Smoky Mountain News | June 30, 2021

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June 30-July 6, 2021 Vol. 23 Iss. 05

Highway project threatens havoc in Haywood Page 10 Sylva resolution opposes county’s ‘Sylva Sam’ plans Page 11

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CONTENTS On the Cover: With help wanted signs popping up everywhere, The Smoky Mountain News investigates reasons for the labor shortage in the region and across the country and will spend the next few weeks examining what’s going on in different industries and demographics. (Page 6)

News Highway project threatens havoc in Haywood ........................................................10 Sylva resolution opposes county’s ‘Sylva Sam’ plans ..........................................11 COVID cases, deaths hit new lows ............................................................................12 Sylva approves agreement with Pinnacle Foundation ..........................................13 Waynesville budget passed over opposition ............................................................14 Leadership changes on WCU board ........................................................................15 Haywood School Board opposes mask mandate ..................................................16 Sylva asks DOT to help with Allen Street ................................................................16 Community Almanac ........................................................................................................19

Opinion Let them be your crystal ball ........................................................................................20 Summer nights: baseball, dogs and workout prep..................................................21

A&E Fourth of July in the Smokies ........................................................................................22 Sharp, clear writing, but it left me wanting ................................................................29

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

June 30-July 6, 2021

Astro Camp builds STEM enthusiasm for students ..............................................30

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June 30-July 6, 2021 Smoky Mountain News

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Post-COVID employment rebounds, but where are the workers?

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT POLITICS E DITOR ou’ve seen the signs, on marquees and placards, up and down streets in towns across Western North Carolina — Now hiring! Competitive pay! Start today!

Those signs are a welcome relief compared to the signs on local businesses around this time last year that mostly said, “Closed,” but they’re also a sign of a deeper problem.

Some local businesses are still having a tough time finding employees, to the extent that their capacity to serve customers has been impacted.

The tight labor market shows a lack of supply across almost all economic sectors, but some sectors were hit harder than others, as were some regions, leading to an uneven economic recovery that affects women, people of color and people with low levels of educational attainment the most.

After spending the previous three years at 4.5 percent or less, total civilian unemployment peaked in April 2020 at 14.8 percent of Americans over the age 20, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s not the highest figure in U.S. history, but coming off a 50-year low, it is the highest in recent history.

Women and minorities bore the brunt of the layoffs; during that same month, the unemployment rate for women was 15.5 percent, versus 13.1 percent for men. Hispanics experienced 18.9 percent unemployment, African Americans 16.7 percent and Asians 14.5 percent, compared to 14.1 percent for whites.

Just as the national rate reached 14.8 percent, people without high school diplomas saw 21 percent unemployment. High school graduates with no college experience endured 17.3 percent unemployment, and those with some college experience or an associate’s degree were still above average at 15 percent unemployment. Workers with Bachelor’s degrees or more experienced unemployment levels of 8.4 percent.

North Carolina fared slightly better than the nation as

June 30-July 6, 2021

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After spending the previous three years at 4.5 percent or less, total civilian unemployment peaked in April 2020 at 14.8 percent of Americans over the age 20. a whole, topping out at 13.2 percent unemployment in April 2020.

But of 17 Western North Carolina counties, only six — Avery, Clay, Macon, Polk, Transylvania and Yancey — per-

formed better than the state that month.

As of April 2021, only Avery and Macon counties have returned to pre-pandemic levels; most others are within one point of where they were in April 2020, however, even a small increase in unemployment percentage represents a tangible human toll.

Take Haywood County, for example. In April 2019, the unemployment rate was a healthy 3.6 percent. In April 2021, it was 3.9 percent. That may be just three-tenths of a percentage point, but it’s an increase of almost 200 people, bringing the total number of unemployed in Haywood County to 1,106.

In the five-county region that makes up the Asheville Metro Statistical Area (Buncombe,

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Compensation, compassion go a long way at Sonoco Plastics Smoky Mountain News

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT POLITICS E DITOR ome employers are having trouble attracting or retaining qualified employees, but those businesses could likely learn a thing or two from one Haywood County employer that isn’t facing that problem.

“One of our management team has been here for 30-plus years. We have individuals who are in some of the more entry level positions that have been here for five, 10, 15 years,” said Laurie Davis, human resources coordinator at Waynesville’s Sonoco plant. “I mean, we have some serious longevity at this plant, and I think it’s because they know that it’s a good place to work.”

In stark contrast to employers in the 6 leisure and hospitality or service industries,

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Sonoco saw a distinct upturn in business during the Coronavirus Pandemic last year.

“The product that we produce has really been in high demand,” said Tony Murphy, plant manager. “If you think about it from a pandemic perspective, at its peak people wanted to limit the number of trips to the grocery store looking for non-perishables.

Because we supply packaging for frozen foods, we did not miss a step. In fact, we’ve been expanding throughout the pandemic.”

Indeed, Sonoco applied for economic incentives from Haywood County this past April, after plans for a $2.6 million expansion, expected to create at least 15 new jobs, were announced.

Currently, Sonoco employs about 115

S EE SONOCO, PAGE 7

Sonoco Plastics in Waynesville is currently hiring for a limited number of positions.

Cory Vaillancourt photo

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SONOCO, CONTINUED FROM 6

we offer a shift differential, which I think is fairly common in our type of environment.”

Plans for a job fair at the plant are in the works, on the heels of two “virtual” job fairs held during the pandemic, but Davis said she also coordinates with NCWorks and Goodwill to source employees.

Murphy said the company likes to promote from within, and that internal job postings for more than 300 Sonoco operations across the globe offer employees not just career mobility, but geographical mobility as well.

All in all, Sonoco’s corporate culture appears to have gone a long way in helping the company maintain the workforce it needs to compete on that global scale.

“Our biggest issue is we want people to think that they’re part of a family, and that they belong to something,” Davis said. “I think we’re doing a good job on that. We like to foster our people if they want to move ahead in the company. I love to hire from within. It’s one of my favorite things to. It makes me feel like these people want to be with this company and want to grow. We want to have people start wherever they need to start and then grow from there, because we think that people are the most important part, obviously.”

people, not counting the increased production capacity soon to come online. Davis said that although there’s always some employee turnover, it wasn’t difficult to keep up with production demands during the pandemic – likely because of a generous compensation package.

New hires start at $14.69 an hour. After training, they move up to $15.46 an hour.

“We offer, I think, great benefits. We offer medical, vision and dental, we have a retirement program, it’s a 401k with a company match. We offer paid vacation, paid holidays and we’re still one of the few plants that does quarterly bonuses as well,” Davis said. “I think we have a lot to offer.”

Davis said Sonoco’s Waynesville location on Howell Mill Road is currently hiring 12 entry-level positions, and three upper-level positions.

“We do have quite a few hiring strategies,” she said. “Any of our employees, if they know someone who’s looking for a job, we offer a referral bonus for that employee, if the employee gets hired and stays on. Our night shift positions are a little harder to hire for, so

Ingles Nutrition Notes written by Ingles Dietitian Leah McGrath

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Smoky Mountain News

ment benefits, but those won’t last forever — in fact, Hendersonville Republican Sen. Chuck Edwards has introduced a bill that would have North Carolina join the other 26 states that have opted out of the program.

Other employers believe that even if everyone receiving unemployment benefits came back to work, there would still be a labor shortage. They’ve begun holding job fairs, offering sign-on bonuses, creating relaxed schedules and yes, even offering higher pay.

Conversely, some workers have given themselves raises of their own — by taking advantage of continuing or professional education opportunities to move into better paying jobs in other fields.

Over the next few weeks, The Smoky Mountain News will explore the labor shortage from a variety of perspectives, across a variety of industries, throughout North Carolina’s western counties, hoping to answer that one simple question — where are the workers?

June 30-July 6, 2021

Henderson, Haywood, Madison and Transylvania) it’s clear that the region’s manufacturing sector remained somewhat insulated from the economic effects of the pandemic. April 2019 employment totals hovered just over 22,000, but data from April 2020, revealed 19,500 people still working in the sector. April 2021 totals show almost full employment, at 21,400.

Not so for the region’s all-important tourism industry.

In April 2019, there were approximately 29,700 people employed in the leisure and hospitality sector but when Gov. Roy Cooper shut down bars, hotels and restaurants a year later, less than 13,000 people still had jobs.

This past April, employment totals in that sector show a rebound to 24,100 employees, but most of those “help wanted” signs appear outside the same bars, hotels, and restaurants that spent much of 2020 closed.

Some employers believe it’s because of the additional $300 in federal unemploy-

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

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Help wanted in the service industry Post-pandemic stress or pre-existing condition?

BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER he signs are everywhere. Now hiring, help wanted, excuse the wait times we’re short staffed and doing the best we can.

Every restaurant, bar, hotel and store in town is in need of employees at a time when tourism in Western North Carolina is surging. Where are all the workers?

Every expert and commentator alike have an opinion on the subject, all claiming they know the answer. Some blame the pandemic and fear of catching COVID-19; some blame the response to the pandemic; some people say that after a year of slowing down and being forced to stay at home, few people would want to circle back to low-paying, service or hospitality industry jobs that are physically demanding and often run on a haphazard schedule — that new priorities have taken center stage.

Perhaps the most common speculation circulating is that people are staying home to receive unemployment benefits. Paired with that answer is the reasoning that once unemployment benefits end, there will be a flood of people returning to fill all existing vacancies.

The need will be met.

June 30-July 6, 2021

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n May, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer, Neil Bradley said “The disappointing jobs report makes it clear that paying people not to work is dampening what should be a stronger jobs market. We need a comprehensive approach to dealing with our workforce issues and the very real threat unfilled positions poses to our economic recovery from the pandemic. One step policymakers should take now is ending the $300 weekly supplemental unemployment benefit.

Based on the Chamber’s analysis, the $300 benefit results in approximately one in four recipients taking home more in unemployment than they earned working.”

Managers, human resource directors and experts in the hospitality and service industry in Western North Carolina aren’t so sure.

North Carolina is among the states that is still giving unemployed people $300 extra per week, on top of regular state unemployment benefits. This measure is set to run out Sept. 6.

Back in May 2020, just over two months into the pandemic, restaurants in North Carolina were permitted to open their doors with social distancing and 50 percent capacity.

“I think the half capacity stalled it [the employment deficit] because everywhere had enough skeleton crew to run a half capacity restaurant. Then the month before full capacity, when everybody knew it was coming, I started seeing it everywhere, everyone was 8 hiring, and no one came to fill those positions.

I

So every place is running on staff made to do half the capacity and they’re at full capacity,” said Luke Wertz, previous manager and coowner of Sauced restaurant in Waynesville.

Now, Wertz believes the problem is perpetuated by staff getting burnt out from overworking to cover the unfilled positions.

When Wertz was transferred to Waynesville from Atlanta in 2018, he had an outsider’s view of the service industry in Western North Carolina.

“Moving from Atlanta to here, it was already such a shallow hiring pool in my mind.

And so it was already very difficult,” he said.

For Wertz, the current labor shortage in Western North Carolina runs deeper than the post-pandemic reopening. Prior to the whole fiasco, he saw a market saturated with demand for services from second homeowners and tourists, in addition to the permanent population, without enough local labor to keep up.

For large scale employers, that deficit of local labor is especially stark. Old Edwards Inn & Spa is a hotel and resort in Highlands.

Each year the Inn employs over 500 people. Of those, more than 250 must be housed by the Inn and over 100 are international workers.

“As far as local recruiting, we always would much rather recruit locally. But again, there’s a limit of how many people are in this area and how many employers there are in this area,” said Pat Turnball, human resources director for the Old Edwards Inn. This year, the Inn is down between 30 and 40 employees. Turnbull is optimistic the Inn will be able to fill those slots with international workers, as long as the COVID-19 Pandemic stays under control.

Like most of Western North Carolina, even while lacking in employees, the Old Edwards Inn has had its busiest year on record. During the pandemic, occupancy rates were higher than some non-plague years of the past.

Tourism in the area has surged since the first pandemic restrictions were lifted.

Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, another large employer, had over 275 employees during summer of 2019. Currently, Lake Junaluska is working with 166 employees and actively recruiting for 26 positions. uring the worst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, people laid off from closed restaurants and shuttered hotels were able to receive supplemental unemployment insurance. This was intended to keep people afloat and keep the virus at bay by allowing people to stay at home.

Now, with vaccinations readily available, case counts down and restaurants and hotels open to full capacity, the extra unemployment benefits will expire in September. Most employers in Western North Carolina agree that those benefits, along with payroll protection plans, were vital to sustain employees and employers through the pandemic.

Whether or not ending supplemental unemployment benefits will solve the employee shortage is not so clear.

“We actually delayed the laying off of staff two weeks longer than most organizations,

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Old Edwards Inn hospitality employee.

Old Edwards Inn photo

because at the time we were lobbying for greater unemployment benefits, which were desperately needed, especially for workers from religious not-for-profits,” said Ken Howle, Executive Director of Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. “And then we also, because of the payroll protection plan loans, were able to begin bringing workers back quickly and have basically been in a rehiring phase since June of last year. So we’ve been spending over a year, working diligently to try and rehire and bring back people that were laid off in the initial shutdown.”

Turnbull believes the unemployment benefits are part of the reason it is difficult to fill vacancies right now.

“I think one of the reasons there is a shortage is the government subsidy that is still in place. Because they can make the same if not more sitting at home. That has cut down on some people returning for work that we usually would have had access to recruit.” said Turnball. “I think too that although old Edwards has remained competitive in the industry, not all hospitality has been able to keep up with other career paths for young people.”

Wertz has a different opinion than Turnball.

“I don’t know anybody that just stayed on it [unemployment benefits]. I don’t know anyone that is staying on it right now. I don’t know anybody that is actively doing that.

And so it’s hard for me to say that it’s really affecting the restaurant industry,” he said.

“It’s an easy thing to point at, I hear that from every single industry. I don’t know how many people are actually doing this, but there’s not enough people doing it to fuel all these open jobs, especially not in a small town like this.”

Wertz says there are probably a few people remaining home out of necessity. People who can’t afford childcare, or care for an elderly person. Those people, as well as people who are remaining at home simply because they don’t want to work, Wertz says, he doesn’t fault them.

“Do what you want to do. The system f*cks us all the time, if you can f*ck it, go for it,” said Wertz.

egardless of the causes for the current job market, employers are having to sweeten the deal to attract more workers, while at the same time they have to ensure there are enough profits to sustain those sweetened deals for employees. At Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, starting pay for a server is $10 per hour plus tips, substantially higher than the $2.13 minimum wage for tipped employees in North Carolina.

“We provide both health insurance for full-time employees and also a 401K plan, both of which are better than you would get in many private sector jobs,” said Howle.

“Ultimately we have a goal of moving as quickly as we can to assure that all of our staff are making a living wage. And for us, that’s a balance of finding ways that we can generate the revenues to sustain those wages. Because you have to balance out when you’re an organization in the hospitality industry where you’re generating revenue from the services you provide, you have to make sure the revenue is high enough to basically then cover those wages. It’s a balancing act between the two.”

Wertz described offering hourly rates to new hires this year that would have been unimaginable pre-pandemic.

“If somebody had come in and said ‘start me at 16 an hour’ a year ago, I just wouldn’t have hired. And now that’s just what you have to do,” said Wertz.

Employers also have to be more proactive in recruiting employees.

“When somebody applies, we get back to that applicant very quickly, knowing that if we don’t get in touch with them quickly, somebody else will,” said Howle. “So, it’s made us change our practices of making sure we’re moving quickly to interview and bring people on board as they’re available.

If there is one consensus right now, it is that the demand for workers has created a better job market for those seeking employment in the service industry than the one that existed prior to the pandemic.

Cory Vaillancourt contributed reporting to this story.

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Chemical may still be offering starting pays of $15.50 an hour, Morris said jobseekers should keep in mind that these companies also have plenty of opportunities for advancement after the 60-day probationary period.

Through incremental raises and promotions, she said local folks can make a good living in manufacturing.

“We’re trying to fill 30 spots at Evergreen right now,” she said. “I’m also struggling with nurses and everything else in the medical field. Also, I think we can all see the restaurant world has been hit the hardest because they were closed and now they’re trying to get back to full capacity, but also grocery stores, stocking jobs — the essential jobs — have been hit hard.”

The NCWorks Center is also there to help other businesses as well, including restaurants, retailers, hotels/motels and many more. Businesses are also making more concessions than they usually would when it comes to their hiring processes.

“We have employers that may not have hired someone with a blemish in their background now saying they’ll hire someone with a blemish — a criminal record,” Morris said. “Employers should know there are certain tax breaks for hiring people with a criminal record. We held an expungement clinic back in April so we’re working with that population as much as we can to get them back to work.”

Smoky Mountain News

Lastly, the U.S. is experiencing the lowest birth rates in its history. The national birth rate hit a 35-year low in 2019 and the size of the working-age population has been shrinking since 2008, according to the data.

The pandemic had a major impact on women in the workforce. Just before the pandemic hit the U.S., Labor Department data showed that women outnumbered men in the paid workforce, but that changed quickly when childcare centers were shut down last spring. According to Emsi, 2.4 million women left the workforce from February 2020 to February 2021.

Now that childcare centers are back in full operation and the federal government is rolling out childcare income tax credits for families, women are starting to return to work. According to the U.S. Jobs Report, women gained 56 percent of the jobs in May 2021, that’s a gain of 314,000 jobs, but still nowhere near a full recovery.

While the job seekers walking through the door at NCWorks are few and far between, Morris has been mainly focused on helping employers find people to fill vacancies — and it hasn’t been easy.

During the last hiring event held in April, Morris said NCWorks had 20 employers needing to fill various positions and only 27 applicants showed up looking for a job.

