SMN 04 27 16

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

April 27-May 3, 2016 Vol. 17 Iss. 48

Haywood schools rethink cuts following backlash Page 18 Tribal Council banishes 15 for drug offenses Page 22

CONTENTS

HowWe

On the Cover:

April 27-May 3, 2016

KARE

KARE is Haywood County’s nationally accredited Child Advocacy Center whose mission is to end child abuse through advocacy, education and support. We serve children and families of Haywood County through intervention and preventative programs. Our child abuse intervention services are called into play when a child abuse report has been made, either physical or sexual. Once the child and the non-offending caregiver arrive at the KARE House, this is how it begins.

“Welcome to KARE. Have a seat wherever you like. Would you like a drink or a snack? We have some paperwork to fill out and some important things to talk about. Your child and I will be talking for a few minutes in the next room…”

Imagine your child or a child you know has said something you are unsure of. That is where we come in to help. With a child friendly atmosphere and trained professionals, KARE provides forensic interviews at the request of law enforcement and child protective services. Forensic interviews, as defined by the National Children’s Advocacy Center, is a “structured conversation that takes place under an established protocol and is designed to elicit accurate and complete information regarding a topic or subject of concern.” Each interview is conducted by an interview specialist or other professional that has received advanced training in child interviewing. Interviewers utilize evidence-based practices that are developmentally sensitive, trauma informed, and constructed of legally sound questions.

Once the interview is complete, KARE then provides additional services to the non-offending caregivers and alleged victims. Once discussion of the

case begins within our multi-disciplinary team, alleged victims are provided services such as mental health referrals, court advocacy, and case management.

Our multi-disciplinary team is made up of victim advocates, law enforcement, child protective services, mental health, juvenile justice, the District Attorney’s office, and medical providers. The purpose of our team is to prevent further trauma to the child, discuss how to best serve the child, and discuss different resources available to the child and their family.

As April is National Child Abuse Prevention month, we encourage you to be a part of the movement to end child abuse. Each year KARE serves more than 200 children living in Haywood County that may have been affected by abuse. Haywood County, and most of western North Carolina, continue to be in the top 5 counties of reported child abuse. For the past 25 years, KARE has been providing preventative and intervention services for the children and our community. As a member of our community, you play a crucial role in bringing awareness and ending child abuse.

For information on these programs, please contact KARE. 1159 N. Main St. Waynesville, NC 28786 828-456-8995 www.KareHouse.org

In recognition of National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day on April 30, The Smoky Mountain News is highlighting the organizations and volunteers in the region that help connect pets and people every day. Western North Carolina has a variety of nonprofits working toward rescuing animals, promoting spay and neuter programs, and being a voice for those who can’t speak.

■ Sims dedicates decades to helping felines ..........................................................4 ■ Jellybean loses sight, finds new home ....................................................................5 ■ WCU researcher examines human/pet interaction ............................................6 ■ PAWS director passionate about placing pets ....................................................8 ■ Macon animal rescue struggling to hold on ......................................................12 ■ Connecting displaced cats with FUR-ever families ........................................13 ■ For the love of the show ..........................................................................................14 ■ Friends group pledges $1 million for Haywood shelter ................................15

News Political and racial discussions continue at WCU ..................................................16 WCU chancellor diagnosed with brain tumor ..........................................................17 School rethinks coaching cuts following backlash ................................................18 New CEO in the cards for Haywood Regional ......................................................19 Development being considered in Forest Hills ........................................................20 Swain commissioners oppose removal of boathouses ........................................21 Cherokee banishes 15 for drug offenses ..................................................................22 Bear zoo case will go to appeal ..................................................................................23 Maggie Valley to rethink town center design ..........................................................24

A&E Show will rekindle the magic, legend of ‘80s pop icon ........................................34

Outdoors Jackson County pushes to land unique designation ............................................48

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CONTACT WAYNESVILLE | 144 Montgomery, Waynesville, NC 28786 P: 828.452.4251 | F: 828.452.3585 SYLVA | 629 West Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779 828.631.4829 | F: 828.631.0789

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1 YEAR $65 | 6 MONTHS $40 | 3 MONTHS $25

Join us for

Mother’s Day Brunch Lake Logan Episcopal Center | Sunday, May 8th Reserve your seat at lakelogan.org/events

Egg White Fri ata

Menu with goat cheese, asparagus & spinach served with fruit parfait

Eggs Benedict Poached egg with Canadian Bacon & hollandaise on English Muffin served with fresh fruit

Lobster Ro with bacon & avocado served with pommes frites

"Waterfalls & Wildflowers of the Southern Appalachians"

May 24th at 10:30 am Dr. Spira will lead the audience through a lively interpretive discussion covering some of the most stunning waterfall hikes in the Southern Appalachians. Dr. Spira’s presentation is meant to increase the enjoyment of exploring our mountain home.

$25 Advance registration is required & available at lakelogan.org/2016-lecture-series

Children’s Menu Bluebe y Pancakes with fresh fruit Slice of Ch se Pizza

August 19 - 21

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An opportunity to connect with family in God's backyard

LAKE LOGAN SUMMER ADVENTURE DAY CAMP June 20 - July 19 | Choose your weeks! | $255/week

Themed weeks of science-based experiential education with corresponding adventure activites making connecting with the natural world

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April 27-May 3, 2016

Cu ied Chicken Crepe served with asparagus

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lakelogan.org/camp 828.646.0095

Info on all events and online registration is available at lakelogan.org

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CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

Connecting Pets & People 2016 The Catman of Jackson County

Honoring the house cat with a museum

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Catman2 needs help if it’s to stay in the business of helping Jackson County’s cats in distress. The shelter itself requires at least $70,000 per year to pay for staffing, vet work, medications, cat food, cat litter and utilities. On top of that, Catman2 is in the process of opening a cat museum on U.S. 441 in the Savannah area of Jackson County.

Rent will cost $1,000 per month.

Donate online at www.catman2.org or send checks to Catman2, Inc., P.O. Box 2344, Cullowhee, N.C. 28723. A fundraising page for the museum is at www.generosity.com/community-fundraising/the-american-museum-of-the-house-cat-for-catman2.

Sims reflects on decades of dedication to the feline population

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER Harold “Catman” Sims grew up in a household full of dogs.

Doberman pinschers, to be exact. His dad had started breeding them right before the beginning of World War II, when Sims was a boy living on the family farm in upstate New York. They were valuable animals, some even going into the U.S. Marines as war dogs when the conflict erupted.

But mostly what Sims remembers is the noise, and the chewing.

“I don’t have much use for dogs,” he said. “Cats to me are so much more interesting and so much quieter and loving in not an overt way, but they still show you they love you in a quiet, peaceful way.”

Before retiring to Jackson County, Sims, 81, was a biology instructor at St. Petersburg Community College in Florida. He developed an appreciation of cats for their evolutionary history as well as for their quiet purring.

They’ve been survivors from the get-go.

“The cat really came to man not because he wanted to help man but because he wanted to get food from the rats man had attracted,” Sims said.

“Really,” he added, “the cat saved man’s life because he kept the grain from being eaten by the rats.”

These are reflections Sims can now make while sitting in a 4,000-square-foot house dedicated entirely to cats.

The Catman2 Cat Shelter, located on Bo Cove Road in

Harold Sims, known in the mountains as “The Catman,” is on a mission to bring the glory of the American house cat to the masses.

Or, more specifically, to open up a museum dedicated to showing visitors all there is to know about cats and their long history with humans.

“I want people to know more about the cat,” Sims said. “I want people to be able to appreciate the cat, and I want it to be a teaching museum.”

Sims, 81, is the owner of the Catman2 Cat Rescue in Cullowhee, and he’s also a longtime collector of cat-related artifacts. Walk through the shelter, and you’ll see walls adorned with paintings, antique ads and many other iterations of framed furry faces. But Sims has plenty more cat paraphernalia than what’s displayed at the shelter. Art glass, wind-up

Lend a hand

Cullowhee, holds anywhere from 60 to 90 cats at any one time, with a dual goal of finding loving homes for homeless cats and giving a happy, well-fed life to those unlikely to be adopted.

BECOMING THE CATMAN

Catman2, run by Harold Sims (pictured) is a 4,000square-foot cat house that holds anywhere from 60 to 90 cats at a time. Holly Kays photo

When Sims retired in 1991, he had no inkling that, 25 years later, he’d be sitting where he is, doing what he is.

In fact, when Sims’ beloved 19-year-old cat died years ago, he and his wife agreed they’d take a break from cats for a while. But then they moved to the mountains, and a stray cat that came to be named Marco showed up on a neighbor’s porch. It soon became the Sims’ pet.

“Marco led to another cat named Suki that led to a cat named something else,” Sims said.

He’d already been involved with the animal shelter in St. Petersburg, so when he and his wife came to live in North Carolina he began to get involved with a local animal shelter. Sims and the shelter eventually had a parting of ways, but he continued to work

toys, stuffed animals, chrome lithograph photography from the 1880s — all the cat-related antiques imaginable.

“I’ve got some real rare, high-end pieces,” Sims said.

By the end of June, Sims hopes to have them displayed in a pair of rooms he’s rented from the Old School Antique Mall along U.S. 441 in the Savannah area of Jackson County. Once the space is all cleared out and cleaned up, he’ll start moving in, and he’s got all sorts of plans for what the space can be.

“You’ll be walking into a cat space when you’re walking into the building,” he said, explaining the false front he envisions that will make the entrance looks like a cat’s mouth.

Murals will cover the wall outside, and the self-guided museum will feature a history of the cat, charts detailing its anatomy and a mock-up of a vet’s office in addition to the antiques.

According to Sims’ research, there’s only one other cat museum in the country — in Alliance, Ohio.

“I think we could have another museum in this country, and it could be here because there are cat lovers everywhere,” he said.

In Sims’ estimation, cat lovers’ numbers are only going to

increase, as more people move to urban environments and the market tends to smaller, more compact homes. If those trends continue, he reasons, the house cat’s low space and maintenance needs will only cause it to rise in importance as America’s preferred pet.

“There’s going to be more need to have cats,” he said.

Sims also sees the cat museum as a way to draw attention to the value of his collection. Now in his 80s, Sims knows full well he won’t be around forever. He worries constantly about how the shelter will remain afloat when he’s gone, and while he believes his antique collection is extremely valuable, he’s skeptical that, without some advance planning, it would sell for much more than nickels on the dollar.

By teaming up with the antique mall and getting visitors through to admire the pieces, he said, they could be sold slowly over time to bring in money to the felines of Catman2.

“It’s going to be a lot of work to get the thing set up and running, but I think when it gets up it’s going to be a real asset to the county,” he said.

F

CHALLENGES ALONG THE WAY It hasn’t been easy. In some ways, the Carolina mountains are “dog country” — it’s hard for Sims to get the donations he needs to keep the cats-only shelter afloat, with his own money supplementing many of the operations.

“I’m taking no salary for myself, and for the first five years I paid all the insurance and all the lights,” he said. He also used his own money to build the building, and the nonprofit doesn’t pay rent for use of the space. He relies on Lynch to put in more time than what Catman2 can pay him for.

With all that as fact, it probably doesn’t have to be stated that Sims really likes cats. Even with dozens living at the cat house — which is on the same piece of property as his home — he still keeps seven for himself. A couple of those are “foster cats,” animals whose owners send a monthly donation for Sims to keep them. Three are shelter cats that weren’t compatible with the others at the shelter.

Lynch is of somewhat the same mind — he’s currently keeping 10 cats and three dogs at his house, though three of the 13 animals are fosters.

Each of the hundreds of cats Sims has known over the shelter’s lifetime has its own history and personality, but he doesn’t pick favorites.

“There’s no cat that I really don’t like,” he said. “To me they’re all just different colors, you know?”

Jellybean loses sight, finds new home Star Ranch looks for successor to carry on the cause

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR Jellybean is a 31-year-old blind miniature horse. Not being able to see her surroundings may seem like an insurmountable obstacle, but Star Ranch in Haywood County has made it possible for Jellybean to have a second chance to find a family.

Jellybean was brought to Star Ranch about two years ago when her elderly owner could no longer care for her. Karen Owens, director of Star Ranch, said Jellybean had already lost vision in one eye when she came to the horse-rescue ranch, but has been completely blind for the last year.

Fellow rescue horses Sweet Pea and Chip have adopted Jellybean and help her get around the ranch. Now the three horses are inseparable.

“Sweet Pea is a 32-year-old broodmare, and I think she just thought Jellybean was her baby and Chip has acted as her surrogate papa,” Owens said. “Sweet Pea only has one good eye and that’s all that matters.”

At first, Owens said she put a bell on Sweet Pea so Jellybean would be able to stay with her, but now she doesn’t even need the bell anymore. If Sweet Pea wanders too far from Jellybean, the little blind horse lets out a loud squeal, which alerts Sweet Pea to come back for her.

“Since she could still see when she Star Ranch arrived, at least she is familiar enough with her surroundings to be comfortable and happy 970 Rabbit Skin Road, Waynesville, N.C. here,” Owens said as she reached out her arm 828.400.4940 or karne.starranch@gmail.com To make a donation, volunteer or sponsor a horse, visit to give Jellybean a treat. “Jelly want a treat?”

Jellybean quickly replies to Owens’ question www.star-ranch-rescue.com. by nodding her head up and down.

Jelly and Sweet Pea’s loss of vision can most likely be attributed to uveitis. It is fairly common in older horses and researchers can’t seem to pinpoint one specific cause.

It’s just one of the many heartbreaking cases Owens sees on the ranch on a weekly basis.

Since she and her late husband Jim started Star Ranch 11 years ago, they have taken in about 100 horses to rehabilitate with the hope of readopting them out. They been able to find homes for 60 of those horses, while others weren’t fortunate enough to make it or have made the ranch more of a permanent home, like Jellybean. Unless someone wanted her as well as her adopted parents, Owens said it would be hard to find her a perfect home.

“I’m just not sure she’d do well in an entirely new setting she’s not familiar with,” Owens said about trying to find someone to adopt Jellybean. “It would have to be a very special person or situation to let her leave Sweet Pea and Chip — we just couldn’t do that to her.”

But Star Ranch does have 16 other horses and four donkeys that are in need of a good home. Owens said horses come to her ranch from all over and for many different reasons — maybe their owner can’t care for them anymore, can’t afford them, are forced to move somewhere else, or there is abuse and neglect.

In March, Star Ranch took in nine horses from The Haven in Raeford. The Haven made the news earlier this year when dozens of dead animals were reportedly found on the shelter property. Law enforcement shut down the operation and more than 600 dogs, cats, horses, pigs and birds had to be seized and relocated. Star Ranch still has four of those horses left that are available for adoption.

“We drove five hours down there and five hours back to get those horses,” Owens said. “They were so happy to be free when they got here that they just ran laps around the ranch until they were exhausted.”

CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

with cats in need.

“I had a little shed and I fixed it up with wire pens and little cheap cages and started rescuing cats,” he said. “We went dumpster diving and took out cats rather than other things.”

Before moving to Cullowhee, Sims lived in Brevard.

Every Saturday morning, he’d show up to one of the thrift stores there with five or six cats in the back of his car, working all day to get them adopted. That’s when he first came to be known as The Catman. Sims like the moniker and decided to formalize it with a vanity license plate.

Unfortunately, “Catman” had already been taken.

“Catman2 sounded like Katmandu, so I decided to put a two after it,” he said.

The final step in the making of Catman2 was construction of the cat house. A search for affordable property led Sims to Cullowhee. Over pancakes in the restaurant space where the Sylva Bogart’s is now, Sims and his contractor friend Jack Nowlin came up with the outline for the design.

They went out and started digging holes. When the thing was about halfway done, Sims had a sudden realization — the 35-by-16-foot room was going to be too small.

So, he made lemons out of lemonade. The project was finished in 2002, two years after it began. By then it had grown to include a hallway encircling the original room, with a round of cat rooms circling that. The rooms all include a screened-in porch area, allowing the cats to get out for fresh air and sun whenever they so choose.

These days, Sims adopts out about 135 cats per year, logging more than 3,000 adoptions since his beginning as Catman in 1996.

There’s more going on than just adoption. Another part of Catman’s work is preventing unwanted kitty pregnancies, beginning a program in 2014 to provide free and lowcost spay/neuter services. In 2015, Catman2 fixed more than 350 cats — both pets and feral cats — and has done 75 so far this year.

“There’s not feral dogs running around the woods having feral puppies all the time, but there are feral cats doing it as we speak,” said Kaleb Lynch, the shelter’s manager, who also volunteers his time for trapping feral cats to be fixed. “It’s certainly a problem we can fix. We just have to have the support to do it.”

FINDING THE NEXT LEADER Owens grew up on a farm in Ohio. She moved to Haywood County to be in the real estate business, but quickly found another cause that needed her attention. As she went to look at properties for clients, she kept seeing horses tied up or sitting lonely in a barn stall. Without a horse rescue facility west of Asheville, Owens knew she had to do something.

“No horse should have to be alone,” she said. “They don’t feel safe, they need a companion.”

While she can’t imagine doing anything else, Owens knows she won’t live forever. She wants to find someone as passionate as she is about carrying on the ranch into the future. Three people total run the ranch with the help of volunteers and no one collects a salary. The ranch has to raise about $55,000 a year to fulfill its mission and has been able to meet that goal with year-round fundraising efforts.

Owens is very thankful for the support the community has given Star Ranch and hopes that support continues.

“If people didn’t help us, I don’t know what would happen,” she said.

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CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016 6

One of the leading researchers on the human/animal interaction, Western Carolina University Professor of Psychology Dr. Hal Herzog is the author of Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat — Why It’s So Hard to Think Straight About Animals.

To eat or not to eat, that is the question WCU researcher examines the human/pet interaction

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER Cherished family member, societal parasite, or dinner?

“Dogs can be loved here in the United States, but loathed in Saudi Arabia, and then looked at as dinner in Korea,” said Dr. Hal Herzog. “The same animal that looks cute in all these places, but there are tremendous differences in how they’re viewed around the world — culture seems to be more important than biology in our interactions with animals.”

Professor of Psychology at Western Carolina University, Herzog is one the leading researchers when it comes to human nature and how animals — as pets or for food — affect our physical and mental health. Author of the book Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat — Why It’s So Hard to Think Straight About Animals, Herzog aims to not only make sense of animals and their societal role, but also make it clear as to what we may or may not be doing right to our furry and feathery friends (or foes).

“Most people weren’t conflicted about these issues 20 or 30 years ago,” Herzog said. “But, what’s happened is that we’ve humanized groups of animals in our culture, which are known as our pets. I mean, there’s a TV station for dogs nowadays. You can even buy a wedding dress for your dog and have them get married.”

And don’t get Herzog started on the cat phenomenon in modern times.

“The cat fascination is huge,” he chuckled. “There are YouTube videos now just for cats, and my cat loves to watch these videos. There’ll be mice running the screen of my iPhone, and now my cat and I have something to do together.”

But don’t be fooled, Herzog said, for just when you think you know what’s best for your cat, you may want to dive a little deeper into the issue.

“There’s a huge topic of debate whether to let your cat outside or not. I stand firmly with letting my cat outside because animals should be able to exhibit their natural behaviors, like if your cat kills a bird,” Herzog said. “Sure, by letting the cat outside, you may cut their lifespan in half due to getting hit by a car or eaten by a coyote, but you’re also giving them their freedom — a fish has got to swim, a bird has got to fly, and a cat has got to kill.”

So, where does one draw the line when it comes to what animals we bring home to love, and what animals we bring home to eat?

“If you’re a dog person, then why not also be a pig person, too? Why do we eat one and not the other?”

Herzog said. “And yet, we’re the only species that has these moral dilemmas. I can’t explain to my cat that killing a bird is wrong, that she should be punished.”

When speaking at length about human/animal interactions, Herzog shifts his thoughts to animal shelters. In 1975, more than 25 million dogs and cats were euthanized in animal shelters, where these days that number has dropped to around 3 million.

“Our attitudes about animals are changing,” Herzog said. “The spay and neuter movements have been highly successful, as is the idea to not buy a purebred, but an animal from a shelter.”

As someone who has spent more than 30 years studying and researching humans and animals, Herzog sees huge imbalances in where we stand as a world in the 21st century. In essence, for everything good we’re doing, we’re also

Want to know more?

For more information about the works of Dr. Hal Herzog or to purchase his book, go to www.halherzog.com, which also includes links to his popular blog that encompasses a variety of topics about the human/animal interaction.

drastically affecting the animal populations of the world with our differing viewpoints on what is morally good or bad.

“In general, the downside is that things are getting very worse for animals. Americans might be eating less meat, but worldwide the number of meat consumed is expected to double in the next 30 years. And this consumption will be largely supplied by huge factory farms that contribute to global warming,” Herzog warned. “But, the upside is that in developing nations we’re caring more. We’re learning so much about the effect that animals have on humans, and their importance to our daily lives and well-being of the planet.”

But, all is not lost or somber, Herzog emphasized.

“What we’re learning as a society is how to temper logic with common sense and emotion, with emotions a good part of making ethical decisions,” he noted.

That said, how does one keep from going crazy when it comes to your moral compass in regards to animals, loved or consumed?

“With my book, I concluded that moral consistency is overrated,” Herzog said. “You have people who feel guilty driving down the road because their vehicle is killing bugs. Then you have people who spend twice as much on a piece of chicken because that label says ‘free range’ or ‘organic,’ and it’s in an effort to feel better about yourself.

But, what one should do to keep from going crazy is simply take small steps and make smarter choices in what they eat and how they treat or interact with their pets — it’s all connected.”

When reading his book, Herzog said there were meat eaters who became vegetarians, and vegetarians who reverted back to meat eaters.

“I don’t want people to read what I have to say and think they’re worthless or a bad pet owner or a bad member of society,” he said. “People can’t beat themselves up over these things. It’s about being aware of your place in society and how to make positive change.”

And after one converses with Herzog, you tend to find yourself with more questions than answers. It’s a sentiment Herzog himself has been wrestling with for his entire career. For each piece of information cultivated and cataloged, another piece is discovered, ready to be held up to the light of scientific merit and public scrutiny. It’s a rabbit hole with no light at the end of the tunnel. But to Herzog, his colleagues and pet lovers, the work goes on, and hopefully in the right direction of sensible progress amid an ever-growing world.

“Animals occupy virtually every aspect of our lives,” Herzog said. “And it’s only now that people are starting to realize this amazing window into our lives, and in the lives of animals, where it all has deep ramifications for human health, and for societal culture.”

S.T.A.R.

SAVE THE ANIMALS RESCUE

Come see us at: MAY 7: WHOLE BLOOMIN’ THING

Rahama Kennel & Cattery Rahama Kennel is a safe, clean and caring place to leave your pets. Our dogs have indooroutdoor runs which open out to an exercise area. Dogs are let out, one at a time, at least three times a day in our fenced in exercise yard.

In a completely separate area, the cats have double-wide indoor cat condos complete with shelves for lounging on. Bedding and litter boxes provided.

Frog Level, Waynesville

JUNE 18: ANNUAL YARD SALE Maggie Valley Methodist Church

JULY 2: VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DAY And Open House at the Ranch

OCTOBER 8: HART THEATRE

Owner and operator Adam Grooms has been in the pet care business for over 15 years and is a trusted and reliable pet care professional. Try us out, your pets will want to come back!

CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

Now in their 11th year, STAR Ranch has rescued 99 horses, found homes for 60 and maintains 16 at the ranch with several in foster farms. Many like Cherokee, pictured here, are adoptable today. Call 828-400-4940 for info.

394 Underwood Cove Road · Waynesville

Stage production

828.452.2176

www.RahamaKennel.com

970 Rabbit Skin Rd. • Waynesville www.star-ranch-rescue.com

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It is Haywood Animal Emergency’s mission to provide after hours and emergency services to the community and its pets with a caring environment.

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CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

PAWS director passionate about placing pets

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR eth Cline has rescued animals since she was a young child. Her father would scold her every time she brought home another box of kittens, but she just couldn’t leave them sitting on the side of the road and would always find them a good home.

“I’ve had a passion for rescuing animals since I could barely walk and talk,” she said. “I was raised here in Bryson City, so finding animals on the side of the road is something I’m used to.”

Cline was able to turn her longtime passion for animals into a career about four years ago when she became the executive director of PAWS of Bryson City, the only animal welfare organization in Swain County. Even before she was the director of PAWS, she contributed to the nonprofit for 10 years through volunteering and donating to their cause.

For too many years Cline has watched as abused and neglected dogs and cats come through the shelter doors.

They are scared, starving and in desperate need of medical attention. Some are scarred emotionally while others have been beaten, shot or simply abandoned. It never gets easier for her to see animals in distress, but seeing them recover from the brink of death and find a forever home makes it all worth it.

“But I don’t want people to think the shelter is a sad place because most people when they leave are happy because they see the animals are happy,” she said. “They see the dogs aren’t in cages or crying. They get to run around and play together.”

B

Beth Cline, director of PAWS in Bryson City, cuddles with a cat at the shelter while several adoptable dogs beg for her attention.

Jessi Stone photo

we can try to help them however we can.”

Animal abuse and neglect is another big issue that keeps the PAWS shelter full and drives up the cost for the organization. Cline said many owners abandon their dogs if they get heartworms, which is easily preventable but expensive to treat. Treatment for heartworms can cost about $700 per dog.

Cline has seen plenty of cases where dogs and cats were thrown out of a vehicle or abandoned on the side of the road or even thrown in the river. They’ve also had cases of people moving and leaving their animals in the house or chained up out back.

SUCCESS STORIES One of Cline’s adopted dogs, Miracle, had been abandoned inside a home for three weeks before she came to PAWS shelter. The vet told Cline to just take the husky mix home and make her feel comfortable, which is code for “she won’t make it through the night.” But she did make it through the night and slowly regained her strength.

“Now she’s my biggest helper with the other rescue animals because she knows someone saved her,” Cline said.

Cline admits it’s hard to let go of an animal after you’ve nursed it back to life. She adopted Miracle and also Sadie, a lab mix that needed a very expensive surgery that PAWS couldn’t afford. Sadie was found at 5 weeks old with a broken leg, dislocated hips and a cut neck. From the looks of it,

SHELTER CHALLENGES

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As the only shelter in Swain County, PAWS has many challenges in meeting its mission to save animals. The county doesn’t have its own shelter or animal control services, which means PAWS bears a large burden.

Resources, funding, volunteers and space is limited.

PAWS formed in 1989 and the shelter was built a few years after that. Cline said a new and larger shelter is desperately needed. When asked how much space she would need, her eyes grew larger.

“Well I’d love to be able to take in 100 animals, but the shelter would need to be sustainable,” she said.

It would be difficult to measure the space needed to fulfill the growing need in Swain County. The shelter can currently legally accommodate 15 dogs and 15 cats — and it’s always at capacity. A litter of Aussie-mix puppies and their parents were brought in the other day, but with no room for them they will all be transported to an Atlanta shelter soon.

PAWS tries its best to educate people about spaying and neutering their pets to cut down on the number of unwanted puppies and kittens, but it remains a big problem in Swain County because people think they can’t afford it. PAWS offers two spay and neuter programs — one is a subsidized program through a local veterinarian office and the other is a free program through a state grant.

“There are people who qualify for the low-income program, but they have multiple animals so they just can’t seem to catch up,” Cline said. “But if they reach out to us

PAWS • Provides care for homeless and injured dogs and cats and facilitates pet adoptions in Swain County.

• 57 Lemons Branch Road, Bryson City • 828.488.0418 or pawsbrysoncity@yahoo.com • www.pawsbrysoncity.org.

PAWS Thrift Store • 110 Bryson Walk, Bryson City • Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday • 828.333.4267 or pawsthriftshop@yahoo.com it appeared someone tried to strangle her and throw her in the river. Against all odds, she survived thanks to Cline and a friend who helped pay for the surgery.

“She’s healthy and happy now and has no problem running and climbing on everything,” Cline said.

Witnessing this kind of abuse is nothing new — it’s been happening for years. The only difference now, Cline said, is that PAWS is putting it into the spotlight instead of shielding the public from it. Law enforcement agencies are also taking these cases more seriously.

“I’ve been encouraged lately because the last few years we’ve seen law enforcement starting to charge people for animal cruelty,” Cline said. “I don’t ever want them not to pursue charges because they think we don’t have enough

room. We have a large network, so we can find them somewhere to go.”

Cline is also hopeful her work with an ad hoc committee will be successful in getting the county to adopt an animal control ordinance. The committee has spent many months collecting public feedback throughout the county before crafting an ordinance to present to commissioners.

It’s been an issue for many years, but not one that commissioners have been interested in addressing. She knows it’s an expensive endeavor that would require a shelter facility and more manpower, but it would go a long way in decreasing the number of abused and abandoned animals in Swain County.

SHELTER NEEDS Maintaining the shelter and taking care of these animals costs PAWS about $189,000 a year. With no contributions from the county government, the shelter has to rely on private donations and proceeds from its thrift store in Bryson City.

While monetary donations are always needed to keep the shelter going, Cline knows PAWS eventually will need more space to handle the growing need in Swain County.

Until then, they will continue to hold adoption events and transport strays to other shelters in order for them to get adopted.

Even with the struggles before them, PAWS has been able to find forever homes for more than 3,000 animals and provided financial assistance for more than 11,000 spay and neuter surgeries. They will even help people with the cost of pet food if it means that person will be able to keep their pet in the home.

“We try our best to help everyone we can,” Cline said.

“My job is to work with the community to raise awareness and educate, fundraise and put out fires.”

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Resources Here is a list of pet adoption and advocacy groups — and veterinarians — in the four western counties of Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain and the Cherokee reservation.

From Puppy Kindergarten to Private Lessons

• FUR (Feline Urgent Rescue) of WNC 844.888.CATS(2287) or www.furofwnc.org.

• Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation 828.246.9050 or www.sargeanimals.org.

• Star Ranch 828.400.4940 or www.star-ranch-rescue.com.

• Haywood Spay/Neuter 828.452.1329 or www.haywoodspayneuter.org.

• Haywood County Friends of the Animal Shelter www.hcasfriends.org.

GROOMING From bathing to tooth-brushing

DOGGIE DAY CARE

HAYWOOD VETS • Animal Hospital of Waynesville 91 Depot St., Waynesville. 828.456.9755 or www.animalhosp.com.

• Canton Animal Hospital 74 Radio Hill Rd., Canton. 828.648.7800.

• Country Lane Animal Hospital 9019 Carolina Blvd., Clyde. 828.627.9100 or www.clanimalhosp.com.

• Balsam Animal Hospital 628 South Main St., Waynesville.

828.452.1868 or www.balsamvet.com.

• Haywood Animal Emergency 3248 Asheville Rd., Waynesville.

828.452.1478 or www.haywoodanimaler.com.

• Junaluska Animal Hospital 3248 Asheville Rd., Waynesville.

828.452.1478 or www.junaluskaah.com.

• Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital 1855 Russ Ave., Waynesville. 828.452.5211 or www.mapletreevet.com.

JACKSON • ARF Rescues and fosters pets in a no-kill shelter, and facilitates their spay and neuter.

1-3 p.m. Saturdays at 50 Railroad Ave., Sylva.

877.273.5262 or www.a-r-f.org.

• Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society 200 Gable Dr., Sapphire. 828.743.5752 or www.chhumanesociety.org.

• Catman2 Cat Shelter 637 Bo Cove Rd., Cullowhee. 828.293.0892 or www.catman2.org.

• Jackson County Animal Shelter 463 Airport Rd., Sylva. 828.586.6138, 828.586.1911 after hours or animal.jacksonnc.org.

JACKSON VETS • Cashiers Village Veterinary 855 U.S. 64, Cashiers. 828.743.5656 or www.facebook.com/cashiers-village-veterinary-clinic.

• Cherokee Animal Care Clinic 1100 U.S. 441, Whittier. 828.497.3704 or www.cherokeeanimalcare.com.

• Cope Creek Animal Clinic 8 Connor Rd., Sylva. 828.586.3534.

• Jackson County Veterinary 1362 E. Main St., Sylva. 828.586.8383 or www.facebook.com/jackson-county-veterinaryassociates.

TRAINING

CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

HAYWOOD

• Sylva Animal Hospital 1307 Asheville Hwy., Sylva. 828.586.8587.

• Western Carolina Animal Pain Clinic and Shearer Pet Health Hospital 1054 Haywood Rd., Sylva. 828.586.3300 or www.shearerpethealth.com.

We are here when you can't be there

SWAIN • PAWS Bryson City 57 Lemons Branch Rd., Bryson City.

828.488.0418 or pawsbrysoncity@yahoo.com. www.pawsbrysoncity.org.

• PAWS Thrift Store 110 Bryson Walk, Bryson City. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. 828.333.4267 or pawsthriftshop@yahoo.com

64 Main St. Clyde

(828) 620-8186

k9curriculum@outlook.com

SWAIN VETS • Bryson City Veterinary 200 Bryson Walk, Bryson City. 828.488.6018

MACON • Macon County Animal Shelter 1377 Lakeside Dr., Franklin. 828.349.2106 or www.maconnc.org/animalservices • Appalachian Animal Rescue Center 851 Lake Emory Rd., Franklin 828.524.4588 or www.appalachiananimalrescuecenter.com.

MACON VETS • Franklin Veterinary Hospital 2947 Georgia Rd., Franklin. 828.369.8080 or www.franklinvethospital.com.

• Animal House Veterinary Clinic 991 E Main St., Franklin. 828.524.9990 or www.leapoffaithvet.com.

• Noah’s Ark Companion Animal Hospital 1239 Old Murphy Rd., Franklin. 828.524.6121 or www.noahsarkvet.us.

• Highlands Cashiers Animal Clinic 2465 Cashiers Rd., Highlands828.526.5206 or www.highlands-cashiersanimalclinic.com.

• Lenzo Animal Hospital 1869 Georgia Rd., Franklin. 828.369.2635 or www.lenzoanimalhospital.tripod.com.

• Animal Wellness Hospital of Highlands 2271 Dillard Rd., Highlands. 828.526.8700 or www.awhhighlands.com.

• Susan Mast 828.963.2600.

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CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

Adopt a Pet Today Donna (DSH, black and white, 11 yr old female) Clearly just one look at her beauty mark tells you how special she is! A bit off center, but definitely unique! Rescued from the shelter in desperate need of a dental check -up after dropping down to just 4.7 pounds. Sweet and calm, this little girl would make a wonderful companion because she loves being around people.For more info on how to adopt contact us at 1844-888-CATS or www.furofwnc.org

Kate (DSH, Brown tabby, 8 yr old female) It's true - she does look a bit grumpy.

But that is only on the outside! After losing her person, she came to FUR and immediately fell in love with all of us as we did all we could to make her feel welcome.

