Roundtable sheds light on threat to abortion Page 10
On the Cover:
The Nantahala Outdoors Center has been a staple of outdoors recreation in Western North Carolina and the entire southern United States for over 50 years, providing great rafting and kayaking opportunities while also serving as a hub for hikers and folks who just want to enjoy some time in nature. See what’s coming up next for the regional icon in the near future. (Page 28) Nantahala Outdoors Center photo
News
Macon County floodplain ordinance debate heats up..............................................4
First Amendment on display as opposing sides reckon with Pride......................6
Haywood TDA announces next round of grants........................................................7
Jackson school board signs resolution against private school vouchers............8 EBCI to sell recreational cannabis to enrolled members........................................9
Roundtable sheds light on threat to abortion care..................................................10 Macon reaches high school sports decision............................................................11
eCourts coming to Western North Carolina..............................................................12
Greeley appointed to UNC Board of Governors....................................................14
Opinion
Beneath the traditions, let’s consider our democracy............................................18 American democracy’s last stand................................................................................19
A&E
Mural celebrates past, present and future of Pigeon Center..............................20 Experience ‘Textures’ at Haywood Arts......................................................................26
Outdoors
Poet Laureate to visit Smokies......................................................................................33
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Macon County floodplain ordinance debate heats up
BY HANNAH MCLEOD & LILLY KNOEPP
Aproposed change to Macon County’s floodplain regulation has prompted outcry from the public and rippled across the county government.
The floodplain is made up of two parts — the floodway, also known as the nonencroachment area, and the flood fringe which extends from the floodway to the flood line. Discussion about updating the current regulation started in March when Commissioner Josh Young proposed changes to the county’s flood damage prevention ordinance.
One of the proposed changes would allow property owners in the flood fringe to put 25% fill on part of their property. But Young’s ownership of property in the area raised questions about his motives for the proposal. He said he has deed restricted his land so he will not benefit from the proposal.
“I actually sought legal counsel to go ahead and deed restrict that property I purchased just to show good faith,” Young said at the May 14 meeting. “That’s happening, that property will never be filled, so that discussion’s over with, there’s no need to worry about that. There’s no need to worry about me profiting from this role sitting up here. That bug’s squashed.”
However, the restriction is not yet recorded at the Register of Deeds. Young’s attorney, Russell Bowling, said the deed restriction process started in March when the property was purchased.
“He requested that I put a deed restriction on the property he owns, consistent with the fill restrictions in place when he purchased the property,” Bowling said.
Bowling also executed Young’s purchase of the property. Bowling said the process has been slow because his office is understaffed.
At the June commissioners meeting, Director of Planning and Code Enforcement Joe Allen explained how the 25% fill functions.
“So if you have a 5-acre parcel and an acre of it was in the flood fringe, you would be allowed to fill .25 — a quarter of an acre,” Allen said.
Under the earlier ordinance, a property owner could not put fill dirt in any part of the floodplain. Young called the proposal, which will be open for public comment on July 9, a compromise.
“We have decided to take a baby step towards a compromise. I feel like this is not going to make either side of the topic happy,” Young said via email on July 1. "At this point I feel like this is going to allow people to access, restore and use properties as desired without mass fill."
Young said his move followed complaints from members of the public about the existing ordinance, as well as the soil erosion and sedimentation control and water supply watershed protection ordinances.
“These are not things that I pulled out of thin air, these are real issues that people in the public, people in the community, have
come to me about over the years,” Young said at the May county commission meeting. Other commissioners also said they had heard questions from the community about the ordinance.
Federal compliance with the floodplain management ordinance is required in order for citizens in North Carolina's counties and towns to be eligible for federal flood insurance through the NFIP and FEMA.
ties were purchased from Wanda Stamey and James Martin.
Young repeatedly claimed that he restricted the properties so they will not be subject to changes in the floodplain ordinance.
“Yes, I do own properties in the flood plain, and as noted, we have deed restricted to the current regulation,” Young said in his July 1 email.
The North Carolina Model Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance provides guidelines for North Carolina towns and municipalities to pass their own regulations that align with the federal requirements.
The updated flood damage prevention ordinance would allow property owners to fill in a percentage of the flood fringe of the property. County Planner Caleb Gibson explained that NCDEQ guidelines allow municipalities to opt for as much as 100% of a property to be filled outside the floodway, or the non-encroachment area in a flood damage prevention ordinance.
“North Carolina pretty much mirrors what FEMA does,” said Gibson. “So we’re [Macon County] still a little bit more restrictive than what the state allows. So that’s a good thing.”
PROPERTY ON THE LINE
Young purchased three properties along the Georgia Road, all of which are at least partially in the floodplain, on March 7 of this year. The properties are held by Steele LLC, an entity formed in September 2023 operated by Young and his wife. The proper-
Despite creating the subgroup, commissioners did not confer in the meetings with the people outside of county and state administration.
Aquatic biologist Bill McLarney, whose name was suggested as an expert to be consulted at the May meeting, said he was never contacted by a member of the committee or given an opportunity to share insights on the floodplain ordinance.
“I am not happy about the level of transparency at this point,” McLarney said at the June meeting.
The subcommittee did meet with NC Flood Mapping management, Allen confirmed, before sending its recommendations for the new ordinance to the commissioners. A few weeks later, Allen resigned from his position, and his last day was Friday, June 28. Allen did not respond to a request for comment about why he resigned.
The board is scheduled to vote on the new ordinance at its July 9 meeting.
‘D UTY TO VOTE ,’ FINANCIAL INTEREST AND ETHICS
The fact that Young owns floodplain property raised questions for community members during the last month’s meetings. Otto resident Sarah Johnson asked about the property at the May commission meeting.
“We also respectfully and politely ask that Commissioner Young recuse himself from any decision-making process on this matter to avoid any semblance of impropriety, however perceived,” Johnson said during the meeting stating the name of Young’s LLC, Steele NC.
On Tuesday, Young explained that he made the request of his attorney. No restriction is recorded at the Macon County Register of Deeds, and Bowling said the restriction is in progress.
SUBCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
In May, the county’s planning board recommended the ordinance change to the full board of commissioners.
After the recommendation, commissioners decided to create a subcommittee to further investigate the recommended changes and speak to people on both sides of the issue.
“I would make a suggestion here, choose a couple planning board members, a couple commissioners, bring people like Lewis [Penland] in, bring people from the other side in,” Director of Planning and Code Enforcement Joe Allen suggested.
The board appointed Young and fellow commissioner Danny Antoine, along with planning board members Barry Breeden and Larry Lackey, to the subcommittee.
According to the Macon County Commissioner’s ethics policy, a commissioner can’t use their position, county facilities or resources for private gain. A commissioner needs to disclose any interest, or that of an immediate family member in a public meeting under the policy.
Young has repeatedly stated that he will not benefit from the updated policy.
The county policy provided that the board will decide if the council member needs to withdraw from any consideration in the matter, but state law requires county or municipal leaders with vested interest in a vote not to take part in the consideration, according to Crista Curccaro, professor of public law and government at the UNC School of Government.
Curccaro has led state-mandated training for commissioners from across the state where they learn about their obligations as public officials.
“We talk about the sort of duty to not act in private interests,” Curccaro said.
Under state law, if an official has a “direct, substantial, and readily identifiable” financial interest in a matter, then the elected official cannot vote on the issue, she said.
Rivers in Western North Carolina, although normally peaceful, are prone to flash flooding. Hannah McLeod photo
First Amendment on display as opposing sides reckon with Pride
BY CORY VAILLANCOURT P OLITICS E DITOR
For many, a Pride festival is a fairly straightforward event, a celebration of unity among people marginalized for who they are and who they love. But in a purer sense, Haywood County’s historic first Pride festival and a competing prayer meeting held the night before were both compelling exercises of constitutionally protected rights, suggesting maybe — just maybe — that Americans can, in fact, disagree without being disagreeable.
“I am an LGBTQ person,” said Haywood County resident Helen Ryde, addressing attendees of the June 28 prayer meeting. “There’s a scripture that spoke to my heart… I just wanted to share it with you.”
Ryde’s courageous speech came after the 30-minute meeting of about 80 people had concluded on the steps of the Historic
Haywood County Courthouse. Ryde was one of only two LGBTQ+ people who chose to attend the meeting but by the time of their speech was the only one left.
The permit for the meeting, requested by the Haywood Baptist Association, was approved by Haywood County government just two days before the meeting, long after widespread publicity about Haywood Pride had made its way through local and regional media outlets. A Facebook post by the Haywood County Republican Party drew a connection between the prayer meeting and the Pride fest, and a further statement by Association member Dennis Thurman outlined his view on how the church should respond.
“Please don’t be hateful,” Thurman wrote. “Some try the bullhorn approach, shouting, ‘Turn or burn!’ That is the caricature of many church folks as the world sees us. They want
all Baptists identified with the Westboro Baptist cult.”
Despite describing homosexuality with strong disapproval — deviancy and debauchery, Thurman wrote — speakers at the prayer meeting didn’t make threats and indeed listened respectfully to Ryde’s words, just as she had respectfully listened to theirs.
Ryde recited passages from Acts 10, which many Christians believe establishes that God wants to save not only the Jews, but also the Gentiles.
“I know there are many arguments for how to interpret that scripture,” Ryde said. “I just wanted to offer it to you, with an open heart, to consider that maybe that which you are calling ‘unclean’ God does not call ‘unclean.’”
Thurman shook Ryde’s hand before praying with them, but it’s clear both sides have a long way to go with their fledgling relationship. Roy Kilby, a fixture in Haywood County’s Baptist community, engaged with Ryde once they’d finished speaking, basically telling Ryde they were wrong.
“There are things in my life that I need to repent for,” Ryde said to Kilby. “I don’t believe my orientation is one of them.”
With the prayer meeting complete, attention quickly shifted to the Pride parade and festival that kicked off the next day, on those same courthouse steps.
As Pride organizers and several hundred parade participants congregated on the lawn, waiting for speeches to begin, two members of the faith community stood across the street,
right in front of The Waynesville Mountaineer office. They held signs, preached and engaged politely with passersby.
When the speeches began, they too were silent, like Ryde had been the night before.
“Let’s not forget this journey has not been easy,” Waynesville Town Council Member Anthony Sutton, the town’s first openly gay elected official, told the assembled crowd. “It’s been paved with struggles and sacrifice. But every step we have taken, every battle we have fought, has brought us closer to a world where everyone is free to be who they are without fear of judgment or discrimination.”
Sutton delivered a rousing speech, just before marchers made their way down North Main Street, rounding the corner at Miller Street heading back towards Depot Street. Although it was hard to tell, from the bottom of Frog Level the parade looked like it stretched for miles — a sea of smiling faces with Sutton’s closing words still ringing in people’s ears.
“There’s still much work to be done. There are still voices that need to be heard, rights that need to be fought for and hearts and minds that need to be opened,” he said. “So let us on this occasion reaffirm our commitment to equality and justice. Let us stand together hand in hand and continue to fight for a world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Because at the end of the day, we are all human. We all love. We all have dreams. And we all deserve to live in a world where we are free to be ourselves.”
Dennis Thurman (left) and Helen Ryde shake hands after a prayer meeting held by the Haywood Baptist Association on June 28. Cory Vaillancourt photo
Haywood County’s first Pride festival started with a parade that moved through downtown Waynesville (above right) and Frog Level (above left). All photos Cory Vaillancourt
Few demonstrators (above) attended the Pride festival, one day after a prayer meeting held by the Haywood Baptist Association. Cory Vaillancourt photos
Haywood TDA announces next round of grants
BY CORY VAILLANCOURT
P OLITICS E DITOR
The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority announced last week that it had awarded just over $250,000 in grants to 18 organizations for more than two dozen community projects all across the county.
“By investing in these projects, we are ensuring that both residents and visitors benefit from enhanced and vibrant cultural experiences,” said Executive Director Corrina Ruffieux in a press release on June 27.
Enabled by state statute, the Haywood TDA collects a 4% per night room occupancy tax on all lodging facilities, including cabins, hotels, motels and short-term rentals. After TDA overhead, most of the revenue collected goes into one of several different pots of money, which is spent on marketing the county and its municipalities as a destination.
Some of it, however, is allocated for grants — at no cost to Haywood taxpayers.
Since the mid-1980s, occupancy tax revenues have grown steadily but exploded during the Coronavirus Pandemic as people from across the region and the nation sought out the Great Smoky Mountains as an escape from more crowded cities and suburbs. Revenue has begun to level off some but just missed hitting the $3 million mark for the first time during the 2021-22 fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) before finally surpassing that mark in 2022-23.
Through the 10 months for which data is currently available in the 2023-24 fiscal year, revenue is up nearly 6.5% and appears to be on pace to surpass last year’s $3.04 million, setting a new record. The $255,875 in grants issued for 2024-25 represents roughly 8% of the TDA’s total revenues last year.
Applications for grant funding are available to qualified nonprofits, tourism-related organizations and event hosts for programs with the goal of bringing out-of-town visitors to the county or one of its municipalities.
The applications are scored, the TDA Product Development Committee votes to recommend them, the TDA’s board approves them and funds what it can with the revenue allocated.
Increasingly, the TDA’s research has begun to reveal the interconnectedness of Haywood County’s tourism economy. Visitors to Haywood County mostly come from regional metropolises Charlotte and Atlanta, with significant numbers from upstate South Carolina and all over Florida. When they get here, visitors tend to explore multiple destinations within the county, meaning an advertisement that lures visitors to Maggie Valley will likely also benefit the county’s other municipalities as well.
“They’re playing in Canton, they’re staying in Maggie and they’re shopping and dining in Waynesville,” Ruffieux said earlier this year in presenting the TDA’s annual report.
The 2024-25 grants will help create and maintain the events that bring many of
those visitors here in the first place.
Countywide grants in the amounts of $4,000 and $10,000 and will go to the Haywood County Arts Council for studio tours and Misfit Mountain for the IDEA of Haywood passport program, respectively.
The IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Alliance) passport program is to highlight inclusive businesses and encourage diverse, equitable tourism by urging visitors to collect passport “stamps” by visiting each one.
Maggie Valley, traditionally Haywood County’s most popular destination, came away with more than $86,000 for six projects, ranging from the town’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display ($7,255) and ice festival ($53,900) to the WNC Jeep Fest ($3,730), a Wheels Through Time anniversary event ($6,423), the Smoky Mountain Bluegrass Festival ($9,000) and Maggie Mountaineer Crafts’ Fall days ($6,568).
Located in the center of Haywood County, Lake Junaluska is a small but important component of the local tourism ecosystem, anchored by the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. “Lake J,” as it’s called by locals, received grants for advertising ($31,666) and for its iconic Fourth of July fireworks show ($11,112).
$68,000 for four events — Appalachian Heritage Weekend ($30,000), a marketing campaign ($28,500), the Ice Stroll ($5,000) and the Appalachian True Christmas ($4,500).
The Haywood Arts Regional Theatre (HART) received $3,500 for another Christmas event, Holiday Harmony. The Historic Haywood Farmers Market, which is held in the HART parking lot, received
Waynesville is already buzzing with a full — and growing — calendar of events each year (see PRIDE, p. 6) but the $95,000 in grants awarded by the TDA promise an even busier year ahead.
The Downtown Waynesville Commission, which is funded by revenue from both the town and a municipal service district tax of its own, came away with the lion’s share of available TDA grant money,
$2,000 for seasonal events.
In addition to the bluegrass festival in Maggie Valley, the Haywood Arts Council was also funded for a “Cool Jazz” concert ($6,000) that will kick off Ice Festival weekend in Waynesville.
The Haywood Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development received $5,333 for one of Waynesville’s most popular and well-attended events, the Apple Harvest
Festival.
