rapid. Donated photo

Smoky Mountain News

February 25-March 3, 2015

Singleton’s resume includes raft guide, ski coach, marketing vice president at Nantahala Outdoor Center and, since 2003, executive director at the nation’s leading advocate for whitewater rivers.

Under his leadership, American

Help with Pigeon River stocking Trout fans are invited to help the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and Trout Unlimited Cataloochee chapter stock the West Fork of the Pigeon River, 10 a.m.

Thursday, March 5.

Volunteers are invited to bring a clean 5gallon bucket, trash bags and friends to help stock at least 1,000 pounds of fish.

Waders are also recommended.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission stocks waterways, but partner-

that’s past Lake Logan and before Sunburst Campground off of N.C. 215.

The stocking is expected to take two to three hours and will be followed by a onehour trash pickup. Fly rods are welcome for some post-stocking trout fishing.

Ron Gaddy, tucataloochee427@gmail.com.

Park biologist to talk fish at TU meeting

Smokies fisheries biologist Matt Kulp will put out a call for water quality monitoring volunteers and expound on fisheries projects in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the Tuckaseigee River Chapter of Trout Unlimited’s meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, at the United Community Bank in Sylva.

Kulp hopes to drum up volunteers to help with water quality monitoring on Deep Creek. Water-lovers are needed to help collect data six times per year over the stream’s length.

“It will be a great opportunity to collect some meaningful data, support the park mission of protecting and preservVolunteers clean up the creek during Trout ing, as well as get out and see Deep Creek,” said chapter board member Ted Unlimited’s November stocking event. Donated photo Kubit.

Kulp will also touch on Smokies brook trout restoration, water quality moding with a volunteer force to allows fish to eling and brook trout genetic studies. be dispersed more evenly along the river. tkubit@frontier.com.

The group will meet at a parking lot

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Business of the Month!

Strick Fitness Through personal one-on-one interactions and attention to detail, Strick Fitness helps clients get into better physical condition by changing behaviors and encouraging physical activity.

The gym is currently expanding, and offers personal training, memberships, and following the expansion, programs for kids.

Strick Fitness is located at 297 N. Haywood St. in Waynesville.

828.734.4985

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Whitewater has helped protect recreational paddling flows on more than 30 major whitewater rivers in the U.S. and advocated for removal of 14 dams that were no longer economically viable.

Singleton will discuss Western North Carolina’s recreational threats and assets, stewardship opportunities the public can get involved with and the Outdoor Alliance, a coalition of six recreation organizations working to protect outdoor recreation opportunities. He will also touch on new river access points and paddling opportunities on the Tuckasegee River — the result of multi-year negotiations with Duke Energy to provide recreational benefits in exchange for federal permits for its hydropower dams.

The goal is to bring one outdoor adventure speaker to WCU each semester, an effort that’s funded through private donations. The series is planned through Base Camp Cullowhee, WCU’s outdoor programming organization. 828.227.3633.

Fishing paraphernalia wanted for fundraising sale A fly-fishing rummage sale to raise money for Trout Unlimited Cataloochee’s pro-water activities over the coming year will be held Saturday, March 14, at the Waynesville Bait and Tackle Shop, and chapter leaders are looking for donations.

Most of the proceeds will go to sponsor two campers at a oneweek camp to teach youngsters about fly-fishing and river ecology, called Trout Unlimited River Course Camp, which is held at Lake Logan each year. tucataloochee427@gmail.com or 828.377.0019.

Brad Daniel. Donated photo

PRESENTING SPONSOR

28 Walnut St. Waynesville | 828.456.3021 | HaywoodChamber.com

Unneeded fly fishing gear of all types is welcome to raise money for Trout Unlimited Cataloochee. Donated photo

Angler discusses how to handle fish Brad Daniel, a professional fly fishing guide with some big fish stories, will discuss the proper way to handle and release fish at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10, at Rendezvous Restaurant and Lounge in Maggie Valley during the Cataloochee chapter of Trout Unlimited monthly meeting.

Daniel just returned from catching some steelhead in Oregon and will likely have a full supply of fishing stories to tell as well. tucataloochee427@gmail.com.

Learn to grow shittakes

This weekend will be all about salamanders and newts at Gorges State Park, located 6 miles outside of Sapphire on the border of Jackson and Transylvania counties.

■ At 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, a program called “Salamanders of the Gorges” will introduce participants to the many kinds of salamanders that can be found in the park. Meet at the Visitor Center Auditorium.

■ At 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, the “Neat Newts! Hike” will traverse a half-mile trail to a pond that’s home to plenty of newts.

Cameras, sturdy shoes and winter gear are recommended. Meet at the Grassy Ridge/Rainbow Falls trailhead.

■ At 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 1, park visitors will have a chance to meet the endangered green salamander, which makes its home in the park. Meet at the Visitor Center Auditorium.

Volunteers sought to adopt tree plot

A class on growing shiitake mushrooms will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thursday, March 5, at the Macon County Environmental Resource Center.

A classroom session will explain what’s involved with Shiitake growing, and then participants will drill their logs to inoculate them with mushroom spores.

They’ll leave with two inoculated logs and the ability to inoculate more later.

Register by Feb. 27. $10.

Macon County Cooperative Extension Center, 828.349.2046.

Buy Haywood guide seeks new listings Volunteers learn how to collect tree phenology data. Donated photo

Smokies rangers are looking for treelovers who want to try their hand at science to adopt a tree monitoring plot on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

A training session will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at

outdoors

Get the story on salamanders

Oconaluftee Visitor Center just north of Cherokee.

Volunteers will take data throughout the growing season to help researchers answer questions like “was spring early this year?” or “when will the fall colors peak?”

Volunteers will collect data on their assigned plots multiple times throughout

the growing season.

Plots up for adoption are located near parking areas in the Deep Creek, Fontana, Oconaluftee, Purchase Knob, Cataloochee, Clingmans Dome, Newfound Gap and Davenport Gap areas of the park.

RSVP to Leah Nagel, 828.497.1945 or leah_nagel@partner.nps.gov.

Winter weather forced the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to postpone an open house welcoming new Superintendent Cassius last week, but the event has been rescheduled.

A meet-and-greet will be held 4-6 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center just north of Cherokee. A second open house in Bryson City occurred as planned Feb. 24. Two are also being held on the Tennessee side of the park.

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RESIDENTIAL HOUSECLEANING

February 25-March 3, 2015

Smokies superintendent meet-and-greet rescheduled

An agritourism guide for Haywood County is looking for new listings to help visitors and locals alike explore everything from pick-your-own berry farms to farm-to-table restaurants.

The 2015 Agritourism Guide is designed to highlight Haywood County’s rich farming and agricultural heritage. The guide details year-round opportunities to enjoy the area’s agritourism opportunities, including places to buy products made with locally grown or raised ingredients.

The guide is put out by Buy Haywood and funded with grants from the Haywood Tourism Authority, Haywood Advancement Foundation, Bethel Rural Community Organization and Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project.

Listing is free, but the deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, March 6. Listing forms available from Tina Masciarelli, 828.734.9574.

Smoky Mountain News

Serving Haywood County Call Tanya for a free estimate—828-734-0671 BONDED & INSURED

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38

Smoky Mountain News February 25-March 3, 2015

outdoors

WNC Calendar COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • Haywood Regional Medical Center will host job fairs from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Feb. 25 and March 18, at the Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center in Clyde. www.haymed.org/careers.aspx.

• Fontana Village Resort will hold a job fair from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Feb. 26 in Fontana Dam. For information, contact Blakely Clark with the Chatterbox Agency, 770.596.7080 or blakeley@TheChatterboxAgency.com.

