Smoky Mountain News | February 26, 2019

February 26-March 3, 2020 Vol. 21 Iss. 39 Western North Carolina’s Source for Weekly News, Entertainment, Arts, and Outdoor Information www.smokymountainnews.com

Bennett campaign under fire for sham endorsement Page 7 Tribal LLC buys modular home company Page 14

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What will it be?

Swain County struggles with next move for library project

CONTENTS

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On the Cover: Marianna Black Library was fortunate enough to have land donated specifically for the purpose of a new and expanded facility, but Swain County commissioners are still struggling to find a way to fund the $7 million project. In the meantime, less costly but less desirable alternatives have been proposed. (Page 8)

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News District Judge race heats up ............................................................................................3 The cost of N.C.’s 11th Congressional District race ................................................6 Lynda Bennett campaign under fire for sham endorsement ..................................7 Waynesville wastes no time in budget discussions ..............................................10 TWSA hires local for director’s job ................................................................................1 Policy aims to improve Jackson sheriff recruitment ................................................12 Tribal LLC buys modular home company ..................................................................14 Cherokee explores board transparency ordinance ................................................15 WNC charities receive Dogwood Health funding ..................................................16 Business News ..................................................................................................................19

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Craft beer company consolidates Bryson City locations ....................................24

Outdoors Winter road closure decisions complex in the Smokies ......................................34

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There’s also a disconnect between some defendants who sit in jail for months or years before being convicted — or not.

Prisonpolicy.org says that 75 percent of people in jail are charged with only minor crimes, and are there because they can’t afford bail. And if they can’t afford bail, they can’t afford to miss work, or a rent payment or a utility bill.

But the answer isn’t as simple as just “let them out.” It is rather a complex issue that involves consideration of public safety, due process and likelihood of absconding before trial.

“My role as judge would be to make sure that we understand who is in front of us and what their real danger is, while also keeping an eye on their constitutional rights,” Brewer said. “One of my middle school classmates

“The biggest thing that’s going to differentiate how we handle our courtrooms is gonna be our life experiences.”

— Mitch Brewer

District Court judge candidates (from left) Kaleb Wingate, Jim Moore and Rich Cassady wait to speak at a Swain County GOP event last fall.

Cory Vaillancourt photo

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the most contentious, difficult and heartbreaking cases that these judges hear.

MITCH BREWER It takes a special kind of person to want to preside over the never-ending parade of human misery that a District Court judge must face on a daily basis, although the reward comes when judges have the opportunity to do some good.

That opportunity comes with a solid understanding of the nature of the human condition, according to Hayesville attorney Mitch Brewer.

Mitch Brewer “After 15 years of practicing law in the District Courts of the state of North Carolina from the Eastern section, Wake and surrounding counties, all the way to our seven counties in this district, I understand the people and culture of our state,” Brewer said. “I understand that they need a person on the bench serving as a judicial official that understands and pays attention and can render justice with impartiality.”

Judge Walker’s retirement opens up more than just a seat on the bench — he’s the chief judge of the District Court, meaning he’s also responsible to a great extent for administration of the 30th District.

RICH CASSADY Like Brewer, Rich Cassady lives outside of Haywood County; Cassady said that in a district comprised of seven counties — of which Haywood is the largest and the furthest east — more representation is needed out west.

“Right now we have two District Court judges that don’t live in Haywood. If I lose this primary, the most likely result with be that five out of six judges will live in Haywood,” he said. “We will only have Tessa Sellers, living in Clay County. That’s really not representative.”

Geographical distribution isn’t the only reason Cassady is seeking the post.

Smoky Mountain News

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER hen most people think about exciting election action, they don’t often think about judgeships.

Judicial races are not usually contested, they’re not usually competitive and so they’re not usually talked about much, for all of those reasons.

For example, the District Court’s 30th District is comprised of the seven westernmost counties in North Carolina — Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Graham, Clay and Cherokee. Six judges, all elected, preside over cases ranging from civil to criminal to juvenile matters.

Every two years, three of those judgeships are up for re-election. This year, that means Monica Leslie and Tessa Shelton Sellers, but no one filed to run against them.

The third judge, Richard K. Walker, decided not to seek re-election, leaving an open seat that’s suddenly led to a contested, competitive and much talked about race between four Republicans, one of whom will face a Democrat in November.

The 30th is geographically one of the largest districts in the state, if not the largest, but the issues between the seven counties are common — poor, isolated communities are reeling from the effects of the opioid crisis and the civil, criminal and juvenile matters that arise from it. Domestic relations, custody and child support matters are among

February 26-March 3, 2020

Judicial race heats up

The next chief judge of the 30th District will be chosen by the chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, which is also up for election in November — Democrat incumbent Cheri Beasley or Republican Supreme Court Justice Paul Newby.

Although Brewer and the other three Republicans won’t likely be tapped to fill that role, they might. Regardless, as a District Court judge, any of the four will have the opportunity to weigh in on district policy in regard to a number of criminal justice reform issues, like drug courts and veterans courts.

“I think they are a great idea,” Brewer said. “Like Rome, we have so many veterans, we’ve had ongoing wars and skirmishes for the last two decades and we still have our overhang of Vietnam veterans. The way they see the world is different after they return from conflict. We’ve got to meet these veterans where they’re coming from, but also steer them in a better direction.”

Brewer also sees society’s role in perpetuating a drug epidemic that’s treated as a criminal matter instead of a mental or physical health issue.

“People are in pain and they’re turning to certain substances to alleviate that pain, the stresses, the disconnect between how you feel and what society says you should be feeling,” he said. “Drug courts could actually get to the bottom of some of the substance use disorders. It’s super important that we have a system in place that doesn’t criminalize the use of certain substances, but actually diagnoses them correctly and gets them the help they need.”

came from a hard background, ended up murdering someone, got released on bail and within a few days murdered the witness. It shocked my conscience that we could allow someone out who had just murdered someone. These are the things that I’ve learned from, that I’ll take with me to the bench.”

Ultimately, candidates in this race will earn votes based on their experience and integrity, which in turn instills faith and confidence in the justice system by the people who use it — attorneys, defendants, victims, parents, grandparents, children and witnesses.

“As soon as I got out of law school and licensed in 2005, I immediately started domestic and family law and I’ve been in District Court since then on those matters.

The biggest thing that’s going to differentiate how we handle our courtrooms is gonna be our life experiences,” said Brewer. “I’ll make sure that that system will be improved upon and that indeed that folks will understand that that is their courtroom and since it is theirs, it is up to everyone involved, including the judge to make sure that it works for the people.”

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February 26-March 3, 2020

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“I’ve told people before, if Trump cuts your taxes, you’re going to feel it a little. If the state legislature cuts your taxes, you’re going to feel it a little. If a District Court judge takes your grandkids away from your son, you’re gonna feel it a lot,” he said.

Having the life experience to make those difficult decisions, especially in regard to custody, is important. On the topic of veterans courts, Cassady has personal experience, by way of his nine years of service in the United States Navy.

“Veteran’s court is a drug court for veterans for the most part, an they required two things — time and money,” he said. “There’s not the money right now in this district. The legislature would have to give the money for a veterans court or for a drug court.”

Conventional reasoning has advanced the theory that if we can’t have veterans and drug courts in all seven of the district’s counties, we shouldn’t have any at all; Cassady said a more pragmatic solution would be establishing combined courts, like, say, one for Graham and Swain counties.

Regardless of the implementation, Cassady says veterans are deserving of some extra attention, post-conviction.

“The veteran has demonstrated a commitment to a community larger than himself or herself. The thought process is, these people might be best candidates to get back on the right path and continue their service to their community,” he said. “I would support this decision that we’re going to take a chance on spending money on fixing these people because they’ve already demonstrated at least sometime in the past that they had a commitment that maybe others don’t have.”

On pretrial incarceration, Cassady stresses the case-by-case nature of bond conditions, but also thinks there’s work to be done to make things more fair.

“You’ve got someone that can’t make bond, they get a bond and it doesn’t matter what the bond is cause they’re homeless, they’re poor, well, that would lead someone to plead just to get out,” he said. “And I’ve seen that.”

Cassady’s also seen people sit in jail for years, only to be released and watch their cases drag on for several more years.

“I’ll give you a perfect example,” he said.

“Clay County typically only has three criminal superior sessions. So if you’re indicted in February and you’re served with your indictment in March and you get a bond you can’t make, you may have to wait until the next admin session, which may not be until July or you may have to wait until the next trial session, which may not be until September.”

Cassady believes his legal experience

“Right now we have two District Court judges that don’t live in Haywood. If I lose this primary, the most likely result with be that five out of six judges will live in Haywood.”

— Rich Cassady

leaves him well suited for the job. Since graduating from Ole Miss in 2001, he’s spent 18 years working both civil and criminal cases, as well as doing some appellate work.

“I’m not running to be an Appellate Court judge,” he said, “but knowing how appellate courts think or writing appellate briefs or reading case law, I’m familiar with all of that.”

That’s important, Cassady said, because District Court judges don’t have law clerks so their experience is all they really have when deciding cases.

“That judge up there is on his or her own,” he said. “So few things are appealed out west — I have never heard of a custody case being appealed out of this district — so in essence, that judge up there is the Supreme Court for you if you’re a father and you get your kids six days every month and mom gets the kid the rest of the time and you don’t like that.”

It’s experience, as well as integrity, that would govern how Cassady makes decisions if he’s elected.

“I’ve given my word that people have been able to rely on four times,” he said. “I gave my oath to the United States Navy in 1988 when I enlisted. I gave my oath to this country when I re-enlisted in 1992. I gave my oath to

District Court judge MITCH BREWER • Age: 42 • Residence: Hayesville • Occupation: Private practice – probate, domestic and family law, criminal defense, some civil litigation and transactional work • Political experience: First campaign RICH CASSADY • Age: 52 • Residence: Macon County • Occupation: Private practice – federal and state criminal defense, family law, DWI, personal injury • Political experience: First campaign JIM MOORE • Age: 58 • Residence: Haywood County • Occupation: Former prosecutor, private practice – criminal defense and domestic law • Political experience: Unsuccessful campaigns for district attorney, clerk of court KALEB WINGATE • Age: 31 • Residence: Haywood County • Occupation: Former prosecutor, private practice – DSS cases, involuntary commitments, small claims, other civil matters • Political experience: First campaign the state of Mississippi when I was granted a law license there, and I gave my oath to the state of North Carolina when I was granted a license here in 2006.”

JIM MOORE Haywood County’s Jim Moore has spent a lot of time on both sides of the courtroom — prosecution and defense — and talks a lot about the public’s faith in the justice system.

“I think it’s important that our court system is well manned so that we can give the public the surety that if they come in there, they’re

going to get heard and receive justice,” said Moore. “I’ve got the experience to do that.”

Moore says he’s been advocating for veterans courts for nearly a decade, including the one in Buncombe County, and would like to seem them in the 30th District as well.

“I have, in private practice, used it numerous times when I have a veteran that has gotten into trouble and needs help in the ways that they can help,” he said. “I’m the same with drug courts too. I believe that people with drug issues have special problems that need to be dealt with in special ways, and that’s what those drug courts do. They’ve been shown to be effective.”

Like the other candidates, Moore understands that the real issue with veterans and drug courts is the lack of funding.

“We’re already doing it regionally with Buncombe County, but we could expand that service even just to Macon County, so veterans don’t have to travel all the way from Murphy to Asheville,” he said. “I would be in favor of increasing it maybe not completely in every county to start with, but more courts means more people get served.”

His view on pretrial incarceration isn’t much different from anyone else’s in that it’s a public safety and due process issue that has a lot of moving parts, but it’s experience that separates Moore from the pack — he has 15 more years of experience than his next closest opponent and has been lawyering longer than one of them — Kaleb Wingate — has been alive.

“I have been in trial courts my entire legal career, 34 years. Not only that, but the balance of the cases that I’ve had both being 17 years as a prosecutor and a 17 years in private practice means that I am able to understand the positions that both sides have,” Moore said.

“The most difficult of decisions to make are specifically child custody cases, and I’ve had literally hundreds of trials of those matters over the 17 years I’ve been in private practice.”

Most if not all of the candidates have noted Wingate’s relative lack of experience in the same way that most if not all have noted Moore’s political affiliation. Moore’s no stranger to running for office, nor is his name unfamiliar to the thousands who have voted for him before; what may be unfamiliar to some is the new letter next to his name — R, for Republican.

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“We’ve had a history of good judges who apply the law as they should, to the facts of the case, and then make well-balanced decisions based on that and nothing else.”

— Jim Moore

As the son of a prominent local businessman, Haywood County resident Kaleb Wingate has always been well aware of the value of service.

“These communities in Western North Carolina have given so much to me in the course of my life and I’ve always felt a calling to give back to my community,” said Wingate. “I did that as a prosecutor. I do that as an attorney in private practice and I want to do that as the next District Court judge.”

Although Wingate has less than six years

— Kaleb Wingate

nature of the allegations against the defendant, the strength of the evidence and a person’s history of failure to appear in court.

Just as each of the other three candidates are unique in their own way, so is Wingate.

He says he’s the only candidate born and raised in Western North Carolina, and that he’s a Christian conservative.

“If given this chance to be a District Court judge, I will follow the law as it’s written,” he said. “I will work hard and make decisions without regard to socioeconomic or political status.”

He also counts himself as a lifelong Republican, although he admits to changing his registration briefly to unaffiliated while working in the District Attorney’s office, so as to avoid even the appearance of bias.

“It’s very important to be educated on the candidates for this position. I encourage everyone to ask law enforcement officers, attorneys, probation officers, anyone involved in the judicial system about all the candidates,” he said. “I know the law. I have a wide range of experience. I will follow the law and I will treat everyone with respect and dignity and I will handle the authority that comes with being a District Court judge with modesty and humility, and with appropriate temperament.”

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KALEB WINGATE

“These communities in Western North Carolina have given so much to me in the course of my life and I’ve always felt a calling to give back to my community.”

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have given me. I’ve had so many individuals come up to me and say, ‘You know what? I was a Democrat too.’”

Two major Republican figures can also say that, according to Moore; Donald Trump was a Democrat through his mid-50s, as was Ronald Reagan.

“People voted for them and gave them a chance,” said Moore. “That’s all that I ask of them is to give me a chance, give me a listen and see what they think, and I think I’ve gotten a great response from just about everyone.”

The party issue, however, is certainly more of an election-year topic than it will be in the courtroom after the election, according to Moore.

“Not a single time have I ever in my 34 years of strictly nothing but trial work heard somebody be asked on the stand, ‘Excuse me, Mr. Witness, are you a Republican or a Democrat?” It’s the same for a judge. I’ve never heard an attorneys say, ‘Oh, well he’s a Republican, we better get another judge and try to judge-shop.’ I haven’t heard it and I don’t think we will ever hear it in this district,” Moore said. “We’ve had a history of good judges who apply the law as they should, to the facts of the case, and then make well-balanced decisions based on that and nothing else.”

of legal experience, he says the experience he does have is wide-ranging, by virtue of the thousands of cases he handled during his almost five-year career as a prosecutor.

Those experiences color his impression of the post-conviction veterans and drug courts.

“I would be a huge supporter of veterans court and drug court. I think those are great programs and we see how successful it is in Buncombe County,” he said. “If elected to be the next District Court judge, I would work hard to the extent that I can to encourage the creation of drug and veterans courts.”

His view isn’t much different than that of his three fellow competitors, except in one aspect.

“It’s important that everyone is treated the same in all seven counties. I care about people in all seven counties and every one of those counties should be treated the same,” he said. “It is a resource issue. The resources would have to be allocated so we could start that, but again, everyone in our district has to be treated the same, so you would have to have this type of court in every county.”

Wingate says that balancing the rights of defendants with a community’s desire for safety is also important, and notes a number of statutory considerations a judge could take into account during bond hearings, like the

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Moore told The Smoky Mountain News back in October that he made the switch not because of national trends but because of how the party’s affected his family and because he’s always held law-and-order Republican views despite his Democratic registration.

Since making the change, Moore said he’s gotten a positive reception from Republicans along the campaign trail.

“You know, it’s rather incredible — it was certainly something that I was a little leery of when I made the switch, knowing full well that I’m well-known throughout this district and I’ve never been shy. I’ve always been out front,” he said. “I have been so pleasantly surprised at the reception that the Republicans

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Paying the cost to be the boss the average U.S. House seat in North Carolina costs about half-a-million bucks.

To a great extent money matters more than messaging, and although the candidates’ positions and personalities have been widely reported on, here’s what hasn’t — their pocketbooks.

Campaign finance reports were released by the North Carolina State Board of Elections on Feb. 20, providing the

first good look at how candidates have fared in their efforts to replace Mark Meadows as the next representative of North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District.

Here’s what that looks like in eight handy lists that detail not only the bottom line, but also the involvement of PACs and superPACs, the extent to which candidates fund themselves through personal contributions or loans, their support by small donors, the amount of cash they still haven’t spent, and how that compares to every other congressional district in the state — for whatever it’s worth, which is a lot.

All data cited in this story was taken from The Center for Responsive Politics, and is available on their website, www.opensecrets.org.

TOTAL RECEIPTS AND CASH ON HAND

SMALL-DOLLAR DONATIONS

SUPERPAC SPENDING

Total amount of campaign contributions and spending, reported by active candidates from Dec. 1, 2019 through Feb. 20, 2020

Total amount of reported donations to active candidates smaller than $200

Total amount of money spent by non-campaign sources to support candidates

CANDIDIATE RECEIPTS SPENT • Chuck Archerd (R) .............................$389,456..........$333,934 • Madison Cawthorn (R).......................$323,246..........$244,683 • Vance Patterson (R)...........................$146,100...........$38,915 • Lynda Bennett (R)..............................$133,828...........$56,261 • Moe Davis (D) ....................................$130,050...........$98,607 • Joey Osborne (R) ................................$100,000...........$75,755 • Jim Davis (R) .....................................$87,971............$48,563 • Steve Woodsmall (D)...........................$66,364............$58,908 • Wayne King (R) ...................................$55,115............$21,031 • Gina Collias (D) ..................................$50,092............$35,553 • Michael O’Shea (D).............................$16,637............$11,684 • Phillip Price (D)...................................$13,522............$12,993 • Albert Wiley Jr. (R)*..............................$1,802..............$1,802 • Dillon Gentry (R)*....................................$0.....................$0 *FEC report not received as of Feb. 21, 2020

CANDIDIATE RECEIPTS SMALL % • Moe Davis (D) ..............$130,050..........$89,268...........68.64% • Steve Woodsmall (D) ....$66,364...........$35,483...........53.47% • Phillip Price (D) ............$13,522............$4,822............35.66% • Gina Collias (D) ............$50,092...........$14,631...........29.21% • Michael O’Shea (D).......$16,637............$3,137............18.86% • Lynda Bennett (R)........$133,828..........$10,707............8.00% • Wayne King (R) .............$55,115............$4,165.............7.56% • Jim Davis (R) ...............$87,971............$4,171.............4.74% • Madison Cawthorn (R).$323,246...........$5,849.............1.81% • Chuck Archerd (R) .......$389,456 ............$906 ..............0.23% • Vance Patterson (R).....$146,100 ............$100 ..............0.07% • Joey Osborne (R)..........$100,000 ..............$0.................0.00% • Albert Wiley Jr. (R)* .......$1,802 ................$0.................0.00% • Dillon Gentry (R)*..............$0....................$0.................0.00% *FEC report not received as of Feb 21, 2020

SUPERPAC AMOUNT CANDIDATE • Senate Conservatives Fund.........$195,242 .........Lynda Bennett • House Freedom Action.................$355,822 .........Lynda Bennett • House Freedom Fund.....................$2,618 ...........Lynda Bennett • American Dental Association .......$58,976..............Jim Davis • With Honor...................................$360,822...........Dan Driscoll No spending by superPACs on behalf of any other candidate was reported.

NC’s 11th Congressional District race, by the numbers

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER here are plenty of arguments for getting money out of politics, but anybody who wants to get money out of politics must first have money to get into politics to get money out of politics.

That’s the current state of pay-to-play congressional elections, where you need $100,000 just to say “Hello!” and

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February 26-March 3, 2020

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CONTRIBUTIONS BY PACS Total amount of contributions reported by active candidates from political action committees CANDIDIATE RECEIPTS FROM PACS % • Lynda Bennett (R)........$133,828..........$10,849 ............8.11% • Jim Davis (R) ...............$87,971............$5,100 .............5.80% • Wayne King (R) .............$55,115 .............$250...............0.45% • Steve Woodsmall (D) ....$66,364 .............$250...............0.38% • Gina Collias (D) ............$50,092 ..............$20................0.04% No contributions from PACs were reported by any other candidate.

SELF-FUNDING

LARGE-DOLLAR DONATIONS

Total amount of contributions or loans made by active candidates to their own campaigns

Total amount of reported donations to active candidates larger than $200

CANDIDIATE RECEIPTS FROM SELF % • Joey Osborne (R)..........$100,000.........$100,000.........100.00% • Albert Wiley Jr. (R)* .......$1,802.............$1,802 ...........100.00% • Vance Patterson (R).....$146,100.........$146,000 ..........99.93% • Chuck Archerd (R) .......$389,456.........$355,000 ..........91.15% • Madison Cawthorn (R).$323,246.........$293,324 ..........90.74% • Lynda Bennett (R)........$133,828..........$81,740 ...........61.08% • Michael O’Shea (D).......$16,637...........$10,000 ...........60.11% • Jim Davis (R) ...............$87,971...........$25,100 ...........28.53% • Gina Collias (D) ............$50,092 .............$125...............0.25% • Steve Woodsmall (D) ....$66,364 ..............$20................0.03% • Moe Davis (D) ..............$130,050 ..............$0.................0.00% • Wayne King (R) .............$55,115 ...............$0.................0.00% • Phillip Price (D) ............$13,522 ...............$0.................0.00% • Dillon Gentry (R)*..............$0....................$0.................0.00% *FEC report not received as of Feb. 21, 2020 6

CANDIDIATE RECEIPTS LARGE % • Wayne King (R) .............$55,115...........$50,700...........91.99% • Gina Collias (D) ............$50,092...........$35,417...........70.70% • Phillip Price (D) ............$13,522............$8,750............64.71% • Jim Davis (R) ...............$87,971...........$53,600...........60.93% • Steve Woodsmall (D) ....$66,364...........$29,506...........44.46% • Moe Davis (D) ..............$130,050..........$40,782...........31.36% • Lynda Bennett (R)........$133,828..........$30,542...........22.82% • Michael O’Shea (D).......$16,637............$3,500............21.04% • Chuck Archerd (R) .......$389,456..........$33,550............8.61% • Madison Cawthorn (R).$323,246..........$24,073............7.45% • Vance Patterson (R).....$146,100 ..............$0.................0.00% • Joey Osborne (R)..........$100,000 ..............$0.................0.00% • Albert Wiley Jr. (R)* .......$1,802 ................$0.................0.00% • Dillon Gentry (R)*..............$0....................$0.................0.00% *FEC report not received as of Feb. 21, 2020

CASH ON HAND Total amount of cash remaining reported by active candidates as of Feb. 21.

CANDIDIATE RECEIPTS SPENT CASH ON HAND • Vance Patterson (R).....$146,100 .......$38,915 .......$105,445 • Madison Cawthorn (R).$323,246 ......$244,683 .......$78,563 • Lynda Bennett (R)........$133,828 .......$56,261 ........$77,566 • Chuck Archerd (R) .......$389,456 ......$333,934 .......$55,522 • Jim Davis (R)* ..............$87,971 ........$48,563 ........$39,408 • Wayne King (R) .............$55,115 ........$21,031 ........$34,084 • Moe Davis (D) ..............$130,050 .......$98,607 ........$30,698 • Joey Osborne (R)..........$100,000 .......$75,755 ........$24,245 • Gina Collias (D) ............$50,092 ........$35,553 ........$14,644 • Phillip Price (D) ............$13,522 ........$12,993 .........$5,595 • Michael O’Shea (D).......$16,637 ........$11,684 .........$4,953 • Steve Woodsmall (D) ....$66,364 ........$58,908 .........$4,878 • Albert Wiley Jr. (R)* .......$1,802...........$1,802 ..............$0 • Dillon Gentry (R)*..............$0..................$0..................$0 *FEC report not received as of Feb. 21, 2020

FUNDRAISING BY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Total amount of contributions to all candidates CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT TOTAL • 9th..........................................................................$2,910,836 • 8th..........................................................................$1,746,171 • 11th........................................................................$1,644,881 • 10th........................................................................$1,608,998 • 13th........................................................................$1,350,495 • 3rd..........................................................................$1,189,004 • 5th..........................................................................$1,181,062 • Average...................................................................$1,161,643 • 7th ...........................................................................$914,005 • 2nd...........................................................................$677,145 • 6th ...........................................................................$640,717 • 4th ...........................................................................$554,736 • 12th .........................................................................$439,348 • 1st............................................................................$397,275 • TOTAL.....................................................................$16,416,316

Lynda Bennett campaign under fire for sham endorsement Candidate calls for Meadows-endorsed Bennett to drop out

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A pair of “official conservative ballots” sit on a table at the Haywood County Republican Party Headquarters in Waynesville on Feb. 14.

Cory Vaillancourt photo

the conservative ballot committee’s information quick enough. However, the date on the organizational documents filed by Gordon indicate that Bilello’s excuse was likely a sham, too.

Interestingly, the ballot does not list a “conservative” choice in the primary race for Sen. Thom Tillis, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump this past June; Bilello’s comment in the instructions says to tell voters, “Anybody but Tillis!”

Aubrey Woodard, chair of the NCGOP’s 11th Congressional District, expressed “deep concern” with the situation.

“These are transgressions of the rules we should all be following,” said Woodard.

“There was no reason for this, and there’s no reason for it to continue.”

Bilello chalks it all up to sour grapes.

“I don’t know what the big brouhaha is,” she said, “other than the fact that some of these candidates are annoyed because their guy is not on the ticket, not on the list.”

REACTIONS

Smoky Mountain News

This story was originally published online on Feb. 22, and in the days that followed, Republican county parties and candidates chimed in on social media and via press release, with one even calling for Bennett to drop out of the race.

In three separate Facebook posts, the Macon County Republican Party said that the story substantiated what they’d suspected about Bennett’s “rookie campaign,” that their own early voters had been “duped” and that Rep. Mark Meadows should be ashamed of associating with “this type of sleazy shenanigans.”

The Cherokee County Republican Party also posted about the situation so that its voters would know that not all the candidates had the opportunity to be interviewed for the endorsement on what it called “these fake conservative ballots.”

Candidate Joey Osborne said on Facebook Feb. 24 that his campaign office had been “inundated” with calls by early voters who felt cheated by what he called “dirty and illegal tactics.”

On Feb. 25, a press release issued by the Osborne campaign called upon Bennett to

drop out of the race.

“I believe that there is little doubt the promotion and distribution of the conservative ballot by the Bennett campaign is a substantial violation of Federal Election Commission law. It is both unethical and illegal,” Osborne said in the release. “Should she be elected, she would likely face a House ethics investigation and possible sanctions.”

Renee Elmers, a Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor, issued a press release also on Feb. 24 disavowing the “sham endorsement ballot distributed by fake conservative group.” Elmers wasn’t the endorsed candidate for that race, and said in the release she hadn’t been interviewed, either.

“Candidates work hard for a year, travelling the state, meeting voters and trying to get out their message,” she said in the release.