Calm and affectionate, you will always find her nearby. For more info on how to adopt contact us at 1-844-888-CATS or www.furofwnc.org

Hobo (DSH, Tux, 16 yr old male) When the person he has known his entire life recently passed away, he found himself at the shelter, confused and alone. FUR swooped in and he is now in charge of the office when he’s in it. Quickly making himself at home, he loves to explore every room, recently finding the most exciting place of all. The kitchen! He is lovable, sweet and very well behaved. For more info on how to adopt contact us at 1-844-888-CATS or www.furofwnc.org

Millie (DSH, Gray with white accents, 5 yr old female) A new arrival to FUR along with her two 10-year-old brothers, she too lost her Mom to illness. But that didn't stop her from starting the process of making new friends at FUR and taking hold of life. She greets all visitors affectionately and demands her proper due. Again and again! For more info on how to adopt contact us at 1-844-888-CATS or www.furofwnc.org

Cherokee, 21-year-old mare. Light rider.

Has COPD but ok if not stalled. For more info on how to adopt visit us at www.starranch-rescue.com

Tsali, 12-year-old paint quarter horse. Had bad back legs, now better. Light rider only.

For more info on how to adopt visit us at www.star-ranch-rescue.com

Levi, small 13-year-old gelding. Survivor of a barn fire. For more info on how to adopt visit us at www.star-ranch-rescue.com

Young warm blood. 2 mares, one gelding.

All under 2-3 years old. For more info on how to adopt visit us at www.star-ranch-rescue.com

Zoey is a lovely blue-gray and white kitty, about five years old, weighing about 10 lbs.

She loves to be petted and have her ears scratched but isn't crazy about being held, so a home with older kids and adults would be best. For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

Pinoy is a handsome mixed breed boy about three years old. He is a luscious chocolate brown color with white accents.

He is a great all-around dog, polite, sweet natured, friendly to all. For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

Zorro is a five-year-old Miniature Poodle, neutered, a little overweight at 20-25 lbs.

He is a sweet boy, loves attention, and would love to share adventures with a new best friend. For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

Smurf is a natural-born entertainer — he's funny, clever, agile and quick. And really, really cute! He is about 1-1/2 years old, and still very much a kitten at heart.

For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

SFR, ECO, GREEN

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Adopting?

Shy, a sweet female beagle, may have gotten her name because of her lack of hunting skills, but it doesn't suit her as a family companion. She is friendly, loving, and appreciative of human attention. She is about 3 years old and is very well behaved and polite. For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

Wendall is an interesting mix of bloodhound and bassett hound, giving him a unique appearance and adorable face. We love his wrinkly, squishy muzzle and huge ears! He has a great persoanlity too — laidback, easy going, but also playful and fun.

He's going to be a treasure to his lucky adopters! For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

4 Kittens By Age 6 Months!

Chloe (DLH, Black, 10 yr old female) If you are ready to liven up your home, Chloe is the one for you! She loves to talk and then talk some more. Almost as much as she loves eating! But even if you don't respond all of the time, she will still be your constant companion and loneliness will be a thing of the past. For more info on how to adopt contact us at 1-844-888-CATS or www.furofwnc.org

Willow (DLH, Gray with white accents, 6 year-old female) Arriving with Sabrina, she is simply gorgeous with a loving personality to match. Curious, friendly and playful, she will always bring a smile to your face. For more info on how to adopt contact us at 1-844-888-CATS or www.furofwnc.org

Sabrina (DLH, Black, 6 yr old female) When her owner was too sick to care for her, this sweet little girl came to FUR along with her best friend Willow. This long haired black beauty is calm, friendly and would make a great companion in a quiet household. For more info on how to adopt contact us at 1-844-888-CATS or www.furofwnc.org

A FREE PUPPY CAN BE A MOM OR DAD OF

Yana was adopted from Sarge's a few years ago, and was returned at age 8 when her owner passed away. She is now a large kitty and needs to lose a little weight! She is still lovely though, with her thick jet-black fur an big golden eyes. She may need a little time to adjust to new surroundings and people, but she still has lots of love to share with her new person. For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

This handsome goofball is Prince. We think he is a beauceron mix (yes, we had to Google it too). Prince has a medium-high energy level. He loves playing with toys and can entertain himself for hours. He is great with other dogs - large and small and he is even good with cats! He is 100% crate trained and hasn't had any accidents in his foster home. For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

A FREE KITTEN CAN BE A MOM OR DAD WITH

CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

Bodie is a handsome tabby boy about 1 year old. He is just a little shy and will need some time to adjust to his new home. Once he knows you, though, he is a love bug, adores petting, and will be a wonderful best feline friend to his lucky adopters. For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

6 Puppies By Age 8 Months!

Buffy is a senior female poodle. She was helped by the WuzBug Special Needs fund to have a medical evaluation, which concluded that she has an injured ligament in her hind leg causing her to limp. A generous donor sponsored her adoption fee, so she is ready to go to an adopter who will appreciate the company of this slightly eccentric old lady. For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

That’s Why We’re Here!

Low-Cost Spay & Neuter Services Haywood Spay/Neuter

MEDITERRANEAN

ITALIAN CUISINE

182 Richland St. • Waynesville 828-452-1329 haywoodspayneuter.org

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CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

Saving Preacher

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER t was a chilly pre-spring day when Olivia Hickman ventured to the Waynesville Recreation Park, looking for nothing more than an hour or so of play with her 2-year-old son on the wooden jungle gym. But a dog lying on the outskirts of the area soon became the center of attention.

“My son kept saying, ‘puppy, puppy,’” recalled Hickman, who lives in Waynesville. “We were there for a while, and he (the dog) didn’t move.”

Further investigation revealed an animal so horribly skinny, so covered with mange and red, swollen skin that Hickman knew their day’s itinerary was in for a change.

She couldn’t leave without him. She and the dog soon showed up on the doorstep of Junaluska Animal Hospital.

“His condition was so severe it would keep anyone from coming near him, but not her,” wrote Lacy Austin, who works at Junaluska, in a reflection on the episode. “I even told her with all my experience I am not sure I would have tried without gloves, but she did.”

The dog, likely a pit bull mix, wasn’t aggressive. But he was sick.

“Pitiful is the only word to describe his demeanor,” Austin wrote.

His mange was at such a critical stage that he was basically hairless. His eyes were infected, his toenails beyond long. The outlines of bones poked out beneath reddened skin. He could barely walk, and even guessing his age was next to impossible — 4 or 5, maybe? The vet recommended that he be put to sleep.

Hickman thought about it. Her job doesn’t leave her a lot of disposable income, and the dog was in such pain.

But she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. She told the vet to do whatever was necessary to get the poor guy fixed up.

“He slept for the first week. He just slept and slept,” Hickman recalls. “At first we didn’t know if he was going to make it.”

But he did make it. Hickman and her mother, who’d spent years of her life working with the Humane Society, made it their business to nurse him back to health. Eventually he started eating and began to gain weight. His hair grew back and the eye infection cleared up — though his sight still isn’t the greatest and he’s prone to clench in fear when someone in the room moves too suddenly. He got a name — Preacher — and was introduced to Hickman’s other dog, a red-nosed pit bull. The two get along wonderfully.

“He’s a very playful dog,” Hickman said. “He’s come a long Preacher was a painful mess when Olivia Hickman found him, but these days way.” he’s a happy, much healthier dog. Donated photo When Austin thinks back to that day, she still wonders at the the money on that wound up going to vet bills? fact that Hickman took it upon herself to take the shell of But for Hickman, the calculation was simple. a dog that was to become Preacher under her wing. After “I couldn’t live with myself knowing I left that helpless all, how many other people had passed by him that day, animal,” she said. and how many other uses might Hickman have had for

Macon animal rescue struggling to hold on

It takes about $325,000 a year to keep the shelter going, but each year it gets harder to meet that goal.

“It’s not easy and we never seem to meet that goal. We take between $100,000 to $175,000 out of our invested money each year, and that’s going quick,” he said. “We don’t want to close, but at some point we’ll have to make a decision if we can’t get the donations we need.”

Appalachian Animal Rescue, which has been around since 1962, takes in and adopts out about 600 animals a year and provides spay and neuter services for more than 1,000 animals. The no-kill shelter works closely with Macon County Animal Control to find homes for stray cats and dogs and also transports adoptable pets to other states up North.

Angela Walker (middle) and her children Sam and Sara, meet Dante, a The small shelter can hold about 85 anishelter dog they adopted for Angela’s mother at Appalachian Animal mals at a time, and Ortiz said the shelter is Rescue in Franklin. Jessi Stone photo always at capacity. The county’s shelter definitely helps lessen the burden, but the need is love people.” still overwhelming.

Todd Ortiz, director of Appalachian Animal Rescue, wishes “Even with all the spay and neutering we do, it still doesn’t more people realized the benefits of adopting a shelter animal. seem to affect how many strays we end up getting in here,” he While he might be a little biased after working at the shelter said. “If we didn’t have animal services to help out, we would for 18 years, he said shelter animals make the best pets. have to turn people away.”

“We do get some purebred animals at the shelter, but the Ortiz encourages people to help out in any way they can mixed breeds tend to be healthier and they’re just so appreciawhether it’s adopting, volunteering, donating food and supplies tive to find a home,” he said. or making a monetary donation to support their mission.

If more people would adopt from the shelter or make donaFor more information, visit www.appalachiananimalrescuetions, Ortiz said, the shelter might be in better financial shape. center.com.

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BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR

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Appalachian Animal Rescue was bustling with activity Monday morning. Staff members were getting the shelter back in order following an adoption event and several families searched for a furry companion to take home.

The Walker family was waiting in the lobby for Dante — a big, shaggy dog they adopted for a family member.

“We’re getting him for my mom — she had to put her dog down two months ago and is ready for a new companion,” Angela Walker said.

The Walkers are very involved with the shelter through adopting, donating and fundraising efforts. Angela’s children, Sam and Sara Walker, help out at the shelter’s bake sale fundraisers every year. Volunteers say Sam’s homemade lemonade is the best.

“We love our animals, and it’s nice to be able to give back to the shelter for all they do for us,” Angela said.

Meanwhile, Dan and Mary Teslow played outside with Lady — a black lab mix — before deciding whether to take her home with them. With two elderly dogs and one puppy at home already, Mary said the pup needs an active playmate like Lady.

The couple has adopted many animals from the shelter over the years and wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m an adopted person, so I think adoption is a fabulous thing to do,” Mary said.

“Too many pure breeds are bred only for looks but not personality,” Dan said. “Shelter dogs have personality and they

A labor of love

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER Jamie Powell has a special talent. She can not only tell the 100 cats living at FUR’s feline sanctuary apart, but can even remember their names — despite the revolving door of cats being continually rescued and adopted out.

“They are our babies. They are like our children. They all have their own unique personalities,” said Powell, a cofounder of FUR of WNC, a cat rescue group in Haywood County. “They are all unique and have their own stories.”

True to its tagline Guardians of Displace Felines, FUR serves as an orphanage for cats and kittens with nowhere else to turn. Cats find their way to FUR’s sanctuary in a variety of ways.

Some are rescued from the county animal shelter, where cats face a race against the clock to find a loving owner before the looming threat of euthanasia comes calling.

The sanctuary gives shelter cats a new lease on life, buying them more time in an environment that’s more conducive to adoption.

“The shelter is not a good environment for a cat. A perfectly adoptable cat could be deemed feral at the shelter because it is such a crazy place,” Powell said.

Scared out of its wits, even the most loving and friendly cat won’t show it amid the incessant barking and cramped cages.

“At the Sanctuary, it is homelike. It is cozy. There’s no barking dogs. It’s a refuge,” Powell said.

But many of the cats at the sanctuary have bypassed the shelter altogether and are brought to FUR by their original owners who can no longer care for them.

“There are lot of reasons why cats are displaced,” Powell said. It could be a couple getting a divorce, someone who’s lost their job and can no longer afford a pet, or a renter who can’t have pets where they live anymore.

“We have several cats right now where someone has called and said, ‘Mom is going into a nursing home’ or ‘Mom died and she had three cats and we don’t know what to do with them,’” Powell said.

Yet others are rescued from the wild.

While feral cats who have lived in the wild their whole life will never be a candidate for adoption, their kittens are easily socialized if found early enough.

When a feral cat is discovered with a litter of kittens, the entire family is

brought to the Sanctuary to live in an enclosure until the kittens are weaned.

“Then we fix the mother and let her go back to her colony and we raise the kittens here,” Powell said.

There are an estimated 6,000 freeroaming cats in Haywood County, dramatically less than the 10,000 there were a decade or so ago. The reduction is largely due to the Herculean efforts of volunteer trap-spay-release programs. A legion of volunteer caretakers who tend colonies of feral cats across the county remain vigilant for pregnant mothers. Other times, calls are referred to FUR by vets, or peo-

CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

Connecting displaced cats with FUR-ever families

Jamie Powell cuddles Charlie, rescued from a feral cat colony, now living at the FUR sanctuary in Haywood County for cats. He has been fixed and micro-chipped and is now seeking a permanent, loving home.

Donated photo

Proudly serving Haywood County for 30 years and counting

ple wondering what to do about the cat that just gave birth under their porch.

FUR has a soft spot for senior cats, whose calmer nature makes them excellent companions but often can’t compete with the cute factor of kittens without an advocate like FUR to find them a home.

“We are for the underdog so to speak,” Powell said.

FUR of WNC — which stands for Feline Urgent Rescue — was founded in 2012 by Powell and two fellow cat lovers.

While the county already had rescue groups focused on dogs, there was a gap when it came to cats.

FUR is an all-volunteer undertaking, and is in desperate need of volunteers to help care for the cats at the Sanctuary.

“There’s not enough of us,” Powell said.

FUR is also in constant fundraising mode to provide the necessary medical care, food, overhead and upkeep of the Sanctuary property.

To keep up with daily diary posts from the cats at the Sanctuary, check out FUR’s Facebook page, or visit furofwnc.org.

Dr. Kern

attended Tulane University and transferred to University of Georgia, completing his studies in Veterinary Medicine in 1980.

Dr. Daniel Moore will be

joining our practice June 1st. He graduated from UNCA with high honors in Chemistry and completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Did you know that Dr. Kern provides: Dentistry - Dermatology, Emergency & Geriatric Care As well as Microchipping, Spay/Neutering, Surgical Services & Vaccinations?

We are proud to announce new extended hours beginning June 1st.

Mon., Wed., - Fri. 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Tuesday 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m.-Noon

1628 Main St., Waynesville (828) 452-1868

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CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

For the love of the show

Nearly 600 dogs spanning 109 different breeds participated in the Western Carolina Dog Fanciers Association show in Haywood County last weekend. Becky Johnson photo

Western Carolina Dog Fanciers’ annual gatherings attract all shapes and sizes

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behind the owner’s ear.

But some breeds necessitate their own distinct paraphernalia. Owners of Saint Bernards were quick on the draw with slobber rags kept at the ready in their back pocket. A proud couple who owned a boxer wheeled a cooler of iced-down chamois cloths behind them all day, giving their dog a wipe-down to bring out his coat’s luster each time he stepped in the ring. And a pampered longhaired Skye Terrier spent the day lounging on its own rolling throne, carpeted in red velvet no less, with a pile of ribbons beside it.

Fiona Norton from Haywood County relishes the biannual shows of the Western Carolina Dog Fanciers as a chance to mingle with other Irish Wolfhound owners,

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BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER everal hundred purebred dogs converged at the Haywood County Fairgrounds last weekend to walk the proverbial red carpet in the Western Carolina Dog Fanciers Association spring trials.

While it’s no Westminster, the annual dog show pulls in big league breeders competing alongside dedicated hobbyists. A sanctioned event, the show is an early stepping stone to rack up coveted points on the American Kennel Club dog show circuit.

Competitors clearly came with their game on, or in some cases, their portable fans on, aimed to keep their dogs cool as they waited their turn to run the mats.

Some dog show equipment is universal, like a lapel pocket stuffed with treats or a grooming comb tucked

who collectively bask in the glory of owning a dog that’s bigger than they are.

“We have a connection and all know each other. It happens with all the breeds. There is a real social network,” Norton said.

It’s especially fun to track down other owners who got their dog from the same breeder and compare notes. The dogs seems to like the interaction as much as their owners.

“It is good for their socialization to meet other dogs and other people and keep their mind going,” Norton said.

No matter how many shows she attends, Norton never loses a sense of awe at the incredible diversity of breeds.

“It is so magnificent,” Norton said.

And each breed has its fans.

“Some people just like having a Scottish Terrier or a Dalmatian. Some people like hunting dogs or herding dogs,” Norton said.

For Norton, the first generation daughter of Irish immigrants, owning an Irish Wolfhound is a connection to her own heritage. And she couldn’t imagine life without him.

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“I wouldn’t be without a dog,” Norton said.

When it comes to the Dog Fancier’s Association, which breed you fancy is in the eye of the beholder.

Nancy Davis, also a dog owner in Haywood County, is eternally enamored with her four Shetland sheep dogs “I like Shelties because they are incredibly intelligent, very trainable, and I like the size,” Davis said. “They are like potato chips — you can have more than one.”

The Western Carolina Dog Fancier’s Association is not just about sharing a common love of dogs. The group’s primary goal is to promote responsible dog ownership. The dog shows, which cater to spectators from the general public, do just that.

While 600 dogs under one roof may sound like mayhem, these well-trained canines are obedient and loyal companions.

“It hopefully allows the public to see what a well-trained pet acts like,” said Davis, who spent years running a boarding kennel and dog obedience school.

“Dogs who jump on you and chew up the furniture and knock the food bowl out of your hand end up getting stuck in the backyard and they aren’t family members. They are just there. Basic discipline allows the animal to exist in a household as a family member.”

A new era The Haywood County Animal Shelter has undergone a philosophical transformation over the past decade from a place where unwanted pets are warehoused while waiting to be put down into an adoption-center mentality.

Great strides have also been made thanks in large part to the effort of animal rescue groups like Sarge’s and FUR that aggressively market dogs and cats for adoption, along with Haywood Spay and Neuter that helps reduce unwanted litters and strays in the first place. Here’s a look at Haywood animal shelter euthanasia rates last year compared to a decade ago.

• 2004: 2,500 dogs and cats were euthanized, accounting for 70 percent of the 3,700 animals that came through the shelter.

• 2015: 264 dogs and cats were euthanized, only 13 percent of the 2,000 animals that came through the shelter. Of those euthanized, 75 were at the owner’s request.

that,” said Doyle Teague, director of Haywood County Animal Services.

The only way to visit with a dog is inside their small concrete and chain-link cage, with dogs on either side yapping like crazy. Or for a cat, to crouch down on the floor of the cat room lined with cages, hoping to entice the scared feline from its corner.

The first homework Davis gives dog owners in her obedience classes is to research their dog’s breeds. It can explain everything about their natural tendencies, like a beagle who can’t let go of a scent, a Shetland sheepdog who will bark warnings when a moth flies by, or a terrier who will dig to China if given the chance.

“I am a little bit of a purist. I have owned mixed breed dogs and loved them dearly, but for most of the folks involved in pure breeds, they appreciate the work that has gone into creating that breed,” Davis said.

Even the exotic way people groom poodles today dates back to their breeding as water retrievers, shaven clean to aid swimming, except for tufts of fur left at their hips, ankles and shoulders to keep their joints warm, Davis explained.

Davis notes that no matter their niche, all dogs were genetically bred to work with people in some form or fashion, and that makes essentially any dog trainable.

Along with hosting two dog shows a year at the Haywood County Fairgrounds — which incidentally is an economic boon to the area — the Western Carolina Dog Fanciers Association also supports canine causes. Last year, the group raised money to buy bulletproof vests for two K9s with Haywood County law enforcement agencies, and to equip volunteer fire departments with pet oxygen masks.

Thanks to separate entrance and reception areas for pet adoptions, those looking for a pet will no longer be forced into the same small foyer as those looking for a lost pet or dealing with the emotional trauma of surrendering a pet.

More than 40 percent of the animals brought to the shelter last year were “For folks who are voluntary looking for a pet to adopt, surrenders.

“One of it is going to be a more the number one reasons friendly place to come.” is their land— Doyle Teague, director of lord won’t Haywood County Animal Services let them keep the animal, and a lot of times they are very upset,” Teague said.

A separate receiving area for animals will allow staff to talk with the owner and learn about the pet being dropped off, Teague said.

The price tag of the new animal shelter, to be located near Jones Cove Road in Clyde, is $3.5 million. The nonprofit Friends of the Haywood County Animal Shelter hope to raise $1 million toward the cost, helping realize the vision for a new state-of-the-art animal shelter.

“If people looking to adopt a pet can come into a facility that is nice and inviting, in the end we save more animals that way,” League said.

To get involved, visit www.hcasfriends.org.

CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER In a perfect world, an animal shelter is just a temporary stopover for pets in search of a new owner.

But too often, it’s a purgatory they never escape from.

The Friends of the Haywood County Animal Shelter hopes to improve the odds that pets coming into the shelter will connect with a new owner by launching a $1 million fundraising campaign to help build a new state-ofthe-art animal shelter serving Haywood County.

“We want to provide an environment that gives them the best chance of finding another home, and taking care of them while they are there,” said Sarah Jane League, chair of the Friends of the Animal Shelter group.

The current animal shelter, which dates to the 1980s, is run-down, outdated, noisy and overcrowded.

“The conditions are rather terrible,” League said.

Pets that end up in the shelter are often scared, stressed and even frantic, making them seem less adoptable. The conditions aren’t pleasant for the public either.

“It is so heart-wrenching and unpleasant for them to go in there,” League said. “When one person comes back and a dog starts barking it becomes an uncomfortable situation both for the dogs and the humans.”

The new animal shelter will be quieter, more spacious and less intimidating for people walking in off the street.

“For folks who are looking for a pet to adopt, it is going to be a more friendly place to come. We will actually have meet and greet areas. Right now we don’t have

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news

Finding common ground Political and racial discussions continue at WCU

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER idewalk chalk was all anyone was talking about as campus woke up Thursday morning (April 21) at Western Carolina University. The chalk was everywhere, its biggest explosion around the fountain behind the A.K. Hinds University Center, colorful dust spelling out phrases running the gamut from “Build that wall” and “concealed carry saves” to “Hillary for prison,” and “blue lives matter.”

Students walked slowly through the plaza, reading the messages and clustering in groups to discuss them.

“Colleges are usually mostly liberal, and Western Carolina is definitely one of them,” said political science junior Kimmy Hammond, who organized the chalking. “A lot of conservative people on campus feel like they have to hide their beliefs ... conservative people have voices too.”

Expressing that voice was the purpose behind the chalking, said Hammond, who is vice president of the WCU College Republicans and president of the Network of Enlightened Women. Given all the political discussion that’s been going around campus lately, conservative students wanted to get their message across, too.

So, around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20, about 50 students met at the fountain, armed with chalk, and spread around writing messages on the sidewalks. Some people did notice what was happening and called the police, who came by to take a look but told the chalk-wielding students that they weren’t breaking any rules, Hammond said. Chalking is allowed on campus as long as it’s in places where the rain can wash it away. Everything had wrapped up by midnight.

Smoky Mountain News

April 27-May 3, 2016

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RESPONSES AND REACTIONS

The chalking was a response to a series of chalkings earlier this spring promoting the Black Lives Matter movement. Following a March Facebook post that questioned a display about police brutality in the window of the school’s Department of Intercultural Affairs, some students had taken to the 16 anonymous app Yik Yak to post blatantly

Chalk messages conveying a variety of conservative viewpoints covered walkways at Western Carolina University when campus came to life Thursday (April 21) morning. Holly Kays photo racist comments related to the discussion.

That’s what prompted some student groups to band together to organize pro-diversity chalkings and even a protest.

“They’ve done their chalking, so we decided we wanted to do ours and see how the campus reacted, and they reacted exactly how we thought they would,” Hammond said.

“We’ve had a lot of backlash at the fountain that we’re racists or that it’s offensive and people felt threatened because we were just voicing our opinion. It’s sad.”

Kevin Koett, dean of student affairs at WCU, affirmed that he did hear from several students who were upset by some of the messaging, particularly the line about building a wall, presumably along the country’s border with Mexico.

“That seemed to cause students quite a bit of concern,” he said.

Travis Lunsford, a senior music major, was one of those who took issue with the message as he passed by.

“It’s really embarrassing. If I were a Mexican-American, I would not feel comfortable here,” he said, referring to the “build the wall” message, and observing with surprise that “somebody actually ‘hearts’ Trump.”

“I thought we were smarter than that here,” he said. “It makes me lose faith in my fellow students.”

Anthony Davis, a junior majoring in psychology and sociology, said the display was “ignorant, honestly,” and that messages like “abortion is murder” and “real women are conservative” made him uncomfortable.

“We’re trying to make Western more diverse, but it’s hard when you say stuff like that,” said Davis, who is black.

“At this point they’re not trying to promote a viewpoint,” said Bradford Johnson, a senior African-American student majoring in criminal justice. “They’re just trying to react to things they don’t like.”

Ben Snedegar, president of the WCU College Republicans, disagrees with those statements. He feels that the conservative viewpoint is a legitimate one, and that it’s not racist. Take “Build the wall,” for instance.

“We have a system of immigration in this country. Should it maybe not be so difficult for people from South America and Latin America to come to the United States?” he said. “I could get behind that.

But we have laws and we have rules. We need to follow them.”

That was the point of that particular message, he said. The point wasn’t to target Mexicans or any other nationality.

Contrary to what Johnson said, promoting the viewpoint was indeed the goal, Hammond said.

“We just wanted to have a good discussion,” she said.

DEBATING THE METHOD But if that’s the case, asked senior music major Marc Lewis, why come out after dark to chalk the messages, not even leaving any names attached to them?

Lewis, who says he doesn’t identify as Republican or Democrat, bought some chalk of his own that morning to write responses to the slogans written by the conservative students. The goal of his messages, he said, was to “raise the level of political discourse besides slogans.” For example, under “taxation is theft” he wrote, “Then how will you

fund our road work? Schools? Trade?” Beside “Hillary for prison” he commented, “Actually maybe if there is evidence to convict. Nobody should be above the law.”

“I came out here in the middle of the day because I wanted people to see it was me saying what I was saying,” Lewis said.

Hammond has an answer for that criticism. She scheduled the chalking for nighttime, she said, because she figured that way the students would be able to finish writing out their messages before people began coming behind to stop them or scrawl over them.

The display was clearly marked as coming from the WCU College Republicans, and she made it a point to hang around the fountain area wearing a Trump shirt for hours on Thursday, identifying herself as the organizer and encouraging anyone who had questions about the opinions expressed to ask them.

When contacted by The Smoky Mountains News, she responded to a request for interview almost immediately.

“A lot of people were like, ‘Who did this?’ and they were upset people were hiding behind the chalk, so I sat beside the fountain and said that I led it and if anyone has questions about my beliefs, they’re welcome to ask it,” Hammond said.

FACILITATING CONVERSATION

Hammond found plenty of takers on that offer. One of them was Tyler Jones, a sophomore majoring in English and film. He approached the fountain area with a few other more liberal students to talk with the conservative students. The students split up into smaller groups to talk it out, he said. Most of the conversations

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Carpenter, dean of WCU’s College of Education and Allied Professions, said in a message to campus encouraging participation in the rally.

The previous evening, the Jackson County Commissioners made time during their regular meeting to recognize Belcher’s situation and voice their support.

Koett said.

Take the original Yik Yak comments related to Black Lives Matter, for example. Some of them were downright nasty, with posts such as “If it wasn’t for white people, all the black lives matter people would still be hunting lions with spears.”

In response, some black students at Western began to tell their own stories about encounters with racism, such as senior Cheniqua Arthur’s tale of a car full of guys purposefully swerving at her as she walked along the road to her apartment. Others said the posts had caused them to second-guess their otherwise positive experience at Western.

“It’s a great atmosphere here, but ever since the stuff that’s going on Yik Yak, I question myself,” said Cody Pearsall, a junior studying math education, when interviewed about Black Lives Matter earlier this month.

“Why is Western doing this?”

dent would see. I’m not saying racism doesn’t exist. But the time I’ve been here I’ve not seen a single student treated unfairly because of race.”

Snedegar said he doesn’t actually see Black Lives Matter as being conservative or liberal at all — “We all want everyone to be treated equally,” he said — but that political messages had been intertwined with racerelated messages along the way.

“People will put things out like “Bernie 2016” or “Feel the Bern,” Snedegar said. “We just wanted to say we’re here too.”

The conservative students aren’t the only ones who feel like they’re having trouble being heard.

“Liberal people, you always get a harsher title when you try to stand up for yourself,” said Karma Mason, a senior studying sociology and psychology.

“All these people who came to the (Facebook) group and show interest are afraid to come out because of the negative backlash they’ll receive,” said Fiona Buchanan, a freshman involved with Intercultural Affairs, of getting students involved in diversity conversations. “I don’t understand it, but I think it’s just that fear of speaking out is what kind of looms.”

But when it comes to the conservative chalk messages, Lewis said, “I know why they did it. They didn’t feel like they had a voice in this liberal college area.”

“We just wanted to speak our mind and show people we have a voice,” Snedegar said.

Since the Black Lives Matter conversation erupted on campus, WCU has been trying to teach students how to use their voices

constructively, holding a slate of seven listening sessions designed to get students of diverse beliefs and backgrounds talking.

Further sessions are now being planned for the summer and fall, with dates soon available through the Department of Intercultural Affairs.

“What I’m excited to see is they’re now taking those (ideas about civil discourse) into those conversations with their friends, with their peers, which is exactly what we want to happen,” Koett said. “We want these listening sessions that we’re scheduling to transfer into conversations with your roommate, conversations with your classmates.”

And, on the flip side, not onto sites like Yik Yak. “Whether it’s related to the racial issues that are going on or whether it’s related to who’s trying to hook up with who, there’s always something that’s controversial (on Yik Yak) that’s going to cause people concern,” Koett said.

“You’re going to see the nastiest things on the world on Yik Yak, and you can’t get offended by it because you can’t do anything about it,” Hammond agreed.

If students want to do something concrete to keep the conversations positive, Koett said, the best thing they can do is to help take away the power that anonymous sites like Yik Yak wield.

“What I share with students on a regular basis is the only reason Yik Yak has the impact that it has is because it has an audience,” he said. “If people simply took the application off their phone, its power would go away.”

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Belcher pledges to continue fulfilling job responsibilities

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER estern Carolina University’s wellliked leader Chancellor David Belcher has been diagnosed with a small brain tumor, he announced last week.

The tumor is affecting his speech and expression, prompting him to limit his public speaking appearances going forward, but Belcher plans to remain at the helm of the university as he continues to learn more about the character of the tumor and to seek medical treatment. It’s unknown at this point whether the tumor is malignant.

The university’s leadership has a “robust plan” in place for the interim, Belcher wrote in an April 21 email, with Provost Alison Morrison-Shetlar acting as Belcher’s proxy when he is unavailable.

“That said,” Belcher continued in the email he sent to faculty, staff and students, “I am fully committed as Chancellor of Western Carolina University and will fulfill my executive responsibilities even when I am not on campus. That has not changed.”

Outpourings of support followed the

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While the conservative chalking did allude to Black Lives Matter through messages such as “White lives matter, too” and “Blue lives matter,” both Hammond and Snedegar said they’re not disputing the experience of Western’s minority students, per say. Hammond said she’s skeptical of the larger Black Lives Matter movement because “When a movement gets so big you don’t know what you really believe in… every one of you has a different story.”

Snedegar allowed that, “Because I’m Caucasian it’s different for me. I don’t see things that maybe an African-American stu-

Smoky Mountain News

BEING HEARD

April 27-May 3, 2016

were civil and constructive, though some did resort to yelling. For example, one criminal justice major could be heard yelling “this is why this is white privilege,” Jones said.

“We had also a girl who was going around pouring water around all of our chalk,” Hammond said. “She was screaming.”

But for the most part, Jones said, it was a positive experience.

“The big dividing point is the social part,” he said. “We actually did agree on a lot of things.”

It should be more like this, more of the time, Jones said, rather than “having hate speech from both sides, because there has been hate speech on both sides.” Trump supporters get called “hateful” and “racist,” he said, while Bernie supporters get called “ignorant hippies.”

Hammond said she came away with a similar feeling. It felt good to be able to talk about contentious issues, face-to-face, with people who disagree.

“People were actually living for something today, whether it was for us or against us or whatever,” she said. “The best thing to do is speak your mind.”

Koett said outcomes like that were encouraging.

“I was pleased to see these conversations of let’s take our attention away from the chalking and talk to each other,” he said.

The university’s administration has been trying to get that to happen for a while.

With a world of digital tools available to say whatever you want to say, often anonymously, getting today’s students to have a responsible, face-to-face conversation is difficult,

Students show their support for Chancellor David Belcher during a rally organized after an announcement that he’d been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Mark Haskett photo

news

news almost immediately, with nearly 250 WCU students, staff and faculty braving rain showers Friday, April 22, for a rally showing their support the day after the announcement.

“The purpose is simply love and support for him, as he has consistently shown for Western Carolina University,” Dale

“He’s been a tremendous asset to this county and to this region,” said Chairman Brian McMahan. “I expect him to be as active as he can be. We will support him and do everything we can to lift him up during this time of trial for him and his family.”

“Hopefully he recovers quickly,” agreed Commissioner Boyce Dietz. “He’s important to all of us.”

Commissioner Vicki Greene also expressed her support for Belcher and reminded those present that he’s not the only respected member of the county dealing with a brain tumor. Veronica Nicholas, who was Jackson’s first female county commissioner, is battling brain cancer. She’s dealing with multiple tumors and received some good news lately as all but one showed a decrease in size, Greene said.

“We all wish her well in her recovery,” Greene said.

Belcher has been WCU’s chancellor since 2011, following John Bardo, who held the post for 16 years.

While he negotiates this challenge, Belcher wrote in his email to the university community, he will likely be harder to reach and less responsive to email than he otherwise would be, relying on executive staff to field communications he’s unable to return.

“I welcome your thoughts and prayers.

I also ask your patience and indulgence during this time,” he wrote. “I promise that we will keep you fully informed as to our path ahead.”

WCU chancellor diagnosed with brain tumor

news

Budget cuts for assistant coaches reconsidered following backlash

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER udget cuts impacting assistant coaches at the middle and high school level will likely be restored in Haywood County Schools following public outcry from the youth athletics community.

The budget for assistant coaches is around $120,000 a year, paid for with local funding the school system gets from the county. Money to pay assistant coaches was cut completely in the proposed budget for next school year.

Due to public backlash, however, the school board agreed last week to try to reinstate at least some of the funding for assistant coaches’ salaries.

“A lot of our phone lines have been lit up about this,” School Board Chairman Chuck Francis said.

Exactly what portion of the budget cuts for assistant coaches will be restored is still in flux, however.

“That is something we are still working on,” Francis said.

Advocates of youth athletics have come together to make a case for the role of sports in the middle and high schools.

“A lot of these boys and girls, they use this as an escape, a time to get away from troubles at home an everything else,” said Rodney Phillips, a volunteer assistant coach for Canton Middle and Canton High wrestling teams.

Erik Melville, the varsity girl’s soccer coach at Tuscola High, said sports help develop important life skills.