• The Waynesville Civilian Police Academy will begin classes on March 12, at the Waynesville Police Department. Academy meets from 6:30-9 p.m. for eight consecutive Thursdays. Free; open to all residents ages 21 and older. Applications due by March 2. For info, call Kristie Holcomb at 456.5363 or write mjford1978@hotmail.com.

• A draft master plan for redevelopment of the Drexel furniture factory property will be presented during a community meeting at 6 p.m. on March 3, at Smoky Mountain Elementary School. For info, contact Gerald Green at 631.2255 or geraldgreen@jacksonnc.org.

• “Is there truth in the media and where is it found?” will be the topic for the Franklin Open Forum at 7 p.m. on March 4, at Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub in Franklin. Open to anyone. For info, call 371.1020.

• Western Carolina University will host its third annual Discovery Forum, designed to encourage young people to share innovative ideas for making their communities better places to live, from 5-7 p.m. on March 24.

Submissions deadline is 5 p.m. on March 6. WCU Honors College at 227.7383.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • A small business seminar entitled “Opening an eBay Store: The Next Level, No. 3,” which helps you optimize your online marketplace, is set for 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 25, at the Southwestern Community College Jackson Campus. Contact Tiffany Henry at 339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

• A free financial aid workshop is set for 5-6 p.m. on Feb. 25, at the Waynesville Library. Free; registration required. To register or get more info, call 356.2507 or email kolsen@haywoodnc.net.

• A basic introduction to Microsoft Word class will be offered from 5:45-7:15 p.m. on Feb. 25, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Free. 586.2016 or www.fontanalib.org.

• A workshop on basic computer operation will be offered for job seekers at 1 p.m. on Feb. 25, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Free. Space is limited. To reserve a space, call 524.3600.

• Bryson City Downtown Merchants Meeting is set for 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 26 at the Chamber office. Contact Karen at 488.3681.

• A Social Media Strategy seminar will be offered by the Sequoyah Fund online at 3:30 on Thursday, Feb. 26. Led

by Russ Seagle. Register at: https://www.anymeeting.com/AccountManager/RegEv.as px?PIID=EB54D68388483B.www.anymeeting.com/accou ntmanager/regev.aspx?PIID=EB54D68388483B • “How to Market Your Business on Facebook,” a small business seminar organized by Southwestern Community College, is set for 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 26 at Southwestern Community College’s Jackson Campus.

Contact Tiffany Henry at 828.339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

• Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center offers a free NC REAL (Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning) seminar entitled “Marketing

Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: ■ Complete listings of local music scene ■ Regional festivals ■ Art gallery events and openings ■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers ■ Civic and social club gatherings Mix” from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on March 2 at the SCC Jackson Campus. Reservations required: www.ncsbc.net. Contact Tiffany Henry at 339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

• A small business seminar entitled “BEE Technologically Equipped” will be presented by Southwestern Community College from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on March 3 at Macon Bank Corporate Center in Franklin.

Free. Panel of experts will discuss what lenders are looking for, financing options, mistakes to avoid and credit enhancement. Registration required at www.ncsbc.net. Info at t_henry@southwesterncc.edu or 339.4211.

• A small business seminar entitled “Marketing for Success” offered through Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center is set for 6-9 p.m. on March 3 in the 1500 Building auditorium at HCC in Clyde. Speaker is Tonya Snider. sbc.haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• An eBay for Beginners class, offered through Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center, is set for 6-9 p.m. on March 3 in the auditorium of the Regional High Technology Center in Waynesville. Everything from registering an account to shipping tips will be covered.

Speaker is Nick Hawks. sbc.haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• A series of three student success seminars will be offered from 1-2 p.m. March 3-5 in Building 300, Room 335A, at Haywood Community College in Clyde. Free; open to the public. Topics: Tuesday – resume writing, part 1; Wednesday – resume writing, part 2; Thursday – interview basics. For more info, call 627.4646 or write drowland@haywood.edu.

•The new CEO of Haywood Regional Medical Center, Phillip Wright, will be the guest speaker for the Haywood Chamber’s monthly Issues & Eggs program from 8-9 a.m. on March 4 at Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville. 456.3021 or haywoodchamber.com.

• “Beyond the Basics of Selling on eBay: Techniques for the Serious Seller” is the topic of a Haywood Community College Small Business Center seminar that will be held from 1-4:30 p.m. on March 4 in the Regional High Technology Center auditorium in Waynesville. Speaker is Nick Hawks. sbc.haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• An online job searching workshop will be offered from 1-2 p.m. on March 4 at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. One-on-one help will be available after the class until 4 p.m. Free; reservations recommended: 524.3600.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • The Wildlife Club at Haywood Community College is hosting the ninth-annual Wild Game Dinner at 6 p.m. on Feb. 27 at the Haywood County Fairgrounds in Waynesville. Fundraiser for students. Door prizes, silent auction and live auction. Grand prize is a lifetime hunting/fishing license. Bring your favorite wild game dish, vegetables and/or dessert. Bread and drinks provided. $10 admission ($5 if you bring a dish). Children under 12 eat free. For info, call 627.4560.

• Jack the Dipper will hold a fundraiser for the Haywood County Schools Foundation from noon to 9 p.m. Feb. 28 at

Smoky Mountain News

its Waynesville location. 10 percent of all proceeds that day will benefit Jessi Stone’s campaign for Mardi Gras Queen.

• A canned food drive is being held through March 2 at the Eckerd Living Center at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital.

• A Volunteer Orientation Meeting for anyone interested in moving animal welfare forward in Haywood County will be held at 10 a.m. on March 7 at the Haywood Spay/Neuter office in Waynesville. Call 452.1329 to register.

• Jack the Dipper will host a Girl Scout cookie booth at its Sylva location from noon-4 p.m. on March 7. Ten percent of the shop’s proceeds that day will go to local Girl Scouts. For info, call 328.2444, ext. 3407, or write lcrawford@girlscoutsp2p.org.

• The Haywood County Meals on Wheels program has route openings for volunteer drivers: Mondays – Route #6 – West Canton; Wednesdays – Route #3 – Clyde; and Route #21 – Saunook; Thursdays – Route #23 – Waynesville/Shelton Street; Fridays – Route #18 – Pigeon Valley. Substitute drivers also needed. Info: Jeanne Naber, Meals on Wheels Program Coordinator, 356.2442.

• A rummage sale event with fly fishing/fly tying items will be held on March 14 at Waynesville Bait and Tackle Shop. Donations can be made by contacting tucataloochee427@gmail.com or Ron and Sharon Gaddy at 377.0019. All money raised supports the overall Trout Unlimited Mission.

• The Sunday Drive for Life will be held from 1-4 p.m. on March 22 in Lower Lot 1 of Franklin High School.

Registration begins at noon. $15 entry free. All makes and models welcome. For info, contact Jacob Morgan 371.8198 or Jeff Southard 371.1921.

• The Evergreen Foundation will host grant information sessions in varying locations and times in the area starting March 25. Contact Denise Coleman at dcoleman@evergreennc.org or 456.8005. For info on the Evergreen Foundation, visit www.evergreenfoundationnc.org.

• Friends of the Library Book Sale Committee needs books for its annual sale on July 23-25. Books can be picked up at your home. Call Sandy Denman, committee chair, at 627.2370.

HEALTH MATTERS • The Red Cross will have a blood drive from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Feb. 26 at Wren Student Union in Mars Hill. 800.RED.CROSS. • Explore Alternative Healing Therapies in an event at 1 p.m. on Feb. 26 at Waynesville Library. Featuring three local practitioners E.F.T. (Emotional Freedom Technique) Quantum Touch, Reiki and Healing Touch. There will be handouts and refreshments served. For more information, call 356.2507.

• The Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1-5:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 at Evergreen Packaging in Canton.

