SMN 05 22 19

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

May 22-28, 2019 Vol. 20 Iss. 52

N.C. Senate opposes Catawba casino Page 4 Locals log Sasquatch evidence in North Carolina Page 40

CONTENTS On the Cover: Festival season is underway in Western North Carolina as summer quickly approaches. The third annual Cold Mountain Music Festival will once again be taking over the Lake Logan Conference Center grounds May 31 and June 1. The festival will feature top-notch national and regional acts ranging from Americana to soul, folk to indie-rock, singer-songwriter to bluegrass.

(Page 26) Shovels and Rope at the 2018 Cold Mountain Music Festival. David Simchock photo

News N.C. Senate opposes Catawba casino ........................................................................4 Canton signs on to opioid lawsuit ..................................................................................6 Haywood budget presented to commissioners ........................................................7 Homeless shelter decision coming up for Jackson ..................................................8 Efforts to keep McCoy off Cherokee ballot continue ..............................................9 Legal action dropped against Franklin ......................................................................10 Sylva police chief to retire ..............................................................................................11 Maggie community garden fighting food insecurity ..............................................12 Shining Rock defends interim head of school ........................................................14 Macon manager proposes tax increase ....................................................................16 Highlands making broadband progress ....................................................................19 Community Almanac ........................................................................................................21

Opinion Trump’s personality issues deserve diagnosis ........................................................22

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

May 22-28, 2019

Locals log Sasquatch evidence in North Carolina’s mountains ........................40

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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 P: 828.631.4829 | F: 828.631.0789 INFO & BILLING | P.O. Box 629, Waynesville, NC 28786 Copyright 2019 by The Smoky Mountain News.™ Advertising copyright 2019 by The Smoky Mountain News.™ All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The Smoky Mountain News is available for free in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain and parts of Buncombe counties. Limit one copy per person.

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N.C. Senate opposes Catawba casino Letter to U.S. Senate committee signed by 38 of 50 senators

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER bipartisan majority of senators in the N.C. General Assembly have signed a letter opposing a Congressional bill that would pave the way for a new casino to be built in Cleveland County.

“It’s pretty exciting to see the support from the state,” said Cherokee Principal Chief Richard Sneed.

The May 16 letter, addressed to the chairman and vice chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, which is currently considering the bill, refers to Senate Bill 790 as a “last-ditch effort to game the system on a flawed application” and an “unprecedented overreach.”

The proposed casiRichard Sneed no, to be owned by the South Carolina-based Catawba Indian Nation, would “encroach upon Cherokee aboriginal territory defined in the Cherokee Treaty 1777 map” and “deal an economic blow to a region of the state that depends on this industry and the thousands of jobs it provides annually,” the letter said.

“The bill would skirt the formal input process that has worked for decades and doesn’t allow input from the state or the people who live near the proposed site,” the letter said.

It was initiated by Sen. Jim Davis, RFranklin, and is signed by 38 of the 50 senators, including 21 Republicans and 17 Democrats. Davis said that tally doesn’t necessarily mean that 12 senators are opposed — members who represent areas likely to benefit economically from the proposed casi-

Smoky Mountain News

May 22-28, 2019

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Catawba Chief William Harris.

U.S. Senate photo

no weren’t asked to sign, he said, as that would put them in an awkward position.

Sneed said he’s glad to see the letter addressing the state sovereignty issues involved with the bill, as S.790 would exempt the Catawba from existing laws requiring input from local communities and state government.

“There’s not a lot of discussion about that, but there’s a whole other aspect of the story,” Sneed said.

BACKGROUND ON THE BILL Introduced by South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham, S.790 is co-sponsored by North Carolina senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr. It would authorize the Catawba — a federally recognized tribe with a reservation in Rock Hill, South Carolina — to own a gaming facility on a 16.5-acre piece of land in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, and authorize the Secretary of the Interior to take that land into trust for the tribe. The bill states that the facility would comply with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act but be exempt from Section 20 of that law.

Section 20 relates to gaming on lands acquired after Oct. 17, 1988. No gaming can occur on such lands unless they are contiguous to the boundaries of the reservation or if the tribe had no reservation on that date, the law says — but the prohibition can be lifted.

One way that happens is when the Secretary of the Interior determines that a gaming establishment on newly acquired lands “would be in the best interest of the Indian tribe and its members, and would not be detrimental to the surrounding community.” In that case, however, the governor of the state where gaming is to occur must agree with the secretary’s decision.

Currently, North Carolina has only two casinos, both owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. About 30 percent of the customers who visit Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos in Cherokee and Murphy live closer

to Kings Mountain than to the Qualla Boundary, meaning that a new casino in Cleveland County would likely hurt Harrah’s bottom line. The casino is an economic powerhouse in Western North Carolina, employing 5 percent of the far western counties’ workforce, forming the lion’s share of the tribe’s annual budget — which tops half a billion dollars — and providing revenue for the twice-yearly per capita disbursements tribal members receive.

Haywood County, Waynesville, Canton, Swain County, Bryson City, Jackson County, Sylva, Dillsboro, Webster, Forest Hills, Clay County, Hayesville, Graham County, Cherokee County, Andrews and Murphy have all passed resolutions stating the casinos’ importance to the regional economy and their opposition to the proposed legislation. The votes were nearly all unanimous, the exceptions being one no vote in Webster and two in Cherokee County.

As proposed, said Davis, the bill “just violates the agreement that’s been in place for years.”

“The casino and the tribe, their pay is equal to just about anybody around here and their benefits are the best in the state,” he said. “It would just have a negative impact to the gaming operations, so we thought we would let them know we didn’t think much of that whole process.”

THE CATAWBA RESPONSE The Catawba don’t see it that way.

In a written statement, Catawba Chief Bill

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Harris called the letter “the latest in a series of obstructive moves (by the Cherokee) designed to hurt our Nation.”

Those moves include, according to the statement, securing the opposition to S.790 of U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto’s, who is from Nevada, the state where Harrah’s operator Caesars Entertainment is headquartered; “falsely stating” that the Catawba have no roots in North Carolina, despite the listing of six counties as part of the tribe’s service area and widespread use of the word “Catawba” in North Carolina place names; and opposing the economic interests of people in the Cleveland County area, who could benefit from the proposed casino.

“North Carolina is a gaming state. Its government operates a state lottery and there are two Cherokee-affiliated casinos operating in Western North Carolina,” said Harris. “The Catawba Indian Nation does not seek preferential treatment. Instead, we only seek to be treated fairly and equitably by the U.S. government, as our Cherokee brothers and sisters are treated. We look forward to joining hands with the Cherokee in solidarity, as we improve the lives of Native Americans and create more economic opportunities for the people of the great state of North Carolina.”

The Catawba previously had federal recognition as a tribe but lost it in 1959, gaining it back following a 1993 settlement agreement with Congress. The Catawba received a 630acre tract near Rock Hill as their reservation, and the agreement laid out the process for expanding the reserva-

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This is not the first time the General Assembly has authored a letter opposing efforts to allow a Catawba casino in Kings Mountain.

In 2013, 103 members of the N.C. House of Representatives wrote to then-Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell to “express our serious opposition to any attempt by a federally recognized tribe from outside the State of North Carolina to have lands taken into trust by the Department of the Interior and have those lands deemed eligible for class II or class III Indian gambling.” The letter was written after the Catawba applied to the department asking for permission to open a casino on the same Kings Mountain property.

At the top of the list of signatures is that of Tillis, who at the time was Speaker of the N.C. House. Now, U.S. Senator Tillis is on the opposite end of the equation, co-sponsoring the bill to allow the casino.

Tillis’ office did not respond to a request for comment asking what prompted his shift in position but sent The Smoky Mountain News a statement on S.790 last month, April 23.

“Currently, the U.S. Department of Interior does not believe it has the authority to make a decision on whether it can take land into trust in North Carolina on behalf of the Catawba Nation,” the statement reads.

“Senator Tillis joined Senators Graham and Burr to introduce a bill that simply clarifies whether the DOI has that authority.

Generally, this process is long and burdensome for Tribes and no exception will be made for the Catawba Tribe, and they must ultimately gain approval from the Department of Interior and the state governments of North Carolina and South Carolina in order to move forward. Additionally, details like tax revenue would be determined through state compacts. Senator Tillis understands and appreciates the perspectives of North Carolinians who either support or oppose this project. That is why this legislation clarifies what authority the DOI has and then defers to local and state leaders to make an ultimate decision.”

Burr’s office responded to a request for comment on the N.C. Senate letter with an email laying out background information on S.790 but declined to offer a public comment on the issue.

As of press time, Rep. Mark Meadows, RAsheville, had not responded for a request for comment on S.790. His office said that it doesn’t typically comment on Senate legislation.

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing on the bill May 1 but has taken no further action yet. To move forward, the bill will need to receive a favorable vote from the committee for a chance to get voted on by the Senate as a whole.

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Smoky Mountain News

Sneed says that assertion doesn’t line up.

“The language matters,” he said. “If it had been the intent of Congress back in 1993 to allow the Catawbas to take land into trust in North Carolina, they would have said so.”

Taking land into trust is an ordeal that requires generous amounts of time and money, and the reason for which the land is being taken into trust impacts how difficult the process is. Cherokee has an application in right now to take land into trust in Swain County for the purpose of housing.

“That’s completely different,” said Sneed.

“As soon as you put on that trust application ‘for the purpose of gaming,’ that triggers Section 20 of IGRA and at the end of that process the governor can still not sign off on it, so you can spend all that time, money, energy and effort in a 10-year or more process and then have the governor of the state not sign off on it.”

Cherokee did not have to go through that process with its casinos because its casinos are considered on-reservation gaming, meaning Section 20 doesn’t apply. The casino in Cleveland County would be considered off-reservation gaming, something that would typically trigger the Section 20 process, though under S.790 that process would be bypassed.

SHIFT IN POSITION FOR TILLIS

May 22-28, 2019

Haywood County, Waynesville, Canton, Swain County, Bryson City, Jackson County, Sylva, Dillsboro, Webster, Forest Hills, Clay County, Hayesville, Graham County, Cherokee County, Andrews and Murphy have all passed resolutions stating the casinos’ importance to the regional economy and their opposition to the proposed legislation.

To complicate the matter, IGRA does not currently apply to the Catawba at all, as stated in the 1993 settlement. Instead, the tribe’s ability to run gaming operations is governed by state law — that is, South Carolina law.

Despite multiple efforts, the tribe hasn’t had any success with getting gaming approved on its South Carolina lands.

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tion, which today encompasses 1,000 acres.

The settlement agreement contains extensive references to South Carolina and how the tribe is to interact with the state, all of which is considered to be in the tribe’s service area.

The service area also includes six counties in North Carolina — Cleveland County is one of them — but the settlement agreement doesn’t specify what the tribe’s relationship with North Carolina’s government should look like.

As the Catawba tell it, Congress had always intended to allow the tribe to take land into trust in both states, but the final language didn’t reflect that intention. S.790 merely seeks to clarify the intent of the existing agreement, they say.

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Canton joins opioid lawsuit

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER f all the victims of the nation’s opioid epidemic, probably the most overlooked are the municipalities that have to expend taxpayer-funded resources to deal with the problem.

Every time a police car is dispatched, it costs money. Every time a fire truck leaves the station, it costs money. Every time an offender is apprehended, adjudicated, incarcerated or placed under supervision — yep, all that costs money, too.

And it adds up, especially in small towns like Canton, but after a closed session meeting May 9, the town has decided to try to get some of that money back from the people who pushed the problem.

“Canton has chosen not to stand idly by in this national opioid crisis,” said Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers in a May 20 press release. “Canton has had to spend taxpayer funds to respond to this serious public health and safety crisis. We are going to fight this opioid crisis and combat the personal devastation we have witnessed right here in our community. We will lead the way in this litigation and have retained a number of North Carolina and national law firms to assist Canton in this effort.”

During that meeting, the Canton Board of Aldermen/women authorized attorney Paul Coates, a partner in the Greensboro law firm of Pinto, Coates, Kyre and Bowers, to file on its behalf a class action suit against the manufacturers and distributors of prescription opioids.

“There’s been a long history of some litigation and some regulatory action and fines involving the manufacturers and distributors of opioids,” Coates said. “Two years ago was when we got involved, as they were beginning to file lawsuits in Ohio and West Virginia.

Ohio and West Virginia are hotbeds for the problem. When you look at the statistics and the maps, you can see how opioids have come down the Blue Ridge Mountains, and into North Carolina.”

Coates said that statistically, in North Carolina there is almost one opioid prescription for every man, woman and child in the state.

“We say the industry has been flooding the market with way too many pills. People get addicted really fast — now I’m hearing as quick as seven days. Statistics that I have seen show that roughly 25 percent of people who get a full course of 30-day opioids will, in a year, still be taking opioids,” he said. “It’s just very highly addictive and can be very destructive to families, professionals, everyday workers. It knows no boundaries of socioeconomic class.”

Despite the groundswell of activity in Ohio and West Virginia, North Carolina has been hit especially hard and stands among states with the worst opioid problems in the nation. Canton’s press release says that from 2011 to 2016, more than 26 million pills were 6 dispensed in Haywood County. That’s more

Smoky Mountain News

May 22-28, 2019

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Canton’s board of aldermen/women James Markey (from left), Kristina Smith, Dr. Ralph Hamlett and Gail Mull sit onstage with Mayor Zeb Smathers (far right) at the Colonial Theater in November 2017. Cory Vaillancourt photo than 36,000 a month, every month, in a county of 60,000 people.

“We got involved because I have a connection in West Virginia to a law firm I work with that is involved in the project, and I have been working for the last couple years with counties and some larger cities,” Coates said.

“Then we got an inquiry from Canton about, ‘We have a problem and we want help getting it fixed. We want to address it diligently and help our citizens, but we’re just a small town.

What can we do?’”

Coates said that’s when he talked to the town about being a plaintiff in a class-action setting where they would be a representative of small cities and towns across North Carolina.

The town, though, won’t be just any plaintiff — it will be one of the lead plaintiffs in the class action suit, which will focus more on small towns.

“They will have more of a say in what goes on in litigation than just a class member,” said Coates. “They will have more input into whatever potential settlement there might be. Also, it’s very typical that the court recognizes the lead plaintiff has more time in [the case] than someone who just joined the class, so they tend to get additional compensation as well.”

The suit, Coates said, would be filed in federal court, probably in Asheville. As a piece of multi-district litigation, the suit will be handled by a judge in Ohio, where more than 1,600 suits are now pending.

That judge will handle the discovery process and all of the pretrial motions, so results are consistent across the country.

Coates says he hopes that the lawsuit is filed fairly soon, and that there are three trials set in Ohio for October, called bellwether trials.

“The judge picks those to try, to kind of see what the lay of the land is, see what the jury is going to do, and there’s always a hope for a settlement at any time, before or after the trial, but realistically it’s at least a year to two years before there’s any real potential for resolution,” he said.

Damage claims will be based on the amount of taxpayer resources municipalities have spent fighting the problem.

“The damages a town like Canton has, you have the police department expending resources, as well as the fire department,” said Coates. “We’ve had some areas across the state say that they spend as much 10 percent of their budget just fighting the opioid crisis.” anton’s board of aldermen/women were quick to weigh in on what they see as an important issue; they know, by and large, that the lawsuit won’t stop the problem, and that it might not even be successful.

Whatever the outcome, though, Canton’s leaders are more than comfortable with the tiny Western North Carolina town serving as a representative of rural America in the suit.

“Canton is the face of America,” said Alderman Dr. Ralph Hamlett, professor emeritus at Brevard College. “The U.S. is all about small towns and rural communities.

It’s time for small towns to speak out and say, ‘enough is enough.’”

Alderwoman Kristina Smith said it wasn’t about publicity, but instead about principle.

“We are not grandstanding here, but if we can put a face to this epidemic, then let it be ours. We must do something,” Smith said.

“Doing nothing is not an option.”

Arresting opioid users — who can be difficult to rehabilitate — and traffickers who sell diverted medication isn’t a realistic option either, according to Alderman James Markey.

“In a sense, this crisis is something akin to fighting a fire at an oil well. You can spray and spray all day and night, but at some point you have to look to the oil man and ask why he refuses to turn off the pump,” said Markey.

“It’s not a great analogy, but honestly this situation is not going to be solved by continuing to arrest and attempt to treat the countless members of our society who’ve fallen victim to these powerful and dangerous addictive drugs. People are profiteering on misery and despair and calling it medicine, and it is incumbent on all of us to take a principled

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stand and say enough is enough. As a board, this is our best way to do that.”

The suit itself won’t have much of an effect on opioid users, but is instead more about holding accountable the parties responsible for deliberately turning routine convalescence into a life-changing encounter with addiction.

“In our discussion about this, I was very careful to ask if our participation in this lawsuit could in any way offer the people on the other side a way out of answering for their roles in this crisis,” Markey said. “And really, the sad truth is that though the people at the very top acted with brazen criminality and reckless disregard for human life in the pursuit of their greed, they are almost certainly protected by corporate laws (that their lobbyists help get passed) which prevent them from being prosecuted and imprisoned for these crimes.”

Hamlett agrees that it’s the corporate entities behind the problem that bear most of the blame.

“The major pharmaceuticals, they have a responsibility for the epidemic that’s plaguing our nation. They didn’t reveal the addictiveness of the drugs that they were prescribing, so many people became addicted, for example with Oxycontin,” he said. “They were addicted before they knew it. With addiction, you always have a market.”

Smith also sees the fight against opioids as a local issue that goes far beyond substance abuse and crime.

“People are profiteering on misery and despair and calling it medicine, and it is incumbent on all of us to take a principled stand and say enough is enough.”

— James Markey, Canton alderman

“The board of aldermen and women are here to improve quality of life, be a voice for the community, drive economic development and ensure a positive and sustainable future,” she said. “We won’t be able to achieve any of those things if we don’t take a stand against opioid manufacturers right here at home.”

Coates said that he feels confident about Canton’s chances in the suit against opioid manufacturers and distributors.

“We believe in the case, we believe we have substantial evidence that they have created a crisis,” he said. “We hope they are held accountable and help pay for the solution.”

For Smith, it’s not as much about paying for the solution as it is paying back those who’ve already been dealing with it for years now.

“Our law enforcement officers, educators and nonprofits have been doing the heavy lifting,” she said. “This is what we can do as a board to recover those expenses related to opioid addiction to position us on a path for a better future.”

Haywood budget presented to commissioners F

between $40,000 and $60,000. Half are in health and human services, and a quarter are in public safety.

County employees making more than $60,000 — a total of 46 people — will receive a 1.5 percent raise. Again, the majority are in health and human services, followed by public safety employees.

Increased spending, to the tune of more that $881,000, is also slated for the county’s two educational entities, Haywood Community College and Haywood County Schools.

HCC capital funding will increase by $57,000 to $417,000 and operational funding will rise by almost $180,000 to $2.93 million.

2002 2003 2004 HCS capital 61 61 61 funding will increase by $150,000 to $900,000, and operation funding by almost $500,000 to $16.49 million.

There may be a small savings to the county if a proposed change in how the county handles recreation becomes a reality; right now, the plan is to dissolve the county’s recreation department and pay the Town of Waynesville $100,000 to administer the county’s recreation programs, while paying the Town of Canton $100,000 to start its own recreation department. Currently, the county spends $250,000 a year.

Before the meeting, Commissioner

Brandon Rogers said he’d received calls from people on both sides of the issue, but was leaning toward the new plan.

County capital funding, though, will see a substantial cut, from $2.93 million to $2.07 million.

New voting machines slated for purchase

experience,” said Commissioner Tommy Long, who like Morehead was working on his very first Haywood budget. “I felt he was very qualified to do this job. As we saw from his presentation, he’s thoroughly versed.

Budgeting is a strong point for him, and I think that’s very good for our county.”

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Haywood County property tax rate in cents per $100 assessed value, 2002-2019

On May 20, Haywood County Manager Bryant Morehead presented to commissioners what’s known as the “manager’s budget,” a comprehensive document outlining his revenue projections and spending recommendations for the coming year. After commissioners review those recommendations and, possibly, make changes, a public hearing must be conducted.

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Date: Thursday, May 23 Location: Haywood County Historic Courthouse, 678 North Main St., Waynesville

2005 61

2006 49.7

2007 49.7

2008 49.7

2009 51.4

2010 51.4

2011 54.13

2012 54.13

in 2018 and 2019 weren’t acquired at that time, and won’t even be included in this budget, because there’s a lack of certified equipment at the state level; county elections board director Robbie Inman may have to come back to the board for a fund balance appropriation of approximately $800,000 if they ever become available.

All in all, the proposed general fund budget totals $87,551,660. Morehead said that he’d received requests from department heads for just $1.8 million more than that, meaning he didn’t have to reject many of those requests.

“The departments, they really asked for what they needed, not what they wanted,” he said. “There’s a difference there — they really made fiscally conservative requests, so we didn’t have a whole lot to cut out of it.

That was a pleasant surprise. Their requests were really streamlined.”

This was Morehead’s first budget presentation as Haywood County’s manager, but it was far from his first budget. He was hired by the previous board of commissioners in August 2018, based largely on his substantial budgeting experience in Gaston County.

Local government veteran and Commission Chairman Kevin Ensley said this was the 15th budget he’d worked on personally, while Morehead said this was his 18th.

“I can tell you when I first met Bryant after the election, before I got sworn in, that was my first question to him — budget

2013 54.13

2014 54.13

2015 56.61

2016 56.61

2017 56.61

2018 58.5

2019* 58.5

Long commended Morehead for his effort on the budget, especially in light of his own inexperience.

“I was very nervous going in to this [in January, when the budget process began], and I tried to stay on top of it,” said Long. “I was actually in contact with Bryant three or four times a week, sometimes a couple times a day, to verify things.”

Commissioner Mark Pless, who like Long was elected in November 2018, shared Long’s sentiments about Morehead.

“I’ve been impressed,” said Pless. “He’s put the needs out there, he’s given us a lot of information to be prepared. I couldn’t ask for any better. When it comes down to making decisions in the best interest of the county, I think he’s given us all the tools we need to do that, and I’m impressed with that part of it.”

Pless, also going through his first budget process with Haywood County, said he was eager to dig in to the document to see if it couldn’t be made just a little bit better before adoption, which by law must occur

by July 1.

“I’m glad I finally have it to where I can look at it and do something with it,” he said.

“We talked about a lot of different things, a lot of different needs. Everybody of course says they need things and some times the needs outweigh the actual amount of money that we’ve got, so I’m anxious to get a hold of it in its entirety and see what it looks like.”

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Smoky Mountain News

Haywood County budget public hearing

*proposed Source: Haywood County

May 22-28, 2019

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER or the second year in a row, Haywood County taxpayers can expect no increase in property taxes, thanks to increasing revenues and a substantial fund balance appropriation, but the county’s health care costs are starting to become nearly unmanageable.

On the revenue side, all of Haywood County Manager Bryant Morehead’s projections are good news — general fund revenues should come in 3.73 percent higher than last year, or about $3 million more, thanks in part to an $823,000 increase in property tax collections and a $728,000 increase in sales tax collections.

Those two revenue streams alone account for more than 72 percent of general fund revenue and together total more than $60 million.

General fund expenditures, however, are up more than $4.8 million, including a $1.8 million increase in public safety spending, a $1 million increase in health and human services spending, and an $882,000 increase in education spending.

Those increases, though, are largely due to a staggering $2.8 million rate hike by the county’s health care provider; last year the county paid $6.75 million, but this year, the bill is closer to $9.54 million.

Without the 41 percent rate increase, the $1.8 million increase in public safety spending would only be $882,000, the $1 million health and human services increase would be $864,000 and the $882,000 increase in education spending would be $247,000.

“The health insurance has been the biggest concern,” said Morehead. “We’ve got to get that fixed.”

Morehead said he’d re-bid the plan in July to ensure the county is getting the best rate it can, but he also cautioned that “difficult decisions” are on the horizon for commissioners, including the possibility eliminating retirement benefits for those hired after Dec. 31, 2019.

Such a move could prove catastrophic for a county that’s struggled to retain employees who can find better compensation and benefits in other municipalities or in the private sector.

Employee retention has been a major theme of this year’s budgeting process, and Morehead this year took several steps to bring compensation in line with market rates.

First, the budget proposes a 2 percent cost-of-living increase for all employees, beginning with the new budget year in July.

Then, during the first pay period of 2020, employees will receive a “market adjustment” based on salary.

The county’s 308 employees who make less than $40,000 a year will receive a 5 percent raise; almost half of them are employed in public safety, and more than a quarter in health and human services.

A 3 percent raise will likewise come to the county’s 146 employees who make

Smoky Mountain News

May 22-28, 2019

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Homeless shelter management decision coming up for Jackson

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he return of warmer weather means that Jackson County’s cold weather homeless shelter has been closed for two months, but commissioners have some tough discussions ahead as they plan what to do when the weather turns chilly once more.

When the fiscal year ends June 30, the Southwestern Child Development Center’s contract as Jackson County’s shelter manager will officially end, and as of yet nobody is in place to take over.

The SWCDC has managed the shelter since 2017, when its founder Jackson Neighbors in Need passed the baton due to the increased demand on the organization’s volunteer force. But the SWCDC was clear about its intentions — it would take over shelter management as a stopgap measure but would not fill the role permanently.

This spring, the county put out a request for proposals, inviting all area nonprofits to submit a proposal for shelter management.

It received only one proposal in return, from the newly formed organization HERE in Jackson County, Inc. According to the application, HERE’s board includes Destri Leger of the Center for Domestic Peace and the WNC Homeless Coalition; Monica Frizzell of VAYA Health and the WNC Homeless Coalition; Marilyn Chamberlain of the WNC Homeless Coalition; Kelly Brown of First Baptist Church; and community member Mary Kate Crisp.

Leger said HERE initially formed as an entity to locally administer the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Rapid Re-housing Program, which the SWCDC had been running for the eight western counties but planned not to continue after 2019. But when the group learned that Jackson County needed someone to manage its homeless shelter, it expanded its focus.

“Our goal is to continue the homeless program as it is run currently, which is through the hotel model, and moving forward in the coming years as we sit down and focus and make these connections and hopefully partner with the county, part of our vision is to

have an actual brick-and-mortar physical structure for Jackson County,” Leger said.

The proposal requests $245,000 in county funding, of which $179,000 would be spent on salaries and benefits for four employees. That’s substantially more than the $120,000 the county spent on homeless services in the 2019-20 fiscal year. However, Leger said the group expects to negotiate on the price tag.

Grants available through new health foundation

Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center or from noon to 2 p.m. May 28 at Hudson Library in Highlands. RSVP to r.oakley@hchealthfnd.org. www.hchealthfnd.org.

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The new beginning for the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation, a public charity, is underway, and the announcement of its grant application is now online.

The Foundation will accept grant applications for proposals to improve the wellbeing of Highlands, Cashiers and surrounding communities online at www.hchealthfnd.org. The grant application submittal deadline is June 15 for the first grant cycle.

Interested applicants may attend a grant 8 workshop from 12:30 to 2 p.m. May 22, at

“Part of our vision is to have an actual brick-andmortar physical structure for Jackson County.”

— Destri Leger

“We really wanted to show what a full program at really best practices operational capacity would look like,” she said. “In reality we 100 percent knew we were not going to get $245,000.”

While proposals were due March 31, commissioners have not yet discussed the homeless shelter proposal in particular.

HERE plans to present its request to commissioners during a work session at 8:30 a.m. May 23, during the time designated for commissioners to hear from nonprofits.

County Manager Don Adams said the RFP deadline was set to match up to the budget process, so commissioners could consider any responses alongside other requests from local nonprofits.

All five commissioners say that finding a permanent management solution for homeless services is a priority, but none seem certain as to what the path forward should look like. There’s a strong likelihood that decision won’t be made before the 2019-20 budget is adopted. That vote is scheduled for June 18.