On Valentine’s Day weekend, Waynesville’s Rotary Club will hold the Chili Cook Off Stroll, a four-hour event leading participants to sample chili from participating businesses and vote for their favorites. Rotary will receive $1,389 for promotion of the event.
Folkmoot, one of Western North Carolina’s most unique cultural organizations, will receive $5,000 for promotion of its annual summertime events, including the Summer Soiree and International Day.
The Historic Frog Level Merchants Association was also funded ($1,000) for its annual Whole Bloomin’ Thing event.
Canton, still standing strong after the loss of a major employer just over a year ago, walked away with $20,000 in grants for three events, a Downtown Canton Passport program ($5,000) by the Canton Merchants Partnership, an innovative “wedding getaway sweepstakes” contest by Hive House Commons ($5,000) and the town’s renowned Labor Day festival ($10,000), now in its 116th year.
“What you’re seeing is money and grants that support our traditions yet bring new people into town, and that’s important,” said Zeb Smathers, Canton’s mayor. “All these events not only drive people to Canton, but also to our businesses.”
The lone jurisdiction that didn’t come away with any grants this cycle was Clyde.
“We did receive one application, from a partner we look forward to working with more in the future and collaborating with to develop a program that aligns better with the intent of these marketing grants,” Ruffieux told The Smoky Mountain News. “We’re also working very closely with Clyde’s Town Administrator Joy Garland on future programs, especially as we come out of our new branding and master planning project.”
But it’s not the end of the world for Clyde — Ruffieux said that the grant monies are not of the “use it or lose it” variety, so Clyde’s share of TDA revenue isn’t going anywhere; in fact, it’s sitting in a bank account, earning intertest, waiting for a successful application.
The 2024-25 grants will help create and maintain the events that bring visitors to Haywood County. File photo
Jackson school board signs resolution against private school vouchers
BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER
The Jackson County Board of Education has signed a resolution urging the North Carolina General Assembly to prioritize public education over funding an expansion to the private school voucher system.
“We don’t believe that public school money should go to private sectors,” said Jackson County Schools Superintendent Dana Ayers.
Earlier this year, Gov. Roy Cooper declared 2024 “The Year of Public Schools” in North Carolina as part of a call for more funding for K-12 public education.
In 2023 the General Assembly expanded the Opportunity Scholarship program, the K-12 private school voucher program and eliminated the income cap that was previously required to qualify for the scholarship. Though the General Assembly has not passed a budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, lawmakers have recommended funding for the voucher program to increase to over a half-billion dollars.
In North Carolina, about 84% of school age children attend public schools. In Jackson County that number sits at about 50%. According to Ayers, that number is significantly lower than the state average
because Jackson County students enrolled in Cherokee Central Schools on the Qualla Boundary are not counted in the attendance rate.
Additionally, while students attending charter schools are counted in the state’s public school attendance rate, they are not counted among the 50% enrolled in JCPS.
“The diversions of public funds to private schools through taxpayer funds poses a significant financial threat to public schools potentially depriving them of essential resources and compromising the quality of education,” the resolution reads.
According to JCPS administration, the school system could stand to lose $574,869 in state funding within the first year of the expanded voucher system.
The resolution asks the General Assembly to prioritize public education by “substantially increasing teacher salaries to pay teachers as the professionals they are and to attract and retain qualified educators,” as well as “allocating significant funding for early childhood education, quality childcare and pre-K programs to ensure all children have access to a strong education foundation.”
In addition to the expanded voucher program, Pandemic-era federal grants to child care providers ran out July 1, creating a funding gap for early childhood education and child care centers across the region.
Jackson County is home to three private schools — two Christian institutions as well as New Kituwah Academy, the Cherokee language immersion school.
But Jackson County families could use the voucher system to attend private schools in Jackson County, or anywhere else they may choose.
“There are three [private schools] in Jackson County, but Haywood, Macon, all of these, and there are online private academies too that children can go to and that voucher system can be used as well,” said Ayers.
The board approved the resolution by a 4-1 vote with Kim Moore the lone dissenter.
Moore said that while she was personally
in favor of the resolution, she did not have enough time prior to the June 25 board meeting after receiving the resolution to determine whether it was the best position to take for all her constituents.
“One thing I would say towards that though is you’re representing Jackson County Public Schools, and this is talking about taking money away from Jackson County Public Schools,” said board member Wes Jamison.
Ayers told the board that the resolution itself came from the governor’s office, but that the school system worked with its lawyer to make edits to the document to make it less political before bringing it before the board.
“I don’t like the way that the funding goes to the charter schools because I don’t think they are held to the same accountability or standards that public schools are,” said Board Chair Elizabeth Cooper. “I don’t think that funding is fair to public schools. I think it hurts a certain demographic and population and I think this could be detrimental to public schools as far as the voucher system.”
Board member Abigail Clayton said that she had been hearing about this issue from her constituents prior to seeing the resolution.
“I’ve had plenty of conversations with folks in the community that feel strongly that public schools just continue to have more and more taken from them while the expectations just continue to grow,” said Clayton. “I think JCPS has felt that. So, I do personally agree with the resolution.”
EBCI to sell recreational cannabis to enrolled members
BY KYLE PERROTTI
N EWS E DITOR
Cherokee is moving one step closer to full adult recreational cannabis use.
The newest advance will come July 4 when the Great Smoky Cannabis Company will be allowed to legally sell marijuana to adults over the age of 21 who are enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians or any other federally recognized tribe.
The news of enrolled members being able to purchase cannabis products from the dispensary came within the last week as the tribe’s dispensary, Great Smokies Cannabis Company, announced on its website.
However, non-enrolled members will have to wait likely at least a couple of months.
The catalyst for the latest development came last month when EBCI Tribal Council voted to legalize adult recreational use of cannabis products. That vote came about nine months after EBCI members voted overwhelmingly to legalize the sale of marijuana and other cannabis products for all adults, even non-North Carolina residents, over the age of 21.
At a May 30 work session, EBCI Attorney General Mike McConnell said he believed it’ll still be about two to three months before Qualla Enterprises has the capacity to “open the adult use doors,” meaning at this point,
it could still be a month or two until marijuana is able to be sold to anyone over 21, whether they’re enrolled or not.
The medical marijuana program, approved in 2021, will still serve those with EBCI-issued cards. The cannabis control board accepts applications from North Carolina residents over the age of 21. The cost for issuance to residents is $100 and $50 for enrolled EBCI members. There are several approved conditions, including anxiety disorder, eating disorders and cancer. Applications can be submitted at ebci-ccb.org.
The tribe expects its cannabis industry to quickly evolve into a cash cow. Neither medicinal nor recreational cannabis is currently legal in North Carolina, Tennessee or South Carolina, and in Virginia and Georgia, only medicinal marijuana is legal. Qualla Enterprises anticipates employing somewhere around 500 people and making enough money by fiscal year 2026 to send the tribe $260 million in profits. It’s also expected to make money for the tribe through generating a tribal levy, akin to a sales tax.
The Great Smoky Cannabis Company dispensary is located at 91 Bingo Loop Road. Anyone wishing to purchase cannabis products from the dispensary must present a valid tribal membership card, along with proof of age, if not listed on the tribal membership card.
Roundtable sheds light on threat to abortion care
BY MACKENZIE ATKINSON SMN I NTERN
June 24 marked the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. Since then, 21 of 50 states have enacted some variation of abortion restrictions, whether that be an outright ban or a time limit for when the procedure can be performed. North Carolina is one of the states that has limited abortion access.
The 2024 Election has been pinpointed as the deciding factor for women’s health in the U.S. Many see this as a make-or-break for abortion protection depending on who wins the Oval Office in November.
“This is the most important election of our lives,” Former state Sen. Terry Van Duyn (D-Buncombe) said. “The Dobbs decision is not the end of a tax on reproductive freedom, it is only the beginning of the relentless attacks Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans will make against our rights to make decisions including abortion, contraception and fertility treatment.”
Van Duyn, joined by women from around Western North Carolina, gathered in a coffee shop in downtown Asheville June 25 to discuss the impact of the overturning of Roe v. Wade and how it has affected them individually along with the fears they have for the future of women’s reproductive health.
Van Duyn and state Rep. Lindsey Prather (D-Buncombe), with the endorsement of the Biden-Harris campaign, hosted the roundtable discussion where speakers shared their personal anecdotes about the impact of the Dobbs decision.
Under current North Carolina law, abortion is banned after 12 weeks of gestation with exceptions for rape, incest, life-limiting anomalies and medical emergencies banned after 24 weeks. Prior to an abortion procedure, women must be informed about the procedure and the anatomy of the growing fetus.
Former President Donald Trump has taken credit for the overturning of Roe v. Wade which returned the responsibility of abortion legislation to the state level making way for abortion bans across the country.
“Physicians don’t want to practice in an area where they could be criminalized for saving someone’s life. There are rural areas where they are no longer allowed to deliver babies because no one wants to practice in that state anymore.”
— Dr. Kate Mastriani
Ellen Helms, an advocate for reproductive health and the granddaughter of late former U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, has championed reproductive health protections in opposition to her grandfather’s policy stances. Helms pointed out during the roundtable that one in three women of reproductive age live in states with abortion bans, and the U.S. is one of four countries that is regressing in its abortion legislation.
“In El Salvador, women are jailed for years for miscarriage suspected abortion. Not just a few months, for years they were locked away for murder. We cannot allow this to happen in the United States.” Helms said.
Helms went on to point the finger at Trump for the threat to women’s lives with the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
“Donald Trump’s attack on our rights is costing women
in North Carolina and across the states their lives, forcing people to continue a pregnancy against their will and giving birth when they do not wish to do so and doing so could put their lives in danger.” Helms said. “We’re talking about a private health care decision between doctors and their patients.”
Women from around the state have felt the effects of that limit. A healthcare provider flight has started where OBGYNs and other providers are leaving the state due to fear of prosecution for performing abortions in North Carolina.
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, 90% of North Carolina counties suffer from a health professional shortage.
sidered children and are protected under the state’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act. This ruling could have led to the prosecution of IVF providers had the state legislature not passed a bill that protected physicians.
In North Carolina, Prather introduced a bill in May that would protect the right to assisted reproductive technology, like IVF, and would appropriate funds to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to increase funding for maternal support programs.
Right to life advocates view abortion as an attack on human life.
North Carolina gubernatorial candidate and current Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson supports abortion bans after a heart-
Dr. Kate Mastriani, a healthcare provider in Western North Carolina, shares the sentiments of her fellow healthcare providers.
“Physicians don’t want to practice in an area where they could be criminalized for saving someone’s life,” Mastriani said. “There are rural areas where they are no longer allowed to deliver babies because no one wants to practice in that state anymore.”
Under North Carolina law, anyone found to have violated the abortion law will be found guilty of a Class D felony and be fined $250,000. A medical provider can perform an abortion to remove a nonviable fetus that has died of natural causes under the current law, but many fear how this may be viewed in court.
Idaho’s Defense of Life Act, similar to North Carolina’s abortion law, bans abortions outside of the first trimester of a pregnancy with exceptions for threat to the life of the mother, rape and incest. If any physician were deemed to violate this law, they would serve a minimum of 2 years in prison.
With prison time hanging over the heads of physicians across the country, some are choosing not to practice in states with abortion bans making emergency abortion care scarce within those states.
Recently, in vitro fertilization (IVF) has become a target.
The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos created through IVF that are stored in cryogenic nurseries are con-
beat has been detected in the fetus with exceptions in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother.
“For me, there is no compromise on abortion. It makes no difference to me why or how that child ended up in the womb,” Robinson said in July 2020.
He has since softened his approach on abortion since his campaign for lieutenant governor and after the Dobbs decision. He now chooses to avoid discussing abortion while campaigning for the governorship.
Trump believed states should decide for themselves how they want to legislate abortion. He appointed three Supreme Court justices, which led to the overturning of Roe and paved the way for the state-specific abortion legislation.
In an interview with Time Magazine, Trump said, “You don’t need a federal ban. We just got out of the federal.” He further explains that he would not have the opportunity to veto a federal abortion ban because it would never pass Congress. Yet, people still fear what abortion legislation means for them personally.
Helms’ daughter, Beatrix Gaddy, views abortion bans as an oppression of women.
“For a while, everyone viewed women as something lower than them,” she said. “We shouldn’t let men control us because why would anyone believe them? We should have the same rights as men, and we shouldn’t let them choose what is good for us because we should choose what is good for our own bodies.”
The roundtable was held June 25 in Asheville. Sophie Mestas photo
Macon reaches high school sports decision
BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER
The Macon County School Board has voted to require students to play high school sports at the school where they are enrolled beginning in the 2025-26 school year, meaning Macon Early College and Bartram Academy students will no longer be eligible for athletics at Franklin High School.
“We have a large, large number of students at Franklin High School that this could possibly affect if the ADMs of Bartram and Macon Early College were counted with Franklin High School,” Auxiliary Services Director Todd Gibbs.
Earlier this year, the North Carolina High School Athletics Association announced it was considering expanding high school classification from four divisions to eight divisions. Currently, Franklin High School is a 3A school, placing it in the second highest division within North Carolina high school sports. Divisions are determined based on the average daily membership (ADM), basically a school’s enrollment.
The realignment to expanded classifications will not take effect until the 2025-26 school year, but data from the first 20 days of the 2024-25 school year will be used.
NCHSAA has not been able to provide information about the school population cutoffs for the new classifications.
Currently, students at Macon Early College and Bartram Academy are allowed to play sports at Franklin High School, with about 25 MEC students participating. Because of this, the entire student body of MEC counts in the Average Daily Membership of FS in the NCHSAA data that determines the school’s classification.
Even though the exact populations for the classifications have not been released by NCHSAA, school system administration estimates that FHS would move up one or two classifications if MEC and or Bartram Academy students were included in the high school’s ADM.
This becomes a problem if students have to travel farther to compete in playoff games in order to compete with other schools within their new classification.
Monument to papermakers coming to Canton
BY CORY VAILLANCOURT
P OLITICS E DITOR
The shuttered paper mill at the heart of Canton is still there — for now. One day it won’t be, but a forthcoming monument will ensure the generations of papermakers that made Canton great won’t ever be forgotten.
Terryll Evans, owner of WPTL radio, told Canton’s governing board on June 28 that the idea came from former mayor Pat Smathers, who is also the administrator of the Cruso Endowment.
“We just wanted to present this to the board to let you know when y’all start seeing stuff going on,” Evans said.
Site work and mulch will be donated by J&M landscaping. The monument will be fenced on three sides and surrounded by river rock to deter people from climbing on it.
artist’s rendering shows what the
The endowment began in the 1990s but has become much more active after a $2 million gift in 2019 by the late David and Irene Smathers. Each year, the endowment funds small projects in the town, usually streetscaping or beautification.
Evans, with local CPA Robin G. Black, worked to secure the donation of a large rock, 5 feet wide and 3 feet high, upon which a brass plaque will eventually be placed.
They also helped secure a site on Park Street owned by the U.S. Postal Service, a small parcel of land between Black’s office and the Canton post office.
“Bottom line is, we’ll play schools around here during regular season, but then if we have that larger ADM number, we’ll go much farther and play schools with similar ADM counts for playoffs,” said Gibbs.
In order to avoid moving up in classifications, which could require students to travel great distances for playoff games, the school board decided Macon Early College and Bartram Academy students would not be able to play sports at Franklin High School beginning in the 2025-26 school year. However, MEC and Bartram students will be able to play sports at FHS for one last year in the coming school year.
NCHSAA said that students from the two schools could participate in FHS sports in the coming year, without their ADM numbers being counted into that of FHS for the 2025-26 school year, if the school board decided that those students would not be participating at FHS for the 2025-26 school year.