800.RED.CROSS. • A “Tuesdays to Thrive” session will be held from 6-7 p.m. on March 3 in the main lobby of Harris Regional Hospital. Participants will learn how to eat smart, move more and weigh less. www.westcare.org/tuesdaystothrive or Melanie Batchelor at 586.7734.

• A pro bono clinic will provide physical therapy services from 6-8:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of every month on the first floor of the Health and Human Sciences Building in Cullowhee. Contact the clinic at 227.3527 or MAPPTClinic@wcu.edu.

RECREATION AND FITNESS • Friday Night Skiing at Cataloochee every Friday through Feb. 27. Registration closes at 4 p.m. the Friday before the trip at Jackson County Recreation

39

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

Center in Cullowhee. 293.3053.

• An organizational meeting for spring softball will be held at 7:30 p.m. on March 2 at the Waynesville Recreation Center. 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Haywood County Recreation & Parks Department is offering adult coed indoor soccer pickup games from 68 p.m. on Wednesdays through March 25 at Old Hazelwood Gym. For ages 18 and up. Contact Daniel Taylor at 452.6789 or drtaylor@haywoodnc.net.

POLITICAL CORNER • The annual organizational meetings for the Haywood County Democratic Saunook precinct will be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Saunook Fire Department in Waynesville. For info, call 452.9607 between 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Wednesday or Thursday.

• The Haywood County NAACP will meet at 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center in Waynesville. 400.5475.

• Due to weather, the Jackson County NAACP membership meeting has been rescheduled for 10 a.m. on Feb. 28 at Liberty Baptist Church. Contact Lucy Christopher at 743.9747.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES • Learn how to play Mexican Train at 10 a.m. on Feb. 25-26, at the Senior Resource Center in Waynesville.

Free. 356.2800.

• Movies for seniors, sponsored by Haywood County Happy Wanderers, are shown at 1:30 p.m. on March 3.

Free. Reserve a seat by preceding Monday: 452.6789.

• Learn how to play Sudoku at 1 p.m. on March 4 at the Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. Free. 356.2800.

• A Creative Living class on Happy Bubbles is at 1 p.m. on March 9 at the Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. $10. 356.2800.

KIDS & FAMILIES • Spring soccer registration closes on Feb. 27. Register now at the Recreation Department in Cullowhee.

Contact Jonathan Parsons at 293.3053 or jonathanparsons@jacksonnc.org.

• Plug in and Read: Digital Storytime will be presented at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 26 at Waynesville Library.

Designed for children ages 3-5 to learn early literacy skills with the help of technology. Sign-up required: 356.2511 or 356.2512.

• Western Carolina University’s School of Art and Design will host art classes for youth ages 8-and-up from 9:30-2:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 and March 28 in Room 150 of the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center in Cullowhee. artclasses.wcu.edu or call 227.7397.

• Salamanders of the Gorges will be the topic of a program at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Gorges State Park in Sapphire. Meet at the Visitor Center Auditorium.

• A “Neat Newts!” hike will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Gorges State Park in Sapphire. A halfmile moderate hike. Meet at the Grassy Ridge/Rainbow Falls trailhead.

• Meet the Green Salamander, an endangered species, during a program at 1:30 p.m. on March 1, at Gorges State Park in Sapphire. Meet at the Visitor Center Auditorium.

wnc calendar

• Innovative Basketball Training will be offered for girls and boys ages 6 and older on Sundays from March 1 through then end of May at Waynesville Recreation Center. Training for ages 6-11 will be from 4-5 p.m.; ages 10 and older is from 5-6 p.m. and ages 12 and older is from 6-7 p.m. Cost is $80. For information, contact Derek Thomas at 246.2129.

• Celebrate Dr. Seuss and his 111th birthday at 3:30 p.m. on March 2 at the Waynesville Library. Cake, crafts and party games. For info, call 356.2511.

• A Spring Break Adventure Camp for fifth-througheighth graders will be from March 9-13 at the Recreation Center in Cullowhee. $225. Register by March 2. Contact Jennifer Bennett at 293.3053 or jenniferbennett@jacksonnc.org.

• A celebration of Dr. Seuss will be held at 4:30 p.m. on March 3 at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Free. Games, crafts, snacks and more. For info, call 586.2016.

• A volleyball development clinic for girls in the fourth through eighth grades will be offered from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesdays starting March 3 at the Waynesville Recreation Center. For more information, contact Jennifer Parton at 734.1298 or email volleypj@bellsouth.net.

• The Canton Library is hosting a Tech Fair to highlight new technology offerings such as iPads and a Wii gaming cart from 3-5 p.m. on March 4.

• The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department will offer a youth outdoor leadership program for ages 12-15 starting with a mandatory meeting for parents and participants at 6 p.m. on March 5 at the Waynesville Recreation Center. For more info, 456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Family movie time, noon on Feb. 28 at Jackson County Public Library. Call for title of movie.

586.2016.

• A beginning baseball program for 3-4 year olds will be offered from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for seven consecutive Thursdays starting April 16 at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Contact Donald Hummel at 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov. Register at the Waynesville Recreation Center.

• Oscar winner for Animated Feature Film, Disney’s “Big Hero 6,” will be screened at noon and 2 p.m. every Saturday in March at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. Free. Show times at www.38main.com or 283.0079.

• Michael’s Kids Club will be held for ages 3-and-up from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturdays at Michael’s in Waynesville. $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative crafts. 452.7680.

• A Lowe’s Build and Grow session for ages 3-and-up is scheduled from 10-11 a.m. on Saturdays at the Sylva (586.1170) and Waynesville (456.9999) Lowe’s stores. Free.

• Baby Storytime is at 11 a.m. on Thursdays at the Jackson County Public Library. Songs, fingerplays and stories for infants through toddlers. 586.2016

• Free family movies are shown at 3:30 p.m. each Tuesday at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Disney, Hallmark and other family-oriented movies. Popcorn is provided by Friends of the Library.

Each attendee receives one free movie checkout.

488.3030.

• Family movie time, 4 p.m. Mondays at Jackson County Public Library. Call for title of movie.

586.2016.

• Family movie time Thursdays, 3:45 p.m. at Albert Carlton, Cashiers Community Library. Free with popcorn. Call for title. 743.0215.

•A Lego club will meet at 4 p.m. every fourth Thursday of the month, at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Library provides Legos and Duplos for ages 3 and up. Free. 488.3030.

A&E

KIDS MOVIES • Family movie time, 6 p.m. Feb. 26 at Jackson County Public Library. Call for title of movie. 586.2016.

• Oscar winner for Animated Feature Film, “Big Hero 6,” rated PG, will be screened at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 and at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Mad Batter Food and Film in Sylva. Free. Food and beverage for sale. 586.3555.

• “The Book of Life” will be screened at noon and 2 p.m. on Feb. 28 at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. Free. Rated PG. 1:35. www.38main.com or call 828.283.0079.

February 25-March 3, 2015

• Drop-in information sessions for Shining Rock Classical Academy, a new charter school slated to open in Haywood County for the coming school year, will be held at 52 Walnut St., in Waynesville: 8:15-9

a.m. on March 10, March 24, April 14, and April 28 as well as 4-5:30 p.m. every other Thursday from March 5-April 30.

FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS • The Classic Wineseller will host a wine tasting featuring five Cabernet Sauvignons from five different California appellations from 7-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 26, in Waynesville. $15 per person, plus gratuity.

Reservations: 452.6000.

• A WinterFest Smoky Style highlighting sled dogs, Plott hounds, canine demonstrations, local reality TV

stars and more will be held from Feb. 27-March 1 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Includes photography seminars, guided winter shoot and a photo contest. $10 photo entry fee. Photo seminar details: http://winterfestsmokystyle.com/major-events/photography/. Proceeds benefit Friends of the Haywood County Animal Shelter. $2 admission for adults; $1 for children. $15 per meal.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will have Productive Paranoia (Americana/bluegrass) Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. (tickets are $5 in advance, $8 at the door). www.38main.com or call 828.283.0079.

