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August 1-7, 2018 Vol. 20 Iss. 10

Plott Creek apartment site plan OK’d Page 3 Nursing program aims to keep health workers local Page 15

CONTENTS On the Cover: As The Smoky Mountain News embarks on a yearlong investigative project to explore the rural jail crisis, we wanted first to take a look at how much law enforcement and incarceration is costing taxpayers in Western North Carolina and what the driving factors are behind those expenses. (Page 6)

News Plott Creek apartment site plan OK’d ..........................................................................3 Become a leader through Haywood Chamber ..........................................................4 Mountain Projects eyes parcel for affordable housing ............................................5 Jackson County mulls new middle school ................................................................10 Cherokee debates election laws ..................................................................................12 Haywood County interviews manager candidates ................................................13 Nursing program aims to keep health workers local ............................................15 Savannah Park will cost more than planned ............................................................16 Education News ................................................................................................................17

Opinion

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Summer camp spurs blind youth to outdoor adventure ......................................34

The Naturalist’s Corner Best possible science discarded ................................................................................47

August 1-7, 2018

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Scott McLeod. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . info@smokymountainnews.com Greg Boothroyd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . greg@smokymountainnews.com Micah McClure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . micah@smokymountainnews.com Travis Bumgardner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . travis@smokymountainnews.com Jessica Murray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jessica.m@smokymountainnews.com Susanna Barbee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . susanna.b@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Bradley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jc-ads@smokymountainnews.com Hylah Birenbaum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hylah@smokymountainnews.com Scott Collier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Jessi Stone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jessi@smokymountainnews.com Holly Kays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . holly@smokymountainnews.com Cory Vaillancourt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cory@smokymountainnews.com Garret K. Woodward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . garret@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Singletary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . smnbooks@smokymountainnews.com Scott Collier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Jeff Minick (writing), Chris Cox (writing), George Ellison (writing), Gary Carden (writing), Don Hendershot (writing), Susanna Barbee (writing).

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Politics and the search for WCU’s chancellor ........................................................19

A conversation with comedy genius David Cross ..................................................24

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Waynesville Planning Board Vice Chairman Danny Wingate (left to right), Chairman Patrick McDowell and Development Services Director Elizabeth Teague chat before a meeting July 30. Cory Vaillancourt photo.

Plott Creek site plan OK’d T

with some planning board members sharing exasperated smirks as the meeting stretched into its third hour.

Then, speaking for the developer, William Ratchford of Gastonia-based Triangle Real Estate Company got the opportunity to make his case, bringing with him a host of experts.

Tom Jones with WGLA Engineering testified on infrastructure. Mark Teague of J.M. Teague Engineering testified on traffic. Rick Merrill, a Beverly-Hanks broker from Hendersonville said this was the fifth site he’d sold the company.

“In the other four sites that I sold them, those sites are fully built out and all the properties that adjoin those sites have gone up in value since the completion of those apartments,” Merrill said.

As the meeting entered its fourth hour, the initial crowd of about 60 — less than the number of people who’d attended the back-to-back meetings in May — had dwindled to about 30.

Justus then crossed-examined Jones, challenging him on the development’s driveway, badgering him to the point that Town Attorney Bill Cannon objected, causing Justus to abandon the line of questioning. Justus then asked where the development would get water from, since his client had refused to allow her property to be used for routing pipes.

Property appraiser John Palmer, of Buncombe County, was then called by Justus to testify to the impact the project would have on a large multi-million dollar home just to the west.

“In my opinion, the proposed apartment complex would substantially injure the parcel,” Palmer said.

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Director Elizabeth Teague read into the record a staff report opining that all five criteria had been met.

Indeed, Teague presented similar findings to the planning board May 21 in support of a text amendment necessary for the development; the board voted in favor of recommending the amendment to aldermen but for the dissent of Ginger Hain and Jason Rogers.

The next day, the Waynesville Board of Aldermen accepted that recommendation by a vote of 4 to 1, with only Alderman Jon Feichter dissenting.

Although those votes cleared the way for developers to proceed — and drew overflow crowds to the meetings — Waynesville Mayor Gavin Brown told opponents they’d again have a chance to make their wishes known during the site plan review.

After Teague’s presentation, Justus questioned her for an more than an hour in an exchange that turned testy at times as he tried to trip her up with procedural technicalities that hold little relevance to the crux of the development itself.

First, he grilled her on the requirements of an application for site review, and then on why a sewer and water plan hadn’t been submitted with the site plan. Then he asked her what the definition of a site plan actually was, and contested her definition.

Next, the two sparred over the validity of the development’s required civic space; Justus contended that the 2.1-acre threshold hadn’t been met, despite the developer’s plan to leave 21 of the 41 acres on the parcel in their natural wooded state.

He was rebuffed at practically every turn

August 1-7, 2018

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER he site plan submitted by developers for a controversial 200-unit apartment complex off Plott Creek Road was approved by the Town of Waynesville Planning Board July 30, but not before a marathon meeting that dragged on for more than six hours and threatened to stretch into the next day.

Right off the bat, attorney Craig Justus set the tone for the hearing by challenging the threshold of standing required in the quasijudicial proceeding. Representing Alexandria, Virginia, resident Patricia Plott Edwards, after whose family the area and creek are named, Justus’ opening shots were indicative of how the 5:30 p.m. hearing would transpire.

“As a representative of the Plott family and with considerable knowledge of properties along Plott Creek Road, I believe the apartment complex would have a substantial impact on the value of our family’s land,” said Edwards.

The role of the nine-member Planning Board during the hearing, Chairman Patrick McDowell explained, was to determine whether or not the plan met five important criteria: that the plan is consistent with adopted plans and policies of the town; that it complies with all applicable requirements of the ordinance; that transportation and utility infrastructure can adequately support the plan; that the plan conforms to the character of the neighborhood with type and height of buildings and landscaping; and that the project would not substantially injure the value of the adjoining properties.

Waynesville Development Services

Teague mentioned that while Palmer had obviously looked at the 15,800 square-foot estate down the road, he hadn’t looked at the properties to the east, towards downtown Hazelwood. Would those property values decline, too?

“No, I don’t think they would,” he said.

Almost five hours into the meeting, the public comment session began; only one person who hadn’t already spoken signed up — attorney Chuck Dickson, an adamant opponent of the development throughout the process who lives within sight of it.

Dickson reiterated previous arguments, even going so far as to draw on the name of the proposed development, The Palisades at Plott Creek.

“The name of this project does not represent community,” he said, noting that the word “palisade” means fence or barrier. “It is an enclave.”

The proceedings then moved into closing arguments, where Justus impugned Teague by saying that in his 30 years of practicing law, he’d “never seen a town staff so adamant about a set of plans.”

Teague’s job is to represent the interests of the town and lend clarification to town practices and procedures when necessary. For her closing argument, Teague said she planned to let the staff report speak for itself, until a quick web search moved her to make an addition.

“I just Googled [real estate website] Zillow. There are six rentals [available],” she said. “Six. We are a town of 10,000.”

Teague also lent a measure of apprehension.

“I do get concerned when we protect million-dollar estates out in the county to the detriment to the citizens of Waynesville,” she said. “I do understand the fear of having people living in that community who don’t own million dollar estates.”

The planning board began deliberations shortly after 11 p.m., with McDowell asking the board to discuss the five criteria separately.

All agreed that the plan was consistent with adopted plans and policies of the town.

However board members Marty Prevost and Jason Rogers voiced opposition to building height and civic space requirements.

All agreed the transportation and utility infrastructure could adequately support the plan. All agreed that the plan conforms to the character of the neighborhood, with Prevost and Rogers again dissenting.

“Mr. Morgan’s [multi-million dollar] estate next door changed the character of the neighborhood when it was built too, didn’t it?” McDowell asked rhetorically.

Finally, over Prevost’s opposition, all agreed that the properties would not substantially injure the value of adjoining neighborhoods.

When the final vote was taken just before midnight, only Prevost and Rogers voted no; the plan passed 7-2, with some additional minor stipulations related to landscaping and driveway orientation.

But as the drowsy crowd dispersed from the hearing, Patricia Plott Edwards said the issue hadn’t fully been put to bed. She said she planned to file a lawsuit over the May text amendments, and opponents also retain the right to appeal the planning board’s vote to Superior Court.

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Leadership Haywood starts next month

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER ven the smallest communities are composed of a dizzying array of institutional and organizational groups that can either work together — or against each other — in the collection and distribution of limited resources to the utmost benefit of that community.

Local government, law enforcement, educational institutions and healthcare facilities are all obvious players in most counties. But there are other entities — cultural institutions, environmental organizations and economic development authorities — that also play a role in how residents of a community are served, or underserved.

Acquainting oneself with these myriad groups — and their missions, their roles, their powers and their leadership teams can be time-consuming, tedious and intimidating.

That’s where civic leadership programs not uncommon to many cities and counties across the nation come in handy. Haywood’s is called Leadership Haywood.

“Leadership Haywood plays a uniquely important role in connecting Haywood County organizations together,” said Ken Howle, executive director at Lake Junaluska.

Howle himself went through the program about a decade ago, and each year sends a few Lake Junaluska employees as well.

“It has been a very effective way for our staff to meet people from other organizations, learn more about our history and develop new partnerships that are mutually beneficial,” Howle said.

The program itself had been around long before Haywood Chamber President CeCe Hipps’ arrival in 2004, but at the time it was conducted under a volunteer organization’s leadership. When it went dark for a few years, Hipps reestablished it under the Chamber.

“I had experience at the Cary Chamber [where she worked prior to Haywood] with their leadership programs,” she said. “I think it’s very important, particularly for new people moving into a community, because it gives them a crash course in what a community is all about.”

Even Haywood County natives can learn something from the course, which consists of

Smoky Mountain News

August 1-7, 2018

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nine sessions lasting from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. once each month; perhaps most importantly, that class will be full of similarly civic-minded people, many who are currently or will likely soon be in leadership positions of their own.

“I also think its very valuable to try to build up leadership within our community,” Hipps said. “Particularly with young people and young professionals.”

The first session is devoted to introductions, communication skills and team building. That’s followed immediately by what many former students consider to be the highlight of the experience — something called SimSoc. SimSoc is a turn-based social simulation game where participants are divided up into three teams that can either work together or against each other in the collection and distribution of limited resources.

“We want our business to be woven into the fabric of Haywood County and gaining a more meaningful understanding of this community in which we live, work, and play helps us in those efforts.”

— John Patterson, Stanberry Insurance

Participants earn currency by solving simple word puzzles, but must spend it on basic necessities. The red team starts with few resources, and is also segregated into the smallest, most uncomfortable room in the building. The yellow team has more resources and more space, while the green team has the best socioeconomic situation of all.

Beyond that, participants are sworn to secrecy about events that transpire during SimSoc, including the interpersonal dynamics that often lead to some startling realizations about the allegories deliberately embedded in the simulation by its creator William

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Become a ‘Leader’ Leadership Haywood runs every third Wednesday of the month from September through May. This year’s cohort begins on Sept. 19, with graduation ceremonies scheduled for June.

Applications are due by September 7, 2018. For more information on the schedule and curriculum or to apply, visit www.haywoodchamber.com.

Gamson, a Boston College sociologist.

But Leadership Haywood isn’t all fun and games; after gaining that perspective, a session on Haywood County’s history, its arts community and its cultural diversity takes place, including a short bus trip to relevant attractions like Waynesville’s Shelton House and HART Theatre.

From there, the course focuses on the various healthcare institutions in the county and then on the religious community. After that, it’s a session with local government leaders and Waynesville’s police department.

Economic development and tourism are also covered, as is education and the environment — which usually includes a kayaking session at Lake Junaluska that focuses on waterway health.

Graduates of the program then become part of an informal group of alumni that can be found in various public sector roles — like the Town of Waynesville’s Assistant Town Manager Amie Owens.

“Leadership Haywood helped me to make contacts in the community, not just in local government. I learned a great deal more about Haywood County, the commitment of individuals and groups of individuals who are working to keep a piece of the past while looking to the future,” Owens said. “I still interact with my classmates and have utilized them as resources on several occasions. The town tries to send two individuals annually to participate from different departments or divisions.”

Some graduates, however, hold no less important jobs in the private sector, like

Stanberry Insurance’s John Patterson.

“Through this program you gain a deeper understanding of the assets and resources our community has,” said Patterson, who went through the program two years ago and now serves as a coordinator helping to organize and run it.

“I feel like from a business standpoint, it allows you to better understand how your business can use those resources and work alongside those resources to better serve the needs of the community,” he said. “We want our business to be woven into the fabric of Haywood County, and gaining a more meaningful understanding of this community in which we live, work and play helps us in those efforts.”

The people he’s gotten to know through Leadership Haywood, Patterson said, have not only become a professional peer network but also have become friends.

“These are people that I respect and have learned from,” he said. “Networking with other professionals has helped me grow, and I hope that I’m able to help them do the same. These relationships have the potential to last for decades to come, and I have no doubt that graduates from this program will become leaders across Haywood County in a variety of ways as time moves on.”

Howle expressed confidence that as time does move on, Leadership Haywood will adapt to the changes occurring in the county.

“CeCe and the staff at the Haywood Chamber of Commerce have assured ongoing success for this great program, and our whole community is able to benefit.”

Authorized Motor Fleet Management Maintenance

• • • • •

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Mountain Projects eyes parcel WAYNESVILLE TIRE, INC. for affordable housing Tires Brakes Alignment Road Service Tractor Tires

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This rectangular lot in the vicinity of Allens Creek could soon belong to Mountain Projects. Haywood GIS photo

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Talking Turkey Recently I visited a turkey farm in Eastern North Carolina near Goldsboro A few things I learned about turkeys: • FOOD - The diet of turkeys changes 10 times during its life and their feed is carefully monitored and calculated by poultry nutritionists. The poultry nutritionist explained, “There is nothing in the turkey meal I wouldn’t put in my own mouth!”. These turkeys were being fed a vegetarian mixture of grains, soy, herbs and probiotics ( to improve gut health).

• SHELTER - Turkeys can live in different housing situations. The one I visited is known as a “tunnel” house.

The temperature was a comfortable 78 degrees (cooler than the outside temperature), the birds had

plenty of room to move around ( they are not kept in cages), there was a lot of natural light, the turkeys have a thick layer of bedding ( wood shavings) under their feet, constant access to food and water and are checked regularly by the farmer to make sure they are healthy.

Turkeys are grown until they are about 20 weeks old, roughly 47-49 pounds, before they are processed for their meat.

Something I already knew: In the U.S it is illegal to administer hormones to turkeys. These turkeys were healthy and grow quickly thanks to their comfortable living conditions, feed and the variety (breed) of turkey.

Smoky Mountain News

Ridge development in Clyde — which came about with a land donation from the town — is one such example of a small neighborhood cluster.

“If all goes well, it would be the biggest since Barefoot Ridge,” she said. “We’re really not developers per se, we’re not there to make a profit per se, we’re partnering with the USDA to create housing, which is very much needed.”

It would take approximately two or three years to complete the project if the land purchase moves forward, with homes being built in groups of four or five at a time.

“The owners are involved in every phase of the build,” said Rogers.

Program participants are required to share labor on all houses in the group, meaning they’re not just building houses.

“They’re working together to help build communities,” she said.

As a condition of ownership, new owners will put in about 20 hours a week doing anything that doesn’t require a license. Even when licensed professionals like electricians and plumbers are called for, owners help them clean up or perform associated tasks.

“They may end up doing some framing, laying their own floor, putting up vinyl,” she said.

But they’re not just slapping up clapboard shacks and calling it affordable housing — Rogers said that the typical loan value of the completed houses is about $165,000, but they’re usually assessed close to $190,000, which helps owners quickly build equity.

As with all development, water and sewer costs are increasingly concerning; Rogers said she was waiting to hear about engineering costs before being able to determine the feasibility of the purchase.

Still, she’s hopeful everything could come together this fall.

“We want to do things that the community wants, and I know these people are very excited about this,” she said. “They’re workers with children, mostly, and they’re looking forward to it.”

August 1-7, 2018

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER 4.4-acre parcel in the Allens Creek community could soon put a small dent in Haywood County’s affordable housing crisis, if negotiations between the owner and local human services agency Mountain Projects go well.

“We do have an option on it, and we’re in the process of doing due diligence on that, looking at at our finances and our options, but there are a lot of unknowns at this point,” said Patsy Davis, executive director of Mountain Projects.

The parcel, owned by Troy Muse, is located within Waynesville town limits at the southeast corner of Pinewood Drive and Lickstone Road, which itself branches off from Allens Creek Road. Assessed at $42,000 and zoned for residential use, it would be used for up to 17 traditional three-bedroom, two-bath single family homes.

The land purchase would be in conjunction with a United States Department of Agriculture program called mutual self-help housing.

“Under the grant program, they pay us to manage a project where we come up with the infrastructure cost,” said Anna Rogers, a housing recruiter with Mountain Projects.

That means Mountain Projects keeps up with purchase orders, bookkeeping and the like.

Participants then apply for a USDA mortgage with the help of Mountain Projects; interest rates are currently around 3.75 percent but can go as low as 1 percent, based on the applicant’s income. There’s no down payment, and closing costs are rolled into the mortgage loan.

“That pays for everything from the lot to the landscaping and some of the infrastructure costs like paving,” said Rogers.

If implemented, it would be Mountain Projects’ fifth such venture under the USDA program; Rogers said they’d built 51 homes as a result so far. Although some are scattered in sites around the county, the Barefoot

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The cost of incarceration

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR

s The Smoky Mountain News embarks on a yearlong investigative project to explore the rural jail crisis, we wanted to first take a look at how much incarceration is costing the taxpayers in Western North Carolina.

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Smoky Mountain News

August 1-7, 2018

Financial data was collected from the four counties in our coverage area — Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain — to analyze how much each spends annually on local detention centers and how it impacts the overall county budget. What we’ve found is that costs are rising annually and budgeting can be difficult with so many fluctuating expenses to consider.

Trying to estimate the costs of inmate transportation and medical expenses each year is often futile as one inmate’s medical emergency can throw the entire budget out of whack.

If a sheriff ’s department arrests someone going through a mental health crisis, an officer has to stay with them in the emergency room until a behavioral health bed is available. Due to a lack of behavioral health facilities in Western North Carolina, that bed is usually hours away. Two officers are required to transport that person to the facility and are also responsible for returning that person back to their home county once they are stabilized.

According to the Vera Institute of Justice, America is home to 5 percent of the world’s population but home to 25 percent of all inmates. There are about 2.3 million people incarcerated in the U.S. at any given time being held in 1,719 state prisons, 102 federal prisons, 1,852 juvenile correctional facilities, 3,163 local jails and 80 Indian Country jails.

While state prison reform will be discussed during this project, the main focus will be on the 615,000 people incarcerated in local county jails that are funded with taxpayer money. According to countywide data collected by Vera Institute, local incarceration rates are rising steadily and in some cases surpass state and federal incarceration rates.

What is driving this so-called rural jail crisis? Sheriffs in WNC say it’s a number of factors at play, including a lack of mental health facilities, an increase in substance use and drug-related crimes, a backlogged criminal justice system and the state prison system sending its inmates to serve sentences in the local jails.

Here’s a closer look at what law enforcement and incarceration is costing taxpayers in Western North Carolina.

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MACON JAIL CONSISTENTLY OVER CAPACITY Law enforcement costs in Macon County have skyrocketed in the last five years as the sheriff ’s department deals with an overcrowded jail. Since 2013, the Macon County Detention Center budget has nearly doubled as a result of a higher inmate population, unpredictable medical expenses and the cost of transporting inmates to be housed in other counties.

The Macon County commissioners approved a $2.6 million budget for the jail for 2018-19, which has gradually increased each year from $1.8 million in 2013-14. The county also approved a $4.5 million budget for the sheriff ’s office this year.

“You try your best to look to the future — we submit our budget request to the county in February but the new budget doesn’t start until July so you have to think far ahead,” said Macon County Sheriff Robert Holland. “It’s difficult and things can change. We’ve gotten our meal costs down and we make a little money on commissary and phone calls, but all that’s so minimal — it’s nothing compared to actual cost.”

When the Macon County Law Enforcement Center was built in 1999, it was built for the current need and not for the future needs of the county. The 75-bed facility off Lakeshore Drive in Franklin is only 20 years old now and is consistently over capacity. In 2013-14, the jail had an average daily population of 52.5 inmates — 10.6 of whom were female. In 2016-17, the average daily population has increased to 98.25 inmates — with 22.3 of those being female. This 88 percent increase in average daily population during a three-year period means the sheriff ’s office has the additional expense of transporting inmates to other county jails and paying those counties to house them.

Last week, Macon County had 108 inmates in custody, but 33 of those had to be housed in Cherokee and Clay county jails at the cost of $50 a day. That’s $1,650 a day to house those 33 inmates until they are released or go to trial. The jail has budgeted $350,000 for 2018-19 to cover transporting costs, which also includes transporting inmates from jail to court.

Jail standards do mandate that female inmates have to be separated “sight and sound” from the male population. Macon’s jail has only one female dorm that houses 12 inmates, and last week 22 women were in Macon’s custody, including a pregnant woman in her third trimester.

An overcrowded jail also means paying more for medical expenses for an array of inmates with different needs from prenatal care to diabetes, heart disease, mental illness and addiction. Holland said most of the inmates are indigent, meaning taxpayers have to foot the bill for their medical needs.

For example, one man came to court drunk

Macon County Sheriff Robert Holland stands in front of the 20-year-old law enforcement center that has outgrown its 75-bed jail facilities. Jessi Stone photo

Macon County Detention Center Built in 1999 for $3.5 million | 75-bed facility Annual jail budgets (in millions) 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 • Original ...............1.8................1.99 .................2..................2.2.................2.4.................2.6 • Amended .............2.1.................2.1.................2.2 ................2.9.................2.8.................2.6 Medical treatment costs (in thousands) ...........................187................143................184 ...............234................282................N/A Out of county housing costs (in thousands) • Budgeted .............30..................50..................60 .................60.................300................350 • Actual cost...........50..................72.................107 ...............420................367................N/A Total sheriff’s office budget • 2017 — $4.3 million • 2018 — $4.6 million • 2019 — $4.5 million (budgeted) Macon County total budget • 2014-15 — $45.7 million • 2015-16 — $46.6 million • 2016-17 — $47.7 million • 2017-18 — $49.6 million • 2018-19 — $51 million

Total county population ........................................................34,732 (2017 U.S. Census estimate)

Cost per capita for law enforcement/incarceration .................................$204 per person

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and sitting in the jail for a month or two before they’re open to receiving treatment.

“You have a right to be safe and if these people are threatening and hurting people, I have an obligation to keep them in jail and to keep the community safe and if that means keeping an addict in jail, so be it,” Holland said.

With a population of about 34,732, Macon County’s cost for law enforcement and incarceration is about $204 per resident.

SWAIN JAIL OFFSETS COSTS

BY HOUSING FEDERAL INMATES

Corp. Crane puts away the orange and white uniforms worn by inmates at Macon County Detention Center. Jessi Stone photo substance addiction unless they accept they have a problem and are willing to get help.

He’s talked to parents desperate for their child to seek help with addiction before it takes their lives. Sometimes the only sleep those parents get is when they know their child is in jail and not at risk of overdosing somewhere.

“When an individual is ready for help that’s when they need help because if you wait they’re going to end up giving into the addiction because they start hurting,” Holland said.

While Holland and his staff do what they can to divert people to rehab, he said sometimes it may take a person getting arrested

S EE I NCARCERATION, PAGE 8

Swain County Detention Center Built in 2008 for $10 million | 109-bed facility Annual jail budgets (in millions) 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 • Original ...............1.2.................1.2................1.26 ...............1.2.................1.3.................1.2 • Actual..................1.4.................1.4................1.25 ...............1.3................1.26...............1.25 Medical treatment costs (in thousands) ...........................270................160................160 ...............113................145................N/A Total sheriff’s office budget • 2017 — $1.87 million • 2018 — $1.98 million • 2019 — $2 million Swain County total budget • 2014-15 — $13.7 million • 2015-16 — $14.3 million • 2016-17 — $17.3 million • 2017-18 — $15.6 million • 2018-19 — $15.3 million

Total county population .........................................................14,294 (2017 U.S. Census estimate)

Smoky Mountain News

It’s not a contract service the detention center ever thought it would have to utilize but it has helped bring about some savings even though the medical bill totals keep increasing. In 2018-19, the county budgeted $275,000 for medical expenses.

Holland has also found some cost savings by switching its jail meals contract from Angel Medical Center to Summit Food Service.

Since 2013, the actual food costs in the Macon jail increased by 18 percent to $340,685, which is $4.85 per meal. Holland looked around to see what other jails do and found Clay County was pleased with its contractor Summit. The new contract reduced the price per meal to $3.90, which means the county can now budget $232,594 to feed inmates.

In addition to a growing inmate population, the sheriff ’s department in general is receiving more emergency and non-emergency calls. In 2017, the sheriff ’s office responded to more than 16,000 emergency calls — that’s up from about 14,000 in 2013 and 2014.

Deputies also responded to another 12,450 non-emergency calls in 2017. Macon County’s population has only increased from 33,922 in 2010 to an estimated 34,732 in 2017, but the incarceration rate has almost doubled from 2013 to 2017.

When asked about the driving factors behind the increase, Holland said a majority of it has to do with the opioid epidemic and the lack of mental health facilities in the region.

“Opioid addiction, a lack of services for folks and bad choices by individuals,” he said. “The immediate thing that needs to happen is we need to have more availability for long-term rehabilitation.”

On the other hand, Holland said, it’s nearly impossible to help people suffering from

August 1-7, 2018

and had to be held in contempt in the jail. He then had a heart attack while in custody and cost the detention center $50,000.

“With medical expenses, there’s a lot of variables. A lot of it is due to addiction and people not taking care of themselves,” he said. “When they’re in our jail, we take them to the hospital if they need to go. But it’s astronomical the amount we spend on medical services.”

In 2012-13, the costs associated with inmate medical treatment reached an all-time high totaling $291,753 in Macon County.

Involuntary committals are another volatile cost for the department. If someone is arrested and deemed by a judge to be mentally unstable, an involuntary commitment is ordered and the sheriff ’s office has to take the person to the emergency room for evaluation.

Because of the shortage of behavioral health beds in the region, the deputy often has to wait hours and even days for a bed to open up somewhere for the patient. It doesn’t matter if that bed is an hour away or five hours away, the sheriff ’s deputy has to transport the patient there and come back to pick them up once they are stabilized. In 2014 alone, Macon County Sheriff ’s Office spent 8,299 hours and $253,625 on 247 involuntary committals.

In an effort to bring costs down, the sheriff ’s office began contracting with Correction Risk Services (CRS) to review each medical bill coming into the jail and challenge those that are erroneous or duplicated. CRS also negotiates prices with medical facilities on behalf of the detention center.

“They go in and wash the bills — we may get an $80,000 bill and they negotiate with the hospital and it may end up being $30,000 and of course they get a percentage of that savings,” Holland said.

Swain County’s new $10 million detention center was completed in the fall of 2008, but was already in the works when Sheriff Curtis Cochran took office in 2006.

Though Swain County’s population is just over 14,000, the jail was built four times the size necessary to accommodate its own inmates. The purpose of building a 109-bed facility was to be able to house overflow inmates from other counties as well as federal inmates to subsidize the cost of the jail.

The jail hasn’t been the cash cow the county thought, but housing federal inmates does help recoup some jail costs. On average, the jail houses 15 to 20 federal inmates per day and Curtis Cochran the federal government pays Swain County above and beyond the jail’s actual cost per inmate.

“It impacts us tremendously for revenues — we get $63 a day for federal inmates and they (U.S. Marshall Service) are responsible for their medical and transportation costs,” Cochran said. “To transport inmates, they pay $23 an hour and we have to have two officers for that and it’s a four-hour minimum — most trips average six hours so that generates a lot of money.”

Cost per capita for law enforcement/incarceration .................................$224 per person 7

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Capt. Glen Matayabas (above, left) has been the jail administrator at Haywood County Detention Center for more than a year. One of three pods at Haywood County Detention Center can house up to 24 male inmates (left). Lindsay Regner photos I NCARCERATION, CONTINUED FROM 7

Smoky Mountain News

August 1-7, 2018

Each year the county budgets for increased revenue from the federal inmate contract — $300,000 in 2016-17, $320,000 in 2017-18 and $360,000 for the current 2018-19 budget.

When the new Swain County jail was being constructed, the Qualla Boundary didn’t have its own jail facility to house tribal member inmates and had to send them to Swain’s jail. Cochran said the jail was averaging 30 tribal inmates a day, but that revenue source dried up in 2014 when the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians built its own $26 million jail and justice center.

“Construction started in 2005 so I inherited the new jail. It was built bigger than needed but at the time we were also having to house all Cherokee tribal inmates,” Cochran said. “When Cherokee built their own jail a couple years ago we lost half a million a year in revenue, but it’s about balanced itself out again.”