So while MEC and Bartram students are included in FHS athletics for the coming school year, the ADM count for the 2025-26 school year and its associated athletic classification will only pull from Franklin High School itself.
Macon County Early College and Bartram Academy will have until October to decide if they want to apply separately to be members of the NCHSAA and thereby offer
high school athletic participation to students through their own school.
“There is nothing stopping those schools from creating their own sports or athletic teams and joining NCHSAA,” said board member Stephanie Hyder-Laseter.
Board member Melissa Evans noted that the school system will need to ensure students at Macon Early College and Bartram Academy have access to practice fields and other necessary resources if they choose to participate in high school athletics.
“We just need to know, though, if they decide to go that way and create their own teams that they have a field to play on or a court to play on,” Evans said.
Superintendent Josh Lynch said the school system would work to ensure that access.
While the school board had hoped to wait and be able to determine just how much would change if MEC and Bartram students were included in the Franklin High School ADM count, Gibbs recommended the board move forward with a decision.
“My recommendation is that you guys need to make a decision,” said Gibbs, “because of registration at both of those schools and so that kids and families can plan for the future with all of the information.”
The board approved the decision unanimously.
on
Evans said the Cruso Endowment has set a budget of $5,000 for the project, but she thinks the project will come in well under budget at around $3,400. No taxpayer funds will be used to create the monument. Evans believes installation will be completed before the town’s renowned Labor Day Festival, which will celebrate its 116th year this coming September.
Last summer, Pactiv Evergreen made the decision to close the 115-year-old paper mill, throwing roughly a thousand people out of work.
This
bronze plaque
the monument might look like. Town of Canton photo
eCourts coming to Western North Carolina Officials promise greater public access to judicial system
BY KYLE PERROTTI N EWS E DITOR
The public in Western North Carolina is about to have more access to the courts than ever before, assuming all goes to plan.
On July 22, 11 counties in the region will be able to use the long-anticipated eCourts system, which will allow anyone with internet access to view court documents from anywhere. Before, a person would have to go to the courthouse, and in most cases, a clerk would have to retrieve a document for them. In addition, attorneys will be able to file documents remotely, and law enforcement agencies will be integrated into the system, meaning warrants and citations can be processed easily through the system.
eCourts will ideally make things easier for attorneys, clerks and judges, but it will also allow the public a far greater degree of access.
awarded the $100 million 10-year contract to implement its “enterprise justice software.” The contract was initially announced at $85 million but the price eventually went up. eCourts was supposed to launch in July 2021 but administrative and technical holdups caused multiple delays.
On Feb. 13 of last year, the program was rolled out in Wake, Harnett, Johnston and Lee counties as a pilot program. A number of glitches occurred during the early phases of the rollout — including incorrect DMV information, incorrect court dates and even private information appearing on public pages. A second pilot program that was supposed to launch in Mecklenburg was delayed.
Shortly after the pilot program launched, Harnett County had to postpone all district court sessions for a week due to issues with the new software. In a statement at that time, the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) tried to allay any fears.
ly using, we need to take additional weeks working with Tyler to resolve key defects. A target go-live date for Mecklenburg County will be provided once it is established.”
In February of this year, Guilford County’s Clerk of Superior Court urged a pause in that county’s anticipated spring rollout as part of Track 4. As recently as April of this year, multiple district attorneys called for that rollout to be temporarily halted to allow time to iron out the wrinkles.
“In my district, which must confront the largest volume of criminal cases, grave challenges remain,” said District Attorney Spencer Merriweather, out of Mecklenberg County, which rolled out eCourts in the second phase. “There’s a lot of opportunity for mistakes. And, we have seen a lot of them.”
“We have heard that it has improved over time. A pause would give them additional time to work and fully resolve these issues,” said Chuck Spahos, representing the NC Conference of District Attorneys.
In an April release from the North Carolina Judicial Branch, it’s noted that the eCourts applications had already accepted over 1 million files and saved more than 3 million pieces of paper. Historically, roughly 30 million pieces of paper were added to court files each year in North Carolina, the release noted.
But while the eCourts brings a lot of promise, there have been some hiccups in other areas where the system has already been rolled out, including delays in implementation and significant glitches.
In July 2019, Tyler Technologies was
“With the partnership of committed local Judicial Branch leaders in Wake, Harnett, Johnston, and Lee, we continue to make progress in our implementation of eCourts,” the statement read. “We are focused on providing support to end users and working with Tyler to resolve defects that have arisen since go-live. While we are glad that more than half the issues that have arisen have already been closed/resolved, important other issues remain. Since we want to rollout a version in Mecklenburg that is improved from the version that our Pilot Counties are current-
Perhaps worst of all, a federal classaction lawsuit was filed that alleged glitches led to 69 people being held in jail for hours after their releases were ordered. While that suit was recently dismissed, according to reporting in a newsletter from The Assembly, the dismissal wasn’t based on merit, but rather the fact that a North Carolina Supreme Court ruling extended governmental immunity to court clerks, some of whom were defendants in that case. There’s even a chance the suit could be re-filed.
Either way, Track 4 was
rolled out on time to 10 counties on April 29, a move the state said gave eCourts access to half the state’s population across 27 counties.
The 11 counties in Track 5 are Polk, Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Graham, Clay and Cherokee. This means it impacts all seven counties that make up the 43rd judicial district and prosecutorial districts. While there were quite a few horror stories coming from the earlier rollouts, officials in Western North Carolina are cautiously optimistic.
“There may be some growing pains, but long-term it will be worth it,” said 43rd Judicial District Chief District Court Judge Roy Wijewickrama. “But this is something that is going to benefit the public longterm.”
“We’ve conferred with these other clerks and judges about lessons learned and what works best,” Wijewickrama said. “From speaking with other chief district court judges in the state, the rollout has gone more and more smoothly each time.”
In addition, stakeholders have been in multiple online meetings every week since March. For elected clerks of superior court like Hunter Plemmons in Haywood County, it’s been one training with key stakeholders in the district, one meeting with his fellow elected clerks and then one with all stakeholders, plus representatives from NCAOC. That’s three in-depth meetings every week for months.
“Our whole district decided early on that we’re going to go at this from an optimistic standpoint and learn it the best we can and
Wijewickrama was quick to point out all that those affiliated with the court system have done to prepare. To begin with, all stakeholders have done extensive training on how to use the system. A May 23 memo sent from NCAOC director Ryan S. Boyce to the legal community provided links for training resources to allow everyone — including attorneys, paralegals, hospital filers, judges, clerks and law enforcement — the chance to prepare for the upcoming transition to the digital system. In addition, it laid out a number of tasks for each entity and individual to complete to make sure they’ll have the access they desire by the rollout date.
“Significant adjustments to courthouse operations will begin in Track 5 counties the week prior to July 22, 2024, to support the transition from paper records to electronic filing and case management,” Boyce wrote, noting that there will be several interim changes in the week leading up to the rollout to ease the transition.
On June 27, he sent out another memo which contained a more specific “Go-Live” timeline for the Track 5 rollout with major changes to clerk’s offices’ operations occurring intermittently from July 10 through the launch, much of which could seem confusing or overwhelming. In the meantime, judges and clerks have ventured out to other parts of the state see how eCourts affects court sessions.
do what we can to make it a success,” Plemmons said. “From what I understand from AOC and other districts, the time leading up to going live has gone better for us.”
But at the end of the day, the massive number of hours put in ahead of the rollout are likely to pay off. Janna Allison, who heads Western North Carolina’s new public defender office, said that for attorneys in her office — like attorneys in general who will enjoy the system — things should be easier since they can file and view documents remotely, something that should save some headaches.
“It will be a timesaver,” Allison said. “We’ll be able to see the file with a click of a computer and it’s going to pull that up and you can tell what’s going on, if someone else has filed something. That’s a big help without having to get in the car and go to the courthouse. We’re excited about that, and we’re embracing the change.”
In an email, District Attorney Ashley Welch said something similar.
“Once the transition is fully completed, the hope is eCourts will prove a more efficient way to handle case management,” she said.
Wijewickrama also noted that the big transition will help those who spend their days working in the courtroom, as well.
“I’m holding court like it’s 1982, but it’s not 1982,” he said. “We’re now coming into the 21st century.”
As seen on this map, Western North Carolina courts will be fully digital come July 22. North Carolina Judicial Branch photo
Greeley appointed to UNC Board of Governors
The Western Carolina University Board of Trustees will have a bit of a different look at its next meeting.
Kathryn Greeley, chair of the board, has been appointed to the University of North Carolina Board of Governors effective immediately. Greeley was confirmed by the North Carolina Senate and will fill the seat vacated by former board member Lee Roberts, who left the position to serve as interim chancellor at UNC Chapel Hill. An appointment to WCU’s Board to fill Greeley’s unexpired term will come from the UNC Board of Governors at a future date.
A new appointment to fill Bill Brawley’s unexpired term on WCU’s Board of Trustees was also made by the General Assembly this week. Joining the board effective July 1 will be former N.C. State Representative Jon Hardister. Hardister has long been a strong advocate of Western Carolina University and is no stranger to the region. During his time in the House, he has visited WCU on numerous occasions.
“The promotion of Chair Greeley to the UNC Board of Governors and the appointment of former Rep. Hardister to WCU’s Board are both welcome news,” WCU Chancellor Kelli R. Brown said. “Kathy will, I am confident, continue to represent WCU and Western North Carolina well with her trademark competence and determination. And Jon, with his background in the House, particularly as former chair of the House Education — Universities Committee, will greatly benefit our Board with his knowledge and expertise. I am thrilled with both appointments.”
Greeley, who holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in
interior design from WCU, has served on the Board of Trustees since 2019 and was appointed chairwoman in 2023. Greeley, who previously served as an adjunct faculty member in WCU’s interior design program, is the owner of Kathryn Greeley Designs, a full-service interior design firm in Waynesville.
“As a former student and adjunct faculty member at Western, I know I’m prepared for the role to advocate for students to be able to get the very best out of their education with the least amount of debt carried forward, and quite frankly, their return on investment in finding jobs that give them that return on investment,” Greeley said.
Greeley said her work on the Board of Trustees has prepared her well for her new endeavor. She met with more than 35 state senators in Raleigh Monday and learned she was confirmed Thursday afternoon. The news was bittersweet.
While she’s excited about the opportunity to advocate for faculty, staff and students across the UNC System, Greeley said she will miss working closely with the WCU community that she has become fond of.
“I take this appointment with a lot of mixed emotions for that very reason,” she said.
Serving as board chair, Greeley said she is most proud of helping launch the university’s new capital campaign, Fill the Western Sky; advocating for faculty and staff raises; and continuing to advocate for NC Promise.
“I think anytime you’re on a Board of Trustees, you clearly see your needs and wants
F
Waynesville’s Kathryn Greeley has been appointed to the University of North Carolina Board of Governors. Donated photo
and hopes for your institution, but I look forward to being able to see that for all of the other institutions as well,” Greeley said.
Hardister said he learned of his appointment Wednesday night. A native of Greensboro, Hardister graduated from Greensboro College with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012, serving six terms before retiring earlier this year. In 2016, he was elected to serve as the House Majority Whip, one of the top leadership positions in the General Assembly. He is the youngest and longest-serving House Majority Whip in state history.
After leaving the House, he started Hardister Strategies LLC to provide consulting services for public affairs, business development and strategic planning.
Hardister, who resides in Whitsett, was sworn in July 2.
“It’s an honor to be appointed to serve on the Western Carolina University Board of Trustees,” Hardister said. “I’m excited about being a part of all of the great work that’s going on. When I served in the House of Representatives, I chaired the Universities Committee and I got to know a lot of the people there. It’s a great school and I have a lot of respect for the staff and faculty. They’re doing great things and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.”
Federal government announces $20 million for improvements to Corridor K
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced a $20 million grant from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to modernize roads and improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will be provided with the funding for the Greater Rural Access and Highways to Accelerate Mobility project in Graham County being implemented on behalf of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), the project sponsor, to construct one of the last sections of the Appalachian Development System, a roughly 12-mile portion of Corridor K. The corridor connects local communities and visitors to the Nantahala National Forest, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and the Great Smoky National Park.
As part of the project, NCDOT will modernize the 12-mile segment, which currently is limited in capacity with many roadways having steep grades, sharp curves, and narrow shoulder widths, impairing mobility and constraining travel for private vehicles, freight, and emergency services. NCDOT will also expand active transportation access by constructing new sidewalks in Robbinsville and a new land bridge to allow pedestrians and wildlife to cross North Carolina Highway 143. The project is located within, and provides access to, National Tribal Transportation Facilities owned by the EBCI.
Community Almanac
Lake Junaluska to host services and workshops
Lake Junaluska’s Summer Worship Series has now resumed with seven visiting theologians serving as guest preachers. Summer Worship Series’ services will begin at 9 a.m. on consecutive Sundays through Aug. 11 at the Lakeside White Tent near Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska. Guest musicians will lead the music. Seating is limited. Visitors may bring their own chairs. All are welcome.
In addition, the theologians in residence will also lead devotions at 8:30 a.m. Mondays on the back deck of the Harrell Center and workshops, providing opportunities in today’s virtual world for meaningful, in-person conversations and experiences with leading theologians. A complete schedule of events is available at bit.ly/smrwrshp2024.
• July 7-10: The Rev. Jasmine Smothers is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and currently serves as lead pastor of the historic Atlanta First United Methodist Church in downtown Atlanta.
• July 14-17: The Rev. Dr. James Harnish retired after 43 years of pastoral ministry in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. He served as a delegate to General and Jurisdictional Conferences and to World Methodist Conferences in England, Brazil, Kenya and South Africa.
• July 21-24: The Rev. Dr. Alma Tinoco Ruiz is a practical theologian whose work centers on the intersection of homiletics, pastoral care, and evangelism. Tinoco Ruiz is exploring how preachers can effectively address the trauma experienced by marginalized and oppressed communities, particularly the community of undocumented immigrants from Latin America in the United States.
• July 28-31: The Rev. Dr. Michael Adam Beck is currently the director of the Fresh Expressions House of Studies at United Theological Seminary, director of Fresh Expressions Florida, and director of Fresh Expressions for The United Methodist Church. He serves as the co-pastor of Wildwood UMC and St. Marks UMC with his wife Jill, where they direct addiction recovery programs, a jail ministry, a food pantry, an interracial unity movement, and house a faith-based inpatient treatment center.
• Aug. 4-7: The Rev. Dr. Sandra Richter, internationally known for her work on Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomistic History, brings the Old Testament to life by exploring the real people and real places from which it comes. She has led many student groups in archaeological excavation and historical geography classes in Israel and has taught at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wesley Biblical Seminary and Wheaton College.
• Aug. 11-14: The Rev. Jack Shitama is an author, teacher, speaker and coach. His family systems approach to leadership helps congregational and nonprofit leaders achieve their best spiritually, physically and professionally.
Franklin welcomes new clothing company
The Franklin Chamber of Commerce welcomed November South Clothing Company to the Franklin business community. NSCC is located at 133 Commons Drive just down from Hellcat Tattoos. NSCC features Berne Work Apparel, as well as a variety of casual clothing for both men and boys.
NSCC is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Drop by and welcome them to our business community.
Nominate for Mountain Heritage Awards
Nominations are being accepted for the annual Mountain Heritage Awards, which recognize contributions of regional artists, nonprofit leaders and an array of organizations for their commitment to Appalachian culture and preservation or interpretation of the history of Southern Appalachia. Award winners will receive an engraved commemorative plaque.