“Kids get a lot more out of school athletics than just wins and losses. You get a lot of life lessons,” Melville said. “I hope when my girls graduate they have learned a lot more about how to be a person than just what we did between the lines on game days.”

Around $164,000 earmarked for head coach salaries was untouched by the budget cuts.

Assistant coaches make between $500 and $1,100 a season, depending on their years of experience and the demands of a particular sport.

Most assistant coaches have other fulltime jobs in the school system as teachers and get a stipend for doing double duty as an assistant coach during the athletic season.

But some assistant coaches are simply community members who carve time out of their day jobs and family duties during sports season to work with youth athletes.

Commissioner Bill Upton, the former principal of Pisgah High and school superintendent, expressed concern over the budget cuts for assistant coaches.

“If we are going to put a team on a field we need to make sure we have the number of coaches they need to be successful,” Upton told school officials during a county budget workshop earlier this month.

That’s exactly the fear that was expressed 18

Smoky Mountain News

April 27-May 3, 2016

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The Pisgah High School wrestling team relies on both paid and volunteer assistant coaches to provide support and mentoring to its 40 student athletes. Photo donated by Kelly Boone to school board members.

“There is no way one coach can coach 42 boys and teach them how to wrestle,” Phillips said.

Melville said he would be in the same boat without an assistant coach.

“The numbers would not allow me to work that many kids at the same time,” Melville said.

Phillips is a walk-on assistant coach — meaning he does it solely as a volunteer — for both the Canton Middle and Canton High wrestling teams. There’s always a chance some assistant coaches would do it anyway as volunteers, simply for the love of the game and the kids. But most probably wouldn’t.

“Time is too valuable to them,” Phillips said.

Upton said assistant coaches make a huge difference in a team’ success, which becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

“When you have a good athletic team people are more apt to give. When you are losing you have to beg for money,” Upton said That makes it harder for teams to attract donations and spectators at games, which bring in critical revenue to support other needs of the team, from uniforms to travel costs. Cutting assistant coaches could lead to less successful teams, which in turn could lead to even more financial challenges for teams if game attendance goes down as a result, Upton said.

Not to mention, athletic success bolsters school pride.

“Athletics aid academics,” Upton said.

While the $120,000 budget for assistant coaches may seem high, consider this: there are 104 sports teams at the two high schools and three middle schools in the county.

While the iconic football teams get most of the attention, there’s cheerleading, tennis, golf, swimming, soccer, volleyball, softball,

track — and the list goes on. Add to that girls and boys divisions, varsity and JV divisions, both at the middle and high school, and the number adds up quick.

MAKING ENDS MEET When the school board initially proposed cutting the budget for assistant coaches, they didn’t expect the positions to go away. They hoped teams would be able to come up with the money on their own to fund the assistant coaches.

Sports teams make money off ticket sales at home games and meets, concessions and fundraising. Teams currently rely on that money to pay for uniforms, equipment, insurance and travel.

“A lot of these boys and girls, they use this as an escape, a time to get away from troubles at home an everything else.”

— Rodney Phillips, volunteer assistant wrestling coach

It could be tough for school sports to stretch the money they bring in from ticket sales and fundraising to absorb the cost of assistant coaches on top of all the other expenses they have to cover, however.

Melville said the girl’s soccer teams at Tuscola use the same uniforms for eight years as it is — four years for the varsity team, and then passed down to the JV team for another four years.

Most sports don’t generate enough revenue from concessions, tickets or fundrais-

ing to cover the team’s costs. But the money generated off the big sports is put into a single athletic kitty for each school and used to help support the non-revenue generating sports.

“Football and basketball help subsidize everything. It is that way at every school in the state, because those are the big money makers,” Melville said.

Upton said he fears if there wasn’t enough money to go around, some of the less popular sports that bring in less money could be jettisoned.

“I would hate for schools to get in the position of saying ‘Do I drop this sport? Do I not drop this sport?’” Upton said.

Another possibility schools were considering was to increase the participation cost to students, but that’s got its drawback as well: it could knock poorer kids out of the sport.

“There is a lot of kids in our county that couldn’t afford it. We don’t want them to be left behind,” Phillips said.

Currently, it costs students just $10 a year to play school sports.

Sports teams can likely expect some sort of student fee increase no matter what.

“We are one of the last counties that don’t have a participation fee,” Melville said.

BIGGER PICTURE

The $120,000 budget cut for assistant coaches in middle and high school sports is only one small sliver of $2.4 million in budget cuts across the entire school system next year.

Yet it was the one line item that school board members said they heard the most outcry over from the public.

The need for sweeping budget cuts was brought on by a trifecta of reduced state funding for classroom education, charter schools siphoning students and money away, and a gradual decline in enrollment due to a demographic shift that saw lower birth rates and out-migration during the recession.

Superintendent Anne Garrett said the school system is continuing to comb through the budget and figure out a way to backfill the cuts for assistant coaches.

“We are looking at every single thing we have to see if some of that can be reinstated,” Garrett said.

However, there are a lot of unknown variables and moving parts that make it hard to say at this juncture, she said. For example, if state lawmakers enact another round of teacher salary raises, the school system will have to come up with its share of those raises locally, but that won’t be known for several months.

Further, the school system’s state funding allocation will remain a mystery until well after next school year begins and the final pupil head count is tallied, which in turn dictates how much state funding the school system will get. Another wild card is how many students the new Shining Rock Classical Academy charter school will draw, which could cut into the school system’s budget.

“We don’t know what the charter school numbers are going to be so we don’t know what our state allotment is going to be,” Garrett said.

New CEO in the cards for Haywood Regional

and his wife planned to put down roots in the community and ultimately retire here when his time at Haywood Regional was up. During his 16-month stint, Wright was actively involved in the civic and business community and was well-liked by local leaders.

The hospital has made significant strides since Duke LifePoint purchased it in the summer of 2014.

“Census has increased and outpatient services have definitely increased since Duke Life Point took over,” said Mark Clasby, a member of advisory board for the hospital.

“They have also been fantastic in making capital improvements and that will continue.”

An interim CEO has been named for the short-term.

Harold Siglar, a healthcare executive of more than 30 years, is part of the Duke LifePoint executive team. He most recently served as interim CEO at Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford, N.C., where he oversaw the transition of that hospital following its purchase by Duke LifePoint Healthcare.

“We are confident he will do an exemplary job guiding the hospital through this important leadership transition,” Jamie Carter, chief operating officer for the Eastern Group of LifePoint Health, said in a written statement.

— By Becky Johnson, staff writer

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The CEO of Haywood Regional Medical Center stepped down suddenly last week, effective immediately.

Philip Wright had been at the helm of Haywood Regional since January of last year following its purchase by Duke LifePoint HealthCare.

HRMC has had a streak of short-timers serving in the CEO role over the past 8 years.

The new interim will mark the sixth CEO since 2008 — including three interims and three full-time CEOs. The average tenure of a hospital CEO is five years, according to the American College of Healthcare Executives. While the average tenure of CEOs at Haywood Regional has clocked in at less than two years, that’s due in large part to the shifting management and ownership structure of the hospital that’s been in flux since 2008 as it gradually gave up its status as an independent locally-owned hospital.

With Haywood Regional’s future now secure as a Duke LifePoint Hospital, Wright was expected to end the revolving door for a while. Haywood Regional was going to be his last stop on the hospital CEO circuit, as he

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3. Stick to your shopping list as much as possible.

4. Be open to in-store deals, especially on items that can be frozen for future use.

5. When you return home make sure you immediately store food appropriately to keep it fresh and food safe.

Smoky Mountain News

on their heels and they soon quit running and turned toward him. He ordered them to the ground, and they were then handcuffed with the help of Officer Joey Fox, who had responded to Whitley’s call for back-up.

“The Waynesville police did a great job. It was great police work,” said Kevin Bowen, who’s wife Kim owns Waynesville Pharmacy.

“My hat’s off to them for doubling down on the suspects. It worked out for the best.”

Video surveillance at Waynesville Pharmacy captured the suspects tenaciously trying to break in through the back door for more than 30 minutes, despite being on a main street, cars occasionally going by and dawn starting to break.

Thieves who break-in to pharmacies are usually after the opiate-based pain medications, Bowen said, either to feed their own addiction or for the street drug value. One of the suspects had a needle in their pocket when captured. While they were waiting to be booked at jail, officers overheard one say to the other “maybe this was a blessing so they could get off the drugs,” according to police reports.

The two suspects — William Daniel Larch, 23, and Chelsie Noelle Hill, 22 — were charged with two counts of attempted breaking and entering and criminal property damage, plus possession of burglary tools.

Based on various stolen goods found in the suspects’ vehicle — including stolen tools, clothes and wallets — they are under active investigation for other larcenies in Clyde, Sylva, Cherokee and on the campus of Western Carolina University.

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April 27-May 3, 2016

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER foot chase by a Waynesville Police officer through downtown Hazelwood just before dawn last week ended with police nabbing suspects wanted for botched break-ins at two local pharmacies and under investigation for a string of larcenies in other towns, as well.

Police officer Michael Whitley was on patrol just before 5 a.m. last Sunday when the burglar alarm went off at Kim’s Pharmacy off Russ Avenue. Video surveillance had captured two suspects taking a circular saw to the back door and a tire iron to the front door before fleeing empty-handed when the alarm went off, ditching their break-in tools when they ran.

After processing the crime scene at Kim’s Pharmacy, Officer Whitley decided to cruise past another local pharmacy nearby to make sure it hadn’t been hit as well. Lo and behold, after setting off the alarm at Kim’s Pharmacy, the two suspects had headed straight across town to Waynesville Pharmacy.

They were still actively trying to break-in through the back door when Officer Whitley rolled up. He called for back-up and watched them working on the door with tools for a few moments before they looked up and noticed his police car.

They took off running through downtown Hazelwood. Officer Whitley jumped out and ran after them shouting “Stop!

Police!” the whole time as they crossed Hazelwood Avenue and darted down an alley behind a row of shops. Whitley stayed

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Foot chase by Waynesville police thwarts pharmacy break-in

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Development being considered in Forest Hills

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he sleepy village of Forest Hills could look a good bit different over the coming years if a handful of development concepts under discussion come to fruition.

The biggest of the three is a concept from Chris Green, who owns 72.7 acres in the small Jackson County municipality, where a golf course used to be.

“His ideas that he has been discussing with the village include patio homes, which would be quarter-acre lots on one end and keep open space on the other end, and potentially have what he refers to as a small town center in the middle of the valley,” said Kolleen Begley, Forest Hills’ mayor.

The concept would be a reflection of where the market trend is headed, said Rep. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville.

“Twenty years ago, everyone wanted a lot and a house,” Queen said. “Now folks want a patio apartment or a little townhouse or something like that, and open space rather than big lots.”

Begley said the idea could be good news for the village.

“There’s a need in Jackson County for affordable housing, so we’re pretty excited about meeting that need,” she said. “These patio homes could be something that faculty from Western Carolina (University) might be interested in, being right across the street from the university. It’s an increase in tax base for us. It lets the property owner make some money on his property. It’s a win-win.”

It’s also far from being a done deal.

Green’s land is zoned as R1, meaning that the board can’t approve any housing there at a higher density than one house per 2 acres.

Forest Hills is currently in the process of overhauling its planning rules, something that began in 2014 with a schedule of community workshops to get input from village residents on their vision for the community. That process culminated with the board’s April 5 adoption of a future land use map. But they’re still working out rules for dealing with requests for exemptions, like Green’s.

Under the rules in place now, Begley said, the board would not legally be allowed to approve Green’s request, and once denied he

Smoky Mountain News

April 27-May 3, 2016

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While Forest Hills’ newly adopted land use plan codes the large property in the center of the village for mixed use, its legally binding zoning map has the property zoned for low-density housing. Property owner Chris Green would like to develop it in a way that falls outside the parameters of existing zoning. Donated graphic

wouldn’t be able to submit another application for 12 months.

“He could have developed it under our current regulations, but not to the extent he would like to,” she said.

On May 25, Forest Hills’ planning and village council boards will hold a joint workshop with Christy Carter, who the village hired to help with planning after Jackson County’s former planner Gerald Green resigned. The county went months without a planner, and Forest Hills didn’t want to pause its process indefinitely. At the May 25 meeting, Carter will recommend a method for the village to consider to deal with exemptions.

They’ll then have to hold a public hearing for any proposed changes, write the ordinance and vote on it.

For Green, the municipal process has dragged out longer than he’d have liked it to, Begley said.

“He’s even gone to the extent of looking at de-annexation of the property, but it appears that we’re just going to work with

him, and the most recent ideas that he had looked to be in line with the Forest Hills vision,” Begley said. While the village’s legally binding zoning map designates it residential property, its plan for future land use foresees mixed use.

De-annexation from the village would require a vote from the General Assembly, which is partly why Queen and Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, began discussing the potential development with Begley.

Both legislators said that de-annexation is purely a rumor — it doesn’t appear to be under any kind of serious consideration, and neither sees a need for it to happen.

“I don’t anticipate that happening,” Davis said. “I just don’t think it’s necessary. I think Forest Hills seems to be responding appropriately.”

“We met with the mayor and were impressed with how they were moving forward with their planning process and maturing as a little village,” Queen said, speaking for himself and Davis. “They’re eager to have

some development, and quite frankly I think some of the property owners are eager to consider it.”

Green’s property isn’t the only one that could potentially see some development, Begley said. James Hooper, who owns a piece of land in Forest Hills’ extra-territorial jurisdiction behind the village’s entrance sign on N.C. 107, has the land on the market and has been discussing turning it into a senior housing facility and coffee shop, Begley said.

In addition, the owners of the University Inn have been talking with a Charlottebased development company that does motels, hotels and apartments. If the building were to be remade as an apartment building, that would require a land use exemption from the village.

However, the Hooper and University Inn properties are purely in the discussion stage.

“It’s just an idea at this point,” Begley said.

“There’s no plan been submitted.”

Green did not immediately return calls requesting comment.

Fontana houseboat picture

Smoky Mountain News

Lake resulted in the flooding and decimation of old homesteads, schools, saw mills, gold mines and more.

While the dam was created to generate power, Monteith said Swain and Graham counties don’t get any of that power back from the TVA. “All we get from it is a little bit of recreation,” he said. “Now they’re asking to remove all the houseboats, which would take an additional revenue source from us.”

The TVA says removing the houseboats would improve public recreation, safety and water quality on its lakes, but Monteith said Swain County has taken several measures to ensure Fontana Lake is clean and open to the public for recreational purposes. Swain and Graham counties secured more than $700,000 in grant funds about 15 years ago to purchase five pump boats that remove and properly dispose of sewage and waste from the houseboats. The water quality of Fontana has improved greatly since that measure was taken.

“They need to clean up their lakes in Tennessee — we did that here — that’s not our problem,” Monteith said. “Our houseboats are in compliance and they pay taxes.”

Monteith said he planned to attend the May 5 meeting, which is six hours away, and express the county’s opposition to the TVA’s proposal.

April 27-May 3, 2016

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR Swain County commissioners unanimously passed a resolution last week opposing the Tennessee Valley Authority’s proposal to remove all boathouses from its reservoirs within 20 years.

The TVA manages lakes in seven southeestern states, including Fontana Lake in Swain and Graham counties. If the TVA board of directors ends up approving the TVA staff recommendation, more than 350 houseboats would have to be removed from Fontana Lake.

Several houseboat owners and marina operators spoke against the TVA proposal at the commissioners’ meeting. Tony Sherrill, owner of Alarka Boat Dock, said removing all the houseboats would put him out of business.

“I’ve invested 38 years down there and we’ve jumped through all the hoops TVA has asked us to do over the years,” Sherrill said. “This will close me down.”

Erik Sneed of Cherokee has owned a houseboat on Fontana for three years and has invested quite a bit of money into it. He and his wife Laura Sneed have more than 2,000 signatures on a petition to present to the TVA along with many letters of opposition against the proposal.

“Our family enjoys the lake. It’s something we bought for the family and kids and we want them to be able to continue to enjoy it,” Sneed said. “The good news is there’s a lot of folks standing with us in Tennessee and other states. There are people from every state in the nation that have signed the petition.”

Graham County has already passed a resolution opposing the measure and the Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation last week opposing the TVA’s recommendation. It’s sitting on the governor’s desk waiting to be signed. A resolution was also filed with the Cherokee Tribal Council to oppose getting rid of all houseboats.

Sneed said the goal is to get the TVA to grandfather in all the existing houseboats on its lakes, which is about 1,800, and prohibit any more houseboats from being built.

The next TVA board meeting is May 5 in Buchanan, Tennessee, and Sneed anticipates the houseboat issue will be on the agenda.

“I’m hoping they take it off the May 5 agenda — if they agree to take it off the agenda that will buy us more time for public comment,” Sneed said.

Commissioner David Monteith said the TVA’s proposal would have a negative impact on the local economy and on tax revenue coming to Swain County.

“About $12,000 a year is what Swain County gets in taxes from houseboats, and that doesn’t count businesses bringing in sales tax,” Monteith said. “It’s not just a little handful of people this affects, it’s our livelihoods. We can’t let this happen.”

The TVA’s attempt at removing houseboats from Fontana is a sensitive subject for a number of reasons. People don’t want to lose their investments or their businesses that support the houseboat industry, but they also don’t want to see the TVA taking another asset away from Swain County.

Monteith read off a long list of things the TVA and federal government have taken away from Swain County throughout the years. The creation of the TVA and Fontana

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Swain commissioners oppose removal of boathouses

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Cherokee banishes 15 for drug offenses Harsher penalties for drug dealers in the planning stage

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER herokee’s Tribal Council was all business this month as members plowed through a list of 15 names proposed for banishment. There wasn’t much discussion, but there was uniformity of intent as councilmembers raised their hands, 15 times in a row, for 15 unanimous votes to forbid those named from ever stepping foot on tribal lands again.

The banishees all had two things in common: they were all non-Cherokee, and they were all convicted drug offenders.

“We had been doing it all along, but we had not done that many,” Councilmember Teresa McCoy, of Big Cove, said of the banishments. “The reason we did that many is because people are coming to the boundary and they bring drugs and they sell drugs, so we banish them so they can’t come back.”

A banished person who returns to Cherokee land can be arrested — they can be charged with trespassing, and anyone deemed to be harboring a banished person on tribal land can be charged as well.

While there was no discussion during the banishment votes themselves, talk of drugrelated issues and possible solutions has been prominent in council chambers for months. In December, McCoy introduced a resolution calling for a law to banish anyone — including enrolled members — convicted of selling drugs.

“I think that we need to take a stand and send a clear message throughout our communities that if you are charged and convicted of selling heroin, meth, hard pills, those kinds of drugs that can kill you, cause addiction — if they are convicted of selling, I think they should be banished from our Indian land,” McCoy said at the time.

The legislation was tabled and eventually withdrawn as other councilmembers took issue with the idea of banishing one of their own, drug dealer or no. But the conversation didn’t end.

In February, Principal Chief Patrick Lambert introduced a resolution that started discussion about tweaking the focus of the Cherokee Drug Commission, a group tasked with finding ways to address the drug problem. When Josh Stein, a candidate for N.C. Attorney General, addressed council in March, McCoy said he could help the tribe combat the drug issue. Because of how criminal jurisdictions work on Native American lands, it’s difficult to prosecute non-Indian drug offenders, McCoy told Stein, so “we need help getting persons who are caught doing that (selling drugs) on our land prosecuted.”

All that led up to the April council meet-

Smoky Mountain News

April 27-May 3, 2016

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ing, which began with McCoy’s announcement that councilmembers were invited to participate in a drug awareness march being held that day in town.

“We want them (drug dealers) to know this is our community, and it matters to us,” McCoy said. “We know who you are, we know where you live, we know what you’re doing, and we’re asking you to stop.”

“It’s not going to matter how much money we put into it, what kinds of programs we have,” said Kina Swayney, who as part of the Cherokee Civil Action Team was

will be strong enough that it would prevent people from doing it, but if it doesn’t, then the banishment issue will be coming back to the floor,” McCoy said.

Swayney expressed agreement with that point of view when she addressed council earlier this month.

“Banishment and loss of per capita, they’re things we don’t want to go to, but we do want to keep them on the table,” she said.

However it’s done, time is of the essence, said Vice Chief Richie Sneed. Prescription

Birdtown that we even had heroin here. I left that meeting pretty heavy-hearted.”

Chairman Bill Taylor said he’s had the misfortune to witness the problem firsthand.

“I had my grandsons at my house one weekend, and lo and behold in the backyard somebody come down the road, pitched a syringe out the window and it made it into our backyard,” he said.

The needle problem has put Cherokee at “epidemic stage” when it comes to Hepatitis C, said Vickie Bradley, Secretary of

The street fills with marchers aiming to bring awareness to drug issues on the Qualla Boundary, organized by the Cherokee Civil Action Team April 7. Donated photo one of the march’s organizers. “It all begins and ends with us. Our team is going to be coming back in here with a resolution.”

Don’t be surprised, Swayney told council, when the group appears in May, asking for more resources to help with detox treatment at the hospital and for tougher drug laws to punish offenders. Cherokee is in the midst of a $16 million project to implement full-circle drug rehabilitation services, but many of those facilities are still being developed, and there are people who need help now, Swayney said.

McCoy is also working with the tribe’s Attorney General Office to get laws drafted to create harsher punishments, especially for drug dealers.

“We’ve got a new jail down there, and if we have to build another one to put them in, let’s do that,” she said during the February Tribal Council session. “I have no problem with it.”

While increased penalties are being considered, she’s withdrawn her banishment legislation. But that’s not to say she’s opposed to banishment if the tighter punishments don’t do the trick.

“I would personally hope that penalties

“You can see the look of shock on community members’ faces when they find out the depth of the problem that we have here. I had no idea until I attended the first meeting over in Birdtown that we even had heroin here.

I left that meeting pretty heavy-hearted.”

Cherokee’s Public Health and Human Services Department.

The virus can survive outside the body for up to three weeks.

All of that means that the time to act is now, in terms of both policy and education, Sneed said.

“Our community — Richie Sneed, Vice Chief needs to know now on the front end, because if we wait for it (heroin) to get here in full force, it will be too drug abuse is now one of the biggest issues late,” Sneed said. in Cherokee, as it is in the rest of Western Which, for McCoy, brings the conversaNorth Carolina, and oftentimes people tion around full-circle to the people who addicted to prescription opiates turn to heroin when they run out of money or access provide the drugs in the first place. Addicts are sick people in need of help and treatto prescription drugs. That’s a reality that’s ment, she said, but the dealers who keep already showing up on the Qualla Boundary them addicted? Those people deserve every — as in the region as a whole. penalty possible, McCoy said.

“You can see the look of shock on com“We cannot banish our drug addicts,” munity members’ faces when they find out the depth of the problem that we have here,” she said. “But we should banish those who make a living off of keeping those addicts Sneed told council this month. “I had no idea until I attended the first meeting over in stoned, high.”

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Smoky Mountain News

April 27-May 3, 2016

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER fter a federal judge ruled that the Cherokee Bear Zoo isn’t breaking the law with its treatment of the grizzly bears in its care, the two Cherokee women who had sued the bear zoo in the first place are appealing the decision.

“The Endangered Species Act prohibits harming and harassing protected animals, and that should include stopping the deprivation and suffering on display in the tiny concrete pits at the Cherokee Bear Zoo,” said Amy Walker, a plaintiff along with Peggy Hill.

“These animals need and deserve to be moved to a large, naturalistic habitat at a reputable sanctuary, and we’ll continue to push for the court to make that happen.”

While The Cherokee Bear Zoo includes four grizzly bears, which are kept in conU.S. District crete pits. A suit decrying the pits will go to appeal. Donated photo Judge Martin Reidinger care of my animals,” she said in a previous wrote in his March 30 opinion that the pits interview. are “archaic” and that the “general consenIn fact, Coggins said in the same intersus” is that they are “not ideal,” he ruled view, the bears would likely have a better that the conditions weren’t bad enough to place to live now if it weren’t for the lawentail a “taking” under the Endangered suit. Before it was filed, she and her husSpecies Act. Walker and Hill had argued band Barry and been looking to build an that the bears were being “harmed” and expanded, more natural facility, but attor“harassed,” two situations that would qualiney’s fees have sidelined that effort, she fy as a taking. But Reidinger said that said. “harm” means the wildlife is being actually After the initial court decision came killed or injured and that “harass” means down March 30, Cherokee’s Tribal Council that the facility falls below the minimum began bear-related discussions of its own standards of the federal Animal Welfare when Principal Chief Patrick Lambert introAct. Neither is true, he said. duced legislation that would outlaw conHowever, according to a press release crete bear pits completely on the Qualla from the Coalition for Cherokee Bears, the Boundary, requiring that enclosures be natappeal will reiterate that keeping endanural. Council has not yet acted on the legisgered grizzlies in the pits violates the ESA’s lation. prohibition against harming, harassing and The case has been sent to the U.S. Court wounding protected animals. of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in According to Brittany Peet, deputy Richmond, Virginia. director of captive animal law enforcement

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Bear zoo case will go to appeal

for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the appeal isn’t frivolous.

“I think there is a great chance for this case on appeal,” she said when Reidinger’s decision first came out.

The bear zoo, which includes about 35 animals including black bears, monkeys, lemurs, goats and a tiger in addition to the four grizzlies that are the subject of the lawsuit, has been the subject of litigation since 2013, when the elders first filed their suit.

In the same year, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals also filed a lawsuit pushing for stricter standards for the bears’ living conditions. PETA has also supported a national campaign to shut down concrete bear pits across the country.

Collette Coggins, co-owner of the bear zoo, said she doesn’t appreciate being characterized as a heartless animal abuser. The bears are well cared for, she said.

“I love my animals and I take very good

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Maggie Valley to rethink town center design Public workshop scheduled for May 2

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR aggie Valley leaders agreed to go back to the drawing board after several business owners expressed opposition to a portion of the proposed town center master plan.

The town center plan first presented a month ago maps out a quarter-mile area of Soco Road from the festival grounds to Evans Cove Road that would undergo major roadway modifications. While the changes would help Maggie Valley feel more like a downtown with street parking and landscaping, it would also mean area businesses would lose their private parking lots.

In order to widen the road, add a large grassy median in the middle and add reverseangle street parking, Market Square shopping center and Cabbage Rose Gifts and Guayabito’s Mexican Restaurant would have to give up part of their property — something they’re not willing to do. Businesses are also concerned prolonged periods of roadway construction could hurt their businesses.

After hearing public feedback at two recent board meetings, the Maggie Valley Board of Alderman called a special meeting last Friday to discuss other options. Several business owners opposed to the town center

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Some Maggie Valley business owners are opposed to a proposed town center master plan that includes roadway changes that would rid businesses of private parking lots in exchange for reverse-angle street parking. Donated photo plan were present for the 9 a.m. special meeting but weren’t given the opportunity for public comment even after Alderman Phillip Wight argued that people should have the chance to voice their concerns again.

“I don’t understand why we wouldn’t have public comment. This is a big issue,” he said.

“We all cleared our schedules to be here today.”

Mayor Pro tem Janet Banks, who presided over the meeting in Mayor Saralyn Price’s absence, said the board already knew everyone’s concerns based on prior public input. She said the purpose of the special meeting was to schedule another design workshop to give the concerned business owners an opportunity to provide input on an alternative design.

“We’re doing all this because of public

comment,” said Alderman Mike Eveland.

Town Manager Nathan Clark said the town would have to spend an additional $2,900 for the project engineering team to come back and hold another design workshop. The town has already spent $25,000 to hire engineering consultants to gather public input and put together the proposed plan.

Public workshops were held throughout the process and town residents showed support for the plan when it was first unveiled, but business owners inside the proposed town center said they weren’t aware of the planning process.

“We want to bring people back together who are super invested with the process now,” Clark said. “We want to make sure your opinions and feedback and vision is written down

and included in the master plan going forward.”

While people are upset about the roadway changes, they are supportive of other aspects on the town center plan, which include a splashpad for kids, a veteran memorial park and an open-air pavilion that can convert into an ice-skating rink during the winter months.

Eveland reminded business owners that the town center master plan was just a concept that could be changed as the town moves forward in the long process of trying to secure grant funding for the separate projects.

“None of this is an absolution. An engineer might take this plan to DOT and we end up only getting a tenth of what we wanted to do,” he said. “And if you’re against doing any-

Speak up A public input workshop to discuss alternative design plans for the Maggie Valley town center master plan will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 2, at town hall.

Business owners and residents are encouraged to attend.

thing — and some people are — going to this meeting won’t do any good. This is for people that want something done. We need to work toward a goal of getting something done and we need to do it together.”

The board voted unanimously to spend $2,900 for an alternative design workshop, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 2, at town hall.

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Waynesville is one of 10 contenders for Outside Magazine’s 2016 Best Towns series and now needs votes to become the winner in the Best Mountain Town category.

Waynesville is in the running along with Silver City, New Mexico, Salt Lake City, Utah, Jackson, Wyoming, Sedona, Arizona and others. Several rounds of voting will be held through May until it’s narrowed down to the top 16 towns. Chattanooga, Tennessee, was voted the best town to live in last year.

To vote, visit www.outsideonline.com/ 2062011/best-towns-2016-contenders.

Record class expected at WCU commencement

Franklin forum to discuss morality

Haywood Chamber to host golf tournament The Haywood Chamber of Commerce will host the Tailgating on the Greens golf tournament on Thursday, May 5, at the Maggie Valley Club and Resort.

The revamped annual golf tournament will include contests and raffles, gourmet food served right on the greens, beverage cart, quality swag and unique prizes.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2016 Coulter Regional Leadership Program, a six-month program for adults interested in growing as regional leaders in Western North Carolina.

Nominees must reside in the counties of Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain or the Qualla boundary.

Nominations are due by 5 p.m. May 2 and the form can be found at https://goo.gl/lasghY. The program is funded by the Cherokee Preservation Foundation and administered

by Western Carolina University.

Contact Juanita Wilson at 828.497.7920 or jmwilson@wcu.edu.

Haywood deputy chosen to carry ‘Flame of Hope’ Deputy Daniel Blagg of the Haywood County Sheriff ’s Office has been selected as North Carolina’s only law enforcement official to the Final Leg team that will run the “Flame of Hope” throughout Austria in March 2017 prior to the start of the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria.

Blagg, a six-year veteran with Haywood County Sheriff ’s Office, has served as the agency’s Torch Run coordinator for the past four years. He was honored with the 2016 NC Law Enforcement Torch Run Guardian of the Flame award for his ingenuity, motivation, commitment and dedication to the Torch Run. The annual “Cops on Top” fundraiser has become the state’s highest grossing “Cops on Top” fundraiser under Blagg’s leadership and direction. He is also a member of the Special Emergency Response Team, Honor Guard and participates in several other community outreach programs.

Mountain Mediation Services offers training Mountain Mediation Services is offering its Community Mediation Training on May 24-26 at the First Baptist Church of Sylva, 669 W. Main St. in downtown Sylva.

In this 21-hour training, participants learn the mediation process and are equipped with the tools needed to effectively deal with conflict and develop productive resolution.

Practical skills are learned that will help resolve conflicts at work, in the neighborhood or with family members.

The number of participants is limited and space must be reserved by Wednesday, May 18. The tuition fee of $195 covers instruction plus manuals, handouts and refreshments.

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Smoky Mountain News

“In this every changing world, can morality be defined?” will be the topic for the next Franklin Open Forum, which will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, May 2, at the Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub, located Downtown at 58 Stewart Street, Franklin. Franklin Open Forum is a moderated discussion group.

Those interested in an open exchange of ideas (dialog not debate) are invited to attend.

828.371.1020.

Nominations sought for leadership program

Charles A. Shaller M.D.

April 27-May 3, 2016

Western Carolina University will hold a trio of commencement ceremonies May 6-7 to recognize the academic achievements of what is expected to be the university’s fifth straight record spring graduating class.

Commencement for WCU’s Graduate School will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 6, and commencement for the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education and Allied Professions, and Fine and Performing Arts will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 7, which will be followed the same day by a 2 p.m. ceremony for the College of Business, College of Health and Human Sciences, and Kimmel School of Construction Management and Technology. All the ceremonies will take place at Ramsey Regional Activity Center.

All three ceremonies will be streamed live at www.wcu.edu/commencementstream.aspx. More driving and parking information, including a link to a map of traffic patterns, is available at graduation.wcu.edu.

828.227.7216.

Both men and women are welcome.

Singles and teams invited. Four-person teams. Captain’s Choice: $600/team or $150/person. Shotgun start at 10 a.m.

Registration is limited to 100 golfers.

Register at www.haywoodchamber.com.

828.456.3021 or disenberg@haywoodchamber.com.

news

Waynesville in the running for ‘Best Mountain Town’

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news

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April 27-May 3, 2016

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Smoky Mountain News

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Smoky Mountain News

of each month. Nancy Hopp facilitates a small group interested in advancing their self-awareness by journaling about their life’s path, as they travel into their present, past and future.

Visit www.meditate-wnc.org/classes or call 828.356.1105 to register.

Kids get moving at Canton Library

Harris, Swain hospitals focus on patient experience Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital formed a Patient Experience Team in March 2016 to have focused time to celebrate accomplishments, re-energize efforts and honor the people who impact patient care and service every day. The Patient Experience Team at Harris and Swain hospitals want to reinforce that the experience for patients in just not an initiative, but it is an everyday focus on how we operate our organization to provide care and service.

Pictured are Paul Cipriano, (back row from left) Dr. Anna Gonzalez, Tiffany Brackett, Heather Allen, Dr. Casey Prenger, Autumn Neesam and David Smith; Steve Heatherly (front row from left) Malanie Cooper, Kim Saunooke, Cindy Henson, Caroline Rooney, Carrie Kennedy, Janet Millsaps and Callie Tatman.

Meditation Center offers support groups The Meditation Center, located at 894 East Main Street in Sylva, holds a number of monthly support groups.

A monthly grief support group meets at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month.

Anyone who has survived the death of a

Red Cross holds blood drives in May The American Red Cross will hold the following blood drives in Western North Carolina: • Haywood County — 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Friday, May 6, at Clyde Elementary School, 4182 Old Clyde Road, Clyde.

• Jackson County — 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 24, at Southwestern Community College, 447 College Drive, Sylva; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at Harris Regional Hospital, 68 Hospital Drive, Sylva.

• Macon County — 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday, May 6, at Lowe’s 0717 Franklin, Georgia Highway, Franklin; 1 to 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 12, Keller Williams Realty, 1573 Highlands Road, Franklin; 12:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at Franklin Community at the First Baptist Church, 69 Iotla Street, Franklin.

• Swain County — 8:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

spouse, partner, child or other closed loved one is welcome to join.

Inner Guidance from an Open Hearts meets from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. Each month, facilitator Eileen Vilardi will guide the group on a journey into the inner self through discussion and meditation. $10 donation per class.

Reflections Through The Looking Glass meets from 6 to 8 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday

Thursday, May 5, at Swain County High School, 8 New Fontana Road, Bryson City. www.redcrossblood.org.