“Groups like this, that claim they’ve vetted candidates on conservative positions when in fact they had not and never intended to do so, need to stop.”

An email sent to Gordon went unanswered, as did emails to everyone on Bennett’s endorsement page, including Rep. Meadows, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), the House Freedom Fund, the Senate Conservatives Fund and the RightWomen Political Action Committee.

When reached by email, Bennett refused to answer any questions about the situation and called the allegations “baseless,” but that might not actually be the case.

“Certainly at a minimum this return address being associated with a campaign vendor might suggest there is some connection to the campaign that it was supporting,” said Brendan Fischer, an attorney who serves as the director of the Federal Reform Program at Washington, D.C.-based Campaign Legal Center, a non-profit nonpartisan watchdog group that works to strengthen the laws that protect democracy, primarily in redistricting, ethics and campaign finance.

“Anybody with information providing reason to believe the law has been violated can file a complaint with the FEC for formal investigation,” Fischer said. “We file those types of cases, and I think there appear to be some close connections, but we’d want more information before doing anything.”

February 26-March 3, 2020

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER Smoky Mountain News investigation into a mysterious handout distributed at polling places during early voting casts serious aspersions on the legitimacy of an endorsement of congressional candidate Lynda Bennett by a previously unknown, hastily formed political committee with ties to one of her campaign consultants. e When early voting began on Thursday, Feb. 13, many Republican congressional candidates were astonished to see volunteers handing out sample ballots at the polls that listed Bennett as the one and only conservative choice in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District Primary Election.

The required “paid for by” notice at the bottom of the handout lists “The Official Conservative Ballot Committee of NC” as the party responsible for printing them, but through the first eight days of the early voting period no such committee had filed organizational paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission, so no one really knew who was behind the ballots.

“Nobody had even heard of this group until seeing those ballots on the first day of early voting,” said Rod Edwards, campaign manager for 11th District Republican candidate Joey Osborne.

Once that paperwork was finally posted online by the North Carolina State Board of elections around Feb. 20, it was revealed that 0 “The official conservative ballot committee of NC” was created on Feb. 11 by Morganton resident Isaiah Mark Gordon, who didn’t file the committee’s organizational statement until Feb. 18.

Although the committee lists a business address on Sol Mull Street in Morganton, the return address on the envelope used to mail the paperwork doesn’t list Gordon or the Sol Mull Street address. Instead, it lists Jordan Bowman of 8842 Shepherd Court, in Connelly Springs, as the return address.

According to N.C. Secretary of State business filings, Bowman formed a company on Dec. 30, 2019, called Red Action Strategies.

The business address listed with the Secretary of State is 8842 Shepherd Court, in Connelly Springs — the same address on the return label of “The Official Conservative Ballot Committee of NC.” Financial disclosures made by Lynda Bennett’s campaign show five separate payments to Red Action Strategies in amounts

ranging from $1,595 to $11,951 between Jan. 10 and Feb. 3. The purpose of the payments — totaling $35,470 — is listed as online/social media services, and a separate payment in the amount of $5,000 was made to Bowman personally on Jan. 10, for videography.

The amount paid by the Bennett campaign to Bowman and his company totals $40,470, which is more than 75 percent of the $53,201 Bennett’s campaign has spent in the current election cycle.

“The way they set this committee up and her financial ties to the organization that set it up could be troubling if she’s the Republican nominee for Congress,” said Edwards. “She could end up facing FEC violations and Democrats would seize upon that in the General Election.”

If an endorsement made by a two-day-old “conservative ballot committee” of a candidate that had paid more than $40,000 to a consultant linked to the committee doesn’t sound fishy enough, a member of Bennett’s campaign also admitted involvement in distributing the handouts.

“I have lots of them,” said Jane Bilello when reached by phone on Feb. 14.

Bilello’s LinkedIn profile says that since 2009 she’s been the chair of the Asheville Tea PAC — the same organization that endorsed Bennett on Dec. 19, in an early morning phone conference that took place one hour after Rep. Mark Meadows told Politico he wouldn’t seek re-election and two hours before Bennett issued a press release announcing her candidacy. No other candidates had yet announced as of that time.

Bennett’s financial disclosures show Bilello’s been paid $3,200 by the Bennett campaign for her work as a “field representative.” She insisted “The Official Conservative Ballot Committee of NC” was legitimate.

“They have thoroughly vetted these candidates,” Bilello said. “The candidates have been questioned, they have been interviewed and they have passed the smell test.”

When asked if his candidate, Osborne, had the chance to interview for the endorsement by “The Official Conservative Ballot Committee of NC” Edwards said, “Absolutely not.”

Another candidate, Madison Cawthorn, said he hadn’t been given the opportunity to be interviewed by “The Official Conservative Ballot Committee of NC” for the endorsement, and a representative from the Jim Davis campaign likewise said Davis hadn’t been interviewed for the endorsement either.

A packet of instructions distributed to poll workers by Bilello on behalf of Bennett seems to anticipate questions about “The Official Conservative Ballot Committee of NC” and blames “the govt” for not posting

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news

A new chapter Other options explored for Marianna Black Library

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR o one is thrilled about the idea of having Swain County’s only public library located in a strip mall, but it may come down to that unless residents want to pay higher taxes.

Even though the committee for a new Marianna Black Library has been working toward its plan to construct a brand-new facility on a piece of land donated specifically for the library, the county commissioners have made it clear the $7 million price tag is an issue.

“I — and everyone else on my board — wants a new library there on Fontana Road, but the county government is signaling against that because it would require a tax increase,” said Jeff Delfield, Swain County librarian.

Roger Parsons, vice chairman of the Swain County Board of Commissioners, said the shopping center location may not be the No. 1 option, but it is a viable option.

“This isn’t a matter of commissioners not wanting a new library, but it’s an issue of how do we fund it?” he said. “Not even just the initial cost but also the continued cost to operate it. How do we finance it within our $17 million budget? It would be a big payment for us. I think it would have to be a tax increase and I’m not sure that is on the table for a majority of taxpayers.”

Fontana Regional Library staff has been talking about the need for a new Marianna Black Library to replace the 50-year-old building on Fryemont Street for at least 10 years, but no real movement happened until 2014 when Don and Toni Davidson purchased 9 acres on Fontana Road for $350,000 and gifted it for the sole purpose of building new library.

The Davidsons also put a timeline on the land donation in hopes it would prompt the county to begin construction sooner than later. The January 2021 deadline is looming yet the county still hasn’t earmarked any funds for construction.

The library committee has committed to raising $1.5 million toward the project to furnish and equip the new facility, bringing the total cost for the county down to $5.75 million. Commissioners have said they’re willing to work with the committee to apply for grants, but without a real financial commitment from the county, fundraising and look8 ing for grants is challenging. So far, the com-

Smoky Mountain News

February 26-March 3, 2020

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A concept design shows what a new Marianna Black Library could look like if it’s constructed on donated land off Fontana Road. Donated graphic

What Swain would gain with new library on Fontana Road • Separate computer lab for group software training to improve job-related skills and for life-long learning. Library users may also use the space when classes are not in session.

• Separate space for teen materials, activities and group work. mittee has raised over $250,000 toward it’s $1.5 million goal.

“We struggle with fundraising because we don’t have a project to raise it for. It’s been more about advocacy and getting the word out, but last time we did a fundraiser the Fontana Road property was still in our vision,” Delfield said.

OTHER OPTIONS It appears that vision has changed after the committee presented commissioners in January with alternative options for an expanded library that doesn’t include utilizing the donated property. Of course the first option is still to build an 18,382-square-foot library on Fontana Road, but the other two options put forth were to renovate the current building on Fryemont Street to add on an additional 8,700 square feet or move the library over to the Valley Village Shopping Center on U.S. 19 where the former Fred’s was located.

These alternatives were put forth after the committee hired Sims & Steele, Ashevillebased nonprofit consultants, in 2019 to conduct the feasibility study to determine how much money the committee should be looking to raise to be able to pay for furniture, furnishings and equipment for a new library.

The study included 33 in-person or phone interviews and 79 surveys for a total of 112

• Small, private rooms for tutoring, proctoring, business meetings, quiet study, tax prep assistance.

• Mid-size conference room for meetings.

• Ample parking and safe, attractive entrances and exits.

• Accessible facility design.

• Separate after-hours access for community programs, workshops and movies.

• Carolina Room for research and displaying local history, maps, memorabilia, Swain authors, etc. Work to complement the SCGHS. responses. Group presentations with surveys were conducted in multiple locations in Bryson City, Tow String, Alarka and Whittier.

Members of the committee also had preliminary discussions with five grant-giving organizations.

Based on the results of the study, Sims & Steele concluded that the committee should raise $1.5 million to pay for FF&E costs — the amounts are broken down to raising $1 million from individuals, $150,000 from businesses and $350,000 from foundations. As of Feb. 6, the committee had raised $254,195 from individuals.

Are these other two options truly viable ideas? Delfield said there’s pros and cons to both as well as hurdles that would need to be cleared. Renovating the current facility from 9,100 square feet to 17,900 square feet would keep the library in its convenient location downtown on property the county already owns, but additional land purchases or leases would be needed to make room for the additional parking that would be needed.

“There’s nothing for sale around the library right now, but we did identify two places — one on each side of the library — where parking could be added, but it wouldn’t make sense to do anything to this building if we didn’t have parking guaranteed first,” Delfield said. “There are different pros to keeping it here if it could be expanded, but

other than parking the other big concern is a disruption of services during construction.

I’m not sure what we’d be able to do.”

Parsons said a less expensive renovation project was more doable for a county of Swain’s size and could be done in phases, but parking is still an issue.

The Valley Village Shopping Center option would mean having a 15,970-squarefoot library, but the county wouldn’t own the building. It would be a 30-year lease option for $4,000 a month. The county would still need to take out a loan for about $1 million to pay for renovations and design work while the total project would cost $2.5 million. The county could then sell or lease the Fryemont Street property to offset expenses.

According to the feasibility study, the location would offer greater visibility and awareness of the library in a highly trafficked area that could prove beneficial for all the businesses in the shopping center. Owners of the shopping center — Wells & West — would upgrade the facades and signage for the entire plaza if the library moves into that space. The location would also provide plenty of parking and a covered rear deck could be constructed to give patrons an overlook of the river.

While it seems unusual to have a library in a strip mall, Delfield said it’s a common placement where he came from in Florida. He’s also seen it happen in other North Carolina counties. “I’ve seen multiple libraries inside a mall or in a strip mall, but the main difference in my mind is those were branches but here it would be the main library of Swain County,” he said. “We looked at what Asheville did when they did a total expansion — they had to close for two and a half years but they also have other branches and we don’t.”

Parsons said he, County Manager Kevin King and Commissioner Danny Burns met with the owners of Wells & West to talk about what improvements they were willing to make if the library leases the former Fred’s property.

“My concern now is whether it’s something the committee really wants to do,” Parsons said. “I feel like maybe the library committee is not 100 percent united on what they want to do.”

COMMUNITY CONCERNS

Jim and Don Casada grew up in Swain County and have been long-time supporters of the Marianna Black Library. They’ve been looking forward to someday seeing a new building constructed on the land the Davidsons were so gracious to donate and were extremely disappointed to learn the commissioners were unwilling to fund the project. They were even more disapproving of the idea of moving the library to a shopping center and wrote a long letter to commissioners explaining their feelings.

“Libraries are, by nature, places for quiet contemplation in an environment characterized by comforting surroundings. This would place the library in a situation where the hurlyburly of the commercial world, with business enterprises as neighbors, goes against that ambiance in a distressing manner,” Jim Casada wrote. “The ideal setting for libraries is a warm and welcoming entrance, frequently characterized by lovely landscap-

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BUILD A NEW LIBRARY ON FONTANA ROAD

• 18,382 square feet building n • $6.1 million for construction; $800,000 l for furnishings; $500,000 contingency; $7.4 million total cost; county loan amount of $5.75 million.

PROS: t • Sale or lease of current library building will provide offsetting revenue - • A brand-new facility - • Land donated to the county a • Location midway between downtown and Swain County High School • Dedicated parking d • Outdoor plaza and campus like setting CONS: • Lack of funding for the project and abilg ity to fundraise d

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EXPANSION OF CURRENT FACILITY

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• $1.6 million design-build; $0.8 million furnishings and outdoor deck; $100,000 contingency; $2.5 million total project; $4,000 a month lease for 30 months; $995,000 loan.

PROS: • Sale or lease of current library will provide offsetting revenue • Greater visibility and awareness of the library. High volume road traffic • Mutual beneficial relationship with other businesses in the center • Economic development driver; Wells & West will upgrade facades and signage for the entire shopping center • Parking provided; drive-up book drop off • Covered rear deck possible overlooking the river for general enjoyment and programming CONS: • Leasing vs. owning

collections — to support the new library project because of the many connections they have to Marianna Black Library, but they will not support the alternative plans put forth.

“We had plans to donate a significant amount of money — up to six figures combined — because we have substantial collections of books to donate. We were looking to get a room named for mama, but neither one of us is going to put a nickel into the Fred’s project,” Don said.

Casada’s mother served as the librarian at Marianna Black Library for many years beginning in the 1960s and for several years after the library moved from the old community building on Main Street to the Fryemont Street location. The Casadas were also neighbors with Marianna Black and her husband growing up in Bryson City.

“They were great neighbors to us and they were just absolutely dedicated to literacy and learning,” Don said. “Mr. Black was chairman of the board of education and Mrs. Black made the library to lift the community up in terms of literacy. That’s the way they were and they set the standards for the community.”

Don was a teenager when Mrs. Black passed away. Mr. Black’s health was deteriorating and Don would stay at his house at night to

but all that county ownership takes away from potential property tax revenue.”

Don said he didn’t think the letter they sent to commissioners would change much, but they did want to be a voice for those who support a new library because he felt the library board members couldn’t stick their necks out to say what needed to be said.

“There were two things we wanted to make point on — one is that we are completely disappointed with the concept of using Fred’s and, two, we wanted to air the fact that there are real problems with county management.”

There’s a famous quote that comes to mind when Don Casada thinks about the idea of building a new library — “Don’t allow the immediate to get in the way of the important.” To many people in the community, the idea of having a library means a focus on lifetime literacy and learning.

Jim Casada said it’s also a slap to Toni and Don Davidson and the many others who have put so much time, effort and money into pursuit of a new library.

“Far from fulfilling a dream, taking a meaningful step into a bright future, and giving Swain County a source of pride and a model place for pursuit of knowledge, this

FUNDING LIBRARIES The challenges counties have had with trying to fund new libraries is nothing new, but Jackson, Macon and Haywood counties have all made it happen one way or another.

Jackson County’s library in downtown Sylva — a massive renovation of the historic courthouse on the hill — is a shining example of what can be accomplished when all stakeholders are on board with the project. It didn’t come without controversy though. It took over a decade of debating to get it off the ground — a point that gives Delfield hope that Swain’s new library could still be possible. By the time it was completed in 2011, it won the Outstanding Facility Award for new libraries larger than 26,000 square feet presented by the N.C. Public Libraries Directors Association.

The Friends of the Library group in Jackson raised $1.8 million to furnish and equip the new library within two years. The county took out a $10.295 million loan in 2009 — $7 million to pay for the new library and renovate the historic courthouse and $3.2 million for construction at Southwestern Community College. Jackson County allocates more than $1.1 million a year to Fontana Regional Library System to help fund the Sylva and Cashiers libraries.

In Macon County, a new library was completed in Franklin in 2007 on Siler Road, which is now located next door to Southwestern Community College’s Macon Campus and Macon Early College. Once again, Friends of the Library raised over $1.2 million to furbish the new library and the county funded construction. Each year, the county government contributes over $1 million to the Fontana Regional Library System to support the library branches in Franklin, Highlands and Nantahala. The county’s annual budget is over $50 million.

While Haywood County isn’t part of the Fontana Regional system, the county government is in the process of discussing a major renovation to the Waynesville Public Library, which was constructed nearly 40 years ago, as well as the Canton branch. The renovation work has been put off for years, but commissioners are considering dipping into the fund balance to pay for the projects.

Swain County’s library is more than 50 years old. It’s only 9,100 square feet and doesn’t have enough parking spots on the property. The county typically budgets about $200,000 a year to support Marianna Black’s annual budget.

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Smoky Mountain News

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VALLEY VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER

Marianna Black Library on Fryemont Street in Downtown Bryson City is in desperate need of more space and more parking. File photo

structure would bespeak drab dullness, cultural backwardness on the part of both the county and its commissioners, and an atmosphere of intellectual indifference,” Jim wrote in his letter to commissioners.

Again, Parsons said the commissioners aren’t arguing about the need for a new library — they just need the library committee to help them come up with a way to fund it and they would need to know it’s a priority for a majority of taxpayers in order to raise taxes.

“I’m not sure it’s a priority. The quarter cent sales tax referendum failed the first time and that was for our school kids,” Parsons said. “More public support is what it will take. We need to know what the public wants and we need ideas of how to fund it.”

February 26-March 3, 2020

- • 17,900 square feet (9,100 plus addil tional 8,700) n • $3.1 million construction; $0.7 million t for furnishings; $0.3 million in contingency; $0.3 million purchase and cond struct parking; $4.4 million total cost; d $3.63 million loan.

PROS: • Consistent location for over 50 years n • Property already owned by county t • Giving new life to an aging, outdated t facility • Walkable from downtown • Technology infrastructure in place - CONS: • Periods of diminished service during y renovation, no additional parking witht out purchase or lease of parking lots.

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keep an eye on him. After dinner, he said Mr. Black would watch the news before heading upstairs to his bedroom. Hours later, Don said the light under his door would still be on because he was lying in bed reading a book.

“Even in his final years, he was still reading and learning,” Don said. “I think we’ve lost sight of the importance of that. It’s extremely depressing.”

Don agreed that perhaps more vocal community support could make a difference in the commissioners’ decision. Afterall, the board has been willing to make other investments in other needed infrastructure — why wouldn’t a world-class library be a top priority?

“We understand there’s a lot of money to invest and we’re a poor county, but we’ve spent money on buying the (event park) property off Hyatt Creek — $350,000 for something that may be used twice a year,” he said. “The county also owns buildings on three of the four sides of downtown Bryson City that are worth a considerable amount of money. I know they’re trying to sell the old community building, which is a good move

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Options presented for Marianna Black

ing, some type of plaques or statues, blooming flowers in season, or other things pleasing to the eye and soothing to the mind. Acres of asphalt form as distant a remove from this as one could possibly envision.”

While a view of the Tuckasegee River might be nice aesthetically, Casada pointed out that the moisture of the river would not be ideal conditions for a building full of books. The problem could be mitigated with humidity control devices, but that would also drive up the cost of the project. Locating the library close to the river would put it in danger of flood damage.

According to FEMA, the site has a 0.2 percent annual chance flood hazard. Moving the library to another building that is just as old doesn’t improve the situation, Casada continued.

“At best, this would seem to be a stopgap move rather than a step into the future; at worst the county would be investing in a money-absorbing white elephant. Rent payment provides no return, no ownership, and no benefits for the future,” he wrote.

Jim and Don Casada had plans to make large donations — both monetary and book

news

Waynesville wastes no time in budget discussions

down the drain. what’s at stake is the possible creation of a service charge that would distribute the cost of storm water management based on how much storm water is generated by a property.

At an average rate of $2 a month per month, that would raise about $90,000 a year.

A multi-tiered system is possible, as are caps for large commercial customers and exemptions for businesses that have spent money on storm water management, like the Russ Avenue Ingles.

Waynesville’s lingering waste treatment problems are about to become a thing of the past, but with a new treatment plant on the horizon, rates will have to increase on average 10 to 12 percent every year for the next four or five years to sustain the $19.4 million nointerest loan the town’s secured to pay for it.

PARKS

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER aynesville’s elected officials, administrators and department staff were supposed to spend Feb. 21 talking about the year’s upcoming budget — which they did, for nearly six hours — but the board also took immediate action on several issues deemed too important to wait.

Finance Director Ben Turnmire gave a sixmonth budget update, telling aldermen that everything seemed to be on track but also outlining some goals and conditions aldermen need to keep track of as they craft next year’s budget.

The general fund will continue to be pressured by expense growth, as in every town, Turnmire said, thanks to the impact of personnel increases and mandatory retirement contributions. The town’s enterprise funds — water, sewer and electric — are and must remain stable, and all departments must remain focused on efficiency.

And despite the current boom economy, aldermen should also prepare for economic retraction.

“It’s going to happen at some point, and we need to be ready for it,” said Turnmire.

The countywide property tax revaluation is currently underway but won’t have a budget impact until July of 2021. The five-year forecast is for sustained positive property tax growth, and there are hopes that Waynesville’s property valuation may increase by as much as 7 percent — not nearly as rosy as Haywood County Commission Chairman Kevin Ensley’s 20 percent projection for the county, but still better than the last revaluation, which was relatively flat.

Right now, the town’s ad valorem tax rate is at 49.57 cents per $100 in assessed valuation. At that level, each penny on the tax rate accounts for about $115,000.

Aldermen will need every bit of that, if 10

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valuation increases comes to pass. Turnmire said that 165 submissions to the town’s capital improvement plan call for more than $33 million in projects over the next five years, but the town only has the ability to spend about $8 to $10 million over that period.

HUMAN RESOURCES The town will also face several immediate spending needs like a state-mandated increase to state retirement plan contributions of $20,000.

On a positive note, the town’s dismal medical loss ratio of 1.47 last year has dropped to 0.91 this year. The MLR is a critical figure in negotiating health insurance rates; the 1.47 figure means that for every dollar Waynesville paid in health insurance premiums, the insurance company paid $1.47 in claims.

That leads to large rate increases, but the 0.91 rate this year means the insurance company is making money. Still, the town is looking at a 10 percent increase in premiums this year, to the tune of about $220,000 — sadly, a welcome figure compared to the more than 25 percent increase logged last year.

The town is also looking at ways to become more competitive in attracting and retaining top talent. A full-scale pay classification study hasn’t been done since 2006, and a new one could help address vast inequality in pay scales across departments, and across municipalities in the area.

The study could cost in the neighborhood of $80,000. Alderman Anthony Sutton made a motion to proceed immediately with the study, which was approved unanimously.

WATER AND SEWER Also on tap is a storm water utility plan, which was talked about last year but went

A long-promised park in Waynesville’s historic African American neighborhood should see some progress as soon as this spring.

Alderman Jon Feichter pushed for more funding in this year’s budget, noting that the board had budgeted $60,000 last year to pour a slab, build a pavilion and straighten out the parking situation. The town is also applying for Medford fund grant for playground equipment.

“I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made on the Calvary-Craven Park,” said Feichter. “I think [Director of Development Services Director] Elizabeth Teague and her team have done a good job in moving that project along.”

The budgetary impact of the town’s $2.46 million recreation department will also get a thorough review this year. Revenue generated through membership and passes to the town’s rec center generated only $553,000 against that figure, and a total of about $900,000 a year.

Ad valorem taxes subsidize the recreation department to the tune of $1.04 million or 16 percent of all ad valorem taxes, and changes to rates — including an increase for patrons who don’t live in town limits — may become a reality this year.

ROADS Town officials feel they’re being thrown under the bus on the condition of local roads, but two of the biggest problem areas, Main and Pigeon streets, are the state’s responsibility.

The greatest concerns are on Pigeon Street are from South Main Street down to the Salvation Army.

Town Manager Rob Hites said NC Department of Transportation was open to allowing the town to grind an inch off the road and repave it. While that might not be legally permissible, it would be a pricey project that the town might not get reimbursed for; the project also has the potential to disturb utilities just beneath the road’s surface, which would mean cutting through the new pavement to repair them.

In 2018, the town implemented a $15 per car vehicle fee, with $10 of that going towards maintenance of its own roads. In the days preceding the budget retreat, Feichter asked

Facebook: Should we keep it?

Eliminating the fee would slow the pace of street repairs, but during the retreat he noted that the fee impacts people on fixed incomes the most, as well as people with multiple vehicles. Alternately, the town could raise the fee to $30, but no one’s proposed that.

Feichter’s poll had a low response rate, but a strong majority of respondents expressed support for keeping the fee.

However, the town elects to move forward with street maintenance — and pay for it — Feichter said he wants data on the condition of the roads, to help prioritize repairs and keep citizens abreast of what’s being fixed, and why.

Feichter proposed a street condition study that would do exactly that, but aldermen didn’t feel like they had to wait to commission such a study, passing Feichter’s motion during the meeting.

Waynesville had street condition studies done in 2011 and in 2015. The average score in 2011 was 82 but rose to 84 in 2015. Those studies cost $14,200 and $16,000 respectively, so a new one would likely run about $20,000.

GOVERNANCE

Aldermen launched into a lengthy discussion over whether or not to move the public comment portion of the meeting to the beginning of board meetings. For years, it’s been held at the end of the meetings, but thanks to a motion by Alderman Chuck Dickson, the board will try out the new arrangement.

The board may also seek a new arrangement in how it elects its members. Currently, Waynesville is the only government in Haywood County and one of the few in Western North Carolina that elects all five of its board members at the same time, every four years.

Of course this means that voters could wipe the board clean, leaving a tremendous deficit of experience.

A legal opinion issued by Town Attorney Bill Cannon says that the General Assembly’s approval for such a change is not required, contrary to years of speculation.

Mayor Gary Caldwell opposed the change, citing the $15,000 cost of putting on an election every four years; that would double to $15,000 every two years if the change is made.

Dickson, who was town attorney for Clyde and Maggie Valley when their board adopted staggered terms, said that the complete turnover of a board would be “disastrous.”

Mayor Pro Tem Julia Freeman and Sutton said more research was needed, while Feichter urged the board to “strongly consider” making the change. Although no action was taken, the issue could pop up again in the coming months.

State law mandates passage of a revenueneutral budget by July 1 each year, so the Feb. 21 meeting was only the start; more workshops may be held before what’s called the “mangers budget” is presented to the board.

After that would come a public hearing, or possibly two, and then a vote for adoption, likely some time in June.

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TWSA hires local for director’s job Donated photo

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the job, and every board member looked at and ranked each application, whittling the pool down to six. The Personnel Subcommittee then took a closer look at the top six candidates and narrowed them down to two.

The subcommittee did preliminary interviews with the top two candidates and then scheduled them to come to TWSA, where they toured facilities, met employees and engaged in an interview with the full board.

Department heads filled out evaluation forms for each candidate, which the board considered along with its own impressions from the interview.

“One thing I want to show is just the great service to the community that TWSA provides. I’m excited to step in on day one to start improving community relations.”

— Daniel Manring

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“What I was hearing was that he (Manring) had familiarity with a lot of our projects that were already active and that he was invested in the community,” said Rodes.

Rodes emphasized the diversity of expertise and knowledge the director’s job requires, commenting that it’s so broad that in reality there’s no “perfect candidate” who comes with all the tools already in hand.

“A lot of the skills come with experience in doing something like this,” said Rodes.

“He assured us that he was willing to learn and train and do anything he needs to do to do his job well. I do believe him.”

Manring said he’s been working with TWSA since 2007, both as a client and as the water and sewer authority the engineering

company found itself needing to coordinate with. He believes he brings a more diverse range of experience to the table than what a resume might show — for instance, many of the engineering projects he’s worked on have been grant-funded or public projects, so while he has not been employed by a local government before, he has experience with how such entities function from the project engineering side.

“I’m a person that likes to wear a lot of hats, and this role allows me to have a full plate,” he said. “That’s very appealing to me.”