While she doesn’t know anybody that

She said some large retailers are now embracing the idea of “come to work as you are,” which means they’re hiring people with brightly colored hair, tattoos and piercings.

Jobseekers with tattoos and facial piercings have typically had a harder time finding work because of strict appearance policies.

As of last week, NCWorks had about 300 job openings posted for Haywood County. If you type in the Waynesville zip code into the search bar, more than 10,000 positions in the region pop up.

“This isn’t a Haywood County problem — it’s a statewide problem, it’s a national problem,” Morris said. “We’re trying so hard to meet the demands and we’re just in a labor shortage.”

On the jobseeker side of things, Morris said it’s a great time to find a job or to find a better job.

Many Haywood County residents still drive to Buncombe County or beyond for work because the pay has typically been better closer to Asheville, but Morris said it’s a good time for people to look to see what might be closer to home for the same amount or more money.

“I think a lot of people are always looking for something better without the drive to Asheville,” she said.

Jobseekers still need assistance when it comes to navigating the NCWorks system online to apply for jobs. NCWorks staff is available to help people look for jobs, create a resume and cover letter, build basic computer skills, navigate the online unemployment claim system and more. The office has free Wi-Fi that can be accessed from the parking lot even when the office isn’t open. During business hours, job seekers can use the computers for free.

“Those that can help themselves, they’re at home helping themselves, but we’re seeing older people that are having a hard time navigating the unemployment side of things,” she said. “But things have changed in recent years, so if you haven’t looked for a job in more than five years, it can be frustrating. We understand and we’re empathetic. That’s what we’re here for and we want to help.”

NCWorks is also expanding its community outreach to work more closely with Haywood Pathways Center as those residents are ready to get back into the workforce. Staff will also have a presence at the public libraries where jobseekers typically use the computers and free Wi-Fi to search for work.

“I think that people will begin cycling off of unemployment and we’re going to see an uptick of people starting to come in to see us in September. Sept. 4 is the last day that the extension money is going to be out there,” she said.

NCWorks has a number of programs to help people get back to work — programs to help veterans find employment, programs for participating employers to find workers, and much more. The Workforce Innovation Opportunities funding allows the NC Works Center to help pay for tuition and books for people wanting to earn their degree if they meet the low-income requirements.

For more information and job resources, visit ncworks.gov.

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June 30-July 6, 2021

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR “Were there any cars in the parking lot when you got here?” Lisa Morris asked.

She already knew the answer. It was 10 a.m. on a Thursday and the NCWorks Career Center parking lot in Waynesville was deserted except for staff vehicles.

“When we had to close the office in March, everything was in full force. The phones were ringing off the hook and cars and people were coming to us for help,” she recalled. “It was crazy.”

As the director of the NCWorks Center, Morris prepared her staff to return to the office after being closed for months during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She said she felt like she was preparing for Black Friday, thinking they’d be bombarded with folks needing help finding a job. She and the staff were ready, but the people never came calling.

“We are still doing virtual appointments for re-employment, but traffic is down,” she said, letting out a sigh.

Morris supplied The Smoky Mountain News with the lengthy article she’s been reading entitled “The Demographic Drought — How the approaching sansdemic will transform the labor market for the rest of our lives.”

The report by Emsi, a leading provider of labor market data to economic development professionals, gives some advice on how leaders should respond to the “vanishing workforce.” The shortage of workers was evident before the pandemic, but 2020 accelerated the problem and now the nation must adjust.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, four million Americans quit their jobs in April, the most on record since the government started recording labor turnover in 2000. Reasons cited were looking for better pay, wanting to continue working from home and some realized how dissatisfied and burned out they were with their job.

“I speak with leaders of big companies every day, and this issue is on their minds. In fact, at company after company I’ve heard the same thing: we need to rethink our entire strategy because we simply cannot find the people and skills we need,” wrote Global Industry Analyst Josh Bersin.

Many political pundits have claimed the stimulus funding and $300 a week in federal unemployment benefits that continue to be paid out during the pandemic in North Carolina is what’s keeping people from returning to work. That’s not what Morris knows to be true.

“If every person cycled off of unemploy-

isn’t hiring right now in Haywood County, Morris said much of their work lately has been trying to find employees for the major manufacturers in Haywood County, including Evergreen Packaging in Canton, Giles Chemical in Waynesville, Sonoco in Waynesville and ConMet in Canton.

Employers are having to work harder to find employees and are offering incentives like Morris has never seen done before around the region. She said most employers have had to increase their starting pay while several major employers have increased starting pay by several dollars an hour plus offering a sign-on bonus and other benefits they didn’t offer before.

“If you will just come to work, they’re offering sign-on bonuses that I’ve not seen in the past — and I’ve been here a long time,” she said.

While places like Evergreen and Giles

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Labor shortage hits WNC

ment right now, we’d still be in a labor shortage,” she said. “We’re still in a labor shortage because our Baby Boomers all retired out of the system and anyone that was able to retire during the pandemic, did retire. Women have left the workforce because they’ve had to homeschool this past year and because of the childcare situation. And so, so many millions of women had to leave the workforce. So, unemployment is a very small slice of the pie.”

There has been a mass exodus of Baby Boomers leaving the workforce — the number of Baby Boomer retirees increased by over one million in 2020. To make matters worse, the children and grandchildren of the Baby Boomer generation are not replacing the boomers quickly enough in the workforce — thousands of them opting out of looking for work — leading to a record-low labor force participation rate.

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Highway project threatens havoc in Haywood

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT POLITICS E DITOR s Haywood County looks to put the Coronavirus Pandemic squarely in its rear-view mirror, a North Carolina Department of Transportation bridge replacement project smack dab in the center of the county could end up causing a colossal multi-year traffic jam with far-reaching financial implications.

“We really think this is a broader challenge for the whole county, and we will be a part of that because we are in the center,” said Ken Howle, executive director and CEO of the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. “The economic impact could actually be greater for areas that use this thoroughfare more than we do. The real solution here is to find a way to engineer this that either eliminates or greatly reduces the road closures.”

Making matters worse, state transportations officials haven’t been proactive in addressing citizen concerns over the project, just two months before right-of-way acquisition is set to begin.

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he economic slowdown that arose as a consequence of COVID-related shutdowns last year was a significant speedbump in Western North Carolina’s economic fast lane, but as the county races back toward pre-pandemic levels of economic activity, the U.S. 19/23/74 bridge project near Lake Junaluska threatens to bring all that to a screeching halt.

The project actually consists of two related projects, signified by two small red dots on an N.C. Department of Transportation STIP map. The dots look innocent enough, but the process of replacing three deteriorating bridges that were built in 1965 is far more complicated than it appears.

Coming out of Maggie Valley, eastbound U.S. 19, which sees average annual daily traffic of 19,000 cars, will close east of Holston Village Road for up to a year and a half.

Through traffic will be rerouted south, down Russ Avenue to the U.S. 23/74 interchange, and then back north before again proceeding east near Tuscola High School.

Coming out of Clyde, westbound U.S. 19, which sees average annual daily traffic of 46,000 cars, will close at the same time as the eastbound lanes, east of exit 103, the Maggie Valley exit. Through traffic will be rerouted south, down U.S. 23/74 to the Russ Avenue interchange, and then back north before resuming westward at Dellwood Road.

That detour section of U.S. 23/74 between U.S. 19 and Russ Avenue already sees average annual daily traffic of 35,000 cars. The portion of Russ Avenue from U.S. 23/74 up to Dellwood Road already sees 18,000 cars a day.

Additionally, U.S. 19 eastbound will remain closed an additional 1.5 years — totaling up to three years — so the lane under U.S. 23/74 that creates a dangerous left-hand merge can be reconfigured into a safer righthand merge.

Complicating matters even further, the 10 long-awaited $24 million upgrade for

Rusty joints and crumbling concrete are visible on this bridge over Richland Creek (above) in central Haywood County. Cory Vaillancourt photo A pair of dots mark the bridges NCDOT will soon replace (below). NCDOT map

Smoky Mountain News

June 30-July 6, 2021

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Waynesville’s Russ Avenue was supposed to begin in 2020, but was reprioritized in January 2021 and delayed until 2023, which is still within the bridge replacement project timeline.

The two new bridges on U.S. 23/74, along with a temporary bridge, will cost an estimated $7 million and the reconfigured merge from U.S. 19 to U.S. 23/74 an additional $3.4 million, but all of it adds up to a years-long nightmare for commuters, tourists, commercial users and people just looking to pass through on their way to Asheville, Cherokee or Sylva and points beyond.

Particular impact will be felt in and around Lake Junaluska, a popular destination for visitors and locals alike. County Road offers a convenient unofficial detour north of the lake, but the narrow two-lane road is already beset with speeders and is the subject of frequent complaints from homeowners.

Howle said he first became aware of the proposed project several years ago, and that NCDOT was initially transparent about scope and timelines.

“We were very much in favor of the project and continue to be very publicly in favor of the

project. We firmly believe that what DOT is doing is the right thing to do, trying to rectify a safety hazard in terms of that intersection,” Howle said. “Our main issue was a concern around the fact that the draft schedule included long-term closure of exit 103 or specifically Highway 19 and the length of the closure was much longer than we originally thought it was going to be. We immediately had a grave concern for the economic impact on Haywood County, because this intersection is truly in the center of Haywood County.”

Howle is not the only one raising concerns about the length of the traffic disruption, as elected officials and local governments are already taking steps let NCDOT know where they stand.

Rep. Mark Pless, R-Haywood, has paid particularly close attention to the project. A former Haywood commissioner and former EMT, Pless is concerned about the length of the closure as well, especially for first responders.

“They’re the ones who are going to have to reach people when the road is closed,” he said.

Pless has asked NCDOT for a meeting of local stakeholders to gather input for preemp-

tive planning but hasn’t yet heard back.

District Engineer Wanda Austin finally produced project drawings as The Smoky Mountain News was going to print, but said they were the same drawings presented to a community group at Lake Junaluska weeks ago.

The Town of Clyde became the first local government in Haywood County to voice concern about the project, in the form of a resolution passed unanimously on May 13. In part, it reads, “… the town supports Lake Junaluska’s endeavor for the North Carolina Department of Transportation to develop a plan to eliminate or significantly reduce the need for any road closures.”

The Town of Canton acted on June 24, passing its own resolution.

Discussion of a similar resolution will take place during the July 1 work session of the Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen, according to Town Manager Nathan Clark. If found favorable, the resolution would then move up for consideration by aldermen during a subsequent regular meeting.

Waynesville Alderman Anthony Sutton said he plans to introduce a similar resolution at the town’s next meeting on July 13.

Kevin Ensley, chairman of the Haywood County Board of Commissioners, said it was likely his board would consider such a resolution at its next meeting, scheduled for July 19.

Ensley said his main concern was also minimizing the project’s timeline, citing the Georgia Department of Transportation’s completion — in just six weeks, a month ahead of schedule — of a bridge on Interstate 85 in Atlanta that normally sees 243,000 vehicles a day but was rendered unusable after a 2017 fire.

“I don’t see why NCDOT can’t make similar provisions,” he said. “This area is our I-85.

These bridges are in the center of the county and are the lifeline of our transportation infrastructure.”

The widespread concern over the project is reminiscent of Waynesville’s recent battle with NCDOT. In late 2016, NCDOT announced plans for an $18 million makeover of Russ Avenue.

The project included plans that locals said would devastate the character of one of Waynesville’s most historic neighborhoods.

Then-Mayor Gavin Brown galvanized opposition to the Walnut Street modifications, holding not one but two public hearings on the matter.

After the NCDOT caved, Brown, a selfdescribed “activist” child of the 1960s, said that the experience citizens gained during that fight was as important as the victory itself because as the town and region continue to grow, such confrontations would become more frequent.

“I’ve been an activist from a very young age,” Brown told SMN at the time.

“Grassroots involvement is very important, and I’d always rather see something happen from the bottom up, not the top down.”

Austin said another community meeting was slated for July 10, but couldn’t immediately say where or when.

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Smoky Mountain News

BY HOLLY KAYS plaques planned to cover up the original STAFF WRITER pro-Confederate inscriptions. On May 18, ust shy of a year after it passed a resoluthey voted 4-1 to spend $14,000 enacting tion demanding the relocation of Sylva’s the plan.

Confederate statue, the Sylva Town The Confederate flag will be covered with Board has passed a new resolution, this one a large plaque reading, “Jackson County N.C. rebuking the Jackson County Board of Civil War Memorial. This monument was Commissioners’ response to its original erected by citizens of Jackson County in request.

The resolution, which This spring, county passed June 24 by the same commissioners 3-2 split that approved the approved a concept 2020 document, states that for new plaques to the language the county plans to inscribe on new cover the statue’s plaques for the statue base. Donated photo would “fail to recognize the statue’s historical legacy associated with the Jim Crow South of the early 1900s” and that its prominent presence downtown “implies that the town of Sylva supports the Confederate cause.

“The statue in its current location will continue to draw controversy and strife and create a threat to public safety within the Town of Sylva limits for residents and visitors,” the resolution reads. “Now, therefore be it resolved that the Sylva Town Board of Commissioners strongly rejects Jackson County’s plan to alter the appearance and meaning of ‘Sylva Sam’ and leave it in its current location.”

After a lengthy public comment session on July 27, 2020, the Sylva board passed its first resolution on the statue, imploring the county commission to move it outside town limits.

Depicting an unnamed Confederate solider, the statue was erected in 1915 to honor those who fought in and supported the war effort, and in 1996 it was rededicated as a memory of those who died during the monument to Jackson County veterans of all American Civil War. Originally dedicated on wars. It sits midway up the prominent stairSeptember 18, 1915. Rededicated on May 11, case connecting Main Street and the historic 1996, to honor Jackson County veterans of courthouse building, overlooking downtown, all wars.” The words “Our heroes of the but it’s located on county property.

Confederacy” would be covered with a On Aug. 4, commissioners heard nearly plaque spelling out the nation’s unofficial two hours of public comment before voting motto, “E Pluribus Unum,” which means 4-1 to leave the statue where it is but to alter “out of many, one.” its base to remove the Confederate flag and During Sylva’s June 24 meeting, the three words “Our Heroes of the Confederacy” town commissioners who form the board’s emblazoned there. It wasn’t until April 13 majority on this issue roundly condemned — seven months later — that commissionthe county’s plan. ers discussed potential language for the new “The problem with these monuments is

disproportionately affecting our town more so than the rest of the county.”

However, Commissioners Mary Gelbaugh and Barbara Hamilton disagreed with their fellow board members’ position on the matter, maintaining that many locals whose ancestors died in the war view it as a memorial to their lives rather than as a memorial to the Confederacy itself.

“We cannot rewrite history,” said Hamilton. “I’m sorry that it happened, but I cannot go against a lot of the locals who have loved ones that served. It was the mothers that had that monument made for sons that were for the Confederacy or the Union.”

“I ask that you individually go to the county as a citizen of the county, since it is a county issue now,” Gelbaugh said to Nestler, Guiney and McPherson. “Resolutions can divide the board. Resolutions can make things awkward and uncomfortable. I support that this is your perception and I support this is how you feel, and I also support how Barbara and I represent a different demographic and how we feel. And I don’t think in any way we are trying to be disrespectful to you or those who feel the way you feel.”

Mayor Lynda Sossamon, who does not vote except in case of a tie, said only, “I look forward to the days when we can all work together and have consensus again instead of issues dividing us.”

Ultimately, the resolution passed 3-2, with Hamilton and Gelbaugh opposed. The breakdown was the same as the July 2020 vote, which also passed 3-2.

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Sylva resolution opposes county’s ‘Sylva Sam’ plans

they came up during the Jim Crow era and they attempted to change the whole narrative about what the Confederacy stood for, and Jackson County is just perpetuating that same sentiment,” said Commissioner David Nestler. “This is the Lost Cause. This is rewriting history. This is how you rewrite history — you write ‘E Pluribus Unum’ on a Confederate statue.”

“We did not ask to destroy the sculpture. We did not ask for the controversy,” said Commissioner Greg McPherson. “But the Town of Sylva should reject discrimination in all of its forms, and this is the most obvious personification of discrimination that I can think of. I think that the language that the county came up with is nonsensical.

You have an insurrectionist soldier from a vanquished army now representing all veterans of all wars. It makes absolutely no sense to me.”

Commissioner Ben Guiney, who introduced the resolution, said that he did so out of concern that the statue will continue to be a flashpoint that could end with violence, and out of a desire for his future grandchildren to view him as being on the right side of history.

“Someone’s going to get hurt. It just doesn’t have to happen,” he said. “The county, they say that it’s a compromise because nobody’s happy about it, and just because nobody’s happy about a decision doesn’t imply it’s a good decision or indeed it was a compromise. The Jackson County Commissioners keep stating that they have to consider the entire county, but the statue’s

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COVID cases, deaths hit new lows Unvaccinated people face impending threat from Delta variant, doctors warn

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ince Gov. Roy Cooper lifted the mask mandate on May 14, indoor gatherings have returned and face coverings have nearly disappeared from public spaces, while daily case numbers, hospitalizations and deaths have continued to plummet.

Statewide, June 8 marked the first day since the pandemic took hold with no COVID-19 deaths, and in the weeks since daily death figures have mostly hovered in the low single digits. Over the past week, daily case counts have hung around 300, and on June 25 hospitalizations fell below 400 for the first time since the pandemic started, continuing to fall in the days since.

Between June 22 and June 28, COVID-19 hospitalizations in the 17-county mountain area have ranged between 15 and 22. In the last seven days, Jackson County has not reported any new cases, while Haywood has

June 30-July 6, 2021

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recorded only two and Macon and Swain have each seen three.