“We’re going to go ahead and set aside money in the budget to match what we’ve done for this last year so it would be comparable dollars, and then we’ll just work to try to make sure we have someone in place to manage it whenever the cold weather gets here again,” said Chairman Brian McMahan.

“I don’t look for this to be solved before

NAACP to discuss lynching monument Haywood County NAACP will meet from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at the Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center to reflect on the pilgrimage to Montgomery and to discuss the monument at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice that honors George Ratcliffe, who was killed in Haywood County in 1900.

the budget passes,” he added.

In addition to the SWCDC no longer being an option as a shelter manager, the county is dealing with the possibility that a grant it’s received for the past several years to pay for case management services might not continue to be awarded in the coming years.

Bob Cochran, case manager for the shelter and retired director of the county’s Department of Social Services, told commissioners in a May 14 work session that a recent discussion he’d had with an Evergreen Foundation representative indicated the organization would like to see Jackson County stop relying on those funds.

“She didn’t say this specifically, but I interpreted that they supported our case management salary for about five years now, and I think that she’s kind of giving us a heads up that we need to do in her words what Haywood and Macon are doing, and that is to engage the churches and the faith community,” he said.

“It sounds as if some places have other charitable organizations being more involved with the final Bob Cochran solution, and that ought to be something we should continue to work with,” said Commissioner Ron Mau. Cochran told commissioners that things have been busy at the shelter over the past winter, with 53 adults and 26 children sheltered for a total of 1,379 hotel room nights at a cost of $85,000 between Nov. 8, 2018, and March 31. The shelter has 12 rooms reserved at the Quality Inn throughout the winter, with those rooms consistently full.

The number of people actually sheltered “does not begin to reflect” the number of people who actually contact Cochran in search of services, he said.

The hotel model is great for a lot of reasons. The hotel takes care of cleanliness issues and breakfast in the morning, as well as security issues. If someone gets kicked out of the shelter, it’s easy to change the door key to keep them from returning. The individual rooms make it simple to segregate

genders and keep children safe.

However, the model can a “magnet,” Cochran said, for people who aren’t truly homeless, and sometimes the nicer accommodations mean that clients have less incentive to move out. It’s also expensive on a perperson, per-night basis.

Even for the motivated, moving out can be difficult, because there just aren’t many options for low-income housing in Jackson County — especially for those who have a less-than-stellar rental history.

“You need a landlord that trusts that you’re going to take care of his or her unit,” he said. “Like one landlord said, no tenant is better than a bad tenant.”

Despite those challenges, the shelter this year got 34 percent of its adult residents into permanent housing.

“Thirty-four percent are getting permanent housing,” said Commissioner Gayle Woody. “That was really encouraging to me, but then with systemic homelessness that’s where I don’t think we’re addressing that, and we still need to figure out how we can do it.”

For Commissioner Mickey Luker, case management is a big priority.

“There’s got to be some case management with it,” he said. “There’s got to be some life skills. There’s got to be some assistance. Where does your focus go from here, helping these individuals get back on the right track and become a responsible homeowner or renter?”

The county will need to make some immediate decisions on shelter management that will dictate what the program looks like for the coming winter. But there are longerterm questions as well. For instance, is a brick-and-mortar, dormitory-style shelter something the county should pursue?

Should the county continue being the main organizer and funder of homeless services?

Or should those services be provided and paid for mainly by nonprofit or faith groups, as in Haywood County? Or, conversely, should the county take the whole operation in-house as a division of DSS? “It’s not an easy problem to fix,” said McMahan. “If it was easy to fix, a lot of smart people would have done fixed it.”

Communities are invited to claim monuments from their location and bring them “home” to display where the lynching happened. NAACP will explore the pros and cons of bringing the monument back to Haywood County.

Participants should bring finger food to share if they can. All people of good will are invited to join.

An N.C. Department of Transportation contractor is replacing the Snow Hill Road bridge over Cowee Creek. The road closed Wednesday at the bridge, which must be demolished before the new one can be built.

The 56-year-old bridge has become functionally obsolete, meaning it has vehicle weight limits and a narrow driving deck. The bridge is also structurally deficient, so it requires more extensive maintenance and repairs.

The road is expected to reopen with the new bridge by the end of this year. In the meantime, barricades have gone up to protect the public and the workers at the bridge.

A signed detour is sending motorists onto Cowee Creek Road and Leatherman Gap Road to go around the closed section of Snow Hill Road.

Macon road closes for bridge project Work to replace an aging, wooden bridge that some vehicles were unable to cross is underway in Macon County.

Principal chief candidate Teresa McCoy explains her opposition to the proposed ordinance.

EBCI photo

Court order prevents decertification hearing; Saunooke seeks reversal of order

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May 22-28, 2019

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BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ribal member Robert Osley Saunooke is not giving up on his efforts to see Teresa McCoy barred from candidacy in the upcoming election for principal chief.

In an order issued at 4:15 p.m. Friday, May 17, the Cherokee Supreme Court granted a petition for writ of prohibition that McCoy’s attorney James Kilbourne had filed seeking to prevent a hearing the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Board of Elections had scheduled for May 21. The scheduled hearing, which could have ended with McCoy’s removal from the ballot, resulted from a protest of McCoy’s candidacy that Saunooke filed May 2.

According to the order, the petition was allowed “on the ground that this Court has n previously decided this same matter, and d that, to allow a new hearing this close to the d June 6, 2019, primary election brought under a similar statute (Cherokee Code 1616-4.1, governing decertification of a candidate) with - respect to the same underlying legal issues t based on the same underlying incident in a matter that this court has already decided, would frustrate the Court’s order of April 29, 2019, violate fundamental fairness, and cause appellant to suffer irreparable harm.”

The order was signed by Chief Justice Kirk - Saunooke and Associate Justice Robert C. Hunter, with Associate Justice Brenda Pipestem voting against her colleagues.

In her dissenting opinion, filed May 20, Pipestem said that the court had no jurisdicw tion to interfere before the board held its

hearing and that preventing the hearing “stripped the rights” of tribal citizens to protest election certifications.

“Eastern Band of Cherokee citizens who are registered to vote have the right under Election Code to challenge the certification of a candidate for elected office,” she wrote.

“The majority’s decision violates that right for purposes of ‘judicial economy’ and exercises jurisdiction where there is none.”

The order would have been McCoy’s final hurdle in what has been an unfolding struggle to get on — and stay on — the ballot for the Primary Election June 6.

But on Monday, May 20, Saunooke submitted his own petition to the court, seeking to intervene as a party in the case and have the court dissolve the order it had issued May 17. Saunooke submitted his order pro se — meaning, representing himself.

According to Saunooke’s petition, he was the “real party of interest” in the writ of prohibition, but yet he was given no notice of the proceedings.

“This Court considered the motions filed by the other parties without providing Saunooke with appropriate due process and an opportunity to be heard,” he wrote.

The failure of any party to include Saunooke in the filed writ of prohibition violates the Indian Civil Rights Act, he wrote, depriving Saunooke of his right to due process.

Saunooke also took issue with the majority opinion that the hearing should not proceed because the court had already ruled on “the same underlying legal issues based on the same underlying incident.” The protest “includes reference to other matters” as well, Saunooke wrote, listing three incidents in which McCoy had allegedly misused the power of her elected position and claiming that she lied on previous applications for candidacy by claiming she had never defrauded the tribe.

due process rights, as the granting or rejecting of the writ would not deprive him of life, liberty or property. Kilbourne also argued against the assertion that because Saunooke’s protest involves “reference to other matters,” it should trigger a new hearing before the board.

“While Saunooke’s motion contains a reference to several allegations, none of the claims, however salacious, raise any additional legal issues regarding the certification of Teresa McCoy,” Kilbourne wrote. “While Ms. McCoy denies each of these claims alleged in the protest, they are only relevant to an election attack ad rather than a protest of certification.”

The court did not conclude that Saunooke’s protest is the same as the protest it had already considered, Kilbourne said — only that the “same underlying legal issues” were at play.

Kilbourne also questioned whether Saunooke should have the right to file a protest related to the University of Alabama episode at all, as he was Tribal Council’s legislative counsel in 1996.

“His protest alleges that he received certain information from a member of Tribal Council while acting as an attorney for the Tribal Council,” Kilbourne wrote. “This raises complex issues of client confidentiality and conflict of interest that are unique to Saunooke and which could arguably prevent him from participating in a protest against Teresa McCoy.” As of press time, the court had not yet issued its ruling on Saunooke’s petition.

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Efforts to keep McCoy off Cherokee ballot continue

“Had Saunooke been property notified of this proceeding the Court would have learned of additional matters and allegations not previously considered by the Court or the Board of Elections,” he wrote.

The previous challenge to McCoy’s candidacy dealt with allegations that she defrauded the tribe when she accepted a $1,500 payment from the University of Alabama in 1996. The payment included a $1,000 consultation fee as well as $500 for travel expenses, though she had also received a travel advance from the tribe. The Tribal Council at the time held a hearing on the matter and declined to discipline McCoy, who two months later was the top vote-getter in the race to represent Big Cove on Tribal Council. She was certified to run in every election thereafter through 2015, after which she retired until deciding to run for chief in 2019.

Based on an investigation into the events of 1996, the election board declined to certify her this time around. The board upheld its decision following a hearing April 9, but when the Cherokee Supreme Court heard the matter April 29 it overturned the board’s decision, ordering McCoy’s certification as a candidate. A written opinion explaining the court’s decision-making process is forthcoming.

While Election Day is not until June 6, voting has already begun. Absentee voting started May 1 and early voting began May 13. It will continue through May 27.

In his response, Kilbourne took issue with Saunooke’s claim that his lack of inclusion in the writ of prohibition violated his

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Legal action dropped against Franklin Nikwasi Mound transferred to nonprofit

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR ive Macon County residents are dropping their legal action against the town of Franklin for deeding over the sacred Nikwasi Mound property to nonprofit redevelopment entity Nikwasi Initiative.

Five plaintiffs who filed for an injunction against the town claiming it was in violation of a 1946 deed to the mound — Gloria Raby Owenby, Betty Cloer Wallace, Mary Ruth Byrd, Edgar Burton “Bud” Shope and Judith B. Dowdle — have decided the cost to fight the legal battle would be too high.

“Our legal counsel advises that many months of discovery and exorbitant expense will be required for us to continue our legal case at this time against the Franklin Town Council regarding their giveaway of the Nikwasi Mound on May 6, 2019, complicated by the Council’s alleged entanglements with several private corporations and the sovereign Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians,” a press release from the plaintiffs stated.

They have requested that the injunction be dismissed without prejudice by the court, which would give them the option to renew legal action in the future if they discover more information about the Town Council’s transfer of ownership of the Nikwasi Mound. The plaintiff said they need more time to research the “convoluted and questionable relationships” among the many partnering agencies that make up the Nikwasi Initiative, which include Mainspring Conservation Trust, Women’s History Trail and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The town of Franklin and Macon County are also NI partners that have financially contributed to the organization’s mission of preserving the mound and developing a cultural corridor through the region to bring attention to the mound and other historic sites.

Despite Nikwasi Initiative being a public nonprofit organization, the plaintiffs insist on referring to the group as a “private development” organization. They see the deed transfer as the town privatizing the property

Smoky Mountain News

May 22-28, 2019

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are very excited about what the future holds for all the partners in this venture.”

Once the official transfer of the deed is complete, Nikwasi Initiative will coordinate with EBCI’s Tribal Historic Preservation Office regarding mound maintenance. EBCI has purchased a property adjoining the mound, which is proposed as an annex to the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. A study to determine the feasibility and scope of the proposed museum is under way. Pending results of the study, the Initiative’s members will bring stakeholders together to ensure that the greater project moves forward with a common vision.

“This project has enormous potential for the town and the region,” said Barbara McRae, vice-mayor of Franklin, who serves as the town’s representative to Nikwasi Initiative. “Its history is fascinating and Plaintiffs have dropped their legal action against the town of unique. It has meaning to Franklin for giving over its deed for the Nikwasi Mound. all of us in Macon County, as well as the Cherokee, and North Carolina. After 200 years of not hav- is a treasured part of our heritage. And, it has ing any control over an ancient indian site national significance. We look forward to the located in the middle of downtown Franklin, opportunity the coalition offers to tell this the EBCI will finally have a voice in the future story and create a beautiful public place of the mound. With the mound under a joint around it.”

Juanita Wilson, a member of the EBCI and ownership agreement, NI partners will move forward with plans to redevelop the parcels co-chair for NI board, was also pleased with surrounding the mound to offer more educa- the council’s decision despite the small but vocal opposition. tional opportunities about its significance.

“My heart skipped a beat. I could hear my “I am very pleased that the Franklin Town Council voted unanimously to convey ancestors sigh. In my mind’s eye I can see the Nikwasi Mound to the Nikwasi Initiative,” Nunnehi, the ‘Immortals,’ who historically EBCI Principal Chief Richard Sneed said in a protected these lands, and the people, nodpress release. “The vote by the Town Council ding in approval,” she said. “I felt the winds solidifies the partnership between the shift, bringing a sense of renewal and unity Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Town across Western North Carolina. I woke up to of Franklin, and the Nikwasi Initiative. We a new day.”

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that was deeded to the town for safekeeping in 1946. While the 1946 deed does specify that the mound “shall be preserved for the citizens of Macon County and for posterity,” Town Attorney John Henning Jr. told the town council he found nothing in the deed language prohibiting the town from entrusting the mound to another entity.

The plaintiffs interpret the deed differently and wanted the town to maintain the property for future generations.

“We appreciate the outpouring of citizen support for our efforts up to this point in trying to prevent privatization of the mound, and we encourage you to remain diligent in oversight of future actions of our local government officials, both municipal and county, both elected and employed, to ensure their legal and ethical duty to represent the citizens of Franklin and Macon County rather than their own opportunistic undertakings,” their press release stated. “We also encourage you to join us during the upcoming elections in working toward the removal of the six Franklin Town Council members who have betrayed the trust of Franklin voters and Macon County citizens in this matter, four of whom can be unseated in 2019 and two in 2021.”

The issue definitely caused a rift in the community between people who wanted to see something more done to preserve and promote the cultural and educational benefits of the mound and those who didn’t trust the Nikwasi Initiative’s intentions for the property.

Henning tried to relax those fears by including the same restrictions in the new deed that were outlined in the 1946 deed that would prevent any kind of development of the mound property. The deed does not absolve the town of ultimate responsibility of the mound — if the Nikwasi Initiative doesn’t live up to its promises or dissolves as a nonprofit, the mound ownership would revert back to the town of Franklin.

For those leading NI, the town’s unanimous vote to turn over the deed was a monumental moment in history. The mound is the only physical remnant of ancient Nikwasi village and is considered one of the most sacred of the Cherokee places remaining in Western

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BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER fter 22 years with the Sylva Police Department and two years as its head, Sylva Police Chief Tammy Hooper will retire on Aug. 1, 2019.

“Tammy has been a wonderful, dedicated, hardworking employee and a truly amazing chief of police. She’s had an excellent career,” said Town Manager Paige Dowling.

Hooper joined the department on Sept. 15, 1997, and almost exactly 20 years later — Sept. 14, 2017 — she was sworn in as the first female police chief in the town’s history following the retirement of former chief Davis Woodard.

“As Chief she has truly emphasized the importance of commuTammy Hooper nity policing to make Sylva a safer place,” said Dowling. “Chief Hooper has implemented a civilian police academy, daily officer daycare checks and the Walk for Hope (for breast cancer awareness). Sylva is fortunate Tammy chose to spend 22 years of her career in Sylva.”

The town is now searching for Hooper’s replacement, with applications accepted through noon on Friday, May 31. The next chief will be “visionary” with “a demonstrated history of innovative and strategic leadership” and ability to “foster effective relationships” with community, law enforcement and governmental partners, according to the job posting.

The police chief is in charge of budgeting, establishing policies and procedures for the department, recruiting and managing personnel, and overseeing departmental operations.

The town is looking for someone with at least five years in commandlevel law enforcement service, a degree in criminal justice or a related field and advanced courses in police administration.

The salary range will be $63,000 to $79,000, depending on experience and qualifications, with the next chief required to relocate to Jackson County within one year of hire.

Sylva’s police department has a $1.3 million budget and 14 sworn law officers. The community includes about 2,800 residents “who expect community engagement and a high level of services,” the job ad says. The town sees a traffic volume of 32,000 vehicles per day.

The full job posting is online at www.sylvanc.govoffice3.com.

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Sylva police chief to retire

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Feeding the fight against food insecurity

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER n one of the first warm sunny Saturdays early in Western North Carolina’s tourist season, the traditional signs of a Maggie Valley summer — small groups of motorcycles and pedestrians idling down Soco Road — were on full display. Not far off, on a small parcel of land nestled between a Baptist church and a distillery, a different group of people was planting some seasonal signs of their own.

Far beneath the million-dollar mountaintop homes, many in Maggie Valley, as well as the rural county that surrounds it, suffer from food insecurity. Federal programs like SNAP work for some, but gaps remain that leave almost 15 percent of North Carolina’s residents, and 20 percent of its children, hungry each night.

The causes of food insecurity are varied and vast in scope and the solutions haven’t yet been found in Raleigh or in Washington, but volunteers working with the Maggie Valley Community Gardens think they can feed the fight against hunger right here, at home.

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s the cool, clear mountain morning built up into a hot, dry day, a dozen members of the Maggie Valley Community Gardens plodded about a 60-by-

Smoky Mountain News

May 22-28, 2019

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40 foot plot, planting and watering and weed-wacking in preparation for the growing season; it was far from the first time they’d done so.

Founded in 2014, the community garden began as a collaboration between longtime Maggie Valley residents June Johnson, Ernestine Upchurch and Rev. Erma Bond, of the Maggie Valley United Methodist Church.

“There was a need in the community, to help feed those that are in need,” said Barbara Griffin, president of the community garden. “Year after year, it’s gotten progressively better and better.”

What started off on that small patch of grass behind First Baptist Church of Maggie Valley has now grown to feed hundreds of Haywood County’s citizens each year.

“We help supply Meals on Wheels, Pathways, the Open Door, the food bank at Maggie United Methodist Church and the McCracken House,” said Linda Lennon Leake, the group’s secretary. “This year we’re planting potatoes, tomatoes, squash, carrots, onions, cucumbers, beets, corn and beans.”

Last year, Leake said, the harvest included 900 pounds of potatoes and 780 pounds of fresh, wholesome vegetables.

“It’s completely organic,” said Griffin.

“Year after year the dirt gets a little better because of the compost that we’re producing. We’re getting the vegetable scraps from

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Beekeeper Cynthia Schwartz tends to the Maggie Valley Community Garden’s colony of pollinators. Cory Vaillancourt photo

Maggie Valley Community Gardens needs you Since 2014, Maggie Valley Community Gardens has been making an impact on food insecurity in Haywood County, but the all-volunteer effort periodically needs infusions of time and money to continue feeding the fight against hunger. To learn more about the group, visit www.givinggardensnc.weebly.com or www.facebook.com/givinggardensmv, or attend the group’s next meeting at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, at the Maggie Valley Rendezvous Restaurant, 70 Soco Road.

To help with planting, weeding, watering or produce delivery, call Barbara Planchock at 828.400.3114. To make a donation, mail a check to P.O. Box 74, Maggie Valley, N.C., 28751. local restaurants and we have volunteers that know the process, keeping it aerated and turned and the temperature just right.”

Griffin said they won’t even use the free mulch offered by several local municipalities because the threat of pesticides, and that they’re also fighting an ongoing battle behind the garden against a stand of bamboo creeping up the banks of turbid Jonathan Creek, but won’t use pesticides there, either.

The group augments its rain barrel with water from the church when needed, but is so environmentally conscious that in addition to producing their own compost, they even produce their own pollinators at a satellite site they call “the orchard,” behind Rev. Bond’s Maggie Valley United Methodist Church.

“We have [beekeeper Cynthia Schwarts] who keeps her bees up there, and we use those bees to help pollinate our gardens,” Griffin said. “At the same time, we’re helping

keep bee populations up, because as you know, bees have gradually been diminishing, so we’re doing everything we can to help.”

That includes a solar-powered electric fence around the bee boxes, to keep local Winnie the Poohs from making a mess of things.

The rest of the orchard produces apples, grapes and peaches, but another satellite garden off Black Camp Gap Road produces the bulk of the community garden’s harvest.

When co-founder Ernestine Upchurch passed away at the age of 80 in 2017, her family made clear that they wanted the community garden effort to continue using a 100-by-20 foot strip of her yard to grow potatoes.

Those three sites are the core of the volunteer-run operation.

“Every year,” Griffin said, “we’re making progressively more and more headway to help improve it.”

If current trends persist, groups like the Maggie Valley Community Gardens will continue to expand and improve, if only out of necessity.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that 1 in 8 Americans were food insecure in 2017 — about 40 million people, including 12 million children.

The USDA defines food insecurity as the consistent lack of access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Those defined as having “low” or “very low” food security report that they can’t afford balanced meals and regularly run out of food, which results in reducing meal sizes or skipping meals altogether, sometimes for days.

According to Raleigh-based hunger relief agency Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, North Carolina is the 10th hungriest state in the nation. Although more than 84 percent of residents claim to be food secure, 9.7 percent experience low food security, and 6.2 percent experience very low food security, amounting to more than 600,000 people who don’t have enough to eat, 1 in 5 being children.

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t $3 per 5-pound bag, the 900 pounds of potatoes that came out of Upchurch’s yard last year would fetch about $540 — a fair tally even without considering the nearly 800 pounds of other assorted produce distributed by the group.

Those numbers become even more impressive when weighed against MVCG’s annual budget, usually in the neighborhood of $700 a year.

Some of that comes from volunteers

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Maggie Valley Community Gardens President Barbara Griffin stands astride a row of potatoes at the home of the late Earnestine Upchurch.

Cory Vaillancourt photo

working concessions at the Maggie Valley Civic Association’s bingo night. The rest comes from MVCG’s biggest annual fundraiser, a barn sale happening June 15.

“They have come to the board several times with requests for what I consider small amounts of money, between $300 and $500,” said Dr. Janet Banks, a Maggie Valley Alderman and volunteer with the MVCG. “The board of aldermen believes in giving back to this community. We’re not just your government, we are here to provide not only

for your safety and security and provide services, but to do things within the community that assist the community.”

Banks said that this year was “special,” because MVCG recently became a bona fide nonprofit, meaning donations to the group are now tax deductible, and the group can now take advantage of grants and other funding streams previously unavailable.

Safe to say, money isn’t preventing MVCG’s expansion. This year’s seedlings were donated by Lowe’s, in West Asheville,

and the perennials were given by Costa Farms in Leicester.

Nor is availability of arable land an issue.

Griffin said the group recently had to turn down an offer of an additional parcel because she wasn’t confident MVCG had the volunteers to tend it.

Likewise, the fruit trees and vines in the orchard are really only for the benefit of the bees, because MVCG can’t find a kitchen or volunteers to process it into jellies, jams and preserves.

“That is been our biggest stumbling block,” said Banks. “Trying to get volunteers.

I’ve only been with the community garden for two years, but even at two years I’ve seen new people coming in and other people moving on. It’s constant turnover, and it seems like our membership is diminishing.”

Becoming a member is as easy as attending the monthly meeting and spending a little time doing some weeding, because the more people that weed, the more people Maggie Valley Community Gardens can feed.

“We have always had the philosophy that we are here to supply people in need, to help people with food insecurity,” Banks said. “When you go through 900 pounds of potatoes and 800 pounds of vegetables like we did last year, that says a lot about the need in this area. We need our population to be healthy, and this is one way we can do it.”

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Along with children, the people most likely to be impacted by food insecurity are seniors. North Carolina is one of the “10 worst” states for hunger, says Inter-Faith, with 32 percent of all seniors living in or near poverty, and 18 percent experiencing food security issues.

Detailed food security data on a county or town level isn’t readily available, but Haywood County’s poverty rate of 14.5 percent nearly mirrors the state’s 14.7 percent rate, even as Haywood County median household incomes come in about 10 percent lower than the state average of $50,320.

In this county of 60,000 people, Haywood Pathways Center and The Open Door both serve, on average, more than 30,000 free meals a year, suggesting that food security is as much an issue here, as anywhere else.

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news

Shining Rock defends interim head

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of stories on Haywood County’s public charter school, Shining Rock Classical Academy, which has been beset by academic and organizational problems since opening in 2015.

were turned over to the school’s attorney, David R. Hostetler, a Raleigh-based attorney who specializes in education law and represents a number of charter and independent schools across the state.

When reached by phone May 17, Hostetler said that he’s conducting an investigation in accordance with the school’s grievance policy, and would issue a report by

e may be a “stern but respectful” disciplinarian, but he’s never been known to intimidate or bully students, he’s great with kids of all ages and he’s brought stability to Shining Rock Classical Academy.

That’s what a room full Joshua Morgan’s supporters told Shining Rock’s board of directors about the interim head of school during a meeting on May 15, less than a week after three parents painted a very different picture of Morgan in complaints to Shining Rock’s board.

The three women — Laura Arrington, Kelley Messer and Melissa Taylor — filed formal grievances May 9, alleging a litany of improper disciplinary behavior by Morgan toward students. Messer also initiated an investigation by the Waynesville Police Department.

The grievances filed against Morgan

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June 7. That report will assess whether or not the grievances are reliable, and could include conclusions and recommendations for Shining Rock’s board.

Those complaints seem to have derailed Shining Rock’s hiring process for the new head of school, at least for now. Morgan has served as interim head since February when the board terminated then-Head of School

Shining Rock board members Mike Mehaffey (from left), Michelle Haynes and Melanie Norman toast to outgoing Board Chair Anna Eason (far right). Cory Vaillancourt photo

Nathan Duncan. Morgan has since emerged as a leading candidate for the permanent position, out of a group of four.

A hire was widely expected May 15, and many expected it to be Morgan. On May 8, then-Board Chair Anna Eason said, “We would hope to have a decision made at the [May 15] meeting, but if we need more then we will take time to get more because again, we want to get this right.”

Shining Rock’s board of directors took no action during that meeting, which saw Shining Rock teacher Jon Schleifer, who’s known Morgan for a decade, tell the board Morgan was “professional and caring.”

Alyson Wiemar, a parent of two at the school, said her kids weren’t afraid of Morgan and hadn’t seen any of the behaviors alleged in the grievances — nor had another parent, Erin Norman.

Shining Rock teacher Sara Jenkins, along with almost a dozen others, stood up and took turns reading from a bulleted list of reasons why Morgan would be the best choice for SRCA. The list lauded Morgan for holding a “bro lunch” with middle school boys, wearing clown wigs to get kids excited at pep rallies, and inspiring teachers and students to be “better versions of themselves,” among other things.

Despite the praise, the board’s lack of action means the search for a new head of school will continue;

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New Shining Rock board chair Haynes speaks out

Smoky Mountain News

May 22-28, 2019

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER t’s been a tumultuous couple of years for Shining Rock Classical Academy, which has dealt with a variety of administrative and educational issues since even before opening in 2015. Anna Eason, one of SRCA’s founding members, served as chair of the board of directors since January 2017. During that time the board has been faced with ongoing personnel scuffles with the founding Head of School Ben Butler resigning in October 2017, the hiring of a second Head of School Nathan Duncan in 2018 and his termination in January 2019. Now in the process of hiring its third head Michelle Haynes of school, the board is faced with parent-filed grievances against its current interim — and, possibly, future — Head of School Joshua Morgan. Into all that now steps Michelle Haynes, who has been on the board for 11 months and was elected chair May 15, replacing Eason, who will remain on the board. Haynes, a Haywood County native and Tuscola High School graduate, earned her bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University and her MBA from Montreat College. She currently has a second-grader at Shining Rock and a freshman at Tuscola High School.