Surrounding counties were also in the process of constructing new jails just as Swain was planning its build out. Cherokee County constructed a 150-bed facility and Haywood had completed a 148-bed facility around the same time Swain’s was being completed.

Cochran said the Swain jail is occasionally close to or over capacity, but that the average jail population is 75 to 80 inmates a day.

Occasional overflow is usually due to an increasing female population. The detention center can house only 25 female inmates, and that’s if they utilize cells that are intended to isolate inmates who are sick.

In addition to local and federal inmates, Cochran said Swain gets overflow from neighboring Graham County, which has only an eight-bed jail. Swain is also one of the many county jails that participate in the Statewide Misdemeanant Confinement Program. A 8 result of policy reform to reduce state prison

populations, the program allows certain people who have a misdemeanor conviction, including DWI, and a sentence of more than 90 days to serve the sentence in a county jail.

The state program brings in about $100,000 a year to offset Swain’s jail budget, and housing for other counties brings in about $60,000 a year. Two years ago, the sheriff ’s office entered into a contract with the U.S. Forest Service to patrol the Nantahala Gorge during the summer months. Cochran said money from that contract goes toward funding overtime pay for his deputies.

Cochran said the sheriff ’s office also recoups a little money from the inmate commissary, phone cards for inmates and offering a concealed carry permit training class.

Similar to other jails in the region, medical expenses are hard to predict and one inmate can eat up a large percentage of what was budgeted for the year. Cochran recently had to ask the commissioners for a $70,000 budget amendment to cover medical expenses for one inmate, though he’s hopeful a pending negotiation with the hospital will result in a lower bill.

In 2013, the county spent $270,000 on inmate medical services, but in recent years has been able to keep it at about $160,000 a year. The jail contracts with Smoky Mountain Urgent Care for a nurse who is on site five days a week for four hours.

“We have a jail nurse and she tries to keep those numbers down,” Cochran said. “She sees most of the inmates complaints and if they go to a doctor it has to be a very needed thing. Of course we’re not going to stop people from going to the hospital if they have to.”

The cost of operating the Swain County Detention Center has increased some over the last few years, but not as substantially as some other counties. The jail budget in 201617 was about $1.23 million; it increased to $1.26 in 2017-18 but decreased to $1.25 for the current fiscal year. The sheriff ’s depart-

Haywood County Detention Center Built in 2005 for $12 million | 148-bed facility Annual jail budgets (in millions) 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 • Original ...............2.1.................2.4.................2.7 ................2.8.................3.2.................3.4 • Actual..................2.1.................2.3.................2.9 ................2.6 ..................3..................N/A Medical treatment costs (in thousands) ...........................167................249................220 ...............262................258................N/A Total sheriff’s office budget • 2017 — $5.2 million • 2018 — $4.6 million • 2019 — $4.5 million Haywood County total budget • 2014-15 — $69 million • 2015-16 — $72.9 million • 2016-17 — $75.3 million • 2017-18 — $80.3 million • 2018-19 — $82.6 million

Total county population .........................................................61,084 (2017 U.S. Census estimate)

Cost per capita for law enforcement/incarceration .................................$129 per person

ment budget has increased slightly each year from $1.9 million in 2016-17 to nearly $2.1 million for 2018-19.

Though the increases might seem low compared to other counties, Swain County’s per capita cost for law enforcement and incarceration is $224 per resident — the highest out of the four counties examined. That doesn’t include the $473,000 annual debt service on the jail that the county will be paying for another 30 years.

HAYWOOD PROACTIVELY MANAGES JAIL POPULATION While some jailers may consider incarceration as their main responsibly, Haywood

County Detention Capt. Glen Matayabas says his No. 1 priority is to get people out of the jail as quickly and efficiently as possible.

“My job is to manage our jail population and get people out of custody that shouldn’t be in jail,” he said.

As for the ones who need to be in jail, Matayabas’ job is to make sure he’s doing everything in his power to get them into court for sentencing — which can prove challenging in a clogged-up criminal justice system.

Haywood County Detention Center was constructed in 2005 for about $12 million.

With a 148-bed capacity, the average inmate population hovers around 100, though it does fluctuate. In 2013 the average population was 102 but in 2017 it was 115.

Jackson County Detention Center Annual jail budgets (in millions) 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 • Original ...............1.6 ..................2 ..................2.2 ................2.2 ..................2 ..................2.1 • Amended .............1.4.................1.6.................1.7 ................1.8.................1.7 ................N/A Medical treatment costs (in thousands) ............................63.................268................206 ...............274................249................N/A Total sheriff’s office budget • 2017 — $1.87 million • 2018 — $1.98 million • 2019 — $2 million (budgeted) Jackson County total budget • 2014-15 — $59.8 million • 2015-16 — $62 million • 2016-17 — $66.2 million • 2017-18 — $62.5 million • 2018-19 — $64.5 million

Total county population ........................................................42,973 (2017 U.S. Census estimate)

Cost per capita for law enforcement/incarceration ....................................$95 per person

90 minute Anti-Aging Facial for $109 ($16 savings)

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Smoky Mountain News

rehabilitation beds have also played a large part in the higher number of bookings at the jail. Most people in Haywood County experiencing a problem with addiction or mental health crisis don’t have insurance and can’t afford a private-pay rehab facility.

“People who normally come into our facility don’t have any kind of insurance, which makes it extremely difficult. They can’t pay $5,000 a month for a rehab,” Christopher said. “We either need to reduce the cost of rehab beds or we need more services for people through the state.”

Similar to Macon County, involuntary committals are also taking a lot of time and money in Haywood — 2017 was a record year for involuntary commitments. Medical expenses have increased from $167,000 in 2013 to $258,000 in 2017. Whether an inmate has to go to the hospital for an involuntary commitment or any other medical need, a deputy has to stay with that inmate the entire time.

“We do our best to create a hypothesis to work on for the budget, but it’s a shot in the dark a lot of times because of medical costs more than anything else,” Matayabas said.

Haywood jail contracts with a nurse to provide everyday medical services for its inmates. The nurse is on site from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and a physician’s assistant comes in every Monday to help with certain medical needs.

Haywood jail also participates in the state misdemeanant program and currently houses five females and five males for the state. At $40 a day per inmate, Christopher said the program does generate some revenue to offset expenses. Any other revenues from commissary and phone calls go back into the county general fund to offset overall expenses.

Even with a county population of over 61,000, Haywood County Detention Center has one of the lowest per capita costs for law enforcement and incarceration at $129 per person. Haywood also offers the most programs and services for its inmates.

The Jackson County Detention Center sometimes struggles to meet the needs of a growing inmate population with limited resources, but Sheriff Chip Hall and his staff say they are making do with what they have.

As the average inmate population has increased from 58 in 2013-14 to 64 in 2017-18, the jail budget has also crept up from 1.4 million in 2013-14 to $2.1 million in 2017-18. At the same time, the jail still has 20 detention officers — the same number it had when the jail opened in 2003.

“It is what it is — we can run the jail with five people on a shift and we Chip Hall make it work but we could use more,” said Jail Administrator John Buchanan, adding that the jail is trying to fill two open positions right now.

The overall average population hasn’t overwhelmed Jackson’s 72-bed facility, but the exploding female inmate population has forced the jail to house females in other counties. Buchanan said the jail has only eight beds for females, but currently has 18 in custody as of Tuesday. Charges range from probation violations to murder for the females in the Jackson County jail.

“The biggest challenge we have is the female population. When the jail was

August 1-7, 2018

“I’m proud of the fact we’re hanging in around 100 — it’s a much more manageable number through the entire jail process,” he said.

Matayabas said the goal is to manage the population proactively so that the detention center never reaches capacity because operating at or over capacity only presents more challenges for his staff. He and Sheriff Greg Christopher also know the impact it can have on their bottom line and the cost to taxpayers.

But even 100 inmates is a strain on resources — the main jail can house 108 inmates and a detached annex (that used to serve as a juvenile faciliGreg Christopher ty) can house another 40 inmates who are considered low risk.

Matayabas said he just recently had to open the annex back up to accommodate 13 inmates and place two detention officers out there to supervise them.

Even though the number of inmates and the average length of stay (11.6 days) have remained relatively stagnant in the last five years, the cost of housing inmates has increased due to the cost of medical services and transporting inmates. The average cost to house an inmate for one day has increased from $58 in 2013 to $72 in 2017, and the jail budget has increased from $2.14 million in 2013 to just over $3 million in 2017.

Christopher said it’s more than the opioid epidemic that’s driving up the cost of incarceration.

“It’s not completely opioids — meth is back and it’s come back with vengeance and it’s cheaper than it’s ever been on the street,” he said. “Pills are expensive — about $1 a milligram — and meth dealers know that and reduced their prices. Heroin is also extremely cheap and making a comeback.”

He said mental health issues and a lack of

WITH LIMITED RESOURCES

designed it was not big enough to handle the exploding female population we’ve seen in the last 10 years,” he said. “If you look at the numbers, we were housing three to six females when we opened and had eight beds.”

Buchanan said female inmates have to be sent to whichever surrounding county has room for them — most often Cherokee, Transylvania, Haywood or Swain counties.

The cost is $50 a day plus the cost of transport and medical costs. The average cost to keep an inmate in the Jackson County jail is $85 a day.

“I try to house with jails that have the same medical contract as we do so we don’t have to step out of the medical contractors, which only makes more paperwork for us,” he said.

While contracting with Southwestern Correctional Medical Group since 2015 hasn’t necessarily been a cost savings to the jail budget, Buchanan said it’s one of the best decisions the sheriff has made.

“It’s a major expense but you get what you pay for,” he said. “This company is phenomenal. They see inmates on a daily basis and they do mental assessments, monitor inmates and look for any red flags. They’re here seven days a week. Medical and mental health needs are always our biggest worry.”

The jail does participate in the Misdemeanant Confinement Program in an effort to offset expenses. Buchanan said the jail has five male inmate beds dedicated to housing those state inmates for $40 a day.

Jackson County Detention Center has the lowest per capita cost of $95 for its 43,000 residents.

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Built in 2003 for $6 million | 72-bed facility

JACKSON JAIL MAKES DO

Yoga weekly Wednesday - Saturday 9am 828.944.0288 | MaggieValleyWellness.com 461 MOODY FARM ROAD, MAGGIE VALLEY

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Jackson mulls middle school

Smoky Mountain News

August 1-7, 2018

Fairview School is one of four K-8 schools in Jackson County. Some parents would like to see sixth- through eighth-graders together in a middle school instead. Donated photo

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Public comment sought on benefits of creating middle grades facility

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ackson County stands alone among the western counties for not having a separate middle school, but a group of parents is hoping to change that.

Sylva attorney Jeff Goss, who is the father of a second-grader and kindergartener at Fairview Elementary School, is leading the charge, a cause that for him began when a rash of bomb threats caused evacuations in county schools following the shooting in Parkland, Florida. As parents came to under-

J

stand that the threats emanated from middle school-aged students, Goss started to think more deeply about the benefits of separating the middle school and elementary age groups.

“I already had that belief that we were maybe not where we needed to be, but certainly the safety issues met with the ultimate catalyst for getting involved, speaking up and saying something,” Goss said.

Goss first questioned the Jackson County School board about whether it had considered building a middle school during the March 27 board meeting, following up with remarks April 26 and May 29.

“The basic argument is, ‘Look, we need to look at allocating our resources better,’ Goss said.

Currently, northern Jackson County has four K-8 schools — Fairview Elementary

School, Scotts Creek Elementary School, Cullowhee Valley Elementary School and Smokey Mountain Elementary School.

Between them, the schools have 731 students enrolled in grades six through eight for the 2018-2019 school year. Goss believes that these students could be better served academically if they were all together in one building, rather than spread out in four different campuses that also house much younger children. Teachers for specialty subjects like foreign language, for example, are hard to justify if they’re only teaching a couple hundred kids, but if the middle grades were consolidated into a single campus, those offerings would be more feasible.

“It just becomes cost-prohibitive because they don’t have the same number of students in those schools to teach,” Goss said. “The

Be heard The results of a study investigating the possibility of establishing a middle school for grades six through eight in Jackson County will be presented during a public meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, at Smoky Mountain High School in Sylva.

In addition to the presentation from architect John Cort, the meeting will include a public comment opportunity.

Members of the public are invited to give their thoughts on establishing a separate middle school campus, with each speaker allowed three minutes to talk.

828.586.2311. idea is if we would combine all our sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students into a single school, we could afford those things.”

Goss also pointed to aging facilities in the school system as a reason to have this conversation now.

“If we’ve got those kinds of facilities, do we need to consider building a new school, and if we’re going to build a new school, where are we going to build it and what kind of school is it?” he asked.

Goss is not alone in his opinion. He’s launched a petition asking for signatures in support of creating a dedicated middle school and currently has 168 names. The petition states that, if the school system decides against building new, it should turn Fairview into a middle school, as it is the most logical location.

The third time Goss addressed the Board of Education on the issue, May 29, two other parents spoke in support. According to meeting minutes, Julie Sylvester, who has two children at Fairview, said she felt a middle school would better prepare students for success in high school, and Erin McManus, who is the mother of a kindergartener at Scotts Creek, said she felt a middle school would better support a diversity of extracurricular activities, including athletics, and would improve students’ emotional and developmental preparation for high school.

The school board is not brushing the input aside. The body asked architect John Cort, of Asheville-based Cort Architectural Group, to develop a report examining options and associated costs for forming a middle school, either by building new or

F

Security improvements underway at Jackson Schools Safety upgrades are coming along slowly but surely in Jackson County Public Schools after county commissioners allocated $400,000 in March for security cameras and monitors, plus $27,0000 architectural designs for additional security-related capital improvements.

Camera and monitor installation is about 25 percent complete, with Cort Architectural Group expected to complete design work in the next six weeks.

“In the spring when we started that project, apparently every school district in America is doing the same thing,” said David Proffitt, director of technology for Jackson Schools. “We ran into problems with supply, and the vendor took weeks and weeks.”

The security upgrades were prompted by the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which left 17 people dead. In addition to appropriating $400,000 for cameras and monitors and $27,000 for architectural designs, county commissioners added four school resource officers, one juvenile detective and six school counselors to the county’s payroll in response to the tragedy.

Proffitt said cameras have been installed in the entryways of all eight school buildings. The next, larger phase will be to put cameras in the schools’ interior areas, filling in blind spots in the current security camera system. The school system may have to bid part of that installation proj-

ect to a third party if it proves too much for staff to handle, but by the end of it the schools should have double the number of security cameras they did before.

“I’ll be really disappointed if we are still working on it at Thanksgiving, but my hope is we’ll be finished by the end of October,” Proffitt said.

Jackson Schools Superintendent Kim Elliott said she expects any security-related capital improvements to be completed within the 2018-2019 school year. When commissioners appropriated design money in March, they expected it would take roughly $740,000 to make the necessary improvements and that funding would come from the county’s School Capital Reserve.

Nutrition Facts serving size : ab out 50 p ag es

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August 1-7, 2018 Smoky Mountain News

converting one of the school system’s existing facilities. Findings were presented and public comment received during an afternoon work session Monday, July 16. The board will hold a repeat meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, in the Smoky Mountain High School auditorium.

“It may feel redundant to someone who attended the first meeting, but that is very intentional, because the board is adamant about providing equal access to information and for our board to be able to listen to our stakeholders in the community,” said Jackson Schools Superintendent Kim Elliott.

The report found that due to the number of middle school students in the county school system — 731 — the age group could be accommodated in a single 800-student building. It also found that all eight school buildings in the county are currently under capacity, according to state guidelines.

“Principals at each school were interviewed and it was found that with the exception of Cullowhee Valley Elementary School no schools are beyond capacity,” the report reads. “Cullowhee Valley Elementary School’s principal stated that up to four classrooms could be justified for organizational reasons.”

Four main options exist for establishing a middle school, the report said. The school system could construct a new middle school on a new site, construct a new middle school at the existing high school to create a combined middle/high school, construct a new high school and convert the existing high school to become a middle school, or renovate one of the existing elementary schools to become a middle school, redistricting elementary students between the remaining elementary buildings.

Of those options, new construction is most expensive — an estimated $30.1 million to build a 120,300-square-foot middle school and $39 million for a 156,000-square-foot high school. As far as converting an existing elementary school, Fairview, while the most convenient location-wise due to its proximity to the high school and potential for sharing resources such as bus routes, would be by far the most expensive, at $20.7 million. Scotts Creek would be the cheapest, at $3.2 million.

There’s no telling which, or any, option the school board will ultimately pursue.

“At this point we’re being intentional about research and information-gathering and listening,” Elliott said. “We’re trying very hard to keep the speculation at a minimum with our stakeholders because again this is very preliminary and it is our board simply listening to wants, needs and concerns.”

Goss said he’s been pleasantly surprised by the board’s response on the matter, and while he has plenty of questions and factors that he hopes to see the board consider, he’s not pushing for any one alternative at this point. While he still believes that Fairview is the most logical location for a middle school, he acknowledges that the expected cost of renovating that building is much higher, so another location such as Scotts Creek might make more sense.

“I was really hopeful to just start the dialogue and get folks talking about this,” he said. “I didn’t think we’d be this far along at this point, so I’m encouraged that it’s gotten this far.”

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Cherokee debates election laws Campaign finance, residency requirements discussed in work session

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is in the midst of an effort to overhaul its elections laws, with a Sept. 30 deadline to take a final vote if the new rules are to apply for the September 2019 elections.

The revised ordinance was initially submitted in April, with multiple work sessions and discussions held since to comb through the various regulations contained in the 27page document. The most recent work session, held Monday, July 23, focused on candidate residency requirements and campaign finance reporting.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENCY

Smoky Mountain News

August 1-7, 2018

Currently, Cherokee law states that Tribal Council candidates must have resided in the township they’re running to represent for at least 90 days before the primary election and continue to live there during their term in office; for school board candidates, residency is required for one year before the primary election and during the term of office; for chief and vice chief, two years before the election and during the term of office. However, the law does not define what residency means.

In his proposed revision to Tribal Council, Attorney General Mike McConnell added a paragraph that states a candidate’s primary residence must be on Cherokee trust land and that the person must spend the majority of overnights there.

“You might have a condo at Myrtle Beach.

You might have a house in Georgia, but it allows you to have that second home and make your commonplace visits to that second home, but your primary residence would have to be on Cherokee trust land,” McConnell explained. “The way you would measure that would be by overnights.”

A residency protest would trigger a hearing before the Board of Elections, which would decide whether the overnight threshold had been met using records such as utility bills, the candidate’s registered mailing address and school records.

Some councilmembers indicated that they’d like to see a stricter requirement than a mere majority of overnights on the Qualla Boundary.

“We all understand that we can go somewhere on vacation. We know that, but I think that 99 percent or 100 percent, you ought to be here and available,” said Councilmember Tommye Saunooke, of Painttown. “Now that’s my opinion. I don’t know what anyone else feels. If I have a second home that’s fine, but my people are here and this is where we need to serve.”

According to the draft McConnell presented, even candidates who meet the 12 overnight threshold would be required to

Attorney General Mike McConnell explains proposed elections ordinance changes to Tribal Council during a July 23 work session. EBCI image report any second homes to the election board, as well as whether that address has been listed as their primary residence at any point in the past five years.

“We want to be able to know that to say, ‘Why did you claim primary residence in Buncombe County and now you’re claiming it here on Cherokee trust land?’” McConnell said, giving an example.

The new version would also require that candidates affirm, in writing and under oath, that the information they’ve provided is true.

“If it turns out that you are knowingly misrepresenting this to the election board, you can be disqualified from the election,” McConnell said.

REPORTING FINANCING Perhaps the most significant election ordinance change proposed is five pages detailing campaign finance reporting requirements. Current law has no mention of campaign finance and does not require any disclosure as to where campaign funding comes from.

“On the legal side, we’re looking at this saying, ‘What if, what if,’” McConnell said. “It’s possible that with the financial status of the tribe and the interest of say businesses and other people to come in and say I really want this thing to happen. Say it’s some different activity at the casino and if I contribute a bunch of money to this group of candidates and they win and they’re able to sway the TCGE, that will benefit my business by thousands of dollars. We’re trying to get ahead of that.”

The proposed ordinance revisions would require candidates to file finance reports monthly, with the first report due upon filing for office and the final one due no later than five days before the Board of Elections certifies general election results to Tribal Council.

Any contributions given within six months of the election would be reported in a revised final report. Failure to file would result in disqualification from the race, and no candidate would be able to take office until the final

campaign finance report was filed. Reports would detail the name, mailing address and occupation of each contributor, as well as categories of campaign expenditures.

Failing to disclose required information would be considered a crime for referral to the tribal prosecutor and could subject the candidate to disqualification from office or removal from office.

Candidates would only be required to report contributions from people who gave

The proposed ordinance revisions would require candidates to file finance reports monthly, with the first report due upon filing for office and the final one due no later than five days before the Board of Elections certifies general election results to Tribal Council. $250 or more, with no one person able to give more than $2,000 to a single candidate. The proposed language would prohibit anonymous donations of $250 or more and donations from corporations.

“A donation has to be attached to a person, to an individual person,” McConnell said.

Various councilmembers had different reactions to the recommendations and to the overall idea of regulating campaign funding.

Saunooke, for example, told McConnell that the proposed changes looked “a little cumbersome” and seemed unnecessary given how little she has typically spent on campaigns during her nearly two decades in office.

“I must be different. Nobody ever offers me anything. If they did I wouldn’t take it,”

Saunooke said. “It’s ridiculous. It’s a tribal election and if you don’t have the money to fund your own campaign, people, you don’t need to be sitting here if you’re going to take from Tom, Dick and Harry.”

Chairman Adam Wachacha, of Snowbird, had a different reaction.

“I understand it. It’s basically a smaller version of how the federal and state campaigns are on disclosures and saying how maybe their votes may be persuaded,” he said.

Election Board Chair Denise Ballard affirmed to Tribal Council that Cherokee does indeed need legislation on this topic.

“This is something we hear from the community every year, every election, and it’s something that’s needed,” she said.

After some discussion by councilmembers as to the proposed limits and the amount of money spent on tribal campaigns, McConnell suggested an alternative to the currently proposed language — that the tribal government designate a certain amount of campaign money that can be used in each race and then provide that money to the campaigns.

“Essentially the tribe would be funding the election race,” McConnell said. “That creates a financial burden for the tribe. It might not be a big one if what I’m hearing is typically our races are funded on a shoestring. But what it does is allow you to control what is spent, and you know where the money is coming from.”

Some councilmembers felt that could be a worthwhile option to pursue, but Councilmember Jeremy Wilson, of Wolfetown, said it could bring some major issues with it. Elected for the first time in 2017 at age 28, Wilson is the youngest member of council and didn’t have the benefit of an existing voter base when he decided to run for election.

“I think you’re going to have some major growing pains with this amount limit,” he said. “One of the issues is when you’re a new candidate coming in and not too many people know about you and you don’t have a big political background.”

While Saunooke, a veteran councilmember, had said earlier in the discussion that her campaign costs were pretty minimal — $500 for the filing fee, ads in the Cherokee One Feather, campaign signs and bookmarks — Wilson said it took more than that for him to get elected. For instance, he said, sending a piece of mail to reach every person in his community cost more than $2,000.

Saunooke acknowledged that disparity and affirmed that she didn’t want to see laws adopted that would exclude political newcomers.

“I don’t want to knock somebody out that’s new and running,” she said.

The discussion was part of a work session, not a business meeting, so no action was taken or changes made to McConnell’s proposed version, and the 75-minute meeting wasn’t enough time to discuss the entire 27-page document. However, the election ordinance is on the agenda for Council’s Aug. 2 meeting, and the body will need to vote on a final version by Sept. 30 if the changes are to take effect for the 2019 Tribal Council elections.

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER lmost 10 months after the abrupt resignation of County Manager Ira Dove, Haywood County is drawing closer to finding his permanent replacement.

“We’ve had a good pool of candidates to pick from and so far we have interviewed five total,” said Commissioner Brandon Rogers.

The Haywood County Board of Commissioners held two separate closed sessions at the end of July during which commissioners went into closed session to interview potential candidates for the job.

“Hopefully out of the five they will find one candidate that fits the bill,” said Interim County Manager Joel Mashburn.

The Haywood County native Mashburn has filled the role since Dove’s departure, but it’s not exactly new territory for him – he was Macon County’s manager from 1974 to 1979, Henderson County’s administrator from 1979 through 1984, Greenville (S.C.) County’s administrator from 1984 to 1988, and Iredell County’s manager for 23 years until retiring in 2011.

All that experience tells him that commissioners are looking for Ira Dove more than just a fancy resume.

“It’s not just their qualifications on paper,” he said. “Candidates have to mesh together and have good chemistry with the board, and as they’re sitting across the table, they’re also interviewing commissioners.”

Dove had served in the role since 2014, earning about $125,000 upon appointment and about $145,000 when he left, not including various allowances and benefits. A new candidate would likely see compensation in that range.

Commissioners wrapped up interviews July 30.

“Out of the five, we spent some time after the last interviews trying to decide among them,” Rogers said, adding that they spent more than 90 minutes with each. “We have some fabulous candidates.”

Rogers said he’s looking for “somebody who can take us to the next level.”

But like Mashburn, Rogers also says that the candidate needs to be a good fit with commissioners and a good fit with the county at large.

“We’re not in a huge hurry, but we are wanting to get someone in place, get them settled and get things going,” he said.

Commissioners, Rogers said, would likely make a decision in the next few weeks or months.

news

County manager interviews begin

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August 1-7, 2018 Smoky Mountain News

@Smoky MtnNews

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news

Book sale continue The Friends of the Haywood County Library annual Book Sale continues with half-off prices from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, and a bag sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, in the lower level of the Haywood County Library, S. Haywood Street, Waynesville.

A paper grocery bag will be supplied to you.

Fill it up with as many books as you can for only $5. All books must go.

Opioid forum coming to Franklin Western N.C. AIDS Project (WNCAP), UU Fellowship of Franklin, Macon Overdose Prevention Coalition and Full Circle Recovery Center are hosting an opioid forum from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at the Macon County Library in Franklin.

The forum will discuss the impact of prescription pill and heroin use in the community.

August 1-7, 2018

Haywood sheriff attends training conference Sheriffs and law enforcement professionals across the state of North Carolina recently gathered in Craven County for the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association’s 96th Annual Training Conference.

Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher alongside Haywood County Criminal Investigations Capt. Tony Cope and Detention Capt. Glen Matayabas attended the conference.

At the NCSA Annual Training Conference, sheriffs discussed issues such as updates on new changes to law and procedures, as well as an update on the state budget and other actions by the 2018 General Assembly. The training this year began with a legal review of new legislation and a panel discussion on “Dealing with School Violence.”

Matt Dolan, an attorney with Dolan Consulting Group spoke on “Gypsy Cops” and “Recruiting and Retention.” The process of recruiting, vetting, hiring and keeping qualified individuals is one the most challenging issues in law enforcement today.

Smoky Mountain News

Franklin forum to discuss freedom “Freedom or free stuff — is socialism winning the battle of ideas?” will be the topic for the Franklin Open Forum at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6, at the Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub, located Downtown at 58 Stewart Street, Franklin.

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

For more information, call 828.371.1020.

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SmokyMtnNews

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER new partnership between Southwestern Community College and Harris Regional Hospital aims to help aspiring nurses afford their education while bolstering Harris’ ability to maintain a quality staff.

Through the Student Nurse Apprentice Program, known as SNAP, Harris will fund tuition and supplies for two nursing students and two nurse aide students each year.

In exchange, the students will commit to working at Harris or Swain Community Hospital after graduation — three years for nursing students and one year for nurse aide students.

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once they graduate, so they already have their job lined up,” said Thom Brooks, vice president for instruction and student services at SCC. “For the hospital system it’s a ben-

Learn more To apply for SNAP funding from Harris Regional Hospital, visit www.myharrisregional.com/snap or call 828.586.7102.

For information about SCC’s Nursing and Nurse Aide programs, contact Sandra Seibert, administrative assistant for health sciences, at 828.339.4305 or s_seibert@southwesterncc.edu.

“For these students it’s an opportunity to have the costs of completing their education completely covered and the benefit of guaranteed employment with a local employer

Currently touring nationwide, actress Barbara Bates Smith and musician Jeff Sebens will present “Go, Granny D!” at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 16, at The Colonial Theater in Canton.

A fundraiser for the Haywood County Democratic Party’s voter outreach initiative, the show will also honor the memory of the late C. Russell Smith, Barbara’s husband, a devoted campaigner for the party.

Touting “You’re never too old to raise a little hell,” the 90-year-old Doris “Granny D” Haddock in 2000 blazed a 3,200-mile trail across America for campaign finance reform, precipitating the passage of the McCain-Feingold Act.

She continued her bipartisan reform efforts in countrywide voter registration drives, issuing her final challenge in 2010 at age 100: “Democracy is a running game. You huddle and you go back in. You keep going.”