“For the first time since COVID-19 hit our community, we recorded zero new cases over the weekend,” said Haywood County Public Health Director Sarah Henderson in a June 28 press release. “This is exciting news, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about what could be around the next corner.”

With less than half of North Carolina’s population vaccinated, those trends could turn around in the coming months as the more contagious Delta variant, first found in India, inevitably strengthens its foothold in the U.S. “The Delta variant poses a serious risk to those who are unvaccinated,” said Dr. Richard Bunio, executive clinical director for the Cherokee Indian Hospital. “It is more contagious and appears to cause more serious disease.”

The vaccines seem to work effectively against the variant, so vaccinated people are at very low risk of serious sickness, said Bunio. However, he said, “if the variant gets here it will spread in mainly in unvaccinated people and could cause a surge in disease activity that would threaten a large number of people on the Boundary.”

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Vaccination by the numbers MAY 24 JUNE 28 At least one shot/ Percent At least one shot/ Percent full vaccination population full vaccination population Haywood.................22,040/20,523 ...........35.4/32.9 ...............28,401/27,063 ...........46/43 Jackson ..................14,758/13,800 ...........33.6/31.4 ...............17,039/16,294 ...........39/37 Swain.....................3,697/3,504 ...............25.9/24.6 ...............4,497/4,251 ...............32/30 Macon ....................14,729/13,992 ...........41.1/39 ..................16,937/16,187 ...........47/45 EBCI*.....................6,956/6,311 ...............40/36.8 ..................7,368/6,732 ...............42.9/39.7 Four-county area....62,180/58,130 ...........40/37.4 ..................74,242/70,527 ...........47.8/45.4 Tribal dose numbers from EBCI represent all doses given, while percent population figure reflects only doses given to tribal members. All other dose numbers from NCDHHS. Data may be subject to a 72-hour reporting lag and come from the COVID-19 Vaccine Management System.

Population figures based on 2019 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, excepting tribal figures, which are from the EBCI.

*All numbers are current as of June 28, except for the EBCI, whose last published report is dated June 23.

According to the most recent numbers posted on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ website, 42.9% of the 11,482 people included in the hospital’s user population of American Indians and Alaska Natives living in Haywood, Jackson, Swain, Graham and Cherokee counties have received at least one shot from the EBCI. It’s likely that some members of the tribe got their vaccinations from other sites that report to the state system — and, conversely, that some non-tribal members got a vaccine from a tribally run site that does not report to the state system. Therefore, looking at vaccination rates for the seven-county area as a whole, including both tribal and state figures, may give a more realistic picture of vaccination rates in the region.

By that measure, 46.9% of the 194,254 people residing in the seven western counties have received at least one vaccine dose, and 44.5% are fully vaccinated, according to figures available as of June 28. That’s a rate that exceeds the statewide figure of 45% with at least one shot and 42% fully vaccinated, but it falls below the nationwide rate of 54.1% with at least one shot and 46.3% fully vaccinated.

These figures have risen about 7% over the last month, with county health departments reporting a definite slow-down in demand.

Fortunately, the age groups most at risk from the virus have the highest vaccination rate. Statewide, people 75 and older account for 14% of vaccinations as of June 28 despite comprising only 7% of the population, while people 65-74 account for 21%, despite comprising only 10% of the population. People 50-64 are responsible for 25% of vaccinations, above their 19% share of the population, but from there the proportions flip.

People ages 25-49 account for 30% of vaccinations, below their 32% population share, while people 18-24 account for 7%, below their 9% share of the population. Teens 12-17 comprise only 3% of the vaccinated population, less than half their 8% population share.

The 14% of North Carolinians under the age of 11 are not eligible.

In Jackson County, only 296 people in the 12-17 age category have gotten at least one shot, while on the Qualla Boundary that figure is 400. Haywood County has vaccinated

726 teens with at least one shot, 3% of all vaccinations — despite the fact that the age group makes up 6% of the total population.

However, according to the EBCI Department of Public Health and Human Services, young people are seeking out vaccination, with the tribe giving 60% of first shots over the past week to people under the age of 25.

National reporting has indicated that nearly all hospitalized COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated, and Dr. Ben Guiney, who is an emergency room physician at Harris Regional Hospital and a member of the Sylva town board, said that’s been his experience too.

“The last four shifts I’ve seen COVID cases coming in, all unvaccinated,” he said during the June 24 town meeting, saying that he’d treated four people between the ages of 17 and 33 who were sick enough to seek out the emergency room — one of them got sent to Mission Hospital in Asheville for bilateral blood clots in the lungs and respiratory distress.

“Those are all 100% preventable,” he said.

The current situation is a far cry from the constant stream of sickness and death Guiney witnessed over the winter, and he doesn’t expect that kind of onslaught to return.

However, he said, among the unvaccinated the pandemic is raging as strong as ever.

“People keep blowing it off, and at the very least you’re out of commission for 10 days, which if you have a job and you are the person who runs the shop or whatever, that can be really bad for your business,” he said.

“There’s that and all the way up.”

However, Guiney, Bunio and health departments across the area are all urging unvaccinated people to get their shot soon, anticipating a surge in cases caused by the Delta variant. According to CDC data collected during the four-week period ending June 5, the variant is responsible for an estimated 0.9% of cases in North Carolina. It’s not known to have arrived in the western region yet, but because of limited access to the test needed to identify it, it could well be here already, undetected.

“The variant will arrive here eventually,” said Bunio. “How much harm it will cause depends on how many unvaccinated people it has available to infect and spread from.”

Christmas in July!

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Overlooking Sylva, the Pinnacle offers one of the most dramatic views around. Holly Kays photo

2020

Sylva board approves agreement with Pinnacle Park Foundation

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take action on those recommendations and to grant the foundation space on its agendas to take care of park business. Meanwhile, the foundation agrees to “faithfully perform” its duties and obligations, to report to the town annually at minimum and to meet with its board on a regular basis.

The agreement will remain in effect for five years, but the town can terminate it at any time with 30 days notice.

While the agreement doesn’t have any specific language directing the foundation to conduct a botanical survey and master plan

as was discussed during the June 10 meeting, Coward said the foundation would have the authority to do so under the language of the agreement.

During the June 10 meeting, the board also heard from certified nature and forest therapy guide Mark Ellison, who sought permission to pursue certification of the park’s lower loop trail as a forest therapy trail under the Association for Nature and Forest Therapy. The board did not take action on that request June 10, and it did not appear on the agenda June 24. Ellison said he expects to discuss it with the board again during a July meeting.

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Under the agreement, the foundation will be able to advise the town on plans, uses, facilities and activities in the park, including planning, designing, fundraising and coordinating with other entities.

June 30-July 6, 2021

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he Sylva Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an agreement with the Pinnacle Park Foundation during its June 24 meeting aimed at moving along key conservation and recreation projects on the town-owned forest.

The board first discussed the memorandum of understanding during its June 10 meeting but delayed a vote to give its members more time to look over the agreement.

“We’re not asking to usurp anything that the town has a right to do,” said Pinnacle Park Foundation Chairman Jay Coward during the June 10 meeting. “We’re just saying we would be happy to be your agent in getting this done for you.”

The MOU’s purpose, as stated in the document, is to authorize the foundation to “advise the town on present and future park matters” so that the two parties can “coordinate activities that will enable the park to serve the public and better enable the town to comply with the requirements of the (conservation) easement.”

Pinnacle Park includes 1,088 acres of former town watershed acreage that was placed under a conservation easement in 2007. In 2019, the town purchased an additional 441 acres adjacent to the original tract.

Under the agreement, the foundation will be able to advise the town on plans, uses, facilities and activities in the park, including planning, designing, fundraising and coordinating with other entities. When the town specifically authorizes it to, the foundation will be able to enter into contracts on the town’s behalf.

The MOU also gives the foundation the authority to organize and direct a volunteer organization, to be called Friends of Pinnacle Park, to maintain trails and other facilities on the property.

The town agrees to consider the foundation’s recommendations “in good faith,” to

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Leadership changes on WCU board

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER n Friday, June 4, three longtime trustees said goodbye to seats they’d held on the Western Carolina University Board of Trustees since July 2013.

In that year, former Principal Chief Joyce Dugan and John Lupoli of Highlands’ Lupoli Construction were appointed by thenGovernor Pat McCrory, and Kenny Messer was appointed by the Board of Governors. All three were reappointed to new terms in 2017, though Dugan and Lupoli returned as General Assembly appointees the second time around.

Trustee Casey Cooper, who is also the CEO of the Cherokee Indian Hospital, recognized Dugan’s contributions to the board and thanked her for her “selfless dedication to improving the lives of others,” her “belief in the power of education” and her leadership in blazing a path for him and others to follow.

“Throughout my life I’ve had many blessings, and this is one of them,” said Dugan following Cooper’s comments.

“It’s been furthering my education in a sense,” she continued. “It’s been a pleasure working with so many people that are so dedicated to education and to this university, and are kind and good, thoughtful people. I’ve loved every minute of it.”

Trustee Kathy Greely recognized Lupoli for his service, citing his extraordinary

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Trustees and university faculty applaud former Principal Chief Joyce Dugan (seated) during her last board meeting. Holly Kays photo investment in the university in both time and monetary gifts, while Trustee Bob Roberts touted Messer’s “unmatched” passion for WCU. “My only charge to this board and to this university and executive committee and the chancellor is, let’s not forget our mission,” said Messer. “Our mission to improve the lives of Western North Carolinians and our

students, particularly first-generation college students and particularly students that are from Western North Carolina. The personal touch should never go away.”

The board also said goodbye to the leadership of Chairman Bryan Kinney, whose term on the board continues through 2023 but whose time as chairman has come to an end.

Before taking on the chairman’s role in

August 2019, he served as vice chairman under Pat Kaemmerling.

“It is my hope that as we bring on new leadership as well as new board members, faculty and staff here at Western, that we will always try not only to ask them to support a marketplace of ideas, but that we also ask them to support the development of wisdom,” he said. “Because it’s my view, personally, that it is wisdom that sorts through all the ideas and chooses the ones that make us a better place and a better people. Let us as a board also always keep wisdom at the forefront of our choices as we do the university’s business.”

The Board of Governors-appointed seat vacated by Messer will be filled by Canton resident Timothy “Jake” Robinson, who is currently a member of the Catamount Club Board of Directors and recently received the WCU Young Alumnus Award. Robinson, CEO of Champion Credit Union based in Canton, also serves on the board of directors for the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce and Haywood Advancement Foundation.

The Board of Governors also reappointed current trustees Casey Cooper of Cherokee, Robert “Bob” Roberts of Asheville and Haden Boliek of Fayetteville. Cooper, Roberts, Boliek and Robinson will begin their new terms July 1 and serve through June 30, 2025.

The General Assembly has not yet named appointees to fill the seats vacated by Dugan and Lupoli. The Board of Trustees will select new officers from among its members at a later date this year.

June 30-July 6, 2021

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Citing their continuing support of a revenue-neutral budget, Waynesville Aldermen Chuck Dickson and Jon Feichter voted against the adoption of the proposed 202122 fiscal year budget during a June 22 board meeting.

Dickson and Feichter’s opposition echoed their votes cast during a special budget meeting on June 16, which was called after citizens complained about the rate during a June 8 regular meeting. At that meeting, town administrators had proposed an initial rate of 45.45 cents per $100 in assessed value, down from the pre-

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Waynesville budget passed over opposition vious 49.57 cent rate, but a countywide property revaluation earlier this year that saw values skyrocket for many property owners means the rate cut is still a tax increase for some.

During the June 16 special meeting, Dickson and Feichter voted against a new proposal, 43.92 cents. That new proposal passed 3-to-2, was introduced to the public on June 22 and passed by the same margin.

The upcoming budget includes $900,000 in employee raises to bring pay rates closer to market average, and also eliminates the town’s $15 vehicle fee.

Downtown Waynesville director on leave, property likely to be removed from MSD

Haywood courts back in full swing

of Clyde, guilty of felonious breaking and entering, larceny and possession of stolen goods.

Hinde and others broke into a cabin owned and stole various items of property. He was sentenced to six to 17 months in prison, followed by supervised probation upon his release. His codefendants, Natasha Hinde and Ethan Putnam, pleaded guilty afterward.

On June 8, after jury selection, Jose Ax Sub, 37, of Maggie Valley, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree forcible sexual offense and was sentenced to 120 to 264 months in prison.

That same week, Wendell James McCarty, 60, of Maggie Valley waived his right to a jury trial. Judge Steve Warren convicted McCarty of resisting a public officer and exceeding a safe speed.

On June 24, Arthur Willie Rathbone, 53, of Canton, was found guilty of four counts of assault on a governmental official for fighting with Haywood County Sheriff’s Deputies while being taken into custody on another matter. He received 18 months of supervised probation.

More than 25 cases handled were connected with drug and property crimes, Welch said.

“We want people to be safe in their homes and communities. Districtwide, my office will continue to push for as much court time as we can get in an effort to catch up from the closure of our courts over the past year,” she said.

Haywood County courts are back in full swing following safety-related case delays during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are holding jury trials and at a quick pace,” District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said. “With the restrictions lifted from the COVID-19 pandemic, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Bradley B. Letts was ready to catch up on the back log of cases. My office responded by prosecuting five weeks of court over a sixweek span in Haywood County Superior Court.”

Typically, Haywood County has 11 to 12 jury trial sessions a year, and so it was unusual to have trial sessions in back-to-back weeks, Welch said. Her office had requested additional court time, and Judge Letts was able to get permission from authorities to hold more court, she said.

On May 27, a jury found Brooke Stites Bushyhead, 39, of Waynesville, guilty of two counts of trafficking in methamphetamine. After being stopped for a tag-light violation, more than an ounce of methamphetamine was found on her person, along with cash, a set of digital scales and baggies. She was sentenced to 140 to 186 months in prison.

On June 4, a jury found Jon Jeffrey Hinde, 59,

Smoky Mountain News

three months ago remain unfulfilled.

Questions sent by SMN to the DWA about Phillips’ pay while on leave, and the last day she actually appeared in the office, went unanswered as of press time.

Meanwhile, at its June 22 meeting, Waynesville’s board of aldermen voted unanimously to call a public hearing to consider the removal of 180 Legion Drive from the MSD. Owners of the parcel, currently home to Mad Anthony’s bar, had petitioned for removal from the district 2017, claiming they derived no benefit from it. Their request was denied, but appears to have backing from Mayor Gary Caldwell and Alderman Anthony Sutton, who put forth and seconded the motion, respectively.

June 30-July 6, 2021

With a proposed contract renewal going nowhere fast, a slew of unfulfilled public records requests and the strong likelihood of a property defecting from the Municipal Service District, the Downtown Waynesville Association announced June 28 that longtime Executive Director Buffy Phillips would be placed on medical leave effective immediately.

The embattled Phillips was to retire on Aug. 6 anyway, but the DWA executive board appointed current assistant Beth Gilmore as interim director. Gilmore will have her hands full, presiding over the DWA’s bid to renew its management contract even as public records requests filed

by The Smoky Mountain News more than

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news

School Board publicly opposes mask mandate

BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER t a special called board meeting last week, Haywood County Schools Board of Education considered defying the current mask mandate in place for North Carolina Public Schools.

The board met for a special-called meeting June 21. Earlier in the day, new legislation had been proposed, within Senate Bill 173, in the North Carolina General Assembly that would allow local school boards to set their own mask policies for the 2021-22 school year.

Under current guidelines from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services laid out in the Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit, students in North Carolina Public Schools are required to wear masks while indoors.

Masks are still recommended under CDC guidelines, due to the fact that a majority of school age children are not yet vaccinated.

Vaccines are currently available for children 12 years and older.

Board member Larry Henson made a motion that would allow students and staff not to wear masks. Lengthy discussion ensued during which School Board Attorney Pat Smathers told the board such a motion would not be legal.

“We’re not on firm ground on this.

Ethically, I have to tell y’all that y’all should

Smoky Mountain News

June 30-July 6, 2021

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not pass this motion,” said Smathers. “If you go this route, I think there’s a lot of peril out there for us.”

Board member Bobby Rogers asked Smathers whether the Governor’s executive order was even legal, citing the North Carolina constitution and the need for the Governor’s cabinet to approve executive orders within 30 days. Rogers says such an approval never took place.

Smathers said he was not sure about that rule and whether it affected executive orders but pointed out that the governor was not acting alone. The North Carolina legislature passed legislation last summer that required schools to follow guidelines set out by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services when they reopened.

Following further discussion involving the complexity of the issue, whether there is a pathway to a legal challenge to the mask mandate and the general complaints board members have been receiving from parents, School Board Chairman Chuck Francis asked Henson to withdraw his motion.

“I think you all, as a board, have led the way in the state for doing everything that you legally could do,” said Superintendent Bill Nolte. “I’m very proud of our whole school system, board included, for doing as much as we could do. We went to school five days a week, and the other folks who

went for the most part went four days.

Twenty-five districts didn’t go at all. So you have certainly led the way for this community, I think, as far as you legally could. And so I would continue to work to that end.

But you know, I don’t know what else we can do safely to change any of the other orders rather than continuing to talk to our state representatives and the governor’s office.”

After the initial motion was withdrawn board members unanimously passed two other motions. The first stated that Haywood County Schools Board of Education publicly opposes the current mask mandate for public schools in North Carolina and directs the school administration to develop procedures to comply with the mask mandate but to lessen the negative impact by encouraging and implementing social distancing and outdoor instruc-

tion pursuant to Tool Kit guidelines.

Regarding the motion, Nolte provided procedures for principals, summer school directors and summer childcare directors.