“I have always been a dedicated volunteer in my children’s schools and decided to commit my efforts to the SRCA board,” she said. “As a parent, community volunteer, church treasurer and finance committee chair, a former entrepreneur and the current business services director for Haywood County’s Health and Human Services, I offer a 14 variety of skills to help the board, and therefore the school,

I

continue to succeed.”

Haynes said she’s “passionate about education” and believes that Shining Rock is “a great option where the focus is on rigorous academics, our core values and outdoor education.”

She’s got her work cut out for her, beginning with the grievances filed against Morgan and then with the hiring process that will find Shining Rock’s third head of school in four school years. On top of those immediate issues, she assumes the chair as the school works to address low test scores.

Smoky Mountain News: As incoming chair, what is your focus moving forward? Facilities? Test scores? Human resources? Something else?

Michelle Haynes: The Board’s focus remains to be the strategic plan developed earlier this year: High Performing School, Steady and Certain Enrollment, Welcoming and Relevant School Culture, Facility Development, Financial Responsibility and Governance.

SMN: When was the first time you heard about the allegations against Mr. Morgan?

Haynes: The SRCA Board takes all grievances seriously and handles them according to the Grievance Process outlined in the handbook. The Board is unable to comment on any grievances or personnel matters.

SMN: Anything you’d like to say about Mr. Morgan generally?

Haynes : Mr. Morgan has a great understanding of Core Knowledge (curriculum) and tracks data to align our curriculum with the state standards to help improve growth and performance.

SMN: What’s the timeline for the head of school hiring process moving forward?

Haynes: We have not yet made a decision on a school director. Additional time is needed to make sure the person chosen can provide stability and consistency, and will be a good fit. Our focus continues to be on educating the students. With less than one week of class remaining, we will use the summer break to finalize the school director position.

SMN: In general, if any job applicant has formal grievances filed against them with Shining Rock’s board, how does that affect the hiring process (if at all)?

Haynes: If a candidate has a current grievance, we allow the grievance process to be completed prior to making any decision. Again, we take all grievances seriously and follow the process outlined in the handbook. As with our legal system, all persons are innocent until proven guilty.

SMN: Some parents say this board isn’t capable of making a sound decision in the hiring of the next head of school. How do you respond to that?

Haynes: The board is comprised of volunteers who have the best interest of the SRCA community in mind when making decisions. We are committed to the success and growth of the school and always strive to make the best choices by putting the school above self. We understand that parents are frustrated by the short tenure of the previous directors and by the lack of publicity around the board’s reasons for their dismissal. However, as with any business/organization, the board is bound by law in disclosing these types of personnel matters.

SMN: This board has struggled in the past with transparency as well as with open meetings laws, public notice meeting requirements and closed session transparency laws. How will you ensure this board follows those laws going forward?

Haynes: The board serves the school on a volunteer basis. Since we have a small staff without a

If you’re looking to become involved with public charter school education, Shining Rock Classical Academy is looking for you.

“We are interested in growing our board,” said Michelle Haynes, newly elected chair of the board of directors. “There are also opportunities to serve on a committee (Finance, Facilities, Development, Academics) or be involved with NEST, our parent-teacher organization.”

Board members attend one monthly meeting, as well as relevant committee meetings. Time commitments vary, but applicants interested in serving should check out the board handbook, bit.ly/SRCAboard, and then email mhaynes@shiningrock.org. Board terms are three years, and may be renewed once.

since the personnel discussions occurred in a closed session, it’s not known if the grievances against Morgan factored into the board’s considerations.

The previous week, Eason wouldn’t answer questions regarding how those allegations — as well as Messer’s revelation that she had initiated an investigation by

SMN: What do you think the biggest misconception is about Shining Rock?

SMN: Shining Rock uses taxpayer money to educate children — per test scores — to a level far below the county’s public schools, as well as slightly below the state average. If I were a parent trying to decide whether or not my child should go to Shining Rock, what would you tell me?

Haynes: Academically, our test scores fell as a direct result of gaps in the Core Knowledge model, areas where the state tested but Core Knowledge did not address adequately. While we still use Core Knowledge, we recognized the shortcomings and have worked diligently to align our curriculum with state standards so our children get deeper knowledge that also lines up with testing.

Smoky Mountain News

SMN: Past Chair Anna Eason said the plan is to increase test scores by 7 points a year for the next five years. Do you think that is attainable? How? Haynes: Becoming a high-performing school is the first theme listed in our strategic plan. A 7-point increase is a goal the board feels is attainable and the following has been implemented to reach that goal: n Aligning our curriculum with the state standards so students are taught adequately on the material they will be tested. n Lengthening the school day by 20 minutes to provide extra time for teachers to work with small groups of students that need extra support. n Using data from various sources to ensure students are learning throughout the school year (MAP, iReady, etc.). n Making sure teachers are provided adequate and consistent feedback regarding teaching approach; encouraging teachers to work collaboratively. n Building a culture of positive and varied experiences with learning: outdoor education, field work, classroom guests, focus on the core values.

Haynes: Many do not realize that charter schools must adhere to the same tests and standards as traditional public schools. We are required to participate in the state’s accountability program and administer end-of-grade tests. Our mission is to inspire learning through community, environment and values. Shining Rock Classical Academy offers a small community-school environment and a rigorous college-preparatory education to students in grades K–8. The school embraces a knowledge-centric curriculum, evidence-based instructional practices and experiential Field Work as the heart of its teaching and learning experience. Students will develop a strong foundation in critical thought and cultivate a lifelong love of learning. SRCA encourages local and global citizenship and we practice six core values: Integrity, Respect, Compassion, Responsibility, Wisdom and Leadership.

May 22-28, 2019

traditional central office to provide oversight and expertise, we have partnered with individuals and organizations who specialize in charter school services. In addition, we have a long-standing relationship with [national charter school network] Team CFA for guidance on best practices. Our goal is to be in compliance with the laws regarding all meetings.

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Shining Rock seeks board members

the Waynesville Police Department — would affect the hiring process.

Eason, however, is no longer Shining Rock’s chair — during the May 15 meeting, board member Michelle Haynes was selected by the board as the new chair. Unlike traditional public school systems that have to hold elections for their governing board members, public charter schools in North Carolina aren’t required to hold elections — board members are simply appointed by the rest of the board.

Haynes refused to answer any questions after the May 15 meeting and insisted questions be sent by email. She responded to emailed questions May 19 regarding the hiring process going forward (See CHAIR left).

Haynes said Shining Rock will “allow the grievance process to be completed prior to making any decision,” meaning that if Shining Rock’s attorney is correct in his estimation of when those grievances will be resolved, no hire will be made before June 7.

Whoever ultimately gets the job will have some major work ahead of them. Since opening in 2015, Shining Rock has had trouble following N.C. sunshine laws governing transparency, and has also seen school performance scores drop from above the county’s average in 2015-16 to below the county’s average in 2016-17 to below the state average in 2017-18.

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news

Macon manager proposes tax increase

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR or the first time in several years, Macon County Manager Derek Roland is proposing a small property tax increase moving into the 2019-20 budget year to support increased expenses and much-needed capital projects.

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TAX RATE

May 22-28, 2019

Macon County has been able to maintain its current property tax rate since 2015 when the tax rate increased from 28 cents per $100 of assessed value to 34.9 cents.

The jump was attributed to the 2014 revaluation process — the first one done since 2007 just before the recession hit — in which the county lost about $2 million in property values.

The 2018 revaluation results didn’t look much better — total property value in Macon only grew from $7.9 billion to $8.04 billion — but county officials are calling this kind of stabilization in values the new normal coming out of the recession years.

“There’s not been much growth in the tax base since 2015 — that’s a 0.82 percent growth rate,” Roland said. “From 2015 to

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2019 we have not experienced the large fluctuations in property values as we have in years past. Although the economy continues to improve, many commercial buildings remain vacant in and around the Franklin area, which according to Tax Administrator Richard Lightner has not seen growth in 15 years or more. In and around downtown Highlands however continues to remain a hotspot for growth and development according to Lightner.

While a revenue neutral tax rate would look more like 35.6 Derek Roland cents — and would generate another $400,669 in tax revenue for the county — Roland recommended a mileage rate of 36.9 cents, which would generate another $1.05 million in recurring annual revenue.

Even with the small increase, Roland told commissioners the county still had one of the lowest tax rates in the region and throughout the state. The average property tax in the region is 46 cents while the state overage is 67 cents. Haywood County’s tax

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rate is 58.5 cents; Jackson County’s is 37 cents and Swain County’s has been 36 cents since 2013.

REVENUES The total proposed budget for 2019-20 fiscal year is $52.8 million, a $1.8 million or 3.5 percent increase over the 2018-19 budget. Despite stagnant property value growth and the increasing costs of doing business, Roland said Macon is in great financial shape because of the county’s healthy fund balance. Now up to $22 million, the county’s fund balance has helped the county fund new infrastructure projects, increase funding for the school system and keep its health care fund solvent.

“At a projected $22.7 million, the general fund balance is going to continue to provide us with a high degree of financial security,” Roland said. “We saw this play out in practice. If you’ll go back to 2008 when the recession hit, the county kept right on trucking.

Other counties were having to lay off and furlough employees. Macon County was building schools and that’s directly attributable to this fund balance.”

More than 10 years later, the need for infrastructure projects continues. Macon County is in the process of completing a Capital Improvement Plan that will outline and prioritize the $150 million worth of infrastructure projects the county needs for the next five to 10 years. It will cover everything from the needs within each county department, the Macon County School system and Southwestern Community College.

“As we move ahead, we’re getting to where the rubber’s gonna meet the road,” Roland said. “(Fund balance) gives us the ability to complete these projects with minimal impact on the operating budget.”

The healthy fund balance will also help the county get lower interest rates on loans to complete projects prioritized in the CIP. For the 2019-20 budget, Roland is proposing using about $2.3 million from fund balance — $1 million will go into the county’s health care insurance reserve fund; $300,000 will be appropriated to pay for

the space needs analysis that accompanies the CIP; $750,000 will be used to increase funding for the school system’s operating costs and $250,000 will be used to purchase new telecommunications equipment for the fire departments. The new equipment will complete the telecommunications upgrade project, which began in 2017 at a cost of $1.25 million.

“Upon completion, all emergency services personnel and volunteers in Macon County can communicate freely across the high quality and more reliable Viper System,” Roland said. “A continued increase in sales tax revenue will also help Macon County cover growing expenses.”

Roland said it looks like the county will finish the 2018-19 fiscal year with 4.5 percent more in sales tax revenue than it had budgeted, which comes out to about $8.3 million. He will continue to budget conservatively though by budgeting another 3 percent increase ($8.5 million) for the 2019-20 budget.

EXPENSES Even though most revenues are up, so are the county’s expenses. Projected expenditures have increased by $1.8 million or 3.5 percent over 2018-19.

Macon County has experienced skyrocketing health care costs for the last several years but the county’s health care committee — made up of county employees — have been making annual adjustments trying to absorb the costs while still giving employees and their dependents adequate coverage.

Roland said the county will see a 10.9 percent increase to its health insurance premiums.

He said Macon County will enter into the North Carolina Health Insurance Pool for the 2019-20 fiscal year. NCHIP is a risk pool specifically designed for mid-size to large government groups to better manage health insurance risk.

“It’s in its infancy. It started in 2017-18 and now has 6,000 members,” he said. “It’s taking our covered lives of about 600 and putting those with a pool of 6,000. We remain optimistic that the

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“From 2015 to 2019 we have not experienced the large fluctuations in property values as we have in years past.

Although the economy continues to improve, many commercial buildings remain vacant in and around the Franklin area.”

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increased purchasing power brought about through the pool arrangement will limit the substantial increases in premiums that Macon County has experienced over the past two fiscal years.”

Joining the state risk pool and making some adjustments to employee and dependent coverage realized some savings, but the county will still have to absorb a $471,930 increase for its health plan for 2019-20.

Roland also recommended a 1.5 percent cost-of-living raise for county employees, which will cost the county $313,862. An increase of $251,835 has been budgeted in retirement as a result of rate increases to state retirement system contributions.

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The public safety budget is estimated to be about $15.5 million — an increase of $1.5 million over last year’s budget. The increase will come in the form of capital needs like a new ambulance ($296,000); new vehicles for the county’s fleet ($568,545); equipping 54 vehicles in the Macon County Sheriff ’s Department with in-car camera systems ($217,080) and outfitting the 11 fire departments with handheld subscriber units compatible with the newly installed 800 MHz VIPER Communications System ($250,000).

The increase also includes adding two emergency management telecommunicator positions to handle the increased 911 calls during peak hours, two new full-time paramedic positions in Franklin and four new sheriff ’s office positions to cover courthouse security improvements being implemented.

The county’s general fund debt has decreased from $62,246,165 in 2011 to $29,815,610 in 2018 as the county continues to make regular principal and interest payments and by not taking on any new substantial debt. However, debt service payments will increase by $51,904 to $3,917,658 in the coming fiscal budget. This increase is due to the issuance of $2.9 million of debt on the South Macon Elementary School expansion project started in 2018.

For the complete proposed 2019-20 budget, visit http://maconnc.org/budget.html. The commissioners had their first budget workshop scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, after the press deadline.

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news

Franklin proposes to hold tax rate

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR own of Franklin Manager Summer Woodard recently presented the town council with a proposed budget for 201920 that would maintain the current property tax rate and increase the cost of water and sewer for customers.

Woodard is proposing to maintain the town’s property tax rate of 32 cents per $100 of valuation after the town council voted last year to increase the tax rate from 28 cents to 32. While property tax rates will stay the same, the overall budget is down just slightly from $8,992,245 to $8,984,893.

Woodard’s proposed budget also recommends increasing water and sewer rates 4 percent for customers in order to keep up with the cost of infrastructure needs. Projected water and sewer revenue for 2019-20 is $3.86 million, which represents a $257,750 decrease in expenditures over 2018-19.

“The town continues to experience slow growth in water and sewer revenues. It is paramount that the Town of Franklin ensures water and sewer revenues can sustain expenditures and debt service payments in order to maintain existing infrastructure along with future water and sewer infrastructure,” she wrote in her budget message.

This is the second year in a row the town has recommended a 4 percent increase to water and sewer rates, and much of the

May 22-28, 2019

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town’s debt service is dedicated to water and sewer projects. The town took out a loan in 2012 for general water and sewer projects — the current amount of $1.96 million will be paid off by 2024. Another loan for water and sewer projects was taken out in 2010 — the $1.5 million loan should be paid off by 2025.

The town is also undergoing a major renovation project at the water treatment plant.

The town has a state revolving loan for the project in the amount of $3.1 million, scheduled to be paid off by 2038. Phase one was completed in the last fiscal year and phase two of the project is underway. In 2019-20, the town is estimated to pay $844,928 in principal plus $181,975 in interest on its water and sewer debt service.

A recent revaluation done on Macon County properties showed that overall property value growth is still fairly stagnant throughout the county, but there has been some growth within the town of Franklin.

The revaluation process produced a tax base of $701,176,156 — an increase of $667,832 in assessed value from $700,508,324 in 2018-19.

Using the new tax base, it would take a tax rate of $0.3197 to produce a revenue neutral budget for 2019-20. However, Woodard recommends keeping the same tax rate of 32 cents due to the decrease of $123,449 in the general fund pertaining to current ad-valorem taxes and rents.

“The two biggest contributors to this

decline includes tax exemptions and releases,” Woodard said. “Rents are also expected to decrease by $22,000. This decline is due to the sale of the old town hall property located at 188 West Main Street. The town should continue to plan for unexpected revenue loss at the state and federal level.”

This is the second year in a row the town has recommended a 4 percent increase to water and sewer rates, and much of the town’s debt service is dedicated to water and sewer projects.

On a positive note, Woodard said the town has a healthy fund balance — enough to cover 63 percent of the town’s annual expenditures. The town’s fund balance, which can be used for one-time capital expenses or emergency situations, has increased 12 percent since 2016-17. This budget also allots $30,000 in contingency in anticipation of unexpected revenue loss or unexpected expenditures.

The budget includes a 1 percent payment based on salary for all full-time employees suggested to be paid out in December 2019, but it doesn’t include a cost-of-living adjustment. While the town’s dental, life, property, and workers compensation premiums are expected to stay the same, its health insurance is expected to increase by 8 percent.

As for upcoming capital costs, the town will pay out $50,000 in the 2019-20 for a comprehensive plan — the total $95,000 cost was split between two fiscal years. The town will also pay $10,000 this coming year to complete phase two of a town banner project.

The streets department is requesting a $10,000 zero-turn lawn mower and the police department will replace one patrol vehicle for $36,000. Public works department is requesting a $25,000 half ton pickup truck and Franklin Fire and Rescue is asking for $38,000 to replace a pumper truck.

One of the town’s top priorities this year is to utilize state Powell Bill money to complete some more sidewalk projects. Slated for this year is East Main Street in front of Seay’s Farm Supply; East Main Street by Budget Inn; East Palmer Street from PNC Bank to Motor Company Grill driveway; Porter Street between Lazy Hiker Brewing and Palmer Street; West Palmer from Tastinger’s Floor Covering to Sprinkles Surveying and Phillips Street by the Franklin High School’s band practice area.

For the complete proposed budget, visit https://www.franklinnc.com/proposed-budget-franklin-nc-2019-2020.html.

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Mayor asks for county partnership

fiber optic cables that are able to provide its 300 customers with speeds up to 50 mbps.

Now Highlands has figured out a way to change its service model and wants the county to be a funding partner. In speaking with a number of providers, Schuler said they found a company, Wide Open Network that “had a completely different way of thinking about broadband.”

“Their idea is to do broadband the same way we do transportation so not every person has to build their own road to their house — we all use the same roads,” he said. “The idea is to run fiber to each house and allow all utilities to provide services on

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Is a Will Enough?

FREE LUNCHEON SEMINAR

11:30 A.M. -1 P.M. May 29th at SCC June 26 at Best Western Reservations Suggested

828.586.4051

nctrustlawyer.com

559 W. Main St. • Sylva

Thank you for your service to this great country!

Each restaurant independently owned and operated. © 2013 Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. “Zaxby’s” is a registered trademark of Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc.

Smoky Mountain News

284 East Main St. • Sylva • 828.631.3100 205 Asheville Hwy. • Brevard • 828.884.7071 424 Russ Ave. • Waynesville • 828.456.2888

May 22-28, 2019

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR he town of Highlands is making major headway when it comes to providing broadband internet services to its rural residents, and Mayor Patrick Taylor wants the county’s financial support to keep the progress going past the town limits.

Limited access to high-speed internet in the mountains has been a challenge for all the western counties. Local governments have made expansion and access a priority in recent years but have somewhat felt helpless in the process. With a law prohibiting governments from being a utility provider, local officials have to rely on providers to expand service by installing more infrastructure.

However, providers aren’t willing to to install expensive new technology in sparsely “The idea is to run fiber to each house populated areas because they’ll never see a and allow all utilities to provide services return on their investment. on that fiber. The homeowner is allowed The town of to choose which services they want.”

Highlands has been working on bringing — Matt Schuler better broadband to its residents for more than that fiber. The homeowner is allowed to 10 years, but legislation passed in 2011 prochoose which services they want. Wide hibiting local governments from competing Open takes care of the line maintenance so with private providers — House Bill 129. it reduces the cost for providers.”

“Then HB 129 became law in 2011, VLAN technology is what will allow any which effectively stopped that progress but utility to hook up to the fiber lines. Taylor we still had a need and we continued to talk said Highlands has borrowed $4.6 million to providers,” Taylor said. for the project and plans to award the conHighlands decided to take matters into struction contract to JBL Communications its own hands and filed a complaint with LLC for aerial fiber. Getting fiber to all the FCC regarding the law. The FCC then 3,000 customers in Highlands will take struck down HB 129 in 2014, which allowed about 300 days to complete.

Highlands to start its own internet Taylor asked commissioners to consider provider. a capital investment of $250,000 a year for “When the FCC overturned 129 we the next four years to support the project began Altitude Community Broadband that should have a major impact on the starting with the 5 miles of fiber we already county’s economic development, medical had,” said Highlands IT Director Matt access and educational access. The term of Schuler. “Then the Sixth Circuit Federal the loan is 15 years for the town of Court overturned the FCC ruling, once Highlands. again blocking towns from being a service “We invite you to become a partner with provider. Since then we’ve been working to us — this is something that will impact get out of the business of being a provider.”

Highlands and everyone in the southern Altitude Community Broadband has part of county,” he said. been operating on a small level for a numCommissioners didn’t offer much feedber of years and serves residents within the back on the idea, but will probably discuss town limits and even some outside the limit as budget talks continue for the 2019-20 its if a strong enough signal can be reached. fiscal year.

The network includes about 10 miles of

Diane E. Sherrill, Attorney news

Town of Highlands making broadband progress

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Smoky Mountain News May 22-28, 2019

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Community Almanac

Smoky Mountain News

Bayer Foundation. Parishioners of the church volunteered to build the kennel and REACH was one of 13 shelters throughout the country to receive a $10,000 grant from the Bayer Animal Health Co. The funds were used to install heating and air conditioning, running water and perimeter fencing.

There is also a room for cats or other small animals.

Harrah’s sponsors Habitat home Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos have been a long time partner with Habitat for Humanity, but this year the company is taking on a special project to support a local family in need by providing them with a place to call home.

Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos began fundraising for this project in September of last year by selling 2-by4 studs to its employees. Employees who purchased the studs were given the opportunity to write a special message to be built into the home. The event proved to be a huge success as it raised $44,000. In addition to their fundraising efforts, Harrah’s Cherokee has also organized volunteer days for its employees to go on site and provide hands-on assistance during the building process.

The recipient of the home is Amy, a single mother who currently lives in Haywood County with her two children. Amy is thrilled to have been selected

by Habitat for Humanity and is excited for her new 1,100 square foot 3 bedroom, 2 bath home that is scheduled to be complete this fall.

Free estate-planning seminar

RSVP by calling 828.246.9050, emailing info@sargeanimals.org or visit www.sargeanimals.org.

Diane E. Sherrill, a Southwestern Community College graduate and local attorney, will present an estate-planning seminar at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29, in Room 102D of the Burrell Building on SCC’s Jackson Campus in Sylva.

The seminar entitled “Is A Will Enough?” is free of charge and will provide participants with a comprehensive view of wills, will substitutes and trusts. Health care directives, powers of attorney and other areas of concern such as Medicaid, VA benefits, taxation and charitable gifting will also be discussed.

Attendees will be provided with a free worksheet for use after the seminar in gathering the personal, financial and other information necessary to start estate planning.

A complimentary light lunch will be provided.

For more information and to RSVP, contact Denise Waltz at denisew@wnctrustlawyer.com.

Enroll for Sk8way summer camp

Sarge’s volunteer orientation

Train to be a volunteer for Sarge’s Animal Rescue from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 24, at Haywood County Animal Shelter, 453 Jones Cove Road in Clyde.

Sarge’s runs a volunteer and foster program that encompasses both the Sarge’s Adoption Center, and the new Haywood County Animal Shelter. Volunteers also work at PetSmart in Waynesville, enriching and cleaning the cages of the cats there. There are various opportunities available for getting involved. At orientation, volunteers will learn various roles, safety precautions, training opportunities, and sign the legal paperwork needed. After this, you will get the back scenes tour of the new animal shelter.

Smoky Mountain Sk8way and Fun Zone is providing kids and teens an adventurous, active and healthy summer camp program offers youth fun and unique experiences with an opportunity to meet new friends, discover new interests and create memories that last a lifetime.

Smoky Mountain Sk8way and Fun Zone provides a nine-week summer day camp that includes special classes, K9 demonstration, taekwondo, field trips to go bowling, horseback riding, visit the trampoline park, picnics and swimming at the Sylva Pool with a minimum of five lifeguards.

The Sk8way summer camp is for kids ages 6 to 14 years old with a daily drop in or weekly schedule. Camp hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with drop off times on Tuesday and Thursdays by 9:30 a.m. to make the bus for field trips. Daily attendance is $35 a day or week 4-5 days $150.

For more information, visit www.smokymountainsk8way.com or call 828.246.9124.

Tabar awarded hospitality scholarship The philanthropic arm of the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA), the North Carolina Hospitality Education Foundation (NC HEF), has announced its scholarship and grant recipients for 2019.

Margaret Tabar of Waynesville is the recipient of the Davidson and Jones Scholarship. She attends East Carolina University. Scholarships are distributed to students pursuing post-secondary studies in culinary arts, restaurant management

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Celebrate cancer survivors In honor of National Cancer Survivors Day, the physicians and staff of the Haywood Cancer Center and Macon Cancer Center will honor survivors who are living with and beyond cancer. Survivors, family and caregivers are invited to take part in the 32nd Annual National Cancer Survivors Day at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, June 2, at the Waynesville Inn Pavilion located at 176 Country Club Drive Waynesville. There will be food, music, survivor crafts and a special butterfly release.

or similar fields, or to students whose parents are current hospitality industry employees. Grant funding supports educators in those fields.

Scholarship and grant recipients will be honored at the 2019 Excellence in Education Awards Breakfast on June 17 at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary prior to NC HEF’s annual Future of Hospitality Golf Classic.

Grants available at Grace Church Grace Church in the Mountains will be holding its Annual Parish Fair on Saturday, July 27.

Proceeds from the sale of items donated to the fair will provide funding for local nonprofits. Grant applications can be found at www.gracewaynesville.com or may be emailed or mailed to those organizations interested in this grant opportunity.

Interested organizations may also pick up an application at the church office. Completed grant applications are due back to the Outreach Committee, Grace Church in the Mountains, 394 North Haywood Street, Waynesville, NC 28786 during regular office hours.

Applications received after the June 13 deadline will not be considered. For more information, call the church office at 828.456.6029.

Little Library now in Balsam

Junaluskans to hold Flea Market

A Little Free Library box recently opened at The Balsam Community Center, 400 Cabin Flats Road in Balsam. The free library box is a place where individuals may take a book or leave a book to share. Pictured with the library box are Gordon Pike, who designed and built the box, and Carol Lynn Knight, the library box steward. For more information, contact Knight at balfourknight@gmail.com or visit littlefreelibrary.org.

The Junaluskans Flea Market will take place from 8 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, at the Nanci Weldon Memorial Gym. Special early bird shopping is available from 7:30 to 8 a.m. for a $5 fee. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The Junaluskans are a volunteer organization made up of people who love Lake Junaluska, and the annual flea market is their largest fundraising event of the year. Proceeds from the flea market go toward many projects that are integral to the Lake Junaluska community — maintenance of the gardens, including the Rose Walk, the Native Garden, the Biblical Garden and Inspiration Point; the swan feeding program; the Community Chorus; Christmas decorations at the lake; Lake Junaluska cleanup programs; sponsoring Clothes to Kids; and the monthly book review program.

For the safety and comfort of shoppers, dogs other than service animals are not allowed.

REACH completes kennel REACH of Macon County recently completed the newest addition to its domestic violence shelter — a climate controlled kennel to provide shelter to dogs and cats of domestic violence victims.

The project was made possible by The Church of the Incarnation of Highlands along with the

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

Trump’s personality issues deserve diagnosis M

Placing trust in Shining Rock’s leadership To the Editor: Pursuant to the article regarding Shining Rock Classical Academy that was published in last week’s edition, as well as the introduction of additional articles to follow, I would like to offer a positive parent statement. I ask that you consider publishing both positive and negative parental perspectives in your upcoming articles. My hope is that other parents will reach out with positive statements, although human nature often inclines us to find the negatives.