May is Mental Health Month The theme of this year’s Mental Health Month is “life with a mental illness.” Mental Health America is using this theme to encourage individuals to share what it feels like to have a mental illness, to personalize and put a face and a voice on mental illness.

Mental Health America is inviting people to speak up on social media posts with #mentalillnessfeelslike. Posting with the MHA hash tag provides a place to share with others who are having similar struggles and aren’t able to explain what they are going through.

Screening tools and fact sheets on mental illness can be found at www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may.

Get Moving is a new healthy living program for children ages 5-12 years old that will take place at 4 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month.

On May 3, children will get to experience the run of a Zumba cardio workout with the help of the Nintendo Wii. After 30 minutes of Zumba the class will make a healthy vegetarian and gluten-free peanut butter Greek yogurt fruit dip and enjoy eating it with apples. Parents or caregivers are welcome to attend and participate with their children.

828.648.2924 or kpunch@haywoodnc.net.

New initiative designed to boost quality of care Three North Carolina specialty Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) have come together to launch a one-of-a-kind workforce development initiative that will provide training resources to their network providers.

Through this collaborative effort between Cardinal Innovations Healthcare, Smoky Mountain LME/MCO and Trillium Health Resources, providers will have access to training resources and groundbreaking, evidencebased curricula. These resources, provided by DirectCourse, are designed specifically for direct support professionals who provide services to individuals with disabilities.

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Harris, Swain hospitals name 2016 Mercy Award winner

Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital, which are part of LifePoint Health, recently honored Sherri Watterson as the hospitals’ 2016 Mercy Award winner.

Watterson is a physical therapy assistant and certified lymphedema therapist working in the Rehabilitation Services department at Harris Regional Hospital. The annual Mercy Award program was established in 2002 to honor the life of Scott Mercy, LifePoint’s founding chairman and chief executive officer.

Haywood County Senior Games kicks off

The 2016 Haywood County Senior Games and SilverArts kicked off last week with over 100 participants ranging in age from 51 to 93.

Haywood County Senior Games is coordinated by Haywood County Recreation & Parks in partnership with Haywood County Schools, Haywood Regional Fitness Center, Lake Junaluska Conference Center, Smokey Mountain Billiards, Town of Canton, Town of Clyde and Waynesville Parks & Recreation and AARP-Haywood County Chapter.

Next week events will include: table tennis, bowling (singles, doubles, and mixed doubles), basketball shot, swimming, badminton and shuffleboard. If you would like to come out and cheer on the 2016 Haywood County Senior Games participants see the schedule of events posted at www.haywoodnc.net or 828.452.6789.

• Haywood Regional Medical Center is holding a free tired leg/varicose vein educational program at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at the Vein Center at Haywood Regional Medical Center led by Dr. Al Mina, MD, FACS and Dr. Joshua Rudd, DO. Register by calling 828.452.8346. Space limited.

has joined Harris Regional Hospital’s Harris GI practice located on the third floor of Harris Medical Park at 98 Doctors Drive.

Abdulhafid joins Dr. Randall Savell in providing the full range of gastroenterological care. 828.631.8840 or www.myharrisregional.com.

• A free class “How to Detox Your Life Naturally,” will be given by Dr. Linda Sparks at 10 a.m. April 30, at Waynesville Wellness, 1384 Sulphur Springs Rd., in Waynesville. RSVP to drsparks@blueridgenaturalhealth.com or 828.539.0440.

• Southwestern Community College’s therapeutic massage program will host an information session at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 2, at the Jackson Campus. Instructor Jenny Burgess will show participants the program’s recently renovated rooms in Founders Hall as well as the new learning equipment. 828.339.4313 or j_burgess@southwesterncc.edu.

• The Meditation Center will begin offering a new class, Manifesting With Your Words, at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 22, at 894 E. Main Street, in Sylva. The class will explore how the words we think, speak and write can contribute to the way we experience the conditions around us. 828.356.1105 or www.meditate-wnc.org.

• A new nurse practitioner, Gwen Abdulhafid,

ALSO:

• CrossFit 2311 is adding SpinalFit to it exercise programming beginning May 17.

SpinalFit is not CrossFit. The program was created for people of all ages and abilities. info@crossfit2311.com or 828.713.3491.

MAY 2016 BASE CAMPS:

We’re on a Roll.

New jobs posting every week.

Visit HarrahsCherokeeJobs.com or call 828.497.8778

WHITEWATER RAFTING AT NOC MAY 13

Depart: 8 AM • Return: 5 PM Members: $10 Non-Members: $12 Participants need to bring $50 cash on the day of the trip (This covers raft trip cost and tips). Enjoy a morning fully guided rafting trip on the scenic Nantahala River. Bring a snack and plan on enjoying a Dutch Treat lunch at the NOC Outdoor Center.

HIKE CHARLIES BUNION MAY 26

Depart: 7:30 AM Members: $10 Non-Members: $12 The rocky, treeless summit affords panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains, some of the best in the entire park. It's a 4-mile moderate hike (8 miles roundtrip). While you climb more than 1,600 feet in elevation, it's a gradual gain.

Pack a lunch for an amazing picnic spot!

WE ARE LOCATED AT 777 CASINO DRIVE. APPLICANTS CAN PARK ON LEVEL 1 IN THE CASINO GARAGE.

WAYNESVILLE

Smoky Mountain News

April 27-May 3, 2016

PARKS AND RECREATION 828.456.2030 or email tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov

If you have already submitted your application, it will be considered active for 6 months from the date of application. To qualify, applicants must be 21 years or older (18-21 years eligible for non-gaming positions), must successfully pass an RIAH hair/drug test and undergo an investigation by Tribal Gaming Commission. Preference for Tribal members. This property is owned by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, managed by Caesars Entertainment. The Human Resources Department accepts applications Mon. - Thur. from 8am - 4:30pm. Call 828.497.8778, or send resume to Human Resources Department, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee, NC 28719 or fax resume to 828.497.8540.

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THE FAMILY CARE CENTER We are open to becoming your primary health care center.

We are open to everyone!

We accept most medical insurance, Medicare & Medicaid plans.

Call 828-554-5565 to make an appointment.

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77 Painttown Road (Hwy. 19) • Cherokee, North Carolina

Opinion Rep. Queen critical of GOP’s leadership, methods Smoky Mountain News

feel like a one-legged man at an ass kicking. They don’t care for me because I call them out. I try to inform the public of “I the truth, and they don’t like it.”

Scott McLeod

That’s the colorfully candid state Rep. Joe Sam Queen, DWaynesville, who is back in Raleigh this week as the General Assembly kicks off its biennial short session, which is traditionally devoted to making a few budget tweaks and perhaps passing some noncontroversial legislation.

As a lifelong and outspoken Democrat in a legislature where Republicans have a super majority and hold the governor’s mansion, Rep. Queen doesn’t get any invites to the Editor back offices where the real deal-making happens in the General Assembly. He admits he is on the outside looking in, as the annual rankings just released by the N.C. Public Policy Research Institute show.

Queen is listed as the 115th most-effective representative in the 125-member House.

That reduced influence, though, has perhaps made him even more vocal about the mistakes he believes the current leadership is making and direction in which they are leading his beloved state.

He is incensed about House Bill 2, the controversial measure passed in a recently called special session that limits transgender bathroom access and eliminates antidiscrimination protections for gay and transgender people: “I did not even go down to Raleigh for the session. It was Holy Week, and I knew it would be ram-rodded through, but it was worse than I thought. It was complete political theater that has nothing to do with any issue in North Carolina, except killing jobs, killing our rankings, killing the chances of our nonprofits who are looking for grants from national foundations, killing attempts to recruit IT or creative companies. This group is not for small business, not for big business; they are about the politics of bigotry and they think bullying is OK. I can’t understand why they would not analyze the potential consequences of HB2. It’s not rocket science, but they could care less, they just crammed it down our throats.”

As for Gov. Pat McCrory, who signed the bill: “This governor has gone south. He’s completely lost it, is grasping for straws instead of governing. There is no leadership in him.”

Little choice for Lake J. except merger To the Editor: To this day, I have no doubt that the Lake Junluska and the City of Waynesville annexation issue will eventually be resolved in favor of annexation. However, in the interim, the consequences of the political decision to prevent even a supporting House floor vote and then a majority vote of the registered voters in both Waynesville and Lake Junaluska are becoming clearer.

My understanding is that this October (2016) the governing bodies at Lake Junaluska will have to decide how to proceed. The matter of the engineering reports that laid out a necessary $10 million estimate of overall infrastructure/equipment costs over 10 years did not go away. The issue of Lake Junaluska’s

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other counties to find work, so it’s no Talk to Rep. Queen for even a few minutes and he keeps comes back EGISLATIVE ANKINGS wonder we are losing students,” Queen said. around to what he describes as the The N.C Center for Public Policy Research has In the rural counties of Western job-killing efforts of the current GOP released its annual rankings of the effectiveness of North Carolina, the cuts to education and leadership. In fact, in recent media the state’s lawmakers. Here’s how our the refusal to accept the Medicaid expancoverage of the closing of Central representatives fared: sion dollars from the federal government Elementary School in Waynesville Senate hurt worse than in urban areas. Local and the declining enrollment in the hospitals and the local school system are local school system, Rep. Queen says • Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin: 25th (of 50 senators) typically among the top two or three the press should be looking at the House employers in rural counties. jobs that were lost due to decisions • Rep. Roger West, R-Marble: 18th (of 120 repre“When you slash those jobs, you are made by this governor and General sentatives) hurting the people and the communities Assembly.

• Rep. Michelle Presnell, R-Burnsville: 78th in rural North Carolina, and that’s just “I don’t think your coverage has • Rep. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville: 115th what these guys are doing.” gotten it quite right. They have Queen is also very critical of the tax killed about 400 jobs at our hospital reform measures enacted by the state because they would not accept the GOP leaders. “They are not doing anything for small businesses.

Medicaid expansion dollars from our federal government that They eliminated the $50,000 deduction that actually helped was part of Obamacare. A bunch of other Republican governors small business owners, but now the big boys get all the cuts. were smart enough to take that money and run with it. And we’ve lost about 160 jobs in our school system due to their budg- Small businesses have had deductions eliminated, sales taxes eting. These are real, solid jobs — lab folks, technicians, teachers have increased on services and electricity and other things needed to run a business. All those breaks are going to the big boys, and teacher assistants — that can support families and will put kids in the school system, but these guys just don’t get it. Each of not small businesses.”

Queen points out that he and Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, disthese jobs supports secondary jobs, so the real number they are responsible for us losing is probably double that. Just by expand- agree on almost every major issue, but that they are still able to work together for the district on most local issues. Right now ing Medicaid and bringing our own tax dollars home we could both are sponsoring bills to get Jackson County named the Trout create over 800 jobs right here in Haywood County.”

Capital of North Carolina.

Gov. McCrory refused to expand Medicaid and accept the As for the other representative who represents part of federal tax dollars that all of us have paid. Other Republican-led Haywood County — Rep. Michelle Presnell, R-Burnsville — he states — including Gov. Chris Christie in New Jersey, Gov. Rick doesn’t mince words. Talking about the Lake JunaluskaSnyder in Michigan and even Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona, Waynesville merger bill, “they let some nimwit (Presnell) from among others — saw the economic benefits of doing so. Gov. McCrory refused, sending tax dollars paid by North Carolina cit- another county tell us what to do.”

Queen, still hopeful even as backbencher, keeps repeating his izens to other states. mantra to “remember in November.” That’s when he hopes vot“Statewide that’s over $2.5 billion a year, so in three years ers will agree with his take on what’s been happening in the state this governor has denied our state $7.5 billion that would have legislature and turn out the GOP majority. created real jobs at our hospitals, secondary jobs in our commu“The national economy is going well, but not in North nities, and helped poor people stay healthy. Why did we get all Carolina. We’ve thrown the anchor out and it’s dragging behind the dumb Republicans?” Queen asked. us. They are just dumb as a post.”

“When you lose jobs you lose families and children, which is Average Daily Membership. The big hole for Central Elementary (Scott McLeod can be reached at info@smokymountainis the ADM money, and when you cut jobs you send families to news.com.)

structural sustainability did not go away and the ability to meet the financial obligations inherent with keeping the infrastructure sustainable is unresolved at this time.

Here is the approaching financial dilemma for Lake Junaluska as I see it. With current revenue collected by the Public Works Department of approximately $400,000 per year, a 10-year projection (with no fee increases) would be $4 million in revenue brought in, or $6 million underfunded at the end of 10 years based on the engineering study figures.

The homeowner fees for Lake Junaluska property owners of the monthly charge for water and sewer generates approximately $250,000 per year. That equates (with no fee increases) to a 30-year period to reach the $7.5 million, 10-year timeline in the engineering study to update/replace the patchwork of the existing water/sewer system which dates back, in part, to over a hundred years and

L

R

requires continual maintenance. The annual service charge to homeowners generates approximately $150,000. This money covers such items as repairing and paving the roads, equipment repair and replacement, and tools.

At the current rate of the annual service charge, it will take 17 years to generate the funding the engineering study indicates should be covered in their 10-year timeline.

In any case, it is very likely, in my opinion, that the governing bodies at Lake Junaluska will have no choice but to address water/sewer monthly fee increases and an increase to the annual service fee to allow the community’s infrastructure to remain sustainable. If those bodies choose to address the issue head-on and adhere to the 10-year timeline in the engineering study, it will cost (based on my figures) an approximate increase of 100 percent in the monthly water/sewer fees and a 55 percent increase in

the annual service fee beginning in January of 2017.

However, the governing bodies will likely enact fee increases more incrementally — maybe extending the timeline to 15 or even 20 years — while being keenly aware that the incremental increases will necessarily have to be adjusted higher to cover the effect of inflation over and above the 10-year timeline initially planned. In other words, it will no longer be a $6 million dollar deficit, but a substantially higher figure. And the water and sewer infrastructure will become an increasing liability to maintain and repair.

If annexation had been approved, the current fees paid by Lake Junaluska’s homeowners would have remained almost exactly equal to what they are paying now. Then, as time moved forward, fee increases would be much

S EE LETTERS, N EXT PAGE

here was a time when running was my saving grace. If I didn’t run at least four times a week, I could feel it in my body and in my mood. It was a must for me. I wrote about running all of the time on my blog. I participated in races all throughout the year.

I was a runner.

Then I was in two automobile wrecks in one year, neither being my fault. The first flipped my car on its top, and both my toddler and I had to crawl out the shattered back window.

During the second wreck, I was slammed from behind, which resulted in whiplash, a dislocated clavicle, bruised sternum, and severe sprains up and down my back. I always thought whiplash was a myth until I suffered from it myself. It’s horrible, let me tell you. The bruised sternum prevented me from picking up my boys or doing any type of weight training.

It’s been very frustrating.

When all of the core parts of a person’s torso are bruised, dislocated or sprained, pounding the ground during a long run just isn’t an option. It’s been months and months since I’ve felt the glory one feels after a great run. And I miss it. My body and psyche are both lamenting the loss of their favorite remedy.

Only recently have I started running again (sort of ). I haven’t been training or even running as part of an exercise regimen, but I ran a 5K with my little boy on April 16, hosted

T

Smoky Mountain News

April 27-May 3, 2016

LETTERS, CONTINUED FROM P. 29 smaller than what I projected above (without annexation) due to economies of scale from joining the city of Waynesville and their ability, if needed, to tap into outside funding such as bonds. And, those increases would be the same as those being imposed on the citizens of Waynesville. No surcharges that I am aware of for Lake Junaluska.

The consequences of not yet approving annexation are quite real. Lake Junaluska homeowners now must realize that to stay unincorporated with the current fee structure is unsustainable. The monthly charge for water and sewage and the annual fee will both have to be raised. How much and how quickly that will happen is an intriguing question, but one that will require a well thought out and possibly very painful answer.

James Ryer, Lake Junaluska

Carden mixes up the facts in book review

To the Editor: Gary Carden, in his book review in the April 6 issue (www.smokymountainnews.com/news/item/17428), claims that the McCarthy hearings had something to do with the “UnAmerican Activities Committee (sic)” and took place in 1950.

HUAC was a House of Representative committee. McCarthy was a senator and had nothing to do with HUAC. HUAC was created in 1938 and opened an investigation into Communist infiltration of the movie industry in 1947. McCarthy began service in the Senate in 1947 but did not come into prominence until 1950 with his Wheeling, West 30 Virginia, speech in which he claimed to have

by Junaluska Elementary PTA. My back started hurting a little so I walked/ran. At one point, my 7-year old asked if I could any faster and I answered, “No, I cannot, sweetie. Just go on without me.” And what do you know? The little monkey ended up winning first in the entire youth category (18 and under).

In stark contrast, I did not feel like a winner. I was sore for a number of days and realized how far removed I’ve become from being a “runner.”

Columnist And now the Gateway to the Smokies Half Marathon is coming up on May 14. I ran this race last year. It’s hard for me to believe it now. A good friend and I decided we were going to run it, despite the fact that neither of us had ever ran a half marathon before. In fact, I’d never run more than 8 miles consecutively in my life, so I wasn’t sure how I was going to run a half marathon.

She and I are both pretty determined souls, so we decided to do it anyway.

Running the half marathon was an experience I will never forget. We ran the entire 13.1 miles. I’m not saying we were fast, but we only walked through the water stations.

Susanna Barbee

opinion

Completing Waynesville half marathon was a real thrill

the names of 205 Communist Party members who were working in the State Department, not 200 and not the military, as Mr. Carden erroneously claims.

Nor did McCarthy “eventually widen his search to include Hollywood” — probably because the Hollywood 10 had been blacklisted by the movie studios (not the government, as many believe) via the Waldorf Statement years earlier and had already served their prison sentences.

Mr. Carden’s description of the 1954 televised hearings is off-target as the recent movie, “Good Night, and Good Luck.” Mr. Carden claims, “McCarthy gave a list of accused; a list in which hundreds of Hollywood’s actors and writers had been branded ‘communists’.”

It would have been impossible for McCarthy to have done that. First of all, he served in the Senate, not in the House, which investigated Hollywood. Secondly, the Hollywood investigations took place in 1947, not 1954. Thirdly, the 1954 televised hearings were not chaired by McCarthy, nor did he sit on the committee because it was not an investigation into Communist sympathizers, Hollywood or otherwise.

It was, in fact, an investigation into whether McCarthy and his legal counsel had pressured the Army into giving favorable treatment to Gerard David Schine. I find it difficult to understand how Mr. Carden could possibly believe these hearings had anything to do with Hollywood when they are so well known as the “Army-McCarthy” hearings. It is difficult to imagine that anyone would confuse actors with soldiers, especially when he states that he was in college doing a play which was written a year before the hearings he claims the play was based on occurred.

Mr. Carden expresses sympathy for the “hundreds of Hollywood actors and writers” that were branded ‘communists, and for the “Many [who] were imprisoned and/or lost

The Gateway to the Smokies Half Marathon is at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 14. It begins on Waynesville’s Main Street and finishes in Frog Level. www.smokieshalfmarathon.com.

Otherwise, we were hoofing it.

So many components of the Gateway to the Smokies Half Marathon were memorable. I loved running my first (and possibly only) half marathon in my own town. It was fun to see familiar faces waving and cheering all along the route. It was memorable running it with a friend. A shared memory is always more meaningful than a solitary memory. And seeing my two little boys cheer for their mommy as I crossed the finish line was the absolute best.

I felt elated. Even though I was sore for at least a week and didn’t run again for quite some time, the feeling of accomplishment was indescribable.

As I see the half marathon signs all over town, it makes me want to tie on my running shoes. It makes me want to hit the pavement and remember that feeling one only feels after a run. My back may not be 100 percent, but I need that feeling so badly.

Little else compares to a true runner’s high.

(Susanna Barbee is a writer who lives in Haywood County. She can be reached at susanna.barbee@gmail.com.)

their jobs.” They were imprisoned for contempt of Congress (not so low a bar as it would be today) and perhaps it is well they lost their jobs. They were not “branded” as Communists; they were Communists.

On April 25, 1951, Edward Dmytryk, one of the original Hollywood 10, reappeared before the House of Un-American Activities Committee. This time he answered all their questions including the naming of 26 former members of left-wing groups.

Dmytryk testified that fellow Hollywood 10 members John Howard Lawson, Adrian Scott and Albert Maltz had pressured him to make sure his films expressed the views of the Communist Party to which they belonged.

Producer-director Sam Wood also named many writers and other creative people as Communists saying, “If I have a doubt, then I haven’t any mind. These Communists beat their chests and call themselves liberals. But if you drop their rompers you’ll find a hammer and sickle on their rear ends.”

Screenwriter Lester Cole stated that all of the Hollywood 10 had in fact been Communist Party USA members. Walt Disney testified that the threat of Communists in the film industry was a serious one. Actor Adolphe Menjou might have had a different take on Miller’s play, “The Crucible:” “I am a witch hunter if the witches are Communists. I am a Red-baiter. I would like to see them all back in Russia.”

Whittaker Chambers states in his autobiographical book Witness that there was a calculated move by Communist agents in the 1920s and 1930s to infiltrate three key areas of the United States: education, media and non-elected government positions. You can’t say we weren’t forewarned.

Blacklisted By History by M. Stanton Evans describes how many of the communist sympathizers of this period infiltrated the U.S government through the State

Department and the OSS during WWII. The Venona Papers have given conclusive proof that many of those accused by McCarthy were guilty despite Mr. Carden’s sympathy for them.

The Mitrokhin Archive shows some of the extent of the harm they caused, including that more than half of all Soviet weapons systems were based on designs that had been stolen from the United States, often by spies who had infiltrated America’s leading defense contractors. The papers further revealed that the KGB had tapped the telephones of high-ranking American officials, infiltrated the government and planned large-scale sabotage operations against the United States and Canada. Had McCarthy not been smeared and the investigations been allowed to go forward, perhaps some of these espionage activities might have been averted.

This head-in-the-sand type of thinking explains the elevation of politicians like Bernie Sanders and the misplaced sympathies of bleeding heart liberals. This type of politically correct reasoning has led to recent and not so recent terrorist acts. Self-preservative measures such as “See Something, Say Something,” data mining and other observational tools make us less vulnerable. They are not going to lead into Panopticism.

Mr. Carden states that the Hollywood 10 resorted to “accusing each other in a desperate attempt to save themselves ... in much the same manner as the people of Salem did in 1692.” Not even close. Equating the witch trials with the very real threats that McCarthy addressed does a disservice to Mr. Carden’s readers.

If anyone should know the difference between fact and fiction, Mr. Carden should.

The accusations of witchcraft were fictitious.

Those against the Hollywood 10 were fact.

Timothy Van Eck Whittier

tasteTHEmountains

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.

APPLE ANDY'S RESTAURANT 3483 Soco Road, Maggie Valley located in Market Square. 828.944.0626. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Wednesday and Thursday.

Serving the freshest homemade sandwiches, wraps, and entrees such as country fried steak and grilled flounder. Full salad bar and made from scratch sides like potato salad, pinto beans and macaroni and cheese. www.appleandys.com APPLE CREEK CAFE 111 N. Main St., Waynesville.

828.456.9888. Tuesday through Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

10:30 a.m. to midnight. Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. We are excited to be on Main St. serving lunch and dinner with a full bar. Our menu includes items such as blackberry salmon, fettuccine alfredo, hand-cut steaks, great burgers, sandwiches, salads and more.

Join us for live music every Friday and Saturday nights. Friday 6 to 9 p.m. live piano music. Saturday 6 to 9 p.m. live jazz music.

No cover charge.

BLUE ROOSTER SOUTHERN GRILL 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, Lakeside Plaza at the old Wal-Mart. 828.456.1997. Open Monday through Friday. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Fresh-cut salads; slow-simmered soups; flame grilled burgers and steaks, and homemade signature desserts. Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily. Brown bagging is permitted. Private parties, catering, and take-out available. Call-ahead seating available.

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

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

BREAKING BREAD CAFÉ 6147 Hwy 276 S. Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station) 828.648.3838 Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Chef owned and operated. Our salads are made in house using local seasonal vegetables. Fresh roasted ham, turkey and roast beef used in our hoagies. We hand make our own eggplant and chicken parmesan, pork meatballs and hamburgers. We use 1st quality fresh not preprepared products to make sure you get the best food for a reasonable price. We make vegetarian, gluten free and sugar free items.

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

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

Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday brunch 9 a.m. to 3p.m., Full Menu 3 to 9 p.m. Serving fresh

and delicious weekday morning lite fare, lunch, dinner, and brunch. Freshly prepared menu offerings range from house-made soups & salads, lite fare & tapas, crepes, specialty sandwiches and burgers. Be sure not to miss the bold flavors and creative combinations that make up the daily Chef Supper Specials starting at 5pm every day. Followed by a tempting selection of desserts prepared daily by our chefs and other local bakers. Enjoy craft beers on tap, as well as our full bar and eclectic wine list.

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. Family-style breakfast seven days a week, from 8 am to 9:30 am – with eggs, bacon, sausage, grits and oatmeal, fresh fruit, sometimes French toast or pancakes, and always all-you-can-eat. Lunch every day from 12:00 till 2 pm. Evening cookouts on the terrace on weekends and Wednesdays, featuring steaks, ribs, chicken, and pork chops, to name a few. Bountiful family-style dinners on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, with entrees that include prime rib, baked ham and herb-baked chicken, complemented by seasonal vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer a fine selection of wine and beer. The evening social hour starts at 6 pm, and dinner is served starting at 7 pm. So join us for mile-high mountaintop dining with a spectacular view.

Please call for reservations.

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

From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through

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Wine Dinner Sunday, May 1st at 5:30

April 27-May 3, 2016

Bring your mom to brunch.

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

arts & entertainment

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

Food prepared by Sweet Onion Restaurant Chef Doug Weaver & wine selected by Bosu’s Wine Shop’s Maleah Pusz

Cheese/Charcuterie Tray

•••

Pan Seared Jumbo Sea Scallop with Bulls Blood Micro Greens, PickledBeet Relish, Honey Rice Wine Vinegar

••• •••

Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet, May 8, from 10:30 to 2:30.

She remembers your first tentative steps. And your awkward years.

And the glory of seeing you come into your own. So now it’s time to remember her. Just call us at 926-1401 to make reservations for our Mother’s Day brunch buffet, including a special flower for your mom, at $21.95 per person. And come celebrate the fact that you’ll always be her baby.

Cataloochee Ranch 119 Ranch Drive, Maggie Valley, NC 28751 • Cataloochee Ranch.com

Cuban Pulled Pork &Jalapeño Black Bean Cake, Crispy Plantain, Mango BBQ Sauce, Avocado Salsa

•••

White Pepper Seared Colorado Lamb Chop, Apple wood Smoked Pork Belly, Scalloped Potatoes, Mint Pesto, Rum Soaked Cherry Port Wine Reduction

•••

Smoky Mountain News

Braised Chicken & Goat Cheese Potato Croquette with Chipotle Strawberry Jam

White Chocolate Strawberry Short Cake

$50 All Inclusive • Limited reservations Please reserve your spot at Bosu’s or the Sweet Onion 39 Miller St., Downtown Waynesville | 828.456.5559

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tasteTHEmountains 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.

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.

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.

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.

CITY BAKERY 18 N. Main St. Waynesville 828.452.3881.

Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join us in our historic location for scratch made soups and daily specials.

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

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

828.926.1820 Open Wednesday and Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday. Family Style at Country Vittles is not a buffet. Instead our waitresses will bring your food piping hot from the kitchen right to your table and as many refills as you want. So if you have a big appetite, but sure to ask your waitress about our family style service.

FILLING STATION DELI 145 Everett St., Bryson City, 828.488.1919.

Open Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays (in October) 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Locals always know best, and this is one place they know well. From the high-quality hot pressed sandwiches and the huge portions

April 27-May 3, 2016

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,

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of hand-cut fries to the specialty frozen sandwiches and homemade Southern desserts, you will not leave this top-rated deli hungry.

FRANKIEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ITALIAN TRATTORIA 1037 Soco Rd. Maggie Valley.

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

Monday-Saturday. Father and son team Frank and Louis Perrone cook up dinners steeped in Italian tradition. With recipies passed down from generations gone by, the Perrones have brought a bit of Italy to Maggie Valley. frankiestrattoria.com FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St., Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; Dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Frogs Leap is a farm to table restaurant focused on local, sustainable, natural and organic products prepared in modern regional dishes. Seasonal menu focuses on Southern comfort foods with upscale flavors. www.frogsleappublichouse.com.

GANKO EXPRESS 1896 S. Main St., Waynesville 828.246.9099 Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Serving a variety of Hibachi, Chinese, Thai and Sushi dishes.

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

JOEY'S PANCAKE HOUSE 4309 Soco Rd Maggie Valley.

828.926.0212. Winter hours: Friday-Monday 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Joeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is a family style restaurant that has been serving breakfast to the locals and visitors of Western North Carolina since 1966. 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 Joeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.

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

828.648.4193. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Serving breakfast, lunch, nd dinner. The restaurant has a 1950s & 60s theme decorated with memorabilia from that era.

THE LUNCHBOX CAFE 100 Spicewood Dr., Clyde, 828.246.6296 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Serving up scrumptious breakfast, lunch and dinner all made with care in a welcoming environment. Subs, salads, sandwiches and more.

J. ARTHURâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RESTAURANT AT MAGGIE VALLEY U.S. 19 in Maggie Valley. 828.926.1817.

Winter hours: Thursday through Dunday 12 to 4 p.m. for lunch and 4 p.m. to closing for dinner. Daily luncheon special at $6.99. World-

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

828.586.3555. Open Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday

MOTHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DAY MENU SUNDAY 12â&#x20AC;&#x201C;8PM

MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED ALL ABC PERMITS

Hwy. 19 â&#x20AC;˘ Maggie Valley 828-926-1817

Herb Roasted Marinated Half Chicken over mashed potatoes $15.99 Fresh Strawberry Apple Chutney Pork Chop $17.99 Gorgonzola NY Strip Steak $22.99 6 oz Prime Rib with three Fried Shrimp $25.99 8 oz Rib-eye with Crab Legs $26.99 Above served with warm rolls and butter, salad and choice of vegetable, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, rice grits or French fries REGULAR MENU ALSO AVAILABLE

Open at Noon Thursday-Sunday for Lunch and Dinner 342-69

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828-456-1997 blueroostersoutherngrill.com

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Real Local People, Real Local Food â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, North Carolina Monday-Friday Open at 11am

tasteTHEmountains

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.

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. We have fresh salads, seasonal vegetables and scrumptious deserts. Extensive selection of local craft beers and a full bar. Catering special events is one of our specialties. Local acoustic music on Tuesday nights.

PASQUALE’S 1863 South Main Street, Waynesville. Off exit 98, 828.454.5002. Open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Sunday.

Classic Italian dishes, exceptional steaks and seafood (available in full and lighter sizes), thin crust pizza, homemade soups, salads hand tossed at your table. Fine wine and beer selection. Casual atmosphere, dine indoors, outside on the patio or at the bar. Reservations appreciated.

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

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

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

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.

ROB’S HOT DOG SHACK 42 Montgomery St., Waynesville 828.707.7033. Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rob’s serves gourmet hot dogs and has homemade side items. Outdoor and indoor dining, café style restaurant. Locally owned and operated.

Family oriented business.

SAGEBRUSH STEAKHOUSE 1941 Champion Drive. Canton 828-6463750 Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to

VITO’S PIZZA 607 Highlands Rd., Franklin.

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

Beer & Wine $1.00 Off

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This This Weekend’s Weekend’s M Music usic Friday, Friday, Ap April ril 2 29 9@7 7pm pm

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Joe Cruz piano, vocals Beatles, Beatles, Elton Elton John, John, Ja James mes T Taylor aylor & mo more re

Paid in part by Haywood County T o ourism www .visitncsmokies.com Tourism www.visitncsmokies.com

3 E JACKSON ST. • SYLVA, NC

www.CityLightsCafe.com

ALL

Restaurant Restaurant

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

342-57

DAY, EVERY DAY

ALSO AVAILABLE:

MEDITERRANEAN THREE CHEESE 617 W. Main St. Sylva NC MadBatterFoodFilm.com ORDER NOW: 828.586.3555

Pick Up & Go Lunches 11:30-1:30

Call ahead or walk in Call for delivery info

144 Industrial Park Dr. Ste. D 1 Waynesville

(828) 246-9815 April 27-May 3, 2016

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.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN SUB SHOP 29 Miller Street Waynesville 828.456.3400. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. A Waynesville tradition, the Smoky Mountain Sub Shop has been serving great food for over 20 years. Come in and enjoy the relaxed, casual atmosphere. Sub breads are baked fresh every morning in Waynesville. Using only the freshest ingredients in home-made soups, salads and sandwiches. Come in and see for yourself why Smoky Mountain Sub Shop was voted # 1 in Haywood County. Locally owned and operated.

THIRSTY THURSDAYS

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through Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Handtossed pizza, steak sandwiches, wraps, salads and desserts. All made from scratch.

Beer and wine. Free movies with showtimes at 6:30 and 9 p.m. with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Visit madbatterfoodandfilm.com for this week’s shows.

Retail Retail

BREAKFAST & DINNER DAILY SUNDAY LUNCH by reservation

456.9498 • www.balsaminn.net

LIVE MUSIC TUESDAY NIGHTS! 7-9 P.M.

Mother’s Day

Upcoming Bands:

in the Clouds

ALWAYS FARM-FRESH, FAMILY-STYLE MAGNIFICENT MOUNTAINTOP VIEWS Limited Seating; Call for Reservations 323 SMOKY SHADOWS LN. • MAGGIE VALLEY WWW.SMOKEYSHADOWS.COM | (828) 926-0001

May 3 — Tony Lafalce, Jr. May 10 — Mile High Band

MON.-SAT. 11 A.M.-8 P.M.

34 CHURCH ST. WAYNESVILLE 828.246.6505 twitter.com/ChurchStDepot M C facebook.com/ChurchStreetDepot

Smoky Mountain News

342-71

SMOKEY SHADOWS LODGE Celebrate

SAGEBRUSH OF CANTON 1941 Champion Dr. Canton

828-646-3750 Sun-Thur 11 AM - 10 PM Fri-Sat 11 AM - 11 PM

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A&E

Smoky Mountain News

The Michael Jackson tribute

not to pick. Unfortunately, we aren’t able to do all the songs fans recognize as their favorites in a 90-minute show.”

While the show centers on Jackson’s 1980s era, it spans three decades of his music. But don’t expect a chronological romp through Jackson’s musical career.

“We create a flow in the show that keeps people entertained and that creates a rollercoaster of emotions,” Jackson said. “We’ll do one of his mega hits in the middle of his career, to one in the ‘90s where fans go ‘Oh my gosh I completely forgot about this song.’”

Show will rekindle the magic, legend of ‘80s pop icon

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER ribute shows are an enigma of the musical world: two parts nostalgia, one part entertainment and a pinch of talent for good measure.

“Our goal is to hopefully have people in the audience watch the show and just lose track of what is reality and what is an illusion,” said Kurt Brown, a Vegas-based producer of several musical artist tribute shows.