Tickets cost $15 each through Aug. 7 and can also be purchased at Haywood County Democrat Headquarters, 734 N. Main Street, Waynesville. To purchase tickets, visit www.haywooddemocrats.wordpress.com.

Canton celebrates National Night Out National Night Out 2018 will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 7 at Sorrells Street Park in Canton.

Admission is free. Come out and join the Canton Police Department for a night for our

neighborhoods to stand together and promote awareness, safety and neighborhood unity.

Enjoy free food and drink and activities for the kids and adults alike.

By Tyler Cook Saturday, August 4 at 10 am Macon County Public Library 149 Siler Farm Rd The latest installment to the #1 superhero novel, Aluria!

50% of all proceeds will go towards The Eva McCall Memorial Scholorship tylermcook.com facebook.com/tylercookbooks twitter.com/tylercook4 fontanalib.org/franklin

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Swain historical society holds picnic The Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society annual picnic wll be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center.

This is a time to gather around good food and swap stories about family and history. Some even get into some “tall” tales. Bring a covered dish to share and join the fun. The facility is located at 45 East Ridge Drive, Bryson City.

FULLY STOCKED GUN STORE/SALE GOING ON NOW TRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT, WE HAVE A LARGE SELECTION OF RENTAL GUNS 14 INDOOR LANES/6 RIFLE AND 8 PISTOL

Smoky Mountain News

‘Go, Granny D!’ coming to Canton

efit to them to plan for their workforce needs to know that they’re going to have those needs met and to support the education of the students who are in the program.

Disciple

August 1-7, 2018

Dr. Don Tomas (front left), president of Southwestern Community College, and Steve Heatherly, president and CEO of Harris Regional Hospital, sign a memorandum of understanding to establish the SNAP program on June 11 at the college's Jackson Campus in Sylva. Donated photo

RELEASE PARTY news

Scholarship program aims to keep health workers local

It’s really one of those partnerships we look at that has key benefits for all the parties connected in it.”

From Harris’ point of view, the partnership will go a long way toward the hospital’s ability to do its job in the community.

“Southwestern Community College is our partner in training healthcare professionals who will join us in delivering on our mission of ‘Making Communities Healthier’,” said Steve Heatherly, CEO of the Harris and Swain hospitals. “We believe our new SNAP partnership will help local nursing students realize their professional dreams and ensure we keep the best clinical staff close to home.”

Harris and SCC began discussing the partnership concept earlier this year, with the goal of implementing it by August, Brooks said. If successful, SCC would like to see the partnership expand to include similar agreements for students in other healthrelated programs at the college. However, Brooks said, the RN and CNA programs seemed logical places to start.

“The nursing fields are always of particular need for employers,” he said. “Typically we see these are among the health-related occupations that there are more commonly openings for employment available. My sense is we’re starting at an area where there is highest demand for employment and need, and hopefully this will prove to be a successful program. Then perhaps we can talk about other programs in the future.”

The application process will be a competitive one, Brooks said, doubling as a job interview and a scholarship interview, since the funds come with Harris’ commitment to offer employment after graduation. The hospital will give preference to residents of Jackson, Swain, Graham and Macon counties, and to current staff members enrolled in the RN and CNA programs. If a student were to accept the funds but fail to fulfill the work commitment, that person would have to sign a promissory note and pay the money back like a loan, Brooks said.

“We’re really excited about the opportunity that it’s going to provide our students who participate in the program and glad to be able to partner with Harris Regional to help meet a workforce need they have as well,” said Brooks.

828-452-7870

mountainrangewnc.com

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news

Savannah Park will cost more than planned Park should be complete

by Thanksgiving

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER stablishing a park in the Savannah community of Jackson County will be more expensive than originally anticipated, with commissioners voting unanimously July 16 to add $150,000 to the existing $250,000 project budget.

Work can now begin on the project, which has been in progress since fall 2015, when commissioners went under contract for a trio of properties along Gay Road totaling about 3 acres.

“This is one of the key items on our master plan,” said Recreation Director Rusty Ellis. “We’re excited about it. The public’s excited about it as well.”

When the county first purchased the land, it estimated spending $50,000 to $75,000 on developing it into a park with a paved walking trail, picnic pavilion and restrooms. The current project scope is somewhat larger, including a playground and more robust pavilion and bathrooms. In addition, construction costs have risen over the last few years, and with contractors staying busy with other, larger projects, it’s proven difficult to get the Savannah Park concept off the ground.

In fact, the county had meant to have the Savannah Park project done long before now, originally opening bids for the project in September 2017. However, only one company bid on the project, so the county then reached out to various local contractors and asked if they’d be interested in bidding on the project if it came open again.

“They’re just so busy they can’t bid right now,” County Manager Don Adams told commissioners during a Sept. 12, 2017, work session.

If the county could hold off a few months, it might have better luck next time,

August 1-7, 2018

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Summer Brooke & Mountain Faith

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Summer Brooke & Mountain Faith - Friday at 7 pm • True Outlaws Saturday 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

he said. Commissioners agreed, and the county waited until spring to send out another request for bids. Yet again, only one bid was received, but it was lower than the September amount. After delaying the opening two weeks to solicit more bids and still only having one to work with, the county wound up approving the bid from Whittierbased Buchanan and Sons Inc.

The Savannah Park project is part of an ongoing effort to install a park in each Jackson County community.

While lower than the price a different company had quoted in September, the bid was significantly higher than the $250,000 the county had set aside for the park. The company offered to do the work for $303,100, and that figure didn’t include installing a well, picnic shelter or playground. The county plans to hire independent contractors for the well, picnic shelter and playground, which combined will cost about $62,000. The additional $150,000 commissioners added to the project budget will cover costs over $250,000, design and soft costs that have already been spent and contingency.

The county will sign construction contracts with specific timelines next week, Ellis said, but work is expected to begin by the end of August and last 60 to 90 days, weather permitting. If all goes as planned, the park should be ready to go by Thanksgiving.

The Savannah Park project is part of an ongoing effort to install a park in each Jackson County community. Commissioners have discussed building a park in the Qualla/Whittier area as the next step toward that goal.

Smoky Mountain News

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Education Franklin FFA students win in Raleigh The Franklin High School FFA teams recently competed in Raleigh. n The Tool ID Team — Kelton Elkins, Gabe Pickens, and Michael Jones — placed first in conference, sixth in the region. n At the Agriscience Fair, Courtney Tippett placed fifth in the state, first in the region and first in conference. n Destiny Mashburn placed third in the region for Extemporaneous Public Speaking. n Meat Judging Team — Katie Collins and Jonathan Carpenter — placed first in conference and first in the region. n Food Science Team — Brett Pendergrass, John Branson, John Fahey and Shelby Messer — placed first in conference and second in the region. n Milk Products Team — Elita Davis and Faith Mashburn — placed second in conference and third in the region. n Ag Issues Team — Tate Shepherd, Cassie McMahan, Maddie O’Neil, Olivia Hedden, Sammy Jo Carpenter, and Lauren Norton — placed fourth in the state, first in the region and first in conference. n Quiz Bowl Team —Shelby Messer, Emma Whitworth, Jessie Ellenburg and Gregory Spala — succeeded in the first round.

Jacob Sandefur was the State FFA Issues Delegate.

Charter school celebrates new gym Mountain Discovery Charter School in Bryson City is celebrating the opening of its new gymnasium with a ribbon cutting and performance from past and present students of the Junior Appalachian Musician program.

The celebration will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11 at the new gym. The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. with the JAM Band performance to follow. The event is free and food will be available for purchase. Parking for the event is limited so there will be a continuous shuttle service from the Ingles parking lot off of Hughes Brand Road and Hwy 19 in Bryson City.

HCC student wins at national competition Cory Ross, Haywood Community College electrical systems technology student, was recently awarded third place in the Electrical Construction Wiring event at the national SkillsUSA competition held in Louisville, Kentucky.

To be eligible to compete in the national competition, Ross participated in the SkillsUSA state competition earlier this spring where he won first place. This is Ross’ second showing at the both the state and national events. Last year, he won the state level but did not win a medal at the national competition. As a result of this year’s wins, Ross was awarded a large collection of tools in addition to his medals.

Although he was already employed in the electrical field, the additional training at HCC has

helped Ross, a resident of Cherokee, to be promoted to field superintendent.

WCU School of Nursing receives grant Western Carolina University’s School of Nursing has received a $2.7 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration to support a new post-baccalaureate nurse residency program and to further develop community-based primary care clinical experiences.

“Most nursing programs prepare their graduates solely for work in acute care settings, but future roles for professional nurses will be in the community,” said Kae Livsey, associate professor in the School of Nursing who is serving as lead on the project.

The grant will be spread over four years, with other areas of funding going to curriculum on population health management, data analytics, health care reimbursement and chronic care management.

828.227.7467 or visit nursing.wcu.edu.

Hospital celebrates Swain schools’ health Swain Community Hospital celebrated the health and fitness of Swain County Schools’ faculty and staff by presenting a wellness award for $5,000 at the schools’ annual end-of-year staff celebration at Swain County High School.

For the fourth consecutive year, the hospital has partnered with the school system on faculty and staff wellness by gathering health assess-

Smoky Mountain News

ment data, designing nutrition and activity programs, and providing a cash award to be divided among individual winners who attain the most wellness points during the measurement period.

Sonya Blankenship with Swain County Schools awarded the top 15 individual winners according to points earned through the wellness program.

The remaining $3,500 was awarded to Swain County High School with the greatest number of collective points.

WCU is a Yellow Ribbon Program school Western Carolina University is now a Yellow Ribbon Program participating school, which will help eligible military-affiliated students with tuition costs.

The Yellow Ribbon Program was established by the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 and allows institutions of higher learning in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Veterans Administration to fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed the tuition and fee amounts payable under the Post9/11 GI Bill.

“Eligible students can receive funding from WCU and the VA will match that amount,” said Briana Ford, WCU’s director of military student services. “For example, an eligible military student could apply for and receive $1,000 from the WCU Yellow Ribbon Fund and upon the posting of the $1,000 to the student’s account, the VA will match that $1,000, totaling $2,000 in additional benefits for that student.”

For more information about the program, contact Ford at blford@wcu.edu.

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University, the financial institution’s board of directors recently announced a $250,000 contribution to provide scholarship assistance to students from the region who want to study in WCU’s College of Business.

The creation of the Entegra Bank Endowed Scholarship Fund comes after an employee survey earlier this year found that, of the bank’s 205 employees across WNC, 42 received degrees from WCU, said Roger Plemens, president and CEO of Entegra Bank. In addition, 15 spouses, 22 children, five parents and 17 siblings of the bank’s employees received degrees from WCU. The contribution will provide scholarship assistance to students from Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Polk, Swain and Transylvania counties.

LeadTheWay.wcu.edu.

Transfer program expands to SCC The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Carolina Student Transfer Excellence Program (C-STEP) and Southwestern Community College in Sylva are partnering to increase the number of students transferring to and graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Through C-STEP, low- and moderate-income high school and community college students who enroll in one of the program’s partner colleges are guaranteed admission to UNC-Chapel Hill if they are first admitted to and successfully complete the community college portion of the program with at least a 3.2 GPA. For more information about the C-STEP program, visit admissions.unc.edu/CSTEP.

Haywood seniors receive HCC scholarship Six Haywood County high school seniors were awarded the Pop and Marj Kelly Merit Scholarship at Haywood Community College.

Bailey Henderson and Nicole Nelson of Pisgah High School and Daniel Ross and Ashleigh Young of Tuscola High School were each awarded $10,000 for two years. Holly Parton and MacKenzie Turner, both of Tuscola High School, were awarded $5,000 for two years.

This competitive scholarship requires applicants to submit an essay, as well as a list of their community and extracurricular school activities. In addition, recipients are required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.5.

For more information on scholarships, enrollment, or programs of study, contact the College at hcc-advising@haywood.edu, 828.627.282, or visit haywood.edu/applynow.

Entegra gives $250,000 to WCU scholarship In recognition that more than 20 percent of Entegra Bank’s workforce in Western North Carolina graduated from Western Carolina

SCC EMS program holds pinning ceremony Eight graduates of Southwestern Community College’s EMS program were honored during a May 8 pinning ceremony at the Jackson Campus.

Graduating from the program were Courtney Best of Clyde, Jessica Brooks of Bryson City, Kaitlyn Moses of Cullowhee, Kimberly Mason of Bryson City, Stormy Schweinler of Sylva, Emily Shuler of Highlands, Carleigh Stewart of Cashiers and Lindsey Weisenauer of Sylva.

All graduates are now eligible to apply to take state and/or national certification examinations.

Employment opportunities include providers of emergency medical services, fire departments, rescue agencies, educational agencies, and more.

828.339.4277 or www.southwesterncc.edu.

news

NCDOT TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING FOR THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO SOUTH MAIN STREET (U.S. 23 BUSINESS) FROM HYATT CREEK ROAD (S.R. 1164) TO PIGEON STREET (U.S. 276) HAYWOOD COUNTY TIP PROJECT NO. U-4712 The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting regarding the proposed improvements to South Main Street (U.S. 23 Business) from Hyatt Creek Road (S.R. 1164) to Pigeon Street (U.S. 276) in Waynesville. The meeting will take place on Thursday, August 9 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Haywood Community College in the lobby of the Student Union Building located at 185 Freedlander Drive in Clyde.

August 1-7, 2018

The purpose of the proposed project is to improve U.S. 23 Business to better accommodate projected traffic volumes and improve access in southwest Waynesville.

The public may drop-in at any time during the meeting hours. NCDOT representatives will be available to answer questions and listen to comments regarding the project. The opportunity to submit comments will also be provided at the meeting or via phone, email, or mail until August 30, 2018. Comments received will be taken into consideration as the project develops. No formal presentation will be made.

Project information and materials can be viewed as they become available online at www.ncdot.gov/news/public-meetings.

Smoky Mountain News

For additional information, contact J. Scott Miller, III, NCDOT Division 14 Project Manager, at 253 Webster Road, Sylva, NC 28779, (828) 586-2141, or jsmiller3@ncdot.gov.

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this workshop. Anyone requiring special services should contact Tony Gallagher, Environmental Analysis Unit, at 1598 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1598, by phone (919) 707-6069 or by e-mail at magallagher@ncdot.gov as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.

Persons who speak Spanish and have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494.

Aquellas personas que hablan español o tienen limitaciones para leer, hablar o entender inglés, podrían recibir servicios de interpretación si los solicitan antes de la reunión llamando al 1-800-481-6494.

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

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Politics and the search for WCU’s chancellor s the yoke of political influence grows ever heavier around the neck of the UNC Board of Governors, Western Carolina University’s chancellor search has gone off the rails and there is not yet any indication when it will get back on track.

Because much of the process used to replace a chancellor is shrouded in secrecy, those who care deeply about this university and its faculty and staff are left guessing as to what exactly happened. But there are many of us who can’t help but suspect the worst kind of chicanery, especially given the brand of politics played by the current legislative leadership. It’s a sad state of affairs, particularly if our great university system becomes just a Editor pawn in this ongoing power play.

I’ve lived in North Carolina most of my life. Our public schools system and our university system have been points of pride for me and many other North Carolinians, and over the years I’ve argued loudly that they both should be well-funded and protected — as much as possible — from the bloodletting that sometimes is part and parcel of party politics and the UNC Board of Governors.

One of the most insulting parts of this entire debacle is that those who spent months vetting candidates were ignored. A committee of Western Carolina faculty, staff, and trustees, along with community members and a Board of Governors representative, was formed to find a replacement for Chancellor David Belcher, an immensely popular leader who had stepped down from his job while fighting brain cancer.

This group — knowing full well replacing Belcher was a Sisyphean task — went through a time-consuming and exhaustive process and came up with three recommendations for UNC System President Margaret Spellings.

According to one university insider who was talking off the record, the top choice for chancellor was someone many thought might replicate Belcher’s popularity and zeal for the job.

Scott McLeod

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President Trump, stop the obstruction To the Editor: Donald Trump has already obstructed justice in the Russian election interference investigation.

Number one, he has failed/refused to establish a bipartisan commission similar to the 911 Commission to determine what happened, how it happened and how to prevent further interference. Number two, he has repeatedly attempted to discredit the Mueller investigation.

Oddly, Trump may eventually be exonerated by the Mueller investigation. However, his premature and false claims that he has been exonerated only make it appear that he has something that he does not want made public. Let the facts of the Mueller investigation show his innocence or guilt in this matter.

The American people (Democrats,

But things went awry quickly. At a July 12 Board of Governors meeting, Spellings and the board went into closed session to discuss and hopefully hire the committee’s top choice, who had already been vetted by the WCU search committee and Spellings’ office. That’s the typical process for hiring chancellors, and the Board of Governors in the past has followed the recommendation of the local committee and the system president.

According to a report by the conservative leaning Carolina Journal — which had a reporter stationed outside the meeting room — loud voices were heard inside as the meeting drug out for two hours. Afterward, the board reconvened and announced that the top choice had withdrawn their name from consideration.

Also, newly appointed Board of Governors chair Harry Smith — a businessman from Greenville who was appointed to the Board of Governors board by Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger and elected chairman in May — announced that the process for hiring chancellors was under review and would be updated.

As it turns out, a GOP lobbyist and former Raleigh mayor who sits on the board, Tom Fetzer, had violated board rules by personally giving the prospective chancellor’s name to a private firm and asking them to check out his resume. Fetzer supposedly found some discrepancies in where the nominee had actually lectured compared to what was on his resume. On July 11, prior to the meeting the following day, he emailed that information along to board members.

So the nominee was sunk by one GOP activist who convinced others on the board to follow his lead. And we are left to wonder, was it just because of the letter behind his name come voting day? Could they be that petty?

Frank Grainger, a Cary businessman and member of the Board of Governors, told the Raleigh News and Observer that both board chair Smith and vice chair Randy Ramsey had said at the July 12 meeting they could not support the candidate. That revelation by Grainger to the press brought a rebuke from the UNC system attorney, who asked board members not to disclose anything about that closed session, according to the N&O.

LETTERS Republicans and Independents) need their election system “fire-walled” against Russia as well as any other entity.

Don’t you think it is about time for our leaders in Washington to stop this obstruction?

Dave Waldrop Webster

Conservatives harming our infrastructure To the Editor: The conservative right has controlled Western North Carolina politics for decades with an ideology of lower taxes and less government. The top 25 percent has pushed this maniacal fear of taxes and government, and the amazing reality is that the majority of voters, both locals and move-ins, seem foolishly content with this arrangement: cut taxes,

Another board member, Joe Knott of Raleigh, told the N&O that what offended him was that the board of governors “sort of took over the process … that was extremely disrespectful to our president, who is charged with hiring and supervising the chancellors.”

It was also, to say the least, disrespectful to the local com-

UNC Board of Governors The Board has 28 voting members. Half are elected by the state House and half by the Senate. A student representative sits on the board, but does not have a vote. n Gender: 23 men, six women n Political affiliation: 22 Republicans, 6 unaffiliated, 1 Democrat n Race: 24 white, 4 African-American, 1 Native American

mittee And so one of the nation’s finest university systems is in danger of becoming just another battleground in an increasingly polarized state. This Board of Governors has been accused several times in the past year of micromanaging university affairs and faculty complaints are growing louder.

Thankfully Spellings, who was Secretary of Education under George H.W. Bush, has seemingly risen above politics but is finding herself increasingly at odds with the leadership of the Board of Governors.

Meanwhile, WCU will soldier on with what has been described as an extremely competent interim chancellor.

When it comes time to start looking for faculty and staff to serve on the next nominating committee, it will be interesting to see how many choose to participate in what could be a total waste of time.

And all we can do is sit back and watch as the GOP power mongers currently running North Carolina do their best to contaminate every corner of state government with political gamesmanship. The only hope is to undo their supermajority come November.

(Scott McLeod can be reached at info@smokymountainnews.com)

reduce services, throw in some gun lingo and Republicans rule.

Hence, stringent conservative governance reigns, slashing programs, budgets, and collapsing important resources to meet a callous expectation. With this agenda, it’s no surprise that serious social and economic withdrawal affects the majority of Western North Carolina.

Conservatives have convinced voters that support services — social security, healthcare, public education, unemployment, disability and other benefits — are welfare handouts; when in reality, tax cuts are welfare for the upper class. Cutting taxes may do wonders for the assets of the upper class and for the welfare of the prosperous; however, the majority loses life-changing services.

James Madison, father of our Constitution, said, “To provide employment for the poor and support for the indigent is among the primary, and at the same time not least difficult cares of the public authority.”

Secondly, less government means less reg-

ulation; the upper class is free to get more for less, while the working class just gets less and works harder. The irony is that many who need a hand up often vote with this elite minority or in their frustration do not vote.

The conservative bedrock of our communities remains strong and intolerant, while conditions of poverty increase and services dwindle; it’s illogical to think that we can continue to cut taxes without weakening infrastructure. Less taxation means we serve the top 25 percent and starve the lowest. Taxes should support a quality of life for all and communities will reflect that quality.

Political regimes that strangle our resources inevitably damage the integrity of our western counties; without a strong and equitable infrastructure, we will crumble from the bottom up. Get out the vote!

Ruth Ballard Hayesville

S EE LETTERS, PAGE 20

rowing up, my family had an abundance of cats running amok. These were the days before spaying and neutering were common occurrences. We all know what happens when there’s no protection against the passions of nature, so inevitably we had a feline family much bigger than our own.

Each time a litter was born, we would keep a few kittens and give others away to neighbors or friends. I remember my sister and I feeding many a kitten with a medicine dropper, making cozy beds for them out of Avon boxes and towels, and nursing those with parasites back to health. She and I also created a pet cemetery in the woods behind our house where we would hold a memorial service and bury the cats or kittens that passed on.

While we had many cats, my most cherished was named Smokey. He was dark gray with light, piercing blue eyes, and he loved me the most. We had him longer than any of our other cats. When I think of being a little girl, this is the pet I hold close to my heart.

He eventually died of old age and I was heartbroken.

Fast forward many years.

I’m now 38 and have two little boys, ages

G

6 and 9. Lately, they’ve been begging me to get a cat. I was a dog person for 10 years when I was married. We couldn’t get a cat because my ex-husband was allergic, so we had two dogs. We decided they would stay with my ex-husband once we parted ways. I thought about keeping one of the dogs, so the boys could have a pet at Columnist each home, but the dogs were such good friends, separating them wasn’t a good plan.

I think dogs are beautiful creatures, very social and responsive, probably more so than cats. The boys initially asked for a dog but I said no. As a full-time working single mom, taking care of a dog right now sounds overwhelming and exhausting. I know my limits. Furthermore, on the days or weekends I don’t have my kids, I’m often traveling, biking, or otherwise not at my house, which doesn’t lend itself very well to owning a dog.

When the boys saw getting a dog was out of the question, they started asking about a

Susanna Barbee

opinion

Coming full circle as a cat owner tainly use the company.

Once school starts and life settles back into a routine, I’m going to be on the lookout for a cat. I don’t think I’m going to intentionally go “shopping” for a cat, but if one comes my way or we visit a shelter and one winks at me, I’ll take him or her home.

Life’s been hard for both the boys and me over the past couple of years. They lost their grandmother and I lost my mom who was more wonderful than I could ever describe.

She wasn’t a distant grandma that we saw on holidays or during the summer; she was part of our everyday world so it shattered all of us. Then on the heels of that loss, the marriage couldn’t sustain itself so the boys had to deal with another heartache.

I can’t mend all the scars these life situations have surely caused, but I can brighten their spirits and offer new memories with a pet of our own. I have no idea when this cat will come along or what it will look or act like, but I probably need to find some medicine droppers and Avon boxes, just in case.

(Susanna Barbee writes this column and wears many hats at The Smoky Mountain News, Smoky Mountain Living, and Mountain South Media. susanna@mtnsouthmedia.com)

{Celebrating the Southern Appalachians}

Smoky Mountain News

August 1-7, 2018

Enjoy a magical evening full of sights and sounds at:

cat. If you’ve been around kids at all, you know they can be very persistent. The boys knew I’d grown up with cats and I guess figured this was my soft spot. They must be pretty smart kiddos because I think it’s working.

Not only do I want them to be happy, but with almost a decade of mom experience under my belt, I’ve learned animals and children belong together. There’s a mutual innocence between the two parties that results in true love and companionship. I fully believe owning a pet as a child offers many of life’s most important lessons.

Cats and I have a lot in common. While people who meet me think I’m an extrovert, I’m actually an introvert, or perhaps a smallsetting extrovert. I can be very talkative in an intimate group setting and among friends, but in the grand scheme, I enjoy my alone time and get overstimulated with too much human interaction, so a cat would be more my speed, especially in this season of my life.

My dad also said he’ll help with the cat when or if I need to travel. My dad was the original cat master, after all, the one who taught my sis and I all we know. And also, since my mom passed away, he could cer-

August 3 & 4 | 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.

The North Carolina Arboretum Featuring music by: Blue Ridge Orchestra’s Symphonic Winds, conducted by Milton Crotts

FOR TICKETS, VISIT NCARBORETUM.ORG 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, N.C. 828-665-2492 | info@ncarboretum.org

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Smoky Mountain Living celebrates the mountain region’s culture, music, art, and special places. We tell our stories for those who are lucky enough to live here and those who want to stay in touch with the place they love.

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LETTERS, CONTINUED FROM 19

To the Editor: The stated reason for the N.C. 107 project in Sylva is to reduce traffic problems and increase safety. Two problems that I have not seen addressed are: • School zone safety in front of the elementary and high schools. Coming toward Sylva from Cullowhee there is a flashing yellow caution light/school zone advising drivers that the speed limit decreases near Cullowhee Valley Elementary and before the turn to Fairview. However, when coming from downtown toward Smoky Mountain High School and Fairview there is only a sign — no flashing light. Why? Drivers routinely fail to decrease speed during the designated hours.

• The speed limit is 45 from about the entrance to Lowe’s until after the light at Old Cullowhee Road. The limit increases to 55 after crossing the bridge but drops to 45 again before the main entrance to WCU. Few drivers adhere to these limits.

Students are among the worst offenders.

Also, after passing the turn to Jackson Recreation Park there are a number of double yellow line no passing zones that some drivers ignore!

Rarely do I see drivers stopped for speeding in these areas. If there’s no enforcement, why bother with signs?

Gene Tunnell Cullowhee

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Lawmakers fail to protect our vote To the Editor: Western North Carolina’s federal representatives have failed their leadership report card on Russia’s interference in our elections. Rep. Mark Meadows has earned an F. Not only has he failed to proactively protect the 2018 election process from Russian interference, he sponsored a bill to fire Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who is overseeing the Mueller investigation into Russian meddling.

Senators Burr and Tillis have expressed concern about Putin, yet they have been mum about the U.S. President’s denial of Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election.

They have earned at best an F since they, too, have declined to take reasonable steps to protect the 2018 and future elections from Russian interference.

Charlotte Collins Sapphire

S PA C E AVA I L A B L E Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News 828 | 452 | 4251

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Smoky Mountain News

To the Editor: It always amazes me that folks don’t seem to get it. Economic growth is at 4.1 percent, unemployment down to the lowest in a very long time, Korean leader Kim Jong Un dismantling nuclear systems, trade deficits being assessed and corrected to America’s betterment, greater respect for America around the globe, “putting America FIRST” being the new earned slogan, ISIS being jolted, taxes down, manufacturing coming back to us, so many good things happening now in America. Is Trump himself perfect? Of course not. But he is doing everything in his power to help America and Americans! You must realize that if you really are objective.

Democrats in Washington who block everything coming before them just because it may be a Republican or Trump idea

To the Editor: In 2016 the Fourth Circuit of Appeals declared the 2013 N.C. Voter ID Act to be unconstitutional on grounds of racial discrimination, targeting black voters “with almost surgical precision.” Ultimately Voter ID was seen as voter suppression by the courts. We hoped this issue had been settled; but these are not normal times.

Five years later we now see the Republican-controlled N.C. General Assembly circumventing the courts, by proposing constitutional amendments. Voters will be asked to vote for or against six on the 2018 Ballot, one being “An Act to Amend the NC Constitution to Require Photo ID for voting in-person.”

The requirement deals only with in-person voting, not absentee voting, which is far more susceptible to voter fraud and more used by white voters. The amendment is vague, and does not clarify what sorts of ID will be acceptable. Details will be added later if approved by voters in November.

I trust the “details” will not compare to Texas, where student IDs are unacceptable but voting with an NRA-issued ID is OK.

Real New Yorkers.

Real Italians. Real Pizza.

August 1-7, 2018

Trump is for a better America

Let’s restore checks and balances

Most N.C. voters see no problem with a photo ID requirement. Let me shed some light on this. For whatever reason there are thousands of registered voters who lack an appropriate photo ID: from those without vehicles who rely on spotty public transportation to find a DMV office, to those unable to pay court costs to reinstate their driver’s license. And not to mention those who must provide a birth certificate for proving one’s identity. You get the idea: getting a photo ID can be a problem for many citizens, especially ones prone to vote Democratic.