At SRCA our children have thrived, we adore the teachers, the staff, and administration. This year I have watched my four children grow immensely. They have learned from teachers who value their academic advancement, as well as their personal growth and character. I have witnessed staff and administration care for my children, and at the same time lovingly intercede in moments when they were not making the best decisions. I appreciate creative approaches to discipline at Shining Rock, such as physical movement (walking laps), creativity (a poster presentation about poor choices), or reflection (a good talk with the SRO).

My oldest was suspended three times this year for his poor choices. This perspective is coming from a mom of kids who are not “perfect.” Yet, never did we experience anything inappropriate. Two of my four children are in class with the parents who made statements. Naturally, I questioned my children, “are you afraid of Mr. Joshua Morgan, have you ever seen him touch a child in a scary way

3. Believes he is “special” and unique. Trump boasts about being a “stable genius” and how smart he is. Based on the boasts and statements similar to those in the first criterion, this is a positive criterion for him.

4. Requires excessive admiration. This is definitely a positive criterion. From the beginning of his presidency, staff reported that Trump requires constant positive strokes. His rallies are another indication of needing adulation.

5. Has a sense of entitlement, e.g., expecting special treatment or automatic compliance with his expectations. This is definitely a positive.

Think tax returns — he is the only Guest Columnist president in decades to not release the returns. There are countless reports of his being annoyed when his desires or expectations are questioned.

6. Interpersonally exploitative, takes advantage of others.

This too is obviously positive. From refusing to pay contractors to using staff and appointees to get his way and then dropping them like a hot potato.

7. Lacks empathy — is unwilling to recognize or identify

Norman Hoffman

ost psychiatric conditions require the clinician to interact directly with the individual to determine a diagnosis. For example, most of us have experienced some level of depression, but few of us have reached the threshold for a diagnosis of major depressive episode, which requires additional criteria, such as loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, slowed concentration, feelings of guilt, and/or thoughts of death.

However, there are a few conditions that can be determined from observable behavior. One of these is narcissistic personality disorder. Of the nine criteria, five are required to indicate a diagnosis, and most can be determined from observing behaviors. Here are the nine criteria: 1. Grandiose sense of self-importance, for example, exaggerates achievements and expects to be recognized as superior. Donald Trump unconditionally meets this criterion as he exaggerates achievements almost daily and brags about himself. “I have done more than any other president.” Or “I know more about this than anyone else.” This is definitely a positive criterion for Trump.

2. Preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, etc. “I will solve the trade problems, believe me.”

While Trump seems to meet this, we might not know for sure if he is preoccupied even though he certainly appears to be.

LETTERS or be rough.” Each of my four children said “no.” They have never experienced Mr. Morgan display these accused behaviors.

Prior to the printing of your article, I was aware of the letters which were presented to the board last week, and I had a chance to read them all before they were submitted. I found much of the information to be subjective in nature, but this is often the case in this type of situation. Do I believe there are some issues at SRCA? Absolutely.

There will always be areas in which parents, including myself, may have frustrations or concerns. In February, I was quoted by The Mountaineer following the SRCA board meeting, in which I publicly questioned the board’s lack of integrity and clarity regarding Mr. Duncan’s firing, and the choice to do this without all members present. I believe the board needs to be not only evaluated but revised. Increased stakeholders, diversity, and community leaders added to the board would certainly allow for new perspectives and decisions. I know as an educator and a registered nurse that those of us in public service are rarely thanked for the work we do. It is often the slight indifferences that are magnified in light of all the good. Leaders must make decisions that are best for the entire community that they serve. Often those decisions are not easy, nor are the details behind those decisions able to be disclosed. While clarity is crucial to trust, part of choosing a school of choice is indeed choosing to trust the leadership who are in the trenches every day.

Thank you for considering my statements.

Alyson Weimar Maggie Valley

with the feelings and needs of others. This is a Trump classic.

Just think of Puerto Rico or the Gold Star family Trump savaged.

8. Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him. We don’t necessarily know this of Trump because we would have to understand his thinking rather than observing behavior.

9. Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes. No lack of examples here. Virtually any interaction with the press would qualify.

So what is our total for Donald Trump? Seven definite positives, one probable, and a maybe — well beyond the diagnostic threshold of five. The problem with someone who suffers from this condition being in a position of power is that these individuals are concerned only with themselves.

Everything is viewed as it pertains to them. They cannot think about issues from the perspective of what is good for the country or really care about the people in it. His “ratings” and popularity scores are all that matter. This situation poses a threat to the rule of law, our democracy, and national security.

(Norman Hoffman is a doctoral level clinical psychologist with more than 30 years of experience in the assessment of diagnosable conditions who lives in Waynesville. wncfacts@gmail.com.)

SRCA should keep searching

one gun? What if the sacrifices that our brave veterans make every day could not stop this attack? And what if the citizens of that country were not even aware of the attack? It is not only possible, it happened to the United To the Editor: States of America.

After reading a story you reported about “The Russian government interfered in the Shining Rock Classical Academy, I felt the need 2016 presidential election in sweeping and to share my experiences with Joshua Morgan. systematic fashion.” This is the first line and I worked with Morgan during his time in the major conclusion of the report by Special the Greenville County School District. I concur with the assessment that he is very knowl- Counsel Robert Muller. Whether you believe that the report exonerated the President or edgeable and well versed in academic standards and practice. However, notwithstanding not, the facts are clear. We were attacked by Russia. Since they have paid no price for putMr. Morgan’s ability to “talk a good talk,” ting their thumb on the scale of our election, that’s where the skills end. we can be sure that they will do it again.

It should be asked, why would Mr. Chapters II and III of Volume 1, (pages 14 Morgan travel out of state to pursue an to 50) lays out in incredible detail how this administrative position when plenty of posiattack took place. “Facebook estimated the tions continue to be available in his home IRA (Russians) reached as many as 126 milcounty and his former employee, Buncombe lion persons through its Facebook accounts.”

County? Why was he released from employ“Twitter announced that it had identified ment with Greenville County Schools after 3,814 IRA-controlled Twitter accounts and such a short tenure? I and numerous others notified approximately 1.4 million people would agree with Laura Arrington, Kelley Twitter believed may have been in contact Messer and Melissa Taylor that Joshua with an IRA-controlled account.”

Morgan has no business in an administrative Some of these Russian Facebook accounts position. For the sake of all students and staff attracted enormous followings. “... the IRA’s at Shining Rock Classical Academy I sincerely hope the board will continue their search for a ‘United Muslims of America’ Facebook group had over 300,000 followers, the ‘Don’t Shoot qualified and competent candidate.

Paulette Megee Us’ Facebook group had over 250,000 followLandrum, SC ers, The ‘Being Patriotic’ Facebook group had over 200,000 followers, and the ‘Secured Borders’ Facebook group had over 130,000 followers.” In total, the IRA-controlled accounts made over 80,000 posts.”

The power of social media to sway public opinion is undeniable. The Russians have To the Editor: been using their mastery of it as an What if you could attack a country withextremely effective and cheap out building a single plane, or ship, or even

We have been attacked by Russia

cessfully attacked by a foreign power.

Where is the outrage? Where is the call to action against a common enemy? Where is Congress and a 911 type commission? Or is it OK for a foreign power to help pick our next president?

Louis Vitale Franklin

Susanna Shetley

@SmokyMtnNews

WHEN THEY’RE TUNING YOU OUT.

NEVER GIVE UP UNTIL THEY BUCKLE UP.

Smoky Mountain News

weapon for years. These operations constituted “active measures,” a term that typically refers to operations conducted by Russian security services aimed at influencing the course of international affairs.

Given that the presidential election was decided by a mere 77,000 votes in three key targeted states, it is clear that we were suc-

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May 22-28, 2019

was seven years old when my parents first took me to New York. We couldn’t afford to stay in the city so we rented out part of a home in New Jersey and commuted to Manhattan. These were the days before Airbnb and VRBO, so I commend my parents for being resourceful enough to find a way for us to make the trip, despite a tight budget.

In the bank of my life memories, that first trip to New York City is magical.

Clear in my mind are ice skating at Rockefeller Center, watching the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular, seeing Columnist “Starlight Express” on Broadway, riding a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park and watching street performers as we waited in line for the Statue of Liberty.

I also remember dirty streets and slews of homeless New Yorkers lining the sidewalks with cardboard signs and mangy dogs. This was perhaps my first experience with true compassion. My heart hurt and I wanted to dump all my souvenir money into their tin cans. My dad let me offer some change, but he cautioned me about giving it all. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and others cracked down on crime and homelessness over time, creating a safer and cleaner city.

About four years later, my mom and I visited again. I was 12 years old and asked to model ballet shoes for Capezio, a dance attire company with headquarters in New York. It was just my mom and me. I remember us buying theatre tickets on the street and shopping for knock-off Gucci purses from a vendor. With her having passed away, this is also a very special.

Throughout the years, I’ve visited New York other times with friends and family. A couple years ago, I wrote a press release for an indie film. The director invited me to attend the premier of the movie at a theatre in Times Square, so I stayed with my best friend from graduate school who at the time lived in Greenwich Village.

I didn’t have solid plans to return to the

opinion

The magic of New York City

Big Apple until recently. My boyfriend, Matthew, planned to attend a conference held at a hotel in Times Square. He invited me to join him and I couldn’t refuse. Not only do I yearn to travel in general, but New York, in particular, has a hold on me.

We packed a lot of activity into an awesome three-day trip. We saw “Mean Girls” on Broadway, dined at the famous Gallagher’s Steakhouse, picnicked in Washington Square Park, laughed like crazy at a late-night comedy club and spent an afternoon with my graduate school friend who now lives with her family in Brooklyn.

We encountered many kind New Yorkers, which has always been my experience when visiting.

One afternoon we went running on the Hudson River. We stopped to snap some photos on the water when a man approached. He told us he’d lived in that neighborhood since 1978 and spent many of his mornings walking his dog on the very pier we were standing on.

He showed us the spot where Sully Sullenberger made an emergency landing in 2009. He also pointed out the Freedom Tower standing tall in the distance to signify the 9/11 Memorial. You could sense the emotion as he spoke of that day and how odd it was to see the Twin Towers on the skyline for so many decades and then for them to vanish in the blink of an eye.

One morning there they were. The next day they were gone. And New York would be forever changed.

My 10-year-old son desires one thing for his eleventh birthday in January, and that is to visit New York City. I’m not sure if his desire comes from me talking about it all these years or from his own research. He wants to be a commercial pilot, so he watches a lot of videos highlighting cities from around the world. Whatever the reason, it’s the only thing on his birthday wish list.

It’s funny how life comes full circle.

When my boys visit New York this year, they will be the same ages my older sister and I were when we made our inaugural trip so long ago. A lot has changed since then, but the pulse and heart of the city remains. I can’t wait to see the wonder in their eyes as they take everything in for the first time.

There is something enchanting about the city that never sleeps. I agree with Dorothy Parker when she said, “London is satisfied, Paris is resigned, but New York is always hopeful. Always it believes that something good is about to come off, and it must hurry to meet it.”

VISIT SAFERCAR.GOV/KIDSBUCKLEUP

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tasteTHE mountains

LUNCH · CATERING TAKEOUT & DINNERS TO GO Scratch Kitchen Scratch made using the freshest ingredients.

Sandwiches featuring house roasted meats, fresh salads, sides & baked goods.

Gluten Free & Vegan Options Monday-Saturday 10:30-2:30

1196 N. MAIN STREET WAYNESVILLE

828-452-5187

May 22-28, 2019

kaninis.com

Whatever the Occasion, Let Us Do the Cooking!

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

Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily.

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

BOOJUM BREWING COMPANY 50 N Main Street, Waynesville.

828.246.0350. Taproom Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday & Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Gem Bar Open Tuesday through Sunday 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Enjoy lunch, dinner or drinks at Boojum’s Downtown Waynesville restaurant & bar. Choose from 16 taps of our fresh, delicious & ever rotating Boojum Beer plus cider, wine & craft cocktails. The taproom features seasonal pub faire including tasty burgers, sandwiches, shareables and daily specials that pair perfectly with our beer. Cozy up inside or take in the mountain air on our back deck.”

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

Smoky Mountain News

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

From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday dinner starting at 5 p.m. “Best of”

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Meetings, Events, Parties & More Sun.–Thurs. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

1941 Champion Dr. • Canton 828−646−3750 895 Russ Ave. • Waynesville 828−452−5822

THIS 5 OFF WITH COUPON

$

00

Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine. Set in a distinguished atmosphere with an exceptional menu. Extensive selection of wine and beer. Reservations honored.

CHURCH STREET DEPOT 34 Church Street, downtown Waynesville.

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

CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

828.587.2233. Open Monday-Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tasty, healthy and quick. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, espresso, beer and wine.

Come taste the savory and sweet crepes, grilled paninis, fresh, organic salads, soups and more. Outside patio seating. Free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly. Live music and lots of events.

Check the web calendar at citylightscafe.com.

THE CLASSIC WINESELLER 20 Church Street, Waynesville.

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

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

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

828.926.1820 Winter hours: Wednesday through Sunday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Family Style at Country Vittles is not a buffet.

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

FERRARA PIZZA & PASTA 243 Paragon Parkway, Clyde.

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

WEDNESDAY 5-9 P.M.

THURSDAY 5-9 P.M.

SUNDAY 11 A.M-3 P.M.

Rib buffet, fried chicken, vegetables, and a twenty-three item salad bar!

Piano Man & Angie

Buffet Brunch

$11.95

Country Buffet

$11.95

nights on Monday and Tuesday 5 to 9 p.m. with large cheese pizzas for $9.95.

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

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

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

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

FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St., Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving dinner 5 to 9 p.m.

Tuesday through Thursday. 5 to 9:30 p.m.

Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Frogs Leap is a farm to table restaurant focused on local, sustainable, natural and organic products prepared in modern regional dishes. Seasonal menu focuses on Southern comfort foods with upscale flavors.

Reservations accepted. www.frogsleappublichouse.com.

HARMON’S DEN BISTRO 250 Pigeon St., Waynesville 828.456.6322. Harmon’s Den is located in the Fangmeyer Theater at HART. Open 5:309 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday (Bistro closes at 7:30 p.m. on nights when there is a show in the Fangmeyer Theater) with Sunday brunch at 11 a.m. that includes breakfast and lunch items. Harmon’s Den offers a complete menu with cocktails, wine list, and area beers on tap. Enjoy casual dining with the guarantee of making it to the performance in time, then rub shoulders with the cast afterward with post-show food and beverage service. Reservations recommended. www.harmonsden.harttheatre.org HAZELWOOD FARMACY & SODA FOUNTAIN 429 Hazelwood Avenue, Waynesville.

828.246.6996. Open six days a week, closed Wednesday. 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Breakfast until noon, old-fashioned luncheonette and diner comfort food. Historic full service soda fountain.

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

Open for dinner at 4:30 Tuesday through

featuring turkey and dressing

$12.95

828.926.0201 At the Maggie Valley Inn • 70 Soco Road, Maggie Valley

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

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

Closed Tuesday

Sunday 12-9 p.m.

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

tasteTHE mountains Sunday. World-famous prime rib, steaks, fresh seafood, gorgonzola cheese and salads. All ABC permits and open year-round.

Children always welcome. Take-out menu.

Excellent service and hospitality.

Reservations appreciated.

JOEY’S PANCAKE HOUSE 4309 Soco Rd Maggie Valley.

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

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

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

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.

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.

PIGEON RIVER GRILLE 101 Park St., Canton.

828.492.1422. Open Tuesday through

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

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

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.

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

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

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

WAYNESVILLE PIZZA COMPANY 32 Felmet Street, Waynesville.

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

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Smoky Mountain News

MAGGIE VALLEY RESTAURANT 2804 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.926.0425. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Daily specials including soups, sandwiches and southern dishes along with featured dishes such as fresh fried chicken, rainbow trout, country ham, pork chops and more.

Breakfast all day including omelets, pancakes, biscuits & gravy. facebook.com/carversmvr; instagram @carvers_mvr.

RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT AND BAR Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center 70 Soco Road, Maggie Valley 828.926.0201 Home of the Maggie Valley Pizzeria. We deliver after 4 p.m. daily to all of Maggie Valley, J-Creek area, and Lake Junaluska. Monday through Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. country buffet and salad bar from 5 to 9 p.m. $11.95 with Steve Whiddon on piano. Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 11:30 to 8 p.m. 11:30 to 3 p.m. family style, fried chicken, ham, fried fish, salad bar, along with all the fixings, $11.95. Check out our events and menu at rendezvousmaggievalley.com

Local WNC Gift Sets for Father's Day!

May 22-28, 2019

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

828.586.3555. Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with Sunday Brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Hand-tossed pizza, house-ground burgers, steak sandwiches & fresh salmon all from scratch. Casual family friendly atmosphere.

Craft beer and interesting wine. Free movies Thursday through Saturday. Visit madbatterfoodfilm.com for this week’s shows & events.

Thursday 3 to 8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday noon to 9 p.m.; Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

Southern-inspired restaurant serving simply prepared, fresh food sourced from top purveyors. Located riverside at Bearwaters Brewing, enjoy daily specials, sandwiches, wings, fish and chips, flatbreads, soups, salads, and more. Be sure to save room for a slice of the delicious house made cake.

Relaxing inside/outside dining and spacious gathering areas for large groups.

25

26

A&E

Smoky Mountain News

Cold Mountain Music Festival returns to Lake Logan Calexico.

Yonder Mountain String Band.

he third annual Cold Mountain Music Festival will take place May 31 and June 1 at the Lake Logan Conference Center.

The festival will feature top-notch national and regional acts, with styles ranging from Americana to soul, folk to indie-rock, singersongwriter to bluegrass.

Friday’s schedule will be The Travelin’ Kine (4 to 5 p.m.), Joe Lasher (5:30 to 6:30 p.m.), Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics (7 to 8:15 p.m.) and The Milk Carton Kids (8:45 to 10 p.m.).

For those camping and staying in cabins, the Friday after-party (sponsored by Wicked Weed Brewing) with Ol’ Dirty Bathtub will be held at Boojum’s Cave around 10:15 p.m.

Saturday’s schedule will be Logan Ledger (1:30 to 2:30 p.m.), Driftwood (2:45 to 4 p.m.), J.S. Ondara (4:15 to 5:15 p.m.), Kat Wright (5:30 to 6:45 p.m.), Yonder Mountain String Band (7:15 to 8:45 p.m.) and Calexico (9:15 to 10:30 p.m.).

Gates will open at 10 a.m. on both days.

The event will raise funds and awareness for Lake Logan and Camp Henry.

The festival will also include food trucks, craft beer vendors, a kid’s area, and more all in one of the most pristine settings imaginable.

The centerpiece of the 300-acre property is a mile-long lake surrounded by the Shining Rock Wilderness Area of Pisgah National Forest.

There are also lodging options, including cabins and camping onsite. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit www.coldmountainmusic.org.

T

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND

J.S. Ondara.

Formed in Colorado in 1998, Yonder Mountain String Band overtook the Rocky Mountains and the festival circuit with its own unique tone, one seamlessly blending bluegrass, string music and Americana.

They hit the road, and hit it hard, a place they’ve called home for the better part of two decades. For them, it’s about the live experience, where you connect into a feeling of something bigger than yourself, that idea of community and camaraderie — trademarks of the string music circles, and also the Grateful Dead, which the band points to as another paint stroke of influence on their improvisational capabilities.

J.S. ONDARA

Ondara offers a unique take on the American dream on “Tales of America,” his debut album.

Growing up in Nairobi, Kenya, Ondara listened to American alt-rock and making up his own songs for as long as he can remember.

After discovering the music of Bob Dylan, he moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2013 to pursue a career in music. There he began making his way in the local music scene, continually writing songs about what he saw, felt and experienced in a place far different from home.

CALEXICO Calexico is a beloved rock band from Tucson, Arizona. For the better part of two decades, nine studio albums, and countless trips around the globe, Joey Burns and John Convertino have embraced a multitude of diverse styles and wellcultivated signature sounds.

DRIFTWOOD

KAT WRIGHT Based out of Burlington, Vermont, Kat Wright, whose voice is both sultry and dynamic, delicate yet powerful, gritty but highly emotive and nuanced, has been described as “a

young Bonnie Raitt meets Amy Winehouse.”

Add to that voice enough stage presence to tame lions, and the combination of feline femininity proves immediately enchanting. There’s soul flowing in and out of her rock-n-roll with a serpentine seduction.

Some of soul music’s sweet, grand dames belt, shout, seethe, and succumb, while Wright sings gently like a heartache’s apology. It’s funky in spots and beautiful all over. And it hurts a little — like it should.

Formed in 2005, Driftwood is an Americana/folk-rock band from Binghamton, New York. The group consists of Dan Forsyth (guitar, vocals), Joe Kollar (banjo, guitar, per-

Kat Wright.

S EE LAKE LOGAN, PAGE 28

SMN: So, do you think folk music was your escape from that noise? It such a beautiful thing to think about a person with just their guitar in the middle of all of that…

KP: You know, there was a lot of that for me. My parents have this beautiful home in northeast LA. They bought [it] decades ago before it was a really fashionable area. They have this nice little corner that sits up on top of a hill and overlooks the eastern valley of Los Angeles City. And what you just described really is that — sitting there with an acoustic guitar and playing as you look out over the city and all that’s happening. It is quite the juxtaposition, and is quite meaningful in that way. That was — at once — very influential on my writing and my musicality.

arts & entertainment

would have found each other? And the last decade, as they say, is history…

SMN: How important is that banter, not only between the two of you, but also between you and the audience?

KP: Well, it’s crucial. Because otherwise you’re going to a show to listen to 19 sad [songs] in-a-row. [Laughs].

Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale of The Milk Carton Kids.

Kenneth Pattengale of The Milk Carton Kids COLD MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL Smoky Mountain News: What do you think about the juxtaposition of growing up in Los Angeles — the epicenter of noise, traffic and organized chaos — and being a folk musician surrounded by all of that?

Kenneth Pattengale: [Laughs] Yeah, right? [It’s] interesting. Joey and I grew up in different parts of LA. I grew up in northeast LA, Joey grew up out on the west side. I learned this after I went through college and became an adult, and that is Los Angeles can be the loneliest place on earth, despite it having something like 25 million people in its metro area. But, it really is the loneliest place until you find your people.

I realized that after seeing a few of my college friends who came to LA from out-ofstate and never found their people — they got chewed up and spit out. It occurred to

— Kenneth Pattengale

me, as weird as someone might be, you can always find somebody like you in Los Angeles. It’s not a given you’ll find them.

But, if you do find them, you’re going to find some good company.

I feel like that actually, in some ways, is very much the story of how Joey and I met.

And to be able to find a person who sort of fit my sensibilities, but also challenged me, and had similar goals, but a different path — that was the luckiest thing that ever happened in my life. Who would have thought, out of 25 million other people, he and I

SMN: What is it about the dynamic of two musicians and two acoustic guitars that appeals to you?

KP: In the beginning, we liked the sound, we liked the added space, the realness of it. There’s less pieces to put together to make it sound true, and that’s really invigorating — that nimbleness and accessibility. There’s nothing to hide behind, but also nothing to prop ourselves up on. We have to figure it out, to make it enjoyable and make it interesting — just with those simple tools. And I think that’s brought out a very unique part of our collaboration, writing and performing.

Smoky Mountain News

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER It’s part Simon & Garfunkel, part Abbott & Costello.

When you listen to The Milk Carton Kids, you’re hearing some of the most poignant, soul-searching and timeless acoustic music of this century — perhaps any century, truth-be-told.

And when you witness the singer-songwriting duo (Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan) onstage, you’re in the presence of true friends — musical soulmates, guitar wizards, comedic brothers — who first crossed paths as struggling artists in the madness that is their native Los Angeles.

Two voices and two acoustic guitars, swirling around a single microphone. It’s a sound and tone that radiates outward into whatever space they may find themselves in, filling ears and hearts with an old, kindred soul feeling and connection — something all too easily lost, perhaps forgotten, in this world of ours today.

“In the beginning, we liked the sound, we liked the added space, the realness of it. There’s less pieces to put together to make it sound true, and that’s really invigorating — that nimbleness and accessibility.”

May 22-28, 2019

Just look at us now

SMN: And it would come across like putting quarters in a jukebox kind of thing, instead of the real blossoming of watching two people onstage…

KP: I think that’s right. Audiences today are very generous in their attention span when it comes to going to a concert and standing for an hour-an-a-half and enjoying somebody who either puts no effort or poor effort into doing anything other than just playing their songs. Not everybody is a natural born speaker or entertainer — sometimes that’s just how it is. If you’re going to see a songwriter play, that’s demanding a lot of the audience to just sit there for song after song. Whether you’re being funny or talking about something serious, you’ve got to break it up — the people sitting there deserve more than that.

Editor’s Note: To listen to the entire audio stream of this conversation, go to YouTube and search: “Kenneth Pattengale Garret K. Woodward.”

27

arts & entertainment May 22-28, 2019 Smoky Mountain News 28

Getting festive The festival season in Western North Carolina is now underway. Below are additional events: • May 31-June 1: Cold Mountain Music Festival, Lake Logan • May 31-June 1: Ole Smokey Spring Farm Fest, Clyde • June 6-8: Cherokee Bluegrass Festival • June 6-9: Highlands Motoring Festival • June 8: Cherokee Voices Festival • June 13-16: Taste of Scotland & Celtic Festival, Franklin • June 15: Front Street Arts & Crafts Show, Dillsboro • June 28: Mountain Street Dance, Waynesville • June 29-30: Village Square Arts & Crafts Show, Highlands • July 12: Mountain Street Dance, Waynesville • July 13: Blueberry Festival, Cherokee • July 18-28: Folkmoot International Dance & Music Festival, Waynesville • July 20: Appalachian Heritage Festival, Franklin • July 26: Mountain Street Dance, Waynesville • July 26-27: Hillbilly Jam, Maggie Valley • July 26-28: Macon County Gemboree, Franklin • Aug. 2-3: Lake Logan Multisport Festival • Aug. 9: Mountain Street Dance, Waynesville • Aug. 9-10: Mountain High BBQ Festival, Franklin • Aug. 17: Franklin Folk Festival • Aug. 24: Qualla Arts & Crafts Open Air Indian Market, Cherokee • Aug. 24-25: Village Square Arts & Crafts Show, Highlands • Aug. 30-31: Smoky Mountain Folk Festival, Lake Junaluska • Aug. 31-Sept. 1: Cashiers Rotary Arts & Crafts Festival • Sept. 1-2: Canton Labor Day Festival • Sept. 21: Green Energy Park Youth Art Fest, Dillsboro • Sept. 27: Mountain Street Dance, Waynesville • Sept. 27-29: Guest Appreciation Festival, Nantahala Outdoor Center • Sept. 28: Mountain Heritage Day, Cullowhee • Oct. 5: Colorfest, Dillsboro • Oct. 5-6: John C. Campbell Folk School Fall Festival, Brasstown • Oct. 8-12: Cherokee Indian Fair • Oct. 10-12: Autumn Leaves Craft Show, Franklin • Oct. 11-13: Cashiers Leaf Festival • Oct. 12: Church Street Art & Craft Show, Waynesville • Oct. 18-19: Fall Harvest Festival, Stecoah • Oct. 18-20: Leaf Lookers Gemboree, Franklin • Oct. 19: Apple Harvest Festival, Waynesville • Oct. 26: PumpkinFest, Franklin • Nov. 2: WNC Pottery Festival, Dillsboro • Nov. 7-10: Highlands Food & Wine Festival • Nov. 29-30: Hard Candy Christmas Art & Craft Show, Cullowhee • Dec. 6: Waynesville Christmas Tree Lighting • Dec. 6-7/13-14: Lights & Luminaries, Dillsboro • Dec. 6-8: Balsam Range Art of Music Festival

Out of sight ain’t out of mind Grizzly Goat to kick off CMMF to continued programming at Folkmoot.