Principals and directors should remind students and staff that masks are only required when school is in session, inside school buildings, remind students and staff that masks are optional outside school buildings, remind staff that masks are optional when students are not present, encourage staff to conduct summer school and childcare outside whenever possible and use mask breaks with social distancing as often as practical and authorized in the Tool Kit. The second motion states that the Haywood County Schools Board of Education supports Senate Bill 173, which if passed into law would give local school boards the authority to establish local mask rules and regulations.

Jackson TDA offers new grant program

JCTDA grants are used to assist with promoting and supporting events and initiatives that generate overnight visits and increase tourism, along with enhancing visitors’ experiences to Jackson County. Notable changes to this year’s program include changing focus of ‘festivals/events’ to ‘initiatives’ to broaden projects supported; allowing for-profit entities to apply; allowing partnerships with neighboring counties; giving preference to public/private collaboration; and removing the funding cap of $1,750 and granting application funding based on the rubric scoring.

Funding comes from occupancy tax collected in Jackson County from overnight visitors. More than $115,000 in grant funds have been given out since the program began in 2013.

The complete application, guidelines, and deadlines for consideration are available online at www.JacksonCountyTDA.com by clicking on ‘Grants.’

Those with questions, may call the Jackson County TDA at 828.848.8711.

The Jackson County Tourism Development Authority announced it is now accepting applications for its new grant program, which will fund $50,000 in community initiatives this year.

A committee consisting of JCTDA Board Members, community members, past grant applicants and grant writers reviewed the grant program and made improvements, ultimately expanding eligibility, uses and funding for this year.

“In looking at the grant program, we realized our guidelines and requirements were too narrow to invite the type of projects and creative programs that will build our community and visitor experience,” said JCTDA Executive Director Nick Breedlove. “The JCTDA’s grant committee spent months reworking the grant program, and we’re very excited to now start accepting applications.”

@SMOKYMOUNTAINNEWS

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER acing an estimated price tag of $1.5 million to fix persistent landslide issues on Allen Street, the Town of Sylva is asking the State to take on half the cost.

During a June 10 board meeting, town commissioners unanimously approved a resolution requesting $750,000 from the DOT’s contingency fund. The resolution requests $250,000 apiece from the N.C.

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Smoky Mountain News

House, N.C. Senate and N.C. Secretary of Transportation contingency funds. Each office controls a pot of money they can appropriate upon request for emergency projects.

The Town of Sylva has been facing an expensive remedy for town-owned Allen Street since spring 2020, when minor cracks on the portion of road uphill from Bryson Park turned into major vertical displacement, causing both the park and a 150-foot portion of the road to remain closed ever since. Later that year, two more areas of tension cracking appeared, both immediately downhill from properties on Bobwhite Lane.

Landslide issues are also impeding traffic flow on Chipper Curve Road, a state road located downhill from Allen Street. The town gets a state allocation each year to help with its road maintenance costs, but because Allen Street repairs would take place partially along state-owned Chipper Curve Road, the town can’t use that money for the project, according to the resolution.

Therefore, it’s asking for help from the state.

The unknowns surrounding the Allen Street landslide have lurked in the background of every budget planning session this year. While the $1.5 million estimate is new, board members have long known the cost would be significant, likely well over $1

June 30-July 6, 2021

Cracks and earth movement on and around Allen Street have caused a 150foot portion of the road to remain closed for more than a year. Donated photo

million. Even if it receives the requested funding, Sylva will still have a hefty bill to pay — the resolution specifies that the town would be responsible for the remaining $750,000.

The town has already appropriated $426,000 into its capital project ordinance for the undertaking, said Town Manager Paige Dowling, but it would still need to find another $324,000. That money could come from the Fisher Creek Fund or from fund balance — Dowling recommended that commissioners draw it from fund balance. If they did so, the balance would remain above 70% of the amount needed to run the town for a year, she said, a key marker when planning fund balance withdrawals.

The N.C. Department of Transportation Board of Transportation will review the request for funds from the Secretary of Transportation during its July 1 meeting, and the secretary would have to approve the decision. The Senate Pro Tem and Speaker of the House must approve the $250,000 requested from their respective funds.

As soon as the funding gets worked out, the town will be ready to move forward with the project, hoping to begin construction in late summer. Instead of going through the formal bid process, the town is proceeding under an emergency exemption that allows governments to skip the competitive bidding process in case of a “present, immediate, and existing special emergency involving public health and safety of people or property.”

Sylva has selected Greenville, South Carolina-based Wurster Engineering and Construction, Inc., to do the work, and the town is currently in preconstruction negotiations with the company. The contract was still under discussion as of press time, and an exact dollar amount had not been set.

“They have experience with slope failures and the time to make Allen Street a priority,” Dowling said.

The company is currently working on a different project at Western Carolina University, which sets it up nicely to get going on the nearby Allen Street site.

“From a mobilization standpoint, which is a pretty big deal with these projects, they are ready to move forward,” said Public Works Director Jake Scott.

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Sylva asks DOT to help with Allen Street

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Community Almanac

Smoky Mountain News

Lake Junaluska Women meet On Flag Day at Lake Junaluska, about 50 of Junaluska Woman’s Club’s 75 members gathered for a luncheon at Lakeside Bistro.

Lake Junaluska Executive Director Ken Howle provided an informative program. Rev. Rebecca Mathis provided both the blessing and benediction. The club’s Co-presidents Kitten Ervin and Lynda Varner presided, Vice President Nancy Hood introduced the speaker, Treasurer Mary Haggard provided the club’s financial report, Secretary Jan Lemasters made several announcements plus assisted Lynda Varner in selling tickets for the popular annual JWC summer fashion show fundraiser, Membership Chairman Grace Gattis provided name tags and membership forms, and club Historian Merritt Hampton (Casper) provided the HerStory Moment on the topic of “1921 red flag porch visiting etiquette and 2021 porch pop-ups at Lake J” including announcing there will be several small group pop-up activities to look forward to this season.

New leadership to support Haywood library

working to maintain a safe and supportive environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit myhaywoodregional.com.

The Friends of Haywood County Library, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the library staff and activities, elected new members to the board.

New Officers: President: Tess Thais; Vice President: Hylah Birenbaum; Recording Secretary: Pam Witczak; Corresponding Secretary: Krystal Irvin; Treasurer: Martin Pensak and Immediate Past President: Susan Trahan.

New Directors for 2021-2023: Jennifer Wilkes: Director at Large, Liaison to the Arts Council; Deb Wiley: Director at Large, Public Relations/Publicity/Newsletter and Carol Clarke; Director at Large. Current Directors for 2020-2022 are Kevin Murphy, Marilyn Sullivan and Jan Boyd.

The Friends are known for their annual book sale, which was canceled last year due to COVID19. A limited sale is being planned for the end of August.

Zonta of Franklin installs new members

HRMC lifts visitor restrictions Haywood Regional Medical Center has lifted additional visitation restrictions as of June 23.

New guidelines will allow guests of all ages to visit inpatients and accompany outpatients or those seeking ER care.

General visitation hours are 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The new guidelines are effective immediately.

Visitors of all ages are welcome. Visitors will have temperature automatically taken upon entering, and each should read the attestation to confirm lack of COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival. One visitor per patient (18 or older) may be allowed to stay overnight in patient room. Any restrictions on number of visitors per room at once will be decided by the individual department. ER patients are limited to two visitors. All visitors must continue to mask. COVID-19 visitation will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

For additional updates on how the hospital is

At the June meeting, Zonta Franklin members welcomed new officers, board members and members: Michelle Masta (board member), Dorothy Mitchell (member), Amy Szpara (member), Shirley Speed (member) and Deb Williams (vice-president).

Zonta Franklin is the only Zonta club in North Carolina and our state’s representative of Zonta International, an organization dedicated to securing the rights of women throughout the world.

Some of Zonta’s work is advocacy for ending violence against women, ending child marriage and supporting ERA continuation. Zonta promotes the means to gain education for girls and the rights of women in the workplace, amongst other causes.

For more information visit www.zontafranklinnc.org.

Altrusa supports Pigeon Center Altrusa of Waynesville adopted the Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center as a service project.

The Pigeon Center has multiple programs, including historical preservation initiatives, oral history projects and celebration of African American history and diverse cultures. School age children can connect and grow at after-school and summer enrichment programs, senior citizens may share meals and camaraderie at regularly scheduled events, community members can use computers for free and borrow books from their lending library and anyone can request an emergency food box. The Pigeon Center serves approximately 50 children in the all-day summer enrichment program and a smaller group in the traditional after-

school program.

Throughout the year, the Altrusa Club has engaged in multiple activities at the center, including baking desserts for their Fish Fry Fundraiser, washing pillows and blankets after a fire, donating tubs for storage, organizing and packing holiday decorations, donating books for their lending library and for rewards for students’ appropriate behavior and reading with the students.

If you would like to network with other energetic service-minded individuals in the Haywood County area, make new friends, learn new skills and give back to the community, consider joining Altrusa International of Waynesville and visit waynesvillealtrusa.org or call 828.734.1307.

Harrah’s donates to MANNA For over 20 years, Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos have supported MANNA (Mountain Area Nutritional Needs Alliance) Food Bank, a nonprofit organization that assists in providing food to families of Western North Carolina.

To date, Harrah’s Cherokee has donated over $298,000 to MANNA. This year, the company is continuing its allegiance by pledging to be an annual sponsor for MANNA’s upcoming signature events, Empty Bowls and the Blue Jean Ball. As a sponsor, Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos will contribute $30,000 to the nonprofit organization.

The continued support of Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos alone has helped provide well over one million meals across Western North Carolina, as stated by Mary Nesbitt, Chief Development Officer of MANNA Food Bank.

Breast cancer walk returns The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk returns Saturday, Oct. 23, to Asheville’s Pack Square Park.

The 5K walk unites communities from across

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Western North Carolina in the fight against the deadly disease. Early registration is now open for teams and individuals online at MakingStridesWalk.org/AshevilleNC. The noncompetitive, family-friendly event raises money to help the American Cancer Society fund groundbreaking breast cancer research and provide patient services like free rides to chemo, free places to stay near treatment, and a live 24/7 cancer helpline.

Area residents can form teams, join teams, walk as individuals, or make donations to support the local Making Strides Against Breast Cancer movement. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities available.

Pack Square Park is located at 80 Court Plaza in downtown Asheville. The 2021 walk will follow CDC guidelines as well as all state and local mandates. For additional information, call the American Cancer Society at 800.227.2345 or visit MakingStridesWalk.org/AshevilleNC.

Haywood NAACP elects officers Haywood County NAACP elected new officers at its June meeting.

Officers: Rev. Carl Matthews, (President); Dorothea Stewart, (first Vice President); Carol Eggleston, (second Vice President); Katherine Bartel, (Secretary); Carolyn Wallace, (Assistant Secretary); Susan Grimm Florence, (Assistant Secretary); Chuck Dickson, (Treasurer) and Rev. Walter Bryson, (Assistant Treasurer).

The Education Task Force, working with Jackson County NAACP, is waiting to hear if they will get a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for $200,000 to expand their work in Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain Counties.

The Community Remembrance Project is planning educational events for the community about race issues.

The new Political Action committee is chaired

by Mary Grace Lodico. This group will be watching the state legislature and keeping track of upcoming elections and related issues, and registering voters.

The Legal Redress Committee receives complaints of racial discrimination from community members.

Worship at Junaluska All are invited to attend the Summer Worship Series at Lake Junaluska through Aug. 1.

The series includes spirited Sunday morning worship services led by inspirational preachers. All services will be held in the open-air Amphitheater below the Lake Junaluska Cross at 9 a.m. unless otherwise indicated. Preachers in Residence will also be present at other weekly worship offerings, including evening Vespers and labyrinth prayer walks.

The theme for this year’s Summer Worship Series is “Through the Storm, God Offers Hope for a New Day.” To learn more about the Summer Worship Series, visit lakejunaluska.com/summerworship.

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

Let them be your crystal ball Y

The truth really does matter To the Editor: In our never-ending search for truth, Americans must accept (if nothing else) one predominant lesson from January 6.

Identified fittingly by David French in TheDispatch.com, he states simply: “When you tell tens of millions of Americans one political party is trying to steal an election, some Americans will act like a party is stealing an election.” Despite the total absence of supporting evidence, the Republican grassroots remain unconditionally convinced the 2020 election was stolen and have consequently turned against almost every American institution, including the military.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to recognize that former president No. 45 is still the most influential figure in the GOP and is also (as conservative writer Charles Cooke observes in NationalReview.com) “unmoored from the real world” and that his persistent and insistent declaration that “he’s the real president is deeply corrosive to our democracy.”

We can find some solace in believing the Republican Party suffers from idiotus, an

LOOKING FOR OPINIONS:

those final moments led me on a new life journey, one that I adore very much.

About a month before my mom passed, my sister‘s fatherin-law died of pulmonary fibrosis. He was a wonderful, salt-ofthe-earth man. Before his death, he wrote letters to everyone he loved. The letter he wrote to my sister included these words, “Keep life simple and family close.”

At his funeral, one of the pastors talked about the memories we leave for our children, grandchildren and other family members. We should live Columnist in a way we want them to remember us.

The pastor said, “We think we have a memory, but really, the memory has us.” Every day, every moment is a chance to not only create a memory for us but also a memory for those around us.

I recently listened to an Audible book by Mel Robbins. She unpacked the concept of worry and regret. She cited a study where researchers asked 1,500 people over age 65 what haunts them the most when reflecting upon their lives. The top eight answers were:

Susanna Shetley

ears ago during a teeth cleaning, an older dental hygienist offered some advice. She told me to let other people be my crystal ball — to observe their lives and learn from their mistakes, and to also note their successes and triumphs. Doing this would save valuable time.

I was in my early 20s during this visit to the dentist. Even though I’ve never forgotten what she said, I did what most young people do. I fumbled and frolicked through a few decades, falling down, getting up and learning many lessons along the way. Nonetheless, the crystal ball guidance was always on my mind.

My mom’s cancer diagnosis changed her outlook. She viewed life in a new way, knowing that her time on earth was limited.

When you assume you have all the years in the world, you take things and people and moments for granted, but when you see the end in sight, things clear up quickly. You realize small things matter more than you thought and the “big” things matter less, if at all.

Weeks before my mom‘s passing, she held onto both of my hands, looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Listen to me, darling. Figure out what makes you happy and do that over and over. I want you to be happy, that’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

At that time, there were situations and people in my life draining me of love, energy and light. She didn’t mention those specific things, but she and I both knew her point of reference. After her death, I made a number of changes.

Although my grief was overwhelming, her encouragement in

Not being careful enough when choosing a life partner.

Not resolving a family estrangement.

Putting off saying how you feel.

Not traveling enough.

LETTERS almost incurable disease that causes the brain to shut down and the mouth to keep running.

It’s only somewhat comforting because at the end of the day I’m left with the dilemma; how does one borderline burnout with questionable social skills go about causing over 500 nefarious men and women with predatory instincts, in Congress, to change their way of thinking?

Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) always places his personal and party’s interest above the nation’s and has vowed, therefore, to block 100 percent of President Biden’s agenda. Passage then, of any bill before a divided Congress and nation that would preempt state legislatures from passing laws enabling them to overturn the will of the people, is simply undoable.

Hundreds of bills being considered in 45 (or more) states, masquerading as “voting integrity” bills, are no more and no less than the Republican Party’s underhanded, spineless and dishonorable attempt to suppress voters.

Former President Bill Clinton stated in Time on June 21: “Republicans have clearly decided to double-down on the Hatfields and McCoys. Now they want to get it where they

Spending too much time worrying.

Not being honest.

Not taking enough career chances.

Not taking care of your body.

Older folks know things. They have wisdom and experience. We must listen and let them be our crystal balls. I often notice how elderly people watch kids and teenagers. They have a wistful, faraway look in their eyes as if they’re remembering their childhoods or their children’s younger years. It’s interesting how the long-term memory stays intact, even when short-term tasks like eating lunch or taking a pill are forgotten.

As the summer hits its crux, my schedule is maxed out with activities and escapades. Weekends and vacation days are booked with trips, events, concerts, cookouts and more.

My boyfriend and I are also training for triathlons. Our packed agenda may look hectic to an outside eye, but to us, it’s exciting. We have numerous opportunities to make new memories, stories we can tell years from now when we’re grandparents.

In writing and in conversations, I like to espouse the meaning of life. I’m 41-years old, which may sound young to some, but I feel older and older every day. I think about those eight suggestions from the 65 and older crowd. Each day is one less day to see the world, hug people I love or try something new.

One of my favorite quotes of all time is by the brilliant Mary Oliver. I’m sure you’ve heard it, but let me ask again.

“Tell me, what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

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

can win if they lose both the Electoral College and the popular vote by having a Congress that won’t certify the electors.” Ari Berman echoed similar sentiments in the July/August issue of Mother Jones.

If you believe nothing else, believe this: that a GOP-controlled Congress could overturn election results to install Trump (or a Trump clone) is a very real possibility which would spell the end of American democracy.

I believe, as Albert Einstein believed, “the world is not dangerous because of those who do harm — it’s dangerous because of those who watch and do nothing.” I also believe we should want our lives to be a reminder that truth matters — even though we may not be here to see how history judges us.

We’re facing the decision that all men in all times must face, the eternal choice, to endure oppression or to resist.

David L. Snell Franklin

Why won’t GOP tax the wealthy?

To the Editor: When you start having to pay higher taxes at the gas pump, pay extra for your electric

vehicle, or pay for services that used to be free, look no further than our dear United States senators, Richard Burr and Thom Tillis.