In 2014, over 300,000 registered voters in this state lacked an acceptable photo ID. The problem is endemic: Pennsylvania and Texas in 2014 had 350,000 and 608,000 voters without photo ID. In 2008, Barack Obama won this state by 14,000 votes.

Furthermore, an audit by the NC State Board of Elections & Ethics, following the 2016 general election, found only one case of voter fraud that an ID might have prevented — out of 4.8 million ballots cast.

These amendments are politically motivated, will further undermine democracy by suppressing voter turnout, and will diminish the executive power of our governor. It will pave the way for more bad, one-party, self-serving legislation.

It turns out “super majorities” of any political party are not good for our democracy, which is far more fragile without checks and balances. Voting in this mid-term 2018 election has never been more critical.

Roger Turner Asheville

opinion

N.C. 107 safety issues ignored

seems to be the story of the day. No matter how good bills are for our citizens or how well qualified a nominee to the Supreme Court is ... just vote no without a thought. And that goes for some Republicans too because they just can’t take it that a businessman can get so much done that is good for the public that they themselves can’t. Jealousy, envy and downright vicious hate toward our president is also the story of the day. Media being so uninformative or out and out untruthful on real news just because it’s Trump doing a great job.

Very sad. We should be proud our country is in good shape and we have a president who is proud.

Sad that the leftists — being led by vicious, selfish politicians — refuse to see the truth about America’s statistics lately. Like I heard a person actually say within my own party, “I usually vote against something presented by someone I don’t like.” Wow, that is so telling about the state of mind of some people. Wake up everyone, educate yourself and don’t be used like sheep anymore. Read from many sources get the facts before spreading half-true information or opinions based on weak criteria. Trump is for America and Americans.

Aren’t you?

Trish Chambers Glenville

828-452-5187 kaninis.com

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Events begin at 7:15pm unless otherwise noted.

Dinner and Music reservations at 828-452-6000.

Friday, August 3 Kevin Lorenz guitar. Jazz, Pop, Classical guitar. Dinner & music

August 1-7, 2018

Saturday, August 4 Joe Cruz piano, vocals. Beatles, Elton John, James Taylor + More. Dinner & music Friday, August 10 LIVE RECORDING of album Real Life featuring Sheila Gordon (piano, vocals), Plus Quartet. Original songs written by Ms. Gordon about NC. Two seatings: 6:00pm and 8:15pm. $29.99 per person for music and dinner. Reservations required.

Saturday, August 11 Joe Cruz piano, vocals. Beatles, Elton John, James Taylor + More.

Friday, August 17 The Moon & You cello, guitar, vocals.

Folk-Americana, Pop, Originals.

Smoky Mountain News

Saturday, August 18 Joe Cruz piano, vocals. Beatles, Elton John, James Taylor + More.

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

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

Closed Tuesday

Sunday 12-9 p.m.

Sandwiches • Burgers • Wraps

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

32 Felmet Street

WAYNESVILLE’S BEST BURGERS

MAGGIE VALLEY RESTAURANT

(828) 246-0927

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MON.-SAT. 11 A.M.-8 P.M.

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Downtown Sylva • 828.586.3555

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

Breakfast : Omelets, Pancakes, Biscuits & Gravy!

New Hours: Thursday- Monday Open at 7:00 a.m.

Breakfast served all day!

2804 SOCO RD. • MAGGIE VALLEY 828.926.0425 • Facebook.com/carversmvr Instagram- @carvers_mvr

Taste the Mountains is an ever-evolving paid section of places to dine in Western North Carolina. If you would like to be included in the listing please contact our advertising department at 828.452.4251 BLUE ROOSTER SOUTHERN GRILL 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, Lakeside Plaza at the old Wal-Mart. 828.456.1997.

Open Monday through Friday. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Fresh-cut salads; slowsimmered soups; flame grilled burgers and steaks, and homemade signature desserts.

Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily.

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

BOOJUM BREWING COMPANY 50 N Main Street, Waynesville.

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

Cozy up inside or take in the mountain air on our back deck.”

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

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. Breakfast seven days a week, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. – with eggs, bacon, sausage, oatmeal, fresh fruit, sometimes French toast or pancakes, and always all-you-can-eat. Lunch menu every day from 12 noon to 2 p.m. includes homemade soup du jour and fresh-made salads. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night will feature an evening cookout on the terrace. On all other nights of the week, dinner is served family style and includes locally sourced vegetables, homemade breads, jellies, desserts, and a wide selection of wine and craft beer.

The evening social hour starts at 6 p.m., dinner is served starting at 7 p.m., and cozy rooms and cabins are available if you love us so much that you want to stay for breakfast, too. Please call for reservations. And see our dinner menu online at www.cataloocheeranch.com/dining.

CHEF’S TABLE 30 Church St., Waynesville.

828.452.6210. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tuesday through Saturday dinner starting at

5 p.m. “Best of” Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine. Set in a distinguished atmosphere with an exceptional menu. Extensive selection of wine and beer.

Reservations honored.

CHURCH STREET DEPOT 34 Church Street, downtown Waynesville.

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

CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

828.587.2233. Open Monday-Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tasty, healthy and quick. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, espresso, beer and wine. Come taste the savory and sweet crepes, grilled paninis, fresh, organic salads, soups and more.

Outside patio seating. Free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly.

Live music and lots of events. Check the web calendar at citylightscafe.com.

THE CLASSIC WINESELLER 20 Church Street, Waynesville.

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

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

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

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

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

FERRARA PIZZA & PASTA 243 Paragon Parkway, Clyde.

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

Check out our daily lunch specials plus customer appreciation nights on Monday and Tuesday 5 to 9 p.m. with large cheese pizzas for $9.95.

HARMON’S DEN BISTRO 250 Pigeon St., Waynesville 828.456.6322. Harmon’s Den is located in the Fangmeyer Theater at HART. Open 5:30-9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday (Bistro closes at 7:30 p.m. on nights when there is a show in the Fangmeyer Theater) with Sunday brunch at 11 a.m. that includes breakfast and lunch items.

Harmon’s Den offers a complete menu with cocktails, wine list, and area beers on tap.

Enjoy casual dining with the guarantee of making it to the performance in time, then rub shoulders with the cast afterward with post-show food and beverage service.

Reservations recommended. www.harmonsden.harttheatre.org

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

Open for dinner at 4:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. World-famous prime rib, steaks, fresh seafood, gorgonzola cheese and salads. All ABC permits and open year-round. Children always welcome. Takeout menu. Excellent service and hospitality.

Reservations appreciated.

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

828.586.3555. Open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sunday brunch 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hand-tossed pizza, steak sandwiches, wraps, salads and desserts.

All made from scratch. Beer and wine. Free movies Thursday through Saturday. Visit madbatterfoodfilm.com for this week’s shows.

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

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

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

MAGGIE VALLEY RESTAURANT 2804 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

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

PIGEON RIVER GRILLE 101 Park St., Canton.

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

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

RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT AND BAR Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center 70 Soco Road, Maggie Valley 828.926.0201 Home of the Maggie Valley Pizzeria. We deliver after 4 p.m. daily to all of Maggie Valley, JCreek area, and Lake Junaluska. Monday through Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. country buffet and salad bar from 5 to 9 p.m. $11.95 with Steve Whiddon on piano. Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 11:30 to 8 p.m. 11:30 to 3 p.m. family style, fried chicken, ham, fried fish, salad bar, along with all the fixings, $11.95. Check out our events and menu at rendezvousmaggievalley.com SAGEBRUSH STEAKHOUSE 1941 Champion Drive, Canton 828.646.3750 895 Russ Ave., Waynesville 828.452.5822. Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Carry out available. Sagebrush

THURSDAY 5-9 P.M.

SUNDAY 11 A.M-3 P.M.

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

Piano Man & Angie

Buffet Brunch

$11.95

Country Buffet

$11.95

SALTY DOG’S SEAFOOD & GRILL 3567 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.926.9105. Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. Full service bar and restaurant located in the center of Maggie Valley.

Featuring daily $6 lunch specials and daily dinner specials such as $1 Taco Tuesdays and 45¢ Wednesday Wings. Backyard Bar is open every weekend thru October.

SMOKEY SHADOWS LODGE 323 Smoky Shadows Lane, Maggie Valley 828.926.0001. Check Facebook page for hours, which vary. Call early when serving because restaurant fills up fast. Remember when families joined each other at the table for a delicious homemade meal and shared stories about their day? That time is now at Smokey Shadows. The menus are customizable for your special event. Group of eight or more can schedule their own dinner.

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

Open seven days a week. Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 3 p.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Family-owned for 30 years. Serving hand-tossed pizza made to order, pasta, subs, gourmet salads, calzones

and seafood. Also serving excellent prime rib on Thursdays. Dine in or take out available.

Located across from the Fire Station.

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

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

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

VITO’S PIZZA 607 Highlands Rd., Franklin. 828.369.9890.

Established here in in 1998. Come to Franklin and enjoy our laid back place, a place you can sit back, relax and enjoy our 62” HDTV. Our Pizza dough, sauce, meatballs, and sausage are all made from scratch

by Vito.

WAYNESVILLE PIZZA COMPANY 32 Felmet Street, Waynesville.

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

August 1-7, 2018

WEDNESDAY 5-9 P.M.

features hand carved steaks, chicken and award winning BBQ ribs. We have fresh salads, seasonal vegetables and scrumptious deserts. Extensive selection of local craft beers and a full bar. Catering special events is one of our specialties.

featuring turkey and dressing

$12.95

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

Open Daily 7 a.m. to noon Closed Thursdays

Any day is a great day when it starts with Joey’s Pancakes!

4309 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley (828) 926-0212

Simple, delicious food.

Craft Beer on Tap & Full Bar

207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde

828-456-1997 blueroostersoutherngrill.com Monday-Friday Open at 11am

Smoky Mountain News

APPÉTIT Y’AL N L BO

Real Local Families, Real Local Farms, Real Local Food

LIVE MUSIC EVERY SATURDAY FROM 7-10 P.M. M-S: 11:30-9 · Sun: 10-9 · Sun. Brunch: 10-2

828.454.5400 | 128 N. Main | Downtown Waynesville | FireflyTapsAndGrill.com

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A&E

Smoky Mountain News

A rapid series of comical noises A conversation with comedy genius David Cross

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER f there was a single voice of reason amid the bombardment of deafening noise in the digital age — of mass media, of used car salesman politicians, of everyday informed/misinformed folks rambling on (and on) — David Cross might be that single voice.

Whether through his iconic stand-up routines, his groundbreaking sketch comedy series “Mr. Show” or his immortal role as Tobias Funke in the sitcom “Arrested Development,” Cross is a bonafide comedy legend. For him, it isn’t about taking cheap shots or reaching for the low-hanging fruit of material. Cross comes from a more cerebral approach, an analytical mind that knows no bounds, and uses his intelligence to reach the masses with his wit and wisdom through the wide-open channels of entertainment.

And in the era of Trump and buzzwords like “fake news,” Cross once again feels the urgency to get back up onstage and speak his hard truths. He truly has his finger on the pulse of what is wrong and what is right in society.

Instead of refusing to get out of bed in the morning, Cross sees an opportunity to get people up from the sidelines and into the game of this modern reality as a participant for progressive change and positive growth.

A self-proclaimed atheist, he’s consistently been able to take an honest bird’s-eye-view of humanity, distilling it these jokes and bits that resemble a Trojan horse into the often-oblivious psyche of John and Jane Q. Public, which is the fundamental foundation of brilliant satire — come for the laughs, leave with the knowledge.

I

Smoky Mountain News: How do you approach the idea of what’s going on from the White House from the perspective of a comedian?

David Cross: Well, it’s definitely different.

As you might imagine, some of my set I talk about Trump. And I say what’s already been said by so numerous people, but it’s true, you can’t really make fun of Trump, I don’t make fun of Trump necessarily as much as I do his fans and the culture that brought him here.

He’s so extremely egregious and everything he does is immediately replaced by something else. He’s so inept and corrupt, blatantly corrupt. There’s nothing to say that kind of hasn’t been said or isn’t obvious to those of us who see it, and saw it a long time ago. He’s such a blatant conman. There’s no jokes or arguments

David Cross.

Courtesy of Just For Laughs

Want to go?

Comedian David Cross will perform as part of his ‘Oh Come On’ tour at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, at The Orange Peel in Asheville. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit www.theorangepeel.net. being made by anybody — you either get it or you don’t. Again, the bulk of my stuff that has to do with that is more about his fans and the culture that brought him here and less “Can you believe he said this?” I had a little bit about when he made the “shithole countries” comment. I had a whole five-minute bit on that, that I liked. But, the shelf life on that was three weeks. After awhile you start doing it, and people start looking at you like, “Yeah, that thing happened like six years ago. We’ve moved on 92 other awful things he’s said and done.” You might as well do a bit about the moon landing.

Nobody gives a shit.

SMN: Are you optimistic about the future?

DC: It really vacillates depending on what day it is, what my mood is, and what information I have access to. Sometimes I am, sometimes I’m not. From first-hand experience,

“I have a new baby now. She’s completely innocent. She doesn’t know tribalism, she doesn’t know ... ‘these’ are good and what you are is great and ‘those’ are bad. We’re trying to keep those concepts away from her as long as possible.”

— David Cross

these kind of anecdotal stories that people are more depressed and kids are sadder. I mean, I definitely see that and get it. But, it’s two-fold.

Like when you have information on what ICE is doing, when you see what they’re doing, there’s two sides of how depressing to me it is.

One, I find it criminal and inhuman, not something that is part of what I understood America to be and the ideals America stood for. So, that’s depressing on its own, that they’re literally taking children who are breastfeeding, in the act of breastfeeding, from their mothers and separating them and putting the parents in jail. That’s just horrific to me. And then the other side to how depressing that is, is that there are a lot of people applauding that, a lot of my fellow countrymen, who are like, “Yeah, about time. Fuck them.” I was just raised with different values, clearly. It’s depressing on two levels.

SMN: How do you keep from not letting the frustration get to you?

DC: Well, sometimes I don’t. And it’s difficult. I have a new baby now. She’s completely innocent. She has no concept of hate and selfishness. She doesn’t know tribalism, she doesn’t know “you’re a ‘this’ and you’re none of ‘that,’ and ‘these’ are good and what you are is great and ‘those’ are bad.” We’re trying to keep those concepts away from her as long as possible. We’re raising her in Brooklyn, which is a very diverse, progressive community. And her mother [and I] will be there to counteract some of this shit that’s out there. I want to leave her a better country than the one she was born into.

Editor’s Note: To listen to the full audio stream of this conversation for free, go to YouTube and search “David Cross Garret K. Woodward.”

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

South Norwalk, Connecticut. Garret K. Woodward photo

With a little help from my friends

B

Carolina Local Art Gallery & Jewelry Beginner Beading Class Sunday, August 5 at 3 pm Limited Space/Call to Enroll 828.944.0004 3073 Soco Road | Maggie Valley Wed - Sat 10am to 5pm ◆ Sun 10am to 3pm

Smoky Mountain News

”An Appalachian Evening” will continue with olting up Interstate 95, bluegrass act The Jeff Little Trio at 7:30 p.m. just outside of Portland, Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Stecoah Valley Center Maine, this past Monday, in Robbinsville.

I finally could smell that smell that conjures innumerable A musical theatre performance by the Triple Arts cherished memories, genuine Company will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, emotions and deep thoughts in Aug. 4, in the Bardo Arts Center at Western my mind — the ocean.

Carolina University.

Heading up the coast to renNantahala Brewing (Bryson City) will host dezvous with my family while Bird In Hand (Americana/folk) at 8 p.m. Friday, they were on vacation on the Aug. 3. coast, I kept thinking about the previous few days on the road The Concerts on the Creek summer series will from North Carolina, and welcome Lance & Lea (Americana/pop) at 7 seemingly every day before that p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at Bridge Park in Sylva. in the grand scheme of things.

Leaving Waynesville last The Marianna Black Library (Bryson City) will Thursday, I headed to southhost Alma Russ (Americana/folk) 7 p.m. western Virginia to cover Thursday, Aug. 9.

FloydFest, quite possibly the finest music festival of its size and grandeur in the country. Rolling into the and everyday survival gear. Quite the digs.

We sat in the grass and chatted. mountaintop venue, a stone’s throw from Swapping stories of our adventures, laughthe Blue Ridge Parkway, I set up camp along ing at the joyful absurdity of what it means a tree line within earshot of one of the main to spend your life on the road and the curistages. ous chaos that ensues when you throw cauSitting in my busted camping chair, I was sipping a beer when the couple camped next to tion into the wind, chasing after long-held dreams and spur-of-the-moment happenme wandered over to say hello, maybe make a stances. We held our beers high and saluted new friend. Cassidy and William. She was our newfound friendship. from Virginia. He was from Florida. Both were

By Saturday morning, I was rocketing up working for one of the food booths at the festiInterstate 81 and 78 towards Long Island, to val, doing so at dozens of similar events each stay with a childhood friend for the night en weekend throughout the year, throughout the country. Like a rag-tag band of culinary pirates, route to Maine. I hadn’t seen him or his fiancé since a mutual friend of ours got marthey lived out of a converted van, a bed handried several years ago. We bounced around built by William, filled with cooking, sleeping

in

August 1-7, 2018

HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5

Crafted arts & entertainment

This must be the place

the Huntington bars, reminiscing about adolescent tall tales and teenage transgressions, amid this sea of Long Island folks that I hadn’t been ‘round since my college days when most of my friends at Quinnipiac University were either from Nassau or Suffolk County.

Knowing I would be traveling up Interstate 95 through southern Connecticut, I messaged an old friend to see if she was around for a hearty New England breakfast while I was passing through the area. She was.

Situating myself at the diner counter in South Norwalk, she strolled in with a big smile, big hug hello. It stunned us when we realized we hadn’t seen each other in almost five years, more so all that has happened in our separate lives in that time — relationships, breakups, career highs, career lows, always looking ahead to the future with our heads held high.

That half-hour breakfast meetup turned into a five-hour breakfast, “Sunday Funday” beer on the water and stroll ‘round the neighborhood, the conversation never once losing a step, for when you’re in the presence of a cosmic friendship, time apart doesn’t apply to the narrative of two people in a sincere connection of appreciation.

I wouldn’t be making it up to Maine in time by Sunday evening, so I reached out to one of my best friends from college. She and her husband live just north of Boston, Massachusetts, where the ocean is “just down the road.” A French teacher, she was on summer break. “Come on by, would love to see you,” she messaged me. The last time her and I crossed paths she had just bought her current home, wasn’t married yet, but hopeful to “meet the one,” which she sincerely has done from my time talking and laughing with him that night. Later on, her and I ended up sitting in the living room and simply catching up, never once noticing the clock on the wall when it read 1:52 a.m. (the conversation kicked off at just about 10:30 p.m.).

The following morning, her and I went for lunch before I made the final trek to Maine. We exchanged stories about the people, places and things that have led us to this point in our lives, remembering folks who are no longer with us in this world, and about what colors and brush strokes we want to paint the blank canvas of our lives with. When I said goodbye, I told her, “I’m so damn glad you’re in my life,” to which she responded, “And I always will be.”

As the nose of my old pickup truck aimed towards Portland, Maine, I finally could smell that smell that immediately conjures my place in the cosmos — the ocean and all its timeless glory and astounding power.

That final mile to my parents’ rental cottage, a road I’d driven hundreds of times, I thought of my new friends in Virginia, my childhood friend in Long Island, my adulthood friend in Connecticut, and my college friend in Massachusetts. I thought of all of my friends in the wild, wondrous world. I thought of all those friends I’ve yet to meet, and how excited I was for the day we’d finally introduce ourselves. I thought of them, and of you, the reader, who also has similar friends in similar places, who you probably think of often, perhaps haven’t talked to in a while. Reach out and say hello. You’ll be glad you did.

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

25

arts & entertainment

On the beat

Creekside Crawfish.

Smoky Mountain News

August 1-7, 2018

Cold Mountain Music Series The inaugural “Summer Music Series” will take place at the Lake Logan Conference Center, just south of Canton.

• Saturday, Aug. 11: Music by Josh Carter & Creekside Crawfish, food from Vieux Carre and beverages from Noble Cider.

• Saturday, Aug. 25: Music by Erik & Norma Hendrix, food from Out of the Blue with the beverage provider to be determined.

• Saturday, Sept. 8: Music by Devils in Dust, food to be determined and craft beer from Ecusta Brewing.

• Saturday, Sept. 22: Music by The Kenny George Band, food from Hit the Pit and craft beer from Frog Level Brewing.

The gate opens at 3 p.m. with music starting at 5 p.m. The event is family-friendly.

Waterfront will be open. Admission is $15 per carload, $50 for a 15-passenger van, $5 for bikes. Camping and cabins available. To make reservations, call 828.646.0095. www.lakelogan.com/events.

‘An Appalachian Evening’ The summer concert series “An Appalachian Evening” will continue with bluegrass act The Jeff Little Trio at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Stecoah Valley Center in Robbinsville.

The annual bluegrass/mountain music series will also feature Volume Five (Aug. 11), Unspoken Tradition (Aug. 18) and The Kruger Brothers (Aug. 25).

Tickets for the Fireside Collective performance are $15, grades K-12 $10. Tickets are a pre-show dinner are also available for purchase. The Lynn L. Shields Auditorium is air-conditioned. www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.

Bryson City community jam

A community jam will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2 and 16, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer, anything unplugged, are 26 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 Grampa’s Music in Bryson City.

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 — year-round. 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.

828.488.3030.

Pickin’ on the Square The Pickin’ on the Square summer concert series will feature Paradise 56 (blues/reggae) at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Gazebo in downtown Franklin.

The concert series is free and open to the public. Bring your lawn chair. Food vendors will also be available. Other performers will be Golden Harvest (bluegrass) Aug. 11 and The Ram Cats (blues) Aug. 18. www.townoffranklinnc.com.

Slippery When Wet.

Bon Jovi tribute act in Franklin Slippery When Wet, a Bon Jovi tribute band, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Jon Bon Jovi is a heavy metal rock star.

Some of his most notable hits include, “Blaze of Glory,” “It’s My Life” and “Bed

Groovin’ On the Green The Groovin’ On the Green concert series will host Andalyn at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at The Village Green Commons stage and lawn.

Other performers this summer include: Sundown (Aug. 10), The Krickets (Aug. 17), The Buchanan Boys (Aug. 24) and The Boomers (Sept. 1).

The Greater Cashiers Area Merchants Association, commonly known as GCAMA, created Groovin’ On the Green nine years ago to bring high quality entertainment to the area while at the same time highlighting local

of Roses.” In his career, which spans more than 30 years, Bon Jovi has sold more than 130 million albums worldwide and has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Slippery When Wet replicates exact live arrangement from many of Bon Jovi’s tours.

They have payed of 1,500 shows throughout the United States alone and have also traveled to Africa, Mexico, Singapore, Puerto Rico, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. They are the most attended and highest grossing of any Bon Jovi tribute band in the country.

Tickets start at $18. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit www.greatmountainmusic.com.

and regional musicians.

Groovin’ On the Green is rain or shine.

Bring a chair and your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors to The Village Green Commons on Frank Allen Road. Picnics and coolers are allowed, however concert goers can enjoy delicious food and beverage for sale from the vendors onsite.

Concerts are free, but donations are always appreciated. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash and under the control of their owners at all times.

To learn more about the concert schedule, or about community events at The Village Green visit www.villagegreencashiersnc.com.

You can follow The Village Green on social media @cashiersgreen.

On the beat

• Nantahala Brewing (Bryson City) will host Bird In Hand (Americana/folk) Aug. 3, King Corduroy (world/folk) Aug. 4, Hardworker Aug. 10 and West King String Band Aug. 11.

All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• The Oconaluftee Visitor Center (Cherokee) will host a back porch old-time music jam from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 4. All are welcome to come play or simply sit and listen to sounds of Southern Appalachia.

Concerts on the Creek The Concerts on the Creek summer series will welcome Lance & Lea (Americana/pop) at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva.

The lineup for this year’s series will also include: The Get Right Band (soul/rock) Aug. 10, The Colby Deitz Band (rock/Americana) Aug. 17, Geoff McBride (rock/Americana) Aug. 24 and Dashboard Blue (classic hits) Aug. 31.

The concerts are free and open to the public. 828.586.2155 or www.mountainlovers.com.

• Andrews Brewing Company (Andrews) will host the “Lounge Series” with Scott Stambaugh (singer-songwriter) Aug. 3 and Rachel Stewart (singer-songwriter) Aug. 4.

All shows are free and begin at 6 p.m. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host an acoustic jam with Main St. NoTones from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 2 and 9. Free and open to the public. www.blueridgebeerhub.com.

ALSO:

• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host An Evening with Rod (Rod Stewart tribute) 8 p.m. Aug. 3, Andrew Chastain (singer-songwriter) 7:30 p.m. Aug. 4 and Twelfth Fret (Americana/folk) 7 p.m. Aug. 11. All shows are free. www.curraheebrew.com.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Bryan Scar (acoustic/country) 7 p.m. Aug. 3, Whiskey River Band 8 p.m. Aug. 4, ‘Round the Fire (rock/jam) 8 p.m. Aug. 10 and Hoot & Holler (bluegrass/newgrass) 7 p.m. Aug. 11.

All shows are free. www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Harmon’s Den Bistro at HART (Waynesville)

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night Aug. 1 and 8, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo Aug. 2 and 9, Rossdafareye (reggae/electronica) Aug. 4 and Scott Stambaugh (rock) Aug. 11. All events are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

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

• Soul Infusion Tea House & Bistro (Sylva) will host Wineaux Jones & The Corkscrews 7 p.m. Aug. 4. 828.586.1717 or www.soulinfusion.com.

• Southern Porch (Canton) will host Christina Chandler (singer-songwriter) Aug. 2, The Stringbreakers Aug. 9 and Stone Crazy (classic rock/pop) Aug. 10. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public. www.southern-porch.com.

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

• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host Arnold Hill (rock/Americana) Aug. 4 and Lyric (soul/rock) Aug. 11. All shows begin at 9:30 p.m.

• The Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host Whiskey River Band Aug. 3 and DJ Kountry Aug. 10. All shows begin at 9:30 p.m. 828.456.4750.

Town Mo ountain

S U N DAY Y, A AU G U ST 19

• Isis Music Hall (West Asheville) will host Greg Ruby & Zack Page 6 p.m. Aug. 1, Lance & Lea 7 p.m. Aug. 2, Heather Taylor 7 p.m. Aug. 3, Taylor Martin (Americana) album release party 9 p.m. Aug. 3, The Blue Eyed Bettys 5:30 p.m.

Aug. 5, Runa 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5, Takenobu 7 p.m. Aug. 8 and Kevin Daniel & The Don’ts w/Sherman Ewing & Logan Magness 8:30 p.m. Aug. 8. www.isisasheville.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host an open mic night at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday, George Reeves Aug. 10 and Andalyn Aug. 11.

All shows begin at 8 p.m. For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Maggie Valley Rendezvous will host Stone Crazy (classic rock/pop) from 6 to 9 p.m.

Aug. 4 at the outdoor tiki bar.

• The Marianna Black Library (Bryson City) will host Alma Russ (Americana/folk) 7 p.m.

Aug. 9. Free to attend. Light snacks and refreshments provided by Friends of the Library. 828.488.3030.

Hard-driving bluegrrass meets the 21st century. And it’s love at first sound. Tiickets for the 8pm show arre $35, with a cookout dinner (prriced separately) available before the performance. Forr reservations, call (828) 926-1401.

And prepare to o fall in love with a band ag gain.

Smoky Mountain News

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Kevin Lorenz (guitar) Aug. 3, Joe Cruz (piano/vocals) Aug. 4 and 11. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m.

There will also be a special dinner with Sheila Gordon at 6 p.m. Aug. 10 with cost at $29.99 per person.

828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Highlands Town Square “Friday Night Live” series will host Johnny Webb Band (country) Aug. 3 and Southern Highlands (bluegrass) Aug. 10. All shows are free and begin at 6 p.m. www.highlandschamber.org.

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

• The Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will host The Swon Brothers at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11. Tickets start at $20. www.greatmountainmusic.com.

August 1-7, 2018

• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host Trippin’ Hardie Band Aug. 3 and Alma Russ (Americana/folk) Aug. 10. All shows begin at 9 p.m. www.facebook.com/balsamfallsbrewing.

will host karaoke and an open mic at 8 p.m. on Saturdays. www.harttheatre.org.

• Pub 319 (Waynesville) will host an open mic night from 8 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday. Free and open to the public. www.pub319socialhouse.com.

evenings. 828.482.9794 or www.satulahmountainbrewing.com.

arts & entertainment

• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host an open mic night every Thursday. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

Lance & Lea.