Manring will certainly get his wish in that regard. The list of in-process projects is long, and as the new director Manring will need to jump in feet-first to keep them moving. Construction on the new wastewater treatment plant in Cashiers is expected to begin in August, and the water line for the Dillsboro bridge project is going in now.

TWSA is also working to expand infrastructure along the Little Savannah Growth Corridor, refurbish the wastewater treatment plant behind Harold’s Grocery in Sylva, and build a new lift station, also in Sylva. Then, of course, there’s the N.C. 107 project, which will require all kinds of attention and planning in the years ahead.

Manring believes that his existing relationships with DOT staff, local business owners and the engineering community will be a significant asset. He also believes that better telling TWSA’s own story will go a long way toward improving relationships across the board.

“One thing I’m really excited about is to show off TWSA a little bit,” he said. “I feel like a lot of the exposure they get is regarding fees and the limitations that some people feel TWSA may have on development, and one thing I want to show — and I’m super confident that I can do this — is just the great service to the community that TWSA provides. I’m excited to step in on day one to start improving community relations.”

February 26-March 3, 2020

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer — Authority will have a new executive director on the job by March 19 after the TWSA board voted unanimously during its Feb. 18 meeting to hire engineer Daniel Manring. y “I’ve really grown to appreciate and love working with water and sewer, and to work in the director’s position just gives me an opportunity to further get involved with the community and be in a people management role,” said Manring. “It’s more fitting to me as a person as opposed to just the technical role that I serve most of the time now.”

Manring, 39, graduated from Smoky Mountain High School in 1998 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in construction management with a minor in business administration from Western Carolina University. He began working for the Sylvabased engineering firm Lofquist & Associates Inc. in 2007, leaving in 2014 to take a position as coordinator of administrative and facility projects at Southwestern Community College. After one-and-a-half k years in that position, he returned to w Lofquist, where he is a project manager.

Since 2015, he has worked as an adjunct professor of construction project management at SCC, and he serves on the WCU Construction Industry Advisory Board and the SCC Civil Engineering and Geomatics f Advisory Board. In addition to a bachelor’s y degree, he holds a safety certification through OSHA and an environmental documentation certification from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality.

Manring lives in Cullowhee with his wife and y two children.

Manring will earn a salary of $92,500, plus benefits, and replace former director Dan Harbaugh, who resigned in September after seven years in the position. Harbaugh took a new job in Fayetteville, which allows him to live closer to his aging mother. Dan Schaeffer, retired public works director for the Town of Sylva, has been serving as interim director.

After Harbaugh’s last day Sept. 27, Board Chair Tracy Rodes said that she hoped to have a new leader on board within five months. The board voted to hire Manring more than a week inside that fivemonth deadline, though he won’t actually start the job until closer to the six-month mark. The delay will allow him to finish up some projects he’s working on for his current employer.

“We worked really hard to do that,” Rodes said of the hiring timeline the board ultimately achieved.

TWSA published a job ad for the position on its website Sept. 26 and moved to publish it in trade publications across a four-state area. Twelve people applied for

Daniel Manring.

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After unanimous vote, Manring to start March 19

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Policy change aims to improve sheriff recruitment

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER heriff Chip Hall is hoping that a recently adopted policy change will make it easier for the Jackson County Sheriff ’s Department to recruit experienced law enforcement officers.

“What we’re wanting to do is expand the options that’s available to us,” he told commissioners during a Feb. 10 work session discussing the issue. “We had a number of retirees that went to work for us, and we had to come up with a policy for our retirees, and that document reads, ‘any work documented through the local or state retirement system administered by this state or other state or federal government compatible jurisdiction of government.’ What we would like to do is expand that into our current county policy to allow us to reach out to some of these other agencies and officers.”

Commissioners approved the policy change by unanimous vote at their regular meeting Feb. 17. Before the change was enacted, prospective deputies transferring from other agencies could only receive a salary recognizing their years of experience on a one-to-one basis if they were part of the N.C. Local Government Employees Retirement System or the N.C. Local Governments Employee Retirement System for Law Enforcement Officers. Essentially, that meant that only officers coming from

February 26-March 3, 2020

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Smoky Mountain News

such as highway patrolmen, State Bureau of Investigation officers and wildlife officers, for example — to join the department with full credit for years of experience.

“Are there other groups in the state that we’re not thinking about that would potentially want to come on board and take a job as a deputy sheriff in North Carolina?”

The changes are mainly aimed at Chairman Brian McMahan asked during enabling the sheriff to recruit from the work session.

Adams replied that WCU and Cherokee, but they would it’s difficult to craft a also allow other types of law policy that addresses every potential circumenforcement officers to join the stance but pointed out department with full credit for years of that the policy is discretionary. The county experience. manager has the authority to approve any hire up to a step 12 that meets the policy requirements, but Training and Standards. In addition, a commissioners can approve hires above step recruit receiving credit for direct experience 12 or hires that don’t meet the policy must be actively working as a full-time, requirements. Policies can also be changed. state-certified law enforcement officer, with “If a year from now somebody showed only consecutive years of service in North up we didn’t think about, we’d just have to Carolina up to the time of the application sit down and talk about it,” said Adams. considered.

Commissioner approved the policy The changes are mainly aimed at change unanimously, with an enactment day enabling the sheriff to recruit from WCU of Feb. 18. Commissioner Mickey Luker was and Cherokee, but they would also allow absent from the meeting. other types of law enforcement officers — Don Adams said during the work session.

Under the revised policy, recruits can receive one-to-one credit for their years of experience as long as they’ve been certified under the N.C. Department of Justice through either the N.C. Sheriff ’s Training and Standards or the Criminal Justice

Chip Hall.

File photo

other town or county law enforcement agencies could receive a salary that fully reflected their years of experience.

However, that policy left out two significant agencies that exist within Jackson County’s own borders — the Western Carolina University Police Department and the Cherokee Indian Police Department.

“This is trying to empower the sheriff to recruit active officers,” County Manager

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status as an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray of the Western District of North Carolina, who announced White’s arrest, has joined U.S. attorneys for the state’s middle and eastern districts, as well as the District of South Carolina, in calling on Congress to permanently ban fentanyl and its analogues.

Congress passed a 15-month extension on DEA’s existing ban on all variants of fentanyl, which President Donald Trump signed into law on Feb. 6. The extension expires on May 6, 2021.

“While I am thankful that Congress extended the temporary ban on fentanyl and fentanyl-like analogues, I join law enforcement and prosecutors across the nation in calling for action to permanently outlaw this deadly substance and all its derivatives,” Murray said. “Temporary bans are the equivalent of putting a BandAid on a gushing wound. We need a permanent fix. Fentanyl and fentanyl analogues kill people and devastate communities. These drugs belong in same legal category as heroin and other deadly substances.”

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February 26-March 3, 2020

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER herokee resident Shannon White, 42, will face federal charges for allegedly distributing fentanyl that resulted in an overdose death.

The bill of indictment, delivered by a grand jury sitting in Charlotte, alleges that on Jan. 28, 2019, White “did knowingly and intentionally distribute a mixture or substance containing fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, and death resulted from the use of the fentanyl.” The indictment identifies the deceased only by the initials J.F. White was arrested by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and the Swain County Sheriff ’s Office on Friday, Feb. 21, and appeared in court on Monday, Feb. 24, before Magistrate Judge W. Carlton Metcalf. An attorney was appointed to her, and a detention hearing is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26.

If convicted, White will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison with a maximum term of life in prison, plus up to a $1 million fine. The case is being prosecuted in federal court due to White’s

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Tribal LLC buys modular home company EBCI will purchase $15 million of inventory in three years

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians hopes to see a recent $5.8 million purchase by Kituwah LLC generate revenue for the tribe while simultaneously improving tribal members’ access to quality, affordable housing.

Kituwah LLC acquired the assets of Cardinal Homes, a bankrupt modular home company that’s based in Wyliesburg, Virginia, and employs 40 people. During the Feb. 6 Tribal Council meeting, which occurred prior to the sale’s closing, members voted 11-1 to approve a resolution allowing Principal Chief Richard Sneed to sign an agreement guaranteeing Cardinal $5 million worth of business per year for three years.

“This acquisition was a good fit for our portfolio,” Mark Hubble, CEO of Kituwah LLC, said in a press release. “This will allow us to provide housing to tribal members at a significant savings, while rapidly growing the manufacturing and retail sales of Cardinal Homes in the hotel and apartment sectors.

We feel that with our financial backing and the strong leadership team at Cardinal, we can take Cardinal Homes to a new level.”

On Feb. 6, Hubble told council members that he expects the company to reach profitability within 12 to 18 months. The tribe’s agreement to purchase $15 million worth of inventory in the next three years will make that road a little smoother, and Cardinal will seek out other customers as well to achieve the roughly $11 million worth of annual business required to stay in the black.

“It’s a high fixed overhead cost, but then it becomes pretty profitable when you move above that,” said Hubble.

The tribe could use the homes it purchases for a variety of purposes — senior, veteran or workforce housing, perhaps. If it can’t absorb all those new homes as quickly as they’re built, Hubble said, the company will store them at the factory until the tribe is ready to take delivery. Tribal members, meanwhile, will benefit from the LLC’s purchase of the company by gaining access to discounted housing.

“We can sell these homes, whether it’s on the boundary or off boundary, for as long as we own that asset at our cost,” said Hubble.

“On average-size homes, that will save about $20,000.”

Council members were receptive to the ask, recognizing the acute need for increased housing options and the purchase’s potential to provide tribal members access to inexpensive housing while also decreasing the tribe’s reliance on gaming revenues.

Wolfetown Representative Bo Crowe was the sole opposing voice in the 11-1 vote to approve the resolution.

Bankruptcy notwithstanding, Cardinal 14

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Cardinal Homes produces a variety of sizes, styles and types of homes.

Cardinal Homes photo

makes a quality product with a huge variation in options available, said Hubble.

“They placed an $800,000 home in Asheville about a year ago,” he told council.

“Some of the beach houses are half a million, million-dollar homes and up. So they can go from that all the way to starter homes. I think it’s a good asset if we can get it squared away.”

Yellowhill Representative Tom Wahnetah

products could also be used when developing the tribe’s Dumplin Creek property in Sevier County, Tennessee, Hubble said.

Overall, he said, it’s a strategically sound purchase.

“I’ve had a lot of conversations with their builders’ network, and those have all been very positive,” he said. “They’re very impressed with the quality that Cardinal does, and they’re very willing to work with

“We are focused on developing revenue streams for the Tribe, and this acquisition will provide not only that diversification of revenues, but also provides a very tangible benefit to Eastern Band of Cherokee tribal members.”

— Chrissy Arch, Board Chair

said that the modulars could be used to replace the outdated structures that Qualla Housing Authority is constantly spending money to rehabilitate, decreasing the ongoing maintenance cost while improving tribal members’ standard of living.

“The infrastructure’s already in there,” he said. “All we got to do is demo and rebuild without having to sink more money into remodeling these old two-bedroom apartments.”

The modulars can be easily stacked to form apartment buildings up to three stories high, and with some additional effort fourstory buildings are possible too. Cardinal

us to move forward outside of here.”

Additionally, he said, the plant’s location in southern Virginia about 50 miles northeast of Danville should be good for business.

“The location of this particular plant puts it within a day’s drive — which is the ideal drive for a modular — of a lot of big metros,” he said. “It’s kind of the ideal plant, and we’re picking it up at a very low price.”

According to a press release from Kituwah LLC, operations will be transferred to a subsidiary of Kituwah LLC, and all 40 employees currently on staff with Cardinal will be offered positions within the new company.

“My administration created Kituwah, LLC to move at the speed of business to identify revenue and profit opportunities to ensure the economic prosperity of the tribe,” Principal Chief Richard Sneed said in the release. “This is an example of that plan in action. In just 12 weeks, the company identified the opportunity and put the necessary planning and strategic resources together to save dozens of Virginia manufacturing jobs, and create additional local housing opportunities for tribal members and tribal contractors.”

Kituwah LLC was created in March 2018 in an effort to diversify tribal revenues using an entity that’s set up to more swiftly seize business opportunities than a governmental body would be able to. The LLC is overseen by a five-member board, whose members receive a base salary of $25,000 per year with additional bonuses as they meet revenue benchmarks. It received $25 million in seed money when it was initially created, with Tribal Council approving an additional $50 million in August 2019. While Sneed vetoed the appropriation, writing that the LLC had not provided “necessary justification” or “a plan discerning what the money will be dedicated to,” Council overrode the veto by unanimous vote Sept. 12.

“We are focused on developing revenue streams for the Tribe, and this acquisition will provide not only that diversification of revenues, but also provides a very tangible benefit to Eastern Band of Cherokee tribal members,” said Board Chair Chrissy Arch.

Proposed ordinance aims to ensure transparency for tribal boards

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VOTE TO TABLE

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The ordinance was tabled by unanimous vote, but not out of opposition to its contents — council members said they wanted more time to work out the details and ensure that the provisions would work in practice. For instance, while the council chambers are set up to easily record and stream meetings, as it is they’re often occupied with Tribal Council business. Some members were concerned that the ordinance as written would hamstring the boards’ ability to conduct business by creating a bottleneck on meeting space.

“I understand the concern, but I just want to make sure we’re not locking this building down to where it’s hard for anybody to even squeeze a meeting in,” said Chairman Adam Wachacha.

Crowe acknowledged that was an issue that could use some more discussion.

“I kind of figured that it wouldn’t pass today, that there is some stuff that needs to be worked on,” he said. “That’s one of them that we had discussed.”

Tribal member Becky Walker came to the mic to voice her support for the ordinance, saying that logistical concerns about meeting space should be a distant second to the need for transparency.

“If you deem it necessary that they carry out their business in the daylight like you do, then you have that full authority,” she said.

“It sets right here in these chambers. A building space shouldn’t even matter. The transparency and the public trust that any of these boards and you are all responsible for should be apparently clear to the people in the community at all times.”

The ordinance does not specify the council chambers as the required location for such meetings — it simply says that the meetings must be televised or streamed and open to the public. Meeting at the councilhouse would simply be the easiest way to meet those requirements.

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BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ribal Council is considering an ordinance change that would require the tribe’ various boards and committees to publicly televise or stream their meetings.

Wolfetown Representative Bo Crowe, who submitted the ordinance, said that he crafted it in response to frustration he’d experienced requesting minutes from one of those entities.

“One of the issues that I’ve had that really got me started wanting to work on this ordinance here was asking for minutes and not receiving any of the minutes yet,” he told Council during its Feb. 6 meeting. “So the way I look at it if we can get them to where they start meeting inside the chambers and being aired, then we won’t have to worry about having to ask for minutes.”

management agreement with Caesar’s and in that management agreement which the tribe approved, any information that is exchanged between Caesar’s and TCGE is confidential and proprietary.”

Due to that fact, said Davis, the TCGE would not support a requirement to televise its meetings.

Attorney General Mike McConnell added that there may be similar restrictions on what meetings are and are not public for other boards and committees listed in the ordinance.

“All of these are either intended to be revenue-generating or dealing with, like with TERO, revenue that might be generated from a contractor, the idea being that politics are going to stay out of that management of the business side of the tribe,” said McConnell.

McConnell also echoed the logistical concerns brought up Feb. 6 about access to the council chambers, which is currently the only location set up to televise meetings. A better approach, he said, might be to make firm decisions as to what meetings or parts of meetings Wolfetown Representative Bo Crowe discusses his ordinance during a work session Feb. 24. EBCI image are and are not open to the public and then enact a deadline by The ordinance also incorporates the reasons The ordinance also includes a clear defiwhich minutes of those meetings must be for closed session included in the section of nition of what a meeting is, something that completed and transmitted to the Tribal code dealing with Tribal Council. is lacking in the ordinance governing Tribal Operations Program, where tribal members The ordinance applies to seven specificalCouncil meetings. According to Crowe’s could easily access them. ly listed public bodies, as well as to standing ordinance, a meeting — as used in this secThose caveats from Davis and McConnell committees of Tribal Council. The bodies list- appeared to resonate with several members tion only — refers to a “majority congregaed include the Tribal Gaming Commission, tion of the board, committee, etc. at the of Council.

Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise, Cherokee same time and location to hear, discuss, “I think there needs to be thoughtful School Board, Cherokee Police Commission, review on this to see what the implications Tribal Alcoholic Beverage Control are from the standpoint of the welfare of the “The transparency and Commission, Tribal Employment Rights tribe before we get hasty, before we start Commission and Sequoyah National Golf going down a rabbit hole we can’t find our the public trust that any Club LLC Board of Directors. way out of and harm our people in the of these boards and you However, the ordinance exempts the process of trying to help,” said Big Cove Business Committee, Housing Improvement Representative Perry Shell. are all responsible for Program Committee, Qualla Housing Crowe, meanwhile, appeared to stand by should be apparently Authority Board of Commissioners, Social his legislation, beginning to relate a recent Services Committee and Enrollment conversation on the topic he’d had with an clear to the people in the Committee from its requirements. Hannah unnamed TCGE member. That conversation Smith of the Attorney General’s Office sughad given him some “heartburn” about the community at all times.” gested that council members consider strikissue, he said. However, Wachacha stopped — Becky Walker, tribal member ing some of those exemptions. him to suggest he think twice before telling “I understand enrollment, because those the story in open session. are confidential issues, but we probably need deliberate or take action on any item that is “If we want to go into closed session and to make sure that we’re clear that Business within the subject matter jurisdiction.” The discuss specifics, then we can do that and we Committee would still be an open commitdefinition also covers communications that can discuss specifics,” he said. tee, because there are a lot of financial transare not carried out in person but are used to At that point, council went off the air achieve the same effect. It does not prevent a actions that happen there, and we need to and into closed session, with the livestream make sure there’s sunshine on that,” she said. showing an additional hour of meeting time majority of members from attending the same public gathering as long as no “subject during which video and audio were not probusiness matter” is discussed. vided. Sec. 117-13(b) of tribal code lists the ORK SESSION FOLLOW UP Additionally, the ordinance lays out reasons for which Tribal Council may go into approved reasons for which a legislative a closed session, provided that a motion is The conversation took a different turn body described in the section may go into made and adopted beforehand citing the during a work session held Monday afterclosed session. These reasons include disreason. However, no reason for the closed noon, Feb. 24. cussing a final draft audit, decisions regardsession was stated.

“Our meetings are not open to the pubing real estate and payment terms, advice Tribal Council could vote on Crowe’s lic,” Ann Davis, attorney for the TCGE, told from legal council, matters posing a threat to Tribal Council during the work session. ordinance during its upcoming meeting public buildings security and essential pubThursday, March 5, but an agenda for that “Tribal Council is welcome to attend, as is lic services security, and personnel matters. meeting is not yet available. the chief. Because of the fact that we have a 15

news February 26-March 3, 2020

WNC charities receive Dogwood Health funding D

ogwood Health Trust has awarded more than $3.7 million to a diverse range of 259 nonprofit and government agencies from every county and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina through its Immediate Opportunities and Needs grant program.

Of the 492 applicants, 53 percent were awarded a grant, with the average award amount totaling $14,600. Of those funded, 34 percent of requests will advance equity or reduce disparities.

“Originally, we planned to begin funding in fall 2020, but the board was eager to begin investing in the community at the start of the year,” said Janice Brumit, chair of the Dogwood Health Trust board of directors. “The purpose of this round of funding was to meet immediate needs and build initial relationships throughout our region. We plan to use what we learned from this round of funding to inform the work we’re doing now to design our strategic initiatives.

Meeting immediate needs is one thing, but what we really want to do is move the needle on key issues and make lasting change.”

An initial budget of $2.5 million was allocated to the ION grant program.

“Our goal throughout the ION grantmaking process focused on awarding grants to a diverse representation and on inclusion in our 18-county and Qualla Boundary region,” said Jackie Simms, chair of the programs

and grants committee. “We gave particular attention to smaller nonprofits headquartered in the counties and tribe served by Dogwood and to organizations led by people of color. Choosing recipients was a challenging and awe-inspiring task; so many organizations are doing such important work in our region.”

ION grants awarded will support affordable housing development, dependable cars

LECONTE CENTER, PIGEON FORGE

MARCH 4 -7

for working families, a rescue mission day center expansion, cybersecurity improvements, roof repairs, and a portable X-ray device, to name a few.

The Vecinos Farmworker Health Program, located in Jackson County, and serving Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, and Transylvania counties, received an ION grant that will support a larger project to

address and improve patient data security within their mobile clinics.

“This is a game changer for us as a clinic,” said Marianne Martinez, executive director for Vecinos. Martinez plans to purchase laptops and technology to support secure connections while treating patients in their mobile clinics. “Patient data security should not be sacrificed, regardless of ability to pay or insurance status,” adds Martinez. “Providing a health care system that is both standardized and secure promotes equity of care and reduces barriers to health care while increasing patient safety.”

ION grants awarded were in alignment with Dogwood’s work to improve health and wellness and address the social determinants of health in the region. To see a full list of award recipients or to learn more about Dogwood Health Trust’s grant opportunities, including the Leverage Fund, visit www.dht.org.

Dogwood Health Trust is a North Carolina nonprofit corporation with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and well-being of all people and communities of Western North Carolina.

Dogwood Health Trust became operational upon the sale of Mission Health’s assets to HCA Healthcare and is the recipient of the net proceeds of the sale.

To learn more, visit www.dht.org.

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Schools confront inequity in education Dr. Jess Weiler, an assistant professor in the College of Education and Allied Professions at WCU, has conducted extensive research on equity and has seen firsthand how the ICS framework can fundamentally change a district’s perspective on teaching and learning. She is confident that local students will benefit from the process.

“I think there will definitely be improvement in scores and data,” Weiler said. “But more importantly, I am hopeful that we will create environments in which students love to learn, feel supported in their learning and feel as though the expectation for their learning is high.”

Elliott is pleased that Weiler, an ICS coach, will be assisting the district with training and implementation over the next four years. “It’s a clear advantage for Jackson County Public Schools to be so close to WCU and Dr. Weiler who is leading their educational equity work,” Elliott said.

Weiler and ICS co-founder Dr. Colleen Capper led the first of several work sessions with JCPS administrators on Feb. 17. Ongoing support from ICS will include two summer institutes and quarterly meetings with district and school leadership teams.

Elliott believes change can happen, but it will take time.

“I don’t think there’s a roadmap that will get us from point A to point Z on the road to equity,” she said, “but I would like to see in four to five years every student covered by the umbrella of equal access and equal opportunity. At that point, we’ll be in a better place with equity.”

paid for by the candidate

Opening on Maggie ABC board

Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub, located at 58 Stewart Street, Franklin. Those interested in an open exchange of ideas (dialog, not debate) are invited to attend. For more information call 828.371.1020.

Haywood Cancer Center

Health department seeks input

Franklin forum discusses coronavirus “Going viral. How serious of a threat is the coronavirus?” will be the topic for the Franklin Open Forum at 7 p.m. Monday, March 2, at the

February is National Library Lovers month and the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City will celebrate with a Customer Appreciation Day. Stop by the Marianna Black Library on the corner of Academy and Rector Street on Friday, Feb. 28, in Bryson City for cake and punch while supplies last. The library offers many services to help educate and assist the community. Along with checking out materials like books and magazines, the library offers children’s programs, a community meeting room that your group can reserve, a display case, DVD movie rentals, internet computer access, free wifi, printing, educational programs, summer music and more.

is pleased to welcome REBECCA ROQUES-DAVIS, M.D. Board Certified in Medical Oncology Dr. Roques-Davis has joined Jennifer Heaberlin, D.O. and Charles Thomas, M.D., F.A.C.R.O.

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Macon Dems to talk about pretrial justice The Democratic Women of Macon County will meet jointly with the Macon County Democratic Men at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at Noah’s Play and Train 486 W. Palmer Street.

Dawn Todd will speak on behalf of the Pretrial Justice Project of Macon County. All Democrats and unaffiliated voters are invited to attend.

Smoky Mountain News

The Jackson County Department of Public Health is seeking input from both residents who have used its services (clinical, nutrition, environmental health, laboratory and more) and residents who have thoughts on the health needs of Jackson County.

With invaluable input from community members, JCDPH is able to improve upon services and ensure that it is meeting the needs of the community. Take a moment to give input by visiting http://health.jacksonnc.org/surveys. For any questions on how the data gathered will be used, contact Melissa McKnight at 828.587.8288.

Have cake at Swain library

February 26-March 3, 2020

The Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen is accepting applications to be on the Maggie Valley ABC Board. Applications are due to the clerk’s office at town hall by 5 p.m. Feb. 28.

Applications can be picked up from Town Hall, Maggie Valley ABC Store or on the town’s website. The terms are three years.

news

Nothing represents a community’s diversity better than its public schools. Each school is a cultural melting pot of ethnicities, identities, beliefs and social classes that intersect at a single location. The challenge for educators is ensuring an equitable learning environment for every student that is free of judgment based on perceptions and stereotypes.

School districts across the nation have traditionally developed reactive instructional models that label or group students according to abilities and limitations. However, research has consistently shown that academic performance is more positively affected by high expectations than by tracking or grouping students according to a presumed level of ability.

Jackson County Public Schools recently took steps to intentionally confront inequity with a long-term plan to transform the district through a new instructional framework developed by Integrated Comprehensive Systems for Equity (ICS) at the University of Wisconsin. The ICS process seeks to maximize the learning potential of every student by shifting from a reactive deficits-based system to a proactive assetsbased system.

JCPS Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Elliott said the framework is not another program. It is a different way of thinking.

“It is a mind-shift into looking at what a child can do as opposed to what a child cannot do,” Elliott said. “We’re going to travel a different road and try to refocus and reframe how we view student success.”

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Helping Seniors With Their Needs news

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If you have limited mobility, contact us about an in-home visit.

Norris Elder Services, LLC

Smoky Mountain News

February 26-March 3, 2020

828-452-2256

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Norris Professional Building 177 North Main St., Waynesville www.norriselderservices.com www.norrisandassoc.com

Business

Smoky Mountain News

Bridal shop opens in Hazelwood Thanks to a community fundraiser, local brides can now shop for their wedding dress at UpLove Bridal and More located in Hazelwood Village instead of having to travel to Asheville.

Fashion designer and bridal alterations specialist Mandy Wildman had long wanted to open a shop where she could serve her customers in a comfortable and convenient location, but without seed money she didn’t see a way to do it. A friend suggested she create a crowdfunding campaign to see if there was any interest in the idea.

“I was amazed at the response,” Wildman said. “People contributed their time, money and resources to help open this shop.”

With the $2,500 she raised she renovated a run-down shop in Hazelwood with the help of friends, family and even strangers. Wildman also put the word out that she was looking for gowns to consign in her shop and within weeks had over 500 dresses on display. The stated mission for her one-of-a-kind garments is to create fun, playful clothing for whimsical women using planet-friendly ingredients.

UpLove Bridal and More has seen a steady stream of customers seeking formal gowns, custom clothing, alterations, and of course, wedding dresses. Wildman is also dedicated to giving back by offering a free sewing class from 3 to 5 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month at her shop. She also offers mentoring and internship positions for students looking to get into eco fashion design.

UpLove Bridal and More is located at 432 Hazelwood Avenue in Waynesville. Call 828.564.3096 or visit www.uplovebridal.com.

Soda Jerks receive grant EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems recently announced that Waynesville Soda Jerks is the first recipient of the EMFS grant and loan program, which is designed to “buy down” the cost of purchasing equipment or infrastructure for farm and food businesses.