For more information and/or to purchase tickets, call 828.452.2997 or visit www.folkmoot.org. Tickets can also be purchased at the door day of show.

Smoky Mountain News: How much has the original intent of the sound and purpose of the band changed or stayed the same since this musical journey began?

Guitarist/singer Nate Waggoner: Oh man, we’re hardly the same band. It’s like asking an old Live Oak what it was like to be a sapling. Technically, it’s the same tree, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at it.

Grizzly Goat.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER Up-and-coming on the Americana/indie scene, Grizzly Goat was formed in Provo, Utah, and is now based in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The music is, as the band’s name suggests, undomesticated. Grizzly Goat’s blend of folk-rock spans the entire breadth of the Americana genre — from soft and sincere

campfire ballads to rocking electric harmonica solos on top of pounding drums and flailing banjo.

The quintet will be kicking off the Cold Mountain Music Festival during a special pre-festival performance at 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 30, in the Queen Auditorium at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville.

Tickets are $10, with all proceeds going

David Simchock photo

LAKE LOGAN, CONTINUED FROM 26 cussion), Claire Byrne (violin, vocals), and Joey Arcuri (upright bass, vocals). Their music has been described variously as “fusing traditional Americana and with contemporary influences and timeless subject matter.”

RUBY VELLE & THE SOULPHONICS Deep, raw funk. Stax Records style Southern soul. Uplifting Motown-channeling anthems. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics are the heirs to the thrones of the old-school masters.

But, they’re much more than just a group of revivalists trying to create a period piece.

Powerhouse singer Velle and her band will settle for nothing less than bringing these classic sounds glimmering into the now with a fresh new modern sheen.

THE TRAVELIN’ KINE From Charleston, South Carolina, The Travelin’ Kine are 2014-2017 City Paper “Americana Artist of the Year” winners. This hardworking local outfit has logged serious miles honing their sound: a mix of potent songwriting and fiery country chops, doused with a few shots of whiskey.

With the help of a seasoned crew of local talent, singer Slaton Glover delivers a musi-

SMN: What is it about Americana/folk and bluegrass music that speaks to you?

Mandolinist/singer Ben Gibson: To me, Americana is an honest and transparent form of art, and I think that’s why we’re drawn to it. We like to compare our songs to a journal entry or a campfire story. A journal entry doesn’t need a glitter pen, a campfire story doesn’t need a projector screen and hand puppets.

Communication person-to-person needs no distraction — or at least we prefer it that way.

COLD MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL cal message of hellfire and heartbreak, leaving it all on the stage at every performance.

Releasing their first album in early 2016, The Travelin’ Kine’s first single “Change in the Wind” was voted 2015 CPMA “Song of the Year.”

LOGAN LEDGER Native Californian Logan Ledger came to music fairly early; he began singing as a young child and started playing old-time and bluegrass music on guitar at age 12.

Enamored of early roots music record-

ings of Appalachian ballads and string bands from the 1930s, he soon discovered the music of Hank Williams and George Jones — he describes it as “a bomb going off in my mind” — and devoted himself wholeheartedly to learning all he could about country music.

JOE LASHER Lasher is a young country phenom whose dynamic performances have been captivating his home state of North Carolina for years. With influences like Tim McGraw, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, and fellow Ashevillian Luke Combs, his infectious positive attitude makes him a natural both onstage and off.

OL’ DIRTY BATHTUB It may not be your grandpappy’s bluegrass, but he’ll dig it, too. Based out of Sylva, this five-piece string band plays an original mix of Americana, folk, and bluegrass. The band’s debut album, “Pack Mule,” was released last year on Beehive Records.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

The Who at Bridgestone Arena. (photo: Garret K. Woodward)

Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals

An award-winning bluegrass band with gospel, folk, and country music influences, Dailey & Vincent will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 25, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

S

READING

Sat. May 25 • 3 pm

Crafted in

Carolina Local Art & Jewelry Check out our new 'Man Cave'

Art for & by Men. 828.944.0004 3073 Soco Road | Maggie Valley Wed - Sat 10am to 5pm ◆ Sun 10am to 3pm

Smoky Mountain News

itting high up in the Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville last Thursday night, I couldn’t help but wonder what my The 10th season of the Concerts on the Creek Uncle Scott would think about summer music series will kick off with Daddy all of this.

Rabbit (blues/rock) at 7 p.m. Friday, May 24, at There they were, right Bridge Park in Sylva. there onstage: The Who. Well, The Broadway musical “The Bridges of Madison at least what’s left of the legCounty” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. May 24endary rock group, which is 25, 31 and June 1, 6-8, and at 2 p.m. May 26 lead singer Roger Daltrey and and June 2 and 9 at the Haywood Arts Regional guitarist Pete Townshend.

Theatre in Waynesville.

Members of rock-n-roll royalty, the duo was backed Outdoor 76 (Franklin) will host the Beer & by several musicians and an Bluegrass BBQ from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, entire orchestra, all of which May 25. plowing through hit after Boojum Brewing Company (Waynesville) will iconic hit of the band’s catalog host KARE Fest (rock/jam) 8:30 p.m. Saturday, dating back over a half-centuMay 25. ry. It was surreal, more so wondrous, to see an act I’ve only heard through headphones or radiating and how he passed that passion down to me — as a teenager and as an adult. from my car stereo (and always cranked Uncle Scott pushed me to work hard, loudly) my entire life.

Sadly, Uncle Scott passed away unexpect- even when I thought he was being a hard edly at age 60 in April 2016 of a heart attack. ass, just like his brother (my father) was also An all-around rock-n-roll freak myself, with a like toward me. You realize as you get older, they weren’t being assholes — they cared sincere lifelong love for The Who, my uncle about you, and wanted the best for you. My and I connected over the band’s albums, uncle had my back. He would always be in over a mutual love of running and athletics, my corner. and over participating in rollicking political After years of being one of the most sucdebates at family gatherings. cessful track/cross-country coaches in my And when I gave the eulogy at his funernative Upstate New York, Uncle Scott al, I spoke of my uncle’s love for The Who,

Ann Melton

While Walking With God

May 22-28, 2019

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UPCOMING EVENT! arts & entertainment

This must be the place

became a field judge, where he would shoot the gun to start a track race or judge a call if there was an issue.

Well, I was a senior in high school in 2003. Captain of my team. First race of the year. Freezing cold out. North Country weather, eh? I was up against the best mile runner in our conference. He hadn’t been beat all year. Uncle Scott fired the starting gun. I went toe-to-toe with this kid, beating him literally at the finish line. He crossed at 04:49. I passed him at 04:48.

Uncle Scott jogged over, “Jesus, you did it. You finally ran your ass off. Dammit.

Wow.” His praise meant the world, seeing as, in my family, that kind of praise only came with the real deal nitty gritty achievements.

We ended up going undefeated that season, onward to the state championships.

When I got my high school diploma later that year, I had a graduation party in my hometown of Rouses Point, New York. Uncle Scott showed up and handed me his gift. It was a copy of The Who’s 1971 seminal album “Who’s Next.”

As I looked at the album, he said to me, “Here, this got me through a lot of tough times. I always would listen to ‘Baba O’Riley’ to get pumped up about a game I was about to play or life in general. Hope it can do the same for you.”

And you know what’s absolutely wild? A few years later, my Uncle Scott (a lifelong bachelor) met, dated and married my Aunt Sally when he was 50. With “Baba O’Riley” always being “his song” since he was in high school, let’s take a moment to recite those lyrics: “Sally take my hand / We’ll travel south cross land / Put out the fire / And don’t look past my shoulder / The exodus is here / The happy ones are near / Let’s get together, before we get much older...” A decade after their wedding, those lyrics were printed on his funeral card.

During the Nashville gig, The Who rolled into the famous instrumentation that is “Sparks,” a melody that really filled my soul in the fall of 2005. A college junior, I was attending a semester abroad in Ireland.

And one weekend we all went to London for a few days. I had just purchased The Who’s 1970 album, “Live at Leeds,” and had been blasting it nonstop in my handheld CD player (remember those?).

Well, one afternoon, while in the heart of London, I went for a walk by myself into Hyde Park. Sunshine. Lush greenery. The skyline of London surrounding me. All that history, art, culture and society. And I remember when “Sparks” spilled into my headphones, especially the 01:55 part, it shook my body into a state of pure melodic euphoria. It’s a feeling that still awakens within me whenever I blast that tune or The Who in general.

While in Nashville for the show, I ended up with two press tickets for The Who at Bridgestone Arena. And I had nobody around to claim the other pass. All of my Nashville friends either already had tickets or other plans that evening.

I want to think that empty seat that evening was filled with the spirit of my late uncle. And it was. Rock on, Uncle Scott.

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

29

May 22-28, 2019

arts & entertainment

On the beat Bluegrass legends in Franklin An award-winning bluegrass band with gospel, folk, and country music influences, Dailey & Vincent will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 25, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Dailey & Vincent (aka: Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent) have won over a dozen International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards and 23 awards from The Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music (SPBGDailey & Vincent.

MA). They received a Grammy award nomination for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 2011 and won a Dove Award for Best Bluegrass Album for “Singing From The Heart” that same year.

In 2013, Daily & Vincent received their second Grammy award nomination for Best Bluegrass Album for “The Gospel Side of Dailey & Vincent.” Some of their hits include, “When I Stop Dreaming,” “By the Mark” and “I Believe.” Their latest album, “Patriots & Poets,” features collaborations with Steve Martin, Doyle Lawson, Bela Flack, David Rawlings, and more.

Tickets start at $22 per person. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit www.greatmountainmusic.com or call 866.273.4615.

MEMORIAL DAY SAVINGS!

Smoky Mountain News

Daddy Rabbit.

he 10th season of the Concerts on the Creek summer music series in Sylva begins on Friday, May 24. This year’s lineup promises to be one of the most versatile in the event’s history.

The Town of Sylva, Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce team up to produce the Concerts on the Creek series at the Bridge Park gazebo in Sylva from 7 to 9 p.m. every Friday from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Concerts on the Creek events are free and open to the public with donations encouraged. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the shows. Occasionally, these events will feature food truck vendors as well.

T

The performances are as follows: • May 24: Daddy Rabbit (blues/rock) • May 31: Jonah Riddle & The Carolina Express (bluegrass/gospel) • June 7: Arnold Hill Band with special guest Chris Pressley (country/rock)

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Junior Appalachian Musicians Camp Preserving and perpetuating bluegrass, old-time, mountain and string music for generations to come, the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) summer camp will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 15-19 at the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville.

JAM is designed to acquaint area young people, grades 4 through 8, with their mountain cultural heritage through instruction in mountain music and exposure to mountain dance, songs and stories. The JAM after-

• June 14: Summer Brooke and Mountain Faith (bluegrass/gospel) • June 21: Shane Mead & The Sound (Americana/folk) • June 28: The Rewind Band (classic hits/rock) • July 4: Fireworks & Festivities, The Carolina Soul Band (soul/R&B/beach/classic hits) • July 5: Hot Trail Mix (progressive bluegrass) • July 12: The Darren Nicholson Band (bluegrass/classic country) • July 19: Geoff McBride & Scott Baker (classic hits/soul) • July 26: Dashboard Blue (rock/classic hits) • Aug. 2: Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats (rock/blues) • Aug. 9: Tuxedo Junction (classic hits) • Aug. 16: Mama Danger (folk/newgrass) • Aug. 23: Troy Underwood (Americana/folk) • Aug. 30: Maggie Valley Band (Americana) For more information, call 828.586.2155 or visit www.mountainlovers.com. Follow the Concerts on the Creek Facebook page for series updates.

school program takes place from 3:30 to 5 p.m. every Tuesday throughout the school year.

JAM Camp is an extension of that program for five days in mid-summer. In addition to mountain instrument classes, daily sessions in mountain dance (clogging, buck dancing and flat footing) and in mountain songs and stories will be offered. Robby Robertson, Travis Stuart, Maddy Mullany and Cary Fridley are the instructors.

The cost of Jam Camp is $95. The Harmon Foundation and Smoky Mountain Folk Festival are sponsoring this fun summer camp.

To register, call the Haywood County Arts Council at 828.452.0593. The registration deadline for JAM Camp is June 29.

For more information about JAM, as well as other programs or events, visit the Haywood County Arts Council website at www.haywoodarts.org or at www.facebook.com/haywoodarts.

The mission of the Haywood County Arts Council is to promote artists, art education, and innovation in art. This project receives support from the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.

On the beat • Nantahala Brewing (Bryson City) will host Loose Leaves May 24 and Amongst The Trees June 1. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host Chicken Coop Willaye (Americana/bluegrass) May 24, Shane Meade & The Sound May 31 and Trippin’ Hardie album release party June 1. All shows start at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. www.balsamfallsbrewing.com.

• Nantahala Outdoor Center (Nantahala Gorge) will host Slippery Creek Band May 25 and Hustle Souls May 26. All shows are free and open to the public. www.noc.com.

• Outdoor 76 (Franklin) will host the Beer & Bluegrass BBQ from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 25. Live music by Bad Kenny (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Ol’ Dirty Bathtub (2 to 4 p.m.) and Dryman Mountain Boys (5 to 7 p.m.).

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host an acoustic jam with Main St. NoTones from 6 to 9 p.m. May 23 and 30. Free and open to the public. www.blueridgebeerhub.com.

• Boojum Brewing Company (Waynesville) will host a bluegrass open mic every Wednesday, an all-genres open mic every Thursday and IanA-Palooza (rock/jam) 8:30 p.m. May 25. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.boojumbrewing.com.

ALSO:

• Chevelle’s Restaurant & Bar (Murphy) will host Jesse James May 24, Topper May 25 and Steel Creek Band June 1. All shows begin at 9 p.m.

• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host Somebody’s Child (Americana) 6 p.m. June 8.

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

• Firefly Taps & Grill (Waynesville) will host Two Armadillos (Americana) May 25 and June 8, Bryce Denton (singer-songwriter) May 29 and Lindsay Meyers (singer-songwriter) June 1. All shows begin at 7 p.m.

Free and open to the public.

828.454.5400.

• Groovin’ on the Green (Cashiers) will host Hurricane Creek (rock) May 25 and Andrews Scotchie & The River Rats (blues/rock) May 31. Show begin at 6:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night May 22 and 29, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo May 23 and 30. All events are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

Franklin welcomes Marty Stuart Country and bluegrass musical icon Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

“Well, to me, [bluegrass music] is home. As a musician, it’s just as complicated as classical music in a lot of terms. The dexterity required is incredible, but to combine dexterity with heart and soul, and make it something that touches somebody, that’s something special,” Stuart told The Smoky Mountain News in 2016. “And with country music, too, my wife (country legend Connie Smith) calls it the ‘cry of the heart.’ And I think true bluegrass, I’m talking the real way back there stuff, that’s what I listen to more than anything else, even today — it still speaks to me.”

Tickets start at $28 per person. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, call 866.273.4615 or visit www.greatmountainmusic.com.

• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host Jim Elenteny (singer-songwriter) May 25 and Nikki Forbes June 1. All events are free and begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Isis Music Hall (West Asheville) will host Lawn Series w/Fwuit (singer-songwriter) 6 p.m. May 22, Jordan Hurwitz & Rachel Ohnsman (singer-songwriter) 7 p.m. May 22, Lawn Series w/The New Rustics 6 p.m. May 23, Heart Hunters (Americana/folk) 7 p.m.

May 23, Big Family Takeover (altcountry/jam) 8:30 p.m. May 23, The Nouveaux Honkies (country/folk) 7 p.m. May 24, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (bluegrass) 8:30 p.m. May 24, Sarah Clanton w/Nick Nace (Americana/folk) 7 p.m. May 25, Rich Nelson Band (pop/rock) 8:30 p.m. May 25, The Traveling Ones w/Nightingale Rodeo (Americana/blues) 6 p.m. May 26, Russ Wilson & His Famous Orchestra (swing/jazz) 7:30 p.m May 26, Tuesday Bluegrass Sessions w/Kristy Cox 7:30 p.m. May 28, Lawn Series w/Rahm & Friends (world) 6 p.m. May 29 and Asher Leigh & Laura Boswell (singer-songwriter) 7 p.m. May 29. www.isisasheville.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host an open mic night at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday, George Reeves May 24 and Caroline Aiken May 25. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For more information and a complete schedule of events, click on www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• The Paper Mill Lounge & Theatre (Sylva) will host Scott Baker & Geoff McBride 8:30 p.m. May 24 and Eric Hendrix Band 8 p.m.

May 25. 828.508.0554 or www.thepapermilllounge.com.

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

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

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

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

• Southern Porch (Canton) will host Hope Griffin (singer-songwriter) 6 p.m. May 28. All shows are free and open to the public.

828.492.8006.

• The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic” night from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays. 828.283.0079 or www.38main.com.

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

828.926.9464 or www.facebook.com/legendssportsgrillmaggievalley.

• The Ugly Dog Pub (Cashiers) will host Bluegrass Thursdays w/Benny Queen at 6:30 p.m. and Scott Streible (singer-songwriter) 1 p.m. May 25.

• Mad Anthony’s Taproom & Restaurant (Waynesville) will host Randy Steele 5 p.m.

June 2. All shows are free and open to the public. 828.246.9249 or www.madanthonys.bar.

• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host Bluegrass w/Nitrograss Wednesdays at 7 p.m and The New Rustics 9:30 p.m. May 25.

Smoky Mountain News

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Noah Proudfoot May 24, Heidi Holton (blues/folk) May 25, The Realtorz May 31 and Randy Steele 3 p.m. June 2. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. www.froglevelbrewing.com.

Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives. (photo: Alysse Gafkjen)

May 22-28, 2019

• Concerts on the Creek (Sylva) will host Daddy Rabbit (blues/rock) May 24 and Jonah Riddle & The Carolina Express (bluegrass/gospel) May 31. Shows begin at 7 p.m. at Bridge Park. Free and open to the public.

arts & entertainment

shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

• Andrews Brewing Company (Andrews) will host the “Lounge Series” at its Calaboose location with Liz Nance (Americana/folk) May 23. All shows are free and begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

• Maggie Valley Rendezvous will host Stone Crazy Band (classic rock/pop) from 6 to 9 p.m. May 24 at the poolside tiki bar.

• The Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic Night” on Mondays, karaoke on Thursdays, semi-regular music on Fridays and Saturdays. All events at 10 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.456.4750.

• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host the “Stone Soup” open mic night every Tuesday, Shayler’s Kitchen Band May 24, Frank & Allie (Americana/old-time) May 25 and Heidi Holton (blues/folk) June 1. All

• Whiteside Brewing (Cashiers) will host Doug Ramsey (rock/soul) May 24 and 31. All shows start at 5:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.743.6000 or www.whitesidebrewing.com.

31

arts & entertainment

On the street ‘Travels and Tall Tales’ lecture series The “Travels and Tall Tales” lecture series will continue with Alan French at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 30, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

The lectures are a continuation of the series begun in 2018 with topics extending from Russia throughout the Nordic countries, including Iceland. Literature, history, and personal experiences are among the subjects covered.

French will present “They Attacked Hitler’s Atomic Bomb (Before He Had One)” The command in Great Britain knew that it was a risky undertaking, but they did not expect a complete disaster with so much loss of life — a total of 34 soldiers and airmen — and that was just the beginning.

Enter the Norwegians. It was, after all, their land, their people (many trustworthy, some not), and at least a few of them knew the target at Vemork. Willing to pay the ultimate price to keep the hated Germans from creating an atomic bomb, ten men attacked the Hydro Norsk Plant in an operation already deemed suicidal — an assault beginning and eventually ending in the blood of both the guilty and the innocent.

French, a history enthusiast, specializes in the Nordic countries, Russia, and Islamic

Spain. After a long and successful government career in teaching, interpreting, and translating Russian and participating in arms-control negotiations in Geneva and treaty implementation in Germany, Ukraine, and Russia he has returned to one of his first loves, history — foreign languages being the other.

More recently he has interpreted for numerous official delegations on highly technical visits from the former Soviet republics of Central Asia to U. S. military bases, and he continues to work part-time as a conferencelevel interpreter in Russian with the U.S. Department of State.

As a member of the Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Studies and the Haskins Society, Alan supplements his reading and research by traveling to the Baltic region and formerly to Russia, where he made innumerable work-related visits to and beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg to the Urals and Siberia.

On a previous visit to Ålesund, Norway, he made an interesting discovery, which is featured in one of his talks; while during one of his visits to Denmark he left the fascinating sights of Copenhagen to made another discovery — Roskilde, the ancient capital of Denmark and now a quaint village, home to five scuttled Viking ships rescued from a nearby channel.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

Smoky Mountain News

May 22-28, 2019

Want to learn to dance?

There will be several dances classes offered throughout the month of June at Dance Tonight Haywood, located on Main Street in Canton.

Classes include a four-week Argentine tango workshop (7 to 9 p.m. Mondays), fourweek salsa workshop (7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays), swing dance night (7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays) and four-week blues dancing workshop (6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays).

For more information on pricing or to register, text or email your information to 828.316.1344. The dance studio is located just above the V Salon at 61 Main Street in Canton.

Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling

The Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays May 22 through Oct. 25 at the Oconaluftee Islands Park in Cherokee.

Sit by a bonfire, alongside a river, and listen to some of Cherokee’s best storytellers.

The bonfire is free and open to the public.

There will be no bonfire events in September.

For more information, call 800.438.1601 32 or visit www.visitcherokeenc.com.

• The CommUnity Square Dance will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 25, at the Family Resource Center (old Webster School) in Webster. Caller Todd Woerner will teach and call all dances to live old-time music featuring fiddler Rob Fong. No partner or experience is necessary.

ALSO:

• The Waynesville Block Party will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 25, on Main Street. Dancing in the street. Live music featuring bluegrass, country rock and oldies.

Kids activities and more. Restaurants open.

Free and open to the public. No animals allowed at downtown events. www.downtownwaynesville.com.

Memorial Day Weekend at The Village Green The Village Green. JCTDA photo

Memorial Day Weekend in Cashiers marks the beginning of the warm weather season as well as community events and memorable traditions.

The Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley presents the biannual Art for a Cause, a two-day arts and crafts fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26.

More than 100 artisans from throughout the Southeast with a wide variety of unique handcrafted, handmade items. The Rotarians will cook up hot dogs, hamburgers and more to kick off the summer grilling season.

Memorial Day Weekend is also the opening of the 2019 summer concert series, Groovin’ On the Green. Local crowd-pleasing Hurricane Creek will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 25, at the Commons.

This year features outstanding musicians with unique sounds and a diverse range of music. The schedule includes previous favorite artists Porch 40, High Five, Eat a Peach and Andalyn. Hurricane Creek performs a second time in July.

Returning for an encore is Andrew Beam who grew up in Cashiers and learned to play guitar while attending the Summit Charter School.

Groovin’ On the Green will also welcome first time performers Andrew Scotchie and the River Rats (May 31), The Wobblers, the Zuzu Welsh Band,

Americana Jones and The Currys, a popular group from the Florida panhandle.

The final concert will be a Labor Day Weekend, end of summer party featuring Mac Arnold and a Plate Full O’Blues.

Concerts are rain or shine. Coolers are welcome but food and beverage vendors will be on site as well. Dogs must be on a leash and under the control of their owners at all times.

A new policy is in place this year with setting up for Groovin’ On the Green concerts. Tents must be set up next to the path at the very back of the event lawn. Chairs may be set up in the lawn anytime the day of the concert, however no chairs may be set up within the wings of the Commons until after 4:30 p.m.

For a full concert schedule visit the concerts page on The Village Green website, www.villagegreencashiersnc.com.

The VFW Jimmy Dillard Post 10685 will hold the annual Memorial Day Observance at Noon on Monday, May 27, at the Gazebo and Event Lawn near the crossroads. Come pay your respects for those who have served our country and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The Village Green is a 13-acre privately conserved public park in the center of Cashiers. For more information about this and other events in the park call 828.743.3434, email director@cashiersgreen.com or visit The Village Green website.

On the street

Congratulations to NAI Beverly-H Hanks’

The 25th annual Swain County Heritage Festival will be held May 24-25 at Riverfront Park in Bryson City.

From 6 to 9 p.m. the Friday night entertainment is loaded with local talent featuring an emphasis on old-time gospel, featuring seven southerngospel music singers and groups.

From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. the Saturday entertainment features classic country, bluegrass, and clogging. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with an opening Memorial Day ceremony by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9281 along with Sons of the Confederacy, Jackson Rangers Camp 1917.

The ceremony will will include ”firing” of the old canon and a 21-gun salute. Swain County Commissioners will recognize the 25th anniversary of the festival.

Saturday festivities will include bluegrass and country music, and mountain-style clogging by the Tangled Feet Stompers led by Dee Decker.

In addition to music, the festival offers local arts and crafts, food, games for the kids, log-sawing contest, sack races and fun for the whole family.

This year will also feature the “Cherokee Friends,” a group of Cherokee Indians who dress in traditional 17th century Native American clothing. The “Friends” will have a booth and do hands-on demonstrations of

Cherokee crafts. They will also be on the stage in the afternoon to showcase traditional Cherokee dancing and storytelling.

The festival will feature new food vendors this year, as well as a variety of games and activities for children including a duck

‘Historical Home & Architecture Tour’

This event costs $10 per person; children are free and must be accompanied by an adult at all times during the tour. Not all sites are ADA compliant.

Tickets may be purchased in advance by contacting the Jackson County Arts Council or any JCAC Board Member. Tickets will be available at the start of the tour on Saturday, May 25.

The Jackson County Arts Council would like to thank Phil and Gayle Woody, Greg and Jenny McPherson, Cathy Busick (AWM), and the Jackson County Public Library for opening their doors for us to explore. If you would like to submit your historic building or home for consideration of next year’s tour, email info@jacksoncountyarts.org.

The Jackson County Arts Council is supported by the NC Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and by local and state governments and community members.

Awarded Aw

CCIM Designatiion

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

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

pond, mini-train ride, and handcrafted wooden games for the whole family. The popular old-time cross-cut log-sawing contest and sack-racing will be held on Saturday afternoon.

The festival is organized by the Partnership for the Future of Bryson City/Swain County, a nonprofit organization. Business sponsorships are needed to assist with paying for the festival expenses and entertainment. Vendor spaces are still available for art and crafts.

Call 828.538.0455 for more information or to reserve a space, or visit the facebook page “Swain County Heritage Festival” or email swaincountyheritagefest@gmail.com.

For more information on the festival, visit www.greatsmokies.com.

May 22-28, 2019 Smoky Mountain News

The Jackson County Arts Council will host the inaugural “Historic and Architecture Tour” Saturday, May 25, in Sylva and Dillsboro.

The tour will begin at 3 p.m. the Jackson County Library in Sylva, where a local historian will discuss the history and design of the once Jackson County Courthouse.

Maps will be given out so that you can begin your self-guided journey of the Old Carolina Hotel (Main Street, Sylva), The Old Queen House (Woody home in Dillsboro), and the Appalachian Women’s Museum (Old Monteith House in Dillsboro).

Homeowners and/or historians will be on site to discuss each location. Come see secret tunnels, gain new insights, and hear stories inside some of the most interesting homes and buildings in the region.

BILL LY Y CASE

arts & entertainment

Swain County Heritage Festival

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On the table arts & entertainment

All aboard the BBQ, craft beer train

There will be a barbecue and craft beer tasting with Lazy Hiker Brewing from 7 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, May 25, on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, departing from Bryson City.

Board the GSMR and enjoy a steam train ride along with craft beer tastings, and your own basket of Southern-style barbeque goodness with hand-pulled pork slider, a couple pork ribs, and chicken drumstick accompanied by baked beans, house-made coleslaw, and apple cobbler.

Tickets start at $79 and include a souvenir tasting glass for three samples of finely crafted beer selections. Adults-only and family friendly seating.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 800.872.4681 or visit www.gsmr.com.