Honorees are selected by a committee comprised of community and Western Carolina University representatives. The two award categories recognize an individual and an organization for distinguished service, accomplishments, influence or expertise in maintaining the cultural viability of the region.
Nominations must be emailed to mhd@wcu.edu by Monday, July 15, at 5 p.m.
Nominations should be five pages or less; outline the nominee’s accomplishments; describe the nominee’s impact on their field, such as crafts, music, or a social or environmental cause; explain the nominee’s role as a teacher, advocate, leader or preserver of mountain culture and heritage; list the nominee’s awards or other recognitions; and provide links to online support materials (optional).
Mars Hill University hosts Upward Bound Reunion
Upward Bound Alumni (1968-2013) are gathering for their first reunion on July 27, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Broyhill Chapel and Bentley Fellowship Hall on the campus of Mars Hill University.
Required.
• Musical Storytime (ages 3-6): 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 11. No registration needed.
• Mad Hatter Tea Party (ages 4-7): 10-11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 18. Registration Required. For more fun kids programs going on this July, please pick up a calendar at the library’s circulation desk.
The Marianna Black Library is located in downtown Bryson City, on the corner of Academy and Rector Street. For any questions or to sign up for a kids program, please contact Allison Reid at 828.488.3030, ext. 130 or send an email to areid@fonanalib.org.
Roundtable to center on contested borderlands
The Western North Carolina Civil War Round Table continues its 2024 series of programs on Monday, July 8, with a presentation by Brian McKnight. The program entitled “Contested Borderlands,” will take place at the Haywood County Public Library in Waynesville.
All Upward Bound attendees are encouraged to join the many already registered for this special reunion that includes recognitions of former directors, history of the program, student testimonials from those who wish to share, lunch and a watermelon cutting. For information, please call 828.689.1167 or email upwardboundmhc@gmail.com.
Swain library offers
summer family programs
The Marianna Black Library in Bryson City is encouraging area children to read all summer long.
It’s not too late to sign up kids for the Summer Learning Program, “Adventure Begins at your Library.” Kids ages 3-18 still have a few weeks left to sign up and start earning prizes. Kids read for just 20 minutes a day, log their reading, and then pick up a prize at the end of the week.
The Summer Learning Program is more than just reading. Here are just a few of the cool programs at the Library this July:
• Harry Potter Wand Making Night (ages 8-18): 3:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, Registration
During the four years of the Civil War, the border between eastern Kentucky and southwestern Virginia was highly contested, alternately occupied by both the Confederacy and the Union. Though this territory was sparsely populated, the geography made it a desirable stronghold for future tactical maneuvers. As the war progressed, the Cumberland Gap quickly became the target of invasion and occupation efforts of both armies, creating a chaos that would strain not only the soldiers but all those who called the area their home. Dr. Brian McKnight will share his research into the tensions between the accomplishment of military goals and the maintenance of civilian life in the region. Dr. McKnight teaches history at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. He has published several articles and books including Confederate Outlaw: Champ Ferguson and the Civil War in Appalachia, Contested Borderland: The Civil War in Appalachian Kentucky and Virginia and The Guerrilla Hunters: Irregular Conflicts During the Civil War.
The program will begin at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
More information about programs and field trips with the Roundtable can be found at wnccwrt.com.
Waynesville VFW to host Jeep Show
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5202 is hosting its inaugural Jeep Show in conjunction with WNC Jeepers on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at the VFW (216 Miller St., Waynesville) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will be prizes, raffles, music and food. Registration is $20 per Jeep and is open to the public. Guests are encouraged to attend, view the Jeeps, vote for Fan Favorite and take part in the raffles.
All proceeds from the event will go to support the veterans the VFW serves and its annual scholarship and recognition programs.
Beneath the traditions, let’s consider our democracy
When our three children were young, we had a regular July 4 tradition. For probably about 15 years, we would head to Bryson City for the Firecracker 5K, a very low-key road race that starts downtown and heads out toward Deep Creek and then back. Not all of us ran each year, as Lori was sometimes pregnant or caring for an infant, or she would run and I’d take kid duty, and sometimes we pushed the jogging stroller with one or two children in it.
We would hang out in Bryson City’s Freedom Fest afterward, partake in the fun, and then — depending on whether we had out-of-town company or what the weather was like — we might head straight to Deep Creek, rent tubes and enjoy a cool float on a hot summer day before heading home and throwing something on the grill for supper. Those family traditions make for great memories.
I still love Independence Day, but I consider it more of a national landmark than a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas. As a fourth- or fifth-grader, we had to memorize of the passages of the Declaration of Independence, and I think perhaps that was one of those times in my youth when I became mesmerized by the power and beauty of the written word:
Biden is the real liar
To the Editor:
I have just finished wading through the tirade by Mr. Snell regarding President Trump. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I find it sad that he harbors so much rage and pure hatred.
I am tired of anti-Trumpers saying he lies, when the worst liar is Joe Biden. Almost every time he opens his mouth out pops a lie. He makes up lies about things he has done, like drive a semi, be the first in his family to attend college, his son was killed in a war, even his uncle was eaten by cannibals.
More importantly, he has lied time and again about the border being closed. The first day in office he rescinded President Trump’s remain in Mexico policy and other things to curtail the flow and ever since there have been record number of illegal immigrants pouring across our border and everyone knows the border is wide open. He has repeatedly lied about never having spoken to son Hunter about his business dealings with foreign countries. Texts, emails, phone calls have showed that is a lie. He lied when he said he had inherited a 9% inflation rate from Trump. Inflation rate when he took office was 1.4%. The list goes on and on.
He lies when he says he follows the law. We have laws regarding illegal immigration but he has refused to follow those. The Supreme Court ruled he does not have the authority to cancel student loans as the power of the purse rests with Congress. Yet he ignores that and continues to try to buy votes with your tax dollars.
President Biden is destroying this country. You may not like Trump’s personality. I get
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness …. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
Editor Scott McLeod
Despite the political divisions that sometimes overwhelm us now and the sins of our past — this country was founded on principles that all of us should still hold dear. We can all admit, now, those words about equality certainly didn’t apply to Native Americans, Black slaves or women. But that’s why our history is both painful and inspirational, because eventually we did recognize those shortcomings in our founding principles and worked through tough times to erase those early institutional prejudices. Individuals may still hold these prejudices, but they aren’t on the law books.
I know the Declaration of Independence is what July 4 is
LETTERS
that. However, this election should not be about personality, but who is going to lead and protect this country and better the lives of all Americans. I read an article written by a venture capitalist whose name and company I do not remember. I do remember his words, “I drank the Kool Aid of the media” and was terrified of Trump. He contributed to, supported and voted for Clinton. He said he has now seen what has happened to this country, how our justice system is going after political opponents and it has to stop. He is now supporting Trump, will vote for Trump, and just sent a $300,000 to his campaign fund. ‘Nuf said.
Gretchen Branning Waynesville
Trump ignores biblical wisdom
To the Editor:
Donald Trump persists in declaring himself “an innocent man.” Yet, juries of his peers believe otherwise. In the E. Jean Carroll case. The New York civil fraud trial. And, the Stormy Daniels hush money trial. In all three cases Donald Trump was hammered by his peers. Trials are not perfect. Yet, as we watch these trials we have our confidence restored in our judicial process. Still, Trump uses any microphone he can get his hands on to generate doubt. Will his efforts fail in the long run? We will see.
Surely! Surely all the judges, jurors, prosecutors and (yes) defense lawyers have not spent endless hours in their quest for truth only to have Donald Trump tell them they are stupid fools who are wasting their time. Now
all about, but the spirit of the Declaration and the laws of the Constitution are the cornerstones upon which our democratic republic are built.
And so here’s, I think, a valid question: do we still embody those principles? Can we be led down a path where individual freedoms are not guaranteed, where the government works for individual leaders instead of for the citizenry? Can democracy actually be taken away by a few decisions by people in powerful places?
Worse yet, is it possible that the golden age of democracy is over? Are we moving past the era where America stood as the shining example for the entire world of how a diverse citizenry could keep moving forward and embracing the principles of individual choice despite our differences?
I think many of us see that as a real possibility. It’s frightening.
It’s a notion to ponder as we watch patriotic parades, wave flags, wear red white and blue and ponder the past and the future of this country that’s unlike any other in the world. Happy Independence Day.
(Scott McLeod is the publisher and editor of The Smoky Mountain News. info@smokymountainnews.com.)
Trump is threatening to weaponize the Department of Justice (if he is re-elected) in order to exact revenge for his self-inflicted trials and tribulations. This is what he is falsely claiming Joe Biden has done to him. Even if that claim were so, why can Trump not rise above the fray for once in his lifetime? That is because Trump is morally out of touch with most of the world. Furthermore, he ignores the King James Bible which he flaunts and sells: “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place to wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
Are those who support Trump, then, not giving tacit approval for him to ignore these long-standing words of Biblical wisdom? Do Trump supporters know what they have
signed up for? Trump is not an innocent man. He is a convicted felon!
N.C was crucial to independence
To the Editor:
On April 12, 1776, North Carolina was the first state to call for independence from Great Britain. Her Provincial Congress, meeting at Halifax, North Carolina, passed a resolution that has come to be known as the “Halifax Resolves.”
Following the Boston Tea Party, the women of Edenton, North
Dave Waldrop Webster
American democracy’s last stand
BY JOHN B ECKMAN G UEST COLUMNIST
Iwas raised in a rural, conservative-leaning county with two working parents and six busy kids. My mother was a nurse and public heath educator and my father worked in insurance and real estate before serving three terms as our Republican State House representative and later as a lawyer and court judge. I grew up with the notion that the government worked for the people, that it worked to represent the voices of everyone and that minimal intrusion into business working, private lives and personal freedoms was of utmost importance. I remember wearing a Barry Goldwater campaign button during his failed 1964 presidential run and telling the adults that I was going to vote for him, even though I was only 5 years old.
But something happened around 1980 with Ronald Reagan’s rise to the White House and his embracing of the televangelists we then saw on TV, bringing them into the political conversation and spotlight. The respect for diverse voices and inclusive discussions began to fade as the Pat Robertsons and Jim Bakers blasted their brands of Christianity into the legislative chambers which echoed across the airwaves, shutting out the quiet voices of rational discussions and inclusion. The carefully balanced scales of “personal choice” and “public good” became tipped by their self-serving prophetic thumbs and empty promises.
Fast-forward 35 years to the rise of Trump-ism, and the once-proud Republican Party has been reduced to a mere shadow of
Carolina, demonstrated remarkable bravery by organizing the first political resistance against British rule in the colonies, a tea boycott. This act of defiance set the stage for the first North Carolina Provincial Congress in 1774, where members were elected to attend the Continental Congress. The Second Provincial Congress held the following year, further solidified North Carolina's stance against British rule, leading to the dissolution of the official assembly by Royal Governor Josiah Martin. North Carolina was the site of an early invasion attempt by the British in 1776, but the attempt failed when a large group of Loyalists were defeated at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge. The “Halifax Resolves” were adopted less than a month later, on April 12, 1776.
In July of 1776, after Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed a formal vote for independence to the Continental Congress, North Carolina's representatives, Joseph Hewes, William Hooper, and Lyman Hall, voted for independence per their instructions in the Resolves. The same month,
what they once stood for, leaving the party, and the nation, severely diminished. It is now fueled largely by dark money from mysterious political action committees and represented by the House GOP clown-car antics and Donald Trump’s lunatic statements. By shouting out their grievances and creating chaos instead of working constructively to address the many challenges we face, we now find ourselves on the edge of a national political cliff.
The GOP I once admired now has me plugging my ears, shaking my head and running away from the destructive madness and vitriol on display in our nation’s capital. Today’s Republican Party, now the Trump party, has shown that it no longer believes and honors the fundamental principles many of us once admired, with their new embrace of restricted rights of personal freedom and choice, women’s health care, voting access, education and science.
Joe Biden may not be the charismatic firebrand many of us would like to see running for the presidency, but he is a genuine American who truly believes in and works for the good of the nation with dignity and respect for the rule of law. He and several Democrats will get my votes in November because a vote for Trump and his supporters in Congress will be a vote to end democracy in America. Our fragile democracy deserves better treatment than today’s GOP is offering, and the chaos, vengeance and belligerence Trump is serving up will only drive American democracy further over the edge.
(John Beckman lives in Cullowhee and is a builder and farmer. beckmanmtn@yahoo.com.)
Governor Martin fled with the attempted British invasion fleet, ending royal rule in North Carolina.
North Carolina's resilience was tested in the latter half of the war as the fighting moved south. The state saw some of the war's fiercest battles, including the crucial Battle of Guilford Courthouse. General Charles Cornwallis was left in awe despite the British victory, writing, “I never saw such fighting ... the Americans fought like demons.” This testament to North Carolina's determination is a key part of the state's role in the American Revolution.
Though the British won the battle, Cornwallis' troops were worn out and illsupplied after a year of chasing the Continental Army through the state. The Battle of Guilford Courthouse finally broke his strength, and Cornwallis was forced to flee to the coast for reinforcements. He was trapped at Yorktown, Virginia, and forced to surrender, ending the American Revolution.
L.E. Cossette Waynesville
Mural celebrates past, present and future of Pigeon Center
BY C ORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF W RITER
Avisually stunning amalgamation of images — both historic and aspirational — now adorns Waynesville’s Pigeon Community Multicultural Development center, breathing new life into an old neighborhood and commemorating the important role of the structure in regional Black history.
“I’ve been here 20-plus years. I also went to school in this building, so to me, the past, present and future is definitely realistic in my eyes,” said Lyn Forney, executive director of PCMDC. “As I come into this building, I always remember when it was the school and hear the voices of the teachers, I see my little classmates and all that stuff. To be able to see that for real, live in color, is amazing. It’s absolutely amazing.”
In 1957, the Pigeon Street School, located in Waynesville’s traditionally Black community, replaced the old Rosenwald School across Oakdale Street as Haywood County’s segregated school for Black children. When North Carolina Schools were desegregated in 1963, it became an instructional materials center until it was no longer needed. Soon, the Pigeon Community Development Club began to use it under the auspices of another Haywood nonprofit, REACH. The Pigeon Center became its own nonprofit in 2009 with some help from the Center for Participatory Change in Asheville and now provides summertime educational programs and afterschool care as well as holiday events and cultural offerings.
The mural came into being after a $15,000 grant from the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority and a $5,000 grant from the Haywood County Arts Council, along with smalldollar fundraising conducted over the course of a year.
A nationwide call for artists produced 16 applicants; ultimately, New York City-based muralist Kristy McCarthy was selected for the job.
But the mural isn’t painted directly on the ruddy brick walls of the Pigeon Center — McCarthy painted it in sections in her NYC studio on poly tab cloth, also known as parachute cloth, with the help of fellow muralist Michael Mitchell. Poly tab is a very strong non-woven fabric known for its durability and should last around 30 years, especially once it’s sealed to protect the vibrant colors from harmful UV rays.
Installed and completed with the help of Western Carolina University interns Jerel Tavares and Miguel Antonio Perez, the mural spans two exterior faces of the building’s cafeteria and tells the story of the Pigeon Center through historic imagery connected with a Cherokee basket weave motif to acknowledge the history of the land where the Pigeon Center is located.
“They came up with a theme before I was even invited to come,” McCarthy said. “They really wanted to honor the history of the neighborhood and of this building and talk about the original Pigeon Street School that was in this building before it was the PCMDC. They wanted to talk about what the center offers today, what values they have and the future of this neighborhood and this center.”
McCarthy conducted some research on the area, then paid a visit and participated in a listening session with members of the community. She credited Assistant Town Manager Jesse Fowler and well-known local historian Alex McKay with helping her to source photos and develop the vision for the mural.