Waynesville Soda Jerks is an independent, locally-owned soda company based in Haywood County that works closely with regional farmers and producers to source local farm products for their sodas. The company, owned by Megan Brown and Chris Allen, plans to put the funding toward an expansion phase to scale up the business, purchasing equipment to increase production in both their wholesale and retail markets.

The team also works with an array of small wholesale distributors in the region and hopes to increase their products in these locations as well as diversifying into larger wholesale markets across the state, such as grocery stores.

State Farm office opens in Franklin Scott Manshack, his wife, Amy, and their team were joined by the Franklin Chamber of Commerce at his recent ribbon cutting ceremony at their new office located at 1509 Highlands Road.

Prior to his appointment, the office belonged to State Farm Agent Cindy Rodgers before her retirement. Scott first started his career with State Farm in 2005 at the Charles Wolfe State Farm Agency in Sylva. In 2013, Scott and Amy were

given the opportunity to take over for retiring State Farm agent Gary Jensen and opened their first State Farm Agency on the Georgia Road. Scott and his team have over 58 years of combined State Farm experience.

WCU offers business seminar Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment will be offering a three-part seminar series entitled, “Strategies for Fixing Big Leaks in Your Business: People, Processes, and Pipeline” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays, March 4, 11 and 18 at WCU Biltmore Park in Asheville.

Topics for the series will include people leaks, process leaks, and pipeline leaks. Registration fee for the workshop is $279 with lunch included.

SHRM and NASBA credits are available at the completion of the series.

For more information and to register, visit pdp.wcu.edu and click on “For-profit and Nonprofit Professional Development Workshops” or call 828.227.7397.

U.S. Cellular invests in NC infrastructure U.S. Cellular recently announced that it made a $57.7 million investment in its network infrastructure, store environment and statewide communities in North Carolina in 2019. This includes $56.6 million to enhance the network experience

for North Carolina residents through upgrades that improve coverage, capacity and data speed.

To better serve consumers and small business owners and create an enjoyable in-store shopping experience, the company invested $941,000 to update or redesign 19 retail stores throughout the year. In its retail locations, customers can see first-hand the latest smartphones and tablets from Apple, Samsung, Google and LG, the latest Smart Home products from Google Nest and hundreds of consumer electronics items, such as smart watches and wireless speakers, headphones and chargers.

Additionally, in 2019 U.S. Cellular celebrated five years of supporting Boys & Girls Club of America and STEM-focused education through a $1 million donation to the organization’s academic pillar — $70,500 went directly to six clubs in North Carolina, and local associates spent 620 hours volunteering their time with these clubs and a variety of other non-profits throughout the year.

For more information about U.S. Cellular’s network coverage, store locations and community support, visit www.uscellular.com.

Awards given at chamber banquet The Franklin Chamber of Commerce recently held its Annual Awards and Installation Banquet.

Danny Antoine was honored with the prestigious Citizen of the Year Award.

Laurel Klonkowski received the Duke Citizenship & Service Award. Appalachian Animal Rescue was named Club or Organization of the

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Year. J & B Disposal received the Chamber Member of the Year Award. Entegra Bank received a Legacy Award with sincere appreciation for outstanding service in Macon County since 1922.

HCC offers continued ed classes Haywood Community College’s workforce continuing education department is offering a wide variety of courses for the month of March. There’s something for everyone, including courses that allow you to earn a credential to courses for the hobbyist.

• Career Readiness Pathways will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday, March 2. This course is a complete approach to helping students reach their career goals.

• Woodworking on a Budget 2 will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, March 2 through April 6. Cost is $195.

• WorkKeys Testing will be held from 5:30 to 10 p.m. March 5 and 19.

• Notary Public will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 7. Cost is $100.

• Community CPR will be held Wednesday, March 11. This course is for nonmedical providers that need the skill for employment or want to have the skill in the event of an emergency.

For more information on any of the classes listed above, call 828.627.4669.

V Nails & Spa opens in Dillsboro The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce ambassador team recently held a ribbon cutting/grand opening ceremony for V Nails & Spa located at 28 West Sylva Shopping Area (in the Harold’s Supermarket parking/shopping center area). The spa is open Monday through Saturday.

Appointments and walk-ins are welcome. Gift certificates are also available.

Call 828.586.3331.

UCB ranked top bank United Community Bank was recently recognized as one of America’s best banks by Forbes magazine for the seventh consecutive year.

“America’s Best Banks 2020,” an article written by Antoine Gara, ranked 100 of the largest publicly traded banks and thrifts nationwide.

United Community Bank was included in the top 25 on this prestigious list.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Banks for the seventh year in a row. To earn a spot in the top 25 is a testament to our United team,” said Lynn Harton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of United Community Banks, Inc. “Delivering strong financial performance, which this list is designed to recognize, helps ensure that we will have a bright future. I am proud to see our United bankers recognized for what they do each day to both deliver class-leading customer service and top quartile financial performance.”

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

Bad choices will make things worse

BY STEVE WALL G UEST COLUMNIST here are over 200 cases of coronavirus that have appeared in Italy, with three deaths as of Feb. 21. It’s possible patient one had symptoms for five days before seeking help.

Currently, there are over 500,000 people in North Carolina who have no medical insurance, and several thousand are here in the mountains. Careful health surveys by the Kaiser Family Foundation show that people with no medical insurance delay seeing a medical provider for financial reasons. Is it inconceivable that someone with a highly contagious disease could remain under the radar, and without knowing it, spread the infection, because a visit to the ER and lab test could cost them $300 or more out of pocket.

If so, why do Republican politicians like Sen. Tom Tillis, R-N.C., and state Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, sabotage the expansion of Medicaid in North Carolina that would help protect public health? Why does President Trump continue to attack the Affordable Care Act that has given over 20 million people access to care? The reason is as obvious as it is outrageous — because these programs to safeguard our nation’s health have President Obama’s name attached to them. And

T

Thanks for the reminder To the Editor: I want to thank Scott McLeod for his encouragement to all of us in his “From the Publisher” portion of the Friday Xtra digital newsletter last Friday morning. With us not knowing what others are going through, it is a wonderful reminder to be kind and compassionate as well as always treating people like we want to be treated. Thanks again!

Sheriff Greg Christopher Haywood County Sheriff

these Democratic initiated programs must be socialist or communist, as state House candidate Mike Clampitt from Bryson City recently declared, conveniently forgetting that Medicare and Social Security were also called socialist or even communist when they were first proposed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson.

As late as 1954, paralytic polio claimed 50,000 victims every year in the U.S. As late as 1999, measles killed 2 million children worldwide. These plagues have stopped because of vaccine development and improved medical access. About 23 million children have been spared death from measles worldwide since 1960.

In 1918, we didn’t have the kind of medical research and technology that developed in the second half of the 20th century. No one really knows how many people died from the Spanish Flu, but estimates range from 30 to 40 million worldwide. And the oceans didn’t protect the U.S., where out of population of 105 million approximately 400,000 to 500,000 died, including my wife’s great-grandfather.

This is not fake news, Mr. President. Xi Jinping, president of China, is not doing “A great job … totally under control ….” as you foolishly stated before having any real intelligence (perhaps from one of the 17 intelligence agencies you have stated

LETTERS (cherry picked topics with no supporting evidence) some of which to my mine are not really reasons to vote for or against a candidate.

Example: “Was Not Always a Lawyer” says nothing as I imagine none of the three candidates was always a lawyer. It does not carry a “paid for” statement.

I intend to pay attention to ads that give real information about a candidate, their endorsements, and their positions and not ads that offer little or no helpful information.

Such ads only inform my opinion about the candidate running the ad.

Richard Gould Waynesville

Some political ads are not helpful

Democracy hits the mat

To the Editor: One of the blessings or curses of too many philosophy classes at university is an appreciation for critical thinking skills. Many of these skills are becoming less and less prevalent in modern discourse. Applying those skills to politics is critical to making sound judgements in the voting booth.

Over the last several weeks I have noted political ads in the news and have been using them to help make my voting decisions.

Specifically, three ads caught my attention.

Two are Republican and one is Democratic. I am registered as unaffiliated. One ad is for the 11th Congressional District race, one ad is for the N.C. House and one ad is for District Court Judge. The first two are objective statements of qualifications for the office and clearly state who paid for the ad.

The third (for District Court judge), I consider to be deficient in that it lacks objectivity

To the Editor: Just when I thought it was safe to be optimistic about the trajectory of our country, I came up from my crouch and took a double gut punch. That one-two punch left me reeling from what I’d just seen and felt.

When the Senate voted not to allow any witnesses or additional evidence to be admitted during their hurried impeachment proceedings, I dropped a tear of anger and loss.

How can one even hope to find the truth and offer transparency without hearing from those directly involved on the front lines? Blocking testimony from the highest-ranking staffers in the field is the most blatant way to insure that the facts are never heard.

This comes after weeks of the president specifically instructing government employees to ignore congressionally issued subpoenas to testify before recognized bipartisan committees, giving our Constitution a swift right

you don’t trust as much as you trust Vladimir Putin).

So while we are talking about this, ask yourself why Mr. Trump is calling for a $5 billion cut in the budget for the National Institute of Health. I think I know why — because our president encouraged by his obedient, irresponsible followers like Sen. Tillis and Rep. Mark Meadows and thinks he knows more than anyone, whether it’s about Syria (sorry Kurds, you’re on your own, I know more than the generals), vaccines (they cause autism, bad doctors!), climate (he knows its all a Chinese trick), etc., etc.

I’m glad the stock market is up and job creation in the past 36 months is almost as good as it was in the last 36 months of the Obama administration. I’m glad there will never be another recession, and that Trump’s federal deficit that’s now over a trillion dollars — for the first time in our history — won’t ever come back to bite us. Because the really good news, in spite of any worries about epidemics or economics or our standing in the world with no allies is what Trump said to his wealthy campaign contributors during a dinner at Mar-aLago after the 2017 passage of the budget busting tax give away: “I just made you all a lot richer.” See you in November.

(Steve Wall is a retired pediatrician who spent his career in Haywood County.)

hook, busting the collective lip of truthfulness.

Even before the trial began, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed that he’d not only be in the President’s corner with the stool and a pep talk between rounds, but also with the assurance that he would fix the fight from the beginning with help from his complicit cohorts in the chamber to hamstring the opponent — transparency. The truth and any unbiased hearing would be buried under the canvas cover along with another piece of our democracy.

Shock and disbelief fell across many American faces as our long-held faith and belief in the sacred process of fair and equal justice and our national character were thrown into the ropes with a little fancy footwork by those whose job it is to defend those very ideals. This is not how our systems of checks and balances and due process work, this is how thugs, gangs, dictators and mob bosses operate. The only thing missing here was the sound of kneecaps breaking.

I couldn’t watch any of the proceeding that followed, knowing that a complete sham and cover-up was taking place, and all the world had a ring-side seat, our Constitution reduced to bookies bet sheets and birdcage liner. The pre-arranged acquittal followed, not because of our unbiased, equally applied system of government, but in spite of it.

An emboldened lightweight emerged, eager to retaliate against his critics, knowing that his spineless backers in the Senate, including our own Sen. Tom Tillis, were giving him the green light and freeing him from any accountability going forward, regardless of rules, law or sense of decency.

He celebrated by throwing Purple Heart recipient Lt. Col.Vindman and his fellow sol-

dier brother, along with world-respected US Ambassadors Gordon Sondland (EU) and Marie Yovanovitch (Ukraine) out on their asses for providing information and testimony as requested by investigators, and required by law (incidentally!).

In the meantime, he disgraces previous recipients of the Medal of Freedom by awarding it to his ass-kissing, bigoted pal Rush Limbaugh with a bare-knuckled jab into American honor. He followed with his appointed lapdog Attorney General William Barr directed to intervene in a presiding judge’s sentence for his long-time dirtbag buddy Roger Stone in yet another flagrant abuse of power, usurping the distinct separation between the judicial and executive branches of government.

Now, officially above the law and given free rein to re-make our legal system to his benefit, the most recent series of punches that landed on America’s face make a mockery of our institutions and those who sacrificed and died to defend and protect them.

My 2020 hope is that the nation can gather the collective courage and conviction to get up off the floor and come back swinging with the conjoined political punches of Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammed Ali. It’s imperative that voters deliver the needed knock-out blow to this blatant assault on our democracy. We want our nation back.

We don’t want to hear the ref count to three and await our democracy’s final bell sounding.

It’s up to us in November to land that massive punch, sending the dirty fighter and his backers to the locker room defeated, marking a win for America’s future as the real democracy champions.

John Beckman Cullowhee

Susanna Shetley

I

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February 26-March 3, 2020

t was a crisp and cold morning. The lake was still, like a mirror. The sun had just risen. Every few seconds the bald eagle would glide through the sky and then swoop down to catch a fish in the water.

If he missed, he would start over.

Glide, swoop.

Glide, swoop.

Until finally, he was rewarded by his Columnist efforts.

When my boyfriend, Matthew, finished with a recent early morning run, this is the story he told me. He and three friends do a six- to ninemile run each weekend. These runs usually begin at 5:30 a.m. and end around 7 a.m.

But when Matthew finished this particular run, he didn’t report their conversations about kids or work or their random guy banter about this or that. No, he told me this story about the elegant bald eagle at Lake Junaluska. The scene was a visual that resonated with both of us. Even though I didn’t see it play out in person, his retelling was so descriptive it affected me just the same.

As humans we can give up easily. Our frail senses of diligence and perseverance can wane quickly. Our attention spans are easily manipulated. We tend to rely on comfort zones and routines as opposed to stretching our talents. In contrast, animals lack the ability to reflect and reason and are therefore driven by survival.

One time I saw a graphic that depicted a tiny circle with the words “comfort zone” inside. The neighboring circle was huge by comparison with the words “best life.” It was a simple black and white graphic with a powerful message. When we remain in the same place, growth is nearly impossible.

When we stretch ourselves, try new things and live with an open mind, growth is everywhere.

With my children’s book publishing this past November, I’ve experienced a number of things outside my comfort zone. I’ve been asked to speak at schools, rotary clubs and bookstores. I’ve gone to conferences and book festivals and stood alongside authors with many more titles and accolades than I. Going into each of these events, I felt anxiety and fear of the unknown. I forged ahead anyway and each time, I felt myself change and evolve in the best ways.

This week introduces the season of Lent.

opinion

Lessons learned from a bird of prey

From Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, individuals worldwide will embrace the 40 days in between. It’s meant to be a time of waiting, preparation and fasting.

Sometime in early adulthood, I began honoring this season. I’ve given up things such as gum, gluten, alcohol, caffeine and other luxuries. I’ve also taken on challenges such as running every day or reading a certain number of books. I’ve put some thought to what I want to embrace this year.

For me personally, giving up something like a food or beverage doesn’t do a lot for my psyche or well being. I’m generally a very healthy, active person and do a good job of moderating consumables that are bad for me. Emotionally, I’ve experienced significant loss over the past four years so taking on something good helps to fill some of that void.

Matthew and I have decided that we’re going to take on the challenge of getting up at a certain time each morning to ensure we start the day in the right mind frame. We’ve learned that at least 30 minutes of quiet time reading, praying or journaling does wonders for the soul, especially before diving headlong into a day of stimulation. The aim is to get up by 5:15 a.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. on weekend, and we plan to hold one another accountable.

I’ve always loved those hours before dawn. Back when I was teaching, I had a dream to be a writer. Every morning I woke up early and worked on my writing career before getting ready for school. Once I had my first child, I woke up even earlier because as parents know, babies are on their own schedule and I knew I had to get my own stuff accomplished to be a happy, clear-headed mom.

During these early morning hours, I obtained a journalism add-on degree, started a mom blog, wrote numerous articles and columns, and finished writing four books, one of which has been published.

Now, even though I’m not teaching, I have similar goals. I get up early and work on my own writing goals before arriving at The Smoky Mountain News for the day.

With all of that being said, there are days where I just don’t feel like getting up or I hit the snooze button one too many time. It’s especially hard to get up early on the weekends. I’m hopeful during this Lenten season these new wake-up times will become a disciplined habit like they once were.

Perhaps it’s a bald eagle gliding and swooping to find his breakfast or a mom waking up before daybreak to accomplish goals and dreams. The purpose is the same.

Whether human or beast, we’re all on the same path, a path to live our absolute best lives and embrace those tentative parts of us that, if left alone, will never catch a fish.

(Susanna Shetley is writer, editor and digital media specialist for The Smoky Mountain News, Smoky Mountain Living and Mountain South Media. susanna.b@smokymountainnews.com)

21

tasteTHE mountains Taste the Mountains is an ever-evolving paid section of places to dine in Western North Carolina. If you would like to be included in the listing please contact our advertising department at 828.452.4251 AMMONS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANT & DAIRY BAR 1451 Dellwwod Rd., Waynesville.

828.926.0734. Open 7 days a week 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Celebrating over 25 years. Enjoy world famous hot dogs as well as burgers, seafood, hushpuppies, hot wings and chicken. Be sure to save room for dessert. The cobbler, pie and cake selections are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

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.

February 26-March 3, 2020

BOOJUM BREWING COMPANY 50 N Main Street, Waynesville.

828.246.0350. Taproom Open Monday,

Wednesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday & Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Gem Bar Open Tuesday through Sunday 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Enjoy lunch, dinner or drinks at Boojum’s Downtown Waynesville restaurant & bar. Choose from 16 taps of our fresh, delicious & ever rotating Boojum Beer plus cider, wine & craft cocktails. The taproom features seasonal pub faire including tasty burgers, sandwiches, shareables and daily specials that pair perfectly with our beer. Cozy up inside or take in the mountain air on our back deck."

BOURBON BARREL BEEF & ALE 454 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, 828.452.9191. Lunch daily 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; dinner nightly at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Wine Down Wednesday’s: ½ off wine by the bottle. We specialize in hand-cut, all natural steaks from local farms, incredible burgers, and other classic american comfort foods that are made using only the finest local and sustainable ingredients available.

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

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

CHURCH STREET DEPOT 34 Church Street, downtown Waynesville.

828.246.6505. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Mouthwatering all beef burgers and dogs, hand-dipped, hand-spun real ice cream shakes and floats, fresh handcut fries. Locally sourced beef. Indoor and outdoor dining. facebook.com/ChurchStreetDepot, twitter.com/ChurchStDepot.

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.

THE CLASSIC WINESELLER 20 Church Street, Waynesville.

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

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

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

828.926.1820 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Tuesdays. 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.

EVERETT HOTEL & BISTRO 16 Everett St.,Bryson City. 828.488.1934.

Open daily for dinner at 4:30 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday Brunch from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; dinner from 4:30-9:30 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.

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.

FERRARA PIZZA & PASTA 243 Paragon Parkway, Clyde. 828.476.5058.

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

FIREFLY TAPS & GRILL 128 N. Main St., Waynesville 828.454.5400. Simple, delicious food. A must experience in WNC. Located in down-

EVERYTHING IS DELICIOUS!

SOUTH PHILLY ITALIAN PASTAS only

$300

• jumbo hot dog

only

$550

• Xtra-lg slice of cheesecake

l l only a b t 50 a e $9 M Sub

• Pasta with meat sauce $8.50 • Pasta with 2 meatballs $9.50 • Other pastas! Pastas w/ marinara sauce, fettuccini Alfredo, red & white linguini w/ clam sauce $7.50 • Steak & cheese sub, chicken breast sub, Italian hoagie $9.50 Call In Orders Encouraged

828-593-3580

Curbside service and Delivery by Door Dash

ICE COLD COCA-COLA, DIET COKE, SPRITE, FANTA ORANGE

Smoky Mountain News

2768 ASHEVILLE HWY, CANTON, NC | 828-593-3580 HOURS | MON-THU: 11AM-8PM, FRI-SAT: 11AM-10PM, SUN: 12PM-8PM

DINE-IN, TAKEOUT, OR CATERING!

Award-winning BBQ, brisket, and ribs, all with sides made fresh daily.

8721 Carolina Blvd. Clyde 828-507-6209

Serving all of WNC 22

www.hitthepitbbq.com

tasteTHE mountains town Waynesville with an atmosphere that will warm your heart and your belly! Local and regional beers on tap. Full bar, vegetarian options, kids menu, and more.

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

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

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

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 dinner 5 to 9 p.m.

Tuesday through Thursday. 5 to 9:30 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.

Reservations accepted. www.frogsleappublichouse.com.

HAZELWOOD FARMACY & SODA FOUNTAIN 429 Hazelwood Avenue, Waynesville.

828.246.6996. Open six days a week, closed Wednesday. 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday brunch 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Breakfast until noon, old-fashioned luncheonette and diner comfort food.

Historic full service soda fountain.

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

828.452.5187. Lunch Monday-Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., eat in or carry out. Closed Sunday. A made-from-scratch kitchen using fresh ingredients. Offering a variety of meals to go from frozen meals to be stored and cooked later to “Dinners to Go” that are made fresh and ready to

MAD BATTER KITCHEN 617 W. Main St, Downtown Sylva.

828.586.3555. In collaboration with Lazy Hiker Brewing Co. Open 7 days a week; Saturday & Sunday Brunch until 2 p.m.

Hand-tossed pizza, local grass-fed beef and rice bowls. Scratch-made and beer inspired menu with lots of vegetarian, vegan & gluten free options. Free live music and movies.

Visit madbatterkitchen.net for this week’s events.

SAGEBRUSH STEAKHOUSE 1941 Champion Drive, Canton 828.646.3750 895 Russ Ave., Waynesville 828.452.5822. Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Carry out available.

Sagebrush features hand carved steaks, chicken and award winning BBQ ribs.

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

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

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

MAGGIE VALLEY RESTAURANT 2804 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

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

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.

PIGEON RIVER GRILLE 101 Park St., Canton.

828.492.1422. Open Tuesday through Thursday 3 to 8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday noon to 9 p.m.; Sunday noon to 6 p.m. Southerninspired restaurant serving simply prepared, fresh food sourced from top purveyors.

Located riverside at Bearwaters Brewing, enjoy daily specials, sandwiches, wings, fish and chips, flatbreads, soups, salads, and more. Be sure to save room for a slice of the delicious house made cake. Relaxing inside/outside dining and spacious gathering areas for large groups.

RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT AND BAR Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center 70 Soco Road, Maggie Valley 828.926.0201 Home of the Maggie Valley Pizzeria. We deliver after 4 p.m. daily to all of Maggie Valley, J-Creek area, and Lake Junaluska.

Monday through Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. country buffet and salad bar from 5 to 9 p.m. $11.95 with Steve Whiddon on piano.

Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 11:30 to 8 p.m. 11:30 to 3 p.m. family style, fried chicken, ham, fried fish,

SOUTH PHILLY ITALIAN PASTA & SUBS 2768 Asheville Hwy., Canton.

828.593.3580. Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

Pick-up or carryout only. Call in orders. Pasta and subs. Large portions!

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.

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

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

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

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.

WATAMI SUSHI AND NOODLES RESTAURANT 33 S. Main Street, Waynesville.

828.231.3476. Open 7 days a week serving lunch and dinner. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m. on Monday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 11:30 a.m.9 p.m. Sunday. Healthy, fresh, delicious and high-quality Asian food such as Sushi and Sashimi, Hibachi and Teriyaki, Pad Thai, Wok Lo Men and Thai Coconut Noodle Soup.

Sushi, Hibachi and Teriyaki lunch specials every day. Gluten free options available. Full sushi bar and new chocolate wine bar. New party room available for weddings, birthdays or special occasions. Live bluegrass Sundays from 6-9 p.m. with Sons of Ralph.

Reservations and online ordering available. www.watamisushinoodles.com WAYNESVILLE PIZZA COMPANY 32 Felmet Street, Waynesville.

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

We Accept Reservations & Offer Online Ordering

Join us Sundays 6-9PM

LIVE MUSIC!

Gluten Free Options Available

Bluegrass: Sons of Ralph

New Party Room Available ~ ~ ~ ~ Book Us for Your Next Event ~ ~

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

watamisushinoodles.com · 828.246.6888 33 S. Main St. #101 · Waynesville

ORDER CATERING ONLINE No Lines No Waiting!

CityLightsCafe.com 828.587.2233 3 E JACKSON ST • SYLVA, NC Carver's

MAGGIE VALLEY RESTAURANT since 1952

Daily Specials: Soups, Sandwiches & Southern Dishes

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

Breakfast : Omelets, Pancakes, Biscuits & Gravy!

Breakfast served all day!

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

Smoky Mountain News

JOEY'S PANCAKE HOUSE 4309 Soco Rd Maggie Valley.

828.926.0212. Open seven days a week! 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Joey’s is a family-friendly restaurant that has been serving breakfast to locals and visitors of Western North Carolina for decades. Featuring a large variety of tempting pancakes, golden waffles, country style cured ham and seasonal specials spiked with flavor, Joey's is sure to please all appetites. Join us for what has become a tradition in these parts, breakfast at Joey’s.

salad bar, along with all the fixings, $11.95.

Check out our events and menu at rendezvousmaggievalley.com

February 26-March 3, 2020

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

enjoyed that day. We also specialize in catering any event from from corporate lunches to weddings. kaninis.com

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

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

Closed Tuesday

Sunday 12-9 p.m.

Sandwiches • Burgers • Wraps 32 Felmet Street (828) 246-0927

23

24

A&E

Smoky Mountain News

Big moves for Nantahala Brewing Craft beer company consolidates Bryson City locations “The new partners we’ve secured are going to help us return to our roots, while also growing our brand without the risks associated with continuing to build a large production facility in an area that doesn’t have all the resources to sustain it.”

— Joe Rowland, co-owner, Nantahala Brewing

The Burger Bar on Ramseur Street.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER ormally, when one hears the sounds of hammers and saws at 61 Depot Street in Bryson City, it signaled an expansion of the Nantahala Brewing’s original taproom and production facility. But, with an announcement last week, those sounds are of big change for the craft beer company.

“After nearly nine years of operating our taproom and production brewery on Depot Street in Bryson City, we have outgrown it,” Rowland said in a post on the brewery’s Facebook page on Feb. 17.

Nantahala will temporarily close its taproom while they prepare to consolidate all operations with the Burger Bar in the historic RC Cola Bottling Plant on nearby Ramseur Street. As well, there will be a “Leap Year Taproom Throwdown” on Saturday, Feb. 29, at the original brewery before it is permanently closed and operations head to the Burger Bar property.

“We expect you all to have lots of questions and we want everyone to know that this was a tough, but exciting, decision for us, and one that we’ve been considering over the past year,” Rowland went on to say in the Facebook post. “The memories we’ve made at our original location are too numerous to list, but the opportunity to move into a space where we can

N

consolidate our resources and have plenty of room to grow were too great to ignore.”

The consolidation of the Bryson City locations is a direct result of a recent decision by Rowland and his wife, co-owner Jenn Huston, to sell a minority interest in the Nantahala Brewing brand to a Delaware-based private investment group. The couple still retains a controlling interest in the brewery, with the latest investment now a catalyst for future growth of the business.

“We’ve checked a lot of boxes and built a solid brand over the years that brought us to this moment,” Rowland said. “In a way, the changes we’re making and the new partners we’ve secured are going to help us return to our roots, while also growing our brand without the risks associated with continuing to build a large production facility in an area that doesn’t have all the resources to sustain it.”

The investment group also owns and operates several other brewing facilities around the United States, with Nantahala Brewing able to utilize those facilities to supply its existing distributors within the continued growth of the brand. Production of Nantahala Brewing’s craft beverages onsite in Bryson City will continue, but now within the historic RC Cola Bottling Plant (of which, the Burger Bar is attached to).