Catal t loochee Ranch h 119 Ranch Drive, Maggie Valle ey, North Carolina 28751 | CataloocheeRanch.com

27

On the table arts & entertainment

Franklin barbecue festival

August 3, 4, 10, 11, 16,* 17, 18 at 7:30 pm August 5, 12, 19 at 2:00 pm Adults $24 Seniors $22 Students $11 *Special $16 tickets for all Adults on Thursday, August 16.

Special $8 Tickets for all Students on Thursdays & Sundays.

The Performing Arts Center at the Shelton House 250 Pigeon St. in Waynesville, NC

For More Information and Tickets:

The 10th annual Mountain High BBQ Festival & Car Show will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 10 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Wayne Proffitt Agricultural Center in Franklin.

KCBS Sanctioned BBQ Cookoff for Backyard and Professional teams. Barbecue vendors will be on the premises to sell great tasting barbecue. Food vendors, crafters, cooking demonstrations and a car show will round out the exciting features of the festival.

Live music will be provided by Summer Brooke & Mountain Faith Band on Friday evening, with Willie & Waylon Tribute Band from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Admission is free from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday, $5 after 2 p.m. Friday and all-day Saturday, with children ages 12 and under free.

For more information, visit www.mountainhighbbqfestival.com or call 828.524.3161.

• There will be a free wine tasting from 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 4 and 11 at Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville. www.waynesvillewine.com or 828.452.0120.

ALSO:

• A free wine tasting will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Aug. 4 and 11 at Papou’s Wine Shop in

Sylva. www.papouswineshop.com or 828.631.3075.

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

828-456-6322 | www.harttheatre.org This project was supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

August 1-7, 2018

On the street Saturdays through Oct. 27 at the Oconaluftee Islands Park.

Sit by a bonfire, alongside a river, and listen to some of Cherokee’s best storytellers. The bonfire is free and open to the public. There will be no bonfire events in September. www.visitcherokeenc.com.

CASUAL FINE DINING WITH LIVE MUSIC

• There will be several ballroom and Latin dance classes offered on Sundays and Mondays at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. Classes for beginners, intermediate and all levels. $10 per class. www.froglevelbrewing.com.

COVERED PATIO LATE NIGHT MENU

Smoky Mountain News

ALSO:

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28

ISISASHEVILLE.COM 828.575.2737

Indian village now open The popular Oconaluftee Indian Village will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday through Nov. 10.

As you step into the Oconaluftee Indian Village, you’re transported back to witness the challenges of Cherokee life at a time of rapid cultural change. Tour guides help you explore the historic events and figures of the 1760s.

Visitors can interact with villagers as they participate in their daily activities. The Village also hosts demonstrations, and Hands-On Cherokee Pottery for Kids classes www.cherokeehistorical.org.

Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling The Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Fridays and

• Line Dance Lessons will be held on Tuesdays in Waynesville. Times are 7 to 8 p.m. every other Tuesday. Cost is $10 per class and will feature modern/traditional line dancing. 828.734.0873 or kimcampbellross@gmail.com.

• “Laughing Balsam Sangha,” a meeting for Mindfullness in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, meets will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays at 318 Skyland Drive in Sylva. Included are sitting and walking meditation, and Dharma discussion. Free admission. 828.335.8210, and “Like” them on Facebook.

On the wall

Today, numerous Kephart materials and artifacts are held by WCU’s Hunter Library Special and Digital Collections.

The exhibit also includes a video of local naturalist, storyteller and artist Doug Elliott demonstrating bark basket-making techniques, a bark basket given to Barnhill by Civil War veteran “Uncle Dave” Penland following a photo expedition near Asheville in 1915, and antique tools.

Barnhill would serve as an aerial photographer and reconnaissance commander during World War I, published in The New York Times and Life magazine, and made a postmilitary career in commercial photography.

The Library of Congress holds photo prints of his “Pioneer Life in Western North Carolina,” depicting the people, landscapes, agriculture, technology and handicrafts of the mountain counties between 1914 and 1917.

The exhibit will be on display through Friday, Sept. 14. For more information, call the museum at 828.227.7129.

combines this pride in his culture with an aesthetic inspired by graphic novels and graffiti art that brings his work a 21st-century edge.

The WCU Fine Art Museum is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Thursday. Free parking is available on site.

Haywood Arts annual meeting The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) will hold its annual meeting at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at the HCAC gallery in Waynesville.

The event will begin with a wine and cheese reception at 5 p.m. The HCAC has changed from a calendar year to a fiscal year and this annual meeting will celebrate our 2017-2018 successes and kick off the new year’s initiatives.

Both reception and meeting are open to the public. Though not required, an RSVP is encouraged. To register, email info@haywoodarts.org or call 828.452.0593.

For more information, visit www.haywoodarts.org.

‘Artist Coffee & Chat’ The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) is inviting local artists to its “Artist Coffee & Chat” at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, at the HCAC gallery in downtown Waynesville.

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet your fellow artisans for a morning of camaraderie. RSVP by calling 828.452.0593. For more information about the HCAC, visit www.haywoodarts.org.

Smoky Mountain News

Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center is hosting an exhibit on William A. Barnhill, a photographer who documented early 20th-century regional craftsmanship, in the museum’s second-floor gallery at Hunter Library.

“Appalachia a Century Ago; Craft Through the Lens of William A. Barnhill” features a photo collection that highlights mountain handiwork with pottery, weaving, carving and basketry. The traveling exhibit was created by the Southern Appalachian Archives and the Liston B. Ramsey Center for Regional Studies at Mars Hill University, with support from Bill Alexander of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Barnhill, a Philadelphia native who lived from November 1889 to December 1987, was inspired to visit Western North Carolina in 1914 after reading Our Southern Highlanders, a book about residents of the Great Smoky Mountains, first published in 1913 by outdoors writer Horace Kephart.

A wood carving by Joshua Adams.

August 1-7, 2018

A photo of Reems Creek Pottery by William A. Barnhill (circa 1914-1917). Library of Congress

The new exhibit “Joshua Adams: Facing Culture” will run through Aug. 24 in the Fine Arts Museum at Western Carolina University. A reception for the artist and exhibit will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, at the museum.

The exhibition brings together a selection of masks and carvings of the human face

by Eastern Band Cherokee artist Joshua Adams, who expresses a deep reverence for his culture through his artwork.

A teacher of woodcarving at Cherokee High School, Adams’ work reflects on the importance of preserving his culture and how outside influences have, and still do, impact Cherokee life and belief.

Intended for display rather than ceremony, these representations of the human face range from traditional Cherokee forms to contemporary twists on tradition.

Made from a variety of woods with details fashioned from rabbit fur, feathers, porcupine quills, and traditional arrows, Adams’ works demonstrate the technical complexity of mask making and the array of materials that enliven this artform.

Sculptors, wood carvers, historians, craft enthusiasts, and those interested in Cherokee art and culture will not want to miss this exhibition.

Adams studied wood carving under renowned artist Dr. James Bud Smith. He is influenced by the legendary sculptor and

teacher Amanda Crowe, who taught wood carving for nearly 40 years at Cherokee High School. He also learned aspects of his craft from his family, which includes woodcarvers James and Irma Bradley.

In 2010, Adams took over teaching the woodcarving program at Cherokee High School and now instructs a younger generation of students in this revered Cherokee art form. Inspired by traditional masks, which are one of the earliest forms of carving practiced by the Cherokee people, Adams aims to celebrate and preserve his heritage. He

arts & entertainment

William A. Barnhill exhibit at WCU

Exhibit to showcase Cherokee artist

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arts & entertainment

On the wall

Glass Catalyst: Littleton’s Legacy in Contemporary Sculpture

Smoky Mountain News

August 1-7, 2018

The Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum exhibition “Glass Catalyst: Littleton’s Legacy in Contemporary Sculpture” will run through Dec. 7 at the Bardo Arts Center.

Celebrating the efforts of the late Harvey Littleton, one of the greatest proponents of • There will be an upcoming artist workshop to be held by the Haywood County Arts Council at the HCAC Gallery & Gifts in Waynesville. Betina Morgan will host a drawing class from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 14 and 28.

Cost is $20 per class session. Call HCAC for a supply list. For more information or to reserve a spot in any of these workshops, call HCAC at 828.452.0593.

• There will be an artist reception for Carol Conti from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

Enjoy refreshments, visit with the artist, and take a closer look at her art which will be on display throughout the month of August.

• The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) will host local artist Gayle Haynie, who will be demonstrating stained glass techniques from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at the HCAC Gallery & Gifts in Waynesville. Haynie has been a glass artist for 28 years. She enjoys challenging her imagination and creating fun and whimsical art along with traditional stained glass. www.haywoodarts.org.

• The “Movies on Everett” outdoor series will run through Aug. 17 at the corner of Mitchell and Everett streets in downtown Bryson City.

Screenings begin at 9 p.m. Family-friendly.

Free to attend. For a full schedule of the films to be screened, visit www.greatsmokies.com.

• Mad Batter Food & Film (Sylva) will host a free movie night at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday, 30 Friday and Saturday. For the full schedule of

using glass as an expressive medium, the exhibition explores the work of contemporary artists concentrating in glass and how they are building off the foundations laid by Littleton during the early years of the Studio Glass Movement. A key work in the exhibition will be a new acquisition to the Museum’s collection: a glass sculpture by Harvey Littleton entitled “Terracotta Arc.” This piece was unveiled at a special opening reception in June at the Bardo Arts Center, which would have been Littleton’s 96th birthday. Donated by the Littleton Family in honor of WCU Professor Emeritus Joan Falconer Byrd, this sculpture serves as a focal point in the exhibition and a reminder of how Littleton’s impact reverberates through the generations.

Artists featured in the exhibition include: Alex Bernstein, Carol Milne, Hayden Wilson, Matt Eskuche, Shane Fero, Robert Burch, Carmen Lozar, Carole Frève, Einar and Jamex de la Torre, Shayna Leib, and Dean Allison.

Glass enthusiasts, sculptors, lovers of innovation, and even knitters will especially enjoy this display of works ranging from cast figures to blown glass to delicate lamp-worked forms.

Regular museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and Thursdays until 7 p.m.

828.227.ARTS or bardoartscenter.wcu.edu. screenings, visit www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com.

• The Waynesville Fiber Friends will meet from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday of the month at the Panacea Coffee House in Waynesville. All crafters and beginners interested in learning are invited. You can keep up with them through their Facebook group or by calling 828.276.6226 for more information.

ALSO:

• There will be a “Thursday Painters Open Studio” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at the Franklin Uptown Gallery. Bring a bag lunch, project and supplies. Free to the public. Membership not required. For information, call 828.349.4607.

• A “Youth Art Class” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday at the Appalachian Art Farm on 22 Morris Street in Sylva. All ages welcome. $10 includes instruction, materials and snack. For more information, email appalachianartfarm@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.

• Free classes and open studio times are being offered at The Uptown Gallery in Franklin. Join others at a painting open studio session from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays.

For information on days open, hours and additional art classes and workshops, contact the gallery on 30 East Main Street at 828.349.4607.

A work by Mary Althea Parker.

Abstract art showcase at WCU The exhibit “Mary Althea Parker: Abstract Impulse” will run through Aug. 24 in the Fine Arts Museum at Western Carolina University.

This exhibition is a small selection of Parker’s works held by the WCU Fine Art Museum, focusing primarily on Parker’s paintings made after 1950.

Dogwood Crafters workshops Dogwood Crafters will offer two craft workshops during the month of August.

Both will be held at the Dillsboro Masonic Lodge. Register for one or both classes by calling Dogwood at 828.586.2248 by the date indicated below.

• In preparation for cooler weather and fall decorating, a Fall Fabric Pumpkin will be taught by Bernice Spitzer from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Aug. 9. The pumpkin, when

Parker was a passionate painter and educator who dedicated her career to exploring abstraction. In 1948, Parker saw an exhibition of Hans Hofmann’s work at the Addison Gallery of American Art that had a significant impact on her paintings. Hofmann’s “brand” of abstraction, with its vibrant color and dynamic energy, resonated with Parker, and motivated her to take classes with Hofmann in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

While many of her titles continued to reference the real world, her approach to painting shifted to being non-representational and followed Hofmann’s credo that “There are bigger things to be seen in nature than the object.”

finished, measures 8” high and is made from a fall print fabric. Participants should bring sewing supplies, a hot glue gun, and a sewing machine if you have one. There will be a sewing machine available on site. Cost for the class is $5. Register by Aug. 2 to attend.

• The heritage craft of Rug Braiding will be taught in a two-day workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 22 and 29. Regionally acclaimed artist Dianne Ellis will be the instructor. Participants will learn the technique of using wool in a braided project.

Cost for the class is $7. Register to attend by Aug. 15.

@SmokyMtnNews

On the stage arts & entertainment

Foxworthy impersonator to play STAR Ranch

‘Unto These Hills’ outdoor drama

Triple Arts musical theatre show A musical theatre performance by the Triple Arts Company will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 4, in the Bardo Arts Center at

• There is free comedy improv class from 7 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday at Moo Mountain Bakery in Maggie Valley.

No experience necessary, just come to watch or join in the fun. Improv teacher Wayne Porter studied at Sak Comedy Lab in Orlando, Florida, and performed improvisation with several groups. Join Improv WNC on Facebook or just come on down to the bakery 2511 Soco Road.

ALSO:

Experience a casual, relaxing atmosphere perfect for all walks of life, from families to golf groups to ladies who lunch. We pride ourselves on using fresh ingredients from our gardens and supporting local farmers. The details are priority.

Open to the Public, 7 Days A Week!

Call 828-926-4848 for reservations.

Smoky Mountain News

The “Unto These Hills” stage production will be held at 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday through Aug. 18 at the Mountainside Theater in Cherokee.

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

Western Carolina University.

The group will be presenting over 20 fullrealized production numbers mounted and directed by Terrence Mann, Charlotte d’Amboise, Christopher d’Amboise, Kelly Crandall d’Amboise, Mary Ann Lamb, Chryssie Whitehead, Jeffrey Schecter and Whitney G-Bowley.

The numbers will be highlighting the impressive hard work and abounding talent of the 2018 Triple Arts Company of 46 young performers. Three original numbers created

by Christopher d’Amboise’s Moving Story Choreography apprentices will be included in the special presentation.

August 1-7, 2018

STAR Ranch will Scarlett, a 22-year-old once again host Jamie mare who needed Simpson as Jeff surgery to remove a Foxworthy at 6 p.m. large mass on her face, Saturday, Aug. 4, at the is recovering nicely after Elevated Mountain being rescued by STAR Distillery in Maggie Ranch several weeks Valley.

Simpson is the ago. Donated photo world’s leading Jeff Foxworthy impersonator. Even Foxworthy himself is quoted as saying, “It’s like looking in a dang mirror.”

Guests will be blown away by Simpson’s appearance, his voice and his tribute to one of the world’s best comedians. Simpson is donating a portion of his usual fee to help the horses of STAR Ranch.

A $35 admission ticket includes a meal catered by the Rendezvous Restaurant and a great show. Samples of the distillery’s finest brews will also be available for $5. There will be silent and live auctions as well.

Tickets are available at the door or by calling 828.400.4940. All proceeds go to sustain STAR Ranch’s efforts in caring for needy horses in Western North Carolina, to date 130. www.star-ranch-rescue.

1819 Country Club Drive Maggie Valley, NC

M AG G I E VA LLEY C LU B . CO M 31

arts & entertainment

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Friday, August 3

Saturday, August 4

Lake Junaluska Singers “A Musical Feast”

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Smoky Mountain News

August 1-7, 2018

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Books

Smoky Mountain News

33

A new writer with an old heart n a prologue that will make you cry — bringing hackles of guilt to your eyes — Tommy Orange has brought past Native American history front and center and welded it to a story set in present day Oakland, California. “Urban Indians” he refers to his characters and their kin. This is not the Res or tales told by celebrated Native American authors such as Sherman Alexie and Scott Momaday, but one of Writer urban angst complete with all the modern technology and vibe to which cities are prone.

In a word, this book is a wakeup call. A litmus test for our modern American conscience. An ethnic tour-de-force written by a young highly-educated Cheyenne man whom I predict will be a literary force to be reckoned with in the future.

Yet, even now, with this his first book, one is hearing echoes of the words Pulitzer and National Book Award in the halls of academe.

No less than Louise Erdrich and Margaret Atwood sing his praises on the back cover of this book.

There There (taken from a quote by Gertrude Stein when describing her own hometown of Oakland, California as a place where “there is no there there”) is a book about place. About belonging and unbelonging. About inhabiting a land that is both yours and stolen from you. A revelation of controlled chaos. A comic celebration of profound sadness.

Orange tells his story through the voices of no less than 12 characters. To say that Orange is a literary ventriloquist would be an understatement as each of his characters come to life in their individual voice and they tell their stories in a shotgun format that starts as a scattered blast but unites to hit the target’s bullseye by the final page. In this sense, There There is something of a tapestry.

The present woven to the past. The warp and the weft of the drama of lives that matter being marginalized in obscurity through no

Thomas Crowe

I

fault of their own.

As Tony Loneman proclaims in the early pages of the book, “Maxine told me I’m a medicine person. She said people like me are

rare, and that when we come along, people better know we look different because we are different. To respect that. I never got no kind of respect from nobody, though, except Maxine. She tells me we’re Cheyenne people.

That Indians go way back with the land. That all this was once ours. All this. They must not’ve had street smarts back then. Let them white men come over here and take it from them like that.”

And the story moves forward from here and into the lives of each of the 12 characters as they search to discover who they are and where they belong in this vast urban landscape of mostly broken dreams. In this sense There There is one long quote. Or series of quotes that stay with you, building to a crescendo that is a PowWow in the Oakland Colesium. “Tell me what a powwow is,” Octavio Gomez asks Tony Loneman. “We dress up Indian, with feathers and beads and shit. We dance.

Sing and beat this big drum, buy and sell Indian shit like jewelry and clothes and art,” he answers.

Other characters include Jacquie Red Feather, who is newly sober and trying to make it back to the family she left behind in shame.

Dene Oxendene is pulling his life back together after his uncle’s death and has come to work at the powwow to honor his uncle’s memory. Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield has come to watch her nephew Orvil, who has taught himself traditional Indian dance through YouTube videos and has come to the powwow to dance in public for the very first time.

On this road to the powwow and for these three and all the other characters there will be glorious communion, spectacles of sacred tradition and pageantry. And there will be sacrifice, and heroism, and unspeakable loss. In his interlude midway through the novel, Orange quotes the French poet Charles Baudelaire: “What strange phenomena we find in a great city, all we need do is stroll

about with our eyes open. Life swarms with innocent monsters.”

Also in the interlude, Orange describes why all his characters are headed to the powwow: “We all came to the Big Oakland Powwow for different reasons. The messy, dangling strands of our lives got pulled into a braid — tied to the back of everything we’d been doing all along to get us here. We’ve been coming from miles. And we’ve been coming for years, generations, lifetimes, layered in prayer and handwoven regalia, beaded and sewn together, feathered, braided, blessed, and cursed.”

And in probably the most profound paragraph in this book, in a section of the interlude Orange titles “Blood,” he talks about the Native American wound: “The wound that was made when white people came and took all they took has never healed. An unattended wound gets infected. Becomes a new kind of wound like the history of what actually happened became a new kind of history. All these stories that we haven’t been telling all this time, that we haven’t been listening to, are just part of what we need to heal. Not that we’re broken. And don’t make the mistake of calling us resilient. To not have been destroyed, to not have given up, to have survived, is no badge of honor. Would you call an attempted murder victim resilient?”

This book is not for the faint of heart, although the heart of the author is lighthearted and teasing at times. But this book is “essential,” as Marlon James calls it in his back cover endorsement. Essential to our own sense of responsibility to the often untold history of the United States of America and its karmic destiny and well-being going forward.

Even amidst the tragedy and the tears in Orange’s saga, there is hope. In one sense one feels in reading this book as if hope is all we have. But there is enough hope in Orange’s words and the way he strings his words together for us all. And that together we can build a better dream.

Thomas Crowe is a regular contributor to Smoky Mountain News. He is the author of The Watcher (Like Sweet Bells Jangled), an historical novel. He lives in Jackson County and can be reached at newnativepress@hotmail.com.

New installment in Aluria Adventures Franklin native and author Tyler Cook will release his fifth book Disciple at a special release party at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

Over 500 years ago, in a distant kingdom, Queen Sibilla feared her kingdom would become the next casualty of the One Hundred Years War. In a desperate act to protect those she led, she makes a deal with the Devil, becoming his disciple in exchange for unlimited power. But, everything has a price, and Sibilla must pay for her newfound powers, putting everything she cares about on the brink of destruction.

In the present day, it has been six months with no sign of Aluria. Peace has been preserved throughout the city of Canton, thanks to his friends, but with a new threat emerging, Jason Conner wonders how long he can keep going without putting the mask back on, and if he’s worthy enough to be the hero the city needs again. Can he make amends with the spirit that has inhabited his body for so long, and if so, will they be strong enough to keep the Devil’s disciple from completing her mission?

Aluria was released in 2016, followed by Vigilante in 2018. Both have been named the No. 1 bestselling superhero novel on Amazon.com multiple times, as well as reaching their overall bestseller list.

Half of all proceeds will go toward The Eva McCall Memorial Scholarship, a project Cook started after the passing of his great-aunt and fellow author.

In 2014, Cook released A Guide to Historic Dillsboro, now an award-winning book that celebrates the historic town of Dillsboro, as well as raising money for the Appalachian Women’s Museum. Later that year, he wrote The One, which was released in early 2015.

For more information, contact Cook at moonshinepressnc@gmail.com or visit www.tylermcook.com.

34

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

interesting to see the range of reactions. On the zipline, for example, some kids are pretty scared because it’s up high and they can’t see what’s around them.

“Then we have other kids who are less scared than you would think because they can’t see where the ground is, so they just don’t worry about it,” he said.

A camper prepares to release herself from the anchor to take an adrenaline-inducing ride on the ‘swing’ at Nantahala Outdoor Center. Holly Kays photos

No sight required

‘THIS IS WHO I AM’

Summer camp spurs blind youth to outdoor adventure

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER hen Sam Chandler heard that the summer camp he’d been attending for years planned to launch an adventure camp, he was sold. Chandler — who at 17 is a rising senior at Tuscola High School in Waynesville — was quick to sign up for the week of ziplining, hiking and whitewater rafting at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. He came back for a second year, and, when he’d maxed out the two-year cap on adventure camp attendance, returned this year as a counselor.

It would be a common story of summer camp memories and corresponding summer camp allegiance, but for one simple fact: Chandler, like the rest of the teens embarking on these outdoor excursions, is mostly blind.

“We get all these blind kids from all over the Southeast, and a lot of them are from big cities so they’ve never been out here. They’ve never done this,” said Chandler. “A lot of them have been told you’ll roll silverware at some fast food joint for the rest of your life, but clearly, we can get you out here and do this — that’s not a thing. That’s not what you have to do. This just opens up so many options. It builds confidence.”

That’s certainly what it did for him.

Chandler well remembers his first time at camp, and in particular how freaked out he was as the group prepared for whitewater rafting. Chandler is completely blind in his left eye and mostly blind in his right — what would happen if he fell out of the boat, or failed to adequately avoid a rock? But as he stroked his way through the experience, those fears subsided.

“I realized as long as you follow what your guide’s telling you, it’s going to be fine,” he said. “It’s all good. No stress.”

W

OFFERING ADVENTURE Jay Hardwig, director of SEE Adventure Camp, is an outdoors guy himself. Though not visually impaired, he’s worked with those who are for the past 20 years, first as a teacher at the Texas School for the Blind and now as a visually impaired specialist for Haywood County Public Schools and manager at Asheville-based blind services organization A Brighter Path Solutions.

“I don’t know how quite to explain it, but they have a great spirit about them,” Hardwig said of the blind and visually impaired kids he’s spent his career working with. “They have a sense of adventurousness. They have a great community — they form great community with each other. The kids are what keeps me coming back.”

A Brighter Path is supported by IFB Solutions — originally known as WinstonSalem Industries for the Blind — which runs not only the adventure camp at NOC but also four other summer camps throughout North Carolina, all free of charge for campers.

Hardwig originally got involved running the SEE Day Camp in Asheville, but when that camp began filling up too quickly, he decided to start a full-fledged adventure camp.

“We hope to build some confidence that they can do some of these things that they haven’t tried before,” Hardwig said. “We hope they’re more comfortable with outdoor experiences, whether it’s sleeping with the sound of crickets or taking a hike or getting out on the water. Part of that is to build it into their repertoire of what they can do.”

To those on the outside, it might sound pretty crazy to put a bunch of kids who not only have never rafted before but also can’t

see into a whitewater raft down the Nantahala, or into a climbing harness, or on a hiking trail. But according to Chris Flynt, who is the camp’s director of programming and nearly blind himself, it’s not necessary to change the activities all that much from how they’d be run with a group of sighted teens.

“They’re experiencing the same thing any sighted person would,” Flynt said. “We just have to have a couple extra eyes around, just to make sure things are good.”

“In some ways, the most challenging thing we do at this camp is our hike,” Hardwig added.

Some of the campers have never been more than a quarter of a mile off pavement before, and navigating the unpredictability of roots and rocks along a mountain trail can be a lot harder than just jumping in a raft down the river. But they all do it, he said, and they’re all proud of themselves afterward.

“Even if you stumble and fall and skin your knee, that’s OK with us,” Hardwig said. “In fact, skinned knees should be a part of every childhood I think, and some of these kids don’t get that opportunity often enough, because sometimes they are overprotected. So I’m not really too worried if we take a tumble on a trail as long as it doesn’t result in injury.”

As for the other activities, he said, it’s

Learn more SEE Summer Camps in Bryson City, Asheville, Charlotte and Winston-Salem offer a variety of experiences for blind and visually impaired youth from across the Southeast.

Supported by IFB Solutions, camps are offered for free, but space is limited.

Find more information at www.abrighterpathprograms.org.

Kelly Jones, 16, had no apprehensions about the itinerary when she signed up to attend SEE Camp.

“I was so excited,” said Jones, who lives in Alexandria, Virginia. “I was like, ‘Ziplining, never done that. Rafting, never done that.

This is gonna be great!’”

And for an enthusiastic go-getter like Jones, it was pretty great. But the best part of the camp wasn’t about what she was doing — it was about who she was doing it with.

“For me, it’s honestly about meeting blind people,” she said. “I go to school where I think I’m pretty much the only blind person there out of 4,000 kids. During the year I feel very isolated, and I get here and I find instant friends because there’s this connection you don’t even have to work for. It’s like I’m with my people, and that’s such an amazing feeling, honestly.”

Jones’s sight is better than that of most of her fellow campers. She’s legally blind but has a narrow visual field, with poor distance vision and nonexistent night vision. She’ll never be able to have a driver’s license, but she can see well enough that most of the time she tries to “pass as sighted” out in the community — though, for someone who considers herself to be a “pretty sporty person,” team sports are out of the question. Instead, she does solo activities, like running and lifting weights.

Being able to live the active lifestyle she loves in company that understands what it means to be blind is a freeing experience.

“I don’t have to worry about embarrassing myself and passing as sighted, because I often do that at home. Here it’s like, ‘This is who I am,’” she said. “It’s so relaxing.”

It’s a refrain often repeated when chatting with the campers at SEE Camp.

“I think the best part was the ziplining or the whitewater rafting, but actually what I enjoyed most was being around people like me. Other blind people,” said Juan Acosta, 18, of Warner Robins, Georgia. “I feel like I’m the only one like me where I live.”

Acosta, unlike many other campers at NOC that week, actually attends a school for the blind, so he does get to be with other blind people in the course of his daily life.

However, he’d never met someone with his same particular vision problem until arriving in Swain County.

“Here I’ve met some people who share the same condition, the same kinds of problems,” he said. “We have a lot of things in common. I feel good because I feel like I’m not alone.”

F

Tour de Cashiers seeks sponsors

Float for clean water A morning float in celebration of clean water and healthy rivers will be offered on the Chattahoochee River Saturday, Aug. 4.

Participants can float the entire 6.5 miles, do 3 miles only or take a 3.5-mile sprint race from Johnson Ferry North to Powers Island. To participate, pay Nantahala Outdoor Center’s standard Chattahoochee rate and add a donation. Donations go to the BacteriAlert program on the Chattahoochee River in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

Register at chattahoochee.org/btc.

LASTING COMMUNITY Whether blind or sighted, being a teenager is a continual struggle between trying to be yourself, assert your difference and be proud, and trying to fit in, fly below the radar and blend in with the “cool” kids.

SEE Camp is a gift for the kids who go there, because there they can fit in without trying. They don’t have to explain themselves to peers who don’t understand or harbor anxiety about awkward situations, like bumping into someone when navigating a crowd or getting lost in a building.

They can speak openly about their challenges, compare notes on different cane

and compare notes and build friendships.”

Some of the kids at SEE Camp have other disabilities that accompany their blindness.