“It took a village to make this mural,” said McCarthy. “We did it all together. I’m really proud of it. I hope everybody else
is proud of it and feels like it represents them.”
Nearly every aspect of the mural conveys meaning in both a visual and a symbolic sense.
Starting near the front door, the mural features images of three of the school’s teachers from the late 1950s beneath a rendering of a traditional Maypole dance, a featured recess activity for the school’s students. Beneath that, the spire of the nearby AME Zion church looms majestically over an old drive-in restaurant that used to be located across the street from the PCMDC. A 1952 DeSoto is parked out front.
Above it and backdropped by a red velvet curtain are three young students, one of them PCMDC board member Gregory Wheeler, all dressed up for a school play.
Rounding the corner to the front face of the building, the mural features street signs denoting Babb and Craven streets, the figurative crossroads of the community.
A stack of books rests near an old woman reading to a young girl, representing the passing on of knowledge, history and heritage to the next generation. Behind them, a gold medallion overlapping regional mountain vistas depicts PCMDC’s logo, a pair of conjoined Siamese crocodiles representing democracy and cooperation.
Near the edge of the mural, volunteers are shown harvesting from a community garden — cuisine is culture — while a group of children linger in the background, representing the future of the community.
“I think about the ‘past’ part of it and that this building represents so much more than just a school,” Forney said. “It represents a community. it represents a struggle. It represents overcoming lots of battles and issues. But ultimately, it represents a community coming together.”
Muralist Kristy McCarthy (far right) puts the finishing touches on her mural at the Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center on June 28, 2024. Cory Vaillancourt photo
This must be the place
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD
‘In
the woods from far away, from across the fields and pastures, in the cool misty morning air’
Hello from atop the roof of my parents’ 1840 brick farmhouse. Some 20 feet up on the back end of the structure. It’s hot as hell walking across the old roof in the midday sunshine and heat of early summer in the Champlain Valley of Upstate New York.
As stated in last week’s column, I’m in the North Country to take care of some family business. Way beyond the Mason-Dixon Line and within a 20-minute drive to the Canadian Border. The land of black flies and pine needles strewn across the forest floor. Old maple trees and maple syrup. Boating on Lake Champlain and cold suds at the Fourth Ward Club in nearby Plattsburgh.
I’m up on the roof due to my 82year-old father. With stubbornness and pride running through his veins, it took some convincing to get him to not climb up the ladder. He wanted to clean out the gutters and trim some of the branches off the large maple tree in the backyard hanging dangerously over said roof. Either trim the branches now or, perhaps, have one of the big limbs snap off in an ice storm. It’s happened before, back in January 1998.
So, with my father keeping watch as I made my way up the never-ending ladder — my mother and my girlfriend, Sarah, also observing from a safe distance in the backyard — I carefully hopped off the ladder and walked up the steep pitch of the roof to the other side where the clogged gutters were now sprouting small trees and thick roots of their own, the hanging limbs of the maple tree within grasp.
Nearing the edge of the roof, I held steady. Dusty work gloves from my folks’ barn across the way. Tools to rip out and clean out the gutters. A branch trimmer for the smaller limbs, a handsaw for anything else too big to snap in two quickly and efficiently. All as my father continually points out which ones need to be cut.
friend picking up the discarded limbs and dirt lumps scattered around the driveway.
It was also the last day before Sarah and I had to pack up my truck and motor 1,100 miles to our apartment in downtown Waynesville. And although I’d rather be disappearing into the depths of the Adirondack Mountains in the distance on a day like this — jumping into a cold river following a hot afternoon hike, maybe up near Tupper Lake — I realized the roof was the only place I wanted to be.
You see, it dawned on me while on that damn roof about how many more times I may be able to help my father out with what-
Yank out the thick roots, dirt and leaves from the gutters. Toss the soggy lumps over the edge of the roof onto the driveway below. Repeat until the process is done. Trim the limbs and toss those, too. Reach slowly down to grab the water hose with the extension, pull it up onto the roof and spray out the gutters until everything flows smoothly once again.
With a daddy long legs spider crawling up my left boot and sweat dripping down my forehead, I took a breather for a moment. I also took in the scene before me. My toughas-nails father instructing me how to do what I already know how to do (cut limbs, clean gutters, etc.). My beloved mother and girl-
HOT PICKS
1
A special production of “Footloose” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. July 5-6, 11-13, 1819, 25-27 and 2 p.m. July 7, 14, 20-21 and 28 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.
2
The 33rd annual Maggie Valley Arts & Crafts Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 6-7 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.
3
“The Great American Bash” featuring Americana/rock sensation The Brothers Gillespie and rock/soul outfit The Get Right Band will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 6, at The Scotsman in Waynesville.
4
The 15th season of the annual “Concerts on the Creek” music series will host rock/jam outfit Arnold Hill will hit the stage at 7 p.m. Friday, July 5, at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva.
5
“Art After Dark” will continue its 2024 season from 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 5, in downtown Waynesville.
ever he needs tinkering with at the farmhouse. What needs to be repaired or replaced or in dire need of attention. Some spit shine and some old-school Yankee ingenuity. Blood, sweat and tears. The bond between father and son, no matter the stubbornness and pride exhibited by each, either acknowledged or oblivious.
A sea of memories started creeping up on me with each limb cut off the old maple tree, each clump of soggy dirt from the gutter. Visions of our former farmhouse up on the border in Rouses Point. My childhood home, which my folks sold right before I graduated college in 2007. An 1820 limestone house with a barn with a slate roof and seven acres of property surrounded by
endless corn fields.
With orders from my father, the daily adolescent and teenage chores would run the gamut. Help him load up firewood to chop on the side lawn and then stack it high inside the barn to dry out. Paint the trim on the barn each spring following a harsh winter. Wash the minivan. Fix the fences along the back pasture. But, mostly, I would stand there and listen to the old man teach me something, most of which is still intact and written down on the walls of my mind.
And just as quickly as those foggy memories of yesterday were conjured, they vanished in an instant when I was shaken out of my trance and back into reality. It was the voice of my father, bellowing from way down below in the backyard, making sure I could see the exact branch he was pointing to as to signal the last one to cut before slowly slinking down the pitched roof.
Grip the ladder firmly and turn yourself around ever so carefully. There’s small clumps of slippery mud on the ladder rungs. Guess I didn’t toss the clumps out far enough over the driveway from high above. By the time I stood firmly again in the backyard, returning to my anchoring point of balance and safety, my father already had another project for me waiting in the wings.
“Hey, I need you to help me saw off that big branch there,” he pointed to the other side of the old maple tree. “It dead and is also hanging over the driveway.”
“Sure, no problem,” I responded. There’s no sarcasm in my voice, just genuine sincerity in approaching the next task at-hand, gratitude within for this interaction with the old man as the clock ticks away like it always does.
Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.
An old gas pump in the North Country.
Garret K. Woodward photo
Maggie Valley Arts & Crafts Show
The 33rd annual Maggie Valley Arts & Crafts Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 6-7 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, 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. Food trucks and beverage vendors will also be onsite. The event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated. Parking is free.
For more information, call 828.926.1686 or go to maggievalley.org.
• “Mountain Street Dance” will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, July 12, in front of the historic courthouse in downtown Waynesville. Live mountain music (Haywood Ramblers) and clogging (Southern Appalachian Cloggers). Caller will be Joe Sam Queen. Participation encouraged. Free to attend. For more information, go to downtownwaynesville.com/events.
• Sweet Corn Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 6-7 at Darnell Farms in Bryson City. Food trucks, live music, vendors, bounce houses, kids activities, corn eating contests and more. For more information, go to darnellfarms.com.
ALSO:
• Grumpy Bear Campground & RV Park (Bryson City) will host a “Native American Show” 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Free and open to the public. Donations encouraged. 828.788.2095 or grumpybearcampground.com.
On the table
• “Flights & Bites” will be held starting at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in downtown Waynesville. For more information on upcoming events, wine tastings and special dinners, go to waynesvillewine.com.
• “Take A Flight” with four new wines every Friday and Saturday at the Bryson City Wine Market. Select from a gourmet selection of charcuterie to enjoy
with your wines. Educational classes and other events are also available. For more information, call 828.538.0420.
• “Uncorked: Wine & Rail Pairing Experience” will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 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. There will also be a special “Beer Train” on select dates. For more information and/or to register, call 800.872.4681 or go to gsmr.com.
Arts and crafts come together in Maggie Valley July 6-7. File photo
On the beat
• American Legion Post 47 (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic” 3 p.m. every Tuesday. Free and open to the public. 828.456.8691.
• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host an open mic from 8-10 p.m. every Thursday. Free and open to the public. 828.631.1987 / balsamfallsbrewing.com.
• Balsam Mountain Inn (Balsam) will host an “Open Jam” 6 p.m. every Tuesday. 828.283.0145 / thebalsammountaininn.com.
• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host Len Graham (singer-songwriter) July 6 and 8Trk Cadillac July 13. All shows begin at 5 p.m.. Free and open to the public. 828.246.9320 / blueridgebeerhub.com.
ALSO:
• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host Karaoke Night every Wednesday, Trivia Night 7 p.m. Thursdays, Trusty Hucksters Band (rock) July 6 and 5000LB Tractor (rock/jam) July 13. All shows are located in The Gem downstairs taproom and begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.246.0350 / boojumbrewing.com.
• Farm At Old Edwards (Highlands) will host the “Orchard Sessions” w/Brandon Crocker (singer-songwriter) July 10. All shows begin at 6 p.m. 866.526.8008 / oldedwardshospitality.com/orchardsessions.
• Folkmoot Friendship Center (Waynesville) will host the “Summer Soiree” 7 p.m. July 11. 828.452.2997 / folkmoot.org.
• Friday Night Live (Highlands) will host Nitrograss (Americana) July 5 and Silly Ridge (Americana) July 12 at Town Square on Main Street. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. highlandschamber.org.
• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Andrew Thelston Band (rock/jam) 6 p.m. July 5 and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.454.5664 / froglevelbrewing.com.
• Frog Quarters (Franklin) will host live music from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Free and open to the public. Located at 573 East Main Street. 828.369.8488 / littletennessee.org.
• Great Smoky Mountains Event Park (Bryson City) will host “Singing In The Smokies” w/The Inspirations, The Kingsmen, Chuck Wagon Gang and more July 4-6. For more information and a full schedule of performers/events, go to theinspirationsquartet.com/tour.
• Groovin’ on the Green (Cashiers) will host The Wobblers July 19. Shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. Donations encouraged. villagegreencashiersnc.com/concerts.
• Happ’s Place (Glenville) will host Doug Ramsey (singer-songwriter) every Monday
Rock rolls into NOC
Asheville rock group The Andrew Thelston Band will hit the stage at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 4, at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in the Nantahala Gorge.
In terms of musical ambassadors within the melodic melting pot of a scene that is Western North Carolina, you’d be hard-pressed to find an artist as dedicated and inclusive as that of Andrew Thelston.
Throughout his exploration of these mountains and its inhabitants, Thelston has remained a sponge of sorts, always soaking in the knowledge and wisdom of astute musicians, the sacred act of performance, and the ancient craft of creation — either in collaboration, in passing, through a recording or in the presence of live music.
The culmination of these vast, ongoing experiences and interactions remains the fire of intent within Thelston to hold steady and navigate his own course, which currently is The Andrew Thelston Band — a rock/soul ensemble of power and swagger.
Free and open to the public. 828.785.5082 or noc.com. For more on Thelston, go to andrewthelston.com.
‘Concerts on the Creek’
The Town of Sylva, Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce are proud to present the 15th season of the annual “Concerts on the Creek” music series.
Rock/jam outfit Arnold Hill will hit the stage at 7 p.m. Friday, July 5, at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva.
Formed in 2011, the Jackson County band is named after a road in Sylva where the musicians lived and practiced. In method, Arnold Hill adheres to the playful nature and creative possibilities that reside in the rock quartet.
“Concerts on the Creek” are held every Friday night from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Everyone is encouraged to bring a chair or blanket. These events are free, but donations are encouraged. Dogs must be on a leash. No smoking, vaping, coolers or tents are allowed. There will be food trucks on site for this event.
For more information, call the chamber at 828.586.2155, visit mountainlovers.com/concerts-on-the-creek or go to the “Concerts on the Creek” Facebook page.
Bryson City community jam
A community jam will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.
Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer or anything unplugged is invited to join. Singers are also welcomed to join in or you can just stop by and listen. The jam is facilitated by Larry Barnett of the Sawmill Creek Porch Band.
The community jams offer a chance for musicians of all ages and levels of ability to share music they have learned over the years or learn old-time mountain songs. The music jams are offered to the public each first and third Thursday of the month — spring, summer, fall.
This program received support from the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment of the Arts.
For more information, call 828.488.3030.
(live music/karaoke), The Wobblers July 4, Rock Holler July 5, Rock Steady Reggae Band July 6, Kayla McKinney (singer-songwriter) July 11, Blue Jazz (blues/jazz) July 12 and Doug Ramsey (singer-songwriter) July 13. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.742.5700 / happsplace.com.
• Highlander Mountain House (Highlands) will host “Blues & Brews” on Thursday evenings, “Sunday Bluegrass Residency” from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Mike Cooley (singer-songwriter) 8:30 p.m. July 25 ($45 per person). 828.526.2590 / highlandermountainhouse.com.
• Highlands Performing Arts Center will host The Texas Tenors (Americana/country) July 5 and Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival (classical) 5 p.m. July 6. 828.526.9047 / highlandsperformingarts.com.
• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host “Monday Night Trivia” every week, “Open Mic w/Phil” Wednesdays, Bird In Hand (Americana/indie) July 4, Shane Davis (singer-songwriter) July 6 and Nate Coffey (singer-songwriter) July 13. All shows and events begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.586.9678/ innovation-brewing.com.
• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host Bryan & Al (soft rock/indie) July 5 and Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’Blues (rock/blues) July 6 ($10 cover). All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 / lazyhikerbrewing.com.
• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host “Music Bingo” 6:30 p.m. Mondays, Roscoe’s Road Show (classic rock) July 5 and The Waymores (Americana) July 12. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 / lazyhikerbrewing.com.
• Legends Sports Bar & Grill (Maggie Valley) will host an “Open Mic Night” 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Free and open to the public. 828.944.0403 / facebook.com/legendssportsgrillmaggievalley.
• Marianna Black Library (Bryson City) will host a “Community Music Jam” at 6 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month and Granny’s Mason Jar (Americana) 7 p.m. July 11. Free and open to the public. All musicians and music lovers are welcome. 828.488.3030 / fontanalib.org.
• Nantahala Outdoor Center (Nantahala Gorge) will host Juan Holladay (blues/indie) 2 p.m. July 4, Andrew Thelston Band (rock/jam) 5 p.m. July 4, The Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs (Americana/indie) July 5, The Log Noggins (Americana/rock) July 6, Jamie Hite (soft rock/folk) 2 p.m. July 7, Woolybooger (blue/folk) July 7, Christina Chandler (Americana/folk) 3 p.m. July 11, Eddie Clayton (singer-songwriter) July 12, Shane Meade (indie/folk) 2 p.m. July 13, Eddie Clayton (singer-songwriter) July 13
Andrew Thelston will play the NOC July 4. File photo
Arnold Hill. Donated photo
On the beat
Chamber music returns to Waynesville
The popular Chamber Music Society of the Carolinas (CMSC) will perform at 4 p.m. July 7, 14, 21 and 28 at First United Methodist Church in Waynesville.
Featuring the Jasper String Quartet, Tesla Quartet and other talented special guests, performances are creative, joyful, up-close and intimate.