Of course, it takes two to tango. Audiences willingly go along for the ride, complicit in the charade but willing to suspend disbelief, if ever so briefly, to relive the music of an era that’s slipped by.

“That’s my job as the producer, to give people that fantasy for a short period of time — whether it is a look, an iconic move, the vocals — where they go ‘Wow,’” Brown said.

He’s done Elvis shows. He’s done Johnny Cash shows. But nothing quite compares to the complexity of putting on his Michael Jackson show. A “Man in the Mirror: A Tribute to the King of Pop” is coming to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino this Saturday, April 30.

“There is so much more to do doing this than a guy with some musicians who goes out there and does all the Michael Jackson moves,” Brown said.

The dance moves, nonetheless, are a critical ingredient.

During his rise to musical stardom in the early 1980s, Michael Jackson’s signature moves traveled at lightning speed through pop culture.

An innovator and pioneer of music videos, Jackson set a high bar in the exploding medium.

“So many of his songs were iconic dance video songs. Everybody knows the costuming for “Smooth Criminal” and they know the

T

“If you are looking for those ‘80s, you are going to get it. Everybody will have a connection through this show to some time in their life.”

— Kurt Brown

Donated photo

moves, so if you put a guy out on stage just singing the lyrics, it doesn’t represent what Michael Jackson was doing,” Brown said.

Before tackling the choreography and staging, however, the first hurdle in creating the show was settling on a song list.

“The audience would feel gypped if they didn’t hear “Beat It,” or if we didn’t do the iconic “Billy Jean” or “Thriller.” In between those, we have the liberty of taking songs that are still big hits but not mega hits and sprinkling those in,” Brown said.

Still, Michael Jackson had so many big hits, spanning so many years, coming to terms with a play list seemed impossible at times.

“The main problem is what do we cut — not what do we put in,” Brown said. “When you are dealing with someone like Michael Jackson it is more difficult to decide what songs

World-class magic in Franklin he largest touring illusion show in the United States, Nelson Illusion will bring their “Smoke and Mystery” tour to the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at The Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

The Nelson Illusions troupe will roll into Franklin with over 30,000 pounds of equipment in tow. With them will be a 10-foot-tall jet turbine that will assist in the production of the largest illusion ever seen. This exciting event will combine rare and original illusions in a jaw-dropping magic show, which

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includes exciting and engaging musicians who help the show blend mystery, drama, comedy, and a little romance.

Expect to see such events as a man who melts through a sheet of solid steel, a girl who risks death by a giant industrial drill, and a man who risks is all between two 4foot-tall spinning saw blades. Each moment of this 90-minute show is filled with excitement and intrigue but is suitable for all ages.

Jeff Nelson fell in love with magic at the

S EE I LLUSION, PAGE 37

Want to go?

• What: “Man in the Mirror: A tribute to the King of Pop” will celebrate the life work of Michael Jackson in an elaborately produced tribute show, taking the audience through his greatest hits over three decades.

• When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30 • Where: Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort • Who: Produced by Vegas-based Kurt Brown Productions and choreographed

by Director Melani Michaud • For tickets, go to ticketmaster.com or call 800.745.3000. Tickets range from $13 to $25.

That said, there’s no song in the line-up that will leave people scratching their heads. In that sense, there’s really only a handful of artists worthy of a tribute show.

“No offense to other artists, but if I were to do a Carrie Underwood show, unless you’re a die-hard Carrie Underwood fan, you are going to recognize three or four songs, and after that you’re going ‘I’ve never heard of that song… I’ve never heard of that song either,’” said Brown, the president of Kurt Brown productions. “That is the difference between super stardom.”

There’s another critical ingredient in a quality tribute show. The music is a conduit for time travel, transporting audiences back to an era of their lives like nothing else can.

“I won’t spill the beans, but to me, it would be somewhat of a let down if we went back and did the Jackson 5 and there wasn’t some type of visual that makes people go ‘Oh my god the ‘70s are back,’” Brown said. “If you are looking for those ‘80s, you are going to get it.

Everybody will have a connection through this show to some time in their life.”

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD Garret K. Woodward photo

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ON DELLWOOD ROAD (HWY. 19) AT 20 SWANGER LANE WAYNESVILLE/MAGGIE VALLEY 10-5 M-SAT. 12-4 SUN. 828.926.8778 tupelosonline.com

April 27-May 3, 2016

It snuck up on me.

Sitting at my desk, I turned towards the window. Raindrops from a midday storm trickled down the glass. I stared beyond Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will host the window, into the foggy abyss Darren Nicholson & Richard Foulk swirling above Waynesville. I (Americana/bluegrass) during their “Cinco thought of my musty apartment, de Weirdo” beard competition and spring my aging father, my old truck, celebration at 7 p.m. May 5. and the books gathering dust on my shelves.

The 14th annual Whole Bloomin’ Thing festival The ole “mean reds” as will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Audrey Hepburn spoke of in the May 7, in the Frog Level district of Waynesville. film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s:” “The Nantahala Brewing Company (Bryson City) will fblues are because you’re getting host Ol’ Dirty Bathtub (Americana/bluegrass) at fat and maybe it’s been raining 8 p.m. April 30. too long, you’re just sad that’s all.

The mean reds are horrible.

The Mother’s Day weekend “Airing of the Suddenly you’re afraid and you Quilts” festivities returns all day Saturday, May don’t know what you’re afraid of.

7, in downtown Franklin.

Do you ever get that feeling?”

I got up from my desk and The Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will went around downtown host Joey Fortner & Friends (Americana/blueWaynesville in search of lunch. I grass) at 9 p.m. April 30. needed some fresh air, and by the time I made a full loop up I am antsy, restless, and yet very tired and down Main Street, I had yet to find what lately. My soul is road-weary and ragged — a I was hungry for. Whatever it was, it didn’t result of years pushing myself, and those appear before me. around me, to always pursue what lies The afternoon drizzle fell upon me, as I around the corner of your destiny, no matter remained dry under my thick plaid longthe emotional or physical toll it puts on you sleeve. In shorts and flip-flops, I found and yours. myself not avoiding any puddles that lay in Following the funeral of my uncle last my path along the sidewalks of downtown. week back in my native Upstate New York, I The cold water splashed atop my feet, my was reminded once again just how fast those head held high, just gazing around at the seconds were ticking on any and all clocks people milling about, the vehicles shooting — on the walls of your office, your home, or by to wherever it was that those anonymous within your precious being itself. faces had to be, and be in such a hurry.

The best prices everyday! arts & entertainment

This must be the place

The more you run away from something, the more likely you are to just keep running back into yourself. I always looked at the whole thing (you know, “life”) as a linear timeline, one that started at Point A at birth and ended at Point B at death. But, as I’ve wandered and pondered this great big world, I find that existence (and your place in it) is a cylindrical set of situations, sentiments and sheer awe, where you find yourself walking through rain puddles in flipflops all while trying to figure out the mysteries of the universe.

At night, even after a long day spent running around, I’ll be wide awake at midnight, during what I call “writer’s hours,” that time where the minds of the curious race furiously as humanity and all creatures big and small are asleep under a twilight moon.

Sipping from a lukewarm beer bottle in a quiet apartment, I stare out the window, sometimes at passerby cars on nearby Russ Avenue or a swaying tree branch in the front yard. Midnight slides into 1 a.m., onward towards the 2 a.m. bedtime threshold. With Herbie Hancock’s seminal 1965 jazz record “Maiden Voyage” on the stereo, the closing melody “Dolphin Dance” comes on.

Within the 09:16 tune, innumerable images flood my field-of-vision. Long lost but not forgotten childhood cronies, of neighborhood bicycle rides and summertime swimming, of pizza parlors and teenage shenanigans, of many things that didn’t seem to matter at the time, although they stick to your memory like peanut butter.

And, of course, there are females — always females — who enter the mind.

Unforgettable lips and the way they said “nobody has ever looked at me like the way you do” from across a table during a longforgotten dinner in some alternate universe, one where you felt you were ripped away from unfairly. And yet, you shake your head, knowing damn well things work out the way they’re supposed to, come hell or high water.

You think of freshman year of college in Connecticut, when you discovered “Maiden Voyage” for the first time, and how it comforted you, headphones wrapped around your head, laying on your bed, staring up at the empty ceiling of your dorm room, wondering if being 300 miles from home and all things familiar was a good idea or not.

At 31, I still lie in bed and stare upwards, with many of the same questions posed to an empty ceiling. “Dolphin Dance” is played and it all circles back to the start, which is also the finish, in essence. Once your heart begins to beat, it’s already over, you’ve already been pulled into this beautiful and crazy thing called “life,” a force of nature and nurture that is elusive to some, but attainable by all who never waver in the pursuit of things just and kind.

With wet toes and raindrops stuck to my thick plaid long-sleeve, I re-enter the office and sit back down at my desk. I again turn towards the window. I again stare beyond the window, into the foggy abyss swirling above Waynesville. I think of my musty apartment, my aging father, my old truck, and the books gathering dust on my shelves.

I think of you, too.

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

5 N. Main Street, Waynesville, NC

(828) 452-7672 Open 7 Days a Week

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April 27-May 3, 2016

arts & entertainment

On the beat

Strand welcomes Grammy winner Acclaimed fingerpicker Pat Donohue will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville.

Donohue is a Grammywinning fingerstyle guitarist and talented singer-songwriter of blues, folk, and jazz, a natural entertainer with charm and wit. He is considered one of the most listened to finger pickers in the world.

Having been a songwriter and guitarist for 20 years for the “Guys All Star Shoe Band” of Minnesota Public Radio’s “A Prairie Home Companion,” Donohue got to show off his savvy licks and distinctive original songs to millions of listeners each week.

His decades long association with Garrison Keillor’s popular program has led to some unusual gigs: there was the after-show club date in Berlin, when Wynton Marsalis showed up to sit in with Donohue and the Prairie Home band. Or playing music on camera for the Prairie Home Companion movie with director Robert Altman and stars Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Kline, John C. Reilly, Woody Harrelson and Tommy Lee Jones.

Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 day of show. www.38main.com or www.patdonohue.com.

• Andrews Brewing Company will host Andrew Chastain (singer-songwriter) April 29, Somebody’s Child (Americana) April 30, Troy Underwood (singer-songwriter) May 6 and Hope Griffin Trio (Americana) May 7. All shows are free and begin at 6 p.m. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

• Apple Creek Café (Waynesville) will host an evening of jazz on Saturdays.

• The City Lights Café (Sylva) will host Dusk Weaver (Americana/bluegrass) at 6 p.m.

April 29. 828.587.2233. www.citylightscafe.com.

Smoky Mountain News

y o o f i s m a o r

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Mile Pilgrim & Don Mercz (jazz/swing) April 29, Joe Cruz (piano/pop) April 30, Dallas Wesley (Americana) May 6 and Blue Ribbon Healers (jazz/gypsy) May 7. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Tonology (rock/acoustic) April 29 and Mindframe (rock) April 30. All shows are free.

828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night April 27 and May 4, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo April 36 28 and May 5. All events begin at 8 p.m.

www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats (blues/rock) April 30. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. in the yard. www.lazyhikerbrewing.com or 828.349.2337.

• Marianna Black Library (Bryson City) will hold community music jam from 6 to 7:30 p.m. May 5. Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer, anything unplugged, are invited to join. Singers are also welcomed to join in or you can just stop by and listen. Free. 828.488.3030.

ALSO:

• Nantahala Brewing Company (Bryson City) will host PlankEye Peggy (Americana) April 29, Ol’ Dirty Bathtub (Americana/bluegrass) April 30, Circus Mutt (rock/jam) May 6 and Franklin’s Kite (Americana) May 7. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will host St. Christopher Webster with The Devils Cut and Glitter Bomb Burlesque (rock/blues) April 29 and The Dirty Soul Revival (rock/blues) April 30. All shows are free and begin at 9:30 p.m. www.nonamesportspub.com.

‘American Idol’ winner at WCU “American Idol” season seven winner David Cook and Secondhand Serenade will perform during Western Carolina University’s Spring Concert at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, on the Central Plaza in Cullowhee.

Since winning “American Idol,” Cook’s self-titled debut album has sold 1.5 million copies. His follow-up album, “This Loud Morning,” debuted in Billboard’s top 10, before Cook became an indie artist. He moved to Nashville in 2012 and became a songwriter, while continuing to tour.

In 2014, Cook began recording his current album, “Digital Vein,” in his home

• The Oconaluftee Visitor Center (Cherokee) will host a back porch old-time music jam from 1 to 3 p.m. May 7. All are welcome to come play or simply sit and listen to sounds of Southern Appalachia.

• The Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host Nick Prestia (singersongwriter) April 29, John Phillip Brooks (singer-songwriter) April 30, The Breedlove Brothers (Americana) May 6 and Scott James Stambaugh (singer-songwriter) May 7. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.rathskellerfranklin.com.

• Sagebrush Steakhouse (Canton) will host Tony Lafalce Jr. (singer-songwriter) May 3 and Mile High Band (rock) May 10. All shows begin at 7 p.m. 828.646.3750.

• Salty Dog’s (Maggie Valley) will have Karaoke with Jason Wyatt on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Mile High (rock) at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Andrew Rickman (rock/acoustic) will also perform on Saturdays. All events begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

• Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands) will host “Hoppy Hour” and an open mic with Jimandi at 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays, “Funky Friday” with Bud Davis at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Isaish Breedlove (Americana) at 7 p.m.

m d s t s a p J recording studio. The project was funded ins part by contributions from fans through ae

PledgeMusic campaign.

In 2012, Secondhand Serenade, other- d wise known as musician John Vesely, saw hisa album, “A Naked Twist in My Story,” peak atm No. 58 on the iTunes Top 200 albums list, asf well as No. 19 on its top Alternative list. Hisa current album, which was funded entirelyU by his fans via PledgeMusic, is scheduled tos a be released this spring.

In the event of rain, the concert will mover to the Ramsey Regional Activity Center withi doors opening at 7 p.m. The free concert iso sponsored by Last Minute Productions,a Student Government Association and them h Department of Campus Activities.

828.227.3751. s l w on Saturdays. 828.482.9794 or www.satu- f b lahmountainbrewing.com.

• Soul Infusion Tea House & Bistro (Sylva) v will host a jazz evening with the Tyler Kittle 8 & Michael Colling Duo (with special guests) every other Tuesday starting at 7 p.m. with the next performance on May 10. www.soulinfusion.com or 828.586.1717.

• Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will host Darren Nicholson & Richard Foulk (Americana/bluegrass) during their “Cinco de Weirdo” beard competition and celebration at 7 p.m. May 5. Free. www.tippingpointtavern.com.

• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host Brian Loy & Paradise 56 (blues/rock) April 30. All shows are at 9:30 p.m. There is also a weekly Appalachian music night from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesdays with Nitrograss.

• The Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host Joey Fortner & Friends (Americana/bluegrass) April 30. All shows begin at 9 p.m.

• Waynesville First United Methodist Church will present the Haywood Community Chorus’ “Spring Concert” at 4 p.m. May 1. Free.

828.557.9187.

I LLUSION, CONTINUED FROM 34 arts & entertainment

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April 27-May 3, 2016

young age of five. He began learning sleight of hand and close-up magic, and then moved on to study the history of magic, stage performance, and illusions. In college, he studied acting, mime, production, lighting, and sound technology. It was during that time he met his future wife, Lynn. Together they created a world-class illusion show and developed a number of the original illusions and routines featured in it.

Lynn Nelson grew up listening to tales of magic and theatre passed on to her by her dad who created many tricks for her when she was a child. In high school, she studied theatre and performed magic in variety shows. In college, she took courses in stage acting, design, costuming, and sets and props production. While she accompanies Jeff in the performance of illusions, Lynn is a skilled magician in her own right and presents a number of solo acts in the show.

Sharii Nelson is a magical prodigy, the daughter of Jeff and Lynn, whose performance skills have earned her a scholarship and many awards. She has worked as a performer on a cruise ship, toured with a circus, and performed in theatres throughout the United States. In the “Smoke and Mystery” show, Sharii presents a world-class cabaret act, producing eight doves and a large parrot. She also performs an eerily elegant floating table routine and is featured in a number of illusions. Sharii studied acting and all aspects of theatre production in college and met Scott MacNeill, who would later become her husband.

Scott MacNeill grew up in performing on stage. In college, he studied acting, stage lighting, set production, and music. He has work experience in many fields, which allows for a versatile set of unique talents that he brings to Nelson Illusions.

Tickets are $18 each. To purchase tickets, visit www.greatmountainmusic.com or call 866.273.4615.

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Smoky Mountain News April 27-May 3, 2016

arts & entertainment

On the beat

CHRIS YOUNG TO APPEAR

Brass quintet to play Franklin

AT HARRAH’S Country star Chris Young will perform at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 7, at Harrah’s Cherokee. Already a Grammy-nominated recording artist at 29, he has six No. 1 hits to his name. In 2015, Young released his newest album, titled “I’m Comin’ Over.” The lead single (of the same name) hit number one on the Country Airplay chart, Young’s first since “You” in February 2012. For tickets, visit www.harrahscherokee.com or www.ticketmaster.com or call 800.745.3000.

arts & entertainment

opportunity for talented singers in our mountain communities to learn and perform quality choral music. www.mountaincommunitychorus.org or 706.897.4267.

The Macon Arts Council presents the inaugural concert of Tuckasegee Brass at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 1, in the sanctuary of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Franklin.

The program will feature selections to please every musical palate, with works ranging from Pachelbel’s “Canon in D,” to John The 42nd annual Mountain Community Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” Chorus spring season concert will be held at 7 Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag,” and others. p.m. Friday, April 29, and 3 p.m. Sunday, May Resurrection Lutheran Church is at the 1, in the Hilda Glenn Auditorium at Young intersection of Georgia Road (Business 441) Harris College in Young Harris, Georgia. and Maple Street in Franklin, with handicap For 42 years, the Mountain Community access. Admission is by donation. This event is Chorus has been entertaining the residents produced by the Arts Council of Macon of Western North Carolina and North County, with funding from the North Carolina Georgia with seasonal concerts in May and Arts Council, a division of the Department of December, which are open free to the public. Natural and Cultural Resources.

The more than 50 chorus members repreContact the Macon Arts Council for inforsent the mountain communities of Southern mation, 828.524.ARTS or Appalachia. The group strives to provide an arts4all@dnet.net.

Mountain Community Chorus spring concert

April 27-May 3, 2016 Smoky Mountain News 39

arts & entertainment

On the street How to cook leafy greens The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department will host a program about cooking leafy greens from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 9, at the Waynesville Recreation Center.

Have you tried cooking leafy greens and were disappointed to find that they tasted and looked lousy? Have you heard that leafy greens are really great for your health, but have no idea what to do with them? Do you believe that leafy greens are only for salads?

Join certified holistic health coach Sara Lewis for this culinary journey with greens.

At this event you will learn the many healing and rejuvenating benefits of dark leafy greens, how to properly prepare and season greens, and participate in demonstration of three simple dishes and sample food.

The cost for the event is $18 for members and $22 for non-members. All participants will receive a special gift to take home.

Space is limited on a first come first serve basis. For more information or to register call 828.550.1640 or email saralewis27@gmail.com.

April 27-May 3, 2016

Get aboard the wine train After great success in 2015 with MacNeill Uncorked, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (GSMR) in Bryson City is excited to collaborate with The French Broad Vignerons to present the latest specialty train, The Railroad Reserve.

This unique wine and rails pairing will operate May 7 and June 11, powered by one of GSMR’s diesel engines and Sept. 3, powered by the historic Steam Engine No. 1702. Trains will depart from the historic Bryson City

Depot at 6:30 p.m. for a three-hour excursion.

Passengers will enjoy a full service, alladult, first class ride with a narrator to present each pour, guiding guests through the tasting of eight featured wines. This specialty train will also feature a select sampling of cheeses, choice of a freshly made entrée prepared exclusively for the Railroad Reserve, ending with a chef-selected dessert.

Tickets for this brand new specialty train are $129 per Adult (21+ only). For more information and reservations, visit www.gsmr.com/wine-experience or call 800.872.4681.

Whole Bloomin’ Thing welcomes spring The 14th annual Whole Bloomin’ Thing festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 7, in the Frog Level district of Waynesville.

The festival serves as Haywood County annual spring kickoff. The event features local growers, area artisans and a variety of nature-related professionals. Patrons can find fresh garden starts, ornamental plants and Mother’s Day gifts. There will also be local musicians, dancers, foods and kids activities.

Free. www.historicfroglevel.com.

‘Airing of the Quilts’ in Franklin The Mother’s Day weekend “Airing of the Quilts” returns all day Saturday, May 7, in downtown Franklin.

The event showcases the artistry of quilts. This year’s event will also include a tour of the Macon County Quilt Trail, plus demonstrations and musicians along the sidewalks of downtown.

For additional information, contact Linda McKay at 828.524.7766. www.franklin-chamber.com.

Smoky Mountain News

Nominations sought for Mountain Heritage Awards

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Western Carolina University is accepting nominations for the Mountain Heritage Award, an honor bestowed annually on one individual and one organization playing a prominent role in researching, preserving and/or interpreting Southern Appalachian history, culture and issues.

Nominations for the awards will be accepted through Thursday, June 30. The awards are presented at Mountain Heritage Day, the university’s celebration of traditional Appalachian culture that takes place on the last Saturday each September.

The university instituted the Mountain Heritage Award in 1976, and the first recipient was the late John Parris, a Jackson County native, career newspaperman and author.

Parris, who died in May 1999, was widely regarded for his long-running “Roaming the Mountains” columns in the Asheville Citizen-Times. He helped establish WCU’s journalism studies program and championed the establishment of a center to preserve the traditions and cultures of the Western North Carolina mountains, which led to the founding of the Mountain Heritage Center.

2011 Mountain Heritage Award winner Lloyd Arneach, a Cherokee storyteller. www.wcu.edu Many of the icons of Western North Carolina’s traditional culture have received the award over the years, including Cherokee potter Amanda Swimmer and Clay County community leader Rob Tiger, and organizations such as the Jackson County Genealogical Society and the John C. Campbell Folk School. The university has given two

awards annually, one for a person and one for an organization, since 2007. One award was presented each year from 1976 to 2006.

Last year’s award winners were R.O. Wilson, a quintessential mountain man who has demonstrated moonshining and making shake shingles and has led local cemetery documentation, and the popular bluegrass-gospel band Mountain Faith, nationally known for appearing on the NBC show “America’s Got Talent.”

Letters of nomination should not exceed five pages and should include the full name of the individual or organization being nominated, with a website address if applicable; the mailing address of the nominee; the founding date for organizational nominees; a list of the nominee’s accomplishments; a list of the awards and other recognitions received by the nominee; information about the nominee’s influence in the relevant field of expertise, such as crafts, music or organizational cause; and information about the nominee’s role as a teacher, advocate, leader or preserver of mountain culture.

Nomination letters may be hand-delivered to the Mountain Heritage Center at its new location in the Hunter Library building, Room 240; mailed to Mountain Heritage Center, 1 University Drive, Cullowhee N.C. 28723; or emailed to Pam Meister, interim director of the Mountain Heritage Center at pameister@wcu.edu.

On the street

ARTAFTER

JOIN US FOR

DARK

arts & entertainment

Wine dinner at Sweet Onion

FRIDAY M AY 6TH 6 — 9 PM

FEATURED ARTIST: OIL PAINTER PATTI BEST The Sweet Onion Restaurant will be partnering with Bosu’s Wine Shop and Tryon Distributing to host their first wine dinner at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at the restaurant in downtown Waynesville.

Executive Chef Doug Weaver will be preparing a five-course dinner including items such as scallops, lamb chops, braised chicken, smoked pork, and more, all prepared in innovative and delicious ways.

ALSO:

• First United Methodist Church of Sylva will be sponsoring a Trivia Night from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, April 29. The evening’s proceeds will benefit local missions including United Christian Ministries and Good Samaritan Clinic. Admission is $15 per person or $120 for a table of eight if you preregister. Individual tickets may be purchased at the door for $20. trivia@corsair.org or 828.507.2793.

• Interested in learning to play or playing

• A wine tasting will be held from 2 to 5 p.m.

April 30 and May 7 at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. $5 per person. www.papouswineshop.com or 828.586.6300.

98 NORTH MAIN ST. • WAYNESVILLE, NC • 828.456.1940 MON.-SAT.10-5:30 • SUN.1-4 • WWW.TWIGSANDLEAVES.COM

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• A free wine tasting will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. April 30 and May 7 at Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville. www.waynesvillewine.com or 828.452.0120.

• A wine tasting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.

April 27 and May 4 at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Free with dinner ($15 minimum). 828.452.6000.

• There will be a “Tasty Tuesday: Winter Seasonals” at 7 p.m. May 3 and 10 at Mad Anthony’s Bottle Shop & Beer Garden.

828.456.3211 smokymtneye.com

Smoky Mountain News

• The 8th annual American Girl Tea Party will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Cowee Baptist Church in Franklin. Benefit for REACH of Macon County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Adult and Children Services.

Silent auction, children’s activities, hot tea and light finger foods. $10 for children, $25 for adults, $150 for a table. www.reachofmaconcounty.org or 828.369.5544 (Macon) or 828.586.8969 (Jackson).

Euchre with a group? Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville is looking into starting a weekly Euchre Card Group at the center. Euchre is a trick taking game with a trump, played by four players in teams of two. The basic play is that each player plays one card, the highest card of the suit led wins the trick, unless someone has played a card of the trump suit. One of the teams names the trump and must then win the majority of the tricks in that hand.

The game is played over several rounds until one team has gotten 10 points. If interested in joining contact Michelle Claytor at mclaytor@mountainprojects.org or 828.356.2800.

“WHERE ART DANCES WITH NATURE”

April 27-May 3, 2016

• The Sapphire Valley “Kentucky Derby Cocktail Party” will be held at 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 7, at the Sapphire Valley Community Center. BYOB and your favorite heavy hors d’oeuvre. Wear your Kentucky Derby garb and hats. $5 per person. Dessert and set-ups provided. RSVP to dncollier@aol.com or 828.743.3875.

Maleah Pusz from Bosu’s Wine Shop and Kate Higgins from Tryon Distributing will be pairing wines from around the world to complement the food.

The price is $50 per person. For tickets, please stop by the restaurant or wine shop and reserve your spot. Seating will be limited.

828.456.5559 (Sweet Onion) or 828.452.0120 (Bosu’s).

ACCEPTING MAJOR MEDICAL & VISION INSURANCE PLANS DON’T FORGET — YOU MAY PURCHASE CONTACTS WITH YOUR HSA

From Hwy. 19/23 take Exit 104 towards Lake Junaluska; continue 1/2 mile to Haywood Medical Park on the left.

340-75

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Want to learn blacksmithing?

Haywood Community College Continuing Education Creative Arts will host blacksmith Elizabeth Brim, who will be teaching her class “Blacksmithing for Jewelers: Hammer and Heat” from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 22-24, at the school in Clyde.

Brim, an instructor at Penland School of Crafts, is perhaps best known for feminine imagery in her ironwork. In May, she will be teaching a blacksmithing course specifically designed for jewelry makers at Haywood Community College.

In “Blacksmithing for Jewelers: Hammer and Heat,” students will learn basic blacksmithing techniques such as bending, scrolling, splitting and torch welding steel. The scale of these techniques may be adjusted to suit a variety of artistic endeavors. Working in iron, students will leave with an understanding of blacksmithing techniques and samples to take home and apply to their own work.

Haywood Community College Continuing Education Creative Arts offers continuing education classes and workshops in clay, fiber, metals, wood, and

music as well as design and computer classes. These classes are year-round and open to the public.

Please register for the Brim course by May 6. For more information on this class or to view our full class selection please visit creativearts.haywood.edu. Call 828.565.4240 to register.

Art After Dark will kick off its 2016 season from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 6, in downtown Waynesville.

Enjoy a stroll through working studios and galleries on Main Street and Depot Street. Festive Art After Dark flags denote participating galleries, such as the Haywood County Arts Council’s Gallery & Gifts, Earthworks, Burr Studio, Jeweler’s Workbench, Twigs and Leaves Gallery, TPennington Art Gallery, The Mahogany House, Grace Cathey Sculpture Garden & Gallery, Cedar Hill Studios, Village Framer and more. Many of the galleries will be hosting artist demonstrations and live music, as well as serving refreshments. www.downtownwaynesville.com.

Smoky Mountain News

Free ton of pellets delivered with purchase of new pellet stove and installation.

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Bascom presents Harris exhibit

Art After Dark in Waynesville

April 27-May 3, 2016

arts & entertainment

On the wall

Chimney Inspections, Repairs & More

A showcase of work from painter Lucien Harris III will run through May 22 at The Bascom in Highlands.

Harris was an American painter of natural subjects. He was a self-taught artist best known for his observations of the interactions of plants and animals. Harris worked as a naturalist painter, and was immensely influenced by his father, Lucien Harris Jr., a highly regarded lepidopterist.

Harris was a native of Atlanta, a Navy aviator, and a veteran of World War II. Subsequent to the war, Harris graduated from Emory University Business School. After graduating, Lucien joined the Trust Company of Georgia and later worked for The First National Bank of Orlando. In 1973, he retired

as Senior Vice President of Sunbank N.A. An enthusiastic admirer of the beauty in Highlands, he relocated to the area in 1980 to gain continuous inspiration for his work.

As an advocate for encouraging the arts within local communities, he became a founding member of The Art League of Highlands in 1980. Through his various roles as a teacher and supporter of the League, he was instrumental in the early development of The Bascom Louise Gallery at The Hudson Library.

The works will be exhibited for free. The public is invited to attend an exhibition reception for Lucien Harris from 5 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 30, at The Bascom. www.thebascom.org.

Lake Logan artist, writer retreat

way. Cullowhee Mountain Arts sets up an airy and light filled studio and provides quiet and private writing spaces for both visual artists and writers. Supplementary yoga, mindfulness sessions, an evening fire circle, and massages by appointment are offered to enrich your retreat experience.

Cullowhee Mountain Arts is bringing in Artist-in-residence, painter Lisa Boardwine and Writer-in-Residence, poet Pat RiviereSeel, who will be available to engage, direct and facilitate artists and writers during the day — only as needed. Evenings offer a variety of presentations and conversations. During the retreat Boardwine will give a demonstration using oil and cold wax medium and a short presentation of her artwork and RiviereSeel will provide morning prompts for writers, lead the entire group on a Haiku walk, and give a poetry reading. Artist and Cullowhee Mountain Arts Director, Norma Hendrix, will be available for artist critiques upon request.

The all-inclusive price for the retreat is $875. Cullowhee Mountain Arts is currently offering a special 10-percent off discount for regional artist and writers for a limited time. www.cullowheemountainarts.org.

Cullowhee Mountain Arts invites artists and writers to come to a special five-day retreat for art-making, writing, resting and exploring the natural world from May 9-14 at Lake Logan in Canton.

“The Center’s unique atmosphere invites visitors to step out of life’s busy demands and journey into contemplation & regeneration where it becomes easier to engage in new and perhaps deeper creative work,” says Cullowhee Mountain Arts’ director Norma Hendrix.

Cullowhee Mountain Arts, a nonprofit organization, began programming artist and writer retreats in 2014 — some with and others without workshops — to prepare a time and space for artists and writers to get away from life’s demands and be supported in every way to do their creative work.

Three meals each day are prepared by Lake Logan’s chef and lodging is in a variety of charming and comfortable cabins surrounding the 85-acre lake, fed by the Pigeon River flowing down from the Blue Ridge park-

On the wall

There will be two upcoming educational workshops will be offered by Dogwood Crafters. Both will be held at the Dillsboro Masonic Lodge.

• Huck embroidery will be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5. It will be taught by Harriet McKenna, a member of Dogwood Crafters who is know for her needle art skills. Huck embroidery is an old form of embroidery used to decorate fabric, especially huck toweling or monk’s cloth.

Cost is $17.

• Basic quilling/frameable art or card embellishment will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10. It will be taught by a new member of Dogwood Crafters, Lawrie Williams. This is a basic

• The “May the 4th Be With You!” Star Wars celebration will be held at 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 4, at the Canton Public Library. Star Wars snacks and a special movie screening.

• The Mother’s Day Gemboree will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 6-8 at the Macon County Community Building in Franklin.

Sponsored by the Macon County Gem and Mineral Society. www.franklin-chamber.com.

ALSO:

• An artist talk entitled, “The State of Contemporary Southern Art,” will be given by J. Richard Gruber, Ph.D., former director of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans. It will be held at 2 p.m. April 29 in the Bardo Arts Center (Room 130) at Western Carolina University. Gruber is this year’s juror for the 48th Annual Juried Undergraduate Exhibition.

• After-School Art Adventure will be on from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. on Tuesdays at The Bascom in Highlands. For ages 5 to 10, Art Adventure is a class that explores the creative process of drawing, painting, print-

There will be a handful of blacksmithing courses taught by Brock Martin at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro.

They include the following: • Bladesmithing: Seax Knife Class — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 14-15.

• Viking Axe Making — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

June 18-19.

For more information, visit www.jcgep.org. making, clay, sculpture, fiber art, and crafts by utilizing a variety of media. The students will investigate some of the most popular techniques and theories in art history and will be exposed to contemporary as well as folk art traditions. Tuition is $40 for a fourclass package. www.thebascom.org.

• The Imagination Station children’s program will be held from 10 a.m. to noon April 30 at The Bascom in Highlands. Wake up to art.

Bring your friends each Saturday to create a new art project. Projects include painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, and clay — the sky’s the limit. For ages 5 to 10. $20 per class. www.thebascom.org.

• The “Come Paint with Charles Kidz Program” will be at 4 p.m. April 28 at the Charles Heath Gallery in Bryson City. $20 per child. Materials and snacks included.

828.538.2054.

• “Stitch,” the community gathering of those interested in crochet, knit and needlepoint, meet at 2:30 p.m. every first Sunday of the month at the Canton Public Library. All ages and skill levels welcome. www.haywoodlibrary.org.

• The fourth annual Birdhouse Bash is currently underway. Bring complete birdhouses to the Second Blessing Thrift Shop in the Frog Level District of Waynesville by May 5.

The birdhouses will be part of the silent auction at the “Whole Bloomin’ Thing” festival.

For more information, call 828.476.4231 or 828.734.1570.

• A community art group meets at 10 a.m. every Wednesday at the Hudson Library in Highlands. 828.526.3031.

• The films “Fargo” (7:30 p.m. April 28), “Now You See Me” (6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. April 29) and “Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy” (2 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. April 30) will be screened at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. www.madbatterfoodfilm.com.

Smoky Mountain News

• Western Carolina University’s Fine Art Museum is partnering with the WCU School of Art and Design to host an exhibition of works by first-year students in the Master of Fine Arts Program. The “Next Wave” exhibition runs through Friday, April 29, featuring work

by Brendan Best, Ali Burnette, Javier Fox, G. Vincent Gaulin, Martha Neaves, Zach Rogers, Don Sawyer and Charlotte White. A public reception and performance will be held to close out the installation, from 4 to 6 p.m. April 29.