“I’m looking forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with the other brands in

the investment group. These are brands that better represent some of the concepts we’ve explored at Nantahala,” Rowland said. “As a result of this new partnership, I’ve also been helping Rock Brothers Brewing in Tampa, Florida. It’s been exciting building new brands and collaboration beers between us and Rock Brothers with bands like The Infamous Stringdusters, all while finding ways to support some of Rock Brothers’ existing relationships with 311 and Umphrey’s McGee.”

Aside from the Burger Bar, Nantahala Brewing also owns and operates an outpost taproom and restaurant in downtown Sylva, a relatively new location that has now become a social hub in the community.

But, for now, Rowland and Huston are busy taking down a decade’s worth of memories in the Depot Street location — from craft beer medals to old concert posters, taproom barstools to stage equipment. All of which signals the end of one bountiful chapter and the beginning of an unknown, yet bright, transition in the unfolding story of this beloved mountain brewery.

“In the early days, I worked at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, while Joe packaged, sold and delivered beer, and we’d took turns bartending and managing the taproom at night — it’s just what we had to do to get this business off the ground,” Huston reminisced.

“Back then, we got to know lots of people in the community and built relationships with families that visit year-after-year. We miss those simpler times and look forward to taking a step back so we can be more involved in the aspects of the business we love.”

In regard to the Depot Street location, the extensively renovated World War II-era building and property are currently up for sale. As of press time, CJ’s Grille, which resides independent of the brewery on the far end of the building, will still be open for business.

“We’re going to miss everything about this building. This has been our home for over 10 years. We raised a family in here and made a lot of friends, too, and now we’ve moving on,” Rowland said, gazing around the old taproom on Depot Street. “We’re excited for what the future holds, and also what Nantahala Brewing’s brand will mean for Bryson City as we expand further and farther out.”

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5

The 19-piece John Brown Big Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at the Bardo Arts Center on the campus of Western Carolina University.

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Smoky Mountain News

Popular rock act The Captain Midnight Band will alking up to the Civic n perform at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, in The Center (aka: Harrah’s r Gem downstairs taproom at Boojum Brewing in Cherokee Center m Waynesville.

- Asheville) this past Sunday Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host The Maggie e evening, the building was Valley Band (Americana/indie) at 8 p.m. buzzing wildly from a soldSaturday, Feb. 29. d out crowd of thousands eager to see Sturgill Simpson and Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage e Tyler Childers take the stage.

Center will host The Berea Bluegrass Ensemble - It’s crazy to think — at 7 p.m. Monday, March 2, and fiddler Andrew k though not surprising — that Finn Magill at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5. m Simpson was playing venues Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Heidi s the size of The Grey Eagle Holton (blues/folk) at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28.

(400+ capacity) not that long . e ago, with Childers completely - under the radar just a few of the Nashville music industry. e years back playing clubs with more people And yet, the more attention put on p onstage than in the audience.

Simpson and Childers, the more elusive s Both Kentucky singer-songwriters came they’ve become. The venues continue to sellup through the same dive bar and café live e music circuit, now holding court in huge are- out, but few, if any, interviews are given to the media. Heck, neither is really even - nas, backed by rollicking honky-tonk bands. played on the radio, at least not on corpof Simpson also had a hand in breaking rate-owned mainstream radio that is.

- Childers into the mainstream by producing While sugary pop country (or “bro coun- his acclaimed albums “Purgatory” and try”) still dominates the charts, there’s a swift “Country Squire.” undercurrent of “something new, something s Truth-be-told, Simpson and Childers are else” just beneath those calm waters current0 part of this latest generation of country ly navigated by the likes of Luke Bryan, t singers — more so outlaws and outsiders — Florida Georgia Line and Jason Aldean. ” who are now considered the real deal nitty But, notice there were no female acts m gritty rock stars of this current generation of mentioned in the previous paragraph. That e music freaks and lovers. With other names itself is a huge elephant in the room of a like Colter Wall, Nikki Lane, Whitey s Morgan, Margo Price, Corb Lund and so on, Nashville music executives and DJs, where these performers are kicking down the doors female country acts are given measly scraps

LIVE MUSIC

February 26-March 3, 2020

Some say you might go crazy, a t but then again a it might make a you go sane y

CASUAL FINE DINING WITH

arts & entertainment

This must be the place

compared to their male counterparts feasting on the radio waves. It’s even been said behind closed doors (and in public forums) about how women are purposely kept out of radio station playlists.

Case-in-point, this outlaw brigade of melodic pirates sails the high seas in an effort to make change — something tangible, with a flare of positivity and compassion. Amid a “take no prisoners” attitude, Simpson and Childers are leading a charge that was initially sparked by Jason Isbell several years ago (whose wife Amanda Shires fronts groundbreaking country super group The Highwomen featuring Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris and Natalie Hemby).

All of this banter and change circles back to the Simpson and Childers two-night run in Asheville. Sure, Childers might come across with an “aw, shucks” kind of sentiment in front of the microphone. But, don’t let that fool you. This is a musician chiseled from the hardscrabble ancient mountains of Southern Appalachia.

Childers is a Trojan horse in the music world, one aimed at shaking up the scene and making sure the spotlight isn’t on him so much as it should be on the urgent — often tragic — political and society issues at hand in his native Kentucky and beyond. It’s about using your artistic platform for good, and not greed.

And the same torpedo launch could be said about Simpson. Though Childers has somewhat maintained his signature look of an old baseball cap, plaid shirt and jeans, Simpson is conquering the big stage for all its worth.

Shirtless in a custom-tailored black suit with all sorts of embroidered cosmic cowboy images, Simpson strapped on his electric guitar and threw the audience into a fevered sense of self akin to the name of his latest album, “Sound & Fury.” For Simpson, it was a bare-knuckle brawl with the listener, his six-string Gibson snarling through the amplifiers on the verge of exploding.

What was witnessed within the Civic Center was not some sappy country showcase — it was a rock performance, through and through. The essence of rock-n-roll has always been about rebellion, the attitude that you can’t tell me what to do — I’m just going to what I want sonically, come hell or high water.

Rock-n-roll is about giving the middle finger to authority and those holding something above you, just out of reach. And Simpson and Childers are holding up both middle fingers through poignant melodies that at their core are warm and embracing, but prickly and sharp at the edges.

Leaving the Civic Center, the stunned masses exited into the night with a sense of wonder and awe only found in the depths of sincere and meteoric performers. They say all great art is meant to create dialogue.

Well, Simpson and Childers sure have a lot of folks talking.

Well done, fellas. Kudos. See y’all down that unforgiving road we continue to wander along, pushing ahead into the unknown day with our dreams held close, our love radiating into the heavens for all to immerse themselves in.

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

a website to take you to places where there are no websites.

Log on. Plan a getaway.

Let yourself unplug.

25

February 26-March 3, 2020

arts & entertainment

On the beat Helping Hands fundraiser The Helping Hands of Haywood will host a fundraiser with a performance by The Remainders at 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at UpCountry Brewing in Asheville.

The organization is completely run by volunteers. Its first goal is to raise money for a family in transitional housing to ease the burden of paying for utilities. They have partnered with EACH Initiative for this goal, they’ll provide the home for a family and we will pay utilities. Families that are provided with after-care are much less likely to return to homelessness.

Helping Hands aims to assist people experiencing homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues. They are dedicated to filling in the missing pieces that existing nonprofits and programs currently provide.

The organization has held a collaboration with West Side Shears to provide haircuts to the residents at Pathways and babysit children at Pathways on Thursday evenings so parents can attend a Bible study if they choose to. As well, Helping Hands has brought hygiene supplies to Pathways.

Helping Hands believes working together with other people who care is the key to a functioning resource funnel, where people can go from experiencing homelessness to permanent housing.

For more information, email helpinghandsofhaywood@gmail.com or call 828.508.3420.

Newsboys to play Franklin Beloved Christian rock band Newsboys and special guests Mandisa will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

How many groups boast a discography with 17 albums and five gold records? And as they create and grow, things have only gotten better for Newsboys: 2010’s “Born Again” spawned three No. 1 radio hits, and 2012’s “God’s Not Dead” sold more than 300,000 copies.

A blend of tight pop, modern rock, and worship music, the music sparkles with intensity, passion, and melodic majesty from start to finish.

Tickets start at $28 per person. There will also be a special pre-show Q&A and VIP packages available. For more information, visit www.greatmountainmusic.com.

John Brown.

Singer-songwriter at The Strand Americana/folk musician Meghan Hayes will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville.

Last year saw the release of the third record from East Nashville songwriter. Hard on the heels of a divorce from a 20-year marriage, the songs on “Seen Enough Leavers” are tough, sonically diverse and lyrically driven.

Sometimes folky, sometimes reaching into the realms of pop and rock but always grounded in the art of songwriting itself, this album is by far Hayes’s most ambitious recording to date.

Hayes reached out to her local community and invited some heavyweight guest musicians, including Audley Freed (Sheryl Crow), Derry DeBorja (Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit), and Mando Saenz into the studio to flesh out the sound. The result is a stunning look and listen into the heart and mind of one of the most promising songwriters working today.

Tickets are $10 per person. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit www.38main.com.

Ready for the John Brown Big Band?

A professional big band jazz ensemble led by John Brown, director of the Jazz Program and associate professor of the Practice of Music at Duke University, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at the Bardo Arts Center on the campus of Western Carolina University.

Made up of 19 top musicians, the band specializes in performances of traditional compositions from the Great American Songbook and today’s cutting-edge arrangements.

Tickets for the John Brown Big Band are $15 for adults, $10 for faculty/staff/seniors 65+, and $5 for students. Find tickets and further information at arts.wcu.edu/johnbrownjazz. Tickets may also be reserved over the phone at

Smoky Mountain News

Mountain Heritage Center concerts

26

The Berea Bluegrass Ensemble.

Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center will host two old-time and bluegrass performances the first week of March.

The Berea Bluegrass Ensemble will perform Monday, March 2, while fiddler Andrew Finn Magill takes the stage on Thursday, March 5.

Both shows begin at 7 p.m. and will take place in the recital hall of the Coulter Building. WCU’s School of Music is co-sponsoring the shows. The performances are free and open to the public.

The Berea Bluegrass Ensemble is made up of students who, during their time at the liberal arts work college, show off their singing and picking skills in exchange for course cred-

828.227.2479 or in person at the WCU Bardo Arts Center Box Office. The box office will also be open one hour prior to this performance.

In addition to the evening performance on Thursday, March 5, local elementary schools are invited to attend the 10 a.m.

Friday, March 6, educational performance.

This special educational performance is supported by the Jackson County Arts Council and is free and open to any K-5 grade classrooms and homeschool groups.

Student audiences will have the chance to learn about the instruments on stage, the history of jazz, and experience this dynamic 19-piece band. More information about the educational performance at arts.wcu.edu/learninglive.

it and the opportunity to make lifelong friends and share their music with audiences around the world.

Their concerts are a blend of traditional bluegrass and mountain music with contemporary influences.

Magill has six albums to his credit and is known for playing fiddle tunes steeped in traditional Irish, Brazilian choro, jazz and oldtime, bluegrass and swing fiddle music.

Fascinated by the connections between the fiddling traditions of Ireland and Scotland and the “musical cousins” of oldtime and bluegrass, Magill created a musical program that explores the connections between these styles through fiddle tunes.

This presentation is part of his larger commitment to music education.

For more information, call the Mountain Heritage Center at 828.227.7129 or visit mhc.wcu.edu.

On the beat

ALSO:

• The Basement Social (Murphy) will host Tim Vee and Christopher Wayne 7 p.m. March 2.

• BearWaters Brewing (Canton) will host Aubrey Eisenman & The Clydes 6:30 p.m.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Heidi Holton (blues/folk) Feb. 28, ‘Round the Fire & Friends (Americana/jam) 8 p.m. Feb. 29, Zach Meadows March 6 and The Mixx March 7. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. www.froglevelbrewing.com.

“But, Jimmy offered me something like $10 more a week, so I took it,” Sutton chuckled in a 2015 interview with The Smoky Mountain News.

In 1974, Sutton joined Martin on the road, kicking off a career that took him across the globe, ultimately gracing the Grand Ole Opry stage numerous times.

Sutton also had stints with Alecia Nugent and Rhonda Vincent. And through his lifelong pursuit of bluegrass and mountain music, Sutton also remembered where it all began, alongside banjo great and Bluegrass Hall of Famer Raymond Fairchild. “[Steve’s] talent and free-flowing sense of humor constantly fed that professional effort to the highest levels,” said Marc Pruett, Grammy-winning banjoist of Balsam Range. “Steve was a valued, respected member of a heritage-schooled, living culture. He was ‘the real deal,’ and his warm smile and larger-than-life talent leaves a void in our mountains that can’t be filled.”

Tickets to the performance are $35 in advance. Dinner is ticketed separately for $12 and begins at 6 p.m. More information about tickets can be obtained by calling 828.452.2997.

To purchase tickets online, visit www.showclix.com/event/second-annualsteve-sutton-memorial-concert.

March 14 and Darren Nicholson Band 7 p.m.

March 20. www.bwbrewing.com or 828.237.4200.

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host an acoustic jam with Main St. NoTones from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 27 and March 5. Free and open to the public. www.blueridgebeerhub.com.

• Boojum Brewing Company (Waynesville) will host a bluegrass open mic every Wednesday, an all-genres open mic every Thursday, DJ Point Five 9:30 p.m. Feb. 29, Captain Midnight Band (rock/jam) 8:30 p.m. March 5 and Isaiah Breedlove & The Old Pines

• Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host Arnold Hill Feb. 28 and Sugar Lime Blue March 6.

All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• Orchard Coffee (Waynesville) will host Chris Staples 7:30 p.m. March 21. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, call 828.246.9264 or visit www.orchardcoffeeroasters.com.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night Feb. 26 and March 4, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo Feb. 27 and March 6. All events are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Pub 319 (Waynesville) will host an open mic night from 8 to 11 p.m. every Wednesday.

Free and open to the public. www.pub319socialhouse.com.

• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host The Lip Sync Battle Feb. 28. All events are free and begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host Scott Stambaugh Feb. 28, Nate Hadley Feb. 29, Dave Patterson March 6 and Sweet Charity March 7. Shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. www.rathskellerfranklin.com.

• Isis Music Hall (West Asheville) will The CarLeans (Americana/folk) 7 p.m. Feb. 26, Rich Nelson Band (pop/rock) 8:30 p.m. Feb. 26, Tui (blues/folk) 7 p.m. Feb. 27, “Americana Rising” showcase 8:30 p.m. Feb. 27, Heather Pierson Trio (folk/acoustic) 7 p.m. Feb. 28, Lucy Kaplansky (folk) 8:30 p.m.

Feb. 28, Bike Love (pop/rock) 7 p.m. Feb. 29, Gurf Morlix (Americana) 6 p.m. March 1, Greenville Jazz Collective Big Band w/Tish Oney 7:30 p.m. March 1, Tuesday Bluegrass Sessions w/Ken Chapple & Another Country 7:30 p.m. March 3, Tom Rush & Matt Nakoa (Americana/folk) 8:30 p.m. March 4 and Nefesh Mountain (Americana/folk) 7 p.m.

March 4. For more information about the performances and/or to purchase tickets, click on www.isisasheville.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host an open mic night at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday, Dirty Dave & The Pony Express Feb. 28 and The Log Noggins 8 p.m. Feb. 28. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For more information and a complete schedule of events, click on www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host Natti Love Joys “Bob Marley Celebration” Feb. 28 and The Maggie Valley Band (Americana/indie) Feb. 29. All shows are at 8 p.m. For more information and a complete schedule of events, click on www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

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

828.926.9464 or www.facebook.com/legendssportsgrillmaggievalley.

• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host the “Stone Soup” open mic night every

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

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

• Snowbird Mountains Brewing (Andrews) will host Heidi Holton (blues/folk) 7 p.m. Feb. 29.

Free and open to the public. 678.410.3035 or www.snowbirdmountainsbrewery.com.

• The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic” night from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Meghan Hayes (singersongwriter) 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 (admission is $10). 828.283.0079 or www.38main.com.

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

• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host Bluegrass w/Nitrograss Wednesdays at 7 p.m. 828.526.8364.

• The Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic Night” on Mondays, karaoke on Thursdays and semi-regular music on Fridays and Saturdays. All events at 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

828.456.4750.

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

Smoky Mountain News

• Andrews Brewing Company (Andrews) will host the “Lounge Series” at its Calaboose location with Brother! Feb. 28, Feather Feb. 29, Scott Stambaugh 4 p.m. March 1, Paul Edelman March 6, Blue Revue March 7 and Chris Blaylock 4 p.m. March 8. All shows are free and begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

• Elevated Mountain Distilling Company (Maggie Valley) will host AcousticEnvy March 14. All shows begin at 7 p.m. 828.944.0766 or www.elevatedmountain.com.

February 26-March 3, 2020

There will be a special concert in memory of late banjo great Steve Sutton from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 8, in the Queen Auditorium at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville.

Performers include the Darren Nicholson Band, Crowe Brothers, Mark Bumgarner, Marc Pruett, Hazel Creek, Bill Kaman, Mike Hunter, Malcolm Holcombe, and the Whitewater Bluegrass Co. The concert is an opportunity for his many friends to raise money for the International Bluegrass Music Association trust fund and for a scholarship in his name for music students at Waynesville’s Tuscola High School.

A longtime member of the Darren Nicholson Band and Whitewater Bluegrass Company, Sutton was 60 years old when he passed away in his sleep on May 13, 2017, one day shy of his 61st birthday.

“I basically owe my musical career to him,” said mandolinist Darren Nicholson of International Bluegrass Music Association “Entertainer of the Year” bluegrass act Balsam Range, who was Sutton’s best friend and longtime collaborator. “He got me my first professional job, which led to all the relationships that are still relevant in my current career. Steve believed in me so much that he took me to Strains of Music in Waynesville and paid cash for a Gibson mandolin. Steve was kind to everyone he met and helped countless people — he just had a good heart.”

A Grammy-nominated, multiple IBMA award-winner himself, Sutton graduated from Tuscola High School in Waynesville.

Upon graduation, he was simultaneously offered gigs with the “Godfather of Bluegrass” Bill Monroe and bluegrass legend Jimmy Martin.

Steve Sutton.

Tuesday, Andrew Chastain (singer-songwriter) Feb. 28 and Frank & Allie Lee (Americana/old-time) Feb. 29. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

arts & entertainment

Steve Sutton Memorial Concert

(Americana) March 7. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.boojumbrewing.com.

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Smoky Mountain News

February 26-March 3, 2020

arts & entertainment

On the street Historical presentation in Bryson City “Cherokee Cultural Sites in Swain County” is the title of the presentation by TJ Holland for the next meeting of the Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 5, at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center in Bryson City.

While places like Kituwah are well known, there are many, perhaps lesser known, locations throughout the Swain County that are important to Cherokee history.

In addition to historical significance, there are many locations connected to traditional Cherokee stories located within the county. These story sites and the lessons that they teach are central to Cherokee Culture.

Holland is the Cultural Resources Supervisor for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. A tribal member of the Snowbird Community, Holland works as a tribal historian and oversees the future Junaluska Memorial Site and Museum, which will be in Robbinsville.

Holland is on various boards including the tribe’s Cultural Institutional Review Board for research, the NC Trail of Tears Association, the Center for Native Health, and is a consulting scholar for the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research at the American Philosophical Society. He also holds a Bachelors’ Degree in Fine Arts from Western Carolina University.

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

WNC Civil War Roundtable The Western NC Civil War Roundtable is pleased to welcome Douglas Waller on Monday, March 9, at The Waynesville Inn Golf Resort and Spa. The evening’s agenda begins at 5 p.m. with a meet and greet dinner at the Tap Room within The Waynesville Inn Golf

Quality Trailers, Quality Prices

Open call for Greening Up There is an open call currently underway for artisans, vendors and environmentally-themed booths at the 23rd annual Greening Up the Mountains, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, April 25, in downtown Sylva.

Celebrating the new spring in the mountains, the festival has become a beloved regional event. The festival typically enjoys crowds upward of 12,000 attendees and has 175 vendor booth spaces. In addition to arts, crafts, and food vendors, attendees can enjoy a 5K run, youth talent contest, beverage arts featuring local craft breweries and live music throughout the day.

Applications can be downloaded at www.greeningupthemountains.com and will be accepted through March 15.

For more information, email greeningupthemountains@gmail.com.

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

A speaker series on the historic resources and rich cultural heritage of Waynesville and Haywood County, the events will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month at the Town Hall in Waynesville.

• Thursday, March 5: “The Mountaineer: History in the Moment,” presented by Kathy Ross. Unlike history books, newspapers record events from an immediate perspective, with no take-backs once they are published. This talk will take a look at some of The Mountaineer’s most spectacular, peculiar, and even painful stories of the past century.

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

Open call for volunteers The historic Shelton House in Waynesville is currently in need of volunteers for an array of upcoming events.

Alongside help for events, the organization is also seeking a docent, gift shop attendee, data entry person, landscaper, handyperson, and other positions.

Upcoming main events include the Blue Ridge Heritage Festival June 19-21, Shelton House Halloween “Haunting on the Hill” Oct. 27-31 and Shelton House “Tinsel Trail & Appalachian Christmas.” www.sheltonhouse.org or 828.452.1551.

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Resort and Spa. Dinner will be followed with a social at 6:30 p.m. The meeting and free presentation will commence at 7 p.m. in the Mountaineer room on the second floor of The Waynesville Inn. Waller will be speaking on Abraham Lincoln’s Spies. He will tell the story of the dangerous espionage and covert operations during the Civil War. He will feature four important Union agents and spy ring leaders: Allan Pinkerton, whose detective agency had already brought him fame nationwide; Lafayette Baker, who ran counter-espionage operations in Washington for the War Department; George Sharpe, a New York lawyer, who spied for generals Joseph Hooker, George Meade, and Ulysses S. Grant; and Elizabeth Van Lew, who ran a Union espionage ring in Richmond.

Behind these secret agents was Abraham Lincoln, who became an avid consumer of intelligence and a ruthless aficionado of covert action. The phone tapping, human collection and aerial snooping seen today can be traced back to the Civil War. Waller holds a B.A. in English from Wake Forest University, as well as an M.A. in Urban Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is a former correspondent for Newsweek and Time, where he covered the CIA, Pentagon, State Department, White House, and Congress.

Waller is the author of several bestselling books, including Wild Bill Donovan: The Spymaster Who Created the OSS and Modern American Espionage; The Commandos: The Inside Story of America’s Secret Soldiers; and Disciples: The World War II Missions of the CIA Directors Who Fought for Wild Bill Donovan. His latest book is Lincoln’s Spies: Their Secret War to Save the Nation.

The Civil War Roundtable’s schedule will continue on Tuesday, April 14, with Dr. Judkin Browning who will focus on the impact of the war on the Northern and Southern home front. Michael Hardy returns on Monday, May 11, to discuss Stuart’s Tar Heels. Thomas Thibeault will speak about Robert Smalls on Monday, June 8.

More information can be found at www.wnccwrt.com.

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On the table arts & entertainment

Nantahala Brewing ‘Oyster Roast’

• There will be a “Chili Cookoff” hosted by the Haywood Waterways Association from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Elevated Mountain Distilling Company in Maggie Valley. Entry fee is $35.

Pre-sale chili eater tickets are $15 or $20 at the door. Live music by Bona Fide. Tap takeover by 7 Clans Brewing.

For more information, email caitlinw.hwa@gmail.com or call 828.476.4667 (ext. 12).

ALSO:

• A free wine tasting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 27 and March 5, and 2 to 5 p.m.

Feb. 29 and March 7 at The Wine Bar & Cellar in Sylva. 828.631.3075.

• Free cooking demonstrations will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturdays at Country Traditions in Dillsboro. Watch the demonstrations, eat samples and taste house wines for $3 a glass. All recipes posted online. www.countrytraditionsnc.com.

Smoky Mountain News

• The “Food & Wine Pairing” with guest Chef Elisabeth McCutcheon will be held at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 29, at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Five wines and food pairings.

Cost is $60 all-inclusive. Reservations are required, please call 828.452.6000.

Paid for by The Committee to Elect Rich Cassady

February 26-March 3, 2020

There will be a special “Oyster Roast” gathering from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Nantahala Brewing’s Taproom & Burger Bar in Bryson City.

Shake off that cabin fever and come out for an all you can eat oyster roast. Order in advance online for $15 (plus transaction fees).

Day of tickets are $25. As well, there will be craft beer, wine and cocktails available.

To purchase tickets, visit www.nantahalabrewing.com.

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arts & entertainment

On the wall

Folk School offers ‘Local Standby’ program Western North Carolina residents are now eligible for half-off tuition for all 2020 classes at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown.

The Local Standby program provides full and part-time residents 50 percent off any full-tuition course on a space-available, standby basis. Students can participate in an array of week-long and weekend classes including blacksmithing, pottery, jewelry, woodworking, and cooking.

Nineteen counties are eligible for the Local Standby program, including Cherokee, Clay, Buncombe, Henderson, Macon, Jackson, Swain, Madison, Graham, and Transylvania counties in North Carolina including the Qualla Boundary; Fannin, Gilmer, Rabun, Towns, and Union counties in Georgia; and Polk and Monroe county in Tennessee.

In its 95th year, John C. Campbell Folk

School is expanding on a newly finalized strategic plan to strengthen local community relations and enhance programming to diversify its student base. Created with the help of instructors, students, and local communities, the plan also includes improvements to infrastructure, development of staff and resident artists, and continued financial strength.

All students interested must request a “Local Standby” discount at the time of registration and will be confirmed 14 days before the class start date. Students must present a valid driver’s license, voter registration card, or tax bill showing their local address.

For more detail on class information and descriptions, visit www.folkschool.org or call the registration office at 800.FOLK.SCHOOL. Founded in 1925, John C. Campbell Folk School is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization offering adults over 850 week-long and

Smoky Mountain News

February 26-March 3, 2020

Want to learn blacksmithing?

The “Forging Experience” classes will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, March 7, at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro.

Cost is $80 per onehour time slot or $40 per 30-minute time slot. Onehour time slots will make either a high-carbon boot knife and a railroad spike blade. Thirty-minute time slots will make either a Mjolnir Rune pendant or a magic wand.

No experience necessary. Walk-ins are welcome, but space is limited. Payment is due at registration. Ages 13-18 may participate with a parent/guardian present. Dress in cotton clothing (no polyester), wear closed toed shoes and long pants.

To register for a class, call 828.631.0271. For more information, visit www.jcgep.org.

HCAC ‘ArtShare’ returns

This year marks the eighth year of the ArtShare exhibit at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville. ArtShare runs from March 6-28.

ArtShare is a showing of fine works of art which have been donated to or consigned with the HCAC. The HCAC welcomes pieces from collectors that may be downsizing, changing décor, or who wish to consign estate items to benefit the arts in this com30 munity. ArtShare was born out of a desire to

allow collectors to be able to pass on art for someone else to enjoy.

The HCAC will accept donations or consigned items in the gallery on March 2 or 3.

Inventory sheets are due no later than Feb. 26. Even if collectors have participated in the past, we encourage them to participate again. Artists may participate by sharing their own work, but only if donating.

If you have questions, call the HCAC at 828.452.0593. For more information about donating, including show contracts and inventory lists, visit www.haywoodarts.org.

weekend classes year-round in traditional and contemporary craft, music, and dance.

The Folk School is a Historic District and a landmark on the National Registry of Historic Places.