“It’s music that transcends sitting in your seat,” said J Freivogel, founding member and current first violinist of the Jasper String Quartet. “Experience the thrilling nature of live performance during the CMSC concerts. Come hear top-notch musicians and see their craft up close. Watch the way they create — and hear the musical ‘conversation’ between instruments.”
Ready for ‘The Great American Bash’?
Presented by Adamas Entertainment and The Scotsman Public House, “The Great American Bash” will feature Americana/rock sensation The Brothers Gillespie and rock/soul outfit The Get Right Band on Saturday, July 6, in the parking lot of The Scotsman, located at 37 Church Street in downtown Waynesville.
Single tickets are $30, with season tickets $100. Students will be admitted free. Donations to the CMSC can be made online and are appreciated to support these performances.
For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to cms-carolinas.com. Tickets are also available at the door by cash/check.
and Blue (Americana) 2 p.m. July 14. All shows behind at 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.785.5082 / noc.com.
• Peacock Performing Arts Center (Hayesville) will host Free Bird (Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute) 6:30 p.m. Aug. 3 ($42 per person). All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.389.ARTS / thepeacocknc.org.
• Pickin’ In The Park (Canton) will host Rick Morris (band) & Southern Appalachian (dancers) July 5 and Running Wolfe (band) & Mountain Tradition (dancers) July 12. Shows are 6-9 p.m. at the Canton Rec Park located at 77 Penland Street. Free and open to the public. cantonnc.com/pickin-in-the-park.
• Pickin’ On The Square (Franklin) will host The Remnants (rock/pop) July 13. All shows begin at 6 p.m. at the Gazebo in downtown. Free and open to the public. franklinnc.com/pickin-on-the-square.html.
• Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host Karaoke 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Trivia Night 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.369.6796 / facebook.com/rathskellercoffeebarandpub.
• Santé Wine Bar (Sylva) will host Andy Ferrell (singer-songwriter) July 7 amd Syrrup July 14. All shows begin at 5 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.631.3075 / facebook.com/thewinebarandcellar.
• Saturdays On Pine (Highlands) will host Blaze The City July 6 and Dive Bar Divas (pop/soul) July 13 at Kelsey-Hutchinson Park on Pine Street. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. highlandschamber.org.
• Scotsman (Waynesville) will host Doss Church Trio (Americana/indie) July 5, “The
Great American Bash” w/The Brothers Gillespie (Americana/indie) & The Get Right Band (rock/soul) 5:30 p.m. July 6 ($15 cover) and Hanna & Madge (Americana) July 11. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.6292 / scotsmanpublic.com.
• Slanted Window Tasting Station (Franklin) will host Alton Lane Band 4 p.m. July 4, Rachel Bellavance (singer-songwriter) 4 p.m. July 5, Madison Owenby (singer-songwriter) 5 p.m. July 6 and Gregg Erwin (singer-songwriter) 5 p.m. July 7. 828.276.9463 / slantedwindow.com.
• Stecoah Valley Center (Robbinsville) will host a Community Jam 5:30-7:30 p.m. every third Thursday of the month, Pretty Little Goat (Americana/bluegrass) July 6 ($18 adults, $10 students) and Rick Faris (singer-songwriter) July 13 ($20 adults, $10 students). All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.479.3364 / stecoahvalleycenter.com.
• Unplugged Pub (Bryson City) will host Rich Manz Trio (acoustic/oldies) July 4 (free), Jon Cox Band (country/rock) July 5, Outlaw Whiskey (classic rock/country gold) July 6, Karaoke w/Lori (free) July 11, Switchback July 12 and Kayla McKinney (singer-songwriter) July 13. All shows are $5 at the door unless otherwise noted and begin at 8 p.m. 828.538.2488 / unpluggedpub.com.
• Yonder Community Market (Franklin) will host Jim Austin Classic Country Band (Americana/country) 6:30 p.m. every first and third Thursday of the month (free) and Jackson Grimm & The Bull Moose Party (Americana/folk) 3 p.m. July 6 (free). Admission by encouraged donation unless otherwise noted as a ticketed event. Family friendly, dog friendly. 828.200.2169 / eatrealfoodinc.com.
• Find more at smokymountainnews.com/arts
Doors open at 4 p.m. Music kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with The Get Right Band, with The Brothers Gillespie hitting the stage at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. As well, there will be a special after-party starting at 9:30 p.m.
VIP tickets are also available for $35, which includes one drink and one meal. The VIP meal will be a specific offering from The Scotsman for the event itself. The VIP entry includes an exclusive bar and bathroom.
A 50/50 drawing will take place during the performances, with proceeds going to REACH of Haywood County (reachofhaywood.org).
This is an all ages outside event. Rain or shine. Ticket sales are final. Parking is free and located on the streets surrounding The Scotsman.
Full bar service available (N/A and alcoholic drinks for purchase). Food by The Scotsman available (food for pur-
chase). Must be over 21 and have a valid ID to purchase alcohol. If you are caught with outside alcohol or drugs of any kind, you will be asked to leave with no refund.
To note, children ages 12 and under are admitted free. Strollers and camping chairs are allowed. However, camping chairs must be placed in the rear section of the viewing area. No outside food or drink. Bags and purses are subject to search. No weapons. No animals (except for service animals).
Tickets will be available for purchase at the door throughout the event. Reentry is also permitted, but patrons must be wearing their admission bracelet at all times during the event to do so.
For more information and/or to purchase tickets online, go to scotsmanpublic.com or adamasentertainment.com.
The Get Right Band. File photo
Jasper String Quartet. Donated photo
On the wall
Experience ‘Textures’ at Haywood Arts
The Haywood County Arts Council’s (HCAC) latest exhibit, “Textures,” will run through Sept. 1 at the HCAC gallery on Main Street in downtown Waynesville.
Showcasing a rich tapestry of artistic mediums including ceramics, woodwork, felt, mosaic, fabric, macrame, collage and more, this diversified exhibition promises to have something for every art enthusiast.
The exhibit will kick off with an opening reception during “Art After Dark” from 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 5, at the HCAC gallery. Attendees will have
the opportunity to meet the talented artists, enjoy complimentary beverages and take in this latest body of textural work.
“My abstract landscapes are inspired by the peacefulness of nature,” said exhibiting artist Lindsay Keeling. “I capture this feeling through an exploration of color, contrast and texture. My art is an invitation to pause and appreciate the beauty.”
The exhibit and the reception are free and open to the public. For more information, go to haywoodarts.org.
• Nantahala Outdoor Center (Nantahala Gorge) will host a “Summer Artisan Market” from noon to 5 p.m. the second Saturday of the month (May-September). Free and open to the public. noc.com.
ALSO:
• “Art & Artisan Walk” will be held from 5-8 p.m. every third Thursday of the month (MayDecember) in Bryson City. Stroll the streets in the evening and discover handcrafted items, artwork, jewelry, pottery, antiques and more. Look for the yellow and blue balloons identifying participating businesses hosting artists. greatsmokies.com.
• Marianna Black Library (Bryson City) will host an adult arts and crafts program at 1 p.m. every second Thursday of the month. Ages 16 and up. Space is limited to 10 participants. Free and open to the public. To
On the stage
register, call 828.488.3030 or email vroberson@fontanalib.org.
• CRE828 (Waynesville) will offer a selection of art classes and workshops at its studio located at 1283 Asheville Road. Workshops will include art journaling, watercoloring, mixed media, acrylic painting and more. For a full list of classes, go to cre828.com. For more information on CRE828, email dawn@cre828.com or call 828.283.0523.
• Gallery Zella (Bryson City) will be hosting an array of artist receptions, exhibits and showcases. The gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, go to galleryzella.com or call 517.881.0959.
• Waynesville Photography Club meets at 7 p.m. every third Monday each month on the
second floor of the Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center in Clyde. The club is a nonprofit organization that exists for the enjoyment of photography and the improvement of one’s skills. They welcome photographers of all skill levels to share ideas and images at the monthly meetings. For more information, email waynesvillephotoclub@charter.net or follow them on Facebook: Waynesville Photography Club.
• Haywood County Arts Council (Waynesville) will offer a wide-range of classes, events and activities for artisans, locals and visitors. The HCAC gallery is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. For more information and a full schedule, go to haywoodarts.org.
• Jackson County Green Energy Park (Dillsboro) will be offering a slew of classes,
Waynesville art walk,
live music
A cherished gathering of locals and visitors alike, “Art After Dark” will continue its 2024 season from 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 5, in downtown Waynesville. Each first Friday of the month (MayDecember), Main Street transforms into an evening of art, live music, finger foods, beverages and shopping as artisan studios and galleries keep their doors open later for local residents and visitors alike. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, go to downtownwaynesville.com.
A special production of “Footloose” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. July 5-6, 11-13, 18-19, 2527 and 2 p.m. July 7, 14, 20-21 and 28 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.
This high-energy musical promises to ignite the stage with unforgettable performances, classic 1980s hits and a compelling story of youthful rebellion and the quest for freedom.
In the small town of Bomont, dancing and loud music are forbidden and the joy of youth is stifled by rigid conformity. Enter Ren McCormack, a spirited teenager from Chicago, who challenges the oppressive norms and ignites a movement that changes the town forever.
Under the direction of HART’s talented team, “Footloose” explores themes of individuality, expression and the transformative
power of art.
“‘Footloose’ is not just a nostalgic romp through the neon-lit streets of the 80s,” said HART Artistic Director & Director of Footloose Candice Dickinson. “It’s a testament to the enduring power of art to transcend boundaries and spark revolutions. At its core, Footloose is a rallying cry for individuality, expression and the relentless pursuit of freedom.”
With a cast of 37 performers ranging from seasoned HART veterans to fresh faces making their stage debut, audiences can expect powerhouse performances of iconic 1980’s anthems such as “Holdin’ Out for a Hero,” “Let’s Hear it for the Boy,” “Almost Paradise” and “Footloose.”
To make reservations, call the HART Box Office at 828.456.6322 or go to harttheatre.org. HART Box Office hours are Tuesday-Friday from noon to 5 p.m. HART is located at 250 Pigeon Street in Waynesville.
events and activities for artisans, locals and visitors. For more information and a full schedule, go to jcgep.org.
• Southwestern Community College Swain Arts Center (Bryson City) will host an array of workshops for adults and kids. For more information on the upcoming classes and/or to sign-up, go to southwesterncc.edu/scclocations/swain-center.
• Dogwood Crafters in Dillsboro will offer a selection of upcoming art classes and workshops. For more information and a full schedule of activities, go to dogwoodcrafters.com/classes or call 828.586.2248.
• Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center (Franklin) will host semi-regular arts and crafts workshops. For more information, go to coweeschool.org/events.
ALSO:
• Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will host a special stage production of “Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at 7 p.m. July 12-13 and 19-20. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, call 866.273.4615 or go to smokymountainarts.com.
• Peacock Performing Arts Center (Hayesville) will host semi-regular stage productions on the weekends. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays unless otherwise noted. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to thepeacocknc.org or call 828.389.ARTS.
• Highlands Performing Arts Center will host semi-regular stage productions on the weekends. For more information, a full schedule of events and/or to purchase tickets, go to highlandsperformingarts.com.
Works by Lindsay Keeling will be displayed at HCAC. Donated photo
Southern stories for summer reading
Perhaps like many people, summer is a time for me to finally read those books I’ve been wanting to get to. While this summer began with determination to dwindle the stack of my “to-read” books, that stack has ended up bigger than smaller.
Part of the reason for that is instead of tackling those new novels, I unexpectedly went down a different path and found myself revisiting a favorite author of mine: Flannery O’Connor. I recently watched the new film, “Wildcat,” which follows her life and depiction of some of her stories and the urge to delve into her works again was revived anew.
A Southern writer from Georgia, O’Connor is best known for her collection of short stories, “The Complete Stories” (Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux, 1971, 576 pages).
Not for the fainthearted, these stories are a gripping and intense plunge into the reality of humanity and the deep South. In all of her stories, O’Connor has an impressively unique way of capturing the imperfections of humans. Despite the limited length of a short story, O’Connor manages to illustrate her characteristics with an especially realistic complexity; none are paragons of virtue, nor are they purely despicable. Also common to her short stories is her use of shock.
ings, trying to figure out the deeper truth, I know there is one in there. Never have I read one of her stories and felt like I was supposed to interpret it at face value. But perhaps the greatest praise I could give her is that the hidden meaning usually eludes me because I find myself too wrapped up in the story, enjoying her description of the characters and small towns too much to try to see past them.
While each of them are gems, I’ll highlight three of my favorites. The first is “The Enduring Chill.” Asbury is a young intellectual returning home from New York due to a serious sickness. He is an ill-tempered, arro-
ending, but it does have a twist and the abruptness with which it holds I’ll leave for you to ponder for yourself.
Next story on my list is “Good Country People.” We start off on a farm owned by Mrs. Hopewell and run with the help of Mr. and Mrs. Freeman — “good country people” in the eyes of Mrs. Hopewell. Her 32-yearold daughter, Joy, also lives on the farm and is missing a leg from a childhood accident. She is an atheist with a Ph.D. in philosophy and her cynical, sour attitude is projected in her critiques of everyone and everything around her. In an attempt to anger her mother, she has changed her name to the ugliest one she can think of: Hulga. One day a Bible salesman comes to the door and, to Hulga’s annoyance, is invited in for dinner because Mrs. Hopewell thinks he is “good country people.” Upon leaving, the salesman, Manley Pointer, asks Hulga out to go on a picnic with him the next day and she takes him up on it. A small romance begins to brew but the date goes awry in a very unsettling way for Hulga.
Most include an element of violence or an abrupt, unforeseen ending. Now I don’t appreciate violence and graphic content in a story for its own sake; I don’t like mere shock value. But she very clearly is using it for a purpose, to make a broader point in her stories. And in that case, I find her work intriguing and captivating. While I have scratched my head many times at her end-
gant young man who has unsuccessfully been pursuing writing up in the city. His mother calls different people from the town to help him in his poor health but he is contemptuous and dissatisfied with what he considers their narrow-mindedness. Throughout what he feels are his last days on earth, he recollects on various experiences in his life. This story doesn’t have any violent
Last up on my list is “A Good Man is Hard to Find.” This one in particular is oftentimes studied and discussed in college literature classes and was the title of her first published collection of short stories. It begins with a family traveling from Georgia to Florida on vacation. Bailey, the father of the family, his wife, three children and his mother are the six members of the car. Bailey’s mother, referred to just as “the grandmother” in the story, says they should forget Florida and go to East Tennessee instead because she read in the news that a convict, The Misfit, had just escaped and was Florida-bound as well. I’ll let you figure out yourself if the grandmother’s concern was justified.
While I still want to get around to those books I have not yet read, I’ve enjoyed my unexpected detour to O’Connor’s southern world. O’Connor is a brilliant writer and each time I reread her, I find new things that I had missed before. And the more I read her, the more I am able to start grasping at those deeper meanings she so compellingly weaves through her fiction. If you find yourself as intrigued and captivated by her works as I am, I’d recommend watching the film about her too. (Anna Barren teaches fifth grade and is a lifelong lover of books. annab4376@gmail.com.)
Writer Anna Barren
Paddling ahead
Nantahala Outdoor Center enters new chapter
the gorge experience for everybody — keep upgrading, keep improving.”
With the NOC’s 50th anniversaries of its inception (2022) and the advent of its renowned Paddling School (2023) now in the rearview mirror, McBeath and his staff are looking squarely towards the future, all with one key question in mind — what appropriate layers can be added to the already-stellar legacy of the NOC?
Cue the latest three-phase approach to enhancing the NOC to bring it headlong into the 21st century. With an emphasis on new lodging options onsite at the NOC, Phase One includes The Hemlocks on the Wesser Campus, which includes eight newly constructed bungalow-style cabins.