But for most of them, it’s just about a lack of sight. That’s something that Chandler, for one, wishes more people understood.

“It doesn’t mean anything as far as mental capabilities or any other sense,” he said of his blindness. “It’s completely unaffected.

Until you are notified otherwise, we can operate on our own just fine, which is a little irritating when someone just assumes that because you’re blind you are also mentally handicapped.”

Half a minute of conversation with Chandler, who dreams of earning a Ph.D. to

Submit Mountain State Fair entries now Entry deadlines are approaching for the N.C. Mountain State Fair, which will run for its 25th year Sept. 7 to Sept. 16.

Deadlines are: Aug. 3 for llamas, alpacas and clogging; Aug. 8 for rabbits; Aug. 10 for livestock and display livestock; Aug. 24 for general exhibits, flower and garden and the very special livestock show; Aug. 26 for the N.C. Mountain State Fair Pageant; and Sept.

11 for the ice cream eating contest.

Held at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher, the fair will offer nearly $400,000 in prizes.

A full list of competitions, upcoming deadlines and rules is online at www.wncagcenter.org/p/mountainstatefair/24 4. Entry coordinator is Tamara Crain,

828.687.1414, ext. 210. www.mountainfair.org.

Macon fair seeks booth contestants

outdoors

Sponsorships are wanted for the 2018 Tour de Cashiers Mountain Cycling and 5K experience, slated for Saturday, Sept. 15.

This popular event attracts participants from throughout the Southeast to its beautiful views and bragging rights for having completed one of the nation’s most challenging rides. The cycling portion boasts

25-mile, 62-mile and 100-mile events, with a running 5K offered as well.

The event is the only fundraising event for the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce, which supports building destination awareness and economic development in the Cashiers, Glenville, Sapphire and Lake Toxaway areas.

The sponsorship deadline is Aug. 10. To sponsor, visit https://bit.ly/2OpiRCT. To register for the race, visit tourdecashiers.com.

Educational booths are wanted for the Macon County Fair, which will be held Sept.

12-15.

The theme is “Bushels, Bales and Tales.”

Booths must be constructed between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, to be eligible for judging, and must remain intact until after the fair’s official close. Booths dismantled before the fair closes will be disqualified from any promotions and awards, and from participating the following year.

To apply for booth space, contact Macon County Cooperative Extension at 828.349.2046.

Shooting range gets upgrades The Dirty John Shooting Range in the Nantahala National Forest near Franklin will be closed for upgrades Thursday, Aug. 2, and is expected to reopen the following day.

The U.S. Forest Service will be improving target holders and installing a system similar to that at the Moss Knob Shooting Range.

Metal rods will replace vertical wood posts for a more durable and long-lasting system to support netting used to hang targets.

828.524.6441.

Dirty John Shooting Range.

Donated photo

August 1-7, 2018

Campers, counselors and NOC guides stand for a group photo during their last day at SEE Camp. teach college history, is enough to make it clear that he is in no way mentally handicapped. That goes for many of his peers at camp as well, among whom are aspiring lawyers, writers, scientists and more.

Camp lasts a relatively short amount of time — four days, five nights — but the adventures had and community formed may very well last a lifetime, Flynt said.

“It gives them confidence not only with people that are similar to them with the same issues and challenges, but when they go home their parents notice a difference,” he said. “We hear that from the parents.

That’s just a fact. This is an experience the kids will never forget.”

JOIN OUR TEAM!

We are now hiring front desk receptionists.

For more information, give us a call or stop by the Rec Center.

WAYNESVILLE

Smoky Mountain News

designs and discuss the pros and cons of guide dogs.

“I’d rather be around blind kids because they understand, and sighted kids might not understand me,” explained Meredith Landreth, 16. “I like being around other blind kids like me, not just sighted kids.”

While Hardwig is a big proponent of the camp’s adventure component, he’s quick to say that it’s the community that really works the magic.

“What they tell us again and again is that what is special to them is that sense of community and family,” he said. “I think they gain more in the white spaces of the schedule where they can be with each other

PARKS AND RECREATION

828.456.2030

or email rlangston@waynesvillenc.gov

550 VANCE STREET • WAYNESVILLE

35

outdoors August 1-7, 2018

Ranch to host day of music and art

Sunburst Trout celebrates 70 years Sunburst Trout Farms in Waynesville will celebrate its 70th anniversary on Thursday, Aug. 2, coinciding with the first-ever National Rainbow Trout Day and the ribbon-cutting on a new processing facility at 314 Industrial Park Drive in Waynesville.

The family business launched in Cashiers in 1948 when Dick Jennings, Jr., founded Cashiers Valley Trout Farm, the first commercial trout farm in the Southeast. The farm moved to Canton, right below Lake Logan, in 1963 and was renamed Jennings Trout Farm before eventually being christened Sunburst Trout Farms, the name it still holds today.

The third generation, Wes and Ben Eason, are now the owners and manage the farm while their sister Katie Hughes runs Sunburst Market on Main Street in Waynesville.

“It’s a privilege to be a part of the third generation of family ownership. I am so grateful for the road that was paved by my grandfather Dick Jennings, and my parents Steve and Sally Eason, and can only hope to continue the long tradition of producing rainbow trout products that we can all be proud of,” said Wes Eason.

The farm now has more than 25 employees and is the state’s second-largest trout farm, supplying more than 400 restaurants, grocers and specialty food stores across the country.

The surroundings at Cataloochee Ranch in Haywood County will inspire art and nature appreciation during an upcoming Haywood County Arts Council event. File photo

National healthy eating conference coming to Asheville A hands-on conference for those in the healthcare field focused on changing the culture of healthcare to better support healthy eating will come to Asheville Aug. 26 to 29.

Dr. Daphne Miller, author of Farmacology, will give a keynote address on the intersection of farming, food and health. In addition to presentations by leading experts, attendees will visit area farms, farmers markets and gardens, as well as engage in participatory cooking workshops taught by nutrition experts and culinary professionals.

Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project is presenting the conference in partnership with Duke University World Food Policy Center, University of North Carolina Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, and MAHEC. Register at healthyeatinginpractice.org. Continuing education credits available.

JOIN THE

TEAM!

Smoky Mountain News

Project MARS/AmeriCorps is recruiting for full-time positions in Haywood, Swain, Transylvania, Cherokee, Graham and Buncombe counties.

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A day focused on nature and art will bring out the best at Cataloochee Ranch, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 8, in Haywood County.

The day will offer opportunity for birdwatchers, hikers, readers, painters, quilters, knitters, sculptors, writers and poets alike, with participants responsible for bringing their own art supplies, lawn chair or blanket. Lunch is included.

Organized by the Haywood County Arts Council. $20 for HCAC members and $25 for nonmembers. RSVP to 828.452.0593.

MEMBERS WILL: • Serve children directly within the schools

• Provide mentoring, academic assistance and resources for success • Collaborate with teachers, staff and administration to identify students with needs Living allowance, health insurance stipend, education awardand loan forbearance available.

Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree.

Please contact Kate Snow, program director for additional information: katies@bbbswnc.org or at 336.354.3325

Dance raises $60K for the Smokies

Saturday August 4th, 2-5pm:

The square dancing takes off in Fairview. Donated photo North Carolina schoolchildren.

Donate to Friends of the Smokies at

www.friendsofthesmokies.org. Photos from the event are online at www.smokiesstomp.org.

Hike in the shadow of elk A 2.2-mile hike from Elk Pasture Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway will embark at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 3.

Blue Ridge Parkway rangers will lead hikers through the saddle where local herds of elk once crossed, along the way discussing their mighty presence, overhunting and reintroduction efforts while traveling north to Mills River Overlook.

Meet at the junction with N.C. 151, milepost 405.5, and pull into the gravel pull-off to the side of the road. Bring water, good walking shoes and clothing for changeable weather. Ranger-led hikes are offered weekly at various spots along the Parkway in Western North Carolina. 828.298.5330, ext. 304.

A birding outing for beginners and beyond will be offered starting 7:30 a.m.

Saturday, Aug. 11, at Founders Park in Highlands.

The group will go to the old ranger station on Flat Mountain Road, led by Russ Regnery of the Highlands Plateau Audubon

Society. The walk is easy, with loaner binoculars available.

Free. hpasnews@gmail.com.

Bears workshop offered A workshop covering the life history of and current research on black bears will be offered 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6,

at the Cradle of Forestry in America.

The program will feature activities that can be incorporated into educational programs, with participants eligible to receive six credit hours for Criteria III toward an N.C. Environmental Education Certification.

Free. Participants should bring a lunch.

Register with Stephanie Bradley, cradleprograms@cfaia.org or 828.877.3130.

274 S. MAIN ST. WAYNESVILLE

828.246.6570

Cold Mountain Summer Music Series Saturday, August 11 Music: Josh Carter & Creekside Crawfish Food: Vieux Carre Featured Brew: Noble Cider & Highlands Brewing

August 1-7, 2018

Bird Highlands

Psoas Release Party w/ Joe Taft ($45/ $50 day of) Monday August 6th, 12-1:30pm: The 'Back to Basics' Series w/ Joe Taft ($100 for six sessions/ $110 day of) Friday August 10th, 6:30-7:30: Buti + Bubbles w/ Kayla and Jay ($14 drop in/ 1 class credit) Saturday August 11th, 2- 3:30: Yoga for Thyroid Balance w/ Jay and Leigh- Ann ($35/$40 day of) Sunday August 12th, 2-3:30: Practicing Presence on the Mat: a 4 week series w/ Katie Schomberg ($85 for four sessions/ $105 day of) Saturday August 18th, 2-3:30: Yoga + Essential Oils for Stress Reduction w/ Leigh-Ann ($30/ $35 day of) Friday August 24th, 6:30-7:30: Buti + Bubbles w/ Kayla and Jay ($14 drop in/ 1 class credit) Saturday August 25th, 2-4pm: Pangu Yoga: Cultivating Calmess w/ Anisha Desai Fraser ($35/ $40 day of) Sunday August 25th, 6- 8: Full Moon Circle w/ Katie Schomberg ($30/ $35 day of) CALL OR REGISTER ONLINE AT WaynesvilleYogaCenter.com

outdoors

The inaugural Smokies Stomp Barn Party hosted by Friends of the Smokies raised more than $60,000 to support the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Saturday, July 21.

The evening at Hickory Nut Gap Farm featured a square dance called by Rep. John Ager, D-Fairview, and his wife Annie, with live music by NewTown and the Bonafide Band and attendance from Smokies Superintendent Cassius Cash, Rep. Chuck McGrady, R-Hendersonville, and former congressman and Friends of the Smokies director Heath Shuler.

Funds raised will support a variety of Smokies projects, including Parks as Classrooms, which provides hands-on curriculum-based environmental education programming for thousands of Western

August Workshop Schedule

Saturday, August 25

Experience a 1955 thru-hike

Students explore natural resources fields in Raleigh A trio of local high school students recently represented Haywood County at a weeklong environmental workshop, the Resource Conservation Workshop, held at N.C. State University in Raleigh.

Pisgah High School student Kaitlin Moore and Nina Dove and Jena Brown, both of Tuscola High School, have all been on

Envirothon teams since middle school. Two of the girls have attended the Haywood Soil and Water Conservation District’s Youth Environmental Stewardship Camp and Moore is a member of Pisgah’s FFA club.

During the workshop, 91 students from across the state spent their days learning from scientists, foresters, biologists, wetland specialists, wildlife experts and engineers during classroom instruction and outdoor study.

On the final morning, students took an exam testing them on what they’d learned.

Moore was awarded $375 for having the sec-

ond-highest test score, as well as $250 for having the highest score in the 16 western counties. She was also an S. Grady Lane Nominee Finalists, one of eight students nominated for consideration for the scholarship.

The workshop, now in its 55th year, is sponsored by the N.C. Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts in conjunction with the N.C. Division of Soil and Water Conservation, N.C. State University Crop and Soil Science Department and the Soil and Water Conservation Society Hugh Hammond Bennett Chapter.

Saturday, September 8 Music: Devils in Dust Food: TBA Featured Brew: Ecusta Brewing

Saturday, September 22 (Gates open at 10 am/Music at noon) Music: Kenny George Band & EZ Shakes Food: Hit the Bit BBQ Featured Brew: Frog Level

Smoky Mountain News

Actress Anne Van Curen will transform into Emma “Grandma” Gatewood to tell the story of the first woman to solo hike the Appalachian Trail during a presentation at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at Laughing Heart Lodge in Hot Springs.

Van Curen will base her portrayal on the New York Times bestseller Grandma Gatewood’s Walk, which tells the story of Gatewood’s 1955 thru-hike of the 2,000-plus-mile trail. The audience will learn about what motivated Gatewood to start the hike all those years ago and how hiking has changed in the past 60 years.

Organized by the Great Smoky Mountains Association. $20 for GSMA members; $35 for nonmembers. Sign up at https://conta.cc/2K1QEyE.

Music: Erik & Norma Hendrix, & Noah Proudfoot Food: Out of the Blue Featured Brew: Brewery TBA

Live Music • Family Friendly • Waterfront Open • Food Trucks • Local Beer • At the gate: $15/carload - $50/15 - passenger van - $5/bike Camping and cabins available.

Call 828.646.0095 for reservations.

Gates open at 3 pm - Music starts at 5 pm

lakelogan.org/events

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outdoors

Diane E. Sherrill, Attorney

Colorful and varied, lichens are everywhere. Donated photo

Is a Will Enough?

FREE LUNCHEON SEMINAR

August 15: 11:30 A.M.-1 P.M. September 19: 11:30 A.M.-1 P.M. Best Western in Dillsboro Reservations Suggested

828.586.4051

Learn all about lichens

nctrustlawyer.com

Master educator Jennifer Love will delve into the enticing world of lichens Saturday, Aug. 4, at Alarka Expeditions in Cowee.

The day will include lichen ecology, identification and natural history, as well as a vegetarian lunch. Love is the STEM Coordinator at Macon County Public Schools and has been learning about

28 Maple St. • Sylva

facebook.com/smnews

August 1-7, 2018

314-22

JUST IN...

SOCKS

Smoky Mountain News

Edgy quotes combined with elegant imagery for those daring, funky ladies and guys with a good sense of humor.

Explore Panthertown geology A hike revealing the geological history of Panthertown Valley will be offered Saturday, Aug. 11, near Cashiers.

Geology buff Bill Jacobs will lead this hike through the backcountry area as a follow-up to a popular talk he gave last year about the geology of Panthertown Valley and the surrounding mountains.

Space limited. For more information, contact friends@panthertown.org.

Hemlock health to be highlighted The decline of hemlocks in the Southern Appalachians will be the topic of a lecture at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, at the Highlands Nature Center.

Sara deFosset, outreach associate for the Hemlock Restoration Initiative, will talk about how organizations like hers are responding to the crisis resulting from destruction caused by the invasive hemlock wooly adelgid, including new research findings and updates to hemlock management protocols.

The HRI, a program of WNC Communities, was launched in 2014 by Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler to work with a variety of partners and exist-

Trees throughout the region are affected by the hemlock wooly adelgid, which appears as white tufts on the underside of tree branches. Donated photo

ing programs to restore hemlocks to longterm health.

The talk is part of the Zahner Conservation Lecture Series, which offers free lectures on conservation-related topics every Thursday night through Sept. 13. For a schedule, visit www.highlandsbiological.org.

Key land tract conserved in Macon

Affairs of the Heart

————————————————————————————— 120 N. Main St. • Waynesville, NC • 828.452.0526 affairsoftheheartnc.com 38

lichens since 2006, teaching her basic lichen class at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, the N.C. Arboretum, Asheville Botanical Gardens and Coweeta Hydrologic Institute. $65. Register with Brent Martin or Angela-Faye Martin at 828.524.7400 or alarkaexpeditions@gmail.com.

Two adjoining properties that Mainspring Conservation Trust bought in July now link previously unconnected pieces of national forest and state lands in southern Macon County, also boosting connectivity for the Bartram Trail.

The 71-acre purchase is mostly floodplain with some upland forestland. It fits between land surrounding Coweeta Mound, which Mainspring conveyed to state ownership in 2008, and national forest land through which the long-distance Bartram Trail weaves. Currently, the Bartram Trail exits the woods and walks along the road at that point, but the purchase will allow the trail to be routed to the Little Tennessee River instead.

Mainspring is currently raising money to create a parking area on the site for Bartram Trail hikers.

Donate to Mainspring online at mainspringconserves.networkforgood.com.

WNC Calendar COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • Haywood County Farm Bureau will offer “Avoid/Deny/Defend” – a civilian response to an active shooter event – at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2, at the Farm Bureau Office in Waynesville. Sandwiches will be served. Led by Deputy Kevin Brooks of the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office. RSVP: 452.1425.

• Canton will celebrate National Night Out from 5-9 p.m. on Aug. 7 at Sorrells Street Park. Organized by Canton Police Department as an opportunity for neighborhoods to stand together and promote awareness, safety and neighborhood unity.

• Sign-ups are underway for Jackson County’s “Citizens Academy” – an eight-week course focused on services provided by the county – starting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 11. Info and applications: 631.2295 or jcfitzgerald@jacksonnc.org.

• Nominations are being sought for the Mountain Heritage Awards that will be presented on Saturday, Sept. 29, on Western Carolina University’s campus in Cullowhee. Awards go to individual and organization for contributions to or playing a prominent role in research, preservation and curation of Southern Appalachian history, culture and folklore. Nominations can be sent to pameister@wcu.edu, Mountain Heritage Center, 1 University Drive, Cullowhee N.C. 28723, or drop off in person at Room 240 of WCU’s Hunter Library.

• Registration is underway for participants in the Southwestern Community College Automotive Club’s annual car show, which will take place Aug. 10-11 at the Wayne Proffitt Agriculture Center in Franklin. Entry fees range from $10-25. d_myers@southwesterncc.edu.

• Mountain Discovery Charter School will celebrate the opening of its new gymnasium with a ribbon cutting from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11, at the new gym in Bryson City. Performance by past and present students of the Junior Appalachian Musician program.

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

• Tickets and sponsorships are available for “Bluegrass, Blue Jeans & Bling,” the fifth annual fundraising gala for the Southwestern Community College Foundation. Event is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Aug. 25 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.

Performances by Frogtown (Bluegrass) and Steve Johannessen (Classics). $150 per person; sponsorships start at $1,500. 339.4241 or www.southwesterncc.edu/foundation/2018-gala-eventdetails.

VOLUNTEERS & VENDORS • A Guardian ad Litem training class will be held from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. every Friday through Aug. 10 at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. The N.C. Guardian ad Litem program recruits, trains and supervises volunteer advocates to represent and promote the best interests of abused, neglected and dependent children in the state court system. Info: 454.6395 or www.volunteerforgal.org.

• REACH of Macon County will hold a two-day volunteer training from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Aug. 13-14.

Location will be mailed to you upon registration.

Register: reach@reachofmaconcounty.org, 369.5544 or 586.8969.

• The Town of Canton is accepting submissions for its 112th Labor Day Festival – “A Celebration of All Things Made in Western North Carolina.” Deadline for all arts and crafts is 4 p.m. on Aug. 21. Before applying: call 648.2363, email photos to lstinnett@cantonnc.com or mail to: Town of Canton, Attn: Canton Labor Day; 58 Park Street; Canton, NC 28716. Event runs Sept. 2-3 in downtown Canton. Cantonlaborday.com.

HEALTH MATTERS BUSINESS & EDUCATION • A Notary Public class will meet from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, at Haywood Community College’s Workforce Continuing Education Department in Clyde. $75. For info or to register: 627.4669 or rgmassie@haywood.edu.

• A Defensive Driving class will be held from 6-10 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 6, through Haywood Community College’s Workforce Continuing Education Department in Clyde. For info or to register: 627.4669 or rgmassie@haywood.edu.

• An “OBD II Safety Inspection” class will be offered on Tuesday and Thursday, Aug. 7 and 9, through Haywood Community College’s Workforce Continuing Education Department in Clyde. $75. For info or to register: 627.4669 or rgmassie@haywood.edu.

• Registration is underway for a workshop on hiring effective nonprofit leaders, which will be offered by Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30, at WCU’s instructional site at Biltmore Park in Asheville. For info or to register: pdp.wcu.edu.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • Downtown Waynesville merchants are invited to participate in a fundraiser for Mountain Projects on Thursday, Aug. 9, and on Sunday, Aug. 12.

Participating merchants will donate 10 percent of sales from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday and through closing on Sunday to Mountain Projects. For info or to participate: dana@tiadana.com or 101mercantile@gmail.com.

• The Autism Society of North Carolina, Macon County Chapter, meets from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month (second Sunday in September) at Bethel United Methodist Church in Franklin. maconchapter@autismsociety-nc.org or www.facebook.com/groups/asnc.macon.

• An Eco-Forum on “The Opioid Epidemic: Silently Affecting Our Community” is scheduled for 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, at the Macon County Library in Franklin.

Smoky Mountain News

• The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donors due to an emergency shortage. To schedule an appointment or donate, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800.RED.CROSS (800.733.2767).

• Community First Aid and CPR classes are offered from 6-10 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at Haywood Community College in Clyde. Info: 564.5133 or HCC-CPRraining@haywood.edu.

• Western Carolina University’s student-run, Mountain Area Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic will be open from 6-8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays of each month. 227.3527.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) holds a support group for family, friends, and those dealing with mental illness on the 1st Thursday of each month in the 2nd floor classroom at Haywood Regional Medical Center at 6:30 p.m.

• HIV and syphilis testing will is offered during normal business hours at Jackson County Health Department.

• A “Walk With A Doc” program is scheduled for 10 a.m. each Saturday at the Lake Junaluska Kern Center or Canton Rec Park. MyHaywoodRegional.com/WalkwithaDoc.

SPIRITUAL • Lake Junaluska Singers will perform at the Summer Worship Series at 10:45 a.m. on Sundays through Aug. 5 at Stuart Auditorium. www.lakejunaluska.com/singers.

• The Summer Worship Series at Lake Junaluska concludes on Sunday, Aug. 5, with Rev. Ginger GainesCirelli as guest speaker. Gaines-Cirelli became the first woman to serve as senior pastor of historic Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. www.lakejunaluska.com/events/worship/summer_worship.

• Rev. Dr. Clayton Smith, Retired Executive Pastor of Stewardship and Generosity at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City, will be featured as part of the Summer Speaker Series at 8:20, 9:40 and 11:05 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 12, at Long’s Chapel in Waynesville. Info: longchapel.com.

• Registration is open for the Festival of Wisdom and Grace, a conference for adults seeking purpose and renewal in the second half of life scheduled for Aug. 13-16 at Lake Junaluska. Speakers include Rev. Heidi B. Neumark and Dr. Clayton Smith. Entertainment includes “Acts of Renewal” – a husband and wife theatrical duo.

800.222.4930 or www.lakejunaluska.com/wisdom-andgrace.

POLITICAL • The Joe Sam Queen campaign will host an ice cream social meet-and-greet from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 5, at the Balsam Volunteer Fire Department. Queen is a candidate for N.C. House Seat 119.

• A monthly health series on “Mind and Body: Health, Nutrition & You” continues with a presentation on “End of Life Care and Planning” at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 14 at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. 586.2016.

• Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) will have his fifth-annual NC-11 Veterans’ Solution Seminar from 8:30-11:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 10, at the Haywood Senior Center.

Opportunity to learn about available assistance with issues surrounding VA benefits, healthcare and disability.

• Codependents Anonymous (CoDA) meets at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays at the Friendship House on Academy Street, behind and adjoining the First United Methodist Church of Waynesville. Group of persons desiring healthy and fulfilling relationships. 775.2782 or www.coda.org.

Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: ■ Complete listings of local music scene ■ Regional festivals ■ Art gallery events and openings ■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers ■ Civic and social club gatherings Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. moonshinepressnc@gmail.com or www.tylermcook.com.

• Waynesville Book Club at 5:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at Waynesville Library Meet to discuss books, which are chosen by each member (taking turns) and provided by the library. New members are welcome. For more information, 356.2507.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Aug. 3 at Bi-Lo in Franklin. To schedule an appointment or donate, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800.RED.CROSS (800.733.2767).

• Registration is underway for an eating disorder workshop with Linda Bacon, Ph.D. the workshop is scheduled for 12:30-5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25, at the Folk Art Center Auditorium in Asheville. Title is: “Nurturing Body Respect: The Facts, Fictions and Clinical Path” – an evidence based alternative to weight-focused care.

Advance tickets only; no on-site tickets. 298.7928. info@crcfored.com or 337.4685.

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• “Go, Granny D!” – a fundraiser for the Haywood County Democratic Party – is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16, at the Colonial Theater in Canton.

Featuring actress Barbara Bates Smith and musician Jeff Sebens. https://haywooddemocrats.wordpress.com.

Tickets: $15 before Aug. 7; $20 after Aug. 7. 452.9607 or haywooddemocrats@gmail.com. Info: www.barbarabatessmith.com.

AUTHORS AND BOOKS • Franklin native and author Tyler Cook will release his fifth book Disciple at a special release party at 10 a.m.

• The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department has set a time for senior citizens (55-older) to play tennis from 9 a.m.-noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through Oct. 28 at the Donnie Pankiw Tennis Center in Waynesville. For players intermediate or higher skill level. $1 per day. 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

• The Waynesville Recreation Center will offer additional courts for pickleball for seniors from 7 a.m.-noon on Mondays through Fridays. For ages 60-up. Free for members; $3 for nonmembers. 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

• The Mexican Train Dominoes Group seeks new players to join games at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville.

356.2800.

• A Silver Sneakers Cardio Fit class will meet from 1011 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Haywood County Senior Recreation Center. For ages 60 and above. Cost is regular admission fee to the rec center or free for members at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

• Senior croquet for ages 55 and older is offered from 9-11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Vance Street Park in front of Waynesville Recreation Center.

Free. For info, contact Donald Hummel at 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

• A Hand & Foot card game is held at 1 p.m. on Thursdays at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

• Pinochle game is played at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

• Mah Jongg is played at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville.

356.2800.

• A Canasta card game is set for 1 p.m. on Mondays at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

KIDS & FAMILIES • A new traveling recreation program called “Base Camp on the Go” will host last one at Recreation Park in Waynesville Aug. 3 from 10 to 12. Log rolling in a large inflatable pool, badminton, ninja warrior obstacle course and other games. 456.2030 or cmiller@waynesvillenc.gov.

wnc calendar

• Annual Summer Learning Program is being offered through the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

Features prizes, story times, movies, STEAM programming, arts and crafts and more. 586.2016.

• “Hike: When the Roll is Called Up Yonder” – a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Ranger program – is at 3 p.m. on Mondays through Aug. 6 starting at the Mingus Mill Parking Area.

• The Cradle of Forestry in America will host “Woodsy Owl’s Curiosity Club” from 10:30 a.m.-noon on Wednesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 2 in Pisgah Forest. $5 per youth and $3 per adult per program.

Registration required: 877.3130. www.cradleofforestry.com.

• “Feeding the Pigs” – a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Junior Ranger program – is at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays through Aug. 6 at the Davis Queen House, Mountain Farm Museum.

• The Cradle of Forestry invited kids of all ages to celebrate Smokey Bear’s Birthday with a party from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, in Pisgah Forest.

877.3130 or www.cradleofforestry.com.

• “Smoky Mountain Elk”– a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Junior Ranger program – is at 5:30 p.m. on Sundays from through Aug. 5 and Saturdays, Aug. 11-18 and Sept. 8 & 22 at the Palmer House in Cataloochee Valley.

• Registration is underway for fall acting classes through Kids at HART program. Classes run from Sept.

10-Nov. 26. $120 for acting classes or $110 for voice classes. www.harttheatre.org.

• “Return of the Elk” - a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Ranger program – is at 5 p.m. on Tuesdays through Aug. 28 (not including Aug. 14) at the Rough Fork Trailhead at Cataloochee Valley.

• Preregistration is underway for an Intermediate Sewing Camp that will be offered as part of Macon County 4-H’s Summer Relief activities from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Aug. 6-8 in the Cooperative Extension Meeting Rooms in Franklin. For ages 9-up. Preregister: 349.2046 or macon.cec.nscu.edu.

August 1-7, 2018

• Preregistration is underway for a “Zoo Snooze” offered on Aug. 9-10 through the Macon County 4-H. $45 for youth or adult. Leave from Macon Cooperative Extension Office in Franklin. For ages 5-18. Preregister: 349.2046 or macon.cec.nscu.edu.

Smoky Mountain News

• A hike of Andrews Bald - a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Ranger program – is at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays through Aug. 7 starting at the Forney Ridge Trailhead at Clingmans Dome.

• “Go Out On A Limb, Branch Out”- a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Junior Ranger program – is at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays through Aug. 7 at the Oconlauftee River Trailhead adjacent to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.

• “Gourmet Dining on Four Feet” - a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Junior Ranger program – is at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays through Aug. 8 at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center Porch near Cullowhee.