Blacksmithing class at Green Energy Park

April 27-May 3, 2016

• The Highlands Road Gem Show will be held May 5-8 at the corner of U.S. 441 and Highlands Road in Franklin. Rock, minerals, rough and cut gems, supplies, and more.

Admission is free. 828.369.6341 or vwproperties@gmail.com.

beginner class that makes paper quilling fun and easy to learn. Learn to loop/twirl multiple strips of paper into colorful flowers, butterflies, seashells, and more. Cost is $18.

Registration is due by April 29. Call 828.586.2435 or email junettapell@hotmail.com.

arts & entertainment

Craft classes in Dillsboro

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arts & entertainment

On the stage ‘Seussical the Musical’ comes to Bryson The Little Town Playhouse, Bryson City’s newest theater ensemble, is pleased to present “Seussical the Musical, Jr.,” which will run at 6:30 p.m. April 28-29 and May 5-7, and at 3 p.m. May 7 at the Swain County Recreation Center.

The musical, by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, first debuted on Broadway 16 years ago and is based on several Dr. Seuss books. The Little Town Playhouse’s adaptation of “Seussical the Musical” is directed by Ricky Sanford. Cord Scott serves as music director.

Sanford, a graduate of Swain County High School, spent 14 years performing with the Smoky Mountain Community Theater in Bryson City and was most recently involved with that theater’s production of “Babes in Toyland” as an actor and sponsor on behalf of The Little Town Playhouse. “Babes in Toyland” featured several actors who will perform in “Seussical the Musical.”

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (60 and over), $5 for students (6 and over), and free for children five and under.

828.226.5637.

interesting aspects of Waynesville’s long history. Talks will be held at 4 p.m. in the Sam Love Queen Auditorium at the Folkmoot Friendship Center.

The final program of the spring series will be “Early Hotels and Boarding Houses of Waynesville” by Ann Melton on Thursday, May 5.

For more information contact Elizabeth Teague or Byron Hickox at the Town’s Development Services Department at 828.456.8647.

• The Musical Theater Department at Cherokee High School and Middle Schools will perform “Lion King Jr.” at 7 p.m. May 5-7 in the Joyce Dugan Cultural Center.

Tickets are $5. The Braves Cafe will offer dinner served in the lobby for $7 starting at 5:30 p.m.

• Upcoming auditions for Ensemble and Character Roles for Community Theater Actors HART Theatre will hold auditions for its major summer musical the legendary Rock Opera “JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR” at 6:30 p.m. May 9-10 in the Studio Theater at the Performing Arts Center in Waynesville. Anyone auditioning should come prepared to sing with sheet music. An accompanist will be provided.

There are roles for men, women and children of all ages. The production opens on The Town of Waynesville Historic July 8 and runs through July 31.

Preservation Commission will begin hosting Rehearsals are typically from 6:30 to 9 a series of speakers to inform the public on p.m. Monday through Thursday and everythe rich and fascinating stories behind some one is not called every night. Conflicts can of the historic places within the community. be worked around until the final week The goal of “Haywood Ramblings” is to when everyone is required. Rehearsals will entertain and inform all ages on some of the begin May 23. www.harttheatre.org.

Shakespeare at HART

ALSO:

Thanks to a grant from the N.C. Arts Council, the Haywood Art Regional Theatre’s (HART) upcoming production of William Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” will address the theme of forgiveness in the Bard’s last four plays.

“The Winter’s Tale” will have performances at 7:30 p.m. April 29-30 and May 5-7, and at 2 p.m. May 1 and 8 at the theater in Waynesville.

The story is of redemption, which ends with one of the most magical and heartwarming climaxes in all of Shakespeare.

HART’s production is being directed by Steve Lloyd and the cast includes Lyn Donley, Dwight Chiles, Jason Williams, Josephine Thomas, Laura Gregory, Dr.

April 27-May 3, 2016

Waynesville historical speakers series

Diane E. Sherrill, Attorney

Smoky Mountain News

Is a Will Enough?

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David Hopes, Strother Stingley, Tom Dewees, R. J. Thompson, Jeff Messer, Nicholas Messer, Jacob Hunt, Sean Bruce, Tabitha Judy, Emma Heisey, Christine Caldemyer and Josh Merrell.

The grant has also made it possible for the theatre to commission an original score for the production from Sarah McCoy and Joshua Linhart who will be performing at each performance.

Special discount tickets are available for the May 5 performance and special discount tickets are also available to students and teachers for all performances.

To make reservations, call the box office at 828.456.6322 or visit www.harttheatre.org.

28 Maple St. • Sylva

3154 Old Murphy Road, Franklin

524-1904 342-59

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On the stage

WNC's Largest Selection of Granite & Quartz.

arts & entertainment

Strauss’ ‘Elektra’ to stream live Solid Surface Specialists

62 Communications Dr., Waynesville • Appointments Suggested

(828) 452-4747 WWW.SSS-TOPS.COM

Want to learn puppetry?

Do you sing, dance, play an instrument?

The “Talent in the Mountains” community-wide talent show will be held at 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 21, at The Grove Church in Bryson City.

Applications are due by May 9 and are now being accepted for your chance to win $100. Applications may be picked up at the Marianna Black Library, Friends of MBL Bookstore on Everett Street or online at www.fontanalib.org/friends-of-the-library.

All family-friendly acts will be considered.

Entry fee is $10 per act.

Magic comes to WCU stage Magician Mike Super, winner of NBC’s TV series “Phenomenon,” will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 1, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

Super uses a down-to-earth form of magic that enables him to connect with the audience on a level they can relate to, TV critics say. His performance on “Phenomenon” made him the first and only magician to win a live magic competition on primetime U.S. network television.

Super is the recipient of numerous accolades, including Performing Arts Artist of the Year, Best Performing Artist, Campus Entertainer of the Year, Best Live Novelty Performance, Best Male Performer, and being voted America’s Favorite Mystifier.

Tickets for the event are $21 for adults, $16 for WCU faculty and staff, and $7 for students. They can be purchased online at www.wcu.edu/bardoartscenter or by calling the box office at 828.227.2479.

Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin Presents

the

Mother’S Day Gemboree

Mother’s Day Weekend - May 6th, 7th & 8th | Fri & Sat 10-5 Sun 10-4

No Admission Charge

Smoky Mountain News

There will be an “Introduction to Puppetry” workshop from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

May 2-5 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Learn the age-old craft of foam puppet building and manipulation from start to finish. Each student will design and fabricate their own puppet based upon a specific style and personality. The class is open to all ages.

Cost is $30, which includes registration fee, all materials, patterns and instruction. www.greatmountainmusic.com.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Marianna Black Library.

828.488.5655.

The

April 27-May 3, 2016

The last “Live via Satellite” MET Opera of the 2015-16 season will be held at 12:55 p.m.

Saturday, April 30.

Showing “Elektra” by Strauss, this blazing tragedy is about an ancient Greek princess hellbent on revenge comes to the Met in the final opera production by the legendary director Patrice Chéreau, who died in 2013.

Esa-Pekka Salonen returns to conduct an extraordinary cast headed by Nina Stemme as the obsessed and bloodthirsty title character. Waltraud Meier sings her first Met performances of Klytämnestra, Elektra’s mother and the object of her fury, with Adrianne Pieczonka as Elektra’s sister, Chrysothemis; Eric Owens as her exiled brother, Orest; and German tenor Burkhard Ulrich, in his Met debut, as the corrupt monarch Aegisth.

A pre-opera discussion begins at 12:30 p.m. lead by Beverly Wichman and guest speaker, Joseph Collins. The 2016-17 “Live via Satellite” season begins Oct. 8. Tickets are available online at www.highlandspac.org, at the door or by calling 828.526.9047.

Macon County Community Building - Carpenter Building

1288 Georgia Rd Franklin NC 45

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Books

Smoky Mountain News

An epic tale of revenge on the frontier s you probably know, The Revenant, this astonishing survival tale was recently made into a movie with Leonardo DiCaprio in the role of Hugh Glass, one of the last mountain men. Glass was attacked by a grizzly bear while scouting for the Rocky Mountain Fur Company in the fall of 1823; witnesses later testified to the fact that Glass was horribly mauled with nearfatal wounds and was abandoned by his companions, includWriter ing two men who had dug a grave and had agreed to tend him until he died. Against all odds, Glass did not die and lived to launch an epic quest for revenge.

Drawing from a variety of sources, including the biographies of Glass and Jim Bridger (one of the men who abandoned Glass), Michael Punke has created a riveting tale that blends terror and mesmerizing descriptions of scenery. When necessary, the author “elaborates,” much in the manner of traditional storytellers, creating fictional characters and events. However, the basic framework of this tale is based on a true story. Glass suffered grievous wounds, including near-scalping, a throat wound that rendered him nearly speechless, five deep trenches in his back and a bite on one leg that left him unable to walk.

At the time of his encounter with a grizzly and her cub, Glass was a member of a scouting expedition under Capt. Andrew Henry, who was on his way to meet members of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company and establish a lucrative business contract. Impatient to keep his rendezvous, Henry offers to pay two men $70 each if they would stay with Glass until he expired. It was understood that and after giving him a proper burial, they can divide his possessions which included a hunt-

Gary Carden

A

ing knife and a valuable Arnstadt rifle.

The two men who volunteered to stay were markedly different. John Fitzgerald, a middleaged trapper with a prominent hook-shaped scar on his face, was fond of drinking and

The Revenant by Michael Punke. Picador, 2002.

262 pages. gambling. He was short-tempered and given to self-serving motives. Jim Bridger was 20 years old and already gifted as a trapper and hunter. In later years, he would become famous for his knowledge of Yellowstone and his skill at map-making.

Why did he abandon Glass? According to later accounts, there were mitigating circumstances: an approaching band of hostile Arikara moving a short distance from the

Casada to discuss Swain ‘mountain characters’ Well-known outdoors writer and enthusiast Jim Casada will host the presentation “Profiles in Mountain Character: Memorable Swain County Folks” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at the Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society library in Bryson City.

Casada will be sharing stories of local people with “at least an underpinning of the hard truth, although it’s a mighty poor piece of cloth that can use no embroidery.”

Some of these mountain characters were Mark Cathey, Frank Young, Britt McCracken, childhood neighbor Aunt Mag, Grandpa Joe, Granville Calhoun, Sam Hunnicutt, Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Black, Quill Rose, Granville Calhoun, and others.

Casada, who calls himself a “son of the Smokies” is a native of

camp suggested that they would arrive in the camp soon. Then, there was the urging of an angry and impatient Fitzgerald. They left Glass by his open grave, unable to walk and 300 miles from a fort.

Much of the bitterness that fed Glass’ obsession with revenge was due to the loss of his possessions, which were his only means of defending himself. Their loss reduced him to living on what he could catch with his hands: mice, grubs, the tainted marrow of a rotting buffalo, and in one memorable instances, the raw flesh of a rattlesnake which he kills and eats with relish.

Through a series of encounters that required Glass’ ingenuity and courage, he survives and his strength grew. By the time he is found by friendly Sioux, he is able to walk, and after a Sioux medicine-man purges him of the maggots that infest his mangled back, he is ready to return to the river and his search for revenge.

The second half of this novel contains some remarkable descriptive details as Glass joins a second expedition. It is here that Punke “elaborates and decorates” with zest. In the company of a remarkable band of colorful French traders (two brothers who sing constantly) on yet another expedition to acquire untold wealth in the furtrading market, Glass watches another doomed venture fall apart. The weather becomes an enemy as rivers freeze and Glass finds himself struggling through devastating storms until he is delivered into a fort that has its own problems having just destroyed their cannon in a drunken New Year’s party.

Ah, but here is a familiar face. It is Jim Bridger, one of the men who abandoned Glass and marched away to keep a rendezvous that never materialized. Also, here is Captain Henry, the man who marched away. Glass immediately attacks Bridger, but realizes that the bewildered youth was also the man who tended his wounds for two days. Glass relents,

Bryson City. After teaching at Withrop University for 25 years, he retired to devote all of his energies to writing. He is a long-time member of a number of outdoor writers’ groups and has served as president of several of those organizations. He was a founding board member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association. He has won upwards of 170 awards from regional and national organizations for his writing, photography and contributions to angling literature.

Conversation and refreshments will follow the presentation. After the presentation, Casada will sign books and they will be available for purchase. Open to the public and no admission charge.

WCU faculty book reception There will be a reception for two WCU professors to celebrate the release of their recently published books at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

although he is far from appeased, concluding that Fitzgerald is the true villain. Eventually, he joins yet another expedition down the Powder River. Once more, Glass loses his companions (including the singing brothers) to an Arikara attack and ends up at Fort Atkinson where John Fitzgerald is now an enlisted private.

The final encounter is anti-climatic, to say the least. The officer in command of Fort Atkinson convenes a formal court trial and the angry and frustrated Glass renders the trial meaningless by seizing a rifle and shooting Fitzgerald. The result is a wound in the accused man’s shoulder.

Suddenly, the great revenge tale is over and everyone, including Glass and Fitzgerald, depart to pursue separate destinies. Glass, however, does have his prized rifle and knife.

In view of the fact that Michael Punke calls this book “a novel of revenge,” the reader may feel ... well, somewhat disappointed. The rage that Glass harbored demands a better, bloodier resolution. I am reminded of another mountain man, Jerimiah Johnson (1824 -1900), who was depicted by another handsome actor, Robert Redford, in 1972. Jerimiah, who was also known as “liver-eating Johnson” or “Crow Killer,” came home from a hunting expedition to find the slaughtered remains of his wife and unborn child. Johnson set forth on a murderous journey to take revenge on the Crow and for a decade he slaughtered his enemies and feasted on their livers (Johnson claimed to have killed over 300 Crows). In one instance, he cut a dead Crow’s arm off (sometimes a leg), using it as a crutch as he struggled through a snowstorm to a safe refuge. When starvation threatened him, Johnson ate the frozen arm/leg. He survived and bragged about his exploits for years. Now, there is a tale of revenge that leaves you with a sense of mission accomplished.

(Gary Carden is a writer and storyteller who lives in Sylva. He can be reached at gcarden498@aol.com.)

■ Associate professor Justin Menickelli and Ryan Pickens wrote The Definitive Guide to Disc Golf. This book is much more than just a basic “how to” manual — it is a thoughtful, fascinating, and thoroughly enjoyable exploration of the history, nature, science, and skills of disc golf.

■ Jessie Swigger, director of WCU’s Public History Program, has written History is Bunk: Assembling the Past at Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village. This book examines the large outdoor museum Henry Ford established in 1929. Swigger analyzes the dialogue between museum administrators and their audiences by considering the many contexts that have shaped Greenfield Village. The result is a book that simultaneously provides the most complete extant history of the site and an intimate look at how the past is assembled and constructed at history museums.

There will be light refreshments served at the reception. To reserve copies of the book, call 828.586.9499.

Blue Ridge welcomes Lix, Ehrmam, Resor Authors Courtney Lix, Dr. Bart Ehrman and Joy Resor will both be discussing their recent works at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.

■ Lix will read from her new book Women of the Smokies at 2 p.m. Friday, May 6. As told by Lix, who brings the 20th female voice in this compilation, we learn in three parts how each woman’s strength of character and accomplishments has contributed to the Smokies as we know them today.

■ UNC Professor Ehrman will read from and discuss his new book Jesus Before the Gospels: How the Earliest Christians Remembered, Changed, and Invented Their Stories of the Savior at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7.

■ Resor will read from her book Go In Joy! An Alphabetical Adventure at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 7. The book offers an authentic ride beyond inspiring, lyrical words. This engaging, relatable book of essays, poems and questions offers touchstones that deliver “ah-ha” moments.

To reserve copies of these books or for more information, visit www.blueridgebooks.com.

• Author Kimberly York will read and discuss her book Broken from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Better Bean Coffee House in Maggie Valley. Broken is the story of how our choices affect all that we are and all that we become. How had Caroline Johnson ended up homeless and alone on this bitterly cold night? Who was the kind stranger who offered her a warm cape and a sympathetic ear? Had she truly been broken by all her life experiences? Was she ready to allow God to work in her life? For more information, email michelle@keymgc.com.

ALSO:

Banking...

Smoky Mountain News

Franklin native and Western Carolina University alumnus Tyler Cook will release his second novel Aluria at a special release party at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

In order to save his teenage crush, Jason Conner allows an extra-terrestrial spirit, named Aluria, to inhabit his body. At that moment, Jason vowed to protect the innocent and hunt down the guilty, avenging those that were tragically taken from him. But while Jason thought that his first enemy, Raiz, was long deceased, the evil sorcerer returns to Canton to obtain what Jason robbed him of — magical item that grants anyone who possesses, it infinite power. Aluria is the first in a series that tells a story about heroism, love and hope.

In 2014, Cook released A Guide to Historic Dillsboro, now an award-winning book that celebrates the historic town of Dillsboro, as well as raising money for the Appalachian Women’s Museum. Later that year, he wrote The One, which was released in early 2015.

Books Unlimited will provide copies of Cook’s books at the event on May 7. Reservations can be made by calling 828.369.7942.

For more information, contact Cook at 828.371.8519 or moonshinepressnc@gmail.com.

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April 27-May 3, 2016

Cook to release latest book

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Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

Trout Capital, North Carolina Jackson County pushes to land unique designation

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ackson County is on its way to becoming the trout capital of North Carolina after county leaders unveiled a plan last week that’s been in the works since last summer.

“Anything that we can do to encourage tourists to come to Jackson County we ought to try to do, and I think we already recognize that we have this remarkable resource in Jackson County — the public waterways. It’s already being utilized and is such a treasure in Jackson County,” said County Commission Chairman Brian McMahan, who spearheaded the effort with Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Director Julie Spiro. “It just makes sense to try to do what we can to further enhance it and to promote it.”

Jackson County has 4,600 miles of waterways within its borders and receives more than 92,000 stocked fish from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission each year — more fish than any other county. Jackson also contains three of the 13 towns in the state designated as a Mountain Heritage Trout Water City. Those are Sylva, Dillsboro and Webster, which are joined in the far western counties

by Bryson City, Maggie Valley and Waynesville.

“All of the things that come together, it just seems to me like it’s a perfect fit for us to be the trout capital of North Carolina,” McMahan said.

County commissioners voted unanimously to pass a resolution declaring itself as such, and now the document’s been passed along to Rep. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, and Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, to introduce at the state level.

“I’ve been a big advocate of our Heritage Trout Cities across the mountains, but this is a special opportunity and special initiative for Jackson County, so Jim (Davis) and I thought it was highly appropriate to support them with it,” Queen said.

“I will be glad to introduce it,” agreed Davis.

Jackson County isn’t waiting for a General Assembly vote to start promoting the title.

J

Last week Spiro unveiled a new website, www.nctroutcapital.com, and a Facebook page to assert Jackson’s eminence for anglers.

The site includes everything from fishing reports to information on where to fish and what to catch to listings of restaurants and attractions for visitors to check out while they’re in town. It also links to the website for the WNC Fly Fishing Trail, an initiative the Chamber completed in 2009 to give visitors a single source to find the best fishing spots in Jackson County.

The trail is here to stay, Spiro said. Since its inception, the Chamber has printed 175,000 maps — it’s proven popular.

“This is not meant to be a replacement to the fly fishing trail,” Spiro said of the trout capital initiative. “This is meant to be an enhancement and a complement to an already-successful tourism product.”

In fact, Spiro said, the Trout Capital initiative could lead to further expansion of the fly fishing focus in tourism.

“I foresee our community embracing this in many ways, from the creation of a new festival, to restaurants expanding their menus with more trout offerings, accommodations creating packages with guide services, outfitters and restaurants,” Spiro said. “This potential designation bolsters the success of the

Kyle Fronrath holds up a big Jackson County trout. Donated photo

WNC Fly Fishing Trail and gives us another way to brand our area.”

Trout fishing has already been proven to be a powerful economic driver in the mountains. A 2009 study commissioned by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission used 2008 data to find that 93,000 anglers spent an estimated $146 million on mountain trout fishing trips in the 24 western counties, supporting 1,997 jobs and providing $56 million in income.

“It really helps everybody,” Queen said.

“All the boats rise as we promote Western North Carolina as a trout destination.”

The Trout Capital initiative has widespread support in Jackson County, but discussion was kept closely under wraps until leaders were ready to announce it last week. The announcement was timed to land right before the General Assembly’s short session began, with hopes that other counties eying the Trout Capital title for themselves wouldn’t have

We have this remarkable resource in Jackson County — the public waterways. It’s already being utilized and is such a treasure in Jackson County. It just makes sense to try to do what we can to further enhance it and to promote it.”

— Brian McMahan, County Commission Chairman

time to cobble together a case for the designation before Jackson County’s resolution found passage in the legislature.

“It’s been a long, painstaking process, and probably the hardest part was keeping it close to the vest — the fly fishing vest of course — before it got out because we have other places close by that had tried to copy the (fly fishing) trail and that sort of thing. I’m sure if the word got out, there would be others who wanted to try for trout capital,” said Alex Bell, a fly fishing guide who’s a board member of the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority.

Of the announcement itself, McMahan said, “timing is of the essence.”

With passage by the county April 21, the resolution can be one of the first that Queen and Davis file with the start of session this week.

The county has support letters in hand from Dillsboro, Webster, Sylva and Trout Unlimited’s Tuckaseigee Chapter, so there’s widespread cheering behind the initiative.

But a couple members of the public asked commissioners to consider the responsibility to maintain fishing conditions that would come with the designation. In particular, the speakers wanted to see the county work with Duke Energy to keep water flows from getting too high during peak fishing times.

“Currently scheduled releases favor boating, not fishing,” said Terry Walker, co-owner of the Dillsboro Inn. “There needs to be a balance in water release.”

When the river flows with force, paddlers have a field day, but anglers are essentially blasted out of the water, Walker said. Especially during the shoulder season, when the water is too cold for most paddlers but just right for anglers, flow levels should be lower, she said.

“There needs to be an effort to achieve a balance in recreational releases so in the shoulder season months of November, December, April and at least half of May we are not blowing fishermen out of the water on weekends,” concurred Linda LaBelle, reading comments written by Terry Walker’s husband, T.J. Walker, the inn’s other owner.

Overall, the feeling surrounding the potential trout capital designation is one of excitement and enthusiasm for the opportunity it might bring to boost Jackson County’s tourism potential.

“There are more fish in Jackson County than in any other county in the state, and I think that speaks for itself,” McMahan said.

Firefly lottery opens peak period, from Tuesday, May 31, to Tuesday, June 7. A total of 1,800 passes are available. Lottery winners will be charged a $1.50 reservation fee and awarded a park-

A park crewmember protects an old chimney from the fire. NPS photo

Fireflies fill the Elkmont area with light. Radim Schreiber photo ing pass for Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, where they will catch a shuttle to see the fireflies at Elkmont.

Enter the lottery at www.recreation.gov.

Fireflies, resorts and mountain life

Walk on the wild(flower) side A wildflower walk through Panthertown Valley on Friday, April 29, will be the second installment in the Mountain Classroom series offered through Western Carolina Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office of Continuing and Professional Education.

Horticulturist Adam Bigelow will lead the 5-plus-mile walk through Panthertown, a 6,300-acre recreation area in the Nanthala National Forest, boasting granite domes, rare Southern Appalachian bog communities and an abundance of spring wildflowers. $69, with transportation and lunch included. 828.227.7397.

Bears are on the move, and visitors to the Graveyard Fields, Black Balsam and Shining Rock Wilderness areas of the Pisgah National Forest should be aware of their presence â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and of recently adopted camping requirements.

A large number of sightings and encounters over the past few years led the U.S. Forest Service to require campers to use bear-proof containers in these specific areas rather than simply hanging food from a tree. While black bear attacks on people are rare, such attacks can result in human fatalities.

Campers should be sure to store their food properly â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and never in a tent â&#x20AC;&#x201D; clean up residue from fire rings, grills and other areas of the campsite and never leave food unattended.

More tips are available at http://go.usa.gov/czWbW.

Fire danger is high in North Carolina, with low humidity and lack of rain over the past few weeks resulting in a spate of wildfires across the region recently.

Fires have included about 80 acres near Hot Springs, more than 200 acres southwest of Franklin, three wildfires near Cherokee totaling more than 300 acres and a halfacre in the Elkmont area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

April typically marks the height of wildfire season in North Carolina.

This year, with limited rainfall throughout March and April, forests are especially receptive to spreading fires. Concern is highest in Western North Carolina where trees have not fully leafed out.

Because 99 percent of North Carolina wildfires are humancaused, land managers are asking people to be careful with outdoor burning, refraining from lighting such fires when the weather is dry with low humidity.

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Bear hunters can now use unprocessed food as bait for a larger part of the hunting season, according to temporary rules recently approved by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

In the western part of the state, baiting will be allowed during the entire first part of the season â&#x20AC;&#x201D; running from Oct. 17 to Nov. 19 â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Â but not during the second part â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Dec. 12 to Jan. 2. In the rest of the state, unprocessed food can now be used as bait during the entire bear-hunting season.

Until now, unprocessed food could be used only during the first few days of the season in the western part of the state.

The temporary rules were voted on after a public comment period and five public hearings held across the state. The process to create permanent rules is ongoing.

Bear season is here

resort community in the area. The hotel itself had been removed some years ago, and the annex had been slated for removal but awaiting funding to take it down.

Fire danger high

April 27-May 3, 2016

Learn whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique about the Elkmont area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with the one-hour program â&#x20AC;&#x153;Epic Elkmontâ&#x20AC;? at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Waynesville Public Library.

Elkmont is prime habitat for synchronous fireflies, insects that present an amazing light show during their mating season each summer, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also rich in human history. Naturalist, photographer and educator Wilma Durpo will give the talk, expounding on the logging industry that was once based there, the history of the resort cottages that remain from a bygone area, stories of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first settlers and, of course, the fireflies.

Kathy Olsen, 828.356.2507 or kolsen@haywoodnc.net.

Bear baiting rules loosened

Nature knocked an item off the Great Smoky Mountains National Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to-do list when a fire sparked a structure in the Elkmont area of the park.

The 8,600-square-foot building was an annex to the former Wonderland Hotel, a former

A park visitor reported the fire at 7:15 a.m.

Tuesday, April 19. The fire was contained to the structureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immediate area, about half an acre, by the parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fire management crew and the Gatlinburg Fire Department, and the building burned to the ground. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

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A lottery to see the synchronous fireflies light up the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will open at noon Friday, April 29, and close at 8 p.m. Monday, May 2.

The coordinated insects, which put on a light show each year as the males fill the forest with simultaneous blinks at night, have surged in popularity. As interest increased, the National Park Service had to start managing visitation, first restricting access to shuttle service only and then by initiating a firstcome-first-serve online reservation system. This year, the park is using a lottery system for the first time.

The lottery will be held for an eight-day

Elkmont building in Smokies burns

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outdoors

Farmers market season is here The mountains are greening, the gardens are growing and farmers market season is beginning. Markets around the region are starting up, offering up fresh food, locally made products and community atmosphere.

Haywood County Haywood Historic Farmers Market, Waynesville ■ Getting there: 8 a.m. to noon, Wednesday and Saturday now through the end of November, at 250 Pigeon St. in the parking lot of the HART Theatre.

October and November hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

■ What’s happening: Local produce; meats, local mountain trout; cheese, chicken eggs, quail eggs and meat, mushrooms and honey; spring bedding, plants and flowers; pickles, preserves and sauces; baked goods; bagels and sodas; birdhouses, feeders, gourds and heritage crafts such as pottery, blacksmithing, furniture and soaps for sale by 35 to 40 vendors during the height of the season.

Live music offered weekly, with cooking demonstrations and a Kids’ Corner Market offered periodically.

■ Ways to pay: Credit and debit card, SNAP/EBT benefits, Senior Nutrition and WIC coupons beginning mid-summer, cash.

■ Contact: Carol James, 828.280.1381 or haywoodfarmersmarket@gmail.com. www.waynesvillefarmersmarket.com or www.facebook.com/haywoodhistoricfarmersmarket.

Smoky Mountain News

April 27-May 3, 2016

The Original Waynesville Tailgate Market, Waynesville ■ Getting there: 8 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays and Saturdays May 11 to Oct. 29 at the American Legion Parking Lot on Legion Drive off Main Street.

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■ What’s happening: Haywood County vegetables, fruits and cut flowers for sale. Kids Corner Market will be offered on the first Saturday of the month June through September to provide farmrelated, kid-friendly activities about local food.

New vendors are wanted.

■ Contact: Vicky Rogers, 828.456.1830 or vrogers12@att.net.

Jackson County Cashiers Tailgate Market, Cashiers ■ Getting there: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays June 1 through Oct. 5 at United Community Bank on N.C. 107 South.

■ What’s happening: Fresh-baked goods, pesticide-free fruits and vegetables, fresh trout, local beef and lamb, goat cheese, eggs, jellies, fruit pies and more. Community-supported agriculture memberships available.

■ Contact: Donna Few, 828.226.9988 or blueridgefarmers@gmail.com.

Jackson County Farmers Market, Sylva ■ Getting there: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon April to October 29 at Bridge Park; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

November to March at The Community Table.

■ What’s happening: A variety of locally produced vegetables, meats, honey, plants and crafts. Plant starts, native plants, mushrooms, greens and other in-season veggies. Spices, eggs, baked goods, occasional brick-oven fired pizza, mozzarella, goat cheese, flowers. Local crafts such as pottery, soaps, jewelry, journals, toys, candles, bird feeders, note cards and more for sale by 20-35 vendors. Family Art at the Market offered some Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon.

Fundraising Feasts occur on the second Saturday of each month.

■ Ways to pay: SNAP benefits, credit and debit payments accepted.

■ Contact: Jenny 828.393.5236 or jacksoncountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com. www.facebook.com, “The Glorious Jackson County Farmers Market.”

The ‘Whee Farmers Market, Cullowhee ■ Getting there: 4 p.m. to dusk, Tuesdays now through the end of October, at the corner of North Country Club Drive and N.C. 107 behind the Village of Forest Hills sign.

■ What’s happening: Meats, eggs, cheeses, vegetables, value-added products and crafts sold by an average of eight vendors. Gourmet sausages and hot dogs starting in May. ■ Contact: Curt Collins, 828.476.0334. www.facebook.com/CullowheeFarmersMarket.

Macon County Cowee Farmers Market, Cowee ■ Getting there: 3:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesdays starting May 24, with closing date to be determined, at Old Cowee School located at 51 Cowee School Drive.

■ What’s happening: Local fruits, vegetables, baked goods, candies, crafts and jewelry. New vendors are wanted.

■ Contact: Edie Thorpe, ediescookies@mail.com. www.coweefarmersmarket.com.

Franklin Farmers Tailgate Market, Franklin ■ Getting there: 8 a.m. to noon, Saturdays now though the end of October on East Palmer Street across from Drake Software.

■ What’s happening: Variety of homegrown products, including fruits and vegetables, cheese, plants, eggs, trout, preserves, honey and artisan breads sold by an average of 25-30 vendors.

■ Contact: Alan Durden, 828.349.2049 or alan_durden@ncsu.edu. www.facebook.com/franklinncfarmersmarket.

Swain County Swain County Farmer Market, Bryson City ■ Getting there: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fridays May 6 through October 28, and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesdays June 14 to Aug. 16, at the barn on Island Street in Bryson City.

■ What’s happening: Local produce, nursery plants, herbs, trout, eggs, honey and artisan craft such as jewelry, quilts, pottery and gourds sold by anywhere from eight to 18 vendors.

■ Contact: Christine Bredenkamp, 828.488.3848 or Christine_bredenkamp@ncsu.edu. www.facebook.com/SwainCountyFarmersMarket.

All markets are cash only unless otherwise noted.

Buy your ticket to fresh summer produce CSA sign-ups are underway for the Blue Ridge Farmers co-op, based in Cashiers.

Members of the Community-Supported Agriculture program receive a basket of fresh, organic, heirloom, non-GMO produce throughout the 18-week season stretching from June to October. Pick-up is Wednesday afternoons at United Community Church in Cashiers, with delivery options also available.

Prices range from $220 to $600, depending on the length of membership and size of basket purchased. Mail checks, payable to Blue Ridge Farmers Co-op, to 4631 Big Ridge Road, Glenville, N.C., 28736.

828.226.9988 or blueridgefarmers@gmail.com.

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

Log on. Plan a getaway. Let yourself unplug.

Get a taste of peony paradise

The largest display of peonies in Western North Carolina will soon be open to the public, with hours at Wildcat Ridge Farm in Fines Creek in Ricardo Fernandez, Suzanne Fernandez Haywood County and their peonies. Donated photo held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting May 1 and lasting until the peony blooms are gone for the season.

“We believe that you should enjoy things according to their season. So if a peony just Creek Road in Fines Creek. To make an blooms for three weeks once a year, I think appointment for a group tour, contact that’s great. That’s OK. You know, that’s www.wildcatridgefarm@gmail or life,” said Suzanne Fernandez, who owns 828.627.6751. the farm with her husband Ricardo. Ricardo

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is a Master Gardener and chef.

The farm is located along the Pigeon River near its confluence with Panther Creek and used to be a tobacco farm. These days, it contains raised beds with lots of sweet-smelling peonies.

The farm is located at 3553 Panther

Plants on sale Green up your home with plants from plant sales held by Waynesville Middle School and Haywood Community College.

• From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 29, in the Nix Horticulture Parking Lot, HCC’s Horticulture Plant Sale will feature annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs and house plants grown organically

by HCC students. 828.627.4625.

• From 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 30, at Waynesville Middle, student-grown goods for sale will include hanging baskets, pots and six-packs with more than a hundred types of flowers, as well as dozens of varieties of organic and heirloom vegetables. 828.456.2403.

It’s ozone season in North Carolina again, that time of year when warm weather and pollution can combine to result in air quality warnings.

But North Carolinians in general and those in Western North Carolina in particular have less to worry about than they have in previous years, as ozone levels have been steadily decreasing over the past decade due to declining emissions and more stringent air quality standards.

Currently, all areas of the state are now in compliance with air quality standards — even though the Environmental Protection

Elizabeth Vickery, a senior at Western Carolina University, peers into a dip net along with Cullowhee Valley Elementary School student Landon Spangler, to see what they’ve nabbed from Cullowhee Creek.

The Watershed Moments project, funded by a three-year grant from the Burroughs-Wellcome Fund, had Cullowhee Valley students out in the water every Thursday this month to sample the water and its acquatic life while helping WCU and the Highlands Biological Station collect research data. Students will present on their completed work after school on Thursday, June 9. WCU photo

Smoky Mountain News

Watershed moments

Agency announced new standards in October 2015. All monitors in North Carolina are now measuring in compliance with the new standards. Designations will be finalized in 2017.

“We are confident that North Carolina will continue its trend of improving air quality, but people should be aware of air forecasts,” said Sheila Holman, director of the state’s Division of Air Quality.

Air quality forecasts are issued yearround for particle pollution and during the warmer months for ozone, which requires abundant sunlight and heat to form.