• “Robin Hood – the Legacy” will be staged at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 26 at Western Carolina University’s John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center in Cullowhee. Tickets can be purchased at bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or by calling 227.2479.

• Western Carolina University will host benefit performances of “The Vagina Monologues” at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 and Feb. 28 in the Grandroom of A.K. Hinds University Center. A series of monologues written by Eve Ensler to end violence against women and girls.

Tickets can be purchased in advance in A.K Hinds University Center in Room 330 for $6 or at the door for $8. 227-2276 • Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will present a Faculty Woodwind Recital at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 in the Coulter Building. www.wcu.edu.

• Plaza Suite will be performed from Feb. 27-March 1 at Feichter Studio of the HART Theatre in Waynesville.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Harttheatre.com or 456.6322.

• Patrick Combs will tell the true story, “Man 1, Bank 0” (about a man who deposited a junk-mail check labeled “non-negotiable” into a bank account) at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 at WCU’s Bardo Center in Cullowhee.

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YOUTH OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP Tuesday Afternoons | 5:00 - 6:30 | March-Oct

AGES7 12-1

Smoky Mountain News

One weekend activity per month at an offsite location where we give the participants a chance to put their outdoor skills to work in the wilderness. ($20 fee for each weekend event) 3/28 | 4/25 | 6/16 | 8/8 | 9/19 | 10/25

a website to take you to places where there are no websites.

Log on. Plan a getaway. Let yourself unplug.

ONE TIME REGISTRATION FEE OF $20 TUESDAY CLASSES ARE FREE FOR MEMBERS & $4 DAILY FEE FOR NON-MEMBERS

WAYNESVILLE

PARKS & RECREATION CALL OR EMAIL NOW!

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828.456.2030 or email tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov

have Pam McCall Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. Free. www.rathskellerfranklin.com or 828.369.6796.

• Multi-platinum country music artist Mark Wills will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Tickets: $20 and up. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

• Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will have James Stinnet Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. Free.

• Balsam Mountain Inn will have Annie Sellick & The Hot Club of Nashville as part of their Songwriters in the Round series at 6 p.m. on Feb. 28. $47 per person, which includes a buffet dinner. 456.9498 • Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will present a Symphony Band concert at 7:30 p.m. on March 3 in the Bardo Arts Center. www.wcu.edu.

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will present a Mountain Winds concert at 7:30 p.m. on March 4 in the Bardo Arts Center. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. www.wcu.edu.

• The Darren Nicholson Band (bluegrass) plays at 7:30 p.m. on March 5 at The Strand in Waynesville.

Tickets: $12 in advance; $15 on show day. www.38main.com or 283.0079.

• Bluegrass musician Josh Goforth will perform as part of the First Thursday concert series at 7 p.m. on March 5, in the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University. Free. www.wcu.edu.

• Mark Lowry (Christian comedian, songwriter and singer) and The Martins (Christian musicians) will perform at 7:30 p.m. on March 6 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Tickets: $20 and up. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

• County music singer Wade Hayes will perform at 7:30 p.m. on March 7 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Tickets: $15. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

• Classic rock band Styx will play at 9 p.m. on March 13 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. Known for hit songs like “Mr. Roboto” and “Come Sail Away.” Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800.745.3000.

• “The Seagull” will be performed from March 13-15 at HART Theatre in Waynesville. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. harttheatre.org or 456.6322.

NIGHTLIFE • Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night on Feb. 25 and March 4. All events begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have a jazz night Feb. 26 and March 5 at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have Craig Summers & Lee Kram Feb. 26 and March 5 at 6 p.m.

Free. 828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Hunter Grigg (Folk) will play on Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. Free. 454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Tuck’s Tap & Grille (Cullowhee) will have DJ A-Minor at 10 p.m. on Feb. 26. 293.5400.

• Singer-songwriter Dulci Ellenberger (guitar, vocals, melodica) will perform Americana, oldies, pop, and originals at 7 p.m. on Feb. 27 at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. $10 minimum purchase.

452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub (Franklin) will

about a talented man who left the mountains of North Carolina to follow his dream to California. 586.9499.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grille (Waynesville) will have Rye Baby (Americana/folk) at 10 p.m. Feb. 27. 456.4750.

• Webster author David Joy will present his new novel “Where All Light Tends To Go” at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 6, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. The book is set in Jackson County and tells the story of Jacob McNeely, a young man in a fight against his fate.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will have PMA (rock/funk) with Darren & The Buttered Toast (funk/soul) Feb. 27 at 9 p.m. Free. 828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• Bryan Loy and Paradise 56 will be playing at 9 p.m. on Feb. 27, at the Mad Batter Food and Film in Sylva. $2 coverage charge with food and beverage for sale.

586.3555.

• Tuck’s Tap & Grille (Cullowhee) will have Nomadic (jam/funk) at 10 p.m. on Feb. 27. 293.5400 • Mike Pilgrim (mandolin), Don Mercz (guitar), and Drew Kirkpatrick (guitar) will perform a Gypsy jazz tribute at 7 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. 452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Joe Cruz will play piano and perform the best of the Beatles, James Taylor and Elton John at 7 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. 452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• BearWaters Brewing (Waynesville) will have a comedy show 9 p.m. Feb. 28. Show begins at 8 p.m. www.bwbrewing.com or 246.0602.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have Ben Wilson Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. Free. 828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Through the Hills will be playing at the Mad Batter Food and Film in Sylva on Feb. 28 at 8:30 p.m. $2 coverage charge with food and beverage for sale.

586.3555.

• Tuck’s Tap & Grille (Cullowhee) will have The Burnin’ Hermans (rock/funk) at 10 p.m. on Feb. 28. 293.5400.

• Through the Hills will perform at 7 p.m. on March 6 at Bearwaters Brewing Company in Waynesville. No cover charge. bwbrewing.com or 246.0602.

• Sheila Gordon (blues, jazz, gospel, popular music) plays at 7 p.m. on March 6 at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub (Franklin) will have The Old Hippie Band at 8 p.m. on March 6. Free. www.rathskellerfranklin.com or 828.369.6796.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • Make it with Michael’s Workshop: Art Journal will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 26, at Michaels in Waynesville. $20, including supplies. 452.7680.

• A multimedia seminar on composition and winter photography, presented by Don McGowan and Lens Lugger Photographic Association, starts at 8 a.m. on Feb. 27, at the Maggie Valley Inn. $40 fee. Contact Bob Grytten at 627.0245 or bobgry@aol.com.

• Submissions for the WinterFest Smoky Style photo contest sponsored by the Lens Luggers Photographic Association may be made between 2-3 p.m. Feb. 28.

Contact Bob Grytten at 627.0245 or bobgry@aol.com.

• The Lens Lugger Photographic Association has scheduled a guided “Winter Wonderland Photo Tour” field shoot on Feb. 28. The half-day event starts with a meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Maggie Valley Inn. $85 fee.

For info and reservations, contact Bob Grytten at 627.0245 or bobgry@aol.com.

• Marsha Crites will present the first installment of her Winter Landscaping Series at 6 p.m. on March 3, in the Community Room of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Free. Discussion on how to remove invasive plant species and unwanted structures or trees to make room for desired planting species. For info, call 586.2016.

• An introduction to sound recording/engineering will be offered through Haywood Community College’s Workforce Continuing Education Creative Arts on Mondays from March 2 through May 18. For more info, visit CreativeArts.Haywood.edu or call 565.4240.

• Luminaries and quilting, a Jackson County Extension and Community Association group, will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, at the Tuckasegee Wesleyan Church.

• Joe Cruz (piano, vocals) performs at 7 p.m. on March 7, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville.