Instead of taxing corporations and the rich more to pay for their proposed “bipartisan” infrastructure plan, they are instead choosing to increase the financial burden on working-class Americans by raising gas taxes implementing an electric vehicle mileage tax, and privatizing public assets. Not to mention that by leaving climate change out of the infrastructure plan, they are essentially wasting taxpayer money because the increasing natural disasters influenced by climate change will cause untold amounts of damage to our infrastructure, especially if it’s not made to be resilient to these types of disasters.

On top of this action from our U.S. senators, our Republican state legislators’ new budget proposal also cuts taxes for corporations and only gives teachers a raise of 1.5 percent per year.

Why is the Republican Party so averse to taxing the people who can afford it the most?

Is it because they’re getting kickbacks from them? Or are they just hoping that they’ll be able to pass these types of bills under peoples’ noses and when people start having to pay higher prices for things and

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The Smoky Mountain News encourages readers to express their opinions through letters to the editor or guest columns. All viewpoints are welcome. Send to Scott McLeod at info@smokymountainnews.com., fax to 828.452.3585, or mail to PO Box 629, Waynesville, NC, 28786.

Summer nights: baseball, dogs and workout prep

state employees continue to receive measly pay increases, they’ll just blame Biden (which would help the Republicans)? I wouldn’t be surprised if either were true.

Whatever the case, when we look at rising income inequality in this country and the

constant rise in the cost of living for ordinary Americans, the real blame lies with our Republican legislators and the corporations and wealthy 1 percent they strive to serve.

Rachel Smith Whittier

Chris Cox

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Smoky Mountain News

ago, so I yell downstairs for my 16-year-old son — who is embroiled in an epic video game battle online with some of his buddies — to put the wet clothes in the dryer.

“And don’t forget we’re going to the gym tomorrow!” I say. “Leg day.”

I’m trying to get my son interested in working out, which is like trying to get the dogs interested in studying Portuguese poetry.

Now, the younger dachshund is evidently having a nightmare, as his bottom feet are peddling furiously. He looks as if he is attempting to escape whatever horrors he has encountered in his dream on a 10-speed bicycle, whimpering pitifully as he goes.

Maybe someone is trying to get him to read Where the Crawdads Sing, chasing him down the street with a copy in hand.

All the commotion rouses the older dachshund, who we call the “elder statesman” because he is both old and extremely vocal, always letting us hear it whenever he wants to go outside, or come inside, or when he would like some fresh water, or more food, or extra space in the bed, or any number of other things that we struggle to decipher. His normal practice is to walk within two feet of me, face me as if we are about to have a gunfight, and then start barking in a series of shrill, repetitive blasts until I attend to whatever his particular need may be at that time. If I guess wrong, he will pause for a minute, stare at me in this really judgmental way, and then simply resume his former stance and continue barking until I get it right.

Now, he is barking, so I let them all go outside, knowing full well that even though it is already very late, the elder statesman will still wake me up again at 4:30 a.m. to go out, as he does every single night (I refuse to call this “morning” because I am not a farmer and not insane).

When they’ve completed their little nightly romp outside, they bark in unison, clawing at the door, impatient for their Beggin’ Strips. By the time I march them back to bed, more or less single file, the Dodgers game is mercifully over. I check downstairs, but it is silent except for the reassuring whir of the dryer.

My son must be in bed now, probably scheming to get out of leg day. I’ll let him choose between going to the gym or staying home and reading Where the Crawdads Sing. Or weed eating. There’s still a little calamine lotion.

(Chris Cox is a writer and teacher who lives in Haywood County. jchriscox@live.com)

June 30-July 6, 2021

here are three dogs in this bed: a very old miniature dachshund curled up on one corner, a very young miniature dachshund attached to my hip like a pistol, his head under the blanket but his feet sticking out and pointing skyward like the Wicked Witch of the East, and, finally, an asthmatic chihuahua perched on the pillow behind my head, rasping in my ear like a chain smoker Columnist asking for a light.

I’m up late watching the Dodgers, as I do most nights.

They’re just getting pounded by the San Diego Padres and the manager won’t pull the pitcher, which is just a little less irritating than this poison oak that has suddenly appeared on my forearms, the result of an afternoon of reckless weed-eating in our backyard when I remembered to cover my legs but forgot to cover my arms. I’m trying to remember where the calamine lotion is and hoping that we still have some, scratching every few minutes when yet another Padre hits a ball in the gap.

I try reading some more of a book that just about everyone I know has been trying to get me to read for over a year now. It’s called Where the Crawdads Sing, and reading it reminds me of eating a grocery store birthday cake that has been in the freezer for two years. I know I’m supposed to be enjoying it and join in the enthusiasm and not be THAT person who finds fault with everything, but let me tell you, it’s a close race between which is worse, the plot — which walks that fine line between the impossible and the utterly laughable — or the dialogue. People don’t talk like that, and if they did, you’d avoid them.

While I am reading and groaning, the Dodgers attempt to mount a comeback by loading the bases, briefly diverting my attention from the book, but just as I summon a little hope, their best hitter, Mookie Betts, who makes about $30 million dollars a year to play baseball, hits a meek little pop fly, a little flare that lands so softly that a spider’s web could catch it. The would-be rally fizzles, and the chihuahua passes gas in protest, which launches me out of the bed to look for that calamine lotion. And maybe a scented candle.

While I apply the lotion, I remember that I put a load of laundry in two or three hours

WAYNESVILLE TIRE, INC.

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A&E

Smoky Mountain News

FOURTH OF JULY in the Smokies

Fireworks at dusk. Free and open to the public. www.highlandschamber.org.

Fireworks over Lake Junaluska.

Lake Junaluska photo

LAKE GLENVILLE

“Fireworks Over Lake Glenville” will be held at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 3, at various spots along the shoreline. www.cashiers411.com.

LAKE JUNALUSKA

The “Independence Day Celebration” will be held July 2-4 at the Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center. July 2: morning devotion, dancing with the J. Creek Cloggers and release of the Floating Wish Lanterns. July 3: morning devotion, tennis tournament, outdoor storytime, and a concert by bluegrass legends Balsam Range at 7:30 p.m. in Stuart Auditorium (tickets are $23 before tax/fees).

July 4: worship service, concert by the Blue Ridge Big Band at 8 p.m. at the Lakeside Tent, fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. For more information about the “Independence Day Celebration,” lodging packages and tickets, click on www.lakejunaluska.com/july4th.

MAGGIE VALLEY

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD ARTS & E NTERTAINMENT E DITOR othing says summer more than the Fourth of July, and in Western North Carolina, we celebrate Independence Day with gusto. Between majestic fireworks, sizzling hot dogs and hamburgers, cotton candy, games, live music and craft demonstrations, there’s a little bit of everything for any and all. So, grab your lawn chair, sunglasses and adventurous spirit, and enjoy this special weekend.

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BRYSON CITY “Freedom Fest” will take place from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 3, in downtown. Arts and craft vendors. Restaurants and food trucks. “Kids Activity Area” in Riverfront Park.

Live music with Kevin Daniel (rock/blues) from 6 to 8 p.m. and Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats (rock/indie) from 8 to 10 p.m.

Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. Railroad parking lots will be open. Presented by the Swain County Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call 828.488.3681 or www.greatsmokies.com/freedom-fest.

CANTON The “July 4th +1” Independence Day celebration will be held on Monday, July 5, in

Sorrells Street Park in downtown. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with live music from Sound Extreme. Food vendors onsite. Fireworks at dusk, provided by Champion Credit Union.

Free and open to the public. www.cantonnc.com/july-4th-plus-one.

CASHIERS Tickets are now on sale for the July 4th celebration “Concert On the Commons” at The Village Green in Cashiers. Live music returns with the popular dance band Continental Divide at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 4, at the Commons. Continental Divide features the silky smooth voice of Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame performer Gene Pharr to the lightness of the rhythm section to the flowing lines of the horn section. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on www.villagegreencashiersnc.com/concerts.

CHEROKEE The 46th annual “Powwow & Fireworks” will be held July 2-4 at the Acquoni Expo Center at 1501 Acquoni Road. Authentic native music, dancing, food, and festivities. Fireworks will be held at 10 p.m. Saturday, July 3.

Admission is $15 per day (cash only), children ages 6 and under are free. For more information and a full schedule of events, click on

The “Backyard Fourth” will be held on Sunday, July 4, at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Gates open at 6 p.m. Fireworks at dusk. 828.926.0866 or www.maggievalleyfestivalgrounds.com.

Other celebrations • Andrews www.visitcherokeecountync.com.

• Independence Day Fireworks, Murphy www.visitcherokeecountync.com.

• Independence Day Parade/Celebration, Hayesville www.ncmtnchamber.com.

• Sapphire Valley Yankee Doodle Dandy Day www.sapphirevalley.com.

• Fourth of July Celebration, Fontana Village www.fontanavillage.com. www.visitcherokeenc.com/events/detail/46annual-powwow.

FRANKLIN The “All-American Independence Day Celebration” will kick off at noon Saturday, July 3, in downtown. Kids activities. Patriotic pet contest. Parade at 6 p.m. “Fireworks Over Franklin” at 9:30 p.m. For a full schedule, go to www.franklin-chamber.com.

HIGHLANDS A special Independence Day concert with Moon Dance will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 4, at Kelsey-Hutchinson Park in downtown.

SYLVA

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce will host the “July 4 Fireworks Festivities” from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 4, in downtown Sylva. There will be free children’s activities provided by the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department, including an inflatable big slide, kids bounce house and bungee trampoline. There will be a concert by the All In One Band (R&B) from 6:30 to 9:45 p.m. Fireworks show will begin at 9:45 p.m. The fireworks will be visible from all over downtown Sylva. There will be food and fun for all ages. 828.586.2155 or www.mountainlovers.com.

WAYNESVILLE

The “Stars & Stripes Celebration” will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 3, in downtown. Restaurants, breweries, shopping, galleries and cafes. Children’s patriotic parade.

The Haywood Community Band will perform at 2 p.m. at the historic Courthouse in downtown. The concert will feature John Philip Sousa’s most famous march “The Stars and Stripes Forever” and a salute to our military veterans. Free and open to the public. www.downtownwaynesville.com.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

C-88 at Buck Pond. (photo: Garret K. Woodward)

HOT PICKS Americana/bluegrass group Ol’ Dirty Bathtub will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 2, at Nantahala Brewing in Sylva.

1 2 3 4

Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will host Zach Williams (rock/country) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 1.

The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Russ Wilson & Hank Bones (jazz/swing) at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 10.

I awoke and faintly bouncing round the room, the echo of whomever spoke

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The Maggie Valley Band will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, July 2, at Elevated Mountain Distilling Company in Maggie Valley.

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I wandered along the quiet streets and also down Memory Lane, by all these businesses I used to frequent, places that were once so familiar in my daily life, as now I’m a stranger in this town somewhat.

At one point, I walked by the Adirondack Daily Enterprise. Early on in my writing career, just when I was getting started, it was a dream to someday work here. I was scrapping by as a freelancer during the economic collapse of 2008, 23 years old and eager to find footing, creatively and financially, in the realm of the written word.

I’d submit sporadic articles to the Enterprise, all in hopes of getting a staff writer gig there somewhere down the line.

Soon, I was dating this mesmerizing woman

“In all this welter of women I still hadn’t got one for myself, not that I was trying too hard, but sometimes I felt lonely to see everyone paired off and having a good time and all I did was curl up in my sleeping bag in the rosebushes and sigh and say bah. For me it was just red wine in my mouth and a pile of firewood.”

I stopped at the end of that paragraph, just for a moment, gazing up slowly at the small pile of firewood next to me, the single sleeping bag unrolled in the tent nearby.

Truth, Jack, my good sir, truth.

‘Round midnight, I got the urge to head down to the beach on the other side of the campground. Stepping onto the soft sands, a full moon hung high in the silent sky. I sat down and simply stared at the huge ball of white light, hovering ever so carefully over the water, a million diamonds reflecting across the surface.

Silence. Priceless silence. A single soul, feet in the sand. It’s all incredibly wondrous and wildly mysterious.

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

June 30-July 6, 2021

he air was cool and the sleeping bag warm when I heard the early morning loon from across Buck Pond.

Emerging from the small tent, I put on the old sandals and wandered down to the shoreline, standing there in the last of the moonlight before morning broke and the world reawakened into Friday. The loon kept bellowing, only to have the serene sound reciprocated by another loon from the other side of the pond.

Campsite C-88. Buck Pond. The northern section of the Adirondack Mountains. My native Upstate New York. I’ve been coming to Buck Pond since I was a little kid. My late grandfather loved to camp and fish here, too.

I tried to get my usual (and beloved) C-89 site right on the water, but it was taken, so I

went over one. I haven’t been here since June 2007, the same week I came home to the North Country following college graduation in Connecticut. That same week, my grandfather died unexpectedly.

It was heartbreaking, so much so, my best friend and I took off the day before the wake and booked C-89. And in that moment, I was done with college, “officially” now an adult, no clue what the future held, only to carry my grandpa’s casket to his final resting place.

But, not before an evening of moonlit waters, the sound of loons, bourbon and bonfires.

That was almost exactly 14 years ago. I was 22 then, 36 now. I headed up to Buck Pond last Thursday afternoon on a solo trek, simply on a deep yearning to do so. Nothing is the same, everything is the same, as they say. My head is held high. My stride steady and light. Onward.

With the sun hanging low over Buck Pond, I jumped into the truck and headed for dinner in nearby Saranac Lake. After a couple of beers at The Waterhole (a legendary Adirondack dive bar, one where I’ve spent many raucous nights) and a meal at

Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host Bird In Hand (Americana/indie) w/Rye Baby (Americana/indie) at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 4.

from Saranac Lake. We were young and at the starting line of adulthood, trying to figure out a life together — and all I needed was the writing job as the missing puzzle piece, or so I thought.

Eventually, she and I parted ways. And the Enterprise job never materialized. I tried to make it work on both fronts, but it just wasn’t my destiny. So, I left, packed up my truck with what little I owned and headed for work in Western North Carolina. Some nine years later, I stand in front of this building, in awe of the path I’m currently on, all while playfully musing “what could have been.”

It’s all incredibly wondrous and wildly mysterious, no matter what trajectory you’re on. I remain full of gratitude. I also remain as curious as ever, for whatever the future holds.

Back at Buck Pond, it was dusk when I finally got a small fire going in the campsite pit. The sounds of crackling wood and branches swaying above in the late-night air.

Grabbing a small flashlight, I sat in the camping chair in front of the flames and dove back into “The Dharma Bums” for the hundredth time, the 1958 Jack Kerouac literary odyssey amid the West Coast (and beyond).

Here’s Kerouac in his whimsical, devilmay-care prose:

arts & entertainment

This must be the place

the Downhill Grill around the corner, I went for a stroll around downtown.

Saranac Lake is a community I’ve held close to the heart my entire life, whether it be family connections, high school endeavors, live music experiences, Winter Carnival and the Ice Palace, or simply a girl that I once loved, who I thought at the time I’d end up being with, now long gone from my current existence.

Smoky Mountain News 23

arts & entertainment

On the beat ‘An Appalachian Evening’ The “An Appalachian Evening” series will return to the Stecoah Valley Center in Robbinsville.

Ticketed shows will include The Jeff Little Trio July 10 ($25), Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road July 17 ($15) and Darin & Brooke Aldridge July 24 ($25). Shows will be live streamed at 7:30 p.m. on YouTube, with a link available at www.stecoahvalleycenter.com prior to the concert.

For more information and/or to purchase tickets, call 828.479.3364 or click on www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.

Innovation July 4 celebration

Smoky Mountain News

June 30-July 6, 2021

Jackson County Americana/folk duo Bird in Hand will perform a special show with Rye Baby (indie/folk) at 7 p.m.

Sunday, July 4, at Innovation Brewing in downtown Sylva.

Husband and wife duo Bird in Hand (Bryan and Megan Thurman) is an upbeat acoustic/singer-songwriter act, all while still rooted in the traditions of American folk, aptly dubbed “Appalachian Thunder Folk.”

Rye Baby is a “rock-n-twang” duo from Chattanooga, Tennessee, well-known

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• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host karaoke at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, trivia at 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Isaiah Breedlove & The Old Pines July 17. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.0350 or www.boojumbrewing.com.

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Russ Wilson & Hank Bones (jazz/swing) July 10. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Limited seating. Reservations required. Cost is $69 per person, which includes dinner.

828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Concerts on the Creek (Sylva) at Bridge Park will host Terry Lynn Queen w/Scott Baker & Tim Queen (classic rock) July 2, Fireworks Festivities w/All in One (rock/funk) 6 p.m. July 4 and Darren Nicholson Band (Americana/country) July 9. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.mountainlovers.com.

Bird in Hand.

around the backwoods and dive bars of Southern Appalachia.

The show is free and open to the public.

For more information, click on www.birdinhandmusic.com or www.innovation-brewing.com.

Americana, indie at Elevated Mountain The Maggie Valley Band will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, July 2, at Elevated Mountain Distilling Company in Maggie Valley.

A blend of old-time mountain, Americana and psychedelic folk music, the Haywood County group is fronted by siblings Whitney and Caroline Miller.

The show is free and open to the public.

For more information, click on www.themaggievalleyband.com.

Foxfire Boys July 2 and Southern Highlands July 9. There will also be a special Independence Day concert with Moon Dance at 6 p.m. July 4, with fireworks at dusk. Free and open to the public. www.highlandschamber.org.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Gin Mill Pickers 5 p.m. July 13. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• The Haywood County Courthouse (Waynesville) will host the Haywood Community Band on the front lawn at 2 p.m.

July 3 during the Stars & Stripes Celebration.

Free and open to the public.

ALSO:

• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host Kathryn O’Shea July 4, Tropical Trivia 7 p.m.

July 6, “Divas On Tap” drag show 8:30 p.m.