May 22-28, 2019

The Secret Wine Bar.

Saturday, June 1

Now under new management with Stephanie Strickland and Genevieve Bagley, Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville will continue to host an array of tastings and small plates.

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

• Thursdays: Five for $5 wine tasting, with small plates available for purchase from Chef Bryan’s gourmet cuisine in The Secret Wine Bar. • Fridays: The Secret Wine Bar will be open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and open for drinks and small plates from 5 to 9 p.m.

• Saturdays: Champagne cocktails from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Secret Wine Bar will be

open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will also be a free wine tasting from 1 to 5 p.m.

Dog friendly patio and front garden open, weather permitting. 828.452.0120 or visit www.waynesvillewine.com.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. May 25 and June 1 at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. www.papouswineshop.com or 828.631.3075.

• Free cooking demonstrations will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturdays at Country Traditions in Dillsboro.

Watch the demonstrations, eat samples and taste house wines for $3 a glass. All recipes posted online. www.countrytraditionsnc.com.

ALSO:

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Bosu’s tastings, small plates

All day until 9pm at the pool 10am - 3pm in the gym

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Smoky Mountain News

May 22-28, 2019

arts & entertainment

On the wall

Cullowhee Arts workshop series Cullowhee Arts announces its eighth annual Summer Art Workshop Series that will be held at Western Carolina University’s School of Art and Design.

This annual event features three weeks of Visual Art Workshops offered in ceramics, fiber, mixed media, painting, printmaking and photography.

Artists from all points in the United States and beyond come to learn new concepts and techniques taught by artist-instructors bearing national and international reputations.

“During the five-day workshops, we have ‘Lunch and Learn’ each day where the artistinstructors of that week share slide-presentations of their current work. Each Thursday afternoon students attend a ‘Museum Talk’ where the visiting instructors make comments and offer insight to the exhibits at the WCU

Fine Art Museum,” explains Cullowhee Arts Executive Director Norma Hendrix. “There are several group dinners and also evenings students try the local cuisine and enjoy art conversations over dinner and wine or local brews. The workshops end with wrap-up critiques and a studio stroll where everyone visits the studios and see the art that has been made in the various disciplines during the week.”

Workshop dates: Week 1: June 16-21, Week 2: June 24-28 and Week 3: July 1-3, (three-day workshops): Cost includes tuition, lunches and two group dinners; focused & concentrated learning with access to WCU Art Studios and facilities. Studios are open 7 a.m. to 10 pm. On campus lodging available.

Details and registration at www.cullowheemountainarts.org. For more information, contact Hendrix at 828.342.7899.

• The Cherokee Gourd Artists Gathering will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 31, at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds.

Gourd artists from the United States and Canada gather to collaborate on gourd art, which will be for sale. Watch them work carving, painting and sculpting. Classes are available for a fee. www.visitcherokeenc.com.

p.m. Saturday, July 13, at the Cruso Community Center. Open call for crafters and demonstrators. Vendor spaces are $10 for a 10x10 space and demonstrators can participate for free. All spaces are outdoors. For more information and applications, visit www.crusonc.com/fest, call Levi at 828.400.7323 or email crusoquiltshow@gmail.com.

• The “Birch By The Lake” oil painting class with Sun Sohovich will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville. Pallet knife oil class. Cost is $40 for HCAC members, $45 for non-members. All supplies are provided. RSVP at 828.452.0593.

• The Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville is looking for a new identity for the annual Haywood County Studio Tour.

Submissions will be accepted through Aug. 1. The contest is open to everyone. Visit the council’s website www.haywoodarts.org/logo-contest for the application form and additional information. Winner will be selected by the Haywood Arts Council Studio Tour committee. For more information, call 828.452.0593, email info@haywoodarts.org or visit www.haywoodarts.org.

ALSO:

• The graduating class of Haywood Community College’s Professional Crafts program will exhibit their best work at the 2019 Graduate Show. The show will be held through June 23 at the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville. The Folk Art Center is open daily from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. For more information, call 828.627.4673 or visit creativearts.haywood.edu.

• “Talk About Art” with Melba Cooper from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, May 30, at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville. Cooper will guide a class in using art criticism models for talking about and making aesthetic evaluations of art.

She will lead you through a format developed by Eugene Kaelin at the University of Florida. The purpose will be to engage more deeply with a work of art and allow it to “speak in the moment.”

• Vendors and demonstrators are wanted for the 2nd annual Mountain Heritage Fest in Cruso. This great day of barbecue, crafts, 36 and live music will be held from 10 a.m. to 3

• The Weekly Open Studio art classes will resume from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville, Instructor will be Betina Morgan. Open to all artists, at any stage of development, and in the medium of your choice. Cost is $20 per class. There will also be a Youth Art Class from 4 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. Cost is $10 per class. Contact Morgan at 828.550.6190 or email bmk.morgan@yahoo.com.

• Art by Sarah Tess Kunkleman is on display during the month of May in the Macon County Public Library Meeting Room in Franklin. Stop by or call ahead for available viewing times. For more about Sarah’s art and her processes visit her Instagram at www.instagram.com/sarahtess_studioart.

• The Haywood County Arts Council will offer its latest exhibit, “Elemental: Wood, Metal, Glass & Clay” through June 1 at the HCAC

‘Icons in Transformation’ exhibit The Grace Church in the Mountains will be hosting an internationally acclaimed art exhibition titled “Icons in Transformation” through June 16 at the church in Waynesville.

This exhibit toured cathedrals and museums in Europe and the United States and more than 150,000 people witnessed the powerful exhibit.

Gallery & Gifts showroom in downtown Waynesville. Participating artists from around Western North Carolina include potter, wood workers, glass artists, metal workers and fiber artisans. For more information, call 828.452.5362 or visit www.haywoodarts.org.

• The Museum of the Cherokee Indian has recently opened a major new exhibit, “People of the Clay: Contemporary Cherokee Potters.”

It features more than 60 potters from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Cherokee Nation, and more than one hundred works from 1900 to the present. The exhibit will run through next April.

The artist, Russian emigre Ludmila Pawlowska, was born in exile. Following the death of her mother, she found inspiration in the Orthodox monasteries’ traditional spiritual icons. She shares her abstract impressionist masterworks using ancient icon methods and techniques.

Henri Mattise, one of the first to appreciate the significance of the Russian tradition in the development of contemporary art, said, “the artist’s soul emerges in… icons…(and) it is through them that we should learn to understand art.”

Grace Church in the Mountains welcomes the artist and her work by hosting a variety of cross-cultural and intergenerational opportunities. Visit the church website, www.gracewaynesville.com for an extensive calendar of events including a community gala, docent-led tours, workshops and more.

The public is welcome to view the art, hear expert speakers, and join icon writing workshops, while surrounded by the iconic beauty of the Appalachian Mountains.

Known for its transformative power, the mountains appeal to art lovers, nature enthusiasts, and truth seekers alike.

828.456.6029.

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

• Mad Batter Food & Film (Sylva) will host a free movie night at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com

On the stage

s e u l B , k n Fu

arts & entertainment

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A scene from ‘The Bridges of Madison County.’

HART presents ‘The Bridges of Madison County’

• “Calendar Girls” opens at Highlands Performing Arts Center on May 23. There will be eight performances over two weeks: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30 and two Sunday matinees on May 26 and June 2 beginning at 2:30 p.m. Tickets will not be available until the Thursday before the play opens. 828.526.8084 or www.cashiersplayers.org.

Center at Western Carolina University.

Annual dance recital featuring students of all ages performing to selections from some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters.

ALSO:

• The MusicWorks! Studio Recital will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 1, in the Bardo Arts

• There is free comedy improv class from 7 to 9 p.m. every Thursday at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. No experience necessary, just come to watch or join in the fun.

Improv teacher Wayne Porter studied at Sak Comedy Lab in Orlando, Florida, and performed improvisation with several groups.

Join Improv WNC on Facebook or just call 828.316.8761.

Live in the Gem

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(Kids Advocacy Resource Effort) KARE's mission is to end child abuse through advocacy, education and support. presented by

Smoky Mountain News

tions. The chance encounter will change both of their lives forever.

HART’s production is being directed by Dwight Chiles and will feature some of the theatre’s most talented performers, including: Kristen Hedberg as Francesca, and Dominic Aquilino as Robert, supported by Leif Broderson, Annelise Taylor Henry, Tyler Ledbetter, Emily Warren McCurry, Strother Stingley, Christine Caldemeyer and Georgia Reichard.

Harmons’ Den Bistro at HART is open for dining before all performances.

Reservations can be made for the show and the bistro by calling the HART Box Office from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at 828.456.6322 or by clicking on www.harttheatre.org.

May 22-28, 2019

The Broadway musical “The Bridges of Madison County” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. May 24-25, 31 and June 1, 6-8, and at 2 p.m. May 26 and June 2 and 9 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

The show is based on the bestselling novel by Robert James Waller that became a hit film and was later adapted into a Tony Award winning musical. Jason Robert Brown composed the music and lyrics and Marsha Norman wrote the book for the show.

The story focuses on Francesca, an Italian war bride, and is set in 1965 in a small Midwestern town. Francesca has been married for eighteen years and has had a quiet life, but now the family is away at a state fair and a stranger has arrived seeking direc-

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Smoky Mountain News May 22-28, 2019

arts & entertainment

Books

Smoky Mountain News

39

A story of people becoming real Jobless, desperate for cash, Rusty has come to Riverton in hopes of tracking down a savings account opened years earlier by his mother.

Jeff Minick

“Only connect.”

Though that line from E.M. Forster’s Howard’s End refers to human love and passion, his words also seem to describe the vital link between author and reader. “Only connect” is the goal of any novelist seeking an audience.

And in Summer Hours at the Robbers Library (Harper Perennial, 2018, 370 pages), Sue Halpern connects.

Katherine “Kit” Jarvis has come to Riverton, New Writer Hampshire, to work in the public library, where she soon rises to the post of head librarian. She leads a secluded life, keeping to herself and holding tight to the tragedy that has wrecked her life. She never shares her past with her co-workers or with The Four, a quartet of older men who gather every morning at the library to drink their coffee, read the papers, reminisce, gossip, and flirt with Kit. Then 15-year-old Solstice “Sunny” Arkinsky enters Kit’s life. Sentenced to work a volunteer in the library for the summer — she was caught shoplifting a dictionary in a bookstore in the local mall, and the judge believes in the punishment fitting the crime — Sunny carries her own cargo of secrets. Her parents live off the grid, moving from place to place, homeschooling Sunny, and avoiding any contact with the government. They eschew all technology, all adulterated foods, and all contact with other people except for a few close friends.

Sunny is a bright, inquisitive girl who soon slips into Kit’s life, becomes a favorite of The Four, and is beloved by the children who come to her story hours. As she breaks the walls of reserve surrounding Kit, Sunny begins to realize that her parents have secrets as well, a dangerous past that could put both her mother and father in jeopardy.

Enter Cyrus “Rusty” Allen, a former broker whose rising star has crashed and burned.

Though the bank has long since closed its doors, Rusty visits the library day after day, looking for information about the bank, about his mother as a girl, and about the

secret behind the money in her bank account.

Soon he becomes a friend with The Four, with Sunny, and after a time, with Kit. As these three people rummage through their past and the lives of those they love, we discover along with them some of the terrible events haunting them: the truth behind Kit’s failed marriage, the real reason why Sunny’s parents live on the outskirts of society, the history behind the bank deposit

by Rusty’s mother.

It is here where this novel “connects,” at least with me. All human beings are mysteries, to others and even to themselves. That teller at the bank may be a saint or a sinner. That man buying coffee at the 7-Eleven may have a $10 million portfolio or be poor as a church mouse.

And yet we rush to judgment when people

we know fall on their faces. The man busted for drugs in the trunk of his car is rightly sentenced to a stint in prison. He has broken the law. But to condemn him beyond that point, to regard him as evil or loathesome, is wrong unless we know why the drugs were in his car.

Did he intend to sell them purely for monetary gain? Or was his wife diagnosed with cancer and he couldn’t come up with the money for her treatment? Was he carrying the drugs willingly or under threat?

Kit, Sunny, and Rusty initially judge one another by stereotypes: Kit the guarded oldmaid librarian, Sunny the hippie kid, Rusty the highflying New Yorker. As they come to know one another better, drawn together by their loneliness and their pain, the stereotypes drop away, and they become more real to one another. Friendship and love blossom from that reality.

Near the beginning of Summer Hours at the Robbers Library, Sunny, who has just started working in the library, reads Kit a passage from one of her favorite books of childhood, The Velveteen Rabbit. The passage — like Sunny, I have long treasured it as well — reminds us what it is become real and to love.

“Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit.

“Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. “When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.”

“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,” he asked, “or bit by bit?”

“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become. It takes a long time.

That’s why it doesn’t often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”

Summer Hours at the Robbers Library tells us the story of three people becoming Real.

(Jeff Minick is a writer and teacher.

Minick0301@gmail.com)

Wildsmith, O’Dell Underwood poetry reading Dana Wildsmith and Susan O’Dell Underwood will read from their latest collections of poetry, One Light and The Book of Awe, at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 25, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

Wildsmith is the author of a novel, Jumping, and an environmental memoir, Back to Abnormal: Surviving With An Old Farm in the New South, which was a finalist for Georgia Author of the Year. She is also the author of five collections of poetry.

Wildsmith has served as Artist-in-Residence for Grand Canyon National Park and for Everglades National Park. She lives with her family on an old farm in north Georgia and works as an English literacy instructor at Lanier Technical College.

O’Dell Underwood is currently a professor of English and the director of the Creative Writing Program at Carson-Newman University. In addition to The Book of Awe, she has published two chapbooks, From and Love and Other Hungers.

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Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

Jeff Carpenter presents a variety of purported Bigfoot footprint castings for audience members to inspect. Holly Kays photo

“I’m walking around going, what the heck is going on? I can’t find these tops,” Carpenter recalled for the audience. “Will said, ‘Dad, you’re stupid. They’re underneath the tree.

They were stuck underneath the tree point first. Woah.”

One year later, the two were out in the Nantahala National Forest around dusk, and in a mossy spot they found about four large tracks going down a seep — according to Carpenter, the tracks were large and much different than a bear’s, as the toes were on the inside rather than on the outside.

In 2008, he heard two large howls at 2 a.m., sounds he said were unlike any other known creature out there in the woods or domesticated in people’s yards. Throughout the next five years, he found more tree twists, more tracks, and eventually he stumbled on the website of Sasquatch researcher Matt Pruitt. Pruitt suggested that Carpenter get in touch with the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, a nationwide network of Bigfoot believers that seeks to collect and verify sightings of the creature.

Reticent to go hang out with “a bunch of crazy people,” Carpenter initially declined the offer. A graduate of Western Carolina University and director of the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department for more than two decades before retiring, he considered joining a Bigfoot research group to be a bit too much on the fringe.

But eventually he reconsidered. Since 2013, Carpenter has been an official investigator for the BFRO. believer, and to experience the audio record“It took him (Pruitt) three years of talking ings of purported Bigfoot howls, the plaster to get me to go to one, and I’ll tell you I probacastings of purported Bigfoot tracks. bly met the best people I’ve ever met in my life doing this stuff from all kinds of walks of life,” T S A SHOCK Carpenter said.

The BFRO has logged 24,120 Bigfoot sightCarpenter’s journey to belief began in ings and experiences since its founding in 2004, when he found what he described as 1995, with incidents posted for every single “strange tree twists” while out in the woods U.S. state and Canadian province. Each report with his son Will. The trees went up to about is farmed out to an official BFRO investigator 8-and-a-half feet, and then they ended, their like Carpenter, who interviews the people tops twisted off. involved, visits the site and writes up a report. Only the reports delivered by credible witnesses whose stories line up are added to the website, which breaks the incidents down by state and county for easy searching.

One of those incidents was filed by Carpenter himHolding a casting of a Bigfoot track, self.

Carpenter discusses his understanding of It happened the as-of-yet scientifically unacknowledged under a waxing native primate known as Bigfoot. Holly Kays photo crescent moon on

Believing Bigfoot Locals log Sasquatch evidence in North Carolina’s mountains

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER Jeff Carpenter knows the woods.

A native of Otto who’s spent most of his adult life the next county over in Sylva, he learned from his father Earvin Carpenter what it means to be an outdoorsman and a mountain man. He knows how to hunt and track and orienteer. He’s seen more than a few bears, heard more than a few coyotes, spent more than a few nights camped out in the backcountry.

But over the last 15 years, he’s become convinced that there’s something out there that doesn’t show up in standard field guides.

“When a myth turns into reality or mixed reality, it’s a heck of a thing,” Carpenter said to a packed room at the Jackson County Public Library May 13. “It’s hard to describe that.”

The myth in question — or the reality, depending on your persuasion — is the existence of Bigfoot.

Sasquatch.

The North American wood ape.

A native primate that walks on two legs, is taller than any man, and is hitherto unrecognized by the scientific community at large.

“I just know what I saw, what I’ve experienced, what I heard,” said Carpenter. “I know they’re a real thing. I know that sounds crazy but…”

Nearly 200 people crowded the library’s community room that night to hear Carpenter tell the story of how he went from skeptic to

‘I ’

’

June 23, 2015, as Carpenter was taking a drive along U.S. 64 in Macon County as part of his BFRO research. As he rounded a slight turn, he saw a coyote on the right side of the road.

He slowed down and took a look to his left, which is when he saw the creature standing just off the road, behind the guardrail.

“My sighting was brief but I did get a good look at it,” Carpenter wrote in the report he filed online. “I could not believe what I saw! I went up the road and turned around as it caught me off guard I did not think to stop. I was trying to talk myself out of what I saw.”

What he saw, Carpenter wrote in the report, was a reddish-brown upright figure that stood on two legs with “a most impressive width.” The shoulders were “very large” and the head slightly forward, with no neck visible.

It narrowed from waist to shoulders in a V “larger than any man” and had a main coat of red-brown with gray-white underneath.

Afterward, he drove around the area for about four hours, performing Bigfoot howl calls to no avail — though he did get responses from some coyotes and then from an owl. A wild boar was feeding on the side of the road about 100 yards from where he saw the creature. When he returned with a friend the next day to look for tracks, none were found.

“I cannot fully explain my feeling after the sighting,” he wrote. “I really noticed I was feeling strange when I had gone to get a drink a few miles away in a store. I noticed I was sweating and feeling very odd. I think that I was slightly in a state of shock. I feel like this was due to me seeing something I had not seen ever before and something that was hard for me to process.”

Carpenter calls that state of shock a “body reaction” and says its presence is an important part of knowing if a report is real or not.

Of the Bigfoot reports he receives for BFRO, he estimates about 70 percent to be made up — and the lack of a body reaction is a giveaway that the report is not genuine.

“It would be like if you looked over there and there was Jesus standing in the door,” he said. “It’s not supposed to be there. You’ve been told it’s not supposed to be there. It’s a shock when you see one. It’s actually a shock.”

Still, Carpenter is sure of what he saw, and his certainty is bolstered by a separate report that occurred only six days later on June 29 and, as the crow flies, about 5.5 miles away.

That report came from a pair of hikers backpacking on the Appalachian Trail in Macon County. Shortly after laying down for the night, the witness wrote, they heard a howl that lasted 10 to 15 seconds and “could not be mistaken for any other animal.” Over the next two hours they heard “random whoops” as well.

“The next day while hiking we came across several very interesting signs along the trail,” the witness wrote.

They found what looked like a game trail crossing the hiking trail, with footprints that “clearly were not made by bear or any other four-legged animal.” The tracks were about 5 feet apart, and about

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If someone overdoses, You can save a life.

May 22-28, 2019

D

“We lived in a neighborhood. I lived in the 11th house in the block and we happened to look up and there was one coming at the end of the block across the road, and I know what I saw because there was a street light,” said one woman, voice trembling, recounting a story from the 1970s when she was an 18-year-old living in Florida. “He went right under the streetlight and he stopped and looked toward us.

He stopped and looked and then he ran.”

Another audience member, a young woman from Cherokee, told a story that she’d kept silent for years, about waking up in the middle of the night and seeing a Bigfoot in the streetlight outside her bedroom window.

“I kept that to myself for years and I was talking to my sister and I just told her, I said, ‘You know, I saw something when I was growing up,” she said. “You heard stories. They called them the hairy man. And we got to talking about that so I told her what I had seen.”

Despite the stories, scientists like Meldrum, who unequivocally believe in the creature’s existence, are rare. Bigfoot does not appear in standard listings of native wildlife. No zoo holds a specimen, living or otherwise. No trail cameras have picked up images.

All that despite the fact that the creature, as described by believers, is something on the order of 7 feet tall with a home range of many square miles in a country of 330 million people.

Justin McVey, district biologist for the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, said that the agency doesn’t have an official position on Bigfoot one way or another.

While McVey routinely takes calls concerning deer, elk, bears and all manner of other wildlife, Sasquatch sightings aren’t something that lights up his phone lines.

“I haven’t had any reports of any sightings, and it’s not something we deal with,” he said.

Meldrum says there are rational explanations for the shortcomings of evidence that skeptics often bring up — America still has vast swaths of unsettled land, recent research has shown that primates are adept at locating and avoiding trail cameras, etc.

But to hear those explanations, you have to begin at a place that assumes Bigfoot’s existence is at least a possibility.

“As a scientist we’re charged with asking questions and determining the answers to those questions,” said Meldrum. “As soon as I witnessed those footprints, I felt obligated as a scientist to determine what it was that left those footprints.”

That same curiosity drives Carpenter, though he has no desire to be the one who proves Bigfoot exists. In some ways, he hopes nobody ever does.

“Sometimes I think they need to be left alone,” he said. “It would be kind of bad when you really think about it. You want to see it locked up in a cage somewhere? I don’t know about that.”

The good news is — whether through our imaginations or through the forests of North America — Bigfoot still roams free, far from the metal bars of any zoo.

outdoors

one who lives here today. The Boojum, Hootin’ Annie, Knooby and Stone Man are all prominent names in local folklore, and Native American tribes across the country have long-held stories about similar beings.

For a scientific perspective, Bigfoot believers often turn to Jeffrey Meldrum, Ph.D., a professor of anatomy and anthropology at the University of Idaho in Pocatello. Meldrum’s research focuses on sasquatch-related evidence, and his lab houses more than 300 footprint casts attributed to the mystery primate. Meldrum has published a Sasquatch field guide and is author of the book Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science. He is also editor-in-chief of the research journal The Relict Hominid Inquiry, which After this Bigfoot experience in 2015, Carpenter sketches out what explores and evaluhe saw. Donated photo ates “the possible existence and nature of relict hominid species around the world.” the outdoors,” Carpenter wrote in his folWhen Meldrum, Carpenter and people low-up investigation for the BFRO. “He has in their line of Bigfoot philosophy talk a good knowledge of wildlife and was very about Sasquatch, they’re not talking about to the point that what they heard was not some sort of supernatural monster, a onecoyotes or any known animal. He has many of-a-kind being that requires existence of wild animals on his farm and has never the supernatural to maintain plausibility. heard this before.”

Rather, they’re talking about an animal — some sort of rare, native primate that’s RMY OF BELIEVERS related to humans somewhere down the line.

Macon County has one of the highest Meldrum, who began his career studynumber of Bigfoot sightings in North ing the human evolution to bipedalism and Carolina, as reported by the BFRO — five thereby becoming an expert in footprints, incidents are logged on the site. shifted his focus to the Bigfoot question Montgomery County has far-and-away the after being shown a set of footprints in the most reports, with 13, followed by Onslow Blue Mountains of Washington in 1996. It and Cleveland counties with six. In Western was a long line of 35 to 45 “absolutely clear” North Carolina, Macon has five reports, prints in the mud that had to be either “the Swain has three and Haywood and Jackson real McCoy” or “a very, very clever hoax.” both have one. No reports are published for “I was rather agnostic at that point of Clay, Cherokee or Graham counties. my life in attitude toward the subject matThe BFRO is not the only organization ter, but this enlivened and animated it out there dedicated to documenting the tremendously,” he said. “Now I’ve got over reality of Bigfoot.

300 footprint casts in my laboratory and The North American Wood Ape have studied them more than any other perConservancy is a 501c3 nonprofit with land son on the planet. When people ask me in Oklahoma and a group of staff and supwhat’s the most convincing evidence, for porters dedicated to proving the wood ape’s me it’s the footprint evidence.” existence beyond the shadow of a doubt.

There’s a local following as well. The Their idea is to tag and track one to obtain Marion-based group Bigfoot 911 discusses a specimen, and according to Carpenter investigations and evidence on its closed they were quite close to success — but then Facebook group, and the Cashiers-based the tracker’s battery died. website www.skyshipsovercashiers.com “There are very few examples of an anitracks Bigfoot sightings in addition to UFO mal being listed through photographs or and alien encounters. On Sept. 14 Marion even DNA evidence alone,” reads the will host the second annual WNC Bigfoot group’s FAQ page on its website. “A speciFestival. men is required. As such, the North American Wood Ape Conservancy is actively proceeding with plans to obtain RIVEN BY CURIOSITY irrefutable definitive proof to secure recognition of the existence of this large undocuWhen Carpenter opened the floor for mented primate species.” comments at the end of his presentation, Stories of a giant, hairy creature have the room was quiet. But after a moment, populated the mountains longer than anythe stories began to flow.

3 inches deep where the heel had sunk in.

After following the trail in both directions for about 150 yards, the hikers continued their journey and, about a mile later, found another trail that crossed the main trail, with footprints identical to those seen before. On that game path were three large white mushrooms placed upside down along the way.

“The witness is very knowledgeable in

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outdoors

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From 6 a.m. to 11:59 a.m., the 34 trout streams and two lakes under this classification will be open only to angles 17 and younger. At noon, waters will open to all anglers. During Delayed Harvest, anglers can keep up to seven trout per day with no bait restrictions or minimum size limits.

Since last fall, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has stocked more than 382,000 trout in Delayed Harvest waters.

Delayed Harvest waters are posted with diamond-shaped, black signs. While fishing, anglers should take care to avoid the spread of aquatic nuisance species like gill lice, whirling disease and didymo by cleaning, draining and drying all equipment, and never moving organisms from one body of water to another.

A list of Delayed Harvest water, regulations and trout maps are online at www.ncwildlife.org/trout.

May 22-28, 2019

N.C. deer harvest declines in 2018-19

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Smoky Mountain News

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Deer harvest in North Carolina declined 9 percent from the previous three-year average in the 2018-19 season, despite the fact that it increased 7.3 percent in the western region, according to hunter reports to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

Hunters reported harvesting 143,529 deer in the 2018-19 season. Most of the decline occurred in the antlered buck harvest in the southeastern and northeastern zones, which fell 23.9 percent and 24.9 percent, respectively. Overall, harvest in these zones declined by 19.2 percent and 20.4 percent, respectively.

Harvests changed little in the central and northwestern zones, falling 1.2 percent in the central zone and rising 0.6 percent in the northwestern zone.

Of the deer harvested, 51.5 percent were antlered bucks, 4.6 percent were button bucks and 43.9 percent were does. Guns were responsible for 81.1 percent of the harvest, with black powder at 8.1 percent, bows at 6.3 percent and crossbow at 4.5 percent.

Significant rule changes — including a statewide antlered bag limit of two and antlerless bag limit of four — along with weather events such as Hurricane Florence, likely impacted hunter effort, harvest selectivity and reporting compliance, all of which can affect harvest numbers. The rule changes implemented last year were intentionally aimed at reducing harvest to stabilize deer numbers and improve the sex ratio and age structure of the herd.

Annual harvest summaries are online at www.ncwildlife.org/learning/species/mammals/whitetail-deer#6328485-harvestreports.