• Dye Eggs, potpourri, a Jackson County Extension and Community Association group, will meet at 9:30 a.m. on March 5 in the Conference Room of the Community Service Center in Sylva.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub (Franklin) will have Nick Prestia at 8 p.m. on March 7. Free. www.rathskellerfranklin.com or 828.369.6796.

• A Flea Market will be held from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on March 7 at the Haywood County Fairgrounds. haywoodcountyfairgrounds.org or 400.1704.

• BearWaters Brewing (Waynesville) will have Joshua Dean Acoustically (singer-songwriter) at 8 p.m. on March 7. www.bwbrewing.com or 246.0602.

ART SHOWINGS AND

BOOKS & AUTHORS • Poet Louise Runyon will read from her new collection “The Clearing” at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. The collection explores the concept of “clearing” in several aspects of our lives.

586.9499.

• Western Carolina University’ Department of Human Services will host Lisa Delpit, author of “Other People’s Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom,” for a one-on-one interview at 3 p.m. on Feb. 27, in Room 102 of the Killian Building in Cullowhee. For information, contact Kofi Lomotey at klomotey@wcu.edu or 227.3323.

• South Carolina author Elizabeth Harris will present her novel “What am I to do Now, Mama?” at 3 p.m.

Feb. 28 at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. The novel is

GALLERIES

• “Ends of the Earth,” a photographic display of images taken in Antarctica by Martyn Lucas, is on display through March 29 at the Bascom in Highlands. A reception and artist talk will be held from 5-7 p.m. on March 21. Free. www.thebascome.org or 526.4949.

•An exhibition of paintings entitled “Tracking time” by Anna Jensen of Asheville and Karen Ann Myers of Charleston, S.C., is on display at Western Carolina University’s Fine Art Museum in Cullowhee through March 27. www.fineartmuseum.wcu.edu or 227.3591.

• A photography exhibit entitled “Seeing with New Eyes” by Sharon Mammoser will be on display through April 19 at The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville.

Parking fee. www.ncarboretum.org or sharenaturemore@gmail.com.

CALL FOR VENDORS & SPONSORS • A 5K to support Mountain Charter Discovery School is looking for sponsors for its April 11 event. Bubble Bunny 5K Fun Run/Walk that will be held in the Village of Forest Hills and will be complete with bunny ears and bubble machines. www.villageofforesthills.org.

• The Downtown Waynesville Association seeks heritage-themed vendors for the fifth-annual Appalachian Lifestyle Celebration, which is June 13.

Applications are accepted until April 17. Info: 456.3517 or www.downtownwaynesville.com.

• Applications are being accepted through April 15 from fine artists, mountain crafters and food vendors who want booth space at Greening up the Mountains Festival on April 25 in Sylva. Applications and info at www.greeningupthemountains.com. Info: 631.4587.

• A “Front Street Arts & Crafts Show” will premiere on June 20 in Dillsboro. Silent auction will benefit Community Table of Sylva. Food and entertainment.

Vendors can apply at visit dillsboro.org or www.visitdillsboro.org/specialevents.html. Info: 954.707.2004.

FILM & SCREEN • Oscar nominated movie “The Theory of Everything,” rated PG-13, will be screened at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday, Feb. 25 & 27, and at 4 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, at The Strand in Waynesville. Info: www.38main.com or 283.0079.

• Oscar winner for best show, “Birdman,” rated R, will be screened at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Mad Batter Food and Film in Sylva. Free. Food and beverage for sale. 586.3555.

• The Christian film “Life Change Everything” will be screened at 7 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Film is free with donations accepted. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

• An exhibition featuring a selection of portraits created by Russian-born artist Bora will be on display through March 6 at Western Carolina University’s Fine Art Museum. For a full calendar listing visit fineartmuseum.wcu.edu or call 227.3591.

• Focus on the Family movie, “The Drop Box” will be screened at 7 p.m. on March 3 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Film is free with donations accepted. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

• The WHEE FRESH Western Carolina University MFA art exhibit will be on display March 6-14 at the Grove Arcade in Asheville.

• Oscar winner for best show, “Birdman,” rated R, will be screened Friday through Sunday, March 6-8; Tuesday and Wednesday, March 10-11; and Saturday and Sunday, March 14-15, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. For show times, visit www.38main.com or call 828.283.0079.

• An education gallery featuring the work of Paul Farmer, a Western Carolina University Master of Fine Arts candidate, is on display through March 7 at the Bascom in Highlands. Free. 526.4949.

• Western Carolina University will celebrate the artwork of local students with the 2015 Jackson County Youth Art Month exhibit from March 1, through March 23 in WCU’s John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center. A reception will be held from 1-3 p.m. March

Smoky Mountain News

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will have Porch 40 (funk/rock) Feb. 26 at 9 p.m. Free. 828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• Dave Desmelick performs at 7 p.m. on Feb. 27 at Bearwaters Brewing Company in Waynesville.

22 to announce this year’s winners. Free. Lobby is open from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Info: 227.3598 or etapley@wcu.edu.

February 25-March 3, 2015

• Balsam Range’s Winter Concert Series will include the Snyder Family Band in a 7:30 p.m. show on March 7 at the Colonial Theater in Canton. Balsamrange.com or 235.2760.

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

wnc calendar

This show is part of the Galaxy of Stars Series. Tickets and info at: 227.2479 or bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

• A classic movie will be shown at 2 p.m. every Friday in the Macon County Public Library Meeting Room.

524.3600 or www.fontanalib.org/franklin.

• A movie will be shown at 2 and 6 p.m. on Thursdays in the meeting room of the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. For movie title call: 524.3600.

41

wnc calendar

Outdoors • “The Wildest Woman in America: A Discussion with Will Harlan” will take place from 7-8 p.m. on Feb. 26 at REI Asheville. Free. Harlan will offer a 10-minute slideshow and a Q&A time about his experience shadowing Carol Ruckdeschel. Registration required: http://www.rei.com/event/64839/session/109499.

687.0918.

• A program to introduce a high-quality, table-top telescope to the public is being held at 6 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. For info, call 524.3600.

• Learn basic navigation skills using a map and compass in a class from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Feb. 28, at REI Asheville. Registration required: http://www.rei.com/event/43656/session/108557.

687.0918.

• An “Introductory Beekeeping Class” is set for 8:30-4 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Haywood County Extension Building in Waynesville. Cost is $50, which includes $10 for a 2015 membership with the Haywood County Beekeeper’s Association and $15 for NC State membership. Free for students under 18. Call 456.3575 to register.

February 25-March 3, 2015

• “Trees Talk” will be the topic of a Great Smoky Mountains Association program, featuring naturalist Ila Hatter, from 2-4:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the old Oconaluftee administration building outside of Cherokee. $15 for members; $35 for nonmembers (complimentary membership included). RSVP to: membership@gsmassoc.org or 865.436.7318, ext.

222 or 254.

• A winter-tree identification hike and book signing will be held on Feb. 28 at Chimney Rock Park. The moderately difficult hike, guided by author Ron Lance, is from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. while the book signing is from 1-3 p.m. Advance registration required.

Signing for Lance’s book entitled “Haws A Guide to Hawthorns of the Southeastern United States” is included with park admission. To register for the hike, call 625.9611 or email visit@chimneyrockpark.com.

RSVP to prandevents@chimneyrockpark.com if you plan to attend the book signing.

• Runners across Western North Carolina can sign up for Western Carolina University’s fifth annual Valley of the Lilies Half Marathon and 5K at special early registration rates before fees go up on Feb. 28. The races are on March 28. Fees are $40 for half marathon and $20 for the 5K through Feb. 27 then go up to $60 and $25, respectively. Info: http://halfmarathon.wcu.edu or valleyofthelilies@wcu.edu.