WCU Juried Undergraduate exhibition, reception The reception for the 52nd annual Juried Undergraduate exhibition will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in the Fine Art Museum Star Atrium in the Bardo Arts Center on the campus of Western Carolina University.

Currently being showcased, the exhibition is one of the longest-running Catamount art traditions.

For emerging artists, this exhibition is an extraordinary opportunity to share their artwork with a larger public and to enhance their skills in presenting artwork in a professional gallery setting.

Their work is reviewed by an outside art professional who has the challenge of making selections from the many talented students who submit an application.

This year, the exhibition is juried by Tracey Morgan, owner of Tracey Morgan Gallery in Asheville. For more information, visit bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

Exhibit looks at Latino life in North Carolina Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center will host an exhibit by Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist José Galvez on Latino life in North Carolina in the museum’s secondfloor gallery at Hunter Library.

The center’s first bilingual exhibit, “Al

Through values of joy, kindness, and stewardship in a non-competitive environment, the Folk School hopes to transform lives and bring others together for experiences in learning that spark their self-discovery.

Norte al Norte” will be on display through Friday, April 10. Admission is free.

The 51 black-and-white photos are from a 10-year project to capture images of daily life of Latinos living in North Carolina, from business owners to farmers at work, multi-generations of families at home and at church, and other candid moments.

Galvez will visit campus, with details pending, in early April in conjunction with WCU’s second annual Southeastern Latinx Student Leadership Conference. In addition to participating in the conference, he will visit WCU classes, lead tours of the exhibit and present public programs.

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 8.4 percent of the state’s population is Latino.

Galvez was part of a team at the Los Angeles Times newspaper that was awarded the 1984 Pulitzer Prize for a series on Latino life in southern California. He’s collaborated with writers such as Luis Alberto Urrea and Patricia Martin, and published a book about his childhood, titled Shine Boy. His current work focuses on Latino communities of the South, naturalization ceremonies and documenting the many communities he visits each year.

“Al Norte al Norte” received support from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, with additional funding from the N.C. Humanities Council and the North Carolina Museum of History Associates.

The traveling exhibit at WCU is made possible by the North Carolina Arts Council and the university.

The Mountain Heritage Center gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday. For more information, call the museum at 828.227.7129.

On the wall

An exhibit honoring Cherokee artist John Daniel (Dee) Smith Sr. is currently being showcased at the Qualla Co-Op, which is located 645 Tsali Boulevard in Cherokee.

The exhibit is a collection of Smith’s watercolors and paintings, which is curated

by Dr. R. Michael Abram. The gallery showing will run through March 31. A reception with refreshments will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, at the Qualla Co-Op. For more information, call 828.497.3103.

‘Brainstorming a Superhero’

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

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

Marie T. Cochran, founding curator of the Affrilachian Artist Project will present the work in a diverse array of media and styles from folk art to contemporary art. Cochran is featured in the book Southern Women, produced by the editors of Garden & Gun magazine. Her artwork is included in the exhibition Appalachia NOW at the Asheville Art Museum.

Featured artists in this show are: LaKeisha Blount, Rahkie Mateen, Trey Miles, and the late Victoria Casey-McDonald. The artists represent a range of ages. Some are local residents and others are alumni of Western Carolina University.

Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. As well, the closing reception will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at HCAC. www.haywoodarts.org.

Instructor will be Betina Morgan. Open to all artists, at any stage of development, and in the medium of your choice. Cost is $25 per class. There will also be a Youth Art Class from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. Cost is $15 per class. Contact Morgan at 828.550.6190 or email bmk.morgan@yahoo.com.

• The Macon County Art Association will present a special workshop with Betsey Sloan teaching a class making sheep out of gourds from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at the Uptown Gallery in Franklin. 828.349.4607 or www.franklinuptowngallery.com.

• The Museum of the Cherokee Indian’s exhibit, “People of the Clay: Contemporary Cherokee Potters,” features more than 60 potters from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Cherokee Nation, and more than one hundred works from 1900 to the present.

The exhibit will run through April.

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

• The Weekly Open Studio art classes will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville,

B

uffalo Creek Vacations is a proud member of the Chamber of Commerce family.

We are a family-owned and operated log-home vacation rental business situated on a Bison ranch in Haywood County. The Chamber has assisted us in connecting with other local family-owned and niche businesses to form partnerships that add to the growth and profitably for both firms. The Chamber has help us to promote our brand and special events, which has increased booking rates and repeat customers. We are excited to continue our relationship with the Chamber and grow our family alongside the Haywood County business community.

Buffalo Creek Vacations F ROM LEFT TO RIGHT: C HERYL & J EFF H ILLIS , L ISA & T IMOTHY C LACKETT, H ARRIET & H AROLD C LACKETT, M AGGIE & J OSHUA C LACKETT, H OLLY & J ACOB C LACKETT

828.456.3021 HaywoodChamber.com

ALSO:

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

{Kě 9 :¶ ěÝ Ś ě ě

MOVES YOU

Smoky Mountain News

• “Make Your Own Pint Glass” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. Cost is $65 per time slot. Each time slot is about 35 minutes and participants will make one pint glass. No experience necessary. Payment due at registration. To register, call 828.631.0271. www.jcgep.org.

HAYWOOD

February 26-March 3, 2020

James Lyle will be offering a “Sequential Art Class Series” beginning on March 7 and running through May 23 at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville.

In this session, the class will participate in a group exercise dealing with the process of creating a “superhero” (or any other type of character in any media, really).

The group will spend time providing ideas for a collectively created character and along the way learn a bit about comic book history as well as the process of brainstorming ideas.

Students will want to bring along their own sketchpads, pencils, etc. to allow them to write down notes as well as create additional secondary characters as this process tends to bubble over into many ideas that cannot be used in the collective character design.

Make your reservation and pre-payment today. Class fee is $20 for HCAC members or

$25 for non-members. Cash and Checks made payable to James Lyle. Call 828.452.0593 for more information. www.haywoodarts.org.

OF

arts & entertainment

Tribute to Cherokee artist

FACES

AɁȶԇɽ Ȣljɽ ȚɁȈȶɽ ɥƃȈȶ ȟljljɥ ʰɁʍ ǹɨɁȴ ɽȃlj ƃƺɽȈʤȈɽȈljɰ ʰɁʍ ljȶȚɁ Ɂʰ ʰӝ Ś Ślj lj Ɂǹ ǹlj ɨ ƺɁȶɰljɨ ʤƃɽȈʤlj ƃȶǁ ɰʍɨǼȈƺƃȢ ɁɥɽȈɁȶɰ ɽɁ ȟljljɥ ʰɁʍ ƃƺɽȈʤljӝ Visit missionhealth.org g/orthopedics ɽɁ ˎȶǁ ƃ ȢɁƺƃɽȈɁȶ ȶljƃɨ ʰɁʍӝ

31

On the stage arts & entertainment

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February 26-March 3, 2020

828.246.9135 haywoodhabitat.org

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

‘A Ghostly Slumber Party’ The Highlands Performing Arts Center will present the Highlands PAC Youth Theater production of “A Ghostly Slumber Party” at 10 a.m. Feb. 27-28 for the schools performances and again at 3 p.m. Feb. 29 and March 1 for the general public.

The show includes “The Slumber Party” scenes by Luke Osteen, excerpts from “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe, “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes and “The Troll” by T.H. White.

This show is built around a girls’ sleepover. Let’s just say that the girls may have unrolled their sleeping bags somewhere in the heart of “The Twilight Zone.” It’s one act (no intermission) and will run about an hour long.

The cost is free for both students and adults to attend any and all the shows — school shows and public shows. Tickets are available online at www.highlandsperformingarts.com or at the door.

‘Lone Star’ and ‘Laundry & Bourbon’

‘Cabaret Variety Show’ at HART

The Winter Studio Season continues with the two one-act comedies “Lone Star” and “Laundry & Bourbon” at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28-29 and 2 p.m. March 1.

When the two plays are presented together they are often billed as “1959 Pink Thunderbird Convertible.” Set in rural Texas in the 1970s, the two comedies have been audience favorites for decades, but audiences should be warned the plays do contain adult language and subject matter.

For “Laundry & Bourbon” the setting is the front porch of Roy and Elizabeth’s home in Maynard, Texas, on a hot summer afternoon. Elizabeth and her friend Hattie are whiling away the time folding laundry, watching TV, sipping bourbon and Coke, and gossiping about the many open secrets which are so much a part of small-town life. They are joined by the self-righteous Amy Lee who, among other tidbits, can’t resist blurting out that Roy has been seen around town with another woman.

“Lone Star” takes place in the cluttered backyard of a small-town Texas bar. Roy, a brawny, macho type who had once been a local high-school hero, is back in town after a hitch in Vietnam and trying to reestablish his position in the community. Joined by his younger brother, Ray (who worships him), Roy sets about consuming a case of beer while regaling Ray with tales of his military and amorous exploits.

To make a reservation, call the HART Box Office at 828.456.6322 anytime and simply leave your name, the number of tickets you need and the performance you wish to attend.

Seating is general admission, but reservations are recommended. www.harttheatre.org.

Presented by the Kiwanis Club of Waynesville, the second annual “Cabaret Variety Show” will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 1, at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

Enjoy a fun evening of family entertainment with singing and dancing by several performers from Haywood County and greater Western North Carolina.

Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in a silent action and 50/50 raffle.

Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children/students. Reserve your tickets by emailing boxoffice@harttheatre.org or calling 828.456.6322.

All proceeds will go to support Kiwanis Club grants to schools and organizations serving Haywood County’s children and youth.

• A production of “Hamlet” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 6, in the Studio Theater at the Bardo Arts Center on the campus of Western Carolina University. A retelling of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, the play depicts Prince Hamlet’s descent into madness as he seeks his revenge against his uncle, Claudius, who has murdered Hamlet’s father in order to seize his throne and marry Hamlet’s mother. www.wcu.edu.

ALSO:

• The “Western Carolina Comedy Showcase” will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in The Gem downstairs taproom at Boojum Brewing in Waynesville. Beth Fronczak will host live performances by Clinton Ricks, Rowan Young and Brad Sativa. Admission is $5 at the door. Ages 21 and up. www.boojumbrewing.com.

Books

Smoky Mountain News

33

Rest in peace, Mary Higgins Clark he died at the age of 92 in January 2020 in Naples, Florida. Renowned for her beauty when young, she worked as a secretary and an airlines stewardess, married and had five children, and was a devout Christian. Those who personally knew her describe her as generous, kind, warmhearted, and fun.

She was also one of the most popular suspense novelists of Writer the last half century.

Mary Higgins Clark wrote 51 such novels, all of which were best-sellers. In the United States alone, her books have sold more than 100 million copies. After weak sales from a debut novel about the life of George Washington, Clark turned to the genre for which she seemed destined and wrote Where Are The Children?

That suspense novel was an immediate hit, and she struck gold in every book she wrote after that one.

Long ago, I read several of Clark’s novels, but for whatever reason never returned to her stories. When I learned that she had died, I decided to see what I was missing and picked up her latest book, Kiss The Girls And Make Them Cry (Simon & Schuster, 2019, 385 pages).

The story opens when investigative journalist Gina Kane tries to discover the identity of a “CRyan,” who has sent her an email claiming that something “terrible” had happened to her while working at REL, a major television news network. When Kane finally manages to identify and run to ground “CRyan,” she discovers Cathy Ryan has died in a boating accident in Aruba, possibly under suspicious circumstances.

We then meet an attorney, Michael Carter, who works for Human Resources at REL. Several young female employees approach Carter to accuse one of the network’s most popular broadcasters of sexual misconduct.

Sensing an opportunity for personal gain,

Jeff Minick

S

Carter contacts Richard Sherman, the company’s CEO, and convinces Sherman that he can buy the women’s silence by offering them large amounts of cash. He hopes to worm his

way into Sherman’s good graces, and make a killing on the stock market when REL goes public.

But the killing comes not from Wall Street.

Another young woman dies in suspicious circumstances. An accountant goes missing. And

Local nature writer publishes first book Brannen Basham, Sylva Herald weekly nature writer and contributor to Smoky Mountain Living magazine, has released a compilation of 60 different nature-based topics in A Guide to the Wonderful World Around Us: Notes on Nature.

A note from the introduction states, “This guide is a collection of notes on nature covering flora, fauna, and the fantastic wonders of the world around us. There are some special highlights of the

Gina Kane soon finds herself embroiled in the investigation and eventually in a fight for her life.

To say more would be to reveal too much of the plot and spoil the story.

Suffice it to say that Kiss The Girls And Make Them Cry reminded me of what I knew so long ago: Mary Higgins Clark could keep the reader turning the pages.

Here are a few stylistic reasons for that success.

Clark wastes no words in her writing. She keeps descriptions, particularly of place, to a minimum.

Here, for example, is the barebones description of Gina Kane’s apartment: “Gina’s apartment was on 82nd Street and West End Avenue. Her mother and father had given it to her after they retired and moved to Florida. Spacious, with two bedrooms and a decent-sized kitchen, it was the envy of her friends, many of whom were crammed into tiny one-bedrooms and studios.”

Conversation drives the action. Again, we find no extraneous words. When the characters speak to one another in Kiss The Girls And Make Them Cry, their dialogue is always

Southeastern United States, and even more specifically, of the region where I currently call home in the mountains of Western North Carolina.”

The book can be found at local retailers including City Lights Bookstore in Sylva and Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville. City Lights Bookstore will host an event for the book, featuring a reading, native bee talk and Q&A at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 28. Another event will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at Blue Ridge Books, which will include a reading, along with a native plant talk and Q&A. The book is also available online on Amazon and Etsy, along

pushing the storyline forward.

In all good suspense fiction, the author tries to end each chapter in such a way that it practically demands the reader begin the next chapter. Clarke was a master of this cliff-hanger technique.

And unlike some characters in other suspense novels — Lee Child’s Jack Reacher comes to mind — Gina Kane has few eccentricities. We sympathize with her as she struggles to make a decision regarding her boyfriend, Ted, who wants to marry her.

Meanwhile, her widowed father is dating a woman whom Gina suspects is taking advantage of him. And like any good writer of suspense, Clark leaves readers up in the air as to how these relationships will turn out until the very end of the novel.

In other words, Gina is authentic, someone we might know, a neighbor or a friend. In their obituary of Clark, the New York Times sub-header is “She became a world-renowned author writing about ‘nice people whose lives are invaded.’”

Given the news regarding sexual misconduct and harassment coming out of Hollywood and the federal government, and the response of the Me Too Movement, the topic of Kiss The Girls And Make Them Cry is timely. The situation in the novel comes straight out of today’s headlines.

Finally, Clark understood her readers. On her home page, maryhigginsclark.com, her editor, the well-known Michael Korda, offered some remarks on their long friendship and then pays Clark this tribute: “Nobody ever bonded more completely with her readers than Mary did; she understood them as if they were members of her own family. She was always absolutely sure of what they wanted to read — and perhaps, more important, what they didn’t want to read — and yet she managed to surprise them with every book.”

For many years, Mary Higgins Clark deservedly wore the accolade “Queen of Suspense.”

Rest in peace, Your Majesty.

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

with an audiobook available on Audible.

For further information on A Guide to the Wonderful World Around Us or to learn more about Spriggly’s Beescaping, visit sprigglys.com or follow along on Facebook or Instagram.

• Monthly Poetry Reading at Panacea Coffeehouse in Waynesville.

Last Saturdays every month at 2 p.m. Bring your poetry, essays and writings to share.

Be sure to order drinks and snacks and tip the staff of Panacea. For more information, contact Morella Poe at poevampyre@gmail.com.

ALSO:

34

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

While it can make for dangerous driving conditions, snow intensifies the beauty of the Smokies’ dramatic landscape. Donated photo

The locked gate Road closure decisions complex in the Smokies

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER isa Hendy is an early riser, and when it comes to dealing with snow days in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that’s a good thing.

As chief ranger, Hendy’s responsibilities are many — but one of them is deciding when, if and for how long to close the roads when the weather gets bad.

“Really what it boils down to is a combination of the forecast and observations on the ground,” she said during a phone call just before 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20.

At that time, snow was falling steadily across the region and had been since the day began, though with varying results. In some parts of Western North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains, the temperature hung stubbornly above freezing, causing the flakes to melt on impact. But at the higher elevations, the air was colder and the snow was already accumulating. A few degrees can make the difference between wet tires and an icy slide.

L

TO CLOSE A ROAD Hendy had already been awake for more than eight hours, which is typical for her. She rises each morning at 4 a.m., and when severe weather’s in the forecast — as it was that

morning — the early wakeup allows her to get a jump on the day’s planning. The park bases its closure decisions on forecasts from the National Weather Service in Morristown, Tennessee, as well as on-the-ground observations from employees. By 5:30 a.m., she was on a call with Facility Management Division Chief Alan Sumeriski and Deputy Superintendent Clay Jordan to discuss the situation.

In those early morning hours, rangers who live in the park, road crew staff and anyone else who has a firsthand look will text Sumeriski to let him know what they see. The more observations, the better — with its dramatic variation in topography and elevation, conditions can vary wildly within the park’s 816 square miles.

This particular morning, the decision was clear. Snow was falling, and it would continue to do so for the rest of the day. It may have been warm enough at park headquarters for the flakes to melt into harmless water, but that certainly wasn’t the case 3,600 feet higher at Newfound Gap. The first webcam image of the day, taken at 7 a.m., shows patches of snow already accumulating on rocks and curbs along U.S. 441.

The team comes down on the side of caution when considering a closure. The decision affects the safety not only of visitors, but of staff as well.

“A lot of folks think, ‘Well, I’m an experienced driver. I have a four wheel-drive vehicle.

I should be allowed to take that risk for myself,’” said Hendy. “But a secondary con-

cern to that is the safety of our responders if something should happen.”

There’s also a heavy emphasis on anticipating how quickly conditions might deteriorate.

Closing a road involves a lot more than locking a gate and walking away. Before blocking any entrances or exits, crews must patrol the entire road to make sure that any visitors already in the area have a chance to get out. In the case of Newfound Gap Road, that can take two or three hours, enough time for weather conditions to change significantly.

“We’re erring on the side of the safety of the public and our safety as we clear those roads,” said Hendy. “And there’s times maybe

After the decision is made to close U.S. 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, rangers must patrol the entire corridor to ensure that any visitors in the area are able to get out before the gates close. NPS photo

we get it wrong, but the goal is always to prioritize those roads, keep the ones open that we can that are the lifeblood of these communities, and we do the best we can to do that for as long as we can, safely.”

The Spur between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is always the first priority, as it’s the main route of travel between those two communities. The U.S. 441 corridor, also called Newfound Gap Road, is the second priority.

Since winter 2010-2011, U.S. 441 has been closed for an average of 23 days from October to March each year. The winter of 2012-13 had the smallest length of closure, at 7.2 days — though that tally excludes a prolonged three-month closure due to flooding — followed by 8.9 days in 2011-12. Winter 2017-18 had the most with 32 days, closely tailed by 2015-16 with 31. The figures, compiled just before the Feb. 20 closure, listed 26.2 days for the current year.

Sometimes, accidents happen anyway.

Earlier this year a ranger was injured by a falling tree that hit his patrol car as he was sweeping the road for a planned closure.

Since Dec. 29, 2018, two people have been killed by falling trees.

From that standpoint, wind can be just as dangerous as snow. In 2019, the park experienced 12 high wind warnings, in which winds were expected to blow more than 40 miles per hour or gust faster than 58 miles per hour.

That’s nearly twice the seven such warnings issued in 2018; three high wind warnings have been issued so far in 2020.

The aftermath of the 2016 wildfires, coupled with the excessive moisture of the last couple years, ratchets up the risk those weather events pose.

“You’ve got less soil stability or at least impacted soil stability, and a whole lot of rain coming all at once, and then you get a high wind event — that’s a horrible domino effect,” said Hendy.

F

Get schooled in preparedness

• • • • •

Tires Brakes Alignment Road Service Tractor Tires

outdoors

Registration is now open for the ninth annual Heritage Life Skills event offering classes in a variety of survival-related skills.

This year’s event will be held May 8 to 10 at the Folkmoot Center in Waynesville, with classes running the gamut from bread-making and harvesting medicinal plants to surviving martial law and avoiding end-of-theworld cults.

Register by Feb. 29 for $125 or $50 for students 18 and under, with prices rising by $10 for registration prior to March 2.1 Singleday admission rates are also available.

Organized by Carolina Readiness Supply.

Learn more at carolinareadiness.com.

WAYNESVILLE TIRE, INC. Authorized Motor Fleet Management Maintenance

M ONDAY-F RIDAY 7:30-5:00 • WAYNESVILLE P LAZA 828-456-5387 • WAYNESVILLETIRE . COM

By 1 p.m. on Feb. 20, conditions were quite a bit different at Newfound Gap, elevation 5,046, than they were at Interstate 40 near Clyde, elevation 2,543 feet.

GSMNP/NCDOT webcam photos

Ingles Nutrition Notes written by Ingles Dietitian Leah McGrath

AFTER THE STORM

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

Smoky Mountain News

Getting the road opened up again is just as big a task as closing it down, if not bigger.

First, of course, you’ve got to wait for the bulk of the storm to pass. Often, that happens overnight and means another 5:30 a.m. phone call the next day. Based once again on weather forecasts and reported ground conditions, Hendy, Sumeriski and Jordan will decide if the road should open back up that day, and then it will be up to road crews to take a ride and decide what cleanup is needed — plowing, removing downed trees — before inviting the public back in.

All this requires a lot of communication and coordination in an environment where employees are far-flung and cell service basically nonexistent. Before opening the gates, it’s essential that park managers ensure that all road crews are aware that there will soon be cars on the way — often, workers are still finishing the cleanup when the gate opens.

“We have to make sure they all know that we’re swinging the gates, and of course

we have to coordinate with the North Carolina side so we’re not just opening half of it,” Hendy said.

But the timeline of all this depends on just how bad the weather was. If the road is miraculously clear of snow, ice and debris when crews drive it in the morning, the gates could come up before the sun does.

Otherwise, the reopening takes longer — in the case of last week’s storm, U.S. 441 didn’t reopen until 2 p.m. Feb. 21, more than 30 hours after it closed.

“I get stopped all the time by people wanting to know, ‘How do you make these decisions?’” said Hendy. “That’s how it is.

It’s not arbitrary at all.”

But if people are to continue enjoying these wild places and rangers are to continue protecting their ability to do so, safety must be a priority.

“I spent my entire life protecting these spaces so people can come here and enjoy them — nobody wants to shut them down,” said Hendy. “But we have to look at the safety of our visitors and the safety of our own people.”

ANSWER: It is a common misunderstanding that individuals that have diabetes must eat sugar-free items; when in fact they should be checking portion sizes, carbohydrates and calories. Many sugarfree items still contain carbohydrates that will affect blood sugar.

Additionally, food brands like to call out “sugar-free” attributes on products like candy, cookies, and cakes that contain sugar alcohols that can cause GI (bowel) distress (gas and bloating) so often those items are not the best choice for someone with diabetes.

Individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can eat a wide variety of items (not just sugar-free) as long as they are monitoring their carbohydrate intake, paying attention to portion size and keeping blood sugar under control and in the desirable range with diet, exercise and in many cases medication.

For more information on managing your blood sugar and food choices see www.diabetes.org and https://www.joslin.org/

February 26-March 3, 2020

QUESTION: If someone has diabetes should they be buying sugar-free products?

Ingles Market Corporate Dietitian

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

35

outdoors

Run the Assault on BlackRock Registration is open for the 10th annual Assault on BlackRock, with the Humane Society of Jackson County to receive all proceeds from the race planned for 9 a.m.

Saturday, March 21, at Pinnacle Park in Sylva.

The grueling course traverses 7 miles of trail with 2,770 feet of elevation gain.

Participants will climb rocky roadbeds and a single-track trail to the 5,810-foot BlackRock summit in the spruce-fir forest topping the Plott Balsam Mountains. The point offers a nearly 360-degree view.

The first 100 people to register will receive a T-shirt, with prizes awarded to top finishers.

All runners completing the course in 101 minutes or less will receive a special belt buckle.

One aid station will be set up to offer water to runners, but to reduce waste runners are asked to bring a handheld water bottle or collapsible cup. $25, or $30 on race day. Register online at www.ultrasignup.com. Brian Barwatt, 828.506.2802 or barwatt@hotmail.com.

Softball league forming in Waynesville

Smoky Mountain News

February 26-March 3, 2020

A spring adult softball league is organizing in Waynesville, with an organizational meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at the Waynesville Recreation Center.

Games will be played on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Vance Street softball field beginning April 14. The entry fee will be based on the number of teams at the organizational meeting.

Donald Hummel, 828.456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

Give back to Lake Junaluska Lake Junaluska will hold its annual Lake Cleanup Day 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 7, with all invited to help clear debris that’s collected along shorelines and entrance roadways.

“With the drawn-down lake, we can gain access on foot to pockets of trash that are normally accessible only by boat,” said Lake Cleanup Day Project Coordinator Jim Pearson. “This equates to more than 3 miles of shoreline that need to be cleaned.”

Event organizers the Junaluskans will provide coffee and light snacks for participants, as well as garbage bags, litter pickup sticks, gloves and canoes for waterborne cleanup efforts. Haywood Waterways

Association is partnering on the cleanup.

Helpers of all ages are welcome, but adult chaperones should accompany youth.

Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own equipment such as gloves and litter grabbers when possible.

Volunteers will gather at the Kern Center near the pool at 8:15 a.m. to sign in and get organized, with a group photo at 8:50 a.m. and work starting at 9 a.m.

Groups of six or more can pre-register and thereby choose in advance where they want to work on cleanup day. Pre-registration is available from March 2 to March 5 by contacting Pearson at 502.419.3035. The event will be held rain or shine.

Green documentary screening offered A new program series called the Naturally Green Initiative will kick off at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, at FROG Quarters in Franklin.

The evening will feature screening of the award-winning documentary “The Need to Grow — Save the Soil…Save the World,” with a discussion facilitated by Frank Smith. The program is hosted by Friends of the Greenway, with FROG Quarters located at 573 E. Main Street.

Become A Member Today!

Contact the Membership Department for More Info — 828-926-4831

1819 Country Club Drive Maggie Valley, NC

M AG G I E VA LLEY C LU B . CO M 36

Volunteers patrol the lakeshore for litter. Donated photo

Be prepared while fishing Learn how to prepare for the hazards sometimes encountered while fishing in the wild during the next meeting of the Tuckaseigee River Chapter of Trout Unlimited, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, in Sylva.

Ed Saleem, a retired water and energy conservation manager who lives in Maggie Valley, will speak about potential hazards, as well as methods of preparation, prevention and survival.

The meeting will be held at the United Community Bank on 1640 E. Main Street, with dinner available for $5 and raffle tick-

ets also offered for a $100 gift certificate from Rivers Edge Outfitters.

outdoors February 26-March 3, 2020

Smoky Mountain News

37

After a month-long closure for tree removal operations, a portion of the Davidson River Campground in the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard reopened on Feb. 22.

The Sycamore Loop, which includes 10 campsites with electric hookups, is now available for camping. However, portions of Exercise Trail No. 344 and North Slope Trail No. 359 are still closed.

During the closure, which began Jan. 15, select pine trees were removed for public safety. The trees were diagnosed with a root disease that made them susceptible to blowing over. Most of them were planted in the 1960s on what was formerly farmland — over the past several years many hazard trees have been removed from the campground.

Visitors should be aware that large amounts of woody debris remain on the ground. The remainder of the campground is still closed for cleanup, and visitors should stay out of closed areas.