Forecasts are available at www.ncair.org and on the smartphone app EPA AIRNow.

April 27-May 3, 2016

Ozone season is here

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outdoors

Swain A.T. hiker raises money for kids at risk one step at a time A Swain County fishing guide has left his rod behind to embark on an Appalachian Trail thru-hike, aiming to raise money and awareness for the Big Brother/Big Sister Program of Western North Carolina.

“I have witnessed local children’s lives’ completely turned around by this program and

He’s aiming to raise $20,000 to help the nine-county organization, which matches children 6 to 14 from single-parent families with adult mentors.

Since starting out on the trail on Feb. 22, Claxton has made it all the way from Springer Mountain in Georgia to the middle section of Virginia, about 800 miles of the 2,189-mile trail. He’s documenting his journey along the way through blog and public Facebook posts.

Donate to the cause at www.gofundme.com/z3r3f7ws, and follow Claxton’s journey through his blog at www.steveclaxton.com/hiker.

Fishing fun planned at Camp Hope

Brown trout.

Tour the wildflowers with Smokies hike

Steve Claxton.

Donated photo

April 27-May 3, 2016

the wonderful ‘Bigs’ who give of their time as well as their hearts to make a difference in the lives of these young people,” Steve Claxton wrote on his blog.

A flowered hike along the Hyatt Ridge Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will offer an excuse to get outside Tuesday, May 10, as part of Friends of the Smokies’ Classic Hikes series.

Accessed through the Oconaluftee entrance to the park, the remote 9.5-mile roundtrip is rated as moderate in difficulty with a 2,000foot total elevation gain. Hiking guide author Danny Bernstein will lead the excursion. $20 for members; $35 for non-members, with one-year membership included. Donations benefit trail rehabilitation through the Smokies Trails Forever program.

Register at www.hike.friendsofthesmokies.org.

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Smoky Mountain News

Performance: Mike Super- Magic & Illusion MAY 3 | TUE 7:30PM | COULTER | FREE

Concert: Mountain Winds Community Band Concert

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Donated photo

Fishing, food and (educational) fun will pervade the Cataloochee chapter of Trout

Unlimited’s Spring Fun Day held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at Camp Hope in the Cruso community of Haywood County.

Seminars will cover the basics of fly fishing, from equipment to knots to casting.

Casting competitions will test anglers’ distance and accuracy, and there will be plenty of opportunity to fish the Big East Fork of the Pigeon River.

Hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks will be free for people bringing a side dish, or $8 with no side dish.

Though walk-ups won’t be turned away, RSVPs are requested by May 1 to tucataloochee427@gmail.com to develop an approximate head count.

Rodeo into cycling Kids wanting to get a handle on bicycling will have a chance with the Jackson County Bike Rodeo 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 30, at the Jackson County Recreation Park in Cullowhee.

Open to kindergarten through fourth-graders, the morning will include riding lessons, stations, group rides and demonstrations. Free. 828.293.3053.

Tour Cashiers on two wheels There’s till time to sign up for the May 14 Tour de Cashiers, a grueling cycling race that repays the effort of strenuous uphills with mountain views and thrilling descents.

The race features more than 10,000 feet of elevation gain, kicking off at 8 a.m. from The Village Green Commons in Cashiers. The race has been going on for nearly 25 years, attracting 300 cyclists to complete routes ranging from 25 to 100 miles. $45, or $55 after April 28. www.tourdecashiers.com.

Whitewater club gets a boost from grants The Nantahala Racing Club has landed nearly $45,000 in grants for the 2016 season, encouraging the Swain County nonprofit in its quest to introduce youth and families to whitewater recreation.

■ People recovering from spinal cord injuries will have a chance to get into whitewater recreation thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Craig H. Nielson Foundation.

Through the grant, instructors will earn the American Canoe Association’s adaptive paddling certification and assist the NRC in obtaining specialized equipment for pad-

Waynesville men come out on top in Alaska motor adventure A pair of Waynesville men are home after a third-place finish in the harrowing Alcan 5000 motor vehicle race across Alaska.

Team Zero 2, comprised of Jeremiah Jackson and Thomas McNally, traveled in a Mitsubishi through Yellowknife and its ice roads, to Whitehorse, Coldfoot — which is 70 miles north of the Arctic Circle — and finally to Anchorage to finish in time for the kick-off to the Iditarod Race and Fur Rendezvous Festival.

dlers managing spinal cord injuries.

■ A new youth leadership program to benefit youth in Cherokee will start using a $16,500 grant from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation. The program will aim to connect local kids with their natural resources and cultivate a healthy, active outdoor lifestyle.

■ Nantahala Kids Club, an after-school program for Western North Carolina kids who may have never had access to paddling programs before, received $5,000 from the Columbia Sportswear Belay Grant.

■ The NRC will help heavily used rivers with banks in need of stabilization using $5,000 from the Patagonia Environmental Grant. www.nantahalaracingclub.com.

Jackson and McNally blaze through snowy terrain.

Donated photo

It was only their first year entering the contest, but Jackson and McNally finished first in the amateur category.

WNC Calendar COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • Special Olympics spring games are scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 3, at the Western Carolina University track. Volunteers needed: 293.3053.

• Nominations are being accepted through 5 p.m. on Monday, May 2, for the 2016 Coulter Regional Leadership Program. A six-month leadership program for adults interested in growing as regional leaders.

Must live in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon or Swain Counties – or the Qualla Boundary.

Nomination form is at https://goo.gl/lasghY. Info, or to nominate offline, contact Juanita Wilson at jmwilson@wcu.edu, 497.7920 or 788.2579.

• Shred Days, opportunities to bring sensitive documents to a Mountain Credit Union branch to be shredded, starts May 6. Days, times and locations: 9:3011:30 a.m. on May 6 at Sylva office; 1-3 p.m. on May 6; 9-11 a.m. on May 12 at Fletcher office; noon-2 p.m. on May 12 at Asheville office; 3-5 p.m. on May 12 at Candler office; 10 a.m.-noon on May 13 at Franklin office; 1:30-3:30 p.m. on May 13 at Cherokee office.

Info: marketing@mountaincu.org or www.mountaincu.org/Contact_Us_22.html.

• Mother’s Day Weekend will be celebrated May 6-8 at Fontana Village Resort and Marina. 498.2211 or http://www.fontanavillage.com/Mountview%20Mothers %20Day%202016.jpg.

• The Mother’s Day Gemboree will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 6-8 at the Macon County Community Building in Franklin. www.franklin-chamber.com.

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

3:30 p.m. at the Canton Public Library. Costumes optional. Join us for Star Wars inspired snacks and a special movie screening. 648.2924.

• Ann Melton will present “The Old Ways: Dowsing, Healing and Knowing the Signs” as part of the Haywood Ramblings speaker series from 4-5 p.m. on May 5 in the Sam Love Queen Auditorium at the Folkmoot Friendship Center. Light refreshments. 456.8647.

• Western Carolina University is offering a program called WCU Road Works to organization, communities that need a place to perform a self -contained event.

Any interested community or organization that wants to book a production should select a date and contact the College of Fine and Performing Arts at 227.7028 to receive a confirmation sheet to detail information about the performance site.

• Coloring Club will be hosted on the second Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m. at Canton Library.

Color pencils and color pages supplied. For ages 8 to 108. 648.2924.

• Beginners Chess Club is held on Fridays at 4 p.m. at the Canton Public Library. Ages 8-108 invited to participate. 648.2924.

• Oconaluftee Indian Village is now opened for the 2016 season, located next to the Oconaluftee Visitors Center in Cherokee. The village is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday through Saturday. www.visitcherokeenc.com.

• “Back Porch Old-Time Music Jam,” two hours of traditional Appalachian music at 2 p.m. on May 7 and May 21 at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Visitors with an acoustic instrument to play are welcome to join this old-time jam.

• Qualla Boundary Historical Society meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Everyone is welcome.

• A grant workshop for Haywood County non-profits is scheduled for 8-9:45 a.m. on May 11 at the Haywood County Agricultural Center in Waynesville. Please RSVP to George Ivey at 712.6474 or georgedivey@gmail.com. www.FundforHaywoodCounty.org.

• Swain County TDA board meeting is Wednesday, April 27, at the Chamber office in Bryson City.

• Western Carolina University is accepting nominations for the Mountain Heritage Award, an honor bestowed annually on one individual and one organization playing a prominent role in researching, preserving and/or interpreting Southern Appalachian history, culture and issues. Nominations for the awards will be accepted through Thursday, June 30. Nomination letters may be hand-delivered to the Mountain Heritage Center at its new location in the Hunter Library building, Room 240; mailed to Mountain Heritage Center, 1 University Drive, Cullowhee N.C. 28723; or emailed to Pam Meister at pameister@wcu.edu.

• Registration is underway for a collection of Heritage Life Skills classes designed to help participants prepare to survive no matter what. The classes, which include everything from blacksmithing to breadmaking, will be held from April 29-May 1 at the Haywood County fairgrounds $100 for adults; single-day and student admission is $50. Organized by Carolina Readiness Supply. 456.5310 or www.carolinareadiness.com.

• A Relay for Life Cancer Survivors Dinner is set for 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at First Baptist Church in Bryson City. 788.3864.

• Library Con is scheduled for 9:45 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 at Haywood County’s Waynesville Library. Presentations on comic-book history, drawing comics, costume contest, obstacle course for children, video games, comic-book giveaways and raffle prizes. www.haywoodlibrary.org.

• A Star Wars Day Celebration will be held on May 4 at

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • “Stones and Bones’ will be presented by Mr. Richard Hightower on April 28 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Macon County Public Library. 524.3600.

• A Jackson County meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 28, to promote the local economy for wood products made in N.C. and purchased by retail stores, local governments, school districts, colleges and universities. 704.880.5034 or harry_watt@ncsu.edu.

• “Developing a Culture of Philanthropy” – the final seminar in the series “The Three Pillars to Transforming YOUR Nonprofit” – is scheduled for 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 28. The program is offered through Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center.

Presenter is John Curtis, Ph.D. For info or to register, visit SBC.Haywood.edu or call 627.4512.

• Bryson City Town Board of Aldermen meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 2, at the town office. To get on agenda, call 488.3335 by the preceding Thursday.

• Southwestern Community College’s therapeutic massage program will host an information session at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 2, at the Jackson Campus. Tour recently renovated rooms, view new learning equipment such as a “muscle skeleton” and learn more about the program.

339.4313 or j_burgess@southwesterncc.edu.

• Issues and Eggs is scheduled for 8-9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 4, at Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville. Guest speaker is Katy McLean Gould, director of the Small Business Center at Haywood Community College.

• A creative business plan series, offered by Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center, will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Thursdays through

Smoky Mountain News

May 26. Each seminar is aimed at addressing needs and challenges of craft artists who have, or are thinking about starting, a business. Registration required: www.southwesterncc.edu/sbc. Info: t_henry@southwesterncc.edu or 339.4211.

• RSVPs are being accepted for a Group Travel Workshop for tourism owners and operators. The program, held by Haywood County Tourism Authority, starts at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 26, at the Waynesville Inn. Open to all tourism partners. Approximately two hours.

RSVP: Ron@VisitNCSmokies.com.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • “Paint & Pour,” an Appalachian Art Farm Benefit, will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 26 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. www.madbatterfoodfilm.com.

• A Stella & Dot Relay for Life of Franklin fundraiser is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, at Thai Paradise in Franklin. All commission goes to the cause.

If you can’t attend in person, shop online at www.stelladot.com/ts/z6ff6.

• Trivia Night to benefit local missions is scheduled for 6-10 p.m. on Friday, April 29, at First United Methodist Church of Sylva. Proceeds benefit missions including United Christian Ministries and Good Samaritan Clinic.

Admission is $15 per person or $120 for a table of eight when pre-registering. Individual tickets are $20 at the door. For info or to register: trivia@corsair.org or 507.2793.

• A Mother’s Day sale event will be held from 11 a.m.2:30 p.m. on Monday, May 2, at the Haywood Regional Medical Center Gift Shop in Clyde. New gift ideas, free prizes, refreshments and reduced prices on winter merchandise. Proceeds benefit scholarships for students in nursing or medical-related fields at Haywood Community College. Info: 452.8232. http://tinyurl.com/hkr4qo7.

• REACH’s eighth annual American Girl Tea Party will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, at Cowee Baptist Church in Franklin. Food, creative activity booths, door prizes and silent auction. Proceeds benefit REACH, which serves local victims of domestic and sexual violence. 369.5544 or 586.8969.

• Pet photos will be taken from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 7 at the Dog House in Waynesville. For appointment, call 456.9573 or 456.3753. Sitting fee donated to Duke’s Animal Haven.

• The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority, who manages the Haywood County Quilt Trail (HCQT), is excited to announce the kick off of a raffle program where you can enter to win your very own 4x4 foot quilt block. Raffle tickets can be purchased by calling 452.0152 or by stopping by the TDA visitor center at 44 North Main Street in Waynesville. The cost is $25 per ticket or five for $100 and are capped at a total of 10 tickets per person. The drawing will be held on Friday, May 6th. All proceeds from the raffle will go to benefit the future development and enhancement of the Haywood County Quilt Trail, www.haywoodquilttrails.com.

• A seed money fundraiser is underway to benefit the new Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. The library furnishings fund receives 50 percent of sales receipts for each packet sold directly or 25 percent sold at SowTrueSeed.com; use the code MBL2016. 488.3030, ext. 128, jdelfield@fontanalib.org.

• Birdhouse Bash, an opportunity to create or decorate birdhouses for charity, is underway throughout April.

Presented by Daydreamz project and Open Door Community Gardeners. Birdhouses will be auctioned off through a silent auction during “The Whole Bloomin’ Thing” festival on May 7 in Waynesville. Drop off bird-

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Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: ■ Complete listings of local music scene ■ Regional festivals ■ Art gallery events and openings ■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers ■ Civic and social club gatherings houses between 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Monday through Saturday at the Second Blessing Thrift Store in Frog Level of Waynesville. Info: 476.4231 or 734.1570.

VENDORS • The town of Dillsboro will be hosting arts and craft shows open to vendors from the surrounding region.

Saturday, Aug. 20 — The Dillsboro Summer Arts & Crafts Market showcases local art and fine crafts, with a focus on family and children activities. Application due by June 1. www.visitdillsboro.org or directly from www.visitdillsboro.org/specialevents.html. For more information, call Connie Hogan at 586.3511.

HEALTH MATTERS • A tired leg/varicose vein educational program is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, at the Vein Center at Haywood Regional Medical Center. Program will be led by Dr. Al Mina, MD, FACS and Dr. Joshua Rudd, DO. RSVP required: 452.8346. Info: MyHaywoodRegional.com/Vein.

• A class on “How to Detox Your Life Naturally” will be offered by Dr. Linda Sparks N.D. at 10 a.m. on April 30 at Waynesville Wellness at 1384 Sulphur Springs Rd. RSVP: drsparks@blueridgenaturalhealth.com or 539.0440.

• Registration is underway for a CPR & First Aid training, which is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10, at the Jackson County Recreation Center. $40 registration fee.

• A monthly grief support group sponsored by The Meditation Center meets at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at The Meditation Center at 894 East Main Street in Sylva. Info: www.meditatewnc.org or 356.1105.

• Inner Guidance from an Open Heart will meet from 68 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at The Meditation Center at 894 East Main Street in Sylva.

Info: www.meditate-wnc.org or 356.1105.

• Franklin Health Fitness Center is offering 50 percent off entry fee throughout April. 369.5608.

• Dogwood Insight Center presents health talks at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.

RECREATION AND FITNESS • The High Mountain Squares will host their “Mad Hatter’s Dance” from 6:15-8:45 p.m. on Friday, April 29, at the Macon County community Building. 342.1560, 332.0001, 283.1171 or www.highmountainsquares.com.

• Registration deadline is May 2 for adult racquetball leagues at the Jackson County Recreation Center. Fee is $10 for singles or $20 per doubles team. League begins week of June 6. Mandatory players meeting at 6 p.m. on June 2. 293.3053.

• Pickleball is from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesdays through Thursdays at First Methodist Church in Sylva. $1 each time you play; equipment provided. 293.3053.

wnc calendar

• Registration is underway for Appalachian Dance Class 101, which will be offered at Folkmoot in Waynesville. Instruction on square dance formation and basic flat-foot and clogging styles unique to Haywood County will be provided by Kim Rose, director of the J. Creek Cloggers. Four-week classes cost $40 and are offered from 6-7 p.m. at the Folkmoot Community Center. Classes start May 17 for Ages 16up. Register: 452.2997 or elizabeth@folkmoot.org.

THE SPIRITUAL SIDE • Faith Journal Workshops are held from 5:30-7 p.m. each Thursday through May 5 at First Presbyterian Church in Franklin. Info and RSVP: 524.3119.

AUTHORS AND BOOKS • Author Bryan Robinson will read from his mystery, Limestone Gumption, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville. It’s a murder mystery about a psychologist whose work addiction keeps him from facing his tortured past until he becomes a murder suspect. 456.6000 or www.blueridgebooksnc.com.

• Kimberly York will hold a book-signing event for “Broken” from 2-4 p.m. on April 30 at Better Bean Coffee House in Maggie Valley. michelle@keymgc.com.

• Contributors to the annual journal KAKALAK will read their works at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. KAKALAK’s 2016 poetry and art contests will close May 15. A separate contest is held for best cover art. www.mainstreetrag.com. To reserve a copy of the journal please call City Lights Bookstore at 828.586.9499.

Smoky Mountain News

April 27-May 3, 2016

• “In this ever-changing world, can morality be defined?” is the topic for the Franklin Open Forum, which meets at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 2, at Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub in Franklin. 371.1020.

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• Courtney Lix will read from her new book “Women of the Smokies” from 2-4 p.m. on Friday, May 6, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville. 456.6000 or www.blueridgebooksnc.com.

• Joy Resor will read from her book “Go in Joy! An Alphabetical Adventure” at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville. 456.6000 or www.blueridgebooksnc.com.

• Dr. Bart Ehrman will read from and discuss his new book “Jesus Before the Gospels” at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.

456.6000 or www.blueridgebooksnc.com.

• Franklin native and Western Carolina University alumnus Tyler Cook will release his second novel Aluria at a special release party at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

Books Unlimited will provide copies of Cook’s books at the event on May 7. Reservations by calling 369.7942.

371.8519 or moonshinepressnc@gmail.com.

• There will be a reception for WCU professors, Justin Menickelli and Ryan Pickens, who wrote The Definitive Guide to Disc Golf and Jessie Swigger who is releasing her book, History is Bunk: Assembling the Past at Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. There will be light refreshments served at the reception. To reserve copies of the books please call 586.9499.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES • Haywood County Senior Resource Center is looking into starting a weekly Euchre Card Group. If interested, contact Michelle Claytor at mclaytor@mountainprojects.org or 356.2800.

• An iPhone/iPad user group meets from 2:15-3:45 p.m. on Tuesdays, May 3 and 17, at the Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. Register: 356.2800.

• Senior Resource Center will hold an open house

from 1-3 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, in Waynesville.

Refreshments, Bingo and opportunity to learn more about the center. 356.2800.

KIDS & FAMILIES • The “Come Paint with Charles Kidz Program” will be at 4 p.m. April 28 at the Charles Heath Gallery in Bryson City. $20 per child. Materials and snacks included. 828.538.2054.

• The Imagination Station children’s program will be held from 10 a.m. to noon April 30 at The Bascom in Highlands. Wake up to art. For ages 5 to 10. $20 per class. www.thebascom.org.

• Science Club is at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, at Macon County Public Library in Franklin. 524.3600.

• Jackson County Bike Rodeo, designed to help kids get a handle on bicycling, is set for 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, April 30, at the Jackson County Recreation Park in Cullowhee. Riding lessons, stations, group rides, demonstrations. 293.3053.

• Kids Zumba four-week class is at 3 p.m. on Thursdays, May 5-26, and June 2-23 at the Jackson County Recreation Center. Register by May 3 for the first session or by May 31 for the second session. $25 for members; $35 for nonmembers. 293.3053.

• Nature Nuts: Life Cycles will be offered to ages 4-7 from 9-11 a.m. on May 9 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Transylvania County. Pre-registration required: 877.4423 or www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/ EducationCenters/Pisgah/EventRegistration.aspx.

• Eco-Explorers: Archery will be offered to ages 8-13 from 1-3 p.m. on May 9 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Transylvania County. Introductory class covers safety and different types of bows and arrows. Pre-registration required: 877.4423 or www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/EducationCenters/Pisgah /EventRegistration.aspx.

• Get Moving, a program for children ages 5-12 to encourage children to live a healthy life through exercise and healthy eating, will be held on May 3 at 4 p.m. at the Canton Public Library. Program takes place on the first Tuesday of each month. 648.2924 • Family Story Time is held on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Canton Public Library. Ages 0-6. Stories, songs, dance and crafting. 648.2924.

• Rompin’ Stompin’ Story Time is held on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. and Fridays 11 a.m. at the Canton Public Library. Ages 0-6. An hour long story time full of music and movement. 648.2924.

• A program called “Imagine”, an art program for children 8-12 meets at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Jackson County Public Library. Program contains art, writing, and drama. 586.2016.

• Storytimes are held at 10 and 10:40 a.m. every Thursday at Hudson Library in Highlands.

A&E FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS • Tickets are on sale now for the 19th annual French Broad River Festival, which is April 29-May 1 at the Hot Springs Campground & Spa. Numerous bands and entertainment acts, fireworks, flying marshmallows, a whitewater raft “race” and more. Tickets are $100 before April 20 and $110 at the gate if available.

Children under 12 get in free. Tickets and info: www.FrenchBroadRiverFestival.com.

• Arts and crafts submissions are now being accepted for the third-annual Shining Rock Riverfest, which is

wnc calendar April 27-May 3, 2016 Smoky Mountain News

mobile technology to help you get a lot less mobile.

Log on. Plan a trip.

And start kicking back.

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wnc calendar

12:30-10 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, in Canton.

Submissions are due by 4 p.m. on April 25. Admission to the event is $10; free for ages 12-under. Event includes musical performances, local barbecue and a variety of handmade crafts for sale. Info: 648.2363 or www.shiningrockriverfest.com.

• The 14th annual Whole Bloomin’ Thing festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 7, in the Frog Level district of Waynesville. Contact Joy Simmons, joy.b.simmons@outlook.com.

FOOD & DRINK • Jackson County’s craft breweries are celebrating N.C. Beer Month throughout April. Breweries include Sneak E. Squirrel, Heinzelmännchen and Innovation.

For more information about each one’s promotions in April, visit: www.yourgnometownbrewery.com; www.innovation-brewing.com and www.facebook.com/TheSneakESquirrel.

• Throughout April enjoy a pint of beer and an individual size pizza for only $10 at Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company located at the Sapphire National Golf Club.

• Heinzelmannchen Brewing (Sylva) will host Henry Wong (singer-songwriter) during their 12th anniversary party from 6 to 8 p.m. April 21. The celebration will run from noon to 9 p.m. with craft beer specials, prizes, and more. www.yourgnometownbrewery.com.

• The Sapphire Valley Kentucky Derby Cocktail Party is set for 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 7. BYOB; bring appetizer; $5 each. RSVP: dncollier@aol.com or 743.3875.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT

April 27-May 3, 2016

• The Little Town Playhouse will present “Seussical the Musical, Jr.” at 6:30 p.m. on April 28-29 and May 5-6 – with a 3 p.m. matinee on May 7 – at the Swain County Recreation Center. Tickets are $10 for adults,

$8 for seniors (60 and over), $5 for students (six and over) and free for children five and younger. 226.5637.

• N.C. Arts Council, the Haywood Art Regional Theatre’s (HART) will host the work of William Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” that address the theme of forgiveness in the Bard’s last four plays at 7:30 p.m. April 29-30 and May 5-7, and at 2 p.m. May 1 and 8 at the theatre in Waynesville. 456.6322 or www.harttheatre.org.

• “American Idol” season seven winner David Cook and Secondhand Serenade will perform during Western Carolina University’s Spring Concert at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, on the Central Plaza in Cullowhee. 227.3751.

perform hot swing, Gypsy jazz, and Bossa nova at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 29, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. 452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• “Man in the Mirror: A Tribute to the King of Pop” will be in concert at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. 800.745.3000.

• James rogers (singer, songwriter) will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Tickets are $17 each. 866.273.4615 or GreatMountainMusic.com.

• The MET Opera “Elektra” will be Saturday, April 30, at the Martin Lipscomb Performing Arts Center in Highlands. Tickets available at highlandspac.org, at the door or by calling 526.9047.

• Western Carolina University’s two vocal ensembles, the University Chorus and Concert Choir, will be featured at the WCU School of Music’s Spring Choral Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, in the recital hall of Coulter Building. 227.7242 or http://tinyurl.com/oafrskd.

• Joe Cruz (piano) performs music of the Beatles, Elton John, James Taylor and Simon and Garfunkel at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. 452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• The Colby Deitz Band (country, Southern Appalachian front porch string music) performs at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, in the Community Room of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. 586.2016.

• Haywood Community Chorus, directed by Kathy McNeil and accompanied by Kyle Ritter will present its spring concert, “Peace, Unity, and Freedom,” at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, at the Waynesville First United Methodist Church.

• Western Carolina University’s annual Kimmel School Capstone Symposium will be 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 29, in the Center for Applied Technology building in Cullowhee. 227.7368.

• Mountain Community Chorus will present its 42nd annual spring concert at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 29, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, at Young Harris College in Georgia. senior• Traditional African music will be performed by Sean Gaskell at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 29, in the Community Room of the Hudson Library in Highlands.

He performs on the Kora – an ancient 21-stringed harp from West Africa. 526.3031.

• Michael Pilgrim (mandolin) and Don Mercz (guitar)

• Magician Mike Super, winner of NBC’s TV series “Phenomenon,” will perform at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, at Western Carolina University’s John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center in Cullowhee. It will be the final performance in this year’s Galaxy of Stars Series.

Tickets: $21 for adults, $16 for WCU faculty and staff; $7 for students. Tickets available at bardoartscenter.edu or by calling 227.2479.

• Cerebral Palsy survivor David Ring will be hosted at 6 p.m. on May 1 at Maggie Valley First Baptist, featuring a performance by Mountain Joy. 926.0065.

• The Macon Arts Council presents the inaugural concert of Tuckasegee Brass at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 1, in the sanctuary of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Franklin. 524.ARTS or arts4all@dnet.net.

• “Profiles in Mountain Character: Memorable Swain County Folks” will be presented by Jim Casada at 6:30 p.m. on May 5 at the Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society Library in Bryson City.

• The Musial Theater Department at Cherokee High and Middle Schools will present their production of Lion King Jr. at 7 p.m. on May 5-7 at the Joyce Dugan Cultural Center in Cherokee. Tickets are on sale now: $12 for dinner and musical or $5 for general seating.

Tickets available at the schools’ front office.

• Pat Donohue (Grammy-winning fingerstyle guitarist, singer-songwriter) will perform blues, folk and jazz at 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, at The Strand on Main in Waynesville. Tickets are $18 in advance or $20 on show day. www.38main.com.

Smoky Mountain News

• HART Theatre will hold auditions for its major summer musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” at 6:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, May 9-10, in the Studio Theater at the Performing Arts Center in Waynesville.

Production will run from July 8-31.

• Country star Chris Young will perform at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 7, at Harrah’s Cherokee. www.harrahscherokee.com or www.ticketmaster.com or call 800.745.3000.

• Tickets are on sale now for a show by Rascal Flatts, which performs at 9 p.m. on Friday, May 27, at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Event Center.

800.745.3000.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • Huck embroidery, an educational workshop taught

by Harriet McKenna of Dogwood Crafters, is scheduled for 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, at the Dillsboro Masonic Lodge. $17. Registration deadline is April 29: 586.2435 or junettapell@hotmail.com.

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• Basic quilling/frameable art or card embellishment,

an educational workshop led by Dogwood Crafters member Lawrie Williams, is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10, at the Dillsboro Masonic Lodge. $18. Registration deadline is April 29: 586.2435 or junettapell@hotmail.com.

• The Jackson County Senior Center will hold a yard sale from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, in Sylva.

• There will be an “Introduction to Puppetry” workshop from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 2-5 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

The class is open to all ages. Cost is $30, which includes registration fee, all materials, patterns and instruction. www.greatmountainmusic.com.

• A program about cooking leafy greens will be offered from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, May 9, at the Waynesville Recreation Center. $18 for members; $22 for nonmembers. Holistic health coach Sara Lewis will lead the presentation. 550.1640 or saralewis27@gmail.com.

• Talent acts are being sought for “Talent in the Mountains” show. Applications are due May 9. Chance to win $100. Show is at 7 p.m. on May 21 at Grove Church. Pick up application at the library, Friends of the MBL Bookstore on Everett Street or at www.fontanalib.org/friends-of-the-library. Entry fee is $10 per act. Info: 488.5655.

• A spring retreat open to all artists and writers is scheduled for May 9-14 at Lake Logan. Cost is $875 – five days, all inclusive. 342.6913 or www.CullowheeMountainArts.org.

• Lens Luggers will meet at 7 a.m. on Wednesdays through May 11, at the Waynesville Old Armory and car pool to field venues as part of the spring field photography program led by Bob Grytten. Each shoot is $45. The group will also meet every other Tuesday to discuss the morning sessions and to review participants’ images. Each session is $15. Info about the association: www.lensluggerworld.com and http://bobgrytten.com. Reservations: 627.0245 or bobgry@aol.com.

• Registration is underway for Cuttlefish Casting, a jewelry metal-casting workshop that will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at Haywood Community College in Clyde. Fee of $103 includes supplies. Register by May 7: 565.4240.

• Registration is underway for a three-day Blacksmithing for Jewelers workshop, which will be held from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday through Tuesday, May 22-24, at Haywood Community College in Clyde.

Fee of $352 includes supplies. Register by May 6: 565.4240.

• Registration is underway for “Blacksmithing for Jewelers: Hammer and Heat,” which is presented by Haywood Community College Continuing Education Creative Arts. Led by Elizabeth Brim, an instructor at Penland School of Crafts, the class runs from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on May 22-24. Registration deadline is May 6. 565.4125 or CreativeArts.Haywood.edu.

• The Jackson Rangers Camp 1917 will hold monthly meetings (except July) at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at the Barkers Creek Community Center. Members are being sought to participate in honor guard graveside events and honor Confederate soldiers. The Confederate Rose, a ladies auxiliary group that supports active members, meets at the same time and location. 736.6222 or jrcamp1917@hotmail.com.

• “Stitch,” the community gathering of those interested in crochet, knit and needlepoint, meet at 2:30 p.m. every first Sunday of the month at the Canton Public Library. All ages and skill levels welcome. www.haywoodlibrary.org.

• The Bascom’s Photography Resident Byron Tenesaca will instruct students in a variety of helpful techniques for the beginning photographer from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 30: Retouching Old Photographs. At the center in Highlands. Tuition: $100. www.thebascom.org.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES

• An exhibition entitled “This is a Photograph: Exploring Contemporary Applications of Photographic Chemistry” is on display at Penland School of Crafts near Spruce Pine. 765.6211 or penland.org/gallery.

• Western Carolina University’s Fine Art Museum will host an exhibition exploring the use and meaning of color in art till May 6 in Cullowhee. Museum is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekdays with extended hours to 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Admission and parking are free. Fineartmuseum.wcu.edu or 227.3591.

• A presentation on “Epic Elkmont” will be offered by naturalist, photographer and educator Wilma Durpo from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, at Waynesville Library.

• A nature-based sculpture project launched by Western Carolina University’s Fine Art Museum will feature outdoors art while promoting discussion of sustainability and aesthetics through Saturday, May 21, on the university’s multi-use trail. Work is by artists Walker Tufts, Greg Stewart and Aislinn Penetecost-Farrin. www.wcu.edu/museum, ddrury@wcu.edu or 227.2550. For info about the Sustainable Energy Initiative, visit energy.wcu.edu, email lbishop@wcu.edu or 227.3562.

• New artist and medium will be featured every month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

FILM & SCREEN • Adult movie time, 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Jackson County Public Library. Call for title of movie.

586.2016.

• Morning Movie being held at Canton Public Library on April 27 at 9:30 a.m. Coffee, doughnuts and a new movie starring Tom Hanks (PG-13). 648.2924. Morning movie occurs on the third Wednesday of the month.

• The film “Fargo” will be shown on April 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva.

Madbatterfoodflim.com.

• Films created by Western Carolina University students will be screened at the eighth annual Controlled Chaos Film Festival at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 29, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center in Cullowhee. Tickets: $10 cash at the door. Proceeds and donations benefit the Motion Picture Student Project Fund, which helps students in WCU’s Film and Television Production Program. Info: 227.7491.

• The film “Hitchhiker’s Guide To the Galaxy” will be shown on April 30 at 2 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva.

Madbatterfoodflim.com.

• A new movie starring Harrison Ford will be shown at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Movie description:

• An HPAS-sponsored birding trip is scheduled for May 5 to the Overflow Wilderness Study Area (Blue Valley) forest interior birding with Brent Martin of the Southern Appalachian Regional Director of the Wilderness Society. www.highlandsaudubonsociety.org.

• The Highlands Road Gem Show will be held May 5-8 at the corner of U.S. 441 and Highlands Road in Franklin. Rock, minerals, rough and cut gems, supplies, and more. Admission is free. 369.6341 or vwproperties@gmail.com.

Outdoors • A bird walk along the Greenway, sponsored by the Franklin Bird Club, is scheduled for 8 a.m. on April 27.

Meet at Salali Lane. 524.5234.

• The Town of Waynesville’s Semi-Annual Mulch Sale is April 28-30, at the Town yard waste landfill off Bible Baptist Drive from Russ Avenue, near the bypass. Compost and double-ground mulch available; Compost prices range from $10-60 depending on truck/trailer size; double-ground mulch ranges from $10-$200 depending on vehicle size. Single-ground mulch also available for $10 regardless of truck size.

Payment by cash or check only. 456.3706.

• “Historic Cataloochee Valley, Smoky Mountain Elk & More” will be presented by naturalist Esther Blakely on May 7 and 28 in Cataloochee Valley. $79 per person. Register at www.smfs.utk.edu or call 865.974.0150.

• The Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute will host its annual Space Day open house from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, in Rosman. Activities and events suitable for all ages. www.pari.edu.

• A spring wildflower hike is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, in the Big Creek Watershed of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hosted by Haywood Waterways Association. Led by Donna Machen. Free for members; $5 donation for nonmembers. Memberships start at $25. RSVP by May 4: christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com or 476.4667.

• An easy ride aiming to help people ease into a healthier lifestyle through cycling leaves at 9:30 a.m.

Thursdays from the Canton Recreation Park, covering 8-10 miles. Road bikes are preferred. Nobody will be left behind. A partnership of Bicycle Haywood N.C., the Blue Ridge Bike Club and MountainWise. Michele Trantham, mttrantham@hotmail.com.