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD
ARTS & E NTERTAINMENT E DITOR
It’s not lost on Colin McBeath how unique and cherished the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is to locals and visitors alike.
“It’s re-energizing every day. You walk across the campus and the energy is infectious,” McBeath said. “You hear the laughter and see the smiles on the faces of the people coming off the river — it’s a magical place where people let their hair down, kick off their shoes and just enjoy it.”
McBeath is the president of the NOC. Located along the Nantahala River on U.S. 19 in the Nantahala Gorge, the NOC has
become a highly sought-after national and international beacon of outdoor recreation and relaxation since its creation in 1972.
It’s a place where world-class athletes and those just looking to dip their toes in the water of river adventures come together to create this beehive of people and passion. To note, over 700,000 people descend upon the NOC annually. It’s a very large number also on the rise in a post-pandemic world, one where countless new faces fell in love with the outdoors in 2020 and thereafter.
“The NOC brand is so powerful within the outdoor industry,” McBeath said. “It’s a brand that stands for outdoor recreation, nature and authenticity. And you can’t build
that brand in a year or two — it’s something that has to be proven and tested over decades.”
Since he was hired to oversee the NOC in May 2021, McBeath has envisioned and put forth big plans for not only the flagship Nantahala River property, but also the company in general, which includes 10 locations in four states around Southern Appalachia — the aim ultimately to complement its incredible natural resources with modern, high-quality amenities.
“There’s already so much in motion,” McBeath said “We have over 500 acres [on the Nantahala River] and we’re going to utilize as much of it as we can, to really elevate
The NOC: a brief history
“The NOC is really great about our river activities, but a lot of our stuff is pretty old,” MeBeath said. “Our existing lodging and a lot of the restaurants were built in the 1980s. We knew if we were going to continue to elevate the guest experience, we had to focus on some things that were perhaps not river-related.”
Within The Hemlocks, there are four one-bedroom cabins and four two-bedroom cabins, each with a large deck and big windows for optimum natural light and views of Mother Nature. Reservations for The Hemlocks will be available to the general public by next month.
“This is the first time we’ve done something like this in decades,” MeBeath said. “We’re great at rafting and we’re great at river activities, but we’ve got to lift everything up to match that.”
In the near future, Phase Two will include upgraded food/beverage facilities (restaurants/bars) and upgraded infrastructure (parking/entries) around the NOC property. Phase Three will construct more lodging to meet customer demand, which may also offer some residential components.
“It’s about making [the NOC] more of a year-round destination,” McBeath said. “It’s
• 1971: Nantahala Outdoor Center founder Payson Kennedy is a stunt double in the Academy Awardwinning film “Deliverance.” Soon after, whitewater rafting surges in popularity.
• 1972: Payson & Aurelia Kennedy and Horace Holden Sr. establish the NOC with a motel and gas station along the Nantahala River. Trips are now available on the Nantahala and Chattooga rivers.
• 1973: First whitewater instructional clinics are held at Camp Chattahoochee in Georgia and on the Nantahala River.
• 1978: NOC opens its third whitewater operation on the Ocoee River in Tennessee.
• 1982: NOC outposts on the French Broad River in North Carolina and the Nolichucky River in Tennessee are added. The inaugural Guest Appreciation Festival (GAF) takes place at the Nantahala River headquarters.
• 1985: Basecamp lodging opens on the Nantahala River, which now adds to the dining/shopping components already onsite.
• 1999: Rafting operations open on the Pigeon River near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
• 2013: NOC plays host to the ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships.
• 2015: Chattahoochee River outposts open in Atlanta, Georgia.
• 2022: NOC celebrates 50 years in operation.
• 2023: NOC’s Paddling School crosses over the 50-year mark.
Where to paddle in WNC
From mild to wild, paddlers can find whatever kind of river experience they’re looking for in the mountains of Western North Carolina.
The region has earned a reputation as one of the premier whitewater regions in the country, for many reasons.
In addition to rafting becoming one of the top activities sought by visitors to the area, the region has become a magnet for top kayakers and whitewater canoers. The Nantahala Outdoor Center, located in the Nantahala Gorge south of Bryson City, is the leader of the rafting and paddling industry in the region. The NOC is more than an outfitter and guide company but a support network for the many world-class paddlers — including members of current and past U.S. Olympic paddling teams and the World Cup champions — that come here to train and live. Many of them work for NOC. The center hosts several top competitions each year that draw international paddlers.
The NOC has also solidified its reputation as one of the top teaching centers in the country. It has a “Rapid Progression, Learn-to-Kayak guarantee” that promises those who sign up will learn to kayak. If the boater does not feel they have mastered all the techniques necessary to feel comfortable, they are allowed to come back for additional training at no extra expense.
Recreational rafters should consider several factors before embarking on a trip:
• Are you looking for a mild trip or a wild ride?
• How long do you want to be on the river?
• Are their any children in you party, and how much do they weigh?
• How comfortable are the members of your party in the water should they take a fall out of the raft?
Many of the raft companies operate their own lodging facilities, from campgrounds and rustic cabins by the river to luxury cabin rentals secluded in the woods.
the Nantahala Outdoor Center as well as “the wave” for playboaters. It is a wonderful river for rafting and beginner kayakers. Several outfitters on the river allow raft rentals without guides, and they’ll also shuttle you to the put in.
Tuckasegee
For beginners, tubers and those looking for a leisurely river trip, there is the Tuckasegee River in Jackson and Swain counties. There are five sections, almost 40 miles of navigable waterway from the tiny community of Tuckaseigee to Bryson City. The Tuck is great for family outings. Calmer water allows for a minimum weight requirement of 40 pounds.
Other rivers in the region:
French Broad
The French Broad River through Buncombe and Madison counties offers opportunities from flat water to waves for surfers to the Class IV Frank Bell’s rapids. The most popular run on the French Broad is section nine from Barnard to Hot Springs. There is also a kayakers’ playground at the Ledges Park in Asheville.
Chattooga
9
Expect $10 to $30 per person for rafting trips depending on the trip and how much is included, such as guided versus self-guided and what type of watercraft you’re traveling in.
The types of watercraft include:
• large group rafts
• smaller four-person rafts
• even smaller rafts holding one or two people called Duckys or Funyaks
• sit-on-top kayaks — the person is not strapped in as with regular kayaks; these are sometimes called Funyaks as well
• kayaks
• canoes
The Rivers
Nantahala
The Nantahala River in Swain and Macon counties has been called “every man’s river.” It is an eight-mile run of basically Class II rapids (19 of them) with Class III Nantahala Falls waiting at the end. There is a slalom course on the river at
The Chattooga River winds up in Lake Tugaloo. This scenic, free-flowing river offers a variety of whitewater experiences. Section II from N.C. 28 to Earl’s Ford is basically Class II with one Class III rapids, Bull Shoals. Section III begins at Earl’s Ford and runs 10 miles to U.S. 76. There are six rapids on this section ending with Bull Sluice, which is class IV or V depending on water level. Section IV is eight miles, from U.S. 76 to Lake Tugaloo. This section includes the difficult and potentially treacherous Woodall Shoals and finishes with “Five Falls;” First Falls, Corkscrew, Crack in the Rock, Jawbone and Sock-Em-Dog.
Nolichucky
One of the most scenic paddles in the region would be the Nolichucky. Born out of the confluence of the Toe and Cane rivers, the first few miles of the Nolichucky are full of big water and challenging rapids. The run from Poplar to Erwin, Tennessee, is 8.5 miles of Class III and IV rapids, provided the river is up. The Nolichucky is not dam controlled and is dependent on rainfall.
Pigeon
The Pigeon has scheduled releases from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, with Class III and IV rapids. It has become a popular whitewater trip for paddlers and rafters in recent years, providing a shorter but exciting trip. A number of outfitters are located in Hartford, Tenn.
Ocoee
The Ocoee is the furthest west of the whitewater rivers, flowing through a beautiful gorge in east Tennessee. Rafters must be at least 12 years old to go on either the upper or lower Ocoee, and it has Class III and IV rapids for the entire ride.
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something we’re serious about, something we’ve already worked out a lot of details on. And now we’re just in the process of working out financing so we can take that next jump.”
Looking around Western North Carolina, McBeath makes note of how rapidly the cultural and economic landscape is changing. With nearby Bryson City quickly becoming a bustling hub for locals and tourists, McBeath points to the current sea change of what visitors are wanting in their trips to the NOC and surrounding communities. Nowadays, it’s about quality amenities.
“... we want to stay true to our roots. We don’t want to lose the authenticity and genuineness of the NOC — we’re going to keep [development] within the spirit of the NOC.”
— Colin McBeath, NOC president
“There’s a lot of investment and development happening [in our region] and we need to keep pace with all the other stuff that’s going on,” McBeath said. “But, we want to stay true to our roots. We don’t want to lose the authenticity and genuineness of the NOC — we’re going to keep [development] within the spirit of the NOC.”
Finding that ideal balance is important for the NOC, which has always prided itself as an outdoor destination with a keen sense of purpose — one that resides in a tightly-held ethos of natural aesthetics over generic settings.
“It’s a tricky dance. You’ve got to be careful on what
Want to go?
Featuring world-class whitewater rafting, kayaking, ziplining, mountain biking, tubing, hiking and more, the Nantahala Outdoor Center is on the Nantahala River along U.S. 19 in Bryson City.
For more information, a full list of activities/events and a list of all the NOC properties around Southern Appalachia, go to noc.com.
In regards to The Hemlocks, the latest lodging area soon to be open to the general public, there are eight bungalow-style cabins that can be rented, holding upwards of six people per unit.
You can learn more about The Hemlocks and/or make a reservation by clicking on noc.com/accommodations/hemlocks.
you build and to make sure it fits within the NOC framework,” McBeath said. “You don’t want anything big and gaudy. So, that goes all the way down to who your architects and designers are, what building materials you use. It’s the lazy way to just put up a big structure and cross your fingers — to make it authentic, it’s a lot harder.”
The Hemlocks at the NOC. Donated photo
The Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City. Donated photo
42 counties, including most of Western North Carolina, were considered ‘abnormally dry.’ From ncdrought.org
Dry conditions impacting 99 N.C. counties
The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC) has classified all or part of 99 counties as in moderate drought or abnormally dry, with high temperatures and low precipitation driving the rapid deterioration of conditions across the state. DMAC classified 57 counties as in moderate drought, or in D1 conditions. Another 42 counties — including most of Western North Carolina — were classified as abnormally dry. This marks only the second time since 2000 that North Carolina has seen an increase in the drought classification for more than 50% of the state in one week. However, moderate rains over the last week provided some relief that may bear out in next week’s report.
DMAC’s drought map is updated weekly on Thursday; however, the next update will be on July 3 due to the Fourth of July holiday.
Become a Master Gardener volunteer
Join a network of passionate community members across the state dedicated to learning and sharing research-based information, enhancing their communities through volunteer service, and connecting people with the benefits of gardening through education and outreach by becoming an NC State Extension Master Gardener volunteer.
These volunteers are an essential component of N.C. State Extension and assist local county horticulture agents in various aspects of home horticulture — from answering gardening questions to becoming involved with and teaching in school and community gardens. Volunteers are involved in a wide variety of activities throughout Haywood County and receive ongoing advanced training programs year-round.
Classes will start on Sept. 19, 2024. For more information and an application, visit go.ncsu.edu/haywoodemgv or call 828.456.3575.
Haywood Rec offers Parkway sunset yoga
Join Haywood County recreation for a sunset yoga session on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Session is for all skill levels and will be led by Tara Scarborough at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, at the Mile High Overlook.
Cost is $10. Sign up at secure.rec1.com/nc/haywood-county-nc/catalog.
Join Franklin Bird Club outings
The Franklin Bird Club leads walks along the greenway on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. Walks start at alternating locations: Macon County Public Library, Big Bear Park and Salali Lane. The public is welcome. All walks are weather dependent. Additional information, including directions to each location and a bird club check list can be found at littletennessee.org/franklin-birdclub.
Schedule for upcoming walks:
• July 10: Meet at the Macon County Library parking lot.
• July 17: Meet at Big Bear near the playground.
• July 24: Meet at Salali Lane.
• July 31: Meet at the Macon County Library parking lot.
Defenders of Wildlife lead the way for students hoping to learn more about wildlife crossings.
Donated photos
College students tour
WNC ‘Safe Passage’ projects
Earlier this year, members of Safe Passage, including the N.C. Department of Transportation, led a tour of wildlife crossing project sites along Interstate 40.
This field trip — facilitated by Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont and attended by students and faculty from six universities — offered a unique, behind-the-scenes opportunity for students to see different aspects of their environmental studies in action.
With a boom in tourism and increasing population in the area, wildlife-vehicle collisions have increased in frequency. However, Safe Passage has provided several overpasses that
allow wildlife to cross the notoriously dangerous I-40 without encountering traffic.
One of the site visits was at Exit 7 on Harmon Den in Haywood County.
Infrastructure at that site includes the installation of fencing and wildlife guards along ramps leading to the interstate, deterring hoofed animals from entering the roadway. Should any animals make it past these deterrents, escape to safety is possible through jump outs — one-way breaks in the fencing that allow wildlife out but not in.
With fewer opportunities to cross along the road, animals are instead funneled to a new path along the creek, below the overpass, which gives them safe access to the other side.
Students learned that as the first major effort completed in our project area, Harmon Den is an invaluable opportunity for ongoing observation.
U.S. Poet Laureate to visit Smokies
United States Poet Laureate Ada Limón is coming to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a special event at Oconaluftee Visitor Center on Saturday, July 20. “I want to champion the ways reading and writing poetry can situate us in the natural world. Never has it been more urgent to feel a sense of reciprocity with our environment, and poetry’s alchemical mix of attention, silence, and rhythm gives us a reciprocal way of experiencing nature — of communing with the natural world through breath and presence,” said Limón.
For her Smokies visit, Limón will unveil a picnic table with an overlay featuring Lucille Clifton’s poem “the earth is a living thing” at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Clifton’s work emphasizes endurance and strength through adversity, focusing particularly on the African American experience and family life.
The picnic table unveiling will be held at 11 a.m. and a book signing will follow.
HBF
hosts ‘Appalachian
Apothecary’ lecture
The Highlands Biological Foundation (HBF) continues its Zahner Conservation Lecture series Thursday, July 1. The upcoming lecture, “Landscape Meanders: Design Ideas for the South Gateway Garden at the Highlands Botanical Garden,” will be presented by Warren Byrd Jr., Professor Emeritus at the University of Virginia and founding principal of Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.
In his talk, Byrd will explore preliminary design influences and concepts for a new entry garden adjacent to the Highlands Biological Station’s Nature Center. Working closely with the Station’s administration,
board members and the botanical garden and grounds planning and advisory committee, landscape architects Warren Byrd, Susan Nelson, and Liz Sargent are envisioning a fully accessible and engaging “Discovery Garden” that serves as an outdoor complement to the existing Nature Center. This garden will interpret the interrelationship between the region’s plant and animal communities, hydrology, and geology.
All are invited to participate in HBF’s free Zahner lectures, which will be held at the Highlands Nature Center (930 Horse Cove Road) on Thursdays through Aug. 15. To preview HBF’s full Zahner lecture lineup, please visit highlandsbiological.org. The Highlands Nature Center is part of the Highlands Biological Station, a multi-campus center of Western Carolina University.
o Susan H
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Notes from a Plant Nerd
BY ADAM B IGELOW
Heal all of yourself
There are a few native plants whose names I call out loud like a prayer whenever I see them. This is especially true since the crazy times of the global pandemic and resulting shutdown. One of those is the whorled loosestrife (Lysimachia quadrifolia) whose name I slowly pronounce out loud as a benediction, “world, lose strife.” And I mean it.