The campground is expected to fully reopen on March 27, but it will look very different with less shade and visible stumps.

After cleanup operations are complete, crews will begin replanting trees.

Reserve campsites at www.recreation.gov.

Mill volunteers needed Volunteers are wanted to lead informational tours of historic Mingus Mill in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with a training planned for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, March 9, at the Oconaluftee Administration Building near Cherokee.

The mill, built in 1886, is located half a mile north of the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. It gives visitors a look into the inner workings of a mill that custom-ground everything from corn to wheat to rye. The intricacy of the turbine-driven mill provided local patrons with cornmeal and flour in a fraction of the time possible at other types of mills.

Volunteers work alongside Great Smoky Mountains Association employees to educate visitors about Mingus Mill as well as the general role of milling in the Smokies. They are asked to fill at least one shift per week, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., during the peak season from April through November.

Register for the training with Park Resource Education Ranger Florie Takaki, 828.497.1906 or florie_takaki@nps.gov.

Mingus Mill.

Tom Haxby photo

Volunteer at Clingmans Dome Learn more about the Clingmans Dome area in order to share that knowledge with Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitors during a volunteer training 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, March 9, at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee.

Volunteers will help staff the information center at Clingmans Dome, which sits at 6,300 feet in elevation and offers guests information about high-elevation spruce-fir forests, as well as about recreation opportunities, trip planning and wayfinding. They will work along Great Smoky Mountains Association employees, filling one 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift per week, April 1 through Nov. 30. Volunteers are needed for each day of the week except for Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Sign up for the volunteer training with Florie Takaki, 828.497.1906 or florie_takaki@nps.gov.

newsdesk crafts

outdoors February 26-March 3, 2020 Smoky Mountain News

Davidson River Campground partially open

Purchase the February/March issue now at facebook.com/ smokymtnliving

Or, visit smliv.com/ subscribe and use promo code WOW2020 to receive 20% OFF* a subscription!

3.

4.

# 314 - free hat

These are only the answers. *Expires 12/31/2020

the Southern Appalachians MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBE & LEARN MORE AT

2.

Puzzles can be found on page 46

Celebrating

38

1.

smliv.com

A monarch butterfly perches on a milkweed plant. Donated photo outdoors

Tour the garden in Highlands Guided tours of the Highlands Botanical Garden will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month this season, with the first one occurring on Monday, March 2.

Participants will have the chance to check out what’s new in the demonstration gardens and among the hundreds of species

that call the Highlands Biological Station Campus home.

Tours are free, but weather-dependent, with the group meeting at the Highlands Nature Center at 930 Horse Cove Road in Highlands. The campus is a center of Western Carolina University. For more information, call 828.526.2623.

Learn the basics of orchids

Glamp in the Great Smokies

Seed library open The Seed Library of Waynesville is now open, with donated seeds available for free of charge to members of the Haywood County Public Library.

Cardholders can check out up to 10 packets of seeds, with current offerings including unique and rare beans as well as many tomato and pepper varieties. Inventory is listed online under the “Seed Library” tab at www.haywoodlibrary.org.

The Seed Library relies on donations to stay open, so donations are always welcome. It is located on the upper floor of the library branch in Waynesville.

$

ONLY

65

PER MONTH

Great Smokies

STORAGE Call 828.506.4112

Smoky Mountain News

The first annual Great Smokies EcoAdventure will be held April 19-21 near Gatlinburg, a multifaceted fundraising event for Discover Life in America.

DLIA is partnering with the award-winning hiking company A Walk in the Woods to present the event, which will include glamping at A Walk in the Woods’ luxurious off-grid camp near Cosby, gourmet food and drink, guided nature hikes and live music.

“I think people are going to love this truly ‘edu-taining’ event! Guests will learn

about the wildflowers, insects and other life that makes the Smokies such an amazing place, but in a fun and luxurious atmosphere,” said Todd Witcher, executive director for DLiA. The event will be timed to coincide with the annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, which will come to Gatlinburg April 22-25.

Tickets are $1,500 per person and all-inclusive. Proceeds support DLiA, which coordinates the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory in the park. The ATBI works to inventory all the species living in the park and so far has identified more than 20,000 of them in its 21 years of existence Buy a ticket at www.dlia.org.

10’x10’

February 26-March 3, 2020

Get schooled on orchids during a presentation from Highlands Biological Station Director James Costa on Tuesday, March 3, at the Sylva Presbyterian Church in Sylva.

Costa, who holds a doctorate, is a professor of evolutionary biology at Western Carolina University. He will speak in conjunction with the Sylva Garden Club meeting slated to begin at 9:30 a.m. in the church’s fellowship hall. Costa’s presentation, “Orchids 101,” is scheduled to start at 11 a.m.

greatsmokiesstorage.com Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction

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WNC Calendar

Smoky Mountain News

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

• WNC Bridge Foundation will hold nine listening sessions in February across Western NC, including Haywood and Jackson Counties. The foundation awarded $3 million to local nonprofits last year. Complete list of sessions: https://tinyurl.com/tngtsyg. RSVP: grants@wncbridge.org. More info: WNCBridge.org.

• The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority will hold a mandatory partnership funding workshop at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. on Feb. 27 at 1110 Soco Road in Maggie Valley. Must attend to apply for funding; applications are due by March 31. RSVP or get more info: 944.0761. Guidelines and applications available on Feb. 27: www.haywoodtda.com.

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

• Volunteers are available to assist with federal and state income tax preparation and filing through April 14 at two locations in Jackson County. Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-serve basis from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays at the Department on Aging in Sylva. The same service is also provided by appointment from 2:30-6:45 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Appointments: 586.2016.

• Down Home Haywood holds its monthly community meetings at 1 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month at 301 N. Haywood St. Tackling issues like healthcare, wages, housing and more. chelsea@downhomenc.org.

• Southwestern Community College is seeking nominations for the SCC Foundation’s second-annual Distinguished Alumni Award. Deadline is March 1.

Nomination form: www.southwesterncc.edu/award. Info: 339.4227 or k_posey@southwesterncc.edu.

• Southwestern Community College will host a pair of job fairs from 1-4 p.m. on March 4-5 on the college’s Jackson Campus in Sylva. Healthcare Career Fair is March 4; General Job and Career Fair is March 5. Info for job seekers and employers: m_despeaux@southwesterncc.edu or 339.4212.

• Western Carolina University will host “National History Day” competition for middle and high school students from noon-5 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, in Cullowhee.

Students will display projects based on the theme “Breaking Barriers in History.” jswigger@wcu.edu.

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

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

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

• The Jackson County Department of Public Health is seeking input from residents who’ve used the department’s services and residents who have thoughts on the health needs of Jackson County. http://health.jacksonnc.org/surveys. Info: 587.8288.

n All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted. n To have your item listed email to calendar@smokymountainnews.com

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • Registration is underway for a “Website Construction 101: Learn the Basics of Coding” workshop that will be offered by Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment department from 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. on Friday, Friday, April 3, for those who want a next-level course. Registration fee: $139. For info and to register: pdp.wcu.edu and click on “Forprofit and Nonprofit Professional Development Workshops” or 227.7397.

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

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

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

• Registration is underway for a “Business Plan Bootcamp” offered by Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28, in the college’s Public Services Training Facility, Room 9105, in Clyde. SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center is accepting registrations for a nonprofit summit from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3-4, in the college’s Public Services Training Facility, Room 9105, in Clyde.

To register or get more info: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment will offer a three-part seminar entitled: “Strategies for Fixing Big Leaks in Your Business: People, Processes and Pipeline” from 9 a.m.1 p.m. on Wednesdays, March 4, 11 and 18 at WCU Biltmore Park in Asheville. Registration fee: $279 (lunch included). For info and to register: pdp.wcu.edu or 227.7397.

• Registration is underway for a two-part workshop entitled “The Tenets of Project Management” that will be offered by Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment from 9 a.m.-noon on consecutive Tuesdays, March 17-24, at WCU Biltmore Park in Asheville. Early bird registration fee (through Feb. 14): $249; fee after Feb. 15: $279. For info or to register: pdp.wcu.edu or 227.7397.

• Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment is accepting registrations for a workshop entitled “Understanding the Unique Culture of Military Applicants” that will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, at WCU Biltmore Park in Asheville. Cost $89; includes a networking lunch. For info or to register: pdp.wcu.edu and click on: “For-profit and Nonprofit Professional Development Workshops” or call 227.7397.

• Registration is underway for “The School Leadership for Equity Summit” that will be offered from 8:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 20, at the Crest Center in Asheville. Theme is “What is Equity?” Registration fee: $85; includes light breakfast and lunch. Info: jrweiler@email.wcu.edu. Info about registration: https://tinyurl.com/ugdbm6c OR 227.7397.

• Registration is underway for a seminar entitled “How to Write a Business Plan,” which will be offered by Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center

from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, in Clyde.

Info and Registration: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Registration is underway for “Marketing Your Business,” a seminar that will be offered by Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center from 5:308:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, in Clyde. Info and Registration: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment is accepting registration for a two-part, Six Sigma Whitebelt training that will be offered from 9 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays, April 7 and 14, at WCU Biltmore Park in Asheville. Registration fee: $249 before March 7 or $279 after. For info or to register: pdp.wcu.edu or 227.7397.

• Registration is underway for “How to Find Your Customers,” a seminar that will be offered by Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center from 5:308:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, in Clyde. Info and Registration: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

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

• Registration is underway for several session of a Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician program through Landmark Learning. Upcoming sessions include May 23-June 19, July 11-Aug. 7 and Oct. 3-30. www.landmarklearning.org.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • Raffle tickets on sale now for a chance to win a $250 Ingles gift card, $100 Walmart card or a $50 Butts on the Creek gift card. All proceeds raised will go to Camp Ability, who provides activities and summer camp for children in Western North Carolina who have disabilities. www.campabilitywnc.org. Raffle tickets are $1 for 1 ticket, $5 for 6 tickets, or $10 for 15 tickets. Drawing will be held at the fundraising concert on March 7.

Winners do not have to be in attendance to win. Buy tickets by contacting Wende Goode at 246.2256.

• Tickets are on sale now for the second annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser, held by Haywood Pathways Center, at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 at HART Theater in Waynesville.

Cost ranges from $25-40 for adults and $10-15 for children. Purchase tickets: haywoodpathwayscenter.org, at Pathways Center, 179 Hemlock St. in Waynesville or 246.0332.

• Helping Hands of Haywood will have a benefit concert with music from The Remainders band at 9 p.m. on Feb. 29, at Upcountry Brewing, 1042 Haywood Road in Asheville. Goal is to raise money for a family in transitional housing. 508.3420.

• Bowl for Kids’ Sake is set for Feb. 29 and March 14 for Swain and Haywood County, respectively. Fundraiser for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Western North Carolina.

Times, places, registrations and more: bbbswnc.org.

• Presented by the Kiwanis Club of Waynesville, the 2nd annual “Cabaret Variety Show” will be held at 6 p.m.

Sunday, March 1, at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. Enjoy a fun evening of family entertainment with singing and dancing by several performers from Haywood County and greater Western North Carolina. Silent action and 50/50 raffle. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children/students. Reserve your tickets by emailing boxoffice@harttheatre.org or 456.6322. All proceeds will go to support Kiwanis Club grants to schools and organizations serving Haywood County’s children and youth.

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

Complete listings of local music scene Regional festivals Art gallery events and openings Complete listings of recreational offerings at health and fitness centers n Civic and social club gatherings • A three-band concert will benefit Camp Ability at 6 p.m. on March 7. Purchase tickets online to hear The Resonant Rouges, the Greenliners and Red Clay Revival as they perform a benefit concert at the Colonial Theater in Canton. Tickets are $10 with all proceeds going to Camp Ability, which provides activities and camps for children who have disabilities. www.campabilitywnc.org. Purchase tickets here: www.eventbrite.com.

• Haywood Waterways and Elevated Mountain Distilling will hold their second annual Fundraising Chili Cookoff from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, at Elevated Mountain Distilling, 3732 Soco Rd., in Maggie Valley.

Entry fee for cookers: $35. Pre-sale tickets for Chili Eaters: $15; $20 day of. Tickets available at: https://tinyurl.com/s8v6y8s. Info: caitlinw.hwa@gmail.com or 476.4667, ext. 12.

•There will be a special concert in memory of late banjo great Steve Sutton from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 8, in the Queen Auditorium at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville. Performers include the Darren Nicholson Band, Crowe Brothers, Mark Bumgarner, Marc Pruett, Hazel Creek, Bill Kaman, Mike Hunter, Malcolm Holcombe, and the Whitewater Bluegrass Co. $35 in advance. Money raised will go toward the International Bluegrass Music Association trust fund and for a scholarship in his name for music students at Waynesville’s Tuscola High School. Dinner is ticketed separately for $12 and begins at 6 p.m.

452.2997. www.showclix.com/event/second-annualsteve-sutton-memorial-concert.

• Matt Stillwell will perform at a benefit concert for Shop with a Cop at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Other performers include Limited Distance, The Hackers, Michaella Hedden, Brent Ledford, Chelsi Reynolds and more. Tickets: $15 at the door (cash or check).

• Tickets are on sale for the inaugural Great Smokies Eco Adventure, a multifaceted fundraising event for Discover Life in America set for April 19-21 near Gatlinburg, Tenn. Includes glamping at A Walk in the Woods’ luxurious off-grid camp near Cosby, gourmet food and drink, guided nature hikes and live music.

Cost: $1,500. Proceeds support DLiA, which coordinates the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory in the park. Tickets: www.dlia.org.

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

VOLUNTEERS & VENDORS • Junaluska Elementary School 3rd-5th grade students are seeking volunteers to help with a Random Acts of Kindness Week project. Their goal is to pack 30,000 meals with Rise Against Hunger. Planning meeting is at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, at Junaluska Elementary.

Info: jsollie@haywood.k12.nc.us or 456.2407.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers are recruiting volunteers to adopt a monitoring plot in areas throughout the park, with a three-hour training workshop scheduled for 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 29, at Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee.

Effort to track nature’s calendar, or phenology. Collect info as part of a research project. To register: Israel_golden@partner.nps.gov. Info: www.usanpn.org.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park is recruiting volunteers to provide orientation and historic information to visitors at Mingus Mill, which is one-half mile north of the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee.

Required training is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Friday, March 6. Info: 497.1906 or florie_takaki@nps.gov.

• Volunteers are being sought to help with “Lake Cleanup Day,” from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, March 7, at Lake Junaluska. Preregister and info: 502.419.3035.

• There is an open call currently underway for artisans, vendors and environmentally-themed booths at the 23rd annual Greening Up the Mountains, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 25, in downtown Sylva. Applications can be downloaded at www.greeningupthemountains.com and will be accepted through March 15. greeningupthemountains@gmail.com.

• Haywood Vocational Opportunities is seeking donations of goods, services, time and support for the second annual “HVO Stans Up to PTSD Veteran Community Resource, Education and Job Fair,” which will be held on June 27. 454.6857.

HEALTH MATTERS • “Going viral. How serious of a threat is the coronavirus?” will be the topic for the Franklin Open Forum at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 2, at Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub, 58 Stewart Street in Franklin. Open exchange off ideas; dialog, not debate. 371.1020.

• Registration is underway for the Diabetes Prevention Program that will be offered starting March 17 at Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency.

Lifestyle change program dedicated to preventing type 2 diabetes through a series of 24 one-hour group classes. Classes are held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Info: 356.2272 or 356.2292.

• A “Grieving Pet Loss” group meets from 10-11:30 a.m. on Saturdays in Waynesville. Cost: $10 per session. Register: 476.7728.

RECREATION AND FITNESS • ZUMBA is offered at First United Methodist in Waynesville in the Youth Room on Thursdays at 6 p.m.

• Sylva Yoga is offering Mushroom Forage & Forest Yoga from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, March 2 in Sylva.

• Sylva Yoga is offering Intro to Belly Dancing at 6:15 p.m. and Belly Dance Skills & Choreography at 7:15 p.m. on Fridays in Sylva.

KIDS & FAMILIES • SafeKids USA Blue Dragon Tae Kwon Do School in Clyde is offering a free week of introductory classes March 2-6 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Attend one day or all week. Call to RSVP 627.3949. www.bluedragontkd.net.

• Sylva Yoga is offering Yin Yoga and Live Music from 6-7:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, in Sylva.

• Kid Create: An art and music experience for kindergarten-fourth grade students is offered from 3:305:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at First Baptist Church in Waynesville. Fbcwaynesville.org/after-school/kidcreate.

• Waynesville Yoga Center will offer Yoga for Back Care from noon-1 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, in Waynesville. Cost: $15. Register: 246.6570 or WaynesvilleYogaCenter.com.

• The STEAM Club meets at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. STEAM is Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math. Info: 488.3030, ext. 130.

• Waynesville Yoga Center will offer Sky Styx Yoga: Finding Joy in Motion from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, in Waynesville. Cost: $30 in advance or $35 day of. Register: 246.6570 or WaynesvilleYogaCenter.com.

• Homeschoolers get special rates at Cataloochee Ski Area by presenting their homeschool credentials on Tuesdays at the ticket center. Rates are $25 for lift tickets and $50 for lift, lesson and rental. Lift and rental ticket is $35. Rates apply only to skiing from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

• Sylva Yoga is offering a 5 Elements Gentle Yoga Series from 10:30-11:45 a.m. on Sundays, March 8-28 in Sylva.

• Waynesville Yoga Center will offer Breathwork from 5:45-6:45 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, in Waynesville.

Cost: $15. Register: 246.6570 or WaynesvilleYogaCenter.com.

• The Waynesville Parks & Recreation Department will hold an organizational meeting for the Spring Adult Softball League at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Info: 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Waynesville Yoga Center will offer the 30 Days of Mindfulness Challenge from Wednesday, March 11, to Thursday, April 9, in Waynesville. Details and to register: WaynesvilleYogaCenter.com.

• Registration is underway through the end of February for a women’s volleyball league that will be offered Tuesday nights beginning March 17 at the Cullowhee Recreation Center. Fee is $200 per team or join a free-agent team for $25. Coaches meeting is at 6 p.m. on March 5. Info and registration: 293.3053, ext. 6, or andrewsherling@jacksonnc.org.

• Reduced-price skiing and snowboarding will be offered through the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department from 5:30-10:30 p.m. on Fridays through March 6 at Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley. Register: www.rec.jacksonnc.org, 293.3053, ext. 9 or mollyneary@jacksonnc.org.

POLITICAL • The Democratic Women of Macon County and the Macon County Democratic Men’s Club will hold a combined meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 486 West Palmer St. in Franklin. Guest speaker is Dawn Todd, director of the Pretrial Justice Project of Macon County.

AUTHORS AND BOOKS • City Lights Bookstore will host an event Saturday, March 28 for Brannen Basham, Sylva Herald weekly nature writer and contributor to Smoky Mountain Living magazine, release of her book “A Guide to the Wonderful World Around Us: Notes on Nature”. The event will feature a reading, native bee talk and Q&A at 3 p.m. www.sprigglys.com • A poetry reading is held at 2 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month at Panacea in Waynesville.

Bring poetry, essays and writings. poevampyre@gmail.com.

• Waynesville Book Club at 5:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at Waynesville Library Meet to

• Wednesdays are family days at Cataloochee Ski Area with children 17-under receiving a free lift ticket when accompanied by a parent purchasing a full-price adult lift ticket. Regular rental and lesson rates apply.

Only on non-holiday Wednesdays.

• The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department’s Base Camp Summer Camp will hold an open house for parents at 6 p.m. on Feb. 27 – and at 9 a.m. on Feb. 29 – at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Info: 456.2030 or cmiller@waynesvillenc.gov.

• The Sylva Art + Design Committee is pleased to announce a unique pop-up gallery event that will feature the artistic creations of children ages 5-18 in the Western North Carolina region. “Nature Through A Child’s Eye” will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at Viva Arts Studio in downtown Sylva. If you have a child that you think may want to be a participant ages of 5-18 apply by emailing sylvaartdesign@gmail.com or vivaartsstudio@gmail.com.

Facebook at www.facebook.com/sylvapublicart or on Instagram @sylvaarts. All submissions will be available for purchase and can be picked up after the completion of the exhibition. All money raised will be equally distributed between SADC and the Sylva Community Garden in order to further the betterment of the community through arts, education, and environmental awareness.

• Mountain Discovery Charter School, a K-8 charter school in Bryson City, is holding open enrollment through March 6 at www.mountaindiscovery.org.

• Registration is underway for the Challenger International Soccer Camp, which will be offered to ages 3-14 from July 20-24 at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Costs vary based on age group from $90-197. Separate goalkeeper and scorer program is $25 for ages 6-14 from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday. Register: challengersports.com. Info: 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

ONGOING KIDS ACTIVITIES AND CLUBS • Crafternoons are at 2:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month at Hudson Library in Highlands.

• Teen Coffeehouse is at 4:30 p.m. on the first, third, and fourth Tuesday at Jackson County Public Library.

Spend time with other teens talking and sharing. 12 and up. 586.2016.

•A community breastfeeding information and support group meets from 10:30 am.-noon on the first Saturday of each month in the main lobby of the Smoky Mountain OB/GYN Office in Sylva. Free; refresh-

ments provided. For information, contact Brandi Nations (770.519.2903), Stephanie Faulkner (506.1185 or www.birthnaturalwnc), or Teresa Bryant (587-8223).

• Macon County 4-H Needlers club, a group of youth learning the art and expression of knitting and crochet crafts, meets on the second Tuesday of each month.

For information, call 349.2046.

• A Lego Club meet the second Wednesday of the month at 5 p.m. at Cashiers Community Library.

743.0215.

• Culture Club on the second Wednesday of the month, 1 to 2 p.m. for K-6 graders. Guest speakers, books, photos, crafts and food from different countries and cultures. Macon County Public Library. 524.3600.

KIDS FILMS • “Sonic the Hedgehog” will be showing through Feb. 27 at Smoky Mountain Cinema in Waynesville Plaza.

Visit www.fandango.com or smokymountaincinema.com for showtimes, pricing & tickets. Info on Facebook or 246.0588.

• “Bee Movie” will be showing Feb. 29 at 11 a.m. as part of the free Saturday morning promotion at The Strand on Main in downtown Waynesville. 38main.com or 283.0079 • “I Still Believe” will start showing March 13 through March 17 at Smoky Mountain Cinema in Waynesville Plaza. Visit www.fandango.com or smokymountaincinema.com for showtimes, pricing & tickets. Info on Facebook or 246.0588.

• The Highlands Biological Foundation will offer a series of nature-themed films and documentaries shown at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of March in Highlands. For info on each show, call 526.2221.

• A family movie will be shown at 10:30 a.m. every Friday at Hudson Library in Highlands.

A&E

• Women Enlightened will celebrate International Womens Day from 5-6:30 p.m. on March 5 at Elevated Mountain Distillery, 3732 Soco Rd., in Maggie Valley.

Live music, food truck; light munchies provided.

• The Veterans of Foreign Wars Riders Group Post 5202 will hold its ninth annual “Bikers in Boxers, As Bare as You Dare” event from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on March 7 in Waynesville. Entertainment, food, prizes and comradery. Donations: $10, $25 and $30.

Includes meal, door prizes and entertainment. Info: daigre1@yahoo.com or 593.1647.

• The Cold Mountain Music Festival is proud to announce the lineup for its 4th annual event happening June 5-6 at the picturesque Lake Logan Conference Center in Canton. Weekend passes are on sale now on the Cold Mountain Music website. General admission passes are available for $75, and youth passes for those aged 12-17 can be purchased for $40 apiece. Overnight camping spots and catered breakfast meal tickets are also available for $75 (per site) and $12-$15 (per person), respectively. Group discounts may be applied for parties of 15 or more.

Enter the code “DioWNC” at checkout to purchase each pass (minimum 15) for $60 each. www.coldmountainmusic.org.

Smoky Mountain News

• Suicide Prevention Awareness Training will be presented from 2-3 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, at the Waynesville Library. Covers risk factors and the “S.A.V.E.” model: Signs of suicide, Asking about suicide, Validating feelings, Encouraging help and Expediting treatment. Registration required: Kathleen.olsen@haywoodcountync.gov or 356.2507.

• Sylva Yoga is offering Breathwork & Crystal Bowl Sound Meditation from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, in Sylva.

discuss books, which are chosen by each member (taking turns) and provided by the library. New members are welcome. For more information, 356.2507.

February 26-March 3, 2020

• The historic Shelton House in Waynesville is currently in need of volunteers for an array of upcoming events. Alongside help for events and gatherings, the organization is also seeking a docent, gift shop attendee, data entry person, landscaper, handyperson, and other positions. Upcoming main events include the Blue Ridge Heritage Festival June 19-21, Shelton House Halloween “Haunting on the Hill” Oct. 27-31 and Shelton House “Tinsel Trail & Appalachian Christmas.” www.sheltonhouse.org or 452.1551.

with Patti Burke. Check Facebook page Patti Burke Zumba Students for additional information such as holiday or weather related cancelations. $5 per class. https://pattiburke.zumba.com

wnc calendar

• REACH of Haywood County is seeking new volunteers and will hold a Volunteer Training Day from 9:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 29, at the REACH office, 627 N. Main St., in Waynesville. REACH is a domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse prevention and intervention nonprofit. RSVP: 456.7898 or BQreach@aol.com.

FOOD & DRINK • There will be a special “Oyster Roast” gathering from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Nantahala Brewing’s Taproom & Burger Bar in Bryson City. All you 41

wnc calendar

can eat oyster roast, order in advance online for $15 (plus transaction fees). Day of tickets are $25. As well, there will be craft beer, wine and cocktails available. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT

• Marianna Black Library will hold a customer appreciation day on Friday, Feb. 28, in Bryson City.

• The Highlands Performing Arts Center will present the Highlands PAC Youth Theater production of “A Ghostly Slumber Party”at 10 a.m. Feb. 27-28 for the schools performances and again at 3 p.m. Feb. 29 and March 1 for the general public. The cost is free for both students and adults to attend any and all the shows — school shows and public shows. Tickets are available online at www.highlandsperformingarts.com.

• Saturday morning cooking classes will be offered from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. throughout March at McKinley Edwards Inn, 208 Arlington Ave., in Bryson City. Expertise, food and wine provided. Cost: $45 per person. Reservations required by 5 p.m. on Thursday prior to class: 488.9626.

• The Winter Studio Season continues with the two one-act comedies “Lone Star” and “Laundry & Bourbon” at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 28-29 and 2 p.m. March 1. 456.6322 or www.harttheatre.org.

• Newsboys and special guests Mandisa will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Tickets start at $28 per person. There will also be a special pre-show Q&A and VIP packages available www.greatmountainmusic.com.

February 26-March 3, 2020

• The Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, at First Christian Church, 156 Belleview Park Rd., in Franklin. Speaker is Larry Ellert, museum curator.

• The “Western Carolina Comedy Showcase” will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in The Gem downstairs taproom at Boojum Brewing in Waynesville.

Beth Fronczak will host live performances by Clinton Ricks, Rowan Young and Brad Sativa. Admission is $5 at the door. Ages 21 and up. www.boojumbrewing.com.

• Americana/folk musician Meghan Hayes will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. Tickets are $10 per person. www.38main.com.

• Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center will host The Berea Bluegrass Ensemble at 7 p.m. Monday, March 2. 227.7129 or mhc.wcu.edu.