Smokies plates celebrate milestone

Hikers enjoy the wide-open views of Max Patch. SMN photo

In celebration of National Trails Day, a coalition of organizations will be leading a trail rehabilitation day at Max Patch Saturday, June 1.

The group will meet up in Asheville at 8:15 a.m. to carpool, returning by 1:30 p.m. with a 3 p.m. after party at Sierra Nevada.

Carolina Mountain Club crews will train and supervise less experienced volunteers

— no experience necessary. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, U.S. Forest Service and REI are also participating in the event.

Space limited to the first 100 volunteers.

Register at www.carolinamtnclub.org/eventform.cfm.

Contact Paul Curtin with questions at pmcurtin@hotmail.com.

Clean the stream

member. “Visitation was at an all-time high last year, and that trend looks like it’s going to continue for 2019. It’s amazing to think you can do something as simple as getting a license plate to support your national park. Having a bear on the plate is just a bonus.”

The North Carolina Smokies plate was designed by Micah McClure. The Tennessee Smokies plate was designed by Kristin Williams. Plates are available at local license plate offices. www.bearplate.org.

Hiking club achieves nonprofit status

As of March 18, the Nantahala Hiking Club is officially a 501c3 nonprofit.

NHC has been registered as a 501c7 social club since 1985, but its new status means that donations to NHC are tax-deductible.

“This designation has been on Club’s agenda for many years. It has been toiled over by many board members in the past. We would like to acknowledge and thank (NHC Vice President) Mary Stone for her time, efforts and financial contribution to bring this project to a successful conclusion,” reads NHC’s most recent newsletter. www.nantahalahikingclub.org.

New clients

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Smoky Mountain News

More than 115 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway will be resurfaced this year as part of a pavement preservation program.

Work will take place on miles 292 to 345, stretching from Cone Memorial Park to the N.C. Minerals Museum area. Other work sections will be miles 175 to 217 and miles 241 to 262.

Last year paving focused on the Western North Carolina area, including sections between milepost 359 and the Parkway’s terminus in Cherokee.

Work in 2019 will start late May and continue through November, with no work scheduled in October. Single lane closures and delays will occur while work is in progress.

Pavement preservation is becoming a regular road maintenance strategy in national parks. Studies find that for each dollar spent on pavement preservation between $6 and $10 in future pavement rehabilitation costs are saved. Funding for road maintenance in national parks, including the Parkway, comes in large part from the Highway Trust Fund, which is derived from a federal gas tax managed by the Federal Highway Administration.

May 22-28, 2019

A stream cleanup will be held 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 25, on Allens Creek in Waynesville.

The group will meet at the far end of the PetSmart parking lot, with gloves, trash bags, trash grabbers and snacks provided to pick up litter along the streambank and railroad tracks.

Volunteers should wear close-toed shoes and long pants, and bring a towel.

Organized by Haywood Waterways Association. RSVP by May 23 to Christine O’Brien, Christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com or 828.476.4667, ext. 11.

Parkway paving planned for 2019

outdoors

Give back to Max Patch

Twenty years after the program launched, drivers in Tennessee and North Carolina have passed the $15 million mark in support to Friends of the Smokies through specialty license plate sales.

“It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to the banks of the mighty Mississippi, there are generous people who support this national park with our specialty license plates,” said Tim Chandler, Executive Director and COO of Friends of the Smokies. “These plates provide meaningful and dependable support for the critical projects we fund in the Smokies.”

Plate revenues fund a variety of projects and programs in the park, including those related to the park’s black bear population. Last year, the plates also supported a new preventative search and rescue

program, a coordinated volunteer effort to provide valuable information to hikers at trailheads about trail safety, difficulty and proper preparation before starting a hike.

“We are heading into another busy year for the Smokies,” said Chase Pickering, Friends of the Smokies board

EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2019

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

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications from producers looking for help to cover the cost of organic certification.

The 2018 Farm Bill provided continued support for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program, which provides costshare assistance to cover expenses such as application fees, inspection costs, inspector travel expenses, postage, sales assessments and more. Reimbursement of up to 75 percent of certification cost is available, to a maximum of $750 per certification scope.

There is also opportunity for state agencies to apply for a grant agreement to administer the program in fiscal year 2019.

State agency applications are due May 29, and applications from producers are due Oct. 31.

Contact the county Farm Service Agency office with questions.

Gracie Burgess’ design won this year’s Kids in the Creek Art Contest.

Bethel student wins art contest Eighth grader Gracie Burgess, of Bethel Middle School, will see her artwork worn by eighth-graders across Haywood County during Kids in the Creek this year following her win at Haywood Waterways Association’s annual T-shirt contest.

Taking second in the competition was Jaden Gentry of Canton Middle School, with Maria Correa of Bethel Middle School coming in third.

Every student who attends Kids in the Creek this year will receive a free T-shirt bearing Burgess’ artwork, and she will also receive a tour of the Rikki Tikki Tees Screen Printing shop to get a firsthand look at the graphic design process.

Kids in the Creek is an annual hands-on science event sponsored by Haywood Waterways.

Think beyond cars A summit focused on thinking beyond cars when considering transportation will be held 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, May 31, at Sierra Nevada Brewing in Mills River.

The Strive Beyond Summit will feature Beth Osbourne of Transportation for America, imagining Western North Carolina 40 years in the future when transportation and land-use planning have made areas more walkable and bikeable. These changes will help address climate change and grow the economy by leapfrogging into better transportation options.

The summit asks the question, what should we strive for now to reach this ideal future? It is part of Strive Beyond Drive week in WNC. Free, with RSVP requested. Shared transportation options are available. A happy hour will follow the summit. Sign up at bit.ly/2WH3fyx.

Smoky Mountain News

May 22-28, 2019

outdoors

Cost-share available for organic certification

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mobile technology to help you get a lot less mobile.

Log on. Plan a trip.

And start kicking back.

Birders search the skies. SMN photo

THURSDAY, MAY 30TH

outdoors

Raffle for a Florida Play & Stay package | Hole-In-One Sponsored by Waynesville Auto Tailgate food prepared on the course by Hometown Hardware and MB Haynes

presents

Tailgating Bird the Balsams raven, brown creeper, dark-eyed junco, winter wren, warblers, virdeos and Empidomax flycatchers.

The event will be offered again on Sunday, June 16, which is Fathers Day. Bring trail shoes, binoculars, a notebook and a favorite field guide, as well as weather-appropriate clothing. In addition to driving, the excursion will include multiple short walks. $20 for GSMA members and $40 for nonmembers. Sign up at https://bit.ly/2Hz1I79. Dana Murphy, 865.436.7318, ext. 349.

New plant symposium to launch The inaugural Southeastern Plant Symposium will be held in Raleigh June 7-8.

“The Southeastern Plant Symposium is an incredible opportunity for professionals and nonprofessionals to hear many of the world’s renowned plant speakers in a single event,” said coorganizer Tony Avent, founder of Juniper Level Botanic Garden and Plant Delights Nursery. “We are bringing in the most knowledgeable and most passionate plant lovers to speak.”

The roster of 14 speakers includes professors, arboretum directors, nonprofit workers, plant breeders and more. The host hotel will be the Embassy Suites by Hilton near Research Triangle Park.

Sign up at jcra.ncsu.edu/events/details.php?ID=1700.

Work with expert naturalists to document one of the most exceptional natural areas in the Nantahala National Forest during the Nantahala Gorge BioBlitz, beginning 9 a.m. Saturday, June 1, at the Big Wesser restaurant at Nantahala Outdoor Center.

Groups will be available for all fitness levels, from relaxed hikes to vigorous climbs up the side of the gorge, with participants helping scientists to document the broad range of life in the gorge — from butterflies to beetles to birds. Data collected will be

used to continue protecting this unique environment.

The Nantahala Gorge is characterized by the unique geology of the Murphy Marble Belt, a soft rock that that the Nantahala River has carved into a deep gorge that is known to harbor many species reliant on the calcium contained in the rock. Calcium is a soil nutrient that’s in short supply in the Blue Ridge.

Free, with RSVP required and activities continuing through about 5 p.m.

Participants should bring lunch and snacks, water, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen and raingear. Sign up at www.mountaintrue.org/2019-bioblitz-nantahala-gorge.

at

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4 PERSON CAPTAIN’S CHOICE $600/team $150/person Pre-Game/Registration

7:30 till 8:45am Game Time/Shotgun Start

9:00am Call the chamber to sign up or for more info (828) 456-3021

Smoky Mountain News

Explore biodiversity in the Nantahala Gorge

Greens May 22-28, 2019

Check out the birds of the Balsams during a Blue Ridge Parkway cruise 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 1.

Birder Kevin Burke will lead this excursion for the Great Smoky Mountains Association, with the group meeting at the Pisgah Inn on mile 408 of the Parkway.

After a meet and greet, a vehicle convoy will organize to head south and visit various locations along the Parkway in search of some of the area’s most exciting birds, ending at Heintooga Overlook, elevation 5,200 feet, in hopes of seeing a red crossbill.

Possible sightings include the common

on the

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WNC Calendar

Smoky Mountain News

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • The Tuckaseigee Water & Sewer Authority Finance Committee will hold a called meeting at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, at the TWSA Main Office, 1246 West Main Street in Sylva. Meeting will address the staff-recommended 2019-20 budget as managed by the TWSA Board.

• The Jackson County Arts Council will host a Historic and Architecture Tour at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, starting at the Jackson County Public Library. Tickets: $10 each; children free. info@jacksoncountyarts.org.

• Village Green is hosting open houses this summer for visitors to see progress on its construction project in Cashiers. Dates are May 29, June 12, June 26 and July 3. Info: 743.3434, courtney@cashiersgreen.com or www.VillageGreenCashiersNC.com.

• A US 441 Gateway District Planning Council special meeting is set for 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, at the Qualla CDC. • The Jackson County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. on June 4 at the Justice and Administration Building, 401 Grindstaff Cove Road, Room A201, in Sylva. Purpose is to receive public comment on consideration of the proposed Fiscal Year 2019-20 Budget. Copy is available at the County Manager’s Office, Finance Office, Jackson County Public Library in Sylva and Cashiers Library.

• The 32nd annual National Cancer Survivors Day Celebration will be observed at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 2, at the Waynesville Inn Pavilion. Food, music, survivor crafts and a butterfly release.

• Grant applications are being accepted from local nonprofits for grants that will be provided by Grace Church in the Mountains. Proceeds from a July 27 Parish Fair go toward supporting these grants.

Application: www.gracewaynesville.com. Info: 456.6029.

• The Haywood County Arts Council is accepting submissions for a Studio Tour Logo Contest through Aug. 1.

Info and application: haywoodarts.org/logo-contest.

• Reservations are being accepted for a six-night package, Nov. 23-29, to join Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band as it participates in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 28 in New York City. Cost: $2,199 (based on double occupancy), includes roundtrip airfare, transportation to the hotel, six nights lodging at Marriott Marquis in Times Square, two Broadway shows, admission to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, a two-day hop-on, hop-off sightseeing ticket on a double-decker bus and Thanksgiving dinner with the band. Bmarkle@superholiday.com. Donate to help the band make the trip: givemacys.wcu.edu.

• Registration is underway for Marriage Enrichment Retreats that will be offered three more times over the next year at Lake Junaluska. Led by Ned Martin, an expert in marriage counseling. Price is $699 per couple. Dates are Aug. 18-20 of 2019 and Sept. 29-Oct. 1 in 2019. Registration and info: www.lakejunaluska.com/marriage or 800.222.4930.

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

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

• Fontana Regional Library now offers anyone with a library card free access to eMagazines, for reading on any mobile device or computer. This new service joins our popular eBooks and digital audiobook`s selection — all available 24/7 from the library’s digital collec-

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted. tion. To get started enjoying digital magazines as well as eBooks and audiobooks, visit e-inc.overdrive.com or download the Libby reading app. www.fontanalib.org.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • Registration is underway for Southwestern Community College’s High School Equivalency Boot Camp, which prepares participants to complete their high school credentials in less than a month (May 28-June 26).

Classes run from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Those who complete will participate in a graduation ceremony on July 11. Info: 339.4272.

• An online selling series for small business owners will be offered on May 30 at Haywood Community College’s Public Services Training Facility, room 9105, in Clyde.

Topics are “Selling Online Today” from 9 a.m.-noon; “Selling on Shopify” from 1-4 p.m.; and “Selling on Amazon” from 5-8 p.m. Speaker is Nick Hawks, an education specialist trained by eBay. Info and register: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Registration is underway for a Bone ID course that will be offered June 3-5 at Western Carolina University.

Registration fee: $199. For info or to register: bones.wcu.edu or 227.7397.

• Registration is underway for a workshop on organizational change entitled: “Pathways, Ideas and Tips for Effective Organizational Change” that will be offered by Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Monday, June 17, at WCU Biltmore Park in Asheville.

Registration: $279 (includes catered lunch). 10 percent discount through May 10 with promo code: EC2019. Info and to register: pdp.wcu.edu or 227.7397.

• Registration is underway for a Grant-Writing Certificate program that will be offered by Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment. Program is from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on June 1821 at WCU’s campus in Cullowhee. Designed for those new to grant writing, those currently working on a project while facing specific issues as well as successful practitioners in the field seeking specialized info and advanced insights. Registration: $449. pdp.wcu.edu or 227.7397.

• Reservations are being accepted for a non-credit travel course that will take students to Valencia, Spain, from June 23-July 2. Price: $1,969 for single occupancy or $1,859 for double occupancy. Includes: three-star hotel, meals, transportation within Spain, admission to sites, a Spanish cooking class and all excursions. Price does not include airfare. 227.2769 or lfoxford@wcu.edu.

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

586.2016. www.fontanalib.org.

• Haywood Community College’s Workforce Continuing Education Department is offering a wide variety of courses. For a complete listing: www.haywood.edu. Info: 627.4669 or rgmassie@haywood.edu.

• The African-American Business Association Workshop & Meetup is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on the

third Tuesday of every month at the Arthur R. Edington Education & Career Center in Asheville.

• Evening classes for anyone wanting to obtain a high school equivalency diploma are offered from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays at Haywood Community College in Clyde. 627.4648.

• The Western North Carolina Civil War Round Table meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the HF Robinson Auditorium at the Western Carolina University Campus in Cullowhee.

• Concealed carry handgun is offered every other Saturday 8:30am-5pm starting at Mountain Range indoor shooting range. Lunch provided. Class $60.

452.7870 or mountainrangenc@yahoo.com.

• Small business owners can find materials and services to support business growth at Fontana Regional Library’s locations in Macon, Jackson and Swain Counties. Computer classes and one-on-one assistance also available. 586.2016 or www.fontanalib.org.

• A meeting of current and former employees of the Waynesville plant of Champion/Blue Ridge/Evergreen is held at 8 a.m. on the first Monday of each month at Bojangles near Lake Junaluska’s entrance.

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 • Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking volunteers to assist rangers with managing traffic and establishing safe wildlife viewing areas within the Cataloochee Valley area. To register for training or get more info: karl_danforth@nps.gov.

• Haywood Regional Medical Center is seeking volunteers of all ages for ongoing support at the hospital, outpatient care center and the Homestead. For info and to apply: 452.8301, stop by the information desk in the lobby or volunteer@haymed.org. Anyone interested in becoming a hospice volunteer can call 452.5039.

• One-on-one computer lessons are offered weekly at the Waynesville and Canton branches of the Haywood County Public Library. Lesson slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Canton and from 3-5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Waynesville Library. Sign up at the front desk of either library or call 356.2507 for the Waynesville Library or 648.2924 for the Canton Library.

• STAR Rescue Ranch is seeking volunteers to help with horse care, fundraising events, barn maintenance and more at the only equine rescue in Haywood County.

828.400.4940.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS

• Phone Assurance Volunteers are needed to make daily or weekly wellness check-in calls for the Haywood County Senior Resource Center. 356.2800.

• Shady Grove United Methodist Women will hold their annual yard sale from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, at 3570 Jonathan Creek Road in Waynesville.

Proceeds benefit their Haywood Community College Scholarship Fund.

• The Junaluskans Flea Market will take place from 811:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, at the Nanci Weldon Memorial Gym in Lake Junaluska. Early bird shopping for $5 from 7:30-8 a.m. Proceeds support integral projects for the Lake Junaluska community.

• Ticket reservations are being accepted for two fundraisers that will benefit the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society this summer: Bark, Beer & Barbeque on Thursday, June 20, at The Farm at Old Edwards; and Pawsitively Purrfect Part on Monday, Aug. 19, at Country Club of Sapphire Valley. Cost for each event: , $195 per person, $390 per couple or $1,800 for a table of 10. To request an alert once tickets are available, call 743.5769 or write shannon@CHhumanesociety.org.

VOLUNTEERS & VENDORS • A Volunteer Orientation event is scheduled for 2-3:30 p.m. on May 24 at the Haywood County Animal Shelter, 453 Jones Cove Road in Clyde. www.sargeanimals.org.

• Signups are underway for vendors and demonstrators wanting to participate in the second annual Mountain Heritage Fest, which is from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, at the Cruso Community Center. Vendor spaces: $10. Info and applications: www.crusonc.com/fest, 400.7323 or crusoquiltshow@gmail.com.

• Volunteer Opportunities are available throughout the region, call John at the Haywood Jackson Volunteer Center today and get started sharing your talents. 3562833

HEALTH MATTERS • Gentle Yoga for Cancer is offered from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Fridays at the Haywood Breast Center in Waynesville.

Info: MyHaywoodRegional.com/YogaforCancer or 452.8691.

• On the third weekend of each month, Maggie Valley Wellness Center hosts donation-based acupuncture appointments. $35-55. 944.0288 or maggievalleywellness.com.

• “Plants for Life,” a monthly support and information group encouraging a plant-based diet for health and wellness, meets from 6-8 p.m. on May 23 at Harris Women’s Care Clinic in Sylva. topics: Heart health and hormone health … the diet connection. Tastings and recipes.

• National Cancer Survivors Day 2019 will be observed at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 2, at the Waynesville Inn. Food, crafts and music by Bobby and Blue Ridge Tradition.

• A “Preparation for Childbirth” class will be offered from 7-9 p.m. on Thursdays from June 6-27, Aug. 8-29 and Oct. 3-24 at Haywood Regional Medical Center in Waynesville. Pre-registration required: MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses or 452.8440.

• Feline Urgent Rescue is seeking volunteers and sponsors. Info: 422.2704, www.furofwnc.org, www.facebook.com/furofwnc or 844.888.CATS (2287).

• “Your Amazing Newborn” class will be offered from 79 p.m. on July 11, Sept. 5 and Nov. 7 at Haywood Regional Medical Center in Waynesville. Focusing on abilities, behavior, appearance and reflexes of your new baby. Pre-registration required: MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses or 452.8440.

• Senior Companion volunteers are being sought to serve with the Land of the Sky Senior Companion Program in Henderson, Buncombe, Transylvania and Madison Counties. Serve older adults who want to remain living independently at home in those counties.

• “Breastfeeding A-Z” class will be offered from 7-9 p.m. on July 18, Sept. 12 and Nov. 14 at Haywood Regional Medical Center in Waynesville. Focusing on techniques for proper latching and comfortable positions for a baby and mom to get started. Pre-registra-

tion required: MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses or 452.8440.

• “Nourishing You” – an introductory “Yoga for Cancer” class, is offered from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Fridays at the Haywood Breast Center in Waynesville.

Taught by Kim Mulholland, Mindful Yoga for Cancer Duke Integrative Medicine Trainer. Info: 452.8691 or MyHaywoodRegional.com/YogaforCancer.

• A Community Acupuncture Clinic is held on the third weekend of each month at 461 Moody Farm Road in Maggie Valley. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 1-4 p.m. on Sunday. Sliding scale cost is $35$55. Offered by Barbara Dennis, a Licensed Acupuncturist and Registered Nurse.

• Jackson County Department of Public Health is offering diabetes self-management education as well as medical nutrition therapy. Info: 587.8240 or http://health.jacksonnc.org/wic.

• The Haywood County Senior Resource Center holds a dementia caregivers support group from 4:30-6 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday each month in Waynesville.

356.2800 or www.haywoodseniors.org.

• “Riding the Waves of Cancer” meets from 2:30-4 p.m. on Thursdays at the Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center. Physician referral from an oncologist or cancer doctor is required: Myhaywoodregional.com/yogaforcancer. 452.8691.

• Codependents Anonymous (CoDA) meets at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays at the Friendship House on Academy Street, behind and adjoining the First United Methodist Church of Waynesville. Group of persons desiring healthy and fulfilling relationships. 775.2782 or www.coda.org.

• The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donors due to an emergency shortage. To schedule an appointment or donate, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800.RED.CROSS (800.733.2767).

• The Haywood County Dementia Caregivers’ Support Group has change the location of its meetings. The group will meet at the Haywood Senior Resource Center (81 Elmwood Way, Waynesville). The meetings are scheduled from 4:30 PM until 6:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday. 926.0018.

• Community First Aid and CPR classes are offered from 6-10 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at Haywood Community College in Clyde. Info: 564.5133 or HCC-CPRraining@haywood.edu.

• Nutrition counseling and diabetes education are offered through Macon County Public Health in Franklin. 349.2455.

• Western Carolina University’s student-run, Mountain Area Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic will be open from 6-8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays of each month.

227.3527.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) holds a support group for family, friends, and those dealing with mental illness on the 1st Thursday of each month in the 2nd floor classroom at Haywood Regional Medical Center at 6:30 p.m.

• HIV and syphilis testing will is offered during normal business hours at Jackson County Health Department.

• A support group for anyone with MS, family &

• “Laughing Balsam Sangha,” a meeting for Mindfullness in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, meets will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays at 318 Skyland Drive in Sylva. Included are sitting and walking meditation, and Dharma discussion. Free admission. 335.8210, and “Like” them on Facebook.

• CommUnity Square Dance is set for 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, at the Family Resource Center in Webster. Todd Woerner teaches and calls dances to live old-time music featuring fiddler Rob Fong. No partner or experience necessary.

• A “Walk With A Doc” program is scheduled for 10 a.m. each Saturday at the Lake Junaluska Kern Center or Canton Rec Park.

MyHaywoodRegional.com/WalkwithaDoc.

• Throughout June, Dance Tonight Haywood offers weekly classes on Argentine Tango (Mondays), Salsa (Tuesdays), Swing (Wednesdays) and Blues (Thursday) at 61 ½ Main Street in Canton. RSVP Text your name and email to 316.1344.

• Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACA) meets at noon on Saturdays at the First United Methodist Church Outreach Center at 171 Main St. in Franklin. 407.758.6433 or adultchildren.org.

• The Haywood County Health & Human Services Public Health Services Division is offering a Night Clinic from 4-6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of every month in Waynesville. Services include family planning, immunizations, pregnancy testing, STD testing and treatment. Appointments: 452.6675.

• The Jackson County Department of Public Health will offer a general clinic from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 587.8225.

• A Food Addicts Anonymous Twelve-Step fellowship group meets at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays at Grace Church in the Mountains in Waynesville. www.foodaddictsanonymous.org.

• Big Brother/Big Sister, a one-evening preparation class for children who are about to greet a new baby into their family, is offered for children ages 3-10 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. 452.8440 or MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses.

• Mothers Connection, an ongoing social gathering for mothers and their babies, meets from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Thursdays excluding holidays at Haywood Regional Medical Center. 452.8440 or MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses.

• A support group meeting for those with Parkinsons Disease and their caregivers will be held at 2 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville.

356.2800.

• Dogwood Insight Center presents health talks at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.

RECREATION AND FITNESS • An hour yoga class is offered at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays at the Maggie Valley Wellness Center. $15 for a single class, or $55 for a package of four classes. 944.0288 or maggievalleywellness.com.

• Waynesville Yoga Center will present “Make Your Own Mala Jewelry” from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, in Waynesville. $45. Register: 246.6570 or WaynesvilleYogaCenter.com.

• Waynesville Yoga Center will present “Relax and Restore: Sound Healing and Meditation” from 6:307:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 26, in Waynesville. $20.

Register: 246.6570 or WaynesvilleYogaCenter.com.

• Lake Junaluska Golf Course will hold a “Closest to the Pin” contest from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. on May 27, Memorial Day. Golfers can pay $3 to participate.

Schedule a tee time: www.lakejunaluska.com/golf, golf@lakejunaluska.com or 456.5777.

• The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department will offer open play and practice for adult coed volleyball at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays through May 29 at the Waynesville Recreation Center. 456.2030.

• A summer adult volleyball league organizational meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday,

SPIRITUAL • Lake Junaluska will host a Summer Worship Series at 10:45 a.m. on June 9, 16, 23, 30; July 7, 14, 21, 28 and Aug. 4. Spirited services led by internationally known preachers in Stuart Auditorium. This year’s theme is “Psalms for Our Time.”

• Registration is underway for Lake Junaluska’s Summer Youth Events, which run from June 15-July 14. Morning and evening sessions with worship, guest preachers and workshops for sixth-through-12th graders. www.lakejunaluska.com/summeryouth or 800.222.4930.

• Registration is underway for Music & Worship Arts Week, which is from June 23-28 at Lake Junaluska.

Multi-generational educational event including arts, praise and renewal. For ministry leaders or those who want to sing, dance or act all week.

Musicartsweek2019.wordpress.com.

• Registration is underway for Native American Summer Conference, which is June 28-30, at Lake Junaluska. Speakers, Bible study and workshops.

Lakejunaluska.com/sejanam or 800.222.4930.

• Registration is underway for Guided Personal Retreats, on July 22-24, Sept. 16-18 and Oct. 21-23 at Lake Junaluska. Lakejunaluska.com/retreats or 800.222.4930.

AUTHORS AND BOOKS • Dana Wildsmith and Susan O’Dell Underwood will read from their latest collection of poetry, “One Light and The Book of Awe” at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

• A Kids Fishing Day is scheduled for 9 a.m. on June 1 at Cliffside Lake on the Nantahala District, the Haywood County Test Farm Pond in Waynesville, Cullowhee Creek on Jackson County Park and Recreation property and at Lake Powhatan in the Pisgah District. Children 15-under fish free. Info: 524.6441 or rmmcclure02@fs.fed.us (Cliffside event); 329.3472 or Tanya.Poole@ncwildlife.org (Haywood event); 293.3053 (Cullowhee event); or 877.3265 or loriestroub@fs.fed.us (Powhatan event).

• Women’s Introduction to Fly Fishing will be offered for ages 12-up from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on June 1 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard.

Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/yb28fpz8.

• Nature Nuts: Frogs and Toads will be offered to ages 4-7 from 9-11 a.m. on June 3 and June 17 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard.

Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/yb28fpz8.

• Eco Explorers: Canids will be offered to ages 8-13 from 1-3 p.m. on June 3 and June 17 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard. Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/yb28fpz8.

• Intro to Fly-Fishing will be offered to ages 12-up from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on June 4, 18 and 25 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard.

Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/yb28fpz8.

• Outdoor Skill Series: Camping 101 will be offered to ages 12-up from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on June 5 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard.

Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/yb28fpz8.

• Registration is underway for summer youth swim programs that will be offered in June and July at Reid Gym on Western Carolina University’s campus in Cullowhee. Led by retired WCU professor Mike Creason. Info: swim.wcu.edu, 227.7397 or 293.5364.

• Registration is now open for a new PGA Junior League golf team forming at Lake Junaluska Golf Course for ages 17-under. Season runs through July 31. Registration fee: $190. Includes team practice sessions, matches, merchandise. Register: pgajrleague.com/sign-up. Info: www.lakejunaluska.com/golf, 456.5777 or ctcarswell@lakejunaluska.com.

SUMMER CAMPS SENIOR ACTIVITIES • RSVPs are being accepted for an estate-planning seminar that will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29, in room 102D of the Burrell Building on Southwestern Community College’s Jackson Campus in Sylva. Local attorney Diane Sherrill will offer a comprehensive view of wills, will substitutes and trusts.