July 10 and Shane Meade July 11. All events are free and begin at 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Elevated Mountain Distilling Company will host semi-regular live music on the weekends and The Maggie Valley Band (Americana/indie) 7 p.m. July 2. Free and open to the public. 828.734.1084 or www.elevatedmountain.com.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host Bird In Hand (Americana/indie) w/Rye Baby (Americana/indie) at 7 p.m. July 4. Free and open to the public. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Friday Night Live (Highlands) will be held at the Town Square from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with

Sylva gets in the tub

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host “Reggae Sunsplash” w/Natti Love Joys July 3, Yard Karaoke 7 p.m. July 9 and Crossfire

Ol’ Dirty Bathtub.

Popular Jackson County Americana/bluegrass group Ol’ Dirty Bathtub will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 2, at Nantahala Brewing in Sylva.

“We’ve always had energy when playing on someone’s porch, but on several occasions lately we have been able to replicate it live,” said ODB guitarist Jerad Davis. “And that’s what makes this fun — people dancing,

July 10. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public.

828.342.5133 or www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host Arnold Hill (rock/jam) July 9 and Karaoke in the Smokies (live instruments backing the singers) July 16. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host a “Jazz Night” from 7 to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Ol’ Dirty Bathtub 7:30 p.m. July 2. Free and open to the public. 828.641.9797 or www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• Nantahala Outdoor Center (Nantahala Gorge) will host “Bluegrass with Blue” July 2 and 9, Somebody’s Child (Americana) 4 p.m.

July 3, Pioneer Chicken Stand 7 p.m. July 3 and Granny’s Mason Jar 4 p.m. July 4. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public.

888.905.7238 or www.noc.com.

• “Pickin’ on the Square” (Franklin) will host Sundown (rock/soul) July 10. All shows start at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Located on Main Street. www.franklin-chamber.com.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host Matthew Oschmann (singer-song-

rooms getting hot, creating an atmosphere that is as fun for those listening as it is for us onstage. That’s why we do it. And that fuels the passion, the creativity. It’s a double positive feedback loop.”

The show is free and open to the public.

The band’s debut album “Pack Mule” is now available for purchase. For more information, click on www.facebook.com/oldirtybathtub.

writer) July 2 and Jason Lyles (singer-songwriter) July 16. Shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. www.rathskellerfranklin.com.

• Saturdays On Pine (Highlands) will be held at the Kelsey-Hutchinson Park from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with Blaze The City July 3 and Kurt Thomas Band July 10. Free and open to the public. www.highlandschamber.org.

• Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will host Zach Williams (rock/country) at 7:30 p.m. July 1. Tickets start at $28. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to www.smokymountainarts.com.

• Stecoah Valley Center (Robbinsville) “An Appalachian Evening” series will host The Jeff Little Trio July 10 ($25), Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road July 17 ($15) and Darin & Brooke Aldridge July 24 ($25). 828.479.3364 or www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.

• Unplugged Pub (Bryson City) will host Blackjack Country July 1, UpBeats July 2 and Outlaw Whiskey July 3. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public.

828.538.2488.

• Valley Tavern (Maggie Valley) will host Ricky Gunter 6 p.m. July 10 and Twisted Trail 3 p.m. July 11. 828.926.7440 or www.valleytavern.com.

On the beat

On the street

All In One.

Live music, fireworks in Sylva

many other accolades to his credit.

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

Summer at Lake Junaluska Lake Junaluska’s Summer Activities Program, which offers free and low-cost activities that celebrate faith, recreation, arts and education, is now underway.

June 30-July 6, 2021

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce will host the “July 4 Fireworks Festivities” with the All In One party band from 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 4, in downtown Sylva.

This year’s special event will feature live music by the All In One party band from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., one of the best R&B bands in the Southeast, followed by the fireworks show when the sun goes down about 9:45 p.m. The fireworks will be visible from all over downtown Sylva.

There will be free children’s activities provided by the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department as well. These include cornhole boards and an appearance by entertainer Professor Whizzpop (bubbles, balloons, magic, etc.).

There will be food and fun for all ages at this family-friendly celebration. Please observe Covid-safe practices if you have not been fully-vaccinated. No coolers, no smoking, no alcohol. Well behaved dogs must be on a leash.

For more information, call 828.586.2155 or visit www.mountainlovers.com.

The annual Cherokee Voices Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, July 10, at The Museum of the Cherokee Indian.

Elders and millennials will be sharing traditional Cherokee culture through dance, music, storytelling, food and cultural arts demonstrations. This is a great way to immerse yourself in Cherokee culture, and to talk with Cherokee artists and performers.

Admission is free and open to the public. Sponsored by the N.C. Arts Council and The Museum of the Cherokee Indian.

For more information, click on www.visitcherokeenc.com.

Now in its eighth year, Lake Junaluska’s Summer Activities Program features special events such as birding tours and guided hikes as well as weekly activities including morning devotions, clogging lessons, community bonfires, yoga sessions and outdoor movies. Program activities start in late June and continue through early August.

Summer Activities Program weekly activities have begun, with morning devotions, movie nights on Mondays, game nights on Tuesdays, and community bonfires on Thursdays. Evening yoga sessions on Tuesdays, morning yoga sessions on Wednesdays and clogging lessons on Fridays, all offered outdoors, are $10 per person.

Special events include a free outdoor clogging performance by the J. Creek Cloggers on Friday, July 2, at the lakeside white tent. Those with a competitive spirit are invited to participate in the Shuffleboard Shuffle play on July 2 or play in Firecracker Fast Four Tennis on July 3.

Less physically demanding leisure activities also include bird tours guided by Christine Boone Gibson and summer book reading and review with Diana Foederer and friends.

The Summer Activities Program is made possible through charitable giving.

For more information, visit www.lakejunaluska.com/summeractivities.

arts & entertainment

Cherokee festival showcases artists, storytelling

‘Mouth of the South’ swings into Waynesville

One of contemporary Christian music’s leading artists and songwriters, Zach Williams will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 1, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Williams blends the hard luck truths of outlaw country, the dirt road grit of southern rock, and a firm grounding in Christian faith to create songs that enlighten and uplift. He’s also a Grammy award-winning artist, with

Smoky Mountain News

Grammy-winner to play Franklin

Jazz/swing duo Russ Wilson & Hank Bones will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 10, at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville.

His voice will stop you in your tracks.

Known as the “Mouth of the South,” Wilson is a bridge to an era, a time when style and class were synonymous with musicianship and showmanship.

A beloved crooner in Western North Carolina, Wilson performs in as many different and varied groups as there are days in the week. One day, he’ll jump in with an old-time gypsy jazz outfit at a wine lounge playing selections from the 1920s and ‘30s, the next, he’ll be adorned in a tuxedo fronting a 16piece big band orchestra onstage playing numbers from the ‘40s and ‘50s.

Limited seating. Reservations required.

Cost is $69 per person, which includes dinner.

For more information and a full menu, call 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

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On the wall

arts & entertainment

FREE ESTIMATES HaywoodBuilders.com 100 Charles St. WAYNESVILLE

your friendly, local blue box — smoky mountain news

• “A Living Language: Cherokee Syllabary and Contemporary Art,” an exhibit at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian (located in Cherokee), features over 50 works of art in a variety of media by over 30 Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and Cherokee Nation artists. The exhibition highlights the use of the written Cherokee language, a syllabary developed by Cherokee innovator Sequoyah (circa 1776–1843). Cherokee syllabary is frequently found in the work of Cherokee artists as a compositional element or the subject matter of the work itself. The exhibition will be on view at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian in Cherokee through Oct. 31. Learn more by visiting www.mci.org.

• The Folk Art Center in Asheville has opened its Main Gallery exhibition showcasing the Graduating Class of 2021 of Haywood Community College’s Professional Crafts Program. The showcase will run through Aug. 22. It is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.craftguild.org or call 828.298.7928.

Smoky Mountain News

June 30-July 6, 2021

ALSO:

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• The “Thursday Painters” group will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays at The Uptown Gallery in Franklin. Free and open to the public. All skill levels and mediums are welcome. Participants are responsible for their own project and a bag lunch. For more information, call The Uptown Gallery at 828.349.4607 or contact Pat Mennenger at pm14034@yahoo.com. See more about Macon County Art Association at www.franklinuptowngallery.com and follow them on Facebook.

• The Haywood County Arts Council’s “Art Works @ The Library,” a collaborative program between the Haywood County Public Library system and the HCAC, is currently showcasing works by artist Cayce Moyer at the Canton Library. Working in traditional and mixed media, Moyer blends the worlds of high-brow and low-brow work. Classically trained at Savannah College of Art and Design, her portfolio includes drawing, painting, sculpture, illustration, graphic design, murals, and set prop painting for theatre and TV. • Farmer’s Market (with artisans) will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through October at 117 Island Street in Bryson City. Stop by the old barn by the river for local, homegrown produce, as well as baked goods, jellies and preserves, authentic crafts, and more. Food truck, picnic tables and a strolling musician. Leashed pets are welcome. Outdoor event. Current Covid-19 safety protocols will be followed and enforced. 828.488.7857.

• Open call for artists to sell their work in the Carriage House Gift Shop at the historic Shelton House in Waynesville. For details, call 757.894.2293.

On the wall

Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

Haywood County TDA photo

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arts & entertainment

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paintings, photography, pottery, wooden bowls, furniture, jewelry, goat milk soaps and more will be featured at the event.

“There really is something for everyone, from the most affordable handicrafts, to the more expensive museum quality items,” said Teresa Smith, promoter of the event. www.maggievalleyfestivalgrounds.com.

‘We are Still Here’ Cherokee exhibit

Want to paint, sip craft beer?

The “WNC Paint Night” will return to local breweries in Haywood, Jackson and Swain counties.

With step-by-step instructions, you will paint yourself a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

This is pure fun to do while you sip on something tasty at the brewery.

Events will be held at the following loca-

tions: Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) from 6 to 8 p.m. July 22, Aug. 19, Sept.

16, Oct. 14, Nov. 11 and Dec. 9; and Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) from 6 to 8 p.m. July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 29, Oct. 27, Nov. 17 and Dec. 22; BearWaters Brewing (Canton) from 6 to 8 p.m. July 8, Aug. 5, Sept. 2 and 30, Nov. 12 and Dec. 23.

Space is limited. Reserve your seat by texting Robin Arramae at 828.400.9560. To learn more, visit the Facebook page @paintwnc or Instagram @wnc_paint_events.

Smoky Mountain News

The Haywood County Arts Council in downtown Waynesville has announced July’s exhibition, titled “We are Still Here: Eastern Band of Cherokee.”

“The show provides an opportunity for Eastern Band of Cherokee artists to share their culture, talents, and skills with our neighbors and our community. It is also a chance to introduce our neighbors to the diversity and uniqueness of the Cherokee people” said artist/show coordinator Jody Bradley Lipscomb.

The exhibition will run from July 3-31 and feature 10 different artists. Additionally, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday, there will be artists’ demonstrations by the participating exhibition artists: July 3 Gabe Crowe (baskets), July 10 Alica Wildcatt (jewelry), July 17 Loria A. Reed (finger-weaving/beadwork), July 24 Tara McCoy (pottery) and July 31 Jarrett Grey Wildcatt (musician/artist). www.haywoodarts.org.

June 30-July 6, 2021

The Maggie Valley Arts & Crafts Show will be held July 10-11 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

Maggie Valley’s largest gathering of artisans and crafters come together to sell their handmade treasures. Artisans from all over the Southeast will be in attendance.

Chainsaw art demonstrations and lots of festival food. Seasonal items, yard art,

27

arts & entertainment

On the table

On the stage

• The “BBQ & Brews Dinner Train’’ will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on select dates at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. Full service all-adult first class car. Craft beer pairings with a meal, and more. For more information and/or to register, call 800.872.4681 or click on www.gsmr.com.

‘Unto These Hills’ outdoor drama

• “Dillsboro After Five” will take place from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m on Wednesdays in downtown Dillsboro. Start with a visit to the Jackson County Farmers Market located in the Innovation Station parking lot. Stay for dinner and take advantage of late-hour shopping. www.mountainlovers.com.

ALSO:

• There will be a free wine tasting from 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday and 2 to 5 p.m every Saturday at The Wine Bar & Cellar in Sylva. 828.631.3075.

Smoky Mountain News

June 30-July 6, 2021

• The “Uncorked: Wine & Rail Pairing Experience” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on select dates at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. Full service all-adult first class car.

Wine pairings with a meal, and more.

For more information and/or to register, call 800.872.4681 or click on www.gsmr.com.

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The “Unto These Hills” stage production will be held at 8 p.m.

Monday to Saturday through Aug. 14 at the Mountainside Theater in Cherokee. There will also be a 10:30 a.m. show on Saturday, June 26, and all Saturdays in July.

This decades-old acclaimed outdoor drama traces the Cherokee people through the eons, through the zenith of their power, through the heartbreak of the Trail of Tears, finally ending, appropriately, in the present day, where the Cherokee people, much like their newly re-scripted drama, continue to rewrite their place in the world — a place based on traditional Cherokee values and modern sensibilities.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click on www.cherokee historical.org.

HART’s first outdoor show The Haywood Arts Regional Theatre will present “Billy Goat Gruff ” as their first outdoor musical through July 4.

Audiences are invited to bring a blanket or chair, relax in the summer sun, and enjoy this one act musical featuring that Appalachian sound we all love.

“Billy Goat Gruff ” tells a tale of adventure, believing in yourself, and not judging others.

Actors play instruments, create sound effects and scenery, and sing soaring melodies that fill the HART outdoor amphitheatre.

Amongst the band of actors you’ll hear fiddle, stand up bass, auto-harp, ukulele, djembe and HART will have the composer of “Billy Goat Gruff,” Ben Mackel, on guitar. “Billy Goat Gruff ” is suitable for all ages and would be a great first show for your grandkids or a lovely afternoon outside with your sweetheart.

“Billy Goat Gruff ” will have matinee performances with Fridays at 10 a.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m., and Sundays at 4 p.m.

You can check HART’s Facebook or Instagram for updates if you are worried about rain cancellations. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students, and will only be sold at the door for all outdoor performances.

Groups of 10 or more get $2 off per ticket, so bring the whole family or friend group. www.harttheatre.org.

Sharp, clear writing, but it left me wanting

Best selling authors in Cashiers Friends of the Albert Carlton Cashiers Library will present two author speaking events, 3 p.m. July 9 and July 30 at The Village Green Commons Hall.

These events are by reservation as seating is limited.

The first event on Friday, July 9, features Karen White, New York Times bestselling author of 28 books, including the popular Charleston-set Tradd Street mystery series.

On Friday, July 30, USA Today bestselling author Susan Meissner will be speaking. She is the author of several award-winning historical fiction books such as Bright As Heaven, Secrets of a Charmed Life, and Fall of Marigolds.

Books will be available to buy and the author to sign at both events. For reservations, call the Cashiers library at 828.743.0215. For more information, visit www.villagegreencashiersnc.com and click on the calendar to read more about each author and event.

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Smoky Mountain News

in with human beings, particularly women, and other monkeys.

At one point, the monkey confesses that he steals the names of women to whom he is attracted. “If I feel like it, I can steal someone’s name and make it my own.” He then explains he makes the name “a part of me,” which can apparently leave the women sometimes feeling disoriented. Near the end of their chat, the monkey says, “But even if love fades away, even if it’s unrequited, you can still hold on to the memory of having loved someone, of having fallen in love with someone. And that’s a valuable sense of warmth.”

The narrator never sees the monkey again. Years later, however, he meets a beautiful woman for a “work-related appointment,” who has trouble remembering her name. Her purse was stolen, then returned, with only the driver’s license missing.

Regarding her confusion, which he attributes to the monkey, he tells us, “She was blameless, after all. Nothing about it was her fault. I do feel bad about it, but I still can’t bring myself to tell her about the Shinagawa monkey.”

“Charlie Parker Plays Bossa Nova” brings us a narrator who in college wrote a piece

describing this famous jazz musician as playing Bossa Nova, which never happened.

Years later, he stumbles across an album in a used record store titled “Charlie Parker Plays Bossa Nova.” The list of songs perfectly matches those he had made up in college.

Because the record costs $35, which he considers overprices, he doesn’t buy it, but realizes he’s made a mistake and returns the next day to purchase it. The record’s gone, of course, if it ever existed, and the narrator then has a vivid dream of speaking with Charlie Parker. At the end of the story, he asks: “Can you believe it?

“You’d better. Because it happened.

“It really did.”

And those lines sum up my difficulties with First Person Singular. I didn’t believe it.

Any of it.

I found much to like in these stories. The narrator is engaging and at times humorous, the writing is sharp, clear, and warm, and I enjoyed the narrator’s commentary that followed these mysterious encounters. But I just couldn’t buy into the stories.

And my disbelief made me wonder whether I, and not the author, was at fault.

With his credentials and reputation, the prolific Murakami is clearly admired and read by a host of fans around the globe. The blurb at the front of the book touts these stories as having “a signature Murakami twist,” so I assume these stories are typical of the writer’s work overall.

So perhaps our mutual misunderstanding derives from my own ignorance.

Once upon a time — I use those words deliberately, as that part of my life now seems a fairy tale — I taught literature to seminars of homeschooling students.

Occasionally, after reading a classic like The Old Man and the Sea, a student might say to me, “Hemingway sucks.” Inevitably, I’d offer a correction, pointing out that the writer had earned a reputation and won awards like the Nobel Prize. “Better to say,” I’d tell them, “I don’t get Hemingway.”

And so it is with Haruki Murakami and myself. He has a huge following, and I’m either too dense or too narrow-minded to find the magic in his stories.