Smoky Mountain News

• A family-friendly slalom and downriver race on the Nantahala River will bring in first-time racers to run

the water near Nantahala Outdoor Center Feb. 28 and March 1. Onsite signup is available from 9-10 a.m. each days. $30. Open to all ages. Info: 785.5082.

• Base Camp Cullowhee, Western Carolina University’s outdoor programming organization, will launch a speaker series focused on outdoor adventure with a presentation featuring Mark Singleton at 7 p.m. on March 3 in the theater of WCU’s A.K. Hinds University Center. Free, open to all. 227.3633.

• Smokies fisheries biologist Matt Kulp will put out a call for water quality monitoring volunteers and expound on fisheries projects in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the Tuckaseigee River Chapter of Trout Unlimited’s meeting, at 6:30 p.m. on March 3, at the United Community Bank in Sylva.

Dinner is $5.

• A public open house for welcoming new Great Smoky Mountains National Park superintendent Cassius Cash at 4-6 p.m. on March 5 at the Oconaluftee Administration Building near Cherokee.

• Trout fans are invited to help the Trout Unlimited Cataloochee chapter stock the West Fork of the Pigeon River, 10 a.m. March 5. Volunteers can bring a fivegallon bucket and trash bags; waders recommended.

The group will meet at a parking lot past Lake Logan and before Sunburst Campground off of N.C. 215.

• A tree phenology monitoring training will be held by Great Smoky Mountain National Park rangers from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on March 7 at the Oconaluftee Administration building in Cherokee. After training, volunteers will be assigned to a phenology plot for which they will college data multiple times throughout the growing season. Contact Dana Soehn (865.436.1207 or dana_soehn@nps.gov) or Brent Everitt (436.1203 or brent_everitt@nps.gov).

• Training for basic stream ecology, macroinvertebrate identification and field sampling will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on March 14 at UNC Asheville. Volunteer opportunities are open to anyone from 11th grade and up. RSVP required: staff@eqilab.org or 333.0392. www.environmentalqualityinstitute.org/smie-streammonitoring-information-exchange.php • The Discover Life in America Conference will be held March 19-21 in Gatlinburg at the Park Vista. The theme “Every Living Thing.” www.dlia.org • The Southeastern Recreation Research Conference will be held March 22-24 in Asheville. www.serrconference.org • A 5K Open Water Swim is set for July 12 at Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, Ga. Register before early season pricing changes on April 1. Register at active.com. Info: 389.6982.

• Registration is open through April 10 for the Smoky Mountain Overnight Relay, which will be held April 1718. Teams comprised of six or 12 runners cover 212 miles of trails and country roads. 545.8156 or gavin.young@noc.com

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Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: ■ Complete listings of local music scene ■ Regional festivals ■ Art gallery events and openings ■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers ■ Civic and social club gatherings

March 3, at the Sylva First Presbyterian Church.

Refreshments will be followed by a short business meeting. Program will feature Steve Eidson, an environmentalist and horticulture specialist speaking on readying gardens for spring.

• The Master Gardener Association’s plant sale is ongoing through March 13. Get an order form by calling 456.3575 or by writing erin_freeman@ncsu.org or mgarticles@charter.net. Proceeds fund educationrelated horticulture projects in Haywood County.

HIKING CLUBS SNOW SPORTS • A learn-to-ski session organized by Waynesville Parks and Recreation will be held 4-9 p.m. on Feb. 26.

828.456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

• The final event of the Cataloochee Challenge Cup Race Series is 7 p.m. on Feb. 26, at Cataloochee Ski Area. Register between 6-7:30 p.m.

• Ski races for middle school and high school at Cataloochee Ski Area. Races start at 6 p.m. every Tuesday for middle school and every Wednesday for high school. Season ends Sunday, March 1 for both. www.isalessite.com/cataloochee/catalog/ticket.

FARM & GARDEN • The Jackson County Poultry Club will hold its regular meeting on the last Thursday of each month at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office. The club is for adults and children. Includes a monthly meeting with a program and a support network for those raising birds. For info, call 586.4009 or write heather_gordon@ncsu.edu.

• A class on growing shiitake mushrooms will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on March 5, at the Macon County Environmental Resource Center. Pre-registration required by Friday, Feb. 27. For more info, call 349.2046.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a moderate 4mile hike, elevation change 900 ft, on the Bartram Trail from Wallace Branch to William’s Pulpit with view of Albert Mtn. and surrounding mountains on March 1.

Contact Mary Stone, 369.7352. Visitors, well behaved children and dogs are welcome.

• The Carolina Mountain Club will have an 11.6-mile hike of upper and lower Whitewater Falls on March 1.

For info, contact Bob Hysko at 243.3630 or rhysko@yahoo.com.

• The Carolina Mountain Club will have a seven-mile hike with a 1,050-foot ascent on March 1. Contact Jan Onan at 698.3237, 606.5188 or janonan@bellsouth.net.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have a 5.8-mile, halfday hike with a 500-foot ascent on March 1. Contact Dennis Bass at 367.7792.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a strenuous 10-mile loop hike with elevation change 1,000 ft. on March 7, on Appletree Trail to Laurel Branch. Call leader Dave Barbour, 356.6078, for reservations. Hike is limited to NHC members only and a limit of five dogs.

• Friends of the Smokies hikes are offered on the second Tuesday of each month. www.friendsofthesmokies.org/hikes.html.

• The Jackson County Farmer’s Market will hold its annual All-Vendor meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Community Table. Winter market is from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. each Saturday.

• Learn about the Highland Plateau Greenway¹s vision to build a public trail to the top of Satulah Mountain at a public meeting from 4 -5:30 p.m. on March 2 at the Highlands Civic Center. highlandsgreenway@nctv.com.

• A free program on how to get more out of your vegetable garden will be offered at 5:30 p.m. on March 3 at the Canton Branch Library. Arrive at 5 p.m. to learn about the Giving Garden at the Canton Branch Library and the Seed-Lending Library at the Waynesville Library. For info, call 648.2924.

• The Sylva Garden Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. on

Puzzles can be found on page 46.

These are only the answers.

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February 25-March 3, 2015

JACK A BIG FLUFFY LIGHT ORANGE BOY KITTY, ABOUT 3 YEARS OLD. HE IS SWEET TEMPERED AS WELL AS INCREDIBLY HANDSOME.

44

NANOOK A SHEPHERD/HUSKY MIX ABOUT 3-1/2 YEARS OLD. HE IS A FRIENDLY, QUIET, EASY-GOING DOG AND WILL BE A TERRIFIC COMPANION.

EMPLOYMENT MAD BATTER IN DOWNTOWN SYLVA Is hiring for a full time Night Kitchen Manager. Pay based upon exp.

Please call or come by Tues. - Fri., between 2 - 4pm. 828.586.3555.

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KEN WILSON FORD SALESPEOPLE NEEDED

EMPLOYMENT

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LAWN & GARDEN HEMLOCK HEALERS, INC. Dedicated to Saving Our Hemlocks. Owner/Operator Frank Varvoutis, NC Pesticide Applicator’s License #22864. 48 Spruce St. Maggie Valley, NC 828.734.7819 828.926.7883, Email: hemlockhealers@yahoo.com

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NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Offering 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $400

KEN WILSON FORD is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Section 8 Accepted - Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

OFFICE HOURS: Tues. & Wed. 10:00am - 5:00pm & Thurs. 10:00am- 12:00pm 168 E. Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779

648-2313 1-800-532-4631 I-40 AT EXIT 31 CANTON

T003-1794834

WNC MarketPlace

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Phone# 1.828.586.3346 TDD# 1.800.725.2962 Equal Housing Opportunity

PETS HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329

Prevent Unwanted Litters!

The Heat Is On! Spay/Neuter For Haywood Pets As Low As $10.