Another plant that invokes deep reverence and awe when I see its beautiful flowers — when I use its medicine as a tea and especially when I say its name aloud is Prunella vulgaris — commonly known as self-heal or heal-all.
Self-heal. I’ve certainly been through many challenges in my personal life that created scars that could use some healing. There are both physical and emotional wounds whose effects linger and bring me reminders of past joys and past mistakes. I am constantly working to help heal those many old and current wounds.
Heal-all. We need it for the intense times we are living in from the many wars, political challenges and upheavals, and most especially from the environmental harms that our modern way of life continues to unleash and compound the many ecological wounds. Both our modern culture and the many diverse people living in it need healing that can only come once we first stop the harm. And healing will come as that is what nature does. She heals, eventually.
with many florets (little flowers) in a cluster, often with multiple flowers in bloom at once.
The flower type, leaf arrangement and stem shape give this plant away as a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) even as it does not produce a strong scent from the leaves or flowers, making this a non-aromatic mint. Mints all have opposite leaf arrangement, which means that where a leaf emerges from the stem there will be another leaf at the exact same point on the other side of the stem. Mint family plants also have a square stem with four equal sides. And the flowers are usually in the shape of a hood with a lower lip, as can be seen in the accompanying photo of heal-all.
When I first started studying plants so long ago, there were a few that we were taught as having been introduced from Europe or Asia that it turns out are also native to North America. This includes entire species like yarrow (Achillea millifolium) or European species like broad-leaved plantain (Plantago major) that are actually less common than the native look-alike, the blackseed plantain (Plantago rugelli) whose leaf stalk, or petiole is red in color, as opposed to the green petiole of the exotic plantain.
Heal-all is another of those plants that upon further scientific study has been shown to have a European version and one that is native to North America. While there is continued study going on, these two varieties have been generally agreed upon to be distinct. The European self-heal is Prunella vulgaris var. vulgaris, and the native one is Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolata.
The flowers of both varieties look similar and are not distinctive enough to tell apart from floral characteristics alone. They are blueish-purple flowers with white fringes on the lower petals that grow from dense buds
According to the Plants For a Future database (pfaf.org) self-heal has a long history of use for a variety of ailments and as a general health tonic. Heal-all is useful to help treat wounds, ulcers and sores externally. Internally it is used to help heal mouth sores, diarrhea, and fever. The entire plant is a powerful antibacterial and antibiotic medicine and can be used either fresh or dried.
I encourage you to look for healing in many different forms and to look around you as you travel the woods and open verges for heal-all blooming its full summer beauty. And when it comes to melancholy and anxiety, often a nice and gentle walk in the woods looking for flowers is just the prescription you need. Cures what ails you.
(Adam Bigelow leads weekly wildflower walks most Fridays and offers consultations and private group tours through Bigelow’s Botanical Excursions. bigelownc@gmail.com.)
The Prunella vulgaris is a member of the mint family and has medicinal benefits. Adam Bigelow photo
WNC events and happenings
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
• The Jackson County Farmers Market meets every Saturday November through March 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and April through October 9 a.m. to noon at Bridge Park in Sylva, 110 Railroad St. Special events listed on Facebook and Instagram.
• The Jackson Arts Market takes place from 1-5 p.m. every Saturday at 533 West Main St. in Sylva with live music and an array of local artists.
• Cowee School Farmer's Market is held Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m., at 51 Cowee School Drive in Franklin. The market has produce, plant starts, eggs, baked goods, flowers, food trucks and music. For more information or for an application, visit www.coweeschool.org or call 828.369.4080.
H EALTH AND WELLNESS
• “Not Your Average Ladies Night” will take place at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. This year the event will feature biking activities, refreshments and a raffle. For more information visit noc.com.
• The Pollinators Foundation offers weekly Mindful Movement Qigong classes for all ages to reduce stress and improve health and well-being. Classes take place 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Folkmoot Center in Waynesville. For more information visit thepollinatorsfoundation.org or contact Marga Fripp at margacfripp@gmail.com 828.4224.1398.
• The Pollinators Foundation and The Share Project host weekly Happy Hour Nature Walks 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at Lake Junaluska. The group meets at the Labyrinth. For more information visit thepollinatorsfoundation.org or contact Marga Fripp at margacfripp@gmail.com 828.4224.1398.
• Mountain Area pregnancy Services and the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor work together to provide a casual support group for prenatal and breastfeeding individuals from 1-2 p.m. on Tuesdays at Mountain Area Pregnancy Services, 177 N Main St. Waynesville. All are welcome, registration is recommended. For more information, please call 828.558.4550.
FUNDRAISERS & VOLUNTEERS
• Tuscola Marching Band Car Wash Fundraiser will take place at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays July 11, 18 and 25, at Tractor Supply near Lake Junaluska and O’Reilly Auto Parts in Hazllewood.
• The Whee Read Summer Literacy Camp helping elementary aged children reach important literacy levels is looking for volunteers. Volunteers are needed from 12:30-1 p.m. each Thursday and Friday between now and July 12 to read with a K-2 camper. Register at tinyurl.com/bp8yucxx. Hosted by Center for Community Engagement & Service Learning. Find more information at wcu.campuslabs.com/engage/event
CLUBS AND M EETINGS
• The Western Carolina Cribbage Club meets every Monday at 6 p.m. An eclectic group of young and old, male and female. The group supplies boards, cards, pegs and are always willing to help those still learning the finer points of the game. For more information contact kei3ph@bellsouth.net.
• Chess 101 takes place 3:30-4:30 p.m. every Friday at the Canton Branch of the Haywood County Library. For more information, email Ashlyn Godleski at ash-
lyn.godleski@haywoodcountync.gov or call 828.356.2567.
• The Canton Branch of the Haywood County Public Library Creative Writing Group meets 10:30 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. For more information, email Jennifer at jennifer.stuart@haywoodcountync.gov or call 828.356.2561.
• Knit Night takes place at 5:30-7:30 p.m. every second Tuesday of the month at The Stecoah Valley Center. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP is recommended: 828.479.3364 or amber@stecoahvalleycenter.com.
• A Novel Escape Book Club takes place at 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month at the Novel Escape Bookstore (60 E Main St, Franklin). Every other month one book is selected for discussion. On alternate months the meeting is round-table discussion in which participants share what they’ve read lately. For more information call the bookstore at 828.369.9059 or visit anovelescapefranklin.wordpress.com.
• Silent Book Club takes place at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Novel Escape Bookstore (60 E Main St, Franklin). Bring your own book and whatever makes you feel cozy and enjoy a quiet, uninterrupted hour of reading amongst friends.
K IDS AND FAMILIES
• On Mondays, the Macon County Library will host Lady Violet, a King Charles Spaniel service dog, for children to practice their reading skills. Children who feel nervous reading aloud to an adult tend to feel more comfortable with a pet or a service animal. Sign up for a time to read with Lady Violet or to one of the library’s reading friends at the children’s desk or call 828.524.3600.
• On Tuesdays, Kelly Curtis will offer reading services to families from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the Macon County Public Library. Families may sign up for a 30-minute time spot at the children’s desk or by calling 828.524.3600.
• Creative Writing Club will take place at 3:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of every month at the Macon County Public Library. The writing club is intended for ages 8-12. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.
• Move and Groove Storytime takes place 10:30-11 a.m. every Thursday, at the Canton branch of the Haywood County Public Library. Exciting, interactive music and movement story time ideal for children 2-6 years old. For more information contact Ashlyn at ashlyn.godleski@haywoodcountync.gov or at 828.356.2567.
• Mother Goose Storytime takes place 10:30-11 a.m. every Wednesday, at the Waynesville branch of the Haywood County Public Library. Ideal for children from birth to 2 years old. For more information, contact Lisa at lisa.hartzell@haywoodcountync.gov or call 828.356.2511.
• Wiggle Worms Storytime takes place 10:30-11 a.m. every Tuesday, at the Waynesville branch of the Haywood County Public Library. Ideal for children 2-6 years old. For more information contact Lisa at lisa.hartzell@haywoodcountync.gov or call 828.356.2511.
• Next Chapter Book Club Haywood is a fun, energetic and highly interactive book club, ideal for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The group meets every second and fourth Monday of the month. For more information, email Jennifer at jennifer.stuart@haywoodcountync.gov or call 828.356.2561.
• Storytime takes place at 10 a.m. every Tuesday at the Macon County Library. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.
• Toddler’s Rock takes place at 10 a.m. every Monday at the Macon County Library. Get ready to rock with songs, books, rhymes and playing with instruments. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.
• Culture Talk takes place at 2 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month at the Macon County Public Library. Travel the world from inside your library. This event features guest speakers and food sampling from the location being discussed. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.
• Art afternoon takes place at 3:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at the Macon County Public Library. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.
A&E
• “Time of War” at Oconaluftee Indian Village takes place at noon and 3 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. A short battle reenactment performed by actors from “Unto These Hill” and reenactors from Oconaluftee Indian Village come together to depict what happens when a British militia invades a Cherokee town. Tickets can be purchased at cherokeehistorical.org or by calling 828.497.2111.
• The Pollinators Foundation at Folkmoot offers creative arts playshops to reduce stress and cultivate joy and compassionate connection. More information at thepollinatorsfoundation.org/events, or contact Marga at margacfripp@gmail.com, or 828.424.1398.
• Trivia Night is hosted 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Thursday evening at the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley. For more information visit meadowlarkmotel.com.
• Paint and Sip at Waynesville Art School will be held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7-9:30 p.m. To learn more and register call 828.246.9869 or visit PaintAndSipWaynesville.com/upcoming-events. Registration is required, $45.
• Mountain Makers Craft Market will be held from noon to 4 p.m. the first Sunday of each month at 308 North Haywood St. in downtown Waynesville. Over two dozen artisans selling handmade and vintage goods. Special events will be held when scheduled. mountainmakersmarket.com.
• Smoky Mountain Event Center presents Bingo Night with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. and games starting at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday and fourth Monday of the month. For more information visit smokymountaineventcenter.com.
Market PLACE WNC
MarketPlace information:
The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 copies across 500 locations in Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, including the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. Visit www.wncmarketplace.com to place your ad!
Rates:
• $15 — Classified ads that are 25 words, 25¢ per word after.
• Free — Lost or found pet ads.
• $6 — Residential yard sale ads.*
• $1 — Yard Sale Rain Insurance Yard sale rained out? Call us by 10a.m. Monday for your ad to run again FREE
• $375 — Statewide classifieds run in 170 participating newspapers with 1.1+ million circulation. (Limit 25 words or less)
• Boost Online — Have your ad featured at top of category online $4
• Boost in Print
• Add Photo $6
• Bold ad $2
• Yellow, Green, Pink or Blue Highlight $4
• Border $4
Note: Highlighted ads automatically generate a border so if you’re placing an ad online and select a highlight color, the “add border” feature will not be available on the screen.
Note: Yard sale ads require an address. This location will be displayed on a map on www.wncmarketplace.com
Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in the 100-year Floodplain
To: All Interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals
This is to provide notice that the Town of Waynesville (Town) has determined that the proposed South Waynesville Public Water & Sanitary Sewer System Improvements Project is located within
The Town will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the project in potential impacts on the
Proposed Project Area Descriptions:
Project No. 22-1-4111
This portion of the project will install approximately 1,435 LF of new sewer extension along Sawyer Street and Explorer Street with installation of six new gravity sewer manholes, connect to one existing manhole, install 24 new LMI eligible sewer service lines, reconnect four existing sewer service lines and replace of approximately 405 LF of 8” grav-
line replacement and new sewer extension activities will be along Sawyer Street in addition to new sewer line extension
The project will serve four existing sanitary sewer served residences and 34
new residences, all located along Sawyer Street
new connections are within the Sawyer Street
of the new sewer service lines connecting to the new 8” sewer line and are within the Sawyer Street mobile home park, and 24 of those new service connections will serve
The project’s LMI is
Project No. 23-1-4154
This portion of the project will consist of the upgrade and replacement of a portion of the existing sanitary sewer system in West Waynesville along Hendrix, Franklin, Muse
project proposes to install 2,140 LF new 8-inch PVC sanitary sewer line along Hendrix, Franklin, Muse and Sawyer Streets, along with replacement of 11 manholes and 4-inch
ect will serve 45 existing
residences and 43 new residences, the latter located along Sawyer Street in a mobile home
and moderate-income
Project No. 23-1-4153
This portion of the project involves the upgrade and replacement of a portion of the existing public water system in South Waynesville starts at the intersection of Hendrix Street and Sawyer Street and follows Sawyer Street south to the dead end of Sawyer is in the former Town of Hazelwood, which was annexed into the Town of
existing Sawyer Street Public Water System ends at the third residential housing unit, (before the Sawyer Street Mobile
The project will include the extension of the Waynesville Public Water System from the current end to the most southern end of Sawyer Street and the length of Explorer
install 1,255 LF of 6” DIP Water Main of new extension along Sawyer Street and Explorer Street andnection of 25 LMI residential water service lines water service connections, reconnection of 4 existing water service line replacement and new sewer extension activities will be along Sawyer Street in addition to new sewer line extension
The project will serve 4 existing water sewer served residences and 34 new residences, that were previously served by a 2-inch private water line that served the mobile home park,
which are all located along Sawyer Street and connections are within the Sawyer Street mobile
All 34 of the new sewer service lines connecting to new 6” water line and are within the Sawyer Street mobile home park, and 24 of those new service connections will serve existing LMI houseand moderate-income
There are three primary
First, people who may be affected by activities in who have an interest in the protection of natural resources should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide informationnotice program can be an important public educa-plains can help the public understand the importance of protecting these natural resources and the issues concerning and development in these matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking
must inform those who
Written comments must be received by Rob Hites, Town Manager, Town of Waynesville, at the following address: 16 South Main Street, Waynesville, NC 28786, or rhites@ , before July 3, 2024 with
a 15-day comment period beginning the day after is available in Spanish or any other language upon
Los comentarios escritos deben ser recibidos por Rob Hites, Administrador del Pueblo, Pueblo de Waynesville, en la siguiente dirección: 16 South Main Street, Waynesville, NC 28786, o gov , antes del 3 de julio de 2024 con un período de comentarios de 15 días a partir del día
Esta información está disponible en español o
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
Case No.24E305
Laura K Dilallo, having
Administrator of the Estate of Nicholas A Dilallo of Haywood County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Sep 19 2024, or this notice will be pleaded
All persons indebted to said Estate, please make
Ancillary Administrator 370 N. Main St., STE 310 Waynesville, NC 28786
Announcements
ANSWERS ON PAGE 34
Auction
THREE HUGE JULY LIVE AUCTIONS Too much inventory!! Live on site auction July 6th, 13th and 20th at our location at 220 Hwy 19s, Valley Village Shopping Center, Bryson City. Preview available. Absentee bids welcome. Several large estates to sell. Face jugs, primitives, glass, Fenton, Waterford, Taxidermy, Kitchen, Prints, Furniture, Trunks, Dolls, etc. Cash, Business Checks, CC accepted. 3% CC fee. NO BUYERS PREMIUM EVER Plenty of seating, parking. Easy loading. Snack Bar See our Facebook page or Auctionzip for photos. (828) 366-2215 bttrmlkfarms@frontier. com
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Employment
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Pets
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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 status includes children under 18 living with parents or legal guardians
This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate in dwellings advertised on
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Yard Sales
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Fri Jul 5th, 2024 from 08:00 AM - 02:00 PM Sat Jul 6th, 2024 from 08:00 AM - 02:00 PM, Both Large and Small Tools, garage and shed items, Miscellaneous Kitchen and household sales only on above dates