(Jeff Minick reviews books and has written four of his own: two novels, Amanda Bell and Dust On Their Wings, and two works of nonfiction, Learning As I Go and Movies Make the Man. minick0301@gmail.com)

JULY 17

Jeff Minick

work for the inn, later agrees to meet the man for conversation in his room. He arrives with two large beers, which they share, and the monkey explains he has difficulty fitting

June 30-July 6, 2021

“Call me Ishmael.” That opening to Herman Melville’s Moby Dick is one of the most famous lines in literature.

“Call me Baffled.” That is how I felt after reading several of the short stories in Haruki Murakami’s collection, First Person Singular (Alfred A. Knopf, 2020, 247 pages, translated from the Japanese by Philip Gabriel).

Though unfamiliar with Murakami’s work, I selected his book from the “New Fiction” shelf at the library, read the list of works by this prolific author, found that his fiction has been translated into more than 50 languages, and after Writer reading a few pages, liked his prose.

So Murakami joined me on the ride home, where later that evening I began reading his stories.

In “Cream,” the narrator tells a younger friend “about a strange incident that took place back when I was eighteen.” He receives an invitation to a recital from a beautiful female pianist he’d had a crush on in school, arrives on time at the appointed place and hour, finds the building and grounds deserted, sits on a bench in a small park, overhears a brimstone-and-fire sermon, presumably from a passing car, and wakes up to find an old man seated on a bench opposite him. “A circle with many centers,” the old man says, and then goes on to describe what he means.

“Close your eyes and think it all thorough. A circle that has many centers but no circumference. Your brain is made to think about difficult things….Right now is the critical time. Because this is the period when your brain and your heart form and solidify.”

At the story’s end, when we return to the narrator and his friend, he confesses that he has thought of this encounter many times, speculated without much success on the meaning of the old man’s message, and that “whenever something disturbing happens to me, I ponder again that special circle.”

In “Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey,” our narrator stays in an old, rundown inn. While he relaxes in the public bath, a monkey enters, speaks to him, and offers to wash and rub his back. They discover an affinity for music, Bruckner and Strauss, and the monkey, who claims to

arts & entertainment

HAPPY

On the shelf

29

30

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

Campers release their homemade water rockets from the launch pad.

Holly Kays photo

tion of skill, craftsmanship and a lucky burst of wind supported an exceptionally high flight, the landbound pilot running furiously while doling out string to keep the craft aloft.

The kites weren’t the only objects flying through the air.

Another section of the lot featured three launching stations where campers could offer their handmade water rockets for testing.

Made from two-liter soda bottles, the projectiles were powered by water sloshing in the bottom compartment. The launching stations included air pumps that pressurized the water, eventually building up enough power to thrust the rockets up into the sky. If all went as planned, the rocket would launch and a parachute attached to the top would deploy midair, causing the rocket to drift lazily back to the ground.

“Ready?” shouted Scott Miller, who teaches STEM to grades six through eight at Smokey Mountain Elementary School when he’s not at Astro Camp. “On five, on four, on three, two, one, blast off!”

With that, the students released their creations, and observers quickly shifted their gaze from ground to sky — out of fascination with the flight, and out of instinct to get out of the way of any falling debris.

“Aria, perfect parachute deployment!” called Miller after a particularly beautiful result. “Perfect parachute deployment!”

DOING SCIENCE

Launchpad to space Camp builds enthusiasm for middle grades

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER t 10 a.m. Friday, June 25, the parking lot above the Jackson County Early College was nothing but a mundane expanse of asphalt on the upper campus of Southwestern Community College, all but deserted for summer break.

But within half an hour, it transformed into a launch pad for 40 aspiring astronauts, engineers, researchers and other world changers.

“A lot of stuff you read in a book, you

A

know it, but once you do it, it’s different,” said Eden Chen, a rising ninth grader at Smoky Mountain Elementary School, as he worked with 12-year-old Ranier Finley to execute one last launch of his tetrahedral kite.

BLAST OFF Each of the 40 fourth through ninthgraders attending Astro Camp at SCC had made their own kite out of straws, string and tissue paper, carefully arranging the components to maximize the contraption’s aerodynamic qualities. All over the parking lot, kids congregated in groups to doctor their kites between flights, while sporadic shouts of encouragement erupted whenever a combina-

The parking lot launch party came at the end of two weeks filled with building water filters, kites and two different kinds of rockets, dissecting squid and crayfish, experimenting with virtual reality and escape rooms and dabbling with computer coding. It was a lot of learning, according to SMES sixth-grader Kaneya Simpson, but it was so expertly disguised as fun that you barely realized it was academic.

“Every project has some technology, math and science,” she said. “You don’t even notice because you’re having fun while doing it.”

That’s the idea.

The camp, now in its third year, is offered

by SCC’s Smoky Mountains STEM

The 40 students in this year’s group represent the largest Astro Camp cohort yet. Holly Kays photo

Collaborative, which is supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Science Activation Program that aims to help learners of all ages “do” science. The SMSC is one of just 29 organizations nationwide to participate in NASA’s collaborative program, and the only one in North Carolina. It first joined the program — and the grant funding that comes with it — in 2015. The 2017 solar eclipse’s projected path through Western North Carolina factored significantly in that initial approval, with the funding mainly supporting astronomy and eclipse-themed events and activities.

Funding was recently extended for another five years, set to last through 2025.

Astro Camp, first offered in 2018, is free for students to attend and made possible by grant money, but also by enthusiasm and effort on the part of SMSC Project Coordinator Randi Neff and a cadre of committed teachers at Smokey Mountain Elementary.

While the grant covered the $10,000 cost of hiring five teachers and two student interns for two weeks, plus supplies for the activities, it was still up to the teachers to make a limited amount of money go a long way. Case in point: in order to cut supply costs, teachers dug the soda bottles used to make rockets out of dumpsters.

But despite the extra effort required to make camp happen — at the end of a topsyturvy year that has presented teachers with never-before-seen challenges — SMES teachers staffing the camp said they wouldn’t miss it for the world. Like many other beloved activities, Astro Camp didn’t happen in 2020.

Because the space they’d previously used at SMES isn’t available this year due to increased space demands for summer school, it almost didn’t happen this year either. Luckily, SCC opened its doors.

“We lobbied for camp to be here, because this is such a rejuvenating time to spend time with kids and really just get to play with no pressure,” said Charity Jamison, a sixth-grade teacher at SMES. “It’s low stakes, there’s no testing, there’s no paperwork. We do all of our planning on the front end. And then we just get to come and have fun for two weeks with kids and learn with

F

Report highlights toxic waste risk in hurricane paths A recently released report from the Environment North Carolina Research and Policy Center and the N.C. PIRG Education Fund highlights the serious threat that toxic Superfund waste sites pose when the lay in the paths of hurricanes and tropical storms.

“Every year, North Carolinians contend with the risk of losing their homes and their lives from devastating storms.

They shouldn’t have to worry that flood damage could also mean toxic waste contamination,” said Drew Ball, Environment North Carolina Research and Policy

“Who doesn’t want to go to space?” said Suzanne Hummer, a science teacher at SMES, as she watched the water rockets fly.

“My biggest problem is I was born about 50 years too soon. I can’t go to space. That’s not going to happen.

“But they’ll go,” she said, gesturing toward the kids preparing to launch their rockets.

It’s easy to see that she really believes that, as do the other teachers spending part of their summer break hanging out with a bunch of teens and pre-teens building self-propelled science projects. The goal of the program is to get the students

Two people are dead following a June 22 collision between a motorcycle and a passenger van in the Balsam area of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

At approximately 5 p.m., Parkway rangers received a report of the crash at Milepost 450.

When they arrived, CPR was in progress on the operator and passenger of the motorcycle by an off-duty firefighter and doctor who came

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Smoky Mountain News

‘THEY’LL GO’

to believe it, too.

Amanda Hall, a former SMES teacher in her third year of teaching camp, is now a doctoral student at N.C. State studying how well Astro Camp is meeting that aim.

“What we’ve learned is that a lot of them don’t feel incredibly confident when they get here about their abilities, but by the time they leave camp, they have a pretty firm belief that they can accomplish just about anything,” she said. “And a lot of that has to do with the instructors being very open to the students making mistakes, doing things over again, undoing things that need to be undone, starting over if you need to do.”

In interviews conducted on that last day of camp, the students certainly sounded confident.

“Definitely,” said Sampson, 11, when asked if she’s thinking about a career in science when she grows up. “I’ve always dreamed about being a scientist and finding vaccines for people who need it. Maybe if there’s a virus or another outbreak, I was hoping to find a cure for it.”

Finley, 12, said he wants to be a mechanical engineer when he grows up, and that his experience at camp made him even more excited about that future.

“It just made me realize how fun that would be and how important it is to the world too, for all the things we do,” said the rising seventh-grader at Summit Charter School. “We wouldn’t be here today without like all the mechanical engineering and software and technology.”

Not every kid who loves Astro Camp will go into a STEM career, Neff acknowledges. And that’s OK. When facing the trial and error and frustration of trying and failing to build a tetrahedral kite, or a rocket, or a rubber band-powered paddleboat — and then, finally, experiencing the joy of success — the kids learn a lot more than scientific concepts.

“It would be nice if they went into STEM careers, but even if they don’t,” said Neff, “it’s just an understanding of how science is done, and how to persist.”

upon the accident. Local EMS took over after arriving on the scene.

The motorcycle driver, 70-year-old Larry McElroy, and his wife 71-year-old Brenda McElroy, both of Williamson, Georgia, succumbed to their injuries on the scene. Neither of the van’s two occupants sustained any injuries.

The McElroys were traveling southbound in a curve when they crossed into the northbound lane, hitting the oncoming van. An investigation is ongoing to determine if there were any further, contributing factors.

June 30-July 6, 2021

them.”

In her view, the teachers need camp just as much as the kids do.

“It pumps me up,” she said.

The 2021 Astro Camp was both the largest and the longest of the three camps that the SMSC has executed thus far, serving 40 kids for two weeks. Previous camps had lasted only one week.

While Astro Camp is the biggest-ticket item that SMSC oversees, it’s far from the only one. In addition to the $10,000 spent for camp, the NASA funding provides $7,700 for NASA-related content in the four school districts the collective serves.

During the next five years of the program, SMSC plans to increase STEM outreach to technical trade programs like welding and shorter-term workforce training programs at SCC, and to build a more vibrant network for STEM organizations to use the NASA content. Current project partners include Jackson County Public Schools, Macon County Schools, Swain County Schools, Cherokee Central Schools, Appalachian State University, Western Carolina University, Haywood Waterways, The Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau, Fontana Regional Library, Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Marshall Space Flight Center.

Parkway motorcycle crash leaves two dead

Center director.

The report, “A Perfect Storm: When Tropical Storms Meet Toxic Waste,” pulls together data from the National Hurricane Center and the Environmental Protection Agency to show that 810 sites were in areas affected by hurricanes and tropical storms during the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, including twenty-two in North Carolina.

Additionally, the report made recommendations to the EPA for improving and expediting cleanup at these sites.

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history with a recordbreaking 30 named storms, 11 of which made landfall in the United States.

Read the report at www.environmentnorthcarolina.org/reports/nce/perfectstorm.

outdoors

A camper tests out the tetrahedral kite he’d tinkered with throughout the two-week camp. Holly Kays photo

smokymountainfootclinic.com MEDICARE PROVIDERS & MOST OTHER INSURANCES ACCEPTED

31

outdoors

fishing license is required for people age 16 and older.

Authorized by the N.C. General Assembly in 1994 and sponsored by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, North Carolina’s annual free fishing day, which always falls on July 4, was created to promote the sport of fishing.

Float Lake Junaluska Fish for free on Independence Day Free Fishing Day will return to North Carolina’s public waters on Saturday, July 4, with anybody regardless of age or residency allowed to fish without a license on that day.

Free fishing begins at midnight and ends at 11:59 p.m. While licenses will not be required during that time, all other fishing regulations such as length and possession limits as well as bait and tackle restrictions still apply. On all other days of the year, a

Take a float on Lake Junaluska 4-5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 11, with MountainTrue.

Western Regional Director Callie Moore will join a member of partner organization Haywood Waterways Association for an easy, family-friendly float on the lake. Participants will learn about the lake’s history and ongoing efforts to improve water quality during a leisurely paddle of the shoreline.

Cost is $5 for MountainTrue members and $15 for nonmembers. Bring your own boat or rent one for $10. Register at www.mountaintrue.org/event/summer-fun-float-on-lakejunaluska.

Swim, bike and run Lake Logan

Smoky Mountain News

June 30-July 6, 2021

Registration is now open for the Lake Logan Multisport Festival, which will return for the 15th year Aug. 7-8 at Lake Logan in Haywood County.

The weekend will kick off Saturday, Aug. 7, with a half-ironman race that includes a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run.

Sunday, Aug. 8, will hold two races. The international triathlon race will include a 1,500-meter swim, 24-mile bike ride and 10-kilometer run, while the shorter sprint triathlon will feature a 500-meter swim, 12-mile bike ride and 5-kilometer run.

All events include aquabike and relay categories as well.

Learn more or sign up at www.gloryhoundevents.com/event/lake-logan-multisport-festival.

Cyclists leave the newly improved parking area to cruise Cades Cove. NPS photo

Wednesday shuttle service available for Cades Cove A new shuttle service for Cades Cove will start up July 7, continuing 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Wednesday through Sept. 1.

Rocky Top Tours will provide the service from Townsend, Tennessee, allowing visitors to attend Vehicle-Free Wednesdays without navigating the hectic parking situation in Cades Cove.

“Vehicle-free Wednesdays in Cades Cove continues to be extremely popular,” said Superintendent Cassius Cash. “Our staff has worked hard to manage safe parking access, including making improvements to a field traditionally used for parking that allowed us to add 85 more spots this year. But, the demand still far exceeds the space and we’re hopeful the shuttle service will allow more people the opportunity to enjoy this unique experience.”

During 2021, parking lots have typically filled by 8 a.m. and remained full until 1

p.m., resulting in hundreds of cars being turned away during that time period as park staff and volunteers actively manage the parking process to improve visitor safety, prevent campground disruptions and reduce damaging roadside parking. The shuttle service will allow more visitors guaranteed access during the morning hours.

Reservations are encouraged at www.rockytoptours.com. Tickets are $25 per person and include roundtrip service that includes bicycle transport. Visitors who choose not to ride the shuttle should plan to visit Cades Cove in the late afternoon and early evening to better spread use throughout the day.

Vehicle-free Wednesdays run May 5 through Sept. 1. More volunteers are needed to help manage this weekly event. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/grsmccvfd.

Get certified in boat safety Learn to be safe on the water with a free certification course in boat safety, 6-9 p.m. July 1415, at Haywood Community College.

Participants must attend both sessions to receive certification. Certifications are required to get permitted for a variety of water-based activities in North Carolina. The course is offered free through a partnership between HCC and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

No age limit, but students must be able to take a written exam. Class size is limited to allow social distancing and face coverings are required. Additional courses will be offered Aug. 18-19 and Sept. 22-23. Pre-registration required at www.ncwildlife.org.

@SmokyMtnNews 32

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Originally enacted June 18 to extend through June 24, the Parkway’s tent ban is a response to increasing bear activity in the area. A young bear has established a pattern of entering occupied campsites, coming too close to campers and taking food from sites.

The ban extension aims to maintain camper safety while wildlife biologists and park staff continue working to redirect bears to natural food sources away from the campground.

Other Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds will honor Bear encounters tend to Mount Pisgah reserhappen more often in the vations for dates late spring and early sum- before July 1, and visimer, before more nutritious tor can also wait until o food sources like nuts and after July 1 to use berries are widely avail- their reservation at able. Donated photo Mount Pisgah.

Camping in cars is permitted, and some tent sites may accommodate hard-sided camping closure on the Appalachian Trail campers. Walk-up camping will be evaluatbetween Grassy Fork Road and Max Patch ed on a case-by-case basis to ensure equipRoad and an advisory to hikers camping in ment meets current requirements. other areas to use bear canisters to store When bears become habituated to their food. Bears have been taking bear human food and presence, they lose their bags from trees and rifling through campfear of people and may begin approaching ing supplies and gear. Bear activity has also them in search of food, with behavior been reported in other parts of Western becoming more unpredictable and dangerNorth Carolina’s national forests, including ous. Studies have shown that habituated the area near Old N.C. 105 in the bears do not live as long as bears that eat Grandfather District of the Pisgah National natural foods and remain afraid of people.

Forest and the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Find more bear safety tips at www.bearWilderness in the Nantahala National wise.org.

Forest.

A temporary ban on tents and soft-sided campers at Mount Pisgah Campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway has been extended through Thursday, July 1, due to ongoing bear activity.

Meanwhile, bear activity on U.S. Forest Service lands is prompting a continued

outdoors

Bear activity prompts continued camping restrictions

Join a Blue Ridge Parkway ranger to learn about the black bear’s remarkable comeback from near extinction — and about the true nature of one of the mountains’ most iconic animals — during this week’s Fridays at the Folk Art Center session, 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 2, at the Folk Art Center in Asheville.

The Folk Art Center is located at Milepost 382 on the Parkway. No restrooms will be available during this outdoor program. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now conducting five-year status reviews for 37 species, two of which can be found in North Carolina.

The five-year reviews ensure listing classifications under the Endangered Species Act are accurate and recommend changes in status where appropriate based on the latest science and analysis. They also offer opportunity to track the species’ recovery process and can provide valuable information to

guide future conservation efforts.

North Carolina species include: n Canby’s dropwort, Oxypolis canbyi. This endangered species is known to exist only in Scotland County within North Carolina, but its range also includes Maryland, South Carolina and Georgia. n Golden sedge, Carex lutea. This endangered species is known to exist only in the eastern part of North Carolina between Wilmington and Jacksonville.