Operation Pit is in Effect!

Free Spay/Neuter, Microchip & Vaccines For Haywood Pitbull Types & Mixes!

Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 11 - 5 pm or by Apt. 182 Richland Street, Waynesville

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT LEASE TO OWN 1/2 Acre Lots with Mobile Homes & Empty 1/2 Acre + Lots!

Located Next to Cherokee Indian Reservation, 2.5 Miles from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.

For More Information Please Call 828.506.0578

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 the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised on an equal opportunity basis.

BRUCE MCGOVERN A Full Service Realtor shamrock13@charter.net McGovern Property Management 828.283.2112.

COMM. PROP. FOR SALE BEAUTY SHOP IN FRANKLIN, NC Turnkey, 950 sq. ft., 4 Styling Stations, Separate Wax Room, Break Room, Washer/Dryer, Located in Downtown High Traffic Area Near School. Available Now! For more info call 828.421.3792 from 8-5, or 828.369.2671 after 7pm.

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P F J R Y H U Q S UR S H U W \ P J W # J P D L O F R P

Haywood County Real Estate Agents

Beverly Hanks & Associates beverly-hanks.com • Michelle McElroy — beverly-hanks.com • Marilynn Obrig — beverly-hanks.com • Mike Stamey — beverly-hanks.com • Ellen Sither — esither@beverly-hanks.com

Commitment, consistency, results.

ERA Sunburst Realty — sunburstrealty.com

Carolyn Lauter Broker/ABR 1986 SOCO ROAD, HWY 19 • MAGGIE VALLEY, NC 28751

828.734.4822 Cell • www.carolynlauter.com

Haywood Properties — haywoodproperties.com • Steve Cox — info@haywoodproperties.com

carolyn.lauter@realtyworldheritage.com 281-19

Keller Williams Realty

Main Street Realty

GEORGIA PECAN 5-DRAWER CHEST 40” x 32” x 22”, From the Mary Cornwell Estate. Nice Color a Must See! $2,750 For more info call 828.627.2342.

101 South Main St. Waynesville, NC 28786

PERSONAL

(828) 456-6836 FAX

|

• Bruce McGovern — shamrock13.com 281-106

EMERSON ——————————————

281-24

GROUP

MOUNTAIN REALTY

Mieko Thomson

George Escaravage BROKER/REALTOR

Cell (828) 226-2298 Cell

gke333@gmail.com

PO BOX 54 | 60 TIMUCUA TRAIL WAYNESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

828.400.0903 • 828.456.7705

ROKER/R /REALTOR EALTOR®® BBROKER

mthomson@remax-waynesvillenc.com mthomson@remax-waynesvillenc.com www.ncsmokies.com www.ncsmokies.com

• Sammie Powell — smokiesproperty.com

McGovern Real Estate & Property Management

info@mainstreetrealty.net

mainstreetrealty.net

Mountain Home Properties — mountaindream.com

Main Street Realty — mainstreetrealty.net

(828) 452-2227 • (800) 467-7144

HERO MILES To find out more about how you can help our service members, veterans and their families in their time of need, visit the Fisher House website at www.fisherhouse.org SAPA

kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • Ron Kwiatkowski — ronk.kwrealty.com

Emerson Group • George Escaravage — gke333@gmail.com

Prudential Lifestyle Realty — vistasofwestfield.com Realty World Heritage Realty realtyworldheritage.com • Carolyn Lauter realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7766 • Martha Sawyer realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7769 • Linda Wester realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7771

Jerry Smith 828-734-8765 jsmith201@kw.com 281-105

2562 Dellwood Rd. Waynesville

(U.S. Hwy. 19)

Between Russ Ave. & Maggie Valley kellerwilliamswaynesville.com 214-64

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

remax-waynesvillenc.com | remax-maggievalleync.com • Brian K. Noland — brianknoland.com • Mieko Thomson — ncsmokies.com • The Morris Team — maggievalleyproperty.com • The Real Team — the-real-team.com • Ron Breese — ronbreese.com • Dan Womack — womackdan@aol.com • Catherine Proben — cp@catherineproben.com

smokymountainnews.com

RE/MAX — Mountain Realty

2177 Russ Avenue Waynesville NC 28786

February 25-March 3, 2015

GREAT SMOKIES STORAGE Conveniently located off 19/23

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Get one month FREE with 12 month contract. Call 828.507.8828 or 828.506.4112 for more info.

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MEDICAL

The Seller’s Agency — listwithphil.com • Phil Ferguson — philferguson@bellsouth.net 281-04

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE

828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com 45

www.smokymountainnews.com

February 25-March 3, 2015

WNC MarketPlace

Super

46

CROSSWORD

SUPER CROSSWORD SOUNDS TOUGH! ACROSS 1 Big 4 “Stop, sailor!”

9 James of “Misery” 13 Swashbuckling novelist 18 Grand - Opry 19 Actress Berger 20 Mournful music 21 “F Troop” corporal 22 Start of a remark by Milton Berle 24 Mid-size band 25 “Andrea -” 26 Costa 27 “Family Feud” host 29 Division word 31 Aachen article 32 Basilica feature 34 Part 2 of remark 38 TV’s “General -” 42 Like some sheep 43 Part of HOMES 44 Inclined 45 Senator Thurmond 47 “Waking - Devine” (‘98 film) 49 Wee serving 52 Composer Schifrin 54 Circus performer 57 Put on a pedestal 61 Soft tissue 63 Tangle 64 Damage 65 Actress Ward 66 Baseball’s Boudreau 68 Enchilada alternative 70 “Trinity” author 72 Neighbor of Wyo.

73 Obeys the dentist 77 Part 3 of remark 78 ‘80s Joe Penny series 80 Crank’s comment 81 Skater Lipinski 82 Noun suffix 84 Sundown, to Shelley 85 Actor Arkin 87 See 106 Across 88 “Love Train” group 91 Thick of things 95 Denizen 97 Geological phenomenon 99 The Chipmunks, e.g.

100 Comic Carvey 101 Galena, for one 103 - -ski party 105 Priest’s robe 106 With 87 Across, type of liqueur 109 Merit 112 - blanket 114 Part 4 of remark 118 Well-informed 119 “So that’s your game!”

120 Nonflowering plant 121 “The Addams Family” uncle 125 Does Little work 128 Croc’s kin 131 Chateau valley 133 End of remark 135 Wear away 136 Computer key 137 “The Lady -” (‘79 film) 138 Child welfare org.

139 Rock’s Meisner 140 Stocking stuffers?

141 Dispositions

56 Spirits 58 Amritsar attire 59 Nonsense 60 Smidgen DOWN 62 Throw a party 1 Physicist Niels 67 Custom 2 “The Time Machine” 69 Message board? people 71 Goblet part 3 English port 73 Lost luster 4 Simile center 74 - apso 5 Feud 75 Gray or Moran 6 Novelist Seton 76 - Domingo 7 Pack 79 “What’s - for me?”

8 Homeric characters 80 Candy quantity 9 Pres. Clinton, e.g.

83 Spotted rodent 10 Performer 86 Belarusian city 11 Actor’s actor?

89 Puppy protests 12 Irritate 90 Withered 13 Rigoletto, to Gilda 92 Downspout 14 Actor Tognazzi 93 Bank deposit?

15 - Gras 94 “Twelfth Night” role 16 Sharon of Israel 96 Spanish surrealist 17 Trap 97 Equipment 20 “Tiny Bubbles” 98 Happened again singer 102 Heal a rift 23 Comics’ “Andy -” 104 Eat in the evening 28 He gives a hoot 30 “- the fields we go . 107 Right - the bat 108 A hole near the sole . .”