RSVP: denisew@wnctrustlawyer.com.

KIDS & FAMILIES • The Haywood County Arts Council will hold a JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) for fourth through sixth graders from 3:30-5 p.m. on Tuesdays through May at Shining Rock Classical Academy. Cost: $85.

452.0593 or bmk.morgan@yahoo.com.

• The 16th annual “Salamander Meander” is scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 24 at the Highlands Nature Center. For ages 7-up. Short presentation and nighttime search for salamanders. Bring a flashlight.

Advance registration required: 526.2623.

• Teens’ Night Out at Waynesville Art School is set for 6:30-9 p.m. on Friday, May 24. For ages 12-up. For info and to register: 246.9869 or www.waynesvilleartschool.com/programs-1.

• A celebration of the craft and skill that populates

• Registration has begun for the new Creative for a Purpose camp being led by Vine of the Mountains and hosted by Providence Church from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

August 5-9. This day camp is designed for campers to realize that they are created by God for a unique purpose. Each day campers will make quality objects in five categories – cooking, sewing, sculpture, painting and paper. Cost of the camp is $150, coving materials & food. Scholarships are available. Registration will end May 15, apply at www.vineofthemountains.com/CFAP. Donations are also being accepted toward scholarships, contact julie@thevine.cc • Registration is underway for the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society’s Critter Camp, which is offered from June 17-21, July 15-19 and Aug. 5-9. Camp hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fun, immersive experiences with animals at no-kill shelter for rising first-graders through sixthgraders. $300 per child for each week. 743.5752 or info@CHhumanesociety.org.

Smoky Mountain News

• A support group for persons with Multiple Sclerosis as well as family, friends and caregivers meets at 6:45 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in the conference room of the Jackson county Public Library in Sylva. 293.2503.

• Sylva Yoga is offering a variety of donation-based classes through late May. Complete listing and registration info: www.sylvayoga.com.

the Southern Appalachian Mountains will be offered from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, at the Cradle of Forestry in America near Brevard. Regular admission: $6 adults; $3 for youth and free for kids under four. 877.3130 or www.cradleofforestry.com.

May 22-28, 2019

• The Jackson County Senior Center will offer a Caregiver Education Class at 10 a.m. on the third Monday of every month in the Board Room of the Department of Aging in Sylva. 586.5494.

May 29, at the Waynesville Recreation Center.

456.2030.

wnc calendar

• Registration is open for the 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which is Sept. 21 at Pack Square Park in Asheville. http://act.alz.org/Asheville or 800.272.3900.

friends meets monthly at 6:45 p.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the conference room of Jackson Co. Library in Sylva. No Fee, sponsored by National MS Society. Local contact: Gordon Gaebel 828-293-2503.

KIDS FILMS • “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World”, will be shown at 6:30 p.m. on May 25 and 7 p.m. on May 26 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Conversation on mental health will follow the showing of the movie, hosted by Down Home. Free. 586.3555.

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wnc calendar

A&E SPECIAL EVENTS & FESTIVALS • The 25th annual Swain County Heritage Festival is May 24-25 in Bryson City. Festivities start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, with a firing of the old canon and 21-gun salute. Bluegrass, clogging, Cherokee heritage demonstrations and more. Info, including schedule: SwainCountyHeritageFest@gmail.com, 538.0455 or visit the “Swain County Heritage Festival” event page on Facebook.

• The Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley will host “Art for a Cause” – a two-day arts and crafts fair – from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 25-26, at the Village Green in Cashiers. www.VillageGreenCashiersNC.com.

• The Cherokee Gourds Artists Gathering is from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, May 31, at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds. Demonstrations and art for sale. www.visitcherokeenc.com.

• The Cherokee Bluegrass Festival will be held from noon-10:30 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday, June 6-8, at Happy Holiday RV Village and Campground, 1553 Wolfetown road in Cherokee. Rain or shine under a large tent. Tickets: $40 daily in advance; $45 at the gate; $90 three-day in advance; $95 at the gate. Tickets and full lineup: www.adamsbluegrass.com. Info: 706.864.7203 or 497.9204.

FOOD & DRINK

May 22-28, 2019

• Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville will host five for $5 Wine Tasting from 5 to 9 p.m. on May 23 and May 30.

Come taste five magnificent wines and dine on Chef Bryan’s gourmet cuisine. 452.0120 or www.waynesvillewine.com.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 1-5 p.m. on May 25 and June 1 at Bosu Wine Shop in Waynesville.

452.0120 or www.waynesvillewine.com.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 2-5 p.m. on May 25 and June 1 at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. www.papouswineshop.com or 631.3075.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • The Broadway Musical “The Bridges of Madison County” opens at HART on May 17 at 250 Pigeon St. in Waynesville. Performances at 7:30 p.m. on May 24, 25, 31, June 1, 6, 7 and 8; and at 2 p.m. on May 19, 26, June 2 and 9. Reservations: 456.6322, www.harttheatre.org.

Smoky Mountain News

• The Smoky Mountain Community Theatre of Bryson City will present “Little Shop of Horrors: The Musical” from Friday through Sunday, May 24-26. Tickets: $15

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adults; $8 for students 6-18. Ages 5-under free.

Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. on Sunday. Info: 488.8227.

• Dailey & Vincent (bluegrass) perform at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Tickets start at $22. www.greatsmokymountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

• Village Green in Cashiers will host Hurricane Creek at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 25. www.VillageGreenCashiersNC.com.

• The Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays May 22 through Oct. 25 at the Oconaluftee Islands Park in Cherokee. 800.438.1601 or www.visitcherokeenc.com.

• The Concerts on the Creek begins on Friday, May 24 with Daddy Rabbit (rock/blues) at 7 p.m. at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva. Free and open to the public.

Occasionally there are food trucks onsite. 586.2155 or www.mountainlovers.com.

• The MusicWorks! Studio Recital is set for 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, in the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.

• Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives perform at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Tickets start at $28. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.723.4615.

• Tickets are on sale now for a concert featuring Paul Saik at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 3, at Lake Junaluska.

Tickets: $18. Lakejunaluska.com/associates or 800.222.4930.

• Highlands Performing Arts Center will have the fulllength play “Calendar Girls” by Tim Firth on May 2326 and May 31-June 2. Highlandscashiersplayers.org.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • Encouraging art classes for beginning through advanced adults are offered by the Inspired Art Ministry at the following times and dates: Drawing classes from 1-4 p.m. on Mondays; painting classes from 1-4 p.m. on Tuesdays. Info: 456.9197, charspaintings@msn.com or www.iamclasses.wbs.com.

• The Weekly Open Studio art classes will resume from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville, Instructor will be Betina Morgan. Open to all artists, at any stage of development, and in the medium of your choice. Cost is $20 per class. There will also be a Youth Art Class from 4 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. Cost is $10 per class.

550.6190 or bmk.morgan@yahoo.com.

• Cowee Pottery School’s May workshop will feature Joe Frank McKee from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, in Franklin. Cost: $50. Bring up to three bisque-fired pieces to glaze and raku. contact@coweepotteryschool.org.

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• Friends of the Library will hold their annual meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, at First United Methodist Church of Waynesville. Tickets: $10; available from board members, the Waynesville and Canton Libraries and Blue Ridge Books at 428 Hazelwood Avenue in Waynesville.

• Haywood County Arts Council will host “Gallery Talk” with local author Charley Pearson from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, at 86 N. Main Street in Waynesville.

Pearson’s “Scourge” is a medical thriller about desperate researchers who hide from authorities and resort to unethical means to fight a uniquely virulent plague. Haywoodarts.org or 452.0593.

• The “Birch By The Lake” oil painting class with Sun Sohovich is from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29, at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville. Pallet knife oil class. $40 for members; $45 for nonmembers. RSVP: 452.0593.

• The “Travels and Tall Tales” lecture series continues with Alan French at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Topics extend from Russia through Nordic Countries.

• The Weekly Open Studio art classes will resume from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville, Instructor will be Betina Morgan. Open to all artists, at any stage of development, and in the medium of your choice. Cost is $20 per class. There will also be a Youth Art Class from 4 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. Cost is $10 per class.

Contact Morgan at 828.550.6190 or email bmk.morgan@yahoo.com.

• “Talk About Art” with Melba Cooper from 10 a.m.noon on Thursday, May 30, at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville. Cooper will guide a class in using art criticism models for talking about and making aesthetic evaluations of art. She will lead you through a format developed by Eugene Kaelin at the University of Florida. The purpose will be to engage more deeply with a work of art and allow it to “speak in the moment.”

• A summit focused on thinking beyond cars as transportation will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Friday, May 31, at Sierra Nevada Brewing in Mills River. RSVP: bit.ly/2WH3fyx.

• A Studio Alive drawing group meets from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Mondays in May at the Bascom in Highlands.

• A Writer’s Group meets from 3-5 p.m. on Tuesdays in May at the Bascom in Highlands.

• A Community Knitters Group meets from 10 a.m.noon on Saturdays in May at the Bascom in Highlands.

• Registration is underway for a Bladesmithing Basics class that will be offered from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, at Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. Cost $200. Led by Brock Martin from WarFire Forge. Preregistration required: www.JCGEP.org or 631.0271.

• Haywood County NAACP will have a meeting to reflect on the pilgrimage to Montgomery, Ala., from 46 p.m. on Saturday, Jun 1, at the Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center in Waynesville.

• Learn how to make macramé plant hangers from 24 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, at the Waynesville Library.

Registration required: 356.2507 or Kathleen.olsen@haywoodcountync.gov.

• Registration is underway for afternoon art classes this summer for all ages. Info: • Haywood County Libraries are holding a kick-off event for its Adult Summer Reading program from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Monday, June 3, at the Waynesville Library and from noon-4 p.m. on June 3 at the Canton Library. Program runs through Aug. 30. Info: www.haywoodlibrary.org or 452.5169 (Waynesville) or 648.2924 (Canton).

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES • Art by Sarah Tess Kunkleman is on display during the month of May in the Macon County Public Library Meeting Room in Franklin. Stop by or call ahead for available viewing times. For more about Sarah’s art and her processes visit her Instagram at www.instagram.com/sarahtess_studioart.

• Throughout May, the Bascom will host work from artists Lloyd Fontaine, Colleen Kerrigan, Robin Ridener, Linda Thompson, Pat and Richard Moore and Martha Sutherland-Wright in Highlands.

• Grace Church in the Mountains is hosting “Icons in Transformation,” a traveling exhibition of icons by artist Ludmila Pawlowska, from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesdays and from 3-5 p.m. on Saturdays from through June 16.

• The Museum of the Cherokee Indian has recently opened a major new exhibit, “People of the Clay: Contemporary Cherokee Potters.” It features more than 60 potters from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Cherokee Nation, and more than one hundred works from 1900 to the present. The exhibit will run through April 2020.

• The Haywood County Arts Council will have an Elemental: Wood, Metal, Glass, Fiber & Clay Exhibition through June 1 at the gallery, 86 N. Main Street in Waynesville. 452.0593.

• Haywood Community College’s Professional Crafts Students will have a “Graduate Show” to exhibit their best work through June 23 at the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art CenterInfo: 627.4673 or creativearts.haywood.edu.

• An exhibition entitled: “Ebb and Flow, Bloom and Fade: Dynamic Rhythms From Hambidge Fellows” is on display through June 16 in the Bunzl Gallery at The Bascom in Highlands. Info: www.thebascom.org.

• Entries are being accepted for The Bascom’s 2019

Puzzles can be found on page 53 These are only the answers.

• New artist and medium will be featured every month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

FILM & SCREEN • “The Upside”, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on May 23 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 586.3555.

• “Intelligent Lives” – a documentary about three young adults with intellectual disabilities who challenge perceptions of intelligence in high school, college and the workforce – will be shown on May 29 at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

Refreshments and transition resources available at 5 p.m.; film starts at 6 p.m. followed by a panel discussion. Info: 586.2311, ext. 1922 or ataylor@jcps.mail.org.

• Tickets are on sale now for “Great Art on Screen” – a series of 90-minute documentaries featuring some of the worlds’ greatest artists presented by The Highlands Performing Arts Center and The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts. Upcoming topic: Monet on June 7. All shows at 5:30 p.m. at Highlands PAC, 507 Chestnut Street in Highlands. Tickets: $16; available at www.highlandspac.org or at the door.

Outdoors

• Tackle Rigging for Fly-Fishing will be offered to ages 12-up from 9 a.m.-noon on May 25 at the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard. Online registration required: https://tinyurl.com/y5o3owwp.

• Volunteer work days for the Trails Forever program are held every Wednesday, May through August, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For details and to volunteer: 497.1949 or adam_monroe@nps.gov.

• An opportunity to view synchronous fireflies is scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, in the Elkmont area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. $69.

Aceweb.outreach.utk.edu.

• A trail rehabilitation day is scheduled for Saturday, June 1, at Max Patch. Part of National Trails Day. Meet at 8:15 a.m. in Asheville for carpool. Register: www.carolinamtnclub.org/eventform.cfm. Info: pmcurtin@hotmail.com.

• A birding excursion in the Balsams is scheduled for 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Led by Kevin Burke. For the Great smoky Mountains Association. $20 for members; $40 for nonmembers. Sign up: https://bit.ly/2Hz1I79 or 865.436.7318, ext. 349.

• “In Search of Blue Ghosts Twilight Tour” is set for 8:30-10:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday

• The Highlands Nature Center is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through late May. www.highlandsbiological.org or 526.2623.

• The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Hatchery Supported Trout Waters is open from 7 a.m. until onehalf-hour after sunset until last day of February. Info: https://tinyurl.com/yae8ffqn.

• Backpacking course, will be offered by Landmark Learning on June 24-28, Aug. 12-16 and Oct. 21-25. www.landmarklearning.org.

COMPETITIVE EDGE • The Merrell Adventure Dash, featuring a series of natural and manmade obstacles spread along a 5K course, is scheduled for Saturday, May 25, at Nantahala Outdoor Center in Swain County. 1K fun run also available. $20. Register: www.ultrasignup.com.

FARM AND GARDEN • Adam Bigelow will offer a garden lecture entitled “Native Replacements for Common Invasive Landscape Plants” at 10 a.m. on May 25 at the Macon County Public Library.

• Registration is underway for the “Managing for Pollinators & Native Species” workshop, which will be offered from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, at Mountain Research Station, 265 Test Farm Road in Waynesville. Registration required by June 7. Cost: $10 – includes lunch and materials.

Go.ncsu.edu/wow_pollinator_waynesville.

HIKING CLUBS • The Great Smoky Mountains Association will hold a hike on the Appalachian Trail to Silers Bald and Back on Saturday, May 25. Registration is required: smokiesinformation.org/events or 865.436.7318, ext. 349.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a moderate-tostrenuous 5.5-mile hike with an elevation change of 1,000 feet on Saturday, May 25, to Flat Creek.

456.8895.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a moderate sixmile hike with an elevation change of 500 feet on Saturday, May 25, on the Bartram Trail. 369.1983.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take an easy 2-3 mile hike with little elevation gain on Sunday, May 26, in the Highlands Botanical Gardens. 369.7352.

• The Carolina Mountain Club will have a 5.5-mile hike on May 26 from Looking Glass Overlook to Big East Fork. Info and reservations: 696.9117, 712.0736 or luchat@bellsouth.net.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have a 10.6-mile hike with a 4,000-foot ascent on Sunday, May 26, to Daniel Boone Scout Camp. Info and reservations: 676.0255, 699.8857, lsbernhardt50@gmail.com, 505.2036, 408.887.3666 or daisytk@yahoo.com.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have 9.5-mile hike with a 1,600-foot ascent on Monday, May 27, to Hemphill Bald from Polls Gap. Info and reservations: 828.712.9646 or mcjfive@aol.com.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have an 8.3-mile hike with a 1,400-foot ascent on Wednesday, May 29, to Bridges Camp Gap. Info and reservations: 684.8656, 606.7297 or bjdworley@gmail.com.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have a 7.5-mile hike with a 1,800-foot ascent on Sunday, June 2, at Mount Noble Lookout Tower. Info and reservations: 845.656.5528 or hkassell@gmail.com.

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Smoky Mountain News

• The Nantahala Gorge BioBlitz is at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, at the Big Wesser restaurant at Nantahala Outdoor Center. Work with expert naturalists to document a portion of the Nantahala National Forest. Bring lunch, snacks, water, closed-tied shoes, sunscreen and raingear. RSVP required: www.mountaintrue.org/2019-bioblitz-nantahala-gorge.

• The Waterrock Knob Visitor Center is open daily through Nov. 11 for the season on Mile 451.2 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/hours.htm.

May 22-28, 2019

• Haywood Waterways Association is organizing an Allens Creek Cleanup, scheduled for 9-10:30 a.m. on May 25. Meet at the far end of the PetSmart parking lot in Waynesville. RSVP by May 23: Christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com or 476.4667, ext. 11.

wnc calendar

• Photographer and Clyde dentist John Highsmith presents “Breathless,” a metal-print series of underwater people and waterborne fabrics. The photo exhibit will run through July 15 at Green Sage Café Westgate in Asheville. 734.6301.

evenings, through June 1, at the Cradle of Forestry in America. Tickets are $10 for ages 4-12 and $10 for 13-up. Register: cradleofforestry.com/event/blueghost-tour.

newsdesk crafts

Member Show: “Rhythm Systems: Nature and Geometry.” Exhibition will be on display from June 15July 21. www.thebascom.org or 787.2878.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

MarketPlace information: 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.

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Classified Advertising: Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 classads@smokymountainnews.com

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Applications will be taken until May 31, 2019.

THE JACKSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES Is recruiting for a permanent, part-time Adult Services Social Worker. This position investigates reports of adult abuse and neglect, provides guardianship services for at-risk adults, and other adult services duties as assigned. This person works 20 hours per week, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Starting pay is $18.90 per hour depending upon education and experience. This position also includes prorated sick leave, vacation leave and holiday pay. Minimum qualifications include a four year degree in a Human Service field. Preference will be given to applicants with a Master's or Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and experience providing Social Work services.

Applicants should complete a PD-107 state application and submit it to the Jackson County Department of Social Services, 15 Griffin Street, Sylva, NC 28779, or the NC Works Career Center. Applications will be taken until May 31, 2019.

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HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329

51

WNC MarketPlace

Brian Noland RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL PROFESSIONAL

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May 22-28, 2019

Jerry Lee Mountain Realty Jerry Lee Hatley- jerryhatley@bellsouth.net Keller Williams Realty - kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • The Morris Team - www.themorristeamnc.com • Julie Lapkoff - julielapkoff@kw.com

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Michelle McElroy BROKER ASSOCIATE (828) 400-9463 michelle@beverly-hanks.com Haywood County Real Estate Expert & Top Producing REALTOR®

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TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 52

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EMPLOYMENT DRIVE WITH UBER. No experience is required, but you'll need a Smartphone. It's fun and easy. For more information, call: 1.800.655.7452 THE JACKSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES Is recruiting for a permanent, part-time position, on an asneeded basis, to provide child care for foster children. Duties would include providing care and supervision for foster children during visits with their parents.

Candidates for this position should be highly dependable and enjoy spending time with children. This individual should also have demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities gained through at least one year of experience in performing tasks similar to the ones assigned.

The position has a starting hourly rate of $12.58 and hours are 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Monday - Friday. Applicants should complete a NC State application form (PD-107) and submit it to the Jackson County Department of Social Services, 15 Griffin Street, Sylva, NC 28779 or to the NC Works Career Center as soon as possible.

Applications will be taken until May 31, 2019.

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REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT 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 equal opportunity basis.

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SIX-WAY ARRANGEMENT ACROSS 1 Taken -- (surprised) 6 Beach flier 13 Opens, as some jackets 20 “Gigi” star Leslie 21 Talk-show host Hall 22 River of Washington, D.C. 23 Teaching a dog to stay in a pen 25 Law 26 Ease off 27 Many, informally 28 One, in Berlin 30 “Invisible” singer Moyet 31 Epson product 33 Mineral required only in minute amounts 36 Tex-Mex snack 37 Less tough 40 Develop 41 Sorority letter 44 Learning by repetition 45 Brooklyn art institute 46 EMT skill 49 The mark “^” 53 Quietude 54 “The Cosby Show” son 55 “I love,” in Latin 56 False identity 57 Castro of Cuba 58 Pulitzer winner Dove 59 “NY Ink” design 60 Stoop (over) 61 Regard as 63 Fretted 65 Very slow pace 67 Feature of the starts of 23-, 33-, 49-, 86-, 100- and

114-Across 70 Petri dish gelatins 71 “Howdy” 74 Use a pressing tool 75 Lacking color 78 Tippling type 79 Tennis’ Nastase 80 Use as a dining surface 82 Took to the slopes 83 Suffix with Timor 84 Musk of Tesla 85 Lacking color 86 One who may carry around a plate of hors d’oeuvres 89 Tarzan player Ely 90 Emmy winner Woodard 91 Got a perfect score on 92 Broadway loc.

93 Camporee participant 94 “Jobs” star Kutcher 96 Terminal guesses, for short 100 Free rein 104 Involve in strife 107 Cautions 108 Mythical bird 109 Artist’s prop 111 Teachers’ org.

112 Put in position 114 Have a pronounced response 118 Forced out 119 Confess having done 120 Author Zora -- Hurston 121 People on a quest 122 Unintended radio silence 123 Grant giver

DOWN 1 Allow in 2 Entertainer Streisand 3 Syrian’s language 4 Bivouac bed 5 Posed to propose 6 “No Exit” dramatist 7 History units 8 Laos locale 9 Mil. title 10 Start to cycle?

11 Having one dimension 12 Sound reasoning 13 Raises 14 Very 15 Least fresh 16 ‘Sorry, can’t, I’m late” 17 Make smile 18 “Cry, the Beloved Country” novelist Alan 19 Smell 24 Stubbable body part 29 Closed in on 32 “Unh-unh” 33 One of the Jackson 5 34 Film segment 35 Pencil tip 38 Naval fleet 39 Cries hard 42 Steady 43 Elba, for one 45 -- donna (vain sort) 46 Group of matching dishes for fancy meals 47 1975 World Series MVP 48 Open-top, two-seat car 49 More apt to attract attention 50 City in Texas 51 Movement around an

axis 52 Yang’s partner 54 Calc prereq, often 57 Flowerless plant 61 Fix, as holey socks 62 Braggart’s problem 64 Employees’ check time 66 “-- pigs fly!”

68 Weeper of Greek myth 69 Get along 72 Seafood chain 73 Sharp scolding 76 Churchill’s title 77 Rough- -81 Dental buildup 82 “Undo” mark 86 Dough 87 Yearn 88 Champagne bucket 90 Protective sheet of film 93 Punched, e.g.

94 Bow (to) 95 Trojan War sage 97 Resident of an island kingdom 98 Danny of “Off Key” 99 One doing in a dragon, e.g.

100 Bulk buys 101 Full of zip 102 Knot again 103 U.S.-Can. air watch 105 Body of eau 106 Fair-haired 109 Kett of old comics 110 Bubbly wine, familiarly 113 Zine staffers 115 Doc’s gp.

116 Spain’s El -117 Prefix with colonial

ANSWERS ON PAGE 48

smokymountainnews.com

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WNC MarketPlace

The naturalist’s corner

BY DON H ENDERSHOT Editor’s note: This article first appeared in a June 2001 issue of The Smoky Mountain News

Eastern box turtle, our state reptile aksi was a legendary warrior with legs so stout and armor so strong he could withstand mighty blows. Even when he grew old, he retained his armor and stout legs. His magic was so powerful young Cherokee warriors would rub their own legs against Taksi in hopes of acquiring his legendary prowess.

It may be hard for us to imagine the eastern box turtle, Tarrapene carolina carolina, as a powerful warrior, but somewhere along the line this toadstool munching reptile was impressive enough to be named the state reptile of North Carolina. The eastern box turtle is a tortoise or terrestrial turtle.

Although they are excellent swimmers and are occasionally found soaking in shallow water, these critters generally prefer woodland habitats.

The eastern box turtle may reach a length of eight inches. It has a high, domed,

May 22-28, 2019

T

slightly keeled upper shell or carapace. The carapace ranges in color from brownish black to olive. There is often a variable pattern of yellow and/or orange blotches. The shell is divided into sections called scutes.

Scutes of younger box turtles often have concentric growth rings much like growth rings of a tree. As the turtle grows older, however, these rings disappear and the shells become smooth. Box turtles are long-lived. There are verifiable records of 40-year-old specimens and claims of 100-year-old turtles.

The box turtle gets its name from its hinged plastron or bottom shell. The hinge runs across the width of the plastron, near the front. It allows the turtle to withdraw its head and forelimbs and raise the plastron up against the carapace, effectively closing the “box.”

There are secondary sexual characteristics that allow one to differentiate between genders in the field. The plastron of the male is concave whereas the plastron of the female is flat. The concave plastron allows the male to mount the female during copulation.

The tail of the male is longer and thicker than that of the female and the anus is farther back. A bulge can often be detected at

the base of the male’s tail. The male also has longer, larger and more curved claws on its hind feet. Although both sexes usually have orange and yellow spots along the neck and side of the face, they are brighter in the male. Adult males also have brighter red or orange eyes. The eyes of the female are dullish, yellowish-brown or dark red.

Eastern box turtles achieve sexual maturity around four years of age. They generally mate as soon as they become active in the spring but sometimes courtship continues into summer and fall. The act of mating is quite ritualized. It begins with the male approaching the female. He stops a few inches from her. The female retracts into her box. The male approaches with head held high and legs straightened. The male circles the female, nudging her and biting her carapace until she finally opens her plastron.

When the male mounts the female, he slides his feet forward and the female closes her shell on his claws. After copulation, the male bites the front edge of the female’s shell and she opens her plastron.

Female eastern box turtles may retain sperm for up to four years after mating.

Eggs are deposited in shallow nests excavated by the female. Nesting in WNC generally occurs in June and July. While eastern box turtles are primarily diurnal, nests are most often excavated under the cover of darkness. The female deposits a clutch of three to six eggs and covers the nest and compacts the soil with her plastron. Some eastern box turtle lay several clutches of eggs per year.

Eggs may take as long as three months to hatch. Babies usually leave the nest in September or October but late hatchlings may overwinter in the nest, emerging in the spring. The hatchlings are only about one inch long and vulnerable to a plethora of predators including raccoons, rats, snakes, possums, crows and others. For safety, young box turtles stay hidden much of the time and are rarely seen in the wild.

Most eastern box turtles establish a permanent home range. The size of the range depends on habitat, but five to 10 acres is normal. Not all individuals establish a home range. The wanderers are usually male and their travels aid the species by carrying genes between isolated populations.

Young box turtles consume many animals, including insects, slugs, worms, salamanders and crayfish. As they get older, they consume more plant material such as berries, mushrooms, leaves and grasses.

In the wild, adults have few predators.

The tightly closed shell provides good protection from most non-human dangers but is no match for SUVs. Thousands of box turtles are crushed by autos every year.

Thousands more are collected; victims of the pet trade. And still more are displaced and ultimately die from loss of habitat as concrete and asphalt replace the more hospitable forest floor.

The great warrior Taksi may have finally met his match.

(Don Hendershot is a naturalist and a writer who lives in Haywood County. He can be reached at ddihen1@bellsouth.net

28 Walnut St. Waynesville

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54

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OR

9-Piece Bedroom Packages as low as $2,199.99

Mon–Sat 10am - 7pm • Sun 12pm - 6pm

carolinafurnitureconcepts.com Cannot be combined with another offer. Previous sales excluded. Limited quantities on giveaways. First come, first served.

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Smoky Mountain News May 22-28, 2019