• “The Oconaluftee Compass Challenge” - a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Ranger program – is at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays through Aug. 8 (except July 25) at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center Porch near Cullowhee.

• “Adz, Froe and a Fine Tree” - a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Ranger program – is at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays through Aug. 9 at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center Porch near Cullowhee.

• “Blacksmithing” - a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Junior Ranger program – is at 10 a.m. on Fridays through Aug. 10 at the Mountain Farm Museum.

• “Down on the Farm” – a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Ranger program – is at 1 p.m. on Sundays through Aug. 5 at the Mountain Farm Museum adjacent to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee.

• “Smokemont Evening Campfire Program” - a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Ranger program – is at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturday through Aug. 11 at the Smokemont Campground between C & D loops.

• “Feeding the Pigs”– a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Junior Ranger program – is at 6:30 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays through Aug. 9 at the Davis Queen House, Mountain Farm Museum.

• “Batteries Not Included” - a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Junior Ranger program – is at 10 a.m. on Fridays through Aug. 10 at the Davis Queen House, Mountain Farm Museum.

• “Smokemont Night Hike” - a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Junior Ranger program – is at 8:45 p.m. on Sundays through Aug. 5 at the Bradley Fork Trail in the Smokemont Campground, end of DLoop. Make reservations at least four days in advance: 497.1904.

• “The Four-Legged Weather Forecaster”– a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Junior Ranger program – is at 10:30 a.m. on Mondays through Aug. 6 at the Davis Queen House, Mountain Farm Museum.

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• “Feeding the Pigs” – a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Junior Ranger program – is at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays through Aug. 6 at the Davis Queen House, Mountain Farm Museum.

• “Smokemont Evening Campfire Program” - a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Ranger program – is at 7 p.m. on Fridays through Aug. 10 at the Smokemont Campground between C & D loops.

National Park Summer Ranger program – is at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays through Aug. 11 at the Maple Tree at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee.

• “How Do I Get There from Here?” - a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Junior Ranger program – is at 1 p.m. on Saturdays through Aug. 11 at the Oconaluftee Multipurpose Room adjacent to the Visitor Center near Cherokee.

KIDS FILMS • “Hotel Transylvania 3” is showing at 1 p.m. on Aug. 1-2, and 7 p.m. on Aug. 1-2 at The Strand On Main.

See www.38main.com for tickets.

• “Ready Player One” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 3 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free.

586.3555 • The “Movies on Everett” outdoor series will run through Aug. 17 at the corner of Mitchell and Everett streets in downtown Bryson City. Screenings begin at 9 p.m. Family-friendly. Free to attend. For a full schedule of the films to be screened, click on www.greatsmokies.com.

• Summer Film Fest 2018 will be presented by Suminski Family Books at 7 p.m. on Aug. 9 & 16 at Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Featured movies will be “Peter Rabbit” (Aug. 9) and “Wonder” (Aug. 16). Tickets $5 and available at Franklin Chamber of Commerce, Scottish Tartans Museums or members of benefitting non-profits: Grandpa’s Woodshop, Women’s History Trail (FHAMC), Read2Me and Friends of the Greenway. Info: 369.5417 or Claire@dometrics.com.

• “Isle of Dogs” will be shown at 6:30 July 27 & 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 4 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva.

Free. 586.3555 • “Avengers Infinity War” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 17 & 7 p.m. on Aug. 18 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 586.3555

A&E FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

• “Stream Splashers” - a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Junior Ranger program – is at 10 a.m. on Saturdays through Aug. 11 at the Deep Creek Picnic Area.

• The “Art After Dark” in downtown Waynesville is hosted on the first Friday of the month (MayDecember), Main Street transforms into an evening of art, music, finger foods, beverages and shopping as artisan studios and galleries keep their doors open later for local residents and visitors. www.waynesvillegalleryassociation.com.

• “A Great Rangering Skill” - a Great Smoky Mountains

• Parker Meadow Fun Day is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on

Puzzles can be found on page 46 These are only the answers.

Thursday, Aug. 15, at Parker Meadows Creek. 349.2046 or macon.cec.ncsu.edu.

• Art in Monteith Park, a daylong arts and crafts festival, will celebrate the Appalachian Women’s Museum starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18, in Dillsboro.

More than 40 booths of handmade local arts and crafts; performances by The Maggie Valley Band and J.Creek Cloggers. Parking: $3. Info: artinmonteithpark@gmail.com or 586.3511.

• The 10th annual Mountain High BBQ Festival & Car Show is scheduled for Aug. 10-11 at the Wayne Proffitt Agricultural Center in Franklin. Kansas City BBQ Society-sanctioned competition. $5 admission for Friday and Saturday; 12-under free. Summer Brooke & The Mountain Faith Band perform at 7 p.m. on Friday; Cruise-in from 6-8 p.m. on Friday; Kids Day on Saturday featuring Professor Whizzpop; True Outlaws Concert from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Saturday. www.MountainHighBBQFestival.com or 524.3161.

• Registration is underway for the 48th Smoky Mountain Folk Festival, featuring traditional music and dance of the Southern Appalachian Region. The festival is Aug. 31-Sept. 1 at Lake Junaluska. https://tinyurl.com/y9a6jpug, 800.222.4930 or communications@lakejunaluska.com.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • The N.C. Arboretum will host its second annual “Summer Lights” concert from 8-10 p.m. on Aug. 3-4 in Asheville. Music by the Blue Ridge Orchestra; specially designed projected-light show synchronized to music displayed against the amphitheater’s forested backdrop after sunset. Tickets: www.ncarboretum.org/event/summer-lights.

• Lake Junaluska Singers will perform at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 1, at Memorial Chapel in Lake Junaluska. www.lakejunaluska.com/singers.

• The Lake Junaluska Singers will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 3 in Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska. www.lakejunaluska.com/events/singers/concert_tickets. 800.222.4930 or communications@lakejunaluska.com.

• Slippery When Wet, a Bon Jovi tribute band, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Tickets start at $18. www.greatmountainmusic.com.

• STAR Ranch will once again host Jamie Simpson as Jeff Foxworthy at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Elevated Mountain Distillery in Maggie Valley. Simpson is the world’s leading Jeff Foxworthy impersonator. Even Foxworthy himself is quoted as saying, “It’s like looking in a dang mirror.” A $35 admission ticket includes a meal catered by the Rendezvous Restaurant and a great show. Samples of the distillery’s finest brews will also be available for $5. There will be silent and live auctions as well400.4940. All proceeds go to sustain STAR Ranch’s efforts in caring for needy horses in Western North Carolina, to date 130. www.star-ranch-rescue.

• The Raleigh Ringers will perform handbells at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 4 in Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska. www.lakejunaluska.com/events/singers/concert_tickets.

• HART will hold auditions for its October production of “The Bad Seed” at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday and Monday, Aug. 12-13, in Waynesville. Director is Wanda Taylor.

• A musical theatre performance by the Triple Arts Company will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, in the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

• “One Leg Up” – part of the Haywood County Public Library’s Friends of the Library Concert Series – is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18, in the auditorium of the Waynesville Library. Mixture of Gypsy Jazz, Latin, Swing and original Jazz. 452.0593, info@haywoodarts.org or HaywoodArts.org.

• Subscriptions are on sale now for the Bardo Arts Center’s Sunday Cinema Series, which presents encore live performances from the National Theatre in London starting Aug. 26 in Cullowhee. The first is “Yerma” at 3 p.m. on Aug. 26. A subscription for all seven screenings is $90 or $60 for WCU faculty/staff and seniors or $25 for WCU students. Individual tickets will go on sale Aug. 15 at the rate of $15 for adults; $10 for WCU faculty/staff and seniors and $5 for students.

Arts.wcu.cinema or 828.227.ARTS.

• The Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society will have its annual picnic at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2, at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center.

• An “Introduction to Cold Process Soap Making” class will be offered on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 45, through Haywood Community College’s Workforce Continuing Education Department in Clyde. Class meets from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.noon on Sunday. Cost: $50. Basic soap chemistry, safety precautions and more. For info or to register: 627.4669 or rgmassie@haywood.edu.

• Registration is underway for a “Lichens of the Southern Appalachians” program scheduled for Aug. 4, through the Alarka Institute. Led by Jennifer Love.

Register: www.paypal.me/cedartree. Info: alarkaexpeditions@gmail.com, 371.0347 or alarkaexpeditions.com.

• A program designed to help you become a better nature photographer is scheduled for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, in Balsam. Led by Larry Thompson, who served as the National Audubon Society’s Southeast Regional Vice President for 20 years. Cost: $40. Register: 452.5414 or lvthompson@earthlink.net.

• The Concerts on the Creek will have Lance & Lea (America/pop) at 7 p.m. Aug. 3 at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva. Free and open to the public. There will also be food trucks onsite. 586.2155 or www.mountainlovers.com.

• The Haywood County Arts Council will hold its Nature/Art Day on Wednesday, Aug. 8, at Cataloochee Ranch. Bird watching, hiking, reading, painting and relaxing. Reservations and payment due by Aug. 1. $25 or $20 for HCAC Artist Members. 452.0593.

• The “Groovin’ on the Green” concert series at The Village Green in Cashiers will be hosting Andalyn at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 3. www.villagegreencashiersnc.com.

• Bingo will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 9 and Aug. 23 at the Pavilion next to Maggie Valley Town.

Sponsored by the Maggie Valley Civic Association.

Cash prizes; snacks available.

• The Pickin’ on the Square summer concert series will feature Paradise 56 (blues/reggae) at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Gazebo in downtown Franklin.

Food vendors will also be available. www.townoffranklinnc.com.

• “An Appalachian Evening” will host The Jeff Little Trio at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Stecoah Valley Center. www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.

• The Concerts on the Creek will have The Get Right Band (soul/rock) at 7 p.m. Aug. 10 at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva. Free and open to the public. There will also be food trucks onsite. 586.2155 or www.mountainlovers.com.

• The Pickin’ on the Square summer concert series will feature Golden Harvest (bluegrass) at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Gazebo in downtown Franklin. Food vendors will also be available. www.townoffranklinnc.com.

• Cold Mountain Music Series will host Josh Carter & Creekside Crawfish at 5 p.m. on Aug. 11. Gates open at 3 p.m. Admission is $15 for a car, $50 for 15-passenger van and $5 for bikes. Food will be offered by Vieux Carre and beverage by Noble Cider. Reservations by calling 646.0095 and more information at www.lakelogan.com/events.

• “An Appalachian Evening” will host Volume Five at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Stecoah Valley Center. www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.

• Chef Jackie Blevins will offer new ideas for preparing eggplant from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11, at Waynesville Library. Registration required: 356.2507 or kolsen@haywoodnc.net.

• The Western North Carolina Woodturners Club will meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Bascom in Highlands.

• Registration is underway for “Bladesmithing: Seax Knife Class” – a class with Brock Martin that is scheduled for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 18-19, at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. Cost: $380. Preregistration required: 631.0271. Info: www.JCGEP.org.

• Registration is underway for a “Rug Braiding” class that will be offered by Dogwood Crafters from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesdays, Aug. 22-29, at Dillsboro Masonic Lodge. $7. Register by Aug. 15: 586.2248.

• The Highlands Village Square Art & Craft Show is scheduled for 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Aug. 25-26 at KelseyHutchinson “Founders” Park on Pine Street in downtown Highlands. Fine art, folk art and regionally made crafts. 787.2021.

• Quilters are invited to participate in “A Heavenly Quilt Walk,” which will be held Sept. 21-22 at downtown churches in Franklin. www.smokymtnquilters.org.

Smoky Mountain News

• The “Groovin’ on the Green” concert series at The Village Green in Cashiers will be hosting Sundown at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 10. www.villagegreencashiersnc.com.

• Dogwood Crafters will offer a “Fall Fabric Pumpkin” class from 10 a.m.-noon on Thursday, Aug. 9, at the Dillsboro Masonic Lodge. $7. Register by Aug. 2: 586.2248.

August 1-7, 2018

• Highlands Town Square “Friday Night Live” series will host Johnny Webb Band (country) Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. www.highlandschamber.org.

• Registration is underway for an “Armor Construction: Gothic Serman Helm (Sallet): class that will be led by Brock Martin of WarFire Forge from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Aug. 4-5, at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. Cost: $390 (materials included). Preregistration required: 631.0271 or www.JCGEP.org.

SUMMER MUSIC

wnc calendar

• The Roots of American Folk Music will be presented at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9, by Marshall Ballew.

Concert is a musical and historical journey through the years and forms of American Folk Music. www.reverbnation.com/marshallballew.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • A comedy improvisation class will be offered from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesdays at Moo Mountains Bakery in Maggie Valley. Led by improv teacher Wayne Porter, who studied at Sak Comedy Lab in Orlando and performed improv with several groups.

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wnc calendar

• Western North Carolina Woodturners Club will meet at 10 a.m. on the second Saturday every month at the Bascom in Highlands.

• The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) will hold its annual meeting at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at the HCAC gallery in Waynesville. The event will begin with a wine and cheese reception at 5 p.m. info@haywoodarts.org or 452.0593.

Macon County Public Library Meeting Room in Franklin.

• “Book Club” will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 10 and 7 p.m. Aug. 11 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva.

Free. 586.3555 • “Deadpool 2” will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 16 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 586.3555 • “Mamma Mia” is showing at 7 p.m. on Aug. 3-9 and 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. on Aug. 4-5 at The Strand On Main.

See www.38main.com for tickets.

ART SHOWINGS AND

• The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) will host local artist Gayle Haynie, who will be demonstrating stained glass techniques from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at the HCAC Gallery & Gifts in Waynesville.

Haynie has been a glass artist for 28 years. She enjoys challenging her imagination and creating fun and whimsical art along with traditional stained glass. www.haywoodarts.org.

• The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) is inviting local artists to its “Artist Coffee & Chat” at 10 a.m.

Thursday, Aug. 9, at the HCAC gallery in downtown Waynesville. Please RSVP by calling 452.0593. www.haywoodarts.org.

Smoky Mountain News

August 1-7, 2018

• The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) will host Betina Morgan, who will be teach a drawing class from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 14 and Aug. 28, at the HCAC Gallery & Gifts in Waynesville. Cost is $20 per class session. Call for supply list. www.haywoodarts.org.

• The new exhibit “Joshua Adams: Facing Culture” will run through Aug. 24 in the Fine Arts Museum at Western Carolina University. A reception for the artist and exhibit will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, at the museum. The WCU Fine Art Museum is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. Free parking is available on site.

• The exhibit “Mary Althea Parker: Abstract Impulse” will run through Aug. 24 in the Fine Arts Museum at Western Carolina University. This exhibition is a small selection of Parker’s works held by the WCU Fine Art Museum, focusing primarily on Parker’s paintings made after 1950.

• A new exhibit exploring the artistry, history and science behind the fragrance industry is open through Sept. 3 at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville Lecture by Dr. Richard Stamelman on the mysterious allure behind fragrances and the plants.

• The Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at the Bardo Arts Center is pleased to announce the opening of its newest exhibition “Glass Catalyst: Littleton’s Legacy in Contemporary Sculpture,” which will run through Dec. 7. Littleton’s work and other glass artist will be on display. A key work in the exhibition will be a new acquisition to the Museum’s collection: a glass sculpture by Harvey Littleton entitled “Terracotta Arc.” Regular museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and Thursdays until 7 p.m. For information, call 828.227.ARTS or visit bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

• The Haywood County Arts Council ArtShare exhibit, runs from Aug. 3-25. Opportunity for collectors to be able to pass on art for someone else to enjoy.

HaywoodArts.org.

FILM & SCREEN • “Tully” will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 2 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 586.3555

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• “Journey to Planet Earth: Dispatches from the Gulf Part 2” – a documentary narrated by Matt Damon – will be shown at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 8, in the

• Actress Anne Van Curen will transform into Emma “Grandma” Gatewood to tell the story of the first woman to solo hike the Appalachian Trail during a presentation at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11, at Laughing Heart Lodge in Hot Springs. $20 for current members of the Great Smoky Mountains Association; $35 for new members. https://conta.cc/2K1QEyE. • The Franklin Bird Club will have a bird walk along the greenway at 8 a.m. on Aug. 15. Meet at the Big Bear Shelter parking area.

GALLERIES • There will be an artist reception for Carol Conti from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Enjoy refreshments, visit with the artist, and take a closer look at her art which will be on display throughout the month of August.

• A birding outing for beginners and beyond will be offered starting at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11, at Founders Park in Highlands. hpasnews@gmail.com.

Outdoors

• Volunteers are being sought to help re-pot native azaleas from 9 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays through Thursdays at the Southern Highlands Reserve in Lake Toxaway. For info, and to schedule a shift: anorton@southernhighlandsreserve.org.

• “Herpetological Mysteries” - part of the Zahner Lecture Series – will be presented at 6 p.m. on Aug. 2 at the Nature Center at the Highlands Biological Station. www.highlandsbiological.org or 526.2221.

• Blue Ridge Parkway rangers will lead an easy-tomoderate 2.2-mile round-trip hike at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, from Elk Pasture Gap. Meet at Milepost 405.5.

Info: 298.5330, ext. 304.

• A work day is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, in Panthertown Valley. Sign up: friends@panthertown.org.

• A morning float on the Chattahoochee River will be held on Saturday, Aug. 4. Donations go to BacteriaAlert program on the Chatahoochee River in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Register: Chattahoochee.org/btc.

• A program on lichens will be held on Saturday, Aug. 4, at Alarka Expeditions in Cowee. Ecology, identification and natural history. Led by Jennifer Love. $65.

Register: 524.7400 or alarkaexpeditions@gmail.com.

• Coffee with a ranger is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Sundays through Aug. 5 at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee.

• A workshop covering the life history of and current research on black bears will be offered from 9:30 a.m.4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 6, at the Cradle of Forestry in America. Register: cradleprograms@cfaia.org or 877.3130.

• Registration is underway for a Fly Rod Making class that will be offered from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 7 at Haywood Community College in Clyde. Cost: $360. Info or to register: 627.4669 or rgmassie@haywood.edu.

• “The Plight of the Hemlock” - part of the Zahner Lecture Series – will be presented at 6 p.m. on Aug. 9 at the Nature Center at the Highlands Biological Station. www.highlandsbiological.org or 526.2221.

• The Franklin Bird Club will have a naturalist walk along the greenway at 8 a.m. on Aug. 8. Meet at the Macon County Public Library parking area.

• The Haywood County Arts Council will have its Nature/Art Day on Wednesday, Aug. 8, at Cataloochee Ranch. Day of bird watching, hiking, reading, painting and relaxing. $25 per person or $20 for HCAC Artist Members. 452.0593.

• “Top of the Mountain Trek” – a moderate-to-strenuous Chimney Rock Naturalist Niche Hike – is scheduled for 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11, at Chimney Rock State Park. $23 adults; $8 for annual passholder; $13 youth (ages 5-15) and $6 per Rockin’ Discovery Passholder. Visit an area typically not open to the public. Advance registration required: chimneyrockpark.com.

• Registration is underway for The Great Smoky Mountains Association’s 2018 Members Appreciation Weekend, which is scheduled for Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 13-16, at Fontana Village. Learn about Eagle and Hazel Creek communities, guided tours and more. $109. Register: https://conta.cc/2lHoLSI. • “100 Years of Bird Conservation” - part of the Zahner Lecture Series – will be presented at 6 p.m. on Aug. 16 at the Nature Center at the Highlands Biological Station. www.highlandsbiological.org or 526.2221.

Street in downtown Bryson City. 488.3681 or chamber@greatsmokies.com.

• Jackson County Farmers Market runs from 9 to noon on Saturdays at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva.

• Waynesville Historic Farmers Market runs from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon at the HART Theater parking lot. waynesvillefarmersmarket.com • Franklin Farmers Tailgate Market runs from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturdays through the end of October, on East Palmer Street across from Drake Software. 349.2049 or www.facebook.com/franklinncfarmersmarket.

• The ‘Whee Farmers Market, Cullowhee runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays through the end of October, at the University Inn on 563 North Country Club Drive in Cullowhee. 476.0334 or www.facebook.com/CullowheeFarmersMarket.

• The Original Waynesville Tailgate Market runs from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays through the end of October at 171 Legion Drive in Waynesville.

456.1830 or vrogers12@att.net.

HIKING CLUBS

• “Foraging for Food and Farmacy” will be offered on Aug. 18, on part of the original route from Gatlinburg, Tenn., to Cherokee. Led by wildcrafter Ila Hatter. Cost: $69. Register: smfs.utk.edu

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a 5.2-mile moderate hike with an elevation change of 400 feet on Saturday, Aug. 4, on the Chattooga River Trail.

Reservations: 360.7352.

• Boating Safety courses will be offered from 6-9 p.m. on Aug. 28-29 and Sept. 10-11 at Haywood Community College in Clyde. Must attend both meetings. Pre-registration required: www.ncwildlife.org.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have a 5.5-mile hike with a 100-foot ascent on Aug. 5 from Looking Glass Overlook to Big East Fork parking area. Info and reservations: 667.5419 or bobbipowers23@gmail.com.

COMPETITIVE EDGE • The “Paddle Grapple” – a race featuring stand-up paddle board, surfski, marathon and canoe – is scheduled for 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Tsali Recreation Area on Fontana Lake. Race lengths of three and six miles. Registration at 8 a.m., race at 10 a.m. $45. Organized by the Nantahala Outdoor Center.

• A five-mile run, “80s Flashback 8K,” will raise money for the Shriners Hospital in Greenville, S.C., on Saturday, Aug. 4. After-party at 6 p.m. at Lazy Hiker Brewing Company in Franklin. $35. Register: www.active.com.

• The Great Balsam Bike Relay, a combination of road and mountain biking, on Saturday, Aug. 11, in Jackson County. Segments vary from 10-30 miles. Check-in is from 4-8 p.m. on Aug. 10 at Motion Makers Bicycles.

Registration ranges from $125-$360, depending on team size and number of legs desired. darkridgeracingllc@gmail.com.

• Registration is underway for the 12th annual Power of Pink 5K run/Walk/Dog Walk that will be held on Saturday, Sept. 29, in Waynesville. Proceeds support prevention of breast cancer. Advance registration: $25 (by Aug. 31). Regular registration: $30 (after Aug. 31).

Dog registration is $10 per pet. Register at www.gloryhoundevents.com/event/power-of-pink. Info: 452.8343.

FARM AND GARDEN • “Drowning in a Sea of Zucchini: New Ways to Prepare and Preserve” will be presented from 2-3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16, at the Waynesville Library.

Registration is required: 356.2507 or kolsen@haywoodnc.net.

FARMERS MARKETS • “Locally Grown on the Green,” the Cashiers farm stand market for local growers, will be held from 3-6 p.m. every Wednesday at the Village Green Commons in Cashiers. info@villagegreencashiersnc.com or 743.3434.

• The Swain County Farmer’s Market is held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Friday through October on Island

• Carolina Mountain Club will have a 5.5-mile hike with a 100-foot ascent on Aug. 5 from Looking Glass Overlook to Big East Fork parking area on Sunday, Aug. 5. Info and reservations: 667.5419 or bobbipowers23@gmail.com.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have a 12-mile hike with a 2,200-foot elevation gain on Wednesday, Aug. 8, on Old Settlers Trail. Info and reservations: 628.6712, 279.3531 or knies06@att.net.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a five-mile moderate hike with an elevation change of 600 feet on Saturday, Aug. 11, on the Deep Creek-Indian Creek Loop in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park near Bryson City. Reservations: 369.1983.

• A hike revealing the geological history of Panthertown Valley will be offered Saturday, Aug. 11, near Cashiers. Led by Bill Jacobs. friends@panthertown.org.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have a six-mile hike with a 1,000-foot ascent on Aug. 11 from Buckeye Gap to Bearpen Gap. Info and reservations: 505.0471, 860.798.9905 or mwbromberg@yahoo.com.

• Carolina Mountain Club will have an 11.4-mile hike with a 3,000-foot elevation gain on Aug. 12, Mt. Cammerer from Davenport Gap. Info and reservations: 628.6712, 279.3531 or knies06@att.net.

OUTDOOR CLUBS • The Jackson County Poultry Club will hold its regular meeting on the third Thursday of each month at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office. The club is for adults and children and includes a monthly meeting with a program and a support network for those raising birds. For info, call 586.4009 or write heather_gordon@ncsu.edu.

• An RV camping club, the Vagabonds, camps one weekend per month from April through November. All ages welcome. No dues or structured activities. For details, write lilnau@aol.com or call 369.6669.

• The Cataloochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited meets the second Tuesday of the month starting with a dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Rendezvous restaurant located on the corner of Jonathan Creek Road and Soco Road in Maggie Valley. 631.5543.

PRIME REAL ESTATE Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

LEGAL NOTICES

MarketPlace information: The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 every week to over 500 locations across in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties along with the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. For a link to our MarketPlace Web site, which also contains a link to all of our MarketPlace display advertisers’ Web sites, visit www.smokymountainnews.com.

Rates:

■ Free — Lost or found pet ads.

■ $5 — Residential yard sale ads, ■ $5 — Non-business items that sell for less than $150.

■ $15 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2.

If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type.

■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad or colored background.

■ $50 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold.

■ $375 — Statewide classifieds run in 170 participating newspapers with 1.1+ million circulation. Up to 25 words.

■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

Classified Advertising: Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 classads@smokymountainnews.com

Great Smokies Storage 10’x20’

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20’x20’

160

$

ONE MONTH

FREE WITH 12-MONTH CONTRACT

828.506.4112 or 828.507.8828 Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE'S NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY THIS ACTION BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THE POWER AND AUTHORITY Contained within that certain Deed of Trust executed and delivered by Rick Eilerts and Marilyn Eilerts dated January 14, 2009 and recorded on January 20, 2009 in Book 752 at Page 271 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Haywood County, North Carolina. As a result of a default in the obligations contained within the Promissory Note and Deed of Trust and the failure to carry out and perform the stipulations and agreements contained therein, the holder of the indebtedness secured by said Deed of Trust made demand to have the default cured, which was not met. Therefore, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will place for sale that parcel of land, including improvements thereon, situated, lying and being in the City of Waynesville, County of Haywood, State of North Carolina, and being more particularly described in the heretofore referenced Deed of Trust.

Said sale will be a public auction, to the highest bidder for cash, at the usual place of sale at the Haywood County Courthouse, Waynesville, North Carolina, on August 13, 2018 at 12:00 PM. Address of property: 194 Ramp Patch Lane, Waynesville, NC 28786 Tax Parcel ID: 7695045865 Present Record Owners: Rick Eilerts and Marilyn Eilerts The terms of the sale are that the real property hereinbefore described will be sold for cash to the highest bidder. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. The successful bidder will be required to pay revenue stamps on the Trustee's Deed, any Land Transfer Tax, and costs for recording the Trustee's Deed. The real property hereinabove described is being offered for sale "AS IS, WHERE IS" and will be sold subject to all superior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, and other encumbrances. Other conditions will be announced at the sale. The sale will be held open for ten (10) days for upset bids, as by law required. The sale will not confirm until there have been ten (10) consecutive days with no upset bids having been filed. If for any reason the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property, or if the sale is set aside, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the bid deposit. Furthermore, if the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may declare the sale to be void and return the bid deposit. In either event, the purchaser will have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee's attorney, or the Trustee. Additional Notice Required for Residential Real Property with Less Than Fifteen (15) Rental Units: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. Albertelli Law Partners North Carolina, P.A., Substitute Trustee By: David W. Neill Albertelli Law Partners North Carolina, P.A. 205 Regency Executive Park Drive Suite 100 Charlotte, NC 28217 T: 704-970-0391 A-4664539 08/01/2018, 08/08/2018

ANNOUNCEMENTS WHOLE HOUSE ESTATE SALE 74 Sugar Grove Court, Clyde.

August 2nd, 3rd & 4th. Partial: Furniture, Mid-Century Pieces, Bedroom, Dinning Room, Living Room, Glass to die for! Plus a Garage Full for the Guys!

Presented by Frog Pond Estate Sales & Downsizing

ARTS & CRAFTS ART CLASSES Beginning Water Color Drawing & Acrylics. Six Week Classes Starting August 22nd. Located 248 S. River Rd., Sylva. Website: WWW.CSCSARTS.COM (Under ‘Classes’) or contact Carol Schilling for more info 828.549.8099

AUCTION AUCTION Waterfront-Waterview Properties, Cottage in Morehead City in Promise Land, Waterfront HomeSite in SeaLevel, 3 Boat Slips Radio Island. OnLine Bidding AUGUST 2nd-thru-14th. www.HouseAuctionCompany.com 252.729.1162 NCAL#7889 COMMERCIAL LOTS & Acreage Tracts in Kernersville, NC, Online Auction w/ Live Bidding Center at Hampton Inn in Kernersville, August 21st at 2pm, ironhorseauction.com, 800.997.2248, NCAL 3936 YOUR AUCTION AD COULD REACH 1.6 MILLION HOMES ACROSS NC! Your classified ad could be reaching over 1.6 Million Homes across North Carolina! Place your ad with The Smoky Mountain News on the NC Statewide Classified Ad Network- 118 NC newspapers for a low cost of $375 for 25-word ad to appear in each paper! Additional words are $10 each. The whole state at your fingertips! It's a smart advertising buy! Call Scott Collier at 828.452.4251 or for more information visit the N.C. Press at: ncpress.com

WNC MarketPlace

AUCTION SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 @ 10am.