The Federal Register notice announcing the status review is available online at https://www.regulations.gov/, under Docket # FWS–R4–ES–2020–N147. The public is invited to provide information and comments by Aug. 23.

Smoky Mountain News

Fish and Wildlife Service reviews status for 37 species

33

outdoors

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34

Puzzles can be found on page 38 These are only the answers.

After a pandemic-induced sabbatical, Mountain Wildlife Days will return to Sapphire Valley July 16-17.

Friday, July 16, will open with a bird walk led by the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society and also feature two hikes to scenic locations and waterfalls led by experienced local hike leaders. The Friday afternoon program for youth groups and kids will feature the Balsam Mountain Trust birds of prey program, giving attendees the chance to see everything from a tiny eastern screech owl to a bald eagle up close. The day will close with a program by pianist Bryan Heller followed by wildlife photographer Bill Lea’s special presentation “Caring for Creation.”

The Saturday, July 17, program will open with “Snake Man” Steve O’Neil and his collection of native reptiles, amphibians and other animals, followed by the ever-popular Rob Gudger and his wolves. The North Georgia Zoo will bring unusual animals from the Australian Outback for a “Zoo to You” program Saturday afternoon.

Cost is $5 for the Friday evening event and $8 for all-day admission Saturday, and kids are admitted free. All events take place at the Sapphire Valley Resort Community Center.

Mountain Wildlife Days is directed by John Edwards and sponsored by the Sapphire Valley Resort, area merchants and

A child looks on during one of the many live animal presentations featured at Mountain Wildlife Days.

Donated photo

friends of wildlife. Proceeds fund the Mountain Wildlife Days Western North Carolina Wildlife Outreach program, which provides wildlife and outdoor education events throughout the year at schools and other organizations across the region, in 2019 touching 1,400 people. www.mountainwildlifedays.com or 828.743.7663.

July 4 marks grand opening for Equinox Ranch Celebrate Independence Day along with the grand opening of Equinox Ranch in Cullowhee with a celebration starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 4.

There will be free food, games and music, along with a relaxing riverfront and opportunity to tour the ranch. The day will pay homage to Independence Day, the military and those who donated their skills, time and money to make the ranch a reality.

Equinox Ranch works to help combat veterans with PTSD, offering a longer and more comprehensive program than any currently in existence. Treatment includes both verbal therapies and activities such as music, gardening and art blended with the beauty of the natural landscape and camaraderie of fellow veterans.

RSVP at www.equinoxranch.org or 828.356.8307.

Plant sale to support town beautification A garden sale 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 3, will offer all manner of plants at the Haywood Historic Farmers Market in Waynesville.

The Mountain View Garden Club will be selling herbs, annuals and perennials for $1$5, including succulents, ferns and daylilies.

Garden art, candles, gazing balls, stone mosaics, bluebird houses, rustic chair planters and gently used garden tools and pots will be sold as well.

Proceeds support the beautification and maintenance of various public gardens in Waynesville, including topiaries at the library and the Shelton House gardens. The farmers market is located at 250 Pigeon Street in the HART Theatre parking lot.

Explore nature with Woodsy Owl Woodsy Owl’s Curiosity Club starts up Wednesday, July 7, at the Cradle of Forestry in America near Brevard.

Offered weekly from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays through Aug. 18, the program is intended for children ages 4 to 7 years old and offers a story, games, hands-on activities and a craft each week. Every program has a different theme — the July 7 theme is “Your Big Backyard.”

All children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required at cradleofforestry.com/event.

Program cost is $5 per child and adults must pay a $3 half-off site admission fee.

WNC Calendar JULY FOURTH EVENTS • Haywood Community Band returns to the historic Courthouse in Downtown Waynesville to perform favorite American music during the Stars and Stripes Celebration at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 3. The concert will feature John Philip Sousa's most famous march The Stars and Stripes Forever and a salute to military veterans.

• On July 3, members of the Glenville Area Historical Society will assist the Jimmy Dillard VFW organization in placing flags on the graves of area military veterans.

404.558.0377 or casolveit@yahoo.com.

• The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce presents Fireworks in Sylva from 5 p.m. until dark, Sunday, July 4. There will be food and drinks, activities for kids and a free concert at the pavilion.

• Free Fishing Day will return to North Carolina’s public waters on Saturday, July 4, with anybody regardless of age or residency allowed to fish without a license on that day. Free fishing begins at midnight and ends at 11:59 p.m. While licenses will not be required during that time, all other fishing regulations such as length and possession limits as well as bait and tackle restrictions still apply.

• Celebrate Independence Day along with the grand opening of Equinox Ranch in Cullowhee with a celebration starting at 1 p.m. Monday, July 4. There will be free food, games and music, along with a relaxing riverfront and opportunity to tour the ranch. Equinox Ranch works to help combat veterans with PTSD, offering a longer and more comprehensive program than any currently in existence. RSVP at www.equinoxranch.org or 828.356.8307.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS • Waynesville Yoga Center will host Yoga at Inspiration Point this summer. On Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Amber Russo will teach mixed level flow and on Thursday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Amber Kleid will teach gentle yoga.

AUTHORS AND BOOKS • Blue Ridge Books and News will host author Ron Rash from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, July 17. Tickets are $5 and include a 10 percent off coupon towards all Ron Rash books in stock. Limited seating, call 828.456.6000 to reserve a seat.

KIDS & FAMILIES • Voices in the Laurel will host Music & Art Camp July 19-32 at Long’s Chapel. Cost is free, register at https://registrations.planningcenteronline.com/signups/ 848310 . Contact kids@longschapel.com or voicesinthelaurel@gmail.com.

THE SPIRITUAL SIDE • There will be a Summer Worship Series at Lake Junaluska from June 27 to Aug. 1. The series includes spirited Sunday morning worship services led by inspirational preachers. All services will be held in the openair Amphitheater below the Lake Junaluska Cross at 9 a.m. unless otherwise indicated. Preachers in Residence will also be present at other weekly worship offerings, including evening Vespers and labyrinth prayer walks. lakejunaluska.com/summerworship.

• Truth seekers meetings take place from 6 to 8 p.m. every second and fourth Friday of the month at the Franklin library meeting room to have a short video or other presentation by a member followed by discussion and Bible reading. Contact jjurban55@gmail.com for more information.

Smoky Mountain News

n All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted. n To have your item listed email to calendar@smokymountainnews.com

A&E

• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host Isaiah Breedlove & The Old Pines July 17. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.0350 or www.boojumbrewing.com.

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Russ Wilson & Hank Bones (jazz/swing) July 10. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Limited seating. Reservations required.

Cost is $69 per person, which includes dinner.

828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Concerts on the Creek (Sylva) at Bridge Park will host Terry Lynn Queen w/Scott Baker & Tim Queen (classic rock) July 2, Fireworks Festivities w/All in One (rock/funk) 6 p.m. July 4 and Darren Nicholson Band (Americana/country) July 9. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public.

Sponsored by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. www.mountainlovers.com.

host “Bluegrass with Blue” July 2 and 9, Somebody’s Child (Americana) 4 p.m. July 3, Pioneer Chicken Stand 7 p.m. July 3 and Granny’s Mason Jar 4 p.m. July 4. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 888.905.7238 or www.noc.com.

• “Pickin’ on the Square” (Franklin) will host Sundown (rock/soul) July 10. All shows start at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public. Located on Main Street. www.franklin-chamber.com.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host Matthew Oschmann (singer-songwriter) July 2 and Jason Lyles (singer-songwriter) July 16. Shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. www.rathskellerfranklin.com.

• Saturdays On Pine (Highlands) will be held at the Kelsey-Hutchinson Park from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with Blaze The City July 3 and Kurt Thomas Band July 10. Free and open to the public. www.highlandschamber.org.

• Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will host Zach Williams (rock/country) at 7:30 p.m. July 1. Tickets start at $28. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to www.smokymountainarts.com.

• Stecoah Valley Center (Robbinsville) “An Appalachian Evening” series will host The Jeff Little Trio July 10 ($25), Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road July 17 ($15) and Darin & Brooke Aldridge July 24 ($25). 828.479.3364 or www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.

• Elevated Mountain Distilling Company will host The Maggie Valley Band (Americana/indie) 7 p.m. July 2.

Free and open to the public. 828.734.1084 or www.elevatedmountain.com.

• Unplugged Pub (Bryson City) will host Blackjack Country July 1, UpBeats July 2 and Outlaw Whiskey July 3. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.538.2488.

• Friday Night Live (Highlands) will be held at the Town Square from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with Foxfire Boys July 2 and Southern Highlands July 9. There will also be a special Independence Day concert with Moon Dance at 6 p.m.

July 4, with fireworks at dusk. Free and open to the public. www.highlandschamber.org.

• Valley Tavern (Maggie Valley) will host Ricky Gunter 6 p.m. July 10 and Twisted Trail 3 p.m. July 11.

828.926.7440 or www.valley-tavern.com.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Gin Mill Pickers 5 p.m. July 13. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public.

828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• There will be a free wine tasting from 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday and 2 to 5 p.m. every Saturday at The Wine Bar & Cellar in Sylva. 828.631.3075.

• The Haywood County Courthouse (Waynesville) will host the Haywood Community Band on the front lawn at 2 p.m. July 3 during the Stars & Stripes Celebration.

Free and open to the public.

• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host Kathryn O’Shea July 4, Tropical Trivia 7 p.m. July 6, “Divas On Tap” drag show 8:30 p.m. July 10 and Shane Meade July 11. All events are free and begin at 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host Bird In Hand (Americana/indie) w/Rye Baby (Americana/indie) at 7 p.m. July 4. Free and open to the public. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host “Reggae Sunsplash” w/Natti Love Joys July 3, Yard Karaoke 7 p.m. July 9 and Crossfire July 10. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.342.5133 or www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host Arnold Hill (rock/jam) July 9 and Karaoke in the Smokies (live instruments backing the singers) July 16. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host a “Jazz Night” from 7 to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Ol’ Dirty Bathtub 7:30 p.m. July 2. Free and open to the public.

828.641.9797 or www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• Nantahala Outdoor Center (Nantahala Gorge) will

FOOD AND DRINK • Bryson City Wine Market will host weekly wine flight tasting events from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The market will also serve wine by the glass from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

• The “BBQ & Brews Dinner Train” will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on select dates at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. Full service all-adult first class car. Craft beer pairings with a meal, and more. For more information and/or to register, call 800.872.4681 or click on www.gsmr.com.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • Montford Park Players presents world premiere of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Produced by Montford Park Players at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. The show will run June 25 through July 31, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at montfordparkplayers.org and are, as always, FREE.

Outdoors

• Woodsy Owl’s Curiosity Club starts up Wednesday, July 7, at the Cradle of Forestry in America near Brevard.

Offered weekly from 10:30 to noon on Wednesdays through Aug. 18, the program is intended for children ages 4 to 7 years old. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required at

35

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

Complete listings of local music scene Regional festivals Art gallery events and openings Complete listings of recreational offerings at health and fitness centers n Civic and social club gatherings cradleofforestry.com/event. Program cost is $5 per child and adults must pay a $3 half-off site admission fee.

• Join a Blue Ridge Parkway ranger to learn about the black bear’s remarkable comeback from near extinction — and about the true nature of one of the mountains’ most iconic animals — during this week’s Fridays at the Folk Art Center session, 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 2, at the Folk Art Center in Asheville. No restrooms will be available during this outdoor program. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on.

• The Mountain View Garden Club will hold its garden sale from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 3, at the Haywood Historic Farmers Market in Waynesville.

• Haywood County Parks and Recreation will guide a hike at Fork Mountain at 7:30 a.m. July 7. The hike will be led by Kevin Fitzgerald and Greg Shuping. Hikes are $10 per person, paid at registration. Contact Haywood Parks and Rec to register at 828.452.6789 or Ian.smith@haywoodcountync.gov.

• Haywood County Parks and Recreation will guide a birding tour at Lake Junaluska at 7:30 a.m. July 10. The tour will be led by Kevin Burke. Contact Haywood Parks and Rec to register at 828.452.6789 or Ian.smith@haywoodcountync.gov.

• Haywood County Parks and Recreation will guide a fly-fishing expedition at 8 a.m. July 10, at Richland Creek. All expeditions are $10 paid at registration.

Contact Haywood Parks and Rec to register at 828.452.6789 or Ian.smith@haywoodcountync.gov.

• Haywood Waterways Association will host a familyfriendly float on Lake Junaluska from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 11. Learn about the lake's history and ongoing efforts to improve water quality while leisurely paddling along the shoreline. 828.258.8737 ext. 201 outings@mountaintrue.org.

• Haywood County Parks and Recreation will guide a hike on Big East Fork Trail at 1 p.m. July 11. The hike will be led by Kathy Odvody and Lisa Cook. Hikes are $10 per person, paid at registration. Contact Haywood Parks and Rec to register at 828.452.6789 or Ian.smith@haywoodcountync.gov.

• Take an afternoon float on Lake Junaluska 4-5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 11, with MountainTrue. Cost is $5 for MountainTrue members and $15 for nonmembers.

Bring your own boat or rent one for $10. Register at www.mountaintrue.org/event/summer-fun-float-onlake-junaluska.

Market WNC PLACE

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The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 copies across 500 locations in Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, including the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County.

Visit www.wncmarketplace.com to place your ad!

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Automobiles

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1990 FORD F-150 XLT Lariat 4x4. 79k miles.

Runs good. Located in west Waynesville. Truck boasts an automatic transmission, 5.8L 351 V-8, with manual locking hub 4WD. Black exterior, scarlet red interior. Has fully functional power windows and power locks. Vinyl bench seating in great condition.

Sliding rear window.

Major repairs performed include: new full brake assembly and new steering column/steering wheel. Minor repairs performed: new battery and regular oil changes.

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BOOTS STEAKHOUSE IN DILLSBORO Boots Steakhouse in Dillsboro is now hiring Servers, Bussers, Cooks and Dishwashers. Our employees earn top wages and we are ranked the #1 Steakhouse by Trip Advisor in the Carolina Mountains. Please apply to: bootssteakhouse@gmail.com to schedule an in person interview. You can also call 828-631-9713 and view our website: www. bootssteakhouse.com

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SUPER

CROSSWORD

UNTHEMED #1: MASSIVE MIDDLE ACROSS 1 City in Orange County, California 11 Extended animal shelter initiative 21 Regular guy 22 Well-practiced pieces 23 Good snorkeling sites 24 Within a single school 25 Have a brawl 26 -- liver (dish rich in iron) 28 Secret agent 29 -- -mell (confused) 30 Frozen water 31 Narrow sea routes 33 Title girl in a J.D. Salinger story 35 Swift feline 39 "Have a Heart" singer Bonnie 41 Total up again 45 People giving accounts 49 Many Bosnians 51 Socratic "T" 52 Homer Simpson voicer Dan 56 Opiate, e.g.

58 Johnson of old comedy 59 Some rupee spenders 60 Most tranquil 61 Ring around the collar?

62 Cellars 64 "Mercy me!"

65 Ring around the collar?

67 Diet for a boxer 69 Get a move on 72 Discussion venue 74 Ponchos' kin 76 -- Fernando Valley

77 80 81 82 83 85 86 88 89 91 93 97 99 103 104 107 109 110 113 116 118 119 120 121

Major U.S. field yield Soft, knit fabrics Herr von Bismarck She admired the Man of Steel Perfume ingredient Suffix with methSoothing additives Like needles with fibers through them Resembling a hornet, say "Republic" philosopher Largest parts of brains Memo start "Dream on!"

Bk. after Exodus Send cyberjunk to Kind Took illegally Electric resistance measure Long-life-cycle plants Cabal boss "Way to go, hero!"

Field of a retail boss Gazpacho, basically Warnings about shady deals

DOWN 1 Milk-derived 2 Affirm as true 3 Olympian Jackie Joyner- 4 Distinctive stretches 5 Descend 6 Horrid giant 7 "Riddle me, riddle me --" 8 Thrust out 9 As of now 10 Model 3 car

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 27 31 32 34 36 37 38 40 42 43 44

46 47 48 50 52 53 54 55 57 62 63 66 68

Former Sony record label Where lions lie Makes a selection Be guilty of Waiters' loads 24-hr. cash cache Certain wig Put to work Verbal Tony-winning Carter Method of valuing inventories Sedimentary rocks She's part of the fam North Pole wife One-named Art Deco artist Summer top Free of artificial ingredients XXX, maybe Affirms as true Oration station With 46-Down, held together with a plumbing adhesive See 44-Down Fill with love Consign to an inferior rank "Glass half full" outlook Announce Sector Uses a wok Bowl over Alero's make -- Center (Brooklyn arena) World Cup sport Electrojet particles Lorna of literature

70 71 73 75 77 78 79 81 84 87 90 92 94 95 96 98 100 101 102 104 105 106 108 110 111 112 114 115 117

Sol followers Hydroxyl compound Corners on the market Hook up (to) Hawk's nail "Game of Thrones" actress Chaplin Lime discard Bygone, quaintly -- Lingus (carrier to Dublin) Announce One of the Ewings on "Dallas" Even choice One on in-line skates Acting king Heads off Rio -- (mining company) Fishing bait Of a pelvis bone Three-time Grand Prix champion Ayrton Roast rod Colombian cash William Saroyan's "My Name Is --" Deck in a boxing ring Korbut on a balance beam Loaf end Musical "Auntie" Rabid fan Hitter Gehrig Whale pod

ANSWERS ON PAGE 34

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Real Estate Announcements PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise ‘any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination’. Familial status includes children under 18 living with parents or legal guardians and pregnant women.

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38

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Smoky Mountain News June 30-July 6, 2021