110 Allude (to) 33 Slangy sib 111 Dundee denial 35 Ain’t right?

113 Loud laugh 36 Extensive 114 Bet 37 Toast start 115 “Pal Joey” author 38 Grapefruit serving 116 Boca -, FL 39 October birthstone 117 Maine town 40 Curved lines 122 Willowy 41 Forsaken 123 Baseball’s Martinez 46 Ditch under 124 Spanish river a drawbridge 126 “I could - horse!”

48 Object 50 Change for the bet- 127 Break suddenly 129 Eccentric ter 130 Curious George’s 51 Brawl creator 53 Sonja Henie’s 132 Musical syllables birthplace 134 Pitches 55 Acts like an ass?

142 “The Bells” monogram

answers on page 42

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WEEKLY SUDOKU Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

Answers on Page 42

Adaptation helps plants weather the cold shrubs, and various vines shed their leaves and take other protective measures.

Evergreens have taken the other fork in the evolutionary path. They tough winter out with their foliage intact so as to obtain a head start when the growing season arrives.

For this group of plants, photosynthesis can continue longer in the fall and begin earlier in spring; indeed, keeping their leaves actually helps them to survive since they can use them in phoColumnist tosynthesis on mild winter days. Come spring, energy that would otherwise be channeled into producing leaves is saved for direct reproductive efforts.

Various strategies allow evergreens to weather the drying winds and freezing temperatures of winter. Conifers have needlelike leaves that expose less surface to cold, drying winds than broader leaves. Their needles, stems, and roots are filled with “botanical antifreeze” in the form of resinous chemicals. Conical shapes minimize buildups of snow or ice.

Other evergreen plants have developed thick leaves with waxy coats to cut down on

George Ellison

A

s I write this on Tuesday morning there are five or so inches of snow covering the ground outside my window. The forecast on the Internet is for more snow. By Thursday there may be upwards of 10 inches.

My wife and I protect ourselves from the elements by having an artificial structure (our house) to live in. We can put on additional clothing. We keep the woodstove in the living area stoked up. Bedroom, bathroom, and office doors can be closed so as to maintain warmth in the living area. Soup is simmering in a crock pot. This is our version of hunkering down.

The wild critters make it through winter by generating warmth from food and movement. Other options they have are to migrate or hibernate.

Plants, however, can’t generate warmth by movement or contrived means at any time. Instead, they have devised a series of ingenious devices that allow them to survive in freezing snowbound conditions.

All plants in upland or northern environments face the double-edged dilemma of low temperature stress and lack of moisture in winter. Most opt to hunker down in cold weather in various forms. Herbaceous perennials die back completely and overwinter as dormant corms or regenerative root stock; and broadleaved deciduous trees,

BACK THEN evaporation. They tend to be shrubby or ground hugging. In order to avoid having their leaf cells ruptured by frost, water is channeled to spaces between the cells where expansion does less damage. And finally, the sugar content of the cells is increased to lower their freezing point.

Individual evergreen species often have their own distinctive overwintering devices.

Everyone has observed how rhododendron leaves curl and droop in extreme cold.

Drooping (a dormant posture also assumed during periods of drought) lessens exposure to wind, while curling temporarily shields and closes off air-circulation pores (stomata) on the underside of the leaves.

A little book by Peter J. Marchand titled Life in the Cold: An Introduction to Winter Ecology (1987) provides a lot of interesting information on this topic. I was particularly struck by the tables he presents that provide the freezing or “killing” levels for various tree species.

He makes the point that most species have adapted to the cold by adjusting their freezing tolerance so that it closely matches the minimum temperature at their northern range limit. For instance, live oak, a southern tree of the Gulf Coast and lower Atlantic coastal plain, will tolerate tempera-

tures down to 15 or so degrees Fahrenheit.

Eastern redbud, a tree of our low elevation forests here in WNC that ranges northward to the Great Lakes, dies when subjected to temperatures approaching minus 31 degrees.

Other deciduous trees that range into the higher elevations in WNC like northern red oak, shagbark hickory, American beech, and yellow birch withstand temperatures in the minus 35-49 degree range. Red spruce and Fraser fir, trees that grow in our highest elevations above 6,000 feet, can easily make it in temperatures below minus 112 degrees, an unlikely occurrence.

Some tree species have adapted especially for the regions in which they find themselves. For instance, sycamores in Mississippi will die in the event of minus 4 degree temperatures, while sycamores in Minnesota can tolerate temperatures down to minus 40 degrees. Eastern white pine shows a similar range adaptability.

The message in all of this for us humans is to prepare for the harshest weather situation we might encounter and then hunker down. Or we can always migrate to Florida.

George Ellison wrote the biographical introductions for the reissues of two Appalachian classics: Horace Kephart’s Our Southern Highlanders and James Mooney’s History, Myths, and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees.

February 25-March 3, 2015

A

bi-monthly magazine that covers the southern Appalachian mountains and celebrates the area’s environmental riches, its people, culture, music, art, crafts and special places. Each issue relies on regional writers and photographers to bring the Appalachians to life.

In this issue:

PLUS ADVENTURE, CUISINE, READING, MUSIC, ARTS & MORE

SUBSCRIBE:

Smoky Mountain News

Q&A with author Ron Rash Chattanooga Choo Choo • Mountain Trail Days Mountain festivals make a splash Trout derby anglers count their catch

www.smliv.com OR

866.452.2251

47

Tim Tim Nikkel

AutoStarUSA.com AutoStarUSA .com

Sales Sales Consultant Consultant

at Meet newest Sales Sales Consultants Consultants at Meet Tim Tim Nikkel, Nikkel, one of the newest Waynesville Waynesville Automotive.

Automotive.

280 Hyatt Hyatt Creek Creek Rd., Rd., W Waynesville, aynesville, NC 28786

Unlike most people in the automotive automotive industry, industry, Nikkel Nikkel didn’t grow driving, o or cars and dd dr didn’t g row up with a passion ffor iving, but rather love flying.. TThe West rather with a lo ve ffor o planes p or and flying he W est ccoast oast native grew Denver, CO degree enverr, C O and got his deg ree in native g rew up in D Aviation.

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285 Hyatt Hyatt Creek Creek Rd., Rd., W Waynesville, aynesville, NC 28786

Although Nikkel enjoys needs,, he sa says it’s ys it ’s the Although N ikkel enjo ys helping people with their transportation transportation needs people that that keep him out of the sky. sky.

February 25-March 3, 2015

“I know cliché,, but I rreally enjoyy the people her here, everyone tremendous, Nikkel said.. eryone is tr emendous,” N ikkel said know it is cliché eally enjo e, ev Whether dayy or a 60 hour w work week, Nikkel ekk, N ikkel looks fforward o orward tto Whether it's the end of the da o going ork w eek home to wife dog.. TThe father five grown are scattered across to his wif fe and dog e sca ttered acr oss the he fa ther of fiv eg rown kkids, ids, who ar country, enjoys working outdoors startt another gar garden den like the one he country, also enjo ys w orking out doors and plans tto o star had in TTennessee. e ennessee.

Visit Waynesville Automotive next purchase.

V isit Tim Tim at at W aynesville A utomotive ffor or o yyour our ne xt vvehicle ehicle pur chase.

*Excludes additional shop supplies & hazardous waste fees. Excludes synthetics, diesels & some specialty vehicles. Not combinable with other of offers. fffers. See Service Advisor for details.

CAN CANTON TON

S SYYLLVA LV A

ASHEVILLE ASHE VILLE

BLACK MOUNTAIN TAIN A BL ACK MOUN

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(828) 492-0631

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(828) 581-0136

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Smoky Mountain News

CERTIFIED CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED PRE-OWNED SPECIALS

22006 20 006 JJe Jeep eep G Grand rraand nd C Cherokee herrookeee he

22010 010 0110 K Kia iiaa SSo Soul oul

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48

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