• The 19-piece John Brown Big Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at the Bardo Arts Center on the campus of Western Carolina University. Tickets for the John Brown Big Band are $15 for adults, $10 for faculty/staff/seniors 65+, and $5 for students.

Find tickets and further information at arts.wcu.edu/johnbrownjazz. Tickets may also be reserved over the phone at 227.2479 • Captain Midnight Band will perform at 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 5, in The Gem downstairs taproom at Boojum Brewing in Waynesville.

• Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center will host fiddler Andrew Finn Magill at 7 p.m.

Thursday, March 5. 227.7129 or mhc.wcu.edu.

• Sister Hazel will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 6, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Tickets start at $22 per person. www.greatmountainmusic.com.

Smoky Mountain News

help accessing library resources. Appointments: 586.2016.

• A production of “Hamlet” will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 6, in the Studio Theater at the Bardo Arts Center on the campus of Western Carolina University. www.wcu.edu.

• Tickets are on sale now for the “Americana Concert” featuring Balsam Range and the Atlanta Pops Orchestra. Event is set for 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Early bird tickets on sale for $75 (VIP), $30 (general admission, ages 21-over) and $20 (general admission, ages 1220). After May 1, prices are $85, $40 and $25. Info: www.haywoodarts.org.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • The Jackson County Public Library offers e-services support from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. on 42 Tuesdays in Sylva. For those with new devices or need

• The Macon County Art Association’s Uptown Gallery will host a class on making sheep out of gourds from 1-3 p.m. on Feb. 29 at 30 E. Main St. in Franklin. Use fiber dyes to make scarves. Info: 349.4607 or www.franklinuptowngallery.com.

• A discussion about “Pushing the Limits of Motion – Endurance: My Year in Space, a Lifetime of Discovery”

by Scott Kelley is set for 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, in the Macon County Public Library Meeting Room.

• TJ Holland will present “Cherokee Cultural Sites in Swain County” at 6:30 p.m. on March 5 at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center, 45 East Ridge Drive in Bryson City.

• “The Mountaineer: History in the Moment” will be presented by Kathy Ross from 4-5 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, in the Waynesville Town Hall Board room, 9 South Main Street, as part of the Haywood Ramblings Series.

• Jackson County Green Energy Park is holding classes on March 7 to show you how to make your own pint glass in Dillsboro. Time slots cost $65 each and are available from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Register: 631.0271.

Info: jcgep.org.

• First Saturday Blacksmithing Classes will be offered from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, at Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. Forging experience class.

Cost: $80 for one-hour time slots (make a high-carbon boot knife or a railroad spike blade); $40 for 30 minutes (make either a Mjolnir Rune Pendant or a magic wand). Register: 631.0271. Info: www.JCGEP.org.

take place in the Atrium at the library. Craft therapy is an evening of up-cycle crafting at the library. Drop in for the whole session or as long as you would like.

Each month will have a different theme the library will supply tools and materials that you may need to create something within that theme. If you have anything craft/art related to donate, please bring it by the library or call them at 586.2016, dduffy@fontanalib.org and www.fontanalib.org.

• Second Saturday Markets take place from 6-8 p.m. at Folkmoot in Waynesville. A gathering place for friends of all ages, markets feature vendors, live music, ballroom dance lessons for $5, and a homemade meal for $10. Beer and wine are available for purchase and tables will be set up for participants to play board and card games that they bring from home. Info: 452.2997 or info@folkmoot.org.

• Western North Carolina Woodturners Club will meet at 10 a.m. on the second Saturday every month at the Bascom in Highlands.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES • The “Affrilachian Artist Travelling Studio” exhibit will run through Feb. 29 at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville. Gallery are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Closing reception will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 29, at HCAC. www.haywoodarts.org.

• “HCC Clay in Retrospect” runs now through April 22 and is located on the second floor of the Creative Arts Building on the HCC campus. The public is invited to a closing reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, with a gallery talk beginning at 4:30 p.m. “HCC Clay in Restrospect” is an exhibition featuring the work of 20 artists from the college’s 46 years of clay programming. Mandatory coursework includes photography of finished pieces for gaining entrance into craft shows, creating a business plan, and designing and building a studio tailored to fit production needs.

627.4671 or eareason@haywood.edu.

• Jenean Hornbuckle, a landscape painter, is currently showing her works, at the Rotunda Gallery in the Sylva library. info@jacksoncountyarts.org or 507.9820.

Make your reservation and pre-payment today. Class fee is $20 for HCAC members or $25 for non-members. Cash and Checks made payable to James Lyle.

Please call 828.452.0593 for more information. www.haywoodarts.org.

• Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center will host an exhibit by Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist José Galvez on Latino life in North Carolina in the museum’s second-floor gallery at Hunter Library. The center’s first bilingual exhibit, “Al Norte al Norte” will be on display through Friday, April 10. Admission is free. The 51 black-and-white photos are from a 10-year project to capture images of daily life of Latinos living in North Carolina, from business owners to farmers at work, multi-generations of families at home and at church, and other candid moments. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday. 227.7129.

• The Western NC Civil War Roundtable will feature a presentation on “Abraham Lincoln’s Spies” by Douglas Waller at 7 p.m. on March 9 at the Waynesville Inn Golf Resort and Spa. Meet-and-greet dinner at 5 p.m.; social at 6:30 p.m.

• Art exhibit, “Time and Again” – a glass works exhibit by Kit Paulson and SaraBeth Post – will take place through May 1 at the Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at Bardo Arts Center in Cullowhee. arts.wcu.edu/museum or 227-ARTS.

• The American Chinese Friendship Society of WNC is sponsoring a lecture and live demonstration of a traditional Chinese tea ceremony from 2-4 p.m. on Friday, March 13, in the Waynesville Library Auditorium. Registration required: Kathleen.olsen@haywoodcountync.gov or 356.2507.

• A display featuring more than 50 pieces of art focused on generating public attention surrounding the unintended consequences of human interaction with nature will be on display through May 10 at the Baker Exhibit Center within the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville. www.ncarboretum.org.

• James Lyle will be offering a “Sequential Art Class Series” beginning on March 7 and running through May 23 at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville. In this session, the class will participate in a group exercise dealing with the process of creating a “superhero” (or any other type of character in any media, really).

• Registration is underway for the ninth annual Heritage Life Skills event offering classes in a variety of survival-related skills from May 8-10 at the Folkmoot Center in Waynesville. Bread-making, harvesting medicine plants and more. Cost: $125 or $50 for 18-under before Feb. 29 or $10 more after.

Carolinareadiness.com.

• Jackson County Public Library in Sylva is hosting craft therapy. This get-together will be the first Tuesday of each month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. It will

• Cherokee Indian Hospital is issuing a “Call to Artists” for the new Analenisgi Inpatient Unit. The mission is to create community pride and ownership using a variety of culturally significant, healing art mediums.

Enrolled EBCI members will be given preference.

Mediums can include, but are not limited to, paintings (oil, acrylic, pastels, watercolor) photography, fiber arts, metal, mixed media and sculpture. Please email legendweaverstudios@gmail.com if you want the formal “Call to Artists” application and information.

• The Museum of the Cherokee Indian has recently opened a major new exhibit, “People of the Clay: Contemporary Cherokee Potters.” It features more than 60 potters from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Cherokee Nation, and more than one hundred works from 1900 to the present. The exhibit will run through April.

FILM & SCREEN • “The Gentlemen” will be showing through Feb. 27 at Smoky Mountain Cinema in Waynesville Plaza. Visit www.fandango.com or smokymountaincinema.com for showtimes, pricing & tickets. Info on Facebook or 246.0588.

• “Call of the Wild” will be start showing through Feb. 27 at Smoky Mountain Cinema in Waynesville Plaza.

Visit www.fandango.com or smokymountaincinema.com for showtimes, pricing & tickets. Info on Facebook or 246.0588.

• “The Invisible Man” will be start showing Feb. 27 through March 5 at Smoky Mountain Cinema in Waynesville Plaza. Visit www.fandango.com or smokymountaincinema.com for showtimes, pricing & tickets.

Info on Facebook or 246.0588.

• The Second Tuesday Movie Group meets at 2 p.m. in the Waynesville Library Auditorium. For info, including movie title: 452.5169.

Outdoors

• Friends of the Greenway will show the documentary “The Need to Grow-Save the Soil … Save the World” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at FROG Quarters, 573 E. Main St. in Franklin.

• Registration is underway for the 10th annual Three River Fly Fishing Festival, which will be held April 30May 2 in Highlands. Entry: $450 per team before Feb. 28 or $500 after. For info, to register or sponsor: hilary@highlandhiker.com or 526.0441.

• Landmark Learning is offering several options to take a Wilderness First Responder Recertification class, Feb. 28 in Cullowhee and March 1 in Brevard.

Registration is also underway for courses on www.landmarklearning.org.

• The Tuckaseigee River Chapter No. 373 of Trout Unlimited will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, at the United Community Bank, 1640 E. Main St. in Sylva. Speaker is Ed Saleem, a retired water and energy conservation manager, who’ll discuss hazards that may be encountered while fishing in the wild along with methods preparation and survival.

• Landmark Learning will offer courses in Wilderness First Responder, dates: March 7-15 and March 14-22 in Cullowhee. Info: www.landmarklearning.org.

• Learn how to get the most out of a trip to America’s most-visited national park during a program offered from 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11 at REI in Asheville. Offered by Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• Intro to Fly-Fishing will be offered to ages 12-up from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on March 13, 23 and 31 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard.

Online registration required: https://tinyurl.com/y53o5ddq.

• Jason Love will speak on “The Critters of Coweeta” at 6:30 p.m. on March 16 at Cowee School, 51 Cowee School Drive in Franklin. Part of the “Where We Live: History, Nature and Culture” series.

• Registration is underway for the Landmark Outdoor Educator Semester, which is offered May 14-June 30, through Landmark Learning. www.landmarklearning.org.

• The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Hatchery Supported Trout Waters is open from 7 a.m. until one-half-hour after sunset until last day of February. Info: https://tinyurl.com/yae8ffqn.

Brian Noland

• The Cataloochee Thursday Night Race League is open to skiers and snowboarders 18 years or older from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursdays through Feb. 27. Individuals race against the clock on a modified GS or slalom course for the better of two runs. The top three challengers in men’s and women’s age divisions win prizes. Helmets and goggles required. $15 to race or $35 for race entry and night lift ticket. https://tinyurl.com/y9ys99hu.

• Registration is underway for the 10th annual Assault on Blackrock, which will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, starting from the parking lot of Pinnacle Park in Sylva. Preregistration fee: $25; $30 on race day. Register: ultrasignup.com. Info: 506.2802 or barwatt@hotmail.com.

• Registration is underway for Lake Junaluska’s Annual Friends of the Lake 5K, which is Saturday, April 11. Provides financial support for maintaining the walking trail and other recreation opportunities.

Registration before March $26: $30 adults, $15 students and kids fun run is free for ages 10-under. www.lakejunaluska.com/run.

FARM AND GARDEN • The annual Haywood County Extension Master Gardener plant sale is underway and accepting pre-paid orders through Feb. 27. Forms are available at www.haywood.ces.ncsu.edu, 456.3575 or mgarticles@charter.net.

• The Sylva Garden Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, in the Fellowship Hall of the Sylva Presbyterian Church. Guest speaker is Dr. James T. Costa, Executive Director of the Highlands Biological Station and Professor of Evolutionary Biology at Western Carolina University. Presentation entitled: “Orchids 101.”

• The Higholands Biological Station will offer a guided tour to show what’s new in the demonstration gardens from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at 930 Horse Cove Road in Highlands. 526.2623.

bknoland@beverly-hanks.com

74 North Main Street Waynesville, NC 28786

828.452.5809

(828)

400-1345

71 N. Main St., Waynesville (828) 564-9393

BROKER ASSOCIATE

Real Experience.

Real Service. Real Results.

(828) 400-9463 michelle@beverly-hanks.com Haywood County Real Estate Expert & Top Producing REALTOR®

828.452.3727 www.TheRealTeamNC.com

RE/MAX

EXECUTIVE

Jerry Powell Cell: 828.508.2002

jpowell@beverly-hanks.com

74 N. Main St., Waynesville

828.452.5809

71 N. Main Street Waynesville

Phyllis Robinson OWNER/BROKER

(828) 712-5578

lakeshore@lakejunaluska.com

The Only Name in Junaluska Real Estate 91 N. Lakeshore Dr. Lake Junaluska 828.456.4070

www.LakeshoreRealtyNC.com Conveniently located in the Bethea Welcome Center

• Carolina Mountain Club will hold a 10-mile hike with a 500-foot ascent on Saturday, Feb. 29, at Asheville Camino del Norte Walk. Info and reservations: 450.0747 or danny@hikertohiker.com.

• Nantahala Hiking Club holds monthly trail maintenance days from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on every fourth Saturday at 173 Carl Slagle Road in Franklin. Info and to register: 369.1983.

• Hike of the Week is at 10 a.m. every Friday at varying locations along the parkway. Led by National Park Service rangers. www.nps.gov/blri or 298.5330, ext. 304.

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

• Nantahala Hiking Club based in Macon County holds weekly Saturday hikes in the Nantahala National Forest and beyond. www.nantahalahikingclub.org • High Country Hikers, based out of Hendersonville but hiking throughout Western North Carolina, plans hikes every Monday and Thursday. Schedules, meeting places and more information are available on their website, www.highcountryhikers.org.

• Carolina Mountain Club hosts more than 150 hikes a year, including options for full days on weekends, full days on Wednesdays and half days on Sundays. Non-members contact event leaders. www.carolinamountainclub.org • Benton MacKaye Trail Association incorporates outings for hikes, trail maintenance and other work trips. No experience is necessary to participate. www.bmta.org.

• Diamond Brand’s Women’s Hiking Group meets on the third Saturday of every month. For more information, e-mail awilliams@diamondbrand.com or call 684.6262.

Laura Thomas

BROKER ASSOCIATE —————————————

(828) 734-8478 lthomas@beverly-hanks.com

Jay Spiro, JD

REALTOR, COMMERCIAL DIVISION

828-226-1078

Smoky Mountain News

• Friends of the Smokies hikes are offered on the second Tuesday of each month. www.friendsofthesmokies.org/hikes.html.

February 26-March 3, 2020

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a moderate, six-mile hike with an elevation change of 800 feet on Saturday, Feb. 29, from Sawmill Gap to Rocky Bald Ridge and Wine Springs. Info and reservations: 524.5298.

The Strength of Teamwork The Reputation for Results

400-1346

Michelle McElroy

• Orders are being accepted through Friday, March 13, for the Macon County 4-H Club’s annual plant sale. Fundraiser. Info and order form: https://tinyurl.com/rw39w7x.

HIKING CLUBS

(828)

828.734.5201

wnc calendar

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL PROFESSIONAL

COMPETITIVE EDGE

Hansen & Hansen Mary Roger

Jay@4Smokys.com

Your Agent. Your Neighbor.

WAYNESVILLE OFFICE:

Great Smokys Realty

828-564-1950 www.4smokys.com

36 S. Main St. Waynesville

43

Market WNC PLACE

Announcements

MarketPlace information:

The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 copies across 500 locations in Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, including the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County.

Visit www.wncmarketplace.com to place your ad!

Rates: • • • •

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$15 — Classified ads that are 25 words, 25¢ per word after.

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Monday for your ad to run again FREE Legal N otices — 25¢ per word $375 — Statewide classifieds run in 170 participating newspapers with 1.1+ million circulation. (Limit 25 words or less) Boost Online — Have your ad featured at top of category online $4 Boost in Print Add Photo $6 Bold ad $2 Yellow, Green, Pink or Blue Highlight $4 Border $4

CASH FOR CARS! We buy all cars! Junk, highend, totaled – it doesn’t matter! Get free towing and same day cash!

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Automobiles

Auction AUCTION ALERT! Southern States Cooperative Multistate Fleet Realignment Auction.

Farming Equipment Including Spray & Fertilizer Trucks, Rogators & more! Bid online 2/28 - 3/5 at 11 a.m. at www. motleys.com. Motleys Industrial.

877-MOTLEYS. NC#5914 ONLINE ONLY AUCTION, Charlotte City Club Renovation & Surplus, Begins Closing 3/5/2020 at 6pm, Property at 121 Trade

2000 ACURA INTEGRA Reduced! $600 She was my daily driver for 5 years. Needs some work to run. Great for mechanically inclined person or use for spare parts. Clean title.

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Employment MEDICAL BILLING & CODING TRAINING. New Students Only.

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Note: Yard sale ads require an address. This location will be displayed on a map on www.wncmarketplace.com

BROWN TRUCKING Is looking for Company Drivers & Owner Operators. Brown requires: CDL-A, 2yrs of tractor trailer exp. OTR or Re-

p: 828.452.4251 · f:828.452.3585 classads@smokymountainnews.com www.wncmarketplace.com www.smokymountainnews.com

TIRES Good year Wrangler Duratrac, 265/65 R17. Like new, less than 6000 miles on them. $475.00, good offer. 828-2260281 (828) 226-0281

Business Opportunities

Note: Highlighted ads automatically generate a border so if you’re placing an ad online and select a highlight color, the “add border” feature will not be available on the screen.

44

Auto Accessories

February 26-March 3, 2020

gional in last 3yrs, good MVR & PSP. Apply: driverforbrown.com PAINTERS & ROOFERS NEEDED! Coating manufacture looking for companies or individuals to apply coating systems on commercial roofs in North or South Carolina. CALL 740-6560177 AIRLINES ARE HIRING - Get FAA approved hands on Aviation training. Financial DLG IRU TXDOL¿HG VWXdents - Career placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-4416890.

PART-TIME CUSTODIAL WORK 20-30 hrs/wk. Averages 4 hrs/night, 5-9 pm. $10.25/hr. Email responses only: Jerry.Southard@ LongsChapel.com Jerry.Southard@ LongsChapel.com CANTON RESTAURANT HIRING! South Philly Italian Pasta & Subs in Canton, N.C. is hiring for assistant manager and other positions! No experience necessary; we offer full training.

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CENTER SUPERVISOR Kneedler Child Development - WCU - Jackson County. Must have a BS Degree in Early Childhood RU D UHODWHG ¿HOG DQG Administrative Level III Credentials, basic computer knowledge, 2 yrs. experience in NC Day Care Regulations, 1-2 yrs. supervisory experience and good judgement skills. Full 7LPH ZLWK %HQH¿WV $16.00 per hour. Applications will be taken at: www.mountainprojects. org. EOE/AA

PART TIME HOUSEKEEPER Jonathan Creek Inn is now hiring a part time housekeeper. Candidates must have a valid drivers license, and pass a pre-employment drug screening. Weekend availability is a must!

Please apply in person.

AUTO SALES CONSULTANT Do you want to be a part of a family-owned and locally operated business that has served the area for over 65 years? Earning the trust of our customers, employees and community is what drives us to be better. Taylor Ford is proud to be a fast-paced, high-energy, forward-thinking company that is looking for experienced professionals with all of the same attributes!

What We’re Looking For: Our growing Sales department is looking for ambitious and self-motivated people to join our team.

Automotive experience is preferred. If you are looking for an opportunity to grow and develop your career, apply here! Contact Dean Howell. (828) 452-5111 rdhowell1@yahoo.com

SPACE AVAILABLE

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE Carolina Mountain Cablevision, Inc., a locally owned and operated Cable TV/Internet/ Telephone Service Provider, is seeking applications/resumes for a Customer Service Representative. The successful applicant will need the following skills: Customer Service experience with the ability to handle customers and other members of the public in a courteous and professional manner; computer experience is a must – experience with Microsoft Programs a must; good communications skills in person, on the phone, and written (by hand or computer); the ability to be self-motivated and work independently but also the ability to function as part of a team as needed; the ability to handle stressful, hectic situations in a professional manner; the ability to multi-task; and the ability to work overtime as needed.

Individuals with IT/ Networking experience and/or knowledge of cable television products and services along with the other skills listed will be given preferential consideration.

High school diploma or the equivalent required.

Salary is dependent on H[SHULHQFH %HQH¿WV are available. Interested applicants should e-mail their resume to sanders@ccvn.com or fax them to 828-5364510. Resumes will be accepted until February 28, 2020. Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans encouraged to apply sanders@ccvn. com

PART TIME DIRECTOR For Restoration House- WNC. A Local 1RQ 3UR¿W 2UJDQL]Dtion in Bryson City. Primary Responsibilities Include: Day-to-Day Operation of Volunteers and Programs, as well as Implementation of Fundraising Plan.

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Catherine Gantt, P.O. Box 154, Bryson City, NC 28713 or Email to: catherineanngantt@ gmail.com. Call 828508-6016 for more info.

NEWSPAPER DELIVERY PERSON Do you have a car, a license and Wednesdays free?

The Smoky Mountain News is hiring a dependable newspaper delivery person for our Macon County route.

This position is considered contract and is year round. Pay is $125 per week. This is a perfect opportunity for local retirees or for those seeking additional work on Wednesdays. Applicants must have reliable transportation, including a vehicle which can haul or carry approximately 3,000 bundled newspapers. Newspapers are bundled for bulk delivery to businesses and storefronts along 50 locations. To apply, pick up an application at our Waynesville RI¿FH DW 0RQWJRPery Street. The deadline to apply is March 1st. No phone calls please.

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USE SEAL N HEAL® To seal wounds on dogs & cats with a bitter taste to prevent gnawing, allow healing. N.C. Clampitt Hardware 828-488-2782, www. kennelvax.com

Medical DENTAL INSURANCE From Physicians Mutual Insurance Company.

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Haywood Co. Real Estate Agents Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices/Great Smokys Realty - www.4Smokys.com Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate- Heritage • Carolyn Lauter - carolyn@bhgheritage.com Beverly Hanks & Associates- beverly-hanks.com • Ann Eavenson - anneavenson@beverly-hanks.com • Billie Green - bgreen@beverly-hanks.com • Michelle McElroy- michellemcelroy@beverly-hanks.com • Steve Mauldin - smauldin@beverly-hanks.com • Brian K. Noland - brianknoland.com • Anne Page - apage@beverly-hanks.com • Brooke Parrott - bparrott@beverly-hanks.com • Jerry Powell - jpowell@beverly-hanks.com • Catherine Proben - cproben@beverly-hanks.com • Ellen Sither - ellensither@beverly-hanks.com • Mike Stamey - mikestamey@beverly-hanks.com • Karen Hollingsed- khollingsed@beverly-hanks.com • Billy Case- billycase@beverly-hanks.com • Laura Thomas - lthomas@beverly-hanks.com • John Keith - jkeith@beverly-hanks.com • Randall Rogers - rrogers@beverly-hanks.com • Susan Hooper - shooper@beverly-hanks.com • Hunter Wyman - hwyman@beverly-hanks.com

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31 Steel city in the Ruhr 33 Feldman acting more bashfully?

36 Time spent in office 38 Rubbish 41 Angry with 42 "Modern Family" airer 45 Certain quadrilateral 47 One who's worshiped 51 Griffin suffering more pain?

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76 Believing in one God

80 81 82 83 84 86 90 91 94 95 96 99 103 108 111 112 113 116 118 121 123 124 125 126 127 128

"Remember the -!"

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February 26-March 3, 2020

WNC MarketPlace

Geronimo’s brush with WNC

George Ellison

T

BACK THEN Be forewarned, if you decide to take a peek at “Deadwood” for the first time, it would be a serious understatement to describe the language employed throughout as “potty-mouthed.” The four-letter word for intercourse, for instance, is said to occur 2,980 times, which averages out to 1.56 utterances per minute of footage ... and other obscenities abound. Nevertheless, there are redeeming features, including some fine acting, excellent scenery, and structured language that is Shakespearian, biblical, and Wild Wild West.

Numerous improbable episodes dot Western North Carolina’s historical landscape, none more so than when the federal government came very close to moving the Indian warrior Geronimo and other captive members of his renegade Apache band from a prison in Alabama onto Eastern Band of Cherokee lands. The story unfolds in articles that appeared in the Swain County Herald from mid-1889 through late 1890. (These bound issues were at one time in my keeping, but perhaps 20 years ago I donated them to Hunter Library at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee) In 1889, Geronimo’s band was being held at the Mount Vernon Barracks about 40 miles north of Mobile. Members of the Chiricahua tribe, they numbered 75 men and about 250 women and children. Geronimo,

then 60 years old, was a tribal leader … not a chief. As a young man, he had exhibited courage and skill in successive raids of vengeance upon Mexicans, who killed his mother, wife, and children in 1858. After the Civil War, an effort was made to limit the territory of the Apaches. Savage retaliatory raids by the Indians brought action by the U.S. Army under the command of Gen. Crook.

Apaches implicated in the raids were impounded on reservations, but Geronimo’s band fled to Mexico. From 1876 until 1886, he led raids against settlers in the United States, gaining recognition as “the most cunning” of all the Indian warriors faced by the American military. During the final 18 months of this campaign, the U.S. Army employed 5,000 troops and 500 Indian auxiliaries. Operating in two countries from hidden supply bases in some of the most desolate and/or rugged terrain in North America, the Apache opposition was comprised of 35 men, 8 boys, and 101 women. When the Chiricahua finally surrendered in 1886, they were promised reunion with their families on “a large, well-stocked reservation.” Instead, they — along with 17 Indian scouts who had assisted the U.S. Army in their capture — were shipped in boxcars to Florida and incarcerated. The men were sent to Fort Pickens, the women to Fort Marion.

In April 1887, President Grover Cleveland, responding to reports that malaria was rampant among the Apache prisoners

in Florida, agreed to have them moved to Alabama. The Indians requested that they “be allowed a fresh start somewhere near a river and in a place where it snowed (and) where they could see long distances. It was determined that Eastern Band lands in WNC suited Apache needs. WNC residents learned of this plan in July 1889 when the Swain County Herald reprinted an article from a newspaper in Charleston. This article reported that a tract of about 10,000 acres had been located “in Swain County, N.C., which is at present occupied by about 2,000 Cherokees. The Cherokees are willing to sell (and) Geronimo is delighted with the prospect of removal, but is disappointed at not getting back to Arizona.

The land in WNC was not exactly what Gen. Crook had in mind. He decided he wanted the Apaches removed to a land which more closely approximated conditions as the Chiricahuas had known them before their captivity. In September 1894, the War Department ordered their removal from Alabama to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. By orders from President Cleveland that ran counter to the terms agreed upon by the Apaches, Geronimo and 14 other male members of the Chiricahua band were placed under military confinement. Until his death in 1909, Geronimo was allowed to farm and raise stock.

(George Ellison is a writer and naturalist who lives in Bryson City. info@georgeellison.com)

February 26-March 3, 2020

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in a February 2012 edition of The Smoky Mountain News. he names Geronimo and Gen. George Crook are interwoven in the lore of northern Mexico, southeastern Arizona, western New Mexico and the Indian territories in Oklahoma. An association with the Smokies region and the remnant Eastern Columnist Band of Cherokees in Western North Carolina is less well known.

An essay I included in Mountain Passages: Natural and Cultural History of Western North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains (Charleston SC: History Press, 2005) described Geronimo’s role in that episode. This time around, I want to take a little closer look at Gen. Crook.

My renewed interest in him was rekindled by an appearance “he” (played in gruff yet regal fashion by actor Peter Coyote) makes in the HBO-DVD 36-episode docudrama titled “Deadwood,” which takes place in 1876 in the Black Hills of South Dakota during the gold-rush era. In a previous film incarnation, Gen. Crook was played by Gene Hackman, which gives you some idea of the real-life general’s disposition.

Smoky Mountain News 47

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