• Tickets are on sale now for the Highlands Biological Foundation’s “Wildflower Whimsy,” which is scheduled for 5:30-8:30 p.m. on May 6 and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on May 7 at the Highlands Biological Station. $75 for members; $100 for nonmembers. Tickets: http://highlandsbiological.org/wildflower-whimsy. Info: www.highlandsbiological.org or 526.2221.

• The Fossil presentation with collector & paleontologist Richard Hightower will be held April 28 at 6 p.m. at the Macon County Public Library. 524.3600.

• “Charismatic Mega-Fauna,” a 30-minute program featuring the park’s biggest animals, will be offered at 11 a.m. on Fridays through May 7 at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, located along U.S. 441 just north of Cherokee.

• An Earth Day Celebration is scheduled for 9 a.m.noon on Friday, April 29, at Swain County Cooperative Extension. Refreshments, educational opportunities and free Norway Spruce seedlings.

• A wildflower walk through Panthertown Valley, the second trip in the “Mountain Classroom” series offered through Western Carolina University’s Office of Continuing and Professional Education, is scheduled for Friday, April 29. $69 per person. Led by Adam Bigelow. mtnclassroom.wcu.edu or 227.7397.

• John and Cathy Sill will lead a bird walk at 8 a.m. on April 29 at the Standing Indian area. Meet at the Kmart parking lot in Franklin to carpool. Sign up: 524.5234.

• A celebration of Migratory Bird Day will be held from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on April 30 at The Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah Forest. Morning of birding starts at 8:30 a.m. followed by ongoing family oriented crafts, art and games from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. At 3 p.m., a live bird program with Carolina Naturalists’ Carlton Burke.

Admission is $5 for adults and free for youth under 16. Info: 877.3130 or www.cradleofforestry.com.

• The largest display of peonies in Western North Carolina will be open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. starting May 1 and lasting until blooms are gone for the season at Wildcat Ridge Farm near Clyde. www.wildcatridgefarm@gmail.com or 627.6751.

• RSVPs are being accepted through May 1 for Trout Unlimited-Cataloochee’s Spring Fun Day, which is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on May 7 at Camp Hope. Food, fishing, seminars and fun. Food is free for chapter member guests who bring a side dish or $8 for those who don’t bring a side dish. RSVP to tucataloochee427@gmail.com.

• Franklin Tailgate Market is from 8 a.m.-noon every

• “Coffee with a Ranger,” an hour-long program giving visitors a chance to find out what’s happening in the park over a cup of coffee, will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturdays through May 7 at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Topics will vary based on visitor interest.

• “Down on the Farm,” a two-hour program exploring the lives of homesteaders in the Smokies, will be held at 2 p.m. on Sundays through May 7 at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. The program will include a walk to the adjacent Mountain Farm Museum to witness pastime activities such as fence building, woodworking and gardening.

• Tickets are on sale for a specialty train, “The Railroad Reserve,” through the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. The wine-and-rails pairing operates from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on May 7 and June 1 in Bryson City. Tickets are $129 per adult (21 and older). www.GSMR.com/wine-experience or 800.872.4681.

• An Introduction to Fly Fishing class will be offered for ages 12-up from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 7 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Transylvania County. Pre-registration required: 877.4423 or www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/EducationCenters/Pisgah /EventRegistration.aspx.

• A new course on “Historic Cataloochee Valley, Smoky Mountain Elk & More” will be offered at Saturday, May 7, and May 28 at the Smoky Mountain Field School – a 39-year partnership between the University of Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. $69. Register at www.smfs.utk.edu or 865.974.0150.

• “Wild Survival” exhibit featuring the return of North America’s wolves and peregrine falcons will be on dis-

• On the Water: West Fork Pigeon River – an opportunity to practice fly-fishing skills – will be offered to participants ages 12-up from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 11 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Transylvania County. Pre-registration required: 877.4423 or www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/EducationCenters/Pisgah /EventRegistration.aspx.

• A cycling ride for beginners starts at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday at Macon Middle School in Franklin with a goal of working up to an 18-mile roundtrip to the waterfall on Ellijay. Organized by Smoky Mountain Bicycles. 369.2881 or info@smokymtnbikes.com.

• A cycling ride leaves at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays with alternating starts at Smoky Mountain Bicycles and South Macon Elementary School in Franklin. Rotes vary. Road bikes only. A no-drop ride. Organized by Smoky Mountain Bicycles or info@smokymtnbikes.com.

• A 25-mile ride covering the back roads from Sylva to Balsam leaves at 6 p.m. Tuesdays from Motion Makers Bicycle Shop in Sylva. The route includes flat stretches, lots of climbing and a descent on the return of the out-and-back ride, which includes 1,600 feet of elevation gain. Organized by Motion Makers, 586.6925.

• Beginning bikers can always find help from the folks at Bicycle Haywood N.C., which has members willing to arrange one-on-one instruction. Bob Clark, bobclarklaw@gmail.com.

• A beginner-friendly social ride will begin at 6:15 p.m. Mondays from the Bent Creek Ledford Parking Lot in Asheville, covering 5 to 8 miles of mountain bike trails. Organized By Motion Makers Bicycle Shop.

633.2227.

• A training ride for women who know how to handle a mountain bike but want to go faster will start at 6:15 p.m. Wednesdays from the Ledford parking lot at Bent Creek in Asheville. The rides will cover 8 to 12 miles and use more technical trails than the beginner’s ride.

Organized by Motion Makers Bicycle Shop. 633.2227.

• Nantahala Area Southern Off Road Bicycling Association is still finalizing its schedule of spring off-road rides. Up-to-date information will be posted at www.facebook.com/NantahalaAreaSORBA/?fref=ts.

• Guided tours of WATR Discovery Trails at Monteith Farmstead Park in Dillsboro can be scheduled by calling 488.8418. For youth or adult/civic groups.

FARM AND GARDEN • Corneille Bryan Native Garden annual plant sale.

Saturday April 30, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (rain or shine) J.B. Ivey off County Rd., Lake Junaluska. (top of the garden).

• Waynesville Middle School is holding a plant sale from 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday, April 30. Hanging baskets, vegetables and flowers, all student grown.

• A program on “Advance Seed Saving” will be presented by representatives from Sow True Seed of Asheville at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 9, at the Waynesville Library. Also covered will be in-depth cross-pollination and plan isolation for varietal purity.

To sign up or get more info, contact Kathy at 356.2507 or kolsen@haywoodnc.net.

• Rain barrels are on sale for $90 apiece at the USDA Agricultural Service Center in Waynesville. 476.4667 or info@haywoodwaterways.org.

• The Haywood County Plant Clinic is open every business day till May 15 at the Haywood County Extension Center on Raccoon Road. Master Gardeners are available to answer questions about lawns, vegetables, flowers, trees, ornamental plants and more. May 15.456.3575

Smoky Mountain News

• The film “Now You See Me” will be shown on April 29 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Madbatterfoodflim.com.

• The Tuckaseigee River Chapter No. 373 of Trout Unlimited will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, at the East Laporte picnic area. This chapter serves Jackson, Macon and Swain Counties.

play through May 8 at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville.

Open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. inside the Baker Exhibit Center. Free; non-member guests are required to pay $12 parking fee. www.ncarboretum.org.

April 27-May 3, 2016

• A showcase of work from painter Lucien Harris III will run through May 22 at The Bascom in Highlands.

The works will be exhibited for free. The public is invited to attend an exhibition reception for Lucien Harris from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at The Bascom. www.thebascom.org.

• A classic 1941 drama starring Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O’Hara and Anna Lee will be shown at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 6, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Movie description: At the turn of the century in a Welsh mining village, the Morgans, he stern, she gentle, raise coal-mining sons and hope their youngest will find a better life. 1:58. 524.3600.

Saturday at 203 E. Palmer Street in Franklin. Info: collins230@frontier.com.

wnc calendar

• Western Carolina University’s Fine Art Museum is partnering with the WCU School of Art and Design to host an exhibition of works by first-year students in the Master of Fine Arts Program through Friday, April 29, in Cullowhee. A public reception and performance will close out the installation from 4-6 p.m. on April 29. Featured students are: Brendan Best, Ali Burnette, Javier Fox, G. Vincent Gaulin, Martha Neaves, Zach Rogers, Don Sawyer and Charlotte White.

Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance. PG-13; 2:16. 524.3600.

57

wnc calendar

• The Macon County Community Garden Committee is now taking applications for garden space in the 2016 Community Garden. For an application or info, call 349.2046.

• The Macon County Poultry Club of Franklin meets at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Cooperative Extension Office on Thomas Heights Rd,.

Open to the public. 369.3916.

FARMERS MARKET • Haywood Historic Farmers Market is held from 8 a.m.-noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the parking lot of HART Theatre in Waynesville. 280.1381 or haywoodfarmersmarket@gmail.com or waynesvillefarmersmarket.com • The Original Waynesville Tailgate Market is from 8 a.m.-noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 171 Legion Drive in Waynesville (behind Bogart’s). 456.1830 or vrogers12@att.net.

• The Jackson County Farmers Market will be on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon at Bridge Park located in Sylva. Info: 393.5236. jacksoncountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com or website jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org.

• The ‘Whee Market, offering locally produced crafts and food, is from 4-7 p.m. every Tuesday at the intersection of North and South Country Club Drives in Cullowhee. Info: cullowheemarket@gmail.com.

• The Cashiers Tailgate market is open from 1 p.m.- 5 p.m. on Wednesdays starting June 1 at the United Community Bank on N.C. 107 South. 226.9988 or blueridgefarmers@gmail.com.

April 27-May 3, 2016

• The Franklin Farmers Tailgate Market is from 8 a.m.noon on Saturdays on East Palmer Street across from Drake Software in Franklin. 349.2049 or alan_durden@ncsu.edu.

• Cowee Farmers Market is open from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays starting May 24 at Old Cowee School located at 51 Cowee School Drive. ediescookies@mail.com or www.coweefarmersmarket.com • Swain County Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Fridays starting May 6 through Oct. and Tuesdays starting June 14 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Aug. 16 at the barn on Island Street in Bryson City. 488.3848 or Christine_bredenkamp@ncsu.edu.

COMPETITIVE EDGE • Registration is underway for “Gateway to the Smokies” Half Marathon. The 13.1-mile event is at 7:30 a.m. on May 14 in Waynesville. Sponsored by the Haywood Chamber of Commerce. Register at http://tinyurl.com/gryw4cy. Info: www.smokieshalfmarathon.com , 456.3021 or KWyatt@HaywoodChamber.com.

Smoky Mountain News

• Registration is underway for Tour de Cashiers bike

race, which is May 14 in Cashiers. www.tourdecashiers.com. Early registration is $45.

is for adults and children and includes a monthly meeting with a program and a support network for those raising birds. For info, call 586.4009 or write heather_gordon@ncsu.edu.

HIKING CLUBS • The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a moderate 5.5mile hike with an elevation change of 700 feet on Saturday, April 30, from Thomas Divide on Kanati Fork Trail to Kephart Prong in the Smoky Mountains National Park. For info or reservations, contact leader Gail Lehman at 524.5298. visitors welcome, no dogs.

• An all-day hike will be offered by Jackson County Recreation Department on May 6. $5 per person.

293.3053.

• Friends of the Smokies’ Classic Hike to Hyatt Ridge, a moderate 9.5-mile round trip, is set for Tuesday, May 10, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Elevation gain is 2,000 feet. $20 for existing members; $35 for new members. Donations benefit the Friends’ Smokies Trails Forever program. www.Hike.FriendsoftheSmokies.org.

• Friends of the Smokies hikes are offered on the second Tuesday of each month. www.friendsofthesmokies.org/hikes.html.

• 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. Nonmembers contact event leaders. www.carolinamountainclub.org • Mountain High Hikers, based in Young Harris, Ga., leads several hikes per week. Guests should contact hike leader. www.mountainhighhikers.org.

• Smoky Mountain Hiking Club, located in East Tennessee, makes weekly hikes in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park as well as surrounding areas. www.smhclub.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.

OUTDOOR CLUBS • The Jackson County Poultry Club will hold its regular meeting on the third Thursday of each month at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office. The club

• An RV camping club, the Vagabonds, camps one weekend per month from April through November. All ages welcome. No dues or structured activities. For details, write lilnau@aol.com or call 369.6669.

• The Tuckaseigee River Chapter No. 373 of Trout Unlimited meets at 6:30 p.m. on second Tuesday of the month at United Community Bank in Sylva. Dinner is $5.

• The Cataloochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited meets the second Tuesday of the month starting with a dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Rendezvous restaurant located on the corner of Jonathan Creek Road and Soco Road in Maggie Valley. 631.5543.

• Cold Mountain Photographic Society is a camera/photography club for amateurs and professionals who want to learn about and share their knowledge of photography with others. Must be 18 or older to join.

Meetings are held at 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month in the conference room of MedWest Health and Fitness Center, 262 Leroy George Drive in Clyde. More information at www.cmpsnc.org or info@cmpsnc.org.

• The Cherokee Runners meets each month on the 1st and 15th of the month (if the first falls on Sunday, the group meets on the 2nd), at the Age Link Conference Room. Group runs are being held each Tuesday and Thursday at 6 p.m. starting at the Flame. www.cherokeerunners.com.

• Mountain Wild, the local chapter of the N.C. Wildlife Federation works to preserve and increase wildlife and wildlife habitat of the region. Free programs and guest speakers held periodically at the WNC Nature Center in Asheville. Call 338.0035.

• The Jackson-Swain Master Gardeners’ Association meets at 9:30 a.m. every second Wednesday at the Jackson Community Services Building on Scotts Creek Road in Sylva. Mike Glover at 736.2768 or lmgofish@gmail.com.

• Pigeon Valley Bassmasters Club will meet at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at J&S Cafeteria, Enka, Exit 44 off I-40. 712.2846.

• Macon County Horse Association meets at 7:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Macon County Fairgrounds Alumni Building. Education program and business meeting. ddoster@fs.fed.us.

• The Macon County Beekeepers Association meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the extension office located on Thomas Heights Road next to Jim Brown Chrysler on Highlands Road. New members welcome.

• Smoky Mountain Beekeepers meet at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month at the SCC Swain Center in Bryson City on Almond School Road. Open to anyone interested in honeybees. 554.6935.

• The Franklin Walking Club meets at 10 a.m. every Saturday (weather permitting) at the Tassee picnic shelter on the Greenway at the corner of Wells Grove Road and Ulco Drive. All fitness levels are welcome, call Linda at 421.7613.

• Swain County Trail Runners. Long run group meets 8 a.m. Saturdays at the Deep Creek Trailhead Parking Area in Bryson City. All runs are on trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or Tsali Recreation Area. All distances, paces, ages welcome. More information at 399.0989, 488.6769 or wdtreern@yahoo.com.

• The Sylva Garden Club meets at 9:30 a.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Presbyterian Church in Sylva. cindyrparker@gmail.com.

• WNC Sportsman’s Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday night of each month at the Juke Box Junction Restaurant located in Bethel at the junction of US 276 and N.C. 110 wncsportsmansclub.com

Ongoing BUSINESS & EDUCATION • Free GED test-preparation classes offered by Southwestern Community College, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Mondays through Thursdays and 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Wednesdays and Fridays, SCC Swain Center, Room 101.

Instruction in other college and career readiness activities including computer skills, resume writing, filling out job applications, job searches, college entrance exam prep, college applications, financial aid and more. 366.2000 or stop by the Swain Center.

• Guidance on looking for a job or gaining basic job skills will be available from 1-4 p.m. each Wednesday at the Macon County Public Library. One-on-one help from a Southwestern Community College employability instructor. 524.3600.

• Tech-savvy questions will be answered from 10 a.m.8 p.m. every Tuesday in the month of January at the Jackson County Library. 586.2016.

• Entrepreneurship training available online through HCC Small Business Center through a partnership with Hewlett Packard and the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship. Access courses at www.ncsbc.net, call 627.4512 or kgould@haywood.edu.

Information about upcoming workshops is at SBC.Haywood.edu.

342-74

Great Smokies Storage 10’x20’ $

92

20’x20’ $

160

ONE MONTH

FREE WITH 12-MONTH CONTRACT

828.506.4112 or 828.507.8828

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• The North Carolina Catch program, a three-phase conservation education effort focusing on aquatic environments, will be offered through May 15. The program is offered by the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department. Free for members; daily admission for non-members. 456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Haywood Bee Keepers Association meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the NC Ag center on Raccoon Road. hcbees.org.

Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction

Puzzles can be found on page 62.

These are only the answers.

PRIME REAL ESTATE Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MarketPlace information:

100 YR. OLD FARMHOUSE ESTATE Must Sell Everything in 3 Days!

Antiques, Pottery, Garage full of Tools, Furniture, Something for Everyone! Located: 104 Huckleberry Lane, Waynesville. Thurs.

28th 9:00 - 4:00, Fri. & Sat. 10:00 - 4:00, Rain or Shine!

Presented by Frog Pond Estate Sales

The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 every week to over 500 locations across in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties along with the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. For a link to our MarketPlace Web site, which also contains a link to all of our MarketPlace display advertisers’ Web sites, visit www.smokymountainnews.com.

Rates:

■ Free — Lost or found pet ads.

■ $5 — Residential yard sale ads, ■ $5 — Non-business items that sell for less than $150.

■ $15 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2.

If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type.

■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad or colored background.

■ $50 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold.

■ $300 — Statewide classifieds run in 117 participating newspapers with 1.6 million circulation. Up to 25 words.

■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

AUCTION ABSOLUTE AUCTION 3 Commercial Buildings & 2 Acres.

Saturday, April 30, 2016. 10am.

10073 US Hwy. 21 South, Roaring Gap, NC. Boyer Realty & Auction.

336.372.8888. boyerrealty@skybest.com. www.BoyerRealtyandAuction.com. Col. James R. Boyer NCAL1792. 336.572.2323.

Classified Advertising: Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 classads@smokymountainnews.com

WAYNE BROCK ESTATE AUCTION Live and Online Bidding April 30th, 10am, 900 Asaville Church Road, Anderson, SC. Farm Liquidation joeymartinauctioneers.com.

864.940.4800 for more info.

WAYNESVILLE TIRE, COO

Serving Haywood, Jackson & Surrounding Counties

R

DI

SC OV ER E

ATR

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INC.

Offering:

MAJOR-BRAND TIRES FOR CARS, LIGHT & MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCKS, AND FARM TIRES.

Service truck available for on-site repairs LEE & PATTY ENSLEY, OWNERS

MON-FRI 7:30-5:00 • WAYNESVILLE PLAZA

828-456-5387

342-84

YOUR AD COULD REACH 1.6 MILLION HOMES ACROSS NC! Your classified ad could be reaching over 1.6 Million Homes across North Carolina! Place your ad with The Smoky Mountain News on the NC Statewide Classified Ad Network- 118 NC newspapers for a low cost of $330 for 25-word ad to appear in each paper! Additional words are $10 each. The whole state at your fingertips! It's a smart advertising buy! Call Scott Collier at 828.452.4251 or for more information visit the N.C. Press Association's website at www.ncpress.com

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING ACORN STAIRLIFTS. The Affordable solution to your stairs! **Limited time -$250 Off Your Stairlift Purchase!** Buy Direct & Save. Please call 1.800.291.2712 for Free DVD and brochure.

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING DAVE’S CUSTOM HOMES OF WNC, INC Free Estimates & Competitive rates. References avail. upon request. Specializing in: Log Homes, remodeling, decks, new construction, repairs & additions.

Owner/Builder: Dave Donaldson.

Licensed/Insured. 828.631.0747 or 828.508.0316 FIND THE RIGHT CARPET, Flooring & Window Treatments. Ask about our 50% off specials & our Low Price Guarantee. Offer Expires Soon. Call now 888.546.0135 SAPA SAFE STEP WALK-IN TUB. Alert for Seniors. Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less Than 4 Inch Step-In. Wide Door.

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Installation Included. Call 800.807.7219 for $750 Off.

BUILDING MATERIALS

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PAINTING

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Call or Text Now for a Free Estimate at 828.508.9727

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1880 Dellwood Rd., Waynesville 828.926.1177

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All Makes/Models 2000-2015 Wanted. America’s Top Car Buyer!

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R

WNC MarketPlace

EMPLOYMENT ATTN: DRIVERS Avg. $60k+/yr. $2k Sign-On Bonus.

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CDL-A Req. - 877.258.8782. drive4melton.com AVIATION GRADS Work With Jetblue, Boeing, Delta And Others - Start Here With Hands On Training For Faa Certification.

Financial Aid If Qualified. Call Aviation Institute Of Maintenance 1.866.724.5403 SAPA BUDDY MOORE TRUCKING Is looking for OTR drivers to deliver various freight in the Southeast and Midwest regions. Must have 2 years experience in Van or Flatbed. $2,500 sign on bonus. Call 1.800.241.1468. SAPA

April 27-May 3, 2016 www.smokymountainnews.com

HAYWOOD HABITAT FOR HUMANITY A non-profit organization located in Waynesville is seeking a Construction Manager. Experience in all areas of residential home building and rehab, capability to work with volunteers, and current General Contractor’s License required. For a full job description or to submit resume please email: hr@haywoodhabitat.org No Phone Calls Please.

HIGH-TECH CAREER With U.S. Navy. Elite tech training w/great pay, benefits, vacation, $ for school. HS grads ages 17-34.

Call Mon-Fri 800.662.7419

ENTRY LEVEL Heavy Equipment Operator Career.

Get Trained - Get Certified - Get Hired! Bulldozers, Backhoes and Excavators. Immediate Lifetime Job Placement. VA Benefits. National Average $18-$22. 1.866.362.6497.

VICTIM ADVOCATE/FORENSIC Interviewer - Bachelor’s Degree in Human Service or related field with at least three years relevant experience, Master’s Degree preferred. Grant-funded position working with children and families impacted by abuse. Must demonstrate excellent communication skills and knowledge of child development. Forensic interview training provided for qualified candidates. Email resume and cover letter to: victimadvocateapplicant@gmail.com EOE.

FTCC Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following positions: Director of Financial Aid. For detailed information and to apply, please visit our employment portal at: https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.com/. Human Resources Office. Phone: 910.678.8378 Internet: http://www.faytechcc.edu.

An Equal Opportunity Employer.

MAST GENERAL STORE Waynesville now hiring Part Time sales associates. Prior retail experience preferred; good communication, organizational skills, and open availability req.

Apply at Mast General Store, 63 N. Main St., Waynesville; Mon.-Fri. from 10am - 5pm through May 11, 2016.

No Phone Calls Please.

DRIVER TRAINEES Paid CDL Training! Stevens Transport Will Cover All Costs! No Experience Needed! Earn $800 per week! Local CDL Training!

1.888.748.4137 drive4stevens.com

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EMPLOYMENT

JESAMINE - AN ADORABLE LABRADOR RETRIEVER MIX PUPPY ABOUT 10 WEEKS OLD. HER FOSTER MOM REPORTS THAT SHE IS WORKING ON AND DOING WELL WITH HOUSE TRAINING, AND LOVES PLAYING WITH THE OTHER DOGS IN THE HOME. WE THINK SHE'LL BE A MEDIUM TO LARGE SIZE ADULT DOGGY. YANA - WAS RETURNED TO US AT AGE 7 YEARS WHEN HER OWNER PASSED AWAY. SHE IS A NICE KITTY WHO IS MISSING HER HOME AND HER BEST FRIEND. SHE NEEDS AN UNDERSTANDING NEW HUMAN COMPANION WHO WILL GIVE HER COMFORT AND LOVE AS SHE ADJUSTS TO A NEW LIFE.

EMPLOYMENT

HAYWOOD COUNTY Employment Support Professional (ESP) Supported Employment The ESP functions as part of a team that implements employment services based on the SEIPS model. The team’s goal is to support individuals with MH/SUD obtain and maintain competitive employment. The ESP is responsible for collaborating with clients on creating and achieving their personal employment goals. They will also develop relationships with potential employers in the community in order to create employment opportunities for clients. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license with no restrictions and a bachelor’s degree or higher. Preference will be given to Qualified Professional and Certified Employment Support Professionals.

Employment Peer Mentor (EPM) - Supported Employment The Employment Peer Mentor (EPM) functions as part of a team that implements employment services based on the SEIPS model. The team’s goal is to support individuals with MH/SUD obtain and maintain competitive employment. The EPM is responsible for sharing their lived experience with MH/SUD challenges and how those challenges impacted employment. The EPM offers hope and motivation to others to seek employment, wellness and community integration.

Applicants must have a valid driver’s license with no restrictions, be proficient with a computer, and qualify to be a Certified Peer Support Specialist in North Carolina.

HAYWOOD/BUNCOMBE COUNTY VOCATIONAL SPECIALIST – ACTT Meridian is seeking a Vocational Specialist to work on our Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) in Haywood County. This position offers a unique opportunity to work with individuals and businesses supporting people returning to the workforce.

Bachelor’s degree, valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required. Apply at: www.meridianbhs.org NEED MEDICAL BILLING TRAINEES! Doctors & Hospitals need Medical Office Staff! No Experience Needed! Online Training gets you job ready! HS Diploma/GED & Computer needed. Careertechnical.edu/nc.

1.888.512.7122

EMPLOYMENT

HAYWOOD COUNTY Employment Support Professional (ESP) - Supported Employment. The ESP functions as part of a team that implements employment services based on the SE-IPS model. The team’s goal is to support individuals with MH/SUD obtain and maintain competitive employment. The ESP is responsible for collaborating with clients on creating and achieving their personal employment goals. They will also develop relationships with potential employers in the community in order to create employment opportunities for clients. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license with no restrictions and a bachelor’s degree or higher. Preference will be given to Qualified Professional and Certified Employment Support Professionals.

Employment Peer Mentor (EPM) - Supported Employment The Employment Peer Mentor (EPM) functions as part of a team that implements employment services based on the SEIPS model. The team’s goal is to support individuals with MH/SUD obtain and maintain competitive employment. The EPM is responsible for sharing their lived experience with MH/SUD challenges and how those challenges impacted employment. The EPM offers hope and motivation to others to seek employment, wellness and community integration. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license with no restrictions, be proficient with a computer, and qualify to be a Certified Peer Support Specialist in North Carolina.

HAYWOOD/BUNCOMBE COUNTY Vocational Specialist – ACTT Meridian is seeking a Vocational Specialist to work on our Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) in Haywood County. This position offers a unique opportunity to work with individuals and businesses supporting people returning to the workforce.

Bachelor’s degree, valid driver’s license & reliable transportation required.

For further information and to complete an application, visit our website: www.meridianbhs.org NOW HIRING Class A CDL Drivers! - Free Healthcare! Regional & OTR positions open. Pay starting at 40cpm. 1yr. experience required. Call 864.649.2063 or visit Drive4JGR.com.

EOE.

EMPLOYMENT NOW HIRING The Sweet Onion Restaurant in Downtown Waynesville is Now Hiring All Positions: Servers, Hosts, Buser, Line Cooks & Dishwashers. Please apply in person.

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LAWN & GARDEN HEMLOCK HEALERS, INC. Dedicated to Saving Our Hemlocks. Owner/Operator Frank Varvoutis, NC Pesticide Applicator’s License #22864. 48 Spruce St. Maggie Valley, NC 828.734.7819 828.926.7883, Email: hemlockhealers@yahoo.com

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

REAL ESTATE WANTED TO BUY WANTED: OLD BARN - HOUSE To Salvage Rough Cut Lumber, Flooring, Antiques, Vintage Materials, Etc. Terms Negotiable.

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MEDICAL

WNC MarketPlace

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828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com 61

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April 27-May 3, 2016

WNC MarketPlace

Super

62

CROSSWORD

EMPLOYEE-CONSUMER POLICY ACROSS 1 P.E. place 4 Honey pies 9 “- the time!”

14 FBI tactics 19 Kauai necklace 20 Muslim’s god 21 Range brand 22 Forever, in poetry 23 Cask wood 24 “Resident Evil” actress Jovovich 25 Of warships 26 Tribal groups 27 Start of a riddle 31 Writer Wolfe 32 “Pow!” 33 Longtime NBC host Jay 34 “Right back -!”

36 Buy 39 German for “love” 42 Parish leader 44 Riddle, part 2 49 Pressing tool 50 “... or - gather” 51 Big blue body 52 Feel pain 53 Darted 54 Insufficient 56 No, in Russia 58 Slaughter on a diamond 62 Riddle, part 3 67 Inmate’s wish 70 Voice one’s approval 71 Almost 72 Riddle, part 4 77 Weapon filler 78 “Eraser” actor James 79 Aristocratic

80 See 83-Across 83 With 80-Across, starts a golf game 85 Hypothetical cases 88 “Casual” day: Abbr.

89 Having what it takes 90 End of the riddle 97 Hungers 98 Some Iroquoians 99 Some sushi bar suppliers 100 Bombeck with wit 101 Mensch lead-in 104 Brand found at Petco 107 Blemish 108 Riddle’s answer 115 “A Lesson From Aloes” playwright Fugard 116 Piano exercise 117 Keats’ “- a Grecian Urn” 118 Seemingly forever 119 Diplomat Silas 120 Old fax alternative 121 Tooth: Prefix 122 Tango team 123 Curving billiards shot 124 A Lott of politics 125 “Bullitt” director Peter 126 Hem, e.g.

film) 8 Clinton cabineteer Donna 9 Ma’s ma 10 Sharif of Hollywood 11 Ripple 12 Bowled over 13 Styling site 14 Big lamb cut 15 Start of a simple request 16 Volunteer’s declaration 17 “A pox upon thee!,” updated 18 The “S” of GPS: Abbr.

28 Not at all exciting 29 Arab VIPs 30 One using a lasso 35 Museum pieces 36 Au 37 Gillette offering 38 Savior 40 Manage, with “out” 41 Slow cooker of a sort 43 Facade 45 Speckled horse 46 Diner freebie 47 Huntley of news 48 Jabba the 54 Dover fish 55 Ice dancing gold medalist Virtue DOWN 57 Alaska river 1 Luminesce 58 Fabergé collectibles 2 “You bet” 59 Utmost in degree 3 Evander Holyfield 60 “Well, well, well!” rival 61 One of a D.C. 100 4 Moistened floor wiper 62 Chanel of fra5 Nobelist Wiesel grances 6 Let happen 63 Wetter, weatherwise 7 “Wreck-It -” (Disney 64 Similarly defined wd.

65 Gradient 66 “Swoosh” shoe brand 67 FedExCup org.

68 Bracelet spot 69 DVD- 73 “Law & Order: SVU” co-star 74 “- of Eden” 75 Far from firm 76 “- -Ca-Dabra” (1974 hit) 80 Certain instrument inserts 81 Bloom, in Barcelona 82 Gangbusters 83 Unit of bricks 84 Result 86 “By the way” memo abbr.

87 “Try to - my way ...”

89 Without - (perfect) 90 Ex-zee linkup 91 Celestial Seasonings offering 92 Japanese motorcycles 93 Hot-breathed beasts 94 Christie sleuth Poirot 95 En masse 96 Natives of 110-Down 102 Football player Favre 103 Perfume compound 105 Jason jilted her 106 Aroma 109 Elation 110 Mideastern oil port 111 Adjacent (to) 112 Table d’113 Libertine guy 114 Winter fall 115 USN honcho

answers on page 58

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Answers on Page 58

The naturalist’s corner

approaching, started out like gangbusters.

We got decent looks at scarlet tanagers and had American goldfinches, indigo buntings and white-throated sparrows all in the same view, on the ground, tearing at dandelion

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

Smoky birds just finished four wonderful days of birding in the Smokies, helping out with the 66th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. Well 3.8 wonderful days and 0.2 days getting drenched last Friday before we gave up. Man those pilgrims are tough!

Thanks to the efforts of avid birder and owner of Ventures Birding Tours (Asheville) Simon Thompson, this is the second year of expanded birding programs during the annual Wildflower Pilgrimage. No doubt about it — wildflowers are still the star of this annual event and always will be, but the Pilgrimage has always been inclusive providing bat walks, bear walks, hog walks, photography workshops, etc., and birds have always been a part of it. As far as I can tell, adding more birding has gone over well with pilgrims.

I flew solo Wednesday, birding at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Collins Creek picnic area. Thursday and Friday I got to team up (for the second year) with perennial trip leader Fred Holtzclaw and Saturday I joined Morton Massey of Knoxville.

Conditions were much better at Oconaluftee this year than last — we started

I

in the 50-degree range instead of the 30s.

Oconaluftee provided, as we hoped, a chance for “open area” birds. We had song sparrows, chipping sparrows, savannah sparrows, red-winged blackbirds, tree swallows, wild turkeys, eastern bluebirds and palm warblers to name a few. Then we headed to the woods at Collins Creek picnic area and found blackburnian warbler, black and white warbler, ovenbird, American redstart and more.

Thursday morning I joined Fred for a caravan to Cades Cove. The birding was a bit slower than the previous morning, although black-throated green warblers and indigo buntings at the first stop made things bearable bird-wise, and with Fred there to educate us about the amazing flora surrounding us we sometimes forgot to look up. Did you know that our sweet shrub, Calycanthus floridus, is one of the oldest genera of flowering plants in the world, dating back 144 million years or so? If you had been on our Pilgrimage trip you would have. And while the day may have seemed a little slow on the birding side, we wound up with great looks at eastern meadowlark and common yellowthroat in Cades Cove.

Friday morning, with a front fast

Hooded warbler, one of the wood warblers seen during the annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. Don Hendershot photo seeds. The rains came and washed us away but we had a great list of 41 species going.

Saturday was a strange morning. Despite promises of clearing skies we were stuck in a cool and thick muck of clouds and haze. Still there were high points like great looks at the often secretive Kentucky warbler and the chance to watch Louisiana waterthrushes building a nest at the Sugarlands Visitor Center.

Although the trip was billed as “Wood Warblers,” we thought we might escape the clouds and mist by heading up to Newfound

Gap, hoping to get above the fray. Well Newfound was socked in, windy and quite cool. But we were there and might as well get out and look around, right? That’s when one of those strange “birding moments” occurred; we were in the parking lot at Newfound when someone pointed up and said, “What’s that?” Well, there in the mist and wind at more than 5,000 feet in elevation was a common merganser. And just behind was a group of doublecrested cormorants, followed by a few more mergansers and then a group of common loons. A broad-winged hawk and an osprey soon joined the migrants trying to get across the gap.

This serendipitous birding is one of the things that draws me to my hobby.

The front had undoubtedly shaken up migration. We also found other migrants like wood thrush and palm warbler at Newfound plus more common high-elevation species like northern saw-whet owl, black-capped chickadees, red-breasted nuthatches and golden-crowned kinglets.

I guess the thing to remember about normal migration is … it’s never normal.

(Don Hendershot is a writer and naturalist.

He can be reached a ddihen1@bellsouth.net.)

342-78

The event begins on Main Street in beautiful downtown Waynesville & winds through neighborhoods & scenic farmlands to finish in Frog Level, a revitalized railroad district listed on the National Register of Historic Places

828.452.0911 kimsrx.com kimswellnessinfo.org

Smoky Mountain News

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63

April 27-May 3, 2016 Smoky Mountain News 64

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