201 S. Central Ave, Locust, NC. Cabinet Sets, Doors, Carpet, Tile, Hardwood, Bath Vanities, Windows, Lighting, Patio Sets, Trim, Decking, Name Brand Tools. Check website for details. www.ClassicAuctions. com, Phone: 704.507.1449 NCAF5479

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING ALL THINGS BASEMENTY! Basement Systems Inc. Call us for all of your basement needs!

Waterproofing, Finishing, Structural Repairs, Humidity and Mold Control FREE ESTIMATES! Call 1.800.698.9217 SAFE STEP WALK-IN TUB Alert for Seniors. Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less Than 4 Inch Step-In. Wide Door.

Anti-Slip Floors. American Made.

Installation Included. Call for more information 800.807.7219 and for $750 Off. CALL EMPIRE TODAY To schedule a Free in-home estimate on Carpeting & Flooring.

Call Today! 1.855.929.7756 SAPA

August 1-7, 2018

HAYWOOD BUILDERS Garage Doors, New Installations Service & Repairs, 828.456.6051 100 Charles St. Waynesville Employee Owned.

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING ACORN STAIRLIFTS. The affordable solution to your stairs! **Limited time -$250 Off Your Stairlift Purchase!** Buy Direct & SAVE. Please call 1.855.808.9573 for FREE DVD and brochure.

BATHROOM RENOVATIONS. Easy, One Day Updates! We specialize in safe bathing. Grab bars, no slip flooring & seated showers.

Call for a free in-home consultation: 877.661.6587 SAPA GOT MOLDOr think you might have it? Mold can be hazardous to you and your family’s health! Get rid of it now!

Call our experts and get a quote today! 844.766.3858 SAPA DAVE’S CUSTOM HOMES OF WNC, Free Estimates & Competitive rates. References avail. upon request. Specializing in: Log Homes, remodeling, decks, new construction, repairs & additions.

Owner/Builder: Dave Donaldson.

Licensed/Insured. 828.631.0747 or 828.508.0316 REPLACEMMENT WINDOWS $189 Installed. Economy White Thermal Window & Labor. Double Pane No Gimmicks Just $189!!! Free estimate Lifetime Warranty 804.266.0694 Fairways Windows

JAMISON CUSTOM PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING Interior, exterior, all your pressure washing needs and more.

Specialize in Removal of Carpenter Bees - Cedar or Log Homes or Painted or Siding!

Call or Text Now for a Free Estimate at 828.508.9727

CARS 1926 FORD MODEL T TUDER SEDAN ‘Ready for a Parade’ New Carpet, Exhaust & Gas Tank, Very Good Conditiion, New Car Cover & Stored in Downtown Franklin; $12,000. For Pictures or More Info Call or Email: 828.335.2411, REMIE2334@hotmail.com A-1 DONATE YOUR CAR For Breast Cancer! Help United Breast Foundation Education, Prevention, & Support Programs.

Fast Free Pickup -24 Hr ResponseTax Deduction 855.701.6346 FREE AUTO INSURANCE QUOTES. See how much you can save! High risk SR22 driver policies available!

Call 855.970.1224 CARS/TRUCKS WANTED!!!

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BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES HAVE AN IDEA For an invention/new product?

We help everyday inventors try to patent and submit their ideas to companies! Call InventHelp®, FREE INFO! 866.783.0557 SAPA NEW AUTHORS WANTED! Page Publishing will help you selfpublish your own book. FREE author submission kit! Limited offer!

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EMPLOYMENT DEADHEAD TRUCK & TRAILER Is Looking for Experienced Diesel Mechanic. Seeking Motivated and Dedicated Individual. We offer very Competitive Wages.

Looking to fill the position Immediately. Call 828.369.6200 or stop by Shop at 65 Roller Mill Rd. FTCC Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following positions: Paralegal/Executive Secretary. For detailed information and to apply, please visit our employment portal https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.com Human Resources Office Phone: 910.678.7342 Internet: http://www.faytechcc.edu An Equal Opportunity Employer

EMPLOYMENT

HOME CARE PARTNERS Needs CNAs in Jackson & Swain Counties. We have Competitive Wages, Paid Time Off, Holiday Pay, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance. For more info, please call 828.586.1570 or Apply in Person at 525 Mineral Springs Drive, Sylva, NC 28779.

AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINING – Get FAA Technician certification.

Approved for military benefits.

Financial Aid if qualified. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866.724.5403 SAPA POSITION AVAILABLE: Multi-level non-profit seeking individual with a Disability to assist people with disabilities in setting and reaching goals to Live More Independently. Must have Outgoing Personality, ability to Work Independently and ability to Interact with Local, State & Federal Agencies. Work experience and level of education will be considered. Must be familiar with Microsoft Office.

Applications for this Full Time Position available at Disability Partners, 525 Mineral Springs Dr., Sylva, NC or on our website: disabilitypartners.org OWNER OPERATORS, DRIVERS, Fleet Owners for DEDICATED Regional routes. Weekly Settlements.

Minimum 12 months 48-53’ tractor trailer experience. 800.832.7036 ext.1626, cwsapps@ilgi.com. www.cwsdedicated.com

EASY $2,000 WEEK SALES JOB: Selling Direct TV, Home Alarm Systems and AT&T Phones. Send your name, phone and e-mail to davidsmith7777@hotmail.com Dave 330.559.8638.

PET SUPPLIES & SERVICES HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329

Prevent Unwanted Litters!

The Heat Is On! Spay/Neuter For Haywood Pets As Low As $10.

Operation Pit is in Effect!

Free Spay/Neuter, Microchip & Vaccines For Haywood Pitbull Types & Mixes!

Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm 182 Richland Street, Waynesville

USE DD-33 To control Fleas & Ticks on dogs & cats topically. Quicker Kill. Longer Redidual. Biodegradeable! At Tractor Supply; www.kennelvax.com USE KENNEL DIP To control Fleas, Ticks, Mange Mites & Stable Flies. Control Mosquitos where they breed! Junaluska Feed Center; www.kennelvax.com.

CAVALIER ARMS APARTMENTS

NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS

HELPING IN HARD TIMES

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Offering 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $420.00

We Are Offering 2 Bedroom Apartments, Starting From $465.00

Section 8 Accepted - Rental Assistance When Available Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

Section 8 Accepted - Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

DOWNSIZING ESTATE SALES CLEAN OUT SERVICE • COMPANY TRANSFER • DIVORCE • LOST LOVED ONE 828-734-3874 18 COMMERCE STREET WAYNESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 28786 WWW.FROGLEVELDOWNSIZING.COM

OFFICE HOURS:

OFFICE HOURS:

Tuesday & Thursday 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

50 Duckett Cove Road, Waynesville, NC 28786

Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm 168E Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779

Phone# 1.828.456.6776 TDD# 1.800.725.2962

Phone# 1.828.586.3346 TDD# 1.800.735.2962

Equal Housing Opportunity

Equal Housing Opportunity

COMPLETE HOME INSPECTION SERVICES

Climate Control

Storage Security: Management on site Interier & Exterior Cameras

Sizes from 5’x5’ to 10’x20’

Climate Controlled

1106 Soco Road (Hwy 19), Maggie Valley, NC 28751 Find Us One mile past State Rd. 276 and Hwy-19 MaggieValleySelfStorage.com on the right side, torry@torry1.com across from Frankie’s Torry Pinter, Sr. 828-734-6500 Italian Restaurant

Call:

44

EMPLOYMENT

FROG POND ESTATE SALES

WE ARE KNOWN FOR HONESTY & INTEGRITY www.smokymountainnews.com

PAINTING

828-476-8999

Moving or Buying?

Let Us Help You.

HAYWOOD HOME INSPECTIONS

828.734.3609 | haywoodhomeinsp@gmail.com

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT

SAVE YOUR HOME! Are you behind paying your Mortgage? Denied a Loan Modification? Is the bank threatening foreclosure? CALL 844.359.4330

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE

GOT LAND? Our Hunters will Pay Top $$$ To hunt your land. Call for a FREE info packet & Quote. 1.866.309.1507 www.BaseCampLeasing.com SAPA

HOMES FOR SALE A MAGNIFICENT SANCTUARY

828.550.7050 BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company.

SAPA BRUCE MCGOVERN A Full Service Realtor, Locally Owned and Operated mcgovernpropertymgt@gmail.com McGovern Property Management 828.283.2112.

MOVING OUT OF STATE? Best Interstate Moving and Storage offers a FREE Quote and A Price Plus Promise. Call 877.648.6473 SAPA

GREAT SMOKIES STORAGE Conveniently located off 19/23

by Thad Woods Auction. Available for lease now: 10’x10’ units for $55, 20’x20’ units for $160.

Get one month FREE with 12 month contract. Call 828.507.8828 or 828.506.4112 for more info.

VACATION RENTALS OCEAN ISLE BEACH Last minute summer vacation bargains! Mention this ad and reveive a discount on all vacation homes and condominiums. Cooke Realty 1.800.622.3224. www.cookerealty.com

Ron Breese Broker/Owner

Haywood Co. Real Estate Agents

71 North Main Street Waynesville, NC 28786 Cell: 828.400.9029 ron@ronbreese.com

Berkshire Hathaway - www.4Smokys.com Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate- Heritage

www.ronbreese.com Each office independently owned & operated.

Kaye Matthews 828-421-1724 “Any agent can show you a house — I will find you a HOME.”

Your Agent. Your Neighbor.

WAYNESVILLE OFFICE:

828-564-1950

Great Smokys Realty

Kaye@4smokysrealty.com

www.4smokys.com

36 S. Main St. Waynesville

ROB ROLAND 828-400-1923

33robroland@gmail.com

FURNITURE COMPARE QUALITY & PRICE Shop Tupelo’s, 828.926.8778.

HAYWOOD BEDDING, INC. The best bedding at the best price!

533 Hazelwood Ave. Waynesville 828.456.4240

LOWEST RX PRICES, EVERY DAY! Go to BlinkHealth.com to get the guaranteed lowest price on nearly all generic medications at a nearby pharmacy. SAPA BORING/CARPENTER BEE TRAPS No Chemicals, Poisons or Anything to Harm the Environment.

Handmade in Haywood County. 1 for $20, 2 or More for $15 each.

828.593.8321

Jerry Lee Mountain Realty

Find the home you are looking for at www.robrolandrealty.com

Jerry Lee Hatley- jerryhatley@bellsouth.net Keller Williams Realty - kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • The Morris Team - www.themorristeamnc.com

Lakeshore Realty • Phyllis Robinson - lakeshore@lakejunaluska.com

Mountain Creek Realty

ITEMS FOR SALE SCENTSY PRODUCTS Your Local Independent Consultant to Handle All Your Scentsy Wants & Needs.

Amanda P. Collier 828.246.8468 Amandacollier.scentsy.us apcollier1978@gmail.com Start Own Business for Only $99

$641,00

4BD/5BA 4BD 4B BD/ D/5 /5B 5BA BA - 3494 349 34 494 94 Sq Ft 4BD 4B 4BD/4BA BD/ D/4 /4B 4BA BA on on Main Mai Ma ain in Level Lev Le eve vel el 2 Bonus Boonu nus us Rooms/1BA Roo Ro oooms ms/ s/1 /1B 1BA BA Lower Low owe wer er Level Lev eve vel ell Gorg rggeou eous F Fiirreeepppllac lace in Gr Gre rreea eat Roo oom Fiirreeepplac F lace & JJaac acuzz uzzzzi in M Maaste aster BD BD Exxcel xceell xc elle leent ent en Vac acat caati atio ioon Re Rent Ren enta ntaal Dec De Deck eck ck w/Hot w/H w/ /Ho Hoot Tub Tuub Facing Fa Fac accing inng V Viiew ieews ws Innnco com come Coomp Complete mpl ple leete Privacy Pri Pr riv iva vac acy cy on on 8.62 8.62 Acr Acrreess

BrLLocally Bruce uoca ce Own M McG cGOpe oper vatetedeedrn rn occaally Ow Owned wne ned ed & Op Operated pera rat m c g overn o v err npp ropertymgt@gmail opp err ty t y m g tt@ @ g m a i l . coo m

828-452-1519 8282 1519

Vii s ual V al T Too urr at at s h a mrr o cck13 sha kk11 3 .cco com com MLS LS## 340062 400626

Mike Stamey

mstamey@beverly-hanks.com

828-508-9607

WANTED TO BUY FREON R12 WANTED: CERTIFIED BUYER Will PAY CA$H For R12 Cylinders Or Cases Of Cans. Ph: 312.291.9169; Web: www.refrigerantfinders.com

• Ron Rosendahl - ron@mountaincreekrealestate.com

Mountain Dreams Realty- maggievalleyhomesales.com • Shirley Cole - shirleycole13@gmail.com Mountain Home Properties mountaindream.com • Cindy Dubose - cdubose@mountaindream.com

McGovern Real Estate & Property Management • Bruce McGovern - shamrock13.com RE/MAX Executive - remax-waynesvillenc.com remax-maggievalleync.com • Holly Fletcher - hollyfletcher1975@gmail.com • The Real Team - TheRealTeamNC.com • Ron Breese - ronbreese.com • Landen Stevenson- Landen@landenstevenson.com • Dan Womack - womackdan@aol.com • Mary & Roger Hansen - mwhansen@charter.net • Judy Meyers - jameyers@charter.net • David Rogers - davidr@remax-waynesvillenc.com • Marsha Block- marshablockestates@gmail.com Rob Roland Realty - robrolandrealty.com

• Rob Roland - rroland33@gmail.com Rock Realty- rockrealtyonline.com Jeff Ferguson-jeff.rockrealty@gmail.com 74 NORTH MAIN ST. • WAYNESVILLE, NC

www.beverly-hanks.com

- WANTED TO BUY U.S./ Foreign Coins! Call Dan

828.421.1616

• Carolyn Lauter - carolyn@bhgheritage.com Beverly Hanks & Associates- beverly-hanks.com • Ann Eavenson - anneavenson@beverly-hanks.com • George Escaravage - gescar@beverly-hanks.com • Billie Green - bgreen@beverly-hanks.com • Michelle McElroy- michellemcelroy@beverly-hanks.com • Marilynn Obrig - mobrig@beverly-hanks.com • Steve Mauldin - smauldin@beverly-hanks.com • Brian K. Noland - brianknoland.com • Anne Page - apage@beverly-hanks.com • Brooke Parrott - bparrott@beverly-hanks.com • Jerry Powell - jpowell@beverly-hanks.com • Catherine Proben - cproben@beverly-hanks.com • Ellen Sither - ellensither@beverly-hanks.com • Mike Stamey - mikestamey@beverly-hanks.com • Karen Hollingsed- khollingsed@beverly-hanks.com • Steve Mauldin- smauldin@beverly-hanks.com • Jerry Powell - jpowell@beverly-hanks.com • Mike Stamey - mstamey@beverly-hanks.com ERA Sunburst Realty - sunburstrealty.com • Amy Spivey - amyspivey.com • Rick Border - sunburstrealty.com • Pam James - pjames@sunburstrealty.com

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

smokymountainnews.com

Panoramic Views of Mountain Majesty. www.wncpristinehideaway.com 3BR/2BA 1.76 acres. Unrestricted Usable Land. An Unlisted Property • By Appointment Only •

STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT

EXECUTIVE

August 1-7, 2018

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised on equal opportunity basis.

COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR RENT On Russ Ave., Formally Used as a Real Estate Office. 1,852 sq. ft. $2,000/Mo., Private Parking Lot, High Traffic Count, City Water, Convenient To Maggie Valley & Waynesville. For more details please call Ron at 828.400.9029

RE/MAX

WNC MarketPlace

LEASE TO OWN 1/2 Acre Lots with Mobile Homes & Empty 1/2 Acre + Lots!

Located Next to Cherokee Indian Reservation, 2.5 Miles from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.

For More Information Please Call 828.506.0578

COMM. PROP. FOR RENT

The Smoky Mountain Retreat at Eagles Nest • Tom Johnson - tomsj7@gmail.com • Sherell Johnson - sherellwj@aol.com

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com 45

WNC MarketPlace August 1-7, 2018 www.smokymountainnews.com 46

CROSSWORD CLUES ACROSS 1. The winners 7. A place to relax 10. Monies to pay debts 12. Horse mackerel 13. Type of steroid 14. Make dry 15. The Godfather’s adopted son 16. Ivanovic and Gasteyer 17. Horror movie franchise 18. Grab 19. Iranian city 21. Yearly tonnage (abbr.)

22. One’s illicit lover 27. Fake smarts (abbr.)

28. Where Jersey natives depart from 33. Doctor 34. Front feet 36. Insurance option 37. Some is “wicked” 38. Type of weaving 39. Religious woman 40. One point east of southeast 41. Prestigious literary prize 44. Tiny humans 45. Relish over 48. Computer manufacturer 49. Envelops 50. One type is dippin’ 51. Bequeaths

CLUES DOWN 1. Dice game 2. Greek goddess of youth 3. Piers Anthony protagonist 4. One-thousandth of an inch 5. JFK Library architect 6. A type of corrosion (abbr.)

7. Beat up 8. Political action committees 9. Antidiuretic hormone 10. Of the desert 11. Oblivious of 12. Actress Lathan 14. Musical instrument 17. It’s in a plant 18. One-time special prosecutor 20. Indigenous people of Brazil 23. Mothers 24. Mongolian desert 25. Great Britain, Scotland and Northern Ireland 26. British air aces 29. A lover to Zeus 30. Frequently 31. Get together again 32. Gives a permanent post 35. Sun worshippers love one 36. Ammonia-producing process 38. 4th month of the Jewish calendar

40. New England river 41. Stores grain 42. Confess openly 43. Quarterbacks do it 44. Not good 45. Witness 46. Author Coulter 47. Type of screen

MEDICAL DRINKING/DRUG ABUSE? Take control of your life today. Find out the Addiction Treatment option that’s right for you. Take the first step toward recovery & call now 1.866.943.7748.

WELLNESS ADVOCATE mydoterra.com/blueridge wellness

COMPARE MEDICARE Supplement Plans and Save!

Explore Top Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans For Free! Get covered and Save! Call Now 888.900.8639

BATHE SAFELY And stay in the home you love with the #1 selling Walk-in Tub in North America. For an in-home appointment, call: 844.294.5707

GUARANTEED LIFE INSURANCE! (Ages 50 to 80). No medical exam.

Affordable premiums never increase. Benefits never decrease.

Policy will only be cancelled for non-payment. 855.569.0658 SAPA

LUNG CANCER? And Age 60+? You And Your Family May Be Entitled To Significant Cash Award. Call 866.590.3140 for Information. No Risk. No Money Out Of Pocket.

VIAGRA & CIALIS! 60 pills for $99, 100 pills for $150.

FREE shipping. Money back guaranteed! Call Today 1.866.339.0930. SAPA

OXYGEN Anytime. Anywhere. No tanks to refill. No deliveries. The All-New Inogen One G4 is only 2.8 pounds!

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Call 855.969.8854 SAPA

SENIORS & DISABLED: Get Help Now! One Button Medical Alert. We will be there when falls, fires & emergencies happen. 24/7 Protection. Low Monthly Cost with Free Shipping and Free Activation.

Call 866.918.0593 Today for more information. SAPA START SAVING BIG On Medications! Up To 90% Savings from 90DAYMEDS! Over 3500 Medications Available!

Prescriptions Req'd. Pharmacy Checker Approved. CALL Today for Your FREE Quote.

844.290.0096

answers on page 40

MEDICAL

FDA-REGISTERED Hearing Aids. 100% Risk-Free! 45Day Home Trial. Comfort Fit. Crisp Clear Sound. If you decide to keep it, PAY ONLY $299 per aid. FREE Shipping. Call Hearing Help Express 1.866.744.6150 SAPA WERE YOU AN INDUSTRIAL Tradesman (machinist/boilermaker/pipefitter etc) and recently diagnosed with Lung Cancer? You May Be Entitled To A Significant Cash Award. Risk Free Consultation!

855.677.0507

SUDOKU

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to Answers on solve the puzzle!

40

SERVICES AT&T HIGH SPEED Internet Starting at $40/month. Up to 45 Mbps! Over 99% Reliability!

Bundle AT&T Digital TV or Phone Services & Internet Price Starts at $30/month. 1.800.950.1469 SAPA HANDY WORK DONE Reasonable Rate! Clean-out, Haul, Mow, Fix-it. Discount for Seniors/Disabled. Call Curtis for more info 828.342.7265 THE NATION'S LARGEST Senior Living Referral Service.

Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is Free/No Obligation. Call 1.888.609.2550

YARD SALES FUND RAISING YARD SALE At Mountain Home Health & Rehab 200 Heritage Circle, Hendersonville (Just off Asheville Hwy. 1 mile past bowling alley) Sat. Aug. 4th 7-Noon Benefiting nearly 100 residents of the Nursing Home. Donations are appreciated! For more information 828.693.5849 YARD SALE! SAT. AUG. 11, 8-2pm At Immaculate Conception, 42 Newfound Rd., Canton, NC. Variety of Furniture & Household Items WHOLE HOUSE ESTATE SALE 74 Sugar Grove Court, Clyde.

August 2nd, 3rd & 4th. Partial: Furniture, Mid-Century Pieces, Bedroom, Dinning Room, Living Room, Glass to die for! Plus a Garage Full for the Guys!

Presented by Frog Pond Estate Sales & Downsizing

The naturalist’s corner

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

Best possible science discarded

S

keep coyotes out of territories or confine them to small areas, and these areas were not sufficient for coyotes to breed and maintain a territory. This is not an absolute. But the more red wolf breeding pairs you have on the ground, the fewer coyote breeding pairs you would have. Lose a red wolf breeder and you have created an opportunity to a coyote to hybridize with the remaining red wolf or have breeding coyotes (usually more than one pair) move into the space previous occupied by the red wolves.”

Another attack used by opponents of the Red Wolf Recovery Program calls into question the validity of the species. This argument is based largely on research by Bridgett M. vonHoldt et al. that theorized

conservation success: the adaptive management strategy was scrapped; select landowners were permitted to kill nonproblem wolves; wolves were arbitrarily removed from private lands; releases ceased; and flagrant wolf poaching was ignored, with devastating consequences.

Around 75 wolves were slaughtered in just a few short years and today’s population now numbers no more than 30.”

NCWRC and other opponents made a big to do over wolf/coyote hybridization.

The recovery plan called for trapping and sterilizing coyotes that held territories in the recovery area creating “placeholders” that would bar other coyotes from the territory and not be able to hybridize with wolves. A plan Rabon said was very effective.

According to Rabon, “The program’s data and other studies showed that the red wolf population could remain relatively stable in the face of infringing coyotes because red wolves behave differently than coyotes. They hold bigger territories and could essentially keep coyotes from reproducing, and especially creating hybrid events with wolves. But red wolves could not respond as quickly to the increased loss of individuals and especially breeding age individuals. This question kind of requires a more lengthy response, but basically red wolves would

the red wolf is actually a wolf/coyote hybrid. Others, like Rabon disagree. “Based on the papers and studies that I have read, I think there is sufficient evidence to conclude the red wolf is a distinct species, albeit with an interesting history that presents inherent challenges in the conservation and management of the species. New scientific information and techniques will continue to add to our understanding, but I fail to see the hybridized coyote/wolf theory proposed by vonHoldt et al.” Rabon said.

And Christian Hunt of Defenders of Wildlife noted that even while this taxonomic debate plays out the red wolf is clearly and legally entitled to protection under the Endangered Species Act and because of the Red Wolf Recovery Program FWS knows what it takes to make the reintroduction successful — they simply “…lack the political will to do so.”

And sadly, I concur with Hunt. All the best science on the ground is no match for apathy and/or lack of will, and I fear if we continue down this path of having science hijacked by politics and/or money America’s wildlands will soon be merely America’s lands.

(Don Hendershot is a naturalist and a writer who lives in Haywood County. He can be reached at ddihen1@bellsouth.net) 47

August 1-7, 2018

Smoky Mountain News

tudying the red wolf fiasco taking place in eastern North Carolina takes me far away in time and distance — back to northeastern Louisiana in December 1969.

I was 18 years old, sitting in a deer stand on the last day of season. It was a cold morning with a light breeze blowing a wispy fog around. My view would be clear one moment then shrouded in fog the next. It was a melancholy kind of morning as I looked out across a bulldozed clearcut to a small 800-acre patch of woods thinking this patch and a few more like it were all that was left of hundreds of square miles of wilderness that was once Beouf River swamp.

I was thinking about how wild it was only a decade earlier when I used to venture into it from a small cabin on Horseshoe Lake and how that wildness was disappearing with the forest — when wildness caught my eye. I could see, through the fog, three canids, one behind the other, at a leisurely trot crossing the clearcut headed for the woods. My initial thought was coyotes.

Coyotes were still fairly uncommon in the area at that time but were definitely becoming more numerous.

However, as the bulldozers ate the swamp, reports of wolves were occasionally heard. I dialed my scope up to 9X and rested the rifle on the stand to steady it. The canids were about 100 yards away at this point, quartering from my left to right headed for that small patch of forest.

The wind blew the shroud away and in the morning light I could see, clearly, three red wolves, distinguished from coyotes by size; tails carried horizontally; and smallish, rounded ears. The wolves never slowed and never wavered and soon disappeared into that small patch of woods. It’s a vision I can still see clearly in my mind’s eye today. And I know that many, probably most, but not all who have seen wolves in the wild understand the beauty and grace of that kind of wildness.

Unfortunately some people, either out of fear or disdain for that kind of wildness, don’t see grace and beauty. They see nuisance and/or competition and would rather not have wolves in the landscape. Regrettably a small number of those people — despite overwhelming public support — with assistance from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and a lack of political will by U.S. Fish and Wildlife have their foot on the throat of the Red Wolf Recovery Program in North Carolina.

Gordon Myers, executive director of NCWRC, has called the reintroduction effort unsustainable and declared that it is time for the red wolf to become extinct once again in North Carolina, suggesting the recovery program was an abject failure.

To the contrary, the Center for Biological Diversity said the recovery program, “… has been considered one of the world’s most innovative and successful efforts to restore a critically endangered carnivore species.” Ben Prater, director of the Southeast Program Field Conservation for Defenders of Wildlife, said, “The model was so successful, it was brought out west to facilitate the reintroduction of the gray wolf into Yellowstone National Park. To be sure, the red wolf faced a lot of road bumps in those early days, but FWS leaders, looking back in 2007, noted that the program was ‘remarkably successful.’”

David Rabon, former Red Wolf Recovery coordinator, former FWS endangered species biologist whose Ph.D. research focus included the behavioral ecology, reproduction and social behavior of wild canids; intra- and inter-species relationships; population assessment and species-habitat relationships; mitigation of human-predator conflicts; and, resolution of complex problems related to carnivore management, said the program was successful when he became coordinator in 2009 but the, “… rule governing the Northeastern N.C. population needed updating and revision. We also needed to update the recovery plan.”

In fact, under the Red Wolf Recovery Plan the population of wolves had grown from the initial four pairs released in 1987 to between 150 to 200 in 2005.

Even though public support for the reintroduction of red wolves remained high, a few vocal landowners mounted an all-out assault. This opposition seemed to resonate with NCWRC, who in 2013 authorized coyote hunting both day and night within the designated recovery area. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) entered the fray and ultimately an agreement was reached banning night hunting and requiring permits for the taking of coyotes during the day.

Unfortunately much damage had been done by this point. Rabon noted, “The principle reason for the most recent decline in the species (about 2007) was directly and indirectly related to human-caused and related killings (gunshot, poisoning and vehicle strike). Regulations that eliminated those threats or at the very least significantly reduced the wolf deaths, combined with adaptive management strategies to counter their effects, could have curtailed further population declines.”

But FWS instead backed away. Prater said “By the mid-2000s, over 150 wolves roamed Eastern North Carolina. After just two decades, biologists had not only worked out hybridization and other challenges, but

nearly set the stage for what was hoped to become a self-sustaining population. At that time, biologists were noting that stable wolf packs tended to either kill or exclude coyotes. Hybridization events disproportionately occurred only after a breeding wolf was killed. For that reason, it became clear that the existential threat to red wolf persistence was not the coyote itself but an unwillingness of FWS leaders to address poaching. This was compounded by pervasive mismanagement that came to a head in the early 2010s. At the behest of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, FWS leaders in Atlanta wrested control of the program from the recovery biologists in N.C. and set about dismantling decades of

August 1-7, 2018 Smoky Mountain News

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